From the time If Beale Street Could Talk premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in October, Regina King has seemed the rightful favorite for the Oscar. King won the Oscar for supporting actress for her role as a family matriarch in filmmaker Barry Jenkins adaptation of the novel by James Baldwin. In accepting the award, King said: To be standing here representing one of the greatest artists of our time, James Baldwin, is a little surreal. James Baldwin birthed this baby, Barry nurtured her, surrounded her with so much love and support. She acknowledged her mother, Gloria King, who was in the audience, while saying, So its appropriate for me to be standing here because Im an example of what it looks like when support and love is poured into someone. Mom, I love you so much. Thank you for teaching me that God is always leaning, always has been leaning in my direction. Advertisement She thanked her fellow nominees, Amy Adams, Marina de Tavira, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz, referring to them as my sisters in art. King concluded her remarks by saying, God is good, all the time. She won a Golden Globe and a Spirit Award on the way to Oscar, also earning numerous critics prizes, including being recognized by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, the New York Film Critics Circle and the National Society of Film Critics. The main bump in her trajectory was when she was not nominated for a SAG award or a BAFTA award, but that obviously proved to be less of an issue than awards prognosticators might have made out. King was first seen during a five-year run on the sitcom 227, and then moved on to feature films, including her movie debut in Boyz n the Hood and parts in Friday, A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, Ray and Jerry Maguire. FULL COVERAGE: 2019 Oscars She made a conscious decision to pull back from features and dedicate herself to TV to allow more time for raising her son. That led to five years on the police drama Southland, which led to a groundswell of critical support. King then picked up two Emmys for the anthology series American Crime and another Emmy for the limited series Seven Seconds, becoming an unexpected awards powerhouse. Other credits include The Leftovers, Shameless and The Strain. Advertisement After first directing while on Southland, King had gone on to a prolific television directing career as well, including episodes of Scandal, Shameless, This Is Us and The Good Doctor. She has also been in production on Damon Lindeloffs anticipated and highly secretive adaptation of Watchmen for HBO. 2019 Oscars: See the full list of winners and nominees King garnered significant attention when in her speech accepting the Golden Globe for supporting actress for her role in Beale Street she made a gender parity pledge, saying, in the next two years, everything that I produce, I am making a vow, and its going to be tough, to make sure that everything that I produce, that its 50% women. To a huge ovation from the audience, she added, And I just challenge anyone out there who is in a position of power not just in our industry, in all industries I challenge you to challenge yourselves and stand with us in solidarity and do the same. Advertisement Earlier this year, Jenkins spoke about why he thinks audiences have responded so strongly to Kings performance. Regina has played so many different women over the course of her career, so many different black women, and Regina is a person who really gets into her characters, he said. I think when people see Regina in this film, they see their mother, they see their grandmother. And I think thats because Regina is bringing so many of these other experiences to this role. And ultimately, despite the fact she is this person who shows so much strength throughout much of the film, Jenkins added, when she turns to show her burden, to reveal her vulnerability, you feel that. Its what Regina does so well; shes an empath. In a night of upsets, Olivia Colman turned in one of the biggest by taking the lead actress Oscar for her role in The Favourite and then winning over the crowd with the most charming speech of the night. The Favourite is a weird movie, especially by Oscars standards. Its an elaborate period piece in 18th century England, depicting Queen Anne (Colman), her top confidantes (played by Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone, both supporting actress nominees) and key politicians of the time in earthy, unflattering glory. One courtly dance erupts into voguing. It was directed by Yorgos Lanthimos of the even-weirder The Lobster and Dogtooth. Perhaps weirdest of all, Colman overcame the (Las Vegas) odds to take home another crown for Queen Anne: the Academy Award. When her name was announced, a visibly stunned Colman was embraced by several around her as costar Stone, hugging her, mouthed, Oh my God, oh my God! and Lanthimos shed a tear. Advertisement When Colman finally reached the stage, she said, Ooh, its genuinely quite stressful. She giggled and added, This is hilarious. Got an Oscar. Yorgos, my best director in the best film, and with Emily and Rachel, the two loveliest women in the world to fall in love with, and to go to work with every day, she said, and turned to the audience, drawing one of many laughs: I mean, you can imagine. It wasnt a hardship. She thanked the others in her category, singling out Glenn Close: Youve been my idol for so long, and this is not how I wanted it to be, and I think youre amazing. I love you very much. I love you all. The audience responded warmly to her genuine, tongue-tied ebullience, even when obligatorily thanking her agent with such joyful sincerity: Thank you so much! She went on to thank my kids, who are home and watching, look! Well, if youre not, then well kind of well done as the crowd laughed with her again. But I sort of hope you are. This is not going to happen again. Seven-time nominee Glenn Close had been considered the favorite to win for The Wife (1-6 at major Vegas books). Colman was second at many betting concerns at 11-2, but few expected her to replicate her home-country BAFTA triumph at the Oscars. This is her first Oscar on her first nomination. Colmans Anne is a pouting, loving, scheming, raging monarch with a big heart, big appetites, and a big stone in her soul from 17 pregnancies and no surviving children. Her dearest friend (Weisz) and the friends cousin (Stone) jockey for position in her court and her heart as politicians wrangle for her blessings on war and taxes. Colmans victory was even more surprising because The Favourite had not won any Oscars prior to her victory, losing out even in categories for which it was favored or considered a top contender including original screenplay, production design and costume design. Advertisement Oscars 2019: See the full list of winners and nominees The actress unpredictable, mercurial portrayal won her not only awards but the admiration of her peers. BlacKkKLansman star John David Washington told The Times, I want to meet her and ask her all kinds of questions. I could conduct a Q&A easily with her: How did you do that? I was just blown away. One step too far, tilt it one way or the other, and it becomes a caricature. But she is so true to this character, I found myself laughing, disgusted all the emotions were coming out. Shes brilliant. Advertisement Supporting actress nominee Marina de Tavira (Roma) also praised her to The Times, citing the interplay among the films three actresses: I was amazed by the way the incredible women in The Favourite really related to each other. The three of them, it was like a musical concert, the way they worked together. You could say the three of them were a character itself. That chemistry, while central to the film and the three performances, also caused some category confusion. The three actresses screen times are not significantly different from each other. Any or none could be said to be the lead. But Colman got the designation and it paid off, as all three were rewarded with nominations. FULL COVERAGE: Oscars 2019 Advertisement Colman, 45, is a veteran of British film and television, and previously worked with Lanthimos on The Lobster. Shes as well known in her home country for her award-winning dramatic work in Broadchurch and The Night Manager as she is for comedic work including Peep Show and That Mitchell and Webb Look. She has accrued four BAFTAs, four British Independent Film Awards and two Golden Globes including one of each award for The Favourite. Next up, Colman assumes another juicy royal role as Elizabeth II in the third season of Netflixs The Crown (taking over from Emmy winner Claire Foy as the series moves forward in time). On Oscar night, as she neared the end of her speech, she said, I used to work as a cleaner and I loved that job. I spent quite a lot of my time imagining this. Oh, please wrap up, right, she said as she saw the warning sign, then gave a raspberry: Bppptthhh. Thank you so much ahhhh! Thank you so much. Ah, Lady Gaga! Then she blew a kiss to fellow nominee Gaga, which Gaga returned, and left the stage having also won over those in the room. Mahershala Ali moves as quietly as a breeze through a keyhole, slipping into a scene, like his Don Shirley in Green Book, almost unnoticed until he fills the frame. His characters are often men of subtlety and inured wisdom, kept intact by a dignity that forces the world to adjust or at least take notice. Alis meticulous portrayal of Shirley, a pianist whose prodigious talent transcended racism, won him his second Oscar for supporting actor in three years Sunday night. The role, played opposite Viggo Mortensens rough-edged if loyal chauffeur, explored one aspect of the hateful and demeaning hardships African American artists endured throughout much of the nations history. Accepting the Academy Award, Ali first thanked the late piano virtuoso. Trying to capture Dr. Shirleys essence pushed me to my ends, which is a reflection of the person he was and the life that he lived. Born in Oakland, Ali, whose career has been a slow burn, first appeared in the national consciousness in 2001-02 as Dr. Trey Sanders in Crossing Jordan. His lobbyist Remy Danton in House of Cards was a clever, reticent charmer who navigated the insecurities and desires of those at the center of power in Washington. Then came his rendering of gangster Cornell Cottonmouth Stokes in Luke Cage, whose menace was tucked in a suaveness punctuated with lines like: Nothing humbles a man like gravity. Advertisement Mahershala Ali won his first Oscar for his performance as Juan in the film Moonlight. (David Bornfriend / A24) FULL COVERAGE: 2019 Oscars His depiction of drug dealer Juan in Moonlight (2016) won him an Academy Award in a story about a boy nicknamed Little becoming aware of his homosexuality in a neighborhood of bullies. Juan is attuned to the hard rhythms of the streets, but he is tender with and protective of Little. In HBOs True Detective, Alis Wayne Hays, who ages from a righteous investigator to a grandfather facing dementia, is haunted by an unsolved case. Those roles and his latest as a villain in Alita: Battle Angel and the voice of The Prowler in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse mean fewer people these days are stumbling over the name of the 45-year-old actor than they once did. He has discovered, though, that interviewer questions about his performances can be overshadowed by race in an era when Hollywood is facing demands for wider diversity. When I go and do these press junkets . . . I always spend a good 30% to 40% of the time talking about race, he told the Times recently. You spend so much time as a black artist speaking about the black experience that its almost like the writers are conditioned to speak to me on those terms. Which is cool, but they still dont necessarily reserve enough space to really get into the nuances of the work. From Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper singing to a Waynes World reunion, these are the highlights from the 2019 Academy Awards. Opinion: Green Book is the worst best picture winner since Crash That was the dilemma Don Shirley often struggled with in the 1960s. In his depiction of the pianist, Ali moves through the Deep South with a regal grace that acts as armor against racist cops and concert bookers. Shirley is revealed layer by layer, sitting at a piano, striking a key, knowing that a sublime note, if only for a moment, will not call attention to the color of his skin. Advertisement Green Book was hit with criticism from several fronts during its generally strong awards season run. Some of the lower moments included complaints from Shirleys living relatives that the film did not accurately depict his story and the resurfacing of an anti-Muslim tweet by screenwriter Nick Vallelonga posted in the wake of 9/11. Through it all, Ali seemed to rise above the challenges. The extraordinary range and screen presence he has as an actor is sure to make Ali one of Hollywoods most in-demand actors for years to come. And everyone knows how to pronounce his name now. 2019 Oscars: See all the winners and nominees Twitter: @JeffreyLAT Advertisement jeffrey.fleishman@latimes.com Green Book is the worst best picture Oscar winner since Crash, and I dont make the comparison lightly. Like that 2005 movie, Peter Farrellys interracial buddy dramedy is insultingly glib and hucksterish, a self-satisfied crock masquerading as an olive branch. It reduces the long, barbaric and ongoing history of American racism to a problem, a formula, a dramatic equation that can be balanced and solved. Green Book is an embarrassment; the film industrys unquestioning embrace of it is another. The differences between the two movies are as telling as the similarities. Crash, a modern-day screamfest that racked up cross-cultural tensions by the minute, meant to leave you angry and wrung-out. Its Oscar triumph was a genuine shocker; it clearly had its fans, but for many its inferiority was self-evident. 1 / 30 Director Peter Farrelly, center, and the cast of Green Book as they win Best Picture during the telecast of the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 30 Viggo Mortensen and the cast of the Green Book react during the telecast of the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 30 Mahershala Ali, center-left, and Viggo Mortensen celebrate the best picture win for Green Book during the telecast of the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 30 Olivia Colman is kissed by her husband, Ed Sinclair, as she is announced as lead actress winner for The Favourite during the telecast of the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 30 Rami Malek embraces costar Lucy Boynton after winning the Oscar for actor in a leading role for Bohemian Rhapsody. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 30 Barbra Streisand speaks onstage at the Dolby Theatre during the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 30 Lady Gaga reacts after winning the Oscar for best original song for Shallow from A Star Is Born at the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 30 Spike Lee accepts the adapted screenplay award for BlacKkKlansman during the telecast of the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 30 Spike Lee enthusiastically accepts the adapted screenplay award for BlacKkKlansman from Samuel L. Jackson and Brie Larson during the telecast of the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 30 Husband-and-wife team Jaime Ray Newman and Guy Native win the Oscar for live action short film at the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 30 Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper perform Shallow from A Star Is Born during the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 30 Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper perform Shallow from A Star Is Born during the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 30 Melissa Berton, center left, and Rayka Zehtabchi accept the award for documentary short for Period. End Of Sentence during the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 30 Mike Meyer and Dana Carvey introduce Bohemian Rhapsody during the telecast of the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 30 Hannah Beachler celebrates her win for production design during the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 30 Mahershala Ali, winner of the Oscar for actor in a supporting role, shakes hands with fellow nominee Sam Elliott during the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 30 Bette Midler waves to the crowd after performing The Place Where Lost Things Go during the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 30 Keegan-Michael Key drops in from above during the telecast of the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 30 Jennifer Hudson performs original song nominee Ill Fight during the telecast of the 91st Academy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 30 Nina Hartstone, Oscar winner for sound editing, embraces Queen guitarist Brian May during the 91st Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 30 John Warhurst and Nina Hartstone accept the Oscar for sound editing for Bohemian Rhapsody during the 91st Academy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 30 Hannah Beachler greets Spike Lee, center, during the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday in the Dolby Theatre. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 30 Stephan James and Elsie Fisher during the telecast of the 91st Academy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 30 Ruth E. Carter accepts the Oscar for costume design for Black Panther during the 91st Academy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 30 Hannah Beachler and Jay R. Hart accept the Oscar for production design for Black Panther at the 91st Academy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 30 Evan Hayes, left, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin, Shannon Dill, Alex Honnold and Sanni McCandless onstage to accept the Oscar for documentary feature for Free Solo at the 91st Academy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 30 Regina King, front, accepts the Oscar for actress in a supporting role as presenters Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler watch onstage at the Dolby Theatre. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 30 Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler during the telecast of the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 30 Brian May and Adam Lambert during Queens performance to open the telecast of the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 30 Queen performs to open the telecast of the 91st Academy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) Advertisement Oscars 2019: See the full list of winners and nominees Green Book, a slick crowd-pleaser set in the Deep South in 1962, strains to put you in a good mood. Its victory is appalling but far from shocking: From the moment it won the Peoples Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival last September, the first of several key precursors it would pick up en route to Sundays Oscars ceremony, the movie was clearly a much more palatable brand of godawful. In telling the story of the brilliant, erudite jazz pianist Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), who is chauffeured on his Southern concert tour by a rough-edged Italian-American bouncer named Tony Lip Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen), Green Book serves up bald-faced cliches and stereotypes with a drollery that almost qualifies as disarming. Mortensen and Ali, who won the Oscar for best supporting actor, are superb performers with smooth timing and undeniable chemistry. The movie wades into the muck and mire of white supremacy, cracks a few wince-worthy jokes, gasps in horror at a black mans abuse and humiliation (all while maintaining a safe, tasteful distance from it), then digs up a nugget of uplift to send you home with, a little token of virtue to go with that smile on your face. There is something about the anger and defensiveness provoked by this particular picture that makes reasonable disagreement unusually difficult. I can tell Ive already annoyed some of you, though if you take more offense at what Ive written than you do at Green Book, there may not be much more to say. Differences in taste are nothing new, but there is something about the anger and defensiveness provoked by this particular picture that makes reasonable disagreement unusually difficult. Maybe Green Book really is the movie of the year after all not the best movie, but the one that best captures the polarization that arises whenever the conversation shifts toward matters of race, privilege and the all-important question of who gets to tell whose story. Ill concede this much to Green Books admirers: They understandably love this movies sturdy craft, its feel-good storytelling and its charmingly synched lead performances. They appreciate its ostensibly hard-hitting portrait of the segregated South (as noted by U.S. Rep. John R. Lewis, who presented a montage to the film on Oscar night) and find its plea for mutual understanding both laudable and heartwarming. I know I speak for some of the movies detractors when I say I find that plea both dishonest and dispiritingly retrograde, a shopworn ideal of racial reconciliation propped up by a story that unfolds almost entirely from a white protagonists incurious perspective. Green Book has been most often compared not to Crash but to an older, more genteel best picture winner, 1989s Driving Miss Daisy, another movie that attempted to bridge the racial divide through the story of a driver and his employer in the American South. Driving Miss Daisy was adapted from Alfred Uhrys play; Green Book was co-written by Nick Vallelonga (with Brian Currie and Farrelly), drawn from the stories he heard from his father, Tony. The truth of those stories has been called into question by many, including Shirleys family, which wasnt consulted during production and which dismissed the movie as a symphony of lies. Advertisement From Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper singing to a Waynes World reunion, these are the highlights from the 2019 Academy Awards. FULL COVERAGE: Oscars 2019 Historical accuracy is, of course, just one criterion by which to judge a narrative drawn from real events, and a movie could theoretically play fast and loose with the facts and still arrive at a place of compelling emotional truth. Distortions and omissions can be interesting in what they reveal about a filmmakers intentions, and Green Book, whether you like it or not, does not have a particularly high regard for your intelligence. In its one-sided presentation and its presumptuous filtering of Shirleys perspective through Vallelongas, the movie reeks of bad faith and cluelessly embodies the white-supremacist attitudes its ostensibly decrying. That cluelessness has been well-documented. Earlier this season, Vanity Fair critic K. Austin Collins pointed out the gall of a white filmmaker blithely psychoanalyzing a black mans alienation from his own blackness (especially when it takes the form of jokes about Aretha Franklin and fried chicken). Vultures Mark Harris aptly described Green Book as a but also movie, a both sides movie that draws a false equivalency between Vallelongas vulgar bigotry and Shirleys emotional aloofness, forcing both characters not just the racist white dude to learn something about themselves and each other. Advertisement Its a tactic, Harris noted, whose echoes can even be found in a terrific older movie (and best picture winner) like In the Heat of the Night, and it exists mainly to reassure any audience that might be uncomfortable with a black man gaining the moral high ground. You would hope that in 2019 even in a 1962-set movie such strategic pandering would be a thing of the past. But in Green Book, we should be especially nauseated by how crudely the deck is stacked against Don Shirley from the get-go. A more honest, complex and tough-minded movie might have run the risk of actually becoming Shirleys story, of letting the much more interesting of these two characters slip into the metaphorical drivers seat. (The fact that Ali was pushed as a supporting actor to Mortensens lead campaign is telling in all the wrong ways.) But there isnt a single scene that feels authentically like the characters own, that speaks to Shirleys experience and no one elses. His intelligence and elegant diction is continually Otherized. (Vallelongas intellectual inferiority is mocked as well, but the pictures sympathies couldnt be more clearly on his side.) The movie makes little attempt to parse or appreciate his musical gifts critically; Shirleys artistic brilliance, much like his alcoholism or his homosexuality, is deemed interesting only insofar as it changes Vallelongas opinion of him. Its telling that what should be Shirleys most emotionally lacerating scene hes busted for having sex with another man in a YMCA shower instead becomes the movies most reprehensible. If you want to know what a profound lack of empathy looks like, take another look at that shot of Vallelonga sweet-talking the cops while, in the background, a naked black man sits handcuffed in the shower, terrified and humiliated. Advertisement Its strangely troubling that Ali who won his first supporting actor Oscar for 2016s Moonlight, an achingly beautiful portrait of gay black masculinity has now won another award for playing a gay black man in a movie that has so little respect for his identity. Theres an even ghastlier irony in the fact that the academy that broke new ground by giving its highest honor to Moonlight two years ago has now seen fit to bestow the same prize on a movie that is Moonlights complete aesthetic, emotional and moral antithesis. Its one thing to like Green Book, but it takes a highly specific set of blinders to declare it the years finest cinematic achievement in the wake of this years many better alternatives, Spike Lees tough, provocative BlacKkKlansman not least among them. The fact that the academy embraced Driving Miss Daisy in the same year it overlooked Lees great, incendiary Do the Right Thing gives Sundays Oscars broadcast the sickening sense of history repeating itself: BlacKkKlansman at least received nominations for picture and director, but in the end it too lost out to a (much worse) two-hander peddling cant-we-all-just-get-along bromides. And thats to say nothing of best picture nominees like Black Panther, the rare Hollywood blockbuster that examines the nuances of African and African American identity without undue concern for a white audiences entry points, or the innumerable terrific, tough-minded movies about racial justice, like If Beale Street Could Talk, Sorry to Bother You, Support the Girls and Widows, which voters couldnt be bothered to nominate for best picture, assuming they saw them in the first place. (The years best interracial buddy movie, by the way, wasnt Green Book; it was every exchange between Viola Davis and Elizabeth Debicki in Widows.) Michelle Rodriguez, left, Viola Davis and Elizabeth Debicki star in Twentieth Century Foxs Widows. (Twentieth Century Fox) Advertisement Over the next few days and weeks there will undoubtedly be a lot of theorizing about what happened. Some will zero in on the failure of an academy whose taste clearly isnt quite as evolved as its rapidly diversifying and internationalizing membership would suggest. Still others will be tempted to identify a stubborn strain of Trumpian anti-intellectualism among Green Book lovers who dug in their heels in defense of a much-maligned favorite. They may have a point. I remain optimistic that, as with Crashs ill-remembered victory, the coronation of Green Book will turn out to be not a re-entrenchment but a calamitous fluke the academys last concession (for now) to that portion of the white moviegoing audience that still believes stories of justice and progress will always have to be negotiated on their terms. As Shirley tells Vallelonga early on in Green Book: You can do better. His rebuke might just as well extend to the movie hes in and to a voting body foolish enough to honor it. justin.chang@latimes.com President Trump wasted no time on Monday morning weighing in on the Academy Awards, taking aim at BlacKkKlansman director Spike Lee, who won his first competitive Oscar on Sunday and delivered one of the evenings most pointed criticisms of Trumps administration. The president said it would be nice if Spike Lee could read his notes, or better yet not have to use notes at all, when doing his racist hit on your President. Trump claimed hes done more for African Americans than almost any other Pres and cited his efforts on criminal justice reform, unemployment and tax cuts. Be nice if Spike Lee could read his notes, or better yet not have to use notes at all, when doing his racist hit on your President, who has done more for African Americans (Criminal Justice Reform, Lowest Unemployment numbers in History, Tax Cuts,etc.) than almost any other Pres! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2019 FULL COVERAGE: 2019 Oscars Advertisement POTUS wasnt a fan of Lees prepared words, which touched on slavery in America and urged viewers to be on the right side of history and make the moral choice between love versus hate in the upcoming 2020 presidential election. Lee has not yet responded to Trumps tweet. The veteran filmmaker won his Oscar on Sunday for adapting the screenplay of BlacKkKlansman, about a black detective infiltrating the Ku Klux Klan, which ended with contemporary video from the white nationalist Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va., which Trump did not initially denounce. The film was up for six awards, including best picture and directing, but won only the Oscar for adapted screenplay. Additionally, the director was markedly upset later that night when the race-based drama Green Book took the best-picture prize, reportedly walking out of the ceremony and telling reporters backstage that he was snake-bit over losing. But at least he finally got to meet Barbra Streisand later in the evening. Follow me: @NardineSaad Among Alfonso Cuarons four nominations at the 91st Academy Awards were two that designated him the first person ever contending for both directing and serving as cinematographer for the same film. He made history when he collected the prize for his keenly observational and richly textured photography in Roma. Then he did it again when he won for director. If this film was created by my own memories, the film was crafted through the memories of what the great masters of cinematography have given to us, Cuaron said from the stage in accepting the cinematography Oscar, his first of several awards in the ceremony. Its well known that in Billy Wilders office, there was a sign that said, What would [Ernst] Lubitsch have done? For me, it was, What would [Emmanuel] Chivo Lubezki have done? referring to Cuarons frequent collaborator So this is for you too, Chivo. Then he returned to the stage two more times, for foreign language film and for best director. It was Cuarons second directing Oscar, after winning for Gravity in 2014. In such a collaborative medium, to call Roma his film is a rare case of understatement: The filmmaker wrote, produced, directed, shot and edited the multiple-Oscar winner. His direction was sometimes unconventional, as when he would give actors only pieces of the script, often on the day of shooting. The films sound mix is so intricately detailed, the director has said the size of its data files are among the largest ever crafted in Dolby Atmos. The result is a vivid, sensual visit inside the filmmakers childhood world. Advertisement While its not unheard of for directors to serve as their own cinematographers Steven Soderbergh and Paul Thomas Anderson are notable examples Cuaron was the first to be nominated in both categories in the same year, much less win the photography prize. FULL COVERAGE: 2019 Oscars He wasnt his own first choice for the project. He had originally intended to continue his collaboration with Lubezki, who earned Oscar nominations for shooting Cuarons A Little Princess and Children of Men before winning his first of three consecutive Oscars for the directors Gravity in 2014. A scheduling conflict knocked Lubezki out of Roma, and Cuaron found himself without a key creative partner. As he settled in as his own director of photography, he found an unexpected virtue: When I usually work with Chivo, we are on set talking about the shots, blocking the scenes; we do it in a very detailed way. But then I leave him alone, and I go off and focus on other parts, he told IndieWire, referring to Lubezki by his nickname. With Roma, I was forced to be on the set. By me being there, different transformations would happen and subtle changes to each scene. I was surrounded by my past the whole time, and it was part of that essential process that I wanted. The fact Chivo couldnt do it was in many ways a benefit for the creative process. In an interview conducted by Lubezki for IndieWire, Cuaron credited Lubezki with influencing the visual approach of Roma through their early discussions, including using the very wide 65 mm format and making the director think carefully through his decision to present the film in black and white. Lubezki pointed out that the directors camera sometimes didnt follow actors at the same pace of their movement, almost like a complex jazz number the camera becomes almost like a consciousness revisiting the story. Advertisement Its like a ghost from the present visiting the past, which is the way I described it to the crew, Cuaron told British Cinematographer. 2019 Oscars: See the full list of winners and nominees The historic win wouldnt have been broadcast live if the academy had stuck to its announced plan to hand out four Oscars, including cinematography, during commercial breaks. The resulting outcry included a statement from the American Society of Cinematographers president, Kees van Oostrum: This decision could be perceived as a separation and division of this creative process, thus minimizing our fundamental creative contributions. ... We cannot quietly condone this decision without protest. Advertisement The academy backed down, enabling Cuaron to take the Oscars stage in triumph. This is an amazing honor, he said in his acceptance speech. Thank you, academy. To create a single frame of film, as you know, requires the work of a lot of people very hard work so I want to thank Yalitza Aparicio and Marina de Tavira before anyone else. Thank you very much, Mexico; thank you, my family. For more than 20 years, Tel Aviv violin maker Amnon Weinstein and his son Avshalom have collected and restored instruments played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust instruments often lost or abandoned as their owners attempted to escape the atrocities of World War II. The instruments lived on as their owners perished. To tell the long-forgotten stories of these stringed instruments and the people who played them, the Weinsteins created Violins of Hope, a traveling project dedicated to their collection of more than 60 restored violins, violas and cellos. From March 22 to April 26, 2020, the project will come to L.A. for the first time with a series of concerts, exhibitions and educational programming featuring instruments from the collection. The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts at Cal State Northridge will host a concert series featuring musicians playing instruments from the Weinstein collection, including an opening night performance by the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony with violinist Lindsay Deutsch. Advertisement Other performances include the Los Angeles Lawyers Philharmonic at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in L.A., the New West Symphony at Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center and the Long Beach Symphony at the Terrace Theater. Its one of those really, really rare moments when arts organizations across the vast geography of L.A. work together to do something like this, said Thor Steingraber, executive director of the Soraya. Not all of the violins will be played in concerts. Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust will display violins, including some that are not in playable condition. Although some of the restored violins were world-class instruments, others belonged to amateur players, street musicians and klezmer musicians, Steingraber said. Every violin has a different pedigree and a different history and a different story. L.A. musician Niv Ashkenazi is the only North American violinist authorized to possess one of the rescued Holocaust violins. He will lead about 40 educational workshops with K-12 students in the San Fernando Valley. Ashkenazi will use the tragic stories behind the violins like the instrument thrown out of a train en route to Auschwitz or a violin that saved the lives of people who played in a concentration camp orchestra to explore the history of World War II. Ashkenazi will be joined by Holocaust survivor and chairwoman of Violins of Hope in L.A. County, Susanne Reyto, who will share stories of her experience with students. Reyto and Steingraber spent the last year planning the arrival of Violins of Hope, which had its North American debut in 2012. During one meeting that coincided with a deadly attack at a Pittsburgh synagogue last October, Steingraber was reminded of the projects timeliness and importance. If you held the violin that had once been played in a concentration camp, if you listened to it being played today theres a different kind of resonance that that instrument conveys, one that is both historical and also just very visceral, he said. Added Steingraber: Im hoping that the presence of these instruments acts as a powerful reminder not only of the Holocaust but more generally of our collective perseverance and our collective need to build bridges between communities, cities, religions and nations. Advertisement makeda.easter@latimes.com @makedaeaster Bank of America Corp. will drop the Merrill Lynch name from its investment bank brand, while keeping the Merrill name for wealth management. The investment bank is to be called BofA Securities, and the U.S. Trust name will be dropped from the private bank, Bank of America announced Monday. The Charlotte, N.C.-based banking giant acquired Merrill Lynch, known for its thundering herd of brokers pitching stocks to Main Street, a decade ago in the depths of the financial crisis. It took steps to dissolve the Merrill legal entity in 2013 while keeping the brand across retail and institutional businesses. The moves are part of a campaign rolled out last year with an ad featuring Chief Executive Brian Moynihan, who took the helm in 2010 after Kenneth Lewis stepped down. The bank posted a record net income of $28.1 billion for 2018, and its remaking its image as it moves on from crisis-era legacies including federal bailouts, regulatory investigations and investor lawsuits. Advertisement Bank of America was built up through a series of deals, including a 2004 merger with FleetBoston Financial Corp., where Moynihan was an executive. In 2008, it acquired subprime lender Countrywide Financial Corp. and later Merrill Lynch. As the crisis escalated, Bank of America got $45 billion from the U.S. government, which it later repaid. Billionaire investor Warren Buffett whose Berkshire Hathaway Inc. owns about 9.5% of the bank said financial stocks are a good investment, specifically praising Bank of Americas chief in an interview with CNBC on Monday. Brian Moynihan has done such a good job running that company since he took over he was the most underestimated bank executive in the country, Buffett said. Everything hes said he would do, hes done it, and hes beat it. He sets tougher targets for himself all the time, and hes been smart about repurchasing shares. ABCs determination to have a faster-paced Oscars telecast paid off as the audience for Sundays ceremony grew nearly 12% over 2018 levels. The 91st Oscars averaged 29.6 million viewers compared to 26.5 million a year ago, when viewership hit an all-time low, according to Nielsen. For the record: A previous version of this story said that Sundays Oscars telecast began half an hour earlier than last year. It began at the same time as last year, 5 p.m. PST/8 p.m. EST. After comedian Kevin Hart bailed out as Oscars host due to a backlash over past gay-related jokes, ABC and the motion picture academy decided to air the ceremony without a host. Nonetheless, the program, which began at 5 p.m. PST, ran smoothly and clocked in at about 3 hours and 20 minutes (the last commercial break ended at 8:13 p.m.), shorter than the 3 hours and 32 minutes the telecast had averaged from 2010 to 2018. FULL COVERAGE: Oscars 2019 Advertisement ABC also saw a 13% gain in the 18-to-49 age group, the demographic most important to advertisers who buy commercial time on the telecast. The increase indicates that the recent tumble in viewing levels for TV awards shows may have hit a floor. The audience for the Grammy Awards earlier this month was also steady year over year after a steep decline in 2018. Major awards programs have declined in recent years as younger viewers are spending less time with traditional TV and watching more video online. In 2018, the Oscars audience level dropped 19%, the fourth straight year it had declined. (Ellis Simani / Los Angeles Times) The Oscars had the benefit of crowd-pleasing musical performances from arena rockers Queen, and Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, who delivered a showstopping version of the winner for best original song, Shallow, from A Star Is Born. It also helped that the 91st Oscars telecast had some suspense going into the best picture category, as Roma was a favorite but far from a shoo-in. The film ultimately lost to Green Book. There was also a surprise win in the best actress category with Olivia Colman honored for The Favourite. There was something for fans of every major contending film, with Green Book also winning for original screenplay and supporting actor (Mahershala Ali), Roma for best director (Alfonso Cuaron), cinematography and foreign-language film, Bohemian Rhapsody for best actor (Rami Malek) and If Beale Street Could Talk for best supporting actress (Regina King). Trophies also went to Black Panther (original music score, production and costume design) and BlacKkKlansman (adapted screenplay). Lauren Zalaznick, a media consultant and former network executive, said the range of movies honored gave the show a big tent atmosphere that the telecast has not had in recent years. She also believed the quicker pace of the program helped keep viewers around. Advertisement With no host, it was a better, tighter, funnier, more energetic show, so people may have stayed longer instead of coming in and out, Zalaznick said. Also, the weirder and less safe fashion from the red carpet broadcasts over social media could have helped interest more women. Seven of the Oscar recipients were black, a record for a single ceremony. The telecast typically does better among African American audiences when movies featuring black stars are honored. The data on that audience for Sundays telecast is not yet available. Diversity was celebrated on the telecast. But a regional and political divide in the shows popularity showed up in the local market ratings. The 91st Oscars performed best in coastal cities and Democratic Party strongholds, with the highest rating in San Francisco (the city had a 26.3 rating, which represents the percentage of homes in the market that tuned in). The telecast averaged a 26.0 rating in New York, 25.5 in Los Angeles, 23.9 in Chicago, 20.9 in Seattle, 19.8 in Minneapolis, 19.3 in Austin, Texas, 19.2 in Boston and an 18.9 in both Philadelphia and Washington. Kansas City, Mo., traditionally the strongest heartland market for the Oscars, scored a 19.6 rating. Advertisement Ratings were well below the national average in the South the telecast averaged a 6.9 in Memphis, Tenn.; 9.8 in Jacksonville, Fla.; 9.9 in Knoxville, Tenn.; 10.7 in Asheville, N.C.; 11.1 in Birmingham, Ala.; 12.1 in Louisville, Ky.; and 12.2 in Nashville and Republican strongholds in the Midwest. Oscars 2019: See the full list of winners and nominees stephen.battaglio@latimes.com Twitter: @SteveBattaglio At the talks between General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President Nguyen Phu Trong and his Lao counterpart Bounnhang Vorachith in Vientiane on February 24th (Photo: VNA) General Secretary of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President Bounnhang Vorachith said the first overseas trip by Nguyen Phu Trong in his new position as the top leader of the both Party and State of Vietnam has reflected the great friendship, special solidarity, close relations, mutual trust and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and people of Laos and Vietnam. The visit is also a great source of encouragement for the Lao people to successfully complete the resolution adopted at the 10th National Congress of the PRP, he said. The Lao leader thanked the Party, State and people of Vietnam for their huge support during the Lao cause of national defence and construction, and stressed that the achievements Vietnam has recorded in the Doi Moi (reform) process as well as its increased position and prestige in the international arena have offered valuable experience to the Lao Party, State and people in fulfilling the tasks of national protection and construction. He expressed his belief that under the leadership of the CPV, the Vietnamese people will reap greater successes in the cause of national construction and development, thus realising the target of basically turning Vietnam into a modernity-oriented industrialised nation by 2030. The Vietnamese leader congratulated the Lao people on the achievements they have obtained over the past 30 years of reform, and affirmed Vietnams strong and comprehensive support for the cause of national renewal, defence and construction in Laos. He thanked the Lao Party, State and people for their wholehearted support and assistance to Vietnam during the past struggle for national liberation as well as the present cause of national construction and defence. Both leaders noted their pride of the special solidarity and loyal ties between the two Parties and people which were built and fostered by Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Kaysone Phomvihane and Souphanouvong, and generations of leaders and people of the two countries. They affirmed their resolve to preserve and promote the tradition as an invaluable asset of the two nations. The leaders pledged to continuously consolidate and develop the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and people of Vietnam and Laos, considering this a crucial factor to ensure the success of national construction and defence in each country. Amidst the complex development of the international and regional situation, the Parties, States and people of the two countries need to join hands to carry forward the tradition of solidarity, cooperation and mutual support, and advance their revolutionary cause towards socialism, they said. The leaders agreed to step up the Vietnam-Laos comprehensive cooperation on the principles of equality and mutual benefits, with priorities given to each other suitable with the special relationship. In that spirit, the two sides agreed to continue strengthening political collaboration, maintaining high-level meetings, expanding exchanges between agencies, organisations and localities, especially those along the shared borderline. They emphasised the need to increase the exchange of information and experience in Party building, particularly preparations for Party congresses at all levels towards the National Congresses of the CPV and LPRP. Experience in political and ideological education, cyber security, prevention of degradation and self-evolution, improvement of the Partys supervision and inspection capacity, socio-economic development, especially macro economic stabilisation, and expansion of international relations should also be exchanged between the two sides, they said. They also concurred to boost cooperative ties in national defence and security, and work together to build a shared border of stability and sustainability. The two sides will also forge affiliation in economy, culture, education-training, healthcare and science-technology, while creating a more favourable legal corridor for cooperation across spheres. The Vietnamese and Lao economies should support each other, particularly in transport, electricity, telecommunications and tourism, they said, stressing that cooperation in high-quality human resources development should receive more attention from both sides. The leaders noted with pleasure that Vietnam and Laos have shared united viewpoints on regional and international issues. They held that the two sides should continue their close coordination and mutual support, especially within the cooperation framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the United Nations and Mekong Sub-region mechanism. The two countries will join hands to sustainably use and manage Mekong River water resources, tighten their cooperationas well as coordination with third parties within the framework of the East-West Corridor and other multilateral cooperation programmes and projects, the leaders promised. Both leaders highlighted the significance of maintaining peace, stability, security and safety in the East Sea, supported ASEANs role and principles, and agreed to promote the settlement of disputes in the East Sea through peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They affirmed that Vietnam and Laos will join hands with relevant sides to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the East Sea and soon reach a practical and effective Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea, thus contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large. On this occasion, Party General Secretary and President Trong thanked Laos for backing Vietnams bid to run for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure, and the countrys ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020. He invited Bounnhang Vorachith and his spouse to visit Vietnam at a convenient time. The Lao leader accepted the invitation with pleasure. Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of several cooperation documents between Vietnamese and Lao ministries and agencies, including a cooperation agreement between the two finance ministries for the 2019-2020 period, a cooperation agreement on developing power and mine projects between the two governments, and another agreement between the two governments on building and exploiting the Vung Ang-Vientiane railway./. The anticipated film adaptation of Richard Wrights classic novel Native Son will debut on HBO on April 6, Deadline reported. HBO also released a trailer for the movie, which was directed by Rashid Johnson, the photographer and conceptual artist, and written by Suzan-Lori Parks, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright best known for In the Blood and Topdog/Underdog. Wrights novel has long been considered a classic of American literature. First published in 1940, the book follows Bigger Thomas, a young African American man from Chicago jailed for the rape and murder of a woman. The book drew controversy upon its publication and is still frequently challenged in schools where its assigned to students. It appeared on the American Library Assn.'s list of the most frequently challenged books of the 1990s. Advertisement The new film adaptation, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last month, stars Ashton Sanders (Straight Outta Compton, Moonlight) as Bigger and Kiki Layne (If Beale Street Could Talk) as his girlfriend, Bessie, whom he rapes and kills. Margaret Qualley, Nick Robinson and David Alan Grier also star in the movie. Early reviews of the movie have been generally positive. At Vox, Alissa Wilkinson says the adaptation has some problems as a film but still packs a punch, one that connects directly with the gut. And writing for Vulture, Bilge Ebiri calls the movie visually striking and says Sanders performance breathes new life into one of American literatures most heartbreaking and controversial characters. Johnson discussed Native Son, his debut film, with Deadline last month. This film has a tremendous amount of subtlety, he said. Its very layered. I think the takeaways are very much like that layered onion where the deeper you peel away the more and more you have an option to explore. Johnsons film is the third adaptation of Native Son. An Argentine movie based on the novel, starring Richard Wright as Bigger, was released in 1951. And Jerrold Freeman adapted the book into a 1986 film that starred Victor Love in the lead role, along with Elizabeth McGovern, Geraldine Page, Oprah Winfrey, Ving Rhames and Matt Dillon. The new version of Native Son will air on HBO and also be available for streaming on the networks website. The Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy on behalf of Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd., has called for sealed applications for registration of Coal Suppliers to supply Coal for the 900MW Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Puttalam, Sri Lanka. Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant requires 2.25+10 % Million MT of coal every year. The registration will be done for three years and can be renewed after evaluation on the criteria for registration. Once registered, the plant will call bids only from those who have registered. More information is available in the website of Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd. at http://www.lankacoal.lk/ The Applications in prescribed format could be obtained by interested applicants on submission of a written request from the principles from 09.00 AM to 04.00 PM (Sri Lanka Standard Time) on working days from following address. No charge is applicable to collect the Application forms. Lanka Coal Company (Private) Limited 51/3, Suranimala Place, Off-Dutugemunu Street, Kohuwala, Dehiwala, Sri Lanka. 10350 Application shall be submitted by hand or sent by courier to the same address. There is no deadline for submission of applications. Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka Geneva 25th February 2019 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 President and vice presidents candidates Michael Hamilton and Kat Speece pose for a photo on Feb. 19, 2019, on UKs campus in Lexington, Kentucky. Photo by Rick Childerss | Staff UK professor Chas Hartmans book, Lexington Restauranteurs: The History of Food Service in Lexington, Kentucky, was published in November 2018. Provided by Chas Hartman. Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. AP A snake has made its way across three continents, travelling from Australia to Scotland in a tourist's suitcase, according to local media reports Monday. The non-venomous spotted python was found in the shoe of Moira Boxall on Friday after her return from a summertime holiday in Australia, broadcaster ABC reported. Paul Airlie, Boxall's son-in-law, who lives with his family in Mackay, a city in Queensland, told the Australian broadcaster the find was a surprise. "She was not at all expecting to find the snake when she was unpacking a bag when she got back to Scotland," he said. The snake had hidden in Boxall's shoe, which had been packed inside the suitcase. "Somehow or other it got from Mackay to Glasgow without being detected," Airlie told ABC. "Snakes are as foreign to a Scot as snow is to a Queenslander," he added. In the photos, shared with local media, the snake had shed its skin during the journey inside the shoe. "I don't know exactly when it shed its skin but it had to happen on the flight which is strange," Airlie said. The snake is in quarantine in Scotland. (DPA) In this Feb. 15, 2018, file photo, Craig Coley talks with reporters in Sacramento, Calif. Coley spent 39 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit. The city of Simi Valley, California, has reached a $21 million settlement with Coley, who was wrongly imprisoned in the killing of his girlfriend and her 4-year-old son. AP The city of Simi Valley, California, has reached a $21 million settlement with a man wrongly imprisoned for nearly 40 years in the killing of his girlfriend and her 4-year-old son. Craig Coley was released in 2017 after he was pardoned by then-Gov. Jerry Brown, who said DNA evidence and re-investigation proved Coley's innocence. Simi Valley officials said Saturday that the agreement would mitigate long, costly and unnecessary legal proceedings, the Los Angeles Times reported. ''While no amount of money can make up for what happened to Mr. Coley, settling this case is the right thing to do for Mr. Coley and our community,'' City Manager Eric Levitt said in a statement. The city will pay about $4.9 million and the rest is expected to be paid by insurance and other sources. The state last year approved a separate, nearly $2 million payment for Coley. He is now 71. Coley spent 39 years behind bars after he was wrongly convicted of killing 24-year-old Rhonda Wicht of Simi Valley and her son in 1978. The city's police chief and Ventura County's district attorney asked Brown to pardon him because forensic tests showed Coley's DNA was not on the victim's bedsheet, which contained DNA from an unknown man. Coley had an alibi for the time of the slayings and investigators later disproved testimony from an eyewitness who placed him at the scene. His parents died while he was in prison after mortgaging their home to pay his legal bills. Ron Kaye, an attorney representing Coley, said the settlement offers some closure and vindication for his client, though no amount of money can compensate him for the life he missed while imprisoned. ''He now can live the rest of his life, which we hope will be really well into the future, with the security he deserves,'' Kaye said. Soon after Coley was pardoned, a judge declared him factually innocent. Simi Valley police have not arrested anyone else in the killings. (AP) Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday that the controversial relocation of a US military base in Okinawa will not be delayed despite a referendum that saw voters reject the move. "It has been 20 years since Japan and the US agreed" to relocate the Futenma base, Abe said. "We cannot delay this any further." His comments came after voters in Okinawa rejected the relocation plan in a non-binding referendum over the weekend. Some 72 percent voted against the move, with 19 percent in favour in a vote that drew 52 percent of eligible voters, officials said. Abe said he accepted the outcome "sincerely" and would seek "understanding" from Okinawa residents on his decision to move forward with the relocation. "We have spent many years holding dialogue with people in the prefecture. We will continue our dialogue so that we can gain their understanding," Abe said. "Reducing the burden of Okinawa is a major responsibility for the central government... we will continue our utmost efforts towards a reduction of the burden related to hosting bases." Okinawa accounts for less than one percent of Japan's total land area, but it reluctantly hosts more than half of the approximately 47,000 American military personnel. The heavy US military presence has frustrated local residents with problems ranging from noise and military accidents to crime involving base residents. To ease tensions, the United States and Japan agreed in 1996 to move Futenma from its current heavily populated location to a remote coastal site being built partly through land reclamation. Opponents of the move want to see the base relocated outside of Okinawa, arguing responsibility for hosting US troops should be more evenly spread across Japan. Okinawa residents have elected governors opposed to the move, including incumbent Denny Tamaki, who came into office last year. But Abe's government has shown no sign of willingness to reconsider. (AFP) Seen above is Hyundai Motor's Ioniq electric vehicle used by Singapore's ride-hailing firm Grab. Hyundai Motor Group has been making vast investments in the cride-sharing industry across the world, but is hesitating to do so in Korea because of regulations and taxi drivers' strong opposition. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor By Nam Hyun-woo Hyundai Motor Group is making vast investments in ride-sharing and other mobility services across the world, but is hesitating to do so here on its home turf. Industry officials said Monday not only the automotive giant but also world-leading ride-sharing firms may ignore Korea as a market, because of the country's taxi drivers' strong opposition and entangled regulations over the promising business. According to a source in the ride-sharing industry, Hyundai Motor Group ended negotiations recently over acquiring at least a 10 percent stake in Green Car, one of Korea's pioneering car-sharing firms. Green Car's largest shareholder is Lotte Rental, and it welcomed refiner GS Caltex recently as its second-largest stakeholder with a 10 percent share. The source said Hyundai Motor Group also considered investing in the firm and possibly forming an alliance, but canceled the plan. This is not the first time Hyundai Motor Group has extended its hands to domestic ride-sharing firms. In 2017, Hyundai Motor bought a 12.2 percent stake worth 5 billion won ($4.46 million) in domestic startup Luxi, but sold the stake quickly the next year to Kakao Mobility, which purchased a 100 percent stake of the company. The moves are in a stark contrast to the group's overseas investments. Last year, Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Motors invested a total 310 billion won into ride-hailing firm Grab and leased 200 electric vehicles to the Singapore-based company. Following the move, Hyundai Motor Group betted on Australia's peer-to-peer car sharing firm Car Next Door and India's No. 2 car sharing firm Revv. Hyundai Motor is operating its own car-sharing service in the Netherlands using its Ioniq electric vehicles. Hyundai Motor Group Executive Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun has also been sparing no efforts in stressing the importance of the new generation of transportation. "Hyundai Motor Group is striving to provide freedom of movement to everyone by investing in mobility services, such as ride-sharing and ride-hailing," Chung said in a speech in India last year. Though Hyundai Motor Group did not elaborate on its reason for not investing into domestic car-sharing services, industry officials cited "domestic taxi drivers' strong opposition" and negative views over a "conglomerate of such a size extending its hands toward a business for innovative startups." Currently, Korea's taxi drivers are in a fight against multiple ride-sharing firms. Kakao Mobility suspended its pilot ride-sharing service on Jan. 18 due to continued protests from taxi drivers. Earlier, the company postponed the official launch of the service, slated for Dec. 17, following the death of a cab driver who set himself on fire in protest. Taxi drivers are also in conflict with SoCar, a domestic car sharing service, filing a complaint with the prosecution against the company's CEO. The government and legal authority's unfavorable stance is another setback for Hyundai Motor to invest into ride-sharing businesses, industry officials said, citing a domestic court's illegalization of Uber X carpooling service in Korea. "Taxi drivers are even opposing startup-based car-sharing services, and a stronger opposition is expected for Hyundai Motor's potential entrance to such a service, given the country's anti-chaebol sentiment," an official at a domestic car industry said. Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong (left) and Lao PM Thongloun Sisoulith (Photo: VNA) The Vietnamese leader made the suggestion while meeting with Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) of Laos Pany Yathotou on February 24th as part of his official friendly visit to the country. At the meetings, he spoke highly of the roles played by the Vietnamese and Lao Governments and NAs in the bilateral relationship. The cooperation between the two governments is very crucial, the leader said, noting his hope that they will continue to instruct agencies to effectively implement high-level agreements reached by the two countries. He also urged the legislative agencies to better their roles in institutionalizing policies and resolutions of the CPV and the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party (LPRP), and supervising the implementation of agreements. Informing the hosts about outcomes of his earlier talks with General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and President Bounnhang Vorachith, the Vietnamese leader said in any circumstance, the two Parties and countries should unite with each other and do their best to advance the bilateral relationship and pass it down to next generations. PM Thongloun Sisoulith and NA Chairwoman Pany Yathotou once again congratulated Nguyen Phu Trong on his election as President of Vietnam, and affirmed that Laos will always make all-out efforts to preserve and promote the great friendship and special solidarity between the two countries. Sharing the Vietnamese leaders suggestion of expanding cooperative ties and improving the efficiency of cooperation in all spheres, they pledged to closely coordinate with Vietnam in order to raise the quality of collaboration between ministries, agencies and localities, and effectively realise high-level agreements, especially those on economy, trade and investment. The promised to remove obstacles facing businesses of the two countries, aiming to make economic links match with the Vietnam-Laos special relationship. PM Thongloun Sisoulith stressed that Laos encourages and creates optimal conditions for major Vietnamese firms to invest in the country, especially in energy and transport, to bring about practical benefits to both sides. He also committed to instructing agencies to join hands with Vietnam in national defence and security, regularly exchange information and provide timely support to each other in regional and international issues. Laos will also closely coordinate with Cambodia to successfully implement the agreement on the development triangle reached by the prime ministers of the three countries, he said. The Lao PM highlighted partnerships in using the Mekong River water resources, as well as education-training and human resources development./. Models demonstrate LG Uplus' 5G-connected smart factory system at the LG exhibition hall during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Monday. / Courtesy of LG Uplus By Jun Ji-hye LG Uplus unveiled its smart factory system available through fifth-generation (5G) network services in cooperation with LG Electronics and LG CNS at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2019 in Barcelona, Monday. The Korean telecom company said its smart factory system has been created through synergy between its 5G networks, LG Electronics' experiences in constructing factories and LG CNS' platform technologies. At the MWC, the world's largest mobile show that runs until Thursday, the mobile carrier demonstrated the smart factory system by connecting the MWC site in real time to an LG factory in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. Michel Combes, CEO of Sprint, speaks during the presentation of the new LG V50 ThinQ 5G smartphone at the Mobile World Congress, in Barcelona, Spain, Feb. 24. The fair started with press conferences on Sunday, before the doors open on Feb. 25 and runs until Feb. 28. AP LG Electronics Inc. introduced its first 5G smartphone with a detachable secondary screen and a 4G flagship model during a launch event in Barcelona on Sunday, joining the latest industry trend to showcase next-generation connectivity devices and new form factors. The South Korean consumer electronics giant unveiled the V50 ThinQ that supports 5G networks alongside the 4G-based G8 ThinQ on the eve of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona, the biggest mobile show of the year. The move highlights the company's determination to turn the fate of its money-losing mobile business through innovation. While LG previously launched the G series in the first half of the year and the V series in the second half, the company has changed its strategy this time around by launching them at the same time. The company hopes this will allow it to better position itself in the fast-changing mobile market. The V50 is the company's first 5G phone and is set to debut in time for the commercialization of the ultra-high-speed network in South Korea and the United States in the first quarter. "LG's first 5G handset will exceed expectations, offering uncompromising reliability, and allow users to experience high-quality content at 5G speeds that can deliver up to 20 times the speed of 4G," LG said. The handset maker introduced a dual screen as an optional accessory for the 5G model to double the screen real estate. This, it said, can enhance the gaming and multitasking experience of the device. In select games, the dual screen can be used as a dedicated controller, resolving the problem of thumbs getting in the way of the action. Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 855 chipset along with X50 5G modem will power the V50 to support high-resolution games and data-heavy applications without latency. The phone with a 6.4-inch OLED full vision display is equipped with a 4,000 mAh battery, 20 percent larger than its previous model, and uses vapor chamber technology to better disperse heat that can impair the performance of the high-function phone. LG said it will partner with 10 major carriers in major markets where 5G service will be launched this year, including the United States, South Korea, Australia and European countries. During the event held at the Barcelona International Convention Centre with media representatives and global partners, LG also announced its 4G flagship model, the G8 ThinQ. By Stephen Costello The stakes at the summit in Hanoi between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are not very big. This is largely because the possible downsides from the meeting are negligible, and greatly overstated. The upsides are potentially great, and are practically achievable, but National Security Adviser John Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and members of the U.S. Congress are in almost unanimous opposition to elements that would constitute a practical, win-win deal. President Trump is virtually alone in his apparent willingness to provide significant sanctions relief in exchange for meaningful rollback of nuclear and missile programs. Therefore, success should not be hard, but it is unlikely to be the breakthrough that it could be. The threat of a return to provocative U.S. exercises and North Korean nuclear and missile testing is exaggerated. It would also be an impractical reversal for both Pyongyang and Washington. Both have better options to pursue if they are unsatisfied with the Hanoi meeting. Because of better ties with China and South Korea, the North can wait for Trump's exit from the scene. And because Kim and Trump have already achieved a "freeze for freeze" on destabilizing actions by the U.S. and North Korea, Washington can engage indefinitely in diplomacy while claiming to have solved much of the North Korea problem. The overriding question surrounding Hanoi is not what North Korea will give. Instead, the question is what the U.S. will give. Signs are that Kim is ready to return to the basic deal that was working in 2000, when the U.S. recognized that economic development was central to easing the North's isolation, which was in turn key to its insecurity. The nuclear program hinged on this. Statements and actions by Pyongyang in the past two years suggest strongly that it would be willing to verifiably cap and roll back its programs if the U.S. were to return to a similarly balanced deal. Statements and actions by the U.S. are very different, particularly since the Singapore summit. U.S. behavior has been more in line with U.S. policy since 2001 when sanctions and coercion replaced the working Agreed Framework. Since Singapore, North Korean, South Korean and Chinese voices have joined the most experienced U.S. officials in trying to redirect U.S. policy toward the previous winning strategies, with little apparent success. In another similarity with the U.S. destruction of the U.S.-DPRK agreement in the early 2000s, the Trump administration has violated and renounced multiple international agreements in the past two years, including the Iran JCPOA, preventing another nuclear program. Therefore, the question of U.S. compliance is a practical consideration. Bilateral agreements with bilateral exchanges are weaker; multilateral or international agreements like the JCPOA are stronger. Potential agreements that spell out a timeline of years until full denuclearization of the North will not be "recognizing the DPRK as a nuclear state," or "locking-in the North's nuclear weapons identity," as some are dreading. By some measures, the North has been nuclear for 12 years already. But there is no hard evidence that it can miniaturize a weapon. It has never tested a warhead re-entry vehicle. And any use of a nuclear weapon is a suicide pill for the leadership. In the North Korean view, the creation of a "nuclear force" may have been well worth it if the result is that the country can emerge from isolation and begin to develop in a state of increased security. Because it will be required to join a range of international agreements and institutions in order to have access to development, that leverage can insure a denuclearization timeline. In contrast, the leverage from sanctions will not only be increasingly unnecessary, but counterproductive. U.N. sanctions will be the key. If they can be eased in parallel with major North Korea actions, this will be the breakthrough needed, allowing major economic planning to commence in North Korea. If they are kept in place while the U.S. offers unilateral gifts, and/or the easing of U.S.-only sanctions, that will signal that the U.S. will remain on the sidelines as the two Koreas forge a new relationship. For President Moon Jae-in of South Korea, the Hanoi summit could reward 21 months of hard work. A major reduction of U.N. sanctions would play a central and positive role in allowing strategic economic planning and growth on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. If, on the other hand, the U.S. does not match significant North Korean actions, Moon would be disappointed. But Moon will have some options. He could make the most of any smaller sanctions relief, such as a U.S. waiver for resuming operations at the Gaeseong Complex and Mount Geumgang resort. He could also launch a new diplomatic effort to get U.N. sanctions softened and a North Korean weapons rolled back. But it would be a mistake to view North-South Korean rapprochement as a personal project by Moon. North and South Korean leaders have tried to achieve an end to the Korean War in one way or another since the late 1950s. More practical efforts continued into the 1980s and 1990s. In political, strategic and economic ways, South Korean leaders were destined to try this, both because of the huge advantages that were possible, and because of the heavy domestic costs of continued division. In this sense, the opposition to diplomacy by former Korean Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, and by former U.S. Presidents George Bush and Barack Obama, signaled lack of ambition and misunderstanding of the possible benefits, rather than prudence or strategic logic. Moon is doing what any ambitious modern Korean leader would do. As the most flexible democracy in the region, South Korea should be supported by its allies and friends. One hopes for a breakthrough in the second Kim-Trump summit, but even a small agreement should be welcome. Regardless of the results in Hanoi this week, the Korea projects need local, consistent, democratic leadership. Seoul should be encouraged to embrace its central role. Stephen Costello (scost55@gmail.com) managed the Kim Dae Jung Peace Foundation Washington office in the 1990s. He directed the Korea program at the Atlantic Council there from 1999 to 2004. He now directs AsiaEast.Org, a policy initiative focused on security, development and politics in Northeast Asia. He writes from Washington and Seoul. Kim should prove his intension of giving up nukes U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will kick off their two-day second summit in Hanoi, Wednesday. But it is still uncertain if and how the two leaders can make real progress in nuclear disarmament talks. This explains why it is hard to shake off skepticism over Kim's commitment to "complete denuclearization" at their historic summit in Singapore last June. For this reason, it would be better not to have too high expectations for the Hanoi summit. President Trump is well aware that skepticism has persisted both in Washington and Seoul since the Kim regime has continued to drag its feet in delivering on his promise to abandon its nuclear arsenal. So he seems to caution against too high hopes for a big deal. In this regard it can be inferred that Trump is taking a realistic approach. He said Sunday he was in no rush to strike a nuclear deal with Kim, adding he would be happy as long as the North maintains its pause on nuclear and missile testing. However, he did not miss a chance to strike an optimistic note by saying he and Kim had developed "a very, very good relationship." Therefore it is safe to say the Kim-Trump summit is more likely to end up in a "small deal" than a big one. Even if it were a small or limited deal, this should not necessarily be seen as a failure as long as the two leaders manage to narrow their differences and agree to meaningful and substantive steps toward the North's denuclearization. In this sense, it is important for Trump not to make the same mistake as he did in the Singapore summit by agreeing on too broad and too vague terms: the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. This time in the Vietnamese capital, Trump should focus on how to make a clear and concrete deal with Kim although such a deal fails to call for an immediate dismantlement of all nukes and ICBMs the North now possesses. We have to admit it is unrealistic to achieve complete and verifiable denuclearization by a single stroke of the pen at the end of the summit. Nuclear negotiations are usually time-consuming and denuclearization is a far more complex and long-drawn-out process. Besides, it takes two to tango. The success of the Hanoi summit will depend on how Trump and Kim can find a middle ground between their positions. So it would be better for the North to present a detailed denuclearization timetable and roadmap in return for the U.S. declaring a formal end to the Korean War and giving security guarantees for the Kim regime. The deal should be based on a give-and-take formula, not a unilateral imposition of undue demands. But it should be more than a freeze of weapons testing if the two leaders want to make a real success. The North needs to agree on the dismantling of its Yongbyon nuclear complex and other plutonium and uranium enrichment facilities before it calls for sanctions relief. It also must allow international inspections and verification. The Trump administration needs to take a flexible attitude toward an easing of sanctions if the North takes genuine steps toward denuclearization. Criminal crackdown cannot solve the problem The steep hikes in the minimum wage over the past two years have resulted in a sharp increase in the number of employers who are unable to meet the legal requirement due to worsening financial difficulties. The minimum wage surged 16.4 percent last year and 10.9 percent this year. According to a report by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, 1,689 employers violated the Minimum Wage Act last year, up 50 percent from the previous year. This means the sharp rise of the minimum wage has turned some owners of small businesses and also the self-employed into lawbreakers in larger numbers. The government should face up to the aggravating situation, in which the number of owner-operators giving up their business has increased to 1 million. A growing number of self-employed people have taken to the streets to protest the soaring minimum wage. More serious is the bleaker outlook that the number of employers violating the law is certain to increase further this year due to the additional rise in labor costs, including extra payments for those who work a full five days each week. In a desperate bid not to violate the law, most small-scale businesspeople are taking every possible self-rescue measure to reduce working hours and cut the number of employees, but to no avail. It is no wonder that small business owners requested during a recent meeting with President Moon Jae-in that the government freeze the minimum wage at the present level or slow the speed of any further increase. Fortunately, Deputy Premier-Minister of Economy and Finance Hong Nam-ki emphasized recently that the minimum wage must be decided on objectively and rationally, so that more employers can accept it. This week, the government is expected to announce a plan to change the current method of determining it. We hope the plan will include some measures to help employers, especially smaller ones, relieve the burdens they face from the rising minimum wage. The government has to keep in mind the fact that it should work out ways to make the minimum wage system more efficient and equitable. A criminal crackdown on violators cannot solve the problem. The news that the past five years have been the planet's five hottest on record should prompt Americans to demand action from their government. If humanity hopes to escape a potentially ruinous increase in temperatures, policies need to be put in place to drastically reduce carbon emissions, and soon. The unveiling of the Green New Deal early this month was thus well-timed. Too bad it wasn't also well-thought-out. In succeeding days we thought the Green New Deal would succumb to Republicans' ridicule and Democrats' fear that it would mark all of them as climate extremists, eager to dismantle America's economy. But no, the Green New Deal won't go away. Instead it's spawning an offspring. In announcing his candidacy for the presidency last week, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders suggested he'll roll out his own GND proposal. As envisioned it would eliminate carbon emissions via a huge public works program that would create tens of millions of jobs. The original Green New Deal package, a proposed nonbinding resolution, came from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., who calls herself a democratic socialist, and Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass. The environmental goal is ambitious: "meeting 100 percent of the power demands in the United States through clean, renewable and zero-emission energy sources" within 10 years. The plan also calls for upgrading every building in America to "achieve maximal energy efficiency" as part of a massive investment in infrastructure. One priority: high-speed rail. Ambition is one thing, but setting wildly unrealistic goals is an invitation for the public to give up. If such an enormous undertaking is the only way to save the planet, a lot of people will opt for doing nothing and taking their chances. The plan would be enormously expensive. The price tag is mysteriously absent from the document. But we can safely assume it would give new force to the term "sticker shock." Economist Noah Smith, in a Bloomberg commentary, estimates that the retrofit of all buildings, by itself, would burn through $1.7 trillion a year using up every dime in annual revenue from the federal income tax. Another problem: the heavily centralized, command-and-control nature of the proposal. Trying to achieve greater energy efficiency through federal dictates is a clumsy and expensive approach. A far superior method is a tax on carbon dioxide output, giving both private and government entities a strong incentive to look for the least expensive ways to cut emissions. That also would stimulate options that use less fossil fuel (say, rail travel) and penalize those that use more (say, commercial aviation). A carbon tax also would make technologies to capture and sequester carbon considerably more feasible. And it could be made revenue-neutral by rebating the proceeds to the American people. At least the central thrust of the Green New Deal has a rationale: to protect the planet. Much of the rest amounts to a leftist wish list, disconnected from environmental problems. It promises every American "a job with family-sustaining wages, family and medical leave, vacations and retirement security," as well as "high-quality health care" and "safe, affordable, adequate housing." If that weren't enough, the government would "stop the transfer of jobs overseas," strengthen labor unions and ensure "the use of democratic and participatory processes that are inclusive of and led by frontline and vulnerable communities and workers." Even most Democrats in Congress don't seem to be sold on this plan. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi referred to it, with evident skepticism, as "the green dream or whatever" and "one of several or maybe many suggestions that we receive." House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., worried that the main result would be "providing an issue to the other side." And in a TV appearance Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., did his best to make the Green New Deal sound peculiar: "I can't tell you, to be honest with you. I have read it and I have reread it and I asked Ed Markey ... what in the heck is this?" If a flurry of proposed Green New Deals foster wider recognition of the dangers of global warming, that could be useful. But by demanding so much, the advocates risk undermining their own cause and enabling those who prefer to do as little as possible. Anyone who wants action to curb climate change would do well to remember the old definition of politics: the art of the possible. The above article appeared in the Chicago Tribune. It was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. By Park Jin-ho While both President Moon Jae-in and President Donald Trump are attempting to strike a deal with North Korea, it is their common strategic failure that there is no Plan B under discussion between the two governments to cope with unsuccessful results from their current diplomatic engagements in denuclearizing the North. The failure in managing potential risks is likely to help North Korea lead the negotiations toward increasing its strategic interests. If this happens, Moon and Trump could encounter difficulties in sustaining their strategic efforts. Although the results of the upcoming U.S.-North Korea Hanoi summit will definitely have a significant impact on the trajectory of South Korea's rapprochement toward the North, including economic cooperation, there is a serious lack of strategic coordination between Seoul and Washington. The Trump administration does not care much about the interests of the Moon administration nor even the ROK-U.S. alliance. Some think that Trump might be tempted into trading in the interests of the alliance to realize his "ego" in the top-down U.S.-North Korea negotiations. Trump's uncertain leadership looks like gambling on making a deal with Chairman Kim Jong-un. He is personalizing and improvising negotiations on the final, fully verified denuclearization of the North. It is a general observation in Washington that there is no right person who has a clear understanding of Trump's strategic mindset in dealing with Pyongyang. He denies intelligence analyses questioning the credibility of North Korea's efforts toward denuclearization. It is very dangerous for political leaders to cherry pick intelligence to increase the credibility of their decisions. And, the U.S. State Department of State has not welcomed the somewhat rapid changes in South-North relations, which it believes are setbacks in negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang. The unbalanced diplomatic progress with North Korea made respectively by the ROK and the U.S. could undermine the two allies' strategic coordination in dealing with the North. At the same time, the international community is deeply concerned that South Korea's engagement in economic cooperation with North Korea destabilizes the foundation of international sanctions against Pyongyang. The Moon administration, rather than developing a new approach to North Korea has a strong obsession with incomplete projects which former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun tried, but failed, although the level of threats posed by North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities is absolutely different between now and then. For this reason, inter-Korean summits held three times in 2018 were not able to produce any meaningful and remarkable progress in denuclearizing the North. In fact, President Moon proclaimed he would leave the nuclear disarmament issue to be resolved directly by Washington and Pyongyang. When looking at the patterns of diplomatic negotiations with North Korea, uncertainty begets uncertainty. In both Seoul and Washington, the North's denuclearization has been mainly dealt with and driven by political leadership concerning domestic politics. Since North Korea finished developing nuclear weapons together with intercontinental ballistic missiles to reach the U.S., Pyongyang does not have to be in a rush to negotiate its denuclearization with the South or the U.S. as long as dialogue can be sustained. It seems that North Korea is doing a better job in controlling the pace of negotiations than South Korea or the U.S. One unexpected change, however, was made by North Korea while continuing working-level negotiations with Washington. The North replaced its top negotiator; but, it is still unclear why that happened. One of reasons for previous failures in denuclearizing North Korea is that there was no agreement on a complete roadmap for denuclearization. To develop this roadmap, there should be a more reliable bargaining chip than possessing nuclear weapons for the North to achieve its strategic goals such as regime survival and the weakening of the ROK-U.S. alliance. In fact, it is easy to find out that Pyongyang has continued to demand first of all what is viewed as destabilizing the ROK-U.S. alliance, while moving forward its negotiations with Seoul and Washington, respectively. By making some concessions such as cancelling combined military exercises to draw new deals with North Korea, what was returned to us was nothing but rhetoric. And, there was no red line drawn on denuclearization negotiations with the North. It is not too late for the ROK and the U.S. to discuss Plan B to deal with a failure in the current diplomatic engagements with the North. To this end, the two leaders should first fine-tune their somewhat different stances on approaching North Korea. As of now, diplomacy is working not because North Korea has decided to move on denuclearization, but because North Korea has already developed nuclear weapons. The leaders of South Korea and the U.S. should remember that we are dealing with Pyongyang for complete and verifiable denuclearization, not a freeze in its nuclear and missile tests. The writer is a chief of staff to Rep. Baek Seung-joo of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party. People ride past a big sign about the upcoming second summit between the United States and North Korea, outside the summit's international media center in Hanoi, Vietnam, Feb. 25. AP-Yonhap By Kim Yoo-chul HANOI A possible peace declaration is looming large at this week's United States-North Korea summit, here, with U.S. President Donald Trump expected to offer sanctions relief to North Korea, a former U.S. diplomat said, Monday. "Trump may offer Kim a peace declaration, sanctions relief or agree to withdraw strategic assets from the region. After all, Trump has suspended U.S.-South Korean military exercises for eight months, even labeling his own country's military exercises with South Korean ally as provocative. In Hanoi, no news is good news as I see it," Sean King, senior vice president of Park Strategies and an East Asia specialist, told The Korea Times. King, a former senior adviser for Asia in the United States and Foreign Commercial Service at the United States Department of Commerce, added both Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are no longer talking about the denuclearization of the North. "Rather, we are now talking about the supposed complete denuclearization of the peninsula, which is North Korean code for South Korea's removal from the U.S. nuclear umbrella and the withdrawal of U.S. troops which Trump, in his heart of hearts, probably wants anyway," King said. The U.S. expert implied the ongoing economic sanctions on the North will have to stay in place until Pyongyang carries out a complete denuclearization, fully and verifiably. "We should not only maintain our existing sanctions on North Korea but also sanction the mainland Chinese banks handling North Korea's cash. Trump was already going soft on North Korea. I don't get the sense he conducts foreign policy in reaction to domestic affairs or politics. For better or worse, he does what he wants to do," King said. North Korean first lady Ri Sol-ju and U.S. first lady Melania Trump / Korea Times file Will Kim Yo-jong, Ivanka Trump meet? By Kim Bo-eun The first ladies of North Korea and the U.S. are unlikely to come to Hanoi. There had been speculation about a possible meeting between Ri Sol-ju and Melania Trump, but North Korea and the U.S. appear to have excluded any events that could take attention away from the summit. Ri was not on the list of North Korean delegates accompanying leader Kim Jong-un to Hanoi for the summit with the U.S., in the North's Rodong Sinmun's report on Sunday. She was absent from footage unveiled by North Korean media of her husband Kim departing Pyongyang. Sara Cook of CBS News posted on Twitter that Melania Trump will not be traveling to Vietnam, citing this was confirmed by her spokesperson Stephanie Grisham. Neither of the first ladies were present at the first summit between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore last June. Motorcycles on Monday pass in front of the Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Cultural Palace in Hanoi in which the International Media Center will be established for thousands of reporters to cover the upcoming summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The summit lasts for two days from Wednesday. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk By Lee Min-hyung HANOI North Korea will be able to achieve faster and safer economic growth only if it signs a possible "one-shot big deal" with the United States on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula during their upcoming summit in Vietnam, experts said Monday. With the second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un two days away, all eyes are on whether the two unpredictable leaders will strike a surprise agreement to revive their momentum for dialogue which was stalled following their first historic Singapore meeting last June. For the North's young leader, the summit is more than important to realize his vision of the regime's economic prosperity, as the U.S. holds the de facto key to easing heavy economic sanctions on the North imposed from the international society. For this reason, Kim Jong-un's possible travel itinerary in Vietnam, which is cited as the North's role model for economic development, is also gaining attention, as the Southeast Asian country has achieved outstanding growth by opening up its centralized and socialist economy. Experts argue that the North should take full advantage of the ongoing denuclearization negotiations with the U.S. to take a similar path as Vietnam. In particular, they said North Korea needs not opt for the ongoing "step-by-step" denuclearization measures if the regime hopes to make big progress in sanctions relief and economic growth. "The North's denuclearization has so far made little progress under the current action-for-action approach in negotiations with the U.S.," said Nam Sung-wok, a professor of North Korea studies at Korea University. Workers inspect the Dong Dang railway station in Lang Son Province, Monday, which North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is expected to arrive at before proceeding to Hanoi for a second U.S.-North Korea summit. / AFP-Yonhap By Park Ji-won North Korean leader Kim Jong-un departed for Hanoi on his armored train Saturday for his second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump on Feb. 27 and 28, fueling speculation about his choice of transport. Kim will travel 4,500 kilometers over the next few days, passing through industrial cities in southern China and northern Vietnam before arriving in the Vietnamese capital in a train whose top speed is estimated at 60 kilometers per hour. He will cross the country to Nanning in southern China before crossing into Vietnam at the Lang Son border. From there, it is expected that Kim will take a car to Hanoi. This is in contrast to the North Korean leader's choice of travel for his first summit with Trump in Singapore, when he traveled in a Chinese plane. It remains unclear why he chose to take the train rather than fly, and thus much speculation has circulated over the meaning of this. The trip has received much media coverage, as some newspapers focused on the train trip, while others concentrated on the summit agenda. Many experts say the decision was a move by Kim to show off North Korea's close ties with China. Shin Beom-chul, a senior director of the research division at Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said, "Prior to the negotiations with the U.S., the trip by train is likely aimed at showing off the relationship between North Korea and China." When passing through cities in China, security measures need to be taken by local governments. This implies that Pyongyang and Beijing had talked closely about the route Kim was taking to Vietnam. Also, there is speculation that after his meeting with Trump, Kim may stop at a city in China on his way back to Pyongyang to look at facilities in industrial parks or to meet with President Xi Jinping to discuss the outcome of the summit. Some say Kim's use of a train is aimed at promoting him as a hero by impressing the North Korean people about his legitimacy through tracing the path taken by his grandfather, North Korea founder Kim Il-sung. Kim's route partly follows that of his grandfather's first trip to Vietnam in 1958. Back then, the North Korean leader took a train from Pyongyang to Beijing where he met with the Chinese leadership and visited several Chinese cities. He then flew to Hanoi from Guangzhou. Also, Kim's father Kim Jong-il took a train to Moscow in Russia in 2001, taking almost a week to get there. Tak Hyun-min, former protocol presidential aide to President Moon Jae-in and a political consultant for Cheong Wa Dae, said it was a good decision to take a train to Hanoi for many reasons. "First of all, Kim's travel itself became news. It generated enough stories and has historical implications," he said. "Also, as we, and the world, witnessed the fact that Pyongyang and Vietnam are connected by rail, which could be an obvious fact, we could embrace expectations that a train from Busan could go to Vietnam and Southeast Asian countries via North Korea when the Koreas are united." President Moon Jae-in's job approval rating rose last week, a poll showed Monday, apparently helped by the upcoming U.S.-North Korea summit aimed at denuclearizing the North. The president's support came to 51 percent last week, up 1.2 percentage points from a week earlier, according to Realmeter. The weekly survey was conducted Monday through Friday, involving 2,514 adults throughout the nation. The on-week increase came ahead of the second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, scheduled to be held in Hanoi from Wednesday through Thursday. The two leaders first met in Singapore in June. Moon's approval rating climbed to as high as 51.6 percent after he held a telephone conversation with the U.S. president Tuesday on the U.S.-North Korea summit, the local pollster said. The ruling Democratic Party's approval rating also improved, gaining 0.1 percentage point to 40.4 percent over the cited period, but that of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party advanced at a much faster clip of 1.6 percentage points to 26.8 percent. The approval ratings of all three minor opposition parties increased. The progressive Justice Party's rating gained 0.1 percentage point to 7.1 percent with that of the Bareunmirae Party rising 0.6 percent to 6.6 percent. The approval rating of the Party for Democracy and Peace climbed 0.4 point to 3.2 percent. (Yonhap) The Supreme Court has confirmed a life sentence for a 42-year-old man convicted of killing the father of NCsoft President Yoon Song-yee, the top court said Monday. The court upheld the lower court sentence, turning down the prosecution's request for the death penalty and the defense's request for a lighter penalty. The man identified only by his surname Heo was indicted on suspicion of stabbing Yoon's father to death and stealing his car, smartphone and wallet over a parking dispute near the victim's house in the town of Yangpyeong, 55 kilometers east of Seoul, on Oct. 25, 2017. The district and high courts sentenced Heo to life in prison, finding the defendant guilty of committing premeditated murder given all the factors including his economic situation and reliable DNA analysis. Yoon Song-yee is president of South Korea's NCsoft, one of the world's largest online game companies. She is married to Kim Taek-jin, CEO and founder of NCsoft. (Yonhap) Members of the Korea Kindergarten Association stage a rally in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday, to protest government plans for stricter regulations on private kindergartens. / Yonhap By Kang Seung-woo Private kindergarten owners are escalating their protest against government measures to introduce stricter regulations for their management. An association of private kindergarten owners staged a rally, Monday, claiming the government intends to annihilate the nation's private institutes and instead increase public ones to provide uniform and pro-government education to preschoolers. "The education ministry has tossed out a death penalty for preschool education," said Lee Deok-sun, the head of the Korea Kindergarten Association (KKA), in the rally in front of the National Assembly that drew more than 30,000 people involved in the private kindergarten sector, according to the organizer. "Although the government is stressing private kindergartens' accounting transparency through bill revisions, it is practically contriving to increase state-run kindergartens to give a standardized yet leftist education." The protest came as three bills, aimed at improving management and accounting transparency at private kindergartens, are pending at the Assembly, and the Ministry of Education has ordered them to adopt the state-run Edufine accounting system starting next month. Last October, private kindergartens grabbed headlines after Rep. Park Yong-jin of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea revealed a large number of cases of corruption at them such as accounting fraud and budget misappropriation. Private kindergartens operate with both state subsidies and tuition from parents. Lee also claimed the government was ignoring private kindergartens' commitment to caring for children for a long period of time when it could not afford to do so. "Over the past 120 years, private kindergartens have stepped in for the budget-less government to care for preschoolers, but it does not allow us to get a return on our past investments and closes our businesses," she said. While the association had earlier opposed Edufine by saying it infringes on their property rights, it now says following public criticism and the government's stern attitude it is not entirely opposing the state-run accounting system, which is already being used by public kindergartens and schools. "We are not completely opposed to the Edufine implementation. If an accounting system is adequate for private kindergartens, we are ready to accept it," a KKA official said. Earlier in the day, the ministry promulgated an ordinance to force large private kindergarten to use the accounting program. Some 580 kindergartens with at least 200 children will have to introduce it from March 1 and all kindergartens starting March 2020. The ministry said any institutes that do not adopt the system will face administrative punishments, including partial financial support suspension and a ban on recruitment. Regarding the KKA's claim that the ministry was not trying to talk to them over the issue, Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae said talks would be meaningless if the kindergarten owners stick to business-as-usual at the institutes. "If they want to talk, they need to start from how they will meet social and public demand," she told reporters. In addition to the government's attitude, more and more KKA members are leaving the association in favor of more moderate bodies. Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon plans to meet with representatives of another association of private kindergarten owners to discuss the adoption of Edufine. The body, a moderate derivative from the KKA with 700 members, is willing to accept the program. The KKA has 3,100 members. From left, Swedish Ambassador to Korea Jakob Hallgren, Korea Institute of Design Promotion President Eune Ju-hyun and IKEA Korea Deputy Retail Manager Fredrik Johansson join a press conference on the Korea+Sweden Young Design Award at Hallgren's residence in Seoul, Feb. 12. / Embassy of Sweden By Yi Whan-woo The Embassy of Sweden in Seoul, jointly with IKEA Korea and Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP), will host a design contest next month for young and talented Korean designers. The inaugural Korea+Sweden Young Design Award will be held to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries. "World-class design is just one of many areas where Sweden and Korea share commonalities," Swedish Ambassador to Korea Jakob Hallgren said during a press conference at his residence in Seoul on Feb. 12. He hoped the award will strengthen the long-term collaboration in design and style between the two countries, saying "I look forward to seeing beautiful, inclusive and creative design ideas that the many talented young Koreans designers will come up with." Any Korean students or designers aged 34 and under in any fields, such as graphics, architecture, furniture and textiles, can submit up to three designs related to the theme of the contest, inclusiveness. The registration will open in mid-March and run through April 11. All applications within the field of design and form, with the exception of food and music, will be accepted. The concepts or images of designs should to be submitted to the official website (ksyda.com), along with an explanatory statement of the work and self-introduction of the applicants. Both Korean and English applications will be accepted. Winners will be selected by a jury committee consisting of 10 members, including committee leader and also award-winning creative designer Cho Kyu-hyung, Ambassador Hallgren, IKEA's Creative Manager Asa Hederberg and IKEA Korea's Country Marketing Manager Nicolas Johnsson. The jury committee will announce the three winners in late May. The three will win a trip to Sweden, join design exhibitions there and receive other support "to grow in the global arena." IKEA Korea Deputy Retail Manager Fredrik Johansson said the contest will be a chance to interact with "young and promising designers who will lead the future of design in Korea." "Based on our democratic design philosophy, we will continue our work to make well-designed, functional home furnishings products affordable for the many at low price, and co-create an innovative, sustainable better future marked by design," he said. KIDP President Eune Ju-hyun said the contest is expected to contribute to "a deeper cultural diplomacy between Korea and Sweden" while serving as "the stepping stone for K-design to spread into the rest of the world, in pursuit of becoming the future Nobel Prize in design." The Korea+Sweden Young Design Award will be held every year under a different theme based on the three key values of innovation, sustainability and a better future. This year's theme was picked to promote an idea that great design should be available to everyone regardless of age, gender or background. The Swedish embassy and KIDP signed a memorandum of understanding in November 2018 and have worked on the contest since then. The Seoul branch of international home-furnishing giant IKEA has joined the project because IKEA is not only a well-known Swedish company but also because the company "leads Swedish way of life and value," according to Ambassador Hallgren. Such values range from working rights to gender equality to sustainability. "I'm so pleased IKEA, which is a very strong brand, has been able to renew, refresh and take that (Sweden-Korea) relations to a community level," he said. He defined Swedish design as minimalist and functional. He assessed Sweden and Korea share similarities in their designs as they "put strong emphasis" on premium quality, but at the same time are modest and humble. By Yi Whan-woo The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Seoul and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Oslo launched a logo on Feb. 26, to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Inspired by the flags of the two countries, the logo highlights the number 60 by combining a red field bearing an indigo blue cross outlined in white with a taegeuk circle in red and blue. It was designed by young Korean designer, J1 Song. It will be used for celebratory events and promotional goods throughout the year. "We simply loved it at first sight," Norwegian Ambassador to Korea Frode Solberg said last week. Referring to the long-standing tradition of cooperation and business in the maritime sector, the ambassador said the logo "also tells a story of two nations who have developed in close relation to the blue ocean." The Korean embassy said in a statement that the logo not only commemorates the 60 years of bilateral friendship and cooperation but also looks ahead towards a future of everlasting friendship and even closer cooperation. While the bilateral diplomatic treaty was signed in 1959, Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soreide noted "the roots of the friendship" go back to 1951 when Norway, as part of the U.N. forces, sent its Norwegian Mobile Army Surgical Hospital to Korea. "The Norwegian presence during this hard time created strong bonds. Today South Korea is among our most important trade partners," the minister said. "Together our maritime industries have developed world leading know-how on ship design and production." Norwegian Ambassador to Korea Frode Solberg speaks with The Korea Times during a recent interview on the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, at his embassy in Sogong-dong, Seoul. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk Norway-Korea ties date back to Korean War By Yi Whan-woo It was during the dark days of the 1950-53 Korean War that Norway extended a helping hand to the war-torn country in the form of the Norwegian Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (NORMASH). From those small beginnings, Korean ties with the Scandinavian country have strengthened considerably and Korea has rapidly grown into an economic powerhouse. Marking their 60 years of diplomatic cooperation, Korea and Norway still have more to collaborate on, as Korea seeks to shift away from a competition-oriented society to emulate the Scandinavian lifestyle for work-life balance, healthy living and wellness in general. "That was a very important and meaningful beginning of the close ties we enjoy today and I think it's very fascinating and interesting that those ties are still there," Norwegian Ambassador to Korea Frode Solberg told The Korea Times during a recent interview at his embassy in Seoul. He said that Norway's NORMASH, Denmark's Jutlandia hospital ship and Sweden's Red Cross hospital during the war inspired the establishment of the National Medical Center in October 1958. The three Scandinavian countries separately established diplomatic treaties with Korea a year later. Their relationships with Korea have prospered since, with Seoul transforming from rags into riches. "Even though we're far apart, we have worked closely in politics, commerce and many other areas," Solberg said. "Our bilateral ties are so close that we're very happy to use 60 years of celebration as a marker (for our friendship)." Denmark, Norway and Sweden have planned celebrations for the 60th anniversary both unilaterally and jointly. The calendar of events organized by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Seoul includes a reading of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen's "Brand" in Seoul, in cooperation with Professor Kim Myi-he and the Korean Playwright Association (January); a visit by Norwegian students of K-pop (April); Norway Days, including a national day reception, seafood promotion and campaign against marine littering, all in Seoul (May); a literary salon with two Norwegian writers at the Seoul International Book Fair (June); participation by the Performing Arts Hub Norway at the Performing Arts Market in Seoul as well as a performance of the Norwegian Dance Company Tony Tran during Seoul International Dance Festival, a Norwegian Week in Busan in connection with KORMARINE (October); and a concert by the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra in Seoul (November). An exhibition related to NORMASH also is being planned. Lifestyle Solberg, who took office in July 2018, said he has become more aware of Koreans' interest in a greater work-life balance and, accordingly, a move toward the Scandinavian countries' lifestyle best associated with well-being. Denmark, Norway and Sweden are on the top tier of the global happiness index. Although difficult to compare, the envoy defined the Norwegian lifestyle as "ga pa tur" in comparison to Denmark's "hygge" and Sweden's "lagom." Translated as "go for a walk," "ga pa tur" characterizes Norwegians' love of nature and outdoor activities. This is important for many Norwegians, as nature is available for all. Thus, the many elevated plateaus, deep forested valleys and the remaining ice-age glaciers are popular destinations. "That is a very typical Norwegian expression," Solberg said. "I think it's a good way to describe our happy, positive and nice lifestyle, because we do hiking and other outdoor activities a lot." He also said the term can apply to Koreans, considering many regularly go hiking in the mountains that make up over two-thirds of the country. "That's one of many areas where Norwegians and Koreans meet each other in a nice way," Solberg said. He partly attributed the Norwegian lifestyle to the country's well-established welfare system and workplace environment. "Many benefits are free in our society, and everyone is given relatively equal possibilities, an issue we have kept high on the political agenda," Solberg said. "In workplaces, gender equality and working hours are very important topics. Maternity leave is very generous and you don't have to stay late in the office just to wait for the boss to leave." But he noted that the benefits do not come free of charge, saying "we're used to relatively high taxes in Norway." "It is up to every country to find that mixture. Norway has found it's generally accepted that we have a country with relatively high taxes, but with comprehensive general welfare issues and systems, when it comes to maternity leave, health insurance, education and so on." Trade Trade, according to Solberg, remains "a very important pillar" for Oslo-Seoul ties. Korea was Norway's fifth-largest trading partner in 2017 and the second-largest market in Asia after China. Their trade volume stood at 23.7 billion Norwegian krone ($2.7 billion) in 2018. "The volume of trade between our countries is very important in many areas, like the maritime industry, seafood, energy, information and communications technology (ICT) and cars," the envoy said. Solberg said the maritime sector has been the most important in bilateral trade terms, while noting seafood exports to Korea grew rapidly and accounted for the largest sales item in 2018, amounting to 2.7 billion Norwegian krone. "Almost all Norwegian companies within the maritime area are at present in Korea in one way or another," he said. The companies include Equinor, DNV GL, EUKOR Car Carriers, Hoegh Autoliners, , Kongsberg Maritime Korea, Odfjell Terminals, Chokwang Jotun, Scana Korea Hydraulics, Marine Harvest, Norway Susan and Rolls-Royce Marine. They specialize in a range of equipment related to data, control systems and other areas associated with the maritime industry. Most companies are concentrated in the southeastern port cities of Busan, Ulsan and Geoje the homes of major Korean shipyards to optimize cooperation with Korean clients, namely Hyundai Heavy Industries, Samsung Heavy Industries and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering. "You have excellence in shipbuilding and we have many Norwegian companies supporting the ship industry," Solberg said. "I think it's a very good example of close cooperation where different competence and different expertise can come together." Solberg said this is why the Norwegian embassy has been celebrating its national day not only in Seoul but also in Busan for years. When asked about ways to deepen cooperation in other areas, the envoy speculated on sustainable development using Norway's expertise in renewable energy to "create a big leap forward." Thanks to more than 300 waterfalls the most in Europe hydropower represents about 99 percent of Norway's electricity production. At 120 terawatt hours (TWh) a year, it is the highest in Europe. Sweden and France follow with about 65 TWh a year. Regarding natural gas, Norway is the world's third-largest exporter, with production of 227 million standard cubic meters in 2018. It supplies about 25 percent of the European Union's demand. "This is absolutely one key area for Norway and Korea to cooperate in the years to come," Solberg said. He said it would be timely, considering President Moon Jae-in's energy transition policy. In particular, he viewed offshore wind energy as a possibility, if associated with Korea's shipbuilding know-how. Norway is home to only one offshore wind turbine farm, the Hywind Demo 2.3-megawatt floating wind project by Equinor, a multinational energy company headquartered in Stavanger, Norway. "We have competence, expertise and history and I think Norwegian companies will be able to cooperate closely with Korean companies to transfer more energy in Korea to renewable," Solberg said. "We especially have large opportunities when it comes to offshore wind energy because Korean shipyards can build relevant equipment." He said Norway's push for smart cities and green technologies put it among countries with the highest density of electric cars, which could provide more opportunities for Korean automakers. According to the ambassador, Korean electric cars like the Hyundai Kona, the Kia Niro and the Kia Soul have been very successful in Norway and there is a two-year waiting list for these cars. To bolster tourism, he cited the need for year-round direct flights between the two countries. Today, only charter flights operated by Korean Air and Asiana are available in summer. Norway offers beautiful scenery and is a great destination for tourists, and the envoy underscored that Norway, because of the Gulf Stream that flows through the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico, is not at all as cold as people think. Among the must-see Norwegian tourist destinations are more than 1,000 fjords, waterfalls, sharp, snow-capped mountains that tower above the water and the Midnight Sun in summer and the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) in winter. Koreans who visit Norway to get a peek of the Norwegian lifestyle of "ga pa tur" will say the country's nature is "even more dramatic" than one can imagine, Solberg said. A career diplomat, Solberg joined the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1995. Korea is his fifth posting and his first as ambassador. A T-shirt with images of U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is displayed at a tourist area in Hanoi, Vietnam, Feb. 25. AP-Yonhap By Kim Yoo-chul, Lee Min-hyung HANOI _ All eyes are on what will take place in the Vietnamese capital this week as the leaders of North Korea and the United States are coming here for another summit. More than 2,600 foreign journalists have entered Vietnam to cover the historic meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. After months of confrontation and diplomatic ups and downs, as well as rhetorical escalation, this week's summit is expected to produce "substantial results," unlike their first meeting in Singapore last year that only produced a vaguely worded commitment from North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons program. Not surprisingly, with just two days to go before the crucial second meeting between them, security checks rose to the "highest level" along major streets from Noi Bai Airport, the primary entrance to the Vietnamese capital, and at five-star hotels in downtown Hanoi, as well as the international media center at the historic Cultural Friendship Palace. Security cameras have been installed all along the street. JW M0arriott Hotel and Melia Hotel, where Trump and Kim are expected to stay during their summit, respectively, were designated as "security zones," meaning live broadcasts by the media will be banned until the summit ends. Despite the continued thorough security checks in and around all summit venues as officials here are scrambling to put the finishing touches in place for the summit, the Vietnamese people and international media outlets seem to be welcoming the upcoming meeting. The national flags of Vietnam, the United States and North Korea line the main streets in downtown Hanoi in preparation for the meeting. Hotels near the venues predicted to host the upcoming summit are "fully booked." Kim Jong-un arrives in Hanoi [PHOTOS] Trump can offer what Kim Jong-un wants - peace First ladies won't come to Hanoi US can play role for NK economic development Vietnam deports Kim Jong-un impersonator A woman and a boy pose for a selfie at West Lake in Hanoi, Vietnam, Feb. 25. AP-Yonhap While views and expectations about the outcome of the Kim-Trump meeting are split, a festive mood and excitement among Vietnamese people here in Hanoi is capturing attention. "I do think the summit will be very successful. The two leaders seem to build a better and better relationship," Le Cao Luc from Vietnam's local media Bao Nguoi Lao Dong, told The Korea Times, adding Vietnamese people are now in a festive mood for the upcoming event. "This is the first time in the country that such a huge number of reporters have visited for a single two-day-long event." Another journalist, who asked not to be named, added the summit will be meaningful as it aims to bring peace. "The leaders of the two countries will hold a meeting with a view to fostering peace on the Korean Peninsula," said an official at the International Media Center. "In this regard, the meeting in itself is meaningful and this will bring positive effects in raising the awareness of peace across the world." With journalists from Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, China and the United States, South Korean and Japanese media are known to have proposed the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs extend a visa waiver to their staff in case the summit continues for longer than expected. Vietnamese police leave their headquarters to patrol ahead of the upcoming North Korea-U.S. summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, Feb. 25. Reuters-Yonhap At barber shops located in the main streets of Hanoi, there are calls by customers who want to get hairstyles similar to that of Trump or Kim. Kim Young-pil, front office manager at Grand Plaza Hotel, said some barbershops are providing free haircuts in the styles of Trump and Kim until the summit ends. Small shop owners have been busy selling images of Trump and Kim on T-shirts. And bars and restaurants are selling "special alcoholic drinks" named after Trump and Kim to mark the event, according to the manager. A local tourism industry official said Hanoi will be able to attract more tourists following the summit. In this Feb. 21 photo, children in Vietnamese and Korean traditional costumes stick on Vietnamese and Korean maps at Vietnam-Korea Friendship Kindergarten in Hanoi, Vietnam. Children at the kindergarten have been practicing singing and dancing, hoping to show off their talents to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un when he comes to town this week for his second summit meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Portraits hang on a wall are the late North Korean leader Kim Il-sung, left, and the late Vietnamese revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh. AP As North Korean leader Kim Jong-un makes his way to Vietnam for a nuclear summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, another key focus of his visit is what he will learn from Hanoi's "Doi Moi" reforms, which often cited as an example for the North to follow. Since the White House's announcement of the summit location earlier this month, whether Kim will look around Vietnam's major manufacturing facilities, including South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics Co.'s smartphone factory, has been a key point of interest. Speculation over Kim's economic tour gained traction after the North unveiled a list of officials accompanying Kim for the Hanoi trip, which included O Su-yong, who is known to be in charge of the ruling party's economic affairs. Kim Chang-son, an official at the North's State Affairs Commission, reportedly looked around the Samsung factory last week, as he worked out logistical details of the leader's trip. Known as the leader's "butler," the official was also in charge of protocol during the first Trump-Kim summit in Singapore last June. "By visiting the factory, the North can send a message to the world that it wants investment from global companies, like Samsung," said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul. As of Sunday, no unusual signs were detected at the Samsung factory, with the company saying that no preparatory work has been done to receive the North Korean leader. Still, some observers say the possibility remains open until the last minute. In this June 11, 2018, file photo, a man walks past a mural depicting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Los Angeles. U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim are planning a second summit in the Vietnam capital of Hanoi, Feb. 27-28. AP Ahead of this week's summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, North Korean ruler Kim Jong-un is hogging the global limelight, where he may seek to craft an image as a reliable leader for diplomatic and economic cooperation. The Hanoi summit, set for Wednesday and Thursday, is expected to be another chance for Kim to carve out that image crucial for his push to ease Pyongyang's isolation, create diplomatic and business opportunities and rebuild its threadbare economy, analysts said Monday. The second meeting with Trump is a culmination of the charm offensive that he launched early last year when he shifted his policy focus to the economy after he strengthened his hand with the declaration on the "completion of the state nuclear force" in November 2017. "In the first several years since taking power, Kim prioritized tightening his grip on power through repressive measures with little heed to how he would be viewed by the outside audience," said Kim Tae-hyeong, a professor of political science at Soongsil University. "Now stably ensconced on the North's throne, he apparently wants to show the world that he is a stable, normal interlocutor for diplomacy, while to the domestic audience, he is a modern, confident leader on the world stage," he added. Since taking over the reclusive state upon the death of his father, Kim Jong-il, in December 2011, his public persona had been associated mostly with his reign of terror, marked by the brutal execution of dissenters and potential rivals, including his uncle Jang Song-thaek in 2013 not to mention the apparent assassination of his half-brother, Kim Jong-nam, in 2017. His menacing rhetoric and saber-rattling against Seoul and Washington had raised fears of war and dampened hopes that the Swiss-educated young leader could reverse his country's provocative tack and move to lift it out of the economic doldrums. But with crippling sanctions and deepening isolation, economic reality has been sinking in for the third-generation hereditary ruler keen on building his own legacy rather than riding on the coattails of his late grandfather and national founder Kim Il-sung and his father. In 2016, Kim rolled out a five-year national development scheme. But it has gained little traction as political uncertainties and the international sanctions scared away foreign investors and dried up business opportunities. Absent any tangible outcome from the scheme, the North's leader may likely lose face in a future party congress, likely in the early 2020s, where the ruling Workers' Party would take stock of his achievements over the past years, observers said. In this June 12, 2018, photo, U.S. President Donald Trump stands with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a meeting on Sentosa Island, Singapore. For some observers, the nightmare result of the second summit between Trump and Kim is an ill-considered deal that allows North Korea to get everything it wants while giving up very little, even as the mercurial leaders trumpet a blockbuster nuclear success. AP North Korea warned U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday not to listen to U.S. critics who weredisrupting efforts to improve ties, as its leader, Kim Jong-un, made his way across China by train to a second summit with Trump in Vietnam. The two leaders will meet in Hanoi on Wednesday and Thursday, eight months after their historic summit in Singapore, the first between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader, where they pledged to work toward the complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. But their vaguely worded agreement has produced few results and U.S. Democratic senators and U.S. security officials have warned Trump against cutting a deal that would do little to curb North Korea's nuclear ambitions. The North's KCNA state news agency said such opposition was aimed at derailing the talks. "If the present U.S. administration reads others' faces, lending an ear to others, it may face the shattered dream of the improvement of the relations with the DPRK and world peace and miss the rare historic opportunity," the news agency said in a commentary, referring to North Korea by the initials of its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The Trump administration has pressed the North to give up its nuclear weapons programme, which, combined with its missile capabilities, pose a threat to the United States, before it can expect any concessions. But in recent days Trump has signalled a possible softening, saying he would love to be able to remove sanctions if there is meaningful progress on denuclearisation. Trump also said he was in no rush and had no pressing schedule for North Korea's denuclearisation, hinting at a more gradual, reciprocal approach, long favoured by Pyongyang. The North also wants security guarantees and a formal end of the 1950-1953 Korean War, which ended in a truce, not a treaty. Trump said on Sunday that he and Kim expect to make further progress at this week's summit and again held out the promise that denuclearization would help North Korea develop its economy. He also said Chinese President Xi Jinping has been supportive of Trump's meeting with Kim. "The last thing China wants are large scale nuclear weapons right next door." TRUMP SCOFFS AT CRITICS Trump scoffed at critics of his handling of North Korea. "So funny to watch people who have failed for years, they got NOTHING, telling me how to negotiate with North Korea. But thanks anyway!" he said in a tweet. Vietnam's Doi Moi reforms in spotlight ahead of Kim's visit NK leader eyes image as reliable economic leader In Chinese border city, locals hope North Korea opens up U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told "Fox News Sunday" that North Korea has yet to take "concrete" steps on denuclearization and said another summit might be needed beyond the one in Hanoi, but that he hoped for substantial progress this week. "The alternative to giving up his nuclear weapons is remaining a pariah state, remaining a nation that is unable to trade, unable to grow, unable to take care of its own people," Pompeo said of Kim in an interview with CNN's "State of the Union." In a letter to Trump last week, three Democratic chairmen of key committees in the House of Representatives accused the administration of withholding information on the negotiations with North Korea. "There are ample reasons to be sceptical that Chairman Kim is committed to a nuclear-free North Korea," the lawmakers wrote. U.S. intelligence officials recently testified to Congress that North Korea was unlikely to ever give up its entire nuclear arsenal. The New York Times reported on Sunday that Pompeo has conceded in private discussions with Korea experts that he would be lucky if North Korea agreed to dismantle 60 percent of what the United States has demanded, although he added that it would still be more than any other administration had achieved. The State Department declined to comment on the report. KCNA, referring to U.S. fears of the North's weapons, said if this week's talks ended without results, "the U.S. people will never be cleared of the security threats that threw them into panic". Few details of Kim's trip to Vietnam were announced until early on Sunday, when North Korean state media confirmed he had left Pyongyang by train, accompanied by senior officials as well as his influential sister, Kim Yo-jong. RED CARPET SEND-OFF In rare, revealing coverage of Kim's travel, the North's Rodong Sinmun newspaper featured photographs of the leader getting a red-carpet send-off on Saturday afternoon and waving from a train door while holding a cigarette. He was joined by top officials also involved in the Singapore summit, including Kim Yong Chol, a former spy chief and Kim's top envoy in negotiations with the United States, as well as senior party aide Ri Su Yong, Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho and defence chief No Kwang-chol. Other senior officials, such as his de facto chief of staff, Kim Chang Son, and Kim Hyok Chol, negotiations counterpart to U.S. envoy Stephen Biegun, were already in Hanoi to prepare for the summit. Both sides are under pressure to forge more specific agreements than were reached in Singapore. The two leaders are likely to try to build on their personal connection to push things forward in Hanoi, even if only incrementally, analysts said. "They will not make an agreement which breaks up the current flow of diplomacy. (President Trump) has mentioned that they'll meet again; even if there is a low-level agreement, they will seek to keep things moving," said Shin Beom-chul, a senior fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies. Few details of summit arrangements have been released. Some lamp posts on Hanoi's tree-lined streets are decked with North Korean, U.S. and Vietnamese flags fluttering above a handshake design, and security has been stepped up at locations that could be the summit venue, or where the leaders might stay. Park Jae Kyu, Kyungnam University president and former unification minister, at his office in Seoul on Feb. 21 By Kim Bo-eun The second summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump this week will be a significant turning point that further advances a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula, a former unification minister said. "We expect a good, fruitful discussion on the denuclearization and settlement of peace on the Korean Peninsula," Park Jae Kyu, president of Kyungnam University, told The Korea Times in an interview last week. Park served as unification minister from 1999 to 2001. He said this is because the leaders of North Korea and the U.S. have high stakes in the summit. "For Kim, the denuclearization steps he would agree to would determine the fate of the reclusive regime in terms of security and economic development. For Trump, the outcome of the summit would need to show critics at home that diplomacy with Pyongyang is working," he said. Expectations for summit The threshold for the outcome of the upcoming summit has been raised, as the first summit held in Singapore in June last year failed to pin down measures to carry out the agreement on denuclearization, normalize bilateral relations or achieve a lasting peace regime on the Korean Peninsula. "The U.S. promise to guarantee the North Korean system and North Korea's promise for complete denuclearization are the most important foundations, and based on these, specific and practical measures are expected to be discussed and agreed upon at the summit," Park said. The former minister said along with concrete steps to carry out previous agreements, the summit to be held in Hanoi Wednesday through Thursday would need to produce a roadmap on Pyongyang's denuclearization measures. "It is important to reach an agreement for a larger framework on when to begin and end the denuclearization process and corresponding measures," he said. "It is also crucial that we establish in detail a system to link the denuclearization and corresponding measures." A permanent shutdown of the Yongbyon nuclear facility is one of the denuclearization steps North Korea is set to agree to at the upcoming summit. This is a measure Kim Jong-un offered to take, if the U.S. provides "corresponding action." At the summit, North Korea is expected to offer not only the dismantling of its Yongbyon facility but also additional denuclearization measures. "For the U.S. this would be the dismantlement of nuclear facilities and weapons outside of the Yongbyon complex and disposal of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs)," Park said. "The U.S. is concerned North Korea may have uranium enrichment facilities outside of Yongbyon. Moreover, it seems to be demanding the disposal of ICBMs first because they are a direct threat to the U.S. mainland." The former minister noted the importance of verification in the process. "In order to permanently dismantle the Yongbyon nuclear facilities, first of all, IAEA inspectors should return to North Korea, shut down and seal those facilities," Park said. "But without significant corresponding measures from the U.S., North Korea is unlikely to do this." Pyongyang has been calling for this to involve alleviating sanctions that have been stifling its economy. Its leader referred to the reopening of the inter-Korean Gaeseong Industrial Complex and resumption of tours to Mount Geumgang in his New Year address this year. Washington's stance is that North Korea needs to take significant steps that show its commitment toward complete denuclearization for sanctions to be eased. South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who is eager to see progress in the denuclearization process, told Trump that Seoul is willing to play a role in offering corresponding measures for Pyongyang, to alleviate the financial burden for Washington. He referred to "inter-Korean economic cooperation" including projects to connect the railways and roads of the South and North, as such corresponding actions. Inter-Korean projects have been put on hold for months, in tandem with progress in the North's denuclearization. There are expectations that partial alleviation of sanctions to enable inter-Korean economic projects could be granted at the summit, if the North offers to take meaningful denuclearization steps. Significance of Hanoi as summit location Meanwhile, the location of the second North Korea-U.S. summit is also meaningful. The location was agreed upon as both countries have friendly relations with Vietnam. Following the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and North Korea in January 1950, President Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam visited North Korea in July 1957 and North Korean leader Kim Il-sung reciprocated with a visit to Vietnam the following year. Washington and Hanoi have developed relations based on mutual interests in trade and security, after they normalized ties after the 1960-1975 Vietnam War. "Vietnam's success in socialist reform and opening can be a symbol of the future that could await North Korea," Park said. Hanoi is the heart of Vietnam's "Doi moi" policy that established the country's socialist-oriented market economy. Kim's Seoul visit hinges on NK-US summit "If meaningful agreements are produced on denuclearization and achieving peace at the summit, a positive environment will be created for Kim to visit Seoul," Park said. The leaders of the Koreas had agreed for Kim to visit the South soon, at their third summit in Pyongyang last year. Park said the North Korean leader's visit will likely take place in late March or early April, considering the time needed for Seoul to prepare for the huge event. He also noted Pyongyang has a number of important events in April, including the Day of the Sun that marks the birthday of North Korea's founder Kim Il-sung on April 15. In addition, Park said, "Kim might be contemplating the timing of his trip to Seoul, as it is possible he will visit China after the Pyongyang-Washington summit." If the North Korea-U.S. summit generates progress, inter-Korean cooperation will accelerate, Park said. In addition to economic cooperation, the former minister said humanitarian aid and projects on reforestation, health and medical care should unfold this year. Humanitarian projects including separated family reunions had been postponed for months despite the separated family members being elderly. Humanitarian aid was also limited, but hopes are growing that this will gain traction after the summit. Finance ministry hit for being too easy on global tech giants By Lee Kyung-min The Ministry of Economy and Finance has been slammed for not holding global tech giants to the same taxation standards Korean firms are subject to. The backlash came after the finance ministry announced Feb. 14 that it has no immediate plans to revise the corporate tax code to impose heavier taxes on IT giants, such as Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon. The passive stance came amid fierce criticism against the ministry after earlier media reports that Apple's French operation reached a deal with France to pay an undeclared amount of back tax. French media estimated the amount at around 500 million euros (636 billion won). The incident was widely seen as a victory for the French governments against one of the tech multinationals in requiring it pay a fair share in the local market. "The ministry is simply helpless," said Ahn Jeong-sang, a policy adviser for the National Assembly Science ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee. "Given that the finance ministry is repeating the same thing over and over, 'coward' is a word that could best characterize the ministry's response. It simply shows how unwilling the ministry is to require global IT giants pay the due amount of tax." The ministry's announcement also came despite mounting calls to revise the tax code to recognize the Korean branches of global tech giants as permanent establishments. Permanent establishments, or fixed places of business, give rise to income or value-added tax liability in a particular jurisdiction. Under the current permanent establishment-based tax code, the tech giant practically exists in the virtual world, which cannot be identified as an entity subject to a rate of 25 percent in corporate tax here. This is a reason why many multinational IT giants set up servers in low-tax jurisdictions in a move to legally avoid the high corporate tax where their services are provided. The ministry, instead, only reiterated its earlier opinion that Korea will continue to join a global wave of efforts to tackle base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS). Under the initiative led by the OECD, over 100 countries are trying to fight BEPS, a series of tax avoidance strategies that exploit gaps and mismatches in tax rules through artificially shifting profits to low- or no-tax locations. It added that it will continue to review the issue with "great caution." Ahn said that the ministry's stance is considered "unfair" and "arbitrary," given how often it revises tax codes that affect domestic entities. "Korean businesses are in constant fear. It is about fear of uncertainty, because they have to pay higher taxes with no room for negotiation whatsoever when the government revises a law. It is the height of unfairness. The ministry essentially bullying whom they can instead of whom they should stand against." In response, a ministry official said the situation has no room for improvement any time soon. "It is true that the tax code gets revised every year. So do international tax laws, but they have to be revised with international treaties taken into consideration. This is not easy because there are many parties with varying, conflicting interests," the ministry's international tax division head Kim Jung-hong said. Ahn added the global tech giants should be willing to assume greater social responsibility by paying a due amount of tax corresponding to their lucrative business here. "There must be tax where there is income. If global tech giants such as Google fail to uphold such a basic moral principle, it only proves that it is nothing but a profit-seeking, irresponsible, opportunistic entity blinded by short-term moneymaking. And the ministry is the principle enabler of the continuation of such morally bankrupt behavior." Hyundai Motor headquarters in Yangjae-dong, Seoul / Korea Times file Top firms raise dividends to appease increasingly vocal minority shareholders By Nam Hyun-woo Samsung, Hyundai Motor and other top conglomerates are scrambling to prepare for their upcoming shareholders' meetings next month as they have to deal with a range of thorny issues, including reappointing their owners as board members, according to company officials Monday. The reason behind their concern is the enhanced activism among shareholders, as not only overseas investors but also domestic private equity funds (PEFs) and the state pension operator are hopping on the bandwagon of shareholder activism. According to Hyundai Motor, the carmaker will hold a board of directors meeting soon to decide on the schedule and agenda for the March regular shareholders' meeting. Industry officials expect this will likely take place a week before or after the shareholders' meeting of its affiliate Kia Motors slated for March 15. Key issues for this year include whether the company will name Hyundai Motor Group's de facto chief, Executive Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun, as the company's CEO. Hyundai Motor is currently headed by Chung's father, group Chairman and CEO Chung Mong-koo. Along with the senior Chung, President Lee Won-hee and Vice President Ha Eon-tae are registered as the company's co-CEOs, but the younger Chung has been virtually leading the company in recent years. Chung's potential appointment is expected because the group named him as the lead vice-chairman of Hyundai Motor Group in September and made sweeping changes among group executives in December, which was interpreted as tightening Chung's control over the group. "Hyundai Motor Group's recent future strategies, such as commitment to hydrogen cars and smart mobility, were all driven by the junior Chung," a conglomerate official said. "Given Chung's significance in the group and Hyundai Motor's management, it seems there will be no problem for Chung to become the official head of the company." Chung's term as a standing director of Hyundai Motor will end March 10. The company's directors will likely decide to table a motion giving him another term at their meeting and then decide whether to name him as CEO of Hyundai Motor. One of the remaining concerns for Hyundai Motor Group is the U.S. activist fund Elliott. As of November, Elliott holds a 3 percent stake in Hyundai Motor, 2.1 percent in Kia Motors and 2.5 percent in Hyundai Mobis. Since Hyundai Motor Group has been struggling with Elliott's apparent attacks over its ownership structure, chances still remain that Elliott or other PEFs may make last-moment demands of the group before the shareholders' meeting, a source at a PEF said. Samsung Electronics headquarters in Seocho-dong, Seoul / Korea Times file Kokomo, IN (46901) Today Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low near 70F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low near 70F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Ambassador of UAE at Office of President (video) Newly appointed Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Armenia Muhammed Al Zaab delivered his credentials to President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian. As the press service of the Presidents Office reports, congratulating the Ambassador of the UAE on assuming the responsible position, President Sarkissian expressed confidence that during his tenure Muhammed Al Zaab will serve his experience and professional skills for further strengthening and deepening the cooperation between the two friendly states. The newly appointed Ambassador conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the President of the UAE Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the Armenian President. Recalling his recent visit to the UAE and the successful discussions and agreements reached during that visit, President Sarkissian said that their implementation will foster the dynamically developing bilateral relations. Speaking about economic partnership, the interlocutors emphasized the spheres of high technologies, food security, tourism and alternative energy as priority directions. Two Easy Ways To Subscribe! The Kodiak Daily Mirror offers full-service, five-day a week subscriptions with home delivery in addition to unlimited access to our online services (including our e-Edition). Online-access-only subscriptions include unlimited access to the Mirror's online services without delivery of the printed newspaper. (Note: New users: You must register and login before purchasing a subscription. KJACK Radio is a production of students broadcasting from the Media Innovation Center at Northern Arizona Universitys School of Communication. In November 2015, the station received a license from the FCC and now broadcasts on 107.1 FM with the call sign KLJX-LP. School of Communication Hopkinsville, KY (42240) Today Mainly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. A member of the Italian American Ladies Auxiliary, Hagen was the honored guest of the Italian American Society of Kenosha at its 94th annual Columbus Day banquet celebration for her dedication to the community. She has also served as president of Tempo Kenosha, a local professional network for women, and is a member of the Rotary Club of Kenosha, where she has also served as president. Hagen was also recently named one of Kenoshas 10 Exceptional People by the Kenosha News. Hagen said that, as a woman who has worked in the community 30 years, she has seen, advocated for and has been a part of the progress made in her profession. Hagen, who has never been afraid to assert herself, said early on in her career she noted how nurses would often literally give up their seats at a table for doctors who walked into a room, when they, too, were doing work involving patients. What were both doing is equally important ... and you dont have to just jump up and give up your chair if youre using your chair, she said in standing her ground and encouraging her peers, as well. Despite their success, the Happs sold the farm in 1991 and moved to a house in Wheatland after Don experienced some health challenges. Pat and Don began traveling, but it wasnt long before Pat wanted to get her hands into the dirt again. In 1992, Don Jr. dedicated part of his own 23-acre farm in the area to grow pumpkins. Mom and Dad were disappointed that none of us wanted to take over their farm, so I decided to do a pumpkin patch, Don Jr. said. I never would have gotten into it if it werent for her, but I figured it was only for one month of the year, he said. Pat became a vital force at Happs Pumpkin Patch, bunching Indian corn, painting pumpkins and running the stand during the week and the food booth she dubbed Draculas Diner on the weekends. Pat made seasonal soups for customers, including squash soup and pumpkin soup. When you get back into (farming) after retirement, its a sure sign a person loves it, Don Jr. said. During the Halloween season, Pat was in her element, painting and assembling movie and storybook characters, putting up pumpkin displays and dressing in costume as a hippie, a bobby soxer or Cruella de Vil. The last person who asked me that is still missing. If you need me, I'll be underwater. It's a dry heat. You call this hot? Bring it on. Vote View Results Regardless of party preferences, it's hard to deny Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY 14th District) is demonstrating the invaluable importance of electing fresh faces to the U.S. political system. Last summer, Ocasio-Cortez pulled off a shocking primary win over 10-term incumbent Rep. Joe Crowley, who has served in powerful roles, most recently as the Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, for much of his career. New Yorks 14th district is deeply liberal, and Ocasio-Cortez went on to win the general election by a landslide. Ocasio-Cortez has since become a sensation. Currently, old age is dominating the power structure of the federal government. President Donald Trump, 72, was the oldest president to ever take the oath of office at 70 years old. Mike Pence is 59, Mitch McConnell is 77, Nancy Pelosi is 78, Chuck Schumer is 68, and Bernie Sanders, who raised $6 million in the first 24 hours following the announcement of his 2020 presidential campaign, is 77. The generational and age discrepancy that exists between Washington, D.C.s top power brokers and Ocasio-Cortez is stark: the freshman congresswoman is only 29 years old. Her predecessor, Crowley, is 56. Henry: The dam is finally breaking for women in politics Kansan columnist Hannah Henry explains the importance of empowering young women amidst a historical time for women in politics. If Ocasio-Cortez can overcome steep institutionalized odds at such a young age, students at the University of Kansas should carry themselves with an unstoppable attitude. Not every young persons calling will be to run for Congress, but everybody has a dream. Ocasio-Cortez is living proof that every young person should believe in their ability to achieve their goals or make a difference. As students at the University, we have a whole life ahead of us and a new perspective to share with an old world. The new perspective Ocasio-Cortez has brought to Congress is already making an impact. Recently, Ocasio-Cortez used her powerful Twitter platform to expose an egregiously unethical Washington practice, she described in a thread how lobbyists are paying the homeless people of the district to hold them a spot in line for committee meetings, rather than waiting in line themselves. Although she is not the first to point out the questionable ethics of this practice, her newfound influence and commitment to principle brought the issue to a larger audience. This exposure is the ultimate power an engaged electorate can have over their elected officials. Ocasio-Cortez, according to opensecrets.org, financed 97.91 percent of her campaign with individual donations, 61.6 percent of those donations being less than or equal to $200. Without being beholden to special interests, Ocasio-Cortez has already shown she is fearless in standing up for her principles and for change, qualities we need more of on both sides of the aisle. Another freshman congressman, Andy Kim (D-NJ 3rd District), also demonstrated that the innocence of new leadership is capable of shaking up antiquated traditions. On his first day, Kim sat on the Republican side of the aisle by mistake, later saying, I was just looking around for a seat. While this faux pas may bring a smile and a laugh to our faces, the implication of Kims mentality is incredibly profound. Why does a first-term congressman need to sit with his own party? Why are the two parties even split down an aisle? How much different would our government be if our representatives worked as a unified body, instead of as two opposing factions? Kim, much like Ocasio-Cortez, proved the immense worth of new representation at the highest level of government. Johnston: Green New Deal poses socialist threat to middle, lower classes Columnist Scott Johnston argues that New York Representative Ocasio-Cortez's proposal for a Green New Deal pushes a radical socialism that will do more harm than good to Americans across the board. News outlets with political leanings to all sides of the spectrum are fascinated by the speed at which Ocasio-Cortez is gaining influence, and rightfully so. In less than two months of work, she has been appointed to the House Oversight Committee and sponsored the Green New Deal, a policy proposal that has been adopted by nearly all of the top candidates for the 2020 democratic nomination. She might be the exception to the rule, but as the old adage goes, rules are meant to be broken. As the rest of the spring semester unfolds here at the University, remember: you hold an immense power to change a world set in its old ways. Elijah Southwick is a junior from Overland Park studying English. The Kansas Union Art Gallery is up and running after a brief time off for renovations during the fall. This spring will be packed with art. The gallery, sponsored by Student Union Activities, has been showing art from students and other artists since the early 1970s when the Kansas Union was remodeled. For the type of art on exhibition, SUA focuses on University of Kansas seniors graduating each spring. My favorite part is that I really love interacting with the artists and being able to have that more one-on-one contact with them, Mary Bisbee, the head coordinator of the gallery, said. Kansas Union gallery casts light on victim blaming in new exhibit The exhibit "What Were You Wearing?" discusses the blaming of victims in sexual assault cases. The installation will be up until 7 p.m. on Sept. 15. Bisbee also stressed the gallery is not only for artists, but for any and all students at the University to enjoy. We want to create this easy, accessible space where students can not only showcase their art, but they can stop by and see it when they have a moment, Bisbee said. To be able to see their own peers artwork is a really cool thing that should be taken advantage of and that Im really happy to be a part of. Five more spring semester exhibits are on the gallerys schedule, including one about the history of black writing running through the end of the month as well as one about food insecurity later in the semester. The spring semester will conclude with another senior artists work in a show she titled Mesmerize. Katie Harnisch, a senior from Overland Park, is the artist behind the exhibit. Harnisch got serious about art in high school and later decided to make it her focus at the University. In her show, shell show a variety of paintings and digital art she has made over the last year. My work is more on the psychedelic side, Harnisch said. It has more of a focus on outer world experiences combining elements of nature and other foreign things. The inspiration for her work comes from nature as well as her love for music. Im always listening to something when Im working on stuff, Harnisch said. It kind of helps me get going in a lot of ways. +2 Day in the Life: Through years of involvement, Justin Kim has made his presence felt at KU Senior Justin Kim has held leadership roles in KU Young Democrats, the Student Alumni Leadership Board and the Mortar Board, along with volunteering and interning. Another big part of what keeps her going is hearing positive feedback from others, which is part of the reason shes excited for her art to be shown in the gallery. It makes you feel really good to hear people show interest in your work and ask questions about the process, Harnisch said. Her artwork can be found in the gallery at the Union when the show opens on April 29 until May 10. More information on upcoming exhibit schedules can be found the Kansas Union Gallery website. Zonal Manager, Field Manager & Information Officer Jobs Latest Pharmacare Laboratories Pvt Limited Medical Posts Lahore 2021 Pharmacare Laboratories Private Limited Lahore, Pakistan is seeking for the services from experienced candidates for the posts of Zonal Manager, Field Manager, Medical Information Officer. How to Apply on Pharmacare Laboratories Pvt Limited 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. Govt College University Faisalabad GCUF Professors Jobs 2019 Latest Government College University Faisalabad Education Posts Faisalabad 2021 Government College University Faisalabad GCUF, Government of the Punjab requires candidates for the posts of Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Lecturer, Professor Geographic, Professor Public Administration, Assistant Professor Chemical Engineering, Assistant Professor Civil Engineering, Assistant Professor Commerce, Assistant Professor Human Nutrition, Assistant Professor Information Technology, Assistant Professor Pharmacy, Assistant Professor Physiology, Lecturer Bioinformatics, Teaching Assistant, Clerk, Naib Qasid, Mali, Baildar, Sanitary Worker. How to Apply on Government College University Faisalabad 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: Government College University Faisalabad. Telephone: 041-9201209 Official Website: https://gcuf.edu.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. The wireless carriers are racing towards 5G, and while Sprint will make a 2019 debut, the Now Networks offering wont be as full-featured as the other major wireless networks. Sprint on Monday officially announced that it will be launching its 5G service in May of this year. When it does go live, it will be available in four cities at launch: Chicago, Illinois; Atlanta, Georgia; Dallas, Texas; and Kansas City, Missouri. After that, and sometime within the first half of this year, Sprints 5G service will then expand to Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, California; Phoenix, Arizona; New York City, New York; and Washington, D.C. At launch, Sprints highly mobile, on-the-go customers can expect mobile 5G coverage ranging from nearly 30 square miles covering Midtown and lower Manhattan, to approximately 230 square miles spanning the greater Dallas Fort Worth area, for a total initial 5G coverage footprint of more than 1,000 square miles across all nine cities. The company also confirmed that if the planned merger with T-Mobile is given the A-OK from government bodies, the network will build out a 5G network across the United States in partnership with T-Mobile. The wireless networks first 5G smartphone is the recently announced LG V50 ThinQ, which the carrier has an exclusive launch window. There is a bit of a catch here, though. Sprints 5G is not going to be as powerful as other carriers out there, due to the fact Sprint doesnt hold the licensing on specific airwaves to support better 5G coverage. As a result, Sprint will be using Massive MIMO and relying on the 2.5GHz spectrum. The 5G coverage the other carriers are using relies on millimeter wave technologies. As noted by The Verge following the announcement, Sprints 5G network will technically be faster than its LTE network (the carrier saw download speeds up to 430Mbps), it wont be as fast as 5G from the likes of AT&T and Verizon. [via The Verge Special assistant to president Muhammadu Buhari on social media, Lauretta Onochie has mocked Senate president, Bukola Saraki over his defeat at the polls. Saraki lost the National Assembly elections to represent Kwara Central at the Senate, to his major contender, Ibrahim Oloriegbe of the All Progressives Congress, APC This means that the senate president will not be at the 9th senate. Speaking via Twitter on Monday, the presidential aide thanked President Buhari for refusing to interfere in the emergence of the 8th Senate president, and for not engineering his impeachment after he decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP from the APC. If Buhari had interfered, this victory of good over evil, wouldnt be as sweet, as it is now, she wrote. His words: I am extremely proud of President Buhari for vehemently refusing to interfere in who emerged as the Senate President in the 8th Assembly and for not engineering his impeachment later on. If he did, this victory of good over evil in Kwara, would not be as sweet as it is now. https://twitter.com/Laurestar/status/1099987808628953088?s=19 President Muhammadu Buhari has won both Osun and Ekiti state in the presidential election which held last Saturday across Nigeria. In Ekiti state, Buhari who ran on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, polled 219,231, coming closely behind was the Peoples Democratic Partys Atiku Abubakar with 154,032. Total Number of registered voters were 899,919, total number of people accredited were 395,741 and the total votes cast was 393,709. Total Valid Votes were 381,132, whe rejected Votes were 12,577. AAC: 400 While in Osun State, APC polled 347,634 while PDP: scored l 337,377. The returning officer, Agbaje Olusegun and Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the collation officer for Osun State both declared the presidential results in the state. Senator Dino Melaye has won his reelection bid to represent Kogi West at the National Assembly (senate), after collation of Saturdays national assembly results in the state. Melaye thrashed Smart Adeyemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with well over 20,000 votes. The results were announced early on Monday by Emmanuel Bala, returning officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC for the election in Kogi state. Melaye, who contested under the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP polled a total of 85, 395 votes while APCs Adeyemi, scored 66, 901 votes. Melaye, who is popular for his theatrics has stirred reactions among Nigerians upon his victory. Many have taken to social media to react. We took a look at Twitter and heres what we found https://twitter.com/OmoGbajaBiamila/status/1099946102957182976?s=19 A quick take on Dino Melaye. Believe it or not, he is loved by his constituency, who in contrast dont exactly like the governor. This is from @alphareach s engagements with the voters. Despite his shenanigans and gimmicks, he remains popular where it matters #Omojuwa10Takes JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) February 25, 2019 https://twitter.com/AishaYesufu/status/1099934640129929216?s=19 https://twitter.com/Future_Leader/status/1099967707389272064?s=19 https://twitter.com/Haidaer__/status/1099923116753600512?s=19 A gallant officer of the Nigerian army, Lt kurmi had died just few weeks to his wedding. The late officer fought along side his comrade in Operation Zaman lafiya Dole before being deployed to port Harcourt, according to reports. Lt Kurmi was killed while on patrol by hoodlums in a bloody clash that happened in Rivers state on election day. See another photo HANOI: While the leaders of North Korea and the United States debate banishing nuclear bombs from the Korean peninsula, the host of their summit this week, Vietnam, long almost synonymous with war, is relishing its role as a promoter of peace. US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will meet on Wednesday and Thursday in Hanoi, hoping to build on their historic summit in Singapore in June, the first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader. Vietnam`s hosting of the high-stakes talks marks its emergence as a trust-worthy, responsible member of the international community that has forged peace with old enemies, and can now help others to do so, Vietnamese officials say. Since emerging from decades of diplomatic isolation in the early 1990s, Vietnam has been eager to improve ties with large powers and the region to help balance its historically thorny relations with giant neighbour, China, which confronts Vietnam over claims to the resource-rich South China Sea. The boost to Vietnam`s international status that the summit should confer would support that strategy. Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung said the United States and North Korea were both keen to hold their summit in Vietnam. "It shows that Vietnam is a responsible and active member of the international community, wanting to contribute to the peace process and that Vietnam`s policy is to raise the level of multi-lateral foreign policy," Trung told reporters last week. Vietnam was at war almost continuously for some 45 years, from the end of World War Two through to the early 1990s, battling France, the United States, China and Cambodia`s Khmer Rouge. Far off Geneva and Paris hosted negotiations to end those wars, but this time Hanoi is the "city for peace", Trung said. "Vietnam is a nation that is really fond of peace but also had to suffer wars, and usually the wars ended with peace negotiations," he said. MORE WEIGHT Vietnam seems to be taking to its role of mediator with gusto. The government has pushed the US and North Korean security services to work closely to prepare for the summit, a senior Vietnamese security official told Reuters. Vietnam would also love to see the United States and North Korea sign a declaration of peace to officially end the 1950-53 Korean War, said the official, who declined to be identified. The war ended with an armistice not a treaty, and North Korea is keen to sign a treaty, though the United States has demanded denuclearisation first. Vietnam would also be keen to host a third meeting between the leaders, the official said. A successful summit would enhance Vietnam`s standing, said Nguyen Quy Binh, a former ambassador and permanent representative of Vietnam to the United Nations in Geneva. "Vietnam`s voice will have more weight. A country that acts responsibly and reputably, a country that is trust-worthy, will have a different voice," Binh told Reuters. Binh mentioned the South China Sea dispute as a flashpoint and said the United States could help to balance regional powers and ensure stability. "If Vietnam can do this well, its voice and reputation in its relations with other countries will benefit." Western and Asian diplomats said they expected Vietnam to try to support any reforms in North Korea that the summit bring. Those effort would be enhanced by Vietnam`s turn as chair of Southeast Asia`s ASEAN grouping next year, and a possible spell as a non-permanent member of the U.N. Secretary Council in 2021. "Hosting such an sensitive event is a step up for Hanoi. In private, Vietnamese officials are pretty happy with the way things are going ... it`s a sweet spot for them," said a senior Western diplomat. LONDON: Britain said on Monday it plans to ban all wings of Hezbollah due to its destabilising influence in the Middle East, classing the Lebanese Islamist movement as a terrorist organisation. London had already proscribed Hezbollah`s external security unit and its military wing in 2001 and 2008 respectively, but now wants to outlaw its political arm too. "Hezbollah is continuing in its attempts to destabilise the fragile situation in the Middle East and we are no longer able to distinguish between their already banned military wing and the political party," Home Secretary (interior minister) Sajid Javid said. "Because of this, I have taken the decision to proscribe the group in its entirety," he added in a statement. The Iran-backed Shiite group is already deemed a terrorist organisation by the United States which last week expressed concern about its growing role in Lebanon`s government. Hezbollah`s lawmakers said that was a "violation of sovereignty". Set up in 1982 by Iran`s Revolutionary Guards, it last fought a major war with Israel, its lifelong enemy, in 2006. The British ban, which will come into force on Friday subject to parliament`s approval, means anyone who is a member of Hezbollah or invites support will be committing a criminal offence with a potential sentence of up to 10 years in jail. Explaining its decision, the British government said the organisation continued to amass weapons in contravention of United Nations Security Council resolutions, while its support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had prolonged "the conflict and the regime`s brutal and violent repression of the Syrian people". There was no immediate reaction from Hezbollah to the British move. The group controls three of 30 ministries in Lebanon`s government, the largest number it has ever held, and has seen its regional clout expand too with fighters in various Middle East conflicts including neighbouring Syria. It does not acknowledge the existence of separate wings. Jeremy Corbyn, leader of Britain`s opposition Labour Party, once described Hezbollah as friends, a remark regularly seized upon by opponents for criticism."What do we see from his Labour Party? Hamas and Hezbollah friends, Israel and the United States enemies," Prime Minister Theresa May said last week. SHARM EL-SHEIKH: Arab and European states sought common ground on security threats and regional crises including Yemen, Syria and Libya on Sunday at their first joint summit held in Egypt`s Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Officials said the summit was neither about Brexit - which British Prime Minister Theresa May was discussing with other leaders on the sidelines - nor primarily about migration, an issue that has consumed European political debate since a surge in arrivals in 2015. "I hope that the summit manages to focus on our partnership when it comes to economic relations, when it comes to our common work, for instance, on Palestine ... revitalising the two state solution," European Union Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini told reporters. "But also a common approach I hope, on the conflict on Syria, on the conflict in Yemen to try to have a full implementation of the Stockholm agreements, and common work on Libya." The United Nations has been trying to salvage a truce agreed at peace talks in Stockholm in December between Houthi rebels in Yemen and the Saudi-backed government. Saudi Arabia`s King Salman emphasised the importance of a political solution in Yemen while calling the Iranian-backed Houthis terrorists. "We affirm the importance of international efforts to support Yemeni legitimacy and bring the revolutionary terrorist Houthi militias supported by Iran to submit to the international community," he told the summit. Houthis say they seized power to counter corruption and deny receiving material support from Iran. One issue dividing the Arab League is the possible readmission of Syria, suspended in 2011 over its crackdown on protesters at the start of the civil war. Arab States still have differences on the issue, said Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem, Sudan`s permanent representative at the League, though the trend was towards backing Syria`s return and giving Arab states a "foothold" in dealing with the Syria file. The summit comes at a time when supporters of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi are pushing constitutional amendments through parliament that could allow him to stay in power until 2034. His current term ends in 2022. Sisi has led a sweeping crackdown on opposition since becoming president in 2014 criticised by rights groups. Western states see Egypt as an important partner for promoting stability in the region. A carefully worded reference to human rights was included in a draft final declaration, diplomats said, though Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League Hossam Zaki said human rights and democracy would not feature prominently in discussions. Kolkata: A Trinamool Congress youth wing leader from Murshidabad district's Baharampur, Najmul Sheikh was shot dead by unidentified miscreants on Monday. On Monday morning Sheikh had set out for work and was waiting for a vessel to cross the river when three bike-borne youths appeared in front him and fire several rounds of ammunition. The three youths immediately fled from the spot after shooting the Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh. Locals rushed him to the hospital where doctors declared him brought dead on arrival. While the Trinamool Congress leaders maintain that this was the handiwork of the Bhartiya Janta Party, the party has ruled out the allegation. On the other hand, BJP claimed that the shootout was a result of Trinamool Congress infighting and factional feuds. Meanwhile, the police have begun an investigation into the case. We are going to gather CCTV footage in the vicinity to identify the accused. A case has been registered and we are investigating the matter, said a senior police official. Earlier this month, a Trinamool Congress MLA from Krishnaganj constituency, Satyajit Biswas shot dead by miscreants in Bengals Nadia district. Biswas was attending a Saraswati Puja celebration at Majdia-Fulbari area around 8 pm when some miscreants opened fire at him. He was immediately rushed to the Krishnagar district hospital, where he was declared dead. Doctors said that he succumbed to bullet injuries. Anushka Shetty is all set to start shooting for her upcoming film 'Silence'. Going by the photographs shared by Mexico based fitness expert Luke Coutinho, it is understood that the actress has undergone a lot of physical transformation and is perfect enough to give us some goals. We reported earlier that she has joined hands with writer and producer Kona Venkat for a thriller and it will also have Madhavan Ranganathan in the lead role. The film will also have Shalini Pandey and Anjali in key roles. As per the latest updates, Anushka will be playing an NRI businesswoman in this film, Anjali is rumoured to be seen as a cop. Sources have said that Anushka has agreed to be part of the film only because it has a good story and is a big project. Most of the movie will be shot in the US only. Her role will have a lot of intensity and emotions to show is what we heard. The makers have made an official announcement where they said that actors like Subba Raju, Avasarala Srinivas and others are also a part of the film. People Media factory and Kona Film corporation have come together to produce the first cross over film with Tollywood, Kollywood and Hollywood actors. Directed by Hemant Madhukar, the film is produced by Kona Venkat and People Media Factory. Hemant has made films like A Flat, Mumbai 125 KM and Vastadu Na Raju. Shaneil Deo is the cinematographer and Gopi Sundar is roped in to compose the music for this project. 'Silence' is going to be an intriguing thriller. New Delhi: Bollywood actor Ali Fazal became the latest victim of cybercrime. The actor, whose nude pictures reportedly got leaked online, took to social media to narrate his side of the story. The pictures, however, are not available anymore. Although the Fukrey actor accepted that it was him in the pictures, he condemned the cheap and distasteful act. He said, "Yes it is me.It is me in the photoI dont have to justify anything to anyone. I dont know how it went out, the 32-year-old actor said in a video on Instagram.Its such a cheap thing to do. Ali continued, When the time is rightI promise I will explain everything. On the work front, Ali Fazal will be next seen in Milan Talkies, which will hit the theatres on March 15. Apart from Ali and Shradha srinath, the film also stars Ashutosh Rana, Sanjay Mishra, Reecha Sinha and Sikander Kher. Shillong: The Indian Navy on Sunday detected a skeleton, possibly of another missing miner, trapped deep inside the 370-feet-deep coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district, officials said. At least 15 miners were trapped after water from the nearby Lytein river gushed into the illegal rat-hole mine in Lumthari village in the Ksan area on December 13 last year. Two decomposed bodies were spotted earlier and out of them only one body could be recovered, the officials said. On Sunday the operations to pull out the bodies, the longest in the country, continued for the 74th day. The Army has also joined the rescue operations along with the Navy, the NDRF and other agencies. "The underwater ROV of the Indian Navy on Sunday detected skeletons of the third miner deep inside the coal mine. Efforts are on to retrieve it," a senior district official said. He said the skeletal remains were detected over 150 feet away from the bottom of the 370-feet-deep vertical mine shaft where the miners have been trapped. Operation spokesperson R Susngi said the "completely" decomposed body was detected and efforts are on to retrieve it. The second body was detected last month and it had slipped away from the jaws of the ROV. That body is yet to be located. Only one body could be retrieved till date, he said. The process of dewatering the mine is also on with three different organisations such as the Coal India Ltd, Kirloskar Brothers Ltd and KSB, discharging over 1 crore litres of water in a span of 24 hours, he said. The Supreme Court is monitoring the operation closely and the matter will come up for hearing on Monday. The state government has paid Rs 1 lakh interim relief to the family members of each of the victims. Home Minister James K Sangma had said the operations to search for the miners will continue as per orders of the Supreme Court. He also said the government is yet to get details of the expenses incurred in the operations which involved mostly dewatering of the mine. Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh's former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan called for a CBI probe into the abduction and murder of twins here. "I would like to tell the chief minister (Kamal Nath) to give this case to CBI. Attempts are being made to twist the incident. Why didn't the investigating team find success in the case? Culprits must be hanged," Shivraj, who met the kin of the deceased, told reporters here on Sunday. The bodies of the deceased - Devansh and Priyansh - were found lying near a river in Uttar Pradesh's Banda district on Sunday. The five-year-old twins were abducted at gunpoint from their school bus within their campus in Chitrakoot on February 12. Police said the abductors killed the boys even after receiving ransom. In the wake of the tragedy, protests erupted in Chitrakoot, following which prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC had to be imposed in the area. A country still in the nascent stages of democracy, independent India rose up to elect her political leaders for the first time ever. It was the countrys first tryst with democracy and because the entire exercise was unprecedented, it also posed challenges aplenty. For starters, there were no past elections in independent India to take lessons from. Then there was the big question of how to get 143 million people to come out and vote. The number itself made the first Lok Sabha election in the country the biggest election in the world at the time. That an estimated 85% of the population could not read and write further complicated matters. Although far from perfect, the election itself was a cornerstone in democracy - not just in the country but the world over. Status of states: India in the year 1951 was vastly different from what the country is today. And this is true in terms of the political map as well. The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 was still five years away. What this meant was that in the year 1951, there was no union territory of Puducherry, no Andhra, and Bombay State had not seen its eventual split into Gujarat and Maharashtra yet. After the countrys Constitution was adopted in India, the country had Part A states Assam, Bihar, Bombay, Madhya Pradesh, Madras, Orissa, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal; Part B states Hyderabad, Madhya Bharat, Mysore, P.E.P.S.U, Rajasthan, Saurashtra, Travancore-Cochin; and Part C States Ajmer, Bhopal, Bilaspur, Coorg, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Kutch, Manipur, Tripura, Vindhya Pradesh. Double-member constituencies: India also had double-member constituencies when it made its electoral debut in the year 1951. While it was only abolished a decade later, in the early years after independence, double-member constituencies were considered essential to give better representation to people especially those belonging to the SC and ST categories. In double-member constituencies, political parties fielded two candidates one from general and one from SC/ST category. Apart from these, there was one three-member constituency in Bengal as well. This would be converted to double-member constituency by the next Lok Sabha election. Political parties in the fray: While there were 53 political parties in the country for the 1951/52 elections, one party was always going to have the overwhelming edge. The Indian National Congress (INC) was an integral part of the countrys freedom struggle with Jawaharlal Nehru as its key and charismatic leader. Even as most in the country were politically unenlightened, most others saw INC and Nehru as the beacon of hope that would continue to light their paths. The INCs appeal, perhaps, was at its zenith in the 1950s. Nonetheless, a one-party election is like no election at all. And in a country as diverse as India, there were always going to be political parties representing different regions, economic and social strata among others. The other parties of significant note at the time were the Communist Party of India (CPI) under national leaders like SA Dange, Chandra Rajeswara Rao and PK Vasudevan Nair, Socialist Party (SP) under the guidance of Jai Prakash Narayan, Basawon Singh and Acharya Narayan Dev, and Kisan Mazdoor Praja Parishad led by Acharya Kriplani. The other political parties which contested the elections were: Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha Akhil Bharatiya Ram Rajya Parishad Bharatiya Jana Sangh Bolshevik Party of India Forward Bloc (Marxist) Forward Bloc (Ruiker) Krishikar Lok Party Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party Revolutionary Communist Party of India (Tagore) Revolutionary Socialist Party Scheduled Caste Federation All India Republican Party (REP) All India Republican Party (RPP) All India United Kisan Sabha All Manipur National Union All People's Party Chota Nagpur Santhal Parganas Janata Party Cochin Party Commonweal Party Ganatantra Parishad Gandhi Sebak Seva Hill Peoples Party Historical Research Hyderabad State Praja Party Jharkhand Party Justice Party Kamgar Kisan Paksha Kerala Socialist Party Khasi-Jaintia Durbar Kisan Janata Sanyukta Party Kisan Mazdoor Mandal Kuki National Association Lok Sevak Sangh Madras State Muslim League Party National Party of India Peasants and Workers Party of India Peoples Democratic Front Praja Party Punjab Depressed Class League Pursharathi Panchayat Revolutionary Socialist Party (Uttar Pradesh) Shiromani Akali Dal S.K. Paksha Saurashtra Khedut Sangh Tamil Nadu Toilers Party Tail Nadu Congress Party Tribal Sangha Travancore Tamil Nadu Congress Party Uttar Pradesh Praja Party Zamindar Party A total of 53 political parties and one Independent fought the elections. Laying the electoral roadmap: As mentioned previously, conducting elections in a country which had only gained independence a few years back was never going to be a proverbial walk in the democratic park. That India was and is - a land of diversities, that most of the population at the time was poor, illiterate and residing in rural areas made the task humungous for the election commission of the time. Indias population before the elections was 36 crore. Of this, 17.32 people were eligible to cast their vote that is, were over 21 years of age. It is important to note here that India is one of the few countries that allowed women to vote right from the first-ever election here. At a time when womens suffrage was still frowned upon in many countries around the world, India led the way in showing that it made no distinctions based on gender or any other artificial grounds. Formed just over a year before the 1951/52 elections, the Election Commission of India in the first few decades only has a Chief Election Commissioner. And so it was that Sukumar Sen, who was the Chief Secretary of West Bengal at the time, was deputed to be the countrys first CEC. Sen was a man who deserves far more credit than what history has accorded to him. It has been reported in the past that Sen was not too enthusiastic about elections in 1951/52 because he felt he needed more time to set up an electoral process which could function well and could be taken forward. Some reports claim he had even told Nehru as much but not much came of it. Nehru, however, reportedly allowed Sen and the countrys higher bureaucracy to function with autonomy a key requirement. With the help of two Regional Election Commissioners, a Chief Election Officer for each state and the British model to take cues from, Sen began the arduous process of getting India ready to vote. Sen and his team had to deal with problems of massive as well as trivial proportions in the run-up to the elections. On the one hand, there was the need to arrange massive manpower 56,000 presiding officers to supervise 2,24,000 polling stations and an additional 16,500 clerks to prepare electoral rolls. Then there was the need for lakhs of helpers and security officials. Then there was the question of how to get a large number of people in the country to come out and vote. Why vote, how to vote, whom to vote, what is a vote all became problems that needed an effective and lasting solution. Sen and his team travelled the length and breadth of the country to reach as many Indians as was possible and get their name on the electoral rolls. The problem of how illiterate voters would read the name of parties was solved by giving each party a symbol a practice still in use. Sen then got each voting booth would have multiple ballot boxes, each with the symbol of a competing party. Voters had to simply go and drop a chit in the party of their choice. Indelible ink was used to ensure multiple voting by an individual did not take place another practice still in use. At every hurdle, Sen and his team paused to work up a solution that is still hailed around the world. Election 1951/52: Indias first-ever Lok Sabha election was conducted in 68 phases over five months between October 25 of 1951 and February 21 of 1952. In a total of 489, 314 constituencies elected one member, 86 constituencies elected two members one each from general category and SC/ST category and one with three. After the death of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on December 15 of 1950, Nehru was the all-encompassing figure which dominated the elections of 1951/52. Under him, the Indian National Congress won 364 seats and managed to get four times the number of votes that the party in second place CPI, received. That Syama Prasad Mookerji had opted out of the party just before the elections to form the Bharatiya Jan Sangh, and that Dr BR Ambedkar had formed the Scheduled Caste Federation made no difference to INCs hegemony. In fact, while Nehru himself won from the Phulpur seat, Dr Ambedkar lost to INCs Narayan Kajrolkar from Bombay North. Clearly then, Nehru rose to become the Prime Minister once again. His union cabinet had 15 members. Interestingly, while there was no opposition leader to offer Nehru a close fight, 47 independents in 38 seats managed to find favour among the masses. Speaking of masses, more than half the population at the time did not vote the voting percentage stood at 45.7% which is the lowest-ever. Also, national parties managed to win more than 80% of the seats. This dominance of national parties carried on till the 1990s and it is only in this decade that regional parties emerged all-powerful in deciding the outcome of elections. The executive governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (APC) has won the election to represent the people of Ogun Central Senatorial District. He got 88,110 votes to defeat his closest challenger Solomon Sanyaolu of the Peoples Democratic Party who had 33,276 votes. Governor Amosun is returning to the Senate after serving as governor for two terms. He joins a long list of former governors going back to the Red Chamber. LUCKNOW: Days after Priyanka Gandhi assumed charge as the general secretary of the Congress, posters have been put in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad welcoming her husband Robert Vadra to contest Lok Sabha election from the seat. "Moradabad Lok Sabha se chunav ladne ke liye aapka swagat hai. (You are welcome to contest election from Moradabad Lok Sabha)," the posters by Moradabad Yuvak Congress read. Vadra had also earlier in the day on Sunday said that he will be playing "a larger role in serving the people" after the ongoing cases against him are over, sparking speculation that he may also follow his wife in joining politics. In a Facebook post, Vadra wrote about years and months he spent campaigning and working in different parts of the country, mainly in Uttar Pradesh, and claimed that it gave him a feeling to do more for the people. "All these years of experience and learning cannot be just wasted and should be put to better use... Once all these accusations and allegations are over, I feel I should dedicate a larger role in serving the people," Vadra wrote. The Congress, however, played down the suggestion that Vadra, the brother-in-law of party president Rahul Gandhi, wanted to join politics. Congress said that Vadra has been associated with NGOs for long and worked for the society, and that it is everyone's duty to use their qualities to serve the people. "Will he need Modi ji (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) permission to do work related to people?" Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said adding that such hints are for the media to draw. Investigating agencies have been probing him in criminal cases of alleged corruption and money laundering, charges often dismissed as a political vendetta by Vadra. Taking potshots at Vadra, the BJP called him "Congress's prime ministerial candidate". "Presenting Congress' Prime Ministerial candidate for Lok Sabha elections," the BJP tweeted. Begusarai is one of the 40 Lok Sabha constituencies of Bihar. In the 2014 election, Bharatiya Janata Party's Bhola Singh won the seat defeating Rashtriya Janata Dal's Tanveer Hassan with a margin of 58335 votes. Singh had won the seat for the BJP in the last general election. In October 2018, 82-year-old Singh died in Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. Singh was an eight-time lawmaker and also a minister in the Bihar government. Singh was elected from the Nawada Lok Sabha seat in 2009 while in 2014 he was won from Begusarai. "He will be remembered for his outstanding service to society and efforts towards the development of Bihar," Prime Minister Narendra Modi had tweeted on his demise. CPI candidate Rajendra Prasad Singh, who was also CPI state secretary then, had contested from Begusarai in 2014 in alliance with JD(U) and secured the third position. For the 2019 polls, former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar is likely to contest from Begusarai constituency as a CPI candidate. He is likely to have the support of grand alliance partners RJD, Congress, NCP and Jitan Ram Manjhi's HAM(S). A resident of Barauni block in Begusarai district, Kumar's mother is an anganwadi worker and his father is a farmer. The parliamentary seat is famous for its strong base of ancillary industries which are a major source of the revenue generated here, along with the small-scale industrial establishments which are a regular source of income for the district. However, Begusarai has been announced as one of the most backward regions in Bihar. It is heavily dependent on the funds that it receives from the government under the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGFP). Since the 2009 Lok Sabha election, the Begusarai parliamentary constituency comprises of seven Vidhan Sabha segments, namely - Cheria Bariarpur, Bachhwara, Teghra, Matihani, Sahebpur Kamal, Begusarai and Bakhri. In 2014, Bihar witnessed an overall turnout of 56.28 per cent in the 2014 polls of which 57.66 per cent were female voters and 55.08 per cent were male voters. The seat saw a voter turnout of 60.60 per cent which included 64.16 per cent female and 57.49 per cent male voters. Bengaluru: The Indian Air Force is set to join the operations to contain the forest fire raging in Bandipur Tiger Reserve area in Karnataka for the past five days, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said on Monday. The state government has sought the help of the Indian Air Force (IAF), which responded positively, he said. In a tweet, the chief minister said, "Decided to use Air Force's help to contain the fire. The Air Force Chief was contacted and a request was placed for immediate help. The Air Force Chief has responded positively and preparations are on for the operation." "The Chief Secretary will personally monitor rescue operations," he said in another tweet. The forest fire for the past five days has gutted thousands of acres of land and is feared to have killed hundreds of wild animals, reptiles and insects. It has also endangered the lives of tigers. The chief minister held a review meeting with Chief Secretary T M Vijay Bhaskar, senior police officers, secretaries of the forest and officials of the fire department to combat the forest fire. He has requested the public to stay away from the affected areas in Bandipur until the situation is brought under control. Srinagar: PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti on Monday came down heavily on the Centre over Article 35A that gives the state legislative powers to define the residents of Jammu and Kashmir and their privileges, asking it not to play with fire else people might witness something that they haven't since the country's independence. "Don't play with fire; don't fiddle with Article-35A, else you will see what you haven't seen since 1947," she said. She further added that if the state is attacked, then "I don't know which flag people of J&K will be forced to pick up instead of the tricolour." Mehbooba's statement comes amid intense speculation that the central government might favour abrogation of Article 35A when the petition challenging its constitutional validity comes up for hearing in the Supreme Court later this week. All mainstream politicians in Jammu and Kashmir have come out in defence of Article 35A, even as the state government has said its stand on the issue remains unchanged as it would seek an adjournment in the apex court when the matter comes up for hearing. Article 35A empowers the J&K legislature to define permanent residents of the state and give them special rights and privileges. It was added to the Constitution through a Presidential order on May 14, 1954. (With inputs from IANS) YSR Congress Party on Monday launched the last leg of its campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha poll with their campaign song, Ravali Jagan, Kavali Jagan (Jagan should come, we want Jagan). The party said that it is also the official slogan of the campaign. The song was launched in presence of senior party leaders at the party central office near Lotus Pond in Hyderabad. YSRCP is planning to take the song to each and every person in the state in the coming weeks. The full song and the ringtone is available for download at https://jaganannaforcm.com/song/ Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) has created the song after taking inputs from thousands of people across Andhra Pradesh. The YSRCP said that song captures the mood of the people of Andhra Pradesh who are fed up of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his false promises. Senior YSRCP leaders claim that the people of the state have made up their mind to replace Naidu with YSRCP Chief Jagan Mohan Reddy. The song recognizes Jagan Reddy as the only person who can work for the welfare of people of Andhra Pradesh. The song channelises the outcry of various sections of the society. The song also describes how people from Backward Castes are facing trouble in leading a normal life due to the burden loans and how people are being cheated in the name of DWCRA loan waiver for women. The song also highlights how youth were cheated with false promise of jobs. The party is planning to take this song to the grassroots through a free download link and musical marches on bikes. The YSRCP, I-PAC, and volunteers will ensure that everyone in the state hears this song. The song was launched in the presence of top YSRCP party leaders, including Mr. Vijay Sai Reddy, Mr. Botsa Satyanarayana, Mr. Aanam Ramanarayan Reddy, Mr. Sagidurga Prasad Raju, etc. Talking to media after launching the song, YSRCP leaders Vijay Sai Reddy and Botsa Satyanarayana said This song has been released as a part of the campaign, it talks about how people are fed up with Chandrababu Naidu and his government and why people want Jagan. We will be taking this song and the slogan Ravali Jagan Kavali Jagan to the grassroots and ensure that everyone hears it. (with inputs from YSRCP press release) New Delhi: The Supreme Court Monday refused to entertain a PIL seeking a direction to political parties not to give tickets to those who have more than two children. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna was hearing a plea seeking a direction that political parties should comply with the 'two-child norm' and not field candidates having more than two children. The plea, filed by BJP leader and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay, sought declaration of the 'two-child norm' as a mandatory criteria for government jobs, aids and subsidies and urged that the law, dealing with the "condition for recognition of a state or national party" be suitably amended. The plea said non-compliance of the norm should lead to withdrawal of citizens' statutory rights including right to vote and contest elections. NEW DELHI: BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy on Monday mentioned before Supreme Court his plea that he has a fundamental right to offer prayer at the site of Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Subramanian Swamy mentions before Supreme Court his plea that he has a fundamental right to offer prayer at the site of Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid, Ayodhya. CJI Gogoi asks him to be present in court tomorrow during the hearing of the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi land dispute case. ANI (@ANI) 25 February 2019 A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna asked Swamy to remain present in the court on Tuesday when the five-judge bench constituted to hear the Ayodhya case will take up the matter. Swamy, however, mentioned the matter for urgent listing and requested the bench that his plea should be heard separately. But the CJI, who is heading the five-judge bench constituted to hear the Ayodha case, rejected his request and asked him to appear before the SC on Tuesday during the hearing of the contentious land dispute case. It may be recalled that Swamy had moved the SC last year over his plea seeking enforcement of the right to pray at the controversial site. Earlier on July 3, 2018, Swamy's plea over the fundamental right to worship at Ayodhya site was rejected by the apex court. At that time, the top court had asked him to mention it 'later on'. "You mention it later on," the bench had said. On February 20, the SC had said that it will hear Ayodhya's Ram-Janmabhoomi Babri Masjid land dispute matter on February 26. On January 27, the scheduled hearing for January 29 was cancelled by the top court as one of the five judges of the Constitution Bench, Justice S A Bobde, was not available on that day. Besides CJI and Justice Bobde, the other members of the bench are Justices D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S A Nazeer. It is expected that on Tuesday, the SC bench will hear the appeals against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgment in which the 2.77-acre land in Ayodhya was divided equally among three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla by the court. The verdict was delivered by Allahabad HC after hearing four civil suits. It is interesting to note that few weeks ago a plea was filed by the Central government in the SC seeking permission for the release of 67 acres of excess vacant land acquired around the disputed Ayodhya site. In its petition, the Centre had urged that the surplus land be handed over to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, a trust formed to promote and oversee the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday evening dedicated the National War Memorial to martyred soldiers in post-independence India. He also penned a heartfelt message in which he saluted the country's bravehearts - their valour and their sacrifices. PM Modi dedicated the memorial, built at a cost of Rs 176 crore, by lighting the flame positioned at the bottom of the stone-made obelisk. Rose petals were showered by IAF helicopters and a fly-past in 'Missing Man' formation was also part of the event. In his written message, PM Modi hailed the contribution of armed forces' personnel in nation-building and said the memorial would make every Indian proud. Here is what he wrote: PM Sh @narendramodi pens his iconic message dedicating the ????????? ??? ?????? #NationalWarMemorial to the Armed Forces of the country on behalf of Nation... pic.twitter.com/GPfLWK7m9G Defence Spokesperson (@SpokespersonMoD) February 25, 2019 There was no national memorial to commemorate the sacrifice of fallen soldiers after independence. The NWM pays tribute to soldiers who laid down their lives defending the nation during India-China war in 1962, Indo-Pak wars in 1947, 1965 and 1971, Indian Peace Keeping Force Operations in Srilanka and in the Kargil conflict of 1999. The sanction for the project was issued on December 18, 2015 and actual work on it started in February 2018. (With inputs from PTI) New Delhi: With India and the international community piling on the pressure, an unrepentant Pakistan is busy shifting terrorists to safe zones. Souces in the Indian intelligence agencies have said that Jaish chief Masood Azhar has also been moved. According to sources, Azhar was moved from Rawalpindi to Kothgani near Bhawalpur on either February 17 or February 18 - days after his Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack on a CRPF convoy. 40 troopers were martyred in the dastardly attack, prompting India to come down heavily on Pakistan. While Pakistan has said it has nothing to do with the Pulwama attack, India has warned that support to terrorists and terror groups across the border must end. It is a view strongly backed by the international community. Instead, there are reports that Pakistan may have also tightened the security around Azhar. Security analysts have long maintained that the country's secret service agency ISI and the army shields and supports terrorist groups to wage proxy wars on India. Therefore, the will to act against such terror groups is woefully missing. Last week, Pakistan had banned the 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed-led Jamat-ud-Dawa and its charity wing Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation. India has rejected it and said that 'cosmetic responses' won't suffice. Tensions between the two countries are high with PM Narendra Modi saying India's armed forces have been given the freedom to choose a response to the Pulwama attack. Pakistan PM Imran Khan responded by saying any aggression would be dealt with effectively. New Delhi: Amidst several reports that Kashmir separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah was attacked and injured in Delhi's Tihar jail, the Pakistan government expressed its concern over the safety of the Hurriyat leader. Taking to Twitter, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said these reports have raised their concern and urged India to ensure safety and security of the Hurriyat leader, who has been lodged in the jail since July 2017. On Sunday, the central government released a statement saying Shabir was absolutely fit and fine as were other inmates from Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan lodged in Delhi's Tihar jail, following rumours over the health of the separatist leader. Tihar prison authorities too denied the occurrence of any untoward incident or mishap involving Shabir, the government statement said. Shabir is the main accused in a 2007 money laundering case related to alleged terror financing. He was arrested on July 25, 2017 in the case in which the Special Cell of Delhi Police had also arrested Wani. It claimed that Rs 63 lakh was recovered from Wani, out of which Rs 52 lakh was alleged to be delivered to Shah. Refuting fake news circulating in a section of media, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Tihar prison Shailendra Parihar said, "Shah is absolutely fit and fine." "All other inmates from Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan are also fine," he said, adding the prison authorities appealed to all to be cautious against fake news. The court had in August 2017 denied bail to Shabir after ED submitted that it was probing whether he had received money from "enemy countries" like Pakistan to promote terrorism in India. February 25, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - CARACAS, Venezuela The Trump administrations coup against Venezuela culminated on February 23 with US-backed opposition attempting to ram several trucks loaded with boxes of USAID humanitarian aid across the previously unused Francisco de Paula Santander bridge connecting Colombia to Venezuela. The trucks failed to reach the other side but that was never really the point of the stunt. As Father Sergio Munoz, a right-wing Venezuelan activist posted on the Colombian side of the border, explained to journalist Dan Cohen, the humanitarian aid was a purely symbolic provocation aimed at discrediting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in international eyes and generating waves of destabilizing violence. By the end of the day, the trucks lined up on the Francisca de Paula Santander bridge were flanked by gangs of guarimberos. These were the nihilistic masked youth who form the shock troops of the right-wing opposition, and who placed Caracas under siege with violent barricade protests, known as guarimbas, at several points between 2014 and 2017. A mob of guarimberos burned to death Orlando Figuera, a 22-year old black Venezuelan accused of supporting Maduro, on an eastern Caracas street in broad daylight, back in June 2017. On the Santander bridge this February 23, the guarimberos rained down a hail of rocks and molotov cocktails on Venezuelan national guardsmen holding the line against the USAID trucks. Suddenly, the trucks caught fire and the masked youth began unloading boxes of aid before they burned. Within minutes, pro-opposition media reported that the Venezuelan national guard forces were responsible for the fires. A reporter for the private anti-government channel NTN24 claimed without evidence that the Venezuelan security forces had caused the fires with tear gas: Another false flag at the border with Colombia. A "reporter" from @NTN24ve (opposition tv known for fake news) said a truck went on fire because the Venezuelan police launched tear gas. Let me know if you've seen tear gas burn a truck before#Venezuela #HandsOfVenezuela pic.twitter.com/P5uRWEBgCd taseenb (@taseenb) February 23, 2019 The claim was absurd on its face. I have personally witnessed tear gas canisters hit every kind of vehicle imaginable in the occupied Palestinian West Bank, and I have never seen a fire like the one that erupted on the Santander bridge. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter In 2013, the San Bernadino Sheriffs Department deployed special incendiary teargas canisters (burners) to torch the house where fugitive cop killer Chris Dorner had holed up. But it is highly unlikely that the Venezuelan national guardsmen had anything like this weapon in their arsenal when they confronted the rioters on February 23. They may not realize it yet but today the Maduro Regime made it easier to isolate them internationally. After today it will be difficult for nations to remain neutral. And for their allies to continue to support it defend them. (Cont) Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 24, 2019 Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who is facing calls for her own resignation after video appeared of her condescendingly browbeating a group of environmentalist children, repeated Rubios baseless allegation, using it to call for Maduro to step down. By blaming the Venezuelan government for burning the USAID trucks, Rubio was clearly attempting to establish the casus belli he had been seeking. Yet neither he nor anyone in the whole world had seen the national guard set the fire, as he claimed. In fact, the evidence pointed in the exact opposite direction, suggesting that the masked opposition youth had torched the trucks themselves. Colombian writer Humberto Ortiz produced footage from a pro-opposition channel showing what appears to be the exact moment when a guarimbero sets the aid on fire with a molotov cocktail: Creo que @NoticiasUno nos puede ayudar a aclarar si la molotov lanzada por este muchacho pudo causar el incendio del camion. pic.twitter.com/UCR7x9qNkA Humberto Ortiz (@graffitiborrao) February 24, 2019 Telesur reporter Madelein Garcia published photographs showing a guarimbero with a gas canister next to one of the burning trucks: Telesur reporter Madelein Garcia published photographs showing a guarimbero with a gas canister next to one of the burning trucks: 1. #UltimoMinuto| en #exclusiva @teleSURtv aqui las evidencias de quienes quemaron el camion con supuesta ayuda humanitaria en #Urena, fueron los mismo guarimberos pic.twitter.com/4gv2K54NpE Madelein Garcia (@madeleintlSUR) February 23, 2019 Drone footage also published by Garcia shows how far away the trucks were from Venezuelan national guardsmen when they caught fire, and demonstrates that they were clearly on the Colombian side of the border: 2. Ahora veamos las imagenes aereas este fue justo el momento cuando quemaron los camiones pic.twitter.com/M66Wy7nOQM Madelein Garcia (@madeleintlSUR) February 23, 2019 MORE: A member of the Venezuelan army defects during clashes at the Simon Bolivar border bridge. The defector was dragged to a building of the Colombian Migration office and protected by the Colombian police #tictocnews pic.twitter.com/NJkPxlN4Lq TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc) February 23, 2019 MORE: As a group of Venezuelans, most of them young, attempt to access the Venezuelan side of the border, a group is seen preparing molotov cocktails #tictocnews pic.twitter.com/TG9JSxo5rh TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc) February 23, 2019 Meanwhile, the International Red Cross issued a statement condemning Venezuelan opposition activists disguising themselves as Red Cross workers a blatant breach of humanitarian protocol. A screenshot from pro-opposition NTN24 coverage shows a fake Red Cross worker near one of the burning trucks: The International Red Cross condemns yet another deception by the Venezuelan opposition https://t.co/3NhQfGjtTP Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) February 23, 2019 Days ago, self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido announced that he would lead a human wave across the bridge and into Venezuela. But as darkness fell on February 23, Guaido found himself at a stormy press conference with other right-wing, US-aligned Latin American leaders. By his side was Colombian President Ivan Duque, who repeated the evidence-free allegation that Venezuelan security forces had burned the aid trucks. Having failed miserably at every phase of the coup he had attempted engineer, Rubio ended the day with a Twitter tantrum that peaked with a call for multilateral actions against Venezuelas government. What form that action could take is still unclear, but it will certainly be justified by a series of baseless claims about what took place on the Santander bridge. Max Blumenthal is an award-winning journalist and the author of several books, including best-selling Republican Gomorrah, Goliath, The Fifty One Day War, and The Management of Savagery. He has produced print articles for an array of publications, many video reports, and several documentaries, including Killing Gaza. Blumenthal founded The Grayzone in 2015 to shine a journalistic light on Americas state of perpetual war and its dangerous domestic repercussions. NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will meet the three service chiefs on Monday to discuss the overall security challenges faced by the country in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack. The Defence Minister along with the service chiefs will also be holding interactions with India's defence attaches in 42 countries in a two-day conclave. "A range of issues, including situation along the border with Pakistan, will be discussed at the meeting. The government will also take feedback of the defence attaches on key security challenges," a military official was quoted by news agency PTI. India's defence attache to Pakistan and Afghanistan are also expected to attend the conclave. Discussions around the situation along India's border with China as well as geo-strategic issues relating to India's neighbourhood are also likely to figure in the two-day meet. Tensions have been heightened between India and Pakistan following the dastardly terror attack carried out by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed. Responding to a question that why can't India act against Pakistan in the manner in which the US acted when it went after Osama bin Laden, the Defence Minister on Sunday said, "all that is well absorbed, well received and well registered." Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said he had stated that the sacrifice of the jawans would not go waste and those who are responsible, directly or indirectly for it, would have to pay a heavy price. The PM had also said that the armed forces have been given free hand to respond to the strike. However, Pakistan has denied its role in the attack and has sought proof from India. Pakistani Army also said that it will adequately respond to any action by New Delhi. While Pakistan Army DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor denied media reports which claimed that the country is preparing for a war with India, he cautioned that they reserved the 'right to respond to war threats from Indian side'. TIRUNELVELI: Actor-turned-politician and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Kamal Haasan on Sunday rejected claims that his political outfit was the 'B team' of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stressing that MNM is the 'A team' of Tamil Nadu. Kamal said that the opponenets are targeting his party because they were growing in stature. It may be recalled that few days ago, the DMK's mouthpiece 'Murasoli" had published an article claiming that Kamal was leveling corruption charges against DMK due to 'BJP's pressure.' The MNM supremo took a potshot at the grand alliance of the opposition parties, saying the parties in the 'mahaghatbandhan' would waste no time in shifting their allegiance to the winning side after the Lok Sabha poll outcome if the opposite camp manage to win the upcomiong General Election. Kamal, however, strssed that his party would not indulge in any kind of horse-trading and will work only for the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu. Kamal stressed that the voice of MNM will be heard in such a situation, adding "we cannot say what is going to happen," an apparent reference to the Lok Sabha poll outcome. The MNM chief said that during such times, someone must take a stand and demand that at least the Prime Minister should be changed. "Let us see if there is humility if another person takes over," he alleged in an attack perceived to be aimed at the BJP. Commenting on the upcoming Lok Sabha poll, Kamal said that his party was banking on the support of common people to win the poll. The actor also He said he was not facing the Lok Sabha election alone and pointed to the huge crowd and sought donations from them to face the polls. "It will be an investment for the future," he said. Kamal noted that he is a big fan of Mahatma Gandhi and he has decided to found the party only becuase of Gandhiji. Outlining his party's principles, he said: "People's welfare alone is MNM's ideology." New Delhi: Senior journalist Priya Ramani was on Monday granted bail by the Delhi's Patiala House court in connection with a defamation case filed by former Union Minister MJ Akbar over MeToo allegations levelled against him. The court granted the bail to Ramani on a personal bond of Rs 10,000. The next hearing on the case will take place on March 8. The statements of seven witnesses, including that of Akbar, who is now with the Bharatiya Janata Party, have been recorded in the defamation case. Ramani was among several other women who accused Akbar of sexual misconduct and harassment during his time as a media presenter. Ramani accused Akbar of sexual misconduct around 20 years ago. Akbar, who had resigned from the Union Council of Ministers on October 17, 2018, had termed the allegations 'false, fabricated and deeply distressing'. Following the allegations, he filed a defamation case against the journalist, after which she was summoned by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal in October 2018. Akbar's plea listed alleged defamatory imputations made by Ramani on social media and also referred to his "long and illustrious" career as a journalist while terming the allegations of Ramani as a "figment of her imagination". Akbar's name cropped up on the social media when he was in Nigeria, as the #MeToo campaign raged on in India. Among other women, who accused Akbar of sexual harassment, is a US-based journalist who claimed that she was assaulted at a Jaipur hotel over 23 years ago, which the former Union Minister labelled as a 'consensual affair'. In December 2018, following the serious sexual conduct allegations, the Editors Guild of India suspended the membership of MJ Akbar. New Delhi: Days after Pakistan banned the 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed-led Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and its charity wing Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), Pak-based ISI formed two news fronts of the terror outfit 'Jammu Kashmir Movement' and 'Rescue, Relief and Education Foundation', warned the Intelligence Bureau sources. The new factions have been set up to shield JuD from the world amid heightened pressure on Islamabad to act against terror groups. As per sources, instructions have been given to all the terrorists linked to Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jamat-ud-Dawa to work silently under the new fronts. While JuD has been given the responsibility to look after the 'Jammu Kashmir Movement', its charity wing Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation will see the work related to 'Rescue, Relief and Education Foundation'. The sources said that the names given to the newly formed groups have been kept in the matter so that everyone should feel it they are charity foundations. The intelligence agencies also claimed that the money collected in the name of charity from other countries will be invested by these Pak-backed outfits to carry out terror activities against India. The reports come days after Pakistan, succumbing to intense international pressure to rein in militant groups operating from its soil, announced to take over the administrative control of the headquarters of terror-outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), which claimed the February 14 Pulwama terror attack. On Thursday, the powerful UN Security Council comprising 15 nations, including Pakistan's key ally China, named JeM in a statement. On the same day, Pakistan also had banned the 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed-led Jamat-Ud-Dawa and its charity wing Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation. In the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack, India has up the ante against Islamabad and has been briefing foreign envoys in Delhi and world capital's about Pakistan's involvement in the attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi minced no words as he lambasted Congress for having ignored armed forces in years gone by. Speaking at an event to dedicate the National War Memorial to martyrs in post-independence India, PM Modi said his government has worked relentlessly to correct the wrongs done. Questioning Congress for not building a memorial for bravehearts of the armed forces, PM Modi said the party was only busy in the welfare of its top leaders. "The demand for a national war memorial has been there for many decades. In the last decade, there were one or two attempts but nothing concrete could happen. With the help of your blessings, we started the process in 2014," he told ex-servicemen who were present for the event. "In 2009, armed forces demanded 1,86,000 bullet-proof jackets but faced the enemy without them. Our government in 4.5 years has bought over 2,30,000 bullet-proof jackets. The difference between them and us is that we put India first and they put family first." Referring to defence-related controversies under Congress governments, PM Modi also said that the same party is now pointing fingers. "Those who were guilty in Bofors and helicopter scams are now trying to block the passage of Rafale jets for our air force," he said. PM Modi also paid tribute to fallen heroes of the country and said that their contribution in the security and safety of India is immense. "At this historical place, I pay my tribute to the brave soldiers who lost their lives in Pulwama and all those bravehearts who sacrificed themselves for protection of India. We are continuously working towards making the Army self-reliant, the decisions which were thought to be impossible earlier have now been made possible. While he has rubbished any chances of a nuclear showdown between India and Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf recently said that if Pakistan attacks India with an atomic bomb, the counter could prove fatal. Speaking at news conference in Dubai, Musharraf - former chief of Pakistani army and former president of the country - warned against India's nuclear might. Asked about a possible nuclear faceoff, Musharraf said that if Pakistan attacks India with one atomic bomb, 'the neighbouring country could finish us by attacking with 20 bombs.' Musharraf, however, explained that talks of a nuclear faceoff are quite unnecessary. "The only solution is that we should first attack them with 50 atom bombs so that they cannot hit us with 20 bombs. Are you ready to first launch an attack with 50 bombs? It is not so simple. Do not talk like this. There is always a military strategy," he was quoted as saying by Dawn. In response to a question specific to Kashmir, Musharraf admitted that while India enjoys advantages in some areas here and could launch a surgical strike. He, however, added that Pakistan too has certain advantages and said the Pakistani army should prepare a plan to deal with any possible Indian move. He also added that any Indian attack from Kashmir could be responded with counter attacks from Sindh and (Pakistan's) Punjab. Musharraf, 75, was Pakistan's president between 2001 and 2008, before resigning to avoid impeachment. He has been living in Dubai since March 2016 after he left for medical treatment and has not returned since, citing security and health reasons. He is facing the treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007, a punishable offence for which he was indicted in 2014. SHIMLA: A team of Army, ITBP, local police and District Disaster Management personnel on Monday launched an operation to rescue five Army personnel trapped in snow avalanche which hit at Namgya in Kinnaur district on February 20. The operation was stopped on Sunday night due to bad weather. A joint team of over 200 personnel has been working towards rescuing the five since Wednesday. Operations were halted on Thursday and then again on Friday night due to unfavourable weather. Six jawans of the Army's 7 JAK Rifles -- four from Himachal Pradesh and one each from Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir -- who were on routine patrol were buried under the avalanche that occurred near the Shipki La border outpost in Kinnaur district on Wednesday. Five Indo-Tibetan Border Force (ITBP) troopers were also injured in the disaster. Talking to PTI, a state government official said that two separate parties of the Army and the ITBP were patrolling at Namgia Dogri when the avalanche hit the region. The body of Army jawan Rakesh Kumar was recovered on Wednesday and he was cremated with full military honours in his native village in Himachal Pradesh on Friday. Meanwhile, a fresh avalanche of about 120 metres in length and 20 metres in height hit the Tinku Nullah area in Kinnaur district on Friday. (with PTI inputs) SIALKOT: Fearing retaliation from Indian Army in the aftermath of Pulwama terror attack, Pakistan Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Sunday said that defending the nation is the most sacred act and the Pakistan Army will do everything possible to protect the countrys boundaries. General Bajwa made the statements while talking to soldiers during his visit to Sialkot Working Boundary on Sunday. During his interaction with the soldiers, General Bajwa appreciated their high morale and state of readiness to protect the country from any danger. The Pakistan Army chief boasted that the defence of the country was in strong hands and it was not easy to beat them. There is not anything more sacred than defending the motherland. I take pride in leading an army which is ever ready to perform this duty, he said. General Bajwa's visit to Sialkot Working Boundary sends a clear message that Pakistan Army is rattled and is trying to keep its morale up in case Indian forces decide to avenge the martyrdom of 40 CRPF personnel who were killed in Pulwama terror attack. The ghastly attack was carried out by a suicide bomber owing allegiance to Pakistan-based terror group Jaise-e-Mohammad. Pakistan is a peace-loving country but we cannot be intimidated or coerced. Any aggression or misadventure shall be paid back in the same coin," General Bajwa was quoted as saying by Dawn. Meanwhile, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan also visited forward operating air bases of the Pakistan Air Force on Sunday and interacted with the combat crew. We are a peace-loving nation, but if war is imposed on us, we will defend the aerial frontiers of our motherland at any cost. The Pakistan Air Force will thwart any misadventure by the enemy and is ready to respond with full force as per aspirations of the nation, he said. New Delhi: Taking a serious note on a viral post that has been doing rounds on social media, the Election Commission of India on Monday issued a statement asking people to stay beware of fake news on the internet. The viral post, which has been shared on WhatsApp and other online social media platforms, claims that voters, who hold an Indian passport can vote online in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The message further contains a link to the ECI website, where it asks the NRI voters can further enroll online. The statement issued by the ECI read, "Beware of fake news in social media informing that "Those who hold an Indian passport, can now vote online for 2019 elections. There is no online voting facility for any category of voter. Overseas Indians may submit an application for enrolment in form 6A online at nvsp.in or by using Voter helpline mobile app. To cast the vote on the date of the poll, an overseas elector may come to his designated Polling station with his Passport as a document for identification." An ECI spokesperson also took to Twitter and wrote, "It has come to our notice that the following FAKE NEWS is circulating on some WhatsApp groups. It is clarified that you can only apply for voter registration online through http://nvsp.in portal." The spokesperson added that the panel has written to the Delhi Police to 'lodge FIR & investigate the matter of fake news, relating to voting by NRIs using ECI logo.' Sharing a helpline number, the official said that Voter registration services will get more accessible with it. It is to be noted that though the ECI provide an option for NRI voters to enroll online, the person cannot cast his or her vote, as the viral message claimed. To cast the vote, the person has to be physically present at the respective polling booth, with his/her passport. New Delhi: Journalist Priya Ramani, who had last year levelled MeToo allegations against former Union Minister MJ Akbar, will on Monday appear before a Delhi court in connection with the case. Ramani, along with a number of women, had last year in October accused Akbar of sexual misconduct and harassment during his time as a media personality. Following the allegations, Akbar stepped down as the Union Minister and in counter attack, filed a defamation case against the journalist, following which Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal summoned her. 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, has termed the allegations 'false, fabricated and deeply distressing'. Akbar's plea listed alleged defamatory imputations made by Ramani on social media and also referred to his "long and illustrious" career as a journalist while terming the allegations of Ramani as a "figment of her imagination". "Whilst it is apparent that the accused has resorted to a series of maliciously serious allegations which she is diabolically and viciously spreading in media, it is also apparent that false narrative against the complainant (Akbar) is being circulated in a motivated manner for the fulfilment of an agenda," it alleged. It termed as "scandalous" the allegations made by Ramani and said the "very tone and tenor" are "ex-facie defamatory" and they have not only damaged his goodwill and reputation in his social circle but also affected Akbar's reputation in "the community, friends, family and colleagues" and caused "irreparable loss" and "tremendous distress". It claimed that the woman journalist, while putting forward the allegations relating to incidents which allegedly occurred 20 years ago, "intentionally put forward malicious, fabricated, and salacious imputations to harm the reputation of the complainant". "The conduct of the accused person, of not taking any action before any authority, qua the alleged incident against the complainant also clearly belies the sanctity of the article and allegations made by the accused person, which evidently goes on to prove that the said defamatory articles are only a figment of her imagination," it said. Akbar's 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. Among other women, who accused Akbar of sexual harassment, is a US-based journalist who claimed that she was assaulted at a Jaipur hotel over 23 years ago, which the former Union Minister labelled as a 'consensual affair'. In December 2018, following the serious sexual conduct allegations, the Editors Guild of India suspended the membership of MJ Akbar. Canadian military in Haiti. Why? By Yves Engler February 25, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - Canadian troops may have recently been deployed to Haiti, even though the government has not asked Parliament or consulted the public for approval to send soldiers to that country. Last week the Haiti Information Project photographed heavily- armed Canadian troops patrolling the Port-au-Prince airport. According to a knowledgeable source I emailed the photos to, they were probably special forces. The individual in uniform is (most likely) a member of the Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) from Petawawa, wrote the person who asked not to be named. The plainclothes individuals are most likely members of JTF2. The uniformed individual could also be JTF2 but at times both JTF2 and CSOR work together. (CSOR is a sort of farm team for the ultra-elite Joint Task Force 2.) What was the purpose of their mission? The Haiti Information Project reported that they may have helped family members of President Jovenel Moises unpopular government flee the country. HIP tweeted, troops & plainclothes from Canada providing security at Toussaint Louverture airport in Port-au-Prince today as cars from Haitis National Palace also drop off PHTK govt officials family to leave the country today. Many Haitians would no doubt want to be informed if their government authorized this breach of sovereignty. And Canadians should be interested to know if Ottawa deployed the troops without parliamentary or official Haitian government okay. As well any form of Canadian military support for a highly unpopular foreign government should be controversial. Two days after Canadian troops were spotted at the airport five heavily armed former US soldiers were arrested. The next day the five Americans and two Serbian colleagues flew to the US where they will not face charges. One of them, former Navy SEAL Chris Osman, posted on Instagram that he provided security for people who are directly connected to the current President of Haiti. Presumably, the mercenaries were hired to squelch the protests that have paralyzed urban life in the country. Dozens of antigovernment protesters and individuals living in neighborhoods viewed as hostile to the government have been killed as calls for the president to step down have grown in recent months. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Was the Canadians deployment in any way connected to the US mercenaries? While it may seem far-fetched, its not impossible considering the politically charged nature of recent deployments to Haiti. After a deadly earthquake rocked Haiti in 2010 two thousand Canadian troops were deployed while several Heavy Urban Search Rescue Teams were readied but never sent. According to an internal file uncovered through an access to information request, Canadian officials worried that political fragility has increased the risks of a popular uprising, and has fed the rumour that ex-president Jean-Bertrand Aristide, currently in exile in South Africa, wants to organize a return to power. The government documents also explain the importance of strengthening the Haitian authorities ability to contain the risks of a popular uprising. The night president Aristide says he was kidnapped by US Marines JTF2 soldiers secured the airport. According to Agence France Presse, about 30 Canadian special forces soldiers secured the airport on Sunday [Feb. 29, 2004] and two sharpshooters positioned themselves on the top of the control tower. Reportedly, the elite fighting force entered Port-au-Prince five days earlier ostensibly to protect the embassy. Over the past 25 years Liberal and Conservative governments have expanded the secretive Canadian special forces. In 2006 the military launched the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) to oversee JTF2, the Special Operations Regiment, Special Operations Aviation Squadron and Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit. CANSOFCOMs exact size and budget arent public information . It also bypasses standard procurement rules and their purchases are officially secret.While the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Communications Security Establishment and other government agencies face at least nominal oversight, CANSOFCOM does not. During a 2006 Senate Defence Committee meeting CANSOFCOM Commander Colonel David E. Barr responded by saying, I do not believe there is a requirement for independent evaluation. I believe there is sufficient oversight within the Canadian Forces and to the people of Canada through the Government of Canada the minister, the cabinet and the Prime Minister. The commander of CANSOFCOM simply reports to the defence minister and PM. Even the U.S. President does not possess such arbitrary power, notes Michael Skinner in a CCPA Monitor story titled Canadas Ongoing Involvement in Dirty Wars. This secrecy is an important part of their perceived utility by governments. Deniability is central to the appeal of special forces, noted Major B. J. Brister. The government is not required to divulge information about their operations so Ottawa can deploy them on controversial missions and the public is none the wiser. A 2006 Senate Committee on National Security and Defence complained their operations are shrouded in secrecy. The Senate Committee report explained, extraordinary units are called upon to do extraordinary things But they must not mandate themselves or be mandated to any role that Canadian citizens would find reprehensible. While the Committee has no evidence that JTF2 personnel have behaved in such a manner, the secrecy that surrounds the unit is so pervasive that the Committee cannot help but wonder whether JTF2s activities are properly scrutinized. Employing stronger language, right wing Toronto Sun columnist Peter Worthington pointed out that, a secret army within the army is anathema to democracy. If Canadian special forces were secretly sent to Port-au-Prince to support an unpopular Haitian government Justin Trudeaus government should be criticized not only for its hostility to the democratic will in that country but also for its indifference to Canadian democracy. Yves Engler is a Montreal-based activist and author. https://yvesengler.com/ NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Monday directed the Enforcement Directorate to provide Robert Vadra with the copies of documents seized during raids at his offices last year. The ED has been asked to provide both soft and hard copies of the documents. Vadra had moved court seeking direction to ED to provide a complete list of documents with full description, which were seized during searches at his office. He had also moved an application in the court seeking direction to the ED to stay the interrogation in a money laundering case until the required documents are supplied to him. Vadra's lawyer KTS Tulsi had told court, "They are forcing me to hand over the documents which ironically are in ED's possession." In the application, it has been mentioned that close to 23000 pages were removed from Vadra's office and ED is now asking him to produce something "which is already in their custody." The pages were removed in Vadra's absence, the application stated. Vadra, Congress president Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law, was grilled on Friday for about seven hours by the ED as he appeared before the investigating agency for the fifth time in connection with a money-laundering case related to purchase of alleged illegal assets abroad. The businessman has been grilled in this case four times in the past, the last being February 20. ED is confronting Vadra with documents and statements of other accused being investigated in the case and his statement is being recorded under section 50 (powers of authorities regarding summons, production of documents and to give evidence) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). During the last session, the businessman had told the investigating officer (IO) of the case that he was not well and hence, the recording of his statement was discontinued. Vadra has been asked by a Delhi court to cooperate in the probe being conducted by the central probe agency. Intelligence sources said that fake Facebook profiles with names of Indian women are being used by Pakistani intelligence agencies in order to honey trap Indian defence forces personnel. Defence authorities sent out the alert after the detection of one such fake Facebook profile, ANI reported. Talking to ANI, a senior defence official said: "After inputs were received from our personnel about a Facebook profile (Facebook ID name deliberately withheld) using the name of an Indian woman and sending friend requests to military personnel, a thorough check was carried out and found that it was confirmed Pakistani Intelligence Operative and the profile was also created there only." Intelligence sources said that a warning has been issued to defence forces' personnel to remain on alert and avoid falling in the trap of Pakistani agencies. In the recent past, several cases have come to the fore where Indian defence personnel have been honey-trapped by Pakistani intelligence agencies using fake social media profiles. The Indian defence personnel were then blackmailed to pass on sensitive secret information to Pakistan. An Army jawan was arrested few weeks ago after he was found to be in touch with a suspected ISI spy using the profile name of 'Anika Chopra' on Facebook. The jawan was found to be in constant touch with 'Anika Chopra' - a fake account set up by Pakistani intelligence agencies - on social media and was caught exchanging details and information about the movement of Indian troops. Sources said that accounts of several officers and jawans are now being tracked to probe if the Pakistani spy account was in touch with other personnel also to get information from them. A Group Captain of the Indian Air Force was arrested few weeks ago by the counter-intelligence units of the Army, Air Force and the Intelligence Bureau for sharing information about transport aircraft operations. Pakistani intelligence agencies had used the same trick to honeytrap a BrahMos employee and get confidential information from him. Defence sources said that several Facebook profiles have been identified and deactivated by the operators but the Pakistani intelligence agencies are creating new fake profiles on a regular basis. Recently, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat had warned the Army men against falling in the social media trap of Pakistani intelligence agencies. "Soldiers have been told not to accept social media friend requests with names of film stars. These could be honey traps. We are taking this very seriously and cannot allow security to be compromised through social media. For those (soldiers) who are not reporting the matter, the punishment is heavy," he had said. (with ANI inputs) NEW DELHI: Daughters of two army officers have moved the Supreme Court seeking formulation of a policy to protect human rights of security forces personnel. Nineteen-year-old Preeti Kedar Gokhale and 20-year-old Kajal Mishra have sought direction to the Centre for formulation of a comprehensive policy to safeguard the rights of armed forces personnel against human rights violations by unruly mob or individuals attacking them during the discharge of their military duty. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi is scheduled to take up the matter on Monday. The plea filed by the two children has arrayed Union of India, Ministry of Defence, Jammu and Kashmir and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as parties. The petitioners said that they have approached the apex court being aggrieved and dissatisfied with the substantial inaction of the respondents in addressing various acts of human right violations of the army personnel, from the perpetrators of violence within the state, resulting in obstruction in the discharge of their duty as well as danger to their safety and security at the place of their deployment. The petitioners are daughters of army officials -- one serving and another retired. They are "greatly disturbed by the incidents of unruly and disruptive mobs" pelting stones at soldiers and army convoys in counter-insurgency area like Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir. "The petitioners are further disturbed by the troops in the Indian Army, having to suffer the ire of stone pelters, while they are discharging their duty of maintaining peace and security in the area of their deployment," the plea said. Referring to FIRs being lodged against the army personnel, the plea said that cases are lodged if any action in retaliation or in self-defence is taken against the perpetrators of stone pelting. "The petitioners have no grievance to any complaint/FIR being filed against any armed forces personnel, for any act done by them, which amounts to any criminal offence under the law for the time being in force. However, they are very much aggrieved by the fact that no similar action is taken against the perpetrators of violence, against the armed force personnel," it said. The petition said that it was shocking to note that a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir declaring in the legislative assembly that as many as 9,760 FIRs registered against the stone pelters would be withdrawn as they were first-time offenders. "It is pertinent to note that firstly, the state is not entitled to withdraw an FIR, once registered against a person without following the due process of law, as provided in the CrPC/RPC; secondly, the complainant or the victim of the offence is entitled to prosecute the perpetrator of a crime against him," it said. The petition said that depriving the armed forces personnel of their right to prosecute a person, who has committed an offence against them, is a violation of their fundamental right to life and liberty, including the right to legal recourse. "Further, armed forces personnel are also derided of their basic human rights of defending themselves against assault and safeguarding their life and limb," it said. The petition said that the petitioners have made a complaint regarding human rights violation to the NHRC and had cited the specific instances but the commission had later transferred the complaint to the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) of Jammu and Kashmir on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction. The petitioners sought setting aside of the order dated January 4 of the NHRC transferring the representation to the SHRC and direction to complete the probe of human rights violations of armed forces personnel. "There is no mechanism put in place, by the Centre or the State to deal with such brazen acts of human rights violation of the forces. The armed forces personnel is deployed in these disturbed areas, by orders of the respondents, to discharge their duties. As such, it is necessary that the respondent No. 1 (Centre), puts in place a mechanism to deal with and enforce the security of its forces," the plea said. Bengaluru: Ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the country would face a setback of 50 years if Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not return to power. "If we are laid back and if you lose the momentum for having a strong good majority government, we will be facing a setback of 50 years at least," Sitharaman said while speaking at an informal interaction organised by Thinkers Forum in Bengaluru on Sunday. Sitharaman added that India would be disfavouring first-time voters if the BJP`s work is not recognised." And for those of us who were born in the 20th century, we will be doing a disservice to those who will be voting for the first time. Are we going to do disfavour for the youth of this country by bringing back forces that have absolutely no delectation to this country and dedication to clean politics and dedication to putting the nation before themselves?" she asked. Lauding Prime Minister Modi, the Defence Minister said, "In the history of any nation, it`s not very often that you get a leadership like what you have got know. "She claimed that there was not even a whisper of corruption from 2014-2019."Last five years have been intense working. You see the Prime Minister without a day's break working and all of us from our ministries being pulled up and inspired. One very obvious and noteworthy difference between the previous and current government is that there was not a whisper of corruption under Modi ji`s tenure. So that`s why the Congress president (Rahul Gandhi) probably feels the need to point out or pick issues," she said. Stating that the 2019 Lok Sabha elections were essential for India, she said, "2019 elections to the Lok Sabha is certainly not just any other election. And in this election, we really cannot take it lightly. We each will have to be a campaigner. We have to do 10 times more than what we have done in 2013-14. The BJP will fight an election. Particularly, under the leadership of Modi ji, we will definitely give a very good fight and win." Sitharaman also said that the opposition's allegations were not based on facts and they could stoop to any level to levy allegations on the BJP government." All facts checked, it is true that between 2014 and today vis-a-vis 2004 and 2013, except for Kashmir, has there been any terrorist/minor bomb attack anywhere else in the country? Let`s talk on facts. Opposition allegations are not based on facts and they could stoop to any level to make allegations." "There could have been truth in the allegations that India would run out of ammunition if there was a continuous war for 10 days. But in the last five years, things have changed. The problems of the defence sector were so severe that the forces did not have bulletproof jackets, ammunition for tankers and technology upgradation for the Air Force. For the first two years, Mr Manohar Parrikar spent time understanding the problems of the forces. Next, Mr Arun Jaitley prepared a report on that. After I took over, I could take it forward, as the report was ready" Responding to a question on the dastardly Pulwama terror attack, Sitharaman said that the anger, disappointment and the emotions of the people to strike back are well absorbed by the government and the Prime Minister. "Pakistan is the fountainhead of terrorism not just against India but many parts of the globe. Pakistan feels very much under stress since it had been economically isolated by the world community. More can be done on this front," she said. Attacking Congress President Rahul Gandhi over the Rafale deal, Sitharaman said that during 10 years of UPA rule, not even a single aircraft was added to the Air Force, and added that during Prime Minister Modi`s tenure, a due process was followed and all the details were given to the Supreme Court and Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) regarding the Rafale deal. "September 19 your first Rafale is coming into this country," said Sitharaman. New Delhi: With the hearing on the constitutional validity of Article 35A at the Supreme Court likely this week, Senior Congress leader and former union minister Prof Saifuddin Soz on Monday said that Kashmir's relation with the union will be severed if Article 370 is repelled. Soz said that if Article 370 is tampered, he will unite with former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah and separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in ordrer to protest at Kashmir's Lal Chowk. "It is not known why this strong military force has been deployed in the valley of Kashmir. Locals of Kashmir get shocked seeing military forces around them. And if Article 370 is repelled by the court, Kashmir's relation with the union will also get severed. RSS is keen to scrap Articles 35A and 370 from Kashmir and so has approached the Supreme Court," Soz said. "RSS has already caused a lot of damage to the country. Who is at Supreme Court presently? RSS. Who has filed the petition on Article 35? RSS. This is not going to give any benefit in 2019? There will be chaos in 2019. The government will change in 2019 (after the Lok Sabha elections). And now, the RSS has approached the court to get Article 370 scrapped from Kashmir. This will sever the relationship between the state and the union," Soz said. Training his gun towards the Narendra Modi-led government in Centre, Soz said, "Our relationship is with secular India. Relationships cannot be established with the haters. So much has been damaged in the last four years and no further expectations lie ahead." "Today, mainstream and Hurriyat are on the same page and issue can be resolved through dialogues. Did the government speak to anyone? Our and our children' lives are now based on what the government at Centre plans to do about Kashmir. Modiji spoke his mind through 'Mann Ki Baat' but he did not bother to listen to others. So far, what has he done for people of Kashmir? During his tenure as the Prime Minister, casualties suffered by security forces in terrorist violence has been the highest. This is a political issue and the solution should be political," he said. Speaking on the recent terror attack on Pulwama, Soz said that the attack was carried out by a local boy and he turned into a militant because of the paramilitary forces present in Kashmir. "What the local boy did in Pulwama was wrong. But the police made him a militant. If they don't become a militant, what will they do? The paramilitary forces in Kashmir made local boy militants. This is homegrown." The Supreme Court is said to begin hearing on Article 35A from February 26-28 and it has led to a lot of anxiety in the Valley. Article 35A, which was incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, accords special rights and privileges to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and bars people from outside the state from acquiring any immovable property in the state. It denies property rights to a woman who marries a person from outside the state. The provision, which leads to such women from the state forfeiting their right over property, also applies to their heirs. Several petitions, including those by political parties like the National Conference and the CPI-M, were also filed in the Supreme Court in support of Article 35A that also empowers the state Assembly to define "permanent residents" for bestowing special rights and privileges to them. The state government, while defending the article, had cited two verdicts of the constitution benches of the Supreme Court in 1961 and 1969, which had upheld the powers of the president under Article 370(1)(d) of the Constitution to pass constitutional orders. The Supreme Court is said to begin pleas of Article 35A from February 26-28. Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh cabinet on Monday decided to set up an inquiry committee to probe the violence over the permanent residence certificate (PRC) issue that led to the death of three people and damage to public and private property in arson attacks. Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who chaired the meeting, said the inquiry committee will be headed by an officer holding the rank of a Commissioner while another committee will be set up to assess the losses and damages caused to government and private property. Khandu announced ex-gratia of Rs 20 lakh each to the three killed in police firing during the mob violence in Itanagar and a government job to one of their family members. He said a compensation up to Rs 10 lakh will be provided for those injured. The Cabinet meeting also reviewed the prevailing law and order situation in the state capital and its adjoining Naharlagun town. It also directed the district administration and police officials across to be on alert and prevent any rumour-mongering. Violence erupted here on Friday after the government`s move to grant permanent residence certificate (PRC) to six non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes communities. Eighteen student and civil society groups, alleging a committee led by Environment and Forest Minister Nabam Rebia had submitted its report on the PRC without proper verification of facts, had called on protests to mount pressure on the state government to scrap the decision. Later that day, protesters set ablaze 50 vehicles and damaged over 100 vehicles. Khandu also chaired a meeting with community-based organisations, political parties and students` organizations to work out peace in the state capital. However, the National People`s Party and the Congress boycotted the all-party meeting. Terming the incidences of violence in the state capital as "unfortunate", Khandu said there has been communication gap regarding the PRC issue that was to be brought up in the assembly, adding it was only for discussion and in no way or form a bill or a resolution. The Chief Minister said the PRC is now a closed chapter and the government will not take it up the matter again. CHENNAI: PMK youth wing President and Lok Sabha MP from Dharmapuri, Anbumani Ramadoss spoke to reporters here and elaborated about his party's decision to ally with the AIADMK-BJP combine in Tamil Nadu ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The PMK has been allotted 7 Lok Sabha seats and 1 Rajya Sabha seat in the alliance. The PMK is influential in the northern and Western belt of Tamil Nadu and has a significant support base consisting of the Vanniyar community. Anbumani and his father Dr. Ramadoss had been vocal critics of both Dravidian parties and in the past had spoken about not allying with them. But their seat-sharing pacts, alliance with the AIADMK was announced on February 19 after talks between the party leaders at a star hotel. Later that evening the AIADMK announced its alliance with the BJP as well. To questions regarding the alliance with the AIADMK, which went against the PMK's earlier stance, Anbumani replied that their party's decision was taken keeping in mind the 'interests and welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu and was taken in consultation with the party rank and file'. He also stated that the current situation in Tamil Nadu is different, in the absence of Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi and hence the interests of the state need to be protected. Anbumani also mentioned about the 10-point demand that his party had put forth to the AIADMK. The points include exemption of Tamil Nadu from the NEET exam for medical entrance, release of 7 convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi case, complete prohibition of liquor and opposing Karnataka's attempts to build a reservoir at Mekedatu over the Cauvery river, among others. Speaking about the list of corruption charges against the AIADMK that he had earlier handed over to the Governor, Anbumani said that the matter was under investigation and if they are found to be true, severe action must be taken. Responding to questions regarding NEET and the release of the Rajiv Gandhi case convicts, which require intervention of the Central government, he said that they would reiterate their demands while they meet with the BJP. The two major camps in Tamil Nadu are the AIADMK-BJP-PMK combine and the DMK-Congress-Left parties. Smaller regional outfits in the state are also said to be in talks with both factions. New Delhi: Railways Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday launched Rail Drishti dashboard encompassing all the digitisation efforts in Indian Railways and promoting transparency and accountability. It brings information from various sources on a single platform and gives access to key statistics and parameters to every citizen of the country. This dashboard can be accessed using a desktop/laptop or a mobile device such as a phone or tablet on raildrishti.cris.org.in. The available information has been categorized under 15 user friendly sections on the Dashboard: AT A GLANCE Gives information on 4 main parameters of Indian Railways. This includes Passenger Reservation, Unreserved Ticketing, Freight Earnings and Freight Loading. The parameters of each element for different periods are displayed. Information on any station on Indian Railways can be viewed in this tab. SERVICES Passengers can view and avail the status of any digital service offered. Rail Drishti consists of 6 services, namely, PNR enquiry, ODC application enquiry, Complaint Enquiry, Tender Enquiry, Shramik Enquiry and Freight related enquiries. For citizens convenience links to eight important railway websites are available here. TRAINS ON RUN Passengers can now track any train on the Indian Railways Network. Passengers will also be able to get information about the train as well as the contact number of the housekeeping staff. Filters are available to view specific trains. IRCTC KITCHENS The Dashboard provides a facility to view live feeds from the cameras installed in various IRCTC base kitchens. Passengers can now view how the food being served to them in trains is being cooked and packed. GRIEVANCES This section shows status of Grievances reported via Complaint Management System (COMS). It displays the number of grievances resolved and pending. Zone wise and Division wise breakup as well as complaint type wise breakup can be viewed via the Dashboard. ACHIEVEMENTS Achievements of Indian Railways as a whole and achievements of Railways in various states can be viewed via the dashboard. STATION IMAGES The tab monitors the progress of some of the major initiatives launched to improve passenger experience on the Indian Railways network. It displays the images of various areas across the network before and after the work has been completed. HERITAGE The tab showcases the cultural aspect of travel on Indian Railways. There are 4 main sections in this tab, this includes, rail heritage, memorable journeys, 360 degree virtual tours of routes, trains, saloons, and the IRCTC tourism desk which provides important information and tourist services. SHRAMIK KALYAN This section provides information about the unorganized sector working with Railway contractors. The amount of wages distributed to the casual workers is available on the dashboard. The same can be seen department wise and zone wise for various time periods. This is an attempt to ensure that the laborers in the unorganized sector are paid their dues. BILLS Bills required to be paid by Indian Railways to suppliers and their duration wise pendency can be viewed on the dashboard. FREIGHT EARNINGS This section shows earnings of Freight across the Indian Railways Network. Earnings can be viewed for a day, for a week, for a month and for a year along with the zones and commodity wise breakup. Performance of nine major freight commodities has been made available. FREIGHT LOADING/UNLOADING Number of rakes and quantity of freight loaded and unloaded in a day, in a week, in a month and in a year along with their zones and commodity wise breakup is provided. Performance of nine major freight commodities has been made available. PASSENGER EARNINGS This section shows earnings of Passenger Reservations and Unreserved Ticketing. Number of passengers, tickets, and earnings can be viewed. Further, in Unreserved Ticketing the performance of suburban, non-suburban, and mobile bookings can be viewed. EXPENDITURE Details of the expenditure and works by the Indian Railways can be viewed. Figures of four different periods are displayed - performance during the day, during last 7 days, during the month and for the year. SUGAM The Freight App This tab give access to Indian Railways freight business information. It helps customers keep track of their consignment. It provides information on various terminals and associated nodal officers, indents status, prevailing freight rates, rake allocation plans, restrictions applicable etc. Freight performance and other statististics are also available on the tab. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially launched the PM-KISAN Scheme to electronically transfer the First Installment of Rs 2,021 crore directly into the bank accounts of 1,010,6,880 (One Crore One Lakh Six Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty). Eligible Farmers of 24 States and the Union Territories. Under the Scheme, Rs 6,000 will be given each year to eligible Small and Marginal Farmer families having combined land holding/ownership of up to 2 hectares. The amount will be given in three installments of Rs.2000 each. Here is how the government will transfer funds The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under the Scheme PM-KISAN is being done through the System of Public Finance Management System (PFMS), a web-based payment and MIS IT application of the Government of India administered by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Ministry of Finance, Government of India. DBT process through PFMS ensures digitally authenticated payments, without any manual intervention, directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries in a transparent manner and without any delay. The integration of PFMS with about 273 banks enables validation of bank account details of beneficiaries before making payments directly into their bank accounts. All DBT payments for the Government of India Schemes are being done through PFMS. The Scheme was announced on 1st February 2019 and by 24th February 2019, the work of Configuration of a Separate Server, Creation of Scheme, Registration of State/UT Agencies, Validation of Bank Accounts of Beneficiaries, Issuance of Payment Orders and Transfer of Funds to Sponsor Banks, NPCI and finally into Beneficiaries Accounts was completed in a record time without any slippage, an official release said. PFMS team was constantly following-up with the Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance and 202 banks of beneficiaries, the RBI and NPCI to ensure smooth operationalisation. In the next few weeks, the process of Bank Account Validation and Direct Transfer of First Installment into the bank accounts of all remaining Identified Eligible Beneficiaries (total around 12 crore beneficiaries all across the country) shall be completed. New Delhi: People can now file a complaint with the Department of Telecom (DoT) against offensive messages received on WhatsApp. The victim just needs to furnish a screenshot of the message along with the mobile number and e-mail it to ccaddn-dot@nic.In. "If anyone is receiving abusive/offensive/death threats/ vulgar whatsapp messages ,please send screen shots of the message along with the mobile numbers at ccaddn-dot@nic.In "We will take it up with the telecom operators and police heads for necessary action," DoT Controller Communications Ashish Joshi tweeted. The move comes following many public figures, including journalists, complaining of receiving abusive and threatening messages. The DoT, in an order on February 19, had said that licence conditions bar carriage of objectionable, obscene or unauthorised content in any form on the network. The order directed all telecom service providers to take immediate action against their customers for sending such messages as it is also a violation of customer declaration in the customer application form. Juan Guaido: A Traitor To His People By Jorge Ruiz Miyares February 25, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - The self-proclaimed Provisional President of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, is an expert in dangerous actions, who -- in pursuit of his unending ambition -- will go down in history as a person that broke all the rules of decency and democracy. Colombian journalist Rafael Croda recalls that Guaido was elected Chairman of the Venezuelan National Assembly, a body that has proclaimed its unwillingness to accept the mandate of the duly-elected president of the country, Nicolas Maduro. Since the President of Venezuela was elected by a sizable majority of the population in free, democratic elections, the step taken by Guaido is unconstitutional. The other two politicians that shared the leadership of his political formation are two criminals sanctioned by the courts. One is Leopoldo Lopez, who is serving a term of house arrest, and the other is Freddy Guevara, a fugitive of justice who is enjoying temporary asylum in the Chilean Embassy in Caracas. When the opposition group in the National Assembly managed to approve a decision that rejected the ample victory of President Nicolas Maduro in the recent elections, the Venezuelan Supreme Court of Justice rejected the Parliamentary decision. This was the opportunity of Juan Guaido to proclaim himself Interim President of Venezuela, in open violation of the national constitution and the will of the Venezuela voters. In fact, the Venezuelan National Assembly was taken by surprise by the move of Juan Guado. One possible explanation is that Mr. Guaido knew very well that the National Assembly would never choose him as provisional president, a move dictated by Guaidos ambitions and by his masters in Washington. This overly-ambitions person has broken all constitutional rules in Venezuela, but apparently he and his boss, Donald Trump, couldnt care less. Guaidos master, with eyes fixed on Venezuelas oil and other valuable mineral reserves, was quick to extend diplomatic recognition to his Venezuelan protege and was able to get many Western European nations to follow suit. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Guaido himself showed his true self when he tearfully called for a military intervention against his own country, even if he knows that such a move will spread death and destruction in Venezuela. If this aggression takes place, every single death, every single injury, every single tear, every desolated mother or fatherless child, will fall upon this worthless human being. If the U.S. attack on Venezuela takes place, every single victim will fall upon the conscience of Guaido and his protector: Donald Trump. They should know, however, that it wont be easy. Latin America and the people of the world are backing the Venezuelan people and their inalienable right to rule themselves and protect their resources from foreign imperialists and their local henchmen. The aggressors are properly identified and their names will be inscribed in the worlds memory as what they are: traitors! This article was originally published by " RHC " - President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commended Yaa-Na Mahama Abukari II for assigning skins to two royals in Mion and Savelugu. According to the president, the move is Yaa-Na's firm resolve to seal the process of reconciliation in Dagbon. Yaa-Na Abubakari Mahama. Source: Myjoyonline.com Source: UGC The president said that the overlord of Dagbon, Yaa-Na Mahama Abukari II, is to be applauded for moving quickly to accord Yakubu Abdulai Andani, formerly the Kampakuya Na, and Abdulai Mahamadu, formerly the Bolin Lana, their new positions in the traditional State of Dagbon. READ ALSO: EOCO boss denies being sacked, says he is retiring Today, Yakubu Abdulai Andani has become Yoo-Na of Savelugu, whist Abdulai Mahamadu is now Mion Lana," he noted. President Akufo-Addo stressed that the newly-appointed kingsmen are both young men with bright, promising futures before them. The president said that it was his expectation that they will help Yaa-Na Mahama Abukari II lay the basis for the rapid development of Dagbon in unity and solidarity. The Overlord of Dagbon gave colas to both the Kampakuya Naa Abdulai Yakubu Andani and Bolin Lana Mahamadu Abdulai, a customary symbolism that implies they have been assigned to the gate skins of Mion and Savelugu. The two royals will now choose the date of their coronation and inform the Gbewa Palace the residence of the Overlord of Dagbon. READ ALSO: EOCO boss K.K Amoah sacked; replaced by DCOP Adusei Poku As part of a roadmap to firm up peace in the kingdom, Yaa Na Abukari II, the Overlord of Dagbon, on Sunday, February 24, 2019, assigned skins to two royals in Mion and Savelugu, all in the Northern Region. The ceremony is expected to facilitate reconciliation in the traditional state that just emerged from a bitter long-drawn-out ethnic conflict. After decades of conflict between the Abudus and Andanis, a Committee of Eminent Chiefs, led by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II on November 16, 2018, made a declaration to bring finality to the more than decade-old fighting. The Committee presented a road map to peace in the troubled kingdom to President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House in Accra. READ ALSO: Saanie Daara and Anas battle in court as Daara files defence suit in response to Anas' defamation claim Ghana News Today: Zoomlion Gh Ltd Unveils New Mechanical Street Sweepers | #Yencomgh Click here to get the latest exciting English Premier League news. Get match highlights, reports, photos & videos all in one place. Source: Yen Ghanaians on social media have reacted to President Akufo-Addos assessment of the nation during his recent address. The president on Thursday, February 21, 2019 delivered his third State of Nation Address to Ghanaians in Parliament. He touched on a couple of issues, including the countrys security, energy, productivity and the way forward to solve Ghanas economic challenges. READ ALSO: General Mosquito blasts Osafo Maafo for his comments on vigilantism The president also spoke on the brewing Menzgold saga, political vigilantism, as well as announcing that the Jubilee House will from August 2019 be powered by solar energy. He also noted that the NPP government is good for Ghana, as his party MPs responded with a loud yeah, yeah. While the 2019 SONA may be over, the discussion on the presidents address has extended to the various social media platforms. YEN.com.gh, therefore, put up a post to solicit views from Ghanaians on whether they agree that the NPP government is the best for Ghana, as the president said, or not? One guy said: You buy a car for 45,000 cedis and pay 48,000 cedis duty and you tell me your government is good for Ghana. For the first time in history, Diesel is more expensive than Petrol and you tell me NPP is good for Ghana. Below are some of the interesting views shared by Ghanaians on Facebook; READ ALSO: SONA 2019: 7 major things Akufo-Addo has promised to do Ghana News Today: Zoomlion Gh Ltd Unveils New Mechanical Street Sweepers | #Yencomgh READ ALSO: Former NDC minister Lee Ocran passes on Do you have a story to share with us? Inbox us on our Facebook/Instagram page and we could feature your story. Source: Yen Some 275 Burkinabe nationals have fled their country to the northern part of Ghana in the wake of an ongoing chieftaincy-related clashes in Burkina Faso. The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) is responding to the needs of the asylum seekers at Widnaba, a community in the Bawku West District of the Upper East region. The Deputy Upper East Regional NADMO Director in charge of Operations, Paul Wooma, on Thursday, February 21, 2019, said the reason for the Burkinabe nationals trooping in to the country was because of chieftaincy issues. 275 Burkina national flee to Ghana due to chieftaincy clashes Source: UGC Source: UGC READ ALSO: Nothing can stop our march to Flagstaff House in 2020 - Mahama after winning NDC primaries There is one chieftaincy issue in neighbouring Burkina Faso involving two royal gates and resulting in the mass exodus of people from Zouga, a village in [Burkina Faso], into the Bawku West District. As I speak to you, 275 survivors of that chieftaincy dispute are in Widnaba, he said Paul told a meeting of officials from the United Nations Childrens Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and some stakeholders that the Burkinabe displaced persons included 176 children, 32 men and 67 women. NADMOs statement on the cross-border flight comes after two policemen were wounded and one civilian was killed in a renewed chieftaincy-related clash in the Upper East regional capital, Bolgatanga, last week. READ ALSO: Mahama shouldnt have done that - Prof Alabi cries after losing NDC presidential primaries An episodic gunfire erupted this week again in the capital and Burkinabe government has, at the rear of the development, imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew at Atulbabisi, the commercial core of the municipality where two disputed chieftains and their factions have remained submerged in a power struggle since 2013. With the battle in Burkina Faso not looking like what will go away now, more asylum seekers are expected to flood the nearby Bawku West District in the same manner. READ ALSO: NAM1s brother speaks on reports that NAM1 has won his court case in Dubai Yenkasa: Should Corporal Punishment be Abolished? | #Yencomgh 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. Source: Yen As the professional services leader in Taiwans capital market, Deloitte committed to helping foreign companies go public in Taiwan. In line with this commitment, Deloitte has formed a committee responsible particularly for ensuring the delivery of timely and best quality services to foreign companies listing in Taiwan include companies from China, Japan, the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, etc. Going public is a milestone in a companys development. A company has high expectation for greater growth, for which financing is needed. Taiwan capital market, with high P/E ratio, high yield and high liquidity, is the best choice for IPOs. For a successful IPO, Deloitte Taiwans highly trained professionals and ample experience guarantee a multidisciplinary service and reliable advice. Advantages in Taiwans Capital Market: Milos Martoncik Milos Martoncik is a Partner in the Audit and Assurance business at Deloitte in Slovakia and leads the Deloitte office in Kosice. He has been working in audit and advisory since 1997 and for Deloitte since 1999. He has extensive knowledge and experience of Slovak and International Accounting Standards. From 2004 to 2006, he undertook a 20-month assignment in the US, where he successfully completed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exams. He is a Fellow Member of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (FCCA) in the United Kingdom and a Slovak statutory auditor. Milos specialises in shared service centres and audits conducted in accordance with PCAOB standards and related attestations of the effectiveness of internal controls. He has extensive experience in audit and advisory for companies operating in the construction and manufacturing sectors, and in PPP projects. Indications of this tendency towards somewhat reduced optimism are apparent in several areas: Company financial outlook remains positive but down from previous surveys Most often, CFOs see their companies financial prospects either as better or unchanged (both 39%) when compared to six months ago. However, there has been a small but regular tendency towards decreasing optimism since 2016. Most CFOs believe that revenues will be higher in 2019 (66%), but the share that holds this positive view has decreased since last year by 7p.p. More CFOs are risk-averse than in 2018 Like last year, most participating CFOs think that this is not a good time to take on greater risk when making financial decisions. The overall proportion of CFOs thinking this has risen to nearly three-quarters (73%), although there is a spread of opinions depending on country. For example, while CFOs in Hungary and Bulgaria are optimistic about the risk environment, those from Slovakia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania are all notably more pessimistic than they were last year. Operating margins are expected to stay the same or grow Most CFOs expect operating margins to increase or to stay the same (both 38%), but there was a slight decrease in optimistic expectations (from 42% in 2018 to 38% in 2019). Rising costs identified as the biggest risk factor When identifying the major risk factors facing their business, more than half (57%) of CFOs regard increasing costs as a major threat to their business, highlighting costs relating to the workforce (selected by 90%), transportation (82%) and production (83%) as key areas of concern. The greatest rise in answers predicting an increase related to the costs of debt (up by 9 p.p., from 55% in 2018 to 64% in 2019). Employment levels are expected to stay the same or to increase Most CFOs expect the number of employees in their companies to remain unchanged (45%) or to increase (37%). However, as with the falls they are expecting in other company growth indicators, there is a tendency for CFOs to be less willing to hire new employees. And when it comes to finding the right people, technical knowledge and work experience are the two hardest skills for companies to find. Improved remuneration and staff training are the main actions being taken to address any skills shortages. Deloitte University Deloitte's commitment to growing leadership skills and providing member firm clients with the impactful solutions they need is exemplified by the Deloitte University campus in Westlake, Texas. FY2013 marked a number of important milestones for Deloitte University, starting with the celebration of its second anniversary and the hosting of a number of spotlight events. Exploring inclusion in the 21st century workplace was the theme of the March 2013 two-day launch event of the Deloitte University Leadership Center for Inclusion. Deloitte also introduced the Inclusive Leadership Program in FY2013. Focused on developing the multicultural competencies, mindset, and behaviors to lead inclusively and leverage diversity to improve business decisions, the program is now part of the Global Lead Client Service Partner Program. Newly admitted partners from across the member firms begin their journeys as senior leaders at the Global New Partner Seminar. Held annually, this opportunity to hone skills and build networks was hosted by Deloitte University in 2012. Beyond the events, perhaps most impressive is the number of professionalsmore than 50,000 from 70 countries who passed through the doors of Deloitte University during the past year. It's also noteworthy that 92 percent of courses were facilitated by our leaders. Outside of the classrooms, Deloitte University offers our people opportunities to connect in person, share ideas and insights, and develop or enhance their approaches to serving member firm clients and doing business. During the past year, more than 500 networking events were held, including fireside chats, team building exercises, and leader receptions. Looking to the future, Deloitte is further expanding its investment in the success of its people and member firm clientsmaking the global Deloitte University learning curriculum available in all regions and opening Deloitte University EMEA. Learn how this new reality is coming together and what it will mean for you and your industry. Creating a sound financial platform requires careful analysis and an in-depth knowledge of each organizations unique circumstances. Deloittes Financial Advisory group provides strategic and financial services to clients through every phase of the economic cycle. We offer services in all the critical areas - from corporate finance, transactions, business valuations, debt restructuring services, finance raising, etc. - with a focus on helping our clients increase value. With a network of experts and deep technical skills in Serbia and abroad, our professionals provide superior financial advice for every type of business, in every industry, and in every situation. According to Roberts Slegelmilhs, Manager of Business Process Solutions at Deloitte Latvia: The rapidly changing market, as well as products and services, offered by startups, make big players wonder about their business model, which has been well established practice over the decades, so it's not easy to take on something new and face risks. Big companies prefer the calculated risk and their working pace is relatively slow. Nowadays global startups are taking the lead in almost every industry. Due to rapid prototyping and risk-taking, they are able to create innovative solutions. Startups have smaller teams and a single-level hierarchy, they are ready to change their current business model, and can better respond to market demands. This is also the main reason why cooperation between big companies and startups has become a necessity. In his view, the aim of cooperation between both parties is to create a productive environment providing shorter innovation implementation term and more efficient use of technology. Due to cooperation active market players will be able to enter new markets, and new businesses/startups will develop the products. Cooperation between CakeHR and Deloitte began more than a year ago when Deloitte Latvia launched a new line of business services - outsourcing of accounting services providing innovative solutions. It happened at a time when innovative solutions were being sought to automate accounting and client internal processes. One of such solutions was to find a partner in the personnel management area, which might be able to provide self-service function to the employees of the company. Deloitte evaluated several HRM software solutions and selected the CakeHR product as the most appropriate. Some people might think that startups and big companies are competitors, but in fact they need each other to a great extent. Startups are flexible in their thinking and decision-making, while larger players boast considerable experience and knowledge, that helped them to grow into big, successful businesses, reveals R. Slegelmilhs. CakeHR Business Development Manager Janis Dubinskis claims that cooperation with Deloitte has opened the doors to other potential customers. He suggests that the big companies should not be afraid to cooperate with startups, as the benefits can well outweigh the expected results. If you really want, you can always find a common denominator and a solution to make everyone happy at the end, he adds. Both Mr. Slegelmilhs and Mr. Dubinskis believe that cooperation between big companies and startups is a challenge for both parties, which requires getting out of their usual way of thinking. Big companies are used to follow standard procedures, and creativity of startups is a great challenge for them. Many startups have set up their own companies to demolish borders, and they are challenged by the idea of working together with the ones they would like to knock off the pedestal, adds R. Slegelmilhs. In his view, due to cooperation with startups big companies get access to the latest technologies and business models, avoiding the usual stalling experienced by big market players while trying to introduce new processes. Thus companies can win a better market position and offer an innovative product. In exchange for its ideas and creativity a startup gets support and resources from the big market player, as well as market recognition or funding. R. Slegelmilhs emphasizes that common strategic goals, shared by the management of both companies, are vital for efficient cooperation. It may be useful to have a partnership even with a potential business disruptor, for it is difficult to destroy a well-functioning business from inside, he adds. Mr. Slegelmilhs also mentioned that the attitude of big companies in Europe is changing and today most businesses understand the importance of digitalization and networking with the startup community. More and more companies are making the decision to start such cooperation. Still, Mr. Slegelmilhs suggests that both parties should consider cooperation issues with due diligence. Cooperation with large and well-known companies is tempting, but startups should focus on meeting all requirements. Compliance might require large investments, which sometimes might deter startups from working with big market players. Big companies, on the other hand, might face such risks as the startups sustainability and reliability, but those risks might be offset by the startups flexibility, the ability to meet the customer's needs, and a greater willingness to concede to the other party, compared to the competitors, who are well-established in the market. Similarly, the startups pricing policies tend to be more flexible Before launching cooperation, both parties have to answer a number of questions. A startup has to specify whether the company has a sufficient budget to ensure the sustainable, professional and efficient delivery of products and services, and be able to answer the following questions: who will sign the Contract and be empowered to protect the project against corporate environmental failures, who will be the person authorized by the other party to provide help while entering into a partnership, which are the key indicators of successful cooperation, will a startup be able to deliver in compliance with the other partys expectations. It should also be specified - what exactly does a big company expect from a startup and why do they want to cooperate. While looking for cooperation partner a big company should be able to specify long-term benefits, be able to answer the following questions: in what way is this project different from the one being developed internally, why a startup is interested in cooperating, what cooperation model will be used and who will steer and manage the process. Successful cooperation can develop if there is a mutual interest. Cooperation with startups is a viable model for Latvian economy. We need each other. They have partnered with a brand name and a team of professionals who can interpret the client's needs and legal requirements, thus improving their own system. We have benefited from the CakeHR flexibility and skills we lack, they help us to sell our accounting services, providing interesting and innovative solutions, says R. Slegelmilhs. iWorld | OTT ALTBalaji direct subscriptions up by 60-70% over last quarter Balaji Telefims' digital venture ALTBalaji has been quickly growing its subscriber base and subscription revenue, further reinforcing the OTT sector's belief that Indian consumers are more than ready to pay for engaging content. After three consecutive strong quarters on the digital front, the company is now set to shift gears when it comes to its content strategy. continue reading... DTH | DTH Operator DD Free Dish e-auction: Reserve price for MPEG4 slots fixed at Rs 5 lakh After recommencement of DD Free Dish e-auction, Prasar Bharati (PB) recently revealed the result where a total of 40 MPEG2 slots were successfully sold. Now, PB CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati has revealed that the reserve price for MPEG4 slots e-auction is Rs 5 lakh. continue reading... Regulators | Trai TRAI directs DPOs to refrain from placing channels outside the genre After receiving complaints from TV18 and TV Today Network against Republic Bharat, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has directed all distribution platform operators (DPOs) to refrain from placing channels outside their genres. continue reading... Deloitte Latvia has started cooperating with three technology companies - Graphdo, Notakey and Blockvis. The world is going through a critical point of change with technologies and data exponentially transforming our clients, the profession and society at large. Companies in search of innovative solutions for current business challenges develop incubators and form external partnerships to start operating on a new level. As they become aware that it is no longer efficient to rely solely on internal resources for innovation, companies are beginning to look at start-ups as sources for ideas and solutions. The consulting company Deloitte has been actively collaborating with new technology companies worldwide for several years for example through the Technology Fast 500 nomination that recognizes and rewards the 500 fastest growing technology companies in the EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) region. In the course of the project, Deloitte has started collaborating with several global start-up companies and has integrated their solutions into its offer. Likewise, Deloitte Latvia has started cooperating with as many as three technology companies at the same time, namely Graphdo, Notakey and Blockvis. Notably, one of them Notakey has already been mentioned by the Latvian business paper Dienas Bizness among the 10 companies that deserves to be closely followed. Start-ups develop their ideas and build solutions with a view to the future. In the financial services' sector the future is already a reality of today, says Janis Kaulins, Deloitte Latvia Financial Advisory Assistant Director. Our collaboration is, on the one hand, based on the advantages of our global network that we make available to new companies for expanding their export opportunities. On the other hand, start-ups offer technology-based, innovative tools that enable us to respond to the most complex issues of our customers. Moreover, we have experience to share with new companies as regards commercialisation strategies. This is a win-win-win collaboration from which both the start-ups and our clients stand to gain. Notakey has developed an online KYC client identification solution that might be particularly interesting for companies in the finance sector. Typical financial companies identify clients face-to-face and manually. We make the process fully automatic, and the clients can be identified remotely, by signing the information collected and recording it on a blockchain. With a solution like ours it takes as little as 7 minutes to understand who the customer is, says Janis Graubins, co-founder of Notakey. We are happy about our strategic cooperation with Deloitte, since it is going to make our solutions available to a wider range of customers. Graphdo offers a solution for analysing and visualizing payments made by the clients of financial institutions, which is of critical importance for in-depth customer analysis. This solution helps to transform complicated cash flows (the client's, his partners, the partners partners', etc.) into a clear graphical model with a complexity and risk assessment, and makes it a lot easier to identify AML (Anti-Money Laundering) risks. Semantic analysis of payment details detects significant mismatches in the clients' or external partners' profile of behaviour and sends warnings about potential AML risks, says Dmitry Ozernov, owner of Graphdo. The strategic focus of Blockvis is the so-called smart contracts that secure digital rights on a blockchain platform. With the help of the solution Civic.com that we represent (by implementing it in the European market together with the US company Civic and its CEO Vinny Lingham) digital personal identity documents can be accepted by any type of civil service, says Anatoly Ressin, CEO of Blockvis. However, we are also engaged in blockchain product audits, and this is where our cooperation with Deloitte might be particularly valuable. In the contemporary world, traditional components like business processes, movement of funds and security, are integrally interrelated with blockchain solutions. This is precisely the reason why we can offer highly competitive solutions to our customers by merging Deloitte's consultancy experience with our blockchain expertise. Why Software is Eating the World Marc Andreessen Today Uzbekistan actively develops international trading. The country has own regulations which impacts on operations. This brochure briefly describes our services in this field. Generally speaking, imports into and exports goods from Uzbekistan fall under the authority of the State Customs Committee. Some exchange control restrictions are placed on Uzbekistan residents (including Uzbekistan citizens and legal entities) and on foreign currency transactions. Residents and nonresidents can hold bank accounts in any currency. The regulator of exchange control is the Central Bank of Uzbekistan. Export-import operations are under focus of Tax authorities. In the brochure, you also can find the list of countries most favorable treatment. Uzbekistan customs apply more beneficial customs duties to goods under most favorable treatment. Since the list can be changed, we would recommend that you use this brochure for general guidance purposes only and contact us to discuss any situation questions you may have. Our team in Uzbekistan is ready to support and advice the optimal solutions for the business and trading operations in Uzbekistan. HELL Group is Hungarys leading energy drink manufacturer, and a significant market player in many countries around the world. We are proud to have contributed to the dynamic development of the Group by creating a financing structure coordinated with the business strategy, and by conducting the whole transaction. About us Who we are and what we do Deloitte in Georgia is part of the CIS Holdings Limited (Deloitte CIS), a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL). Deloitte in Georgia is the entity within the Deloitte Network that administers this Website. We provide audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries through over 3700 people working across 9 CIS countries, Georgia and Ukraine. Deloitte CIS is represented in Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ufa, Ekaterinburg and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk), Ukraine (Kyiv), Belarus (Minsk), Georgia (Tbilisi), Armenia (Yerevan), Azerbaijan (Baku), Kazakhstan (Aktau, Almaty, Nur-Sultan, Atyrau), Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek), Uzbekistan (Tashkent), Tajikistan (Dushanbe) and Turkmenistan (Ashkhabad). With a globally connected network of member firms in more than 150 countries, Deloitte brings world class capabilities and in-depth local expertise to help clients succeed wherever they operate. Deloitte began implementation of projects throughout Georgia in 1995 with an official office being established here in 2001. In Georgia the company provides a broad range of services to the clients: audit and accounting, consulting (including IT), financial advisory, tax and legal services, project implementation. The firms very talented and qualified staff with experience in the local market provides international quality work in all these service lines. The companys goals and strategy are to build the premier professional services firm in Georgia, providing a full range of services to its national and international clients. Local and expatriate professionals work closely together on engagements, as mixed teams ensure the right balance of skills to provide premium client service. Through the projects we undertake in the Georgian market, Deloitte and the Deloitte Consulting Overseas Projects teams has the largest presence of any of the big 4 organizations on the market at any given time. Our team is eager to partner with leading organizations in their spheres and brings fresh perspectives, high energy and clear determination to succeed. This means priority and high quality service for our clients. Terms of Use | Privacy | Cookies | Deloitte.cz 2021. For more information see Terms of Use. Deloitte refers to one or more entities of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (DTTL), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as Deloitte Global) does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/cz/about to learn more about our global network of member firms. 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. Members of the NAACP, along with state legislators, ministers and other Black leaders, gathered Feb. 25 at the Indiana Statehouse in the south atrium just outside Gov. Eric Holcombs office to show their support for hate crimes legislation and express disappointment in a bill the Indiana Senate weakened before passing. In its original form, Senate Bill 12 would have protected individuals and groups targeted for their race, religion, gender identity and other classifications, but the Senate approved an amendment Feb. 19 that stripped away that language. The Senate then passed the bill Feb. 21. Indiana is one of five states without a hate crimes law. The Indiana Senate missed an opportunity to correct a wrong, Sen. Eddie Melton, D-Gary, told those in attendance. Like most who spoke to the room of supporters, Melton a member of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus called for the House of Representatives to add the list of protected people back into the bill. If that happens, the bill would then go to a joint House and Senate committee to resolve the differences. Hilary Shelton, director of the NAACPs Washington Bureau and senior vice president for advocacy and policy, said those specific protected groups of people are important because hate crimes are different from other crimes. They choose their victims based on who you are, how you look and what they think you believe, he said. Shelton said he met with Holcombs staff and believes the Republican governor is focused on passing hate crimes legislation. Holcomb, who has repeatedly voiced his support for such legislation, said in a statement after the Senate amended SB 12 he would continue to fight for the right ultimate outcome for our state and citizens this year so were not right back here in the same place next year. Rep. Gregory Porter, D-Indianapolis, also a member of the IBLC, will be one of those legislators trying to restructure the bill when it reaches the House. Porter told attendees his constituents see this weakened hate crimes bill as just the latest example of Indiana being unfair. Indiana has a saying: A state that works, Porter said. Im often asked, A state that works for who? The fight for a hate crimes law has taken up the better part of two decades in the state legislature, which has consistently found ways to either kill such legislation from moving forward, or has taken so much out of the bill that its rendered virtually useless. John Girton, pastor of Christ Missionary Baptist Church who testified for the original bill in front of a Senate committee and was at the Statehouse gathering, said this process feels familiar to whats happened in the past. Same old story, he said. Those who are advocating for an unconstitutional, unenforceable bill such as this are letting us know that they dont care about our communities. They dont care about our safety. They dont care about our happiness. They dont care about our lives. They dont care about our voice. They dont care about our children. Girton called SB 12 unconstitutional and unenforceable because Georgia used to have a similar law on its books that the state Supreme Court struck down in 2004 because it was too vague. Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick. Venice, FL (34285) Today Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 74F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 74F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. IRONWOOD, Mich. - John James "Jack" Searle Jr, 91, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, surrounded by family. He was born to John James Searle Sr. and Dorothy (Hewitt) on Sept. 10, 1927, in Ironwood. He was the oldest of three brothers. Jack attended Central School in Ironwood, graduating from L.L.Wright High School in 1945. At 17 years old, he enlisted in the US Navy immediately after graduation, serving 3 years overseas in European waters working as a baker. After returning to Ironwood, he perfected his baking skills enrolling in the Dunwoody Institute, Minneapolis, Minn. On May 2, 1953, Jack married the love of his life Rita Ann Lesco at Holy Trinity Church in Ironwood. They would have celebrated 66 years together this year. Jack managed several local bakeries until owning and operating the Royal Bakery at its Cloverland Drive location until his retirement in 1990. He was well known in the area for his delicious breads, pastries, and cakes of all kinds. He was an incredibly hard worker. In addition to many long and early hours in the baking trade, he took on additional jobs painting or roofing houses. In his early years, he was a cornet player and a member of the Ironwood City Band and Salvation Army band. In his later years, spending time with his brother Archie at the camp was a regular routine. Together they enjoyed making a good wood pile, just a trip to feed the birds, and maybe a shot of their favorite blackberry brandy. In addition, winter vacations at Siesta Key and summers at his Echo Lake cottage were times of relaxation with friends and family. Jack is survived by his beloved wife, Rita; daughters, Jane (Gary) Gruenke and Barbara Frisk (Gerry Gripper); grandchildren, Beth (Bryce) Haley, Kimberly Carlson, J.T. Federico, and Laura Federico; great-grandchildren, Ella and Ruby Haley; sister-in-law, Rose Searle, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Archie and Richard. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church on Saturday, March 2, at 11 a.m. with Fr. Robb Jurkovich as celebrant, preceded by a visitation from 10-11 a.m. Full military rites will be accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard. Burial will take place in the spring at Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul. The most important part of Jack's life was family. Although he had many favorite expressions, the most memorable and frequently used expression was "I wonder what the poor people are doing". He wasn't referring to money. He knew he was a wealthy man when he could be with his wife and family. He has set that example for us all. The family would like to express their deepest gratitude for the exceptional care given to Jack by the entire staff at Villa Maria Health and Rehab Center during the last 2 years. McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, Ironwood, is assisting the family. For more information or to express online condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] Wakefield A shift in power will occur after tonights meeting of the Wakefield city council as current city manager Richard Brackney turns over the reins to his successor, Robert Brown, Jr. At a special meeting on Jan. 23, council members voted to offer the job to Brown, 36, of Belding, Mich., and he has been working here with city staff since last Tuesday. Brackney, who was scheduled to retire on May 24, will end his responsibilities two months early. Browns first day as city manager will be Tuesday. Brown, whose wife and children will move here after the school year ends, told the Globe Friday morning that his first priority will be to get updates on all the projects. On Friday afternoon by phone, Brackney said the past week working with Brown went very well. The current city manager added of his successor, I think hes got a good handle on whats going on. He seems to be a very intelligent man. Brackney said Brown shouldnt have any trouble moving forward and added that council members may ease the transition even more by scheduling a dedicated work session with the new manager to discuss what their concepts are. In relation to his retirement starting earlier than anticipated, Brackney said, Ive got a big smile on my face. Im looking forward to this. In a work session last Thursday, council members discussed the following two issues of transition, which will be addressed formally at tonights meeting: The council will vote to adopt Resolution No. 2019-250 to appoint Brown to his position, effective Feb. 26, 2019. The council will vote to address Brackneys exit in accordance with the following statement: The benefit package for Richard Brackney will be active until the end of his contract May 24, 2019 and will be paid out at that time. He will receive regular paychecks bi-weekly until May 24, 2019. Brown has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in political science with a concentration in campaign leadership from Southern New Hampshire University. His previous work was with the three-county Fred Meijer River Valley Trail in Belding. He also engaged in political campaign organizing. Belding is in Ionia County and is about 100 miles west of Flint. Brown was the only city manager applicant from Michigan. Tonights city council meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. in the council room of the municipal building. NEW YORK - A U.S. federal appeals court said the trustee liquidating Bernard Madoff's firm may pursue dozens of lawsuits to recoup funds from defendants including Koch Industries Inc, long controlled by the billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch, and major banks. Monday's decision by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan overturned November 2016 dismissals by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Stuart Bernstein in Manhattan. It gives the trustee Irving Picard a chance to add hundreds of millions of dollars to the $13.36 billion he has recouped for former customers of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC. The trustee has estimated that the customers lost $17.5 billion in Madoff's fraud, which was uncovered in December 2008. Picard had sued Koch, HSBC Holdings Plc, UBS AG and others in 88 lawsuits to recoup funds traceable to the imprisoned swindler, but which had been sent outside the United States. DUBAI - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stepped down on Monday, announcing his resignation on Instagram. "I am apologising you for all the shortcomings...in the past years during my time as foreign minister ... I thank the Iranian nation and officials," he wrote on his Instagram page jzarif_ir. Zarif played an important role in striking a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers. But he came under attack by anti-Western hardliners in Iran after the United States pulled out of the agreement last May and reimposed sanctions that were lifted under the deal. The House of Saud has named Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud as ambassador to the United Statesmaking her Saudi Arabias first-ever female envoy to Washington. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Bint Bandar entered the political and diplomatic arena through the business and financial portal, being a member of a number of local and international advisory councils, including the Advisory Board of the Saudi National Initiative for Creativity, the Global Advisory Council of Ober and the TEDx Conference Advisory Council. Reema bint Bandar Bint Bandar, who was born in 1975, holds a BA degree in Museum Studies with an academic focus on the preservation of historical monuments, from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Recently, the World Economic Forum appointed her to its Young Global Leaders program. Part of empowering females in the kingdom is appointing the most efficient person for the position, whether man or woman, Samar al-Mogren, a Saudi writer told The Media Line. Mogren described the move as very positive and said it gave hope to others. I expect to see more Saudi women filling political roles in the near future, he said. Mogren pointed out that in the past 10 to 15 years, the status of women in Saudi Arabia has been bolstered, and doors have started opening for them to work in diplomacy. Reema bint Bandar Lets not forget that Princess Reema is capable, as she comes from a home with deep diplomatic roots, he said. In this respect, her father, Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, was ambassador to Washington from 1983 to 2005. The appointment of the princess comes as the kingdom faces renewed criticism over its treatment of women. Perhaps more notably, she replaces Prince Khalid bin Salman, the younger brother of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, in a shake-up prompted by ongoing fallout over Riyadhs role in the killing last October of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Kashoggi inside Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul. According to US intelligence, the heir to the Saudi throne at the very least knew about plans to kill the journalist, a revelation that caused many in the American political establishment to call for downgrading bilateral ties with Riyadh and leveling sanctions on those responsible. The House of Saud initially denied any involvement in the killing, but has since accepted responsibility while trying to keep the crown prince away from the fallout. Qasem Qaseer, a Lebanese political analyst and writer, confirmed that the appointment of the Saudi princess came as part of the kingdoms effort to shield its leaders following the murder of Kashoggi. Obviously, there is a reason the Saudi government appointed a female whose father is really well connected in Washington and aware of its political scene, he told The Media Line, adding that the ultra-conservative Muslim country is trying to change stereotypes about how the government has been treating its citizens, especially females, in terms of freedoms and human rights. Bin Salman makes decisions regarding women in the kingdom that look as if he is honoring them, Qaseer said. However, in reality, it isnt the case. We can call them beautification steps, but empty. There are tens of female activists in Saudi prisons. He stressed that what is really needed for Saudi women is a real system of freedoms that insures their rights. After making waves last year by removing a ban on female drivers, the Saudi crown prince has come under fire for imprisoning some of the very same activists that pushed for the reform. Most recently, the royal family was slammed over a controversial mobile app that allows Saudi men to monitor the whereabouts of their wives and unmarried daughters. All Islamic State group militants who committed crimes against Iraq will be put on trial, including 13 suspected French militants who have been transferred to Iraq from Syria, Iraq's president said Monday. Iraqi President Barham Saleh said during a two-day visit to France that the French citizens were handed over from Syria, where troops with U.S.-led coalition forces detained them. The 13 will be prosecuted in accordance with Iraqi laws, he said. "Anyone who is accused of committing crimes against Iraq, against Iraqi installations and against Iraqi personnel, we definitively are seeking them," Saleh said. "And seeking to try them, of course." At a news conference with Saleh, French President Emmanuel Macron said he would not identify the French citizens nor comment on their cases. He said it's Iraq' sovereign decision to decide whether the alleged militants should face the criminal justice system in the Mideast country. French President Emmmanuel Macron on Monday welcomed the United States' decision to leave American troops in Syria, a reversal by US President Donald Trump that came after an outcry from coalition allies such as France. "On the US decision, I can only but welcome this choice," Macron told a news conference with his Iraqi counterpart Barham Salih. "The US decision is a good thing. We will continue to operate in the region within the coalition." In December, Trump ordered the withdrawal of all 2,000 troops in Syria after he said they had defeated Islamic State militants, an abrupt decision that sparked consternation among allies and was a factor in his defence secretary's resignation. Macron had personally sought to convince Trump to maintain troops in Syria, French diplomats said at the time, warning him about the risks of pulling out too early. Acting Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz praised the British decision to add the Shi'ite organization Hezbollah in its entirety to its list of banned terrorist organizations on Monday, after the group's external security unit and its military wing have already been declared as terror organizations in previous years. There is no difference between Nasrallah and the terrorists he Iran sends to commit attacks against Israel and Arab regimes in the Middle East, Katz said. With internal European tensions over immigration and Britain's imminent exit from the European Union (aka Brexit), and continuing Arab division over courses of action to end regional conflicts, expectations were low for substantive outcomes at the EU-League of Arab States summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. But the two international blocs found the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to be a point of convergence between them. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Palestinian sources said they are extremely pleased with the draft of the final communique of the summit, which was to conclude Monday afternoon. The draft will include strong language reaffirming support for the two-state solution based on a territorial compromise along the lines of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, thereby endorsing Palestinian claims to East Jerusalem and censuring Israeli settlement construction in lands captured during the 1967 Six-Day War. The statement was to stress that the Israeli settlements are illegal according to United Nations Security resolutions, mainly (resolution) 2334, Palestinian diplomats said. A general shot shows the closing session of the first joint European Union and Arab League summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, on February 25, 2019 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas received a green light from Egyptian President Abdel al-Fattah al-Sisi to place his cause at the center of the summit agenda. Our challenges have also been embodied in the hotbeds of conflict in the region, foremost among them the Palestinian cause, which is the central and primary cause of the Arabs, and one of the main roots of these conflicts, Sisi told conference attendees. I cannot but warn of the repercussions of the continuation of this conflict on all our countries, he said. A big screen shows the venue of the first joint European Union and Arab League summit behind Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R) and European Council President Donald Tusk (C) during the final session of the meeting in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh All 28 EU countries are trying to find a solution for the Palestinian state and we think we are at the moment where all the members are going to move forward to recognize it, said Al Farara. The EU and the Arab League now will work for an international peace conference, he added. President Sisi and the other Arab leaders made it clear that we will not be able to achieve anything in terms of cooperation on security or migration until we find a solution for the Palestinians and the key to the peace of the world. Once the attendance of both German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Theresa May was confirmed, it became clear that the unprecedented conference would be a feather in the cap of the Egyptian president, who has won Brussels respect for his tough enforcement of a Mediterranean migration deterrence plan. Sisi claims the Egyptian coast guard prevented a total of 11,000 refugees from migrating to Europe in 2018. This, as Cairos diplomats press hard for EU financial support similar the $7 billion allocated in 2015 to Sisis arch-rival Turkish President Erdogan to manage the flow of Syrian refugees. The wave of anti-Semitic attacks in Europe appears to be continuing unabated, with swastikas and hate graffiti appearing on Jewish institutions and property in a number of countries, including Poland, Greece and Spain. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter On Monday morning, Uri and Reut Huminer, emissaries from the World Zionist Organization, discovered swastikas and anti-Jewish graffiti daubed near their home in Madrid. The local police have launched an investigation. Swastika graffiti in Madrid In France, swastikas have also repeatedly appeared painted outside the homes of Jews. One of them, Olivier Feldman, told Ynet that the attacks will not make him leave his country. "It's a terrible feeling, but my life is here," he said, but added that he no longer views France in the same way as before. "I am afraid for my wife, for my children and for myself," he said. "I look at people differently, every day I wonder if it will happen again." He made it clear that despite the growing anti-Semitism on the continent, he was not considering emigrating to Israel. "My life is here, I work in France, my friends are in France, my family is in France, it's a dream (to move to Israel), but my life is here." Three months ago, vandals sprayed antisemitic and anti-Israeli slogans, along with swastikas, in front of the house of Angel Mas, a senior activist in the Jewish community in Spain and chairman of a Jewish organization fighting local boycotts of Israel. "If our message stirs such opposition and anger then it seems that we are doing something right," Mas said. Nazi symbols daubed outside the home of Jewish activist Angel Mas The use of neo-Nazi symbols has become common in light of the radicalization of the political arena all across the globe. Extremist groups from both ends of the political spectrum use these symbols as part of the struggle between them. Even so, deliberately spraying neo-Nazi symbols in a neighborhood where a number of Jews live is very uncommon in Spain. Graffiti outside the home of Angel Mas The Madrid police has launched an investigation into the cases, working alongside the local Jewish community's security organization and Madrid municipality, which has ensured that the slogans outside Mas's home were removed. The Israeli embassy in Madrid passed images of the graffiti along to several organizations that monitor and combat anti-Semitism, and also posted them on social networks. "It is sad to see that anti-Semitism still exists in Spain," the embassy said. The anti-Jewish sentiment has also reached Poland, where earlier this week large posted were placed on several residential buildings in Warsaw, which read: "These buildings will soon be returned to the Jews, to meet their demands." Anti-Jewish posters in Warsaw In the Greek capital Athens, anti-Semitic graffiti was sprayed in the yard of a Jewish school. The graffiti said, among other things: "Jews are whores." Anti-Semitic graffiti in Athens In France, which is home to the largest Jewish community in the world after Israel and the US, has seen an increasing number of such anti-Semitic attacks. Recent incidents include swastikas sprayed on mailboxes image of late French Jewish politician Simone Veil, who was a Holocaust survivor, a minister in the French government and president of the European Parliament. In Paris, the word Juden (German for Jew) was daubed on the window of a bagel shop. In another incident, the French-Jewish philosopher Alain Finkielkraut was attacked with anti-Semitic slogans when he came across a yellow vest demonstration in central Paris. Days later, at least 80 graves were desecrated in a Jewish cemetery near Strasbourg, in the eastern part of the country. In addition, unknown assailants vandalized the Paris memorial to Ilan Halimi, a young French Jew who was tortured and murdered in a 2006 anti-Semitic attack that shocked France. Last Thursday, anti-Semitic graffiti was painted on the facades of houses and street furniture in the 14th arrondissement of Paris. A municipal official said that there had been dozen cases of anti-Semitic graffiti sprayed on several streets in the southern part of the French capital. A man working in the area said that the graffiti had not been there the night before. 'Dirty Jew' daubed on a wall in Paris (Photo: AFP) Graffiti reading "Dirty Jew" and an inverted swastika were sprayed on the wooden door of one of the buildings. Similar slogans were also found outside public toilets, on a bench at a bus stop, and on the facade of another building, beside the sign for a doctor's clinic. Protest against anti-Semitism in Paris (Photo: AFP) In the wake of the wave of anti-Semitic incidents in France, tens of thousands took to the streets of Paris and other locations in the country in protest last week. The Paris demonstration was attended by Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and former presidents Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy. Before the rally, Philippe warned that anti-Semitism was " deeply rooted in French society." Britain said on Monday it would ban Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed group that plays a pivotal role in Lebanese politics, adding the Shi'ite organization in its entirety to its list of banned terrorist organizations. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter In 2013, the European Union placed the military wing of Lebanese party Hezbollah on its terror list, and London had proscribed the group's external security unit and its military wing in 2001 and 2008 respectively. Now, the UK plans to outlaw its political arm too. Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah (Photo: AFP) "Hezbollah is continuing in its attempts to destabilize the fragile situation in the Middle East, and we are no longer able to distinguish between their already banned military wing and the political party," Home Secretary (interior minister) Sajid Javid said. "Because of this, I have taken the decision to proscribe the group in its entirety." The ban is a response to an Israeli bid to the members of the United Nations Security Council, filed earlier this month. Israeli representatives voiced their concerns over Hezbollah's further strengthening in the Lebanon and the establishment of extensive terror infrastructures, and also raised the need to prevent further Iranian entrenchment in Syria. The British ban, which will come into force on Friday subject to parliament's approval, means anyone who is a member of Hezbollah or invites support will be committing a criminal offence with a potential sentence of up to 10 years in jail. One of Hezbollah's terror tunnels dug into Israeli soil, uncovered in December during the IDF's Operation Northern Shield (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit ) Explaining its decision, the British government said the organization continued to amass weapons in contravention of UN Security Council resolutions, while its support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had prolonged "the conflict and the regime's brutal and violent repression of the Syrian people". There was no immediate reaction from Hezbollah to the British move. The group controls three of 30 ministries in Lebanon's government, the largest number it has ever held, and has seen its regional clout expand too with fighters in various Middle East conflicts including neighboring Syria. It does not acknowledge the existence of separate wings. Jeremy Corbyn, leader of Britain's opposition, who once called Hezbollah 'friends' (Photo: AFP) Jeremy Corbyn, leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, once described Hezbollah as friends, a remark regularly seized upon by opponents for criticism. "What do we see from his Labour Party? Hamas and Hezbollah friends, Israel and the United States enemies," Prime Minister Theresa May said last week. Hezbollah was already considered a terrorist organization by multiple countries, including Israel, the US and members of the Arab League. If the last week in Israeli politics could be characterized as a big bang in the center, and by polls that showed Benny Gantz and Benjamin Netanyahu in a neck-and-neck race, this week began with an explosion on the right. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Netanyahu and his former protege and current leader of the New Right party, Naftali Bennett, traded unprecendented verbal blows on the sidelines of the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem. The harsh statements each made to the media about the other reveal a fierce battle between the two for the hearts and minds of the right-wing voters. Former friends: Benjamin Netanyahu and Naftali Bennett in the Knesset in late 2018 (Photo: Rafi Kotz) Bennett was the first to attack to go on the attack on Sunday. Heading in to the weekly cabinet meeting, the education minister announced that he knew that Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump had agreed an Israeli response to the American peace plan, which includes the division of Jerusalem and the establishment of a Palestinian state. Netanyahu promptly responded, and, in a departure from his usual cabinet meetings, rushed to the media to give his own reaction to Bennett's comments. He said Bennett was under pressure and confused because of the elections, claimed his comments had no substance, and, in a particularly biting insult, said that Bennett only led one of the "small parties." Bennett had geared up for his attack in light of the new political reality of a two-way battle between Gantz and Netanyahu for the premiership, a battle that could cause collateral damage among the smaller parties in each bloc. Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked announce their new party (Photo: EPA) The political world is also keeping a close eye out for an announcement by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit on a potential Netanyahu indictment. According to political sources, if an indictment is filed against Netanyahu, subject to a hearing, those disapppointed in the Likud will be looking for a new political home on the right, and they are precisely the people that the heads of the New Right Bennett and Ayelet Shaked are targeting. The current actions of Bennett and Shaked are largely influenced by the lessons of the 2015 elections, in which Netanyahu ran a campaign to increase his own power at their expense. This time they are fighting to secure their share of the right-wing electorate, and going head to head against Netanyahu in order to do so. This approach is clearly illustrated in a new video released by the New Right, in which Bennett is seen knocking on the door of a Likud voter's house and convincing the home owner why his party is the true right wing. This is the first time that Bennett and Shaked have openly courted Likud voters, and another video with a similar message will soon be released. Meanwhile, the two party leaders are busy telling the media that only they can stop Netanyahu from yielding to political and diplomatic pressure. Video of Naftali Bennett wooing a Likud voter But such attacks are not one-sided. Netanyahu, for his part, has not hesitated to take steps to weaken the New Right and claim as many votes as possible in the right-wing bloc. While Bennett and Shaked could be considered his natural political partners, the personal relationship between the two sides is extremely shaky. Senior officials in the Likud say that after Netanyahu's primary battle with Gantz, his next priority is to weaken Bennett and Shaked, so as to diminish their power in post-election coalition negotiations. Some sources say that Netanyahu's vigorous attempts to unite the Jewish Home and the extreme-right Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) were not born solely out of efforts to prevent the loss of votes in the right-wing bloc, but also to cut Shaked and Bennett off from their previous political home and prevent small parties in a future rightist coalition from joining forces and posing a threat to his own power. Similarly, the small right-wing parties will soon launch a campaign against Bennett and Shaked in a bid to syphon off their voters. This campaign will focus on the fact that the two abandoned the Jewish Home in order to form their own party, and will try to draw far-right voters to their own side and traditional rightwing voters to the Likud. Bennett and Shaked, according to the plan, would be isolated and struggle to win votes. Sunday's events, however, indicate that the leaders of the New Right are not going quietly, and this inter-bloc slanging match will not end any time soon. The Military Prosecution signed on Monday a plea deal with one of the five soldiers from the Netzah Yehuda religious battalion, charged with violently abusing two Palestinian detainees. According to the deal, the soldier will be sentenced to six months' imprisonment, probation and will lose rank in the military. Labor Chairman Avi Gabbay and Meretz leader Tamar Zandberg will sign the Heskem Odafim, or voter surplus agreement ahead of the April elections, which effectively gives a small party a second shot at making it into the Knesset. "We'll sign the Heskem Odafim agreement with our natural partner," Gabbay said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trapped in a spectacular manner. US President Donald Trump, not know for his conciliatory nature, expects something in return for his decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing the city as Israel's capital. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter That concession by Israel, sources close to Netanyahu say, will be in accepting the "deal of the century" drafted by the US president, which reportedly has several clauses that the prime minister will find hard to swallow. The sources say Netanyahu is actually counting on a Palestinian refusal to even consider the deal, given that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has vowed to oppose any US peace proposalbut there is no certainty that it will actually happen. President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Naftali Bennett (Photo: Shaul Golan, AFP, Reuters) Meanwhile, the head of the New Right party, Naftali Bennett, not only claimed on Sunday that Netanyahu intended to go along with Trumps long-delayed peace plan, which includes an establishment of a Palestinian state, but also set a very tight deadline for the planintending to unveil it immediately after the April 9 elections. Bennett has apparently based his assessments that the Americans will unveil the plan after the electionsbut before the government is formedas Trump wants the deal to be approved during coalition negotiations and subsequent political agreements. Other reports also suggest that the Trump administration's peace plan will indeed be unveiled soon. The deal is expected to include the provision of establishment of a Palestinian state on 90 percent of the West Bank, including land-swaps and the division of Jerusalem. Illegal outposts will be evacuated, and isolated settlements outside the so-called settlement blocs (that some argue will remain part of the Jewish state in any peace deal) will not be expanded. The holy places will remain under Israeli sovereignty but will be jointly managed by Israel, Palestine, Jordan and possibly other countries. On Tuesday, Netanyahu will take off for Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, after postponing the trip last week in order to oversee the merger between the extreme-right Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party and the Jewish Home. This will be the first official meeting between the two leaders since the downing of the Russian spy plane six months ago by Syrian forces who were trying to thwart an Israeli aerial attack in their territory. "The issue of Iran will be at the top of our agenda," Netanyahu said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting. "We will also discuss strengthening the security coordination mechanism between the IDF and the Russian army in order to maintain stability and prevent unnecessary friction in the region." But international travel and foreign diplomacy aside, Netanyahu's biggest challenege appears to be at home, where he could well find himself pinning his political hopes on one of his greatest foes - the Palestinian leader. Kabul, Feb 25 (IBNS): A fire has broke out at a building of an organization affiliated with the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in Kabul city, media reports said on Monday. Police spokesman Basir Mujahid told Pajhwok Afghan News the fire erupted near the Hawa Shanasi area close to the Hamid Karzai airport in the limits of 9th police District. He told the Afghanistan-based news agency that the fire triggered by a short circuit and reached an oil tanker which caused financial losses. Police and fire tenders reached the spot later. Image: Representative Picture of a Fire incident Palestinians on Sunday uprooted some 50 trees planted in the West Bank in the memory of Ori Ansbacher, who was brutally murdered in Jerusalem by a Palestinian terrorist. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The 19-year-old was attacked and murdered at the beginning of February by 29-year-old Arafat Irfayia in the woods of Ein Yael, on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Ori Ansbacher (Photo: Courtesy of family) The trees were planted between the West Bank settlements of Tekoa, where Ansbacher lived, and Nokdim, during which a confrontation sparked between local Palestinians and the settlers, with the Israel Defense Forces having to intervene. Shortly thereafter, the settlers noticed the Palestinians had extracted the newly planted trees. Gush Etzion Council head Shlomo Ne'eman said in response: "The State of Israel must define this agricultural terrorism as terror for all intents and purposes,l and put an end to this phenomenon. A firm stand must be taken, for we cannot allow human lives to be harmed." Palestinians clashing with settlers planting trees in memory of Ori Ansbacher in the West Bank (Photo: TPS) Meanwhile, as part of an initiative led by drivers from the Egged bus company, poems Ansbacher wrote will be printed and displayed on the company's vehicles. Several days after she was murdered, one of Ansbacher's poems was published by the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, moving many Israelis. One of them was bus driver Amnon Aliah, who decided to commemorate Ori. "This murder shook me up and I felt I have to do something. When I read Ori's poems, I felt the urge to distribute them for the sake of the family," Aliah said. Ori Ansbacher's poems on Egged buses Aliah's colleagues joined him in his initiative to commemorate Ori, and some 15 signs with her poems will be posted on the exterior of Egged buses in the upcoming days. "This is the least we can do. Ori was special and managed to touch each and every one of us," Aliah said. Israeli security forces arrested overnight Sunday a Palestinian in the West Bank who drove a vehicle loaded with large quantities of ammunition, including a submachine gun. The driver and another passenger were taken in for further questioning. Several Israeli start-ups have joined a handful of companies around the globe trying to develop lab-grown meat, something they see as a solution to the needs of the world's ever-growing population and burgeoning demand for food. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The product has been known under different names, including cultured meat, in-vitro or artificial and "clean meat"a term advocates say underscores its environment-friendly nature. It's basically made of animal muscle cells grown in a culture in a lab, a technology similar to stem cells. Lab-grown steak during a presentation by the Israeli company Aleph Farms, in Jaffa, Israel, January 16, 2019 And while "synthetic steaks" are perhaps not a candidate for everyone's favorite dish, they could someday compete with conventional chicken or beef, an affordable price tag permitting. "Producing meat is very inefficient," said Yaakov Nahmias, a bioengineering professor at Hebrew University and founder of Future Meat Technologies. Cultured meat, by comparison, consumes "10 times less water, less land, less energy than the current meat production." Advocates say lab-grown meat is flavorful and better for the environment than conventional meat. They say it consumes less water, energy and land, produces less greenhouse gases and reduces animal suffering. Agriculture is estimated to generate around 13 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, with livestock alone responsible for two-thirds of those emissions, according to the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization. For Israel, the advances are a far cry from the country's early decades, when meat was rationed. More on this topic Israel is feeding the world Yuval Haninyovich In a conference held by the Israel Export Institute and attended by many foreign companies, Israeli startups present their most revolutionary solutions to the increasing shortage of food, products and land as the world's population continues to grow. Israel is feeding the world Israel has a thriving high-tech scene, so the pursuit of lab-grown meat was a natural avenue for its entrepreneurs, experts say. The government's Innovation Authority has also sought to stimulate food-technology companies through grants and the financing of a $25 million food-tech incubator. Israel currently imports much of its meat and the government is invested in creating food security. For observant Jews, several prominent Orthodox rabbis have already expressed approval for lab-grown meat being kosher. Because it doesn't come from a slaughtered animal, some rabbis have even said cultured meat could be consumed as a cheeseburgera combination of meat and milk otherwise forbidden in Jewish tradition. In February, the Good Food Institute, a Washington-based non-profit promoting the development of meat alternatives, announced a series of research grants "for the benefit of the entire scientific community and good food industry." One of the six $250,000 grants for "clean meat" researchers went to Israel, and a second Israeli researcher received funds for "plant-based" meat alternatives. "Israel is a fertile ground for tech in general and specifically for what we call alternative protein," said Beni Nofech, a board member at the institute. "Israel is such an innovation-driven economy and infrastructure, both governmental and private, is already in place to actually catalyze innovation and research." The industry still faces some significant hurdles, including astronomical cost, developmental challenges, regulatory issues and questions about whether people are ready to eat lab-grown meat. Until now, most companies involved in the effort have only managed to produce fleshy granules. Future Meat Technologies, a company based out of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and SuperMeat are among those combining animal cells and plant proteins as a potential alternative to processed meats. Aleph Farms, an Israeli start-up launched in 2017, announced in December it succeeded in producing a lab-grown "minute steak" made from bovine cells that closely resembles the texture and flavor of its cow-borne counterpart. For now, the tiny steaks are just 3 millimeters (a tenth of an inch) wideroughly the size of a very thin strip of roast beef. Each Israeli player has raised several million dollars in early investment, including from major food manufactures such as US giant Tyson Foods, Germany's PHW Group, and Israel's Strauss Group. Lab-grown steak during a presentation by the Israeli company Aleph Farms, in Jaffa, Israel, January 16, 2019 The first lab-grown burger was made by a Dutch company in 2013 at a cost of over $300,000. Production costs have fallen in the years since. Last year, US-based Memphis Meats' ground beef alternative was reported to cost about $2,400 per pound. Each slice of Aleph Farms' "steak" costs about $50 to produce. Before it can hit the shelves, lab-grown meat will face regulatory obstacles. The US government's FDA and USDA announced in November they would "jointly oversee the production of cell-cultured food products derived from livestock and poultry." Cultured meat has already faced resistance from the US meat industry and will probably face a label battle once it comes on the market. Even if the industry can overcome these obstacles, the technology necessary to make these synthetic sirloins commercially viable remains years away. Max Elder, a food researcher at the San Francisco-based Institute for the Future, says the biggest challenge may be convincing consumers to eat a steak essentially grown in a petri dish. Nonetheless, researchers and environmentalists agree the need for sustainable, lab-grown alternatives to industrial farming is essential. "If we want to make sure that our kids eat the same thing that we eat today, then we need to dramatically change the way we manufacture it," said Nahmias, the Hebrew University professor. Israeli director Guy Nattiv won an Oscar for Live Action Short Film with his movie "Skin" at the Academy Awards early Monday morning. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The 20-minute movie, which stars Jonathan Tucker, Danielle Macdonald and Jackson Robert Scott, deals with a hate crime and its ramifications from the point of view of two children, one white and the other black. The last time an Israeli won the Oscars was in 1978, when Moshe Mizrahi won Best Foreign Language Film with his movie "Madame Rosa," an adaption of the 1975 novel "The Life Before Us" by Romain Gary. Guy Nattiv wins Oscar for movie 'Skin' ( A.M.P.A.S. /yes -STINGTV) X The overjoyed Nattiv took the stage to accept the award with his wife, Jaime Ray Newman, who produced the film, and screenwriter Sharon Maymon. "I moved here five years ago from Israel," Nattiv began and quickly added "Goodnight Israel!" in Hebrew ("Lila Tov Israel"). Guy Nattiv and Jaime Ray Newman win the Oscar (Photo: AP) "My grandparents are Holocaust survivors," he then went on to say. "The bigotry that they experienced in the Holocaust, we see that everywhere todayin America and in Europe. This film is about education; it's about teaching your kids a better way." "We dedicate this to our five-month-old baby, who is sitting at home with my parents watching this," the excited Newman added. "We hope that you grow up in a world where these things don't happen because people learn to love and accept each other." Guy Nattiv, right, with wife Jaime Ray Newman on the red carpet (Photo: gettyimages) Sharon Maymon, who wrote the script, told Ynet that "It's very exciting when a movie you made gets this status, which you can only dream of. So now that the dream is a reality, all we have left is to use it to boost up the next movie." He said that a year ago, he sent Nattiv a message saying "I have an idea for a movie that will get us to the Oscars." "It's exciting to realize a childhood dream and send a message about racism, parenthood and education. A lot of people in Israel know about Gilad Shalit, but how many know about Avera Mengistu? This movie is about skin color, which unfortunately still makes a difference," Maymon said. Guy Nattiv and Jaime Ray Newman win the Oscar (Photo: AP) Israel's President Reuven Rivlin was quick to tweet his congratulations to Nattiv. "Congratulations to Guy Nattiv on winning Best Live Action Short at tonights Academy Awards. Dear Guy, all credit for 'SKIN' goes to you, Sharon and Jaime Ray, but the movie is a gift to our children and grandchildren and for the future we wish for them. Proud to be Israeli! Mazal Tov!" Rivlin wrote. Nattiv's full-length film, also titled "Skin," will come out later this year. It is based on an 2012 MSNBC documentary about Bryon Widner, one of the FBI's most wanted white supremacists, who turns his life around after meeting a single mother and her three young daughters. WASHINGTON/HANOI - US President Donald Trump has said he would be happy as long as North Korea maintains its pause on weapons testing, and he was in no rush to strike a nuclear deal with its leader, Kim Jong Un, when they hold their second summit this week. The two leaders will meet in Hanoi on Wednesday and Thursday, eight months after their historic summit in Singapore, the first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader. Trump, speaking in Washington on the eve of his departure for Vietnam, said he believed he saw eye to eye with Kim and that they had developed "a very, very good relationship". "I'm not in a rush. I don't want to rush anybody," Trump said. "I just don't want testing. As long as there's no testing, we're happy." Israel Land Authority is promoting a plan to build thousands of housing units where one of the Tel Aviv region's most unique green belts lies, which critics say will cause masssive damage the area's green lung. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The plan includes 9,800 housing units to be built over 854,000 square meters, with 700,000 square meters earmarked for workplaces and commerce, while 454,000 square meters are meant for facilities and public institutions.The entire scheme will cover some 2,000 dunams (494.21 acres). The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, the Ramat HaSharon Municipality and the Tel Aviv Municipality all opposed the move. Drezner Grove The project will involve uprooting Drezner Grove, while harming the Afeka Caves and the Narcissus Valley that lie behind Drezner Street in the Ramat Aviv neighborhood, which is the northernmost street in the central city of Tel Aviv-Jaffa. This area stretches between the coastal road, the Ayalon highway and the Glilot compound, and includes several special natural features that no longer exist anywhere else in the Gush Dan region. Thousands of people tour this green piece of heaven every week. During the winter, the grove is blanketed with thousands of narcissuses, while pink gladioli decorate the field during the spring. This nature site houses field rabbits, hedgehogs and endangered southern banded newt. Over the past few years, Kfar HaYarok students plowed the field to provide the narcissuses with a comfortable habitat. One of the most intriguing nature sites is the Afeka Caves15 ancient Samaritan burial caves. This archeological wonder might collapse and lose its unique value once the project is launched. In addition, the area's narcissuses are expected to be relocated to a conservation area. Attorney Yoav Kramer, who heads the headquarters to preserve this last piece of nature, said: "This is a little piece of heaven that was miraculously preserved. It houses migrating birds, jackals, hedgehogs and porcupines. The Gush Dan residents also deserve to enjoy open spaces and green areas." The Drezner Grove After eliciting harsh criticism, the Israel Land Authority's plan is expected to be reviewed by the Tel Aviv District Planning and Building Committee. In response, the Israel Land Authority said in a statement: "We are working to increase the supply of land for housing, especially in the areas of high demand. We've created an outline plan, which is in line with all the plans that were promoted here both in the past and in the present. "The area's unique elements of nature will be preserved. Therefore, the claims of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel are petty and irrelevant. Moreover, the arguments of the Ramat HaSharon Municipality and the Tel Aviv Municipality against the project dont revolve around the real nature of the plan," the statement read. The Tel Aviv District Planning and Building Committee said: "The committee will review the arguments of all sides, while taking into account all considerations presented to it, including environmental considerations." Yankton, SD (57078) Today A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 59F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 59F. Winds light and variable. New Delhi, Feb 25 (UNI/IBNS) :The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a PIL seeking a judicial probe into the role played by Indians in helping terrorists from Pakistan execute the brutal Pulwama attack. A bench of the Apex Court, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and also comprising Justice Sanjiv Khanna, dismissed the plea filed by lawyer Vineet Dhanda. The petitioner sought action against those who allegedly helped Pakistan execute the brutal terror attack. The Apex Court did not find any merit in the petition and dismissed it. "We are dismissing the petition. The petition is devoid of any merit. The petition also lacks evidence," the Top Court said and declined the petition. DANDONG, China (AP) North Korea leader Kim Jong Un was on a train Sunday to Vietnam for his second summit with President Donald Trump, state media confirmed. Kim was accompanied by Kim Yong Chol, who has been a key negotiator in talks with the U.S., and Kim Yo Jong, the leader's sister, the North's official Korean Central News Agency reported. TV footage and photos distributed by the North's state-run news agency showed Kim inspecting a guard of honor at the Pyongyang station before waving from the train. Late Saturday, an Associated Press reporter saw a green-and-yellow train similar to one used in the past by Kim cross into the Chinese border city of Dandong via a bridge. The Trump-Kim meeting is slated for Wednesday and Thursday in Hanoi. Their first summit last June in Singapore ended without substantive agreements on the North's nuclear disarmament and triggered a months-long stalemate in negotiations as Washington and Pyongyang struggled with the sequencing of North Korea's nuclear disarmament and the removal of U.S.-led sanctions against the North. Kim's overseas travel plans are routinely kept secret. It could take more than two days for the train to travel thousands of kilometers (miles) through China to Vietnam. Vietnam's Foreign Ministry announced Saturday that Kim would pay an official goodwill visit to the country "in the coming days" in response to an invitation by President Nguyen Phu Trong, who is also the general secretary of Vietnam's ruling Communist Party. In his upcoming meeting with Trump, experts say Kim will seek a U.S. commitment for improved bilateral relations and partial sanctions relief while trying to minimize any concessions on his nuclear facilities and weapons. While Kim wants to leverage his nuclear and missile program for economic and security benefits, there continue to be doubts on whether he's ready to fully deal away an arsenal that he may see as his strongest guarantee of survival. Story continues Last year, North Korea suspended its nuclear and long-range missile tests and unilaterally dismantled its nuclear testing ground and parts of a rocket launch facility without the presence of outside experts, but none of those steps were seen as meaningful cutbacks to the North's weapons capability. While North Korea has repeatedly demanded that the United States take corresponding measures, including sanctions relief, Washington has called for more concrete steps from Pyongyang toward denuclearization. Hanoi has been gearing up for the summit with beefed-up security. Officials say the colonial-era Government Guest House in central Hanoi is expected to be the venue for the Trump-Kim meeting, with the nearby Metropole Hotel as a backup. Streets around the two places have been beautified with flowers and the flags of North Korea, the U.S and Vietnam. Workers were also putting final touches on the International Media Center. Vietnam's Foreign Ministry says some 2,600 members of the foreign press have registered for the event. Also expected to land in Vietnam on Sunday was Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Lavrov will pay an official visit ahead of a Russia-India-China ministerial conference in China, according to Interfax news agency. Meanwhile, Vietnam has announced a traffic ban along Kim's possible arrival route. The Communist Party's mouthpiece Nhan Dan newspaper quoted the Department of Roads as saying the ban will first apply to trucks 10 tons or bigger, and vehicles with nine seats or more on the 170-kilometer (105-mile) stretch of Highway One from Dong Dang, the border town with China, to Hanoi from 7 p.m. Monday to 2 p.m. Tuesday, followed by a complete ban Tuesday on all vehicles from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. The People's Committee in Lang Son province, where the Dong Dang railway station is located, issued a statement Friday instructing the road operator to clean the highway stretch and suspend road works, among other things, on Feb. 24-28 as "a political task." CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Saturday his government had broken relations with Colombia and would expel some Colombian diplomatic staff after Colombia assisted the opposition's efforts to bring humanitarian aid into the country. "Patience is exhausted, I can't bare it anymore, we can't keep putting up with Colombian territory being used for attacks against Venezuela. For that reason, I have decided to break all political and diplomatic relations with Colombia's fascist government," Maduro said in a speech. He said the ambassador and consular staff would have to leave Venezuela within 24 hours. (Reporting by Fabian Cambero; Writing by Angus Berwick; Editing by Sarah Marsh) LONDON, Feb 24 (Reuters) - A British lawmaker who quit Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservatives said on Sunday she would not seek to force a national election if there was a confidence vote in her former leader. May survived a confidence vote in January, after her Brexit deal was roundly rejected by lawmakers. Heidi Allen, one of three Conservative lawmakers who left the party last week to join eight former opposition Labour lawmakers in a new Independent Group, was asked how she would vote if there were another confidence motion. "I would do nothing at all that would facilitate a general election or give any more instability," she told BBC TV. Asked if that meant she would back May, whose Conservatives do not have a majority in parliament, Allen said: "If that (election and instability) were the alternative, then yes." (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; editing by Guy Faulconbridge) LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May is making progress in her efforts to negotiate changes to Britain's exit deal with the European Union, British environment minister Michael Gove said on Sunday. Gove also urged colleagues not to support an attempt next week to wrest control of the process from the government to stop a no-deal exit, after three ministers signaled they would side with rebels and opposition parties. "I understand that progress is being made," he said, of the attempt to secure changes to the so-called backstop insurance policy to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland. "It could be a time limit, I think it could be a unilateral exit mechanism. I think these things are possible and I think it could be another legally powerful protocol or addition to the treaty which makes it clear that we would not be bound in the backstop indefinitely against our will." (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; editing by Guy Faulconbridge) By Stanley Carvalho ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has sealed a $4 billion midstream pipeline infrastructure deal with U.S. investment firms KKR and BlackRock, the government-owned company said on Sunday. ADNOC has been expanding through strategic partnerships since 2017. Last month it won a combined $5.8 billion investment from Italy's Eni and Austria's OMV for a stake in its refining business to establish a new trading operation owned by the three partners. The latest deal follows ADNOC's capital markets debut with its Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline bond, the IPO of ADNOC Distribution and other initiatives. A new entity called ADNOC Oil Pipelines will lease the oil company's interest in 18 pipelines, transporting crude oil and condensates across ADNOC's upstream concessions for a 23-year period, ADNOC said in a statement. The 18 pipelines have a total length of over 750 km and capacity of 13 million barrels per day. Funds managed by KKR and BlackRock will form a consortium to hold a 40 percent stake in the entity, with ADNOC owning the rest. ADNOC will have sovereignty over the pipelines and management of pipeline operations. The deal, expected to close in the third quarter of 2019, will result in upfront proceeds of some $4 billion to ADNOC. The statement cited Sultan al-Jaber, ADNOC group CEO, as saying the deal validated ADNOC's approach of "unlocking value from its portfolio of assets while retaining control over their ownership and operation". BlackRock is investing through its Global Energy & Power Infrastructure Fund series while KKR's investment is through its third Global Infrastructure Investors Fund, the statement said. "We believe that todays agreement among ADNOC, BlackRock and KKR will be followed by many more such partnerships to invest in the future growth of the region," said BlackRock CEO Laurence Fink. This is KKR's first direct investment in the region, co-CEO Henry Kravis said, adding that there is substantial potential for more. Story continues ADNOC has undergone major changes since al-Jaber's appointment in 2016, embarking on privatization, oil trading and expanded partnerships with strategic investors. "I think the approach taken here by ADNOC reflects a desire to monetize assets they have under their control," said Edward Bell, director of commodities research at Emirates NBD. "So I think it reflects an attempt to realize the value of the infrastructure they have in place more than a strategic shift into midstream oil and gas." ADNOC produces about 3 million barrels of oil and 10.5 billion cubic feet of raw gas a day. (Reporting by Stanley Carvalho; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky and David Goodman) 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. (Reuters) - The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on four state governors in Venezuela as it ramped up pressure on President Nicholas Maduro for blocking humanitarian aid convoys. The action coincides with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence attending a meeting of the regional Lima Group of nations in Bogota, where he said the United States was readying an additional $56 million in humanitarian aid. He called on Latin American allies to increase pressure on Maduro's government. "We call on all Lima Group nations to immediately freeze the assets of PDVSA. Secondly, transfer ownership of Venezuelan assets in your country from Maduro's henchmen to President Guaido's government," Pence said, according to prepared remarks. He also called on the countries to restrict visas for officials close to Maduro and to vote to recognize the representative of Juan Guaido, Venezuela's self-declared interim president, at the Inter-American Development Bank. The violence that erupted during the attempted delivery of much-needed food and medicine to economically devastated Venezuela has steeled the United States' resolve to support opposition leader Guaido, Pence said. Violent clashes with security forces over the oppositions U.S.-backed attempt on Saturday to take aid into Venezuela left almost 300 wounded and at least three protesters dead near the Brazilian border. The U.S. Treasury said it was imposing sanctions on Omar Jose Prieto, governor of the northwestern state of Zulia that borders Colombia; Ramon Alonso Carrizalez, governor of the state of Apure and a former defense minister; Jorge Luis Garcia, governor of Vargas state and former head of the army; and Rafael Alejandro Lacava, governor of Carabobo state and ally of Maduro. "The illegitimate Maduro regime's attempts to blockade international aid intended for the Venezuelan people are shameful, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. "Treasury is targeting four state governors aligned with former President Maduro for standing in the way of severely needed humanitarian assistance and prolonging the suffering of the Venezuelan people," he added. Governor Lacava in 2018 visited Washington as part of talks that paved the way for the release of Joshua Holt - an American man who was imprisoned in Venezuela for nearly two years. Lacava goes by the nickname Dracula in reference to his habit of doing late-night patrols and is known for off-the-cuff social media videos. (Reporting by Tim Ahmann and Lesley Wroughton in Washington; additional reporting by Roberta rampton in Bogota; editing by Makini Brice and Grant McCool) By Ginger Gibson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats will subpoena Special Counsel Robert Mueller's final report on his investigation into links between U.S. President Donald Trump's 2016 election team and Russia if it is not given to Congress, senior lawmaker Adam Schiff said on Sunday. Schiff, a Democrat who chairs the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, said Democrats will also sue the government and call on Mueller to testify to Congress if necessary. "We will obviously subpoena the report. We will bring Bob Mueller in to testify before Congress; we will take it to court if necessary. And in the end, I think the (Justice) Department understands they're going to have to make this public, Schiff said in an appearance on ABC's "This Week." Amid reports that Mueller could be near concluding a 21-month investigation into whether Trump's campaign team colluded with Russian efforts to influence the 2016 election, Democrats are pushing for it to be made public. When Mueller completes his report, he will hand it in to Trump's attorney general, William Barr. But Barr indicated during his confirmation hearings that he could draft his own report to Congress and not turn Mueller's report over in its entirety. Trump, a Republican, has denied any collusion took place between his campaign team and Moscow. Russia denies the claims of U.S. intelligence agencies that it meddled in the 2016 elections. Trump refers to the Mueller probe as a "witch hunt" and on Sunday wrote on Twitter that the only collusion with the Russians was committed by Hillary Clinton, his rival in the 2016 election, and the Democratic National Committee. Democrats hope to use the Mueller report as the basis for any further investigations into Trump, including whether they would initiate impeachment proceedings. Schiff said he would be willing to take the administration to court if it does not turn over the Mueller report. "We are going to get to the bottom of this," Schiff said. "We are going to share this information with the public and if the president is serious about all of his claims of exoneration, then he should welcome the publication of this report." (Reporting by Ginger Gibson; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States has asked the United Nations Security Council to meet to discuss the situation in Venezuela on Tuesday, said diplomats after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's troops repelled foreign aid convoys at the weekend. The United States has been pushing the 15-member council to formally call for free, fair and credible presidential elections in Venezuela with international observers, a move that prompted Russia to propose a rival draft resolution. It was unclear if or when either draft text could be put to a vote. Moscow and Washington have been at loggerheads over a U.S.-led campaign for international recognition of Venezuelan opposition leader and head of the country's elected National Assembly Juan Guaido over Maduro. Guaido last month declared himself interim head of state. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Grant McCool) By Rajesh Kumar Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday raised hopes that the United States and China would settle their trade dispute ahead of a March 1 deadline as negotiators met to wrap up the latest round of talks. The U.S. president said in a tweet that the trade talks on Saturday were "very productive." Talks were extended through the weekend in a bid to iron out differences on changes to China's treatment of state-owned enterprises, subsidies, forced technology transfers and cyber theft. The two sides have had no agreement on an enforcement mechanism. Washington wanted a strong mechanism to ensure that Chinese reform commitments were followed through to completion, while Beijing insisted upon what it called a "fair and objective" process. On Sunday, top officials including U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He arrived for talks at the Winder Building, which houses the headquarters of the United States Trade Representative, an hour later than usual. Both Mnuchin and Liu went inside without commenting, with Liu smiling when asked if the two sides would have a deal by the end of the day. Trump said on Friday there was a "good chance" a deal would emerge, and that he might extend the March 1 deadline and move forward with a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Extending the deadline would mean putting on hold a scheduled increase in tariffs to 25 percent from 10 percent on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports into the United States. An extension would hold off a worsening of the trade war that has already disrupted commerce worth hundreds of billions of dollars of goods, slowed global economic growth and roiled financial markets. On Friday, Trump and Mnuchin said U.S. and Chinese officials had reached an agreement on currency issues, but did not give details. U.S. officials have long argued that China's yuan is undervalued, giving it a trade advantage and partly offsetting U.S. tariffs. Story continues China has committed to buying an additional 10 million metric tonnes of U.S. soybeans. Reuters reported exclusively on Wednesday that both sides were drafting memorandums of understanding (MOUs) on cyber theft, intellectual property rights, services, agriculture and non-tariff barriers to trade, including subsidies. But Trump said he did not like MOUs because they are short-term, and he wanted a long-term deal. Trump said the biggest decisions could be reached when he meets with Xi, probably in Florida next month, and that their talks may extend beyond trade to encompass Chinese telecommunications companies Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corp. (Additional reporting by Howard Schneider; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky and Jeffrey Benkoe) A person walks past a banner showing North Korean and U.S. flags ahead of the North Korea-U.S. summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, February 25, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY Harry J. Kazianis Security, Asia Nothing could better ensure America and South Koreas collective securityno matter what the critics say. Trump-Kim Summit in Vietnam: End the Korean War with a Peace Declaration In our quest to convince North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, Washington seems to have once again lost sight of one of the most important aspects of the seventy-year-old Korean challenge: the plight of South Korea and our collective security as allies. Theres no shocker there. U.S. foreign policy is craftedas are all nationsfrom our own national historical experience, tragic events and our identity that we project out upon the world. And since the early 1990s, Washingtons obsession with eliminating Pyongyangs nuclear weapons firsta viewpoint I shared until last yearblinded it from almost alternatives to reduce the danger to Northeast Asia, the Korean Peninsula and the U.S. homeland from North Korea. Especially since the days of 2017, when ICBMs were tested and turned America into a potential North Korean nuclear target, all Washington cared about was ensuring its own security from atomic attack. Its to be expected, sure, but such a singular focus also doesnt consider other pathways to at least mitigate, if not eliminate, the nuclear threat posed by North Korea. There might be no better example than the collective Washington yawn over the possibility that President Trump may sign a peace deceleration ending the Korean Warsomething clearly in both Washingtons and Seouls collective national interest. Scholars around the beltway decry such an action as a concession, appeasement and a complete waste of Americas time. Go on social media and say the words peace, North Korea and Trump in the same tweet and watch the hawks swoop in. I know this all too well. Thats disturbing, but not surprising. When did not ending a war that technically has been going for over seven decades seem like a good idea? The last time I checked, I dont see the Korean Peoples Army battling Republic of Korea or U.S. forces along the demilitarized zone. And lets thank God for that, as such a war fought with todays modern weapons would likely mean a death sentence for millions of people. Story continues Why is the overwhelming consensus here in Washington, D.C. among the so-called foreign policy elites so against a simple piece of paper that says a war that ended in 1953 is over, an act that would bring a sense of closure to millions of South Korean and American families still haunted by this seemingly forgotten conflict? I have a one-word answer, and its not what you expect: vulnerability. You see, as human beings, no one wants to be the first person to make a concession, show weakness or take a risk that could end up in utter failurethats where fear takes over. Take such an attitude and apply it to the hard knocks arena of international politics, and well, no one can ever show anything but strength and take any real risks, even if the risk might be small. Courage, as we can all see in our own domestic politics, seems in short supply these days. Now is the time to think differently. It is time for America to show some foreign policy vulnerability and offer to sign a peace declaration to North Korea. It is time to take a small risk that could advance our interests and those of South Korea. Now is the time to be bold. We have tried carrots, sticks, so-called strategic patience and nothing has reduced tensions or the potential threat coming from Pyongyang. A peace declaration might just do that. Therefore, its time to do what should have been done so long agoand not to ask for any concessions, because such a declaration is the right thing to do. And, in fact, the upside could be huge. If America is going to have any hope in convincing North Korea to give up its nuclear weaponswhich is Americas top priority for the summitWashington needs to find a way to convince Pyongyang that it is serious about forging a new relationship and that decades of tension can finally end. There is only one way to do that: the signing of a peace declaration ending the Korean War once and for all. If Washington was to sign with Pyongyang a simple political declaration ending the war, Kim may have the proof he needs to not only trust Americas intentions but to go back to his own peopleespecially the military of political eliteswith evidence that America no longer has any hostile intent. Then he can begin denuclearization. That would be historic and is our only real chance at ending the endless ups and downs in U.S.-North Korea relations that nearly started a war back in 2017. For if we were to begin again a cycle of missile tests and nuclear threats, we have no guarantees that we will be as lucky as were last time. I, for one, think a conflict would be a real possibility. There is no downside to this at allexcept perhaps allowing pride or national ego to get in the way. Some will say America will be made a fool if North Korea still wont give up its nuclear weapons or cheats on a future agreement after a peace declaration is signed. Thats just silly, and admitting reality only makes common sense and has no downside whatsoever. In fact, having such a declaration can only go to prove to Chairman Kim Jong-un that U.S. efforts toward detente are not only sincere, but backed by deeds and not just words. If North Korea is willing, I say to President Trump it is time to make history. And let us never, ever, label the cause of advancing peace as weakness. History would never forgive us if such a label were to stick. Harry J. Kazianis is Director of Korea Studies at the Center for the National Interest. You can follow him on Twitter: @Grecianformula. Image: Reuters. Read full article U.S. President Donald Trump reacts as he hosts a reception in honor of National African American History Month at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 21, 2019. REUTERS/Jim Young Douglas Macgregor Security, Asia Peace must be the way forward. And that can only mean a peace treaty. The Trump-Kim Summit in Hanoi: How America Can Make History For most of their terms in office, Americans Presidents live in a world filled with more hostility than admiration and more abuse than appreciation. However, few, if any presidents have confronted the opposition to change in any form that President Donald Trump encountered. Trumps controversial reset of American Foreign Policy in Northeast Asia elicited almost universal contempt. Trumps detractors inside the beltway insisted that the President had no good military option vis-a-vis North Korea to force it to denuclearize. According to the experts, the only outcome would be a war on the Peninsula that would leave a million Koreans and many, many thousands of Americans and other expatriates dead. Inside any bureaucracy, civilian or military there is inevitably a sterile infatuation with fixed, inert ideas. But nowhere in American society is there a greater tendency to ignore new facts, especially when they are incongruent with conventional wisdom, than in Washington, DC. Predictably, Trumps predecessors viewed North Korea in the static context of the Cold War. It did not occur to them that a weak countryplagued with chronic famine, with fewer than 3 percent of its roads paved, and a gross national product behind Ethiopiamight not live up to the inflated threat picture provided by Washingtons notoriously inaccurate intelligence estimates. Trump saw things differently. Instead of meekly accepting the intelligence assessments and the testimony of experts, Trump set out to solve the North Korea problem. He began by meeting early in Mara Lago, Florida with President Xi of China and raised the subject of North Korea in private discussion. Trump did not hesitate to express his aversion to the North Korean regime, but he also Trump consistently demonstrated his respect for China and its national security interests. Story continues The outcome of Trumps meetings with Xi was an understanding that provided the foundation for Beijings support to the President in the difficult months leading up to the Singapore Summit. Trump decided that American military power should be an instrument of statecraft, not its determinant. In a statement that the New York Times regarded as a departure from the firm, but measured language of his predecessors, in his first address to the United Nations Trump said, The United States has great strength and patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea. Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are now set to meet in Hanoi, Vietnam, on February 27 and 28 to build on an agreement they reached during their first summit to pursue complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. How far North Korea will commit to dismantling its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile program is yet to be clarified, but Kim has described the process as irreversible. In a propaganda shift that is nothing short of titanic in its implications, Kim told his people, The road to peace is hard and sometimes accompanied by great sacrifices, the state article stated. We cannot rest just because the road ahead is too long, and we cant turn around or retreat just because of trials and obstacles blocking it. Kims statement which mentioned the word peace more than seventy times was published just two weeks before the scheduled summit in Hanoi, Vietnam. Given Kims unspoken fear that North Korean society in its Stalinist form is unlikely to survive contact with the free and open society of South Korea, Kims statement is far more than a modest gesture. However, for Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in to move decisively forward, a treaty that formally ends the war on the peninsula must be signed. Moon has intimated in the past that Beijing and Pyongyang will not commit to total denuclearization of the Peninsula without a clear renunciation of the use of force to compel regime change. With the peace treaty in place, North Korea will allow the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect its nuclear, uranium and plutonium enrichment facilities setting the stage for the denuclearization that Washington, Beijing, Seoul, and Pyongyang desire. Trumps break with the Cold War past is paying handsome dividends for peace on the Korean Peninsula. Its vital that the President set the conditions for this event in Hanoi. For Asia, a region of the world that endured long periods of war and destruction after the Japanese invaded China in 1937, the signing of a peace treaty ending the Korean War by all of the participants in that tragic conflict would constitute a turning point in human history as important to world civilization as the collapse of Soviet power in Eastern Europe. As Margaret Thatcher once told President George Herbert Walker Bush, This is no time to dither. Trump must seize the moment in Hanoi for the demilitarization of Americas relations with Asia in general, and more specifically, with China and Korea. It is precisely the constructive relationship Trump sought with China, and for that matter, with all nations during his run for the Presidency. Colonel (ret) Douglas Macgregor is a combat veteran, a PhD and the author of five books. His latest is Margin of Victory, (Naval Institute Press, 2016). Image: Reuters Read full article Washington (AFP) - Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un headed toward Hanoi on Monday for their second high-stakes summit, with the world watching to see if the US leader can deliver concrete results on curbing the nuclear threat from Pyongyang. Tweeting from Air Force One, Trump said he was "looking forward to a very productive Summit," after earlier reiterating his case for North Korean disarmament. "With complete Denuclearization, North Korea will rapidly become an Economic Powerhouse," he tweeted. "Without it, just more of the same." "Chairman Kim will make a wise decision!" The Hanoi summit comes after Trump and Kim met in June in Singapore, producing a vaguely worded agreement on denuclearization, but progress has since stalled, with the two sides disagreeing over what the agreement meant. The summit set for Wednesday and Thursday will present them with a second shot at progress on the world stage. Trump's departure after noon on Monday came as an armored train carrying Kim and members of his delegation moved southward through China to Vietnam, in a journey cloaked in secrecy. The train station on the Vietnam-China border where Kim was expected to arrive was effectively on lockdown Monday. Sources in Vietnam said Kim could arrive at the Dong Dang border station in the early hours of Tuesday following his epic 4,000 kilometer (2,500 mile), two-and-a-half-day journey. With the two mercurial leaders en route to Hanoi, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he looked forward to the pair reaching key agreements. "I hope that the leaders... agree to concrete steps for sustainable, peaceful and complete and verified denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," Guterres said in a speech in Geneva. But at a White House event Sunday, Trump appeared to temper any expectations of a major breakthrough, saying sanctions imposed over Pyongyang's missile and nuclear tests would remain. Story continues "The sanctions are on. Everything is on. But we have a special feeling and I think it will lead to something very good. Maybe not," Trump said. "I don't want to rush anybody. I just don't want testing. As long as there's no testing, we're happy." - 'Strong deal' sought - Members of Trump's Republican Party, however, were demanding the president stand tough, with Senator Marco Rubio calling for the US and its allies to "maximize" pressure on Pyongyang, including immediate intensification of sanctions, if there is no breakthrough. "American negotiators must push for no less than a strong deal to completely, verifiably, and irreversibly dismantle the North Korean nuclear and missile programs," Rubio said in a statement minutes after Trump took off. Pyongyang insists it has already taken appropriate steps by not testing ballistic missiles or nuclear weapons for more than a year and blowing up the entrances to its atomic test site. But at the same time, North Korea says it has completed the development of its arsenal and the facilities are no longer needed. While Pyongyang and Washington have taken guarded approaches to the summit, hopes rose in Seoul that Trump and Kim could formally declare an end to the 1950-53 Korean War, after South Korea said the two leaders could reach an agreement. The devastating conflict between communist North Korea, backed by China, and the capitalist South, aided by the United States, ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty, leaving Pyongyang and Washington still technically at war. "I believe that the possibility is there," the South's presidential Blue House spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom told reporters about a formal declaration. "There is no way of knowing what kind of declaration it might be, but I believe the US and North Korea may reach an agreement." Trump is expected to arrive in the Vietnamese capital on Tuesday evening local time. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's miniature royal tour of Morocco is in full swing, and as ever, the two have been spending a lot of time getting to know the kids who have come out to greet them. Almost every royal engagement gives us a sweet moment between Harry, Meghan, and a group of kids or young people, and we've definitely had no shortage of those on this trip. The royal tour included a trip to Asni, in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, where Harry and Meghan met teenage girls from rural Morocco who stay at a boarding house in order to attend school nearby. Meghan received a bouquet of flowers from 16-year-old Hasnaa, and also got a henna flower tattoo on her right hand, in celebration of her pregnancy, courtesy of 17-year-old Samira. Related: 49 Times Prince Harry Was Out-of-Control Cute With Kids But perhaps one of the sweetest moments came when the couple rushed over to greet two half-Moroccan, half-British girls who were nervously approaching, waving flags from both countries. After shaking their hands and asking their names, Harry commented on their matching red dresses, while Meghan allowed them to admire her henna. Tiny 2-year-old Rayhanna looked completely overwhelmed by the whole experience, as Meghan crouched down to her level. A similar moment happened the following day, when two more girls were spotted with a banner and flowers, which they happily presented to Meghan as she stopped to say hi. See the sweet moment for yourself ahead, along with lots more pictures of Harry and Meghan with kids during their trip to Morocco. LONDON (Reuters) - Three British cabinet ministers publicly indicated on Saturday they will back plans to delay Brexit if lawmakers vote down Prime Minister Theresa May's plan for a new deal with the European Union. Business minister Greg Clark, work and pensions minister Amber Rudd, and justice minister David Gauke signaled in a Daily Mail column that they will side with rebels and opposition parties next week to stop Britain leaving the European Union without a divorce deal on March 29 if necessary, adding their weight to calls for May to rule out a no-deal departure. May is struggling against the clock to get a deal with Brussels on Britain's exit from the world's largest trading bloc that will pass parliamentary muster. She will meet European Council President Donald Tusk on the sidelines of an EU-League of Arab States summit on Sunday, but EU diplomats are not expecting any imminent breakthrough. In the newspaper column headlined "If we don't get a deal next week we must delay Brexit", Clark, Rudd and Gauke wrote that a no-deal exit was a risk to business, security and British territorial unity, and accused some colleagues in parliament of complacency. "Far from Brexit resulting in a newly independent United Kingdom stepping boldly into the wider world, crashing out on March 29 would see us poorer, less secure and potentially splitting up," they said, referring to the threat of a new bid for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom. "Our economy will be damaged severely both in the short and the long term. Costs will increase, businesses that rely on just-in-time supply chains will be severely disrupted and investment will be discouraged," they wrote. The ministers called on members of the European Research Group, formed by Conservative pro-Brexit lawmakers, to back the government's deal in parliament or risk seeing Brexit delayed. But in a further sign of deep division over the issue, May's junior minister for Northern Ireland, John Penrose, wrote a column in the Sunday Telegraph saying removing the option of a no-deal departure on March 29 "could torpedo Brexit completely". Penrose said such a move could lead to further temporary extensions that "would become permanent." Both May's Conservatives and the main opposition Labour Party are formally committed to delivering Brexit. Labour has recently appeared to soften its stance on a second referendum, although May has ruled such an option out. Lawmakers from both parties, however, are deeply split over how or even whether Britain will leave, and no majority has so far emerged in parliament for any comprehensive Brexit strategy. May has promised that if she does not bring a revised deal back by Feb. 27, parliament will have an opportunity to vote on the next steps. Some lawmakers are expected to use that to try to wrest control of the process from the government. (Reporting by Elisabeth O'Leary and Andrew MacAskill; Editing by Tom Brown, Helen Popper and Paul Simao) * May promises Brexit vote by March 12 * Says deal still within Britain's grasp * Tusk says EU needs clarity before March 20-21 summit * Juncker bemoans "Brexit fatigue" * Labour tilts towards a referendum (Adds Cooper comment, detail on possible extension) By Elizabeth Piper SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May put off a vote in parliament on her Brexit deal until as late as March 12 - just 17 days before Britain is due to leave the EU - setting up a showdown this week with lawmakers who accuse her of running out the clock. As the Brexit crisis goes down to the wire, May said a so-called "meaningful vote" would not take place this week as expected. Parliament will still hold a series of Brexit votes on Wednesday, but May's deal itself will not be on the table. On her way to an EU-Middle East summit, May said she is close to bringing home changes to her agreement that would satisfy objections to it, but needed time for meetings with European leaders which meant it would not be ready this week. "We won't bring a meaningful vote to parliament this week but we will ensure that that happens by the 12th of March," May told reporters on board her plane. "It is still within our grasp to leave the European Union with a deal on the 29th of March and that is what we are working to do." Opponents accuse her of deliberately running out the clock, so as to force parliament to choose between a deal it has already rejected or leaving the EU with no deal at all, which businesses say would destroy their supply chains. Both May's Conservatives and the main opposition Labour Party are formally committed to exiting the EU in line with a 2016 referendum vote, but both parties are internally divided over how or even whether to do so. CABINET SPLIT Before May set off for Egypt, three members of her cabinet publicly split with government policy and said they would side with rebels and opposition parties to stop a no-deal Brexit. Story continues Yvette Cooper, an opposition Labour lawmaker who has proposed a bill that would block a no-deal Brexit, said May's "last minute announcement that she wont put a deal to parliament this week, and is leaving it until just two weeks before Brexit day, is utterly shambolic and irresponsible." "She cannot just keep drifting and dithering like this or there is a real risk our whole country tumbles off a cliff edge into a chaotic no deal that no one is ready for and that would hit food prices, medicine supplies, manufacturing and security." Some lawmakers will seek to grab control of Brexit in Wednesday's series of votes, though such attempts have previously been defeated as May sought more time to get a deal. Senior Labour figures said that the main opposition party was moving closer to supporting another Brexit referendum and could do so as soon as early as this week. Nine Labour lawmakers and three Conservatives quit their parties last week in the biggest shakeup of its kind in British politics for decades, raising the prospect of further defections from both parties. The British parliament voted 432-202 against May's deal in January, a defeat by the biggest margin in modern British history. May says she can still win support for it if EU leaders ease rules intended to ensure no hard land border ever appears between British-ruled Northern Ireland and the rest of Ireland. European Council President Donald Tusk told May that the EU needs clarity that whatever the bloc might offer would command a majority in the British parliament, before a summit of EU leaders scheduled for March 21-22, an EU official said. EU officials have considered many theoretical scenarios, including an extension of Brexit for up to two years, though it is unclear if such a delay would resolve the current impasse. The EU has ruled out reopening the withdrawal agreement. Both sides are looking at a possible legal addendum to reassure lawmakers who worry that the Irish border plans could keep Britain trapped in the EU's orbit for years to come. But Europeans sound increasingly frustrated at Britain's political chaos: "You need two to dance tango, and I know how to dance," European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said when asked if he was running out of things to give on Brexit. "I have a certain Brexit fatigue." (Additional reporting by Kylie MacLellan in London, Aidan Lewis and Amina Ismail in Sharm El-Sheikh and Francesco Guarascio in Brussels Writing by Guy Faulconbridge Editing by Peter Graff) Lawyers and dealmakers from Morgan Stanley, AIG, JP Morgan and Allen & Overy speak to IFLR on trends, predictions and what keeps them busy ahead of our Asia M&A Forum. For more information on the forum, to view the agenda, or to enquire about attending, please contact Umy Ng on umy.ng@euromoneyplc.com or +852 2842 6931. What are the biggest trends in your market? Marco Chung, regional head of legal, private funds & investment banking M&A, Morgan Stanley The Chinese M&A market is slowing down. Key areas that had been hot for Chinas private equity in the last 24 months, such as education, are not going anywhere. Thats partly down to recent changes in the law, and partly because parties cannot agree on valuation. Will Gibson, M&A underwriter, AIG We are seeing more and more interest in M&A insurance as buyers and sellers across Asia become aware of its value in helping to get their deals across the line. It proliferates the auction process, as buyers use M&A insurance as a means to differentiate their bids. Historically, interest was driven largely by private equity, but we are seeing increasing appetite from trade buyers as their knowledge of the product has grown significantly in recent years. We are writing policies across the region, but if I had to pick one market where we have seen particular growth recently, it would be South Korea, which is keeping us very busy at the moment. Ying Liu, executive director, JP Morgan JP Morgans 2019 Global M&A Outlook report suggests a continued resilience in the M&A market this year. Companies are expected to continue to engage in M&A to drive growth and shareholder value, realising the benefits of unlocking value and refocusing on core assets through divestitures. The deployment of capital from sources like pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, family offices and infrastructure funds will continue to stimulate the M&A market and increase competition between potential acquirers, leading to high asset values. Connell ONeill, partner, Allen & Overy My market is Asia-Pacific as a whole, but Im especially focused on the technology sector. We are seeing more outbound interest from China, with a lot of capital flowing into southeast Asia. Chinese internet companies in particular are expanding their presence via investments, as well as building out organic platforms. US investors are also increasingly interested in east Asian technology companies. What do you spend most of your time working on at the moment? Marco Chung, Morgan Stanley We are seeing a lot more action in India and Thailand. India is a difficult market for US-based general partners not many of them have made money in this market, and there are potential corruption issues. For a small Indian deal, the effort and due diligence cost involved could be considerably more than what is spent on a similar Chinese deal. Will Gibson, AIG At AIG we underwrite a lot of deals. We were the first insurer to write M&A insurance in Asia and have an APAC M&A team of 10, with underwriters based in Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Sydney and Melbourne. It typically takes us five to 10 business days to underwrite a deal though it can be much quicker if it needs to and at any given time, our underwriters will each be working on up to five or six transactions. At the moment I am busy with deals in Singapore, Korea, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. Ying Liu, JP Morgan We work closely with corporates, private equity funds and M&A market practitioners to provide escrow solutions at various transaction stages pre-closing, closing and post-closing for complex, cross-border M&A transactions to help transaction principles mitigate risks in a cost-effective, time-efficient way. Connell ONeill, Allen & Overy I spend most of my time working on tech sector-related matters. That includes advising on collaborations between non-tech and tech companies via commercial agreements and joint ventures, and helping incumbents in existing industries deal with disruption. This can involve a range of different transaction types, all centred on the theme of digitisation. What do you think will be a key theme in Asia-Pacific M&A throughout 2019? Marco Chung, Morgan Stanley The above observations are likely to continue in the next 12 months: India and Thailand will continue to grow, and valuation issues will remain a problem. Will Gibson, AIG If I was any good at these, Id have retired by now! I think we at AIG will continue to see increasing interest in and understanding of M&A insurance as a deal facilitator, and plenty of deals getting done. We also expect to see specific tax policies as a growth area. There is plenty of uncertainty surrounding the global economic outlook: IMF cutting global growth forecasts again, international trade tensions, Chinas economic slowdown, Brexit, and a cooling Aussie real-estate market. Yet we continue to experience strong demand for the product, and expect this trend to continue. Ying Liu, JP Morgan As M&A markets develop in Asia and as clients get more sophisticated in their deal structures, our escrow team is seeing a growth in appetite. We expect that to continue. Connell ONeill, Allen & Overy There are two big themes playing out regionally: payments and e-commerce. We are also seeing more fintech businesses from jurisdictions like Indonesia. Chinese fintech companies funding rounds are getting bigger, and I think we will see more Asian unicorns outside of China. In the past 12 months, collaborations in particular have grown, with a big rise in complex joint ventures between incumbents and newer tech companies. IFLR's Asia M&A forum Marco Chung, Will Gibson, Ying Liu and Connell ONeill will all be speaking at IFLRs Asia M&A Forum on March 6-7 in Hong Kong, along with many others. For more information on the forum, to view the agenda, or to enquire about attending, please contact Umy Ng on umy.ng@euromoneyplc.com or +852 2842 6931. 2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQs. Share this article Tehran (AFP) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Monday on his first visit to the Islamic republic since the start of the Syrian conflict. During the meeting, Assad expressed his gratitude to Iran for all that it has done for Syria during the conflict, according to the Syrian presidency's account on the Telegram messaging app. The leaders "reviewed the fraternal and strong relations between their two peoples, which have been the main factor in maintaining Syria and Iran in the face of plots by enemy countries", the presidency said. Khamenei told Assad that "Iran considers helping the government and nation of Syria to be helping the resistance movement and is proud of it from the bottom of its heart", his website said. "The creation of the buffer that the Americans are seeking to create in Syria is an example of these dangerous conspiracies which must be strongly denounced and resisted," Khamenei added. Assad also met with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani during his trip. "The Islamic Republic of Iran as before will be alongside the people and government of Syria," Iran government's official website quoted Rouhani as saying. Iran and Russia have been the key allies supporting Assad as he has battled to maintain his grip over Syria during nearly eight years of fighting that has claimed more than 360,000 lives. Over the past two weeks, long-running tensions between Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) and its maintenance workers (and their union) have come to a boil. Southwest has seen a sharp spike in out-of-service planes, magnifying the impact of severe weather on its operations. As a result, it has experienced an unusually high number of flight delays and cancellations. The airline and the mechanics' union have traded blame for this situation, but it doesn't really matter who's right and who's wrong. The longer these reliability issues persist, the greater the potential damage to Southwest Airlines' reputation. That's why Southwest needs to do what's necessary to resolve this dispute -- even if it adds to the company's costs over the next few years. Tensions have been growing Airline labor contracts never formally expire. Strikes and lockouts are permitted only on rare occasions, when the National Mediation Board, a federal agency, determines that negotiations are at a complete impasse. Nevertheless, it is customary for airlines and their unions to agree on new multiyear contracts -- usually with raises built in -- around the time that the old ones become amendable. Southwest Airlines has nearly 50,000 unionized employees across a dozen different work groups. Most of its unions -- accounting for 94% of Southwest's unionized workforce -- are working under contracts that are not yet amendable or have become amendable within the past few months. Southwest's mechanics are by far the biggest exception. This roughly 2,500-strong group is working under a contract implemented more than a decade ago, which became amendable in August 2012. Years of negotiations have failed to result in a new ratified contract. A blue Southwest Airlines jet parked on the tarmac Southwest's mechanics are working under a decade-old contract. Image source: Southwest Airlines. Not surprisingly, this stalemate has led to bad blood between the two sides. For example, in late 2017, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) threatened to block Southwest Airlines from flying to Hawaii due to its maintenance plans. Tensions finally seemed to cool last year, when the airline and AMFA reached a tentative contract agreement, but the deal was rejected by the union's membership, largely based on the proposed pay rates. Story continues Accusations fly This brings us to this month's events. Beginning around Feb. 12, Southwest Airlines experienced a sharp increase in the number of aircraft out of service because of maintenance issues. The airline generally has up to 20 aircraft impacted by unexpected maintenance problems on any given day, but it has had more than twice that number of aircraft out of service in recent days. Southwest Airlines declared an "operational emergency" on Feb. 15 to address the spike in maintenance issues, threatening to fire any mechanics who missed work without a valid doctor's note. Nevertheless, the problems have been getting worse, not better. Southwest canceled nearly 200 flights last Tuesday, about half because of maintenance issues. The carrier then canceled more than 400 flights both on Wednesday and on Thursday, as severe weather began to have a bigger impact on its operation. A Southwest Airlines plane preparing to land, with mountains in the background Southwest Airlines has seen a spike in maintenance-related cancellations. Image source: Southwest Airlines. Southwest's management claims that the spike in out-of-service aircraft occurred only in certain maintenance bases and can't be explained by changes in personnel or procedures. The company also alleges that "AMFA has a history of work disruptions" and that the recent uptick in maintenance cancellations came suspiciously soon after a contract negotiation session. Lastly, Southwest Airlines says that it has already offered its mechanics an industry-leading pay package. The implication is that its mechanics aren't being reasonable -- and Southwest can't afford to absorb an even bigger unit cost increase to meet their demands. AMFA has retorted that Southwest Airlines isn't assigning overtime to its members despite the supposed operational emergency. The union claims that the company is trying to scapegoat its workers for a variety of safety issues. AMFA is also drawing attention to the fact that Southwest employs fewer mechanics per aircraft than rivals. This situation is toxic Most customers probably don't care whether the blame for Southwest's recent spike in delays and cancellations lies more with management or more with the union. They just want to get to wherever they need to go on time. Southwest Airlines has let many customers down in that respect over the past two weeks or so. Over time, this could sully the airline's sterling reputation. Southwest routinely has the lowest rate of official complaints to the Department of Transportation of any major U.S. airline, but the recent combination of delays, cancellations, and sniping between management and the union will test customers' patience (and loyalty). Aside from these reputational concerns, the ongoing feud between Southwest and its mechanics could have one immediate, practical impact. Southwest Airlines recently completed the final steps needed to secure the "ETOPS" authorization it needs for Hawaii flights. Yet the FAA may hesitate to give the final sign-off in the midst of this fight, causing further delays. Southwest Airlines' desire to keep costs down is understandable. But the difference between the terms it is offering and what its mechanics would accept appears to be quite small compared to the airline's total earnings. Thus, Southwest Airlines' negotiating strategy appears to be pennywise but pound-foolish. The company needs to prioritize protecting its reputation and its business plans -- and that means finalizing a generous contract for its mechanics as soon as possible. More From The Motley Fool Adam Levine-Weinberg owns shares of Southwest Airlines. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Southwest Airlines. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. SheKnows The royal feud will be on display later this week as Prince William and Prince Harry reunite to honor their late mother, Princess Diana, with the unveiling of the commissioned statue. But a new report seems to put the blame for the lack of reconciliation squarely on Williams shoulders he apparently has a major [] Russia, Russias State Duma is planning to pass a resolution on a pending cryptocurrency regulation bill, reported a local source. Oleg Nikolayev, a member of the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy, said that the Russian assembly house had led cryptocurrency regulations to its final stages. In contrast to the Russian Central Banks conservative stance on bitcoin and other virtual currencies, Olga said that the house was working on a business-friendly framework for these assets integration. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The House is likely to pass the crypto regulation law by March, which could further pave the way for the government to launch its central bank digital currency. Read the full story on CCN.com. Dakar (AFP) - Senegalese leader Macky Sall's camp crowed victory on Monday after presidential elections for which his key rivals had been barred, but the opposition dubbed the declaration premature and predicted a runoff vote. Full official results from the vote are expected by Friday midnight at the latest. If none of the five candidates wins more than 50 percent, a second round is scheduled for late March. Prime Minister Mahammed Boun Abdallah Dionne sparked controversy by declaring Sall's victory just hours after polling closed on Sunday. He claimed Sall had won in 13 regions, according to early results, and only lost in one. "The results allow us to say that we should congratulate President Macky Sall on his re-election," Dionne said, predicting his boss would receive "at least 57 percent" of the vote. Sall's two main challengers -- former prime minister Idrissa Seck, who is making his third run for president -- and taxman-turned MP Ousmane Sonko, immediately challenged that claim. "A second round is inevitable," Seck said. "At the current state of the vote count, no candidate, I say no candidate, including myself, can claim to have won the presidential election," added Sonko. Senegal has a population of 16 million of whom 6.7 million were registered to vote. A source in the interior ministry told AFP that turnout appeared to be around 68 percent. A geologist by training, Sall took over as president in 2012 after beating his former mentor Abdoulaye Wade. He campaign for a second term championing his "Emerging Senegal" infrastructure project to boost economic growth. A new system approved by parliament last year required presidential candidates to demonstrate support from a minimum number of citizens and regions. Once the regulations went into force, only seven candidates made the cut, but two of them -- popular Dakar mayor Khalifa Sall and Karim Wade, the powerful son of President Sall's predecessor, were then disqualified over their convictions for misuse of public funds, which they say were engineered to bar them from the race. Story continues As a result, neither the Socialist Party nor the Senegalese Democratic Party, which have dominated the country's political landscape since independence, fielded presidential candidates. Despite tensions spawned by the conflicting results claimed by the government and the opposition, the coastal capital Dakar was calm on Monday. However, there was less traffic and the state-run bus company did not run its services, fearing attacks on its vehicles. - 'No manipulation' - The opposition also accused private and international media of inflating the figures to favour Sall, an accusation denied by some news organisations. Some voters like Fatou Kane Aidara, who lives in a Dakar suburb, said the figures claimed by the presidential camp were solid. "The results are coming directly from the counting offices and the journalists are taking them after they have been published and transmitting them to radio and television stations," she complained. Often held up as a model of stability in Africa, Senegal has enjoyed strong growth. The Muslim-majority country has largely escaped the jihadist attacks that destabilised neighbours such as Mali. Sall has made transport infrastructure a priority. But basic services, healthcare and education often remain inadequate, sometimes triggering strikes and protests. Senegal has known two peaceful power transfers in 2000 and 2012 and has never experienced any coups. But election campaigns are often marred by charges of corruption, disinformation and sometimes violence. Clashes erupted between protesters and members of the Venezuelan National Guard at the Colombia-Venezuela border on February 24, local media said. The Venezuelan government had ordered the closure of the border to prevent the entry of humanitarian aid, El Nuevo Herald reported. At least two people were killed and dozens wounded in border clashes on February 23, Colombian media reported. Footage here was captured by local reporter Gabriela Gonzalez and shows protesters on a bridge at the border between the towns of Urena, Venezuela, and Cucuta, Colombia, on February 24. Debris and a damaged vehicle are seen. Credit: Gabriela Gonzalez via Storyful Chisinau (AFP) - The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe on Monday said the closely watched parliamentary election in Moldova was competitive but criticised "strong indications of vote buying". The OSCE said Sunday's vote was "tainted by allegations of pressure on public employees" and "the misuse of state resources". "Control and ownership of the media by political actors limited the range of viewpoints presented to voters," the monitors also said. Both pro-Moscow and pro-EU forces have accused the ruling Democratic party of massive election fraud. The election took place under a new voting system, which the OSCE said "was adopted without inclusive public debates." Ex-Soviet Moldova elected a parliament with no clear majority, results showed on Monday, potentially throwing the impoverished country into political turmoil. The pro-Russian Socialist Party, which is close to President Igor Dodon, won the largest share of the vote, taking over 31 percent. Dodon and pro-Brussels opposition leader Andrei Nastase have accused the ruling Democratic Party of vote buying. They said the party, led by powerful oligarch Vlad Plahotniuc, had bussed in voters from the country's separatist breakaway region Transnistria and told them how to vote. The inconclusive result will complicate coalition talks and could lead to protests or even new elections within weeks. Seoul (AFP) - Pyongyang's state media on Sunday slammed US critics of the planned meeting between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un a day after the North Korean leader boarded an armoured train en route to the summit venue in Vietnam. The two leaders are due to meet next week in Hanoi after their groundbreaking first summit in Singapore last June, which produced a vague statement on the "denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula". Senior officials from Washington and Pyongyang are holding preparatory talks in Hanoi -- which are expected to be largely focused on establishing the agenda for the summit. Stephen Biegun, the US Special Representative on North Korea who is leading the American delegation, acknowledged last month that Pyongyang and Washington did not have a "shared agreement of what denuclearisation entails". The lack of progress since the first summit has fuelled scepticism in Washington over the North's intentions, with Trump's own intelligence chief saying Pyongyang was unlikely to completely give up its weapons programme. But in a sharply-worded commentary issued Sunday, the North's official Korean Central News Agency slammed US critics and urged the Trump administration to seize "the rare historic opportunity". "The US administration must not forget last year's lesson when it plunged the bilateral negotiations into a stalemate, being swayed by the opponent forces," it said. "If the upcoming DPRK-US negotiations end without results as wished by the opponent forces, the US people will never be cleared of the security threats," it added. Pyongyang is seeking relief from punishing UN sanctions and rejects demands for what it calls its "unilateral" disarmament. Washington insists that the measures must stay in place until North Korea gives up its nuclear arsenal. Experts say tangible progress is needed in Hanoi to avoid the talks being dismissed as a publicity stunt. microsoft hololens 2 In an announcement that surprised no one, Microsoft today unveiled HoloLens 2, the revolutionary mixed reality device that landed the tech giant a nearly half-billion dollar contract with the U.S. military. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. As Microsoft executives basked in the glory of the $3,500 device at MWC 2019 in Barcelona, some of its employees were weeping. These workers are terribly upset over the HoloLens. They charge that the legendary software company has crossed the line into weapons development. They have publicly rebuked the company via Twitter (of course, where else to blast your own employer?). Through the social media platform, Microsoft workers posted a letter in which they demanded Microsoft cancel a contract with the U.S. Army, which agreed to pay nearly $480 million to buy around 100,000 customized HoloLens 2 headsets. Read the full story on CCN.com. BARCELONA (Reuters) - Microsoft unveiled the latest version of its HoloLens augmented reality headset on Sunday, promising wearers would feel more immersed in the augmented reality experience and more comfortable. Slipping on the carbon fiber goggles is as "simple as putting on your favorite hat", Microsoft developer Alex Kipman told a launch event at the mobile industry's biggest trade fair in Barcelona. Augmented reality devices overlay images as holograms on to a user's real-life field of vision, aiming to improve efficiency at businesses ranging from doctors' offices to factory floors. Microsoft showed off how the HoloLens 2 can track eye movements, and allow wearers to feel as though they can touch and manipulate holograms - playing a hologram piano and changing the speeds on a hologram windfarm installation. The devices were also attached to hard hats for construction workers. (Reporting by Isla Binnie; Editing by David Holmes) [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [SOUND] [BLANK_AUDIO] Following a stylish touch down in Morocco late Saturday evening, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, who arrived hand-in-hand, have remained inseparable throughout their visit to the North African country. On Sunday, the expectant parents shared some subtle PDA while traveling to a boarding school in the Atlas Mountains, with Meghan resting her head on Harry's shoulder both were sporting huge smiles. Once inside the boarding house, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge cuddled up together on a couch as Meghan received a henna tattoo for "good luck" before their first baby's arrival. At another point during their visit to the Atlas Mountains, the pair were in sync, as they held hands in coordinating casual ensembles. Meghan wore a chic navy blazer by Alice + Olivia over a black T-shirt, matching jeans, a gray scarf, and her beloved Birdies flats. Meanwhile, Harry wore a gray pullover with charcoal jeans and brown Chukka boots. Note to self: Find someone who looks at you like Harry looks at Meghan. Mark Episkopos Security, The new class of subs is missing one key feature. Meet Russia's New Lada-Class Submarine: The Next 'Stealth' Threat to the U.S. Navy? The second Lada-class submarine has been laid down and is set to undergo a series of trials over 2019, according to Commander in Chief of the Russian Navy Vladimir Korolyov . Serial production of the non-nuclear Lada-class submarines continues. This year, testing will commence on the second non-nuclear Lada-class submarine-- Kronstadt, which was laid down in September 2018, announced Korolyov. Russian news outlet RT has obtained and published just under a minute of footage commemorating the occasion. The clip features several close-up shots of the submarine-- Kronstadt-- afloat, in motion, and sitting in a floating dock. Kronstadt was introduced last year as the herald of a new era in Russian submarine design. As United Shipbuilding Corporation President Viktor Chirkov put it, this new submarine allows us to move forward in executing the Presidents orders concerning the construction of Russias new, modern submarine fleet. This sense of urgency in pushing out the Lada-class (Project 677) line comes into perspective considering the current state of the Russian fleet. A great swathe of Russias submarine roster is occupied by the aging, Soviet Kilo class that the Lada is meant to replace. What separates the Kilo line from its Lada-class successor? At first glance, nothing that would suggest a clear generational leap. Improved stealth characteristics and new sonar radars are among the most apparent improvements, but these minor tweaks could have just as easily been worked into a modernized Kilo line without the need to launch a new class. Meanwhile, the submarine-launched 3M-54 Kalibr cruise missiles serving as the centerpiece of Ladas weapons suite are fully compatible with current Kilo-class vessels. As previously discussed by The National Interest, the Lada class is defined by one core feature: an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system that purportedly generates half the system noise of a diesel-electric powered Kilo submarine. According to Lada engineers, other AIP benefits include reduced displacement (vessel weight) of around 25 percent and smaller crews. But after eleven years of development, Russian engineers have struggled to develop and implement Ladas hydrogen-oxygen AIP that converts diesel fuel into hydrogen energy. Story continues But the first Lada vessel, Saint Petersburg, arrived with a standard diesel-electric engine and has since been repurposed as a testbed for future submarine research and development. Unlike its Saint Petersburg counterpart, Kronstadt will be transferred to the Russian Navy after its trial period; however, it too runs on a diesel-electric engine rather than AIP technology. The manufacturer, Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering, has clarified that future Lada submarines will be laid down with a proprietary AIP system. It remains to be seen how-- or if-- AIP will be implemented on the heels of these initial setbacks, with the next Lada release scheduled for 2021. Russian military experts agree that Project 677 cannot escape the shadow of the Kilo class and become the fresh face a modernized Russian submarine fleet without its AIP system. This is apparently why the Kremlin has begun to hedge their bets, supplementing the Lada project with a with a small Kilo modernization program expected to yield two new submarines in 2020. But what if AIP integration proves unfeasible, perhaps due to some combination of cost and quality-control issues? With the Borei and Yasen projects submarine projects aggressively competing for a slice of Russias naval budget, a deep Kilo modernization may prove to be a cost-effective short term solution while the Russian Navy either re-conceptualizes the Lada project or conceives a different line to succeed the Kilo class. Image: Creative Commons. Read full article By Anggy Polanco, Mayela Armas and Nelson Bocanegra URENA, Venezuela/CUCUTA, Colombia (Reuters) - Troops loyal to President Nicolas Maduro violently drove back foreign aid convoys from Venezuela's border on Saturday, killing two protesters and prompting opposition leader Juan Guaido to propose that Washington consider "all options" to oust him. Trucks laden with U.S. food and medicine returned to warehouses in Colombia after opposition supporters failed to break through lines of troops, who dispersed them with tear gas and rubber rounds, injuring dozens. Witnesses said masked men in civilian clothes also shot at protesters with live bullets. "Today's events force me to make a decision: to formally propose to the international community that we must have all options open to secure the freedom of our country," Guaido said on Twitter. The United States has been the top foreign backer of Guaido, who invoked Venezuela's constitution to assume an interim presidency last month and is now recognized by most Western nations as the OPEC nation's legitimate leader. President Donald Trump has in the past said military intervention in Venezuela was "an option", though Guaido made no reference to it on Saturday. Guaido had given a personal send-off to one convoy carrying aid from the Colombian city of Cucuta on Saturday. The opposition had hoped Venezuelan soldiers would balk at turning back supplies desperately needed in the country, where a growing number of its 30 million people suffer from malnutrition and treatable diseases. But while some 60 members of the security forces defected on Saturday, according to Colombian authorities, the lines of National Guard soldiers at the frontier crossings held firm, firing tear gas at the convoys. At the Urena border point, two aid trucks caught fire, sending plumes of dark smoke into the air as crowds raced to try to save the boxes of supplies, a Reuters witness said. Guaido said he would keep demanding Maduro let the aid in and would seek other routes. He said he would attend a meeting of the regional Lima Group of nations in Bogota on Monday with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence during which they would decide more actions to ramp up pressure on Maduro. "Today the world saw in minutes, in hours, the worst face of the Venezuelan dictatorship," Guaido said at an earlier news conference in Colombia, alongside Colombian President Ivan Duque. Angered by Duque's support for Guaido, Maduro said he was breaking diplomatic relations with Bogota and gave its diplomatic staff 24 hours to leave the country. Maduro denies his oil-rich nation has any need of aid and accuses Guaido of being a coup-mongering puppet for U.S. President Donald Trump. Washington has warned it could seek to impose tough new sanctions on Venezuela at Monday's summit if Maduro blocked the aid shipments. "What do the Venezuelan people think of Donald Trump's threats? Get your hands off Venezuela. Yankee go home," Maduro told a rally of red-shirted, flag-waving supporters in the capital, Caracas. "He is sending us rotten food, thank you!" Trump's national security adviser John Bolton said on Twitter that countries still supporting Maduro "should take note of what they are endorsing", in a thinly veiled rebuke to China and Russia. 'FREEDOM' In the Venezuelan border towns of San Antonio and Urena, troops fired rubber rounds at opposition supporters, including lawmakers, who walked toward the frontier waving Venezuelan flags and chanting "Freedom". Reuters television images from San Antonio showed a dozen men on motorbikes, dressed in black and wearing balaclavas, firing shotguns and pistols at a crowd. Demonstrators in Urena barricaded streets with burning tires, set a bus alight and hurled stones at troops to demand that Maduro allow aid into a country ravaged by a meltdown that has halved the size of the economy in five years. "They started shooting at close range as if we were criminals," said shopkeeper Vladimir Gomez, 27, wearing a white shirt stained with blood. At least six of about a dozen trucks that tried to reach Venezuela later returned to Cucuta, where Colombia's disaster management agency said they would be unloaded and the aid stored until Guaido requested their use again. Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello said he ordered a Puerto Rican ship carrying humanitarian aid to turn back after a Venezuelan navy ship threatened to open fire on it. "This is unacceptable and shameful," Rossello said in a statement. "We have also notified our partners in the U.S. government about this serious incident." A Reuters witness said two aid trucks crossed the Brazilian border but not the Venezuelan customs checkpoint. In the southern town of Santa Elena de Uairen at least two people were killed in clashes with security forces, according to a doctor at the hospital where they were treated. On Friday, a married couple in a nearby indigenous community was shot dead by security forces. Rights group Penal Forum said it recorded 29 injuries from bullet wounds and two deaths across Venezuela in clashes with troops on Saturday. Colombian authorities said they registered 285 people injured, including those affected by tear gas. "I'm a homemaker and I'm here fighting for my family, for my children and parents, resisting the military's tear gas," said opposition protester Sobeida Monsalve, 42, in Urena. DOZENS DEFECT Guaido had appealed to Venezuela's armed forces to stand aside and allow aid in, promising amnesty to officers who disavowed Maduro. Dozens of soldiers, whose families suffer the same shortages as other Venezuelans, took up his offer. "You don't owe any obedience to someone who sadistically celebrates that the humanitarian aid doesn't enter a country that needs it," Guaido said. A social media video showed troops who abandoned their post driving armored vehicles across a bridge linking Venezuela and Colombia, knocking over metal barricades, and then jumping out of the vehicles and running to the Colombian side. "What we did today, we did for our families, for the Venezuelan people," one of the defectors said in a video televised by a Colombian news program. Venezuela's ruling Socialist Party calls Guaido's aid effort a veiled invasion backed by Washington and insists that the United States should instead help Venezuela by lifting crippling financial and oil sector sanctions. On Saturday, Maduro turned his ire on Colombia and said Duque was letting its territory be used for attacks against Venezuela. "For that reason, I have decided to break all political and diplomatic relations with Colombia's fascist government," he told cheering supporters. Thousands of white-clad protesters gathered outside a military base in Caracas to demand that the armed forces allow in the aid. "This is the biggest battle that the armed forces can win," said Sheyla Salas, 48, who works in advertising. "Please join this struggle, get on the right side of history, allow the humanitarian aid to enter." (Reporting by Nelson Bocanegra, Anggy Polanco, Mayela Armas and Steven Grattan; Additional reporting by Helen Murphy and Julia Symmes Cobb in Bogota, Anthony Boadle in Brasilia, Ricardo Moraes in Pacaraima, and Angus Berwick in Caracas; Writing by Brian Ellsworth and Angus Berwick; Editing by Daniel Flynn, Grant McCool and Daniel Wallis) BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) The latest on Venezuela's political crisis (all times local): 10:35 p.m. The U.N. Security Council has scheduled an open meeting Tuesday on the latest events in Venezuela at the request of the United States. U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo is expected to brief the afternoon meeting. The Security Council is divided over Venezuela. The U.S. and many Western and Latin American nations back opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president, while Russia, China and other countries support President Nicolas Maduro and oppose any interference in Venezuela's internal affairs. The U.S. call for the meeting follows a widely publicized effort by Guaido to deliver humanitarian aid to the economically devastated nation that met strong resistance from security forces loyal to Maduro. The Trump administration announced new sanctions on Maduro's allies Monday. ___ 4:45 p.m. Colombia's foreign minister says Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido and his family face "serious and credible" threats on their lives that if carried out would lead to a forceful international response against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Carlos Holmes Trujillo's accusation came at the conclusion of a Monday meeting of regional diplomats and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence to discuss Venezuela's crisis. He provided no details about the alleged plot against Guaido and his family, saying only that Maduro will be held responsible if any of them are harmed. The Lima Group of nations and Guaido issued an 18-point declaration Monday in which they reiterate their call on the Venezuelan military to recognize Guaido as their commander in chief. They also ask the International Criminal Court to consider Maduro's blocking of emergency food and medical supplies a crime against humanity and urge the United Nations to play a bigger role in resolving the crisis. ___ 2:15 p.m. Brazil's vice president says his nation will maintain its strategy of avoiding military intervention when it comes to neighboring Venezuela. Story continues Monday's tweet by Vice President Hamilton Mourao came as U.S. Vice President Mike Pence met with regional leaders about Venezuela and said that "all options are on the table." Mourao said Brazilian officials "believe in diplomatic and international economic pressure." Pence, Mourao and several other top leaders were in the Colombian capital of Bogota for a meeting of the so-called "Lima Group." The group is a 14-nation coalition of mostly conservative Latin American nations and Canada that has joined together to pressure President Nicolas Maduro to leave power. The meeting comes two days after a U.S.-backed effort to deliver humanitarian across the border from Colombia and Brazil ended in violence. ___ 12:30 p.m. Vice President Mike Pence says the United States is sending another $56 million to neighbors of Venezuela to help them cope with migrants fleeing that nation's deepening crisis. Pence said Monday that the United States has already provided more than $139 million in aid to help Venezuela. He spoke in Colombia's capital at a meeting of The Lima Group, a coalition of mostly Latin American nations formed to address Venezuela's turmoil. Pence also met with opposition congressional leader Juan Guaido, who has declared presidential powers, arguing that the re-election of socialist President Nicolas Maduro was invalid. Pence said the U.S. has sent five military transport planes with 400 tons of food and medicine to Colombia and Brazil. Deadly clashes erupted over the weekend when Maduro refused to allow the aid cross, calling it part of a U.S.-led coup. ___ 12:05 p.m. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is asking a coalition of mostly Latin American nations to freeze assets of Venezuela's state oil company following a weekend of violent clashes over blocked humanitarian aid. Pence met in Colombia's capital on Monday with regional leaders in the Lima Group after President Nicolas Maduro's security forces blocked U.S. aid from crossing Venezuela's borders. At least four protesters died while more than 300 were injured in nationwide clashes. Pence called on regional leaders to freeze PDVSA assets a measure taken earlier by the U.S. He repeated President Trump's threat that "all options are on the table" to push out Maduro, whose re-election the United States and dozens of other countries consider invalid. Pence says the U.S. is also slapping financial sanctions on officials loyal to Maduro who blocked emergency aid and another in his inner circle. ___ 11:50 a.m. The United States is imposing new sanctions against allies of President Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. The Treasury Department on Monday announced the measures against four governors: Omar Prieto of Zulia, Ramon Carrizales of Apure, Jorge Garcia Carneiro of Vargas and Rafael Lacava of Carabobo state. The move blocks them from financial or commercial transactions with U.S. citizens or entities. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said they had blocked humanitarian aid shipments backed by the United States and opposition leader Juan Guaido, who is recognized by some 50 nations as Venezuela's legitimate leader. ___ 11:45 a.m. Germany is calling for greater pressure against the Venezuelan government of President Nicolas Maduro to bring about fresh elections. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Adebahr said Monday that Germany believes "the pressure on Maduro needs to be increased so as to move in the direction of free, fair and democratic presidential elections." Adebahr said Germany is consulting with fellow European countries, but would seek to have additional EU sanctions target those close to Maduro "and of course not worsen the dramatic hardship experienced by the citizens of Venezuela." Government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer condemned violence at points on the Venezuelan border where opposition figures have been trying to bring in aid shipments. Demmer said Germany was particularly concerned by "the apparent deployment of militias and groups of thugs to intimidate the population. ___ 10:30 am. The United States is planning new ways to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to give up power and to provide assistance to the people of the economically devastated South American nation. Vice President Mike Pence arrived in the Colombian capital on Monday and immediately met with Colombian President Ivan Duque. He'll also meet with members of a regional coalition and Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido to discuss the next steps aimed at ousting Maduro. Pence's appearance before the Lima Group comes two days after a U.S.-backed effort to deliver humanitarian across the border from Colombia ended in violence. Forces loyal to Maduro fired tear gas and buckshot on activists accompanying the supplies and setting the material on fire. Four people have been reported killed and at least 300 wounded. JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia has asked India to cut its tariff on refined palm oil to 45 percent, matching the levy faced by rival producer Malaysia, and has offered market access for Indian sugar in exchange, the trade ministry said on Saturday. Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita made the request during a meeting with Suresh Prabhu, India's minister of commerce, industry and civil aviation on the sidelines of an India-ASEAN Expo and Summit in the capital of New Delhi. Jakarta asked for a 5 percentage point cut in India's import tax to match the tariff of 45 percent New Delhi charges on products from neighbouring Malaysia, Lukita said in a statement. "In return, Indonesia is willing to open up market access for raw sugar from India that is needed by our national industry," he said, adding that Indonesia now imports raw sugar from Thailand and Australia. India responded positively, the minister added. Indonesia and Malaysia are the world's biggest producers of palm oil and India, the world's largest importer of edible oils, is an important market for both. Delhi has already cut import taxes on crude and refined palm oil from Southeast Asian countries on Jan. 1, at the request of suppliers. Traders said the bulk of Indian palm oil imports usually come from Indonesia, though a difference of 5 percentage points in taxes could increase Malaysia's market share. Indonesia shipped 6.7 million tonnes of palm oil to India in 2018, its palm producers association says. (Reporting by Bernadette Christina Munthe; Writing by Gayatri Suroyo; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The International Energy Agency is yet to assess the impact of the latest U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan oil supplies, its chief Fatih Birol said on Wednesday. "Far too early to speak about Venezuela and we are following the events very closely," Birol told Reuters on the sidelines of an industry event in New Delhi. 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 Nicolas Maduro to step down as president. For a Factbox see: (Reporting by Nidhi Verma and Sudarshan Varadhan; Editing by Richard Borsuk) Barcelona (AFP) - Huawei's chairman on Sunday shrugged of the risk that President Donald Trump could issue an executive order banning the Chinese telecom giant, saying the company could succeed without the US market. Guo Ping said such an order "is not necessary and should not be released" but if issued would have little impact on Huawei, which has become the leading supplier of the backbone equipment for wireless mobile networks worldwide. "In 2018 Huawei had revenues of over 100 billion dollars. The share of US in this is really small. That means the US market can be ignored by us," he told a press conference in Barcelona on the eve of the Mobile World Congress trade fair. Guo added that such a move would hurt some small telecoms operators in the United States that do use its equipment. US officials suspect Shenzhen-based Huawei's products could be used by Beijing to spy on Western governments and have already severely restricted the company's presence in the United States. Washington considers the matter urgent as countries around the world prepare to roll out fifth-generation or 5G networks that will bring near-instantaneous connectivity, vast data capacity and futuristic technologies such as self-driving cars. The administration has been lobbying allies to block Huawei from building 5G networks and Trump is reportedly mulling an executive order to stop the Chinese firm from selling advanced equipment in the United States. Huawei strenuously denied its equipment could be used for espionage. "We have never and we are not and we will never allow backdoors in our equipment and we will never allow anyone from any country to do that in our equipment," Guo said through an interpreter. "Huawei needs to abide by Chinese laws and also by the laws outside China if we operate in those countries. Huawei will never, and dare not, and can not violate any rules and regulations in the countries where we operate," he added. Story continues The United States did not represent the whole world and Huawei hoped each country would make decisions based on its own interests, Guo said. Network operators seeking to quickly deploy the new wireless networks are in a bind as Huawei's 5G equipment is seen as being considerable more advanced than that of its rivals such as Sweden's Ericsson or Finland's NOKIA. The company has 180,000 employees in 170 countries and counts 45 of the world's biggest wireless carriers as customers. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex ended a very busy day in Morocco on Sunday as they attended a banquet at the home of the British ambassador to Morocco, Thomas Reilly, and his wife, Leah. The event marked the halfway point of their short tour of the country, and it was the perfect excuse to celebrate and debut some glamorous outfits. Meghan was simply stunning in a Dior gown, while Harry looked dapper in a navy suit. Arriving hand-in-hand, the expectant parents looked relaxed and happy, and as loved-up as ever. They were greeted by the ambassador's young daughters, who gave Meghan gifts of flowers. They they made their way into the dinner, which offered an opportunity for them both to meet a group of inspirational Moroccans, including young leaders, athletes, business leaders, and entrepreneurs. Keep reading to see all the photos of this very royal night out. CAIRO (AP) Extremists attacked an army checkpoint in the troubled northern Sinai peninsula on Saturday at dawn, causing 15 casualties among the armed forces including at least one officer shot dead, Egypt's military spokesman said. The army managed to kill seven of the extremists during the firefight, but did not give any further information on the army's own casualties, according to a statement by Col. Tamer Rifai. Two other officers in the area who gave a more detailed account said the officer and all the other 14 troops had been killed. The attack involved some 200 fighters storming in from nearby olive groves, hitting the outpost with sustained heavy gunfire before entering the compound, which is near an airport, they said. The men seized weapons and then fled back through the groves, they added, speaking on condition of anonymity as they weren't authorized to brief journalists. The army has for years been battling a long-running insurgency in North Sinai that is now led by an Islamic State affiliate. The fighting intensified after the military overthrew an elected but divisive Islamist president in 2013. Authorities heavily restrict access to the northern Sinai, making it difficult to verify claims related to the fighting. Sen. Cory Booker speaks in North Las Vegas, Nev. (AP Photo/John Locher) NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. So, is this election going to be about what were against, or what were for? Sen. Cory Booker asked a crowd of approximately 500 people who had come to see him speak Sunday at his first presidential rally in the state much of his family has called home for decades. With his mother seated in the front row and his uncle just behind her, the former Newark mayor turned New Jersey senator, just 23 days into his presidential campaign, delivered the sure-footed, polished stump speech he has honed in that time. Weve got to get back to saying its not about one person or one office, its about the cause of our country. We cannot do great things if were ripping each other apart, if we fail to see the dignity of all Americans, Booker exclaimed to hearty applause. With a crowded field of Democratic candidates eyeing the chance to challenge President Trump in the 2020 general election, the central question for many of the voters who oppose him is which one has the best strategy for taking him down. Im very much against the current administration, so Im listening to everyone whos running against him, said retired public school teacher Dianne Lombardi, 59. Last week she turned out to hear Sen. Elizabeth Warren speak. On Sunday it was Booker. On Friday shell go to see Sen. Kamala Harris. That cavalcade of candidates hitting Vegas is a result of the fact that Nevadas Feb. 22 caucuses will be the third contest on the primary calendar in 2020, just after the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary. Booker is betting that an Obama-like, uplifting message will resonate with voters after four years of Trump. Sen. Cory Booker speaks to reporters in North Las Vegas, Nev. (Photo: David Knowles/Yahoo News) I really like Cory Booker and his message of unity, Taylor Johns, a 28-year-old casino worker, told Yahoo News. In this time, after so much division, Booker is so empathetic and is delivering a really positive message of showing people love even if you disagree with them. Thats going to be something thats going to be necessary after this administration. Story continues Like Harriss stump speech, Bookers is designed to introduce himself to voters who may not know much about him. Unlike Harris, who has sometimes left voters questioning the specifics of her former career in law enforcement as well as her platform, Bookers story flows more evenly. Booker recounted the systematic discrimination his African-American parents, both executives at IBM, faced when they attempted to buy a home in New Jersey in 1969. They found this great group of lawyers and they set up a sting operation, Booker said, recounting how his parents would go look at a house only to be told by a real estate agent it had already been sold. Then his lawyers sent in a volunteer white couple, who were encouraged to make offer on the property. When the agent was later confronted with the fact that he had discriminated against Bookers parents, he punched the lawyer representing the Bookers and set a dog on Bookers father. In the end, however, his parents prevailed and, under threat of legal action, were allowed to purchase the house. Having grown up hearing his father recount that story throughout his childhood the dog got a little bigger with each retelling informed Bookers desire to want to rid the world of injustice. Its those personal connections that make the policy sections of his speech feel authentic. Like Warren, Booker pushed universal pre-K education and universal health care in his Sunday speech, and spoke in favor of aggressively combating climate change with the Green New Deal pushed by progressive activists. Sen. Cory Booker speaks at a campaign rally in North Las Vegas, Nev. (Photo: David Knowles/Yahoo News) But Booker knows how to keep his crowd from slipping into a policy coma, deftly inserting memorable applause lines into a 35-minute speech, as when he described America as a nation that treats you better if youre rich and guilty than if youre poor and innocent, or when he said the countrys hard-working citizens find themselves with more month at the end of their money than more money at the end of their month. A graduate of Stanford University, Yale Law School and a Rhodes scholar at Oxford, Booker, 49, is one of the better public speakers in the Democratic field. Taking questions from roughly a dozen audience members, he seemed to thrive on the opportunity to discuss the concerns of voters. When asked what can be done to end the school-to-prison pipeline, Booker circled back to his proudest legislative achievement to date: helping shepherd criminal justice reform into law. We lock up the most vulnerable in our society, Booker said before broadening the discussion to include women. Eighty-six percent of the women we incarcerate are survivors of sexual assault, he added. Asked about the Trump administration of separating migrant parents attempting to enter the country illegally from their children, Booker called the practice moral vandalism, and vowed to end it if elected president. When greeted by the father of a woman serving in the U.S. Navy who described himself as unhappy with the current commander in chief, Booker approached the man and asked if he could film a message on his phone for his child. Hi, Gina, its Cory Booker, the senator said as he stood beside the man. Im sitting here in a meeting with some friends and all of us wanted to thank you for the service youre doing for this country. Sen. Cory Booker takes a selfie with a supporter. (Photo: John Locher/AP) Despite the frustrations expressed by those in the room and the enormity of the challenges that issues like climate change represent, Bookers takeaway message was to tell them to remain positive about the countrys future, and he closed his remarks by urging them not to give up on a word whose significance wasnt lost on the room. Hope is the active conviction that despair will never have the last word, he said. When the ovation he received finally died down, Booker continued to take questions and pose for selfies with fans. Sitting nearby, his mother reflected on her sons performance. Im very pleased with him today. Im very pleased hes running for this high office because I believe this is a time in our history when we really need positive leadership, she said before adding, I just wish his father was here. At a press gaggle following his speech, Yahoo News asked Booker how he planned to pay for things like universal health care and universal preschool. Bringing the corporate tax rate back up to 25, 26 percent brings in a lot more revenue. Getting rid of loopholes, like carried interest, brings in a lot of revenue, Booker replied. Raising the marginal tax rates that were reduced in this tax bill under President Trump, raising them just to what they were in the Obama administration raises tremendous revenue, and they wouldnt touch 98 percent of Americans. But its not just a return to Obama-era tax rates that Booker foresees; his campaign itself is built on bridging the partisan divide. While that goal proved short-lived for the 44th president, Booker says thats no reason to give up hope. I think its a question for anybody thats running for president on either side of the aisle, you have a politics that doesnt reflect who we are as a country, Booker said. We agree broadly on things like 86 percent of NRA members agree that we should have universal background checks. The way I talk is the way I talked when I was running for city council when I ran for mayor, when I ran for Senate is that if you elect me for president of the United States, I am going to ask for more engagement from American citizens. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: By Jack Stubbs BARCELONA, Spain (Reuters) - Huawei Technologies unveiled a $2,600 folding smartphone on Sunday which it said was primed for next generation 5G mobile connections, even as the United States campaigns to bar the Chinese company from such networks over security concerns. Huawei, the worlds second-largest smartphone vendor after Samsung, said it had taken the lead on developing phones for 5G - which promise super fast internet speeds for consumers and businesses - because it was also involved in developing the networks. "This phone is not only for today for 5G but also for future 5G. On all the benchmarks you can see the performance, the speed is the fastest for 5G in the world," said Richard Yu, head of Huawei's consumer business group. Speaking ahead of the mobile industry's biggest global event, which kicks of on Monday in Barcelona, Yu said the Huawei Mate X will have two back-to-back screens which unfold to become an eight-inch tablet display. Yu said the Mate X would be able to download a 1 gigabyte movie in three seconds but also be priced at 2,299 euros ($2,607) when it goes on sale later this year, setting a new upper limit for consumer smartphones. Samsung Electronics Co Ltd last week unveiled its own folding smartphone, priced at nearly $2,000, in a bid to top the technology of Apple Inc and Chinese rivals and reignite consumer interest amid slumping sales. [USN] Huawei, which is also the world's biggest producer of telecoms equipment, is under intense scrutiny in the West over U.S.-led allegations of enabling Chinese state espionage, accusations which the company denies. Huawei's chairman said on Sunday recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump that the U.S. needed to get ahead in mobile communications through competition rather than seeking to block technology was "clear and correct". [L5N20J0EI] ($1 = 0.8818 euros) (Reporting by Jack Stubbs and Doug Busvine; Editing by Paul Sandle) Washington (AFP) - Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen could stir fresh turmoil for his former boss when he begins three days of testimony before lawmakers Tuesday on the president's murky business and personal affairs. Already facing a three-year prison term for "dirty deeds" he performed at Trump's beckoning, Cohen will face questioning behind closed doors Tuesday at the Senate Intelligence Committee on his work for Trump and the 2016 Trump campaign's ties to Russia -- still a focus of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. On Wednesday he will appear in public before the House Oversight Committee, and then Thursday will be quizzed in a closed hearing of the House Intelligence Committee. "Michael Cohen is the one person who has accused the president of committing a crime," Elijah Cummings, Democratic chairman of the House Oversight Committee, told NPR. In deference to the Mueller probe, Cummings's panel will not ask Cohen about Russia-related matters. "The president has basically called Michael Cohen a liar. So I think it's only fair to Michael Cohen and to the president that representatives of the people... have an opportunity to ask questions," Cummings said. According to Cummings, the committee will be probing Trump's finances -- including suspect loans from Deutsche Bank -- hush payments Trump allegedly told Cohen to arrange for two alleged former lovers, his business conflicts of interests while in politics and the practices of the Trump Organization, the billionaire president's real estate and entertainment company. Should Cohen be candid, the testimony could be explosive. His dozen years as a trusted Trump lieutenant gave him access to highly sensitive details of the former real estate magnate's business and personal affairs. Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis told ABC News that his client would detail "personal, front-line experiences" of incidents and conduct by Trump that even hardened listeners would find "chilling." Story continues - Record of lying to Congress - But Trump and Republicans are expected to dismiss the testimony on the grounds that Cohen has already been convicted for lying in testimony on Congress, which he later admitted he did to protect the president. The 52-year-old, who once said he would "take a bullet" for Trump, pleaded guilty last year to bank fraud, tax evasion and campaign finance violations, as well as the lying charges, and in December was sentenced to three years in prison. His incarceration has been postponed so he can continue to support the Mueller probe and provide testimony in Congress. But his appearances before legislators were delayed for weeks after Davis said Cohen and his family had been threatened by Trump. "This is a time where Mr Cohen had to put his family and their safety first," Davis said on January 23. - 'A lot to offer' - Meeting out of the public eye, the two other panels will be free to question Cohen about anything, including Russia-related matters being probed by Mueller. "We think he has a lot to offer," Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, told ABC's "This Week" on Sunday. Schiff said they expect to learn more about possible efforts to obstruct their investigation, and negotiations to build a Trump-branded skyscraper in Moscow even while he was running for president. "What we have learned to date about Moscow Trump Tower is chilling and that is, as Donald Trump was campaigning for president, even when he became the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party and he was telling the country he had no business dealings with Russia, he was privately through his organization seeking the Kremlin's help to what may have been the most lucrative deal of his life," Schiff said. Schiff also hopes to learn about who, if anyone, directed or supported Cohen in lying to the committee in an earlier hearing. "Who would have been aware of the false testimony that he was giving? What other light can he shed now that he's cooperating on issues of obstruction of justice or collusion?" the lawmaker asked. Sharm el Sheikh (Egypt) (AFP) - European and Arab leaders on Monday ended their first summit pledging to launch a "new era" of cooperation on topics ranging from counter-terrorism to migration despite sharp differences over human rights. Around 40 EU and Arab leaders stressed at their two-day summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh how their challenges were interlinked and required joint efforts to meet them. In a final statement, the leaders pledged to "embark on a new era of cooperation and coordination" that would boost stability and prosperity in both regions and beyond, all within a rules-based international order. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the summit host, highlighted common interests on counter-terrorism, migration, economic development and efforts for peace in Yemen, Syria, Libya as well as between Israel and the Palestinians. But Sisi shot back at a European journalist who asked him to respond to EU criticism of human rights in Egypt. "You are not going to teach us about our humanity, our values, and our morality," Sisi said during the closing news conference. "Respect our humanity and our morality as we respect yours." The Egyptian leader said "our priorities are different" as people of the region faced hundreds if not thousands of terrorist acts, compared with Europe which had only a few. Jean-Claude Juncker, head of the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, told the same news conference that differences on "respect for human rights should not prevent us from envisaging the future with optimism." There were also differences on how to deal with Iran, with the Sunni-led Arab countries taking a harder line toward the government in Shiite-dominated Tehran. A Western diplomat told AFP several Arab countries wanted a firmer position on Iran in the final summit statement, which the Europeans refused to do. Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel earlier cautioned against expecting too much from the first EU-Arab League summit. Story continues "If you think that by seeing each other for 24 hours in Sharm el-Sheikh and it's peace in the world and in the region, then you believe in Father Christmas," Bettel told reporters. But Bettel said the summit helped lay the ground for future talks and led to important personal contacts. - 'Same concerns' - Both sides agreed the need to work together to manage migrant and refugee flows as well as fight extremists, though Europe is itself divided on migration. More than one million people, most of them fleeing the war in Syria, entered the bloc in 2015. Eastern EU governments have refused to admit asylum seekers landing in front line states like Italy and Greece. Conflict-wracked Libya meanwhile is used as a staging area by smugglers and traffickers to take economic migrants and asylum seekers to Italian shores. European leaders have also stressed the need to defuse conflicts in the region because they are linked to extremists implicated in a wave of terrorist attacks in Europe. Arabs and Europeans have both been battling the Islamic State group, and its followers. The group has territorially been pushed out of its strongholds in Iraq and Syria. The summit in the southern Sinai desert was heavily guarded by Egyptian security forces who are fighting a bloody jihadist insurgency a short distance to the north. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Sunday the two sides "share the same concerns when it comes to fighting terrorism, preventing radicalisation". Mogherini also said "we largely share the same positions" on Syria, the Arab-Israeli peace process, Yemen and Libya. Most of the leaders of the 22-member Arab League attended, except for Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, whose country was suspended from the League over the civil war, and Sudan's Omar al-Bashir, who is grappling with protests at home. Absent on the EU side were the leaders of France, Spain, Latvia and Lithuania. European Union countries viewed the summit as a way to protect their traditional diplomatic, economic and security interests while China and Russia move to fill a vacuum left by the United States. London (AFP) - Britain said Monday it will seek to ban the political wing of Hezbollah, making membership of the movement or inviting support for it a crime, in a move that earned swift praise from the United States and Israel. The decision follows outrage last year over the display of the Hezbollah flag, which features a Kalashnikov assault rifle, at pro-Palestinian demonstrations in London. "Hezbollah is continuing in its attempts to destabilise the fragile situation in the Middle East," British interior minister Sajid Javid said in a statement. "We are no longer able to distinguish between their already banned military wing and the political party. Because of this, I have taken the decision to proscribe the group in its entirety," he said. The ban is subject to a vote in the British parliament this week. Hezbollah is a Shiite militant movement established in 1982 during the Lebanese civil war. Its capture of two Israeli soldiers in 2006 sparked a 34-day war in which 1,200 people were killed. Israel's foreign minister welcomed Britain's decision and called for the United Nations to follow suit. "I would like to praise the British government on the decision to recognise the entire Hezbollah organisation as a terrorist organisation," Israel Katz wrote on Twitter. "In my upcoming meeting with the UN secretary-general in New York next week I will stress that the UN institutions should take a similar resolution." US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also commended the move and said it showed that "international unity to confront Iran's regime continues to grow". "This Iran-sponsored terrorist group has American blood on its hands & continues to plot & carry out attacks in the Mideast, Europe & around the world," he tweeted. The Hezbollah movement, now a major political party in Lebanon, holds three cabinet posts there. But British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said in a statement any distinction between its military and political wings "does not exist". Story continues "This (decision) does not change our ongoing commitment to Lebanon, with whom we have a broad and strong relationship," he added. Lebanon's Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil said senior British officials had agreed the issue should not "impact on bilateral relationships between Lebanon and Britain". Bassil, whose Free Patriotic Movement party is allied with Hezbollah in government, added it "will not have direct negative consequences on Lebanon because we are already used to this situation with other countries". Britain's government is also banning Ansarul Islam, a jihadist group which emerged near the border between Mali and Burkina Faso in 2016, and the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (JNIM), which has sworn allegiance to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. The country has 74 international terrorist organisations proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000. (Reuters) - British Prime Minster Theresa May told business leaders on Tuesday that extending the Article 50 process under which the UK is meant to leave the European Union on March 29 would serve no purpose, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday. May said delaying Britain's departure from the EU would bring no end to Brexit uncertainty or push parliament any closer to approving a withdrawal agreement, the FT report said, citing people who took part in a phone call with the prime minister. May asked lawmakers earlier on Tuesday to give her more time to negotiate a deal acceptable to both the European Union and the British parliament. (Reporting by Gaurika Juneja; Editing by Gareth Jones) Theresa May speaks to the press during the first joint European Union and Arab League summit in Sharm el-Sheikh (Getty Images) Theresa May is planning to let MPs vote on whether they want to delay Brexit, it has emerged. The PM is considering the move as an attempt to prevent a rebellion against her in the Commons this week, according to the Evening Standard. Three cabinet minister warned at the weekend that they would vote for a Brexit delay if a deal cannot be reached, against the instructions of the Government. In return for a promise not to inflict this humiliation, the PM now plans to make time for a vote in two weeks time on whether to delay Brexit for two months. Delaying Brexit is the rational solution if Theresa May fails to persuade MPs to vote for her deal, Donald Tusk said today. The European Council president was speaking after bilateral talks with the Prime Minister in Sharm El-Sheikh. Mr Tusk said: Prime Minister May and I discussed yesterday a lot of issues including the legal and procedural context of a potential extension. For me it is absolutely clear that (if) there is no majority in the House of Commons to approve a deal, we will face an alternative chaotic Brexit or extension. The less time there is until March 29, the greater the likelihood of an extension. Mrs May publicly insisted again that she did not want to extend Article 50, saying that doing so would not solve any of the problems plaguing the Brexit process. She said: Any extension to Article 50 isnt addressing the issues. We have it in our grasp, theres a real sense that we can achieve that deal. Its within our grasp to leave on 29 March and thats where all my energies are going to be focussed. At the weekend it emerged that EU officials are working on a plan to delay Brexit until 2021. According to The Guardian, the EU supports a long extension to Article 50 if the Prime Minister fails to win the support of MPs. Irish Prime Minister Leo Vardkar confirmed the stance today, telling press at an EU summit that a long extension would be worth it to avoid no deal. Story continues He said: Id certainly rather see an extension than seeing the UK leave without a deal. A long extension creates a complication in relation to the European elections, but thats a small complication relative to the impact on our economy. It comes as Mrs May delayed the meaningful vote on her Brexit deal until as late as March 12, just 17 days before the UK is due to leave. It is understood that Brussels is opposed to a short delay to Brexit as it would be unlikely for the current impasse in Parliament to be broken in a few weeks. Defence minister Tobias Ellwood hinted this morning that the PM could be about to suggest delaying Brexit. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte talks to Theresa May joined by Belgium Prime Minister Charles Michel and Luxembourgs prime minister Xavier Bettel (Reuters) This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. What happens this week? Theresa May admitted on Sunday that she had failed to make sufficient progress to put her deal to a vote in the Commons this week as planned. Instead she will make a statement on Tuesday about the latest talks with the EU and then will table an amendable motion, setting out her current Brexit approach. MPs will debate the motion on Wednesday and can put forward motions suggesting their own changes to Mrs Mays approach. A series of votes can be expected on Wednesday evening, likely including a motion to delay Brexit rather than leaving without a deal. Last time MPs voted on the PMs deal she was handed a humiliating defeat and it is unlikely that sufficient changes have been made to Mrs Mays deal to win over the House of Commons. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK Minsk (AFP) - Belarusian prosecutors on Monday demanded the editor of the country's biggest independent news site pay a hefty fine in a criminal case, which may allow her to avoid prison time. Marina Zolotova, the editor-in-chief of tut.by, is on trial over alleged "unauthorised access" to information from a state news agency. Rights groups have condemned the case as part of a crackdown on the media under President Alexander Lukashenko. If convicted, she faces up to five years in jail. But on Monday, prosecutor Yulia Kharcheikina demanded the 41-year-old journalist pay a fine of 25,500 Belarusian rubles ($11,900, 10,500 euros). Judges almost always side with the prosecution in the ex-Soviet country. Zolotova was initially detained in August along with nearly 20 other journalists over alleged "unauthorised access" to state-run BelTA news service. They were all released after being ordered to pay fines and damages to the news agency. But Zolotova was subsequently charged with "official inaction," or negligence, for failure to control her subordinates when they accessed BelTA by using account passwords for the agency. Zolotova has been accused of not concluding an official agreement with the news agency but she rubbished the charges. "It's not possible to force or make someone sign an agreement," Zolotova said in court, claiming the accusations were "illogical". "Apart from it, according to my job descriptions, I do not have to sign any agreements," she added. The charges were brought against Zolotova despite the fact that BelTA makes its stories freely accessible soon after subscribers see them. Tut.by said it was the first time in the history of modern Belarus that the chief editor of a media outlet was put on trial for her "professional work". Ex-Soviet Belarus, ruled by the authoritarian Lukashenko since 1994, was ranked 155th out of 180 in last year's Reporters Without Borders world press freedom index. "If Beale Street Could Talk" was crowned best picture on Saturday at the Film Independent Spirit Awards -- as Oscar favorite "Roma" scooped best international film. Directed by Barry Jenkins, "If Beale Street Could Talk" took two other prizes: best director for Jenkins, and best supporting actress for Regina King. It follows the story of a young African-American woman (KiKi Layne) who seeks to clear her husband's name before the birth of their son. Jenkins, whose film is nominated in three categories at Sunday's Oscars, was frank in his acceptance speech. "I'm not gonna lie, man. I didn't want to win this damn award. With everything going on in the world, it just feels strange to be up here," he said. "And so, I'm going to take this. But I want to take it by thanking all the women involved in If Beale Street Could Talk to make it the film that it was." Meanwhile, Glenn Close continued her sweep of this awards season, winning best actress for her role in "The Wife." The veteran actress is a favorite to take the same accolade at Sunday's Oscars. "It's very hard for me to accept the win-lose situation. I don't think there's any losers," she told reporters on the red carpet in Santa Monica, California -- which was actually blue -- accompanied by her dog, Pip. Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron's "Roma" won in the only category in which is was nominated: international cinema. "I'm optimistic, we are reaching a moment in which greater diversity is happening in cinema, and I think this greater diversity is going to make very soon this category irrelevant," he said. He may be right: "Roma" is nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including best film -- and it is a hot favorite to become the first non-English language film to win the top prize. Filmed in Spanish and Mixtec and based on Cuaron's childhood, it tells the story of a young indigenous woman (Yalitza Aparecio) who is a domestic worker for a rich family in 1970s Mexico City. Story continues British actor Richard E. Grant won best supporting actor for "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" -- but he doesn't think he'll win in the same category at the Oscars. "It's been carved in stone for the last month that a wonderful brilliant actor Mahershala Ali has got the award already," he told reporters, referencing Ali's nomination for "Green Book." Best first feature went to Boots Riley and "Sorry to Bother You" -- and the rapper and filmmaker took the chance to make a political point on the crisis in Venezuela. "The CIA is trying to have a coup in Venezuela ... we should all putting our voices out to stop the U.S. from having regime change for oil in Venezuela," he said upon receiving his statue. Algiers (AFP) - Algeria's prime minister on Monday insisted voters would determine if ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika gets a fifth term at the ballot box, after major protests against his candidacy. Tens of thousands of people on Friday took to the streets, including in the capital Algiers where demonstrations are forbidden, to vent their ire at Bouteflika's bid to extend his 20 years in power at elections in April. Presidential polls "will take place in less than two months, and everyone will make their choice freely", Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia said in televised comments that were the first official reaction to the protests. "Everyone has the right to support their candidate and be against any other candidate, the ballot box will decide in a peaceful and civilised way." Bouteflika, who uses a wheelchair and has rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013, announced on February 10 that he will run for another term in office. The veteran leader flew to Switzerland on Sunday for what the presidency called "routine medical checks" ahead of the April 18 vote. Ouyahia said Bouteflika has pledged to hold a national "conference, unprecedented in the history of Algeria" if he is reelected, where "everything" can be discussed. The premier urged Algerians to show "vigilance", claiming that the "calls to demonstrate were from an unknown source" and could get out of hand. "Algeria has been through enough suffering and experienced enough reforms to have the opportunity to choose in peace and quiet," he said. The scale of the demonstrations on Friday took many in the North African state by surprise. A follow-up call for protests by a small opposition group drew hundreds in central Algiers Sunday, but they were met by a heavy police deployment and tear gas. Bouteflika, who has governed Algeria since 1999, was instrumental in fostering peace after a decade-long civil war in the 1990s. By Colin Packham SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australias conservative government is on course for a heavy defeat at the coming election, a widely watched opinion poll showed on Monday, as Prime Minister Scott Morrison fails to woo voters with an aggressive national security pitch. A Newspoll for The Australian newspaper showed the opposition Labor party retained a lead of 53 percent to 47 percent over the Liberal-National government, unchanged from the previous poll earlier this month. The poll findings come despite Morrison's attempt to cast the election, due by May, as a referendum on border security and asylum seekers -- hot-button topics in previous elections. Labor and independents in February combined to amend the country's hardline border security laws against the wishes of the government. Under the changes, doctors are now able to evacuate asylum seekers requiring medical treatment from Australia's remote Pacific detention centers on Papua New Guinea or Nauru. Morrison dismissed the opinion poll findings that his government is poised for an inevitable defeat. "What we are saying on the economy and national security is resonating," Morrison told Sky News. "The election is in May, we are behind at half-time only." The poll of 1,582 people was conducted from Feb. 21 to 24 and had a margin of error of three percentage points. TAX CUTS, CLIMATE CHANGE With Morrison's security pitch seemingly failing to resonate with voters, his government is expected in April to promise tax cuts and sweeteners in the final budget ahead of the election. Armed with a pre-election war chest, Morrison said on Monday his government will spend A$2 billion ($1.43 billion) to reduce greenhouse emissions. The government has fractured badly in recent years over how to reconcile its support for the country's coal industry, a major exporter and power generator, while meeting commitments to lower emissions by 26 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. Morrison's perceived muted response to the issue was widely seen as a key factor in his government losing a critical by-election late last year, leaving the prime minister presiding over a minority government. Australia's absence of a stable carbon policy over the past decade has resulted in underinvestment in energy generation, which has led to soaring power prices and hurt energy-intensive manufacturers such as aluminum, steel and packaging makers. "We will continue to play our part in meeting the global challenge of climate change in the 21st century and we can hold our heads high," said Morrison in rejecting claims Australia was not doing enough to tackle climate change. (Reporting by Colin Packham; Editing by Peter Cooney and Michael Perry) Buenos Aires (AFP) - Argentina's former president Cristina Kirchner appeared in court on Monday for the third time in relation to the "corruption notebooks" scandal in which she is accused of accepting millions of dollars' worth of bribes. Kirchner, 66, refused to answer the judge's questions but submitted several written statements. Before entering the court in Buenos Aires, Kirchner posted several messages on social media in which she reiterated her claim to be the victim of "persecution and cruelty that only totalitarian governments dared to pursue at a time when the rule of law was suspended." The center-left Peronist politician served successive terms as president from 2007-15, and polls say she is the best placed opposition figure to challenge President Mauricio Macri in October's election. This is one of eight cases brought against Kirchner by judge Claudio Bonadio. Now a senator, Kirchner said the multiple cases were "a type of continuous film. I have to admit that in cinematographic terms, this film deserves an Oscar for its originality." In the corruption notebooks case, Kirchner is accused of having received tens of millions of dollars in bribes. The scandal revolves around the meticulous records kept by a government chauffeur, Oscar Centeno, of cash bribes he claims to have delivered from businessmen to government officials. Prosecutor Carlos Stornelli has said a total of $160 million in bribes was handed over between 2005 and 2015. Kirchner was previously ordered to be held in pre-trial detention over the case but, benefiting from partial parliamentary immunity, she is protected from imprisonment although not from prosecution. A former campaign staffer alleged that President Donald Trump kissed her without her consent during the 2016 election cycle and has filed a lawsuit arguing the violation caused her distress, the Washington Post reports. This is the first time Trump has been accused of sexual misconduct since he took office. The White House denies the allegations. In the lawsuit filed Monday, Alva Johnson alleged that Trump grabbed her hand and tried to kiss her without her consent outside a rally in Tampa, FL on August 2016. Johnson says once she realized what was happening, she turned her face and Trump ended up kissing her on the side of her mouth. I immediately felt violated because I wasnt expecting it or wanting it, she told the Post. I can still see his lips coming straight for my face. Johnson, who first joined the campaign in 2015 as an Alabama organizer, is seeking unspecified damages. The lawsuit also claims that she faced gender and racial-based pay discrimination, earning less than her white, male counterparts. The Trump campaign disputes the allegations. Johnson said she immediately told several people about the alleged kiss. She kept quiet for weeks, but told the Post that she first thought of coming forward in October 2016 after the infamous Access Hollywood tape, where Trump brags of sexually assaulting women, was made public. In the tape, Trump infamously said: Im automatically attracted to beautiful I just start kissing them. Its like a magnet. Just kiss. I dont even wait. He then added: When youre a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything. Johnson said that after hearing his remarks she understood that what had allegedly happened to her was part of a pattern. The White House denies the incident ever took place, pointing at how two witnesses who Johnson mentions in the lawsuit campaign official Karen Giorno and then-Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi have denied seeing the unwanted kiss. Story continues But Johnson said the violation has caused her anguish for nearly three years. "Ive tried to let it go," she told the Post. " You want to move on with your life. I dont sleep. I wake up at four in the morning looking at the news. I feel guilty. The only thing I did was show up for work one day." Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here? What Ivanka Trump Was Really Like In High School Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Makes Good On Her Promise Of Paying Staffers A "Living Wage" Few Details Emerge As Search For Missing Activist Amber Evans Hits One-Month Mark Thousands of teachers in Oakland, California, entered their third day on strike on Monday, after negotiations with the school district failed to reach an agreement over the weekend. The Oakland Education Association organized the strike on behalf of 3,000 Oakland educators starting on Thursday. The teachers union has demanded a 12 percent raise in salary for teachers, as well as smaller class sizes and more counselors and nurses for students. The school district said negotiations were back on as of Monday, but it was not planning to offer more than it had last week: a 7 percent wage increase and bonus over four years. Meanwhile, Oakland teachers, who work in a district serving 37,000 students, have said their students deserve more resources and, without a larger raise, they wont be able to afford housing in the Bay Area, where home prices have soared in recent years. Im on strike because I think our kids deserve better. They deserve a quality education and theyre not receiving that right now, said Janet Vasquez, a sixth-grade teacher at Life Academy in East Oakland, where most of her students are Latinx and many are from immigrant families. People cant afford to live here, Vasquez added, noting that one of her colleagues commutes from Sacramento, over an hours drive away. Vasquez herself, 22, grew up going to Oakland public schools and still lives with her family today. I cant afford to move out, she said. Oakland teachers are the latest to demand more pay and better classroom conditions. Tens of thousands of educators in Los Angeles went on strike last month and won a better agreement, and West Virginia teachers went on strike last week to protest what they viewed as a legislative effort to privatize public education. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. School district officials said they dont receive enough money from the state to be able to spend more on wages and other resources. Meanwhile, teachers have said the problem stems from the district mismanaging funds, spending too much on administrators and outside consultants. Story continues Has the district in the past mismanaged funds? Theres no question, said John Sasaki, Oakland Unified School Districts communications director, adding the district is busy trying to get everything under control and doing everything we can. He noted that the district plans to eliminate some upper management jobs in the central office, but with regard to consultants, itd be great if we could find the kind of money we need for teacher raises in consultants, but its just not possible. Union site representative Matt Hayes at Life Academy said the district has eroded the communitys trust and the state needs to get involved like right now to provide more funding oversight. On Monday, Oakland teachers picketed at their schools in the morning and then planned to rally midday in front of city hall before picketing back at schools in the afternoon. Vasquez said she has been talking to the parents dropping their kids at her school in the Oakland neighborhood of Fruitvale, using her Spanish to communicate with families from Mexico and Central America and explain why the teachers are striking. I say, I know you came here for a better future, and right now thats not what your kids are getting, she said. Theyre not receiving the same quality education other kids are getting. I think the future of the U.S. is in schools and if [President Donald] Trump was willing to shut down the government over the wall, the $5 billion he wants for the wall, he should be investing in our kids, she added. Related Coverage Los Angeles Teachers Union Votes To End Strike, Will See Educators Go Back Wednesday West Virginia Teachers Went On Strike And Won Again Oakland Teachers Go On Strike To Demand Higher Pay, Better Classroom Conditions Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. VP Mike Pence meets with Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, announces more sanctions and $56M in aid originally appeared on abcnews.go.com After rising tensions in Venezuela turned violent over the weekend, Vice President Mike Pence doubled down on diplomatic and economic pressure on Monday with additional U.S. sanctions on regime officials and a pledge to provide $56 million in aid to support partners in the region struggling to provide relief to the country's citizens. Pence met with the U.S.-backed opposition leader in Venezuela Juan Guaido on Monday, the latest in the Trump administration's show of support for the man it says is the country's legitimate leader, as it presses its effort to oust President Nicolas Maduro. The Pence-Guaido meeting in Bogota came after deadly clashes this past weekend between protesters and Venezuelan forces backing Maduro. The sides clashed over attempts to deliver humanitarian aid from Colombia into Venezuela. (MORE: Aid arrives at Venezuela border as US demands Maduro let it in ) At least two people died and over 300 were wounded, according to the Associated Press. "The tragic events of this past weekend has only steeled the resolve" of the United States to stand with Venezuela, Pence said. Pence made remarks before the press in a bilateral meeting with Guaido and Colombian President Ivan Duque. "We are with you 100 percent," Pence said to Guaido, reassuring the U.S.-backed leader the White House intended to continue its support until, Pence said, full "libertad," or liberty, was restored to Venezuela. Later, Pence pledged to give over $50 million in remarks before the Lima Group, a 14-country group of largely Latin American countries that rose out of violence in Venezuela and is intended to navigate the crisis in the country. The vice president also announced additional sanctions, effective Monday, on regime officials and three border state governors who the Trump administration believes assisted in blocking humanitarian aid. Earlier this month, the U.S. Treasury announced sanctions on five top Venezuelan officials. Story continues PHOTO: Police forces stand behind an activist holding a sign that reads 'No to the war in Venezuela, Let's defend life,' during a demonstration outside Colombia's Foreign Ministry in Bogota, Feb. 25, 2019. (Juan Manuel Barrero Bueno/AFP/Getty Images) He intensified pressure on the Lima Group specifically, asking not just for support but for the nations to freeze assets to Venezuela's oil and natural gas company, PDVSA, restrict visas and increase financial pressure on Maduro's "inner circle," and to vote to recognize Guaido's representative at the Inter-American Development Bank. In the last two weeks, the U.S. military sent around 400 tons of food and medicine to Colombia and Brazil, destined for Venezuela, Pence said, and is currently identifying new areas along the border where the United States can preposition additional aid to reach people inside the country. Maduro, who has urged the U.S. to keep its hands out of Venezuelan affairs, denies U.S. aid, calling it a precursor to an American invasion. Pence spoke directly to the military members backing Maduro on Monday. "These men worked to block aid for people in need and suppress peaceful protests and their actions will not go unpunished," the vice president said. He urged members of the Venezuelan armed forces to "make the right choice" and accept Guaido's "sincere offer of amnesty." To those who would not withdraw support for Maduro, Pence said he had a message from President Donald Trump: "You will find no safe harbor, no easy exit, no way out. You will lose everything." Pence reaffirmed the president and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's promise that "every option," including military interference in the country, is still on the table. The vice president's rhetoric on Venezuela has steadily increased since initial calls for support Guaido, holding round table discussions with Venezuela exiles earlier this month and calling on European leaders to recognize Guaido at the Munich Security Conference in Germany. PHOTO: Vice President Mike Pence disembarks from his plane upon arrival in Bogota, Feb. 25, 2019. (Joaquin Sarmiento/AFP/Getty Images) Pence also showed support for protesters in Venezuela preparing to head to the streets again soon. "To the freedom-loving people of Venezuela, know that you do not go alone," Pence said. Neighboring countries like Brazil and Colombia have joined a host of nations in recognizing Guaido's leadership. Some countries, like Mexico, have stayed neutral, while others, like China and Russia, have denounced foreign intervention in Venezuela's government. Pence called on more countries to support Guaido in his remarks on Monday. "And to leaders around the world, its time: There can be no bystanders in Venezuelas struggle for freedom. The United States calls on every nation to recognize Juan Guaido as Venezuelas President, and step forward to support the Venezuelan peoples struggle to reclaim their freedom and rebuild their democracy," the vice president said while addressing the Lima group in Bogota, Colombia. Pence was also scheduled to meet Monday with families who fled Venezuela. US, North Korea may declare end to Korean War during second summit originally appeared on abcnews.go.com South Korean government officials hinted that President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may reach an agreement to declare an end to the Korean War (1950-53) at their summit later this week. What format the end-of-war declaration will be, we dont know exactly," said Kim Eui-kyeom, a spokesman for South Koreas president, Moon Jae-in. "But we think there is fair enough possibility of an end of war declaration between the United States and North Korea. MORE: South Korean president optimistic on progress toward denuclearization PHOTO: Kim Jong Un top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, attends a ceremony which saw him off at Pyongyang Railway Station in Pyongyang. (Xinhua/Polaris) President Moon reinforced the sunny outlook for the summit with praise for Trump at a meeting with his senior secretaries on Monday. President Trump is personally spearheading diplomacy toward North Korea with his bold determination and new diplomatic strategies in order not to repeat past failures in diplomatic efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, Moon said, noting that a success will become yet another great feat that will be indelibly recorded in world history. PHOTO: President Donald Trump walks with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un during a break in talks at their summit, at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore on June 12, 2018. (Pool via AFP/Getty Images, FILE) This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. But Trump, speaking in Washington on Sunday, appeared to play down prospects for a major breakthrough at the upcoming summit with Kim on Feb. 27 and 28, he appears to be in no rush as long as North Koreas testing of any nuclear weapons has ceased. PHOTO: President Donald Trump greets people as he leaves the State Dining Room of the White House on Feb. 25, 2019, after speaking at the 2019 White House Business Session with Our Nation's Governors. (Carolyn Kaster/AP) "We see eye-to-eye, I believe, but youll be seeing it more and more over the next couple of days," Trump said, emphasizing that he and Kim had developed a very, very good relationship. "I dont want to rush anybody, I just dont want testing," the U.S. president said. "As long as theres no testing, were happy." MORE: In 'unprecedented' speech, Kim Jong Un says North Korea is ready for another summit with US, but warns against sanctions Trump also tweeted on Sunday that Kim knew that "without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the World." Kim is expected to arrive in Hanoi in the early morning on Tuesday. He has taken his personal armored train from Pyongyang on a 60-hour journey passing through China. Supreme Court to decide fate of cross-shaped WWI memorial in Maryland originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A 40-foot, 16-ton Latin cross on public land in Bladensburg, Maryland, is the next major legal test for the Constitutional separation of church and state. The Supreme Court will consider this week whether the memorial, erected in 1925 to honor 49 Americans who fought in World War I, improperly promotes Christianity at government expense. What the nine justices decide could have a sweeping impact on communities nationwide, where historic war memorials and government buildings bearing religious imagery are commonplace. "Is this 'establishment of religion' through entanglement? That is the operative question," said JP Schnapper-Casteras, a constitutional lawyer and former Supreme Court advocate for the Legal Defense Fund. PHOTO: The World War I memorial cross in Bladensburg, Maryland is seen, Feb. 8, 2019. (Eric Baradat/AFP/Getty Images) The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment says that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion," but the exact meaning and intent of the phrase are still widely debated. The Maryland cross memorial, designed by the mothers of the 49 fallen soldiers, was first erected on private property using private funds. But in 1961, the Maryland Park Commission took possession of the land and memorial and have since used state money to maintain them. In 2014, three local residents, represented by the American Humanist Association, filed suit in federal court seeking to have the monument removed from public property or modified into a non-religious memorial. "The Latin cross is not embraced by non-Christians or used by them as a symbol of death or sacrifice," the group writes in its brief to the Supreme Court. "Some faiths even view it as a symbol of their religious oppression. "Plaintiffs have each regularly encountered the Cross as residents, and two of them cannot avoid the Cross in the course of their ordinary routines." (MORE: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg returns to Supreme Court for 1st time since December) Story continues The Jewish War Veterans of America, in a supporting brief, argues that 11,000 Jews in Prince George's County, Maryland, are subjected each day to overt government discrimination against patriotic soldiers who are not Christian. "What they see when they look at the County's war memorial is a 40-foot high representation of the preeminent symbol of Christianity," the group argues. A federal district court upheld the constitutionality of the cross, reasoning that it served a secular purpose not the promotion of religion. But the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals later reversed that decision, agreeing with critics that it unambiguously promotes Christianity and entangles government and religion. The American Legion and Maryland Planning Commission, which are defending the cross, say it serves a secular purpose -- honoring war dead -- and cannot be considered apart from a long history and tradition of Christian symbols in American life. "The Commission's display and maintenance of the Peace Cross does not violate the Establishment Clause because it does not coerce belief in, observance of, or financial support for religion, and would survive any other test applied by this Court," the American Legion wrote in court documents. Dozens of religious, law enforcement, military and civic organizations have filed friend-of-the-court briefs defending the cross. "To disable the government from the use of religious symbolism to acknowledge important aspects of our history is to 'evince a hostility to religion' that is inconsistent with the Establishment Clause," argue a group of 84 members of Congress. "The Federal Government frequently uses crosses as symbols of courage, sacrifice and remembrance, or otherwise permits commemorative crosses to stand on federal land," they said. Two prominent monuments at risk, according to the group, are the Argonne Cross, a 13-foot white marble Latin cross, and the Canadian Cross, a 24-tall granite cross, both on display in Arlington National Cemetery. Cross-shaped monuments also dot national cemeteries, battlefields, national parks and military installations nationwide. The Cross at Ground Zero -- constructed in 2001 from steel beams recovered from the wreckage of the World Trade Center tower -- is displayed at the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum in New York City. "At least in the context of memorials, civic ceremonies, or similar practices that acknowledge or reflect the religious traditions of our people, this Court should look to this country's history and traditions, rather than mechanically applying judicial tests, the lawmakers told the court. (MORE: Supreme Court unanimously rules to limit states' ability to seize private property involved in a crime) The Maryland case offers the Supreme Court a chance to clarify what legal experts say has been an inconsistent and unhelpful legal standard enforced over the years. "The Supreme Court's decisions concerning religious displays on public property are notoriously fact-intensive and difficult to reconcile," said constitutional lawyer Haley Proctor, who filed an amicus brief on behalf of 84 members of Congress in the case. The court has previously approved public display of a menorah and Christmas tree in one city, but blocked erection of a nativity scene. On the same day in 2005, the court ruled that one state's public display of the Ten Commandments was permissible while a similar display in a different state was not. "As Justice Thomas has said, under the court's decisions, the constitutionality of displays of religious imagery on government property is anyone's guess," said Proctor. Now the justices have their first opportunity in more than a decade to set a new, clear rule for when religious displays are permissible on public property -- and when they are not. "As far as predictions go," Proctor said, "the widespread belief is that the court is likely to reverse the decision below and hold that the peace cross does not violate the establishment clause." The big question, constitutional scholars say, is what reasoning the court will give -- and whether they set a new single standard for future cases. "The big question is whether a majority of the court is ready to endorse the view that Justices Scalia and Thomas have been proposing for some time, namely, that because memorials and displays using religious symbols do not coerce religious activities or entangle church and state, they are simply not 'establishments' of religion," said Notre Dame Law School professor Richard Garnett. ABC News' Audrey Taylor contributed to this reporting. What could come out of Trump's 2nd summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Eight months after the summit in Singapore between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un of North Korea ended in a vague declaration about the "denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," the U.S. hopes to put some meat on those bones this week as the two meet again, this time in Vietnam. The Trump administration is pushing for concrete steps toward its goal of dismantling North Korea's nuclear weapons program. But the U.S. intelligence community and several top experts have warned that North Korea has no interest in giving up its nuclear weapons, which it sees as critical the Kim regime's survival, instead playing for time and sanctions relief. (MORE: 'It seems like the president is deflating expectations' ahead of North Korea summit: Former US Ambassador to the UN Bill Richardson) PHOTO: North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un walks with President Donald Trump, left, during a break in talks at their historic US-North Korea summit at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore, June 12, 2018. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images) Top U.S. officials said they're moving ahead with diplomacy to test that premise. But the initial steps that the administration has called for have been rejected by North Korean negotiators since June, and with an enormous gulf between the two sides, it's unclear how much can be accomplished in another sit-down -- a question complicated by Trump's own impulsiveness. What the US wants When Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his North Korean counterparts had their first post-summit meeting last July, the U.S. sought a declaration of the regime's nuclear capabilities: a list of facilities, weapons, scientists, budgets and more. But the North Koreans refused, releasing a scathing statement afterward that accused Pompeo of "robber-like demands." Since then, the U.S. seems to have abandoned a push for the whole pizza upfront and instead has settled on a slice-by-slice approach: a timeline of how the two sides can maintain each other's confidence and move toward their respective goals, meaning sanctions relief and security for North Korea and the Kim regime's elimination of nuclear weapons for the U.S. Story continues (MORE: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un begins long journey to Vietnam ahead of 2nd summit with President Donald Trump) That's where Special Representative Stephen Biegun's talks with his counterpart, Kim Hyok Chol, are focused now -- on "a roadmap of negotiations and declarations going forward," he said in a speech on Jan. 31. Biegun, Kim and their teams met for three days in Pyongyang at the start of February, and they've been negotiating a second agreement for Trump and Kim over the past week in Hanoi. PHOTO: President Donald Trump holds up a letter he says is from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Jan. 2, 2019, in Washington. (Evan Vucci/AP, FILE) But Biegun's efforts have been undercut by Trump, who has eased some pressure on North Korea by saying he's in "no rush." "I'm doubtful they'll actually get even a roadmap out of the North Koreans, given that the president wants to do the negotiating himself and the North Koreans are very likely to not give anything to the negotiators going in," said Michael Green, a former George W. Bush administration official and now Asia chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Even if the North Koreans do agree to a roadmap, it's unclear if it will be anything new or slivers of things previously offered. Biegun said last month Kim has committed to "the dismantlement and destruction of North Korea's plutonium and uranium enrichment facilities" beyond Yongbyon, the well-known, sprawling facility where North Korea has produced material for nuclear bombs. But North Korea has never corroborated that. (MORE: In 2nd summit with Kim Jong Un, President Donald Trump under pressure to show progress made) Instead, Kim has dangled access for international inspectors to Yongbyon, but only if the U.S. takes "corresponding measures." Inspectors have visited Yongbyon twice before, with no success of shutting the facility down. The other two sites likely to be offered are North Korea's nuclear test site Punggye-ri and a missile engine test site, known as Sohae. The regime said it has taken steps to dismantle both, but no outside observer has verified that, and neither site is particularly important to the nation's nuclear program anymore. "The roadmap declaration is going to be in these three facilities ... because what the North Koreans are really good at is kind of reselling the stuff that they sold before," said Sue Mi Terry, a former CIA analyst and now senior fellow at CSIS. PHOTO: In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center left, and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo walk together before their meeting in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018. (AP) But if they offer new access, including to the centrifuge facility at Yongbyon or previously undisclosed sites, that would be a promising step, several analysts said. "A revelation of a few undeclared facilities is meaningful. ... Inspectors on the ground or electronic monitoring in place, perhaps with an IAEA relationship -- that would be meaningful," said Rebecca Hersman, director of the Project on Nuclear Issues at CSIS. "I start to think this is serious, even if I don't get a full declaration." That seems unlikely to happen, however, and if it does, it will require the U.S. to pay some price. What North Korea wants The priority for North Korea is sanctions relief. Although sanctions enforcement has relaxed since the first summit and China has resumed more normal ties, the country is still hurting from U.N. Security Council sanctions on everything from oil imports to seafood exports. Pompeo said Sunday those sanctions will remain until there is "full, verified denuclearization." But he left an opening for some relief, telling CNN there are "lots of other ways that North Korea is sanctioned today that if we get a substantial step and move forward, we could certainly provide an outlet, which would demonstrate our commitment to the process as well." (MORE: Everything you need to know about the 2nd Trump-Kim summit) North Korea also made clear in state media in December that its definition of that crucial term "denuclearization" means the removal of U.S. forces from South Korea and the surrounding area, the so-called nuclear umbrella the U.S. military provides to allies. While Biegun said last month U.S. withdrawal has never been discussed, there are concerns Trump could agree to it, as he agreed in Singapore to unilaterally suspend U.S.-South Korean military exercises, taking the Pentagon and Seoul by surprise. Withdrawal would also be more in line with his instincts, as he's expressed opposition to U.S. bases overseas since at least the 1990s, accusing allies like South Korea and Japan of ripping America off. The North also wants normalized relations with the U.S., but there are conflicting reports about the nation's interest in opening diplomatic facilities in each other's capitals -- so-called liaison offices. Sources briefed on the negotiations said North Korea is less interested in the idea, even though the administration has pushed it. What Trump may want What complicates the talks are Trump's own impulses, sometimes at odds with U.S. policy goals. In addition to his doubts about U.S. troops in South Korea, he could seek a positive headline like an end of war declaration amid his domestic political troubles. The Korean War ended in an armistice in 1954. While an end-of-war declaration isn't going as far as a peace treaty, it would change the calculus on the peninsula, and it's something the president is seriously considering. "President Trump is ready to end this war. It is over. It is done," Biegun said last month. PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Feb. 12, 2019, in Washington. (Evan Vucci/AP) But several former officials warned that such a declaration could have disastrous effects long term. In particular, it would "make for good headlines, but ultimately have no impact in the nuclear program, and in many ways will be used by the Chinese, North Koreans and Russians to create mischief" and push for an end to the U.S.-South Korean military alliance, Green said. North Korea would continue to posses 20 to 60 nuclear weapons, intercontinental ballistic missiles, short- and medium-range missiles that threaten U.S. allies, in addition to chemical and biological weapons. "The situation on the ground has to reflect peace before you can declare it. You can't just politically declare peace while the situation has not changed. That is actually a dangerous situation," said Victor Cha, a top Korea expert in the Bush administration and one-time leading choice for Trump's ambassador to South Korea. Even the promise that Trump holds out for Kim is not necessarily appealing to the young dictator. In a wild video Trump played for Kim and afterward showed the media, he promised a dazzling future of economic prosperity if Kim gave up his nuclear weapons. But while Kim has taken steps to open up some markets and stated his intention to focus on economic development, he sits atop a communist system that relies on tight information control and would be undermined by the very things Trump is promising. "It's a Confucian, communist, hereditary dynasty. ... Would Kim risk dynastic succession, his own regime's power?" Sue Mi Terry told former deputy CIA director Michael Morrell on his podcast "Intelligence Matters." "I really question, is he this kind of transformative leader? I don't see any indication of that." Trump has strongly said otherwise: "North Korea, under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, will become a great Economic Powerhouse. He may surprise some but he won't surprise me, because I have gotten to know him & fully understand how capable he is," he tweeted on Feb. 8. That sentiment, based on one day of meetings and a series of letters since, will be tested when they are together in person this week for only the second time. The 91st Academy Awards went full Grammys for its opening tonight with a high-octane performance from members of Queen and Adam Lambert, but, to paraphrase a tune by the once Freddie Mercury-led classic rock band, then the hammer fell. This was the first Academy Awards not to have a host or hosts since the all-time rock bottom ceremony of the Oscars of 1989 and it really showed. We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions had much of the well suited and booted Hollywood crowd on their feet and cheering. Sadly, the de facto opening monologue from non-hosts Amy Poehler, Tina Fey and Maya Rudolph that followed afterwards was a cruel glimpse of what could have and should have been, maybe. Related stories If Easier On Viewers, The 2019 Oscars Were Awfully Rough On Collaborators 'Whiskey Cavalier' Ratings Decent In Post-Oscars Preview Oscar Ratings Up From 2018 To 29.6M Viewers With Hostless Show - Update For those of us watching in this era of declining ratings, the lack of a designated frontman after the Academys Kevin Hart debacle became an obvious problem quickly as Queen 2.0s dry ice and pyrotechnics had wafted away. Miraculously, even without a hosts monologue to eat up precious minutes, the shindig ended up running over three hours and 17 minutes to what must be ABCs severe chagrin even though that was 36 minutes shorter than last year. With a stage framed with what was either a Game of Thrones set reject or a Jeff Koons interpretation of Donald Trumps hair, tonights bloated Oscars was a live ceremony that certainly lacked form, far too often function. Sure, Julia Roberts showed up to present the Best Picture award and to see the Pete Farrelly directed and Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali starring Green Book get the big win and a remarkable back turning protest by Spike Lee in the Dolby Theatre. RelatedSpike Lee Pulls A Kanye When Green Book Takes Best Picture Oscar In the other big categories, Alfonso Cuaron won Best Director for Roma and delivered Mexico its first Foreign Language film win too. Rami Malek rightly took the Best Actor win for his role as the late great Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. More than deserving the standing ovation she received, a truly regal Olivia Colman shocked many by snagging the Best Actress award for her royal stint in The Favourite. Story continues And yes, Serena Williams, Barbra Streisand, a Spanish speaking and global culture- embracing Javier Bardem, Queen Latifah, Michael Keaton, the iconic Rep. John Lewis, Diego Luna, ex-Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello, Helen Mirren, a descending Keegan-Michael Key and a singing the Divine Miss M herself Bette Midler. There was all that star power, plus Mike Myers and Dana Carveys promise not to hurl, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gagas duet of the Oscar winning Shallow, Black Panther himself Chadwick Boseman, Game of Thrones Emilia Clarke, Nick Fury AKA Samuel L. Jackson, Awkwafina, James Bond AKA Daniel Craig, a tuxed Captain America AKA Chris Evans, Captain Marvel AKA Brie Larson, Jennifer Lopez, Charlize Theron, Tessa Thompson, Constance Wu and past Best Actress and Best Actor winners Frances McDormand and Gary Oldman too. Despite such a plethora of blockbuster luminaries, the Donna Gigliotti produced and Glenn Weiss co-produced and directed show itself felt harried and disconnected. An end result that was more like the scroll of a Twitter feed and not Tinseltowns biggest night. And Im sorry, but the Laura Dern fronted on-stage promo for the long-delayed Academy Museum and its hollow the dream is a reality pledge was pure filler in a ceremony that ABC desperately wanted to run as a tighter-than-usual ship. Now, granted, there was the bunny covered caped Melissa McCarthy and Brian Tyree Henrys truly inspired parody of Best Picture nominee The Favourite tonight which made me think what good hosts the Can You Ever Forgive Me? and If Beale Street Could Talk stars could be down the line. Honestly, there was also the instant classic line of I cant believe a film about menstruation just won an Oscar from Period, End of Sentences director Rayka Zehtabchi, and near classic instance of the Mother of Dragons herself Clarke offering her GoT winged pals to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. That leaping hug between an Adapted Screenplay winning Spike Lee and his Jungle Fever star and frequent collaborator Sam Jackson was also the real for real deal. Otherwise, there were few memorable moments or remarks amidst the revolving door of big screen and small screen A-listers. And, that kind of kneecaps the point of an awards show doesnt it? On a live event where no one but the accountants know beforehand who the winners are, you want surprises and you really want water cooler moments. Yet, there were few to be had on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences show on Sunday. What there was, early on and in an Oscar tradition that unnecessarily exacerbates the political divide in the country, Lego Movie 2 star Maya Rudolph took the first dig at Donald Trump by quipping how Mexico is not paying for his Southern border wall. A line that by itself undoubtedly led to a number of TV sets in the Red states turning the Oscars off, if they were watching at all. With the exception of a 2020 call to arms by Spike Lee later, the Trump-bashing was fairly low-key for the most part. It certainly was nowhere as low energy as tonights misfiring Oscars. What is amazing is that of late the Emmys are down, the Grammys are down, the Golden Globes are down and the Oscars are down in demo and viewership to lows unimaginable just a few years ago. Yet, with that hard fact, no one seems to want to make the hard choices to try to fix things in this era of change. Still stumbling from the face plant and deletion of the new Most Popular Film category, the Academy seemingly rushed into announcing Kevin Hart for the host job. A move that ultimately saw the Oscars going hostless this year because of homophobic slurs in The Upside actors old tweets. The lack of rudimentary research on the part of AMPAS was mind blowing as was Harts inability or refusal to get a solid apology out to salvage the whole thing. Then, with no one willing to take on what was seemingly a now thankless task, the Academy proclaimed they were also going to give out the Oscars for cinematography, editing, live action short, and makeup and hair during commercials to save broadcast time. Blowback from those guilds and the likes of Quentin Tarantino, Rachel Morrison, Spike Lee, Alfonso Cuaron, Guillermo del Toro, Martin Scorsese and more saw quickly AMPAS back down on that sleight. Which meant nothing really changed on a show that desperately needs to change. So, long review short, Dwayne Johnson please make some time in your busy calendar early next year. Make that call now AMPAS, know what Im saying? Otherwise, youll end up again like this bag Kevin Hart was unleashing on tonight while the Oscars played in the background: This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Beverley Owen, the actress who played the original Marilyn Munster on The Munsters, has died at age 81. Fred Gwynne, Yvonne De Carlo, Beverley Owen and Al Lewis of The Munsters (Photo: Everett Collection) Owens daughter, Polly Stone, told TMZ her mother passed away on Feb. 21 after battling ovarian cancer. She was surrounded by friends and family at her home in Vermont. The actress was diagnosed with cancer in January 2017, but kept it private. Butch Patrick, who played Eddie Munster, reacted to the news over the weekend remembering Owen as a sweet soul. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Owens brief acting career began in 1956 on an episode of As the World Turns. Appearances on Wagon Train, The Virginian and Another World followed, but it was The Munsters that brought her recognition. She played Marilyn on the beloved series for the first 13 episodes of Season 1, which premiered in 1964. Owen left the role and Hollywood to marry the writer and producer Jon Stone. They were together for seven years and had two daughters. She was replaced by the actress Pat Priest for the remainder of the series, which ran until 1966. Owen is survived by her two daughters, Polly and Kate. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: This is the eighth dispatch in a series from Jeff Goodell, who is in Antarctica investigating the effect of climate change on Thwaites Glacier. Rob Larter was 23 when he made his first visit to Antarctica. The son of a public health inspector, Larter sailed down from Englands West Midlands, where he grew up. When I saw Antarctica for the first time, he recalls, I thought, this is a really a bleak place. Today, as a geophysicist at the British Antarctic Survey, Larter probably knows as much about the past, present and future of the continent as anyone on the planet. I met Larter three weeks ago, when I boarded the Nathaniel Palmer, an icebreaker and research vessel that was about to embark on a two-month cruise to West Antarctica to explore the risks of the collapse of Thwaites glacier, one the most important tipping points in the earths climate system. The cruise is part of a five-year-long collaboration between the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.K.s National Environment Research Council. Larter, a gentle but forceful man, introduced himself as chief scientist on the trip, in charge of managing all experiments on the ship, from tagging seals to mapping uncharted regions of the ocean floor. Larter and I talked in his cabin on the third deck of the Palmer while the ship rolled in a heavy swell. A long passage from Chile to Antarctica, as well as a medical emergency aboard the ship, meant we were still a few days away from reaching Thwaites. Larter was eager to begin deciphering the mysteries embedded in Antarcticas ice. There is only one true story, he had said during a meeting on the Palmer earlier that morning. As scientists, our job is to tell it. Rolling Stone: This cruise is the beginning of a five-year-long emergency research project to study changes in Thwaites glacier. Why is studying Thwaites so urgent? Rob Larter: Because what happens in Antarctica and at Thwaites glacier, in particular has enormous consequences for the world. Until recently, scientists studying the response of glaciers to climate change thought Antarctica was fairly stable. But in the late 1990s, they realized they were wrong. One of the places where change is happening fastest is Thwaites, which is in a remote part of West Antarctica. Thwaites has been called the weak underbelly of the West Antarctic ice sheet, and thats a pretty good way to describe it. It flows out from a very large and vulnerable drainage basin in West Antarctica. If Thwaites were to collapse, the whole West Antarctic ice sheet could be in trouble. Story continues West Antarctica holds enough water for, what, 10 feet of sea level rise? Yes, for West Antarctica as a whole. But we dont know yet what the conditions needed for West Antarctica to collapse. So we dont really know how close we are, or how fast it could happen. What are the two or three most important questions you want to answer on this trip? We want to get a really reliable, accurate picture of the sea bed offshore from Thwaites, because that will reveal any places where the ice margins stabilized over the past few centuries, or where a more extensive ice shelf was pinned on shallow banks. It will also show us the deep channels that route warm, dense water into the cavity beneath the ice shelf, the glaciers floating extension. And we want to analyze sediment cores at very high resolution to look at what Thwaites has been doing in the past. In particular, were interested in understanding how much warm water has been coming onto the continental shelf in front of Thwaites for the decades and centuries before we have instrumental observations. A few weeks ago, a new research paper was published about West Antarctica that attracted a lot of attention. It described a cavity in Thwaites glacier about the size of Manhattan further evidence that Thwaites may be falling apart faster than anyone realizes. Did that surprise you? Not really. When people talk about a cavity, they are really just talking about ocean space beneath an ice shelf. These exist in many places around Antarctica. But this new study is significant because its based on the latest satellite imagery data over the grounding line region of Thwaites. The major driver of the retreat of Thwaites is the relatively warm ocean water that is coming in from underneath the ice shelf and melting the ice at the grounding line. That thins the ice shelf. A thinner ice shelf provides less resistance to the flow of the glacier upstream, which leads to acceleration of the glacier into the sea. Overall, that means more loss of ice. How fragile is Thwaites? A number of scientists Ive talked to suspect the runaway collapse of Thwaites may already be underway and that there is no stopping it. Its hard to say. Dramatic changes at Thwaites have been going on for more than 20 years. The flow rates are increasing. There is very little ice shelf left. For Thwaites, a lot critically depends on the rate at which the incursion of warm water beneath the glacier is increasing. If [the incursion] were to slow or switch off, the rate of retreat would slow. But even if that were to happen, we could still be in trouble, because the grounding line is now on a retrograde slope. The base of the glacier gets deeper as you go back towards the interior of Antarctica. Since the 1970s, its been recognized that this is likely an unstable situation. If were already in that state, there are many people who would say the eventual collapse of Thwaites may be unstoppable. Penn States Richard Alley, one of the most respected glaciologists of our time, says we cant rule out 15 feet of sea level rise by the end of the century. In that kind of extreme scenario, a lot of that water comes from West Antarctica. Thats because of something called marine ice cliff instability. Its the idea that any ice cliff over 100 meters high is unstable and will collapse. If that happens at Thwaites, its particularly troubling, because the glacier is on a reverse slope, which means that the ice cliff gets taller the farther back you go. If it starts to collapse, it could go much faster than what people generally suppose. How fast, we dont really know. Chief Scientist Rob Larter examining a sediment core in Antarctica. Photo credit: Linda Welzenbach/Rice University What did Antarctica look like in deep time? Well, it depends how far back you go. Antarctica was the cornerstone of Gondwana, the supercontinent that existed about 500 million years ago. About 180 million years ago, during the Jurassic period, South America and Africa broke off. Then India, then Australia and New Zealand. Antarctica was in more or less its present form and location about 90 million years ago. But it was much warmer then. Dinosaur fossils have been found in Antarctica from this period, and there was lush vegetation. The big ice sheets emerged about 34 million years ago. And they developed quite abruptly. [This] was probably caused by declining carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, which cooled the climate. But the final trigger could have been the development of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, which circles around Antarctica and cuts off ocean heat transported from the tropics to the continent. One of the fascinating things about the research youre doing on this trip is how youre using the past to understand the future. Which brings up the question: If Thwaites is collapsing, how will we know it? Thats a very good question. In recent years, we have found out a lot more about how ice sheets behave, but unfortunately, the level of confidence in some ways has gone down, because we have found out about new processes, like marine ice cliff instability. Right now, we have probably magnified the uncertainty. But thats better than going along in ignorance of something. There are a lot of unknowns in all this, and the geological record shows you that. An event called Meltwater Pulse 1A, which occurred about 14,500 years ago, is a good example. The best evidence implies a sea level rise of about 50 feet in 350 years. That is just incredible. That is 14 feet per century. That is like losing the West Antarctica ice sheet every century, for three centuries in succession. Thats very, very fast compared to anything that we know can happen in human experience. If it were to happen today, it would have a devastating impact to coastal cities. To me, this is an indication that there are thresholds in the system that you can trigger huge changes very quickly. But nobody really understands how it happened in the past or if it could happen again. I think its a cautionary signpost for anyone thinking about the implications of climate change, because its saying, maybe there are things out there that we still dont know. Until we know where this happened, and what the processes were, how can we ever say it cant happen again? This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Authorities allege a Georgia mother subjected her 5-year-old son to unnecessary medical procedures and had him taking medications he didnt need in order to collect benefits from the state. Records obtained by PEOPLE confirm Teresa Lynne Roth, 34, was arrested and charged with first-degree child cruelty Thursday following a months-long investigation that began last October. In October, the unnamed boy was removed from his parents care, according to local media reports. Hall County Sheriffs Office spokesman Lt. Scott Ware alleged to WSB-TV that the mom fabricated the boys conditions in order to receive a monthly disability check from the state. They were receiving disability, but now that the childs not in their custody, theyre not, Ware said. The boy was confined to a wheelchair unnecessarily and he had a feeding tube inserted into his stomach, Ware alleged to the station. Investigators further allege he was put on a number of different medications he didnt require and was strapped to an oxygen tank. 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. Between January 2016 and October 2018, Mrs. Roth did cause her son unnecessary physical and mental pain by subjecting him to undergo unnecessary medical treatments and medications, jeopardizing his well-being, Ware alleged. Ware said the boy is doing well now. Investigators are still exploring the possibility Roth may have suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a form of abuse in which a caregiver fabricates an illness or injury to someone in their care to elicit sympathy for themselves. Roth remains in custody on a $16,700 bond, online jail records confirm. Information on her lawyer was unavailable and PEOPLE could not determine if she has entered a plea. Alfonso Cuaron Wins Best Director for Roma at the 2019 Oscars: 'Being Here Doesn't Get Old' Everythings coming up Roma! Alfonso Cuaron won Best Director for Roma at Sundays 2019 Oscars. He beat out fellow nominees Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite), Spike Lee (BlacKkKlansman), Adam McKay (Vice) and Pawel Pawlikowski (Cold War). After hugging presenter Guillermo del Toro, Cuaron, 57, took the stage to accept the statuette at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Thank you so much, he said. Being here doesnt get old. A hug from Guillermo del Toro doesnt get old. I want to thank so many people, he began, shouting out the films stars Yalitza Aparicio and Marina de Tavira. They are the film they are truly the film, he said. Be sure to check out PEOPLEs full Oscars coverage to get the latest news on films biggest night. Cuaron also thanked the Academy for recognizing a film centered around an indigenous woman, a character that has historically been relegated in the background in cinema. As artists, our job is to look where others dont, he said, adding that the job becomes much more important in times when we are being encouraged to look away. Cuaron has been winning big for his Netflix drama this awards season, also picking up directing honors at the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs. Roma, along with The Favourite, is the Oscars most nominated film this year with a total of 10 nods, including recognition in the best picture category. Along with Best Director, it took home Best Achievement in Cinematography and Best Foreign Language Film of the Year. RELATED VIDEO: The Class of 2019! Academy Award Nominees Pose for an Official Group Photo Ahead of the Oscars Cuaron based Roma on his experience growing up in Mexico City and examines the countrys social, class and racial dynamics. He dedicated the film to his real-life nanny, Liboria Libo Rodriguez, who played a significant role in raising him. The 91st Academy Awards were broadcast live from Los Angeles on Sunday. A total 225 kilometres of Budapests unpaved roads, mainly on the outskirts of the city, will be covered with tarmac in the next four years, Mayor Istvan Tarlos told a press conference. Tarlos said that the first phase of the programme will use a budget of 8.3 billion forints (EUR 26.1m) from municipal coffers to pave roads in 13 districts, equal to 20% of the targeted total length. The mayor also announced that the city would propose a flight ban at Budapests international Liszt Ferenc Airport between midnight and 5am to reduce noise in the area. A long-term proposal is to move cargo aircraft and low-cost airline flights to another airport, further away from Budapest, Tarlos added. Proposals will also be made to change the way noise levels are evaluated and to transfer the task of measuring them from Liszt Ferenc operator Budapest Airport to the National Transport Authority, he said. Commenting on the announcement, Socialist councillor Csaba Horvath said his party supports the idea of building a new airport 30-40 kilometres away from the city to help reduce noise and air pollution. He added, however, that Tarlos should be ashamed because he is making pledges ahead of the municipal elections as if he were interested in the voters will. The mayor has proposed reducing air traffic at Liszt Ferenc airport knowing that if current rules were observed, much fewer flights would be allowed to land or take off at night, he added. MTI Photo Matthew Hickman started Wyldman Metal Arts in his grandfathers garage using the same welding equipment his grandfather used to teach him the basics. Tom Milstead/Torrington Telegram Adams Free Library Wary of New Funding Standards The library trustees were updated on state's standards for funding on Thursday. ADAMS, Mass. The library trustees are concerned about new Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners regulations that if not met could lead to decertification. Library Director Holli Jayko told the trustees Thursday that although the Adams Free Library has received a waiver for fiscal 2019 spending from the MBLC, new regulations will mandate that it meet funding benchmarks in five years. "We are looking at some ways to get our budget where it needs to be because that is the only failing that we have," she said. "It is not where it is supposed to be." In order to stay certified, libraries have to meet standards that show that municipalities are proportionately funding their libraries. If they cannot meet these standards, they can apply for a waiver with the MBLC and explain why they are not. If not certified, a library becomes a standalone and loses state aid and access to services such as the C/W MARS interlibrary loan. With the new rules, Jayko explained, the library has to not only share why it needs a waiver but show that it is working toward meeting funding levels. However, it only can do this for five consecutive years. "They want to see how we are going to get there and there are more steps for each year," she said. "After five years if you stay in it, you become potentially decertified." Jayko said state aid typically comes in around $14,000 but she is more concerned about losing access to C/W MARS. "We can live without the $14,000 but .. .our patrons would only be allowed to borrow from our collection," Jayko said. The Adams Free Library has a 33,000-piece collection. This pales in comparison to C/W MARS' 58 million items. The library annually borrows around 5,000 items from the C/W MARS system. Without certification, she estimated that this would cost around $125,000. Also, Jayko said Adams residents may not be able to just visit a certified library and borrow from it. Once Adams is decertified, other libraries do not have to serve the town's residents. "Technically each library has its own policies and they can choose to or not to loan to our residents," she said. "They can turn you away because we are decertified." The Adams Free Library has been successful over the years applying for waivers because the town has cut the budget across the board, not just the library budget. She added that many communities have had to apply for waivers over the years but now there are only a handful. Jayko added that the MLBC was especially understanding this fiscal year because as a new director, she came in at a lower step and the Adams Free Library was lowered one full-time staff member. She said the new regulations do not come with new baselines for the library so they still have to aim at these same targets. Trustee Virginia Duval did not think this was fair. "It seems so unfair that they didn't give a reset," she said. "Instead they are dragging us back." Trustee James Loughman asked if it would be beneficial to take the hit and become decertified so they can establish a new baseline. Jayko said she rather let the situation "play out" because if decertified they will remain decertified for three years, which she would prefer not to do. Jayko said she did understand why the MLBC has these standards to make sure communities don't slash library budgets and was confident she could work with the incoming town administrator, Board of Selectmen, and Finance Committee to meet the proper funding levels within five years. "I have some ideas and I am waiting to see how things play out before I put an official packet together," she said. "We need a united front." In other business, the library has installed four new public computers. Jayko said these were purchased through Friends of the Adams Free Library money and other donations. Originally the trustees had voted to expend $2,000 from state aid to purchase these machines and now that this money is again free, she will ask next meeting for the trustees to consider using it to purchase four juvenile computers. John Brown, formerly president of Brown Communications in Charleston, is now an author. His novel, Augies War (www.augieswar.com) is available online and/or at bookstores. Clarksburg, WV (26301) Today A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Mainly clear. Low 69F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Mainly clear. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Charleston, WV (25311) Today A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Partly cloudy skies. Low 69F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Partly cloudy skies. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Charleston, WV (25301) Today A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable. TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - An investigation into reported drug activity in a south Tupelo neighborhood led to two arrests. Police said Octavious Fields and Denarvis Ruff were arrested on Robert Kennedy Drive in Haven Acres on Friday, Feb. 22. Investigators, including SWAT members from the police department and Lee County Sheriff's Department, went to two homes with search warrants and made the arrests. Ruff is charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana with intent and trafficking of hydrocodone. His bond was set at $15,000. Fields is charged with felony possession of methamphetamine and also had four warrants for sale of methamphetamine served at the time of his arrest. His bond was set at $100,000. Editor's Note: This article was updated on Feb. 27. HOUSTON, Miss. (WTVA) - Two arrests have been made in connection to a recent drive-by shooting. Bradrick Reed and John Wright were both arrested. The shooting happened on Saturday, Feb. 23, on Church Street. Wright is accused of driving by a mobile home and firing shots into it. No injuries were reported. Police believe this was a drug-related incident. Last Tuesday, the Democratic governor of Illinois, J.B. Pritzker, signed into law a bill that will raise the minimum wage in the state to $15 an hour by 2025. The first increase from the current minimum wage of $8.25a hike to $9.25is set to take place January 1, 2020, followed by another one-dollar raise in July of 2020. Pritzker, a former venture capitalist whose estimated net worth is $3.5 billion, became the richest governor in US history following his election in November 2018. A worker making $15 an hour, or $31,200 a year on the basis of 52 weeks of work at 40 hours per week, would have to work for over 112,000 years to accumulate Pritzkers fortune. While Illinois became the first Midwest state to enact a $15 minimum wage, last month New Jersey became the fourth state to enact similar legislation, following New York, California and Massachusetts. New Jersey Governor Philip D. Murphy, also a Democrat, signed legislation that would guarantee a wage of $15 an hour by 2024. The current minimum wage is $8.85. The New Jersey legislation incorporates multiple exemptions from the 2024 time frame. For example, a stipulation was included that firms employing seasonal workers and small businesses that employ five or fewer workers will not have to comply until 2026. Hyper-exploited farm workers are also excluded under the current legislation. Instead of $15 an hour, their minimum wage will increase to $12.50 by January 1, 2024. A special committee will then be convened to determine if the minimum wage will be increased any further for farm workers. The Illinois legislation, which Governor Pritzker hailed as a victory for the cause of economic justice, includes a two-tier approach that will exclude young workers under age 18 who work less than 650 hours a year. Instead, their wages will max out at $13 an hour by 2025. For workers employed in the service industry, who are heavily dependent on tips, the minimum wage will increase only to $9 an hour. At a signing ceremony, Pritzker was awarded a Fight for $15 t-shirt. The campaign has led the charge to institutionalize poverty wages for millions of workers throughout the United States under the guise of fighting to improve living conditions. Fight for $15 is heavily promoted by pseudo-left organizations such as the International Socialist Organization and Socialist Alternative, in concert with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the Democratic Party. The SEIU has stressed that $15 an hour is only part of the solution. The other part involves forcing workers to join trade unions such as the SEIU, which will collect dues and eat into the meager wage increase, while serving the employers as labor contractors and industrial police to enforce low pay and exploitation and suppress workers resistance. In a speech to the legislature, Governor Pritzker spoke of the struggle that over a million current minimum wage Illinois workers are forced to conduct to survive on $8.25 an hour. Citing the precarious nature of low-income employment, Pritzker feigned concern, acknowledging that you cant afford a single health care emergency or flat tire, or worn car battery. He likened this economic anxiety to a house on fire and boasted that by signing the legislation he was not waiting for the rain to put it out. The claim that raising the minimum wage to $15 an hourover four or five years and with many exemptionswill provide a living wage is a fraud. The average rent for an apartment in Chicago is $1,893 in 2019, according to rentcafe.com, a 5 percent increase from 2018. This means a worker is paying nearly $23,000 a year just in rent. That sum equals 74 percent of the annual income of a full-time worker receiving $15 an hour. In addition to skyrocketing rent, consumer prices, according to the government, have increased by nearly 2 percent a year for the past four years. If this rate continues, the real value of the increase in the minimum wage will be rapidly eroded. The signing of minimum wage legislation is a part of a concerted effort by the ruling class and its functionaries in the Democratic Party and the trade unions to try to contain the growth of working class militancy and anti-capitalist sentiment while standardizing the lowering of wages overall. Strikes last year by hotel workers, including workers at the Pritzker-controlled Hyatt Regency, were isolated and strangled by the UNITE HERE union, which worked to stymie workers efforts to broaden their struggle to other hotel chains and workplaces. The specter of workers rebelling against the unions and organizing strikes and mass protests in defiance of themas in US teachers strikes last year and the mass wildcat strike by maquiladora workers in Matamoros, Mexico, this yearhas accelerated plans by Democratic governors throughout the US to enact similar minimum wage legislation, in the hopes of driving workers back into the dead end of the Democratic Party. Presidential candidates such as Bernie Sanders have cynically equated the Fight for $15 with the fight against social inequality. Sanders has also proposed appealing to major corporations such as Amazon and McDonalds to voluntarily increase their minimum wage to $15, absent legislation. After Amazons Jeff Bezos, the worlds richest multi-billionaire, agreed to Sanders request last year, the senator praised the man who has made a mega-fortune by brutally exploiting workers at poverty-level wages, saying he did exactly the right thing. Amazon has since cut benefits and increased speedup to compensate for the wage increase and satisfy voracious stockholders. The Socialist Equality Party (UK) calls for maximum participation in the Solidarity Vigil for Julian Assange outside the Ecuadorian embassy in London on Sunday, March 10. The Julian Assange Defence Committee has organised the vigil to complement the rally the same day in Melbourne, Australia, called by the Socialist Equality Party (Australia). A week earlier, Sunday, March 3, the SEP is holding a rally in Sydney to demand Assanges freedom. Both rallies will be addressed by SEP National Secretary James Cogan. John Pilger, journalist, filmmaker and outspoken opponent of militarism and injustice, will speak at the Sydney rally, along with well-known academic and human rights advocate Professor Stuart Rees. The Julian Assange Defence Committee has maintained a regular vigil outside the embassy since 2012, when Assange was forced to take refuge after the British judicial system trampled over his democratic rights in a series of perverse and arbitrary rulings. Last August, supporters of Assange held a protest outside the embassy to mark six years to the day since Assange was forced into captivity. Emmy Butlin, one of the organisers of the March 10 event, told the WSWS on Sunday: This last month we had two anniversaries that bring home the dire situation Julian Assange faces. On February 5, it was three years since the United Nations Working Group of arbitrary detention published their ruling in his favour demanding he is released and compensated. Despite this clear direction the UK has refused to fulfil its international obligations and as a result on February 23 Julian Assange completed 3,000 days of arbitrary detention. With a sealed indictment against him in the US that was accidentally revealed late last year and political developments in Ecuador moving to remove the political protections of asylum and nationality granted to him by this nation, Julian Assanges freedom and safety have never been at more risk. He endures a draconian protocol imposed inside the Ecuadorian Embassy, including a years-long gagging preventing him from publicly speaking not only about his work and opinions, but also about his life and well-being. In these difficult times, we link up with our brothers and sisters in Australia who will rally in Melbourne on March 10, organised by the Socialist Equality Party, to demand that the Australia government take immediate action to secure the freedom of WikiLeaks founder and Australian citizen Julian Assange. We cannot stand by and witness his ordeal unmoved. We are grateful for the rallies in his homeland and inspired by them, and we shall pick up the baton as they finish their action and we shall start a solidarity vigil outside the Ecuadorian Embassy on Sunday, March 10, between 3 and 5 p.m. We need international solidarity to bring about a positive outcome in this struggle for freedom for Julian Assange whose work has served humanity, selflessly and courageously at great personal cost. We welcome everyone who believes in justice and in human rights, organisations and individuals to stand with us in respectful vigil in support of the publisher of WikiLeaks. We are very grateful to the WSWS for their support in advertising the event. The UK courts upheld a warrant for Assanges extradition to Sweden, where he was wanted for questioning over bogus allegation that he had committed sexual misconduct. Assange was never charged with any crime by Sweden or any other country. He remains captive in a tiny room in the embassy, in conditions akin to solitary confinement because the UK is working in league with the United States and Australia to ensure he is extradited to America, where he faces charges that could lead to a long prison term for the crime of exposing war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq and imperialist intrigues conducted by the US and other powers. Contrary to international law, the UK refuses to grant Assange safe passage to Ecuador or his home country, Australia, on the flimsy pretext that he breached bail conditions when he sought asylum. It is nearly two years since Sweden dropped its arrest warrant against Assange. In December, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention once again condemned the British government for its inhumane treatment and prolonged deprivation of liberty for Assange. It specifically declared that the bail issue cannot be used to justify continuing his illegal detainment in the UK. Noting that it had been three years since the working group handed down its legally binding opinion that Assange was being arbitrarily detained and should be immediately released and compensated, it stated, The Swedish investigations have been closed for over 18 months now, and the only ground remaining for Mr. Assanges continued deprivation of liberty is a bail violation in the UK, which is, objectively, a minor offense that cannot post facto justify the more than six years confinement that he has been subjected to since he sought asylum in the Embassy of Ecuador. Mr. Assange should be able to exercise his right to freedom of movement in an unhindered manner, in accordance with the human rights conventions the UK has ratified. It added, As the High Commissioner for human rights said several years ago, human rights treaty law is binding law, it is not discretionary law. It would have been impossible for the Conservative governments of Prime Minister Theresa May and her predecessor, David Cameron, to continue their persecution of Assange were it not for the perfidious role played by Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has refused to lift a finger in his support. Corbyn was elected Labour leader in September 2015, and then re-elected, with the backing of hundreds of thousands of party members and supporters. His last public statement on Assange was in July 2015, two months prior to his election as leader. Even in that statement, Corbyn refused to state that he supported Assanges release, instead declaring, I think it would be much better if the Swedish authorities investigated the case against him, decided whether there was a case for a prosecution or not, and dealt with it that way, while guaranteeing that under no circumstances would he be extradited to the US. Since then Sweden was forced to drop its investigation, but Corbyn has studiously avoided doing anything to secure Assanges freedom. He regularly addresses large meetings of workers and youth and has never once raised the arbitrary detention of a courageous journalist in a small room, with his health deteriorating, just four miles from Corbyns London constituency of Islington North. Likewise, the trade unions have mounted no campaign in his defence among their more than 5.5 million members. Neither has Labour Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. They can count on the tacit support of Britains main pseudo-left outfits, the Socialist Workers Party, Socialist Party and Socialist Resistance, who have backed Assanges persecution by endorsing the pretext for his extraditionthat he must face his accusers in Sweden and denouncing anyone who question their lies as a rape apologist for disbelieving victims. The SEP insists that freedom for Assange can be won only through a struggle based on a socialist, anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist perspective. Everything depends on a determined effort to politically mobilise the broadest possible layers of workers and youth internationally on such a perspective. We call on all defenders of civil liberties and democratic rights, all opponents of imperialist wars for regime change, to attend the March 10 vigil and make it known in your workplaces, campuses and schools and throughout social media. *** No US Extradition for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange! Sunday, March 10, 3-5 p.m. Outside the Ecuadorian Embassy Hans Crescent, London SW1X 0LS Nearest tube station Knightsbridge (Piccadilly Line) Further details will be made available at the wiseupaction.info site of the Julian Assange Defence Committee Teachers in Sao Paulo, the largest city in the Americas, have been on strike since February 4the beginning of the school yearin opposition to a pension reform that was introduced by right-wing Mayor Bruno Covas (PSDB) and passed by City Council at the end of December 2018. The pension reform had initially been proposed in 2016 by the former mayor of Sao Paulo and defeated candidate of the Workers Party (PT) in last years presidential elections, Fernando Haddad. A year later, his successor, millionaire right-wing Mayor Joao Doria (PSDB), extended Haddads pension reform attacks. In March 2018, when Doria tried to push the pension reform through the City Council, Sao Paulo teachers staged a 20-day strike, which managed to postpone the vote on the measure for 120 days. After a series of changes in the reform by the current mayor, Covas, who took office after Doria was elected governor of Sao Paulo, and the unleashing of brutal police repression against teachers, who protested throughout last December in front of the City Council, the pension reform was finally approved. Covas pension reform increased the pension contribution from 11 percent to 14 percent of teachers total wages and established a maximum monthly pension of around 5,600 reais ($US1,500). Those public sector workers who want to receive a full pension must contribute to a complementary pension plan (SAMPAPREV) managed by private funds, which can increase the pension contribution to up to 19 percent. After the teachers strike began, other sections of public sector workers have also gone on strike, including school employees, doctors and nurses. Last Tuesday, February 19, 80,000 public sector workers gathered in front of the City Hall, voting to continue the strike until the mayor repeals the pension reform. Then, the public sector workers marched through the streets of Sao Paulo, where WSWS reporters spoke with them. For the physiotherapist Marcelo, who works in a maternity ward in a suburb of Sao Paulo, The pension reform is a wage confiscation to increase the citys income for their [ruling class] political projects. He also recalled that, the pension contribution has been increasing. In 2005, the pension contribution was 5 percent, and [then PSDB Mayor Jose] Serra said that we should contribute 11 percent, and that in 10 years we would solve the problem of the pension deficit. It has not solved the problem, and now they increased the pension contribution to 14 percent, reaching up to 19 percent. Many demonstrators denounced the fact that the pension reform that was approved mainly benefits the major banks, which will manage the SAMPAPREV. Dino, a pedagogical coordinator said, I do not think we have to surrender the rights of the workers to the banks. Gustavo, a school employee commented, In the end, it is the worker who will pay the bills once more ... Where is the great wealth concentrated? It is not with us. We have seen the list of banks that owe money to the city, there are billions of reais! Gustavo referred to the billion-dollar debt that major banks and companies owe to the city of Sao Paulo in unpaid taxes, a figure that exceeds 100 billion reais ($US27 billion), which is almost double the annual budget of the city. The alleged pension deficit of 5.6 billion reais ($US1.5 billion) is dwarfed by the tax arrears of the banks and companies. The banks Itau and Santander, the citys largest debtors, had a net profit of 25 billion reais ($US6.6 billion) and 12 billion reais ($US3.2 billion) in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Doctors and pharmaceutical technicians also denounced the privatization of Sao Paulos health care system to serve the interests of large banks and companies. Ligia, a doctor, said, Health is being privatized; that is, management, which is public, is being handed over to a private company. An outsourced UBS [health care clinic], run by a private company is much more expensive, is controlled by the banks, and there is a lot of corruption. Carlos, a pharmaceutical technician, denounced the cut in the number of health care employees, which harms the population ... We do not have adequate working conditions, do not have chairs, computers, electronic passwords [to expedite service] ... they are exchanging better quality hospital supplies for cheaper ones, there is also a lack of medicines. Lis, a doctor, insisted that the SUS [national public health system] has to be valued, the population needs to be well treated, and health and education cannot stay the way they are for lack of investment. We doctors should strike to protest against the poor quality of care for the population, with people dying while waiting in line for medical attention. In addition to the extensive outsourcing of health care, which according to the pharmaceutical technician Denis, affects 93 percent of health care employees today, there is the prospect of a wage freeze for years to come. It has been since 2004 that we have had a wage increase of 0.01 percent per year, he said. In that year, the wage of a health care employee was almost six times the minimum wage, and today it has decreased to half that. If we continue like this, we will be making minimum wage in a few years. According to history teacher Marlei, The strike is growing. The assemblies and demonstrations began with 35,000 public sector workers, and at the February 15 rally there were twice as many. She also said, in addition to teachers and health care employees, the workers at zoos, cemeteries and libraries, as well as social workers, psychologists and cultural employees are also on strike. As the strike grows, however, the teachers union, Sinpeem, the largest among public sector workers and which has run the unified assemblies of public sector workers, is beginning to show that it is preparing to betray the strike movement. Gustavo denounced the president of the union, Claudio Fonseca, who has a long record of presiding over the betrayals to teachers, saying, Sinpeem is presided over by someone who backed [Brazilian fascistic President Jair] Bolsonaro, who backed [governor of Sao Paulo Joao] Doria, which shows that he has a political attitude that ends up confusing his interests with those of the workers. Physiotherapist Mercel denounced the lack of democracy in the assembly, because only Claudio Fonseca spoke, and during the assembly, he let no other person present any other proposal. He then said that Fonseca manipulated the assembly. According to him, 80,000 teachers and other public sector workers teachers decided to go to Marginal Tiete [Sao Paulos main avenue] and block it. In the middle of the way there, Fonseca negotiated with the police and decided not to take that route. This is alarming. He was terrorizing the workers, saying that there were hundreds of policemen [waiting for us], that there would be a bloodshed, etc. Marcelo added, Its very complicated that a struggle as big as this it left in the hands of a person like that. What happened was the first betrayal of an assembly decision. The moment now is not for hesitation. There is a national pension reform about to be presented, and our struggle can inspire the whole of Brazil. One day after the public sector workers demonstration in Sao Paulo, on February 20, Brazils fascistic President Jair Bolsonaro presented his pension reform to the Congress. Among the main measures are raising the minimum retirement age of 65 for men, 62 for women, and the minimum contribution period of 20 years for private sector workers and 25 years for public sector workers. Bolsonaros pension reform also increases the minimum retirement age for teachers from 50 for women and 55 for men to 60 for both sexes. All those who spoke to the WSWS felt that the struggle of the public sector workers in Sao Paulo is an anticipation of mass struggles that will break out throughout Brazil. Marlei, a teacher said, It is important to repeal the pension reform here in Sao Paulo, because if it is not repealed, with the national pension reform, things will get even worse. Sao Paulo is a laboratory for all of Brazil, Marcelo said. We, the workers of Sao Paulo, have had the responsibility to begin the confrontation, once the reform began here, so has the resistance against it. The struggle against Bolsonaros pension reform, as well as the struggle of Sao Paulos public sector workers, however, cannot remain in the hands of the unions. On the same day that Bolsonaro announced the pension reform, the main Brazilian union federations organized a national working class assembly, which gathered thousands of trade unionists linked to the union bureaucracy. In addition to the CUT, the largest Brazilian union federation, also taking part in the assembly were Conlutas, which recently betrayed the struggle of GM workers in Sao Jose dos Campos, and Forca Sindical, the right-wing union federation whose leaders were linked to the Brazilian military dictatorship. When asked how to prevent unions and union federations from betraying the workers struggle against Bolsonaros pension reform, Marcelo said that the ideal would be for workers to have full autonomy and for us to strike regardless of the unions peleguismo [scabbing] ... One can not leave such a struggle in the hands of a right-wing and manipulative leadership. How to get out of this? I think its through the work of the rank-and-file, through strike committees, talking to our comrades and with other workers. 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President Armen Sarkissians message on the Republic Day Ucom Digital lab students keep on getting high-quality technical education South Africa: Landers attends UN High-Level Segment on Human Rights International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers will this week attend the United Nations High-Level Segment of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, in Switzerland. The segment will start on Monday. The HRC meets against the backdrop of numerous challenges in the world that impact on human rights, peace and security and development. The Council presents an opportunity for developing countries, including South Africa, to ensure that human rights and development issues are made central to any future discussions in the United Nations system, the department said in a statement. The High-Level Segment will be attended by numerous Heads of States, Foreign Ministers, Deputy Foreign Ministers and other dignitaries, including the United Nations Secretary General and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. Deputy Minister Landers attendance of this session will amplify the importance South Africa places on human rights, in particular the Human Rights Council. [The year] 2019 marks the last year of South Africas back-to-back membership on the Council. The Deputy Minister will deliver South Africas national statement at the High Level Segment and during High Level Panel debates, emphasising South Africas commitment toward the strengthening and deepening of the multilateral system of global governance and the rule of law, despite increasing unilateralism and the growth of populist and ultra-nationalist forces in the world, the Department said in a statement. On the margins of the 40th Session, Deputy Minister Landers is expected to have bilateral meetings with leaders of various delegations. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-02-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. On February 22, the World Socialist Web Site published an article, The Jussie Smollett controversy: Must all accusations be believed? The commentary argued that the collapse of Smolletts claim to have been attacked by racist thugs in Chicago exposed the right-wing character of the #MeToo campaign, which asserts that the accuser must always be believed, lack of corroborating evidence notwithstanding. One reader, commenting on the article, wrote that the WSWS was hypocritical for calling Smollett a liar while defending his presumption of innocence in the criminal case against him. So Smollett is a liar but also has the right to the presumption of innocence?, the commenter, Urfubar, wrote. This cant both be true. You cant presume someone innocent of a felony you just declared guilty of a felony. Either Smollett is a liar who falsified a police report, or hes innocent until proven guilty. Pick one. This comment provides the opportunity to further probe the anti-democratic rationale and reactionary implications of the #MeToo campaign. As a preliminary matter, the WSWS opposes Smolletts former supporters who are now rushing to condemn him just as blindly as they rushed to believe him three weeks ago. We oppose the criminal prosecution and the premature decision by Fox to write Smolletts character out of the show Empire before his guilt has been proven. The efforts by the media to make an example of Smollett before he has been found guilty are hypocritical and serve to confuse, not clarify. However, the facts that have emerged make clear that Smollett lied about the January 29 attack. He claimed that two white men he did not know hit him, poured bleach on him and put a noose around his neck. Dozens of security cameras at or near the scene of the alleged crime failed to show any attack, and the two men seen leaving turned out to be brothers, who are friends of Smollett and of Nigerian descent. The brothers had bleach (which Smollett alleged was thrown on him) and magazines with missing pages (Smollett alleged he received a death threat with letters cut out of magazines) at their home. Financial records also show that the brothers purchased the same piece of rope that was later found on Smolletts neck, which the pair is shown on closed-circuit video buying at a store. Phone records show that days before the alleged attack, Smollett texted one of the brothers: Might need your help on the low [i.e., in secret]. You around to meet up and talk face to face? The WSWS correctly characterized and condemned Smolletts selfish, careerist behavior, which only feeds the growth of the extreme-right and casts doubt on future allegations of right-wing vigilante attacks. But does this mean he forfeits the right to be presumed innocent? Does it mean he is necessarily guilty of a crime? The answer to both questions is no. Smollett has the right to challenge the charges against him in court and the evidence presented. Moreover, even if the defense accepts the specific allegationthat Smollett filed a false reporta trial such as this, in the course of a vigorous defense, invariably raises issues as to the significance and context of these facts, which could lead to a verdict of not guilty. For example, 5/26-1(5) of the Illinois criminal code penalizes anyone who knowingly transmits or causes to be transmitted a false report to any public safety agency without the reasonable grounds necessary to believe that transmitting the report is necessary for the safety and welfare of the public. Central to Smolletts legal defense could be his state of mind. To be guilty of a crime, a defendant must have the requisite level of intent. In this case, he must know there is no reasonable ground to believe the report is necessary for the safety and welfare of the public. This presents a complex question. Did Smollett perhaps convince himself in the present political climate that his race and sexual orientation justify his actions and make them reasonable? Did he think bringing attention to bigotry and right-wing attacks was necessary for the public welfare, even if this particular attack was invented? Or, was Smollett blinded by ambition and acting under a passion and pressure that so clouded his judgment that he could not intend, with clear mind, to carry out a crime? Could he argue in court that he was operating in conformity with the conventions of a sick and corrupt society that encourages professionals to use their racial and sexual identities in opportunistic ways? Could he say he was an avid reader of the New York Times, which tells him it is reasonable to assume accusations must be believed no matter what? Could he say that the #MeToo hysteria has made the reasonable unreasonable and the unreasonable reasonable, and that he cant tell which way is up? The prosecution will claim, as the proponents of #MeToo always argue, that the accused is a monster and that monsters always have evil intent. But Smollett has the right to exercise all the rights that flow from the presumption of innocence. He is protected from the state by the Sixth Amendment, which grants him the right to present his case to a jury and cross-examine the Nigerian brothers to examine their motives. If the case goes to trial, Smolletts attorneys will have the benefit of voir dire to keep prosecutors from loading the panel with prejudiced panelists. The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments mean the judge may bar jurors from reading the New York Times so their ability to objectively hear testimony does not become clouded by the media hate campaign. The judge will tell jurors to ignore evidence, even if it is relevant, if its probative value is substantially outweighed by a danger that it is unfair, prejudicial, confusing or misleading. How critical these protections are and yet how dangerous it is that none of them are available to the targets of the #MeToo campaign, whose lives and careers are ruined in the court of public opinion! The #MeToo proponents explicitly call for believing all accusers, having adopted the slogan I believe. Asking for corroborating evidence is victim blaming. Asking accusers about their intentions is victim shaming. If the accused claims innocence, it is presented as further proof of guilt. It is precisely in such cases, however, that presumption of innocence and due process are so critical. Even in cases where everything appears clear on the surfaceor, especially in such casesit is in the course of a trial that the underlying complexities emerge. The campaign to reject these basic democratic conceptions has been deliberately whipped up by the most powerful and profitable media corporations, working in conjunction with Democratic Party strategists and the editors of newspapers like the filthy New York Times. To advance their own money-grubbing, right-wing agendas, these powerful forces are creating a hysterical mood by playing on the prejudices, emotions, insecurities and ambitions of the affluent upper-middle class like keys on a piano. Passionate public moods demanding vengeance have long been the vehicle for the most dangerous assaults on democratic rights. Hundreds of African Americans were lynched based on allegations by lying white women. One such woman, 85-year-old Carolyn Bryant Donham, is alive and free today. The lie she told in August 1955 was believed and, as a result, 14-year-old Emmett Till was tortured and killed, his mangled body dumped in the river. Progressive politics has always fought such right-wing popular sentiments, even where the accused is clearly guilty. In the famous 1924 death penalty case of Leopold and Loeb, defense attorney Clarence Darrow argued against hanging two young men who admitted to murdering a 14-year-old boy. The newspapers were demanding the boys be hanged and attacking due process as an obstacle to justice. In a democratic society, Darrow said, the court must ignore the clamor in the press and the reactionary hidden agendas of those braying for blood. It meant, instead, that you must appraise every influence that moves [the defendants], the civilization where they live, their living, their society, all society which enters into the making of a child. The same principle was captured by Theodore Dreiser in his masterpiece An American Tragedy. Clyde Griffiths defense attorney, Belknap, made an appeal to jurors inundated with hysterical calls to sentence young Clyde to death: And I venture to say that if by some magic of the spoken word I could at this moment strip from your eye the substance of all the cruel thoughts and emotions which have been attributed to him [Clyde] by a clamorous and mistaken and I might say (if I had not been warned not to do so) politically biased prosecution, you could no more see him in the light that you do than you could rise out of that box and fly through those windows. Irreconcilable opposition to such witch hunts in the face of popular pressure is the trademark of principled socialist politics. Leon Trotsky insisted that socialists are socialists only insofar as they maintain complete and absolute independence of bourgeois public opinion. Writing in 1922, the co-leader of the Russian Revolution described bourgeois public opinion as composed of two parts: first, of inherited views, actions, and prejudices which represent the fossilized experience of the past, a thick layer of irrational banality and useful stupidity; and second, of the intricate machinery and clever management necessary for the mobilization of patriotic feeling and moral indignation, of national enthusiasm, altruist sentiment, and other kinds of lies and deceptions. These words may as well have been written about the #MeToo movement, which genuine socialists rightfully oppose. The following resolution was adopted by a meeting in Cambridge convened by the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (UK) , on Saturday February 23, 2019. Oppose the promotion of eugenics and pseudo-science at Cambridge University! This meeting convened by the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) condemns the decision by Cambridge Universitys St Edmunds College and the Toby Jackman Newton Trust to award a research fellowship to Noah Carl. Carl seeks to explain inequality, crime, intelligence and other social characteristics based on anti-scientific racial and genetic theories. He is part of a network of far-right and fascist advocates of eugenics. We support the open letter, No to Racist Pseudoscience at Cambridge signed by nearly 1,500 academics and students. As that letter stated: We are deeply concerned that racist pseudoscience is being legitimised through association with the University of Cambridge. This fellowship was awarded to Carl despite his attendance at, and public defence of, the discredited London Conference on Intelligence, where racist and pseudoscientific work has been regularly presented. Carls work has already been used by extremist and far-right media outlets with the aim of stoking xenophobic anti-immigrant rhetoric. Noah Carls elevation at Cambridge is part of the broader state promotion of far-right forces across Europe. Last year, Professor Heiner Rindermanns book Cognitive Capitalism was published, claiming global inequality is the result of genetic, racial differences in intelligence. Rindermann occupies the Chair of Educational and Developmental Psychology at the Technical University of Chemnitz, the city where over 7,000 neo-Nazis rampaged through the streets in August. History shows where the promotion of such anti-scientific theories leads. Eugenics formed a central plank of the Nazis fascist program that ended in the Holocaust. At the same time, prominent academics including Professor Jorg Baberowski at Berlins Humboldt University are seeking to revise German history and rehabilitate Nazism with claims that Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler was not vicious. We support the fight of students at Humboldt University against such dangerous falsifications of the past. Universities must be centres of scholarship and learning, not havens for the promotion of neo-fascist ideology! This meeting demands that St Edmunds College and the Newton Trust end their silence and publicly explain the basis on which this prestigious research fellowship was awarded to Noah Carl. We urge all concerned students, clubs and societies, to pass resolutions demanding that Noah Carls research fellowship be rescinded. This demand is part of the necessary fight against the state promotion of far-right influence at universities across Europe and internationally. February 23, 2019 This weekends attempt by the US to deliver humanitarian aid to Venezuela was a staged provocation, with flatbed trucks serving as US imperialisms modern equivalent of the Trojan horse. In Cucuta, Colombia, and Pacaraima, Brazil, officials of the right-wing Colombian and Brazilian governments, operating under the direction of the Trump administration, attempted to move trucks carrying food and medical supplies across the Venezuelan border. Though the US and its regional allies knew the Venezuelan government would not allow entry, they encouraged supporters of self-declared Venezuelan interim president Juan Guaido, a member of the far-right Popular Will party, to charge the reinforced border crossings. Four people were killed and dozens injured in the ensuing clashes. From a political standpoint, the provocation was a failure. There were no mass crowds of Venezuelans cheering the prospect of intervention by the US and its far-right Colombian and Brazilian allies. There were practically no defections from the Venezuelan armed forces. Independent aid organizations such as the Red Cross refused to participate in so naked a provocation. When British billionaire Richard Branson held a pro-Guaido concert on the Colombia-Venezuela border Saturday, several headline performers simply refused to show up. However, the central purpose of the operation was to create a pretext for military intervention. Those who joined in the provocation foreshadow what Trump and his regional allies have in mind when they call for bringing democracy to Venezuela. In attendance were Chilean President Sebastian Pinera (who last year repealed a law compensating victims of the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, with whom Pinera had declared his solidarity), Colombian President Ivan Duque (political heir of ex-president Alvaro Uribe, whose paramilitaries killed thousands of innocent civilians in the crackdown against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia [FARC]), and representatives of far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, an open defender of the Brazilian military dictatorship. The Trump administration is using this weekends staged event to justify escalating its threats of war. The US puppet Guaido tweeted Saturday that as a result of the border clashes, he wants the US and its allies to keep all options openi.e., to prepare for a military invasion. On Monday, US Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Colombia to join Guaido and the leaders of the other Latin American countries, plus Canada, that have joined the so-called Lima Group of nations supporting Washingtons coup against the elected Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro. There are now reports of US military activity in Colombia, where National Security Advisor John Bolton recently threatened to send 5,000 US troops. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday that Maduros days are numbered. Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio tweeted two photos side by side: one of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi alive and one of his mangled dead body. This Nazi-like threat, made in brazen violation of international law, is a warning of the level of criminality and devastation that will befall Venezuela in a US intervention. As the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria show, everything the US touches turns to rubble. Venezuela is a country of over 30 million people and is among the most developed in Latin America, with 88 percent of its population living in urban areas. The US faces the prospect of military catastrophe in Venezuela, following its debacles in the Middle East and Central Asia. After 17 years of fighting poorly armed militias in the Afghan mountains, the US has suffered a humiliating defeat. Washingtons main condition of withdrawal there is that the Taliban agree to negotiate with its puppet government. Venezuela, on the other hand, has an army with 350,000 soldiers on active duty and 2,000,000 in reserve. It operates advanced Russian-made weapons systems, including S-300VM anti-missile and Buk anti-aircraft devices. Unlike any of the countries the US has invaded in recent decades, Venezuela also has a functional Air Force, featuring fleets of US-made F-16 and Russian-made Su-30MK2 fighters. A war would throw the entire region into chaos. There would be intense popular opposition to imperialist intervention. Millions of refugees would flee Venezuela, traveling up the Isthmus of Panama and through Central American countries already ravaged by gang violence, poverty and record levels of inequality. A migrant traveling to the United States would have to travel over 3,000 miles across eight national borders. Flotillas in the Caribbean will sink. Thousands will die in a desperate effort to save their families. There is a possibility that a US intervention would involve a clash with Russia, another nuclear-armed power. There are a substantial number of Russian nationals working in Venezuelas oil extraction industry. US Naval Commander Craig Faller told the Voice of America earlier this month that the US military is preparing for a possible conflict with Russia in what Faller called our neighborhood of Latin America. It is also possible that Nicaragua and Cuba would become involved in fighting, drawing the entire hemisphere into war. Washingtons humanitarian pretensions in seeking regime change are a transparent fraud. Yankee imperialism wants to grab Venezuelas oilthe largest proven reserves in the world. Last month, National Security Adviser John Bolton told Fox News: It will make a big difference to the United States economically if we could have American oil companies invest in and produce the oil capabilities in Venezuela. There is virtually no opposition within the US political establishment to the Trump administrations reckless provocations. On the contrary, the corporate media was full of stories expressing shock that Maduro would use tear gas at the border and ban border crossings. There was no mention that the Venezuelan militarys tactics against right-wing thugs storming its borders resembled the methods used by the US border patrol against defenseless women and children seeking to exercise their right to apply for asylum. Most telling is the response of the self-styled left wing of the Democratic Party, which has lent legitimacy to Trumps threats. Senator Bernie Sanders, who announced his candidacy for the Democratic Partys presidential nomination last week, tweeted Saturday: The people of Venezuela are enduring a serious humanitarian crisis. The Maduro government must put the needs of its people first, allow humanitarian aid into the country and refrain from violence against protesters. New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who told reporter Max Blumenthal in early February that she was working on a response to US war threats against Venezuela, has not issued a public statement since then. In his fascistic speech in Miami last week, Trump declared, The twilight of socialism has arrived in our hemisphere. The administrations war threats against Venezuela serve a dual purpose. The US ruling class is demanding the total subjugation of Latin America and free reign for American corporations over the exploitation of the regions workers and resources. At the same time, Trumps Nazi-like attack on socialism is directed against the working class in the US, which is becoming increasingly defiant, as the growth of strike activity shows. Interest in socialism is growing among workers and youth. By identifying socialism with the social disaster produced, in part, by the anti-socialist, bourgeois nationalist policies of the Maduro government, the American ruling class hopes to slander socialism and counter the threat of revolution by preparing mass repression at home. The threat of a disaster of world historic proportions looms as the US moves toward war in Venezuela. Stopping the Trump administrations war plans requires the mobilization of US imperialisms greatest enemy: the American and international working class. Miners in Southwestern Pennsylvania are warning of growing safety concerns at the Consol Energys Pennsylvania Mining Complex as the company pushes production while cutting back on safety. The coal mine complex which includes the Bailey, Enlow Fork and Harvey mines is running at 97 percent capacity and is expected to remain at that level for the rest of the year. The company already has contracts for 95 percent of its coal in 2019, 53 percent in 2020 and 20 percent in 2021. Together the three coal mines make up the largest underground mine in the country, covering an area several times the size of Manhattan extending under both Greene and Washington counties. The complex is commonly referred to as the Bailey mine, as it was the first of the three mines to open. Everyone in the mine is very mad and concerned, said a miner who works at the complex. It is all production, production, production but they are creating the conditions where something can happen. The miner, who spoke on condition that his name not be used, noted that despite record levels of production the company has not rehired miners assigned to rock dust crews who were recently laid off and that controls imposed over purchasing are preventing miners from obtaining the supplies they need. In an earnings call earlier this month, Consol reported its fourth-quarter and full-year 2018 results, reporting that it produced a record 27.6 short tons of coal in 2018, up 5.6 percent from the previous record of 26.1 short tons in 2017. Miners are really mad, the miner explained. Consol tells us how much they are producing but then they didnt want to give us our bonus checks, saying we didnt meet cost objectives. The company eventually paid out the checks. We have a new purchasing system. The upper management has to approve everything that is ordered. He is denying everything. He has cancelled orders for degreaser. Oil and grease build up on our machines, and you have to clean it off. This is a fire hazard. We now only have one set of rock dusters for the entire mine. Rock dusting is the spreading of finely ground up rock to dilute highly combustible coal dust. Rock dusting is done by a set of dusters. This is because two motors are used to haul the tanks and generally the whole operation is run by two miners. Fire bosses walk through the mine and identify areas that need rock dust. There are areas which are supposed to be rock dusted the next shift. Now they are going eight, nine and even 10 shifts before the one crew can get to that area. Black lung is up for miners all across the Appalachian coal fields of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky. The deadly disease is hitting miners at a younger age and more aggressively. One contributor is longwall mining, which, with its greater output and cutting into rock, puts more silicon into the air. When breathed in, silicon cuts the lung tissue, forming scarring which cant absorb oxygen. You cant mine that much coal without putting a lot of dust into the air, said the miner. The rock dust used to prevent coal dust explosions is another source of silicon. I breath way too much rock dust, said the miner. The miner noted that the company recently split its mining and natural gas business and saddled the coal mines with much of the companys debt, All they want is production, at all costs. The is very similar to the statements by then-Massey CEO Don Blankenship to miners to run coal and nothing else in the months before the Upper Big Branch explosion in 2010 that left 29 miners killed. If any of you have been asked by your group presidents, your supervisors, engineers or anyone else to do anything other than run coal (i.e., build overcasts, do construction jobs, or whatever), you need to ignore them and run coal, Blankenship wrote in a memo to all miners at the company. Consol just made adjustments to the bonus systems this past week, the miner noted. This will make it easier for the mining crews to achieve bonuses for production. This in my view is their classic divide and conquer technique. Some miners are happy to take the money, meanwhile they continue to have substandard health insurance, no pensions, no medical retiree benefits, etc. Last November marked the 50th anniversary of the 1968 Farmington Mine disaster in north central West Virginia, in which 78 coal miners were killed from a methane explosion. In the weeks and days before that disaster, miners told their wives and family that they feared for safety in the mine because of the increase methane levels in the mine. Following that disaster, an upsurge in struggle by miners and other workers throughout the country forced the passage of mine safety laws that greatly reduced miners deaths and improved health. No sooner were these safety measures enacted, coal lobbyists and politicians, both Democrats and Republican, began working to undermine them. Most notably, the Clinton administration rejected lower dust levels and other safety procedures which if enacted would have prevented the Upper Big Branch disasters as well as the upsurge in black lung. The Trump administration in its bid to boost corporate profits at the expense of workers have cut regulations and staffed the Mine Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency leadership with former energy lobbyist and company executives. Consol executives know that they are not going to face very many safety violation citations and fines and the few they get will be reduced, considered a part of the cost of doing business. The Bailey mine is the last remaining large mine in Greene County, an area where there used to be a dozen large mines. Last year the 4 West mine near Mt. Morris was closed, and the Emerald mine just outside of Waynesburg was closed in 2015. Together about 1,000 miners lost their jobs. While some miners working in Bailey complex may have hoped that the United Mine Workers (UMW) would organize the complex and set safety and production standards, in fact the union has been a partner with Consol in attacking miners rights. When Bailey began operating in 1984 it was the first non-union mine to open in the region. The UMW struck a deal with Consol, allowing the mine to be non-union on the condition that three out of five people the company hired were laid off miners from Consols other mines. While the union sold this to its members as a way to secure jobs for laid off miners, in reality this ensured that the company could shut down its other mining operations in an orderly fashion. The Socialist Equality Party calls upon miners to form rank-and-file committee that will set both production and safety levels to ensure that miners can work in a safe environment without risk to themselves or their families. In this video, James Cogan, national secretary of the Socialist Equality Party (Australia) appeals to workers, students and youth to attend forthcoming rallies in Sydney and Melbourne to demand freedom for WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange. Cogan explains the connection between the fight for Assange and the struggle against escalating government attacks in every country against freedom of the press and other basic democratic rights. SEP national secretary James Cogan calls for maximum participation in rallies to free Julian Assange Sydney Sunday March 3, 2:00 p.m. Martin Place Amphitheatre (between Pitt Street and Castlereagh Street, at the Pitt Street end) Melbourne Sunday, March 10, 1:00 p.m. Victorian State Library steps Swanston Street, Melbourne Brisbane (livestream of Sydney rally) Sunday March 3, 1:00 p.m. (Queensland time) Woolloongabba Senior Citizens Centre 22 Qualtrough St Woolloongabba (Between Ipswich Rd and Logan Rd) The state Labor government in Victoria was re-elected last November with an increased parliamentary majority after promising large increases in public healthcare spending. Premier Daniel Andrews declared: Only Labor believes in fast, free, and first-class healthcare. Labors claims were bogus. The Andrews administration is preparing to further degrade the public health system through ongoing funding shortfalls and greater privatisation. All Labors spending promises fell far short of what is needed to overcome previous cuts to the health sector and provide for population growth. The state capital Melbourne has grown from four million to five million people in just eight years, with dozens of new working-class suburbs growing on the outskirts of the city. This has led to a serious lag in provision of health services. Labors healthcare promises included hiring 1,100 nurses and midwives, building or expanding 10 community hospitals, hiring 90 more paramedics and purchasing 23 new ambulances. These promises, even if implemented, would not keep pace with the population increases. Typically, the suburb of Melton has expanded from 50,000 people to 150,000 in the past 17 years. A baby is born there every four hours and 7,000 new residents are added every year, but Melton has no hospital. The Labor Party announced last October it would spend just $2.3 million to develop a business case for constructing a hospital in the area. Residents responded with derision and hostility. Future community hospitals promised by Labor were not based on a rational plan to serve the healthcare needs of the population but immediate electoral concerns. Whereas Melton, regarded as a safe Labor electorate, was denied a new hospital, three of the four new planned community hospitals were in marginal Labor-held seats (Whittlesea, Eltham and Fishermans Bend). Of the six medical services to be upgraded to hospitals, five were in marginal seats. In the last week before the election, Andrews promised 250 dental vans would be made available to visit public schools across the state, supposedly saving families up to $400 per child each year. This amount is completely inadequate, given the scandalous lack of public dental care and the serious impacts of tooth decay, which causes preventable chronic disease in both children and adults. Andrews also said his government would conduct a $16 million royal commission to inquire into mental health, hypocritically proclaiming only by laying bare our failings can we fix them. Victoria spends less per capita on community-based mental health care and inpatient beds than any other Australian state and has fewer mental health beds than any other state except Tasmania. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists has insisted that at least 477 beds are needed to lift Victoria up to the Australian average. Although the number of beds has increased by 7 percent over the past eight years, population growth has meant a 9 percent reduction in per capita terms over the same period. The Andrews governments 2018 budget committed only $705 million over four years to mental health and drug and alcohol treatment. This pittance represents one-third of the amount pledged by the neighbouring state of New South Wales. The public healthcare system is confronting multiple crises caused by chronic under funding and under staffing. During the past decade, mental health presentations at public emergency departments in Victoria have grown by over 60 percent. The increase over the past four years alone has been 19 percent. At Melbournes Eastern Health, presentations to emergency department psychiatric triages doubled in two years, from 4,035 to 8,500. The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine says those patients are waiting longer to be assessed and treated, and are twice as likely to leave emergency departments before finishing treatment. Like their state and federal counterparts, successive Victorian Labor and Liberal governments have created a two-tier health system. Those wealthy enough to afford private insurance and user-pays services have access to premium care, while working people depend on over-stretched public healthcare services. The public hospital and healthcare system in Victoria was subjected to a wrecking operation in the 1990s. Between 1992 and 1999, 17 hospitals were closed, 1,400 hospital beds cut and 10,000 hospital staff jobs axed, including 3,500 nurses. During that period, the Liberal government of Jeff Kennett introduced a casemix system that tied hospital funding to formulas that involved the length of stay of each patient, driving quicker throughput and cost-reduction. These seemingly objective pricing formulas can be fine-tuned constantly to force hospitals to lower their spending. Subsequent state Labor governments, under Steve Bracks (19992007) and John Brumby (20072010) continued the imposition of casemix. They also promoted public-private partnerships (PPPs), which saw the looting of public assets. The Victorian model, Partnerships Victoria, became a national trailblazer in satisfying the demands of big business. Recent hospital PPPs under Labor include redevelopments of the New Childrens Hospital Project, the Royal Womens Hospital Project and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre. Each one has seen hundreds of millions flow to major property developers and the banks. The $630 million Bendigo Hospital, for example, saw a bonanza for global property developer Lendlease, and Lendlease partners Capella Capital. The Andrews government is preparing to further accelerate the privatisation of the health system. During the 2018 state election campaign, Andrews announced the semi-privatised redevelopment of two large hospitalsat Frankston, in Melbournes outer southeast, and Footscray, in Melbournes west. A $562 million development is proposed in Frankston and $1.5 billion in Footscray. Financial analysts Mondaq considered the Footscray development an opportunity for the Victorian government to road test its newly released Partnerships Victoria PPP project documents. The Footscray plan is based on a proposal authored by the West of Melbourne Economic Development Alliance (WoMEDA), whose chairman is former Premier Steve Bracks. The WoMEDA proposal for a Health Cluster in Footscray, alongside Victoria University, opted for co-location with a private hospital, claiming it would create a unique (within Australia) university/hospital campus comprising a university, a public hospital and private hospital and promoting the synergies between them. Another privatisation measure initiated under Kennett, the co-location of seven private hospitals within public hospitals, continues under Labor. This allows cream-skimmingthat is, private hospitals can access the high technology facilities at the public hospitals, without having to invest in them separately. In a surprise announcement, General Motors now says that it will keep its Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant open until January 2020. It had originally been slated to close next month with the loss of some 1,500 jobs. In a statement reported Thursday General Motors said it was balancing production timing on the Cadillac CT6 built at the Detroit-Hamtramck facility. GM will also temporarily continue production of the Chevrolet Impala. Production of the Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Volt ended February 15. Management said nothing about the fate of the other targeted facilities including Lordstown, Ohio assembly, which is set to close March 8, and GMs Oshawa, Ontario facility, which is set to close by the end of the year. The plant closures are part of restructuring plan involving the elimination of 14,000 jobs in North America. Thousands of layoffs began earlier this month, impacting white-collar workers at the Warren Tech Center, GM headquarter offices, the Proving Grounds and other operations. There is widespread opposition among rank-and-file workers to the closure of the factories and the complicity of the United Auto Workers and its Canadian counter-part Unifor. The announcement by GM of a temporary extension of production at the Detroit-Hamtramck plant follows a February 9 demonstration organized by the World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter and the Socialist Equality Party, which was the first politically conscious expression of that mass opposition. The demonstration called for the formation of rank-and-file committees, independent of the unions, to fight for unity of workers in the US, Mexico and Canada against the plant closures. It connected this fight with the call for an offensive by workers to restore UAW givebacks, including the abolition of tiers and the making of all part time workers regular employees with full rights and benefits. Faced with growing opposition, GM and the UAW are recalibrating their actions. The delay will put the closure date after what both parties hope will be the negotiation of a new deal to replace the four-year labor contracts, which expire on September 14. The possible retention of the Detroit-Hamtramck or another plant will be used as a carrot to demand massive concessions from workers. In a joint statement, UAW President Gary Jones and Vice President Terry Dittes welcomed the decision that production would continue until the end of the year. For the UAW brothers and sisters at Hamtramck, today is a sense of relief for their families and the community. It continued, The UAW welcomes todays announcement that Hamtramck production will continue. Jones and Dittes claimed the UAW would leave no stone unturned to avoid the plant closings. They added, Again, we commend GM for todays decision and we reiterate the importance of a collective bargaining process in times like these. Such claims have zero credibility given the record of the UAW, which is under a continuing investigation for colluding with the auto companies to siphon of money from joint programs in exchange for signing sweetheart contracts. Instead the UAW and GM plan to use the plant closings as a bludgeon to extract concessions from autoworkers in the upcoming contract talks. The announcement by GM comes as more than 500 Detroit-Hamtramck workers have already transferred to other facilities, including the GM Flint Truck Plant, as well as plants in Tennessee, Kentucky and Texas. Workers forced to transfer face serious hardship, the uprooting of families or, in the case of workers transferring from Detroit to Flint, extended commutes leaving little time for family life or personal time. Hundreds of temporary part-time workers, who have no seniority rights, workers with lower seniority, and contract workers face indefinite layoffs. The unexpected reprieve for the Detroit facility, if only temporary, angered workers who recently transferred to Flint. Many would have preferred to stay in Detroit if they had realized that option was open. A contract worker with GM Subsystems at the Detroit-Hamtramck plant told the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter: With all the (higher seniority) people gone to other states I bet they hire people off the streets before they give us a chance. They have done it before. A lot of Subsystems people are just saying forget it! We dont have any rights to anything. People were surprised by the announcement. You have people who went and got other jobs, waiting for layoff papers, and now they are stuck. The UAW told those that are still there waiting for transfers, still have to go, even though the plant closing is delayed, he said. The mass transfers of higher seniority workers out of the Detroit-Hamtramck and Lordstown plants have had the effect of creating facilities that are staffed largely by lower-paid tier two workers, temporary part time workers and subcontract workers. This could be the starting point for demands by GM in upcoming contract talks that pay rates and conditions at these plants be permanently lowered as a condition for maintaining production at these facilities. In the 2015 agreement the UAW agreed to special terms imposing a lower pay progression on workers at Ford Sterling Axle, Rawsonville powertrain and Woodhaven Hot Metal Forming plants with tier two workers topping out at $19.86 after four years, far below the $29 an hour regular in progression workers receive after eight years. The agreement also committed the UAW to helping management drive older, high seniority workers out of these plants in order to create a low paid workforce. Job saving agreements and concessions contracts signed by the UAW have done nothing to prevent the automakers from eliminating hundreds of thousands of jobs. In the 2015 the UAW agreed to remove limits on the number of temporary part time workers in the plants. These workers enjoy none of the rights and benefits of regular workers, including seniority and transfer rights, and they can be laid off without cost to the company. Expressing its nationalist orientation, the UAW statement made no mention of the closure of the Oshawa plant in Canada. Nor did Jones and Dittes make a reference to the ongoing and courageous struggle by maquiladora workers in Mexico, whose strike has impacted production at facilities across North America, with reports of parts shortages at the Ford Flat Rock plant, the Fiat Chrysler Windsor minivan plant and Ford in Oakville, Ontario. The UAW insists that US autoworkers should view Mexican and Canadian workers as adversaries in a competitive bidding war to see which plants can slash the most costs in order to convince GM to preserve jobs. In response to the strikes in Mexico, US and Canadian-based auto parts suppliers have threatened to shift production out of that country rather than pay higher wages. The UAW and Unifor have essentially endorsed the demand to throw Mexican workers out of their jobs through their filthy nationalist campaign calling for a boycott of GM vehicles assembled in Mexico. While the UAW and Unifor peddle nationalism, it is clear that autoworkers all over the world face a common fight. At the same time that GM is carrying out the shutdown of plants in Detroit, earlier this month Ford announced it is closing its oldest plant in Brazil in Sao Bernardo do Campo and ending truck production in South America at a cost of 2,700 jobs. Honda, meanwhile, has said that it will close its only car plant in Britain in 2021 with the loss of 3,500 jobs. The announcement follows the report that a planned restructuring by Land Rover will involve 4,500 job cuts, most in Britain. These experiences further underscore the necessity for workers to form their own rank-and-file committees, independent of the UAW, to wage a fight against concessions and for the restoration of all givebacks, including the abolition of all tiers and low paid subcontract work. Workers interested in learning more should contact the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter. The annual report from the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), published last week, documents a 30 percent rise in the number of active hate groups in the United States, from 784 in 2014 to 1,020 in 2018, a period that coincides with the election campaign and first two years in office of President Donald Trump. The SPLC asserts that the connection is not an accident, citing Trumps encouragement of ultra-right and fascistic attacks by groups either directly inspired by his racist and anti-immigrant tirades, or in general sympathy with them. These include the racist attack in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017, in which one young anti-fascist protester was killed, after which Trump notoriously declared that there were good people in the mobs chanting, Jews will not replace us. Last year, the two most notorious incidents of ultra-right violence were the bombs mailed to leading Democrats and media figures critical of Trump by ultra-right Trump enthusiast Cesar Sayoc, and the assault on the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, in which fascist gunman Robert Bowers, who backed Trumps anti-immigrant campaign but thought it insufficiently aggressive, killed nine elderly Jews. The SPLC summed up the rise of the far-right over the last year: Surging numbers of hate groups. Rising right-wing populism and antisemitism. Mounting acts of deadly domestic terrorism. Increasing hate crimes. Exploding street violence. That was the landscape of the radical right in 2018. The SPLC report came the same week as two additional events that demonstrate the connection between the fascistic occupant of the White House and the murderous actions of a segment of his co-thinkers. On Monday, Trump delivered an anti-socialist tirade in Miami to an audience of Cuban and Venezuelan exiles, demonizing the Venezuelan government and reiterating his threat, first delivered in the State of the Union speech, to destroy the threat of socialism within the United States itself. On Wednesday came the initial press reports about the February 15 arrest of Lieutenant Christopher Paul Hasson, an American Coast Guard officer of three decades, who had been planning for several years to carry out fascist attacks on media figures, Democrats and socialists. Hasson has been in and around far-right circles for decades, but according to prosecutors, he began corresponding with Harold Covington, a now-deceased neo-Nazi living in Washington state, in September 2017, and began putting together a list of targets only in January 2018. In fact, Hasson was first investigated not because police suspected him of planning terrorist attacks on political enemies, but because police suspected him of substance abuse. The far more serious matter of domestic terrorism was incidental to the initial investigation. This begs the question: Are there other fascists in the US military planning to carry out attacks on the left, independent of, or working with Hasson? Hassons preparation for terrorist attacks parallels similar developments in Germany, where neo-Nazi elements have emerged with the German military, some of them preparing to stage terrorist attacks that they hoped to blame on Islamists in order to create the atmosphere for a more general pogrom against Muslims and immigrants in general. Hasson worked primarily in procurement, which means he would have been in a position to order and route weapons. That he managed to work in the military for three decades without any red flags being raised is alarming. There has been no public reporting of any connections he might have formed within the Coast Guard or other sections of the uniformed military during his long tenure. On the contrary, since his arrest, the corporate media has had little to say about the story, which has largely been dropped. The same goes for Hassons commander-in-chief. When asked about the fascist Coast Guard officer on Friday, Trump deflected questions about the plot to assassinate members of Congress and many others, saying simply, Its a shame. When asked whether his own language bore any responsibility for the growth of fascism, he replied only, No, I think my language is very nice. In fact, the Trump administration has systematically promoted the growth of fascism in the US. The xenophobic, militarist and authoritarian rhetoric spewed by the White House has emboldened existing far-right elements and attracted new ones. The most ominous feature of Hassons activities was his drawing up of a list of political enemies, potential targets for the arsenal of weapons he had assembled. Cesar Sayoc prepared a similar list of targets for his mail bombs last fall. In both cases, the proposed victims were major targets of Trumps twitter attacks and invective, including leading Democrats, media figures and politicians claiming to be socialist, such as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Hasson carried out research into the domestic details of his likely targets, including their home addresses and whether or not they had armed guards. Hassons arrest came only days after Trump made calls for retribution against actor Alec Baldwin for his portrayal of the president on Saturday Night Live. Ocasio-Cortez was one of those on Hassons hit list. Hassons internet activity reportedly included searches such as Where in DC do Congress live? and Best place in DC to see Congress people, according to court documents filed at the time of his arrest. Ocasio-Cortez issued a statement attacking right-wing media outlets for reporting details of her new home in a Washington, DC apartment complex on the same day that the arrest of Hasson became public. The Washington Free Beacon and the Washington Examiner both published descriptions of the property, its general location (although not the exact address) and nearby stores. Journalists are sharing stories about where I live the same day its shared that myself + others were targeted by a mass shooter, Ocasio-Cortez tweeted February 20. All this paired w/ amplifying unvetted conspiracy theories. Its reckless, irresponsible & puts people directly in danger. This isnt a game. There is every reason to take such concerns seriously. In that light, the conduct of the New York Post, owned by right-wing billionaire Rupert Murdoch, is equally filthy. The Post ran a report Saturday under the headline, Where in the world does Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez live? The nominal topic was her absence from the Bronx residence where she lived when she was a candidate for office. The story revealed, however, that the Post had staked out the address for several days while Ocasio-Cortez was in New York City. It also provided details of her new apartment in Washington, DC. Regardless of Hassons arrest, the fact remains that the far-right is materially supported and politically energized by sections of the ruling class. The publishing of Ocasio-Cortezs personal information should be taken as a serious warning by the working class. The Trump administration is carrying out its attacks on political opponents by the most undemocratic and violent means, resorting to intimidation and outright violence. The Democratic Party is also politically culpable in the rise of the far-right. Rather than opposing Trump for his fascistic politics or his chauvinistic tirades, they present him as a Russian puppet and promote the idea that Russia is to blame for all the problems of American social life. In this way, they promote a rival but equally right-wing political narrative and help cover up the growing danger of fascist violence in America. US President Trump has announced that a March 1 deadline for the imposition of additional tariffs of up to 25 percent on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods has been extended. Releasing the decision in the form of a tweet yesterday evening, Trump said there had been substantial progress in talks with China on important structural issues including intellectual property protection, technology transfer, agriculture, services, currency, and many other issues. He provided no specifics. Trump said that if additional progress were made in the negotiations, he would plan a summit meeting with Chinas President Xi Jinping to conclude an agreement. No details were provided on how long the extension of the truce would last or when a summit meeting was likely to occur. Previously, trade officials had ruled out any extension. The leading American negotiator, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, insisted March 1 was a hard deadline. The extension of negotiations will heighten concerns among anti-China hawks, both within the administration and more broadly, about the direction of Trumps policies. They believe he is too ready to strike a trade deal with China without taking action on the structural issues of Chinas industrial and technological development, which they regard as a threat to the economic and military dominance of the US. A key factor in Trumps decision appears to have been concerns voiced by some of his advisers that failure to reach a deal would have a major impact on financial markets, which fell sharply at the end of last year over fears of the effects of a trade war escalation. Public divisions were evident in the US side on Friday at a White House press conference involving Trump, Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. The Chinese delegation in attendance was led by Chinas vice-premier and chief trade negotiator Liu He. Mnuchin said Liu had done a very good job at documenting multiple MOUs (Memoranda of Understanding) that would be binding and enforceable and cover all different types of industries and would be very good for US business in finally opening up China. Trump intervened to criticise his own official, telling Mnuchin: Why do you bother putting it in a form of a letter of intent, or whatever you want to call it? To me its a waste of time. The issue erupted again, in response to a question as to whether the MOUs would be a long-term deal and how long they would last. Trump replied: I think the MOU is going to be very short term. I dont like MOUs because they dont mean anything. Lighthizer responded by saying that an MOU was a contract and it was the way trade agreements were generally done. A memorandum of understanding is a binding agreement between two people, he said. Its detailed; it covers everything in detail. Trump then put down his leading trade negotiator. By the way, I disagree. I think that a memorandum of understanding is not a contract to the extent that we want To me it (an MOU) doesnt mean very much. Lighthizer responded that well never use the term again, saying there would be a trade agreement adding: We have major hurdles. The immediate cause of the spat appears to have been Trumps concern about the reaction of his supporters in right-wing sections of the media. The previous evening, Lou Dobbs the Fox Business host, who is regarded as influential among Trumps inner circle, had said: An MOU isnt worth the paper its written on. According to a Trump adviser, cited by the Wall Street Journal: Trumps words are coming out of Lou Dobbs mouth last night. If youre 2020 campaign people, you want to protect Trump from an assault from the right. The issue previously emerged during manoeuvres over the Mexican Wall and the government shutdown, when Trump came under criticism from far-right commentator Ann Coulter for backing down on the issue. But more is involved than immediate electoral considerations. These issues go to the heart of the conflict with China. The Lighthizer wing within the administration, including White House economic adviser and anti-China hawk, Peter Navarro, insist that trade is not the central issue. While calling for a reduction of the trade deficit, their focus, reflecting views within the military and intelligence establishment, is directed to what they call structural reform. By this they mean enforceable measures directed against Chinas industrial and technological development. Their concern is that following the sharp fall in financial markets in Decemberwhen Wall Street experienced its most significant decline for that month since 1931Trump has become too concerned with market reaction and is too willing to secure a deal that they regard as not addressing the fundamental questions. This view was reflected in a tweet on Friday by Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who has close connections with the intelligence establishment and is one of the leading anti-China figures within the US Congress. Responding to reports that China had agreed to increase its purchases of US soybeans, he said: No matter how many tons of soybeans they buy, if China gets to keep cheating and stealing trade secrets it wont be a good deal for America, our workers, or our national security. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal: China hawks in the business community, the administration and in Congress say they are troubled by what they see as Mr Trumps growing impatience for a deal, and are urging him to stand firm and insist China make fundamental changes in its industrial policies. The article cited Democrat New Jersey House of Representatives member Bill Pascrell who said: I am encouraged by signs of progress, but remain concerned that the president will accept a quick offer of procurement of US goods rather than fundamental reforms to Chinas systemic problems. On the other side, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with internal deliberations, that Mnuchin and National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow have been making the case to the president that investors expect a deal, and not getting one would cause US stock markets, which started the year strongly on trade optimism, to stumble again. Mnuchin and Kudlow are also reported to have advised Trump not to issue an executive order banning Huawei and other Chinese telecom companies from supplying equipment for US networks as this could jeopardise the trade discussions. The battle within the administration is increasingly becoming public with reports that the office of the US Trade Representative is making thank-you calls to those who appear on television, or issue statements to the press, calling for the administration to take a tougher stance on China. The only concrete agreement so far appears to be a commitment by China to maintain the value of the Chinese currency, the yuan, and not to engage in competitive devaluation. During his election campaign Trump denounced China as a currency manipulator. But the US Treasury has refused to name China as such. Moreover, Chinese financial authorities have taken action to maintain the value of the yuan, fearing that any significant fall will lead to an outflow of capital from China. Announcing the agreement, without providing any details, Mnuchin said it was the strongest deal on currency yet. However, it appears to have already run into difficulties. To this point, no decision has been reached on how it would be enforced, underscoring a point emphasised by Lighthizer, following an earlier round of discussions, that the key issue in any agreement was enforcement, enforcement, enforcement. Whatever the course of the negotiations over the next, as yet unspecified, time frame, the two sides remain far apart on the key US demands. These were set out in a document presented to China last May that amount to nothing less than a diktat that Chinas economic advancement must never be allowed to significantly challenge the US. Writing in the South China Morning Post last week, Minxin Pei, professor of government at Claremont McKenna College and the inaugural Library of Congress Chair in US-China relations, noted that the trade war is not fundamentally about trade at all; rather, it is manifestation of the escalating strategic competition between the two powers. He concluded that even if a comprehensive trade deal were reached in a few months from now, the conflict would continue. The only way it could be avoided would be if China steps up credibly to assuage Americas security concerns. This could only be done, Pei opined, if instead of purchasing more American soybeans, China took action such as dismantling facilities it has built on artificial islands in the South China Sea. In other words, unless Beijing demonstrates that it is prepared to accept a subservient position with regard to the US and drop its key economic and strategic objectives, the confrontation will escalate. This is part one of an article on the Chicago municipal elections. Part two will cover the city council races. As did the national midterm elections last year, the municipal elections set to take place Tuesday in Chicago, the third largest city in the US, represent another turn to the right in the whole structure of official American politics. Widespread disgust with both parties prevails as fourteen candidates vie for mayor and as much as one-third of the city council may be ousted in Chicagos city council races. After two scandal-ridden terms, Democratic Mayor Rahm Emanuel will leave office and a new mayor will take office after April 2019. A former investment banker, Emanuel served in both the Clinton and Obama administrations. Emanuel left his job as Obamas White House Chief of Staff to run for mayor of Chicago in 2011 on the promise to reform the public schools. He provoked a massive clash with the citys teachers and working families and transformed the city into ground-zero in the Obama administrations right-wing education reform agenda. With the cooperation of the Chicago Teachers Union, he closed 50 public elementary schools, expanded privately-run charters and oversaw the layoffs of thousands of teaching and support positions. In 2015, Emanuel survived a challenge by Jesus Chuy Garcia, a mayoral candidate backed by the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), only to be exposed later that year for his role in orchestrating the cover up the police murder of teenager Laquan McDonald by Chicago police officer Jason van Dyke in 2014. Throughout both of Emanuels terms, leading Democrats have emphasized that tough decisions must be made regarding the city budget, whichin addition to attacks on the schoolshave resulted in the shuttering of public mental health care facilities, cuts to transit and social services and the constant and growing threat to public sector worker pensions. There is widespread disgust for the leading candidates to replace Emanuel, all who have legacies of corruption and anti-working class policies going back decades. Last month, the longest serving alderman, Ed Burke, was arrested on extortion charges. Those events elicited more than the usual ritualistic calls for an end to corruption, and a number of Democratic Party hopefuls are seeking to take advantage of the scandal. Though the major candidates all have a history in local or national political leadership, they are intensely aware of the hatred among working people for the Democratic and Republican parties and are desperately attempting to distance themselves from those responsible for the current state of affairs. Like many major cities worldwide, Chicago is characterized by nothing more distinctly than social inequality, which has worsened considerably as the number of middle-income earners has shrunk, the number of wealthy in the city has risen, and poverty has expanded dramatically. University of Illinois Chicagos Vorhees Center reports that in the decades between 1970 and 2010, about half (46 percent) of city Census tracts went from middle-income (thats an average individual income 80-120 percent of the regional average) to about half very low income (or 46 percent of tracts), where individual incomes average 60 percent or less of the regional average. Very high income tracts (those making 140 percent of regional average income) made up only 4 percent of the city in 1970, while very low income tracts made up 17 percent of the city. By 2010, very high income tracts grew to 15 percent and middle income tracts shrunk to only 16 percent of the city. Geographically, the high income areas are on the north side, while the South and far west sides are home to most of the citys very low income residents. At a November mayoral forum, the candidates present worked to lower expectations by underlining the long-standing state and municipal budget crisis and pension obligations combined with three consecutive years of population decline. Candidates have promised to meet demands for badly needed infrastructure while proposing to address population loss by insisting the city become more business friendly. For the most part candidates must contort themselves to reassure an increasingly nervous ruling class that their interests would be well-served under their leadership while paying lip service to the major issues confronting the working class in the cityissues like police violence, lack of decent employment, low wages, rising costs of housing, and the relentless cuts to public education, public transit and social services. Officials are reportedly expecting low voter turnout. Pundits anticipate that a run-off in April will likely be between the latest candidate from Chicagos Daley dynasty, Bill Daley, and Cook County Democratic Party boss Toni Preckwinkle. The major municipal unions represented by the Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL), which covers public sector workers, the building trades, Teamsters, UNITE Here, United Autoworkers, United Food and Commercial Workers, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2 and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 have declined to formally endorse a primary candidate. However the Chicago Sun Times, owned in part by the CFL, has endorsed former federal prosecutor Lori Lightfoot. The two exceptions to the CFLs formal neutrality are the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Both unions have endorsed Preckwinkle and are active in her campaign. Of the fourteen candidates, the most significant are: Toni Preckwinkle Preckwinkle was recently reelected President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. She is the first African American and woman to serve as Chairperson of the Cook County Democratic Party, which controls the city and county governments for the most part. Prior to taking over as head of the county board in 2011, she served as an Alderman for 19 years representing the citys 4th ward in Hyde Park. Her role as a cost-cutter should be taken very seriously. After being elected to lead the Cook County Board she proposed in 2011 to close a $487 million deficit through massive budget cuts, mass layoffs and furloughs. In 2014, she proposed significant pension cuts. Preckwinkle remains a leader among that narrow but influential section of wealthy, well-educated property owners with generally conservative politics, long known as the Lakeshore liberals. This support is being boosted by Chicago Teachers Unions direct intervention into the mayoral race, a role the union is reprising from the 2015 election. The CTU is currently led by Jesse Sharkey of the International Socialist Organization. Negotiations between the city and CTU for the summer 2019 Chicago Public Schools teachers contract got underway last month. Part of the CTU political strategy is to ensure they have a cozy relationship with the new boss. CTU Vice President and Political/Legislative director Stacy Gates has played the leading role in promoting Preckwinkle for mayor. CTU announced its endorsement of Preckwinkle for mayor on December 5, 2018, the second day of the Acero charter teachers strike. Using the teachers pickets as a backdrop for her campaign, Preckwinkle announced her education platform, which promised a four-year freeze on charter schools and school closings, a return to an elected school board and funding of neighborhood schools. None of those promises can be believed. Endorsements from the SEIU State Council, which involves Locals 1 and 73, followed that same week bringing in $1 million in campaign funding. Preckwinkle also received a donation of $10,000, some but not all of which has reportedly been returned, from alderman Ed Burke. Her campaign has so far raised more than $4.6 million. Bill Daley Daley is brother of former mayor Richard M. Daley and son of former mayor Richard J. Daley who, taken together, ruled the city for 42 years. He is a multimillionaire investment banker and leading figure in the Democratic Party. Daley served as Clinton White House Commerce Secretary and Obama White House Chief of Staff after Rahm Emanuel departed for his mayoral bid. Daley boasted of his own wealth and political achievements, telling the Chicago Tribune: I had the highest security clearance under Obama and under Clinton. I think they [voters] get a fair understanding, yes, Ive done well, and Im proud of that. They have a sense of who I am based upon my career, mostly in the private sector. Theyll make a judgment as to whether or not they think theres something evil there, which there isnt. His mayoral campaign has taken in more than $8.6 million, with $2 million coming in recent weeks from Illinois most prominent billionaire investor and political activist Ken Griffin of Citadel Investments. Daley has been endorsed by the Chicago Tribune . Lori Lightfoot Lightfoot is a leading figure in the citys official police oversight efforts since 2002 under former Mayor Richard M. Daley. She headed the now-defunct Chicago Police Office of Professional Standards and was appointed by Emanuel to the Chicago Police Board (the nominal civilian oversight body) and the Chicago Police Accountability Task Force. The latter was established by Emanuel in the aftermath of the exposure of the murder and cover-up of Laquan McDonald. Prior to these roles, she spent six years as a federal prosecutor. Lightfoots campaign has also worked to portray her as a progressive police oversight official, based on sham reforms efforts and her identity as an African-American and lesbian wife and mother. Lightfoot has been endorsed by the Sun-Times, which is owned in part by the Chicago Federation of Labor. Her campaign has taken in more than $1.5 million. Paul Vallas Vallas led the Chicago Public Schools from 1995 to 2001 and would go on to make a career as a school reformer nationwide, stripping down public school districts and expanding private charter schools under President Obamas Education Secretary Arne Duncan, himself a former chief executive of CPS. Positioning himself as a fighter against corruption, Vallas has run a remarkably right-wing demagogic campaign featuring promises to wage war on violent crime, and calling for a Marshall Plan for Chicago. At a 2018 mayoral forum he promised to reinvest in long-neglected neighborhoods, pledged to hire minority businesses for city contracts, and expand the number of police. He proposed to recruit police through the Chicago ROTC high schools programs, which he emphasized enroll majority-minority students. He also credited himself for the creation of the ROTC programs. Vallas has received the endorsement of the Cook County Republican Party. Garry McCarthy McCarthys mayoral bid has been characterized by promising to root out corruption in city hall, and a refusal to cooperate with the Department of Justices consent decree governing the Chicago Police Department. McCarthy came to head the Chicago Police as superintendent from Newark, New Jersey where he was embroiled in a police violence scandal. He was appointed by Emanuel in 2011 and fired in the political fallout following the release of the video showing the murder of Laquan McDonald. During his tenure and under Emanuel, Chicago police were discovered to be operating an unofficial interrogation black site in which thousands of residents had been temporarily disappeared and at least one was killed. Undaunted by his firing, McCarthy went on to promote himself as an asset to other city leaders before announcing his mayoral bid. In entering a bid to work with the city of London, he boasted to the British Sun, Id fix Londons police the way I sorted Chicagos. Other candidates include former mayor Richard M. Daley's Chief of Staff and CPS head Gery Chico; Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza; former alderman Bob Fioretti; Illinois representative and real estate investor LaShawn Ford; former states attorney Jerry Joyce; technology entrepreneur Neal Sales-Griffin; perennial mayoral candidate and businessman Willie Wilson; Austin Chamber of Commerce director Amara Enyia; and far-right populist John Kozlar. To be continued The author also recommends: Unions promote corporate Democrats to succeed Emanuel for mayor [27 November 2018] Longest serving Chicago alderman charged with attempted extortion [7 January 2019] Chicago Teachers Union backs longtime Democratic Party politician for mayor [10 December 2014] Houston, MO (65483) Today Locally heavy thunderstorms during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low near 70F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Locally heavy thunderstorms during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low near 70F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. A public meeting called by the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) was held in Cambridge Saturday, opposing Cambridge Universitys awarding of a prestigious research fellowship to the eugenicist Noah Carl. The Toby Jackman Newton Trust Research Fellowship was awarded to Carl at the end of 2018, evoking widespread opposition from students and academic staff. An open letter, No to Racist Pseudoscience at Cambridge, was signed by nearly 1,500 academics and students. Students from the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University attended the meeting. IYSSE member Thomas Scripps gave the opening report, followed by the German Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (SGP) deputy-leader Christoph Vandreier, who joined via video link from Berlin. Vandreier has played a leading role in the struggle against pro-Nazi apologetics and the rise of neo-fascism in Germany. Scripps explained, While Carls academic papers are given a sociological gloss, his true social Darwinist colours are revealed by his participation in a close-knit network of naked white supremacists and eugenics advocates, including Emil Kirkegaard, Heiner Rindermann, Richard Lynn and Gerhard Meisenbergsome of his most common co-authors and publishers. This is a cabal dedicated to the promotion of race science in the service of far-right and outright fascist politics. There is zero scientific credibility to this work, said Scripps. Scripps discussed the historical origins of eugenics in the late nineteenth century as a response by sections of the ruling class to the emergence of the imperialist epoch. Eugenics became popular as a means of asserting that the imperialist despoiling of the planet was justified by the superiority of the white race and that immense social problems like poverty, unemployment and crime were not the product of the social system but of defective human material. Eugenics formed a central plank of the Nazis programme that produced the Holocaust. Scripps explained that Nazi eugenicist Otmar von Verschuer was a founding editor of the Mankind Quarterly journal, which has published Carls recent work. Verschuer was director of the Institute for Genetic Biology and Racial Hygiene from 1935 to 1942 and of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute of Anthropology, Human Heredity, and Eugenics from 1942 to 1948. Here, he tutored Nazi war criminal Josef Mengele, who went on to conduct deadly human experiments as the camp physician at Auschwitz. That individuals such as Carl are now being defended by the University of Cambridge and by prominent media outlets show the rightward lurch of the ruling class internationally. Christoph Vandreiers remarks to the meeting were followed with enormous interest. He explained how the struggle at Humboldt University began in February 2014, after Professor of Eastern European History Jorg Baberowski claimed in Der Spiegel that Adolf Hitler was not vicious. Outside of the SGP and the IYSSE, Baberowskis pro-Nazi apologetics were not challenged by a single academic, journalist or politician in Germany. When the IYSSE opposed Baberowskis statements, Humboldt University came to his defence and issued threats against the IYSSE. The media attacked us, accusing us of Trotskyite mobbing of an innocent professor, while they made no reference to Baberowskis statements in defence of Hitler. The promotion of the theories connected to the far-right in universities was an expression of very fundamental developments in society. In Germany the far-right has entered parliament for the first time since the end of the Nazi regime. Vandreier emphasised that the fascists in Germany were a hated minority and quoted from his book Why Are They Back, which is published by Mehring Verlag and has recently been translated into English. The AfD [Alternative for Germany] has neither a mass base of support nor combat-ready units like Hitlers SA, the book states. Unlike the Nazis, which recruited their members among uprooted war veterans, socially ruined members of the petty-bourgeoisie and lumpen unemployed workers The AfDs strength arises exclusively out of the support it receives from the political parties, the media, the government and the state apparatus. Vandreier stated that Baberowski was being defended in Germany by senior Social Democrat (SPD) and Left Party politicians. Meanwhile, the Christian Democratic Union-SPD grand coalition government has adopted the central planks of the AfDs far-right programme: anti-immigrant racism, German remilitarisation and state authoritarianism. All of the undigested filth from the past is being revived, said Vandreier. Just as in the 1930s, fascism is the response of the ruling class to the breakdown of capitalism. That is why the opposition to fascism must be based on the fight against capitalism. A resolution, Oppose the promotion of eugenics and pseudo-science at Cambridge University! was adopted, calling for a broad political campaign against Carls appointment. It concluded: We urge all concerned students, clubs and societies, to pass resolutions demanding that Noah Carls research fellowship be rescinded. This demand is part of the necessary fight against the state promotion of far-right influence at universities across Europe and internationally. A lively Q&A session followed. A student from St. Edmunds College at Cambridge University described how opposition to Carls appointment was met with official stonewalling, then censorship, lies, intimidation and threats of disciplinary action by college management. Student comments about protests over Noah Carls appointment were removed from the colleges Facebook page. College staff were deployed to block fire exits and lock doors to prevent students from attending a peaceful protest. When students gained entry to the college corridor using a swipe card, college authorities falsely claimed students had broken in, accusing them of striking fear into college staff. The student explained, They are under investigation themselves for appointing Noah Carl and yet they are threatening us with disciplinary action for shouting. We feel that we have no voice. Vandreier noted the way in which student opposition in both Germany and Britain was being attacked as mobbing, while academics advocating far-right viewsincluding eugenics and pro-Nazi apologetics--were being defended. But even more important than the campaign against us, was the support that we got, the SGP leader insisted. We are not tilting at windmills. Quite the opposite. We represent in the fight against fascism the vast majority of the population. We must base our opposition to fascism very clearly on this opposition in the working class. After the meeting, students stayed behind to talk with IYSSE and SEP members and to purchase literature. Elsie Linley, a postgraduate Classics student from St. Edmunds College explained how she first became aware of Noah Carls pseudo-scientific and far-right views. All I had to dowhich was shocking to mewas Google him. Literally just a five second Google search I thought, hang on, how is it that out of a thousand applicantsand the Toby Jackman fellowship is an extremely prestigious awardhe has been chosen? I thought there must be some mistake. And when I realised, this is true, I thought: Weve got to do something about this. The college interviewed him at multiple stages. They are aware of his views and theyre complicit Its crucial to have awareness of this raised outside of the University of Cambridge she added. At the moment it is being characterised by my college as silly students and snowflake students. Theres a risk that it will just get buried. Theyre trying to silence us and to wear us out. So, today is really bolstering. Its pleased me so much to know there are people who arent students of that college who are willing to help fight with us. Its brilliant. Bello Mohammed is studying architecture at Anglia Ruskin University. He said, I was quite impressed at the meeting. I really liked it. I never expected to learn that in this world we live in right now, things like this could happen. The people at this meeting here are young and they will not know about events that happened in the last century. I was surprised when I read your leaflet that the things that happened in Germany in the past are still going on today. I hope this generation will learn from the past. I didnt know about Noah Carl until I saw your leaflet explaining that he believes in eugenics. I knew about eugenics and had researched about the eugenics programme and how it was used previously. We have to confront the new Nazis. We have to constantly remind ourselves about what happened in the past so that we dont repeat it. I think capitalism is a way of governing that strangles the poor people and we have to oppose it. The buildup to the US-led provocation at the Venezuelan border has been accompanied in Brazil by a concerted media campaign, joined by the official opposition in the Workers Party (PT) and its pseudo-left satellites, to portray the Brazilian military as offering a political alternative to the madness and incompetence of the fascistic President Jair Bolsonaro. The central argument has hinged on the militarys supposed restraint and independence from the US-aligned policies proposed by Bolsonaro, above all regarding the countrys northern neighbor, Venezuela, with the military supposedly opposing US imperialisms operations against the government of President Nicolas Maduro. While General Hamilton Mourao, the Brazilian vice-president, has repeatedly declared that Maduro must realize he has to go, and the Brazilian military is maneuvering with dissident elements in the Venezuelan military to bring him down, the corporate media and the self-styled left pundits who claim to oppose the government have promoted the narrative that the Brazilian military opposes the US regime-change operation. The corporate media, the Workers Party (PT) and its pseudo-left apologists are aping, step by step, the campaign by the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Democratic Party in the US over the unfitness of Donald Trump, using the widespread opposition to the right-wing policies of Brazils elected president to push for increasing control of the state by the more rational and reliable military chiefs. This campaign is remarkably unanimous across the editorial and opinion pages of the countrys largest and most influential papers and weeklies Veja, O Globo, O Estado de S. Paulo, Folha de S. Paulo and El Paisas well as the pro-PT alternative mediaBrasil247, Carta Capital, Revista Forum and GGN. Their central argument is that Bolsonaros administration is an aberration produced by the stupidity of Brazilian voters poisoned by fake news, and it must be taken over by the adults in the roomthe vice-president, General Mourao, and other members of the military brass named by Bolsonaro to his cabinet. In each and every case, lifelong careers in the corrupt, murderous and pro-imperialist Brazilian security forces are taken by the media as the guarantee of their reliability and strength. The escalation of this reactionary campaign could be seen in the unanimous reaction of the media and the opposition over the past two weeks to a cabinet crisis caused by a report by Folha on February 10 that Bolsonaros presidential secretary-generala senior cabinet post in BrazilGustavo Bebianno, may have authored a scheme to run fake candidates in order to funnel public electoral funds to members of Bolsonaros Social Liberal Party (PSL). Among the evidence presented in the report was that the candidates who received the funds won few votes compared to their campaign expenditures. This is highly dubious and consistent with the campaign spearheaded by Folha during the elections claiming that voters were decisively influenced by fake news promoting Bolsonaro via Whatsapp. The Whatsapp fake news story was seized upon in the most reactionary way by the PTs main pseudo-left backer, the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), to request that the Brazilian Electoral Court forbid the use of the popular social media app throughout the country in the run-up to the election. The Folha story on Bebianno, published while Bolsonaro was recovering from a surgery related to the attempt on his life during the campaign, offered a remarkable glimpse into the inner workings of dominant Brazilian ruling circles and their building up of the military as the only legitimate and able political force in the country. While the story initially sparked a media furor demanding Bebiannos ouster, it was followed by an attack on Bebianno by Bolsonaros son, Carlos Bolsonaro, a Rio de Janeiro councilman. He charged that Bebianno was working to bring his father down by claiming that the president shared the blame for the scheme. As a result, the sympathy of the media and the PT-PSOL opposition immediately swung over to Bebianno. The lightning speed of this shift was based entirely on a tip from the military ministers visited by Bebianno after Carlos Bolsonaros attack. Folha and other outlets reported on February 14 that General Augusto Heleno (chief of nntelligence) and General Fernando Azevedo (defense minister) had intervened with Bolsonaro to spare Bebianno. The next day, the countrys oldest daily, O Estado de S. Paulo published an editorial titled Filhocracia (Son-ocracy), complaining that Bolsonaro was acting under the influence of his unelected sons and not heeding the generals in his cabinetthe supposed standard-bearers of Brazilian democracy. Jumping on the bandwagon, the PTs mouthpiece, Brasil247, posted a high-profile unsigned articlewhat passes for an editorial board statement on the websitemaking clear the PTs alignment with the corporate media. It claimed that the conservative and progressive press have reached a consensus that the government of the Bolsonaro clan, where family is above state ministers, is untenable. It went on to quote PT-backing pundits aping the line of the military about Bolsonaros unpreparedness. Later, as the PT, PSOL and PCdoB maneuvered with the right wing in Congress to have Bebianno testify before a committee, Brasil247 editor Mauro Lopes penned an article portraying the military-backed Bebianno as a victim of Bolsonarist neo-fascism, writing that Bolsonaros supporters initiated a campaign of defamation and threats just as bad as the ones directed by them against the PT. Meanwhile, the PTs 2018 presidential candidate, Fernando Haddad, left no doubt that this alignment with the generals is being directed by the partys leadership. At a rally in the PT-ruled state of Ceara, whose governor, Camilo Santana, is campaigning in support of Bolsonaros police-state proposals, including an extension of the definition of terrorism to encompass demonstrations, Haddad declared to the press, The crisis with the secretary-general has worried everyone, the press, the military, adding, The question is, who is the adult in the room. The choice of these words, echoing the description of the now-departed generals in Trumps White House, left no doubt as to Haddad and the PTs orientation to the military. An article by PSOLs Cid Benjamin in Revista Forum at the height of the crisis also revealed the extent to which his party is engaged in the operation. He wrote that faced with the festival of stupidity of Bolsonaros ministers every other day, [Vice President General] Mourao has built an image of reasonability. He went on to say that this image was due to Mouraos granting an audience to the CUTthe largest trade union in the country, controlled by the PTand meeting the Palestinian Authority, slapping Bolsonaro in the face due to Bolsonaros pro-Israel policy. He concluded with an indication that PSOL is prepared to help build up the generals image. The only thing missing was to invite him [PSOLs 2018 presidential candidate, Guilherme Boulos] for a coffee, he wrote. In an attempted show of force, Bolsonaro moved last Monday to fire Bebianno, not without first being cornered by the military ministers, emboldened by the reactionary media campaign, who compelled him to name General Floriano Peixoto, Bebiannos deputy, as the new presidential secretary-general. There is nothing progressive in PTs ganging-up with the discredited corporate media and the military against the fascistic Bolsonaro. It hands him the ability to portray himself as the victim of a conspiracy. He is attempting to strengthen his fascistic, personalist appeal, whilelike Trump himselfinvolving his sons in government. This political tack is being discussed with powerful corporate backers and far-right leaders abroad, above all Steve Bannon, with whom another of Bolsonaros sons, senator for the state of Sao Paulo, Flavio Bolsonaro, maintains close contact. Significantly, in the wake of Bebiannos demise, Bolsonaro sought to strike a populist tone presenting himself as opposing the harshness of the pension reform proposed by his economic team. He also asked the Supreme Court to reject the allegation of former president Michel Temers economy minister that last years truckers strike conspired against the public well-being, which is the central allegation of a lawsuit being heard by the court which may result in criminal charges against the truckers. The aim of the PT is to cover up the issues involved in the sharp turn to the right taken by the Brazilian political system since the reelection of PTs Dilma Rousseff in 2014. This turn to the rightunder both the PT and Bolsonarois aimed at imposing a massive restructuring of class relations, first and foremost through the so-called pension reforma measure that Fernando Haddad himself spearheaded as Sao Paulo mayor in 2016and a reorientation towards US imperialism and away from China. TBI looks to talk to pickup truck driver as search continues for Summer Wells NASHVILLE (WSMV) - Fourteen counties remain under state of emergency after several days of storms and floods, eight of those counties in Middle Tennessee. According to TEMA, the Middle Tennessee counties under a state of emergency include Van Buren, Maury, Marshall, Cheatham, Lincoln, Moore, Overton, and Warren Counties. State officials are continuing to monitor river level forecasts and are in contact with local officials on flooding impacts and needs. There were 33 counties reporting some type of impact from the storms. At least three people have died in Tennessee during the storms including a 53-year-old woman in Cheatham County whom was swept away by flood waters. In Knox County, a 56-year-old man drowned in a submerged vehicle, and a 62-year-old man in Hawkins County died in a mudslide. TDOT reports that 5 inches of rainfall on average fell from February 22 to February 24, in addition to the 10-15 inches that some places have seen over the last seven days. At least 40 state roadways are damaged or washed out; and several hundred county roads are damaged or washed out. Five-hundred sandbags and more than 350 cots are being provided in resource requests from local EMAs across middle Tennessee. Six pallets of water were sent to the west Tennesse region. Overton County received two pumps to pump water out of the area. The hardest hit county, Hawkins County in east Tennessee, reported damage and needs assistance. How are the floods impacting Tennessee rivers? Five Tennessee rivers are at or above major flood stages. Cumberland, Tennessee, Buffalo, and Harpeth River are at a moderate flood stage. Duck River and the Ohio River in Kentucky are in major flood stage. Where is the nearest TEMA shelter? Only five TEMA shelters remain open at this time for those needing a place to escape to. The closest one to middle Tennessee is in Hardin County at the Savannah Church of Christ, 1175 Pickwick Street in Savannah, TN. What if I see flood waters in the road while I'm driving? If you see flooded roadways, please turn around and do not drown. You are risking not only your life but those who will try to rescue you. What do I do if I have storm damage? TEMA advises those with storm damage to get in touch with their insurance companies and keep track of any repairs you make on your own. If you have major damage or need help with repairs, you're asked to contact your local county emergency management agency. You can find a full list of contacts county-by-county here. If you have downed trees and need assistance, contact the Tennessee Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (TNVOAD) at tennesseevoad@gmail.com. Stay away from downed power lines and utility poles and report downed lines and utility poles to your local utility company. If you have any emergency, you're asked to call 911. I need more information about... If you're looking for additional shelter information, visit the American Red Cross to find a shelter near you - Click Here If you need to check the latest river and lake levels, visit the National Weather Service website for an interactive map - Click Here If you're looking to find out the latest road conditions in your neighborhood and to find out if roads near you are closed or flooded, visit TDOT Smartway for an interactive map - Click Here If you're looking to donate to the victims of flooding and severe weather, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennesee has multiple disaster relief funds on their website - Click Here While many top coffee-producing countries are well known, numerous other countries produce small amounts of coffee beans for the local market. The coffee plant grows well in high altitude mountain areas, such as parts of Latin America and Africa. Additionally, coffee thrives in a tropical climate, especially in areas located near the equator, between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer. This area is often referred to as "The Bean Belt." There are approximately 70 coffee growing countries and regions in the world. However, the largest supplies come from Honduras, Indonesia, Colombia, Vietnam, and Brazil. The United States (US) is one of the largest consumers of coffee in the world, but only a small producer of coffee. Only two US states grow coffee. Coffee Production in the US The United States is not one of the world's major coffee producers. In fact, coffee can only be commercially grown in two states: Hawaii and California. However, Puerto Rico, which is a territory of the US, has a thriving coffee industry. Experimental coffee growing projects are also occurring in Georgia and Santa Barbara, California. About 90% of the coffee consumed in the US is imported, especially from South America. The country also imports raw coffee beans, processes them into various coffee products, and then exports them to the international market. Coffee in Hawaii There are several coffee farms throughout the island of Hawaii. However, the state is known for its Kona coffee. The Kona "coffee belt" is about 2 miles wide and is located between 200 and 700 feet above the sea level on the slopes of the Mauna Loa volcano. The region, which is characterized by black, volcanic soil, has the perfect conditions for the coffee tree, and produces some of the finest coffee beans in the world. Other areas in Hawaii where coffee is grown on a large scale include Kau, Puna, and Hamakua. Coffee harvesting in Hawaii occurs all year round, although the highest production is between late summer and early spring. In 2008-2009, 8.6 million pounds of coffee was harvested in Hawaii. The history of coffee in Hawaii dates back to 1813. However, known coffee plants were brought from Brazil in 1925 by John Wilkinson. These plants were planted in Manoa Valley but did not thrive following the death of Wilkinson in 1927. Several trees were later planted on the island, especially by missionaries who visited the area. Coffee was introduced in the Kona District in 1828 by Reverend Samuel Ruggles, which proved to be the most successful area for coffee production. Coffee in California Although Southern California is famous for its avocado groves, coffee is now also grown alongside the avocado as part of an experimental project. There are several coffee farms between San Diego and Santa Barbara where coffee is grown under the canopies of old avocado trees. Although the conditions in California do not favor coffee production, local farmers have devised an irrigation system to help coffee beans thrive. The California beans are in high demand across the country, especially as the public wants to know how they taste. If the coffee project in California becomes successful, the United States could become a major coffee producer. Senegal is a country found in West Africa bordering several nations including Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Guinea, Mali, and the Gambia. The Gambia occupies a narrow strip of land along the banks of Gambia River which separates the southern region of Senegal also known as Casamance from the northern part of the country. Senegal occupies an area of 76,000 square miles with a population of about 15 million people. According to 2018 estimates, the country had a nominal GDP of $24.24 billion and GDP based on purchasing power parity of $59.9 billion. Senegal also had a nominal GDP per capita of $1,485 and GDP per capita based purchasing power parity of $3,675. The country is mainly rural with relatively few natural resources, and most of its foreign income is derived from the export of crops, fish, granite, and tourism. The country has one of the highly-developed tourism industries in the continent. Some of the natural resources in the country include arable, beautiful scenery, forests, fish, and minerals such as phosphates among others. Senegal's Natural Resources Arable Land According to FAO, arable land in Senegal accounted for 17.5% of the total land area as of 2015, and the country relies heavily on agriculture. The location of the country in the Sahel region means that the country receives erratic rainfall and the country is also characterized by non-fertile soils and the irrigated land is approximately 5% of the country. Other regions within the country rely mainly on rain-fed farming which employs approximately 75% of the country's labor force. Most of the agricultural production is mainly subsistence, and they are prone to threats of pests like locusts, drought, birds, fruit fly, and whiteflies. Some of the principal crops cultivated in the country include corn, millet, sorghum, and rice. The country relies mainly on agriculture, but still imports most of its food items particularly rice which accounts for 75% of the cereal imports into the country. Some of the crops such as cotton, sugar cane, peanuts, and wheat are grown extensively throughout the country mainly for local consumption and export market as well. The region of Casamance, which is separated from the other part of the country by the Gambia, is one of the highly productive regions in the country, although the region does not have sufficient infrastructure or transport that could easily improve its capacity. Livestock and Poultry As of 2003, the population of livestock in Senegal was slightly above 3,000,000 herds of cattle and about 8,700,000 goats and sheep. Although the country has a robust population of livestock, Senegal still imports meat particularly the sheep during festivities during peak consumption seasons, particularly the religious events and holidays. In 2003, meat production was100,000 tons which was equivalent to per capita consumption of about 25.4 pounds which was below the government's intended level of about 31.2 pounds. Milk production in the country is far below the local demand and the country imports milk powder of about 20,000 tons every year particularly from Europe. The country imported dairy products worth about $100 million in 2006. The production of milk locally relies heavily on climatic conditions, and during rainy season milk production increases significantly and then slows down during the dry seasons, and during the severe drought, there is completely no production of milk in the country. In 2005, there was a ban on imports of chicken meat into Senegal as a result of avian influenza, and ever since the production has been increasing gradually, and currently it is estimated to employ about 1,000 people. As of 2003, there were approximately 3.2 million chickens in Senegal producing about 5,982 pounds of meat. Fish Fishing in Senegal is one of the most important economic activities because the country has a coastline which stretches for about 448 miles long and has an extra-continental shelf, which covers about 9,653 square miles. Some of the fish caught in Senegal include tuna, sardine, and harvesting of sole, mullet, shrimp, and cuttlefish among others. Besides the commercial fishing, there is traditional fish catch particularly for local sale, and some local factories purchase some for processing. Fishing, in general, has a long history in the country as a major source of foreign exchange. In 2005, marine food alone accounted for 22% of the country's entire exports earning the country in excess of $366 million derived from an average catch of about 40,000 tons yearly. The production was in contrast to the catch in 2004 which was about 430,000 tons generating about $374 million. Fishing sector in Senegal is typically a major employer and several people depend on fishing for nutrition and according to the estimates from the government, there were in excess of 200,000 people employed in the industry and several others in the associated informal sectors such as artisanal fishing, which use traps, lines, and nets. The EU has been the biggest export market for Senegals seafood. Beautiful Scenery Senegal has beautiful sceneries across the country which has been utilized to attract tourists around the world and tourism play a significant role in the country. The tourism sector in Senegal is among the best developed in the continent. From 1990, the country made an ambitious plan to attract tourists from around the world going beyond its former colonial power of France which was successful and currently there are many visitors from Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, and the neighboring countries like the Gambia. Other tourists also come from northern Europe and America who are attracted to the beautiful coastal resorts, especially in Banjul. In 2008, visitor arrivals in Senegal reached the 1 million mark which was a great milestone in the country's tourism sector, and the return rate of visitors was put at 30% as of 2008. Some of the best tourist attractions in the country include the pre-historic slave trade post at Goree Island, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Other attraction sites include the country's national parks and subsystems which include the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary and the Langue de Barbarie National Park. Economy of Senegal Senegal is among the few most stable nations in Africa, and it has gone through only three significant political transitions since independence, and each time it has been peaceful contrasting to most of the African nations. The country's economic growth has averaged about 6% up to 2015 and accelerated to 6.2% as of 2016, and grew even further to reach 7.2% as of 2017. The principal sectors responsible for the growth include agriculture. Hawaii, famously nicknamed the Aloha State, is a US state located in the Central Pacific Ocean. The state is made up of a volcanic archipelago, which is composed of eight islands: the Island of Hawaii (often referred to as the "Big Island"), Oahu, Lauai, Malokai, Kahoolawe, Niihau, Kauai, and Maui. All islands are inhabited except Kahoolawe. Hawaii is the only US state entirely composed of islands and is the 50th and most recent state to join the union, becoming a US state on August 21, 1959. As an island archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii has no land borders and therefore does not border any US state. Geography of Hawaii The state capital of Hawaii is Honolulu, which is located on Oahu. The state has a total area of 28,311 square kilometers and a population of about 1.4 million people, which ranks as the 8th smallest by area and the 13th most densely populated in the United States. Geographically, Hawaii features diverse natural scenery, a warm tropical climate, and the southern part of the state contains active volcanoes. The official languages spoken are Hawaiian and English, and the state is a favorite holiday destination for many tourists due to its many iconic beaches of gold, red, black, and green sand. It is also the only US state in which coffee can be grown for commercial purposes. Borders of Hawaii Hawaii is located 2,000 miles southwest of the contiguous United States. The closest US state to Hawaii is Alaska. Although located far from the western coast of the contiguous United States, Hawaii is considered one of the West Pacific States, along with Alaska, Oregon, California, and Washington, all of which have coastline along the Pacific Ocean. Hawaiis culture is a blend of cultures from indigenous Hawaiians, North Americans, and East Asians. Formation of Hawaii Hawaii sits above a volcanic hotspot, which experiences hot molten rock pushed from the sea plate to the Earth's surface, resulting in volcanic activity. In fact, Hawaii was formed through this volcanic process millions of years ago. Multiple volcanic eruptions led to the formation of a series of islands that now form Hawaii's archipelago of islands. Geologists believe that the Hawaiian islands will continue to be transformed since the Pacific plate is still in motion, moving a few inches each year. The tallest volcanic mountain in Hawaii is Mauna Kea, which has an elevation of 13,796 feet above sea level. Brief Political History of Hawaii The first people to occupy Hawaii between 124 and 1120 were Polynesian. Prior to the arrival of Europeans in 1778, Hawaii was a monarchy led by King Kamehameha III. A constitution was later passed and adopted in 1950, which outlined three branches of government: executive, judicial, and legislative. The Constitution of Hawaii was amended in 1959 and 1968. Hawaii later joined the United States and is currently governed by a governor, as well as a lieutenant governor. These leaders are elected jointly for a term of four years. A car crossed the median on Interstate 75 and struck a northbound vehicle, killing two sisters who were traveling behind their father in northern Michigan, police said. Winter driving tips If delaying travel isnt possible, leave prepared to spend extended time in winter conditions. Slow down and drive for the conditions youre in. Leave extra room between you and the vehicle in front of you. Pack an emergency kit that includes a first-aid kit, warm clothes, blankets, food and water, a fully charged cell phone, medication if needed and sand or kitty litter for tire traction. Make sure your vehicle is in good condition with working windshield wipers, heater and tires properly inflated. Make sure you have at least half to three-quarters tank full of gas at all times. Its unsafe to park on the side of a highway to play in the snow. Highway shoulders are for emergencies. Never pass a snow plow! Slow down and be patient. If approaching an oncoming snow plow, slow down and give the plow extra room. Stay at least four car lengths behind snow plows and equipment. Plowed snow can create a cloud that reduces visibility, and spreaders on trucks throw salt or sand that can damage your vehicle. Watch for plows operating in multiple travel lanes or in tandem. INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WLFI) - State Senator Ron Alting is looking to provide more resources for veterans wtih a new bill. SB 483 aims to provide more funding for county service officers. These are people veterans can go to when they need help finding resources, like information on federal and state veteran association benefits, paid education for their children, tax deductions and other benefits. "The side effects from war and battles are many, mental health is one of them," said Senator Alting. "When they see the officer in (Tippecanoe) county, they direct them and help them get good counseling in mental health so they can live a normal life." The bill would require each county in the state to set aside 5% of its excise tax replacement disbursement funds to use to finance more of these officers. Senator Alting said he has heard from local veterans the positive impacts of having CSO's. "For 20 years I've had veterans come to me for a variety of needs," he said. "It might be shelter, (the CSO) is who they see. It might be their homeless and they need something to eat, that's where they go. More importantly it could also be heathcare." The bill would also require communities with more than 2,500 veterans to hire an additional part-time CSO. The bill unanimously passed the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs and the Millitary earlier this week. It will move to the full Senate for consideration next. LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A Lafayette man has been arrested after police said he shot a man and then led officers on a short chase. Alan Ocampo was arrested Saturday evening on Stephenson Drive. Police said the victim was inside a vehicle with a woman on Braddock Drive. The woman inside the car was Ocampo's ex-girlfirend, according to officers. Sgt. Matt Gard said OCampo approached the car and started firing into it. The man inside the car was hit in the hip. Police said the injury is non-life threatening. After the shooting, police said Ocampo sped away. Officers received several reports from witnesses and were able to find Ocampo's vehicle near 18th Street and Brady Lane. Ocampo led police on a short pursuit, Sgt. Gard said. Police stopped and arrested him in a driveway on Stephenson Drive. Police said they found a stolen handgun out of Indianapolis inside the car. Ocampo was also wanted on warrant out of Boone County. Ocampo was arrested on multiple preliminary charges including Pointing a Firearm and Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle. Hundreds of thousands of people have lost power in parts of the country's eastern half as high winds persist into their second day. Toppled trees and fallen branches took out power lines across the region Sunday and Monday as winds gusted to 60 mph or higher. The wind pushed chunks of Lake Erie ice onto land in New York and Ontario. Some coastal residents were urged to evacuate. Wind gusts of 74 mph - hurricane strength - were reported in Tucker County, West Virginia, and Niagara Falls, New York. In Sandusky, Ohio, a motorist captured video of a tractor-trailer flipping over on a bridge . Wind advisories and warnings are in effect through Monday in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 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. 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(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.. The following companies are subsidiares of Tesco: Adminstore Limited, Adsega Limited, Alfred Preedy & Sons (Trustees) Limited, Alfred Preedy & Sons Limited, Anthony Heagney Limited, Arena (Jersey) Management Limited, Armitage Finance Unlimited, Armitage Luxembourg s.? r.l., BLT Holdings 2010 Limited, Bath Upper Bristol Road Management, Bedminster Estates Limited, Beehythe Estates limited, Berry Lane Management Company Limited, Blinkbox Books Limited, BlinxBox, Booker Group, Brian Fords Discount Store Limited, Broadfields Management Limited, Brookmaker (GP) Limited, Broughton Retail Park Nominee 1 Limited, Broughton Retail Park Nominee 2 Limited, Broughton Retail Park Nominee 3 Limited, Broughton Retail Park Nominee 4 Limited, Buckingham Road (Bletchley) Management Company Limited, Bugden Ltd, Buttoncable Limited, Buttoncase Limited, Canterbury Road Management Limited, Cardiff Cathays Terrace Management Company Limited, Careneed News Limited, Cheshunt Finance Unlimited, Cheshunt Holdings Guernsey Limited, Cheshunt Hungary Servicing Limited Liability Company, Cheshunt Luxembourg S.? r.l., Cheshunt Overseas LLP, China Property Holdings (HK) Limited, Chirac Limited, Cirrus Finance (2009) Limited, Cirrus Finance Limited, Cirrus Luxembourg s.? r.l., Clarepharm Limited, Clondalkin Properties Limited, Comar Limited, Commercial Investments Limited, Crazy Prices, Crest Ostrava a.s, Cullens Holdings Limited, Cullens Stores Limited, Daily Wrap Produce Limited, Day And Nite Stores Limited, Delamare Cards Holdco Limited, Delamare Cards MTN Issuer plc, Delamare Finance PLC, Delamare Group Holdings Limited, Delamare Holdings BV Netherlands, Delamare Luxembourg s.? r.l. Luxembourg, Delamare One Limited, Dunnhumby Ventures LLC, ELH Insurance Limited, Edinburgh Butterfly Farm Limited, Edson Investments Limited, Edson Properties Limited, Ek-Chai Distribution System Co. Ltd., Euphorium (London) Limited, Euphorium (North London) Limited, Euphorium Group Limited, Euphorium IP Limited, Europa Foods Limited, Faraday Properties Limited, Flitwick Pharmacies Limited, Food & Wine Lovers Limited, Forum Liberec s.r.o, Freds Food Construction Limited, Freehold and Leasehold Property Fund, Gain Land Limited, Genesis sp. z o.o., Gibbs News Limited, Gibbs Newsagents Limited, Gida Sanayi A.S., Giraffe, Giraffe Cafe Limited, Giraffe Concepts Limited, Golden Island Management Services Limited, HIT hypermarket Sp. z o. o., Halesworth SPV Limited, Harris and Hoole Holdings Limited, Harris and Hoole Limited, Harris and Hoole Nominees Limited, Homeplus, Hymall Co. Ltd., J E Properties Holdings Limited, Jasper Sp. z o. o. Poland, KSS Retail Limited, Kabaty Investments Tesco (Polska) Sp. z o. o. Sp.k, Kingsway Fresh Foods Ltd, Koxka Hungary Refrigeration LLC, Launchgrain Limited, Launchtable Limited, Laws Stores Limited, Lazada Group S.A., Lee (Southern) Limited, Lek?ren? Tesco Bansk? Bystrica k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Dunajsk? Streda k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Ko?ice k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Lama k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Nitra k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Petr?alka k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Pie?tany k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Pre?ov Vukov k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Senec k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Spi?sk? Nov? Ves k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Trenc??n s.r.o. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Zlat? Piesky k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Zvolen k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Linebush III Holdings Limited, Linebush III Limited, Linebush IV Limited, Linebush Limited, Linebush V Limited, London and Home Counties Superstores Limited, Lowfoods Limited, M & W Limited, Merrion Shopping Centre Ltd, Mills (East Midlands) Limited, Mills (West Midlands) Limited, Mills Group Holdings Limited, Mills Group Limited, Mobcast Services, Monread Developments Limited, Morgam Holdings Limited, Morgam News Limited, Motorcause Limited, NPL (Hardgate) Limited, Nabola Development Limited, NutriCentre Limited, OC FORUM Liberec Ltd., Oakwood Distribution Limited, Obchodn? dom Bratislava s.ro, Obchodn? dom Ko?ice s.ro., Obchodn? dom Nitra s.ro., Obchodn? dom Pre?ov s.ro., Old FEHC Inc., Old FEPC LLC, One Stop Community Stores Ltd, One Stop Convenience Stores Limited, One Stop Stores Limited, One Stop Stores Trustee Services Limited, Orpingford, Orpington (Station Road) Limited, Oxford Fox and Hounds Management Company Limited, PEJ Property Developments Limited, Paper Chain (East Anglia) Limited, Pharaway Properties Limited, Power Supermarkets Limited, Premier Garage (Worthing) Limited, Pulford Foods Limited, R.J.D. Holdings, Retail Property Co. Ltd, S Bottomley & Bros Limited, Sanders Supermarkets Limited, Sandtable Limited, Sarcon (No. 239) Limited, Seacroft Green Nominee 1 Limited, Seacroft Green Nominee 2 Limited, Shire Park Limited, Shuke Advertising (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Snowman Retail 1 Limited, Snowman Retail 2 Limited, Sociomantic AB, Sociomantic Labs B.V, Sociomantic Labs Inc, Sociomantic Labs Internet Hizmetleri Limited ?ireketi, Sociomantic Labs LLC, Sociomantic Labs Limited, Sociomantic Labs Private Limited, Sociomantic Labs Pte Ltd, Sociomantic Labs S.r.l, Sociomantic Labs SARL, Sociomantic Labs Servicos Web Ltda, Sociomantic Labs Sp.z.o.o., Sociomantic Labs s.r.o., Sociomantic S.L.U., Sociomantic labs GmbH, Spen Hill Developments (Holdings) Ltd, Spen Hill Developments (Portishead) Ltd, Spen Hill Developments (Tonbridge) Limited, Spen Hill Developments Limited, Spen Hill Management Limited, Spen Hill Properties (Holdings) plc, Spen Hill Properties (Southend) Limited, Spen Hill Regeneration Limited, Spen Hill Residential No 1 Limited, Spen Hill Residential No 2 Limited, Station House Welling Management Limited, Statusfloat Limited, Stewarts Supermarkets Limited, Streatham Management Company Limited, T & S Management Services Limited, T & S Properties Limited, T & S Stores Limited, TESCO (POLSKA) sp. z o.o., TESCO Akad?mia K?pz?si ?s Fejleszt?si Kor?tolt Felelss?g T?rsas?g, TESCO MOBILE POLSKA SP. Z O.O., TESCO STORES SR a.s., Tapesilver Limited, Teesport (GP) Limited, Teesport (Nominee) Limited, Telegraph Properties (Kirkby) Limited, Tesco (Foxtrot 1) Limited, Tesco (Foxtrot 2) Limited, Tesco (Fujian) Industry Limited, Tesco (Jersey) Limited, Tesco (Overseas) Ltd, Tesco (Yorkshire) Limited, Tesco Aqua (1LP) Limited, Tesco Aqua (3LP) Limited, Tesco Aqua (FinCo1) Limited, Tesco Aqua (FinCo2) Limited, Tesco Aqua (GP) Limited, Tesco Aqua (Nominee 1) Limited, Tesco Aqua (Nominee 2) Limited, Tesco Aqua (Nominee Holdco) Limited, Tesco Atrato (1LP) Limited, Tesco Atrato (GP) Limited, Tesco Barbers Wood Limited, Tesco Bengaluru Private Limited, Tesco Blue (1LP) Limited, Tesco Blue (FinCo2) Limited, Tesco Blue (GP) Limited, Tesco Blue (Nominee 1) Limited, Tesco Blue (Nominee 2) Limited, Tesco Blue (Nominee Holdco) Limited, Tesco Capital No. 1 Limited, Tesco Capital No. 2 Limited, Tesco Card Services Limited, Tesco Card Services Limited, Tesco Card Services Ltd., Tesco Chile Sourcing Limitada, Tesco Coral (GP) Limited, Tesco Corporate Treasury Services PLC, Tesco Depot Propco Limited, Tesco Distribution Holdings Limited, Tesco Distribution Limited, Tesco Dorney (1LP) Limited, Tesco Dorney (GP) Limited, Tesco Dystrybucja Sp. z.o.o., Tesco EU IT Services s.r.o., Tesco Employees Share Scheme Trustees Limited, Tesco Estates Limited, Tesco Europe B.V. Netherlands, Tesco Family Dining Limited, Tesco Food Sourcing Brazil Representa??o De Servi?os Ltda., Tesco Food Sourcing Limited, Tesco Foundation (Nadacia Tesco), Tesco Freetime Limited, Tesco Fuchsia (1LP) Limited, Tesco Fuel Limited, Tesco Global Employment Company Limited, Tesco Guangdong (HK) Co. Limited, Tesco High Beech Limited, Tesco Holdings BV, Tesco Holdings Limited, Tesco Home Shopping Limited, Tesco Hungary (Holdings) Limited, Tesco International Franchising s.r.o., Tesco International Internet Retailing Limited, Tesco International Services Limited, Tesco International Sourcing Limited, Tesco Ireland Holdings Limited, Tesco Ireland Limited, Tesco Ireland Pension Trustees Limited, Tesco Jade (GP) Limited, Tesco Joint Buying Service (Shanghai) Co Limited, Tesco Kipa Kitle Pazarlama Ticaret Lojistik ve, Tesco Kirkby (General Partner) Limited, Tesco Kirkby (LP) Limited, Tesco Kirkby (Nominee 1) Limited, Tesco Kirkby (Nominee 2) Limited, Tesco Kirkby (Nominee Holdco) Limited, Tesco Kirkby (Unitholder 1) Limited, Tesco Kirkby (Unitholder2) Limited, Tesco Lagoon GP Limited, Tesco Licences Limited, Tesco Lotus Retail Growth, Tesco Lotus Retail Growth Freehold and Leasehold Property Fund, Tesco Maintenance Limited, Tesco Mauritius Holdings Limited, Tesco Mobile (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Tesco Mobile CR s.r.o., Tesco Mobile Communications Limited, Tesco Mobile Ireland Limited, Tesco Mobile Ireland Limited, Tesco Mobile Limited, Tesco Mobile Services Limited, Tesco Mobile Slovakia s.r.o, Tesco Mobile Slovakia s.r.o., Tesco Mobile CR, Tesco Nanjing Zhongshan, Tesco Nanjing Zhongshan (HK) Co. Limited, Tesco Navona (1LP) Limited, Tesco Navona (GP) Limited, Tesco Navona (Nominee 1) Limited, Tesco Navona (Nominee 2) Limited, Tesco Navona (Nominee Holdco) Limited, Tesco Navona PL Propco Limited, Tesco Opticians Limited, Tesco Overseas (Holdings) Limited, Tesco Overseas Investments Limited, Tesco Overseas ULC, Tesco Passaic (1LP) Limited, Tesco Passaic (GP) Limited, Tesco Passaic (Nominee 1) Limited, Tesco Passaic (Nominee 2) Limited, Tesco Passaic (Nominee Holdco) Limited, Tesco Passaic PL Propco Limited, Tesco Pension (Jade) Limited, Tesco Pension Investment Limited, Tesco Pension Trustees Limited, Tesco Personal Finance, Tesco Personal Finance Compare Limited, Tesco Personal Finance Group Limited, Tesco Property (No.1) Limited, Tesco Property (Nominees) (No.1) Limited, Tesco Property (Nominees) (No.2) Limited, Tesco Property (Nominees) Limited, Tesco Property A.S., Tesco Property Finance 1 Holdco Limited, Tesco Property Finance 1 PLC, Tesco Property Holdings (No. 2) Limited, Tesco Property Holdings Limited, Tesco Property Limited, Tesco Property Nominees (No.5) Limited, Tesco Property Nominees (No.6) Limited, Tesco Property Partner (GP No.2) Limited, Tesco Property Partner (GP) Limited, Tesco Property Partner (No.1) Limited, Tesco Property Partner (No.2) Limited, Tesco Red (1LP) Limited, Tesco Red (GP) Limited, Tesco Red (Nominee 2) Limited, Tesco Red (Nominee Holdco) Limited, Tesco Sarum (1LP) Limited, Tesco Sarum (GP) Limited, Tesco Seacroft Limited, Tesco Secretaries Limited, Tesco Services Limited, Tesco Sourcing India Private Limited, Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Tesco Stores (Thailand) Ltd, Tesco Stores CR a.s., Tesco Stores Limited, Tesco Technology Services HK Limited, Tesco Treasury Services PLC, Tesco Trustee Company of Ireland Limited, Tesco Underwriting Limited, Tesco Vin Plus SA, Tesco Worldwide Limited, Tesco for Thais Foundation, Tesco-Global Stores Privately Held Co. Ltd, Tesco.Com Limited, The Brookmaker Limited Partnership, The Teesport Limited Partnership Limited Partnership, The Tesco Aqua Limited Partnership Limited Partnership, The Tesco Atrato Limited Partnership, The Tesco Blue Limited Partnership Limited Partnership, The Tesco Coral Limited Partnership, The Tesco Dorney Limited Partnership, The Tesco Kirkby Limited Partnership Limited Partnership, The Tesco Navona Limited Partnership Limited Partnership, The Tesco Passaic Limited Partnership Limited Partnership, The Tesco Property (No.2) Limited Partnership, The Tesco Red Limited Partnership, The Tesco Sarum Limited Partnership, Trent Hypermarket Private Limited, Trigger Retail Ltd, Valiant Insurance Company DAC, Value House Properties Limited, Variable Preference, Ventnor High Street Management Company Limited, Verulam Properties (2001) Limited, Verulam Properties Limited, Victoria BB Sp z.o.o., WE7, WSC Properties Limited, Wanze Properties (Dundalk) Limited, Weymouth Avenue (Dorchester) Limited, Whitecastle Properties Limited, Wm. Low Supermarkets Limited, Woolwich Central Residents Management Company Limited, Worple Road Plc, Xiamen Firste Property Limited, Xiamen Firste Property Limited, aAcklam Management Company Limited, dunnhumby (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, dunnhumby (Thailand) Limited, dunnhumby Canada Limited, dunnhumby Consulting Services India Private Limited, dunnhumby Czech s.r.o., dunnhumby Employment Company Limited, dunnhumby Holding Limited, dunnhumby Hungary Kft, dunnhumby IT Services India Private Limited, dunnhumby Inc, dunnhumby International Limited, dunnhumby Ireland Limited, dunnhumby Italia Srl., dunnhumby Limited, dunnhumby Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., dunnhumby Netherlands B.V., dunnhumby Norge A.S., dunnhumby Overseas Limited, dunnhumby Poland Sp z.o.o, dunnhumby Slovakia s.r.o., dunnhumby South Africa (Pty) Ltd, dunnhumby Trustees Limited, and dunnuhumby. Some people binge watch Netflix Huluor HBO shows. And some people turn their downtime into cash. James made $2,275 in just 19 minutesall thanks to something called The 15 Minute Workday. The average trade makes 12% in just 5 days (factoring winners and losers) which is out of this world. The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. It operates in four segments: Gas Distribution Operations, Gas Pipeline Investments, Wholesale Gas Services, and Gas Marketing Services. The company also constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy and battery energy storage projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, wholesale gas services, and gas pipeline investments operations. It owns and/or operates 30 hydroelectric generating stations, 24 fossil fuel generating stations, 3 nuclear generating stations, 13 combined cycle/cogeneration stations, 44 solar facilities, 13 wind facilities, 1 fuel cell facility, and 1 battery storage facility; and constructs, operates, and maintains 75,924 miles of natural gas pipelines and 14 storage facilities with total capacity of 157 Bcf to provide natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The company serves approximately 8.6 million electric and gas utility customers. It also provides products and services in the areas of energy efficiency, and utility infrastructure. In addition, the company offers digital wireless communications and fiber optics services. The Southern Company was incorporated in 1945 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Read More Sonoco Products Company manufactures and sells industrial and consumer packaging products in North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company operates through four segments: Consumer Packaging, Display and Packaging, Paper and Industrial Converted Products, and Protective Solutions. The Consumer Packaging segment provides paper and thermoformed plastic round and shaped rigid containers and trays; extruded and injection-molded plastic products; printed flexible packaging products; brand artwork management; and metal and peelable membrane ends and closures. The Display and Packaging segment offers temporary and semi-permanent point-of-purchase displays; supply chain management services comprising contract packing, fulfillment, and scalable service centers; retail packaging, including printed backer cards, thermoformed blisters, and heat sealing equipment; and paper amenities, such as coasters and glass covers. The Paper and Industrial Converted Products segment provides paperboard tubes, cones, and cores; fiber-based construction tubes; wooden, metal, and composite wire and cable reels and spools; and recycled paperboard, corrugating medium, recovered paper, and material recycling services. The Protective Solutions segment provides custom-engineered, paperboard-based, and molded foam protective packaging and components; and temperature-assured packaging products. The company sells its products in various markets, which include paper, textile, film, food, chemical, packaging, construction, and wire and cable. Sonoco Products Company was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Hartsville, South Carolina. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Banco Santander: 2 & 3 Triton Limited, A & L CF (Guernsey) Limited (f), A & L CF June (2) Limited, A & L CF June (3) Limited, A & L CF March (5) Limited, A & L CF September (4) Limited, AFB SAM Holdings S.L., ALIL Services Limited (b), AN (123) Limited, ANITCO Limited, Abbey Business Services (India) Private Limited, Abbey Covered Bonds (LM) Limited, Abbey National, Abbey National Beta Investments Limited, Abbey National Business Office Equipment Leasing Limited, Abbey National International Limited, Abbey National Nominees Limited, Abbey National PLP (UK) Limited, Abbey National Property Investments, Abbey National Treasury Services Investments Limited, Abbey National Treasury Services Overseas Holdings, Abbey National UK Investments, Abbey Stockbrokers (Nominees) Limited, Abbey Stockbrokers Limited, Ablasa Participaciones S.L., Administracion de Bancos Latinoamericanos Santander S.L., Aduro S.A., Aevis Europa S.L., Afisa S.A., Albert., Aljardi SGPS Lda., Alliance & Leicester, Alliance & Leicester Cash Solutions Limited, Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments (Derivatives) Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments (No.2) Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments Limited, Alliance & Leicester Limited, Alliance & Leicester Personal Finance Limited, Altamira Santander Real Estate S.A., Alternative Leasing FIL, Amazonia Trade Limited, Andaluza de Inversiones S.A., Aquanima Brasil Ltda., Aquanima Chile S.A., Aquanima Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Aquanima S.A., Arcaz - Sociedade Imobiliaria Portuguesa Lda., Argenline S.A. (b), Asto Digital Limited, Athena Corporation Limited, Atual - Fundo de Invest Multimercado Credito Privado Investimento no Exterior, Atual Servicos de Recuperacao de Creditos e Meios Digitais S.A., Autodescuento S.L., Autohaus24 GmbH, Auttar HUT Processamento de Dados Ltda., Aviacion Antares A.I.E., Aviacion Britanica A.I.E., Aviacion Centaurus A.I.E., Aviacion Comillas S.L. Unipersonal, Aviacion Intercontinental A.I.E., Aviacion Laredo S.L., Aviacion Oyambre S.L. Unipersonal, Aviacion Real A.I.E., Aviacion Santillana S.L., Aviacion Suances S.L., Aviacion Triton A.I.E., Aymore Credito Financiamento e Investimento S.A., BEN Beneficios e Servicos S.A., BRS Investments S.A., BZW Bank, Banca PSA Italia S.p.A., Banco Bandepe S.A., Banco Madesant - Sociedade Unipessoal S.A., Banco PSA Finance Brasil S.A., Banco Popular, Banco Santander (Brasil) S.A., Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso 100740, Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso 2002114, Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso GFSSLPT, Banco Santander - Chile, Banco Santander Consumer Portugal S.A., Banco Santander International, Banco Santander International SA, Banco Santander Mexico S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Banco Santander Peru S.A., Banco Santander Rio S.A., Banco Santander S.A., Banco Santander Totta S.A., Banco Santander de Negocios Colombia S.A., Banco de Albacete S.A., Bansa Santander S.A., CCAP Auto Lease Ltd., Canyon Multifamily Impact Fund IV LLC, Capital Street Delaware LP, Capital Street Holdings LLC, Capital Street REIT Holdings LLC, Capital Street S.A., Carfax (Guernsey) Limited (f), Carfinco Financial Group, Carfinco Financial Group Inc., Carfinco Inc., Casa de Bolsa Santander S.A. de C.V. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Cater Allen Holdings Limited, Cater Allen International Limited, Cater Allen Limited, Cater Allen Lloyd's Holdings Limited, Cater Allen Syndicate Management Limited, Centro de Capacitacion Santander A.C., Certidesa S.L., Chrysler Capital Auto Funding I LLC, Chrysler Capital Auto Funding II LLC, Chrysler Capital Auto Receivables LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding 2 LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding 4 LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding LLC, Cobranza Amigable S.A.P.I. de C.V., Community Development and Affordable Housing Fund LLC (g), Compagnie Generale de Credit Aux Particuliers - Credipar S.A., Compagnie Pour la Location de Vehicules - CLV, Comunidad Laboral Trabajando Argentina S.A., Comunidad Laboral Trabajando Iberica S.L. Unipersonal en liquidacion (b), Consulteam Consultores de Gestao Lda., Consumer Lending Receivables LLC, Crawfall S.A. (b), Cantabra de Inversiones S.A., Cantabro Catalana de Inversiones S.A., Darep Designated Activity Company, Decarome S.A.P.I. de C.V., Deva Capital Advisory Company S.L., Deva Capital Holding Company S.L., Deva Capital Investment Company S.L., Deva Capital Management Company S.L., Deva Capital Servicer Company S.L., Digital Procurement Holdings N.V., Diners Club Spain S.A., Direccion Estratega S.C., Dirgenfin S.L. en liquidacion (b), Ebury, El Corte Ingles, Elavon Mexico, Electrolyser S.A. de C.V., Entidad de Desarrollo a la Pequena y Micro Empresa Santander Consumo Peru S.A., Erestone S.A.S., Esfera Fidelidade S.A., Evidence Previdencia S.A., Financeira El Corte Ingles Portugal S.F.C. S.A., Financiera El Corte Ingles E.F.C. S.A., Finsantusa S.L. Unipersonal, First National Motor Business Limited, First National Motor Contracts Limited, First National Motor Facilities Limited, First National Motor Finance Limited, First National Motor Leasing Limited, First National Motor plc, First National Tricity Finance Limited, Fondos Santander S.A. Administradora de Fondos de Inversion (en liquidacion) (b), Fortensky Trading Ltd., Fosse Funding (No.1) Limited, Fosse Master Issuer plc, Fosse Trustee (UK) Limited, GTS El Centro Equity Holdings LLC, GTS El Centro Project Holdings LLC, Gamma Sociedade Financeira de Titularizacao de Creditos S.A., Gesban Mexico Servicios Administrativos Globales S.A. de C.V., Gesban Santander Servicios Profesionales Contables Limitada, Gesban Servicios Administrativos Globales S.L., Gesban UK Limited, Gestion de Instalaciones Fotovoltaicas S.L. Unipersonal, Gestion de Inversiones JILT S.A., Gestora de Procesos S.A. en liquidacion (b), Getnet Adquirencia e Servicos para Meios de Pagamento S.A., Global Vosgos S.L. Unipersonal, Grupo Empresarial Santander S.L., Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico S.A. de C.V., Grupo Financiero Santander SAB de CV, Guaranty Car S.A. Unipersonal, HQ Mobile Limited, Hispamer Renting S.A. Unipersonal, Holbah II Limited, Holbah Santander S.L. Unipersonal, Holmes Funding Limited, Holmes Master Issuer plc, Holmes Trustees Limited, Hyundai Capital Bank Europe GmbH, Iberica de Compras Corporativas S.L., Independence Community Bank Corp., Insurance Funding Solutions Limited, Interfinance Holanda B.V., Inversiones Capital Global S.A. Unipersonal, Inversiones Maritimas del Mediterraneo S.A., Isla de los Buques S.A., Klare Corredora de Seguros S.A., Landcompany 2020 S.L., Langton Funding (No.1) Limited, Langton Mortgages Trustee (UK) Limited, Langton Securities (2008-1) plc, Langton Securities (2010-1) PLC, Langton Securities (2010-2) PLC, Laparanza S.A., Liquidity Limited, Luri 1 S.A. en liquidacion (b) (e), Luri 6 S.A. Unipersonal, Master Red Europa S.L., Mata Alta S.L., Merciver S.L., Mercury TFS, Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.A. de C.V., Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.L., Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.p.A., Moneybit S.L., Mortgage Engine Limited, Motor 2016-1 PLC, Motor 2017-1 PLC, Mouro Capital I LP, Multiplica SpA, NW Services CO., Naviera Mirambel S.L., Naviera Trans Gas A.I.E., Naviera Trans Iron S.L., Naviera Trans Ore A.I.E., Naviera Trans Wind S.L. (b), Naviera Transcantabrica S.L., Naviera Transchem S.L. Unipersonal, NeoAuto S.A.C., Norbest AS, Novimovest Fundo de Investimento Imobiliario, Open Bank Argentina S.A., Open Bank S.A., Open Digital Market S.L., Open Digital Services S.L., Operadora de Carteras Gamma S.A.P.I. de C.V., Optimal Investment Services SA, Optimal Multiadvisors Ireland Plc / Optimal Strategic US Equity Ireland Euro Fund, Optimal Multiadvisors Ireland Plc / Optimal Strategic US Equity Ireland US Dollar Fund, PBE Companies LLC, PECOH Limited, PI Distribuidora de Titulos e Valores Mobiliarios S.A., PSA Bank Deutschland GmbH, PSA Banque France, PSA Finance UK Limited, PSA Financial Services Nederland B.V., PSA Financial Services Spain E.F.C. S.A., PSA Renting Italia S.p.A., PagoFX Europe S.A., PagoFX HoldCo S.L., PagoFX UK Ltd, PagoNxt Merchant Solutions S.L., PagoNxt S.L., Parasant SA, Patagon.com, Pereda Gestion S.A., Pingham International S.A., Popular Spain Holding de Inversiones S.L.U., Portal Universia Argentina S.A., Portal Universia Portugal Prestacao de Servicos de Informatica S.A., Prime 16 Fundo de Investimentos Imobiliario, Punta Lima LLC, Punta Lima Wind Farm LLC, Retop S.A., Return Capital Servicos de Recuperacao de Creditos S.A., Return Gestao de Recursos S.A., Riobank International (Uruguay) SAIFE (b), Rojo Entretenimento S.A., SAM Asset Management S.A. de C.V. Sociedad Operadora de Fondos de Inversion, SAM Investment Holdings S.L., SAM UK Investment Holdings Limited (b), SANB Promotora de Vendas e Cobranca Ltda., SCF Eastside Locks GP Limited, SDMX Superdigital S.A. de C.V., SMPS Merchant Platform Solutions Mexico S.A de C.V, Sancap Investimentos e Participacoes S.A., Santander (CF Trustee Property Nominee) Limited, Santander (UK) Group Pension Schemes Trustees Limited, Santander Ahorro Inmobiliario 1 S.A., Santander Ahorro Inmobiliario 2 S.A., Santander Alternatives SICAV RAIF, Santander Asesorias Financieras Limitada, Santander Asset Finance (December) Limited, Santander Asset Finance plc, Santander Asset Management - S.G.O.I.C. S.A., Santander Asset Management Chile S.A., Santander Asset Management LLC, Santander Asset Management Luxembourg S.A., Santander Asset Management S.A. Administradora General de Fondos, Santander Asset Management S.A. S.G.I.I.C., Santander Asset Management UK Holdings Limited, Santander Asset Management UK Limited, Santander Back-Offices Globales Mayoristas S.A., Santander Banca de Inversion Colombia S.A.S., Santander Bank & Trust Ltd., Santander Bank National Association, Santander Bank Polska S.A., Santander Brasil Administradora de Consorcio Ltda., Santander Brasil Gestao de Recursos Ltda., Santander Brasil Tecnologia S.A., Santander Capital Desarrollo SGEIC S.A. Unipersonal, Santander Capital Structuring S.A. de C.V., Santander Capitalizacao S.A., Santander Cards Ireland Limited, Santander Cards Limited, Santander Cards UK Limited, Santander Chile Holding S.A., Santander Consulting (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Santander Consumer (UK) plc, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2013-B2 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2013-B3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L4 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L5 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-B1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-L2 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-L3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-B1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-L1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-L2 LLC, Santander Consumer Bank AG, Santander Consumer Bank AS, Santander Consumer Bank GmbH, Santander Consumer Bank S.A., Santander Consumer Bank S.p.A., Santander Consumer Banque S.A., Santander Consumer Credit Services Limited, Santander Consumer Finance Benelux B.V., Santander Consumer Finance Global Services S.L., Santander Consumer Finance Oy, Santander Consumer Finance S.A., Santander Consumer Finance Schweiz AG, Santander Consumer Financial Solutions Sp. z o.o., Santander Consumer Finanse Sp. z o.o. (b), Santander Consumer Holding Austria GmbH, Santander Consumer Holding GmbH, Santander Consumer International Puerto Rico LLC, Santander Consumer Leasing GmbH, Santander Consumer Mediacion Operador de Banca-Seguros Vinculado S.L., Santander Consumer Multirent Sp. z o.o., Santander Consumer Operations Services GmbH, Santander Consumer Receivables 10 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 11 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 3 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 7 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables Funding LLC, Santander Consumer Renting S.L., Santander Consumer S.A., Santander Consumer S.A.S., Santander Consumer Services GmbH, Santander Consumer Services S.A., Santander Consumer Technology Services GmbH, Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc., Santander Consumer USA Inc., Santander Consumo S.A. de C.V. S.O.F.O.M. E.R. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Santander Corredora de Seguros Limitada, Santander Corredores de Bolsa Limitada, Santander Corretora de Cambio e Valores Mobiliarios S.A., Santander Corretora de Seguros Investimentos e Servicos S.A., Santander Customer Voice S.A., Santander Digital Assets S.L., Santander Drive Auto Receivables LLC, Santander Equity Investments Limited, Santander Espana Merchant Services Entidad de Pago S.L. Unipersonal, Santander Espana Servicios Legales y de Cumplimiento S.L., Santander Estates Limited, Santander F24 S.A., Santander Facility Management Espana S.L., Santander Factoring S.A., Santander Factoring Sp. z o.o., Santander Factoring y Confirming S.A. E.F.C., Santander Finance 2012-1 LLC, Santander Financial Exchanges Limited, Santander Financial Services Inc., Santander Financial Services plc, Santander Finanse Sp. z o.o., Santander Fintech Holdings S.L., Santander Fintech Limited, Santander Fundo de Investimento SBAC Referenciado di Credito Privado, Santander Gestion de Recaudacion y Cobranzas Ltda., Santander Global Consumer Finance Limited, Santander Global Facilities S.A. de C.V., Santander Global Facilities S.L., Santander Global Operations S.A., Santander Global Services S.A. (b), Santander Global Sport S.A., Santander Global Technology Brasil Ltda., Santander Global Technology Chile Limitada, Santander Global Technology S.L., Santander Global Trade Platform Solutions S.L., Santander Guarantee Company, Santander Holding Imobiliaria S.A., Santander Holding Internacional S.A., Santander Holdings USA Inc., Santander ISA Managers Limited, Santander Inclusion Financiera S.A. de C.V. S.O.F.O.M. E.R. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Santander Insurance Agency U.S. LLC, Santander Insurance Services UK Limited, Santander Intermediacion Correduria de Seguros S.A., Santander International Products Plc. (d), Santander Inversiones S.A., Santander Investment Bank Limited, Santander Investment Chile Limitada, Santander Investment I S.A., Santander Investment S.A., Santander Investment Securities Inc., Santander Investments GP 1 S.a.r.l., Santander Inwestycje Sp. z o.o., Santander Lease S.A. E.F.C., Santander Leasing LLC, Santander Leasing S.A., Santander Leasing S.A. Arrendamento Mercantil, Santander Lending Limited, Santander Mediacion Operador de Banca-Seguros Vinculado S.A., Santander Merchant Platform Operations S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Services S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions Mexico S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions S.A., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions Uruguay S.A., Santander Merchant Platform SolucoesTecnologicas Brasil Ltda., Santander Merchant S.A., Santander Mortgage Holdings Limited, Santander Paraty Qif PLC, Santander Pensiones S.A. E.G.F.P., Santander Pensoes - Sociedade Gestora de Fundos de Pensoes S.A., Santander Private Banking Gestion S.A. S.G.I.I.C., Santander Private Banking UK Limited, Santander Private Banking s.p.a. in Liquidazione (b), Santander Private Real Estate Advisory & Management S.A., Santander Private Real Estate Advisory S.A., Santander Real Estate S.A., Santander Retail Auto Lease Funding LLC, Santander Rio Asset Management Gerente de Fondos Comunes de Inversion S.A., Santander Rio Trust S.A., Santander Rio Valores S.A., Santander S.A. Sociedad Securitizadora, Santander Secretariat Services Limited, Santander Securities LLC, Santander Seguros y Reaseguros Compania Aseguradora S.A., Santander Servicios Corporativos S.A. de C.V., Santander Servicios Especializados S.A. de C.V., Santander Technology USA LLC, Santander Tecnologia e Inovacao Ltda., Santander Tecnologia Argentina S.A., Santander Tecnologia Espana S.L.U., Santander Tecnologia Mexico S.A. de C.V., Santander Totta SGPS S.A., Santander Totta Seguros Companhia de Seguros de Vida S.A., Santander Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych S.A., Santander Trade Services Limited, Santander UK Group Holdings plc, Santander UK Investments, Santander UK Operations Limited, Santander UK Plc, Santander UK Technology Limited, Santander Wealth Management International SA, Santander de Titulizacion S.G.F.T. S.A., Santusa Holding S.L., Services and Promotions Delaware Corp., Services and Promotions Miami LLC, Servicio de Alarmas Controladas por Ordenador S.A., Servicios de Cobranza Recuperacion y Seguimiento S.A. De C.V., Sheppards Moneybrokers Limited, Shiloh III Wind Project LLC, Sociedad Integral de Valoraciones Automatizadas S.A., Sociedad Operadora de Tarjetas de Pago Santander Getnet Chile S.A., Socur S.A., Sol Orchard Imperial 1 LLC, Solarlaser Limited, Sovereign Community Development Company, Sovereign Delaware Investment Corporation, Sovereign Lease Holdings LLC, Sovereign REIT Holdings Inc., Sovereign Spirit Limited (f), Sterrebeeck B.V., Suleyado 2003 S.L. Unipersonal, Summer Empreendimentos Ltda., Super Pagamentos e Administracao de Meios Eletronicos S.A., Superdigital Argentina S.A.U., Superdigital Colombia S.A.S., Superdigital Holding Company S.L., Superdigital Peru S.A.C., Suzuki Servicios Financieros S.L., Swesant SA, TIMFin S.p.A., TOPSAM S.A de C.V., Taxagest Sociedade Gestora de Participacoes Sociais S.A., Teatinos Siglo XXI Inversiones S.A., The Alliance & Leicester Corporation Limited, The Best Specialty Coffee S.L. Unipersonal, Time Retail Finance Limited (b), Tonopah Solar I LLC, Toque Fale Servicos de Telemarketing Ltda., Tornquist Asesores de Seguros S.A. (b), Totta (Ireland) PLC, Totta Urbe - Empresa de Administracao e Construcoes S.A., Trabajando.com Mexico S.A. de C.V. en liquidacion (b), Trabajando.com Peru S.A.C., Trans Rotor Limited (b), Transolver Finance EFC S.A., Tresmares Growth Fund Santander SCR S.A., Tresmares Santander Direct Lending SICC S.A., Tuttle and Son Limited, Universia Brasil S.A., Universia Chile S.A., Universia Colombia S.A.S., Universia Espana Red de Universidades S.A., Universia Holding S.L., Universia Mexico S.A. de C.V., Universia Peru S.A., Universia Uruguay S.A., Uro Property Holdings SOCIMI S.A., WIM Servicios Corporativos S.A. de C.V., WTW Shipping Designated Activity Company, Wallcesa S.A., Wave Holdco S.L., Waypoint Insurance Group Inc., and Wirecard (Technological Assets). Orange S.A. provides a range of fixed telephony and mobile telecommunications, data transmission, and other value-added services to customers, businesses, and other telecommunications operators in France and internationally. It operates through France; Spain and Other European Countries; The Africa and Middle East; Enterprise; International Carriers & Shared Services; and Mobile Financial Services segments. The company offers mobile services, such as voice, SMS, and data; fixed broadband and narrowband services, as well as fixed network business solutions, including voice and data; and convergence packages. It also sells mobile handsets, broadband equipment, and connected devices and accessories. In addition, the company provides IT and integration services comprising unified communication and collaboration services, such as LAN and telephony, consultancy, integration, and project management; hosting and infrastructure services, including cloud computing; customer relations management and other applications services; security services; and video conferencing, as well as sells related equipment. Further, it offers national and international roaming services; and mobile virtual network operators, network sharing, and mobile financial services, as well as sells equipment to external distributors and brokers. Orange S.A. markets its products and services under the Orange brand. The company was formerly known as France Telecom and changed its name to Orange S.A. in July 2013. Orange S.A. was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Paris, France. Read More Nabors Industries Ltd. provides drilling and drilling-related services for land-based and offshore oil and natural gas wells. The company operates through five segments: U.S. Drilling, Canada Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. It provides tubular running, wellbore placement, directional drilling, measurement-while-drilling (MWD), equipment manufacturing, and rig instrumentation services; and logging-while-drilling systems and services, as well as drilling optimization software. The company also offers REVit, an automated real time stick-slip mitigation system; ROCKit, a directional steering control system; SmartNAV, a collaborative guidance and advisory platform; SmartSLIDE, an advanced directional steering control system; and RigCLOUD, which provides the tools and infrastructure to integrate applications to deliver real-time insight into operations across the rig fleet. In addition, it manufactures and sells top drives, catwalks, wrenches, drawworks, and other drilling related equipment, such as robotic systems and downhole tools; and provides aftermarket sales and services for the installed base of its equipment. As of December 31, 2020, the company marketed approximately 354 rigs for land-based drilling operations in the United States and Canada, as well as in 14 other countries worldwide; and 29 rigs for offshore platform drilling operations in the United States and internationally. Nabors Industries Ltd. was founded in 1952 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Read More 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 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 Clorox Company manufactures and markets consumer and professional products worldwide. It operates through four segments: Health and Wellness, Household, Lifestyle, and International. The company offers laundry additives, including bleach products under the Clorox brand, as well as Clorox 2 stain fighter and color booster; home care products primarily under the Clorox, Scentiva, Formula 409, Liquid-Plumr, Pine-Sol, S.O.S, and Tilex brands; naturally derived products under the Green Works brand; professional cleaning, disinfecting, and food service products under the CloroxPro, Clorox Healthcare, and Clorox Total 360 brands; professional food service products under the Hidden Valley brand; and vitamins, minerals, and supplement products under the RenewLife, Rainbow Light, Natural Vitality, NeoCell, and Stop Aging Now brands. It also provides grilling products under the Kingsford and Match Light brands; bags and wraps under the Glad brand; and cat litter products under the Fresh Step, Scoop Away, and Ever Clean brands. In addition, the company offers dressings and sauces primarily under the Hidden Valley brand; water-filtration systems and filters under the Brita brand; and natural personal care products under the Burt's Bees brand. Further, it markets its products under the Ayudin, Clorinda, and Poett brands. The company sells its products primarily through mass retailers, grocery outlets, warehouse clubs, dollar stores, home hardware centers, third-party and owned e-commerce channels, military stores, and distributors, as well as a direct sales force. Clorox has a collaboration partnership with Cleveland Clinic and the CDC Foundation. The Clorox Company was founded in 1913 and is headquartered in Oakland, California. Read More Palo Alto Networks, Inc. provides cybersecurity platform solutions worldwide. The company provides firewall appliances and software; Panorama, a security management solution for the control of appliances and software deployed on an end-customer's network as a virtual or a physical appliance; and virtual system upgrades, which are available as extensions to the virtual system capacity that ships with physical appliances. It also offers subscription services covering the areas of threat prevention, uniform resource locator filtering, malware and persistent threat, laptop and mobile device protection, and firewall, as well as cyberattacks, threat intelligence, and data loss prevention. In addition, the company provides professional services, including architecture design and planning, configuration, and firewall migration, as well as online and in-classroom education training services, as well as support services. Palo Alto Networks, Inc. sells its products and services through its channel partners, as well as directly to medium to large enterprises, service providers, and government entities operating in various industries, including education, energy, financial services, government entities, healthcare, Internet and media, manufacturing, public sector, and telecommunications. The company was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. Read More 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 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. 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 15 hours ago | June 27th | 2021 6:30 AM If You Want to Do Business on the Links, You Need to Improve Your Golf Game A lot of business is done on the golf course. Especially this summer after a year in quarantine, people will be itching to get out on the links and for some relaxation and mixing business with pleasure. If you want to close a deal out on the course, you're going to want to be more focused on the deal points than your next shot. Archrock, Inc. operates as an energy infrastructure company in the United States. It operates in two segments, Contract Operations and Aftermarket Services. The company engages in the designing, sourcing, owning, installing, operating, servicing, repairing, and maintaining its owned fleet of natural gas compression equipment to provide natural gas compression services to customers in the oil and natural gas industry. It also offers various aftermarket services, such as sale of parts and components; and provision of operation, maintenance, overhaul, and reconfiguration services to customers who own compression equipment. The company was formerly known as Exterran Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to Archrock, Inc. in November 2015. Archrock, Inc. was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Read More Some people binge watch Netflix Huluor HBO shows. And some people turn their downtime into cash. James made $2,275 in just 19 minutesall thanks to something called The 15 Minute Workday. The average trade makes 12% in just 5 days (factoring winners and losers) which is out of this world. 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 Cato Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty retailer of fashion apparel and accessories primarily in the southeastern United States. It operates through two segments, Retail and Credit. The company's stores and e-commerce Websites offer a range of apparel and accessories, including dressy, career, and casual sportswear; and dresses, coats, shoes, lingerie, costume jewelry, and handbags, as well as men's wear, and lines for kids and infants. It operates its stores and e-commerce Websites under the Cato, Cato Fashions, Cato Plus, It's Fashion, It's Fashion Metro, and Versona names. As of January 30, 2021, the company operated 1,330 stores in 33 states. It also provides credit card services to its customers, as well as layaway plans for customers who agree to make periodic payments. The company was incorporated in 1946 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Accenture: 2nd Road, 2nd Road Pty Ltd., ?What If!, ?What If! China Holdings Ltd, ?What If! Holdings Limited, ?What If! Innovation Singapore Holdings Pte, ?What If! Limited, ?What If! Shanghai Co. Ltd, ?What If! USA LLC, ACN Consulting Co Ltd, AD Dialeto Agencia de Publicidade SA, AD.Dialeto (Digital Agency acquired by Accenture), AGS Business and Technology Services Limited, ASM Research Inc., ASM Research LLC, ATAN, Accenture (Beijing) Mobile Technology Co Ltd, Accenture (Botswana) (Proprietary) Limited, Accenture (China) Co Ltd, Accenture (Shenzhen) Technology Co. Ltd., Accenture (South Africa) (Proprietary) Limited, Accenture (South Africa) Pty Limited, Accenture (UK) Ltd, Accenture 2 Business Process Services S.A., Accenture 2 LLC, Accenture A/S, Accenture AB, Accenture AG, Accenture AS, Accenture Africa Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Holding B.V., Accenture Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Azerbaijan Ltd, Accenture BPM Operations Support Services S.A., Accenture BPM S.C.R.L., Accenture BV, Accenture Branch Holdings B.V., Accenture Bulgaria EOOD, Accenture Business Services for Utilities Inc, Accenture Business Services of British Columbia Limited Partnership, Accenture Business and Technology Services LLC, Accenture C.A, Accenture CAS GmbH, Accenture Canada Holdings Inc., Accenture Capital DAC, Accenture Capital Inc, Accenture Central Europe B.V., Accenture Chile Asesorias y Servicios Ltda, Accenture Cloud Services GmbH, Accenture Cloud Software Solutions Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions LLC, Accenture Cloud Solutions Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd., Accenture Communications Infrastructure Solutions Ltd, Accenture Company Ltd, Accenture Consulting Services Ltd Tanzania, Accenture Consultores de Gestao S.A., Accenture Consultoria de Industria e Consumo Ltda, Accenture Consultoria de Recursos Naturais Ltda, Accenture Credit Services LLC, Accenture Customer Services Distribution SAS, Accenture Customer Services Limited, Accenture Danismanlik Limited Sirketi, Accenture Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trustees Ltd, Accenture Defined Contribution Pension Plan Trustees Ltd, Accenture Delivery Poland sp. z o.o., Accenture Dienstleistungen GmbH, Accenture Digital France Holdings SA, Accenture Digital Holdings GmbH, Accenture East Africa Limited, Accenture Ecuador S.A., Accenture Egypt LLC, Accenture Enterprise Development (Shanghai) Co Ltd., Accenture Federal Services LLC, Accenture Finance (Gibraltar) III Ltd, Accenture Finance GmbH, Accenture Finance GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Finance II GmbH, Accenture Finance II GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Finance II Ltd, Accenture Finance Limited, Accenture Finance and Accounting BPO Services S.p.A., Accenture Finance and Accounting Services Srl, Accenture Flex LLC, Accenture GP LLC, Accenture Ghana Limited, Accenture Global Holdings Ltd., Accenture Global Services Ltd, Accenture Global Solutions Ltd, Accenture GmbH, Accenture HR Services Ltd, Accenture HR Services S.p.A., Accenture Healthcare Processing Inc., Accenture Holding GmbH, Accenture Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Accenture Holding GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Holdings (Iberia) S.L., Accenture Holdings B.V., Accenture Holdings France SAS, Accenture Holdings plc, Accenture Hungary Holdings Kft, Accenture Inc, Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company (Accenture Endustriyel Yazylym Cozumleri Limited irketi), Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company (Accenture Endustriyel Yazlm Cozumleri Limited Sirketi), Accenture Industrial Software Solutions Kft, Accenture Industrial Software Solutions SA, Accenture Insurance Services LLC, Accenture Insurance Services SAS, Accenture Insurance Services SpA, Accenture International BV, Accenture International Capital SCA, Accenture International LLC, Accenture International Limited, Accenture International Sarl, Accenture Japan Ltd, Accenture Korea BV, Accenture LLC, Accenture LLP, Accenture Lanka (Private) Ltd, Accenture Limited, Accenture Ltd, Accenture Ltda, Accenture Maghreb S.a.r.l., Accenture Managed Services SRL, Accenture Managed Services SpA, Accenture Management GmbH, Accenture Middle East B.V, Accenture Middle East BV, Accenture Minority I BV, Accenture Minority III Ltd, Accenture Mozambique Limitada, Accenture Mzansi (Pty) Ltd, Accenture NV/SA, Accenture NZ Limited, Accenture Newco LLC, Accenture Nova Scotia Unlimited Liability Co., Accenture OOO, Accenture Operations Sp. z o.o., Accenture Outsourcing SRL, Accenture Outsourcing Services, Accenture Outsourcing Services S.A., Accenture Oy, Accenture Panama Inc, Accenture Participations BV, Accenture Participations II Limited, Accenture Peru S.R.L, Accenture Peru S.R.L., Accenture Post Trade Processing SAS, Accenture Post-Trade Processing Limited, Accenture Process Ltd, Accenture Product Lifecycle Services, Accenture Properties, Accenture Pte Ltd, Accenture Puerto Rico LLC, Accenture S.A., Accenture S.C., Accenture S.L., Accenture S.R.L., Accenture SAS, Accenture SG Services Pte Ltd, Accenture SRL, Accenture Saudi Arabia Limited, Accenture Sendirian Berhad, Accenture Service Center SRL, Accenture Services (Mauritius) Ltd, Accenture Services AB, Accenture Services AG, Accenture Services AS, Accenture Services GmbH, Accenture Services Ltd, Accenture Services Morocco SA, Accenture Services Oy, Accenture Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Services S.r.l., Accenture Services SRL, Accenture Services Sp. z o.o., Accenture Services Sp. z.o.o., Accenture Services and Technology Srl, Accenture Services fur Kreditinstitute GmbH, Accenture Services s.r.o., Accenture Servicos Administrativos Ltda, Accenture Servicos de Suporte de Negocios Ltda, Accenture Solutions Co Ltd, Accenture Solutions Private Limited, Accenture Solutions Pte Ltd, Accenture Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Solutions Sdn Bhd, Accenture Sp. z o.o., Accenture Sp. z.o.o., Accenture SpA, Accenture State Healthcare Services LLC, Accenture Sub II Inc., Accenture Sub Inc, Accenture Sub LLC, Accenture Systems Integration Limited, Accenture Sarl, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag KFT, Accenture Technologia, Accenture Technologia Consultoria e Outsourcing S.A., Accenture Technology Infrastructure Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions (Dalian) Co Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions (HK) Co. Ltd., Accenture Technology Solutions (Thailand) Co. Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas S.A., Accenture Technology Solutions GmbH, Accenture Technology Solutions Oy, Accenture Technology Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions S.A. de C.V., Accenture Technology Solutions SAS, Accenture Technology Solutions SRL, Accenture Technology Solutions Sdn. Bhd., Accenture Technology Solutions Slovakia s.r.o., Accenture Technology Ventures BV, Accenture Technology Ventures S.P.R.L., Accenture Uruguay SRL, Accenture Vietnam Co., Accenture Vietnam Co. LTD, Accenture Zambia Limited, Accenture do Brasil Limitada, Accenture plc, Accenture s.r.o., Acceria, Acquity Customer Insight Limited, Acquity Group, Adaptly LLC, Adaptly UK Limited, AddVal Technology, Adqptly, Advantium Inc., Agave Consultants Limited, Agilex Technologies Inc., Allen International, Allen International Consulting Group Ltd, Alnova Technologies Corporation S.L., AlphaBeta Advisors, Altima, Altima Asia Ltd., Altima SAS, Altitude, Altitude LLC, Analytics 8 LP, Analytics 8 Pty Ltd, Analytics8, Aorui Advertising (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Apis, Appaloosa Technology SAS, Arca, Ariba - BPO, Arismore, Aspiro Solutions (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Avanade, Avanade (Guangzhou) Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd., Avanade (Thailand) Co Ltd, Avanade Asia Pte Ltd, Avanade Australia Pty Ltd, Avanade Belgium SPRL, Avanade Canada Inc., Avanade Denmark A/S, Avanade Denmark ApS, Avanade Deutschland GmbH, Avanade Europe Holdings Ltd, Avanade Europe Services Ltd, Avanade Federal Services LLC, Avanade Finland Oy, Avanade France SAS, Avanade GZ Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd. (SH), Avanade Guangzhou, Avanade Holdings LLC, Avanade Hong Kong Ltd, Avanade International Corporation, Avanade Ireland Limited, Avanade Italy SRL, Avanade KK, Avanade Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avanade Netherlands BV, Avanade Norway AS, Avanade Poland Sp. z o.o., Avanade Poland Sp. z.o.o., Avanade Schweiz GmbH, Avanade South Africa, Avanade South Africa Pty Ltd, Avanade Spain SL, Avanade Sweden AB, Avanade UK Ltd, Avanade do Brasil Limitada, Avanade Osterreich GmbH, AvantBiz Consulting Limited, Avenai, Axia Ltd., BABCN LLC, BCT Solutions, BCT Solutions Pty Ltd, BPO Servicos Administrativos Ltda, BRIDGE Energy Group, Beacon Consulting Group Inc., Beijing Genesis Interactive Technology Co. Ltd., Boomerang Pharmaceutical Communications, Boomerang Pharmaceuticals Communications Ireland Limited, Bow & Arrow, Brand Learning, Brand Learning Group Limited, Brand Learning LLC, Brand Learning Ltd, Brand Learning Partners Limited, Brand Learning Pte Limited, Bridge Energy Group LLC, Brightstep AB, Byte Prophecy, CAS, CRMWaypoint, CadenceQuest Inc., Capable Marketer Limited, Capgemini - North American health practice, Capital Consultancy Services Inc., Certus Solutions Consulting Services Ltd, Certus Solutions Ltd, ChangeTrack Research Pty Ltd., Chaotic Moon Studios, Chengdu Mensa Advertising Co. Ltd., Cimation, Cimation UK Limited, Cirruseo, Cirruseo SAS, Clarity Insights, Clearhead, Clearhead Group, Clearhead Group LLC, ClientHouse GmbH, Cloud Sherpas, Cloud Sherpas (GA) LLC, Cloud Sherpas (SN) (PTE.) Limited, Cloud Sherpas New Zealand Ltd., Cloud Talent Limited, Cloudsherpas, Cloudsherpas Inc., Codagenic Pty. Ltd., Computer Research and Telecommunications LLC, Concrete Desenvolvimento de Sistemas Ltda., Concrete Solutions, Concrete Solutions Ltda., Context Information Security, Coritel S.A., Corliant Inc., CreativeDrive, CustomerWorks Europe SL, Cutting Edge Solutions Ltd, D5 Global Holdings LLC, DAZ Systems Inc, DAZ Systems LLC, DAZSI Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd., DMA Solutions Limited, Davies Consulting, DayNine Consulting, DayNine Consulting (Australia) PTY LTD, DayNine Consulting (Deutschland) GmbH, DayNine Consulting (New Zealand) Limited, DayNine Consulting France SAS, DayNine Consulting Japan K.K., DayNine Consulting LLC, Declarative Holdings, Declarative Holdings LLC, Defense Point Security, Deja vu Security, Design Strategy and Research de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Designaffairs LLC, Digiplug S.A.S., Digiplug SAS, Digital Consulting & Software Services LLC, Droga5, Droga5 LLC, Droga5 Studios LLC, Droga5 UK Ltd., Duck Creek Technologies, Duck Creek Technologies LLC, Deja Vu Security LLC, ESR Labs, Elcurator SAS, Enaxis Consulting, Enaxis Consulting L.P., End-to-End Analytics, Energuia Web, Energuia Web S.A., Energy Management Brokers Ltd., Energy Quote Private Ltd., EnergyQuote JHA, EnergyQuote JHA Ltd., EnergyQuote Trading Ltd., Enimbos, Enkitec, Enterprise System Partners, Enterprise System Partners B.V. , Enterprise System Partners Bilisim Danismanlik Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Enterprise System Partners Global Corporation, Enterprise System Partners Limited, Enterprise System Partners PR LLC, Enterprise System Partners S.A.S., Epylon, Evopro Group, Exactside Limited, Fairway Technologies Inc, Fairway Technologies LLC, Filmproduction ApS, First Annapolis Consulting, First Annapolis Consulting Inc., First Annapolis Consulting LLC, First Annapolis International, Fjord, Focus Group Europe, Focus Group Europe Limited, Formicary, Formicary Holdings Limited, Formicary Limited, FusionX, FutureMove Automotive, Gapso Servicos de Informatica Ltda., Genfour, Genfour Limited, George Group Consulting L.P., Gestalt LLC, Gestion Altima Canada Inc., Global Public Firm S.L., GlobalView SAS, GoodFilm GmbH Filmproduktion Stuttgart, H.B. Maynard and Co. Inc., Hagberg Consulting Group, Hangzhou Aiyunzhe Technology Co. Ltd., Happen, Hjaltelin Stahl, Hjaltelin Stahl K/S, Hytracc Consulting AS, Hytracc Consulting Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Hytracc Consulting UK Limited, Hytracc Holding AS, I-Faber S.p.A., IBB Consulting, IMJ Corp, IMJ Corporation, INCAD, INSITUM, IT One Company Limited, ITBS Servicios Bancarios de Tecnologia de la Informacion SL, Icon Integration, Imagine Broadband (USA) Ltd, Imagine Broadband USA LLC, Imaginea Inc, Industrie&Co, Infoman AG, Infoman Schweiz AG, Informatica de Euskadi S.L., Infusion Development Inc., Infusion Development UK Limited, InfusionDev LLC, Innoveer Solutions India Pvt Ltd, Insitum Consultoria Argentina SRL, Insitum Consultoria Brasil LTDA, Insitum Consultoria Colombia SAS, Insitum Consultoria Europa SL, Insitum Consultoria Peru SAC, Insitum Consultoria S.A. de C.V., Intrepid, Intrigo Systems Inc, Intrigo Systems India Pvt. Limited, Intrigo Systems LLC, Inventor Advertisement (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inventor Technology Limited, InvestTech, Investtech Systems Consulting LLC, Javelin Group, Javelin Group (Bulgaria) EOOD, Javelin Group Limited (UK), Javelin Group SASU, K Comms Group Limited, KCS.net AG, KCS.net AG West, KCS.net Deutschland GmbH, KCS.net Holding AG, KCS.net Osterreich GmbH, Kaper Communications Limited, Karma Communications Debtco Limited, Karma Communications Group Limited, Karma Communications Holdings Limited, Karmarama, Karmarama Comms Limited, Karmarama Limited, Knowledge Rules Inc., Knowledgent, Knowledgent Group LLC, Kogentix, Kogentix LLC, Kogentix Ltd, Kogentix Singapore Pte. Ltd, Kogentix Technologies Private Limited, Kolle Rebbe, Kolle Rebbe GmbH, Kream Comms Limited, Kunstmaan, Kunstmaan NV, Kurt Salmon, Kurt Salmon Canada LTD, Kurt Salmon UKI, Kurt Salmon UKI Ltd., Kurt Salmon US LLC, LINKBYNET, LabAnswer, LabAnswer Government, LemonXL Limited, Logistics Market Place Limited (UK), Loud & Clear Creative Pty Ltd, MAXIM Systems Inc., MCG US Holdings LLC, Mackevision CG Technology and Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Mackevision Corporation, Mackevision Japan Co. Ltd., Mackevision Korea Ltd, Mackevision Medien Design, Mackevision Medien Design GmbH, Mackevision Singapore Pte. Ltd., Mackevision UK Ltd, Maglan, Maglan Information Defense Technologies Research Ltd., Maihiro, Matter, Matter Llc, Maud Corp Pty Limited, Maxamine International, Media Audits Ltd., Media Hive, Mediasenz Pty Ltd., Meredith Specialty LLC, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing Corporation, Meridian Informed Purchasing Ltd., Mindtribe, Mindtribe Product Engineering LLC, MobGen, MobGen Technology S.L, Moonrise NV, Mortgage Cadence, Mortgage Cadence an Accenture Company, Most Champion Ltd, Mudano, N3 LLC, NBS Marketing Inc., NYTEC, Nanjing Demeng Advertising Co. Ltd., Nashco Consulting, NaviSys Inc., Neo Metrics Analytics S.L., Neo Metrics Chile, Neo Metrics Chile S.A., New Content, New Content Chile SpA, New Content Editora e Produtora Ltda., New Energy Aborda, New Energy Associates Ltd, New Energy Group, New Energy S.r.l., NewsPage, NewsPage (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, NewsPage China Ltd., NewsPage Pte Ltd, Nice Agency Limited, Northstream, Northstream AB, Northstream Holding AB, OCTO Technology, OPS Rules Management Consultants, Octagon Research Solutions Inc., Octo Technology LTDA, Octo Technology Pty Ltd, Octo Technology SA, Octo Technology SPRL, Octoman SAS, Odgaard ApS, Olikka, Operaciones Accenture S.A. de C.V., OpusLine, Orbium, Orbium Consulting Ltd, Orbium GmbH, Orbium Holding AG, Orbium Inc., Orbium International AG, Orbium International sp. z o.o., Orbium Licences AG, Orbium Limited, Orbium Pte. Ltd., Orbium Pty Ltd, Orbium Services sp. z o.o., Orbium Sarl, Origin Digital, PCO Innovation, PCO Innovation Canada Inc., PCO Innovation EURL, PIXO PUNCH Limited, PLM Systems S.r.l, POC Holdings, PRION GmbH, PT Accenture, PT Asta Catur Indra, PT Kogentix Teknologi Indonesia, Pach Invest SARL, Pach Invest SAS, PacificLink Group, PacificLink iMedia Ltd., Paja Finanssipalvelut Oy, Parker Fitzgerald Inc, Parker Fitzgerald Inc., Parker Fitzgerald International Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Limited, Parker Fitzgerald PTY Ltd, Parker Fitzgerald Services Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Solutions Limited, Partners Technology Mexico Holdings BV, Pecaso Ltd., Pegasus Production K/S, Perseroan Terbatas. Accenture, Phase One Consulting Group, Pillar Technology, Pollux, Pragsis Bidoop, Pragsis Bidoop UK Ltd, Pragsis Technologies S.L, PrimeQ, PrimeQ Australia Pty Ltd, PrimeQ Ltd, PrimeQ NZ Pty Ltd, Procurian Germany GmbH, Procurian Inc., Procurian International I LLC, Procurian International II LLC, Procurian LLC, Procurian Singapore Pte. Ltd., Procurian Switzerland GmbH, Procurian USA LLC, Proquire LLC, PureApps Ltd., Qi Jie Beijing Information Technologies Co Ltd, Radiant Services, Radiant Services LLC, Random Walk Computing Inc., Reactive Media Limited, Reactive Media Pty Ltd., Real Protect, Realworld OO Systems Ltd., Redcore, Redcore (Asia) Pte Ltd, Redcore (India) Private Limited (India), Redcore (New Zealand) Limited, Redcore Group Holdings Pty Ltd, Redcore Pty Ltd, Renacentis IT Services, Revolutionary Security, RiskControl, Rothco, Rothco Holdings Designated Activity Company, Rothco Unlimited Company, S.C. EnergyQuote S.r.l., S3 TV Technology Limited, S3 TV Technology Ltd., SALT Solutions GmbH, SEC Servizi, SEC Servizi S.p.A., SOPIA Corp., Sagacious Consultants, Sagacious Consultants LLC, Sanchez Capital Services Pvt Ltd, Schlumberger Business Consulting, Seabury Airline Planning Group, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace (UK) Limited, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace Asia (Hong Kong) Limited, Seabury Aviation Consulting LLC, Seabury Cargo Advisory B.V., Seabury Consulting, Seabury Corporate Advisors LLC, Seabury Human Capital LLC, Seabury Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Seabury Structured Finance LLC, Search Technologies BPO, Search Technologies BPO Inc., Search Technologies GmbH, Search Technologies International LLC, Search Technologies LATAM, Search Technologies LATAM S.A., Search Technologies LLC, Search Technologies Limited, Sente Partners LLC, Sentelis, Servicios Tecnicos de Programacion Accenture S.C., Shackleton, Shackleton Barcelona S.L., Shackleton Chile S.A., Shackleton Madrid S.L., Shackleton S.A., Shanghai Baiyue Advertising Co. Ltd., Shun Zhe Technology Development Co. Ltd., Silveo, Simian Pty Limited, SinnerSchrader AG, SinnerSchrader Commerce GmbH, SinnerSchrader Content GmbH, SinnerSchrader Deutschland GmbH, SinnerSchrader Praha s.r.o., SinnerSchrader Swipe GmbH, Sinnerschrader, Sistemes Consulting S.L., Solutions IQ, Solutions IQ LLC, SolutionsIQ, SolutionsIQ India Consulting Services Private Limited, Storm Digital, Storm Digital B.V., Structure Consulting Group, Structure Consulting Group LLC, Sutter Mills, Systor AG, TQuila Limited (UK), Tadata Creative Unlimited Company, Tara Insurance DAC, Tara Risk DAC, TargetST8, TargetST8 Consulting LLC, Tech - Avanade Portugal Unipessoal Lda, Tecnilogica Ecosistemas S.A., Tecnilogica Ltd., Tecnilogica, The Brand Learning Partners Limited, The Callisto Integration Corporation, The Monkeys, The Monkeys Pty Limited, The Myrtle Group, Total Logistics, Total Logistics Supply Chain Consultants Limited, Tquila, Troop Studios Pty Ltd, VanBerlo, Verax Solutions, Verax Solutions Corporation, Vertical Retail Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd., Vertical Retail Consulting Hong Kong, Vertical Retail Consulting Hong Kong Ltd., Vertical Retail Consulting Ltd., Vivere Brasil Servicos e Solucoes SA, Vivere Brasil Solucoes De Credito Ltda., Weblinc Pty Ltd, Wire Stone, Wire Stone LLC, Wire Stone Sarl, Wolox, Yesler, Zag, Zenta, Zenta Global Philippines, Zenta Global Philippines Inc., Zenta Mortgage Services LLC, Zenta Recoveries Inc, Zenta US Holdings Inc., Zielpuls, Zielpuls (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zielpuls GmbH, avVenta, designaffairs, designaffairs Business Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., designaffairs GmbH, designaffairs group China Co. Ltd., dgroup, i4C Analytics, iDefense, and solid-serVision.com GmbH. Core Laboratories N.V. provides reservoir description and production enhancement services and products to the oil and gas industry in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Reservoir Description and Production Enhancement. The Reservoir Description segment includes the characterization of petroleum reservoir rock, fluid, and gas samples to enhance production and improve recovery of oil and gas from its clients' reservoirs. It offers laboratory-based analytical and field services to characterize properties of crude oil and petroleum products; and proprietary and joint industry studies. The Production Enhancement segment offers services and products relating to reservoir well completions, perforations, stimulations, and production. It offers integrated diagnostic services to evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of well completions and to develop solutions to improve the effectiveness of enhanced oil recovery projects. The company markets and sells its products through a combination of sales representatives, technical seminars, trade shows, and print advertising, as well as through distributors. Core Laboratories N.V. was founded in 1936 and is based in Amstelveen, the Netherlands. Read More Gary Mlsna, 70, of Wisconsin Dells, died Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019, at St. Marys Hospital Medical Center in Madison. Gary was born March 22, 1948 in LaCrosse, the son of Richard Wenzel and Bernice Sophia (Roberts) Mlsna. He moved to Wisconsin Dells in 1956 and graduated from Wisconsin Dells High School in 1966. Shortly after high school, in February 1967, he enlisted in the United States Army and served during the Vietnam war. He was honorably discharged in February 1969. Gary married Kristine (Tina) Peters in October 1970 and they became each others best friend. Foremost in his life was his love for his family and the true enjoyment he had in watching his grand-kids grow. Gary also enjoyed working and tinkering outside, in his garage, and with much effort and learning, he built his own street rod. He and Tina enjoyed fishing, even if they did not catch anything, and he always made sure his feathered friends were taken care of in his yard. Gary loved sharing meals with family and friends, which his breakfast buddies will attest to. Gary is survived by his loving wife, Tina; a son, Craig; a daughter, Laura (John) Nagler of McFarland; and grandchildren, Ian, Landon, Zoey and Jack. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Judy Armson. On April 29, the Wisconsin Association of Licensed Practical Nurses will host their 69th Annual Educational Conference at the Wintergreen Resort and Convention Center in Lake Delton. The conference is also open to nursing students, faculty, and anyone with an interest in the role of an LPN. New this year, attendees are encouraged to attend the pre-conference networking and meet and greet event at 5 p.m. April 28. The conference fee is $65 for WALPN members, $75 for non-members, and $25 for nursing students or faculty. Registered Nurse Joey Pettis will lead two clinical sessions, Supervisory Role of the LPN and Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Injuries. Pettis currently serves as the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Director of Nursing Council and Regional Nurse Consultant for Dove Healthcare in northwestern Wisconsin. Kathy Loppnow, registered nurse and Director of Health Occupations for Wisconsin Technical College System, will join Pettis in leading a third session, Why We Need to Raise Our Political Voices. Registration and special hotel rates will be eligible though April 12. For complete agenda, registration form, and additional details, contact Carolyn Kaiser at crkaiser369@gmail.com or 715-874-5156, or visit the website walpn.org/annual-convention.html. Lucas Voight scaled the rear ladder of Portage Fire Engine 3 on Friday morning, glancing back just long enough to see an infectious smile spread across his mothers face. Sarah Voight asked if her son was a monkey. The Fall River 6-year-old said he wanted to be a ninja, then climbed down the ladder and hoisted his body on the rear platform of the truck and swung his legs around, gleefully swinging them below. Im going to Florida, where the sharks are, Lucas declared from atop his perch. The all-expense-paid-for journey for Lucas, who was diagnosed with leukemia more than three years ago, became possible when Lt. Steve Dehn retired from the Portage Fire Department after 36 years. In lieu of accepting gifts, Dehn asked people instead to donate to the Make-A-Wish foundation. For 36 years, I had always helped people. I figured it was just one more way of helping somebody out, Dehn said. Its not about me. Its about him. Family, friends, co-workers and community members threw in to help out, and Dehn said fellow firefighter Brian Bonovetz was instrumental in a team fundraising effort. Dehn hopes this gift might inspire other people to help families in need. Office referrals at Woodridge in 2018-19 have so far declined by 41 percent compared to the same time frame from last school year, the progress relating to PBIS programming that Woodridge has employed since 2011, Thistle said. The U.S. Department of Educations Office of Special Education Programs established malleable and non-required PBIS programming for school use in 1997 and, according to the official website for PBIS, such programming is employed in more than 26,000 schools in the nation. The broad purpose of having PBIS in your school is to improve social, emotional and academic outcomes for everyone that is involved, said first-grade teacher Melissa Kane, one of eight members of Woodridges PBIS team, which meets once per month. It is really nice to have the same guidelines and expectations throughout the building and then continuing onto the next grade levels. As a school, we look at our data all across the board and as a team we come up with ideas and solutions to help benefit our Woodridge Primary School family. New this year is the Community Circle, where teachers spend time every day making sure the students get to know each other better, Thistle said. It was established after Woodridge leaders noticed teachers would sometimes eliminate community-building activities in order to get all of their curriculum materials in. Businesses getting state incentives for economic development projects would have to disclose major changes to their plans and could not use state dollars to move jobs out of state under Gov. Tony Evers proposal for the next state budget. The budget proposal, set to be released in full Thursday, would also create new incentives for renewable energy projects, according to a summary of changes Evers will propose for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. provided Sunday to the Wisconsin State Journal. It was first reported by WisPolitics.com. Evers aims to make the states quasi-public jobs agency, also known as WEDC, operate more openly and track state dollars going to businesses more effectively. Evers plan, while seeking changes to WEDC, falls far short of his campaign proposal to abolish it and move its functions elsewhere in state government. One provision in the proposal says that for any contracts in which the state provides business tax credits of more than $5 million, the recipient would have to update the state of its plans for employment and investment if there are any material changes to the activities negotiated in its contract. Second victim IDd in lake crash LAKE DELTON The 24-year-old woman who died Feb. 17 when the semi-trailer truck she was a passenger in crashed into Mirror Lake has been identified as Devenna Patterson of Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The crash also killed truck driver Timothy Green, 39, also from Elizabethtown. The semi-trailer left Interstate 90/94 in Sauk County at a bridge spanning Mirror Lake, with the truck dropping about 100 feet and through the lake ice. Greens body was found inside the cab, but Pattersons body wasnt found until the next day. The southbound lanes of the Interstate were closed for hours as crews worked at the scene. JUNEAU The Dodge County Sheriffs Office is seeking the publics assistance in locating a work-release inmate who failed to return to the jail as required after a shift at work. Jennifer P. Petersen, 39, Beaver Dam, has active arrest warrants through Dodge County and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. Her last known address is in Portage. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Petersen was serving a 270-day Huber sentence at the Dodge County Jail for theft-false representation and was scheduled for release April 11. Petersen is the second inmate currently being sought for escape. Connie L. Smiley, 36, has an active arrest warrant through Dodge County after not returning to the jail Jan. 30 following an appointment in Juneau. Smiley was serving a 160-day Huber sentence at the Dodge County Jail for contempt of court. The sheriffs office asks for the assistance of the public in providing information to assist in apprehending Petersen or Smiley. Anyone with any information can contact Dodge County Sheriffs Office at 920-386-3726. Follow Terri Pederson on Twitter @tlp53916 or contact her at 920-356-6760. Oh, what a beautiful evening for live entertainment I t was indeed a totally theatrical experience as nearly 40 performers answered the call of the Winterset Stage and utilized their acting, vocal and dancing talents to work their way into the hearts of... Great Iowa Tractor Ride stops for lunch in Truro I f the question was posed, How do you get a farm girl to like you?, the simple answer might be a tractor. Many farm girls would have been delighted to see the various makes... Iowa storyteller presents new book about local history As a group of about a dozen people gathered to listen, author Darcy Maulsby presented her new book on Madison County Thursday, June 3, at the Winterset Public Library. Published in March, Madison County, part... Summer Classics and New Favorites at the Iowa Theater A switch got flipped Memorial Day weekend I feel like I almost heard it click into place. Hugging family, smiling at people you meet on the street, and the pastimes weve missed going... The letter makes a strong point that Norway is the only country refusing to accept the moratorium on whale fishing declared by the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, arguing that it is a historically established national tradition. Six Russian ecological organisations have submitted an official letter addressed to Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the UN and Harald V, the King of Norway, asking them to stop or limit the quotas for whale fishing. Simultaneously, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Japan are the top ranking countries in whale meat export. Ironically all of them proclaim environment-friendly politics. Oslo remains the worlds leading exporter of whale meat and evidently benefits from it economically. Thus the environmental protection claims and words by the nordic country and its actions are not inline. Ninety percent of the minke whales hunted and killed each year in Norwegian waters are female and " almost all" of them are pregnant, according to a documentary aired in March 2017 on NRK, a government-owned public broadcasting company. For that reason, zoologists believe that this business is ecologically catastrophic and against the norms of humanism. From their perspective, it sounds rather like a crime against nature and puts whales into real danger says one of the scientists. A twist to worse is that Norway recently declared an increase of the annual quota for whale fishing. This news served as grounds for Russian ecologists to ask the UN to use its authority to change this business or limit it. Scientists believe that whales are intelligent mammals and their minds are similar to that of dolphins, adding more bitterness to the already sad story. The extermination of intelligent animals doesnt sound like an environmental protection policy by any means, says one of the Russian authors of the letter. Unfortunately, whale fishing being a driver of its economy, without public support and influential organisations like the UN, its extremely hard to influence the countrys activities. Paul Kostner Armenia: Statement by the Spokesperson on the early parliamentary elections Armenias Parliamentary Elections PRESS STATEMENT COVID19:77 new cases Armenias early parliamentary elections were competitive and well run, but polarized and marred by aggressive rhetoric, international observers say International election observers to Armenias early parliamentary elections held press conference Drop Charges Against Rights Defender Sashik Sultanyan The Coronavirus-Related Situation in Armenia The European Union in Armenia calls all parties to contribute to a peaceful Election Day to celebrate democracy 22 ventilators to Armenia PACE to observe the early parliamentary elections in Armenia With Ucom's level up tariff plans subscribers have unlimited access to Tiktok, Spotify and Coursera PACE rapporteur welcomes Azerbaijans release of Armenian captives and Armenias handing over of mine-maps to Azerbaijan Armenia/Azerbaijan: Statement by High Representative Josep Borrell on the latest developments Pashinyan to publicly apology to Khachatryans During EURO 2020 Ucom subscribers to take part in the uMeter voting and draw USA to continue to press for the return of Armenian prisoners of war and detainees: Philip Reeker Google Ad Post-war Prospects for Nagorno-Karabakh: Crisis Groups new report Ucom-1 team was recognised the winner of the 2021 futsal tournament of the Galaxy Group of Companies: The award ceremony took place COVID 19: 11 deaths Statement of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia regarding the criminal prosecution against the Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijan The Coronavirus-Related Situation in Armenia UCOM introduced new level up packages of voice service President Michel has discussions with President Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Acting Prime Minister Pashinyan of Armenia COVID19:108 new cases Ucom launches "Hello, summer" offer and presents "U!hoo" kids magazine 182 hearing aids and 2 buses by benefactor Mikayel Vardanyan for students of Special Educational Complex Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group What our Homeland, Armenia and Artsakh will be like depends on us. President Armen Sarkissians message on the Republic Day Ucom Digital lab students keep on getting high-quality technical education A 32-year-old Winona man was charged with two felony counts of drug possession after Winona police officers responded to a call for suspicion of shoplifting. Nathan Jon Barbian was charged Monday with felony possession of heroin and buprenorphine a more potent form of morphine as well as a misdemeanor theft charge and lesser drug charges in Winona County District Court on Monday. According to the criminal complaint, police officers responded Saturday to a store in Winona after a caller reported a male and two females were acting suspiciously. An employee told officers that the male, later identified as Barbian, was acting in a way that suggested he was concealing items. The employee said the man was talking to himself and acting strange, the report said. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} When the officer approached Barbian, the report said, Barbian was frantically stuffing clothing items onto a shelf and wearing several shirts and two pairs of jeans. The tags were hanging off the shirts, the report said. Barbian, according to the report, said he had stuffed a pair of stolen shoes down his pants, and apologized. He told the officer he needed new clothes. The stolen items totaled $231.95. Winona Senior High School teacher Theresa Pearson was named a semifinalist for the Minnesota Teacher of the Year award, Education Minnesota announced Monday in a release. Pearson is one of 40 semifinalists narrowed down from an initial field of 168 candidates from across the state by a panel of 23 community leaders. The panel will review the semifinalists portfolios again and review semifinalist video submissions in late March and will select about 10 finalists from among the group. The current Minnesota Teacher of the Year, Kelly D. Holstine, will announce her successor at a banquet May 5 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre in St. Paul. Pearson, an English teacher, has been with the district for 21 years. n addition to her time in the classroom, where she specializes in Advanced Placement and honors courses, she has served as the lead advisor for a group of students traveling to Japan, facilitated her departments professional learning communities and coordinated the high schools Link Crew. She was named the Winona Education Association teacher of the year in October. BOGOTA - In a story Feb. 25, The Associated Press reported that forces loyal to Venezuelan Nicolas Maduro set fire to humanitarian aid. The story should have said eyewitnesses said the forces set fire to the aid but the government denies it and blames protesters. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/2/2019 (853 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Venezuelan migrants rest from clashing with Venezuelan National Guards blocking the Simon Bolivar International Bridge, in La Parada near Cucuta, Colombia, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, on the border with Venezuela. A U.S.-backed drive to deliver foreign aid to Venezuela on Saturday met strong resistance as troops loyal to President Nicolas Maduro blocked the convoys at the border and fired tear gas on protesters. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) BOGOTA - In a story Feb. 25, The Associated Press reported that forces loyal to Venezuelan Nicolas Maduro set fire to humanitarian aid. The story should have said eyewitnesses said the forces set fire to the aid but the government denies it and blames protesters. DHAKA, Bangladesh - A man who was killed while trying to hijack a commercial flight in Bangladesh was a 24-year-old passenger from a village near the capital who had been previously arrested in a kidnapping case, officials said Monday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 24/2/2019 (854 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. BangladeshAos state-run Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight is seen after it made an emergency landing at the airport in Chittagong, Bangladesh, Sunday, Feb.24, 2019. A Bangladesh air force official says the flight from the capital, Dhaka, bound for Dubai made the emergency landing, after a man allegedly attempted to hijack the plane. (AP Photo) DHAKA, Bangladesh - A man who was killed while trying to hijack a commercial flight in Bangladesh was a 24-year-old passenger from a village near the capital who had been previously arrested in a kidnapping case, officials said Monday. Mufti Mahmud Khan, director of the law and media wing of Bangladesh's Rapid Action Battalion security agency, said the suspect was listed in its database as Md. Polash Ahmed, and had been arrested in 2012. Khan declined to provide details about the kidnapping case. Confusion remained over whether Ahmed was armed. The plane operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines made an emergency landing in Chittagong on Sunday after the attempted hijacking, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Dhaka. The plane was headed to Dubai via Chittagong. Officials said Sunday that Ahmed was injured in an exchange of gunfire with special forces, that he had shot at them first and was armed with a pistol. Civil aviation authorities cast doubt on that account Monday. When asked about reports that Ahmed had a toy gun, ministry secretary Mohibul Haque said they didn't know whether the pistol was a toy. "We don't know if there was any exchange of gunfire," Haque said. Bangladesh civil aviation minister Mahbub Ali told reporters that Ahmed had booked a seat on the flight from Dhaka to Chittagong, and that airport surveillance video showed him going through security with other passengers. "There was no signal that he had something" when he boarded Sunday's flight, Ali said. Khan said when the agency's bomb-disposal unit reached the scene, they found that Ahmed had fake "bomb-like material." Officials said Ahmed asked to speak to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheik Hasina before dying on his way to a hospital. A police chief in Narayanganj outside Dhaka, Mohammed Moniruzzaman, first identified the suspect as 24-year-old Mohammed Polash Ahmed. Moniruzzaman said Ahmed's parents confirmed his identity, and that residents of the village where he lived said he had a "bad reputation." A police official in Chittagong, Mohammed Alauddin, said by phone that no one had yet claimed Ahmed's body from the Chittagong Medical College and Hospital mortuary. Bangladesh, a majority Muslim nation of 162 million people, has had periodic terrorist attacks in recent years, including an assault on an upscale cafe in Dhaka's diplomatic enclave in 2016 that resulted in the deaths of 22 people, including 17 foreigners. The attack prompted a swift crackdown by Hasina, with hundreds of suspected militants arrested or killed in raids across the country. The Rapid Action Battalion has been credited with reducing militant attacks, but international human rights groups blame the elite anti-crime force for the disappearances and extrajudicial killings of dozens of people allegedly involved with radical groups. This story has been corrected to fix spelling of name to Mohammed Polash Ahmed instead of Mahmud Polash Ahmed. No one would ever call Winnipeg the city that never sleeps. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/2/2019 (853 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Editorial No one would ever call Winnipeg the city that never sleeps. So it shouldnt be surprising that Shoppers Drug Mart recently announced it would be reducing the hours of the five local stores that formerly operated 24 hours a day. PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Shoppers Drug Mart will cease 24-hour operation at its Winnipeg stores. However, for the national chain of pharmacies to blame its failure on the low number of late-night shoppers in Winnipeg is disingenuous. If it were as simple as that, 7-Elevens would still only be open from 7 to 11. Shoppers operates on a business model that makes 24-hour shopping untenable in most circumstances; to introduce it so widely, especially in stores largely located far from densely populated areas and mixed-use housing, was an act of hubris in the first place. Its notable that Rexall, another Canadian pharmacy-retail chain, has no 24-hour stores; in fact, some Winnipeg locations close as early as 5 p.m. and do not open Sundays. Over the years, and especially after its purchase by Canadas largest food retailer, Loblaws Companies Inc., Shoppers has encouraged customers to treat it as a supermarket or a convenience store its aisles are filled with snacks, grocery items, frozen food, household items but it remains, first and foremost, a pharmacy. That means it must have a pharmacist on-site any time the store is open. Unlike, say, 7-Elevens, which often employ a single low-wage worker through the night, Shoppers stores must pay a pharmacist overnight rates for eight hours (likely at least $55 per hour), as well as cashiers and a merchandiser, and possibly a security guard. People buying chips or refilling their Peggo cards at midnight arent likely to offset those costs. The pharmacy also has the highest dispensing fees in the province. Though this is due in part to the stores longer hours (prefer to pay Costcos lower fee? Be Shoppers guest, but dont come crying to them at 11:30 p.m.), it only fuels the notion that Shoppers Drug Mart is where you go for lipstick or Band-Aids or snacks, not prescriptions. Then theres the question of loss prevention: as many a mom has warned, "Nothing good happens after 2 a.m." Yes, there are customers doing shift work who turn to an all-night pharmacy for groceries. There are parents looking for medication for a sick child. But theres little doubt that the appearance of bad actors troublemakers, shoplifters, inebriated customers goes up after the sun goes down, especially in locations close to bars and restaurants, such as Osborne Village. The one 24-hour Shoppers location that might conceivably have had enough overnight traffic to be viable is also the one most likely to be plagued by theft and disruption and losses at a pharmacy-retailer are not restricted to gum or taquitos or other under-$20 trifles, as they are at a convenience store, but also include more expensive items, such as cosmetics, perfume, medications and electronics. When Shoppers Drug Mart first moved to 24-hour stores in Winnipeg, it was following a corporate mandate that clearly didnt take into account the specific communities it was supposed to serve or how well-suited it was to provide round-the-clock convenience in a smaller centre. The company jumped on the 24-7 bandwagon, but someone was asleep at the wheel. Cybercriminals have caught Canadian municipalities flat-footed. Our cities must get with the times or risk sending more taxpayer money and private data out the door. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/2/2019 (853 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Cybercriminals have caught Canadian municipalities flat-footed. Our cities must get with the times or risk sending more taxpayer money and private data out the door. Cybercrime costs Canada $3.12 billion a year. A portion of that involves ransom payments to cybercriminals who digitally hold computers hostage. Ransomware, which involves remotely encrypting hard drives and demanding money in exchange for the key, has become the favourite tool to attack Canadian systems. Thats what happened to a Quebec municipality in September it had no other choice but to pay bandits $30,000 after two weeks offline. Similar attacks left two Ontario towns locked out of their own servers. Officials had to pay thousands to get them back, prompting the police to warn local governments. In the U.S., Atlanta and Baltimore had their servers hacked last year, rendering many vital services, such as 911 dispatch and local courts, out of commission. These are not isolated incidents. Ajay Sood, the general manager of Symantec Canada, told Global News, "Its a small percentage of whats being reported, a smaller percentage of whats being detected and an even smaller percentage of whats been occurring." Politicians who are unaware of or overlook cybersecurity put everyone in danger. Outdated systems make the problem worse; experts detect security holes on a daily basis. In 2014, Quebec authorities had to delay the launch of personalized licence plates until 2017 because existing computers were several years old and needed $4.5 million worth of updates. Some Quebec provincial offices still use the vulnerable Windows 2000 operating system and spend millions on extended warranties. Quebec spends the lowest proportion of its budget on IT security of any region in the country. Even though political capitals are the prime targets, local governments are increasingly attractive for hackers. Municipalities hold valuable data, yet are poorly equipped to detect and fend off attacks. The potential damage of neglecting cybersecurity can be manifold: loss of records, temporary shutdowns, costly recoveries and erosion of trust among citizens. And failure in local government services can have a greater effect than distant federal agencies on the quality of peoples lives. A survey reveals that Canadians are overconfident and poorly informed about their cybersecurity preparedness. The illusion of safety can be an ingredient for a disaster, especially as the 2019 federal election approaches. NATO has warned Canada to prepare for foreign meddling, as has become standard practice for Chinese and Russian agents. Antivirus and firewall software arent enough, even for small towns that believe theyre unlikely targets. Cyberattacks affect governments at all levels, and come as direct hacking and as clever social-engineering techniques designed to exploit human flaws. Most ransomware infections occur after someone is deceived into clicking on a link. Education and awareness must be the cornerstone of any cybersecurity strategy. Training employees to identify deceitful emails, maintain secure passwords and report any suspicious activity is key. Hiring an external firm to conduct a security audit, while expensive, will identify many vulnerabilities and avoid losses. Likewise, at least having a regularly updated backup offsite will help with the recovery if everything else fails. This is just the start to addressing todays issues. Municipalities, large and small, are constantly investing in new technologies such as cameras and public Wi-Fi zones. Cesar Cerrudo, co-founder of Securing Smart Cities, argues that "the more technology cities use, the more vulnerable to cyberattacks they could become." A cybersecurity department in every small town is not feasible, but municipal officials can and should reach out to agencies and law enforcement at the provincial and federal levels. The recently launched federal Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, "a single unified source of expert advice, guidance, services and support on cybersecurity for government, critical infrastructure owners and operations, the private sector and the Canadian public," seeks to offer much-needed assistance. Where possible, however, municipal officials should look to nearby universities and private consultants. Non-government actors can offer a valuable hand thats less tied up with the usual red tape and political animosity. Banks, hospitals and firms of all sizes have learned the lesson the hard way. Municipalities are next. They should adapt to the new era and be prepared. Its not a matter of if, but when, they will be attacked. Fergus Hodgson is the executive editor of Antigua Report, a columnist with the Epoch Times and a research associate with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy. Daniel Duarte contributed to this article. Troy Media A traditional attitude of welcome is withdrawn today as Winnipegs main library greets all patrons with suspicion. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/2/2019 (853 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion A traditional attitude of welcome is withdrawn today as Winnipegs main library greets all patrons with suspicion. A new policy mandates that no one older than 13 years can enter without submitting to bag checks and sweeps by a hand-held metal detector. Say goodbye to the public-library philosophy of open access and a convivial approach that made the main branch one of the best things about downtown Winnipeg. The intrusive searches will mean an elderly lady might have to explain within earshot of strangers why her hip is setting off the metal detector. A new immigrant might be intimidated and reminded of the random searches he feared in the police state he fled. A teenage girl might blush with embarrassment as a security guard inspects personal items in her purse. Its a disrespectful way to treat guests. The most disturbing aspect of the librarys decision to mistrust patrons is that no official has publicly explained whether there have been serious incidents that warrant such extreme measures. Have library staff been taken hostage? Was someone caught with a homemade bomb in the historical reading room? Have gunmen traded fire in the non-fiction aisles? Media asked for detailed explanations from library management, the library workers union and Winnipeg police. Frustratingly, none would elaborate on episodes that provoked the mandatory searches. Ed Cuddy, the manager of library services, gave a scant overview, telling reporters theres been a rise in incidents involving "violence, threats, alcohol and substance abuse." He said library workers have not been victims, but he wouldnt say more. Its obvious some of the problems he mentioned wont be stopped by metal detectors and bag checks. They wont stop threats. They wont stop violence such as fist fights. They might detect contraband such as alcohol or drugs, but they wont stop library admittance of people who are already drunk or high. They will detect metal weapons but, again, theres been no official indication that weapon use is a problem inside the library. If it is, library management should have first consulted the principals of Winnipeg high schools, who have experience dealing with students who make the bad choices of bringing weapons to school and making threats. Schools manage without instituting mandatory bag checks and metal detectors. Some people might regard the latest invasion of their personal space with a sigh of resignation. Were used to being searched at airports and before concerts and sporting events at Bell MTS Place and Investors Group Field. But the library should be different. As an institution thats truly democratic, it should embody openness and acceptance. Its true that the geographic location of the Millennium Library at 251 Donald St. attracts a wider variety of patrons than suburban branches. Homeless people appreciate it as a place to escape the weather. Its a safe and positive place for people who are jobless, new to Canada, skipping school, waiting for the next bus or mentally ill. Millennium staff cope admirably and work in partnership with social workers and police when necessary. But bag checks and metal detectors are unlikely to help with the challenging visitors who rely on the Millennium branch because of its urban-core location. As an example of some of the problems that will be caused by the new policy, think of this: homeless people are encouraged by the city to seek shelter in the library when the temperature is lethally cold. But many homeless people carry a weapon to protect themselves on the street. Must they now choose between surrendering their defensive weapon and seeking warm sanctuary? When crime statistics are considered, it seems library management is overreacting. Statistics Canada shows crime in Winnipeg is substantially lower than in 2005, when the former Centennial Library became the Millennium Library. With the crime rate lowered, why is it suddenly such a big deal that library management risks offending its patrons? Why now? An exaggerated fear of violence may be due to our proximity to the shoot-em-up United States, where there were more guns (393 million) than people (326 million) in 2017. News of sensational crimes leaks across the border and perhaps makes us overly fearful of risks that are infinitesimal. In 2016, the American Library Association recognized the need for active-shooter training for library staff but thats in the U.S., not in Winnipeg. The best thing about the Millennium Library is not its fancy glass elevator and four-storey glass wall. Its the front-line staff. Always helpful, never judgmental, the staff has earned the trust of patrons. That trust can be validated if the library offers convincing evidence why its suddenly necessary to regard patrons as potentially armed until proven otherwise. Carl DeGurse is a member of the Free Press editorial board. carl.degurse@freepress.mb.ca OTTAWA Taxpayers will spend ballooning amounts for First Nations child welfare if Ottawa doesnt enable Indigenous people to create a more holistic system, according to a recent study. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/2/2019 (853 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA Taxpayers will spend ballooning amounts for First Nations child welfare if Ottawa doesnt enable Indigenous people to create a more holistic system, according to a recent study. "It's effectively saying: you spend now, or you spend later," said Helaina Gaspard, who led a study published this month by the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy. The report projects that in three years, Ottawa will be spending an extra $40 million to $140 million on top of the existing $1.3-billion annual cost for foster care on reserves, if the federal Liberals dont find ways to prevent so many kids from ending up apprehended in the first place. The research takes a deep dive at problems in how Ottawa structures funding on reserves across the country, including in Manitoba, which has the highest rate of kids in care. The report has multiple suggestions that could influence a looming federal reform of child and family services (CFS). "There's a mismatch between what communities, what agencies, want to see for their children and for their futures, and the way the child-welfare system's currently funded." The IFSD is a respected economics think-tank at the University of Ottawa, overseen by Kevin Page, the former Parliamentary Budget Officer. The Assembly of First Nations contracted the group to analyze CFS spending, as part of a decade-long human-rights tribunal case that has found Ottawa has racially discriminated against First Nations children. The 375-page report constantly cites the role of poverty on reserves as part of the reasons children get apprehended, with reserve job prospects hampered by boil-water advisories and a lack of Internet access. "Without a focus on creating greater equality within communities, the child welfare system will continue to support one-off interventions that do not address the root causes of poor outcomes for children," the report concludes. The report notes that bringing First Nations households up to their provinces poverty line would cost at least $205 million, while raising them to median household income levels would cost $2.6 billion. It also gives a thorough look at how CFS agencies often operate on reserves. Unlike regular towns, reserves operate under federal jurisdiction, meaning that Ottawa helps staff nursing stations and schools, but there are often fewer points of contact than the services that provinces offer. That leaves CFS agencies often serving as a one-stop-shop for families with any variety of social issue. In addition to a comparative lack of funding, on-reserve agencies have scant volunteers, compared to those operating in the general public. The current funding structure has case workers paid below provincial levels, transcribing hand-written notes on outdated computers, in buildings that are too small to run preventive programing because funding is largely based on taking kids and placing them elsewhere. Upgrading those buildings across Canada would require a one-time investment of $116 to $175 million. Meanwhile, brining computers and other IT tools up to standard would cost between $65 to $78 million per year. Gaspard said not having adequate technology not only wastes workers time, but it prevents agencies from better planning their services. She gave the example of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation near Thompson, which documents how many families have sought food or snowsuits, so the band can help supply items that locals may need, and the CFS agency can better plan its prevention programming. The band council also controls all housing on the reserve, and has a rule where parents mistreating children are kicked out of their homes, letting relatives or CFS workers live in the house instead of displacing the child. Data suggest that has brought down the number of kids under CFS care. Federal and provincial parties of all stripes have acknowledged a perverse incentive in how CFS agencies are funded, where most cash only kicks in when they apprehend a child. Many say it echoes Canada's legacy of residential schools. IFSD's assessment calls for block transfers, which is when funding is allocated in lump sums instead of solely based on how many children are in care. The Pallister government announced last week it will move to something resembling that model though it only funds children living off-reserve. The report's title, Enabling First Nations Children to Thrive, highlights First Nations' call for a rethink in assessing CFS cases, moving away from current benchmarks on how well theyre protected, towards desired outcomes such as health and educational status. The idea is that agencies can set targets using those metrics, and channel funding into meet those targets. To do that, the report suggests Ottawa create an arm's-length secretariat to appraise CFS operations and needs, and carve out a designated funding pool for CFS within its budget allocations for Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). That budget change would lock in an amount of cash that could be used allocated to prevention programs, instead of going untapped when the number of apprehensions is lower than expected. ISC responded last week that it is still going over the research and recommendations. The Liberals will table their next budget March 19. Ottawa has pledged an overhaul of CFS with the goal of giving Indigenous people autonomy over those systems, but that legislation has been delayed among criticism from First Nations groups who believe theyll still be beholden to provincial power. The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has long pushed for First Nations to take full autonomy over CFS, arguing a bill it has drafted would fully devolve the system. A year ago, Ottawa loosened its rules around CFS funding, enabling organizations to use their funding for things like prevention, building repairs and legal fees. The AFN commissioned the report using funding from ISC, given after a 2016 human-rights tribunal ruling which deemed Ottawa was racially discriminating against First Nations children. Thats because for at least a decade, those kids were given less funding than what provinces offer off-reserve. Ottawa filled that funding gap two years after that ruling, but the tribunal says the federal Liberals have more to do, issuing a seventh non-compliance order last week. The research gathered feedback between last May and late 2018, and was published this month. It included all but two of Manitobas 15 federally funded CFS agencies. Gaspard will visit Winnipeg in late March to discuss her research with local CFS workers. Ottawa has promise to improve the scant data on numerous aspects of CFS. For example, the last federal study on why children actually enter foster care was published a decade ago. A separate costing report assembled by Manitobas First Nations CFS agencies, which the Free Press obtained last year, revealed an estimated $104-million annual shortfall in funding, split almost equally between Ottawa and the province. That funding gap amounts to $12,800 for each First Nations child. dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca The man who ran a Winnipeg meth house where the badly beaten body of Trenten Jeffrey Balonyk was left for days under a mattress while business carried on has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 11 years. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/2/2019 (853 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The man who ran a Winnipeg meth house where the badly beaten body of Trenten Jeffrey Balonyk was left for days under a mattress while business carried on has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 11 years. Brendan Bo Severight, 26, pleaded guilty earlier this month to the January 2017 second-degree murder of Balonyk, 38, just days after his first-degree murder trial by jury began. His co-accused Luke Blair Moar, 33, and Ryan Ralph Flett, 27 pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter and will be sentenced Tuesday. Court of Queen's Bench Justice David Kroft accepted the sentence Monday recommended by the Crown prosecutor and Severight's defence. Second-degree murder comes with a life sentence and no chance of parole for 10 years; Severight will have to serve at least 11 years. Crown prosecutor Daniel Chaput said Balonyk went to the Sherbrook Street "trap house" slang used by those who go to such locations to buy and use drugs at about 9 a.m. on Jan. 17, 2017. An altercation occurred in the second floor of the residence Severight rented. Balonyk was beaten, knocked unconscious, bound and gagged with power cords and duct tape. A futon mattress piled with junk was placed on top of him for three days while people came and went, buying and using drugs. Balonyk's body wasn't discovered until an informant tipped off police. Severight was not at the home when officers arrived. He was arrested Jan. 29, 2017. In explaining the plea deal and sentencing recommendation, Chaput said several witnesses in the house were high on methamphetamine at the time. They gave statements to police but since then, at least two witnesses have disappeared. Another is in jail and told authorities she'd take a contempt of court conviction rather than testify. 'Our lives will never be the same' No explanation could soothe Balonyk's family. "Trent was my best friend... No matter what happened, we were there for each other," his sister, Tylene, wrote in her victim impact statement read by Chaput. She said their father died not long after Balonyk's murder, and "part of me died with Trent." A statement by the mother of Balonyk's two children was also read aloud in court. "The last two years have been a nightmare," Candace Bloomfield wrote. "I'm constantly in fear and always looking over our shoulder... Our children were robbed of their childhood." Balonyk was "such a good guy" and "the fun parent... I wish he was still here. He has missed a lot of milestones our son's first day of school, our daughter's Father's Day brunch at daycare... Our lives will never be the same." Killer offers apology to family Severight's lawyer, Matthew Gould, told the court his client's grandparents were residential school survivors and Severight was physically abused by his mother, who abandoned the toddler at his father's funeral. His aunt raised him in a house full of violence and substance abuse. He was bullied at school because he is Indigenous and ended up in care at age 17, his lawyer said. Severight told the judge he accepts full responsibility for his actions and the consequences. "More than anything, I'd like to offer my apologies to the family," he said facing Balonyk's family. Severight said he didn't expect them to accept or respond to his apology. "This is a mistake I'm going to regret the rest of my life. If there was anything I could do to take it back I would but that's not going to happen." Kroft called it a "brutal case and a violent case" made worse by the victim's body "being left for a period of days while business carried on in the drug house. That's as bad as it comes." He told Balonyk's family: "I wish I could fix life for you in a meaningful way, but nothing I say here will improve that." carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca HANOI, Vietnam - With North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on an armoured train barrelling through China toward Vietnam's capital, and U.S. President Donald Trump en route to Hanoi, Vietnamese officials scrambled Monday to finish preparations for a rushed summit that will capture global attention. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 24/2/2019 (853 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Vietnamese soldiers guard a road near Dong Dang train station where North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is expected to arrive at the border town with China, in Dong Dang, Lang Son province, Vietnam, Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. The second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will take place in Hanoi on Feb. 27 and 28. (AP Photo/Minh Hoang) HANOI, Vietnam - With North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on an armoured train barrelling through China toward Vietnam's capital, and U.S. President Donald Trump en route to Hanoi, Vietnamese officials scrambled Monday to finish preparations for a rushed summit that will capture global attention. Officials in Hanoi said they had about 10 days to prepare for the summit much less than the nearly two months they said Singapore was given for the first Trump-Kim meeting last year but still vowed to provide airtight security for the two leaders. "Security will be at the maximum level," Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung told reporters at a briefing meant to showcase the nation's efforts to welcome Kim and Trump. Vietnamese soldiers stand guard at the entrance to Dong Dang train station where North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is expected to arrive at the border town with China, in Dong Dang, Lang Son province, Vietnam, Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. The second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will take place in Hanoi on Feb. 27 and 28. (AP Photo/Minh Hoang) Another official, Nguyen Manh Hung, the leader of the information ministry, said the 3,000 journalists from 40 countries expected in Hanoi could rely on his agency as "you'd count on a family member." The world will be watching as Trump and Kim deal with one of Asia's biggest security challenges: North Korea's pursuit of a nuclear program that stands on the verge of viably threatening any target on the planet. Although many experts are skeptical that Kim will give up the nukes he likely sees as his best guarantee of continued rule, there was a palpable, carnival-like excitement among many in Hanoi as the final preparations were put in place. T-shirts were being sold bearing Kim's face along with the phrase "Rocket Man," a nod to the insulting nickname Trump gave Kim in 2017, when North Korean weapons tests and back-and-forth threats by the leaders had many fearing war. Kindergarteners dressed in traditional Korean Hanbok were practicing songs meant to welcome Kim. Grinning tourists were posing in front of the hundreds of U.S. and North Korean flags around the city. National flags of the U.S. North Korea and Vietnam are displayed at the International Media Center for the U.S-North Korean summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. The second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will take place in Hanoi on Feb. 27 and 28. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) The ultra-tight security will be appreciated by North Korean authorities, who are extremely vigilant about the safety of Kim, the third member of his family to rule the North with absolute power. Kim's decision to take a train, not a plane, may have been influenced by better ability to control security. When Kim flew to Singapore, North Korea borrowed a Chinese plane. Vietnam is eager to show off its huge economic and development improvements since the destruction of the Vietnam War, but the country also tolerates no dissent and is able to provide the kind of firm hand not allowed by more democratic potential hosts. Take the reaction to two men impersonating Kim and Trump who'd been posing for pictures with curious onlookers ahead of the summit. Last week, the Kim lookalike, whose name is Lee Howard Ho Wun, posted on Facebook that about 15 police or immigration officers demanded a mandatory "interview" and threatened him with deportation. He said officials later told him that his visa was invalid and he had to leave the country. Workers decorate with flowers outside the Opera House ahead of the North Korea-U.S. summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. The second summit between U.S President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will take place in Hanoi on Feb. 27 and 28. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) "I feel a little bit annoyed," the Hong Kong-based impersonator, who uses the name Howard X, said as he checked out of his hotel. "But what is to be expected of a one-party state with no sense of humour?" Vietnam has also announced an unprecedented traffic ban along a possible arrival route for Kim. The Communist Party's Nhan Dan newspaper quoted the Roads Department as saying the ban will affect the 169-kilometre (105-mile) stretch of Highway One from Dong Dang, on the border with China, to Hanoi. Hundreds of soldiers guarded the area near the Dong Dang railway station on Monday ahead of Kim's expected arrival. Kim may get off his train in Dong Dang and finish his journey to Hanoi by car. "Dong Dang station will receive leader Kim Jong Un's train, after it passes the Vietnam-China border, starting his official visit to Vietnam and attend USA-DPRK summit," Vietnam's Government Office said in a statement. DPRK is an abbreviation of North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. There are high expectations for the Hanoi summit after a vague declaration at the first meeting in June in Singapore that disappointed many. In a meeting with senior aides in Seoul, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Monday that the Trump-Kim talks would be a critical opportunity to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula. Moon, who met Kim three times last year and has lobbied hard to revive nuclear diplomacy between the U.S. and North Korea, is eager for a breakthrough that would allow him to push ambitious plans for inter-Korean engagement, including lucrative joint economic projects that are held back by U.S.-led sanctions against the North. "If President Trump succeeds in dissolving the world's last remaining Cold War rivalry, it will become yet another great feat that will be indelibly recorded in world history," Moon said. Trump, via Twitter, has worked to temper those expectations, predicting before leaving for Hanoi a "continuation of the progress" made in Singapore but adding a tantalizing nod to "Denuclearization?" He also said that Kim knows that "without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the World." North Korea has spent decades, at great political and economic sacrifice, building its nuclear program, and there is widespread skepticism among experts that it will give away that program cheaply. South Korean media have reported that Trump and Kim might strike a deal that stops short of a hoped-for roadmap for full North Korean denuclearization. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on "Fox News Sunday" that he was hoping for a "substantive step forward." He cautioned, "it may not happen, but I hope that it will." AP journalists Yves Dam Van in Dong Dang and Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul, South Korea, contributed to this report. Weve talked about [the procedure] definitely for at least a couple of years. The government has consistently ignored the issue. That isnt something you should do, she stated to YLE on Saturday. ANNA-MAJA HENRIKSSON (SFP), a member of the Parliaments Constitutional Law Committee, says the government may have forgone the so-called notification procedure for the bill to increase patients freedom of choice over their social and health care provider out of fear that the bill would be rejected by the European Commission. The government has been concerned itd take away time from the reform so that the reform cant be carried out during this electoral term, she added. Another explanation could be and I hope this isnt the case that it was concerned itd get the wrong response that theyd say this wont do. Thats when the entire freedom of choice system would have to be re-thought. The notification procedure obliges member states to issue an advance notification of regulatory bills to the European Commission. The commission and other member states will then have three months to examine and, if necessary, respond to the bill. In Finland, the concern has been that having private companies compete against public institutions, which cannot go bankrupt, in the social and health care sector could constitute a violation of state aid rules in the European Union. Henriksson on Saturday reminded that the Supreme Administrative Court has recommended repeatedly that a notification about the freedom of choice bill be issued, warning that as long as the notification procedure has not been completed the entire social, health care and regional government reform will be on an unstable judicial basis. The Parliaments Constitutional Law Committee on Friday delivered its statement on the reform bills, stating effectively that the government has two choices: issue a notification to reduce the judicial uncertainty or agree to implement the most consequential aspects of the bill only upon an approval from the European Commission. Henriksson also expressed her doubt that the long-discussed reform will be put up to a vote before the looming parliamentary elections. Were running out of time. My guess is that there wont be enough time to hold a vote in the Parliament. Weve got three weeks. Its an almost impossible task for the Social Affairs and Health Committee, she told YLE. Aleksi Teivainen HT Source: Uusi Suomi LONDON - Prime Minister Theresa May returned from a seemingly unproductive meeting with European Union leaders Monday to a growing attempt by British lawmakers to stop her from taking Britain out of the EU on March 29 without a divorce deal. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/2/2019 (853 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. British Prime Minister Theresa May attends a meeting of leaders at an EU-Arab summit at the Sharm El Sheikh convention center in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Leaders from European Union and Arab League countries are holding their first-ever summit, meeting in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss migration, security and business deals. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) LONDON - Prime Minister Theresa May returned from a seemingly unproductive meeting with European Union leaders Monday to a growing attempt by British lawmakers to stop her from taking Britain out of the EU on March 29 without a divorce deal. With May and the EU at odds over not just how, but when Brexit should happen, her political opponents were getting increasingly desperate to take control of Britain's muddled departure from the bloc. At an EU-Arab League summit in Egypt, the EU warned Britain it faces the prospect of delaying its planned March 29 departure or the consequences of a chaotic exit. European Council President Donald Tusk, who chairs meetings of EU nation leaders, said Monday it would be "rational" to postpone Brexit day. May insisted she intends for Britain to leave as planned in a little more than a month. But her often divided opponents may be coalescing around a plan to prevent Britain crashing out of the EU with no agreement in place. The main opposition Labour Party took a big step Monday toward backing a new referendum on the country's EU membership. British Prime Minister Theresa May, left, speaks with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz prior to a group photo at an EU-Arab summit at the Sharm El Sheikh convention center in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Leaders from European Union and Arab League countries are holding their first-ever summit, meeting in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss migration, security and business deals. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) The party has previously said it would support a referendum as a last resort if it could not secure a new election or make changes to May's EU divorce deal. Britain's Parliament has so far rejected the deal struck between May's government and the bloc, and is due to hold a series of votes Wednesday on next steps in the Brexit process. Labour has proposed its own withdrawal plan as an alternative to the government's deal with the EU. The party said Monday it would back a second public vote if the House of Commons rejects its plan this week, as is widely expected. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the party is committed to "putting forward or supporting an amendment in favour of a public vote to prevent a damaging Tory Brexit being forced on the country." British Prime Minister Theresa May, left, shakes hands with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of an EU-Arab League summit at the Sharm El Sheikh convention center in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. Leaders from European Union and Arab League countries met for a second day in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss migration, security and business deals. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, Pool) The party did not specify what voters might be asked to consider in any future vote, though it has previously said the option of Britain remaining an EU member would be included. Labour has previously said it would only support a second referendum as a last resort if it could not secure a new general election or make changes to May's divorce deal. The change in approach follows the resignations of nine Labour lawmakers last week, partly over the party's failure to back another Brexit referendum. It is likely to cheer many party members, who have backed calls for a so-called "people's vote." European Council President Donald Tusk, front left, speaks with Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, front right, during a group photo at an EU-Arab summit at the Sharm El Sheikh convention center in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Leaders from European Union and Arab League countries are holding their first-ever summit, meeting in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss migration, security and business deals. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) While there is little chance of a second referendum taking place without the support of Labour, the path to another Brexit vote is far from clear. It would require the support of numerous lawmakers from the governing Conservative Party, for example. Since lawmakers rejected May's deal with the EU last month, the prime minister has sought to get changes from Brussels on a provision for the border between the U.K.'s Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland. The mechanism, known as the backstop, is a safeguard that would keep the U.K. in a customs union with the EU to remove the need for checks along the Irish border until a permanent new trading relationship is in place. British Prime Minister Theresa May makes her way to a media conference at the conclusion of an EU-Arab League summit at the Sharm El Sheikh convention center in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. British Prime Minister Theresa May stays convinced that March 29 remains a realistic Brexit date, despite the EU urging Britain to delay its departure from the bloc to avoid a chaotic rupture. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) May wants to revise the deal to reassure opponents from her Conservative Party, as well as from a Northern Ireland party that props up her minority government, the backstop would only apply temporarily. But EU leaders insist that the legally binding Brexit withdrawal agreement, which took a year and a half to negotiate, can't be reopened. The impasse has raised concerns that Britain will leave the EU without a deal, a scenario that would likely mean new tariffs on British exports and serious disruption to trade between the two sides. The Bank of England has warned that the British economy could shrink by 8 per cent in the months after a disorderly Brexit. British Prime Minister Theresa May, center, speaks with Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, left, and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, right, during a meeting of leaders at an EU-Arab summit at the Sharm El Sheikh convention center in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Leaders from European Union and Arab League countries are holding their first-ever summit, meeting in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss migration, security and business deals. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) May has said a new vote on any revised Brexit deal won't be held this week and could come as late as March 12. A number of British lawmakers are seeking to wrest control of the process from the government and are looking to get support for an amendment that would require May to seek an extension to the Brexit date if Parliament fails to back her deal. "I don't see how businesses can plan. I don't see how public services can plan, and I think it's just deeply damaging," Labour lawmaker Yvette Cooper, one of those behind the move, told the BBC. European Union Council President Donald Tusk, right, speaks with British Prime Minister Theresa May during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a summit of EU and Arab leaders at the Sharm El Sheikh convention center in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. British Prime Minister Theresa May is set to hold Brexit talks with European Council President Donald Tusk ahead of a potentially pivotal week for her plans to lead her country out of the European Union. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, Pool) On Monday, the EU's Tusk warned that the chances of a withdrawal agreement being concluded in time are receding, and that sticking by the planned Brexit date would be too risky. "I believe that in the situation we are in, an extension would be a rational solution," Tusk told reporters at an EU-Arab League summit in Egypt after talks with May that he said included discussions over extending the Brexit process. May insisted a deal in time was still possible. "It is within our grasp to leave with a deal on 29th of March and I think that that is where all of our energies should be focused," May said. She said that "any delay is a delay. It doesn't address the issue." Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte warned her against "sleepwalking" into a chaotic Brexit next month. "It's absolutely unacceptable. And I think your best friends have to warn you for that," Rutte told the BBC. "Wake up. This is real." Raf Casert in Brussels and Pan Pylas in London contributed. This story has been corrected to show nine Labour Party lawmakers, not eight, resigned last week. Follow AP's full coverage of Brexit at: https://www.apnews.com/Brexit MONTREAL - Loyalty program Aimia Inc. says it expects to pay a bill of about $30 million plus another $5 million in interest following an audit by the Canada Revenue Agency. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/2/2019 (853 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Aimia chairman of the board Robert Brown is pictured prior to a special shareholders meeting Montreal on Tuesday, January 8, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson MONTREAL - Loyalty program Aimia Inc. says it expects to pay a bill of about $30 million plus another $5 million in interest following an audit by the Canada Revenue Agency. The Montreal-based company says CRA has concluded its audit and a re-assessment is expected. Aimia says it will make the payment using a portion of a $100-million restricted cash account set up as part of the sale of its Aeroplan program. However, Aimia says once it receives the notice of re-assessment it plans to vigorously contest the case. Aimia owns and operates the Air Miles Middle East loyalty program and also own stakes in other loyalty programs. The company completed the sale of its flagship Aeroplan program to a consortium led by Air Canada earlier this year. Companies in this story: (TSX:AIM) ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Environmentalists fearing the consequences of an oil spill in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, home to thousands of marine species, went to court Monday to fight an offshore exploration licence. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/2/2019 (853 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Environmentalists fearing the consequences of an oil spill in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, home to thousands of marine species, went to court Monday to fight an offshore exploration licence. The province's offshore oil and gas regulator re-issued Halifax-based Corridor Resources Inc.'s licence to explore oil and gas prospects in the Old Harry site in 2017. Environmental groups including the David Suzuki Foundation and Sierra Club Canada Foundation argued in provincial Supreme Court Monday that it could set a dangerous precedent for managing the risky but lucrative industry. The Old Harry site sits about 80 kilometres off the southwest tip of Newfoundland, near the border with Quebec. Gretchen Fitzgerald of the Sierra Club Canada Foundation said the case could have "far-reaching implications for Canadian oceans" as the industry prepares for rapid growth. "I think this is an important case for showing what are the bounds of the powers of these boards," she said. Representing the applicants, Ecojustice lawyer Josh Ginsberg said the area in question is a sensitive ecosystem that houses not just marine species but also fishing and tourism industries, and offers an important food source for surrounding First Nations. "This isn't just about this one licence, this is about what happens in the Gulf of St. Lawrence forever more," Ginsberg said outside the courtroom. Ginsberg said the case raises fundamental questions about the regulatory board's power to extend licence terms beyond legally prescribed limits. But the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board told the judge Monday its decision to extend the existing licence was reasonable within its mandate and powers. The case has effectively become one of principle for the industry and its opponents Corridor Resources has put its site operations on an indefinite hold. It announced in June 2018 it was suspending exploratory work on the project, saying there was no "viable path" to drilling an exploration well before its licence expired in 2021. Ginsberg said the company's move to suspend operations speaks to the principle at stake: that companies will be able to flout the guidelines regulating the industry. The offshore board's lawyer, Amy Crosbie, argued the new licence simply represented the legal exchange of one of Corridor's assets for another the original licence was exchanged for the new one covering the same area. The board argued that circumstances outside Corridor's control, like consultations between the Crown and Indigenous groups, caused unavoidable delays in environmental assessments that justify the extension of the licence. "The court doesn't necessarily have to like the board's interpretation, you may prefer somebody else's interpretation," Crosbie told the judge. "As long as the board's interpretation is reasonable then it should stand." The case could also have lasting implications for the province's finances as the offshore industry develops and grows. The Newfoundland and Labrador government, facing mounting debts, announced plans last year to rapidly expand its lucrative oil and gas industry to ease the province's economic woes. Plans include 100 proposed new exploration wells and over 650,000 barrels of oil per day by the year 2030, with shortened time "from prospect to productivity." The one-day court proceeding was interrupted by an impending storm, and all parties will return to court in St. John's on Tuesday. 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. Fidesz has gone too far. Its time we begin an evaluation of its membership in EPP, he tweeted on Friday. MINISTER OF FINANCE Petteri Orpo (NCP) is demanding that Fidesz, the populist national-conservative party headed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, be kicked out of the European Peoples Party (EPP). The Hungarian government sparked controversy last week by launching a taxpayer-financed anti-immigrant media campaign against George Soros, a Hungarian-American investor and philanthropist, and Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission. Brussels, the campaign stated, is plotting to introduce migration policies that are a threat to the security of Hungary. The campaign added to an already lengthy list of issues that have raised concerns within the EPP, the largest political group in the European Parliament. Aura Salla (NCP), a candidate in the upcoming elections to the European Parliament, also expressed her dismay with the campaign. Hungary, she highlighted, is to receive nearly 22 billion euros from the EU Cohesion Fund between 2014 and 2020. Theyre violating common values as a thank-you to the EU, she said. The funding must be stopped. The dubious media campaign came under criticism also elsewhere in Europe: Swedens Moderate Party, for example, is also demanding that the national-conservative party be expelled from the EPP, according to Politico. Aleksi Teivainen HT Source: Uusi Suomi Willmar, MN (56201) Today Cloudy with a few showers. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Cloudy with a few showers. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%. (HedgeCo.Net) The Securities and Exchange Commission has charged Gladius Network LLC with conducting an unregistered initial coin offering (ICO), which the company self-reported to the SEC. According to the SECs order, Gladius conducted an ICO in late 2017, after the Commission had warned in its DAO Report of Investigation that ICOs can be securities offerings. Gladius, a Washington, DC-based company, raised approximately $12.7 million in digital assets to finance its plan to develop a network for renting spare computer bandwidth to defend against cyberattacks and enhance delivery speed. Gladius did not register its ICO under the federal securities laws, and the ICO did not qualify for an exemption from registration requirements. Gladius self-reported to the SECs Enforcement staff in the summer of 2018, expressed an interest in taking prompt remedial steps, and cooperated with the investigation. The SEC did not impose a penalty because the company self-reported the conduct, agreed to compensate investors, and will register the tokens as a class of securities. The case follows the Commissions two recent ICO registration cases, in which companies agreed to pay penalties for similar registration violations and agreed to similar undertakings. The SEC has been clear that companies must comply with the securities laws when issuing digital tokens that are securities, said Robert A. Cohen, Chief of the SECs Cyber Unit. Todays case shows the benefit of self-reporting and taking proactive steps to remediate unregistered offerings. Pursuant to the order, Gladius undertakes to return funds to those investors who purchased tokens in the ICO and request a return of funds, and register its tokens as securities pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Gladius also will file required periodic reports with the Commission. Gladius consented to the order without admitting or denying the findings. The leader of the body that represents Canadas banks is calling for a modernization of identity security to fit with the realities of the digitalized world. The Canadian Bankers Association president and CEO Neil Parmenter says that while technology is seeing rapid changes including digitalization, the systems we use to prove identity are stuck in the analogue world of the past. Writing for Policy Options Politiques, Parmenter says that we still reply on presenting physical documents in the multiple transactions we make everyday with public services, businesses, and each other. He warns that these systems are outdated and open to fraud; such as the use of drivers licences and utility bills which can be forged. Added to this risk is the inconvenience of requiring a physical presence, especially for those in remote communities or with mobility issues. And then there is the impact on transaction speed. The Canadian banking sector is ideally situated to underpin a digital ID system that will revolutionize the way we use personal data to interact with the world, Parmenter writes. However, a move to digital should not mean more passwords. Parmenter says that Canadas bankers need to adopt to fingerprint and facial recognition solutions. The CBA is calling for a federated model of digital ID which would be more efficient that the current systems where federal and provincial agencies each hold only some of users information that can be used for identification. Parmenter says that banks should be part of driving this forward as they already have robust, interconnected systems. Two young men are dead and three firefighters were injured after a fire erupted in a house in New Britain on Sunday evening. WESTON After more than a year of planning and scheduling conflicts, the Weston Photography Club finally had its first Wonderful Weston photo reception on Feb. 25 at Weston Public Library. About 50 photos by 10 local amateur photographers are currently on display in the librarys Community Room, thanks to a joint effort by the Weston Commission for the Arts and Friends of the Library. The range of photographs included both realist and more abstract works of wildlife, flowers, historic buildings, landscapes, people and pets. Its a very lovely collaboration, said arts commissioner treasurer Patricia Goodrich, citing the various art installations around town her group continues to champion. Were trying to embrace the town with all the art talent that we have. Our mission statement is to create free events that embrace the arts of Weston. I feel like it really captures whats so pretty here, resident Debby Katz said of the show, which runs through April 27. The work is amazingly diverse and offers perspective into the elements of our town and community that are special, arts commission Chair Cindy Armijo added. The photography club initially formed in September 2017 and was led by by award-winning photographer Alison Wachstein. During that time, Wachstein provided instruction and guidance at the monthly meetings. The club is now led by Susan Whitcroft Urbania, who organizes the meetings and arranges speakers. John Lawless, a Westonite and former owner of MoonStreet Gallery, later offered the club a class in framing. And in 2018, he was invited to assist the commission with hanging all their exhibits. Thus, our exhibition was born, Armijo said. His passion and keen eye are a gift to our beautiful town, Goodrich said of Lawless, adding the exhibition is a true tribute to Westons beauty. Resident Caroline Sorstein was taken away by a photograph titled Outside the Barn on Cindy Lane, by Kerry DiDonato. The immediate timing of the leaping deer, the composition of it, the beautiful contrast, is just so classic, she said. Photographer Karen Kallins, was pleased with the outcome of the reception. I have been so excited for this as its my first time, and its been such an inspiration being in the photography club, she said. As a young girl, Kallins attended many art openings with her mother, who is also an artist. I got used to being in the art world, and I think that is what inspired me, along with my mother, she said. I also love nature and looking at things in different perspectives. Many of the photos from the exhibit are available for purchase as prints or notecards. Requests can be made by emailing WestonLibraryPhotoClub@gmail.com Weston Commission for the Arts is a town-appointed board of citizens with the common mission to provide free art experiences to the citizens of Weston. The Weston Commission for the arts is honored to help celebrate Weston rich contributions to the art world, Goodrich said. STAMFORD New results from a study sponsored by OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma highlight the importance of safe opioid disposal, but the findings have been met with skepticism by a number of health care experts. The publication of the survey in the peer-reviewed Journal of Pain Research is intended to inform the design of drug take-back programs to help prevent abuse of prescription opioids such as OxyContin, according to Purdue officials. But the embattled companys rationale has not convinced some observers, who question the firms motives for supporting the initiative and the impact of the research. I see this as a public-relations strategy on the part of Purdue to be perceived as being part of the solution rather than as a major player in the opioid crisis, said Angela Mattie, a professor in the schools of business and medicine at Quinnipiac University. And while theres no direct evidence that its a biased study, the potential for bias always has to be considered in light of whos funding the research. One-third of patients disposed of their unused opioid medications, and those who received education about the importance of safe disposal were about three times more likely to do so, according to the study. Purdue is pleased to support and participate in this important research that shows a clear need to continue patient education and increase awareness of proper opioid-medication disposal methods, Thomas Alfieri, Purdues director of strategic research for medical affairs and a study co-author, said in a statement. The survey was conducted from September 2016 to October 2016 and assessed the self-reported behaviors of 152 respondents. All of them had a history of acute or chronic pain, had been treated with prescription opioid medication during the past two years and had unused opioid medication. I appreciate Purdue is sponsoring research looking into this topic, but its not new information coming out, said Dr. Jeff Gordon, a former president of the Connecticut State Medical Society. Were being reminded about things that we already should know and be talking about with patients. A proliferation of painkillers is widely linked to the explosion of opioid abuse in recent years. From 1999 to 2016, more than 200,000 people in the U.S. died from overdoses related to prescription opioids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overdose deaths involving prescription opioids in 2016 totaled five times the toll in 1999, while sales of those drugs quadrupled, the CDC said. Research has a place, but the major parts in fighting the opioid crisis are public education, prevention and treatment, Gordon said. All of those components will require a lot of time and effort over the years. If anybody, including Purdue, is serious about helping, thats really whats needed front and center. Among its initiatives launched in the past few years, Purdue has partnered with the National Sheriffs Association to give officers across the country overdose kits and training for the naloxone drug, which can reverse the effects of opioid overdoses. Last September, Purdue announced an approximately $3.4 million grant to support a nonprofit pharmaceutical companys development of an over-the-counter form of naloxone. The company has also allocated $2 million to support prescription-drug education for several thousand high school students around the country between 2017 and 2020. The total includes $500,000 for the programs expansion in Connecticut. But the company and its owners, members of the Sackler family, remain deeply controversial for their creation and distribution of opioids such as OxyContin. More than 1,000 lawsuits have been filed by local and state governments against Purdue, alleging the company has fueled the opioid crisis through deceptive marketing of its drugs. Those who have sued include the attorney generals of Connecticut and Massachusetts. pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; twitter: @paulschott CHICOPEE, MA (WGGB/WSHM)-- One person is dead after a two car accident on Route-291 eastbound in Chicopee at the 5.0 mile marker around 1 a.m. Friday, according to Massachusetts State Police. The person has not been identified yet. WSU Moves Bill Nye Lecture to Dee Events Center to Accommodate Crowd February 27, 2019 OGDEN, Utah Due to overwhelmingly popular response, Weber State University has moved its April 3 moderated conversation with Bill Nye The Science Guy to the Dee Events Center April 3 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tickets for the original 1,400-seat auditorium went on sale Feb. 27 and were sold out within 30 minutes, prompting a swift change of location in order to accommodate a larger number of students and community members. Weber State students can pick up two free tickets at any Weber State ticket office from Feb. 27-March 13 with a valid Wildcard ID. A limited number of tickets are available to the community for $10 at weberstatetickets.com. All seats are general admission, and no exchanges or refunds are available. Nyes appearance culminates this years Engaged Learning Series (ELS) around the theme Matter of Fact? ELS is a university-wide series of events designed to engage students, faculty, staff and community in discussion, debate, dialogue, learning and action around an issue of public concern. The ELS focus on facts dovetails with Nyes mission: To help foster a scientifically literate society, to help people everywhere understand and appreciate the science that makes our world work. Engaged Learning Series chair Teresa Martinez describes Nye as an iconic figure who connects with multiple generations. He's relatable, entertaining but most importantly, talks about facts through science, Martinez said. WSU and the Center for Community Engaged Learning are excited that a speaker of his caliber would visit the Ogden area to engage the campus and community. Nyes presentation will be a moderated discussion of why facts matter. Campus community members can submit questions via Twitter using #BillNyeWSU. In addition to the Engaged Learning Series, the event is sponsored by a collaboration of Weber State groups including Student Involvement and Leadership, College of Science, College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology, Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities, Provosts Office, Friends of Stewart Library, Center for Community Engaged Learning, Office of the President and Ogden City. College of Science Dean Andrea Easter-Pilcher said the enthusiasm for Nyes visit reflects the genuine curiosity at Weber State to fully understand the world in order to make positive and lasting contributions. Weber State University empowers students by engaging them in the scientific process and in undergraduate inquiry-based teaching and research, said Andrea Easter-Pilcher, College of Science dean. When we empower students across the generations, we facilitate the long-term viability of earth, earth processes and all of the organisms we share our planet with. As Bill Nye says science is truly the best idea we have ever had. Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University. For photos, visit the following links. photos.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2019-Photos/February-2019/i-r4BfQJK/0/1f5efd93/X2/bill-nye-1920x1080-X2.jpg photos.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2019-Photos/February-2019/i-G2P5VL9/0/c10d4f78/X2/instagram_bill-nye_1080x1080%20%281%29-X2.jpg photos.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2019-Photos/February-2019/i-mLGLDQk/0/fcfeb01d/XL/linkedin_bill-nye_1200x628%20%281%29-XL.jpg Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University. Several Louisville activism groups held a rally at the Big Four Bridge, expressing opposition to U.S. intervention in Venezuela, but they were met with counter-protesters, who believe intervention is needed. The bodies of Aubrianne Moore, 28 and her daughters Alaina Rau, 2; Cassidy Rodery, 6; and Kyrie Rodery, 8, were found Monday at a property near Cedar Springs, a community about 30 miles north of Grand Rapids. (Fox News photo) Louisville activists rally for and against US intervention in Venezuela More than $19 million of cocaine was seized at the Port of Savannah by federal agents. ( photo courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection) Craig Coley, pictured in February 2018, was accused of killing his girlfriend and her 4-year-old son. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File) Illustration: Alexander Atkinson For the lazy and hungry among us, on-demand delivery apps are nothing short of a miracle: With a few taps on your phone, practically anything you could want to eat will arrive at your door in a matter of minutes. Its no wonder that companies like Postmates and DoorDash are Wall Street darlings: the former just secured $100 million in new funding, giving it a valuation of $1.9 billion in advance of its IPO; DoorDashs latest valuation, meanwhile, is $7.1 billion. Of course, for the people doing the actual delivering, the apps offer the promise of making money while setting your own schedule and, you know, getting out to enjoy some fresh air. But in reality, the payment structures are unnecessarily complicated: DoorDash, Postmates, Grubhub, and Uber Eats have all been embroiled in legal fights over wage theft, and in just the last two weeks, DoorDash, Instacart, and Amazons on-demand delivery service Flex have come under fire for using customer tips to cover the minimum fees that these companies promise their workers. (Instacart eventually changed its policy in response to the outcry.) Still, Grub Street wanted to know what it was really like to take part in the gig economy, so, on a recent night, we met up with Krista Gay, a student at Brooklyn Law School who delivers for Postmates. She agreed to let us follow along for her deliveries for a completely unscientific but nevertheless eye-opening look at what its like on her side of the peephole and to find out how much money someone can really make as a start-up delivery worker. (Spoiler: Its not much.) 7:20 p.m. Gay logs into Fleet, Postmates app for deliverers, and immediately receives a ping. Demand for delivery can be unpredictable, but its a Friday, the night after Valentines Day, promising that it will be busy. Its for Sweetgreen, Gay tells me of the delivery request. Its just down the street. Gay texts her first customer. Hi! My name is Krista and Ill be your Postmate today, the message says. Im on my way to pick up your order, please let me know if you need anything :). 7:30 p.m. The Sweetgreen in Brooklyn Heights is, like all Sweetgreens, designed to prosper in the app-ordering economy: Theres a shelf next to the door dedicated to takeaway orders, alphabetized by name. Gays chicken Caesar isnt ready yet, but shes practically on a first-name basis with the staff a couple of words and nods is all it takes to get the order thrown together quickly. Gay hits the condiment bar for utensils, napkins, and one of every sauce. Why would anyone want mustard with a salad, right? she says. I dont know, but some person will, and she intends to be ready. Though shes only been delivering for two months, she already has a firm handle on the quirks of diners and restaurants alike. Shake Shack, she groans, never seems to put enough chicken nuggets in an order. Walking out the door, another delivery request appears on Gays Fleet app: another Sweetgreen request. But the order isnt ready, so Gay decides that instead of waiting shell deliver the first salad before sweeping back. I have my order and am on my way to you, she texts the first customer. See you soon! 7:40 p.m. At the door of the first delivery, at a nice prewar building on Atlantic Avenue, a bleary-eyed woman answers the door, sniffling, and takes the food. Her poor nose, Gay says once we get back outside. 7:45 p.m. Back at Sweetgreen, the second salad is ready. This one will travel a bit farther. To eliminate potential bias, Postmates doesnt reveal exact delivery addresses only general delivery areas to couriers until theyre at a restaurant. This salad will go to a luxury high-rise thats about 15 minutes away. On the plus side, its relatively nice out. Gay tells me about an incident a week ago, when she slogged through flurries to deliver a single slice of red-velvet cake. When she arrived with the cake, the woman who ordered it informed her that it was supposed to have candles, too, which were missing. Gay went back out in the snow, and returned with the candles. She didnt receive a tip. During the walk, she tells me that wasnt even her worst delivery experience. She once arrived at a restaurant to discover the power was out. When she pressed Cancel Order on her app, she was warned that abandoning a delivery can inconvenience customers and that she could be banned from being a courier. She had no way of contacting Postmates, other than via a generic form, so she canceled the order anyway and filled out the form later. Eventually someone from Postmates did get back to her, ten hours after the delivery. 8:05 p.m. The second salad gets delivered without incident. The woman even texted Gay back: Thank you so much Krista! Youre a lifesaver. The next order that filters in is for Shake Shack: two burgers, two fries, and a ten-piece order of chicken nuggets. Its is a short walk away, and the order appears surprisingly fast considering the long line. But because its Shake Shack, Gay pauses to double-check the entire order. Im only getting nine nuggets, she says. Now she has to decide if its better to deliver the order sooner with a missing nugget, or slow things down and wait for new food. Luckily, a cashier saves the day and hands Gay another ten-piece nugget order on the house. During our 0.7 mile walk to Fort Greene, Gay tells me that gestures like that make her feel guilty, since the restaurant staff wont benefit from their kindness. Its not fair when staff at a restaurant go all out, and the customer isnt even there to know. 8:30 p.m. We arrive to find a note instructing us not to use the buildings main entrance, which is closed. We hunt for another way in, eventually finding a door on the opposite side of a massive, six-building gated complex. Once were in the lobby we see two elevators, one labeled Odd Floors and another for Even Floors. Were going to the 14th floor, so we get in the Even elevator, only to discover that, because the building doesnt have a 13th floor, we actually need to get into the Odd elevator. We shrug and switch. By the time we get to the floor that is called the 14th floor but is actually the 13th floor, the customer is waiting with the door ajar. Holding out the bag of food, Gay greets him and explains: Shake Shack accidentally gave you nine nuggets instead of 10. He nods. So I told them, and they gave you ten extra nuggets for free. He sort of smiles, thanks her, and awkwardly closes the door. I dont think hes going to tip me, Gay says aloud as the odd-floored elevator starts moving back down, after which theres a 20-minute hike back to Brooklyn Heights. Three orders isnt that many, but the dinner rush is about to slow down, so Gay decides to call it a night. A few days later, Gay gets in touch to tell me that Friday nights tips have posted. The sick woman who got the first salad didnt tip. The man who lives in the building with the bad elevators, who got an entire order of nuggets for free thanks to Gays quick thinking, also tipped nothing. Only the second customer added a gratuity: $4. Postmates pays Gay a flat fee of $4 per order, plus 10 cents for every minute spent waiting to pick up food. Miles traveled from pick-up to delivery are also factored in. All in, Gay yielded $16.62 for an hour and a half of work, not even clearing New Yorks $15 minimum wage for food-service workers. Gay says she isnt surprised, and that luck plays a big part. During her first week, every customer tipped her, which is rare. On average, Gay receives a tip on 27 percent of her deliveries. Its a chance to walk around my neighborhood and clear my head, and I like interacting with strangers, Gay responds when I ask why she keeps doing it. But if I was relying on the money? Forget it, no way. Alvin Cailan at an Amboy pop-up. Photo: Wyatt Conlon Alvin Cailan rose to food-world fame through his Los Angeles operation Eggslut, where he serves perfectly constructed, oozing breakfast sandwiches. Since relocating to New York, hes served those sandwiches at Chefs Club Counter, teased a breakfast spot called Paper Planes, and operated a burger pop-up turned American restaurant, the Usual, in the Nolitan hotel. But at home, the native Angeleno says, hes always cooking Filipino food. Its an interest Cailan has pursued professionally before, with the now-closed Amboy, which he ran out of his defunct L.A. kitchen incubator Unit 120. Back in 2017, Cailan teased New Yorkers hungry for more adobo with delivery-only Amboy and a few pop-ups. After taking 2018 to focus on opening the Usual, Cailan is turning his sights back to adobo. This summer, hell open Amboy at 207 Mulberry Street in Nolita. The New York version of Amboy wont be a replica of the L.A. original. While that was a takeout window with a focus on lunch, and very casual food was served on butcher paper, for example Amboy 2.0 will be a full-service, sit-down operation. Dont expect it to be too fancy, though. Im not much of a white-tablecloth dude, the chef says, explaining the design will borrow from Filipino restaurants (think rambutan baskets and art). What Amboy is, Cailan explains, is a culmination of what hes been cooking, doing, and thinking about in food for the last 20 years. This is my end-all, be-all restaurant. This is the restaurant that I feel represents my cuisine the most, Cailan says. Given that the opening of the restaurant is still several months out, the menu is still very much a work in progress. But Cailan is already excitedly talking about a few of the dishes hes planning to serve. Ive been working on this lobster pancit, which is like, to me, almost a weird thing because pancit is a very noble dish, jam-packed full of vegetables and some chicken. This is going to be more of a treat-yourself pancit, he says. He describes his ideas as a bunch of playful things, and points to a riff on the classic dish crispy pata, which will be made with Hudson Valley duck in lieu of the usual pork knuckle. There are also plans for what Cailan calls super deep, historic takes on things like kare-kare, an oxtail-peanut butter stew that the chef describes as a gift from Thailand that was originally made with a slew of spices. Hell do it both ways, adding Japanese curry spices to the mix. Just to kind of throw it back to what couldve possibly been the original flavor of the dish, he says. Expect lots of Filipino-style grilling, too, in a nod to Cailans dad and childhood. His father grew up in the Manilla suburb Malate, a place that Cailan describes as really, really poor, and where grilling is the predominant method of cooking. In Los Angeles, his dad, a construction worker, would buy a new grill every year. Those grills are where Cailan first learned a lot of Filipino cooking techniques, after he was taught to cook rice our first jobs, he says of Filipino kids for dinner. Along with his general manager, Kim Trac, and his sommelier and brother, Anthony, the chef says hes trying to rope in one of his Jersey City aunts to make desserts. But hell also bring in the cooks hes been mentoring. Ive had a lot of Filipino kids come in and out of my kitchen and were all getting together for this particular project, he says. After all, Cailan clearly sees Amboy as something bigger and more personally meaningful than breakfast sandwiches. We had the opportunity to prove ourselves here in New York, Cailan says. So we figured lets do that one restaurant weve been wanting to do for a really long time. Also, why not represent Filipino food in the greatest city in the world, you know? Cucuta: As the humanitarian aid at the heart of a Venezuelan border standoff remained shut in warehouses on Sunday, and with President Nicolas Maduro's blockade still intact, it became clear that the opposition leaders trying to oust him had little in the way of a Plan B. Juan Guaido, the top opposition official, and his allies had hoped that forcing the badly needed food and medicine inside Venezuela would represent a moment of irreversible collapse in Maduro's authority. Instead, just one aid truck made it through on Saturday, the deadline set by the opposition to end the impasse, and Maduro easily fended off the biggest challenge to his power since Guaido swore himself in as the country's rightful leader last month. Clashes between opposition protesters and forces loyal to Maduro, which have left four dead since Friday, continued into Sunday, threatening the image of Guaido's non-violent movement. The military officials crucial to keeping Maduro in power largely resisted Guaido's call for mass defections, with only about 150 deserting. And even Guaido's own fate remained unclear: After he slipped over the border into Colombia on Friday, disobeying a travel ban, it was anyone's guess if Maduro would allow him to return. "It was one of the outcomes we had imagined, but it wasn't the one we wanted," said Armando Armas, an opposition lawmaker, adding that it was unlikely the organisers would try to get the aid through again soon. "We can't expose our people any more. The entry of humanitarian aid can't be the trigger of a wider conflict." Tehran: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has made his first public visit to his closest regional ally Iran since the start of Syria's war in 2011 on the same day that Iran's foreign minister suddenly resigned from his post. Assad met Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Monday, with Syrian and Iranian state television showing footage of the two men smiling and embracing. Syrian President Bashar Assad shakes hands with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei before their meeting in Tehran on Monday. Credit:AP Assad regained the upper hand in Syria's war with the help of Russian air power, Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah forces, retaking all key population centres from rebels and militants backed variously by some Western powers and Gulf Arabs. The insurgency against his rule is now seen to have collapsed. It was Assad's first known foreign visit other than to Russia since the war began, and his first to Tehran since 2010. Owners of strata units in WA buildings clad in flammable material are eyeing litigation, according to the peak body representing the strata sector. The Strata Community Association WA warned the state government owners would be tempted to join massive class actions unless it offered special assistance to help cover the costs of removing dangerous building materials. Firefighters inspect the damage from a blaze in Melbourne's Neo200 building. Credit:Jason South The costs for each strata unit could run to as much $60,000. There are 12 private and 19 public buildings identified as having combustible cladding in WA. Eric Boullier is back in formula one. The Frenchman was ousted as McLaren team boss in July of last year. But France's L'Equipe reports that he is now returning with a role at the French grand prix. While McLaren boss, Boullier already worked to help Paul Ricard return to the calendar. The publication said the 45-year-old will now be the sporting and operational advisor, with responsibility for communicating with the teams and Liberty Media. "I am happy and proud to have the opportunity to collaborate again with the GP de France," said Boullier. (GMM) Uganda is set to join the rest of the world in the commemoration of World Hearing Day that will be held at Kampala Capital City (KCCA) grounds Lugogo. World Hearing Day is held on 3 March each year to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the world. Each year, WHO decides the theme and develops a brochure on the topic based on the best available evidence as well as advocacy materials such as posters, banners, infographics and presentations, among others. According to Ambrose Ainebyona, the spokesperson of the ministry of health, the function will be held under the theme Check your Hearing peddled at showing the importance of early identification and intervention for hearing loss. Stories Continues after ad Key among the activities to mark the day on Sunday 3 March 2019 include Screening Camps, treatment and where possible hearing aids will be given to beneficiaries, said Mr. Ambrose Ainebyona. Alluding to WHO, in recent years, an increasing number of Member States and other partner agencies have joined World Hearing Day by hosting a range of activities and events in their countries. Materials are shared with partners in government and civil society around the world as well as WHO colleagues across the Organization. At its headquarters in Geneva, WHO organizes an annual World Hearing Day seminar? reads WHOs statement. A woman remains in an induced coma in hospital following a serious incident during the Rottnest Channel Swim on Saturday. The Rottnest Channel Swim took place on the weekend. Credit:Rottnest Channel Swim Believed to be in her 40s, the woman was participating in the annual event when the "serious health incident" took place. The woman is understood to have been brought ashore by a rescue boat and was treated on the scene for medical complications before being flown to hospital in Perth for further treatment. The Rottnest Channel Swim Association confirmed it had been in touch with the woman's family to offer support. UPDATE: The death is being treated by police as not suspicious, although an area within the glasshouse precinct of the university has been cordoned off for further investigation. Police are investigating a sudden death at Murdoch University on Monday morning. The report was made at 10.40am at the universitys South Street campus. Murdoch University. Emergency services and police converged near the dive shed on campus, and students were notified of its closure just after 12.40pm. NSW and Victoria could face the biggest costs associated with "double dipping" claims from casual workers according to new analysis showing potential claims could rise to more than $3.5 billion. New Australian Industry Group (AI Group) analysis shows the potential costs to small and medium businesses would range from $65.6 million in Tasmania to $2.165 billion in NSW. The potential bill for Victoria and Queensland was estimated at $1.443 billion for each state. AI Group has written to crossbench senators asking them to reject the Labor Party's motion to disallow a government regulation designed to protect businesses against so called "double dipping" of entitlements by casuals. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has also done the same. Innes Willox, chief executive of AI Group. Credit:Stewart Donn In his letter to backbenchers, AI Group chief executive Innes Willox says Labor's disallowance of the regulations would "threaten the livelihoods of thousands of small business people and those who work for them". It is the question almost a third of Australians haven't asked their electricity provider and the answer could save more than $200 off your annual bill. Lightbulb moment: Taking a few minutes to check which type of electricity contract you are on could save you hundreds of dollars each year. Credit:Matt Davidson Retailers offer two types of contracts: standing offers and market offers. These standing offers currently vary by hundreds of dollars between retailers and are the automatic default power contract. Unless you ask, you default to a standing offer. Even customers with a market offer are dumped back to a standing offer at their contract's end unless they renegotiate. The fallout from the banking royal commission could force timeshare clubs to radically change their sales model. The Treasurer and corporate regulator have confirmed the government would review whether its appropriate for timeshare companies to continue paying commissions to sales staff. The timeshare industry is under pressure over its sales model. Credit:Mike Curtain The royal commission report and governments response stated that as part of the governments review of measures to improve the quality of advice, government will review the remaining exemptions to the ban on conflicted remuneration, said a spokesperson for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. This would include a review of commissions on timeshare. This comes amid renewed pressure for the regulator to clean up bad practice in the timeshare industry, including lengthy contracts offering poor value, high-pressure sales tactics and poor terms on loans to fund the up-front cost of membership. Listed Redcape Hotel group has cleared its first hurdle reporting a strong maiden profit with prediction of a solid year ahead. Having listed late in 2018, the pub owner posted an operating earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $32.4 million, being 3.1 per cent ahead of market expectations. While there was net loss of $11.6 million, impacted by asset sales including Sydney's Belrose Hotel for $20 million redevelopments and upgrades across the portfolio of 32 freehold hotels, 22 bottle shops, three accommodation venues and The Australian Brewery. JLL Hotel & Hospitality is selling the Frisco Hotel, Woolloomooloo, Sydney The float was backed by Moelis Australia and, while the price has been below the listing value, the group says it achieved its prospectus forecasts and increased revenue by 17.5 per cent to $142.6million. The major theme of this company reporting season has been the strength of the office leasing sector, with landlords now firmly in charge of squeezed tenants. Tech groups, law firms and accounting/advisory sectors are the most active in Sydney's city centre from east to west. One of the largest was by Deloitte which confirmed it was taking a a 10-year lease over 32,000 square metres in Quay Quarter Tower at Circular Quay. One Wharf Lane, 171 Sussex Street, Sydney is fully let and a tech hub. This brings the total pre-commitment of Quay Quarter Tower to 76 per cent, following AMPs announcement in December 2016 it had agreed to take 35,000 sqm in the $1 billion tower redevelopment. It has been impossible to avoid reports on the banking royal commissions findings, yet most analysis has focused on the impact of proposed changes on the mortgage broking sector. Few commentators have discussed the inevitable flow-on effects on the residential property development sector and its many related industries. The proposed changes to the residential mortgage commission structure will ultimately lead to the destruction of the mortgage broking industry, with about 20,000 small businesses to be adversely impacted by the changes. The Hayne report could impact residential and commercial property markets. Credit:Peter Braig At first glance this seems to have little impact on property development, yet the ramifications are significant. Like a pair of glossy lips, the 13th floor of the LOreal headquarters in Melbourne, at 564 St Kilda Road, shimmers upon arrival. Replacing a fairly corporate-style fit-out, mirrors rather than particle board greet both visitors and staff on this level (LOreal occupies the majority of the building). The previous fit-out was fairly basic, primarily white laminate and a few static signs, says architect Travis Walton, director of Travis Walton Architecture. The design was one thing, but as importantly so was the problem with its layout. There were too many internalised meeting rooms, with virtually no direct light, he adds. Afterpay has added its voice to calls for data sharing among buy now, pay later vendors to weed out financially vulnerable consumers, as its share price soared on the news the sector will not be brought under the onerous provisions of the Credit Act. The Senate report into the buy now, pay later (BNPL) sector sent Afterpay's share price rocketing more than 19 per cent to $20.50 on Monday. "Afterpay does not expect any material impact on our business or business model based on the recommendations in the report," the company told the ASX on Monday. Rivals Zip Co and Splitit were up 4 per cent and 17 per cent respectively, in response to the release of the report on Friday evening. Connecticut CIO Mark Raymond will continue in his role with the states new gubernatorial administration, Raymond confirmed tothis week via email.As is standard protocol in that state, Raymond submitted his resignation to the governors office at the beginning of the year. The new administration of Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, however, did not accept Raymonds resignation, meaning he will continue in the role for the foreseeable future. In a year where there was significant turnover of executive leadership in statehouses across the country, Raymond joins a small but not insignificant number of CIOs who have kept their positions despite administration changes.First appointed to the role in June 2011, Raymond has more than two decades of tech experience, having also worked as a consultant with federal agencies including the U.S. Treasury, the Federal Highway Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation.Raymond is one of the longest-serving state CIOs in the country. His tenure of nearly eight years and counting is significantly longer than the average state CIO span of about two years. During his time as the leader of tech work in Connecticut, the state has been measured and deliberate , working diligently on a number of initiatives that ranged from cybersecurity to IT procurement and much more. During Raymonds time in Connecticut, the organization has also became a leader in data work at the state level Afterpay rival FlexiGroup is proposing that the buy-now-pay later (BNPL) sector set up a customer database to detect debt-laden customers as part of an industry code of practice to head off any further regulation of the booming sector. Afterpay and other major players were claiming victory Friday night after a Senate inquiry recommended the sector not be placed under the onerous provisions of the Credit Act. Afterpay's executive chairman Anthony Eisen. Credit:Elke Meitzel Afterpay supports the recommendations relevant to the buy now pay later sector and believes the recommendations are sensible, appropriate and stand to provide additional protections for vulnerable Australians," said Afterpay co-founder Anthony Eisen. We look forward to working with [the Australian Securities and Investments Commission], the government, consumers and industry on a suitable regulatory framework and to achieve the best possible outcomes for our customers." Critics: Evers budget threatens to end school choice in Wisconsin, will hurt special needs children the most Managing Editor Delphine Luneau is a veteran journalist with more than 20 years of experience. She was the editor of Suburban Life Media when its flagship was named best weekly in Illinois, and she has worked at papers in South Carolina, Indiana, Idaho and New York. Up for debate: Live legislation tracker Check out the latest developments on bills pending before state lawmakers in four key topics. Regional Editor Derek Draplin is a regional editor at The Center Square. He previously worked as an opinion producer at Forbes, and as a reporter at Michigan Capitol Confidential and The Detroit News. Hes also an editor at The Daily Caller. Because the pursuit of school safety doesn't have a finish line, those responsible for ensuring students' safety and well-being plan to just keep running the race.Not forgetting the lessons learned during the past spate of school shootings and incidents around the country, and following initial responses to those events, area school officials, the agencies and organizations partnering with them and communities as a whole are back at it, seeking new methods of funding and improving safety and security measures and mental health support for students.Issues can't be resolved with "a quick, overnight fix," said former Wayne County Sheriff Thomas Maurer, who is now heading the Wooster City Schools District's new security committee."We are working almost every day on something new," said Maurer, a guest speaker at the Wooster district's Safety and Security Summit 2.0, held Wednesday evening in Wooster High School's Performing Arts Center.Along with reviewing accomplishments following the first safety forum a year ago, ongoing and new efforts were outlined at the special board meeting dedicated to the topic."We've got to do a better job of marketing (the School Safety Hotline)," said Wooster Superintendent Michael Tefs, describing it as "a home-grown" endeavor based on the directive to "see something, say something, do something.""We need to continue to try to promote that," Tefs said.The public has been highly involved in coming up with ways to protect students, such as separating the public and academic portions of Wooster High School, and is primarily responsible for the 2019 district goal to offer social media support."By far what we have heard from our families," Tefs said, "is we need to help with social media."To that end, said Becky Furlong, the district's director of technology, the district is sponsoring social media expert Josh Ochs, who will speak at three different sessions in the PAC on March 4. He will give separate presentations for eighth through 10th grade and for fifth through seventh grade.The third presentation will be geared to parents and is free and open to the public from 6 to 7:30 p.m."It's not just a Wooster event," Furlong said, welcoming members of the community and other school districts to attend.Among Ochs' tips concerning social media will be demonstrating using "devices with a purpose, not just as a pastime," Furlong said, as well as showing parents how colleges will view students' Google results and giving examples of "good" and "bad" social media posts.Mental health support for students is a big item on the ongoing agenda of the district and will be implemented under an "umbrella of services" called The Wooster Way. Partners include Anazao, The Village Network, OHuddle and the Boys & Girls Club of Wooster.Similarly, in the Dalton school district, "a big initiative is our Care Team," said Superintendent James Saxer, comprised of parents, teachers, administrators, counselors and links to community organizations devoted to students' mental health and day-to-day efforts to make sure they are adequately clothed and fed.The question being asked, Saxer said, is, "What are the needs of the child ... to ensure (his or her) success?""This is kind of new to Wayne County," he said, and constitutes an endeavor the district will "go full force ahead with.""When teachers notice struggles or issues going on (with a student)," Saxer said, the team will identify needs and offer district services or referrals to assistance from community organizations.One of the goals of the district related to mental health services is "increased clinical counseling support," Saxer said."We have utilized our Title XX Grant monies provided by the Wayne County Commissioners towards mental health services for at-risk students and students in crisis situations through school-based partnerships with Catholic Charities, ANAZAO, and Family Life Counseling out of Richland County for our students K-12," said Northwestern district Superintendent Jeffrey Layton.To fund the safety and security component, the Dalton district, like the Northwestern school district, has applied for a Bureau of Worker's Compensation grant related to security supplies and equipment.Northwestern would like to use it to augment, expand and update key fob entry door systems, security camera hard drives and DVRs in school buses, handheld radios and other items.Also planned are opaque glass coating to be installed on classroom doors and other locations and impact-resistant ballistic coating for doors and windows -- a security device already used or planned in other area districts.Dalton will also put back on the ballot a 1.5-mill tax levy for the purpose of funding school safety and security that failed in November.One of the Wooster district's new initiatives is a secure access vestibule, to be constructed in the front loop of the high school separate from the student entrance through which everyone now enters."That's where all of our visitors will come in next school year," Tefs said, noting, "We're going to pilot (it at the high school)."Emphasized in all of the area school districts is the partnership with law enforcement and the implementation of school resource officers."What we have every day is this kind of support," Tefs said, publicly thanking the Wooster Police Department. "We are very fortunate to have (its) intellectual capital.""As a community we value nothing more than our children," Layton said, and want "to share our ongoing efforts of ensuring the safety of our students ...."Tefs said the district has "learned a lot" from the community," whose input has led to "strategic priorities."Reporter Linda Hall can be reached at lhall@the-daily-record.com or 330-264-1125, ext. 2230. She is @lindahallTDR on Twitter.2019 The Daily Record, Wooster, OhioVisit The Daily Record, Wooster, Ohio at www.the-daily-record.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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. Georgia Ann Ackerman, 78, of Loogootee, passed away at 1:50 a.m. Thursday, June 24, 2021, at her home. She was born July 9, 1942, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to the late George and Winifred (Fettic) Carrico. Georgia married Albert T. "Skip" Ackerman on Sept. 30, 1961, and together they raised Authorities here have tallied more than 100 defectors such as Wilfredo since protests at the border turned violent Saturday, leaving four dead and dozens injured. In interviews with The Washington Post, four defectors said they were compelled to leave the country after they were given orders to quash the protests, and one member of the special forces traveled from Caracas to escape during the demonstrations Saturday. They said they also opposed food supplies being rejected and burned while their families went hungry. Their views were filed as a joint declaration and later as a friend-of-the court brief in lawsuits challenging the original order and subsequent revisions, and it was cited by almost every federal judge who enjoined the ban. By the time the challenges reached the Supreme Court, the administration had significantly narrowed the ban, which the high court upheld on a 5-to-4 vote. (TNS) A broadband satellite startup company plans to launch a satellite into space next week with an Anchorage elementary schools name on it, a symbol of an intensifying race to bring cheaper, faster internet to Alaska.Engineers with the company, OneWeb, visited Government Hill Elementary School on Thursday. Lesil McGuire, a former Alaska state senator, met OneWebs founder, Greg Wyler, in Barrow years ago. McGuire, now a consultant for OneWeb, suggested Government Hill as one of six schools around the globe to be the first to receive its satellite internet. The other schools are in Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Rwanda, Ecuador and Honduras.After several delays, the company plans to launch its first six satellites in French Guiana in South America on Wednesday.OneWeb is one of several high-profile startups working to launch a network of hundreds of broadband satellites into Earths orbit. The multi-billion dollar venture aims to make affordable, high-speed satellite internet available across the globe, including in remote communities in Alaska where service is expensive, slow, unreliable or nonexistent.In 2017, Anchorage-based Alaska Communications signed an agreement with OneWeb to become the states first reseller of the broadband access.In Ernestina Liranzos fifth-grade classroom at Government Hill Elementary on Thursday morning, OneWeb engineers Kevin Macko and Katelyn Sweeney talked about satellites and took questions from students. Kids peppered the engineers with questions, about aliens, black holes and how satellites avoid crashing into each other in orbit.The students later voted to name the satellite Nanuq Polar Oso, a mash-up of Inupiaq, English and Spanish for polar bear. When the satellite launches, it will have a sticker on it with a map of Alaska and the schools name, according to OneWeb.The school will stream the satellite launch for students, Principal Mandy Clark said.Eventually, an iPad-sized antenna will be installed on the roof of Government Hill Elementary to receive the satellite internet signal and allow students to communicate with the five other remote schools, McGuire said. The company is aiming to turn on its network in 2020.In a recent tweet, Wyler, the companys founder, referred to Government Hill Elementary as one of the unconnected schools were committing to connect, even though the school -- nested in a mixed-income neighborhood in urban Anchorage, down the block from the citys AT&T headquarters -- already has high-speed internet access.Macko, the visiting engineer, said the satellites are mainly aimed at creating more options for internet providers to make connections cheaper and faster.Certainly, more remote schools without existing (or limited) service will also be able to have a huge benefit from satellite internet connections, Macko wrote in an email. We are also hoping to emphasize that our service can work continuously during things like natural disasters because people dont need to rely on wires on the ground.About 80 percent of the state has access to high-speed broadband internet, said Heather Handyside, spokeswoman for the communications company GCI. The challenge lies with people in remote places off the road system, she said, where it is geographically or financially impossible to build fiber optic cable lines.OneWeb is among several well-known companies racing to build a satellite network in low Earth orbit. Others include Jeff Bezos Blue Origin and Elon Musks SpaceX. SpaceX, which is backed by Google and Fidelity, has two test satellites in orbit now.In January, a San Francisco-based startup, Astranis Space Technologies, announced it had signed a deal with Alaska internet provider Pacific Dataport to build and launch a miniature satellite.Several thousand Alaskans are currently receiving satellite internet from Pacific Dataports parent company, Microcom, which launched its service in 2014. The planned satellite project will triple the available satellite capacity in Alaska at a third of the price, said Chuck Schumann, the founder of Microcom.Compared to OneWeb, which plans to put hundreds of satellites into low Earth orbit, Astranis plans to build and launch a miniature satellite that will rotate at the same rate as the Earth and appear to be stationary. The satellite, known as a geostationary satellite, can focus on specific geographic areas like Alaska. The first phase of the project is set to launch in 2020.Schumann said he sees the two satellite networks as complementary. Low-earth orbit satellite signal offers a more robust connection for videoconferencing, while the geostationary signal comes with a slower response but is intended to be more broadly available and affordable, Schumann said. He said he expects his company to sell both types of connections. His destructive activities are a dark chapter in the history of the Jewish community, and its leaders have done everything they can to forget him and to wipe out his memory, Shamir wrote. They do not comprehend how it is actually an Israeli prime minister who has granted approval and legitimacy to the ideological heirs of the man who disgraced the name of the Jewish diaspora in the United States. Singh said Zarifs departure may be rooted in domestic issues, rather than foreign policy, because there are no significant prospects for negotiations on either Irans nuclear program or on the issues of concern to Europeans and Americans. Singh noted that Rouhani has been involved in a power struggle with hard-line elements in the government and that Zarif may be the casualty. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said in a statement that a second referendum would be the right decision for London and for the whole country to give the public their say for the first time on a final Brexit deal. I hope members of parliament will support this move, which is vital to protect jobs and growth. The prime minister must now withdraw article 50 to prevent Britain crashing out of the EU without a deal within weeks and to give us time to sort out her mess. On Feb. 20, Jussie Smollett, a 36-year-old actor known for his role in the hit TV series Empire, was arrested for filing a false police report and disorderly conduct in Chicago. His arrest followed weeks of growing national attention to what initially appeared to be a hate crime committed against the actor.How Smolletts accusation unraveled has drawn intense scrutiny, but what has been overlooked to some degree is the role that police technology played in figuring out exactly what happened between the time a threatening letter containing a suspicious white powder was sent on Jan. 22 to Smollett, followed by his alleged attack several days later and when police detectives took Smollett into custody for filing a false police report.A week after the Chicago Police Department (CPD) confirmed Smollett had received a threatening letter, the actor, who is black and gay, reported to police he had been assaulted by two men who yelled racial and homophobic slurs at him. The attack took place Jan. 29 in Chicagos upscale neighborhood known as Streeterville. The attackers wore dark clothes, ski masks and, at one point, according to Smollett, they put a rope around his neck.Chicago has one of the most extensive surveillance camera systems in the country police and private-sector cameras that allow CPD detectives to capture the evidence they need to fight crime. The cameras are part of CPDs aggressive effort to use tech and data to reduce crime in the city. Besides tens of thousands of cameras, the police have deployed gunshot detection platforms, predictive mapping and data analytics to track and deter crimes.In the Smollett case, detectives viewed video evidence and traced the movements of the suspects involved in the attack on Jan. 29, including footage of them getting into a cab, said Jonathan H. Lewin, chief of CPDs Bureau of Technical Services, in an email. Video from inside the vehicle, along with a series of public and private cameras on the North side of the city, allowed investigators to track the subjects movement backwards to where they came from prior to the attack, which ultimately led to their identification, he said.To isolate video segments relevant to the Smollett case, police detectives used advanced video analytics tools, such as BriefCam, to quickly search through video segments from hundreds of cameras, according to Lewin.A new high-tech analytics center, located in Detective Area South, combines video analytics and other capabilities to allow state-of-the-art investigative techniques to be applied to a wide range of digital evidence, said Lewin. These processes and systems complement Chicagos Strategic Decision Support Centers, which are high-tech nerve centers deployed in 20 of our 22 districts.The support centers have had a significant impact in some of Chicagos more crime-ridden neighborhoods. By blending the latest in police technology with human expertise and knowledge, CPD has been able to reduce crime, especially violent crime in some of the hardest hit neighborhoods. As the Smollett case demonstrated, the ability of CPD to act quickly as a crime is unfolding has received significant support from technology.While the police had no video evidence of the actual attack, the efforts of the investigators, using the tools outlined by Lewin, led them to the individuals suspected of attacking Smollett. When the two men were interviewed by CPD detectives, a different story about the alleged assault began to emerge. On Feb. 16, the police released a statement, We can confirm that the information received from the individuals questioned by police earlier in the Empire case has in fact shifted the trajectory of the investigation. We've reached out to the Empire cast member's attorney to request a follow-up interview.Four days later, the case involving the actor quickly unraveled. Smollett, once thought to be a victim of a serious hate crime, had become the suspect in an elaborate hoax meant to boost his fame and fortune as an actor. On Feb. 21, Smollett turned himself in to the police. The next day, producers of the hit series Empire announced they will remove Smolletts character from the final two episodes in the shows current season. With regard to the first and second pillars, the opening of liaison offices in each others capitals would be a step toward transforming relations, and a declaration that the 1950-1953 Korean War is over would be a move toward permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. And it should not be too challenging to make progress on the fourth pillar: the search for the remains of U.S. service members killed in the Korean War. Were going to have another summit. Were going to have a signing summit, which is even better, the president said, referring to plans he announced Sunday to host the Chinese leader at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida next month. So hopefully, we can get that completed. But were getting very, very close. . . . I think its going to happen, and it could happen fairly soon. With the militants pinned down in a dusty hamlet, the U.S.-backed forces surrounding them have seen their estimates upended day by day. While the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) maintain that the extremists cadres are down to the hundreds, some 6,000 people have emerged over the past week. According to one European estimate, Western military planners have been operating on the assumption that as many as 10,000 people may have remained there. When some of her colleagues started a rumor that she was working to sink the deal, Jayapal grew angry. At a hastily arranged CPC meeting, she fought back tears as she stood before a room full of her liberal peers explaining her no vote. Jayapal had worked with House Democratic negotiators for days to no avail, trying to curb immigration detention beds. But she was also unhappy with the whispers suggesting she was flirting with trying to force a government shutdown to get her way. Description GIS 25 February, 2019: The hosting of the second edition of the Ministerial Conference on Maritime Security and the 22nd session of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia in collaboration with the Indian Ocean Commissions (IOC) General Secretariat and the European Union, were the main issues discussed during the Extraordinary Council Meeting of the IOC on Saturday 23 February 2019, in Seychelles. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Seetanah Lutchmeenaraidoo, who led the Mauritian delegation attended the Meeting that was held at the Hilton Hotel in Beau Vallon, Mahe. During his intervention, the Minister called for the establishment of a special regional fund to help the IOCs African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States in mobilising resources needed to observe electoral processes in these countries. Moreover, the Extraordinary Council Meeting took note of a possible contribution by the Agence francaise de developpement (AFD) to set up a programme on peace and stability for the Indian Ocean region. In fact, despite a decline in the number of pirate attacks, maritime piracy still remains a major constraint in the socioeconomic development of coastal countries on the African continent as well as that of IOC Member States. It is recalled that the first edition of the Ministerial Conference on Maritime Security, hosted in Mauritius last year, had seen the participation of some 250 representatives coming from 23 countries and 15 regional and international organisations. The Ministerial Conference had been convened to define a regional maritime security and safety policy in the South West Indian Ocean region. It had also largely contributed to the development of a maritime architecture in the South West Indian Ocean region along with the adoption of a Declaration on Maritime Security in Western Indian Ocean, entitled the Mauritius Declaration on Maritime Security, and the elaboration of a Roadmap on maritime security. A measure is expected to pass easily in the Democratic-controlled House on Tuesday, forcing a difficult vote for GOP senators, who will have to weigh whether to support Trump on a move that even some in his party have criticized as circumventing the will of Congress. Her book, to be published later this year, will be an autobiographical look at the last approximately five years. That covers the time of Haleys rise as a national political figure, including her 2015 response to a racially motivated massacre at an African American church in Charleston, S.C., her 2016 endorsement of GOP rivals to Trump and her time as one of Trumps most prominent advisers. Meanwhile, a quiet debate in the liberal community is unfolding as activists and lawmakers consider the overall purpose and strategy of the CPC. Jayapal said she doesnt think the group should act like the House Freedom Caucus, whose three-dozen conservative members banded together in times of brinkmanship to push House GOP leaders to the right. But she also wants the group to flex its muscles to secure wins. I dont know about her personal views one way or the other, I just know that she was a hard worker, said Hiram Sasser, general counsel of the conservative legal organization First Liberty, which is also involved in the current case. The group was representing Veterans of Foreign Wars, which agreed to take over upkeep of the cross, which Congress had declared an official monument to the World War I dead. Sasser was on the team of lawyers who prepared Kagan. Cohen pleaded guilty last year to multiple crimes, including lying to Congress and arranging the hush-money payments. His three-year prison term had been expected to begin on March 6, but a judge recently approved Cohens request for a two-month delay because of shoulder surgery and his preparations for his testimony before Congress. We never could have predicted that only three years later, the leaders of South and North Korea would meet in the DMZ and declare that there will be no more war on the Korean Peninsula. This put in motion the kind of steps toward peace that we had marched for soldiers from both sides shaking hands and removing guard posts, the beginning of land-mine removal from the DMZ. The new reality is a tribute to Korean leaders and their determination to end the standoff that has separated their people for three generations. SPEED READ: In their State of the State addresses and executive orders this year, many governors are making public workforce issues a priority. They are particularly targeting teachers and corrections staff for pay raises. Several governors are focused on fighting sexual harassment and LGBT discrimination in state government. Teachers Prison Workers Workplace Culture In states across the country, many governors across the aisle are making it a priority this year to raise public employees pay and address other issues facing state workers.In some cases, the raises -- which need to be approved by lawmakers -- would be limited to teachers and corrections staff, following a year filled with teacher strikes and a year in which the struggle to fill corrections jobs reached emergency levels in certain places.While some occupations are being singled out, state employees in general are ripe for higher wages and salaries in Delaware, Georgia, Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming, according to their governors State of the State speeches and executive orders.Teachers may be getting a larger increase, but state employees arent being ignored, says Leslie Scott, director of the National Association of State Personnel Executives.Scott says many of her members are concerned about hiring, particularly in states with low unemployment.So far, 16 of the 42 governors who have delivered their State of the State speech signaled that teacher compensation needs to be higher. No surprise, the list includes governors in Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma and West Virginia -- all states where teachers went on strike last year. In West Virginia, teachers went on strike again this year.In Oklahoma, newly elected Kevin Stitt, a Republican, called for increasing teachers pay by $1,200 and bringing their compensation to No. 1 in the region for pay and benefits.The fact that [nearby] Texas is preparing to pass a teacher pay increase -- at a cost of $3.7 billion -- compels us to review and reform our states funding formula, Stitt said in his State of the State address.Schools havent been disrupted by workforce stoppages in South Carolina, but Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, still advocated for a 5 percent raise for teachers.To attract and retain the best, their compensation must be competitive with their peers in the Southeast and elsewhere, he said in his annual speech.Strikes arent the only catalyst for raising teachers pay. State budgets are flusher than they've been in recent years. In fiscal year 2018, general fund revenue collections were higher than projected in 40 states, according to the National Association of State Budget Officers. Furthermore, there is a shortage of math, science and special education teachers in "nearly every state," according to a Learning Policy Institute report. Few people grow up wanting to work in prisons and jails. In several of the states struggling to fill these jobs, governors want to make them more enticing with better compensation.In Kansas, where a state of emergency was declared in February at El Dorado Correctional Facility because of a staffing shortage, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has asked the legislature for $3 million in new funding for corrections staff. The governor is currently working with legislative leaders "to make sure current officers receive a livable, decent wage," according to Ashley All, the governor's director of communications and strategy. On Valentines Day, Kelly visited the prison, which had 95 vacant positions and was housing 74 inmates over its limit.I know its asking a lot when I ask you to hang in there, she told 100 prison employees. Please dont quit. Trust that we will work this out as fast as we can.In Missouri, GOP Gov. Mike Parson used his annual address to discuss his plan to merge several prison facilities and deliver a much needed pay raise. Meanwhile, Nebraska Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts talked about investing in additional prison staff and retention initiatives, including pay increases, bonuses, professional development and an emphasis on staff safety.While the legislature must weigh in on raises and other budget issues, governors can unilaterally enact new executive branch policies and practices.So far this year, governors have signed roughly two dozen executive orders that directly affect state employees. Just short of half of them focus on fighting sexual harassment and developing anti-discrimination policies and training.At least four governors -- of Kansas, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin -- took action this year to protect LGBT state workers from discrimination.In Nevada, Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak signed an executive order establishing the Governor's Task Force on Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Law and Policy. Agencies are required to review their prevention, privacy, reporting and investigation policies surrounding sexual harassment and discrimination. The order also seeks recommendations from agencies on ways the state's policies and practices can be improved.In Wisconsin, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers issued an executive order on his first day in office that calls on his cabinet members to recognize state employees work, solicit their input and evaluate staff morale. It represented a reversal from his predecessor Gov. Scott Walker, who had a tense relationship with employees ever since he passed laws that undermined unions and limited their ability to collectively bargain.As somebody [who has] run a state agency, said Evers, who was the states Superintendent of Public Instruction, I know how important it is to have a good culture so that people feel engaged in their work and feel comfortable coming to work and feel that they have value. Still, we ought to be leery of the conditions under which public media is increasingly forced to operate. Tech companies own many of the railways on which the rest of the media runs. Public broadcasters have had to strike deals with tech giants and pay cable channels, the most prominent being the move by Sesame Street to HBO. They vie for attention on social media feeds that exist to sell advertising and generate lucrative streams of consumer data. How can public media navigate the tricky matter of serving the public interest when their access to the public is through an algorithmic black box someone else owns entirely? The technology-driven cartel model that he pioneered, however, is only in its infancy. His was a road map for a new kind of organized crime, fully exploiting the power of the Web. To combat it, agencies such as the DEA will need more Brills and Holdrens, investigators willing to embrace technology and to dig into the grimy corners of the Internet, where dark markets and cryptocurrencies can offer economies of scale found on the right side of the law. There are, of course, some people cheering the presidents apparent attempt to erase climate change from U.S. national security considerations, and they live in Beijing and Moscow. China and Russia have for years been mapping the resource competition, military implications and geostrategic challenges that climate change will present in an ever-changing, climate-impacted Arctic. What a gift to them if we stop making our own assessments because we have our heads buried in the sand while their eyes are on the tundra. The events of recent days ought to try the consciences of Republicans who know that extremism and hatred are wrong. Many in the party acknowledge usually in private that the president they have continued to back has rooted his political appeal in vicious attacks against his opponents and a free press. He has invented crises for the purpose of stoking dread and horror. And he has targeted minority groups (immigrants especially) to harvest political support. Still, it would not be right to say that the regime is paying no price in the West. Mohammed bin Salman, who toured triumphantly through U.S. business and academic capitals not long before the murder, knows he would not be welcome now. Think tanks, universities, even businesses to varying degrees understand that public association with the regime is no longer a smart marketing strategy. Congress has expressed misgivings about the Saudis brutal war in Yemen and their nuclear ambitions, and it may yet have something to say about the Khashoggi murder. The U.N. special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions is investigating. NIGERIA Election violence kills dozens, observers say As many as 39 people have been killed in election violence in Nigeria, civil society groups said Sunday, as the country awaits the results of voting in what is forecast to be its tightest election since the end of military rule in 1999. The number of deaths reported was below the final death tolls in previous elections in Africas most populous country, but in the past, most unrest has taken place after results were announced. Voting took place Saturday, with some polling stations staying open Sunday and results not expected for several days. A credible and relatively calm poll would open a new chapter in the checkered political history of Nigeria, where nearly six decades of independence have been tarnished by military coups, endemic corruption and secessionist movements. President Muhammadu Buhari, 76, a former military ruler who is seeking a second term on an anti-corruption platform, faces Atiku Abubakar, 72, a former vice president who has promised to expand the role of the private sector. The election was postponed the previous Saturday hours before it was to begin, with authorities citing logistics. Seventy-three million eligible voters chose from a pool of over 70 presidential candidates, but only those from the two main parties are seen as having a chance. The contest between Buhari and Abubakar hinges on revamping an economy struggling to recover from its first recession in 25 years, which it slipped into in 2016 and emerged from in 2017. Reuters BANGLADESH Hijacking of flight foiled; suspect killed A flight bound for Dubai from Bangladeshs capital, Dhaka, made an emergency landing Sunday in Chittagong, Bangladesh, after a man attempted to hijack the plane, officials said. The Bangladeshi man asked to speak to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina before dying from injuries suffered in an exchange of gunfire with military commandos, officials said. The flight, operated by state-run Biman Bangladesh Airlines, took off from Dhaka at 4:35 p.m. for the trip to Dubai via Chittagong. The pilot made the emergency landing in Chittagong about 40 minutes later, after a crew member reported suspicious behavior by the man, said an official with the Bangladeshi militarys interservice public affairs office. All 143 passengers and seven crew members aboard the Boeing 737-800 were safely evacuated, Air Vice Marshal Mofidur Rahman said at a news conference. The commandos fired at the suspect after he shot at them when asked to surrender, army Maj. Gen. Matiur Rahman told reporters, according to ATN TV news. He said the suspect was carrying a pistol. The suspect appeared to be mentally imbalanced, said Air Vice Marshal M. Naim Hassan, chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority. I am saying this because of his behavior. He wanted to talk to the prime minister. Associated Press Mine left by Islamic State kills 20 in Syria: A land mine struck a van packed with workers in eastern Syria, killing more than 20, the official Syrian Arab News Agency said. It said the blast, near the central town of Salamiyeh, was caused by explosives left behind by the Islamic State when the militant group controlled the area. The group has been driven out of virtually all the territory it once held in Syria and neighboring Iraq, but large areas have yet to be cleared of the bombs and booby traps its fighters left behind. U.S.-backed Syrian forces have cornered the remaining Islamic State fighters in a small area near the Iraqi border. Iran releases French national held for nearly four months: Iran's official Islamic Republic News Agency said the country has released a French business executive detained for nearly four months. The report quotes an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying that Iran has released Nelly Erin-Cambervelle, 59, a business executive from Martinique who was in jail after being accused of entering the country illegally. The spokesman said the woman was released "in recent days," according to the report. Five dead in Indian-controlled Kashmir: Three rebels, a counterinsurgency police officer and a soldier were killed during a gun battle in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said, as shops and businesses shut down to protest an ongoing crackdown against activists seeking the end of Indian rule in the disputed Himalayan region. The crackdown comes amid high tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Feb. 14 suicide bombing of a paramilitary convoy by a local Kashmiri militant. Forty Indian soldiers were killed. India blamed the attack on Pakistan. From news services Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax dismissed Republican calls for his sexual assault accusers to testify before the state House of Delegates, calling it "political theater."Fairfax has been accused of sexual assault in the past month by two women, both in the early 2000s, one while he was a college student at Duke University in 2000 and another at the 2004 Democratic National Convention."This week, House Republicans voted overwhelmingly against the ERA [Equal Rights Amendment]," a spokesperson for Fairfax said Friday. "Now suddenly the same Republicans want to distract the public from their record of opposition to womens rights by engaging in political theater."The Lt. Governor has consistently denied the unsubstantiated allegations against him and he has consistently requested a full, fair, independent, impartial, and non-political investigation by law enforcement," the spokesperson continued. "Obviously this House Republican led effort is partisan." The Dec. 7, 2017, meeting is just one example of interactions between Wehrum, a skilled lawyer and regulator, and former clients that ethics experts say comes dangerously close to violating federal ethics rules. Wehrum acknowledges that since joining the EPA in November 2017, he has met with two former clients at his old firm without consulting in advance with ethics officials, even though they had cautioned him about such interactions. He also weighed in on a policy shift that could have influenced litigation involving DTE Energy, a Detroit-based utility represented by his former firm. Most screenings can cause anxiety about possible results, as well as false positives. The latter can lead to additional testing that may carry risks such as infection, or even treatments you dont really need. Your doctor should be able to explain how likely you are to experience a screening harm, such as a false positive, based upon your personal health history. For example, women who have dense breasts or who are taking estrogen may be more likely to have a false positive result from a mammogram. Hours later, at the end of the route, Mayahuels Fridas and Diegos dropped to the ground in exhaustion and drained the last drops of tequila out of numerous bottles. The route ended near where Mexicos first indigenous president, Oaxaca native Benito Juarez, is believed to have lived when political infighting led to his exile here in the mid-1800s. Its an example of how Mexico and New Orleans are connected on so many levels, said Bustos. Showing New Orleanians that connection made Mayahuels members proud even as they plopped down on the concrete sidewalk to nurse tired feet. They decided to come to D.C. because they were told by staff at his office in Kentucky that hes here this week. But no matter where they go, hes not listening to his constituents, said Stephen OHanlon, spokesman and organizer for the Sunrise Movement. We want to put senators on notice that if they dont put us before the interests of oil and gas, were going to remember that when its our turn to vote them out. SPEED READ: 14 candidates are vying to succeed Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel as the city holds its first round of voting Tuesday. Frontrunners include Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, former U.S. Commerce Secretary Bill Daley and Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza. The crowded field of candidates virtually ensures that no one will receive the required 50 percent of the vote. The top vote-getters will advance to a runoff election in April. Will Chicago Voters Want to Break from City's Political Past? Chicago's mayoral election will feature a heated debate about the direction, priorities and management of the city -- at least, once the final candidates are known.The first round of voting will be held on Tuesday. More than a dozen candidates have lined up to succeed Rahm Emanuel, who stunned Chicago's political world when he announced in September he wasn't seeking a third term.Given the large number of candidates -- 14 are still in the race -- it's certain that no one will receive the 50 percent majority needed to avoid a runoff in April. As many as five candidates -- Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, former U.S. Commerce Secretary Bill Daley, former police board President Lori Lightfoot, former public schools board President Gery Chico and Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza -- are considered to have a shot at making the runoff.Polls show they are all bunched up within the margin of error, with all of them garnering less than 15 percent support apiece -- much less than the number of undecided voters. In a low turnout municipal election with so many candidates, it's anybody's guess who will win support from undecided residents."It's just too close to call across the board," says former Alderman Charles Bernardini, who is Preckwinkle's finance chair.Much of the end-of-season mud is being hurled in Daley's direction. Daley's $7 million campaign treasury total represents less than a quarter of what Emanuel raised for his last race, but it's about double what any of his opponents have. He has unmatched name recognition, since his brother and father (both named Richard) each served as mayor for more than 20 years.Whether his family ties will ultimately be a boost for Daley or a hindrance will be one of the key questions of the runoff, assuming Daley makes it to the next round.The city's business community support Daley, but his very name conjures up all kinds of questions about whether Chicago now wants to change the way City Hall is run. Assuming Daley makes it into the runoff, says Larry Bennett, a retired DePaul University political scientist, "just because of his name, whoever will be challenging him in the runoff will really be raising this question of how things get done in the city."The election is playing out against a backdrop of a corruption scandal. In November, the FBI raided the offices of Ed Burke, a longtime power on the city's board of aldermen. An indictment of Burke could come soon after Tuesday's election, although that is not certain. Since the raid, news has broken that Alderman Danny Solis wore a wire for more than two years, while the phones of both Burke and Solis were tapped. "There's got to be a whole bunch of names of other alderman and developers that will come out," says Dick Simpson, a political scientist at the University of Illinois at Chicago.Aside from the scandal, the mayoral candidates are debating the way the city's been run under Emanuel and, to a lesser extent, the way it was run under his immediate predecessor, Richard M. Daley.Emanuel was forced into a runoff four years ago in a "tale of two cities" campaign that featured widespread discontent that on his watch the Loop and nearby neighborhoods had prospered, while neighborhoods on the south and west sides of town are struggling with poverty. Emanuel has closed dozens of public schools in poor neighborhoods and been accused of failing to ameliorate relations between police and residents of low-income areas. Chicago has lost roughly a quarter-million black residents since 2000.Emanuel has acted as a real estate agent for Fortune 500 companies, with major companies such as McDonald's and Motorola moving into the city on his watch. Several candidates are continuing to sound the downtown vs. the neighborhoods theme that dogged Emanuel four years ago, questioning his use of tax-increment financing for major developments.Of all the candidates, Daley is seen as the one most likely to pursue policies similar to Emanuel. "He's going to be seen as a continuation of Rahm, for good or bad," Bernardini says. "Will people say 'no more Daley,' or will they say he's got the connections and the brains to keep Chicago afloat?"Daley represents not just a symbolic third term of Emanuel, but a literal third Daley mayoralty. If Daley's in the runoff, his opponent will seek to make the election a referendum on him and on the city's recent past. "Some of the candidates have been pretty aggressive about talking about Rahm Emanuel and the failures of his administration, but a number are also confronting the shadow of [Richard M.] Daley," Bennett says. "A lot of the city's fiscal problems date back to his administration," which spanned 22 years from 1989 to 2011.The other candidates may stress different issues, but broadly speaking they are trying to define the election in one of two ways, says Simpson, a former alderman.Preckwinkle, Chico and Mendoza are each saying that they've got the experience necessary to run the city and continue its success, but that they'll be better or more equitable than Emanuel. Lightfoot and Amara Enyia, a consultant and Austin Chamber of Commerce director (Austin is a community on Chicago's West Side), are running on more of a reform agenda, rejecting the idea of a third Emanuel term or Daley mayoralty.Chicago is a tribal city. How different racial and ethnic groups and various parts of the city will end up voting in April can't be guessed at until the two final candidates are known.The fact that there are so many candidates in the running -- and that so much of the debate turns on continuation or rejection of traditional Chicago City Hall insider politics and wheeling and dealing -- suggests that it marks yet another marker of the end of machine politics, Bennett suggests.All 50 seats on the board of alderman are up as well. A progressive bloc currently holds about 20 percent of the seats. That number is expected to grow in these elections. They won't change the balance of power, but the next mayor is likely to face more opposition than Emanuel did. Especially if it's Bill Daley."This is really about the end of the old Democratic Party structuring elections in Chicago," Bennett says. "Chicago is going to continue to be a one-party city, but it's not governed by a party like it used to be." It does seem like the folks for and against fall into two distinct groups, he said. The younger folks the 18- to 25-year-olds are all saying that, yes, women should have to register. That its a matter of equality and thats both males and females. But when you get to an older demographic, those are the ones who are more reluctant to have women register. Those are the ones saying, Dont draft our daughters. 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 Park Triangle is on a residential street one block from the Columbia Heights Metro Station and busy 14th Street NW. The complex advertises lofts and flats and a rooftop terrace with barbecue grills. Its website tells prospective tenants to make the most of urban living. The occupants of at least three of the apartments broken into at Park Triangle between Feb. 1 and Wednesday had either left their doors unlocked or thought a guest had, according to police reports filed in each of the cases. Yet he often played down such gatherings and friendships, insisting that he was devoted to his scholarship above all else. In a 1994 memoir, On Familiar Terms, he wrote that when his first book found few readers and his lectures drew even fewer listeners, he turned toward lines from Basho. In the end, the poet had written, incapable and untalented though he might be, he was bound to this one course for life. When you are using that type of language, that type of offensive language, it calls into question how you view an entire community and your colleagues, said the committee member, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity to talk candidly in advance of the closed-door meeting. We have had a number of members who expressed concern, and we wanted to make sure we talked to all parties involved. This gives her an opportunity to address us. THE DISTRICT Md. man is fatally shot in Northwest D.C. police are investigating the fatal shooting early Sunday of a Maryland man in Northwest Washington. Police identified the victim as 30-year-old David Elijah Brandon of Burtonsville. Officers responded to the shooting in the 4300 block of Georgia Avenue NW, in the Petworth neighborhood, about 1:30 a.m. for a reported assault. Brandon and a second man were taken to a nearby hospital with gunshot wounds, police said. Another shooting was reported in the city Sunday afternoon in the 2300 block of Good Hope Road SE. In their description of the male assailant, police said he was riding a red Bikeshare bicycle. Ann Marimow and Martin Weil MARYLAND Firefighters make rescue in Silver Spring A woman was rescued Saturday night from a burning house in Montgomery County, fire officials said. Firefighters extricated her from a one-story, single-family house in the 2500 block of Holman Avenue in the Silver Spring area, said Pete Piringer, a fire department spokesman. Firefighters arrived about 6:30 p.m. and confronted heavy fire, the spokesman said. After being brought out of the house, the woman was taken to a hospital, Piringer said. He said her condition was described as serious but stable after suffering smoke inhalation. The blaze caused about $200,000 in damage, Piringer said. It started in the kitchen, he said. The cause was under investigation, Piringer said. Someone else had been in the house, but apparently escaped without assistance, according to Piringer. Clarence William and Martin Weil VIRGINIA Police name two who died in Fairfax crash The two people killed in a car crash in Fairfax County on Feb. 16 have been identified, the county police said. Police said they were Subid Singh, 28, of Annandale, and 29-year-old Anjil Thapa, 29, of Vienna. The car they were in went off Route 28 near the McLearen Road exit and struck a utility pole, police said. The crash occurred about 4:30 a.m. in the southbound lanes, the police said. Fire damage delayed identification of the remains, police said. The names were announced by the police on Thursday. It was not immediately clear who was driving. Martin Weil Read more: Local newsletters: Local headlines (8 a.m.) | Afternoon Buzz (4 p.m.) Like PostLocal on Facebook | Follow @postlocal on Twitter | Latest local news The half-dozen reporters gathered outside the door knew that the lawyers would not tell them anything of what had transpired inside. But duty obligated them to sit in the hall and wait, discussing the cafeteria salad and staring at a wall for two hours just in case, one said so they could pursue Manaforts lawyer, Kevin Downing, to the door of the mens bathroom when it was over and extract from him the comment, Its time to go to the bar, which they dutifully transcribed for their editors because at this point in the investigation even dumb jokes could make history. Between numbers, Hall thanks the crowd in a silence-filling kind of way, but he still radiates sincerity in the right amounts. He doesnt want to look needy or solicitous. He doesnt want to look overconfident or glib. Hes trying to do everything right. He thanks the volunteers who hosted a bystander intervention harassment training before the show. He thanks his cousin, and his aunt and his mom, all of whom are in the audience. He says nothing about remorse, or loyalty, or contrition, or healing but he does thank everyone in the building for being so kind to us and so kind to each other. It wasnt a coordinated statement of political might. It wasnt an organized pronouncement about some social issue. But in that traditionally feminine hue, there was a declaration of power and of the joy that can be derived from the sheer beauty of a designers handiwork. If Porter was having his one-night-only personal fashion moment, women were reveling in their long-standing relationship to fashion. As they stood on the red carpet and talked about the thrill of being nominated or presenting or simply being in the room, they also talked about their dress and about who made it. And they seemed perfectly delighted to have that conversation. She obviously didnt get the memo: You dont have to wear the same thing to the party that you did to the show. Jennifer Lopez, who walked the red carpet in a liquid disco ball molded to her singular form, has changed into a silvery something that looks a little less couture and a lot more comfortable. Laura Dern, exquisitely strapless onstage, has changed into a looser, full-skirted gown held up by wide straps. But that doesnt stop her from teasing Sarah Paulson, who has plopped onto the floor in a pool of cherry-red satin to relieve her feet: Im sorry, you cant take shoes off, thats not appropriate. Oh yeah? Tell that to Priyanka Chopra, who has cast her spike heels upon a drinks table on the smoking patio and is enjoying a cigarette at roughly the same altitude, for once, as her new husband, Nick Jonas. Three years after President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) -- better known as the stimulus -- into law, theres still a bitter political debate about its legacy. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says that at its peak in the third quarter of 2010, the stimulus increased employment by anywhere from 700,000 to 3.6 million people. Yet those on the right who disagree with the Keynesian idea that the public sector can stimulate the economy say that ARRA has done little to help, and that it has only exacerbated the countrys mounting debt. We are better off now than we would have been if I hadnt taken all the steps that we took, Obama told a CBS affiliate last fall. House Speaker John Boehner had a curt response: Are you kidding me?Today, states use of stimulus funds has already decreased dramatically, and the board that monitors the spending sunsets next year. Yet even as the stimulus slowly fades from the spotlight, its becoming clear that, for many people, no economic study or analysis will ever provide definitive proof of ARRAs impact, or lack thereof. The legislation has become too much of a partisan lightning rod, symbolizing everything the political left believes government should do to fix the ailing economy, and everything the right believes is causing it to slump.But there is one area where the legislation has had a definitive effect, one clear impact that transcends politics and is almost universally acknowledged: The stimulus has done more to promote transparency at almost all levels of government than any piece of legislation in recent memory. Many states launched or enhanced their open government initiatives around the same time as the stimulus, drawing on both the lessons learned and technical know-how they developed as they implemented the heightened federal reporting requirements that came with ARRA. Its an impact that seems to excite watchdogs and wonks more than the politicians who bicker over the economic impact of the spending.Now, administration officials, members of Congress and state lawmakers are all crafting plans to build on the historic levels of transparency the legislation helped spur. Three years after the Recovery Act was passed, were in a position to move forward, says Michael Bird, senior federal affairs counsel with the National Conference of State Legislatures. It will be legacy legislation.When the stimulus was signed into law in early 2009, one of the biggest tasks its architects faced was designing the reporting requirements for fund recipients. Getting those right was critical: The programs funded by the multibillion-dollar legislation would have been seriously undermined by significant fraud. Ultimately, states and localities that received stimulus funds were required to complete reports containing 99 fields of information, ranging from basic descriptions of ARRA-funded projects to detailed data on expenditures. Notably, the federal government also gained access to data from sub-recipients, such as contractors and even subcontractors that performed stimulus-funded work. Transparency legislation passed by Congress in 2006 already mandated that type of data; prior to the stimulus, however, it had widely been ignored.The unprecedented level of data allowed the feds to do two important things. First, the public-facing transparency Web portal, Recovery.gov, offered taxpayers a way to see how the federal funding was used, nearly in real time. Second, the data was used to power the Recovery Operations Center, better known as the ROC, which has been widely praised for preventing fraudulent use of stimulus funds. The reporting requirements driving both efforts were developed quickly -- some state-level critics say hastily -- but by most counts were effective at providing the level of transparency that the stimulus architects sought. Some critics have quibbles: They say the program hasnt done an effective job linking performance metrics with spending data, and its difficult to determine the quality of the jobs the stimulus created. But the efforts far surpassed anything the feds had done in the past.Today, there are several proposals, including the Digital Accountability and Transparency (DATA) Act in Congress that would expand the stimulus reporting requirements to all federal government spending (read " The Future of Federal Spending "). Meanwhile, various federal task forces are making similar deliberations, and most observers believe that one way or another, its going to happen. Whether its the DATA Act or whatever comes afterward, I think ARRA has helped pave the way, and frankly, put together some success factors that can be built upon in the future, says Arizona Comptroller Clark Partridge.State officials and the organizations that represent them say the stimulus also helped forge a new relationship with the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which oversees the reporting -- a relationship that didnt exist before ARRA. As a result, now may be a good time to expand on that relationship, state officials say, lest the transparency momentum fade as the stimulus winds down.Essentially, the stimulus can serve as a template for the future, says Mike Wood, executive director of the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board. It was proof of concept, Wood says. I dont think anyone wants to lose the good lessons learned from the Recovery Act. Among those lessons is the knowledge that the feds can, in fact, collect sub-recipient data, display spending information on a detailed transparency site and minimize fraud. We know we can track spending very quickly, he adds. I see that going forward.And Congress, which would ideally need to take the lead role in creating a robust reporting regimen, is likely to notice that success. I think it helped show Congress that there is a use for and a need for more information on where federal money is going and how its being used, says Sam Rosen-Amy, federal fiscal policy analyst with the watchdog group OMB Watch. I think in the coming years, its only going to be expanded. Were going to get more information and expanded information. Thats entirely due to the Recovery Act.The stimulus greatest legacy actually may be the demand for transparency it created across levels of government, especially at the state level, where officials are developing increasingly sophisticated transparency portals. It definitely pulled some states forward, says Kristin McMurray, managing editor of Sunshine Review, a website that evaluates state and local transparency sites. In 2010, the year after the stimulus was created, at least 14 states built transparency sites or made big improvements to their existing sites, according to research by Phineas Baxandall, a senior analyst with U.S. Public Interest Research Groups (PIRG), which publishes a widely read annual report rating each states transparency initiatives. All totaled, 40 states now have transparency websites that provide checkbook-level information on government spending. I think the stimulus requirements set a new standard for states, Baxandall says. A lot of what states started doing was really mimicking what they had done with their stimulus transparency.Among those is Arizona, which launched its transparency portal a year ago but already has one of the best-rated sites in the country. Much of its backbone was built upon an earlier transparency portal the state had developed to track funding specifically from ARRA. In Kentucky, which also has a top transparency site, the states open government portal existed before the stimulus. But its latest iteration relies on much of the same programming as its ARRA portal. When we knew the stimulus was coming, that was an impetus to look at the way we presented the information ... making sure its done in a clear way thats automatically updated, says Greg Haskamp, executive director of Kentuckys Office of Policy and Audit. In Massachusetts, the states Open Checkbook site is also the legacy of the states work with the Recovery Act, says Francisca Rojas, research director of the Transparency Policy Project at Harvard.Elsewhere, the impact has been more subdued. Indiana, another of the top-ranked states for transparency, began pursuing open government initiatives long before ARRA, says State Auditor Tim Berry. But he acknowledges that ARRA put more focus on transparency at the time.To be sure, other states may not have drawn inspiration from the stimulus. I dont quite see the ARRA connection, says Michael DiResto, communications director for Louisianas Division of Administration.Yet its hard to ignore the fact that states have been creating transparency sites and expanding their capabilities dramatically over the last three years. Wood, of the Recovery Board, has observed the change too, but he believes its mostly just a serendipitous effect of the ARRA requirements. I dont think when they framed [the stimulus], it was intended to be a power surge for this, he says.No one believes that the stimulus has been a panacea for government transparency. Advocates such as the Sunlight Foundation are frequent critics of the website USASpending.gov, which tracks federal spending outside of ARRA. About 87 percent of federal spending reports on the site in 2010 were incomplete. One-third of the reported spending didnt match up to data reported on a different federal spending database. And almost 13 percent of the spending data was reported late. The overall spending reporting picture has been improved a lot by the experience with the Recovery Act, says Tom Lee, director of Sunlight Labs, a part of the foundation that develops tools for analyzing government data. But he says there are still huge problems with federal grants data. Improving data quality has got to be a priority for government, whether or not the DATA Act is implemented.Meanwhile, state sites need work too. One of the biggest flaws is that many of them lack timely numbers and the ability for citizens to download the data so that they can crunch the numbers on their own. People want to be able to manipulate and touch the data in their own ways, says McMurray of Sunshine Review.Several states have actually closed their ARRA transparency portals, including California, which shuttered its own statewide transparency site last fall. A spokesman for Gov. Jerry Brown said the portal was poorly maintained, underutilized and had not been updated, drawing the ire of watchdogs who instead preferred rebuilding the site to shutting it down. Today, visitors to the portal are referred to a handful of other government agencies that house the data. When I started my research, everyone said, You cant roll back transparency, says the Transparency Policy Projects Rojas. Its actually pretty easy.Despite those shortcomings, U.S. PIRG sees more states moving toward what it calls Transparency 2.0. That includes one-stop portals that pull data from across government agencies, give users the ability to conduct comprehensive searches and provide detailed information not just on spending, but also on contracts, subsidies and tax expenditures. Kentucky, considered the leader in state transparency, posts data on government-owned land parcels, details of economic incentive packages and the jobs they create, and salary information for every government employee. In Indiana, portal users can view detailed budget information for individual cities, counties and even townships. That type of data is considered to be on the cutting edge, and its what transparency advocates hope to see more of. A more accountable government will also be a more efficient government, and in that process a more effective government, says Berry, the Indiana auditor. When individuals know that decisions they make in spending tax dollars are readily available 24/7, they have second thoughts sometimes on how those dollars are spent and allocated. Founded in 1920, the NPA moves its annual show around the country (last year was Amarillo, Tex.; next year is Fresno, Calif.). This year, more than 3,400 birds representing about 130 breeds are vying for top honors (which consist of bragging rights only, no giant checks involved). On the Breed Totals and Location sheet, you can see which pigeons are the most popular Modenas lead with 354 entries and which ones could use a publicist: The naked neck, the Syrian dewlap and the Serbian highflyer categories have only one representative each. Three South German whitetails show up, and Melinda owns them all. She wins and loses. There was no competition, she laments. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday that he wants to give patients access to cheaper prescription drugs from Canada, making Florida the latest state to try to import medications to reduce rising health care costs."Once we get this in place, U.S. citizens will be able to have access to more affordable drugs," DeSantis told a cheering crowd at The Villages, a retirement community near Orlando.Flanked by Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva and Secretary of the state Agency for Health Care Administration Mary Mayhew, DeSantis said he would ask state lawmakers to pass a bill allowing such drug imports from Canada. The federal government would still need to approve it, something it hasn't done since it passed a law to create the process in 2003.But DeSantis assured the crowd he has a powerful ally."I want you to know I spoke personally to President (Donald) Trump both Sunday and Monday about this," he said. "He's not only supportive, he's enthusiastic."DeSantis said this program would make Florida the first state to take advantage of a provision of the federal Medicare Modernization Act. Until now, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has "continually refused" to authorize states to bring in drugs from Canada, but Trump has assured him that will change, DeSantis said.While it's currently illegal to import prescriptions from Canada, many Americans already do so. Drugs are cheaper for America's northern neighbors in part because Canada imposes restrictions on how much pharmaceutical companies are allowed to charge for medicines. The U.S. does not.Polls have shown that the majority of Americans are in favor of reducing skyrocketing prescription drug prices, which the powerful pharmaceutical lobby has blocked.States have tried different approaches. Earlier this year, California's governor announced a plan for the state to bargain directly with drug manufacturers to get better prices for the state's 13 million Medicaid recipients. Last year, the Trump administration launched a plan aimed at lowering prescription costs, yet several major drug companies, including Pfizer and Allergan, still raised their prices last month.In Wednesday's announcement, DeSantis added that Florida will ensure that there are "appropriate regulatory steps in place" to protect Florida consumers. But many of those details will need to be worked out by state lawmakers.Even though the legislative session doesn't start until March 5, Oliva has already made it clear that lowering health care costs and stripping health care regulations will be his chief priorities."We know what the solutions are. What we have lacked is true understanding and more so, the courage to push forward," he said at Wednesday's event. "I can finally say we're all here and we're going to make a difference."DeSantis' approach echoes a proposal that has been endorsed recently by politicians on the right and left, including progressives like U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders.In addition to some prescription drug importation bills before Congress, some states have considered creating such programs within their own borders. Those programs largely call for the respective states' healthcare agencies to buy drugs from Canada and resell them to hospitals and pharmacies in-state.Supporters of such proposals say it could save millions in rising prescription drug costs in the United States, and DeSantis suggested similar savings could come to Florida. But others have raised concerns about how to ensure the safety of such prescriptions in the supply chain and how other countries or pharmaceutical companies might react to state- or national-level programs to import drugs to the U.S."It's one thing if individual Americans might be crossing the border to purchase Canadian drugs at a discount," said Rachel Sachs, an associate law professor at Washington University of St. Louis, who works in health law and drug regulations. "Once we're in a more large-scale importation system you can see why the pharmaceutical companies would want to stop people from purchasing drugs at lower prices ... It threatens their market here."Sachs added "some amount of pushback" could also be expected from other countries, should such a program take effect.DeSantis said he would work to ensure any imported drugs meet regulations set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and that Trump's support would be sufficient to ensure federal approval that has not been granted before.But past federal Health and Human Services secretaries, appointed by presidents of both parties, have raised concerns.The most recent official in the post, Alex Azar, told reporters last year he considered the idea of importing drugs a "gimmick" that would have no meaningful effect."Canada's drug market is simply too small to bring down prices here," Azar said in released comments at the time. "They are a lovely neighbor to the north, but they're a small one. Canada simply doesn't have enough drugs to sell them to us for less money, and drug companies won't sell Canada or Europe more just to have them imported here."It was a concern echoed by a former Canadian health official in a Washington Post op-ed in 2017, who raised concerns about safety and noted her nation's pharmaceutical industry was "already strained" trying to serve its existing population.Vermont, Sanders' home state, passed a bill last year -- the first of its kind -- that would have enabled importing prescription drugs from Canada, according to Kaiser Health News. But it still needs federal approval to go into effect.The House version of this bill was filed by Rep. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach. Leek did not immediately return a request for comment, nor did Senate President Bill Galvano. Any bill to create a drug importation program would have to also pass through the Florida Senate. Company officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss details of the private companys business, estimated that there were 24 known major head-of-state visits to Washington in 2018 and said that none of those leaders stayed at the Trump hotel. By contrast, the officials estimated that there were 33 such visits in 2017, during which two foreign heads of state stayed at the Trump hotel. We hear of major progress after every round of talks since the December summit yet always need more time, Derek Scissors, a China expert at the American Enterprise Institute and occasional administration adviser, wrote in an email. Thats because US-China talks are empty unless the U.S. has a credible enforcement mechanism. We still dont. Without one, this is just a repeat of failed US-China talks under Obama and Bush, plus tweets. The latest government estimates say that total U.S. prescription drug spending will grow 60 percent from 2019 to 2027, to $576.7 billion from $360.3 billion. The fastest growth will come in the government Medicare program, where prescription costs will double as Americans get older and take advantage of new, more expensive therapies. Annual increases in Medicare drug spending through the next decade will be on the order of 8 percent per year. MAXXI extends Zerocalcare exhibition in Rome until 31 March. 26 Feb. Italian counterculture comic artist Zerocalcare will meet fans and visitors during a special autograph-signing event at his exhibition at MAXXI Museo nazionale delle arti del XXI secolo on Tuesday 26 February, from 11.00 until 18.30. Due to popular demand the exhibition Digging Ditches - Feeding Crocodiles has been extended by three weeks and will now conclude on 31 March. The show by the internationally-celebrated artist has been seen by more than 70,000 visitors since it opened at MAXXI on 10 November. The exhibition features posters, illustrations, record covers, original illustrated pages from Zerocalcare's nine books, and a site-specific work designed by the artist specially for MAXXI. For details of the autograph signing event see MAXXI website. ATAC employee drove Rome city bus home instead of returning it to depot. Rome mayor Virginia Raggi has described as "unacceptable" the behaviour of a bus driver who parked an ATAC city bus outside his house after he finished work for the day. The driver, who parked the bus on his own street instead of returning it to the depot, has been suspended and could face disciplinary action. Raggi said that ATAC intervened after the bus's GPS tracking system alerted the company to the vehicle's unauthorised location. The mayor said the driver's behaviour was "an affront to Rome citizens and to his many colleagues who conduct their work correctly." Photo La Repubblica Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli granted special protection by UNESCO. Villa Adriana, the vast imperial residence of Emperor Hadrian at Tivoli to the east of Rome, has been granted "enhanced protection in the event of armed conflict" by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Hadrian's Villa was one of four cultural properties to receive the enhanced protection status at a recent UNESCO summit in Paris. The other three are the Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley (Armenia), Tugendhat Villa in Brno (Czech Republic) and the National Central Library of Florence. Being added to this list grants immunity: in cases of armed conflict the sites can not be the object of attacks or be used for military purposes. Villa Adriana director Andrea Bruciati described the recognition as "significant of the enormous importance that our heritage has and its profound symbolic value." Acknowledging that "we are living in an era and a geographical context of relative tranquility", Bruciati added that, in addition to the loss of life, war "often produces a further evil, the destruction of memory and history, the heritage not of individual people but of all humanity." Villa Adriana, a World Heritage Site for the last 20 years, can be visited daily all year round. For opening hours, which vary from season to season, see website. Chicago Police Chief Eddie Johnson, during a news conference to announce that the "Empire" actor is being charged with a felony for allegedly filing a false police report. Smollett alleges that he was beaten and had a rope placed around his neck while racist and homophobic slurs were yelled. Johnson says there is evidence that Smollett set up the attack. Decatur, IL (62521) Today Partly cloudy this evening followed by mostly cloudy skies and a few showers after midnight. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening followed by mostly cloudy skies and a few showers after midnight. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. LINCOLN Deven Rieck has achieved the first part of his long-term goal of writing a series of books that has been rolling around in his head for years. The Lincoln man has worked hard for about five years to finish the first part of his story. His recently published novel, The Will of My Father, takes place in a post-apocalyptic scenario following World War III. Rieck said the main character wanders the destroyed cities and wastelands of this world looking for answers as to why, as far as he knows, only he has been left alive. He said this first book will be available both at Amazon and on the shelves of Barnes and Noble in less than a month. Rieck, who works as a chef at Hy-Vee in Lincoln, said he only seriously began considering writing in his senior year at Raymond Central High School, where an English teacher who enjoyed his writing style encouraged him to write for more than just homework assignments. Since then, he has taken a number of different creative writing courses, mostly during his years at Buena Vista University in Iowa. He said he experimented with different story ideas and concepts, finding one that worked for him. Christian Youth Theater Waco will perform Disneys Beauty and the Beast Thursday through Sunday at the Lee Lockwood Library and Museum, 2801 W. Waco Drive. Tickets cost $8 to $12 each and are available at cytwaco.org. Performances are scheduled for 9:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Thursday, 7 p.m. Friday, 2:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 340-0084. Waco Pride Network Waco Pride Network will have a community outreach and engagement committee meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the East Waco Library, 901 Elm Ave. The meeting will focus planning community engagement events and discussing opportunities to engage with education in Waco. For more information, call 469-516-5503. Race Relations Coalition The Community Race Relations Coalition will host dinner and a movie from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church, 1100 Austin Ave. The film will be Blackkklansman, and a discussion will follow. This event is free and open to all, but reservations are required by calling 717-7903 or emailing Jo@welterfamily.org. UPDATE: (6:42 a.m.) Dyron Rashad Primus was recaptured at 3:10 p.m. in Decatur by Alabama Department of Corrections officials and U.S. Marshals. ----- An inmate has walked away from a work release site in North Alabama. The Department of Corrections said its looking for Dyron Rashad Primus, 27, after he walked away from the North Alabama Community Work Center in Decatur. Officials said he left the site around 3:45 Monday morning. He was serving a 15 year sentence for marijuana possession in Morgan County and was sentenced in 2018. Primus is described as a black male, 57, 135 pounds wearing a state issued white jacket, white pants, and a white toboggan. If you see him, youre asked to call 911. GAYLESVILLE, Ala. (AP) - Authorities say a woman left more than a dozen pets in cages near a flooding Alabama river, causing two of the animals to drown. News outlets report that 59-year-old Dana Marie Head is accused of leaving pets outside to die in the Chattooga River's floodwaters. Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver says the Gaylesville resident was arrested Saturday on 17 counts of animal cruelty. Shaver says the county has experienced widespread flooding following days of heavy rain . Sheriff's deputies had received reports about cages containing rabbits, ducks, birds and cats in danger of drowning from the swollen river. Two had already died. Deputies cut the cage locks to rescue the animals. Head was taken into custody when she returned home. It's unclear if she has a lawyer who could comment. Venezuela's self-declared interim president and opposition leader, Juan Guaido, is set to meet US Vice President Mike Pence in the Colombian capital Bogota Monday, following a weekend of deadly violence at the Venezuelan border. Fresh violence erupted after the Venezuelan military blocked food and supplies from crossing the border from Colombia. The Colombian foreign minister said 285 people were hurt, and 37 hospitalized, after the Venezuelan National Guard fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters near the Colombian border Saturday. Guaido, who is battling President Nicolas Maduro for control of the country, had called for other nations to send aid to Venezuela in response to worsening food and medicine shortages. National Assembly Representative and Guaido supporter Adriana Pichardo told CNN that at least five people were also killed in clashes with Venezuelan security forces. CNN cannot independently confirm the number of fatalities, but Michelle Bachelet, the UN high commissioner for human rights, said there were four deaths and 300 injuries Friday and Saturday. Sunday was quieter. Small clashes broke out again at a town near the border with Colombia. CNN's team in Urena, Venezuela, saw dozens of people throwing rocks toward Venezuela's National Guard, who fired back with rubber bullets. There was no report on injuries. Maduro put out a defiant message Sunday. "The people are united in the streets, mobilized and alert in every corner of the country," he said on Twitter. "I call on men and women of goodwill, not to lower their guard and to stay in the fight to preserve Venezuela's peace. Long live the Rebel homeland!" When he arrived in Bogota, Guaido said, "Yesterday we saw an unprecedented crime with the burning of humanitarian aid that generously arrived at the Colombian collection point and which was then handed over to Venezuelan volunteers, who are again insisting that it's necessary to save lives. Venezuela today is again in crisis and it could have been alleviated yesterday." Guaido declared that Saturday was the deadline to move the food and other supplies across the border. But Maduro vowed to block the supplies, denying that a humanitarian crisis exists in Venezuela and suggesting that aid efforts are part of a US plot to orchestrate a coup. Trucks torched Bogota on Saturday night said all border crossings between Colombia and Venezuela would be closed Sunday and Monday so that authorities could evaluate damage to infrastructure it said had been caused by the Maduro government. Venezuelan Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez said Sunday -- after security forces had fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters -- that the country's security forces had protected the border in "exemplary" fashion. But Bachelet, the UN official, said the violence was excessive. "People have been shot and killed, others have reportedly received wounds from which they will never completely recover, including losing eyes," she said in a statement. "These are disgraceful scenes. The Venezuelan government must stop its forces from using excessive force against unarmed protesters and ordinary citizens." The governor of Roraima, the Brazilian state bordering Venezuela, declared a state of medical emergency on Sunday, according to a press release from the Roraima Ministry of Health. Governor Antonio Denarium is quoted in the release saying the state's largest hospital, in the capital Boa Vista, is "at the brink of collapse" following the influx of victims injured in clashes across the border in Venezuela. As of now, 20 patients are being treated in Roraima hospitals, according to the release. Trucks carrying supplies were blocked at most spots Saturday. Humanitarian aid moved through the Brazilian-Venezuelan border in Pacaraima, according to Maria Teresa Belandria, Venezuela's opposition-appointed ambassador to Brazil. Witnesses said two trucks were set ablaze while attempting to cross into Venezuela from Colombia. CNN cannot independently confirm the incident or the circumstances of how the two trucks were set on fire. Rodriguez accused Guaido supporters of burning the trucks. While a CNN team saw incendiary devices from police on the Venezuelan side of the border ignite the trucks, the network's journalists are unsure if the trucks were burned on purpose. Venezuelan soldiers faced off against protesters who were demanding to cross the border at Urena to go work in Colombia, according to a CNN crew that witnessed the scene at the Tienditas Bridge. In a sign that Maduro's grip on the military -- control of which is seen as integral to forcing new elections -- could be waning, Colombia's customs agency said Sunday that 104 members of Venezuela's security forces have defected, entering Colombia. Images of burning trucks 'sickening' In a series of tweets Saturday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo condemned the actions of Maduro's government and said the US would "take action against those who oppose the peaceful restoration of democracy in Venezuela." "We denounce Maduro's refusal to let humanitarian assistance reach #Venezuela. What kind of a sick tyrant stops food from getting to hungry people? The images of burning trucks filled with aid are sickening," Pompeo tweeted. He blamed "Maduro's thugs" for attacks on civilians, accused "Cuban agents" of directing the attacks and praised opposition leader Guaido -- recognized by 50 nations including the US as Venezuela's interim president -- for leading the effort to allow the aid through. "While Interim President Juan Guaido builds distribution networks for humanitarian assistance, Maduro blocks its entry and sends armed criminal gangs to attack the innocent civilians accompanying the convoys," Pompeo said in a statement Saturday. US leaders weigh in On Monday, Pence will travel to Colombia to address a meeting of the Lima Group -- made up of leaders mostly from Latin American countries. The White House said Pence would "voice the United States' unwavering support for interim President Juan Guaido and highlight the Venezuelan people's fight for democracy over dictatorship." A White House official said Saturday that Pence will meet with Guaido on Monday in Bogota, during Pence's visit to Colombia. Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said on Twitter that the Maduro regime had "overplayed its hand" through its actions Saturday, making it easier for the international community to isolate it and harder for regime allies to continue supporting it. "Today #MaduroRegime killed unarmed citizens of their own country to keep food & medicine from entering. They celebrated murder & burning of trucks carrying aid as a victory. The world & those inside #Venezuela will reflect on what happened today & it will give rise to action," he tweeted Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders tweeted: "The people of Venezuela are enduring a serious humanitarian crisis." Maduro cuts relations with Bogota Maduro declared Venezuela's borders with Brazil and Colombia closed, citing threats to security and sovereignty. On Saturday he told supporters he was breaking all diplomatic relations with Colombia and calling for its ambassadors and consuls to leave Venezuela. Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo said all the diplomats were ordered to leave immediately for their safety. Four Colombian consuls have returned from Venezuela, Colombian immigration officials said Sunday. Maduro also threatened the United States: "If the empire dares to attack, they will be received by the strength of the Venezuelan armed forces." Maduro challenged Guaido on Saturday to call for new elections, but on Sunday Guaido's spokesman, Edward Rodriguez, told CNN they're not going to do that because "we set the agenda." Guaido has always said that he will call elections 30 days after "the usurper had left power" -- and that hasn't happened yet, Rodriguez said. Javier Bardem. Photo: Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images Javier Bardems most famous role may have required the chilly stoicism of a killer, but the actor has made his name on passions that run hot. Hes spent most of his career painstakingly deconstructing the stereotypical image of the Spanish lover clenching a rose between his teeth, with roles that seriously consider male anguish otherwise found primarily in melodrama. That was the modus operandi for both collaborations with offscreen wife Penelope Cruz, first as a pair of tempestuous artists in Vicky Cristina Barcelona back in 2008, and now the mystery Everybody Knows. In the latest film from Iranian master Asghar Farhadi, Bardem plays a vineyard owner whose path crosses with his old flame Cruz when she visits with her new family. But because this is a Farhadi movie, a tragedy soon visits the dramatis personae to unearth years of buried secrets, lies, and shames. The gradual parceling-out of crucial information brings Bardem and Cruzs characters closer together, ultimately forcing them to confront the history theyve repressed in a series of charged two-hander scenes. It will come as a surprise to no one that two of the most gorgeous people on the face of the earth who spend their free time being in love have a natural chemistry with explosive potential. Bardem got on the phone with Vulture for a brief survey of his recent work: learning from Farhadi on the set of Everybody Knows, his personal interpretation of mother!, why he wouldnt take back his role in the movie laughed out of Cannes for anything in the world, and his evolving relationship with Cruz. Am I right to assume that you were interested in this movie first as an opportunity to work with Asghar Farhadi? Of course. We first met while he was doing promotion in the States for A Separation. Like many actors, I was immediately shocked and intrigued by the power of his work. Years later, when I got word that hes casting for a movie in Spain, I was really rooting for him to choose me! His background is in directing for the theater, and Im curious about whether that makes itself known in the way he runs a set. I would say that he goes beyond theater or cinema. He has to have a different approach to performance in every single thing he does, whether a play or film. Hes into working very closely with each actor to think through every aspect of a role, from characterization down to specific motivations to behaviors. He is a sensitive, intelligent man and that comes through in this technique. All the input he brings in creates a rich performance, which you can see on the screen or the stage. So it was more of a process, of finding the character together? Was there a gap between your reading of the script at first and the final product? No, I dont think so, because the way Asghar works, he would feed us little treatments before the full script. He would explain the story of the characters and what he was trying to convey, so by the time we had the actual script, we knew a lot about what he wanted. Penelope and I knew exactly the way to go. The thing is, how do you get there? Before you act, these are all only ideas. Asghar helped us tremendously by establishing the best circumstances an actor can have on set to jump into the fiction. That is what I found very valuable about the way he works, that he approaches the performer as the key piece of the puzzle. This is not a vanity contest, about whos more important than others. The way he tells stories, he builds from the words, the relationships, the gestures, and the reactions. This is what he does best. Hes careful with the actors he chooses. He fosters an environment where everyone, ten or 12 or 15 actors at a time, can be relaxed enough to create and experiment, while at the same time jammed into high-pressure scenes. He does not disturb your personal process, he recognizes that everyone has their own process, but he guides it. Its been over ten years since you and Penelope did Vicky Cristina Barcelona together, during which time youve gotten married. Has your chemistry evolved over time? I think so. Life has changed. We have grown. [Chuckles.] Weve grown up. Everything is different once youre family. That is the priority, as it should be. Were no exception from that. We work as hard as we can, but we recognize how hard we can work depends on each others needs. Its important not to be confused by fiction. Fiction is fiction, reality is its own thing. When youre younger because weve worked together many times over the years, we met when I was 21 and she was 16 you tend to confuse one for the other, or mix them. Now, Im going to be 50 in a few weeks, and I dont do this anymore. Shes the same way. You must always know when youre working on a level of re-creation, outside of real life. Penelope and I, we have to protect the us. As an actor, you havent been afraid to take work that resists easy audience interpretation. Im thinking of mother!, which inspired a lot of different interpretations at the time of its release. Do you have one yourself? Im drawn to a sort of bravery. To offer this piece of work to the public like [director] Darren [Aronofsky] did was a brave thing, and I thought it was brave of a big studio to give it such a wide opening. And yes, from there, everything was open to interpretation. Thats what we do for a living; thats the art form! Music, film, literature, these should all inspire conversation, if not argument. My interpretation is the very same one I had the first time I sat down with Darren, when he explained his plan to me. At the time, I saw it as a symbolic story about what we are as a population, as a human race thats come out of nowhere to consume so much of mother Earth in every way possible. We destroying it, while shes giving and giving. Were spoiled by the fact that shes a giver, and think it will be this way forever. Its not going to be forever. We need to be reminded that theres a limit, and that we must contemplate the limits of our own harm on the climate and the planet. We release forces to destroy one another that only end up destroying ourselves. Extinction would be the only fate. Darren expresses that beautifully and brutally. He conceives from the gut, not from the mind. What he wanted was for people to react, and he got it. Everybody reacted. Some were positive, some were negative, but everybody reacted. Everybody had an opinion. For him, thats success. An actor whos willing to take risks has to accept that sometimes, they dont pay off. I was at the premiere of The Last Face in Cannes back in 2016; how do you process an experience like that? Its just one of those things that happens. Great original material, great team behind the camera and in front, great everything. Then things turn out the way you least expected. Thats a part of being an actor. Ive made my peace with that. That movie, The Last Face, is as important to my career as No Country For Old Men. Every choice youve made has led you to the present. Everything is there for the same reason, so that you can learn something. Making the movie was so intense. We were there for three months, almost four months, in some very far away places playing emotionally draining scenes. We felt incredible moments while working hard. I dont have a doubt about doing this. But it turned out the way it turned out, and thats okay! Its fine! You never know if its going to work or not. It doesnt matter what you think itll be like, you give your all. No actor knows whether a movies going to turn out great or bad. No one knows! No one has a clue whats good not until its finished, and sometimes not even then. The sensation an actors looking for is like the excitement of gambling, of putting everything on one color and one number and not knowing whether itll land on red or black. Thats beautiful. You signed on to play Frankensteins monster in a series Universal had planned, though the fate of that project is now unclear. How did you intend to approach the character? Of course he is an iconic character, dictated by fragility and purity. He is like a giant baby boy, imprisoned in a body of scars. A destroyed body, with the only violence in him having been inflicted on him by humanity. This strikes me as relevant for many people, who have an unfortunate condition that can be seen and judged by others. People react to that first, rather than what is inside a sickness. Being imprisoned within something youre not this makes Frankensteins creature lovable, or worthy of love. That being said, I dont know whats going to happen with that project. Id still like to do it. Gayle Larson, age 83, of Alexandria, died on Saturday, June 19, 2021. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 25, 2021, at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. This service will be live-stream All the bill needed to become law was President Donald Trumps signature. It would create a national archive of documents from civil rights cold cases. Students had been working on the project for years, families waiting on it for decades. But time was running out. Legislation dies in the transition from one session of Congress to the next, and unless Trump acted, it would be lost. So the students at New Jerseys Hightstown High School did what teenagers do: They started tweeting at the president. And not just Trump. They tweeted at his advisers, his staff and even Trump-friendly celebrities whose thousands of followers could carry their message to the White House. As the deadline neared, Oslene Johnson, 19, was managing the projects Twitter account from under the blankets in her bedroom and trying not to be discouraged. When you really look at it, its about providing closure for communities, families, and also as a country, said Johnson, who has since graduated but still works with the students. Imagine, the class considered, all the people, African-Americans mostly, who have lived with questions about what happened to their loved ones 50 years or more ago. The killings and injuries have long passed. The perpetrators are gone. But the families, she said, theyre still with us. The students interest began in 2015, when teacher Stuart Wexlers Advanced Placement government and policy class at Hightstown High was studying the civil rights movement. They couldnt believe that in America, so many criminal cases involving racial violence and death could remain unsolved. Srihari Suvramanian, 17, a senior, said in an Associated Press telephone interview with the class: Its just atrocious that these individuals have gotten away with crimes committed decades ago, for so long, even though the majority of Americans know its wrong. He added: We think its very important to provide a sense of closure. Even if we cant get a full sense of closure, maybe provide some answers to the people that were denied justice. The students crowdsourced a list of cases, filed Freedom of Information Act requests and then waited. Research on old cases often runs into dead ends, and they could imagine the difficulties that families go through trying to get answers. They turned their attention to Congress. The President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992, which collects records at the National Archives from the assassination, provided a model for the legislation they wanted. They took bus trips to Washington to find supporters. Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., was among the first to sign on, inspired, his office said, by the work and the possibility it held. Then Democrat Doug Jones won a Senate seat from Alabama in December 2017. They had already reached out to Jones, the U.S. attorney who won convictions after reopening the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing case from 1963 in Birmingham. Six months after he was sworn in as the first Democratic senator from Alabama in a generation, Jones stood on the Senate floor and introduced the bill that would become the Civil Rights Cold Case Collection Act. The students watched from the gallery above. Justice can take many forms, Jones said. Reconciliation can be a potent force, he said. After all this time, we might not solve every one of these cold cases, but my hope is, our efforts today will, at the very least, help us find some long overdue healing and understanding of the truth. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who was presiding in the chamber that day, has said he was so moved that he told Jones he would sign on as a co-sponsor. Cruz helped bring Republicans on board. By December, in the final days of the congressional session, the bill unanimously passed the Senate and was approved in the House, 376-6. From there, it was off to the presidents desk. But the students worried the bill would expire when the new Congress convened in January. We went on a mad, desperate scramble to get the president to sign the bill, said James Ward, a 17 year-old senior who helped mobilize the student body, class by class, to take out their phones and tweet. In Wexlers classroom, students posted photos of Trumps midnight advisers aides, media celebrities and started putting Xs through the ones they had reached out to. We were tweeting at as many people as we could, Suvramanian recalled. He was finishing class one afternoon when he dashed off an email to Christopher Ruddy, the CEO of Newsmax and a Trump ally. He got back to me within 30 minutes, the teenager said. After a short exchange, another note came back, He said, I dropped a message to the president around 10 minutes ago and I really hope your bill gets signed into law. Even with the new Congress starting the next day, the actual deadline for signing the bill was still a week away the night of Trumps border security address to the nation amid what became the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Johnson, a student leader when the project started, tried not to lose hope as she tweeted. She had graduated and moved on, as had many other students. There have been dozens in all, over the past several years, who had been involved in the project. Then word came. Jones office told Wexler, who told the students: Trump had signed the bill, which focuses on unsolved criminal cases from 1940 until 1980. Johnson cried. The families could now, with access to information, at least know something about what happened, she said. Along with Trumps signature came a lengthy signing statement of potential concerns about the process for review and public release of the documents, but also support for Congress to fund the effort. Ruddy confirmed he had reached out to the White House, impressed by the students. He thinks the president would have been, too. Margaret Burnham, a law professor at Northeastern University and director of the Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project, said what Wexler and his class did was nothing short of amazing. The creativity was not so much in framing potentially effective legislation, but in strategizing how to get it through the Congress, said Burnham, who has worked for years on these issues and similar efforts in Washington. Thats where Stuart and his students, over several classes, were just dogged and creative, incredibly creative in their ability to persuade Congress, people on both sides of the aisle, of the meaning and continuing urgency and significance of this issue. Tahj Linton, 17, said he hopes other Americans understand the power they have to shape political outcomes. If we can start to solve some of the racial problems that were never really closed in the past decades or 50 years or so, maybe we can start to work on the ones that are happening today and make a difference about it, he said. Nigerians waited for election results Sunday as vote counting continued from the nation's hotly-contested presidential poll. Voting continued in a few remote areas, and Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it will reschedule elections in some parts of Lagos, Rivers and and Anambra states where voting was disrupted Saturday. It was not immediately clear which districts were affected. VOA English to Africa reporter Peter Clottey, in Abuja, reports that INEC is expected to start announcing election results on Monday. Both the incumbent president, Muhammadu Buhari, and his main opponent, Atiku Abubakar, are already predicting victory. "Good morning Nigerians, again, thank you for voting President @MBuhari in yesterdays election. Results have been coming since, they are so overwhelming. PMB has been voted by majority and #BuhariIsWinning!" Buhari's aide Bashir Ahmad tweeted early Sunday. Abubakar's Peoples Democratic Party said it was doing well in several areas, including the comerical capital Lagos, and Abubakar released a statement saying very soon the living nightmare of the last four years will come to an end so that together we will get Nigeria working again." Security forces confirmed that 16 people were killed in election-related violence. Despite the rescheduling of some elections, INEC said it was "generally satisfied" with the vote, the French Press Agency reported. Political tensions were high last week as Nigerians prepared to elect a new president and parliament. During the campaign, Buhari's All Progressives Congress and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party accused each other of attempting to fix the outcome. Earlier this week, Buhari urged the military to be "ruthless" with anyone who tries to interfere in the voting process. The remark drew sharp criticism from Abubakar, who said the military has "no role to play" in the elections. President Buhari was among the first of the countrys more than 72 million eligible voters to cast a ballot in his hometown of Daura when the polls opened Saturday for the country's delayed election. Nigeria's elections were initially planned for February 16 but the electoral commission, citing logistical issues, abruptly postponed them just five hours before polling stations were set to open. After ruling briefly as a military dictator in the 1980s, Buhari won the 2015 election, becoming the first opposition candidate to defeat a sitting president. HANOI - Last year in Singapore, Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un agreed to work toward the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. This week in Hanoi, they face a much harder task: agreeing on what denuclearization even means and figuring out how to move the process forward. Heres what to watch for as Trump and Kim meet in Vietnam. Can the Hanoi summit break the stalemate? Following his first meeting with Kim, Trump declared there is no longer a nuclear threat from the North. Eight months later, the U.S. and North Korea appear to have made little progress on the nuclear issue, and there is growing pressure on Trump to show results. Until recently, North Korea wouldn't even agree to hold consistent lower level talks. As the Hanoi summit approaches, the situation has improved. U.S. and North Korean officials have already held several days of meetings in Hanoi before Trump and Kim arrive. Can both sides get on the same nuclear page? Last week, a U.S. official acknowledged that North Korea and the U.S. are still trying to agree on a common definition of denuclearization a vague concept that has no technical meaning. For Washington, denuclearization means North Korea giving up its nuclear weapons. For Pyongyang, things are more complicated. North Korea prefers the term denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. For Pyongyang, the idea has traditionally involved the U.S. eliminating or reducing its security commitment to its ally, South Korea. To help clear up the confusion, U.S. officials hope the Hanoi summit results in a roadmap that sets expectations for both sides. Its not clear how specific the document would be or if it would include timelines. Will Kim offer a compromise to get the process going? Reports have suggested North Korea may offer a limited step toward dismantling its nuclear weapons as evidence of its intent to denuclearize. That could include agreeing to destroy at least part of its main Yongbyon nuclear complex or other nuclear facilities. While Yongbyon doesn't represent North Koreas entire nuclear program, its a pretty good chunk of it, said Robert Manning, a former State Department official who specializes in Korea. Other possible steps include handing over a small number of nuclear warheads or missiles, providing a list of nuclear and missile sites, or allowing access to international inspectors. Will the US relax sanctions? The Trump administration has long insisted it will not ease sanctions until North Korea completely dismantles its nuclear program. But recently, the White House seems to have softened its stance. In an interview Sunday with CNN, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington could provide partial sanctions relief in exchange for a substantial step from the North, though he insisted that core economic sanctions will remain in place. One possible compromise: the U.S. could allow the resumption of inter-Korean projects that provide the North with crucial cash, including the Kaesong Industrial Complex just north of the demilitarized zone and the Norths Mount Kumgang tourist area. Could there be a formal end to the Korean War? U.S. officials are considering whether to use the summit to announce a formal end to the Korean War, which eased into a truce rather than a peace treaty in 1953. Though the declaration would mainly be symbolic, the U.S. may be reluctant to offer such a concession until North Korea makes more progress on denuclearization. That is because formally ending the Korean War could weaken international pressure on North Korea and raise questions about how many U.S. troops are still needed in the South. Will Trump alter the U.S. military presence in South Korea? During his one-on-one meeting with Kim in Singapore, Trump agreed to suspend military exercises with South Korea. Trump could decide to make a similar concession during his private sessions with Kim in Hanoi. Trump and other senior U.S. officials have repeatedly insisted that the removal or reduction of U.S. troops in South Korea is not being discussed as part of the nuclear talks. But Trump has a long history of questioning the effectiveness and cost of the 28,000 U.S. troops in Korea. Will Trump and Kim hand the nuclear talks to scientists? One of the biggest accomplishments in Hanoi would be to hand off the nuclear negotiations to specialists, said James McKeon, a policy analyst at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. The two leaders of the countries can't solve everything themselves, McKeon says. I dont think they have a thorough enough understanding to be able to take care of some of these really complex issues that you're going to need scientists on, you're going to need technical experts on. Trump, who has touted the effectiveness of his personal relationship with Kim, said last week he could envision more summits with the North Korean leader in the future. WATCH: Vietnam hosting Trump-Kim Summit UNITED NATIONS - The United States has expressed its deep concern about Sudanese President Omar al-Bashirs declaration of a one-year nationwide state of emergency amid growing anti-government protests. We continue to evaluate the impact of President Omar al-Bashirs announcement last Friday, U.S. Acting United Nations Ambassador Jonathan Cohen told a meeting of the Security Council on Monday. Were deeply concerned about the declaration of a national state of emergency and call on the government of Sudan to respect the rights of all individuals in Sudan, bring an immediate end to the violent repression of peaceful protests, and seek accountability for those responsible for violations and abuses. Sudan Declares National Emergency as Protests Continue Sudan President Omar al-Bashir declared a national emergency for one year, and dissolved local and national governments amid widespread demonstrations in Sudan.I call on the parliament to delay looking into the constitutional amendments to open the door for enriching the political life through constructive dialogue and candid patriotic initiatives, Bashir said in a speech late Friday.The decision comes after two months of protests have rocked Sudan, triggered by a dire economy and rising commodities Sudan President Omar al-Bashir declared a national emergency for one year, and dissolved local and national governments amid widespread demonstrations in Sudan.I call on the parliament to delay looking into the constitutional amendments to open the door for enriching the political life through constructive dialogue and candid patriotic initiatives, Bashir said in a speech late Friday.The decision comes after two months of protests have rocked Sudan, triggered by a dire economy and rising commodities Two months of protests triggered by a declining economy and rising commodity prices have rocked the country. Demonstrators have called for the 75-year old president to step down. His security forces have responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition. Activists say at least 56 people have died during the demonstrations, a figure the government disputes. FILE - Sudanese protesters take part in an anti-go Sudanese protesters take part in an anti-government demonstration in Khartoum, Feb. 14, 2019. Sudanese protesters take part in an anti-government demonstration in Khartoum, Feb. 14, 2019. On Monday, the presidential palace announced additional restrictions under the state of emergency, banning unauthorized public gatherings and protests. The American ambassador called for a safe environment for Sudanese to express their grievances. We call for an inclusive political process toward elections wherein all Sudanese are able to exercise their rights to freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom of peaceful assembly, Ambassador Cohen said. The immediate release of all journalists, political opposition leaders, human rights activists and other protesters who have been arbitrarily detained; and for the government of Sudan to afford those facing charges full access to legal representation. Bashir has been in power for nearly 30 years and is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide committed in the Darfur region of the country. U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that an American oil worker held captive for 18 months in the Middle East has been released and reunited with his wife and children. Trump praised the United Arab Emirates for helping to free Danny Lavone Burch, who was abducted by unidentified gunmen on a busy street in Sanaa, the war-torn Yemeni capital, in September 2017. Burch later was taken to Oman in January of 2018, accompanied by a Houthi negotiator. There were no immediate details of the release of Burch, who is in his mid-60s. He was working as an engineer at a Yemeni oil company at the time of his abduction, which was carried out in broad daylight. Armed groups, including an al-Qaida affiliate and Houthi rebels who control Sanaa, have abducted Westerners to extract ransoms from their governments or accuse them of being spies. But nothing had publicly been heard of Burch's fate since the Houthis transported him to Oman 13 months ago. Trump said, "Dannys recovery reflects the best of what the United States & its partners can accomplish. We work every day to bring Americans home. We maintain constant and intensive diplomatic, intelligence, and law enforcement cooperation within the United States Government and with our foreign partners." ...Dannys recovery reflects the best of what the United States & its partners can accomplish.We work every day to bring Americans home. We maintain constant and intensive diplomatic, intelligence, and law enforcement cooperation within the United States Government and with... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2019 The U.S. leader said "recovering American hostages is a priority" of his administration. "We will not rest as we continue our work to bring the remaining American hostages back home!" The British government said Monday it plans to ban Hezbollah as a terrorist group, accusing the Iran-backed organization of destabilizing the Middle East. A draft order laid in the U.K. Parliament will ban Hezbollah and two other groups. Subject to Parliament's approval, the order will go into effect Friday and being a member of, or inviting support for, Hezbollah will be a criminal offense, carrying a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Until now the military wing of the Lebanon-based group has been outlawed in Britain, but not its political arm. Hezbollah Party of God is a Shia Muslim movement which emerged during the early 1980s with financial backing from Iran. It made electoral gains in Lebanon last year and now has three ministers in the government. The U.S. and others accuse the group of destabilizing the region through its military intervention in Syria on the side of President Bashar al-Assad's government. Home Secretary Sajid Javid said he would take action against organizations that threaten safety and security, and in Hezbollah's case destabilize the Middle East. "We are no longer able to distinguish between their already banned military wing and the political party," Javid said. "Because of this, I have taken the decision to proscribe the group in its entirety." There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah officials in Beirut. Military and political wings The European Union put the armed wing of Hezbollah on its terrorism blacklist in 2013, due to Hezbollah's alleged role in blowing up an Israeli tour bus in Bulgaria. But unlike the United States, EU nations had until now differentiated between the group's military and political wings. The group does not specifically divide itself into armed and political wings and its leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, has said the group does not operate as two wings. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah delivers a broad FILE - Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah delivers a broadcast speech during a rally to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Iran's Islamic Revolution, in southern Beirut, Lebanon, Feb. 6, 2019. FILE - Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah delivers a broadcast speech during a rally to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Iran's Islamic Revolution, in southern Beirut, Lebanon, Feb. 6, 2019. The British ban comes as the United States is increasing its pressure on Hezbollah, placing several sets of sanctions on the group and its regional backer, Iran. Last week, the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon described what she labeled as Hezbollah's "growing" role in the new Lebanese cabinet as a threat to the country's stability. U.S. officials have also expressed concern that Hezbollah would exploit the ministries it runs to funnel money to fund the group's operations. Israel's ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, welcomed Britain's decision, calling the separation between the political and armed wings of the group "false and artificial." "We will continue to lead the struggle for the Security Council to recognize Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, and mobilize the international community against it as it serves as an arm of Iran to spread Tehran's aggression," Danon said. Ansaroul Islam, which seeks to impose its strict view of Salafist Sharia law in Burkina Faso, and Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam Wal-Muslimin, which has similar aspirations in Africa's Sahel region, were also banned Monday. Stocks markets in China closed up more than 5 percent Monday, rallying after U.S. President Donald Trump announced he was postponing new tariffs on China because of what he said were "substantial progress" in trade talks between the world's two largest economies. "A very good weekend for U.S. and China," Trump tweeted Sunday, saying both sides made progress on "important structural issues, including intellectual property protection, technology transfer, agriculture, services, currency, and many other issues." The president had set a March 1 deadline to hike tariffs on $200 million in Chinese goods from 10 to 25 percent if there was no deal. US-China Trade Hopes Lift Stocks Stocks rose in major markets around the world Friday on bets of progress in trade talks between China and the United States, while crude futures hit their highest level in more than three months supported by ongoing supply cuts. U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that there was a very good chance the United States would strike a deal with China to end their trade war and that he was inclined to extend his March 1 deadline to reach an agreement. U.S. Stocks rose in major markets around the world Friday on bets of progress in trade talks between China and the United States, while crude futures hit their highest level in more than three months supported by ongoing supply cuts. U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that there was a very good chance the United States would strike a deal with China to end their trade war and that he was inclined to extend his March 1 deadline to reach an agreement. U.S. While there is still no final agreement, Trump had said he would postpone those tariffs if a deal were close. The U.S. president did not say how close both sides are. But he said he will hold a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Mar-a-Lago resort to "conclude an agreement." Senior U.S. and Chinese officials have been holding a series of trade talks in Beijing and Washington since Trump and Xi declared a 90-day truce in their trade war in December so a deal can be worked out. The U.S. has long accused China of numerous unfair trade practices. They include the alleged theft of intellectual property and demands U.S. firms turn over trade secrets if they want to do business in China. The Chinese have denied the accusations and say it is the U.S. that is guilty of trade violations meant to stifle China's economic development. ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE - U.S. President Donald Trump is in Hanoi for his second summit with Kim Jong Un amid hopes for a deal that would lead to the North Korean leader giving up his nuclear weapons. "I think we'll have a very tremendous summit. We want denuclearization, and I think he'll have a country that will set a lot of records for speed in terms of an economy," Trump said in remarks at the White House before departing Monday.. National Security Advisor John Bolton, two months ago, said a second summit was needed because North Korea had yet to live up to the commitments it made last June in Singapore. After the Trump-Kim meeting in Singapore, Trump declared, "there is no longer a nuclear threat from North Korea." But as he meets Wednesday and Thursday with Kim in Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital, there is little concrete evidence that progress has been made to set the specific terms of North Korea's promised denuclearization. On Wednesday evening, Trump will have a brief one-on-one conversation with Kim followed by a dinner that will include U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney. Kim will also have two aides present and both men will have translators. Trump and Kim will then hold a series of official meetings Thursday. U.S. President Donald Trump is heading to Hanoi for his second summit with Kim Jong Un amid hopes for a deal that would lead to the North Korean leader to give up his nuclear weapons.https://t.co/ZoFzwJyp43 pic.twitter.com/BVOa7pRhGQ The Voice of America (@VOANews) February 25, 2019 Progress needed A lack of a major breakthrough for the second time could have negative political ramifications for Trump. "If the president makes substantive concessions, I think he will get serious bipartisan criticism," says James Jay Carafano, the vice president of the Heritage Foundation's institute for national security and foreign policy. That would "probably be the last thing he needs" amid the possible release this week of a summary of the special counsel's report into ties between Russia and Trump's 2016 election campaign, adds Carafano. "If the report is good news, a distraction is bad," Carafano tells VOA. "If it's bad news, it will compound his problems." Some analysts, however, predict there would be scant political damage for Trump as he can just declare a foreign policy victory. "All it takes is Kim pretending to disarm and Trump pretending to believe him," says Vipin Narang, an associate professor of political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "So long as Kim doesn't embarrass Trump publicly by testing a nuclear weapon or a ballistic missile, domestically Trump can keep rinsing and repeating," Narang, author of the book Nuclear Strategy in the Modern Era tells VOA. "The advantage for Trump is that Kim's continued expansion of his nuclear weapons program is largely silent, and, at best, shows up on page 10" of local newspapers in the United States. "If nothing positive happens, the Democratic Party hawks and the media may mock Trump's pretensions and claims to be a master negotiator," says Professor Peter Kuznick, director of the Nuclear Studies Institute at American University. "But as long as tensions don't re-erupt on the Korean peninsula, most Americans will be satisfied with the status quo and move on to other issues." FILE - In this June 12, 2018, file photo, North Ko FILE - In this June 12, 2018, file photo, North Korea leader Kim Jong Un, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump shake hands at the conclusion of their meetings at the Capella resort on Sentosa Island in Singapore. FILE - In this June 12, 2018, file photo, North Korea leader Kim Jong Un, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump shake hands at the conclusion of their meetings at the Capella resort on Sentosa Island in Singapore. If Trump can keep the North Korean leader engaged, diplomatic efforts continue with sanctions still in place and Pyongyang maintains its moratorium on nuclear and missile testing, "Trump can pocket a foreign policy win going into the election," according to Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Rebeccah Heinrichs. With a status quo for at least another year, the president "can tell his supporters to stick with him so he can 'finish the job' in another four years," Heinrichs tells VOA. There is anxiety Trump might trade away the presence of U.S. troops in the Far East for concessions by Kim on nuclear weapons or intercontinental ballistic missiles. Such a move, besides alarming allies, could also open Trump to severe political criticism back home from both the left and the right. "There is concern "Trump will ad-lib concessions to Kim Jong Un without his team knowing about it before hand," says Duyeon Kim, adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. "Concrete denuclearization steps don't mean getting rid of things they don't need anymore. It means touching parts of their program that matter, even if they are baby steps at first." She added that a "front-loading on U.S. concessions without getting anything proportionate in return, as Trump did in Singapore, risks losing negotiating leverage very quickly and allowing Pyongyang to dictate this entire process. " Interactive: Nuclear North Korea What is denuclearization? One unresolved issue is a mutually-agreed definition of denuclearization. Trump administration officials have insisted there must be "complete, verifiable and irreversible" removal of North Korea's nuclear arsenal, including its delivery systems. For the North Koreans "denuclearization" also includes U.S. strategic assets leaving the region, as well as its long-harbored desire for American forces to depart from South Korean and, possibly, Japan where the United States military has posted 75,000 personnel and maintains about 50 installations, not including rapid response air and naval forces on the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam that Pyongyang also considers threatening. A senior U.S. official says the American team has been seeking with the North Koreans a "shared understanding of what denuclearization is," while it is yet unclear whether Kim has even made the decision to fully denuclearize. Asked whether there has been any demand from the North Koreans about removing U.S. troops from the peninsula in exchange for a peace treaty, the official responded in a background call with reporters last week, "I've never discussed that in any round of negotiations." WATCH: What's Happened Since the First US-DPRK Summit? Another possibility is that the summit pivots from an emphasis on denuclearization. There is speculation the two leaders could announce an agreement to exchange liaison officers, a step short of diplomatic recognition that would see full-fledged ambassadors posted to each other's capitals. Trump has hinted at further one-on-one diplomacy between himself and Kim. "I don't think this will be the last meeting by any chance," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office last Wednesday. One desired outcome for the U.S. president is a Nobel Peace Prize, for which he says Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has already nominated him. "While the thought of Trump as a Nobel laureate seems patently absurd, he desperately wants to win, and there have been some other patently absurd winners in the past, including the recent past," Kuznick tells VOA. "So, let's see if Trump can pull a rabbit out of his hat or out of somewhere and surprise the world." WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is going after director Spike Lee, who used his Oscar acceptance speech to urge mobilization for the 2020 election. Trump tweeted Monday that Lee did a "racist hit on your President." Trump claimed that he had "done more for African Americans" than "almost" any other president. Spike Lee arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party o Spike Lee arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Spike Lee arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Lee won for best adapted screenplay for his white supremacist drama "BlacKkKlansman," sharing the award with three co-writers. The film includes footage of Trump after the violent white supremacist protests in Charlottesville, Virginia. Lee did not directly name Trump. He spoke about black history and his family history, saying his grandmother's mother was a slave, before stressing the presidential election next year. Said Lee: "Let's all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love versus hate." A top House Democrat says his committee will sue the Trump administration if the Justice Department withholds the Mueller report from the public. "We will obviously subpoena the report, we will bring Bob Mueller in to testify before Congress, we will take it to court, if necessary," Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff told ABC's This Week program Sunday. "We are going to get to the bottom of this. We are going to share this information with the public and if the president is serious about all of his claims of exoneration, then he should welcome the publication of this report." Reports say Robert Mueller is wrapping up his investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to turn the 2016 presidential election in Trump's favor, and if the president obstructed justice in the probe. Schiff Vows Lawsuit for Mueller Report if It's Not Released A top House Democrat threatened Sunday to call special counsel Robert Mueller to Capitol Hill, subpoena documents and take the Trump administration to court if necessary if the full report on the Russia investigation is not made public. Intelligence chairman Adam Schiff told ABC's "This Week" that his committee will be watching Attorney General William Barr to see if he were "to try to bury any part of this report." He warns there will be intense scrutiny and pressure on Barr to fully release the A top House Democrat threatened Sunday to call special counsel Robert Mueller to Capitol Hill, subpoena documents and take the Trump administration to court if necessary if the full report on the Russia investigation is not made public. Intelligence chairman Adam Schiff told ABC's "This Week" that his committee will be watching Attorney General William Barr to see if he were "to try to bury any part of this report." He warns there will be intense scrutiny and pressure on Barr to fully release the Mueller will hand over his report to the Justice Department which, based on Mueller's recommendations, will decide if anyone should be charged with a crime. Attorney General William Barr failed to make it clear during his confirmation hearings whether he would release the report to the public. But Barr said in his written testimony that he wants as much "transparency" as he can. "If he were to try to withhold or try to bury any part of this report, that will be his legacy and it will be a tarnished legacy," Schiff said. "So I think there will be immense pressure not only on the department, but on the attorney general to be forthcoming." While many Republicans also say they believe the public needs to know the whole story, Republican Senator Roy Blunt said he does not think Congress can subpoena the report. But Blunt said "We need to get the facts out there, get this behind us in a way that people thought that anybody that should have been talked to was talked to, any question that schooled have been asked was asked." Blunt appeared on CBS television's Face the Nation. TEHRAN - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday on his first visit to the Islamic republic since the start of the Syrian conflict. During talks, Assad expressed his gratitude to Iran for all that it has done for Syria during the nearly eight-year war, the Syrian presidency said. The leaders "reviewed the fraternal and strong relations between their two peoples, which have been the main factor in maintaining Syria and Iran in the face of plots by enemy countries," the presidency said. Khamenei told Assad that "Iran considers helping the government and nation of Syria to be helping the resistance movement and is proud of it from the bottom of its heart," his website said. "The creation of the buffer that the Americans are seeking to create in Syria is an example of these dangerous conspiracies which must be strongly denounced and resisted," Khamenei added. He called Assad "the hero of the Arab world" and said his steadfastness made the "resistance more powerful and respected." Iran and Russia have been the key allies supporting Assad as he has battled to maintain his grip over Syria during nearly eight years of fighting that has claimed more than 360,000 lives. Tehran has repeatedly said it does not send regular troops to fight in Syria, but has only provided military advisers and militia fighters from various countries. Photographs published on the leader's website showed the commander of the Revolutionary Guards Quds Force, Major General Qassem Soleimani, was present at the meeting with Khamenei. In this photo released by the Syrian official news In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, left, speaks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during their meeting in Tehran, Syria, Feb. 25, 2019. In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, left, speaks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during their meeting in Tehran, Syria, Feb. 25, 2019. Assad also met with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani during his trip. "The Islamic Republic of Iran as before will be alongside the people and government of Syria," the Iranian government's official website quoted Rouhani as saying. With the help from its allies, Assad's regime has retaken swathes of territory from rebels and jihadists since 2015 and now controls around two-thirds of Syria, including its main cities. 'Economic cooperation' During their meeting Rouhani assured Assad that "Tehran will be alongside Damascus in the stabilization, return of refugees and internal political process." Damascus and Tehran signed a string of deals in late January, including a long-term "economic cooperation" agreement. At the time, Assad said the deals were meant to "help consolidate Syrian and Iranian resilience against the economic war waged against them by some Western states." The conflict in Syria has caused nearly $400 billion of destruction, according to the United Nations. Khamenei's website said the meeting with Assad took place Monday morning, but gave no information on whether the Syrian leader remained in Iran. Assad's only other trips outside his homeland since the war began in March 2011 with a brutal crackdown by his forces have been to Russia. U.S. forces have conducted an airstrike in Somalia that killed 35 al-Shabab militants, officials said Monday, in the latest in a string of attacks against the al-Qaida affiliate. Sunday's strike took place in the Hiran region of central Somalia and targeted armed Shabab fighters "as they were transitioning between locations in a rural area" and trying to "mass their forces," the U.S. military's Africa Command said in a statement. "At this time, it is assessed this airstrike killed 35 terrorists," the statement read. Hiran, Somalia Although the military did not specify, such airstrikes in Somalia are typically carried out by armed drones. The Pentagon has increased the rate of strikes in Somalia in recent years, partly because President Donald Trump loosened constraints on when the U.S. military can take action against alleged terrorists. Shabab fighters were pushed out of Somalia's capital in 2011, and subsequently from other towns and cities, by African Union troops. However, the Islamists still hold sway in large parts of the countryside. They launch regular gun and bomb attacks on government, military and civilian targets in Mogadishu as well as ambushes on military convoys and outposts. In one strike last month, Africa Command said it killed 52 Somali militants. In December, the U.S. military said it had killed 62 Shabab militants during six airstrikes in the Horn of Africa nation. But Africa Command head General Thomas Waldhauser this month told U.S. lawmakers that airstrikes alone would not stop Shabab, and he called on Somalia's army to take more responsibility in the fight. BOGOTA - The Trump administration stands with the U.S.-recognized interim president of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, "100 percent," Vice President Mike Pence said Monday as he announced new financial assistance for the Venezuelan people. "We stand with you, and along with all the nations gathered here today, we will keep standing with you until democracy and liberty are restored," Pence said in a speech delivered to the Lima Group, following a trilateral meeting in Bogota, Colombia, with Guaido and Colombian President Ivan Duque. Pence said disputed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro "must go." While in Bogota, Pence and regional leaders discussed strategy to hasten the departure of Maduro and how to get humanitarian aid currently piling up on the border in Brazil and Colombia into Venezuela, where supplies of food and medicine have run low. A man walks past boxes of USAID humanitarian aid a A man walks past boxes of USAID humanitarian aid at a warehouse at the Tienditas International Bridge on the outskirts of Cucuta, Colombia, Feb. 21, 2019, on the border with Venezuela. A man walks past boxes of USAID humanitarian aid at a warehouse at the Tienditas International Bridge on the outskirts of Cucuta, Colombia, Feb. 21, 2019, on the border with Venezuela. Pence also announced additional sanctions on Maduro regime officials Monday, including three border state governors implicated in violence over the weekend and a member of Maduro's "inner circle." These men worked to block aid for people in need and suppress peaceful protests while their tyrant danced in Caracas. Their actions will not go unpunished," he said. "In the days ahead as well, the United States will announce even stronger sanctions on the regime's corrupt financial networks. We will work with all of you to find every last dollar that they've stolen and work to return it to the Venezuelan people," Pence added. US, Venezuela Opposition to Discuss Ways to Oust Maduro The United States is planning new ways to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to give up power and other means to provide assistance to the people of the economically devastated South American nation after a weekend effort failed to deliver aid.Vice President Mike Pence travels Monday to the Colombian capital to meet with members of a regional coalition and Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido to discuss the next steps aimed at ousting Maduro. The United States is planning new ways to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to give up power and other means to provide assistance to the people of the economically devastated South American nation after a weekend effort failed to deliver aid.Vice President Mike Pence travels Monday to the Colombian capital to meet with members of a regional coalition and Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido to discuss the next steps aimed at ousting Maduro. Pence also announced that "the United States will provide an additional $56 million to support our partners in the region as they come to the aid of the Venezuelan people." The Lima Group meeting was held after a weekend of unrest and violence on the Venezuelan borders with Colombia and Brazil, where Maduro's troops and loyalists have blocked the delivery of food and medical supplies. Maduro insists the aid is a pretext for an armed U.S. invasion. "Maduro's loyalists turned on their own people. As the world watched, they set fire to trucks loaded with food and medicine desperately needed by the Venezuelan people," Pence said in his speech. Bolivarian National Guard troops man a barricade b Bolivarian National Guard troops man a barricade blocking access to the Francisco De Paula Santander international bridge in Urena, Venezuela, on the border with Colombia, Feb. 23, 2019. Bolivarian National Guard troops man a barricade blocking access to the Francisco De Paula Santander international bridge in Urena, Venezuela, on the border with Colombia, Feb. 23, 2019. Use of force Guaido has called on the international community to consider "all options" to resolve Venezuela's crisis. His rhetoric is similar to President Donald Trump's, who has said "all options are always on the table." "All political and diplomatic resources have been exhausted. Now, what can we do as a region in order to support Venezuela?" he said in remarks Monday. "You can choose to accept President Guaido's generous offer of amnesty, to live your life in peace with your families and countrymen. But if you choose the other path: continuing to support Maduro, you will ultimately be held accountable," Pence said Monday. Guaido declared himself interim president in late January and is recognized by the U.S. and dozens of other countries as Venezuela's legitimate head of state. Aid not getting through None of the aid that's currently piling up in Colombia and Brazil has been able to get through Maduro's forces. At one border point, aid trucks caught fire, leading the crowd to rush to save the boxes of food and medical supplies. A U.S. State Department official traveling with the American and Brazilian aid convoy told VOA that two trucks crossed the border into Venezuela on Saturday but were not allowed through the military checkpoint there and turned back to the Brazilian side. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (L) delive UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, left, delivers a speech at the opening day of the 40th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Feb. 25, 2019 in Geneva. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, left, delivers a speech at the opening day of the 40th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Feb. 25, 2019 in Geneva. U.N. condemns violence On Sunday, United Nations Secretary-GeneralAntonio Guterres, and the head of the U.N. human rights office, Michelle Bachelet, called for violence to be "avoided at any cost and for lethal force not to be used in any circumstances." On Saturday, Maduro supporters fired bullets at those attempting to get aid trucks into Venezuela, while Venezuelan border troops fired tear gas and rubber bullets. Pence on Monday, referring to Maduro as the "tyrant in Caracas," said the violence over the weekend has "only steeled our resolve" to support Guaido. According to the U.N., "The excessive use of force used by the Venezuelan security forces, as well as the involvement of pro-government elements," have resulted in at least four confirmed deaths and more than 300 injuries on Friday and Saturday. FILE - Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro pumps FILE - Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro pumps his fist during a pro-government demonstration in Caracas, Venezuela, Feb. 12, 2019. FILE - Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro pumps his fist during a pro-government demonstration in Caracas, Venezuela, Feb. 12, 2019. Dany Bahar, a Venezuela expert at the Brookings Institution, said the next steps for the international community will be to find ways to increase pressure diplomatically and financially on the Maduro regime and "to try to get the United Nations on board, which has not happened yet." Critics of the U.S.'s confrontational polices are concerned they will only exacerbate tensions in the region and make it more difficult to reach a peaceful resolution to the political standoff in the country. "If they didn't intervene in the way they're doing now, there would be some kind of compromise that would emerge through negotiation. And they don't want that," said Mark Weisbrot, a Latin America analyst and co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington. However, Trump administration supporters point out that the government security forces in Venezuela are responsible for the violent repression in the country and the killing of innocent civilians. "One side has all the guns, and that's the regime of Nicolas Maduro," said Roger Noriega, who was an assistant secretary of state for Latin America during the administration of President George W. Bush and is now a political analyst with the American Enterprise Institute. ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN - Pakistan has decided to allow hundreds of thousands of Afghans residing in the country as legal refugees to open accounts in local banks, enabling them to formally participate in the national economy. The country hosts more than 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees, making Pakistan one of the largest refugee-hosting nations in the world, according to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, or UNHCR. The displaced families have fled decades of conflict, persecution and economic hardship in Afghanistan. I have issued instructions today that Afghan refugees who are registered can open bank accounts and from now onwards they can participate in the formal economy of the country, Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted Monday (@ImranKhanPTI). This should have been done a long time ago, he said. Local laws prevent refugees from conducting transactions through Pakistani banks, forcing Afghans to rely on informal channels and local partners to conduct business and trade-related activities to feed their families. The UNHCR welcomed Mondays announcement. I commend Prime Minister Imran Khan, the government and the people of Pakistan for taking this important step in support of Afghan refugees - a forward-looking, generous gesture of solidarity of global significance, said UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi. The refugee agency noted that opening of bank accounts will allow refugees extended family members, living abroad, to send remittances through formal banking channels, which will help increase the foreign exchange reserve in Pakistan. A UNHCR official told VOA on condition of anonymity that the agency has for years been in talks with Pakistani officials to seek banking facilities for the displaced Afghan community. He noted that discussions with the Pakistani government are also ongoing to secure permission for Afghan refugees to obtain a driver's license. Pakistan also hosts nearly a million undocumented Afghans, who are currently undergoing the documentation process. They are, however, not entitled to the banking sector because they are considered illegal economic migrants. An Afghan refugee who fled his country due to war An Afghan refugee who fled his country due to war and famine shows his registration in Peshawar, Pakistan, Oct. 25, 2017. An Afghan refugee who fled his country due to war and famine shows his registration in Peshawar, Pakistan, Oct. 25, 2017. Granting citizenship Late last year, Prime Minister Khan promised at a public rally his government would try to grant citizenship to Afghans who were born or grew up in refugee camps in Pakistan. The fate of that announcement remains unclear, however, as it instantly triggered strong criticism from some opposition political parties. Khan has taken steps in recent days to improve Pakistans mistrusted and suspicion-marred relations with Afghanistan. The prime minister tasked officials last month to make arrangements and implement them within the next six months to keep open round the clock the main Torkham border crossing between the two brotherly countries to boost bilateral trade and people-to-people contacts. Mutual political tensions have led to indefinite and abrupt border closures in recent years, leading to a significant decline in trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Islamabad is also unilaterally constructing a robust fence along a nearly 2,600-kilometer traditionally open and porous Afghan border to try to stop terrorist infiltration in either direction. Pakistani soldiers stand guard at a newly erected FILE - Pakistani soldiers stand guard at a newly erected fence between Pakistan and Afghanistan at Angore Adda, Pakistan, Oct. 18, 2017. FILE - Pakistani soldiers stand guard at a newly erected fence between Pakistan and Afghanistan at Angore Adda, Pakistan, Oct. 18, 2017. Kabul opposes the border security project because it disputes the former British colonial era demarcation, objections Pakistani officials dismiss. Pakistan also plans to soon introduce relaxed and better facilities at its diplomatic missions in Afghanistan to facilitate thousands of Afghan visa seekers who gather daily outside the Pakistani embassy and consulates. A Foreign Ministry official told VOA that Pakistani missions daily issue almost 4,000 visas to Afghans, including women and children, enabling them to see their relatives, seek medical treatment, education and undertake business activities in Pakistan. Pakistani officials says all of their diplomatic missions in Afghanistan issued nearly 750,000 visas in 2018. On a daily basis, Afghanistans embassy and three consulates in Pakistan issue a total of around 600 visas to Pakistanis, including laborers, business people and those working for non-governmental organizations, a senior official at the Afghan embassy in Islamabad told VOA. Under a mutual agreement, both countries issue visas free of charge. TAIPEI, TAIWAN - China will increase military, diplomatic and other kinds of pressure against proudly self-ruled Taiwan to deliver on President Xi Jinpings demand in January that the two sides unify, a China policy maker in Taipei told VOA Monday. We believe it will step up measures to contact and merge with Taiwan, said Chiu Chui-cheng, deputy minister with Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council. So, I think that perhaps military threats, diplomatic pressure and economic absorption, as well as the pressure to penetrate into and divide all of Taiwanese society, will get stronger bit by bit. China claims sovereignty over Taiwan, but the island is self-ruled, and 83 percent of Taiwanese like it that way, according to Mainland Affairs Council figures. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, elected in 2016, rejects Beijings dialogue condition that both sides see themselves as part of a single China. Beijing has responded by cutting off dialogue, buzzing Taiwans airspace with military planes and passing an aircraft carrier fleet through the Taiwan Strait. A year ago, Beijing rolled out 31 incentives to lure Taiwanese people over for work, study and investment. FILE - Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen speaks duri FILE - Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen speaks during a news conference in Taipei, Jan. 5, 2019. FILE - Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen speaks during a news conference in Taipei, Jan. 5, 2019. Xi told a live internet broadcast Jan. 2 that the two sides should pursue a one country, two systems model of unification that his government applied to Hong Kong in 1997. China said that year it had given the former British colony local autonomy. Xi also said China had not ruled out the use of force, if needed, to make Taiwan unify. In addition to hard power like diplomacy, military and economics, it will do more penetration and cause more division by organize agents, Chiu said in an exclusive interview. The agents will be included in the media, political parties, universities and civic groups to find people who support them and then plot to split Taiwanese unity. The main opposition Nationalist Party said in a statement Monday it had opened a cross-Strait cities dialogue service center for mayors and county magistrates that want relations with China because the dialogue between government and mainland China is in a state of stagnation. Deepening divide China and Taiwan have been ruled separately since the Chinese civil war of the 1940s, when the losing Nationalists fled to Taiwan and rebased their government. Communist China has always insisted the two sides eventually unite politically. Relations warmed from 2008 to 2016 under ex-President Ma Ying-jeou, but Ma eventually met protests from Taiwanese who felt his government had grown too close with Beijing. At least 10 military flybys had been logged between 2015 and the end of 2017. Chinas first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, has passed through the Taiwan Strait at least four times during Tsais term to date in office. Since 2016, China has persuaded five countries to switch diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing, the Taiwan foreign ministry said. Tsai is eligible for reelection in 2020, likely against an opposition candidate who backs stronger China-Taiwan ties. China's banner reading "One Country, Two Systems, China's banner reading "One Country, Two Systems, One Unified China" is seen through a tourist's binoculars from a former military fort, ahead of the 60th anniversary of Second Taiwan Straits Crisis against China, in Lieyu island, Kinmen county, Taiwan, Aug. 20, 2018. China's banner reading "One Country, Two Systems, One Unified China" is seen through a tourist's binoculars from a former military fort, ahead of the 60th anniversary of Second Taiwan Straits Crisis against China, in Lieyu island, Kinmen county, Taiwan, Aug. 20, 2018. Help from Washington Taiwan will look to the United States, for help in standing up against China, Chiu said. The United States has announced two arms sales to Taiwan under U.S. President Donald Trump, and it regularly passes its naval ships in waters claimed by China. The White House last year condemned other countries for switching diplomatic allegiance from Taipei to Beijing. Washington sees democratic Taiwan as part of a chain of allies in East Asia that form a checkpoint against the maritime expansion of China, a former Cold War foe. The resolute support of the U.S. government is a trusted source for us in facing these challenges, Chiu said. U.S. support for Taiwan is support for democracy and support for our universal values. So, this is also extremely important for people in positions of leadership in the United States. Public opinion Many people in Taiwan hope it leans more on Washington, though theyre also torn by Chinas offer of easy access to its giant market for work and investment, scholars say. Taiwans society might have two paths, said Andy Chang, China studies professor at Tamkang University in Taiwan. One is a path favoring China, and the other favoring the United States. (The government) definitely hopes Taiwan society will pick the U.S. path, toward the international community, and not the China path, the market path. Taiwanese voters said before local elections in November they hoped their officials would find a way to talk with China - while maintaining the islands self-rule. A lot of people know that mainland China is of course a threat to Taiwan, but you have to coexist with mainland China, and the best is in a peaceful way, said Huang Kwei-bo, vice dean of the international affairs college at National Chengchi University in Taipei. Dialogue is hard as long as China demands unification and keeps weapons pointed at the island, Chiu said. BERLIN - Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier came under fire over a congratulatory telegram sent to Iran on the 40th anniversary of the Islamic revolution, with a Jewish community leader on Monday joining a chorus of criticism. Taking aim at Steinmeier for failing to include criticisms of the Islamic regime in the message, Josef Schuster, who heads Germany's Central Council of Jews, said that "routine diplomacy appears to have overtaken critical thinking". "It is incomprehensible that sensitivity was missing in the topic of Iran in the president's office," Schuster told Bild daily. "If it was necessary to send congratulations on this anniversary, then the president should have at least found some clear words criticizing the regime," he added. Human Rights Watch's director for Germany, Wenzel Michalski, has also called the message "shocking." The foreign policy chief of the business-friendly FDP party, Frank Mueller-Rosentritt, said the telegram must have felt like a "resounding slap in the face for our friends in Israel who are exposed to constant threats of annihilation by Iran". The telegram has not been made public by the president's office. But Bild last week quoted excerpts of the message, which it said included Steinmeier's promise to do all in his power to implement the nuclear deal on limiting Tehran's atomic program. The newspaper said however that there was no mention of Tehran's backing of Hamas and Hezbollah in the message. At the government's weekly briefing, foreign ministry spokesman Rainer Breul said there had been a "misunderstanding." "To our knowledge, the president did not send congratulations for the anniversary of the Islamic revolution. His congratulations were on the occasion of Iran's national day celebrations. Both days fall on the same day. "It is common practice for states that have diplomatic relations to send congratulations on national day celebrations," Breul said on Friday. LIBREVILLE - President Ali Bongo, whose stroke last October plunged Gabon into uncertainty, held a string of meetings on Monday ahead of the first gathering of the cabinet, according to the government. The authorities released photos of Bongo meeting the heads of the Constitutional Court and National Assembly and his chief of staff. Film footage was also disseminated on social media, showing Bongo waving to passers-by through the lowered window of his car as it negotiated heavy traffic in the capital Libreville. Gabon's Ailing President Returns for Government Swearing-in Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who has been out of the country for health reasons since October, has returned for the swearing-in of his new government. Bongo's return comes a week after an attempted coup by officers with the Republican Guard. Two of the plotters were killed and four others were arrested and face life sentences, authorities have said. Local media said Bongo arrived overnight from Morocco, where he had been recovering from a reported stroke he suffered in Saudi Arabia. Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who has been out of the country for health reasons since October, has returned for the swearing-in of his new government. Bongo's return comes a week after an attempted coup by officers with the Republican Guard. Two of the plotters were killed and four others were arrested and face life sentences, authorities have said. Local media said Bongo arrived overnight from Morocco, where he had been recovering from a reported stroke he suffered in Saudi Arabia. National Assembly president Faustin Boukoubi told Gabon 24 television that he was "pleasantly surprised" by the meeting with Bongo. It had "warmed his heart" to meet Bongo, Boukoubi said, adding that the president had "retained his powers of memory" and "lucidity" and was "very alert". A statement from the president's office said Bongo had also received several ministers and added that "the new government's first cabinet meeting" under Prime Minister Julien Nkoghe Bekale would be held on Tuesday. Bongo returned to Gabon overnight from Morocco, where he has been receiving treatment after suffering a cerebral haemorrhage on October 24 while on a visit to Saudi Arabia, officials said. He "may go back" to Morocco later, an aide to Bongo told AFP. On January 15, Bongo made a swift return from Morocco to preside over the swearing-in of new ministers. Official footage of that ceremony showed him opening and closing the session, and a few brief shots showed him seated in a wheelchair and squinting slightly. During his months abroad, speculation about Bongo's health has proliferated despite the government's insistence that he was in good shape. His prolonged absence also stoked concern about a vacuum of power, apparently sparking a brief attempted coup by renegade soldiers on January 7. Bongo took office after an election in 2009 that followed the death of his father, former president Omar Bongo, who took office in 1967. Bongo senior had the reputation of being one of the wealthiest men in the world, allegedly amassing a fortune derived from Gabon's oil. PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday welcomed the United States' decision to leave American troops in Syria, a reversal by U.S. President Donald Trump that came after an outcry from coalition allies such as France. "On the U.S. decision, I can only but welcome this choice," Macron told a news conference with his Iraqi counterpart Barham Salih. "The U.S. decision is a good thing. We will continue to operate in the region within the coalition." In December, Trump ordered the withdrawal of all 2,000 troops in Syria after he said they had defeated Islamic State militants, an abrupt decision that sparked consternation among allies and was a factor in his defense secretary's resignation. Macron had personally sought to convince Trump to maintain troops in Syria, French diplomats said at the time, warning him about the risks of pulling out too early. The United States will leave about 400 U.S. troops split between two different regions of Syria, a senior administration official said last Friday. WASHINGTON - Hundreds of women and children boarded trucks and evacuated the final piece of land still held by Islamic State Monday, prolonging the more than week-long exodus and delaying the U.S.-led coalition's final assault on the last shred of the terror group's self-declared caliphate. Observers on the ground outside the village of Baghuz said the latest evacuation included a convoy of about 25 vehicles carrying mostly family members of IS fighters to the nearby al-Hol camp for displaced persons in northeastern Syria. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a total of about 1,400 people have now left Baghuz in the past 24 hours, including dozens of suspected IS fighters. US-Backed Syrian Forces Hand Over 150 IS Militants to Iraq Iraqi security officials say they have received custody of a second batch of 150 Iraqi Islamic State fighters from U.S.-backed forces in Syria. Two officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of media regulations, said the Syrian Democratic Forces handed over Iraqi nationals on Saturday night. The fighters will be interrogated about their participation with the jihadist group, the officials said. The SDF has told Iraqi authorities it has captured 650 Iraqi militants in the fighting Iraqi security officials say they have received custody of a second batch of 150 Iraqi Islamic State fighters from U.S.-backed forces in Syria. Two officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of media regulations, said the Syrian Democratic Forces handed over Iraqi nationals on Saturday night. The fighters will be interrogated about their participation with the jihadist group, the officials said. The SDF has told Iraqi authorities it has captured 650 Iraqi militants in the fighting The number of civilians, both IS family members as well as prisoners and slaves, still holed-up in a tiny pocket of territory has shocked the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, which have been leading the ground campaign against the terror group. Just a week ago, SDF commanders estimated there were maybe 1,000 civilians still in the village along with about 300 of the "most-hardened" IS fighters. But the SDF says about 6,000 civilians have streamed out of the IS tent city in just the past several days. And commanders now worry that thousands more may still be hidden in a complex network of tunnels and caves beneath the village, which may also hold an unknown number of IS fighters. "It is too hard to get a realistic total when the enemy is using tunnels and other hideouts," coalition spokesman Col. Sean Ryan told VOA Monday. "Right now, the safety of the civilians in the Baghuz area is paramount and the SDF is working this complex issue very well and ensuring ISIS fighters do not get through the screening process," he added, using an acronym for the terror group. A fighter from Syrian Democratic Forces checks a m A fighter from Syrian Democratic Forces checks a man near the village of Baghuz, Deir Al Zor province, Syria, Feb. 22, 2019. A fighter from Syrian Democratic Forces checks a man near the village of Baghuz, Deir Al Zor province, Syria, Feb. 22, 2019. SDF commanders have said repeatedly they intend to wait until all civilians are evacuated from Baghuz before they launch a final assault. Even coalition airstrikes in the area have focused mostly on pushing back IS fighters when they have blocked escape routes in an effort to prevent the civilians from leaving. In the meantime, SDF officials have been voicing growing concern over the number of civilians and fighters now in their custody. "The burden which is already too heavy for us 2 handle is getting even heavier," SDF spokesman Mustafa Bali tweeted on Saturday. As thousands of foreigners flee Daeshs crumbling caliphate, the burden which is already too heavy for us 2 handle is getting even heavier. This will remain as the biggest challenge awaiting us unless governments take action and fulfill their responsibilities for THEIR CITIZENS. pic.twitter.com/c5Yc9GWECk Mustafa Bali (@mustefabali) February 23, 2019 "This will remain as the biggest challenge awaiting us unless governments take action and fulfill their responsibilities for THEIR CITIZENS," he added. U.S. and coalition officials have said there are at least 800 IS foreign fighters currently in SDF custody, though some SDF estimates put the number at more than twice that. And while U.S. officials have long been pushing for countries of origin to take back their own foreign fighters and prosecute them, many nations have been reluctant to do so. But there are indications some countries are finding other solutions. Women and children exit the back of a truck, part Women and children exit the back of a truck, part of a convoy evacuating hundreds out of the last territory held by Islamic State militants, in the desert near Baghuz, eastern Syria, Feb. 22, 2019. Women and children exit the back of a truck, part of a convoy evacuating hundreds out of the last territory held by Islamic State militants, in the desert near Baghuz, eastern Syria, Feb. 22, 2019. On Monday, Iraq confirmed it has taken custody of 13 IS fighters from the SDF. "They are accused of having commanded operations against Iraqis and Iraqi installations in Iraq, and they will be tried according to Iraqi law," Iraqi President Barham Salih said during a visit to Paris, suggesting his country might be willing to prosecute other foreign fighters as well. "We are acting within the confines of international law on this matter," Salih added speaking alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. Other Iraqi officials had previously said all 13 fighters were of French origin. The Pentagon Monday told VOA that despite the apparent agreement, the best way to mitigate any future threat is for countries of origin to repatriate and prosecute their own foreign fighters themselves. Some information in this report is from Reuters. In the busy streets of Yangon, access to communication appears to be expanding as mobile phone users can be spotted making calls, sending messages and reading news stories from the Internet. But the promises of an open society that helped put the National League for Democracy in power have become a distant dream for many who dare to speak out. In a nondescript third floor office near the city center, a band of activists and researchers are busy monitoring the clampdown on free speech by the same government that safeguarded free speech just a few short years ago, following the 2016 election victory. Poet Maung Saung Kha, who was the first person jailed under the controversial Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications law for defamation, formed Athan, an activist group monitoring peaceful critics and journalists who have been prosecuted using the countrys repressive laws. The 27-year-old activist published a poem on his Face Book page in 2015 which included a line saying he had a tattoo of the Myanmar president on his penis, which resulted in a six-month jail term. There were already many rules and laws that could be used to repress the people, but instead of getting rid of them the current government is continuing to use the laws just like the former government to protect themselves from criticisms, said Saung Kha. "We can see that freedom of speech in Myanmar is getting worse now. The most obvious sign is that there are more reporters detained and imprisoned under this government, he added. Repeated calls by VOA to Myanmar government officials for comment on this story went unanswered. New laws needed? But supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi say that constitutional amendments will be needed to insure better protection for citizens. Former political prisoner U Shell - who spent 14 years behind bars following the 1988 student uprising - says the process could take some more time. "Currently the Home Affairs Ministry is the main element, which has full power to control every aspect of the country. Home Ministry is the driving force to govern and is controlled by the military, Shell said. According to the 2008 constitution, the Home Affairs, Defense, and Border Affairs ministries must be headed by serving military men. Key posts of all departments are the old men and they still support to military, but not support to NLD and its government, said former political prisoner Linn Thant, who now lives in exile working as a Myanmar analyst in the Czech Republic. If [Aung San Suu Kyi], its party and hybrid government carry out the local administrative departments to be under the control of civilian elected president, the situation about freedom of speech will be better, Thant added. While a clampdown on free speech and peaceful assembly is being used increasingly, the use of hate rhetoric through social media is also rising, often through military-connected media groups. FILE - This picture taken on Dec. 18, 2018 shows M FILE - This picture taken on Dec. 18, 2018 shows Myanmar youths browsing their Facebook page at an internet shop in Yangon. FILE - This picture taken on Dec. 18, 2018 shows Myanmar youths browsing their Facebook page at an internet shop in Yangon. The military uses social media to spread hate speech in line with their political agenda.Particularly on delicate issues like religion from both anti and pro groups, which create more unnecessary problems.That is why Article 66 (D) is necessary for them, said Shell. However, critics point out that prosecutions under one of the most commonly used laws, Section 66(D) of the Telecommunications Act, has to be approved by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, which is run by an NLD appointee. The number of those cases that have been approved that are abusive, absurd cases involving criticism that should never be the subject of criminal penalties is very high so clearly there is some control there that is not being exercised in order to protect freedom of press and freedom of speech in the country, said Human Rights Watch legal adviser Linda Lakhdhir. The rights group released a report earlier this month (Dashed Hopes: The Criminalization of Peaceful Expression in Myanmar) showing a marked increase in the prosecution of activists and journalists using an overly broad, vague, and abusive laws to prosecute peaceful speech and assembly, according to the report. While international development expands, rights groups say foreign businesses should be wary. If you're a business considering investing in a country where you could go to jail for raising issues about corruption or questions about mismanagement in the local government where your investment is, you should really be thinking twice about whether or not thats a country where you should be putting your money because thats a risky investment, said Lakhdhir. As Myanmars 2020 election draws closer, observers are questioning whether it can be free and fair without allowing full freedom of speech and expression. We are concerned that many of the ethnic groups do not feel that they are not being properly included , are not being consulted and are being marginalized, says Lakhdhir. Those who speak out against that, such as the youth that were protesting in Karenni state in recent weeks, are arrested are prosecuted, [and] are sometimes met with force by the police. Early results from Nigeria's presidential election show incumbent Muhammahu Buhari in the lead, but the main opposition party is rejecting the vote counts, calling them "incorrect and unacceptable." Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said Monday Buhari had won the vote in at least six states, with main challenger Atiku Abubakar winning in the Federal Capital Territory. The chairman of Abubakar's People's Democratic Party, Uche Secondus, said the party has discovered "irregularities" in Nasarawa state and the capital. Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, he alleged the Buhari administration has colluded with INEC to manipulate results from polling units across the country. Secondus said the PDP has what he called the "original results" from polling stations around the country. A woman cast her votes during the presidential and A woman cast her votes during the presidential and National Assembly elections in Damilu Yola, Nigeria, Feb. 23, 2019. A woman cast her votes during the presidential and National Assembly elections in Damilu Yola, Nigeria, Feb. 23, 2019. Voting took place Saturday in all of Nigeria's 36 states and the federal capital territory, although INEC postponed the polls in some areas where voting was disrupted. The Situation Room, an umbrella group of more than 70 civil society organizations, says at least 39 people had been killed in election-related violence. Despite the rescheduling of some elections, INEC said it was "generally satisfied" with the vote, the French news agency reported. In a statement Monday, U.S. Ambassador Stuart Symington called on Nigerians to be patient and refrain from violence as INEC compiles and announces the results. An electoral worker checks ballot boxes at the ele An electoral worker checks ballot boxes at the electoral commission office in Yola, Nigeria, Feb. 24, 2019. An electoral worker checks ballot boxes at the electoral commission office in Yola, Nigeria, Feb. 24, 2019. "No one should break the law by announcing results before INEC does, or break the peace by claiming victory before the results are final," Symington said. Political tensions were high last week as Nigerians prepared to elect a new president and parliament. During the campaign, Buhari's All Progressives Congress and the People's Democratic Party accused each other of attempting to fix the outcome. Last week, Buhari urged the military to be "ruthless" with anyone who tries to interfere in the voting process. The remark drew sharp criticism from Abubakar, who said the military has "no role to play" in the elections. Nigeria's elections were initially planned for February 16 but the electoral commission, citing logistical issues, abruptly postponed them just five hours before polling stations were set to open. After ruling briefly as a military dictator in the 1980s, Buhari won the 2015 election, becoming the first opposition candidate to defeat a sitting president. Somali officials say al-Shabab militants shot dead nine civilians in a suburb of Mogadishu Monday. Officials say the militants attacked 11 civilians who were cleaning the streets and started shooting them in Lafole suburb, Lower Shabelle region. Lafole is about 20km west of Mogadishu. Regional governor Mohamed Ibrahim Barre told VOA Somali that six women and three men were killed by the militants; the other two workers were injured in the attack. Barre said the militants do not want the people to clean the streets because they use the garbage, trees and undergrowth to disguise their improvised explosive devices. Meanwhile, the United States military has reported carrying out four new strikes against al-Shabab in Lower Shabelle region. The U.S. Africa command said the strikes targeted al-Shabab facilities and checkpoints in Kunyo Barrow, Jannaale and Awdhegle, killing two militants. The al-Shabab militant group claimed the two people killed were civilians including a child. The U.S. military said no civilians were killed or injured in the strikes. WASHINGTON - In the 17th century, a fearsome group of African soldiers defended their kingdom against invaders and marauders. Well-trained and thousands strong, the Women Warriors of Dahomey inspired fear and won battles for more than 200 years in what is now Benin. In 20th-century Eritrea, women fought alongside men and led soldiers into combat throughout the countrys 30-year struggle for independence. They healed the wounded in underground hospitals sheltered from enemy fire and helped repair equipment for return to the battlefield. A collage of images of female soldiers displayed i A collage of images of female soldiers displayed in Asmara, Eritrea, 2012. A collage of images of female soldiers displayed in Asmara, Eritrea, 2012. For hundreds of years, women have played a vital role in African peace and security. Theyve sacrificed in liberation struggles and offered unique skills in peacekeeping operations. But womens contributions have come at a cost. Despite making strides toward representation across the continents militaries, women continue to fight harassment and discrimination at all levels of service. And when conflicts subside, they often receive fewer recognitions than their male counterparts. Marginalization South Africas military typifies the challenges women face. Gender-mainstreaming policies in the post-apartheid era have led to a steady improvement in representation; women now make up nearly a quarter of the countrys full-time armed forces. But difficulties persist. Ingrained attitudes about womens roles and abilities have led to systemic marginalization and sexualization, according to research funded by the African Peacekeeping Network and the Nation Research Foundation of South Africa. Elsewhere on the continent, women constitute a small number of the armed forces, particularly at higher ranks. And in some countries, women are blocked from certain roles or excluded from the military altogether. Leading armies Preconceptions about womens roles and abilities havent prevented some female soldiers from ascending to the highest ranks of their countries militaries. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, the continents longest-serving female defense minister, has held her post in South Africa since 2012. Kenyas defense minister, Raychelle Omamo, has served since 2013. Liberia Government Troops 1992 A female soldier in the Armed Forces of Liberia, or AFL, returns from the front, Monrovia, Liberia, Saturday, Nov. 14, 1992. (AP/Hassan Amini) A female soldier in the Armed Forces of Liberia, or AFL, returns from the front, Monrovia, Liberia, Saturday, Nov. 14, 1992. (AP/Hassan Amini) And the Central African Republics Marie-Noelle Koyara has led her countrys armed forces for nearly two years. In a conversation with Koyara and VOAs French-to-Africa service, Elizabeth Fitzsimmons, the United States deputy assistant secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs, highlighted the bilateral opportunities that a female defense minister creates. We have a democratically elected government [in the Central African Republic]. We have a military with a minister of defense at the head who is a woman. And I think that speaks volumes about the potential for cooperation between the United States and the Central African Republic, Fitzsimmons said. The CAR has a newfound chance to improve representation throughout its ranks. As part of an effort to bolster security and assume responsibility from international peacekeepers, Koyara plans to rebuild the countrys army. For there to be a return to security, it is necessary for our security forces, of which the Central African Army is part, to be reconstructed, because we have experienced the highs and the lows with this army, Koyara said. So its necessary for an army to be republican and engaged in defending its country and its population. New posts Elsewhere in Africa, Aisha Mohammed Mussa became Ethiopias defense minister in late 2018, after a cabinet reshuffle. And Rose Christiane Raponda, the continents newest female defense minister, assumed office earlier this month after Gabon reorganized its government following a failed coup attempt in January. Other top posts are also going to women. In the last two years, Kenya and Uganda promoted their first female major generals. A female colonel of the Libyan Army holds the nati A female colonel in the Libyan Army holds the national flag as she waits with other soldiers for African leaders at Tripolis airport, Libya, Sunday, April 10, 2011. (AP/Pier Paolo Cito) A female colonel in the Libyan Army holds the national flag as she waits with other soldiers for African leaders at Tripolis airport, Libya, Sunday, April 10, 2011. (AP/Pier Paolo Cito) Peacekeeping role Women also face challenges in peacekeeping missions across Africa, despite offering unique strengths. Female peacekeepers play a critical role in bringing women in conflict areas into the peace process and giving them a voice, according to the United Nations. Women can assist victims of sexual assault and shield children from violence in ways male soldiers cannot. In some cultures, only female peacekeepers can speak to women in need of aid an unknown man doing so could cause fear or offense, shutting down important conversations and interventions. Women make up 22 percent of civilian peacekeeping posts, but they are poorly represented in military roles. In the seven active peacekeeping operations in Africa, women make up less than 4 percent of military personnel. MINURSO, the United Nations Mission for Referendum in Western Sahara, has the highest rate of female troops, at nearly 19 percent, but its also the smallest operation, with just over 200 personnel involved. Zimbabwe Female Officer Air Commodore Ellen Chiweshe is photographed in Harare, Zimbabwe, Monday, Jan. 4, 2016. Chiweshe became the southern African countrys first female air commodore, the number-three post in the air force. (AP) Air Commodore Ellen Chiweshe is photographed in Harare, Zimbabwe, Monday, Jan. 4, 2016. Chiweshe became the southern African countrys first female air commodore, the number-three post in the air force. (AP) Bintou Keita of Guinea, the U.N.s assistant secretary general for peacekeeping operations, said the U.N. is committed to achieving gender parity by 2030. Women peacekeepers act as role models in the local environment, inspiring women and girls in often male-dominated societies to push for their own rights and for participation in peace processes, Keita wrote. As more women take on leadership roles across Africas military, the prospects for representation appear to be growing. Fatuma Ahmed, Kenyas recently appointed major general, told Kenya CitizenTV that women in her country have accomplished a lot, but theyre just getting started. We have doctors, we have engineers, we have lawyers, we have jet pilots, we have pilots in air defense. Weve been able to be deployed in various phases of operations in the military at the tactical level, the operational level. Basically, in defense, in attack, in rescue, in reconnaissance. We are spoiled for choice. This is just the beginning. Idrissa Fall, with VOAs French-to-Africa service, contributed to this report. ISLAMABAD - Afghanistan has started shipping goods to India for the first time through a newly developed Iranian seaport in a bid to improve exports and reduce reliance on routes through its uneasy neighbor, Pakistan. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani traveled Sunday to the western border city of Zaranj to see off the inaugural convoy of 23 trucks loaded with 570 tons of cargo to the Chabahar port in neighboring Iran. The consignment is destined for the Indian port city of Mumbai. For decades, landlocked Afghanistan has mostly relied on Pakistani land and seaports for international trade. But mutual tensions have in recent years significantly reduced Afghan trade and transit activities through Pakistan. Addressing the nationally televised ceremony, Ghani credited a healthy cooperation between India, Iran and Afghanistan for achieving the milestone. He said the new export route will help improve economic growth in his war-shattered country, saying "Afghanistan is not landlocked anymore." New Delhi has financed and developed Irans Chabahar Port to enable Kabul get direct and easy sea trade access. India took operational control of a portion of the Iranian port late last year for 18 months and plans to send cargo ships from its ports of Mumbai, Kandla and Mundra every two weeks, according Indian media reports. The United States last year waived certain anti-Iran sanctions to allow development of Chabahar to support efforts aimed at stabilizing Afghanistan. The waiver has enable India, Iran and Afghanistan to continue their work to establish a new transit and transport corridor linking the three countries to help improve Afghan economy and allow the war-ravaged country to import food and medicines. India successfully shipped 1.1 million tons of wheat to Afghanistan through Chabahar Port in 2017. That year, New Delhi also launched an air corridor with Kabul for bilateral trade. Indian ambassador to Afghanistan, Vinay Kumar, while addressing Sundays ceremony in Zaranj said the air corridor has since helped increased Afghan exports to his country by 40 percent. China also opened an air corridor with Afghanistan in November and has since imported thousands of tons of Afghan pine nuts, bringing much-need foreign exchange to Kabul. Afghanistan is the largest producer of pine nuts in the world, with an annual output of about 23,000 tons. The increase in exports to China has led to an unusual rise in in prices of pine nuts in Afghanistan, say local traders and consumers. Pakistan allows Afghanistan to use its seaports for international trade under a bilateral trade and transit agreement. It also allows use of overland routes for Afghan exports to India. However, Islamabad wants improvement in ties with New Delhi before it will allow Indian exports via the same routes back to Afghanistan. ISLAMABAD - Both the United States and Taliban are indicating that the current round of negotiations in Doha that started Monday may prove more crucial than any other meeting till now. The U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad called the Talibans new negotiating team "more authoritative," adding that this could indicate a "significant moment." The Taliban negotiating team's' spokesman Suhail Shaheen told VOA his side was hoping for "clear and fruitful results" out of the current round. Khalilzad also met, for the first time, with one of the founding members of the Taliban, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, whom he helped get released from Pakistani custody last October to facilitate the peace talks. Last month, Baradar was appointed the head of Talibans political office in Qatar that is leading the negotiations by Taliban chief Hibatullah Akhundzada. He was also given the position of Akhundzadas political advisor, indicating his importance in the group. Khalilzad thanked Pakistan for facilitating his travel to Qatar. Mondays lunch reception in Doha, hosted by Qatar, was an introduction in which representatives of United Arab Emirates were also present, according to Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid. The real talks would start early Tuesday and were expected to last several days. The last round in early January ran for six days. "Now the work begins in earnest," U.S. Special Representative Khalilzad tweeted. Arrived in #Doha to meet with a more authoritative Taliban delegation. This could be a significant moment. Appreciate #Qatar for hosting & #Pakistan in facilitating travel. Now the work begins in earnest. U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad (@US4AfghanPeace) February 25, 2019 The agenda, according to Shaheen, remained the same two issues that both sides have recognized as the core concerns in ending the 18-year conflict: the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan and ensuring that Afghan soil is not used by any terrorist group or individual for attacks against America and its allies. The Taliban negotiation team, announced earlier this month, has 14 members, including Anas Haqqani, the younger brother of Haqqani Network chief Sirajuddin Haqqani. The network is blamed for some of the deadliest attacks on NATO forces in Afghanistan. The Afghan government has indicated it is not planning to free Anas, who is on death row. The Taliban claim Anas Haqqani was a student and had no military role, but Afghan intelligence calls him a "mastermind" of social media propaganda for the Taliban. Many analysts think his inclusion in the negotiating team is a way to build pressure on the Afghan government to release him. In this photo released by Inter Services Public Re FILE - In this photo released by Inter Services Public Relations of Pakistan's military, U.S. peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, left, talks with Pakistani Army Chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa during a meeting in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Dec. 19, 2018. FILE - In this photo released by Inter Services Public Relations of Pakistan's military, U.S. peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, left, talks with Pakistani Army Chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa during a meeting in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Dec. 19, 2018. Khalilzad and his team, which includes representatives from the U.S. State Department, the Pentagon, and the National Security Council, have made multiple tours of the region since he was first appointed in September last year to help find a negotiated end to the conflict. He has engaged directly with almost all countries with a stake in Afghanistan, except Iran, but said at a public event at Washington-based United States Institute of Peace, that a "formal framework for regional participation" was yet to take shape. The Taliban and the U.S. have set up working groups to negotiate on the two core issues and Shaheen said the two sides expected them to work on "recommendations and a draft agreement." The current conflict in Afghanistan, which started in 2001, has already turned into Americas longest war and many in Washington who are close to the current administration have indicated that President Donald Trumps patience with the status quo is running thin. "My original instinct was to pull outand, historically, I like following my instincts," Trump said when announcing his new strategy for Afghanistan in 2017. However, fearing a "hasty withdrawal would create vacuum that terrorists, including ISIS and al-Qaida would instantly fill," Trump pushed hard to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table by giving his generals more battlefield authority on one hand and increasing pressure on neighboring Pakistan on the other. The U.S. has long accused Pakistan of providing safe havens to the Talibana charge Islamabad denies. The first breakthrough in the current process happened last July when U.S. officials gave in to a major Taliban demandto negotiate directly with them, without the Kabul administration in the room. Since then, while the U.S. side has continued negotiating with the Taliban, it has also pushed hard to get them to engage with Afghan President Ashraf Ghanis team. The militant group continues to refuse, even as its representatives met with dozens of other Afghan political leaders, former jihadi commanders, and civil society activists at a recent conference in Moscow. At his USIP talk, Khalilzad said the Taliban did not want to give Ghani a boost before the upcoming presidential elections and were more likely to "sit with the government in a multi-party arrangement." Meanwhile, Mohammad Umar Daudzai, the chief secretary of Afghanistans High Peace Council, has said the Taliban should be "in principle" invited to a Loya Jirga or grand assembly, scheduled to take place in March but the decision will be taken by a supervisory commission overlooking the preparations. Plans to hold the assembly were announced two weeks ago after Ghani accepted a proposal by civil society activists to gather all segments of Afghan society and develop a consensus on the framework of a peace agreement. Sorry, but your browser cannot support embedded video of this type, you can download this video to view it offline. Prak Soda and Suon Sakhen, high school sweethearts, married seven years ago. Lifelong residents of Svay Rieng province, one of Cambodias poorest, they were expecting an uneventful delivery of their second child earlier this month. Prak Soda had taken a few days off work at a nearby garment factory to rest up and prepare. But 27-year-old Prak Soda, a woman who knew how to add fun and laughter to a party, died from severe bleeding shortly after delivering her baby boy with a midwifes assistance. Her death sparked a national conversation. Suon Sakhen, also a garment worker, said his wife appeared to be in good health immediately after giving birth. My wife was OK. She asked the baby after delivering: Can you cry? he told VOA Khmer in a recent interview at his home. But Prak Soda kept bleeding, bleeding so severe Suon Sakhen said he argued with the midwife until she dispatched the new mother to the provincial hospital. Prak Soda died from the loss of blood en route to the hospital. Inside the ambulance, the medical person told me that my wife died, but I couldnt believe it. So I asked the driver to continue driving until we reached the provincial hospital, Sakhen said. They confirmed that my wife died. The next day, Feb. 5, he filed a complaint with district police alleging negligence by the midwife. VOA Khmer obtained a copy of the filing, which detailed how tragedy struck. Maternal mortality Prak Sodas death highlights how women risk death with each birth in developing nations such as Cambodia even though pregnancy is a normal phase of life for women of childbearing age. Approximately 830 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth each day, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which reports that 99 percent of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries. Reducing maternal deaths, defined as any death that occurs during pregnancy, childbirth or within two months after a birth or terminating a pregnancy, is a UN goal. Postnatal care is critical. According to a 2003 report by the Population Research Bureau, of the women worldwide who die of pregnancy-related causes, about a quarter die during pregnancy, about 15 percent at delivery, and 61 percent after delivery. Under the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations, world leaders pledged to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. Between 1990 and 2015, maternal mortality worldwide dropped by about 44 percent, according to the World Health Organization. Maternal mortality is higher among women living in rural areas and among poorer communities. The maternal mortality rate in Cambodia has decreased since 2005, from 472 deaths per 100,000 births in 2005 to 161 deaths per 100,000 births in 2015, according to official data. Earlier goal achieved Cambodia achieved the United Nations Millennium Development Goal to cut maternal deaths by at least 75 percent by 2015, having decreased its ratio by 84 percent between 1990 and 2015. Because many women die during childbirth because of the dearth of trained personnel, the government trained midwives and sent them to rural areas with high infant and maternal mortality rates. To discourage unattended home births, the government paid midwives $10 for a live birth at a hospital and $15 for one at a health center. Ten years ago, we had from 15 to 18 deaths per year, said Ker Rotha, who heads the health department in Prak Sodas Svay Rieng province. Today, Cambodias improved local health centers provide basic delivery services, but any sign of complications is supposed to result in a quick transfer to the provincial referral hospital. Chan Theary, executive director of the NGO Reproductive and Child Health Alliance (RACHA), said the new protocols had significantly reduced maternal mortality, but more work is needed, including providing more extensive training to midwives. RACHA focuses on improving reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health. These advances seemingly failed Prak Soda, the first woman to die in childbirth in several years in Svay Rieng province. News of her death triggered online discussions of unsafe childbirth in Cambodia. Mam Bunheng, the minister of health, and Or Vandin, the health ministry spokeswoman, could not be reached for comment. So much blood Feb. 4 was the first day of the Lunar New Year. While not an official holiday Cambodians celebrate the new year, Choul Chhnam Thmey, in April life often slows down a little in the big cities and larger provincial towns. Prak Soda arrived at the local health center Mesor Thngork in Chantrea district about 5 a.m., according to the complaint. Suon Sakhen accompanied Prak Soda as did her sisters and mother-in-law, a traditional midwife. Prak Sodas sister, Prak Sinuon, 37, told VOA she called the midwife who had delivered Prak Sodas first baby, a girl who is now 5 years old. The woman came to the center, checked Prak Sodas health and found nothing amiss, according to Prak Sinoun. The baby arrived around 2:30 p.m., attended by one midwife rather than the usual two, according to the complaint. After delivering the baby, the midwife, Ouk Chamrong, asked all family members to leave the room so that she could dispose of the placenta. The victims mother-in-law, Pov Sakhorn, 62, a traditional midwife, remained behind. She and I were inside the room. I was watching her, said Pov Sakhorn. I was wondering why there was so much blood coming out. Sent to hospital too late Listening through a window, Suon Sakhen said he could hear his wife complaining of a pain in her stomach. I asked the midwife, Ouk Chamrong, to send my wife to Svay Rieng provincial hospital, but the midwife said the bleeding and her overall condition was normal, read the complaint. Thirty minutes passed. Prak Soda continued to bleed. Only after Suon Sakhen argued with the midwife did she call an ambulance, according to the complaint. Prak Soda, a garment factory worker for 10 years, died en route to the hospital, about 40 kilometers from the local health center where she gave birth. The wife who had helped her husband on their rice farm had 10 days off ahead of her birth, said Suon Sakhen. My wifes health was fine. She went to the health center for checks and to take medicine every month. Only one midwife Central to Suon Sakhens complaint is the presence of only one midwife, rather than the usual two, during the birth, and the delay in sending his wife to the hospital. In the filing, he claimed health center officials, including the head of the center, Has Sophun, and his wife, Mu Narou, are responsible for his wifes death. He has requested compensation of about $10,000. Has Sophun runs a private clinic in his home treating children and the elderly. In an interview with VOA Khmer, Mu Narou said that while she was not on call the day Prak Soda died, she went in to examine her. Suon Sakhen said Mu Narou and Has Sophun examined Prak Soda once her condition was deteriorating. Mao Sopheary, another trained midwife and the deputy head of the health center, said it was her turn to oversee births at the time of Prak Sodas death, but she had requested leave for the Chinese New Year. I told my boss that if we have patients who are in labor and we cant treat them, we could send patients [elsewhere], she said. So I dont know why they accepted [Prak Soda]. When asked about why there was only one medical attendant present during the delivery, Has Sophun told VOA Khmer, Normally, there are two midwives delivering the baby. But at that time, there was only one, but when there was a problem, more people came to help. He referred questions to his superiors at the provincial health department. A weak uterus Svay Rieng provincial health director Ker Rotha said it was a mistake that there was only one midwife present during the delivery. Normally, there are two midwives helping, but because of Chinese New Year, some didnt come, he said, adding that the responsible staff would face administrative punishment. He defended midwife Ouk Chamrong, saying, She has worked for six years and she has skills in helping mothers deliver babies safely. Ouk Chamrong could not be reached for comment. Ker Rotha said, We finally hypothesized that too much bleeding caused the death. The victims uterus was weak and could not curb the blood flow. He added that if Prak Soda had reached the provincial hospital faster, she may have been saved. After Prak Sodas death, many commune residents have become wary of giving birth at the local health center. I will send [pregnant women] to Svay Rieng provincial hospital. If there is any problem, they will be helped on time, said Chab Srey, 60, a villager in Bati commune. The health center is nearby and it is good, but if there is any urgent problem, we cant [get to the hospital fast enough], she added. I am scared when there is such a problem. Prak Sodas mother said that she wanted justice for her daughter and accused the midwife of negligence. They killed my daughter. Who will feed her children? said Puth Saban. As normal people, [we] had to have faith in the midwife. On the way to a mountain about 100 kilometers (62 miles) southwest of Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, a group of men are getting a crash course in the bloody history of the land to which they've been banished. The Khmer Rouge atrocities they are learning about crystallize the hell their parents whisked them away from as young children decades ago on their way to refuge in the United States. Today's students are deportees the children of Cambodian refugees who got caught up in the U.S. criminal justice system growing up and were deported as a result of felony convictions under a controversial resettlement policy. Their history teachers deportees trying to build new futures for themselves say their class for the weekend trip is enlightened by the experience. "Actually, when I explain what happened ... their eyes just open up and their mouth they're like, 'Wow I never knew that,'" said Jimmy Heim, one of the co-founders of Zin, a tour company founded by five deportees in April last year. On the way to the mountain, they visit Wat Snguon Pich one of the almost 200 known Khmer Rouge prison camps across Cambodia that were used to exterminate perceived enemies of the regime. Hundreds of people are believed to have been killed at Wat Snguon Pich. But Heim tells a story of lives spared in the area by a monk who halted fighting by placing himself between government and Khmer Rouge forces fighting in the lead up to the latter group's takeover of the country. Their next stop is Wat Ampe Phnom another temple used by the Khmer Rouge as a prison, where Heim says it's estimated more than 4,000 perished. A lot of it is heavy stuff extermination camps where thousands were tortured, starved and murdered under the relentless bloodlust of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s. Creating jobs But Zin's tour guides are taking these miserable stories and their own tales of deportation to create something positive jobs for people who desperately need them. On this excursion, they are headed to Kirirom National Park, a picturesque mountain in the wilderness that the Khmer Rouge used as a military outpost. In Phnom Penh they also run day tours, introducing tourists to hidden architectural marvels such as the city's old churches and Chinese temples. Heim, who is part of the 1Love Cambodia deportee support group, says the project, still in its infancy, is building steam in their quest to create 40 jobs for deportees. A deal is in the works with a major tourism firm that sells high-end packages in the thousands of dollars. For others, it's just about helping them find a sense of belonging in the terrifying new world where they were dropped. "Most guys here, when they come, they're actually scared, they don't want to go nowhere," Heim said. "They're afraid just to be outside of their housing." Employment is one of the many hurdles for those trying to help the hundreds of Cambodians who have been returned since 2002. Though Cambodia's economy has grown rapidly over the past two decades, it remains chronically undiversified and job scarce. The employment situation is so bad that more than a million people have left in search of work in neighboring countries. Wages for those who stay can start at less than $100 a month. Psychological hurdles Criminal backgrounds don't help the deportee job-seekers, nor do the highly prominent tattoos many of them have. They suffer the typical psychological problems of long-term incarceration depression, anxiety, paranoia and addictive tendencies only magnified by the knowledge they will likely never see their families on U.S. soil again. Some speak reasonably good Khmer, though their speech patterns sound clearly foreign to locals the result of linguistic trends and deviations that have emerged in the strain of the language spoken in the U.S. Their fluency in English is one obvious asset, as is their self-confidence when speaking publicly. During the tour, Zin performs skills assessments on the 16 new deportees. One of them is 40-year-old Sang Nin, who was deported for a series of offenses he says he committed more than 20 years ago. "I don't feel any connection with the relatives of my parents and don't know how to find them. Anyway, I hope I can resettle my life in Cambodia by trying to get some work to do for living here," said Nin, who left behind four children in the United States. At Wat Ampe Phnom pagoda, a fortune teller tells Nin he might be in luck. "Your past is quite sad, but you going to be better and better from now on," the fortune teller said. His prophecy is correct. Later that weekend, Nin is hired as one of Zin's newest tour guides. VSIP Nghe An continues to be a magnet for foreign investors How do you evaluate the investment environment in Nghe An? What advantages and disadvantages do you see? Nghe An is one of the biggest provinces in Vietnam with a dynamic population of over 3.2 million people, 1.9 million of whom are ready to enter the labour market. This is a very large workforce, which is attractive to investors, especially for investors from labour-intensive industries. On top of this, in Nghe An we can find very good workforce. Nghe An has over 70 education institutions from universities, colleges, and vocational schools with 80,000 students graduating every year. We believe Nghe An people are very talented. Given good opportunities, Nghe An can be a very good destination for investors. Most investors have not heard of Nghe An and the province has to work very hard to position itself as a viable destination for investors. Nghe An is working hard to improve its connectivity through roads, seaports, and airport. Nghe An is working on administrative reforms. During your daily work with the authorities, can you feel any change or reform taking place? The whole of Vietnam is going through administrative reforms. We have seen that the central government is doing a lot to improve these administrative reforms to make Vietnam more attractive for foreign investment. Nghe An will definitely benefit from all these administrative reforms. I think what is most important is Nghe An province leaders engagement with investors. The leaders engage the investors regularly, receive feedback, and take the feedback seriously to take immediate action. We at VSIP appreciate Nghe An authorities for the strong support they have provided us and our investors. How long has VSIP Nghe An been operating? How does the project implementation progress and how are how much investment have you attracted so far? VSIP Nghe An is our 7th investment in Vietnam, with the total land area of 750 hectares. The project was launched on September 16, 2015. Since then, we have completed the construction of some key developments such as a sewage treatment plant, ready-built factories, office buildings, and a fire-fighting station. This year, we continue our efforts to develop the park to meet tenants demands. Today, we have 21 tenants with the total investment capital of over $260 million, generating more than 17,000 jobs for the local workforce upon full operation. How does VSIP Nghe An plan to attract more investment? Do you have any target industry? What role does the local authority play in investment attraction activities? I think Nghe An province is like any other province in Vietnam, working hard to attract more foreign investment. VSIP works very closely with the Nghe An Peoples Committee and the Investment Promotion Center of Nghe An in many investment promotion activities overseas to bring foreign investment to Nghe An. VSIP welcome all industries as long as they are non-polluting. We believe in the long-term sustainable development of Nghe An province and the country in general. The ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the new office and launch Inno-Biz Hub at VSIP Bac Ninh These were all significant milestones, marking new developments in the history of the company. Participating in the event were representatives of local authorities, customers, business partners, VSIP Bac Ninh staff, and local residents. The new office building not only brings a fresh image for VSIP Bac Ninh and creates an ideal working environment but will also serve as a source of motivation for all the staff to keep contributing and devoting their full effort to the company and provide high-quality services to customers. In the framework of the programme, VSIP Bac Ninh officially launched the Inno-Biz Hub, which was specially designed to host office buildings, R&D centre, data and testing centre, as well as very light manufacturing, assembling, and commercial spaces. Inno-Biz Hub can be regarded as the final segment in VSIP Bac Ninh to create a comprehensive complex where manufacturers, commercial-technical-residential providers can supplement one another for sustainable development. The new office building not only brings a fresh image for VSIP Bac Ninh and creates an ideal working environment but will also serve as a source of motivation for all the staff. On this occasion, VSIP Bac Ninh received the Best Sustainable Residential Development Southeast Asia 2018 award from Dot Property for BelHomes the 5.7 hectare self-developed project which was initiated, invested, and constructed by the companys leaders and staff who put their heart and soul into it with a vision to make each home a nest filled of beauty and happiness. Aiming to turn the event into a relaxing Sunday for all participants, VSIP Bac Ninh also organised the Spring Festival at the Central Park with a variety of traditional and modern games, food and shopping stalls, folk songs, and street music performances. The event combined various activities with different meanings, once again confirming VSIP Bac Ninhs vision and core values a people-centred, environment-friendly integrated township developer providing the preferred choice for all to live, learn, work, and play." VSIP Bac Ninh is the third project of VSIP Group a symbol of effective economic co-operation between Vietnam and Singapore. Officially inaugurated on December 11, 2007, after 12 years of establishment and development, VSIP Bac Ninh has successfully founded an integrated industrial park and township over a land area of nearly 700 hectares in Phu Chan commune, Tu Son Town, the strategic border between Hanoi and Bac Ninh province. The One-Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi is an iconic Buddhist landmark Phu Tay Ho Temple in Hanoi always attracts a lot of people at the beginning of the new year. In addition to the majority of Vietnamese people who make the trip, there are a large number of international visitors from Asian and European countries. They are usually tourists who want to experience spiritual events when coming to Vietnam. The rest are often made up of those who have lived and studied Vietnamese cultural practices and can speak the language. In addition to offering incense, they also learn to worship and pray for happiness, prosperity, and good health for their family. Pagodas in the capital such as Tran Quoc and Quan Su, as well as Quan Thanh and Phu Tay Ho temples, are located near popular expat districts and often become spiritual spots for many non-Vietnamese people. In addition to praying for health and peace, many foreigners also come to pray for luck in love. Nguyen Lan Chi, who for more than a decade has sold worship offerings, souvenirs, and fruit at Ha Pagoda in Hanois Cau Giay district, said, There are visitors who come to my shop and write a note of their wish in English, and we accept them, but I did not know much English. I often asked my son, who studies at a language school, to translate and rewrite them. They like the place very much and always say thank you. The ancient town of Hoi An is a top destination for tourists wandering through Vietnam. Of its many pagodas and shrines, Ong Pagoda is a particular favourite. Entering Ong Pagoda on the 8th day of the Lunar New Year, John Mikery, a German tourist visiting for the first time, was surprised to see so many Vietnamese people flocking to the temple to pray for good fortune in the year ahead. Vietnamese people seem quite religious and I feel that the peace reflected by Buddhism is what we all desire for the future, he said. Both travellers and expats take time out to explore cultural sites As Vietnams tourism booms, more and more curious visitors flock to the countrys colourful and traditional sites in towns and cities Spiritual tourism for visitors In recent years, more and more foreign groups wish to explore sacred places in Vietnam. Spiritual tours for domestic visitors have also been developed, and travel companies offer trips to sacred places for tourists. Most are extremely excited when immersed in the flow of people at these peaceful and solemn places. Tour guide Ha Van Huong said that on one occasion of leading a delegation of American guests to Ngoc Hoang Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, where former US president Barack Obama had visited, many guests were surprised to hear about Vietnamese beliefs and kept asking more. They asked me if the temples in Ho Chi Minh City were crowded on regular days. They were curious about the beliefs of Vietnamese people, Huong shared. In order to serve a group of high-spending travellers, some local and international hotels and resorts are gradually built in the style of spiritual tourist destinations in Vietnam, of which the most recent is Legacy Yen Tu in the foot of sarced Yen Tu Mountain in the northern province of Quang Ninh. Legacy Yen Tu creates a place where visitors can participate in meditation classes and learn about hundreds of years of Vietnamese and Buddhist history. Despite this rich spiritual tourism potential, with 15,000 temples and more than 8,000 festivals each year, many experts believe that this area mainly attracts only Vietnamese tourists, with the number of foreign tourists participating in these types of tours still limited. Statistics from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism in 2013 showed that only 12 per cent of international visitors bought tours to religious places such as historical and cultural relic sites, temples, and pagodas. However the trend is changing today, travellers increasingly seek authenticity. According to reports of Tripadvisor and BCG, the fastest growing experience category in total booking counts in global travellers belongs to historical and heritage tours which count for 125 per cent YOY growth of 2016-2017 period. Nguyen Phuong, a representative from Custom Vietnam Travel, said that overseas visitors often want to find information about the beliefs of local people, not to participate in ceremonies or perform detailed rituals like local people do. Therefore, the presentational content of tour guides plays a very important role. In addition to existing spiritual elements, service and environmental factors must also be guaranteed in order for this type of tourism to attract more foreign visitors. We dont spend the whole tour just visiting temples, but combine this with other activities. When visiting Huong Pagoda, we also offer activities such as sailing and cable car rides. At Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh, visitors can go to Van Long Nature Reserve, Trang An, and Tam Coc. Programmes must be flexible and contain plenty of choice to attract tourists, said Phuong. Go-Viet and other apps are integrating new functions to grow After taking the country by storm with their ride-hailing apps, the likes of Grab and Go-Viet have unveiled their ambitions of transforming into providers of multiple on-demand services. According to Jerry Lim, country head of Grab Vietnam, the firm has set itself the lofty target of becoming a regional super-app. The service, which has featured in the Vietnamese market for five years, has begun to add more everyday services to its ride-hailing app. For instance, last June Grab Vietnam ventured into food delivery with GrabFood. Representatives said GrabFood has grown 23-fold in delivery orders and four times in merchant partners, making Vietnam the second-fastest growing market for GrabFood in the region. In addition, GrabExpress teamed up with e-commerce partners and individual sellers to deliver parcels straight to the doors of customers. GrabExpress has recorded a 241 per cent growth in parcel delivery orders. Last year, Grab also launched a strategic partnership with Vietnamese e-payment firm Moca, launching its first e-wallet system, GrabPay by Moca. Other services include micro-loans and insurance, also in collaboration with third-parties. Grab competitor Go-Viet, the Vietnamese subsidiary of Indonesias Go-Jek, has also joined the race. The firm currently offers motorbike hailing (Go-Bike), food delivery (Go-Food), and consumer-to-consumer delivery (Go-Send) in Vietnam. In the long term, Go-Viet aspires to offer various kinds of hailing services, as well as payment and e-commerce. This is similar to what its parent company Go-Jek is doing in Indonesia with 17 services in existence so far, from ticket purchases and grocery shopping to beauty services and car maintenance. Zalo, Vietnams most popular free messaging app, has also jumped on the bandwagon by integrating new functions including e-commerce platform Zalo Shop and payment platform Zalo Pay. The company, owned by VNG Corporation, has been piloting a long list of services from ordering food delivery and booking cabs to travel information and financial services. The platforms aim to become an indispensable part of everyday life for people. By harnessing the data generated by its users, app developers can gain more insights into their daily needs and behaviours, and use the information to offer new products and services. It is clear that the Southeast Asian developers are following the footsteps of Tencent and Alibaba in China. Tencents WeChat is the most popular mobile app in the country with over a billion monthly active users who chat, play games, shop, read news, pay for meals, and post their thoughts and pictures in one app. Similarly, e-commerce giant Alibaba has ventured into payments, micro-loans, insurance and more. Long journey ahead Super-apps on the horizon are expected to bring tremendous benefits to both app developers and Vietnamese consumers. However, some tricky obstacles must be circumvented before these services can claim victory. For developers, a wide range of services will bring in extra cash and a diversified source of income. App providers also stand a good chance of making a greater impact on the everyday lives of consumers and targeting a broader range of potential users. Another bonus is the massive database of personal information and consumption habits that can be utilised for advertising. This is similar to social media firms like Facebook, who collect user data for advertisements. Dung Vu, senior account manager of Kantar Worldpanel Vietnam, said, The daily transactional needs of consumers will be based on the Internet, which will benefit providers. In terms of payment, these super-apps promote the cashless economy by giving discounts on card or e-wallet payments. This aligns well with the State Bank of Vietnam, which plans to turn Vietnam into a cashless country in the next decade. Another legislative plus is Vietnams warm embrace of Industry 4.0 in an attempt to propel the economy forward. For users, the advantages are also huge. Vietnamese consumers, due to their increasingly busy lifestyle, are now willing to pay more for services and products that offer them convenience, hence the rising popularity of 24/7 convenience stores, packaged foods, online shopping sites, and home delivery. As a result, a one-stop-shop app is likely to be welcomed by time-poor users, who can access multiple services such as ride hailing, food delivery, and messaging within one single application. Ralf Matthaes, managing director of Infocus Mekong Research, told VIR, Roughly 37 per cent of Vietnams population are millennials, and digital natives. They are very much at ease with digital means, and are all about the consumer experience. In todays market, every consumer interaction is about convenience, price comparison, knowledge gaining, and knowledge sharing, thus driving the development of super-apps. Analysts believed that super-apps can transform the way business is conducted in Vietnam. Threatened by competition, traditional corporations, retail outlets, and fintech apps may choose to rise up against, or partner with, these app developers which will fuel either intense battles or cross-industry handshakes. New types of jobs, especially in the technological field, could be created as well. However, market observers have also voiced concerns. One problematic aspect is their legal status, especially evident in conditional sectors such as payment and peer-to-peer loans. In recent years, Grab has been embroiled in an ongoing feud against traditional taxi firms such as Vinasun and Mai Linh, and the conflict is likely to spread to other sectors if these multi-purpose apps continue to grow. Another issue, according to Vu from Kantar Worldpanel Vietnam, is protection of user privacy and data. If they are not careful, these apps may face the same backlash as Facebook, which was under fire throughout 2018 for mishandling user information. In Vietnam last year, major retailers such as Mobile World Corporation, Con Cung JSC, and FPT Corporation have also been accused of leaking thousands of customer card details. Security and data protection are critical elements to success, and these need to be guaranteed, said Matthaes from Infocus Mekong Research. He added that as they start to offer more services, super-apps should allow users to customise their own menus, as consumers do not want to be cluttered with services that they are not interested in. No matter what their future looks like, multi-purpose apps are likely to infiltrate everyday life, as well as media headlines, in the years ahead. These 4.0 providers, many backed by deep-pocketed investors, are most likely here to stay. Chris Kamm, president of Kamm Investment Inc This year has the propensity to be a favourable one for the Vietnamese stock market. Following what we witnessed in 2018, when most stock markets retreated, and most global markets will continue to experience muted performance. Though it may seem odd, it is often said that in stock markets a bad year always follows another. This adage comes from the fact that a falling stock market usually precludes future economic weakness which manifests itself possibly six months to a year later and results in further stock market weakness. As last year was lacklustre, it would seem then that 2019 might also be challenging. In support of this, the compelling reason for subpar stock market performance is that there is uncertainty concerning global economic growth. Until it is certain that global growth has not completely stalled, most institutional investors will remain on the sidelines. In the third quarter of 2018, global growth appeared to slow enough to cause sentiment to change from wildly bullish to mildly and later terribly bearish, in the process dragging global markets down to annual lows. The markets in the US contracted an amazing 13 per cent in three weeks in December, which has been unprecedented since the Great Depression. Other world stock markets also retrenched in the final weeks of December to finish the year in negative territory. As most stock markets around the world remain close to or in bear markets (defined as a decline of 20 per cent from their respective highs,) it seems obvious that global economies have slowed. It is expected, for example, that the GDP for the European Union will contract in 2019. Even in the US, GDP will likely not meet certain expectations as trade tensions and the government shutdown have derailed corporate investment. Further evidence can be found in China, which reported GDP in 2018 to be the lowest in 20 years. This evidence points clearly to a slowing global economy, but by how much will it truly recede? Recessions are not certain in any economy. If the global economic growth picture can improve, it is possible economies as a whole can escape possible recessionary conditions. The market retrenchments that occurred in 2018 can lead first to market stabilisation and then to market price appreciation. With the current inability to quantify the effect of lower GDP, investment professionals have taken the view to remain neutral until evidence of a recession or growth presents itself. Likely, such evidence will present itself in the first six months of 2019. Some countries will seem to be immune from the slowing economy, at least to some degree. The Vietnamese stock market will likely have an above-average year in 2019 Photo: Le Toan Prospects for Vietnam Regardless of a world recession or not in 2019, the case can be made that the Vietnamese economy should remain relatively robust and experience stock market gains. This is largely due to the phenomenon which occurs when recessionary pressures grip developed economies. Corporations search for more advantageous and cost-effective means of production. These pressures cause corporations around the world to search out lower-cost production in order to maximise return on investment. Without question, this will lead, as it had in the past, many multinational and international corporations to seek production in Vietnam. Of course, this is a natural occurrence in international business that we are all aware of. The shifting of means of production to lower-cost countries remains a chosen method of lowering production costs for companies based around the world. Many have witnessed companies from the US, for example, shift production of goods from China to Vietnam. But it is during a time of recessionary pressure that corporations are more active in their endeavours to lower cost and therefore from the perspective of an economy, which depends on foreign direct investment (FDI), this is clearly favourable. Even if a global recession is averted, Vietnam should be a further recipient of investment interest which will further economic growth in 2019. As Vietnam becomes less reliant of FDI, in future years, the benefit will become muted. But currently Vietnam relies heavily on that overseas investment to lead to higher economic activity and growth. The trade tensions between the US and China have garnered much attention over the last six months. In fact, the trade tensions of many countries against the US have garnered a tremendous amount of attention. Economists stand on both sides of this issue, with some calling for recession while others call for greater economic activity. Regardless, embedded in the trade tensions is economic uncertainty. This uncertainty has caused international corporations to delay or outright curtail international investment. It has caused investors to question the ultimate effects of such trade tensions. Clearly, no-one knows the cost of the trade tensions to the economy, though it will surely result in lower GDP. Much like in 2018, worldwide investors will be watching for the softening of these trade tensions and a hopeful resolution to the issues at hand. Although it has been argued that these tensions and the resultant tariffs have hindered economic growth around the world, the evidence points to the opposite. Most countries suffer from trade tensions and tariffs. In some cases, tariffs can have a stifling effect on a country and its economy. Countries possessing economic cost advantages in production and location have benefitted from the trade tensions. One such country that has such benefits is Vietnam. The country should remain a beneficiary of these trade tensions. Being a lower cost producer of the worlds goods and services, Vietnam is in an enviable position. In the US, for example, many international corporations have announced plans to reduce production in China due to the uncertainty and move production to countries such as Vietnam. As it is a natural fit and certainly economic evolution, these corporations can see a long-term solution to the trade tensions which does not involve China and the US. As corporations embrace strategies such as these, Vietnam will again be the beneficiary of further FDI, which results in more production of goods and services, and therefore greater economic growth. Following a lacklustre year in stock market performance, it is common to view the stock market as a subpar investment. Without question, after suffering losses in 2018, such a view is easily justifiable. However, it is possible to take a different view. Regardless of the events which may or may not cause a recession across the world as a whole, Vietnam should experience above-average stock market performance as it will benefit from the two major issues causing uncertainty in the world today. State visits to aid neighbouring ties, Photo: baochinhphu.vn According to the Party Central Committees Commission for External Relations, Party General Secretary, State President Nguyen Phu Trong is paying an official friendship visit to Laos during February 24-25 at the invitation of Laos Party General Secretary, President Bounnhang Vorachith, and a state visit to Cambodia on February 25-26 at the invitation of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni. These are his first visits to these neighbouring nations as Vietnams Party General Secretary, State President. According to the commission, the Vietnamese leaders visit to Laos is aimed to affirm Vietnams consistent policy in attaching special importance to and placing a high priority on its relations with Laos, strengthening the special and reliable solidarity and comprehensive co-operation between both parties and nations. During the visit, Vietnam and Laos discussed major bilateral co-operation orientations and policies in order to enhance the quality and effectiveness of co-operation in all sectors. The two nations also released a joint statement, and the Vietnamese leader had meetings with Lao leaders and witnessed the signing of several co-operation deals between the two nations. The Vietnamese leader also visited the project to construct Laos National Assembly building, which is financed by Vietnam. At the 41st meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee organised in Hanoi on January 6, 2019, the two sides inked six co-operation agreements, including a co-operation plan for 2019 between the two governments, a deal under which Vietnam will support Laos with 300 tonnes of high-quality rice varieties, and a deal on education co-operation in 2019. According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment, currently, Vietnam has 409 operational investment projects in Laos, with the total registered capital of $4.1 billion. Many major projects are operating successfully in Laos, such as the Xekaman 1 hydropower plant, Muong Thanh Luxury Vientiane hotel, Viettels telecommunications project, Ha Do Groups Nong Tha Urban Area, Lao-Vietnam Bank, the branches of Vietcombank, VietinBank, and Sacombank, and a number of projects by Vietnam Rubber Group and Hoang Anh Gia Lai. Many Vietnamese investments in Laos are now quite effective and profitable, which have made positive contributions to both nations development, according to the commission. Bilateral trade turnover in 2018 hit nearly $1 billion, up more than 10 per cent on-year, with Vietnam enjoying a trade surplus. The two countries are striving to keep a stable increase of at least 10 per cent in bilateral trade turnover against 2018. Meanwhile, the visit to Cambodia by Party General Secretary, State President Nguyen Phu Trong is aimed to affirm that Vietnam always attaches great importance to and places a high priority on consolidating and enhancing the friendship and comprehensive co-operation between Vietnam and Cambodia in a deeper and more sustainable manner, said the commission. Another goal of the visit is to exchange major orientations and measures to boost both nations bilateral relations in the new development period. The Vietnamese leader will meet with Cambodian leaders, likely attend a Vietnam-Cambodia business forum, and witness the signing of some co-operation deals. After the visit, the two nations will release a joint statement. Currently, Vietnam and Cambodia are boosting agricultural, transport, and industrial co-operation. They are also actively implementing an electricity-connecting system between the two nations. Vietnam has also been selling electricity to border provinces of Cambodia and connect a 110 kilovolt power grid to the capital, Phnom Penh. The two nations are also maintaining co-operation in exploring and exploiting minerals. During Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucs official visit to Cambodia in April 2017, the two sides inaugurated a four kilometre bridge connecting Chrey Thom area in Cambodias Kandal province and Long Binh area of Vietnams southern An Giang province. This project was funded by the Vietnamese government via concessional loans. The website imitating SHB's own official site SHB has just discoveredone Facebook account Faith Geren who enticed one of the banks customers to go fifty-fifty on the $7.3-million reward he claimed to have won from a website that was built to imitate SHBs website. The banks representative said that a lot of scammers are trying to take advantage of the banks prestige by setting up fake websites imitating them. Specifically, victims receive notifications about winning rewards via email, text messages, and Facebook messages, after which they are required to sign in to the fake website to receive their prize. Once the victims sign in at the fake websites, the hackers can easily steal their bank account details, then do illegal things like appropriate money from the victims bank account or make online purchases. The banks representative recommended customers to be careful with emails, text messages, and Facebook messages that promise rewards or require them to transfer money. In addition, SHB also recommends customers to pay attention to the URL address of the website they are entering, as only the following are official websites of SHB: https://www.shb.com.vn, https://ibanking.shb.com.vn, and https://ibanking.shb.com.vn/corp. Last year, Vietcombank, BIDV, and VietinBank customers were also hit by similar scams. The abundance of fake websites caused the banks to have to constantly issue warnings of fraud to customers. The fake websites sport near-identical design to the real websites, with similar domain names (with maybe one letter of difference). This convinced people that they are official websites and users naturally signed in with their online banking information. AEONMALL Vietnam's leaders and volunteers planting the first sakura trees For the third year now, on February 23, members of AEON Group and volunteers together held the sakura tree planting event at Hoa Binh Park to beautify Hanoi the City of Peace. The sakura tree planting event at Hoa Binh Park was first launched in 2017. After two years of implementation, the AEON Environment Foundation, supported by AEONMALL Vietnam, has planted a total of 700 sakura trees in Hoa Binh Park. In 2019, to continue the journey toward the goal of planting 1 million green trees set by the capital authorities, 1,000 sakura trees from Japan have been brought to Vietnam and planted by 350 volunteers from AEON Groups subsidiaries, Mizuho Bank, as well as partners and university students. To bring the 1,000 sakura trees to Vietnam then help the trees bloom, many Japanese and Vietnamese soil experts have worked together, conducting studies and tests to find the best fertilisation methods, aiming to maintain the beauty and quality of Japanese sakura in Vietnam. Experts from the two countries hope to raise the rate of surviving sakura trees from about 90 per cent in 2017 and 2018 even higher in 2019. Japanese Ambassador Umeda Kunio addressing the event Iwamura Yasutsugu, general director of AEONMALL Vietnam, said, One of the core values that AEON Group and AEONMALL Vietnam strive to deliver when operating in one country is to create happiness. By this meaningful annual activity, we expect to bring a tranquil space full of pretty sakura trees into the busy life of urban people. Sharing about the journey to beautify Vietnam, Naoki Hayashi, executive director of AEON Environmental Foundation, said, As a business that aims towards sustainable development, we pay significant focus on planting and protecting green trees. This is also our motivation to carry out practical activities since our first days in Vietnam. In 2010, we planted 75,000 trees in Thua Thien Hue; after that in 2014, 15,000 trees were planted at Ba Vi National Park; we have also planted 1,700 as of now in Hoa Binh Park. We are honoured to join hands to preserve a beautiful Vietnam, as well as contribute to bilateral relations between Japan and Vietnam. A whole 1,000 sakura trees were imported from Japan for the event AEONMALL Vietnam Co., Ltd. is a specialist shopping mall developer established in Vietnam since 2013. The companys philosophy of putting the customer first has guided its continuing efforts to create malls that enhance the quality of life, stimulate local economic activity, and contribute to community life and culture. AEONMALL Vietnam wants members of the community to live in happiness and joy. In addition to daily shopping, the company strives to create Happiness Malls that encourage joy through fun, engaging programmes. The prohibited goods in question appeared on Lazada and Shopee Over the last days, there have been complaints of guns being displayed on e-commerce websites like Lazada and Shopee. Specifically, a search for m4a1 on Lazada.vn and Shopee.vn yields a lot of items related to guns and components of toyguns JinMing Gen8 M4A1 and JinMing Gen9 M4A1. The search terms mua gen8 m4a1 or mua gen9 m4a1 on google.vn, one can find a myriad of websites displaying such items for sale. These are plastic guns with the bullets made of plaster and are produced in China and are 1:1 replicas of M4A1 rifles. The websites explain that the bullets are soft and smooth and will cause no harm even if shot in the eye. However, several videos show that these guns do pack quite a punch by puncturing beer cans at close distance or break a plastic case. Items sold on Shopee and Lazada are advertised as add-on components to upgrade or as parts for these JinMIng guns. They are made from metal in other countries and are priced from a couple hundred thousand dongs to VND1.5 million ($10-65). In fact, e-commerce platforms do not allow users to sell prohibited items and do keep a team to moderate content and add keywords to a black list. However, these items did not use the word gun in their names and descriptions, so they were allowed to be displayed on Lazada.vn and Shopee.vn for several days. Customers are worried that a gun assembled from these parts could shoot plastic- or even metal bullets, causing damage. A representative of Shopee told Zing.vn that the e-commerce platform has initiated an investigation and updated its black list of keywords after this incident. The e-commerce platform also issued penalties for vendors who sold these items. Lawyer Ha Hai (Ho Chi Minh City) said that trading components of weapons could cause damage and violates regulations. The Law on the Management and Usage of Weapons, Explosives and Combat Gears issued on June 20, 2017, stipulated that companies involved in the research, manufacturing, trading, import, export, transport, repair, and use of weapons, explosives, explosives precursors, and combat gears must obtain licenses and certificates issued by authorities,except for cold weapons used for exhibition and heirlooms. According to lawyer Nguyen Thanh Ha, chairman of SBLAW, in case Lazada does not have measures to handle and prevent violations like this, the company will be open to penalties in line with the legal provisions on e-commerce operation. According to Decree No.185/2013/ND-CP on penalties on administrative violations in commercial activities, the production of and trading in counterfeit or banned goods, Article 83 stipulates a fine of VND30-40 million ($1,300-1,740) for the failure of applying handling measures when detecting or receiving reports on trading acts which violate legal provision on the websites providing e-commerce services. Earlier, Shopee.vn was investigated for selling a toy with a Chinese map violating Vietnams sovereignty. Shopee then had to get rid of the toy map showing the infamous nine-dash line that China has used to illegally claim sovereign Vietnamese territory in the East Sea, internationally known as the South China Sea. Moreover, these products were printed in English and Chinese language without Vietnamese translation, which violated regulations on labelling goods. Meanwhile, Lazada receives complaints on the quality of products and services, delays in delivery, goods being different from the advertisements, delivering used/old items or the wrong articles, repudiating liability, cancelling orders, fake promotions and wrong prices, selling goods not in inventory, and abandoning customers. In 2017, Lazada was the only e-commerce site and one of the brands along with several multi-level companies about which the Ministry of Industry and Trades Vietnam Competition Authority (VCA) received the largest number of complaint letters. The MoIT aims to promote direct export of Vietnamese goods to the distribution systems of multinational corporations, Photo: Le Toan In recent years, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has been making efforts to develop a new export channel to shorten intermediaries and bring Vietnamese goods directly to consumers in foreign countries. Specifically, the MoIT has implemented a project to help Vietnamese enterprises join foreign distribution systems by 2020. A section on key importers of Vietnamese goods in foreign distribution systems has been created on the e-portal of the MoIT for search and exploitation by Vietnamese enterprises, which can be utilised to collect and build accurate databases on foreign distribution systems across the world. For the likes of Nguyen Thi My Hiep from The Fruit Republic, a big fresh produce exporter of Vietnam, this is a positive change from the norm. Previously, for Vietnamese products to be present in distribution systems around the world, enterprises had to go through many intermediaries, accompanied by complex export forms that increase product prices when reaching consumers. Hiep said, The chance to sell directly to foreign retailers is a great one. The growth of major retail chains in both European and Asian markets has created new opportunities for this type of direct sale. More than 100 tonnes of local agricultural products including sweet potatoes, dragon fruit, dried fruits, and rice paper have been exported by MM Mega Market Vietnam to 700 Big C supermarkets in Thailand. These are the first agricultural products successfully exported to Thailands supermarket chain after Mega Market was granted an export licence at the end of 2017. Thai consumers are interested in Vietnamese goods, in particular agricultural and aquatic products such as dragon fruit, sweet potatoes, and basa fish. Along with MM Mega Market, retail brands such as Lotte Mart, AEON, Emart, and Saigon Co.op have actively participated in the project, supporting Vietnamese enterprises to bring goods into their distribution systems. The total value of direct export goods through these global businesses has reached hundreds of millions of USD, focusing on strong Vietnamese commodities such as agriculture-forestry-fishery, processed foods, and consumer goods. In 2016, Lotte Mart exported $56.5 million worth of goods through supermarkets, with the figure reaching around $87 million the following year. In the Singaporean market alone, from 2016 to the first six months of 2018, Saigon Co.op exported a value of more than $6 million through its partner NTUC FairPrice. Increasing presence Japanese group AEON, meanwhile, aims to help Vietnam export $500 million in goods by 2020. The move is part of a series of commitments signed in memorandums of understanding between the group and the MoIT. Accordingly, AEON would increase the presence of Vietnamese goods in its shopping centres globally, taking Vietnams export turnover through AEON to $500 million in 2020 and $1 billion in 2025. Nguyen The Tan, director of Tam Lan Tea Company, said, Thanks to the introduction of the MoITs European Market Department, we have easier access to the market there and our products have, for example, entered France through the Thanh Binh supermarket system. Paul Le from Central Group Vietnam said that Big C and Central Group launched the Supporting Small and Medium Enterprises programme in 2016, to help local businesses understand modern trade, expand markets, and contribute to the development of Vietnamese brands. Participants in the programme receive full support via training for modern trade integration, packaging, merchandising, financial advantages in terms of payments, logistics, and capital for investment through Central Groups banking partners. We strongly believe in Vietnamese products and we will contribute to including domestic brands in our network in Vietnam and help brands be ready for international expansion, Le said. Joining supply chains At a recent forum, Yuichiro Shiotani, director general of AEON TopValu Co., Ltd., said that local companies should add more value to their products. To sell their products to foreign distribution channels, Vietnamese businesses need to pay more attention to product design, quality assurance, and after-sales services, he said. Cao Thi Phi Van, deputy director of the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre of Ho Chi Minh City (ITPC), said, Besides product quality, nice design, competitive prices, and good financial capacity, local businesses need to understand the export process and norms set by foreign distribution systems. The ITPC reported that last year it helped more than 30 Vietnamese companies enter the AEON Vietnam supermarket system. Meanwhile, Vu Kim Hanh, chairwoman of the Vietnamese High-Quality Product Business Association, said that the key factors for Vietnamese products to enter modern trade channels were quality and origin traceability. For example, food must meet the standards under the Food Safety Modernization Act in exporting to the US market. In the first four months of last year, there were 23 import warnings for Vietnamese enterprises posted on the website of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Therefore, the US required an independent third party in conjunction with the FDA to supervise Vietnamese enterprises in exporting goods to the country. The Vietnamese High Quality Product Business Association is seeking to become a third party. According to the MoIT, there are several important tasks to carry out in order to step up trade promotion and connection with foreign distribution systems. These include supporting enterprises in developing brands to satisfy overseas requirements; prioritising promotion within the framework of the National Trade Promotion Programme; and increasing activities of overseas trade bureaus and trade promotion offices to assist Vietnamese enterprises in connectivity. Besides, the tasks also include supporting domestic enterprises to display and introduce products in Vietnamese Goods Week programmes; and intensifying brand awareness, attaching special importance to international communication activities and direct advertising within international communication channels. With the hard work of the government, in tandem with major and local businesses, the objectives to increase the value of goods exported to international distribution systems can be achieved. By 2020, Vietnamese goods will be exported directly to large distribution systems in Europe, North America, and Southeast and Northeast Asia, as well as to countries that have signed free trade agreements with Vietnam. Vietnam is now giving priority to high-tech and environmentally friendly projects in its FDI attraction strategy Last Thursday, at the conference in the southern province of Binh Duong on institutional consultation on foreign direct investment (FDI), Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue said that Vietnam is deemed one of 12 nations in the world to have successfully attracted and used this type of investment. As of January 20, 2019, there were 27,463 valid foreign-invested projects in Vietnam with the total registered capital of $343 billion and the disbursed capital of $192 billion. FDI is seen as an important resource for socio-economic development in Vietnam, not only promoting economic restructuring but also creating a solid foundation for long-term growth and economic modernisation. The sector plays an important role in exports, gradually bringing Vietnam into the global value chain, DPM Hue said. However, he noted that after 30 years of FDI attraction, there remain big issues to be identified and tackled, such as the weak links between foreign and local enterprises, as well as the low rate of technology transfer. The deputy prime minister said that Vietnam must change its approach to FDI mobilisation with the motivation to attract high-technology and high-quality labour. According to him, the country should actively solicit FDI capital and strongly decentralise to local authorities to lure multinational corporations to build nests, in addition to shifting the focus from the capital scale to the added value of FDI inflows. Hue said that the new-generation FDI attraction strategy will call for investment and partnership with foreign companies actively engaging in high-technology, research and development, and modern governance activities. According to Virginia B. Foote, co-chair of the Vietnam Business Forum (VBF), Vietnam has outperformed many of its peers in attracting FDI, with examples in manufacturing and infrastructure, services, consumer goods, and agricultural and industrial products. Today, there are tremendous opportunities in Vietnam for both the domestic and foreign business sectors, said Foote. Ongoing US-China trade tensions have highlighted the risk of concentrating production bases in a single country and are triggering supply chain reorganisation. Companies are considering shifting some production flows, and Southeast Asia will compete to gain some of that business. The question is how Vietnam can fully capitalise on these global opportunities in order to continue its rapid upward economic trajectory. To help Vietnam step up its policies in this area, Foote flagged some areas of concern for further improvement. First are the frequent and retroactive changes of regulations, especially including tax rates and policies. These represent significant risks for investors in Vietnam. Changes affect the investment business plans of already-licensed projects and can scare off new prospects, Foote said. Another key area is the flow of goods. Vietnam has made improvements in customs clearance and efficiency. However, too frequent and often unnecessary post-import audits create burdens for companies. We encourage customs to adopt a more focused approach to target reviews on high-risk importers, rather than legitimate traders, she added. Meanwhile, Amanda Rasmussen, chairwoman of AmCham Vietnam, said that the government has made policy decisions on electricity price and sales that do not reflect the need to encourage efficiency and cleaner energy. Specifically, to capture the billions of dollars in private sector investment, job creation, and technology transfer that Vietnam needs in this sector, we need bankable agreements, more efficient and timely decision-making procedures for projects, a tariff and tax regime that reflect government priorities, and a market-driven power pricing road map for the next five years, Rasmussen said. Choi Heung Yeon, deputy chairman of the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Ho Chi Minh City, said that South Korean companies have heavily invested in Vietnam, expanding in various fields such as distribution, healthcare, education, services, and smart city construction. According to current Vietnamese regulations, the range of the companies which should submit transfer price reports are those with annual sales turnover of about $2.24 million or more, and those with specially-related party transactions of about $1.35 million or more. This means that almost all overseas companies are included in the category. Yeon said that it is difficult to meet the requirements of the relevant regulations for small companies, and that this would become a heavy burden for foreign companies. Another issue is related to the approval delay for the development projects by South Korean firms. Lotte Group, in particular, is awaiting the central governments approval for the master plan for the Eco Smart City complex in Ho Chi Minh City. According to Kyle Kelhofer, the International Finance Corporations country manager for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, Vietnams FDI inflows already exceed those of China, India, and most large ASEAN countries. Despite a large amount of foreign capital, value-added FDI inflows are not high. It is clear that Vietnam requires a next-generation FDI strategy to unlock the benefits that FDI can bring, Kelhofer said. Furthermore, according to him, Vietnam is in a good position to take advantage of the relocation of multinational corporations. The biggest challenges are the competitive advantages and costs. Vietnam needs a strategy, not only focusing on high incentives but also on domestic value-added inflows. In addition, Vietnam should build a conducive business environment in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Khuat Quang Hung Head of Corporate Affairs Nestle Vietnam As a foreign-invested enterprise, we appreciate the Vietnamese governments efforts to speed up the wider institutional reforms and further improve the business environment, particularly for foreign companies. We welcome the government and the Partys resolution for the increase of the private sectors role in national building and economic development. We would take this opportunity to present our recommendations to the government to attract and leverage foreign investment for Vietnams sustainable economic development. It is necessary to find a shared voice between policymakers and economic actors for mutual benefit and sustainable economic development. No business can do everything on its own. Thus, it needs to enhance win-win co-operation with distributors, suppliers, farmers, and state management organisations. It is necessary to have more strategic institutional transformation focusing on regulatory and administrative reforms, particularly creating a level-playing field for the state-owned and private sectors, both local and international. Jonathan Moreno General director Medovations Vietnam has done a very good job in the last 30 years with policies to attract FDI capital. The wave of foreign inflows shows no signs of slowing down. It is important that Vietnam consider what types of funding it wants to attract. In particular, the country should target investment that is missing in the supply chain here. Vietnamese policies are very good at this time, with attractive taxation. However, more attention needs to be paid to infrastructure development like building roads and focusing on environmental issues. It needs to ensure sustainable investment so Vietnam will have longer-term prospects. My company has found the policies for our sector easy and helpful. However, some overseas investors in other industries like banking and retail have been struggling. Retail struggles because of an Economic Needs Test, while banking investors may struggle with the circumstances of electronic payment. FDI inflows will expand beyond manufacturing to other hi-tech and high-value investment. It is important for Vietnam to understand the requirements of investments in order to keep track. Mobile phone operator UNITEL is one of the companies involved in strengthening ties between Laos and Vietnam, Photo: Le Toan Authorised agencies of Vietnam and Laos are now working with each other to seek investment capital for strategic co-operation projects, including the 725 kilometre Hanoi-Vientiane Expressway, and the Vung Ang-Tan Ap-Mu Gia-Thakhek-Vientiane railway. Both nations are also seeking investment capital for several other roads, while asking Vietnams Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group to boost the implementation of Nongkhang Airport in Houaphanh province, so that it can begin operations this year. According to a bilateral co-operation plan for 2019 signed at the 41st meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee organised in Hanoi last month, both governments committed to further facilitate Vietnamese investors into Laos and Laotian investors into Vietnam to seek investment opportunities and implement their projects. Priorities will be given to enterprises of both nations in implementing projects in areas along the joint border. Trade turnover in 2018 for both nations hit nearly $1 billion, up nearly 14 per cent on-year, with Vietnam enjoying a trade surplus. The two countries are striving to keep a stable increase of at least 10 per cent in bilateral trade turnover against last year. They have also vowed to boost energy co-operation, in which Vietnam will continue developing hydropower projects in the latter, connecting electricity systems. Laos will soon provide comments on the project to construct a warehouse and a petrol conducting pipe from Hon La Port in Vietnams central province of Quang Binh to the Laotian central province of Khammouane, so that both governments can officially negotiate the implementation of this project. According to statistics from Vietnams Ministry of Planning and Investment, Laos currently has 409 licensed Vietnamese projects, with the total registered capital of $4.1 billion. In 2018, Vietnam licensed eight projects to be invested in the neighbouring nation, with the total registered capital of $95 million, up 2.6 times against the previous year. Vietnam is also financing Laos to build its National Assembly building. Meanwhile, it is likely that a Vietnam-Cambodia business forum will be held next week, with the two countries inking new co-operation deals. The two countries agreed to continue fostering partnerships in sectors such as education and training, border trade, tourism, telecommunications, minerals, aviation, banking, oil and gas, agriculture, and electric power. Under a joint statement on strengthening the Vietnam-Cambodia friendship inked in July 2017, both countries affirmed that economic and investment ties will continue serving as one of the key bilateral co-operation pillars. The two sides also set the goal of raising bilateral trade volume to $5 billion before 2025. To this end, Vietnam and Cambodia pledged to continue removing all hurdles facing enterprises of both sides, and boosting the connection of their road infrastructure, energy, and agro-forestry and aquatic product trading. The two nations also agreed to boost the simplification of export-import and quarantine procedures, and step up the curbing of cross-border trade fraud and smuggling. Currently, Vietnam has 210 valid investment projects in Cambodia, registered at over $3 billion, focusing on many sectors such as telecommunications, banking, aviation, and agriculture. Many Vietnamese investors have been operating in Cambodia over recent years such as Viettel, Vietnam Rubber Group, PetroVietnam, Vietnam Airlines, VinaCapital, Vinacomin, Saigontourists, and Saigon Co.op. Meanwhile, Cambodia currently has 19 operational projects in Vietnam, registered at $63.42 million, engaging in agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, and trade. Two-way trade hit $4.68 billion last year, up 23.76 per cent on-year, with Vietnam earning a trade surplus of $2.77 billion. National Citizen Bank will use the proceeds to improve its image and overhaul its digital infrastructure In particular, National Citizen Bank (NCB) plans to sell 199.44 million shares, 184.6 million of which would be reserved for current shareholders and 14.88 million would be given to staff. The expected price is VND10,000 ($0.43) per share. After 90 days of sale, NCB expects to raise VND1,995 trillion ($86.74 million). According to the bank, these new funds will be used for an overhaul of the bank's image and digital infrastructure. NCB will also inject capital into its debt collection arm, as well as add provisions for mid- to long-term lending. Unless otherwise stated, registration and deposits for these new shares will start on March 28. The deadline is April 17, 2019 for existing shareholders and May 3, 2019 for staff members. Shareholders can make their purchase at the brokerages where they opened the trading account. Those without a trading account, as well as NCB's staff members, can go to the NCB headquarters at 28C-D Ba Trieu Street, Hang Bai ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi to complete their purchase. The advisor for this issuance is Everest Securities. In last December, NCB was approved by the State Bank of Vietnam to raise capital from VND3 trillion to VND5 trillion ($130.4 million to $217.4 million). According to NCB representatives, this is a positive move for the Bank, allowing it to invest in human resources, risk management, a nationwide branch network, and digital systems. NCB performance upbeat in 2018, tripling pre-tax profit on-year National Citizen Bank has just announced its 2018 financial statement with a sharp jump in its pre-tax profit to around VND91 billion ($4 million), almost ... National Citizen Bank green-lighted to raise charter capital Vietnams National Citizen Bank has received the permit to raise its charter capital to VND5 trillion ($217.4 million). Investors at the trading floor of Tan Viet Securities Joint Stock Company (TVSI) in Ha Noi. VNS Photo Truong Vi The benchmark VN-Index on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange rose 0.14 per cent to close Friday at 988.91 points, marking a five-day gain of nearly 4 per cent. The minor HNX Index on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange finished last week up 0.66 per cent to close at 106.82 points, marking a weekly gain of 0.6 per cent. An average of 228.7 million shares was traded in each session last week, worth VND4.9 trillion (US$210 million). According to Bao Viet Securities Company, the market would be strongly affected by large-cap stocks and see a wide divergence among stock groups. Capital flows were also forecast to run into stocks that had not made significant gains or were accumulating profits such as oil and gas, bank, building material and real estate stocks. Although the short-term trend remains positive, investors should avoid new buying positions at above 991 points due to the rising possibility of a market correction at that resistance zone, BVSC said in its report. Banks, property developers, consumer staple firms and petroleum companies were the driving forces behind stock market last week thanks to business results, BVSC said. Foreign net buying Since the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, foreign investors had bought a net value of VND2.7 trillion on HoSE, helping the market gain momentum. A large part of the foreign cash inflow came from notable exchange-traded funds (ETFs) such as VanEck Vectors Vietnam ETF (VNM ETF), and db-trackers Vietnam ETF (FTSE Vietnam ETF) and VFMVN30 ETF. According to data, since the Lunar New Year, FTSE Vietnam ETF has issued a total of 520,000 fund certificates, equivalent to VND390 billion. As Vietnamese stocks accounted for 100 per cent of the FTSE Vietnam ETF portfolio, all of the money above was disbursed by FTSE Vietnam ETF into Vietnamese stocks. VNM ETF has also issued more than 1 million fund certificates, equivalent to VND400 billion since the Lunar New Year. From the beginning of 2019, VNM ETF has issued more than 2 million fund certificates, equivalent to VND760 billion. Unlike FTSE Vietnam ETF, the number of Vietnamese stocks in VNM ETFs portfolio accounted for only about 75 per cent. However, the number of fund certificates issued in the early days of the year, worth millions of dollars, also brought positive signs to the Vietnamese stock market. Meanwhile, the VFMVN30 ETF has issued 16.3 million fund certificates, equivalent to VND246 billion since the Lunar New Year. Since the beginning of 2019, VFMVN30 ETF has issued 23.8 million fund certificates, equivalent to VND353 billion. It was estimated that since the Lunar New Year, the amount of foreign money flowing into the Vietnamese stock market via the three funds were equivalent to 37 per cent of total foreign net buying on HoSE. Japanese retailer MUJI will be the next contender in Vietnam (Source: asia.nikkei.com) Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd. (the parent company of MUJI) announced that the board of directors has resolved the establishment of a subsidiary, MUJI Vietnam LLC, in Vietnam for further business development. Among all the fast-developing ASEAN countries, Vietnam has the third-largest population and is undergoing rapid economic development. MUJI sees Vietnam as one of the major markets in the ASEAN, with an estimated real GDP growth of 7.1 per cent in 2018. RKJ has therefore decided to establish a new company in Vietnam. Many Japanese brands are present in the Vietnamese retail market, such as AEON, Takashimaya, 7-Eleven, and now Sumitomo with FujiMart. AEON was the first to enter the country. Recently, this retailer had to abandon the Fivimart supermarket chain to Vietnamese retailer Vingroup and also broke up with Trung Nguyen with whom they jointly bought the franchising rights to Ministop. However, in the commercial centre segment, AEON Mall has turned a profit only after three years of operation, while many competitors are still suffering heavy losses. AEON Group has four shopping malls in Hanoi, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City and it is regarded as a major competitor on the Vietnamese retail scene. It plans to build a new mall in Hanoi and another in Haiphong in the short run, and to have 20 malls across the country by 2020. Meanwhile, AEON Group has been in partnership with Japans Sojitz Corporation to develop Ministop convenience stores. The two firms aim to raise the number of their joint outlets to 800 in the next eight years. Japanese retailer Takashimaya decided to conquer the Vietnamese market by setting up its first shopping mall in Ho Chi Minh City with the capital of over $25 million. The firm is planning to increase sales by expanding daily family services and expects to turn a profit by 2022. In July 2017, the first 7-Eleven store was launched in Ho Chi Minh City via Seven System Vietnam (SSV) as the Master Franchisee of the 7-Eleven convenience store system in Vietnam, making Vietnam the 19th country to host the worlds largest convenience store chain. 7-Eleven does not expand through the franchise form, but will open and operate stores by itself. It aims to open 100 stores within three years and 1,000 stores in the next 10 years. President Donald Trump, Chairman Kim Jong Un Eight months later and over 2,200 kilometres further north, Vietnams capital city Hanoi is gearing up to host the second summit between the leaders of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the US, following the first summit in last June in Singapore. This event will be the centre of global attention. Earlier, on February 9, President Donald Trump announced on Twitter that he will meet with Chairman Kim Jong Un in Hanoi on February 27-28. My representatives have just left North Korea after a very productive meeting and an agreed-upon time and date for the second summit with Kim Jong Un. It will take place in Hanoi, Vietnam, on February 27 and 28. I look forward to seeing Chairman Kim and advancing the cause of peace, he wrote on Twitter. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc last week said that Vietnam will do its best to facilitate the summit. Commenting on President Trumps remarks in his latest State of the Union address on the upcoming summit, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said Vietnam welcomes the summit and strongly supports the dialogue to maintain peace, security, and stability on the Korean Peninsula. Vietnam also stands ready to actively contribute to and co-operate with both sides to ensure the success of the summit, the official said. While highlighting the significance of the summit for Vietnam, Carl Thayer, a renowned Southeast Asia specialist teaching at the Australian Defence Force Academy and the Asia-Pacific Centre for Security Studies, said, This increases the salience of Vietnams role as an independent facilitator of the US-North Korea dialogue to all stakeholders. According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Vietnam has been selected to organise the summit thanks to the countrys big economic achievements, good relations with the DPRK and the US, positive security activities, and its experience in organising multilateral conferences and in international conciliation. Besides, Vietnam is a reliable and responsible partner of the international community. It is expected that nearly 3,000 Vietnamese and foreign journalists will follow this important event. Strong trade ties with the US Currently, Vietnam has warm relations with both sides. It is expected that President Trump will have bilateral meetings with Vietnamese leaders, talking about the flourishing US-Vietnam co-operation across many sectors, with a focus on trade and investment. It is also expected that Vietnam and the US will sign several bilateral co-operation deals on trade and investment. According to statistics from the Ministry of Planning and Investment, as of January 20, 2019, the US was the 11th largest foreign investors in Vietnam, with 908 projects registered at over $9 billion. Pham Quang Vinh, former MoFA Deputy Minister and former Vietnamese Ambassador to the US, told VIR that the US is one of the biggest trade and investment partners of the region and Vietnam alike. However, US investment is different from that of many other nations. Specifically, it has been able to greatly stimulate the relationship between Vietnam and the US in all sectors. It has also created a big impetus for a rise in investment of multinational corporations and US companies, and even of investors from other nations into Vietnam, Vinh said. Once US companies have invested in Vietnam, they showed their confidence in the market. That is why over the past many years, the US has remained an important investment source for Vietnam. During our meetings with many large US groups and investors, we have seen that they have been paying great attention to and even felt quite excited about doing business and investing in Vietnam. They consider Vietnam an attractive and stable investment location whose role in the region is on the rise, he said. For example, big US corporations like Coca-Cola and Intel have been investing in Vietnam. They told us that they will not only stay in the country for the long-term, but will also expand investments here, he said. Sharing lessons with DPRK This week will also see DPRK Chairman Un pay an official friendship visit to Vietnam to meet with the countrys top leaders. Earlier on February 12-14, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh visited the DPRK at the invitation of Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho. Vietnam has always attached great importance to relations between the two nations, which was forged by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kim Il-sung, according to the MoFA. Currently, the DPRK is seeking to see how Vietnam has been able to achieve such economic success, and Vietnam is ready to share its experience. As of January 20, 2019, the DPRK had five investment projects in Vietnam, registered at $1.2 million. By the mid-1980s, Vietnam remained one of the poorest economies in the world, with per capita GDP sitting at between $200 and $300. However, in 1986, the government introduced doi moi, a series of economic and political reforms, and steered the country to become a socialist-oriented market economy. Today, the country is one of the stars of the emerging markets. Its annual economic growth rate has been averaging at 6-7 per cent, and its exports are worth as much as the total value of its GDP. Anything from Nike sportswear to Samsung smartphones are manufactured in this ASEAN nation. How did this miraculous growth come about? According to analysts from the World Bank and Brookings Institution, an American research group, Vietnams economic rise can be explained by three main factors: First, it has embraced trade liberalisation with gusto. Second, it has complemented external liberalisation with domestic reforms through deregulation and lowering the cost of doing business. Finally, Vietnam has invested heavily in human and physical capital, predominantly through public investments. In 2018, weathering difficulties, the Vietnamese economy reached a very impressive growth rate at an estimated 7.08 per cent, the highest level since 2008. The growth quality has significantly improved in almost all indexes. This rate has also been higher than the target of 6.7 per cent set earlier by the National Assembly, and recent forecasts by high-profile international organisations, such as Standard Chartered Bank (7 per cent), the World Bank (6.8 per cent), the Asian Development Bank (6.9 per cent), Fitch Solutions (7 per cent), and Union Bank of Switzerland (6.6 per cent). Vietnam is now making great efforts to reach a growth rate higher than last year, with the major impetuses coming from surging domestic production and consumption, a rise in export markets with new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs). Currently, Vietnam is one of the most active countries with 12 FTAs signed and four more under negotiation. Besides, the countrys international prestige is one the rise. It was selected as the only candidate in the Asia-Pacific region for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2020-2021 tenure at a monthly meeting of the Asia-Pacific Group at the UN on May 25, 2018. The voting will be held by the UN General Assembly in June 2019. Also for the first time, in the 2008-2009 tenure, Vietnam performed well its role as a non-permanent member of the UNSC. Next year, Vietnam will become the chair of the ASEAN. President Mauricio Macri (left) was welcomed by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right), Photo chinhphu.vn During his state visit to Vietnam last week, Argentinean President Mauricio Macri said that his nation and the member states of Mercosur, officially titled the Southern Common Market, want to negotiate a free trade agreement (FTA) with Vietnam in the near future. Consisting of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay as full members, Mercosur was established in 1991. It accounts for 70 per cent of South Americas population and has a GDP of $2.7 trillion, equivalent to 76 per cent of the South American continents total GDP. An FTA with Vietnam would mean reduction and removal of import tariffs for relevant member states. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that the two sides will establish a joint working group to conduct specific exchanges about the possibility for the negotiation of the FTA. For Vietnam, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will be in charge of founding this group. Notably, both nations have agreed that their existing comprehensive partnership will be further sharpened, with a vision to be developed into a strategic partnership. Vietnam and Argentina have also agreed that they will boost bilateral trade, with doors to be opened wider to the products of both sides, especially in agriculture. Vietnam wants to increase the export of litchi, dragon fruit, longan, and mango. The Argentine leader committed that these products will be able to be marketed in his nation. Two-way trade turnover has doubled from $1.4 billion in 2013 to almost $3 billion last year. Currently, over 100 million Vietnamese mobile phones are sold in Argentina. President Macri stated that Vietnam is now his countrys fifth-largest trade partner globally, the second-largest from Asia, and that Vietnam is one of the most dynamic nations on the continent, with impressive economic growth. During the visit, besides the Vietnam-Argentina business forum attended by hundreds of enterprises, including over 80 from Argentina, the first meeting was organised between leaders of Vietnams telecommunications giant Viettel and Argentinean Minister of Modernisation Andres Ibarra about IT and telecommunications co-operation. Jorge Faurie, Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship, said that he once visited Vietnam over two decades ago, however, the country is now quite different. I see the country strongly growing at an annual rate of over 6 per cent, with great demand for consumption, especially demand for products which are also opportunities for Argentine businesses, he said. Since late 2017, four Argentine business delegations, including hundreds of enterprises, have come to Vietnam to seek business opportunities in many sectors, such as agriculture, foodstuffs, and pharmaceuticals. Baldini Estela Monica, business manager of Conarpesa Continental Armadores de Pesca S.A., said that the firm currently exports agro-aquatic products to 19 overseas markets, and wants to further export shrimp and squid products to Vietnam. Vietnam is a large consumer of these products, and this is an opportunity for us, Monica said. Like many other Argentine firms, Graneles Sudamericanos, an agricultural, grain, and feed merchandising company, is also seeking to establish its presence in Vietnam. We offer grains, oil seeds, flour, feed ingredients, and other specialities, said company representative Juan Carlos Trigo. Meanwhile, Arcor Saic wants to export confectionery and foodstuff products to Vietnam where the demand for these products are growing by double digits. Arcor identifies opportunities in Vietnam and wants to develop flavours and product presentation for increasingly selective consumers, said the firms Ana Simonelli. According to Vietnams Ministry of Planning and Investment, Argentina currently has four investment projects in Vietnam, registered at only $284,000. Chatting with Truong Cong Thanh, CEO, Ecomobi Why was Ecomobi registered for establishment in Singapore when its four founders are Vietnamese? Singapore is financially transparent, and from inception, Ecomobi has been aiming to grow into a regional-level firm. Registration procedures in Singapore are simple, only take a few days, and the country also accepts adverse payment methods. What experience could you share with other startups after two successful rounds of capital mobilisation? Startups need to take capital raising as their daily duty. Meeting 10 customers, you could be considered lucky if you can persuade one to buy your products. Meeting 100 investors, it is fortunate if you can persuade one to open their wallet. When raising capital, startups should turn to investment funds which can give them practical advice to increase business success. Ecomobi was founded in March 2016 by Truong Cong Thanh and three colleagues in an attempt to address the conundrum attached to online selling connecting businesses with the best advertising experts and the individuals with strong influence on social networks. Recently, the platform announced a successful second capital raising round from two big venture capital funds, Vietnamese ESP Capital and South Korean Nextrans. This success will help cultivate its resources for the upcoming advance into Thailand, and lay the bedrock for further penetration into other Southeast Asian markets. Thanh conceived the idea of Ecomobi when he worked in the marketing business, in a bid to tackle the greatest challenge in the field: how to bring ultimate value to corporate customers through creating effective online selling brands. In Thanhs mind, Ecomobi is a smart way to boost online sales that producers and media agencies marketing teams had yet to find. Most media companies currently hold commitments with their corporate customers about product coverage, image appearance or mouse-click volumes, while hardly any firms can fulfil commitments about bringing a volume of users with a keen interest in the product. From another angle, content creation communities are widely popular on social network platforms like Facebook, Zalo, and Instagram in other Southeast Asian countries. Therefore, the question is why we dont connect both sides for product image promotion optimisation, leaving the content creation communities to create orders for the goods, Thanh said. Based on his own experience and the study, Thanh came to the decision of founding Ecomobi which acts as the online selling intermediary platform with the commitment of bringing ultimate value to customers. Ecomobi plays the role of connecting the business, advertising, and content creation communities through a revenue sharing format. Only when the order is successfully processed must business owners pay Ecomobi. This drive could benefit all relevant sides. Business will have an opportunity for revenue augmentation, whereas the content creation communities could count money from promoting their product image, their assessments, or directly selling suitable products and services from prestigious brands to their fans. Through Ecomobi, anyone could create income from their interactive channels on social network sites. Ecomobi was built on two major tech platforms: AI/Machine learning and the smart recommendation system, helping to gauge compatibility and allowing automatic connection between businesses and content creation communities. Furthermore, transactions conducted on Ecomobi ensure transparency by virtue of technology through the vehicles helping to keep track and analyse each orders efficiency. From there, businesses can effectively control their advertising budget and the expense from each implemented order. With its righteous approach, the fresh platform has been warmly received by customers. The platform has attracted more than 30,000 sellers who have registered to sell products from more than 100 big customers in the region, such as Lazada, Shopee, Tokopedia, and Tiki. Its sales revenue in the last two years came to approximately $200 million. Thanh said that in the next three years, Ecomobi aims to serve 500 different brands across Southeast Asia, focusing on Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Myanmar. Mytel is one of the most prominent success stories of Vietnamese overseas investment, Photo: Le Toan These days, Le Huy Hoang, Vietnamese Ambassador to Mozambique, is busy working with authorised agencies in the Southeast African nation about how Vietnamese businesses and investors can carry out their projects and do business there. Mozambique is a promising land for investment, and we are connecting Vietnamese investors with this attractive market, he told VIR. Vietnam has been closely cementing co-operation with Mozambique across a multitude of sectors, including telecommunications. Movitel, a joint venture between Vietnams Viettel Group and a Mozambique partner, has invested over $600 million in Mozambique and has already reaped profit. In addition to Viettel, some other companies from Vietnam have also been paying attention to Mozambique, including a titanium mining enterprise in the central province of Binh Thuan and several agricultural companies that arrived to Mozambique to cultivate and harvest cashew. Mozambique is one of 38 countries and territories home to Vietnamese overseas investment. Of these, in 2018, Laos ranked first with $81.5 million of total investment, making up 18.8 per cent, followed by Cambodia and Myanmar. According to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, as many as 149 projects have been granted certificates for overseas foreign direct investment (OFDI) with the total registered capital of $432.1 million in 2018. Hoang Quang Phong, vice chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), said that through 30 years of integration and development, Vietnam is not only a leading recipient of FDI in the region, but also has more and more OFDI projects. Major sectors of investment overseas include industrial tree plantations, forestry, mining, energy, and telecommunications. In addition to Mozambique, telecommunications giant Viettel Global JSC (Viettel Global) has been pouring billions of dollars into markets like Cambodia, Laos, Haiti, Myanmar, Burundi, Tanzania, Cameroon, and East Timor. Of these, Myanmar and Tanzania receive the biggest investment through Mytel and Halotel, with $1.75 billion and $783 million. Difficulties remain However, in addition to success, most Vietnamese investors are facing some difficulties from the policies, customs, and culture of the host country, and some OFDI projects have failed to produce the expected benefits. Nguyen Thi Hai, deputy general director of DakLak Rubber Investment JSC (DRI), which has a branch in Laos, said that the company has great difficulties due to the language barrier, and finding relevant international and local laws. For instance, DRI has been using images to disseminate information on recruitment, training, and insurance benefits to overcome the language barrier. Pham Quang Tu, Oxfams representative in Vietnam, was of the opinion that the number and scale of the overseas projects of Vietnamese businesses are still limited. Additionally, they are usually said not to thoroughly understand the legislation and policies of the host countries. Additionally, they face issues resulting from incomplete legal systems or fast-changing policies and regulations. According to Vietnamese not-for-profit organisation People and Nature Reconciliations (PanNature) latest survey on cross-border investment risks, there are two main reasons putting Vietnamese investors in legal risks. Accordingly, the companies do not accurately evaluate opportunities and challenges before venturing into the target country, especially the differences in culture, customs, and environmental policies. Moreover, businesses are not open-minded enough to share information and actively connect with stakeholders, especially non-governmental organisations which have a good understanding and significant experience working with the local communities. Circumspection advised Vietnamese enterprises tend to stick to their tried and tested methods developed in Vietnam when investing overseas, which puts them at considerable risk in foreign markets. Besides, it takes a long time (at least seven or eight years) to recoup investment in the agricultural sector, which is not as fast as producing smartphones or electronic devices (half or one year). Therefore, they need to prepare significant funds to invest overseas. In the opinion of Nguyen Hoang Phuong, policy programme coordinator of PanNature, there is a mind-boggling number of standards and regulations in the world playground, which businesses must know clearly in addition to the policies of the host countries. They need to be more circumspect and uncover all difficulties and risks not to be taken unawares. In order to gain market share and benefit from overseas markets and free trade agreements, businesses should be more proactive because the slower they are, the more they stand to lose. Besides legal risks, exchange rate fluctuations is also a concern for overseas investors. In its business plan, Viettel Global anticipated an increase of 1-5 per cent in exchange rates for all of its markets. If the exchange rate changes in a negative direction, Viettel Global will pay for equipment purchases, new investments, and even borrow in local currency, a Viettel Group representative said while he was recently talking with the media about the companys flexible outlook on exchange rate fluctuations in overseas markets. Additionally, businesses should co-operate closely with overseas Vietnamese diplomatic agencies and international organisations to find support and overcome difficulties while doing business overseas. Highlighting the intelligence of Vietnamese businesses in realising and seizing opportunities, Ambassador Hoang expressed his belief that more and more enterprises can invest overseas successfully, in every sector like telecommunications, agriculture, forestry, fishery, and mining not only in Mozambique but also in every country. Analysts warn that Vietnam must do more to avoid becoming a low-tech dumping ground, Photo: Le Toan The Ministry of Planning and Investments (MPI) General Statistics Office recently conducted a survey on Vietnamese manufacturing and processing innovation levels for the 2012-2017 period, on the threshold of Industry 4.0 penetrating the country. Results showed that domestic business spending on research and development (R&D) remains limited, with an average 6.5 per cent of enterprises engaging in R&D. This is in line with the fact that over 97 per cent of local businesses are small- and medium-sized. They lack capital, skills, technology, and modern machinery, so they cannot conduct R&D, said Luong Van Khoi, vice director of the MPIs National Centre for Socioeconomic Information and Forecast. Low R&D According to the Global Competitiveness Report 2017-2018 by the World Economic Forum, Vietnam remained at a medium level in Southeast Asia in terms of innovation, equal to the Philippines and above only Brunei, Laos, and Cambodia. Vietnams scores have remained almost the same over the past five years, with a slight rise from 3.1 to 3.3. Under a survey on science, technology, and innovation in Vietnam conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the World Bank, the countrys gross domestic expenditure on research and development (GERD) occupied only 0.2 per cent of the GDP. Meanwhile, the rate is about 3.7 per cent for South Korea, 3.3 per cent for Japan, 1.8 per cent for China, and 0.8 per cent for Malaysia. GERD includes expenditure on R&D by enterprises, higher education institutions, as well as government and private non-profit organisations. In Vietnam, private companies occupy about 15 per cent of the countrys total R&D investment, while nearly 70 per cent comes from the government and the rest from higher education institutions. In comparison, private R&D investment is nearly 80 per cent in Japan, 75 per cent in South Korea, 73 per cent in China, 70 per cent in Malaysia, 62 per cent in Singapore, 58 per cent in the Philippines, 45 per cent in Thailand, and 38 per cent in Laos. According to Phan Hong Mai, an economist from the National Economics University in Hanoi, in Vietnam, domestic businesses are aware of the importance of innovation, but they mainly focus on this regard in terms of improving product quality. Basically, it means that they attempt to make better old products rather than comprehensively improve the process from product design to distribution. Concurrently, Vietnamese businesses simply upgrading products will not help to create new global products, and will not lead to a rise of Vietnams position in the global value chain, Mai said. According to the World Bank, the percentage of Vietnamese businesses using quality certification is very low, at only 9 per cent, while that of foreign counterparts is 50 per cent. In reality, innovation is a crucial mission for Vietnamese enterprises, in which R&D is particularly necessary to be invested. R&D investment can help businesses improve their competitiveness significantly. For instance, Rang Dong Light Source and Vacuum Flask JSC was once on the brink of bankruptcy. However, it rose to become one of the 500 biggest Vietnamese enterprises within 10 years, thanks to the application of high-technologies and workforce training. Rang Dong now contributes more than $10 million to the state budget. Last year, the companys revenues totalled VND3.62 trillion ($157.4 million), with its profit augmented by 25 per cent against the initial plan, and average employee income climbing 6.2 per cent on-year. Former Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Quan said, Enterprises like Rang Dong are unfortunately rarely found. In general, technological innovation in Vietnamese enterprises, and human resources improvement, remains very weak. Low HR investment According to the National Economics Universitys recent survey involving 583 local enterprises from six big cities in Vietnam, only 9 per cent had a human resources policy lasting over three years. A quarter had a relevant policy for less than three years, and 66 per cent did not have one at all. The respondents also fail to place big investment on innovation, and training on innovation due to a limited budget. Since 2011, half of them have spent from VND1.1-3 billion ($47,800-$130,400) mainly on technology transfer, consultancy, and working materials. About 4 per cent has spent over VND10 billion ($434,800) on innovation. Most of the surveyed businesses did not have a long-term budget for training in innovation and budgets over the next few years seem to be falling. Regarding training content and topics, only 30 per cent of respondents organised training for innovation for employees. Low investment in R&D has been stunting competitiveness for Vietnamese businesses. According to global innovation rankings, Vietnam is placed 76th out of 142 countries surveyed recently, said university expert Hoang Thi Hue. It is likely that if Vietnamese businesses continue using low technologies, the country will soon become a dump for the worlds backward technology, Quan warned. Many National Assembly members said that low technological improvements and low labour capacity had led to the fact that Vietnams labour capacity was equal to 43 per cent of the average labour capacity within the ASEAN. According to the World Bank, Vietnamese businesses are finding it difficult to seek different types of skills, such as technical (nearly 60 per cent), computer or general IT (nearly 30 per cent), foreign languages (nearly 60 per cent), work ethics (nearly 90 per cent), interpersonal and communications (60 per cent), and managerial and leadership skills (nearly 90 per cent). India is the second-most populated country globally, with great opportunities to expand destinations and build on partnerships in Asia and beyond The tourism industry in both Vietnam and India is hopeful of the launch of direct flights between the two countries in the near future, in order to raise the volume of visitors on both sides. Sumit Mathur, director of Indian travel agency Top Travel and Tours Ltd., recently visited Vietnam with the hope of finding new partners in the country to hold outbound tours along with strengthening inbound tours. The agency has been taking Vietnamese tourists to India for close to 15 years. Indian travel agencies are awaiting direct flights between the two countries, which will enable them to save costs and send more tourists to Vietnam, as well as welcome more Vietnamese visitors to India, Mathur said. He told VIR that Vietnam and India both have diversified potential for tourism development. While in India, tourists enjoy spiritual tours, adventures in the Himalayan Mountain Range, and can discover world heritage sites such as the Taj Mahal and Sun Temple, Vietnam is blessed with many beautiful destinations like Halong Bay, Hue, and Danang. Mathur also has a soft spot for Vietnamese cuisine and underlined its fascination to foreigners. The colours and flavours of Vietnamese dishes are fantastic. The country has many specialties typical for each region. I love it, he said. India itself is home to a diversified culture, with 22 official languages divided into 14 categories. India and Vietnam have been friends for many years, but the peoples of the two nations often know little about each other. India is the birthplace of Buddha, and Buddhism is the largest religion in Vietnam. Thats one of the reasons why I would like to be a bridge to connect the people of the two countries, Mathur said. Sharing his hopes of being a cultural bridge and also being a partner to the company over the past 10 years, Vietravel plans to take over 20 charter flights to India this year, with a maximum of 175-180 seats per flight. Previously, we only held pilgrimage tours, but recently we have combined pilgrimages with shopping and sightseeing tours, said Le Quynh Phuong, vice chief of the Outbound Department at Vietravel. According to Quynh Phuong, thanks to tour diversification to India, Vietravel has taken many more tourists to the country. However, she still emphasised the attraction of pilgrimages. Our lives are now very fast and busy, and people need time to slow down. Therefore, pilgrimages often help people get the time off to relax and think, she added. With the support of the two companies and many other travel agencies in Vietnam and India, the number of tourist exchanges between the two countries has been continuously increasing. Venkatesan Dhattareyan, deputy director general at the Indian Ministry of Tourism, told VIR, Vietnam is a very important market for Indian tourism. In 2017, more than 23,000 Vietnamese people travelled to India, and in 2018 the number was 27,700. Although the number of Indian tourists to Vietnam is not high, India as the second-largest population in the world, will be a huge market for Vietnamese tourism. I believe if direct flights are launched, we will witness a sharp increase of tourists from both sides, he added. Meanwhile, Nguyen Quy Phuong, head of the Travel Management Department at the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, said that Vietnamese tourism enterprises have prepared to welcome Indian tourists for several years now. Many Indian restaurants have been opened in big cities, and travel agencies have held inbound tours with a steady increase of tourists year on-year, he said. However, currently, there are no direct flights between Vietnam and India. Tourists travelling to India have to spend several hours in transit in Bangkok, Thailand. Furthermore, the cost is also higher and less competitive, Quy Phuong said. Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, and Jetstar Pacific have previously held charter flights to India. In last March, on the 45th anniversary of Vietnamese-Indian diplomatic ties, Vietjet announced plans to operate a direct route connecting Vietnam and India, with the first route planned to connect Ho Chi Minh City with New Delhi on the basis of four flights per week. However, almost a year later, Vietjet remains silent about progress on the launch of the route. Pope Francis on Feb. 25 received in private audience 3 members of REPAM, the Pan-Amazon Ecclesial Network that is collaborating with the Vatican General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops in organizing the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon Region, in the Vatican in October. By Robin Gomes Pope Francis on Monday met 3 members of the Pan-Amazon Ecclesial Network (REPAM), an organism that is collaborating with the Vatican General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops in organizing the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon Region, in the Vatican in October. The Pope received in private audience Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes, the prefect emeritus of the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy, Colombian Bishop Carlos Barreto Barreto of Quibdo and Mauricio Lopez Oropeza, the executive secretary of REPAM. Also on Monday, the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops announced that the Synod on the Pan-Amazon Region will take place in the Vatican, October 6 to 27. The theme is: Amazonia: New Paths for the Church and for an Integral Ecology. The idea of such a synod was born out of Pope Francis 2015 environmental encyclical Laudato Si On Care for Our Common Home, which calls for action on global warming and pinpoints the Pan-Amazon Region as an area of concern. The Pope first announced the synod on 15 October 2017. Preparing for Synod During a press conference to release the preparatory document of the Pan-Amazon Region Synod, on June 8, last year, Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, the general secretary of the Synod of Bishops noted that in the Pan-Amazon region, priority must be given to the native peoples who live there. When Pope Francis visited the Amazonia region for the first time at Puerto Maldonado in southeast Peru on January 19, 2018, he said that the indigenous people of the Amazonia have never been so threatened as they are now. Card. Baldisseri said that the synod will pay attention to the theme of the environment, ecology, and care for creation, our common home. All these will be presented in the light of the teaching and life of the Church, working in the region. Why Pan-Amazon? The Pan-Amazon Region comprises more than 7.5 million square kilometres, with 9 countries sharing the same biome (Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana and French Guyana) and involving 7 bishops conferences. The Amazon basin is one of the major biodiversity reserves (30 to 50% of the worlds flora and fauna) and of fresh water (20% of the frozen water of the entire planet) for our planet. The region has more than a third of the worlds primary forests and is a major source of oxygen for the entire earth. This vast territory has a population of 34 million inhabitants of whom over 3 million are indigenous people belonging to more than 390 ethnic groups. They also include peoples and cultures of all kinds such as Afro-descendants, peasants, settlers, etc. All live in a vital relationship with the vegetation and the waters of the rivers according to their cyclical movements, such as overflows, refluxes and periods of drought. Inhabited centres and cities in Amazonia have rapidly increased in number due to migration to the suburbs so that today between 70% and 80% of the population resides in these centres and cities. The richness of the forest and rivers is threatened by great economic interests, in the various points of the territory, which cause indiscriminate deforestation and the contamination of rivers and lakes, due to the use of agro-toxic substances, oil spills, mining and drug production. To all this must be added the dramatic increase in human trafficking, especially in women and children, for the purpose of every kind of inhuman exploitation. In his state-of-the-world address to the diplomatic corps in the Vatican on January 7, Pope Francis said that earth belongs to everyone, and the consequences of its exploitation affect all the peoples of the world, even if certain regions feel those consequences more dramatically. Among the latter, he said, is the Amazonia region, which will be at the centre of the forthcoming Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October. Pope Francis is scheduled to travel to Morocco at the end of March. During his two-day visit he will engage in interreligious dialogue as well as visit migrants, address the countrys bishops and affirm the Catholics in their faith. By John Waters With Pope Francis visit to Morocco now only a month away, the Archbishop of Rabat has spoken about the itinerary for the Popes trip as well as his own personal hopes for the visit. Archbishop Cristobal Lopez has been Archbishop of Rabat, the capital city, since 2018. Although born in Spain, Archbishop Lopez has been ministering in Morocco since 2003. There are about 50,000 Catholics in Morocco, mostly European expatriates. A visit full of meaning Archbishop Lopez says that the visit of Pope Francis will be a great event for the church but also a very demanding two day visit full of meaningful meetings. Pope Francis is due to visit both Rabat and Casablanca. The itinerary for the visit includes a visit to a migrant centre, run by the charity Caritas, and a social centre run by the Daughters of Charity. There will also be a visit to the Mohammed VI institute, which oversees the training and formation of Imans, to serve the local Muslim community. The Pope is also expected to meet with King Mohamed VI as well as the countrys Bishops. Catholic population Although the catholic population in Morocco is small, Archbishop Lopez says that The Pope will come to Morocco as a universal pastor, father of all Catholic Christians, a person of good will who wants to meet everyone. And for everyone, he presents himself as a servant of hope. He comes to fill us with hope, to give us strength, to recover from discouragement, to instill enthusiasm, he comes to announce the Gospel to us. Security arrangements for the visit will be strict, but Archbishop Lopez remains confident that, with patience, everyone who waits to see the Pope will find the waiting to be worthwhile. He is particularly keen that the Popes celebration of Mass in Morocco be the summit of visit, reflecting the way in which the Eucharist is the source and summit of Catholic life. Personal hopes Archbishop Lopez also spoke about his personal hopes for the visit. For our part we must welcome him as a human being, like us, an instrument that signals Christ to us, the voice that announces his message, the gospel. Our concern and our desire should not be to shake hands or take a selfie with him. Attention must be paid by listening to his words, receiving his message, witnessed by words and gestures. When a wise man signals the sun with his finger, the idiot looks at his finger says a proverb. The Pope is not the sun, he is the finger. Let us look at the sun, which is Christ and not the finger. The Pope will visit Morocco from March 30-31st. Valdosta, GA (31601) Today A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Mostly clear early followed by mostly cloudy skies overnight. Low 71F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Mostly clear early followed by mostly cloudy skies overnight. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Student Representatives to the Board of Governors and the Senate Play a vital role in university governance as a Student Representative. Join the University's Board of Governors and Senate The University of Victoria operates under the authority of the University Act and is governed by a Board of Governors and a Senate. As a student representative on the Board of Governors or the Senate you play a crucial role in university governance. It is an opportunity for you to build skills, to represent your fellow students, to be heard, and to contribute to decision making on campus. Serving on Senate was one of the most valuable experiences during my time at UVic. I was able to represent the views of my peers while shaping University policies that directly impact student life and academic programs... If you have any interest in governance, collaborative problem solving, advocacy skills or policy development then you should strongly consider running for Senate. Andrew Lemieux, former Student Senator There are two student positions on the Board of Governors, 1 undergraduate student elected by and from the undergraduate students and 1 graduate student elected by and from the graduate students. There are 16 student positions on the Senate, elected from the students who are members of the University of Victoria Students' Society and the Graduate Students' Society, in a manner that ensure that at least one student from each faculty is elected. Students are elected to serve a 1-year term, commencing on July 1st. Call for nominations and elections are usually held in the Spring term. Calls for Nomination Nominations Received Election Results There are no open Calls for Nominations at this time. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES TO THE SENATE Results: Elections to Senate Thank you to all candidates and voters for their involvement and interest in Senate. The UVic Senate was a meaningful way to get involved. It was a platform for me to express what I cared about and to advocate for change. I always felt heard, and that my input was appreciated...The student voice is crucial for representation in UVics governing bodies. I created connections with my fellow students and UVic faculty. It has been a worthwhile experience that I would recommend to anyone who wants to get involved in their campus community. Isabella Lee, former Student Senator (@FahadShabbir) Fidesz, the party of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, may be expelled from the European People's Party (EPP) group in the EU Parliament after Budapest clashed with Brussels over migration BRUSSELS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th February, 2019) Fidesz, the party of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, may be expelled from the European People's Party (EPP) group in the EU Parliament after Budapest clashed with Brussels over migration. Earlier in February, the Hungarian government launched a new campaign poster with the faces of European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Hungarian-born billionaire George Soros. The campaign suggests that Brussels is promoting unchecked migration. The European Commission swiftly dismissed the campaign as fake news and slammed the ideas in it as "a ludicrous conspiracy theory." Last week, Juncker suggested that Orban's party did not belong in the center-right EPP, which, reportedly, was coupled with several other calls for the party to leave the group. Hungary may be right in being wary of EU migration policies, UK Member of the European Parliament Paul Nuttal told Sputnik. Nuttal argues that the European Union had demonstrated its inability to handle increased migration by the time the United Kingdom went to polls on Brexit in 2016. "At that time, it was more than one year and a half, that Europe showed its total incapacity at finding a solution or closing the gates ... So, this is not fake news: the migrants' crisis was one of the major reasons behind the Brexit vote," Nuttal said. Hungary has already clashed with the European Union and Soros over migration in the past. Last year, the billionaire's Open Society Foundations took Budapest to court over the so-called Stop Soros legislation, which targets those supporting or promoting illegal migration, including non-governmental organizations. Meanwhile, the European Commission has notified Budapest the law was breaching EU rules on fundamental rights. Mischael Modrikamen, the president of Belgian People's Party, believes that the European Commission was the one that started this quarrel with "damning report about Hungary" presented last year and the parliament's vote to launch Article 7 sanctions procedure against the country. "It is clearly a panicky attack of traditional parties against one of the prominent "populist" figureheads in Europe, Viktor Orban ... They have launched the attack. No wonder if Orban retaliates with his posters, with humor!" Modrikamen told Sputnik. However, the expulsion of Fidesz would cost EPP 12 members , shaking up its majority. At the moment, the group holds 217 seats, while the second largest group in the parliament, the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), has 186 seats. Filip Dewinter, a member of the Belgian parliament, believes that Orban may have decided "to clash openly with his own group in the European parliament, in order to be subjected to a disciplinary expulsion from the Christian-Democrats group." "When Fidesz will be expelled, I hope the party can join the populist group in the European parliament. It is not bad for Fidesz to be seen as a 'victim' of the Eurocrats in Budapest. For Manfred Weber [EPP head] and the EPP, it will add to the looming disaster at the elections. So, contrary to what the press says, Orban is not facing a 'backlash'," Dewinter told Sputnik. According to Modrikamen, "everybody knows that the next European parliament will veer to the Right and will have many more 'populist' MEPS in the hemicycle." This prediction will be tested at the European elections in May. The European Union is expecting the Albanian government and opposition to hold constructive talks amid the anti-government protests in the country, a spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said Monday MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th February, 2019) The European Union is expecting the Albanian government and opposition to hold constructive talks amid the anti-government protests in the country, a spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said Monday. Last week, protesters came to the Albanian parliament clamoring for the government to step down over alleged links to criminals. Albanian opposition has called for more protests. "We expressed clear expectation that the government and the opposition will engage in constructive discussions with a view to overcome the current political situation to the benefit of Albania and its citizens," Maja Kocijancic said. Sixty-five opposition lawmakers resigned from the 140-seat parliament last week, prompting the European Union to express its regret. Johannes Hahn, the European commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini issued a joint statement, pointing out that the parliament was the place where discussions should be held rather than boycotted. The statement denounced any calls for violence from political leaders. The Belgian prime minister's office and diplomats are currently working with French, German, UK and Dutch officials to develop a common position on the fate of their nationals who went to fight on behalf of terrorist organizations in Syria and Iraq, but no agreement has been reached so far, Belgian government spokesman Frederic Cauderlier told Sputnik on Monday BRUSSELS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th February, 2019) The Belgian prime minister 's office and diplomats are currently working with French, German UK and Dutch officials to develop a common position on the fate of their nationals who went to fight on behalf of terrorist organizations in Syria and Iraq , but no agreement has been reached so far, Belgian government spokesman Frederic Cauderlier told Sputnik on Monday. Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said earlier in the day that people who left their home states to fight for jihadist groups in Syria or Iraq should be trialed mostly in the countries where the crimes were committed, adding that an international legal procedure could be instituted to deal with foreign terrorist fighters. "The Belgian PM's services and our diplomatic services are of course talking now to the French, German, British and Dutch authorities, to try to define a common position on the trial and return of jihadists, but we have not come to an agreement yet on the trials that will have to take place, or the location where they could take place," Cauderlier said. Speaking about the repatriation of jihadists' children, the spokesman said those aged under 10, who have family links in Belgium, would be able to benefit from the Belgian diplomatic and consular services, while in case of those aged 10 and above, it will be "a case by case operation for spouses and children." The debate over the potential return of foreign terrorist fighters has recently intensified in Europe, as the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are advancing upon the last patch of land held by the Islamic State terrorist group (IS, banned in Russia) in the Syrian village of Baghouz near the Iraqi border. On February 16, US President Donald Trump called on European countries to take back more than 800 IS fighters, captured by the United States in Syria, and put them on trial. Several European Parliament members from Latvia and Estonia on Wednesday discussed the worrying democracy and human rights situation in the three Baltic countries BRUSSELS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st February, 2019) Several European Parliament members from Latvia and Estonia on Wednesday discussed the worrying democracy and human rights situation in the three Baltic countries. The meeting, which featured testimonies from journalists, university professors and human rights activists, was hosted by European Parliament member from Latvia Miroslavs Mitrofanovs at one of the parliament buildings in Brussels. The discussion was also attended by EU parliament member from Estonia Yana Toom and parliament member from Latvia Andrejs Mamikins. Speakers from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania shared their experience to bring attention to baseless accusations of espionage and of organizing civil unrest, house arrests and difficulties experienced by Russian-speakers in these countries. LATVIA'S SCHOOL LANGUAGE REFORM Last year, the Latvian cabinet adopted amendments to the law on education to start the transition into teaching mostly in Latvian at the Baltic country's minority schools. The move was denounced as "discriminatory" by some of Latvia's ethnic Russian minority. In Latvia, around a quarter of the population are ethnic Russians. A parents' meeting, aimed at exchanging views on the school language reform, was held in the Latvian capital Riga on March 1, 2018. It was attended by some 1,000 people. Several weeks after the conference, a number of participants of the meeting were arrested and had their houses searched. "My children live in England and France, but I cannot go to see them. I cannot speak to my friends, I am under house arrest from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and must be at home during the night. I am accused of intentionally creating hatred, of crimes against the state and - quite an exotic accusation - of preparing "civil unrest" in Latvia! Ridiculous. All this is based on my presentation at the parents' meeting in Riga," Vladimirs Lindermans, a Latvian publicist and human rights activist, said in a Skype call. 'TREASON' ACCUSATIONS AGAINST DISSENTING VOICES Aleksandrs Gaponenko, a university researcher from Latvia, was imprisoned for four months and placed under house arrest August 23, 2018. "I was incriminated for crime against the state. The Latvian criminal code was suspiciously complemented with new articles 2 years ago in article 81, chapter 10, indicating assistance in actions directed against the state and assisting foreign states or organizations against the state integrity. So it is evident that if you voice your concerns about corruption of bad government, this can be kept against you for accusations of espionage on behalf of a foreign state. They mean, of course, the Russian Federation, since I am a Russian speaker," Gaponenko said in a Skype call. The same accusations were brought against Jurijs Aleksejevs, the editor of the internet portal IMHOClub. He was detained in November 2018 for 48 hours. "Unfortunately, it seems that the European Union lacks any strength on these issues of democracy within the [European] Union. They don't want to interfere in national affairs ... Two years ago, the situation abruptly worsened in Latvia. Basic political rights and freedom of speech were limited ... The acts of the state [are similar] to torture, with the ransacking of homes and apartments, the confiscation of IT means and archives, the restriction of activities, arrests," Miroslavs Mitrofanovs stressed. According to the lawmaker, in Lithuania, too, "the persecution of dissenting voices is commonplace," although it is "more ideological" than in Latvia. RIGHTS SITUATION IN LITHUANIA AND ESTONIA In Lithuania, attempts to speak about the possible role played by some of the Baltic country's national heroes in the Holocaust are usually met with accusations of rewriting patriotic history. In 2017, one of Lithuania's biggest publishing houses recalled books by author Ruta Vanagaite from stores after the publication in 2016 of her book "Our People," which looked at the persecution of Jewish Lithuanians and the Holocaust during World War II. Viaceslav Titov, an ex-member of the city council in Klaipeda, Lithuania, said speaking at the meeting in Brussels that he was deprived of his city council membership after asking questions about the role played by one of Lithuania's national heroes in the Holocaust. Titov said Lithuania's supreme court ruled that he had "violated his oath of office for the city." Lithuanian journalist Giedrius Grabauskas described the Lithuanian democracy as "fake," citing cases of police bullying opposition activists. "The translated books on the fascists were confiscated and the publisher fined. The truth about the fascist past is forbidden by this government, which on the contrary does not confiscate antisemitic books published in Lithuania! Left-wing parties, Russians and Jews are considered enemies of the state in Lithuania," Grabauskas said. According to Estonian lawyer Sergei Seredenko, the three Baltic states have a common systemic problem. "They pretend to ensure the defense of human rights ... activists, but they don't when it comes to Russian-speaking minorities. They are deaf to them. The European Union pretends to be the defender of values, freedom, democracy, rule of law, but it fails to have them applied everywhere in Europe," Seredenko stressed. At the meeting in Brussels, Catalan independence supporter, member of the European Parliament Josep Maria Terricabras, voiced his support for ethnic minorities in the Baltic states, comparing the trial of the Catalan ministers in Madrid with unlawful detentions in the Baltic countries. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has updated its visa requirements for Pakistanis based in Pakistan and now requires applicants to possess a Smart CNIC ISLAMABAD (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / NNI - 25th February, 2019) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has updated its visa requirements for Pakistanis based in Pakistan and now requires applicants to possess a Smart CNIC.A Smart CNIC is the one with a chip. Other application requirements, such as a passport that is valid for six months beyond the travel date and a photograph with a white background, are unchanged.It costs Rs750 to renew your Smart CNIC if you want it in 30 days. The charges are more if you want your new Smart CNIC sooner.Travelers under 18 will have to produce a B-Form or Smart NIC. NNI (@mahnoorsheikh03) The development is being termed as a diplomatic success of PTI government. Islamabad (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News 20th February, 2019) Bahrain has lifted the ban on issuing visas to Pakistan. Bahrain has announced to provide visa-on-arrival facility to Pakistanis as well. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government and Bahrains embassy played a key role in lifting the ban. The development is being termed as a diplomatic success of PTI government. The incumbent government has succeeded in improving ties with Bahrain after taking its relations with Arab countries to a new height. Bahrain had imposed a ban after it was revealed that Afghan nationals were issued visas to Bahrain in the guise of Pakistani citizens with the help of Pakistani embassy. The Foreign Ministry, under the PTI government, had taken action against the responsible persons. Bahrains government was finally satisfied with the steps taken by Pakistani government and removed the restriction on issuing visas to Pakistani citizens. Bahrain has not only lifted the restriction, it has made the process of getting visas easier as well. Bahrain has introduced visa-on-arrival facility for Pakistanis residing in Gulf countries and e-visa facility for Pakistanis wanting to go to Bahrain. With these steps by Bahrains government, Pakistanis will be able to go to the gulf country for employment and tourism purposes. The week after Rebecca Grant took away her kids video games for a month, after a year of relaxed pandemic rules, her 10-year-old son was livid. He gave her the silent treatment, mostly ignoring her except to spit out a hurtful, I dont love you, one night at bedtime. MANCHESTER - City police say a Maple Street convenience store was held up at gunpoint Sunday night. According to Manchester police, officers responded to 61 Market, located at 61 Maple St., to investigate a report of an armed robbery. According to police, the thief entered the store displaying a gun, demanded money from the clerk, then fled. Anyone information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Manchester Police Detective Unit at 792-5500 and reference MPD Case # 19-2708, or the Manchester Police Crimeline at 624-4040 to provide your crime tip regarding the incident. No further information was available Sunday night. Peskova has unhindered access to the European Parliament buildings in both Brussels and Strasbourg and can attend all committees and other meetings in the chamber. The daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesman works as an intern in the European Parliament in Brussels, and has unhindered access to various EU documents. Yelizaveta Peskova, the 21-year-old daughter of Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, serves as a trainee with Aymeric Chauprade, a French member of the European Parliament (MEP) who has publicly supported Russias 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula, RFE/RL has learned. Peskovas name appears on Chauprades official European Parliament (EP) webpage and Chauprade confirmed to RFE/RL that she is part of his team. Ms. Peskova is certainly the daughter of an important personality in the Russian Federation, but as a student, she does not have fewer rights than other young people to do an internship as part of her studies, Chauprade said in an e-mailed comment. He added that Peskova is not currently working in Russia, either for a state or private entity. Read alsoGerman spy agency probes Russia links to right-wing parties report Accordingly, there can be no conflict of interest in the exercise of my mandate as a Member of Parliament, Chauprade wrote. Chauprade is a member of both the EPs foreign-affairs committee and the subcommittee on security and defense, and he is part of the delegation of the EU-Russia parliamentary committee. He was one of the international observers to the Moscow-staged referendum in Crimea following the Russian military takeover of the Ukrainian peninsula in March 2014. At the time, Chauprade called the referendum justified, a position at odds with the European Unions. A UN General Assembly resolution supported by 100 countries pronounced the referendum invalid and confirmed the assembly's commitment to the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Read alsoBelgium's counterintel chief accused of spying for Russia: media This is breach of general security rules of the European Parliament, said Sandra Kalniete from the largest Parliamentary Group, the center-right European Peoples Party, Petras Austrevicius, from the Liberal Group in the EP called Peskovas position there a very big shame on the face of the European Parliament. I couldnt believe that Kremlin keeps its hand in the pockets and heart of the EU institutions, Austrevicius told RFE/RL. As a trainee, Peskova has unhindered access to the European Parliament buildings in both Brussels and Strasbourg and can attend all committees and other meetings in the chamber. Since controls sometimes are very relaxed with few real checks, there is also the possibility to be present at gatherings of other political groups. She also has access to both the European Parliament intranet and the intranet of her MEPs party. EP interns are paid by the budget of the MEP, which is funded by European taxpayers. It is unclear how much money Peskova is getting, if any. Peskova is one of numerous children of Russias political elite who reside or study in Western Europe and draw accusations of hypocrisy from Kremlin critics. Her father, who has served as Putins spokesman for nearly two decades, has been the subject of several exposes by Russian opposition leader Aleskei Navalny highlighting his wealth and expensive taste. Joint Forces returned fire; reports on enemy losses are being verified. On Monday, Feb 25, occupation troops in eastern Ukraine six times fired at the positions of Ukrainian forces, while three times using weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements. One Ukrainian military was killed in the shelling and another one was wounded. According to the report by the Joint Forces Operation HQ, the enemy launched eighty-five 122mm and 120mm shells and mines. In the zone of responsibility of the "Skhid" [East] Operational-Tactical Grouping, Russian proxies fired 122mm artillery shells and 120mm mortar mines in the area of the Lebedynske, and 120mm mortar mines near the village of Vodiane. Read alsoUkraine Church leader: Invaders in Donbas set to "confiscate" temples, deport priests In the "Pivnich" [North] Operational-Tactical Grouping's zone, the enemy used small arms and sniper rifles in the area of Khutir Vilniy, Novo-oleksandrivka, and Novhorodske; as well as manual and automatic mounted grenade launchers, and small arms near the settlement of Novotoshkivske. Ukrainian units that came under attack returned fire using weapons beyond the Minsk agreements' black list. The reports on enemy losses are being verified. The Russian authorities can no longer say that they have nothing to do with the militants in Donbas. Ukrainian journalist Denys Kazansky has said the so-called "council of commanders" of the "Union of Donbas Volunteers," an organization in which Russian-led fighters fought for the so-called "Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics" ("LPR"/"DPR") against Ukraine, took place in Moscow on February 15. Read alsoKremlins plan to sow chaos in Ukraine Russian president's aide Vladislav Surkov, who is also the supervisor of the "union," attended the meeting. "Surkov is quite an official person, i.e. the Russian authorities can no longer say that they have nothing to do with the militants, since Surkov himself comes to their congresses and speaks there. But the main thing is not even the fact of Surkov's presence, but what his supervisees say," Kazansky wrote in a blog. "During his speech, Alexander Boroday (who created the 'DPR' in the spring of 2014), sitting next to Surkov, openly declared the need to resume the hot phase of war in Donbas and told the terrorists' warlords that the next pretext for a new invasion of Ukraine could be elections. In case their result does not suit them, they will arrange a 'bloody mess.' Yes, he put it that way: 'it will be a bloody mess,'" the journalist said. According to intelligence reports, three enemy troops were eliminated and another four were wounded. Russia's hybrid military forces mounted 16 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas in the past 24 hours, with one Ukrainian soldier reported as killed in action and another two as wounded in action. Read alsoDonbas war: Ukrainian soldier killed in enemy attack on Saturday "One Ukrainian soldier was killed and another two were wounded in the past day. According to intelligence reports, three invaders were killed and another four were wounded," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation said in an update on Facebook as of 07:00 Kyiv time on February 25, 2019. Russian occupation forces opened aimed fire from 122mm artillery systems, 120mm and 82mm mortars, a ZU-23-2 towed 23mm anti-aircraft twin-barreled autocannon, weapons installed on infantry fighting vehicles, grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms to attack the defenders of the town of Krasnohorivka, and the villages of Vodiane, Lebedynske, Pavlopil, Pisky, Novozvanivka, Zolote-4, Katerynivka, Novo-Oleksandrivka, Zolote-1, and Lobacheve. What is more, at about 05:00 on Sunday, the invaders attacked residential buildings in Zolote and Novo-Oleksandrivka from the temporarily occupied town of Pervomaisk, using 122mm artillery systems and 120mm mortars. In total, 34 shells were launched. Four houses were destroyed as a result of the shelling. "Since Monday midnight, Russian-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions near Lebedynske, using 120mm mortars," the report said. Epifaniy has appealed to the UN, OSCE, guarantors of the Minsk settlement process, the European Union, and all democratic countries, as well as international and interfaith institutions, with a call to influence ultimate decision-makers. Metropolitan of Kyiv and all Ukraine, head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine Epifaniy said that the invaders in Donbas starting March 2 intend to confiscate 36 temples and the diocesan Mercy House and deport all priests of the newly created OCU. It is noted that over the past five years, the situation with respect to the right to freedom of conscience and religion in the temporarily occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine (in the so-called "DPR" and "LPR") has been deteriorating steadily. In a statement posted on the OCU site, Epifaniy says that the rights of believers, religious communities, and clergymen of the OCU in the occupied territories of Donbas are being systematically violated. This is manifested in systematic persecution, harassment, arrests, seizure of temples, and the like. Read alsoIndependent Orthodox church emerged in Ukraine thanks to feat of Heavenly Hundred Heroes Metropolitan Epifaniy "However, while until now it was about substantial restriction and violation of rights, from March 1, 2019, there is a threat of a complete ban on the activities of our Church's communities and clergy, complete confiscation of property of communities, and deportation of priests from the territory controlled by the so-called 'DPR'," stresses the Metropolitan. Epifaniy explains that the pretext for such moves is the illegal requirement for communities to register according to the laws of the "republic". "Such a requirement cannot be fulfilled, because the structure that has issued such a "law" is not recognized by anyone as a state," notes Metropolitan Epifaniy. Read alsoOver 300 parishes of former UOC-MP join new Orthodox Church of Ukraine In this connection, since March 2, thirty-six temples and premises, as well as the diocesan House of Mercy belonging to the communities of our Church in certain temporarily occupied areas of Donetsk region, may be 'confiscated in favor of the republic', while the priests deported," said the primate of the OCU. Epifaniy has appealed to the UN, OSCE, guarantors of the Minsk settlement process, the European Union, and all democratic countries, as well as international and interfaith institutions, with a call to influence ultimate decision-makers and "take action to prevent disastrous developments." Earlier today, the former official was detained on high treason charges. The prosecutor general says it was Zaman who issued the directive that subordinated the then traitor Admiral Yuri Ilyin to all tactical units group "Crimea" VSU, which actually paralyzed the resistance of the Ukrainian military during the Russian aggression. The reform of the structure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the time when Volodymyr Zamana occupied the office of Chief of General Staff actually took into account the potential annexation of Crimea and the creation of the so-called "Novorossiya" in eastern Ukraine, according to Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko. Read alsoUkraine's prosecutors comment on charges against Medvedchuk "The military prosecutors office, jointly with the Security Service of Ukraine, detained ex-Chief of the General Staff Zamana. His suspicion notice says that in the period of 2012-2014, he personally reduced the composition of the Armed Forces of Ukraine more than it was stipulated by law, dismantled 70 military units and formations, including anti-aircraft missile brigades and divisions, 19 aviation units, while a tactical aviation brigade was reduced to a squadron. During these years, military commissariats were destroyed, which blocked mobilization of 2014. The reform of the structure of the Ukrainian Armed Forces actually contributed to the annexation of Crimea and [the creation of] 'Novorossiya'," the prosecutor general wrote on Facebook. In addition, according to Lutsenko, it was Zamana who issued the directive, which" subordinated to the head of the Naval Forces (future traitor Admiral Yuriy Ilyin) all units of Ukraine's Crimea tactical group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which actually paralyzed resistance of Ukrainian servicemen during Russian aggression. Read alsoGuilty: Yanukovych sentenced to 13 years in prison for high treason, complicity in war As the prosecutor general recalled, this is already the fourth time a top military leader is charged with treason. Zamana served as Chief of the General Staff, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from February 18, 2012, to February 19, 2014. On February 19, 2014, the then President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, appointed Ilyin Head of the General Staff, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, dismissing him as Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. Zamana was detained on Monday, Feb 25. Former Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Volodymyr Zamana is being suspected of high treason. Zamana served as Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from February 18, 2012 to February 19, 2014. Chief Military Prosecutor Anatoliy Matios has announced former chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Volodymyr Zamana had been detained on charges of high treason. "Zamana is suspected of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code (high treason) in the wording of 2001. In 2015, the wording of that article was changed to the one with more severe sanctions," Matios said at a press conference in Kyiv on February 25, according to an UNIAN correspondent. Read alsoUkrainian prosecutors open case against Medvedchuk on charges of treason According to him, the military prosecutor's office and the investigative unit of the SBU Security Service of Ukraine in the city of Kyiv had already notified Zamana of the suspicion. First reports about Zamana's detention by law enforcement officers appeared on February 25. Press Secretary of Ukraine's Prosecutor General Larysa Sargan confirmed the fact without elaborating on the causes behind the detention. "I can only confirm the fact," she told UNIAN earlier on February 25. Matios claims that Zamana, while in office, disbanded anti-aircraft missile divisions and military air force units, depriving Ukraine of the air defense system. During his tenure as Chief of the General Staff, anti-aircraft missile divisions armed with the S-300V air defense missile systems were disbanded, namely those were the 874th anti-aircraft missile division, the 137th anti-aircraft missile brigade, the 5001st anti-aircraft missile division, the 281st anti-aircraft missile division of the 208th anti-aircraft missile brigade, 19 military air force units," he said. The 114th tactical aviation brigade was reformatted from the brigade into a squadron, he added. This, according to Matios, deprived the entire country of its air defense, including the Air Force, which is the main striking force in any military conflicts. UNIAN memo. Volodymyr Zamana served as Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from February 18, 2012 to February 19, 2014. 02/25/2019 Contact: Nancy Cicco: 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette: 978-934-2209, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu This is a notice of upcoming events, photo opportunities and story ideas at UMass Lowell. In case of inclement weather, call UMass Lowells weather hotline at 978-934-2121; if the university is closed, events are canceled. For more, visit www.uml.edu/pressroom. Sources of the week UMass Lowell faculty experts are available to discuss: The options should Attorney General William Barr decide to shield the Mueller investigation report from public view; New means to measure quality in K-12 education more accurately than options such as standardized tests. Contact UMass Lowell media relations if you need an expert source on any subject. Festival Honors Immigrants Cultures, Experience When and where: Saturday, March 2, 6 p.m., University Crossing, 220 Pawtucket St., Lowell What: UMass Lowell students, faculty and staff will honor the experience and cultures of the many immigrants who call the region home with a festival to support the African Community Center of Lowell and the International Institute of New England. Presented by the student-run Peace and Conflict Studies Club, the event, which is free and open to the public, will include live music, food, a raffle and a silent auction. A Pitch of Her Own Highlights Promising Products, Startups When and where: Monday, March 4, 6 p.m. UMass Lowell Innovation Hub, 110 Canal St., Lowell What: Women entrepreneurs will share their concepts for new products and businesses at A Pitch of Her Own, a free program open to the public and campus community. Eight of the events participants will go on to showcase their ideas and compete for prizes before a panel of expert judges. The event is presented by the UMass Lowell Innovation Hub business incubator and Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll), a community organization launched through the university with initial funding from the Deshpande Foundation to cultivate the business ecosystem in Lowell and Lawrence. Members of the public should register to attend by emailing Lisa_Armstrong@uml.edu. Photo Exhibit Captures the Azores Beauty, Identity When and where: Opening reception Wednesday, March 6, 5:30 p.m. Exhibit runs through Wednesday, April 17. University Crossing, 220 Pawtucket St., Lowell What: The Azores: Nine Islands, Nine Photographers will display more than 50 images, the work of acclaimed Portuguese artists who have used their lenses to capture the raw beauty and cultural significance of these mid-Atlantic islands west of Portugal. Free and open to the public, the exhibits opening reception is expected to include remarks from photographer Pedro Letria, whose photographs are featured in the show, and UMass Lowell Chancellor Jacquie Moloney. The event is presented by UMass Lowells Saab Center for Portuguese Studies as part of its fifth anniversary celebration. Members of the public who would like more information should contact Natalia_Melo@uml.edu. Nobel Prize-Nominated Author Dacia Maraini to Speak When and where: Wednesday, March 6, 5:30 p.m. Allen House, South Campus, 2 Solomont Way, Lowell What: Italian writer Dacia Maraini, a nominee for the 2012 Nobel Prize in Literature, will lead a free program about her work and creative process for the campus and community. The daughter of a Sicilian princess, Maraini became enamored of storytelling as a child while she was imprisoned with her family in a Japanese concentration camp because of their opposition to Benito Mussolini, a Japanese ally in World War II. She is the author of acclaimed plays, screenplays and novels largely focused on womens issues and is also an actor. The event will be moderated by UMass Lowell World Cultures and Languages faculty member Giulia Po DeLisle. Free parking will be available in the nearby Wilder Faculty Lot. Members of the public who would like more information should email Monica_Grimard@uml.edu. UMass Lowell Celebrates International Womens Day When and where: Friday, March 8, 3 to 5 p.m. University Crossing, 220 Pawtucket St., Lowell What: Tea and traditions from countries around the globe will be featured during a free event for the public and campus that celebrates International Womens Day and pays tribute to the social, political, cultural and economic strides made toward gender balance, as well as offering networking opportunities. Leaders from the community, along with UMass Lowell students, faculty and staff are expected to participate. Members of the public who would like to attend should register by email to multicultural_affairs@uml.edu. Tourism and resort opportunities of Lviv region were represented at the International Fair of Tourism in Belgrade, according to the tourism and resort department of the Lviv Regional State Administration. In particular, Taras Lozynskyi, the deputy head of the department, represented interesting tourist attractions in the region, including active, healthcare and culinary tourism, and ecotourism. Serbian tourists show great interest in traveling around Ukraine. Those present at the international fair were most interested in pilgrim trips and culinary tourism. Lviv region has something to show, surprise and please Serbian tourists, so we are happy to meet them here, noted Lozynskyi. The event was organized on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the diplomatic relations of Ukraine and Serbia. Also, travel companies of Ukraine and Serbia and the Serbian airline Air Serbia, which launches direct Belgrade - Kyiv flights from June 2019, also represented their services during the fair. iy Ukraine's military prosecutor's office has approved of a notice of suspicion in high treason for the former chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Colonel-General Volodymyr Zamana. Chief Military Prosecutor Anatoliy Matios said this at a press conference on Monday, Ukrinform reports. "The work of the SBU office in Kyiv has ended with a notice of suspicion presented to Colonel-General Volodymyr Mykhailovych Zamana, the former chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces who held the post between 2012 and 2014," the military prosecutor said. Matios added that the colonel general is suspected of committing a crime envisaged in Part 1 of Article 111 (high treason) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Zamana served as chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from February 2012 to February 19, 2014. Between February 22 and June 2014, he worked as parliament envoy overseeing the activities of the Defense Ministry. Russian occupation forces launched 16 attacks on positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area in eastern Ukraine over the past day. On February 24, Russian occupation forces launched 16 attacks on Ukrainian troops. 122mm artillery, 120mm and 82mm mortars were used 17 times, and 285 shells and mortars were fired, the press center of the JFO Headquarters reports. In addition, the Russian occupation forces fired on Ukrainian positions, using weapons on infantry fighting vehicles, anti-aircraft mounts, grenade launchers of different systems, heavy machine guns and small arms. In the zone of action of tactical force East, Russian-led forces used 120mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of different systems and heavy machine guns to shell Ukrainian positions near Vodiane (94km south of Donetsk); 120mm mortars and small arms outside Lebedynske (16km east of Mariupol); hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers and heavy machine guns in the area of Pavlopol (25km north-west of Mariupol); grenade launchers of different systems, heavy machine guns and small arms near Pisky (11km north-west of Donetsk); heavy machine guns outside Krasnohorivka (21km west of Donetsk). In the zone of action of tactical force North, the enemy fired 122mm artillery, 120mm and 82mm mortars, weapons on infantry fighting vehicles, ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft mount, eavy machine guns and small arms on Ukrainian defenders near Novozvanivka (70km west of Luhansk); 120mm mortars outside Zolote-4 (59km west of Luhansk); 82mm mortars, weapons on infantry fighting vehicles, ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft mount in the area of Katerynivka (64km west of Luhansk); 120mm and 82mm mortars, weapons on infantry fighting vehicles near Novooleksandrivka (65km west of Luhansk); 120mm mortars outside Zolote 1 (60km west of Luhansk); automatic mounted grenade launchers and heavy machine guns near Lobacheve (17km north-west of Luhansk). One Ukrainian serviceman was killed and two more were wounded in last day. Today, the enemy has already fired 17 120mm mortars into Ukrainian positions near Lebedynske (16km east of Mariupol). ol It's very rare, but the Opposition United National Congress says it is prepared to support legislation which the government will bring to the Parliament on Monday, but there are conditions. About the River West revitalization, I've lived in Brightwaters Apartments for nearly five years but will be getting kicked out one month shy A little more than 15 years ago, I attended an Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board meeting where a member turned his back to an inmate who was asking for another chance. The member was making a statement, whether of disgust, boredom or disrespect was unclear. But the majoritys philosophy was unmistakable: Do your time and do most of it. Rarely, did anyone receive a pardon, parole or commutation. That was a mistake. Oklahoma is now the worlds leader in per-capita incarceration. Our prisons bulge with inmates with costs skyrocketing to a $1.5 billion Department of Corrections budget request. A generation of drug-addicted and mentally ill Oklahomans were put behind bars instead of in treatment; hurting the workforce, tearing apart families and deepening the social costs. Up against this wall, criminal justice reform swept into the state, most notably with the passage of two state questions in 2016 to re-classify some drug felonies as misdemeanors. In this spirit, the attitude has changed at the Pardon and Parole Board, as I saw at Februarys hearings. Members not only faced the inmates but had a more engaged interaction. Progress is occurring, but its been occurring slowly, said Kris Steele, board member since August 2017. There have been a lot of changes in the last 18 months. Its been a transformation, and were moving in the right direction. Board members received training on how best to use the hearing time, asking inmates more about current decisions than past ones; the courts have already dealt with their crimes. The Pardon and Parole Boards job is to consider where a person is at, what they have been doing while incarcerated, what their plans are for successful community integration, what they are doing to prepare for integration and what resources they will need to move forward positively, Steele said. Its making a difference. In fiscal year 2017, a total of 16 commutations were granted, which was less than half of a 1 percent of the applications received. It stayed about the same the following year at 19 approved. So far in the current fiscal year, 106 commutations have been approved - an increase of 563 percent. It appears corrections reform is having a positive impact on the Pardon and Parole Board, Steele said. We are beginning to understand and make better decisions based on facts, data and research rather than emotion, fear and anger. Parole numbers went down 77 percent from 2008 to 2017, according to an Oklahoma Policy Institute analysis by Damion Shade. The biggest problem is only 1 in 3 eligible parolees apply. The reasons are beyond the boards control including the economic hardship of paying for DOC supervision, ankle bracelets and drug tests. Parole violations accounted for about 25 percent of prison re-entries in 2015. Because the state is trying to saddle them with the financial burden of supporting the judicial system, inmates are opting for longer prison stays. Against those challenges, several nonprofits have emerged to help inmates connect to post-release support services. One of these, the Tulsa-based Another Chance Justice Project, was founded last year to help nonviolent women be successful at the pardon, parole and commutation stage and to ensure they have a post-release plan. It assisted 11 women on the most recent docket. Inmate Robyn Allen had been given 20 years in a blind plea after a 2014 arrest for drug trafficking in Stephens County. She had no prior felony convictions. Waiting for her disability benefits to start, Allen admitted to trading legally obtained pharmaceutical drugs for methamphetamine to sell. She was also an addict with no access to mental health services. In prison, she completed every sobriety class available, had no misconducts and got connected to a transitional living program. Board member Allen McCall, a retired district judge for Comanche and Cotton counties, wondered why the prison term was so high for a first-time drug offense. Why did she get 20 years? It doesnt make any sense to me, McCall said. Im looking for an aggravator in the court findings. It appears to me to have all the markings of a real commutation. Poor representation and an overzealous prosecutor were factors suggested by Eric Cullen, a founder of Another Chance. A board member pondered if she made someone mad. After a 3-0 vote to commute Allens sentence to time served, her case goes to Gov. Kevin Stitt for consideration. Robyn Allen was the driving factor in founding the project, Cullen said. She exemplifies why Oklahoma has the highest womens incarceration rate. The day went in a similar way with most nonviolent inmates receiving some form of relief. Those with violence in their convictions still face a high bar. Another Chance is made up of Cullen and two volunteers, Trish Davis and Kate Bartholomy, who attend every pardon and parole meeting. Since July, the group has supported 52 women for parole with only four of those denied. It aided 11 women for commutation with four denials. In addition to Allen on the recent docket, the project sought commutations for Tulsan Sheila Royal and Miranda Sorber of Oklahoma City. Sorber had two prior drug-related incarcerations and at least 14 other convictions. Her backstory mirrors many tragedies reported by women in prison: broken or nonexistent families, child abuse, drugs and domestic violence. At 12 days old, her mother sold her to a drug dealer, then her father was granted full custody. But he ran a prostitution ring out of four bars and a hotel he owned and committed suicide after being implicated in a murder. Sorber was 16 and on her own. After going to prison in 2017 on a 30-year sentence (with 10 suspended), she entered substance abuse programs and took a job in prison with a manufacturer. A company executive testified she was among the best workers and has a job upon release. Ive applied my time to take every class to improve my behavior and thinking patterns and had employment, Sorber said. Ive left no room for error in my life. The board was complimentary but cautious before voting 3-0 for commutation. If you get in trouble again, you wont see the outside again for a long time, McCall warned. In 2017, I met Royal while doing a series on inmates serving life without parole for nonviolent drug crimes. She was wheelchair bound after a stroke and heart attack. Royal grew up in Tulsa, getting involved with drugs at age 23 and racking up a string of drug-related arrests starting in 1988. In 2007, she was given life without parole. While in prison, she completed so many sobriety, character and faith-based courses, the list fills more than a page. She became a mentor in an empowerment program. Her health worsened with a partial leg amputation, stints placed near her heart and ongoing diabetes-related problems. She requires a full-time caregiver. I have victims, Royal told the board. I sold drugs to a lot of people, and I am remorseful for that. I sold drugs to people who later came to prison. Now Im in the programs with them, and Ive seen what I did. Two rows of family members attended her hearing. She had trouble finding transitional living due to medical needs. Another Chance helped her develop after-release plans to live with family members with experience in the medical field. Youve been taking the right steps in the right direction, said member Brett Macy. I dont see how further incarceration is beneficial to her or the state, said McCall. The board approved her commutation 3-0. Ginnie Graham 918-581-8376 ginnie.graham@tulsaworld.com Twitter: @GinnieGraham 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. Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to 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. First of all, Im not paid with state money and, even if I were, I dont think it is anyones business what we do when were private citizens, he said. All that matters is getting the most qualified person for the job. Cleveland added that he has not heard any concerns from his former colleagues as he has been lobbying this year. But some lawmakers support a cooling-off period. Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, is among those who spoke out in debate and during the Oklahoma Ethics Commission public hearing in support of the rule. We as legislators need to be above board and set a tone of integrity at the very highest levels of state government, he said during last years House floor debate on the rule. I think the Oklahoma House of Representatives should set a higher standard on this. But this years Legislature, which features a record freshman class making up nearly 40 percent of the body, will get to vote on the rule again. The Ethics Commission again approved the cooling-off period in September. Gann said he hopes lawmakers look at the rule differently this year. He said legislators need to realize that even the perception of impropriety should be taken into account. OKLAHOMA CITY Faith leaders and others prayed Monday outside of Gov. Kevin Stitts office, encouraging him to veto a controversial gun bill should it make it to his desk. House Bill 2597, called constitutional carry, would allow a person to carry a gun without a state-issued license or training. The measure is expected to be taken up and passed this week in the Senate. Stitt has indicated support for the measure. Aliye Shimi, executive director of Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry, said she was at the Capitol to advocate for common sense gun control. We are here, she said. We are hoping the governor will hear us. The Rev. Chris Moore, senior minister of Fellowship Congregational United Church of Christ in Tulsa, said reasonable safeguards and boundaries are needed. He said other constitutional rights are regulated. He said the measure will have devastating consequences and would support a culture of violence. The Rev. Lori Walke, a minister at Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ in Oklahoma City, said the faith community wanted to make a public statement against permitless carry. OKLAHOMA CITY As United Methodists gather to discuss the future of gay people in the church, the Rev. Linda Harker, of Norman, believes "the world is watching us." "I wonder if they are watching earnestly for what we will decide, or if they are watching to see how we as Christians will treat one another in the process," Harker said. "My prayer is that the world will see Christ's love reflected in our words and action." Harker's remarks came shortly before she boarded a plane for St. Louis, Missouri, where Methodists are gathered for a special General Conference session at the Dome of the Americas. The General Conference meeting began with prayer on Saturday. Discussion and voting on the issue of gay rights in the Church is expected to begin on Sunday and continue through Tuesday. Harker, senior pastor of McFarlin United Methodist Church in Norman, is leader of a 14-member delegation from the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference and Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference. According to Harker, every delegate she has spoken with has received numerous emails and letters from Oklahoma Methodists and beyond, as people voice their opinions about the direction the denomination should take in the coming days. The meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Crowne Plaza Tulsa Southern Hills, 7902 S. Lewis Ave. Individuals who would like to complete an online survey can do so at www.riverparks.org. Tulsa Community College on Monday announced a $1 million gift that will fund the new Hardesty Student Success Center at its west campus. The $20 million Clearing the Pathway campaign is the largest fundraiser the school has undertaken, according to a news release. Student Success Centers, planned for all four TCC campuses, provide a central location for all student services necessary to apply, enroll and pay for college. We envision a college where our students success is determined solely by their motivation to learn, not by their personal finances or social circumstances, TCC President and CEO Leigh B. Goodson said in a news release. Plus, our research shows 90 percent of TCC graduates live and work in the greater Tulsa area, so, increasing a students success improves our workforce. TCCs campaign supports student scholarships, academic advisers, Student Success Centers, science lab renovations, and diversity and inclusion outreach. Our investment is about improving our community by impacting the lives of current and future students, said Michelle Hardesty, Hardesty Family Foundation executive director. TCC plays a major role in training and educating our community. If we expect the Tulsa area to continue to grow, we need to ensure we have a properly educated workforce. TCC is well positioned to fill this need, and we are excited to be part of TCCs future. The program was created to give students in smaller cities the same access as those in the big metro areas. Rural districts often lack proximity to community colleges and are in short supply of educators qualified to teach college-caliber courses, Gerstenberger said. Even within Tulsa, it can be hard to find upper-level math teachers for some of this curriculum, he said. Thats even further magnified in some of these rural districts. Part of our approach, then, is to make this available to these students. More than half of the states public school students reportedly belong to rural districts. Rob Reynolds, executive director of TEL Library, said many of these districts are looking for affordable, flexible college credit options for their students. Reynolds said low cost has been a priority for the program as a way to make college more accessible to economically disadvantaged high-schoolers. Students reportedly pay $75 to enroll in a three-hour class. Our goal, he said, is to make it truly affordable and easy for rural high school students to take their first college courses. TEL Library is looking to partner with other rural districts in the near future. Kyle Hinchey 918-581-8451 kyle.hinchey@tulsaworld.com Twitter: @kylehinchey OKLAHOMA CITY A controversial bill that would have eliminated a state pregnancy program that covers undocumented women will not get a hearing, said Sen. Jason Smalley, R-Stroud. Smalley is chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee where Senate Bill 40 is assigned. Sen. Paul Scott, R-Duncan, generated headlines when he filed the bill that would have eliminated the Soon-to-be-Sooners Program. He said Friday that he will not be requesting a hearing on the bill. The program provides pregnancy and maternity services for low-income women, including those who are not legal residents. Elimination of the program would have resulted in a loss of $91 million in federal dollars. At the time, Scott said women who are in the country illegally should not be covered by the program. Scott said that pursuing the bill would be futile because Congress had approved funding through 2023. For Tulsas civic and business leadership, the result has not been entirely satisfactory. During the week, an OSU shuttle bus makes nine trips daily (seven on Friday) between Tulsa and Stillwater while classrooms on the OSU-Tulsa campus sit empty. Hargis said he thinks there is a demand for more OSU degree programs in Tulsa but admits there are a lot of obstacles beginning with money. OSU and OU would probably have to come up with the money for expanded Tulsa programs out of their current budgets. The Oklahoma Legislature has never looked favorably on creating a new institution in Tulsa which partly explains the current situation and seems even less likely to authorize spending for new programs now. Higher education appropriations have been slashed by more than one-fourth in recent years, and there is no indication that money will be restored any time soon. For OSU, the cuts amount to about $40 million a year. Hargis said the university has found some operating efficiencies to offset some of those losses but he has still had to trim faculty and forgo raises at an institution that already struggled to be competitive on pay and benefits. He said he immediately began performing back thrusts, which made the infant expel water from his mouth. He passed him off to medical personnel, who a few minutes later had him revived and breathing. That was the most relief was hearing all three kids screaming, Enloe said. It was actually a great sign, and a great relief to me. McCurtain County Deputy Curtis Fields in a statement said he has been in law enforcement in Oklahoma for a decade, witnessing many horrific and incredible happenings. The professionalism and competence that was exhibited by Trooper Cody Enloe on this day will be something I remember for the rest of my life and was nothing short of incredible, Fields wrote. Trooper Cody Enloe, while being a first-year trooper, performed with all the skill and professionalism of a veteran officer. Enloe said the childrens mother fell asleep at the wheel, which resulted in the truck rolling over twice and coming to rest upside down in a low-lying area that retains shallow water. He said no drugs or alcohol were involved; it was a case of inattentive driving. OKLAHOMA CITY A legislative panel on Tuesday passed a bill that could result in increased speed limits on turnpikes and highways in rural areas. The Senate Transportation Committee passed Senate Bill 648 by Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow. The measure would increase the maximum speed to 80 mph on turnpikes. Some turnpikes have a 75 mph maximum speed. The states two urban turnpikes, the Creek and Kilpatrick, have a maximum speed of 70 mph. The measure would also increase the maximum speed to 75 mph on rural sections of the interstate highway system. It allows the Transportation Commission to make such designations. Provided, however, the commission shall determine prior to the designation of such segments that public safety will not be jeopardized, according to the measure. The measure passed by a vote of 7-1. Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, voted against it. Hicks said she had some public safety concerns about the measure. The bill heads to the Senate floor for consideration. Brandi Payton, MSHCA, BSN, RN, of Owasso served as Nurse Of The Day for the State Senate last month. The duties of the Nurse Of The Day include assisting the Doctor Of The Day in offering medical assistance, when necessary, to members of the Legislature as well as legislative staff and others at the State Capitol. The Owasso Show Choir had an eventful last month. Seventeen Owasso students competed in the Lone Star Show Choir Invitational, held Friday-Saturday, Feb. 22-23, in Fort Worth, Texas. Every February, the two-day event convenes more than 30 show choirs, as well as top judges, choreographers and thousands of fans, from across the country at Central High School for some fun, friendly competition. This year, Owasso students Gabby King and Ezriel Graham took home top honors from the high-stakes tournament. King, a senior, won Best Overall Performer for her performance in My Shot, and Graham, a freshman, won Best Female Vocalist for her performance in You Will Be Found. We are so proud for the students to come home with such great honors, said Owasso Choir Patron President Brandi Pond. Our community should be proud to have such amazing talent within our school system and for the extremely dedicated choir teachers who are passionate about music. Amanda Foyil, owner of Foyil Music Studio, served as the Owasso Show Choirs teacher and director, alongside other directors Mindy Bettridge, Tricia Wynn and Evelyn Kwanza, who oversee the Voice of Owasso. Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has distanced itself from reports doing rounds on social media claiming it has abolished tax return filing for local employees. The Authority termed the information as grossly misleading and urged those who may have come across the said reports to ignore them. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Kenya Revenue Authority Links Its Poor Performance To Failure To Pay Teachers Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) on Monday, February 25, clarified it has not abolished filing of tax returns by Kenyan employees as alleged by section of the media. Photo: KRA. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Kenya Revenue Authority punishes non compliant taxpayers In a statement issued on Monday, February 25, the taxman further advised the employed taxpayers who were being targeted by the misleading reports to continue filing their returns as required. "The attention of Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has been brought to a misleading story published online titled 'KRA abolishes keying in of PAYE Tax Returns'. The author grossly takes out of context an earlier communication by KRA issued with regard to the enhanced function of the iTax," the Authority noted in the statement seen by TUKO.co.ke on Monday afternoon. READ ALSO: KRA slaps small traders with 15% tax as government seek to raise revenue The taxman clarified it had only enhanced the iTax system to allow taxpayers with employment as the only source of income to file their tax returns using the auto-populated function. As was indicated in a separate statement regarding the recent adjustment, the Authority said the enhanced function on the iTax was meant to make it easier, smoother and faster for employees to file their returns. "The employees are only required to input data on pension and annual relief. On receipt of the P9 certificates, the employees should simply proceed and file their returns accordingly. This does not in any way imply that filing of tax returns has been abolished," the Authority emphasised. READ ALSO: Mudavadi warns Income Tax Bill 2018 will hurt Kenyans if passed A rather unexpected report, which has since been pulled down, had emerged a day earlier indicating KRA had scraped off filing of tax returns for employees. The Authority apologised to the taxpayers for any inconvenience that may have been caused by the misleading report. Do you have a life-changing story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Kenyans Angry Over High Fuel Prices - On Tuko TV Source: Kenya Breaking News Today Even as Kenyans and Africans at large continue to poke fun at the sensational resurrection of a man in South Africa, one funeral home is not very amused with the whole fiasco. Kings and Queens Funeral Services in South Africa has vowed to take legal action against pastor Alph Lukau for dragging its name in the outrageous resurrection. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Kakamega family in fear as strange disease wipes out entire lineage As TUKO.co.ke reported earlier, Pastor Lukau became an online sensation after not only claiming to have resurrected a man, but emerging with video evidence as well. The backstory involved a theory that the deceased had spent the weekend at the morgue which was supposed to bolster the authenticity of the narrative. READ ALSO: DCI launches probe into KSh 63 billion tenders awarded to controversial Italian company However, in a rejoinder, the funeral home denied having preserved the man's body, a situation which instantly drew doubts in the whole coming back to life story. In a statement seen by TUKO.co.ke, Kings and Queens Funeral Services exposed a malicious manipulation spree which ended up in the facility providing some services to the pastor and the deceased. READ ALSO: Types of relationships you will encounter in your love life If the statement is anything to go by, the alleged family members of the resurrected man approached the funeral service providers with a story that they had encountered difficulties with another funeral home hence they needed alternative transport services. As a funeral service provider, we do not offer services without documentation neither do we repatriate bodies without paper work, the service provider said in a statement. Because of all the ridicule that came with the story, the funeral home threatened to sue the pastor for malicious damage. READ ALSO: DCI launches probe into KSh 63 billion tenders awarded to controversial Italian company Meanwhile, netizens left awed by the astounding story dealt with it the best way they knew how through a viral challenge. Do you have a life-changing story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news Underage Prostitutes And Drug Users in Kenya | Tuko TV: Source: Tuko - Sankok claimed elections where Raila was not on the ballot always turned out to be peaceful - The 2005 referendum, he claimed, was peaceful since the ODM leader led the pack that was victorious in the plebiscite - He insisted the winner takes it all systemd had wrongfully been faulted whilst Raila was the main problem - The MP further poked holes at Gideon Moi's bid to become president in 2022 - He accused Gideon of riding on his father's name with the view of shifting the political landscape in his favour Nominated MP David Ole Sankok has lashed out at ODM leader Raila Odinga and termed him a "common denominator" of violent elections in Kenya. Sankok made the remarks on Sunday, February 24, in Bureti, Kericho county, where he poked holes on Raila's Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) aimed at ending the system where a winner in an election takes it all. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Deputy President William Ruto likely to select female running mate in 2022 Sankok made the remarks on Sunday, February 24, in Bureti, Kericho County, where he pocked holes in Raila's Building Bridges Initiative (BBI). Photo: UGC Source: UGC READ ALSO: South African funeral home denies storing body of man allegedly resurrected by local pastor According to Sankok, the country's problem was not winner takes it all system but Raila's desire to clinch the presidency even after loosing. " We say that the winner should not take it all after elections and that the president should share his powers with a prime minister. At the county level, who will share the powers with the governors? Who will share powers with women representatives and MPs among other elected leaders?"posed Sankok. READ ALSO: Kenya Revenue Authority dismisses reports tax returns filling has been abolished In his argument, the MP singled out the 2002 General Election which he said was peaceful because the ODM leader was not on the ballot. The election saw Mwai Kibaki elected as Head of State. The law maker stated the 2005 referendum was peaceful because Raila led the pack that won in the plebiscite. "There is a single denominator of violence in Kenya. He is the one who preceded over the 1982 attempted coup, then he used a priest's regalia to sneak and seek asylum outside the county. In 2007, he used violence as a bridge that saw him become prime minister," "The same person in 2017 led to the death of baby Pendo. We will have peace in Kenya when that single denominator is not on the ballot box," the MP fired. READ ALSO: DPP Noordin Haji accuses Diamond Trust Bank of aiding terrorism In his speech, Sankok poured cold water on Baringo Senator Gideon Moi's bid to become president. He faulted Gideon for what he termed as riding on his father, former President Daniel Moi's name to gain political millage. "I have heard there is a person going by the name Man Gidi. He says he is the child of Nyayo. But what I know is that all of us are children of Nyayo. He will be accurate if he says he is Nyayo's biological son," "However, in Kenya, leadership is through election. It is not sexually transmitted. It is an elective position that you must earn by tabling your agenda and manifesto for the electorate to vote you in," the MP said. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Kenyan Men Reject Male Contraceptives| Tuko TV. Source: Tuko History is what is left behind. When it is colonial history, usually what is left behind lingers, long after the perpetrators have left. Some people, such as colonisers and other plunderers, set the stage of history. They may come on ships as Captain Cook did in the Pacific, or as Columbus and his crew did in the Americas. Once again, this countrys entertainers, as well as the people behind their operations, have put on display their prodigious entrepreneurial capacity and energies in their efforts to work around the current Covid-19 restrictions. In doing so, they have demonstrated the means by which this pandemic can be safely and creatively challenged. They have thus brought what is nothing short of light shining brightly into the long, dark tunnel that has been this inhibiting experience, 15 months on. The Report of the Joint Select Committee (JSC) on the two Tobago BillsThe Constitutional Amendment (Tobago Self-Government Bill) and the Tobago Island Billwill be debated in the House of Representatives today and tomorrow. It marks the culmination of a process that began in 2016 when the Forum of Political Parties (comprising all the political parties in Tobago) developed and sent proposals to the Cabinet for changes to the Constitution and the THA Act to give Tobago more autonomy. A teenage girl with pre-existing medical issues is among 16 people who died from Covid-19 yesterday. Covid-19 deaths in Trinidad and Tobago returned to the double digits yesterday, after two consecutive days of single digits. There were seven Covid-19 deaths on Wednesday and on Thursday. editorial@tribune.com Vatican City, February 24 Pope Francis on Sunday compared the sexual abuse of children to human sacrifice as he addressed the Catholic Churchs top bishops at the end of a landmark summit to tackle paedophilia. Our work has made us realise once again that the gravity of the scourge of the sexual abuse of minors is, and historically has been, a widespread phenomenon in all cultures and societies, he said. I am reminded of the cruel religious practice, once widespread in certain cultures, of sacrificing human beings frequently children in pagan rites, he added. Francis was speaking after a four-day meeting which he had opened by calling for concrete measures on tackling priests and handing 114 senior bishops a roadmap to shape the debate on how to stop a global scandal. If in the Church there should emerge even a single case of abuse - which already in itself represents an atrocity - that case will be faced with the utmost seriousness. The ongoing scandals have hit countries around the world, with recent cases affecting Australia, Chile, Germany and the US. Francis said those who priests who prey on children are tools of Satan.No explanations suffice for these abuses involving children, the Argentine pontiff said. The echo of the silent cry of the little ones who, instead of finding in them fathers and spiritual guides encountered tormentors, will shake hearts dulled by hypocrisy and by power. It is our duty to pay close heed to this silent, choked cry, he added. AFP Gettysburg, PA (17325) Today Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. rchopra@tribunemail.com Lahore, February 25 Pakistans deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was sent back to jail on Monday after his 10-day stay in Jinnah Hospital Lahore in connection with his treatment. Sharif, who is serving a seven-year imprisonment in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case, was shifted to hospital on February 15 from Kot Lakhpat jail for cardiac treatment. According to a Punjab Government official, the three-time prime minister asked the doctors to shift him back to jail after his bail petition on medical grounds was rejected. A two-member Islamabad High Court Bench on Monday dismissed his bail application, saying Sharif could not be given bail on health grounds as he was already being treated at a hospital. The doctors advised angiography of Sharif but he refused to have the procedure in the Jinnah Hospital, the official told PTI. We have shifted Sharif to jail primarily on his request, he said and added that the Sharif family was interested to get his angiography done from London after bail. The home department spokesman also confirmed that Sharif was sent back to jail on his wish. The five-member special medical board of the Jinnah Hospital that examined Sharif said the patient needs cardiac catherterisation, for further management, in view of his symptoms of angina. Shahbaz Sharif, younger brother of Nawaz Sharif said: We are consulting our lawyers to challenge the high court verdict to reject his bail in the Supreme Court. PTI editorial@tribune.com London, February 24 Prime Minister Theresa May sparked outrage on Sunday by suggesting parliament may not be able to vote on her Brexit deal until March 12, just days before Britain leaves the EU. The decision increases the chances that MPs will move next week to delay Brexit beyond March 29, to avoid a potentially disastrous situation where Britain exits with no agreement at all. May had held out the possibility of a vote this week, but said on Sunday she was still discussing with the EU possible amendments to the deals arrangements for the Irish border. As were continuing with those talks, we wont bring a meaningful vote to parliament this week, she told reporters as she arrived at a summit of European and Arab leaders in Egypt. But that will happen by March 12. And we still have it within our grasp to leave the European Union with a deal on March 29, she added. Since MPs rejected her withdrawal deal last month, May has sought to address their concerns about the texts backstop arrangement, which is designed to keep the border with Ireland free flowing. She is meeting with European Council chief Donald Tusk and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the two-day summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, and her team will also return to Brussels on Tuesday. But opposition politicians and pro-European MPs in London reacted with fury at what they believe is a deliberate strategy of delay. Labours Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said her move not to hold a vote this week was the height of irresponsibility and an admission of failure. May is recklessly running down the clock in a desperate attempt to force MPs to choose between her deal and no deal, he said. AFP editorial@tribune.com Dhaka, February 24 Bangladesh commandos on Sunday killed an armed man, who allegedly made a foiled bid to hijack a Dubai-bound flight of the state-run Biman Airlines carrying 148 passengers, the army said. The flight, en route Dubai from Dhaka via Chattogram, made an emergency landing at the Shah Amanat International Airport in the coastal city of Chattogram following the hijack bid. Army, Navy and elite police cordoned off the plane soon after it landing. All passengers, pilots and crew members were evacuated safely. According to army Major General Matiur Rahman, the suspect, a Bangladeshi national identified as Mahadi, refused to surrender when asked to, forcing the commandos to go for action (firing), which lasted eight minutes. He (hijacker) succumbed to his wounds after the military commandos captured him (with gun shots), Rahman told a media briefing at Chattogram airport, adding that the suspect was carrying a gun. Air forces Chattgram base commander Air Vice Marshal Mufidur Rahman, who was also present at the media briefing, said he kept the hijacker engaged in talks while special forces units prepared for the raid. PTI editorial@tribune.com Our Correspondent Ludhiana, February 24 The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) does not seem to be in a mood to relent in the matter of Ludhiana CLU scam for which the party had blamed Cabinet Minister and Ludhiana West legislator Bharat Bhushan Ashu. Leader of Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema said they would corner the Chief Minister and Local Bodies Minister on this issue in the Assembly on Monday as well. Addressing a press conference here today, Cheema, who was accompanied by Deputy Leader of Opposition Sarvjit Kaur Manuke, said it was deplorable that even after four days, the government had not taken any action on the matter. DSP Balwinder Singh, investigation officer in the case involving grant of CLU to Grand Manor Homes, is being threatened by the minister and other party leaders, alleged Cheema. editorial@tribune.com Our Correspondent Ferozepur, February 24 The Ferozepur Range police seized nabbed a notorious cross-border drug peddler, who was wanted in several cases, with 14.650 kg of heroin worth about Rs 68 crore in the international market on Sunday morning. MS Chinna, Inspector General of Police (Ferozepur Range), said following a specific intelligence input, a team of Anti-Narcotics Cell carried out a search operation in the Ferozepur Sadar area and nabbed Saraj Singh of Khalra area in Tarn Taran. The IG said Saraj was a wanted drug smuggler who was operating in various border districts, including Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Ferozepur. The police initially recovered 1.6 kg of heroin from his custody and seized his white Maruti Ciaz car. Chinna said during the preliminary investigation, Saraj revealed details about a consignment of drugs which had been sent by Pakistani drug operative Azoob. Chinna said the police team took BSF officials into confidence and took Saraj across the barbed wire fencing near the DRD Nath border outpost. He said BSF Commandant Ranvir Singh of 118 Battalion joined the team and later a joint operation was planned. In that operation, another 13.650 kg of heroin was recovered. Chinna said this was one of the major hauls of drugs since January this year. Three FIRs were already registered against Saraj in Amritsar and Tarn taran districts, the IG added. Sandeep Goyal, SSP, Ferozepur; Baljit Singh, SP (Detective); Sukhwinder Singh, DSP; and Pushpinder Singh, incharge, Anti-Narcotics Cell; were also present. Chinna said the police had adopted a multi-pronged strategy to curb the drug menace in this area to break the supply line of cross-border drug smuggling. amansharma@tribunemail.com KARAM PRAKASH Patiala, February 25 After holding the District Education Officer (DEO) and other Education officials hostage at a school for several hours, the protesting teachers late Monday night lifted their siege after the transfer orders were cancelled. The Education department has also suspended the post-test until teachers hold a meeting with the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on February 28. Moreover, the Education Department has decided to take back its decision of no leave for teachers during the post-test. Earlier, the ongoing boycott of the governments Paro Punjab Parhao Punjab programme escalated when hundreds of teachers held the DEO and other Education Officials hostage at Government Multipurpose Elementary School. In the evening, teachers in large numbers gathered at the school and locked the main gate. District Education Officer, Primary, Kanwal Kumari, Block Primary Education Officers (BPEOs) and other officials came to the school -- to avoid the confrontation -- after Adhyapak Sangharsh Committee had made an announcement to gherao the DEO office near head post office, Patiala. However, teachers came to know the education officials plan and accordingly staged a sit-in at the multipurpose school where the DEO and other officials were present. The current flashpoint of confrontation was said to be the transfer of the six union leaders for boycotting the post-test under Paro Punjab Paraho Punjab programmeinitiated by Education Secretary, Krishan Kumar, during the last academic session. Following the protest, Superintendent of police (SP) City and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Yogesh Kumar reached the protest site and met the rival groups. The six teachers, who have been transferred, were Jaswinder Singh, Manoj Kumar, Gurpreet Guri, Didar Singh, Jaswinder Singh and Sukhpal Singh. Hardeep Toderpur, addressing the teachers during the protest, said, Every time, on the eve of our meeting with Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Krishan Kumar transfers the leaders to scuttle the dialogue. Because Kumar knows that once we meet CM, his will be exposed. Another protesting teacher, Jaswinder Singh, lamented, We are opposing the government initiative of the student learning evaluation process -- under Paro Punjab Paraho Punjab program -- because it has some serious flaws. We demand that the project should be reviewed immediately. Teacher slapped In the afternoon, a union leader, Gurpreet Guri, was reportedly slapped by the CMT after an argument with him, during a visit to Government elementary school at Lochma village in Ghannaur block of the district. The teacher has already filed a complaint against the CMT in the police station. Gurpreet Guri, the victim, said, CMT Raghuveer slapped me allegedly at the behest of BPEO Gurdeep Singh. Teachers have been continuously harassed by the education secretary. I am being transferred for the third time in the last 45 days. In fact, the conservative approach of the Secretary, Education, has already brought chaos to the education department. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 24 BJP president Amit Shah has claimed that the Modi wave is very much prevalent in the country and that the Opposition, which is an amalgamation of various parties, will never be able to take stringent steps so far as the security of the nation is concerned. Addressing party workers during Shakti Kendra Sammelan held here today, he substantiated his claim while pointing towards Pulwama terror attack and clearance to Kartarpur Sahib corridor. Shah said the CRPF jawans sacrifice would not go waste. The Modi government is with the families of the soldiers who lost their lives in the ghastly attack. It is time to take some stern and bold actions against Pakistan and only PM Narendra Modi, who works for 16 hours a day, can do that, he said. He hinted that the Pulwama attack would not affect the corridor project. Launching a scathing attack on state Cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, Shah said: Sidhu, who claimed to have acted as a messenger between the two nations for the corridor, has degraded the sanctity of the country by hugging the Pakistans senapati who killed our soldiers. He is part of the Congress, which, during the Partition, had forgone the claim to Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara. Attacking the Capt Amarinder Singh government, he alleged that all Centre-sponsored projects were scuttled by the Congress. He said the party failed to redress the agrarian crisis and gave slogans like Karza Kurki Khatam to mislead voters prior to the elections. During its regime in the Centre, the Congress had sanctioned just Rs 30,000 crore for development in Punjab, but the Modi government doled out Rs 1.61 lakh crore. Nearly Rs 45,000 crore alone was spent on national highways. Besides, crores were sanctioned under the smart city and heritage city projects and for upgrading airports. Institutions like IIM and AIIMS were approved for Punjab, and above all, special packages were granted to deal with agrarian crisis, he claimed. Joshi ignored Former state Cabinet minister Anil Joshi was reportedly ignored during the party workers convention. He could not gain entry to the VVIP enclosure and was seen sitting with his supporters in the area meant for party workers. Even the hoardings that had his pictures were removed, it was learnt. rchopra@tribunemail.com Vishav Bharti Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 25 SAD leader Bikram Majithia on Monday said he did not need a certificate from Navjot Sidhu on his familys credentials. Addressing a press conference here, Majithia said his family was being targeted to silence his voice in the Assembly. He said the Congress people were targeting his family instead of addressing various issues concerning the public. He said the government had failed to address the issues of farmers and unemployment. Majithia said it is the first state government that did not want the House to run. He also raised questions about Congress MLA Kuljit Nagras assets, saying the latters father had retired as a patwari, so how come he had amassed so much wealth. Earlier, Sidhu, addressing a press conference, alleged Sunder Singh Majithias support to General Dyer. Sidhu and other Congress leaders Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Kuljit Nagra tried to present evidence on the issue and challenged Majithia to a debate. They said the Akali Dal in the past had condemned Sunder Singh Majithia, adding that it was ironic that those very people who had been condemned by the Akali Dal in the past had now grabbed the Akali Dal. Later, AAP MLAs walked out of the House for not being allowed to speak on cut motion. As the entire treasury Bench stands behind Manpreet Badal, the Akali-BJP MLAs too walked out of the House. Absolute pandemonium was witnessed in the House as Badal family feud between Sukhbir and Manpreet was played out. The debate on budget got murkier as cousins traded barbs. monicakchauhan@gmail.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 25 As soon as the question hour started on Monday, AAP MLAs stormed the Well of the House over change of land use (CLU) scam allegedly involving Cabinet Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu. Akali MLAs too targeted the treasury benches, though they did not join the AAP in the protest. The AAP asked Local Bodies Minster Navjot Singh Sidhu to explain the issue. Defending himself, Ashu said that he was ready to face an inquiry. He said: I am ready to face any action if found guilty in an inquiry that can be conducted by the Chief Minister. He also asked the constitution of House Committee to probe the matter. The AAP wanted that an audio recording related to the scam be played in the House. Soon after this, AAP walked out of the House. SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia alleged that Sidhu connived with the AAP to involve his own minister. As the Zero Hour started, SAD MLA Tinu raised the issue of CLU scam in the House, involving two Cabinet ministers. Tony asked Sidhu to explain and sought removal of both the ministers. Reacting to this, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh said that he was waiting for a reply of the Commissioner on the issue. The SAD leaders stormed the Well of the House. The treasury benches engaged in heated arguments with the Akali MLAs. As Majithia raised the issue of non-payment of compensation to Amritsar rail accident victims, Sidhu hit out at the SAD leader. Replying to the allegation of Majithia that Navjot Sidhu did not give jobs to the families of the rail accident victims, Sidhu said that he was giving Rs 8,000 per month to the families, who had no bread earner. On this, SAD president Sukhbir Badal pointing out that no one was behind bars in the rail accident. The chief minister replied saying that the enquiries were on in the case. At the same time, the chief minister, took a potshot at Badal, saying that in the road accident involving Orbit buses, no one was put behind bars. Replying to which, Sukhbir quickly said that the drivers were been arrested. The SAD MLAs stormed the Well of the House, before staging a walkout. rchopra@tribunemail.com Thiruvananthapuram, February 25 Young Malayalam filmmaker Nayana Sooryan, who had assisted several prominent directors in the industry, was found dead at her residence here, police said on Monday. Nayana (28) was found dead at her apartment on Sunday, but the exact cause of her death would be ascertained only after recieving the autopsy report, they said. However, the police indicated that she had been under treatment for diabetes for some time. As repeated calls to her mobile phone went unanswered, Nayana;s mother got suspicious and informed her friends, who rushed to her apartment. Despite repeated banging on the main door of the house, there was no response, following which they used a spare key to open it and found her lying dead in the bedroom, they added. A proponent of parallel cinema, Nayana marked her space in the industry as an independent director through Crossword, a 2017 anthology in which she did the sequel Pakshikalude Mananam with actors Vijay Babu and Mythili in the lead role. Before that, she had worked as an associate director under several leading filmmakers, including late Lenin Rajendran, Kamal, Jeethu Joseph and Dr Biju. The filmmaker also directed several advertisements and stage shows in and outside the country. Sources close to her said the sudden demise of Rajendran, who passed away on January 14 this year following liver ailments, also affected Nayana. She had made her debut in the tinsel town assisting Rajendran. Hailing from Alappad in Kollam district, Nayana is survived by father Dinesan, mother Sheela and two siblings. PTI sanjiv@tribunemail.com Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service Bengaluru, February 24 Russian aerospace major RAC MiG, which is offering the new MiG-35 fighter jet to India, has said that it is ready to localise production of the jet. At Aero India, MiG Director General Tarasenko Ilya said, At present, we are the number one plane in the world and offer to localise the MiG-35 production in India. Tarasenko said, We have been here for more than 50 years (MiG-21 arrived in India in 1963). We have had excellent cooperation with India in the past and will continue it. MiG is one of the seven companies in the race for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) tender seeking 110 fighter jets. Tarasenko said, We will meet all requirements of the MoD. One of the requirements is the maximum make in India. The company has already made a presentation on new technologies, showcasing technological advantages of the MiG-35. The Indian Air Force (IAF) operates 110 MiG-21 and MiG-27 jets which are on the verge of being phased out. It also operates MiG-29 jets while the Navy operates the MiG-29K the sea variant. The company has claimed that the MiG-35 will be 20 per cent cheaper than the similar offers from direct competitors. Tarasenko said, There is no need to disassemble the aircraft or even a part of it for maintenance and upgrade just replacing the module is sufficient. Besides, the replacement of the propulsion unit (the engine) takes only 58 minutes in field conditions. The MiG-35 is armed with new types of guided and unguided air-attack systems which provide maximum effectiveness in combat against air and ground targets. It also carries a new optronic sighting, navigation system with a weapon control, a new communications system complex and AESA radar. The Russian company has also set up a new public joint stock company United Aircraft Corporation as a part of an after-sales service concept. It is expected to reduce time and costs at all stages of the after-sales service from the creation of technical centres to performing maintenance and repair works. Advanced & Lethal monicakchauhan@gmail.com New Delhi, February 25 The Delhi Police have registered a case after the Election Commission (EC) asked it to track down those who were spreading "fake news" that NRI's can cast their vote online during the forthcoming Lok Sabha, officials said on Monday. "Based on the complaint of the EC, a case was registered on Friday," Madhur Verma, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) said adding that the matter will be probed by its Cyber cell. The EC had filed the complaint on Friday. Asking the police to investigate the matter, the EC had said its logo was being used on social media to "mislead" people. The Commission said the "fake news" violated IPC's section 505, which pertains to rumour mongering and attempts to spread alarm among people. On January 31, a 21-year-old man was arrested by the Cyber cell for allegedly publishing fake news about the 2019 Lok Sabha polls on his website. PTI amansharma@tribunemail.com Lahore, February 24 Pakistani authorities have appointed two administrators to supervise a seminary and a mosque believed to be the headquarters of the Jaish-e-Mohammad, the terror outfit which claimed responsibility for the Pulwama suicide attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir. The Punjab government appointed the administrators two days after it announced taking over the control of Madrassatul Sabir and Jamia-e-Masjid Subhanallah in Bahawalpur, over 400 km from Lahore. The seminary and mosque are believed to be the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit. The Punjab government has appointed Mohammad Ali, district Auqaf administrator and Ghulam Abbas, regional Auqaf administrator to supervise the administrative affairs of Jamia-e-Masjid Subhanallah and Madrassatul Sabir, Bahawalpur, respectively, said a senior official of the Punjab government. Jamia-e-Masjid Subhanallah is located in the densly populated industrial area in Model Town-B of Bahawalpur while Madrassatul Sabir is situated on Bahawalpur-Ahmed East highway on the outskirts of the city. Earlier in a complete U-turn, the Pakistan government dismissed its own claim of taking over the control of JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur and said the complex had no link with the JeM. In a video message on social media, Pakistans Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the Punjab government took administrative control of Madrassatul Sabir and Jamia-e-Masjid Subhanallah in Bahawalpur in line with the decisions taken during the National Security Council meeting held on Thursday and as part of the National Action Plan. Rejecting his earlier announcement that the complex was JeM headquarters, Chaudhry said, This is the madrassah (seminary) and India is doing propaganda that it is the JeM headquarters. On Friday, the minister told PTI that the Punjab government had taken over the control of the JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur. The government of Punjab has taken over the control of a campus comprising Madressatul Sabir and Jama-e-Masjid Subhanallah in Bahawalpur, allegedly the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammad, and appointed an administrator to manage its affairs, he had said. It was the first time in years that the campus, about 430-km from Lahore, had been acknowledged by Pakistan to be the headquarters of the Masood Azhar-led JeM. A statement issued by the Interior Ministry on Friday also said the crackdown on Jaish has been taken in line with the decision of the National Security Committee meeting held on Thursday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Imran Khan. The Islamic seminary in the campus has a faculty of 70 teachers and currently 600 students were studying in it, the statement said, adding that Punjab police were providing security and protection to the campus. Since 2002 when the JeM was banned, different intelligence agencies have been regularly monitoring the mosque and the seminary, the Punjab government official said. Pakistan on Thursday also banned the 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed-led Jamat-ud-Dawa and its charity wing Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation. Earlier, the two outfits were kept on the watchlist of the interior ministry. The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the Lashkar-e-Toiba militant group which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai attack that killed 166 people. It was declared a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in June 2014. Forty CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on February 14 in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a JeM suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying a huge quantity of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district. Tensions between the two countries have heightened after the attack with India asking Pakistan to take immediate and verifiable action against terrorists and terror groups operating from territories under its control. New Delhi also announced the withdrawal of the Most Favoured Nation status for Pakistan and hiked the customs duty by 200 per cent on goods originating from Pakistan. PTI Sets up crisis cell post border tension Islamabad: Pakistan has set up a crisis management cell in the wake of heightened tension with India. It will keep all stakeholders updated over the border situation and diplomatic contacts, foreign office spokesperson Muhammad Faisal was quoted as saying. The cell has been set up in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Mumbai, February 25 The budget session of the Maharashtra legislature began on a stormy note on Monday with opposition parties boycotting Governor Ch Vidyasagar Raos address to the joint sitting of both Houses to voice their protest against his recent remarks on the RSS. In remarks made in Nagpur earlier this month, Rao described the RSS as one of the most secular and inclusive organisations and said it had always respected the right of individuals to practise their own faith. Expressing displeasure over the remarks, opposition members stayed away from the Central Hall where the governor delivered his address to the joint sitting of both the Houses on the first day of the budget session. Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde said they decided to boycott the address because they were doubtful if it will be the governors address or that of a RSS person. A governors post is constitutional. We had doubts whether his speech was going to be in the interest of the state or the RSS. Hence, we decided to boycott it, he added. NCPs group leader in the Assembly Jayant Patil told reporters outside the House that the opposition had taken the decision to protest Raos support to the RSS, which sows the seeds of divisiveness. A governors post is constitutional and his remarks were unwarranted. The governor supports the RSS. The promises made by the governor have remained unfulfilled, so we have decided to boycott his speech, Patil said. Before the governor could begin his speech, opposition parties staged a protest against Raos remarks at the steps of the Vidhan Bhavan. Some opposition members also raised slogans against the BJP-led state government. On Sunday, opposition parties boycotted the customary tea party hosted by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the eve of the interim budget session. They said the state government should not announce any populist or policy decisions during the six-day session. The vote-on-account, which will have budget provisions till July 31, will be tabled on February 27. PTI gspannu7@gmail.com Pune, February 25 The wife of Major Prasad Mahadik, who was killed in a fire at his camp in Arunachal Pradesh, will follow into the footsteps of her late husband and join the Indian Army next year after completion of training. Gauri Mahadik (32), all set to join the Officers Training Academy (OTA) at Chennai, said instead of just mourning her husbands death, she wanted to pay a befitting tribute to him by wearing his stars and uniform. Major Mahadik, who had joined the Army in 2012 and commissioned in the 7th Battalion of Bihar Regiment, died in the fire at his camp in Tawang near the Indo-China border in December 2017. Post-completion of the 49-week training at the OTA, Gauri Mahadik, a qualified company secretary and law graduate who recently topped the Service Selection Board (SSB) exam in the widow category, will be inducted into the Army as a Lieutenant by March 2020. After my husbands death, I was thinking what to do next...I thought I cannot just sit and cry. So I decided that I should do something for him and make him proud. I decided to follow his footsteps and with a determination that I will wear his stars and uniform, started preparing for SSB examination, said Mahadik while talking to PTI from Virar, a distant suburb of Mumbai, over the phone. She said she could not succeed in the first attempt due to lack of preparation for the tough examination. But in the next attempt, I prepared hard and decided that this time I not would not only clear the exam, but will top it and now I cleared the exam, she said, adding while preparing she gave a lot of attention to physical fitness. She said now she will be going to the OTA in Chennai for training. My 49-week training will start from April this year and after that I will become Lieutenant Gauri Prasad Mahadik. I think this would be the real tribute to my husband who is my real inspiration and hero also, she said. Gauri Mahadik said her parents and in-laws supported her throughout the journey post her husbands death. Gauri Mahadik married the Army officer in 2015 and after he sacrificed his life in the line of duty, she left her job at a law firm in Worli, Mumbai, and started preparations for the SSB exam. PTI sanjiv@tribunemail.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 24 The Election Commission is readying to announce dates for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, which, according to sources, is likely in the first week of March. Sources said the announcement would be timed keeping in view Prime Minister Narendra Modis scheduled interaction with the chief secretaries of all states on March 6, the day on which he would also hold the last Cabinet meeting of his term. The Pragati meeting, aimed at reviewing the progress of several mega government schemes, is likely to take place the same day. All preparatory exercises on part of the Election Commission, including meetings with officials from states, are almost complete. Even a missive has been sent to the chief secretaries and chief electoral officers of all states and Union Territories as regards transfers and postings of officers associated with the poll process. We have told them to complete the process of transfers and postings before February 28, an EC official said. Sources said the poll panel was contemplating to hold the elections in seven to eight phases. Barring Jammu and Kashmir, currently under Presidents rule, a decision has already been arrived at to conduct Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim simultaneously, as their terms expire on June 18, June 1, June 11 and May 27, respectively. The term of the 16th Lok Sabha would end on June 3, officials said. According to the Election Commission, 22.3 lakh ballot units, 16.3 lakh control units and around 17.3 lakh VVPATs (or paper-trail machines) will be used for the 2019 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. The number of machines includes the buffer stock for training as well as replacements. Cross-checking 50% EVM results not feasible Notwithstanding Opposition parties demand to cross-check 50 per cent of EVM results before declaring the final Lok Sabha poll results, sources in the Election Commission indicated the panel would not be in a position to meet the demand Sources claimed the EVMs used by the EC were credible even without VVPAT and it would not be immediately possible to accept the demand of the Opposition Sources, however, indicated that the panel would make efforts to increase VVPAT verification gradually, depending upon the availability of machines mann ki baat in may Elections are the biggest celebration of democracy. In the next two months, we will be busy in hurly-burly of General Election. I myself will also be a candidate. Respecting healthy democratic traditions, the next episode of Mann Ki Baat will be broadcast on the last Sunday of May. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister amansharma@tribunemail.com Dubai, February 25 Pakistans former military dictator Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf has termed talk of any nuclear war with India as rubbish, saying if Pakistan would attack India with one atomic bomb, then New Delhi could finish us by attacking with 20 bombs. It is not so simple. Do not talk like this. There is always a military strategy, Musharraf, who is on self-exile in Dubai, said in response to a question at a news conference in Dubai on Friday evening. His statement came amid heightened tension between the two nuclear-armed countries after the February 14 suicide attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad that killed at least 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama district. Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, termed talk of any nuclear war as rubbish, Dawn newspaper reported. If Pakistan would attack India with one atomic bomb, then the neighbouring country could finish us by attacking with 20 bombs, he was quoted as saying by the paper. The only solution is that we should first attack them with 50 atom bombs so that they cannot hit us with 20 bombs. Are you ready to first launch an attack with 50 bombs? he asked. Musharraf, who was the army chief of Pakistan during the Kargil War in 1999, said India had advantage in some areas in Kashmir and it could launch a surgical strike, but Pakistan also had advantage in many other areas. He suggested to Pakistan Army to keep a plan prepared before time to deal with any possible Indian move, the paper said. The former general has been declared a fugitive in the Benazir Bhutto assassination case and the Red Mosque cleric killing case. He is facing several cases, including a treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007. He left for the UAE in 2016 for medical treatment and has not returned since. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Kolkata, February 25 West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday alleged that though the Modi government had intelligence inputs about the Pulwama attack, it did not take any step as it was more keen on playing politics over the dead bodies of jawans. Banerjee, while addressing the Trinamool Congresss extended core committee meeting here, vowed to oust the dictatorial Narendra Modi government from power in the upcoming general election. She claimed that her party Trinamool Congress (TMC) would win all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal. The central government was aware that such an attack could take place, there were intelligence inputs. Then why didnt the government take action to protect our jawans? The government allowed them to die so that they could do politics over the dead bodies of jawans in the elections, Banerjee said. They wanted to create war hysteria ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the TMC president alleged. The central government is functioning in a peculiar way and union ministers are not aware of important decisions, Banerjee claimed. This government is being run by two brothers (Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah), who have blood of innocents on their hands, she alleged. Our party workers and cadre should be cautious as efforts are on to tamper EVMs (electronic voting machines) during the Lok Sabha polls. You all have to thwart those efforts, she said. On February 14, 40 CRPF personnel were killed in Jammu and Kashmir after a Jaish-e-Mohammad militant rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into their bus in Pulwama district. PTI The facility, though, also saw a jump in the number of kids being housed there as other sites, like the shelter at the San Diego Convention Center, prepare to close. amansharma@tribunemail.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 25 Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Monday recused himself from hearing a PIL seeking abolition of designation of advocates as senior advocates. The petition alleged that the system created an elite class consisting of kith and kin. I do not want to be part of the bench, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi told advocate Mathews J Nedumpara, who represented petitioner National Lawyers Campaign for Judicial Transparency and Reform. A Bench headed by Justice Gogoi on October 12, 2017 had delivered a judgment laying down guidelines for the Supreme Court and 25 High Courts for designating lawyers as senior advocates. It had ordered setting up of a committee headed by the CJI, which would be assisted by a secretariat to handle the issue. The petitioner has demanded that the 2017 verdict should be reconsidered, contending that vesting the ultimate power in the matter of designation of lawyers as senior advocates with the Full Court of the top court or the Full Court of high courts went against independence of the Bar. However, it said for the time being lawyers who have crossed the age of 62 and have been actively practising at the Bar for more than 35 years, be designated as senior advocates. The plea claimed that the system of designation of lawyers as senior led to their classification of lawyers into two classes elite class which consisted of the kith and kin and juniors of sitting and former judges and those politically connected; and the first generation lawyers. The plea said till the system was abolished, only those advocates who have crossed the age of 62 years and have been in practice for 35 years be designated as senior. The 2017 verdict had ordered setting up of a committee headed by the CJI, which would be assisted by a secretariat. Disposing four petitions, including one filed by senior advocate Indira Jaising, the bench had, in its 112-page judgement, laid down as many as 11 guidelines to effectively deal with the process of designating lawyers as seniors. The apex court said 100 points would be awarded under different heads to the lawyers seeking consideration for being designated as seniors. Maximum of 20 points would be earmarked for the years spent in the legal profession, it said, adding that 40 points would be given for aspects such as judgments to which the lawyer has been a part, pro-bono litigations and domain of expertise in branches of law. Publications by the Applicant Advocate would be earmarked 15 points, while the test of personality and suitability on the basis of interview or interaction would have 25 points. sanjiv@tribunemail.com Itanagar, February 24 Two persons were killed and three injured in police firing as protests over recommendations of granting permanent resident certificates (PRCs) to six communities escalated on Sunday in Arunachal Pradesh, police sources said. Police opened fire when protesters tried to attack the private residence of Chief Minister Pema Khandu. Khandu had called an all-party meeting on Sunday to review the situation and decide on the future course of action, but none of the parties, including the Opposition Congress, NPP and PPA, turned up. The meeting has been rescheduled for Monday. Considering the present situation pertaining to grant of PRCs to non-APST (Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes) of Namsai and Changlang districts, the state government has decided that no further action will be taken in grant of PRCs, Chief Secretary Satya Gopal said. The protesters have been demanding permanent resolution to the PRC issue, immediate resignation of the CM, unconditional release of protesters and transfer of the Chief Secretary, among others. Earlier in the day, the protesters allegedly set ablaze the private residence of Deputy CM Chowna Mein and ransacked the office of the Deputy Commissioner, police said. People marched through the streets vandalising public property and vehicles. The Army had conducted flag march in Itanagar and Naharlagun on Saturday. The Joint High Power Committee recommended granting PRCs to six communities, who are not natives of Arunachal, but have been living in Namsai and Changlang districts for decades. The proposals evoked resentment among several organisations, which claimed the rights and the interests of indigenous people would be compromised. PTI harinder@tribunemail.com Ludhiana: Activists of the Veopar Cell of Shiv Sena Hindustan on Sunday staged a protest against terrorism and Pakistan. The protesters raised slogans against Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Muhammad for carrying out terrorist attacks in India. The party workers also burnt an effigy of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. The party activists gathered near Rikhi Cinema Chowk here and then held a protest dharna. Veopar Cell district president Gautam Sood strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack on CRPF personnel in Pulwama. They also criticised the Pakistan government and Prime Minister Imran Khan for allegedly promoting terrorist activities against India from its land. The activists insisted that the Indian government needed to take strict action against terrorist organisations and the country promoting terrorism. Pakistan needs to be talked in its own language. The Indian government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi should end all relations with Pakistan. The government shall also suspend Delhi-Lahore bus service, said Sood. TNS Wheelchairs, Artificial limbs distributed Ludhiana: Shaheed Sukhdev branch of the Bharat Vikas Parishad on Sunday distributed artificial limbs to 45 physically challenged persons. Wheelchairs, tricycles and hearing aid were given to the needy. Rajiv Wadhera, Joint Income Tax Commissioner, was the chief guest on the occasion. He said the parishad was serving society in a unique way and it was really appreciable. TNS MLA distributes 400 cycles to girls Ludhiana: Samrala MLA Amrik Singh Dhillon under the state governments Mai Bhago scheme distributed cycles to needy school girls on Sunday. Sukhvir Singh Pappi, personal assistant and counsellor Sunny Dua said 189 girls in Goslan school, 32 girls in Manupur school, 29 girls in Rajewal school and 150 girls in Rupalon school were distributed cycles by the MLA. The MLA said the Congress government was committed to working for the welfare of people. Zila Parishad member Jatinder Singh Joga; Jagjit Singh Bharthla, state secretary; and Sanjeev Kumar Saddi. Principal of Goslan school, were also present on the occasion. TNS editorial@tribune.com nesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, February 24 Amid rumours in the Valley about the abrogation of Article 35A of the Constitution, BJP chief Amit Shah on Sunday vowed to rectify the blunders committed by the first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in dealing with J&K after Partition. I am giving this message from Jammu that the Narendra Modi government is committed to rectify the mistakes of the great-grandfather of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Shah said while addressing a rally organised by the party to pay tributes to Pulwama martyrs. As large numbers of party workers raised slogans against Articles 370 and 35A amid Shah's speech, the BJP president seized the opportunity to attack the Congress by shifting the blame on Nehru for conferring the special status on J&K. Problems of Hyderabad and Junagarh were more complex as compared to Kashmir, but Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had resolved these with conviction and vision. However, Nehru, who handled the Kashmir issue himself, failed to resolve it, Shah said. Although Shah avoided mentioning Articles 370 and 35A directly, he repeatedly invoked Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Praja Parishad leader Prem Nath Dogra in his 37-minute speech to resolve the partys commitment to repeal the provisions. He started his speech by recalling Mookerjees murder in Kashmir for opposing Article 370. Mookerjee and Dogra had launched 'Ek Vidhan, Ek Pradhan, Ek Nishan' movement in early 1950s against the granting of the special status to J&K. Mookerjee was arrested upon entering J&K on May 11, 1953. He died during his detention in June 1953 in Srinagar jail. Asserting that the place where Mookerjee had sacrificed his life "belonged to us", Shah referred to the February 14 Pulwama terror attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. He said, their (CRPF men's) sacrifice will not go in vain. His resolve to rectify the blunders of Nehru is significant as for the last two days normal life has been paralysed in the Kashmir valley due to a shutdown called by separatist leadership after rumours erupted that the government is going to repeal Article 35A. Shah also lashed out at the Peoples Democratic Party and National Conference for discriminating against Jammu and Ladakh regions. Earlier when grants were released by the Centre for the development of all three regions, the people of Jammu and Ladakh were ignored. He added that Jammu and Ladakh were often discriminated against during the Congress rule... It was the BJP that opened doors of development for Ladakh and Jammu regions, he said uttara@tribuneindia.com Suhail A Shah Anantnag, February 24 Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Aman Thakur, posted with the Special Operations Group, non-commissioned officer Havildar Sombir and three Jaish (JeM) militants were killed in a gunfight in Yaripora area of Kulgam district in South Kashmir today. A Major and a soldier were injured. As men and women gathered at the encounter site, the security forces fired bullets, tear smoke shells and pellets to disperse the surging crowd, leaving at least seven injured. We have shifted four of the injured to Srinagar three with bullet wounds and one with a pellet injury in the eye, a health official said. The gunfight erupted at 2.15 pm in Tudigam village, minutes after a cordon and search operation was launched by a joint team of the security forces. The militants, hiding in a house, opened fire. A 2011-batch J&K Police Service officer, DSP Thakur was hit in the neck. He died while being flown to the Army hospital in Srinagar. He hailed from Gogla district of Doda and is survived by his parents, wife and a six-year-old son. Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbag Singh said: We have lost a brave officer. A fighter, he led Sundays operation. Thakur was posted as the DSP (Operation) in Kulgam, a terrorist-infested area, two years ago. He was awarded the DGPs Commendation Medal and Certificate for exemplary service only last month. editorial@tribune.com Ishfaq Tantry Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 24 The state has widened its crackdown on separatists, rounding up scores of activists and leaders during overnight raids that continued for the second consecutive day on Sunday. Most notable among those arrested during the intervening night include deputy chief of the Jamiat Alhadees, Molvi Mushtaq Veeri, and Difaye Jamiat Alhadees leader Moulana Maqbool Afrani. The authorities also placed Muslim Conference president and former Hurriyat chairman Abdul Ghani Bhat under house arrest in the Wazirbagh area whereas JKLF chief Yasin Malik was arrested on Friday. Earlier on Saturday, in a major crackdown against the Jamaat-e-Islami in Kashmir, the security forces rounded up at least 200 of its leaders, including chief Abdul Hamid Fayaz and chief spokesman Zahid Ali Advocate. A senior police official put the figure of the fresh arrests around 50, saying those detained during the night raids included writers, stone throwers and other anti-national elements belonging to different groups. Sources in the police indicated that in the coming days, the net of the crackdown may be widened further with focus on south Kashmir districts where militancy has kept security men engaged in anti-insurgency operations. ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Environmental disturbances have resulted in the extinction of a wide range of animals and plants in recent decades. Our air and water are polluted; our forests have been denuded. Our environment is no longer secure for future generations. Whatever we do, we generate carbon emissions. And, rather unsurprisingly, we generate a lot. Back in 1970, the worlds population exhaled about 14.4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. In 2015, we breathed out about 35 billion tonnes. There are five global trends that pose a major threat to our planet. These issues must be resolved sooner than later if the world is to remain a supportive habitat for humans and other species. Getting choked The atmosphere and ocean waters are overloaded with carbon. Atmospheric CO2 absorbs and re-emits infrared-wavelength radiation, leading to warmer air, soil and ocean surface waters which is good: the planet would be frozen solid without it. Unfortunately, theres now too much carbon in the air. Burning of fossil fuels, deforestation for agriculture, and industrial activities have pushed up atmospheric CO2 concentrations from 280 parts per million (ppm) 200 years ago to about 400 ppm today. The result is climate disruption. Carbon overloading is only one form of air pollution caused by burning coal, oil, gas and wood. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that one in nine deaths in 2012 were attributable to diseases caused by carcinogens and other poisons in the polluted air. The solutions are: Replace fossil fuels with renewable energy; reforestation; reduce emissions from agriculture; change industrial processes. The good news is that clean energy is abundant it just needs to be harvested. Many say a 100 per cent renewable-energy future is feasible with the existing technology. But the bad news is that even though renewable energy infrastructure solar panels, wind turbines, energy storage and distribution systems are already widespread, and getting cheaper and more efficient all the time, experts say we are not applying them quickly enough to prevent catastrophic climate disruption. Barriers in policy and finance need to be overcome. Rampant Deforestation Species-rich wild forests are being destroyed, especially in the tropics, often to make way for cattle ranching, soyabean/palm oil or other plantations, or other agricultural monocultures. Today, about 30 per cent of the planets land area is covered by forests about half as much as before agriculture started around 11,000 years ago. About 7.3 million hectares (18 million acres) of forests are destroyed each year, mostly in the tropics. Tropical forests used to cover about 15 per cent of the planets land area; they are now down to 6 or 7 per cent. Much of this remainder has been degraded by logging or burning. Natural forests not only act as biodiversity reserves, but are also carbon sinks, keeping carbon out of the atmosphere and oceans. There is a need to conserve whats left of natural forests, and restore degraded areas by replantation with native tree species. This requires strong governance, but many tropical countries are still developing, with increasing populations, uneven rule of law, and widespread cronyism and bribery when it comes to allocating land use. Species under threat On land, wild animals are being hunted to extinction for bushmeat, ivory or medicinal products. At sea, huge industrial fishing boats equipped with bottom-trawling or purse-seine nets clean out entire fish populations. The loss and destruction of habitat are also major factors contributing to a wave of extinction unprecedented in that it is caused by a single species: humans. The International Union for Conservation of Natures (IUCN) red list of threatened and endangered species continues to grow. Concerted efforts need to be made to prevent further loss of biodiversity. Protecting and restoring habitats is one side of this protecting against poaching and wildlife trade is the other. This should be done in partnership with locals, so that wildlife conservation is in their social and economic interest. The American black bear is one of the 22,000-odd species threatened with extinction. During the past century, animals have been disappearing about 100 times faster than they used to, scientists from American universities have warned in a new study. According to the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), around 70 species go extinct every day. According to the IUCN, 41 per cent of the amphibian species and 26 per cent of the mammals are facing extinction. The Titicaca water frog, found only in Lake Titicaca in South America, used to be present in millions in the early 1970s. Now, it has almost disappeared. The causes of species loss are mostly man-made. These range from climate change to pollution and deforestation. About 2,000 trees have been cut down every minute during the past 40 years. As species disappear, so do crucial services, such as pollination of crops by honeybees. At the current rate of species loss, humans will lose innumerable biodiversity benefits within three generations. We are sawing off the limb we are sitting on, wrote author Paul Ehrlich from Stanford University. Soil degradation Overexposure to pollutants, land-use conversion there is a long list of ways that soil is being damaged. About 12 million hectares of farmland a year get seriously degraded, according to UN estimates. The organisms living in a handful of soil outnumber all humans on the planet. They ensure that the humus layer stores nutrients and water. After oceans, soils represent the planets largest carbon bank. Soils store more carbon than all the worlds forests combined. As cities around the world expand, fertile land is disappearing under concrete and asphalt. Microorganisms are suffocated under this artificial surface, and above it rainwater flows away rather than seeping into the soil. Depletion of the soil through deforestation, over-fertilisation and overgrazing can turn land into desert. Climatic factors like drought become a catalyst in a chain reaction set in motion by human activity. Monoculture plantations need large amounts of fertilisers and pesticides to remain productive. Some types of pesticides also harm the natural soil biota, reducing the soils fertility. Whether resulting from industrial leakage, disaster or weapons, or from years of over-fertilisation, once soil is contaminated, fixing the damage is costly and time-consuming. According to official sources in China, nearly one-fifth of agricultural land there is contaminated. There is a wide range of soil conservation and restoration techniques, from no-till agriculture to crop rotation and water retention through terrace-building. Given that food security depends on keeping soils in a good condition, we are likely to master this challenge in the long run. Whether this will be done in a way equitable to all people around the globe remains an open question. Bursting at the seams Human population continues to grow rapidly worldwide. We entered the 20th century with 1.6 billion people; now, we are about 7.5 billion. China and India top the global population list, with 1.4 billion and 1.33 billion inhabitants, respectively. Estimates put us at nearly 10 billion by 2050. Growing global populations, combined with growing affluence, is putting ever greater pressure on essential natural resources, like water. Most of the growth is happening in Africa, besides southern and eastern Asia. The number of people living in urban areas rose from 1.34 billion in 1970 to 4 billion in 2016. According to the latest estimates, the majority of us are living in urban areas even in less developed countries. Experience has shown that when women are empowered to control reproduction, and gain access to education and basic social services, the average number of births per woman drops precipitously. Done right, networked aid systems could bring women out of extreme poverty, even in countries where state-level governance remains abysmal. The writer is a consultant in the petroleum & natural gas sector Climate Change Performance Index Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) is designed to enhance transparency in international climate politics. Its aim is to put political and social pressure on those countries that have, until now, failed to take ambitious action on climate protection, and to highlight countries with best-practice climate policies. CCPI evaluates countries 2030 targets in key categories: GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions; renewable energy; and energy use. India is 11th on the latest CCPI list, improving its standing by three places compared to the previous edition. India has improved in the renewable energy category, joining the group of medium performers. However, national experts argue that plans to build new coal-fired power plants may pose a risk of offsetting positive developments in the renewable energy sector. Comparatively low levels of per capita GHG emissions and a relatively ambitious mitigation target for 2030 give India an overall high rating in the emissions category. In this years index, Sweden is the world topper, followed by Morocco and Lithuania. The group of medium-performing countries includes France, Mexico, Germany and the Czech Republic. Among the low performers overall are Indonesia, Austria and New Zealand. The bottom five on the CCPI list are Saudi Arabia, the US, Iran, Republic of Korea and Chinese Taipei, scoring low or very low across almost all categories. Greatest challenge of the century Climate change threatens access to clean air, safe drinking water, nutritious food supply and safe shelter. It is already causing rising sea levels, more frequent and extreme weather events, heatwaves and droughts, forest fires and increased spread of mosquito-borne diseases like malaria. A highly conservative estimate of 2.5 lakh additional deaths each year due to climate change has been projected between 2030 and 2050: of these, 38,000 from heat exposure among the elderly; 48,000 from diarrhoea; 60,000 from malaria; and 95,000 from childhood undernutrition. Meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement could save about 10 lakh lives a year worldwide by 2050 through reduction in air pollution alone. The health benefits far outweigh the costs of meeting climate change goals, and the benefit-to-cost ratio is even higher in countries such as China and India. The activities destabilising the climate also contribute directly to poor health. WHO recognises that air pollution is a critical risk factor for noncommunicable diseases, causing an estimated 24% of all adult deaths from heart disease, 25% from stroke, 43% from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 29% from lung cancer. From the tropics to the arctic, climate and weather have powerful direct and indirect impact on human life. The most disadvantaged, vulnerable and poor populations are expected to be disproportionately affected by climate change, with rising food and water insecurity, higher food prices, loss of income and livelihood opportunities, negative health effects, and population displacement (including forced migration). The most direct link between the drivers of climate change, and of poor health, is air pollution. Burning fossil fuels for power, transportation and industry is the main source of the carbon emissions driving climate change, and also a major contributor to air pollution, that kills 70 lakh people every year. Black carbon, produced by inefficient combustion in sources such as cookstoves and diesel engines, is the second greatest contributor to global warming. Over 90% of the worlds urban population breathes air that exceeds WHOs guideline levels for outdoor air pollution. Steps to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions can have more immediate positive health effects. Promoting use of public transport and active movement such as biking/walking as alternatives to using private vehicles reduces carbon dioxide emissions and air pollution. It can also reduce traffic injuries and increase levels of physical activity that helps prevent diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Source: World Health Organisation editorial@tribune.com Lalit Mohan Tribune News Service Dharamsala, February 24 Whatever the current NDA government at the Centre did during its tenure so far was just a trailer and the real picture would follow after the 2019 parliamentary polls. Union Minister for Surface Transport Nitin Gadkari said this while addressing a rally here today. Nationalism was the basic principal of the BJP. Since its inception many terrorist and naxal movements tried to divide the country but the BJP fought against them, the Union minister said. He said that the BJP was the party of workers and not a dynastic party. The BJP galvanized its grass root level workers, Pannas, at a rally organised in Chambi in Kangra district ahead of parliamentary polls. The party was endeavouring to make India is superpower. He said that the Prime Ministers have worked to provide basic facilities to the people of the country. Gadkari said that BJP was the biggest political party in the world and its objective is good governance and development. Gadkari specifically praised Shanta Kumar and said that he was a student when Shanta Kumar became Chief Minister for the first time. He has been watching him since then and taking inspiration from him. Gadkari said the previous Congress government in Himachal had delayed the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for 75 National Highways for the state. However, now the BJP government has expedited the paper work and work on the highways would begin soon. Gadkari said that he had planned a 12-lane express highway to connect Delhi with Mumbai. The spadework for the land for Rs 1 lakh crore project has been completed and work would start soon, he said. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur also addressing the rally said that in the last one year the state government has got projects worth Rs 10,500 crores from the Centre. The Congress in the state was a divided house which was evident when even the installation ceremony of the new state president of the party in Shimla was marred by violence. He said that the Congress had nothing to say against his one-year government. So it resorted to just raising slogans during the Assembly sessions. Shanta Kumar praised Nitin Gadkari and said that he had started road revolution in the state. He said that Gadkaris work was so exemplary that when the Opposition leaders applauded him in Parliament. The state president of BJP, Satpal Satti claimed that the BJP has created 1.40 lakh Panna workers in the state. They would ensure victory of their party in the forthcoming elections. He also claimed that in todays rally 35,000 panna workers from across the parliamentary constituency participated. The rally today was the fourth and last Panna rally of the BJP before the elections. Panna rallies earlier were organised in Mandi, Solan and Una covering all the four parliamentary constituencies. editorial@tribune.com Sonepat, February 24 Convener of the JJP and MP from Hisar Dushyant Chautala on Sunday announced that if the JJP came to power in the state, it would waive farmers loans and also give bonus of Rs 100 per quintal on the minimum support price of the commodity. Every grain will be purchased by the JJP government, he said while addressing a party workers' meeting here at the new anaj mandi. He chided the BJP governments in the Centre and state for keeping quiet for more than four years and attempting to lure the farmers by giving just Rs 6,000 during the year. This would not help farmers get rid of the burden of crop loans, he said. Instead of helping the farmers, these governments have benefited the insurance companies, he said and alleged that farmers were being forced to run from post to pillar to get compensation for their damaged crops. OC harinder@tribunemail.com FINALLY, the Prime Minister has spoken. A day after the Supreme Court lent protection to Kashmiri students, Modi assured during a BJP rally in Jaipur on Saturday that the fight is not against Kashmiris and that the people of the Valley are at the receiving end of terrorist violence better late than never. Meanwhile, the apex court yet again came to the rescue of the people, performing its crucial constitutional duty of safeguarding citizens from rabid mobs driven by hatred. A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Friday directed Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police of 11 states to prevent incidents of threat, assault and social boycott of Kashmiris. The court entrusted the safety of Kashmiris with police officers who were earlier appointed as nodal officers to stop instances of lynching. The order had a salutary effect. Late on Friday night, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an advisory directing all state governments to ensure the security of people from Jammu and Kashmir. The University Grants Commission, too, asked vice chancellors of all universities to personally look into the issue of harassment of Kashmiri students. Since the court has very specifically mentioned social boycott, etc, against Kashmiris, action ought to be taken against all those who spread venom and sought to shun Kashmiris. The sad reality of Indian politics is that, among those who actively promoted this agenda was a Governor, a constitutional authority. Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy had put out a tweet early last week openly calling for a boycott of everything Kashmiri, asking people not to visit Kashmir or buy Kashmiri handicrafts. Despite the Supreme Court order, he has neither removed his tweet nor stopped his Twitter tirade. In the context of the order, he has committed an offence and must pay for it. As a person who is blinded by ideology to even see the difference between terrorists and those desperately trying to defeat terrorists, he does not deserve to hold the office of the Governor. Employees at Microsoft are calling for the company to cancel a multimillion dollar contract which would allow the U.S. Army to use the HoloLens during combat. This comes after Microsoft won a $480 million bid back in November 2018 to supply prototypes for the Army to use during combat missions and in training, and could eventually lead to the military purchasing over 100,000 headsets. A group called Microsoft Workers 4 Good posted an open letter to CEO Satya Nadella and president and chief legal officer Brad Smith, urging for the contract to be cancelled and for stricter ethical guidelines to be put into place. We are alarmed that Microsoft is working to provide weapons technology to the U.S. Military, helping one countrys government increase lethality using tools we built, reads the letter. We did not sign up to develop weapons, and we demand a say in how our work is used." Microsoft Workers 4 Good is requesting that Microsoft cancel the contract, cease developing weapons technologies, draft a public-facing acceptable use policy, and appoint an independent ethics review board to enforce this policy. There are many engineers who contributed to HoloLens before this contract even existed, believing it would be used to help architects and engineers build buildings and cars, to help teach people how to perform surgery or play the piano," the post continues. harinder@tribunemail.com PAKISTAN can easily claim the world record for banning terrorist organisations. Ever since 9/11 it hurtled down the road of proscriptions and has rarely lifted its foot off the pedal. The problem is that the banned organisations do not remain cowed down for long. Their leading stars continue to rain down invectives on the Pakistan armys enemy of the day, while public prosecutors fail to press home the charges, leading to courts repeatedly letting off the hook these terror-cum-charity outfits. Evidence suggests that the ban serves each time the purpose of getting the monkey off the armys back. In the latest replay, Pakistan has banned two terror outfits led by Hafiz Saeed and its administration took over the Bahawalpur headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar. Clearly, the problem is in implementation. First banned in 2002, Hafiz Saeeds Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and JeM would have been decimated by now, had there been a determined effort by Pakistan. After the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, it again proscribed 16 terror outfits, including the two anti-India terror outfits. Saeed's principal gunslingers were jailed and it appeared, for once, that the centrist government of Asif Ali Zardari had got the measure of the radicals. But two dead public prosecutors later, the trial petered out. Even the US, which freely indulges in drone hunting of terrorists on Pakistani soil, was unable to get at Saeed despite a multi-million bounty. But Pakistan is under the pump after the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gave it a three-month deadline to sharpen the implementation of its anti-terror financing laws. The recent Saudi bailout may have been the last act of generosity by Pakistans all-weather friends. Its impending blacklisting by the FATF could deter foreign investors and hinder Pakistans access to international markets. The road ahead for Pakistan is already tough without the distraction of a large neighbour unveiling all available tools of coercion. As India determinedly tightens the political screws it has gained access even to the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) where Pakistan till now had the field to itself and leverages its geo-economic charm, PM Imran Khan may find himself bereft of viable options. Shiv Visvanathan Shiv Visvanathan Academic associated with Compost Heap One of the most sacrosanct terms within a modern democracy is not the idea of a nation state, or rights, or the rituals of voting but the existence of citizenship. Citizenship as an idea has become arid because it projects a process of certification, an act of clerical labelling where we forget that it is a festival of homecoming, a claim to have a home and right to determine the idea of one. It creates an ontology of being, a sense of no longer being alien, of being confronted as an outsider. The rituals of incorporating someone as a citizenship are an empowering act. Democracy choreographs the varieties of empowerment. Nineteenth and 21st century democracy enacted out the drama of citizenship between refugee, exile, and migrant. The drama of incorporating these three liminal worlds often produced the creation myths of democracy. Yet of late, democracy has taken a strange turn and its citizens, along with a security-oriented state, are whittling away at the idea of citizenship. What was once a celebration of diversity has become a self-conscious whittling away of the richness of citizenship. It is a world eating into itself. One can understand this by looking at a shopping list of citizenship. It provides a home, a sense of residence, a certificate of identity, a feeling of being and continuity and sense of membership in a locality. One can dismiss these as bourgeois demands, but bourgeois requirements also embody a sense of the human and the universal. Safety, security, and sustainability become the hallmarks of citizenship and it is precisely this which we have impoverished over the past two years of the Modi regime. A litany of anecdotes can capture this impoverishment of citizenship. As one sifts through the archive of suspicion and hostility one realises that the so-called citizen secure in his identity can disappear into a parallel world of the alien, the stranger, the homeless, the doubly displaced refugee and the nomad. It is almost as if some statuses, some claims to the legacy of citizenship are less equal than others. Sadly, it reveals that citizenship has lost its bourgeois certainty and become an Orwellian world of anxiety, loss and futility. The example is recounted in every newspaper, but there is no attempt to connect the dots and read the social message of the patterns. After the Pulwama tragedy, an epidemic of jingoism has spread across India. A Kashmiri shawl seller was thrown off a train. He, like the Tibetan selling sweaters, is a ubiquitous presence in winter. Yet, the Kashmiri seller, part of the everyday economy, is stigmatised as suspect. From a welcome salesman, he becomes a security threat. An individual, who has no connection with war, is struck off the imaginary list of citizenship. Here, ordinary citizens are witch-hunting and carrying out inquisitions as part of the rituals of civic life. Murder is written off as collateral damage. The poignancy of the shawl seller is replicated by threats as a Kashmiri doctor, who has lived for decades in Kolkata, is suddenly turned suspect and non-citizen. Vigilante mobs have been taking over the custodianship of citizenship and transforming it from rights of inclusion to rites of exclusion. The case of the citizens register in Assam provides another epidemic of horror stories. Here, the national register, rather than assuring citizenship, triggers leakages around certificates. The clerk becomes the sovereign of the citizens fate and no assurances that one has stayed for decades helps. A certificate as testimony becomes more a modus operandi for exclusion rather than incorporation. Worse, the government skews the possibilities by contending that Hindus and Sikhs subject to persecution deserve preference. The Bengali Muslim loses out in this battle to the Bengali Hindu. Suffering, which once had a secular, humanitarian frame, now becomes an occasion for bias. All these issues disappear in the confusion of the great census read of a technical act of governance. There is little attempt to read the census as a discourse of violence. Worse, the power of electoral politics creates anxieties in numerically marginal groups, inducing protests which rarely command attention. Finally, one faces the prospect, after all the intricacies of the survey, that India might have to intern four million people in refugee camps as beings who do not belong to the other side of the border. The typical citizen is someone who lives within the formal economics and politics of civics. But such civics is becoming exclusive in its availability. The tribal way of life leads to a lesser form of citizenship. A tribal without the sustaining power of nature is already impoverished. Robbed of his access to oral language, he becomes vulnerable but when the court in a surreal judgment denies him the right to his forests, it emasculates his citizenship and denies him the entitlement to his knowledge system. Beyond the indifference of governance, the idea of our citizenship is being caught in the cross hairs of the natural security state, the development debate, the battle between ecologism and human rights, and worse in a huge world of anxieties created by majoritarianism, where electoral democracy becomes a threat to plural democracy. The problem is few scholars or activists are connecting this quilt patch of incidents to reveal a denudation of rights. We legitimise ourselves by arguing that identity politics is destroying democracy everywhere. But that is little consolation to the abandoned citizen stigmatised for being nomadic, homeless, suspect or different. The need is to reinvent citizenship beyond its 19th-century developments, hospitality and compassion. Solidarity must once again inform the reinvention of citizenship. Otherwise, vulnerability might become the fate of a majority of our people. Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay Senior political analyst THREE parallel tracks, of equal significance in both short and long terms, are running concurrently following the terror strike in Pulwama. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his image of a decisive leader or strongman, anchors each of these narratives, two of which were kick-started by the attack, while the third, limited to domestic politics, is becoming more melodramatic with the approaching elections. The first and most important storyline was triggered by Modis hasty promise that the government would better Newtons Third Law of Motion the reaction would not just be equal and opposite but greater, whose quantum, timing and nature would be determined by the armed forms. Driven by his machismo and political necessity, Modi needlessly declared his retributive intention. Now, when the security and diplomatic establishments map their moves while assessing gains on the ambassadorial arena, there is a risk of anticipation raised by Modi transforming into impatience and negatively impacting the other plots. The triggering of the second narrative was symptomatic of frustration at the inability to thwart Pakistans designs and quell terrorism despite a majority government and an authoritative leader. This stems considerably from portraying the surgical strikes the reality as well as the cinematic version as an end in itself, whereas it should have been showcased as another success in a protracted war. Now, because the actual enemy cannot be targeted instantly, soft proxies are chosen. It is sad that the Supreme Court had to prompt 11 states, including those ruled by opposition parties, and the Centre to issue advisories to prevent violence and socio-economic boycott against Kashmiris. Undeniably, this attack was mounted by people who are ideologically positioned on the Right and their targets are not just the Muslims from Kashmir but other minorities, too, besides the usual suspects academics, human rights activists (urban Maoists) and journalists. These two narratives are already beginning to unambiguously impact the third storyline, of utmost importance to politicians of all hues from chest-thumping ones to those who mock peers flaunting their bravado. Historians of the future will look for differing political assessment of voters in pre- and post-Pulwama phases. However, a few symptoms of the anti-incumbency sentiments being reversed are becoming visible. Over the past few days, candlelight marches were taken out by both restrained social groups and motormouths, fund collection is underway in middle-class colonies (few really know for what) and the social discourse is turning belligerent towards desh ke gaddar (traitors). These are early days, but these programmes provide a sense of participation and bolster the spirit of vengeful nationalism. Modi once told this writer that as a 12-year-old, he joined people donating clothes to soldiers heading to the border posts. These would have been of no use to them, but we felt that humne bhee ladayee me hissa liya (we, too, played a part in the war), he said. In a couple of months, when these people now turning out queue up to vote, and when the discourse solely constitutes of polar opinions, it is anyones guess if they will cast their lot with those for the nation or those against it. But for this to politically benefit Modi, it is imperative to do something. To escape being consumed by the craving for an instantaneous response, shaped chiefly by his criticism of the UPA government after the 26/11 attacks and followed thereafter in 2013-14, Modi would have to ensure that the military response to Pulwama is visible as well as successful. Indias limitation is that the terror strike was just a noticeable episode of an asymmetric war waged against it for almost three decades. But, having done precious little in building capabilities to wage covert warfare against those targeting India, the rush to take visible action may compromise success and backfire politically. The Indian State has worrisomely, consistently refused to delineate its enemies and instead, after every terrorist offensive, casts Pakistan in its entirety on the other side. Domestically, this provides an opportunity to the Indian Right to club critics of the official policy with the enemy. But this raises the ambition of the people and sets up a divergence with military objectives. Political leaders in the government can ill-afford prodding people to be driven by the off with their heads sentiment. After the 26/11 terrorist strikes, there was a sense of outrage in India, but this anguish was not stoked by the then government or the ruling party. The BJP, even Modi, who was then the Gujarat Chief Minister, criticised the Prime Minister for his gentleness. Yet, a few months after this, the Congress returned to power and the BJP ended up with a tally which was even lower than what it had won in 1991. The Congress became the first party after 1996 to cross the 200-mark in the Lok Sabha. The Mumbai terror attacks did not become a poll issue because the Congress had made no promises. Modi will not have a similar cushion because he has raised the bar of desirability, insofar as what action should be taken, not only against terrorist groups, but also against Pakistan. Already, his decision to break protocol and hug Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman caused dismay among a section of his supporters. The worry is that having allowed the imagination of the people to soar, the action being anticipated by them may not either be achievable or have major security and diplomatic ramifications. It will be tough for Modi not to be tempted into pursuing the diplomatic path, given the success at the United Nations Security Council. But this may force a delay in military action. Inversely, exhorting the security establishment runs the risk of forfeiting diplomatic gains. How Modi balances various pursuits will greatly impact his political fortunes. MJ Warsi MJ Warsi Linguist and author THE United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages. International Mother Tongue Day is celebrated every year on February 21 since 1990, following the UN declaration to recognise the sacrifices of people who died for the sake of their mother tongue in Bangladesh. The mother language is one of the most precious gifts we have. Every language spoken throughout the globe represents a unique and distinct cultural heritage, enabling people to express their feelings and emotions without any hesitation. A good proportion of the worlds population speaks more than one language, but the idea that people would regularly have to be taught in a language that isnt native to them is a relatively recent phenomenon. Fifty per cent of the worlds out-of-school children live in communities where the language of schooling is rarely, if ever, used at home, says Susan E. Malone, a senior scholar in the field of language education. This is perhaps one of the most astounding figures about second-language education. Schools have tried to tackle the problem by going to the families of these children for help in having students be comfortable with a second language for their own learning. They ask the parents of students to use the second language at home so that they find it easier to use it in school. This does more harm than good for reasons other than a second language being much harder to learn, regardless of copious levels of effort put in to learn it. In the types of developing areas where this is a large problem, there arent frequently the resources to prepare students at this level, so their efforts are futile in that sense. They also cause a rift within families. Families feel alienated from their mother tongue simply because the school gives the impression that they should feel this way. By propagating this attitude, these school systems are essentially destroying our diverse culture and background. I never made significant strides towards becoming fluent in another language, said one of my former students at Washington University in St Louis (US). The closest I had ever come was a working proficiency in Spanish during my junior year of high school. When I think back on my perspective on this subject in the context of my parents, their accents never bothered me because I had just always been so used to them. According to Leanne Hinton, a professor of linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley (US), More broadly, the loss of language is part of the loss of whole cultures and knowledge systems, including philosophical systems, oral, literary and music traditions, environmental knowledge systems, medical knowledge, and important cultural practices and artistic skills. The world stands to lose an important part of the sum of human knowledge whenever a language stops being used. Just as the human species is putting itself in danger through the destruction of species diversity, so might we be in danger from the destruction of the diversity of knowledge systems. These problems are hard to fix. If one were to approach educators and tell them to try to resolve the issues themselves, they will frequently point to a lack of resources to be able to do this. Nevertheless, a greater effort must be made by the educators to acquire sympathy for the mother tongue of their students, if different from their own. The beauty of academic education is that a majority of it comes from books that can more easily be produced in areas with greater resources. The onus is on many of the educators in these parts of the world who are multilingual to produce orthographical and instructional material for use in the developing areas. Given the resource crisis in the developing world, this is likely to be one of the most practical solutions. Children in developing regions have the thirst for knowledge; we must do what we can to satiate it. A breakthrough takes place when students leave an environment of a classroom where the objective is to learn a particular language to an environment where they are fully capable of including everyone in it. By speaking their mother tongue on the campus, either by choice or subconsciously, they are including everyone else on the premises into their conversation and essentially into their friend circle. This approach of speaking their mother tongue when they have the choice to speak in the universal language may be beneficial not only from the teaching standpoint, but also from a social and cultural point of view. Language is the essence and identity of culture, and is a major tool for communication. It is an ideal medium for exchanging ideas, emotions and feelings. To know your language is the key to preserving your culture. In recent times, the idea of linguistic and cultural awareness has increased, thus allowing the mother tongue to be more culturally accepted. Its clear that we must strive to reform the systems that educate the youth to further the quality of learning of a language, not target families who speak a different language at home. Destroying culture, diversity and family comfort, while supplying a dangerously low level of education for the sole benefit of the systems that are educating children, is passed off as acceptable because they ignore the merits of mother tongue education. Maintaining and retaining the languages of ethnic and cultural groups is critical for the preservation of cultural heritage and identity. Using ones mother tongue at home will make it easier for speakers to be more comfortable with their own linguistic and cultural identity. vermaajay1968@gmail.com Karam Prakash Tribune News Service Patiala, February 24 In the need of the hour, the distressed old parents of a farmer son, who had committed suicide two years ago, found little solace in old-age pension, which they received for the first time in January. The three members of the family, including 12-year-old grandson, have started getting monthly pension of Rs 750 each. In fact, The Tribune had highlighted the plight of the family. Ajaib Singh (70) and his wife Balbir Kaur, residents of Kakrala village in Nabha, have been fighting their battle for the past two years to get compensation for the suicide of their farmer son. In a perfect example of government apathy, Ajaib Singh said nobody from the district administration had met their family to know about their plight despite bringing the matter to their notice. Ajaib said, The old-age pension scheme has started by the administration and thanks to them. But, we didnt get any benefit under the Atta-Dal scheme and Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojna (MGSVY). Moreover, the government has not taken any step for the rehabilitation of the farmer suicide victims family. The elderly parents have continuously been finding it hard to raise their school-going grandson. However, last month, a university professor came to boys rescue and paid the four-month school fee. Apart from the old age pension, Ajaib Singhs only source of income of cleaning used glass bottles for reuse is in danger. Ajaib said the bottle factory was going to be shifted from their village to Nabha. With despairing eyes, Ajaib Singh, said, Our only source of income is the factory. I am worried that how we will manage if this income stops. Three persons cant live on Rs 2, 250 monthly. Kiranjeet Kaur, who is fighting for the farmer suicide victim families in Punjab under the Punjab Khudkushi Peerat Kisan Mazdoor Parivar Committee, said, We will take up the case of Ajaib Singh. Until the family gets the farmer suicide compensation under the state policy, we will make sure they (elderly couple) get benefits under the state social welfare schemes. Member of Parliament Dharamvira Gandhi said, I will ask the district administration to immediately start providing all welfare schemes to the victims family. Debt claimed life In July 2016, Kesar Singh, son of Ajaib Singh (70) and Balbir Kaur, residents of Kakrala village in Nabha, allegedly hanged himself after the family, already facing hardships due to farming, sank further in debt owing to the treatment he was taking for the injuries he had sustained in an accident. The family had to sell its entire four acres to repay the debt. Kesar's wife had refused to live with him in poverty and left the home. 3 of family get Rs 750 each monthly relief editorial@tribune.com Chandigarh, February 24 The students of GGDSD College, Sector 32, who sat on a hunger strike on Saturday demanding a cemented parking lot for students, called off their strike after the college management and authorities assured them of meeting their demand on Sunday. The college management and authorities, including DSW Dr Virender Singh and Vice-Principal Balraj Thapar, met the members of the students council on Sunday and assured them that the work on cementing of parking lot would begin on March 4. Students council general secretary Anmol Bhardwaj said, Students council president Pritampal, vice-president Apoorva and I have decided that the work on the moss-laden parking lot will start on March 4. He, however, said the authorities were not keen on politicising the issue. We were told that the college authorities are not keen on using MPLAD funds given by Kirron Kher because they dont want to politicise the issue, Anmol added. TNS editorial@tribune.com Ramkrishan Upadhyay Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 24 The citys first multi-level parking in Sector 17, constructed at a cost of around Rs 48 crore, has come under attack in a report prepared by the Audit Department. Sources said in the report, the Audit Department had stated that spending Rs 48 crore on the multi-level parking was a colossal wastage of funds. The report says the multi-level parking has failed to serve its purpose. The parking was constructed six years ago. However, the Municipal Corporation failed to utilise it properly. The parking also failed to earn money for the cash-strapped MC. Lack of facilities at the parking has been cited as the major reason for its failure to attract motorists. The MC had handed over the parking to Mumbai-based Arya Toll Infra Limited, which was also managing smart parking lots in the city. Leakage of water during rain and non-functional lights are some of the major problems. Kamaljit Singh Panchi, president of the Sector 17 traders association, said it was difficult to locate vehicles in the dark. He said if the MC provided all facilities, the parking could become useful and earn money for the civic body. KK Yadav, MC Commissioner, said the civic body had already started work on providing new lights and other facilities at the parking. All possible improvements would be made to make it fully functional. The rates of the multi-level parking are cheaper that the smart parking. Motorists are charged Rs 5 for four-wheelers and Rs 2 for two-wheelers. Has failed to serve its purpose The report says the multi-level parking has failed to serve its purpose. The parking was constructed six years ago. However, the MC failed to utilise it properly. The parking also failed to earn money for the cash-strapped MC. Lack of facilities at the parking has been cited as the major reason for its failure to attract motorists. 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 Photo courtesy of Marty JonesMarion Jackson lived a life that was as rich and full as a man can have; he was a gift to us, a treasure, says columnist Mike Lunsford. His memories and observations, written in the cadences and language of a poet, are with us still, but Marions legacy also lives on through the land he worked hard to preserve and the many friends who already miss him. NEWPORT [mdash] Debra S. Pearman, 64, of Newport, passed away at 6:35 a.m. EDT Saturday, June 26, 2021 at Union Hospital in Terre Haute, Indiana. She was born December 24, 1956 in Brazil, Indiana the daughter of the late William and Lois D. (McClanhan) Hoffman. Debra married Gary A. Pearman African trade events to diarise: South Africas Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry will, on Wednesday, be briefed by the Department of Trade and Industry on ongoing negotiations, and implementation, of existing international and regional trade agreements. 3rd SADC-Japan Business and Investment Forum, in preparation for TICAD VII, takes place in Osaka, Japan, on Thursday. The AUs STC on Transport, Infrastructure, Intercontinental and Inter-regional Infrastructure, Energy and Tourism holds its second session, 14-18 April, in Cairo Ethiopias Abiy Ahmed: Africas new talisman (Financial Times, Irish Times) Describing himself as capitalist, he nevertheless cites Meles as saying it is the governments job to correct market failures. The economy will grow naturally, but you have to lead it in a guided manner. Still, unlike Meles, Abiy is less wedded to the idea that the state must control the economys commanding heights. He is moving swiftly towards privatisation of the telecoms sector in an exercise that should raise billions of dollars, as well as modernising a network that has fallen badly behind African peers. Here too there are risks. I need to realise the privatisation with zero corruption, he says, adding that people who have stashed money abroad want to launder it back into the country. [The authors: David Pilling, Lionel Barber] SADC-IISD Investment Facilitation Workshop: report of the August 2018 meeting (pdf, IISD) Workshop participants concluded that, at the SADC regional level, facilitation measures should focus on information sharing, intra-regional cooperation, use and strengthening of SADC institutions, and capacity building and technical assistance. In particular, they indicated 41 options for possible facilitation measures at the regional level (as set out in Appendix B, Section B.3.2). Participants recognized the important role that already-existing regional Internet platforms on national investment laws can play as a central feature of regional support. This should be built on best-practice standards in such tools, and experience at the national and regional levels should be used to provide such best-practice standards. The ability of SADC to develop regional best practices and standards - for example, for ensuring responsible corporate behaviour through the investment-making process - was seen as important and likely to generate more relevant standards for countries from the region. While legally binding approaches were not supported, SADC was seen as the most appropriate level for developing, on an incremental basis, standards for service delivery by governments in facilitating investment, and for incorporating standards for maximizing the sustainable development benefits in the investment-making process. Maximizing the value of regional opportunities through such types of measures was seen as a priority for participants. The ability to generate regional best practices from experience and collective research was an important element of this. There was a strong direction among participants that SADC could assist with technical assistance that supports sustainable development goals related to attracting FDI. Participants noted, for example, the absence of technical support to evaluate and assess investment proposals, to set standards for the economic development aspects of proposals and to identify pipelines of positive proposals. A related issue was the capacity to identify and attract high-level investors with a commitment to being partners in development, as opposed to investors who may have track records that are less supportive of such goals. Conversely, the ability to ensure strong anti-corruption and money laundering was also seen as important. Bitter aftertaste? Food companies could face costly disputes over land in Africa (Reuters) Food companies doing business in Africa risk becoming bogged down in decades-long legal disputes over land that could cost tens of millions of dollars, according to a report released on Monday. From sugar to coffee and palm oil, agribusiness firms could find that the land they are using is already claimed or occupied by local people, researchers said. Such disputes, already common, can tie up businesses for years and halt trade - and could cause up to $101m in losses over the next 25 years, said the report from the Overseas Development Institute and TMP Systems. The report, which collected data from nearly 80 firms, is part of a wider initiative to encourage responsible investment in African agriculture and develop trust between companies and communities. Almost half of all land disputes between sugar companies and local communities in Africa lasted more than 10 years, the report found. AFDB extends funding to Tripartite Capacity Building Programme (COMESA) The AfDB has provided $2.9m supplementary funding for the Tripartite Capacity Building Programme. The funds will be used to complete critical activities that are essential to the smooth operationisation of the TFTA. Among them is the completion of the industrial and Non-Tariff Measures databases, training of border staff and women traders in risk based sanitary and phytosanitary measures, finalization of the manual on use of Tripartite Rules of Origin and implementation of the Value Chain action plans that are outstanding. AFDB President, Akinwumi Adesina, confirmed the extra funding when he met Secretary General of COMESA Ms Chileshe Kapwepwe in Abidjan on 4 February 2019. The two discussed the TCBP and other areas of regional integration that the Tripartite Task Force needs to pursue. SADC, Germany identify areas of continued cooperation (SADC) The purpose of the consultations (19-20 February) was, amongst others, to agree on areas of cooperation in preparation for the next bilateral negotiations between the SADC Secretariat and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, to be held in November 2019. Kenya in spat with Iran over Sh4bn tea exports (Business Daily) Kenya has protested against a price cap that the Iranian government has imposed on tea exports to the country, putting the Sh4 billion market at the centre of a diplomatic tiff with Tehran. Iran has instructed Kenya to set the maximum price per kilo of tea that it sells to the Asian country at $3 (about Sh300), with anything above the amount attracting a punitive tax. The move has seen Kenyas Ministry of Foreign Affairs write to the envoy in Tehran, asking him to seek clarification and lobby for easing of the new requirement. Kenyas tea gets to Iran at about Sh400 per kilo, making it pricier than other teas sold in the country, mainly from India and Sri-Lanka. The quality of Kenyan tea is however superior compared to the others, which makes it highly sought after by the Iranians. Mr Muriithi said market factors make it difficult to sell at Sh300 per kilo in Iran. [Kenya: Exporters hold tea to beat low auction prices] Controller of Budget says Kenya in debt crisis as loans gobble up Sh1.1trn tax (Business Daily) The Controller of Budget has raised the red flag on Kenyas ballooning public debt, warning that the country stands to spend more than Sh61 billion out of every Sh100 billion collected by the taxman for debt repayment this financial year. The Treasury has projected expenditure of Sh1.1 trillion on debt repayment in the 2019/20 financial year which starts in July, an equivalent of 61 percent of the total projected tax collection of Sh1.87 trillion. The Treasury says the public debt will only become unsustainable if it hits 70% of GDP. In the 2019 medium-term debt management strategy, Mr Rotich however proposed a cutback on foreign loans to ease the repayment fears. Lacina Kone: Safeguarding Africas cyberspace (New Times) Orange Cyber defense estimates that the African market for cybersecurity itself will expand from $1.7bn in 2017 to more than $2.5bn in 2020. Clearly, the opportunities are vast. Safeguarding Africas digital prosperity requires everyone to understand the role they play in cybersecurity from a father using Mpesa (a mobile phone-based money transfer) to pay his childs school fees to a Chief Technology Officer at a multinational corporation deciding on his/her companys budget priorities. Governments can support this process by introducing strict laws through reforms, putting in place robust regulatory and legal frameworks and cooperating across borders through clusters of regional CERT (Cyber Emergency Response Team) agencies to identify threats and respond in real time. Cybercriminals move fast, but by working together and giving cybersecurity the attention it deserves, Africa can counter any attack and reap the benefits of the digital economy. [The author is Director General of Smart Africa] India: E-commerce policy for data protection may further annoy US (Mint) The stringent norms for data protection and online trade, proposed under the draft e-commerce policy released on Saturday, may further annoy the US, which has raised concerns over growing trade barriers in India. The proposed policy seeks to treat anonymized data collected in the country as a national asset, suggesting that such data generated by Indian users on e-commerce platforms, social media and search engines needs to be kept within the country. A business entity, which collects or processes any sensitive data in India and stores it abroad, needs to share such data with Indian authorities when required. Besides, such data must not be shared with a third party, including a foreign government, even with consumer consent. However, there is no restriction on cross-border flow of data among commercial entities if the data has not been collected in India. To break the data monopoly of a few technology giants that creates barriers for new entrants, the policy also proposes that startups be given access to their anonymized data. [Download: Indias draft national e-commerce policy] Exports to jobs: boosting the gains from trade in South Asia (World Bank) South Asias economy has grown rapidly, and the region has made a significant reduction in poverty. However, the available jobs for the growing working population remain limited. Policy makers are contending with lingering concerns about jobless growth and poor job quality. Exports to Jobs: Boosting the Gains from Trade in South Asia posits that exports, could bring higher wages and better jobs to South Asia. We use a new methodology to estimate the potential impact from higher South Asian exports per worker on wages and employment. We find that increasing exports per worker would result in higher wages, mostly for the better-off groups - like the better-educated workers, men, and the more-experienced workers - although the less-skilled and rural workers would benefit from new job opportunities outside of the informal sector. Update 3/12/2019: Weve updated this review with images of the 2019 Porsche 911 Turbo GTstreet RS by Techart taken during the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. Check them out in the gallery at the bottom of this page! TechArts GTstreet R kit for the Porsche 991-generation of the Porsche 911 has been around for a few years. We reviewed it a couple of years ago when it was fresh out of TechArts laboratory and came to the conclusion that "it has some strong competition from Gemballa, but it still possesses an enviable combination made up of an outstanding aero kit, a dressed-up interior, and powerful engine upgrades." Prepare, then, for something even better and much rarer as only ten will be made! Porsche is one of the of the most popular sports car manufacturers the world over. As such, there are tons of companies that cater to people who want to make their Porsche just a little bit faster and a little bit more special. Then there are firms, like Ruf or TechArt, that are recognized as independent manufacturers and whose creations stretch far beyond the might of the models used as the foundation for their projects. TechArt is one of Germanys top Porsche tuners, and it plans to reconfirm this status by unveiling at the 89th Geneva Auto Show the latest and most insane version of its well-known GTstreet R model, this time based on the Porsche 911 (991) Turbo S and dubbed the RS. In short, its an angry green hornet with 760 horsepower on tap, a 0 to 62 mph time of 2.5 seconds, and a top speed limited to 211 mph because thats as much as the tires can take. Exterior Forged design carbon fiber body kit Comes with Formula IV Race center lock wheels. Active splitter Many winglets for added downforce Active rear wing Ducting helps vent engine and intercoolers Rear spoiler extends in Performance mode The number of each car in the series is on the hood Four titanium exhaust pipes in the rear For 32 years TechArt has been striving to be, as it says, "the international premium brand for individualization of any Porsche model." Many of their kits, especially those for the Cayenne, Macan, and the Panamera showcase a great deal of restraint. You get some add-ons to the front and rear bumpers, and the rocker panels, bigger wheels, and more oomph. However, the Germans go above and beyond when it comes to their tuning programs for Porsches properly fast cars. But this wasnt the case when the company started out, back in 1987, building bespoke interiors for a number of car brands. They also offered that year a light exterior tuning kit for the quite popular Porsche 928 followed in 1988 by a kit for the 964-generation 911. The business started to grow from that point on and, by the turn of the millennium, the company boasted separate departments for design and performance to streamline the creation of new cars as an independent manufacturer. Arguably the first hit for TechArt was the CT3 kit for the 911, not to be mistaken with the CTR3 - the third evolution in the CTR lineage - from Ruf. Later came the models that proved TechArts expertise in building purposeful body kits as it became involved in the tuner GP events at Hockenheim, Sachsenring and elsewhere in Germany, posting top times and beating in the process modified Corvettes, BMWs, Mercedes-Benz models, and others. In 2007, a TechArt-tuned 997-based Porsche 911 lapped the Nordschleife in 7:39 seconds. The time was astonishing at the time and was only equaled by a production 911 Turbo three years later. Also, it was quicker by a second than what Horst von Saruma could turn out in 2009 behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 (997.2) GT3. For the record, that lap is also faster than those recorded by the Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR, the Bugatti Veyron, the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, the Corvette C6 ZR1, and many other performance cars of its time. Nowadays, TechArt continues the tradition and, at Geneva, the company based in Leonberg will formally unveil in front of the world the next step in the GTstreet R story: the GTstreet RS for the 911 Turbo S model. This is a car almost covered in a special kind of carbon fiber with randomly arranged carbon strands that look closer to marble if I'm honest. Its combined on this showcase example with a military-esque shade of green and some orange stripes that match the roll-bar inside. In the front, the GTstreet RS features large air intakes, a lot of exposed carbon fiber, and many winglets and fins that aid the model to achieve a smaller drag coefficient than the standard model. The two larger air intakes on either side of the smaller, U-shape, one in the middle direct air to both the oil cooler and the water cooler behind the carbon fiber bumper. These rounded openings are framed by exposed forged design carbon fiber trim elements. The same material wraps around the bar that hosts the LED indicator and running lights within the air vents. These bars are placed in such a way so that air can pass below and above them. The smaller air vent in the middle, right above the extended carbon fiber lip, is partially obstructed in the middle by a chunky camera. Talking about that lip, it is part of the cars active aerodynamic kit and, besides acting as a purposeful element, it also is engraved with the GTstreet logo in the middle. On either side of the front fascia, there are two narrow winglets with their corners pointing upwards. They are hidden by a large fin mounted on to the outer edge of the bumper that helps send air over the winglets to better plant the front end. The hood, with its two bulges, one each featuring a classic NACA duct, is also covered in that fancy carbon fiber. In the middle, theres an orange stripe bordered by two other darker stripes on the carbon fiber. Towards the windshield, youll notice a number that interrupts the two darker stripes. Thats the number of each car from the series of 10 that TechArt plans to make of the GTstreet RS. Its interesting to notice that the visible carbon fiber extends beyond the confines of the hood as does the thin orange stripe. These continue on a different panel with two vents meant for air to come out from the oil and water coolers. From the side, you can really spot how the TechArt body kit resembles with a stock Porsche 991 GT3. A dead ringer, for instance, is the vent on top of the front fender, but on the GTstreet RS, it extends down below following the curvature of the wheel arch and, also, up above ending just before the A-pillar. The main part of the vent, thats made up of three rearward-facing vents, sits just above the exposed carbon fiber flares that widen the wheel arches. The flares are continued by the side skirts and by even wider fender extensions around the rear wheel arches. In front of the rear wheels, TechArt placed a sizeable straked air vent, again displaying that unique naked carbon fiber pattern. The exterior rear-view mirrors are blacked-out and have a carved supporting element. To save some more weight, the rear windows and the rear side windows are made from thinner, high-tensile, glass. The wheels of the TechArt GTstreet RS are interesting and, surely, are inspired by those seen on the Le Mans-winning prototypes from Toyota and Porsche. The forged Formula IV Race centerlock wheels have "aero rings in Forged Design carbon fiber protect the brake system from stone-chipping and reduce air turbulence on the wheels," according to a press release from TechArt. These "aero rings" are, essentially, partial covers of the space between the four twin spokes. One of these covers on each rim is painted green with the RS logo on it in black letters. In the back, the GTstreet RS shows itself as a bold machine, unashamed of its huge openings in the rear corners of the bodywork. There are big holes aft of the rear wheels on each side, both divided by a bar that extends onto the bodywork via a thick crease. Above these openings, there are the narrow, horizontal indicators. These inlets let the air go out from the intercoolers. Worth mentioning is also that the rear spoiler is active too. It can tilt by up to 15 degrees to offer more downforce when in "Performance mode." The engine lid itself is a work of art. It features a raised middle portion to which two winglets are connected, on either side. Theres also a narrow air vent where the hump begins to rise up and, behind it, you can spot a ram air scoop on top of the usual straked inlets that you see on any other Turbo S example out there. The fixed rear wing attaches itself to the engine lid just before the hump, and its two endplates arent connected to those outward-protruding winglets I talked about before. Its really an intricate combination of elements meant to increase downforce by basically creating a two-step wing without having to actually mount a two-step wing with inefficient high struts. The taillights are also wrapped by a thin strip of naked carbon fiber and, in between, a mesh grille opens up for extra cooling. Overall, this car is the moving representation of a puzzle of ducts, openings, and vents, but nothing is purely for show. Talking about useful elements, you cant talk about the tail end without mentioning that diffuser. Its hefty, it has thick fins, and no less than four titanium exhaust tips break out in the middle. According to the press release, the German manufacturer "uses a continuously controlled pneumatic flap adjustment for the management of the exhaust valves of the four-flow GTstreet RS exhaust. This optimizes the exhaust counterpressure depending under different load conditions and simultaneously avoids unwanted audible frequencies." Exterior Dimensions (stock Turbo S) Wheelbase 96.5 inches Length 177.4 inches Height 51.1 inches Width 74 inches Interior Alcantara and virgin wool cover fill the cabin Bucket seats with six-point racing harnesses Sport steering wheel with straight-ahead-marker Many GTstreet RS logos all around the interior Cabin can be custom painted according to the customer Plaque inside certifies the cars rarity The GTstreet RS envelops you in a sporty cabin once inside, a cabin filled with leathers and even virgin wool - a first for TechArt. The interior is in "Clubsport" trim; You can get the lesser R version with an "Exclusive" interior that comes with different trims and ultra-expensive leathers that this one does not have, although Alcantara is already pretty steep in price. As you jump over the GTstreet RS-labeled door sills, you can freely get strapped in the beautiful bucket seats with six-point racing-style harnesses. In front of you is TechArts own wheel thats an altered version of Porsches standard steering wheel and below the dash, there are two drilled, steel pedals: the gas and the brake. The seats come embroidered with the TechArt logo on the headrests. The floor mats, dashboard, center tunnel, center console, sun visors, door pillars, and the roof lining are covered with Alcantara leather. The GTstreet RS logo is also present on the interior door panels where its embroidered on a leather strip that blends nicely with the wool-covered areas. As is the case with other lightweight Porsches, you dont get an interior door handle - just an orange strap. According to TechArt, the virgin wool was used because the "material is extremely robust, easy to clean of flame-retardant." As you look through the three spokes of the steering wheel, a refreshingly old-school image fills your eyesight: analog dials with actual needles and numbers on that shouty orange background (in the case of the tachometer thats in the middle). But this car isnt stuck in the past: you get six buttons on the steering wheel, three on each side, as well as a driving mode selector down below wrapped in orange metal. There is, though, one round dial thats actually the place for a screen but thats that. The center console is pretty standard, and you still get the infotainment screen, and tall the buttons are exactly where you'd expect them to be inside a 991-generation 911. If youre a prospecting customer, you should know that you can ask TechArt to color certain trim elements and other areas of the interior in bespoke colors of your liking. TechArt lists parts like "the drive mode switch on the steering wheel, the air nozzle frames and adjusters, the PDK gear selector, the gear selector surround and even the control buttons of the electric seat adjustment," that can all be painted in the color or colors you like best. Even the roll-cage that takes up much of the space behind the seats, but can save your life in case of a serious collision, can be painted in a different color rather than the orange you see in the pictures. A rare extra you get when you purchase the GTstreet RS is your very own crash helmet painted in the same color combo as the car. An onboard document wallet is included in the price on top of the helmet and its bespoke bag. Drivetrain New VTG turbochargers and internals Power goes up by 180 horsepower Total output of 760 horsepower and 679 pound-feet Top speed limited to 211 mph 0 to 62 mph in just 2.5 seconds 0 to 124 mph in 8.1 seconds 6 mph quicker than a standard Turbo S 0.3 seconds quicker to 62 mph too Almost 50 ponies over GTstreet R At the end of the day, you buy one of this because youre keen to drive one of the best expressions of a modern rear-engined Porsche that money can buy and that the authorities allow being driven on the public highways. Without question the GTstreet RS is, first and foremost, a track beast - although theres the word street in its name - but it can be daily-driven as almost any other Porsche. We dont yet know everything about the bits and pieces that make up the skeleton of this beast but what we do know make the hairs on the back of our necks lift up. For instance, the engine. Somewhere, inside, if you really look and have the time to check every nut and bolt, youll find some genuine Porsche parts but, for the most part, its been tweaked by TechArt through and through. It's a 3.8-liter boxer six-cylinder mill, as per usual, only that it now churns out 760 horsepower and 679 pound-feet of torque. A bone-stock Turbo S puts out 580 horsepower at 6,750 rpm and 516 pound-feet of torque between 2,100 rpm and 4,250 rpm. Thats 180 horsepower more and 163 pound-feet of torque on top of what Zuffenhausen can offer you! And one can expect the redline to be a bit higher than the standard 7,200 rpm, but we cant vouch for it just yet. To put things into perspective, 180 ponies is exactly as much as the 2.0-liter engine under the hood of your average F30-generation BMW 320i makes. So, in other words, TechArt mated the 2.0-liter, four-pot of a Bimmer to the Porsche engine with none of the drawbacks like added weight and stuff! The power is sent to the rear wheels through Porsches familiar PDK semi-automatic transmission. Stopping power is provided by massive, ventilated brakes all-around and, if you want to track your cars more often than you want to take it to the shops, TechArt offers a PDCC-compatible coilover suspension kit. You can also opt for the Noselift system that provides an extra 2.36 inches of ground clearance at the front axle by the push of a button. The car is naturally lighter than the 3,528 pounds of the standard 911 Turbo S, but we dont know by how much. Given the extensive use of carbon fiber, you can put your finger at about 150-200 pounds of weight loss if not more. Thats why the GTstreet RS can reach 62 mph from a dead stop in 2.5 seconds and go on to 124 mph in just 5.6 seconds more. Top speed is limited electronically, due to the limitations of the Michelin tires, to 211 mph. TechArts Head of the Technical Department said that the car did reach on a closed oval 224 mph running on racing tires. As it is, the GTstreet RS comes with 265/35 ZR 20 rubber in the front and 325/30 ZR 20 in the rear. ` By comparison, the GTstreet R is, simply put, inferior, albeit slightly. You can have that model in two states of tune: Stage 1 that gives you 640 horsepower, 649 pound-feet of torque and Stage 2 that adds almost 60 horsepower and almost 30 torques to be almost level with the RS. The Stage 2 GTstreet R, though, does 0 to 62 mph in 2.7 seconds just like the Stage 1 does, 0.2 seconds off the RS. The top speed is virtually identical because, well, they use the same type of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber, I guess. Now, this might make you wonder if its actually worth buying an RS over an R. Well, if you want the exclusivity and the lavish materials, yes. Otherwise, the R should do the trick (almost) as well but, either way, youre in for a big expenditure as both cruise with ease into six-figure sums. We dont know the exact price tag because these cars are tailor-made and you need to spec it before TechArt prints out the bill. While its hard to justify the RS in comparison to the R, although there are comprehensive differences when it comes to their aero packages that would give the clear upper hand to the RS on a head-to-head battle on a race track, lets see how other tuned Porsches measure up to TechArts creation. First off, Gemballa, the company behind the Mirage and the 9ff. Its Turbo S-based model, the GTR 8XX Evo-R is wide and quite a mouthful. The flares and extended side skirts add almost two inches to the cars width in the front and the rear, and theres a good reason for that. The GTR 8XX Evo-R is billed as ultra-fast. Why? Well, because Gemballa took that same 3.8-liter and cranked out 807 horsepower. The torque rating went through the roof too, from 516 pound-feet to 810. Thats a lot even when you line up Porsches GT2 RS - with all those 690 ponies 553 pound-feet of torque - next to it Gemballa claims that a 0 to 62 mph time of about 2.4 seconds is possible en route to 124 mph in just 7.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 230 mph. The GT2 RS is 19 mph slower and 0.4 seconds off in the sprint to 62 mph. The Gemballa is also 0.3 seconds quicker than the TechArt GTstreet RS, but it does seem like an overall package focused on pure speed rather than on-track usability. Edo Competition also proposes a more subtle-looking modified version of the Turbo S that easily topples the figures of the Turbo S Exclusive Series (607 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque). Once out of Edos garage, the Turbo S puts out 675 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. This means it has more power than a GTstreet R in the first stage of tune but falls short of the figures of the GTstreet R Stage 2 and the RS. Still, Edo focused on top speed, and the Blue Arrow delivered: at the High-Speed Oval ATP Papenburg in Germany, the car reached 213 mph. It also goes from 0 to 62 mph in 2.7 seconds, and it needs 5.7 more seconds to reach 124 mph. 23.4 seconds are needed for a sprint from standstill to 186 mph. The tuning company says that it managed to shed 132 pounds from the engine compartment only and, for good measure, the Blue Arrow has a GT2 RS-derived carbon fiber hood too - and thats only the Stage 1 version launched in 2017. Conclusion The TechArt GTstreet RS must be a wonderful track car, one that will probably make you seem a better driver than you really are thanks to its clever active aerodynamic elements and the countless wings of various shapes and sizes. Its also a mega-exclusive car with only ten units slated to be made; We dont know if any or all of them have been reserved or sold by now, but if thats the case, TechArt is bound to wave this fact in front of the medias eyes at Geneva. Still, youve gotta ask yourself if its worth the money? All of that unknown and, definitely, an obscene amount of money. A stock Turbo S bought new in the U.S. costs $190,700 and, back in Germany, the Exclusive Series - limited to 500 units - costs the equivalent of $294,870, so over $100,00 more. The TechArt machine must be, then, in excess of $300,000. It would only make sense given its putting out more power, has more torque, goes faster and corners better as well. But is it worth it? By my reckoning, youd be running to buy yourself a mask to rob a bank for that money if you get a chance to drive it on a road course... Love it WIll be highly desirable due to its rarity Extremely elaborated aerodynamics Ludicrous amounts of power and torque Comes from one of the most respected German Porsche tuners Leave it Some may consider its not worth it over the GTstreet R As expensive as a big house or two They wont sell you one here Further reading Read our full review on the current 2017 Porsche 911 Turbo. Read our full review on the 2017 Porsche 911 Turbo S GTStreet R by TechArt. JACKSON COUNTY, MO (KCTV) -- Three Kansas City men have been charged in connection with an incident where shots were fired outside a church in Raytown on Saturday afternoon. The shots were fired during the memorial service for Kansas City homicide victim An'Janique Wright, who was 15 years old. Gary P. Family holds vigil for 22-year-old murdered last week KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- Sunday, family and friends held a vigil for a 22-year-old murder victim at Sheffield Park. Lakeasha Taylor was shot and killed at a home last week near East 12th and Fremont. Taylor's family said Sunday her life was cut short over an innocent joke. and over the weekend locals lamented "pathetic" local violence and leadership against the tragic trend. Take a look: Mayor Sly hit the streets today to push for his unpopular plan that has been universally rejected. . . Here's his pitch for those who didn't bother answering their door: (Image credit: Ivan Marc/Shutterstock) At the Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona today, the SD Association announced the new microSD Express standard based on the PCIe and NVMe interfaces. New SD 7.1 Specification The SD Association announced the microSD Express interface as part of the new SD 7.1 specification and some manufacturers have already announced microSD cards that support it. The need for higher-speed microSD has increased primarily due to more smartphones gaining support for 4K resolution video recording at 60 frames per second (fps), as well as for 960 fps slow-motion videos, which can turn into very large files very quickly. Higher-speed microSDs are also increasingly needed for the ever-evolving gaming systems, multi-channel IoT devices, numerous automotive uses, action cameras, 360-degree videos and VR use cases. Hiroyuki Sakamoto, SDA president, in a statement said: microSD Express gives the mobile industry a compelling new choice to equip mobile devices with removable SSDs. SD 7.1 prepares consumers and mobile device manufacturers to meet ever increasing storage demands for years to come. SSD Speeds for microSD Cards The microSD Express interface uses the PCIe 3.1 and NVMe v1.3 specifications defined by PCI-SIG and NVM Express, respectively. PCIe 3.1 comes with support for low-power states, which enable the low-power implementation of SD Express for mobile devices. The power utilized by microSD Express cards for data transfers is expected to be less than what traditional microSD cards consumed. The SD Association and NVM Express Inc believe that microSD Express cards could be rapidly embraced in future products as consumers start to treat microSDs more like removable SSDs for their mobile devices. Amber Huffman, NVM Express Inc. president, said: NVMe is the industry-recognized performance SSD interface from the client to the data center to mobile, shipping in millions of units. By SDA adopting NVMe technology into the new microSD Express cards, users can experience lower latency and increasingly fast transfer speeds across various applications. According to a Bloomberg report, multiple members of the European Union (EU) are worried that the United States will start to abuse the recently passed Cloud Act to spy on EU citizens. The U.S. law is also said to be clashing with EUs General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which is supposed to protect EU citizens data against illegal data mining by foreigners. EU Is Waking Up to U.S. Spying The governments of Belgium, France, and Netherlands have been encouraging all of EU's member states to jointly pass regulations that would prevent the U.S. government from abusing the powers it gave itself last year with the passing of the Cloud Act law. The Cloud Act is supposed to be used for investigations, but it wouldnt be the first time the U.S. government has abused laws that were meant to be used only against terrorists, for instance, or national security issues. Microsoft had previously warned that secret orders enabled by National Security Letters were becoming the norm in the tech industry. Microsoft initially opposed the U.S. government on this, but eventually, it ended up supporting the Cloud Act. With the U.S. government permitting itself to go after data hosted in the EU and elsewhere with a simple request to big tech companies, and considering that most of the big tech companies now support these actions, EU lawmakers have rightfully started to worry about abuses. U.S. tech companies currently dominate the public cloud services within the EU, but EU-native companies such as OVH have begun to exploit the Cloud Act and other revelations of U.S. espionage to their own advantage. Last October, Founder and CEO Octave Klaba told reporters the following: We can guarantee our customers the sovereignty of their data, which is more than Amazon or other rivals can offer. Cloud Act - A Tool for Espionage? The U.S. government has called Chinas own National Intelligence Law, which passed in 2017, a tool for espionage when giving reasons for the necessity to ban Huawei hardware from U.S. networks. Laure de la Raudiere, a French lawmaker, drew parallels between and the U.S. Cloud Act, saying the two laws are more similar than not, even if they are not the same: I dont mean to compare U.S. and Chinese laws, because obviously, they arent the same, but what we see is that on both sides, Chinese and American, there is clearly a push to have extraterritorial access to data. This must be a wakeup call for Europe to accelerate its own, sovereign offer in the data sector. The U.S. Congress passed the Cloud Act, with support from Microsoft and other big companies, because a few years earlier the government was not able to force tech companies to provide data hosted abroad. The Cloud Act was meant to solve this, giving the U.S. government the power to compel companies to provide whatever data it was seeking, no matter where it was hosted. Furthermore, the Cloud Act mostly bypassed the need for U.S. law enforcement to seek approval from a given country before American companies could provide the U.S. government with data hosted in that specific country. Its now up to other countries to convince the U.S. President or Attorney General that they need to establish "executive agreements" before data hosted in those countries is transferred to the United States. The EU now hopes to use this provision to take back some control in this one-sided relationship, but it likely wont be easy. Unbalanced Data Sharing Deals Over the past couple of decades, the EU has made multiple concessions to the United States in the form of agreeing to share all the data of its citizens in certain situations (such as airline passenger data, as one example), without expecting much in return. The ever-expansive U.S. mass surveillance activities against EU citizens, as they were revealed by national security whistle-blower Edward Snowden, eventually led to the termination of the EU-U.S. Safe Harbor data agreement. However, the new European Commission once again compromised on some aspects, such as not actually requiring the U.S. to have similar privacy laws before a new deal was in place, called the Privacy Shield. This requirement was made clear by EUs Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) when it invalidated Safe Harbor. The lack of this requirement, as well as other flaws in the new data agreement, could put the new deal at risk of being invalidated by the CJEU later this year, too. The European Parliament has also previously threatened the U.S. with the termination of the deal unless changes are made to its mass surveillance operations in the EU. Samsung has a name problem that it hopes to solve next year. (Image credit: Samsung) According to a new report from the Yonhap News Agency, Samsung is considering ways to get away from the Galaxy S branding it's been using for the last several years. Instead of opting for the Galaxy S11 next year, Samsung is wondering whether it might be better to get away from numbers altogether, according to the report. A supposed "Samsung insider" said that while the company hasn't made a final decision, it's currently "looking at options that can appeal to consumers." Another person told Yonhap News in an interview that going with 11, 12, or 13 would be a bad choice because of how much more difficult those numbers are to pronounce. The report is the latest in a string of rumors over the last several months that had suggested Samsung was considering a new name for the Galaxy S10. The idea was to break away from the numbered branding sooner rather than later and ultimately find a way to get branding people would like. When it was all said and done last week, however, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, and Galaxy S10+ 5G. Now, according to the Yonhap report, all eyes are on 2020 and the company's plan then. It's an issue that Samsung isn't alone in facing. Apple, too, has largely stuck to numbers in its iPhone iterations. Two years ago, the company unveiled the iPhone X and last year showcased the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. It's unclear whether Apple will go with the iPhone 11 this year or if it will try to change its name to something different. [February 25, 2019] Spinnaker Support Wins Two 2019 International Stevie Awards for Oracle and SAP Support Services DENVER, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Spinnaker Support, a leading global provider of Oracle and SAP third-party support, today announced they were presented with two international Stevie Awards at the 13th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service ceremony in Las Vegas on February 22, 2019. The Stevie Awards are considered the world's premier business awards, and each year they recognize the top customer service individuals, teams, and departments. Spinnaker Support received the gold Stevie award for Customer Service Leader of the Year and a silver Stevie for Customer Service Department of the Year. More than 2,700 nominations from organizations in 45 nations of all sizes were evaluated in this year's competition. Winners were determined by the average scores of more than 150 professionals worldwide in seven specialized judging committees. "Winning these prestigious awards demonstrates tremendous accomplishment by everyone in our company, especially the operations teams," stated Matt Stava, CEO at Spinnaker Support. "We provide terrific customer service, and it is great to be internationally recognized." "All of the Stevie Award winners should be very proud of their achievements. Independent professionals around the world have agreed that their accomplishments are worthy of public recognition," said Stevie Awards President and founder, Michael Gallagher. Customer Service Leader of the Year Devan Brua, Vice President of Compliance and Risk at Spinnaker Support was honored as the top customer service leader of the year. Besides providing customized global tax and regulatory updates for customers in many countries, Ms. Brua oversees the company's ISO certification programs, and she leads corporate legal/risk management efforts. Through excellence in these critical areas, she has helped Spinnaker Supportbecome a leading customer service model in the industry. "Winning this award is an honor for me, but I have to recognize Spinnaker Support and the entire team for their diligence in taking compliance and risk mitigation very seriously," stated Devan Brua. "Our compliance focus protects the intellectual property rights of the big ERP software vendors. Customers greatly benefit because they are not exposed to the legal risk that derails service focus and sidetracks customer business focus. I take pride in the fact that, unlike other vendors in the space, Spinnaker Support has never faced litigation or legal judgments by any of the enterprise software publishers." Customer Service Department of the Year For the fourth consecutive year, Spinnaker Support is honored with a Stevie Award for Customer Service Department of the Year. This year, the judges were impressed with the company's commitment to quality management and customer data security, new advisory services offered around license compliance, and new training and certifications programs that were launched for internal employees. Judge's comments: Clear understanding of what needs to be done to create excellence and success in the delivery of customer satisfaction. The processes clearly support the realization of the goals of this company. Committed to Quality Management & Customer Data Security. Great attention to detail around Quality and Training with CPAR and ISO certifications that clearly show your commitment to providing "superior" support. About Spinnaker Support Spinnaker Support is a leading and trusted global provider of Oracle and SAP third-party support. Spinnaker Support customers get more comprehensive and responsive service, save an average of 62% on their annual maintenance fees, and can remain on their current software releases indefinitely. A rising number of our third-party support customers are utilizing the incremental services we provide, which include application managed services, technology managed services, and consulting. We remain the only third-party support vendor to provide this unique blend of services. Our customers trust us to keep their enterprise applications running at peak performance while helping them navigate from on-premise to hybrid to cloud. Spinnaker Support's award-winning blend of services span Oracle E-Business Suite, JD Edwards, Siebel, Oracle Database, Oracle Technology and Middleware products, Hyperion, Demantra, Agile PLM, ATG/Endeca, SAP, BusinessObjects, HANA Database, and more. For more information, visit our website. About the Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in seven programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at www.StevieAwards.com. CONTACT: Michelle Wilkinson, mwilkinson@spinnakersupport.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/spinnaker-support-wins-two-2019-international-stevie-awards-for-oracle-and-sap-support-services-300801662.html SOURCE Spinnaker Support [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] CentralSquare Announces 400 New Positions: Expanding the Largest Bench of Talent Dedicated to Public Sector Software CentralSquare, a leader in public sector software, announced the expansion of its workforce throughout the year ahead by 400 employees at its Centers of Excellence (COE) in the United States and Canada. The COEs are located in Lake Mary, Florida; Decorah, Iowa; Overland Park, KS; Greensboro and Castle Hayne, North Carolina; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Kelowna, British Columbia; and Cambridge, Ontario. "The expansion of our workforce at our COEs reflects our deep commitment to empower safer and smarter communities through technology," said CentralSquare CEO Simon Angove. "Our talented teams, now delivering expertise across the entire continent, develop, market and deliver the latest technological advances such as data science, IoT and artificial intelligence to the public sector. By expanding the depth and breadth of this talent, we're doubling down on our commitment to our 7,500+ agency customers, helping them to successfully meet the growing needs of communities across North America." The primary roles for which CentralSquare is recruiting include: 100+ software developers and QA analysts whose hands-on, technical expertise drives the innovation and quality behind every CentralSquare product. 45+ professional services employees who play an important role in successful implementations. 30+ support staff who possess a real desire to help people, a positive and optimistic approach to problem solving and detective-like troubleshooting ability. 30+ sales staff at the front line of CentralSquare's go-t-market strategy who maintain relationships with current clients or bring in new ones to grow the business. 35+ accounting and administration positions that oversee the day-to-day business functions that ensure CentralSquare's financial strength. CentralSquare offers competitive benefits, including parental leave, open PTO and generous health insurance coverage. CentralSquare also offers a wide range of training and professional development programs to support rapid career advancement. For more information about career opportunities at CentralSquare, visit centralsquare.com/careers 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 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225006049/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Harris Corporation Announces Date for Special Meeting of Stockholders Harris Corporation (News - Alert) (NYSE:HRS) today announced it has set a date for a special meeting of its stockholders to consider and vote on various proposals necessary to close the previously announced proposed merger with L3 Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:LLL) and related matters. The special meeting will be held on April 4, 2019, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at the Harris Global Innovation Center, located at 1025 West NASA Boulevard, Melbourne, Florida 32919. Harris stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 22, 2019, will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting. The merger is expected to close in mid-calendar year 2019, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals and approval by the stockholders of L3 and Harris. About Harris Corporation Harris Corporation is a leading technology innovator, solving customers' toughest mission-critical challenges by providing solutions that connect, inform and protect. Harris supports government and commercial customers in more than 100 countries and has approximately $6 billion in annual revenue. The company is organized into three business segments: Communication Systems, Electronic Systems and Space and Intelligence Systems. Learn more at harris.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain of the matters discussed in this communication are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than historical facts may be forward-looking statements; words such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "projects," "guidance," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are made in reliance on the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Harris and L3 caution investors that these statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond Harris' and L3's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. In addition to factors previously disclosed in Harris' and L3's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC (News - Alert) ") and those identified elsewhere in this communication, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the right of one or both of Harris and L3 to terminate the definitive merger agreement between Harris and L3; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Harris, L3, or their respective directors; the risk that the stockholder approvals of Harris or L3 may not be obtained on the expected schedule or at all; the ability to obtain regulatory approvals and satisfy other closing conditions to the merger in a timely manner or at all, including the risk that regulatory approvals required for the merger are not obtained or are obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated; delay in closing the merger; difficulties and delays in integrating the Harris and L3 busnesses or fully realizing anticipated cost savings and other benefits; business disruptions from the proposed merger that may harm Harris' and L3's businesses, including current plans and operations; any announcement relating to the proposed transaction could have adverse effects on the ability of Harris or L3 to retain and hire key personnel or maintain relationships with suppliers and customers, including the U.S. government and other governments, or on Harris' or L3's operating results and businesses generally; the risk that the announcement of the proposed transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of the common stock of either or both of Harris' and L3's common stock and the uncertainty as to the long-term value of the common stock of the combined company following the merger; certain restrictions during the pendency of the merger that may impact Harris' or L3's ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; the business, economic and political conditions in the markets in which Harris and L3 operate; and events beyond Harris' and L3's control, such as acts of terrorism. The foregoing list of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements is not exhaustive. Further information relating to factors that may impact the parties' results and forward-looking statements are disclosed in their respective filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this communication or as of the date they were made, and neither Harris nor L3 undertakes any obligation to update forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of these factors, also see the information under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Harris' and L3's most recent reports on Form 10-K for the years ended June 29, 2018 and December 31, 2018, respectively, and any material updates to these factors contained in any of Harris' and L3's subsequent and future filings. As for the forward-looking statements that relate to future financial results and other projections, actual results will be different due to the inherent uncertainties of estimates, forecasts and projections and may be better or worse than projected and such differences could be material. Annualized, pro forma, projected and estimated numbers are used for illustrative purpose only, are not forecasts and may not reflect actual results. Given these uncertainties, persons receiving this communication should not place any reliance on these forward-looking statements. Important Additional Information and Where to Find It This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. This communication is made in respect of the proposed merger transaction between L3 and Harris (together, the "parties"), as contemplated by the Merger Agreement, among L3, Harris and a wholly owned merger subsidiary of Harris. In connection with the proposed merger, Harris filed with the SEC on February 14, 2019 an amendment to the registration statement on Form S-4 that was originally filed on December 14, 2018, that includes a joint proxy statement of the parties that also constitutes a prospectus of Harris. The registration statement was declared effective on February 20, 2019, and Harris filed with the SEC the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus on February 25, 2019. The parties commenced mailing the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus to their respective stockholders on or about February 25, 2019. The parties also may file with the SEC other relevant documents regarding the proposed transaction. This communication is not a substitute for the registration statement, the joint proxy statement/prospectus or any other documents that either or both of the parties or any of their respective affiliates may file with the SEC or make available to their respective security holders. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF EACH PARTY AND ITS AFFILIATES ARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, INCLUDING THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE DEFINITIVE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. A copy of the registration statement and the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about the parties, may be obtained free of charge on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, or from Harris by accessing its website at www.harris.com, or from L3 by accessing its website at www.L3t.com. Participants in Solicitation Harris, L3 and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the parties' respective stockholders in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding Harris' directors and executive officers is contained in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 29, 2018 and its Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, dated September 6, 2018, which are filed with the SEC. Information regarding L3's directors and executive officers is contained in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and its Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, dated March 26, 2018, which are filed with the SEC. Additional information regarding the interests of those participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the transaction is included in the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus and may be included in other relevant materials that either or both of the parties or any of their respective affiliates may file with the SEC. Copies of these documents may be obtained free of charge as described in the preceding paragraph. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225006000/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Researchers Break Efficiency Record for Data Transfer in Ultra-fast Transatlantic Cable If you are making an overseas phone call or using cloud computing, there is a 99 percent chance an undersea fiber optic cable is being utilized. Now, new work with lasers shows promise for squeezing more data through these cables, to help meet the growing demand for data flow between computers in North America and Europe. The method could increase network capacity without requiring new cables, which can cost hundreds of millions of dollars to build. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005955/en/ Conventional carriers (left) operate as a continuous band of optical spectrum. A subcarrier implementation (right) uses the functions of an advanced transmission circuit to digitally separate the light from each laser into multiple subcarriers, in this case four. Subcarrier are a key contributor to the record breaking reach achieved in the MAREA trial. Credit: Infinera (News - Alert) A team of researchers from Infinera has achieved new benchmarks for efficiency for transatlantic fiber optic cables. Testing an emerging approach for how the light signals are transmitted -- called 16QAM modulation -- the group smashed through efficiency records for data transfer, nearly doubling data capacity and approaching the theoretical limit for such a transfer. They will present their research at the upcoming Optical Fiber Conference and Exposition, held 3-7 March in San Diego, Calif., U.S.A. "In an optical fiber, it's desirable to carry more data per second, which we call the fiber capacity, and also to be able to send the signal over longer distances, which we call the optical reach," said Dr. Pierre Mertz, an author on the study. "In simple terms, if you try to push the limits of fiber capacity you will reduce the reach. " The team managed to extend record-setting capacity for a given reach -- across the Atlantic Ocean -- using the MAREA transatlantic cable, which spans 6,605 kilometers from Bilbao, Spain, to Virginia Beach, Va., U.S.A. Funded in part by Microsoft (News - Alert) and Facebook, MAREA currently holds the record for the highest-capacity cable crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Demand for new and better cables has risen ever since the first undersea trans-Atlantic communications cable was laid in 1858. That demand has skyrocketed over the last decade, thanks to the shift to cloud-based computing. Indeed, Virginia and North Carolina have become hotbeds for building data centers, especially since the MAREA cable went live in February 2018. The recent construction includes four data centers for Microsoft alone. Not only does the new experiment mark the first time PM-16QAM signals were sent such distances, Mertz said, the feat was achieved with equipment readily available to the industry. Information was sent through the MAREA cable via high-speed lasers. Using their own high-tech toolkit to modulate the lasers, Infinera generated signal speeds topping out at 26.2 terabits per second, a 20 percent increase over what the cable designers originally thought feasible. By comparison, the most common way signals are modulated for MAREA today only reaches 9.5 terabits per second. The biggest challenge is that the system was operating very close to the Shannon Limit, or the theoretical maximum information transfer rate for a communications channel, according to Mertz. "That means that every gain we make becomes harder and harder," he said. This result is already delivering comparable capacity to next-generation chipsets from other vendors that employ a technique called probabilistic constellation shaping (PCS). The good news for service providers demanding ever more capacity, Mertz said, is as the industry moves toward higher-performance systems, their technique can be combined with PCS for even faster speeds in the future. Additional research results will be presented onsite at OFC 2019. Hear from the research team: "Real-time 16QAM Transatlantic Record Spectral Efficiency of 6.21 b/s/Hz Enabling 26.2 Tbps Capacity" by Stephen Grubb, Pierre Mertz, Ales Kumpera, Lee Dardis, Jeffrey Rahn, James O'Connor, Matthew Mitchell, will take place at 12:15 p.m. Monday, 4 March in Room 6D of the San Diego Convention Center. MEDIA REGISTRATION: Media/analyst registration for OFC 2019 can be accessed online. Further information is available on the event website at OFC, including travel details. About OFC The Optical Fiber Conference and Exhibition (OFC) is the largest global conference and exhibition for optical communications and networking professionals. For more than 40 years, OFC has drawn attendees from all corners of the globe to meet and greet, teach and learn, make connections and move business forward. OFC includes dynamic business programming, an exhibition of more than 700 companies, and high impact peer-reviewed research that, combined, showcase the trends and pulse of the entire optical networking and communications industry. OFC is managed by The Optical Society (OSA) and co-sponsored by OSA, the IEEE (News - Alert) Communications Society (IEEE/ComSoc), and the IEEE Photonics Society. OFC 2019 will be held from 3-7 March 2019 at the San Diego Convention Center, California, USA. Follow @OFCConference, learn more at OFC Community LinkedIn, and watch highlights on OFC YouTube. Authors: Stephen Grubb, Pierre Mertz, Ales Kumpera, Lee Dardis, Jeffrey Rahn, James O'Connor, Matthew Mitchell Author Affiliations: Infinera Contact: PMertz@infinera.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005955/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Residents of the Regional County Municipality of Antoine-Labelle getting access to high-speed Internet thanks to investments by the governments of Canada and Quebec RIVIERE-ROUGE, QC, Feb. 25, 2019 /CNW/ - Making strategic investments in infrastructure projects that meet the specific needs of rural and northern communities is key to building stronger, more inclusive communities where everyone can succeed. The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; David Graham, Member of Parliament for LaurentidesLabelle; Gilles Belanger, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economy and Innovation and Member of the National Assembly for Orford; and Chantale Jeannotte, Member of the National Assembly for Labelle, today officially announced funding for a fibre optic network spanning 1,900 kilometres that will serve over 16,000 households and businesses in 17 Antoine-Labelle municipalities. It is crucial to connect rural citizens, businesses and institutions to the digital economy so they can access the information and services that would otherwise be beyond their reach. Through this project, almost 98% of households and businesses that do not currently have access to Internet at a speed of at least 5 Mbps will have access to download speeds of 10 to 150 Mbps, meeting their current and future needs. The Government of Canada is investing more than $12 million in this project under the Rural and Northern Communities stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Quebec will invest more than $13 million in the project while the Regional County Municipality of Antoine-Labelle will contribute almost $23.5 million. Quotes "Through this project, residents and businesses in Antoine-Labelle will have the tools they need to innovate, start a business or explore new markets, learn, have fun and stay in touch with their loved ones. We have big plans to develop our regions because they are the driving force behind our country's success. That is why we're committed to developing a rural development strategy to stimulate economic growth and create good middle-class jobs for Canadians in these areas." The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities "We are proud to be contributing to improving people's quality of life by offering new opportunities for the communities in the 17 municipalities in the Regional County Municipality of Antine-Labelle. Access to high-speed Internet is not a luxury; it is a necessity in today's world. Projects like this one foster the creation of dynamic communities and make it possible for more Canadians to participate fully in the digital economy." David Graham, Member of Parliament for LaurentidesLabelle "In 2019, high-speed Internet is essential to the growth of a strong regional economy and the vitality of communities. Reliable and fast Internet service is necessary for businesses that want to further integrate digital technology into their business processes, have an online presence and engage in e-commerce. That is why the Government of Quebec is working to make high-speed Internet available in all regions. Our goal is simple: to empower Quebec and enable the economy to grow to the abilities and ambitions of its citizens and businesses." Gilles Belanger, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economy and Innovation and Member of the National Assembly for Orford "I am very pleased about this important announcement, which will have a direct impact on the daily lives of many people in the Regional County Municipality of Antoine-Labelle. Access to high-speed Internet, which is essential in today's world, may be the argument that will convince businesses to set up in the region, or young people to settle here after completing postsecondary studies. The entire region will benefit." Chantale Jeannotte, Member of the National Assembly for Labelle "The Regional County of Antoine-Labelle is working hard to make the Antoine-Labelle connectivity project happen and has been since the official funding announcement by the federal and provincial governments in 2017. Advancements can be expected in the coming weeks that will allow us to stay on course for carrying out the first connections in summer 2019. Providing citizens in our region with high-speed Internet remains our primary objective and is a point of pride for our organization." Georges Decarie, Substitute Reeve of Antoine-Labelle RCM Quick Facts Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities. $25.3 billion of this funding is supporting social infrastructure in Canadian communities. infrastructure plan, the Government of is investing more than over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and rural and northern communities. of this funding is supporting social infrastructure in Canadian communities. $2 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure projects that meet the unique needs of rural and northern communities like facilities to support food security, local access roads and enhanced broadband connectivity. of this funding is supporting infrastructure projects that meet the unique needs of rural and northern communities like facilities to support food security, local access roads and enhanced broadband connectivity. The Government of Quebec is committed to improving high-speed Internet coverage by installing adequate digital infrastructure in every region of the province. It plans to invest more than $400 million over the next four years to achieve this goal. Associated links Investing in Canada Plan Project Map: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map Federal investments in infrastructure projects in Quebec: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/index-eng.html Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html To receive real-time press releases from the Ministere de l'Economie et de l'Innovation, subscribe to the appropriate RSS feed at www.economie.gouv.qc.ca/rss (in French only). Follow us on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram Web: Infrastructure Canada SOURCE Infrastructure Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Nel ASA: Awarded Purchase Order for a 2 MW PEM Electrolyzer in Switzerland and Enters a 30 MW Framework Contract Nel Hydrogen Electrolyser, a division of Nel ASA (Nel, OSE:NEL), has received a purchase order for a 2 megawatt (MW) containerized Proton PEM electrolyzer, as part of a 30 MW framework agreement with Hydrospider AG, an affiliated company of H2 Energy. The electrolyzer will be used to produce green hydrogen for heavy-duty hydrogen trucks from Hyundai Motor Company, which will begin operation in Switzerland during late 2019. The framework agreement represents the first phase of 60 - 80 MW needed to supply hydrogen for the total expected 1,000 trucks and other applications. "We are proud to announce that we have been awarded a framework agreement over 30 MW of our Proton PEM Megawatt platform electrolyzers to produce green hydrogn for the 1,000 trucks being delivered by Hyundai to Switzerland. Hydrospider will be producing and delivering green hydrogen for the Hyundai heavy-duty hydrogen trucks in the required quantity and quality. It is a great pleasure working with H2 Energy, whose core values around clean energy and de-carbonization align so closely with ours," says David Bow, Senior Vice President of Nel. The purchase order, which represents the first containerized megawatt Proton PEM electrolyzer delivered by Nel in Europe, has a value exceeding USD 3 million, and will be installed during second half of 2019. H2 Energy is working together with various partners to establish a nation-wide network of hydrogen stations and corresponding supply chain in Switzerland. Their target is to develop solutions for application of renewable hydrogen in the maritime, rail, stationary sectors, in addition to hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses. H2 Energy is focusing on producing only renewable energy based hydrogen to contribute to the decarbonization of various sectors. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005812/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Huawei Launches the 5G-Ready Converged Transport Network Solution, Helping Operators Jump Start 5G BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- At MWC 2019, Huawei launched the 5G-ready converged transport network solution. This solution will help build a transport network that supports all services, helping operators jump start 5G development through simplified 5G transport and fast deployment. So far, Huawei has won over 40 commercial 5G transport contracts. GSMA predicts that by 2025, there will be 1.3 billion 5G users and 1.36 billion 5G mobile devices around the world, with 40% 5G network coverage. To build 5G networks, transport networks should get prepared in advance. 5G networks have three major use cases, bringing 10x higher network bandwidth, 10x more complexity in network operations & maintenance (O&M), and 100x more connections. These are the core challenges that operators will face when building 5G transport networks of the future. During this process, operators will need to consider the future-proof evolution capabilities of their transport networks. "Operators must systematically consider their business needs of the next decade when building 5G transport networks," said Jeffrey Gao, President of Huawei Router & Carrier Ethernet Product Line. "During this process, we believe operators will have to take into account three major standards: affordable bandwidth upgrade costs, 4G and 5G converged transport, and end-to-end automated O&M." To meet operator needs, Huawei launched the 5G-ready converged transport network soluton, enabling global operators to maximize their business value by offering three core capabilities. The 5G-ready converged transport network solution was built upon the industry's first 50GE router and 5G microwave solution based on the four-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM4). This results in 10 Gbps to sites and 30% lower total cost of operation (TCO). For fiber access scenarios, the router supports two-way single-fiber transmission, reducing cost per bit by 30% and fiber resources required by 50%. For scenarios without fiber access, Huawei's 5G microwave solution can deliver 10 Gbps bandwidth access over any frequency band. It also offers flexible channel expansion capabilities, so that only one site visit is needed for service provisioning, reducing operator TCO by 30%. The 5G-ready converged transport network solution uses the industry's first commercially-ready SR and SRv6 solution, enabling smooth evolution from MPLS to SR and SRv6 protocols, with no interference between 4G and 5G services. Huawei's 5G transport solution supports both MPLS and SR protocols, so that operators can use the SR and SRv6 protocols for deploying end-to-end 5G services while simultaneously using the MPLS protocol for 4G services. This means new services can be deployed while ensuring the continuity of older services. Built on the network processor (NP) programmable architecture, the SR and SRv6 solution supports smooth evolution from MPLS to SR and then to SRv6 without any changes to the hardware. The industry's first Network Cloud Engine (NCE) integrates network control, management, and analysis, allowing the 5G-ready converged transport network solution to support full-lifecycle automated O&M across the entire transport network. Huawei's NCE supports the unified control and management of 4G and 5G transport networks, and provides a machine-machine interface that is driven by models, instead of a human-machine interface. This reduces the time required for service provisioning from hours to minutes. And the telemetry and AI technologies mean it takes minutes, rather than hours, to complete fault demarcation. The NCE also possesses big data analytics capabilities that enable visualized service level agreements (SLAs) and targeted transport network expansion and optimization. "5G will meet the needs of both individuals and vertical industries, and support new services such as Cloud VR, private lines, and connected vehicles," said Jeffrey Gao. "Future 5G network architecture will be built upon data centers. The quality of various innovative services requires 5G networks to provide guaranteed SLAs. Therefore, upstream and downstream industry players must seize the opportunities presented by 5G development and build an All-in-One converged transport network." "Huawei continues to work with industry partners and innovate in data communications and optical fiber to build non-blocking physical networks. Together, we will work to ensure high availability and non-blocking physical networks that support deterministic low latency, on-demand services, and zero touch O&M." Huawei has remained at the top of the global mobile transport market for seven consecutive years, leading the development of the mobile transport industry. It has also helped leading global operators build over 40 5G transport networks. Huawei plays an active role in international standards organizations such as the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T), and European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). It is a key contributor to 50GE and SRv6, and is a leader of 5G microwave and intelligent networks. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/826329/1.jpg [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Jazz Networks Wins U.S. Cyber Command Competition Jazz Networks - a cybersecurity intelligence company - announced today that it placed first in a competition to detect insider threat attacks in real-time during a simulated U.S. Cyber Command battlefield. DreamPort is a cyber innovation and collaboration center created by USCYBERCOM through a Partnership Intermediary Agreement awarded to the Maryland Innovation and Security Institute (MISI). Dreamport held The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing competition in Columbia, MD from January 29 - February 14. The event sought to identify user activity monitoring (UAM) solutions that employed advanced, real-time analysis of multiple data sources for anomaly detection, specifically those that offered both predictive monitoring and policy-based monitoring features. DreamPort used live portions of its HQ environment of Windows and Linux machines, paired with human actors posing as 'bad' at random, executing unauthorized actions. Participants were awarded points based on how quickly they could detect attacks and how effectively they could contextualize and present related details. In addition to Jazz Networks, the contenders included several of the world's leading artificial intelligence and machine learning players in the EDR, UBA, and SIEM space. During the competition, Jazz's machine learning sensors identified unusual activity, which engineers were able to further investigate using the platform's Power Search. The team was able to reconstruct the string of events that led up to the attacks and determine which actor was ultimately responsible. At the conclusion, Jazz Networks ranked the highest in seven categories, including Highest Number of Detections, Malicious/Suspicious USBs Added to Network, and Best Overall Performance. "Some tools are more apt for incident response, and some more for detection, but Jazz has the versatility to do both. We stood out because of our ability to automatically detect and contextualize the suspicious events, all the way up to identifying the user's intention," said Jazz Networks CO, Hani Mustafa. "The key in determining true user intention requires a mixture of User Behavior Analytics (UBA), Data Loss Prevention (DLP), and UAM in a single platform." "The team was very impressed with the level of sophistication of the attacks organized by the team at Dreamport," stated Jazz Networks VP, Federal, John Sparks. "Being able to rigorously test and prove the Jazz Platform in these real-world scenarios was a great opportunity to show the Federal community what we can do." "With only five people on site, we were up against much larger teams from some of the best companies in the space, like Booz Allen Hamilton (News - Alert) , IBM, Crowdstrike, Splunk, and LogicHub," said Fredrik Halvorsen, Jazz Networks Chairman. "Small teams can have huge impact with the right technology. We may be new, but I think this helps prove that there will be Jazz!" Jazz Networks recently announced the v4 release of its platform, which was used at the competition (read the release here). About Jazz Networks Jazz Networks is a cybersecurity platform that simplifies insider threat detection and breach prevention. The platform automates employee training the instant they make a mistake, applies policies while data is in motion to prevent data loss, and provides the fastest threat hunting and forensic capabilities for investigations. Founded in 2016, Jazz Networks has more than 100 employees with offices in Oslo, London, and New York. www.jazznetworks.com About the Competition https://dreamport.tech/event-rpe-003-the-wolf-in-sheeps-clothing.php About MISI http://misi.tech/ For an interview, more information, or to request a demo, email contact@jazznetworks.com Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Instagram View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005710/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] 3Cinteractive Partners with GSMA to Deliver World's First RCS Business Messaging Campaign for Mobile World Congress 2019 Attendees BOCA RATON, Florida, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- 3Cinteractive (3C) today announced the launch of the first ever RCS business messaging campaign for Mobile World Congress attendees in Barcelona. In partnership with the GSMA, the campaign aims to demonstrate the power of RCS business messaging by offering attendees an enhanced messaging experience. This campaign breaks new ground in business messaging by delivering the GSMA's MWC notifications and updates simultaneously to European, North American, and African operators across multiple MaaPs from a single platform. Kicking off with a welcome message and continuing with scheduled mobile broadcasts throughout the week, visitors with capable devices will have the opportunity to access information on events and activities delivered with RCS capabiities including rich cards, carousels and suggested replies and actions. The campaign has broad, international reach running across AT&T, Vodafone, Sprint, and Rogers networks. The campaign was built using 3C's RCS Engagement Platformthe first, purpose-built platform of its kind designed to simplify the complexities involved in delivering rich, value-driving RCS experiences in a multi-carrier environment. Supporting Universal Profile 2.0 and 2.2 features and connecting to multiple MaaP platforms, the platform is already used to power RCS campaigns for numerous brands. As global operators continue to launch RCS business messaging capabilities, more and more brands are adopting the technology to delivery richer experiences for their customers, resulting in higher engagement and conversion rates. 3C will be on hand this week showcasing several in-market RCS business messaging use cases at the GSMA Future Network pavilion. To schedule a demo please contact us here. About 3C: Fortune 500 companies rely on 3Cinteractive (3C) for its dynamic technical and strategic expertise in mobile technology and solutions. Founded in 2007, 3C has built an unparalleled, cloud-based platform delivering flexibility, security, speed, scale and reliability for its clients. From delivering information and driving unique one-to-one interactions, to facilitating valuable mobile commerce transactions, 3C builds lasting partnerships based on trusted solutions to deliver measurable business results. For the past three years, 3C has been working side-by-side with the GSMA and global carriers to develop the MaaP ecosystem to make RCS the preferred channel for enterprise business and delivered the first RCS Business Messaging campaigns in North America in early 2018. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/825715/3Cinteractive_MWC_RCS_Broadcast.jpg [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] HRS Appoints Greeley Koch to Global Marketing Executive Role HRS, the leading Global Hotel Solutions provider, announced the appointment of Greeley Koch to the position of Vice President on the company's marketing and content creation team. Koch will help enhance HRS' content and messaging to the global managed travel industry, as well as drive agendas for the company's growing portfolio of educational events, especially the Corporate Lodging Forum and HRS' hotel sourcing and payment labs. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005600/en/ Longtime Corporate Travel Executive Greeley Koch to Join HRS as Vice President of Marketing on April 1st. (Photo: Business Wire) Koch joins HRS after six years as Executive Director of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), where his initiatives helped spur a broad range of research and informational events for corporate travel managers and industry influencers. Prior to ACTE, Koch supported a diverse group of global corporate clients as a prominent consultant. He also served as a travel procurement leader for two prominent global companies (Abbott Laboratories and Bank of America) as part of his three decades in managed travel. "HRS' ongoing globalization and its investment in educational programs, from relevant research projects to staging unbiased events, presents a great opportunity," said Koch. "I look forward to building upon the good work HRS has already done, and positioning it further as the thought leader of the corporate lodging category." Koch starts in his new role with HRS on April 1st. HRS' Corporate Lodging Forum (CLF) is the world's leading event for business hotel bookings. Since 2013, thousands of travel managers and procurement executives on five continents have taken part in CLF. This year, CLF events will take place in 14 countries. CLF addresses topics related to hotel program management, meetings & groups, payment solutions and connectivity in the travel industry. "Greeley is the right person to take our CLF events to the next level, and enhance the industry's understanding of how our disruptive, holistic approach to corporate hotel programs drives both savings and adoption," said Tobias Ragge, CEO of HRS. "As technologies evolve and transparency becomes increasingly vital for corporations, Greeley's experience with a broad range of companies in the global travel ecosystem will enrich our industry engagement as we further expand our services in countries like Australia and India." About HRS HRS simplifies business travel. Corporate travel managers and business travelers around the world trust HRS to find the best accommodation and simplify all processes related to their business travel. In addition to professional hotel sourcing and the negotiation of corporate rates with hotels, HRS optimizes paperless payment of hotel accommodation and meetings, as well as automated invoice processing. More than 3,000 multinational corporations rely on HRS Global Hotel Solutions. Customers include global Fortune 500 companies, including Google, Siemens (News - Alert) , Alibaba, China Mobile and Volkswagen. HRS pursues clear goals: savings for companies and high traveler satisfaction. Founded in Cologne in 1972, HRS today has more than 1,500 employees in more than 35 offices worldwide - including Berlin, London, Milan, Mumbai, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo and Warsaw. Clients and business travelers benefit from HRS' global network combined with local market expertise. Further information at corporate.hrs.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005600/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] ShieldX Elastic Security Platform Extends Visibility into Encrypted Traffic; Aiding in the Fight Against Covert Malicious Attacks ShieldX, the leader in elastic security, today announced Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.3 support for the company's Elastic Cloud Security platform. With this update, ShieldX provides customers with contextual threat intelligence including real-time analysis correlation for encrypted traffic, compliance with cryptographic protocols and an intent-based security posture that capitalizes on existing security investments. Customers can now easily inspect encrypted data pervasively in virtual datacenters and the cloud with a single pane of glass. By leveraging encryption, cybercriminals can easily sneak malware onto multi-cloud environments, while making it more difficult for firewalls and traditional defenses to detect exploits and identity abuses. In addition, Gartner (News - Alert) states that "through 2019, more than 80% of enterprises' web traffic will be encrypted."1 As such, visibility into encrypted traffic to detect malware, covert channels, and data exfiltration is vital to protecting sensitive data in the cloud. "One of the issues with traditional vendors is the inability to easily upgrade their monolithic solutions either in physical or virtual form factor. A security system made up of microservices provides a superior experience to customers," said Manuel Nedbal, co-founder, CTO and SVP of ShieldX. "This upgrade with ShieldX is run by bringing a new microservice with TLS 1.3 and only when the system indicates it can handle new connections will the old ones be de-provisioned. This seamless approach that follows the rolling upgrades model is designed to minimize impact on running systems and business." "Beyond using TLS 1.3 for encrypting traffic, many security vendors are either not able to inspect TLS 1.3 tunnels or are degrading a TLS 1.3 tunnel to a weaker standard. For these other providers, the hard part is becoming a transparent proxy that terminates a TLS 1.3 encrypted tunnel, inspects it for threats and then establishes the same TLS 1.3 tunnel to the original destination. ShieldX can address this issue for both inbound and outbound connections," Nedbal continued. ShieldX is offering TLS inspection as a microservice that can scale more easily than existing solutions. With this new capability, customers can adopt Internet Engineering Task Force's (IETF) newly approved TLS 1.3 standards for securing encrypted data while moving away from purpose-built passive monitoring of connections using SSL appliances to more efficient, consolidated, inline active decryption using the ShieldX Elastic Security platform. "As more criminals turn to encryption, it's become difficult for security teams to rely on traditional solutions that are ineffective against these attacks and often cause latency issues and disruptions in the cloud," said Dr. Ratinder Ahuja, ShieldX co-founder and CEO. "By adding TLS 1.3 Support to ShieldX's Elastic Security Platform, we are not only making it easier for security professionals to discover covert attacks, we're easing the operational burden by giving teams the ability to consolidate several network solutions into a singular cloud-based alternative." ShieldX is able to add TLS 1.3 support its architecture to help consolidate and simplify managing the encryption/decryption of network traffic. As result, customers will be able to consolidate security solutions and apps with the added ability to scale for encrypted traffic analysis. With these capabilities, customers: Gain added throughput leading to improved performance Improve confidentiality and privacy with the ability to better locate and protect encrypted traffic Secure data in transit for transactions on the network and removes absolute and insecure features Adapt new stateless architectures with state of art encryption that reduces CAPEX 1. Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Network Firewalls, October 2018. About ShieldX ShieldX makes security the easiest thing enterprises do in the cloud. ShieldX is a cloud-native network security platform that elastically delivers a full stack of agentless security controls-microsegmentation, IPS, firewall, malware prevention, and more--to protect data centers, cloud infrastructure, applications and data. Our driving philosophy is to bring cloud speed, scale and orchestration into the hands of security. Based on cloud agnostic microservices technology, ShieldX ensures security understands and maintains vigilance over cloud operations and workflows by continuously translating a security's intention into controls as cloud infrastructure rapidly evolves. Today, our customers, such as Alaska Airlines and IDT, have saved millions by eliminating control sprawl and consolidating processes to dramatically reduce tactical systems management. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005162/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] MITRE Expands its Senior Leadership Team MITRE announced several changes to its leadership team in support of the company's strategy and business transformation efforts, including one promotion and two new appointments. Effective March 4, Usha Chaudhary joins MITRE in the new role of Senior Vice President for Corporate Operations and Chief Transformation Officer, and Laurie Giandomenico joins as Vice President and Chief Acceleration Officer. Kathleen Federico was promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources and Strategic Communications Officer. "To advance our mission of solving problems for a safer world, MITRE's good growth strategy requires leading-edge talent and business systems," said Jason Providakes, MITRE president and CEO. "Usha, Kathleen, and Laurie are accomplished executives who will accelerate our ability to attract and retain the best talent and deliver high impact solutions to our sponsors and partners, as well as spearhead new business and partnership opportunities." Federico, who is based at MITRE's Bedford, Mass., campus, is being promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief HR and Strategic Communications Officer. She joined in June 2018 and has launched a vision an plan for empowering MITRE's workforce. Federico also will have responsibility for the Strategic Communications division. She has led human resources in several industries, shaping talent management, compensation, learning and development, and operations. Federico also served as CHRO at Civitas Solutions, a provider of home-based health and human services, and senior vice president of sales and human resources for World Travel Holdings, the world's largest cruise agency. Chaudhary, who will be based at MITRE's McLean, Va., campus, joins in the new role of Senior Vice President, Corporate Operations and Chief Transformation Officer responsible for finance, enterprise computing information and security, corporate real estate, and corporate strategy development, as well as business transformation functions. She has extensive multi-disciplinary experience in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, most recently as the president and chief operating officer of Kettler, a leading national real estate developer. She has served in executive roles at The Pew (News - Alert) Charitable Trusts, The Washington Post, United Way of America, and Freddie Mac. Giandomenico, who will be based at MITRE's Bedford, Mass., campus, joins as Vice President and Chief Acceleration Officer. In this role, she will be responsible for the company's strategic development and growth efforts and oversee brand strategy. She started her career at MITRE in 1991 as a member of the technical staff, and most recently led her own consulting firm. She has held multiple executive-level positions in enterprise software firms including EnerNOC Inc. and Pegasystems (News - Alert) . About MITRE MITRE's mission-driven teams are dedicated to solving problems for a safer world. Through public-private partnerships, as well as the operation of federally funded R&D centers, we work across government to tackle challenges to the safety, stability, and well-being of our nation. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005564/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Innovest Global Launches Joint Venture with Entrust Energy, a Two-Time Inc. 5000 Energy Company Innovest Global, Inc. (OTC Markets: IVST), a diversified industrials company today announced the company has signed a Joint Venture (JV) Agreement with Entrust Energy. The JV marries two of the fastest growing companies in their respective markets. It leverages Innovest's energy knowledge and call center infrastructure with Entrust's (News - Alert) best practices and energy offerings for commercial clients. Under the agreement Entrust Energy will staff a representative at the Innovest Global Headquarters to manage a brand new team of energy business development specialists provided by Innovest. They will utilize best practices to continue aggressive growth initiatives that both companies saw as a natural fit. "Entrust Energy is very excited to be working with Innovest Global and its family of companies. We see this new relationship as a unique and mutually beneficial partnership in the commercial deregulated energy space," said Mike Beck, Entrust President. "Mike Beck and the Entrust team have built one of the fastest growing private companies in the country. We have a lot in common. Innovest is thrilled to be joining forces with them in this niche growth effort that provides us several attractive benefits," said Damon Mintz, Innovest President. Innovest plans to hire seven (7) people immediately for this effort. Entrust Energy was founded in 2010 and had 2017 revenue of $209 million, and 155 employees. They are one of the fastest growing private companies in America with a three-year growh rate of 58%. Innovest was a seven-employee company at the beginning of 2018 that generated $58,000 in revenue, to ending 2018 on a $40 million annual revenue run-rate with a conglomerate of operating businesses and 75 employees. About Entrust Energy Entrust Energy is a privately-owned retail electricity and gas provider dedicated to serving homeowners and businesses across America. Entrust Energy is a company comprised of talented, entrepreneurial, and intelligent individuals who are passionate about the energy industry. The mission of Entrust Energy is to change how business is done with a unique customer-centric approach that is based on transparency, honesty and integrity. The company offers electricity and gas service in Texas, Illinois, Maryland, California, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The company is #47 in the 2015 Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Private Companies in America. Entrust Energy is #4 in the Inc. list of Top Energy Companies, #5 in Top Texas Companies, and #1 in Houston Metro Area Companies. About Innovest Global, Inc. Innovest Global, Inc. (OTC Markets: IVST) has operations in Industrials (commercial and industrial products and services, energy, construction, and building materials ) and diversified holdings in biotechnology. The primary growth strategy of Innovest Global Inc is to acquire existing companies in a select few industries and attract new customers in cost effective ways. Currently, Innovest Global Inc has a Commercial & Industrial Division, a Biotechnology & Health Services Division, and a Construction & Building Materials Division. For more information, please visit: http://www.innovestglobal.com, and follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) @innovestglobal. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release are forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to the Company's future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Investors should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects the Company's current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could impact the Company and the forward-looking statements contained herein are included in the Company's filings with the OTC Markets. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005544/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] First Citizens National Bank Leverages Banc Intranets' BancWorks Employee Portal to Centralize Internal Communications Banc Intranets, a provider of secure, web-based enterprise content management solutions for financial institutions, announced that First Citizens National Bank ($1.7 billion in assets) implemented its BancWorks employee intranet to strengthen internal communications and employee access to critical bank resources, all of which enhances operations. With more than 360 employees across 25 branches, First Citizens National Bank sought a consolidated user-friendly employee intranet to help it better engage staff and provide them with quick access to the tools they need when working with customers. After considering several providers, First Citizens National selected and implemented BancWorks because it is specifically designed for financial institutions and is competitively priced. The bank also cited the intranet's potential to easily centralize and connect employees with necessary internal materials such as processes; procedures; policies; leadership and employee profiles; employee recognition highlights; timely bank-wide updates and/or news; articles and training blogs. "First Citizens National Bank strives to deliver unparalleled service and support not only to our customers, but to our emloyees as well," said Judy Long, President and COO of First Citizens National Bank. "By deploying BancWorks, we were able to streamline tedious daily processes, centralize communications across all branches and enhance employee engagement by providing a single location for employees to access bank-specific articles, blogs, videos and content." "Our products are specifically designed to meet the unique needs of financial institutions and help them drive employee engagement and collaboration," said Mark Anderson, CEO of Banc Intranets. "By making employee communications and access to information a priority, First Citizens National Bank will continue to provide exceptional service to its customers and improve the well-being of its community." About First Citizens National Bank First Citizens National Bank operates from 25 locations in Tennessee. Established in 1889 in Dyer County, the bank today has approximately $1.7 billion in assets and serves markets throughout 11 Tennessee counties. First Citizens National Bank is a full-service community bank offering deposit, lending, wealth management, cash management, trust, insurance, and investments. For more information, visit www.FirstCNB.com or follow the company on Twitter and LinkedIn. About Banc Intranets Established in 2002, Banc Intranets, LLC is a leading provider of secure, web-based enterprise content management solutions for financial institutions. Its technology provides a single point of access across multiple devices for documents and information and centralizes employee onboarding and training, streamlining day-to-day operations for bank directors and senior managers. In addition to increasing efficiency and productivity, Banc Intranets' solutions are developed by financial industry professionals, providing comprehensive reporting that is critical to maintaining regulatory compliance. For more information, visit www.bancintranets.com or follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005111/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] GE to Sell BioPharma Business to Danaher for $21.4 Billion GE (NYSE:GE) announced a definitive agreement to sell its BioPharma business to Danaher Corporation (News - Alert) (NYSE: DHR) ("Danaher") for a total consideration of $21.4 billion, including $21 billion in cash as well as Danaher's assumption of certain pension liabilities. GE expects to use the proceeds from the transaction to reduce leverage and strengthen its balance sheet. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2019, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. GE Chairman and CEO H. Lawrence Culp, Jr. said, "Today's transaction is a pivotal milestone. It demonstrates that we are executing on our strategy by taking thoughtful and deliberate action to reduce leverage and strengthen our balance sheet. We are retaining full flexibility for growth and strategic optionality with one of the world's leading healthcare companies, and we are pleased that our BioPharma colleagues will join a strong, established team at Danaher. A more focused portfolio is the right structure for GE, and we have many options for maximizing shareholder value along the way." GE Healthcare President and CEO Kieran Murphy said, "The BioPharma business has been a strong contributor to our success, and I am confident this agreement represents a great opportunity for our valued colleagues to flourish under the ownership of Danaher. GE Healthcare has unsurpassed scale and scope and we will continue to focus on our investments so that we deliver better outcomes and more capacity to a world striving for Precision Health." The BioPharma business being divested is part of GE Life Sciences. In 2018, the BioPharma business generated revenues of approximately $3 billion. It is a leading provider of instruments, consumables and software that support the research, discovery, process development and manufacturing workflows of biopharmaceutical drugs. The business comprises process chromatography hardware and consumables, cell culture media, single use technologies, development instrumentation and consumables, and service. Pharmaceutical Diagnostics, currently part of GE Life Sciences, will remain within the GE Healthcare portfolio. This business supplies contrast media and molecular imaging consumables for radiology customers around the world and is highly complementary to GE Healthcare's medical imaging business. GE's pharmaceutical imaging agents are used in approximately 90 million patient procedures each year. GE Healthcare has a global installed base of more than 4 million imaging, mobile diagnostic and monitoring units. In 2018 this business, excluding BioPharma, generated approximately $17 billion of revenue with mid-teens operating profit margins. The business is a leader in imaging, monitoring and diagnostics, and also provides services, accessories, consumables, education, training and consulting. The transaction is not subject to a financing condition or a shareholder vote. PJT Partners LP, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Goldman Sachs acted as financial advisors and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP acted as legal advisor to GE on the transaction. GE is also announcing the expected dates for the following upcoming investor events: Week of February 25: Annual report release, including annual letter and 10-K March 5: H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., GE Chairman and CEO, to present at J.P. Morgan Aviation, Transportation & Industrials conference March 7: GE Insurance teach-in conference call for investors March 14: GE Outlook conference call March 19: Jamie Miller, GE CFO, to present at Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Industrials and EU Autos conference More details on these events will be posted to GE's Investor Relations website at www.ge.com/investor. Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements: This document contains "forward-looking statements" - that is, statements related to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and often contain words such as "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "see," "will," "would," "estimate," "forecast," "target," "preliminary," or "range." Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, such as statements about the planned sale of our Biopharma business announced today; our strategy and plans for the remaining portion of GE Healthcare, and the characteristics of that business in the future; plans to exit our equity ownership position in Baker Hughes (News - Alert) , a GE company (BHGE) and the expected benefits to GE; capital allocation plans; GE's and GE Capital's capital structure, liquidity and access to funding; our de-leveraging plans, including leverage ratios and targets, the timing and nature of specific actions to reduce indebtedness, credit ratings and credit outlooks; divestiture proceeds expectations; future charges and capital contributions that may be required in connection with GE Capital's run-off insurance operations or other GE Capital portfolio actions; revenues; organic growth; cash flows and cash conversion, including the impact of working capital, contract assets and pension funding contributions; earnings per share; future business growth and productivity gains; profit margins; the benefits of restructuring actions; our businesses' cost structures and plans to reduce costs; restructuring, goodwill impairment or other financial charges; tax rates; or returns on capital and investment. For us, particular uncertainties that could cause our actual results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements include: our success in executing and completing, including obtaining regulatory approvals and satisfying other closing conditions for, announced GE Industrial and GE Capital business or asset dispositions or other transactions, including the planned sale of our Biopharma business announced today, the anticipated proceeds and benefits from that transaction and the timing of closing; our strategy and plans for the remaining portion of GE Healthcare, including the structure, form, timing and nature of potential actions with respect to that business in the future and the characteristics of the business going forward; our capital allocation plans, as such plans may change including with respect to de-leveraging actions, the timing and amount of GE dividends, organic investments, and other priorities; further downgrades of our current short- and long-term credit ratings or ratings outlooks and the related impact on our liquidity, funding profile, costs and competitive position; GE's liquidity and the amount and timing of our GE Industrial cash flows and earnings, which may be impacted by customer, competitive, contractual and other dynamics and conditions; GE Capital's capital and liquidity needs, including in connection with GE Capital's run-off insurance operations, the amount and timing of required capital contributions, strategic actions that we may pursue, WMC-related claims, liabilities and payments, the impact of conditions in the financial and credit markets on GE Capital's ability to sell financial assets, GE Capital's leverage and credit ratings, the availability and cost of GE Capital funding and GE Capital's exposure to counterparties; customer actions or market developments such as secular and cyclical pressures in our Power business, other shifts in the competitive landscape for our products and services, changes in economic conditions, including oil prices, early aircraft retirements and other factors that may affect the level of demand and financial performance of the major industries and customers we serve; operational execution by our businesses; changes in law, economic and financial conditions, including the effect of enactment of U.S. tax reform or other tax law changes, trade policy and tariffs, interest and exchange rate volatility, commodity and equity prices and the value of financial assets; our ability to launch new products in a cost-effective manner; our ability to increase margins through implementation of operational changes, restructuring and other cost reduction measures; the impact of regulation and regulatory, investigative and legal proceedings and legal compliance risks, including the impact of WMC, Alstom, SEC (News - Alert) and other investigative and legal proceedings; our success in integrating acquired businesses and operating joint ventures, and our ability to realize revenue and cost synergies from announced transactions, acquired businesses and joint ventures; the impact of potential product failures and related reputational effects; the impact of potential information technology, cybersecurity or data security breaches; the other factors that are described in "Forward-Looking Statements" in BHGE's most recent earnings release or SEC filings; and the other factors that are described in "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as updated in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These or other uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements. Our public communications and SEC filings may include certain forward-looking projected financial information that is based on current estimates and forecasts. Actual results could differ materially. GE's Investor Relations website at www.ge.com/investor and our corporate blog at www.gereports.com, as well as GE's Facebook (News - Alert) page and Twitter accounts, contain a significant amount of information about GE, including financial and other information for investors. GE encourages investors to visit these websites from time to time, as information is updated and new information is posted. About GE GE (NYSE:GE) drives the world forward by tackling its biggest challenges. By combining world-class engineering with software and analytics, GE helps the world work more efficiently, reliably, and safely. For more than 125 years, GE has invented the future of industry, and today it leads new paradigms in additive manufacturing, materials science, and data analytics. GE people are global, diverse and dedicated, operating with the highest integrity and passion to fulfill GE's mission and deliver for our customers. www.ge.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005490/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Quad-C Agrees to Sell its Stake in Compassion-First to JAB Quad-C Management, Inc. ("Quad-C"), a leading middle market private equity fund, and JAB today announced that they have signed a definitive agreement in which Quad-C will sell its stake in Compassion-First Pet Hospitals ("Compassion-First"), a family of well-known and respected specialty, emergency and general practice veterinary hospitals across the United States, to JAB, based on a total enterprise valuation of $1.215 billion. The purchase price takes into consideration the value of certain post-closing tax benefits. Veterinary service providers who are currently investors in the company will maintain a significant stake going forward, and Compassion-First's management team, including the Founder and CEO John Payne (News - Alert) , will also continue to be significant investors and lead the company in the next phase of its development. Compassion-First operates a network of 41 hospitals and treatment facilities across 13 states, primarily in urban and suburban areas. Founded in 2014, Compassion-First provides specialty, emergency and general veterinary care supported by seamless multidisciplinary collaboration among its veterinarians. Through its partnership model of delivering care, Compassion-First is committed to redefining how veterinary practices interact and connect with one another. "It has been a pleasure to work with John Payne and the Compassion-First team to create a differentiated platform in veterinary medicine," said Tim Billings, Partner at Quad-C. "We started with a small group of hospitals in the Mid-Atlantic region five years ago and have assembled an amazing group of hospitals across the country. Quad-C is proud to have been partners with all of the exceptional veterinarians and employees who have joined the Compassion-First family and we wish the team continued success." "I would like to thank Quad-C for its outstanding support and guidance during our foundational years at Compassion-First and setting us up for future success," said John Payne, President, CEO and Founder of Compassion-First Pet Hospitals. "As we look to the next chapter in our company's evolution, we can think of no better partner and shareholder than JAB, which brings a very long-term time horizon to its investments. Their support will allow Compassion-First to continue investing in our doctors, our technology and our practice to produce the highest-quality care and supply the tools, training, collaboration and leadership to mae that care accessible in a growing number of communities." "We are pleased to invest behind John and the management team as Compassion-First continues to deliver industry-leading organic growth and execute on its long-term strategy," said David Bell, Partner at JAB. "The dedication to being the best place for veterinarians to work, the absolute commitment to putting patients first and the continual focus on innovation to improve the lives of both pets and their families are values very much in line with the those at JAB, and we look forward to partnering with John and his team to further Compassion-First's success." JAB will be investing equity capital from JAB Consumer Fund, an investment fund backed by a group of like-minded, long-term oriented investors, as well as directly from JAB Holding Company. Jefferies LLC serves as exclusive financial advisor to Compassion-First through its Global Retail Healthcare franchise and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP is acting as legal counsel to Compassion-First. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is acting as legal counsel for JAB. About Compassion-First Pet Hospitals Compassion-First Pet Hospitals is a family of well-known and respected specialty, emergency and general practice veterinary hospitals across the United States. Founded in 2014 by John Payne, Compassion-First Pet Hospitals is comprised of hospitals working together through collaboration to advance veterinary medicine and increase access to multidisciplinary expertise. Compassion-First focuses on placing pet owners and their pets at the center of care. For a list of Compassion-First Pet Hospitals, visit http://www.compassionfirstpets.com. About JAB Holding Company JAB Holding Company and JAB Consumer Fund invest in companies with premium brands, attractive growth and strong cash flow dynamics in the consumer category. Together, JAB Holding Company and JAB Consumer Fund have controlling stakes in Keurig Dr Pepper, a challenger and leader in the North American beverage market, Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE), the largest pure-play FMCG coffee company in the world, Panera Bread, a leading bakery-cafe company, Pret A Manger, a leading company in the ready-to-eat food market, Peet's Coffee & Tea, a premier specialty coffee and tea company, Caribou Coffee Company, a specialty retailer of high-quality premium coffee products, Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc., the leader in the North-American bagel category, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, a global leader in doughnuts and other premium-quality sweet treats, and in Espresso House, the largest branded coffee shop chain in Scandinavia. JAB Holding Company is also the largest shareholder in Coty Inc., a global leader in beauty, and owns a controlling stake in luxury goods company Bally as well as a minority stake in Reckitt Benckiser PLC, a global leader in health, hygiene and home products. For more information, please visit the company's website at: http://www.jabholco.com. About Quad-C Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia, Quad-C is a middle market private equity firm focused on investing in well-established business services, consumer, general industrial, healthcare, specialty distribution and transportation / logistics companies. In its nearly three-decade history, Quad-C has invested over $3 billion of capital in over 65 companies. The Quad-C team is committed to partnering with entrepreneurs and management teams to accelerate growth and create long-term value. www.quadcmanagement.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005452/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Trend Micro launches Mobile IoT Information Security Service with Chunghwa Telecom Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, announced today that it will launch a new mobile IoT information security service with Chunghwa Telecom (News - Alert) to provide Mobile IoT security service. This offering leverages CHT Security's real-time detection, alarms, and platform construction, Trend Micro's Virtual Network Function Suite, telecommunication-level network function virtualization (NFV) solution, and technology support, to detect suspicious connections and hacking attacks on Chunghwa Telecom's mobile network. The collaboration between the three companies will create a complete IoT information protection network to allow customers to take counteractions immediately. Connected devices are rapidly permeating society. Smart devices are becoming a part of people's daily life, both for work and play. According to an international IoT research report, There will be 55 billion IoT devices in use by 2025, up from 9 billion in 2017. As more cameras, home appliance, and sensors are connected to the internet, cyber attacks have grown. Information security is the biggest challenge facing IoT deployment. Securing IoT on the Internet Chunghwa Telecom stated, "It is insufficient to solely rely on enterprises to provide internal IoT information security measures as complex cyber attacks are on the rise. As it is often hard to install and update the protection systems onIoT devices, the defense line must start at the telecommunication data center, in order to effectively and efficiently provide protection." Chin-Fu Hung, general manager at CHT Security, also commented, "Currently, the biggest threats to IoT security are the consequences of information leaks, privacy intrusion, and DDoS attacks. More importantly, if targeted attacks were focused on critical infrastructure systems or automated transportation, human safety would be at risk. In addition to having IoT device manufacturers' safety in mind telecommunication companies must also provide safe IoT network connections. By combining the CHT Security network with Trend Micro's (News - Alert) Virtual Network Solution Suite at ChungHwa Telecom mobile data center, this service can detect hacking activities and malicious connections in real time and notify users to take protective measures and strengthen client information safety." Oscar Chang, executive vice president of research development for Trend Micro, said, "The number of network devices in the modern enterprise are rapidly increasing and diversifying in the IoT era. From smart watches to smart cars, they all rely on the exchange of IoT data, increasing the risk of users being attacked. As a member of CHT Pilot Team of the Taiwan 5G Alliance, Trend Micro expects to play an integral role in the larger IoT security landscape and is excited to collaborate with ChungHwa Telecom to provide the Virtual Network Solution Suite to satisfy NFV's rapid-changing operation needs." For more information on Trend Micro's Virtual Network Function Suite: https://www.trendmicro.com/us/iot-security/Solutions/Virtual-Network-Function-Suite 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 environments, networks, and endpoints. All our products work together to seamlessly share threat intelligence and provide a connected threat defense with centralized visibility and control, enabling better, faster protection. With more than 6,000 employees in over 50 countries and the world's most advanced global threat intelligence, Trend Micro enables organizations to secure their journey to the cloud. For more information, visit www.trendmicro.com. About Chunghwa Telecom Chunghwa Telecom (TAIEX 2412, NYSE: CHT) is Taiwan's largest integrated telecommunications services company that provides fixed-line, mobile, broadband, and internet services. The Company also provides information and communication technology services to corporate customers and is expanding its cloud computing services and IoT smart platform solutions. In recent years, Chunghwa has been actively involved in corporate social responsibility and has won domestic and international awards and recognition. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.cht.com.tw. About CHT Security Founded in 2017, CHT Security is a subsidiary company of Chunghwa Telecom, the largest ISP and one of the largest ICT providers in Taiwan. Based on years of experiences in cyber defense practices, CHT Security is the leading cybersecurity solution provider in Taiwan, specializing in cutting edge managed security services, NDR/EDR services, technical consulting and digital identity technology and has already won several international certifications and prestigious awards worldwide. For more information, please visit www.chtsecurity.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005201/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Major Chinese Global Digital Services Join Yext Knowledge Network in Spring '19 Product Release NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Yext, Inc. (NYSE: YEXT), the leader in Digital Knowledge Management (DKM), announced integrations with some of the largest global digital services used by Chinese travelers around the world, as part of Yext's Spring '19 Product Release. The integrations with Baidu Map (Overseas), Fliggy, CK Map, and PIRT put businesses outside China in control of their brand information in the services that hundreds of millions of Chinese travelers all across the globe use to find places to eat, shop, stay, and more. "The Chinese digital landscape is made up of an entirely different set of services from those in the West. When Chinese travelers who use services like Baidu and Fliggy at home travel overseas, they use these same services to find businesses in the cities they are visiting," said Howard Lerman, Founder and CEO of Yext. "If a business's information isn't in these services, it is invisible to these potential customers. We're integrating with some of the largest Chinese services so businesses using Yext can provide perfect answers to Chinese travelers." Travelers from Mainland China are still subject to the "Great Firewall" when they travel overseas, and so they do not use sites like Google to find places to eat, stay, or shop, overseas. Instead, they use services like Baidu Map (Overseas), Fliggy, CK Map, and PIRT while traveling. A survey by Coresight Research indicates that 72% of Chinese tourists use online resources to plan their trips and 98% rely on their mobile phones while abroad to keep in touch and do research on the go. "Chinese tourists spent a world-leading $261 billion in 2016, and the economic impact of tourism from China is expected to grow in the coming years. Many businesses aren't structuring their information and making it available to the digital srvices this critical customer base is using, and so they are unable to reach these customers," said Marc Ferrentino, Chief Strategy Officer of Yext. "Yext's integrations with leading Chinese services make it possible for businesses in the West to provide verified answers to consumers using these services, increasing visibility and providing a better customer experience." The Spring '19 Release includes the following features: New Integrations with Chinese Apps: The Yext Knowledge Network now includes leading services that Chinese travelers use when they travel around the world. Businesses outside China using Yext can now publish their information to Baidu Map (Overseas), Fliggy, CK Map, and PIRT, so their critical business information will be correct and up to date in these services. Current Yext customers will see these new data partners in their accounts on March 26 . The Yext Knowledge Network now includes leading services that Chinese travelers use when they travel around the world. Businesses outside using Yext can now publish their information to Baidu Map (Overseas), Fliggy, CK Map, and PIRT, so their critical business information will be correct and up to date in these services. Current Yext customers will see these new data partners in their accounts on . Google Q&A: Businesses can now monitor and answer questions that consumers ask about them on Google in Google's Q&A search results, directly in the Yext dashboard. Using Yext, they can also sync pre-answered FAQs to pre-empt common customer questions in order to provide a better customer experience and win more business. Businesses can now monitor and answer questions that consumers ask about them on Google in Google's Q&A search results, directly in the Yext dashboard. Using Yext, they can also sync pre-answered FAQs to pre-empt common customer questions in order to provide a better customer experience and win more business. AI-Ready Pages: Yext's self-serve Pages option is now available for general access. With the Spring '19 Release, Yext has enhanced AI-Ready Pages with new customization options. AI-Ready Pages let businesses create a smart landing page on their website for any entity stored in Yext with just a few clicks to drive consumer discovery and action. For more information on the Spring '19 Product Release, visit the Release Notes . About Yext Yext, Inc. (NYSE: YEXT) is the leading Digital Knowledge Management (DKM) platform. Yext's mission is to give companies control over their brand experiences across the digital universe of maps, apps, search engines, voice assistants, and other intelligent services that drive consumer discovery, decision, and action. Today, thousands of businesses including brands like Taco Bell, Rite Aid, and Steward Health Care use the Yext Knowledge Engine to manage their digital knowledge in order to boost brand engagement, drive foot traffic, and increase sales. Yext has been named a Best Place to Work by Fortune and Great Place to Work as well as a Best Workplace for Women. Yext is headquartered in New York City with offices in Berlin, Chicago, Dallas, Geneva, London, Paris, San Francisco, Shanghai, Tokyo, and the Washington, D.C area. For more information, visit www.yext.com . View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/major-chinese-global-digital-services-join-yext-knowledge-network-in-spring-19-product-release-300800615.html SOURCE Yext, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] ASTRI leads in 5G and Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technologies, joins Mobile World Congress in Barcelona for the 8th Year HONG KONG, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- ASTRI is showcasing a series of its latest 5G communications technologies at the Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2019 from 25-28 February 2019. Collaborating with Anktion (Fujian) Technology Co. Ltd. (previously known as Sunnada Network), Intel Corporation, Quanta Cloud Technology (QCT) Inc, Fu Huake Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. (a subsidiary of Foxconn Industrial Internet Co. Ltd.), Rohde & Schwarz, Keysight Technologies and Spirent Communications, ASTRI is performing joint technology demonstrations/showcases at multiple partners' booths. MWC Barcelona is the largest mobile event in the world, bringing together the latest innovations and leading-edge technology from more than 2,400 leading companies, assembling today's visionaries to explore the hottest topics influencing the industry.The theme of this year's event is 'Intelligent Connectivity' -- the term which uses to describe the powerful combination of flexible, high-speed 5G networks, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and big data. Technologies that ASTRI is showcasing at the MWC Barcelona 2019 include: 1) 5G Micro Cell ASTRI's 5G micro cell provides a low-power and cost-efficient solution using NXP LX2160A ARM processors. The solution includes ASTRI's ARM-based 5G physical layer software. ASTRI also realises CU-DU splitting with data path acceleration on LX2160A to support high throughput non-standalone (NSA) deployment. Two demonstrations are being presented on the show: a) The first demonstration showcases ASTRI's 5G micro cell ARM-based physical layer integrated with Fu Huake's 5G eCPRI Remote Radio Unit (RRU). The solution can also be connected to Anktion's 5G CPRI RRU with PCIe-CPRI conversion card. Keysight DSAV334A Infiniium V-Series Oscilloscope and 89600 VSA software for 5G NR modulation analysis will be used to demodulate and verify the four-layer 256QAM 5G NR standard compliant signal. b) The second demonstration showcases ASTRI's NSA micro cell with CU-DU splitting architecture. ASTRI has integrated NSA Central Unit (CU) on NXP LX2160A with data path acceleration. The CU connects to 4G and 5G Distributed Units (DUs) with up to 2 Gbps eMBB (enhanced Mobile Broadband) throughput for 5G traffic. 2) 5G Cloud Radio Access Network (C-RAN) Base Station ASTRI's 5G C-RAN base station includes the L1 design based on Intel Xeon processor, integrated with Aricent L2/3, Anktion's 5G CPRI RRU with PCIe-CPRI conversion card, and Fu Huake's 5G eCPRI RRU. With 'STRI's leading L1 design such as FPGA based LDPC decoder and up to four layers MIMO, the 5G C-RAN base station supports up to 2 Gbps throughput. The total solution offers a complete flexible and scalable 5G sub-6GHz base station reference design for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and Network Equipment Providers (NEP) for developing commercial-grade products -- enabling them to effectively seize market opportunities. In the demonstration, ASTRI C-RAN base station forms 5G Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) data link with ASTRI UE 5G emulator. Radio units are based on Anktion's 5G CPRI RRU and PCIe-CPRI conversion card solution. The 5G standard compliant signal is verified with an R&S RTO2000 oscilloscope and the R&S VSE-K144 vector signal explorer software for 5G NR measurements. 3) Narrowband Internet-of-Things (NB-IoT) Base Station ASTRI's NB-IoT base station solution is powered by its NB-IoT L1 software. The software is based on cost-efficient and low-power NXP BSC913x System-on-Chip (SoC). The solution has been integrated with Aricent's L2/3 protocol stack and Anktion's Operations Management and Maintenance (OAM) system to provide a complete NB-IoT base station reference design. The on-site demonstration includes the integration of ASTRI's NB-IoT base station with a commercial NB-IoT EPC as well as NB-IoT dongles to support the end-to-end network NB data streaming. This reference design can support China Mobile NB-IoT QSite requirements and is ready for commercialisation. 4) 5G Standalone (SA) Core Network with Service Based Architecture (SBA) 5G Core Network provides the essential flexibility to support different 5G applications and scenarios. ASTRI is performing live demonstration of its 5G Standalone (SA) Core on Intel x86 server. ASTRI's 5G SA core complies with the new network architecture in 3GPP release 15 standards, with new capabilities of Control User Plane Separation (CUPS), Distributed User Plane (UPF), Service-based Architecture (SBA) support and flow-based QoS. ASTRI's 5G SA core can scale up to 200Gbps on a single x86 server. It supports cloud native deployment with containers support, cloud scale load balancing and scaling, log/metrics/alarms management as well as visualisation. 5) Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) Software System with Roadside Video Analytics for Road Safety and Traffic Management C-V2X technology plays a key role in facilitating interactions between vehicles, road users, and roadside infrastructure -- enabling smart mobility applications. ASTRI will demonstrate its C-V2X Software System that leverages capabilities such as rapid object recognition (e.g. pedestrians) and traffic situation detection. Using C-V2X technology, the system can detect imminent danger on roads, and issue real-time alerts like pedestrian crossing to drivers. To minimise the latency, the video analysis algorithm is executed on ASTRI's C-V2X Edge system, and the results are communicated between multiple C-V2X Road Side Units (RSUs) through direct Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communications. This technology enhances road safety and traffic management, and brings significant benefits to road users and ordinary residents. 6) Next-Generation Central Office As an ecosystem partner on the Next-Generation Central Office (NGCO) supported by Intel and QCT. ASTRI incorporated the Next Generation Mobile Core Network into the NGCO architecture. It enables network transformation of traditional central offices at both the core networks and the edge to pave the way for 5G. For more details, please visit the NGCO showcases and refer to the recently published whitepaper: https://goo.gl/3bZzbc . About ASTRI Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited (ASTRI) was set up by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2000 with the mission of enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness in technology-based industries through applied research. ASTRI's core R&D competence in various areas is organised under seven Technology Divisions, namely Mixed Signal Systems IC, Advanced Digital Systems, Electronics Components, Intelligent Sensing Technology System, Intelligent Software and Systems, Security and Data Sciences, and Communications Technologies. Our R&D strategic focus covers five areas of applications: financial technologies, intelligent manufacturing, health technologies, smart city, and Application Specific Integrated Circuits through our mandate as the Hong Kong branch of the Chinese National Engineering Research Centre (CNERC). Visit www.astri.org for more information. Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20190225/2384540-1 SOURCE Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Dussmann Group Focuses on Client Needs With Planon Software BRIGHTON, England, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Planon, the global leader in software solutions for facility management optimisation, announced today that the Dussmann Group has selected a global licence of Planon Universe for Service Providers. This is an important step in achieving the process efficiency and client support goals of the Dussmann Group strategy 2023, Dussmann Next Level. "Our goal is to go to the next level with innovative services for the wide range of challenges that confront our clients. This means creating service packages that are customised and flexible. Ultimately, we seek the best available solution for the client," said Dr. Wolfgang Hafele, Dussmann Group executive board spokesman responsible for facility management operations in the German-speaking regions. Dussmann Group is consistently increasing the deployment of new technologies, investing in the digitalisation of both perational and administrative processes and in new support technologies. In a drive to achieve this goal, Dussmann Group has evaluated the status quo. This includes current use of Planon's IWMS software which is referred to as DIAS ("Dussmann Integrierte Auftrags Steuerung," which translates to Dussmann integrated work order management). "In technical services, we have made a quantum leap with DIAS. It enables us to control servicing and inspection and to provide our clients with meticulous documentation," said Dr. Wolfgang Hafele. For the past three years, Dussmann Group has deployed DIAS in technical services management. Planon then released Planon Universe for Service Providers, an enterprise operations platform designed specifically for facility management service providers, and the Dussmann Group started looking at expanding the use of Planon to encompass more processes and replace redundant systems. The new system will be called DIAS 2.0. "Our priority is to provide transparency and create added value for our clients. Planon's FM-specific platform Planon Universe for Service Providers will play an important role in achieving this goal," said Wolfgang Hafele. About Dussmann With 64,500 employees in 17 countries, the Dussmann Group provides services for people, by people. The largest service division, Dussmann Service, provides technical services, catering, security, reception, cleaning, surgical sterilisation, commercial facility management and energy management from a single source. In 2017, the Dussmann Group generated total sales of 2.22 billion Euros. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dussmann-group-focuses-on-client-needs-with-planon-software-300801083.html SOURCE Planon BV and Dussmann Group [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Phoenix New Media Announces Letter of Intent for Sale of Investment in Yidian BEIJING, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Phoenix New Media Limited ("Phoenix New Media", "ifeng" or the "Company") (NYSE: FENG), a leading new media company in China, today announced that it has entered into a binding letter of intent ("LOI") with a proposed investor (the "Proposed Investor") for the sale of 32% of the total outstanding shares of Particle Inc. ("Particle"). Particle owns Yidian Zixun ("Yidian"), a rapidly-growing personalized news and lifestyle information application in China that allows users to efficiently define and explore individualized content over mobile devices. The Company currently owns approximately 37.63% of the total outstanding shares of Particle on an as-if converted basis and is expected to own approximately 5.63% if the transactions contemplated by the LOI are completed. Under the terms of the LOI, the Company will commit to sell and transfer 32% of the total outstanding shares of Particle to the Proposed Investor and its designated entities (the "Proposed Buyers") for a total consideration of US$448 million in cash, reflecting a preliminary valuation of Particle at US$1.4 billion. The Company, the Proposed Buyers, Particle and other parties as applicable are expected to execute definitive agreements for the proposed transactions (the "Definitive Agreements") on or before March 22, 2019 or other deadline agreed by the Company and the Proposed Buyers. Completion of the proposed transactions will be subject to certain closing conditions (the "Closing Conditions"), such as approvals by the board and shareholders (if applicable) of the Proposed Buyers, Particle, the Company and the Company's parent, Phoenix Media Investment (Holdings) Limited, related approval of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, and the delivery of valuation result of an independent valuation firm. There is no assurance that any Definitive Agreement will ever be entered into or that the proposed transactions will ever be closed. Pursuant to the LOI, the Company has already received a cash deposit of RMB100 million (the "RMB Deposit") from the Proposed Buyers. According to the LOI, the Proposed Buyers shall pay the Company another cash deposit of US$100 million (the "USD Deposit") in two installments with the first installment of not less than US$50 million due on February 28, 2019 and the second installment for the remaining amount due on March 5, 2019. The Company will refund the RMB Deposit to the Proposed Buyers within one business day after the receipt of the first installment of the USD Deposit, but will be entitled to terminate the LOI and keep the RMB Deposit or the first installment of the USD Deposit as applicable if the first or second installment of the USD Deposit is not paid on time. If the Company unilaterally decides to terminate the proposed transactions after receipt of the USD Deposit, the Company will refund the USD Deposit to the Proposed Buyers and pay liquidated damages to the Poposed Buyers. If (i) the Definitive Agreements are not entered into on or before March 22, 2019 or other deadline agreed by the Company and the Proposed Buyers due to reasons not attributable to the Proposed Buyers, or (ii) the proposed transactions fail to close because any of the Closing Conditions is not satisfied before the mutually agreed deadline, the Company will refund the USD Deposit to the Proposed Buyers together with interests. Except as described above, the deposit will not be refundable, and the deposit together with accrued interest will be applied towards the purchase price to be paid by the Proposed Buyers upon closing of the proposed transactions. The Company agrees to delegate all of its rights as a shareholder of Particle (excluding economic interests) to the Proposed Buyers and cause its representatives on Particle's board of directors to delegate all of their rights to the Proposed Buyers after the execution of the Definitive Agreements. Upon the payment of the full purchase price, the Proposed Buyers will be entitled to appoint two directors of Particle to replace the two directors appointed by the Company. "With the Letter of Intent now reached, we are proud to announce that an important milestone has been achieved," said Mr. Shuang Liu, Chief Executive Officer of iFeng. "Yidian has attained tremendous user base and forged remarkably close relationship with leading Chinese handset manufacturers. We are confident that Yidian will generate a handsome return on our investments. We also expect that our remaining interests in Particle will allow us to share in any further growth of Yidian. The significant cash infusion from the proposed transaction will help fuel our own growth engine and expand both our product line and content through strategic investment opportunities." About Phoenix New Media Limited Phoenix New Media Limited (NYSE: FENG) is a leading new media company providing premium content on an integrated platform across Internet, mobile and TV channels in China. Having originated from a leading global Chinese language TV network based in Hong Kong, Phoenix TV, the Company enables consumers to access professional news and other quality information and share user-generated content on the Internet and through their mobile devices. Phoenix New Media's platform includes its ifeng.com channel, consisting of its ifeng.com website and web-based game platform, its video channel, comprised of its dedicated video vertical and mobile video services, and its mobile channel, including its mobile Internet website, mobile applications and mobile value-added services. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Phoenix New Media's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Phoenix New Media may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Forms 20-F and 6-K, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Phoenix New Media's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company's goals and strategies; the Company's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth of the online and mobile advertising, online video and mobile paid service markets in China; the Company's reliance on online advertising and MVAS for the majority of its total revenues; the Company's expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its services; the Company's expectations regarding the retention and strengthening of its relationships with advertisers, partners and customers; fluctuations in the Company's quarterly operating results; the Company's plans to enhance its user experience, infrastructure and service offerings; the Company's reliance on mobile operators in China to provide most of its MVAS; changes by mobile operators in China to their policies for MVAS; competition in its industry in China; and relevant government policies and regulations relating to the Company. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the SEC, including its registration statement on Form F-1, as amended, and its annual report on Form 20-F. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Phoenix New Media does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/phoenix-new-media-announces-letter-of-intent-for-sale-of-investment-in-yidian-300801059.html SOURCE Phoenix New Media Limited [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] MATRIXX Software Continues Growth and Accelerated Customer Adoption MATRIXX Software, an innovation powerhouse committed to transforming global commerce, today announced accelerated growth and continued customer adoption in 2018. The company's annual contract value grew at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 70 percent during the last two years by adding new Telco and IoT customers across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Rim. In 2018, MATRIXX launched the first full stack, digital business support systems (BSS) deployment in the public cloud working with Google (News - Alert) Cloud Platform and a tier one North American operator. To support ongoing customer growth while continuing to grow the footprint of its market leading MATRIXX Digital Commerce Platform, the company expanded its employee base by 50 percent. "This year has been one of tremendous growth for MATRIXX Software driven by Telco investments in new IT infrastructure to support the transformation to lean, digital service providers," said Dave Labuda, founder, CEO and CTO of MATRIXX Software. "By offering a platform that enables digital commerce across all networks, product lines and customer segments, MATRIXX is enabling Telcos to quickly build and launch new, revenue-generating services across consumer, enterprise and IoT." Built entirely from scratch, the multi-patented, award-winning MATRIXX Digital Commerce Platform enables a digital-first reinvention of Telco BSS. It brings together traditionally separate network and IT functions into a single platform including product design and lifecycle management, customer engagement, service delivery and monetization. Built for digital, the MATRIXX Digital Commerce Platform offers operators the agility and seamless scalability required to compete and win now and in the future. MATRIXX Software at MWC19 MATRIXX Software is showcasing its offering at Mobile World Congress Barcelona February 25 - 28, 2018, Hall 2, Stand D22. As part of the activities at MWC19, MATRIXX will host a Digital Leaders Speaker Series. Top Telco industry executives from leading North American and Italian operators will discuss their IT transformation strategies and how their approach provides the agility and seamless scalability needed as mobile operators deploy 5G. 2018 MATRIXX Software Highlights Recent company milestones highlighting MATRIXX's technology innovation, corporate growth and customer momentum include: Silicon Valley based MATRIXX Software is committed to helping Telco's reinvent themselves into leaders of the digital economy. Our multi-patented MATRIXX Digital Commerce Platform was built from scratch to serve as the foundation for next-generation IT architectures capable of powering rapid transformation. Through innovations in engineering, product, sales and deployment, we empower Communications Service Providers with the speed, agility and autonomy they need to give their customers modern, digital experiences. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005054/en/ [February 25, 2019] MOGU Announces Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2019 Unaudited Financial Results MOGU Inc. (NYSE: MOGU) ("MOGU" or the "Company"), a leading online fashion and lifestyle destination in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2019 ended December 31, 2018. Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2019 Highlights Gross Merchandise Value (GMV 1 ) for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018 was RMB16,978 million (US$2,469 million 2 ), an increase of 21.5% year-over-year. for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018 was RMB16,978 million (US$2,469 million ), an increase of 21.5% year-over-year. Total revenues were RMB367.2 million (US$53.4 million), an increase of 20.3% year-over-year. were RMB367.2 million (US$53.4 million), an increase of 20.3% year-over-year. Active buyers 3 in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018 increased to 34.5 million from 33.9 million during the same period last year in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018 increased to 34.5 million from 33.9 million during the same period last year Live Video Broadcast business continued to grow strongly with associated GMV increasing 177.8% year-over-year and average Mobile MAUs who clicked on a live video broadcast in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018 increasing 43.6%. "We recorded healthy growth during the quarter with total GMV increasing 21.5% in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018, driven primarily by strong growth in our live video broadcast business." commented by Mr. Qi Chen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MOGU. "Live video broadcast not only provides users with a more fun, engaging, and interactive fashion discovery experience, but also allows us to gather data on current fashion trends and what users want which allows us to create a more efficient fashion industry value chain. As we continue enriching the fashion content on our platform and serving more users, merchants and influencers, our focus will expand to include optimizing and elevating the supply chain for fashion products. While this will be a difficult challenge, we strongly believe that these efforts will greatly benefit all participants across our ecosystem." Ms. Helen Wu, Chief Financial Officer, commented, "We generated total revenues of RMB367.2 million during the quarter, an increase of 20.3% year-over-year and 57.2% sequentially. Our loss from operations improved to RMB97.7 million (US$14.2 million) during the quarter from RMB202.5 million during the same period last year. Our net loss also improved to RMB42.2 million (US$6.1 million) during the quarter from RMB156.1 million during the same period last year. We will continue to execute our strategy which focuses on growing our live video broadcast and prime services offering businesses for merchants which carry higher commission rates and will further drive revenue growth." Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Results Total revenues increased 20.3% to RMB367.2 million (US$53.4 million) from RMB305.2 million during the same quarter of fiscal year 2018. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in commission revenues and other revenues, which were partially offset by a decrease in revenues from marketing services. Revenues from marketing services decreased by 9.6% to RMB131.4 million (US$19.1 million) from RMB145.4 million in the same period of fiscal year 2018, primarily due to the Company's decision to strategically increase its focus on the live video broadcast businesses as an effective and efficient content format to improve user engagement and experience, which affected the amount of marketing service properties available on MOGU's platform and the number of its marketing services customers. decreased by 9.6% to RMB131.4 million (US$19.1 million) from RMB145.4 million in the same period of fiscal year 2018, primarily due to the Company's decision to strategically increase its focus on the live video broadcast businesses as an effective and efficient content format to improve user engagement and experience, which affected the amount of marketing service properties available on MOGU's platform and the number of its marketing services customers. Commission revenues increased by 34.7% to RMB175.6 million (US$25.5 million) from RMB130.3 million in the same period of fiscal year 2018, primarily attributable to the growth in GMV and a slightly higher average commission rate. increased by 34.7% to RMB175.6 million (US$25.5 million) from RMB130.3 million in the same period of fiscal year 2018, primarily attributable to the growth in GMV and a slightly higher average commission rate. Other revenues increased by 104.6% to RMB60.2 million (US$8.8 million) from RMB29.4 million in the same period of fiscal year 2018, primarily attributable to the growth in online direct sales. Total costs and expenses decreased by 8.4% to RMB464.9 million (US$67.6 million) from RMB507.6 million in the same period of fiscal year 2018, primarily due to decreases in amortization of intangible assets, research and development expenses and sales and marketing expenses, which were partially offset by increased cost of revenues and general and administrative expenses. Cost of revenues increased by 21.1% to RMB100.4 million (US$14.6 million) from RMB82.9 million in the same period of fiscal year 2018, primarily due to costs associated with increased online direct sales as part of the Company's trial launch of its beauty product online direct sales business. Sales and marketing expenses decreased by 8.6% to RMB204.7 million (US$29.8 million) from RMB223.9 million in the same period of fiscal year 2018, primarily due to lower spending on customer incentive programs as the Company further refines its sales and marketing strategies. Research and development expenses decreased by 22.2% to RMB55.3 million (US$8.0 million) from RMB71.0 million in the same period of fiscal year 2018, primarily due to a decrease in payroll costs associated with lower employee headcount as the Company continues to optimize its organizational structure. General and administrative expenses increased by 110.2% to RMB47.9 million (US$7.0 million) from RMB22.8 million in the same period of fiscal year 2018, primarily due to an increase in share-based compensation expenses. Amortization of intangible assets decreased by 39.3% to RMB66.6 million (US$9.7 million) from RMB109.8 million in the same period of fiscal year 2018, primarily due to a decrease in amortization of the intangible assets of an acquired company which was fully amortized in February 2018 and was partially offset by an increase in the amortization of the intangible assets recorded as a result of the new business cooperation agreement MOGU entered into with Tencent in July 2018. Other net income increased by 265.4% to RMB10.0 million (US$1.5 million) from RMB2.7 million in the same period of fiscal year 2018, primarily due to a government grant the Company received during the quarter. Loss from operations was RMB97.7 million (US$14.2 million), compared to loss from operations of RMB202.5 million in the same period of fiscal year 2018. Interest income was RMB7.7 million (US$1.1 million), compared to interest income of RMB8.1 million in the same period of fiscal year 2018. Share of results of equity investee was RMB14.8 million (US$2.2 million) for the period. Net loss was RMB42.2 million (US$6.1 million), compared to RMB156.1 million in the same period of fiscal year 2018. Adjusted EBITDA4 was negative RMB5.3 million (US$0.8 million), compared to negative RMB73.1 million in the same period of fiscal year 2018. Adjusted net profit5 was RMB13.7 million (US$2.0 million), compared to net loss of RMB81.7 million in the same period of fiscal year 2018. Basic and diluted loss per ADS were RMB4.03 (US$0.59) and RMB4.03 (US$0.59), respectively, compared with RMB15.02 and RMB15.02, respectively, in the same period of fiscal year 2018. One ADS represents 25 Class A ordinary shares. Cash and cash equivalents, Restricted cash and Short-term investments were RMB1,614.2 million (US$234.8 million) as of December 31, 2018, compared with RMB1,355.4 million as of March 31, 2018. Conference Call The Company will host a conference call to discuss the earnings at 7:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday, February 25, 2019 (8:30 p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on the same day). Dial-in numbers for the live conference call are as follows: International: +1 647 689 5649 Mainland China, North: +86 108 007 141 191 Mainland China, South: +86 108 001 401 195 United States: +1 877 824 0239 Hong Kong: +852 800 901 563 Passcode: Mogu A telephone replay of the call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call until 11:59 PM ET on March 4, 2019. Dial-in numbers for the replay are as follows: International: +1 416 621 4642 United States: +1 800 585 8367 Passcode: 9478068 A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of MOGU's website at http://ir.mogu-inc.com. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures In evaluating the business, the Company considers and uses nonGAAP measures, such as Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted net profit/(loss), as supplemental measures to review and assess operating performance. The presentation of these nonGAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net loss before interest income, gain on deconsolidation of a subsidiary, income tax benefits, gain from investment disposals,share of results of equity investee, share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets, and depreciation of property and equipment. The Company defines Adjusted net profit/(loss) as net loss excluding gain of deconsolidation of a subsidiary, gain from investment disposals, share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets, and adjustments for tax effects. See "Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and NonGAAP Results" at the end of this press release. The Company presents these nonGAAP financial measures because they are used by management to evaluate operating performance and formulate business plans. The Company believes that the nonGAAP financial measures help identify underlying trends in its business by excluding certain expenses, gain/loss and other items that are not expected to result in future cash payments or that are nonrecurring in nature or may not be indicative of the company's core operating results and business outlook. The Company also believes that the nonGAAP financial measures could provide further information about the Company's results of operations, enhance the overall understanding of the Company's past performance and future prospects. The nonGAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The nonGAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools. The Company's nonGAAP financial measures do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect the Company's operations and do not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures. Further, these nonGAAP measures may differ from the nonGAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited. The Company compensates for these limitations by reconciling the nonGAAP financial measures to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measure, all of which should be considered when evaluating performance. The Company encourages you to review the Company's financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure. For more information on the nonGAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and NonGAAP Results" set forth at the end of this press release. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident," "potential," "continue" or other similar expressions. Among other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as MOGU's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. MOGU may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about MOGU's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: MOGU's growth strategies; its future business development, results of operations and financial condition; its ability to understand buyer needs and provide products and services to attract and retain buyers; its ability to maintain and enhance the recognition and reputation of its brand; its ability to rely on merchants and third-party logistics service providers to provide delivery services to buyers; its ability to maintain and improve quality control policies and measures; its ability to establish and maintain relationships with merchants; trends and competition in China's ecommerce market; changes in its revenues and certain cost or expense items; the expected growth of China's ecommerce market; PRC governmental policies and regulations relating to MOGU's industry, and general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in MOGU's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and MOGU undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. About MOGU Inc. MOGU Inc. (NYSE: MOGU) is a leading online fashion and lifestyle destination in China. MOGU provides young people with a more accessible and enjoyable shopping experience for everyday fashion, particularly as they increasingly live their lives online. Through innovative use of content, MOGU's platform provides a vibrant and dynamic community for people to discover and share the latest fashion trends with others, and offers users a truly comprehensive shopping experience. For more information on MOGU, please visit: http://ir.mogu-inc.com. 1 GMV refers to the total value of orders placed on the MOGU platform regardless of whether the products are sold, delivered or returned, calculated based on the listed prices of the ordered products without taking into consideration any discounts on the listed prices. Buyers on the MOGU platform are not charged for separate shipping fees over the listed price of a product. If merchants include certain shipping fees in the listed price of a product, such shipping fees will be included in GMV. As a prudent matter aimed at eliminating any influence on MOGU's GMV of irregular transactions, the Company excludes from its calculation of GMV transactions over a certain amount (RMB100,000) and transactions by users over a certain amount (RMB1,000,000) per day. 2 The U.S. dollar (US$) amounts disclosed in this press release, except for those transaction amounts that were actually settled in U.S. dollars, are presented solely for the convenience of the readers. The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into US$ in this press release is based on the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as of December 31, 2018, which was RMB6.8755 to US$1.00. The percentages stated in this press release are calculated based on the RMB amounts. 3 "Active buyers" refers to registered user accounts that placed one or more orders on MOGU's platform in a given period, regardless of whether the products are sold, delivered or returned. If a buyer registered two or more user accounts on MOGU's platform and placed orders on its platform through each of those registered user accounts, the number of active buyers would, under this methodology, be counted as the number of registered user accounts that such buyer used to place the orders. 4 Adjusted EBITDA represents net loss before (i) interest income, gain on deconsolidation of a subsidiary, income tax benefits, gain from investment disposals and share of results of equity investee, and (ii) certain non-cash expenses, consisting of share-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets and depreciation of property and equipment. See "Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and NonGAAP Results" at the end of this press release. 5 Adjusted net profit/(loss) represents net loss excluding (i) gain of deconsolidation of a subsidiary, (ii) gain from investment disposals, (iii) share-based compensation expenses, (iv) amortization of intangible assets, (v) adjustments for tax effects. See "Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and NonGAAP Results" at the end of this press release. MOGU INC. Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data) As of March 31, As of December 31, 2018 2018 RMB RMB US$ ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents 1,224,393 1,266,172 184,157 Restricted cash 1,004 1,005 146 Short-term investments 130,000 347,000 50,469 Inventories, net 110 4,663 678 Loan receivables, net 104,247 131,346 19,103 Prepayments and other current assets 188,862 163,341 23,757 Amounts due from related parties 7,179 862 125 Total current assets 1,655,795 1,914,389 278,435 Non-current assets: Property, equipment and software, net 16,511 11,176 1,625 Intangible assets, net 116,770 1,038,642 151,064 Goodwill 1,568,653 1,568,653 228,151 Investments 201,037 220,204 32,027 Other non-current assets 18,755 9,265 1,348 Total non-current assets 1,921,726 2,847,940 414,215 Total assets 3,577,521 4,762,329 692,650 LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY AND SHAREHOLDERS' (DEFICIT)/EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable 12,270 16,509 2,401 Salaries and welfare payable 20,654 50,760 7,383 Advances from customers 37 1,385 201 Taxes payable 8,523 6,527 949 Amounts due to related parties 20,103 6,213 904 Accruals and other current liabilities 608,486 509,291 74,073 Total current liabilities 670,073 590,685 85,911 Non-current liabilities: Deferred tax liabilities 25,233 8,302 1,207 Total non-current liabilities 25,233 8,302 1,207 Total liabilities 695,306 598,987 87,118 Total mezzanine equity 7,384,872 - - Shareholders' (deficit)/equity Ordinary shares 31 177 25 Statutory reserves 1,979 2,475 360 Additional paid-in capital - 9,360,233 1,361,389 Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income (3,650) 85,186 12,390 Accumulated deficit (4,501,017) (5,284,729) (768,632) Total MOGU Inc. shareholders' (deficit)/equity (4,502,657) 4,163,342 605,532 Total shareholders' (deficit)/equity (4,502,657) 4,163,342 605,532 Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders' (deficit)/equity 3,577,521 4,762,329 692,650 MOGU INC. Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data) For the three months ended For the nine months ended December 31, December 31, 2017 2018 2017 2018 RMB RMB US$ RMB RMB US$ Net revenues Marketing services revenues 145,380 131,396 19,111 400,253 324,449 47,189 Commission revenues 130,336 175,577 25,537 331,485 391,230 56,902 Other revenues 29,441 60,231 8,760 53,802 141,006 20,508 Total revenues 305,157 367,204 53,408 785,540 856,685 124,599 Cost of revenues (exclusive of amortization of intangible assets shown separately below) (82,919) (100,419) (14,605) (241,739) (252,734) (36,759) Sales and marketing expenses (223,886) (204,721) (29,775) (628,727) (565,529) (82,253) Research and development expenses (71,017) (55,252) (8,036) (219,778) (179,236) (26,069) General and administrative expenses (22,779) (47,886) (6,965) (77,795) (121,574) (17,682) Amortization of intangible assets (109,755) (66,633) (9,691) (329,241) (149,862) (21,797) Other income, net 2,735 9,993 1,453 10,367 6,141 893 Loss from operations (202,464) (97,714) (14,211) (701,373) (406,109) (59,068) Interest income 8,130 7,724 1,123 27,132 24,422 3,552 Gain of deconsolidation of a subsidiary 13,592 - - 13,592 - - Gain from investment disposals - 31,236 4,543 - 31,236 4,543 Loss before income tax and share of results of equity investees (180,742) (58,754) (8,545) (660,649) (350,451) (50,973) Income tax benefits 24,651 1,778 259 76,670 12,355 1,797 Share of results of equity investee - 14,816 2,155 - (7,394) (1,075) Net loss (156,091) (42,160) (6,131) (583,979) (345,490) (50,251) MOGU INC. Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data) For the three months ended For the nine months ended December 31, December 31, 2017 2018 2017 2018 RMB RMB US$ RMB RMB US$ Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests 111 - - 116 - - Net loss attributable to MOGU Inc. (156,202) (42,160) (6,131) (584,095) (345,490) (50,251) Accretion on convertible redeemable preferred shares to redemption value (174,756) (139,262) (20,255) (507,646) (509,903) (74,162) Deemed dividend to holders of mezzanine equity - - - - (89,076) (12,956) Net loss attributable to MOGU Inc's ordinary shareholders (330,958) (181,422) (26,386) (1,091,741) (944,469) (137,369) Net loss (156,091) (42,160) (6,131) (583,979) (345,490) (50,251) Other comprehensive income/(loss): Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of nil tax (13,727) 3,340 486 (48,634) 82,497 11,999 Share of other comprehensive income/(loss) of equity method investee - 34 5 - (110) (16) Unrealized securities holding gains, net of tax 472 3,197 465 3,953 6,449 938 Total comprehensive loss (169,346) (35,589) (5,175) (628,660) (256,654) (37,330) Total comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests 111 - - 116 - - Total comprehensive loss attributable to MOGU Inc. (169,457) (35,589) (5,175) (628,776) (256,654) (37,330) Net loss attributable to MOGU Inc's ordinary shareholders (330,958) (181,422) (26,386) (1,091,741) (944,469) (137,369) MOGU INC. Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data) For the three months ended For the nine months ended December 31, December 31, 2017 2018 2017 2018 RMB RMB US$ RMB RMB US$ Net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders Basic (0.60) (0.16) (0.02) (1.98) (1.21) (0.18) Diluted (0.60) (0.16) (0.02) (1.98) (1.21) (0.18) Net loss per ADS Basic (15.02) (4.03) (0.59) (49.55) (30.25) (4.40) Diluted (15.02) (4.03) (0.59) (49.55) (30.25) (4.40) Weighted average number of shares used in computing net loss per share Basic 550,825,006 1,126,645,958 1,126,645,958 550,797,978 780,640,722 780,640,722 Diluted 550,825,006 1,126,645,958 1,126,645,958 550,797,978 780,640,722 780,640,722 Share-based compensation expenses included in: Cost of revenues 1,179 3,568 519 3,483 10,465 1,522 General and administrative expenses 1,085 12,894 1,875 2,951 39,405 5,731 Sales and marketing expenses 533 2,074 302 1,937 6,209 903 Research and development expenses 1,653 4,647 676 4,617 13,107 1,907 4,450 23,183 3,372 12,988 69,186 10,063 MOGU INC. Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data) Three months ended December 31, Nine months ended December 31, 2017 2018 2017 2018 RMB RMB US$ RMB RMB US$ Net cash (used in) / provided by operating activities (125,028) 29,128 4,236 (177,833) (235,270) (34,219) Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities 226,401 (78,646) (11,439) 258,514 (223,379) (32,489) Net cash provided by financing activities 2,344 425,791 61,930 6,169 437,955 63,698 Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash (13,392) (1,566) (228) (48,299) 62,474 9,086 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 90,325 374,707 54,499 38,551 41,780 6,076 Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 1,219,721 892,470 129,804 1,271,495 1,225,397 178,227 Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period 1,310,046 1,267,177 184,303 1,310,046 1,267,177 184,303 MOGU INC. Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results (All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data) For the three months ended December 31, For the nine months ended December 31, 2017 2018 2017 2018 RMB RMB US$ RMB RMB US$ Net loss (156,091) (42,160) (6,131) (583,979) (345,490) (50,251) Less: Share of result of equity investees - (14,816) (2,155) - 7,394 1,075 Less: Income tax benefits (24,651) (1,778) (259) (76,670) (12,355) (1,797) Less: Gain from investment disposals - (31,236) (4,543) - (31,236) (4,543) Less: Gain of deconsolidation of a subsidiary (13,592) - - (13,592) - - Less: Interest income (8,130) (7,724) (1,123) (27,132) (24,422) (3,552) Loss from operations (202,464) (97,714) (14,211) (701,373) (406,109) (59,068) Add: Share-based compensation expenses 4,450 23,183 3,372 12,988 69,186 10,063 Add: Amortization of intangible assets 109,755 66,633 9,691 329,241 149,862 21,797 Add: Depreciation of property and equipment 15,152 2,625 382 49,259 9,780 1,422 Adjusted EBITDA (73,107) (5,273) (766) (309,885) (177,281) (25,786) Net Loss (156,091) (42,160) (6,131) (583,979) (345,490) (50,251) Less: Gain from investment disposals - (31,236) (4,543) - (31,236) (4,543) Less: Gain of deconsolidation of a subsidiary (13,592) - - (13,592) - - Add: Share based compensation 4,450 23,183 3,372 12,988 69,186 10,063 Add: Amortization of intangible assets 109,755 66,633 9,691 329,241 149,862 21,797 Less: Adjusted for tax effects (26,232) (2,688) (391) (78,696) (14,322) (2,083) Adjusted net (loss)/profit (81,710) 13,732 1,998 (334,038) (172,000) (25,017) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005352/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] ACWA POWER with Huawei Smart PV Solution Pushes Forward Energy Transformation in Saudi Arabia BEIJING, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, the executives of ACWA POWER, Saudi Arabia's leading developer and operator of power and desalination water plant, visited China with HRH Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, and signed a global cooperation memorandum with Huawei in Sino-Saudi Investment Forum in Beijing on February 22. The two sides will work together to develop global PV market and apply the cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing to PV plant projects to promote industry progress with technological innovation. Executives including Mohammd Abunayyan, Chairman of ACWA POWER, Paddy Padmanathan, President and CEO of ACWA POWER, Rajit Nanda CIO of ACWA POWER, Dennis Zhang, CEO of Huawei Saudi Company, and Steven Ma, General Manager of Huawei Smart PV Solution MA, attended the signing ceremony. In fact, ACWA POWER has cooperated with Huawei several times in 2018. On January 17, 2018, ACWA POWER, NOMAC, and Huawei signed a comprehensive procurement agreement on the smart PV management system in the World Future Energy Summit. On December 26, 2018, ACWA POWER and Huawei signed the inverter procurement agreement for the Sakaka 300 MW project in Saudi Arabia, to which the Huawei FusionSolar 1500 V Smart PV Solution is fully applied. Singing the memorandum is the further cooperation between the two sides after jointly developing the Sakaka 300 MW project, the first large ground PV plant in Saudi Arabia. It is conducive to Saudi Arabia's energy development in compliance with the energy strategic transformation requirements of the country as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 strategy. Khalid Bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Falih, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources in Saudi Arabia, said in an interview with the media that energy cooperation has played an important role in Sino-Saudi Arabia relations and that further cooperation between the two countries in the energy field is in the strategic interest of both sides. In the future, Huawei will cooperate with ACWA POWER in the forward-looking technology fields. Through advanced technologies such as smart I-V curve diagnosis, AI algorithm, and big data with AI, Huawei and ACWA POWER will build a simplified PV system, greatly improve the energy yield and O&M efficiency of PV plants, and accelerate the intelligent upgrade of PV energy in the Middle East. SOURCE Huawei [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Turkcell CEO Named as Winner of 2019 GSMA Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Mobile Industry At MWC19 today, the GSMA announced that Kaan Terzioglu, CEO of Turkcell (News - Alert) , was selected as the winner of the GSMA's 'Outstanding Contribution to the Mobile Industry Award' for 2019. This prestigious award recognises individuals, companies and organisations that have contributed in significant ways to the development of the mobile industry and the advancement of mobile communications. The award was presented to Kaan at a special ceremony held last evening. "Turkcell's growth and digital transformation in the last two years, and their recent financial results, are a testament to Kaan Terzioglu's foresight, skill and knowledge," said Stephane Richard, GSMA (News - Alert) Chairman, and Chairman and CEO of Orange Group. "Additionally Kaan has been a champion for refugees and displaced people, driving the message that technology is not a luxury but a 'must-have.' I am personally very pleased to recognise this tremendous work by Kaan Terzioglu - an astute and inspirational businessman, who has never been one to shy away from promoting the social responsibility of all businesses and who has ensured Turkcell leads by example." Kaan Terzioglu is CEO of Turkcell, a company offering digital services and connectivity on mobile and fixed networks. He been CEO since April 2015 and has transformed Turkcell into a data driven company with a range of digital service brands across music, instant messaging, cloud, security and TV. Also under Kaan's leadership, Turkcell is providing connectivity in humanitarian emergencies and disaster areas including services for over 1.4 million Syrian refugees living in Turkey. Member of the GSMA Board and also serving on the GSMA Mobile for Development Foundation Board, Kaan is a vocal advocate of using the power of communication to beneit disadvantaged groups, including refugees and individuals with disabilities. The company's Hello Hope app for Syrian refugees and My Dream Companion app for visually impaired individuals have received international recognition for their empowerment. The 2019 Global Mobile (GLOMO) Awards are being presented throughout the week of MWC19. For full information on the GLOMO Awards, visit: https://www.mwcbarcelona.com/conference-programmes/global-mobile-awards/. Get Involved at MWC19 For more information on MWC19 Barcelona, including how to attend, exhibit or sponsor, visit www.mwcbarcelona.com. Follow @GSMAEvents on Twitter (News - Alert) for event developments & updates and use #MWC19 to be part of the conversation. You can also find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mwcbarcelona/ or on Facebook (News - Alert) at www.facebook.com/mobileworldcongress/. Follow @GSMA on Twitter for other GSMA news and activity. -ENDS- About the GSMA The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators and nearly 400 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/20190224005136/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Settlement of the Dispute between the Republic of Guinea and BSG Resources The Republic of Guinea and Nysco, the 100% shareholder of BSG Resources ("BSGR") (together "the parties"), jointly announce the settlement of their dispute over mining concessions and licenses in the Republic of Guinea ("Guinea"). Following this agreement, BSGR relinquishes its claims on blocks 1 and 2 of SIMANDOU and both parties waive all outstanding procedures. At the request of the Repblic of Guinea, a new group of investors (presented by and including Mr. Beny Steinmetz) will exploit the ZOGOTA deposit, in order to export iron ore, according to an accelerated timetable. The parties are delighted that this agreement opens a new chapter in their relationship that enables the development of a world-class mining project for the benefit of the people of Guinea. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190224005124/en/ [February 25, 2019] New GSMA Study: 5G to Account for 15% of Global Mobile Industry by 2025 as 5G Network Launches Accelerate 5G is on track to account for 15 per cent of global mobile connections by 2025, as the number of 5G network launches and compatible devices ramps up this year, according to a new GSMA (News - Alert) report. The 2019 global edition of the GSMA's flagship Mobile Economy report series - published today at MWC Barcelona 2019 - reveals that a further 16 major markets worldwide will switch on commercial 5G networks this year, following on from the first 5G launches in South Korea and the US in 2018. It is calculated that mobile operators worldwide are currently investing around $160 billion per year (capex) on expanding and upgrading their networks, despite regulatory and competitive pressures. "The arrival of 5G forms a major part of the world's move towards an era of Intelligent Connectivity, which alongside developments in the Internet of Things, big data and artificial intelligence, is poised to be a key driver of economic growth over the coming years," said Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA. "While 5G will transform businesses and provide an array of exciting new services, mobile technology is also helping to close the connectivity gap. We will connect more than a billion new people to the mobile internet over the next few years, spurring adoption of mobile-based tools and solutions in areas such as agriculture, education and healthcare, which will improve livelihoods of people around the world." The new report reveals that: The number of 5G connections will reach 1.4 billion by 2025 - 15 per cent of the global total 1 . By this point, 5G is forecast to account for around 30 per cent of connections in markets such as China and Europe, and around half of the total in the US; . By this point, 5G is forecast to account for around 30 per cent of connections in markets such as China and Europe, and around half of the total in the US; 4G will continue to see strong growth over this period, accounting for almost 60 per cent of global connections by 2025 - up from 43 per cent last year; The number of global IoT connections will triple to 25 billion by 2025, while global IoT revenue will quadruple to $1.1 trillion; One billion new unique mobile subscribers 2 have been added in the four years since 2013, bringing the total to 5.1 billion by the end of 2018, representing about two thirds of the global population; have been added in the four years since 2013, bringing the total to 5.1 billion by the end of 2018, representing about two thirds of the global population; More than 700 million new subscribers are forecast to be added over the next seven years, about a quarter of these coming from India alone; An additional 1.4 billion people will start using the mobile internet over the next seven years, bringing the total number of mobile internet subscribers globally to 5 billion by 2025 (more than 60 per cent of the population). 5G to Add $2.2 trillion to Global Economy Over Next 15 Years According to today's report, mobile technologies and services generated 4.6 per cent of GDP globally last year, a contribution that amounted to $3.9 trillion of economic value added3. This contribution is forecast to grow to $4.8 trillion (4.8 per cent of GDP) by 2023 as countries around the globe increasingly benefit from the improvements in productivity and efficiency brought about by increased take-up of mobile services. The mobile ecosystem also supported almost 32 million jobs in 2018 (directly and indirectly) and made a substantial contribution to the funding of the public sector, with more than $500 billion raised through general taxation. Looking further ahead, it is forecast that 5G will contribute $2.2 trillion to the global economy over the next 15 years, with key sectors such as manufacturing, utilities, and professional and financial services benefitting the most from the new technology. The new report 'The Mobile Economy 2019' is authored by GSMA Intelligence, the research arm of the GSMA. To access the full report and related infographics, please visit: www.gsma.com/mobileeconomy/. About the GSMA The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators and nearly 400 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 (News - Alert) : @GSMA. 1 It is forecast that there will be 9.2 billion SIM connections by 2025, excluding cellular IoT. 2 A unique mobile subscriber represents an individual that can account for multiple SIM connections 3 GDP contribution comprises mobile operators (0.8% of GDP); related industries (0.5%); indirect contribution (0.6%); and productivity improvements (2.7%). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190224005056/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] P2i Launches Legal Action Against Shenzhen-based Favored Technology ABINGDON, England, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- P2i, the global leader in liquid repellent nano technology, is launching legal action against a Chinese firm to protect its intellectual property. P2i believes that Jiangsu Favored Nanotechnology Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Branch (Favored Shenzhen) has infringed on patents it holds for the production of its nano coating technology, used by the world's leading mobile phone manufacturers to make their devices water-resistant. P2i is demanding that Favored Shenzhen ceases operation of the processes and applications of specific nano coating technology, which P2i believes to be infringing P2i's granted patents in China. P2i is a UK-based, innovation-led company which serves the global electronics market. It has offices across Asia and its technology is deployed in excess of 70 factories across five continents around the world. Significant investment in R&D over the years has enabled it to develop a patented pulsed plasma process - delivering hydrophobic nano coatings to provide the highest and most reliable levels of liquid repellency throughout a device. It is a fast-growing market - in the last three years, almost one in ten users has sustained liquid damage requiring repair or early replacemet of their phones. Since 2011, P2i has cemented its credentials in the industry by coating hundreds of millions of electronic devices for some of the world's biggest smartphone and electronics manufacturers. However, it recently discovered that Favored Shenzhen is using nano coating technology and processes similar to P2i's patented technology and processes without its authorisation. The Favored Shenzhen technology is being used in handsets currently available in the Chinese market. "As the owner of over 160 patents, patent applications and utility model applications worldwide, P2i has invested heavily in R&D over the years to become a global leader in liquid repellent nano coating technology. As commencement of these legal proceedings shows, we're serious about protecting this intellectual property," said Stephen Coulson, P2i's chief science officer and founder. "We believe P2i has an extremely strong case and look forward to the court's verdict. We'd also like to remind any manufacturers currently using the Favored Shenzhen technology that if P2i is successful, they may also be compelled to stop any further use and face a permanent ban on its further use, at significant cost and disruption." Under Chinese law, P2i is entitled to claim for damages from businesses that have been complicit in patent infringement. P2i is pursuing this case in the jurisdiction in which the infringement was discovered, China's Guangdong Province. "We will aggressively pursue legal action against the theft of our intellectual property or infringement of our patents in any jurisdictions we find them," added Dr Coulson. About P2i P2i is the global leader in liquid repellent nanotechnology. Founded in 2004, P2i works with OEMs to enhance devices to make them liquid resistant and give waterproof protection, improving their reliability and enabling them to survive liquid exposure from everyday accidents. P2i brings reliability to market, by pushing the boundaries of science and engineering to deliver world leading protective nano-coating technologies. For more information, please visit http://www.p2i.com or @P2iLabs. SOURCE P2i [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] . , - ... [February 25, 2019] New Technologies Driving New Conversations on Payments and Demands for Access Want to grab that purchase and go? You're not alone. Today more than ever, people are living an increasingly digital - and mobile - life and they expect their ability to pay for their needs and wants to match that same "always on" mindset, according to social media conversations identified in the 2019 edition of the Mastercard Digital Payments Study. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190224005033/en/ According to social media conversations, more people than ever expect that "always on" digital mindset to reflect in the ways they pay. Mobile payments represented more the 27 percent of the total social media conversation around payments, with total mentions increasing 20 percent over the prior year. Mentions of mobile wallets specifically more than doubled since 2017. Now in its sixth year, the study, developed in partnership with PRIME Research, analyzed more than 3.3 million conversations from the past year across several social media channels, including Twitter (News - Alert) , Facebook, Instagram and Weibo. "On-demand isn't just an expectation for cable and content provider; it's a reality for how people say they want to shop and pay every day," said Rose Beaumont, senior vice president of European communications and sales enablement at Mastercard. "In this year's study, we see just how much these fast, convenient and secure ways to pay are being embraced across all markets. And, it points to the continued interest and demand for years to come." Interest in New Technologies People are looking to newer technologies to have an impact on their lives. In the past year alone, such mentions on social media increased 30 percent since the last study. Today, nearly 20 percent of all mobile commerce payments are focused on contactless payments and mobile wallets. Beyond these primary focus areas, consumers are interested in how artificial intelligence, QR payments and wearable payments will impact their lives. Overall, people are increasingly positive toward these newer technologies. Virtually all (95 percent) mobile wallet conversations were favorable, with 30 percent of posts paising the speed, efficiency and simplicity of the current products. The adoption of mobile payments is seen in markets across Asia and Africa. India was the most dominant market - 30 percent - in discussing the use and potential of mobile wallets, particularly around public transit and the use of QR-based payments, led by specific references to MasterpassQR and PaytmQR in India. The U.S. was a distant second in consumer's discussions on mobile wallets (10 percent). Primed for Action with Peace of Mind Among the conversations analyzed, consumers clearly continued to be focused on the security of their money and their data as a foundational requirement. In their posts, people recognize the value of new technologies on delivering this peace of mind across mobile payments. Looking at the newer technologies: Biometrics reached a potential 111 million, driven primarily by an interest in voice payments and fingerprint scanners Tokenization - and its critical role in supporting and protecting payments of all type - was featured in conversations reaching a potential audience of 11 million viewers While breaking news around data breaches drove one-fifth of data-related conversations, another 13 percent of these conversations noted the potential of digital security technologies, including blockchain, tokenization and biometrics. About Mastercard at MWC: Mastercard will have a stand, located at Hall5 Stand5 D61, at MWC Barcelona with a number of key execs available for media interviews - for more information please visit our Digital Press Kit or look at @MastercardNews throughout 25th - 28th February 2019. About the Study Mastercard, in partnership with PRIME Research, conducted its sixth Digital Payments Study, designed to identify expanding conversations on new ways to pay. More than 3.3 million public social media posts were analyzed over a 12-month period (Jan 1st, 2018 - Dec 31st, 2018). These posts were made on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Forums, Google+, YouTube (News - Alert) , Vkontakte and Weibo in nearly 190 markets across the globe. The resulting report reflects insights into new mobile payments product and category trends across regions and countries. About Mastercard Mastercard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. Our global payments processing network connects consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. Mastercard products and solutions make everyday commerce activities - such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances - easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MastercardNews, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190224005033/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Wirecard Brings Apple Pay to Twisto Customers in the Czech Republic ASCHHEIM, Germany, Feb. 25, 2019 /CNW/ -- Wirecard, the global innovation leader for digital financial technology, now offers customers of Twisto, a leading Czech mobile payment provider, Apple Pay as a means of payment. Users simply add their digital Twisto Mastercard to Apple Pay to enjoy paying in a more convenient way. The Czech Republic is the latest country where Wirecard has integrated Apple's payment service immediately upon the regional launch, thus further driving the digitization of payments in Europe. Twisto is a payment service with an easy-to-use app for uncomplicated, instant purchases and the settlement of invoices via a mobile photo scan. Since 2017, Wirecard and Mastercard have been enabling Twisto customers to pay using credit cards and wearables. Thanks to the additional integration of Apple Pay, users can now pay even more conveniently with Twisto when shopping online, in apps, on websites and at the POS. Twisto has established itself as one of the leading mobile-first solutions for day-to-day payment amongst early adopters and tech-savvy consumers in the Czech Republic as well as Poland, with customer satisfaction ratings of nearly 98 percent. Together with Wirecard, the provider is planning to expand into other European countries in the future, reaching millions of consumers. With the help of Apple Pay, Twisto customers can pay for physical goods and digital services via Touch ID or Face ID. Security and data protection have top priority. Thanks to a unique device account number, the data is neither stored on the device nor on Apple servers. Julian Weste, Vice President Sales Financial Institutions and FinTech Europe at Wirecard, explains, "The Czech Republic/span> is another market in which we can offer a combination of a mobile payment app with the convenience of Apple Pay. Our goal is to continue the digitization of payment processes in Europe. Together with Twisto, we see great potential for opening up further markets in Europe." "With the help of Wirecard, we can offer our customers an additional, very convenient method of payment and thus further extend our leading position. We are proud to be the only Czech Apple Pay payment provider which is not connected to a specific bank. This makes us very competitive nationally and internationally and enables us to offer consumers a unique shopping and payment experience, regardless of who they bank with," says Michal Smida, CEO at Twisto. Further information can be found at: https://www.twisto.cz 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 www.wirecard.com, follow us on Twitter @wirecard and on Facebook @wirecardgroup. About Twisto: Twisto is a money app simplifying daily payments for consumers. The money app is an omnichannel solution enabling customers to pay online with just one click, settle bills and invoices with a photo or an email and is linked to Mastercard & NFC bracelet enabling payments anywhere. All payments are settled by the customer at the end-of-month based on a monthly invoice or simply deferred by several months. On top, the money app offers the best exchange rate, instant payment notifications, comprehensive travel insurance products and a great UX for daily payments. Wirecard media contact: Wirecard AG Jana Tilz Tel.: +49 (0) 89 4424 1363 Email: jana.tilz@wirecard.com Twisto media contact: Twisto Jan Hustak Tel.: +42 (0) 604 346 032 Email: jan.hustak@twisto.cz View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wirecard-brings-apple-pay-to-twisto-customers-in-the-czech-republic-300800896.html SOURCE Wirecard AG [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 24, 2019] Speedcast and Intellian Announce Strategic Alliance Speedcast to Offer Intellian's v240MT Antennas to Cruise and Energy Customers SYDNEY, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Speedcast International Limited (ASX: SDA), the world's most trusted provider of remote communication and IT solutions, today announced that the company will begin to offer Intellian's v240MT antenna to its Cruise and Energy customers. The v240MT is Intellian's next generation, tri-band and multi-orbit 2.4 meter antenna for use on Ku, Ka and C-band satellites. The antenna will provide Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) broadband access to virtually any satellite constellation within seconds. These frequency-agile and orbit-agnostic capabilities are designed to future-proof the technology for customers seeking the fastest and most reliable broadband connectivity at sea. Innovative antenna technologies are in high demand in the Cruise and Energy sectors to support data-rich applications. The Intellian v240MT is specifically designed to deliver data rates exceeding 1Gbps, and will provide customers with seamless, high-speed connectivity, essentially giving guests and crew the same connectivity speeds they enjoy at home, while enabling the operator to remotely switch frequency bands or orbits to maximize the operational performance. "This alliance with Intellian is another solid step in building on our foundation as the leading remote communications service provider," said Speedcast CEO Pierre-Jean Beylier. "Innovation is critical to our success and adding the v240MT antenna to our portfolio enhances our ability to deliver dependable, high-speed and seamless network services in the bandwidth-hungry Cruise market and in the Energy market where we see early signs of recovery." "With the large nticipated growth of connectivity demand in Cruise and Energy markets, we see a great opportunity with Speedcast to expand our footprint," Intellian CEO Eric Sung commented. "Speedcast has spent 20 years building a reputation as the largest remote communications service provider and the leader in the Cruise and Energy segments. We expect this alliance will accelerate our penetration into these markets and create significant expansion opportunities for Intellian." 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 80+ 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 2,500 customers in over 140 countries in sectors such as Maritime, Energy, Mining, Enterprise, Media, Cruise, NGOs and Government. Learn more at www.speedcast.com. About Intellian Technologies, Inc. Intellian is the global leader in satellite communication systems for commercial shipping, oil and gas, yachting, high-end fishing and military sectors. Founded in 2004, Intellian is leading the way in driving innovation in the satellite communication market. Intellian's 12 offices and 5 logistic centers in Asia, the Americas and Europe, alongside more than 550 partners backed up by a 24/7 global support desk, are able to deliver its value-added services to customers anywhere, at any time, for any issue. Intellian Technologies Inc. is listed on the Korean Stock Exchange, KOSDAQ (189300:KS). Learn more at www.intelliantech.com Contact Information: Toni Lee Rudnicki Vice President, Global Marketing Speedcast International Ltd ToniLee.Rudnicki@Speedcast.com T +1-832-668-2634 Paul Comyns VP of Marketing Intellian Technologies USA Paul.Comyns@intelliantech.com T + 1 949 727 4498 ext. 1301 Sadie Brown Public Relations EMEA Intellian Ltd. Sadie.Brown@intelliantech.com T +44 2380 019 021 ext. 1612 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. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/610079/Speedcast_International_Ltd_Logo.jpg [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] The Votes Are In: 49th Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest Awards 'A Taste Of Dublin' As Its Grand-Prize Winner MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- After reviewing thousands of tasty recipe entries, the representatives at Pillsbury recognized four category winners in the 49th Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest and awarded the Grand Prize to Melissa Jollands of Hudsonville, Michigan for her delicious, pub-style Dublin Cheeseboard-Stuffed Appetizer Bread recipe and the cherished memories that inspired it. Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8476051-49th-pillsbury-bake-off-contest-grand-prize-winner-announced/ As a first-time Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest finalist, winner of the Appetizers for Any Party category, Melissa Jollands found inspiration for her Grand Prize recipe on a special trip to Ireland with her husband. The high-school sweethearts, were in Dublin celebrating two happy milestones: their 25th anniversary and first-ever vacation together. There she fell in love with Dublin's large spread of flavorful cheese and meat boards, served alongside the contrasting flavors and textures of dried fruit and warm bread. "I am so excited and incredibly grateful to be named the Grand-Prize winner of the 49th Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest. I've always enjoyed creating family memories through food," said Jollands. "I saw Pillsbury's refrigerated French bread on the list of eligible Bake-Off products and began to think about baking the creamy honey goat cheese, Irish white cheddar and flavorful salami inside and how it would be the perfect opportunity to introduce the flavorful cheeseboard cuisine into my own family recipe, while revisiting those exceptional flavors and memories from Dublin." As part of Pillsbury's partnership ith Food Network, Melissa learned that she was the Grand-Prize winner on its hit show, The Kitchen. The episode aired on February 23 and includes Melissa's winner announcement complete with confetti cannons and the presentation of her Grand Prize. She will also receive $50,000 in cash, a suite of GE Appliances and will be featured in an upcoming issue of Food Network Magazine. Created as a way to celebrate home cooks across America, the beloved Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest asks contestants nationwide to submit an original recipe using specific Pillsbury refrigerated dough products, along with the story or inspiration behind the recipe. In January, Pillsbury narrowed down the entries to four category winners. Each winner received a trip to New York City to appear on The Kitchen, in addition to being included in Food Network Magazine, a suite of GE Appliances and $5,000 in cash. This year's category winners are: Cozy Weekend Breakfasts Category: Lauren Katz from Ashburn, Va. for her Cherry-Cream Cheese Crumb Cake Bombs from for her Cherry-Cream Cheese Crumb Cake Bombs Winning Weeknight Dinners Category: Andrea Espinoza from Stockton, Calif. for her Poblano Shrimp Flatbread from for her Poblano Shrimp Flatbread Sweet + Simple Desserts Category: Joanna Crumley from Hubbard, Ore. for her REESE's Piece 'O' Bliss Fudge In addition, Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest sponsor and special award presenter Meijer announced Jollands and her creamy Dublin Cheeseboard-Stuffed Appetizer Bread recipe as its Meijer Award Winner. "We loved hearing all the stories and memories that Pillsbury inspires in homes across the country, and hope that by sharing these delicious recipes with families we can help to create new memories made by spending time together in the kitchen," said Ben Irby, Director of Business for Pillsbury. Sponsor GE Appliances has provided thousands of ranges for the Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest over the existence of the contest, enabling contestants to cook their cherished recipes with the latest technology, including induction cooktops and true European convection ovens. Since its inception in 1949, the Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest has been about inspiring home cooks everywhere to share their recipes and celebrate the stories behind them. Over the years, the contest has grown to reflect what's happening in real homes across the country. To learn more about Melissa's win and the 49th Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest, check out a Taste of General Mills Blog, www.BakeOff.com or Pillsbury's Facebook and Instagram channels. About General Mills General Mills is a leading global food company that serves the world by making food people love. Its brands include Cheerios, Annie's, Yoplait, Nature Valley, Haagen-Dazs, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Old El Paso, Wanchai Ferry, Yoki, Blue and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, General Mills generated fiscal 2018 proforma net sales of U.S. $17.0 billion, including $1.3 billion from Blue Buffalo. In addition, General Mills' share of non-consolidated joint venture net sales totaled U.S. $1.1 billion. About GE Appliances GE Appliances, a Haier company, makes moments that matter for our owners through our passion for making great appliances and providing unparalleled services. Owners have more choices than ever before under the Hotpoint, GE, Haier, Cafe, GE Profile and Monogram brands. Our products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners, water filtration systems and water heaters. A leader in WiFi-connected technology, owners can monitor and maintain our connected suite of appliances from virtually anywhere, making owners' lives easier while improving their daily routines. For more information, visit www.geappliances.com/our-company. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-votes-are-in-49th-pillsbury-bake-off-contest-awards-a-taste-of-dublin-as-its-grand-prize-winner-300800525.html SOURCE General Mills [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Utilant Plans to Accelerate Global Growth and Expand Presence Within Insurance Marketplace with Significant Investment Utilant, a market leader in loss control inspection and survey management software for underwriting and risk management for P&C insurers, announced today that Aquiline Technology Growth ( ATG (News - Alert) ) has made a significant Series A investment in the company. Founded in 2005, Utilant has become a leading provider of technology to the insurance industry through its LossControl360 SaaS (News - Alert) solution. Utilant's mission is to create technology solutions that make the risk management and underwriting processes more efficient. Utilant's LossControl360 platform is designed to make the insurance risk management process more streamlined and accurate to help underwriters make better policy decisions. This investment round will fuel Utilant's global expansion and further strengthen its LossControl360 platform to leverage artificial intelligence and data analytics. "The business landscape is evolving for insurance carriers striving for leadership in a competitive environment that requires precision and is driving the use of transformative technologies. The Utilant team is creating the technology to ensure that carriers capture the risk of underwriting in the most accurate and scalable way possible," said Patrick Davis, founder and CEO of Utilant. "We partner with our P&C carrier customers to ensure that the LossControl360 SaaS platform is advancing their goals. ATG, given their insurance and operational expertise, is the perfect partner to help capture this opportunity and drive further growth." ATG's investment comes during an exciting time in the marketplace and supports the opportunity for Utilant to further its leadership with P&C carriers and inspection services vendors. ATG is managed by Aquiline Capital Parters and is the firm's dedicated early and growth stage fund, investing in technology companies that are bringing innovation to the insurance and financial services ecosystems. "Utilant has emerged as a leader in the loss control solutions market and is poised for growth given the company's established domain expertise and flexibility of its solution, and the ever-increasing demand for advanced technologies and automation," stated Jeff Greenberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aquiline Capital Partners. "We are excited to work with the management team of Utilant to help further its market leadership and respond to the growing global demand for a scalable solution through a unified technology platform that manages underwriter and policyholder customer interactions," said Michael Cichowski of ATG. As part of the investment, Mr. Cichowski will join the Utilant board of directors. About Utilant Utilant's LossControl360 platform is used by leading insurers around the world, as well as by top inspection vendor survey companies across North America. The company is focused on risk management and loss control software solutions for P&C insurance carriers. The LossControl360 platform helps insurers to efficiently survey and score risks for an efficient underwriting process across all lines of commercial and residential business. A typical implementation provides positive ROI within the first year. More information on Utilant and LossControl360 is available at http://www.utilant.com and http://www.losscontrol360.com. About Aquiline Technology Growth Aquiline Technology Growth (ATG) seeks to invest in early- and growth-stage technology companies that are bringing innovation to the insurance and financial services ecosystems. ATG is managed by Aquiline Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in New York and London investing in businesses globally across the financial services and technology sector. The ATG team has experience in technology and financial services and is supported by its colleagues at Aquiline, strategic partners, and an active group of industry Executive Advisors. For more information on ATG, visit http://www.aquiline.com/atg. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005281/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] United States Payments Industry Report 2019: Major Factors Impacting the Industry's Long-Time Players DUBLIN, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "U.S. Merchant Acquirers Confront Disruptive Payments Industry Forces" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Changing competitive dynamics are the new normal within the U.S. payments industry. Increasing disruptive forces and new entrants present strategic threats to traditional merchant acquirers. A new research report, U.S. Merchant Acquirers Confront Disruptive Payments Industry Forces, discusses major factors impacting the industry's long-time players. Additionally, the report profiles leading merchant acquirers and estimates their U.S. market share. Incumbent merchant acquirers have not been oblivious to changes taking place within their segment of the U.S. payments ecosystem. Most have been offering more added-value services in recent years as well as actively pursuing mergers and acquisitions. But now, rapidly evolving consumer shopping behavior, and growth of e-commerce and mobile payments methods, have become game-changers, forcing traditional acquirers to take action or be left behind, commented the author of this report. Highlights of this research report include: Disruptive forces facing merchant acquirers Expanding merchant business needs New opportunities appearing in the payments landscape Leading merchant acquirer compeitive summaries Comparative market positioning Key Topics Covered: Executive Summary Payments Industry Dynamics are Changing Rapid Consolidation Within the Ranks of Merchant Acquirers Merchant Needs are Shifting to Value-Added Services Disruptive Forces Facing Merchant Acquirers Global Trends Pushing Down Transaction Fees Alternative Payments and Fintechs Can Change the Rules of Competition Gateways and E-Commerce Mobile POS (mPOS) Gives Small Business Another Option Incumbent Acquirers Leverage New Opportunities In-Store Retail is Not Dead Finding Technology Partners to Drive New Markets International Markets Estimated U.S. Market Share Competitive Summaries: Market Leaders First Data WorldPay Chase Merchant Services Elavon Global Payments TSYS Comparative Market Positioning Conclusions and Implications References Related Research Endnotes Companies Mentioned Adyen Affirm Amazon Bank of America Best Buy BlueSnap CardFree Checkout.com Citibank BBVA Compass Early Warning Elavon First Data Fiserv Global Payments Home Depot Klarna Lowe's Macy's Mastercard PayPal Paysafe PNC Bank Poynt Santander ShopKeep Square Stripe SunTrust Target TSYS US Bank Verifone Visa Walmart Wells Fargo Worldpay For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/7jsdvs/united_states?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 press@researchandmarkets.com 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 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-states-payments-industry-report-2019-major-factors-impacting-the-industrys-long-time-players-300801201.html SOURCE Research and Markets [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] TDK sensors enhance the new purpose-built Qualcomm Robotics RB3 platform for consumer, enterprise and industrial robot manufacturers and developers TDK Corporation (TSE: 6762) announced it is working with Qualcomm (News - Alert) Technologies, Inc. through its group company, InvenSense, to contribute a product portfolio of MEMS motion and audio sensor solutions to the new Qualcomm Robotics RB3 Platform. Based on the Qualcomm SDA/SDM845 system-on-chip (SoC), the Qualcomm Robotics RB3 platform is a comprehensive, highly optimized set of hardware, software and tools designed to help manufacturers and developers create advanced consumer, enterprise and industrial robotics products. The Qualcomm Robotics RB3 platform will support InvenSense's 6-axis IMUs (3-axis gyroscope and 3-axis accelerometer), capacitive barometric pressure sensor, and multi-mode digital microphones. The Qualcomm Robotics RB3 Platform also integrates two InvenSense IMU sensors able to quantify external real-time clock measurements to provide a high degree of precision, and includes support for ultra-low noise, industry leading relative accuracy pressure sensor capable of measuring 10 cm of elevation difference. The RB3 platform also integrates InvenSense microphones which bring both high SNR and high AOP. Multi-mode microphones are ideal in 'AlwaysOn' robotic applications where low power, high fidelity, tight sensitivity matching and high acoustic overload point (AOP) are important. "The Qualcomm Robotics RB3 Platform provides a new platform for the development of innovative new robotics products," said Dev Singh, director of business development and head of autonomous robotics, drones and intelligent machines at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. "The platform takes full advantage of InvenSense's high-performance sensors - sensors that are important for many applications in robotics, from industrial robots to enterprise service bots to personal consumer products. A development kit based on the Qualcomm Robotics RB3 Platform is available for purchase now from Thundercomm." "TDK provides many of the best motion and audio sensors available on the market today, and their inclusion in the Qualcomm Robotics RB3 platform will reduce the barrier-to-entry for consumer, enterprise, and industrial robot makers, while maximizing their opportunities to innovate with a wide range of sensor solutions enabling quick design and development of smart effective solutions," said Nicolas Sauvage, Senior Director, Ecosystem at TDK-InvenSense. "Contributing high-performance sensors to the next wave of robotics innovations on Qualcomm Robotics RB3 platform showcases TDK-InvenSense's commitment to new developing market segments." TDK and its group companies are offering a comprehensive portfolio of sensors, electronic components and solutions and will be at Mobile World Congress 2019, February 25-28 and 2019 Embedded World, February 26-28 showcasing the TDK technologies, along with a comprehensive portfolio of sensors, electronic components and solutions for mobile, wearables, AR/VR, automotive, IoT and industrial applications. To schedule press and partner meetings at the show, contact pr@invensense.com. Please visit: www.invensense.com or contact InvenSense Sales at sales@invensense.com for more information. Glossary 6- Axis (News - Alert) : 3-Axis Gyroscope + 3-Axis Accelerometer IMU: Inertial Measuring Unit Pressure Sensor: Capacitive barometric measuring device MEMS: Micro Electrical Mechanical Systems Main applications Industrial Robotics Consumer Robotics Drone Key features and benefits: Ultra-low noise and exceptional relative accuracy Ultra-low power Best gyroscope temperature stability About TDK Corporation TDK Corporation is a leading electronics company based in Tokyo, Japan. It was established in 1935 to commercialize ferrite, a key material in electronic and magnetic products. TDK's comprehensive portfolio features passive components such as ceramic, aluminum electrolytic and film capacitors, as well as magnetics, high-frequency, and piezo and protection devices. The product spectrum also includes sensors and sensor systems such as temperature and pressure, magnetic, and MEMS sensors. In addition, TDK provides power supplies and energy devices, magnetic heads and more. These products are marketed under the product brands TDK, EPCOS, InvenSense, Micronas, Tronics and TDK-Lambda. TDK focuses on demanding markets in the areas of information and communication technology and automotive, industrial and consumer electronics. The company has a network of design and manufacturing locations and sales offices in Asia, Europe, and in North and South America. In fiscal 2018, TDK posted total sales of USD 12 billion and employed about 103,000 people worldwide. About InvenSense InvenSense, Inc., a TDK Group company, is a world leading provider of MEMS sensor platforms. InvenSense's vision of Sensing Everything targets the consumer electronics and industrial areas with integrated Motion, Sound, and Ultrasonic solutions. InvenSense's solutions combine MEMS (micro electrical mechanical systems) sensors, such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, compasses, microphones, and ultrasonic 3D-sensing with proprietary algorithms and firmware that intelligently process, synthesize, and calibrate the output of sensors, maximizing performance and accuracy. InvenSense's motion tracking, ultrasonic, audio, fingerprint, location platforms and services can be found in Mobile, Wearables, Smart Home, Industrial, Automotive, and IoT products. InvenSense became part of the MEMS Sensors Business Group within the newly formed Sensor Systems Business Company of TDK Corporation in 2017. In February of 2018, Chirp Microsystems joined the InvenSense family through its acquisition by TDK. InvenSense is headquartered in San Jose, California and has offices worldwide. For more information, go to www.invensense.com. Qualcomm is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. Qualcomm Robotics Platform and Qualcomm SDA/SDM845 system-on-chip (SoC) are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. You can download this text http://www.invensense.com/news-media/tdk-sensors-enhance-the-new-purpose-built-qualcomm-robotics-rb3-platform-for-consumer-enterprise-and-industrial-robot-manufacturers-and-developers View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190224005121/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Software AG and Telstra Partner to Develop Water Management Solution for Australian Utilities Software AG (Frankfurt, MDAX: SOW) and Telstra (News - Alert) , Australia's largest telecommunications company today announced a partnership to create a solution for digital automated water management. Based on Telstra's IOT platform and the Cumulocity IoT Solution Accelerator for Water Management, the solution will provide utilities with a quick way to gain insights from meter data to minimise costs involved with supplying water to customers. Tony Drewitt, Head of IoT ANZ, Software AG, said: "Water conservation and management is a top priority for many countries, cities and remote areas and we are excited to be helping create a solution that will address this. In partnership with Telstra, we are trialing a Cumulocity IoT-based solution at Western Australia's Busselton Water. Combining digital meters, dedicated pressure sensors and Telstra's NB-IoT network with our IoT analytics solution, we are able to deliver true water management-as-a-service." The solution collects available sensor data like pressure, consumption, and alerts such as pressure drops from a new generation of digital water meters managed via Telstra's IoT platform and the Cumulocity IoT Accelerator running in the cloud. The solution offers off-the-shelf tools for monitoring and managing all this data - along with business rules. Dashboards provide users with near real-time full state-of-play at any given time. Utilities can add customisable tools and water utility specific dashboards to monitor other data metrics such as aggregated consumption over time, min/max/average flow and trend analysis, as well as peak and non-peak consumption. Telstra will offer the solution to water utilities around Australia either on a stand-alone basis or as part of their end to end "IOT for Intelligent Utilities" package for water utilities. At Busselton Water, where a Proof of Concept is underway, the solution will not only help to manage its water system, but will also allow the optimisation of the power consumption associated with the utility's water distribution system. "With water being such a scarce resource, the use of digital technology to help us better monitor and manage our system will be a huge benefit to our business. This is not just in the conservation of water, but in the provision f more reliable, cost effective water services to our consumer and business customers," said Chris Elliott, Chief Executive Officer, Busselton Water. According to Telstra's Gerhard Loots, Executive, Global IoT Solutions: "Telstra and Software AG are pleased to be working with Busselton Water on this proof of concept. Given Busselton Water are already using radio frequency metering for customers, they are well-placed to test our water management solution." "Telstra's IOT for Intelligent Utilities will allow water utilities to better interpret and utilise the data they receive from the digital meter sensors that operate on Telstra's NB-IoT network - Australia's largest and most comprehensive network which covers more than 3.5 million square kilometers," he said. "We are very excited to bring together our deep expertise and relationships in the water industry and technology partnerships to build a solution that meets the specific requirements of water utilities. By adding insight to the data our customers collect, our solutions will help Australian utilities save water, improve services and drive real business outcomes." About Telstra Telstra is a leading telecommunications and technology company. We offer a full range of services and compete in all telecommunications markets in Australia, operating the largest mobile and Wi-Fi networks. Globally, we provide end-to-end solutions including managed network services, global connectivity, cloud, voice, colocation, conferencing and satellite solutions. We have licenses in Asia, Europe and the United States and offer access to more than 2,000 points of presence across the globe. For more information visit www.telstra.com. About Software AG Software AG (Frankfurt MDAX: SOW) helps companies with their digital transformation. With Software AG's Digital Business Platform, companies can better interact with their customers and bring them on new 'digital' journeys, promote unique value propositions, and create new business opportunities. In the Internet of Things (IoT) market, Software AG enables enterprises to integrate, connect and manage IoT components as well as analyze data and predict future events based on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The Digital Business Platform is built on decades of uncompromising software development, IT experience and technological leadership. Software AG has more than 4,700 employees, is active in 70 countries and had revenues of 865.7 million in 2018. To learn more, visit www.softwareag.com. Software AG | Uhlandstrasse 12 | 64297 Darmstadt | Germany Detailed press information about Software AG including a picture and multimedia database are available under: www.softwareag.com/press Follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) : Software AG Germany | Software AG Global View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005559/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] SECO Acquires the Majority of Fannal Electronics SECO (News - Alert) SpA (Arezzo), a high-tech manufacturer of computer miniaturization and "ready-to-use" integrated systems, with shareholder FII Tech Growth fund backed by Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, is pleased to announce that today it has signed an agreement to acquire the majority of Fannal Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of Human Machine Interaction technologies based in Hangzhou (China). Fannal Electronics, founded in 2011 to address the fast-growing sector of advanced touch screen technologies, evolved into a reputable high tech player, known for the quality of its products and excellent technical support. The transaction has a strategic value for the SECO group, as it strengthens its R&D and production capabilities with the addition of more than 60 highly specialized professionals, and it increases the competitiveness of a company that represents an Italian excellence, boosted by the financial instruments made available by the CDP Group. In April 2018, FII Tech Growth, a fund promoted by CDP and managed by Fondo Italiano d'Investimento SGR, invested 10 million in SECO to accelerate its expansion and internationalization. Lesen Ding, Fannal's founder, will retain a minority share and continue to guide the company as its General Manager and CEO. Following the investment, Ivan Brambilla, a Sales and Industrial Operations executive with previous experiences at leading companies like Magneti Marelli, Toshiba and 3M (News - Alert) , will serve on the Fannal Board of Directors and will be responsible for its commercial expansion in the European market. "With this transaction, we invest in a worldwide leading company operating in the highly specialized sector of touch display technology, which is becoming an essential component of our systems - stated Massimo Mauri, SECO executive director - SECO plans to heavily invest in Fannal with the aim to enhance its supply chain effectiveness and build a platform to access the growing Chinese market". "We are very happy o tighten the relationship with our long standing partner SECO to further accelerate our growth" - said Fannal CEO Lesen Ding. "We see this combination as the beginning of a very successful partnership. We can share SECO's reputation, reach and customer proximity, while SECO can have access to Fannal's strong technical skills, competitive pricing and supply chain resources". Deloitte (News - Alert) Financial Advisory and Deloitte Legal have respectively acted as financial and legal advisors. * * * About SECO SECO is an Italian group with a leading global position in the sector of embedded technology and Internet of Things (IoT). Since 1979, it has been designing and producing embedded systems - industrial computers that are integrated into a client's machine or tool, activating its functions and permitting interaction through touch/video interfaces. SECO collaborates with a broad network of strategic suppliers in the international high-tech panorama (including Intel (News - Alert) , AMD, NXP, NVIDIA, Wind, and Telenor), as well as with universities, research centres and innovative start-ups, and operates on a global scale with offices in Italy, Germany, the U.S., India and Taiwan, employing more than 300 people. The industrial sectors in which SECO products are utilized range from biomedicine to wellness, industrial automation to transportation, and it has clients that are market leaders, such as Cimbali, Esaote, Evoca, and Technogym. For more information: www.seco.com About Fannal Fannal Electronics Co., Ltd. was founded in 2011 with the goal of developing and producing cutting-edge touch technology for the industrial market. The company is a market leader in the design of high-end touch display custom solutions. Quality, high-precision and reliability are guaranteed by the internal control of all manufacturing processes. Fannal Electronics is widely known for its world leading technical expertise and customer support, with an international presence and consolidated customer relationships worldwide. For more information: www.Fannal.com About FII Tech Growth FII Tech Growth, with a fundraising target of 150 million, is the first Italian late-stage technology investment equity fund. It is managed by Fondo Italiano d'Investimento SGR and is dedicated to invest in the growth of small and medium-sized Italian compnies with high-tech business models. The fund announced its first closing in September 2017 with Cassa Depositi e Prestiti as cornerstone investor. Fondo Italiano d'Investimento SGR currently manages a total of eight investment funds, dedicated to institutional investors, for a total of about Euro 3 billion of Assets Under Management. For more information: www.fondoitaliano.it View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005087/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Rite Aid Foundation Launches New Prescription Drug Safety Initiative in Akron-Area High Schools In an effort to help address adolescent drug abuse and misuse in Ohio, The Rite Aid Foundation is bringing the Prescription Drug Safety program, an innovative digital course about prescription drug abuse prevention, to Akron-area high schools. The program, developed by EVERFI, the nation's leading education technology innovator used in one in seven schools nationwide, will be made available to high schools in Summit and Stark counties, at no cost. Representatives of The Rite Aid Foundation, Congressman Tim Ryan and Akron Public Schools announced the launch of the new program during a press conference and demonstration at Firestone Community Learning Center. "The abuse of prescription drugs and opioids is a serious national crisis that threatens the health, safety and wellbeing of our young people," said Tracy Henderson, director of The Rite Aid Foundation and charitable giving initiatives. "One of Rite Aid's core values is to be a caring neighbor, involved in meaningful ways in the communities we serve, especially if it involves improving the health and wellbeing of children. We are proud to introduce this critical prevention education program and provide Akron-area students with the skills and knowledge to prevent the dangerous cycle of abuse before it occurs." The Prescription Drug Safety program uses an evidence-based, public health approach to empower high school students with the skills and knowledge they need to make safe and healthy decisions about prescription drugs. Through interactive scenarios and self-guided activities, students learn the facts about drugs, how to properly use and dispose of them, and how to step in when faced with a situation involving misuse. The course is aligned with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Health Education Standards and state academic standards. Ohio is arguably one of the states hardest hit by prescription drug abuse and the opioid epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ohio is among the top five states with the highest rates of opioid-related deaths. In 2017, there were 5,111 opioid-related overdose deaths in Ohio-more than double the national average. To help combat the opiate crisis, Ohio is investing more than $1 billion a year to help battle drug abuse and addiction at the state and local levels. "There isn't a community in the United States that hasn't been affected by the opioid epidemic. It demands our full attention and requires not only treatment but prevention as well. It's partnerships like Rite Aid and EVERFI that will help in educating our young people to make safe, sound, and healthy decisions about prescription drugs. With this kind of outreach and awareness, we can tackle the drug abuse ravaging our natio and prevent any more opioid overdose deaths from ever happening again," said Congressman Tim Ryan, co-chair of the Congressional Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus and member of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic. Akron Public Schools is implementing the six-lesson online Prescription Drug Safety program as part of the health education program. Firestone Community Learning Center is the first Akron-area school to integrate the program into its curriculum. Over the next year, a total of twenty local high schools will activate the program. "The education and enrichment of our children is the driving force within our community. We must equip them to become visionaries of change and contribute to our community in a positive way," said superintendent of Akron Public Schools, David W. James. "We are extremely grateful to The Rite Aid Foundation for helping us educate our students about such a serious issue. We know this new program will empower them to make healthy decisions and become positive role models in the community." In addition to the activation in Akron-area high schools, as part of its commitment to creating safe and healthy environments for children and teens, The Rite Aid Foundation, through its KidCents program, will also fund the introduction of the Prescription Drug Safety program to high schools in Lucas County, Ohio as well as several communities in Washington, California, Michigan, Oregon and Pennsylvania. In all, The Rite Aid Foundation made a three-year, $1.7 million commitment to the Prescription Drug Safety program, which is expected to reach more than 400 high schools. Through the KidCents program, members of Rite Aid's loyalty program, wellness+ rewards, can round up their in-store or online purchases to the nearest dollar and donate their change to KidCents. Members can also choose to direct their change to a specific KidCents charity by visiting www.kidcents.com. Through KidCents' Step Up Fund, The Rite Aid Foundation provides a matching donation of $500 for every $500 a charity raises in contributions through the wellness+ rewards program, up to a maximum of $5,000. For more information, visit www.kidcents.com. Since its inception in 2001, The Rite Aid Foundation has awarded more than $52 million to nonprofit organizations. Additionally, Rite Aid, through the efforts of its customers, supplier partners and associates, has also raised more than $87 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals across the country since 1994. Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains with fiscal 2018 annual revenues of $21.5 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company's website at www.riteaid.com. Akron Public Schools (APS) enrolls more than 21,000 students and employs 3,000 teaching and non-teaching professionals in Northeastern Ohio. The district, one of the state's largest and most diverse, covers 62 square miles in a city of 195,000. APS educators are committed to rigorous teaching and learning, safe learning centers and community engagement to prepare young people to be well rounded and ready for the challenges of learning that follow in life. The goal of APS is to be the #1 urban school system in the United States. For more information about Akron Public Schools, visit AkronSchools.com. EVERFI, Inc. is the leading education technology company that provides learners of all ages education for the real world, through innovative and scalable digital learning. Founded in 2008, EVERFI has certified over 16 million learners in critical skill areas with more than 4,300 partners in all 50 U.S. States and Canada. EVERFI is an industry convener that builds Networks to tackle the toughest social issues, including the Campus Prevention Network, a coalition of higher education institutions committed to campus sexual assault and alcohol abuse prevention; and the Financial Capability Network, a coalition of industry leaders dedicated to improving financial outcomes for communities across the country. Some of America's leading CEOs and venture capital firms are EVERFI investors including Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, Google (News - Alert) Chairman Eric Schmidt, Twitter founder Evan Williams, TPG Growth, and The Rise Fund. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005604/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Flexport, a San Francisco, CA-based freight company, raised $1 billion in funding. The round was led by SoftBank (OTCPK:SFTBF, OTCPK:SFTBY) at a $3.2 billion valuation, with participation from existing investors Founders Fund, DST Global, Cherubic Ventures, Susa Ventures and SF Express. In conjunction with the funding, SoftBank managing partner Michael Ronen will join Flexports board. The company intends to use the funds to deepen tech capabilities, accelerate strategic market expansions, and invest in supply chain expertise. Founded in 2013 and led by CEO Ryan Petersen, Flexport is a full-service air and ocean freight forwarder, providing a platform and end-to-end service for logistics teams to get access to real-time tracking, structured data, shipment-specific communication, and a team of experts. In 2018, the company doubled top-line revenue to nearly $500M, increased headcount to nearly 1,000 employees, expanded its geographic presence to 11 offices and warehouses around the world. Today, it has almost 10,000 clients and suppliers across 200 countries. FinSMEs 25/02/2019 [February 25, 2019] Kruger Plastic Products Expands National Manufacturing Footprint Through Acquisition of Northern California Injection Molding and El Dorado Molds Kruger Plastics Products ("Kruger"), a portfolio company of HC Private Investments ("HCPI"), today announced that it has successfully acquired Northern California Injection Molding and El Dorado Molds ("NCIM"), creating a leading manufacturer of high-quality custom injection molding tooling and parts serving a wide-range of customers nationwide. NCIM's executive team, led by Glen Shrigley, will continue to manage the California operations. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Kruger also announced that it has changed its name to Springboard Manufacturing ("Springboard"), which reflects the growth of the enterprise and solutions-oriented approach the Company takes with each of its customers. In connection with the renaming, the Company has launched a new website: www.springboardmfg.com. Based in Rancho Cordova, CA (News - Alert) , NCIM provides fully-integrated plastic manufacturing and engineering solutions to its global customer base across a diversified set of end-markets, including medical, industrial and heavy duty-diesel engine. NCIM also provides clean room manufacturing capabilities, which will enable further penetration in the medical products market. The combined business has manufacturing facilities in California, Michigan and North Carolina with over 100 injection molding presses ranging from 40 tons to 1,300 tons and approximately 250 employees. "This is a transformative transaction that provides Springboard with world-class toolmaking capabilities and injection molding operations and enhances our ability to service our blue-chip clients from coast-to-coast," said Doug Constable, CEO of Springboard. "NCIM has played an integral role in its customers' manufacturing process for nearly 30 years, and thir customer-centric approach and culture of operational excellence make them an ideal fit for Kruger, and now Springboard. We are excited to partner with NCIM's incredibly talented management teams to drive continued growth within our business." Glen Shrigley, Vice President of NCIM and El Dorado, said, "We are excited to be working with HCPI and Kruger to build long-term value. We believe that HCPI, Doug and the rest of the Kruger management team's experience and capabilities make them the right partner for NCIM and will enable us to capitalize on significant opportunities while maintaining our core values of quality and service." The NCIM acquisition fits with HCPI's core strategy of combining strong executive resources with family-held businesses and patient capital to drive long-term growth. HCPI originally acquired Kruger Plastic Products in partnership with management in December 2017. HCPI will continue expanding the Springboard platform through a combination of organic growth initiatives and strategic complementary add-on acquisitions. The Managing Partners of HCPI, John P. Kelly and Matthew J. Moran, added, "We are thrilled to be supporting Springboard's growth by expanding its manufacturing footprint and providing the business with enhanced capabilities to attract and service customers, including those in the medical device sector." Winston & Strawn LLP served as legal counsel to HCPI. Oak Hill Securities, Inc. served as financial advisor to NCIM. Twin (News - Alert) Brook Capital Partners provided debt financing for the transaction. ABOUT SPRINGBOARD MANUFACTURING Originally established in 1975 as a custom injection molder dedicated to quality and customer service, Springboard provides customers with quality products in conjunction with value-added services relating to engineering, product design, material selection, process mapping, assembly and packaging. Springboard's facilities support a fully staffed, full service mold making and repair department with CAD/CAM capabilities and off-line programming. For more information, please visit http://www.springboardmfg.com/. ABOUT HC PRIVATE INVESTMENTS HC Private Investments ("HCPI") is a private equity investment firm focused on making investments between $5 million to $30 million in lower middle-market manufacturing businesses within the consumer and industrial markets. HCPI invests capital from HC Technologies, LLC, a Chicago-based principal trading firm led by Joe Niciforo with offices in New York and London. The firm will also bring select family offices and individuals to participate in its transactions providing HCPI with a flexible and patient capital base. With a focus of being the first institutional investor in a business, HCPI seeks to partner with business owners, executives and management teams to identify opportunities to remove impediments to growth enabling companies to maximize their full value potential. For more information, please visit www.hcprivateinvest.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005297/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Knovva Academy Reveals Expanded Education Ecosystem Dedicated to 21st Century Learning and Global Citizenship Knovva Academy, the innovative leader in experiential and online education, announced today the expansion of its suite of offerings and launched its advanced online education platform. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005006/en/ Knovva's online courses and in-person events cultivate the skills critical to 21st century learning and leadership. Knovva programs connect high school students from around the world with influential educators, politicians, diplomats, and peers to create a global community of passionate, politically-minded youth. This year, Knovva will bring its signature Model G20 Youth Leadership Summit to six cities in five continents. Starting this month with Beijing, the program will be hosted in Mexico City, Boston, Cambridge, Sydney, and Dubai. Each Summit transforms high schoolers into world leaders in a five-day, immersive learning experience based on real G20 topics. Students can continue their Model G20 journey at the MG20 Task Force, Knovva's most exclusive immersive learning program. Held in conjunction with the real G20 forum, participants will work alongside delegates from the Youth20 Summit, the only official youth engagement group of the G20. Registration for all Model G20 programs is now open. Knovva will also broaden its online offerings in 2019. Five new courses join Knovva's inaugural course, Living in a Connected World, to offer high schoolers new opportunities to gain the skills they need to succeed in today's global society. Offered in a blended learning format, online and in the classroom, each course explores its topic through an interdisciplinary lens that combines science, economics, sociology, history, and more. New courses include: Students access Knovva courses through Knovva's online education platform. Built to foster learning and relationships, the Knovva platform leverages best practices from leading learning management systems (LMS). Features include a digital resource library, forums for discussing lessons with global peers, collaborative documents and spreadsheets, and interactive student clubs. With these advancements in curriculum, product offerings, and technological infrastructure, Knovva furthers its commitment to reimagining education and delivering the most extensive, highest-quality education experiences available. Knovva Academy is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts and is the official knowledge partner of the Youth20 Summit Japan. For more information, visit https://knovva.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005006/en/ [February 25, 2019] IDB: "Taiwan is Pioneering the AIoT Revolution" BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Objects that can analyze data, make decisions and make predictions represent the 4 th phase of the Internet of Things Disruptive technology oriented to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) with IoT (AIoT) through 5G network advancements is the main focus of the Taiwan ICT industry Taiwan Pavilion (Hall 5, Stand 5A61) organized by the Industrial Development Bureau (IDB) will showcase the technology of 13 Taiwanese companies to demonstrate Taiwan's ICT capabilities The era of Internet of Things is already in its third phase. At the beginning, the goal was for objects to be connected to the network. The second, that they could communicate with each other and interact. And finally, that they were smart. That is, they could be aware of what is happening around them, extract data, analyze it, and make decisions based on it. The Industrial Developmen Bureau (IDB) will present new solutions aimed to integrate Artificial intelligence in IoT (Internet of Things) and 5G technology at the Mobile World Congress 2019. IDB has selected 13 Taiwanese companies with innovative products and solutions to be showcased during the biggest IT conference in the world, which takes place in Barcelona. The endless possibilities of the integration of AI with IoT The integration of artificial intelligence in IoT will require more powerful connections, hence the importance of new advanced servers that will allow 5G networks to show their full potential. From there, each industry should evaluate their own production processes, determining which parts must be digitized. The industrial processes in assembly lines, the interconnection between different factories, either of suppliers or manufacturers, as well as the management of the finished product, can be managed through AIoT in a more efficient and productive way. AI is appearing throughout the three layers of the IoT architecture, from device connectivity, platform analytics and application services. Taiwanese companies and the 4th industrial revolution The IoT industry chain in Taiwan has great advantages in hardware, as well as the flexible and quick responses to product development. Keeping in mind the importance of integration of platforms and systems, Taiwan's industry continues to strengthen its competence in the integration of devices, networking and systems for AI, NB-IoT and edge computing in order to seize the business opportunities different vertical markets, and to facilitate Taiwan's smart city development. https://www.moeaidb.gov.tw/ctlr?PRO=idx2015 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] ICYMI: DMI to Open Chicago Managed Mobility Services Center Thursday, Feb. 28 at 5 p.m. BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, 8th district Illinois, is scheduled to join DMI Founder, Chairman and CEO, Sunny Bajaj, in celebrating the grand opening of DMIs new Managed Mobility Services (MMS) Center in Arlington Heights. The event includes a ribbon-cutting, open house and tours of DMIs newest corporate hub. What: Ribbon-Cutting for Grand Opening of DMI Managed Mobility Services Center When: Thursday, Feb. 28 at 5 p.m. Where: 3456 North Ridge Ave, Suite 400, Arlington Heights Why: DMI to hire up to 50 new employees in next 10 months DMI, a global end-to-end mobility solutions and digital transformation company,was included in Gartners Magic Quadrant for Managed Mobility Services Worldwide for the fifth consecutive time in 2018. DMI has teams working throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and in 21 cities including Boston, San Francisco, London, Barcelona and Delhi. The company has experienced dramatic growth in recent years. Its client base includes hundreds of enterprise commercial clients, 10 U.S. Federal Departments and a rapidly growing number of state and local governments. DMI will hire up to 50 employees over the next 10 months to be based at the MMS Center in Arlington Heights. The MMS Center will provide mobility and end user services support, device staging, kitting, and provisioning, mobility and infrastructure system administration and application management for customers. New professional staff positions include mobility customer success managers, engineers, logistics specialists and more. We strategically located DMIs new Managed Mobility Services Center in a location that offers our current and future MMS team members a dynamic area in which to live and work. Arlington Heights is affordable and safe with proximity to main roads and wonderful local restaurants, said DJ Oreb, President, DMI Managed Mobility Services Division. Bajaj agrees. We look forward to forging strong corporate relationships in the Chicago region. As DMI continues to expand, we will be adding talent committed to DMIs mission to build human-centric solutions that help customers navigate the digital revolution and evolve their business models. Media Contacts: Donna Savarese DMI Senior Director of Media & Analyst Relations DSavarese@dminc.com 240-720-0414 Rae Hostetler Hostetler Public Relations Rae@HostetlerPR.com 317-289-7769 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Hurricane Electric Adds Point of Presence in Denver at 910Telecom Hurricane Electric, the world's largest IPv6-native Internet backbone, announced today it's continuing the strategy of providing direct and secure internet routing as well as cost-effective access with a new Point of Presence (PoP) at 910Telecom in Denver, Colorado. 910Telecom's colocation center is located at 910 15th Street, Denver, CO and is also known as the Denver Gas and Electric Building. Located in the classic Denver Gas & Electric Building, 910Telecom is a carrier-neutral telecom hotel located in the heart of Denver. The 142,318 square foot facility provides high-grade, redundant electrical power, with multiple feeds, as well as redundant fiber optic loops entering the building at different points. 910Telecom is Denver's nexus for international and national edge enterprises and carrier interconnects. " Hurricane Electric (News - Alert) has an amazing 'fan base' with a long history of providing high-performance, secure networking accompanied with fanatical support for their customers," said Eryn Taylor, Business Development Director at 910Telecom. "We are excited to add Hurricane Electric's direct routed global network to our carrier portfolio." The PoP will provide high speed IPv4 and IPv6 Internet connectivity through Hurricane Electric's global IP nework with 100GE (100 gigabit Ethernet), 10GE (10 gigabit Ethernet) and GigE (1 gigabit Ethernet) network connections. The connectivity options will provide 910Telecom's carriers with reduced latency and router hops, as well improved fault tolerance. "This new PoP strengthens Hurricane Electric's commitment in the Denver market, as well as the entire Rocky Mountain Region," said Walt Wollny, Director of Interconnection Strategy at Hurricane Electric. "It will provide increased bandwidth along with global network connectivity options for carriers and customers within the 910Telecom Building Meet-Me-Room." According to a recent report, Denver was identified as a top ten market for tech talent in the US, due in part to the growth of its tech labor force, as well as producing a strong number of tech graduates. About 910Telecom One of the leading carrier-neutral, network-centric, colocation and data center facilities in the United States, the Denver Gas & Electric Building also know as 910Telecom provides neutral connectivity points to a vast portfolio of network service providers, carriers, and ISPs. The 910Telecom Building Meet-Me-Room delivers reliable interconnection services and also offers secure high-performance edge data center solutions. For additional information on 910Telecom, please visit www.910Telecom.com. About Hurricane Electric Hurricane Electric operates its own global IPv4 and IPv6 network and is considered the largest IPv6 and IPv4 backbone in the world as measured by the number of networks connected. Within its global network, Hurricane Electric is connected to over 200 major exchange points and exchanges traffic directly with more than 7,300 different networks. Employing a resilient fiber-optic topology, Hurricane Electric has no less than five redundant 100G paths crossing North America, five separate 100G paths between the U.S. and Europe, and 100G rings in Europe and Asia. Hurricane also has a ring around Africa and PoPs in Australia, New Zealand and South America. Hurricane Electric offers IPv4 and IPv6 transit solutions over the same connection. Connection speeds available include 100GE (100 gigabits/second), 10GE, and gigabit ethernet. For more information on Hurricane Electric, please visit http://he.net. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005690/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] HERE to offer mapping and location services for China Expansion offers new opportunities for customers to address Chinese market Features and functions include map display, routing, navigation, traffic, transit, geocoding, places and positioning Services are provided through joint venture with NavInfo Barcelona, MWC 2019 HERE Technologies today announced that it is extending its suite of location services to China. As a result global and Chinese customers will have access to fresh and up-to-date mapping services as well as key location-based features and functionalities for China to address the Chinese market. HERE will offer these services through its joint venture with NavInfo Co., Ltd, a leading provider of digital maps and location services in China. NavInfo is providing the mapping data for China, and HERE is processing and ingesting it following its own worldwide specification. This allows for easy compatibility with the mapping and location services HERE offers for the rest of the world. When it comes to high-quality mapping and location services, HERE is the provider of choice for leading companies from around the world and across industries. Partnering with NavInfo to exend our services to China is an important step for us to offer our customers a global solution with the same high-quality standards across regions, said Peter Kurpick, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at HERE Technologies. By simplifying the sourcing of mapping and locations services, we can also help customers to reduce development time and save costs. The suite of location services HERE will offer for China include: Map Display (including map rendering and 3D maps); Routing (including vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle and public transit routing as well as traffic-enabled routing); Navigation (both hybrid and offline for vehicles and pedestrians); Public transit; Traffic; Geocoding; Places; Positioning. Supported by this expansion into China, HERE is targeting strong growth in China itself as well as with Chinese customers. Media Contacts Dr. Sebastian Kurme +49 173 515 3549 sebastian.kurme@here.com Jordan Stark +1 312 316 4537 jordan.stark@here.com About HERE Technologies HERE, the Open Location Platform company, enables people, enterprises and cities to harness the power of location. By making sense of the world through the lens of location we empower our customers to achieve better outcomes from helping a city manage its infrastructure or an enterprise optimize its assets to guiding drivers to their destination safely. To learn more about HERE, including our new generation of cloud-based location platform services, visit http://360.here.com and www.here.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 24, 2019] Furukawa Electric Launches Single Cell Hunter for Functional Identification and Recovery of Live Single Cells Furukawa Electric (TOKYO:5801)(ISIN:JP3827200001) announced the launch of the Single Cell Hunter, a microchip-based automated live cell high-throughput screening system today. The breakthrough Single Cell Hunter will be on display at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia between March 29 and April 3 of 2019 (AACR Booth No.:2051). Single Cell Hunter integrates unique microchip, high-throughput screening and high-precision cell acquisition technologies, providing a promising and versatile platform to identify and recover the live single cells of interest that have the most powerful physiological functions. Different from flow cytometer, Single Cell Hunter analyzes live cells on a microchip within a temperature-adjustable chamber with an exceptional advantage in catching the responses of stimulated cells under a near-physiological conditions and in identifying them in a time-lapse mode, which enables accurate evaluation of the real potential of each cell. Besides standard microchips for dynamic identification and recovery of fluorescence-labeled cells, the pre-coated microhips are available to perform fluorescence-linked immunosorbent assay for identification of the cells that have an ability to secrete antibodies or specific antigen proteins. Single Cell Hunter offers multi-color high-sensitivity screening using multiple-parameter fluorescent signals and transmitted light signal. Its artificial intelligence-based high-precision cell-friendly pick-up and drop-off technology enables recovery of even a single yeast cell as small as 3-um in diameter from a 10-um micro-well. Single Cell Hunter provides an innovative approach in identifying and recovering live cells of interest. Single Cell Hunter is expected to address unmet needs in many fields. It can help bring about innovation and creativity in life sciences, especially immunology, drug discovery and clinical diagnosis. About Furukawa Electric Furukawa Electric is a leading global Japanese electric technology company with over 134 years of history. The company continues to develop a wide variety of products in six business fields such as telecommunications, energy, automobiles, electrical parts and components, construction and architecture, and new businesses including bio-devices. Furukawa Electric with its 51,000 employees, has a passion and commitment to make a positive impact and contribution to the world with its technological innovations and advancement. For more information, please visit the Furukawa Electric's website at https://www.furukawa.co.jp/bio/single/en/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190224005004/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Former President of Mexico, Vicente Fox, to Join Board of Directors of Helix TCS, Inc. DENVER, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Helix TCS, Inc. (OTCQB: HLIX) (the "Company"), the leading provider of critical infrastructure services to the global legal cannabis industry, welcomes the former President of Mexico, Mr. Vicente Fox Quesada, to its Board of Directors. Mr. Fox will support the Company as a strategic advisor as it continues its growth into the international cannabis market. Mr. Fox was the 55th President of Mexico and prior to that, he was the CEO of Coca Cola's Latin American operations. Additionally, Mr. Fox is the Founder of Centro Fox, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to serving communities in Mexico and Latin America, and he is recognized as a respected advocate for the legalization of medical cannabis throughout Latin America. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of a leading U.S.-based cannabis publication advocating legalization, as well as on the Board of Directors of Khiron Life Sciences, a leading, vertically integrated Latin American cannabis producer. "We are honored to welcome former President Fox to our Board of Directors and to benefit from his strategic vision and global network," said Zachary L. Venegas, Executive Chairman and CEO of Helix TCS, Inc. "His addition is a significant multiplier in our further expansion into key production markets that we expect to become dominant cannabis export hubs that will require our full suite of services." Helix TCS provides critical infrastructure services to legal cannabis businesses including cannabis tracking technology, dispensary point of sale software, wholesale marketplaces, digital, and physical security services. This combination of services provides comprehensive and compliant management of cannabis supply chains, facilitating aglobal and transparent marketplace for both businesses and governments. Mr. Fox stated, "A new industry is being borne, with high ethical standards, attracting massive investment in medical and health products, bringing economic growth and jobs to communities and nations. I am proud to be part of it." About Helix TCS, Inc. Helix TCS, Inc. (OTCQB: HLIX) is a leading provider of ancillary services for the legal cannabis industry, helping owners and operators of licensed cannabis businesses stay competitive and compliant while mitigating risk. Through its proprietary technology suite and security services, Helix TCS provides comprehensive supply chain management, compliance tools, and asset protection for any license type in any regulated cannabis market. Helix TCS's products reach over 2,000 customer locations in 33 states and 5 countries and has processed over $18 billion in cannabis sales. For more information and to sign up for investor updates, visit us at www.helixtcs.com . About Centro Fox Centro Fox is a Mexican nonprofit foundation headed by the former President of Mexico, Mr. Vicente Fox Quesada. More than just a presidential library and museum, Centro Fox is an academic institution, a think tank, with a wide range of activities related to leadership. The mission of Centro Fox is to bring together leaders to create a better world through education and economic change. The core belief of the foundation is that small changes lead to big changes. At Centro Fox, we want to support each of the people who want to enhance their knowledge and develop innovative projects, so we have developed various programs that will help each of the attendees. Forward-Looking Statements Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Actual results might differ materially from those explicit or implicit in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include: our ability to fund our operations and pay any outstanding debt; fluctuations in our financial results; general economic risks; the volatile nature of the market for our products and services and other factors that could impact our anticipated growth; our ability to manage our growth; changes in laws and regulations regarding the cannabis industry and service providers in the cannabis industry; reliance on key personnel; our ability to compete effectively; security and other risks associated with our business; intellectual property risks; and other risk factors set forth from time to time in our SEC filings. Helix TCS assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Media Contact: Jeff Gonring Helix TCS, Inc. 303-324-1022 press@helixtcs.com IR Contact: Scott Ogur Helix TCS, Inc. ir@helixtcs.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/former-president-of-mexico-vicente-fox-to-join-board-of-directors-of-helix-tcs-inc-300801030.html SOURCE Helix TCS, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] EDEKA Chooses Traxpay's Award-Winning Supplier Financing Platform FRANKFURT am Main, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EDEKA, Germanys largest supermarket corporation headquartered in Hamburg, announced the selection of Traxpay's dynamic financing platform to provide its suppliers with financial freedom and to deepen their relationship with them. Through dynamic discounting, EDEKA is able to offer suppliers the opportunity to be paid ahead of time for a discount. If necessary, suppliers can obtain liquidity on short notice, while EDEKA receives a price advantage in return. Automating a Manual Process "Previously, the process in which customers and suppliers discussed payment terms, cash discounts and deviations from agreements was highly complicated and lacked standardization," stated Markus Rupprecht, CEO of Traxpay AG. "The Traxpay solution completely digitalizes and automates the process, making it efficient and transparent for both sides." Win/Win for Buyers and Suppliers Traxpay's support goes well beyond providing the platform. "We can do a lot of work for our customers during onboarding and know exactly how to select suppliers and then how best to approah them to ensure they enroll," added Rupprecht. The fact that the Traxpay solution is scalable and multi-bankable at any time, as well as allows for the use of various financing instruments and sources, was seen as another important advantage for EDEKA. The Traxpay platform is a win for suppliers, who benefit as well. The platform is free to use and enables suppliers to immediately see what discount will be required to receive early payment. Suppliers can be 100 percent confident in the terms offered by this solution. They also benefit from this solution because financial flows can now be more reliably planned, enabling better cash forecasting. More Customers in the Pipeline While EDEKA is the first major customer active on the financing platform, Traxpay is already in advanced stage talks with a host of other interested parties. Although the Traxpay platform is a non-bank solution that does not necessarily require external funding, many banks support the concept. In a coordinated sales approach, Traxpay, together with partner banks, approaches bank customers to explain the benefits of the platform. About Traxpay Traxpay is an early pioneer in the B2B FinTech sector. Traxpay has developed a patent-pending Software-as-a-Service platform that helps companies, banks and B2B networks maximize previously unused working capital revenues by offering early payment programs. The Traxpay Dynamic Financing platform connects corporate ERP systems and combines them with banking working capital products. This combination enables data and business process optimization to provide much more flexible and efficient payment processing, (reverse) factoring and dynamic discounting. For more information, visit Traxpay or follow us on Twitter at @traxpay. Traxpay media contact: Alan Koenigsberg Alan.koenigsberg@traxpay.com +1917.453.4139 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Cherry Imaging to Launch Its Novel Aesthetic Imaging Technology at the AAD TEL AVIV, Israel, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Cherry Imaging, a leading developer of high-resolution scanner for aesthetic applications on both face and body will launch its cutting-edge technology at the AAD (American Academy of Dermatology) annual conference held in Washington on February 28, 2019. The company recently won the IMCAS Innovation 2019 which was held in Paris. Cherry presented its technology alongside 15 innovative startups in the medical space, to industry leaders, venture-capitalists and physicians and was awarded 1st prize. The technology brings scientific data measurements to the hands of physicians for accurate, objective, and traceable aesthetic and medical treatments on both face and body. The platform combines a powerful, easy-to-use skin morphology model scanner with an innovative Trace proprietary software that together can objectively measure changes in the skin - from scars, fillers and Botox, to body shaping, cellulite treatment, skin rejuvenation and pigmentation. Cherry's lightweight, handheld scanner captures thousands of three-dimensional images from multiple field views and multiple angles, all within a single, one-click scan. The images can be captured from wherever the doctor is with the patient no lighting adjustments or angling necessary. The software then analyzes the data, providing the doctor with accurate feedback for comparable analyses over time. The company plans to expand the applications to additional dermatological conditions including clinical dermatology. In the near future, the company will release the new version of Trace- Trace Everywhere which will enable access from any location and platform, such as any iPad or smart phone. About Cherry Imaging: Cherry Imaging was founded in 2014 as part of the Alon MedTech incubator in Yokneam. The company was founded by Dr. Shimon Eckhouse, one of Israel's leading medical entrepreneurs, Dr. Vardit Eckhouse, and Dr. David Aziz. Cherry Imaging has 13 employees, and is in early commercial sales in the US, Japan and other markets. For additional information please visit: https://www.cherryimaging.com/ Media Contact: Vardit Eckhouse +972-54-6457526 vardit@cherryimaging.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cherry-imaging-to-launch-its-novel-aesthetic-imaging-technology-at-the-aad-300801120.html SOURCE Cherry Imaging [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Accurx, a London, UK-based messaging service for doctors to communicate with patients, raised 8.8m in Series A funding. The round was led by Atomico, with participation from LocalGlobe and Entrepreneur First. Co-founded by Jacob Haddad and Laurence Bargery, Accurx Message provides Chain SMS, a messaging service that allows practice managers, GPs, admin and reception staff to directly text their patients. It can be used to send advice, notify a patient of normal results, remind them to book appointments, leave a message if they fail to get through and more. Chain SMS is a small toolbar that floats above EMIS. It pulls the patient information into the software when users click on the message icon and checks if the patient has any consent codes. Users can then write the message, and have the option to use a template and/or include a link to NHS Choices. Everything users send is saved back to the medical record. FinSMEs 25/02/2019 [February 25, 2019] Cepton Technologies Expands U.S. Operations, Opens Detroit Office Cepton Technologies, Inc., a provider of 3D LiDAR solutions for automotive, industrial, and mapping applications, today announced the opening of a new office in Detroit, Michigan that will operate as a key commercial and technical hub for the company. The new office, which will officially open on March 4, 2019, will ensure success for its current customer base and help rapidly expand its portfolio of customers in the automotive and mobility markets. The opening of the Detroit office continues Cepton's commitment to providing customers with high resolution, long-range and cost-efficient LiDAR solutions for 3D perception with a specific focus on meeting the needs of the automotive and mobility industries. Cepton has several current and prospective customers within the Detroit area that this office will help better serve. Additionally, this expansion will help facilitate closer work with not only these customers, but tier one partners such as May Mobility and North American Lighting, and others to be announced in 2019. "Cepton is committed to helping our customers bring self-driving vehicles to market by mass producing long range, high resolution, compact LiDAR sensors at an affordable price," said Jun Pei, CEO and co-founder of Cpton Technologies. "It strategically makes sense to have a team based in Detroit where they can work closely with our customers to help them accomplish their goals and obtain their feedback to further advance our solutions." The Detroit office will be staffed with local talent, starting with three team members and has plans to expand up to 10 employees during the next 12 months. The company's Director of Business Development, Mitch Hourtienne, will lead the office expansion with members from other Cepton offices around the world visiting and working short-term rotations. The team will support customers as they implement and launch Cepton's technology and products. Cepton introduced two new LiDAR products, Vista-M and Vista-X, designed for all levels of autonomous application at CES 2019, and will begin mass producing its portfolio of LiDAR sensors in partnership with Celestica (News - Alert) this year with full volume production by 2020. To learn more about Cepton Technologies, please visit: http://www.cepton.com/. About Cepton Technologies, Inc. Cepton Technologies, Inc. is a 3D sensing solutions provider shipping next-generation LiDAR products for the automotive, industrial and mapping markets. Founded in 2016 and led by LiDAR and advanced image industry veterans, Cepton has a leadership team that recognizes where the automotive industry and Internet of Things (IoT) market are headed and have deployed four advanced LiDAR solutions that are mapping the future. Cepton LiDAR technology delivers unrivaled detection range and resolution at low cost, to enable perception for the fast-growing market for smart machines. For more information, visit http://www.cepton.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005166/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Batavia Biosciences Receives $13.2M Grant to Accelerate Market Access of Low-Cost Inactivated Polio Vaccine Leiden, The Netherlands, February 25, 2019 Batavia Biosciences announced today that it received a $13.2 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to manufacture clinical-grade inactivated polio vaccine (sIPV), using its newly developed low-cost polio vaccine manufacturing process (marketed as HIP-IPVTM) based on the NevoLine manufacturing technology developed by Univercells. In 2016, Univercells and consortium partner Batavia Biosciences received a $12 million grant by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a manufacturing platform that integrates continuous processing with extremely high process intensification to radically reduce the footprint and costs of vaccine manufacturing. Within this program, Batavia Biosciences developed the manufacturing process for the polio vaccine, and Univercell developed the NevoLine manufacturing technology. The consortium attained the program goals of delivering a trivalent sIPV for less than $0.30 per dose, enabling them to lower the cost of the current vaccine by at least five times. After successfully completing the pilot-phase process for sIPV, Batavia Biosciences will now use the NevoLine system to manufacture clinical-grade sIPV bulks that can be supplied to Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers (DCVMs) to accelerate licensure of the low-cost polio vaccine. After a year of preparations, the production is scheduled to start in 2020. This manufacturing technology offers the potential to be truly transformational, enabling significant reductions in vaccine prices and lowering the barrier for vaccine manufacturers to construct new facilities. These are two important steps to avoid the estimated 3 million yearly deaths by vaccine preventable diseases, says Dr. Chris Yallop, CSO & COO of Batavia Biosciences. We are honored to partner with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. They have given us the capability to meet our goal to deliver a system, which will substantially decrease costs and time to market for vaccine manufacturers. This new modular system allows for instance to deliver 40 million trivalent sIPV doses per year per an estimated facility capital cost of less than $25 million, says Dr. Menzo Havenga, President & CEO of Batavia Biosciences. --- About Batavia Biosciences Batavia Biosciences significantly contributes to ease human suffering from infectious diseases by improving the success rate in the translation of candidate medicines from discovery to the clinic. We offer our novel technologies and in-depth know-how in order to help our partners to complete preclinical phases in biopharmaceutical product development at higher speed, reduced costs and increased success. The company focuses on the early stages of product development including cell line generation, upstream process development (mammalian & microbial), purification development, product characterization and clinical manufacturing. Headquartered in Leiden, the Netherlands, with a subsidiary in Woburn, Massachusetts, and offices in Hong Kong, Batavia Biosciences is privileged to have strong strategic partners worldwide. www.bataviabiosciences.com About Univercells Univercells is a business-to-business provider focused on increasing the availability of affordable vaccines and biotherapeutics to address global health challenges. The company is developing turnkey solution for a series of vaccines and biotherapeutics to be delivered at an affordable price. By relying on proprietary core technologies and a continuous process intensification approach, production is achieved with a smaller footprint, and significantly lower overall capital and operational costs. Univercells was founded in 2013 by experienced entrepreneurs Hugues Bultot, CEO, and Jose Castillo, CTO, who bring close to 25 years of expertise in the biotechnology and life sciences sectors. Headquartered in Gosselies (Belgium), Univercells benefits from support from the Walloon region, and received 3 million as early seeding from Takeda in 2015. At the end of 2016, the company was awarded a $16 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation www.univercells.com Attachment Highly intensified IPV production process [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Averon and tyntec Join Forces, Announce Global Launch of Direct Autonomous Authentication MUNICH and SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- tyntec, a global cloud communications provider, and Averon, developer of the world's first fully automated security solution, today announced their strategic technology partnership. Leveraging tyntec's extensive wireless carrier connectivity, the partnership will drive a global rollout for Averon's Direct Autonomous Authentication (DAA). Averon's technology provides instant, frictionless authentication, making it the easiest, fastest and most secure identity verification solution on the market. tyntec, which provides many of the world's leading internet companies and global enterprises with multifactor authentication services, will enable direct, international, wireless carrier connections for the DAA launch. The average cost of data breaches is continually rising, and experts maintain that threat actors behind these breaches are increasingly aggressive. In 2018, data breaches compromised more than 2.5 billion records in the United States alone. According to the Ponemon Institute, this equates to US$370 billion in business losses. This landscape prompted a growing need for multifactor authentication controls. However, implementing tighter security is often complicated and frequently leads to a negative customer experience. Together, tyntec and Averon are changing this dynamic, introducing DAA to provide tighter security through a back-end, two-factor authentication cycle that occurs without the need for SMS or user actions. "While myriad authentication solutions have come and gone, user impact and experience have remained stagnant in recent years," said Thorsten Trapp, CTO at tyntec. "Today's security threats are moving too quickly for reactive measures, making seamless, real-time authentication an absolute necessity. Through our partnershipwith Averon, we look forward to delivering secure, effective, multifactor authentication solutions that also enable enterprises to offer a positive and streamlined user experience." Today, Averon provides the only fully automated mobile authentication solution designed to replace complicated legacy methods, including SMS, app downloads and email codes. Using the mobile SIM as the source of trust, it eliminates password hacks and provides a completely frictionless cycle, requiring no user action. The solution can authenticate mobile phones, PC and tablet devices, manage role-based cloud access, secure mobile payments and instantly detect fraud at checkout. "A lot of businesses struggle to balance effective security and authentication protocols with elegant user experience," said Wendell Brown, CEO at Averon. "Companies understand the risks they face, from sophisticated threat actors to an increasingly complex connected economy. Until now, they have been forced to choose between 'ideal usability' and 'ideal security.' Averon's technology changes that, and with tyntec, we are bringing a new option that provides the best of both worlds: the strongest authentication with the easiest use." Building on tyntec's leadership in global multifactor authentication services, Averon will now have distribution across mobile carrier networks around the globe. tyntec will be the exclusive provider of network signaling data for Averon outside the United States, in regions including EMEA, Latin America and APAC. About Averon Averon is an award-winning, turnkey API solution that confirms user identity in real-time via mobile carrier network data. Its DAA solution seamlessly integrates to decrease friction and increase security in mobile payments, blockchain transactions, credit card purchases and more. Averon's DAA requires zero installations and no end-user involvement, working invisibly in the background for an easier, faster and more secure user experience. For more information, please visit www.averon.com About tyntec tyntec is a global cloud communications provider enabling businesses to communicate with their customers, workforce and machines. tyntec has built its global connectivity from the ground up and developed cloud APIs on top to provide the full advantage of cloud communications on a global scale. Building on its carrier-grade connectivity, tyntec continues to advance how today's enterprises utilize the universal services of messaging, voice, phone numbers and authentication to connect and perform transactions with people around the world. For more information, please visit www.tyntec.com Press contacts: tyntec Jean Shin +49 89 202 451 140 press@tyntec.com Averon Megan Davis, Edelman +1 (202) 756-2438 averon@edelman.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/averon-and-tyntec-join-forces-announce-global-launch-of-direct-autonomous-authentication-300800859.html SOURCE Averon [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Asurio, Inc. Announces New Version of BirdDog Cloud-based Mobile Inspection Software BROOMFIELD, Colo., Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Asurio, Inc. (www.asurio.com), a Colorado company offering cloud-based mobile inspection & data collection software, today announced a powerful, new version of its BirdDog software for mobile inspections. BirdDog 6.0 offers a simplified, integrated user interface, and powerful new features to speed & streamline the process of mobile inspections. This new version of BirdDog Mobile Inspection Software is available immediately to new customers. Existing customers already using BirdDog will be gradually transitioned onto the new, integrated technology platform in 2019. In addition, Asurio, Inc. is a Microsoft partner, and will be hosting BirdDog on the Microsoft Azure cloud computing solution, resulting in world-class 24/7 reliability and security. What Does BirdDog Mobile Inspection Software Do? BirdDog mobile inspection software allows users to: Perform field inspections & data collection Store the data on a tablet or mobile device Upload the data from the tablet to the BirdDog system Manage & share the inspection or audit data Develop a wide variety of reports based on a single inspection New Version of BirdDog Software Brings Next-generation Technology to Mobile Inspections Here are highlights of enhancements & additions to BirdDog Mobile Inspection Software: New, Integrated Platform: Asurio engineers have integrated the field inspection software and administration software into one combined platform. Asurio engineers have integrated the field inspection software and administration software into one combined platform. Support for Microsoft, Android & Apple: This new version of BirdDog Mobile Inspection Software operates on the top 3 standard technology platforms: Apple, Android & Microsoft. As a result, field techs can use Apple, Android, or Microsoft tablets to record inspection results. BirdDog also can work in off-line mode on all 3 mobile platforms. This means that field inspectors working deep in the heart of a building where they cant access a wireless internet connection can conduct their inspection, save the data, and upload the inspection results once they can access a viable internet connection. This new version of BirdDog Mobile Inspection Software operates on the top 3 standard technology platforms: Apple, Android & Microsoft. As a result, field techs can use Apple, Android, or Microsoft tablets to record inspection results. BirdDog also can work in off-line mode on all 3 mobile platforms. This means that field inspectors working deep in the heart of a building where they cant access a wireless internet connection can conduct their inspection, save the data, and upload the inspection results once they can access a viable internet connection. Enhanced, Digital Inspection Forms with Additional Information Fields: Asurio engineers also have added helpful, new information fields, including: Individual locations of multiple deficiencies such as painted sprinkler heads, category of deficiencies, and more. Asurio engineers also have added helpful, new information fields, including: Individual locations of multiple deficiencies such as painted sprinkler heads, category of deficiencies, and more. New Fire Extinguisher Inspection Module: BirdDogs new fire extinguisher module has asset tracking capabilities allowing inspectors to take full advantage of fire extinguisher serial and manufacturer bar codes for improved productivity using auto answer feature where fire extinguisher information auto-populates for selection y the inspector; BirdDogs new fire extinguisher module has asset tracking capabilities allowing inspectors to take full advantage of fire extinguisher serial and manufacturer bar codes for improved productivity using auto answer feature where fire extinguisher information auto-populates for selection y the inspector; New Field User Interface: The field inspector interface has been re-designed so its simpler and easier to use, with more information that auto-populates. The new field interface also is easier to read in bright light and low-light environments. The field inspector interface has been re-designed so its simpler and easier to use, with more information that auto-populates. The new field interface also is easier to read in bright light and low-light environments. New BirdDog Application Program Interface (API): Asurio also offers an application program interface (API) based on the BirdDog Inspection Software engine. This new API makes it easier for developers to incorporate inspection functions into software solutions they are developing. In addition, the BirdDog API meets a critical need: allowing inspection results to easily be formatted & uploaded to agencies providing inspections oversight such as fire departments, inspections departments, and third-party administrators contracted to alert building owners of required actions following inspections. New BirdDog Mobile Inspection Software Pricing BirdDog Mobile Inspection Software pricing is quoted based on customers specific needs. Options include: BirdDog Set-up, Configuration & Training Options A monthly subscription based on the number of users Initial set-up and configuration of your BirdDog system in the Microsoft Azure cloud On-site and/or remote BirdDog user training (initially & when you add staff) Data migration support Integration with other software programs such as accounting, billing, or other business software systems Additional BirdDog Mobile Inspection System Options: Custom Inspection Forms & Inspection Reports Services Asurio is unique in having a dedicated inspection forms department that works with customers to create customized forms & inspection forms as needed. Asurio is unique in having a dedicated inspection forms department that works with customers to create customized forms & inspection forms as needed. Specialty Inspection Modules Asurio offers a variety of extra specialty inspection modules such as Equipment Tracker, Inspection Item Import Utility & a Deficiency Module which tracks inspection deficiencies to highlight opportunities to book additional services. Asurio offers a variety of extra specialty inspection modules such as Equipment Tracker, Inspection Item Import Utility & a Deficiency Module which tracks inspection deficiencies to highlight opportunities to book additional services. BirdDog Inspection Query Library Asurio offers a library of queries for data evaluation for all data within the system. Asurio offers a library of queries for data evaluation for all data within the system. Customer Access Report Portal This is a report access portal which can be accessed by our customers clients. This portal allows 24/7 access to inspection reports This is a report access portal which can be accessed by our customers clients. This portal allows 24/7 access to inspection reports Application Program Interface (API) The Asurio development team works with customers who need API connectivity for adding inspection functionality into software applications they are developing. BirdDog Mobile Inspection Software is the most powerful, versatile & flexible mobile inspection system on the market today. As a result, customers are welcome to use the core inspection product alone, add additional functionality at installation, or add additional functions & offerings as their inspection needs expand. To request a quote, visit: www.asurio.com , or call: 303.444.1395. Cloud-based Mobile Inspection Software Is The New Standard As a Cloud-based Software as a Service (SAAS) mobile inspection system, BirdDog allows users to securely access the BirdDog inspection system with a computer and internet connection. The benefits of this approach are: No software to buy or load Software upgrades are handled by Asurio centrally Cost-effective inspection system based on a monthly subscription This new version of BirdDog mobile inspection software provides an even more reliable product thats easier to use, offers new functions, and enhances the productivity and efficiency for virtually any type of inspection or field data collection, said Asurio President Top Myers. By increasing the ease of use, features & functions, and the platforms on which BirdDog runs, were making it easier for our customers to streamline their inspections process, improve inspections, and speed up the follow-up work to address deficiencies found in the actual inspections. In addition, the new BirdDog Mobile Inspection Software also will make it easier for inspection companies and in-house inspection departments to train inspectors regardless of their computer literacy, as well as leverage the powerful inspection features and functions no one else offers, he noted. About Asurio, Inc. & BirdDog Mobile Inspection Software Asurio, Inc. is a USA-Based software company that offers the BirdDog Mobile Inspection System. BirdDog is one of the more powerful & robust mobile inspection systems on the marketing today. Asurio has a special expertise in fire-life safety inspections for buildings, hospitals, manufacturing facilities, and more. However, the BirdDog system can be configured to inspect and/or collect data for virtually any industry. Asurio, Inc. can be reached at: www.asurio.com , or 877.444.1488. Media Contact: Courtney DeWinter, DeWinter Marketing & PR - Denver 303.572.8180, www.DeWinterMarketingPR.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] Ann Arbor SPARK Annual Meeting on April 30 Features Keynote by Brookings' Amy Liu Ann Arbor SPARK will host its annual meeting on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at the Eastern Michigan University Student Center. Ann Arbor SPARK's annual meeting is attended by business, government, and academic leaders from across the Ann Arbor region and is a unique networking opportunity. As in previous years, at the annual meeting, Ann Arbor SPARK and members of its board of directors will highlight the organization's progress in advancing the region's economy over the past year. Ann Arbor SPARK will also present its annual board chair awards and preview new projects and initiatives for the coming year. "Ann Arbor SPARK's annual meeting has become one of the marquee annual events in our community, bringing together thought leaders across all types of industries and organizations," said Paul Krutko, Ann Arbor SPARK president and CEO. "It's also a chance for our community to celebrate the business growth and economic vitality that make Ann Arbor a destination for companies and job seekers alike. Our strong economy is the backbone of the quality of life that makes Ann Arbor so attractive and unique." This year's annual meeting features a keynote address by Amy Liu, vice president nd director of the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings and the Adeline M. and Alfred I. Johnson Chair in Urban and Metropolitan Policy. Liu is a national expert on cities and metropolitan areas adept at translating research and insights into action on the ground. As director of Brookings Metro, co-founded by Liu in 1996, she pioneered the program's signature approach to policy and practice, which uses rigorous research to inform strategies for economic growth and opportunity. Liu has worked directly on such strategies with scores of public and private sector leaders in regions around the country, including Chicago, Kansas City, Phoenix, upstate New York, and New Orleans. Ann Arbor SPARK's annual meeting is made possible by the generous support of sponsors, including premier sponsors, DTE Energy Foundation and Comcast (News - Alert) Business. For more information about the event, including registration, visit http://bit.ly/SPARK-Annual-Meeting. About Ann Arbor SPARK Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization, is advancing the region by encouraging and supporting business acceleration, attraction and retention. The organization identifies and meets the needs of business at every stage, from start-ups to large organizations. Ann Arbor SPARK collaborates with business, academic, government, and community investor partners. For more information, please call (734) 761-9317 or visit www.AnnArborUSA.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005692/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2019] 9th Microgrid Global Innovation Forum in Washington, D.C. to Examine Latest Technology Advances and Business Models WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The global microgrid market is on its way to becoming a $30.9 billion industry by 2027, according to recent analysis by Navigant Research. The drivers behind this include the need for greater grid reliability and resiliency, the integration and control of distributed energy resources into the grid, and the desire by commercial and industrial end users to control energy costs and maximize renewables. To explore these key market opportunities, the 9th Microgrid Global Innovation Forum North America will be held on March 18-20, 2019 in Washington, D.C. (www.microgridinnovation.com) Organized by the Smart Grid Observer, the conference brings together key thought leaders, utilities, energy providers, and other stakeholders to examine the latest technology developments and lessons learned in the design, implementation and operation of hybrid renewable energy microgrids. "As in previous years, this is a tremendous opportunity to interact directly with companies at the cutting-edge of microgrid deployment," says Daniel Coran, program manager. "Top industry experts will be speaking who are pushing the envelope in terms of leveraging microgrids for grid resiliency, service flexibility, and DER integration." The 9th edition of the conference will zero in on refining the value proposition and business case for microgrids in North America, integration with the larger grid, and case studies of grid-tied and off-grid projects and pilots to date. Speakers include: - Peter Asmus, Research Director-Microgrids, Navigant Research - Dr. Liuxi Zhang, Manager of Emerging Technologies, Commonwealth Edison - Michael F. McGhee, Executive Director, U.S. Army Office of Energy Initiatives - Michael Yambrach, Capital Projects, Department of General Services, Montgomery County - James Goudreau, Head of Climate, Novartis - Paul DeCotis, Senior Director-Energy & Utilities Practice, West Monroe Partners - Bob Foxen, CEO, Global Common - Ross Malme, Principal, Skipping Stone - Lee Ragsdale, Senior Vice President, Grid Infrastructure and Compliance, North Carolina's Electric Cooperatives - Andy Haun, SVP - Chief Technology Officer, Microgrid Business, Schneider Electric - John Glassmire, Senior Microgrid Advisor, ABB - Richard T. Stuebi, President, Future Energy Advisors - Will Agate, VP of Microgrids, Ameresco - Mariana Heinrich, Manager-Climate & Energy, World Business Council for Sustainable Development - John Vernacchia, Segment Manager, Renewable Energy Solutions, Eaton - Giovanni Polizzi, Energy Solutions Manager, Minsait - Dave Robison, Manager, Resilience Initiatives, Honeywell Energy Services Group - Scott Boehm, Director, Vykon Building Energy Security, Tridium - Jay Zoellner, CEO, Edison Energy - Joseph T. Sullivan, Vice President, Energy Policy & Development, Concord Engineering - Jonathan Stewart, Industry Director, Utility Products and Systems Division, NEMA - Stan Schneider, PhD, CEO, Real-Time Innovations, and Vice Chair, Industrial Internet Consortium - Christopher Johnson, COO, Blue Planet Energy Systems - Sami Kabbani, Senior Vice President of Energy, Covanta - Andrew H. Kricun, Executive Director, Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority - Jeffrey P. Price, Managing Partner, Bluewave Resources, LLC - Rao Konidena, CEO, Rakon Energy LLC - Greg Mowry, Program Director, Renewable Energy and Alternatives Laboratory, Univ. of St. Thomas - Shiv Mani, Senior Analyst, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)* - James Ellis, Senior Director, Utility Solutions, ChargePoint - Brian G. Morrison, Principal, Industrial Economics (IEc) - Rajit Gadh, PhD, Director, Smart Grid Energy Research Center, UCLA - Patrick L. Morand, Associate, Duane Morris LLP - Larisa Dobriansky, Chief Business & Regulatory Innovations Officer, General MicroGrids - Jared Leader, Senior Associate, Advisory Services, Smart Electric Power Alliance - Anna Demeo, PhD, Director of Smart Grid R&D, Racepoint Energy, LLC - Aron Bowman, Chief Operating Officer, ELM FieldSight - Michael J. Zimmer, Washington Counsel, Microgrid Institute - Aleksey Toporkov, President, ARDA Power - Ken Dulaney, Director of Industry and Innovation, FREEDM Systems Center, NC State University - Hugh McDermott, Senior Vice President-Business Development & Sales, ESS Inc. - Arnaud Henin, Managing Director, Gommyr Power Networks Topics to be addressed include: Innovative business models for solving today's biggest energy challenges Advanced microgrid controllers Microgrids and distributed energy resources (DER) integration Disruptive generation - bypassing the traditional grid paradigm Lessons from the implementation of utility-owned, island-able microgrids Benefits of multi-stakeholder, multi-partner microgrids The role of microgrids in non-wires strategies Economics and project financing and much more "North America is a key market for microgrid growth," Coran notes. "Attendees will hear directly from industry practitioners who have real world lessons to share and who will be discussing success strategies in this market going forward." The Forum will be held in Constitution Hall at American University in Washington, D.C. Previous versions of the Forum have been held in Irvine, California; Barcelona, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; Pasadena, California; and London. West Monroe Partners is Gold Sponsor of the Washington forum. Silver sponsors are Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL), GE Grid Solutions, and ComAp. To register for the Washington, D.C. conference, visit www.microgridinnovation.com/Washington/register.htm. Attendees who enter the special discount code SGO20 when registering will receive 20% off the standard rates. Like http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http://www.microgridinnovation.com Tweet http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=http://www.microgridinnovation.com;text=My%20Text%20-%20&via=My%20Name& Contact: Daniel R. Coran, Program Manager +1-815-310-3343 dcoran@smartgridobserver.com ABOUT SGO SGO is an online information resource and weekly e-newsletter serving the global smart energy and green-tech sectors. SGO delivers the latest industry news on a daily basis concerning key technology developments, deployment updates, standards work, business issues, and market trends. SGO organizes several conferences each year on topics such as microgrids, grid modernization, smart cities, demand response, IoT, distributed energy resources, and more. For a free subscription, visit www.smartgridobserver.com *Note: This speaker is participating in a private and individual capacity and he is not representing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or any other United States government agency. The views and opinions expressed in this presentation are the author's views and do not reflect the opinions of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or any other U.S. government agency. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/9th-microgrid-global-innovation-forum-in-washington-dc-to-examine-latest-technology-advances-and-business-models-300800895.html SOURCE Smart Grid Observer [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Farmington, WV (26555) Today A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 69F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. As the article "Women's advocate: Discovery reform silences rape victims," Feb. 6, points out, 36 other states have open discovery of some variation. These states include Arizona and North Carolina two of the most conservative states in our country. In these 36 states, protective orders provide safety to both victim and witness. Protective orders are effective and they are part of New York's discovery bill. The need for improved discovery procedures is more urgent than ever. In the last 10 years, more than 140 people were wrongfully convicted in New York. Discovery takes direct aim at reducing this number. People are innocently convicted and languish in prison, often because they do not have access to all the prosecution's evidence. Indeed, the bill creates more work for prosecutors who will sometimes obtain protective orders and redact information that could jeopardize victim and witness safety. But fairness dictates that discovery, together with the ability to use a protective order for witnesses and victims, must become law. ALBANY Gov. Andrew Cuomo has dropped his proposal to ban "stretch" limousines statewide made in the wake of the deadly Oct. 6 crash in Schoharie that killed 20 people. Cuomo's decision to strike the ban from his executive budget bills a month after he initially proposed it received praise from limo companies that had argued a total ban on any stretch limos would be an overly punitive measure that would put many companies out of business and force them to sell their fleets. "The limo ban is off," said Kevin Barwell, president of the Limousine Bus Taxi Operators Of Upstate New York. "This was a knee-jerk reaction that was going to affect many companies both upstate and downstate. Our voice was heard." A stretch limousine is a regular car or SUV that has been cut in two and elongated beyond its original wheelbase and seating capacity. They are commonly used for weddings, high school proms and funerals. Under federal law, the garage or company that "stretches" the vehicle has to affix a special tag to it certifying that the elongated vehicle conforms with federal safety regulations. Such tags are required under federal law, in addition to similar tags that are attached by the original manufacturer when it rolls off the assembly line. The stretched 2001 Ford Excursion involved in the Schoharie crash, in which all 18 occupants and two pedestrians died, had been stretched 180 inches beyond its original 137-inch wheelbase nearly two decades ago. The current owner, Prestige Limousine of Wilton, purchased the used vehicle in 2016. While there is no indication that there was anything wrong with the structural integrity of the Excursion, the limo had failed two roadside inspections conducted by the state Department of Transportation in the months leading up to the crash. The DOT inspections also noted that the Excursion was missing the federal safety certification tag that should have been affixed inside its door after it was stretched. The owner of Prestige, Shahed Hussain, and his son Nauman also failed to obtain proper DOT certification and put the Excursion through mandatory inspections every six months. Nauman Hussain, who had been operating the company while his father was away in Pakistan where he has remained since the crash has been charged with one count of criminally negligent homicide; he has pleaded not guilty. In the months after the crash, State Police seized the license plates from dozens of illegal limousines around the state. Cuomo proposed the ban on stretch limousines in January in legislation included in his executive budget proposal. The ban was the most sweeping element of a set of proposals also designed to stiffen penalties against illegal operators and close legal loopholes that Prestige Limousine appears to have taken advantage of. In amendments made earlier this month to Cuomo's budget bills, the section of the proposed change to the state's vehicle and traffic law that would have required the owners of all stretch limousines to surrender their registrations was stricken. In its place is new language that would allow the DMV to revoke the registration any stretch limo missing its "final" federal safety certification tag from the company that stretched it. Cuomo's spokesman Jason Conwall insisted that the change in legislative language still constituted a "ban" albeit one on improperly registered vehicles instead of a whole class of them. "A ban still exists and the legislation continues to focus on our top priority: safety," Conwall said in a statement. "The modified language will ensure that unsafe stretch limousines cannot be registered in New York by wholly prohibiting registration of vehicles that do not meet respective federal safety standards. This modification is purely a technical amendment to address conflict of law issues." Conwall noted that states can't pass a law contradicting federal law, a conflict that "would have been implicit in the application of the previous language." "If the federal government has passed a law, or establishes a regulatory construct, that establishes standards that these vehicles must meet to ensure safety, then by definition they should be safe," he said. "This change would require owners provide that information to the DMV before the vehicle can be registered." It appears that the rest of Cuomo's original limo law legislation remains in the budget bill. The proposal would create harsher fines and criminal charges for limo companies that try to circumvent the certification and inspection protocol for stretch limousines, and give the DOT and state Department of Motor Vehicles more explicit powers to seize license plates from illegal operators. The Limousine Bus Taxi Operators of Upstate New York had pressed legislative leaders in an attempt to get the outright ban language removed from the budget plan, and circulated a memo of opposition to all of Cuomo's limo law changes. It claimed that rushing through such measures would be an "injustice" to limo operators as well as the victims of the Schoharie crash and their families. "We disagree with Gov. Cuomo's legislation of an outright ban on the operation of limousines and re-manufactured vehicles, due to the fact that it does not address the heart of the problem," the memo states. "We believe this accident could have been prevented and an outright ban does not solve the issue." The total ban on stretch limousines was also opposed by the National Limousine Association and the Long island Transportation Association. Douglas Schwartz, a board member of both groups who owns a limo company on Long Island, said getting the stretch limo ban out of the budget negotiations was vital. "There was no question about it," Schwartz said. "That was the biggest issue." SARATOGA SPRINGS Philip A. Glotzbach, the president of Skidmore College since 2003, will step down at the end of the 2019-20 academic year, school officials said Monday. He confirmed his decision during the schools Board of Trustees regular meeting earlier this month. President Glotzbachs exemplary leadership over the last 15 years has strengthened Skidmore in every aspect, from the introduction of new academic programs and the first-year experience to enhancing the Colleges commitment to financial aid, and the construction of several impressive new facilities that have increased the vitality of the Colleges living and learning environment, said W. Scott McGraw, chair of Skidmores Board of Trustees. Phil and Marie Glotzbach have headed two major comprehensive campaigns for Skidmore, the latest of which includes significant support for the Center for Integrated Sciences, the largest and most ambitious infrastructure project in Skidmores history, whose construction began last spring, McGraw said. In a message to the school community, Glotzbach said none of what Marie and I have accomplished would have been possible without your active support, advice and collaboration. You have made it possible for us to provide leadership internally and represent the College to the larger world. Glotzbach, 68, became Skidmore's seventh president in 2003 after serving as dean and vice president for academic affairs at the University of Redlands, in Redlands, Calif. Since his arrival at Skidmore, the college implemented a 10-year strategic plan between 2005 and 2015 emphasizing student academic engagement, intercultural literacy and responsible citizenship. It also increased its financial aid budget by nearly 150 percent and the diversity of students and faculty. Glotzbach also oversaw the completion of major building projects, including the Northwoods student apartments, the renovated dining hall, the 55,000 square foot Arthur Zankel Music Center, and Sussman Village, which replaced the Scribner Village apartments. Construction of the first phase of the $127 million Center for Integrated Sciences began last spring, and the Board of Trustees last week approved a plan to combine the three phases and accelerate the project. Glotzbach is also credited with developing the colleges Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery into a model for fostering interdisciplinary learning and he started an initiative to enhance science education. He has also overseen the doubling of Skidmores endowment to about $390 million from $150 million. "His accomplishments at Skidmore have been stellar," said Linda Toohey, an emeritus board members who was on the search committee when Glotzbach was hired. In addition to his contributions to the school, he and his wife have started a number of charitable organizations, including Skidmore Cares, which raises money for local not-for-profits, she said. They also initiated the Saratoga ArtsFest, an annual arts festival, and Saratoga Reads, in which the community selects a book each year that participants read and then discuss in groups. "Those were their babies," she said of the ongoing programs. Faculty members credit Glotzbach with deftly steering the school through the 2008 recession and they appreciate his dedication to academics. He made strategic decisions that were really, really helpful, said Tim Harper, an associate professor and chairman of the Department of Management and Business. Harper credited Glotzbach with, early on the 2008 recession, offering buyouts to staffers rather than enacting layoffs. That, Harper said, helped maintain morale at the school during difficult budget years. Morale was able to stay on track. Of all the options, none were punitive, Harper said. We were able to weather that terrible storm better than most, added Grace Burton, an associate professor of Spanish and chairwoman of the Theater Department. She also said faculty appreciate his background in academics. As a faculty member I think I would say that in a world where higher education, especially liberal arts education, is under attack, it was for me as a faculty member very comforting to know that we had a real academic and not just an academic, but a philosopher at the helm. "We have more inventive students," added Michael Arnush, an associate professor of Classics and chairman of that department. The school, he explained, has a motto that states "Creative thought matters." More for you News Opposing sexual violence on Skidmore campus, in Saratoga... "I think under Phil it became a reality," he said. A Dayton, Ohio native, Glotzbach earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Ph.D. from Yale University. He taught for 15 years in the philosophy department at Denison University in Ohio, before going to University of Redlands. Marie Glotzbach has been a teacher, director and program administrator in theater and vocal music for 40 years, at both the secondary and college levels. She earned her masters degree at the University of Redlands, where she taught Shakespeare and acting courses and directed for the theater department. In addition to teaching, her responsibilities at Skidmore have included community relations and fundraising. Glotzbach said the Board of Trustees was aware of his intentions and has been preparing for the upcoming search for his replacement. We will provide more information about the search in the days ahead, McGraw said. We also will provide opportunities for the entire community to receive updates and provide feedback throughout the process. rkarlin@timesunion.com 518-454-5758 @RickKarlinTU New York Sen. Charles Schumer on Sunday demanded that the Trump administration earmark at least $1.2 billion in the federal budget for New York City's blighted public housing the nation's largest. The New York Democrat spoke at the Alfred E. Smith Houses on Manhattan's Lower East Side. Tenants say conditions in the city's more than 300 public housing complexes where 400,000 New Yorkers live are a health hazard from mold and lead to holes in walls, rodents and lack of heat. The senator said it's impossible to improve conditions without new federal funds. The push for more money for New York comes on the heels of last month's agreement between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the City of New York and the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), giving the federal government the authority to oversee desperately needed improvements at NYCHA properties. "We have seen the spiraling results of decades of federal disinvestment in public housing at NYCHA, specifically," Schumer said. While the settlement is a positive step forward, "you cannot address the structural and systemic problems here without the federal government providing its fair share to fix the pipes, the boilers, address lead and more." In addition to federal money, New York City is required to spend $2.2 billion over the next decade on repairs. A former federal prosecutor will monitor the work and issue reports. Schumer was joined Sunday by tenants and U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez, a Democrat. The deal with New York City resolved a lawsuit in which federal authorities filed on behalf of the system's tenants but stops short of a solution suggested by a judge last fall: to take the system out of the city's hands and place it under federal control. Paul Buckowski/Times Union A Washington County man is facing multiple charges after he allegedly broke into a home as part of a dispute over a missing banjo, according to the Post-Star. The Post-Star reported Monday that 52-year-old Peter D. Narkiewicz was charged felony criminal mischief as well as menacing, reckless endangerment and criminal trespass, all misdemeanors, after he allegedly bashed a door and window at an acquaintance's home in Hartford on Saturday. Cucuta, Colombia Opposition leader Juan Guaido has called on the international community to consider "all options" to resolve Venezuela's crisis, a dramatic escalation in rhetoric that echoes comments from the Trump administration hinting at potential U.S. military involvement. Guaido's comments late Saturday came after a tumultuous day that saw President Nicolas Maduro's forces fire tear gas and buckshot on activists trying to deliver humanitarian aid in violent clashes that left two people dead and some 300 injured. For weeks, the U.S. and regional allies had been amassing emergency food and medical kits on Venezuela's borders in anticipation of carrying out a "humanitarian avalanche" by land and sea to undermine Maduro's rule. With activists failing to penetrate government blockades and deliver the aid, Guaido announced late Saturday that he would escalate his appeal to the international community beginning with a meeting Monday in Colombia's capital with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on the sidelines of an emergency summit of leaders of the so-called Lima Group to discuss Venezuela's crisis. He said he would urge the international community to keep "all options open" in the fight to restore Venezuela's democracy, using identical language to that of President Donald Trump, who in his public statements has repeatedly refused to rule out force and reportedly even secretly pressed aides as early as 2017 about the possibility of a military incursion. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has also stepped up the belligerent rhetoric, saying on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday that Maduro's "days are numbered." A close Guadio ally, Julio Borges, the exiled leader of congress who is Guaido's ambassador to the Lima Group, was more explicit in urging a military option. "We are going to demand an escalation of diplomatic pressure ... and the use of force against Nicolas Maduro's dictatorship," he said Sunday. Althouogh polls say Venezuelans overwhelmingly want Maduro to resign, while almost an equal number reject the possibility of a foreign invasion. John Carl D'Annibale/Times Union Historic Images MENANDS - The village has restarted the Comprehensive Plan process after two years of research. The Comprehensive Plan will guide future policy decisions and help secure state grant funding to implement its projects, a press release from The Chazen Companies, the planning firm contracted to complete the plan, said late last week. Peter Morgan/AP WESTERLO When a man got in touch with a stranger on Facebook saying he "has a bunch of weed if you need it," he didn't realize the person on the other side of social media was a confidential informant, according to police. Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said the pair set up the transaction and when investigators showed up at his house Friday, Kerry Bendel, 23, was found with a pound of marijuana that was packaged for sale. Investigators later found an additional six pounds of marijuana when they searched his home. Kinimo Ngoran is not coming home yet. On Monday, a federal judge gave the government a week to make a decision about whether to continue Ngoran's stay of removal, which prevents him from being deported, and to keep him detained, Ngoran's lawyer said. The Capital City Rescue Mission chef has been in Batavia Federal Detention Facility near Buffalo after he was arrested in Latham by ICE during a routine check-in a month ago. On Monday, Rochester U.S. District Court Judge Charles J. Siragusa heard the petition challenging his detention. "It wasn't the outcome that we were hoping for, but we're pleased with the outcome," said Albany Law School professor Sarah Rogerson, head of Ngoran's legal counsel. "He [the judge] chastised the immigration officer for taking so long to take a decision on Kinimo's case. He noted there wasn't a decision made until this year. He said now that there are other applications pending, he should be entitled to a decision on those applications." Ngoran's petition to get legal immigration status through his American wife of two years, Lisa Pepper-Ngoran, was approved three weeks ago. With the approved visa petition, Ngoran now has to wait to get a green card. It could take years, Rogerson said. Ngoran's counsel is arguing that Ngoran should not be deported while he is in the process of getting legal immigration status and should be released in the meantime because he is not a flight risk. The government has to file its decision with the court by next Wednesday morning. ICE could keep Ngoran's stay of removal and release him or continue to detain him. It could also deny his stay of removal and move to deport him which would take Ngoran's legal counsel back to court so that the judge could make a decision about the pending petition challenging his detention. Rogerson said 15 to 20 supporters, including Ngoran's wife and Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, were present in court Monday. "All I learned today is how confusing and broken the immigration system is," Apple told the Times Union after the hearing. "I'd like to see him released and let the process play out and let him continue to fight. He's not going anywhere. There's no reason he can't sit at home in Albany and continue with the legal team." Ngoran is represented by a vast legal team including New York City-based NSC Community Legal Defense, a nonprofit that defends detained immigrants facing deportation. When the organization asked him the first thing he would do if released, Ngoran answered "go back to work serving people at the mission." Ngoran entered the country illegally more than a decade ago, saying he was fleeing violence and religious persecution in the Ivory Coast. Since then, he's been trying to get legal status. ICE spokesman Khalid Walls said Ngoran was ordered removed from the U.S. by a federal immigration judge in 2004. Courts denied his subsequent 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. Ngoran had 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, Walls said. City Mission Executive Director Perry Jones said Ngoran came to the mission in 2011 homeless and seeking shelter, but the beloved chef became a volunteer and then an employee in the kitchen. Jones mentored and accompanied Ngoran to his regular ICE visits, but on Jan. 23, Jones returned to the mission following one of those visits without Ngoran, who was arrested. The case received widespread attention after Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, whose jail houses detained migrants, decried the decision by ICE to detain Ngoran after years of allowing him to be free. Ngoran's family, legal counsel and elected officials rallied at the Capital City Rescue Mission to advocate for his release. His community in Albany and beyond have supported him organizing a letter-writing campaign to local elected officials, setting up a GoFundMe fundraising effort and creating a petition urging concerned citizens to call the ICE office in Latham and demand Ngoran's freedom. Apple even made a plea on Twitter to President Donald Trump to take action on the beloved chef's case. He didn't expect a response, he said, but he wanted the public to not lose sight of the situation. "We still have a loving wife at home without her husband," he said. "And we have a guy doing everything he's asked who's sitting in jail cell." GLENS FALLS - A hiker whose body was found in south Florida last summer might have connections to the Lake George area, city police report. The man, known by the nicknames "Denim" and "Mostly Harmless," was discovered dead in a tent on July 23. Social media posts on the Facebook page of the Collier County, Fla., Sheriff's Office suggest the man began hiking the Appalachian Trial in New York and then continued into Florida. ALBANY - Joseph Percoco, a former top adviser to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo who was convicted of corruption, will not begin his six-year prison sentence on Friday. A federal appellate court ruled on Friday that Percoco, who was convicted last year on charges he took $320,000 in bribes by exploiting his political muscle, can remain free pending his appeal. A District Court judge had previously ordered Percoco report to prison while his attorneys attempt to reverse the conviction through an appeal. Steven Aiello, a Syracuse developer convicted of funneling money to Percoco, will also avoid starting his three-year prison sentence while his appeal is adjudicated. The decision was opposed by federal prosecutors, who argued it's unlikely the convictions will be overturned on appeal. The ruling from U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Peter Hall allows a temporary stay on the prison sentences until a three-judge panel reviews the appeals. Federal law allows defendants to remain free on bond pending an appeal when a judge finds, among other factors, that the the case "raises a substantial question of law or fact likely to result in ... reversal (or) an order for a new trial." U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni had found that was not the case for Percoco, a former executive deputy secretary to Cuomo, and Aiello, the former president of COR Development in Syracuse. "To warrant bail pending appeal, the defense's arguments must present a 'close question' of law or fact, not merely an open or undecided question," the judge ruled. In September, Caproni sentenced Percoco to six years in prison for accepting more than $300,000 in bribes $35,000 from COR and another $285,000 from Peter Galbraith Kelly, an executive at the energy company Competitive Power Ventures. The payments went to Percoco's wife, Lisa Toscano-Percoco. In December, Caproni sentenced Aiello to three years in federal prison for his conviction in the case, as well as for his role in a conspiracy to rig $855 million in state contracts for projects overseen by SUNY Polytechnic Institute to benefit COR and another developer, LPCiminelli of Buffalo. The contracts were part of the governor's "Buffalo Billion" initiative. Additional reporting by Robert Gavin ALBANY - Nine-year-old Sadie Hayek has a message: "Free the children, close the camps." On Monday at lunchtime, Hayek stood outside the Lee O'Brien Federal Building in downtown Albany, holding up her sign with the slogan, against gusts of wind. She, another 4th grade student and their teacher from the Albany Free School joined a dozen local protesters calling on elected officials to shut down child detention centers. "Children in cages is messed up because you die," Hayek said. "Everybody was a child once. They should think about that person and think about how they wouldn't want to die in a cage." Last summer, the government separated undisclosed numbers of migrant children from their parents at the U.S. southern border. By September, 12,800 children were detained in federally contracted shelters the closest to the Capital Region in Kingston. In December, a 7-year-old Guatemalan girl almost Hayek's age died from dehydration and exhaustion while in custody. Monday's protest was organized by Chloe Blanch, a freelance writer and mother of a toddler who hosted a similar rally in Saratoga Springs earlier this year. She said she wanted to push past just feeling bad and do something by demanding legislators take action. Blanch and other protesters called on New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand to co-sponsor the "Shut Down Child Prison Camps Act," introduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) in December. The bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from operating unlicensed temporary emergency shelters for unaccompanied alien children, including the existing shelters in Tornillo, Texas and Homestead, Fla. The bill was also introduced in the House of Representatives. On Monday, passing cars near the Palace Theater honked in support. One heckler, Blanch said, hounded the group for about 10 minutes. He first screamed to protest the state's recently passed Reproductive Health Act and then argued about migrants "let them all in and wait until they kill your family," Blanch said. She tried to explain why they were there - to hold a peaceful protest. Sharen Alley, a teacher and artist, arrived at the protest dressed like Lady Liberty with a message on her back "I really care, do you?" mimicking an infamous jacket once worn by Melania Trump, featuring the words "I really don't care. Do U?" scrawled across its back. Alley held a baby doll draped in a heat blanket, like those given to children in detention centers, and an American flag upside down. "Lady Liberty is in distress," said Alley, who studied German and Russian history to understand how civilized nations could descend into fascism. "The U.S. is behaving in a fascist way. Children are treated like criminals when there is a humanitarian crisis." She said that with the money spent to detain children an estimated $750 per child a day the government could settle, house and send migrants to private school. Diana Morales-Manley, Hayek's teacher at the Albany Free School, came to the protest to overcome feeling powerless when she learned about national issues. "What our country is doing is really sad. It's inhumane," she said. "It hurts my heart that these little kids fleeing for a better life are detained. A few have died. It's heart-wrenching." Matt Oill, a SUNY Schenectady student, waved a flag with the peace sign on it. "I'm not a big fan of children being put in cages," he said. "I hope that children and adults coming into this country, maybe they're not legal, but at the absolute least, can be treated with humanity." Karen Beetle, the co-coordinator of Capital District Border Watch, a new initiative of advocacy group ICE-Free Capital District, read a statement at the protest from Zeo Tavarez-Polanco, a Dominican immigrant and Albany teacher who traveled to protest at the border on President's Day. "No child belongs locked up and away from everyone they know," Tavarez-Polanco wrote. "We, as Americans, must demand that the cruel and inhumane treatment of these children end immediately. These acts violate our humanity, our morals, and our integrity. We must get it to end and to never happen again. Together we must make our voices heard for what is right. Kids belong in classrooms and with family, never in cages." Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019 Albany The flight from danger to a strange land can be too much for children to put into words. But where language fails, colored pencils and paint can be a powerful alternative. That was the lesson on a recent Wednesday afternoon at Emmaus United Methodist Church, where children who may have faced dangerous conditions overseas now sat sketching and scribbling at a table piled high with their drawings. Sitting with them to offer guidance was Emma Willard student Stella Hyeyeon Rim, herself an immigrant and an artist. For Rim, 20, the lesson she was imparting to the kids that day was a personal one. Her family brought her from South Korea to Canada in the third grade, but she lacked the language to communicate verbally with her classmates. The soft-spoken artist recalled how her drawings took the place of words an experience like the one she would bestow on her young students as an antidote to past struggles. Since I couldnt really talk to other people it was really hard for me to socialize, Rim said. At that time the only thing I could do was drawing on the sketchbook and just doodling around with the cartoons that I read. But then the classmates actually started to get interested in my drawings in my sketchbook, and eventually they started to get interested in who I am. Stellas volunteer work at the church is part of Refugee and Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus (RISSE). Her involvement with the group, which assists refugee and immigrant families in the Albany area, began when she heard about the organization from friends two years ago. Her after-school visits have since evolved into an academic project and a deep learning experience. Sheltered from crisis Numbers suggest violence has sent people fleeing for their lives around the world at an ever-greater rate. According to USA for UNHCR, a Washington, D.C., nonprofit advocating for refugees, 68.5 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations in 2017 an increase of 2.9 million people over 2016. RISSE serves an average of 65 children between the ages of 5 and 12 on weekday afternoons, said Maia Boswell-Penc, lead teacher for the after-school program. The children are mostly refugees from Congo, Rwanda, Syria and Afghanistan, she said. Before their arrival in Albany they may have endured anywhere between one to 10 years of life at a refugee center. Some families can even wait more than 20 years, RISSE Executive Director Rifat Filkins said. On Wednesday afternoon, the top floor of the church was a flurry of young, inquiring voices, rapid footsteps and laughter. One child clutched a homework sheet in search of help with his division; nearby, a tutor read from a book about the Great Wall of China. On the walls, posters adorned with anime characters and hand-written in tall black letters exhorted the students to be courteous and diligent. When Boswell-Penc announced it was dinnertime, every kid within earshot made a dash for the bathroom to line up and wash their hands. The rooms emptied as eager youths rushed out for their meals. In moments, silence had fallen on Boswell-Penc and a student volunteer as the solitary pair knelt to pick up the containers of paint strewn across the art room floor. Usually, Boswell-Penc said with a laugh, theyre fairly good at helping clean up. The long wait A crucial point where disadvantages accrue for refugee youths destined for America is at the refugee camps the limbo point where asylum-seekers wait for word on whether they will be accepted into another country, out of harms way. Beyond the waiting, there is little opportunity to do anything else. Without access to school, parents and children can be unable to prepare themselves for the educational and professional demands of another country. For families that do arrive, the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants offers assistance for three months. After that the new arrivals are on their own. Kids come with all these social emotional needs families get separated, Filkins said. We have many, many kids who didnt come with their parents, they came with some relative. And then once they come over here many of them go through a lot of trauma during all this transition, and then a language barrier. Parents can be too busy putting food on the table to help with homework. Some may lack literacy even in their native languages. That leaves a void children can fall into as they try to adapt to a radically new world, and sometimes the stress can be too much. You would be surprised at how all these kids, they feel like they cannot read, they cannot do it, so its frustrating, Filkins said. I have seen them coming from school, throwing their bags, frustrated. Door to understanding For Rim, her introduction to the children at the refugee center dispelled the stereotypes she had held in her mind images from the internet of impoverished families with only the most basic needs for food and shelter. Thats why I started to think about what I could do in order to help their well-being, she said, not just their financial need but their ability to thrive in the future. Ultimately, she tailored her curriculum to give them a bridge to better understand the traditions of their American neighbors such as Christmas, which the children wanted to experience for themselves. Her efforts made a mark. Everyone loves Stella, said Elvira, who was born in the United States and whose mother is from the Republic of Congo. Elvira has been attending the after-school RISSE program since pre-kindergarten. She taught us a lot about drawing, the 10-year-old says, with a note of satisfaction in her voice. Ive actually improved my eye drawings. Her two classmates, Djene, 9, from Guinea, in Africa, and Pari, 11, from Afghanistan, agree with her that their skills have improved since they came under the tutelage of Rim. The three girls nodded enthusiastically when asked if they planned to continue with their artwork in the future. Their creations at the refugee center include images of glitter-encrusted flowers, hearts and rainbows. Rims efforts culminated in an exhibit of work by 28 of the children at the Arts Center of the Capital Region. Kind words were in store for Pari when she visited the Troy gallery to see her creations exhibited. I see my stuff and everyone was saying to me, You draw this? she said. And I said Yeah, and they said Its beautiful. The girls are unanimous in their response to the show. It just makes me feel proud inside, Elvira said. Art is a passion. We love art. I loved art even before Stella came its just that she taught me a lot more. You can express yourself. You know, how you feel. You can doodle and make mistakes and then make it into a masterpiece. Attesting to impact While the obstacles to adjustment for recently arrived children can be formidable, research suggests that art instruction can serve as a form of therapy. In a 2018 study, researchers Zahra Akthar and Andrew Lovell compared interviews with art therapists and found a common thread running through their testimonies: Art gave refugee children a voice to communicate with and provided a space in which to establish a sense of belonging in their new home. Filkins attests to the effects of creative activities at the refugee center. They go through all this struggle and here they find some time where they can concentrate on something that they like, she said. At the end of the day they can see a product that they worked on. (Its) such a sense of accomplishment for them because mostly thats not what they see themselves as. A finished drawing or painting, she said, can change their attitude for the better when the difficulties of adjustment to their new habitat are overwhelming. Oh I dont know thats all they go through every day, she added. I dont know or I dont know if its going to be right or wrong, she said. Other studies add to the picture. In a 2004 evaluative study, researchers at the department of psychiatry at the Montreal Childrens Hospital tested the effects of creative workshops in school on immigrant and refugee children from different cultures. One of the workshops was based on an exercise in which each child tells a story about the journey of a character of their choice, starting at the characters homeland and ending after their arrival at a new host country. The study found evidence that these projects boosted the childrens self-esteem. Rim organized the exhibit and volunteers as part of a project at Emma Willard. When it came time to craft a curriculum for youths, Rims art teacher was there to help as a mentor, offering advice based on her work with children. Rim also created merchandise, including notebooks, tote bags and cups, using art made by students at RISSE. Proceeds from the sale of the merchandise locally and in Korea exceeded $3,000, which will go toward the purchase of a van for RISSE to transport children. The young artist hopes to expand her curriculum to help other children in need at places like hospitals. I just dont want to limit myself, my project to just refugee children, she said. I want it to be helpful for society itself. In the words of Elvira, Its a big explosion of creativity. Kellen Riell is an editor and designer at the Times Union. The agency in charge of granting licenses to defense exporters will start to require KYC, blacklist, and sanctions searches to applications for marketing and export licenses. This move is meant to strengthen control by Israeli authorities over marketing and export of military goods, which sometimes allegedly find their way into dubious hands. The Israeli Ministry of Defense Export Control Authority (DECA) system for granting export licenses is two-tiered: The first stage is a request for a marketing license (in order to carry out substantive marketing activities), and the second is a request to grant the export license itself. The new requirements refer to both stages. However, in an effort not to burden the exporters, the new forms are not required for marketing license applications for unclassified products, which dont require special scrutiny by DECA. Requests for a marketing license of a classified product (as detailed in DECAs internal lists) or for requests for the export and sale license itself (for any product) the forms require that a basic KYC process be conducted by the exporter. This includes verification of the end users identity and ownership (including those of any interim parties), an initial check of the customers record in terms of arms and non-conventional weapons proliferation, and verification that it is not listed in a major defense blacklist and sanctions list. In case of an export license for a classified product, the exporter is required to fill out a more detailed questionnaire, highlighting suspicious indicators such as generous payment terms, request for a large quantity of spare parts, unusual shipment terms, etc. Unti now, the DECA agency did not take any position of involvement in exporters compliance programs, other than for adherence to the DECA regulatory requirements, dealing mainly with the defense aspects of marketing or exporting a military or dual-use product. However, recently Israeli arms and technology allegedly found their way into dubious hands or were mentioned in unflattering contexts. There is also a global trend for more control over arms exports and movements to prevent misuse by rogue regimes or organizations. The DECA has reformed its services and organizational structure to lessen bureaucratic burdens from requesting exporters and aims to simplify the license grant process. Exporters and the Israeli defense industry have welcomed these steps. As regards to the new requirements, in light of exporters calls for postponement of their coming into effect, the MOD has announced that an initial grace period for organization is given. After the grace period, the requirements shall enter into full power and license requests without the filled new forms shall not be handled by DECA. This brings a wind of change to the world of defense export in Israel, requiring each company to be aware, at least on a basic level, to considerations of national and international security as well as global crime prevention. Israel is considered a defense manufacture and export powerhouse, and its defense exports amounted to over $9 billion last year. The defense industry in Israel is very developed, and is estimated to include some 500 companies that provide, directly and indirectly, to more than 100,000 households. Notwithstanding some protests by exporters, it is expected that the Israeli defense companies will adhere to the new regulatory regime. This will also bring a new era to the DECAs reference to the data provided in the new forms by the exporters a step that may significantly influence the ways and policies in which Israeli MOD will grant export licenses from now on. _____ Asher Miller, pictured above, is a compliance expert and the founder of Miller Law, an Israeli law firm specializing in compliance and industry-government transactions. He can be contacted at here. New York Rita Moreno plays one of TV's best villains. Or is she one of its snidest heroines? Either way, her sassy grandmother on the Netflix reboot of "One Day at a Time" is truly a funny concoction. Her Lydia wears makeup to bed, has a gun on hand and still is seductive in her 80s. "I came out of the womb wearing stilettos," she purrs in a Cuban accent. The show has retooled Norman Lear's old sitcom for a Latin family. Moreno, one of the rare EGOT winners, is enjoying a purple creative patch lately with the show's third season and an upcoming role in the Steven Spielberg-led remake of "West Side Story," for which Moreno won an Oscar as Anita in 1961. The Puerto Rican-born actress recently spoke to The Associated Press about her brassy Netflix role, the regrets she had doing the original "West Side Story" and her thoughts on the#MeToo movement. AP: You're clearly having too much fun with this Netflix character. In one scene, you try to hit on your own daughter's boyfriend. Moreno: She's shameless. This woman, Lydia, is absolutely shameless. She's vain. She's a bit of a liar when it's convenient. The interesting thing about this character is that she has a lot of negatives on her side but people love her. People love her because of her foibles. AP: After the role was offered, you asked for something, didn't you? Moreno: I did ask a favor. I said, 'I know she's a grandmother and I know she's supposed to be in her late 70s, but she has to be sexual. Otherwise I'm not interested.' And they loved the idea. So now they've really taken advantage. Sometimes I say, 'You really want me to say that?' AP: Why was her sensuality important to you? Moreno: I think it's because it's not seen enough on television and because people have an odd notion of what a woman of 80 well actually I'm 87. I'm playing younger. She's supposedly about 77, 78 something like that. And you don't see that but it exists. And that's why I insisted that she be a sexual being. AP: Are there any drawbacks to playing her? Moreno: The difficult part of playing this particular role is that she's very big. She's very theatrical. She's a diva and it's very easy to go too far with that. So I'm always constantly on the look-out and I'm always saying 'I don't think she'd say that' to the writers. 'That just seems arbitrary' or whatever. And then we have to have a discussion about that. Sometimes they agree with me. And sometimes they'll play along with me. AP: You'll soon revisit "West Side Story." Any regrets about the original, particularly the way they handled the racial aspect? Moreno: Puerto Rico was colonized by the French, the Dutch and the Spanish and so we are many colors. I am one and I really resented it when they put very dark makeup on me because that's not my color. I thought the Sharks should have all of their own natural colors. Some were dark, some were copper skin, some were fair. AP: Your skin was darkened, too, right? Moreno: I remember one time saying to the makeup man who was making me up, 'I really hate this color because this isn't the color I am.' And he actually said to me 'What, are you racist?' I was so stunned that I didn't say anything. I didn't know what to say. That's really also how little people know about Puerto Ricans. AP: You have fund-raised for Puerto Rico storm relief and support Meals on Wheels and a nonprofit clinic. What motivates you to act? Moreno: Anything that involves hunger, particularly food banks. I just can't imagine being hungry all the time and I can't imagine how anyone can function properly if they're hungry. So that's my thing. Everyone has their particular interest and, for me, it's hunger, always. AP: Are you encouraged by the #MeToo movement? It feels like change has come, but only after years of sitting on our hands. Moreno: I think we were sitting way, way, way too long. But I also come from an era when you had to be nice to men. I remember my mom saying that to me. She said, 'You be a nice girl and if a man tells you to do this or that, you do it. OK?' And let me tell you, that has its effect. It's lasting. It took me a very, very, very long time to feel independent. I would tell you until about 10 years ago. Why are you surprised? That's how I was raised, really. And it is surprising and it's shocking, but I didn't know how to even write a check for the longest time. My husband did that. Things have changed so quickly and I'm so happy about that. Albany Rich Honen, described as "the attorney behind many of Capital Region's biggest business deals over the last several decades," will discuss the Capital Region's environment for startups and what can be done to improve it, at the next meeting of the Albany Roundtable. The event will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, at the University Club of Albany, 141 Washington Ave. Honen is a partner at Phillips Lytle LLP and heads its Albany office. More details, registration: albanyroundtable.com Albany A second track between Albany and Schenectady, a fourth track at the Rensselaer station, positive train control on tracks south of Rensselaer, and new train stations and high-level platforms were among the accomplishments a top state transportation official listed Monday when asked about New York's high-speed rail program. But Ron Epstein, executive deputy commissioner at the state Department of Transportation, declined to say what the state may have decided about how to proceed with its plan to increase train speeds and train frequencies between Albany and Buffalo. A draft environmental impact statement was completed more than five years ago. The final statement is expected to be completed this spring, a Federal Railroad Administration spokesman told the Times Union late last week. Epstein said having the EIS in place would position the state to seek any federal funding that becomes available for high-speed rail projects. It presumably also would mark the start of efforts to build whatever has been decided, from an additional track to a dedicated corridor, the most expensive of the alternatives. There's also a no-build option that would leave things as they are. Domestic high-speed rail programs have been difficult to build and pay for. Gavin Newsom, California's newly elected governor, last week week scaled back plans to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles by high-speed rail, saying it was too expensive. The most expensive of the five alternatives New York is considering a dedicated corridor with trains traveling up to 125 mph would cost an estimated $14.7 billion. And that's in 2015 dollars. Even if the state chooses an alternative to pursue, it's likely to meet various challenges, slowing progress and adding to costs, supporters fear. And it wasn't clear whether CSX, which owns the existing right of way, is on board. Efforts to reach a spokesperson have been unsuccessful. Epstein said that the DOT has been working with "the freight railroad" on ways to increase the flow of freight and on ways to make its operations more efficient. One passenger rail advocate, Bruce Becker, vice president of operations for the Washington, D.C.-based Rail Passengers Association, said the improvements touted by Epstein were significant. "We're better off than we were five years ago in New York," when the draft EIS was completed, he said Monday. John L. Glenn Jr. of Thomasville passed away on Thursday June 24, 2021 at his residence. His full obituary and service details will be announced soon at www.allenfh.com. CUMBERLAND Two law firms one on the past, the other on the present side of an attempt to remove a school board member will compete to be This is a replica of a veterans memorial officials hope to build in Friendsville. The centerpiece will be the six servicemen who lost their lives during the Vietnam War. This is the screen that would appear if a cashier scanned the digital license of a person between the ages of 18 and 21. 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. The following companies are subsidiares of InterContinental Hotels Group: 2250 Blake Street Hotel LLC, 24th Street Operator Sub LLC, 36th Street IHG Sub LLC, 426 Main Ave LLC, 46 Nevins Street Associates LLC, Allegro Management LLC, Alpha Kimball Hotel LLC, American Commonwealth Assurance Co. Ltd., Asia Pacific Holdings Limited, BHMC Canada Inc., BHR Holdings B.V., BHR Luxembourg SARL, BHR Pacific Holdings Inc., BHTC Canada Inc., BOC Barclay Sub LLC, Barclay Operating Corp., Bristol Oakbrook Tenant Company, Cafe Biarritz, Cambridge Lodging LLC, Capital Lodging LLC, Compania Inter-Continental De Hoteles El Salvador SA, Crowne Plaza Amsterdam (Management) B.V., Crowne Plaza LLC, Cumberland Akers Hotel LLC, Dunwoody Operations Inc., EVEN Real Estate Holding LLC, Edinburgh IC Limited, General Innkeeping Acceptance Corporation, Guangzhou SC Hotels Services Ltd., H.I. (Ireland) Limited, H.I. Soaltee Management Company Ltd, HC International Holdings Inc., HH France Holdings SAS, HH Hotels (EMEA) B.V., HH Hotels (Romania) SRL, HI Sugarloaf LLC, HIM (Aruba) NV, Hale International Ltd., Hoft Properties LLC, Holiday Hospitality Franchising LLC, Holiday Inn Mexicana S.A. de C.V., Holiday Inns (China) Ltd, Holiday Inns (Chongqing) Inc., Holiday Inns (Courtalin) Holdings SAS, Holiday Inns (Courtalin) SAS, Holiday Inns (England) Ltd., Holiday Inns (Germany) LLC, Holiday Inns (Guangzhou) Inc., Holiday Inns (Jamaica) Inc., Holiday Inns (Malaysia) Ltd., Holiday Inns (Middle East) Ltd., Holiday Inns (Philippines) Inc., Holiday Inns (Saudi Arabia) Inc., Holiday Inns (South East Asia) Inc., Holiday Inns (Thailand) Ltd., Holiday Inns (UK) Inc., Holiday Inns Crowne Plaza (Hong Kong) Inc., Holiday Inns Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd, Holiday Inns Inc., Holiday Inns Investment (Nepal) Ltd., Holiday Inns of America (UK) Ltd., Holiday Inns of Belgium N.V., Holiday Pacific Equity Corporation, Holiday Pacific LLC, Holiday Pacific Partners LP, Hotel Inter-Continental London Limited, Hotel InterContinental London (Holdings) Limited, Hoteles Y Turismo HIH SRL, IC Hotelbetriebsfuhrungs GmbH, IC Hotels Management (Portugal) Unipessoal Lda, IC International Hotels Limited Liability Company, IHC (Thailand) Limited, IHC Buckhead LLC, IHC Edinburgh (Holdings), IHC Hopkins (Holdings) Corp., IHC Hotel Limited, IHC Inter-Continental (Holdings) Corp., IHC London (Holdings), IHC M-H (Holdings) Corp., IHC May Fair (Holdings) Limited, IHC May Fair Hotel Limited, IHC Overseas (U.K.) Limited, IHC UK (Holdings) Limited, IHC United States (Holdings) Corp., IHC Willard (Holdings) Corp., IHG (Australasia) Limited, IHG (Marseille) SAS, IHG (Thailand) Limited, IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan LLC, IHG ANA Hotels Holdings Co. Ltd., IHG Bangkok Ltd, IHG Brasil Administracao de Hoteis e Servicos Ltda, IHG Commission Services SRL, IHG Community Development LLC, IHG Cyprus Limited, IHG ECS (Barbados) SRL, IHG Franchising Brasil Ltda, IHG Franchising DR Corporation, IHG Franchising LLC, IHG Hotels (New Zealand) Limited, IHG Hotels Limited, IHG Hotels Management (Australia) Pty Limited, IHG Hotels Nigeria Limited, IHG Hotels South Africa (Pty) Ltd, IHG International Partnership, IHG Istanbul Otel Yonetim Limited Sirketi, IHG Japan (Management) LLC, IHG Japan (Osaka) LLC, IHG Management (Maryland) LLC, IHG Management (Netherlands) B.V., IHG Management MD Barclay Sub LLC, IHG Management SL d.o.o, IHG Management d.o.o. Beograd, IHG Orchard Street Member LLC, IHG PS Nominees Limited, IHG Systems Pty Ltd, IHG Szalloda Budapest Szolgaltato Kft., IHG de Argentina SA, IND East Village SD Holdings LLC, Inter-Continental D.C. Operating Corp., Inter-Continental Florida Investment Corp., Inter-Continental Florida Partner Corp., Inter-Continental Hospitality Corporation, Inter-Continental Hoteleira Limitada, Inter-Continental Hotels (Montreal) Operating Corp., Inter-Continental Hotels (Montreal) Owning Corp., Inter-Continental Hotels (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation, Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation de Venezuela C.A., Inter-Continental Hotels of San Francisco Inc., Inter-Continental IOHC (Mauritius) Limited, Inter-Continental Management (Australia) Pty Limited, InterContinental (Branston) 1 Limited, InterContinental (PB) 1, InterContinental (PB) 2, InterContinental (PB) 3 Limited, InterContinental Berlin Service Company GmbH, InterContinental Brasil Administracao de Hoteis Ltda, InterContinental Gestion Hotelera S.L., InterContinental Hotel Berlin GmbH, InterContinental Hotel Dusseldorf GmbH (Germany), InterContinental Hotels (Puerto Rico) Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd, InterContinental Hotels Group (Australia) Pty Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group (Canada) Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group (Espana) SA, InterContinental Hotels Group (Greater China) Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group (India) Pvt. Ltd, InterContinental Hotels Group (Japan) Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group (New Zealand) Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group (Shanghai) Ltd., InterContinental Hotels Group Customer Services Ltd., InterContinental Hotels Group Healthcare Trustee Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group Operating Corp., InterContinental Hotels Group Resources Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group Services Company, InterContinental Hotels Group do Brasil Limitada, InterContinental Hotels Italia S.r.L., InterContinental Hotels Limited, InterContinental Hotels Management GmbH, InterContinental Hotels Nevada Corporation, InterContinental Management AM LLC, InterContinental Management Bulgaria EOOD, InterContinental Management France SAS, InterContinental Management Poland sp. z.o.o, InterContinental Overseas Holding Corporation, Intercontinental Hotels Corporation Limited, KG Benefits LLC, KG Gift Card Inc., KG Liability LLC, KG Technology LLC, KHP Washington Operator LLC, KHRG 11th Avenue Hotel LLC, KHRG 851 LLC, KHRG Aertson LLC, KHRG Alexandria LLC, KHRG Alexis LLC, KHRG Allegro LLC, KHRG Argyle LLC, KHRG Austin Beverage Company LLC, KHRG Baltimore LLC, KHRG Born LLC, KHRG Boston Hotel LLC, KHRG Canary LLC, KHRG Cayman Employer Ltd., KHRG Cayman LLC, KHRG DC 1731 LLC, KHRG DC 2505 LLC, KHRG Donovan LLC, KHRG Employer LLC, KHRG Goleta LLC, KHRG Gray LLC, KHRG Gray U2 LLC, KHRG Hillcrest LLC, KHRG Huntington Beach LLC, KHRG King Street LLC, KHRG La Peer LLC, KHRG Miami Beach LLC, KHRG Muse LLC, KHRG NPC LLC, KHRG Onyx LLC, KHRG Palladian LLC, KHRG Palomar Phoenix LLC, KHRG Philly Monaco LLC, KHRG Pittsburgh LLC, KHRG Reynolds LLC, KHRG Riverplace LLC, KHRG SFD LLC, KHRG Sacramento LLC, KHRG Savannah LLC, KHRG Schofield LLC, KHRG Sedona LLC, KHRG State Street LLC, KHRG Sutter LLC, KHRG Sutter Union LLC, KHRG Taconic LLC, KHRG Tariff LLC, KHRG Texas Hospitality LLC, KHRG Texas Operations LLC, KHRG Tryon LLC, KHRG VZ Austin LLC, KHRG Vero Beach LLC, KHRG Vintage Park LLC, KHRG WPB LLC, KHRG Wabash LLC, KHRG Westwood LLC, KHRG Wilshire LLC, KHRG Zamora LLC, Kimpton Hollywood Licenses LLC, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group LLC, Kimpton Phoenix Licenses Holdings LLC, Kimpton Sedona Licenses LLC, Louisiana Acquisitions Corp., MH Lodging LLC, Mercer Fairview Holdings LLC, PML Services LLC, PT SC Hotels & Resorts Indonesia, Pollstrong Limited, Powell Pine Inc., Priscilla Holiday of Texas Inc., RM Lodging LLC, Regent Hotels and Resorts, Resort Services International (Cayo Largo) L.P., SBS Maryland Beverage Company LLC, SC Cellars Limited, SC Hotels International Services Inc., SC Leisure Group Limited, SC NAS 2 Limited, SC Quest Limited, SC Reservations (Philippines) Inc., SCH Insurance Company, SCIH Branston 3, SF MH Acquisition LLC, SPHC Group Pty Ltd., SPHC Management Ltd., Semiramis for training of Hotel Personnel and Hotel Management SAE, Six Continents Corporate Services, Six Continents Holdings Limited, Six Continents Hotels Inc., Six Continents Hotels International Limited, Six Continents Hotels de Colombia SA, Six Continents International Holdings B.V., Six Continents Investments Limited, Six Continents Limited, Six Continents Overseas Holdings Limited, Six Continents Restaurants Limited, SixCo North America Inc., Solamar Lodging LLC, Southern Pacific Hotel Corporation (BVI) Ltd., Southern Pacific Hotels Properties Limited, Universal de Hoteles SA, White Shield Insurance Company Limited, and World Trade Centre Montreal Hotel Corporation. Altria Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells cigarettes, oral tobacco products, and wine in the United States. It offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars principally under the Black & Mild brand; and moist smokeless tobacco products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands, as well as provides on! oral nicotine pouches. The company also produces and sells varietal and blended table wines, and sparkling wines under the Chateau Ste. Michelle and 14 Hands names; and imports and markets Antinori, Torres, and Villa Maria Estate wines, as well as Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte in the United States. In addition, it provides finance leasing services primarily in transportation, power generation, real estate, and manufacturing equipment industries. The company sells its tobacco products primarily to wholesalers, including distributors; and large retail organizations, such as chain stores. Altria Group, Inc. was founded in 1822 and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Read More Intu owns and manages some of the best shopping centres, in some of the strongest locations, in the UK and Spain. Our UK portfolio is made up of 17 centres, including eight of the top-20, and in Spain we own three of the country's top-10 centres, with advanced plans to build a fourth. We are passionate about creating compelling experiences, in centre and online, that make our customers smile and help our retailers flourish. We attract around 400 million customer visits and 26 million website visits a year offering a multichannel approach that truly supports retail strategies. Our strategic focus on prime, high-footfall flagship destinations, combined with the strength and popularity of our brand, means that intu offers enhanced footfall, dwell time and loyalty. This helps our tenants flourish, driving occupancy and income growth. We are committed to our local communities, with our centres supporting nearly 130,000 jobs (representing about 3 per cent of the total UK retail workforce), and to operating with environmental responsibility. We have already met or exceeded a significant number of our 2020 environmental targets. Read More Primark saw a larger than expected fall in like-for-like sales as poor trading in Germany offset rises in the US, UK and other European countries, its owner Associate British Foods said. The cut-price fashion chain posted a 2 per cent decline in like-for-like sales in its first half, below analysts' expectations of a 1.6 per cent fall. But ABF said it expects Primark's first half profits to come in 'well higher' than last year thanks to a weaker dollar as well as 'better buying, tight stock management and reduced markdowns'. Primark posted a 2 per cent decline in like-for-like sales in its first half After gloomily warning of 'challenging' trading in November, ABF said Primark performed well in the UK, where total sales rose 2 per cent in the 24 weeks to 2 March. Primark stores in Spain, France, Italy and Belgium saw 'strong' sales growth, and ABF said its US arm also performed 'strongly'. However the fashion chain underperformed in Germany, dragging eurozone like-for-like sales 3 per cent lower. ABF said it is planning to reduce selling space at a 'small number' of its German stores to stem the decline. Primark's total revenues increased by 4 per cent for the period, but traders were expecting 4.8 per cent growth. ABF, which also produces sugar and owns brands such as Twinings and Ryvita, said it expects growth across all of its businesses, except for sugar, which saw a dip in sales, and reiterated group profit expectations for the full year. In its grocery arm, ABF expects its portfolio of household brands to post higher revenue and profit in the first half. In the UK, products that did well included its cold infuse Twinings teas and Ryvita Thins. Shares in ABF fell 1.3 per cent to 2,283p in afternoon trading. Graham Spooner, investment research analyst at The Share Centre, said the share price fall was linked to the larger-than-expected decline in Primark like-for-like sales. 'These results follow a similar pattern seen in previous updates with reduction in sugar revenues, steady growth at its other divisions and expectations for a 4% rise in sales at Primark over the first half,' he said. 'The focus on the group continues to be on the expansion of Primark into the US and though it is at an early stage investors will welcome promising early signs.' Grocery arm: ABF, which owns brands such as Twinings and Ryvita, said it expects its portfolio of household brands to post higher revenue and profit in the first half Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said it was disappointing to see that Germany continued to be a problem. 'Although Primark isn't immune to consumer spending weakness, fortunately it hasn't experienced a large downturn in trading and is managing to keep its chin up in a difficult market. 'However, it is disappointing to see that Germany continues to be a real problem for the business. 'While the troubles aren't 'new' news, it seems odd that the proposition isn't resonating with this geographical segment of shoppers. The fact that the country is experiencing economic weakness should really play to Primark's strengths given its low pricing point.' He added: 'One should not forget that Associated British Foods is more than just a fashion retail story. It also produces sugar and is involved in the grocery market through brands such as Twinings and Ryvita. 'This conglomerate approach provides some diversity and acts as a cushion should one part of the business be doing less well than the others.' Westerly, RI (02891) Today Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low 67F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low 67F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chandigarh, Feb 25 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh responded to BJP chief Amit Shah's "raja-maharaja' government barb on Monday, accusing him of speaking "blatant lies" and said the previous SAD-BJP dispensation did not even know the meaning of "common man". He alleged Shah, at a BJP workers' meet in Amritsar on Sunday, tried to mislead people. Singh said the BJP-SAD alliance has plummeted to the "depths of shamelessness" to recover their political ground in Punjab. "From witch-hunts against opposition leaders, to ridiculous accusations and claims, BJP leaders were resorting to all kinds of disgraceful tactics to get back into public limelight, which the Modi government completely lost with its non-performance over the past five years," the chief minister claimed. Shah had called the Amarinder Singh-led Congress dispensation in Punjab a "raja-maharaja" government. He had also hit out at Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu for hugging Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa at Imran Khan's swearing-in ceremony as prime minister in Islamabad last year. Singh said Shiromani Akali Dal patron Parkash Singh Badal, the chief minister of the SAD-BJP alliance, was completely unconnected from the common man during his tenure. The SAD-BJP government failed to take a single initiative for the people of Punjab, he asserted. "What have they done for the farmers? What did they do all these years to check stubble burning? What incentives have they given the industry? How many jobs did they give the youth? Who pushed the youth into drugs?, the chief minister asked Shah, in a statement here. And he (Shah) has the audacity to claim Badal functioned like a common man?" he said. Citing the "success" of his government's Ghar Ghar Rozgar and Karobar Yojana in facilitating employment, the chief minister said the previous Badal government had no such scheme for the youth. "My government has given industrial power subsidy, we have launched wellness clinics, projects for drinking water and sanitation, repair of rural link roads, smart city and smart village campaigns. "We are building schools, colleges, roads and bridges. We have enhanced pensions, funds under Ashirward & other schemes. We are ensuring that the real beneficiaries get their due and the money is not pocketed by unscrupulous rulers and officials. We are getting back the lost industry and investments?, the chief minister said listing out his government's schemes. PTI VSD CHS ABH ABH ABH New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI) Delhi BJP workers will visit homes of beneficiaries of Modi government's welfare schemes in the national capital under the Kamal Jyoti Abhiyan, which will launched on Tuesday, the party said. Under the campaign, the party workers will be lighting a Kamal Jyoti in the house of the beneficiaries between 6pm and 9pm, it added. Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said in a statement the beneficiaries would be urged to take a pledge to re-elect Narendra Modi as prime minister in the coming Lok Sabha election, due by May. At a press conference earlier Monday, Tiwari alleged that the AAP government in Delhi "wastes crores of rupees on advertisements but does not do anything for the security of women." He said the government "does not take any action against" AAP leaders who misbehave with women, and accused three of its leaders of misbehaving with a security personnel of EDMC. Tiwari also asked Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to fulfil the promises made to the people of Delhi before sitting on a 'dharna' demanding full-statehood status to the city. Kejriwal has threatened to sit on a fast from March 1 for full-statehood to Delhi. PTI PLB ABH ABH ABH Regionalism and nationalism in Canada another reassessment (Part Four) By Mark Wegierski There have been throughout Western Canadas history a number of regionalist or outrightly separatist parties that are usually considered as being on the fringe. These have included, among others, the Western Canada Concept, West-Fed, and so forth. The Social Credit Party (based loosely on the ideas of C. H. Douglas) was a right-wing populist party that arose in response to the Great Depression. It held the governments of Alberta and British Columbia at various times. Preston Mannings father, Ernest C. Manning, was the long-time Social Credit Premier of Alberta. The term retread Socreds was one of the labels circulated about Preston Mannings Reform Party. Nevertheless, Manning was in some ways more of a successor to the Progressive Party of the 1920s to 1940s. The remarkable electoral insurgency of the Progressive Party was able at one point to win the second-largest number of seats in the federal Parliament, but they more-or-less squandered their opportunity, and were never able to establish themselves as a permanent presence on the Canadian political scene. What could be seen as an achievement of sorts was the adoption of their name as an adjective to the official name of the erstwhile Conservative Party in 1942. The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) the precursor to todays New Democratic Party (NDP) also arose in Western Canada. It has been argued in earlier articles that the CCF, while socialist in economics, was, to a large extent, socially conservative and especially so in Western Canada. The left, especially in the Prairie provinces, was usually considerably more sensible than in Toronto after the 1960s which has tended to become a city filled with a hyper-urban, socially ultra-liberal, left. Despite all the pejorative media comments about Preston Manning and the Reform Party, it should be remembered that their battle-cry was The West wants in! and not The West wants out! Thus, Preston Manning was manifestly willing to work within the federal system, hoping actually to eventually be elected with a majority government in Ottawa. Indeed, the Reform Party formally existed solely at the federal level with Preston Manning severely frowning on any attempts at having provincial branches of the Reform Party that could run candidates in provincial elections. Had he won his hoped-for majority in the federal Parliament, presumably the federal government would then have undertaken considerable decentralization initiatives. However, given the past of various periodic so-called regional revolt movements (such as, especially the Progressives) it would have seemed unlikely even in better circumstances -- that the Reform Party would have been left as the sole centre-right party at the federal level. In 1996, it had looked like the Progressive Conservative party remnants (with their two seats in the federal Parliament) were close to dissolution but the Reform Party clumsily marched directly into an ambush over gay-rights which gave new life to the P.C.s but of course served mainly the interests of the Liberal Party. In the 1997 federal election, the Liberal Party won a considerable majority in Parliament with 38% of vote; while the Reform Party and the Progressive Conservatives each received 19% of the vote, i.e., a total of 38%. The unified Reform Party and Progressive Conservative vote would have probably put such a hypothetical party within striking distance of winning a majority government. It had been suggested around that time that there should have been a coalition between the two parties along the lines of the Reform Party running candidates only in Western Canada, and the Progressive Conservative party running candidates in Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces. Had the P.C.s actually won enough seats to form a majority government in coalition with the Reform Party, the latter would have clearly been the junior partners (thus presumably assuaging many Canadians fears about the possible right-wing extremism of the Reform Party). The political analogy was said to have been the stable coalition between the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) in Germany. (The more conservative CSU is based entirely in Bavaria, a more conservative region of the country.) There was in 1998-2000 the United Alternative movement, which eventually led to the creation of the Canadian Alliance (officially called the Canadian Reform-Conservative Alliance). The federal P.C.s really should have folded in 1998, but Joe Clark won the partys leadership in that year. It was only in late 2003, after Joe Clark had resigned from the leadership of the Progressive Conservative party (thus ending his long years as a spoiler of various, possibly more successful centre-right initiatives) and Peter MacKay won the leadership -- that there finally occurred the merger of the two parties into the new Conservative Party. Just the willingness of the party to call itself conservative without the adjective was politically electrifying. The embrace of the term conservative was important, as Preston Manning had undertaken considerable (and almost silly) semantic maneuvers to mostly avoid using that term in Reform Party circles. Ironically, in the 1997 to 2003 period, the federal Progressive Conservative party could easily have been considered a regional party of the Atlantic provinces. However, Joe Clark persisted in his illusions that the unreconstructed federal P.C.s under his leadership could again constitute a country-wide force. The merger into the new Conservative Party convinced many people in Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces that this new centre-right party could be safely voted for. The Liberals endeavoured to put into circulation the notion that the Conservative Party was nothing but the Reform Party Version Three. And the mere mention of the Reform Party was supposed to bring, at least some people in Ontario, into a sense of feared panic about alleged right-wing extremism. Those kinds of persons had never understood and indeed, preferred not to understand what small-c conservatism might actually represent. To be continued. Mark Wegierski is a Canadian writer and historical researcher. Home New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will launch her book India in Distress in the national capital on February 27, sources said Monday. The TMC chief will be in Delhi to be part of the Opposition meet to strategise in pre-poll alliances against the BJP for the upcoming general elections. Leaders of a number of Opposition parties will meet in Parliament to chalk out a 'Common Minimum Programme' for fighting the general elections, sources said. The opposition strategy on the Pulwana terror attack may also come up for discussion, they said. The decision to formulate a Common Minimum Programme was mooted at the February 13 meeting of opposition leaders that included the Congress. The last meeting was attended by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Banerjee, AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, among others. While leaders of a number of parties are likely to attend the February 27 meeting, sources say the Left is unlikely to attend. On January 31 this year, as many as seven books penned by Banerjee were released on the inaugural day of the Kolkata Book Fair. Banerjee has so far published 87 books. Among the seven books that Banerjee has penned this time, there are ones for children, of poems in Bengali, Urdu and English and a couple of books on politics - in Hindi and Bengali. PTI ASG KJ Mumbai, Feb 25 (PTI) The RBI Monday proposed that at least 50 per cent of compensation of senior officials of private and foreign banks, including whole time directors and chief executive officers, "should be variable". A discussion paper on proposed guidelines for compensation of whole time directors/chief executive officers/material risk takers and control function staff issued by the central bank also said ESOPs should be included as a component of variable pay. In January 2012, the Reserve Bank had issued the compensation guidelines for implementation by private sector and foreign banks from the financial year 2012-13. "These (2012) guidelines are being reviewed, with an objective to better align with FSB (Financial Stability Board) Principles and Implementation Standards, based on experience and evolving international best practices," the RBI said while inviting comments from stakeholders by March 31. The proposed guidelines, to be effective from the ensuing financial year (post issue of the final guidelines), further said, "Variable pay is to be capped at 200 per cent of fixed pay." As per the extant guidelines, the variable pay is capped at 70 per cent of fixed pay but did not include ESOPs. The proposed guidelines also said minimum 50 per cent of variable pay is to be via non-cash component while mandating a compulsory deferral mechanism for variable pay, regardless of quantum of variable pay. "It should be ensured that there is a proper balance between fixed pay and variable pay. The total variable pay shall be limited to a maximum of 200 per cent of the fixed pay (for the relative period). "Within this ceiling, at higher levels of responsibility, the proportion of variable pay should be higher. The deterioration in the financial performance of the bank should generally lead to a contraction in the total amount of variable compensation paid," the paper said. The paper said banks are required to put in place appropriate modalities to incorporate malus/clawback mechanism in respect of variable pay, taking into account relevant statutory and regulatory stipulations as applicable. "Wherever the assessed divergence in bank's asset classification or provisioning from the RBI norms exceeds the prescribed threshold for public disclosure, the bank shall not pay the unvested portion of the variable compensation for the assessment year under 'malus' clause," it said. Further, in case of divergence, no proposal for increase in variable pay (for the assessment year) should be entertained, it added. While floating the discussion paper, the RBI said compensation practices, especially of large financial institutions, were one of the important factors which contributed to the global financial crisis in 2008. Employees were too often rewarded for increasing the short-term profit without adequate recognition of the risks and long-term consequences that their activities posed to the organisations. "These perverse incentives amplified the excessive risk taking that severely threatened the global financial system. The compensation issue has, therefore, been at the centre stage of the regulatory reforms," the RBI said. The Financial Stability Forum (later the Financial Stability Board) in 2009 brought out a set of Principles and Implementation Standards on sound compensation practices. The guidelines have been proposed for private sector banks, including Local Area Banks, Small Finance Banks and Payments Banks. For the foreign banks operating in India by way of Wholly Owned Subsidiary structure, the guidelines as applicable for private sector banks in India will be applicable, the paper said. PTI NKD AQS TDP in AP copying TRS govt schemes, alleges TRS leader Hyderabad, Feb 25 (PTI) The TDP government in Andhra Pradesh copied schemes being implemented by the TRS government in Telangana, TRS working president K T Rama Rao alleged Monday. "Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister) abuses us everyday. But, he copies all our schemes. We introduced 'Rythu Bandhu' two years ago, suddenly he remembered farmers since election are coming near. He says 'Annadata Sukhibhava' (the AP government's welfare scheme for farmers)," the TRS leader said, addressing a gathering here. The other schemes of AP government like 'Anna Canteens' and 'Pasupu Kumkuma' were also copied from the Telangana governments schemes, he alleged. The TRS governments investment support scheme for farmers, 'Rythu Bandhu', provided inspiration to states like West Bengal, Orissa and also the NDA government, he had said earlier. The TRS and TDP have been bitter rivals and the latter contested the recent Assembly polls in Telangana in alliance with the Congress and other parties. PTI SJR BN BN Balrampur (UP), Feb 25 (PTI) Three members of a family were found dead and another was seriously injured at their house in Balrampur district of Uttar Pradesh, police said Monday. They were sleeping in their house in Jogiyapur village when some unidentified persons killed them with sharp-edged weapons Sunday night, Superintendent of Police Anurag Arya said. The deceased were identified as house owner Jagram (55), his son Raju (25) and daughter Lilawati (20) while his daughter-in-law Nirmal Devi (22) was seriously injured and has been admitted to hospital, the SP said. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem, he said. Three police teams have been constituted to work out the case and help from forensic experts is also being taken, the SP added. PTI COR SAB MAZ CK New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI) The Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) formed a human chain on Monday in an act of protest against the alleged misgovernance of the varsity administration. Several teachers and students assembled to form the human chain as a precursor to the strike to be observed on February 27, 28 and March 1 against various policies of the administration and the HRD Ministry, the DUTA said. Teachers who participated in the human chain alleged there is a nexus between the university administration and the HRD Ministry to ensure that the issues remain unresolved as part of the government's agenda to withdraw funding from higher education, it said. They said the government has not responded on bringing an ordinance on the roster issue and a one-time regulation to regularise and absorb temporary and ad-hoc teachers despite several representations, it added. The teachers also accused the vice-chancellor of being "apathetic" towards various issues. PTI SLB CK Muzaffarnagar, Feb 25 (PTI) Two people have been arrested for allegedly printing fake Indian currency notes in a village in Shamli district during a raid by Delhi Police, officials said Monday. Mehtab and Jabbar were arrested in Bhasani village under the Thana Bhawan police station limits on Sunday, SHO Sandeep Balyan said, adding that a printer was also seized. According to the SHO, a team of Delhi Police conducted the raid following the arrest of accused Javed in the national capital that led to the seizure of fake notes with a face value of Rs 5 lakh. PTI CORR IJT Kottayam (Ker), Feb 25 (PTI) Amid move by the West Bengal unit of CPI(M) to enter into a seat sharing pact with the Congress in the TMC ruled state, a senior Kerala CPI(M) leader Monday said there would be no political front with the Congress anywhere in the country for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. "There would be no political front with the Congress anywhere in the country. There is no intention to forge a political front with the Congress in the elections," CPI(M) Kerala state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told reporters here. Balakrishnan, a senior politburo member, said this in response to a question about the move by the West Bengal unit of the CPI(M) to enter into a seat-sharing pact with the Congress for fighting Lok Sabha polls against Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee in the state. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury had said after the recent politburo meeting of the party that the election partners would be chosen keeping in mind the state-level equations. The CPI(M), which had a 34-year-old unbroken stint in West Bengal, has weakened in its erstwhile bastion, after its mauling in the 2011 Assembly polls by TMC led by Banerjee. PTI COR TGB ROH DV DV New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Monday directed chief secretaries of all the states and Union Territories to hold a meeting in four weeks with the Union health secretary to chalk out a road map for setting up rehabilitation homes for people who have recovered from mental illness and are fit to go home but are languishing in hospitals. A bench of justices D Y Chandrachud and Hemant Gupta directed the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to appoint a nodal officer to conduct the meeting. The court, while was hearing a petition filed by advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, directed all the states and UTs to provide full data to the Ministry of Home Affairs on the status of mentally ill patients who are now fit to go home but are unable to do so. It said that the data provided by the states must include roadmap regarding setting up for rehabilitation homes and based on it the Union ministry will prepare a report to be submitted in apex court before the next date of hearing. The court warned that non compliance of the order will be treated as contempt of court and posted the matter for further hearing on May 1. Bansal in his plea has said that around 10,000 persons, who are fit to be discharged, are forced to live in different mental hospitals and institutes due to social stigma. On October 3, last year, the apex court had sought reports from all the states and Union Territories on the status of setting up rehabilitation homes for people with mental illness. Several states and UTs have filed their response on the compliance of the Centre's guidelines for setting up of rehabilitation homes for persons living with mental illness (who have been cured, or who do not need further hospitalization, or who are homeless or are not accepted by their families). Bansal had earlier said that except for few, many states and UTs have not complied with the order of July 10, 2017, in which they were asked to implement the guidelines prepared by Centre within one year period. States and UTs which have filed their response include Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, Punjab, Nagaland, West Bengal, Telangana, Tripura, Delhi, Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. On July 10 last year, the apex court had taken on record the affidavit filed by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities of Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment by which it had highlighted the guidelines for the state governments for setting up rehabilitation homes for persons living with mental illness. The apex court had asked the Union Ministry to circulate the guidelines to all the state governments and UTs, with a direction to implement them within one year. It had also directed the state governments to comply with the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and file a status report most definitely before August 1, 2018. On February 14, the apex court had favoured framing of a uniform national policy to deal with those suffering from mental illness and their release from hospitals after being cured. It had said that the issue concerned figured in the concurrent list of the Constitution and hence the Centre also has the authority to frame norms. The PIL filed by Bansal has raised the issue of release of about 300 persons from various mental hospitals in Uttar Pradesh, alleging they were still languishing there despite being cured of their ailments and most of them belonged to poorer sections. It has alleged that many underprivileged persons were still staying in mental hospitals despite being cured and there was no policy in place to ensure their well-being after release. The plea also referred to responses received under RTI with regard to the release of persons living in mental hospitals in Bareilly, Varanasi and Agra in Uttar Pradesh even after being cured. PTI MNL RT New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI) The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the Centre to submit the records, if any, related to alleged tapping of phones of some YSR Congress party leaders and their associates who have filed a plea claiming that they have been placed under "illegal technical surveillance". Justice Najmi Waziri, who was hearing a plea by the party's former MP Y V Subba Reddy and five others including party chief Jaganmohan Reddy's personal and political assistants, granted time to the Centre to submit the relevant records and listed the matter for further hearing on March 19. The court made it clear that it was not issuing notice on the petition at this stage. It said if somebody is under surveillance, the reasons for it have to be covered under the provision of the Telegraph Act. During the hearing, central government standing counsel Ajay Digpaul submitted that he would like to assist the court with reference to the relevant records. He also said the petitioners had given a representation to the central government which has been forwarded to the state government as the grievance is against the Andhra Pradesh government. In the plea, Reddy sought the court's direction to authorities, including Ministries of Telecommunication and Home Affairs, Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Home) of Andhra Pradesh, and mobile service providers to explain under what circumstances they have been put under technical surveillance. It sought "necessary action under relevant provisions of law against the authorities, responsible for unauthorisedly intercepting their telephone". The petition also sought direction to the authorities to forthwith suspend the action of placing them under surveillance. It said secretly listening or recording a communication in order to get information about other activities is morally wrong and it constitutes a serious invasion of an individual's privacy. The plea said that a representation was made to the Ministry of Home Affairs in December last year with a request to direct the organisations to forthwith remove the petitioners' numbers from the unauthorised surveillance and also sought an impartial and independent probe into the incident. The authorities have neither replied nor have taken any action against those involved in the activities, it claimed. PTI SKV HMP RT Nainital, Feb 25 (PTI) In an unprecedented development, the Uttarakhand High Court has issued contempt notice to Justice Narasimha Reddy, the chairman of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), New Delhi. The notice has been issued on February 20, on the basis of a contempt petition moved by Uttarakhand-cadre Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi. The notice has given four weeks' time to Justice Reddy to show why contempt proceedings be not drawn against him, according to the court's order. Next hearing of the case has been fixed on March 20, it said. The development comes following a legal and administrative battle between the central government and Chaturvedi over adverse entries made in his appraisal report of 2015-16 by All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, where Chaturvedi worked as Chief Vigilance Officer between 2012 and 2016. Chaturvedi had in June 2017 moved the high court seeking quashing of the appraisal report in which adverse entries were made. On June 19, 2017, the Uttarakhand High Court relegated the case of downgrading of Chaturvedi's appraisal report for 2015-16, to Nainital bench of CAT, which began hearing in the matter in July that year. However, in December 2017, the central government moved a transfer petition before the chairman, CAT, for transfer of case from Nainital bench to Delhi's bench for "reasons best known to them", according to Chaturvedi's petition. In July, 2018, the CAT chairman in an interim order stayed the proceedings of division bench of CAT Nainital. The case was further scheduled to be heard in September. This order of CAT was challenged by Chaturvedi in the Uttarakhand High Court. Chaturvedi, who contested the case on his own before the high court, moved the same court again seeking quashing of order of the CAT chairman seeking transfer of the case and directions to Nainital bench of the tribunal to allow its proceedings. The court had in its August 2018 order slammed the chairman of CAT for passing a "strange order" and directed that matter will be decided by Nainital bench of the tribunal within six months. It had also called the central government/AIIMS "vindictive" and imposed a cost of Rs 25,000 on them, according to the petition. "He (CAT chairman) exercises the same judicial powers, which are being exercised by the other members. We are of the considered view that the chairman of the tribunal while sitting singly could not stay the proceedings of the matter pending...," the court had said. Continuing the hearing, the CAT chairman in its September 7, 2018 order made certain adverse observations against the Uttarakhand High Court and fixed the matter for further hearing October 5, 2018, according to the tribunal's order. "It appears that Section 25 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985 was not brought into the notice of their lordships. Section 25 confers exclusive powers on the chairman of the tribunal to transfer any pending case from one bench to another, and the power to stay the further proceedings in such matters is incidental," the CAT chairman said in its order. The comments made in the order passed by the Uttarakhand High Court, in a way, are "in the teeth of" Section 25 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, it said. Meanwhile, the AIIMS, with the support of central government, challenged the high court's order before the Supreme Court. On February 1, 2019, the apex court upheld the order of the Uttarakhand High Court and imposed a cost of Rs 25,000 on AIIMS. When this order of the Supreme Court was produced before the CAT chairman for compliance, he issued contempt notices to Mehmood Pracha, counsel of Chaturvedi, after which contempt petitions were moved by Chaturvedi before the Uttarakhand High Court. PTI AKV SMN Far left Kamala Harris fast becoming a Democratic frontrunner for president By Rachel Alexander Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is becoming one of her partys leading contenders for president. She is running second in the polls of announced Democratic candidates only after Bernie Sanders. Joe Biden leads both of them but he has not announced that he is running. Harris launched her campaign on January 27 and has soared ever since. But how far to the left is she? The entire Democratic field has lurched to the left, maybe in part due to the influence over the past couple of years by admitted socialist Sanders, who masquerades as a Democrat. Harris is no different. She is a solid far left Democrat with socialist leanings. The American Conservative Union has rated her performance for her first year in the Senate, 2017, and has given her a zero on everything. Harris supports sanctuary cities and passing the DREAM Act. She says law enforcement should not ask someone about their citizenship during a criminal investigation. In 2012, while California Attorney General, she submitted a brief in favor of an illegal immigrant obtaining a law license. The California Supreme Court admitted him to practice law, even though California State Bar rules treat criminal acts as disqualifying. She has declared on the Senate floor, An undocumented immigrant is not a criminal. Harris supports the socialist Medicare-for-all. She announced on August 30, 2017, at a town hall in Oakland that she would co-sponsor Bernie Sanders bill for single-payer healthcare. She wants to raise taxes on the top one percent of Americans and corporations. Harris opposes the death penalty even for the worst killers. When San Francisco Police Officer Isaac Espinoza was brutally murdered in the Bayview district of San Francisco in 2004, Harris, as district attorney of the city, announced that she would not seek the death penalty for the perpetrator. Even left-wing California Senator Dianne Feinstein chided her for the decision, saying if she had known that, she might not have endorsed Harris for office. Similarly, in 2009, Harris sought only life in prison for Edwin Ramos, an illegal immigrant and MS-13 gang member who was accused of murdering Tony Bologna and his two sons. Harris claims that life without the possibility of parole is more cost effective than the death penalty. She apparently doesnt consider the loss of life as part of the cost. She has a 100 percent rating from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund and a 0 percent rating by the National Right to Life Committee. The NRA has given her an F rating. While she was district attorney in San Francisco, she filed an amicus brief in District of Columbia v. Heller, arguing that Washington, D.C.s extremely restrictive gun control law did not violate the Second Amendment. That landbreaking decision was the first Supreme Court case to decide that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to keep and bear arms for self-defense. Harris is a strong advocate of civil asset forfeiture, where property and money are seized from people by law enforcement before theyve been convicted of a crime. However, the Supreme Court unanimously struck down most of the practice down this month. According to The New York Post, Harris wanted to expand the practice. She supported a bill in California that would have allowed prosecutors to seize assets before initiating criminal proceedings a power now available only at the federal level if there was a substantial probability they would eventually initiate such proceedings. Shes more moderate on Israel than many Democrats who hate Israel, but that may be because her husband is Jewish. She previously dated the notorious Willie Brown while he was speaker of the California Assembly. He was married at the time, but press reports referred to Harris as his girlfriend. In return, he appointed her to state jobs that paid $72,000 and $97,099 annually. After Brown was elected mayor of San Francisco, he dumped her, and and his wife appeared with him at his swearing-in. Harriss own dad recently spoke out publicly against her. During a radio interview this month, she joked about whether she smoked pot as a teenager, Half my familys from Jamaica. Are you kidding me? Her father, Donald Harris, an emeritus professor of economics at Stanford University, sent an unsolicited statement to Kingston-based Jamaica Global Online in response. My dear departed grandmothers (whose extraordinary legacy I described in a recent essay on this website), as well as my deceased parents, must be turning in their grave right now to see their familys name, reputation and proud Jamaican identity being connected, in any way, jokingly or not with the fraudulent stereotype of a pot-smoking joy seeker and in the pursuit of identity politics. Speaking for myself and my immediate Jamaican family, we wish to categorically dissociate ourselves from this travesty, he wrote. It speaks volumes that the elder Harris spoke out publicly criticizing his daughter, considering she is a powerful senator who may end up being president someday. During that same interview, Harris claimed she smoked pot while listening to rappers Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg. But this could not be true. Harris graduated from college in 1986, and those two artists didnt make it onto the scene until the early 90s. Harris appears to have a need to pander to her black side, no matter how untrue or stereotypical her remarks are. We can only guess what she will say next in regards to her Indian side. Dont believe the media spin that Kamala Harris is a moderate Democrat. Moderate Democrats dont have zero ratings from the American Conservative Union. She isnt much different than Bernie Sanders, endorsing his single-payer healthcare plan. But she has a lot of appeal, as potentially the first woman president and second black president. Dont underestimate her despite how far to the middle she will try to run as the election gets close. Rachel Alexander and her brother Andrew are co-Editors of Intellectual Conservative. She has been published in the American Spectator, Townhall.com, Fox News, NewsMax, Accuracy in Media, The Americano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications.mericano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications. Home New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI) A Delhi court Monday directed the CBI to appoint within two days a special public prosecutor in the Muzaffarpur shelter home sexual assault case. Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Kulshrestha Delhi posted the matter for hearing on February 27. The Supreme Court had on February 7 ordered that the shelter home sexual assault case be transferred from Bihar to a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court at Saket district court complex here, which would conclude the trial within six months. Several girls were allegedly raped and sexually abused at an NGO-run shelter home in Muzaffarpur and the issue had come to light following a report by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). PTI LLP PKS URD URD DV DV New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI) The Supreme Court Monday agreed to examine a plea seeking protection of human rights of security force personnel, who are being attacked by mobs while performing duties. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna also issued notices to the Union of India, Ministry of Defence, Jammu and Kashmir and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on a plea, filed by 19-year-old Preeti Kedar Gokhale and 20-year-old Kajal Mishra. The plea sought formulation of a policy to curb human rights violations of security force personnel, who are being attacked by mobs while performing duties.PTI SJK URD DV DV Chandigarh, Feb 25 (PTI) Punjab minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, who is at the centre of a controversy over his alleged role in a matter related to unlawful change of land use norms in Ludhiana, said Monday he was ready to face probe but Chief Minister Amarinder Singh ruled out any "arbitrary action" in the case. The chief minister said the law will take its course when the opposition demanded Ashu's resignation as food and civil supplies minister in the state assembly. The assembly witnessed uproarious scenes over the Ludhiana Change of Land Use (CLU) case with the main opposition Aam Aadmi Party twice walking out of the House on the issue. As the Question Hour began on the last day of the budget session, AAP legislators, led by Leader of Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema, raised the matter and sought Ashu's resignation. After storming into the Well, they demanded that an audio clip purportedly connected with the case be played in the House. Though the Speaker urged them to not disrupt the Question Hour, they refused to budge. Ashu said he was ready to be investigated in the case. "If I am found guilty, I am ready to face action," said the Ludhiana MLA. He also said a House committee can initiate a probe against him. On Saturday, AAP alleged that a private builder in Ludhiana was granted CLU certificate in violation of norms. It alleged that names of Ashu, another Congress leader and three senior officers have cropped up in an inquiry report on the matter. Later talking to media, an Akali Dal leader alleged that Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu in connivance with AAP had tried to implicate the minister in the case. Akali leader Pawan Kumar Tinu had raised the issue during the Zero Hour. He sought explanation from Sidhu as he was holding the respective department. Amid uproar by opposition members in the House, the chief minister ruled out any "arbitrary action" against anyone in the case. He made it clear that action cannot be initiated based on only media reports and accused the opposition of "baying for Ashu's blood". Singh said the local government department, headed by Sidhu, has already initiated an inquiry into the matter. He said the opposition was "trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill". PTI CHS VSD AQS ABH AQS Lucknow, Feb 25 (PTI) Several leaders of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) Monday joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here. BSP leaders including former ministers Mukul Upadhyay (Hathras), Ramhet Bharti (Sitapur) and zonal coordinator Dhruv Parashan (Agra) along with former SP MLA Bina Bharadwaj joined the saffron party in the presence of Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey, the party said in a statement. Welcoming the new members, Pandey said, "The welfare measures initiated by the Narendra Modi government and the Yogi Adityanath government in the state, have increased the faith of the people in the BJP." Pandey also claimed that the opposition parties were fearing defeat and therefore, forging alliances. "Eyeing a possible defeat in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the opposition parties are forging alliances," the state BJP chief said. PTI NAV RHL Jammu, Feb 25 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik and Union minister Jitendra Singh Monday attended the wreath-laying ceremony held here to pay homage to DSP Aman Kumar Thakur, who lost his life in a gunfight with terrorists in Kulgam district. Senior politicians from different parties and civil society members also turned up for the ceremony and paid floral tributes to the officer whose body was flown from Srinagar to Jammu for last rites. The DSP and a soldier were killed in an encounter with Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists during a search and cordon operation at Turigam village in Kulgam district of south Kashmir Sunday. Three terrorists were also killed in the gunfight. The governor laid a wreath on the officer's body which was later taken to his home on the outskirts of Jammu for last rites. Union minister Jitendra Singh and Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Nirmal Singh also paid tributes to the officer. Several Army, CRPF and other senior police officers paid floral tributes to the DSP. "The best tribute to our martyrs is that we all must unite in the fight against terrorism to wipe out this menace from Jammu and Kashmir," NC Provincial President Devender Singh Rana told reporters. "It is a very sad incident. After the martyrdom of 40 CRPF personnel in Pulwama attack, many officers and jawans fell to the terrorism. We should keep the political affiliations aside and come together to root out the scourge of terrorism," he said. PTI TAS AB SNE SNE Muzaffarnagar, Feb 25 (PTI) Seventeen people have been sent to judicial custody for 14 days in connection with a case of aiding mass-copying at an exam centre here during the Uttar Pradesh board examinations. The accused, including superintendent of the centre Yogender Pal, arrested during a Special Task Force raid were produced in a local court here Sunday. The alleged mass copying was caught during the Class 12th Physics paper Saturday when the Special Task Force raided the examination centre upon a tipoff. Officials had seized solved examination papers, a pistol, mobile and exam guides from the centre. PTI CORR IJT IJT New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI) Opposition Congress in Arunachal Pradesh Monday demanded the sacking of the BJP government in the state for its alleged failure in curbing the recent violence and demanded a judicial inquiry into the incidents. In a memorandum submitted to Home Minister Rajnath Singh, the Congress claimed there has been "gross mismanagement" by the Pema Khandu-led government in handling "peaceful protests" against the move to grant Permanent Resident Certificates to six communities, leading to loss of human lives and damages to properties of such magnitude which the state has never witnessed in its history. The Congress demanded setting up of a Commission of Enquiry, preferably by a sitting high court judge or a retired chief justice of high court, on firing and killing of innocent and unarmed protestors. It also sought immediate sacking of Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, who hails from the state. The memorandum was signed by Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee President Takam Sanjoy, former chief minister Nabam Tuki and Congress general secretary (in-charge of Northeast) Luizinho Faleiro. The Congress leaders said there has been continuing deterioration of the law and order in Arunachal Pradesh leading to the unprovoked killing of three innocents by the police forces and injury to 15 others. "We are receiving reports that the situation remains volatile and further escalation is expected with the violence and unrest rapidly spreading to other parts of the state. The state government law and order machinery is in a state of complete collapse. "The situation warrants that the Centre takes a serious view on these developments. The state government has completely failed and remains a mute spectator to the unfolding events over the past two days," the leaders said in the memorandum. Three people lost their lives during violent protests over granting the PRC to six non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APSTs) communities living in Namsai and Changlang districts -- Deoris, Sonowal-Kacharis, Morans, Adivasis and Mishings -- and to the Gorkhas living in Vijaynagar. Most of these communities are recognised as Scheduled Tribes in neighbouring Assam. Curfew was clamped in Itanagar and adjoining Naharlagun town on Saturday, but it did not deter protesters from venturing into the troubled streets that were scene of pitched battles with security forces over the last three days. No major incident of violence has been reported from anywhere since Monday morning as Arunachal Scouts, an infantry regiment of the Army trained in mountain warfare, marched through the streets of the two towns to instill confidence among people and ward off possible violence, officials said. PTI ACB ACB TIR TIR CP(M) brings CPI, RSP on board over seat adjustment with Cong Kolkata, Feb 25 (PTI) Amid the ongoing impasse with the Congress over seat sharing deal for the Lok Sabha polls, the West Bengal CPI(M) Monday manged to bring along two of its allies - the RSP and the CPI - on board on the issue. It has been decided at a Left Front meeting that the Congress needs to leave it's claim over Raiganj and Murshidabad Lok Sabha seats presently held by the CPI(M), in order to take forward the seat sharing discussions. At the meeting here, the CPI(M) convinced the RSP and the CPI that seat-adjustment with the Congress was a necessity, a senior CPI(M) leader said. The meeting was convened to decide on the number of seats its allies such as the RSP, the Forward Bloc and the CPI will contest. Till date, the CPI(M) used to contest 32 seats, the RSP four and the CPI and the Forward Bloc three seats each. "With two Left allies on board, only the Foward Bloc is left. The party is not keen on alliance with the Congress. May be they are afraid that they might have to share with their seats. Now the ball is in court of the Congress to move things forward. But it has to leave its claim of Raiganj and Murshidabad," the senior CPI(M) leader said. It has also been decided that the Congress has to clearly spell out whether it wants a seat sharing adjustment with the Left Front. Two seats - Raiganj and Murshidabad- cannot be a bone of contention in an alliance, he said. It has been decided that Left allies RSP, CPI and Forward Bloc will contest in three seats each. The number of seats CPI(M) would contest depends on the terms and conditions of seat adjustment with Congress. Meanwhile, the Left Front is keeping a close watch on the opposition meet scheduled to be held in New Delhi on February 27. Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to attend the meet. "A lot will depend on what will happen at that meet. If Congress is seen cozying up with TMC nationally, it might have an adverse impact on seat adjustment in the state," a CPI(M) central committee member said. When contacted a senior Congress, who is privy to the developments, said, "Nothing has been officially communicated to us by the Left or CPI(M). But let me make it very clear that we are prepared for any eventuality including fighting alone." The Raiganj and Murshidabad are the only two Lok Sabha seats that the Left has in West Bengal, its erstwhile stronghold. These two places, however, are known as pockets of the Congress in the state. Congress leader Pardip Bhattacharya and Abdul Mannan last week held a few round of talks with CPI(M) leaders Sujan Chakraborty and Rabin Deb for seat sharing. According to Congress sources, state unit president Somen Mitra and CPI(M) state secretary Surya Kanta Mishra will meet on this matter soon. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury is also likely to discuss the matter with senior AICC leaders to end the impasse. The Congress, sources said, wants to contest around 20 of the state's 42 Lok Sabha seats, and the Left Front, which has to distribute seats among its constituents, is keen on fielding candidates in at least 31-32 seats. The Congress had won four seats in 2014. Mausam Benazir Noor, the Congress MP from Malda, defected to the TMC in January. PTI PNT NN NN Maha Assembly pays homage to CRPF jawans killed in Pulwama Mumbai, Feb 25 (PTI) The Maharashtra Assembly on Monday condoled the killing of 40 CRPF personnel in the Pulwama terror attack and paid homage to former Legislative Council chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh who died recently. On the first day of the state legislature's budget session, Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagade read out the condolence motion to express grief over the February 14 terror attack in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao in his address to the joint sitting of the legislature said the state government strongly condemns cross-border terrorism and pays homage to the martyred soldiers and paramilitary personnel who laid down their lives at Pulwama and across the country. "My government is committed to assist the Government of India in combating terrorism," Rao said. The House also paid homage to former Legislative Council chairman and ex-minister Shivajirao Deshmukh, who died on January 14. The condolence motion was introduced in the House by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Later, Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar told the House that a discussion on motion of governor's address to the legislaturewould be taken up in the next session. To this, NCP member Chhagan Bhujbal said this amounted to "insult" of the governor and demandeda debate in the ongoing session itself. Rejecting Bhujbal's charge, Mungantiwar said there had been a similar practice in 2009 and 2014 and that the government was following the precedent. PTI MRs GK GK Dubai, Feb 25 (PTI) Pakistan's former military dictator Gen (retd.) Pervez Musharraf has termed talk of any nuclear war with India as rubbish, saying if Pakistan would attack India with one atomic bomb, then New Delhi could "finish us by attacking with 20 bombs". "It is not so simple. Do not talk like this. There is always a military strategy," Musharraf, who is on self-exile in Dubai, said in response to a question at a news conference in Dubai on Friday evening. His statement came amid heightened tension between the two nuclear-armed countries after the February 14 suicide attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad that killed at least 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, termed talk of any nuclear war as rubbish, Dawn newspaper reported. "If Pakistan would attack India with one atomic bomb, then the neighbouring country could finish us by attacking with 20 bombs," he was quoted as saying by the paper. "The only solution is that we should first attack them with 50 atom bombs so that they cannot hit us with 20 bombs. Are you ready to first launch an attack with 50 bombs?" he asked. Musharraf, who was the army chief of Pakistan during the Kargil War in 1999, said India had advantage in some areas in Kashmir and it could launch a surgical strike, but Pakistan also had advantage in many other areas. He suggested to Pakistan Army to keep a plan prepared before time to deal with any possible Indian move, the paper said. The former general has been declared a fugitive in the Benazir Bhutto assassination case and the Red Mosque cleric killing case. He is facing several cases including a treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007. He left for the UAE in 2016 for medical treatment and has not returned since. PTI ZH ZH ZH Comey/McCabe/Rosenstein: The coup co-conspirators By Mark Alexander Disgraced former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, who became acting director after Donald Trump fired his disgraced mentor and boss, James Comey, is doing a masterful job promoting his new book, The Threat. Recently he launched the book tour with a "60 Minutes" interview the first public interview since his own firing. McCabe managed to parlay that softball session into top-of-the-fold headlines, wall-to-wall cable news coverage, and a succession of follow-up interviews featuring his ever-evolving justification for his actions. Seeding interest in McCabe's remarks, his interviewer, CBS's Scott Pelley (who must be getting a cut of McCabe's book sales), offered up this teaser: "The most illuminating and surprising thing in the interview to me were these eight days in May when all of these things were happening behind the scenes... There were meetings at the Justice Department at which it was discussed whether the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet could be brought together to remove the president of the United States under the 25th Amendment. These were the eight days from Comey's firing to the point that Robert Mueller was appointed special counsel. And the highest levels of American law enforcement were trying to figure out what to do with the president." Until now, discussions about using the "25th Amendment" to remove our duly elected president from office, originally attributed to then-Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, as well as Rosenstein's own suggestion that he could wear a wire to entrap Trump, had been dismissed as facetious. But McCabe says no. Rosenstein "raised the issue" of the 25th Amendment and "offered to wear a wire into the White House." McCabe says Rosenstein added: "I never get searched when I go into the White House. I could easily wear a recording device. They wouldn't know it was there." McCabe insists, "He was not joking. He was absolutely serious. And in fact, he brought it up in the next meeting we had." Asked by Pelley if Rosenstein was "actually openly talking about whether there was a majority of the Cabinet who would vote to remove the president," McCabe replied, "That's correct. Counting votes or possible votes." McCabe claimed he rejected Rosenstein's offer to surveil Trump: "I never actually considered taking him up on the offer. I did discuss it with my general counsel and my leadership team back at the FBI after he brought it up the first time." Huh? "I never actually considered" it, but "I did discuss it" with everyone, including the lawyers? He said then-FBI General Counsel Jim Baker rejected the idea: "I think the general counsel had a heart attack. And when he got up off the floor, he said, 'I, I, that's a bridge too far. We're not there yet.'" In his testimony before the House in October 2018, Baker confirmed, "I had the impression that the deputy attorney general had already discussed this with two members in the president's Cabinet and that they were on board with this concept already." Let this sink in. According to McCabe, and confirmed by Baker, the highest-level officials at the FBI and DoJ were seriously discussing use of the 25th Amendment to remove the president of the United States from office. They were doing so, undoubtedly, with the full knowledge and support of then-FBI Director James Comey and then-CIA Director John Brennan. As I noted last week, former Harvard constitutional law professor Alan Dershowitz protested the McCabe/Rosenstein conspiracy: "The 25th Amendment is about Woodrow Wilson having a stroke. It's about a president being shot and not being able to perform his office. It's not about the most fundamental disagreements. Any Justice Department official who even mentioned the 25th Amendment in the context of President Trump has committed a grievous offense against the Constitution." Indeed, the fact that the highest levels of the FBI and DoJ had become so politically compromised that a discussion of the 25th Amendment was acceptable and not laughable is grievous. And outrageous. And the stuff of banana republics. These bureaucrats have been drinking government Kool-Aid made with contaminated Beltway water for so long that their chronic "Potomac fever" has grotesquely distorted their perception of reality. However, it's what they did next that is the most egregious insult to their oaths "to support and defend" our Constitution. McCabe was already knee-deep in the conspiracy to take down Trump. Recall that he was one of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton's most influential deep-state operatives, and he became suspect in his role to oust Trump from office after a series of text messages between McCabe's FBI colleagues, Peter Strzok and his mistress Lisa Page, were disclosed in December 2017. Ahead of the 2016 election, Strzok, who was also the FBI's lead "investigator" of the Clinton email scandal, described the prospect of Trump defeating Clinton as "terrifying." Page wrote to Strzok, "There is no way [Trump] gets elected." Strzok replied, "I want to believe the path you threw out for consideration in Andy's office ... that there's no way he gets elected but I'm afraid we can't take that risk. It's like an insurance policy..." But Strzok and Page were not referencing McCabe's 25th Amendment discussions. They were referring to the real coup d'etat strategy cooked up by McCabe and Rosenstein a slow-burn coup against Trump to set him up for impeachment. The most revealing thing about McCabe's CBS interview was not the discussion of the 25th Amendment but his actual admission he lit the fire on that slow-burner. McCabe (whose wife, a candidate for political office in Virginia, was also embedded within the Clinton political machine) initiated the Trump/Putin collusion investigation based on the FISA warrant made possible by the fake Clinton/Fusion dossier leaked by James Comey. According to McCabe: "I was very concerned that I was able to put the Russia case on absolutely solid ground, in an indelible fashion. That were I removed quickly, or reassigned or fired, that the case could not be closed or vanish in the night without a trace. ... I wanted to make sure that ... if somebody came in behind me and closed it and tried to walk away from it, they would not be able to do that without creating a record of why they made that decision." According to that record, there are Comey and McCabe fingerprints all over the origins and motives of the Trump investigation. It was then Rosenstein, with McCabe's backing, who appointed Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller and his team of Clintonistas, though there is no indication Mueller was connected to the Clinton/FBI/DoJ endeavor to set Trump up. Consequently, Mueller has spent the last two years, with the assistance of Democrat Party principals and their Leftmedia publicists, doing everything possible to obstruct Trump's agenda. Regarding Mueller's investigation, asked if he believed Trump was a "Russian asset," McCabe replied, "I think it's possible. I think that's why we started our investigation. And I'm really anxious to see where Director Mueller concludes that." Asked if he believed Russians ordered Trump to fire Comey, McCabe answered, "We don't know." Seriously, he is that delusional. That answer is as absurd as if he had given the same response when asked, "Did aliens from another galaxy order Trump to fire Comey?" Regarding his own firing, McCabe now laughably claims that was because he opened the Trump investigation part of his book-promotion schtick. But the DoJ inspector general's report notes that, indeed, McCabe lied under oath repeatedly and was fired for "lacking candor [read: lying] under oath." This FBI/DoJ conspiracy against Trump constitutes a very dangerous episode in American political history much more ominous and consequential than Richard Nixon's concealment of the DNC/Watergate burglary. In fact, Watergate was a wading pool compared to the deep, dark depths of collusion between the FBI, DoJ, and the Clinton campaign. Former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy concludes that the whole "collusion" charade is about "the criminalization of policy disputes." And he's absolutely correct. Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) says he will issue subpoenas for testimony from both McCabe and Rosenstein in order to determine if "an administrative coup" was seriously discussed by members of the FBI and DoJ. "We're going to find out what happened here," Graham said. "It is imperative that [they] come before the Senate judiciary to fully explain how and why a FISA warrant was issued against Carter Page, and answer questions about what appears to be, now more than ever, bias against President Trump. ... [They were] having a conversation about [invoking] the 25th Amendment. ... Was this an attempted bureaucratic coup? I don't know. ... We will have a hearing [to determine] who's telling the truth [and] what actually happened. ... I think everybody in the country needs to know if it happened." Don't hold your breath... I suspect that U.S. Attorney John Huber, charged with investigating the FBI's conduct of the Clinton and Trump/Russia probes, will also have additional questions for Comey, McCabe, and Rosenstein. For his part, Donald Trump protested: "Disgraced FBI acting director Andrew McCabe pretends to be a 'poor little angel' when in fact he was a big part of the crooked Hillary scandal and the Russian hoax a puppet for James Comey. ... McCabe's wife received BIG DOLLARS from Clinton people for her campaign he gave Hillary a pass. Remember this, Andrew McCabe didn't go to the bathroom without the approval of [fired FBI Director] James Comey! McCabe is a disgrace to the FBI and a disgrace to our Country." Trump referenced Fox News commentator Sean Hannity, who declared: "The biggest abuse of power and corruption scandal in our history, and it's much worse than we thought. Andrew McCabe (FBI) admitted to plotting a coup (government overthrow) when he was serving in the FBI, before he was fired for lying & leaking." Trump vented, "Treason!" The actions of Rosenstein, Comey, and McCabe do not constitute statutory treason or seditious conspiracy; they more closely constitute a violation of 18 U.S. Code 2385, "Advocating Overthrow of Government," which is akin to nonviolent subversion of the government. But don't expect any early-morning raids by the FBI. So how are Democrats and their mainstream media enablers responding? Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) claims that if the DoJ conspirators believed "that Donald Trump cannot fulfill the obligations of his office, then they have a constitutional responsibility to invoke the 25th Amendment. Their loyalty under law is not to him personally. It is to the Constitution of the United States and to the people of United States." (Seriously, she said that with a straight face.) The Brookings Institution's Susan Hennessey rationalized: "I think we need to take ourselves back to what the situation the Justice Department and FBI officials were facing in that moment. I think what we're seeing is they were panicked. They had never seen anything like that really in the history of the United States. It goes to how overwhelmed they were in that moment. ... It's not different than any of us sitting around and talking about the 25th Amendment." Typical of the Leftmedia response was this absurdity from CNN "legal analyst" Jeffrey Toobin: "I think the correct term is not treasonous, but patriotic." However, it appears that the McCabe/Rosenstein/Mueller slow-burn coup d'etat is about to be extinguished. Last week, after the Senate concluded its Trump/Russia collusion investigation, which determined that there isn't a shred of evidence of any collusion, even The New York Times conceded, "No evidence has emerged publicly that Mr. Trump was secretly in contact with or took direction from Russian government officials." Politico has dutifully warned the "Hate Trump" crowd: "Prepare for disappointment." John Pistole, Mueller's longtime top deputy at the FBI, advises: "A public narrative has built an expectation that the special counsel will explain his conclusions, but I think that expectation may be seriously misplaced. That's not what the rules provide, and I really don't see him straying from the mission." Andrew McCarthy noted likewise: "If the special counsel concludes that President Trump should not be charged with a crime, nothing need be said except, perhaps, that the investigation has been closed. The regulations require the special counsel to report findings to the attorney general, not to Congress." Thus, incoming Attorney General William Barr may actually be the only person who reads Mueller's final report. So where to next? Hopefully, Barr will initiate a long-overdue investigation of the deep-state "investigators" who plotted against Trump. I'll predict, however, that Nancy Pelosi's next smear tactic to obstruct Trump's pro-America agenda will focus on the dubious campaign-finance-violation case currently under construction by Robert Mueller's investigative partner, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post. Los Angeles, Feb 25 (PTI) British actor Olivia Colman, as temperamental Queen Anne in "The Favourite", bested Hollywood veteran Glenn Close to win her maiden Best Actress Oscar at the 91st Academy Awards here. Colman and Close, nominated for her role of a bitter wife to a literary giant in "The Wife, were in a neck-and-neck fight for the coveted golden knight. Colman gave a nod to fellow nominee Close, who was a favourite in the category, and said she did not want to win an Oscar while her "idol" lost. "It is genuinely quite stressful. This is hilarious, I have got an Oscar! To be in this category with these extraordinary women. Glenn Close, you have been my idol for so long. This is not how I wanted it to be. I love you all," she said in her acceptance. The actor also thanked film's director Yorgos Lanthimos and co-stars Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone. "I have to thank a lot of people. If I forgot you I will find you later and give you a massive snog. Yorgos, my best director and the best film. Emma and Rachel the two women to fall in love with and to go to work with everyday. Her maiden Oscar win follows her winning streak at this awards season - she bagged the BAFTA Award, the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress in a Comedy and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress Motion Picture Comedy or Musical. Colman brought a certain pathos to the eccentric British royal absurdist period comedy drama. The actor shines despite being surrounded by two Oscar-winners and Hollywood stars -- Weisz and Stone. Colman's Anne emerges a lonely figure, plagued by gout and the loss of her 17 children. In her quest for love, she is often left emotionally abused by the two women seeking power through her. The British actor, who started her journey as a comedienne, has emerged as one of the best dramatic stars of this generation with critically-lauded turns in "Broadchurch" and "The Night Manager". She has been a favourite of Lanthimos, who first worked with her in 2015 film "The Lobster", where she played the manager of a facility which turns single people into animals if they fail to pair up. Co-star Weisz was also a part of that film. The other nominees in the category were Lady Gaga for "A Star is Born", Yalitza Aparicio for "Roma" and Melissa McCarthy for "Can You Ever Forgive Me?". PTI BK RDS RB BK Los Angeles, Feb 25 (PTI) It was a Viva Mexico moment at the 91st Academy Awards as "Roma" became the first feature from the country to receive the Oscar in the best foreign language film category. The moving black-and-white masterpiece by Alfonso Cuaron was being bid as a sure-shot winner in the segment, which also saw "Cold War" (Poland), "Shoplifters" (Japan), "Never Look Away" (Germany) and "Capernaum" (Lebanon) as fitting fellow nominees. Set in 1970s Mexicos Colonia Roma, the Netflix film revolves around the life of a middle-class family's live-in maid, Cleo. Played by first-time actor and best actress nominee Yalitza Aparacio, Cleos character was based on the Cuarons real-life nanny and maid Liboria Libo Rodriguez, to whom he has also dedicated the film. This was the eighth time a Mexican feature was nominated in the best foreign language film category. "I grew up watching foreign language films and learning so much from them. Films like 'Citizen Kane', 'Jaws', and 'Rashomon', 'The Godfather' and 'Breathless' were my inspirations," he said in his acceptance speech. "'There are no waves, there is only an ocean'. The nominees tonight have proven that we are part of the same ocean," he added quoting French new wave filmmaker Claude Chabrol. Interestingly, Cuarons compadres and fellow Mexican filmmakers Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and Guillermo del Toro have been previously nominated in the same category. In another record, Roma is also the first Netflix film to be nominated for an Oscar and win the award. It has also received a Golden Globe, Critics' Choice Movie Award and BAFTA Award for best foreign language film. The film, which is described as Cuarons most personal work till date, faced tough competition from another monochrome Polish filmmaker Pawel Pawlikovskis moody, post-war drama Cold War. Roma is also the fifth ever film and first Mexican film to be nominated in both Best Foreign Language and Best Picture after Amour (2012), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Life is Beautiful (1998) and Z (1969). PTI RDS RB BK BK (Eds: Disclaimer: The following press release comes to you under an arrangement with PR Newswire. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.) NEW DELHI, February 25, 2019/PRNewswire/ -- Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has exhorted Indian business houses and prominent entrepreneurs to come forward and set up quality institutions in higher education so as to ensure a paradigm shift in promoting research and innovation in Indian universities and colleges. Vice President Naidu was speaking on the occasion of a book launch function organized by the Education Promotion Society for India (EPSI), BIMTECH and Bloomsbury Pvt Ltd. The book titled 'Quality, Accreditation and Ranking - A Silent Revolution in the Offing in Indian Higher Education' edited by EPSI's Alternate President, Dr. H Chaturvedi was released by the Hon'ble Vice President Naidu. On this occasion, the UGC Chairman, Dr. DP Singh and Management Guru Padma Shri Dr. Pritam Singh were present as the guest of honour. Check out the video excerpt of the book. Speaking after releasing the book, Vice President Naidu said the focus of successive governments for the past many years has been to achieve 'access, equity and excellence'. Although substantial progress has been made over the years, a lot more needs to be done, particularly on the excellence front, he added. Pointing out that quality assurance was important to improve higher education sector, he said the root cause of the problem in private and government-funded institutions was commercialization and poor governance respectively. The true quality of education should be assessed by its ability to foster responsible citizenship and social cohesiveness, and inculcate moral and ethical values in students. This important aspect of quality education goes beyond the contours of the course curriculum and the actual teaching-learning processes that take place inside the classroom, he added. Shri Naidu said that higher education transforms an individual into a responsible human being with social, moral and ethical values embedded in him or her, apart from making the person more productive. Thus, quality assurance and accreditation mechanism should acknowledge the transformative role of education in a broader sense, he added. The Vice President said that quality assurance mechanism helps the students to choose courses and institutions on the basis of grades or ranks. It would enable them to make informed choice. From the perspective of the institutions, accreditation and ranking would help them to identify gaps in their delivery mechanism, the Vice President said. Quoting the UNESCO Institute of Statistics data, Shri Naidu said that there were only 215 researchers per million inhabitants in India as on 2015 and women researchers' participation was minimal. "We cannot continue with business as usual approach and there should be a paradigm shift in promoting research in higher educational institutions," he added. The Vice President urged HEIs to accord greater importance to research and innovation and promote an eco-system for creativity to thrive. He said that having a research facility at Post Graduate College level should become a criterion for obtaining accreditation by bodies such as UGC (University Grants Commission) or NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). The book released by the Vice President contains articles, essays and research papers authored by some of the prominent educationists, policy makers, researchers and a media person; presents an analysis of the past and present scenario in the Indian Higher Education. The book also focuses on how to raise the quality of colleges and universities to enable them compete globally. Text of Vice President's address: "At the outset, let me compliment Dr. H Chaturvedi and his fellow authors for compiling a volume on the theme of "Quality, Accreditation and Ranking - A Silent Revolution in the Offing in Indian Higher Education". The book containing articles, essays and research papers authored by some of the prominent educationists, policy makers, researchers and a media person, presents an analysis of the past and present scenario in the Indian Higher Education. The book also outlines the views of the authors on how to raise the quality of our colleges and universities to enable them compete globally. Friends, Indian higher education has expanded quite rapidly during the last three decades, which also coincided with the post-liberalisation era of the Indian economy. It is a fact that now at global level, on the basis of its size, expanse and enrolment numbers, India is ranked second after China. Till 1947, higher education was accessible to a privileged few - mostly urban and elite class. The first three universities in India during the British rule were founded in Calcutta, Bombay and Madras in 1856. Till Independence, the size of our higher education system was small. In the year 1950-51, there were only 27 universities, 578 colleges and a total enrolment of 2.4 lakh students. A decade later (1960-61), the enrolment has risen to a mere 11 lakh students and the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) was a poor 1.1 percent. However, the situation has changed drastically in the last few decades with the expansion of higher education. According to the latest All India Survey on Higher Education (2017-18), there are 903 universities and the total number of colleges stands at 49,061. Currently, the total number of students enrolled in our colleges and universities is about 36.7 million. Although our GER has improved to 25.8 per cent, it lags behind the global average of 33 percent and those of the emerging economies like Brazil (46 percent), Russia (78 percent) and China (36 percent). Clearly the focus of successive governments for the past many years has been to achieve three important goals - 'access, equity and excellence'. Although substantial progress has been made over the years a lot more needs to be done to achieve all the three goals, particularly on the excellence front. According to the latest data of accreditation of colleges and universities provided by NAAC, only 341 universities and 7,695 colleges have achieved NAAC accreditation so far, which is barely 20 percent of our total number of universities and colleges. It means that around 80 percent colleges and universities are still not accredited! It is really a matter of concern that out of 5 institutions, only 1 institution has so far been accredited and whose quality can be relied upon by students, parents and recruiters. The Ministry of HRD and regulatory bodies like UGC, AICTE, MCI and NCTE have initiated a series of reforms and have also introduced several schemes to bring "quality" to the top agenda of Indian Higher Education. Some of the significant measures undertaken in this regard include linking state funding to public universities with quality assessment under Rastriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), proposal to set up 20 eminent institutions or universities and introduction of 3-tiered graded autonomy system. Besides, the "Quality Mandate" issued by the UGC has to be achieved by all higher education institutions by the year 2020. Quality assurance is important for improving higher education sector. The root cause of the problem in private and government-funded institutions is commercialization and poor governance respectively. While the problems have to be tackled differently, a single standardised solution may not ensure improvement in quality across Higher Education institutions. Any quality assurance mechanism should not ignore the fact that education generates externalities. The true quality of education should be assessed by its ability to foster responsible citizenship and social cohesiveness, and inculcate moral and ethical values in students. This important aspect of quality education goes beyond the contours of the course curriculum and the actual teaching-learning processes that take place inside the classroom. Higher education transforms an individual into a responsible human being with social, moral and ethical values embedded in him or her apart from making the person more productive. Thus, the quality assurance and accreditation mechanism should acknowledge the transformative role of education in a broader sense and facilitate in widening the horizons of the Indian higher education system. When it comes to choosing courses and institutions, students suffer from "information asymmetry", which makes it difficult for them to assess the quality and arrive at a decision. Accreditation and ranking would therefore provide them with information as to which institution conforms to well-defined standards set by the regulatory authority. Ranking also provides information about the performance of Higher Educational Institutions within a competitive set up. Further, the quality assurance mechanism helps the students to choose courses and institutions on the basis of grades or ranks. It will enable them to make informed choice. From the perspective of the institutions, accreditation and ranking would help them to identify gaps in their delivery mechanism. It encourages the HEIs to put in an extra effort and improve their ranking, which indeed is the need of the hour. Our higher educational institutions must accord greater importance to research and innovation and create an eco-system for creativity to thrive. According to UNESCO Institute of Statistics data, there are only 215 researchers per million inhabitants in India as on 2015 and women researchers' participation is very nominal. We cannot continue with business as usual approach and there should be a paradigm shift in promoting research in higher educational institutions. Every educational Institution must have a dedicated research wing. Having a research facility at Post Graduate College level should be a criterion for obtaining accreditation by bodies such as UGC (University Grants Commission) or NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). In the end, I once again congratulate Dr. H Chaturvedi and his co-authors for bringing out this book which will be a useful a compendium for all Indian institutions and Universities in charting out their future road map for becoming quality institutions. I also appreciate initiative of the Educational Promotion Society for India (EPSI), Bloomsbury India Pvt Ltd and BIMTECH for organizing this function and inviting me for the release of the book. Jaihind!" The video excerpt of the book can be viewed here - https://youtu.be/7oYCL-Xwzjo About Dr. Harivansh Chaturvedi Dr. H Chaturvedi is Professor and Director at Birla Institute of Management Technology, Greater Noida, India. He has more than 42 years of experience in teaching, research and academic administration. He has been Director at All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), a statutory body under MHRD, Government of India. Being a renowned management educationist, he has been deeply involved with national bodies like AIMA, NHRDN, AIMS and the Indian Management Conclave (IMC), organized by the MBA Universe.com. Dr Chaturvedi is a Member of Board of Governors, Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management (IITTM), Gwalior (under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Special Invitee Member, Board of Governor, United Nations Global Compact Network India, New Delhi, Member, Advisory Board, Asia Pacific Centre for CSR Sustainability, UNGCNI, New Delhi, Member, Board of Governor, Birla Global University, Bhubaneswar, Member, Board of Management, Birla Global University, Bhubaneswar. Dr. Chaturvedi is the Trustee and the Executive President of the Education Promotion Society for India (EPSI), Academic Council Member, Manav Rachna University, Faridabad and also the Founder President of the Alumni Association of Agra University (AAAU), BIMTECH Foundation and Ranganathan Society for Social Welfare and Library Development (RSSWLD), Uttar Pradesh. He is also Main Trustee of the Atal Incubation Centre BIMTECH. Dr Chaturvedi has authored and edited five books relating to various challenges before Indian Business and economy and his latest book is titled Transforming Indian Higher Education. About Birla Institute of Management Technology The fully residential campus of Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH) located in National Capital Region is one of the top MBA Institutes to study in India. It provides a highly conducive academic environment, interaction with hard working and industry-academia mix professors, proximity to the strategy makers of the industry and practitioners of the service and manufacturing companies, exposure to the international universities and companies. Birla Institute of Management Technology was established in 1988 under the aegis of the Birla Academy of Art and Culture, and supported by Birla group of companies. Late Dr. (Smt.) Sarala Birla and Syt. B K Birla, chairperson of B K Birla Group of companies are the founders of the business school. BIMTECH is mini India in its formation every year. It has students coming almost from all the states of India, and also from few foreign countries. BIMTECH is like a school where international business endeavors are also made. Its mix of nationalities, cultural backgrounds, academic and professional experiences make BIMTECH one of the most exciting and enriching business schools in the country. Source: BIMTECH PWR PWR (Eds: Disclaimer: The following press release comes to you under an arrangement with PR Newswire. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.) HYDERABAD, India, February 25, 2019/PRNewswire/ -- Logistics Tech company MovingNow raises angel funding from a set of investors listed on Startuplanes. This was led by a couple of big ticket individual investments from NRIs giving them the honour of receiving FDI in the angel round. MovingNow has introduced a unique pricing algorithm for their B2C business which they have filed for patent that makes it simple for the users to place moving orders on the website. While B2B business is conducted on the mobile application on Demand/Supply mechanism. Most of the funds would be utilized to expand into new geographies in India. This would result in hiring additional staff and improve upon technology to correlate with the growing bandwidth. Founding CEO of MovingNow.in Manish Datta says, "Logistics must be simple. We at MovingNow, inspired by the optimism of the internet era proudly take credit to be the pioneers in developing end-to-end online logistics solution using cutting-edge technology, right from the survey of your goods to the quote generation and payment facilitation to last mile delivery providing faster and accurate TAT, on-time delivery, real-time visibility and tracking." The rapid growth in infrastructure development witnessed in India owing to the meteoric economic progress has had a major influence on the logistics needs of the country both in terms of transportation and warehousing. CEO of Startuplanes, Shishir Gupta says, "MovingNow is disrupting the logistics space through cutting-edge technology. I recommended Manish to immediately file the patent when I first heard the innovation that MovingNow has brought in. It is certainly a promising Startup that is rapidly growing." All the allied services that make up this sector are experiencing major technological and operational advancement to cater to this ever-growing demand. Pegged at US$ 160 billion, logistics services in India have been on rise clocking CAGR at 14% and expected to be $250 billion by 2020. Anshul Srivastav, one of the major NRI investors in MovingNow would be advising on expansion in technology, as well as strategy to move to International markets. Alumni of IIM-B, Anshul also has to his credit advising and mentoring 150+ Startups across the globe from Silicon Valley to South East Asia including India and Middle East. Disrupting the relocation and freight space with smart technology Offering solutions that are future-ready has been behind the meteoric rise of the logistics startup - MovingNow. An in-depth understanding of current market demands and the ability to unerringly deliver exceptional solutions that not only address this demand but are also geared for the future, has been their core expertise. With the world increasingly becoming more connected and adopting digital methods across all domains, the logistics sector offers a massive scope for a disruptive service to generate wider appeal and reach. MovingNow CTO Ashok adds, "The traditional trucking and transportation businesses listed on our platform have reaped immense benefits from the technological wave created by MovingNow. Going forward, a significant part of our platform would run on Blockchain technology that is under development currently with us." About MovingNow MovingNow started as a primarily B2C organization, offering a unique interface between consumers and Packers and Movers that uses cutting edge technology and in-depth analytics to automate the moving process and introduce greater operational efficiency. They have now expanded their operations to B2B sector, and boast of a range of illustrious clients. With their specialties in handling Over Dimensional Cargo (ODC) and managing Motorsport logistics, they have carved a niche for themselves in catering to the transportation and logistics of most of the racing teams in India. Clients have found MovingNow's services to be safe and extremely reliable, which is made possible by the proprietary technology that powers their platform, and their unparalleled dedication to reshaping and enhancing logistics services. With their user-friendly services and customer-centric philosophy in everything they do, MovingNow has emerged as a major disruptive platform for transportation and logistics services. Source: MovingNow PWR PWR Chandigarh, Feb 25 (PTI)The Haryana government Monday announced new schemes to provide financial and social security cover to families of farmers and those of workers in the unorganised sector ahead of the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha polls. Presenting a Rs 1.32 lakh crore budget for 2019-20 in the Assembly, State Finance Minister Captain Abhimanyu said the government has not only tried to give impetus to economic growth but also tried to stabilise and strengthen the financial structure of the state. The budget, which did not propose any new tax, has a total outlay of Rs 1,32,165.99 crore, 14.73 per cent more than the budget for 2018-19. He said the budget reflects the government's commitment to boost investment in agriculture, rural development, health, education, skill development and industrial training and social justice for comprehensive socio-economic growth of the state and allocations have been increased in these sectors. Abhimanyu said the government proposes new schemes to provide financial and social security cover to families of farmers in possession of land of up to five acres and for the families of workers in unorganised sector with family income of less than Rs 15,000 per month. He said in case of farmers, this will be in addition to the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme announced by the Narendra Modi government. An outlay of Rs 1,500 crore has been provided in the budget for these schemes, whose name and other modalities were being worked out, Abhimanyu told reporters later. The total budget outlay comprises 28.7 per cent as capital expenditure of Rs 37,924.09 crore and 71.3 per cent as revenue expenditure of Rs 94,241.90 crore. The finance minister said revenue deficit to GSDP has steadily declined from 2.92 per cent in 2016-17 to 1.53 per cent in budget estimates 2019-20, whereas the effective revenue deficit has decreased from 2.81 per cent to 0.73 per cent in the same period. In 2019-20, fiscal deficit is estimated to be 2.86 per cent of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). State debt to GSDP ratio is estimated at 22.90 per cent, which is within the limits prescribed under FRBM Act, the minister said. On overall sectoral share, Rs 46,562.37 crore of total budget of Rs 1.32 lakh crore has been allocated to the schemes pertaining to 15 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) being implemented in the state pertaining to economic, environment and social targets. Among the new initiatives to improve the financial health of the state include the Haryana Accountability of Public Finances Bill, 2019, which the minister said will be introduced in the current session. The Bill, once enacted, will provide for an effective and efficient system to facilitate accountability of public finances through appropriate accounting and auditing systems in all the departments and entities receiving public money. The government also intends to constitute Haryana State Audit and Accounts Services, to facilitate better management and accountability of public finance and effective implementation of the proposed legislation. An Output-Outcome Framework was proposed by the minister in budget 2019-20, which he said will serve as the foundation step by providing an integrated framework for aligning public spending towards achieving the SDGs in a phased manner. Performance Linked Outlay has been introduced by the state government to ensure efficient and prudent utilization of resources, he said. An aviation hub comprising maintenance, repair and overhauling and fixed base operation facilities, training and simulation centre, aerospace university and aerospace/defence manufacturing park is proposed to be developed in Hisar over an area of 3,500 acres. On Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal issue, Abhimanyu said the state government is committed to constructing the canal in order to get the state's share of water of river Ravi-Beas and announced to allocate Rs 100 crore for the same. The total outstanding debt of the state has been projected at nearly Rs 1.79 lakh crore. Opposition INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala later told reporters that the budget was a catalogue of mounting debts and diminishing capital expenditure. Congress also dubbed the budget as "directionless" and expressed concern over the "mounting debt". With his speech laced with quotes from Kautilya, Abhimanyu said though no new tax has been proposed, revenue receipt is expected to increase to Rs 82,219.41 crore in 2019-20 through efficient realisation of tax and non-tax receipts, registering growth of 7 per cent over Revised Estimates 2018-19 receipt of Rs 76,828 crore. This includes the state's own tax receipt of Rs 51,105 crore and non-tax revenue of Rs 10,024.95 crore. The proposed major sources of tax revenue are GST -Rs 22,750 crore, VAT- Rs 10,900 crore, Excise Duty- Rs 7,000 crore and Stamp and Registration - Rs 6,500 crore. The government proposes to borrow up to 3 per cent of GSDP, which amounts to Rs 22,413.79 crore in 2019-20. Further, grant-in-aid from the Centre amounting to Rs 9,872.82 crore will be another major source of funding in 2019-20, Abhimanyu said. The government has allocated 26.12 per cent of total budget to economic services agriculture and allied, irrigation and rural electrification subsidy (10.62 per cent), power (6.23 per cent), civil aviation, road and bridges (4.12 per cent), rural development and panchayats (3.83 per cent and others (3.22 per cent). He said Haryana will strive to increase the resilience, awareness and adaptive capacity of people with respect to environmental and climate change induced challenges. As many as 100 'climate smart villages' will be established under a project titled 'Scaling-up Climate Smart Villages' approved by Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Abhimanyu informed the Assembly that under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), during 2018-19, there has been a saving of Rs 258.98 crore as a result of weeding out of ghost beneficiaries. PTI SUN VSD ANU Leaders of a number of Opposition parties will meet in Parliament on February 27 to chalk out a 'Common Minimum Programme' for fighting the general elections, sources said. The leaders have been invited to the meeting in Parliament House library where a collective strategy will be evolved to take on the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections, they said. The opposition leaders may also work out an electoral strategy to oust the BJP from power. The opposition strategy on the Pulwana terror attack may also come up for discussion, they said. The decision to formulate a common minimum programme was mooted at the February 13 meeting of opposition leaders that included the Congress. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had earlier proposed that there be a Common Minimum Programme of opposition parties and their primary aim should be to forge state-level alliances to defeat the BJP. The last meeting was attended by Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and National Conference's Farooq Abdullah, among others. While leaders of a number of parties are likely to attend the February 27 meeting, sources say the Left is yet to decide on its participation. The left parties are of the view that forging a national-level tie-up should be taken up after elections and so should be the common minimum programme, they said. They feel that the priority should be to forge state-level alliances and the primary objective of the opposition parties should be at the national level to defeat the BJP. "The Common minimum programme and other agenda can be worked out after the elections and the electoral seat sharing arrangement should be done now at state level," a senior left leader said. Canada a country with an attenuated Right (Part Two) By Mark Wegierski Canadians appear to be characterized both today and in their earlier history by an unusual deference to governmental authority. Before 1965, Canada was probably a substantively more conservative society than the United States, but now, when the paradigm at the top has been fundamentally altered -- in the wake of the "Trudeau revolution" -- most Canadians are willing to follow the new, politically-correct line from Ottawa. There is virtually no heritage of independence, self-reliance, or belief in rambunctious free speech in Canada. Indeed, Canadian officials point proudly to their laws against "hate-speech" as highly necessary. They say they do not have "the American hang-ups" about restricting freedom of speech. What may be concluded from the combination of points made above is that right-of-centre positions are rather rarely seen or heard in Canada (except perhaps in the Western Canadian province of Alberta). It could be argued that, given the left-liberal predominance in the Canadian media --especially in the government (i.e., taxpayer) -funded CBC, in the education system (from daycare to universities), in the judiciary and justice system, in the government bureaucracies, in so-called high culture (typified by government-subsidized "CanLit"), in North American pop-culture and "youth culture," in the big Canadian banks and corporations, and (on most issues) in the leaderships of the main churches in Canada, any existing right-of-centre tendencies are being continually ground down. There is also the panoply of special interest groups, who receive extensive government and some corporate funding. Furthermore, Justin Trudeau has offered funding to privately-owned Canadian media of $600 million (Canadian) over ten years, which will doubtless result in even more favourable coverage for him and the Liberal Party. Left-liberals had tried to maintain the centre-right parties in Canada in as eviscerated a shape as possible, building up the federal Progressive Conservatives at the expense of the Reform Party/Canadian Alliance, and bleaching out substantively conservative thinking as far as possible from both parties. It could be argued that, by Canadian standards, many of the more liberal Republicans or more conservative Democrats in the U.S., would have probably been placed on the "hard right" of the Canadian Reform Party. Even as elections come and go, the long-term trend is mostly towards the ever-intensifying undermining of substantively conservative impulses in Canada. In the last two-and-a-half decades (presumably in reaction to the collapse of Soviet Communism) left-liberalism has also clearly become far more willing to concede some major fiscal and economic issues to the "managerial Right" -- while continuing a ferocious struggle against any more substantive conservatism. It appears that, in the main, only "fiscal conservatism" is permissible in Canada. The Conservative Party will make little headway in the teeth of a hostile social, cultural, and political climate, unless it endeavours to give encouragement to the creation of some kind of infrastructures where more intellectual explorations of right-wing ideas and philosophies can take place in Canada. What is especially needed in Canada for conservatives is a broadly right-of-centre magazine which could serve a mobilizing role similar to the early years of National Review in the United States, as well as an academic outreach body along the lines of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute in the United States (which publishes scholarly quarterlies and books, as well as offering substantial scholarships). The ISI embodies a very reflective and serious conservatism which moves far beyond day-to-day policy issues and merely fiscal and economic conservatism (while not being explicitly tied to any one religion or denomination). Perhaps the think-tank Cardus could eventually evolve into serving a similar role in Canada. Today in Canada, there are numerous, left-wing, extra-parliamentary infrastructures, whose funding (most of which comes from the federal government) outweighs that of putatively right-wing infrastructures such as the National Citizens' Coalition and the Fraser Institute (who rely strictly on private donations -- and are almost entirely focussed on economic and fiscal issues) by astronomical factors. The effectiveness of these left-wing infrastructures has contributed to the huge intellectual influence of the New Democratic Party (Canada's social democratic party) particularly on the Liberal Party. It may be remembered that Trudeau was a former NDP member, and some have indeed suggested that he "hijacked" a somewhat more traditionalist and centrist Liberal Party in a radical direction. The extent to which large numbers of persons in Canadian society (especially in the intellectual classes) are utterly captivated by and beholden to ideas of left-wing provenance cannot be underestimated. It is only the building up of infrastructures of a serious intellectual Right in Canada that could make a difference in this regard. The current-day Canadian situation -- of near-total left-liberal intellectual hegemony, of very little authentic academic or journalistic debate, and of little hope that a substantively conservative party will ever unseat the Liberals at the federal level -- cannot be described as offering prospects for a truly humane future for Canada. There is certainly no intellectual balancing of Left and Right, and very little possibility of alternation at the federal level between left-leaning and substantively conservative parties, in Canada today. A Conservative electoral triumph should it ever occur in such a difficult environment is likely to be overwhelmed by ferocious infrastructural opposition much in the same way that Mulroneys huge majority in 1984 was sandbagged. The ongoing, decades-long, prior constraint against the Centre-Right Opposition coming to or ever exercising any meaningful degree of power in Canada fundamentally contradicts Canadas parliamentary and democratic ideals as well as historical traditions. Mark Wegierski is a Canadian writer and historical researcher. Home Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate India's National War Memorial on Monday evening in New Delhi. The National War Memorial draws inspiration from the 'Chakravyuh' formation and is spread on an area spanning over 40 acres at the India Gate complex. According to the ministry of defence's Twitter handle, Modi is expected to arrive at the site of the National War Memorial by 5.45pm. Before the unveiling, Modi will also address a rally of ex-servicemen at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. The defence minister and the service chiefs are expected to be present at the inauguration of the National War Memorial. Providing details about the National War Memorial on Sunday, defence ministry officials said the project was executed at a cost of approximately Rs 176 crore. The names of 25,942 war casualties have been inscribed on 16 walls at the National War Memorial, which consists of four concentric circles extending outward: the Amar Chakra (circle of immortality), Veerta Chakra (circle of bravery), Tyag Chakra (circle of sacrifice) and Rakshak Chakra (circle of protection). The National War Memorial honours the memory of Indian soldiers who died in all wars starting from the 1948 war with Pakistan to the Kargil conflict of 1999 and also those who lost their lives in UN peacekeeping missions, humanitarian operations and counter-insurgency deployments. While the National War Memorial will have a new 'eternal flame', the existing eternal flame at the Amar Jawan Jyoti will continue, officials said. The Amar Jawan Jyoti was built in 1972 in honour of soldiers who lost their lives in the 1971 India-Pakistan war. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao of hatching a "Rs 1,000 crore conspiracy" in concert with YSR Congress president Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy against the state. He alleged that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi was supplying "money bags" to the YSRC for the coming elections in the state. Addressing a teleconference with the Telugu Desam Party cadre, Naidu said "Telangana Chief Minister KCR hates AP but loves Jaganmohan Reddy. TRS wants its authority to run in AP. They are supplying cash bags to YSRC. KCR, Jagan and Modi are hatching a Rs 1000 crore conspiracy," the TDP chief said. BJP MP GVL Narasimha Rao slammed Naidu for his remarks and said "The TDP is resorting to fictitious campaigns which the people will never believe." YSR Congress general secretary V Vijaysai Reddy said his party has no connection with the TRS. "If at all, we have any link, we will declare it openly and not indulge in murky politics like the TDP," he added. Targeting political strategist and JD(U) leader Prasant Kishor, Naidu alleged the former was seeking to do 'Bihar politics' in AP. "There is a conspiracy to turn AP into a 'Bimar' state. BJP is doing communal politics in the country and the YSRC caste politics in the state. In my 40-year political career, there has never been a caste stamp on me," Naidu said. He asked the TDP cadre to take the "KCR-Jagan relationship" to the people. "A lesson has to be taught to the YSRC that's singing chorus to the TRS. We have to repulse the TRS-YSRC combines venomous propaganda," Naidu added. Stepping up his attack ahead of Modi's visit to Andhra Pradesh on March 1, Naidu had on Saturday said the prime minister should set foot in the state only after fulfilling all the promises he had made. "Modi is coming to Visakhapatnam on March 1. He should set foot in the state only after fulfilling all the promises made to us," he said. The double-speak of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on political violence in Kerala has been exposed once again. At a time when the district of Kasaragod is yet to recuperate from the shock of the twin murder at Periya, local leaders of the ruling party were seen supplying food and clothes to the accused at a police station. The 'special care' was extended to prime accused A. Peethambaran and his aide Saji George at Bakel police station even as the CPI(M) maintains that it would not provide any help to the murder suspects. Peethambaran is a former local committee member of the party. Two Youth Congress workers, Kripesh (24) and Sarath Lal (21), were allegedly waylaid and hacked to death while returning home after attending a function at Periya on February 17. It is suspected that the murders were planned to avenge the attack on Peethambaran earlier by some KSU workers, including Kripesh and Sarath Lal. The case is being probed by the crime branch of state police. Seven people have already been arrested and remanded in police custody while another person who, the police think, have direct role in the murders, is still at large. "The murder of two Youth Congress workers was heinous. There is no need to protect those who commit such heinous crimes, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Friday. Law will take its own course. Those who have done something wrong will be punished," he said. The Periya killings have put Vijayan and his party on the defensive ahead of the general elections due in April-May. The Congress has demanded a CBI probe into the murders, with party's state chief Mullappally Ramachandran alleging that the track record of the investigating officer was not good. What works against him are the below average dialogues and a sloppy script Period. End of Sentence, just won the Oscar for the Best Documentary Short at the 91st Academy Awards. It is an incredible victory for women around the world who battle menstruation-based stigma and taboos all their lives. It speaks volumes, when upon winning the Oscar, director Rayka Zehtabchi, innocently blurted out: I can't believe a film about menstruation just won an Oscar!" More power to you, women. And to all the men who understand this is a basic physiological phenomenon, inherent to the identity of a woman. And a phenomenon that makes the world, literally Period. End of Sentence is based on The Pad Project, a heart touching venture from a bunch of school kids and a teacher from the Oakwood High School in Los Angeles in the US. The story goes back a few years, when Los-Angeles-based teacher Melissa Berton helped her daughter and friends launch The Pad Project after they learnt about the extent of stigma associated with menstruation in countries like India. They pooled enough money to set up a pad-making machine, inspired by India's 'padman' Arunachalam Muruganantham, in a remote village of Kathikhera in Uttar Pradesh. The village had no access to sanitary napkins and the women and children suffered due to poor menstrual hygiene. The girls in the village would even quit schooling once they attain puberty. These pad-making machines, funded by Berton and her girls, help the village's women make their own sanitary napkins, and attain financial independence too, all while battling opposition and stigma. Upon winning the Oscar, producer Guneet Monga said in a statement: Thank you to the Academy for the highest honour and for recognising the efforts of the young girls from Oakwood school in LA to Kathikera in UP in helping us shatter the glass ceiling. Periods are normal and in no way do they stops us from achieving anything. Every girl in India or anywhere around the world needs to know this and hear this loud and clear. Period is an end of a sentence but not a girls education, she said. WE WON!!! To every girl on this earth... know that you are a goddess... if heavens are listening... look MA we put @sikhya on the map Guneet Monga (@guneetm) February 25, 2019 Menstrual taboos are deeply rooted in many world cultures. From not allowing menstruating women to cook food or enter places of worship, to keeping them in distant huts or outhouses, women are subjected to a range of inhumane practices. According to reports, in India, 23 per cent of girls drop out of school after they reach puberty, and more than 80 per cent of the women still use dangerously unhygienic filthy rags due to lack of access to sanitary napkins. Sample this: Eight of 10 Indian girls are not allowed to enter religious shrines when they are on their period. Six of 10 girls are not allowed to touch food in the kitchen. Three of 10 are asked to sleep in a separate room. These were some of the findings from a UNICEF-funded study by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, published in 2016. Half of adolescent girls who were part of the study had no idea what menstruation was, when they got their first period. A scene from 'Period. End of Sentence' Period stigma is not a third world problem, or something that you just happen to spot in rural areas or outside cushy city limits. The urban, so-called-elite of developing and even developed countries like the US are no better. "After seeing the film I hope people understand this period stigma doesn't just affect those in India, we experience it in the United States and in other cultures as well," Zehtabchi had told Glamour earlier. Zehtabchi also said that this was a film not just for women, but for men, too. This Academy Award recognition for menstruation comes as a sweet revenge for the women. A sweet revenge against men who find the subject 'icky'. Last week, news reports revealed an anonymous confession from a male member of the Academy's jury that Zehtabchi's film was well done, but he doesn't think men would vote for it because the film was about women getting their periods, and it is just icky for men. He did not vote for Period. End of Sentence, and some of the other men didn't too. Ever since the film released, it has helped the girls get more funding and send more pad-making machines to other villages in India. Period. End of Sentence is just another step in the global efforts against period stigma. Many organisations, artists and filmmakers are working towards doing away with the 'shame'. In recent times, Bollywood films like Phullu and Padman (based on the life of Muruganantham), have also made huge strides in normalising the conversation around menstruation. And an Academy Award for the 'icky' subject is just the kind of recognition this fight needed. More power to you, women. And to all the men who understand this is a basic physiological phenomenon, inherent to the identity of a woman. And a phenomenon that makes the world, literally. Uganda ChristianUniversity was founded when the historic Bishop Tucker Theological College waspromoted as a university in 1997. Bishop Tucker Theological College trainedclergy and educators during its 84-year history from 1913-1997. The localchief, Hamu Mukasa, granted land for the college to operate in Mukono.International partnerships were part of the Colleges missionary history. TheChurch Mission Society teamed with Ugandan leaders and others to assure theCollege had the necessary intellectual and other capital. By the late 1990s,the Church of Uganda sought to have a broader impact on society through thehigher education not only of clergy but of other professionals as well.Uganda Christian University was established in 1997. Youth EncouragementServices (YES) and Welthungerhilfe have been implementing a project namedAmaani Rwenzori! in Fort Portal since September 2015. YES, is aUgandan NGO which has been in existence and operational since 2004.Welthungerhilfe is an International German NGO which has been cooperating withYES since 2011. Amaani Rwenzori! is a Youth Development Centre & SocialBusiness which empowers the regions vulnerable youth through work-basednon-formal vocational training combined with life skills and entrepreneurship;after which training process, the participants are assessed and issued thenationally recognised certificate known as the Workers PAS by the Directorateof Industrial Training (DIT). Amaani Rwenzori! is part of the Skill-Up! programof Welthungerhilfe. Brenda Darlene (Burnett, Witt, Bollmer) Curtin, 52, of Cincinnati, Ohio passed away June 21, 2021. She was born November 13, 1968, in Cincinnati, Ohio to the late Gladys (Jones) Napier and the late Wilburn Burnett. Brenda was preceded in death by a daughter, Jennifer Witt and sisters Alta Ru Birthdays Richard Heller of Portsmouth will mark his 90th birthday on Aug. 19. His family is planning a card shower in his honor. Cards will reach him if sent to PO Box 92, Portsmouth IA 51565. His family The Apollo 11 spacecraft delivered the first astronauts to the surface of the moon. The footprints Buzz Aldrin left in lunar soil are still around - and so are the throngs of conspiracy theorists who claim the entire landing was faked. For one thing, they argue, the flag the crew planted seemed to flutter in videos, which shouldn't happen since there's no wind on the moon. Besides, wouldn't mini-meteors have killed the astronauts the moment they ventured outside? The "moon landing hoax" was among the first conspiracy theories to gain traction with the American public. In the years since, the theories have multiplied like jack rabbits, swarming all corners of the cultural landscape. After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, some fringe activists insisted the U.S. government, rather than al-Qaida, had planned the attacks. Conspiracies about Donald Trump's ties to Russia compete with all the real news on the topic. "Pizzagate" conspiracists claimed Hillary Clinton was operating a pedophile ring in a Washington, D.C., pizza parlor, leading one true believer to fire a gun in the restaurant. It's tempting to dismiss conspiracy theorists as tinfoil hat-wearers. But the theories should be taken seriously for their effects on political and social discourse - and research suggests that, under the right circumstances, many people are susceptible to their allure. While people's attraction to conspiracy theories might seem illogical, it stems from a very logical desire to make sense of the world. Assigning meaning to what happens has helped humans to thrive as a species, and conspiracy theories are internally cohesive stories that "help us to understand the unknown whenever things happen that are fearful or unexpected," said Jan-Willem van Prooijen, a social psychologist at Vrije University in Amsterdam. For some believers, the sense of comfort and clarity such stories bring can override the question of their truth value. Conspiracy theorists often have a high degree of tolerance for contradiction that allows them to ignore evidence against their theories. In one study at the University of Kent in the United Kingdom, people who said Osama bin Laden had died before the U.S. raid on his compound were also more inclined to say he was still alive. The stories might have clashed, but both versions denied the Obama administration's report that bin Laden had been killed during the raid. Conspiracy theories also supply a seductive ego boost. Believers often consider themselves part of a select in-group that - unlike the deluded masses - has figured out what's really going on. In a study at Johannes Gutenberg University in Germany, belief in conspiracy theories was stronger among people who said they wanted to stand out from the crowd. People with a high "conspiracy mentality" also expressed more belief in a conspiracy theory when they were told a minority of survey-takers believed it, as opposed to a majority. Rejection and hardship can intensify people's need to believe a story that empowers them or justifies their situation, whether the story is true. People who are dissatisfied with the state of the world - such as the unemployed or those who support extreme ideologies - are highly vulnerable to conspiracy theories, van Prooijen said: "If people are satisfied, they are less likely to pursue this sort of theory." While conspiracy theories have been around for millennia, they are thriving in a political moment that rewards those who reject established knowledge. "Conspiracy theories are becoming part of our national dialogue," said University of Miami political scientist and conspiracy theory researcher Joseph Uscinski. When such theories become entrenched in the public consciousness, however, they erode people's trust in authorities and the status quo. In a vicious cycle, that creates fertile ground for the emergence of ever more outlandish conspiracy theories. Part of the foundation of democracy, as writer Stephen Harrington points out, is a broad consensus about basic facts that persists even when the meaning of these facts is hotly debated. But conspiracy theorists operate from a set of facts untethered to reality, and people who call their bluff are often ignored or labeled as part of the proposed conspiracy. When people believe "there is no credible source of news," said Peter Kreko, director of the Political Capital institute in Budapest, "there can be no real source of debunking." In 2016, Kreko and his colleague, social psychologist Gabor Orosz of Budapest's Eotvos Lorand University, tested the usefulness of various ways to counter conspiracy theories. First, they played participants a recording of a conspiracy "super-theory" stating that Jews, bankers and the European Union were exploiting Hungary. Then the researchers tried three debunking strategies: rationally arguing against the conspiracy theory; ridiculing those who believed in the theory; and empathizing with the people the theory targeted. It turned out that both rationality and ridicule were somewhat effective in reducing participants' belief in the theory, while empathy was largely ineffective. Showing concern for a conspiracy theory's victims, the study suggests, isn't a good debunking strategy - especially when the theory is racist, discriminatory, or otherwise harmful. What's the best way to put effective pushback tactics into practice? (Buzz Aldrin once punched someone who accused him of faking the moon landing, but that's probably not the best solution.) If someone in your family or social circle is an ongoing fount of conspiracy theories, it's worthwhile to counter their stories with the truth - which will often be at your fingertips. "Just check on our cellphone the story the other guy just told us," Orosz said. "We can use these rational strategies in everyday situations, say, 'These are the facts, my friend.'" The theorist may or may not prove willing to accept reality, but either way, others who are listening will be able to hear evidence against a conspiracy. It makes sense to inoculate yourself against conspiracy theories as well, and people who exercise the logical parts of their brains seem to have some immunity. In one University of Westminster study, people who were primed to think analytically by playing a sentence-unscrambling game were less likely to endorse conspiracy theories afterward. You can also give yourself an up-close look at how the sausage is made. Kreko has given some of his students a unique assignment: take two completely unconnected events (9/11 and North Korea's nuclear bomb testing, for instance) and invent a plausible connection between them - which, as the internet shows, is exactly what real conspiracy theorists do. "Think about any tragic events in the past 100 years," Kreko said. "Google this tragedy and 'Jews,' and you will find something." His students find the theory-generating exercise surprisingly easy, and he hopes it makes them wary of future supposed conspiracies they catch wind of. While it may be hard to remember in the heat of a debunking session, many conspiracy theorists' motives are noble, even if their yarn-spinning is not. "People who believe conspiracy theories are deeply concerned about the future of society," van Prooijen said. "Why would we [try to] make sense of events we don't care about?" Still, Uscinski doesn't foresee much true evolution for the hardest-core believers. "They're living in a different world," he said, "and it's very tough to bring them back." Jacksonville voters will select aldermen candidates for contested races in two wards on Tuesday. Here is a look at those seeking office: . Ward 2 Name: Anthony Tony H. Williams Age: 66 Family: Jan Williams (spouse of 22 years); daughters, Christy, Katie, Tiffany, Faren; 11 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren Why are you seeking this office? I have been serving in this capacity for 14 years and feel I have an understanding of how the city government works and the history of the goals of the city. I feel representation of the most diverse ward calls for someone who can interact with all people in the ward. I am very approachable and am a stable force in the community. I consider this ward when I make decisions for the city of Jacksonville, but also how my decisions will affect the entire city. What are the biggest issues facing the city? Our city has been, historically, financially sound and this needs to be continued. Because I am the chairman of the public protection committee I understand the importance of assuring our constituents we are doing the best to keep them safe. We have to address ways for our city to be currently relevant for businesses as well as maintaining our historical profile. It is important that businesses feel welcome to provide jobs for our citizens. Infrastructure is important for new businesses to feel they will be able to build in a location that will benefit them and the city. It is important to promote training for the job markets, the businesses in town, and those considering Jacksonville. What do you hope to achieve for your ward? I hope to work with the city to improve infrastructure to attract more business. Another goal is to reduce any blight, or run-down properties, to improve the street value of the neighborhoods in the ward. I would hope to promote goodwill among the residents of Ward 2. I strive to be, and have always been, open to communication from the residents of this ward and to the rest of the city. I also believe I promote cooperation among the other city council members in all wards to provide the best for the whole city. I feel my responsibility to the ward is to communicate how and why decisions that come from the council are made so they can understand the considerations that drive those decisions. I also am open to suggestions from the residents of Ward 2 when they call with complaints as to how to resolve the problems they see. I have always made it my practice to respond to those who contact me with issues and bring them communication that will help them as much as the council is able. Name: Benjamin T. Ben Cox Age: 35 Family: I live with my girlfriend and our 5 children. Why are you seeking this office? The city of Jacksonvilles government needs to get its priorities in order. It is failing economically and losing its population. Jacksonville was once one of the best towns in west central Illinois to live and work. That no longer is the case. I want to bring innovation and new ideas to the city, and prioritize objectives that will help Jacksonville get back on track so my kids and possibly grandkids have a place that they will want to live in. With my connections to the surrounding area via the media and as a teacher, I have a pulse of what is going on with most of the citizens of Morgan County. Ive never held an elected position before at any level, so I am not beholden to anyone. The city of Jacksonvilles board has done a poor job of involving its citizens input. I would like to change that by being a face and not just a name that sits in a chair. What are the biggest issues facing the city? In a late October 2018 poll of 638 listeners of Jacksonvilles 107.1FM WLDS/WEAI radio station, 39 percent of voters said that Jacksonville was dying economically with no hope of recovery and another 39 percent said that it was dying and that something needs to re-energize economic development. To me, this is the greatest challenge that the current board and the regional economic commission have not fully tackled. My ward (Ward 2) has the most glaring symbol of this problem with the 30-plus-acre AC-Humko building and out lots currently being overtaken by mother nature. The citys property tax problem continues to be exacerbated by the current 5 percent levy hike that occurred in late November 2018 (spearheaded by my opponent Tony Williams) under the guise of being fiscally responsible for covering the citys rising fire and police pension costs. The pensions need to be restructured and not over-promised. The tax levy needs to be repealed or reduced at least to the recommended 3 percent so that Jacksonville doesnt continue to tax out its base of people. The city has lost nearly 1,000 people since 2010 and is expected to lose at least 400 more residents as west central Illinois continues to bleed population to surrounding states. Id like to propose a property tax freeze since the option of repeal is gone for the fiscal year and Id like that freeze to stay intact for at least my full four-year term. The citys ordinances and priorities need to be cleaned up and I would like to see Jacksonville approach the village of South Jacksonville for consolidation of services and monies. What do you hope to achieve for your ward? Ward 2 currently has some of the worst infrastructure next to Ward 1, to the north of the city. I would like the city make an extra effort to improve both streets and sewers. I would also like the city to give more attention to MacMurray College and Routt High Schools streets and sidewalks, which is at the very northwest of Ward 2. Id like to see more well-lit crosswalks for the safety of students in that area. Ward 2 currently has a housing crisis in both manufactured home parks located along Morton Avenue. The city has wrung its hands in the matter and has done little to mitigate this problem. Im sure the out-of-state company has promised to pay large property taxes in the process, but theyre unfair, and in some cases illegal, treatment of these residents cannot be avoided. Ive worked with these residents privately as much as I can and Id like to be a voice for them now at city hall, as well. Alison L. Rubin de Celis is also running for Ward 2 alderman. Responses to the questionnaire were not returned by press time. Ward 3 Name: Michael Bartlett Age: 67 Family: Nancy Bartlett (spouse); daughters Jessica (Jason) Brown and Jacquie Bartlett; and five grandchildren. Why are you seeking this office? I was previously appointed alderman by Mayor Andy Ezard to complete the term of an alderman who moved out of the ward. I am an invested member of my ward and the community and during this time I have been able to develop a deeper understanding of the workings of the city and how to best serve the people of Ward 3 and the city. I am seeking election to continue working to better my ward and city. I have raised my family here and continue to call Jacksonville my home after 39 years. What are the biggest issues facing the city? I feel that one of our major goals must be to keep the employment opportunities that we have here and work to attract new employment opportunities to our community. To achieve this we must continue to address our infrastructure problems that need immediate attention and develop a plan to address our long-term infrastructure needs, while being fiscally conservative and responsible with the tax money of the people of Jacksonville. What do you hope to achieve for your ward? I hope to continue a productive dialogue between myself and the residents of Ward 3 and the city of Jacksonville concerning issues that both directly and indirectly affect our community. Communication is key in bringing about positive change and creatively and responsibly solving problems. Bringing concerns of our residents to the table for discussion and working hard to make the best decisions for all involved will continue to be my goal. Name: Nicole Riley Age: 34 Family: Mother of Keagan, 16; Kaleah, 12; and Charlie, 4. Why are you seeking this office? To fight for property tax relief. In recent years Ive attended council meetings, workshops, finance meetings and economic development meetings, educating myself on how our tax dollars are used. What I have seen is a lot of talk of why our property taxes should increase and little conversation on where cuts can be made or where management could be improved to make some areas more self-sustaining. Its time to look for new answers. Id like to put the time into helping to find those answers and I would like to represent you as a no vote on excessive property tax increases. What are the biggest issues facing the city? Ever increasing property taxes is a hot topic every year and for good reason. High property taxes cause families to lose their homes, put off improvements to their properties out of fear of increased taxes, and leave our community in search of more affordable living. Property tax relief means keeping the residents we have, encouraging home maintenance and updating, leaving more money in the pockets of our community to spend in local businesses, and inviting new residents into our community to promote economic growth. What do you hope to achieve for your ward? Ill represent my ward with a no vote on future excessive tax levies and start conversations about better management of our budget to prevent those annual tax hikes. Ill also maintain open lines of communication with community members so their voices are heard and reflected in my votes. I encourage you to use your vote to join our fight for property tax relief. Name: Robert James Perkins Age: 31 Family: Married Why are you seeking this office? My objective is to bring a fresh perspective to the table. With an economy about bursting at the seams, both locally and nationally, we need to focus on issues to promote community development while simultaneously preparing for significant societal changes that are on the horizon. The focus our current government holds is inward and isolated which does not consider the residents first and significantly impacts potential development opportunities to improve our community. What are the biggest issues facing the city? Over-extension of expenditures. With the negative economic outlook on the horizon, the federal funding, which the city receives as all cities do, will be reduced. Our city already has significant federal loan debt which increases every year. The end result will be change that will negatively impact the residents, such as significantly increased taxes or, if the city decides to file bankruptcy, they can significantly reduce payments, such as pensions. What do you hope to achieve for your ward? I want to develop more opportunities to promote community, such as neighborhood social gatherings and neighborhood help incentives, as well as increase access to local governmental updates and changes through the Ward 3 page. Community, in the social aspect, is spiraling downward on a national level as our environment continuously shifts in a manner that promotes more isolation. This is something that needs to be corrected quickly because it is significantly deteriorating our emotional health. Compiled by Nick Draper EDWARDSVILLE Madison County States Attorney Tom Gibbons announced Monday the appointment of Assistant States Attorney Crystal Uhe as the new First Assistant States Attorney for Madison County. First Assistant States Attorney Uhe is a lifelong resident of Madison County. She was raised in Alhambra and graduated from Highland High School. Uhe attended Southeast Missouri State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology, with concentrations in criminology, criminal justice and political science. In 2003, Uhe was named one of the Top Five Women of the Year by Southeast Missouri State University. After graduating College, she attended law school at Saint Louis University School of Law, where she served as an editor for the Saint Louis University School of Law Public Law Review. Uhe began her tenure at the States Attorneys Office as a law student intern in July 2005. After graduating in May 2007, she passed the Illinois Bar Exam and was sworn in as an attorney in November 2007. She began working full-time in the Misdemeanor Division, where she was appointed as the lead attorney in September 2010. In March 2012, she was promoted to the Felony Division and assigned to the Violent Crimes Unit. She has continued to work her way up through the office over the last 13 years, being named Chief of the Criminal Division in July 2015, and now the first assistant. As a member of the Violent Crimes Unit, Uhe has tried hundreds of cases and has been the lead trial attorney in over twenty-five trials since 2012. She has obtained convictions in hundreds of first-degree murder, attempt first-degree murder, predatory criminal sexual assault, home invasion, armed robbery and other homicide-related cases. In addition to her duties with the felony division, Uhe is also a member of the Madison County Bar Association. She is an instructor for the Southern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission (SILEC) and an adjunct professor for Lewis and Clark School of Criminal Justice. Uhe has previously served as a board member for the Phoenix Crisis Center in Granite City, and is a current member for Senior Services Plus in Alton, Illinois. As First Assistant States Attorney, Uhe hopes to continue fighting for the safety of the community in which she grew up. As a direct supervisor for the Violent Crimes Unit, she will continue her passion for securing justice for victims of violent crimes. She will also continue to expand the offices focus on cold case homicides, in hopes of bringing answers to those who have longed for closure, and justice for our community. EDWARDSVILLE Madison County States Attorney Tom Gibbons on Monday announced the appointment of Assistant States Attorney Crystal Uhe as the new First Assistant States Attorney for Madison County. Uhe is a lifelong resident of Madison County. She was raised in Alhambra and graduated from Highland High School. Uhe attended Southeast Missouri State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with concentrations in criminology, criminal justice and political science. In 2003, Uhe was named one of the Top Five Women of the Year by Southeast Missouri State University. After graduating College, she attended law school at Saint Louis University School of Law, where she served as an Editor for the Saint Louis University School of Law Public Law Review. Uhe began her tenure at the States Attorneys Office as a law student intern in July 2005. After graduating in May 2007, she passed the Illinois Bar Exam and was sworn in as an attorney in November 2007. She began working full-time in the Misdemeanor Division, where she was appointed as the lead attorney in September 2010. In March 2012, she was promoted to the Felony Division and assigned to the Violent Crimes Unit. She has continued to work her way up through the office over the last 13 years, being named Chief of the Criminal Division in July 2015, and now the First Assistant to Madison County States Attorney Tom Gibbons. As a member of the Violent Crimes Unit, Uhe has tried hundreds of cases and has been the lead trial attorney in over twenty-five trials since 2012. She has obtained convictions in hundreds of first-degree murder, attempt first-degree murder, predatory criminal sexual assault, home invasion, armed robbery and other homicide-related cases. In addition to her duties with the felony division, Uhe is also a member of the Madison County Bar Association. She is an instructor for the Southern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission (SILEC) and an adjunct professor for Lewis and Clark School of Criminal Justice. Uhe has previously served as a board member for the Phoenix Crisis Center in Granite City, and is a current member for Senior Services Plus in Alton. As First Assistant States Attorney, Uhe hopes to continue fighting for the safety of the community in which she grew up. As direct supervisor for the Violent Crimes Unit, she will continue her passion for securing justice for victims of violent crimes. She will also continue to expand the Offices focus on Cold Case Homicides, in hopes of bringing answers to those who have longed for closure, and justice for our community. U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Dexter J. Cathey recently graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Cathey earned distinction as an honor graduate. He is the son of Michael J. Cathey of Edwardsville, Illinois, and Cathy L. Cathey of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and brother of Courtney L. Cathey of Derby, Kansas. The airman is a 2018 graduate of Westside High School, Jonesboro, Arkansas. WASHINGTON - Justice Elena Kagan has emerged as one of the Supreme Court's most powerful voices on the separation of church and state, often rebuking conservative colleagues for allowing government actions that she says favor one religion over another. But the last time the justices considered the fate of a cross constructed on public land, Kagan was on the other side - of the bench, and of the issue. As President Barack Obama's solicitor general, Kagan successfully defended a cross in the Mojave National Preserve, convincing the court's conservatives that what she unwaveringly referred to as a "war memorial" should remain as a tribute to the sacrifice of World War I dead. There is a reboot of the issue facing the court Wednesday, this time with Kagan as a justice: another cross dedicated to Americans killed during World War I, a massive structure on public land in Maryland, about five miles northeast of the Supreme Court. The legal battle over the Bladensburg Peace Cross could provide sharper definition to the court's murky jurisprudence over when religious symbols on public land violate constitutional prohibitions on government establishment of religion. It is one of the term's marquee cases, and Kagan could play a pivotal role. It is an intriguing spot for the 58-year-old jurist, who was nominated by Obama and confirmed by the Senate in 2010 to replace retiring liberal Justice John Paul Stevens. One of four women ever to serve on the Supreme Court, Kagan is the least in the public eye. Although she is consistently on the court's left, she crosses over more often than the better-known Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor. But she is a favorite of those who follow and practice before the court. Lawyers who argue conservative causes say she is the justice most likely to probe the weak spots of their cases. And law professors across the ideological spectrum praise her clear and often colloquial writing style. Ginsburg, the senior justice on the left, relies on Kagan to write dissents that she and the other liberals can support, and often that happens when the disagreement is over religion. Ginsburg, Sotomayor and Justice Stephen Breyer joined Kagan's sharp dissent when the court's conservatives recently allowed the execution of a Muslim prisoner in Alabama who was denied his request of an imam in the death chamber. The majority's decision, which said Domineque Ray had filed his lawsuit too late in the process, was "profoundly wrong." Under Alabama's policy, "a Christian prisoner may have a minister of his own faith accompany him into the execution chamber to say his last rites," Kagan wrote. "But if an inmate practices a different religion - whether Islam, Judaism, or any other - he may not die with a minister of his own faith by his side. That treatment goes against the Establishment Clause's core principle of denominational neutrality." When Kagan argued the Mojave cross case, the tables were turned. She won the support of the conservative justices and none of the liberals. It simply may have been the case of a lawyer vigorously representing a client. Salazar v. Buono was just the second Supreme Court case Kagan argued after being confirmed as solicitor general in 2009. Told by courts that the small cross erected decades before must come down, Kagan was defending a deal Congress had made. By swapping land on which the cross stood for private property elsewhere in the preserve, the cross would be on privately held land, Kagan said, curing the constitutional problem. "I don't know about her personal views one way of the other; I just know that she was a hard worker," said Hiram Sasser, general counsel of the conservative legal organization First Liberty, which is also involved in the current case. The group was representing Veterans of Foreign Wars, which agreed to take over upkeep of the cross, which Congress had declared an official monument to the World War I dead. Sasser was on the team of lawyers who prepared Kagan. Dennis Schramm, at the time superintendent of the preserve, was surprised when he received a call saying Kagan was flying from Washington to visit the site. Years of litigation had preceded the Supreme Court fight, he said, and none of the other lawyers involved had made the trek to Sunrise Rock. Kagan's preparation was mentioned in a manual for Supreme Court practitioners preparing for oral argument, and she used her familiarity with the desert during her presentation to the court. "I was out there three or four weeks ago," she said. "The superintendent drove me to the site." Kagan told Ginsburg it would be easy to put signs on the only road leading to the cross to make clear it was on private property. And she described how the preserve was dotted with private land holdings, more than 1,000, so a visitor was never quite clear whether she was looking at government or private property. The argument didn't persuade the court's liberals, including Stevens, the justice Kagan would later replace. "I certainly agree that the nation should memorialize the service of those who fought and died in World War I," Stevens wrote, "but it cannot lawfully do so by continued endorsement of a starkly sectarian message." The issue facing Kagan the justice is different from the one presented by Kagan the government lawyer. But in the small world of Supreme Court litigation, the cast is similar. Kagan will be on the bench. Her principal deputy in the solicitor general's office, Neal Katyal, is now a private lawyer representing the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, which owns the highway median on which the Bladensburg Peace Cross is erected. And Jeffrey Wall, who accompanied Kagan to the Mojave in 2009, is the acting solicitor general in the case. The 40-foot Peace Cross, made of granite and cement, was built in 1925 as a tribute to men from Prince George's County, Maryland, who died during World War I. It was paid for by local families, businesses and the American Legion. The land on which it sits was transferred in 1961 to the government commission, which pays for its maintenance and upkeep. The cross bears a plaque listing the 49 dead; ahead of its time, it lists black and white heroes equally. VALOR; ENDURANCE; COURAGE; DEVOTION are inscribed on its four sides. At its dedication, the monument was compared with the cross of Calvary, where Jesus was crucified, and research indicates that all of the men it honors were Christians. The American Humanist Association in 2014 challenged the constitutionality of the display of the pre-eminent symbol of Christianity on government property. A federal district judge ruled against the organization. The Supreme Court has not ruled out historical displays of religious symbols, the judge said, adding that it met the court's test of having a secular purpose, that its "primary effect" was religious neutrality and that there was not excessive entanglement of government and religion. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit disagreed and ordered the commission to remove, relocate or redesign the memorial. The "sectarian elements easily overwhelm the secular ones," the appeals court decided, adding that "the cross is by far the most prominent monument in the area, conspicuously displayed at a busy intersection." Few expect the more conservative Supreme Court to agree with the 4th Circuit opinion. The question is whether it will want to decide the case narrowly, under existing precedents, or develop a new test that might give more-definitive guidance to lower courts and head off more case-by-case litigation. Richard Garnett, an expert on religion and constitutional law at the University of Notre Dame law school, said Kagan might want to be a part of those efforts. Past votes have shown Kagan to be more of a stickler for denominational neutrality than of the strict boundaries of church and state separation that Ginsburg and Sotomayor have endorsed. "I think Justice Kagan might want to find a place in the middle that's more than just 'we know it when we see it,' " Garnett said. That said, Kagan has been steadfast when she thinks one religion has been favored by government over another. She wrote a stinging dissent in 2014, when the court's conservatives found that prayers given almost entirely by Christian chaplains before meetings of the town council in Greece, New York, did not violate constitutional standards. Kagan said the town's practice betrayed "the breathtakingly generous constitutional idea that our public institutions belong no less to the Buddhist or Hindu than to the Methodist or Episcopalian." She suggested that there were easy ways for the town to comply with constitutional standards, and that led Justice Samuel Alito to write that Kagan's objections were, at bottom, "niggling." She bristled. That Alito "thinks my objection to that is 'really quite niggling,' says all there is to say about the difference between our respective views," she wrote. CUCUTA, Colombia - Shield in hand, a 21-year-old sergeant major stood fast alongside other soldiers in the Venezuelan national guard Saturday as his countrymen protested and tried to bring humanitarian aid over the border from Colombia. At first, it was peaceful, he said. Then, about 30 pro-government Venezuelan loyalists on motorbikes started firing live rounds into crowds of protesters. The tear gas, rocks and rubber bullets came next. "We realized that it wasn't what we wanted, so we got out," said Wilfredo, the sergeant major. Later Saturday night, he and two others walked off base and into Colombia. He spoke on the condition that his full name not be used out of fear of reprisals against his family still in Venezuela. Authorities here have tallied more than 100 defectors such as Wilfredo since protests at the border turned violent Saturday, leaving four dead and dozens injured. In interviews with a journalist, four defectors said they were compelled to leave the country after they were given orders to quash the protests, and one member of the special forces traveled from Caracas to escape during the demonstrations Saturday. They said they also opposed food supplies being rejected and burned while their families went hungry. "They just sent us to repress people who in reality weren't doing anything against anyone," said Wilfredo, still in uniform Sunday in a Colombian government office in Cucuta where dozens of Venezuelan defectors were being processed. Photo for The Washington Post by Dylan Baddour. The small spike in defections is a boon for the Venezuelan opposition, which stumbled Saturday when its plan to bring aid into Venezuela was violently obstructed by a police force still loyal to President Nicolas Maduro. The U.S.-backed opposition, led by Juan Guaido, predicted that the armed forces would abandon their orders when presented with food to ease the hunger crisis. The defectors said that discontent in the ranks is high but that members of the armed forces are bound by fear. "The order they gave us from high command is that, for whoever takes a step toward the bridge or who tries to leave post, they are authorized to shoot us," said Pinera Martinez, 32, a sergeant deployed in San Antonio del Tachira. Martinez said she escaped Sunday morning when she asked for permission to get breakfast off base, then diverted course and asked people on a street corner to let her borrow civilian clothes. They agreed to help and gave her a white shirt and dark pants. She said she walked into the rocky riverbed and through the brush to Colombia. Here, she said, she presented herself to police, who welcomed her and assured her safety as they drove her to a migration authority office. Jason Caldera, 21, said he knew that the only open exit on base was through a shower room. He took his backpack there early Saturday evening, then waited until 1 a.m., when he slipped out and walked 40 minutes to the border. He said he put a white T-shirt on a stick and raised it over tall river reeds as he called to Colombian police, who took him in, let him sleep in a facility and fed him that night. In the morning, he said, officials helped him with paperwork to begin his life in the country. "I don't know why they want to stop the humanitarian aid," he said. "The people need it." Defectors didn't come only from nearby bases. William Cancina, one member of the Venezuelan special forces, traveled from Caracas on the pretext of an intelligence mission, he said. But he had made arrangements with contacts in the Colombian police who were waiting for him in the crowd at the Simon Bolivar International Bridge on Sunday. He said he walked calmly past his fellow national police, then through the tear gas to the other side, when Colombian police grabbed him. "I think 90 percent of the special forces are in favor of this tyranny falling," he said. "But for fear, terror, doubts, they don't stop supporting it." Sgt. Maj. Mario Velasquez Reyes, 28, said he asked for permission to leave his Caracas base to visit a hospitalized brother. Instead, he headed to the border. "We aren't in agreement with this government, which brings hunger, misery, poverty," he said. "The government has ruined all of Venezuela." "South Korea - we defend them and lose a tremendous amount of money. Billions of dollars a year defending them. And working with Secretary Pompeo and John Bolton, they agreed to pay, yesterday, $500 million more toward their defense. Five hundred million, with a couple of phone calls. I said, 'Why didn't you do this before?' They said, 'Nobody asked.' . . . But South Korea is costing us $5 billion a year. And they pay - they were paying about $500 million for $5 billion worth of protection. And we have to do better than that. So they've agreed to pay $500 million more." - President Donald Trump, in a Cabinet meeting , Feb. 12, 2019 "You saw South Korea, they were paying us $500 million a year. I say, 'You got to do more. You got to give more.' Anyway, now they're up to almost $900 million. That was, like, two phone calls." - Trump, at a campaign rally in El Paso , Feb. 11, 2019 "You know it's very expensive to keep troops there. You do know that. We have 40,000 troops in South Korea. It's very expensive." - Trump, in an interview on CBS News's "Face the Nation ," Feb. 3, 2019 - - - The United States does keeps a large military presence in South Korea, spending hundreds of millions of dollars a year, but President Donald Trump's figures are wildly inflated. Let's dig in. The United States and South Korea signed a mutual defense treaty in 1953, after the United States led a United Nations force that helped repel an invasion from North Korea. U.S. troops have been stationed in South Korea for more than a half-century, and the two countries began to share costs under agreements dating to 1991. The American contingent in South Korea acts as "a vital security guarantor that helps to ensure that the more than 51 million Koreans and over 200,000 Americans living and working throughout South Korea are protected from real and present North Korean threats," according to a 2018 report from U.S. Forces Korea. "United States Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and Marines have been stationed in South Korea for over half a century, and the requirement for a robust alliance has never been greater," the 2018 report said. "Situated at the epicenter of one of the world's most geopolitically volatile regions, the Korean Peninsula is of particular strategic importance to U.S. policy and posture across East Asia. With North Korea continuing to engage in frequent provocations that threaten the stability of the United States and its Allies, the enduring strength of the Republic of Korea (ROK)-U. S. Alliance is paramount to the mission of the Combined Forces Command (CFC) and U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM)." The 1953 defense arrangement "is central to both our strategic interests in the Asia Pacific and our ability to deal with the unpredictable and frequently aggressive behavior of the North Korean regime," according to a 2013 report by the Senate Armed Services Committee. The State Department says: "The United States and the R.O.K. [South Korea] share a long history of friendship and cooperation based on shared values and interests. The two countries work together to combat regional and global threats and to strengthen their economies. . . . The United States and the R.O.K. coordinate closely on the North Korean nuclear issue and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. As the R.O.K.'s economy has developed (it joined the OECD in 1996), trade and investment ties have become an increasingly important aspect of the U.S.-R.O.K. relationship." Notice a trend? The State Department, the U.S. military command in South Korea and the Senate Armed Services Committee describe the deal as mutually beneficial. The South Koreans get help defending their homeland; the United States gets to keep close tabs on a volatile region for its own strategic interests. Let's take a closer look at Trump's numbers. - "South Korea is costing us $5 billion a year. And they pay - they were paying about $500 million for $5 billion worth of protection." This is false. South Korea in 2018 paid the United States about $830 million under the burden-sharing agreement, covering approximately 40 percent of the cost of the U.S. deployment. So the total cost for the United States would be somewhere around $1.25 billion, not $5 billion. The U.S. share became greater than South Korea's in 2010. "Under the current five-year SMA [cost-sharing agreement] that expires on December 31, 2018, the ROK provided approximately $830 million per year," according to the State Department. (Because of fluctuating currency exchange rates, the South Korean contribution for 2018 has been pegged at $830 million to $860 million.) - "They've agreed to pay $500 million more. . . . That was, like, two phone calls." False. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump administration officials sought a 50 percent increase in South Korea's contribution. What they got was a much more modest 8.2 percent, with the Korean contribution increasing to $925 million under a one-year deal signed Feb. 10. (It didn't take "two phone calls," but rather many rounds of negotiations spanning nearly a year.) "Although the U.S. spoke highly of the ROK's contribution for the alliance, it demanded the ROK to significantly increase the total amount of contributions corresponding to the ROK's national status and economic power," South Korea's Foreign Ministry said in announcing the deal Feb. 10. "However, the ROK Government agreed on an 8.2 percent increase, the same level as its defense budget increase for 2019, comprehensively taking into account USFK's contribution for the defense of the Korean Peninsula, the ROK's financial capability, and the security circumstances of the Korean Peninsula." The Defense Department, the White House and the South Korean Embassy in Washington did not respond to emailed questions about these costs. Trump is not alone in raising concerns about the cost-sharing agreement. The Senate committee's report from 2013 noted that "contributions from the South Korean government . . . have not kept pace with U.S. costs" and questioned several projects on which the funds were being spent at the time. "U. S. contributions to the cost of maintaining forces in South Korea grew by more than $500 million between 2008 and 2012," according to then-Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., chairman of the Armed Services Committee when the 2013 report was released. "By comparison, South Korea's contributions under the U.S.-Korea Special Measures Agreement grew by about $42 million during that same period." On the other hand, South Korea covered 90 percent of the cost of a new military base that came with a $10.8 billion price tag. It's the largest U.S. military base overseas. The country has increased its defense spending at a faster rate than the United States over the past decade, reaching $39 billion in 2017, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. - "We have 40,000 troops in South Korea." A Pentagon spokesman told us that the number is actually 28,500. That's roughly what the Defense Department's Defense Manpower Data Center reported as of December. The number was about the same the previous year. "There are roughly 28,000 service members in South Korea, deterring North Korean leader Kim Jong Un," according to a Defense Department news release in December 2017. It's ironic that the president, consumed as he is with denuclearizing North Korea, throws out demonstrably false numbers. These claims are all carelessly off target and worthy of a cumulative Four Pinocchios. Especially wild is Trump's claim that the United States spends $5 billion a year defending South Korea, when it's closer to $1.25 billion. His boast that his administration negotiated an extra $500 million contribution with a couple of phone calls is just as false. South Korea is ponying up less than $100 million in extra funding this year. Less egregious but still noteworthy is Trump's inflated figure for the number of U.S. troops in Korea. His own Defense Department told us it's 28,500, not 40,000. Photo provided ARENZVILLE First National Bank of Arenzville has given posthumous honors to playwright Ken Bradbury through its Blue Diamond Community Service Award. This is the fifth year for the award, which is created to recognize outstanding volunteers in the First National Bank service area and the work theyve done throughout the past calendar year. EDWARDSVILLE The Freddys Frozen Custard and Steakburgers restaurant, in the former Burger King space on Troy Road in Edwardsville, is rapidly nearing completion. Immediately to the south is a veteran competitor in this region, Steak n Shake. This freestanding Freddys location will have dual drive-through lanes. The view from the lunar landing module on July 20, 1969, was - in mankind's best guess - the first time a living being traveled to another celestial body to observe the luminous blue planet shrouded in the seemingly infinite darkness of space. But before that moment, the crew of Apollo 11 hurtling toward the moon radioed mission command in Houston to ask about a curious object they saw on their third day in space. "Do you have any idea where the S-IVB is with respect to us?" commander Neil Armstrong asked, referring to the third stage of the Saturn V rocket that was jettisoned earlier in the flight. Mission control had an answer about three minutes later, according to a NASA radio transcript of the mission. "Apollo 11, Houston," the command replied. "The S-IVB is about 6,000 nautical miles from you now. Over." That satisfied Armstrong, who said 12 seconds later: "Okay. Thank you." The seemingly innocuous exchange has become a touchstone for UFO-sighting enthusiasts and alien truthers, and now, seemingly fake news. Buzz Aldrin, 88, the second astronaut to set foot on the moon, believed that the crew saw an extraterrestrial spacecraft at this moment, and a "lie detector" test proves it, at least according to the British tabloid the Daily Star. That's not quite right. "He has never said he saw a UFO. This story has been a fabrication for the sake of headlines and is not true as far as Buzz Aldrin is concerned," his spokeswoman, Christina Korp, told The Washington Post in a statement Tuesday. That echoes Aldrin's 2015 comment on Reddit that the object "was not an alien." The Daily Star did not return a request for comment. The truth is out there, if only the Daily Star looked closely. The tabloid's story focuses on a vocal analysis conducted by the Ohio-based Institute of BioAcoustic Biology and Sound Health, a nonprofit institution that founder Sharry Edwards has said developed a program that can evaluate how truthful or confident someone feels about a subject they are talking about. Edwards told The Post she used Aldrin's interview from the 2006 Discovery Science made for TV-documentary "Apollo 11: The Untold Story" to analyze Aldrin's remarks. "There was something out there that was close enough to be observed and what could it be?" Aldrin recounted about the incident, adding that crew member Michael Collins viewed ellipses on the L-shaped object when viewed through a telescope. "That didn't tell us very much," he said. The moment called for restraint from theorizing what the object might be during one of the most scrutinized missions in human history, Aldrin said. "Who knows what somebody would have demanded that we turn back because of aliens or whatever the reason is," he said on the program. The crew decided to move on and mention it later in mission debrief, Aldrin added. In an analysis, Edwards says Aldrin "has a firm belief in what he saw but logical awareness that he cannot explain what he saw; therefore he thinks he should be doubted." She said the conclusion was published years ago but that she does not know how it became suddenly relevant. Aldrin has already clarified his position on the incident. In a response on the NASA website after the documentary was released, Aldrin said he believed he saw one of four panels separated from the S-IVB heading on the same trajectory toward the moon but on a slightly different course. That discussion was edited out and the rest was "taken out of context," NASA said. In the 2015 Reddit thread, he said the sun must have glinted off one of the panels. The recurring UFO story is the result in part of the public distorting the scientific term UFO to mean a craft with "little green men," NASA chief historian Bill Barry told The Post. Yet the Apollo 11 mission was already a significant moment in human history without the intrigue of alien spacecraft. The median age of Americans is about 38, or 11 years younger than the mission itself. Most people alive today were not around to hear President John F. Kennedy say in 1961 that the United States would send a man to the moon and return him safely to Earth. The Soviet Union had already been the first to send a man into Earth orbit, frustrating NASA and creating a belief that the Russians might have an edge. The stakes were high. "They were basically on a war footing," he said of NASA leadership. NASA's lessons from the mission were extensive. For instance, leaders honed the organization for large scientific projects, which later helped develop the International Space Station, Barry said. And investment in science paved the way from everything from the internet to cellphones. Discoveries also offered more hints about the origin of life on Earth and the history of the universe. Evaluating the rock samples from the moon helped confirm theories that the body is the result of an object that smashed into the Earth and later coalesced to form our satellite, Barry said. That lesson amounted to a common refrain among astronauts, he added: "We left the Earth and what we discovered was ourselves." In the next five centuries, humanity will remember the 20th century for three things, Barry said - two world wars and the U.S. landing on the moon. Aldrin has been known to defend that history, now and in the past. In 2002, filmmaker Bart Sibrel confronted Aldrin, demanding that he swear on a Bible that the landing was authentic. Sibrel called him a "coward and a liar." Sibrel was adding "thief" when Aldrin struck him in the face. No charges were filed. The moment was captured on video. There were no camera tricks. The punch was real. - - - Part of a continuing series about events of the past that remain relevant. A struggle over whether to strip alcohol regulation from the Maryland comptroller's office turned ugly last week as each side accused the other of putting politics over public health and safety. In the past two years, Comptroller Peter Franchot, D, has pushed legislation that would remove caps on how much craft beer can be made and sold in local breweries. The effort did not succeed, and he angered some fellow Democrats with rhetoric accusing state lawmakers - including House Speaker Michael E. Busch of Anne Arundel - of being under the thumb of big beer distributors. State Sen. Benjamin Kramer, D-Montgomery, is sponsoring legislation that would move alcohol regulation from Franchot's office to a commission appointed by the governor. The bill includes measures to bolster education and prevention of alcohol abuse, which has brought it support from safety advocates such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Franchot calls Kramer's bill "a political stunt and an act of political retribution" and says it's being carried out at the behest of Busch. Kramer says that he is "certainly no patsy" for the General Assembly's leadership, and that Franchot is holding onto alcohol regulation so he can more easily solicit alcohol business interests for political donations. "His lies know no bounds in his desperation to protect his pot of gold," Kramer said during a Senate committee hearing Friday, a day after he and Franchot held dueling news conferences to stake out their positions and take shots at each other. Unlike neighboring Virginia, Pennsylvania and Delaware, Maryland strictly limits how much craft-beer breweries can produce and sell, restrictions that critics say are archaic and favor out-of-state beer importers. Franchot - who was overwhelmingly elected to a fourth term in November, and represented Takoma Park and Silver Spring for 20 years in the House of Delegates before becoming comptroller - has been the leading voice in state government in the fight for local breweries. In 2017, he created a task force, Reform on Tap, that highlighted the industry's desire to grow. But his proposals to overhaul state law in hopes of better attracting and retaining craft-beer manufacturers did not advance in the General Assembly, where Democrats hold overwhelming majorities in both chambers. Franchot is closely allied with Republican Gov. Larry Hogan and has clashed repeatedly with legislative leaders from his party. Kramer, a first-term senator who previously served three terms in the House, is the son of former Montgomery County executive and state senator Sidney Kramer. His sister Rona Kramer also served in the state Senate. He takes issue with Franchot's advocacy for one sector of the alcohol industry and co-sponsored a bill last year to create a task force to examine whether the comptroller's office is "the most appropriate agency to ensure the safety and welfare of Maryland residents." Last summer, after Kramer's bill passed, Busch called Hagerstown attorney and former state delegate D. Bruce Poole and asked him to chair the task force. "I frankly hadn't paid much attention to this issue," Poole said during Kramer's news conference Thursday. But he agreed to help. "When the speaker calls you, you say yes. I've learned that over the years." The task force's 20 members, who included Kramer, alcohol safety advocates, industry representatives and others, gathered four times in recent months for 2-hour meetings to receive presentations and discuss alcohol regulation and public safety issues. They spent a portion of the meetings discussing whether to create a new commission to oversee alcohol regulation. The comptroller's field division that enforces alcohol, tobacco and motor fuel regulations was widely praised. Still, Poole and Kramer pushed for the task force to recommend moving the division from under Franchot's authority. Health and safety advocates on the task force supported the idea of a commission that would focus on those issues as well as regulation. During the commission's final meeting in January, the task force voted 13 to 7 in favor of moving alcohol, tobacco and motor fuel enforcement from the comptroller's office to a commission appointed by the governor. They also agreed to recommend various other measures to promote health and safety, such as improved data collection and better labeling for high-alcohol content beverages. During Friday's hearing, Kramer, who doesn't accept campaign donations from alcohol-related businesses, urged support for a bill that would carry out many of the task force's recommendations. He touted his past advocacy of alcohol safety measures, such as 2016's Noah's Law, which expanded the use of interlock ignition devices for drunk drivers and was named after Noah Leotta, a Montgomery County police officer who was killed by a drunk driver. Kramer said his bill won't change the structure of the comptroller's field enforcement division but simply move it from under the comptroller, making it more independent. Franchot said the proposed move would amount to a wasteful reorganization. He said alcohol taxation under his agency would suffer from losing the regulation division's law enforcement officers, and the regulation division would suffer from lack of access to sensitive tax information. "This will lead to two agencies with duplicate functions, and neither will function as well as they did together," he said. David Brinkley, Hogan's secretary of the Department of Budget and Management, also spoke against the plan, referring to it as a "massive reorganization" on which his office had not been consulted. He said he "doubts the wisdom of a move that would unduly burden this new unit of state government from both a budgetary and an operational standpoint." The legislation was also discussed Friday by a committee of the House, where it is sponsored by Del. Warren E. Miller, R-Howard. Neither committee voted on the legislation, which must happen by mid-March in order for it to have a strong chance of advancing. SEATTLE - Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., a leader of more than 90 liberal House lawmakers, could have tried to throw up roadblocks to Nancy Pelosi's speakership bid. She didn't. She could have joined new liberal icon Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., in trying to sink a House rules package some advocates warned would hinder liberal priorities. She didn't. And when bipartisan negotiators announced a budget deal in mid-February that ignored Jayapal's pitch to rein in immigration enforcement policies she has dedicated her adult life to protesting, the second-term lawmaker could have tried to derail the package. She didn't. Emboldened by the energy on the far left and the Democratic takeover of the House, some liberal groups hoped the Congressional Progressive Caucus would take an aggressive stance toward party leaders - borrowing a page from the playbook of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, which forced GOP leaders' hands at almost every turn in recent years. The thought is that only hard-line tactics would help liberals trigger action on issues like Medicare-for-all, the Green New Deal, free college and banishing corporate money from politics - ideas that are a step too far for moderate-minded Democrats and the House leadership. But Jayapal, who serves as caucus co-chair, so far is picking her battles carefully as she seeks to first work with Pelosi to advance her causes before resorting to throwing bombs. "We're totally opposed to being the Freedom Caucus," Jayapal told The Washington Post during a recent interview in her district. "The Freedom Caucus was very dismissive of leadership in many ways. . . . I don't like what they stand for, and I don't like the way they implemented their tactics." Just before Christmas, the Freedom Caucus played a central role in pushing President Donald Trump into a 35-day partial government shutdown to try to win funding for his border wall - a move that polls showed was unpopular except in the most secure red districts and that irritated House Republican leaders. With the same potential power in her hands two weeks ago, Jayapal said she never considered whipping votes against a funding bill to keep the government open, even though it contained provisions she opposed. When some of her colleagues started a rumor that she was working to sink the deal, Jayapal grew angry. At a hastily arranged caucus meeting, she fought back tears as she stood before a room full of her liberal peers explaining her "no" vote. Jayapal had worked with House Democratic negotiators for days to no avail, trying to curb immigration detention beds. But she was also unhappy with the whispers suggesting she was flirting with trying to force a government shutdown to get her way. "Don't tell us we're not team players," Jayapal said, according to a person in the room. The congresswoman confirmed that account. "I'm not trying to kill this bill, but I am trying to give a voice for those in immigration detention. . . . Please respect our differences without being judgmental." Jayapal's concern stands in stark contrast to the burn-the-House-down strategy relished by conservative lawmakers in the House Freedom Caucus, who cared little for camaraderie and never worried about making enemies with colleagues. Rep. Mark Meadow, R-N.C., who led the hardcore conservatives, seemed to delight in his ability to keep GOP leaders on edge. Jayapal said she is ready to fight when needed, but argued that having good relations with leadership and fellow House Democrats will be key to liberals achieving their goals and allows the progressive caucus to use its leverage when needed. "I am always willing to stand up for what I believe in, but I will always do it as respectfully as possible and with a goal toward building the greatest power," Jayapal said. "My goals are not just about a piece of legislation but that we retain the House, we take back the Senate, and we take the White House." Her strategy is working, she argued. For instance, when Pelosi's office was phoning outside groups, seeking to boost public support for her speakership bid after the midterm elections, Jayapal and her caucus co-chair, Mark Pocan, D-Wis., persuaded their liberal allies to hold off until the caucus could secure concessions from the longtime Democratic leader. Pelosi eventually agreed to give liberal lawmakers more slots on coveted committees and in leadership. Jayapal then endorsed Pelosi and pitched her to the newcomers as a fellow liberal. A few weeks later, when leadership came to Jayapal for help moving a House rule that included an obscure budget provision some liberals disliked, Jayapal worked Pelosi for the promise of a hearing on Medicare-for-all, legislation Pelosi has notably steered clear of endorsing. She got it - then helped leadership ensure Ocasio-Cortez's protest wouldn't upend the rules package. Still, some liberal outside groups want to see the caucus take a harder line. They privately question whether the group would be willing to buck Pelosi to advance ideas they champion. And some advocates are openly talking about the need for a smaller, more hard-line "sub-caucus" that would vote en bloc to win concessions - a proposal Ocasio-Cortez floated last year. The grass-roots group Indivisible, which meets with Jayapal every few weeks, has circulated a memo to incoming liberal freshmen about how to create the "Freedom Caucus of the left," according to one person who has seen it. Others just want Jayapal to clean house to ensure her members are truly dedicated to liberal values. "It's very smart for progressives to choose their battles, but they probably need to choose more of them, and they're going to need to flex their power," said Charles Chamberlain, a liberal organizer at Democracy for America. "They shouldn't be afraid to kill a bill - even a bill that is very important to Democratic leadership - to make it clear that progressives are here." Even as Jayapal bats down suggestions that her caucus should take a page from the Freedom Caucus, she has been working behind the scenes to address the source of some criticisms. In January, she and Pocan charged a small caucus task force with brainstorming rules to bind caucus members on votes and to ensure they hold firm on liberal policies. "We will only get stronger as we flex our muscles," Jayapal said. But the reality is the outcome isn't entirely Jayapal's decision. Her caucus includes 40 percent of the entire Democratic caucus and includes lawmakers with vastly different backgrounds. Getting everyone to agree on a position could prove difficult. That's why some liberal critics of the group want a shake-up. They note that some of the caucus members also belong to the moderate-minded and business-friendly New Democrat Coalition. "There are serious questions about the CPC as a force, although I do think it is stronger now than it's ever been," said Justice Democrats spokesman Waleed Shahid, who said he would like to see the group vote together more often and add a requirement that CPC members back a specific list of policies. Jayapal is working on both. Over breakfast near Seattle's Pike Place Market on Feb. 20, Wednesday, Jayapal, 53, said observers shouldn't mistake her preference for diplomacy with weakness. A carpenter has many tools, she said, and "if he tries to use a hammer on everything, he's not going to do the job well." It's a matter of time before her caucus and Democratic leaders clash over policy, she said. "Just to be very clear, we will leverage our power when we need to," she said. "I'm always playing a balancing game of how to best achieve [victories.] Does that mean there will be times when I am not seen as a team player? Absolutely." With their massive Twitter followings and their eagerness to snap back at critics on social media, Ocasio-Cortez and some of her fellow liberal freshmen lawmakers receive the most national attention. But in the halls of Congress, Jayapal is respected by colleagues as an authority on liberal policies. Born in India and raised in Indonesia and Singapore, she migrated to the United States at 16 to attend Georgetown University and then worked for several years in the finance industry. After helping a friend on an economic development project in Chicago, she found her calling and switched careers to focus on helping vulnerable communities. After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Jayapal founded Hate Free Zone, now called OneAmerica, to advocate for immigrants who face discrimination. Her organization sued the Bush administration, successfully stopping the deportation of thousands of Somali immigrants. After a brief stint in the Washington state Senate, Jayapal ran for Congress in 2016 and quickly rose in the ranks. She's garnered headlines for protesting Trump's immigration policies, backing controversial proposals such as "Abolish ICE" - a push by liberals to get rid of or restructure the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Jayapal's resume - plus her three civil disobedience arrests at protests - have won her street cred with the incoming freshman class. Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Ga., a gun control advocate who ran for Congress after her unarmed son was shot and killed, refers to Jayapal as "the mother hen." And the new members frequently come to her for advice. When the bipartisan budget deal was unveiled, for example, liberal Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Jahana Hayes of Connecticut visited Jayapal's apartment to talk strategy while the Indian American cooked chana masala. During a recent House Judiciary Committee hearing, Jayapal helped several freshmen navigate panel rules in responding to their GOP colleagues. Her ability to keep the support of the most high-profile members of the freshman class while maintaining influence with leadership will be a major factor in whether she's a successful leader. "She has a tremendous amount of respect from the grass roots and a tremendous amount of respect from leadership, and that's a fine line to tread," caucus member Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said. He called Jayapal "one of the savviest progressives in Congress." Others, however, want more. And that tension is likely to crescendo in the coming weeks, possibly during the caucus's rollout of its Medicare-for-all bill this week. Pelosi promised Jayapal the single-payer idea would receive hearings on the Rules and Budget committees. But the speaker has refused to green-light a floor vote or even a hearing in the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee. Some liberals argue the caucus should push harder for both, particularly since nearly every 2020 presidential candidate is endorsing Medicare-for-all. Betraying her pragmatic streak, Jayapal argued that liberals need to build the case with their skeptical colleagues rather than force the issue now. That's why she and Pocan have commissioned polls in swing districts around the country, highlighting findings she says show that even moderate districts support some liberal policies. "Three years ago, everyone said $15 minimum wage was impossible. Now that's a leadership-embraced bill," Jayapal said. Jayapal has agreed with some recent criticism of her group. The caucus recently came out against a GOP amendment that critics said watered down a resolution rebuking Saudi Arabia for mass killings in Yemen. Several caucus members backed the amendment anyway, surprising some of their colleagues. Outside advocates point to this example to argue the caucus needs to crack the whip on its own membership - or create what Alex Lawson, a prominent liberal advocate who leads Social Security Works, called a smaller "hardcore subset within the CPC" that votes together. "You do get power in having a larger caucus, so the CPC framework that they have right now makes a lot of sense," he said. But that doesn't mean there "can't be a subgroup that operates more as a block," he continued. "I want something more powerful than the Freedom Caucus." But the idea of doing something similar has yet to pick up much support among caucus members. "Look at where the House is: not in Republican control. So is [the Freedom Caucus] really effective or not?" Jayapal asked. "They're certainly loud. And I can be loud when I want to be. But I can also be soft and understated. And those are strategies in my toolbox." Mike Bender had spent a dozen years working his way up the ladder at the Simi Valley Police Department when he decided to break ranks. The case that turned him against his superiors began on November 11, 1978, a month after he started working as a patrol officer in the quiet Los Angeles suburb. That day, Rhonda Wicht and her 4-year-old son, Donald, were found murdered in their beds. Wicht, a 24-year-old waitress and cosmetology student, had been raped, beaten and strangled with macrame rope. Her son had been smothered to death. Within a matter of hours, police arrested Craig Coley, an ex-boyfriend of Wicht's who still had a key to the apartment. It took two trials to get a jury to agree to convict him, but in 1980, Coley was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Bender hadn't been assigned to the case, so he was shocked when, roughly a decade later, he decided to look through the file and found what struck him as serious flaws in the investigation. "Going over how the case was handled, there were way too many red flags for me to believe that Coley was a suspect," he told The Washington Post. Coley had never stopped insisting he was innocent, and Bender became convinced that the man was telling the truth. When higher-ups ignored him, the detective decided to take matters into his own hands. For almost three decades, he petitioned everyone else he could think of: state legislators, the district attorney, the city manager and city council, members of Congress, multiple governors, California's attorney general, the FBI, a grand jury, the ACLU and the Innocence Project. "What motivated me was that there was no one else to do it," he said. "I felt strongly that an innocent man was in jail and the murderer was free." It cost Bender his career in Simi Valley, but his persistence eventually paid off. In November 2017, Coley was pardoned by Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown and released from prison. On Saturday, the Ventura County Star reported that he would receive a $21 million settlement from the city as compensation for the nearly 39 years that he spent in prison. "While no amount of money can make up for what happened to Mr. Coley, settling this case is the right thing to do for Mr. Coley and our community," City Manager Eric Levitt said in a statement. Bender, now 63 and living in San Diego, agrees. He began looking into Coley's case in 1989, while he was working as a detective. At the time, he had tangled with a lieutenant over what he now describes as "minor politics stuff." When he refused to back down, other colleagues warned him to watch out for the man, telling him, "Look what he did to Coley." When Bender began looking through the case file, alarm bells immediately started ringing in his head. On the night of the murder, Coley had been at a restaurant, and had given a friend a ride home before showering and heading to bed. There was only about a 20- to 30-minute window when he didn't have an airtight alibi. There was no way that Coley could have driven to Wicht's apartment, raped and strangled her, suffocated her son, ransacked the apartment and driven back home in that time frame, Bender realized. While evidence had pointed to other possible suspects besides Coley, police had let them all go. Looking back, Bender thinks the rush to judgment may have been the result of tunnel vision. "If you make your mind up that someone did something, then you stop looking at the stuff that points away from that," he said. Within the department, Bender's persistent questions about the Coley case weren't exactly welcome. "It met with great resistance, as you can imagine, because I was looking into my superiors," he said. But he kept trying to prove the man's innocence, eventually taking his findings to a grand jury, which declined to investigate. In 1991, he said, he had just been to maximum-security prison to meet Coley for the first time when he got an ultimatum: Stop investigating if you want to keep your job. Up until that point, Bender had planned his life around being a police officer in his hometown. He had gone to high school in Simi Valley, then gotten into police work because he wanted to give back to his community. But he chose to walk away from what had once been his dream job and to keep fighting for Coley's exoneration, believing that he would regret it on his deathbed if he didn't. His experience in Simi Valley had soured him to the point that he chose not to seek a job in another police department, instead moving to Northern California and finding work with a company that investigated insurance claims. "I got discouraged," he told The Post. "I went into the private sector, I sold all my guns. I wanted nothing to do with it whatsoever." By then, Coley's father had passed away, and his mother was all on her own. Bender drove her to the prison for visits, and over the years she became like another member of his family, joining them for Christmas and other holidays. It scared him to think that the aging woman wouldn't have her son there to take care of her in her final years, or that Coley could die in jail. He repeatedly filed clemency petitions on Coley's behalf, and urged every law enforcement agency that he could think of to reopen the case. "It didn't seem to go anywhere," he said. "Too much power, too much politics, too many people trying to defend what they did, instead of trying to look into the truth of the matter." Finally, in 2016, Simi Valley got a new chief of police, Dave Livingstone, who took a look through the evidence that Bender had gathered. He asked his cold-case detective to revisit the file. A judge had previously ordered that the evidence from the trial be destroyed after Coley exhausted all of his appeals, but it turned out that it was still being stored at a private lab . Using advanced forensic analysis that hadn't been available in 1978, technicians discovered that a key piece of evidence that had been used to convict Coley didn't actually contain his DNA. On November 20, 2017, the Simi Valley Police Department and Ventura County District Attorney announced that they believed Coley was innocent and that they would be backing his petition for clemency. "Reviewing the case in light of the new evidence, we no longer have confidence in the weight of the evidence used to convict Mr. Coley," the two agencies wrote in a letter that was sent to the governor's office. "We also believe that the evidence, as we now know it, would not meet the legal standard for a finding of factual innocence." Brown granted Coley's pardon just two days later, and he was released from prison in time to spend Thanksgiving at Bender's house. After almost four decades behind bars, Coley was home free. But his mother had passed away by then, and he had virtually no family and friends left. He spent seven months at the former detective's San Diego home, slowly reintegrating with the world and starting to rebuild his life again. "If it weren't for Mike," he told the Simi Valley Acorn, "I would still be in prison." Police are now investigating who actually killed Rhonda and Donald Wicht, after DNA testing ruled out the possibility that the murder might have been carried out by the Golden State Killer. While officials all seem to agree that Coley was unjustly convicted of murder, there remains some dispute over whether the officer who arrested him acted maliciously or simply made a mistake. In his pardon, Brown noted that multiple former police officials who testified before the Board of Parole Hearings had "opined that the detective who originally investigated the matter mishandled the investigation or framed Mr. Coley." Livingstone, the current police chief, denied that Coley had been framed, and told the Acorn that there was no evidence of deliberate misconduct. Coley previously was awarded nearly $2 million in compensation from the state of California. Now 71, he wants to travel and work with veterans charities, Bender said, and the settlement from Simi Valley will allow him to live comfortably for the rest of his life. "As sad as it's been, it's a decent ending," Bender said. "It's definitely a wonderful gift under horrible circumstances." GODFREY Virginia Woulfe-Beile, Godfrey trustee candidate, will be hosting a meet and greet from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 at Ranch House restaurant, 3330 Godfrey Road, Godfrey. She is a candidate in the April 2 consolidated election. Woulfe-Beile wants to engage residents in discussions about their concerns and hear their ideas about the issues the city faces as it grows. Shes eager to share how her 30 years experience in government municipalities and non-profits can positively impact Godfreys long-term planning, and transportation and sustainability matters. GLEN CARBON Guillaume Lacroix, the Consul General from French Consulate in Chicago, honored Melvin Pete Meierant, 101, an Edwardsville native, with the Legion of Honor medal Monday at Meridian Village. It is the highest honor presented by France to non-French citizens. Meierant was 24 years old when he enlisted in the U.S. Army on Feb. 25, 1942. He was with the 44th Infantry Division when it landed in Cherbourg, France in September 1944. Meierant and his team kept jeeps, tanks and other critical vehicle assets in operation so they could transport troops, supplies and munitions where needed to fight the Germans during World War II. The crisis in Venezuela is sending tremors through the political landscape of Florida, emboldening Republicans and throwing Democrats on the defensive in the nation's largest swing state. Florida Republicans hope the outspoken push by President Donald Trump and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro will help the GOP strengthen its bonds with the state's Hispanic voters, paying dividends in the 2020 election and beyond. Opposition to the socialist regime in Caracas, which is closely aligned with communist Cuba, has been a shared cause of the state's large and traditionally pro-Republican Cuban-American and Venezuelan immigrant communities. "It's a huge moment for the Republican Party," said Brian Ballard, a Florida lobbyist and GOP donor with ties to Trump and Rubio. "It will be like Donald Trump can (be) to Venezuelan-American voters the way Ronald Reagan was to Cuban-American voters." Adding to the tension is growing concern among Democrats that Trump and his allies, seizing on the party's leftward shift, is aiming to portray his potential 2020 challengers as socialists, even pointing to Venezuela's collapse as a symbol of what's wrong with the views being pushed by his opponents at home. Florida Democrats are disavowing the recent refusal by presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, to label Maduro a dictator and call for him to go, though Sanders has criticized him. "They are clearly ignorant comments, and someone who's running for president of the United States should be better briefed and knowledgable about this crisis in Venezuela and how it impacts the Florida political landscape," said Christian Ulvert, a Florida Democratic strategist who is of Nicaraguan descent and whose husband's family has roots in is Venezuela. A Sanders aide said the candidate strongly supports self-determination for Venezuelans, but that to suggest the possibility of military intervention, as Trump has done, is irresponsible. The emerging dynamic comes at the start of a closely-watched two-year stretch for both parties in Florida, since both see the state as an important front in the battle for control of the White House. Democrats are hoping to make a comeback after their nominees for president, Senate and governor lost in the last two elections, despite initially seeming to have a good chance at victory. Democrats for years have hoped Florida was moving into their orbit, with the rise of a new generation of Cuban-Americans that is less conservative and less driven by animus toward Cuba's communist government. President Barack Obama captured Florida in 2008 and 2012, and many Hispanic voters have been alienated by Trump's anti-immigrant posture. But the state remains conservative in many ways, particularly its rural stretches and the Florida panhandle, and recent Democratic candidates, including former Sen. Bill Nelson and gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum, have proven unable to prevail. Now it's Republicans who are hoping that, powered the GOP's anti-Maduro push, they can shift the state more firmly into their camp. Still, the outcome of Trump's Venezuela strategy has yet to be seen, posing the risk of political blowback should the crisis continue to escalate. That could compound widespread concerns in Florida's Latino communities about Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric and hard-line border policies. Trump traveled to Miami last Monday to deliver a speech urging Venezuelan military officers to abandon Maduro and pledge support for opposition leader Juan Guaido. He also forcefully criticized socialism, invoked two countries with large exile communities in South Florida, and seemed to draw a direct line between his foreign policy and domestic political message. "As the United States stands up for democracy in Venezuela, we reaffirm the solidarity with the long-suffering people of Cuba and Nicaragua and people everywhere living under socialist and communist regimes," he said. "And to those who would try to impose socialism on the United States, we again deliver a very simple message: America will never be a socialist country." In recent weeks, Trump has intensified his critique of socialism, seeking to portray the Democrats running against him as far-left extremists who have embraced policies he casts as outside the mainstream. Republicans believe those arguments could be effective especially in some parts of South Florida, where an older generation of Cuban-Americans whose relatives fled the communist regime - or who did so themselves - are deeply skeptical of left-wing governance. At the moment, Cuban-Americans are paying close attention to the situation unfolding Venezuela, according to a local official, including how the Trump administration responds. "Many Cubans here predicted what would happen in Venezuela," said Carlos Gimenez, the Cuban-born mayor of Miami-Dade County. Gimenez, a Republican, said he was pleased to see Washington Republicans "putting down socialism" and argued that the administration's strategy on Venezuela would help the GOP in Florida. At the forefront of that strategy is Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants and a sharp Trump critic when they were rivals in the 2016 presidential race. Since then, the two men have cultivated a more positive relationship, rooted heavily in collaborating on foreign policy in Latin America. Rubio recently traveled to Colombia, visiting an area near the border with Venezuela. The senator has also been tweeting real-time updates about the volatile situation on the ground. On Saturday, he posted a steady stream of messages, including information about aid trucks and the Venezuelan national guard presence. "Very tense moments as civilians take to the street on #Venezuela side of border & peaceful aid workers have started up the trucks at border crossing," he wrote in one tweet. Among Democrats in Florida, there has been a lot of focus on a recent interview Sanders, a senator from Vermont who identifies as a democratic socialist, gave to Univision, a Spanish-language TV channel. "Is Nicolas Maduro a dictator, senator, for you? And should he go?" interviewer Jorge Ramos asked him. Sanders replied, "I think clearly he has been very, very abusive." But he also signaled a desire to avoid repeating the U.S. approach in periods such as the 1980s, when Washington's aggressive intervention in Latin American affairs was strongly opposed by liberals. As to whether Maduro should go, he continued, "That is a decision of the Venezuelan people. So I think, Jorge, there has got to be a free and fair election. But what must not happen is that the United States must not use military force and intervene." Sanders was also asked whether he considered Guaido to be the legitimate president, and replied that he did not. Trump - as well as Democratic leaders and many Western countries - have recognized Guaido as the interim president. Some prominent Florida Democrats distanced themselves from Sanders' comments. "I'll make it clear, @SenSanders does not reflect the majority of the Democratic Party and our support for Venezuela's interim president @jguaido and the Venezuelan people. Maduro is a dictator and must go," Rep. Donna Shalala, D-Fla., tweeted on Thursday. While Sanders is critical of Maduro, his foreign policy aide Matt Duss said he forcefully opposes the option of U.S. military intervention, something the president has suggested is a possibility. "Bernie strongly supports the right of democratic self-determination, for the Venezuelan people and those across the world," Duss said in a statement. "The Trump administration even floating the possibility of military intervention is extremely dangerous and irresponsible, and we should be absolutely opposed to it." Ulvert recalled Democratic candidates in the 2018 campaign facing attacks from Republicans who sough t0 cast them as socialists, and he fears a repeat in 2020. "My worry level is growing every month," he said. Trump defeated Hillary Clinton by just 1.2 percentage points in 2016. In 2018, both the governor's race and the Senate race went to recounts. Florida has always been a complex state politically, with major cities from Miami to Tampa to Orlando to Jacksonville. Influential voting blocs range from Latin American immigrants to Jewish retirees to dairy farmers, and tourism and the environment are among the state's diverse concerns. While Democrats still hold the advantage in winning Hispanic voters statewide, some party leaders worry they need to do more to counter the GOP strategies in Florida. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who served as governor for eight years before his election to Congress last November, ran Spanish-language TV ads and emphasized his outreach to the Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria. Scott narrowly defeated Nelson, whose campaign drew complaints from within the Democratic Party, including that he was not aggressive enough in courting Hispanic voters. Gillum, a former Tallahassee mayor, generated enthusiasm among Democrats when he won the primary in an upset, but lost to now-Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was strongly supported by Trump. Democrats insist Florida has not slipped from their grasp - especially if they can run well-prepared campaigns that provide more face time in Latino communities. Even while Nelson and Gillum were losing in 2018, they note, Democrats gained two U.S. House seats in South Florida. ALTON The Alton Memorial Hospital Heart Walk team is holding a trivia night at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at the Godfrey Knights of Columbus Hall, 1713 Stamper Lane in Godfrey. All proceeds from the fun-filled evening will benefit the American Heart Associations 2019 Heart Walk. Soda will be provided and there will be a cash bar. Absolutely no beverages can be brought in from the outside, but teams are encouraged to bring their own food and snacks. There will be a 50/50 drawing, door prizes and a silent auction. Doors open at 6 p.m. Just days after winning multiple Golden Globes, "Green Book" has dipped further into controversy. The film, based on a true story, had already polarized critics over its feel-good depiction of a racist white chauffeur who befriends his black jazz pianist boss while traveling through the South in the early 1960s. Some naysayers argued that "Green Book" does a disservice to the black man, Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), by mostly focusing on how his trauma betters the white man, Tony Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen). Shirley's real-life family found fault with the film's accuracy and said that Tony's son, Nick, co-wrote the screenplay without consulting them. Now Nick is the Vallelonga whose racist remarks have come under fire. He deactivated his Twitter account after first deleting a November 2015 tweet that had recirculated Wednesday: "@realDonaldTrump 100% correct," it read. "Muslims in Jersey City cheering when towers went down. I saw it, as you did, possibly on local CBS news." Trump had brought up the debunked 9/11 story at a campaign rally that month when he said, "Hey, I watched when the World Trade Center came tumbling down. And I watched in Jersey City, New Jersey, where thousands and thousands of people were cheering as that building was coming down. Thousands of people were cheering." Critics and industry figures alike denounced Vallelonga's tweet. Several pointed out that Ali, who won a Golden Globe for portraying Shirley, is Muslim. "Nick Vallelonga wrote Green Book. My industry just gave him a Golden Globe for writing," tweeted film producer Jordan Horowitz, who memorably clarified that "Moonlight" had won best picture at the 2017 Oscars - the same night Ali, who appeared in that film, became the first Muslim actor to ever win an Oscar. Horowitz added on Twitter that Ali is "a beautiful, generous and kind man. This is all too disgusting." Vox critic Todd VanDerWerff wrote that Vallelonga's tweet adds to "Green Book's" biggest issue, which is that it "only shows one side of the story, then dares to lecture anybody who takes issue with this by, in effect, saying we're the real racists." All this unfolded the same day the Cut published an article about how "Green Book" director and co-screenwriter Peter Farrelly, previously known for his raunchy comedies, used to flash his genitals at people as a joke. The article references a Newsweek story from 1998 in which Cameron Diaz mentions him doing this upon first meeting her, and an Observer article from that same year in which Farrelly himself describes his "technique." "I don't like it when they laugh at my penis," Farrelly told the Observer writer. "But I do like it when they stare." While the Newsweek and Observer stories treat Farrelly's behavior lightly, the Cut notes, it might seem more "egregious" nowadays. In a statement to The Washington Post, Farrelly said: "True. I was an idiot. I did this decades ago and I thought I was being funny and the truth is I'm embarrassed and it makes me cringe now. I'm deeply sorry." Vallelonga and Universal Pictures have not returned The Washington Post's requests for comment. Arguably the first outcry associated with "Green Book" occurred back in November, though on a smaller scale, when star Mortensen said the n-word during a post-screening discussion. The actor had been chatting about race in America, according to the Hollywood Reporter, and contrasting how people in the 1960s used the word much more than people do now. (The film depicts white people using the racial slur.) "Although my intention was to speak strongly against racism, I have no right to even imagine the hurt that is caused by hearing that word in any context, especially from a white man," Mortensen said in a statement the day after the discussion. "I do not use the word in private or public. I am very sorry that I did use the full word last night and will not utter it again." Ali accepted Mortensen's apology in a separate statement shared with the trade outlet, but not without noting that "the history of discrimination, slavery, pain, oppression and violence that the word has come to symbolize only causes harm to members of the black community and therefore needs to be left in the past." A foreign power with possible unbridled access to Europe's data is causing alarm in the region. No, it's not China. It's the U.S. As the U.S. pushes ahead with the "Cloud Act" it enacted about a year ago, Europe is scrambling to curb its reach. Under the act, all U.S. cloud service providers from Microsoft and IBM to Amazon -- when ordered -- have to provide American authorities data stored on their servers regardless of where it's housed. With those providers controlling much of the cloud market in Europe, the act could potentially give the U.S. the right to access information on large swaths of the region's people and companies. The U.S. says the act is aimed at aiding investigations. Some people are drawing parallels between the legislation and the National Intelligence Law that China put in place in 2017 requiring all its organizations and citizens to assist authorities with access to information. The Chinese law, which the U.S. says is a tool for espionage, is cited by President Donald Trump's administration as a reason to avoid doing business with companies like Huawei Technologies Co. "I don't mean to compare U.S. and Chinese laws, because obviously they aren't the same, but what we see is that on both sides, Chinese and American, there is clearly a push to have extraterritorial access to data," Laure de la Raudiere, a French lawmaker who co-heads a parliamentary cyber-security and sovereignty group, said in an interview. "This must be a wake up call for Europe to accelerate its own, sovereign offer in the data sector." Matters of espionage and foreign interference will be at the center of talks at Europe's biggest telecoms and technology conference, the MWC Barcelona, that started Monday. The Cloud Act (or the "Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act") addresses an issue that came up when Microsoft in 2013 refused to provide the FBI access to a server in Ireland in a drug-trafficking investigation, saying it couldn't be compelled to produce data stored outside the U.S. The act's extraterritoriality spooks the European Union -- an issue that's become more acute as trans-Atlantic relations fray and the bloc sees the U.S. under Trump as an increasingly unreliable ally. Europe may seek to mitigate the impact of the law by drawing on a provision in the act that allows the U.S. to reach "executive agreements" with countries allowing a mutual exchange of information and data. The European Commission wants the EU to enter into talks with the U.S., and negotiations may start this spring. France and other EU countries like The Netherlands and Belgium are pushing for the bloc to present a common front as they struggle to come up with regulations to protect privacy, avert cyber attacks and secure critical networks in the increasingly amorphous world of information in the cloud. A Dutch lawmaker at the European Parliament, Sophie in 't Veld, recently expressed frustration at what she called the EU's "enormous weakness" in the face of the U.S.'s "unlimited data hunger." "Because of the Cloud Act, the long arm of the American authorities reaches European citizens, contradicting all EU law," she said. "Would the Americans accept it if the EU would grant itself extraterritorial jurisdiction on U.S. soil? And would the Commission also propose negotiations with Russia or China, if they would adopt their own Russian or Chinese Cloud Act?" An internal memo crafted by the French government in November states that "the Cloud Act could be a test from the U.S., and they expect a political response, which ought to be European to be strong enough." The Cloud Act was enacted just weeks ahead of Europe's data-protection law, the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, which states that all businesses that collect data from EU citizens have to follow the bloc's rules, which could put the two laws at odds. While waiting for the EU to get its response together, some countries are preparing their own, with the French leading the pack. President Emmanuel Macron's teams are readying legal and technical measures to shield the country, four government officials involved said. The president's office, the finance ministry and the state's cyber security agency ANSSI have worked on it for the last 10 months. "The more we dig into the Cloud Act, the more worrying it is," said ANSSI chief Guillaume Poupard. "It's a way for the U.S. to enter into negotiations... but it has an immediate extraterritorial effect that's unbearable." The French government has held meetings with banks, defense contractors, energy utilities and others, asking them to use "Cloud Act-safe" data providers. It's also studying legal options, a finance ministry official said. One way might be to refresh a 1968 "Blocking Statute," which prohibits French companies and citizens from providing "economic, commercial, industrial, financial, or technical documents or information" as evidence in legal proceedings outside the country. "No one can accept that a foreign government, even the American one, can come fetch data on companies stored by a U.S. company, without warning and without us being able to respond," Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said in a speech on Feb. 18. France has been more vociferous in its opposition to the Cloud Act because its companies have borne the brunt of other extraterritorial U.S. laws. In 2014, BNP was slapped with an $8.97 billion U.S. fine for transactions with countries facing American sanctions. French oil company Total SA walked away from a $4.8 billion project in Iran after Trump pulled out of its nuclear deal. One consequence of the Cloud Act is that European companies and organizations will start looking for local alternatives. Europe's phone operators, many of whom are already being steered away from Huawei, see the act making providers from the U.S. a threat, too. "On the one hand you have this Chinese expansion and on the other these new U.S. rules are putting American companies at the mercy of the administration," Gervais Pellissier, deputy chief executive officer of Orange SA, told reporters on Thursday in Paris. "The hardware bricks are either American or Chinese. We need to now find a software layer to deal with the situation." Local cloud providers are using the Cloud Act and GDPR in their sales pitches. French company Atos is telling customers it'll keep their most-sensitive data physically on servers in Europe. It struck a deal with Google to safeguard client data. OVH Groupe SAS, presenting itself as a Europe-grown rival to Amazon's cloud business, is growing sales 30 percent a year and making profit running data centers in Europe. "We can guarantee our customers the sovereignty of their data, which is more than Amazon or other rivals can offer," Founder and CEO Octave Klaba told reporters in October. - - - Bloomberg's Ben Brody, Angelina Rascouet and Natalia Drozdiak contributed. OTTAWADiscussions the Prime Ministers Office had with former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould about criminal charges against SNC-Lavalin are troubling, lack a strong legal justification and may have led to her being fired, a respected jurist said Monday. It may well be that we have a situation where we have a prosecutor that was removed from her role, as opposed to an attorney general that should have resigned, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, a former Saskatchewan provincial court judge, told the Commons justice committee. In fact, prosecutors should not resign. Lead prosecutors, when theyve taken a decision, should hold firm to their position and that is consistent with the rule of law, Turpel-Lafond said. Perhaps this is an instance where a prosecutor was actually fired for establishing a boundary that was not popular or accepted. Im not sure of that. I think there is some suspicion and concern here about that. The director of public prosecutions decided last fall to proceed with criminal charges against SNC-Lavalin, rejecting the companys request for a remediation agreement that would have spared it a conviction and, with it, a 10-year ban on government contracts. Wilson-Raybould appears to have stuck by that decision in the face of meetings with Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus senior aides and the top civil servant, despite concerns about the future of the Quebec company if the charges went ahead. Now those interventions are in the spotlight amid questions whether lines were crossed. Jody Wilson-Raybould's letter to justice committee View document on Scribd Read more: Opinion | Susan Delacourt: Justin Trudeau is following instead of leading on SNC-Lavalin Turpel-Lafond, who currently practises law and teaches in Victoria, expressed serious doubts about the governments claim articulated by Wilson-Rayboulds successor, David Lametti, Clerk of the Privy Council Michael Wernick and Liberal MPs that officials are permitted to hold robust discussions with an attorney general under the so-called Shawcross Doctrine. I think thats a fairly flimsy foundation as a lawful authority, Turpel-Lafond said. She said if the talks went beyond a more passive and respectful approach, and the purpose was to persuade the attorney general as prosecutor to take a different position on a prosecution, it triggers a serious rule-of-law concern. Once a decision is made to pursue a prosecution, there is limited authority for anyone to intervene at that decision point and going forward, Turpel-Lafond said. And she cast doubt on Lamettis and Wernicks assertions that the decision to negotiate a remediation agreement with SNC-Lavalin is one that still remains open to the attorney general, even with the preliminary inquiry underway. She said there should be a full airing of what was said to Wilson-Raybould, adding it would be something shed expect the RCMPs sensitive investigations or integrity section would already be looking into. Two other legal experts agreed that the Shawcross Doctrine a concept imported from the United Kingdom does not justify any pressure put on an attorney general to make or change a prosecutorial decision. That decision, they said, is the attorney generals alone to make. The attorney general should not be put under pressure by colleagues and in particular should not be put under partisan political pressure, said Mary Condon, interim dean of Osgoode Hall Law School. Maxime St-Hilaire, an associate law professor at the University of Sherbrooke, said the clear line would be better drawn if Canadas attorney general did not also serve as justice minister inside a federal cabinet. Trudeau told the House of Commons he would partially lift confidentiality obligations on his former attorney general so she can testify about allegations that his office was at the centre of what the Opposition says was a sustained effort to influence the criminal prosecution of SNC-Lavalin. Under fire in the House for weeks, Trudeau told question period Monday that Wilson-Raybould would be able to appear at the justice committee and will be able to address relevant matters at the committee while ensuring that the two active court cases are not jeopardized. Monday night, the Trudeau cabinet issued an order-in-council waiving cabinet confidence and solicitor-client privilege for Wilson-Raybould for discussions she had on SNC-Lavalin, clearing the way for her testimony to the committee. However, in order to uphold the integrity of any criminal or civil proceedings, the waiver did not extend to communications Wilson-Raybould had with Kathleen Roussel, director of public prosecutions concerning SNC-Lavalin. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... It was not entirely clear when her long-awaited appearance will be scheduled, as her expected appearance Tuesday was postponed. In a letter sent earlier Monday to the committee, Wilson-Raybould stated that she is anxious to appear at the first available time. But she said that she remained constrained by what she can say by solicitor-client privilege, cabinet confidence and the ongoing cases involving SNC-Lavalin still before the courts. The government can waive solicitor-client privilege and cabinet confidence. I cannot, Wilson-Raybould said in her letter to Liberal MP Anthony Housefather, chair of the committee. She said she wants to delay her testimony until we all have whatever clarity we can have about these issues. When she does appear, Wilson-Raybould said she wants to make an extended opening statement of about 30 minutes to provide my best recollection of all relevant communications. Trudeau has denied he or anyone in his office applied any inappropriate pressure on Wilson-Raybould. She has not yet spoken publicly to confirm or deny the allegation, saying she is bound by solicitor-client privilege. Late Monday, the Commons voted 155-106 against compelling Trudeau to testify before the committee, as the Conservative and NDP opposition wanted. Read more: Heres why Jody Wilson-Raybould still isnt talking about SNC-Lavalin Ottawas top public servant warns that divisive politics could lead to assassination Opinion | Heather Mallick: SNC-Lavalin story is made of air, says Captain Canada The prime minister again defended his actions, telling the Commons that at every stage, his government did what it promised Canadians, to stand up for jobs and growth while protecting the rule of law and the independence of the justice system. Weve consistently and continually stood up for the 9,000 jobs at SNC-Lavalin and good jobs right across the country, Trudeau said. Thats exactly what well continue to do and we will continue to do it in a way that ... always respects the rules and norms that govern our institutions. SNC-Lavalin and two former employees were charged in 2015 under the Corruption of Foreign Officials Act with one count of bribing former members of the Libyan regime of Muammar Gaddafi, and one count of fraud under the Criminal Code. Read more about: BURNABYWhen Ivan Pak went to Maxime Berniers first rally in Vancouver last November, he says he was inspired by the new party leaders clear platform and policy commitments. Thats the kind of leader Canada needs, he told Star Vancouver. Bernier announced the death of political correctness via a Tweet last fall to his then 65,000 followers and launched the Peoples Party of Canada, which has been gaining rapid traction. Widely viewed as aiming further right of the Conservative party, the PPC has been criticized for being anti-immigrant and espousing anti-globalist values and rhetoric. But Pak, a first-generation immigrant from China, dispels those critiques as myths. Some people accuse the PPC of being a white peoples party of Canada, but for myself ... I learned to speak English here. Ive been here 22 years, he said on Thursday, holding up PPC signs waiting for Bernier to make his first appearance in Burnaby South since Mondays byelection was called in the riding. PPC welcomes people like me to be part of their party as long as we share the same Canadian values. But experts say core Canadian values are now divided and theres very little common ground. Michael Valpy is a senior fellow in public policy at the University of Torontos Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy and a former Globe and Mail journalist who has been tracking the rise of ordered populism in Canada or what economists refer to as drawbridge-up thinking. Its proponents are often hostile toward immigration, deeply pessimistic about their economic future, mostly male and mainly white, he said. At Berniers event on Thursday in Burnaby South, this demographic was also present. Nathaniel Allen, 30, told the Star he was a BC Liberal the provincial party widely known to embrace conservative policies 12 years ago until he lost interest. It wasnt until the PPC came along that he found himself civically engaged. It just felt like the most pragmatic decision I could make, he explained. Read more: How Canadian populism is playing out in the Burnaby South byelection Burnaby South Peoples Party of Canada candidate alleges Conservative Party is smearing her Liberal candidates WeChat post draws criticism for singling out race of byelection opponent Jagmeet Singh A Star investigation found that far-right supporters have called on their members to infiltrate the PPC, whether the party is willing or not. As the extreme right has done elsewhere, they hope to move on a new party, bit by bit, to bring the political extreme toward the mainstream. Meanwhile, the yellow vest faction which started as a labour movement in France but has expanded in Canada beyond economic concerns, delving into anti-globalism, nationalism, anti-government sentiment and xenophobia looks like its here to stay. Bernier was there to greet the United We Roll convoy when it arrived in Ottawa last Tuesday. The former federal Conservative cabinet minister, standing beside a man in a yellow vest, told the crowd he was there to promote Canadian unity. Canadians are increasingly opposed to more immigration and it remains to be seen how that will play out in Octobers federal election, Valpy said. Anti-immigrant sentiments often depend on the makeup of neighbourhoods, he added, pointing to the suburban area surrounding Toronto, known as the 905 because of its area code, which is quite strongly anti-immigrant despite not being a white majority community. Thats because if communities are homogenous for instance, predominantly white, brown or Asian anti-immigrant views can emerge. However, Valpy said, if neighbourhoods are mixed, anti-immigrant views are unlikely. Ethnic attachment is declining and has declined quite rapidly, he explained in an interview, citing data from Ottawa-based pollster EKOS Research Associates. Its no longer important to us that all our friends are all white, or we live in a brown community. Valpy said unless there is some shift in inequality or peoples sense that progress is lost, ordered populism is here for the long haul. According to Ivan Pak and the PPC, the principles guiding Canadian values are freedom, personal responsibility, respect and fairness. Pak was a vocal opponent of the provincial education inclusion program for sexual identity and gender fluidity. He ran unsuccessfully on that platform for school trustee in Richmond in last falls municipal election. As president of the PPC Richmond Centre EDA, he isnt eligible to vote in Mondays byelection. The PPC has promised to lower taxes, abolish corporate welfare and stop supply management. On Thursday, Bernier also said he would privatize Canada Post and abolish the CRTC. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... The party has formed electoral district associations in all of Canadas 338 ridings and Bernier has said he will run a full slate of candidates in Octobers general election. Pak said he was no longer keen on the Conservatives because the party has a lack of leadership ability (referring to its leader, Andrew Scheer) and no clean platform. He also slammed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. When you ask a question in the House of Commons, he never answers it. Is the question period just a joke? It looks like drama, he said. Our country is in debt and that debt has to be paid somehow. It will be my children and grandchildren suffering. Pak was one of many other Chinese-Canadians greeting Bernier when he visited his Burnaby South byelection candidate and one of his first picks under the new PPC banner Laura-Lynn Thompson. She is a former Christian radio host, anti-abortion activist and a vocal opponent of B.C.s student education plan on sexual orientation and gender fluidity, with ties to several community churches. Thompson told the Star last week shes been able to mobilize the socially conservative Chinese-Canadian vote and those ties may explain why. During each byelection debate, Thompson directly appealed to prevalent anxieties in the riding about public safety as she repeatedly brought up the case of Marrisa Shen, a 13-year-old girl killed in a Burnaby South park in July 2017. A Syrian refugee has been charged with murder in her death. Meanwhile, several PPC supporters at the event on Thursday told the Star they were sick of identity politics at play in Canada. Sherolinnah Eang said she became a full-fledged PPC supporter after hearing the messaging about family values and free speech. This is the first time Ive come out for something like this, and Ive lived in Canada for 45 years, she said. Burnaby has four distinct town centres, a long working-class history and a population density triple that of the region. Its demographics are increasingly young and non-white, according to the 2016 census, and the average age is several years below B.C.s average, while 64 per cent of its population identifies as a visible minority. On Thursday, Bernier argued diversity is not Canadas strength its unity. Asked how that message would land in such an ethnically diverse riding, he responded: Yes, but they are Canadians first. The response prompted cheers from PPC supporters, with several shouting: Im an immigrant. Thompson, who uttered Canadians first at every byelection debate, will face off against federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh vying for his first seat in the House of Commons Liberal Richard Lee, Conservative Jay Shin and independents Valentine Wu and Terry Grimwood on Monday in Burnaby South. Byelections will also be held that day in YorkSimcoe, Ont. and in Outremont, Que. David Moscrop, author of the new book Too Dumb for Democracy? Why We Make Bad Political Decisions and How We Can Make Better Ones, and a post-doctoral fellow in the University of Ottawas communications department, told the Star that while feelings of anti-globalism and xenophobia have always existed, they havent always had an electoral home. Moscrop said this is the perfect time for the PPC to do well because it can focus on locking down a smaller segment of the electorate. And theres enough disaffection, which could express itself as support for the right-wing party. This party didnt even exist 15 minutes ago, so if (Laura-Lynn Thompson) can nab even 10 per cent, Bernier will be crowing for months, he said. I wouldnt be surprised if there are more likely PPC voters than would self-report ... because sometimes people wont admit something to a pollster. But behind the privacy of the voting screen? Many may mark an X for that candidate. Read more about: OTTAWACanadians could hear this week from Jody Wilson-Raybould about whether the former attorney general believes she faced inappropriate pressure from the prime ministers office to halt a criminal prosecution of Quebec-based engineering giant SNC-Lavalin. Wilson-Raybould is widely expected to testify as early as Tuesday at a Commons committee that is looking into the allegations, although the Vancouver Liberal MP has not said definitively when she might appear. The opposition Conservatives will also put pressure on the prime minister himself to testify at the Commons justice committee. The Tories plan to introduce a motion Monday calling on Justin Trudeau to take questions from the committee for two hours no later than March 15. The motion calls on the House of Commons to order the prime minister to appear, testify and answer questions under oath about his involvement in what the Conservatives say was a sustained effort to influence SNC-Lavalins criminal prosecution. The Prime Ministers Office would not say Sunday whether Trudeau would be willing to appear, but said it respects the independence of the justice committee and will co-operate with the federal ethics commissioners investigation of the matter. Read more: Has Trudeau begun to put the SNC-Lavalin scandal behind him? Trudeaus top aides discussed SNC-Lavalin file with Wilson-Rayboulds chief of staff SNC-Lavalin CEO sick of being used as a puck in a political hockey game Members of Parliament, including the prime minister, cannot be forced to appear before committees. As well, motions in the House of Commons are not binding and the committee itself would still have to decide whether to invite Trudeau. Both the Conservatives and New Democrats say testimony so far at the committee makes clear to them that the PMO went too far in pressuring Wilson-Raybould to pursue SNC-Lavalin through a remediation agreement, rather than criminal prosecution, for fraud and bribery related to the firms work in Libya. Theres clearly a line that was crossed, NDP justice critic Murray Rankin told CTVs Question Period as he recalled testimony Thursday from Privy Council clerk Michael Wernick about his discussions with Wilson-Raybould. Wernick told the committee that Trudeau was worried a prosecution might result in SNC-Lavalin cutting Canadian jobs. But he stressed that Wilson-Raybould, who resigned from cabinet Feb. 12, was never unduly pressured. Rather, Wernick told the committee he provided the then-solicitor general with the context that a lot of people were worried about the consequences to jobs, communities and suppliers should SNC-Lavalin face criminal proceedings. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... But the decision to go ahead with prosecution had already been made months prior to Wernicks discussion about the matter with Wilson-Raybould, Rankin noted. No means no. Why are they continuing to brow-beat her? Liberal MP Marco Mendicino said Wernick, who has been a public servant for decades under both Liberal and Conservative governments, had a responsibility to bring new information to the attention of the attorney general that may impact innocent third parties, such as the employees of large corporations. A conviction of SNC-Lavalin could result in the company being barred from bidding on Canadian government business. Conservative deputy leader Lisa Raitt noted SNC-Lavalin was told Sept. 4 that it would face criminal prosecution. On Sept. 17, Jody Wilson-Raybould told the prime minister and the clerk of the Privy Council in no uncertain terms she wasnt going to overrule her deputy on the matter, Raitt told CTV. Thats where it should end. It should not go on from there. International Trade Minister Jim Carr, speaking on behalf of the Liberal government, told Global TVs The West Block there was no direction given by Trudeau or his office on how the attorney generals office should proceed in pursuing SNC-Lavalin. We have conversations all the time in cabinet, in one-on-one meetings with my colleagues, in small groups with the prime minister himself, with officials, said Carr. To govern is to have these conversations about issues, which are sometimes controversial, and thats why Canadians elect us to work through the complexities of these issues and to be accountable for what we do. Wilson-Raybould was shuffled out of the justice portfolio in January when she was named veterans affairs minister and soon afterward resigned from cabinet, though she remains in the Liberal caucus. She has so far invoked client-solicitor privilege to avoid answering any questions. Read more about: Liberal Party scandals are always so complicated. Conservatives scandals are like we used orphans to build napalm to dump on Algonquin Park but every Liberal scandal is like to understand the depth of wrongdoing, first understand the role of the Deputy Minister of Fisheries. So said a @matttomic on social media, expressing the deflated expectations of Canadians hoping for a hot political story Canada became a division of Lockheed Martin in 2011 and no one noticed! Misogynist Jason Kenneys real name is Janice! to give them a break from the Trump news onslaught that began in 2016 and is eating their ears. The SNC-Lavalin matter already sounded like puff pastry when it first appeared and now it is a crumb, a particle. The allegation was that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his staff were concerned less about legal niceties than about huge job losses should SNC-Lavalin be prosecuted over dodgy money in Libya is there any other kind? and perhaps lose 10 years of federal contracts. Out of concern for the public good, they may have mentioned this to the justice minister/attorney-general, who can decide, if she chooses, to defer corporate prosecutions. This whole matter is down to whether they talked to her forcefully or gently. Did they hint or did they hammer? Who knows? More importantly, who cares? Read more: Heres why Jody Wilson-Raybould still isnt talking about SNC-Lavalin The SNC-Lavalin affair: meet the main players What happened and when in the SNC-Lavalin scandal Its the PMOs job to do what is best for Canada, especially since Jody Wilson-Raybould appears to have previously messed up. She should have foreseen the catastrophe of grovelling to the Americans by arresting Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in B.C. to help them pressure China. She did not. So it was even more important for her to consult the PMO. This is not a scandal. It is not even an anecdote. It is the Ottawa equivalent of the Daily Mails claim of a national backlash against Meghans New York baby shower. It does not exist. Which brings me to the man who explained why it didnt exist. He is Privy Council Clerk Michael Wernick, Canadas top civil servant, who owned the room at the justice committee. He spoke without hesitancy, with clarity and candour, about a danger sensed by many Canadians. I worry about my country right now, Im deeply concerned about my country right now and its politics and where its headed. I worry about foreign interference in the upcoming election and were working hard on that. I worry about the rising tide of incitements to violence, when people use terms like treason and traitor in open discourse. Those are the words that lead to assassination. Im worried that someone is going to be shot in this country this year during the political campaign. I too have worried about Trudeaus town halls being a danger to him. Id worry about Conservative leader Andrew Scheers if he had any. Scheer always looks like a man who has just put eyedrops in and is in that blinking transitory state. Pleasant enough, he is easily led into traps laid by the extreme far-right. Why else would he have appeared with the racist yellow vests on Parliament Hill? Wernick, who has served under many prime ministers, abhorred yellow-vest-style remarks by a Saskatchewan senator that would incite people to drive trucks over people, after what happened in Toronto last summer simply because they were Liberal. I worry about the trolling from the vomitorium of social media entering the open media arena, he said. We do too. Wernick said he most worries about Canadians losing faith in the institutions of governance in this country and doubting that Canada is still, as Chrystia Freeland has put it, a rule-of-law country. He then crisply explained the SNC-Lavalin matter. The rule of law is safe, he concluded. The discussions were appropriate and ethical. There is no two-tiered justice. Deferred prosecution agreements can be rationally applied. In other words, there is no there there. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... I agree. The SNC-Lavalin matter was a media creation in an election year, possibly done inadvertently to gin things up. It became a sly collective patchwork of insinuation. And now that Wernick has explained the complex role of the Deputy Minister of Fisheries, we Canadians can see that it just doesnt hold up. Read more about: Frustration doesnt begin to describe the outcome of Thursdays confab at the U of Ts Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy and its Institute on Municipal Finance & Governance. The venerable institutions convened a discussion on governance models for a successful regional transit system. Considering that Premier Doug Ford has decreed that he will take over Torontos subway system, because he can, the questions posited seemed like fertile ones to produce much-needed answers: Who owns it? Who pays for it? Who delivers it? As the referees say at a football game when video replay shows they blew a judgment call, Upon further review ... Except, we didnt get much light. And, upon further review, there is no light to come. The desire to take over the subway system has no genesis in planning principles or a goal to improve mass transit in the Greater Toronto Area. Ford did not file foundational studies or views or plans showing the facility and efficacy of a takeover. As sure as the sun comes up, he went to bed and woke up thinking, Today Im going to do what my (late mayor) brother Robbie wanted kill any thought once and for all of those dammed LRTs clogging up our streets in Toronto and build subways out to the Richmond Hills and Pickerings yeah, even Oshawa. And the people will love me for it. And vote Conservative. Members of the audience groaned as transit planner Michael Schabas with his worldly experiences from Vancouver to Sydney, Australia, glibly stated the obvious: across the world, this kind of transit is delivered on a regional level meaning at a level broader and higher than the jurisdiction of a single city. Well, of course. But what does that mean for us here in Greater Toronto where we have no regional government and where we may be poised to create even more Toronto-like megacities without a co-ordinating body to take care of cross-border matters? Read more: City vs. province: Who can build transit faster? Martin Regg Cohn: Doug Ford bogged down our subway, but he could yet lead the way to the TTCs better way What we know (and what we dont) about the TTC subway upload One wanted to hear if the regional transit authorities in the U.K. and Australia and Paris were set up carefully over time, if they evolved organically into place, or were put together in some kind of slapdash political tomfoolery by a state or provincial government intent on scoring political points in a kind of electoral coup. Maybe the questions themselves were irrelevant. Ford says he will take over the subway system, own it and pay for it while allowing the TTC to operate it. Everyone should be happy. It is much more sustainable for the provincial government to pay the capital costs of building transit that serve more than the local property owner. Subways are an economic development tool of a region. So why were the grey-haired elites at Thursdays gathering not particularly enthused despite the cheerful endorsements of the takeover from Schabas and local urban whisperer Joe Berridge? Because we dont know whats coming. And worse, there is little evidence that the city of Toronto and its mayor, the supposed guardians of the assets and culture built up around transit the last 80 years, have our back. Or that they are fighting to ensure the Ford takeover is not an uncontested surrender. By now Mayor John Tory and city bureaucrats should have filed an easy-to-read primer on the basic, bottom-line demands of a provincial takeover demands that serve the acquired needs of the nearly half a billion rides a year. Instead, Tory has agreed to a team of people negotiating the takeover from a position of weakness. His negotiators face a rapacious province intent on bargaining an asset takeover only, when the TTC is so much more than rail, bricks, metal and rubber In theory I am an uploader, yes, Berridge said after Thursdays session. But Im nervous in practice. Why? While its clear GO Transit and the TTC should not operate as independent agents anymore when our lived region extends up to an hour each way, across hill, vale and municipal borders, there is no government body or agency with planning capacity or authority like they have in London and Paris to make the big decisions. Worse, government pronouncements like the one from Ford is not just suspect, but demonstrably ill-conceived and doomed by political dogma, electoral ambitions (read, deliver votes) and personal animus. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Yes, there is a lot to improve with the current transit system. Theres also a lot that could get worse in a provincial takeover. Care and caution is needed where we now have political grandstanding. Clarification February 25, 2019: This column was edited from a previous version to include the full name of U of Ts Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy and its Institute on Municipal Finance & Governance Royson James is a former Star reporter who is a current freelance columnist based in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @roysonjames Read more about: Jody Wilson-Raybould and SNC-Lavalin are now inextricably entwined in the minds of Canadians. Its impossible to think of one without thinking of the other. But is the SNC-Lavalin affair really the straw that broke the camels back? Or are there other pressure points that caused the former attorney general to eventually break rank and resign from cabinet? Maybe she will let us in on some of these pressure points when she testifies before the House of Commons justice committee on Tuesday. But its not hard to imagine that her two roles as a prominent member of the Trudeau cabinet and a formidable, determined trail blazer when it comes to Indigenous rights were not sitting together comfortably anymore. This became particularly apparent last Friday when the National Energy Board issued its Reconsideration Report on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion following a ruling by the Federal Court of Appeal last year that the Trudeau cabinet hadnt fully considered the impact of additional oil tankers on marine mammals, such as killer whales, when it gave the green light. Since the federal government now owns the pipeline and has pledged to see it built, no doubt the NEB recommendations will eventually be accepted. The next step is completion of the consultations with Indigenous communities that would be affected by the proposed project, another bone of contention in the appeal courts ruling. Amarjeet Sohi, minister of natural resources and point man on the Trans Mountain project, said on Friday that the cabinet could have all the input it needs to make a decision on the pipeline within 90 days. If Wilson-Raybould were still in cabinet, but even as backbench MP, final approval of the pipeline would put her in an untenable position. As the MP for Vancouver Granville she represents an area that is home to vehement Indigenous and environmental opposition to the pipeline. If the pipeline gets the go-ahead what position would she take? As attorney general she never spoke out strongly for or against the pipeline even though many B.C. Indigenous politicians and activists have vowed that it will never be built. One of Raybould-Wilsons biggest backers has vowed to kill that pipeline, no matter what. Last month Stewart Phillip, the president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs expressed his bitter disappointment after Wilson-Raybould was transferred from justice to veterans affairs. But he also showered her with praise. Her greatest strength is her deep sense of integrity and commitment to the people that she has served, Phillip said during an interview with Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. When the NEB issued its Reconsideration Report, Stewart said its ludicrous that economic factors are more important than killer whales. It doesnt appear there would have been be much reconciliation between Stewart and Wilson-Raybould if she were in the cabinet that approved the pipeline. That was certainly the case for some Indigenous groups when the Site C dam in northeastern B.C. was given the go ahead despite opposition by local, provincial and national Indigenous organizations. As a B.C. regional chief for the Assembly of First Nations, Wilson-Raybould once opposed construction of the $9 billion dam, the largest industrial project in B.C.s history. But after she became a Liberal cabinet minister she concurred with both the federal and B.C. governments decisions to approve the project. In his testimony to the Commons Justice Committee last week, Clerk of the Privy Council Michael Wernick noted that Wilson-Raybould and Crown Indigenous Relations minister Carolyn Bennett have irreconcilable differences over the direction of a promised piece of legislation central to the government's agenda regarding First Nations. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Politics is all about compromise. Sometimes a politician has to give in on some issues so as to make strides on others she considers more important. Perhaps Wilson-Raybould felt she was giving more than she was getting when it came to the Indigenous issues she has worked so hard on for most of her career. As we got closer to a final decision on the Trans Mountain pipeline Wilson-Raybould must have been feeling enormous pressure to do the right thing. Maybe too much pressure to bear. Read more about: Members of anti-Semitic organizations and supporters of atrocities against Jews have often been keen to tell that their doctor, lawyer or accountant is a Jew and that some of my best friends are Jewish. The 26 member states of the European Union (EU) seem to be adopting a similar attitude in relation to the State of Israel, which has become the epitome of the Jew to be hated. Anti-Zionism is the latest euphemism for anti-Semitism, which in Europe may at least in part be due to the relatively recent influx of Muslim immigrants and refugees. This has prompted Muslims, misguided by Iran and others, to support their Palestinian brothers and sisters by harassing, maiming and killing Jews in Paris, Brussels, Malmo and many other cities in Europe. And it has helped to revive Europes ignominious and tragic history of Jew-hatred. Current practitioners of anti-Semitism excuse themselves by falsely separating between the Jewish religion and the Jewish people. They argue that theyve nothing against Judaism. Theyre only against those they conveniently call Zionists, i.e., Jews who have built and now maintain the State of Israel, and their supporters abroad. This has even made anti-Semites deny the Holocaust in Europe, because the murder of six million Jews by the Nazis has become an added argument for the imperative of the Jewish people to return to its ancient homeland and build there a modern state. In truth, to be a Jew is to be both a member of a people and an adherent of a religion. Thats why those who embrace Judaism also become part of the Jewish people. As the Biblical Ruth put it to her mother-in-law Naomi, Your people shall be my people, and your God my God (1:16). Readers are invited to reflect on European anti-Semitism in its current guise in a new little book, Mission Impossible? Repairing the Ties between Europe and Israel, published by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs (JCPA) and edited by Fiamma Nirenstein, a distinguished journalist and former member of the Italian Parliament. The book is a collection of papers delivered at a conference last March in Jerusalem with the participation of European officials, politicians and intellectuals. Many of the articles tell readers that though Israel seems to have good bilateral relations with most members of the EU, yet as a collective body it has become something of a hotbed of unbalanced, even vicious, criticism of Israel ignominiously reflecting the hostile partisanship of the United Nations. Both are versions of the individual with Jewish friends who bashes Jews by joining an anti-Jewish organization. Thus the strange spectacles of leaders of European countries who promote anti-Semitism at home visiting Israel to declare their friendship to the Jewish people and, alas, being received there as allies. They also entertain Israels prime minister and his colleagues as honoured guests in their midst. Thus, while the EU votes in praise of Israels enemies, critics argue that some Israeli politicians implicitly collude in the guise of expediency because of advantageous bilateral relations. These relations are strong and beneficial for EU member states no less than for Israel. They include security co-operation, fighting crime and promoting science, entrepreneurship, trade, tourism and culture. While all these areas are extremely important, perhaps Israelis pay special attention to the cultural ties with Europe. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... In the words of Yossi Kuperwasser, a senior member of JCPA, Israel looks at itself as part of the European cultural and political structure, and this is why it attributes so much importance to what the Europeans are saying. Unrequited love hurts deeply. Hence Israels sustained efforts to make the EU come to its senses. Dow Marmur is rabbi emeritus of Toronto's Holy Blossom Temple and a freelance contributor for the Star. Read more about: Medical-record software companies are selling your health data, Feb. 20 In response to Dr. Spithoffs article, I would like to clarify several points. First, I want to be very clear: We have no evidence to suggest that physicians are selling personal health information. Electronic medical records (EMRs) have become the standard of care used by a vast majority of the provinces community physicians and nurse practitioners. Personalized patient data may be shared only for the purposes of providing care to patients within their circle of care. Physicians must comply with Ontarios Personal Health Information Protection Act, which includes keeping data secure and confidential at all times. OntarioMD administered funding to physicians to adopt certified EMRs until 2015. At the same time, OntarioMD has continued to lead a rigorous certification process and continuous monitoring of EMRs to ensure that they meet the needs of physicians and their patients. EMR vendors are only paid by OntarioMD for development work that supports integration efforts in response to provincial priorities. Privacy and the protection of patient data are integral standards for EMR certification. OntarioMDs requirements do not allow for the sharing of patient data for purposes other than providing care or informing policy or research. Our stringent requirements are for certified EMRs only, of which there are now 12 in the province. OntarioMD works closely with EMR vendors and their certified EMRs for ongoing compliance. Physicians also inform us about any concerns they have with their EMR vendors as a second line of accountability. There is no doubt that EMRs contain valuable data. That data is protected by physicians, by the rights of patients, the law and by the EMRs themselves. Companies may not extract data for secondary use without meeting all legal requirements. The secondary use of data is currently the subject of federal and recently announced provincial consultations, and we expect there will be increasing clarity on the issue of appropriate access to, and use of, health data. Its time for Canada to provide its share of the Global Fund to fight HIV, malaria and TB, due for replenishment this year. A fully funded Global Fund will cut the death toll of HIV, malaria and TB in half, saving 16 million lives almost half the population of Canada and provide an economic boost for the poorest nations of $19 for every dollar invested. These diseases strike women and children the hardest, the backbone of community life. With the federal governments focus on child and maternal health, Canadians expect our share of the Global Fund contribution to be timely and robust. WASHINGTON - Former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen says she doubts that President Donald Trump has a good grasp of economic policy or even knows the Federal Reserves mandates. I doubt that he would even be able to say that the Feds goals are maximum employment and price stability, Yellen said in an interview with radio program Marketplace. She said Trump has made various inaccurate remarks about the Fed such as that the central bank has an objective for the exchange rate for the dollar that is aimed at supporting the presidents trade policies. She said comments like that show a lack of understanding of the impact of the Fed on the economy and appropriate policy goals. Asked in the interview released Monday if she felt Trump had a grasp of macroeconomic policy, Yellen said, No I do not. The comments marked Yellens most pointed criticism of Trump since he decided not to nominate her for a second term as Fed leader. She left the Fed a year ago and was succeeded as chairman by Powell. Yellen is now a distinguished fellow in residence at the Brookings Institution in Washington. Yellen said she did not think that Trumps sharp attacks on Powell and the Fed last year were having a significant impact yet on the Feds ability to manage the economy. But she said if the attacks continued, Trump could undermine confidence in the Fed and I think that would be a bad thing. Trump last year was sharply critical of the Feds string of interest rate hikes, saying they were depressing stock prices and represented his biggest threat. However, since the Fed signalled in January that it planned to be patient in moving rates higher, an announcement that has triggered a stock rally, Trump has softened his comments. He had what was described as a cordial dinner with Powell and Fed Vice Chairman Richard Clarida earlier this month. NEW YORK - Immigrants with specialized skills are being denied work visas or seeing applications get caught up in lengthy bureaucratic tangles under federal changes that some consider a contradiction to President Donald Trumps promise of a continued pathway to the U.S. for the most talented foreigners. Getting whats known as an H-1B visa has never been a sure thing the number issued annually is capped at 85,000 and applicants need to enter a lottery to even be considered. But some immigration attorneys, as well as those who hire such workers, say theyve seen unprecedented disruptions in the approval process since Trump took office in 2017. You see all these arguments that we want the best and the brightest coming here, said John Goslow, an immigration attorney in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Yet were seeing a full-frontal assault on just all aspects of immigration. For American businesses, there is a bottom-line impact. Link Wilson, an architect who co-founded a firm in Bloomington, Minnesota, said finding enough qualified workers within the U.S. has been a problem for years. Thats due to a shortage of architects, but also because his firm needs people with experience developing senior housing. He said employers who turn to international applicants do so as a last resort, putting up with legal fees and ever-expanding visa approval times because they have no other choice. Were just at the point where theres no one else to hire, said Wilson, who hired an architect under an H-1B visa last year after enduring a long wait. He estimates his firm turned away about $1 million in projects in 2018 because it didnt have enough staff to handle them. Three months after taking office, Trump issued his Buy American and Hire American executive order , directing Cabinet officials to suggest reforms to ensure that H-1B visas are awarded to the most-skilled or highest-paid applicants to help promote the hiring of Americans for jobs that might otherwise go to immigrants. Subsequent memos have allowed for greater discretion in denying applications without first requesting additional information from an applicant, tossed the deference given to people seeking to renew their H-1Bs, and raised concern that the government would revoke work permits for the spouses of H-1B holders. One order restricted companies ability to use H-1B workers off-site at a customers place of business, while another temporarily rescinded the option of paying for faster application processing. Attorneys who handle these applications say one of the biggest shifts is an increase in requests for evidence, or RFEs, from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. An RFE can delay a visa for months or longer as applicants and employers are forced to submit additional documentation over things such as the applicability of a college degree to a prospective job or whether the wage being offered is appropriate. If the responses are unsatisfactory, a visa may be denied. Theyre just blocking the avenues so that employers will get frustrated and they wont employ foreign nationals, said Dakshini Sen, an immigration lawyer in Houston whose caseload is mostly H-1B applications. We have to write and write and write and explain and explain and explain each and every point. USCIS data released on Friday shows an increase in the number of completed H-1B applications receiving an RFE, from about 21 per cent in the 2016 fiscal year to 38 per cent last fiscal year. The number continued to rise in the first quarter of this fiscal year, to 60 per cent. A growing number of applications with such requests were ultimately denied, while the approval rate among all applicants has fallen. Approvals also dipped in two other visa programs for foreign workers, including one for individuals with extraordinary abilities in areas such as science, sports and the arts. Jessica Collins, a spokeswoman for USCIS, linked the changes to the presidents executive order, saying the goal was to reduce frivolous petitions and that it is incumbent upon the petitioner, not the government to prove eligibility. Some employers note traditional three-year renewable terms of H-1Bs have also been changing; one lawsuit by an organization representing information technology companies claims some visas were valid for only a few days or had expired before they were even received. Meantime, a vague entry published in the Federal Register last fall advised that the Department of Homeland Security would propose additional revisions to focus on attracting the best and the brightest and to ensure employers pay appropriate wages to H-1B visa holders, which has raised alarms that the administration will move to narrow the definition of who qualifies. Caught in the crosshairs of all this are workers like Leo Wang. Wang, 32, spent six years after college in his native China learning all he could about data and analytics. He got into the University of Southern California, interned at a major venture capital firm and wasted no time after finishing his masters before starting on another degree. He couch-surfed, passed up an enticing foreign job offer and amassed educational debt all in pursuit of the dream that ultimately came true: A six-figure Silicon Valley job. As long as it took Wang to achieve his goal, it disappeared in record time. Wang was working at Seagate Technology under an immigration provision known as Optional Practical Training, which gives those on student visas permission to work. But that expired last year, and because his H-1B application was in flux, he was forced to take a leave from Seagate and withdraw from the masters program he was pursuing at Berkeley. He says he and his company dutifully responded to an RFE, compiling examples of his work at Seagate. But on Jan. 11, Wang got a final answer: He was denied an H-1B. All I wanted was to be able to see my American dream, he said. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Sandra Feist, an immigration attorney in Minneapolis, said talented foreigners discouraged by the visa process are beginning to look at opportunities in other countries, and she questions what that means for Americas future, especially if top-tier researchers who could contribute to science and medicine are turned away. One of her clients, a computer systems analyst from India with a masters degree from a U.S. college, filed his petition for an H-1B in April 2017 with 101 pages of documentation. He received an RFE, and a 176-page response was filed, with additional paperwork attempting to prove just how complicated the position was. He was denied. Feist filed a 282-page appeal, requesting that the file be reopened. Though the appeal was approved, there was a second RFE, which Feist said raises the same issues she already responded to. With a U.S. work visa unlikely, that client is applying for permanent residency in Canada with his wife and U.S. citizen child. CEOs for companies including Apple, Ford and Coca-Cola penned a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen in August, saying immigration policy changes were undermining economic growth. At a time when the number of job vacancies are reaching historic highs due to labour shortages, they said, now is not the time to restrict access to talent. A provision for immigration based on skills, education and employer needs dates back to the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, and the visa now known as the H-1B has until recently enjoyed wide support among politicians on both the left and the right. A Pew Research Center survey last year found broad approval for high-skilled immigrants among the public, as well, with support at 83 per cent among Democrats polled and 73 per cent of Republicans. Trump has vacillated on the issue. During a March 2016 presidential debate, then-candidate Trump was asked about his opposition to visas for skilled workers, to which he said Im changing and that he saw such policies as a way to keep top international students in the U.S. We absolutely have to be able to keep the brain power in this country, he said. His campaign followed that with a statement saying: The H-1B program is neither high-skilled nor immigration: these are temporary foreign workers, imported from abroad, for the explicit purpose of substituting for American workers at lower pay. Last month, Trump again reverted to a more conciliatory note, tweeting that H1-B holders can rest assured that changes are soon coming which will bring both simplicity and certainty to your stay, including a potential path to citizenship. Back in China now, Wang isnt sure what to make of Trumps words. Hes talked to a friend from Seagate, now at a Swedish firm, about openings there, and a former boss in Singapore has some prospects for him as well. I still believe in the American dream, he says. Its just that I personally have to pursue it somewhere else. ___ Sedensky can be reached at msedensky@ap.org or https://twitter.com/sedensky HIDALGO, Texas - Immigration officials say a 24-year-old woman delivered a stillborn baby while in custody last week. They say the Honduran woman was about six months pregnant when she went into premature labour and delivered a stillborn boy on Friday after having been hospitalized but cleared for release a day earlier. She had spent four days in immigration custody. In a joint statement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, two separate agencies that fall under the homeland security department, said the woman was arrested by the Border Patrol on Feb. 18 near Hidalgo, Texas. Authorities havent identified the woman and said theyre not releasing any more details. CBP and ICE said the woman was taken to a hospital and released on Feb. 21 after undergoing two screenings. The woman was then transferred to ICE custody and was in the process of being released from the Port Isabel Detention Center when she complained of stomach discomfort. An ambulance was called, but the woman delivered the baby before she could be sent to the hospital. The government says a stillbirth isnt considered an in-custody death. But this follows at least three in-custody deaths since December. A 45-year-old Mexican man died while in Border Patrol custody last week, and two children died late last year while in custody. They include 8-year-old Felipe Alonzo Gomez, who died in custody at a New Mexico hospital on Christmas Eve, and the Dec. 8 death of 7-year-old Jakelin Caal in El Paso. The Border Patrol has struggled to keep up with a growing number of families with children who come to the border, many seeking asylum. Agents regularly see large groups of hundreds of people at a time, and some require medical care but are in remote areas without hospitals. Agents also have very limited medical training, and the agency has had to deploy special units to help with medical emergencies in areas like western New Mexico, where a growing number of Central American migrants are crossing the border. WASHINGTONThe White House plans to create an ad hoc group of select federal scientists to reassess the governments analysis of climate science and counter its conclusions that the continued burning of fossil fuels is harming the planet, according to three administration officials. The National Security Council initiative would include scientists who question the severity of climate impacts and the extent to which humans contribute to the problem, according to these individuals, who asked for anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. The group would not be subject to the same level of public disclosure as a formal advisory committee. The move would represent the Trump administrations most forceful effort to date to challenge the scientific consensus that greenhouse gas emissions are helping drive global warming and that the world could face dire consequences unless countries curb their carbon output over the next few decades. The idea of a new working group, which top administration officials discussed Friday in the White House Situation Room, represents a modified version of an earlier plan to establish a federal advisory panel on climate and national security. That plan championed by William Happer, an NSC senior director and a physicist who has challenged the idea that carbon dioxide could damage the planet would have created an independent federal advisory committee. The Federal Advisory Committee Act imposes several ground rules for such panels, including that they meet in public, are subject to public records requests and include a representative membership. The new working group would not be subject to any of those requirements. While the plan is not finalized, NSC officials said they would take steps to assemble a group of researchers within the government. The group will not be tasked with scrutinizing recent intelligence community assessments of climate change, according to officials familiar with the plan. The National Security Council declined requests to comment on the matter. During the Friday meeting, these officials said, deputy national security adviser Charles Kupperman said U.S. President Donald Trump was upset that his administration in November had issued the National Climate Assessment, which must be published regularly under federal law. Kupperman added that congressional Democrats had seized upon the report, which is the product of more than a dozen agencies, to bolster their case for cutting carbon emissions as part of their Green New Deal. Attendees at the session, which included acting interior secretary David Bernhardt and senior officials from throughout the government, debated how best to establish a group of researchers that could scrutinize recent federal climate reports. More than one participant suggested that they might face a challenge establishing an independent outside panel that would question central findings of the National Climate Assessment and other landmark federal reports, said one official familiar with the discussion. Happer, who headed an advocacy group called the CO2 Coalition before joining the administration in the fall, has challenged the scientific consensus on climate change inside and outside of government. Public records show the coalition, which describes its mission as informing policymakers and the public of the important contribution made by carbon dioxide to our lives and the economy, has received money from far-right organizations and donors with fossil fuel interests. In 2017, according to federal tax filings obtained by the Climate Investigations Center, the group received $170,000 from the Mercer Family Foundation and more than $33,000 from the Charles Koch Institute. One senior administration official said the president was looking for a mixture of opinions and disputed the National Climate Assessment, a massive interagency report, in November that described intensifying climate change as a threat to the United States. The president wants people to be able to decide for themselves, the aide said. Several scientists, however, said the federal governments recent findings on climate change had received intense scrutiny from other researchers in the field before they became public. Christopher Field, director of the Stanford Woods Institute who served on the National Academy of Sciences review panel for the scientific report that formed the basis of last years climate assessment, said the committee met several times to do a careful, page by page evaluation by the entire report. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... The whole review process is confrontational from the very get-go, but its based in scientific credibility, in a traceable chain of evidence through publications, said Field, an earth system science and biology professor. Trump officials had weighed the idea of conducting a red team-blue team exercise on climate change, an idea espoused by Scott Pruitt, who was then the chief of the Environmental Protection Agency, during the early months of the administration. White House aides, including then-chief of staff John Kelly, blocked the idea, and at one point discussed whether to ignore the climate research being conducted by federal scientists. Government researchers in a range of disciplines have identified climate change as a serious threat for the past two decades, under Republican and Democratic administrations. In 2003, the Pentagon commissioned a report to examine how an abrupt change in climate would affect Americas defense capabilities: Its authors concluded that it should be elevated beyond a scientific debate to a U.S. national security concern. Last year, a military-funded study warned sea level rise and other climate impacts could make more than a thousand low-lying islands in the Pacific Ocean uninhabitable by midcentury, including an atoll where a missile defense site is located. Just last month, the national intelligence director delivered a worldwide threat assessment that climate hazards including extreme weather, wildfires, droughts and acidifying oceans are worsening, threatening infrastructure, health, and water and food security. Judith Curry, a former Georgia Tech climate scientist whom Republicans have sought to testify on climate change because she often highlights the uncertainties that remain, said in an email that she backed the idea of an independent assessment of government climate reports as long as the participants reflected a range of perspectives and are not activists on either side of the debate. But retired Rear Adm. David Titley, who served as oceanographer of the Navy and chief operating officer at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said the new initiative could imperil national security by clouding truthful assessments of the risks stemming from a changing climate. I never thought I would live to see the day in the United States where our own White House is attacking the very science agencies that can help the president understand and manage the climate risks to security of today and tomorrow, said Titley, who sits on the advisory board of the Center for Climate and Security, a nonpartisan group focused on climate-related risks. Such attacks are un-American. Several experts questioned whether the White Houses plan could undermine decades worth of science pointing to a warming planet. One federal climate scientist, who asked for anonymity to avoid possible retaliation, said agency researchers had pursued and published their research in the past two years without meaningful resistance. Camilo Mora, a geographer and environmental professor at the University of Hawaii, said in an email that a single task force could not alter the findings of scientists across the globe. When it comes down to climate change, we are talking about thousands of independent papers, from everywhere, finding exactly the same thing: that the climate is changing, that we are doing it and that most often than not, the impacts are pretty bad, Mora said. Read more about: BOGOTA - In a story Feb. 25, The Associated Press reported that forces loyal to Venezuelan Nicolas Maduro set fire to humanitarian aid. The story should have said eyewitnesses said the forces set fire to the aid but the government denies it and blames protesters. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump announced Monday that American citizen Danny Burch has been freed after 18 months of captivity in Yemen in what the State Department suggested was a rescue operation. In a statement, Trump thanked the United Arab Emirates for its role in reuniting Burch with his family. Dannys recovery reflects the best of what the United States and its partners can accomplish, Trump said. He said freeing Americans held overseas is a priority of my administration and added that 20 American captives have been released since his victory in the 2016 presidential election. We maintain constant and intensive diplomatic, intelligence, and law enforcement co-operation within the United States government and with our foreign partners, Trump said, in a statement that was echoed by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Pompeo thanked the Emiratis, Robert OBrien, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the FBIs Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell for working to free Burch. Today, he is safe and secure, and is reunited with his wife and children, Pompeo said. The White House did not provide additional details on Burchs case, citing privacy concerns. However Pompeos statement was titled On the Rescue of Danny Burch from Captivity. Yemen has been riven by a deadly civil war since 2015 and Burchs abduction had been blamed on Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. Burch, who is from eastern Texas and is married to a Yemeni national, had lived in the country for years working for an oil company. He was reportedly kidnapped by the rebels in Sept. 2017. His wife told The New York Times at the time that Burch had left their home in the capital of Sanaa to take their sons to a sports club but never returned. She said police later told her that Burch had been stopped by five armed men in civilian clothes who took him away. There had been reports of his release in January of last year but U.S. officials said Monday those had been erroneous. WASHINGTON - The Latest on President Donald Trumps scheduled meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (all times local): 6:45 p.m. President Donald Trump will begin his second summit with North Koreas Kim Jong Un with a private dinner Wednesday. The White House said Monday that the leaders two-day meeting in Hanoi will begin with an official greeting and a meal. Trump will be joined by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney. Kim will also have two aides present and both men will have translators. Trump and Kim will then hold a series of official meetings Thursday. Trump is set to land in Vietnam late Tuesday and will have meetings with the host countrys president and prime minister Wednesday before seeing Kim. Trump and Kim first met last June in Singapore, a summit that yielded powerful images but few concrete steps for North Koreas denuclearization. __ 12:50 p.m. President Donald Trump is on his way to Vietnam for his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (kim jawng oon). Trump and Kim will discuss one of Asias biggest security challenges: North Koreas pursuit of a nuclear program that stands on the verge of threatening any target on the planet. Before leaving Washington on Monday, Trump told the nations governors that I think well have a very tremendous summit. Trump says the U.S. wants denuclearization. He appears to be holding out economic progress for North Korea as a potential reward. He says of North Korea, I think hell have a country that will set a lot of records for speed in terms of an economy. Trump was the driving force behind this weeks Vietnam summit. Its his second meeting with Kim after the first yielded few concrete results. ___ 1:50 a.m. President Donald Trump will head into his second meeting with North Koreas Kim Jong Un lowering expectations for Pyongyangs denuclearization while eager to declare a flashy victory to offset the political turmoil he faces at home. Trump was the driving force behind this weeks Vietnam summit, aiming to re-create the global spectacle of his first meeting with Kim, although that initial summit yielded limited results and the months that followed left many questions about what will be achieved in the sequel. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Trump once warned that North Koreas arsenal posed such a threat to humanity that he may have no choice but to rain fire and fury on the rogue nation, yet last week he declared that he was in no rush for Pyongyang to prove it was abandoning its weapons. ___ Follow all of APs summit coverage at https://apnews.com/Trump-KimSummit STAFFORD, Conn. - Having lost his 29-year-old son to a fentanyl overdose, Dean Palozej believes dealers who peddle drugs that kill should be locked up for a very long time for the rest of their life, in some cases. A state representative who heard the story felt the same way. With a piece of legislation introduced this year, he joined lawmakers around the country who have been pushing for murder or manslaughter charges in a get-tough campaign against people who supply drugs that cause fatal overdoses, in efforts to curb the opioid overdose crisis. Spencer Palozej died Feb. 1, 2018, one day shy of his 30th birthday, at his home in Manchester. In frequent pain from injuries and surgeries, he would occasionally buy oxycodone pills from an acquaintance but received fentanyl-laced pills in his last purchase instead, Dean Palozej said. No arrests have been made. If theyre dealing fentanyl ... theyre just pumping poison out into the streets, Dean Palozej said. Id like to see these guys on a first offence get three to five years. The second offence, charge them with murder. This is going on way too much. People are dying. Lawmakers in Connecticut, Hawaii, Mississippi and Virginia have proposed murder and manslaughter charges for overdoses this year. Several states passed such laws over the past two years, while others have taken to charging drug deaths under murder and manslaughter statutes that dont specifically mention overdoses. Twenty states now have so-called drug-induced homicide laws that carry the same sentences as murder and manslaughter, according to the Drug Policy Alliance, a non-profit drug policy organization based in New York. Federal law has included a penalty of 20 years to life in prison for providing drugs that cause fatal overdoses since Congress passed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986, spurred by the cocaine overdose death of basketball star Len Bias that year. There is a debate, however, about whether such laws are good policy. Supporters say the laws are needed to properly punish and deter dealers and others who supply drugs that kill. Opponents argue those laws are not a deterrent, discourage people from calling 911 for help for overdose victims and help fuel higher arrest rates of minorities. Supply-side tactics really havent been proven to work over the past five decades theyve been implemented, said Lindsay LaSalle, director of public health law and policy for the Drug Policy Alliance. I think the focus needs to be on the demand. Statistics on murder, manslaughter and homicide prosecutions involving overdoses are not widely available because few state and local government agencies keep track. But from 2011 to 2016, the number of news stories about people charged with or prosecuted for drug-induced homicides increased from 363 to 1,178 more than a 300 per cent increase that corresponds with the rise of opioid-related deaths, according to the alliance. Around 47,600 Americans died of opioid overdoses in 2017, a 13 per cent increase compared with 2016 and more than 2 1/2 times as many as the 18,515 opioid deaths in 2007, federal data shows. The rise of the highly potent fentanyl is the reason, law enforcement officials say. Connecticut state Rep. Kurt Vail, a Republican who represents Dean Palozejs hometown of Stafford, introduced the proposed law in their state in January after talking with Palozej after Spencers death. The law would make it murder to supply drugs that cause a fatal overdose, and conviction would bring a prison sentence of up to 60 years. I think it was kind of time to up the punishment and make it more of a deterrent to deal to these people that are using opioids, said Vail, a former correctional officer. Those people who are taking advantage of these people who are addicted, they are scumbags. A similar bill proposed by Vail in 2017, in response to increasing overdose deaths in his district, died in committee. Legislation treating overdoses as murder or manslaughter also was introduced this year in Hawaii, Mississippi and Virginia. The Mississippi bill died in committee, while the others remain pending. Police have not made an arrest in connection with Spencer Palozejs death but have been keeping tabs on a suspect, Dean Palozej said. Shortly before his death, Spencer Palozej texted the suspect to bring him just the regular, Dean Palozej said. Manchester Detective Lt. John Rossetti, whose department has been investigating Spencer Palozejs death, said it often is difficult to charge someone who supplies drugs that cause an overdose. The main obstacles are finding the dealers, catching them with drugs and proving those drugs are the same ones that killed the overdose victims, he said. He declined to comment on the Spencer Palozej investigation. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Dean Palozej is upset that no arrests have been made more than a year after his sons death. We cry everyday all of us. It truly broke all our hearts, he said. We have to get some laws in place that lock these guys up. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - With rivers still rising after days of storms that dumped more than a foot of rain on the Southeast and damaged hundreds of buildings, authorities searched Monday for two missing people along Alabama waterways as a Mississippi community cleaned up from a killer tornado. Crews looked along the Cahaba River near Birmingham for a woman who disappeared Sunday. A spokesman with Cahaba Valley Fire and Rescue said her vehicle was found near the waterway. In northeast Alabama, emergency workers used a helicopter and drones to look for a teenage boy still missing days after the vehicle he was riding in was swept off a bridge by floodwaters from a creek at Bucks Pocket State Park, authorities said. Two other teens escaped the vehicle. Residents used boats to reach flooded-out neighbourhoods and schools were shut down even though the sun was out in most of the Tennessee Valley. Two towns in northeast Alabama imposed curfews because of flooding around Weiss Lake. Mudslides, washouts and floods also have forced officials to close roads in the Tennessee Valley to the north. The weather service reported flooding at nearly 80 locations mostly in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. Dozens of roads were closed because of flooding, and conditions will worsen to the south as water drains toward the Gulf of Mexico. Flooding and tornadoes have damaged more than 500 buildings and 200 roads and bridges over the last week, according to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, with damage in nearly half of the states 82 counties. A woman was killed when a tornado hit Columbus, Mississippi, and a man died when he drove into floodwaters in Tennessee, officials said. Columbus Mayor Robert Smith Sr. said Ashley Glynell Pounds, 41, of Tupelo and her husband were renovating a house Saturday evening, and when the husband went to get them something to eat, the building collapsed in the storm, killing her. Smith said 12 other people were injured, but the injuries did not appear to be major. City spokesman Joe Dillon said the tornado also seriously damaged a school and two community centre buildings. There was pretty extensive damage, Dillon said Sunday, a day after the Columbus twister struck. But the streets today have been filled with workers and volunteers, all working hard to clean up the mess. In Knox County, Tennessee, officials said a man died after his vehicle became submerged in high water. But flooding in the state wasnt as bad as initially feared, and Gov. Bill Lee was monitoring the situation rather than planning a visit, spokesman Laine Arnold said. The National Weather Service said many areas got around 10 inches (25 centimetres) of rain last week, and some spots received more than 12 inches (30 centimetres). In Alabama, the riverside city of Decatur said water levels already have exceeded 100-year levels and could rise another 2 feet (0.6 metres). Schools are closed in at least a half-dozen systems in the region. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey declared a state of emergency allowing the state to assist with disaster response. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Elsewhere around the South, homes, highways, parks and bridges were flooded or put out of commission amid the heavy rains and severe storms. News outlets report that water rescues were performed over the weekend in some Middle Tennessee counties. Interstate 40 near the Tennessee line with North Carolina was closed by a rockslide, one of the dozens of roads and highways shut down throughout the region, transportation officials said. LOS ANGELES - A $120 million court settlement from the nations largest-known natural gas leak was approved by a California judge Monday despite objections from local residents and criticism from environmentalists. Judge Carolyn Kuhl in Los Angeles Superior Court signed a consent decree putting the settlement into effect after saying her role was limited in overseeing the deal between Southern California Gas Co. and the state and city of LA. If I find, as I was supposed to find, that it didnt violate the law or public policy, thats the end of my determination, Kuhl said. The settlement was criticized by environmentalists for how it plans to mitigate the large amount of climate-changing methane that spewed for nearly four months from the 2015 blowout at the Aliso Canyon gas storage facility. Environmental groups complained the utility would get full credit for projects partly funded by state money to capture methane from a dozen dairy farms in the states farm belt more than 100 miles (160 kilometres) from where the blowout occurred on the edge of Los Angeles. They get to count methane reduction that was already happening on the public dime, said attorney Nina Robertson of Earthjustice. More than a fifth of the settlement will go to funding mitigation of the 109,000 metric tons of methane released after the well blowout. The incident sent a sulfurous stench over the community of Porter Ranch, where residents complained of headaches, nausea, nose bleeds and other symptoms. The company has spent more than $1 billion related to the blowout with the majority of that going to temporarily relocate 8,000 families, according to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The utility still faces more than 385 lawsuits on behalf of 48,000 people. Under the settlement, the utility agreed to pay up to $25 million to study long-term health consequences; reimburse city, county and state governments for responding to the incident; and monitor chemicals in the air near the facility for eight years. Costs of the settlement cant be passed along to ratepayers. The mitigation part of the deal calls for the utility to pay $26.5 million toward technology that captures methane from lagoons of cow manure and pipes it into the natural gas supply chain to be used to fuel trucks that run on compressed natural gas. A coalition of environmental groups criticized that decision as an inefficient way to absorb the methane and said it would lead to larger and more concentrated dairies and lead to smoggier air in the already heavily polluted San Joaquin Valley while also creating more natural gas infrastructure at a time when cleaner alternatives are needed. Hundreds of residents in the Porter Ranch area also signed a petition opposing the settlement. Several at the hearing complained about being deceived by public officials in allowing settlement funds diverted from the area where they identified other places where methane could be reduced. We were promised that money to be given to L.A. County for use in mitigation projects down here, said resident Patty Glueck. Thats what should have happened not given to capturing cow farts from these dairy farms. Its ridiculous. We were lied to. The California Air Resources Board said the settlement targeted dairies, which contribute 25 per cent of the states methane, and by capturing greenhouse gases on farm, it would provide energy to fuel trucks that will eliminate pollution otherwise created by diesel big-rigs. This agreement will mitigate the methane leak itself, and will have a positive impact across California while providing long-term funding for air quality improvements in the parts of the LA basin most directly affected by what happened at Aliso Canyon, said CARB Chair Mary Nichols. Earthjustice criticized the deal because SoCalGas will receive full credit even though public funds are being used. It also said theres not enough information to determine what percentage of a project the gas company will fund. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... If SoCalGas contributes 10 per cent of the funding to a dairy where 5,000 tons of methane is captured, it should only get credit for mitigating 500 tons not the full amount, Robertson said. Without such an adjustment, the mitigation agreement grossly overstates SoCalGas contribution in achieving methane reductions and fails to constitute full mitigation for the Aliso disaster, Robertson wrote. WASHINGTON - The Associated Press and other news organizations are asking a judge to unseal documents in the special counsels investigation of Trump confidant Roger Stone. The media coalition is asking for all records related to search warrants the FBI obtained before its arrest of Stone at his Florida home last month. Stone has pleaded not guilty to charges of false statements, witness tampering and obstruction. The Russia investigation goes to the heart of the integrity of the political process, the potential corruption or other misconduct of the President of the United States and his closest advisers or, as some of the Presidents supporters have argued, a corrupt conspiracy by some in law enforcement to harm the President and the ability of the justice system to fairly and effectively investigate and, where necessary, prosecute any of these potential crimes, the news groups wrote. The coalition argues that the gravity and importance of this criminal investigation is second to none in our nations history, and therefore the publics interest in the transparency of that investigation could not be greater. They say the public interest in the investigation far outweighs the governments interest in keeping it confidential. Besides The Associated Press, the other news organizations include CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post and Politico. SEWARD, Alaska - A 50-year-old Anchorage man been charged with seriously injuring a family member in Seward. Alaska State Troopers say Timothy Elve is charged with three counts of felony assault and two counts of misdemeanour assault. Trooper dispatchers in Soldotna dispatchers early Saturday morning took a 911 open line call and heard sounds of screaming and a physical disturbance. They traced the call to a home in Seward. Troopers and Seward police drove to the home and found Elve with a sword threatening to kill a woman. Troopers determined Elve had smoked methamphetamine and seriously injured the woman before grabbing the sword. He surrendered when confronted by public safety officers. Online court records do not list his attorney. DURHAM, N.C. - The attorney for a North Carolina teen accused of his fathers mysterious strangulation death says her client is innocent. News outlets report that Allyn Sharp told a judge during a hearing on Monday that 16-year-old Alexander Bishop didnt kill his father, prominent real-estate developer Bill Bishop. Alexander Bishop, who was charged Friday with murder, was released from jail Monday on bond. Alexander Bishop called authorities last April to say that he had found his father unresponsive in their Durham home with a dog leash around his neck and the other end still attached to the dog. The father died later in a hospital. The state medical examiners office ruled that the father died of homicide by strangulation. IOWA CITY, Iowa - At least 28 priests are credibly accused of having sexually abused more than 100 boys and girls while working for a Roman Catholic diocese in Iowa, church officials announced Monday. The Diocese of Sioux City identified those 28 priests as it published a long-awaited list of those who have been the subject of credible allegations of sexual abuse involving minors. The list included about 5 per cent of the priests who have worked for the diocese at some point since its inception in 1902. A 29th priest has been accused but his name is being withheld pending an appeal to the Vatican. Publishing this list is the beginning of a new chapter in the history of our diocese, said Bishop R. Walker Nickless, who released the list at a news conference. We want it to usher in a climate of openness and transparency, resulting in the protection of our youth and accountability for clergy and church leaders. He said releasing information about the churchs shameful history might help some victims heal while reopening old wounds for others. Advocates for abuse victims had long urged the diocese to release such a list, as two of Iowas three other Roman Catholic dioceses have done. The diocese had promised to do so in November after an investigation by The Associated Press exposed its 32-year coverup of the Rev. Jerome Coyle, who had allegedly confessed to abusing more than 50 boys over a 20-year period. The diocese, which operates churches and schools throughout northwestern Iowa, urged victims to come forward at that time. Its review board has spent recent weeks reviewing files and weighing the credibility of allegations. The diocese said the alleged abuse took place between 1948 and 1995 and involved 106 individuals who have come forward to make claims. Additional complaints of abuse have been made more recently, but none have been deemed credible by police or a church review board, the diocese said. Attorney Levi Monagle, whose New Mexico law firm represents clergy abuse victims, said the release of such lists is an important gesture that usually helps some victims heal and inspires others to come forward. He praised Albuquerque resident Reuben Ortiz, who became aware of Coyles abuse last year while the priest was living with Ortizs family and made it public. Ortizs disclosure prompted the diocese to move Coyle out of an Iowa retirement home where he was quietly living next to a Catholic school, and provided the jolt to the status quo that the diocese needed to finalize and release the long-discussed list, Monagle said. Its tragic that it took so long for this information to come out, said Monagle, whose firm represents one man who was allegedly abused by Coyle decades ago. All but six of the priests on the list have died. Those who are still living are not involved in the ministry or active with youth, and have been stripped of their ability to celebrate mass or represent themselves as priests, the diocese said. One of the accused, John Perdue, 71, told the AP that his inclusion on the list was embarrassing but that he denies the allegation of abusing a boy in the 1980s. The Iowa Court of Appeals in 2011 dismissed lawsuits filed against Perdue and another priest by two alleged victims, ruling that the statute of limitations had expired. Diocese officials acknowledged the list is likely incomplete because additional victims have not come forward. For instance, the diocese said that it was aware of 13 victims of Coyle even though he allegedly confessed to abusing dozens more. The list included 39 victims of the Rev. George McFadden, whose abuse has long been documented and spawned an array of civil lawsuits, and 11 victims of the Rev. Peter Murphy. More than half of the identified priests, however, only have one known accuser. The list does not include former Sioux City Bishop Lawrence Soens even though he allegedly abused boys while he was a priest and principal. Soens, who retired as bishop in 1998, is not included on the list because the allegations date to when he worked for a different diocese. The list also did not include a priest who was removed from the ministry in 2017 after being accused of improperly touching a girls leg during confession, or an active priest who chased after an adult parishioner in 2013 while naked and yelling about raping her. Those cases didnt meet the criteria used by the review board, a spokeswoman said. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Still, the list represents a more comprehensive accounting than statistics that were released by now-Cardinal Daniel DiNardo when he was Sioux City bishop in 2004. DiNardo, who is now archbishop of Galveston-Houston and leads the churchs response to the sexual abuse crisis, told Sioux City parishioners in 2004 that it was aware of 33 allegations against 10 priests since 1950. The diocese says it had paid $4.7 million in legal settlements to 58 individuals since 2002. BLADENSBURG, Md. - Steven C. Lowe says he has always thought that a 40-foot-tall (12-meter-tall) concrete cross that stands on a large, grassy highway median near his home was odd. For years, he says, he didnt know that the cross in Bladensburg, Maryland, is a war memorial. A plaque on the cross base lists the names of 49 area residents who died in World War I, but it isnt easily read from the road and getting to the monument requires dashing across traffic. Lowe said he felt the cross implied that the city where it stands favoured Christians over others. It certainly made me raise my eyebrows, said Lowe, 68, who is retired from the telecommunications industry. In 2014, Lowe, two other area residents and the District of Columbia-based American Humanist Association, a group that includes atheists and agnostics, sued to challenge the cross. They argue that the cross location on public land violates the First Amendments establishment clause, which prohibits the government from favouring one religion over others. The group lost the first round in court, but in 2017 an appeals court ruled the cross unconstitutional. Now, the cross supporters are asking the Supreme Court to overturn that ruling in a case the justices will hear Wednesday. The memorials supporters would seem to have a good shot based on the courts decision to take the case and the courts more conservative makeup, seen as more likely to uphold such displays. Plus, even liberal Justice Stephen Breyer voted in a 2005 case to uphold a Ten Commandments display on public property. Backers of the nearly 100-year-old cross, also called the Peace Cross, say if the justices rule against them it could threaten hundreds of monuments nationwide. Opponents, for their part, say few memorials are truly similar. They argue the cross should be moved to private property or modified into a nonreligious monument such as a slab or obelisk, a suggestion backers say would be desecration. Arguing for the cross at the high court are The American Legion, which raised money for the cross and completed it in 1925, and officials with the state of Maryland, which took over managing the site in 1960. They have the support of the Trump administration and 30 states. Supporters say the cross is a fixture of Bladensburg, Maryland, just about 5 miles from the Supreme Court. Traffic reporters use it as a reference point in radio reports. Residents give directions that refer to it. Maryland officials argue that the cross doesnt violate the Constitution because it has a secular purpose and meaning, honouring veterans, in an area where several other memorials to veterans stand. On the other side, the American Humanist Association says that using a cross as a war memorial doesnt make the cross secular; it makes the war memorial Christian. Similar monuments have met with a mixed fate at the high court. On the same day in 2005, for example, the court upheld a Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the Texas state capitol while striking down Ten Commandments displays in Kentucky courthouses. Justice Breyer, whose vote made the difference in the outcome in both cases, said the history of the courthouse displays demonstrated a government effort to promote religion while the Texas display had a primarily nonreligious purpose. The American Legion, represented by lawyers with the Texas-based First Liberty Institute, says that a test the court announced in 1971 for use in such cases, which asks whether the governments action has a secular purpose, advances or inhibits religion or fosters an excessive government entanglement with religion, has proved unworkable. They say that question the justices should be asking is whether the governments action is coercive, which they say the cross is not. The court doesnt have to rule that broadly, however, to side with the monuments supporters. The monuments backers say they just want the cross left alone. Speaking recently at an American Legion post near the cross, member Stan Shaw said modifying the cross would be a slap in a veterans face. As for the suggestion the monument should be moved, Mike Moore, another member, said hes not sure how one could do it. Add that to the fact that the monument is cracking and repair work has been on hold. Relatives of the men whose names are on the cross have also asked the court to let it stand where it is. Mary Ann LaQuay, whose uncle Thomas Fenwicks name is on the cross, says its a way for her to remember her uncle, who caught pneumonia and died while fighting in France. His grave is in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, but LaQuay, 80, says she feels like the cross represents his memorial. Those challenging the cross say they want to make clear that they arent against veterans or veterans memorials. Fred Edwords, a longtime official with the American Humanist Association, says they just dont think its right to leave the impression that only Christian soldiers are being celebrated. Lowe, who lives near the cross in the District of Columbia, said some people have asked him: Why not just leave the cross alone? I think it was a violation of the Constitution when it was built, he said. The fact that it is old doesnt make it right. Its an old wrong. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... ___ Follow Jessica Gresko on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jessicagresko ___ This story has been corrected to show Lowe lives in Washington, not Maryland. HILO, Hawaii - Officials say they plan to reopen a popular cave-like attraction in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park later this year. The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports the Thurston Lava Tube, also known as Nahuku, has been closed since the Kilauea volcano eruption in May 2018. Officials at the Big Island park closed the site out of fear its structural integrity might have been compromised from the thousands of earthquakes that occurred during the eruption. Park spokeswoman Jessica Ferracane says a scan of the tubes interior is being compared to one taken before the eruption to determine if any structural changes would threaten safety. She says the park also plans to improve parking near the site before the lava tube is reopened. ___ Information from: Hawaii Tribune-Herald, http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/ ATLANTA - Georgias Republican House Speaker David Ralston is firing back at reports that he has used his elective position to delay court proceedings for clients he represents as a criminal defence lawyer. Ralston took to the House floor Monday and got emotional at times in a speech criticizing the media reports as well as political opponents and fellow Republicans who have called for his ouster. Ralston said he is assembling an advisory group to review the legislative-leave law hes been accused of abusing. He said they will look at practices in other states and recommend changes to the law if necessary. An investigation by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and WSB-TV found Ralston asked judges to reschedule court cases at least 57 times in the past two years. Clients of Ralstons private law practice who have benefited from the delays include men charged with child molestation, assault and drunk driving. Some cases, according to the investigation, had been delayed for nearly a decade. Georgia law requires judges to reschedule hearings and trials that conflict with the legislative duties of attorneys who also serve in the states part-time legislature. A resolution introduced Friday by fellow Republican state Rep. David Clark of Buford encourages Ralston to resign, accusing him of an unacceptable abuse of power over his use of the provision. Ralston said that he rejects in the strongest possible way any accusation or insinuation that I have abused or misused the legislative-leave law. He called the investigation a media hit piece and said that of the four cases highlighted in the report, two were set to be finished by the end of June. Ralston said that not all the continuances had been requested by him, and that no judge or prosecutor had ever questioned any of his requests. But he also said he wont take more criminal cases until those highlighted in the investigation are finished. Ralston, who is from Blue Ridge in the north Georgia mountains, has been House speaker since 2010, a position that gives him tremendous influence over proposed changes to state law and how Georgia spends taxpayer money. WASHINGTON - Nearly two years after the Chinese government began to detain members of Muslim minority groups in western China, a growing number of family members abroad are refusing to remain silent. On Sunday, about three dozen relatives of some of the 1 million Uighurs, Kazakhs and others being held without charge spoke out about the mass detentions at an event in Washington, D.C., hoping to raise awareness of what many are calling a human rights travesty but which Beijing defends as necessary to counter violent religious extremism. If you know someone who is missing, it is time to speak up, said Ferkat Jawdat, a Virginia-based software engineer. Hes lost contact with his 52-year-old mother in Xinjiang, a Chinese region home to the predominantly Muslim Uighur (pronounced WEE-gur) and Kazakh ethnic minorities. Xinjiang has been subject to a severe security crackdown in recent years that has made surveillance cameras and police checkpoints ubiquitous. The internment camps are a relatively recent phenomenon, but have expanded rapidly as a primary means of intimidation and social control. For members of the Uighur diaspora, losing a family member into the sprawling system has become all too common. Jawdat co-organized Sundays gathering so that Uighurs in the U.S. could start collecting information on their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and even children whose whereabouts are unknown. They plan to present the data to the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances and the U.S. State Department. Some of the attendees have confirmation that their loved ones are detained in Xinjiang. Others have simply lost contact and fear the worst. We want to raise awareness about what can happen to American families many of these people here are American citizens, said Jawdat, a U.S. citizen who helped organize the event, held in the basement of a public library. Similar gatherings took place concurrently in eight other countries, including Turkey, France, Germany, Australia and Canada, he said. Those in China with relatives abroad come under particular suspicion from the Chinese security forces, increasing the likelihood of them being interned. Abduwaris Ablimit, a 34-year-old chef living in Boston, said his first impulse had not been to speak out, frightened of what the Chinese authorities might do in retaliation. The last time he heard his parents voices was on a recorded message through the Chinese messaging app WeChat. Please dont call me again, son, his mother said through sobs, Ablimit recalled. Maybe one day we will see each other again. She sent the message in July 2017. Since then, Ablimit has lived in fear that his parents and brother, well-known Uighur pop singer Zahirshah Ablimit, were sent to an internment camp. His suspicions were confirmed in December, when Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported that a police officer in Ablimits Xinjiang hometown said he had been involved in detaining Ablimits parents. A second officer told RFA that he had arrested Ablimits brother. Former camp detainees have told The Associated Press that after being confined in the camps, they were forced to renounce their faith and swear fealty to Chinas ruling Communist Party. They said they were subject to political indoctrination and psychological torture, without legal recourse. They describe conditions in the camps as grim, with poor food, crowded cells and little medical assistance. China says the camps are vocational training centres aimed at helping those vulnerable to extremism to be cured of such thoughts and gain job skills. Apart from Turkey, whose people share cultural, religious and linguistic ties with Uighurs, the Muslim world has remained largely silent over the camps. Experts attribute that to their economic dependence on China, similarly authoritarian political systems and Beijings claims that it is countering a shared terror threat. In the face of such silence, relatives of internees are taking it upon themselves to speak out. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... After more than a year of being unable to reach his parents, Ablimit started talking to the media and reaching out to the U.S. consulates in Beijing and Shanghai. According to text messages reviewed by the AP, Ablimit received threatening messages from someone who claimed to be a Chinese police officer. The person urged Ablimit to stay quiet about his familys case. But Ablimit, who travelled to Washington for Sundays meeting, wasnt swayed. Im not afraid anymore, he said. I just need to find the truth. KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Michigan State Police say three people were killed when their car collided with an Amtrak train near Kalamazoo. Oshtemo Township Fire Chief Mark Barnes says no one on the train was injured, but everyone in the car died in the collision about 10 p.m. Sunday west of Kalamazoo. Police identified the crash victims Monday as 20-year-old Jarmaine Brown, 19-year-old Marcionna Edwards and 18-year-old Jordan Brooks, all of Kalamazoo. Amtrak tweeted that the train involved was the Wolverine 355 bound for Chicago. The incident remains under investigation and it was not immediately clear what led up to the collision. An Amtrak passenger told WOOD-TV in a telephone interview that when he felt the train shake he initially thought it had sideswiped another train going the other direction. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said Sunday he will extend a deadline to escalate tariffs on Chinese imports, citing substantial progress in weekend talks between the two countries. Trump tweeted that there had been productive talks on some of the difficult issues dividing the U.S. and China, adding that I will be delaying the U.S. increase in tariffs now scheduled for March 1. Trump said that if negotiations progress, he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Florida resort to finalize an agreement. U.S. and Chinese negotiators met through the weekend as they seek to resolve a trade war thats rattled financial markets. Trump had warned he would escalate the tariffs he has imposed on $200 billion in Chinese imports, from 10 to 25 per cent, if the two sides failed to reach a deal. The increase was scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. EST on March 2. Speaking to governors gathered at the White House for an annual black-tie ball Sunday, Trump said he was doing very well with China. If all works well were going to have some very big news over the next week or two, he said, though he took care to add that we still have a little ways to go. Asian stock markets rose following Trumps announcement, but gains were modest. Share prices already had risen in recent weeks in expectation Trump would postpone the tariff hike. The Shanghai Composite Index rose 2.4 per cent while Tokyos benchmark Nikkei 225 index gained 0.7 per cent. The worlds two biggest economies have been locked in a conflict over U.S. allegations that China steals technology and forces foreign companies to hand over trade secrets in an aggressive push to challenge American technological dominance. The two countries have slapped import taxes on hundreds of billions of dollars of each others goods. The conflict has unnerved investors and clouded the outlook for the global economy, putting pressure on Trump and Xi to reach a deal. Chinese negotiators said the talks made progress on technology transfer, protection of intellectual property rights and non-tariff barriers, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. It cautioned there are still some differences that need more time to be ironed out. Trump clearly wants a deal and so do the Chinese, which certainly raises the probability that the two sides will come to some sort of negotiated agreement, even if it is a partial one, in the coming weeks, said Cornell University economist Eswar Prasad, former head of the International Monetary Funds China division. On Twitter, Trump said the two sides had made headway on issues including protection of trade secrets, forced technology transfer and U.S. agricultural sales to China. But the administration did not immediately provide details. Business groups and lawmakers in Congress want to see a comprehensive deal that forces the Chinese to change their behaviour and that can be enforced. The U.S. has accused China of failing to meet past commitments to reform its economic policies. Encouraging news from @POTUS that progress is being made in a trade deal with China. Hopefully this leads to an agreement that stops Chinas theft of US intellectual property and avoids a full blown trade war, tweeted Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... But critics worry the president has given up leverage. They now have lost the advantage of a deadline, said Philip Levy, a senior fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and a White House economist under President George W. Bush. I see the odds tilting in Chinas favour, Levy said. JERUSALEMPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made something of an art form of cutting deals with small Israeli political parties, but his latest alliance has earned him denunciations from quarters where he has usually been able to count on unshakable support. Netanyahu, his future imperiled by prosecutors and political challengers alike, has enraged Jewish leaders in Israel and the United States by striking a bargain with a racist anti-Arab party whose ideology was likened by one influential rabbi to Nazism. Even pro-Israel groups in the United States that prefer to air their disagreements quietly have issued public condemnations. The furor has aggravated already fraught relations between Israel and Jews in the diaspora, undercutting American and European Jewrys efforts to fight anti-Semitism at a time when it is on the rise on both continents. The embattled Netanyahu, grasping for every potential vote, has turned to the extremist party Otzma Yehudit, or Jewish Power, whose leaders have a long history of expressing support for violence against Palestinians, expulsion of Arabs from Israel and the occupied territories, and a ban on intermarriage or sex between Jews and Arabs. The prime minister arranged for the organization to merge into a somewhat more mainstream party of religious Zionists, the Jewish Home. That pact, announced Wednesday, could easily catapult Otzma Yehudit from the disreputable fringe into Israels next governing coalition. Otzma Yehudits leaders proudly call themselves disciples of Meir Kahane, the New York City-born anti-Arab militant who served a term in Israels parliament in the 1980s before his Kach party was outlawed in Israel and declared a terrorist group by the United States. He was assassinated in 1990. Much as Kach did, Otzma Yehudits platform calls for annexing the occupied territories, rejecting a Palestinian state, expelling enemies of Israel a euphemism for Arabs and taking ownership of the Temple Mount. The site, in Jerusalem, is holy to both Muslims and Jews, and is overseen by Muslim clerics under Jordanian supervision. The pact between Netanyahu and the Kahanists set off a predictable eruption from liberal Jewish groups like J Street and Americans for Peace, as well as the Union of Reform Judaism, which normally stays out of Israeli politics. But the outrage was not limited to the left. On Friday, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the American lobbying group known as AIPAC, and the American Jewish Committee, both of which rarely weigh in publicly on Israeli politics, declared Otzma Yehudits ideas reprehensible. They vowed not to have any contact with its leaders even if they become part of the next government. In an equally extraordinary step, Rabbi Benny Lau of Jerusalem, a pillar of religious Zionism, repeatedly assailed the merger over the weekend, warning on social media that the defilement and destruction of the land serves as a guarantee for the loss of the land. Lau lamented that the prime minister seemed concerned only with winning re-election, and, from his pulpit at the Rambam Synagogue, likened Kahanism to Nazism and its ideas to the Nuremberg Laws. The entry of the racist doctrine into the Knesset is the destruction of the Temple, he wrote on Facebook on Sunday. In Israels chaotic parliamentary system, small parties, like the ultra-Orthodox Shas, can be essential when it comes to forming a majority coalition after an election, and Netanyahu has routinely struck deals giving them outsize influence. But this time, he is running with his indictment on corruption charges widely expected, and facing his toughest challenge yet from Benny Gantz, a centrist and popular former army chief. So desperate to prevent any right-wing ballots from being squandered on a party unable to win its own seats in the Knesset, Netanyahu has pre-emptively stretched his coalitions margins farther to the right than ever before. The two leaders of Otzma Yehudit who could win Knesset seats, depending on the merged partys share of the vote in April, are Michael Ben Ari and Itamar Ben Gvir. They are co-founders of Lehava, a group that opposes Jewish-Arab relationships and was implicated in a 2014 arson attack on a school for Jewish and Arab children in Jerusalem. Ben Ari calls Arabs the enemy and advocates expelling them. He was denied a visa to the United States in 2012 as a member of a terrorist organization. Ben Gvir, who was a legislative aide for Ben Ari, has acknowledged having a picture in his home of Baruch Goldstein, the Kahane follower who massacred 29 Palestinians while they were praying at a mosque in Hebron in 1994. He first gained notoriety in 1995, as a radical opponent of the Oslo peace process, when he stole the hood ornament from Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabins car and said, We got to his car, and well get to him, too. Weeks later, Rabin was assassinated by a member of a group that also had roots in Kahanism. The chorus of outrage over Netanyahus actions reflected pent-up concern and frustration in the United States and elsewhere over the prime ministers right-wing and ultra-Orthodox-approved policies and how difficult they are making it for liberal Jews to defend Israel against growing opposition, including among new members of Congress. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... AIPAC did not comment beyond a terse Twitter post Friday, but that alone was exceptional: In 2017, when Netanyahu infuriated American Jews by reneging on a deal to improve access to the Western Wall for non-Orthodox worshippers, the group sent emissaries to register objections but said nothing in public. Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin of Temple Solel in Hollywood, Florida, called Netanyahus actions a slap in the face to American Jews as they grapple with new political challenges posed by Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and other supporters of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel. AIPAC clearly understood that if they need to defend Israel to America, then Israel needs to be able to be morally defensible, Salkin said. Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute, said it was the first time AIPAC had spoken out on domestic issues involving Israels character as a democratic state. Netanyahus move, he said, had made it harder both to preserve bipartisan American support for Israel and sustain enthusiasm among American Jews. Theres a difference between a racist party entering the Knesset the fringes of Israeli democracy can unfortunately contain such elements and their being encouraged by the prime minister, Plesner said. Still, on Sunday, AIPAC said it was honored to announce that Netanyahu would attend its conference next month. For Netanyahu, his push to harvest every last right-wing vote is not merely about winning re-election. With the attorney general expected any day now to announce that he will seek Netanyahus indictment in a sprawling bribery scandal, the prime minister hopes to line up enough lawmakers to keep him in power even if he is put on trial what you may label an indictment-proof coalition, Plesner said. Hes entering this campaign with much fewer inhibitions than in the past, Plesner said. Indeed, in just the last few weeks, to score political points Netanyahu has antagonized Arab diplomats by leaking a video of a private meeting with them; attacked members of his own party he sees as potential successors; bragged publicly about secret military strikes in Syria; warned darkly that a victory by Gantz would give Arab politicians enhanced power; and warned that a Palestinian state would endanger our existence, just months before the United States is expected to issue its peace plan. In pushing the Otzma Yehudit deal, Netanyahu even threw his own party, Likud, under the bus, giving away one of its Knesset candidacies to a member of Jewish Home as recompense for the merger. Moreover, he promised Jewish Home both the housing and education ministries. That itself raises concerns among more moderate right-wing Israelis. A leader of Jewish Home, Bezalel Smotrich, who could be handed one of those posts, has called himself a proud homophobe, supported segregated maternity wards for Arab and Jewish women, said Jewish developers should not have to sell homes to Arabs and favored a shoot-to-kill policy against Palestinian stone-throwers. With old lines between Likud and the farthest right wing growing blurry, Yossi Klein Halevi, a scholar at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, observed that campaign ads had popped up on city buses showing Moshe Kahlon, the foreign minister, who heads his own center-right party, alongside Menachem Begin, the first Likud prime minister. The sane right, the ads say, in an implicit attack on todays Likud. Halevi, who was a Kahane follower in the 1970s but renounced his ideas long ago, said Israelis had yet to absorb the ramifications of the Otzma Yehudit-Jewish Home merger. Were in for a major moment of self-reckoning, he said. More and more Israelis are going to realize what that means. Read more about: VATICAN CITY Pope Francis ended a landmark Vatican meeting on clerical sexual abuse by calling for an all-out battle against the abuse of minors and insisting that the church needed to protect children from ravenous wolves. But for all the vivid language and the vow to combat this evil that strikes at the very heart of our mission, the popes speech was short on the sort of detailed battle plan demanded by many Catholics around the world. Francis had barely finished speaking before some abuse victims and other frustrated faithful began expressing outrage and disappointment at his failure to outline immediate and concrete steps to address the problem. Pope Francis talk today was a stunning letdown, a catastrophic misreading of the grief and outrage of the faithful, said Anne Barrett Doyle, a leader of BishopAccountability.org, which tracks incidents of abuse in the church. As the worlds Catholics cry out for concrete change, the pope instead provides tepid promises, all of which weve heard before. Francis had raised expectations for a policy breakthrough in September when he summoned the presidents of the worlds local bishops conferences to participate in the meeting. Abuse victims and their advocates held high hopes that Francis, who seemed in the last year to overcome his own blind spots on an issue on which he had repeatedly stumbled, would use his absolute authority to institute a churchwide law dismissing abusive priests and the bishops who cover up for them. He did not. Instead, with the abuse scandals threatening the credibility of his papacy, the pope decided that the best way for the church to address the problem lay not in issuing an edict from Rome but in setting out to change the hearts and minds of church leaders at the local level around the world. The pope used the meeting to try to persuade skeptical bishops to take strong action against abusive clerics and to hold themselves accountable for protecting the faithful in their dioceses, rather than simply changing church law himself. The prelates who organized the summit argued that any papal edicts might fall flat or fade away with Francis papacy. In their view, what is required is a broad cultural shift, and an acknowledgment of the problem, especially in Latin American, African and Asian countries where the future of the church lies. At the end of the day, it is the change of heart that is important, Archbishop Charles Scicluna, the Vaticans leading sex-crimes investigator, said Sunday afternoon. The Rev. Hans Zollner, another leader in the churchs efforts to safeguard children, said the church had made a leap forward by getting at the systemic roots of the scandal. But he acknowledged that it would take more time and energy to turn a big ship around. This focus on the spiritual evolution of bishops, and on the importance of getting them to work together to tackle sexual abuse, was a letdown to those who had hoped the pope would act boldly, drawing on his own authority. The pope is the sole legislator, so he could make this change whenever he wants, said Nicholas P. Cafardi, a prominent canon lawyer in the United States. Zero tolerance should be universal law, and the Holy Father can do it himself. After the popes speech, the Vatican did announce that some specific steps would be taken soon. One was described by church officials as a toughening up of child-protection laws within the Vaticans boundaries. They also spoke of a very brief handbook for bishops to understand their duties when it comes to abuse cases, and of new task forces of experts and canon lawyers to assist bishops in countries with less experience and resources. But those limited measures had been developed before the summit and were not shaped by the meeting, Vatican officials said. The popes bishop-focused approach carries real risks both for him and the church he leads. While Vatican officials believe it is the right course, it is one in which change may come more slowly than the faithful in some countries ravaged by the abuse crisis have begun to demand. The Roman Catholic Church has been devastated, and Francis legacy threatened, by a cascade of investigations by civil authorities into clerical sexual abuse. There have also been accusations from within his own hierarchy that he covered up the misconduct of a top prelate, Theodore McCarrick, a former cardinal and archbishop of Washington who has been defrocked. Francis has begun to be unsparing in the language he uses to describe the problem. On Sunday, he compared the abuse of minors to sacrificing human beings, frequently children, in pagan rites. Consecrated persons, chosen by God to guide souls to salvation, let themselves be dominated by their human frailty or sickness and thus become tools of Satan, he said. In abuse, we see the hand of the evil that does not spare even the innocence of children. No explanations suffice for these abuses involving children. But high-profile cases involving the negligence by bishops, the abuse of nuns and other misconduct added to the pressure on Francis to do more than just talk. Francis had sought to tamp down expectations about the Vatican meeting, fostered by some of his own bishops, that the conference would deliver instant remedies to end the scourge. He said the meeting was intended to educate all the bishops on the gravity of the problem of sexual abuse. Still, at times, the four-day summit did seem like a significant turning point for the church. Outside the Vatican walls, abuse survivors marched and held rolling news conferences. Inside, at sessions presided over by Pope Francis himself, the worlds top bishops, clad in their black cassocks and purple sashes, listened every day to the brutal testimony of abuse survivors many of whom spoke about the indifference and complicity of church leaders like them. A Nigerian nun excoriated them for their hypocritical silence and lack of transparency. In a bid to improve relations with the media, the organizers invited a veteran Vatican reporter from Mexico to address the gathering. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... If you do not decide in a radical way to be on the side of the children, mothers, families, civil society, you are right to be afraid of us, said the reporter, Valentina Alazraki. And if they remain in denial, she said, honest reporters will be your worst enemies. However frustrated many of the faithful were by the meeting, high-ranking church officials said it had achieved a positive outcome. Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said Saturday that he was very pleased, even if specific action still needed to be determined. At first, DiNardo said, some countries did not want to admit that they had the same problems as the United States. But in the end, he said, he was impressed with the consensus that developed. This went far better than I think some of us had hoped, he said. Now you have the bishops all saying its ubiquitous. DiNardo said he expected the American church would be asked for resources to assist other dioceses in rolling out reforms. Thats what I think people want, he said. They want us to take action. Archbishop Eamon Martin, president of the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference, said the obligation to protect children in the church rightfully fell on the worlds bishops. I am always frightened about the thought that somehow safeguarding can be commanded from Rome, he said Saturday. Martin argued that the meeting itself had sent a strong message of what was expected of bishops, even those skeptical of how widespread the crisis is. As a result, he said, the worlds bishops have moved much closer to having universal zero-tolerance rules for removing abusers from ministry. Every one of us must return home committed to some actions, he said. He added, If somebody is in such a grave breach of trust as to have failed to protect children and young people from abuse, I simply cant imagine how they can continue to either minister as a priest or, indeed, to be the chief shepherd. Archbishop Mark Benedict Coleridge, president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, said in his homily during the meetings closing Mass on Sunday that the church needed to believe survivors and work to bring them justice, ensure that abusers never have the opportunity to offend again, call to account bishops who have covered up abuse and make the church a safe place again. We have been our own worst enemy, he said. He compared the wakening of the bishops to the reality of sexual abuse to a Copernican revolution, and said the church needed to put the victims, like the sun, at the center of their solar system. He acknowledged that reforms would take time, but warned: We do not have forever. And we dare not fail. Some of the faithful who came to hear Pope Francis in St. Peters Square on Sunday were watching for what came next. Everything depends on whether or not they follow through, said Andrew Bradfield, who is from Cork, Ireland. If those are just more empty words, the church will continue to become more isolated. BERLIN - The mayor of Hildburghausen in Germany has apologized for publishing a Nazi-era memorial ad as part of an official notice commemorating the towns bombardment by Allied forces during World War II. Mayor Holger Obst was widely criticized over the weekend for posting the ad, which described the Feb. 23, 1945 bombardment as a terror attack and listed a memorial event that included an address from Adolf Hitler. In a follow-up published Monday on the towns website, Obst said it had been a mistake to publish the historical notice without further comment, but insisted he hadnt intended to downplay the Nazi dictatorship. Far-right groups frequently try to portray Germans as victims in the war by highlighting instances involving large numbers of civilian casualties, such as the Feb. 1945 bombing of Dresden. ATHENS, Greece - Fire service crews are searching for a missing farmer on the Greek island of Crete where severe storm weather has grounded flights, damaged highways and homes, and caused a bridge to collapse. Authorities on Monday said a 61-year-old man was missing after floodwater swept away his pickup truck south of the port of Hania. Earlier, two women were rescued from nearby buildings damaged by rockslides. Winds off the west coast of Crete reached 70 kilometres per hour (45 miles per hour) Monday, grounding flights at the islands Daskalogiannis International Airport. Further inland, floodwater swept away the double-arched stone bridge of Keriti, a local landmark. Most island ferry services from the mainland were also suspended due to bad weather. WARSAW, Poland - Polish and U.S. officials in southwestern Poland say that seven U.S. troops were injured, two of them, seriously when their van veered off the road and rolled over. A police spokeswoman in Zagan, Anna Kublik-Rosciszewska, said the crash took place Sunday afternoon near Trzebien, on the A18 road as the troops were travelling in the direction of Wroclaw on a routine mission. She said Monday that six of the troops were hospitalized and that two of them were in serious condition. The seventh was treated on the spot. The troops are with the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, or TSC, based in Karliki, in Zagan region. Four of those hospitalized were later released and were recovering, while the two seriously injured troops remained hospitalized in stable condition, TSC Public Affairs Officer Maj. Selwyn Johnson said. U.S. troops are based throughout NATO member Poland as part of a strategy to shore up the countrys defence capacity at a time of heightened Russian military activity. Washington, MO (63090) Today Variable clouds with thunderstorms, especially early. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Variable clouds with thunderstorms, especially early. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. JOONDALUP, AUSTRALIAWhen police arrived at Naomi Brophos door in Western Australia in late 2017, she was relieved. Her brother, in an agitated rage, was on his way to her home, and her mother had called them to protect her. Instead, police handcuffed Bropho. Bropho, a 35-year-old Noongar woman, was stunned. She had five children at home, she pleaded, one of whom was still breastfeeding. Youve got no choice, she recalls an officer telling her. A warrant was out for her arrest: Bropho had racked up $3686 in fines, court costs and interest for her dog, which local rangers said had bitten someone several years earlier. In the past decade, officials in Western Australia have sent thousands of people to jail because of unpaid fines stemming from minor offences, including traffic violations, loitering or failure to register a dog. Its a practice that has been controversial and in decline across Australia for years, but here in a sparsely populated state that has a reputation for tough policing, the tactic remains. The connection to race and domestic violence, though, is raising new questions about whether that should change. Government statistics show that Indigenous people have made up a highly disproportionate share of those jailed, leading to claims of discrimination. And public outrage over the practice has been intensifying since 2014, when a 22-year-old Indigenous woman jailed for unpaid fines died in custody. The inquest into the death of the woman, Julieka Ivanna Dhu, called for the abolition of imprisonment for unpaid fines and the creation of community work orders as an alternative. The states Labor government, elected in 2017, vowed changes as well. For some, though, the promise of change has taken far too long to fulfil. This isnt a constitutional amendment; this isnt a massive infrastructure project, said Charandev Singh, a human rights advocate who helped lead the inquest into Dhus death. Its just totally inexplicable why its taken so long. The states continuing use of the tactic, including the arrest of a prominent Indigenous actor in January, prompted activists to start an online campaign that has already raised more than $340,300 to free those jailed for unpaid fines. Organizers say five people have been freed and dozens of others have had their fines paid off. Many more are still facing potential arrest. Left unpaid, fines for minor violations can mount, incurring interest and court fees, said Tomas Fitzgerald, a senior lecturer at the University of Notre Dame in Western Australia. Warrants can be issued not only by judges, but by civil servants who are given wide discretion. For some, including Indigenous Australians whose poverty rates surpass the general population, the escalating costs can become unreachable. According to one government report, an average of 803 people in Western Australia were imprisoned per year between 2006 to 2015 solely for unpaid fines. About 44 per cent were Indigenous people, though (together with Torres Strait Islanders) they make up just over 3 per cent of the states population. The government, though it has yet to enact legislative changes, says it is easing up on the practice. The number of warrants issued for unpaid fines fell last year, official statistics show, but 535 people were still imprisoned, 40 per cent of them Indigenous. After Bropho was arrested, police took her from her home in an outer northern suburb of Perth to a womens prison 30 miles away and told her she would be there for 14 days; each day, they said, would shave $236 off her fine. To her relief, she was released after four days when a donor from Melbourne paid the debt. John Quigley, the state attorney general, said he planned to unveil legislation this year that would see no people go into jail for unpaid fines. He called the current system inhumane and stupid, and said he was optimistic about the bills chances. But for members of the opposition, the issue is not so clear cut. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Michael Mischin, a deputy with the conservative Liberal Party and the shadow attorney general, said that any changes must include an alternative punishment that demonstrates that breaking the law and ignoring a court order carries consequences. Despite the government data, Mischin said the law did not discriminate against Indigenous Australians, who he said had the options of not offending, paying fines or complying with arrangements to pay them off. Overall, he added, only a small number of people were affected. In Australia, New South Wales was the first state to abolish incarceration as a punishment for fine defaulters after a teenager died in prison in 1987. Since then, the other Australian states have followed suit, leaving only Western Australia following the practice. Critics argue the states outlier status is especially surprising because the 2014 death of Dhu in custody prompted soul searching in Western Australia as well. The case began with an anonymous tip to police that Dhus partner had violated a domestic-violence order. But when police arrived, they arrested not only the partner but also Dhu, whose debt of more than $3403 originated from a smaller fine for failing to give police officers personal details after being stopped on the street. An infection from broken ribs that Dhu had suffered during an earlier domestic abuse episode flared while she was in custody, the inquest found, and prison officials unprofessional and inhumane response helped lead to her death. The desire to avoid a similar fate and the fear of being jailed for unpaid fines has caused some women to reconsider how they interact with police. Grace Cockie, a 39-year-old Indigenous woman, said she called police last year after a boyfriend smashed a window trying to break into her home in Perth. The police said to me, Sorry Grace, if we were to come there, we wont take him away, well be taking you away, she said. The Western Australia Police Force did not respond to messages seeking comment about Cockies account. Gerry Georgatos, co-ordinator of the National Indigenous Critical Response Service, said Cockie provided his organization with the same account at the time. Now, Cockie says, she is afraid to call for help, knowing it might lead her to jail, and to the loss of her children. If they were to come and get me, she said, Id be back at scratch again. BEIJINGWhen Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen announced her plans to seek reelection next year, she didnt stage a rally in Taipei or stream a speech in Chinese over social media. She chose to go on CNN. Speaking in English, Tsais interview Feb. 19 highlighted the complicated three-way politics in the 100-mile-wide Taiwan Strait, one of the most militarized flash points in the world. For years, officials in Washington which is treaty-bound to defend Taiwan against Chinese aggression viewed Tsai with skepticism, if not outright concern. Now, the political calculus may be shifting at a time when the United States is stepping up its global competition against Beijing. Her Democratic Progressive Party does not recognize a one-China framework that Beijing considers inviolable, and it leans toward declaring formal independence from China a provocative move that would potentially spark a devastating conflict that also pulls in the United States. But the Washington of today with a Trump administration staffed by China hawks in several key positions has warmed up to a woman who is anathema to Beijing. And that, analysts say, may have been the message Tsai sought to convey when she sat down with CNN to portray her democratic island as a bulwark against Chinese expansionism. Her decision to tell CNN she was running for reelection baffled a lot of Taiwanese, said Yen Chen-shen, a political analyst at National Chengchi University in Taipei. But she was trying to get Americas support, and let Taiwanese know: America supports her. Taiwanese voters are facing a pressing choice between continuing with Tsai or choosing one of several contenders from the Kuomintang opposition party, which seeks a detente with Beijing. Since electing Tsai in 2016, the island of 24 million people has been caught in the vise of a Chinese economic and diplomatic pressure campaign designed to punish Tsais party. Chinese President Xi Jinping opened this year with a significant speech that amounted to an ultimatum. Acknowledge there is only one China and come to the table for unification talks, Xi suggested, or wither. Xi warned that China which has an estimated 1,500 missiles pointed at Taiwan prefers to peacefully absorb the island, which split from China amid civil war in 1949, but it would not rule out using military force. Speaking to reporters this week, Tsai maintained that Taiwan wanted an independent existence and said her country should seek allies abroad to counter its giant neighbour rather than appease it. We want a flourishing economy, we want security, but we also want democracy, she said. A president, aside from being responsible for maintaining the homelands security, also should push Taiwan toward the international world, and let generations of Taiwanese have the freedom of self-determination. Her pitch, however, may not get much traction. Tsais party was dealt heavy defeats in local elections in November, and Tsai is lagging behind potential challengers who favour closer ties to China, according to opinion polls by National Chengchi Universitys Election Study Center and Shih Hsin University. Her chief opponents are Eric Chu and Han Kuo-yu of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), and Ko Wen-je, the independent mayor of Taipei. The KMTs chair, Wu Den-yih, said last week his party would seek a peace treaty with Beijing if it won the presidency in January. In an interview with Voice of America that aired last week, he urged Taiwan to not ruffle Chinas feathers or get too cozy with the United States. A robber cant go to the bank and steal money without worrying about the police, he said in an apparent reference to Taiwan getting help from Washington. Several candidates are beating a path to the U.S. capital, a traditional step for Taiwanese contenders to show they have American support. Ko, the independent, plans to visit Washington in March. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... The KMTs Chu is on a whirlwind tour through California this week and expected to eventually visit the East Coast. Another potential KMT candidate, former president Ma Ying-jeou, will swing through Washington in April. But the United States appears to be warming up to the Tsais [party], because of its new competition policy toward China, said Zhang Baohui, a professor at Lingnan University in Hong Kong. They dont want (her Democratic Progress Party) to start troubles but they also think they might be a more willing partner to help challenge China, Zhang added. A month after his victory in the 2016 election, President Donald Trump took a congratulatory call from Tsai, breaking with decades of diplomatic tradition that prevented direct contact between the two countries leaders. His administration also signed a bill last year January allowing high-level U.S. officials to visit Taiwan. Weeks later, State Department official Alex Wong travelled to Taipei to deliver a speech that irked Beijing. Days after last Novembers election in Taiwan, U.S. navy warships steamed through the Taiwan Strait. There is more discussion in the government about Taiwan than ever before on a range of issues, from economic to defence to diplomatic, said Bonnie Glaser of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. U.S. officials are open to deepening trade ties with Taiwan, although its not clear that Tsai has the domestic political capital to close deals, Glaser added. Taiwans campaign season will play out under a cloud of high tension. China is getting impatient about lack of progress on Taiwan and there are plenty of indicators of that, in the rhetorical arena but also in terms of ongoing military preparations and pressures put on Taiwan internationally, said Jonathan Sullivan of Nottingham University. Xi has expressed reluctance to let the Taiwan problem be passed down from generation to generation and has framed the assertion of Chinese territorial claims as central to his mission of restoring Chinas national greatness. The Chinese leader has ushered along a vast military modernization campaign aimed at taking Taiwan, encircled the island with bombers and ships in displays of force and urged his commanders to prepare for combat. U.S. defence intelligence officials said last month they were concerned that the Chinese militarys upgrades were approaching the point where its commanders may tell Xi that they are confident they could successfully invade Taiwan. In an editorial on Wednesday, the Chinese Communist Party-run Global Times newspaper warned Tsai against wicked tricks on the campaign trail referring to the possibility that she might stoke pro-independence fervour to win votes. If she does, we have to respond and attack this kind of arrogant aggression, the editorial said. We have to work hard to increasingly establish boundaries on Taiwans electoral activities. As Chinas power rises, we increasingly have the tools to do that, and we must dare to use those tools. Read more about: TOKYO - The residents of Japans southwestern island region of Okinawa rejected a relocation plan for a U.S. military base ina referendum, increasing pressure on the national government to change its stance that the facility will be built no matter what. The results of Sundays vote showed 72 per cent opposed the plan for the Marines air base being built on a landfill in coastal Henoko. Support for the relocation plan totalled 19 per cent. The referendum is not legally binding but underlines Okinawans sentiment on the relocation plan. Henoko is to replace another base on the island in Futenma that is in a more residential area and has long been criticized as noisy and dangerous. The U.S. military, while declining comment on the referendum, has said the Henoko agreement is needed for regional security. Critics of Henoko say sealife such as the manatee-relative dugong and coral reefs will be hurt. Many people in Okinawa want Futenma closed but think the rest of Japan should help by sharing in the burden of hosting U.S. troops. Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki, who spearheaded the referendum, said the results must be respected. This holds extremely important meaning, he said Monday after the tally came in. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters early Monday that the government accepted the feelings of Okinawas people but stressed the Henoko plan wont get changed. The government has repeatedly said the relocation plan will move ahead, regardless of the referendum. Nevertheless, the referendum will add momentum to Tamakis renewed efforts against the U.S. bases. The sentiments have resonated not only with the residents of the subtropical islands of Okinawa but also the rest of Japan and internationally. Tamaki has said he hopes to deliver the results of the referendum to President Donald Trump. Government spokesman Yoshihide Suga reiterated Abes view, telling reporters that Futenma remains dangerous and the relocation is needed to close Futenma. He said he hoped to discuss with Tamaki what he might have in mind for Futenma. Suga also said the government will step up efforts to win understanding from Okinawa residents. The relocation plan has its beginnings in 1995, when outrage erupted against U.S. service members over the rape of a 12-year-old girl. Washington also agreed to transfer some personnel to the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam. Nearly 1.16 million residents were eligible to vote in Sundays referendum. Although Okinawa makes up less than 1 per cent of Japans land space, it has about half of the 54,000 American troops stationed in Japan, and is home to 64 per cent of the land used by the U.S. bases in the country under a bilateral security treaty. Complicating matters is the historical suffering of Okinawa, where huge civilian casualties were recorded in the closing days of World War II. The bloodiest battles were fought on Okinawa. Okinawa also remained under U.S. occupation until 1972, much longer than the rest of Japan. Robert Kajiwara, who started the White House petition last year in support of the referendum, said construction at Henoko should stop immediately. The petition has drawn more than 210,000 signatures. Kajiwara, an American musician of Okinawan ancestry, said he hoped to continue to speak with U.S. Congress members and U.N. officials so people will see that the human rights of people in Okinawa are being violated. They are dumping it all on the tiny islands of Okinawa, he said by telephone from Okinawa, where he was visiting and meeting protesters. This is just an extension of the prejudice. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... ___ Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter at https://twitter.com/yurikageyama On Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/yurikageyama/?hl=en BEIJING - Most Asian stock markets rose Monday after President Donald Trump said he would postpone a March 1 deadline for a U.S. tariff hike on Chinese imports following weekend talks on a battle over Beijings technology ambitions. The Shanghai Composite Index gained 2.4 per cent to 2,871.27 points and Tokyos Nikkei 225 added 0.7 per cent to 21,572.11. Sydneys S&P-ASX 200 was off 2 points at 6,165.30 and Seouls Kospi shed 1 point to 2,229.73. Hong Kongs Hang Seng advanced 10 points to 28,832.75. Taiwan also gained while New Zealand declined. Trump gave no details Sunday but said U.S.-Chinese talks in Washington made substantial progress. He said he would postpone a March 1 deadline for 10 per cent punitive tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese imports to rise to 25 per cent but announced no new date. The fight has threatened to disrupt global trade and weigh on economic growth that shows signs of slowing. Trumps announcement should reassure financial markets, but stock price gains might be limited because investors already expected such a move, analysts said. The latest news may not offer a significant boost to start the week, said Tai Hui of J.P. Morgan Asset Management. Nonetheless, it helps to underpin positive investor sentiment. The worlds two biggest economies have raised tariffs on billions of dollars of each others goods in the fight over U.S. complaints Beijing steals or pressures companies to hand over technology. Washington wants China to roll back plans for government-led creation of global competitors in robotics and other technologies. Europe, Japan and other trading partners echo U.S. complaints those violate Beijings free-trade obligations. Investors are watching February manufacturing indicators due out this week for signs of further deceleration in global activity. ENERGY: Benchmark U.S. crude lost 8 cents to $57.18 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract gained 30 cents to $57.26 on Friday. Brent crude, used to price international oils, lost 14 cents to $66.98 per barrel in London. It added 5 cents the previous session to $67.12. CURRENCY: The dollar declined to 110.61 yen from Fridays 110.68 yen. The euro advanced to $1.1342 from $1.1333. BOGOTA - The latest on Venezuelas political crisis (all times local): 10:35 p.m. The U.N. Security Council has scheduled an open meeting Tuesday on the latest events in Venezuela at the request of the United States. U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo is expected to brief the afternoon meeting. The Security Council is divided over Venezuela. The U.S. and many Western and Latin American nations back opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president, while Russia, China and other countries support President Nicolas Maduro and oppose any interference in Venezuelas internal affairs. The U.S. call for the meeting follows a widely publicized effort by Guaido to deliver humanitarian aid to the economically devastated nation that met strong resistance from security forces loyal to Maduro. The Trump administration announced new sanctions on Maduros allies Monday. ___ 4:45 p.m. Colombias foreign minister says Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido and his family face serious and credible threats on their lives that if carried out would lead to a forceful international response against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Carlos Holmes Trujillos accusation came at the conclusion of a Monday meeting of regional diplomats and U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence to discuss Venezuelas crisis. He provided no details about the alleged plot against Guaido and his family, saying only that Maduro will be held responsible if any of them are harmed. The Lima Group of nations and Guaido issued an 18-point declaration Monday in which they reiterate their call on the Venezuelan military to recognize Guaido as their commander in chief. They also ask the International Criminal Court to consider Maduros blocking of emergency food and medical supplies a crime against humanity and urge the United Nations to play a bigger role in resolving the crisis. ___ 2:15 p.m. Brazils vice-president says his nation will maintain its strategy of avoiding military intervention when it comes to neighbouring Venezuela. Mondays tweet by Vice-President Hamilton Mourao came as U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence met with regional leaders about Venezuela and said that all options are on the table. Mourao said Brazilian officials believe in diplomatic and international economic pressure. Pence, Mourao and several other top leaders were in the Colombian capital of Bogota for a meeting of the so-called Lima Group. The group is a 14-nation coalition of mostly conservative Latin American nations and Canada that has joined together to pressure President Nicolas Maduro to leave power. The meeting comes two days after a U.S.-backed effort to deliver humanitarian across the border from Colombia and Brazil ended in violence. ___ 12:30 p.m. Vice-President Mike Pence says the United States is sending another $56 million to neighbours of Venezuela to help them cope with migrants fleeing that nations deepening crisis. Pence said Monday that the United States has already provided more than $139 million in aid to help Venezuela. He spoke in Colombias capital at a meeting of The Lima Group, a coalition of mostly Latin American nations formed to address Venezuelas turmoil. Pence also met with opposition congressional leader Juan Guaido, who has declared presidential powers, arguing that the re-election of socialist President Nicolas Maduro was invalid. Pence said the U.S. has sent five military transport planes with 400 tons of food and medicine to Colombia and Brazil. Deadly clashes erupted over the weekend when Maduro refused to allow the aid cross, calling it part of a U.S.-led coup. ___ 12:05 p.m. U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence is asking a coalition of mostly Latin American nations to freeze assets of Venezuelas state oil company following a weekend of violent clashes over blocked humanitarian aid. Pence met in Colombias capital on Monday with regional leaders in the Lima Group after President Nicolas Maduros security forces blocked U.S. aid from crossing Venezuelas borders. At least four protesters died while more than 300 were injured in nationwide clashes. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Pence called on regional leaders to freeze PDVSA assets a measure taken earlier by the U.S. He repeated President Trumps threat that all options are on the table to push out Maduro, whose re-election the United States and dozens of other countries consider invalid. Pence says the U.S. is also slapping financial sanctions on officials loyal to Maduro who blocked emergency aid and another in his inner circle. ___ 11:50 a.m. The United States is imposing new sanctions against allies of President Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. The Treasury Department on Monday announced the measures against four governors: Omar Prieto of Zulia, Ramon Carrizales of Apure, Jorge Garcia Carneiro of Vargas and Rafael Lacava of Carabobo state. The move blocks them from financial or commercial transactions with U.S. citizens or entities. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said they had blocked humanitarian aid shipments backed by the United States and opposition leader Juan Guaido, who is recognized by some 50 nations as Venezuelas legitimate leader. ___ 11:45 a.m. Germany is calling for greater pressure against the Venezuelan government of President Nicolas Maduro to bring about fresh elections. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Adebahr said Monday that Germany believes the pressure on Maduro needs to be increased so as to move in the direction of free, fair and democratic presidential elections. Adebahr said Germany is consulting with fellow European countries, but would seek to have additional EU sanctions target those close to Maduro and of course not worsen the dramatic hardship experienced by the citizens of Venezuela. Government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer condemned violence at points on the Venezuelan border where opposition figures have been trying to bring in aid shipments. Demmer said Germany was particularly concerned by the apparent deployment of militias and groups of thugs to intimidate the population. ___ 10:30 am. The United States is planning new ways to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to give up power and to provide assistance to the people of the economically devastated South American nation. Vice-President Mike Pence arrived in the Colombian capital on Monday and immediately met with Colombian President Ivan Duque. Hell also meet with members of a regional coalition and Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido to discuss the next steps aimed at ousting Maduro. Pences appearance before the Lima Group comes two days after a U.S.-backed effort to deliver humanitarian across the border from Colombia ended in violence. Forces loyal to Maduro fired tear gas and buckshot on activists accompanying the supplies and setting the material on fire. Four people have been reported killed and at least 300 wounded. DAKAR, Senegal - Senegals electoral commission on Monday urged presidential candidates and their supporters to avoid making premature declarations about the outcome of Sundays vote. The call came after Senegals prime minister claimed that the partys unofficial results showed incumbent president Macky Sall had won re-election. That declaration was rejected however by two opposition candidates who asserted the vote would go to a runoff. Senegals electoral commission said that the Feb. 24 elections went generally well nationwide and abroad, adding that vote counting continued Monday and results are being collected by authorized structures. It is the constitutional Council that will carry out the final proclamation of the results, it said, once all votes are tallied, properly transmitted and the court approves provisional results. The commission calls on the candidates and their supporters, as well as the actors of the civil society and the population, to abstain from making any premature declaration on the results, it said in a statement. It calls on the usual the political actors to adopt the same exemplary behaviour as that observed by the citizens, who put forward their civic spirit on Sunday. Prime Minister Mahammed Boun Abdallah Dionne, who is from the presidents ruling party, told reporters late Sunday that his unofficial results show that Sall had won 57 per cent of the vote according to results compiled by their team. The winning candidate must get more than 50 per cent of the vote to avoid a second round. Tomorrow, the people will have the results in all departments. We will see that President Sall was re-elected in the first round, said Dionne, adding that his partys unofficial results show that Sall won in 13 of Senegals 14 regions. However, top opposition candidate Idrissa Seck told reporters that he and his supporters do not accept the unofficial reports of a Sall victory. We congratulate the people who have mainly expressed their choice in favour of the opposition, said Seck. He blamed media outlets for wrongly citing results given by Salls party as official. We will not accept these results, we call on all Senegalese people to remain vigilant and carefully prepare for the second round, said Seck. Opposition candidate Ousmane Sonko, who is popular with the youth, also spoke at the press conference with Seck and agreed that preliminary results indicate a second round should be held. I call on the religious leaders to call the ruling party to their senses, said Sonko. The official provisional results announced by Senegals National Census of Votes Commission are not expected until Thursday or Friday, according to Demba Kandji, chairman of the commission. The constitutional court then must approve them. If no candidate wins a clear majority of more than 50 per cent, the country will go to a second round of voting next month. Sall faced four challengers in Sundays vote including Seck, who has run for the office twice before. The 57-year-old incumbent sought re-election on his record of building roads and creating jobs, while opposition supporters maintained those efforts had not reached many in this West African country where young men often risk their lives to migrate to Europe. Senegals civil society observation mission, which deployed more than 3,000 observers, said Monday it welcomed the maturity of the Senegalese people but deplored the statements and irresponsible behaviour of some actors. The missions called out opposition members for targeting national and international media, and the statement by the prime minister suggesting a victory for Sall, which it said encroached on authorities who are officially meant to proclaim results. The missions called on all actors to show restraint in order to preserve the peace that has marked Senegals vote. This years vote also has been marked by allegations that the presidency had effectively blocked two prominent opposition politicians from taking part: Dakars former mayor and the son of the president who Sall ousted from office in 2012. That year he had campaigned on a message of change to beat longtime former President Abdoulaye Wade. A constitutional referendum since then has shortened the presidential term from seven years to five. Sall weathered some criticism after he finished out his seven-year mandate following that law change. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Senegal has long been a democratic example in West Africa where coups and clinging to power used to be all too common in neighbouring countries. European Union election observers reported no major irregularities by mid-day Sunday. ___ Associated Press writer Krista Larson in Dakar, Senegal contributed to this report. A Dubai-bound flight made an emergency landing in southeast Bangladesh on Sunday after a man attempted to hijack the plane, authorities said. The man, described by authorities as a terrorist, was fatally shot by military commandos who stormed the plane after it landed at an airport in Chittagong, an official told the Associated Press, declining to specify where, exactly, the shooting occurred. The flight, operated by state-run Biman Bangladesh Airlines, took off from Dhaka, the countrys capital, just after 4:30 p.m. local time but had to make the emergency detour just 40 minutes and 150 miles later, officials said. More than 140 passengers and seven crew members were on the Boeing 737-800 jet, and all were safely evacuated, a Bangladesh air force air vice marshal said at a news conference. The pilot decided to make the landing and alert authorities after a crew member noticed the wannabe hijackers suspicious behaviour, Reuters reported. Agence France-Presse said one passenger saw the man fire twice while the plane was airborne. The suspect, an unnamed Bangladeshi man believed to be 25, threatened the pilot and demanded to talk to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, army Maj. Gen. Matiur Rahman said, AP reported. The man appeared unhinged, and M. Naim Hassan, chairman of the Bangladeshi aviation authority, called him mentally imbalanced. I am saying this because of his behaviour, Hassan said. He wanted to talk to the prime minister. Authorities said they surrounded the aircraft and, after a brief standoff, captured the man. Rahman said the military commandos fired at him only after he shot at them when asked to surrender. We tried to talk to him, but he took an attacking position. Our commandos had to move swiftly. They took action. He was brought out injured, but later died, Rahman said, according to the Bangladeshi newspaper the Daily Star. It was a swift operation, he said. We didnt even have the time to name the operation. Det.-Sgt. Gary Girouxs policing career in Toronto, which began when he joined the service in July 1979, ends Thursday. He has spent half of his time 22 years on the homicide squad, becoming its longest-serving member ever. With approximately 200 homicide investigations under his belt since January 1997, the 58-year-old is one of the Toronto Police Services most recognizable faces. The Star asked Giroux about the highs, the lows and the in-betweens of a policing career spanning almost four decades. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. How have homicides changed since January 1997? When I started, it was well before the escalation of gun and gang-related homicides based on the aggressive infiltration of gangs into several high-crime urban areas of the city for the sole purpose of making money from drug trafficking. What is the most significant break you ever got that led to an arrest? In July 2000, Stuart Cameron broke into an apartment and repeatedly stabbed teen sisters Tina and Theresa Wu. Tina died of her injuries and Theresa survived. Cameron left blood on the metal window track on the way out. DNA from that blood matched a violent sexual assault just a few blocks away. He eventually confessed and admitted to several other sexual assaults in the same area. He pleaded guilty and received a life sentence. More recently, male DNA was extracted from under the fingernails of Nighisti Semret, who was attacked and stabbed to death in October 2012 while walking home from work in Cabbagetown. That DNA profile ultimately linked to the murder and dismemberment of Rigat Ghirmay, whose remains were found in May 2013 Adonay Zekarias was already in custody for her murder. In both the Cameron and Zekarias cases, when I spoke to the forensic biologists their voices were shaking when they told me the DNA link. What is the biggest obstacle to solving murders? And what can be done about it? The lack of witness participation is the single-biggest hurdle to solving violent crime. The justice system requires a witness to provide a video statement under oath that must be disclosed to the defence. That same witness must testify in open court not only at a preliminary hearing but at a trial. Then that same witness will often have little choice but to return to the same community to continue to live. The solution for this problem will remain long after I am gone. If you could change one thing about the criminal justice system, what would it be? I would like individuals arrested with a firearm to be detained. On a number of occasions, individuals who are the subject of murder investigations are not only on bail for other offences, but those other offences are firearm-possession related. Incarceration may prevent other homicides. What qualities should the next generation of homicide detectives possess? A hard work ethic, professionalism, honesty, integrity, respect for others, patience and confidence. Any advice you would give them? Always get and maintain the trust and confidence of the public so conduct yourself professionally, honestly and with respect for others. I remember my father telling me it doesnt matter if the person is the president of the company or the night-shift custodian, you treat everyone with the same respect. I have always prided myself in doing just that. What is the best thing about the job? A new and active murder investigation coming together with an overwhelming amount of evidence so much so that you would like to bottle some of it and use it on your next case. Also that feeling when the jury files into the courtroom and convicts an offender you have been investigating and prosecuting for years. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... The Worst? Acquittals. I have found those disappointments stay with you always fortunately there havent been that many. Why did you stay so long in homicide? I always aspired to be a homicide detective; its all I ever wanted to be. I would like to be remembered for my contribution to the safety and security of the city of Toronto. Most first-degree murder trials are in front of a judge and jury would you change that? Its often felt that the trial in general juries responsibility to evaluate witnesses; to determine credibility; believe all, some or none of a witness testimony; listen to and understand both the positions of the Crown and defence, and the judges closing legal instructions is just too much for the average person, and that a judge-alone trial may be more beneficial. I have seen juries get it wrong or overthink it to the point they seem to get lost in the overwhelming amount of information and legal instructions that they are given. Former chief Bill Blair put you in charge of the investigation into former mayor Rob Ford. Was it worth the time and the money? I did an honest, ethical and professional investigation that I believe was necessary and important. Blair also put you in charge of the 2010 G20 Summit Investigative Task Force. Thoughts? The original mandate was to locate, identify, apprehend and prosecute those responsible for the criminal conduct that took place on that weekend. Dozens of arrests were made and hundreds of criminal charges were laid our conviction rate was over 95 per cent the majority of the offenders based on the number of charges and the circumstances surrounding the allegations went to jail. Its one of my proudest periods in policing. What are you going to get up to in retirement? A bit of time off, a family wedding and a lets wait and see going forward. Philip Grandine drugged his pregnant wife with a powerful sedative so he could continue to lead a double life a life which included an increasingly intense affair with a woman he met at the church where he was once a pastor, the Crown said in closing arguments Monday. While drugged, Karissa Grandine, 29, drowned in a bathtub on the night of Oct. 17, 2011 making her husband guilty of manslaughter, prosecutor Donna Kellway said. Karissa Grandine died because she had been unknowingly sedated. She was drugged without her knowledge or permission. She was drugged against her will. And in that sedated state she drowned in the bathtub, said Kellway. Even though (Philip Grandine) didnt intend her death, he was nonetheless responsible for her death. Grandine, 32, has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter at his second trial. Kellway told the jury that Grandine a nurse at a long-term care facility had access to lorazepam, also known as Ativan, through his work and used it to keep his wife incapacitated, disoriented or sedated so that he could continue his affair even after it was discovered and the Grandines started marriage counselling. Days prior to her death, on Oct. 14, Karissa Grandine was taken to the hospital by Philip Grandine, Kellway said. By Grandines own admission according to the doctor and medical records from the visit she had symptoms of dizziness, sedation, disorientation and impaired muscle control that lasted about 12 hours. Read more: Second trial opens for ex-pastor accused of drugging his pregnant wife, causing her to drown in the bathtub These are symptoms consistent with lorazepam use, Kellway said, and the sedative was found in a blood sample taken that day, which was tested after Karissa Grandine died. Karissas sister, Hannah Darvin, testified Karissa said she was scared because she didnt know what made her feel that way, Kellway said. Karissas mother, Maria Darvin, testified she was present when Karissa asked Philip Grandine if hed given her a pill, Kellway said. Darvin said Grandine seemed surprised because he paused before answering no. Kellway said both women told the police about these statements long before Grandine was arrested and before the toxicology reports came back showing the presence of a sedative. Grandine played Russian roulette with his wifes life, Kellway said. He knew how she responded to the drug, and as her spouse, was obligated to keep her safe. Instead, Kellway said, he put her directly in harms way or sat back as she was at risk of harm. There is no direct evidence of anyone seeing Grandine give Karissa the lorazepam, but the circumstantial evidence is overwhelming, Kellway said. Kellway pointed to activity on the Grandines computer that she argued the jury can infer was done by Philip Grandine. Shortly after searches for female escorts and body rub establishments, were searches about Ativan, Kellway said, arguing the jury should therefore find it was Grandine who searched for would 100mg of Ativan be fatal. Kellway said it would also be possible for the jury to find Grandine guilty of manslaughter if he did not drug his wife but was aware she had taken the drug and, knowing how she reacted previously to the drug, he did not stop her from getting in the tub. There is no evidence that Karissa would have taken the lorazepam willingly or that she would endanger her pregnancy, Kellway said. Kellway noted the Crown does not have to prove motive beyond a reasonable doubt, but said there is evidence of motive galore in this case. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Grandine would visit his mistress, either in his home or at hers, while his wife was in the hospital, Kellway said. He also removed a pornography filter from the home computer about 40 minutes prior to calling 911 to report his wife was unresponsive in the bathtub, she said. Grandine was arrested in May 2012, about six months after Karissa Grandine died. The defence will make closing arguments Tuesday. York-Simcoe heads to the polls today to elect a new federal representative, after longtime Conservative MP Peter Van Loan announced his retirement last July. Voters can input their postal code in the Elections Canada website to find a polling station closest to them along with accessibility information or call the office of the returning officer toll free at 1 866 715-5110 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Residents can check to see if they are registered to vote here. Voters can also register at the polling station before they vote. The deadline to apply to vote by mail was Feb. 19, so if you didnt do that, youre out of luck on that front. Those who have successfully applied must have mailed in their ballot by Monday for it to be counted. Tory candidate Scot Davidson was born and raised in Georgina, Ont., and has owned and operated a number of companies, including the former Bonnie Boats marina in Jacksons Point. He has said if he wins he would work to help small businesses prosper and make the proposed Hwy. 400-404 connecting link a reality. Liberal candidate Shaun Tanaka is making her second bid for the seat, having also run in 2015. A professor, Tanaka teaches geography at both the University of Toronto and Queens. She also has a long history of volunteer work in the region. NDP candidate Jessa McLean of Sutton, Ont., has committed to work on eliminating poverty, ensuring fair taxation, ending reliance on fossil fuels and introducing national pharmacare. She has been most recently active with the campaign for a $15 minimum wage. Others candidates running are: Mathew Lund for the Green Party, Dorian Baxter for the Progressive Canadian Party, Robert Geurts for the Peoples Party, Keith Dean Komar for the Libertarians, Adam Suhr for the National Citizens Alliance and John the Engineer Turmel as an Independent. Read more: York-Simcoe heads to the polls to elect new MP Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... With files from Theresa Boyle Canadas largest bricks-and-mortar travel retailer routinely failed to pay employees overtime and created unlawful barriers to claiming accurate compensation, according to a proposed class-action lawsuit worth more than $100 million. The suit launched Friday by Toronto-based labour law firm Goldblatt Partners claims Flight Centre, a well-known travel company with 150 stores across Canada, regularly required employees to work beyond their scheduled hours but instituted unlawful overtime policies that shortchanged them out of payment and overtime protections. As a result, workers were systemically prevented from claiming and/or receiving overtime compensation in accordance with the applicable employment standards legislation, the statement of claim says. If certified, the class action will seek $100 million in general damages for thousands of employees across the country dating back to October 2010, as well as $10 million in punitive damages. Allison Wallace, Flight Centres vice-president of corporate communications, said the company intended to vigorously defend itself. We dont believe weve done anything wrong, she said. At this point, now that its a legal matter, I cant comment further than that at this time. According to the class actions statement of claim, Flight Centre travel consultants have employment contracts that stipulate full-time hours of work, a base salary plus commission, which constitutes a significant portion of their compensation. But if consultants surpass certain sales targets, they earn a larger chunk of their total sales as commission a structure that incentivizes them to work longer and harder in order to sell more, the suit says. While class members regularly work significantly in excess of their scheduled hours, the defendant has no system in place to track, monitor, record or compensate (them) for their actual hours worked. Stephen Aps was a Mississauga-based international travel consultant employed by Flight Centre from 2014 to 2015. His base salary was $27,000 a year and he averaged about 45 to 50 hours of work a week but he worked longer hours during busy periods, according to the statement of claim. He was never compensated either with overtime pay or time off in lieu, the lawsuit says. This class action is about more than just reclaiming our back pay, said Aps. Its about changing company-wide practices and improving working conditions in the entire industry. Goldblatt lawyer Nadine Blum said the retail travel industry is a high pressure sector where employees are often expected to work as long as required to hit sales targets and support customers. The employers who reap the benefits of that work should be properly compensating employees for their time, she said. We hope that this proposed class action serves as a powerful reminder that employees are not disentitled to overtime pay merely because they are paid on a salaried basis, added co-counsel Josh Mandryk. Theres a misconception that employees who are on commission arent entitled to overtime and thats not the case. Under Ontario law, employees must receive time-and-a-half when they work more than 44 hours a week. As part of their standard employment contract, Flight Centre employees were required to sign averaging agreements and excess weekly hours of work agreements legal tools that reduce employers overtime obligations, the statement of claim says. The contract also stipulated that employees must attend staff meetings, buzz nights, and training sessions. According to the class action, workers were not remunerated for this time. The contract specifies that overtime is only payable when specifically authorized by management and that in some cases the company could offer special incentives as compensation for overtime a practice the class action calls unlawful. Overall, the contracts do not allow for payment of overtime to persons who are routinely required or permitted to work overtime to fulfil the basic duties of their employment, according to the suit. By virtue of the power imbalance inherent to the employee-employer relationship, the class members are powerless to challenge the unlawful aspects of the defendants overtime policy, the statement of claim says. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... In attempting to do so, they would risk discharge and/or employment and career-related sanctions. In order to proceed, the class action must first be certified in court. Mandryk said the hearing would likely take place within the year. Flight Centre has outlets in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Its parent company, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, earned around $2.7 billion in global revenue last year. OTTAWAU.S. Vice President Mike Pences call to allies on Monday to give frozen Venezuelan assets to anti-Maduro forces could pump billions into the coffers of the countrys pro-democracy movement, say Canadian analysts. Pence called on Canada and its Lima Group allies to transfer the money in a speech at their summit in Colombia, where Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland and Canadas hemispheric allies are discussing the ongoing crisis in Venezuela. Pence announced new sanctions on supporters of Venezuelas socialist leader Nicolas Maduro, as the U.S., Canada, its Latin American allies in the Lima Group and dozens of other countries seek to propel opposition leader Juan Guaido into power. The Washington think tank inter-American Dialogue and the Centre for International Governance Innovation in Waterloo, Ont., have proposed repurposing the billions of dollars of assets seized from Venezuelas corrupt leaders to help countries coping with Venezuelan refugees and to support Guaidos new government. Fen Hampson, the executive director of the World Refugee Council and the head of CIGIs global security program, said Pences proposal is a step toward that. There are millions approaching billions in frozen assets of Maduro and his henchmen in U.S. banks and elsewhere. Those ill-gotten gains should be repurposed to help the victims of his policies, including the three million Venezuelans who have been forced to flee political persecution and economic deprivation, said Hampson. This is something that the Lima Group countries could also do themselves in co-operation with the U.S. Read more: Pence in Colombia announces new sanctions on Maduro Maduro opponents boost military rhetoric in Venezuela crisis Venezuelan opposition looks to foreign allies to help unseat President Nicolas Maduro Ben Rowswell, a former Canadian ambassador to Venezuela, said the suggestion is a promising policy prescription that would help the international community raise the estimated $30 billion that will ultimately be needed to rebuild the countrys economy. Other countries need to start talking about a rescue package to rebuild the countrys economy, which has shrunk by half, to show the seriousness, resolve and long-term commitment to the democratic restoration of Venezuela, said Rowswell, the president of the Canadian International Council. My understanding from following the World Refugee Council is that they have had quite extensive international legal expertise informing that advice, and it is entirely doable to have international assets of sanctioned individuals like Maduro and his cronies, seized, said Rowswell. This is a groundbreaking area of international jurisprudence but it makes eminent sense as a policy prescription. Three weeks ago, when Canada hosted the last Lima Group meeting, its cornerstone recommendation was to urge Venezuelas military to switch allegiance and support opposition leader Guaido as the true leader of their country. So far that hasnt happened, but Rowswell and other analysts say there are still signs it eventually could. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Last weekend, an estimated 170 Venezuelan soldiers defected after clashes on the borders of Colombia, where pro-democracy supporters were escorting trucks filled with food and medical supplies, said Ivan Briscoe, the program director for Latin America for the International Crisis Group. That may be a small number given the combined size of Venezuelas security forces is about 200,000 people, but it is not insignificant, said Briscoe. The desertion were seeing at the moment is a slow erosion and its not certain whether it would actually generally turn into a sufficient move to actually weaken the regime, said Briscoe. That said, there is no doubt that discontent is great. Read more about: LAVAL, QUE.A Crown attorney told jurors Monday that Adele Sorella was the last person to be seen with her daughters before they were found dead in the family home. In his closing arguments, Simon Lapierre repeated the Crowns theory that Sorella alone had the opportunity to kill Amanda, 9, and Sabrina, 8, on March 31, 2009. She is the only one who could have committed this offence, and it is on that basis that I submit to you that we have proven her guilt, he told the jury. Lapierre said it was impossible that another person entered the family home and killed the girls, noting that there was no evidence of a break-in or struggle and nothing had been broken. The prosecutor also told the jury that the Crown is not required to establish a motive for the crime. The girls bodies showed no signs of violence, and the cause of death was never determined. But Lapierre said the Crown does not need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the cause of death, whether it involved a hyperbaric chamber in the house to treat Sabrinas juvenile arthritis or something else. He said there is no reason to think the deaths were accidental. He reminded jurors of a first responders testimony that the girls were found lying side by side in their playroom, as if they had been laid there. Sorella was supposed to be with her children, Lapierre said. But where was she? he asked. That morning, Sorellas mother said goodbye to her daughter and granddaughters as she left the house for an appointment. Sorella testified that she has little memory of the what happened that day. She was found hours later after crashing her car into a pole. The prosecutor challenged Sorellas credibility by highlighting elements of her testimony that were contradicted by other witnesses. He also asked the jurors to consider the hyperbaric chamber, which a pathologist said was a possible cause of death by asphyxia. He said there is no evidence the children put up any resistance. Lapierre asked whether it is reasonable to think that a stranger could have placed the girls in the chamber without a struggle. Last week, Pierre Poupart, one of Ms. Sorellas lawyers, spent four days going over the reasons his client should not be found guilty. Her trial on two charges of first-degree murder began in November. Poupart stressed that the cause of death was not established, and he pointed to evidence that he said suggests someone else could have entered the house. If, however, the jury concludes that Sorella, 53, killed her daughters, Poupart is arguing she should be found not criminally responsible because of a mental disorder. Medical experts testified that Sorella experienced a dissociative episode the day of the killings. Poupart said that even if the jury does not believe she meets the criteria to be found not criminally responsible, her mental state had an impact on her ability to form the intent to commit the crime. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... The childrens father, Giuseppe De Vito, was on the run from the police when his daughters died. He had left the home in 2006 after being targeted by an organized crime investigation. He died in prison in 2013. Superior Court Justice Sophie Bourque will give instructions to the jury Wednesday, after which deliberations will begin. Read more about: OTTAWAGlobal Affairs Canada says it met Monday with one of two Canadians detained in China since December. An update from the department said consular officials in China had their fourth visit with Michael Kovrig since his arrest, but arent saying much else about the visit. Global Affairs Canada said visits generally include assessing the well-being of a Canadian citizen, seeking medical attention where required, and acting as a link between the Canadian and their loved ones. The departments statement says the government remains concerned by Chinas arbitrary detention of Kovrig and fellow Canadian Michael Spavor. Canadian officials continue to call for their immediate release. Kovrig and Spavor havent been formally charged with anything, have been denied access to lawyers, and are allowed only monthly access by Canadian diplomats. Canadian officials have complained the two are being held in retaliation for the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou under an extradition request from the United States. Read more about: In the spring budget, just over three weeks from now, the Trudeau government will once again pass on the chance to finally give Canadians the universal pharmacare that doctors and a multitude of studies have shown is needed to improve patient outcomes and reduce the countrys prescription-drug bill. Universal pharmacare has long been in place widely in Europe. The Liberal-dominated Commons health committee called last year for universal pharmacare, because about 20 per cent of Canadians are uninsured or under-insured for drugs. And roughly one in 10 Canadians goes without prescription drugs because they cannot afford them. But in his next budget, which was set last week for March 19, Finance Minister Bill Morneau will reject that holistic solution. He will instead announce narrowly targeted partial coverage of selected patient groups. Morneau will speak glowingly of how the Trudeau government is filling the gaps in our patchwork system of drug spending by government, private drug plans, and the $3.6 billion that Canadians spend out of pocket on prescriptions. Actually, Morneau will add complexity to the patchwork system rather than streamline it. Thats not what the doctor ordered, but it is what the insurance lobby wants. And the Trudeau government will oblige the private insurers, who fear having to compete with universal pharmacare. Read More: Prices and coverage at heart of Liberals pharmacare plans Trudeau to unveil new budget on March 19 ahead of fall election Trudeau warns fear-mongering over immigration will be part of election campaign A government that has already broken its promise to balance the books by now understandably blanches at the estimated $20.4 billion annual cost of universal pharmacare. But the countrys total drug bill would actually drop by an annual $4.2 billion, according to the federal budget watchdog, due to volume buying by a single provider. Putting private-sector insurers ahead of the people doesnt sound like an effective means of winning a tight election contest in October. Jason Kenney vs. Canada The Alberta election campaign hasnt officially started yet, and already the man poised to win it has effectively declared war on the rest of the country. As premier, after a provincial election that must be held by May 31, Jason Kenney will demand that Ottawa sunder the federation by withholding transfer payments from provinces that dont do Albertas bidding (that would be B.C., Quebec and to a lesser extent Ontario) by deep-sixing their misgivings about new heavy-oil pipelines in their backyards. If those pipelines dont rapidly materialize, Kenney will hold a nationally divisive Alberta referendum on the equalization-payments system. And he wants Ottawa to debauch the Federal Court of Appeal, which ordered a halt to the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, by using a Constitutional provision to overturn that decision. At home, Kenney will set Indigenous communities against each other, favouring pro-pipeline communities with subsidies (that sure sounds like a bribe), and withholding the same from pipeline opponents. Hell throw Alberta teachers into confusion over elements of the curriculum that strike him as an NDP socialist plot. And hell strip farm workers of recently won means of redress for workplace injuries, on the untested theory that a safe farm is an unprofitable one. Premier Rachel Notley has already blamed Canada for Albertas self-inflicted woes. Expect four more years of the same, only ramped up to firebrand level. But understand that the next spell of Wildrose Country vitriol is coming from a good place. Kenney says he is simply moving Alberta from an apologetic or defensive posture to an assertive posture. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Apologetic? We await with interest a list from Kenney of Albertas apologies. No rush, our patience is infinite. Tariff-bully Trump: First Canada, now Germany Canada may soon have an ally in Germany in our mutual despair over the U.S. as a threat to our economies. Germany is bracing for the same 25 per cent tariffs on U.S. auto imports that U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Canada with in pressuring Ottawa for a makeover of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that neither Ottawa nor Canadas business community much likes. The looming tariffs on the German auto sector threaten to pitch Europes biggest economy into recession. Recall that Trump justifies Americas continued 25-per-cent tariffs on Canadian steel on the specious grounds that imported Canadian steel girders somehow threaten U.S. national security. A long-awaited report by Trumps commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross, a former steel baron, is expected to make the same bogus assertion about imports from Volkswagen AG, Daimler AG and BMW AG. Likely the best way this turns out is a compromise that imposes quotas on German auto imports, but that would be damaging in reducing the revenues of a key German economic sector. A more productive outcome would be a German commitment to make more vehicles in the U.S. The Germans already do so, of course. Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, said recently she doesnt understand how the BMWs built in South Carolina are a threat to U.S. national security. She might be wiser to put ironies aside and accurately broadcast Trumps tariffs as an attack on Europe, given that the German auto sector assembles vehicles and sources parts widely across that continent. None of this would be an issue, of course, if only Detroit made cars as well as the Germans, who perfected the internal-combustion engine in the 19th century and have never looked back. Read more about: In 2016, a tiny startup announced an experiment that seemed equal parts medieval sorcery and science fiction: It would inject older people with the blood plasma of young donors in a bid to slow aging. For three years, Ambrosia chief executive officer Jesse Karmazin charged patients $8,000 (U.S.) to infuse one litre of plasma as part of an unorthodox, crowdfunded clinical trial. Karmazin promised extraordinary resultsgoing so far as to proclaim in media interviews that his treatment comes pretty close to immortality. Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration poured cold water on his improbable dream. The regulator, echoing individual medical experts, issued a warning saying the treatments benefits are unproven and that the practice could be harmful. Were concerned that some patients are being preyed upon by unscrupulous actors touting treatments of plasma from young donors as cures and remedies, the FDA said, without naming any companies or individuals. Ambrosianamed after the mythical food that conferred immortality on Greek godsannounced soon after that it was ceasing all treatments. Karmazin hasnt responded to repeated requests for comment since the FDA announcement. Last month, as he planned to open infusion clinics in New York and elsewhere, he explained to Bloomberg the provenance of his startup and his hopes for success. But now that the federal government has gotten involved, his dream may instead seem like a cautionary taleone in which Americas perpetual obsessions of youth and technology joined together for one fantastical, and ultimately doomed, moment. It just occurred to me, like wow, transfusions are the same thing for humans. Testing whether young plasma can breathe new life into older patients is fairly unremarkable in the medical world. Scientists have been running controlled anti-aging and rejuvenation tests for a centurybut on rodents, not people. For 150 years, scientists have been stitching together old mice and young mice to allow their blood to pump through each others veins. The practice, called parabiosis, often resulted in lab rats contracting infections and dying, and in the 1970s it was largely discarded. But advances over the past 15 years have revived the technique. Nowadays, parabiosis pairs are sniffing around cages in university laboratories across America. Some studies purport to show the blood of young mice having rejuvenated the aging organs of older mice, making them stronger, smarter and healthier. It has even made their fur shinier, other researchers have claimed. Dr. Gurpreet Baht of Duke Universitys Molecular Physiology Institute said he is working with four parabiosis pairs he personally sewed together. He said his research found that fresh blood circulation made the older mices blood cells really act young again, even healing bone fractures faster than normal. But he was dismissive when it came to claims related to humans. Karmazin had just graduated from Stanford University Medical School around the time Villedas study was published. Originally from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Karmazin said he had long been interested in the often overlooked field of aging. While observing a blood transfusion in an emergency room, Karmazin said he had his eureka moment. I was thinking about the [mice] research and it just occurred to me, like wow, transfusions are the same thing for humans, he said. Karmazin said he dropped out halfway through his residency and founded Ambrosia. On the companys website, he wrote: Experiments in mice called parabiosis provided the inspiration to deliver treatments with young plasma. Karmazin, 34, wasnt able to practice medicine because he hadnt completed his residency. Instead, he said he partnered with physicians in California and Florida who agreed to perform plasma infusions at their own clinics. Karmazin said he provided them with plasma from donors under the age of 25, purchased from blood banks. In his interview with Bloomberg, Karmazin said he had treated 150 patients. Their blood was tested in the days before the treatment and one month after it, allowing a comparison of biomarkers. He said he found precancerous cells and amyloids, which indicate Alzheimers, had fallen by up to 20 per cent posttreatment. He provided no evidence to support the claim. Karmazin said plasma recipients with Alzheimers were doing their finances again and others with severe heart disease were able to run up stairs. He didnt provide any evidence for those claims, either. Karmazin said he planned to publish the results once they were peer-reviewed, but didnt say where, or who was doing the reviewing. One 62-year-old from Southern California said in a telephone interview arranged by Karmazin that he had been receiving infusions for more than a year. He is only the second person to speak publicly about his treatment by Ambrosia. The man, a mathematician who requested anonymity to protect his medical privacy, said a motorcycle accident in 2011 had left him partially paralyzed. After the infusions, he said he could sleep through the night again and generally felt better. It just occurred to me, like wow, transfusions are the same thing for humans. Leading researchers in the regenerative medicine field strenuously reject Ambrosias premise. Those [mice] studies dont provide a scientific basis for what Ambrosia is offering, said Dr. Amy Wagers, co-chair of the Harvard Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology. Parabiosis conjoins an entire organ system, whereas plasma infusion is just one element, she said. The research we are doing can be sensationalized, said Villeda, of the University of California. In order to avoid hoax studies we need appropriate clinical trials. Such trials are completed in controlled environments and governed in part by federal guidelines. Companies must meet a set of standards before making any health claims. However, Karmazin didnt need the FDA to approve his trial because he was offering a pre-approved procedurea basic blood infusionas an off-label treatment. Still, he sought approval from the Institute of Regenerative and Cellular Medicines Institutional Review Board (IRB), an independent group which determines whether a study on human subjects is ethical. Dr. Barbara Krutchkoff, co-chair of the institutes IRB and a consultant in biomedical studies, said in an interview that she signed off on Karamzins study because it was a medically approved procedure and nothing out of the ordinary. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... People have done weird things over the years to think they could become younger and this was not the weirdest, she said, adding that shes faced her own critics for the decision. Theyve said who do you think you are allowing him to do this? Some people spend $8,000 to go to the Super Bowl, Krutchkoff said. If you want to spend $8,000 to get a young persons blood transfusion and it feels good, then why the hell not? Overall, she said, the treatment is no more dangerous than walking across the street. The possibility of human longevity has been a popular hobby in Silicon Valley. Billionaire tech entrepreneurs such as Peter Thiel, Y Combinator president Sam Altman and Tesla CEO Elon Musk have been pouring money into bioengineering startups. The tech industrys desire to cheat death was even lampooned in a 2017 episode of HBOs Silicon Valley. It showcased human-to-human parabiosis, with a young blood boy directly transfusing his blood into a wealthy, aging recipient. Despite the obvious appetite for Holy Grail startups, when Karmazin came knocking, venture capital firms didnt answer. Its been somewhat difficult to raise money, he said. Ive talked with a number of potential investors, but we havent raised money at this point. He blamed it on people being squeamish about blood. As 2019 began, Karmazin said he was excited for the future. He described plans to open a clinic in New York because its an affluent place where people can afford it, and possibly Texas and Ohio soon after. Then the FDA weighed in. In their warning, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb and Peter Marks, head of the agencys biologics centre, wrote they had become aware of people charging thousands of dollars for infusions that are unproven and not guided by evidence from adequate and well-controlled trials. We will consider taking regulatory and enforcement actions against companies that abuse the trust of patients and endanger their health with uncontrolled manufacturing conditions or by promoting so-called treatments that havent been proven safe or effective for any use, the regulator said. Hours later, the Ambrosia website was updated to say: In compliance with the FDA announcement issued Feb. 19, 2019, we have ceased patient treatments. It just occurred to me, like wow, transfusions are the same thing for humans. Karmazin hasnt made any public statements since. Krutchkoff said Karmazin told her that he was going to put everything on hold. This comes as a relief to Dr. Irina Conboy, a rejuvenation researcher at the University of California, Berkeley. She said shes had concerns about Ambrosia for years. Plasma infusion is only reserved for life-threatening situations, Conboy said, because it can trigger serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, circulatory overload, lung injury and infectious disease transmission. In 2016, she published a paper on mice-to-mice blood transfusions. She said Karmazin called her office, leaving a voicemailmessage to say how much he enjoyed her research and that it fell into line with the treatment he was providing at Ambrosia. In the message, she said he asked if they could work together. Conboy said she never returned his call. For Conboy, the most frustrating part of the Ambrosia saga is that it tarnishes the area of regenerative medicine, where she said scientists are on the brink of groundbreaking discoveries that could truly help ailing elderly patients. Do not inject yourself with blood, she said. Wait a couple of years until we have a safe and rational treatment based on science. ST. JOHNS, N.L. - Environmentalists fearing the consequences of an oil spill in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, home to thousands of marine species, went to court Monday to fight an offshore exploration licence. The provinces offshore oil and gas regulator re-issued Halifax-based Corridor Resources Inc.s licence to explore oil and gas prospects in the Old Harry site in 2017. Environmental groups including the David Suzuki Foundation and Sierra Club Canada Foundation argued in provincial Supreme Court Monday that it could set a dangerous precedent for managing the risky but lucrative industry. The Old Harry site sits about 80 kilometres off the southwest tip of Newfoundland, near the border with Quebec. Gretchen Fitzgerald of the Sierra Club Canada Foundation said the case could have far-reaching implications for Canadian oceans as the industry prepares for rapid growth. I think this is an important case for showing what are the bounds of the powers of these boards, she said. Representing the applicants, Ecojustice lawyer Josh Ginsberg said the area in question is a sensitive ecosystem that houses not just marine species but also fishing and tourism industries, and offers an important food source for surrounding First Nations. This isnt just about this one licence, this is about what happens in the Gulf of St. Lawrence forever more, Ginsberg said outside the courtroom. Ginsberg said the case raises fundamental questions about the regulatory boards power to extend licence terms beyond legally prescribed limits. But the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board told the judge Monday its decision to extend the existing licence was reasonable within its mandate and powers. The case has effectively become one of principle for the industry and its opponents Corridor Resources has put its site operations on an indefinite hold. It announced in June 2018 it was suspending exploratory work on the project, saying there was no viable path to drilling an exploration well before its licence expired in 2021. Ginsberg said the companys move to suspend operations speaks to the principle at stake: that companies will be able to flout the guidelines regulating the industry. The offshore boards lawyer, Amy Crosbie, argued the new licence simply represented the legal exchange of one of Corridors assets for another the original licence was exchanged for the new one covering the same area. The board argued that circumstances outside Corridors control, like consultations between the Crown and Indigenous groups, caused unavoidable delays in environmental assessments that justify the extension of the licence. The court doesnt necessarily have to like the boards interpretation, you may prefer somebody elses interpretation, Crosbie told the judge. As long as the boards interpretation is reasonable then it should stand. The case could also have lasting implications for the provinces finances as the offshore industry develops and grows. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... The Newfoundland and Labrador government, facing mounting debts, announced plans last year to rapidly expand its lucrative oil and gas industry to ease the provinces economic woes. Plans include 100 proposed new exploration wells and over 650,000 barrels of oil per day by the year 2030, with shortened time from prospect to productivity. The one-day court proceeding was interrupted by an impending storm, and all parties will return to court in St. Johns on Tuesday. After promising to sweeten the pot with the largest dividend in 32 years, Newmont Mining Corp. has won over two of its biggest investors and an independent shareholder advisory firm to the merits of a $10 billion (U.S.) merger with Goldcorp Inc. Paulson & Co. commends the special dividend to Newmont shareholders, a spokesman said Monday by email. Since the Newmont board and other significant shareholders are supportive of the revised terms, we will no longer oppose the transaction. Earlier, VanEck portfolio manager Joe Foster also praised Newmonts decision to offer the dividend, saying he now plans to vote in favour of the deal to create the worlds largest gold miner. The comments marked a U-turn from Friday, when both Foster and billionaire John Paulson expressed serious concerns about the price tag on the merger, which was negotiated before Newmont struck a joint-venture deal with Barrick Gold Corp. to combine their lucrative mines in Nevada. The tie-up also won the support of a prominent shareholder advisory firm, Institutional Shareholder Services Inc., which urged investors in both companies to support the deal. On Monday, Foster called the dividend a great precedent for the industry that rewards shareholders in advance for $4.7 billion in synergies Barrick has said it expects the joint-venture to create. Read more: Newmont Mining shares rise after Barrick Gold confirms its looking at merger Barrick amasses stake in Newmont, may push for changes Barrick Gold has studied offer for Newmont Mining First Time Weve seen many deals before where companies claim theyre going to create synergies, Foster said in a phone interview. This is the first time weve seen a company actually pay upfront an advanced payment on those synergies. VanEck is Newmonts third-largest shareholder and Goldcorps second-biggest, although the value of its Newmont stake is much larger. Paulson said it bought 14.2 million shares of Newmont in 2019, making it one of the miners largest shareholders, though its not clear whether the hedge fund is entitled to vote those shares. Although Paulson called the special 88-cent dividend small, it would be the largest offered by the Greenwood Village, Colorado-based miner since 1987. Both investors had also objected to compensation packages that would be given to Goldcorp Chairman Ian Telfer and chief executive officer David Garofalo if the deal went through. Foster said he still hopes Vancouver-based Goldcorp will address the issue. Shares Rise A spokeswoman for Goldcorp said Monday the company declined to comment. Earlier, Goldcorp said in a statement it consented to Newmonts dividend payment and continues to recommend shareholders vote in favour of the merger. Newmont rose 1.2 per cent to close at $34.90 in New York, while Goldcorps U.S. shares climbed 3 per cent. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... From my standpoint, I think weve done what we needed to do, Newmont CEO Gary Goldberg said earlier Monday by phone. It now is up to our shareholders. Im really looking forward to positive results out of both votes. Separately, ISS urged in investors in both Newmont and Goldcorp to support the merger. Goldcorps shareholders are expected to vote on the matter April 4 followed by Newmonts investors in April 11. Although there have been concerns about Telfers retirement compensation, approval of the deal is still warranted for Goldcorp shareholders, ISS said in its report on that company. The firm also urged investors in Newmont to support the plan after the dividend was announced Monday. The company offers a sound strategic rationale, as the combination is expected to create the worlds largest gold miner, ISS said in its report Monday. Given these factors, along with the recently added special dividend, support for the transaction is warranted. The biggest deal in gold mining history came just three months after rival Barrick agreed to buy Randgold Resources Ltd. for about $5.4 billion. Barrick subsequently launched a hostile takeover of Newmont that ended with the two miners entering a joint venture and combining their Nevada operations instead. Barrick withdrew its hostile offer at the same time. Shareholder Meetings Newmont shareholders are scheduled to vote on the deal April 11. The deal requires two votes from Newmont shareholders to pass: one, essentially on the deal, involves issuing shares to Goldcorp holders, while the other increases Newmonts overall share count. The first vote requires majority approval from those shareholders who vote. The second requires majority approval from all shareholders outstanding, meaning absentee votes count against it. Newmont has said the merger with Goldcorp will create more than $4.4 billion in value and position the company for sustainable production of 6 million to 7 million ounces a year. If the transaction goes through, the combined company will control mines in the Americas, Australia and Ghana. The tie-up would dwarf the $5.4 billion Barrick-Randgold transaction, and may exceed Barricks 2006 purchase of Placer Dome Inc. as the gold-industrys biggest takeover, which had a final value of about $9.6 billion. This is a step in the right direction to getting the shareholders over the line who had outlined issues with the share ratio, said Josh Wolfson, managing director of metals and mining at Desjardins Securities Inc. in Toronto, referring to the special dividend. Id say the payment reflects a response to reasonable concerns that were identified by some key shareholders. Read more about: Heavy metal has long battled against a negative narrative that somehow listening to this music can transform people into destructive, aggressive or even satanic monsters. Touted by conservative media who love to blame metal's sound, lyrics and imagery (you mean awesome band Tees, right?) as a source of evil. We metalheads know this is a load of bollocks - and now a new psychology study has the data to prove it. According to Australian psychologists Paula Rowe and Bernard Guerin, there's strong evidence that metal is actually beneficial for the mental health of its fans, particularly young people. Auckland's prestigious King's College has placed a ban on $100 notes at its tuck shop, a move that was met with a roasting from Kiwis online. The students were told the news with a sign placed on the tuck shop window, which was then posted to social media to a huge reaction. King's College is known to be one of Auckland's most affluent private schools, with tuition costing over $24,000 per year. It also costs $275 just to apply for the college - and an application does not guarantee a place. King's is decile 10 - meaning it is part of the top 10 percent of schools with the lowest attendance of students from low socio-economic communities - perhaps why so many students were able to pay with $100 notes. When contacted for comment, a spokesperson for the school told Newshub they were "absolutely not interested" in commenting on the ban. But that hasn't stopped social media users laying into the school, with comments ranging from humorous, to downright irritated. Check out some of the best bits bellow: Staff reports Watertown Public Opinion When it comes to foreign policy, its never clear whether American presidents have forgotten past failures or they have studied them closely in order to duplicate them. Whatever the case, Donald Trumps aggressive policy toward Venezuela has many precedents that suggest pessimism is in order. At a speech in Miami last week, he called on the Venezuelan military to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro, the leftist strongman whose socialist policies have turned the oil-rich country into a riot of economic disarray. Trumps speech came on the heels of new U.S. economic sanctions meant to help topple the regime. The administration has recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has proclaimed himself the legitimate president following rigged elections last year. It has set a deadline of Saturday for the Maduro regime to allow trucks to bring food and medicine over the border from Colombia. Trump threatened members of Venezuelas military with retribution if they remain loyal to Maduro. He held out the prospect of U.S. military intervention, saying, All options are open. In January, national security adviser John Bolton was seen holding a notepad with the words 5,000 troops to Colombia. In this effort, the administration is not drawing on successful interventions of the past. Its taking the blooper reel as a guide. We have ample experience to indicate this approach wouldnt work and could lead us into disaster. Barack Obama provided a lesson in the perils of assuming that a firm U.S. push will bring down a besieged autocrat. During the heady days of the Arab Spring, as protests roiled Syria, he announced, The time has come for President Assad to step aside. That was eight years ago, and Assad had the last laugh on Obama, who was faulted for failing to back up his words with forceful action. Obamas faith that vocal support for the opposition would turn the tide was unfounded. Trump is courting a similar error. Should the Venezuelan military ignore his plea and Maduro keep his grip on power, the administration would have to choose between Obama-like ineffectuality and military action. The latter, of course, involves the prospect of shedding American blood in an effort to restore democracy to a country of no strategic importance to the United States. As we discovered in Somalia (1993) and Lebanon (1983), even small-scale missions can turn shockingly bloody, exacting a far higher price than the American people are prepared to pay. The administrations demands may do more to help Maduro than to hurt him. Latin Americans have long, unhappy memories of U.S. domination and meddling in the internal affairs of our neighbors, and Trump is hardly a president to allay suspicions about our motives. Just the opposite: He bears a resemblance to corrupt populist caudillos, who have so often impeded democracy in the region. Venezuelans may figure he wants to seize Venezuelas oil as he thinks we should have done with Iraqs. Americans may not recall that in 2002, George W. Bush endorsed a coup against Maduros immediate predecessor, Hugo Chavez, which removed him from office for all of 47 hours. He then regained power and held on to it until his death in 2013. If Maduro holds on, the administration may have to fall back on economic pressure and diplomatic isolation. If you want to gauge how well that is likely to work, consider the case of Cubas Communist government, which has withstood Washingtons hostility for nearly 60 years. That regime also fended off the 1961 U.S.-supported Bay of Pigs invasion, mounted by exiles bent on overthrowing Fidel Castro. Despite the widespread assumption that the revolution would perish with him, it survived his 2016 demise. If Maduro does fall, though, there is hardly a guarantee of a happy outcome. Obamas decision to use air power against Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi helped bring him down, but in the aftermath, Libya fell into a chaotic civil war that is still going on. Even in the worst of places, regime change is an unreliable formula for peace, prosperity or democracy. Trump ran on an America first theme, promising that the U.S. would stop jumping into foreign crises and conflicts in the name of spreading our values. But when a socialist despot sows turmoil in our hemisphere, he falls back on the old-fashioned American policy of wielding a big stick. We cant say we havent seen this movie before. There is always the slim chance that the campaign against Maduro will succeed. If it fails, the consequences will be unpleasant, but they wont be surprising. Steve Chapman blogs at www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chapman. Follow him on Twitter @SteveChapman13 or at www.facebook.com/stevechapman13. N'dea Yancey-Bragg Watertown Public Opinion An unvaccinated French boy is suspected of bringing measles back to Costa Rica, a country which had been free of the disease for five years. The 5-year-old boy arrived with his parents for vacation on Feb. 18, Costa Ricas Ministry of Health said in a statement. The childs mother, who was also not vaccinated, consulted a private doctor about his rash and confirmed that other children in his school had contracted measles, the Costa Rica Star reported. Measles is an extremely contagious illness caused by a virus that is spread through the air. The boy was then quarantined at the hospital, the Ministry of Health said, and authorities began contacting people he may have exposed to the virus both in Costa Rica and in France. Costa Rica has not had a domestic case of measles since 2006, and the last imported case occurred in 2014. The measles two-dose vaccine is 97 percent effective against the virus, according to the CDC, but the number of children who arent being vaccinated by 24 months old has been gradually increasing. People choosing not to vaccinate have become a global health threat in 2019, the World Health Organization reported. CDC:More children aren't receiving vaccines from their doctors Anti-vaccination hot spot:What to know about the measles outbreak, affecting over 60 in Washington Opinion:Deadly diseases like measles are coming back from the grave, New York health commissioner says Contributing: Ashley May and Brett Molina, USA TODAY Follow N'dea Yancey-Bragg on Twitter: @NdeaYanceyBragg This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Unvaccinated French boy brings measles to Costa Rica for the first time in five years Ellen Bardash Forum News Service MITCHELL, S.D. On the night of Oct. 5, 2015, Todd Long said he felt the way someone explained the sensation of a heart attack to him: like an elephant was sitting on his chest. Earlier that night, he had come home planning to draw up divorce papers with his now ex-wife, Dawn Long, with whom he had been discussing divorce since around March of that year. Long made himself a drink that evening and thought the rum he used didnt taste quite right. He made a second drink and said that when he poured it out, Dawn Long got angry with him. After Dawn Long went to bed, Todd Long went outside and started throwing up. I just thought maybe I was getting sick or something, he said on Friday, Feb. 22, a day after Dawn Long agreed to a plea deal that could land her in prison for up to eight years. Symptoms increase As the hours went on during that October day, Todd Long started to lose vision and couldnt breathe while lying down. Long said it became clear that something wasnt right. He threw up several times in the bathroom, outside Dawn Longs bedroom, and he said that she never came out of her room. He eventually called a friend and went to the hospital. Right when I said, I think shes trying to poison me, the nurse walked in and heard it, Todd Long said. And she said, Either youre calling it in or Im calling it in. Friend calls police The friend who had helped Long get to the hospital eventually called the police. In the following months, Dawn Long was charged with attempted first-degree murder in connection with the incident. It wasnt long before her arrest in December 2015 that Todd Long learned caffeine had been what caused him to feel like he was having a heart attack. She was later also charged with reckless burning for allegedly setting fire to the house where she and Todd Long had planned to continue living together after their divorce for the benefit of their son,who was in sixth grade at the time. House boarded up Their house has been boarded up and unoccupied for more than three years, and during most of that time, Dawn Long has been out on bond. Since her arrest, shes moved to Ethan and had a baby, and Todd Long says the thought of running into his ex-wife in public makes him anxious. Ive actually quit going to Walmart, because thats where she usually shopped. The possibility of running into her coming around an aisle wouldve been more than enough, he said. On Thursday, after having pleaded not guilty to both charges for more than three years, Dawn Long pleaded no contest to aggravated assault, and the state dropped the original charges. Shell be sentenced on April 30, and the court agreed Thursday to a maximum possible sentence of 15 years in prison with seven years suspended. Plans made in advance Todd Long said he hoped to testify at a jury trial that Dawn Longs actions were planned well in advance and were not the impulsive decisions of an emotional person. Even though, in the past, she hasnt had a criminal record, this wasnt just an, Oh, I got emotional and I grabbed a hammer and hit him over the head. That wouldve been more explainable than this whole plan she had, he said. Everything was planned out. Todd Long said that plan went as far back as when divorce was first discussed. At that time, he said, Dawn Long began telling people she had a brain tumor. Todd Long said he became skeptical of this a few weeks before she purchased caffeine pills in July. In between the poisoning and getting out and having a house fire, the odd twist is, shes faking cancer they found out that I had cancer, Todd Long said. Dawn Longs attorney did not respond to a request for comment on this story. Grateful for assistance Todd Long said that while the past three years have been emotional for him and his son, now 15, hes grateful to the members of the Mitchell Police Division and Mitchell Fire Department for their work on the case, as well as to his friends, family and others in Mitchell who have helped them. Todd Long said hell presumably have more to say on the case following April 30, the day he will finally have closure on the series of events that turned a plan to file for divorce into a criminal investigation thats now affected him for nearly three and a half years. We were getting divorced. Somewhere along the line, her plan changed, he said The P.O. News Staff Watertown Public Opinion The City of Watertown announced its recipients of the 2018 City of Watertown Recognition Awards over the weekend. The awards recognize a number of different people in several categories, including 2018 Employee of the Year winner Kim Konrad. A member of the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department, Konrad was honored for her service to others and her dedication to the community. City Attorney Matt Roby was named the 2018 Rookie of the Year winner. He was honored as an employee who has served the city less than three years but has already made significant contributions. Joe Dame, of the Wastewater Department, was selected as the 2018 Mentor Award winner for providing encouragement and support to others and helping them reach their potential. The 2018 Caregiver Award went to Jana Mills, administrative assistant to the mayor and city attorney. The award represents someone who looks after a relative, neighbor or friend providing care and support to them or someone who is kind, thoughtful and compassionate and who invariably goes beyond the call of duty to car for those less fortunate. The 2018 Creativity Award went to Sara Goddard for thinking outside the box and the Spirit of Watertown Award went to Dempseys Brewery Pub & Restaurant for exceptional service. The award winners were announced at the 2018 Service Recognition and Awards Banquet held at Dempseys on Saturday. The City of Watertown also recognized those staff who retired in 2018 along with personnel who received acknowledgement for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 35 years of service. Laura Butterbrodt Public Opinion Correspondent Some people consider Watertowns historic downtown to be a work of art. Coincidentally, it was the topic of a lecture and discussion at the South Dakota Art Museum in Brookings Thursday evening when Dr. Fang Xu delivered the 38th Annual Victor Webster Phi Kappa Phi Faculty Lecture. Xu, an instructor in the Department of Architecture at South Dakota State University, has been conducting research and simulations to re-imagine downtown Watertown with his students. He emphasized the importance of the citizen experience and opinion in city development. The lecture, Design with Users: When Architects Envision a Walkable Downtown Together with the Public, explained how pedestrians in cities should enjoy walking. His mission is to study how to help people engage in a meaningful visual experience. In Watertowns case, Xu said, It has a beautiful historic downtown, but no one is using it. We want to bring the people to the place. Blueprints were presented that proposed hypothetical architectural features along Kemp Avenue that would make the post office have more of a visual impact as people approached it. This would make people feel the moment that you enter the heart of Watertown, said Xu. Xu said there are 14 points in downtown Watertown, including the post office, which his students proposed ideas to revitalize. Brian Rex, head of SDSUs Department of Architecture, said projects to improve South Dakotas towns, which also include Volga and Yankton, will hopefully help them bring new people into the community. He emphasized the importance of investing in smaller cities growth instead of just Sioux Falls. Rex also said the ideas generated in these community-based participatory design studies are unique to SDSU. No one is looking at the size of towns we are here, said Rex. A major part of Xus project is the interactive virtual simulation. He coded the program and recreated downtown Watertown in an easy-to-learn format to encourage architectural ideas. Watertown Mayor Sarah Caron attended the event and helped answer questions from the 20 or so audience members after the lecture. Caron said since the project was introduced last August, she has seen a community effort to come together and embody the online slogan #WeAreWatertown. Theres a growing desire to be a community, Caron said. Our downtown doesnt meet the needs of our community right now. It has good bones, but theres something missing. Xu and Caron hope to continue to work together to solidify the plans to improve downtown. So far, opening the roads to two-way streets and landscaping renovations have kicked off the downtown makeover on the smaller scale. No major changes have been decided on yet since the idea is still in its infancy. Xus goal was to bring the dialogue about design to the community and get people fired up about making changes. While his students have completed their research, he plans to continue to assist with downtown Watertowns future. Would-be Bangladesh hijacker was carrying fake gun DHAKA: A would-be hijacker shot and killed by Bangladesh commandos was carrying a fake gun and told negotiators he wanted to commandeer a Dubai-bound flight because he had troubles with his wife, officials said today (Feb 25). transportcrimepolicetourism By Bangkok Post Monday 25 February 2019, 06:02PM Bangladeshi security personnel stand guard near a Dubai-bound Bangladesh Biman plane on the tarmac of the Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong on Sunday (Feb 24), following an emergency landing after a man apparently attempted to hijack the aircraft. Photo: AFP The 25-year-old was shot and later died of his wounds after taking a crew member hostage on the Biman Airlines jet, forcing it to make an emergency landing at Chittagong airport late Sunday. Some 134 passengers and 14 crew were released unharmed after an operation that lasted barely 10 minutes. Airport manager Wing Commander Sarwar-e-Jaman said the hijacker was psychologically imbalanced. The reason he gave for the hijack was that he had troubles with his wife and he wanted to talk to the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, Sarwar told AFP. Flight BG 147 was going from Dhaka to Dubai via Chittagong when the hijacking started. The man named only as Mahadi reportedly wielded a gun in the cabin and tried to storm the cockpit, forcing an emergency landing. One passenger told reporters he may have fired the weapon twice, but civil aviation authority chairman Air Vice Marshall Nayeem Hasan said the gun he was carrying was not real. According to those who have seen it, it appears that the gun was fake, Hasan said. Amid multiple investigations, authorities are focussing on how he managed to smuggle even a fake gun past security at Dhakas Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. An inquiry is underway, the civil aviation chief said. It is virtually impossible to breach this security as the system is designed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, he added. Hasan said Bangladesh security was in line with global standards and the countrys airports were regularly checked by top international firms. Pictures of the plane on the runway at Sha Amanat international airport in the dark dominated local newspapers today. Read original story here. Man drowns swimming in Chalong reservoir PHUKET: A Myanmar national drowned whilst swimming in a reservoir in Chalong yesterday afternoon (Feb 24) as rescue teams continued the search for his body this morning. marinedeathpolice By Eakkapop Thongtub Monday 25 February 2019, 12:44PM Locals went to help find the body of Mr Aung during the initial five-hour search. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Chalong Police were notified of the incident at 4pm on Sunday in which 25-year-old Aung Zaw Tun had drowned whilst swimming with a friend in Khlong Katha Reservoir behind Wat Pu Supha in Chalong. Upon arriving at the scene, police found fellow Myanmar national, Mr Jo, 23, who was a friend of Mr Aung, waiting by the reservoir. Mr Jo told police that the two men were swimming in the reservoir and decided to swim from one side to the other. Along the way, Mr Aung disappeared under the water. Local fishermen, who were fishing in the reservoir at the time, saw the incident and jumped in to help but were unable to find Mr Aung. Emergency services were notified as was Chalong Mayor Samran Jindaphol. Chalong Police coordinated with Phuket Ruamjai Rescue Foundation, the Tourist Assistance Center, Kusoldharm Foundation divers, and officials from the Chalong Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. Officials arrived at the scene with a boat and rescue equipment as divers were taken to the area where Mr Aung had submerged. The divers searched the water for several hours but could not find Mr Aungs body, so Mr Jo was taken on the boat to show divers the exact location. After more than five hours of searching, the search was called off due to a lack of visibility as the depth of the water is over 10 meters in parts. The search was resumed this morning (Feb 25). Black water flows across Kamala Beach PHUKET: The Kamala Tambon Administrative Organisation (OrBorTor) has vowed to raise the issue of the black water running across the sand and into the sea southern end Kamala Beach with the Phuket Governor while the local authority works to clear the water and find the source of the pollution. environmentpollutionnatural-resourcesconstructiontourism By The Phuket News Monday 25 February 2019, 03:50PM The black water flowed across Kamala Beach and darkened the water and the sand at the beach. Photo: Icecy Aticha The black water flowed across Kamala Beach and darkened the water and the sand at the beach. Photo: Icecy Aticha The black water flowed across Kamala Beach and darkened the water and the sand at the beach. Photo: Icecy Aticha The black water flowed across Kamala Beach and darkened the water and the sand at the beach. Photo: Icecy Aticha Kamala OrBorTor Deputy Chief Nopporn Karuna told The Phuket News today (Feb 25) that effective micro-organism (EM) balls were being prepared so they can be deployed throughout the Pak Bang Canal to mitigate the concentration of of contaminants in the water. Now we are preparing to add EM balls to the canal as quickly as possible. Also, we will remove the black sand and soil from the canal, he said. The EM balls will be deployed tomorrow (Feb 16), he added. Meanwhile Kamala OrBorTor officials are working their way upstream to locate the source of the pollution, he added. Today, we are conducting inspections to locate where the dirty water is being released into the canal. It may be from housing communities or local businesses. We know its not the Sun Palm or the Sun Wing (hotels), or Phuket FantaSea, as they have the correct wastewater systems installed, he said. Mr Nopporn explained that his office was first informed of the black at the popular tourist beach on Friday (Feb 22). The black water flowing across the beach and into the sea is a serious issue. I will raise this with Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana for his suggestions about what we can do about this problem, he said. However, Mr Nopporn declined to explain what officials are doing about the black water that has already made the beach water where the canal empties into the sea dark and murky. I must talk with the Phuket Governor, he said. We do have plans to have a water-treatment facility installed near the health centre, which is located alongside the Pak Bang Canal, but it will take more than a year before work can start on that. It is a long-term plan, Mr Nopporn stressed. Ao Nang dog attack: Round-up to expand, Eemi out of hospital PHUKET: The last remaining stray dogs at Ao Nang Beach, Krabi, will be caught and removed from the area, and the campaign to remove all stray dogs from tourist areas will be expanded, the national Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development (DLD) has announced. animalstourismSafety By Tanyaluk Sakoot Monday 25 February 2019, 06:53PM Police and other officials visited Eemi in hospital on Friday. Photo: Sutee Krabi Eemi, 5, has now been released from hospital care. Photo: Sutee Krabi DLD Director-General of the Department Sorawit Thanito made the pledge to have all strays removed from tourist areas while visiting Ao Nang Beach on Friday (Feb 22).Photo: Sutee Krabi The Krabi Livestock Office will use the Animal Husbandry and Genetic Improvement Office in Krabi Noi subdistrict to house the dogs rounded up. Photo: Krabi Livestock Office The Krabi Livestock Office will use the Animal Husbandry and Genetic Improvement Office in Krabi Noi subdistrict to house the dogs rounded up. Photo: Krabi Livestock Office The Krabi Livestock Office will use the Animal Husbandry and Genetic Improvement Office in Krabi Noi subdistrict to house the dogs rounded up. Photo: Krabi Livestock Office Krabi Livestock officials move some of the dogs that have already been caught. Photo: Krabi Livestick Office DLD Director-General of the Department Sorawit Thanito made the pledge to have all strays removed from tourist areas while visiting Ao Nang Beach on Friday (Feb 22). Ao Nang is ground zero for the dog-roundup campaign, as it is the site where 5-year-old Finnish boy Eemi Nikula was attacked by stray dogs last Wednesday (Feb 20). (See story here.) The attack has evoked a national reaction, with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha last week taking time out of his Krabi itinerary to visit Eemi in hospital. (See story here.) I have ordered officials to round up stray dogs in all tourist areas, starting with tourism areas at Ao Nang Beach and Phi Phi Island, Mr Sorawit said. We will continue this in many places across the country for the safety of tourists, he added. We ask for cooperation from local people because officers will catch (and remove) any dogs even if they have not caused any harm, Mr Sorawit explained. But we will find a suitable place for the dogs to live without disturbing or harming tourists, stressed, countering comments online from people calling for officials cull strays. Junelachat Junelaphet, a veterinarian with Krabi Provincial Livestock Office, told The Phuket News today, There are only three more stray dogs that we know of at Ao Nang Beach that still have to be caught, but there are about 70 other dogs throughout the rest of Ao Nang (subdistrict) that we need to catch. Mr Junelachat said that his office aims to catch those 70-odd dogs within the coming week. Now we are moving all dogs that we have already caught from the Krabi Livestock Office to the Animal Husbandry and Genetic Improvement Office in Krabi Noi subdistrict because there is not enough space at the Krabi Livestock Office for all the dogs, Mr Junelachat explained. The Ao Nang OrBorTor will continue with this campaign, he assured. NGOs have put pressure on Ao Nang OrBorTor officials over this, but this order is beyond Ao Nang OrBorTors level of authority, he said. Meanwhile, young Finnish boy Eemi was discharged from Krabi Nakarin International Hospital today (Feb 25), Krabi Provincial Immigration Office Pol Col Suparuek Pankosol confirmed to The Phuket News. Col Suparuek and other officials visited Eemi in hospital on Friday (Feb 22). Doctors had vaccinated Eemi against rabies and tetanus, and provided psychological treatment, Col Suparuek said. He is improving, but Eemi and his parents must wait for doctors to check his condition again on Wednesday (Feb 27). After that their travel insurance will provide tickets for them to fly back, he added. If the family does fly home early, then Eemi will have to continue his rabies vaccinations there, he noted. They were scheduled to return to Finland on March 6, but were happy to extend their stay if they want, Col Suparuek said. Additional reporting by Eakkapop Thongtub Five seconds of devastating silence. Those five seconds said more about the Trump administrations disastrous foreign policy than any expert analysis or white paper. In case you missed it: Vice President Pence spoke at a security conference in Munich and he began by stating that he brings greetings from the 45th president of the United States of America Donald Trump. Pence stopped. Nothing. No one applauded. Not one person. He looked down and took a deep breath. Still no one reacted. Indeed, this was, as one writer described it, cringe worthy. Think of the implications. Pence did not mention any policy or program. He simply extended greetings from Trump and even basic courtesy did not move the delegates not one to applaud. But that was not the end of it. Pence also discussed Middle East politics at a conference in Poland, asking U.S. allies to join the Trump administration in withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal. He said: The time has come for our European partners to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, and join with us as we bring the economic and diplomatic pressure necessary to give the Iranian people, the region, and the world the peace, security, and freedom they deserve. Again, he looked out at the audience. He was faced with utter silence. He seemed to bite his lip and, having no choice, continued to deliver his speech. This is how the United States, historically respected and envied as the leader of the free world, is now greeted by allies, and I stress the word allies. This had to a first for any nation, let alone the United States. In only two years, Trump has undermined and damaged the reputation of the United States, a reputation built over decades that included two world wars in which this country came to the aid of these very European nations. While this should shame every American, we should not be surprised. Consider: President Trump has belittled NATO, insulted Germany, embraced Russia, the enemy of all those attending the two conferences, pulled out of the Paris Climate Accords signed by European allies, cancelled the Iran nuclear deal, and is withdrawing troops from Syria. In taking many of these actions, he did not consult with other countries, but seemed to revel in his isolationist policies, and going it alone. Of course, the allies have other reasons to feel estranged. They understand that Trump cannot be trusted, lies constantly and that his word is worthless. Meanwhile, Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized the Trump administration over threatened tariffs at the Munich Security Conference and the audience erupted in applause and gave her several standing ovations. The one person, the only person, who did not applaud: Ivanka Trump. Mocking Trumps America First policy, Merkel called for strong international alliances, continued contributions to development in struggling countries and international economic cooperation. Merkel said she was shocked that the Trump administration considered German cars a national security threat to the United States. She pointed out that German cars have created thousands of jobs in the U.S., So [if] they are supposed to be a threat to the national security of America, its a bit of a shock to us. Merkel also took a swipe at the U.S. decision to withdraw its troops from Syria. Is it a good thing to immediately remove American troops from Syria, or will it not strengthen Russia and Irans hand? Could anyone have imagined the U.S. ever being treated so rudely, with so much disdain and with so little respect? Moreover, this is the state of affairs after only two years in the White House. What more damage can Trump do in his remaining two years, and if he wins reelection. The possibility of Trump serving another six years is most likely the scenario that the allies are most concerned about. The White Houses transcript also differs from the speech Pence gave at the Munich conference, which was recorded by news outlets. In the televised address, Pence told the crowd: I bring greetings from the 45th president of the United States of America Donald Trump. But the White House account had Pence saying: To them and to all of you, its my great honor to speak to you today, on behalf of a champion of freedom and a champion of a strong national defense, the 45th President of the United States of America, President Donald Trump. Finally, while videos of Pences speech show him standing embarrassed before the silent crowd, the White House transcript concludes with (applause.) That one word helps explain why the world remained silent at the mention of Trumps name. Veteran journalist and author Berl Falbaums next book, Recollections and Reflections, is due out in mid-April. He is a West Bloomfield resident. 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. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. 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Ltd., Wynn Oil (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd., Wynn's Automotive France, Wynn's Belgium BVBA, Wynn's Italia Srl, Wynn's Mekuba India Pvt Ltd, ZF TRW (Engineered Fasteners and Components), and Zip-Pak International B.V.. Wall Street analysts have given iShares Emerging Markets High Yield 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 Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. By France 24 , Feb . 24, 2019 Israeli police said Sunday they arrested a top Palestinian Muslim official in Jerusalem after scuffles at a flashpoint holy site in the city in the past few days. The arrest drew condemnation from Jordan, the custodian of the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, in the disputed city. Read More: Join us - become an Elderado today at: LarryElder.com Follow Larry Elder on Follow Larry Elder on Twitter "Like" Larry Elder on Facebook 14 hours ago | June 27th | 2021 6:30 AM If You Want to Do Business on the Links, You Need to Improve Your Golf Game A lot of business is done on the golf course. Especially this summer after a year in quarantine, people will be itching to get out on the links and for some relaxation and mixing business with pleasure. If you want to close a deal out on the course, you're going to want to be more focused on the deal points than your next shot. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Mai Nguyen and Kham Nguyen (Reuters) Hanoi Mon, February 25, 2019 10:04 853 acca405afacc7201380025f21a1975d3 2 SE Asia Vietnam,peace-and-conflict-resolution,united-states,Donald-Trump,kim-jong-un,summit,North-Korea,Nuclear Free While the leaders of North Korea and the United States debate banishing nuclear bombs from the Korean peninsula, the host of their summit this week, Vietnam, long almost synonymous with war, is relishing its role as a promoter of peace. US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will meet on Wednesday and Thursday in Hanoi, hoping to build on their historic summit in Singapore in June, the first between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader. Vietnam's hosting of the high-stakes talks marks its emergence as a trust-worthy, responsible member of the international community that has forged peace with old enemies, and can now help others to do so, Vietnamese officials say. Since emerging from decades of diplomatic isolation in the early 1990s, Vietnam has been eager to improve ties with large powers and the region to help balance its historically thorny relations with giant neighbour, China, which confronts Vietnam over claims to the resource-rich South China Sea. The boost to Vietnam's international status that the summit should confer would support that strategy. Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung said the United States and North Korea were both keen to hold their summit in Vietnam. "It shows that Vietnam is a responsible and active member of the international community, wanting to contribute to the peace process and that Vietnam's policy is to raise the level of multi-lateral foreign policy," Trung told reporters last week. Vietnam was at war almost continuously for some 45 years, from the end of World War Two through to the early 1990s, battling France, the United States, China and Cambodia's Khmer Rouge. Far off Geneva and Paris hosted negotiations to end those wars, but this time Hanoi is the "city for peace", Trung said. "Vietnam is a nation that is really fond of peace but also had to suffer wars, and usually the wars ended with peace negotiations," he said. More weight Vietnam seems to be taking to its role of mediator with gusto. The government has pushed the U.S. and North Korean security services to work closely to prepare for the summit, a senior Vietnamese security official told Reuters. Vietnam would also love to see the United States and North Korea sign a declaration of peace to officially end the 1950-53 Korean War, said the official, who declined to be identified. The war ended with an armistice not a treaty, and North Korea is keen to sign a treaty, though the United States has demanded denuclearisation first. Vietnam would also be keen to host a third meeting between the leaders, the official said. A successful summit would enhance Vietnam's standing, said Nguyen Quy Binh, a former ambassador and permanent representative of Vietnam to the United Nations in Geneva. "Vietnam's voice will have more weight. A country that acts responsibly and reputably, a country that is trust-worthy, will have a different voice," Binh told Reuters. Binh mentioned the South China Sea dispute as a flashpoint and said the United States could help to balance regional powers and ensure stability. "If Vietnam can do this well, its voice and reputation in its relations with other countries will benefit." Western and Asian diplomats said they expected Vietnam to try to support any reforms in North Korea that the summit bring. Those effort would be enhanced by Vietnam's turn as chair of Southeast Asia's ASEAN grouping next year, and a possible spell as a non-permanent member of the UN Secretary Council in 2021. "Hosting such an sensitive event is a step up for Hanoi. In private, Vietnamese officials are pretty happy with the way things are going ... it's a sweet spot for them," said a senior Western diplomat. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Yulia Savitri and Kharishar Kahfi (The Jakarta Post) Palembang/Jakarta Tue, February 26 2019 The government has declared 16 provinces across the country as prone to forest and land fires ahead of the upcoming El Nino, a climate pattern linked to warming waters in the central and eastern areas of the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Such weather phenomena are known to trigger an extension of the dry season in Indonesia, which can increase the risk of wildfire. An official with the Office of the Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister, Bambang Sugeng, said the emergency declaration that certain areas were wildfire-prone was done as a warning for these regions to stay alert to prevent forest and land fires. We are prioritizing some provinces, such as South Sumatra, Jambi, Aceh and Riau, Bambang said after a coordination meeting in South Sumatra recently. He added that most of these regions had vast areas of peatland that could easily ... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, February 26 2019 A bill proposed by media organizations aims to tighten control over negative content proliferated via social media, a growing problem that threatens social harmony in Indonesia, where 130 million people are active internet users. The proposal was initiated by the Indonesian Journalists Association, the Indonesian Television Journalist Association (IJTI) and the Press Council with the purpose of curbing the spread of fake news, hate speech and extremist propaganda online. Like many countries, Indonesia has been confronted by the spread of fake news and other forms of negative content online. In recent years, the problem has been exacerbated by political rivalries, sectarianism and religious conservatism. The initiators said if the bill was endorsed, the law would become a legal basis for social media platfo... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Indonesia Tue, February 26 2019 Friends of Azerbaijan in Indonesia and Azerbaijani people commemorated the Khojaly tragedy on Monday at the University of Indonesia (UI) in Depok, West Java, with a call for justice for the victims. On the night of Feb. 25, 1992, Armenian troops killed 613 unarmed Azerbaijani people including 106 women, 63 children and 70 elderly people in Khojaly. Even after 27 years, the perpetrators of this massacre were not brought to justice, the Azerbaijani Embassys charge daffaires, Ruslan Nasibov, said at a seminar at the UI on Monday. The perpetrators must be punished according to international law. Khojaly is a small town in the Azerbaijani territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. With the help of the Soviet Union, Armenian troops invaded and occupied Nagorno-Karabakh and its adjacent areas in 1992. The United Na... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Safrin La Batu (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, February 25 2019 The fight for the countrys top leadership position a five-yearly political event that brings about a democratic transfer of power through a direct presidential election is rapidly approaching. The votes of Indonesian women and Muslim voters, which have always contributed significantly to any elected presidents victory, remain an undeniably significant factor for success in the contest this year. The Jakarta Posts Safrin La Batu, Liza Yosephine, Novan Iman Santosa and Imanuddin Razak look into the matter in this Special Report. Sandiaga Uno, the running mate of presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, always spares time to meet women fans on his campaign trips. The businessman is popular among women voters and he wants to turn that into votes. On a visit to Pasuruan, East Java, on Tuesday, ... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, February 25, 2019 16:54 853 acca405afacc7201380025f21a1af371 1 City sustainability,sustainable-fashion,sustainable,eco-fashion,fashion-designers,waste Free Two Jakarta-based designers have taken several steps toward sustainable fashion by experimenting with more environmentally friendly production techniques. Ayudya Paramitha Mitha Lengkoan, 31, is an architect working at the notable Andra Matin Architects Firm, but has run her own Hlaii fashion label since 2016. The label aims to design clothing that leaves less fabric on the production floor for tossing into the trash. Mitha and her team have been working to reduce textile waste to zero to 15 percent. It was no easy feat, she said, but with a creativity and innovation, they were able to reduce waste. Hlaii's clothes actually involve no cutting, as the entire length of the fabric is made into a continuous design using techniques she and her team have developed. "We are usually working with a rectangular [piece of] fabric and use draping, crumpling and folding techniques. We often work without sketching, since I have no skills in pattern making," Mitha told The Jakarta Post on Saturday. Even when production involves several cuts, the label still stuck to its zero waste principle. Her sensitivity to caring for high-quality fabrics also prompted Mitha to create zero waste designs, which she claims would make the clothing last. The label's clothes, dresses and kebaya (traditional Indonesian blouse) are all made to order, and clients can wait up to two weeks for the final piece. "With this technique, high-value fabrics like songket (brocaded textile) or antique fabrics can always be transformed into whatever kind of clothing the owner desires, because they can undo the stitches, Mitha said. Hlaii's clothing starts from Rp 850,000 (US$60.75). Since she has no formal training in making patterns, Mitha designs Hlaii's clothing from the intuition she developed as an architect. "I like things that are asymmetrical. Balance does not have to be A equals A," she said. Although the label is still relatively new in the industry, top Indonesian celebrities like Dian Sastrowardoyo, Yura Yunita and Gita Gutawa have been past clients. Fashion is one of the world's most damaging industries according to a UN Environment report last June, which cited a recent study by the Ellen McArthur Foundation that found one truckload of textile waste was produced every second. The Copenhagen Fashion Summit also stated that the global fashion industry contributed 92 million tons of solid waste to landfills every year. Meanwhile, the World Bank's 2017 statistics showed that the textile industry contributed about 20 percent of the world's industrial water pollution. Such concerns, especially Jakarta's ever-growing heap of waste management issues, also prompted Jeanny Primasari. 35, and her sister Vonny, 31, to take the route to zero waste design a year ago with their 4-year-old label, Khaya Heritage. The sisters' label is similar to Hlaii and uses little to no cutting, but it focuses primarily on ready-to-wear clothes instead of bespoke dresses. Khaya Heritage also costs less, starting from Rp 200,000 to Rp 500,000 per piece. We used conventional techniques at the beginning, but since we switched to eco-fashion, we have been experimenting with new techniques like folding and draping. It was difficult at first, but we are learning each day, said Jeanny. Vonny said zero waste design meant that customers received the maximum value for their money, as they paid for and got the entire length of fabric used in the clothing. She added that they were also contributing minimal waste for the earth. Aside from zero waste designs, Khaya Heritage also uses natural dyes made from plants instead of synthetic dyes as part of its sustainable fashion principle. Further, Jeanny and Vonny said they had established developed an eco-fashion community, which comprised 70 clothing manufacturers and fashion enthusiasts by Saturday. Changing consumers perspective is the most important thing. Consumers should help clothing producers become aware that they expect sustainable fashion, said Vonny. (ggq) ASF spreads to third Vietnamese province African swine fever (ASF) has been detected in a farm in Haiphong in northern Vietnam, the third province to be affected, state media reported on Monday, according to a Reuters report. Pigs had been found dead at the farm and two of the five samples taken had tested positive for ASF, according to a report in the Nong Nghiep Vietnam newspaper, run by the Ministry of Agriculture. Authorities said last week that ASF had been detected on three farms in the Thai Binh and Hung Yen provinces, the first confirmed cases of the disease in Vietnam. Authorities have culled all the pigs at the farm in Haiphong, the report said. "Our first priority at the moment is to contain the disease from spreading," Deputy Minister of Agriculture Phung Duc Tien was quoted as saying in the report. "If it spreads further, it will be very difficult to contain," Tien adds. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, February 25, 2019 11:44 853 acca405afacc7201380025f21a19eae0 1 National TNI,Indonesian-Military,Cobra-Gold Free Twenty-nine countries, including Indonesia, concluded the biggest Asia-Pacific military joint exercise ever in Thailand on Sunday. Around 4,500 personnel from the army, navy and the air forces participated in the 2019 Cobra Gold to evaluate their troops through the Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (Calfex), among other activities. For Indonesia, around 51 personnel were involved in the exercises, which were held from Feb.12 to 22 and organized by Thailand and the United States. This years event also marks the first joint cyber operation that aims to identify and protect important information in case of a cyberattack. Maj. Gen. Ganip Warsito, commander of the Military Area Command XIII/Merdeka in Manado, North Sulawesi, said the program had helped Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel improve their skills for future operations. The TNIs involvement in this international [military] program will positively impact TNIs preparedness in facing regional [issues] while empowering Indonesias diplomacy in international forums, he said. He added that the TNI should remain active in such military events to stay relevant in carrying out military diplomacy missions and strengthen teamwork during operations involving foreign troops. Military officials from South Korea, Singapore, Japan and Malaysia among other countries were also invited to oversee the program. At the same occasion, each country had the chance to show off their latest equipment and military vehicles. (mai) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, February 25, 2019 22:57 853 acca405afacc7201380025f21a1bb207 1 Business state-owned-enterprise,pertamina,LEN-Industri,Dahana,Dirgantara-Indonesia,pgn,Surveyor-Indonesia Free Six major state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in strategic industries will team up with state surveyor firm PT Surveyor Indonesia (SI) to ensure their services and products meet the quality standards required in their respective markets. The six SOEs are oil and gas company Pertamina, electronics company Len Industri, gas distributer Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN), aircraft manufacturer Dirgantara Indonesia, explosives producer Dahana and hospital chain Pertamina Bina Medika. Under the cooperation agreement signed recently, SI will provide a wide range of services, including research, consultation, inspection, verification and monitoring. This includes inspections to ensure companies meet local content requirements (TKDN). For example, SI will ascertain whether TKDN are met by Dirgantara Indonesia, which still imports most of the components needed for its aircraft production. SI will also carry out supervision work for the construction of Dahanas explosives plants. Moreover, SI will provide services to assess the health services provided by Pertamina Bina Medika and the electronic railway equipment manufactured by Len Industri. "We previously only focused on verifying and inspecting raw materials for several companies, such as Pertamina. Now, we want to offer [automated] systems to companies in the strategic industries to minimize human error," Surveyor Indonesia president director Dian M. Noer said. Meanwhile, the SOEs Ministrys undersecretary for mining, strategic industries and media affairs, Fajar Harry Sampurno, expressed hope the cooperation with SI would revive the countrys strategic industries. The cooperation was also aimed at producing synergy among state-owned companies, which in the past had been difficult to achieve because of a lack of business cooperation among them, Fajar said, adding that many of the 143 SOEs were not aware of each others core businesses. "However, I see light at the end of the tunnel today following the MoU," he said, expressing hope of achieving long-lasting cooperation. His view was shared by Toto Pranoto, managing director of the University of Indonesias Economic and Business School Management Institute (LM FEB UI), who said good synergy between SOEs was necessary for the strategic industries, which had so far relied on imported materials and foreign technology to support their production. To improve [their performance], the SOEs should not only be financially healthy but also able to acquire new technology to come up with innovative products meeting demand in the country, he said, emphasizing that SOEs should focus on the domestic market instead of the export market. He encouraged SOEs to invest in research and development to create innovative products, suggesting that the companies allocate funds or use their profit for research and development. The government should not expect high dividends from the SOEs in the strategic industries, because they still need large funds to improve their performance, he said. Toto also suggested the government encourage government institutions, such as the Defense Ministry and the Indonesian Military, to use military-related products and aircraft produced by the state-owned companies. Some SOE products, such as the aircraft produced by Dirgantara, have been exported to a number of countries, including South Korea and Turkey. (ars) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Winny Tang (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, February 25, 2019 18:47 853 acca405afacc7201380025f21a1b3c01 1 Business SOEs,SOEMinistry,infrastructure-development,funding,bank-access,state-banks,Indonesia Free Massive infrastructure projects by state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have helped Indonesia improve its logistical performance, although the country still lags behind neighboring countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. Under President Joko Jokowi Widodo administration, SOEs have in the past four years boosted their participation in infrastructure development to improve connectivity between land, air and sea. This year,1,794 kilometers of toll roads will be constructed, up from 1,254 km in the nine months of 2018. SOEs play a role as the agents of development, but they dont necessarily have to lose money, said Aloysius Kiik Ro, the SOE Ministrys deputy for business restructuring and development. So far, the trans-Java toll road, which spans from Merak Port in Banten to Surabaya in East Java, has been completed, reducing travel time by car from 14 hours to nine hours, he said. In addition to shortening travel times and reducing logistics costs, the new toll roads also help open new job opportunities and drive economic activities. Besides the trans-Java toll road, state-owned company Hutama Karya has been involved in the development of the trans-Sumatra toll road that spans from Aceh in the western tip of Sumatra to Bandar Lampung in the east. Some 2,700 km in length, it required a total investment of Rp 250 trillion (US$17.79 billion). Hutama Karya president director Bintang Perbowo has said that this year, the company will allocate Rp 40 trillion for toll road construction. All the financing will be sourced from bank loans. "The trans-Sumatra toll road, which is part of the Bakauheni-Palembang route, will be completed hopefully before the Idul Fitri holiday. The toll road can reduce travel time from 12 hours to six hours, he said. In addition to toll roads, the government has built 27 new commercial ports since 2015 to improve sea connectivity, as well as seven new airports in 2015-2017. From year to year, the government increased infrastructure spending from Rp 388.3 trillion 2017 to Rp 410.7 trillion in 2018 and Rp 415 trillion in 2019, according to the 2019 state budget. According to the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) released by the World Bank, Indonesia climbed 17 spots from the 63rd position in 2016 to 46th in 2018. The LPI measures a countrys logistics supply chain. Despite the improvement, Indonesia still lags behind its neighboring countries; Singapore ranked seventh, Thailand 32nd, Vietnam 39th and Malaysia 41st in 2018. Infrastructure development plays a crucial role in boosting Indonesias competitiveness in the region. But observers have pointed out that the effort cannot be made by SOEs alone, because the projects have to be financed by many alternative sources, partly by bank loans from state-owned banks. According to Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) risk management director Bob Tyasika Ananta, state-owned banks disbursed Rp 330.2 trillion in loans for infrastructure projects in 2018. They included Rp 182.3 trillion from Bank Mandiri, Rp 110.6 trillion from Bank BNI and Rp 37.3 trillion from Bank BRI. However, the contribution from state-owned banks are not enough to finance massive infrastructure projects and banks have limitations. The challenges that banks are facing include the discrepancy between their ability to provide funds and infrastructure financing needs, which are normally long term or more than 10 years on average. Responding to these challenges, Aloysius said the government has called on SOEs to find alternative sources of funding, such as cross-border securitization and the issuance of green bonds. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, February 25, 2019 19:27 853 acca405afacc7201380025f21a1b561e 4 Politics Sandiaga-Uno,Prabowo-Sandiaga,campaign-trail,campaign-team,Dahnil-Simanjuntak Free Vice-presidential candidate Sandiaga Uno received a less-than-friendly welcome as he hit the campaign trail in areas that strongly support President Joko Jokowi Widodos reelection bid. Sandiaga arrived in Bali on Saturday and was set to visit a village in Tabanan regency on Sunday. The event was canceled after residents sent a letter rejecting the former Jakarta deputy governors presence in the area. We, the residents of Pakraman Pagi, have agreed to reject the visit/arrival of Bapak Sandiaga Uno in any capacity, because we, the people of Pagi, do not want an unconducive situation, as we support legislative and presidential candidates from the PDI-P, the letter said, as quoted by tribunnews.com. Bali is a traditional stronghold of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which won 44 percent of the vote there in the 2014 legislative election. Jokowi also won the province in a landslide, garnering 71.4 percent of the vote compared to Prabowo Subiantos 28.6 percent. Sandiaga confirmed that he had received the letter and said he had canceled the visit to the area in order to keep the peace. After we assessed the situation, to minimize the potential for conflict, I decided that its better for us to only visit areas that dont have such a potential, he said on Sunday. But I have instructed our supporters not to do the same thing to [the Jokowi-Maruf Amin campaign]. However, his supporters in Denpasar and Badung regency welcomed Sandiaga, where he promised that if he was to be elected, he would stop a land reclamation project in Tanjung Benoa in Badung. Sandiaga was also met with some hostility as he touched down in Maumere in Sikka regency, East Nusa Tenggara, on Monday, where a banner near the entrance to the city warned him that he was entering Jokowi-Maruf territory. Despite the banner, Sandiaga continued his visit and met with the Roman Catholic bishop of Maumere and other clerics. https://twitter.com/sandiuno/status/1099941208535687168 Sandiaga also met with his supporters in Sikka, and one of them was Agnes, an entrepreneur producing fish floss. Agnes told news agency Antara that her fish floss had won a second prize at a national competition for small and medium enterprises. "The problem is the marketing," said Agnes in Aspiration House, which is managed by Gerindra Party politician Pius Lustrilanang. Sandiaga responded by saying he would develop his OK-OCE program in Sikka if he got elected. Majority-Catholic NTT also voted overwhelmingly for Jokowi in 2014, with the President receiving 65.9 percent of the vote in the province. Prabowo-Sandiaga campaign spokesperson Dahnil Simanjuntak said the campaign team regretted the incidents. Bang Sandi and the campaign team will continue to meet with the people of Bali and NTT, who we are sure uphold diversity, including that related to political views and choices, he told The Jakarta Post on Monday. (kmt/evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Philip Pullella (Reuters) Vatican City, Holy See Mon, February 25, 2019 12:34 853 acca405afacc7201380025f21a1a0b19 2 World #Vatican,#sexualabuse,Pope-Francis,declaration,war,sexual-abuse Free Pope Francis ended his conference on the sexual abuse of children by clergy on Sunday by calling for an "all-out battle" against a crime that should be "erased from the face of the earth". But victims and their advocates expressed deep disappointment, saying Francis had merely repeated old promises and offered few new concrete proposals. In his closing address to the almost 200 Church leaders he had summoned to Rome, Francis said national guidelines on preventing and punishing abuse would be strengthened and the Church's definition of minors in cases of possession by clergy of pornography would be raised from the current age of 14. At least two Vatican officials have been convicted in recent years of possessing child pornography. Shortly after the conference, the Vatican said it would enact a law to protect minors and vulnerable adults within the Vatican City - the tiny enclave surrounded by Rome which is one of the few countries without one. The Vatican will also issue a "guidebook" to "help bishops around the world clearly understand their duties" and set up teams of experts to be sent to countries to help inexperienced bishops handle cases of abuse. A list of 21 "reflection points" circulated at the conference included actions such as informing civil authorities of substantial accusations and making sure non-clerics are involved in Church investigations of abuse. Francis vowed the Roman Catholic Church would "spare no effort" to bring abusers to justice and would not cover up or underestimate abuse. But he dedicated much of the first part of a speech lasting more than half an hour to statistics from the United Nations and other organisations showing that most sexual abuse of children takes place in families. "We are thus facing a universal problem, tragically present almost everywhere and affecting everyone. Yet we need to be clear, that while gravely affecting our societies as a whole, this evil is in no way less monstrous when it takes place within the Church," he said. "RECYCLED RHETORIC" Anne Barrett-Doyle of the US-based clergy abuse tracking group bishopaccountability.org, called it a "stunning letdown". "As the world's Catholics cry out for concrete change, the Pope instead provides tepid promises, all of which we've heard before," she said in a statement. "Especially distressing was the pope's familiar rationalization that abuse happens in all sectors of society ... We needed him to offer a bold and decisive plan. He gave us instead defensive, recycled rhetoric," Barrett-Doyle said. Italian abuse survivor Alessandro Battaglia cried in St. Peter's Square along with other victims. "I did not hear a 'sorry' ... I didn't hear anything, anything concrete, nothing that was fair," he said. "It is they who destroyed us. This isn't enough, we are not satisfied." The conference brought together bishops from countries such as the United States, where cases of abuse have fallen dramatically because of measures enacted nearly 20 years ago, and bishops from mostly poor countries that still have not come to terms with the problem. Several cardinals, archbishops and canon lawyers at the conference said the Church should stop applying the "pontifical secret" sex abuse trials, because, instead of guaranteeing confidentiality it was often used to hide problems. "OUR OWN WORST ENEMY" The meeting took place after events in 2018 made it the most problematic year for the pope since his election in 2013. In Ireland, which he visited in August, the sexual abuse scandal shattered the power of the Church had dominated society. In Chile, which he visited in January, all of the country's bishops offered their resignations last year over a widespread cover-up. Francis accepted seven of the resignations and dismissed two others from the priesthood. A report by a grand jury in Pennsylvania last year revealed that priests had sexually abused about 1,000 people over seven decades in that US state alone. Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane, Australia, delivered a homily at the Mass that formally ended the conference, with words that were in many ways more pungent than the pope's. "We will not go unpunished," Coleridge said. "In abuse and its concealment, the powerful (of the Church) show themselves not men of heaven but men of earth ... "At times, however, we have seen victims and survivors as the enemy, but we have not loved them, we have not blessed them. In that sense, we have been our own worst enemy." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan Mon, February 25, 2019 12:59 853 acca405afacc7201380025f21a1a2ec6 1 National Medan,university,Unimed,mob-killing,mob-murder Free Police are searching for seven suspects connected to the mob killing of two men at Medan State University in North Sumatra (Unimed), following the arrest of four security guards. It is believed that some of the suspects are university students, according to Medan Police criminal unit chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Putu Yudha Prawira. Some are at large. Were searching for them all, including some students who were involved in the beating, he said Monday. Investigators identified the seven suspects through their questioning of four arrested security guards, namely M. Arya Prasta, 22, Bagus Prayetno, 18, M. Abdul Kadir, 21 and Feri Zulham, 26. We have questioned them, and they confessed to the beating, he added. The four are accused of beating Jhony Fernando Silalahi, Arya Prasta and Steven Sihombing after dragging them from the universitys gate to a security post. One victim died at the post and another died en route to Medan Haj Hospital, Putu said. On Feb. 19, Jhony and Steven, residents of Siodorejo subdistrict in Medan Tembung district, Medan, entered the Unimed complex on a motorcycle. Later, they were accused of stealing the helmets of two people who had reported the theft to campus security. As Jhony and Steven were leaving the campus, they were allegedly stopped by security guards and told to produce a vehicle registration document (STNK), which they did not have. The security guards reportedly tried to open their motorcycles storage compartment under the seat to look for the stolen helmets, but Jhony and Steven refused to comply. They were then allegedly handcuffed and beating. A video of the beating went viral last week. Percut Seituan Police chief Comr. Faidil Zikri has said that investigators had questioned several witnesses in the case, including the students whose helmets were allegedly stolen. The four suspects have been charged under articles 170 and 351 of the Criminal Code on aggravated assault that led to death. Combined, the maximum punishment is 13 years imprisonment. The families of the two deceased victims have demanded that police thoroughly investigate the case. [Jhony] was not a thief. The motorbike he rode belonged to his in-laws, Jhonys cousin, Sutan Silalahi, told The Jakarta Post at his residence in Medan Tembung district last week. He added that Jhonys death was a huge blow to the family. Jhony was an onion trader at MMTC, Sutan said. When Jhony was unable to leave Unimed because he did not have his vehicle motorcycles STNK, he called his pregnant wife and asked her to bring his vehicle ownership document (BPKB) to the campus instead because the STNK was with his in-laws in Penang, Malaysia. Before his wife could arrive, he was beaten by a mob and died, Sutan said. Percut Seituan Police investigation and crime unit chief First Insp. MK Daulay said they had received a report from victims families. The police also received a report from the two university students whose helmets were allegedly stolen, Daulay said. (swa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra Mon, February 25, 2019 12:55 853 acca405afacc7201380025f21a1a217f 1 Business Pelindo,sumatra,seaport,foreign-tourists,workers,Malaysia,Indonesia,Port-Klang,Perak,Belawan Free Now that renovations are complete, the international terminal of the Teluk Nibung Port in Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra is ready to serve passengers in April. The facility was the only one that had been modernized in the province. State-owned port operator PT Pelindo I had spent almost 18 months on the work, according to the companys Tanjung Balai Asahan branch general manager, Aulia Rahman Hasibuan. The company had spent Rp 34.7 billion on the renovation work, which started in December 2017, he added. This will be the only international passenger terminal operated in North Sumatra following the closure of Belawan seaports international passenger terminal, Aulia told The Jakarta Post during his visit recently. The terminal has two story buildings with a total area of 1,480.5 square meters. The first floor is for check-in, customs and excise and arrival immigration, as well as a VIP room and quarantine room. The second floor is for departure immigration, passenger waiting and coffee shops. The passenger terminal has been modernized into the shape of a shell to reflect local wisdom and can accommodate about 800 passengers. The previous terminal had a capacity for only 300 people. The seaport is also to have a food court. The improvements are completely finished except for the food court, which is expected to be finished in the near future, Aulia said. These are for the comfort and security of both domestic and international passengers, he said. The Teluk Nibung seaport would only be able to accommodate ferries as the surrounding water is shallow and they would only sail as far as Malaysia. So far it can only connect to Port Klang and Perak in Malaysia, he said, adding that farther routes would be established in the future to lure more tourists. A return ticket for the four-hour Teluk Nibung-Port Klang trip would cost Rp 650,000, he added. Last year, Teluk Nibung served 56,421 passengers, 5 percent of whom were foreign tourists. The rest were mostly migrant workers and locals who traveled to Malaysia to work or to visit family. We want to increase the number of foreign tourist visits once the seaport is in operation, Aulia said. PT Pelindo Is spokesperson Fiona Sari Utami expressed the same view, saying that the modernized terminal building would become one of the citys icons capable of luring foreign tourists. We want to have more tourists visiting, especially through the seaport, she said. A local, Tika Mandasari, 27, said she was impatiently waiting to be able to depart for Malaysia through the Teluk Nibung Port. We are glad that the Teluk Nibung passenger terminal has been modernized. Hopefully, this will improve the peoples economic situation, especially those in Tanjung Balai, said Tika, who lives some 500 meters from the seaport. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marchio Irfan Gorbiano (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, February 25, 2019 22:58 853 acca405afacc7201380025f21a1bb9ee 1 Business Tourist,tourist-arrivals,VAT-refund-rule-revision,tax,robert-pakpahan,SMEs,APINDO Free In an effort to encourage tourist spending and empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the government will revise a regulation pertaining to value-added tax (VAT) that would allow foreign tourists to get tax refunds for their spending. The Finance Ministrys director general for taxation, Robert Pakpahan, said a new regulation, which will revise Finance Ministerial Regulation No. 76/2010, would allow foreign tourists to apply for VAT refunds with multiple invoices. Under the new regulation, we will allow [international tourists] to request VAT refunds as long as the total value of the VAT is a minimum of Rp 500,000 [US$36]. Meanwhile, the invoices could have different purchase dates, Robert said during a recent dialogue with business representatives in Jakarta. Hopefully, we can finish [the new regulation] soon. Robert was responding to questions raised by Indonesian Shopping Centers Tenants Association (Hippindo) chairman Budiharjo Iduansjah, who urged the government to revise the existing VAT refund regulation in order to spur retailers business activities, particularly those that relied on foreign tourists. The revision was supposed to come into effect last year in conjunction with the Asian Games, which took place from Aug. 18 to Sept. 2 in Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra, so that SMEs could take advantage of the presence of international athletes and visitors during the quadrennial event. Under the prevailing Finance Ministerial Regulation No. 76/2010, international tourists who wanted a VAT refund for their purchases had to present a single transaction receipt with a VAT worth Rp 5 million which effectively urged tourists to make a single large purchase under the assumption of the current 10 percent VAT rate. The current regulation also stipulates that the goods had to be purchased within a month before the tourists departure. According to official government website vatrefund.pajak.go.id, only five international airports were able to provide VAT refunds, namely Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Cengkareng, Banten; Kualanamu Airport in Medan, North Sumatra; Adisucipto Airport in Yogyakarta; Juanda Airport in Surabaya, East Java; and Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar, Bali. Foreign tourists staying longer than two months were ineligible for the refund, according to the prevailing regulation. The minimum threshold of the VAT refund is stipulated in Article 16E of the 2003 VAT Law, with the second paragraph of the article stating that the threshold could be adjusted through the issuance of new a government regulation (PP). Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO) chairman Hariyadi Sukamdani said the new regulation should be flexible enough in terms of setting the minimum VAT that could be refunded. He also called on the government to ease procedures for retailers in registering as participants in the VAT refund scheme. What is important right now is the ease of registering for the scheme, said Hariyadi. We would like for them [retailers] to easily participate in it. Center for Indonesia Taxation Analysis (CITA) executive director Yustinus Prastowo said principally, the VAT refund was implemented at a reciprocal basis as most countries that adopted the VAT scheme provided the facility. He said the relaxation of the VAT refund regulation would not greatly affect the tax authoritys revenue, adding that state spending for the tax refund would be offset by bigger transactions expected from more tourist spending. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, February 25, 2019 18:17 853 acca405afacc7201380025f21a1b300e 1 Business Maybank-Indonesia,banking,WOM-Finance,Taswin-Zakaria,fee-based-income,digital,transaction,profit,presidential-election Free Amid increasing competition from financial technology (fintech) companies, Malaysian publicly listed lender Maybank Indonesia plans to go digital this year to boost its fee-based income. Maybank Indonesia president director Taswin Zakaria has said that aside from focusing on its two main segments, namely corporate and micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the lender would also focus on retail banking by using digital technology to offer an appealing and convenient banking experience to its customers this year. "We will be launching a new digital banking platform called Maybank2u [M2u], as well as a revamped Maybank Indonesia official website in the near future," Taswin told reporters in Jakarta recently. He added the two platforms would be integrated to make it easier for customers to access its services. The bank has aside 65 percent of its Rp 220 billion (US$15.6 million) capital expenditure to invest in information technology (IT) infrastructure, including digital banking platforms, Taswin said. "Banks generally need IT for various purposes, such as digital and security services. The banking industry has seen a rapid development of IT, so it is natural for lenders to allocate large funds for IT infrastructure," he said. Maybank Indonesia finance director Thilagavathy Nadason said the lender expected a rebound on its fee-based income through its digital banking services as transactions contributed a major portion of its income. The lender's fee-based income declined 17 percent to Rp 2.26 trillion in 2018 from Rp 2.72 trillion in the previous year. "Transactions are important for fee-based income. I expect the new website and M2u platform to help boost not only the number of our customers but also customer transactions, especially those who never come to our branches as they prefer to use [mobile] applications," she said. Despite the decline in fee-based income, the lender's consolidated net profit grew by 21.6 percent year-on-year (yoy) to a new high of Rp 2.19 trillion in 2018. The lender attributed last years profit growth to the 5.2 percent yoy increase in its net interest income to Rp 8.1 trillion and to some improvement in its asset quality. The decline in net non-performing loans (NPL) ratio to 1.50 percent in 2018 from 1.72 percent in the previous year marked the improvement of the asset quality. Maybank Indonesia's loans increased by 6.3 percent to Rp 133.3 trillion in 2018 from Rp 125.4 trillion in the previous year. Loan disbursements to the commercial segment accounted for more than half of its credit portfolio, with a 10.9 percent growth in non-retail community financial services (CFS) comprising business banking and SME loans. The lender also saw growth in its two subsidiaries, automotive financing firm Wahana Ottomitra Multiartha (WOM Finance) and multi-financing company PT Maybank Indonesia Finance, which recorded a 19.4 percent annual increase in profits before taxes, respectively, while its Shariah business saw a 27.3 percent increase in net profit. Maybank Syariah accounts for 17 percent of the bank's total assets. Maybank Indonesia has a total capital of Rp 26.1 trillion and total assets worth Rp 177.5 trillion as of 2018, a 2.5 percent increase from Rp 173.2 trillion the previous year. Taswin said that despite its notable performance in 2018, the company would only set its loan growth target at 10 percent this year, considering uncertain economic conditions in the global and local landscape, especially with the presidential election taking place in April. (ars) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Linda Sieg (Reuters) Tokyo, Japan Mon, February 25, 2019 12:12 853 acca405afacc7201380025f21a19fee8 2 World #Japan,#USA,Japan,Okinawa,US-base,relocation,referendum Free A majority of voters in a referendum on Okinawa opposed a plan to relocate a US military base within the southern Japanese island, but the central government said on Monday it intended to press ahead with its construction plans. Just over 70 percent of voters opposed relocating the US Marines' Futenma air base within Okinawa in Sunday's non-binding referendum, with a turnout of 53 percent. Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki was elected on that platform in September. Okinawa is host to the bulk of US military forces in Japan, whose alliance with Washington is central to its security. ManyOkinawa residents associate the bases with crime, pollution and accidents. The governor is required to respect the outcome and notify the premier and the US president if the top response was backed by more than 25 percent of eligible voters. Tokyo's central government and Okinawa authorities have long been at loggerheads over the plan to move the air base. A US-Japan agreement calls for moving the base, which is surrounded by schools, hospitals and shops, to a less populated area, called Henoko, on the northern part of Okinawa. However many Okinawa residents, indignant at what they see as an unfair burden, want the base off the island altogether. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters on Monday the government was taking the results seriously, and would work to obtain the understanding of Okinawa residents, but that plans to move the base could not be deferred. "We cannot avoid the necessity of moving Futenma, said to be the most dangerous base in the world," Abe said, noting that two decades had passed since the agreement to do so was made. "We can't put this off any longer," he said. Tamaki called on the government to accept the "firm decision" of the Okinawa people that the base relocation was unacceptable. "I urge the government to change their view that relocating the base to Henoko is the only way and halt construction, along with more dialogue with us on closing Futenma and returning the land to us," Tamaki said. The referendum result was unlikely to derail the central government's stance, said former Chuo University professor Steven Reed. "It's not a matter of local government policy. It's a matter for foreign policy. The deal has been made," he said. The outcome could give a bit of a boost to the struggling opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) - the largest among Japan's opposition groups - ahead of an upper house election this year, Reed said. The CDPJ opposes the Futenma relocation plan. "It could make a substantial difference in the next election in Okinawa and it could make some difference nationwide," he said. Support for the CDPJ was just under 6 percent in a February survey by public broadcaster NHK, dwarfed by about 37 percent for Abe's Liberal Democratic Party. Ricardo Peralta Saucedo, the customs commissioner of Mexico, peers over the shoulder of a Mexican customs agent at Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airports nationally unprecedented cargo processing center, which local and state officials call a boon to the regional as well as Mexican economy. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Japan News/Asia News Network) Tokyo, Japan Mon, February 25, 2019 09:49 853 acca405afacc7201380025f21a1973b9 2 Business #Japan,#India,Japan,India,cooperation,5G,technology,Huawei Free The Japanese and Indian governments have agreed in principle to work together on measures to combat cyber attacks related to the development of 5G technology, with concern on the Japanese side centered mainly on the products of Chinese telecommunications equipment giant Huawei. The agreement is seen as showing the two countries intentions to share information on security-related risks such as the illegal access of data, and prevent the dominance of Chinese products in the vast Indian market. The two sides will meet in Tokyo for the third round of bilateral talks on cyber issues as early as Wednesday. This is the first time that 5G has been escalated to the main topic of discussion in these talks. The Japanese side plans to have top officials of the Foreign Ministry and National Police Agency attend the conference, while India is expected to dispatch top officials from its External Affairs and Home Affairs ministries. At the conference, the two sides are expected to exchange information on risks and other aspects associated with Chinese products regarding 5G technology. The Japanese government will explain the policy it is adopting this spring to effectively exclude products made by Huawei and fellow Chinese manufacturer ZTE from government procurements, and that it has requested that domestic telecommunications companies give attention to its policies. The intention is to gain Indias understanding that, as the flip side to the low costs of Chinese products, there are various risks, and to urge India to join forces with Japan. In Japan, 5G technology, which allows large-capacity data communications, will begin to be phased in by service providers from the middle of this year, while India plans operational testing within the year. With a population of 1.3 billion, India is on the path to becoming an economic world power. As a promising market in connection with 5G, it is gaining the attention of companies around the world. Huawei is no exception, and against the backdrop of the Chinese governments One Belt, One Road global economic strategy, it aims to penetrate the market. The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, meanwhile, has placed great weight on the Japan-India relationship, as spelled out in the free and open Indo-Pacific initiative. At a summit meeting in October, Abe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to promote joint research on artificial intelligence (AI) and strengthen cooperation on security. As one aspect of stronger security ties, should India's communications network be illegally accessed, it would strengthen fears that such a breach could lead to leaks of technology and confidential information of Japanese governmental organizations and domestic companies. The security of Indias 5G network is extremely important in order to progress in strengthening Japan-India relations, a government source said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, February 25 2019 Former terrorist convict Noim Baasyir died of a heart attack on Saturday, less than a week after his release from prison last Tuesday. Noim died at 9 p.m. at a hospital in Surakarta, Central Java, at 45 years old. He was a relative of firebrand cleric Abu Bakar Baasyir, who was convicted of masterminding the 2002 Bali bombings. M. Fauzi, Noims younger brother, said Noim had trouble breathing as he was on his way to a friends wedding. He was then taken to the hospital. Indeed, my brother has had issues with asthma. He was unconscious when the medical team got to him, Fauzi told Antara on Sunday. He added that Noim would be buried at Polokarto Cemetery in Sukoharjo, Central Java, on Sunday. In 2012, Noim was sentenced to six years in prison for his involvement in a ter... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Yulia Savitri and Kharishar Kahfi (The Jakarta Post) Palembang and Jakarta Mon, February 25, 2019 09:29 853 acca405afacc7201380025f21a194d20 1 National environment,forest-fires,peatland,el-nino,dry-season,haze Free The government has declared 16 provinces across the country as prone to forest and land fires ahead of the upcoming El Nino, a climate pattern linked to warming waters in the central and eastern areas of the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Such weather phenomena are known to trigger an extension of the dry season in Indonesia, which can increase the risk of wildfire. An official with the Office of the Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister, Bambang Sugeng, said the emergency declaration that certain areas were wildfire-prone was done as a warning for these regions to stay alert to prevent forest and land fires. We are prioritizing some provinces, such as South Sumatra, Jambi, Aceh and Riau, Bambang said after a coordination meeting in South Sumatra recently. He added that most of these regions had vast areas of peat land that could easily burn during the dry season. Four additional provinces have been added to the list of fire-prone areas since last year, namely Bengkulu, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua and West Papua, because agencies recorded wildfires breaking out in those regions throughout 2018. According to a report by the United States Climate Prediction Center issued in Feb. 19, El Nino conditions were present as the equatorial sea surface temperatures were above average across most of the Pacific Ocean. Therefore, weak El Nino conditions were expected to continue through this years Northern Hemisphere spring. In Indonesia, Bambang said authorities were still waiting for a report from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) on the start of the prolonged dry season because the climatic conditions of each region were different. Riau became one of the first provinces in the country to respond to forest and land fires, as its administration declared an emergency status concerning ongoing peat land and forest fires. The status, valid from Feb. 19 to Oct. 31 this year, was issued based on the growing number of peat land and forest fires in the area, such as in Dumai, Rokan Hilir and Bengkalis. Smokey haze created by such fires in Riau forced administrations to close schools, distribute free face masks and advise students to avoid outdoor activities. From Feb. 12 to 16, the Riau Health Agency recorded 1,081 cases of smoke-related illnesses, mostly in patients below 20 years of age. Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar said fire was a regular occurrence in Riau as a high number of hot spots were always detected around late February. Despite the regularity, we always work to take care of any detected hot spots. Once we detect a fire, we immediately extinguish it. That is our current prevention concept, Siti told journalists recently. She added that the authorities also asked corporations to keep peat lands in their concession from drying out, as well as to increase patrols on lands owned by other people. The minister echoed Bambang's wish to not let a haze disaster similar to the one in 2015 from happening. In 2015, Sumatra and Kalimantan experienced devastating fires, with more than 1 million hectares of forests destroyed and dozens of people killed. A prolonged dry season caused by an especially strong El Nino effect was blamed for the fires. However, environmentalists and rights activists said they believe slash-and-burn land clearing for oil palm and other plantations was the real cause. According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite operated by Singapore, at least 30 hot spots were detected in Riau between Jan. 1 and Feb. 19 this year. Meanwhile, two other satellites, Terra and Aqua, recorded 146 hot spots in the province in the same period. According to a 2015 presidential instruction on handling land and forest fires, regions are required to form a task force tasked to mitigate the hazards of fire even before their administrations declare an emergency status. The task forces are to take a number of measures to prevent fires from occurring, from digging artesian wells to waterbombing dried peat land. Meanwhile, a local military unit in South Sumatras Banyuasin regency is using a biochemical agent to try to prevent peat land from burning. The agent, named Bios 44, is expected to close off holes and pores on dry peat soil that make it easier for air to enter and any give fires more oxygen. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, February 25, 2019 13:43 853 acca405afacc7201380025f21a1a4e48 4 Politics Prabowo-Subianto,Pesantren,campaigns,campaign-trail,wealth,inequality,land-distribution Free Gerindra Party chairman and presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto joked about his wealth during a recent campaign event in Lamongan regency, East Java, in the wake of criticism about his extensive landholdings. During Prabowos visit on Sunday to Pesantren Sunan Drajat (Islamic boarding school) in Banjarwati village, Lamongan, school head K.H. Abdul Ghofur introduced the former general as "kaya raya", which means filthy rich", which Prabowo denied. Pak Kiai [Abdul] said that I am filthy rich, but that is not true. But its true that I am richer than you, isnt it? Prabowo joked, as quoted by kompas.com. Because your look like you have [a limited amount of] money, dont you? The audience responded with a laugh to both questions. Prabowo continued, I realize that everything I own is from the Almighty, and later when I [my time comes], I dont know when, I will not be able to take anything with me. Because of this, I am determined to spend the rest of my life serving the people. Everything that I own, I will use for the people. I will fight so that the people become prosperous, he said. During the second presidential debate on Feb. 17, President Joko Jokowi Widodo stated that Prabowo possessed 220,000 hectares of land in East Kalimantan and 120,000 ha in Aceh, to which Prabowo replied that he was prepared to return the property to the government if necessary. (kmt) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Bandung Mon, February 25 2019 Thousands of classic motorcycles and bicycles descended onto the streets of Bandung, West Java, to join the Dilan 1991 convoy to the movies premiere location in Cihampelas Walk on Sunday. The convoys participants, departing from the citys landmark Gedung Sate building, also took part in a ceremony officiating the so-called Dilan Corner in Saparua Park. Before embarking on the convoy, lead actor Iqbaal Ramadhan along with costar Vanesha Prescilla met briefly with fans for a photo opportunity at the West Java provincial government office. The movies cast then embarked on a Bandung Tour on Bus (Bandros), followed by a contingent of the movies fans from RE Martadinata to their final destination in Cihampelas. Kompas.com reported the convoy was also joined by a classic motorc... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, February 25 2019 To reduce plastic consumption, the administration has called on residents to start carrying their own tumblers instead of buying bottled water. During the commemoration of National Waste Awareness Day in Rawajati subdistrict in Pancoran, South Jakarta, on Sunday, environment agency head Isnawa Adji urged residents of the capital to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags when shopping and carry their own tumbler. Lets start an environmentally friendly movement by carrying our own tumbler and reusable shopping bag, he said as quoted by kompas.com. Isnawa added such small moves would greatly help conserve the environment if carried out regularly. Plastic bags and straws are single use. They end up polluting our waters and become marine debris, he said. Jakart... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Gisela Swaragita (The Jakarta Post) Mon, February 25 2019 Animal kingdom: Parrots owned by the Indonesia Parrot Lovers communities interact at the Jakarta International Pet Expo 2019 in JIEXPO Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, which began on Friday. The three-day event features pet products, animal lover communities, a pet adoption corner, pet contests and games, as well as a free vaccine program.(JP/Seto Wardhana) Nani Widyastuti, 57, a resident of Bintaro in South Tangerang, Banten, was one of the many animal lovers attending the Jakarta Indonesia Pet Show in JIExpo Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on Saturday. She was accompanied by her beloved one-eyed Pekingese, Coco. I rescued her one year ago. She was badly injured, very skinny and almost had no hair at that time, she said, cradling the toy dog close to her chest. Nani said the dog was seen shaking under a row of cars in her housing complex for several days, so she decide... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Singapore Mon, February 25, 2019 17:55 853 acca405afacc7201380025f21a1b0f5a 2 World #UK,#China,China,telecomunication,security,challenge Free China's global dominance in telecommunications networks could pose security threats for decades, Britain's cybersecurity chief warned in a speech in Singapore on Monday. As countries move to roll out ultra-fast fifth-generation -- 5G -- mobile networks, concerns are mounting that Beijing could use hardware provided by Chinese firms to spy on Western governments. "The strategic challenge of China's place in the era of globalised technology is much bigger than just one telecommunications equipment company... it's a first order strategic challenge for us all," the head of Britain's GCHQ cybersecurity agency Jeremy Fleming said. "It's a hugely complex strategic challenge which will span the next few decades... How we deal with it will be crucial for prosperity and security way beyond 5G contracts." In the last year, the United States has stepped up pressure on its allies to block Chinese telecoms giant Huawei from building their 5G networks, citing security concerns. While the company's presence has been severely restricted in the US, Australia and New Zealand, Britain has launched a security review, which is due to decide whether Huawei technology will be used in the UK's 5G network. Huawei executives in December met senior officials from Britain's National Cyber Security Centre where they agreed to a range of technical requirements to meet British security standards, which Fleming said is likely the world's "toughest oversight regime" for the firm. "We need a diversified market that is competing on quality and security, as well as price," Fleming said, adding that the potential risks of allowing Chinese firms into markets need to be fully understood. Speaking in Singapore to government and military leaders from across Southeast Asia, Fleming said that half of Britain's 1,100 cyber attacks in the past two had a state actor behind it, naming groups from China and Russia. "Our future security will be guaranteed not by the quality of our coding, the design of our silicon, or the cunning of our cyber operators, but by the bonds that tie us together and the relationships that give us confidence to act decisively against common threats," he added. Last year, Australia banned Huawei equipment from its future 5G network while New Zealand has blocked its largest telecoms carrier from using Huawei technology in its rollout. Both are members of the Five Eyes intelligence network, which also includes Britain, Canada and the US. US prosecutors are also charging the firm with stealing trade secrets, saying it offered rewards to employees for stealing technology from other rivals. Huawei is the world's second-largest smartphone vendor after Samsung and the leading supplier of the backbone equipment for wireless mobile networks worldwide which many countries are using to roll out 5G networks. These will bring near-instantaneous connectivity, vast data capacity and futuristic technologies such as self-driving cars. Chairman Guo Ping said Sunday that 5G security standards should be decided by technical experts, not politicians, and that Huawei hoped each country would make its decisions based on "national interests (and) not just listen to someone else's order". Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Beijing, China Mon, February 25, 2019 18:20 853 acca405afacc7201380025f21a1b327e 2 World Korea,summit,kim-jong-un,trump,Vietnam,China,Train,communism Free Chinese censors raced to scrub online discussions about North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's whereabouts Monday as his armored train trundled southward to Vietnam for his summit with US President Donald Trump. The secretive itinerary fueled speculation on Twitter-like Weibo, as people posted about delayed trains, traffic congestion and road closures in Chinese cities through which Kim's iconic olive green train is expected to pass. Some seemed genuinely confused by the sudden shutdown of roads, while others referenced Kim's epic train ride through China -- many choosing to use nicknames for the North Korean leader, such as "Boss Kim" or "Little brother Kim", potentially to avoid censorship. The train, which has a top speed of 60 kilometres (38 miles) per hour, set off from Pyongyang on Saturday for a 4,000-kilometre (2,500-mile) journey that is expected to total 60 hours -- the great majority of it across China. "Those watching Leader Kim's Changsha road situation, has he made it to Changsha yet?" wrote one user, referring to the capital city of central Hunan province. "Changsha friends, are you ready?" "This train is so slow," commented another. "Yesterday it arrived in Zhengzhou -- it's only now made it to Wuhan." Already, censors have started to erase or limit the visibility of Weibo posts on road closures, as Kim's train route remains swathed in secrecy. Hotel totally dark adjacent to Dandong station this evening, pic Ive been provided shows, suggesting building was cleared out in anticipation of Kim Jong Uns train. Given KJU reportedly left PY at 17.00, he could be passing through here any time soon. pic.twitter.com/Yj2shdE8w6 Chad O'Carroll (@chadocl) February 23, 2019 Some posts hashtagged "Zhengzhou road closures", for instance, have been blocked by the social media site, according to FreeWeibo, which tracks censored and deleted Weibo posts. Other hashtags, such as "Changsha road closures", are not searchable, despite their use in Weibo posts. The sighting of Kim's armoured train, which has tinted black windows and a yellow stripe, has set off a flurry of train spotting. Could this be Kim Jong Uns train entering China for the #TrumpKimSummit in Hanoi? Its similar to the one hes used in the past though his travel plans are often kept secret # # pic.twitter.com/z4YX9RtKSC TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc) February 24, 2019 According to South Korea's Yonhap news agency, the train passed through the northern coast city of Tianjin on Sunday -- an indication that Kim bypassed Beijing, a destination he could visit on his way back home to debrief President Xi Jinping about the summit. A video posted via Chinese-language news portal Ifeng's Weibo account showed Kim's train passing through Wuhan in central Hubei province early on Monday. AFP could not verify the contents of the video. Meanwhile, railway stops south of Wuhan have started to show signs of tightening security. The train station on the Vietnam-China border where Kim is expected to arrive by rail was closed to the public and surrounded by armed guards on Monday, as the Southeast Asian country prepares for the North Korean leader's second summit on denuclearisation with Trump. But for people in Chinese, the most disruptive part of Kim's long journey south is delayed commutes, as local police clear roads ahead of the North Korean leader's arrival by train. "My heart aches for my Wuhan friends," wrote one user. "There was (traffic) control when Kim came during the morning rush hour -- that's truly miserable." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) Dhaka, Bangladesh Mon, February 25, 2019 14:02 853 acca405afacc7201380025f21a1a5c72 2 World #Bangladesh,#AviationSafety,man,hijacked,plane,toy,pistol Free A Bangladeshi man who was shot dead after he tried to hijack a plane had carried a toy pistol and did not have any explosives on him, police said on Monday. The pistol with the suspect was a toy pistol and he had no bomb attached to his body, Kusum Dewan, additional commissioner of police in the southeastern city of Chittagong, told Reuters. He appeared to be mentally imbalanced. We heard he had a personal issue with his wife and demanded to speak to the prime minister. But we are still investigating. We dont want to come to any conclusion right now. Bangladeshi commandoes shot the passenger who had tried to enter the cockpit of a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight on Sunday after waving a gun and threatening to blow up the plane. Dr. Maggie Garvin of On Being Well Naturopathic Medicine in Chandler, left, and Jennifer Douglass of Gilbert will be offering thermography services. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani and Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta and Semarang Mon, February 25, 2019 08:59 853 acca405afacc7201380025f21a19257f 2 Politics Bawaslu,Central-Java,Ganjar-Pranowo,regional-administrations,regional-government,regional-heads,#2019GeneralElections,#2019PresidentialElection Free The Central Java Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu Central Java) said on Saturday that Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo and 34 other regional heads in the province had broken the law by participating in an event in support of incumbent President Joko Jokowi Widodo. The election supervisor said the regional leaders had violated Law No. 23/2014 on regional administration by taking a side in the presidential election, which will be held in April. The regional leaders expressed their political preference, which is actually their right. But because of their official positions, they are not supposed to collectively express their preference in public, said Bawaslu Central Java enforcement division coordinator Sri Wahyu Ananingsih in Semarang, as quoted by Antara. She elaborated that the agencys conclusion was based on its investigation and the testimonies of people at the event, which was held on Jan. 26 at a hotel in Surakarta. The event was also registered with the local police as a campaign event. The leaders, she said, had committed ethical violations by expressing their support for the incumbent. Sri said by endorsing a presidential candidate the regional leaders had failed to be fair and just, which they had pledged to be during their inauguration. Public endorsements of presidential tickets have become common over the past few months, as the country prepares for the legislative and presidential elections in April. Last week, Riau Governor Syamsuar, who is backed by the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), two parties backing Prabowo Subianto in the presidential election, declared support for Jokowis reelection bid during his inauguration at the State Palace in Jakarta. Recently, the campaign team of candidate pair Jokowi-Maruf Amin claimed a total of 30 governors and 359 mayors and regents across the country had declared support for the pair. Among the regional leaders are 10 mayors and regents from West Sumatra as well as West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil. West Sumatra and West Java are both conservative provinces widely known as strongholds of the Prabowo camp. Support for Jokowi has also come from Papua Governor Lukas Enembe, a Democratic Party politician. The party is in the opposition camp endorsing Prabowo. So far, only four governors have declared support for the Prabowo-Sandiaga Uno candidate pair, namely Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, Bangka Belitungs Erzaldi Rosman Djohan, East Kalimantans Isran Noor and Central Sulawesi Governor Longki Djanggola. Several leaders have been reported to the local Bawaslu in their respective regions, but the case in Central Java is the first in which leaders have been declared at fault. Bawaslu, however, does not have the authority to enforce the Regional Administration Law. Bawaslu is tasked with enforcing Law No. 7/2017 on elections, which prohibits civil servants, subdistrict heads and Indonesian Police and Indonesian Military (TNI) officers from engaging in political activities, including running for election or campaigning. As democratically elected leaders, regional leaders are not under the purview of the Election Law. Suhartono, the head of Sampangagung village in Mojokerto, East Java, was sentenced to two months in jail and fined Rp 6 million (US$426.8) for organizing an event in support of Sandiagas visit in December. Following this, Prabowos campaign team reported 15 district heads in Makassar, South Sulawesi, for allegedly campaigning for Jokowi in a video. Election watchdog Association for Elections and Democracy (Perludem) executive director Titi Anggraini told The Jakarta Post that Bawaslu only suggested that Ganjar violated the Regional Administration Law, but that the agency did not have the authority no rule whether Ganjar was guilty or not. When Bawaslu finds an indication of a violation of laws other than the Election Law, the agency only has the authority to hand the case to the related institution. Bawaslu may suspect that Ganjar violated the Regional Administration Law, but the agency can only hand it to the Home Ministry to rule on, Titi said. It is impossible the Home Ministry would rule that Ganjar is innocent, Titi said. Separately, Ganjar denied that he and the other leaders from Central Java had violated the law by holding the event in Surakarta. I invited them on my behalf. We did not use any state facilities. If we are considered to have violated the Regional Administration Law, I question Bawaslus authority [to implement the law]. Only the Home Ministry is authorized to decide whether ethical violations have taken place, he said on Sunday. In 2014, Jokowi won 66.6 percent of the vote in Central Java. This year, the province has become a battleground, as Prabowos seeks to overtake the incumbent. Prabowo has even moved his campaign headquarters to Surakarta, Jokowis hometown and the city where he started his political career as mayor. Workers at Bowery Farming's warehouse near New York have swapped out a farmer's hoe for a computer tablet that takes real-time readings of light and water conditions. Launched in 2015, Bowery is part of the fast-growing vertical farming movement, which employs technology in a controlled, man-made setting to grow fresh vegetables indoors all year long. Champions of the practice see vertical farming as a key tool to meet the world's food needs at a time when the population is rising and the climate is changing. The company's chief executive and co-founder, Irving Fain, said his company's Kearny, New Jersey site uses fewer resources than traditional farms and does not employ pesticides. "I have been a big believer my entire life in technology as being able to solve not only hard problems, but also important problems," said Fain, who previously ran a company that provides data analysis for big companies on their loyalty programs. Irving Fain, CEO and co-founder of Bowery Farming, talks about his hydroponic grown greens on January 28, 2019, in Kearny, New Jersey. (AFP/Don Emmert) Bowery employs more programmers than agricultural scientists. The company says its use of algorithms enables it to be 100 times more productive per area compared with a traditional farm and to use 95 percent less water. Read also: UK rhubarb growers cash in on culinary renaissance Lower electricity costs Vertical farming has long been practiced in Japan and some other places but it did not take off in the United States until recent technological leaps made it viable. A key component has been LED bulbs, which have enabled indoor farmers to drastically cut electricity costs. But Bowery is also making heavy use of robotics and artificial intelligence to keep prices under control. The combination of these newer tools "is how we really rethink what agriculture will look like in the next century and beyond," Fain said. The company has also benefited from more than $120 million in funding from tech titans including Google Ventures and Uber Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi. The Silicon Valley connection has also boosted San Francisco-based Plenty, another prominent vertical farming company, which has garnered more than $200 million from Amazon Chief Executive Jeff Bezos, Softbank and others. US-based Crop One and Emirates Flight Catering have launched a $40 million joint venture to build a giant vertical farming facility in Dubai. Read also: Being a farmer for a day at Four Seasons Bali in Sayan Profitable? The world's biggest vertical farm is in Newark, New Jersey and operated by AeroFarms. The company, founded in 2004 and considered a pioneer in the sector, remains privately-held and does not disclose financial data. But the company says it is now profitable after a series of fumbles. David Chang, founder of the noodle restaurant brand Momofuku, is an investor. AeroFarms exclusively uses company-made technology that has now made its way to China, the Middle East and Europe, said its co-founder Marc Oshima. In a warehouse that was once a steel mill with 40-foot (12-meter) ceilings, the company is growing kale and arugula leaves set in rows of 12 metal racks each. The roots are suspended in the air as they are intermittently irrigated while the leaves bask under LED lights. AeroFarms experiments regularly with lighting and nutrients with an eye towards finding the optimal recipe for each plant and developing the best algorithm. The company produces watercress that reminded a reporter of her grandmother's soup, kale as tender as spinach and arugula with a hint of spice. Basil from Bowery Farming was tinged with the flavor of lemon. But it can take a while for vertical farms to find solutions that are viable. "The big, big vertical farms are having a difficult time being profitable because they are so capital-intensive at the beginning," said Henry Gordon-Smith, founder of Agritecture, a consultancy. Large farms typically need seven or eight years before they are profitable, with smaller farms requiring perhaps half as long. But entrepreneurs in the business are confident in their prospects as more young people in cities express worry about climate change and pesticides. "Vertical farming is not THE solution to food security," said Gordon-Smith. "It is one out of the possible solutions." Critics of vertical farming say it has a large carbon footprint due to heavy use of lighting and ventilation. But defenders say that this negative impact is more than offset from the benefits of lower water use, the location near population centers and the non-use of pesticides. A bigger issue may be the limitations of the output itself, at least in terms of nutrition. "You can't feed the world with salad alone," said Princeton University plant researcher Paul Gauthier, who says vertical farmers will need to develop more protein-rich offerings. Gauthier -- who grew spicier peppers in his own lab by subtly increasing potassium levels -- said vertical farming could supply fresh food to so-called food "deserts" where it is absent and could in the long-term meet growing food demand as the climate changes. British rock band Queen, featuring American Idol star Adam Lambert as lead vocalist, opened the first hostless Oscars show in 30 years on Sunday with a rollicking performance that brought the Dolby Theatre's celebrity crowd to its feet. The two active, surviving musicians from Queen's original lineup - guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor - joined Lambert, filling in as frontman for the late Freddie Mercury, to play two of the band's greatest hits: "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions". The familiar guitar and drum riffs brought the star-studded theater audience out of its chairs, with many of the Hollywood luminaries seen singing along. Queen and Mercury are the subject of Bohemian Rhapsody, a hit film nominated for best picture and in the running for a total of five categories at this year's Academy Awards, the 91st edition of the film industry's highest honors. Launching the ABC telecast with a live rock band was a virtually unprecedented choice that came about after comedian Kevin Hart, originally picked to host the show, bowed out after a furor over past homophobic material in his standup act and tweets. Hart's withdrawal in December left the Oscars without a master of ceremonies for the first time since 1989. That year, the broadcast opened with an 11-minute song-and-dance number, widely derided by critics, featuring Rob Lowe and an actress dressed as Snow White. In recent years, the opening monologue of the Oscar host has become a platform for gags and jokes lampooning politicians and many of the stars in attendance. Read also: Queen to rock Oscars with live performance But the Queen performance set the stage for a night that was expected to include a flurry of big musical moments and presentations from such recording luminaries as Bette Midler, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, and record producer Pharrell Williams. Lambert first appeared with Queen's May and Taylor in 2009 as a contestant on the hit talent show American Idol when he performed two of the band's hits on that program. The trio went on to collaborate occasionally in 2011 and have since toured repeatedly together as Queen + Adam Lambert. Oscar producers, anxious to boost viewership after a record low U.S. TV audience in 2018, also are under pressure to keep the telecast from running over its three-hour designated time slot. One short-lived plan to cut down on time, by handing out four of the two dozen Oscar trophies during commercial breaks, was scrapped after a backlash from movie industry heavyweights to the idea. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences also quickly abandoned an ill-fated proposal to create a new category of best "popular" movie as a way of boosting Oscar ratings. Despite the lack of an official show host, Maya Rudolph got in some jabs as she took the stage with two fellow actress- comedians - Tina Fey and Amy Poehler - to present the night's first award, to Regina King as best supporting actress for her role in If Beale Street Could Talk. "So just a quick update for everybody in case you're confused: There is no host tonight, there won't be a popular movie category and Mexico is not paying for the wall," Rudolph deadpanned, skewering the academy as well as US President Donald Trump's promise to build a southern U.S. border wall at Mexico's expense. In todays era of fake news, artificial intelligence and limitless computing power, verifying what is true is a hard task for the public. Dutch photography curator Jenny Smets believes that the line between artist and journalist is slowly fading because visual language faces new challenges to change in the digital age. Smets explored the concept of truth in depth in her recent seminar Future Scenarios: Fact, Fiction and Friction at the Erasmus Huis in Jakarta. Her seminar looked at the trending topics and developments in modern documentary photography, showcasing works from various international photojournalists such as Cristina de Middel, Mandy Barker and Robin Hammond. In compiling the collection of works, Smets traveled all around the world including to Indonesia, Turkey and different cities in the United States and Europe with the World Press Photo Foundation in 2018. During Smets travels, she attended several photo festivals, looking at the similarities in the themes presented in the exhibitions. Smets said one recurring theme was the concept of the Anthropocene era. The theory of the Anthropocene era states that rapid industrialization has propelled mankind into a new geological era. With the actions of humans defining the whole planets dynamics. The Anthropocene era is a geological era in which we have lived now for a relatively long time, said Smets, who is an independent curator of photography exhibitions, as well as trainer and director of photography of Vrij Nederland magazine. It is the era in which mans actions on our planet, on earth are influencing nature and fauna more and more. Eventually, it will influence our own future, the future of mankind, and this can be in a positive or negative way. In the seminar Smets presented the work of Spanish documentary photographer Cristina de Middel, whose photo collection Excessocenus explores the exploitation of natural resources in Africa through a series of elaborately set up photographs. The Distribution of Wealth. (Excessocenus.com/Cristina de Middel) I went from Nepal to France to everywhere, but the same issues were all being talked about, Smets said. These recurring themes are everywhere in the world, so this is something that is obviously fascinating us. In addition to Smets seminar, the Erasmus Huis also celebrated the Permata Photojournalist Grant 2018 (PPG) on the same day. The PPG is a program for aspiring photojournalists to showcase their work. The 10 participants, each of which has some form of photography or journalism background, were given the topic of diversity and two months to produce their own photo story. After the two months concluded, the Erasmus Huis hosted workshops in which Smets helped the participants create a story out of their photographs. After they [PPG participants] finish shooting they have a huge number of photographs, but they are not edited, its not the story yet, Smets said. So, you have the most basic ingredients, the photographs. The most difficult part I think is how you make a story out of these building blocks. Bayu Eka Novanta, a participant in PPG 2018 and a freelance photographer from Malang, East Java, says that working with Smets was an amazing experience. For the grant, Bayu made a story about former transgender sex workers who now live with their children and have turned to religion. Jenny arranged my photos, they are more organized and the message was very deep, Bayu said. Another photojournalist in the PPG, Aprillio Abdullah Akbar, said that Smets pushed them as photographers to deeply consider their choices. [Smets] was always asking me as a photographer who made these photos, about for whom this photo story was made, Aprillio said. So, what I do can be understood by me as a photographer and by the audience as a photo viewer. Aprillio worked on a story called Resilient, which tells the story of the mission of the Ciliwung Rawajati Womens School for gender equality. The school uses education as a solution to overcome domestic violence. The photo stories produced from the PPG program will be shown to the public from March 20. Smets said she hoped the PPG program would help expand photojournalism in Southeast Asia. I think what I am doing here is trying to educate. What I am doing here is a very important program to make sure they can tell their own stories instead of us coming here and telling it for them. (hdt) The writer is an intern at The Jakarta Post The 91st Academy Awards gala on Sunday was full of moving speeches and pithy jokes. Here are some of the most memorable quotes from Hollywood's biggest night: In bed with Oscar "I am putting my Oscar statuette in bed with me, between me and my husband." -- Best Actress winner Olivia Colman (The Favourite) Opening doors "To have an Oscar for 'Moonlight' ... gets you into other rooms. I have been wanting to stretch my legs for a very long time and this is the first time I get to stretch my legs." -- Mahershala Ali, best supporting actor Oscar winner for Green Book, on how his first Academy Award for Moonlight created new career opportunities Big dreams "I think about what it would have been like to tell little bubba Rami that one day this might happen to him. And I think his curly-haired little mind would have been blown." -- Rami Malek, best actor winner for his portrayal of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody The power of love "I'm an example of what it looks like when support and love is poured into someone." -- Regina King, best supporting actress winner for If Beale Street Could Talk One ocean "I grew up watching foreign language films, learning so much from them, being inspired -- films like 'Citizen Kane,' 'Jaws.' And there are no waves, there's only the ocean. I think the nominees tonight have proven that we are part of the same ocean." -- Alfonso Cuaron, whose Roma won three Oscars, including his second for best director Read also: Olivia Colman wins best actress Oscar for 'The Favourite' Oscars not so white "Without April Reign, #OscarsSoWhite, and the former president of the Academy [of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences], Cheryl Isaacs, I wouldn't be here tonight. They opened up the Academy to make the Academy look more like America, more diverse." -- Veteran director Spike Lee, a winner for best adapted screenplay for race drama BlacKkKlansman Wakanda forever "Marvel may have created the first black superhero, but through costume design, we turned him into an African king." -- Black Panther costume designer Ruth Carter, accepting her award Driving is bad "I'm snakebit. I mean, every time somebody is driving somebody, I lose." -- Spike Lee, drawing a parallel between how his film Do The Right Thing was snubbed in favor of Driving Miss Daisy in 1990, and then how Green Book bested BlacKkKlansman for best picture this year No host, no wall "Just a quick update, in case you're confused: there is no host tonight, there won't be a popular movie category, and Mexico is not paying for the wall." -- Actress-comedian Maya Rudolph poking fun at some of the controversies confronted by the Academy ahead of the Oscars, and a jab at Donald Trump for good measure Period "I can't believe a film about menstruation just won an Oscar!" -- Rayka Zehtabchi, director of Period. End of Sentence. the winning best documentary short film about fighting the stigma associated with menstruation in rural India. Meghsingh Badouria, 75, was left freezing in his underpants after losing his clothes and his friends following a dip in the holy waters at humanity's biggest gathering, India's Kumbh Mela. He is not alone. In the cacophony and chaos of the vast religious festival, it's easy to get lost among the millions upon millions of Hindu devotees. "I got separated from my villagers and went to the sangam (the holy confluence of rivers) and gave my bag to a stranger to look after while I went to bathe," Badouria told AFP. "When I came back my bag was nowhere to be seen... It was early in the morning and it was cold," he added. But help is at hand: There are 15 lost and found centres around the Kumbh grounds, a dusty maze of tents the size of Manhattan thronging with people from mid-January until early March. "We get 70 or 100 people every day," said Shivani Singh Sengar, 21, a volunteer who spends long days making announcements over the Kumbh's 3,500 loudspeakers in a bid to reunite friends and family. As Badouria explained his story, clothed by festival volunteers but still without his friends, a panicked mother sobbed tears of relief after being reunited with her two daughters, aged five and seven in the center. "After the bathing ritual, we decided to shop before heading home. As we purchased some clothes, I realized both my children were missing," said mother Ranjana. "It was a nightmare and I cried a lot," she added. Read also: Indian city gears up for world's largest religious festival An app for that As many as 150 million people are expected to visit this Kumbh. On the day of Badouria's calamity there were 20 million people attending. Getting separated at the Kumbh and reuniting miraculously decades later is a common Bollywood story line. But technology and in particular the ubiquity of mobile phones -- there are now 830 million of them in India -- means that people get lost a lot less they used to. The 15 lost and found centers are connected via computer and there is a state-of-the-art police command center to oversee operations. Pictures of the missing rotate on television screens. There is a special Kumbh app helping reunite people, providing they can read, which is far from a given. Comprehension too can be an issue, with India home to 22 major languages and hundreds of dialects. "One lady...it was the first time she had left her village. She couldn't explain where she came from, she couldn't identify any landmark," Sengar said. "We checked Google. We asked her about the river near her home and temples. Eventually we worked out she was from Bengal," he added. Read also: Millions gather to 'purify souls' in Hindu bathing ritual Darker side Binnu has been at the lost and found center for two weeks. "I am comfortable here but a bit worried. Hopefully, someone from my family will turn up soon," the 65-year-old, who doesn't know her address or the phone number of any family members, told AFP. Maninath Jha, a Kumbh official, told AFP that reuniting people is "the norm". Those who cannot find their friends or family are eventually given money and a letter to allow them free train travel to get home. Many of those who get lost are illiterate older people from rural areas or young children, and counselors -- and toys -- are on hand to help those who are distressed. But there is a darker side. Sometimes older people or unwanted young daughters -- India has one of the world's highest rates of female foeticide, and rising -- are deliberately abandoned. Volunteer Sengar said a two-year-old girl with a serious medical condition had been abandoned at the festival, and that such cases were not unusual. She added: "We kept her here for 20 days and then we sent her to an NGO where she got operated and treated. Now she is living there. There are many cases like that." Ferruccio Ferragamo, chairman of the luxury clothing and accessories company Salvatore Ferragamo SpA, ruled out a sale of the brand. Im in love with this company and its not for sale, Ferragamo said Saturday at the brands autumn-winter fashion show in Milan. Theres a lot of energy in the brand. We have a lot of programs coming to turn that energy into good news in the coming weeks and months. The company on Friday promoted womenswear designer Paul Andrew to oversee the whole brand as creative director, a step Chief Executive Officer Micaela Le Divelec Lemmi called a natural evolution. The idea is to reinforce the coherence and the consistency throughout the brand, said Le Divelec Lemmi, a former finance chief at Kering SAs Gucci who took the helm of Ferragamo last year. She plans to boost the visibility of the ready-to-wear clothing collections in stores to create a more immersive experience for customers. Read also: Versace sale would leave few global luxury brands available Online struggles Ferragamos silk scarves and Vara pumps have long been staples for corporate women and the country-club set, but the brand has struggled to gain visibility online and win over younger luxury shoppers. It has mostly missed the latest wave of Chinese demand, which has boosted rivals like Gucci and LVMHs Louis Vuitton since 2016. The shares have fallen 43 percent since their peak in 2015, but they spiked in October amid speculation that the founding family would be more open to a takeover following the death of matriarch Wanda Ferragamo at the age of 96. We have a very loyal customer base that I cant ignore, Andrew said backstage after the show. I have to keep them engaged while we try to bring in a new generation. Sales fell 1.8 percent at constant exchange rates last year as wholesale performance declined, but Ferragamos Chinese retail sales jumped 7.6 percent in the final quarter in a potential early sign of a turnaround. The company reports second-half results March 12. At the show Saturday, Andrew showed classic styles like riding boots, belted overcoats and blazers alongside items aimed at a more fashion-focused set, such as anoraks in bright blue leather and fringed tartan trench coats. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Aboeprijadi Santoso (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, February 25, 2019 Ahead of the 2019 presidential election both candidates, the incumbent President Joko Jokowi Widodo and his challenger Prabowo Subianto, may be moving toward some characteristics contrary to the spirit of the Reform Era, which put an end to Soehartos New Order regime in 1998. These trends may be discerned in the three dimensions of the political predicament: the rise of conservative political Islam, the candidates human rights approach and the kind of democracy they rely on. Political Islam has entered the mainstream and become even more pronounced with massive religious rallies in three consecutive years since late 2016. The sheer magnitude of the masses mobilized at the National Monument in the heart of the capital shocked the establishment, prompting both camps populist as they are Prabowos allies since 2014 and to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login 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 Mon, February 25, 2019 09:10 853 acca405afacc7201380025f21a1940ec 1 Editorial #Editorial,#2019PresidentialElection,2019-presidential-election,politics,Jokowi-Maruf,Prabowo-Sandiaga Free With the presidential election fast approaching, candidates are wooing support from groups that comprise a large portion of the countrys population and electorate, with women and Muslims obviously their primary targets. According to the General Elections Commission (KPU), 95.4 million women are eligible to vote in the April 17 election, slightly outnumbering the countrys 95.3 million male voters. Meanwhile, the Alvara Research Institute found that Muslim voters account for 87.6 percent of the 190 million people who have the right to vote in both the presidential and legislative elections, which will be held simultaneously for the first time. As the Special Report in todays paper reveals, presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto and his running mate Sandiaga Uno have been touting the power of emak-emak (married women) with their campaign. The pair believes that women votes could be a game-changer for this years election and key to their victory. Incumbent President Joko Jokowi Widodo and his running mate Maruf Amin do not want to lose the opportunity to secure the support of women either. Their campaign team has chosen the tagline Ibu Bangsa (Mother of the Nation) in a show of respect for women as an influential bloc. In an attempt to win support from Muslim voters, Jokowi picked Maruf Amin a notable figure in Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the countrys largest Muslim organization, and the Indonesian Ulema Council as his vice-presidential candidate. Meanwhile, Prabowo and Sandiaga have been enjoying massive support from Muslim groups, as evident in a series of rallies held since November 2016. The movement was proven effective in dethroning Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian of Chinese descent, in the bitterly contested 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election. Its latest rally was held on Thursday. The continued attempts of Prabowo and Sandiagas camp to brand the incumbent as doing more harm than good to Islam and the formers relentless visits to Islamic boarding schools and ulema only demonstrate the fierce battle raging between the two sides to win the hearts of Muslims. It is natural for the candidates to focus on majority groups in their bid to win the presidency; both tickets, too, are devoting a lot of effort to collecting votes in Java, where 60 percent of Indonesias population lives. However, Indonesia is not only about those majority groups as there are many minority groups that are also part and parcel of the diverse nation and have equal rights as citizens according to the Constitution. Protecting minorities matters in democracy, which is in opposition of the dictatorship of the majority or tyranny of the minority. Electing a leader whose commitment to the rights of minorities will define the journey of the nation not only in the next five years but also the decades to come. Likewise, offering too many concessions to the majority at the expense of the minority will turn the presidential election into a routine that could perhaps derail everyones understanding of what the democratic contest is all about. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dewi Hutabarat (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, February 25, 2019 Indonesias villages existed even before the republic was born, but they have been neglected and weakened for decades, especially under Soehartos regime. Despite a law on villages passed in 2014, problems have persisted, preventing villagers from reclaiming their sovereignty in Indonesian politics. Before the nation was born, many groups of people lived as self-regulating communities within tribes or small and large kingdoms. Nusantara (archipelago) had been a melting pot of thousands of communities, some with their own governing systems. After independence, Nusantara became the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, incorporating those communities under the government. During the early years of independence under Sukarno, villages were still recognized of their rights, including their right to govern themselves as entities that existed before Ind to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Just after his first week of official practice, new transfer Jesse Miritello persuaded sever Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Timothy Astandu (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, February 25, 2019 09:17 853 755cdefc0536cf41304ab1961f011c53 3 Opinion millenials,fintech,technology,financial-services,Indonesia,financial-technology,digital-economy Free Indonesia is currently a hotbed for investment in its digital economy. Unlike a decade ago when smartphones were considered luxury items, 72 percent of Indonesians now have access to a smartphone, and internet penetration has gone beyond urban centers. With its four unicorns, the country now proudly ranks sixth in the world in terms of the number of locally bred billion-dollar tech startups. From online marketplaces to transportation solutions, the digital economy has changed the way Indonesians live. Financial technology, colloquially referred to by many as fintech, is touted as the next frontier in the digital economy. Essentially, fintech encompasses any use of technology that aims to compete with conventional banking methods and the delivery of financial services. The statistics paint a rosy future for fintech companies: A poll run in 2018 showed that 70 percent of millennials use fintech services, compared to 26 percent in 2016. This is especially important given the demography of Indonesia. We are now experiencing a demographic dividend in which the share of the young working population is much larger than the share of the nonworking population. In fact, 34 percent of Indonesians reached their productive years at the turn of the millennium. As such, almost all fintech companies prioritize millennials as their target market. Not only are millennials more tech-savvy than older generations, but winning the hearts of millennials will ensure continued success in the foreseeable future. Wherever you are in Jakarta, you cannot miss the many billboards advertising fintech services. The benefits of fintech for millennials are obvious. For a fast-paced generation where convenience is key, one no longer needs to worry about withdrawing cash or the hassle of keeping spare change. By a single swipe on your smartphone, you can make payments and keep track of your finances. Promotions, discounts and cashbacks can be applied automatically for every transaction. As many as 59 percent of the millennials prefers cashless transactions, and many believe a digital wallet is better than a real wallet. There is little doubt that fintech will have positive impacts on Indonesia. In fact, there are many claims that tech companies have triggered a wave of financial inclusion in the country, where previously unbankable people now have access to financial products. However, questions remain for this nascent industry. First, we need to understand what millennials really think about fintech. So far, the digital economy narrative has been effectively controlled by the service providers. Armed with a huge trove of cash to spend on marketing and advertisements, fintech companies portray a picture in which fintech makes life easy for everyone. But do the millennials agree with this? To what extent has fintech made life truly simpler and better for them? Current explorations into understanding the relationship between millennials and fintech companies have hitherto yielded limited results. There are several arguments that may even suggest that fintech is making life more complicated. For example, most of the millennials I know personally still carry cash and their debit and/or credit cards. I have yet to meet anyone who only carries a smartphone wherever they go. The reason for this is actually quite rudimentary. What happens if your phone runs out of battery? What happens when you run out of internet quota? What happens when the Wi-Fi is not working or when the servers are down? About 35 percent of people surveyed in 2018 still have doubts about the reliability of transactions made through their smartphones. In fact, Indonesia is still a country where cash and ATM-banking are prevalent. According to Bank Indonesia, 55 percent of financial transactions in Indonesia are still conducted through ATM machines. Moreover, while we tend to view fintech as one big entity, it is in reality a plethora of companies competing with each other. Imagine a scenario many citizens of Jakarta are facing on a daily basis. You go to your regular coffee shop for a daily dose of caffeine. At the cash desk, you see posters of three competing companies offering cashback if you pay using their digital wallet. You then browse through your phone to open all three apps. You realize that you dont have enough credit on the app that offers the most cashback. Annoyed, you go to top up your digital wallet. Afterwards, you return to the cashier and queue from the back of the line again. Millennials now face a considerable shoe leather cost whenever they want to make a simple transaction, which cash or debit and/or credit cards can offer because they are accepted universally. It is as if we are living in a country with multiple currencies. Thus, choice can sometimes create more confusion. Fintech companies that offer credit or payday loans are another example of this. Do we really need to have 10 fintech companies offering the same product or service? How do we even know which ones are legitimate and which ones are a facade for malign activities? In September 2018, the Financial Services Authority closed down 182 fintech companies for operating illegally. Despite these issues, before our eyes fintech is revolutionizing the way we spend money. But it should not stop us from unpacking the complex relationship between fintech companies and their customers. We need to expend effort and time to investigate both the ease and difficulty of using fintech services from the perspective of millennials. The results of such research will help shape policy that allows Indonesias digital economy ecosystem to improve and flourish. Whether we like it or not, fintech is here to stay. The best step forward is for millennials to voice their opinions and enter the discourse on how fintech impacts their lives. *** The writer is the CEO and cofounder of Populix, a consumer insights platform. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. School officials are looking at their budgets after the state approved a $15 minimum wage to be instituted by 2025. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill Tuesday that will gradually increase the minimum wage to $15 by 2025. With limited resources, school officials are assessing the impact of the new law on their districts and are planning to balance the new costs next year. For many districts, that means a large increase to their personnel budgets. For Jacksonville, that could mean just under $500,000 in direct costs to the district by the time the wage is fully instated. Superintendent Steve Ptacek said, of the districts current employees, there are 128 full-time employees who would need a wage increase. That figure does not include the districts substitute positions. We are looking at an increase of $440,000 direct costs, that isnt including IMRF (Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund), Ptacek said. Adding that in, we are up to $480,000 additional costs a year in direct costs. The direct cost isnt the only thing that districts have to look at though, Ptacek said, with increases to services and other salaries also impacting the budget. That cost doesnt include those that have been here for years and are making that or just above and feel they should get an increase as well, Ptacek said. North Greene Superintendent Mark Scott said he is still looking at the numbers to determine the impact on his district. In North Greene, Scott said the increase will go to bus drivers, cooks, secretaries and a few other positions. This will affect us and our staff, Scott said. Well have to determine what well be able to afford. We just got back to a good place with the evidence-based funding formula and we could be right back where we started. In Waverly, the cost to increase all of its employees below the $15 mark will cost roughly $30,000 a year, said Superintendent Dustin Day. Day said Waverly has been reducing its costs over the year, so he doesnt foresee any major damage to the districts budget for a few years, but he said others could be forced to make cuts. We have all the positions we need to serve our students, Day said. I can see some other districts reducing staff. While districts will have time to plan for the increases over the next few years, Scott said it takes time to find ways to cover the cost without additional revenue. The minimum wage will increase from $8.25 to $9.25 next year, then to $10 in July 2020. It will then increase $1 each year until 2025. We have time to plan, but I dont think well see the funding keeping up with the increases, Scott said. All we can do is run the numbers and deal with what gets handed to us. I think we can limp through a year, but it will definitely affect us. Day said Waverly, as well as several other districts, are in tax capped communities and have limited ways to increase funding. For districts, there are limited ways to increase revenue and thats through selling bonds, raising taxes or reducing expenditures, Day said. This could very well have a negative impact on many districts. Ptacek said the next four years will be an economic planning period for the district. He said he will be examining costs throughout the district in the case the move puts too much strain on the budget. In addition to the new minimum wage law, Ptacek said school officials are watching other potential blows to district budgets, including a property tax freeze, pension-cost shifts and a $40,000 starting salary for all teachers. We are going into a very tenuous financial time, Ptacek said. Samamtha McDaniel-Ogletree can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1233, or on Twitter @JCNews_samantha. Nebraskas economy has evolved, but the states tax code has not. For decades, property owners have been left to fill in the gaps as the state neglects its obligation to fund schools and other public services. For actual property tax relief to be achieved, the Unicameral must pass legislation that modernizes the tax system and raises state revenue. While Nebraskas overall economy remains reliant upon agriculture, trends show a move away from a dependence on manufacturing and goods to a knowledge and service-based economy. Our states tax system does not reflect this decades-long transition. U.S. Department of Labor data shows in 2007 there were 957,000 non-farm jobs in Nebraska. By 2017, this grew to 1,018,000, a rate of 6.4 percentbut this growth was not uniform. In total, manufacturing jobs fell 3 percent while service jobs grew by 16 percent. Despite growth of the service industry, nearly 60 percent of funding for public schools still comes from local sources like property taxes. This has left many rural Nebraskans, including farmers and ranchers, with high property tax rates. Introduced this session, Legislative Bill 314 seeks to responsibly right this imbalance. By taxing the goods and services where Nebraskans are spending their expendable incomes, the state can raise revenue. New revenues are essential to even begin discussing property tax relief. Legislative Bill 314 would modernize the states antiquated tax system, provide immediate property tax relief, while funding essential state services. Property owners have waited too long for a balanced tax codeits time for the state to act. We begin today with another dose of BREAKING NEWS that unfortunately will probably still be big news to you even though it happened days ago. And its going to make you mad as hell because its deadly serious. Yet it went mostly uncovered (because, as weve complained before, its not about Donald Trump, or Stormy or Vladimir, or any politicians sexual extra-curriculars). Its about two related revelations of how and why our run-amok system of pharmaceutical and medical special interests has been allowed for years to addict, entrap, destroy and even kill members of our families, our loved ones, our friends, neighbors and workplace colleagues. Yet no news organization played this news in a big-time place where you would see it. Until today. Harrisonburg, VA (22801) Today Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Mainly clear skies after midnight. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Mainly clear skies after midnight. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. LINCOLN Stacie Goding and Mitchell Stehlik of Grand Island are among four attorneys who have applied for appointment as district judge in the Ninth Judicial District, which consists of Buffalo and Hall counties. The other two submitting applications are D. Brandon Brinegar of Kearney and Andrew Butler of Hastings. They are seeking to fill the vacancy left by Judge Teresa Luther, who retired Dec. 31. The primary place of office for the judicial vacancy is Grand Island. A public hearing of the Judicial Nominating Commission is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. March 13 in District Court Courtroom 1 at the Hall County Courthouse. The commission will review all applicants for the office at that time. The public is welcome to attend the hearing and present information concerning candidates for the judicial opening. For special accommodations relating to the Americans with Disabilities Act, call (402) 471-3730. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, call the Nebraska Relay System, 7-1-1. 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. A touch of New Orleans will be in Grand Island to help celebrate Fat Tuesday in style. The Prairie Pride Brewing Co. will be hosting a crawfish boil on March 5, with hundreds of pounds of the Louisiana-raised crustaceans being flown in as the guests of honor just for the occasion. Friends Brent Kraus and Chris Elliott are behind the effort for the event. They have been going to crawfish boils around the Midwest for the last few years. Aside from the food, they enjoy the social aspect and the fun that comes along with such gatherings. We started to ask around here if people have ever been to one and some people said yes and that they loved them, but they are always held down south, some place far away, Kraus said. Last year, he held a crawfish boil at his parents house in Grand Island and it was a hit among the 30 people who attended. With Fat Tuesday on the horizon again, Kraus reached out to businesses to gauge interest in holding such an event and found a taker with Prairie Pride. For the last two months, he has been working with the local brewery to iron out the details. It isnt like St. Peter will confront me at the pearly gates, clicking his tongue and shaking his head in shame, On Dec. 25, 2010, you rested your backside on the pew when kneeling because your knees were tired, and you failed to place the chalice 63 degrees east in relation to the third candle from the left. Is this how you celebrate the birth of your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? Note the ridiculous exaggeration in that visual. Understand that Catholics receive a lot of backlash as some strict and judgmental force, but my church family consists of the most welcoming and kind people I have ever met. I experienced relief whenever I was paired up with Richard, my youth group friend. There is a belt system in the altar serving profession, with white being the least experienced (and the level from which I never lasted long enough to graduate). I am sure there is a different symbolism strategy behind the rope/belt colors, but since Im not well-versed in altar serving, I still considered Richard to have a black belt in Catholic karate. He had a very colorful waist and was quite experienced. In other words, my holy butt was saved when I served with that practical saint. I always did my best to assist the priest, but if I ever slipped up (and I did ... a lot) Richard would smoothly cover for me. Grand Island Senior High freshmen were able to learn more about colleges and universities during presentations last week. Freshman Seminar teacher Patrick Harder said GISH took all freshmen on a visit to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in December, but wanted to present other options to the students. The presentations were a way to accomplish this. One of the big takeaways we had from that (UNL tour) is we had one student who said, I never thought college was an option for me, but now I know I can go and I am able to go. UNL is just one option for our kids, so we wanted to open their eyes to multiple options that they have, Harder said. The four universities who gave presentations to all GISH freshmen last week were Central Community College, Doane University, University of Nebraska at Kearney and Wayne State College. Doane and Wayne State presented on Tuesday and Wednesday, while CCC and UNK presented on Thursday and Friday. Harder said UNK represented a smaller university, while Wayne State College is a smaller, state-funded school that is cheaper for students and a smaller campus. Google has changed the way businesses look at email, word processing and file storage. But in addition, the search giant has taken steps to leave its mark on something outside the commercial world, something that can potentially save lives. That something is philanthropy. Google.org -- the company's nonprofit arm -- donates 1 percent of Google's total equity and profits to charity. Recently, moreover, the initiative has furthered its efforts in that sphere by focusing on actions, not just investments. With the Google.org Fellowship, employees will be able to spend up to six months offering their full-time expertise to nonprofits. In 2019 alone, Google will deploy between 40 and 60 people to nonprofit offices in numerous cities, offering 50,000 hours of skilled labor in fields like computer engineering, data analysis and artificial intelligence. Such deeply embedded philanthropy is something more and more customers have come to expect from the organizations they buy from and do business with. Philanthropy is not merely some hurdle to clear, however -- it's an invaluable enhancement that can be achieved by any company, regardless of its size or prestige. Related: Corporate Philanthropy: It's Not Just Money That Changes The World Nope, you're not Google; but that's okay. Even on a smaller scale, the impact of nonprofit pursuits can be immense. At my company, we've focused first on those modest efforts that provide hands-on experience and deepen understanding for our employees. For example, we've implemented a "day of action" that involves employees spending a day at a neighborhood school to plant trees, paint and otherwise beautify the school grounds. Projects like those build a sense of social responsibility and foster collaboration within your team. But without a clear vision of what will work for your organization's long-term philanthropic goals, you won't be able to clearly define end goals and measurable objectives -- an all-too-common trap for many organizations. In truth, you don't need Google's resources or reach to bring this mindset to your company. You just need to keep these four approaches in mind: 1. Don't run from yourself. Philanthropy is more than throwing cash at random causes. You might make some headway with that approach, but it's not the way to work social responsibility into your business model organically. When plotting a nonprofit journey, look at what your company can do or already does well. Once youve determined those strengths, figure out how philanthropy fits into that. Warby Parker and TOMS both meshed their desire to do good with their core business offerings, to create one-for-one initiatives for eyeglasses and shoes, respectively. Each company's philanthropy model shows that it isn't always necessary for businesses to think outside the box to make a social impact. Sometimes, whatever a company already does well can end up doing good for others. Related: 5 Easy Ways to Make Philanthropy Part of Your Company Culture 2. Grow your efforts from the ground. Philanthropic causes often involve work in far-flung areas. And because you (usually) can't move your company to the community you're serving, you need to find ways to connect with organizations that are embedded in those communities. The University of Chicago employed this strategy by partnering with India-based Tata Trusts to address health, water sanitation and energy issues in that East Asian nation. With the university's research prowess and Tata Trustss ground-level access and innovative approach to intervention, the union has allowed policymakers, academics, students and practitioners to make a difference in ways they otherwise could not. These kinds of ground-level partnerships can be invaluable. They smooth out the lines of communication, iron out logistics and generally enable your work to take root -- no matter how far removed you might be. 3. Lock arms for longer reach. If you work alone in your philanthropic endeavors, your potential impact is only as deep as your own expertise and resources. For greater reach, it's critical to leverage strategic partnerships with others. Look for mutually beneficial relationships that can stimulate long-term results. One of my own nonprofits, the Human Heritage Project, recently partnered with Project Angel Food. That organization's years of experience bringing food security to vulnerable people proved invaluable to our project goals. Collaborations like this make our mission to help the underserved possible. Partnerships also can lessen the financial and operational load a smaller company must carry with a nonprofit endeavor. Related: How You Can Identify and Optimize Nonprofit Partnerships 4. Capture hearts by getting your hands dirty. Amid the busy nature of day-to-day operations, it can be tempting to outsource your corporate social responsiblity (CSR) work. But when you take a hands-off approach, you miss an opportunity to get your employees involved in the effort. Nothing can capture your team members' hearts for the mission like getting their hands dirty. This need not involve sending employees overseas on a project, either. Computing company AMD recruits "Green Teams" among its staff to reduce cafeteria waste, save on energy consumption and curb water misuse across its own company. This internal effort allows employees to see the fruits of their labor and feel a sense of ownership in their corporate philanthropy -- and AMD doesnt have to break the bank to do it. If Google's moves are any indication, corporate philanthropy initiatives increasingly are calling for these hands-on efforts. The good news? You don't have to be Google to make a difference. You just have to be willing, able and patient enough to find the approach that works for your company. Related: How to Build Philanthropy Into Your Budget -- Even If You're Not Google 10 Wealthy Entrepreneurs Who Give the Most to Charity Businesses Should Invest More in Society. Here's Where to Start. Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has elevated the issue of climate change to the top of a national conversation with her advocacy of a Green New Deal. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is about to test whether the climate issue can become a singular springboard to the presidency. Inslee is on the cusp of declaring his candidacy for the 2020 Democratic nomination - at times he speaks about running in the present tense - and makes clear that his intention is to build his campaign almost entirely around a message highlighting the urgency of dealing with threats caused by the changing climate. "I think that a candidacy by me would have two pillars. One, to put climate change as a paramount duty of the country and to mobilize the country to a higher calling," Inslee said while attending the winter meeting of the National Governors Association (NGA) over the weekend. "And executive experience. I think there may be an appetite for that." The opening two months of the 2020 Democratic presidential campaign have been almost all about senators. Half a dozen members of the Senate are already in, and several more are in the wings. Missing so far are the governors, but that's likely to change soon. They would bring executive experience and non-Washington credentials to a contest that so far has been defined largely by candidates who make their living inside the Beltway. In the past, those qualities have played to the advantage of governors who have run for president. But it has been more than a dozen years since the Democrats had a governor who became a serious candidate for the nomination. Inslee's entrance into the race could come in the next week. Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper has been scouting venues for his anticipated announcement. Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe is itching to run, but he is still weighing his prospects. Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, the current NGA chairman, has been in and out of Iowa and New Hampshire, taking soundings for months. Hickenlooper is a business-friendly Democrat who eschews negative advertising. McAuliffe, too, is pro-business with a centrist philosophy who relishes political combat. Bullock, who has a reformer's sensibility, was twice elected in a red state (the second time in 2016, when Donald Trump was winning Montana handily). Candidates already are wrestling with how to talk about the climate issue, beyond generalities. The promotion by Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., of a Green New Deal resolution with ambitious goals has forced other candidates to react. Few are opposed to the idea of urgent action, but many have hesitated to embrace the goals as outlined in the most expansive versions of the proposal. The Green New Deal "has been very beneficial" in putting climate change "very much on the map of public discussion," Inslee said. Just as significantly, he added, it has "appropriately raised the ambition level and the scope and scale of what is necessary," and it has helped to bring together issues of environmental justice. "It's an aspirational statement, obviously, and not a policy document," he said of the Green New Deal. "So guys like me are now going to fill in the policy, which I will do if I become a candidate." Other Democratic candidates list climate change as one of their main issues. Inslee said he would go farther. "I would be the only one to say this is the primary, foremost, mission of the United States," he said. "The way I categorize it is that it has to become the organizing principle throughout the federal government." At the same time, Inslee isn't prepared to make elaborate promises about a timetable as swift as some environmental activists are calling for. "You have to commit yourself to having a just transition and not just a transition," he said. "And I'm serious about this. . . . You do have to realize these transitions are not overnight. We are not going to shut down tomorrow the oil and gas industry." The goal of a carbonless economy by 2030, outlined in some versions of the Green New Deal, seems unrealistic to Inslee. In that time, he said, the country can put into place ambitious measure to fight climate change, but the full results would be realized only later. "We do know that by midcentury, early midcentury, we have to be a substantially decarbonized economy in order," he said. Despite the appeal of the climate message within the party and to many voters, some Democrats are skeptical about its ultimate power in a general election. The fear, expressed privately, is that for some unknown percentage of voters, concerns about their own economic future make them skeptical about the fallout from transformative changes in the economy. As with all the other candidates, practical obstacles lie in the paths of the governors. Raising money is one. Finding a route through the early states and on to the finals is challenging. Performing well in debates is never a given, nor is surviving the scrutiny and vetting process that presidential politics entails. Breaking out from the crowd is another challenge, which is one reason Inslee thinks his particular focus on climate issues will be helpful. He sees the climate message as one that could motivate and excite voters, especially younger Americans, and allow him to do what a little-known governor did four decades ago, when Jimmy Carter went from dark horse to the White House, and possibly do it more swiftly, with the help of social media. "Now that's not a certainty," he said. "It's going to take creativity, a little bit of luck. We'll see what catches fire." NORWALK Parents towered over their children at Columbus Magnet School on Monday morning as the first-graders sorted through bags of fresh produce, counted money and handed customers fruits and vegetables. To beat the long line, youths rushed the hallways as they raced to claim their share of the food. It was the first day of the schools annual farmers market, which pairs first-graders with jobs as cashiers, basket collectors, produce managers and record keepers. School leaders transformed the first-floor hallway into a produce market where teachers, parents, students and community members lined up to support the enterprising youths. Preparation for the four-day event, open to the public from 10 to 11:30 a.m. through Thursday, began in early January as students learned about the farm-to-table process and the necessary behind-the-scenes skills needed to run the event, such as advertising, research, sign-making and banking expertise. Each year, teachers help students apply for the farmers market job of their choice. The children are running their own market. Its not just a cute activity, said Medard Thomas, principal of the school. Its a culmination of many learning opportunities throughout the course of the year. Teachers said the long-standing tradition teaches first-graders the process of growing and selling food, the benefits of eating organic and the effects of pesticides. Ahead of the almost weeklong event, students analyzed data from previous years to determine which products sold well and which were disfavored. That helps students better serve their community, said Kelly Braddock, a first-grade teacher at Columbus for 17 years. I think the most important thing is how much fun the children really have, Braddock said. I have high school students that come back and tell me I remember when we did the market and thank you for having us do it, she said. While I initially thought 6-year-olds might not be ready for the work ... 17 years later, they are just as excited ... and they learn much more than I wouldve possibly imagined. Monday marked the start of the schools 35th annual farmers market. Student sold bananas, strawberries, salads and cucumbers to fellow community members. As students learn Japanese the first-graders are selling special produce grown throughout Asia during the week, including bok choy on Monday, Napa cabbage on Tuesday and two others on Wednesday and Thursday. Teachers can lecture about growing fruits and vegetables, but students retain the information best if theyre asked to complete hands-on tasks, said Jennifer Imhoff, a first-grade teacher. On Monday morning, first-grader Georgie Traub stood next to a hydroponic tower, which students are using as part of their lessons. He explained the process. You can grow stuff with water, light and pots, he said, pointing to pieces of lettuce, kale and beets that lined the three-story structure. Georgie worked as a cashier at the farmers market on Monday, handling money, with assistance of his mother. I had fun playing with the money and putting it in the boxes and seeing how much it is, he said. At the end of the week, students and teachers reflect, offering up ways to improve the market for the following year and deciding where to donate the funding. Students this year are donating funds to Let There Be Light International, an organization that distributes solar lights to rural families in sub-Saharan Africa, prioritizing people with disabilities, orphaned children and women. The remainder of the funds will be used to purchase school supplies, Braddock said. My hope is that they continue to know where their food comes from, that they understand how they are part of a bigger community and how people, plants and our community are really interdependent, said Braddock. If we didnt have the farmer, we wouldnt have the food, if we didnt have the market it wouldnt get to our table. So, they take what theyve learned, and they apply it in a real-life setting and that is immeasurable for the value they get out of it. tatiana.flowers@thehour.com Feb. 24 A 48-year-old New York woman was charged with sixth-degree larceny. She was held on $500 bond and given a court date of March 7. A 26-year-old Main Street man was charged with second-degree criminal mischief. He was held on $500 bond and given a court date of March 7. A 29-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with second-degree failure to appear. He was held on $2,000 bond and given a court date of March 7. A 43-year-old New Canaan woman was charged with second-degree failure to appear. She was held on $3,000 bond and given a court date of March 7. Feb. 23 A 26-year-old Main Street man was charged with first-degree criminal mischief and disorderly conduct. He was held on $5,000 bond and given a court date of March 7. A 37-year-old Ryan Avenue man was charged with driving under the influence, traffic control signals, operating a vehicle without a license and failure to drive in the proper lane. He was held on $200 bond and given a court date of March 4. Feb. 22 A 28-year-old Ely Avenue woman was charged with second-degree failure to appear. She was held on $50 bond and given a court date of March 1. A 30-year-old New York man was charged with third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace. He was held on $5,000 bond and given a court date of March 4. A 48-year-old Westport woman was charged with driving under the influence, evasion of responsibility and reckless driving. She was held on $5,000 bond and given a court date of March 4. A 56-year-old Avenue E man was charged with disorderly conduct. He was given a court date of March 4. A 28-year-old Sable Street man was charged with third-degree assault, disorderly conduct and interfering with an officer. He was held on $10,000 bond and given a court date of Feb. 4. A 23-year-old Couch Street man was charged with failure to drive in the proper lane and driving under the influence. He was given a court date of Feb. 25. A woman, Ana Luisa Guity-Baltazar, was arrested for disorderly conduct at McDonald's at 4112 Highway 278 in Covington, Ga., on Feb. 17, 2019. (Google Maps/Screenshot) Woman Throws a Fit Over McDonalds Apple Pie, Gets Arrested Hopes for a sweet treat landed a woman in jail when she lost her temper and was arrested over an apple pie. Ana Luisa Guity-Baltazar, 32, ordered an apple pie at a McDonalds in Covington, Georgia, on Feb. 17. She was told it wasnt ready and that shed have to wait about five minutes. She expected to get the snack for free to compensate for the wait. But when the employee, upon handing her the tasty pastry, told her that shed still have to pay, she became furious. [She] starts screaming and using profanity at the employee, aggressively walking toward her, punching her fist into her hand, Covington Police Officer Justin Stott said, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. The news station reported that at one point during the dispute she threw the apple pie at an employee. Later, police arrived at the fast-food restaurant on Highway 278 around 8:40 p.m., according to a police report sighted by The Covington News. When Sgt. Allan Seebaran arrived, he reportedly saw that Guity-Baltazar had stopped her car in the drive-thru lane and was talking to the restaurant manager. She then pulled into a parking spot upon seeing his police car. Guity-Baltazar reportedly emerged from her car and walked toward the manager. While pointing at the manager, she told the police officer that she wanted to press charges. If I pay for apple [expletive] pie that means I get my money back, Guity-Baltazar reportedly said, according to The Covington News. The police officer subsequently stopped the woman from advancing toward the manager. He then arrested her for disorderly conduct. Temper tantrum:McDonalds customer flies into rage over apple pie not being ready, gets arrestedApple pie becomes a Don Crackel 2019224 More Than $800 for Apple Pie The apple pie would have cost $1.06. But Guity-Baltazar will have to pay so much more after she failed to rein in her temper, police told Fox 5 Atlanta. A dollar and six for an apple pie versus an $837 disorderly conduct citation, said Stott. Her car was towed too so you can stack a tow charge on top of that. The tow charge is expected to be another couple of hundred of dollars, according to Stott. A friend of the McDonalds employees expressed disbelief upon hearing the story. Its just crazy, over a dollar apple pie, I mean really? Trey Terrell told the news station. People have lost their minds. Terrell added, She needs to go to church and find Jesus. The police report said that Guilty-Baltazar was sent to Newton County Jail for a night. She also received a trespass warning telling her to stay away from the fast-food restaurant. This illustration picture shows the Chinese multinational telecommunications manufacturer Huawei logo displayed on a tablet in Paris on February 18, 2019. (LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images) Vermont Bans Huawei, ZTE, and Three Other Chinese Tech Firms over Security Concerns The Vermont state government is taking steps to ban products made by Chinese and Russian tech firms that could leave them vulnerable to security loopholes. John Quinn III, secretary of the Vermont IT department known as Agency of Digital Services (ADS), published a Feb. 19 directive for all state executive branch agencies, departments, offices, and vendors to stop using products made by Chinese tech firms Huawei, ZTE, Hikvision, Hytera, and Dahua, as well as Russia-based cybersecurity firm Kaspersky. The intent is to make sure that this type of equipment cant be used against us to steal information or be the front for a cyber-attack against us, Quinn told the Burlington Free Press on Feb. 20. The state will no longer be allowed to purchase products from those companies, while those currently using such products must report their existence to ADS within 30 days, and remove them within 90 days. Huawei is one of the worlds largest manufacturers of telecoms equipment and consumer electronics. Western governments have in recent months alleged that its equipment can contain backdoors that enable unauthorized surveillance by the Chinese regime. Huaweis chief domestic competitor ZTE has also been scrutinized over its close ties to the Chinese regime. Last year, ZTE faced a U.S. import ban after it was found to have breached agreements related to its violations of U.S. sanctions on Iran and North Korea. Meanwhile, Chinas Hytera Communications, one of the worlds largest manufacturers of radio transceivers, was banned in January from importing its products into the United States due to its infringement of Motorola Solutions U.S. patents, according to the U.S. International Trade Commission. And Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology, a manufacturer of video surveillance products, is a key supplier to the Chinese regimes mass surveillance system that monitors and tracks citizens in real time via artificial intelligence technology, including in the Xinjiang region where Uyghur Muslims are heavily persecuted. Since 2016, several British media, quoting former MI6 officers and security ministers, have reported security concerns about using Hikvision products in U.K. Hikvisions competitor, Dahua Technology, has also shown a tendency for security vulnerabilities. Motherboard reported in Sept. 2016 that about 1.5 million Dahua internet-connected security cameras were infected with malware and turned into a botnet. Using their internet connections, hackers maneuvered the cameras to visit KrebsOnSecurity.com, a cybersecurity website operated by American journalist Brian Krebs, and created a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack that crippled the site within two days. Kaspersky-branded products, including an anti-virus software and information security systems, have also been banned. The Vermont ADS warned that the Moscow-based companys products have backdoors that could be exploited by Russian intelligence agencies. I do think its a smart move, Michael Hamilton, founder of Washington State-based cyber security company CI Security, told Burlington Free Press. Back in August 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act, which banned the federal government from purchasing any products from Huawei and ZTE. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu attends a meeting on forming a constitutional committee in Syria at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland on Dec. 18, 2018. (Denis Balibouse/Reuters) Turkey Worried About Uyghurs, Urges China to Protect Religious Freedom in Xinjiang GENEVATurkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu voiced concern on Feb. 25 at Chinas alleged mistreatment of Uyghurs and other Muslims in its Xinjiang region and called on Beijing to protect freedom of religion and cultural identity. The U.N. Human Rights Council opened its main, annual four-week session and diplomats and activists say China has lobbied hard to avoid scrutiny over its policies in Xinjiang and other rights issues. Western countries are looking to Turkey and other members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to spotlight what China calls re-education and training facilities in Xinjiang. U.N. experts and activists say the camps hold a million Uyghurs, who speak a Turkic language, and other Muslims. China has denied accusations of mistreatment and deems criticism within the U.N. council to be interference in its sovereignty. Cavuslogu did not specifically mention mass detention camps in the remote western region of China. But he told the Geneva forum that reports of human rights violations against Uyghurs and other Muslims in Xinjiang were serious cause for concern. A distinction should be made between terrorists and innocent people, Cavusoglu added. We encourage Chinese authorities and expect that universal human rights, including freedom of religion, are respected and full protection of the cultural identities of the Uyghurs and other Muslims is ensured, Cavusoglu said. Chinese Communist Party officials say the mass detentions among the Uyghur population, the majority of whom practice Islam, are part of measures to crack down on terrorism, religious extremism, and separatism in the country. The CCP has used the excuse of potential extremist threats to justify its strict surveillance and crackdown on Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups in the region. Former detainees have told The Epoch Times that Uyghurs are being tortured, raped, and killed in secretive political re-education camps. Uyghurs and other Muslims held in concentration camp-like facilities are forbidden from using Islamic greetings, must learn Mandarin Chinese, and sing propaganda songs, according to a report by Human Rights Watch. China, a member of the 47-member Human Rights Council, did not immediately respond to his remarks, but delegations will be free to reply to allegations later in the session. By Stephanie Nebehay. The Epoch Times contributed to this report. The Only Fully Intact 1600s Swedish Warship in the World Found on Baltic Sea Floor The content is not available due to expiration. Members of Northern California Taiwan Forum in Cupertino, Calif. on on Feb. 21, 2019. Front row from left: Xie Zhengkuan, Cathy Li, Zhuang Shengjin, Zhan Weilian. Rear row from left: Li Yuhua, Li Maocheng. (Nathan Su/The Epoch Times) Taiwanese American Society Celebrates 40th Anniversary of Taiwan Relation Act CUPERTINO, Calif.The Northern California Taiwan Forum held a discussion session on the Taiwan Relation Act (TRA) Thursday, Feb. 21, as part of the celebration activities for the 40th anniversary of the legislation. The U.S. is a solid ally of Taiwan, said Cathy Li, the coordinator of the forum, in Chinese. Li said that it was the Act that established relations between the two countries for the last 40 years, adding, It was in fact not easy. Former President Carters administration abrogated the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty with Taiwan, following the United States formalizing diplomatic relations with China on Jan. 1, 1979. Carters decision to unilaterally nullify the treaty was then challenged by members of Congress, led by Senator Barry Goldwater (R-Ariz.). As a result of the challenge, the TRA was passed by both the Senate and the House and signed into law by Carter on Apr. 10, 1979. The Act established the base for the de facto diplomatic relations between the two countries. The Act does not guarantee the United States will intervene militarily if Taiwan is invaded by China, but rather establishes a so-called strategic ambiguity to dissuade Taiwan from unilateral declaration of its independence and China from invading Taiwan. The Act also requires the United States to arm the island nation with necessary defensive character, and to help the country maintain the capacity to resist any foreign forces that would jeopardize its security. The Act resulted in four decades of peace between the two sides of Taiwan Strait. Life begins at 40! #Taiwan & the #US are celebrating 4 decades of firm friendship & strong ties under the Taiwan Relations Act. The #TRA is the bedrock upon which this enduring partnership is founded. Read @taiwan_todays article on #TRA40 festivities: https://t.co/qcAtQX7jmJ. pic.twitter.com/rEfJkZ6Tqj Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROC (Taiwan) (@MOFA_Taiwan) February 13, 2019 In the last 40 years, China has claimed the TRA as an intrusion by the U.S. into the internal affairs of China, which has been a repetitive statement made by the Chinese regime whenever the United States criticized Chinas humans rights record. In a speech on Jan. 2, Chinese leader Xi Jinping claimed that one nation with two political systems is the basic strategy to unify Taiwan. The one nation with two political systems model was invented for China to take back Hong Kong in 1997 from the British government. The model has been viewed by a majority of Taiwan society as a failed model after Hong Kongs Umbrella pro-democracy movement in 2014. The controversial model has resulted in much debate. People supporting the strategy said that Taiwan has been a part of China since the Ming Dynasty, while people who were against it simply said there was no communist party in the Ming Dynasty. Taiwans president Tsai Ing-wen, in contrast to Chinas Xi, has been promoting Taiwan consensus ever since 2011, before she was elected. Taiwan consensus is freedom, democracy, and to refuse the model of one nation with two political systems proposed by China, said Li. In the years after the TRA signed into law in 1979, the United States has taken further steps to protect the island nations security. Reagans administration made the Six Assurances to further clarify U.S.-Taiwan relations. The Six Assurance later became a Congressional resolution in 2016. The United States Six Assurances are: no ending dates for arms sales to Taiwan; playing no mediation role between Taiwan and China; no change in position on sovereignty over Taiwan; no plans to change the TRA; and no consultation with Beijing on arms sales to Taiwan. Trump signs Taiwan Travel Acthttps://t.co/HKaZr88uct michaelturton (@michaelturton) March 16, 2018 President Trump also signed into law the Taiwan Travel Act in February 2018. As a follow-up to the TRA, the new bill allows mutual high-level official visits from both the United States and Taiwan. Taiwan does not belong to the Peoples Republic of China, Li emphasized in her speech. Li said Taiwans political system is better than China, because Taiwan has democracy, freedom and human rights. Li also pointed out that Taiwans model can be an example for Chinas future. Li pointed out that the country of 23 million people has long been without a one-party political system, and its people have confidence in their own future. It was the TRA that protected Taiwan for the last 40 years, and helped the country become what is today. We cherish US-Taiwan relations, said Li. Several other Taiwanese community leaders also spoke during the session to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the TRA and made announcements for a series of celebration activities in the coming months. Straitjackets: Torture Device Used in Womens Prisons in China Editors note: The Epoch Times is publishing a number of articles exposing the use of torture by the Chinese regime against the groups it targets, and the suffering and harm it causes to those subjected to it. Straitjackets, a invention from over 200 years ago that was intended to prevent a mentally unstable person from harming themselves and others, are being used in Chinese prisons as sadistic torture devices. These jackets should cause no harm to the person being restrained when used as intended. The arms are wrapped around the front of the body and strapped down within long canvas sleeves. However, in womens detention facilities in mainland China, the straitjacket is used by the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) to torture prisoners of conscience, according to a report by Minghui.org, a U.S.-based website that serves as a clearinghouse on the persecution of Falun Gong in China. Prisoners will have their arms immobilized behind their backs, and be hung off the ground with ropes, according to the report. The ropes suspending the women are tied around the arms and wrists, which can cause severe physical damage. With these ties the arms of the victim are crossed and bound behind the back and then pulled forcefully over the head to the chest, according to the International Society for Human Rights, a non-governmental organization based in Germany. With this violent upwards wrenching of the arms, the shoulder joints are dislocated and the elbows and wrists are broken. In some cases, victims have subsequently been hung up upside down by both feet in indescribable pain. Falun Gong prisoners of conscience are particularly targeted with this form of torture, as guards are encouraged to employ a variety of torture methods to force adherents to renounce their faith, according to the Minghui.org report. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice banned by the CCP in 1999, after its immense popularity resulted in up to 100 million adherents in China, according to estimates cited by Western media outlets. Straitjacket Torture The torture typically involves being hung off the ground in a straitjacket for entire days at a time, according to the report. The torture often resulted in injuries to the arms and sever swelling, the report said. While bound and suspended, prison guards would beat and shock the victim with electric batons, the report said. Even after being being taken down, the victims would be forced to stand or squat during the night, and thus go without sleep. Victims are denied use of the restroom while suspended, the report added, and are further denied showering or any form of cleaning for long periods of time. Below are examples from the report of straitjacket torture being used on women who practice Falun Gong. Torture Concealed from Cameras Liu Saijun, was arrested on charges of distributing brochures about Falun Gong in July 2016. She was sentenced to two years in prison. No legal documents were provided about her sentencing, and her family was not even informed. Inside the prison, guards forced Liu into a straitjacket and hung her from a hallway window frame from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. The guards purposely put her out of view of a surveillance camera. She was wrapped in a blanket, and a cabinet was placed in front of her, all to conceal the torture. Liu was denied use of the restroom, and eventually soiled herself. She was forbidden from washing or even changing her clothes. As a result, breathing became difficult. When the guards finally took Liu down, she was forced to either stand or squat for the entire winter night. Due to her blood circulation being cut off, her whole body became swollen. The exact same torture was then repeated the next day, many times over. Debilitated, Dazed In August 2014, police broke into the house of Wen Shulin. They ransacked her residence, confiscated her computer, and took all literature related to her faith. A year later, Wen was arrested for having brochures that were found from the initial ransacking, and sentenced to three-and-a-half-years in prison. Wen suffered in a similar way to Liu while in prison. She was forced into a straitjacket and hung from morning until midnight. She lost mobility in her hands because the ropes that hung her were tied around her wrists. She could barely maintain consciousness and fell into a daze from the excruciating pain. The guards would also get other inmates to monitor Wen. While suspended, an inmate would feed her only her tiny bits of food. She was also denied bathroom rights, and soiled herself as a result. Wen was even mocked by guards and prisoners, saying she had no shame. Hunger Strike brings Electric Batons When Jin Fuwan was imprisoned she was forced to wear a straitjacket four times. Three of those time, she was hung from a window frame so her feet could not touch the ground. Several fingers on her right-hand lost function from the enormous strain. Jin protested the treatment by going on a hunger strike. As a result, she was not only force-fed, but also shocked with electric batons. The batons were inserted into her nose to shock her, and scars were left on her body afterwards. Jin, just as the others, was forbidden from using the bathroom, and from cleaning herself. After Jin was finally released, she appeared emaciated. Though only in her forties, her hair was already gray from the abuse. A public signboard welcomes the upcoming summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, near the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Feb. 21, 2019. (Linh Pham/Getty Images) Speculation Mounts About Trump-Kim Summit WASHINGTONWhile President Donald Trump heads to Hanoi, Vietnam, with hopes to make progress at the second TrumpKim summit, experts speculate about possible outcomes. Trump posted three tweets about North Korea on Feb 24, one day before he was going to leave. The first one said, I will be leaving for Hanoi, Vietnam, early tomorrow for a Summit with Kim Jong Un of North Korea, where we both expect a continuation of the progress made at first Summit in Singapore. Denuclearization? The third one said, Chairman Kim realizes, perhaps better than anyone else, that without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the World. Because of its location and people (and him), it has more potential for rapid growth than any other nation! Possible Progress Harry Kazianis, director of Korean studies at the Center for the National Interest, said there could be three possible results for the summit. I think one that I would say is almost guaranteed is a peace declaration ending the Korean War, because it gives both sides a clear win. I think a lot has been talked about the Yongbyon facility, closure of the Yongbyon facility for something like sanctions relief, Kazianis said. The United States is not going be able to call it sanctions relief because of the political realities here in Washington. But I think they will do something to relieve pressure off North Korea. Lastly, I think political liaison offices in Pyongyang and Washington are very important because it allows both sides to talk to one another. If you have no ability to talk to one another in the middle of a crisis, thats really bad. Richard Johnson, senior director for fuel cycle and verification at the Nuclear Threat Initiative and a former National Security Council member, said that while North Korea has multiple goals to achieve, the United States has only one main goal. The U.S. goal has been very, very clear for many years, which is to see a North Korea that does not have any nuclear weapons, and is not a threat to the United States, or to its regional neighbors. The question is, how do you get there? Johnson thinks a possible starting point could be the nuclear plants at Yongbyon, where there are many different facilities, including a reactor and an enrichment plant. It is good to start with the production of uranium and plutonium, because that will fill a bomb. But once that is taken care of, you have to move to the next step, which could be the weapons themselves, the missiles that deliver them, and other parts of nuclear programs that are threats to the U.S. and the region, including chemical weapons and maybe even biological weapons, Johnson said. Dr. Victor Cha, senior adviser and Korea chair for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), believes the United States should push for some concrete results, and something new. The best possible outcome would be concrete steps taken by North Korea that indicate access to new facilities regarding their nuclear and missile programs, embedded in a commitment to a timeline and a declaration process that could then facilitate disablement and dismantlement, Cha said in an interview after the CSIS event Prospects for the Trump-Kim Vietnam Summit on Feb. 22. Doug Bandow, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, is optimistic about a peace treaty, and thinks President Trump should be given credit for that. President Trump believes very much in person-to-person diplomacy. And he is clearly willing to break with American traditions. That is, President Obama would never have considered a summit under these conditions. President Trump has shown that he is willing to break the mold, and try something new. And that has given this opportunity with Kim Jong Un to reach out and perhaps forge a real peace agreement. And I think President Trump deserves credit for that. Chinas Role In his second tweet on Feb 22, Trump said, President Xi of China has been very helpful in his support of my meeting with Kim Jong Un. The last thing China wants are large scale nuclear weapons right next door. Sanctions placed on the border by China and Russia have been very helpful. But experts are more skeptical about Chinas role. Kazianis said the United States has had to depend on China regarding sanctioning North Korea. Essentially, our maximum pressure policy of economic sanctions is almost entirely enforced by Beijing, because 90 percent of North Koreas export goes through China. So if China wants to end maximum pressure in an afternoon, unfortunately, it can do that by opening the border. Cha shared his view, and said that if China is really interested in making progress on North Korea, they can do either of two things. They would either cut off all economic cooperation with North Korea to force them to denuclearize. Or, they would provide a security guarantee, a nuclear umbrella to North Korea. Either of one of the extremes, if they are really serious about denuclearization. China can do either of these things; but they dont do either of these things. They stay somewhere in the middle; and they put all the burden on the United States to do this. But the United States doesnt have the same tools as China. China has the tools, Cha said. Chinese political and economic analyst Qin Peng said that any normal person would understand that the denuclearization and economic development of North Korea would not only bring peace to China, but could also save the seriously declining economy of northeast China. But why would the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) interfere with the peace process? Because for the CCP, its own rule and interests are above the interest of the Chinese and Korean peoples. An economically dynamic North Korea poses problems for the CCPs stability that an impoverished North Korea does not. That is the reason why they would want to defend the totalitarian Kim regime. This image shows the scene of a cargo plane crash in Trinity Bay, just north of Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico in Texas on Feb. 23, 2019. (KRIV FOX 26 via AP) Sheriff: 2 Bodies Recovered From Texas Plane Crash Site ANAHUAC, TexasA southeast Texas sheriff said Feb. 24 that two bodies have been recovered at the site where a Boeing 767 cargo plane crashed into a coastal bay. All three people aboard the Flight 3591 died, according to the planes owner. Crews continued to search for the third body at Trinity Bay, about 35 miles east of Houston, Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne said at a Sunday afternoon news conference with officials from the National Transportation Safety Board and the FBI. The planes owner, Atlas Air, issued a statement Sunday confirming the deaths, adding that its primary focus is working to provide the families of those affected with care and support. Atlas was operating the flight for Amazon when it crashed Saturday afternoon near the small town of Anahuac. Mesa Airlines said in a statement late Sunday that one of its employees, Sean Archuleta, was one the plane. Archuleta had been a pilot for Mesa since 2013. This is a sad day for the entire Mesa Family as we mourn the loss of Captain Sean Archuleta, airline Chairman and CEO Jonathan Ornstein said. This is a loss for all of aviation. The other two people have not yet been identified. Non Space Watch : News helicopter video of Boeing 767 cargo plane crash debris in Texas lake today. #planecrash #767 #Texas https://t.co/F37Wlgd5CQ www.SpaceWatch.US (KM0MMM) (@KM0MMM) February 24, 2019 NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt said security video from a jail about a mile away from the crash site showed the plane heading toward the ground nose first. Sumwalt added that air traffic controllers reported rain in the area, and that the plane did not send out a distress call before the wreck. Civilian volunteers in small boats helped search part of the bay, but Hawthorne told The Associated Press before the news conference that the volunteers will no longer be used. Jason Campbell was among the civilian boaters who checked the debris on Saturday. What the boaters found was grim. Pieces of bodies, nothing bigger than you know, Campbell told KHOU-TV . Its obvious its human pieces but nothing bigger than you can hold in your hands. Sumwalt said that finding the flight recorders remains a high priority for searchers. The jumbo jet had departed from Miami and was likely moments from landing at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston when it crashed. FBI Special Agent in Charge Perrye Turner asked that anyone with debris on their property contact authorities. Dave Clark, senior vice president of Worldwide Operations at Amazon, said: Our thoughts and prayers are with the flight crew, their families and friends along with the entire team at Atlas Air during this terrible tragedy. We appreciate the first responders who worked urgently to provide support. PHOENIXFounder and chairman of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America Richard Stephenson and his wife, Dr. Stacie Stephenson, were thrilled to tears when they experienced Shen Yun Performing Arts. Richard was captivated by the spectacle on stage but was also touched by the messages it portrayed, saying that it was an expression of the human spirit that you dont see on stage, screen, or elsewhere. [Shen Yun] couldnt have done a better job. This needs to be better understood and more widely displayed, he said. Richard is also a global merchant banker. He said he founded the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in the memory of his mother, who died of cancer. Meanwhile, Stacie is a family physician, lecturer, a practitioner of functional medicine, a certified acupuncturist, and a philanthropist. The Stephensons attended the performance at the Orpheum Theater in Phoenix on Feb. 24. Richard bought tickets to the traditional dance and music production as a surprise for his wife, who was captivated by the performance. The cultural experience, I cant imagine that anyone should ever miss it, Stacie said, adding that Shen Yun spoke to her heart. The beautiful classical dance, the beautiful classical blending of emotion, and freedom, and caring, and human beings taking care of each other, even when someone was wrong, they still help the person that hurt them, and that just made me cry, she said. Freedom of Expression New York-based Shen Yun has a mission to revive Chinas 5,000 years of semi-divine culture that was nearly destroyed after seven decades of communist rule. Richard appreciated how Shen Yun is trying to revive this culture and share it with the world, despite opposition and challenges they face from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The human spirit [is getting] buried under the yoke of oppression, persecution, and thats not what the Creator had in mind for us. And [Shen Yun] reveals that in elegance to us today, he said. China itself was once known as Shen Zhou, or the Divine Land, a term to describe a land where deities and mortals coexisted, and a belief that the divine transmitted a rich culture to the people of the earth. Many of Shen Yuns dances draw from the inner spiritual core of Chinas culture, which encompasses the virtues of benevolence, kindness, and honor. But after the CCP seized power in 1949, genuine Chinese culture was almost decimated, according to the Shen Yun website. From cultural sites and temples to ancient relics and peoples beliefs, much of Chinas history and spirit were destroyed. With Shen Yun performing in over 100 cities around the world a year, the performance is like a window into a cultural treasure that is nearly lost. What you expressed to us in dance, classical music, [and] wonderful, absolutely flowing, unbelievable theatrical performance that highlighted the importance of the Creator, makes it possible for this freedom of expression, Richard said. He added that as humans we do not have to abide by a regime that suppresses peoples freedom. We are not to be subject to the yoke of someone elses judgment, he explained. [Shen Yun] is an expression of freedom, and all the art, and all the craft, and all the elegance. Youre not able to do any of that if youre not free. Thank you for giving us an option to see this expression, Richard said, Stacie shared similar views with her husband, saying: It must be thousands and thousands of years from your beautiful country, and Im so sad to also see how [the culture has] been hurt so much. And I understand you all trying to bring it back and show it to all of us. Thank you. Appreciated it. She said that she was able to see the passion to revive the culture through the performers movements and facial expressions. I see the light in their eyes and the smiles on their faces, and they just want to show their beautiful classical culture with everyone here in America, she said. I felt the energy just coming right through I can see everyones eyes because I was in the front row. She added that she was glad to have seen Shen Yun, saying that it is inspiring your heart, its inspiring your soul, and it gives you hope for humanity. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R) (R-S.C.) confers with former committee chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley (L) (R-IA) during a committee hearing in Washington on Jan. 15, 2019. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Senates Blue Slips May Be Casualty of Democrats Religious Tests WASHINGTONA venerable Senate tradition known as blue slips could become the next casualty of Democrats increasingly frequent imposition of religious litmus tests on federal judicial nominees. For more than 100 years, senators have used the slipsliterally a blue sheet of paperto indicate support or opposition on a presidential nominee. A home-state senators disapproval on a blue slip was customarily the kiss of death for a nomination. Now, the blue slip itself could become history if Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) ignores Sen. Tammy Baldwins (D-Wisc.) reversal last year of her previous support of Gordon Giampietro, President Donald Trumps nominee for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. The White House dropped Giampietros nomination following Baldwins reversal. She originally joined Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) in recommending Giampietro and three other individuals to Trump. Grahams predecessor as committee chairman, Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), set what could be a relevant precedent for the South Carolinian. Frustrated with Democrats delaying tactics against President Donald Trumps nominees for federal appeals court vacancies, Grassley announced Nov. 16, 2017, that he would no longer allow senators to prevent a committee hearing for political or ideological reasons. Using the blue slip for these purposes is not consistent with historical practice. But Baldwins reversal on Giampietros nomination followed publication of a Buzzfeed story quoting him making clear his belief in strongly traditional Catholic teachings on marriage as only a union between a man and a woman and other social issues. Baldwin became the first openly gay person elected to the Senate in 2012. Her reversal and the White House withdrawal of Giampietro puts Graham in a tough situation by forcing him to choose among several difficult options. On the one hand, in future nominations, Graham could simply extend Grassleys action to district court nominees on some basis, even though doing so could effectively end the role of blue slips on judicial nominations. If Graham takes this position, its possible Trump could resubmit the Giampietro nomination. Or Graham could ignore Baldwins action, thus appearing to consent to Democrats using the tradition to advance the use of religious litmus tests, in violation of Article 6, Clause 3 of the Constitution. A Religious Test A committee spokesman for Graham couldnt be reached for comment Feb. 25. But key conservative political activists made clear which courses of action they prefer. Brian Darling of the Liberty Government Affairs public relations firm and a former judiciary panel aide told The Epoch Times that using a religious test on any nomination is unconstitutional and runs contrary to everything that we stand for as a nation. Darling said he doesnt think Graham should respect blue slips with respect to these types of activities, and a slip is merely a courtesy and a tradition of the Senate, its not in the rules. For that reason and because they are chipping away at the filibuster anyway, Darling said, it makes sense for Senator Graham to say if youre going to use a religious test to blue-slip a nominee, Im not going to respect it. Ill respect the blue slip for any other reason but not for reasons that run contrary to our constitutional system. Similarly, Heritage Action Executive Director Tim Chapman told The Epoch Times that it is Senator Grahams prerogative as chairman to honor the blue slip tradition but Americans of faith across the countryand those who are notshould be deeply concerned about the end result of Baldwins action. For all practical purposes, Senator Baldwin didnt even allow a hearing for a nominee because he has religious beliefs that are completely mainstream and well within the tradition of Western Christianity as expressed for millennia. This is becoming an alarming pattern, Chapman said. To satisfy their increasingly secular and stridently progressive base, the leadership of the Democratic Party has shut the door on the views of millions and millions of Americans, he said. Speaking of Baldwins action, Hiram Sasser, general counsel of the Texas-based religious rights group First Liberty, told The Epoch Times that its very disconcerting that a senator would so brazenly violate Article VI, Clause 3 of the Constitution. And Sassers colleague, Jeremy Dys, First Libertys vice president, noted that Kelly Shackleford, the groups president, believes nominees should decline to answer questions about their religious views. Nominees who are asked such questions should consider the following as a model answer: Senator, I am unable to answer that question because its premise violates Article VI, clause 3, of the Constitution, Shackleford wrote in a Feb. 20 opinion piece in the Washington Examiner. Responding in this manner not only serves to frustrate Democratic senators attempts to elicit a particular nominees position on certain issues, but it has the added benefit of demonstrating Article VIs value as a shield for future nominees, Shackleford said. Scientist Predict Mega-Storm Could Bring 3 Times More Destruction Than San Andreas Earthquake The content is not available due to expiration. Pope Francis attends a Eucharistic celebration at the Regia Hall of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican on Feb. 24, 2019, within the fourth and last day of a global child protection summit. (GIUSEPPE LAMI/AFP/Getty Images) Pope Francis Condemns Clergy Abuse Crisis, Fails to Offer Concrete Action Pope Francis pledged to end the dark history of church coverups in his closing speech at the Vaticans four-day summit addressing the global clergy sexual abuse crisis, but failed to offer any concrete plans that would hold bishops accused of such crimes accountableaside from offering some rough guidelines. In the first global Catholic summit of its kind, Francis offered eight points of priority for the church moving forward. Some 190 senior Catholic bishops and religious superiors attended the summit. Describing it as an all-out battle against the sexual abuse of minors, he said victims should be the priority and that priests must follow a path of purity, with the holy fear of God guiding the examination of their own failures. The church has now become increasingly aware of the need, not only to curb the gravest cases of abuse by disciplinary measures and civil and canonical processes, but also to decisively confront the phenomenon both inside and outside the church, Francis said Feb. 24, following a closing Mass in the Sala Regia. The rough guidelines range from changing the mentality of clergy toward protecting children rather than the institution, and to reviewing guidelines by episcopal conferences. But many of the abuse survivors who made the long trip to Rome and other advocates reacted in frustration after Francis failed to promise a zero tolerance approach to pedophile priests and those who cover up such acts. Melanie Sakoda, a board member of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), told The Epoch Times that the summit failed to address accountability problems properly and said there are still priests who have committed such abuses serving in the ministry today. In my eyes, it was a failure. Once again, they met, they talked and talked. Words dont protect children. Only actions protect children and action is not what we are seeing, she said. It was disappointing but not unexcepted. Sakoda said Francis refused a chance to meet with survivors on Feb. 20, some who were from SNAP. She hopes Francis will enact something more concrete in the future. That just shows where his commitment is, she said. He [the pope] doesnt want to listen to people like us. Hell listen to victims who are going to kiss his hand and who would be grateful for any crumbs he gives them. Steven Kelly, a lawyer with the national firm Sanford Heisler Sharp who represents child sexual-abuse victims by clergy among others, told The Epoch Times that there need to be more voices from all sectors of the community to solve the crisis since the church has shown it cant police itself. A bombshell Pennsylvania grand jury report last August detailed many such coverups tactics. Church administrators often dissuaded victims from reporting abuse to police, pressured law enforcement to terminate or avoid an investigation, or conducted their own deficient, biased investigations. It just cannot be done by a bunch of old white men in Rome, Kelly said. They cant fashion a real solution thats going to work. Thats one of the problems with their past failures and their inability to deal with this crisis. Kelly, who has been fighting for victims since 1988, when his older sister was raped and murdered, described the summit as a public relations and lip service event. Its not a real transformative event. Talk is cheap, what action are you going to take? When he [the pope] starts making sweeping policy changes, thats what Im looking for and I think thats what all survivors are looking for, he said. The words are meaningless without changes. Other victim advocates agreed that the pope was all talk. Laura Ahearn, a New York attorney in private practice who represents clergy abuse victims, told The Epoch Times what has to change is the culture within the church. For many years, the Catholic church has been above the law, she said. The pope has talked about the themes of accountability and transparency, but I dont think that is going to be enough thats still not going to change their culture of secrecy. The turning point from my perspective is going to be when they bring in outside education that can help to empower children and to give them skills to recognize that certain behavior is inappropriate. During the summit, German Cardinal Reinhard Marx said the church destroyed documents to cover up sexual abuse cases, which have been increasingly engulfing the church in scandal, as he called for more traceability. Marx said the rights of the victims were effectively trampled underfoot. Files that could have documented the terrible deeds and named those responsible were destroyed, or not even created. Instead of the perpetrators, the victims were regulated and silence imposed on them, Marx said. Some say that enacting a global policy to combat the abuse crisis would be hard to implement, due to different legal barriers and canon law, which is the code of ecclesiastical laws governing the Catholic church. It could be somewhat complicated, Sandra Yocum, associate professor of Theological and Religious Studies at the University of Dayton, told The Epoch Times. Because of the global nature of the church, different countries have different legal systems. The specifics need to be worked out in local context, to some extent. Yocum also argued that to really solve the global crisis, there have to be more people involvednot just the pope. The bishops have to go back to their own places and enact these things. The pope, one person, cant do that, she said. The pope did propose one solid step going forward: changing church law regarding child pornography. The church currently only considers the crime a grave delict if the child is under the age of 14. Francis said he wants to raise the age to 18. Shen Yun Changes Hearts and Minds: I Feel Like Im Responsible Now to Continue What They Gave Us (L-R) Janice and Michael Ardt with their son and daughter in 2015. (Courtesy of Janice Ardt) Opioid Epidemic Highlights Twisted Machinery of Foster Care System Millions of Americans recovering from drug addiction amid the opioid crisis face a looming danger of losing their children as social workers are tempted by twisted incentives to separate families even over smaller lapses in parental judgement. With 20 million Americans needing addiction treatment (pdf) and more than two million hooked on opioids, many families struggle to maintain a wholesome environment for their children. With federal funding on the line, even well-meaning workers of the Child Protective Services (CPS) are then nudged to label parents unfit and funnel hundreds of thousands of children to the shelter and foster care system, where the children often end up faring even worse, at times facing abuse. Last years federal legislation pushed the system somewhat in the right direction, but much work remains, multiple stakeholders made clear to The Epoch Times. For Michael Ardt, 42, and Janice Ardt, 40, it went down like this: In December 2014, the couple was taking care of their friends three children for two weeks in Kentucky when the police and local Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) workers knocked on the door. Someone called in on our friends saying there were drugs in the home, Janice told The Epoch Times via email. Oblivious to the seriousness of the situation, they let the police in and even agreed to undergo a drug test. No drugs were found in the house, but the test came back positive for methamphetamine. The DCBS took their 13-year-old son as well as their friends three children. The three children were at school at the time. Their son wasnt even staying at the househe was staying with the Ardts adult daughter at the time. And the Ardts werent actually drug addicts anymoreas was later confirmed in court, they said. However, in the governments eyes, they were already bad parents, and despite years of efforts, they never got their son back. Positive Test Its not that CPS is removing children for no reason at all. However, often its hard to see a sense of proportion in the actions of the state agencies that operate on a mix of state and federal funding. In fiscal 2017, there were over 440,000 children in the foster care system. CPS alleged physical abuse in only 12 percent of the cases. Sexual abuse pertained to 4 percent and housing to 10 percent, according to data by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (pdf). In nearly two thirds of the cases, parents were accused of neglecta nebulous term with broad definitions that differ from state to state. In general, neglect means some physical or emotional needs of a child arent met. But the CPS workers sometimes resort to inane arguments to prove their case, as demonstrated by the high-profile case of baby Dylan in Connecticut. Is a 4-year-old eating a piece of cake without sitting at the table, or a small child climbing on a picnic table, or a child eating sweets before enough dinner a safety concern? The Days Deborah Straszheim reported in 2017. The [CPS] employee said it was. Drug use of parents is another major factor in neglect accusations, involved in more than a third of CPS removals. If we can get the parent to admit to anything with regards to drugs, we get the removal, said former CPS investigator in Texas Carlos Morales, author of the Legally Kidnapped: The Case Against Child Protective Services, in a 2013 Youtube video. If you admit using marijuana on a weekend when you work with the kids thats considered emotional and physical neglect and that can lead to the removal of children, he said. In the Ardts case, the couple was recovering from an opioid addiction that started after Michael was prescribed pain pills because of a neck injury. As is common for opioid abusers, they turned to taking the pills for the high and quickly ended up with physical dependencysomething the drug companies pushing the pain pills claimed wouldnt happen. The sickening withdrawal symptoms are commonly alleviated with prescribed medication, like methadone, but the Ardts had a different, much more dangerous approach: every now and then, perhaps once in a few months, they would take methamphetamine. [It] worked for us although was not the right way to approach it, Janice acknowledged. They never did it with children around. Im not saying that justifies testing positive, but it doesnt make us bad or unfit parents, she said. It did in the DCBSs eyes. The agency didnt respond to a request for comment. Why Would They Do It? Research has persistently showed that children coming out of the foster care system have substantially worse life outcomes than children in general. Moreover, a study came out in 2007 indicating that in marginal cases of neglect and abuse, where both keeping the family together and removing the child was a plausible option, the children that stayed with parents still did a bit better than those removed, though the results mainly pertained to children aged 10-15 (pdf). Then, with all the heartache of breaking up a family, why would CPS workers do so unless absolutely necessary? The situation was perhaps best explained by former Georgia state Senator Nancy Schaefer in her 2007 report The Corrupt Business of Child Protective Services. The funding continues as long as the child is out of the home, she said (pdf). For decades, the system has generally worked as follows: The CPS gets a tip that a child may be abused or neglected. A CPS worker may visit the family, collect some information, and write an affidavit to a family courtno further evidence necessaryto obtain a removal order. If CPS deems the case serious, it may proceed with removal and obtain the order later. The CPS picks up the child from school or daycare, which is required to surrender the child. The CPS may also come to the home accompanied by police and take the child away. The child is sent to a shelter or a foster parent, who gets paid hundreds of dollars a month to care for the child. The parents, often on the brink of emotional breakdown, hire a lawyer who tells them they have to do what the CPS tells them to or they may never see their child again. The parents protest the removal in the family court and are de facto deemed guilty until proven innocentthey have to prove that the CPS was wrong. The CPS prepares a case plan, which lists what the parents have to do to get their child back or even get permission to see the child. The plan commonly includes things like therapy sessions, parenting classes, anger management classes, psychological evaluations, and addiction treatment. Some of the services may be government-sponsored, but many the parents need to pay for. In many cases, the CPS would contract with providers of the services and parents would be required to use those providers. If a child remains in foster care for more than 15 of the past 22 months, the CPS may start a court case to terminate parental rights and put the child up for adoption, even if the parents case against the removal is still in progress. The federal government pays about half of CPS expenses and the longer the child stays in the system, the more resources are consumed, the more services are provided, the more case workers and lawyers are hired, and the more federal dollars flow in. Since the 1997 Adoption and the Safe Families Act, pioneered by then-first lady Hillary Clinton, the federal government even offers cash bonuses to the states for every child they adopt out of foster care. The stated idea of the measure was to get children out of foster care sooner because adopted children, research suggests, do better than those in foster care. Yet the bonuses created an incentive to keep as many children as possible in foster care for at least 15 months, so that they could be potentially offered up for adoption. In order to receive the adoption incentive bonuses, local child protective services need more children, Schaefer said. They must have merchandise (children) that sell and you must have plenty of them so the buyer can choose. Nearly $680 million was paid out in incentives by the end of fiscal 2017. Schaefer was found shot dead in 2010 along with her husband. Police said the husband killed her and then himself, but no motive was found. While the federal funding may be a pressure for CPS supervisors, CPS investigators and case workers are not necessarily aware of how their salary is sourced. They have their own pressures, however. Morales said he would get a monthly evaluation in which the number of removals would count toward a salary hike at the end of the year. The person who removes three kids in a week, well that persons applauded. The person who prevents three children from being removed in a week, well that persons called lazy, he said. The system is set up in a way that every level of the bureaucracy can simply blame their supervisors, he said. You can always blame any kind of inaccuracies or terrible atrocities that occur on someone else, Morales said. Regardless of motivation, the incentives appear to have moved the needle over time. More than a quarter of the children in the foster care system remain in there for over two years. The average time spent in the system is over 20 months. Adoptions out of the foster care system nearly doubled after the Adoption and Safe Families Actfrom 31,000 in 1997 to more than 58,000 in fiscal year 2017. The number of children exiting the system by reuniting with their parents dropped from 55 percent in 2003 (pdf) to 49 percent in 2017 (pdf). Meanwhile, exits through adoption increased from 18 percent to 24 percent. In short, the CPS has run on removals, not on the number of parent-child relationships they were able to rehabilitate. However, there is a sign of hope. In February 2018, Republicans in the House of Representatives slipped into the 2018 budget bill the provisions of the Family First Prevention Services Act. The bill allows the federal government to use the foster system funding on services that help prevent a childs removal from their family and help families stay together. Now its up to the states to put those programs in place. Update: The article has been updated to more accurately reflect the circumstances of how Michael and Janice Ardt became addicted to opioids. It has also been updated to more accurately characterize the results of the 2007 study Child Protection and Child Outcomes: Measuring the Effects of Foster Care. kathleen carey - medianews group Phoebe Smith of Northley Middle School won the county spelling bee for the third time. Regina King accepts the award for best performance by an actress in a supporting role for "If Beale Street Could Talk" at the Oscars on Feb. 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Notable Winners of 2019 Oscars Shallow Wins Best Original Song Oscar Shallow from A Star Is Born has won the Academy Award for best original song. Shallow was written by Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt. Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper perform it in the film. The song won two Grammy Awards earlier this month. Gaga effusively thanked the academy and her co-winners, as well her sister and Cooper. She says it was not about winning, but it was about not giving up and all the times people have to get up after they are knocked down. The best original score winner was Black Panther composer Ludwig Goransson. Best Supporting Actress Regina King won the Oscar for best supporting actress on Sunday for her role as a mother trying to look out for her pregnant daughter in If Beale Street Could Talk. It was the first Oscar for King, 48, who began her career in Hollywood more than three decades ago as a teenager on the 1980s sitcom 227. It was also her first nomination. King wiped tears from her face as she accepted her award, thanking her mother who was attending the ceremony with her. Im an example of what it looks like when support and love is poured into someone, King said. Mom, I love you so much. In the Barry Jenkins-directed Beale Street, King plays the mother of a pregnant young woman whose future is ruined when her boyfriend is imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. A prolific actress known for her mix of grit and warmth, King for decades has been a fixture on television and in movies, largely in supporting roles. Her breakout film role came in 1996 when she played the wife of Cuba Gooding Jr.s character in Jerry Maguire. This was the first Oscar nomination for King, who has claimed three Emmy Awards in recent years. She also won a Golden Globe Award earlier this year for her Beale Street role. King has also been an outspoken advocate for gender and ethnic diversity in Hollywood. In her acceptance speech at the Golden Globes, she pledged that women would make up half of the staff on all of her projects in the next two years, saying its going to be tough. Other nominees in the category included Amy Adams, Marina de Tavira, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz. Alfonso Cuaron Takes Oscar for Best Cinematography Mexicos Roma is the winner of the best foreign language film at the Oscars. Other films of director Alfonso Cuaron have won Academy Awards, but Roma now becomes the first film from Mexico to win the Oscar for best foreign language film. The movies dialogue is in Spanish and Mixtec. It is Cuarons second win of the night. Earlier in the ceremony, he won the best cinematography award. Black Panther takes 2 awards early in Oscars Black Panther, which is aiming to become the first superhero film to win best picture, won two awards early at 91st Academy Awards for the lush, big-budget craft of Ryan Cooglers Marvel epic. Black Panther won for Ruth Carters costume design and Hannah Beachlers production design at Sundays Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Beachler had been the first African-American to ever be nominated in the category. In a teary acceptance speech, she thanked Coogler for his faith and support. Carter, a veteran costume designer, also won her first Academy Award following two previous nominations. Wow. Wow, Carter said. I got this. This has been a longtime coming. Free Solo Wins Documentary Feature at the Oscars The film about Alex Honnolds first ever free solo climb Yosemites El Capitan Wall won the Academy Award for documentary feature on Feb. 24. Directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin accepted the award and thanked Honnold for teaching us how to believe in the impossible. People walk past pictures of Vietnam, US and North Korean flags in Hanoi on Feb. 25, 2019, ahead of the second US-North Korea summit. (JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) North Korean State Media Condemns US Democrats for Chilling Relations as Summit Looms Pyongyangs state media admonished U.S. critics of the upcoming summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump on Feb. 24 as Kim departed by armored train en route to the summit in Vietnam. U.S. Democrats, intelligence officials, and other skeptics of the meeting were criticized in a commentary by state news agency KCNA for chilling the atmosphere ahead of the second summit. The two leaders aim to build on commitments to denuclearize that were reached in their first summit in Singapore last June. KCNA claimed that if Trump listens to skeptics in the United States, he would face a shattered dream and miss the rare historic opportunity to improve relations with North Korea. The Democratic Party of the U.S. and other opponents to the negotiations move overtly and covertly to disrupt them as supported by skepticism, backed by all sorts of groundless stories and misinformation even at such a crucial moment as now, said the commentary, released under the name Jong Hyon. The commentary said critics of Trumps meeting would bear the responsibility if the summit failed, which they said would leave the people of the United States exposed to security threats. Lasts years meeting was the first of its kind between North Korea and the United States, after which Pyongyang halted their testing of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. Washington is still maintaining its tough sanctions against the communist country until North Korea achieves complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization. State media, in other parts of the article, criticized former President Barack Obamas North Korea strategy, claiming it took the two countries to the brink of war. KCNA described the former presidents policy as the worst blunder and, at the same time, argued that the Democrats criticisms of Trump were driven by a desire to cover up their own failures. The Democratic Party seems not realizing itself lurching toward conservative, being lost to its own authenticity at the end of getting indulged in opposition just for the sake of opposition, the article said. Speaking to reporters in the State Dining Room on Feb. 25, Trump remained optimistic ahead of the meeting between the two countries. We talked about something that frankly he never spoke to anybody about, but were speaking and were speaking loud, and frankly, I think were going to have a tremendous summit, Trump said. Earlier in the day, Trump met for breakfast with governors from across the country, before he announced that he would be heading to the summit. With complete Denuclearization, North Korea will rapidly become an Economic Powerhouse. Without it, just more of the same, he said on Twitter, in part. Chairman Kim will make a wise decision! Meeting for breakfast with our Nations Governors then off to Vietnam for a very important Summit with Kim Jong Un. With complete Denuclearization, North Korea will rapidly become an Economic Powerhouse. Without it, just more of the same. Chairman Kim will make a wise decision! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2019 The summit last year paved the way for Kim to repatriate the long-awaited remains of some 55 U.S. soldiers killed in the 1950-1953 Korean War, fulfilling one of his promises made during the meeting. Three Americans who had been imprisoned in North Korea were also released back to to the United States last year. Some of the criticisms of the summit came from three Democratic chairmen of House committees in a letter to the president on Feb. 21 that accused the Trump administration of withholding information on the negotiations with North Korea. Trump responded to some of the criticisms in a broad statement. So funny to watch people who have failed for years, they got NOTHING, telling me how to negotiate with North Korea, he said on Twitter. But thanks anyway! Last month, North Koreas ambassador to the United Nations, Han Tae Song, said 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. Reuters contributed to this report. New York Q&A: What Do You Think of Amazon Pulling out of New York? Amazons sudden pullout from a deal to expand its second joint headquarters with New York was described by Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo as the greatest tragedy that he had seen since he had been in government and by President Donald Trump as a great loss for New York City. Amazon, which was due to name New Yorks Long Island City as the location for part of its second headquarters, pulled out of the lucrative and much-anticipated deal on Valentines Day due to a lack of cooperation from local politicians, following months of political pressure from state Sen. Mike Gianaris and City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, along with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who accused the city of selling out to big corporations and misspending funds. After a two-year search for the perfect location, Amazon was enticed by Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio with a total $3 billion tax incentive to lay plans in Long Island City, which would have created 25,000 jobs. Amazon also donated land to build a school. In regard to the jobs that would be created, Ocasio-Cortez said at her inauguration speech on Feb. 16 that people shouldnt have to settle for scraps and said that the $3 billion could be better spent elsewhere. She received a harsh rebuke from the Job Creators Network (JCN) in the form of a billboard in Times Square accusing her of costing the city 25,000 jobs and billions in lost wages. Cuomo lays the blame on Amazon and the unions. We went to the streets to ask the people of New York for their opinions on the matter. Lena Lencek, 70, professor I dont think it was a good idea that they pulled out. I think they should negotiate more and meet the requests of the workers, who need to be assured of a fair wage and fair working conditions. So I think they should have put their greed aside, and I think it would have been a good thing for the city to have additional work. Governor Cuomo and Mayor De Blasio gave a strong incentive, very much, I believe. The idea was that the incentive, [which] was a gesture for future reciprocity that the city was offering in tax reduction, would be compensated in the long term by employment, by a healthier economy and a more solid tax base. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, it wasnt even her district. I dont know her very well, but I think she is a demagogue. Even though Im a liberal, I think that her solutions are facile and not well thought out, and driven by an attentive form of political base. Yoji Suzuki, 38, business owner I think it was better for Amazon to be here. Coming from the perspective of a business owner, they would create more business around the city, which we need. We might have another recession soon, and they could be a good company to have around. Thats what everybody does now. Texas sent for Toyota to come over, and they created employment there. Thats how American business goes, and thats how American employment goes. They argue about rent. Well, its already expensivesomebodys going to benefit from the rent, too, right? Thats how New York has been for 200 yearssomeone comes in, knocks a building down, and builds a new one. This is the Big Apple; everybody gets a bite. I run a small business, so thats my mindset. I want to have a healthy market in the city. How does America, Japan, or Germany keep its economy running? We had a recession, but Apple, Amazon, Google, they kind of saved the industry at the time, and we should be proud of that. Being Japanese, were proud of Toyota, were proud of Sony. Thats what they do. We have to work with them. Maxine Goring, 52, psychologist They just folded under political pressure, which was wrong, anyway. I guess people just didnt see the fact of the thousands of jobs that would come into New York City. It was a bad decision just based on the jobsI mean, they were going to get a big tax write-off, but its worth the jobs that it actually brought, you have to weight the pros and cons. [About the JCN sign,] I dont think thats fair to [Ocasio-Cortez]. It wasnt her aloneother people were saying things. Amazon should have stood their ground because they made a deal. They should have held to their word with the city. Fernando Rodriguez, 31, civil engineering, from Argentina If they can provide new jobs and the city needs them, I think they should stay, but with more regulation and a more controlled environment from the government so they stick to the agreements that they made. That would be cool. If we can have more production, that would mean more production for the country. The most important thing you need to build an economy is production, so if you can get more people to produce more, you will have more GDP in the end. Its good as long as they do what theyre supposed to do. The part of the government is to regulate the company so they are doing what they are supposed to be doing and delivering what they should. Why dont the people want Amazon there? With the rising rents, thats better overall. The problem is with people living there already, because they will need to pay more rent. But overall, it is good. When the rent goes up in an area, it means that the place has become richer. It would be better for the owners, but maybe not so much for the people renting. All interviews edited for clarity and brevity Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Feb. 13, 2019. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images) Morrison Pledges $2B for Emissions Fund Prime Minister Scott Morrison has unveiled a $2 billion Climate Solutions Fund aimed at taking direct action on climate change. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has always been confident Australia will meet its emissions reduction targets because he knew the government had a new A$2 billion ($1.4 billion) fund up its sleeve. Morrison on Monday, Feb. 25, announced the 10-year Climate Solutions Fund in a major speech outlining the coalitions action to cut carbon emissions. Today I announced our Governments climate solutions package. Its a comprehensive, fully costed $3.5b plan to deliver on Australias 2030 emissions reduction targets, and to do so at pace. Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) February 25, 2019 It will extend the Abbott governments direct action Emissions Reduction Fund set up in 2014 for a range of carbon abatement programs, from vegetation management to energy efficiency and transport. This is a continuation of those programs, thats why Ive always been so confident, the prime minister told Sky News. And why am I so confident? Because the 2020 targetswe will exceed by over 400 million tonnes. Morrison says the climate solutions package will ensure Australia meets its 2030 target of lowering emissions from 2005 levels by 26 to 28 per cent by 2030. The new fund will partner with farmers, local governments, and businesses to deliver practical climate solutions to reduce emissions by 103 million tonnes by 2030. It includes a new $2b Climate Solutions Fund to deliver practical climate solutions across the country, in partnership with businesses, communities & farmers. Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) February 25, 2019 Thats no slouch of a commitment or achievement, he told the media in Melbourne. We will continue to play our part in meeting the global challenge of climate change in the 21st century and we can hold our heads high in what we are doing. And we will not, and I will not, allow others to talk down what Australia is achieving in this area. The prime minister says Australia wont have to use foreign carbon credits to meet the emissions targets, unlike New Zealand. But Labors climate spokesman Mark Butler says the opposition will scrap the fund if it wins the election. The fund is a failed policy as emissions have been increasing in recent years and are projected to keep doing so, he added. We would scrap it because these sorts of activities should be paid for by the private sector, Butler told ABCs Radio National. Read More Homogenised Temperature Data From Australian Weather Bureau in Spotlight Again Morrison will contrast the coalitions plan with Labors 45 per cent emissions reduction target by 2030. Sure you can have higher targets. But they come at a tremendous cost. A cost far worse than the carbon tax Labor said they wouldnt introduce, but they did and our government had to abolish, the prime minister said. Tackling climate change requires practical policies. We will continue to play our part but will do so without taking a sledgehammer to our economy. It requires cool heads, not just impassioned hearts. Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) February 25, 2019 He said his government would continue to play its part in meeting the global challenge of climate change but without taking a sledgehammer to our economy. We need reliable power, as well as renewable, he told Nine news. Im not going to join the Labor Party who sees the global market for our biggest mineral export facing some real problems as being wonderful. Morrison said Labors plan was a carbon tax on steroids. Labors emissions target will cost everyone $9,000 a year, he said. Thats what the independent assessment came out and said last week. Unlike Labors plan, our climate solutions policies mean we can reduce emissions while growing our economy and keeping electricity prices lower. Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) February 25, 2019 Morrison rejected claims the fund is a price on carbon, insisting its not a price, its an investment. Some moderate Liberals had lobbied for $1 billion be put into the Emissions Reduction Fund, fearing the government needed to do more to tackle climate change. Climate policy has been a highly contentious issue within the coalition, with the issue playing a significant role in the campaigns of former Liberals challenging sitting MPs and the tensions which led to Malcolm Turnbull being dumped. By Matt Coughlan and Rebecca Gredley More Details on Mother Who Killed Her 3 Daughters, Herself A 28-year-old Michigan mother of three reportedly used a false doctors note to get her daughters out of school before she killed them and herself last week. Aubrianne Moore showed up at her kids school in the day to pick up Alaina Rau, 2; Cassidy Rodery, 6; and Kyrie Rodery, 8, said Kent County Sheriffs Office detectives in a Fox News report. The doctors note to the school was fake, officials said. Three adorable souls, gone forever. RIP little angels Daily Mail 2019224 Moores former social worker had warned about her behavior months before the tragic incident in a petition to the Newaygo County Probate Court. Aubrianne is keeping her kids home from school because the television told her there would be a school bus accident today, the social worker said, WYFF reported. She added: Aubrianne stays awake at night believing people will break into her home. Aubrianne is not eating believing food is being poisoned. I believe the individual has mental illness and as a result of that mental illness the individual can reasonably be expected within the near future to intentionally or unintentionally seriously physically injure self or others, the social worker said. VIDEO from 19 Mile Road northwest of Cedar Springs, where authorities are investigating the apparent shooting deaths of four people, including children: https://t.co/KYZ9oofRcc pic.twitter.com/4qQpw4Yoan WOOD TV8 (@WOODTV) February 18, 2019 WOOD-TV, citing investigators, reported that she drove her daughters out to a forested area near their great-grandparents home before luring them one-by-one. Moore then shot them with a hunting rifle before going back to her boyfriends house, turning the gun on herself near the vehicle, the report said. Ive been with the sheriffs department for 29 years, Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young stated in a video. This is one of the hardest cases Ive ever hear about. This is a very difficult case. Our investigators are feeling it. Its heartbreaking that something like this happened in our community. Family members have identified the three children and the woman found dead in Michigan today. They are 2-year-old Alanah Moore, 6-year-old Cassidy Graham and 8-year-old Kyrie Graham and Aubrianne Moore. https://t.co/AWjPaxIbAz WKRG (@WKRG) February 19, 2019 We dont know what was going through her head, she didnt leave a suicide note or anything like that, LaJoye-Young added in the video. Mom appears to have been struggling with pretty substantial mental health issues She had some postings on Facebook and things like that that lead to believe she was paranoid and thought that the kids were in jeopardy somehow. The sheriff elaborated on the incident. We were able to pretty accurately put together the timeline of everything that happened from the time the kids were picked up from school until the time the bodies were found, so were very certain that there wasnt any opportunity for anyone else (to be involved). Plus the ballistics were consistent with the suicide in the three murders, LaJoye-Young told WOOD. KCSO Sheriff LaJoye-Young addresses the media regarding an active investigation on 19 mile Road. We can confirm 4 casualties however we do not believe there is an active threat to community safety. pic.twitter.com/HdcxtNyI6n Kent County Sheriff (@KentSheriff) February 18, 2019 At one point last year, Moore agreed to be hospitalized due to mental health issues, but its not clear how long she was there. I dont understand it. She had beautiful children, wonderful children, a family member told WOOD-TV. I dont see what the reason was to take them. School officials also spoke fondly of the girls. Cassidys teacher mentioned she was hard-working and friendly, Tri County Area Superintendent Allen Cumings said in a letter, as Fox reported. Kyries teacher also noted her love of reading and said she often volunteered to help others. Gift of Life Michigan in Ann Arbor said that Cassidy and Kyries father agreed to donate some of their tissue, WOOD reported. If you or someone you know struggles with suicidal thoughts, one can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Savannah Rhinehart, 25, was charged with child neglect, burglary and petit larceny when she broke into a man's home on in Feb. 14, 2019. (countyofunion.org) Man Comes Home to Find Stranger With Her Kids, Dog, Eating His Food, Wearing His Familys Clothes Imagine coming home one day to find strangers having moved in without notice. They have made themselves quite comfortablekind of like what happened in Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Thats what happened to a man from Union, South Carolina, who came home one day to find a strange woman, her children, and a dog there, eating his food and even wearing his familys clothes. Kent Foster had arrived home from work on Feb. 13 around 3.30 p.m. when he found the front door had been barricaded shut by a car seat, local station WHNS reported. He decided to call 911 upon hearing noises of strangers, including that of a crying baby, inside the house. Then, he saw a strange woman who poked her head out of the door and asked him: What are you doing at my house? And I said Excuse me? I live here,' Foster recounted of the encounter to the news station. He said the woman then asked him why her childrens belongings were in the backyard, to which he replied, What are you talking about, this is all my childrens stuff. Foster said the woman then rolled her eyes and shut the door on him. At the time, Foster was standing outside the house, waiting for the police to arrive. He had noticed a small dog that looked like a chihuahua in his yard just moments earlier and found it strange. Hed never seen a dog around his house in the past four years because the neighborhood is one that is full of cats. Foster told WHNS that when police arrived and knocked on the door, they were met with a strange greeting. When she opens the door, the first thing she says is, Can I help you?' Foster said. He then asked her to leave his house again. The woman reportedly told police that she lived there but the police said her claim was not true, according to WHNS. Intruders Trashed the House When the woman obeyed police orders and opened the door, Foster was taken aback when he realized what the woman was wearing. My mouth drops, he told WHNS, She had all of [my wifes] clothes onfrom bedroom shoes, to pants, to tank top, to shirt. Foster saw two strange children inside the house and they were wearing his own childrens clothes. But one child, a boy, was completely undressed from the waist down. Meanwhile, the chihuahua-like dog had urinated in the home. Foster also noticed furniture had been moved around the house, which was in a state of disarray, and someone had been smoking inside. It may have been all too much for the homeowner, who liked to keep his house fresh and clean. My house stays spotless, and, aroma, like candles, all the time, he told WHNS. What appeared to have bothered him most were the wet sponges in the bathroom sink, and suds and fresh water in his bathtub. Someone, Im not sure who, whether it was the kids or it was her, had taken bathsin my house, he told the news station with emphasis. Foster also said that the intruders had also been eating the familys food. To sum up the entire incident, he said I feel violated. I feel extremely violated. The Stranger The woman was later identified by police as 25-year-old Savannah Rhinehart. She failed to give police a clear answer as to how she managed to break into the house. Police say they also dont know why she decided to target and break into the house. I spoke to the officer who responded who said that in her mind, she thought she lived there, Union Public Safety Captain Kevin Powers told People. Foster recounted to WHNS the womans strange appearance and conduct. Not many teeth in her mouth, face was really sunk in, and the way she acted, tweaked and turned the whole conversation, Foster said. At that point, I was like, she may be on something.' According to WHNS, police said they took Rhinehart to the hospital to be evaluated for her strange behavior. After she was released from the hospital, police charged her with child neglect, non-violent burglary, and petit larceny. Her children were put in emergency protective custody under the Department of Social Services. Jussie Smollett Hoax Fallout: Career Criminal Investigator and Trump Campaigner Steven Rogers on American Thought Leaders Jussie Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said during an impassioned press conference, in which he discussed whats now popularly known as the Jussie Smollett Hoax. To make things worse, the accusations within this phony attack received national attention for weeks, Johnson said. Celebrities, news commentators, and even presidential candidates weighed in on something that was choreographed by an actor. What was initially reported as a hate crime against a gay, black man by supporters of President Donald Trump was actuallyin Johnsons viewa shameful attempt by Smollett to stage a publicity stunt. The president, writing on Twitter, referred to Smolletts comments as dangerous. Whats the significance of Johnsons comments on the Smollett case? What is the danger that Trump warned about on Twitter? Why did the media and presidential candidates weigh in so quickly before the facts were known? And what impact does all of this have on the 2020 elections? Epoch Times senior editor Jan Jekielek interviewed Steven Rogers, a Trump 2020 campaign advisory board member who headed the criminal investigations division of a New Jersey police department for almost two decades. He also is a former senior U.S. Navy intelligence officer and FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force member. Jan Jekielek: Were going to talk about this Jussie Smollett situation, what many people are calling a hoax. The Chicago police superintendent, Eddie Johnson, did a long press conference explaining what the department had found. And Im wondering if you could kind of outline that for us? The thing that struck me about it was that it was a very definitive and passionate statement. And with your experience working in police, you might be able to offer a perspective. It was something different than Im used to seeing. Steven Rogers: Keep in mind that it was not only a hoaxit was a very dangerous criminal act that this individual created in that city and possibly around the country. Now, with regard to the police superintendent, he did an outstanding job, obviously, in investigating the case, but more so quickly, getting the correct and truthful information out to the public. That transparency on his part probably prevented more violence, not only in his city, but in some areas around the country. Keep in mind that the individual who committed this act named a specific group of people, and that would be the supporters of President Donald Trump, who in his view, according to his actions, regarding the reason why the crime was perpetrated upon him, was because of the so-called rhetoric of the president and the MAGA supporters, which we know is completely not truthful. Mr. Jekielek: So, there were over 50 subpoenas, more than 100 people interviewed, there were over 50 cameras actually searched to get evidence. It feels like an astounding amount of police work, over a very few days. Mr. Rogers: Well, thats another reason why you give much credit to the Chicago Police Department and the superintendent. This was a very high-profile case, a very sensitive case. And it goes back to what I just said: If the police would have treated this, perhaps, less than what they did, there was a potential for more violence to be surfacing around the country. So, yes, manpower-intensive. I could imagine the tens of thousands of dollars it cost that city to investigate, but they wanted an airtight case. As the superintendent said, it wasnt the technology that the department had to close this case, it was the leg work, the footwork, the handwork, and the investigative work of those police detectives. Mr. Jekielek: Superintendent Johnson said that he was offended and angry, in the opening words of that press conference. Can you tell me more about, based on your experience, why he might have done that? Mr. Rogers: Ive got to tell you, its rare, isnt it? Its rare to see the leader of a police department come out and use those words, but the man loves his city. He loves his department. Hes very passionate about preventing crime in that city. He talked about the resources that were taken away from real victims of crime, and thats victims of the violence in that city. So, if there was ever a role model for police chiefs around this country and around the world, its this man, because he was speaking not as a police superintendent, but I think more importantly as a father, and as a citizen of that community. He was speaking from his soul and his heart, and it certainly resonated with the American people. Mr. Jekielek: He also said, and this really kind of struck me, that bogus claimswhich it really appears that this almost certainly is onecause harm. Can you expand on that? Mr. Rogers: Well, sure. But let me give a few examples. In my experience in law enforcement, there have been many people who would come to me and our police officers and tell us that they were victims of crime. We would put a lot of resources into these investigations, and wed find that they lied to us. So, why are they harmful? Theyre harmful because when the real person, the real victim, comes to the police, youre almost thinking, Is this something that is going to be repeated over and over again? especially if these individuals get away with these crimes. This is why its important. The second stage of this is the courts. The courts are going to have to lay heavy, heavy penalties on this individual, including jail time, so that other people arent encouraged to commit these acts. Mr. Jekielek: Let me jump to a tweet that the president made; as all this is being uncovered, he said: @Jussie Smollett What about MAGA (Make America Great Again) and the tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments. Why do you think the president did that? Mr. Rogers: Ill tell you: The president has worked very, very hard to create a great relationship with the minority community across this country. And I could attest to the fact that it is working, that hes got a lot of pastors around this country, from the inner cities, working with him. Hes performed very well with regard to employment in the minority community, so the president is building bridges, and he is addressing the problems of racism in the country. So here, this Smollett comes along, and in one criminal actone terrible criminal acthe tries to dismantle everything that the president of the United States has been doing. Thats No. 1. No. 2 [is that] I work with organizations that work with MAGA supporters, Ive been to rallies there where there have been 20, 30, 40 thousand MAGA supporters. And I can tell you that there has been no racial incidents. Youve got one or two people who will get a little overexcited. Have you seen riots? Have you seen civil disturbances? Absolutely not. And many of those MAGA supporters are who? People from minority communities. So, thats why the president tweeted that out. He believes that Smollett should apologize, as we all do, to the MAGA supporters of the president of the United States, and he should also apologize to the minority communities across this country for committing the act that he committed. Mr. Jekielek: Lets switch gears a little bit here. When this was first reported by Jussie Smollett, and then a number of media picked it up, there were interviews, and we will jump to the media in a moment. But a number of, even presidential candidates, basically, spoke out, I think on Twitter initially, notably Corey Booker, Kamala Harris, kind of condemning what had happened, assuming that this was factual. They seem to have jumped the gun. Perhaps its not the first time that were seeing people jump the gun. Can you comment on that? Mr. Rogers: Theres a reason for that. Because the motives of those critics or the motives of those who supported Smollett, their motive wasit had nothing to do with him, nothing to do with the crime that was committed. It had everything to do with seizing an opportunity to do what? To criticize President Donald Trump, to again go after the president, to blame the president, to blame his supporters. So their motives are not pure. The politicians that came out and jumped the gun without any facts, without any police reports that were articulated by the police superintendent, they seized the opportunity to do what? To go after President Trump. So, if Jussie Smollett thinks he has friends in these peopleit has nothing to do with him in their eyes. It has everything to do with their political agenda. Theres your reason why they did that. Mr. Jekielek: Superintendent Johnson, also in his address in the press conference, chided the media for basically jumping the gun and reporting things that werent necessarily factual, as being factual. This actually was the same thing that we saw with the Covington kids story a few weeks earlierat least thats what I believe were seeing. What do you think that says about the media coverage of the president? Mr. Rogers: Well, Ive said, and I could attest to this fact, that with the exception of your network here, and some othersvery few othersthe media in this country is no longer reporting news. What they are doing is jumping on the political propaganda bandwagon in order to do damage to this president. The fact of the matter is that you are hard-pressed to find good newsand Im not talking about good news, Im talking about fair news, and the media jumps on these particular incidents, to do what? They care nothing about the victims, they care nothing about the facts, but they care everything about trying to bring the president down. This is a very difficult message for a person like me to get across, because people find it hard to believe that the media in this country would do that. I could tell you this, and Ive said this all over the country: Walter Cronkite, from years ago, would be rolling over in his grave if he saw what these media outlets are doing. But as I said earlier to a group of people here: He would rise from the grave if he came here and saw what your media outlet is doing, and others are doing, with regard to true journalism. That to me is very, very important, because we dont have much of that here in this country today. Mr. Jekielek: How is it that the superintendentbasically the way he talked about things to mesounded like: This guy is just guilty, Ive decided this guys guilty. There was no presumption of innocence in there, right? I dont usually see people speak that way. So he feels he has an airtight case? Mr. Rogers: He saw the evidence, and the biggest piece of evidence was the check. [Smollett] signed a check and paid off the two individuals he had commit the crime against him. You dont do that, you [use] cash. So there were enough dots connected for this police superintendent to articulate the fact that this guy is guilty. Theres no question about it. Now, his defense may not be a not-guilty defense. It may be Can we reduce or have no jail time? Because any defense attorney is going to realize there is enough evidence against this guy to put him away. My guess is theyre going to be fighting to make sure theres no jail time. Mr. Jekielek: This is something that struck me, again in light of what you were speaking about, with respect to media and so forth. Do you think that Smollett somehow felt like he might get a pass on doing this? How is it that someone even conceives of doing such a thing, I guess, is my question? Mr. Rogers: Well, they conceive of doing such a thing because they believe they could get away with it. If they didnt think they could get away with it, they wouldnt be doing these things. Heres an individual who probably felt that, because of the way the mainstream media have been projecting a lot of these incidents, kind of favoring this side of so-called victims of these bogus crimes, he probably thought he would be falling into that category. Dont forget, hes on a TV series, a popular guy, supposed to be a good actor, and he probably thought that this would boost his value, but instead, it certainly backfired. Mr. Jekielek: What if he was successful? What impact do you think that would have had on Trump supporters, the campaign, and so forth? Mr. Rogers: I dont think very much because, as Ive always said, people are responsible for their own actions. I hear time and again where there are incidents regarding people with MAGA hats on, or people at Trump events, and, right away, the media wants to blame President Trump because of some individual who decided to get out of hand. Well, you know what? The president has nothing to do with that. When I go out and speak, if somebody gets out of hand, and they had a few drinks, am I responsible for their actions? So, it wouldnt have had much impact on that. People need to be accountable for their own actions and not continuously blame the next guy. You know the old saying, The devil made me do it? Well, you know what? That doesnt fly anymore. Be accountable, be responsible for your own actions. Thats the way that would have played out if it did happen the way this individual said it happened. Mr. Jekielek: Let me frame this question a different way as well. If weif the general public, including perhaps myselfbelieved [the story] and this hoax-related evidence hadnt come to light, how do you think that would have affected the vote in 2020? Mr. Rogers: I guess the question is, what if it was real, what if it happened, what if it was all over the belief of the MAGA supporters of the president? I can tell you myself and others and probably the president would say, we dont do things like that. We dont start or commit acts of violence. We do things the right way. Do you know what the right way is? Get in the voting booth, get involved. And the president and his campaign has always said that we dont want people to get involved in any violent confrontations. Exercise your rights of free speech, exercise the freedoms you have, but the last thing on earth that I know the president or any of his supporters want to get involved in is any act of violent confrontation with anyone. So, it wouldnt have had much impact, other than we would have corrected some peoples courses. Mr. Jekielek: What if something like this happened five days before the election? Mr. Rogers: Again, I dont think it would change much, because the president has solid support in this country, and people are smart today. Keep in mind with the internet and all of the news feeds we have, at least we do have a lot of good stuff over the internet and we do have stations that are bringing the truth in. I dont think it would have much impact because the presidents accomplishmentswhich unfortunately are not talked about very much far outweigh and outpace some of the negative things that have been portrayed about him around the country. Dont forget our quality of life is really good in this country now. The economy is strong, the military is strong, and what hes doing with regard to foreign policy is just outstanding. The man has kept every promise hes made to the American people. Theyve given him a hard time. The democratic socialists have given him a hard time, especially with regard to the wall, but hes keeping his promises. So, the impact of anything like this would have been minimal five days before the election. Mr. Jekielek: Is there anything else you think thats important to reference with respect to this Jussie Smollett situation? Mr. Rogers: I do. What I think is important to reference is No. 1, be cautious before you pass judgment on any case. Let the police do their job. Make sure you get all the information before you pass any judgment. And No. 2, what is very important is that this individual goes to jail, and that hes ordered to repay the city of Chicago and that police department every single dime that they expended on the investigation. That may discourage someone else from committing a similar act. 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. Paul Caneiro appears in Monmouth County Superior Court for a detention hearing in Freehold, N.J., on Nov. 30, 2018. (Patti Sapone/NJ Advance Media via AP) Indictment: Man Killed Brothers Family Over Missing Money FREEHOLD, N.J.Suspicious of his brother over missing money from two companies they owned at the New Jersey shore, Keith Caneiro emailed two business associates last fall, saying he was going to cut off further payments to his brother, Paul. The next day, Keith Caneiro, his wife and their two young children were found dead in their burning mansion in New Jersey horse country. Paul Caneiro was arrested on arson and other charges. Tech CEO Keith Caneiro, his wife, Jennifer Caniero, and their two children were found dead Tuesday after a mysterious shooting and fire at their mansion in Colts Neck, New Jersey: https://t.co/3KSisqSisZ pic.twitter.com/u5OvSbIJU5 Tom Cleary (@tomwcleary) November 21, 2018 On Feb. 25, authorities unsealed court documents charging Paul Caneiro with murdering his brother, sister-in-law, a niece, and a nephew, detailing evidence recovered tying him to the killings including clothing and a knife both smeared with blood. An indictment charges Paul Caneiro, 51, with murder, felony murder, aggravated arson, and a weapons offense. He also faces counts of theft, misapplication of entrusted property, and hindering his own apprehension. The charges stem from the deaths of Keith Caneiro, 50; his wife, Jennifer, 45; and their two young children. Their bodies were found after a fire broke out at their Colts Neck home Nov. 20. Paul Caneiro has pleaded not guilty. His attorneys have said their client loved his family, had no reason to harm them and had been wrongly accused. They said they plan to release a statement later Monday regarding the indictment. An affidavit filed by law enforcement officers in support of the criminal charges shows tensions brewing between the two brothers, who jointly owned a pair of businesses in Asbury Park. The night before he was killed, Keith Caneiro sent an email to two business associates indicating that there was money missing from the business and that, he (Keith), would be discontinuing payment to Pauls wife until the money was found, according to the affidavit. An office manager for the businesses, who was not named in court documents, told investigators that because Paul Caniero was disabled from a car accident, his salary was being paid to his wife. The office manager reported that in the past year, Keith has told her to stop payment to defendants wife because of arguments with Paul over money, the affidavit read. Keith Caneiro was 90 percent owner of Squareone Inc. a technology firm, with his brother owning the remaining 10 percent. The brothers were equal owners of a second business, EcoStar Pest Management, both of which were operated out of a single office in Asbury Park. Keith Caneiro wanted to sell one of the businesses and was frustrated with Paul and the amount of money Paul spent from their business accounts, according to the affidavit. Colts Neck police were dispatched to Keith Caneiros mansion in New Jersey horse country at 12:38 p.m. on Nov. 20, after a neighbor reported the house was on fire. UPDATE: Police Describe The Steps That Paul Caneiro Took In The Arsons & Murders He Committed In Killing His Brother, His Brothers Wife & Their 2 Little Kids.https://t.co/0T5y0sPdKB pic.twitter.com/xf7R2c5gns FirefighterCloseCall (@TheSecretList) November 30, 2018 Officers found Keith Caneiros body on the lawn; he had been shot once in the lower back and four times in the head. Inside the mansion were the bodies of his wife, Jennifer, their 11-year-old son Jesse and 8-year-old daughter Sophia. The children were stabbed multiple times; their mother was shot and stabbed. The charges against quadruple-homicide-suspect Paul Caneiro have doubled. MyCentralJersey 2019225 Officers searching Paul Caneiros house in nearby Ocean Township found a plastic container in the basement containing bloody clothing and a latex glove, according to court documents. The blood was later determined to have come from Sophia Caneiro, and her DNA was found on a knife recovered at the crime scene, according to law enforcement officers. By Wayne Parry Indian Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel stand guard in front of closed shops during restrictions after Kashmiri separatist called for shutdown to protest the arrest of their leaders in Srinagar Feb. 24, 2019. (Danish Ismail/Reuters) India Toughens Kashmir Crackdown; Five Dead in Battle With Terrorists, More Detained SRINAGAR. KashmirFive people were killed in a gun battle between members of a Pakistani militant group and Indian security forces in disputed Kashmir on Feb. 24 as India intensified a security crackdown, including detaining more than 160 separatists this weekend. Three members of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)the Pakistan-based group that claimed a Feb. 14 suicide car bombing that killed 40 Indian paramilitary policedied in the shootout, as did a senior police officer and an Indian army soldier, according to the Indian military and police. Three more soldiers were wounded in the battle in Turigam, a village in South Kashmirs Kulgam district, defense and police officials said. Two of the dead terorists were from India, and one a foreigner, said a senior police officer who asked not to be identified. Indian authorities have killed at least eight JeM terrorists and detained around 50 others, sympathizers, and their relatives since the bomb attack, which also sparked the roundup of separatists which India says is needed to head off trouble ahead of a general election to be held by May. Most of those rounded up over the last two days were linked to the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI). Since JeI has a wider network across Kashmir and they are mobilizing anti-India protests, their arrest could help in curbing such protests ahead of elections, the senior police officer said. One well-known separatist leader, Abdul Gani Bhat, was placed under house arrest, according to his political party. Separatists called a strike to protest against the detentions. Many shops, petrol stations, and businesses closed, with few people and vehicles on streets in sensitive areas, except for troop patrols. In some areas of the main city of Srinagar, the government limited the movement of people and vehicles. The restrictions have been imposed as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident, the police said. Fuel Supplies Low The government of Jammu and Kashmir said fuel rationing had been introduced in the Kashmir Valley where there was only enough gasoline for one day, diesel for four days and no liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The government said it would seek to increase supplies to the region and that shortages are the result of road blockages after the suicide bomb attack. Indian paramilitary troops in riot gear arrived in strength at first light, said Shakeel Ahmad, a resident of Nowhatta in the Srinagar district. At places, they have blocked the main roads with steel barricades and concertina wire, he said. State Governor Satya Pal Malik called on residents not to believe rumors of any extreme nature. The government said an increase in police numbers was to prevent candidates and voters from being intimidated into not standing or voting in the general election. Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who chairs the Hurriyat Conference of separatist groups, said arbitrary arrests and jailing of leaders, activists and young people for their political beliefs had happened across Kashmir for 30 years. Intimidating activists and leadership will not deter them from their path, nor will it stop people from demanding the resolution of the Kashmir dispute through self-determination, he said. Reuters telephone calls to the Indian home ministry to seek comment went unanswered. Tensions Raised The suicide bomb attack has raised tensions between India and Pakistan which both claim Kashmir in full but rule it in part. India blames Pakistan for harboring terrorist groups operating in Kashmir, which Pakistan denies. After the attack, India dropped trade privileges for Pakistan and prepared to send as many as 10,000 more troops to the contested area, according to a home ministry letter seen by Reuters. The Indian army said that late on Feb. 24 Pakistan violated the two nations ceasefire at the Rajouri area of the border, through shelling from mortars and small arms fire. Defence spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Devender Anand said the Indian army was retaliating strongly and effectively. Ceasefire violations are not unusual along the border. A Pakistani security official said Pakistani forces had not initiated any action but had responded to Indian firing. Kashmir is likely to be a key issue in Indias election, distracting from concerns about how Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party have managed the economy. Modi has promised a strong response to the attack, saying in a monthly radio broadcast on Feb. 24 that it had caused anguish to all of India. Modi added that the army had vowed to destroy the militants and those who helped them. Islamabad has warned it would respond with full force if attacked. On Feb. 24, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi called on India to show restraint or it would put the entire regions peace and security at stake. Indias Supreme Court will hear a case this week seeking to drop a constitutional provision that bars non-residents from moving to the state of Jammu and Kashmir that encompasses the Muslim-majority region. If passed, it could further escalate tensions. By Fayaz Bukhari Dean College Financial Aid Policies Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Aid Recipients In addition to the academic progress standards published in the Academic Policies section of the catalog, financial aid recipients must meet academic progress criteria established in accordance with federal regulations. The Center for Student Financial Planning and Services will evaluate students satisfactory academic progress at the conclusion of the Spring semester after grades are posted. Students who leave the College and are readmitted will be evaluated before aid is offered regardless of the term in which they return to Dean. Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Students must successfully complete 60% of all attempted coursework. Any course in which a student is enrolled after the regular drop/add period is considered an attempted course. 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Students who do not meet the Colleges standards and who are allowed by the College to return on probation may appeal to regain eligibility for financial aid through the Center for Student Financial Planning and Services. Students not making Satisfactory Academic Progress will be notified in writing by the Financial Aid Office. Eligibility can be regained by submitting an appeal at least one month prior to the beginning of the following term. Appeals should contain a signed letter from the student and any documentation that supports claims of extenuating circumstances. Supporting letters from advisors and professors are also encouraged. Grounds for appeal include the students documented illness or other extenuating circumstances. Additional documentation may be requested depending on the nature of the appeal. Decisions will be made by the Director of Financial Aid. Appeals of the Directors decision may be made in writing to the Vice President of Enrollment and Retention. Students may also regain eligibility by taking coursework to improve their grades or completion rate without the benefit of financial aid. Students can be re-evaluated for eligibility at any time and can be considered for financial aid in the term following the point at which the standards are met. Academic achievements at other colleges can be considered as part of an appeal, but transfer work will not affect a students GPA or completion rate record at Dean. Institutional Refund Policy Students who withdraw from all classes will be eligible for a refund of tuition and room charges in accordance with the following schedule, based on the date the student officially withdraws from the college: Up to and including the first day of classes 100% of institutional charges, less enrollment and housing deposits Within the first week* 80% refunded Within the second week* 60 % refunded Within the third week* 40% refunded Within the fourth week* 20% refunded After the fourth week No refund *Weeks begin with the first day of class for each term. For example, if classes begin on a Wednesday the first week would end on the following Tuesday. Students who are suspended or dismissed from the College or residence hall will receive no adjustment of charges. Student who receives scholarship, grant or loan funds from the College will forfeit the same percentage of their awards as the percentage of fees credited based on the number of weeks that have elapsed. For example, a student who has 80% of institutional charges adjusted will forfeit 80% of any Dean Award or other institutional grant awarded by the College. Refund of Board Charges When a student withdraws from all courses after all applicable refund periods have passed, the College will refund a portion of meal plan charges based on the number of complete weeks remaining in the semester. Student dismissed or suspended from the College or residence halls for any reason will receive no refund. Return of Title IV Funds Students who withdraw from all classes but attended the College for at least one day during the semester and received or were eligible to receive financial aid, are subject to a Return to Title IV Funds calculation. This calculation is mandated by the federal government. The calculation is done by the following: dividing the number of days the student attended by the days in the semester. Students who remain enrolled through the 60% point of the semester are considered to have earned 100% of their financial aid and will not owe a repayment of the Title IV funds. Title IV funds include the following: Federal PELL Grants, Federal FSEOG Grants, Federal Direct Loans, and Federal Direct PLUS Loans. Federal Work-Study is excluded from the calculation. The calculation will be done within 45 days of the withdrawal from the College. Notification of adjustments will be sent in writing to the student. In circumstances when the College must return funds to the federal government withdrawal calculations may result in an amount owed to the College. The Return to Title IV Funds calculation is independent of the institutions refund policy. Federal Title IV aid will be returned in the following sequence: Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Federal Direct Subsidized Loan Federal PLUS Loan Federal Pell Grant FSEOG (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunities Grant) Any other federal Title IV Assistance Please note: Federal Work Study funds are not subject to this return policy. And work study earnings paid to the student through the payroll do not need to be returned. Return of Commonwealth of Massachusetts Funds Students who withdraw from all classes but attend the College for at least one day during the semester and received or were eligible to receive Commonwealth of Massachusetts fund, will be subject to a state withdrawal calculation. Massachusetts funds will be returned in the following sequence: Massachusetts No Interest Loan General Scholarship (MASS Grant) Christian Herter Memorial Scholarship Gilbert Grant GEAR UP Scholarship Residency Changes Dean College awards scholarship and financial aid based on a students residency status. If a commuter student decides to become a resident within the first four weeks of the semester, they will be responsible for the full room and board charges. The students Dean aid will be adjusted to reflect the full resident status. After the first four weeks of the semester, the students room and board charges and Dean aid will be prorated on a weekly basis. If a student decides to become a commuter student within the first four weeks of the semester, the room and board charges and Dean aid will be prorated on a weekly basis. After the first four weeks of the semester, the student would be responsible for the full room and board charges. The students institutional financial aid would remain at the resident level. Room Changes If a student changes his or her housing assignment during the semester, the difference in room cost will be prorated based on the effective date of the charge. Dean Aid will not be adjusted based on room changes or associated charges. Rights and Responsibilities Financial aid recipients must be aware of both their rights and responsibilities relating to financial aid. It's important to know both your rights and responsibilities of receiving financial aid. Please read through both the rights and responsibilities to make sure you are getting the most from your financial aid. View your Rights and Responsibilities of Receiving Financial Aid. Title IV Credit Balances A Title IV credit balance occurs whenever the amount of Title IV funds credited to a students account for a payment period exceeds the amount assessed the student for allowable charges associated with that payment period. In those cases, a refund check will be made available to students to pick up or mailed to your permanent address within 14 days of disbursement. You may request a student refund for any portion of any credit balance on your student account. Refunds will only be issued for actual credit balances and will not be issued based on pending financial aid. Repeat Credit Policy for Financial Aid Recipients A repeated course may count toward a students enrollment status (full-time or part-time status) for financial aid eligibility under the following conditions: The course is repeatable for credit. Please see specific course descriptions for applicability. The student received a failing grade or withdrawal in the previous attempt and is re-taking the course to receive credit The student received a passing grade and is re-taking the course for the first time in order to achieve an academic standard set by the students specific program (such as a minimum grade requirement in Nursing, Education, etc.) or to improve the GPA. Repeated courses cannot count toward enrollment status for financial aid eligibility in the following case: The student has already taken and passed the course and is repeating the course again. Please note: Students may not re-take a course without meeting with their academic advisor. All repeated courses, regardless of whether they are eligible for financial aid, count toward the students attempted credits for the purpose of determining satisfactory academic progress and progress toward degree completion within the maximum allotted timeline for financial aid eligibility. Hoda Muthana Made Her Choice Against America The runaway bride who pledged allegiance to the enemy of the free world now says that joining the terrorist group ISIS was a big mistake. Hoda Muthana chose Americas bloodthirsty enemy against us, and now, while the media want us to feel pity for her as a young mother, she has to face the consequences of her grave decision. Muthanas lawyer claims that she was brainwashed by the criminal masterminds of ISIS, which is why she snuck away to Syria, married three times to ISIS fighters, had a son with one, and became a prominent online propagandist for the terrorist group. Muthanas actions prior to her capture by Kurdish forces, however, raise serious questions about the sincerity of her newfound contrition. Soon after her first husband, Suhan Rahman, was killed in the town of Kobani, she angrily wrote on Twitter: Americans wake up! Men and women altogether. You have much to do while you live under our greatest enemy, enough of your sleeping! Go on drive-bys, and spill all of their blood, or rent a big truck and drive all over them. Veterans, Patriots, Memorial, etc day Kill them. Shes singing a very different tune since her capture, pleading with U.S. officials to please forgive me for being so ignorant, and saying, I was really young and ignorant and I was 19 when I decided to leave. President Donald Trump isnt buying her sob story, declaring in a recent tweet that I have instructed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and he fully agrees, not to allow Hoda Muthana back into the Country! In response, Muthanas father has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that the U.S. government has an obligation to assist in the return of its citizens from areas of armed conflict. Pompeo, though, vehemently denied that Muthana is a citizen during a press conference affirming his support for the Presidents decision. Ms. Hoda Muthana is not a U.S. citizen and will not be admitted into the United States, Pompeo insisted. She does not have any legal basis, no valid U.S. passport, no right to a passport, nor any visa to travel to the United States. The question of Muthanas citizenship hinges on a technicality related to her fathers status as a Yemeni diplomat at the time of her birth in New Jersey, but the Trump administration isnt the first to determine that she lacks U.S. citizenship. In January 2016, Obama administration officials reached the same conclusion and revoked her passport. Muthana may want to come back to the United States, but the feeling isnt mutual. Despite her claims of victimhood, Trumps refusal to admit her back into the country hasnt elicited any howls of protest from Democrat lawmakersa true rarity in the #resist era. Even Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), who is usually quite outspoken when it comes to Islamophobia issues, has remained silent. Muthana was clearly hoping to elicit sympathy by portraying herself as an apologetic victim, but youthful indiscretions dont count as a defense when you take up arms or tweets against America in alliance with our worst enemies. President Trump is right to deny entry to the United States by an avowed ISIS sympathizer. Steven Rogers is a retired U.S. Navy intelligence officer and a former member of the FBI National Joint Terrorism Task Force. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Free citizen Charged After Threatening Officers With Pig-Shaped Device: Reports A free citizen who refused to follow traffic laws threatened officers with a pig-shaped device during a four-hour stand-off that ended when a bomb squad robot deployed irritant chemicals through the window of his RV, and tore its rear door off. Dennis Duane Vann, 42, was charged with making threats of violence with reckless disregard for risk, and fleeing police, both felonies, according to Minnesota authorities. Authorities are investigating whether the energetic powder in the device qualifies as explosive under state law. Law enforcement was called out by a grocery store in Maplewood , after Vann refused to move his RV. Checking his records, they found he had no drivers licence, and had an outstanding warrant for non-payment of child-support . Update on Incident at Maplewood MallThe suspect has been taken into custody without injury and the area has been Maplewood Minnesota Public Safety 2019220 They got no response when they knocked on the door of the RV, which soon after moved off, with Vann ignoring the flashing lights of the police as they followed. Vann pulled over at nearby strip mall, but refused to cooperate, and when officers asked if he had any weapons, according to the criminal complaint, he said he had a great big boom. The police called in the SWAT team and the mall car park was partially evacuated during a four-hour standoff. Due to the threat of an explosive device, St. Paul Police Bomb Squad personnel assisted in the resolution of the incident, said a Public Safety Department statement. Negotiators were in regular contact with Vann throughout the course of the incident, however, he remained erratic, refusing to cooperate. After all options for cooperation were exhausted, an irritating gas was introduced into the RV, which ultimately, led to Vanns surrender. He Said He Doesnt Need a Drivers License They recovered a device was shaped like a pig from his RV, with the words (expletive) the police written on it, according to Eyewitness News. The device held an energetic powder and appears to be an explosive device, according to the complaint, which says further testing is required to determine whether or not it would qualify as an explosive device under Minnesota law. When told he was being stopped because his license was revoked and he had a taillight out, Vann said he didnt need a drivers license and is not required to follow the traffic laws as he is a free citizen, the complaint said, according to Twin Cities. He said, A couple of cops are going to die. He made multiple references to having an IED [improvised explosive device], said Maplewood Police Chief Scott Nadeau, reported Twin Cities. Looking at the incident after the fact, our community can be proud that our officers acted with a great deal of restraint. The hours that passed, the conversations the officers had with him, they really tried to give him every opportunity to cooperate. People who call themselves free citizens, or sovereign citizens, believe that the government has no legitimate authority over them. He said, a couple of cops are going to die. He made multiple references to having an I.E.D., said the Maplewood police chief. Pioneer Press 2019222 I would say my experience with the sovereign citizens is some are very well versed in that ideology, (but) there are others who just choose to not recognize the authority of the government. That overarching theme is denial of authority, Nadeau said. According to Twin Cities, the conflict escalated when Vann refused to leave his vehicle. When officers said they would be required to remove him from it, Vann told them that would be a huge mistake, the complaint said. When asked why, he replied, Because two people would die todaythats (expletive) why. He then reached toward a space between his RVs front seats. The incident started at 5:10 p.m. Vann eventually crawled out of a window and surrendered at 9:30 after the bomb squad robot removed the curtains from the RVs bay window and sprayed more chemical irritant inside. The warrant, issued Feb. 5, was for failure to pay child support after Vann didnt appear at a Kanabec County court hearing, according to a court record, said the police in a statement. The sovereign citizen movement is categorized as a domestic extremist movement by the FBI. Sovereign citizens believe they are separate or sovereign from the United States even though they live here, the FBI website states in an explainer. They think they dont have to answer to any government authority. Sovereign citizens use their beliefs to justify fraud and other non-violent crimes. But some sovereign citizen extremists turn to violence and commit murder, threaten public officials, and destroy property as part of their anti-government, anti-tax beliefs. Sovereign citizen violent extremists usually target members of the governmentincluding judges, police officers, and tax officials. In 2010, for example, a sovereign citizen extremist killed two Arkansas police officers during a routine traffic stop. Shamima Begum, a British teenager who ran away from Britain to join ISIS terrorists in Syria four years ago and then got pregnant. She said on Feb. 14, 2018, she wants to come back to London with her child. (Metropolitan Police via AP) Father of UK ISIS Bride Says UK Government Should Allow Her Back His latest remarks, made from his home in Bangladesh, contradict earlier comments which he says were "misinterpreted" The father of Shamima Begum, the London schoolgirl who traveled to Syria to join ISIS, said that the UK is duty-bound to allow her to return to the UK from Syria and face the music for any crimes she committed. His latest comments, in an interview with AFP on Feb. 25, contradict his remarks as reported by the Daily Mail just the day before, which he now says were misinterpreted. Begum, now 19, recently gave a series of interviews expressing her wish to return, but showed little remorse, stirring massive public interest, and prompting the UK interior secretary to announce last week that her citizenship had been revoked. I dont think that [to revoke Begums citizenship] was a right thing to do, said Ahmed Ali, who lives in Bangladesh with his second wife. To err is human. You and I can both make a mistake. It is OK to commit an error, all humans do that. One feels sad if a child commits a mistake, he told AFP. Alis latest comments align him with the rest of Begums family, who live in the UK. Just a day before, Ali was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying, I know they [the British government] dont want to take her back, and in this, I dont have a problem. I know she is stuck there [in Syria] but thats because she has done actions that made her get stuck like this. I cant say whether it is right or wrong, but if the law of the land says that it is correct to cancel her citizenship, then I agree. Ali said those remarks had been misquoted, according to AFP, but there was no further information provided as to what this meant. Begum, meanwhile, spoke to The Sunday Telegraph at the al-Hol camp in Syria where she is staying with her newborn son, saying: They are making an example of me. I regret speaking to the media. I wish I had stayed low and found a different way to contact my family. Thats why I spoke to the newspaper. She admitted, however, that she had benefited from extraordinary treatment at the camp due to the international exposure. They gave me my own tent. Theyre being a bit nice to me right now because Im all over the news. Alabama ISIS Bride With ISIS territory squeezed to its final dregs by U.S.-led forces in the last couple of months, interest has grown in the so-called ISIS brides who traveled from the West and are now accumulating in the refugee camps in Syria as the caliphate shrinks to nothing. Begum traveled to Syria as a schoolgirl, aged just 15, from her home in London to join the so-called caliphate. She gave birth in the last few days in a Kurdish refugee camp, after sparking controversy with a number of interviews. The refugee camp of 40,000 has an estimated 1.500 people who traveled from Western nations, predominantly Europe, to join ISIS. According to the Guardian, there is only one person in the camp who traveled from the United States to join ISI: Hoda Muthana. Like Begum, she traveled to Syria to be an ISIS bride. Muthana, 24, is alleged to have been a prominent online agitator for ISIS, marrying three members of the terrorist organization after she traveled to Syria in 2014. Tracked down by media in a refugee camp a few days ago, now with an 18-month-old son, she wants to return to the United States. At the request of President Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that she would be blocked from returning. Ms. Hoda Muthana is not a U.S. citizen and will not be admitted into the United States. She does not have any legal basis, no valid U.S. passport, no right to a passport, nor any visa to travel to the United States, Pompeo said in a statement. Muthanas father has filed a civil lawsuit challenging the governments position. ISISs once-sprawling caliphate that stretched over much of Syria and Iraq, is now confined to Baghouz, a town in eastern Syria. On Feb. 20, ISIS looked close to defeat in its last enclave in eastern Syria as civilians poured out, and the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said the remaining jihadi wanted to fight to the death, Reuters noted. Epoch times reporter Tom Ozimek contributed to this report. Experts Warn UK Is Irresponsible to Rely on 5G Huawei Equipment LONDONSecurity experts have warned that the UKs reliance on communications equipment made by Chinese company Huawei is too risky, especially as the country prepares to introduce ultra-speed 5G networks. Allowing Huaweis participation is at best naive, at worst irresponsible, said a report by the Royal United Services Institute think tank, adding that the UK represents a key target for the Chinese communist regime. It followed a speech by Ciaran Martin, CEO of the UKs National Cyber Security Centre, in which he claimed the UK could manage any risk from Huawei using the UKs detailed, formal oversight. In that same speech, Martin revealed that Huawei equipment was not present in any of the UKs sensitive networksincluding those of the government. Its the first time a high-level cybercrime official has clarified the level of Huaweis involvement in the UKs communication networks in detail. Before this, it was widely believed that the companys equipment was present in critical national infrastructure. The risk presented by Huaweis involvement in 5G is multifaceted, according to Anthony Glees, professor of politics at the University of Buckinghamshire. In all areas of life, 5G will transform the way we interact with each other, how we sell things to each other, how we protect ourselves in the future, he said. Glees said there was both a technical risk from Huawei and a political risk. You cant get a cigarette paper between Huawei, Chinese government, the Peoples Liberation Army, and the Chinese Communist Party, he said, warning that although China is merely an adversary at the moment, it could become an enemy in the future. Be Very, Very Cautious The United States recently urged European countries to be very, very cautious when considering using Huawei for 5G networks, fearing that China could use the ultra-fast networks for espionage. The U.S. government has so far banned Huawei from bidding on contracts, although President Donald Trump said on Feb. 22 that companies like Huawei and ZTE may or may not be included in a trade deal between China and the United States. Some European countries have taken steps to ban or exclude Huawei from their 5G networks, with Poland recently arresting and charging a Huawei employee with spying. The Czech Republic has warned of security threats posed by the company, while Germany considers stricter controls on it before any integration with its 5G networks. The UKs Huawei Cyber Security Evaluation Centre was set up in 2010 in response to government concerns about possible security threats to national infrastructure from Huawei. British security officials from agencies including the Government Communications Headquarters sit on its oversight board and report annually on its work. The center is funded and run by Huawei, with one of its staff members, David Francis, serving as managing director. However, its monitored by an oversight board, which reports on its activities once a year. The oversight board is chaired by Martin but there are four members from Huawei also on the board, as well as British government representatives. A Ruthless Advancement of Chinas Interests Alex Younger, the head of Britains spy service MI6, previously said that the UK had to make some decisions about Huawei, now that intelligence partners such as the United States had blocked the companys technology from their 5G networks. We need to decide the extent to which we are going to be comfortable with Chinese ownership of these technologies and these platforms in an environment where some of our allies have taken a quite definite position, Younger said. However, Younger took a softer approach on Feb. 15 in a speech in Munich, Germany, saying that the subject of Chinas technologies was complex and the UK should aim for maximum diversity when choosing providers. It was not inherently desirable that we have any monopolistic supplier of any of our critical national infrastructure, Younger said, according to the Telegraph. However, at the same conference in Munich, Vice President Mike Pence labeled Huawei a threat, saying that Chinese law requires them to provide Beijings vast security apparatus with access to any data that touches their networks or equipment. The Royal United Services Institute report similarly pointed out that Huaweis Chinese staff have no choice but to accede to requests from Chinese government departments. The report said, Beijings interference is not aimed at subverting the West, but represents a rigorous, ruthless advancement of Chinas interests and values at the expense of those of the West. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) addresses the crowd gathered at La Boom night club in Queens in New York City, on Nov. 6, 2018. (Rick Loomis/Getty Images) Creator of NYC Billboard That Slammed Ocasio-Cortez for Amazons Pullout Speaks Out The president of a conservative group that placed a billboard in Times Square to lambast Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has spoken out, blaming the congresswoman for the loss of 25,000 jobs in New York. Ocasio-Cortez is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. In an interview with Fox & Friends on Feb. 25, President of the Job Creators Network (JCN) Alfredo Ortiz reiterated how the pullout of the online retail giant has cost the state 25,000 jobs, $4 billion in lost wages, and about $27 billion in lost economic activity, which is higher than the $12 billion mentioned on the billboard. Check out JCNs President & CEO, Alfredo Ortiz this morning on @Foxandfriends at 7:50 AM ET @foxnews #SocialismTakesCapitalismCreates Job Creators Network (@JobCreatorsUSA) February 25, 2019 He said that his organization put up the billboard because he wanted more New Yorkers to be aware of Ocasio-Cortezs policies and to have more discussions about it, adding that the congresswoman has become the self-proclaimed face of the radical left-wing of the Democrats. The digital billboard, which has been up since Feb. 20, draws attention to the consequences of Amazons pullout. Thanks for nothing, AOC, the billboard states, referring to the acronym of the Democratic Socialists name. The next day, Ocasio-Cortez responded in a tweet by calling the billboard wack and attacking those who funded it. However, she ignored the message on the sign. Few things effectively communicate the power weve built in fighting dark money & anti-worker policies like billionaire-funded groups blowing tons of cash on wack billboards, Ocasio-Cortez wrote. This one is funded by the Mercers fact that its in Times Sq tells you this isnt for/by NYers. In response to the criticism by Ocasio-Cortez, JCN erected two new billboards on Feb. 22 with new messages addressed to the congresswoman. Hey AOC, saw your wack tweet, one billboard read. While the other read, Hey AOC, this billboard cost about $4,000. But you cost NY 25,000 jobs and $4,000,000,000 in annual lost wages. Ouch! On Feb. 23, Ocasio-Cortez responded, saying, Do you think the Mercers will eventually fund 8 JCN billboards, one for each of the 8 Bermuda offshore tax avoidance vehicles theyve been linked to in the Paradise Papers? Do you think the Mercers will eventually fund 8 JCN billboards, one for each of the 8 Bermuda offshore tax avoidance vehicles theyve been linked to in the Paradise Papers?https://t.co/nm2nrgVW51 https://t.co/euD9L7pk2b Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 23, 2019 Ortiz told the Fox program that he was surprised to see the amount of support hes received from Democrats in New York and California who do not agree with the direction the party is heading. We are so proud that this conversation is actually now taking place across the country and we triggered something here, he said. Ortiz added that it was kind of scary that President Donald Trump had to declare that the United States will never be a socialist country in his State of the Union address. I applaud that. Its actually kind of scary guys if you think about that an American president actually has to come down to the point where he has to make that claim, he said. I dont want to attack AOC in particular but her ideals and principles could completely destroy our economy. Look at Venezuela. We dont want that for this country, he added. Amazon Pullout Was Due to Political Opposition Amazon withdrew from the New York deal on Feb. 14 because of opposition from state and local politicians. While polls show that 70 percent of New Yorkers support our plans and investment, Amazons statement said a number of state and local politicians have made it clear that they oppose our presence and will not work with us to build the type of relationships that are required to go forward with the project we and many others envisioned in Long Island City. When asked about Amazons pullout, Ocasio-Cortez said on Feb. 19 that it was incredible. But she drew criticism and ridicule by suggesting, incorrectly, that New York City was paying Amazon $3 billion for the jobs that the company was creating. Few things effectively communicate the power weve built in fighting dark money & anti-worker policies like billionaire-funded groups blowing tons of cash on wack billboards (this one is funded by the Mercers). (PS fact that its in Times Sq tells you this isnt for/by NYers.) https://t.co/B4QTPi1r2k Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 21, 2019 It shows that everyday Americans still have the power to organize and fight for their communities and they can have more say in this country than the richest man in the world, Ocasio-Cortez said. Democratic New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio pointed out that the $3 billion figure was a tax incentive that the city would provide only after Amazon had built its headquarters and created the 25,000 jobs. And that $3 billion that would go back in tax incentives was only after we were getting the jobs and getting the revenue, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said, Theres no money. Meanwhile, Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo chided the politicians who caused Amazon to scrap its plan. We competed in and won the most hotly contested national economic development competition in the United States, resulting in at least 25,000-40,000 good paying jobs for our state and nearly $30 billion in new revenue to fund transit improvements, new housing, schools, and countless other quality of life improvements, Cuomo said. However, a small group of politicians put their own narrow political interests above their communitywhich poll after poll showed overwhelmingly supported bringing Amazon to Long Island Citythe states economic future, and the best interests of the people of this state, the New York governor added. Epoch Times reporter Ivan Pentchoukov contributed to this report. A police car stands in front of the court of Arapahoe county in Centennial near Denver, Colorado, on July 13, 2015. (Chris Melzer/picture alliance via Getty Images) Colorado Slaying May Be Linked to Robberies in Wyoming, Utah DENVERAttackers who killed a man in Colorado may have held up a store in Wyoming and a bank in Utah later the same day, authorities said. The rampage began in Denver, early Friday, Feb. 22, when a man was shot multiple times, and the attackers stole his black 2015 Cadillac sedan, police said. Suspects in Colorado carjacking, Utah bank robbery arrested in Oregon after another attempted armed carjacking https://t.co/rmE5yHY24o pic.twitter.com/PlYhFiNKPb FOX 13 News Utah (@fox13) February 25, 2019 The victim was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His name wasnt released. Two hours later, a black Cadillac was used in an armed robbery at a convenience store in Cheyenne, Wyoming, 100 miles north. Cheyenne police said two men robbed the store, and one of them fired a handgun twice. No one was injured. Police believe these men were involved in 2 shootings in Colorado, a robbery in Cheyenne and a bank robbery in Utah. Britney Carter 2019225 The men took cash and merchandise and returned to the Cadillac, where a woman was waiting, police said. Six hours after the Cheyenne robbery, the same men robbed a Wells Fargo bank in Park City, Utah, 440 miles west of Cheyenne, authorities said. One of the men was armed with a handgun, the Summit County, Utah, Sheriffs Department said. BREAKING: Cheyenne police investigating armed robbery on East Lincolnway: https://t.co/BQsQ2jOOvU pic.twitter.com/JIYswq3H1h Wyoming Tribune Eagle (@WTEnews) February 22, 2019 Deputies said the men drove away in a black Cadillac with the same Colorado license plate as the car stolen in Denver, and a woman may have been a passenger. Authorities said they did not know what direction the car headed. The FBI was assisting with the investigation. Murders And Violent Crimes The number of murders and violent crimes committed in the United States dropped slightly in 2017, according to new crime statistics released in September 2018. Crime declined nationwide last year, consistent with our earlier analyses of 2017 data in the nations 30 largest cities, Ames Grawert, senior counsel for the Justice Program at the Brennan Center for Justice in New York, told the Washington Times. Thats the good news. The bad news is that even while crime is falling, the number of Americans incarcerated remains near-record highs. Now is the time to address the problem. The number of cases of manslaughter and murder dropped 0.7 percent in 2017 from the prior year, the report said. In Pennsylvania, in 2017, the violent crime rate was lower than the national rate last year at 313.3 per 100,000 residents. That includes 739 murders and nonnegligent manslaughters. The murder rate in Pennsylvania was 5.8 per 100,000 people, higher than the national rate of 5.3, Patch.com reported. Two Pennsylvania cities were listed as Murder Capitals of America in 2018. Chester in Delaware County and Harrisburg, the state capitals, were named as such, Patch.com reported, citing website NeighborhoodScout. Chester came in second in the United States after notorious East St. Louis, Illinois. In Chester, a city of 34,000, there were 23 murders in 2016, which has the latest data. In Harrisburg, which has 49,000 residents, there were 13 murders in 2016. California News Crew Robbed, Guard Shot; Suspect Arrested Authorities arrested a man suspected of shooting the security guard of a news crew that was robbed while covering the Oakland teachers strike, according to a statement by the CBS affiliate. KPIX said a reporter and a photographer were gathering interviews on Feb. 24 about the strike at the Oakland Library when a car pulled up and the driver pulled a gun, demanding their camera. The crew surrendered the equipment and began walking away. The suspect then shot the guard, Matt Meredith, in the leg, the news station said. KPIX reporter Joe Vazquez said on Twitter that the guard, a retired Berkeley police officer, exchanged gunfire. An Alameda County Sheriff spokesman says a 21-year-old man with several gunshot wounds walked into a nearby hospital after the incident. Oakland police arrested the man on suspicion of shooting the news crews guard. The guards condition wasnt immediately known. Assaults on routine assignments became so commonplace in recent years that some television stations have hired armed guards to ride with news crews. No other informationincluding what time the robbery took placewas immediately released. Its not the first time the station has been the target of theft. In November 2012, a group of men punched a KPIX cameraman while he was filming in front of an Oakland high school and fled with his camera while it was still recording. Robberies of television news crews and still photographers have plagued the San Francisco Bay Area in recent years. The Associated Press tallied five robberies in 2012, two in 2013, three in 2014 and at least three in 2015 plus several burglaries of vehicles. We dont know what the market is for these cameras, San Francisco Police Sgt. Michael Andraychuk told The Associated Press in 2015. Even though the cameras can cost upward of $50,000 each, it is specialized equipment that cant be easily sold on the black market, Andraychuk said, and none of the stolen cameras have turned up on Craigslist, eBay or any other online marketplace. Next article: Man Killed in Shootout With California Officer Was Deported Thrice Before Javier Hernandez-Morales, the 48-year-old illegal immigrant who was killed in a shootout with a police officer in California on Feb. 17, had been deported multiple times previously and was released despite Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) objections. In a statement provided to The Epoch Times, ICE described how Hernandez-Morales, a Mexican National residing illegally in the United States, had been deported three times prior to 2011. After that year, ICE issued detainers on four separate occasions for Hernandez-Morales following his arrests for local crimes including driving under the influence, battery on a peace officer, selling liquor to a minor, and probation violations. None of the four detainers lodged were honored by local jails, the statement said. Its unfortunate that our law enforcement partners and the community are subjected to dangerous consequences because of inflexible state laws that protect criminal aliens. Graphic footage of the encounter, released by the Napa County Sheriff Department on Feb. 20 showed Hernandez-Morales rolling down his window after being approached by Napa County sheriffs Deputy Riley Jarecki. Hernandez-Morales can be seen grabbing a handgun and firing some shots out before Jarecki ducks out of the way, runs to the other side of the car, and fires multiple shots into where Hernandez-Morales was sitting. Hernandez-Morales died at the scene, while Jarecki was not seriously injured. The shootout took place at the 1100 block of Henry Road in Napa. Javier Hernandez Morales, fired the first shots. Deputy Jarecki returned fire, the sheriffs department said in a statement. ICE said they were grateful the deputy involved was not harmed during the attack but they argued it could have been prevented if they were notified of the multiple times Hernandez-Morales was released from local custody over the last few years. This is an impactful, scary example of how public safety is affected by laws or policies limiting local law enforcement agencies ability to cooperate with ICE, the statement said. Hernandez-Morales was removed twice in 2007 and once in 2010. ICE had issued three detainers to Napa County Jail; one each in 2014, 2015, and 2016. California, a sanctuary state, has a law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2017 that largely prohibits local police officers from keeping illegal immigrants in prison at the request of federal immigration officials. Napa County Supervisor Belia Ramos said that the county has followed the state law since 2017. Compliance with state law is what Napa County will, in fact, follow through upon, whether there are changes in the future that change things but as of right now we do need to comply with state law and that is what our policy reflects, Ramos told ABC 7. Hernandez-Morales was a Napa resident and former farm worker. Undersheriff Jon Crawford said at a news conference that he had several aliases that had to be first investigated by the sheriffs office before they could release his name. The motive behind Hernandez-Moraless shooting was unclear, but Crawford said he had a few arrest warrants at the time, saying that before the bodycam footage began the deputy had been talking with him for a few minutes already. Im gonna call it divine intervention that the bullets missed, Crawford said. Epoch Times reporter Bowen Xiao contributed to this article Craig Coley talks with reporters in Sacramento, Calif. Coley spent 39 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit on Feb. 15, 2018. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP) California Man Cleared After 40 Years in Prison Gets $21M SIMI VALLEY, Calif.The city of Simi Valley, California, has reached a $21 million settlement with a man wrongly imprisoned for nearly 40 years in the killing of his girlfriend and her 4-year-old son. A photo of Craig Coley being arrested by Rick Freeman of the Simi Valley Police Department in 1978 had hung on the wall at the station as a part of a display of the departments history. Coley, who served more than 38 years in prison for a double murder, was pardoned in November pic.twitter.com/u82OPtBjCQ Honorable D (@HonorableD913) February 24, 2019 Craig Coley was released in 2017 after he was pardoned by then-Gov. Jerry Brown, who said DNA evidence and re-investigation proved Coleys innocence. Simi Valley officials said on Feb. 23 that the agreement would mitigate long, costly, and unnecessary legal proceedings, the Los Angeles Times reported. While no amount of money can make up for what happened to Mr. Coley, settling this case is the right thing to do for Mr. Coley and our community, City Manager Eric Levitt said in a statement. The city will pay about $4.9 million and the rest is expected to be paid by insurance and other sources. The state last year approved a separate, nearly $2 million payment for Coley. He is now 71. Coley spent 39 years behind bars after he was wrongly convicted of killing 24-year-old Rhonda Wicht of Simi Valley and her son in 1978. Craig Richard Coley, who was released from prison in November 2017 at the age of 70, agreed to https://t.co/24IS6IjaA2 @MailOnline ????????DCZKY ???????????? (@DCZKY1) February 24, 2019 The citys police chief and Ventura Countys district attorney asked Brown to pardon him because forensic tests showed Coleys DNA was not on the victims bedsheet, which contained DNA from an unknown man. Coley had an alibi for the time of the slayings and investigators later disproved testimony from an eyewitness who placed him at the scene. His parents died while he was in prison after mortgaging their home to pay his legal bills. Ron Kaye, an attorney representing Coley, said the settlement offers some closure and vindication for his client, though no amount of money can compensate him for the life he missed while imprisoned. Craig Coley was pardoned last year after spending nearly four decades in prison. He just hosted Thanksgiving for the first time in his new home celebrating with the detective who advocated for his freedom.@PattersonNBC shares their story. pic.twitter.com/nAkJeQr2yK NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) November 26, 2018 He now can live the rest of his life, which we hope will be really well into the future, with the security he deserves, Kaye said. Soon after Coley was pardoned, a judge declared him factually innocent. Simi Valley police have not arrested anyone else in the killings. A visitor looks at a painting of a worker at an exhibition titled "Image of People" in Beijing on November 23, 2015. (GREG BAKER/AFP/Getty Images) Chinas Art Market Rife With Bribery, Corruption News Analysis An artists position in China isnt based just on the quality of his or her artsomeone with the right political connections will see his work jump in value if he becomes an official within the Chinese communist regime. Chinas painting and calligraphy market went into turmoil recently after the China Artists Association (CAA) changed its board members for the new term that began on Dec. 23, 2018. Though the CAA and China Calligraphers Association (CCA) are considered nongovernmental trade organizations on paper, they are, in fact, under the direct supervision of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, an advisory body to the Party leadership. The prices of artwork by the former CAA chairman and former vice-chairman has dropped 65 to 75 percent, while prices for artists on the newly created board has increased dramatically, China Times reported Feb. 11. Prices of the artists artwork are higher if his or her position is higher. China Times is a partially state-run news agency. The biggest increase happens when an artist becomes the CAA chairman. The report quoted Xiao Yunru, a consultant of the Shaanxi Province branch of the CCA, as saying: For one term, which is five years, the value will skyrocket. The income from selling his artwork will be hundred times that of his salary. Meanwhile, Liu Yi, a Beijing art dealer told the China Times, I have two former CAA vice chairmens paintings. I bought them for a friend [when the painter was vice chairman]. Now my friend asks me to sell the paintings, but I cannot find a buyer even with a 50 percent discount. Liu added that buyers only value the painters title and position, not the painting itself. State-run media China Economic similarly reported on Feb. 18 that artwork value can be categorized into different levels based on the artists position within the CAA and CCA. The report also noted that within the art market, few people buy artwork from artists who arent CAA or CCA officials, resulting in artists striving to reach those coveted positions. Some artists are willing to bribe higher-ups in order to become an official and generate more value for their work. To meet such demands for bribes, one provincial CCA has 64 vice-chairmen, the report said. China Times previously reported in February 2013 that the positions arent free, stating, Artists must pay a sponsorship fee to national galleries after being appointed to be vice chairman or higher positions. These galleries, which belong to Chinas Ministry of Culture and Tourism, are located throughout the country. The Chinese regimes anti-corruption authorities have taken notice of this phenomenon. In a June 2015 report, China Economic quoted the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), then the Chinese Communist Partys chief anti-corruption watchdog, as saying: Each CCA and CAA chairmen are billionaires, which has damaged [the Partys] image of integrity and honesty that was created by the anti-corruption movement. It has deepened the gap between the rich and the poor, and enlarged social problems. That year, the CCDI published several articles about problems within the CCA and CAA bureaucracy, but didnt arrest or punish any officials. Zhang Xiaogang has been one of the most famous and wealthiest oil painters in China since the 1990s. The total revenue of his artwork reached 170 million yuan ($25.12 million) in 2006. Zhu Qi, an art critic and independent curator, told China Times in 2013: But Zhang Xiaogangs annual income is much less than some Chinese painters. Many Chinese painter-officials earn tens of millions, even thousands of millions of yuan per year. They are provincial or higher levels CAA chairmen and gallery presidents. Liu Dawei, the CAA chairman from December 2008 to December 2018, was on the list of Hurun magazines (akin to Forbes) Most Successful Chinese Artists Alive Today since 2009. Liu first entered the list at 31st place, with an annual income of 14.55 million yuan ($2.15 million). In 2015, he ranked fourth with an annual income of 248.8 million yuan ($36.77 million). In 2018, Liu earned 20.46 million yuan ($3 million) and ranked at No. 36. Bernie Finn, State MP for Western Metropolitan Region of Melbourne, addresses the Victorian Parliament on Feb. 21, 2018. (Parliament of Victoria) Australian State MP Calls on Victoria to Crackdown on Human Organ Trafficking MELBOURNE, AustraliaVictorian Member of Parliament, Bernie Finn, has called on the attorney general to cooperate with the federal government to stop the practice of human organ trafficking. In a speech before the Victorian Parliament on Feb. 21, Finn, a Liberal Party member who is also part of Victorian Legislative Council, said that 3 of the 12 recommendations from a report by the Human Rights Sub-Committee for the inquiry into Human Organ Trafficking and Organ Transplant Tourism could be applied in Victoria. [T]his might not seem like a state matter at all, but in fact it does have state implications of the 12 recommendations that the subcommittee made, three of those have very strong state implications, Finn said. The report, entitled Compassion, Not Commerce: An inquiry into human organ trafficking and organ transplant tourism was released on Dec. 3, 2018 and considered whether Australias organ trafficking laws should be extended to prohibit citizens from travelling overseas for unethical transplants, and whether Australia should accede to the Council of Europe Convention against Trafficking in Human Organs, that went into force March 1, 2018. International Human Rights are not Internal Affairs DAFOH Chinas 20 year history of #forced organ harvesting has been described as a Cold Genocide. The broader scope of this genocide continues to receive international attention. #medicinehttps://t.co/NMgPKiEFCT pic.twitter.com/71ZIrTdBAT DAFOH (@DAFOH_org) February 22, 2019 Finn outlined three recommendations from the report. Recommendation five is related to mandatory reporting protocols by medical doctors who care for patients suspected to have received a commercial transplant. Recommendation six is related to criminal proceedings, under the Council of Europe Convention against Trafficking in Human Organs, against the illegal removal of human organs from living or deceased donors. Recommendation 12, is related to the commercial display of human tissue where verifiable documentation of the consent of a donor person or their next of kin must be produced. Source of Human Organs The report acknowledged experts concerns that organs used in transplants in China were allegedly sourced from political prisoners, prisoners of conscience, and executed prisoners. I have been worried about and have expressed opposition to for quite some years, and that is the practice of the Government of China, to have a forcible organ harvesting, followed by human organs trafficking, and organs tourism, Finn said. During the inquiry that began in 2017, experts gave evidence of cases of transplant abuse that have been reportedly occurring in China as well as across the Asia-Pacific region. SUBMISSION Inquiry into Human Organ Trafficking and Organ Transplant Tourism Australian Government Inquiry https://t.co/Ku2o9kPccv pic.twitter.com/oGkDaPk0MJ StopOrganHarvesting (@StopOrganTheft) October 1, 2017 The committee said they were not in the position to decide on the truth of the allegations against the Chinese regime but were inclined to conclude that organ trafficking has occurred in China and may continue to occur, albeit on a lesser scale. Given the Chinese Embassys silence on the allegations, the sub-committee recommended that the Australian government monitor and express concern about the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) transplantation practices. According to in-depth investigations by former Canadian Secretary of State, David Kilgour, and human rights lawyer, David Matas, China has been harvesting organs from prisoners of conscience on a mass scalemainly Falun Dafa practitionersfuelling a multi-billion-dollar business that benefits CCP officials. Falun Dafa, or Falun Gong, is a traditional spiritual meditation practice that is heavily persecuted in China. [T]he onus is on the Chinese authorities to demonstrate to the world that they are not overseeing or permitting the practice of harvesting organs from executed prisoners without their knowledge and free consent. In the absence of such a demonstration by the Chinese authorities, the world is entitled to question assertions of claims to the contrary, the Australian report stated. Important First Step for State of Victoria Spokesperson for Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH)an organisation founded by medical doctors that provides objective findings of unethical and illegal organ harvestingDr. Liza Lau, said that Finns speech in the Victorian Parliament was an important first step in addressing the issue of forced organ harvesting by the CCP. We have good reason to believe that the Chinese governments [practice of forced organ harvesting] is continuing to occur, and it would be really important for the state government to take action based on the recently the released summary recommendation from human rights sub committee. I feel that people who cant speak for themselves are finally going to get a voice from people like Bernie Finn speaking up for them, Lau said. The report also recommended that Australia should accede to the Council of Europe convention. Australia has an obligation to demonstrate leadership as a notable organ-importing jurisdiction, and now has the opportunity to do so through accession to the convention, it said. Finn noted that the significant section of the report would have to be carried out by the states. So what I am asking the attorney general to do is to cooperate with the federal government in its attempts to crackdown on human organ transplants, and human organ trafficking, and ensure that Victoria plays its role in stopping what is a pretty loathsome and despicable practice. Epoch Times reporter Janita Kan contributed to this report. Watch Next: Falun Gong Practitioners Are Being Killed for Organs in China Before the year 2000, organ transplantation in China was a relatively niche medical treatment. Cubans Protest in Streets Amid Change in Venezuela, as Trump Predicted Cubans took to the streets in Havana to protest the communist regimes new constitution on Feb. 23, proving U.S. President Donald Trumps assertion that changes in Venezuela will have a ripple effect in Cuba and Nicaragua. In video footage shared on the personal account of Telemundo reporter Eduardo Rodriguez, a crowd of Cubans is seen walking and shouting on a sunny street in Havana. The Miami Herald reported the next day that a movement opposing the communist regimes new constitution held a protest in Havana. Its unclear if the protest in the video is the same as the one referenced in the Herald report. AHORA | Cientos de personas se lanzaron a las calles en #LaHabana #Cuba en protesta contra el regimen castrista. pic.twitter.com/EkttmNkHmp Yusnaby Perez (@Yusnaby) February 23, 2019 Trump suggested in an address to the Venezuelan community in Miami on Feb. 18 that change in Venezuela will spread to Cuba and Nicaragua as well, as part of a process of purging socialism and communism from South America. Public protests are extremely rare under Cubas communist dictatorship, but a referendum on the regimes new constitution has drawn resistance from a vocal opposition movement. The new constitution proclaims, The Communist Party is the director of Cuban society forever and that socialism is irreversible. Some 81 percent of the 8.7 million of the electorate had cast votes by 5 p.m. on Feb. 24, an hour before polls closed, according to the national electoral commission. Early results indicated that the referendum succeeded. According to accounts from the opposition, several volunteers who went to watch polling stations have been arrested. Video footage widely circulated on social media shows one man casting several ballots. Multiple photos posted on Twitter show large posters promoting the regimes preferred yes vote plastered inside polling stations. El video muestra el circo que fue el referendum del dia de hoy y como llegaron las boletas del regimen a las urnas. Todos somos testigos del #ReferendumFraude para imponer la #ConstitucionIlegitima Ya nadie puede negar que lo de @RaulCastroR y @DiazCanelB es un #GobiernoIlegitimo pic.twitter.com/rGQyKKoTVy Rosa Maria Paya A. (@RosaMariaPaya) February 25, 2019 Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), in a Twitter message, called the election a farce and a fraud of the communist party. Trumps national security adviser, John Bolton, voiced support for those resisting the communist regime. Cubas constitutional referendum today is another ploy of the Cuban regime to cover up its repression and tyranny, Bolton wrote on Twitter. The United States supports the Cuban peoples calls for freedom and democracy. The constitutional referendum is the first update to Cubas governance since 1976. While cementing communism as the permanent guide for Cuba, the document includes references to the recognition of private property, foreign investment, small businesses, the internet, the right to legal representation upon arrest, and habeas corpus. The new constitution would also restructure government, adding a prime minister and setting term limits for the president, among other changes. The communist regime orchestrated thousands of local meetings to debate the draft of the new constitution last year, but the original draft is nearly identical to the document put forth for the referendum of Feb. 24. The current constitution was approved in 1976 with 97.7 percent of 5.6 million registered voters in favor, and just 54,000 voting no. Most analysts expect the new version to pass by a lesser margin among 8 million registered voters. In an uncharacteristic fashion, the communist regime went to great lengths to promote the referendum and the call to vote yes. The government has portrayed a yes vote as patriotic, while the new constitutions most vociferous opponents say no would be a step toward ending decades of Communist rule. And with an ever-bolder civil society and more Cubans than ever before connected to the internet, public debate has become more active than in the past. Hashtags such as #YoVotoSi (I vote yes) and #YoVotoNo (I vote no) compete for space on Twitter. We can only overcome tyranny if everyone who wants a free and democratic Cuba gives full support I vote no, wrote Jose Daniel Ferrer, leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba, some of whose members have suffered temporary detentions and raids on their homes in the lead up to the referendum. The communist regime has used its monopoly on traditional media and public spaces to press for approval and censor other points of view. The opposition used social media and door-to-door tactics to call on people to vote no or abstain on the day of the referendum. Cuban communist dictator Miguel Diaz-Canel said the vote took place as events in Venezuela showed the imperialist threat facing the region, a reference to the United States. Trump recognized Venezuelas Juan Guaido as the legitimate leader after Venezuelas elected National Assembly declared socialist dictator Nicolas Maduros presidency illegitimate. Reuters contributed to this report. Another Smaller Twister Confirmed in Mississippi COLUMBUS, MississippiThe National Weather Service says its still checking out damage from the weekends worst tornado strike in Mississippi, but now has confirmed another twister hit in the same general region as the damaging twister in Columbus. It says an EF-0 tornado with 85-mph winds touched down in Artesia, Mississippi, at 4:53 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23, uprooting and snapping several trees and tearing away roofs from a mobile home and a tin shed. Artesia is a town of about 430 people. Its about 20 miles east-southeast of Columbus, a city of 24,000, where a large area was damaged Saturday. Columbus spokesman Joe Dillon says several homes, an empty two-story school and two city community centers were destroyed, along with some businesses in a strip mall. There was pretty extensive damage, Dillon says. But the streets today have been filled with workers and volunteers, all working hard to clean up the mess. The West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management says the number of power outages from high winds has risen to more than 50,000 customers in that Appalachian state. The National Weather Service says some areas of the state are expected to have winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph. The weather service also says the high winds are expected to knock down trees and power lines and could make travel difficult. Building Collapsed, Killing A Woman The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency says early damage reports indicate that at least 300 homes, 190 roads and bridges and 30 businesses in 20 counties were damaged by weekend storms. A news release Sunday notes that another 15 counties are still surveying damageincluding Lowndes County, where a tornado hit, killing a woman, injuring 12 people and causing widespread destruction. Todays tornado in Columbus From the Marriott by Ken Waldrip. Via @WTVAmatt pic.twitter.com/WqVgc7VGGU James Spann (@spann) February 24, 2019 The tornado was confirmed on radar, said meteorologist Anna Wolverton with the National Weather Service in Jackson. The mayors office in Columbus, Mississippi, confirmed the death in a statement on Facebook, citing information from Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant. The statement said 41-year-old Ashley Glynell Pounds of Tupelo was with three other people in a building that collapsed in the storm Saturday evening. It said Pounds was taken to a hospital and died in surgery. The statement gave no information on the condition of the others in the building. OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM LOWNDES COUNTY CORONER GREG MERCHANT:Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant has identified a City of Columbus, MS Mayor's Office 2019224 Emergency Due To Flooding Magoffin County issued a declaration late Saturday asking residents to stay off the roads unless in an emergency and to seek higher ground if necessary. Magoffin County Judge-Executive Matt Wireman told WYMT-TV that residents of Salyersville Nursing and Rehab were evacuated to a school building due to high water. High water threatening homes in Magoffin County. This is the Half Mountain area. pic.twitter.com/McVA0GiydA Jim Caldwell (@JimWKYT) March 4, 2015 The station reports Martin, Jackson and Johnson counties have declared states of emergency due to flooding. Officials in some eastern Kentucky counties are also declaring emergencies due to heavy flooding and mudslides. Kentucky transportation officials are preparing to close a portion of U.S. 23 in Floyd County due to an impending mudslide. The agency says they are letting northbound vehicle pass one at a time, but they are in the process of turning one of the southbound lanes into a northbound lane. The West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management says officials have evacuated 11 families in the southern part of the state from low-lying areas due to flooding from heavy rains. A statement from the agency says Wayne County emergency management agencies are in the field Sunday assessing property impacts and shelter needs. Floods Cause Death Of Tennessee Man Authorities in Tennessee say a man has died after his vehicle became submerged in high water fed by heavy rains in a weekend storm. The Knox County Sheriffs office says emergency crews were dispatched early Sunday to the flooded roadway and several agencies worked together to get the man out of his vehicle and take him to a hospital, but he was later pronounced dead. His identity wasnt released. Tennessees Governor Lee has declared a State of Emergency for the whole state after Saturdays unprecedented flooding. Every county is reporting flooding, with Knoxville recording over 5 of rain today alone, setting a new record for one-day rainfall for the city. #tnwx pic.twitter.com/3xYjp9CJqM WeatherTAP (@weatherTAP) February 24, 2019 Jeffrey Bagwell of Rural Metro told the Knoxville News Sentinel that witnesses said they tried yelling at the man as he drove into the water, which covered most of his car. A Splendora man was arrested early Sunday after authorities say he kicked a door off its frame to enter a College Station home and assault the occupants. According to College Station police, officers responded to a home in the 300 block of Newcomb Lane around 2:30 a.m. on the report of a criminal trespass. Police arrived and noticed the front door was kicked in and 19-year-old Zachary Tyler Jackson was sitting on the couch with blood on his clothes, face and hands. Police said Jackson refused to speak with officers, who could smell alcohol on his breath. Two women who lived in the home said they are friends with Jackson, who was at the home earlier in the evening. At one point, Jackson became aggressive and people began to fear for their safety, so he was asked to leave, which he did, a report notes. Authorities said several minutes later, Jackson returned and began knocking on the door before eventually kicking it in. He is accused of punching one woman in the back of the head, pushing another into the kitchen counter and assaulting a man in the home. Police said Jackson was injured when the occupants of the residence defended themselves. Click the image to the left and log in to get your exclusive reader perks. This is the temporary subscription pass for users returning from the Vision Data subscription process. Your subscription will be updated within 24 hours, after your information is verified. Please click the button below to get your pass. Joplin, MO (64804) Today Thunderstorms this evening giving way to periods of light rain late. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Thunderstorms this evening giving way to periods of light rain late. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. By the end of the 2018-19 season, two more acclaimed African-American playwrights will have made their Broadway debuts: Tarell Alvin McCraney with Choir Boy, and Dominique Morisseau with her Temptations musical, Ain't Too Proud. Yet despite these and other artists of color creating new work, and with a plethora of classics by beloved writers that have yet to be revived, there's still room for much more diversity on Broadway. To that end, we went into the theatrical canon to explore six important African-American stage works that deserve a re-viewing in 2019, and here's why. Dule Hill and Jennifer Mudge in the 2007 Cherry Lane Theatre revival of Dutchman. ( Gabe Evans) 1. Dutchman By Amiri Baraka Dutchman the first play by Amiri Baraka, born LeRoi Jones may have been written in 1964, but it has lost none of its power to shock. If anything, the Obie Award-winning play's depiction of a confrontation between a femme fatale white woman and an emasculated black man on a New York City subway plays even more provocatively today as race and gender relations have become more fraught in our current sociopolitical moment. 2. The Amen Corner By James Baldwin James Baldwin is best known for novels and essay collections such as Go Tell It on the Mountain and Notes of a Native Son. But about the same time that those early works came out, he published his first play, The Amen Corner, in 1954. The story revolves around a Harlem storefront church, its pastor, Sister Margaret, and the fraught relationship that she has with the church leaders, her African-American congregation, and her family. The play had a brief run on Broadway in 1965, and it now seems long overdue for a revival. As Baldwin's prescient novels are being rediscovered by a new generation, it is time to revisit his theatrical works as well. 3. Street Scene Lyrics by Langston Hughes, music by Kurt Weill, book by Elmer Rice Langston Hughes is the most celebrated poet of the Harlem Renaissance, but did you know that he was also a Broadway lyricist? Hughes penned lyrics for Street Scene, which won the Tony Award for Best Original Score in 1947 (the first year the awards were given). Strangely, however, that award was only presented to the show's composer, Kurt Weill (The Threepenny Opera). Taking place in front of a crowded tenement, Street Scene puts early 20th-century Manhattan into the form of grand opera. Even if it never again finds a home on the Broadway stage, it is past time for the Tonys to gives Hughes his due and posthumously recognize him as a Tony Award-winning lyricist. For Colored Girls... playwright Ntozake Shange, who died in 2018. ( David Gordon) 4. For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf By Ntozake Shange The late Ntozake Shange's Tony-nominated For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf, which ran on Broadway for nearly two years from 1976-1978, is neither a play nor a musical, but is described as a choreopoem, "in which a black woman explores inner space in seven facets of herself, with poetry dance and stories." Only the second work by a black woman to be performed on Broadway, For Colored Girls was turned into a 2010 Tyler Perry film, starring Janet Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg, Kerry Washington, and others. While the performances in that film were widely lauded, the film itself received only middling reviews. Now's the time to try again to make this important work accessible to today's audiences, by putting it back onstage where it belongs. 5. The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window by Lorraine Hansberry If you know Lorraine Hansberry, chances are it's because of A Raisin in the Sun Hansberry's first play, and the first play written by an African-American woman to be produced on Broadway. It was revived in 2004 (starring Sean Combs), and then again in 2014 (starring Denzel Washington), joining its 1961 film adaptation, its 1973 Broadway musical (titled Raisin), and its 1989 TV film in the jam-packed Raisin in the Sun catalogue. And yet, Broadway hasn't seen Hansberry's second and final play, The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window, since 1972 (a revival that followed its original 1964 production). The play touches on racial issues, but was ahead of its time in additionally tackling suicide, homosexuality, and women's equality. Perhaps 2019 is the perfect time to give Walter Lee a break, and pay a long overdue visit to Hansberry's lesser-known work. 6. Shuffle Along, or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed Book by George C. Wolfe, music by Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle, original book by F.E. Miller and Aubrey Lyles Shuffle Along, or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed was almost too good to be true. Inspired by the history of Eubie Blake, Noble Sissle, F.E. Miller, and Aubrey Lyles's Shuffle Along, one of the first musicals to be produced, written, and performed entirely by African-Americans, this 2016 musical featured a book and visionary direction by George C. Wolfe, astonishing choreography by Savion Glover, and an incredible cast led by Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Billy Porter, Joshua Henry, Brandon Victor Dixon, and Adrienne Warren. Looking at success and its aftermath, Wolfe's Shuffle Along played an all-too-brief run at the Music Box Theatre in 2016, but it still deserves to be running. It was just too good. Victims groups had hoped for a lot more. Some said they felt duped. Anne Barrett-Doyle of bishopaccountability.org called it a stunning letdown. We needed [Francis] to offer a bold and decisive plan. He gave us instead defensive, recycled rhetoric, she said. Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Vatican. Credit:ANSA Pete Saunders, a British survivor of sexual abuse as a child who set up Britains National Association for People Abused in Childhood and was in 2014 appointed to the popes advisory commission on the protection of children, said it was a damp squib. Prior to this summit the reputation of the church on this issue, of child protection and dealing with abusers was in tatters, he said. Today I think the reputation of the church is in absolute shreds its turned out to be a non-event despite the fact there were some fairly powerful speeches made. Saunders said he had hoped the pope would change canon law to ensure that any priest convicted of abuse was permanently removed from the priesthood and that the same would apply to anyone found to have covered up such crimes. But instead he saw the same attitude he saw when he was advising the pope: a total denial of having to be held accountable to anybody, he said. Sex abuse survivors and members of the Ending Clergy Abuse take their message to the Vatican on Wednesday. Credit:AP Brisbanes archbishop Mark Coleridge, president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, conceded the announcements on Sunday were not world-shattering. I can understand those who were expecting it to be more, perhaps a declaration of new policies, but [Pope Francis] clearly chose not to do that, he said. But he said he expected more changes would follow. Or, at least, he said this was the crucial challenge to have emerged from the summit. Coleridge said he expected more transparency and access to church files, particularly a revisiting of the pontifical secret, an over-used status of Vatican confidentiality. Brisbanes archbishop Mark Coleridge. Credit:The Age/SMH And he predicted a practical step on bishops being held to account for abuse cover-ups. [On] episcopal accountability, whether bishops have been abusers themselves - and weve seen that - or have been derelict in dealing with abuse, there has to be some very practical and effective way of dealing with that, Coleridge said. This is something we havent really looked at or tackled in Australia but after this meeting its pretty high on the agenda. Coleridge said the conference had seen an important shift in thinking from bishops from around the world. Loading It is very clear now that anyone in the Catholic Church in any part of the world who thinks he or she can get away with sexual abuse of the young and vulnerable has absolutely nowhere to go, he said. There is no place certainly in leadership for anyone who abuses the young. Tying that down in detail is the challenge but that principle is crystal clear. Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta, the Holy Sees prosecutor on clerical sex abuse cases, said the summit had made a very clear point that abuse is a clear crime and so is cover-up. The summit was the moment that second point became clear, he said. For decades we were concentrating on the crime. We now also realise that covering up is also equally egregious. Loading But he said he understood the frustration of victims and their supporters, saying they had legitimate expectations of further action. Jesuit father Hans Zollner, from the summits organising committee, asked for patience. We are in the process of turning around, he said. This is not going to be over tomorrow, or in two weeks or in two months time. Oswald Gracias, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India and on the summits committee, echoed this call for patience. Its not like the Holy Father stamps his feet and everything happens at once, he said. Implementation will have to be done at the local level. Thats what he expects. The main meetings of the summit were held in the Sala Regia, a grand room next door to the Sistine Chapel, built in the 16th century as an audience hall for the pope to receive kings. It is adorned with art commissioned to emphasise papal and Catholic primacy. There is the victory of Christian troops over the Turks at the sea battle of Lepanto. There is a celebration of the Massacre of the Huguenots. There are multiple paintings of kings and emperors humbly donating gifts of territory to the church. A $50,000 donation was made to the WA Liberal Party by an elderly Chinese industrialist just days before one of his Australian business associates was appointed to a powerful diplomatic advisory board by former foreign minister Julie Bishop. Ms Bishop, who said on Thursday she would not contest the next election, announced the appointment of Sydney businesswoman Margaret Jack to the board of the Australia-China Council on December 12, 2016, after Hong Kong-based manufacturing mogul Sun Kin Chao deposited the cash into Liberal coffers on December 9. Former foreign minister Julie Bishop attends an Australia China Business Council (ACBC) networking event in 2018. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Ms Jack is a director and shareholder of the Australian branch of Hong Kong-headquartered manufacturing multinational Kinox Enterprises, which was founded by the 99-year-old industrialist in the 1940s. Ms Jack and Kinox Enterprises are also significant donors to the NSW Liberal Party and the Nationals. Companies controlled by Ms Jack and the Sun family have donated $127,000 to the parties over the past decade in addition to the $50,000 WA donation. Flammable cladding must be urgently removed from Melbournes skyscrapers, says the engineer the British government turned to in the wake of the deadly Grenfell blaze. Dame Judith Hackitt spent a year investigating Britain's building regulations and fire laws after 72 people died in the devastating fire at the public housing tower in London. London's Grenfell tower, which was covered in flammable cladding, burns in 2017, killing 72. Credit:Evening Standard Grenfell was covered in the same sort of highly flammable cladding that has now caught fire at two Melbourne towers, and Dame Judith says action needs to be taken quickly. "With regards to cladding specifically in Victoria, provided it is clear what can and cannot be used, replacement of existing non-compliant material should be pushed as a priority," she said. The NSW Greens will go to court to decide the order of candidates on the party's upper house ticket, after feuding factions were unable to reach an agreement. With less than one month until the state election, the party remains divided over which candidate is entitled to the lucrative No. 2 spot on the ticket, after Jeremy Buckingham quit the party to become an independent last year. The party remains divided over which candidate is entitled to the No. 2 spot on the ticket after Jeremy Buckingham quit the party. Credit:Brook Mitchell Greens members Chris Harris and Lindsay Johnston will file legal action in the NSW Supreme Court as early as tomorrow to stop the party from submitting their upper house ticket with the NSW Election Commission until the dispute is resolved. "We will be asking the court to order a recount of the preselection," Mr Harris, a former Greens City of Sydney councillor, said. Liberal hopeful Dave Sharma has demanded the Coalition do more to tackle climate change, arguing Australia must put itself in a "credible" position to convince other countries of the merits of stronger international action. In a major speech designed to separate himself from the Liberals ahead of a rematch against Kerryn Phelps in the seat of Wentworth in May, Mr Sharma will suggest his diplomatic skills could be useful in convincing US President Donald Trump to rejoin the Paris Agreement. Liberal candidate Dave Sharma has tried to separate himself from Coalition conservatives on climate change. Credit:James Alcock Just a day after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced he would reboot the Abbott-era Direct Action scheme through the rebadged Climate Solutions Fund, Mr Sharma will tell an audience of Coalition environmentalists that Australia "should be doing more to address climate change". In particular, Mr Sharma - a former ambassador to Israel - will say Australia should "be more ambitious and invest greater effort" into ensuring other countries meet their commitments and "raise the level of ambition over time", beyond the 2030 Paris targets. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said the person likely to be the ABC's new chair is an extraordinary Australian who has done more for journalism than almost any other, lauding a much-awaited replacement who would have the uphill task of repairing the public broadcaster's reputation following last year's departure of both chair and managing director. Ita Buttrose, the 2013 Australian of the Year, and former editor of Cleo, Australian Women's Weekly and The Daily Telegraph, will be nominated by Communications Minister Mitch Fifield to become chair almost six months after her predecessor, Justin Milne, departed the company with managing director Michelle Guthrie following a public breakdown of their professional relationship in September. Her likely nomination comes despite her name being absent from the shortlist produced by an independent panel following a search by recruitment firm Korn Ferry. "I've known Ita for a long time and I think she's an extraordinary Australian," Mr Morrison told ABC News Breakfast on Monday morning. The Morrison government will invest up to $1.38 billion in a massive expansion of the iconic Snowy Hydro scheme, cementing the legacy project of former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull. The government is on Tuesday expected to announce it has approved the project on behalf of shareholders the Australian taxpayers after satisfying itself that the project is financially viable and will benefit energy users and the Snowy region. The federal government has signed off on its investment into a massive expansion of the iconic Snowy Hydro project. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The Snowy 2.0 renewables project was announced in April 2017 by Mr Turnbull, and is considered one of his signature achievements. It promises to make east coast energy supplies more reliable and affordable. Snowy 2.0 would pump water uphill into dams and release it at times of high electricity demand, acting as a giant battery and backing up intermittent energy produced by wind and solar. "Overly complex" enterprise bargaining rules have created a system so adversarial that it is blocking wage growth, frustrated employers have told a workplace law firm. Ahead of the publication of Herbert Smith Freehills' latest enterprise bargaining guide, partner Anthony Wood said employers were grappling with a constantly changing legal framework and that many had reached an impasse with unions unwilling to negotiate on pay and conditions. Employers complain that unions expect pay rises without productivity gains or any other concessions. Credit:Chris Hopkins "Employers are reluctant to reach agreements that don't give them anything, by paying additional wages for no additional productivity benefit," Mr Wood said. "Unions typically won't reach agreement unless they get a particular salary increase, and conversely aren't prepared to give away restrictions or flexibilities that might otherwise make bargaining more dynamic and useful for employers." A $640 million Labor scheme to force banks to pay for counsellors for their victims will have a minimal impact on their profits despite new figures that show the big four will be expected up front up to 80 per cent of the total cost. The big four banks are expected to pay most of the $160 million raised per year to pay for a "fairness fund". Half of the fund, or $320 million over four years, will pay for additional financial counsellors for up to 125,000 Australians a year. Labor will announce on Tuesday that $120 million of the total fund will go towards funding an extra 200 financial rights lawyers who can take cases through the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. The 'Big Four Banks' will pay most of the $160 million-a-year levy. Credit:Paul Rovere Banks listed on the ASX100 will be forced to fund the scheme based on their size. It is estimated the Commonwealth Bank would pay about $46 million a year, Westpac about $32 million, ANZ Bank about $29 million, and National Australia Bank about $24 million extra a year. The work of the devil is how Pope Francis described the child sexual abuse scandal engulfing the Catholic Church that led to the summit held in Rome between the Pope and 200 of his bishops. Much was expected of this extraordinary meeting perhaps finally the world would see strong decisive action to match church rhetoric. Responsibility, accountability and transparency were promised by the Pope. Instead there were more words, more expressions of sorrow and regret for past failings and more promises that in future the needs of children would be put before the desires of the church. Pope Francis at the Vatican in December. Credit:AP In his final speech, the Pope said that the church would spare no effort in bringing justice to survivors, would give priority to victims and that even a single case of child abuse would be treated with the utmost seriousness. Yet Francis could not resist the urge to say that there is no explanation for abuses involving children [and] the church stands face to face with the mystery of evil. Nor could he resist the temptation to share blame with journalistic practices that exploit tragedy, with ideological disputes and the extremes of a hasty concept of justice provoked by guilt of past errors and pressure from the media. What the Pope didnt say is that while the church believes the devil is involved, this tragedy is the work and crime of men. Men whose sexual desires trump their sense of propriety and morality. Men who knew about the paedophiles in their midst and protected them rather than the vulnerable children in their care. Men who have for decades involved themselves in the systematic cover-up of child sexual abuse by what the Pope called deceitful consecrated persons. One of the men involved in the "tinnie terror" plot to sail a fishing boat from northern Australia to help overthrow the Philippines government, was attacked while behind bars after spinal surgery, a Melbourne court has been told. Shayden Jamil Thorne, 31, was held in a Saudi Arabian prison on terror charges in 2011 and deported to Australia three years later. Shayden Thorne was assaulted while in detention. He then became involved in the 2016 "escapade" with five other young men, the Supreme Court heard on Monday. The men were picked up by Australian Federal Police 200 kilometres north of Cairns, towing a seven-metre fishing boat they intended to sail from Cape York to South East Asia. Trams will soon get new powers that have long eluded motorists the ability to sail through traffic lights when running late. Trams will be given the green light over cars in a trial of the new technology on the 75 tram route that runs along Toorak Road and the Burwood Highway. Trams will get priority over cars when running late on the 75 route in a trial of new technology. Credit:Joe Armao The GPS technology will trigger an early switch of the traffic lights from red to green to allow the late-running trams to proceed through the intersections. The information from the GPS systems will be sent to a central traffic control centre to change the lights sequence and prioritise the late-running trams. Rescuers have freed a man who was trapped in a newly-dug grave in Melbourne's north-east. Paramedics were called to Eltham Cemetery at 7.45am to help a man who fell into the two-metre deep, uncovered grave. The man, who works at the cemetery, suffered leg injuries, and was too badly injured to make his way up the ladder which was placed into the grave to extract him. CFA incident controller Gavin Wright told 3AW radio the man was moving steel plating from the top of grave before he fell inside. Terry McDermott as he appeared in TV's 'Homicide'. Credit:Photographer Unknown After a return to the stage as Bill Sykes in Oliver, Terry then became identified with another successful local series playing Max Pearson in the ABC's nightly serial Bellbird. It was while playing in Bellbird that, with friend and fellow cast member Gary Gray, he decided to produce a feature film of the series. Forming their company AVARGO (have a go!), Country Town was shot around Mildura and Broken Hill and was successful, particularly in country Australia. Terry was born in Sydney, and when his family moved to Adelaide, he appeared in plays for the Adelaide Repertory Theatre and University Theatre Guild. Back in Sydney while appearing as the Gentleman Caller in The Glass Menagerie, he met teacher Nathalie Kavanagh who was working on the production. They married in 1956 and lived variously in Adelaide and Sydney, where Terry was a regular in the ABC radio serial Blue Hills, appeared in revue at the Phillip Street Theatre and where he also helped form the lunchtime Q Theatre, before happily returning to Melbourne and settling in the Dandenong Ranges. They had five children Amanda, Bernadette, Guy, Michael and Tara. From their home in Upwey, Terry commuted to Melbourne and around Australia to perform in television and theatre. With Nathalie, he was a committed member of the Catholic Church of St Thomas More in Belgrave. Queensland's police commissioner will retire in July after more than 45 years in the service. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk praised Commissioner Ian Stewart for his decades of commitment to the state. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (left) is seen with Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart at a press conference to announce his retirement. Credit:AAP/Dave Hunt "Your friends are the ones who stand next to you when you are in trouble. Ian Stewart has stood next to Queensland in its hours of greatest need," she said. "He has served all over Queensland. He knows Queensland." 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 NBN Co is urging people in city areas of southeast Queensland to be patient, as it enters the final phase of the rollout of its National Broadband Network. The rollout of the NBN has been far from smooth so far, hit with both technical problems and customer complaints about internet speeds where the service has already been rolled out. But the company believes it has turned a corner as it enters the final stretch of the initial rollout, with about half of Brisbane residents now connected to the network in some form. NBN workers lay the cable as the roll-out nears its final stage. Credit:NBN NBN Co Queensland spokesman Ryan Williams said they were on track to meet their target of having the full rollout completed by 2020. An inquest into the death of the an Iranian refugee who died after setting himself alight in protest over conditions on Nauru will begin in Brisbane on Monday. Omid Masoumali, 23, doused himself in petrol and set himself on fire on Nauru in April 2016. Refugees at Nauru wear t-shirts with Omid Masoumali's name as a show of solidarity. A pre-inquest conference heard last year that he set himself alight in front of officials from the United Nations Refugee Agency. Mr Masoumali suffered severe burns to more than half of his body and died two days later in a Brisbane hospital from multiple organ failure. The crowd seemed to part quite quickly as he made his way down. He was probably about 10 feet away from me and he was already doused in petrol. He just started yelling speaking in Farsi, so I couldnt understand it. Mr Soubjaki said the UNHCR officials present either did not notice Mr Masoumali or were not necessarily fazed by what they saw in the moments before he set himself alight. I recall a stray dog walking up to Omid and leaving very quickly, he said. A couple of seconds later, Omid kind of pulled out a lighter and lit the flame. It all happened pretty quickly. Omid Masoumali died after setting himself on fire at the Nauru detention centre in 2016. Credit:AAP/Supplied Refugees on the remote Pacific island felt increasingly hopeless about their situation, Mr Soubjaki said, and were repeatedly told they had just two options available to them remain or go home. You start to develop the frustrations of the refugees, Mr Soubjaki said. Loading You kind of start to demand answers from your superiors. It kind of got to a point where I would be instilling hope in refugees all over the island as much as I could. "The [Australian Border Force] wouldn't recommend that. They would be like, 'be honest with them and tell them that they're here because of a policy and we do not how long they're going to be here for'." Russell Badley, who worked as an intelligence officer for Wilson Security at the time of the incident, confirmed the stay or leave mindset among refugees. Certainly thats what asylum seekers believed was their choice, he said. Talk of self-harm had spread across the refugee community on the island in the days and weeks ahead of the incident, Mr Soubjaki said. It was something that was definitely on the minds, on the consciousness, of refugees on the island, he said. It was a demonstration of a lack of hope and the non-status of their position on the island as well. It was something that was definitely felt and acknowledged at that time where there was definitely an increase and we could sense that people were probably at their worst. Mr Soubjaki said he did not think it would be farfetched to suggest four or five instances of self-harm a day on the island. When you get to a point where youre so frustrated, youre kind of done negotiating, youre brain just cant compute your position anymore, he said. You just dont want to accept the reality of your situation, so youre always frustrated. But thats something I never noticed with Omid. Alan Beattie, a manager with CSS, said there was no suggestion prior to the incident that such a public display of self-harm was likely. Not even the visit from the UNHCR had heightened such concerns. It certainly wasnt anticipated to have the effect that it had, Mr Beattie said. Mr Badley said it was thought asylum seekers could use the UNHCR visit to stage protest action, including self-harm, to raise awareness of their plight through social media. It was put to Mr Badley there was a meeting of Naurus Emergency Coordinating Organisation the night before the self-immolation, at which it was noted the UNHCR being on site gave asylum seekers a staging prop to make such a statement. Theyre probably not the words I would use, but certainly in the lead-up to the UN being on the island there was a lot of discussion that it would make a good scenario to perhaps raise attention to their situation, Mr Badley replied. Earlier, Mr Masoumalis partner, known only as Pari for legal reasons, said through an interpreter that her would-be husband did not want to die, even after the incident. A Sydney judge has been urged to halt the demolition of Allianz Stadium for two weeks to prevent "significant injury" to the building before she rules on a last-ditch legal bid to stop its destruction. Community group Local Democracy Matters and Waverley Council launched legal action against the NSW government in the Land and Environment Court, arguing that planning consent for the project was flawed. The case was laid out during an expedited hearing last week. Minor works have begun towards the demolition of Allianz Stadium. Credit:Janie Barrett Justice Nicola Pain granted a last-minute injunction on Friday evening that temporarily prevented the developer Lendlease from so-called hard demolition works on the stadium. On Monday, lawyers for the community group and council sought a further court order stopping hard demolition until March 8, to allow time for the judge's decision. Wenona school principal Dr Briony Scott says mobile phones in classrooms are a massive experiment. School principals are pushing back against blanket bans on mobile phones in the classroom, saying students should be taught to be more responsible with their devices. The principals told The Sydney Morning Herald Schools Summit on Monday that the devices served useful purposes in today's classrooms. Briony Scott, principal of the independent Wenona School, said the NSW government's recently announced ban on phones in primary schools was "ridiculous" and would fail to keep up with technological advances. "You cannot hold children to a higher standard than we are prepared to hold ourselves," Dr Scott told the summit. Police are investigating whether a baby boy who was critically injured in a car crash in Sydney's south-west on Monday afternoon was sitting unrestrained in a driver's lap. The 11-month-old was in a BMW sedan being driven east along Clingan Avenue in Lurnea by a 31-year-old man, when the car was involved in a collision with a Mercedes Benz being driven west by a 32-year-old man. One of two vehicles involved in a crash at Lurnea on Monday that left a baby boy fighting for his life. Credit:Nine News The crash caused the front driver's airbag in the BMW to deploy. Emergency service crews arrived after 5.50pm to find the baby boy with critical head and facial injuries. Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command said investigations so far indicated the baby was not strapped into a proper car seat. Priests are not above the law. Of course, that is true. Priests want to be good citizens. At the same time, they want to be good and faithful Ministers of the Catholic Church. The child abuse crisis is everything good people in society respond to with disgust. Courageous survivors have shared their wounds of criminal abuse within the Catholic Church over past decades. Pope Francis kneels in confession during a penitential liturgy in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Credit:AP The way we initially handled the crisis was disastrous. The wounds of the victims have wounded us. There is firm resolve to amend our ways. I am deeply committed to ensure that this lamentable history remains exactly that: history. The ACT government says it is "making inquiries" about Empire Global's move to partner with Geocon to deliver a $270 million development on the site of its Jardin complex, two months after the same developer, Empire Global, ripped up contracts with buyers into that project. The two property groups might also have to lodge a new development application for their proposed 571-unit Aspen Village complex, seemingly contradicting statements following the project's unveiling. An artist's impression of Geocon and Empire Global's proposed Aspen Village development. Empire Global and Geocon last week announced a joint venture to redevelop the site of Empire's now-abandoned Jardin complex, at the corner of Anketell Street and Oakden Street, in Greenway. The announcement came after Empire Global rescinded contracts with buyers of the 237-unit first stage of the Jardin development in December last year. We know about the agonies of girls, but what about the boys, and the men they will become, and the anxieties they face? We are used to the bullying of girls. Silly frilly dresses (might they combust?), fake pearls (might they choke?) and warnings against climbing trees (might they snap?) warn girls toward prettiness and away from risk. Your identity comes from your family, but Paw Patrol has only one female puppy on patrol, and she is useless. It's the same in Thomas the Tank Engine, in which the female engine creates chaos and the male engines sort it out. Princess Anna in Disney's animated film Frozen. Disney princesses - I know there apparently is a feminist one, but I'd argue against it - are always playing with their skirts and lying down. But Action Man is equally thwarted. When a (male) friend and I made Sindy, the plastic avatar for bourgeois children, and Action Man into a couple in 1981, they seemed sad. If I had been imaginative, I would have sent them to doll relationship counselling, with Barbie presiding, and they would have told Barbie they felt trapped in their gender stereotypes, and were prone to depression. And nothing has really changed. If anything, girls are more feminine these days, and boys are dependent on superheroes. People with autism spectrum disorder are dying at twice the rate of the general population, a landmark Australian study published on Tuesday has found. The biggest cause of death is injury or poisoning from suicide, self-harm or accident, the University of NSW analysis involving the records of almost 36,000 people with the disorder in NSW showed. The "alarming" findings have prompted the study researchers and advocates to call for a high-level, whole of system response to prevent these avoidable deaths. Joshua Klumper. Professor Julian Trollor, senior study author and chairman of Intellectual Disability Mental Health at UNSW, said the "major health gap" for people with ASD deserves a "co-ordinated, cohesive, high-level response". No sole political or special interest group is the cradle of compassion for our environment. Our government acknowledges and accepts the challenge of addressing climate change. However, we do so not just with impassioned hearts but also cool heads. We do not believe we have to choose between preserving our environment and keeping our economy strong. The Liberals and Nationals have a strong record of environmental vision and achievement. From the Menzies government that signed the Antarctic Treaty to the Howard governments founding of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, we understand that protecting and conserving our environment is a matter of intergenerational stewardship. Our land, air, oceans, reefs, fisheries and biodiversity are all vital parts of our inheritance. We hold them in trust today for Australians who will come after us. And reducing carbon emissions to address the real challenge of climate change requires practical policies. Were absolutely on track to meet our 2020 Kyoto emissions reduction target and thats no small feat. In 2013, we inherited from Labor a 755 million tonne projected deficit on our Kyoto 2020 goal. We are now expecting to over-achieve on the target by 367 million tonnes a 1.1 billion tonne turn around. We are one of a very small club that will exceed our 2020 target and weve done it through a combination of successful policies. Warren Buffett said on Monday his Berkshire Hathaway overpaid in the 2015 merger that created Kraft Heinz, but he had no plans to flee the struggling packaged foods company. The 88-year-old investing guru doesn't often get it wrong. Credit:AP Buffett spoke four days after Kraft Heinz took a $US15.4 billion ($21.5 billion) writedown for its Kraft and Oscar Mayer brands and other assets, slashed its dividend, and said the US Securities and Exchange Commission was probing its accounting. Kraft Heinz's share price sank 27.5 per cent on Friday, wiping out more than $US16 billion of market value, and causing Berkshire to lose $US4.3 billion on its stake. Berkshire owns 26.7 per cent of Kraft Heinz. "I was wrong in a couple of ways on Kraft Heinz," Buffett said on CNBC television. "We overpaid for Kraft." The Bourbon Street shooting early Sunday began as an attack on a security guard before escalating into a struggle over a gun and two quick shots, one of which killed a woman who was walking by, according to New Orleans police documents that were released Monday. The documents, filed in Criminal District Court, provided the most complete account yet of the 3 a.m. melee that killed nurse Julie Couvillon and left a security guard, the suspected shooter and a third man wounded. In view of a city crime camera and at least one witness, Louis Barnes, 37, punched the security guard at Willie's Chicken Shack in the 400 block of Bourbon "several times," chased him into and then out of the business, and wrested away his .40-caliber Glock handgun, police said. Police said Barnes shot Couvillon, himself, the guard and a 46-year-old man who later arrived at Tulane University Medical Center to be treated for a graze wound he suffered while standing near the fight. Both Couvillon and the 23-year-old guard were shot in the neck, police said. Barnes suffered a bullet wound to his right shoulder that police said he inadvertently inflicted on himself. Law enforcement officials believe that all of the wounds resulted from just two bullets, based on witness statements and the two shell casings found on the crowded stretch of Bourbon Street that quickly shifted from pre-Carnival revelry to police crime scene. According to documents signed by Homicide Detective Bruce Brueggeman, surveillance video received at the city's Real Time Crime Center captured the blue-haired Barnes attacking the guard, punching him, and pursuing him into and then out of the fried-chicken joint. During the struggle, the gun fired and both Barnes and Couvillon who was walking by on Bourbon fell to the ground, a witness recounted. Then, the witness said, a second gunshot hit the security guard and he fell to the ground as well. The camera captured both Couvillon and the security guard falling to the ground, Brueggeman wrote. But his description of the surveillance video stopped short of saying that it recorded Barnes firing the gun. Multiple NOPD officers in uniform ran toward Willies Chicken Shack after hearing the gunshots, grabbed Barnes and handcuffed him, police said. Can't see video below? Click here. 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 Barnes, Couvillon and the guard were all taken to University Medical Center. The 36-year-old Couvillon was pronounced dead. Barnes was released later in the day and jailed. The guard remained hospitalized through at least Sunday. A Mount Carmel Academy graduate, Couvillon worked as a nurse for Ochsner Health System for 13 years. It said Couvillon, the mother of a 19-year-old daughter, dedicated her life to caring for others. A graphic video circulating on social media showed the aftermath of the shooting that unfolded on a street packed with late-night revelers. A bare-chested man kneeling next to Couvillon pressed a shirt against her neck in a desperate attempt to stop the bleeding. On the sidewalk, two police officers had hold of Barnes, who was standing with his hands cuffed behind his back and a large, dark bloodstain on his right shoulder. The guard was seated with his back against an open door at Willie's, with a kneeling officer speaking to him. The wounded guard worked for Elite Protection Solutions LLC. Both the guard and the company were properly licensed and registered to provide armed security, state officials said. Fabian Blache III, the director of the state's private security licensing board, said the guard is expected to fully recover. Court documents don't address exactly what led to the guard's attack, but Willies Chicken Shack officials said the guard was trying to eject Barnes from the business for trying to sell drugs there. Blache said his board received information that Barnes had gotten into a verbal altercation with a Willie's Chicken Shack employee, who then asked the guard to remove him. Sunday was just the latest of several legal entanglements for Barnes dating back to the late 1990s. Most recently, he was facing charges of failing to register as a sex offender. He was required to register following a 2015 guilty plea to carnal knowledge of a juvenile in Jefferson Parish, which involved sex with a 15-year-old girl about four years earlier. For that, he received a two-year prison sentence. Barnes was due in court Monday on the charge of failing to register as an offender, though the hearing was postponed at least a day. Friends of Julie Couvillon, a registered nurse from Metairie, said she was enjoying a rare night out after spending Saturday afternoon at Carnival parades when she fell victim to a stray bullet on Bourbon Street. Though authorities havent officially identified the bystander killed early Sunday outside Willies Chicken Shack in the 400 block of Bourbon, friends and family said Couvillon, 36, was the woman shot and killed by a man struggling over a security guards gun after the guard tried to throw him out of the business shortly after 3 a.m. Couvillon was taken to a hospital, where she died. The security guard, 23, was also shot in the neck, the New Orleans Police Department said, and the suspect 37-year-old Louis Barnes apparently accidentally shot himself in the shoulder during the struggle. Police officers in the block heard the gunfire and immediately arrested the suspect and recovered the weapon. Originally, it was thought that a fourth person had been shot, but investigators said they believe that person was not injured by gunfire but by something else during the incident. The security guard was taken to a hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. Barnes was also taken to a hospital, where he had surgery. He was later released and booked on counts of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. He was wearing a hospital gown when his mug shot was taken, and it appeared that there was a bandage on his right shoulder. A judge set Barnes bail at $1.5 million Sunday afternoon. Can't see video below? Click here. Couvillons family said they didnt want to comment Sunday, but she received an outpouring of support from others who knew her especially on social media calling her a great person and beloved nurse. It doesnt make any sense, said Rosaleen Brown, a close friend and co-worker. It just breaks my heart that her daughter doesnt have a mom anymore. According to Brown and social media posts, Couvillon was a graduate of Mount Carmel Academy. State records show she obtained her license to work as a registered nurse in 2005, and she spent 13 years as an employee of Ochsner Health System, the hospital group said in a statement. She had a 19-year-old daughter, according to social media posts. "Julie was a beloved nurse who dedicated her life to caring for others," Ochsner's statement said in part. "This is a devastating loss to the nurses, employees, physicians and staff across our system. We offer our deepest condolences to her family and the families of the other victims. 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 Brown said she spoke with Couvillon shortly before the nurse went out with friends Saturday. She recalled telling Couvillon to enjoy herself but be careful, never imagining that it would be the last time they spoke. Brown said it was almost impossible to comprehend that a man being kicked out of an eatery would grab a gun, pull the trigger on a crowded street and take a life. She was such a great person I wouldve done anything for her, Brown said. A lot of my friends are completely devastated. A spokesman for Willies Chicken Shack said Barnes was being kicked out because he tried to sell drugs inside the business, leading to his latest run-in with the law. He was in court just over a month ago to be arraigned on a charge of failing to register as a sex offender. He pleaded not guilty in that case and was out on a $5,000 bond; he was due back in court on that matter Monday, records show. Barnes was required to register as a sex offender after pleading guilty in 2015 to carnal knowledge of a juvenile, admitting he had sex with a 15-year-old girl about four years earlier, according to Jefferson Parish court records. He received a two-year prison sentence. He had been in trouble off and on since he was 17. He was booked on battery of a schoolteacher and was sentenced to five years for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Barnes will face mandatory life imprisonment if eventually convicted of murder. Willies Chicken Shack issued a statement Sunday extending the most sincere condolences to the victims and their families. We take extra measures in hiring our own security detail to make sure our patrons and staff are safe at all times, the statement said. This tragedy during the Mardi Gras season should serve as a message that our community needs to be as diligent as ever to combat crime in the French Quarter. There are seven local Willies Chicken Shack locations all in or on the edge of the French Quarter. The company providing security at the Bourbon Street location is Elite Protection Solutions LLC, which was formed in June. Elite's owner, Willie Harris, said the wounded guard could move most of his extremities Sunday except his left arm. Harris said the guard began working with Elite within the last month. He pledged that Elite would take care of him as he recovers from Sunday's shooting. Fabian Blache III, the director of Louisiana's private security licensing board, said the guard's case would be reviewed for possible commendation, which recognizes guards who are injured in the line of duty. "This was a guard who was severely injured in the course of carrying out his duties," Blache said, adding that he visited the guard Sunday and that he was in great pain. "We just wanted him to know we are here for him." Blache said that both the guard and the company were properly registered with the state. Harris said the bloodshed Sunday morning was a frightening example of how dangerous private security work can be, especially on Bourbon Street, where late-night revelry occasionally turns violent with little notice. "We hire and train these officers to do the best they can, but sometimes you don't know who's coming up to you," he said. Staff writer Gordon Russell contributed to this report. Each year on the Saturday before Mardi Gras, one small Carnival krewe distills this citys love affair with its own cuisine down to a parade around the French Quarter. Members of the Krewe of Lafcadio march in food-themed costumes. Their signature throws are kitchen spoons, which those in the know plead for along the route as if they were Zulu coconuts or Muses shoes. And leading the parade, the monarchs honored for the day are drawn not from high society or celebrity circles but from the kitchens of New Orleans. This years king of the Krewe of Lafcadio is Slade Rushing, executive chef at Brennans Restaurant since the Royal Street landmark was revived in 2014. The duke for this years parade is Arthur Brocato, proprietor of Angelo Brocatos Ice Cream, the dessert shop his grandfather founded more than a century ago. The parade is named for Lafcadio Hearn, a writer who documented New Orleans culture in the 19th century and published a seminal Creole cookbook in 1885. Nothing feels more New Orleans to me than a chef getting a chance to be part of this, said Rushing. For a Mississippi boy, this feels like making it in New Orleans. It feels like being accepted as a true New Orleans chef. Brocato has never ridden or marched with a Carnival krewe, much less been named royalty for one. Hes always too busy with the family business, he said. But with the food theme, and with Angelo Brocatos closed that day for Endymion anyway, he could not resist the Krewe of Ladcadios invitation. Where else would we get a chance to do this? Brocato said. Of all the only-in-New Orleans moments that a Carnival season delivers, this one holds a special resonance for local food lovers. Food and restaurant news in your inbox Every Thursday we give you the scoop on NOLA dining. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Whats Mardi Gras but a celebration of fine living, which New Orleans is all about, and also satirizing the dysfunctional aspects of living here, said John Kelly, the local computer scientist who formed the Krewe of Lafcadio in 2012 and serves as its captain. We wanted to celebrate the people who make New Orleans the great place it is. The parade is also a fundraiser, using membership dues and other contributions to support a Navy League program that sends New Orleans chefs to prepare meals for the crews aboard the USS Louisiana and USS New Orleans, two warships based on the West Coast. Rushing has a unique Lafcadio Hearn connection. For a stint, he lived in an apartment in the historic downtown Lafcadio Hearn house. Thats the evocative brick edifice that now stands all on its own at Cleveland Avenue and South Robertson Street. Hearn lived here in the 1880s during the time he published his cookbook. The Krewe of Lafcadio begins at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Antoines Restaurant, 713 St. Louis St., and wends through the French Quarter and disbands near the restaurant. On any list of famous Supreme Court rulings, Plessy v. Ferguson, the 1896 case that resulted in the separate but equal ruling, appears near the top. In his fascinating new book, Separate: The Story of Plessy v. Ferguson, and Americas Journey from Slavery to Segregation, Steven Luxenberg studies the long run-up to that case, all the way back to the first segregated railroad cars, then through slavery and the Civil War to Reconstruction. Racial separation was the norm, and the long struggle against its remnants goes on today. Book Signing Steve Luxenberg discusses and signs Separate: The Story of Plessy v. Ferguson, and Americas Journey from Slavery to Segregation" with Greg Osborn WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 26) WHERE: New Orleans Main Library, 219 Loyola Ave. I like to get to the bottom of things," said Luxenberg, a senior editor at The Washington Post. "When I was at the Post, I frequently edited stories in which race was a component. I didnt understand the roots of racial separation. So, encouraged by friends and knowledgeable historians, he began more than five years of research and writing as he plumbed that history in Separate. He was encouraged along the way by his Harvard classmate Walter Isaacson, who told him, Have the confidence to tell it. Isaacson also endorsed his choice of subject, calling the case a knife that cleaved America. Four key figures dominate the story: Supreme Court Justice Henry Billings Brown, who wrote the ruling; Supreme Court Justice John Harlan, of Kentucky, who wrote the dissent; Albion Tourgee, a lawyer, popular author and newspaper columnist who worked on the suit; and Louis Martinet, the lawyer and newspaper editor who led the Comite des Citoyens and the New Orleans resistance. Luxenbergs vivid, descriptive prose makes his characters come alive, makes the insult of racial separation visceral. Despite the known outcome, the story is riveting in all its human dimensions. We feel Frederick Douglass indignation and resistance at being asked to move to a different rail car, the outrage of the free people of color who are still struggling for equal rights, the tension of the long wait for the case to be heard, the sorrow and bitterness of Louis Martinet when he visits the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair and sees no celebration of African-Americans contributions. As Martinet tells Tourgee, You dont know what that feeling is, Judge. You may imagine it, but you have never experienced it knowing that you are a free man and yet not allowed to enjoy a free mans liberty, rights, and privileges unless you stake your life every time you try it. I was intimidated about coming to New Orleans. Its a city in love with itself and it celebrates its history. And New Orleans is as much a character in the book as anyone, Luxenberg said. He especially acknowledged Greg Osborn, of the New Orleans Public Library; Osborn is also a Plessy descendant. Greg is probably acknowledged in more books than anyone in New Orleans, Luxenberg added. Luxenberg had one of his best moments in the Massachusetts State Archives. Theres nothing like holding primary source documents in your hands. And I got to hold a petition the abolitionist group had written to the Massachusetts legislature, and among the 1,000 names were Frederick Douglass, Wendell Phillips and William Henry Garrison. "It was in an envelope maybe 6 by 3 inches, and they unfolded it and kept unfolding it until it was 14 feet long. And I looked at those names and I thought, Wow! These were the fruits of an organization of advocacy. I understand why people talk about reparations, Luxenberg said. Now I know where its coming from. Weve been denying people of color opportunity and fairness in a country thats known for those ideals. Once, years ago, I was on a boat trip in Russia with different people, and we were talking about our national identities. Understand, we were just spitballin during happy hour. A Russian said that they believe in the Big Man theory that someone like Lenin or Stalin will come along and save us. "And I said I thought that fairness was our national identity. And the person from the Netherlands said that community was their national value, that because they didnt have it, the Nazis took over their country and now its a priority, Luxenberg said. But I keep coming back to that idea of basic fairness. These incidents continue to come back Trayvon Martin, Ferguson, (Missouri) blackface in Virginia. ... We cant stop thinking and talking about race, and its both sad and good. ************************ Book Signing Steve Luxenberg discusses and signs Separate: The Story of Plessy v. Ferguson, and Americas Journey from Slavery to Segregation" with Greg Osborn WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 26) WHERE: New Orleans Main Library, 219 Loyola Ave. Big names like Foo Fighters, Lizzo and Stevie Nicks Give me all of the New Orleans musicians A festival in the (hopefully) cooler October Ronnie Lamarque Vote View Results Hey Blake, Now that were officially in Mardi Gras mode, Im curious what was the route of the first Rex parade? Dear reader, The first Rex parade on Feb. 13, 1872 was a monumental event in the history of New Orleans Carnival, but it looked very little like the parade we know today. Rex, the first organized day parade in Carnival, was formed after Reconstruction as a way of attracting visitors to the city. It coincided with the visit to New Orleans of the Russian Grand Duke Alexis Alexandrovich Romanoff, who reviewed the first parade from Gallier Hall. Blakeview: Famous people who have visited New Orleans for Mardi Gras With thousands of people descending on New Orleans during the next two weeks for Carnival, we're reminded of some of the more notable names wh In their history of Rex, "If Ever I Cease to Love: One Hundred Years of Rex 1872-1971," historians Charles L. Pie Dufour and Leonard V. Huber detail the route of that first parade. It began on Canal Street before turning onto Royal Street and traveling through the French Quarter to Esplanade Avenue. From Esplanade, it traveled to Rampart Street then back to Canal again. It traveled up Canal to St. Charles Avenue, passing in front of Gallier Hall (which was then City Hall). From St. Charles, the parade turned left onto St. Joseph and made the block back to Camp Street, traveling back towards Canal and ending at the Henry Clay statue at Canal and Royal. In his book "New Orleans Masquerade," Arthur Burton LaCour describes the first parade: Following mounted police, the artillery and Marshal with attendants, Rex, in royal raiment, glittering with jewels, rode a prancing charger... Maskers filled carriages, vans and promiscuous vehicles and nondescript horses trod cobblestones and jostled timorous riders. In his book "Rex: An Illustrated History of the School of Design," Stephen Hales explains that the first parade included a symbol that remains to this day: the Boeuf Gras, or fatted ox symbolizing the last meat eaten before Lent. In 1872 and in every Rex parade until 1901, the Boeuf Gras was a live animal. It now appears in papier mache form. Fourth-graders in my kids school study slavery by running from classroom to classroom in a mock-up of the Underground Railroad, the series of secret trails and safe houses that helped spirit about 30,000 enslaved people from the South to freedom in the North and Canada. Children across America are acting out similar tableaus as part of a nod toward teaching them about slavery during Black History Month. But such role-playing is more frequently becoming the target of criticism. The past week alone, schools in Loudoun County, a suburb of Washington, D.C., were admonished for playing the Underground Railroad game. And some Rock Hill, S.C., parents were enraged to discover their 10-year-olds were taught to pick cotton as part of a class field trip. At issue, say some Louisiana educators, is the superficial way the schools teach slavery. Because the topic is so awkward, instruction lacks historical context and fails to delve too deeply into the nations difficult past, according to a half-dozen Baton Rouge teachers and an assistant principal who have a lot to say about the subject but fear doing so in public. The Louisiana Federation of Teachers, the union, also could not find someone willing to talk on the record. Almost anything you say could alienate someone, said Gary L. Jones, a former history teacher in Monroe who is president of the elected Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. BESE sets the overall curriculum goals for the 719,215 public school students, 43 percent of whom are African American, but the individual school districts set their own emphasis. The long list of contributions African-Americans have made throughout history to our way of life are certainly more important than slavery, Jones said. But I would not disagree that we should also educate our students on the institution (of slavery) and what it has meant to the foundation of our nation. The Southern Poverty Law Center says the American schools are graduating students who dont know much about history. How many U.S. presidents owned slaves? The answer is 12, including eight while in office. Teaching Hard History - American Slavery Teaching Hard History - American Slavery by the Southern Poverty Law Center How many states allowed slavery during the American Revolution? The answer is all of them, which makes the institution not so peculiar to the South. Only 8 percent of the nations high school seniors identified slavery as the central cause of the Civil War, according to study released last year by the SPLCs Teaching Tolerance project. More than two-thirds of the nations high schoolers didnt know the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution ended slavery. More importantly, the "Teaching Hard History: American Slavery" report found that nearly four of every five high school seniors didnt know that slavery was specifically protected in the nations founding documents. And schools did nothing to link the white superiority spin used to rationalize enslavement of black people to present-day beliefs about race. Its clear that the United States is still struggling with how to talk about the history of slavery and its aftermath, the report states. In East Baton Rouge Parish, the states second-largest school system, slavery is first introduced, but not explicitly taught, in 4th-grade lessons asking students to examine the relationship between early American colonists and regional geography. Teachers are instructed to say: Slavery in the Americas started long before the United States even existed and continued all the way until the Civil War ended in 1865. Today, we will connect how geography influenced the adoption of slavery in southern colonies, according to district-level class plans found in the local schools. They compare Plymouth and Jamestown colonies. Teachers can display a map of the transatlantic slave trade and ask: Where did slaves come from? They can show pictures from The Middle Passage. In the 5th grade, Baton Rouge public school students parochial schools follow similar teaching guidelines examine the economic interdependence between regional colonies and other countries. Its during this class that students consider colonial realities that relied on slavery. Seventh-graders read Abraham Lincolns 1861 Inaugural Address. And Baton Rouge 8th-graders hear about slavery in Louisiana. They read the ordinance the state used to secede. Linda Johnson, a Plaquemine civil rights activist who served on BESE for 12 years, said schools need to do a better job of teaching that for all the good in America, the country was initially built with heredity slavery based on skin color. The residuals of slavery continue to be seen in high poverty rates, single-parent families and mass incarceration. Our failure to address a legacy of enslavement and racial oppression makes the us ill-equipped to deal with present-day injustices and challenges, she added. A boy looks at the border wall, topped with razor wire and bathed in floodlights from the U.S. side, as he walks on the beach Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Tijuana, Mexico. Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission As they work on policies to combat sexual harassment, Louisiana state lawmakers are grappling with questions of what's appropriate in a state where people regularly greet each other with hugs and kisses and where strangers often call each other "honey." Lawmakers on a task force reviewing compliance with a newly passed anti-harassment law and working on another round of legislation found themselves dissecting their own actions and questioning whether they need to change behavior. "It's certainly an eye-opening discussion for me, but I'm trying to learn. I think everybody's trying to learn," said Sen. Rick Ward, a Port Allen Republican, as task force members last week discussed how to define appropriate and inappropriate conduct. After #MeToo movement hits Louisiana government, sexual harassment policies under review A task force charged with tracking the states efforts to discourage sexual harassment held its first meeting Tuesday, with officials vowing to The issue is a thorny one that female legislators pushed to the forefront last year amid the national #MeToo movement. Louisiana has seen two high-ranking government officials exit their jobs this term because of sexual harassment allegations. Tom Schedler resigned in May as secretary of state after being accused of sexual harassment in an employee's lawsuit. Johnny Anderson, a former top aide to Gov. John Bel Edwards, left his position in November 2017 amid claims he sexually harassed a woman in the governor's office. Schedler and Anderson denied the allegations, which were resolved with taxpayer-financed settlements. Amid the high-profile claims, lawmakers passed Louisiana's first government-wide policy against sexual harassment, which took effect in January. The law requires agencies to enact policies that include a process for handling complaints, a ban against retaliation when someone files a complaint and mandatory annual prevention training. Agency heads will have to compile annual reports starting in February 2020, documenting the number of sexual harassment complaints received over the prior year and the number that resulted in disciplinary action. Before passage of the new law, female lawmakers had been talking more openly about disrespectful behavior in the Legislature. They objected when a male lawmaker brought a birthday cake shaped like a body in a bikini to a committee hearing and when another male lawmaker made jokes about strippers' age and weight during a debate. They've complained about the tone of discussions. Clerk sues Orleans Parish court over alleged sexual harassment by Judge Byron C. Williams A court clerk in Orleans Parish who has accused Judge Byron C. Williams of sexual harassment is now taking aim at court officials, claiming th Lawmakers on the task force, both male and female, said they will be tracking whether agencies are following the new anti-sexual harassment requirements, looking for gaps in the law and searching for ways to strengthen policies. Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, the New Orleans Democrat whose legislation created the task force and who is chairing it, said she wants to establish "the gold standard." But lawmakers also acknowledged the discussions are complex. Sen. Gerald Long, a Winnfield Republican, offered an example to a state government lawyer who specializes in employment law issues. "If I walk on the Senate floor and I see (Sen.) Beth Mizell, I'm going to hug her in a respectful, appropriate way. Now if I hug her three times in one week, have I?" he trailed off, wondering if that could be seen as improper. Mark Falcon, special counsel for the Division of Administration, said whether the hug was appropriate involved whether Mizell deemed it acceptable or had objections. "It's the participant's perspective," Falcon said. Long replied: "It's awfully hard sometimes to navigate." Mizell, who suggested she didn't object to the hugs, noted different interpretations of behavior can be cultural. "When I've been in conferences with legislators from around the country, they can't believe that other colleagues would call one another 'honey' or whatever, and that most of the Southern legislators are fine with that or that we do hug as a greeting," said Mizell, a Franklinton Republican. Peterson offered a simple test, saying the conduct should stop "once the person is made aware that the behavior is offensive to the person." Ward said he's tried to become more mindful of how other people see his actions. "You have to look at it from the other person's perspective and really get a feel for how that other person wants to interact on a daily basis," he said. "I know there are some people, I walk up to them, they want a hug. There's other people that clearly want me to shake their hand." Melinda Deslatte has covered Louisiana politics for The Associated Press since 2000. Doctors have declared accused serial killer Ryan Sharpe mentally fit to stand trial, but his attorney said hes considering an insanity defense because his client cant recall anything about the crimes hes accused of committing. The 37-year-old Clinton man previously pleaded not guilty to all the charges filed against him in East Baton Rouge and East Feliciana parishes for fatally shooting three men and wounding a fourth. But lawyer Tommy Damico said hes not ruling out a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. Its something were considering at this point, he said. Sharpe was returned over the weekend to East Baton Rouge Parish Prison from a state mental facility, where doctors determined he can now move forward with his criminal cases, Damico said. Alleged serial killer Ryan Sharpe again declared mentally incompetent to stand trial Alleged serial killer Ryan Sharpe was declared incompetent to stand trial after appearing before a state judge in Baton Rouge Wednesday a ru The doctors at the state facility in Jackson concluded Sharpe understands the nature of the charges against him and has the mental capacity to assist his attorneys. East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore III said the doctors report is extremely thorough and comprehensive. Based on what I read I wholeheartedly agree with the doctors, he said Monday. +3 BR judge awards $5.6M in damages in wrongful death suit against alleged serial killer Ryan Sharpe The widow and children of a former BREC commissioner shot to death last year have obtained a $5.6 million judgment against Ryan Sharpe, the al Damico, however, said the report also indicates that Sharpe has no memory of the time periods during which his alleged crimes occurred, something Damico said will severely limit Sharpe's ability to aid his attorneys. 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 "They have not been able to say he recalls anything that happened. That's a problem," he said, adding that the report did not address Sharpes mental state at the times of the shootings. Damico said he will argue at a court hearing, which will be held within the next 30 days, that Sharpe is not competent to assist his lawyers. Sharpe was sent to the state mental hospital for possible competency restoration after state judges in East Baton Rouge and East Feliciana declared him incompetent to stand trial in the string of fatal shootings over a four-month span in summer 2017 and within a 25-mile radius in the Clinton area. +6 Alleged serial killer's mental competency questioned by docs; next step is for judge to decide Two of the three doctors selected by a Baton Rouge judge to examine alleged serial killer Ryan Sharpe have concluded he isnt competent to sta Sharpe told investigators he committed the killings to fill hunting "tags" issued to him by the government, according to an East Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Office report. He also said he had other tags that had not been filled when he was arrested in October 2017, the report says. He called police and identified himself as the shooter, authorities have said. Sharpe is charged with first-degree murder in the October 2017 killing of Brad DeFranceschi, 48, and second-degree murder in the slayings of Thomas Bass, 62, in July 2017 and Carroll Breeden Sr., 66, in September 2017. Breeden, a former BREC commissioner, was shot to death outside his Pride-Port Hudson Road home just across the East Feliciana line in East Baton Rouge. The other slayings occurred in East Feliciana. Sharpe also is charged with attempted first-degree murder in the September 2017 shooting of Buck Hornsby in East Feliciana. A Zachary man accused in the 2017 beating, stabbing and shooting death of his 11-month-old son was given a Sept. 9 trial date Monday. Fabian Smith, 34, is charged with second-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to a juvenile in the slaying of Jericho Smith. +3 Zachary man pleads not guilty in October shooting, stabbing and beating death of infant son A Zachary man accused in the shocking October shooting, stabbing and beating death of his 11-month-old son pleaded not guilty Monday to second Coroners officials concluded Jericho died Oct. 14, 2017, of multiple gunshot and stab wounds and blunt force injuries. A Zachary police detective testified in the case in November 2017 that the infant was shot in the head and neck, and had gunshot residue around his face an indication that he was shot at close range. +4 Slain Zachary infant had gunshot residue on his head, detective testifies at Fabian Smith's bond hearing An 11-month-old Zachary boy allegedly shot, stabbed and beaten to death by his father in October had gunshot residue on his head when police f The detective, Enoch Sims, said Smith told a neighbor, I messed up, I messed up, I messed up. Sims testified that Jerichos then-2-year-old sibling told him, My daddy killed the baby! 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 Smith was the only adult in his Hancock Street home at the time of Jerichos death, police have said. The babys mother was at work. A gun and knife were found inside the home. Detectives believe Smith could have been under the influence of some type of substance because he said multiple times he couldnt remember what happened and the last thing that he could recall was picking up food from Burger King for the children, a search warrant states. Zachary police officer Cothern Williams, the first officer on the scene, has testified he saw Smith walk out of the house and heard him say, My baby, my baby. Smith, who remains in custody, appeared briefly Monday in state District Judge Bonnie Jacksons courtroom for a status hearing. He faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder. Second-degree cruelty to a juvenile carries up to 40 years. Two-time Grammy winner and Lafayette native Lauren Daigle is extending her sold-out "look Up Child" world tour with 19 stops across the United States and Europe, including at third date in Lafayette. Daigle will be performing with the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra at Heymann Performing Arts Center. The July 5 and 6 shows have been sold out since last year. Tickets for a July 7 show go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. The new shows come on the heels of 53 sold-out performances. The world tour kicks off April 25 in Shreveport. Earlier this month, Daigle, 27, won 2019 Grammy Awards in both categories in which she was nominated Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for "You Say," co-written with Jason Ingram and Paul Mabury, and Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for "Look Up Child." Fans of contemporary Christian music have long lauded Daigle as one of the best voices in the business. This marks Daigles first Grammy win; she was previously nominated in 2016 and 2017. Look Up Child is her third album, following, 2015's "How Can It Be" and 2016's "Behold: A Christmas Collection." Google announced at the 2019 Mobile World Congress that it's adding a dedicated Google Assistant button to more Android handsets this year. Similar to Samsung's Bixby button, which most users find annoying, Google's new physical button aims to give easy access to its very own virtual assistant. Phones With Google Assistant Button The Google Assistant has been present on most Android phones. Previously, users can only launch Assistant by holding down a device's home button or through saying voice commands such as "Hey, Google." An exclusive button for the Assistant isn't something new, though. In fact, the first phone to sport the said button the LG G7 ThinQ was launched in 2018. Now, the Mountain View company said it's bringing the button to more phones, including ones from Nokia (Nokia 3.2 and 4.2) and, again, LG (K40, G8 ThinQ, and V50 ThinQ). Phones from TCL, Xiaomi (Mi 9 and Mi Mix 3 5G), and Vivo (V15 Pro) will also sport the dedicated Assistant button later on. According to Google, it expects more than 100 million units will launch with the physical Assistant button. How Does It Work? The dedicated Google Assistant button works three ways. A single tap lets users ask questions about random Google searches as well as control the Assistant through voice commands. Tapping it twice will launch the Visual Snapshot, basically a roster of information about a user's day, such as schedules, traffic, and weather. Pressing and holding the button will trigger the Assistant's "walkie talkie" feature. This feature stays active for as long as a user is pressing the button, which is great for dictating messages and emails or for longer queries. Still, there are users who don't really use Google Assistant. So is it remappable? For the upcoming phones, probably not. The current phone with the Assistant button, the G7 ThinQ, doesn't allow remapping as of the moment. Fortunately, users can disable the button if they don't find it very useful. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A woman died on Thursday after she was mauled by her own dogs. Authorities said Nancy Cherryl Burgess-Dismuke was wrestling with the animals outside her mobile home in South Carolina when her two dogs started to bite her arms. Attacked By Two Boxer Mixes The neighbors said they rushed to the 52-year-old woman's home when they heard the attack and found the two boxer mixes biting on both of the woman's arms and dragging her body back into the home. They pulled her away from the dogs in an attempt to save her and called for paramedics. Burgess-Dismuke was also rushed to a nearby hospital but she eventually died after losing large amounts of blood from the dog bites. Neighbors said Burgess-Dismuke would often play with her dogs outside and even place her arms in their mouths but this time, her supposedly playful interaction with her pets turned violents when the animals turned on her and became aggressive. "It went from looking like they were really playing to them really eating her alive," related Amber Greer, who called 911 for help. Denzel Whiteside, who helped free Burgess-Dismuke from the dogs by beating the animals with a blunt axe, described the gory scene. "One arm was already bit completely off, the other arm was barely hanging on by a piece of meat," Whiteside said. "It was the longest 10 minutes of my life." Dogs To Be Euthanized The Greenville County Animal Control already took control of the dogs, which will be euthanized. Whiteside and Greer said they did not trust Burgess-Dismuke's boxer mixes because they do not think they were well-trained. They would not even let their own small dog go out when the boxer mixes were outside. According to the Center For Disease Control, nearly 1 in 5 dog bites needs medical attention. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Israel's first moon mission blasted off from Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Friday. Dubbed Beresheet, the Hebrew word for "Genesis," the lander is now making its two-month journey to land on the moon. Its creators expect it will land on the lunar surface on April 11. World's First Privately Funded Moon Mission Beresheet is the world's first privately funded lunar mission, but while this is not a government-led initiative, state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) corporation joined as a partner. SpaceIL, the nonprofit organization behind the effort, participated in the Google Lunar XPrize, which offered a $30 million reward for a privately funded team to land an automated spacecraft. The contest closed without a winner, but SpaceIL decided to continue and get funding from elsewhere. SpaceIL Kfir Damari cofounder said that the main focus of the mission is to show kids that science is fun and exciting and to inspire them to pursue the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. If the mission is successful, Israel will join the ranks of the United States, China, and Russia to have made a controlled landing on the moon. "We have a vision to show off Israel's best qualities to the entire world," said Canadian-Israeli philanthropist and SpaceIL donor Sylvan Adams. "This is a remarkable thing because we continue to demonstrate our ability to punch far above our weight and to show off our skills, our innovation [and] our creativity in tackling any difficult problem that could possibly exist." The Mission Once Beresheet touches down on the lunar surface, it will conduct scientific investigations that include measuring the magnetic field of the moon to help researchers understand how the natural satellite formed. The spacecraft brought an instrument built by the Weizmann Institute of Science, which will measure the moon's magnetic fields as it approaches its landing site at a lava plain called Mare Serenitatis, or the Sea of Serenity. The data may provide information about the moon's iron core. The spacecraft likewise has an instrument in a collaboration with NASA. The retroreflector will join other reflectors already placed on the moon by the Apollo missions to measure distances and lunar dynamics. In an effort to preserve important human knowledge, Beresheet is also installed with a time capsule intended to serve as a backup for human civilization in a safe location off our planet. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Botswana, the country with the most number of elephants, is lifting its four-year hunting ban due to the increasing conflict between animal welfare and economic gains. After months of consultations and review meetings, the cabinet members concluded that the number of elephants in the country is too many. They even recommended hunting the animal to turn its meat into pet food. 'Regular But Limited' The cabinet's report recommended specific measures, including the management of elephants within their historic range and the "establishment of elephant meat canning." The report added that some migratory routes have become invasive to human lives, hence the closure of the said routes. Limited but regular culling activities should be done to reduce the population of elephants to the desired number. While the recommendations are yet to be implement, President Mokgweetsi Masisi said they will have further consultations, and a white paper will be produced. If executed, the move will counter former president Ian Khama's declaration of the hunting ban in 2014. Under Khama's term, the hunting ban was to conserve the declining number of elephants in the wild. "The causes of the decline are likely due to a combination of factors such as anthropogenic impacts, including illegal offtake and habitat fragmentation or loss," the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism announced on its Facebook page in 2013. However, the previous government said the ban would be temporary until remedial measures are put in place to address the elephant's population decline. Conservation Worry Tourism in Botswana has flourished since the hunting ban was imposed. The national income that comes from foreign tourism is the second largest, next to diamond mining. With the lifting of the hunting ban, workers employed in hunting safaris lost their jobs. While Botswana has been successful in protecting the elephants, some critics said that the ban had worked to compromise people and environment. "During the past 20 years the elephant range in Botswana has expanded by 53%, causing increasing concern about the impact of elephants on biodiversity, the viability of other species and the livelihoods and safety of people living within the elephant range," said Elephants Without Borders, a conservation NGO. Meanwhile, Department of Wildlife and National Parks Director Otisitwe Tiroyamodimo said that climate change has affected how far elephants travel outside their natural range. As water and food becomes depleted, elephants migrate closer to farmlands, causing destruction of crops and posing risks to human lives. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. More than 50 Microsoft Corp employees have demanded that the tech giant cancel a $480 million deal to provide augmented reality technology to the U.S. Army. Microsoft's HoloLens The $3,000 HoloLens, which Microsoft first released to developers in March 2016, allows the wearer to see digital images laid over the real world. The engineers who worked on the technology believed it would be useful for making buildings and cars, helping teach people to play the piano or perform surgery, pushing the boundaries of gaming, and connecting with the Mars Rover. The workers, however, said that under the contract, the company's HoloLens augmented reality technology will be designed to help soldiers kill. AR Technology To Be Used In Warfare In a letter to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and President Brad Smith, the group cited the objective of the contract to develop a platform intended for use in warfare. "The application of HoloLens within the IVAS system is designed to help people kill. It will be deployed on the battlefield, and works by turning warfare into a simulated 'video game', further distancing soldiers from the grim stakes of war and the reality of bloodshed," the employees' letter reads. The workers said they did not sign up to develop weapons and demanded a say in how their work is used. They said the company should stop activities that boost the military's ability to cause harm and violence. Workers Call For Microsoft To Stop Working On Weapons Technologies In addition to asking Microsoft to cancel the HoloLens deal with the military, the letter also asked the company to stop working on all weapons technology and create an "acceptable use policy" to cement this commitment. They also asked for the creation of an independent ethics review board that will help ensure compliance with this policy. Microsoft will unveil an updated HoloLens at the Mobile World Congress industry conference in Barcelona, Spain on Sunday. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In brief: While most people would consider CEOs to be overpaid, a non-profit organization has calculated the worst offenders. Among the top 100 are Activisions Bobby Kotick and EAs Andrew Wilson, who both earn over 300 times the average salary of an employee from their respective companies. The annual report, which started in 2015, comes from As You Sow, whose mission statement is to promote environmental and social corporate responsibility through shareholder advocacy, coalition building, and innovative legal strategies. Each chief executive is ranked based on their salary, the ratio between this and the average workers pay, shareholders votes against a CEO's compensation package, and total shareholder returns. Bobby Kotick, head of Activision, has the dubious honor of being the US game industrys most overpaid CEO. Hes ranked at number 45 on the top 100, thanks to a $28,698,375 salary thats 306 times more than the average member of staff. 92% of shareholders voted against his pay, and As You Sow believes he gets $12.8 million more than he should. The report comes not long after Activision said it was laying off 775 people, or 8 percent of its workforce, despite generating record profits last year. Also on the list is EA CEO Andrew Wilson at number 98. His $35,728,764 wages371 times more than an average company workeris said to be almost $20 million too much, and 97% of shareholders voted against it. Electronic Arts is also laying off staff, at its FireMonkeys studio in Australia. At the top of the list sits Ronald F. Clarke, CEO of Fleetcor Technologies Inc. His $52.6 million salary is 1517 times more than a typical worker at his company. Mark V. Hurd/Safra Catz from Oracle come in at second place, with a $81.5 million pay thats 907 times higher than most employees' wages. For comparison, the average ratio between CEO and employee pay in the top 500 US companies is 142:1. Despite more CEOs receiving obscene salaries, shareholders are fighting back against the trend. Opposition to high CEO pay has risen, and more companies have seen their CEO pay packages receive less and less support from their shareholders, writes As You Sow. European funds and U.S. public pension funds have made their opposition to a broken system clear. Something to look forward to: When it comes to choosing a smartphone, the quality of its photos can be the deciding factor for many people. With that in mind, HMD is aiming its upcoming flagship, the Nokia 9 PureView, straight at photography fans. With a massive five cameras on its rear, could the device offer the best photos ever seen from a handset? Rumors that the Nokia 9 would have a penta-lens array first arrived last September and was pretty much confirmed a few months later. At Mobile World Congress, HMD, which owns the Nokia brand, revealed details of the latest phone to carry the famous PureView name. Nokia created its five-camera setup through a partnership with Light, which made the 16-camera L16 device. It also worked with Qualcomm so the phones Snapdragon 845 was optimized to work with the array. Each of the five camerastwo are color and three monochromehas a 12MP sensor and an f/1.8 lens. Youll find no ultra-wide or telephoto lenses here, but all the cameras work together, merging 240MP of data into a final 12MP HDR image. And thanks to the time-of-flight camera, the Nokia 9 can capture 1200 planes of depth, allowing for photos with amazing depth mapping. The images are captured in the RAW/DNG format and can be edited using an optimized version of Adobe Lightroom, which can be installed when setting up the phone. The sample photos HMD showed have been compared to those taken by a top-end DSLR. Away from the cameras, the Nokia 9 PureView features a 5.99-inch OLED HDR10 panel, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, an under-screen fingerprint reader, and a 3,320mAh battery. Being a Nokia device, you also get an almost stock version of Android 9 Pie Nokia says the phone will come to the US, though availability will be limited. The good news for photography fans is that it will cost under $700. B2B Lead Generation Service Reach key decision makers with sales-ready leads that shorten your sales process. Move the needle by delivering funnel qualified leads to your sales team. Learn more. Google must remove search results about medical regulators' conditional suspension of a Dutch physician in the first "right to be forgotten" case of its kind in the European Union. After Google and Dutch data privacy watchdog Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens rebuffed the doctor's initial attempts to get disciplinary actions purged from online search results, a district court in Amsterdam sided with the surgeon. The physician had an interest in preventing her full name from appearing in Google search engine links connected to a blacklist of doctors, the court found. The surgeon's right to be left out of Google's search results outweighed the public's right to use the search engine to find the information, the court maintained. Although the court acknowledged that information at the blacklist site was accurate, it stated that the pejorative name of the site suggested the surgeon wasn't fit to treat people, which was not supported by the regulators' findings. Google as Censor Because the blacklist site contained accurate information, it would have been an uphill battle for the surgeon to force it to take down the offending information about her. "They didn't go after the site because they had no grounds," said Adam Holland, a project manager at the Berkman Klein Center at Harvard University in Boston. However, "if they could render it invisible in Google, that's practical obscurity, which is the next best thing to taking the information down," he told TechNewsWorld. Right-to-be-forgotten cases have placed Google in the role of a censor, observed French Caldwell, CFO of The Analyst Syndicate, an IT research and analysis group in Washington, D.C. "The reason is it's much easier to deal with Google from a regulatory enforcement standpoint than it is to deal with millions of source sites," he told TechNewsWorld. "Google has been made the de facto censor of Europe," Caldwell said. "That's an awful lot of power to hand over to a private company." The European Union has been asking Google to exercise judgment in circumstances that didn't require it before, Robert E. Cattanach, a partner in the Dorsey law firm in Minneapolis, told TechNewsWorld. "Once you put that power in the hands of a platform, where's the accountability?" he asked. "Who's going to say to Google, 'Take this down but leave this up'?" Precedent for Professions Without its search findings, people would have trouble finding relevant information on the medical regulator's Big Register, where its public records are available online, Google argued in the case. However, the notion that consumers depend on Google search results to choose doctors is questionable. "I don't think consumers are googling names, clicking on links and saying, 'Here's an unverifiable database of names. I'm going to make my doctor decisions based on that,'" suggested the Berkman Center's Holland. "That seems pretty tenuous to me." The court initially handed down its ruling in the case last summer, but up to now, legal wrangling over whether it should be made public prevented its release. Since then, the surgeon's attorney has tried to remove from the blacklist the details of 15 doctors who have been involved in disciplinary actions. "This sets a precedent," Holland said, "especially for any profession that is often reviewed and likely to have these third-party sites collecting disciplinary information about the profession." Missing Misdeeds It's worrisome not only that important information about this particular doctor will be difficult for consumers to find, but also that other information will be obscured, said The Analyst Syndicate's Caldwell. "I think there is a danger that people who commit deeds consumers should know about are going to have their information blocked," he said. "It's going to have a negative impact on consumers," said Dorsey's Cattanach. "We all depend on online, reputable resources to make decisions. If you start denying that information, we aren't going to make as many good decisions." In the United States, this decision rubs against prevailing trends toward transparency, to provide consumers with information about everything from police actions to sexual harassment violations, to rent charged in rent control areas, observed Timothy Toohey, an attorney with the Greenberg Glusker law firm in Los Angeles. "Europeans believe a person is entitled to a fresh start," he explained. That can be very hard in the digital age, when "one remark broadcast on the Internet can destroy a person," Toohey remarked. Right to Be Forgotten The "right to be forgotten" originated in a 2014 decision by the European Court of Justice in a case involving Mario Costeja Gonzalez. Gonzalez, a Spanish man, filed a lawsuit with the court after a newspaper in Catalonia refused to delete a 1998 auction notice about his repossessed home. He argued the matter had been settled and no longer should appear in Google's search results. The court sided with Gonzalez and ordered Google to erase links to the pages at the newspaper that contained the auction information. In its ruling, the court noted that European citizens had the right to ask search engines to remove search result links that were "inadequate, irrelevant or no longer relevant or excessive ... in the light of the time that had elapsed." Since the decision, some 3 million Europeans have made right-to-be-forgotten requests. However, the right applies only to European searches, a principle recently affirmed by the ECJ after France tried to expand the right globally. A number of UK and international free speech groups opposed France's move, arguing that extending the power would encourage censorship in countries like China, Russia and Saudi Arabia. Ignored Potential Problems The ECJ adopted a black-and-white position on the right to be forgotten, Cattanach said. "They knew there would be places on the margin where ... it would make no sense, but they were intimidated by the prospect of creating exceptions, and exceptions to the exceptions, and getting bogged down forever in debate and drafting," he explained. "So they made it an absolute right, and it trumps the rights, among others, of consumers to be given important public information about service providers," Cattahach noted. "They decided to go with that even though they knew it would create some problems." 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. V.Narayan Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Delhi-NCR Posts: 2,915 Thanked: 33,254 Times re: Massive fire in the parking lot at Aero India 2019 (Bangalore) I normally don't write posts that criticize India too strongly. I am too nationalistic. But as a trade insider, with Aero India, allow me to make an exception. First very sorry to see that hundreds of car owners have lost an important and valuable asset and may end up running from pillar to post to get the documents needed for the insurance. For several years I participated in the Aero India show and have experienced first hand as a participating exhibitor how terrible is the organization and attitude of the Defence Exhibition Organization of the Ministry of Defence. It does not come as a surprise that a horrific event like this took place. The airstrip would 100% have had 2 to 4 fire tenders standing by on alert as landings and take-off's were in progress. I wonder if they were deployed ASAP as they would have been within the campus only 1 or 2 kms away as the crow flies. We treat the Aero show as a big event. But sadly in the world of aviation it usually does not feature on the travel list of most aviation industry organizations. Three or four of the big guys set up stalls & chalets as they hope to sell warplanes to the Indian Govt. even if it takes 15 years to not get a decision. But the mid-tier and upper mid-tier companies, with revenues from $200 million to $4 billion, who are the backbone of the industry rarely exhibit at Bangalore. I used to sponsor a chalet and stall till some years back at the cost of millions of rupees but stopped due to zero returns and having to deal with the organizers. The money saved was spent more efficiently at Dubai, Singapore & Geneva. The organization of the show and the harassment of non-sarkari visitors makes this the worst show in Asia, Europe & Americas. After having exhibited at a dozen shows, overseas, about 50 odd times I can say this with hand on heart. The other shows are far larger (Paris, Shanghai, Geneva, Dubai), visitors are treated as customers and guests and all visitors are permitted onto the tarmac. Here, at Yelankana, if you are a non-Govt sponsor, who has paid millions as fee, you have to jump through hoops to get your business visitors on the tarmac for a walk around while PSU employees and their kids are freely roaming around. Sadly it is a sarkari show for their own ilk. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The temperature has begun to drop, rain has turned to snow, and the winds have started to howl. After a somewhat rainy, but relatively warm Sunday -- the high temperature reached 51 degrees at 1:56 p.m. in Syracuse -- a cold front has begun to move into Central New York. By 11 p.m., the temperature had dipped to 33 degrees and winds were whipping at around 35 mph, with gusts as high as 48 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Over the last couple hours, Onondaga County 911 dispatchers have received a handful of weather-related calls -- from a tree that toppled wires on Sabine Street in Syracuse to sparking, low-hanging wires at the Liverpool bypass and Oswego Road in Liverpool. Another tree also fell on Fly Road in DeWitt, causing downed wires. And in Syracuse, firefighters had to briefly close part of North Townsend Street after scaffolding on a building fell and pulled wires down, 911 dispatchers said. More than 3,600 National Grid customers in the Syracuse area were in the dark after the first round of the storm struck Central New York. The majority of the power outages were quickly restored, according to the National Grid outage map. The storm is only expected to get worse by morning. This is probably a-once-in-a-five-year event in northern and western part of Central New York, said David J. Nicosia, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service. The temperature is expected to continue to drop to around 24 degrees by Monday morning. At the same time, 30 mph to 40 mph winds -- with gusts around 60 mph to 70 mph -- and a few inches of lake effect snow are possible throughout Upstate New York. The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning until 7 p.m. Monday for Central New York. The strongest winds are expected between 7 and 11 a.m. Monday in Syracuse, National Weather Service meteorologist Lily Chapman said. Although the wind is expected not to be as intense as the day goes on Monday, wind gusts could still reach 45 mph Monday evening in Syracuse, Chapman said. Fierce winds will blow down trees and power lines, according to the high wind warning. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Blinding snow is possible in northern Onondaga, Oneida and Oswego counties, Chapman said. It will be windy and in areas of blowing snow, there will be reduced visibility, she said. The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for parts of Oneida, Oswego, Lewis and Jefferson counties. Travel will be nearly impossible at times, the weather service warned. Areas of severe blowing snow will produce whiteout conditions at times. The hazardous conditions will impact the Monday morning commute. In Oswego County, Sheriff Don Hilton issued a travel advisory for all of Oswego County at 6 p.m. Sunday. Those who live and work in the county are asked not to travel during the storm. No unnecessary travel is recommended, the sheriff said. Several flights at Syracuses Hancock International Airport were delayed or canceled Sunday night and Monday morning as winds picked up. Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry also canceled Monday morning classes in anticipation of the intense winds. Earlier Sunday, the storm crashed western New York. Wind gusts hit 74 mph at the Niagara Falls Airport at 2:14 p.m.; 69 mph at Buffalo Airport at 3:17 p.m.; and 69 mph in Batavia at 3:05 p.m. The weather service reported numerous trees down in Erie, Monroe and Niagara counties. A Rent-A-Center store in Niagara Falls suffered roof and structural damage Sunday afternoon. The University of Buffalo bookstore in Amherst also had significant roof damage," according to the weather service. More than 64,000 homes and businesses were without power at one point Sunday. The majority of the outages were in Erie and Niagara counties. Before the storm reached Central New York, more than 3,250 National Grid employees were mobilized in preparation. The utility company asks if a power outage occurs that customers notify them online at ngrid.com/report. But if there are downed power lines, customers should immediately call National Grid at (800) 867-5222 or 911. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Several flights out of Syracuses Hancock International Airport have been delayed or canceled Sunday night as a winter storm with gusting winds sweeps into Central New York. High winds, followed by snow and cold are expected Sunday night in Syracuse, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Lily Chapman. Earlier Sunday, a couple wind gusts had already reached 40 mph in Syracuse. The winds are expected to gain strength, reaching up to 64 mph between 7 and 11 a.m. Monday, Chapman said. The winds will drop to about 45 mph by Monday evening, she said. Seven flights scheduled to arrive in Syracuse through 9:35 a.m. on Monday and another seven flights scheduled to depart from Syracuse through the same time have been canceled, according to the flight schedule. Many passengers in Syracuse are still waiting to hear whether they will take off, as three flights have been delayed so far. Three flights heading to Syracuse also have been delayed, the schedule says. Other airports in the Northeast also are delaying and canceling flights to Syracuse and other locations expected to be impacted by the storm. JFK Airport has delayed all of its flights to Syracuse tonight. Bostons Logan Airport canceled all of its flights to Syracuse tonight. JetBlue Airways also canceled its 9 p.m. Sunday direct flight from Orlando to Syracuse. Lubbock, TX (79409) Today Scattered thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low around 65F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low around 65F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Vanuatu turns the Corner LETS USE THIS AS A SPRINGBOARD FOR THE FUTURE New marine protected area established in the Batangas Province of the Philippines SAN FRANCISCO (February 25, 2019)--The global marine community has cause to celebrate a conservation milestone in the Philippines. The Municipality of Tingloy on Maricaban Island in Batangas Province recently designated 22.01 hectares (54.4 acres) of thriving coral reef habitat as a marine protected area (MPA), only the second MPA to be established in the municipality. Located within the most biologically diverse waters on Earth, the new MPA protects against localized threats while bolstering an emerging ecotourism industry. The new protected area was championed by the local government and community of Tingloy, under the leadership of Mayor Mark Laurence F. Alvarez, along with several collaborating institutions, including the California Academy of Sciences, De La Salle University-Manila, and the local non-profits Pusod Inc. and the SEA Institute - VIP. "The establishment of this new MPA--and its long-term monitoring--is significant because it recognizes the need to set aside areas for conservation before the reef is lost or damaged beyond its ability to come back," says Dr. Terry Gosliner, the Academy's Senior Curator of Invertebrate Zoology. "Artificial reefs will never be as diverse and healthy as natural reefs, so it's always better to protect the reefs you have than try to play Humpty Dumpty with a damaged or destroyed reef." Maricaban Island is situated in the Verde Island Passage, a treasure trove of marine life nestled between the island of Luzon to the north and Mindoro to the south. The new MPA--named Pirasan--encompasses a mature, healthy, and resilient reef ecosystem. Like all reefs, however, it faces threats from local pollution, sedimentation, coastal development, and global climate change. The municipality of Tingloy is deeply committed to monitoring the reef's ongoing health. A two-year program designed by Academy scientists Drs. Terry Gosliner and Meg Burke in collaboration with Drs. Wilfredo Y. Licuanan of De La Salle University-Manila, Kent Carpenter of Old Dominion University, and Jeff Williams of the Smithsonian Institution empowers local residents to steward the reef. Residents routinely survey marine species indicative of reef health and monitor trash along the shore. These community-driven survey results are then integrated with additional data collected by program scientists into a "reef health report card" that establishes a baseline of comparison and measures the effectiveness of the MPA over time. In addition to Pirasan, Tingloy is also finalizing plans for three other MPAs based on recommendations from Academy scientists and community input collected during earlier research expeditions in the region. During March of last year, Drs. Terry Gosliner and Meg Burke along with their program partners provided scientific justification for Pirasan's protection when recommending locations to Tingloy government officials that would benefit from MPA status. Due to the success of the only other MPA in Tingloy, which has been in place for over ten years, many local fishermen are now recognizing the positive impact conservation measures have for sustaining fish stocks: Fishermen are now harvesting more fish from the waters surrounding the MPA than they did before the MPA was established. Healthy reefs also open opportunities for earning new livelihoods from ecotourism and provide greater protection from storm surges caused by typhoons. Near Tingloy's new MPA, a sandy beach is becoming a bustling tourist destination and a launching point for visitors to witness the natural beauty of the protected area by boat and snorkeling. "Tingloy is a community like so many in the Philippines and tropical world that is trying to figure out how to feed their families in the face of climate change and diminishing resources," says Dr. Meg Burke, Academy Director of Science Integration and Operations. "It's not always easy to recognize that the short-term sacrifice of establishing a marine protected area, which limits fishing activity and may mean your family has less to eat today or tomorrow, is worth it for the long-term gain of nurturing healthy reef ecosystems. Pirasan is a symbolic step toward recognizing greater future yields, more livelihood opportunities, and a brighter future." ### About Research at the California Academy of Sciences The Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability at the California Academy of Sciences is at the forefront of efforts to understand two of the most important topics of our time: the nature and sustainability of life on Earth. Based in San Francisco, the Institute is home to more than 100 world-class scientists, state-of-the-art facilities, and nearly 46 million scientific specimens from around the world. The Institute also leverages the expertise and efforts of more than 100 international Associates and 450 distinguished Fellows. Through expeditions around the globe, investigations in the lab, and analyses of vast biological datasets, the Institute's scientists work to understand the evolution and interconnectedness of organisms and ecosystems, the threats they face around the world, and the most effective strategies for sustaining them into the future. Through innovative partnerships and public engagement initiatives, they also guide critical sustainability and conservation decisions worldwide, inspire and mentor the next generation of scientists, and foster responsible stewardship of our planet. About De La Salle University-Manila De La Salle University positions itself as a leader in molding human resources who serve the church and the nation. It is a Catholic coeducational institution founded in 1911 by the Brothers of the Christian Schools. The University is a hub for higher education training renowned for its academic excellence, prolific and relevant research, and involved community service. DLSU is one of only two Philippine universities in the Times Higher Education list of best universities in the Asia-Pacific region for 2019. About Pusod, Inc. Pusod, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect and enhance the ecosystems of the Philippines. Working with local communities and strategic partners, Pusod focuses on projects in the Taal Lake Protected Landscape, the Verde Island Passage, and Mt. Malarayat Forest Reserve in Batangas Province. Pusod was formed in Manila in March 2004 to further the work originally begun in 1995 by the Babilonia Wilner Foundation. About the SEA Institute - VIP The SEA Institute is a non-profit organization that promotes conservation in the Verde Island Passage through Science, Education and Advocacy projects. SEA-VIP hopes that recognizing the VIP's rich biodiversity and its benefits will inspire communities in the Passage to protect and conserve this valuable and unique resource. SEA-VIP works with research, academic and community partners and volunteers on sustainable livelihood enterprises, reef monitoring programs and science camps for the youth. This story has been published on: 2019-02-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. ALBANY Schools in New York state want the ability to say no when election officials ask to use their buildings as polling places, according to members of the states education lobby. Thats because local school superintendents are increasingly hearing from parents who dont like the idea of strangers coming in and out of school buildings on Election Day. Its districts responding to parents concerns, Robert Lowry, deputy director of the state Council of School Superintendents said Friday during a briefing on upcoming education budget negotiations between lawmakers and Gov. Andrew Cuomo. One lawmaker, Assemblywoman Sandra Galef, D-Ossining, has put in a bill that would allow schools to decline their mandated use as polling places. Long Island Democratic Sen. Todd Kaminsky is backing a similar measure. Currently, schools are required to host polls during elections if they are designated as voting places. In Albany County, 12 percent of poll sites are schools Statewide, almost 27 percent of polling sites are in the schools, according to the state Board of Elections. The number is higher in some downstate locations, where many of the parental complaints have originated. In both Suffolk County on Long Island and New York City, its 53 percent. Currently, if a school building is selected as a polling location by the county board of elections, the district has no recourse, reads part of a state School Boards Association memo on Galefs proposal. The memo also states: At a time when school districts are continually the targets of violent incidents, many districts across the state have invested in varied security enhancements including the hardening of doors and windows. They have also adopted policies that limit access to school buildings. Such policies may include keeping doors locked, required identification and escorts to enter the building. On election days, those procedures must be suspended and this can allow unfettered access to buildings and students. Adding to the concerns is the states early voting laws, which means that polls will be open days prior to Election Day, added Julie Marlette, director of governmental relations for the association. Further complicating things is the new June primary day in New York, which comes during Regents exam week in high schools. The School Boards Association acknowledges that some have suggested schools simply close for elections. But those days would add up, when one counts general elections, primaries, special elections, school budget votes, bond votes and, now, early voting. They estimated schools could lose more than a dozen days of instruction per year. According to a 2016 survey by the School Boards Association, 85 percent of districts that hosted polling places for non-district elections kept their regular classroom instruction going. Additionally, a third of districts petitioned their board of elections to move polling places outside of the school district. Only 10 percent of those requests were granted. -- By Rick Karlin, Times Union, Albany New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says school districts that close Monday due to the winter storm wont have to worry if theyve used up their allotment of snow days. The Syracuse School District and some other Central New York districts that closed Monday have already used up the number of days they can take for weather-related closures. Cuomo said those districts will receive waivers from the requirement for school districts to be in session for 180 days per academic year. My administration has been in contact with the New York State Education Department and it has confirmed that the day will not be held against the school district or other districts requiring waivers due to insufficient available school days, Cuomo said in a statement. There is no higher priority than the safety of our students, Cuomo said, and I commend New Yorkers for their vigilance during this severe weather. Individual school districts will have to apply for a waiver to the state Education Department, a spokesman for the governor said Monday. Otherwise, schools that exceeded the limit would be forced to cancel any remaining vacation days to make up for the lost snow days. Dozens of Central New York schools closed Monday as a winter storm swept through the region with snow and wind gusts up to 65 mph. Contact Mark Weiner: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 Governor Andrew Cuomo this weekend called upon the bi-national board that controls the water level of Lake Ontario to maximize outflows from the lakes system to minimize flooding and other potential damage caused by the current winter storm with its high winds. A spokesman for the International Joint Commission said this morning the U.S./Canadian board is doing all it can to deal with the lakes high level and that water releases from the Moses-Saunders Dam in Massena are already at near-record levels as called for in Plan 2014, the management plan used by the IJC to control the lakes water levels. As of today, the Massena dam is currently releasing water at the rate of 300,200 cubic feet per second the fourth highest water release level since 1960, according to Frank Bevacqua, an IJC spokesman. Cuomo, in a letter sent this weekend to Lana Pallock, U.S. chair of the IJC, noted that according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers," the lake has risen 6 inches since last month and is currently 16 inches above its monthly average, near record highs." This has been an ongoing problem for us. We have complained mightily and bitterly to the IJC, the International Joint Commission that regulates the level of the lake, Cuomo said in a statement released Saturday. The governor added: Upcoming weather patterns raise further concerns about potential renewed flooding. In the coming days, we expect extremely strong winds to create significant wave action that increases the risk of flooding. And with spring approaching, snowmelt and additional precipitation threaten to increase lake levels even further. He said that New York does not seek to cause flooding (downstream from the dam) in the Montreal region, but we insist the IJC take all reasonable actions to limit flooding along Lake Ontario. Bevacqua said the IJC board shares the governors concerns and that it has been watching the lakes water level closely. He said the water releases from the dam have been high going back to October and are being adjusted on a daily basis to get as much water off the lake as it can. He said water levels downstream from the dam around Montreal are high, but not at flood levels yet. There is currently no commercial boat traffic on the St. Lawrence River. Bevacqua noted, however, that increasing the water flows at the dam any more could impact several communities above the dam that rely on the rivers water for its municipal water. He said if any more water is released, the water level in the river would likely drop below the water intake pipes for those municipal water systems. Keith Koralewski with the Army Corps of Engineers told WRVO.com that "most of the Great Lakes are currently above average. But, he said theres no way to tell yet if there will be a repeat of the 2017 floods along the south shore of the lake, which caused property damage and loss of homes and businesses. He says the current levels are largely due to heavy precipitation, which could change over the next few months, WRVO reported. If we see lower supplies, he said. "Well see levels go down. The Erie Canal, first cut through New York farmland and frontier two hundred years ago, played a pivotal role in the economic and social development of the state and country. It opened the nation's resource-rich Midwest, fostering migration, immigration and trade. It also helped New York City become the largest port in the land. And all along its route sprang up towns and cities, including Buffalo, Rochester, Utica, and Syracuse. DeWitt Clinton, New York City mayor, state legislator, and state governor, was the chief champion of the Erie Canal. He convinced the state to construct the artificial waterway to connect Albany, on the Hudson River, with Lake Erie. He also oversaw its eight-year construction, which came in on budget and has been called "America's first school of engineering." March 2, 2019 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of this visionary politician. The Erie Canal Museum in downtown Syracuse will commemorate the occasion with a talk by Clinton family descendants and Kenneth A. Silber, author of In DeWitt's Footsteps: Seeing History on the Erie Canal. The program will take place at 11 a.m. in the Museum's second-floor Weighlock Gallery, 318 Erie Boulevard East, Syracuse. Admission is $5, and there is no charge for Museum members. Using research findings and images, Silber will discuss the life and times of this historic figure and share the intertwined national and family history he and his relatives explored as they searched for remnants of Clinton's Ditch and the Canal route as seen by DeWitt Clinton. The speakers will also answer questions about their experiences, and author-autographed copies of In DeWitt's Footsteps will be available for sale. Special anniversary refreshments will be served. Kenneth A. Silber is a journalist who has written and edited articles about science, economics, politics and history for publications including Scientific American, The Wall Street Journal and The Daily Beast. He married into a family of DeWitt Clinton descendants and lives in New Jersey with his wife Brooke Silber and their son DeWitt Silber. The talk is the second presentation in the Museum's 2019 Peggy Lou Feldmeier Lunchtime Lecture Series. Free parking will be available in the lot across the street from the Museum under routes 81 and 690. For more information, phone 315-471-0593, extension 15. Established in 1962, the Erie Canal Museum preserves and showcases the only existing weighlock building in the United States. It is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission is free with a suggested $5 donation. The Museum is partially funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Golden Corral has announced the opening date of its new Syracuse restaurant. The much-awaited opening of the all-you-can-eat buffet will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 11. The 10,000-square-foot restaurant is located at 115 Simon Drive, off Midler Avenue, next to Lowes Home Improvement. The Syracuse buffet will be the chains seventh Upstate New York location. Golden Corrals last Central New York location was on South Fourth Street in Fulton, but that restaurant closed in 2005. The Syracuse location was first proposed in 2016. Golden Corral is still hiring for the Syracuse location. To apply, visit goldencorraljobs.com. Palmyra, NY -- A Wayne County town justice who locked his keys in his car got in trouble for threatening local police until they came to unlock the vehicle for him. William Abbott, who has been a justice for 40 years, called police of the nearby city of Newark to unlock his car on Nov. 28, 2017. He was told that Newark police have a policy of not unlocking cars unless theres an emergency. Thats when Abbott told a 911 dispatcher: I am Judge Abbott of Palmyra and I just wont do any arraignments for you anymore. That threat was aimed at the common practice of local justices handling arraignments for arrests in nearby places. As a judge in Palmyra, Abbott is called upon to arraign people arrested by Newark police. After an investigation, Abbott admitted that threatening to stop doing arraignments was wrong, according to a news release. He agreed to a censure -- or public scolding -- by the states Commission on Judicial Conduct. On the day in question, two police officers ended up responding to the scene and it took more than 20 minutes to break into Abbotts car and retrieve his keys. Abbotts car was parked at a local hospital and he was struggling from physical pain due to a medical procedure, the justice told the commission. Abbott was previously censured in 1989 for soliciting a statement from a witness in a case pending in another court. A rap concert in Albanys Capital Center ended in a brutal brawl that left victims beaten, stomped, kicked and in one case, even stabbed. According to a report from the Albany Times Union, the violence started around 9:30 p.m. on Friday, about two and a half hours after the One Big Party concert started. The video shows about a dozen people fighting, including two people lying on the ground who were beaten, stomped and kicked by multiple brawlers. While not seen in the video, Albany Police told the Times Union that a 19-year-old male was taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital with a stab wound in the neck. It was not clear what started the fight, but police ended the concert early and cleared the venue. Capital Center general manager Doug McClaine directed all questions to police. Prominent Chicago rappers G. Herbo, Kushie Sunoco, and YK Rich, as well as several local artists, performed at the event. WEST MONROE, N.Y. -- New York State Police have identified a 77-year-old man who was hit and killed in Oswego County late Friday. Police identified the victim as Thomas D. Vedder from Bernhards Bay, N.Y. Vedder was hit at about 10:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22, on Route 37 near Woodworth Road in West Monroe, said Trooper Jack Keller, a spokesman for state police. He was lying in the roadway, police have said. A 16-year-old licensed driver told troopers he was distracted by a Jeep Wranger that was off the road and he was unable to avoid striking the man who was lying in the northbound lane of the roadway. Investigators are still trying to determine why the man was lying in the road, Keller said. Keller said it appears the 77-year-old man exited the Jeep Wrangler and left the vehicle in drive. The 2016 Jeep was located off of the west shoulder, facing northbound, unoccupied and still running, Keller said. The teen was operating a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox traveling northbound on Route 37 when he struck the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The road was closed for several hours while State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated the scene. Brewerton Fire Department assisted at the scene. VERONA, N.Y. -- An Oneida County man was taken to a hospital Sunday evening after he was struck by a Jeep while walking along Beacon Light Road in Verona, according to the Oneida County Sheriffs Office. Darren Bretscher, 51, of Camden, was walking south at 6:35 p.m. when a northbound 2011 Jeep Compass driven by 48-year-old Russell Wilczak, struck him, Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol said in a news release. Vineall Ambulance took Bretscher to St. Elizabeths Hospital in Utica. His injuries are not considered life threatening, deputies said. Wilczak, of Rome, was not injured in the crash. Deputies did not say whether any tickets will be issued or why the driver of the Jeep struck the pedestrian. Verona volunteer firefighters assisted at the scene. A 46-year-old Bridgeport man has been charged with driving drunk with a blood alcohol content three times over the legal limit and with his 6-year-old child in the car, according to New York Sate Police. Jeremy J. Prokes, 46, was charged shortly before 5 p.m. Friday with aggravated driving while intoxicated, a felony; endangering the welfare of a child and multiple vehicle and traffic violation while driving on the New York State Thruway. Prokes was charged under Leandras Law, a state law that makes it an automatic felony when someone is accused of driving drunk with a person aged 15 or younger in the vehicle. Prokes was taken into custody and processed at the Albany state police station. The child was turned over to Child Protective Services of Onondaga County, police said. Syracuse, NY -- A 15-year-old Liverpool boy accused of stabbing to death another 15-year-old boy Dec. 30 in Cicero faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of manslaughter. Maurice Martin had originally been charged with murder, which carries a possible life sentence. But an Onondaga County grand jury instead voted to indict him for the lesser charge. First Chief Assistant District Attorney Rick Trunfio said manslaughter -- not murder -- was the right charge. It was a one-stab homicide, Trunfio noted. Similar stabbings are routinely charged as manslaughter, not murder. The difference? Manslaughter is defined as intent to cause serious injury, while murder is intent to cause death. In real world terms, stabbings like this are normally considered manslaughter, while shootings are considered murders. That difference has big consequences in court. Martins prison exposure, if convicted, is less than half of what a suspect only 10 months older would have faced. Thats because a 15-year-old is treated as a juvenile offender, which lowers the possible maximum prison sentence for manslaughter from 25 years to 10 years. If convicted, Martin could be out in as early as 3 1/3 years, even under the harshest sentence allowed. Martin was 15 years and 2 months old when he was arrested for killing Zakariah Ibrahim, 15, outside a Cicero home. A 16-year-old with the same charge would have faced the adult punishment of up to 25 years. Had Martin been charged with murder, regardless of being age 15 or 16, he could have faced up to life in prison, just like an adult. Onondaga County sheriffs Sgt. Jon Seeber called it a senseless fight. Ibrahim was stabbed near the corner of Wynmoor Drive and Chinkapin Circle, in Cicero. Martin and another teen left the scene in a vehicle. They were caught at the intersection of Henry Clay Boulevard and Vine Street, Seeber has said. The third teen, Cameron Weatherly, 18, was not involved in the fight and was not charged. Martins case will now be handled in adult court. If convicted, he will be sent to a state childrens detention center, not an adult prison. The lower sentence Martin faces predates the states Raise the Age law that recently went into effect. The only effect the new law has is that his case will be heard in court at a different time than adult cases. Martin remains at Hillbrook Detention Center. No photo has been released. Syracuse, N.Y. -- The states new minimum wage of $15 an hour already applies for some workers in New York City, but those in the rest of the state must wait before they get the higher pay. When can workers here expect to see $15 an hour? Workers in Upstate New York may not see their pay hit that amount until as late as 2024 nearly six years after downstate workers. Why the long delay? Legislators passed a law in 2016 raising the states general minimum wage to $15 an hour, but they called for it to be phased in over a number of years. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said the law will lift the earnings of more than 2.1 million New Yorkers. The phase-in is different between New York City, Long Island, Westchester and the rest of the state because of differences in the cost of living, especially housing, said Morris Peters, a spokesman for the Division of Budget. Here is how it works Big employers (those with 11 or more workers) in New York City have been required to pay at least $15 an hour since the end of 2018. Those with 10 or fewer employees must pay a minimum of $13.50 an hour for now, rising to $15 at the end of this year. The minimum wage for employers on Long Island and in Westchester County rose to $12 at the end of 2018 and will rise to $13 at the end of this year, $14 at the end of 2020 and $15 at the end of 2021. For the remainder of the state, including all of Upstate New York, the rate rose to $11.10 at the end of 2018 and will increase 70 cents in each of the next two years, hitting $12.50 at the end of 2020. Starting in 2021, the annual increases will be determined by the director of the Division of Budget based on economic indices, including the consumer price index. If the wage continues to rise 70 cents a year, that would mean that it would not hit $15 in Upstate New York until 2024. The state Department of Labor has established a hotline (1-888-469-7365) where minimum wage workers can call to report employers who do not comply with the phase-in schedule. Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148 Methodists from all over the world will be watching historic proceedings this week in St. Louis, Missouri, that could change the future of The United Methodist Church. During the specially called conference, the denomination will discuss its stance regarding homosexuality. The General Conference is the top policy-making body of the United Methodist Church. The nearly 900-member international assembly will meet in the special session through Tuesday to attempt to move the denomination past its decades-long struggle with issues around homosexuality. The UMC includes more than 12.6 members worldwide. One local official said discussions could run up until the end of the conference Tuesday evening, and that the definitive vote could come up suddenly. The Rev. Kim Goddard, superintendent of the New River District, Wytheville, will be one of 12 delegates representing the Holston Conference at the meeting. The Holston Conference includes 872 United Methodist congregations with 160,000 members in East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and North Georgia. The organizations central office is located in Alcoa, Tennessee. After earning her degree from E&H, she worked in tourism marketing and economic development for Heartwood and the Abingdon Convention & Visitors Bureau, as well as serving her alma mater in admissions recruiting and adjunct teaching. Most recently, she worked as the director of communications at Highlands Community Services. In addition, Veatch is a freelance graphic designer and event and marketing consultant working with small business and nonprofits in the region. "We are delighted to have Alex join our team," said Heath in a press release. "I have watched her grow in her career, and she is truly a perfect fit. I am so looking forward to the great things that are to come by having such a talented, passionate professional on staff as we continue to work to improve our services to the town of Marion and Southwest Virginia." 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. Former Otumoetai College teacher Ed Weston is fighting for his life after being diagnosed with an aggressive cancer - Mantle Cell Lymphoma. After being told in September he had slim chances of making it past Christmas, a last treatment option Ibutrinib - was made available to Ed. The drug is non-funded and is costing $7500 per month. Eds colleagues, students, friends and family have fundraised more than $30,000, but they need to pay the drug company $15,000 by the start of March to continue the treatment. The treatment has dramatically changed Eds quality of life, enabling him to spend more time with loved ones and to complete daily tasks such as cooking, listening to classical music, painting and reading. Ed says he is extremely grateful for the fundraising efforts for his treatment. He says it is a miracle - life is a miracle! Thank you to everyone who made this miracle possible for me and my family! We are certainly very much encouraged. Eds close friend Claire Lander who runs the Givealittle page is over the moon with the money they have raised over a short time, however she is urging people to continue to donate. We are asking for your help. We need you to keep sharing the message but we also need our followers to understand that this is an ongoing situation that requires regular donations so that Ed can continue to receive this life saving treatment. Eds illness reinforces Claires disappointment with the medical system, describing it as broken as it is costing human lives. Claire and the fundraising group believe that the government and Pharmac are failing as lifesaving drugs such as Ibutrinib are not accessible nor affordable for people like Ed. Former Otumoetai student Sam Shipton is too frustrated with the lack of funding for the drug. Sam has started a petition to present to Pharmac New Zealand based to encourage funding of life saving drugs for people like Ed. Sam says the length of a life shouldn't be determined by money. To donate, please go to https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/ed-weston-teacher-poet-artist-mentor-chef To sign the petition to encourage Pharmac to fund Ibutrinib please go to https://www.change.org/p/pharmac-new-zealand-help-mr-weston-encourage-our-government-to-fund-lymphoma-treatment-ibutrinib The new healthy homes standards to make rental properties warmer and drier has been announced by Housing and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford. The standards set minimum requirements for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draught stopping in residential rental properties. They reflect feedback from a wide range of public health experts, stakeholders including landlords, tenants and building experts. Phil says making sure all New Zealanders had warm, dry homes was one of the most important public health changes the Government could make. Nearly 600,000 households rent in New Zealand, and our rental stock is of poorer quality than owner-occupied homes. Its estimated about 200,000 families live in rental homes that do not have ceiling or underfloor insulation. The Ministry of Health says 6,000 children are admitted each year for housing-sensitive hospitalisations. These children have been found to be nearly four times more likely to be re-hospitalised and 10 times more likely to die in the following 10 years. We cannot continue to accept this. The new standards go a long way toward making rental homes healthier for tenants: All rental homes will be required to have a heater that can heat the main living area to 18 degrees. Rental homes must have ceiling and underfloor insulation that either meets the 2008 Building Code insulation standard, or has a minimum thickness of 120mm. Rental homes will also be drier under these changes as kitchens and bathrooms will have to have extraction fans or rangehoods. Where rental homes have an enclosed subfloor space property owners will need to install a ground moisture barrier to stop moisture rising into the home. The standards also reinforce existing law that says landlords must have adequate drainage and guttering to prevent water entering the home. Draughts that make a home harder to heat will have to be blocked. The standards are pragmatic, enduring and dont impose an unreasonable burden on landlords and industry while being mindful that renters need to have warmer and drier homes as soon as possible, says Phil. The next step is for the standards to be drafted in regulations and approved by Cabinet. The regulations will become law by mid-2019. Compliance timeline for the new standards: July 1 2021 - From this date, private landlords must ensure that their rental properties comply with the healthy home standards within 90 days of any new tenancy. July 1 2021 All boarding houses must comply with the healthy home standards. July 1 2023 All Housing New Zealand houses and registered Community Housing Providers houses must comply with the healthy homes standards. July 1 2024 All rental homes must comply with the healthy home standards. Johnson is best known as a central figure in the book Hidden Figures by Hampton native Margot Lee Shetterly and the namesake 2016 movie, which popularized the contributions of black female mathematicians in getting U.S. astronauts into orbit and onto the moon. Bay of Plenty If you love working out doors and in a small team then we have the role for you. We are needing someone who has either maintenance... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz Del. Mike Mullin, D-Newport News, pushed through a revision to the Virginia Juvenile Crime Control Act that opens up the state's recently expanded youth services to teenagers who are at risk of getting into trouble before they reach the point where probation officers have to step in. Stillwater, OK (74074) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 68F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 68F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Not long ago, it was reported that a senior judge at one of the UN courts in The Hague is reportedly resigning over shocking political interference from the White House and Turkey. The hero of this morality play is German judge Kristoff Flugge. The stage of his edifying performance is the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, also known by its acronym ICTY. One would assume that all must be well in the international justice system with such brave judges risking their careers to stand up for the cherished principle of judicial independence. But before shouting three cheers for the integrity of international justice, it would be good to remember that on that stage appearances do not necessarily convey accurately the underlying reality. Judge Flugge is remembered also for emitting some impressive integrity noises at the beginning of his Hague Tribunal career, just as he seems to have done it now at the very end. In a 2009 interview with Der Spiegel, he boldly suggested that genocide was not the most fitting description for what happened in Srebrenica. That heresy was immediately punished and Flugge was dumped from the Karadzic pre-trial panel, not to be heard of again for several years that followed. Judge Flugges re-education in international justice limbo was apparently successful because it helped him to see the light. By 2011, all was forgiven and he was again trusted enough to be appointed presiding judge in the trial of General Ratko Mladic though the stain on his reputation for questioning the Srebrenica dogma was never erased completely. It comes in handy for periodic flagellation lest Flugge becomes tempted to succumb again to unconventional ideas. Flugges disingenuous shock at the way, ever since its inception, things have customarily worked at ICTY suggests that his last ten years at the Hague may have been spent in a cocoon. The things that have only recently begun to bother him at the institution he has been serving faithfully for a decade were endemic to it from the start, and perhaps even earlier than that. As a matter of fact, new evidence is emerging continuously about the non-judicial milieu in which the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia was conceived, and not merely the questionable circumstances, under the terms of the UN Charter, in which it was later on officially founded. A piece of this jigsaw puzzle is a recently released memo, dated February 1, 1993, prepared by Daniel Wagner, chief of DCI Interagency Balkan Task Force, for Acting CIA Director John Woolsey. In his analysis of the situation in the Balkans, Wagner outlines for his superior policy options available in the former Yugoslavia. Tucked away in item 11 on page 7 of the memo is the recommendation to establish a war crimes tribunal. That to our knowledge is the earliest official reference to the project that culminated in the formation of the Hague Tribunal. The author of this memo exercised remarkable foresight when he coyly noted that even treatment of Bosnian transgressions, however, would be regarded as tilting in Belgrade's favor. The International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, the institution Flugge until recently worked for, was set up by UN Security Council resolution on May 25 of the same year. That was accomplished on the initiative of the only superpower at that time, to whose intelligence agency Wagners original February 1 memo was addressed. Sheer coincidence, no doubt. It turned out that on the issue of bias Wagner was spot on. As if on cue, all necessary precautions were subsequently taken, for the duration of the Tribunals activity, to avoid not just the appearance but also the substance of even-handedness in ICTYs work. If judicial independence is an issue that bothers Judge Flugge so extremely, he should appreciate being informed that ICTYs history is replete with evidence of its non-existence. Only a few years into its operation, the rather egregious dependence of ICTY on non-judicial patrons was frankly acknowledged by ICTY President Gabrielle Kirk McDonald: We benefited from the strong support of concerned governments and dedicated individuals such as Secretary Albright. As the permanent representative to the United Nations, she had worked with unceasing resolve to establish the Tribunal. Indeed, we often refer to her as the mother of the Tribunal After the release of his February 1 1993, memo intelligence operative Daniel Wagner should perhaps be referred to as its father. With remarkable candor, these warm sentiments attesting to a cozy relationship were matched by Judge Theodor Meron, one of Ms. McDonalds successors as President of the ICTY, who said the following on October 2003, speaking before the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) in Washington: As you know, the United States took a leading role in the creation of the ICTY and remains a staunch supporter. The US's financial contribution accounts for approximately a quarter of the Tribunal's annual budget of approximately $120 million. With such close bonds, it is no wonder that during the bombing of Yugoslavia, when the issue of investigating all parties' transgressions in Kosovo was raised, some war crimes actors were deemed to be more equal than others. On May 16 1999, NATO spokesman Jamie Shea informed the press that when [then ICTY chief prosecutor] Justice Arbour starts her investigation, she will because we allow her to. () NATO countries are those who have provided the finances to set up the Tribunal, we are amongst the majority financiers () so let me assure you that we and the Tribunal are all one on this, we want to see war criminals brought to justice and I am certain that when Justice Arbour goes to Kosovo and looks at the facts she will be indicting people of Yugoslav nationality. So much not just for even-handedness, but for ICTY judicial independence as well. Prof. Michael Scharff was undoubtedly correct when he termed Americas motives in the creation of the Tribunal as less than pure. He went on to quote Richard Holbrooke's boast to the effect that, besides being a public relations device, the Hague Tribunal was also a potentially useful policy tool. The ousting of Danish judge Frederik Harhoff in 2013, in the middle of Flugges happy tenure at ICTY, for denouncing the alleged interference of foreign powers in judgments rendered by the Tribunal, should have alerted judge Flugge to the gravity of the situation at his workplace. But it apparently failed to stir his professional conscience. It should incidentally be noted that ICTY is the institution that has been the main prop for the Srebrenica genocide narrative over the years. One might well wonder what credibility ICTYs Srebrenica judgments have in light of the cited operational facts? In the infamous episode of Gen. Wesley Clarks testimony in the Milosevic trial, where all procedural rules were cast aside by the Chamber explicitly to accommodate its major financiers and alleviate their national security concerns, the Tribunal publicly lived up to Holbrookes cynical characterization of its utilitarian mission. That was starkly illustrated and brilliantly explained by Prof. Tiphaine Dickson of Portland State University in her scholarly critique, The Deposition Will Not Be Televised: Wesley Clarks Testimony in the Milosevic Trial. True, that outrage occurred in 2003, before Judge Flugge was appointed to ICTY. But if judicial independence is one of his major concerns, he should perhaps have researched the professional culture of the institution that invited him to sit on its bench, before accepting. International criminal lawyer Christopher Black had some harsh things to say about the Hague Tribunal in 2000, not long after it was set up. In retrospect, Blacks trenchant observations seem strikingly well-founded rather than harsh. Judge Flugge must have been living in a parallel universe if he failed to react until a few days ago. He will now profit handsomely from his see no evil stance. A generous retirement package and benefits await pensioner Flugge. And on top of that, he will go off into the twilight with the aura of a moral hero for noticing and bringing to the publics attention, just as he was about to retire anyway, things about the Hague Tribunal that most of us have been saying for years. These are all facts that, to use one of the favorite formulas of the court in which he uncomplainingly sat and rendered judgments for ten years, Judge Kristoff Flugge knew or should have known all along. Photo: Flickr The Wall Street Journal has an article whose very title Ambitions for an Arab NATO Fade, Amid Discord more or less, says it all. No surprise there at all. Even Antony Zinni, the retired Marine General who was to spearhead the project (but who has now resigned), said it was clear from early on that the idea of creating an Arab NATO was too ambitious. There was no way that anybody was ready to jump into a NATO-type alliance, he said. One of the things I tried to do was kill that idea of a Gulf NATO or a Middle East NATO. Instead, the planning has focused on more realistic expectations, the WSJ article concludes. Apparently, not all Middle Eastern nations working on the proposal, want to make Iran a central focus a concern that has forced the US to frame the alliance as a broader coalition, the WSJ recounts. No surprise there either: Gulf preoccupations have turned to a more direct anxiety which is that Turkey intends to unloose (in association with Qatar) the Muslim Brotherhood whose leadership is already gathering in Istanbul against Turkeys nemesis: Mohammad bin Zaid and the UAE (whom Turkish leadership believes, together with MbS, inspired the recent moves to surround the southern borders of Turkey with a cordon of hostile Kurdish statelets). Even the Gulf leaders understand that if they want to roll-back Turkish influence in the Levant, they cannot be explicitly anti-Iranian. It just not viable in the Levant. So, Iran then is off the hook? Well, no. Absolutely not. MESA (Middle East Security Alliance) maybe the new bland vehicle for a seemingly gentler Arab NATO, but its covert sub-layer is, under Mr Boltons guidance, as fixated on Iran, as was Arab NATO at the outset. How would it be otherwise (given Team Trumps obsession with Iran)? So, what do we see? Until just recently, Pakistan was on the ropes economically. It seemed that it would have to resort to the IMF (yet again), and that it was clear that the proximate IMF experience if approved would be extremely painful (Secretary Pompeo, in mid-last year, was saying that the US probably would not support an IMF programme, as some of the IMF grant might be used to repay earlier Chinese loans to Pakistan). The US too had punished Pakistan by severely cutting US financial assistance to the Pakistani military for combatting terrorism. Pakistan, in short, was sliding inevitably towards debt default with only the Chinese as a possible saviour. And then, unexpectedly, up pops goldilocks in the shape of a visiting MbS, promising a $20 billion investment plan as first phase of a profound programme to resuscitate the Pakistani economy. And that is on top of a $3 billion cash bailout, and another $3 billion deferred payment facility for supply of Saudi oil. Fairy godmothers dont come much better than that. And this benevolence comes in the wake of the $6.2 billion, promised last month, by UAE, to address Pakistans balance of payments difficulties. The US wants something badly It wants Pakistan urgently to deliver a Taliban peace agreement in Afghanistan with the US which allows for US troops to be permanently based there (something that the Taliban not only has consistently refused, but rather, has always put the withdrawal of foreign forces as its top priority). But two telling events have occurred: The first was on 13 February when a suicide attacker drove an explosives-laden vehicle into a bus that was transporting IRGC troops in the Sistan-Baluchistan province of Iran. Iran's parliamentary Speaker has said that the attack that killed 27 members of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) was "planned and carried out, from inside Pakistan. Of course, such a provocative disruption into Irans most ethnically sensitive province may mean nothing, but perhaps the renewed inflow of Gulf money, fertilizing a new crop of Wahhabi madrasa in Pakistans Baluch province, may be connected as IRCG Commander, General Sulemanis stark warning to Pakistan suggests. In any event, reports suggest that Pakistan, indeed, is placing now intense pressure on the Afghan Taliban leaders to accede to Washingtons demand for permanent military bases in Afghanistan. The US, it seems, after earlier chastising Pakistan (for not doing enough to curb the Taliban) has done a major U-turn: Washington is now embracing Pakistan (with Saudi Arabia and UAE writing the cheques). And Washington looks to Pakistan rather, not so much to contain and disrupt the Taliban, but to co-opt it through a peace accord into accepting to be another US military hub to match Americas revamped military hub in Erbil (the Kurdish part of Iraq, which borders the Kurdish provinces of Iran). As a former Indian Ambassador, MK Bhadrakumar explains: What the Saudis and Emiratis are expecting as follow-up in the near future is a certain rebooting of the traditional Afghan-Islamist ideology of the Taliban and its quintessentially nationalistic Afghan-centric outlook with a significant dosage of Wahhabi indoctrination [so as to] make it possible [to] integrate the Taliban into the global jihadi network and co-habitate it with extremist organisations such as the variants of Islamic State or al-Qaeda so that geopolitical projects can be undertaken in regions such as Central Asia and the Caucasus or Iran from the Afghan soil, under a comprador Taliban leadership. General Votel, the head of Centcom told the US Senate Armed forces Committee on 11 February, If Pakistan plays a positive role in achieving a settlement to the conflict in Afghanistan, the US will have opportunity and motive to help Pakistan fulfill that role, as peace in the region is the most important mutual priority for the US and Pakistan. MESA is quietly proceeding, but under the table. And what of that second, telling occurrence? It is that there are credible reports that ISIS fighters in the Deir a-Zoor area of Syria are being facilitated to leave East Syria (reports suggest with significant qualities of gold and gemstones) in a move to Afghanistan. Iran has long been vulnerable in its Sistan-Baluchistan province to ostensibly, secessionist factions (supported over the years by external states), but Iran is vulnerable, too, from neighbouring Afghanistan. Iran has relations with the Taliban, but it was Islamabad that firstly invented (i.e. created) the Deobandi (an orientation of Wahhabism) Taliban, and which traditionally has exercised the primordial influence over this mainly Pashtoon grouping (whilst Irans influence rested more with the Tajiks of northern Afghanistan). Saudi Arabia of course, has had a decades long connection with the Pashtoon mujahidin of Afghanistan. During the Afghan war of the 1980s and later, Afghanistan always was the path for Islamic fundamentalism to reach up into Central Asia. In other words, Americas anxiety to achieve a permanent presence in Afghanistan plus the arrival of militants from Syria may somehow link to suggest a second motive to US thinking: the potential to curb Russia and Chinas evolution of a Central Asian trading sphere and supply corridor. Putting this all together, what does this mean? Well, firstly, Mr Bolton was arguing for a US military hub in Iraq to put pressure on Iran as early as 2003. Now, he has it. US Special Forces, (mostly) withdrawn from Syria, are deploying into this new Iraq military hub in order, Trump said, to watch Iran. (Trump rather inadvertently let the cat out of the bag with that comment). The detail of the US hub encirclement of Iran, however, rather gives the rest of Mr Boltons plan away: The hubs are positioned precisely adjacent to Sunni, Kurdish, Baluch or other Iranian ethnic minorities (some with a history of insurgency). And why is it that US special forces are being assembled in the Iraqi hub? Well, these are the specialists of train and assist programmes. These forces are attached to insurgent groups to train and assist them to confront a sitting government. Eventually, such programmes end with safe-zone enclaves that protect American companion forces (Bengahazi in Libya was one such example, al-Tanaf in Syria another). The covert element to the MESA programme, targeting Iran, is ambitious, but it will be supplemented in the next months with new rounds of economic squeeze intended to sever Irans oil sales (as waivers expire), and with diplomatic action, aimed at disrupting Irans links in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. Will it succeed? It may not. The Taliban pointedly cancelled their last scheduled meeting with Pakistani officials at which renewed pressure was expected to be exerted on them to come to an agreement with Washington; the Taliban have a proud history of repulsing foreign occupiers; Iraq has no wish to become pig-in-the middle of a new US-Iran struggle; the Iraqi government may withdraw the invitation for American forces to remain in Iraq; and Russia (which has its own peace process with the Taliban), would not want to be forced into choosing sides in any escalating conflict between the US, Israel and Iran. Russia and China do not want to see this region disrupted. More particularly, India will be disconcerted by the sight of the MESA tipping toward Pakistan as its preferred ally the more so as India, likely will view (rightly or wrongly), the 14 February, vehicle-borne, suicide attack in Jammu-Kashmir that resulted in the deaths of 40 Indian police, as signaling the Pakistan military recovering sufficiently confidence to pursue their historic territorial dispute with India over Jammu-Kashmir (perhaps the worlds most militarised zone, and the locus of three earlier wars between India and Pakistan). It would make sense now, for India to join with Iran, to avoid its isolation. But these real political constraints notwithstanding, this patterning of events does suggest a US mood for confrontation with Iran is crystalizing in Washington. Photo: Flickr President Donald Trump issued a rule that will have devastating effects on Planned Parenthood and the women and men it serves ("New rule sets up abortion obstacles, bars clinic referrals," Feb. 23). Planned Parenthood and other organizations similar to it that provide abortions or issue abortion referrals will be banned from receiving funds from the Federal Family Planning Program. About 41 percent of Title X patients, 1.6 million people, receive basic health care from Planned Parenthood. This is just a way for the Trump administration to defund Planned Parenthood. Where will women and men now go for breast exams, checks for cervical cancer, birth control and test and treatment for STIs and STDs? No availability for birth control for those less fortunate, who have no other recourse but Planned Parenthood, will mean more pregnancies, which could lead to more abortions. Why don't President Trump and the Republicans understand the consequences of their actions? Even if many Republicans have no problem these days labeling nearly all Democrats socialists based on the self-descriptions of a few in the partys ranks, its obvious that no one should call out the entire GOP for the plotting of a fanatical would-be assassin. One can, however, ask all responsible Republicans to deplore right-wing fanaticism and to take the threat of homegrown white nationalist terrorism as seriously as they do terrorism inspired from abroad. It is entirely fair to imagine that the GOP (and, especially, the president) would have a lot more to say if Hasson had been, say, a Muslim. And it is important to examine the public statements of the president himself, his efforts to divide the country, and his constant demonizing of all those who oppose him. Lets go back to Rockefellers words: Day after day, Trump truly is a hawker of hate, a purveyor of prejudice, and a fabricator of fear. Prejudice and fear are at the heart of his invocation of national emergency powers to build his wall, an abuse of authority that ought to horrify all who proudly call themselves constitutional conservatives. Public trust is a vital component of the criminal justice system. Police integrity is a fundamental element required to maintain that trust. As circuit attorney, I have the legal and ethical responsibility to defend the integrity of the criminal justice system, granted and upheld by the law, the U.S. Supreme Court and the Missouri Supreme Court. Common sense tells us that to properly prosecute crimes, officer credibility is essential. The officers word is often taken over that of citizens, with both judges and juries frequently awarding a tie to the officer. Thats why officer credibility is so important. This is so common that in January, 55 current and former law enforcement officials sent a letter in support of my use of an exclusion list to address police credibility, noting that this process is a well-established best practice throughout the nation. There are four primary reasons why some police officers would find themselves on this list: Veracity or truthfulness: We have excluded officers from making warrant applications when we have evidence that an officer has not been completely truthful on a police report, in statements, or in testimony. Officers cant pick and choose when they will be truthful and when they wont. The county counselor did not accept the bargaining unit we proposed, insisting upon the exclusion of some supervisors, although we disagreed. A written election agreement was prepared and signed by the county counselors office. It included election procedures consistent with the same rules that govern many union elections. Notices about the election were posted. The voting was by secret ballot. The mediator Bells statement mentions was only charged with counting the ballots a task he has performed without objection for many union elections. This election was lawful under current law, would have been lawful before the new law was passed and will be valid regardless of any future changes in the law. Nothing about this election was a secret as Bell claims. Two bargaining unit members met with him last September to explain why they wanted a collective bargaining agreement. Post-Dispatch columnist Tony Messenger wrote about the election before it occurred. After Bell took office, we requested bargaining. Our bargaining committee is composed solely of his own employees. They assured Bell they had no intention of negotiating about his criminal justice reforms, but rather working conditions and pay. He refused. They took the first step toward a Constitutional amendment to create an independent redistricting commission to recommend legislative and Congressional districts to the General Assembly, an effort to keep legislators from drawing themselves safe seats. This measure would have to be approved next session before it could be put on the ballot for a vote by the public. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, was among those who pushed back against critics, specifically Swalwell, who he suggested had stirred up fake outrage. "How can you claim this?" he said in response to the California congressman. "Are you deliberately lying or did you just not read it? The article is about legislation targeting gun owners, not the NRA targeting Democrats. If your goal is to ensure that 'outrage culture' is alive and well, continuing to divide us, congrats." The NRA could not immediately be reached for comment, though spokeswoman Dana Loesch retweeted a story on Sunday about Crenshaw's remarks. The American Rifleman magazine is the NRA's official publication, with more than two million print and online readers, according to its media kit. The backlash began Friday evening after Jennifer Bendery, a politics reporter at HuffPost, tweeted images of the spread, and it accelerated after parents of teenagers killed in the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School condemned the image as well, equating it to domestic terrorism. "Who are you trying to intimidate @NRA?" wrote Manuel Oliver, who lost his son, Joaquin Oliver, in the shooting. "By now, you should know that we don't give a [expletive] about your efforts to terrorize a nation. This 'nazi style' propaganda only shows your low power over society." Satya Nadella has defended Microsoft's $479 million contract to supply augmented reality systems to the US military that has been criticized by some of his colleagues. The CEO said Monday that while he would continue to engage with employees and consider Microsoft's role as a corporate citizen, the company would not "withhold technology" from democratic governments. "We made a principled decision that we're not going to withhold technology from institutions that we have elected in democracies to protect the freedoms we enjoy," he told CNN Business at Mobile World Congress. "We were very transparent about that decision and we'll continue to have that dialogue [with employees]," he added during the exclusive interview. Microsoft was awarded the contract to supply "Integrated Visual Augmentation System" prototypes to the US military in November. The company could eventually deliver over 100,000 headsets under the contract. Microsoft's HoloLens augmented reality technology allows users to see the world around them, but with virtual graphics overlaid. When asked about altering the redistricting portion of the amendment in a Senate news conference, Rowden said he doesnt think anything is off the table. He said the change may have been "well-intentioned," but that the auditor's office should operate in an apolitical fashion. He said the new nonpartisan demographer and the political back-and-forth that could manifest in the hiring process will transform the auditor's office into a more political position. The state's current system of once-every-decade redistricting involves bipartisan commissions of political appointees who carve up the state's legislative districts. While Trent's legislation doesn't seek to hamstring the new demographer, House Democrats criticisms Republicans attempts to alter voter-approved laws. Republicans have sought to weaken a separate part of Clean Missouri that subjects lawmakers to the Sunshine Law. WASHINGTON A conservative group says it will run $500,000 in advertising in Missouri to pressure Sen. Josh Hawley to support President Donald Trumps nominee for a federal judgeship. Hawley says the nominee, Neomi Rao, has a judicial philosophy and views on abortion rights that he may not be able to support. Hawley, R-Mo., is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which could consider Raos nomination as soon as this week, and is undecided whether he will support her. If confirmed, Rao would replace Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on the District of Columbias Court of Appeals. I want to make sure that Naomi Rao is pro-life it is as simple as that, Hawley told KFTK 97.1 FM Newstalks Marc Cox on Monday morning. Hawley said he is concerned from Raos writings that she has a warm view toward substantive due process a judicial doctrine that underpins the 1973 Supreme Court Roe vs. Wade decision legalizing abortion that conservatives have long opposed. Hawley said Rao lacks sufficient prosecutorial experience to determine her position on substantive due process from that. Rao appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee this month. ST. LOUIS A St. Louis police officer accused of stealing an arrestee's cellphone was charged Friday with misdemeanor theft, court records show. Thomas W. Harger, 31, was arrested Jan. 23 at police headquarters. Charging documents claim that he was caught on video taking a suspect's unattended cellphone from a "booking counter" at the South Patrol station at 3157 Sublette Avenue on Jan. 21. Harger was booking someone else, and then took the woman's phone, "hid it under paperwork" and could be seen on video in other parts of the station with the phone, the charges say. The woman was being held on an outstanding traffic warrant. The investigation began when she was released and discovered her phone was missing. It had been listed on the arrest inventory sheet. The phone has since been turned off and is still missing, the charges say. Harger's lawyer declined to comment. 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. Sproaps, 38, had been principal of Dunbar Elementary School, at 1415 North Garrison Avenue, since 2013. She started as a teachers assistant for St. Louis Public Schools in 2002 and held several positions before becoming principal. Police said Sproaps and Partlow, 40, were talking near her home in the 3000 block of Miami Street before the shooting, about 10:45 p.m. Sproaps son was nearby. The murders were prompted by jealousy, according to authorities. Prosecutors said they were set to prove that Hoskins had threatened Sproaps and Partlow the day before the killings. Hoskins had been harassing Sproaps and her family since she broke off a relationship with him, authorities said at the time. He showed up at her home, approached Sproaps and Partlow, began yelling and pulled a gun from his pocket. The three struggled over the gun, and Hoskins shot Partlow twice in the head, charges said. Sproaps and her son ran, and Hoskins chased them, firing his gun at them as they fled. Sproaps collapsed in a nearby alley from gunshots to the back of the head. Sproaps son tried to carry his injured mother, but was shot in the back. He eventually made it inside his home. FULTON, Mo. Two people have pleaded guilty to misdemeanors in the death of a developmentally disabled Missouri man whose body was found encased in concrete after he was reported missing by a residential care facility. Anthony R.K. Flores and Shaina Osborne pleaded guilty Monday to making a false report in the death of Carl DeBrodie, who would have been 31 when his body was discovered in a storage unit in April 2017. Investigators believe he went missing months before his disappearance was reported. DeBrodie had a court-appointed guardian and lived in an apartment operated by Second Chance of Fulton. Flores was sentenced to eight months in jail. Osborne was sentenced to 30 days in jail that was suspended while she serves two years of probation. Flores' father, Anthony R. Flores, and Sherry Paulo, who operated the Second Chance home, are charged with involuntary manslaughter. In October, a settlement was reached on behalf of Carolyn Summers, DeBrodie's mother, who had alleged that Second Chance Homes of Fulton, the Callaway County public administrators office, Callaway County Special Services, as well as leaders of each entity, could have helped prevent her son's death. A robber waited in line at a Dollar General store Sunday afternoon before losing patience and grabbing cash from the register, police said. The man entered the store at 4949 Martin Luther King Drive about 4:45 p.m. Sunday, police said. The store is near Kingshighway in the Kingsway East neighborhood. He waited in line but grew impatient, police say. He suddenly pulled a gun, ran behind the counter and took money from the cash register, police say. He then ran off. No one was hurt in the robbery. Police say the gunman is described as black with a dark complexion, 30 to 35 years old, about 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, and 140 to 160 pounds. He wore a gray hooded sweatshirt, black pants, black skull cap and black sunglasses. A conservative activist reported he was attacked while recruiting students for Turning Point USA at UC Berkeley, according to campus police. The University of California Police Department said in a statement that officers responded Tuesday afternoon to a "report of a disturbance" on upper Sproul Plaza, a center of student activity on campus, where they found the injured victim. An investigation is continuing, the university said Friday. According to the police statement, the victim said that two men approached him, a verbal altercation ensued and he began recording the interaction on his phone. One of the men "slapped the phone out of the victim's hand," police said. "The suspect then knocked over the table the victim was at and the two men struggled over the phone. During the incident, the suspect punched the victim several times causing injury to the victim's eye and nose." Turning Point USA later identified the alleged victim to CNN as Hayden Williams, who had been invited to UC Berkeley to help recruit students for a yet-to-be-formed chapter on campus. A media representative for Williams said he is a field representative for the Leadership Institute, an organization that helps train conservative leaders. Williams is not a UC Berkeley student, the representative said. According to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, last year Americans in the top 20 percent of the earnings bracket, earning $150,000 or more, took in about 52 percent of all the nations income and paid 87 percent of all income taxes. Lime, one of the worlds largest electric scooter companies, is urging riders to be extra cautious while operating its devices because of a technical bug that can cause sudden excessive braking during use, the company announced in a statement over the weekend. The company said testing revealed that the sudden braking usually arises when scooters are being ridden downhill at top speed. The danger prompted Lime to issue remote updates aimed at fixing the glitch that have already led to a reduction in the number of braking incidents, the company said. But the company is still urging riders to give brakes a tight squeeze as soon as they begin their trip to ensure that their scooters are working properly. The warning comes several months after The Washington Post reported that Lime scooters had a history of breaking apart in use, injuring riders nationwide. The company also pulled thousands of scooters out of circulation in California last summer after discovering that a small number of them may have been carrying batteries with the potential to catch fire. More recently, reports of riders being injured by malfunctioning brakes have emerged in Switzerland, New Zealand and the United States. Lime said the companys braking issue demonstrates that risk is an ever-present feature of its devices. If defendants are celebrating this ruling as the end of St. Louis mass tort, they have not read the entire Missouri case law, said Eric Holland, a St. Louis-based plaintiff lawyer involved in the talc litigation. Holland pointed to a 2016 Missouri Supreme Court decision that upheld a $38 million verdict in a pharmaceutical product liability case the defendant claimed had been improperly joined. The court let the result stand, saying that even an improper joinder did not render the trial unfair to defendants. Though the 2016 ruling involved a case already decided, Holland and other plaintiffs lawyers said they planned to argue its fairness analysis also applies to out-of-state talc claims in cases yet to go to trial. They said they would also argue joining the cases was the most efficient use of judicial resources. Defense lawyers said the Feb. 13 decision would likely mean dismissal or severing of the out-of-state claims from four upcoming multiplaintiff cases scheduled for trial in St. Louis. Two of the cases were halted by the Missouri Supreme Court ahead of its ruling. Holland and other plaintiff lawyers said they would challenge Johnson & Johnson requests to sever or dismiss talc cases by arguing the Feb. 13 decision did not overrule the 2016 ruling. General Electric surged after agreeing to sell its bio-pharma business to Danaher Corp. for $21.4 billion, a transformative step in the new CEO's effort to rescue the troubled behemoth. GE halted plans to spin off its broader health-care business as it focuses on completing the deal, Chief Executive Officer Larry Culp said Monday in an interview. GE will receive cash proceeds of about $21 billion for the bio-pharma operation while also transferring certain pension liabilities to Danaher, a company that Culp ran for more than a decade until 2014. "This news meaningfully accelerates our deleveraging plan," said Culp, who took the reins at GE in October. "You can see the tide beginning to turn where we can really focus on a little less defense, a little more offense." The Danaher deal underscores Culp's aggressive approach to pulling GE out of one of the worst slumps in its 127-year history. Culp, who became CEO of the Boston-based manufacturer after the surprise ouster of John Flannery, has been reshaping the portfolio while looking to cut expenses and repay debt. GE jumped more than 8 percent to $11.08 in morning trading. The shares have advanced 34 percent this year through Feb. 22, the biggest gain on a Standard & Poor's sub-index of U.S. industrial companies. President Klaus Iohannis is urging the government to immediately repeal Emergency Ordinance (OUG) 7/2019 that amends justice legislation, and to implement the recommendations contained in the report by the European Commission on progress under Co-operation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) and in Venice Commission reports. "The President of Romania, Mr Klaus Iohannis, is condemning the new attack by the majority coalition and the government against independent justice by the passage of OUG 7/2019 without any consultation and in complete ignorance of the dialogue partners, of justice professionals, with the risk of Romania being removed from respecting the rule of law," the Presidential Administration reported on Monday. Prime Minister Viorica Dancila has said that some protesters in Victoriei Square protested on Sunday night in an undignified manner, pointing to a clash between protesters and a shooting crew of Antena 3 private broadcaster. Read also: PM Dancila: 'Not giving up on OUG 7/2019; some issues bring dissatisfaction, substantiated, they could be changed' "I have always believed that it is not violence, innuendos, the way you address a member of the government or a common citizen that will change things in Romania, but constructive dialogue. If we choose aggression, if we chose unjustified action - and I have seen how certain Romanian citizens protested at the Ministry of Justice - I think that does not bring any added value. If a media organisation, media leaders of Romania are shoved or attacked, I do not believe that can lead us to respect democracy. Respect for democracy entails the freedom of the press, regardless of whether a television channel criticises or praises you. In my opinion, what happened last night at the protests that took place in front of Victoria Palace should raise question marks even at the media level and create solidarity, regardless of media affiliation. The freedom of the press must be observed in Romania; everybody has to voice their opinion, and the fact that the citizens who had to rally peacefully chose to protest in an undignified manner is unacceptable to me," Dancila said Monday at the end of a meeting of the National Standing Bureau of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), major at rule, held at Parliament Palace in Bucharest. Dozens of protesters in Victoriei Square on Sunday night clashed with members of an Antena 3 news shooting crew, with the gendarmes stepping in and identifying some aggressive protesters, who clashed with the crew and tried to topple a broadcast vehicle. AGERPRES . Prime Minister Viorica Dancila announced on Monday that the Government will not give up on OUG 7/2019, but that it will show flexibility, stating that some provisions of the ordinance amending the laws of Justice may be changed, if substantiated. Read also: Romania: thousands of people in rallies in country's cities - VIDEO "I hope those who have grievances, who have come out in public and have expressed these complaints, come to this meeting at Victoria Palace, so that we can see what the issues they do not agree with, how they justify [them], and then we will make a decision regarding these issues. What I want to emphasize is the fact that we will not give up on this ordinance We have seen public outcry requesting that we give up on this ordinance entirely. We have always said that we demonstrate flexibility but that does not mean that we have to give up on the good things, because of the some's desire that we do so. Maybe some things bring dissatisfaction. Duly substantiated, they can be changed, and I think the dialogue is very important," the prime minister pointed out at the end of the meeting of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) Permanent National Bureau, held at the Parliament Palace. Viorica Dancila mentioned that she intended to have a meeting with the magistrates' representatives on Friday, but that she was abroad. Prime Minister Viorica Dancila invited for Monday, 15.30hrs, at the Victoria Palace, one representative of every magistrates' associations, as well as representatives of the Suprior Council of Magistrates, for discussions on the legislation in the field of justice. AGERPRES . Save Romania Union (USR) leader Dan Barna said on Sunday evening, at a protest rally in Victoriei Square, that the Emergency Ordinance 7/2019 "attacks" justice, adding that the protests might cause its withdrawal, as it happened with the Emergency Ordinance 13 in 2017. Read also: CSM plenary meeting to convene on Monday in order to debate effects of adopting of OUG 7/2019 "At this moment Romania is massively assaulted by Ordinance 7. The Ordinance 7 attacks the Romanian justice dramatically and the society and the country have to resist. These thousands of people in the square are here to convey this message. The USR-PLUS alliance is in the first line in this struggle of the Romanian society for normality and survival. We are here with the citizens, together with the citizens, because the USR-PLUS alliance has now become the hope of normality and the hope of a European Romania. (...) I trust that this protest and the actions in the coming days will lead to a similar result or need to lead to a similar result, namely that this ordinance be withdrawn because magistrates know very well what this ordinance means, magistrates know very well that they will be subordinated to party orders from PSD and that is why they are protesting these days and that is why it is very good that they have come out to protest," said Dan Barna. Thousands of people participated on Sunday night in protest rallies in major cities across the country against the Emergency Ordinance amending the laws of justice and to show solidarity with the protest actions of magistrates. USR and PLUS leaders, Dan Barna and Dacian Ciolos, participated in the protest rally in Victories Square in Bucharest. AGERPRES . AGERPRES special correspondent to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Florentina Peia reports: Romania's President Klaus Iohannis attended the first summit meeting between the European Union and the League of Arab States on Sunday and Monday that passed a declaration highlighting the determination to discuss and address common and current challenges across the two regions, to strengthen their co-operation and co-ordination to capitalise on the existing great potential to enhance the stability, prosperity, and well-being of the two regions and the world at large, according to the Romanian Presidential Administration. The declaration reaffirms common positions on the Middle East Peace Process, while reiterating commitment to reaching a two-state solution, as well as strong support for the United Nations in conflict resolution efforts in Syria, Libya and Yemen. The Presidential Administration mentions that the summit took place in an important historical context for Romania, namely while holding the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2019, which is a "key moment and at the same time an opportunity to closely follow developments in the Middle East and North Africa in order to ensure a stable political, economic and social climate in the southern neighbourhood of the EU, as well as to support efforts to promote peace and security in the region." Speaking at Sunday's inaugural session, President Klaus Iohannis highlighted the context in which this summit was held, marked by challenges and uncertainties, as well as opportunities. He said a strong partnership is needed for finding common solutions to our immediate problems, which pose various risks, such as migration, radicalisation and terrorism, and for addressing medium and long-term challenges, such as climate change, sustainable development and job creation. He highlighted the importance of economic development in the region as the engine of positive transformation. He said migration remains a considerable challenge. According to the Presidential Administration, the summit highlighted the fact that the European Union responded favourably to the various requests for support from the international community through participation in external relocation programmes and by strengthening financial support from the EU and its member states to programmes and projects carried out in relation to the countries of origin and transit of migrants. Regarding the fight against terrorism, Iohannis stressed Romania's firm support for the fight against this phenomenon, as well as its strong opposition to all forms of terrorism and violent extremism, reiterating the need for good co-operation among the EU, the Arab League organisations and the member states in combatting these phenomena. "The President of Romania welcomed the joint efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 in support of multilateralism both at global and regional level through the use of the framework provided by regional organisations. President Klaus Iohannis emphasised the importance of enhanced co-operation among the European Union, the League of Arab States, the United Nations and the African Union." Iohannis also said that regional developments of the past years have witnessed a number of crises which, regardless of the efforts of local actors and the international community, continue to affect the security of us all. Any solutions to such crises need to take into account the positions, opinions and sensitivities of states in the region, starting with the most affected ones, he said, reiterating Romania's principled view that these crises can only be settled peacefully, through open dialogue. Part of his attendance of the summit, Iohannis had meetings on Saturday with his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and a one-to-one meeting with European Council President Donald Tusk. Deputy Oana Florea, the head of the delegation of the Romanian Parliament to the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group (JPSG) on Europol, said on Monday that Romania is well regarded at Europol, having the second-largest number of employees, specializing mainly in IT and data analysis. Romania is well-regarded at Europol. We are on the second position by the number of employees. We have approximately 60 staff specializing mainly in IT and data analysis. In this age of information, processing data as fast as possible is highly important. There is a huge amount of data, for example I can tell you that about two million emails or 160 million messages are being sent in one minute. It is very hard to identify the threat to the citizens' security in such a short time. The importance of Europol resides in that the states can send each other information in a timely manner, and here I am referring not only to member states but to other countries too, Florea said. The Parliament Palace hosts this Monday the fourth meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group on Europol, attended by parliamentary delegations from all EU member states and the EP. The chairman of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) Claude Moraes emphasized that Europol is one of the most successful agencies in Europe. In his address to the meeting in Bucharest, he pointed out that Romania has prioritized security, the aspects of security in the Western Balkans, and wherever necessary. In her turn, Europol Executive Director Catherine de Bolle emphasized the good cooperation with the Romanian Police and the Border Police, stating that the EU's law enforcement agency can rely on the help of the Romanian Police, who has sent highly seasoned experts in the fight against cybercrime, and that they cooperate closely on the fight against drug trafficking, organized crime and terrorism. Prosecutors with the Attorney General's Office on Monday decided to wear armbands in protest over the way the government passed an emergency ordinance amending the justice legislation. "On February 25, 2019, the General Assembly of Prosecutors of the Prosecutor's Office with the Supreme Court of Justice and Cassation, established under an ordinance of the Prosecutorial Section of the Supreme Council of Magistrates No 95 /20.02.2019, by a majority of votes, decided to stand in solidarity with the actions of the magistrates against the passage of Emergency Ordinance 7/2019. In this respect, the prosecutors of the Prosecutor's Office with the Supreme Court of Justice and Cassation will wear armbands in protest over the way which the Romanian Government, as delegated lawmaker, has understood to amend justice legislation," the Public Prosecution Service says in a Facebook post. The General Assembly of Prosecutors also agreed on the content of the CSM Prosecutorial Section's decision of February 20 that the changes made by the controversial emergency ordinance contains unconstitutional provisions that could lead to organisational obstruction and making it impossible for the Public Prosecution Service to fulfil its specific obligations provided for by the Constitution and organic laws. The decision of the Attorney General's Office comes after several prosecutorial offices nationwide announced that they were suspending their activity to protest against the passage of the same emergency ordinance. Spike Lee bounding into the arms of Samuel L. Jackson, and trading shout-outs to Brooklyn (and hats!) with Barbra Streisand. A weeping Lady Gaga in her elegant up-do, extolling the virtues of hard work. A stunned Olivia Colman and her delightfully daft acceptance speech. Historic breakthroughs for winners of color, and for women. Yes, the hostless Oscars at first threatened to be a rather antiseptic affair, but the brisk-moving ceremony soon came alive with genuinely moving feel-good moments and heartwarming surprises though it finished on a decidedly unsettled note with a best-picture win for the divisive segregation-era drama "Green Book." Some key moments from one of the more unusual nights in recent Oscar memory: WAKANDA MAKES HISTORY, AGAIN It was a great night for diversity at the Oscars, thanks in part to the groundbreaking Marvel film "Black Panther." Celebrated costume designer Ruth E. Carter won for her vivid, futuristic designs, the first black winner in the category, and moments later Hannah Beachler became the first black winner (and nominee, too) in production design. "This has been a long time coming," mused Carter, who thanked the academy for honoring "the empowered way women can look and lead onscreen." As for Beachler, she gave a deeply emotional speech, singling out the ways she had become stronger. "I give the strength to all of those who come next to keep going, to never give up," she said. FINALLY, OSCAR DOES THE 'RIGHT THING' Carter also thanked Lee, with whom she worked on the 1992 "Malcom X," and soon Lee himself was onstage, accepting his award for best adapted screenplay for "BlacKkKlansman." It was perhaps the feel-good moment of the night as the director, who'd never won a competitive Oscar, leaped up into the arms of presenter Jackson. His speech touched on Black History Month, Jamestown, and his own grandmother, "who called me Spikey-poo," and used her Social Security checks to put him through school. He ended with a political call to arms: "Let's all be on the right side of history," he said of the presidential election. "Let's do the right thing!" A GREAT NIGHT FOR GRANDMA... It wasn't just Lee's grandma who came in for special praise. Best supporting actor Mahershala Ali dedicated his second Oscar to his own grandmother, "who has been in my ear my entire life, telling me that if first I don't succeed, try try again, that I could do anything I put my mind to." And if it wasn't Grandma, it was Mom. Best supporting actress Regina King brought mother Gloria as her date, and thanked her tearfully "for teaching me that God is always leaning in my direction." Best actor Rami Malek also pointed out his mom as he accepted his award for "Bohemian Rhapsody," saying, "I love you, lady." Carter, winning her costume award, called her own 97-year-old mother "the original superhero." Best actress nominee Yalitza Aparicio brought her mother as her date, at one point introducing her to actor Diego Luna. Not to be outdone, while closing the show presenter Julia Roberts thanked her children and "Bradley Cooper's mother." ... AND ACTUALLY FOR ALL WOMEN ... A record number of women took home Oscars on Sunday 15. It had been a record year for female nominees, too. But that doesn't mean the picture is entirely rosy. After all, none of this year's nominated films for best picture had a female director. And there's still the glaring statistic that only one woman has won best director in the history of the Oscars: Kathryn Bigelow. And only five have been nominated, including none this year. AND FOR ... BUNNIES? So there may not have been an actual Oscar host giving regular comic asides, but Melissa McCarthy delivered a huge laugh just when it was needed. Presenting the costume award along with Brian Tyree Henry, McCarthy, a nominee for best actress, appeared in an elaborate royal get-up, channeling Olivia Colman's Queen Anne in "The Favourite," including a cape embellished with stuffed rabbits a reference to the queen's beloved pets. The two actors dryly hailed costume designers for their "nuance and sophistication," and also for "never distracting from the story." This, as McCarthy wrestled with a stuffed rabbit on her hand that prevented her from opening the envelope. THE QUEEN PREVAILS In the night's most stunning upset, it was Colman, and not the heavily favored Glenn Close, who took the best actress trophy for her blazingly eccentric turn in "The Favourite." The British actress then proceeded to charm the audience and the world with a tearful yet goofy acceptance speech. "Ooh, this is genuinely quite stressful," she began, adding that it was "hilarious" that she had an Oscar. Her delightfully daft remarks got better and better, culminating with a random gush: "LADY GAGA!!" OH, SPEAKING OF GAGA While the lady herself didn't take home the actress prize for "A Star Is Born," she did get her Oscar, for the addictive song "Shallow," which she performed with co-star and director Bradley Cooper. Gaga was weeping with joy as she accepted the award along with co-writers Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt and Anthony Rossomando. After thanking Cooper for believing in her, she gave the kind of inspirational talk she's become known for on the awards circuit : "If you are at home and you're sitting on your couch, and you are watching this right now, all I have to say is that this is hard work," she said. "I've worked hard for a long time, and it's not about winning. But what it's about is not giving up." A FIRST FOR MEXICO This was definitely not the first rodeo for Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron, who'd already won the best director prize for the 2014 "Gravity." With this year's much-lauded and highly personal project "Roma," he picked up another directing award and the cinematography prize, but "Roma" also won the foreign language award, a first for Mexico. "I grew up watching foreign language films and learning so much from them and being inspired," Cuaron said, noting slyly that they included "Citizen Kane" and "Jaws" and "The Godfather." Despite his growing Oscar haul, Cuaron remarked with a smile: "It never gets old being up here." Photos from the Red Carpet: See the stars and fashions of the 2019 Oscars For full coverage of the Oscars, visit: https://apnews.com/AcademyAwards. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Dr. Obbink decided that, considering this projects scale and size, he did not have the budget to follow through with it, Lupfer said. He decided it would be best, for the sake of preservation, to sell it to someone with the desire and hopefully the means to complete it. I have not been approached by the new owners and I dont know that I will. Thats hard to predict. They are contractors who do remodeling work. They may do the castle themselves for their new TV program, flip it, or create a bed-and-breakfast. There are many variables. A Cleveland man, already arrested in connection to the killing of a 25-year-old woman now faces armed robbery charges, the Rowan County Sheriffs Office reported. James Christopher Rife of Third Creek Church Road, was charged with robbery with firearms or other dangerous weaponsThursday, said Capt. John Sifford of the sheriff's office. He said the arrest stemmed from a true bill of indictment issued by a grand jury. Arrest reports show he was given a $10,000 bond on those charges. Rife, 36, was already being held without bond at the Rowan County Detention Center. WHOS INVOLVED? Rife was arrested on Feb. 1 after he was identified as a second suspect in the shooting death of a Davidson woman, Lakyn Jade Bailey. Rife was apprehended on unrelated charges earlier in the investigation when he was named a person of interest, Rowan authorities said. Authorities also arrested Joshua Wade Kennedy on Jan. 30 after he was named as a suspect by agents with the State Bureau of Investigation, an earlier news release stated. The sheriffs office reported that Kennedy, 35, is a registered sex offender who had been living in Rowan and Iredell counties. "It can't just be a tuxedo, it needed to be a moment," Siriano said on the E! pre-show. The "Pose" star wanted to wear something different that would push the boundaries, Siriano said, and the designer created the look a week ago, fitting the tuxedo and strapless corseted gown underneath it on his stylist's assistant. It fit perfectly with no alterations, he said. "There are no rules in fashion," Siriano added. "You can be whoever you want to be and wear what you want to wear. The following cases were heard in Iredell County District Court on Feb. 18 by Judge Edward Hedrick. Stephe Clark-Callahan, possession of marijuana up to one-half ounce, six months supervised probation. Donald Neil Bustle, simple possession Schedule VI controlled substance, 20 days suspended, 12 months unsupervised probation. Clarence E. Suggs Jr., littering not more than 15 pounds consolidated with resisting a public officer, 30 days suspended, 18 months unsupervised probation. Jennifer Marie Bara, financial card fraud, 45 days suspended, 18 months supervised probation, credit for 13 days served; financial card fraud, 45 days suspended, 18 months supervised probation at expiration of prior sentence. Junior McHome, intoxicated and disruptive and assault of a government official consolidated with assault of a government official, 60 days active, credit for three days served. Blaine Legg Jr., possession of marijuana paraphernalia, three days active. 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 SCOTTSBLUFF - The Scottsbluff Family YMCA is inviting the public to an open house with light snacks and fellowship on Thursday, Feb. 28 in honor of Lola Gonzales retirement. Gonzales spent more than 40 years at the YMCA, working as a volunteer and moving up the ranks to a variety of positions before retiring as campaign director. LINCOLN - Nebraska Library Commission Library Development Director Christa Porter recently announced the accreditation of Sixty-three public libraries across Nebraska. Porter stated, We are dedicated to helping Nebraska libraries meet Nebraskans information needs, opening up the world of information for citizens of all ages. The Library Commission continues to work in partnership with Nebraska libraries and the regional library systems, using the Public Library Accreditation program to help public libraries grow and develop. Public libraries in Nebraska are accredited for a three-year period. To learn more about this process and to see a complete list of all accredited Nebraska public libraries, go to http://nlc.nebraska.gov/LibAccred/Standings.asp. The Nebraska Library Commission congratulates the public libraries listed below as they move forward toward the realization of this vision for the future: All Nebraskans will have improved access to enhanced library and information services, provided and facilitated by qualified library personnel, boards, and supporters with the knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes necessary to provide excellent library and information services. Nebraska Public Libraries Accredited through December 31, 2021 Bayard Public Library It is always an honor to be recognized by your colleagues, especially for the work we are engaged in within Hampton City Schools on behalf of our young people and families, Smith told the Daily Press. I believe this recognition speaks to the commitment of the entire Hampton team and community in setting and maintaining high expectations for all students to ensure they are college, career and life ready. 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 J avier Bardem appeared to take aim at Donald Trump and the presidents US-Mexico border wall as he introduced the Best Foreign Film category at the Oscars. The actor spoke in Spanish as he took to the stage to present the award, saying: there are no borders or walls that can restrain ingenuity and talent." Roma became the first film from Mexico to win an Oscar in the foreign film category as it scooped the award at the glamorous ceremony on Sunday. It was the second win for the films director Alfonso Cuaron, who had already picked up the best cinematography award at the event in Hollywood. Angela Bassett, left, and Javier Bardem introduce the award / Getty Images Bardem, who was inundated with praise online for his remark, and for introducing the award in Spanish, told the audience: "There are no borders or walls that can restrain ingenuity and talent. In any region of any country of any continent, there are always great stories that move us. And tonight we celebrate the excellence and importance of the cultures and languages of different countries." Bardem was not the first star to take a swipe at the US leader over the border wall at the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre. Academy Awards 2019: Oscars Winners - In pictures 1 /23 Academy Awards 2019: Oscars Winners - In pictures Olivia Colman accepts the Actress in a Leading Role award for The Favourite Getty Images Rami Malek accepts the Best Actor award for his role in Bohemian Rhapsody Reuters Lady Gaga accepts the award for best original song for Shallow from A Star Is Born Invision/AP The Best Picture award for Green Book Reuters Alfonso Cuaron accepts the Best Director award for Roma Reuters Regina King wins best supporting actress for If Beale Street Could Talk AFP/Getty Images Best Adapted Screenplay nominee for BlacKkKlansman Spike Lee accepts the award for Best Original Screenplay AFP/Getty Images Free Solo just won best documentary AFP/Getty Images Rayka Zehtabchi and Melissa Berton accept the Best Documentary Short Subject award for Period. End Of Sentence Reuters Greg Cannom, Kate Biscoe, and Patricia Dehaney accept the Makeup and Hairstyling award for Vice AFP/Getty Images Mahershala Ali accepts the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in Green Book Reuters Hannah Beachler and Jay Hart accept the Best Production Design award for Black Panther AFP/Getty Images Guy Nattiv and Jaime Ray Newman accept the Best Live Action Short Film award for Skin Reuters Becky Neiman-Cobb and Domee Shi accept the Short Film Animated award for Bao Getty Images Paul Lambert, Ian Hunter, Tristan Myles and J.D. Schwalm accept the Best Visual Effects award for First Man Reuters Alfonso Cuaron accepts the Cinematography award for Roma Getty Images Ruth E. Carter accepts the Best Costume Design award for Black Panther AFP/Getty Images John Warhurst and Nina Hartstone accept the Best Sound Editing award for Bohemian Rhapsody Getty Images Paul Massey, Tim Cavagin and John Casali accepts the award for Best Sound Mixing for Bohemian Rhapsody EPA John Ottman accepts the award for Best Film Editing for Bohemian Rhapsody AFP/Getty Images Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse wins Best Animated Feature AFP/Getty Images Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly accept the award for Best Original Screenplay for Green Play AFP/Getty Images Ludwig Goransson accepts the award for best original score for Black Panther Invision/AP Taking to the stage after a performance by Queen, Maya Rudolph joked: Just a quick update in case you're confused, there is no host tonight, no popular Oscar category and Mexico is not paying for the wall." Mr Trump said earlier this month that Mexico border wall will be built anyway after lawmakers agreed a tentative agreement that only provides a quarter of the funding he has demanded. The deal struck between Democrats and Republicans to ease the threat of a second crippling government shutdown includes $1.4 billion (1.09 billion) for the wall. Alfonso Cuaron receives the Foreign Language Film award for Roma from Angela Bassett and Javier Bardem / REUTERS Roma was poised for Academy Award success after securing an impressive 10 nominations including nods in the Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress categories. The film, which has been described as a love letter to director Cuaron's upbringing in Mexico City, made history as the first Netflix original movie to be recognised in the Best Picture category. Carter also thanked director Spike Lee, who launched her career when he hired her to do costumes for School Daze in 1988, just a few years after she graduated from Hampton. When she told Lee that she hoped he was proud, the director leaped out of his seat and called out her name. Joining Jennifer Lopez on stage to announce the prize, he did a small fist pump before the award was even announced. Evans was also hailed on social media for showing his glee at Black Panther's win for best production design. "First Betty White, now Regina King. Well done Cap." "Shout out to Chris Evans on helping a lady on stage!" one viewer wrote. Others recalled the time Evans helped Betty White to the stage at the People's Choice Awards in 2015, sharing pictures of him back then and now. Ludwig Goransson accepts the award for best original score for Black Panther Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly accept the award for Best Original Screenplay for Green Play Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse wins Best Animated Feature John Ottman accepts the award for Best Film Editing for Bohemian Rhapsody Paul Massey, Tim Cavagin and John Casali accepts the award for Best Sound Mixing for Bohemian Rhapsody John Warhurst and Nina Hartstone accept the Best Sound Editing award for Bohemian Rhapsody Ruth E. Carter accepts the Best Costume Design award for Black Panther Alfonso Cuaron accepts the Cinematography award for Roma Paul Lambert, Ian Hunter, Tristan Myles and J.D. Schwalm accept the Best Visual Effects award for First Man Becky Neiman-Cobb and Domee Shi accept the Short Film Animated award for Bao Guy Nattiv and Jaime Ray Newman accept the Best Live Action Short Film award for Skin Hannah Beachler and Jay Hart accept the Best Production Design award for Black Panther Mahershala Ali accepts the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in Green Book Greg Cannom, Kate Biscoe, and Patricia Dehaney accept the Makeup and Hairstyling award for Vice Rayka Zehtabchi and Melissa Berton accept the Best Documentary Short Subject award for Period. End Of Sentence Free Solo just won best documentary Best Adapted Screenplay nominee for BlacKkKlansman Spike Lee accepts the award for Best Original Screenplay Regina King wins best supporting actress for If Beale Street Could Talk Alfonso Cuaron accepts the Best Director award for Roma The Best Picture award for Green Book Lady Gaga accepts the award for best original song for Shallow from A Star Is Born Rami Malek accepts the Best Actor award for his role in Bohemian Rhapsody Olivia Colman accepts the Actress in a Leading Role award for The Favourite Another said that Evans "should get an Oscar just for being a Gentleman". One fan tweeted: "Seriously, @ChrisEvans isn't just Captain America on screen, he's a true gent in real life too - pay attention males around the world & follow his example. Another wrote: "Chris Evans really is Captain America in real life and that's all that really matters. One viewer tweeted: "real superhero Chris Evans making sure Regina King didnt fall getting up to get her award." "And you look handsome AND well groomed! I just played his mother in a movie so I feel I can say that!" Chris Evans was hailed as a real superhero for helping Regina King to collect her award Curtis wrote on Twitter: Hey @ChrisEvans you are a gentleman! #raisedwell. Jamie Lee Curtis, who appeared alongside Evans in Knives Out, was among those praise the star for offering the actress his arm during the ceremony on Sunday. The actor was praised for helping King, who won the best supporting actress prize, up the steps to the stage as she appeared to struggle with her long dress. aptain America star Chris Evans has been hailed as a real superhero for helping Regina King to collect her award at the Oscars . MORE ABOUT O livia Colman struggled to keep it together as she accepted the Best Actress gong for her role as Queen Anne in The Favourite. The British star, 45, looked visibly overwhelmed as her name was announced, beating Glenn Close and Lady Gaga for the title at this year's Oscars. Colman was cheered on by her teary-eyed co-star Emma Stone, who continued to stand and applaud as the actress took to the stage. Branding the moment stressful and hilarious, Colman fought back tears as she attempted to remember her slew of thank yous. Overwhelmed: Colman struggled to get through the speech / Getty Images Colman said: Its genuinely quite stressful. This is hilarious. Got an Oscar! I have to thank lots of people and if by the way I forget anybody Im going to find you all later and give you all a massive snog and Im really sorry if I might forget now. She went on to praise her director Yorgos Lanthimos, hailing him the best director in the best film, adding that it was a dream to work with co-stars Stone and Rachel Weisz. In true Colman style, she blew a raspberry after being told to wrap up her speech, moving on to thank her family. Joking that this moment will never happen again, Colman thanked her children, adding that she hopes theyre still awake to see her take the award. Welling up as she turned to husband Ed Sinclair, Colman gushed over her other half, hailing him her best supporter throughout their 25-year marriage. Emotional: Colman thanked her husband for his support / AFP/Getty Images My husband Ed [Sinclair], my best friend, she said. I love you so much, 25 years youve been my best supporter. Hes going to cry, Im not. The actress wrapped up her emotional speech by giving shout-outs and blowing kisses to her fellow nominees Gaga and Melissa McCarthy. Academy Awards 2019: Oscars Show Moments - In pictures 1 /35 Academy Awards 2019: Oscars Show Moments - In pictures Olivia Colman accepts the Best Actress award for 'The Favourite' Getty Images Rami Malek falls off stage Getty Images Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper perform 'Shallow' from 'A Star Is Born' Reuters An image of the late Freddie Mercury is projected onto a screen while Adam Lambert + Queen Getty Images Melissa McCarthy and Brian Tyree Henry present the award for best costume design at the Oscars Invision/AP Rami Malek, winner of the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for 'Bohemian Rhapsody', left, kisses Olivia Colman, winner of the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for 'The Favourite' Invision/AP Keegan Michael Key drops down to announce the Mary Poppins performance Reuters Keegan Michael Key drops down to announce the Mary Poppins performance Getty Images Spike Lee (L) embraces presenter Samuel L. Jackson as he is wins the 'Adapted Screenplay' award for 'BlacKkKlansman' Reuters Rami Malek accepts the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for 'Bohemian Rhapsody' at the Oscars Invision/AP Lady Gaga poses with the Music (Original Song) award for 'Shallow' from 'A Star Is Born' backstage A.M.P.A.S vis Getty Images Emma Stone reacts as Olivia Colman accepts the Best Actress award for 'The Favourite' Richard E Grant reacts as he watches Barbra Streisand Cast and crew of 'Green Book,' including Linda Cardellini Mahershala Ali, Octavia Spencer, Brian Currie, Charles B. Wessler, Jim Burke, Peter Farrelly, and Nick Vallelonga accept the Best Picture award during the 91st Annual Academy Awards Getty Images Lucy Boynton kisses Rami Malek in the audience after he is announced winner of the award for best performance by an actor Invision/AP Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler present the award for best performance by an actress in a supporting role at the Oscar Invision/AP Chris Evans hailed as a real superhero for helping Regina King to collect her award Best Documentary winner for 'Free Solo' Jimmy Chin and actor Jason Momoa backstage AFP/Getty Images Bradley Cooper, Irina Shayk and Laga Gaga Brian May of Queen Getty Images Adam Lambert Getty Images Helen Mirren and Jason Momoa Getty Images Jennifer Hudson performs 'I'll Fight' Reuters Gary Oldman and Best Actor in a Leading Role for 'Bohemian Rhapsody' Rami Malek pose backstage Getty Images Bette Midler sings 'The Place Where Lost Things Go' Reuters Lady Gaga and Irina Shayk Getty Images Awkwafina and John Mulaney present the award for best animated short Invision/AP David Rawlings and Gillian Welch Getty Images Regina King and Charlize Theron are seen in the audience prior to the start of the Oscars Invision/AP Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet opted for matching outfits Getty Images Gemma Chan AFP/Getty Images Gloria Campano, Bradley Cooper, and Irina Shayk Getty Images Billy Porterv Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP Rami Malek holds his Best Actor Oscar as he reacts after the show concluded Reuters Lady Gaga celebrates with a drink Getty Images Colmans speech in full: Its genuinely quite stressful. This is hilarious. Got an Oscar! I have to thank lots of people and if by the way I forget anybody Im going to find you all later and give you all a massive snog and Im really sorry if I might forget now. But, Yorgos Lanthimos, my best director in the best film with Emma [Stone] and Rachel [Weisz], the two loveliest women in the world to fall in love with and to go to work with every day. I mean you can imagine, it wasnt a hardship. To be in this category with these extraordinary women, Glenn Close youve been my ideal for so long and this is not how I wanted it to be and I think youre amazing and I love you very much. I love you all. Thank you Lindy King, my agent, who took me on over 20 years ago. Thank you so much and Olive and Hilde and Briner, who made me do things I said no to but she was right. My mum and my dad, well you know. My kids who are at home and watching- look! Well if youre not then well kind of well done but I sort of hope you are, this is not going to happen again and any little girl whos practising her speech on the telly, you never know! I used to work as a cleaner, I loved that job but I did spend quite a lot of time imagining this. J amie Foxx reportedly told guests that he is single as he partied at Byron Allens annual Oscars bash. Foxx, who is rumoured to have been dating Katie Holmes since 2013, appeared to confirm the pair have called it quits as he took to the stage to perform at the Beverley Hilton. Right before he sang, he seemingly told the crowd hes single, a source told HollywoodLife. He had a lot of women on stage and danced with them. It appeared he told the crowd, Im single. His alleged declaration came hours after he was pictured leaving a pre-Oscars party in Beverley Hills with models Shanina Shaik and Jasmine Tookes on Saturday night. Private: Katie Holmes is notoriously orivate about her relationship with Jamie Foxx / AFP/Getty Images Standard Online has contacted representatives for Foxx and Holmes for comment. The notoriously private couple went public with their relationship in December after they were pictured on board a luxury yacht in Miami. Party time: Jamie Foxx also attended the Vanity Fair after party / Ian West/PA Foxx later commented on the getaway, deeming it foolish when asked by US Weekly at a fundraising gala in January. Holmes last year shut down reports the pair had split, after US site Radar Online reported they were struggling with trust issues. A representative for Holmes told PEOPLE that the story is 100 per cent untrue. Oscars 2019: Who won the big awards of the night? Holmes and Foxx are believed to have met at a party in New York in 2013, about a year after Holmes divorce from Tom Cruise, who she shares 12-year-old daughter Suri with. It was then claimed that a clause in the divorce settlement had banned Holmes from dating publicly for five years. Foxx and Holmes rarely step out in public together. They were snapped hand-in-hand on a Malibu beach in September 2017 and later put on a cosy display at the Clive Davis and Recording Academy Pre-GRAMMY Gala in January 2018. The Queen biopic was nominated for five awards at tonight's ceremony, and has so far scooped trophies for Best Sound Mixing, Best Film Editing and Best Sound Editing. After appearing in EastEnders from 2013 to 2015, Hardy landed a role in X-Men sequel Apocalypse. He played Roger Taylor in Bohemian Rhapsody opposite Best Actor nominee Rami Malek's Freddie Mercury. Others suggested that Hollywood actors might feel a little star-struck in the presence of the small screen legends, as one fan wrote: I hope these stars know theyre in the presence of Dame Angie Watts and His Royal Highness Peter Beale. Were not in Walford any more Toto! Ludwig Goransson accepts the award for best original score for Black Panther Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly accept the award for Best Original Screenplay for Green Play Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse wins Best Animated Feature John Ottman accepts the award for Best Film Editing for Bohemian Rhapsody Paul Massey, Tim Cavagin and John Casali accepts the award for Best Sound Mixing for Bohemian Rhapsody John Warhurst and Nina Hartstone accept the Best Sound Editing award for Bohemian Rhapsody Ruth E. Carter accepts the Best Costume Design award for Black Panther Alfonso Cuaron accepts the Cinematography award for Roma Paul Lambert, Ian Hunter, Tristan Myles and J.D. Schwalm accept the Best Visual Effects award for First Man Becky Neiman-Cobb and Domee Shi accept the Short Film Animated award for Bao Guy Nattiv and Jaime Ray Newman accept the Best Live Action Short Film award for Skin Hannah Beachler and Jay Hart accept the Best Production Design award for Black Panther Mahershala Ali accepts the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in Green Book Greg Cannom, Kate Biscoe, and Patricia Dehaney accept the Makeup and Hairstyling award for Vice Rayka Zehtabchi and Melissa Berton accept the Best Documentary Short Subject award for Period. End Of Sentence Free Solo just won best documentary Best Adapted Screenplay nominee for BlacKkKlansman Spike Lee accepts the award for Best Original Screenplay Regina King wins best supporting actress for If Beale Street Could Talk Alfonso Cuaron accepts the Best Director award for Roma The Best Picture award for Green Book Lady Gaga accepts the award for best original song for Shallow from A Star Is Born Rami Malek accepts the Best Actor award for his role in Bohemian Rhapsody Olivia Colman accepts the Actress in a Leading Role award for The Favourite Peter Beale at the Oscars? A step up from the Soap Awards, innit? one social media user joked. Bet Peter Beale from #eastenders AKA @benhardy0291 cant believe hes gone from Walford to the #Oscars, another added. There are two former Eastenders actors at the #Oscars tonight. Bet they never thought that would happen! one wrote. Shock: Oscars viewers were baffled to see former soap star Ben Hardy on the red carpet Twitter users voiced their surprise (and amusement) as they spotted the two former Walford inhabitants at the glamorous event, branding their presence bizarre. Anita Dobson, who played Angie Watts from the first episode of the soap until 1988, attended with her husband Brian May. Ben Hardy , who shot to fame as Peter Beale in the long-running BBC series, made an appearance at the star-studded event as part of the cast of Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. astEnders fans were shocked to spot two former cast members from the British soap on the Oscars red carpet. MORE ABOUT T he UNs highest court has said the UK should end its control of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean. The move should happen as rapidly as possible, according to the court. The court ruled that Britain carved up Mauritius illegally when it agreed to end colonial rule and must "bring to an end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago". The advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice is non-binding, but carries weight since it came from the top UN court and could put significant pressure on London to act. Britain evicted about 2,000 people from the Chagos archipelago in the 1960s and 1970s so the US military could build an air base on Diego Garcia. Many resettled in the UK and have fought in British courts to return to the islands. The court said it concluded that even though Mauritius's government at the time of the country's 1968 independence agreed to split off the Chagos Islands, "this detachment was not based on the free and genuine expression of the will of the people concerned". The islands are currently known as the British Indian Ocean Territory. The court said it is now up to the United Nations General Assembly to decide how to "ensure the completion of the decolonisation of Mauritius". While the United States still has a military base on Diego Garcia, the court said that in its opinion "all member states are under an obligation to co-operate with the United Nations in order to complete the decolonisation of Mauritius". S hamima Begums father has said his 19-year-old daughter was just a little child who made a mistake when she fled London for Syria and became an Islamic State bride. Despite previously appearing to back the removal of his daughters citizenship, Ahmed Ali has said his daughter should face justice in Britain and said the teenager belongs to England. His comments, speaking to ITV News at his home in Bangladesh, contradict an earlier interview in which he reportedly said he "does not have a problem" with the Government's handling of the case. Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, last week stripped Ms Begum of her citizenship on advice she qualified for Bangladeshi citizenship through her mother. Britain's Home Secretary Sajid Javid / REUTERS Mr Ali told ITV News: "I don't think he's (Sajid Javid) done the right thing because she is a British citizen, and if it turns out she has committed any crimes, then she should face justice in the UK. "She belongs to this country, she belongs to England. My daughter was a little child, she made a mistake, she didn't properly understand. I would like to make a plea to the British Government not to strip her of her citizenship. TODO: define component type apester "If she has made any mistakes, bring her back to London, and let them do whatever they think is necessary, but I think taking her back to London, I think is necessary." He added: "I see my daughter as British and I am hoping she will return, and whatever needs to be done, I and my family will do to support this. "We will all fight to bring my daughter back to Britain. My wife is trying, and I will support my wife in her effort to bring our child back to the UK. "I don't believe she'll be given Bangladeshi citizenship. And Shamima has never been to Bangladesh, I think the best thing will be if Britain takes her." 19-year-old Shamima Begum with her newborn baby / ITV His comments come after Ms Begum said she regrets speaking to the media and wishes she found a different way to contact her family. The 19-year-old was one of three schoolgirls to leave Bethnal Green to join IS in 2015 and resurfaced heavily pregnant at a Syrian refugee camp last week. Her father added: "My message to Shamima is, if any reporters come to you, acknowledge your mistake, she was a child, and she was a child and didn't understand what she was doing. A Kim Jong-Un impersonator who had been plying his trade in Vietnam has been forced to leave the country ahead of the real North Korean leaders visit. Lookalike Lee Howard Ho Wun had staged a fake summit with a Donald Trump doppelganger last week. This comes ahead of a real meeting between the two leaders, with Kim on an armoured train moving through China towards Vietnam's capital, and President Trump about to board a jet for Hanoi. He and the fake US president were both questioned by police, according to reports, and now the Kim impersonator says he has been told he cannot stay in Vietnam. The real Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un are to meet in Vietnam / AP The mock Kim, who is Australian, wrote on Facebook that around 15 police or immigration officers demanded a mandatory "interview" and threatened him with deportation. He says officials later told him that his visa was invalid and he had to leave the country. The fake Kim Jong-Un and Donald Trump share a goodbye kiss / REUTERS "I feel a little bit annoyed," said the Hong Kong-based impersonator, who uses the name Howard X. He added: "But what is to be expected of a one-party state with no sense of humour?" The Donald Trump impersonator, Russell White, is remaining in Hanoi. This incident comes as officials in Vietnam finalise their preparations for the meeting of the two figureheads. Officials in Hanoi said they had about 10 days to prepare for the summit, scheduled for February 27 and 28, much less than the nearly two months they said Singapore was given for the first Trump-Kim meeting last year. However, they still vowed to provide airtight security for the two leaders. "Security will be at the maximum level," Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung said. S hamima Begum has said she wants to encourage young Britons not to make the same mistakes as her as she launched a fresh appeal to be brought back to the UK. The teenager, who fled London to join the Islamic State in Syria aged 15, said she is an example of how someone can change and suggested she would like to speak publicly to urge youngsters not to make similar choices. But speaking from the Al-Hawl refugee camp in northern Syria, the 19-year-old, from Bethnal Green, east London, added: I cant do that if I am sitting here in a camp. I cant do that for you. In an interview with The Mail, she added: I am hoping to be given a second chance. Shamima Begum has had her British citizenship revoked Ms Begum recently gave birth to a baby boy and has said she wants to come back to the UK to look after him. But last week she had her British citizenship revoked. She was one of three schoolgirls to leave Bethnal Green to join IS in 2015 and resurfaced heavily pregnant at a Syrian refugee camp last week. Home Secretary Sajid Javid revoked her British citizenship in a move only permissible under international law if it does not leave the individual stateless. It was speculated that Ms Begum, who is of Bangladeshi heritage, may have citizenship there but Bangladesh's minister of state for foreign affairs Shahriar Alam denied this. Shamima Begum, right, after she gave birth in Syria amid the storm over her possible return to the UK / Sky News Her family have written to Mr Javid asking for his help to bring her newborn son to Britain. The letter said the baby boy was a "true innocent" who should not "lose the privilege of being raised in the safety of this country". Her sister Remu Begum, writing on behalf of the family, asked how they could help the Home Secretary "in bringing my nephew home to us". The family said they have had no contact with Ms Begum and had only learned she had given birth to a boy through media reports. TODO: define component type apester They made clear that they were "shocked and appalled" at the "vile comments" Ms Begum had recently made to the media. Mr Javid's removal of Ms Begum's citizenship came amid heated debate over whether the teenager should be able to return to the UK after she was found in a refugee camp with the terror group's reign nearly over. While many do not want to see Ms Begum return to the UK, others have argued she should face prosecution for her actions, and attempts at deradicalisation. The Begum family's lawyer Tasnime Akunjee said she was born in the UK, has never had a Bangladeshi passport and is not a dual citizen, which was confirmed by the Bangladeshi minister. Shamima Begum shocked at Home Offices decision to revoke her citizenship The latest developments came after Ms Begum said the British government was making an example of her and that she regrets ever speaking to the media. Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph from the al-Hol camp in Syria, Ms Begum said: "They are making an example of me. I regret speaking to the media. "I wish I had stayed low and found a different way to contact my family. That's why I spoke to the newspaper." Her father dramatically intervened in the debate surrounding her UK citizenship, insisting he "does not have a problem" with the Government's decision not to allow her to return home. Speaking to the Mail on Sunday at his home in the Sunamganj region of north-east Bangladesh, her father, Ahmed Ali, 60, said: "I am on the side of the Government. I can't say whether it is right or wrong, but if the law of the land says that it is correct to cancel her citizenship, then I agree. "If she at least admitted she made a mistake then I would feel sorry for her and other people would feel sorry for her. W ater company bosses have shared distressing images of wasted Yorkshire puddings which had been flushed down the toilet. Anglian Water posted pictures of the squandered roast dinner favourites after a load were found dumped in an Ipswich sewer. The puddings had blocked a drain, with the company tweeting: We're sure even our friends at @YorkshireWater wouldn't welcome this sight! Somebody dumped a load of Yorkshire puddings in an Ipswich sewer. The pudding batter blocked a drain / @AnglianWater/Twitter "Please don't treat sewers as bins, avoid blocked pipes and compost your food waste! The company has to deal with one blockage every 15 minutes, with about 30,000 a year in the region. It says 80 per cent of sewer blockages are avoidable, adding: Avoidable blockages caused by unflushables lead to sewer flooding of homes and environmental pollution, which is distressing, costly to put right, and potentially devastating for wildlife and our local waterways and seas. J ihadi brides such as Shamima Begum could be just as dangerous as male foreign fighters if ever allowed back into the country, a former Scotland Yard counter-terrorism chief warned today. Richard Walton, who led the Mets counter-terrorism command for five years until 2016, said it would be a mistake to make simplistic judgements based on the gender of a potential returnee in assessing the threat they pose. He added that some British women who had travelled to Syria had played a vital role in plotting Islamic State attacks and that the radicalising effect that they might have on future generations of Britons should not be under-estimated. Women who joined Isis as jihadi brides, far from being passive actors or victims, are likely to have been participants in terrorist activities in Syria, he said. Many will pose just as much of a security threat as their male counterparts. Shamima Begum has asked for 'mercy' from UK politicians / Sky News Mr Waltons comments, in an editorial for The Times newspaper, came as Ms Begum appealed in her latest media interview to be given a second chance in Britain. The 19-year-old former Bethnal Green schoolgirl, who was last week stripped of her British citizenship by Home Secretary Sajid Javid, said she wanted to come back so that she could teach others not to repeat her error. Shamima Begum holding her baby / ITV I am hoping to be given a second chance she told the Daily Mail. Id like to be an example of how someone can change. I want to help, encourage other young British people to think before they make life- changing decisions like this and not to make the same mistake as me. Ms Begums remarks are the latest in a series of media interviews that she has given since she was found living in a Syrian refugee camp only days before giving birth to her third child. The first two died but Ms Begum hopes to win a legal battle with the Home Secretary over her citizenship so that she can return to Britain to raise her new son. The fact that a quarter might stick to your vaccine site is not proof of something nefarious. The anti-vax myth is getting so much traction that the CDCs website now addresses it, listing vaccine ingredients in detail along with assurances that theres nothing electromagnetic about any of them. A nother Conservative MP has signalled she could quit her party to join ministers in the newly formed Independent Group. Antoinette Sandbach today said it was "hard to disagree" with Tory defectors as she spoke coyly over her own future in the party. The Eddisbury MP said she was "sympathetic" towards those who have left over Brexit, though had not made "any decisions" on remaining a Tory herself, in an interview with BBC Radio 4's World at One on Monday. It comes as Independent Group (TIG) MPs have appointed a convener as they held their first meeting after dramatically breaking away from their former parties last week. At their first formal meeting as a group on Monday afternoon, they unanimously appointed former Labour MP Gavin Shuker as convener, but did not elect a leader. Theresa May has seen three Conservatives leave to join the Independent Group so far / AP Asked if she might quit, Ms Sandbach said: "I'm not going to make any decisions, I want to see what the Prime Minister does and who she is listening to in the party, because it seems to me that it is irresponsible to kick this can down the road yet again. "For that reason, I will be supporting the Letwin/Cooper amendment." Loading.... Commenting on those who have left, as part of the momentous party splits which have seen the formation of the Independent Group, she said: "I read their reasons for leaving and it's hard to disagree with them." This came as Ms Sandbach voiced her frustrations over Theresa May's handling of Brexit. She said it is "irresponsible" to put off the next "meaningful vote" on Brexit as late as March 12. The Independent Group had its first meeting on Monday / PA "I have businesses in my constituency who are desperate to know what the position is going to be, and to postpone it for such a long time, is to my mind, irresponsible," she told the programme. Following on from this, she said it feels like the eurosceptic European Research Group of Tory MPs now "run the party". "I have been somebody who thinks there is a pragmatic solution to this in the form of Common Market 2.0 and it seems to me that the ERG are trying to push the country towards an outcome that nobody voted for - or very few people voted for," she said. Ms Sandbach criticised the influence of Jacob Rees-Mogg's ERG / AFP/Getty Images "I'm really frustrated at the way the PM only seems to listen to a small faction in the Conservative Party and is not willing to listen to Parliament as a whole." In further developments in the new political landscape, the TIG announced Mr Shuker, who represents Luton South, had been unanimously elected to the role following its first meeting on Monday in Westminster. Speaking after the meeting, the group said it had discussed its values and priorities, while former-Conservative Anna Soubry said the most important priority was Brexit. Former British Labour party MP Gavin Shuker speaking at the Independent Group Party launch and press conference in London. / EPA The Broxtowe MP added the group of 11 parliamentarians will also be supporting the Cooper-Letwin amendment this week. So far Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Ann Coffey, Angela Smith, Gavin Shuker, Mike Gapes and Joan Ryan make up the Labour contingent of the group. They announced their departure from the Labour Party on Monday, with Ms Ryan announcing her departure the following day. Former Tory MPs Anna Soubry, Sarah Wollaston and Heidi Allen have also defected to join the Independent Group. L abours deputy leader has promised to personally monitor anti-Semitism cases after he formed a new centrist group within the party and urged other MPs to join him. In an email, Tom Watson asked Labour parliamentarians to inform him of any complaints of anti-Semitism so he can ensure they are shared with Jeremy Corbyn and leading figures. However, the Board of Deputies of British Jews said that the move was a sad commentary on the failure of the Labour leadership so far to take satisfactory action against a culture of anti-Semitism and bullying". Mr Watsons move came after Jewish MP Luciana Berger quit the party and helped form the Independent Group, citing the Labour leadership's failure to act on anti-Semitic bullying and abuse. Former Labour MP Luciana Berger / PA In Mr Watson's message to MPs - obtained by The Times - he said that any concerns about anti-Semitism should be raised with general secretary Jennie Formby. And he added: "As your deputy leader, I am deeply alarmed at the amount of abuse that colleagues are receiving from within the party. "In order to properly assess and monitor the scale of the problem, I would like to see any issue or complaint you raise with the general secretary. "From now on, my team will be logging and monitoring all complaints. I will ensure that this information is shared with both Jeremy, the shadow cabinet and colleagues on the National Executive Committee." Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Tom Watson / Getty Images On Sunday, Mr Watson also delivered a stark warning to the Labour leader, saying that he must eradicate anti-Semitism in the party if he is ever to become Prime Minister. Following a tumultuous week which saw nine MPs quit in protest at Mr Corbyn's leadership - with eight joining a new centrist grouping with rebel Tories - Mr Watson said the party was in a "perilous" situation. He predicted more Labour MPs - as well as peers and councillors - would walk away unless the party was able to demonstrate that it had changed and was once again a "broad church". Mr Watson also announced he would be convening a group of MPs from Labour's centrist, social democratic tradition, who were largely excluded from the shadow cabinet, to ensure their voices are heard. Tom Watson on The Andrew Marr Show / REUTERS "That social democratic voice has to be heard because the only way we will keep the Labour Party unified and prohibit other colleagues from potentially leaving the Parliamentary Labour Party," he told The Andrew Marr Show. "I am not raising a rebel flag. I am standing up for pluralism within our rank because that is the only way were are going to hold our consensus together. Be in no doubt, the situation is perilous for our party and we need to act and we need to act very quickly." Loading.... He added: "There is almost a crisis for the soul of the Labour Party now. Everyone that cares about our future - whatever tradition they represent - has to find it within themselves to work more closely together." Mr Watson made clear a key test for Mr Corbyn would be tackling anti-Semitism with the Labour ranks after the Jewish MP Luciana Berger was driven out by "racist bullies". Mr Corbyn last week insisted the party did not have a "wide-scale" problem with bullying, however Mr Watson said it was clear reforms introduced by general secretary Jennie Formby had failed to deal with the issue. "We are in a crisis. Jeremy needs to understand that to be in Number 10 he needs to change the Labour Party. We have got to eradicate anti-Semitism, anti-Jewish racism in all its forms," he said. "This week I have had 50 complaints of anti-Semitism from my party colleagues which I shared with Jeremy. I think he needs to take a personal lead on examining those cases and, if necessary, recommend to our NEC (national executive committee) what has to be done. "The test for him as leader is to eradicate anti-Semitism. It is not Labour Party members who will be the judge of that, it is the British Jewish community. I think he understands now that if he is ever to be prime minister he needs to rebuild that trust." Jeremy Corbyn last week insisted Labour does not have a "wide-scale" problem with bullying / EPA Labour MP Ruth Smeeth said she was "delighted that Tom Watson is showing leadership when we aren't seeing it from Jeremy Corbyn on this issue". The Stoke-on-Trent North MP told LBC radio that Ms Berger had been "hounded out of the Labour Party for being a Jewish woman" and that she herself had suffered "vile" abuse from party members. However, the president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews Marie van der Zyl, said: "It is tragic that the deputy leader of the opposition has felt the need to personally push for greater transparency in Labour's complaints process for anti-Semitism, racism and bullying - including that suffered by the party's MPs. "The fact that Tom Watson has felt the need to do this himself is a sad commentary on the fact that the Labour leadership that has so far failed to take satisfactory action against a culture of anti-Semitism and bullying in the party. T he Prime Minister is set to bow to Cabinet rebels by promising a new Commons vote on delaying Brexit. Downing Street is privately offering to make time for a vote in a fortnight allowing for a two-month delay beyond March 29 in return for them calling off a rebellion on Wednesday. A postponement of Britains withdrawal would be a humiliating climbdown for Theresa May, whose spokesman continued to insist this morning that it was not something she wants to do. But a top Cabinet minister warned that it was not acceptable to risk crashing out. Amber Rudd, the Work and Pensions Secretary, told BBC reporters: Im completely committed to make sure that we leave the European Union, and we do it in a way that supports the economy. What I dont think is acceptable is allowing us to move ever closer to no deal. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, speaks with British Prime Minister Theresa May / AP Mrs May told German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a meeting in Egypt this morning that she still believed a deal could be struck in time for Brexit on March 29. But Irish premier Leo Varadkar said he was confident that the UK will avoid a no deal by delaying if necessary. Well either have a deal or an extension, he said at the same summit. Dutch premier Mark Rutte appealed to the UK: We are sleepwalking into a no-deal scenario. Its unacceptable and your best friends have to warn you. Wake up. This is real. Come to a conclusion and close the deal. Offering the Commons a vote on a delay would be less embarrassing for Mrs May than announcing a postponement herself. She would use the prospect to batter the hardline European Research Group, headed by Jacob Rees-Mogg, with an ultimatum to back her deal or risk seeing pro-EU MPs postpone Brexit repeatedly. Mrs Mays spokesman, asked if a delay was on the cards, said: She said thats not something she wants to do. She wants to leave the European Union on March 29. Theresa May and Angela Merkel met at the Sharm El Sheikh convention center / AP But defence minister Tobias Ellwood, one of the ministers who is considering joining this weeks rebellion, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme it was possible Mrs May could shift ground in a Commons statement tomorrow. The Prime Minister is listening and is recognising the fact that we have tried very, very hard in order to secure a deal, he said. Mr Ellwood called on Eurosceptic MPs in the ERG to fall in line to help Mrs May secure a deal. He warned: If we cannot get this deal across the line, we are facing the prospect of having to extend. Talks: Theresa May with Jean-Claude Juncker / EPA Todays behind-the-scenes offer of a vote comes after Mrs May last night announced she was putting off the much-delayed meaningful vote for or against her withdrawal deal until March 12. The vote has been repeatedly postponed since December. Three Cabinet members David Gauke, Amber Rudd and Greg Clark signalled on Saturday that they could rebel by backing a cross-party amendment that would empower Parliament to decide the timing of Brexit and stop Britain crashing out without a deal. The amendment, which will now be tabled by former Tory chair Dame Caroline Spelman and Labour MP Jack Dromey, would empower the Commons to seize control of the Brexit timetable. Loading.... A loyalist MP, Simon Hart, who leads the centre-Right Brexit Delivery Group, is now expected to put forward a new amendment that would seek to extend Article 50 if she fails to secure a deal that wins support in the House. Some MPs believe that Mr Hart is being encouraged by the Tory whips and that a promise to make time for a Commons vote at a later date to fulfil his amendment would form the basis of Mrs Mays concession. Nick Boles, a key architect of the cross-party move, urged ministers not to let Mrs May kick the can down the road. How many times have we been promised a meaningful vote on a set date only for the Prime Minister to find a reason to delay it? he asked. We are well past the stage of putting our faith in warm words. That is why we need a legislative safeguard to ensure that the Prime Minister will be mandated by Parliament to seek an extension to Article 50. Business minister Richard Harrington told the Standard that Mrs May must act immediately to remove the threat of no deal. We look to the Prime Minister to take no deal off the table, he said. It is not a real negotiating position as nobody in the EU believes any responsible government could inflict the chaos it would bring on its people. T heresa May was today heading towards giving MPs an ultimatum between backing her deal or delaying Brexit. Westminster sources said Downing Street was privately saying she would allow the Commons to stage a vote to postpone Brexit from March 29 to late May. The ploy was being used to try to buy off senior ministers who are tempted to rebel in a cross-party vote on Wednesday to let the Commons seize control over the Brexit timetable. But Mrs May would also use it to try to batter the hardline anti-EU European Research Group of Tory MPs, headed by Jacob Rees-Mogg, into supporting her deal. Defence minister Tobias Ellwood, one of the ministers who was considering joining the rebellion, told Radio 4s Today programme that it was possible Mrs May could announce her move in a Commons statement tomorrow. Theresa May and Angela Merkel met at the Sharm El Sheikh convention center / AP The Prime Minister is listening and is recognising the fact that we have tried very, very hard in order to secure a deal, he said. Mr Ellwood called on Eurosceptic MPs in the ERG to fall in line to help Mrs May secure a deal. He warned: If we cannot get this deal across the line, we are facing the prospect of having to extend. Mrs May and German leader Angela Merkel discussed delaying Brexit during talks at the margins of the EU-Arab summit in Egypt this morning. But it was unclear whether Mrs May would succeed in heading off a rebellion by senior ministers, including members of the Cabinet. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, speaks with British Prime Minister Theresa May / AP Nicholas Boles, a key architect of the cross-party move, urged ministers not to let Mrs May kick the can down the road. How many times have we been promised a meaningful vote on a set date only for the Prime Minister to find a reason to delay it? he asked. We are well past the stage of putting our faith in warm words. That is why we need a legislative safeguard to ensure that the Prime Minister will be mandated by Parliament to seek an extension to Article 50. Business minister Richard Harrington told the Standard that Mrs May must act immediately to remove the threat of no deal. We look to the Prime Minister to take no deal off the table, he said. It is not a real negotiating position as nobody in the EU believes any responsible government could inflict the chaos it would bring on its people. The time for her to do that is now, before its too late and Parliament does take over the process. The delay to the meaningful vote is unacceptable as it leaves employers in a terrible limbo. Irish premier Leo Varadkar said he was confident that the UK will not crash out of the EU at the end of next month. Well either have a deal or an extension, he said in Egypt. Mrs May last night announced that she was putting off the much-delayed meaningful vote on her withdrawal deal until March 12. The vote has been repeatedly postponed since December. Three Cabinet members David Gauke, Amber Rudd and Greg Clark signalled on Saturday that they could rebel by backing an amendment tabled by Labours Yvette Cooper and Conservative grandee Sir Oliver Letwin, which would empower Parliament to decide the timing of Brexit and ensure that Britain cannot crash out without a deal. A loyalist MP, Simon Hart, who leads the centre-Right Brexit Delivery Group, is now expected to put forward an amendment tomorrow that would seek to extend Article 50 if she fails to secure a deal that wins support in the House. Some MPs believe that Mr Hart is being encouraged by the Tory whips and that a promise to make time for a Commons vote at a later date to fulfil his amendment would form the basis of Mrs Mays concession. No 10 hopes it would turn the screws on the ERG whose members fear any delay beyond March 29 is an elephant trap. Loading.... Education Secretary Damian Hinds told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that the withdrawal agreement was a good deal, but it was necessary to deal with legitimate concerns about the Northern Ireland backstop proposals before bringing it back to Parliament. It is in the nature of EU negotiations that they do run long, they do go to the wire, said Mr Hinds. These are incredibly important matters and there is a deal thats been on the table for quite some time, its a very strong deal, its a good balance. There was a very heavy defeat in Parliament theres no sugar-coating that but it wasnt against the overall deal, because we know there is a will in Parliament, a majority in Parliament, who want to get a good negotiated deal. We know from the Brady amendment that its this backstop issue that has to be resolved to get this deal through. He added: A no deal would also be bad for the EU and there is going to be a will from the other side as well to make sure that we can land the deal. L abour has a bigger problem of members with hardcore anti-Semitic views than previously acknowledged, one of Jeremy Corbyns oldest allies admitted today. Jon Lansman, the founder of Left-wing group Momentum who sits on Labours ruling National Executive Committee, said the party had a major problem with anti-Semitism with the poison spreading on social media. He also told of his feeling of enormous regret, sadness and some shame over Labour members such as Luciana Berger MP leaving the party. Mr Lansman, who is himself Jewish, spoke out amid reports that more MPs are poised to quit Labour over the failure to tackle anti-Semitism within its ranks and Mr Corbyns refusal to back a second referendum on Brexit. Its now obvious that we have a much larger number of people with hardcore anti-Semitic opinions which unfortunately is polluting the atmosphere in a lot of constituency parties and in particular online, Mr Lansman told BBC Radio 4s Today programme. Mr Corbyns allies had previously rejected accusations that he had failed to deal with anti-Semitism / AFP/Getty Images Mr Corbyns allies had previously rejected accusations that he had failed to deal with a significant problem of anti-Semitism, arguing that the claims were exaggerated to undermine his leaderhip. However, in a significant intervention from the Left of the Labour movement, Mr Lansman stressed: We have a major problem and it always seems to me that we underestimate the scale of it. Its a widespread problem. He denied Labour was institutionally anti-Semitic, as claimed by Liverpool Wavertree MP Ms Berger when she quit the party last week, but said he was extremely upset by her departure. Any Jewish member of the party leaving the party because of anti-Semitism is a source of enormous regret, sadness and some shame, he explained. Mr Lansman, who has known Mr Corbyn for decades, called for more pro-active efforts to root out anti-Semitism and ensure the party is a safe space for Jewish people. It had trebled in size, with more than 300,000 new members including some attracted towards conspiracy theories. He added: Unfortunately, online, Facebook groups can become an arena in which a minority with hardcore, anti-Semitic views can infect... The Tory Party is a smaller party and an elderly party and the role of social media in fomenting and spreading some of the poison is therefore more of a problem in the Labour Party. Labours deputy leader Tom Watson announced yesterday that he was sending a dossier of 50 complaints of anti-Semitism to Mr Corbyn and calling on him to take a personal lead in examining them and recommending action. Mr Lansman rejected the idea that the Labour leader should take personal charge of dealing with complaints but admitted that tackling anti-Semitism had taken very much longer than wed hoped. Progress was being made with cases, he added, with the NEC having cleared a backlog, with smaller disciplinary panels set up to speed up the process. Mr Lansman said he believes the Labour leader is committed to eradicating anti-Semitism. Former Justice Secretary Lord Falconer of Thoroton, an ex-flatmate of Tony Blair, is in talks with Labour chiefs about becoming the partys anti-Semitism surveillance commissioner, to oversee how it handles complaints. Jewish MP Ruth Smeeth today vowed to stay and fight against anti-Semitism from within Labour rather than quit the party. The MP for Stoke-on-Trent North told LBC Radio: If the party wont fix this [anti-Semitism] then they are going to hear from me every single day until this is resolved. She said her close friend Ms Berger had been hounded out of the party for being a Jewish woman and the abuse they are all suffering is miserable. On Mr Watsons intervention that he would give a platform for those who have differing views to Mr Corbyn, Ms Smeeth said: Im delighted Tom Watson is showing leadership and we arent seeing it from Jeremy Corbyn on this issue. I still dont think hes asked himself why people have resigned and acknowledged that this is a genuine issue. Its not just Luciana, weve lost a lot of Jewish members in the past fortnight people at high levels of the party for a long time and I doubt they will be the last ones to go. To avoid abuse sent to her over social media, she said a friend has changed her password so she cannot see anything said about her on Twitter - and her staff hide criticism from her. T he Labour party will attempt to block no-deal and back a second referendum to "prevent a damaging Tory Brexit", Jeremy Corbyn will say today. The leader is due to announce the move at a a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party, saying that he will do "everything" in his power to prevent Britain crashing out of the European Union without a deal. Labour will also back the Cooper-Letwin amendment to take no deal off the table, a statement said on Monday. The move will be two-pronged as the party will first seek to enshrine Labour's five Brexit demands in law by tabling an amendment to the Government's Brexit motion which is set to be debated on Wednesday. Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn / PA The demands include a permanent and comprehensive customs union with the EU and close alignment with the single market, as well as a dynamic alignment on rights and protections and commitments on participation in EU agencies and funding programmes. However, if that vote is lost, Labour will then support a second referendum. Speaking to Channel 4's Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry said that Labour will back a deal or Remain referendum. She said that the party will campaign to remain in the Eu if its alternative Brexit plan is rejected. TODO: define component type apester Mr Corbyn will tell his MPs on Monday night: "The Prime Minister is recklessly running down the clock, in an attempt to force MPs to choose between her botched deal and a disastrous No Deal. We cannot and will not accept. "Last week, after our visit to talk to EU officials and leaders in Brussels and Madrid, no one can be in any doubt Labour's alternative Brexit plan is serious and credible. Theresa May met with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Monday / AP "We are convinced our alternative, which puts jobs and living standards first, could command support in the House of Commons, bring people who voted Leave and Remain together, and be negotiated with the EU. "That's why we will be putting down an amendment in parliament this week setting out Labour's plan: for a comprehensive customs union with a UK say; close alignment with the single market; guarantees on rights and standards; protection for Britain's role in EU agencies; and a security agreement which guarantees access to the European arrest warrant and vital shared databases. And we will be calling for legislation to underpin this mandate. "We will also be backing the Cooper-Letwin amendment to rule out a No Deal outcome. One way or another, we will do everything in our power to prevent No Deal and oppose a damaging Tory Brexit based on Theresa May's overwhelmingly rejected deal. Loading.... "That's why, in line with our conference policy, we are committed to also putting forward or supporting an amendment in favour of a public vote to prevent a damaging Tory Brexit being forced on the country." Writing on Twitter after the announcement, Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer said: "This week Labour will put its alternative plan for a vote in the House of Commons. "If Parliament rejects our plan, then Labour will deliver on the promise we made at our annual conference and support a public vote." David Lammy, Labour MP for Tottenham and supporter of the Peoples Vote campaign for a second referendum, welcomed the move and said that the party is now signalling that it will accept the principle of giving the public the final say on Brexit. He said: Even if the MPs can agree some sort of deal, t would be wrong to force it on the British people when we now know so many of the promises made in 2016 have been broken and any deal will be worse than the one weve already got inside the EU. "These are dangerous times for the Labour Party and our country. Jeremy Corbyn is today taking the first step to reunite our party by showing he is listening to our voters and members on this, the biggest issue of our time. "But it is also crucial when food prices are already rising and car manufacturers are scrapping investment that we provide the clarity needed to plan for the future." Mayor of London Sadiq Khan added: "I welcome Jeremy Corbyn's move tonight to commit to putting forward, or supporting, an amendment in favour of a public vote. "It is the right decision for London - and for the whole country - to give the public their say for the first time on a final Brexit deal. T heresa May has dismissed pressure to step down and signalled that she wants to remain in power to push ahead with her domestic agenda after Brexit. The Prime Minister insisted her job was not only about delivering Britain's exit from the bloc on the scheduled date of March 29, but also dealing with issues like the NHS. Speaking as she attended an EU-League of Arab States summit in Egypt on Sunday, Mrs May stressed that once the UK had formally withdrawn from the EU a new future partnership deal with the bloc needed to be hammered out. Her comments came after she made it clear to Tory MPs in December that she would not lead the party into the next scheduled general election in 2022. This move was thought to have helped Mrs May survive a vote of no confidence in her leadership before Christmas. Theresa May met with European Council president Donald Tusk on Friday afternoon / AFP/Getty Images Referencing her pledge to create a fairer society when she first entered Downing Street, Mrs May said: "I was very clear in December with the Conservative Party that as far as I'm concerned, what I am doing, my job is not only about delivering Brexit, actually there's a domestic agenda that I am delivering on. "It reflects what I said on the doorstep of Number Ten when I first became Prime Minister. That's why we've been making key decisions like the extra money for the National Health Service, the long-term plan for the National Health Service, and there is still a domestic agenda that I want to get on with - deliver." Mrs May's victory in the confidence vote means that she cannot face another such attempt to oust her until the end of this year. She was speaking after reports that some ministers want her to quit after the May local elections. The Prime Minister said that after withdrawal the UK still needed to agree its future relations with Brussels. Theresa May: Final Commons Brexit vote by March 12 Mrs May said: "There's a second part of the negotiations in terms of the future economic partnership, the future security partnership. "We have set out a clear framework for that in the Political Declaration, that's the basis on which those negotiations would go forward. "The complete package of Brexit, we leave on March 29, but also we have to put in place that future relationship because that's about the sustainable long term relationship of the UK with the EU." Mrs May also ruled out putting a vote to the Commons this week, as had been expected following continuing negotiations with Brussels, however she did insist that one would be held by March 12. Labour's Yvette Cooper accused Mrs May of drifting on Twitter with just over a month until the deadline date for exiting the EU. Ms Cooper said: Still no progress. Nothing has changed. Getting ever closer to a chaotic No Deal. This is incredibly irresponsible when food prices, manufacturing jobs, medicine supplies ad security are all at stake. Makes it even more important to support our Bill this week. Ms Cooper vowed to push a cross party amendment this week paving way for a bill to safeguard against a no deal. Jeremy Corbyn: Theresa May must end her red lines to avoid no-deal Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also attecked the PM, saying: "Theresa May is putting the country at risk by recklessly running down the clock to force MPs to choose between her bad deal and a disastrous No Deal. "Labour will work with MPs across the Commons to prevent No Deal, break the deadlock and build support for our alternative plan." T heresa May has said she believes a deal between Britain and the EU to break the deadlock on Brexit is "within grasp." However Mrs May again refused to say whether she would rather have a delay to Brexit or a no-deal Brexit if she cannot get her deal approved when questioned today by reporters after delivering a speech. The Prime Minister made the comment from Sharm el Sheikh, where she is meeting with a number of world leaders, including some of her European counterparts. She said: "Any extension of Article 50 isn't addressing the issues. Theresa May and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker shake hands / AP "We have it within our grasp. I've had a real sense from the meetings I've had here and the conversations I've had in recent days that we can achieve that deal. "It's within our grasp to leave with a deal on March 29 and that's where all of my energies are going to be focused." Theresa May and Donald Tusk met once again to discuss Brexit / PA As well as she spoke of a "real determination" to move beyond the impasse. She said: "What I sense in all my conversations with my fellow leaders, both here in Sharm el Sheikh and in recent days, is a real determination to find a way through which allows the UK to leave the EU in a smooth and orderly way with a deal." Mrs May also suggested it could be possible for MPs to vote on a withdrawal deal ahead of it being formally approved by the EU. Asked if MPs could vote on a deal first or whether Brussels would have to approve the agreement before that, the PM said: "It is possible to do it either way." This comes as European Council president Donald Tusk said he believes extending the two-year Article 50 process beyond March 29 is the "rational solution". Also speaking at the EU/League of Arab States summit in Egypt, he said: "Prime Minister May and I discussed yesterday a lot of issues including the legal and procedural context of a potential extension. "For me it is absolutely clear that (if) there is no majority in the House of Commons to approve a deal, we will face an alternative - chaotic Brexit or extension. "The less time there is until March 29, the greater the likelihood of an extension." However, Mrs May dismissed calls for any such delay. She said: "An extension to Article 50, a delay in this process, doesn't deliver a decision in Parliament, it doesn't deliver a deal. L ondoners face being hit by average council tax rises of up to 100 from April, analysis by the Evening Standard reveals. Bills are being driven up by Sadiq Khans drive for extra funds to help police tackle knife crime, and as cash-strapped councils seek more money, particularly for adult social services. Mr Khans 8.9 per cent increase in his share of bills is the biggest hike in his three years as Mayor, and means households will pay City Hall an average of 320.51 a year, up 26.28. His annual budget - of which an average of 242 from every household goes to the Met police - was being rubber-stamped today [Mon] by the London Assembly. Kingston council will again set the capitals highest council tax, with calculations suggesting its benchmark Band D rate will increase by a total of 99.26 to 1,870 once the Mayors precept is included. Residents in Richmond face a 96.78 rise. Harrows bills will rise 95.88. Sutton has proposed a 91.57 hike. Westminster will again set Londons lowest bill, at 753. It is one of three Tory boroughs, with Wandsworth and Kensington and Chelsea, that are in the unusual position of imposing a smaller increase than City Hall. Westminster has benefited by raising 600,000 in additional payments through a voluntary mansion tax on its wealthiest residents. Bills will rise in every one of Londons 33 local authority areas. Some have been forced to end a policy of freezing their share of bills. The City of London Corporation said it was imposing the first rise in a decade. Other proposed increases include 86.35 in Lewisham, 86.31 in Brent, 84.55 in Hounslow, 84.06 in Bromley and 80.19 in Hackney. Lambeth, where bills will rise 58.93, said the Governments failure to secure a Brexit deal had left funding even more uncertain. The average increase across the capital is 71, an Evening Standard analysis of draft council budgets found. Many councils have increased their share of bills by a fraction under five per cent, the maximum permitted by the Government. Much of this is to fund the growing cost of care for the elderly and adults with special needs. Mr Khan increased bills by 4 in his first year, followed by 14 last year. His 2019/20 budget includes money to tackle gang crime and a new violence reduction unit. There were 135 homicides in London last year. He said: This budget has been put together under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. These include the Governments austerity agenda, with huge cuts to the Met police, TfL and other public services - and the threat of a no-deal Brexit. Councils have prioritised child and adult social care at the expense of services such as roads, planning and environment. Cllr Peter John, chairman of London Councils, said boroughs were facing huge challenges due to a 63 per cent cut in core Government funding over the last decade despite a one million rise in the capitals population. He said: Collectively London boroughs are facing a 400 million funding gap in their budgets next year. While historically London boroughs have not increased tax as much as other areas, they are under such financial pressure that they now have no other option. A former Army commando dramatically rescued a sightseer who plunged into the Thames while taking a selfie. Chris Coghlan was kayaking near Westminster Bridge yesterday afternoon when he heard screams of terror as the man fell into the water. The 38-year-old paddled to the victim and managed to get him to cling to his boat for support after he had fallen from the bridge while apparently climbing a lamppost to take photos. Mr Coghlan, who served in the Army for 11 years, told the Standard: I was just about to go under Westminster Bridge when I heard a bit of a commotion. The screaming was what alerted me. I saw a guy falling into the water. He hit the water and went under. I paddled over as quickly as I could and luckily he came back up again. Hero former Army commando Chris Coghlan / Chris Coghlan I reached over to him and got him to hold onto my boat. A couple of people started throwing some life rings and I managed to get him into a ring. Mr Coghlan, who works as a global training delivery manager for a recruitment company, said the Mets specialist marine policing unit and an RNLI lifeboat crew arrived at the scene within minutes. Mr Coghlan added of his rescue: Its certainly not heroic. I was just there and glad to be able to assist those guys doing it day in, day out. The victim, who is believed to have suffered two injured arms, was given first aid and taken to hospital. A Met Police spokesman said: The Marine Policing Unit and RNLI attended the scene and the man was taken to hospital for treatment. His condition is not thought to be life threatening. F our religious campaigners who were convicted after chaining themselves together in a protest against the global arms trade have vowed to fight their case all the way to the Supreme Court. Christopher Cole, Henrietta Cullinan, Joanna Frew and Nora Ziegler formed a blockade outside the ExCel Centre in Docklands as it hosted the 2017 Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) trade fair. The protesters, who describe themselves as people of conscience, were cleared of a criminal charge of obstructing a highway last February, but the High Court overturned the verdict this month, ruling that all four must be convicted. The four, who continue to maintain their innocence, appeared in the dock last week to be sentenced but their lawyer Raj Chada told Thames magistrates court that efforts to take the case to the Supreme Court were already under way. I have no doubt these defendants will be vindicated by history, he said, comparing his clients with the Suffragette movement. Campaigners Christopher Cole, Joanna Frew, Henrietta Cullinan and Nora Ziegler outside court when they were originally cleared / Campaign Against Arms Trade He alleged: Unlawful weapons have been found at four DSEIs in a row. Regimes with a history of mass human rights violations are invited to purchase weapons at DSEI. The protesters used specially-designed locking boxes to bind themselves together in the protest on September 5, 2017, lying down in an access road leading to the ExCel Centre. They were swiftly arrested but it took police around 90 minutes to break them free and clear the blockade, the court heard. Mr Chada said all four defendants were polite and co-operative but were determined and committed to the anti-arms trade movement. They are people of conscience who had a genuine reason to be there, he said, adding that they all assert the importance of faith in the actions they took. The court heard that Frew, 39, and Ziegler, 29, both work for Catholic church-run refugee centres in North London, helping victims of war-torn countries such as Yemen. Cullinan, 57, is a writer and activist, and Cole, 55, who has 16 convictions from protests, is a campaigner against the use of drones in war. District Judge Alison Rose sentenced all four to a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered them each to pay 120 in court costs and fees. The High Court has been asked to approve the protesters grounds for appeal so that the case can be heard in the Supreme Court. A teenager was stabbed to death in a hair salon after being ambushed by thugs armed with knives, a gun and a samurai sword. The 19-year-old victim and another man, 20, were chased by up to a dozen attackers on bicycles who surrounded them outside a cinema in Wood Green. One witness described how the pair sought refuge in the Koffe an Kreem salon where the teenager was stabbed repeatedly by three masked men in front of terrified customers, including several children. Police in Wood Green after the stabbing / PA His friend was stabbed and blasted with a shotgun in what witnesses described as a planned attack. He survived and was said to be stable in hospital today. The victim's friend was stabbed and blasted with a shotgun / PA Detectives are investigating possible gang links to the murder, the 15th in London so far this year. A salon worker told the Standard: There was a brawl outside. One of them ran in and three guys chased him and started stabbing him inside the salon. We were screaming and running. The clients were hiding and we tried to get them out the back. There were 10 of us in the shop, including children. The men were stabbing him in the corner of the shop. When we came out there was blood all over him. He had a lot of wounds. One witness told how the attack began outside the Vue Cinema near Wood Green Tube station. Detectives are investigating a possible gang link to the latest murder / PA He said: I heard three gun shots and one of them hit one of the victims. There were loads of them. The whole thing was definitely planned. The victims are thought to have fled 400 yards to reach their car in Vincent Road, parked outside the salon, while the gang gave chase on pedal cycles. They tried to drive away but reversed into another vehicle and were set upon inside. The salon worker added: The gang came on bikes and jumped on the car. They were breaking the glass and started smashing the car. We were screaming because we could see them holding knives and a gun. Then they came into the shop and we moved out to the back. Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin, who is leading the murder hunt, said: The attackers were armed with at least one firearm, knives and a samurai sword. Some, or possibly all, were riding bikes. She appealed to people who witnessed the attack to come forward saying: I know that people may be reluctant or afraid to speak with police, but making a single call could help to remove dangerous, violent individuals from your area and all information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence. A relative of the victim wrote on social media: You took a child away from his mother, a brother away from his siblings, a dad away from his daughter. But you took the worst thing ever you possibly could from me you took my cousin, my brother my best friend.. the left lung to my right and now life will never be the same. The killing came nearly a year after rapper Kelvin Odunuyi, 19, known as DipDat, was shot dead outside the cinema last March. A stretch of Vincent Road remained sealed off this morning, and mourners had placed floral tributes at the edge of the police cordon. One read: To my handsome cuz. Gone way too soon. Forever in my heart. Until we meet again. The killing is thought to be the latest blood spilt in an ongoing feud between gangs in Wood Green and neighbouring Tottenham. At least six other teenagers were stabbed in knife violence across London over the weekend in separate attacks in Southwark, Camberwell and Tottenham Hale. None of the injured are life threatening. A man in his 20s is critically ill in hospital after being shot in Enfield early on Saturday. A teenager has been charged with murder after a man was fatally stabbed at a south London youth club. Glendon Spence, 23, from Lewisham, was chased into the Marcus Lipton youth centre in Brixton and knifed last Thursday evening. Paramedics battled to save him but he died at the scene shortly before 7.30pm. A relative told the Standard: It hurts me to hear this because he is young only 23... now there is no future for him. Scotland Yard said a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged on Sunday. A 22-year-old man was shot dead in a north London cemetery after meeting a former friend to resolve their bad blood, a court has heard. Ismail Tanrikulu shouted you think its me before he was fatally shot on the morning of September 3 last year in Tottenham Cemetery, jurors were told. The Old Bailey on Monday heard a bullet passed through his arm and into his abdomen. His alleged killer, 21-year-old Musa Duru, had fallen out with Mr Tanrikulu before the meeting in north London, it was claimed. Duru was allegedly accompanied by a second man who was seen on CCTV carrying a "man bag" over his shoulder as they entered the cemetery with a loaded gun. Within days of the shooting, the second man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, fled to Turkey, jurors heard. Prosecutor Julian Evans said told how Mr Tanrikulu had gone to the cemetery with his cousin, who had parked up and waited outside in his Audi. Mr Evans said: "By that September morning, Ismail Tanrikulu and Musa Duru were well known to one another and, for a time it would seem, it appeared they had been on friendly terms. "However, by that morning it would appear there had been some sort of falling out between the two of them. "As he left the Audi, Mr Tanrikulu was planning to meet Musa Duru - in doing so he hoped no doubt to sort out the issue between them amicably." The witness allegedly heard his cousin shout "you think it's me" moments before two load bangs. He reversed his car for a better view and saw Mr Tanrikulu lying on the ground, with his head down and holding his side, the court heard. The second alleged killer held up the man bag and pointed it towards him, prompting the witness to speed off in his car, the prosecutor said. Mr Evans said the identities of the men in the cemetery were not in dispute but the circumstances of the shooting were. He told jurors it would be claimed on Duru's behalf that the victim had stolen some cannabis. The defendant would say Mr Tanrikulu had been aggressive towards him at the cemetery and there was a scuffle when the second man stepped in. Duru claimed he was walking away when he heard the shot and was later told it was Mr Tanrikulu's gun. But Mr Evans said: "It is the prosecution's case that by the morning of September 3 last year there had been a falling out between the defendant and Mr Tanrikulu. "That morning, by phone, arrangements had been made for the two of them to meet." He said Duru and the second man had acted together "as a team" and had armed themselves with a loaded gun. He added: "The bad blood that did exist was between Mr Tanrikulu and this defendant Mr Duru." Duru, of Great Cambridge Road, Tottenham, north London, has denied murder. F raudsters are targeting Boris bike users to get free rides on the cycle network in a scam leaving people hundreds of pounds out of pocket. Payment dodgers are operating at docks in tourist-friendly areas with a scheme known as cycle surfing. They hover around the payment machines and look at the codes people are given on their receipts to release the Santander Cycles. They then punch in the code at the docks before the legitimate user and cycle off. The paying customer confused or thinking there has been an error when they cant get a bike out themselves goes to the machine and gets a new code, often none the wiser that they have been scammed. But they are hit with huge costs when the bikes are used for hours or not returned. Charges of up to 300 are incurred if a bike is damaged or not returned. Transport for London today issued a warning to people to keep their codes safe and have recently installed CCTV cameras at docks in Hyde Park Corner and South Kensington, where they have seen the most incidents. Rachel Dickson, 25, was sightseeing in London when she was cycle surfed while hiring a bike at Hyde Park Corner. Days later she noticed 94 had come out of her account. She told the Standard: I was shocked when I saw how much money had been taken. I spent an hour on the phone with various people from TfL and Action Fraud and was told Id been cycle surfed. Its beyond belief that people would spend their days loitering by docked bikes to rack up fines in someone elses name. That is a lot of money to me and is the difference between being able to afford my food shop or car insurance. Miss Dickson was later refunded by TfL. A TfL spokesman said there were 37 confirmed cases last year, but admitted the number could be much higher as some people may not report or realise that they had been scammed. Victims online say they have been charged 300 when cycle-surfed bikes taken out under their name are not returned. Code print-outs and stickers on docks carry warnings to users that codes should be treated with the same privacy as card pins. Police are also working with TfL. In the summer, staff will be on hand at the busiest cycle stations to watch the machines. David Eddington, head of cycle hire at TfL, said: We are aware of rare incidents of pin surfing ... and are committed to tackling this. A Met Police spokesman said reported incidents were rare, but added: The Met is working with TfL and the Royal Parks Agency to tackle this type of offending we will act if there is specific types of offending at certain locations. A man has been charged with attempted murder after a teenager was shot at a London tube station. Beinvenu Vangu of Wood Green, north London, was arrested by firearms officers from in the High Street in Southend-on-Sea on Saturday evening. He was detained on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the incident at Barking tube station on Wednesday. The victim was taken to hospital. A bullet was discovered inside his abdomen. I f Dubai looks like the future, then Abu Dhabi feels like the past. Its hard not to compare this city, in an archipelago in the Arabian Sea, with its swaggering neighbour. Both have cloud-piercing skyscrapers, a multitude of reclaimed sandbanks and ever-wackier tourism attractions (do you prefer Atlantiss nine-storey flume or the Ferrari rollercoaster at Abu Dhabis Yas Island?). Generally, Abu Dhabi is considered the more conservative of the pair. The tallest building is just 92 floors, rather than the 160 storeys of the Burj Khalifa, and the brunches and happy hours arent quite as raucous, Im told. This difference is key to its tourism. As Dubai gets bigger and increasingly bonkers, Abu Dhabi seems to be defining itself by doing the opposite. A case in point is its latest attraction. With Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi has looked to a new superlative: oldest. The historic complex, which opened at the end of last year, is a sensitive replica of an 18th-century fortress, the oldest building in the Emirati capital. Its been rebuilt in the exact spot where the original fortress stood, which today is buried in Abu Dhabis downtown amid drab businessy blocks very different to how it looked when it was built in 1790. The Qasr Al Hosn complex encompasses the fort and watchtowers, a new house of artisans and the Cultural Foundation, which has a childrens library, exhibition rooms filled with Emirati artwork and gorgeous aquamarine tiled arches at the entrance. Altogether, the site packs quite a tourism punch. Start at Qasr Al Hosn fort, the most impressive section (some original stone walls remain look inside the first watchtower). In more than two centuries this stone palace has had many guises: seat of government and royal home among them. Today its designed to be a living museum of Abu Dhabis history. 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}} Its hard for Qasr Al Hosn not to feel anachronistic, given the rest of the city is so modern. But still, theres a slow, breezy feeling when walking into the courtyard, helped by the year-round sun streaming through into the fort. After a night hitting the beers at the Four Seasons, Qasr Al Hosn feels like the only place to find some quiet in the capital. Living museum: the Louvre Abu Dhabi houses artists as varied as Ai Weiwei, Manet and Mondrian, alongside Middle Eastern antiquities / Alamy Stock Photo Painted stark white, the fort now houses a museum full of original artefacts from the Bani Yas tribe, who founded the city, alongside some arresting imagery of the tourism growth of Abu Dhabi. Engaging multimedia exhibitions, including video and audio, have also been incorporated for when you dont want to look at items such as a dried-out goat skin (used as a desert water bottle, apparently). One of the most photogenic places in the complex is on the second floor of the fort, which also houses its own exhibition rooms. Then theres the House of Artisans next door, which promotes local arts and crafts. But the highlight is the gahwa, the traditional Arabic coffee ceremony, which involves kneeling on the floor and drinking mini-cups of cardamom and rosewater coffee, accompanied by delicious dates. If Qasr Al Hosn is to become a lightning rod for a different type of UAE tourist, its got some competition: notably the Louvre Abu Dhabi , which opened at the end of 2017. The palace courtyard at Qasr Al Hosn / Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi/Roland Halbe This landmark art gallery, designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, houses artists as varied as Ai Weiwei, Manet and Mondrian, alongside some impressive Middle Eastern antiquities. Galleries are arranged off a central, light-filled plaza, which gives the odd feeling of being both inside and outside at the same time. Its almost a shame that Im staying at Al Bateen marinas Edition hotel the citys newest property, opened in November 2018 and designed by boutique hotel pioneer Ian Schrager. Theres a kinetic artwork above the lobby, plants sprouting from every corner and a dimly lit, sexy-as-hell steak restaurant. There will always be new things to see and places to stay and eat and drink in Abu Dhabi. But perhaps the new-old Qasr Al Hosn is the most persuasive of the lot. Details: Abu Dhabi Etihad (etihad.com) flies direct from Heathrow to Abu Dhabi from 470 return. L ondons celebrated cooks Melissa Hemsley, Tom Hunt and Tess Ward are calling for Londoners to ensure their morning coffee is Fairtrade, following a group trip to Africa where they saw first-hand how a pioneering Women in Coffee project can be the ultimate recipe for success. For many of us coffee is our morning salvation - we drink a staggering 55 million cups of coffee a day in the UK and its the second most popular drink in the world, after water. But the brand of coffee we choose to drink can genuinely be a lifeline against poverty. The world is so out of our control but we can make very simple choices to help make it better. I really believe in voting with your spending power, says Eat Happy author Hemsley. WOMEN IN COFFEE Hemsley, Hunt and Ward travelled more than 6,500 miles to Kenyas lush, green and mountainous Nandi Hills to see for themselves how Women in Coffee is transforming the position of females in society. In rural Kenya its still widely unacceptable for women to own their own land or coffee bushes. So, although women typically do an estimated 70 per cent of the work in the home and on the farms, until recently it was only men who received any form of payment. Food. Bars. Going out. 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}} Once paid, it was not uncommon for them to disappear for days on end or until the majority of the cash was spent. Keen to break this negative cycle, a few male members of a Fairtrade cooperative in the Nandi Hills set up the Women In Coffee scheme whereby husbands give a minimum of 50 coffee bushes to their wives - around a quarter of what they own. This means women can register as members of cooperative societies, open bank accounts and receive a direct income for the work they do, for the very first time. The results have been life changing for the women and their families. This has given a lot of hope to my children in so many ways, says Veronica Too from Kapkiyai cooperative, who now has four children in high school. Before my children would miss school because I didnt have school fees. I had to say wait until your father comes back. Now if they need anything they can come to me and do not suffer. The Women In Coffee scheme has been so successful there are now more than 500 smallholder women coffee farmers who own an average of 250 coffee bushes each, according to the latest Fairtrade reports HOW FAIRTRADE WORKS Fairtrade sets a minimum price that farmer organisations are paid for coffee - regardless of its price on the stock exchange. Farmers receive an additional Fairtrade Premium - 25% of this must be used to enhance productivity and quality Fairtrade provides technical support and helps farmers to build better relationships with buyers. EQUAL SHOT The chefs learned how to cook traditional Kenyan dishes such as ugali (a cornmeal porridge) with the women in their homes. Hemsley says: Ive never seen women cook over fire in a blackened room with just one tiny window. We had to walk out to breathe, but they have to do this three times every day. Chris Terry They drank a lot of tea while learning about their lives because most of the farmers, earning about 80p a day from coffee and living below the poverty line, cant afford to drink the coffee they produce. The chefs also walked to the fields to pick coffee cherries with the women. It was so incredibly powerful. I had no idea about the levels of effort that go into coffee production, says Hemsley. I now have such a respect for coffee growers and Im careful not waste one bean. I even had a row with my boyfriend when I saw him sweep precious coffee dust onto the floor. WOMEN IN COFFEE This years Fairtrade Fortnight focuses on women, with the #SheDeserves campaign calling for all farmers to earn a living wage. This campaign is important because its vocalising the unheard voice of the farmers wife - a woman with a story and a journey thats interesting and vital, says Ward. Incredibly, women are now producing almost double the amount of coffee cherries per bush than men, and this increase in productivity continues to rise. Plus, more than 70 per cent of the coffee they produce is now of premium quality because of their hard work and dedication. This has led to healthy competition between the sexes, inspiring men to rise the challenge to produce more and better coffee. Even more importantly, its changing the dynamics within the family; men who were initially reluctant to gift their wives coffee bushes now talk openly about how they have more respect for their wives. We know we have to change and learn from our wives, says chairman of neighbouring Kibukwo cooperative, Haron Biy. SPILL THE BEANS: COFFEE IN NUMBERS - Around 80% of the worlds coffee is produced in developing countries by 25 million small holders with less than 10 hectares of land - Many coffee farmers live on less than $2 a day - Globally, five corporations control around 50% of the roasting and marketing of coffee (Kraft, Nestle, Sara Lee, Proctor & Gamble, Tchibo) - In the UK we drink 55 million cups of coffee a day GROUNDS FOR CHANGE This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Fairtrade foundation, which was launched in response to persistent appeals for fairness in trade from Mexican coffee farmers following the collapse of world coffee prices in the late 1980s. Coffee farmers rang the alarm bell again last year, due to the price of coffee beans dropping to a 12-year low. Although prices have recovered slightly, unstable markets threaten the already fragile existence of 25 million farming families worldwide. The coffee produced by these women is not yet sold in the UK, but coffee that doesnt exploit farmers is a choice we can all make. Fairtrade's certification is vital in today's vast global food system. They provide certainty of origin and good farming practice in an otherwise faceless supply chain that often has little integrity, says eco-chef Hunt. Collectively consumers rule the market place. The demand for Fairtrade goods is often smaller than the availability, meaning that farmers don't get Fairtrade benefits for all the food they sell. This is a good incentive for us to buy more Fairtrade products to ensure that farmers receive the benefits and price they deserve. T he winners have been revealed, the speeches have been made and the after-parties are calling last orders 2019 awards season is officially over. The three biggest award ceremonies of the year have concluded, with the Oscars springing a few surprises on Sunday night. Green Book upset the odds by beating Roma to the Best Picture prize, providing the biggest shock at this year's a star-studded ceremony. Olivia Colman also became the first British woman to win the Leading Actress Oscar since Kate Winslet in 2009, while Mahershala Ali picked up his second Oscar in two years. This year, the Oscars, BAFTAs and Golden Globes seem to be in alignment which isnt always the case. While there were a few interesting discrepancies in the Best Picture categories, most prizes were similar across the board. From heavy favourites to rank outsiders, these are the biggest overall awards winners of the 2019 awards. Best Picture Oscars: Green Book BAFTAs: Roma, (Outstanding British Film The Favourite) Golden Globes: Bohemian Rhapsody (Drama) & Green Book (Musical or Comedy) Surprisingly, Green Book has turned out the be the success story of 2019, beating the much-fancied movies Roma and The Favourite. The civil rights film won at the Oscars despite facing a backlash for being helmed by white director and writer Peter Farrelly, doubling down on its success at the Golden Globes. Overall winner: Green Book Best Director (REUTERS) / Reuters Oscars: Alfonso Cuaron BAFTAs: Alfonso Cuaron Golden Globes: Alfonso Cuaron Alfonso Cuaron was clearly the big winner across all three ceremonies for his stunning work on Roma. In fact, the unanimous acclaim the filmmaker received this year makes it all the more surprising that Green Book was the one to pick up Best Picture. Overall winner: Alfonso Cuaron Best Actor (REUTERS) / Reuters Oscars: Rami Malek BAFTAs: Rami Malek Golden Globes: Rami Malek (Drama), Christian Bale (Musical or Comedy) For all of Bohemian Rhapsodys flaws, of which there were plenty, Maleks performance was the driving force that helped raise it into Oscars contention. Its a fitting tribute to Freddie Mercury, and probably the strongest performance in an otherwise relatively weak Best Actor category. Overall winner: Rami Malek Best Actress Getty Images Oscars: Olivia Colman BAFTAs: Olivia Colman Golden Globes: Glenn Close (Drama), Olivia Colman (Musical or Comedy) For British comedy fans, seeing Soph from Peep Show pick up a Best Actress Oscar at last nights ceremony was quite a thrill. Colman fought off competition from The Wifes Glenn Close to win the award, emerging as one of the biggest success stories and most likeable stars of this years awards season. Overall winner: Olivia Colman Best Supporting Actor (REUTERS) / Reuters Oscars: Mahershala Ali BAFTAs: Mahershala Ali Golden Globes: Mahershala Ali Mahershala Alis performance as Dr Don Shirley in Green Book earned him all three gongs for Best Supporting Actor this year, two years after winning in the category for Moonlight. Like with the Best Actor prize, the category was arguably the weakest at this years events, with Ali always looking likely to win out. Overall winner: Mahershala Ali Best Supporting Actress Winner: Regina King described her awards season experience as "surreal" / Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images Oscars: Regina King BAFTAs: Rachel Weisz Golden Globes: Regina King Regina King was mesmerising in Barry Jenkins' Moonlight follow-up, If Beale Street Could Talk. Despite strong competition from The Favourites Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone, many predicted that King would be the one to win the prize at this years awards including the Standards Matthew Norman and she duly obliged. A nd so it is: not like they said it would be. For an award show so often sneered at for its predictability, this year was the most surprising in a while. The best picture winner, Green Book, wasnt given much of a fighting chance, though it had already picked up a Golden Globe for Best Musical or Comedy (while light-hearted film full of songs, Bohemian Rhapsody, curiously was named Best Drama). Olivia Colman was a delight as the mercurial Queen Anne, but most thought that Glenn Close, after seven nominations, might finally take home a golden statuette. It wasnt to be. Below are our reviews of the biggest winning films, ordered according to their overall success. Where a film is missing, it hasnt been reviewed by the Standard's critics. Bohemian Rhapsody Rami Malek wins the Best Actor Oscar for Bohemian Rhapsody Alright on the night? Four wins, including Remi Malek for Best Actor, Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing, and John Ottman for Best Film Editing. Standards seal of the approval? Two stars. Given two of these awards came for sound mixing and sound editing, we suspect the Academy may be big fans of Freddie Mercury and the gang. This Queen biopic, also nominated for Best Picture, was summed as a borderline jukebox musical in Matthew Normans dismissive review, which slammed the picture as one weighed down by the prissiness and for its retrograde aura of made-for-TV competence. Malek came off a little better, with Norman calling his turn a fine performance. Not exactly stunning, though; If only there was an Oscar for Best Orthodontic Prosthetic. Orally, Malek is the spit. Damning by faint praise. Roma Alfonso Cuaron wins Best Director Oscar for Roma Alright on the night? Three wins, including Best Foreign Language Film, Best Cinematography and Best Director for Alfonso Cuaron. Standards seal of approval? Five stars. Alfonso Cuarons delicate, gorgeous tribute to Mexico impressed from the off; in an early review, from the Venice Film Festival, David Sexton lavished its extraordinary effect of yearning and tenderness in a five star review, while later Guy Lodge also awarding it the full five called it a gorgeous monochromatic Spanish-language memory piece. Its entirely riveting to watch, shot through with intense pain, wrote Lodge, a true intimate epic. Black Panther Black Panther actors urge directors to 'be open-minded' at European premiere Alright on the night? Three wins; Ruth E Carter for Best Costume Design, Hannah Beachler and Jay Gart for Best Production Design, and Ludwig Goransson for Best Original Score. Standards seal of approval? Five stars. Though this Marvel epic missed out on all the major awards, two of the wins will be marked down in the history books, with Ruth Carter the first black winner for Best Costume Design award, and Hannah Beachler, the first black winner for Best Production Design. The film impressed Matthew Norman, who hailed it as impressive as it is overdue noting that Black Panther first made his comic book debut in 1966. The film demands superlatives, went on Norman, praising director Ryan Coogler for pull[ing] off a demi-miracle here by making an aesthetically gorgeous and fun-laden film that has much to say about the plundering of African wealth and global racial oppression without straying into didacticism. By our reading, Panther deserved to do better. Green Book Green Book wins Best Picture at the Oscars Alright on the night? Three wins, including the coveted Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for Mahershala Ali, and Best Original Screenplay for Brian Hayes Currie, Peter Farrelly and Nick Vallelonga. Standards seal of approval? Three stars. Matthew Normans three star review isnt kind to the film. Panning it as schmaltzy, the Standards chief film critic reserves his praise for the two sublime performances from Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali (majestic). The film itself, though? Even without the controversies, it would be absurd if it won the Oscar for Best Picture writes Norman, With BlackKklansman also on the list of nominees it doesnt even deserve Best Picture About Historic US Racism Featuring an Unlikely Black and White Partnership. Other winners, in brief The Favourite Olivia Colman wins Actress in a Leading Role for The Favourite Alright on the night? One win; Best Actress for Olivia Colman. Standards seal of approval? Five stars . The headline says it all: All bow down to Queen Olivia Colman. Charlotte OSullivans witty review says Colman always brilliant, has never seemed more divine, praising her performance for [tugging] us into the strangest of realms. If Beale Street Could Talk If Beale Street Could Talk Exclusive Interview With KiKi Layne, Stephan James & Barry Jenkins Alright on the night? One win; Best Supporting Actress for Regina King. Standards seal of approval? Five stars. In short, this lone win is not enough. Calling it director Barry Jenkins finest work, Matthew Normans glittering review correctly calls Regina King as surely a dead cert for Best Supporting Actress for her electrifyingly anguished turn as Tishs mother, Sharon. BlacKKKlansman Spike Lee wins his first Oscar for Blackkklansman Alright on the night? One win; Best Adapted Screenplay for Spike Lee, David Rabinowitz, Charlie Wachtel and Kevin Willmott. Standards seal of approval? Five stars. Spike Lee was unlucky to miss out on Best Picture here; Every time someone's driving somebody I lose, he driely put it, post-ceremony. Matthew Norman might have been less gracious. In his semi-historical biopic of white supremacists, Lee does more than control the rage. He refines it with riotous wit into a stiletto, and is all the more lethal for that. From our review, BlacKKKlansman was robbed. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse Clip - Gotta Go Alright on the night? One win, for Best Animated Feature (ending Disneys six year reign). Standards seal of approval? Four stars. The script, co-written by Lego legend Phil Lord, is saucy, heartfelt and smart, wrote Charlotte OSullivan, Its good for morale. A Star Is Born Lady Gaga wins her first Oscar for A Star is Born Alright on the night? One win, for Best Original Song (Shallow). Standards seal of approval? Five stars. Shallow, co-written like all the numbers in a sparkling soundtrack by Gaga and Cooper, [is] a dead cert for the Oscar said Matthew Norman, right once more. First Man Interview with Chazelle and Claire, First Man Alright on the night? One win, for Best Visual Effects. Standards seal of approval? Four stars. This last, largely silent, section on the moon itself is rightly awe-inspiring but it takes the movie a long time to get up there, said David Sexton. Vice Vice Exclusive Interview With Adam McKay Alright on the night? One win, for Best Makeup and Hair. Standards seal of approval? Three stars. From the grip of post-war austerity sprang Christian Diors New Look and a silhouette that would kick-start a new outlook for women of the late Forties. And from Thatchers Britain emerged the world of the Blitz Kids where men wore make-up, women sought warped perfection and David Bowie carried messiah status. Undoubtedly, a quick flick through any fashion history anthology confirms that in a time of crisis, the default approach of the costumier is not to retreat into its shell but rather to seize the opportunity to redecorate it. Last nights Oscars, a spectacle that saw custom creations from the most recent round of Paris couture shows unveiled on the red carpet, stands as proof that in a time of uncertainty, political discontent and gender disparity, courage prevails. Certainly, the more is more sensibility that defines the mood in the ateliers of Paris right now seemed to play out, with the slick, low-key gowns that have be-come a regular at the Academy Awards almost entirely absent. 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}} The ceremony was staged just three days after Anna Wintour and curator Andrew Bolton presented a preview to Camp: Notes on Fashion, the Costume Institutes upcoming exhibition which opens at New Yorks Met Museum in May, and takes its lead from Susan Sontags essay. It was a night packed with frivolity, fuss and fanfare, in harmony with the zeitgeist. Maya Rudolph attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards / Getty Images Pepto-Bismol pink, head-to-toe metallic and men in ballgowns emerge as the takeaway themes. The aesthetic an intentional and defiant contrast, masterminded by the same guestlist who attended last years ceremony in all-black outfits to demonstrate their allegiance to the emerging #MeToo movement marks a new age of rebellion. Leading the charge was British actress Gemma Chan. Sporting a multi-tiered flamingo-pink gown from Pierpaolo Picciolis most recent couture collection for Valentino an offering that received a standing ovation when it was presented in January Chan headlined a night of dresses that embodied an aesthetic of which Bolton will undoubtedly approve. Not least because its colour matches the signature palette of the upcoming exhibition. Gemma Chan at the 2019 Oscars / Getty Images There is a generosity to camp, as well as a great sophistication, said Bolton to industry insiders attending the preview, held at a puppet theatre in Milan last week (where else?). Last nights line-up of dresses mirrored this juxtaposition with pink serving as both a beacon of beauty and a plaything. Other ambassadors of the evenings most popular hue included Birdboxs Sarah Paulson, who chose a bubble gown by Brandon Maxwell, and Maya Rudolph, who wore a bubblegum-pink floral print gown and cape by Giambattista Valli. Sarah Paulson at the 2019 Oscars / Getty Images When they werent head-to-toe in neon fuchsia, the stars of the screen flourished with oversized bows, blouson sleeves and lashings of feathers. JLo, a woman so brilliantly conspicuous shed have been perfectly at home in the court of Versailles, chose a shattered mirrored cocktail gown by Tom Ford to attend last nights festivities, while Chrissy Teigen showed up at Vanity Fairs after-party in a feather-trimmed gown. Jennifer Lopez at the 2019 Oscars / Getty Images The event also offered the opportunity to toy with gender conventions a key focus of the exhibition. Shangela, star of RuPauls Drag Race, chose a gown by New York designer Diego Montoya, while Billy Porter stole the show in a tuxedo gown by Christian Siriano. In a world that wears its troubles on its sleeves, an Oscars night defined by excess and extravagance seems inevitable. W hen I was pregnant, I had lunch with a taut, snippy writer from American Vogue who had written a dull book about the hair-colouring habits of Manhattan socialites. Her publisher had refused to send it to me, I think out of embarrassment. At the time the papers were full of the Iraq war indeed, Id spent the morning ghosting a Comment piece for Andy McNab but this writer lent across the table, switched off my tape recorder and savaged me for not having read her canon of work on, I dont know, hemlines. I felt boiling rage as I left the restaurant. I was reminded of it this week when I looked at Luciana Berger and the Duchess of Sussex (Meghan Markle), and the unremitting onslaught of needless bile that both these pregnant women are subjected to. How do they stay sane? And is this dehumanisation of vulnerable women the real marker of how low society has sunk? My first reaction to the fashion troll was to refuse to write the interview. But my editor suggested I let loose. Write what happened, he said. Perhaps my anger was infectious: he slapped that particular broadsheets first ever use of the word bitch in the headline. Now, I am not pretending that boiling rage is an emotion unfamiliar to me, but boiling rage while feeling hormonal and vulnerable is a potent cocktail, as any woman who has been pregnant will attest. (I still wince with guilt when I think of the poor old lady who came over to tell me my toddler was too noisy in a cafe the day before I gave birth to my third.) And then theres the hormone switch post-birth, which takes you by the hand to the cliff-edge of emotion. Your boobs feel like a life vest suddenly inflated inside the aircraft, and the idea that something might happen to this small, damp, defenceless creature, wholly in your care, makes you hallucinate. Which brings me to Shamima Begum, the 19-year-old Isis bride who left Bethnal Green aged 15 thinking she was heading for the sunlit uplands of the caliphate, and has just had her third baby in the grim surroundings of al-Hol refugee camp. Begums British citizenship is being revoked, in part because of interviews she gave (some while still pregnant) in which she said she was unfazed by the sight of a severed head in a bin. She was also unwilling to condemn the evil that is Islamic State ideology. "What do those screaming abuse at her from the comfort of British sitting rooms want her to say?" I am not excusing her appalling decision to immerse herself in this hell on earth, or gloss over what she has said. But I have covered war. War is trauma. Her instinct to survive is visceral. Camp inhabitants say they have spotted former IS soldiers who have shaved off their beards trying to hide nearby. What do those screaming abuse at her from the comfort of British sitting rooms want her to say when faced with this threat? Nor should they forget the deaths of Shamimas first two babies arguably a medieval form of punishment in itself. Surely the mark of a good society is understanding and empathy, especially for those in the thrall of raging hormones and blind fear. Theyre dazed and confused in Labour Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Tom Watson / Getty Images When I interviewed him for Fridays paper, John McDonnell told me he agreed with Labour deputy Tom Watson that there was racist bullying in the Labour Party. There wasnt room to quote him on this but I was struck by the contrast in mood when I saw Jeremy Corbyn tell Sky News that he did not agree with Watson and would be speaking to [him] in the near future. McDonnell and Corbyn are often seen as interchangeable. Certainly they are close in and out of each others offices all day as one special adviser put it and have been since their Seventies demo days. But McDonnell is as awake as Watson to the vitriol in Labour. He said: I agree with [Watson], hes expressed real concerns. And weve got to deal with it. On media outriders that stoke fires supposedly on Labours behalf, he said: When you have a big movement like ours, people get attracted to it. Some of those we dont want associated with us. He had a message for them: Just because someone disagrees with you on something, doesnt mean they are automatically the enemy. The multi-tasking world of journalism Half-term in Dorset was cut short by convulsions in Westminster, so I took my son to our Lobby office in the Commons. He had a Twix in Portcullis House (the lunch queue was too long), saw Business Secretary Greg Clark make a statement on Honda, and heard Speaker John Bercow say or-daaaah. I was about eight when an embarrassing conversation at a sleepover corrected my awkwardly long-held belief that teachers, too, wore uniform. Every Miss and Mrs at the front of the classes so far had sported the same basic M&S skirt, top and wedge ensemble. It was an easy mistake to make. Not so at secondary school. At assembly on my first day at North London Collegiate School, the headmistress, Bernice McCabe, strode onto the stage in a fire-engine red Armani suit, spiked heels, swishy auburn hair, immaculate make-up. Her daily audiences were us bratty, spotty teens, but even at the Oscars, McCabe might have been the most glamorous woman in the room. Her smartness wasnt just in appearance: in assembly speeches, at the table-clothed lunches where shed invite a handful of students to her flower-filled office, and in the English lessons she taught year sevens, McCabe would sprinkle her lifes learnings; the kind of things the National Curriculum never touches on that maybe you wouldnt use until decades later. She was upfront to us career-hungry teens that life involves choices. Years before wed be thinking about families, shed tell us: You can have it all, but not necessarily at the same time. How often Ive realised thats true: you can have a stratospheric career and kids, if you outsource them; but you cant be a school-gate parent and hit every professional milestone youve ever aimed for. You have to pick your priorities. Those who pretend otherwise are lying. Be wonderful, McCabe told departing students; do something amazing. The heads softly-spoken wisdom has stayed in my head more than any bit of algebra. Its a shock to think of this vibrant woman in the past tense; she died last week too young, at 66, from brain cancer. A passionate teacher impacts pupils more than they will ever know. Watery warning falls flat at pool A notice on the wall at my local swimming pool makes me wonder if sign-makers, like journalists, are now being paid per word. Please, it reads, be aware the changing room floors might have excess moisture on them. I pondered whether its creator had to think for a very long time before finding umpteen words to replace the warning Wet floor! George Orwells rules for effective writing came to mind: Never use a long word where a short one will do. Especially when the extra time required to read the verbose text means youre far more likely to end up falling flat on your face. iFail... time to file me under tech oldie Camila Mendes stars in Riverdale / Getty Images After years of being my familys go-to IT helpdesk, I had my first tech fail, I am old moment at the weekend. My niece was showing me the show Riverdale, starring Camila Mendes and KJ Apa on her Mac. I was already feeling out of touch but it took me a while to work out why she was doubled over, laughing at me. Too used to my tablet and iPhone, it turned out Id been ineffectually jabbing at the Macs (non-touch) screen in a fruitless attempt to fill the screen. Theres nothing like tech to make you feel ancient: memories of floppy disks, overhead projectors, dial-up internet, and Snake on the Nokia 3210 mean even us millennials are out(tech)dated. NHS managers deserve credit How easy it is to moan about the NHS wasting money from a dinner-party distance away. Too many managers, not enough doctors is the usual cry from the chatterati as well as politicians. P rimark can cope with the sudden emergence of summer weather in winter, the fashion retailer said on Monday. The chains finance boss, John Bason, said he preferred the recent warm weather to the Beast from the East, which hit High Street retailers sales this time last year. He added that shorts and T-shirts have been selling well. Sudden changes in weather can often cause retailers supply chain headaches. Last year we had the famous Beast from the East I know which one I prefer, said Bason. Primarks parent company, Associated British Foods, expects a 2% fall in same-store sales at Primark in the 24 weeks to March 2, dragged down by poorer sales on the Continent. It flagged up weak trading in Germany, where Primark would now be looking to sell some store space. Despite this, half-year profits at the chain will be well up, Bason said, thanks to a much higher margin and fewer markdowns. L egal & General Investment Management, the UKs largest asset manager, poached a veteran operations executive on Monday to become chief executive of the 980 billion division Michelle Scrimgeour, who has spent 30 years in the industry, will join from rival funds firm Columbia Threadneedle, where she is chief executive for Europe, the middle east and Africa. She replaces Mark Zinkula, who steps down in August after eight years leading LGIM. Scrimgeour, who was born in London and educated in Sheffield, will also join the L&G board. Chief executive Nigel Wilson said: Her practical, collegiate and customer-focused approach will further bolster LGIMs unique culture, leveraging its strong synergies with the broader L&G Group, and building on the outstanding job Zink has done since 2011. The appointment comes at a critical time for LGIM, which grew assets by a third last year but faces similar pressure to the rest of the industry with more competition and tighter margins. Scrimgeour worked for a variety of fund management houses before Threadneedle, including Mercury Asset Management, BlackRock and M&G Investments, where she was chief risk officer. The appointment adds another senior woman to the ranks of FTSE 100 L&G, which includes general insurance chief Cheryl Agius and L&G Retirement co-head Laura Mason. Columbia Threadneedle, owned by US giant Ameriprise Financial, is on the hunt for a replacement. Chief executive Ted Truscott said: Michelle will continue in her role and be with us for the next few months. The switch is the latest executive move in the fund management industry. HARTFORD It was almost 11 p.m., but U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes picked up the phone. To call Elizabeth Esty. The House Judiciary Committee had just approved a bill that would require universal background checks for gun buyers. It was the first major gun legislation to make it out of committee in decades, and Hayes wanted Esty, her predecessor representing Connecticuts 5th District, to know. She answered and she said, Did you dial me by accident? And I said, The amendment just passed out of committee, described Hayes, who became teary recounting the story at a news conference at the State Capitol Monday. There was a long silence and then I could hear her crying on the other end of the phone. This week, the Democrat-controlled U.S. House of Representatives, including Hayes, will vote on the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, which expands the background check requirement to private transactions, with exemptions. The House has also scheduled a vote on legislation that would extend the deadline for federal background checks from three business days to as many as 20, closing the so-called Charleston Loophole. The bills are expected to pass largely along party lines with limited support from Republicans. Chances are very slim they will pass the Republican-controlled Senate. But for Connecticut legislators and advocates who have pushed for federal gun reform since the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, even passage by one chamber is a step forward. Esty, who took office weeks after the school massacre, served on the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. She decided not to seek re-election in 2018 after widespread criticism of her handling of a sexual harassment scandal in her office. I know she left this seat feeling like her work had not been done, that she left this seat feeling like she had not been your champion in Congress on this issue, said Hayes. She was so excited and she was so happy and so grateful [when the bill passed committee] because I know it was something that kept her awake at night. Esty did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Connecticuts Congressional delegation has been vocal on the issue of gun violence, even though the state has some of the strongest gun laws in the nation. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said gun laws are only as strong as the weakest states legislation, because the weapons can move across state borders. He called the vote this week a historic turning point. We are at a moment of opportunity we need to seize, he said. He hoped the more House members who vote for the bills, the more senators will back them. emunson@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson STAMFORD A raid that began with the forced entry of a West Side home Sunday night netted an illegal pistol hidden in a ceiling and a prohibited high-capacity magazine capable of holding over 30 bullets. Jaden Brayboy, 18, of Finney Lane was charged with interfering with a search, criminal possession of a pistol, possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, and possession of a large capacity magazine. At Brayboys arraignment early Monday afternoon, a Stamford judge ordered him held in lieu of a $150,000 court-appearance bond. Capt. Richard Conklin said that officers in the Narcotics and Organized Crime squad heard on the street that Brayboy was in possession of a pistol and that he was selling marijuana. With that information, the officers were able to get a search-and-seizure warrant for his Finney Lane apartment in part because Brayboy was on probation and prohibited from possessing a firearm. Police from the SWAT Special Response Team and NOC officers gathered at the apartment at about 8:30 p.m. Sunday. The officers announced they were at the door to serve the search warrant, but heard nothing from the occupants of the apartment. After waiting a reasonable amount of time, the officers breached the front and rear entrances. Officers used a loudspeaker to order the occupants out of the house. Only after about seven minutes and after being threatened with being bitten by a police dog who was about to be sent into the home did Brayboy and his friend Tyrik Gill, 20, of Whitmore Lane, come out of the apartment voluntarily, Conklin said. When police searched the home, they found a Glock 23, .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol with the illegal high-capacity magazine in the drop ceiling of Brayboys bedroom, Conklin said. The magazine, which could hold 31 bullets, had 23 rounds in it. Also in the ceiling, police found two ounces of marijuana, $626 in cash and an electronic scale, Conklin said. Police also found three ski masks, that police say are often used by criminals when committing robberies. Brayboy was represented by a public defender. Gills defense attorney Matthew Maddox said police will have a difficult time making gun and drug possession case stick against his client, who was visiting the Finney Lane apartment when police arrived. Gill was slapped with identical charges to Brayboy and was released after posting a $25,000 court-appearance bond. I think the states case against Mr. Gill is labored given the fact that the vast majority of the evidence seized by police was in the possession of his co-defendant, Maddox said. No pleas to the charges were made at their appearance. jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com The tax-and-spend impulse is so deeply embedded in Democrats that it should be considered a genetic trait. Take Democrat Gov. Ned Lamont. In the very beginning of his budget address Feb. 20, he warned of a $3.7 billion deficit, saying The fiscal crisis before us is not just a short-term hole in the budget. We are digging that hole deeper by $400-$500 million annually due to fixed costs such as pensions. After that opening, he gave lip service to solving the fixed-costs problem, and, then, proposed a paid family and medical leave program, funded via a payroll tax on employees of approximately 0.5 percent, which will raise an estimated $400 million annually, in other words, a brand new program costing the same as those fixed costs which will dig the hole even deeper. The real issue and challenge concerning fixed costs is to address the fundamentals driving them ever higher. Lamont largely ignored the drivers. Instead, he proposed to rejigger the states payment schedule, reducing payments in the short-term and stretching them far out into the future. His scheme is no different from the credit card borrower who cannot restrain spending, and, instead, reduces his monthly payment to the absolute minimum, and, in doing so, incurs enormous interest costs over the long term. The governor plans to extend the period to fully fund the teacher pension plan (TRS) from the current 13 years to 30 years. This lowers the states contribution to TRS by about $370 million in his proposed budget, but Lamont is simultaneously diverting $385 million into a dedicated reserve fund to back up TRS. The fund is designed as an alternate way to comply with covenants on outstanding state bonds that otherwise require the state to fully fund TRS before the bonds mature in 2032. So, the scheme is a wash in Lamonts proposed budget. Lamont plans to do the same with the state employee pension fund (SERS). His predecessor, Democrat Dan Malloy, extended the date by which 80 percent of SERS obligations must be fully funded. Lamont is doing the same for the remaining 20 percent. These moves are classic cases of kicking the can down the road. Lamont did propose one pension reform for state employees, but it will go nowhere. Malloy extended the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition agreement to 2027, protecting most unionized state employees benefits for a decade. He also provided state employees a no-layoffs guarantee until 2021 and annual pay raises this year and next. So, state employees jobs, pay and benefits are untouchable for two more years. So, Labor needs nothing, and Labor negotiators dont give something for nothing. If there are any voluntary concessions, beware of some hidden deal Lamont will have struck with union bosses. The deficit is real. Lamont is simply reshuffling, not reducing, fixed costs. To be fair, Malloy left him little room to maneuver. But, if he cannot reduce existing fixed costs, why would Lamont propose a whole new spending program? Paid family and medical leave is actually two programs: family leave and medical leave. Paid family leave is straightforward: a baby is born and for so many weeks thereafter a parent or guardian goes on leave to care for it. The state pays all or part of the caregivers salary. Paid family leave is uncomplicated, but not inexpensive. New York City is providing it to its 120,000 public school teachers starting this year. The city covers full salary for six weeks, at an estimated annual cost of $51 million, according to The New York Times. The Times reported that the city estimated that 4,000 teachers would avail themselves of the program each year, which works out to a per person cost of $12,750, which, itself, implies an average salary of $110,000. Lamont and his fellow Democrats want to cover most of the states workforce of about 1.9 million workers. Using New York Citys estimates, and assuming an the average Connecticut salary of just $55,000, or half what city teachers make, then leave for six weeks would cost over $400 million - or $800 million for the 12 weeks Lamont & Co. want to offer. Now add the other half, paid medical leave, and the whole program becomes a billion dollar plus spending program funded by $400 million in new taxes? It is easy to see a brand new fixed cost emerging to drive ongoing deficits and yet more payroll tax increases in the future. Dont forget that paid leave is not the only burden Lamont & Co. want to thrust upon citizens. They plan to install tolls on Connecticut highways to raise about $800 million of toll revenue annually, at least 50 percent from state drivers. Paid leave is folly for a state in crisis, and yet another blow for citizens, especially when coupled with tolls and an expanded list of items subject to sales tax. Connecticut Republicans should oppose the Democrats paid leave plan. It is not that Republicans should oppose paid leave. After all, the nations top Republican, President Donald Trump, endorsed the idea. Actually, this provides state Republicans an ideal position to take: endorse the presidents position and support paid leave at the federal level, but oppose it at the state level. Red Jahncke is president of Townsend Group Intl, LLC, a Greenwich-based consulting firm. Police in Florida say an illegal dental office being run out of the garage of a house has been shut down. WFLA reports an undercover officer posing as a patient discovered the full-service facility in the middle of a North Port neighborhood. The Bradenton Herald reports Enrique Sanabria Gravier, 48, and his wife Adriana Gutierrez Hoyos, 47, were arrested Tuesday on charges of practicing dentistry without a license and conspiracy to commit a felony. The Florida Department of Health received a tip that the couple had been running the unlicensed practice for five years. The couple is accused of performing extractions, braces and crowns. "Everything from a cleaning to even braces, items like that. So pretty in depth and certainly not being done with the right education, certification, insurance, said Josh Taylor with the North Port Police Department. A probable cause affidavit says there was no medical insurance for the practice, and Gravier and Hoyos were not paying taxes. A dentist, Dr. Christian Becker, said people in need of dentistry who cannot afford it should take advantage of county-run clinics or free dental services offered by professionals. It actually makes me sad for the most part because I can sympathize. I understand that it's not inexpensive to get a dental appointment, said Becker. Guys, I am gonna be perfectly honest, wrote Katie Bower, a mother of five and mommy blogger with over 52,000 Instagram followers. Instagram never liked my Munchkin, and it killed me inside. His photos never got as many likes. Never got comments. From a statistical point of view, he wasnt as popular with everyone out there. Related: Learning From Kevin Hart's Social Media Mistakes It was the sixth birthday of Bowers Munchkin, a.k.a. her son, and as many mothers now do, she marked the occasion by writing a long social media tribute to everything she loved about her child. But she also used the post to lament the fact that her photos of him weren't getting as many likes as those of her other children. I want to believe that it wasnt him .. that it was on me," she fretted. "My insufficiency caused this statistical deficit because obviously my Munch should get ALL the love, and squinty eyes are totally adorable." Bowers post went viral after hundreds comments lodged negative feedback about Bower's assessing her child's appeal based on likes received. Though she later deleted the post, the incident highlighted just how far social media has come from its original, humbler purpose: to connect friends and family. Nowadays, moms like Bower arent just posting family photos to share their lives -- theyre doing it for money. The new influencer marketing industry is expected to grow to a $10 billion dollar industry by 2020, according to Mediakix. And that means that that old promise of connecting people has evolved into a toxic, commercialized landscape that seems to have forgotten what it's supposed to be about. Here are the four main factors that have caused this toxic environment: 1. Social media has become a marketplace first. Facebook is a prime example of a social network that has become more about quantity and commercialization rather than a place to connect with friends and family. While the platforms actual viewership has slowed considerably in recent years, its ad revenue actually jumped by 42 percent in early 2018, demonstrating the companys aptitude for making money over its aptitude to forge connections. Facebook has been acquiring other popular social networks only to see their founders quit shortly thereafter. An example: The co-founder of WhatsApp left over data privacy clashes, after Facebook pushed it to change its terms of service to give the larger social network access to WhatsApp users phone numbers and to look into advertising. Similarly, both Instagram founders quit this year after tensions with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg mounted over the direction of the app. Reportedly, they wanted to keep Instagram independent from Facebook, while Zuckerberg wanted to further integrate the app into his platform. Related: How Humans Relate to Social Media He hasn't stopped his efforts: As Facebook shares continue to fall due to slow user growth, Zuckerberg has been searching for ways to continue monetizing the platform through other social app acquisitions, rather than making fixes to Facebook that will keep users engaged and active. 2. Commoditizing social status via likes is detrimental to mental health. Multiple studies have shown that the psychological effects of likes, comments and shares are proving detrimental to the mental health of the general population. One study reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that liking more posts was tied to worse mental and physical health and decreased life satisfaction, while another study by the University of Copenhagen found that many people suffer from Facebook envy, the concept of being jealous of friends activities on social media. The design of Facebook in particular has caused what researchers have called a context collapse, where users are locked into a single persona by the platform. This occurs despite sociologists' agreement that we have, and display, different aspects of our identities depending on what contextual situation were in -- when were at work versus at a bar. The single persona we create on Facebook has led us to self-edit what we share, to create the perfect version of that public persona, another factor leading to Facebook envy, and a reason many people are actually buying followers on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. This has created a market for commoditizing social connections even further, while skewing the perception of popularity on social media and starting the vicious cycle of Facebook envy once again. 3. Personal data is being bought and sold to the highest bidder. Third-party data brokers, or companies that buy and sell information on customers, have become massively influential in the era of big data. For social media platforms, which capture large amounts of data, these transactions present an enormous new stream of revenue. Most social media users dont understand the value of their personal data, and its become more common to accidentally expose themselves to malicious activity. Facebook users, in particular, were outraged when the third-party data firm Cambridge Analytica got its hands on personal data for as many as 87 million Facebook users -- without their permission. While that breach was the the most publicized one, there have been additional breaches since then. However, even these security breaches havent changed much about how users participate in social networks. According to a Chicago Tribune writer, experts have said "that many users are either ambivalent toward data privacy or dont understand what theyve given up by agreeing to the terms of service in order to create an account. And, if these privacy breaches don't end, users can only expect steeper consequences in the future. 4. Users are being forced into a sensationalized publishing media environment Todays social publishing environment rewards sensationalized content, thereby damaging healthy relationships online. These platforms reward "engagement" by highlighting highly liked posts more prominently in newsfeeds, accustomizing social media users to attempting to post that sensationalized content themselves. This attention-seeking behavior has left people vulnerable to dangerous propaganda and influence campaigns. Last year, teenagers infamously filmed themselves ingesting Tide Pods in attempts to gain more attention and followers, while, more seriously, Russian government operatives posted political proganda on Facebook that reached 126 million Americans before the 2016 election. The platform is also being taken to task for allowing hate speech from extremist politicians in Myanmar, which later contributed to the genocide of the Rohingya people. What was once a seemingly harmless platform, then, has now evolved into a powerful machine that, due to confusing hate speech and privacy policies, has set dangerous precedents for the future of social media. The next generation of social networks will overcome these toxic influences By now, we all know that the current social media system is broken. Healthy personal relationships are being drowned out by social media flare-ups with the news (real and fake), sensationalized posts and a commoditized environment that values money over genuine connections. A social media exodus may be coming. A recent Pew survey said that one in four Americans polled had deleted Facebook from their phones in 2018, while 42 percent said theyd stopped using Facebook at all for several weeks or more in the previous year. Now, new questions abound: As people do start leaving big networks like Facebook and Twitter, what will they do next? Have they become so exhausted from the toxicity that theyll quit social media completely, or will they turn to alternative networks -- and if so, what will they look for there? Clearly, people need a space to privately share their lives with their inner circles, while leaving the general media posts right where they belong -- in social media. Related: Facebook Admits Using Two-Factor Phone Numbers to Target Ads If theres anything social media has taught us, its that people do still enjoy being connected. Once we move our personal relationships away from social media to networks that truly value privacy, we may eliminate the current toxic social media environment and get back to the basics. Related: Can an Artist ever be an Entrepreneur? 5 Ways European Companies Use B2B Influencer Marketing 4 Reasons Why Social Media Has Become So Toxic and What to Look for Next Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved STAMFORD The Mayors Gallery is presenting a new exhibit featuring pieces inspired by Asian culture. Prints and Photographs of Margot Bittenbender will open on the tenth floor of Government Center on March 4 and run through April 30. An artists reception will be held March 20 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Bittenbender is a Connecticut-based artist who draws inspiration from Asian culture in her work. This collect features intaglio prints inspired by Asian culture. My image-making is a reaction to both the physical and spiritual world around me, Bittenbender said. What I see and what I feel meld into a timeless moment that is captured in the copper plate and eventually inked and impressed into paper. Intaglio provides a surprisingly fluid and changeable process that alters the initial image and feeling, despite the hardness and seemingly unyielding surface of the metal plate itself. erin.kayata@stamfordadvocate.com Shaheed Alhafed, February 24, 2019 (SPS) - President of the Republic, Secretary General of the POLISARIO front, Brahim Ghali, received Sunday at the Presidency a delegation from the US Congress led by Chairman of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, James Inhofe. The American delegation is composed of 17 personalities including six (6) elected, headed by Chairman of the US Senate Armed Services Committee, and Finance Committe Chairman Enzi Michael Bradley. In February 2017, US Senator James Inhofe, accompanied by a large delegation of US senators, paid a similar visit to the Saharawi people, during which he met with the leaders of the POLISARIO Front. This visit is part of the international community's interest in finding a solution to the Western Sahara problem, despite Morocco's obstacles that prevents any solution guaranteeing the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination. (SPS) 062/SPS/TRA Awsard (Refugee Camps) - February 24, 2019 (SPS) -The foreign delegations participating in the 8th Congress of the National Union of Sahrawi Women (NUSW) expressed their full support and solidarity with the Sahrawi people's just struggle and their right to self-determination and independence. The representatives of delegation from South Africa, Cuba and Namibia, Italy, Switzerland, Syria, Germany, India, as well as various associations and political parties, reiterated in their interventions their principled support for the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination and independence, commending the pioneering role of Sahrawi women in the phase of liberation and construction. They saluted the peaceful struggle of Sahrawi women in the occupied territories Western Sahara, southern Morocco, and Sahrawi refugee camps, condemning the media siege repression against Sahrawi women by the Moroccan occupation forces. (SPS) 062/SPS/TRA SpaceIL's Beresheet lunar lander, which launched to Earth orbit on Feb. 21, performed its first in-space maneuver on Feb. 24. The lander is scheduled to reach lunar orbit on April 4 and touch down a week later. Israel's Beresheet moon lander has performed its first in-space maneuver. The 5-foot-tall (1.5 meters) Beresheet, which launched to Earth orbit atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Thursday (Feb. 21), fired up its main engine for the first time yesterday (Feb. 24) at 6:29 a.m. EST (1129 GMT; 1:29 p.m. Israel time), mission team members said. "The 30-second maneuver was made at a distance of 69,400 km [43,100 miles] from Earth and will increase the spacecraft's closest point of approach to Earth to a distance of 600 km [370 miles]," Beresheet's handlers wrote in an update Sunday. Related: Israel's 1st Moon Lander Beresheet in Pictures The engine burn "took into account the problems that were identified in the star trackers after launch," they added. Beresheet will perform several more such burns over the coming weeks to push the apogee the most distant point from Earth of its elliptical orbit outward, toward the moon. Indeed, the next maneuver is scheduled for today (Feb. 25), mission officials said. If all goes according to plan, Beresheet whose name means "in the beginning" in Hebrew will arrive in lunar orbit on April 4 and touch down on the moon's surface one week later . The lander will do a bit of science work during its two-Earth-day surface mission, but Beresheet's main objectives are to advance Israel's space program and to inspire young people, especially those in that tiny Middle Eastern nation, to care more about science, technology, engineering and math. Beresheet also aims to show that ambitious exploration feats can be achieved on the cheap. The mission's total cost, including launch, is about $100 million, team members have said. Beresheet is a joint project of the nonprofit group SpaceIL and the company Israel Aerospace Industries. SpaceIL began as a competitor in the Google Lunar X Prize (GLXP), a $30 million contest that asked privately funded teams to put a robot on the moon, have it move 1,650 feet (500 meters) and return high-resolution imagery to Earth. The GLXP ended last year without a winner, but some of the former teams, including SpaceIL, kept shooting for the moon. Beresheet was originally designed to hop, in keeping with contest requirements. But mission team members have said they now plan to keep Beresheet stationary on the moon, as moving it around would introduce additional risks. Editor's note: A previous version of this story mistakenly used "perigee" instead of "apogee," and incorrectly converted 600 km to miles. The story has been corrected. The European Space Agency (ESA) is searching for potential spacesuit materials that would best protect future lunar astronauts from the inhospitable conditions of the moon. On Jan. 19, the Paris-based intergovernmental organization signed a two-year agreement with Comex and its partners the German Institute of Textile Technology and Process Engineering and the Austrian Space Forum to investigate not only existing spacesuit materials but also more nascent innovations with useful properties such as self-healing capabilities, dust repellence and integrated circuitry. "The identification and test of such materials could serve the development of future European spacesuits for spacewalks on the moon and is in line with ESA's exploration strategy to return to the moon in the coming decades," ESA officials said in a statement . The project, dubbed Pextex, will commence with a workshop in May to discuss potential materials. As ESA officials noted, any plan to establish a permanent lunar base hinges on the creation of a rugged garment that astronauts can wear longer, more frequently and more reliably than the moon suits of old. Materials for a spacesuit must be able to withstand temperatures that can swing from minus 274 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 170 degrees Celsius) in darkness to 248 F (120 C) in sunlight, ESA officials said. They must be able to stand up to the lunar vacuum for at least 2,500 hours, resist lunar radiation and protect against abrasive lunar soil, which house nanosize bubbles of glass from high-velocity collisions with micrometeoroids. The ideal lunar spacesuit, ESA officials said, would be able to remediate any electrostatic buildup and provide electromagnetic protection for 8 or more hours. It must also be nontoxic and nonflammable, impermeable to water and fluids and able to bend 180 degrees. ESA and its international collaborators, including NASA, are working to return humans to the moon in the mid-to-late 2020s by way of a lunar space station known as the Deep Space Gateway , which will serve as both a halfway point and a base camp for expeditions to the surface below, including the proposed robot-driven Heracles mission. "The materials that will be identified in the frame of the Pextex project will be tested in test facilities with the partner organizations in France, Germany and Austria," ESA officials said. Georgetown, SC (29440) Today Mostly clear skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Mostly clear skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Lincoln Wright South Bend Tribune South Bend Tribune GRANGER The condition of the Indiana State trooper shot in his Granger home last week is improving, an official with the St. Joseph County Prosecutors office said Monday. The officers 11-year-old son is currently detained in the Juvenile Justice Center in connection with the shooting. A detention hearing for him was scheduled for Monday afternoon. Police were called to the 10000 block of Conover Drive just after 11 p.m. Thursday. Trooper Matt Makowski suffered a single gunshot wound to his lower extremities, according to a news release. Makowski was off duty at the time of the shooting. He underwent surgery and on Monday, was out of the intensive care unit and his condition was improving, according to the prosecutors office. The countys Metro Homicide Unit is investigating the shooting. No delinquency charges had been filed against his son as of Monday and the prosecutor is still reviewing the case, a spokeswoman said. The prosecutors office has seven business days after taking a juvenile into custody to file charges. This was not the first time this month police were called to the Conover Drive address. Police were there for a welfare check on Feb. 13 around 1:30 p.m., Troy Warner, legal adviser to the St. Joseph County Sheriffs Department, wrote in an email. The only police records on the incident, he wrote, show that two officers were dispatched to the residence for the welfare check, but no report was filed by the officers. South Bend Tribune Report South Bend Tribune GRANGER The St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit is investigating the shooting late Thursday of an Indiana State Police trooper in his Granger home. His juvenile son, age 11, is being held in the shooting. Police were called to the home in the 10000 block of Conover Drive at about 11:08 p.m. Thursday, according to a news release issued Friday morning by the St. Joseph County Prosecutors office. The trooper is Matt Makowski. He suffered a single gunshot wound to his lower extremities and as of Friday afternoon was in intensive care unit of a local hospital after undergoing surgery, according to the prosecutors office. Makowskis juvenile son is being held in the shooting and was taken to the Juvenile Justice Center. He is being held on a preliminary charge of attempted murder, pending review by the juvenile authorities and the prosecutors office. The trooper was off duty at the time of the shooting. Joseph Dits and Margaret Fosmoe South Bend Tribune Monday afternoon update: As of 4 p.m. Monday, Indiana Michigan Power has restored power to all South Bend-Elkhart area customers affected by Sundays high winds. Damage in southwest Michigan, however, has resulted in 1,700 customers remained without service as of 4 p.m. About 40 broken poles had to be replaced. Crews from areas where power was restored are heading to Michigan to assist with restoration. I&M expects to restore nearly all remaining Michigan customers by 11 p.m., though but Buchanan residents may have power restored after 11 p.m. About 27,000 customers losing power at some point during the wind storm. Meanwhile, Midwest Energy & Communications reports that about 70 Michigan customers still remain without power. Crews will continue repairs through the night until the work is complete. The wind caused 12 broken poles, several downed trees and a lot of downed wire. Areas still without power include Bangor, Fabius, Hartford, Newberg, Porter and Wayne. Monday morning update: About 3,269 Indiana & Michigan Power Co. Customers remained without power at 12:30 p.m. today, after Sundays high winds caused scattered outages throughout Michiana. About 27,000 customers lost service as a result of the wind storms that swept through the area on Sunday. Most of those still awaiting power to be restored are in Michigan. Here are estimated times of restoration and approximate number of customers affected as of 9 a.m., according to I&M: North central Indiana, including South Bend and Elkhart: 4 p.m., 400 customers Southwestern Michigan, 11 p.m., 4,500 customers For details about the I&M outages and expected restoration times, check here. About 440 customers of Cassopolis-based Midwest Energy & Communications in Michigan remained without power at 11:15 a.m. today. A dozen broken poles were reported, along with a lot of downed wire and trees across southwest Michigan, the company reported. Outages are widespread across the entire MEC service territory, and particularly heavy in the Cassopolis, Hartford, Bangor, Covert and Flowerfield areas. Restoration efforts will continue through the day. For updates on MEC outages and restoration progress, click here. -------------------- Sunday night report: Electric crews and contractors labored throughout Sunday, restoring power to thousands in Michiana, but as evening came and fierce winds continued, many more people went to sleep without power. About 8,000 homes and businesses in northern Indiana and southwest Michigan were without power at 8 p.m., according to Indiana & Michigan Power Co. More than 400 I&M crews and contractors had started early Sunday but eventually had to quit because, for safety reasons, they can work only 16-hour shifts, said spokesman Tracy Warner. They resume work at 6 a.m. today. Theyd already restored power to about 5,000 customers. The problem was that the strong winds persisted all day, gusting to a high of 64 mph in Goshen and in the 50s and 60s elsewhere in Michiana, according to WSBT-TV. Most storms are done after a short spell, but Warner said, This one, it just keeps causing more damage as the day goes on. By mid-morning Monday, he said, the company should have estimates for when the remaining power outages would be fixed. Much of the lost power was in southwest Michigan, including 6,300 I&M customers. Midwest Energy & Communications had reported 1,285 customers without power at 4:30 p.m., with broken poles and downed wires across the companys service territory in southwest Michigan. Dowagiac, Cassopolis and Marcellus were heavily hit. More than 2,800 homes and businesses started Sunday without electricity across Kosciusko County, but by 2:30 p.m., crews had restored power to all but 50 of them, according to Kosciusko REMC. I&M customers should report downed wires to 800-311-4634 in Indiana and 800-311-6424 in Michigan. Or visit IndianaMichiganPower.com/Outages to report damage or check on outages. Grace McDermott South Bend Tribune SOUTH BEND After dealing with months of rezoning issues, regulatory renovations and retrieving permits, leaders at the Upper Room Recovery Community believe they have cut through all the red tape. The final construction and opening of a new womens addiction recovery home is in sight. Since 1982, the Upper Room has provided addiction recovery housing for men in South Bend on the third floor of First United Methodist Church. After an assessment evaluating womens recovery options and needs in the area, the board of the Upper Room decided to expand services. The Upper Room plans to open the new womens home at the end of April, based on contractors estimates. It will be located next door to First United Methodist and will house 16 women. We were approached by other agencies. That was the impetus (for beginning the womens home), said Rich Fox, executive director of Upper Room Recovery Community. We found that pretty much every agency said, we could fill you up tomorrow. There is a pressing need for this kind of housing. Its limited in South Bend. The Upper Room provides long-term housing and case management for those recovering from addiction, and partners with several organizations that provide mental health treatment and substance abuse assessments for the residents. While both men and women struggle with addiction, womens treatment often has additional challenges and complexities. Eighty percent of women seeking treatment for substance abuse report a history of sexual or physical assault, or both, said Linda Jung-Zimmerman, assistant director of Upper Room. We know that women are suffering from trauma when they enter our program. Effective treatment addresses all of the residents needs, not just drug use. When First United Methodist Churchs former parsonage that was then being used by a law firm went up for sale, a donor bought and gifted the building to the Upper Room to become the new womens home. While the donation relieved a large chunk of the opening cost, the renovations have created financial difficulties for the organization. We didnt consider a lot of the expenses of doing rehab in the building and rezoning it from a business to a group home, Jung-Zimmerman said. We have a capital campaign in the process, and were always looking to raise money. The capital campaign has raised over $71,000 of its $160,000 goal, according to the Upper Room website. Were fundraising along the way, Fox said. Were still struggling to put the money together. We have insurance and utilities costs. Were spending money without generating income or providing to the community right now. The Upper Room is a nonprofit public charity. In exchange for the use of the third floor of the church, its residents provide daily custodial services and lawn work for First United Methodist. Though the Upper Room partners with the church, the nonprofit itself is not religiously affiliated. Other living and maintenance costs are covered in a variety of ways. Jung-Zimmerman said that funding is covered by individual donors, grants from foundations, Indiana Recovery Works funding, and the $75 per week that residents pay to stay at the Upper Room. Though the Upper Room has not begun accepting applications from women to live in the home the board is waiting until it has an exact completion date from the contractors it is already receiving inquiries from women who want to turn their lives around. At a presentation for the South Bend League of Women Voters, Jung-Zimmerman read aloud several testimonies that she had received. Women wrote of wanting to get their lives back after incarceration, of wanting to die and losing their way, of wanting to go to whatever lengths it took to maintain sobriety. Despite the great need in the community, though, Upper Room cannot take everyone who applies. We have a process where we kind of triage people, said Jung-Zimmerman. A lot has to do with if we think theyre ready to be successful. Another big thing is asking are they in a safe place or do they need to be in a safe place? The Upper Room will partner with St. Margarets House, a day shelter in South Bend for women and children, to better address womens needs. St. Margarets currently provides meals, clothing and programs that assist women with parenting and employment. The most important thing we can offer is support, said Kathy Schneider, executive director of St. Margarets House. We cant provide a better life, but we need to have as many support systems in place as possible to help people move forward. If someone gets sober, to have a place to do the hard work is essential. Theyve already had so many things they need to overcome. The Upper Room also works with agencies such as Oaklawn, a mental health and addiction service, and with the South Bend and Elkhart drug courts. These organizations provide the Upper Room with referrals and treatment services. If people come from a treatment program or incarceration and are put right back where they came from, their chance for sobriety is pretty low, said Jung-Zimmerman. People who really want to make the change in their lives and get away from addiction can engage in supportive services to further their recovery. While there will be certain differences in partnerships and treatments, Fox expects that the womens home will mirror the mens home, for the most part. Men will typically stay at the Upper Room for approximately a year, during which they attend daily 12-step meetings and weekly therapy sessions through Oaklawn. To measure the success of the men in recovery, Upper Room looks at five measuring points. We look at outcomes in different ways, Fox said. Sobriety, employment, a planned exit to a safe location, a good support network, and having legal issues under control. We served 98 guys last year, and 22 met that criteria. While over 50 percent of the men who leave the Upper Room have continued sobriety, Fox said, success in the other measuring points is not as common. Like the mens home, women will need to have 30 days of verifiable sobriety before being eligible to enter the Upper Room Recovery Community. Other womens recovery programs in the area include the Life Treatment Center and the YWCA North Central Indiana. I think that we are trying as a community to reach out to women, said Schneider. There are a lot of needs, and were working at it. Staff reports South Bend Tribune What was making news in our area during this week in years past? The History Museum offers these newspaper excerpts to give you an idea. Feb. 24, 1897: Just a soon as the weather will permit Warner Bros. will begin an improvement which will add materially to the appearance of things in the vicinity of their implement house on South Michigan street It is purposed to place in these rooms the most attractive plate glass fronts, and they will be built solely for the purpose of renting. The superstructure will be of brick and the rooms throughout will be built with the convenience of renters always in mind. The South-Bend Daily Tribune Feb. 25, 1901: The Indiana Railway company has submitted a form of agreement to the Laporte and South Bend railway company, whereby the later company can secure an entrance into South Bend over the Indiana tracks which are to be laid on Michigan avenue and Water streets. The Indiana people began today to distribute materials for the Water street and Michigan avenue tracks The South-Bend Daily Tribune Feb. 26, 1929: Additional officials to care for the increased business in the United States district court of northern Indiana, are expected to be authorized early in March as the result of a bill now pending in congress. The bill, which includes provisions affecting 16 judicial circuits, has been under consideration for some time and is said to face clear sailing. It is expected to provide, when finally passed, for another assistant to District Attorney Oliver M. Loomis, and an additional stenographer. The South-Bend Daily Tribune Feb. 27, 1938: An exhibit of 21 posters by senior high school students in St. Joseph county will be presented in the Progress club art gallery Thursday, Friday and Saturday under the sponsorship of the Progress club and the St. Joseph County Anti-Tuberculosis league. Two of the posters will be selected Friday afternoon to be entered in the state poster contest of the Indiana Tuberculosis association in Indianapolis. The South Bend Tribune Feb. 28, 1944: Opportunities for women in the reconstruction era which will follow the war were pictured Sunday afternoon by Miss Sally Butler, Indianapolis, national secretary of the Federation of Business & Professional Womens clubs when she addressed a district meeting of the northern Indiana B. & P.W. organization in the Y.W.C.A. central building here. The South Bend Tribune March 1, 1959: State troopers are under orders to ticket and impound cars found on public highways without 1959 license plates on them. Sgt. Edward Raholin, commander of the South Bend State Police Post, said Saturday that troopers will enforce the law requiring motor vehicles on public thoroughfares to bear new plates by March 1. The South Bend Tribune March 2, 1963: U.S. District Court Judge Robert A. Grant on Friday admitted 20 persons to American citizenship in naturalization ceremonies in the Federal Bldg. Of the three children admitted, two were from Korea and one was from Canada. The South Bend Tribune Marshall V. King Tribune Columnist ELKHART This city wasnt just a one-company town. Its residents made band instruments, C.G. Conn or others. They built both manufactured housing and recreational vehicles. Other workers made telephone components for Chicago Telephone Supply. But of all the employers, Miles Laboratories left the biggest mark on Elkhart. At its peak, 3,300 workers produced more than two dozen products. Alka-Seltzer, the fizzy blend of bicarbonate of soda and aspirin, had been invented in the newsroom of The Elkhart Truth newspaper. Those bubbles immortalized by the iconic Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz, Oh What A Relief It Is advertising jingle fueled the citys economy. Workers on the large campus near Michigan and Bristol streets also took pride in what they produced that aided the health of others. The label for Alka-Seltzer and other products, including One-A-Day vitamins, noted it had been made in Elkhart, Indiana. The announcement last week that Bayer Corp., which bought Miles Labs in 1978, was closing Mishawka operations its last in northern Indiana was sad and abrupt. Those in Elkhart, however, experienced that grief and sense of loss decades earlier. Miles Laboratories was founded by Dr. Franklin Miles in 1884 and was privately owned until Bayer bought it in the late 1970s. Still, the original Miles name stuck for another 16 years. After the 1978 purchase, a Bayer official told a large Chamber of Commerce gathering, Well always be in Elkhart, according to Paul Thomas, the 95-year-old official Elkhart historian. The next thing you hear is theyre closing up this thing and moving somewhere and it kind of surprised us all, Thomas said last week. In 1994, Bayer announced Miles, which still employed 2,300 people, would move its headquarters to New Jersey. That same year, Bayer dropped Miles Inc. as its name in Elkhart and Mishawaka. Catherine Wells Bentz remembers going to work for Bayer Corp. as communications manager. She worked in the famous Building One, the heart of the operation, and was responsible for the communications and public relations. She recalls Bayer officials from Germany saying, Miles will always be Miles. The feelings of loss and even animosity toward Bayer were real. She had worked only for Bayer and loved the job, but was urged not to go to employee meetings that may have been emotional. People were unsatisfied with Bayer, Thomas explained. If you read obituaries now, people worked at Miles or Bayer/Miles. Very few will say they worked for Bayer Corp., he said. Wells Bentz loved working for the company and said the work was gratifying, stimulating and sometimes exciting. I have tremendous respect for the company, she said, regardless of the name. Thomas points to how Miles made news with its scholarships and community involvement. How Miles employees were part of service clubs. They were very supportive of the community and Bayer wasnt quite that supportive, he said. Wells Bentz notes that Bayer also supported the Elkhart Jazz Festival and was a good corporate, community citizen. Scientists from Bayer helped judge the Elkhart citywide science fair. Yet Miles and Elkhart was just a small piece of a larger, global company. The number of workers here continued to shrink through the 70s, 80s and 90s. Wells Bentz left her role just before Bayer announced in 1999 it would close the Consumer Care Division in Elkhart, affecting about 550 jobs. As more time passed, Bayer closed or moved other divisions and sold some of its northern Indiana facilities to Siemens Corp. Bayer may have saved Miles Inc. from bankruptcy, Thomas said, but it never was touted or appreciated like the homegrown Miles products and jobs. What really hurt was the emptying of the 26-acre campus northwest of downtown. That was kind of the arrow in the heart, Thomas said, when the buildings were torn down. Vincennes University, Feed the Children and others were a couple of pied pipers promising to make the site useful again. The new Ethos Science Center and Teen Challenge programs still operate there, but the site remains mostly a reminder of what was, not what is. Bayer is part of Elkharts history. Yet when the story gets told, Bayer is equated with loss instead of gains. Miles brought Elkhart fame and jobs. Bayer slowly stripped them away. Thats an American story, one of what happens sometimes when a global company takes over a local one. Last weeks news of 194 Bayer jobs leaving the region is a sad one. Yet its not one that sparked a lot of new emotion for folks in Elkhart. That happened years ago. Kim Komando Columnist Remember shortcuts you could enact with a computer keyboard? Using a particular combination of CNTL, ALT, and FN, you could quickly scroll through documents, open and close programs, and move elements around. They still exist, of course. Heres a whole bunch of Facebook keyboard shortcuts you never knew existed. Nowadays, with so many tricks, niches and shortcuts, those special operations look downright quaint. Many operations are well known, and most of them are tiny and frivolous. Dont get me wrong. Its a lot of fun to find a treasure trove of classic arcade games on your Android device. Some tricks remain obscure, and they can change your life. You might find yourself using one of these operations every day, but only if you realize it exists. To bring you up to speed, here are 10 of my favorite tech tricks what theyre for, how to use them, and the ways theyll change your experience. Meanwhile, heres a list of nifty tricks specifically for iPad, and here are some more just for Android. Use your voice instead of typing Since the dawn of computers, typing was the only way to get business done. Now, you give your fingers a break and dictate notes while youre walking, reply to messages while youre cooking, compose a literary masterpiece while youre in bed the possibilities are endless. You dont even have to download a separate app. Your iPhone or Android keyboard has a built-in voice-to-text feature. Just pull up your phones keyboard, tap the mic icon and dictate away. If your phones built-in transcriber is too basic, you can get more features with apps like Dragon Anywhere for iOS and Android, or TranscribeMe, also available for iOS and Android. You can use Googles transcriber to dictate documents into Google Docs. Open a new document in Google Docs, and enable Voice Typing from the Tools menu. Then start dictating. Voice Typing recognizes commands like comma, period and new paragraph. Make routines with assistants Ever wanted to automate a string of tasks with a single command? Thats why Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are equipped with Routines. For instance, you can say Alexa, Im home! and Alexa can greet you, turn on your living room smart lights, read the daily news then play a specific music playlist. Or you can say Alexa, good night and have her reply back with sweet dreams, then lock your doors, set your thermostat to a certain temperature, turn off all your lights and play white noise to lull you to sleep. You can configure scheduled routines and have your virtual assistant perform sets of actions throughout each day. Related: Yes, you can listen to what Alexa records about you. To create a routine in the Alexa app, go to the menu then tap Routines. Tap the + sign to start a new sequence. Select When this happens then choose your trigger. The trigger can be a phrase, a schedule or a motion sensor event. Next, select Add action to start building the routine. To wrap it up, select the device you want to trigger the routine from, then tap Create. For Google Home Routines, tap Menu on the upper left corner of your Google Home app. Tap More Settings>>Routines. Under When, tap Add commands, enter your trigger phrase then click OK. To add an action, tap Add action under My Assistant should ... If you want to schedule a routine, tap Set a time and day under When instead. Post on Instagram from a computer Instagram has come a long way. The app was originally designed for casual snapshots, always cropped square, that mimicked the Instamatic cameras of decades past. They have long shed those strict parameters, but one thing remains challenging: posting to Instagram from a desktop or laptop. One way is to first post a photo to another form of social media (such as Facebook or Twitter), then download the photo onto your phone or tablet and then post to Instagram. Related: Get social with me. Im on Instagram! But you can also do it directly, using Google Chrome. The process is a little convoluted, but its the easiest way to get your high-quality DSLR or mirrorless images onto the platform. Open Chrome. Go to the Instagram website Right-click anywhere on the page Hit Inspect When the new screen appears, hit the little squares in the upper-middle, just above all the coding This should show you the same display you would see on your phone. You can pick which kind of display youd prefer, including a range of iPhone, Galaxy, Nexus and other devices. You should see the same functions at the bottom, including the Plus sign, which will enable you to upload .jpg files from your desktop, or even take a photo. Speed up podcasts You can speed-read an ebook, and you can scrub through a video. But many podcast listeners dont realize they can speed up their listening and because the recording is digital, you dont lose much fidelity. Youll have to pay closer attention, but you can zip through a slow episode, or consume a long conversation, without missing a word. When you listen to a podcast, there is a player at the bottom of the screen. You might have to swipe up to see it. On Apples Podcast app, for example, there is a number in the lower-left corner. The default is 1x and this option lets you hear the podcast at normal speed. Related: Need suggestions for podcasts? Ive got good ones here. Speed listeners can tap this button and change the playback speed to 1 1/2x or 2x. Theres also the option for 1/2x playback speed. Im not quite sure when you would actually want to listen to a podcast very, very, very slowly, but its there if you need it. Crop a screenshot on a Mac Savvy Mac users have been pressing CMD+Shift+3 for years, which is the shortcut for a full screenshot. But if you want to cut out large sections of that image, either to hide certain parts of your desktop screen or because its distracting from what you want to focus on, you can either edit it in an app like Photos or PicMonkey, or use this trick. Hit CMD+Shift+4 and your cursor becomes a +. Click and drag to draw the portion of your screen that you want to capture. Voila! You can skip all the extra editing. Learn how to take a screenshot on your Android device, your iPhone, and a free program for PCs that let you capture screenshots. Share a video where you want If you see something in a YouTube video that you want to share at a particular location, you can get a link that takes people directly to that moment. Click the Share button below the video. Look for a checkbox below the link. It will automatically display the time at which you currently have the video stopped. Related: Have you seen me lately? Catch The Kim Komando Show Airing on Bloomberg TV You can stick with this time or even choose a different time. Next, just copy the link and share it over your preferred social media service or email it to a friend. When someone views the link, the YouTube video will automatically skip right to the point you chose. Handy, huh? Copy everything you have on Facebook With all the privacy troubles the companys been going through lately, hordes of people are deactivating their Facebook accounts. But what do you do about all your status updates, the photos, videos, and shares youve accumulated through the years this digital scrapbook of your life? Theres a way to save all of your Facebook data and make it available for download. Heres how: 1. Log in to your Facebook account and go to Settings >> Settings & Privacy. 2. Scroll down then select Download Your Information 3. In the next section, you can select (or deselect) the categories you want to include in your download data. Its quite extensive, so choose wisely. Obviously, the more categories you choose, the larger your file will be. Once youve checked all the categories and the date range you want, select Create File. (HTML and medium quality media are fine for most people.) Your archive file can be massive, and it could take days before it becomes available. (Facebook will send you another email informing you that your file is ready for download.) Post on multiple social media Do you juggle multiple social media accounts at the same time? Maybe you like cross-posting on different platforms at the same time to save time. Its terribly inefficient to keep copying and pasting the same status update on different sites, right? Save time managing your social media with tools like Buffer, Hootsuite or IFTTT. With their ability to post on different sites simultaneously (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) they can quickly disseminate a social media message, which is especially valuable for event planners and branding campaigns. Compose your post, add links, photos or videos, choose your platforms, then post. Its that simple. For the power user, these tools even have scheduling features and analytics to gauge how effective your posts are. For casual use, both Buffer and Hootsuite have free plans that are good for three social media accounts. On the other hand, professionals who want to manage eight profiles and beyond can opt for their paid plans. Double-check your translation Online translation is more powerful than ever, and its especially useful for English-friendly languages like French and German. But its unwise to rely on Google Translate or Facebooks translator without double-checking that the translation makes sense especially for important correspondence with academic officers or potential business partners. How do you do this without learning fluent Greek or Japanese? By translating your English text into another language, then back into English. For example, I could translate the following phrase into Albanian: Three weeks from now, I will arrive in your capital city and would like to rent a red convertible. When I receive the translation, I copy and paste the Albanian text and reverse the languages. Translated back into English, you get: Three weeks from now, I will arrive in your capital, and I would like to rent a red booth. Booth? Apparently, one of those words can be easily confused. But if you phrase the original message as red convertible car, your message should be clear. Find out info about a photo Ever looked at an online photo and you just had to know more details about it? Maybe youre searching for its location, the date it was taken, a better resolution or other angles of its subject. A Google Images reverse search acts like a regular Google search, using an image instead of text. You can even reverse search faces or profile pictures to dig more information about an individual. To do this, head on over to Google Images search tool, click on the little camera icon then upload (or point it to the images web address) and let Google do the walking. Related: Check out No. 7 for image search tips in this list of 7 digital tricks youll actually use. UDT 2019, the 32nd in the annual Underwater Defence Technology event series, will open at the Stockholmsmassan Exhibition Centre on 13th May for three days. Stockholmsmassan is close to the city centre, well served by regular metro trains, with several large hotels nearby. Stockholm Arlanda Airport is only 30 minutes away by commuter train, which runs 8 times every hour. The venue is the Nordic regions largest exhibition centre and offers the exhibition plenty of room to expand, whilst simultaneously hosting UDTs sister events ITEC, which focusses on military training and simulation, and Electronic Warfare. 2019 is the first year that all three events are co-located, enabling attendees to spark new ideas, create new collaborations and partnerships, and extend networks. It also provides senior military personnel with a more efficient use of their increasingly precious time, thereby growing the number of officers in attendance. Investing in anti-submarine warfare UDT 2019 will examine how the underwater defence and security environment fits into a Total Defence architectureThe overall theme of UDT 2019 is Total defence: undersea defence and security in a deteriorating global environment. Swedens Defence Policy 2016-2020 establishes the Swedish approach to the deteriorating global security environment. It highlights that the underwater environment and specifically anti-submarine warfare (ASW) is an area in which Sweden is investing. Other nations are responding to the declining international environment in similar ways. Responding to Swedens Total Defence approach, UDT 2019 will examine how the underwater defence and security environment fits into a Total Defence architecture. The conference will examine how new and emerging technologies may be deployed. It will also consider how incremental developments in established technologies are enabling new approaches to traditional underwater defence disciplines. UDT 2019 will look at technological developments, and adaptation of existing systems, to improve capability and performance. It will consider disruptive technologies and unique deployment strategies, with a focus on creating a Total Defence approach for military forces and civil marine security services. Maritime challenges faced by countries Although the issues that the country faces are products of its geography, many nations tackle a similar mix of challengesUDT 2019 brings together professionals from the military, industry and academia to focus on the cutting-edge technologies and developments within one of the harshest environments known to man. Sweden occupies a key geographic location in the Baltic Sea. Although the issues that the country faces are products of its geography, many nations tackle a similar mix of challenges. These include: proximity to a key global trading artery; shallow littoral waters with many islands; critical national and international infrastructure in the maritime environment; complex maritime boundaries; and a need to operate in the global oceanic environment in order to assert national and international interests. The core purpose of UDT 2019 is to empower those who serve their nations in joint, combined and distributed contexts by providing them with the most innovative strategies available in the undersea defence arena. Military Diving Conference The 2019 show will also host the Military Diving Conference, which was launched in 2018 to great acclaim. Focussing on the unique challenges of diving under hostile conditions, this two-day conference will share the latest technological developments aimed at improving the effectiveness, efficiency and safety of military divers across the spectrum of dive operations. The conference will share the latest technological developments aimed at improving the effectiveness, efficiency and safety of military diversThe conference will also provide a platform for inter-service and international diver elements to meet and discuss capabilities and requirements in the pursuit of greater cooperation and interoperability. Industry will be on hand to demonstrate how their new solutions can solve these requirements, and share how others are solving common problems faced by those working undersea. Interoperable military and civil defence Sweden has been leading the VIKING series of exercises since 1999, alongside participants from the United Nations, European Union, civilian authorities, police, military and representatives from humanitarian organisations. VIKING is a practical extension of efforts to improve mission readiness in a time- and resource-effective manner - to build interoperable military and civil defence, and to build on work already undertaken by NATO to better connect joint forces within, across, and among nations. Nations have unique imperatives as well as those they share with others when considering national defence and the protection of civilian populations. These imperatives are driven by external and internal factors such as population, geography, climate, resources, and the choices made by each society in response to both their national and international environment. Re-examining the military models adopted This is a unique opportunity for defence forces around the Baltic Sea to look at new development in technology"The current international situation is causing many nations to re-evaluate their choices, and to re-examine the models they have adopted for their military and civil forces. Swedens Defence Policy 2016-2020 establishes the UDT 2019 host nations approach to the deteriorating global security environment that of Total Defence in which linkages between all branches of national security are fully interoperable. The conference chair is Mr. Bert Johansson, Director Business Development & Strategy at Saab Dynamics AB, Sweden. This is a unique opportunity for defence forces around the Baltic Sea, and elsewhere, to look at new development in technology and share experience relevant to this region, Mr. Johansson said, welcoming attendees to UDT 2019. In preparation for ISC West, the largest converged security and public safety industry trade show, the Security Industry Association (SIA) has identified the top technology advancements to look out for at ISC West 2019. The Top 8, presented with ISC Security Events, represent the key technology advancements impacting the converged security and public safety landscape. The Top 8 security technologies at ISC West 2019: Cloud Artificial intelligence Robotics/autonomous systems Mobile credentials Security audio Facial biometrics 5G LTE Voice control Ever-converging physical and cybersecurity As physical and cybersecurity continue to converge within the broader security industry, SIA and ISC West are regularly keeping a close pulse on the latest trends As physical and cybersecurity continue to converge within the broader security industry, SIA and ISC West are regularly keeping a close pulse on the trends driving this industry transformation. Together, they present what SIA has identified as the most significant technology-first issues impacting the industry and made recommendations for security professionals looking to further their education at the show. ISC West will be held April 9-12 (SIA Education@ISC: April 9-11, 2019 | Exhibit Hall: April 1012, 2019) at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, drawing over 30,000 security professionals and over 1,000 exhibitors and brands. A more detailed look at the Top 8 security advancements at ISC West: Cloud: Video surveillance as a service (VSaaS) is a growth area this year, as more companies deliver solutions that move recording, storage, management, analytics and monitoring solutions to the cloud. As SIA director of standards Joseph Gittens notes, this is especially common in residential video solutions, which often have low camera counts. Artificial intelligence (AI): AI is permeating many security product categories but is most visible at ISC West in video security systems. Attendees will see analytics applications for automated motion detection and trespassing detection, advanced algorithms performing identification and categorisation of persons and objects within scenes and systems that can even analyse human behavior within scenes such as long line queues and crowded situations. AI is also being used more extensively in the intrusion and alarm systems categories AI is also being used more extensively in the intrusion and alarm systems categories AI is also being used more extensively in the intrusion and alarm systems categories, with the promise of AI being able to leverage combined data from multiple sensors to help reduce false alarms and enhance home automation. Other firms are even offering AI solutions to identify cyber threats and network intrusions. Robotics/autonomous devices: Driven primarily by advancements in AI, power storage and mobility, steady improvements are being made in robot and drone security solutions. SIA notes that many of the companies are taking a managed service approach, allowing users to rent the services that these robots and drones provide. Mobile credentials: While a true mobile credentialing explosion may be a few years away, SIA expects the public to become more comfortable using mobile devices to complete transactions outside of access control. Mobile credentialing may expand into more commercial security installations, and industries will increasingly migrate to systems that incorporate all facets of identity management into unified systems capable of granting and managing access rights. Security audio: Audio has long been a component of security systems, particularly with intercoms, emergency notification platforms and public address systems, but the industry is now delivering specialised solutions which can actively monitor audio and apply analytics to the audio enabling functions like automated alerts on possible aggression. SIA adds that audio is proving to be a value-added augmentation to video security systems. SIA adds that audio is proving to be a value-added augmentation to video security systems Facial Biometrics: Thanks to popular consumer efforts like Apples Face ID and Windows Hello for Microsoft Windows 10, facial recognition has become less of the curiosity from futurist movies and more of a common place logical and physical access solution. As facial biometrics have proliferated in consumer technology, so has the technology advanced in professional solutions. SIA expects to find more presence of this solution on the show floor, particularly as verification accuracy increases and competition makes solutions more affordable. 5G LTE: With the major telecommunications firms in the process of planning their networks to support 5G LTE, which could deliver nearly 10 gigabits of data per second to a cellular phone, IoT solutions that use cellular connectivity will no longer be limited to the throughput of todays 4G speeds. Expect to see early glimpses of technology solutions, particularly mobile video security solutions with applications primarily in public safety and smart cities even though full 5G LTE networks are still in development and are not widely available from most carriers. Voice control: With smart speaker adoption growing dramatically in 2018 (up 24 percent in Q2 2018 according to Nielsen), these solutions are being integrated into residential technology ecosystems. Look for new products in the areas of home security and home automation to have existing or available integration with common voice control/smart speaker providers like Amazon and Google. Voice control and natural language processing will also likely augment video analytics Augmented video analytics Voice control and natural language processing will also likely augment video analytics. According to SIA, in todays analytics, users still need operators with a level of database/querying skills to find a particular event or scene, but the ability to say Show me all persons in red shirts carrying an object who entered through door three will prove much faster than waiting on an operator to input that analytic query manually. Each year at ISC West, the largest audience in the security industry gathers to strengthen business connections, learn and see the latest trends in security technology, said SIA CEO Don Erickson. SIA is proud to be the premier sponsor of ISC West and looks forward to engaging with influential attendees through our compelling SIA Education@ISC education and training sessions, networking events and the SIA New Product Showcase. ISC West 2019 In addition to connecting with nearly a thousand companies on the show floor, ISC West attendees will have access to 85 top-quality training sessions led by SIA. SIA Education @ ISC West provides critical information on the newest technologies in security. ISC West has been a driving force in bringing together and educating the security and public safety community for more than 50 years. As the industry moves towards a converged mindset for physical and cyber security, its critical were addressing the technology-specific trends our attendees are looking to learn more about, said Will Wise, group vice president, security portfolio, Reed Exibitions. With SIAs collaboration, were able to put forth this cheat sheet so attendees can easily identify the topics they care about and all the ways we can help them learn more. Roy Chapman, 73, of Nancy, passed away Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at his residence. Arrangements are pending and will be announced later by Morris & Hislope Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed to the family at: www.morrisandhislope.com Sterlite Tech becomes O-RAN Alliance Contributor to build Near Real Time Controllers for 5G ? Sterlite Tech will contribute to and leverage open-source software to build near real-time controllers and distributed units, with white box OEMs Pune, India and San Francisco, United States ? February 25, 2019: Sterlite Tech [BSE: 532374, NSE: STRTECH], a global data network solutions company, will be contributing to the O-RAN Alliance, a global carrier-led consortium that promotes software-based, extensible Radio Access Network (RAN). Building on a foundation of virtualised network elements and standardised interfaces that fully embrace higher levels of embedded intelligence and openness, Sterlite Tech will contribute to and leverage reference designs developed by the O-RAN Alliance, such as their open-source code to build a near real-time controller and distributed units, with white box hardware. ?As a contributor to the O-RAN Alliance, Sterlite Tech is committed to evolve RANs. With our Programmable, Open, Disaggregated Solution (PODS), we are contributing our capabilities and expertise to build future RANs on the foundation of virtualised network elements, white-box hardware, open and standardised interfaces. Once developed, our near-real time controller will help the Alliance operators accelerate the development and commercialisation of 5G networks globally,? said Dr Badri Gomatam, Group CTO, Sterlite Tech. ?Our PODS enable programmability at the hardware and software level of RANs. By enabling programmability right at the core of the network, our PODS ensures that operators have greater visibility and control ? empowering them to affordably upgrade, monitor and scale their networks, while enhancing their customers? experience,? explained Ayush Sharma, Head of Programmable Networking and Intelligence, Sterlite Tech. As networks evolve to become open and smarter, Sterlite Tech is playing a significant role in the ecosystem by providing operators the capabilities to automate operational network functions. Sterlite Tech will work with the community to develop curated and hardened O-RAN based solutions. They will also contribute code and results from field trials for 5G technology. The Company?s plans include testing these solutions at Sterlite Networks, a fully operational carrier-neutral telecommunications network, to establish field readiness in a carrier-grade environment. This unique approach will help Sterlite Tech?s carrier customers ascertain certification and conformance to the O-RAN Alliance specifications and accelerate their time to market. Regulatory Technology Market Growth, Industry Analysis, Deployment, Latest Innovations Market SynopsisThe global RegTech market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 22.8% during the forecast periodThe BFSI institutions function in a stringent regulated environment and face new regulations to avert money laundering and curb terrorist funding. Banks spend a large amount of money on fines and penalties for non-compliance with regulations. The RegTech solution vendors assist financial institutions to conduct their business operations in compliance with various government regulations. The RegTech market has started evolving in the past few years and is expected to withness a significant growth rate in the upcoming years. Get Sample Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/7343 The RegTech solutions strengthen compliance and mitigate risk in enterprises. The solutions reduce the fxed cost of compliance and increase effciency of business processes. Along with this, RegTech solutions provide valuable business insights, and provide customers with better and faster service. The enterprises use these solutions to drive new products and services, as well. The major factors that contribute the market growth is the acceptance of regulatory sandbox and the growing focus on financial regulations. There are lower entry barriers for cloud based solutions in this market, which is an additional driving factor. The market is very dynamic due to acquisitions and mergers happening on a large scale. Few instance, Huawei Technologies acquired HexaTier in December 2016, Contego acquired Working Status in December 2016, ACA Compliance Group acquired Telavance in January 2017, and most recently, in 2018, Thomson Reuters acquired Integration Point. Among the various applications, the regulatory intelligence segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to the greater need for identifying and interpreting regulatory changes. This identification enables the financial institutions to cope with the varying regulatory environment easily and reduce the risk of non-compliance. Moreover, the analytics offer financial institutions with insights which assists them with well informed decisions about regulatory adherence. Check Discount @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/7343 Segmentation The global RegTech market is segmented into application, deployment mode, organization size and region/country. By application, the global RegTech is segmented into risk & compliance management, regulatory intelligence, fraud management, regulatory reporting, identity management. By deployment, the global RegTech is segmented into on-premises and cloud. By organization size, the global RegTech is segmented into small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises. By region, the global RegTech market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and rest of the world. Key Players The key players in the RegTech market are identified across all the major regions based on their country of origin, presence across different regions, recent key developments, product diversification, and industry expertise. Some of them are? Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (US), International Business Machines Corporation (US), London Stock Exchange Group plc. (UK), NICE (Israel), PWC (UK), Thomson Reuters Corporation (US), Bwise (Netherland), Compliance Solutions Strategies (US), Lomabard Risk (UK), Infrasoft Technologies Ltd. (India), Abside Smart Financial Technologies SL (UK), Fintellix Solutions (India), OpusDatum Ltd. (UK), NetGuardians Inc. (Switzerland), Alto Advisory (Luxembourg). The key strategies adopted by most of the players are partnerships and agreements, collaborations, and new product releases. Apart from the top key players, various startups are a part of this market. These include CLAUSEMATCH LTD. (UK), Suade Labs (UK), Signzy (India), CUBE (UK), Onfido (UK), Trunomi (UK), ComplyAdvantage (UK), Elliptic (UK), and others. Many mergers and acquisitions are observed in the market, adding to the capabilities of the market leaders. Get Report Details @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/regulatory-technology-market-7343 Regional analysis The global market for RegTech is expected to grow at a CAGR of 22.8% during the forecast period. The geographical analysis of RegTech market is studied for North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the rest of the world (including the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America). Among the regions mentioned, North America is anticipated to have the largest market share during the forecast period. The US occupies nearly 80%-85% share in the region as most of the leading vendors are headquartered here with strong customer base. The market size of Europe is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR from 2018-2023, followed by APAC. Various startups are being setup in these regions and are giving a boost to their market share. Intended Audience ? Government Agencies ? RegTech Service/Solution Providers ? Financial Advisory/Consulting Firms ? System Integrators ? Research Institutes and Organizations ? Technology Standards Organizations ? Venture capitalist/angel investors ? Information security directors/managers ? Banks, insurers, financial services providers, central banks, and supervisory authorities TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Executive Summary 2 Scope Of The Report 2.1 Market Definition 2.2 Scope Of The Study 2.3 Research Objectives 2.4 Markets Structure 3 Research Methodology 4 Market Dynamics Continued??. Get More Information @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/press-release/regulatory-technology-market LIST OF TABLES Table 1 Global Regulatory Technology (RegTech) Market, By Region, 2018?2023 Table 2 North America: Global Regulatory Technology (RegTech) Market, By Country, 2018?2023 Table 3 Europe: Global Regulatory Technology (RegTech) Market, By Country, 2018?2023 Table 4 Asia-Pacific: Global Regulatory Technology (RegTech) Market, By Country, 2018?2023 Table 5 Rest Of The World: Global Regulatory Technology (RegTech) Market, By Country, 2018?2023 Continued?? LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE 1 Global Regulatory Technology (RegTech) Market Segmentation FIGURE 2 Forecast Methodology FIGURE 3 Porter?s Five Forces Analysis Of Global Regulatory Technology (RegTech) Market FIGURE 4 Value Chain/Supply Chain Of Global Regulatory Technology (RegTech) Market FIGURE 5 Share Of Global Regulatory Technology (RegTech) Market In 2017, By Country (In %) Continued??. Contact: Market Research Future +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Stuart Johnson is encouraging tourism entities to support the 2019 15thedition of the Saint Martin/Sint Maarten Annual Trade Show (SMART) that will allow travel trade stakeholders to share updates and develop new business opportunities for the 2019-2020 tourism season. The 2019 15thEdition of SMART is being organized by the two tourism organizations of Saint Martin (Office du Tourisme), Sint Maarten (Sint Maarten Tourism Bureau) and private sector entities LAssociation des Hoteliers de Saint Martin (AHSM) and the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA). SMART will take place from May 21 to May 23. I am very pleased that SMART, the largest tradeshow of the North Eastern Caribbean will be making a comeback this year. 2019 is a year where a number of events are taking place such as the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta opening this week; the St. Martin Electric Music Festival in March; Carnival 50 in April; and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Platinum Associate Membership Advisory Council Cruise Summit (PAMAC) in June, a major cruise tourism conference on the calendar of activities for the year. I am looking forward to welcoming Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Travel Writers and Event Planners from the US, Canada, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean to SMART in May. With all the events taking place during the first half of 2019, the country is indeed back in business. SMART will be a very important gathering of tourism stakeholders who will help shape the tourism journey by forming partnerships with others present. SMART attendees will work together that would create and harness opportunities for our people and economies which is a win-win for all creating a vibrant tourism industry. Now is the time for prospective attendees to be SMART and make use of the early bird specials to attend the 15thEdition of SMART, Minister of Tourism Stuart Johnson said on Sunday. The organizers of SMART recently announced an early bird ticket season for prospective attendees which can be done by sending an email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The three-day trade show will comprise of masterclasses, workshops, various activities, festivities and business to business sessions. SMART has attracted participants over the years from Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Barths, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Sint Maarten-St. Martin. The US is warning pilots to use caution when flying to or over Venezuela because of civil unrest there. Protesters clash with the Bolivarian National Guard in Urena, Venezuela. Credit:AP The warning comes amid tougher sanctions aimed at the troubled South American nation following a weekend of violence at its border. The Federal Aviation Administration said there is no evidence to suggest that Venezuela's military would target civilian planes, but it said mistakes are possible. And warned that some of the military's shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles could fall into the hands of groups "who may have different intent and a lower level of training." Washington: A bipartisan group of 58 former senior national security officials has declared that "there is no factual basis" for President Donald Trump's proclamation of a national emergency to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. The joint statement, whose signatories include former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel, will come a day before the House is expected to vote on a resolution blocking Trump's declaration on February 15. The former officials' statement, which will be entered into the congressional record, is intended to support lawsuits and other actions challenging the national emergency proclamation and to force the administration to set forth the legal and factual basis for it. "Under no plausible assessment of the evidence is there a national emergency today that entitles the president to tap into funds appropriated for other purposes to build a wall at the southern border," the group said. Russian state television has listed US military facilities that Moscow would target in the event of a nuclear strike, and said that a hypersonic missile Russia is developing would be able to hit them in less than five minutes. The targets included the Pentagon and the presidential retreat in Camp David, Maryland. An MiG-31 fighter jet of the Russian air force launches the new Kinzhal hypersonic missile during a test in southern Russia. Credit:Russian Defense Ministry Press Service The report, unusual even by the sometimes bellicose standards of Russian state TV, was broadcast on Sunday evening, days after President Vladimir Putin said Moscow was militarily ready for a "Cuban Missile"-style crisis if the United States wanted one. With tensions rising over Russian fears that the United States might deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe as a Cold War-era arms-control treaty unravels, Putin has said Russia would be forced to respond by placing hypersonic nuclear missiles on submarines near US waters. London: The British man known as "Jihadi Jack" who left the United Kingdom to travel to Syria and fight with Islamic State now wants to return home because he misses his mum, Doctor Who and pasties. In the five years since Jack Letts left for Syria he says he has witnessed executions and seen children burned alive. His arms are scarred from bombings, and he has no idea where his Iraqi wife and young son are located. Frequently referred to as "Jihadi Jack" by the British media, the 23-year-old Muslim convert has been held in a Kurdish prison in northern Syria for the past two years. He is charged with being a member of IS and was arrested on his way to Turkey. Now, he wants to return to Britain, but he says "no one cares" about him. London: China's Huawei comes with "threats" the head of Britain's surveillance agency GCHQ has said. But Jeremy Fleming, director of the Government Communications Headquarters, called for a broader debate about how cyber powers should conduct themselves online, saying the area risked becoming ungovernable. Australia and the United States have banned Huawei from supplying equipment to build its 5G networks and Washington is pressuring the remaining Five Eyes allies to follow suit. Mr Fleming said the question of allowing Huawei into 5G networks was the "most charged" part of the global technology debate and that GCHQ was "at the heart" of the British government's review due sometime between late March and June. "We have to understand the opportunities and threats from Chinas technological offer," Mr Fleming said. Buttrose ticks all the required boxes for leadership at the ABC. She is someone with media experience, who is used to handling pressure from vested interests. She has a reputation for integrity and independence as well as promoting Australias creative life and it doesnt hurt that she is a woman. - Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls Im sure that Buttrose has many talents but running the ABC is a far more complex and sophisticated task than running womens magazines. There must be many people eminently more suited to the job of fixing the broken national broadcaster after decades of political interference by both sides. - Paul Duncan, Leura As Cold Chisel put it: Every week, in every home, She got wholesome news for the family, I believe, I believe, in what she says, Yes I do, and Every day and every night, Shes the only one we can depend upon, I believe, I believe, in what she says, Yes I do. Thatll do me. - Eric Viana, Denistone Exploitation of clothing workers shames us all I was appalled to read this article (Australias supply chain of shame, February 25). I regularly shop at Target and Kmart for clothes and would happily pay the extra 1 per cent on clothes but only if it is guaranteed to go to these impoverished women and not to the CEO. Capitalism has always exploited people for profit but this is so wrong. Shame on our clothes stores, but Kmart, Target and Big W are not the only ones. - Jacinta Coelho, Earlwood Oxfam Australia, good luck with your drive to improve the welfare of workers and their families in developing countries. A large proportion of Australians do not give a damn about the workers who provide their designer clothes. Five dollars a day for a cup of coffee, no problem, but ask for an extra $1 on an item of already cheap clothing, no way. Tourists in developing countries show total disregard for the poor by obscene bartering. We can do better. - Charmain Williams, Forster Do people buying childrens T-shirts at discount stores for $3 consider that this paltry sum includes payment to farmers, fabric manufacturers, seamstresses, transport and the discount stores profit. Im pretty sure I know where the lions share of the $3 goes. We used to have a vibrant fabric manufacturing and garment-making industry in this country, but it is long gone thanks to offshore manufacturing. The people on the shop floor in the garment trade have little voice. We should feel ashamed that we are cheapskates of the highest order. -Genevieve Milton, Newtown Target and Kmart say simply paying higher prices ... will not result in factory workers receiving a higher wage. Possibly so, but simply refusing to pay higher prices will definitely ensure that no wages are raised. - Bronwyn Bryceson, Mangerton As we do not wish to close down the factories, which would only make the situation for factory workers worse, why not try this: point-of-sale software at Kmart, Target, Big W etc to be amended with an option to pay $1 extra on the price of items sourced from the chain of shame. A majority would be glad to pay $1 extra if they were confident it would go to the factory workers. - Steve Johnson, Elizabeth Beach Farmers get milked I would be surprised if anyone likes paying higher prices, but given the extremes of weather that parts of Australia have experienced, it is no surprise that vegetables and fruit are becoming more expensive (Letters, February 25). What I dont understand is why milk is exempt from price changes. - Don Firth, Wooli PMs carbon cut plan deeply flawed The concept of paying polluters to not pollute is deeply flawed (PM to reboot Abbott-era plans for carbon cuts, February 25). It is almost impossible to prove that the recipients of these taxpayer funds are not undertaking emissions abatement that would have happened anyway. Compliance mechanisms and penalties are close to non-existent. And there is no national cap on carbon pollution. Even if Australia was on track to meet its emissions reduction obligations in a canter, as Scott Morrison claims, all that means is that our target was hopelessly inadequate and should be much tougher. Indirect inaction would be a better name for it. - Brendan Jones, Annandale Bevan Shields asks how could Morrison and and his mates avoid looking like total hypocrites (Emissions impossible for PM?, February 25). The answer is he cant. That picture of him sitting on the frontbench holding, no, lovingly nursing, a big lump of coal will live with him for ever. - Nick Pyner, Dee Why The new-ism Will fairism be the 2019 word of the year (Letters, February 25)? A fair and equitable world where the basic needs of all people are met. Capitalism has become synonymous with greed and exploitation and socialism with government handouts. - Jill Phillips, Ettalong Beach Millennials are to be congratulated in their efforts to look for collectivist solutions to the problems caused by the toxicity of neoliberal capitalism. And all those of us who are interested in passing on an inhabitable planet to our children and their children should join them. As Margaret Thatcher herself was so fond of saying there is no alternative. And as for Thatchers facile claim regarding other peoples money, err ... how about the $1 billion handed over to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and Palladin? How about turning the once vibrant community of Millers Point into an Airbnb ghost town? How about $5 billion per annum in franking credit tax refunds to people who pay no tax? How about ripping up public infrastructure, such as the Sydenham to Bankstown train line, only to privatise it for your corporate mates? What is any of this if not other peoples money? That being my money, the money I pay through tax, and the public assets previously paid for by generations of taxpayers. - Michael Thompson, Bexley North The most detestable enemies of the right used to be chardonnay drinkers and basket weavers. Now it is latte drinkers. It is so hard to keep up with it all. Could the conservatives publish a list of acceptable beverages and activities so that their pure are not suddenly deemed unpure? Many must live in dread at imminent exclusion. - Tony Sullivan, Adamstown Heights I hereby tender my resignation from the latte sipping Greens and withdraw all support for solving climate change and other environmental issues. I apologise to all future generations but I must confess to being a fraud. I do not drink coffee. - Margaret Grove, Abbotsford Born a Baby Boomer but embrace Millennial thinking. Does that make me a Boomenial? - Bill Godman, Cootamundra Cooled by the sun Please educate the Education Department about renewable energy. Springwood High School, among many other schools, I suspect, is suffering huge high temperatures in their classrooms (True temperature inside a classroom like a solar oven, smh.com.au, February 24.) This is entirely preventable. It is a no-brainer, that all schools should have, insulated roofs and solar cells on the roof powering air conditioning. It is a perfect fit as they need the power in the day time when the sun is at its hottest. The Education Department would recoup the cost of installation within a few years and then have free power. - Felicity Davis, Bayview End students free travel While respecting the right of parents, and students, to attend a public school other than their designated local school, there is a cost to this decision (Students shun local high schools, February 25). The cost is free travel on trains, buses and ferries. This free travel is funded by the government in budget allocations. That is, it is paid for by the community. The annual cost is over $600 million. Surely, if the decision is made to travel beyond your local school, where the child has a guaranteed placement, the cost of travel beyond the local school should be borne by the parents, not the community. - Bob Ramsey, Grays Point In addition to killing off local high schools, school shopping leads to twice-daily ridiculous surges in traffic as parents drive their high school-aged children to and from school. Much more convenient if they were schooled locally. - Tim Overland, Castle Hill An equal division Your correspondent equates women as another group such as Christians, people over 65 and lawyers (Letters, February 25). Since when was the basic division of human life: male and female, equal halves of the population, just another interest? Once that essential division is equally represented in government, then decisions can be fairly and informatively made about any other interest group in society, from a balanced perspective. - Jill Lord, Lindfield Off the grid Liverpools mythical Hoddle Grid was actually laid out by surveyor James Meehan and his map of Liverpools grid street pattern was published in 1819 (Liverpool, surprise star of future cities, February 25). Robert Hoddle did survey Liverpool and a map published in May 1827 of this work. He had nothing to do with its planning nor did he have a vision of a walkable city as everyone then either walked or rode a horse or carriage. - Glen op den Brouw, Liverpool (President, City of Liverpool & District Historical Society) Unfriendly Facebook Why is anyone ever surprised about Facebooks behaviour (Facebook to review fascist ad policy, February 25)? Their sole raison detre is to make as much money as they can and they constantly demonstrate their almost complete moral bankruptcy. - Brenton McGeachie, Queanbeyan West Brickbats for Bishop Further to Nan Howards regret of Julie Bishops lack of loyalty to Tony Abbott (Letters, February 25), I regret Ms Bishops previous lack of loyalty to Malcolm Turnbull. - Ross Krippner, Byron Bay I never thought I would find myself agreeing with Rosemary OBrien (Letters, February 25). Apart from her term as foreign affairs minister Julie Bishop was pretty lightweight. Her brief stint as shadow treasurer was downright embarrassing. It is also ironic that she must owe some success at foreign affairs to Kevin Rudd who as minister for foreign affairs seemed to have had her tagging along on many of histrips for introductions. - Brian Collins, Cronulla Bouquets to Rosemary for resurrecting the term foreman material. Now if only we can reapply Madge the manicurists Youre soaking in it! as well? - John Swanton, Coogee More than 250,000 jobs will be created over the next four years in a pre-election promise from the NSW government. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Monday said the government, if re-elected, would meet this target by focusing on increasing opportunities in western Sydney and regional areas. She said the plan included opening two new vocational high schools and expanding the youth training program Productivity Bootcamp. "We will be investing and creating two trade schools, one in western Sydney and one in the Northern Rivers area, because we know these areas have challenges in pockets of youth unemployment," she said. The largest player in the Morrison governments flagship emissions reduction fund says a $2 billion cash injection should not be the government's only major climate policy and the Australian Industry Group says the plan is not a comprehensive or permanent" solution to curbing dangerous carbon pollution. The two organisations have called on the government to deploy climate policies across the broader economy, where sectors such as transport, industry and agriculture are driving growth in the nation's greenhouse emissions. Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday announced a 'climate solutions package' which includes $2 billion to top up the emissions reduction fund. That fund, the centrepiece of the Coalitions climate policies under Tony Abbotts leadership, gives taxpayer-funded carbon credits to farmers, councils, businesses and other groups that reduce emissions, mostly through regrowing or retaining native vegetation. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the government's climate package at a function in Melbourne on Monday. Credit:AAP To ensure that emissions reduction purchased under the fund is not offset by increases elsewhere in the economy, a safeguard mechanism sets limits on pollution from about 200 companies. Police have charged several people - including senior Rebels bikie members - after raids across the Perth metropolitan area last week. One of the seized guns. Credit:WA Police Methylamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis, firearms and cash was seized in the raids on Thursday, which were carried out in Scarborough, Alkimos, Edgewater, Wangara and Butler. Gang Crime Squad detectives and the Tactical Response Group carried out the raids. Police will allege at one address they seized more than 390 grams of methylamphetamine, two firearms and $3385 cash. The Margaret River Pro will continue to lure world-class surfers to the world-class breaks in WA's South West at least for the next three years. The Margaret River Pro has been saved - at least for the next three years. Credit:WSL The state government brokered a deal with the World Surf League, securing the championship tour event until at least 2021, Tourism Minister Paul Papalia said. Last year's event had to be cancelled after two shark attacks in areas close to the breaks where the event was held. Alex Travaglini was attacked on April 18, 2018 by what was suspected to be a great white shark at Cobblestones surf break in Gracetown and suffered severe injuries to his legs. Firefighters managed to contain a bushfire after it came close to homes in the Shire of Denmark on Monday. A bushfire emergency warning was issued for those in the area, but was quickly downgraded to an advice alert by authorities. The area bounded by the fire alert. Emergency services downgraded a bushfire alert issued for residents in Shire of Denmark. The fire started near the intersection of Sea Change Close and South Coast Highway in the southern part of Hay just after 2pm. Cold Case Serious Crime Squad detectives have charged a 62-year-old man as a result of their investigation into alleged historic child sexual abuse incidents. It is alleged between May 1991 and June 1992, the man, who was an actor working for a theatre company in the Perth metropolitan area, sexually assaulted a girl who was 15 at the time. The man from Kalgoorlie has been charged with aggravated sexual assault and he is due to appear before the Perth Magistrates Court on Monday. The investigation is ongoing and detectives urge anyone with any information regarding this matter to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au. If you are or have been a victim of sexual abuse, or if you have information about someone being abused, please contact police on 131 444. We got access to the house last year in February, and when we went inside both my husband and I were in tears, Mrs Meyer said. The house was just a shell, she said. They have filed a complaint with the Building Commissioner which states $176,000 worth of work was not finished by Mener. The couple have paid to finish the home themselves. We had paid so much money, she said. This has been the worst time of our lives. Mrs Meyer said graffiti scrawled on her home alerted her to claims of payments owed to contractors who were hired by Mener. Since moving into their house, several tradies had knocked on the door asking for monies owed. Camilla and Christo Meyer. Gosnells man Glen Wilkins, who signed with Mener to build three units in 2015, said his story was similar. He had hoped to build three investment properties that would generate a rental income to allow him to retire. Instead, he says he is facing potential bankruptcy. Mr Wilkins said his project stalled and he was left with unfinished properties. It has been hell, he said. The build dragged out, then he says he was left to fix defects and finish the home himself. His father mortgaged his own home in order to help Mr Wilkins see through the complaints process. Mr Wilkins has been fighting Mener Group in the State Administrative Tribunal for what he claims he is out of pocket - about $270,000 - which included rental income he would have generated and interest costs and fees paid for independent inspections. Glen Wilkins outside his property. He said he could no longer afford a lawyer, and missed tribunal deadlines resulting in his case being dismissed although he is now completing the necessary paperwork to re-start his claim. Now Mener is seeking a progress payment from him. Its been hard, its taken over my life, Mr Wilkins said. If Id gone with another builder my life would be completely different. Sarah McQuade says her situation is similar, but her home in Hilton is still unfinished. Her family paid more than $200,000 to Mener only for the process to stall at lockup. She has been quoted another $150,000 to finish the home herself. She had made a complaint to the Building Commission alleging the building service was not carried out in a proper or proficient manner. In another case Dave Curic, his wife and two young daughters handed over their $55,000 deposit to Mener to start building their new home in Sorrento. But the build never began. A painter, Mr Curic said what happened from there had caused undeniable financial and emotional stress. "We have had to start all over again," he said. Mr Luric said the family ultimately decided not to "throw away" more money on lawyers. There is nothing I can do," Mr Curic said. "Its sickening. We are just normal people, we have got two little daughters. Allen Redfearn wanted to build a new house to retire in. A bigger and better house to suit us and our grandkids, he said. We bought a block and hunted around for a builder. We ended up with Mener. He paid a deposit plus more for variations, a total of between $40,000 and $50,000. He said Mener took much longer than anticipated to get the plans to the local council, then submitted a site plan that he believes was never going to be approved. We pulled out, served notice on them. We said, fair enough well pay your costs, he said. But Mener would not give the rest back. We cant really afford, and dont want to pay for lawyers, Mr Redfearn said. He raised the matter with his local member Lisa Baker, WA Police and also has a complaint with the Building Commissioner. Im going to keep on battling away in the background until something is done about this, he said. In another case, a young couple who preferred not to be named said they were in the process of building their first home with Mener when they reached lockup stage. Building stopped, and they say they ended up with losses of about $180,000. "[Mener Group] banned us from the site. We broke the contract, then we had to use our life savings to finish the house ourselves," they said. Mener Groups WA builders registration ceased on October 16, 2018. New Home Building Brokers managing director Tristan Kirkham said he had been approached by several homeowners looking for advice after signing with Mener Group. He said the government needed to design a fast-track process where the State Administrative Tribunal and Building Commission could ensure consumers were not left waiting long periods for resolutions to conflicts with builders. Tristan Kirkham. The process for dispute is just far too long and costly for the consumer, Mr Kirkham said. A fast-track system needs to be put in place for these situations. A Mener Group representative said Mener was no longer building homes. In response to the allegations, they said three homeowners had terminated their contracts during the construction phase. They had their deposits applied against the costs incurred by Mener for each project, but the terms of each settlement were subject to confidentiality agreements. "Mener has only claimed for progress payments as per the contract, they said. Mener is not able to obtain any monies without providing photos and proof of stage completion to the bank, who then releases the funds. "Mener has commenced legal action against [some] clients. The four-day meeting of bishops and prelates from around the world at the Vatican to discuss the protection of minors in the Catholic Church, which closed on Sunday, was unprecedented. But at this stage it would be a brave observer who declared it a landmark in this global saga of crimes and cover-ups. Having opened the meeting with the declaration that "we need to be concrete", Pope Francis left those with most at stake in this tragedy the victims of abuse over decades still searching for specific answers to their demands for justice. For many years the focus in addressing this question has been upon the internal codes of the Church or canon law and the extent to which these have been used to shield abusers within the clergy. Having set up the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors in 2014, the Vatican then rejected the recommendation put forward by its lay and clergy members that there should be a tribunal for bishops within the Holy See, prompting one abuse victim to quit in disgust. Last week's Vatican meeting suggested that perhaps the Church has begun to realise that it can no longer be as Archbishop of Brisbane Mark Coleridge memorably told the royal commission into abuse here a "law unto itself" on this issue. A core question is where the Church fits into modern society - or as Archbishop of Malta Charles Scicluna put it, "the proper interface with civil jurisdiction" if it wishes to regain moral relevance. The first and most obvious concrete measure in these circumstances is to provide the laity and the wider public with a precise record both of reported cases of abuse and of priests sanctioned for their actions. As incredible as it may seem, this sort of information is still not available in any comprehensive or accessible form, so when Monsignor Scicluna talked at the meeting about moving towards "a culture of disclosure", much had still to be taken on faith. If high-profile acts such as the recent defrocking of American cardinal Theodore McCarrick are to be taken seriously, people need to be readily able to discover what is going on in their own diocese. Partygoers are believed to have thrown items from a unit onto the road below during a rowdy gathering in Melbourne's east at the weekend Two teenage girls were arrested and handed a caution for assaulting police and possessing drugs after the party, which took place in the early hours of Sunday morning. The apartment block where the teens gathered on Saturday night. Credit:Google Maps Police were called to an apartment on the corner of Doncaster Road and Tram Road in Doncaster about 4.40am on Sunday after they received a noise complaint. They arrived to find a number of people gathered at the property, which is opposite the Westfield Doncaster Shopping Centre, and asked the crowd to disperse. Detectives investigating the cold case murder 15 years ago of a Melbourne gangland figure during the underworld war have released an image of a man they believe was involved. Willie Thompson, a 39-year-old who had connections to gangland figures including Carl Williams and Nik Radev, was sitting by himself in his car on Waverley Road in Malvern East on the night of July 21, 2003 when he was showered with bullets by two gunmen. Purana Taskforce detectives have released an image of a man they wish to speak to following the 2003 gangland murder of Willie Thompson. Credit:Victoria Police Almost sixteen years after the gangland murder, detectives from the Purana Taskforce now believe a third person was at the scene with the two attackers when Thompson was killed. They have released an image of a man they want to speak to in relation to the murder. Tasmania's longest-serving state parliamentarian, Rene Hidding, has resigned after historical sexual assault allegations, from 40 years ago, were leveled against him through the media. A Queensland woman over the weekend alleged she was sexually abused by a sitting Liberal state parliamentarian when she stayed with his family over a six-month period as a teenager. Tasmanian politician Rene Hidding. Credit:Rene Hidding/Facebook Mr Hidding on Monday outed himself as the politician at the centre of the claim and denied wrongdoing. "I am devastated at the false and malicious allegations leveled against me through the media," he said. One in three Australian teachers leave within their first five years, a crucial issue at the heart of a federal government inquiry into the status of teaching in Australia in 2019. Keeping teachers is now a factor in the looming teacher shortage all education authorities are tackling. Education Minister Grace Grace and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk with students at Spring Mountain State School near Springwood. Credit:Jack Tran Submissions to a federal inquiry holding public hearings in Brisbane next week reveal a host of complaints, from pay packets to an "obsession" with testing. State Education Minister Grace Grace agreed the high proportion of teachers departing was a major problem. An $18.2 million artificial reef is set to be built off the Gold Coasts erosion-prone Palm Beach to protect the long, straight beach from thumping waves. Palm Beach and Narrowneck were the two worst-affected beaches on the Gold Coast last week during Cyclone Omas heavy swells. Huge swells and tides pummelled the Gold Coast as Cyclone Oma drifted south in the past week. Credit:AAP Historically Palm Beach is one of the worst-hit areas on the Gold Coast during storms and cyclones. Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate on Monday morning announced that work on Palm Beachs artificial reef would begin in April, after almost four years of planning and testing. Even after being accepted as refugees, Pari said they felt like prisoners on Nauru, as they were not allowed to leave the island. That was the worst part of it, she said. It wasnt like we chose to come there; they took us there. Pari told the inquest the couple lost hope when United Nations officials arrived. During a conversation with one of the UN officers, Pari said it became clearer that they would be stuck on Nauru for a long time. When I started to ask him a question, that you came to see how unfortunate we are here, what I understand about their presence was they were bringing more staff so wed stay longer, she said. As they told me, or as I remember, they said they are coming every six months to check it out so well stay there longer. Sarah Atkinson from Maurice Blackburn Lawyers (left) and Katie Robertson from the Human Rights Law Centre speak to media outside the Brisbane magistrates court in Brisbane on Monday. Credit:AAP Pari said she told the UN officer him she was depressed and thinking of hurting herself. As Pari became more and more upset, she said her partner could see her from across the clearing at the processing centre. The walk back to their demountable home was different this time, Pari said. Normally, they would walk shoulder-to-shoulder; this time, they were a metre apart. Both were angry and upset. They had no patience to be outside anymore as a result of the conversation. None of the UN people would help them, the couple thought. Instead, they thought, the UN was only there to cause more misery and pain. Mr Masoumali, described by Pari as a passionate person who experienced emotions in extremes, was in shock. He was upset and distressed. When we came back, I didnt want to go outside anymore because it made us upset, she said. Mr Masoumali was determined to go back to the centre to find out what was going on, and was angry when he left the demountable. Pari said she stayed for a few minutes as she thought he would return when he noticed she had not followed him. Loading When it became clear he was not coming back, Pari went back to the centre where she saw Mr Masoumali on fire. Counsel assisting the coroner Megan Jarvis asked how Pari formed the impression, as outlined in her statement, that Mr Masoumali wanted to survive his injuries. He was yelling and screaming Im burnt Im burnt and was waiting for treatment, Pari replied. He asked me if (his) face was burnt and I said no. That concern about his appearance, Pari said, was an indication he wanted to live. Prior to the events of April 26, 2016, Pari said her husband had been an optimistic presence in her life. Pari said life on Nauru was grim for all detainees on the island. Everybody is talking about suicide, so eventually if youre by yourself, you start thinking about suicide, she said. That was not helped, Pari said, by visits to a psychologist who asked her to describe ways she might kill herself. Pari thought those questions were designed to provoke such an action, the court heard. Even moving into the community offered little improvement, Pari said. Life was the same because we were stuck on that island, she said. The longest distance you could go around the island was 20 minutes. You would go around and around and see the same people. We got tired of that lifestyle. Speaking outside the court prior to the hearing, National Justice Project director George Newhouse, acting on behalf of Mr Masoumalis family, said the family was desperate to know what happened to him on Nauru. I dont know what Omid would want, but let me put it this way: I can tell you that Omids family want change, they want the truth to come out, they want the governments behavior exposed and they want to make sure that no-one no refugee, no asylum seeker, no human being is treated this way again, he said. Mr Newhouse said Mr Masoumalis death did not occur in isolation. There are 12 other deaths on Nauru and Manus and Ive acted for more deaths in immigration detention in Australia, he said. There are deaths in PNG and Nauru that are going uninvestigated. Youre hearing today of an inquest beginning into Omids death, but there are at least four others that we act for that died in suspicious circumstances where the government is refusing to create a judicial investigation into their deaths. Human Rights Law Centre director of legal advocacy Katie Robertson said lessons needed be learnt from the tragedy. As we stand here today women and men continue to languish in Nauru and Papua New Guinea in urgent need of critical medical care and in urgent need of medical evacuation to Australia, she said. After so much suffering, after so many years of toxic politics, its tragedies like the death of Omid that remind us we must embrace compassion, humanity and decency in the way we treat those who come to us seeking safety. The inquest continues. Seniors doctors at Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick have dismissed claims that their campaign to save their prestigious heart surgery unit has prevented NSW from delivering the best care possible. The Herald revealed on Sunday that doctors mostly based at The Childrens Hospital at Westmead believed having two surgery sites in one city - at Randwick and at Westmead - had stymied the state's overall paediatric cardiac surgery program. Doctors at Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick "vehemently disagree with the concept that cardiac surgery can be safely discontinued at Randwick". Credit:Fiona Morris In a leaked "statement of concerns" the cardiologists said all cardiac surgery should be performed at Westmead because the current "inferior" model was "fiscally wasteful" and forcing them to fly babies needing a heart transplant to Melbourne. On Monday Randwick's Medical Staff Council, led by chairwoman Susan Russell, responded saying Westmead's desire to perform heart transplants was irrelevant to its concerns for patient safety. The 2011 killing of crime figure Saso Ristevski remains unsolved, after a murder charge against a Victorian man was dropped in the NSW Supreme Court this month. Ristevski was assaulted and shot dead in 2011, when he was attacked by three men, who apparently intended to rob him, at his parents' home in Lake Heights, Wollongong. The gun used in the shooting was later found in Victoria. Drug trafficker Saso Ristevski was executed while on parole in 2011. Credit:Fairfax Archives Ristevski, a convicted drug trafficker with links to Melbourne organised crime, had served time for trafficking half a kilogram of cocaine. He had been on parole for a year when he was killed. Almost six years later Victorian inmate Lloyd Murrell, 48, was charged with the murder of Ritsevski. He was extradited to NSW from a Victorian jail, where he was serving a sentence for an unrelated crime. Former NSW Labor minister Ian Macdonald and his former union boss friend John Maitland have had their convictions over the granting of a multimillion-dollar coal exploration licence set aside and a retrial has been ordered. In mid-2017, NSW Supreme Court Justice Christine Adamson sentenced Mr Macdonald to at least seven years behind bars and Mr Maitland to at least four over a direct allocation licence in December 2008 to Doyles Creek Mining, a company Mr Maitland chaired, while Mr Macdonald held the minerals portfolio. Ian Macdonlad has had his conviction thrown out. Credit:AAP A jury had, earlier that year, found Mr Macdonald guilty of two counts of public misconduct over the lucrative deal, while Mr Maitland, who had made $6 million from the sale of shares relating to the deal, was found guilty as an accessory. The pair appealed, and, in its decision on Monday, the NSW Court of Appeal quashed their convictions and ordered a retrial, finding Justice Adamson had not properly directed the jury on the mental element of Mr Macdonald's offending. "I read with interest that the new $20 note design has, amongst other anti-counterfeiting features, an image of a flying kookaburra that flaps its wings," writes Jack Dikian of Mosman. "As if keeping money from flying out wasnt hard enough." Keeping it avian, Clive Williams of Lavender Bay says: Last year I wrote advising that Id seen a brush turkey in a small park near North Sydney Station and warned that once they managed a harbour crossing, the city was in danger of invasion. (Granny certainly remembers this. Especially the theory of a summit clash with the ibis population of Hyde Park). I can now advise that yesterday I saw one with a half-grown chick in the same location. Now that they are breeding here, the threat has obviously increased. Been watching any Hitchcock lately, Clive? Edward Loong of Milsons Point has some rather majestic friends. He tells us he bumped into a colleague earlier near the Palace (Chinese restaurant in the Piccadilly Arcade) where we met for lunch before Christmas. Asked whether he plans to return, he nonchalantly mentioned, Im actually having lunch at the Palace next week.' 'So, you enjoyed the yum cha?' said I. 'No, my wife and I are joining Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall at Buckingham Palace,' said he. Silly me." Michael Paynes hearing aid conundrum (C8) may actually be due to the infiltration of yet another Americanism, thinks Tim McKinnon of Moss Vale. The reversal of red and green with hearing aids probably stems from the practice in the US of applying the coloured buoys to vessels entering port as opposed to most of the world applying them to vessels leaving port. Dave Horsfall of North Gosford adds: "'Red on right' is common in the audio industry." For correctly remembering the seafaring version, William Galton of Hurstville Grove writes: "Nautical types may be familiar with the old mnemonic, 'Theres a little red port left in the bottle'." Former NSW Labor minister Ian Macdonald says that he's "absolutely" innocent and has called for an "immediate inquiry" into the state corruption watchdog's investigation of him as he walked out of prison after having his conviction over the granting of a multimillion-dollar coal exploration licence set aside. Mr Macdonald and former union boss John Maitland were set free on bail on Monday afternoon, hours after the pair won a criminal appeal over a direct allocation licence given in December 2008 to Doyles Creek Mining, a company Mr Maitland chaired, while Mr Macdonald held the minerals portfolio. Ian Macdonald leaves Long Bay jail on Monday. Credit:Peter Rae A gaunt Mr Macdonald walked from Long Bay jail about 3pm, telling media that he was grateful for the support of his family and friends. "There are further comments I want to make. In particular, the need for an immediate inquiry into several of the ICAC matters which have involved me and others, in which the issues and matters which have been amplified or ventilated by Alan Jones, Peter Phelps and Chris Merritt should be dealt with," Mr Macdonald said, reading from a notebook. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Once those requirements are in place she will find herself in the role of a shield against inevitable criticisms, many of them politically motivated, levelled against the national broadcaster. This will test her public advocacy skills. On the face of it, these abilities are quite formidable. What the Buttrose appointment tells us is that in politics not much can be taken for granted. As things stood, it appeared the government was heading for a predictable appointment as ABC chair from a shortlist, dominated by lawyers, whose credentials were worthy if not inspiring. All were men. Back then: Ita Buttrose in her office in 1980. Credit:Bob Finlay In the event, Morrison has sprung a marketing surprise at the very moment the government is being heavily criticised for a paucity of women in its ranks. What is demonstrated by this detour away from a headhunters shortlist is that as long as it retains government, the party in power has, within its gift, appointments to Australias most significant offices: Head of State, Chief Justice of the High Court and chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Of the three, you could say the latter is in a position to exert the most sway on Australias political and cultural life. If Labor wins an election in May all of the above positions would be conservative government appointees of recent standing. Two of those appointments would take office, either on the cusp of an election in the case of the ABC, or afterwards with the Governor-General. David Hurley takes over as the Queens representative from Peter Cosgrove in June. Loading Morrison had on his desk the shortlist for ABC chair for about a month. Now that shortlist has been put aside, what seems likely to have weighed in his calculations is the sort of appointment that would reflect well on the government in constituencies over which it has a tenuous hold. Ita Buttrose, whose own politics would not seem to be conservative with a big "C", would certainly appeal to voters in seats such as Wentworth and Higgins, and even Warringah, who have drifted from the Liberal fold. Whether her appointment would satisfy the culture warriors on the right is another matter. If there is one issue that animates conservatives it is a perceived left-wing bias in the national broadcaster. While some of this criticism may be valid, the suggestion the ABC is in thrall, generally speaking, to a Green-left collective is ridiculous. Such criticisms do not correspond with community perceptions of the national broadcaster as the medias most trusted news source. Loading You can be sure that ABC independence and its funding will be an issue in the forthcoming election. A good appointment as ABC chair might salve some of the anticipated criticism. Given the turmoil at the national broadcaster in which not only the managing director but its chair were forced out in ugly circumstances in latter 2018 a new appointment in the gift of the government of the day assume much greater moment. The corporation is now being run on a care and maintenance basis by a temporary chair and a temporary managing director. This is neither sustainable, nor desirable, and reflects poor decisions about managing director and chair appointments in the first place. To its credit Labor has, over the years, sought to make appointments to the ABC board more transparent but these attempts have, for the most part, been honoured in the breach by the current government. At least half the board members are grace and favour appointments based on their political affiliations. The next question is how do we deal with this? Australia has the highest degree of income dependency on China of any developed nation. Last financial year, Australia earned 30.6 per cent of all export income from the Middle Kingdom, according to Australian official statistics, worth $123 billion. That's more than double the value of Australia's second biggest export market, Japan. The last time Australia was so dependent on one country for its income was in the 1950s when it was a client state of Britain's. The uncertainty, the constant possibility of unannounced sanctions, helps train Australia to fear China and anticipate its wrath by seeking to please it. Beijing wants to keep other countries bowing low in a preemptive kowtow. "You end up so that countries automatically ask themselves the question, 'Is my next step going to annoy Chinese, and therefore I'd better not do it," says Varghese. It's living in fear. It would be perfectly consistent for China to cut imports of Australian coal as punishment. The foreign exchange market certainly thought so - note the speed with which the Australia dollar lost 1 per cent of its value on the news on Friday that one Chinese port was banning Australian coal. "China can crush Australia and New Zealand, or they could incentivise you to move into their camp," a Rabobank researcher in Hong Kong, Michael Every, told The Financial Review last week. Keeping Australia in constant fear for its livelihood does indeed incentivise it to become a client of China, by constantly reminding us of Beijing's power to crush us if it so chose. "You are the ultimate canary in the coal mine," says Every. Loading If that is the problem, what is the solution? Varghese has thought about this conundrum. He has a couple of ideas. One is a national approach. The other is for individual sectors. At the national level: "How do spread your risk better? How do you reduce your dependence on China? That's why we should be looking harder at India. It is an important market for Australia and it adds to our resilience." Indeed, Varghese last year wrote a major report for the federal government on how to take better advantage of the fast-growing Indian economy. Both government and opposition have committed to adopting its major recommendations. And at the sector level, Varghese last year told a conference of vice-chancellors how the university sector could improve its management of China risk. Instead of spending all the billions in Chinese student fees that they collect every year, Australian universities should allocate a percentage of the profit component to a long-term investment fund. "So if the tap is turned down sharply, you have a bit more capacity to deal with it," Varghese says. "And you have a bit more for long-term investments like your infrastructure or scholarships or whatever." Queensland University is now considering how to implement such a resilience fund. The same principle could be applied to some other industries that find themselves over-exposed to the whims and wiles of Zhongnanhai. Varghese says that after four decades of effortless profit, the "salad days" of Australia's relationship with China are over. "What lies ahead looks more complicated at best and gloomy at worst," he said in a business speech two weeks ago. "The China of Xi is not the China of Deng on which most of our China policies have been based." The eight unused beds at the $11.7 million Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm have been flagged for the second time as possible alternative accommodation for Indigenous prisoners on bail. The troubled ACT Health-run facility, located within bushland in Canberra's south-west, was custom-built to provide a culturally appropriate environment and suitable facilities for Indigenous people recovering from alcohol or substance abuse. The Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm has been flagged as a possible "safety valve" for a prisons system filled to overflowing. However, the farm's beds have been empty since it was opened in 2017, after it was found that zoning laws did not allow for some important clinical services to be provided. The facility is now only used for clients who are bussed in during the day. The potential for more diversified use of the farm's unused residences was initially raised by former integrity commissioner Phillip Moss in his independent investigation into the death in custody of Indigenous remandee Stephen Freeman. Police say she died at Canberra Hospital 18 months ago, but "Ms Dumdees death was not reported to police at the time". They also want people in the sex trade who might have known Paweena Dumdee to contact them with information. Police are appealing for the family of a Fyshwick massage parlour worker to come forward to help solve the mystery of her death. They said the cause of death was found to be "a brain haemorrhage, which was likely to have been caused by drug use". The place where police say the dead woman worked was later one of a series of establishments suspected of employing women who had been trafficked from Thailand. The police now say they want to know whether illegal drugs were supplied to the workers at the massage parlour. The police statement says, "During 2018, investigations into human trafficking indicated that Ms Dumdee may have been a victim of exploitation by traffickers or the operators of Chok Dee Massage in Fyshwick, where she worked." Last July, the police raided several brothels including Chok Dee Massage in an investigation of the trafficking of women from Thailand for the Canberra sex industry. An Australian woman was charged and five Thai nationals detained over immigration offences as a result of the simultaneous raids on the premises. Four Thai nationals, working illegally in Australia, were then deported, the police said at the time. Dr McGowan was Mrs Beowulf's husband Thorhammer Beowulf's de facto partner, and they also had a son together. The court has heard the three adults and their five sons lived together for many years. In 2015 Mrs Panin moved into the home with Mr and Mrs Beowulf and Dr McGowan. "I never saw Melissa hit Katherine, but Melissa did like to get in her face," Dr McGowan told the jury. She said one time Mrs Beowulf and Mrs Panin had words and she heard Mrs Beowulf call her mother in law a "c--tface" and just kept repeating the phrase. Dr McGowan said she witnessed one incident in which Mrs Beowulf got into Mrs Panin's face and the older woman crossed her arms above her head. Mrs Panin had moved from Sydney to Canberra to live with the family in early 2015. Of the relationship between Mrs Panin and her son Dr McGowan said: "It went from tolerance to intolerance." Dr McGowan also told the court how when Mr Beowulf was in a hospice dying of pancreatic cancer that he and Mrs Beowulf spoke to her and asked if she could be meaner to Mrs Panin. She said that after Mr Beowulf died Mrs Panin confided to her that her son had "jackbooted" her down to the solicitor's office to change her will. But Mrs Panin told the woman that she intended to make another change because she wanted her money to be equally shared between the family, the jury heard. When Mr Beowulf was dying, Mrs Panin told her good and that she hoped he suffered. On the day Mrs Panin died, she was due to move out of the Red Hill home and into a retirement unit, the court has heard. Dr McGowan said when Mrs Beowulf called to let her know Mrs Panin had died she was hysterical. Earlier Monday, a general practitioner for the allegedly murdered woman told the jury how the name Philip Nitschke had come up during one of their appointments. While under cross examination by defence barrister Ken Archer, Dr Brenda Masters agreed that Mrs Panin was nihilistic and thought she was going to die. She agreed that Mrs Panin didn't want anything done about it. She said Mrs Panin reported how a daughter was researching Philip Nitschke. The doctor also agreed under defence questioning that certain of Mrs Panin's medications could cause balance problems and falls. During the doctor's examination in chief by the Crown's Margaret Jones, she told the court how she was commiserating with Mrs Panin about her late son when she received a vehement response. Scott Morrison with much fanfare has announced the Coalitions climate policy the Climate Solution Package. Unfortunately, for those 59 per cent of Australians who according to the Lowy Institute want strong government action on climate change, this announcement is not a climate hit, but rather to borrow the words of Propellerheads and Shirley Bassey, a joke that is rather sad and just a little bit of history repeating. Scott Morrison announces the government's climate package at a function in Melbourne. Credit:David Crosling Weve seen it before and well see it again - every time the polls are tight and an election is coming the Coalition pretends that it cares about climate. For example, after a decade of refusing to sign the Kyoto Protocol, John Howard announced an emissions trading scheme in the lead up to the 2007 election, yet when push came to shove in 2009 the Coalition rolled a leader over it. Then in 2013, Abbott announced the Emissions Reduction Fund, his alternative to the extremely effective Gillard Clean Energy Future package. Now in 2019, after toppling a Prime Minister over climate six months ago, Scott Morrison is trying the same old thing. Loading So what did he announce yesterday? The main commitment was the Climate Solution Fund, a plan to top up Abbotts ERF with $200 million a year over a decade. Despite its nice name and the many times Morrison claimed that Australia will meet its Paris targets in a canter, the reality is that this rebranded Abbott-era policy is anything but a solution to climate change. Indian billionaire Anil Ambani has spent years fending off creditors and suing critics of his debt-saddled business empire. But his moment of reckoning may have arrived, as he races to pay debts or face a possible jail sentence. The fortunes of Anil Ambani (left) and brother Mukesh have gone in different directions. Credit:AP On February 20, India's Supreme Court said that the Reliance Group's phone unit had disobeyed a ruling to pay about $US77 million owed to the local subsidiary of supplier Ericsson AB, adding that the tycoon will personally face three months of jail unless the payments are made within four weeks. Ambani's group said it will comply with the order and make the payments within the required time. It's an extraordinary fall for a man listed by Forbes magazine in 2008 as the world's sixth-wealthiest person. The court's decision comes after a tough year for Ambani, as parts of his empire saw losses and competition in India's telecommunications market became increasingly brutal. His story also offers insights into how far India has come in cracking down on overdue borrowers and curbing the financial impunity of its richest citizens. "He has reached the final weeks of the battle," said Arun Kejriwal, director at KRIS, a Mumbai-based investment advisory firm. Ambani can fight with Ericsson and other creditors but can't do that with the nation's top court, he said. The American will walk away having earned more than $33 million in cash - and at least $5.6 million worth of shares - for four years' work at Telstra. Sol Trujillo has sacked himself. The Telstra boss will receive a $3 million bonus payment when he steps down in June after agreeing to leave the company as if he was fired. He had long been expected to go this year because a four-year exemption from Australian taxation on most of the income from his overseas investments ends on June 30 - the day he leaves. Under his contract, Mr Trujillo's departure will be treated as a "termination" - rather than a simple resignation - which entitles him to $3 million in fixed pay in lieu of 12 months' notice. "I'll miss Sol. He was so easy to draw; anyone could do him. Just draw a moustache on a potato and you've got him." Herald cartoonist John Shakespeare. Credit:John Shakespeare The list of perks is long: shareholders will compensate him for any tax he has to pay on his Australian earnings when he returns to California. He will retain all share options - subject to meeting performance hurdles - granted under Telstra's long-term incentive plan that have not lapsed, including 5.2 million granted in the second half of 2008. The leisurely pace at which Long-Term Asset Partners is pursuing Graincorp appears to have opened the door to a variety of competing options for the Graincorp board. At last weeks annual general meeting, Graincorps chairman, Graham Bradley, told shareholders that while LTAPs $2.4 billion offer remained "active", it also remained indicative and non-binding, and LTAP was still conducting due diligence three months after lobbing its $10.42-a-share proposal. The sum of the parts could be greater than Long-Term Asset Partners' $2.4 billion whole. Credit:Photo: Robert Rough There was no certainty that LTAP would make a binding proposal or as to what the terms of such a proposal might be, he said. Bradley also disclosed that Graincorp had been approached by a "number of parties" that had expressed "serious interest" in purchasing part of the groups portfolio of businesses. Logistics giant Brambles has become the latest Australian company to unveil big rewards for shareholders, as it announced it would undertake a buyback and a cash payout in the wake of the $US2.51 billion ($A3.51 billion) sale of its international plastic containers business. Brambles announced on Monday it will sell its IFCO business, which serves large grocery retailers in Europe, North America and elsewhere, to a partnership comprising the European investment firm Triton and a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, a $700 billion sovereign wealth fund owned by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The pallets and container firm said it entered a binding agreement to sell its IFCO business to Triton and Luxinva. Credit:Jane Dyson Brambles chief executive Graham Chipchase said the sale would allow Brambles to focus on its strategic priorities in its core markets "while also reviewing additional opportunities in emerging markets". Shares in the company spiked to their highest level in more than two years on the news, hitting an intra-day high of $12.54 before closing at $11.93, up 2.8 per cent. Facebook Australia managing director Will Easton has admitted the global behemoth has made mistakes while welcoming criticism amid a new wave of issues for the social media platform. Speaking at the official launch of Facebooks new offices in Sydneys Barangaroo on Monday evening, Mr Easton told a crowd of 150 people that the social media giant felt very strongly about the benefits it offered including its role as an awesome advertising platform. Will Easton, Australian managing director of Facebook. Credit:Louise Kennerley He admitted the last two years had involved some challenges, saying the company had been focused on recognising that theres certain areas we havent done as good a job as we would have liked to. Thats specifically around anticipating risks and stopping the action of bad actors and bad content on our platform, Mr Easton said. NEWS Pentagon transforms Campia Turzii unit into a NATO air hub at the Black Sea A former Soviet airbase in central Romania could become a hub for US Air Force operations in south-eastern Europe, where the Pentagon is seeking to Mai mult Nuclearelectrica shareholders approved to terminate negotiations with Chinese for building reactors 3 and 4 from Cernavoda Nuclearelectrica's Board of Directors has been mandated to initiate proceedings to terminate negotiations with China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN), as well as legal effects Mai mult Renault holds expansion of its plant in Romania, 15,000 jobs cancelled at global level "Putting capacity growth projects planned in Morocco and Romania on hold" - is one of the measures included in the draft plan of Renault Group Mai mult Romania is a net importer of electricity in 2020 as well Romania imported an amount of electricity of almost 796 GWh in the first month of this year, by more than 36% above what it exported Mai mult Shareholders of Galati steel plant promise investments of one billion euros GFG Alliance has committed to invest one billion euros to upgrade Galati steel plant in order to reduce emissions and increase production. Another EUR 1 Mai mult Top 3 reasons why young people leave Romania Lack of trust in authorities, corruption and low living standards are the main reasons why young people leave Romania. The data is part of a Mai mult IMM Invest Romania program implementing rules have been published The Ministry of Public Finance announces that it has issued the methodological norms for the implementation of the Program for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises Mai mult Pollution import and car park expansion: comparisons with the other EU states Romania is the EU country with the fewest cars in terms of the number of inhabitants, according to data recently published by Eurostat. We appear Mai mult Laura Codruta Kovesi remains alone in the race for European Chief Prosecutor French Prosecutor Jean-Francois Bohnert will be appointed as head of the European Financial Prosecutor's Office, a position for which he was heard on Thursday, 11 Mai mult 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! As you might imagine, when setting up a budget you have to identify categories into which you stick your proposed expenditures. I've identified categories of my choosing, but you can choose to list them in a different way. Just drop them into a spreadsheet, then add all the costs (including those I've neglected or forgotten to list) and you're rolling. This is not an exhaustive list of costs, but it'll give you an idea of what you're up against for starters. It's also a nice exercise for those of you who think $80 is too much to charge for a sprint. Yes, it's a lot to spend, but if you think sprints ought to cost $35 or $40, well, have at it cowboy put on your own race and show us all how it's done! Per Person : You're going to get hit right out the gate with $15 to $20 per person just on T-shirts if you offer these swim caps and online registration costs. Don't think it's just the cost of the T-shirts you give to each person you have to incur. It's the cost of the T-shirts you buy, and you always buy more than you need by a considerable margin (because you don't know how many registrants you'll eventually get, and you don't know for sure what the size breakdown will be). So your $5 T-shirt isn't really costing you that price, but probably more like $8. * T-shirts * Online registration * Swim caps City costs : This is the great unknown. The hard thing about dealing with cities is that these costs are generally very hard to nail down, pre-race. You can scream and whine all you want, but invariably you'll get a bill that is quite a bit higher than anything you expected to get. And its getting worse! I'll give you an example from a bike race I put on about two decades ago. I got a public works bill that included an extra $4000. Why? Because they had to fill the potholes on the course. Didn't they have a responsibility to fill them anyway? Sure. But this was a convenient excuse to get someone else to pay for it. After this experience, I now know to slip into a side-letter somewhere a mention that I'll expect not to bear any costs associated with making the course roadworthy. Obviously, you have to know what your costs are going to be. You've got to try to nail the city down on this. If you've got a big race, and the city wants you, and you get a "grant" against city services, don't fall for this ploy without scrutinizing it. They'll "grant" you $5000 and charge you $20,000, netting you a debit of $15,000. I just don't like this. Better to just settle on a price, and make the city's departments each come up with a cost. You can then work with them to abate or mitigate these costs by using volunteer personnel instead of paid police, etc. When I go to a city to put on a race, almost the first thing I say on the first meeting is, "If you see me as an opportunity to help your cops pad their overtime, just tell me now so I don't waste anyone's time." * Permits * Police * Public works Can I just note a couple of things on this. First, I say, right up front, that if you see me as that guy to whom you can charge police overtime-pay, and so forth, that is to say, if you think Im the guy wholl help you shore up the things the community doesnt have budget for, tell me know. Im not that guy. Lets stop before we start. Second, this is one reason Im high on gravel! The less you need police, traffic control, public works, the lower the costs. Site Construction costs : In my nomenclature there is the "site" or the "venue" and by that I mean the swim start, the race finish, the transition area, the expo area, tents, barricades, scaffolding, flags and so forth. Scaffolding, fencing, barricades, and all that stuff can cost an awful lot of money. "Why do I need scaffolding?" you might ask. Where is your announcer going to announce from? And from which vantage point will he be perched so that he can see the race he's calling? Then there is the sound system he'll need so that he can be heard. Sometimes your announcer will bring his own sound system. Sometimes the scaffolding guy also does the sound system. Either way, you've got to plan for this. You can't assume anything. You must account for everything. Otherwise you'll have scaffolding, an announcer, and no sound system. Is your race headquarters close to electricity? If not, you need a generator. Maybe more than one. And lots of extension cords. Thick ones, if you need to pull a lot of amps (like for a portable air conditioner or an air compressor). Speaking of the latter, don't overdo it. If you need to fill swim buoys, you don't need a lot of pressure, such as a compressor would give you. You need a lot of cubic feet per minute, such as a hair dryer would give you. You don't need a 200-pound compressor that costs $300. You need a hand-held inflator that looks just like a hair dryer that costs $50. After you've put on a few races you'll identify all the overkill thats been killing you. You don't necessarily need huge swim buoys, for example. It might be cheaper to borrow small buoys and, if they have a ring attached to the top, anchor an arch of helium-filled balloons to each turn buoy, plus the finish line. It's a nice look, and people provide these arches relatively inexpensively. What else to you need for your site? Port-a-johns, tables, chairs, pop-up tents, everything that makes a site a site. If you're going to be putting on a race, go to a few races you admire, with a pad and pencil, and list everything you see that you think you might want at your race. List everything. Don't take all that fencing for the transition area, to keep the bikes secure and the spectators out, for granted. Amazing what that fencing costs to rent. There are plenty of companies under the heading of "party rentals" that rent much of this sort of stuff to you. Write all this stuff down and give your list to a couple of these companies. See how much of it they'll provide, and for how much. There are almost certainly people who own bike racks in your area and who'll rent both the racks and the assembly and disassembly of them. Almost everybody in the RD biz makes their own racks with the assumption that they will have to rent them out. Don't make your racks until you check out the price of renting someone else's. One word of advice: get more racks than you think you need. One of my pet peeves as a racer is a transition area that doesn't leave enough room to rack all the bikes. Also, realize that for all these categories of things you need, you need volunteers to erect and put away the hardware. This is your "construction crew." When you rent scaffolding and pop-up tents, you just rent the stuff itself, not the assembly of it. * Scaffolding * Fencing * Sound system * Port-a-johns * Bike Racks Course costs : I differentiate between "site" or "venue" on the one hand, and then the costs of the "course" on the other. The "course" is your triathlon route after it leaves and before it returns to your "site." You'll be unpleasantly surprised when you see how much traffic cones and barricades cost to rent. I always try to get the city to come up with as much of this as possible as a throw-in they have a bunch of this stuff, as does the county and state highway construction organizations. Ask them all if they'll loan you their cones, barricades, etc. All they can say is no. And don't forget the vehicles you'll need in order to place and retrieve all these items. If you're coning a lane of a bike course, you can't place all your cones with just a pick-up truck. Yes, I have chairs and pop-up tents listed below. Didn't I cover these items above? Yes, for the "site," but not for the course. Remember your aid stations. * Cones * Barricades * Signs * Swim buoys * Aid stations * Cups * Tables * Chairs * Pop-up tents * Fluid replacement * Coolers/trash cans * Ice * Aid station food * Vehicles Race specific costs : Perhaps you don't need everything listed below. But you'll need a lot of it. Realize that on-site registration and timing is not the same as online registration. You need to hand that online data over to a company that will time your race, and they'll also be handling your late registration (with the help of the volunteers you provide). You might find the idea of "volunteer costs" oxymoronic. How can a volunteer cost? While it's true that the volunteer doesn't charge, the organization to which he's attached does charge. Often it's your charity and, really, you need to be strategic when picking your charity. If it can't deliver a lot of volunteers, then you might think about another charity. The point is, nobody works for free. Even volunteers. * Timing * On-site registration * Announcing * Supplemental Insurance * Volunteer costs? * Volunteer T-shirts * Post-race food * Race awards Advertising costs : I'm not just speaking of the ads that are geared toward getting the athletes to register for your race, although that's part of it. Do you have sponsors? Do they have banners? Are they expecting you to advertise their name for them at your race? Are they named on your finish banner? If so, then you've got to make a finish banner. Whatever signage you promise, you must execute. I can't remember a race in which I didn't incur costs of this sort. * Banners * Start/finish * Posters * Ads * Website * Prize money/pro appearance? The other stuff : Then there's the stuff neither you nor I could even contemplate. Once I put on a race at which a bunch of cars that were on the race course ended up getting towed. Yes, we mailed notices saying when the course must be free of cars, and we put up signs, and all that. But these were people who came in the night before the race people who rented vacation houses, or who only visited their vacation homes occasionally. They didn't feel like they ought to have been towed. The city certainly wasn't going to come up with the cash to pay the towing companies. So we did. The next year we rented the use of a tow truck for the morning and, with the help of the city, designated an empty lot that would be only a couple of blocks from anyone's home whose car was towed. Okay, it cost us a few hundred bucks for the rental of the tow truck and driver, but it was thousands cheaper than what we had to pay the year before. You never know what's going to happen. Best to budget a slush fund for Acts of God and man. I haven't yet written about the revenue side of your budget. Frankly, I don't feel that need for that. It's easy for prospective RDs to figure out where they think the money is coming from race registration, sponsors, expo booth sales but it's a lot harder to properly account for all the expenses. My best advice to you on the revenue side it, count on half the entries than your most conservative guess would total. In other words, if you're reasonably sure you'll get 700 in your first year, but you'll certainly at least get 500, budget for 250. You might find it unfathomable that all those costs above could be covered, revenue-neutral, at a race with 250 people. But, that might be $25,000 in revenue, and a lot of your costs might be offset by volunteers, or in-kind donations. You might decide you dont need T shirts. A local somebody might make the awards. The police or Highway Patrol might have volunteer traffic operators (they do in our area). Maybe you dont need scaffolding. Maybe your race occurs in a park with a lot of public toilets, and you dont need to rent Port-o-johns. The list above is to apprise you of the stuff you may need; you can determine how much of it you do need. The Series: How to Be a Race Director Picking a Course Pacify the Locals Getting That Special Event Permit Assembling Your Race Committee Your Race Budget Traffic Plan Getting Volunteers Getting Sponsors Attracting Media Filling Your Race Aid Stations UPDATE: Officials have lifted bans for most vehicles on Staten Island bridges, though restrictions remain on empty and tandem tractor-trailers until 6 p.m., according to MTA and PANYNJ notifications. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- Officials have banned certain vehicles from crossing the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and issued a warning about flying debris Monday, amid wind gusts estimated to reach 60 mph. The following vehicles temporarily are banned from the bridge, according to a post Monday morning by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority: Vans, tractor-trailers, house trailers, cars pulling trailers, mini buses, motorcycles and vehicles transporting plate glass, signs or any cargo loaded in a way that presents a hazard. Traffic was backed up to Red Hook on the Brooklyn side of the bridge, and to Todt Hill on the Staten Island side, as of about 1 p.m., according to Google maps. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey also has banned trucks, motorcycles, empty trailers and tandem tractor-trailers on Outerbridge Crossing, Bayonne Bridge and Goethals Bridge until 6 p.m., according to the agencys Twitter posts. Meanwhile, in Ocean Breeze, sections of drywall could be seen tumbling down Hylan Boulevard on Monday morning. The Buildings Department (DOB) issued a warning Monday to building contractors, property owners and crane operators to secure their materials due to dangerous conditions. To safeguard construction sites, the DOB advised that loose debris be tied down, electrical equipment covered and loose tools stored. Officials said city workers will perform random spot-checks at construction sites around the city. If sites are not secured, the city will take immediate enforcement action, which could include violations and stop work orders, where necessary, according to the notification. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A former Staten Island man accused of murdering his brother, sister-in-law and the couples two children in New Jersey was on the verge of being ousted from the family business, according to an NJ.com report. Paul Caneiro, 51, is accused of gunning down his brother, Keith, before fatally shooting and stabbing his sister-in-law, 8-year-old niece and 11-year-old nephew inside the victims Colts Neck mansion. Caneiro was a minority owner of a technology consulting business with his brother, Keith, who owned 90 percent of the business. According to the affidavit, Keith was frustrated with the amount of money Paul was spending from their business accounts, the report says. Emails from Keiths account in the days leading up to the death of he and his family reveal he planned to cut-off payments to his brother until he could determine the source of funds that had gone missing, according to the report. A GRISLEY NARRATIVE Authorities say Caneiro carried out the slayings just after 3 a.m., before setting the mansion on fire, then, returning home and setting his own house on fire. Unsealed court documents detail evidence found inside Caneiros home, including blood-stained clothing with DNA matching his niece, a bloody latex glove, a gun silencer and a night-vision tool, according to the report. Caneiros attorneys have maintained his innocence, saying he would never hurt his family. UPDATE: The NYPD announced on Twitter that threats against several schools on Staten Island have been deemed not credible at this time. Click here for an update. PLEASE SHARE/RT In regards to the threats made to several schools in Staten Island, a thorough investigation has deemed that these threats are NOT CREDIBLE at this time. @NYPDstatenIslnd @NYPD123Pct pic.twitter.com/Mf0noNIgrT NYPD 122nd Precinct (@NYPD122Pct) February 25, 2019 ------- STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The NYPD is investigating threats made to multiple Staten Island High Schools, according to a spokesman for the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. According to the spokesman, in one instance, a mother called police after her son showed her a Snapchat message that showed an individual with a weapon, along with a threat to Tottenville High School. According to the spokesman, that threat was reported at approximately 11 p.m. on Sunday. The spokesman said that the threats originated on Snapchat; however, further details regarding the threats are not currently available. A spokesperson for the Department of Education did not respond for a request to comment. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- NASA scientists are warning that a large iceberg that is twice the size of New York City will soon break off Antarctica. Satellite images show large cracks across Antarticas Brunt Ice Shelf that could lead to a 660-square-mile iceberg calved, or broken off, from the shelf, according to a NASA news release. Ice shelves are thick, floating platforms of ice connected to land masses, according to National Geographic. They surround about 75 percent of Antarcticas coastline. While NASA said this wouldnt be a terribly large iceberg by Antartica standards, it may be the largest iceberg to calve from the Brunt Ice Shelf since observations began in 1915. NASA scientists said the first crack in the ice shelf appeared in late October 2016. Since then, the crack, also known as the Halloween crack, continues to grow eastward toward an area known as the McDonald Ice Rumples. However, the space agency said its more immediate concern is the rift visible on the Brunt Ice Shelf, seen in the center of the above image take on Jan. 23. Previously stable for about 35 years, this crack recently started accelerating northward as fast as 4 kilometers per year, NASA said in a news release. Scientists said its not yet clear how the remaining ice shelf will respond following the break, posing an uncertain future for scientific infrastructure and human presence on the shelf. The space agency is now watching to see if the loss will trigger the shelf to further change, and possibly become unstable or break up. NASA said calving is a normal part of the life cycle of ice shelves, but the recent changes are unfamiliar in this area. Cracking across Antarcticas Brunt Ice Shelf is set to release an iceberg w/ an area about 2x the size of NYC. The splitting could result in an uncertain future for the shelfs scientific research & human presence. See what @NASAEarth satellites captured: https://t.co/Atppp05I5j pic.twitter.com/WrI1p3bqVC NASA (@NASA) February 24, 2019 Last October, social media was intrigued by a NASA image of an iceberg that looked like a perfect rectangle. During NASAs longest-running aerial survey of polar ice, Operation IceBridge, NASA spotted the iceberg when it flew over the northern Antarctic Peninsula on Oct. 16, 2018. The iceberg appeared to be freshly calved from Larsen C, which in July 2017 released the massive A68 iceberg -- a chunk of ice about the size of the state of Delaware, according to NASA. FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The mysterious death of a Staten Island woman remains under investigation, as the city Office of the Chief Medical Examiner works to determine the cause and manner of death. In January, a Clifton woman reported missing for more than a week was found dead in Stapleton in what police believe could be a homicide. The bruised body of Johynita Jordan, 69, was found inside a building on the 700 block of Van Duzer Street after she was last seen Jan. 18. Sources told the Advance last month police were eyeing Linden Beaton of Clifton as a person of interest in the case. Beaton already had been charged by police with assault, criminal obstruction of breathing and harassment in connection to an attack on Beatrice Kaliku, 57, who was on her way to a prayer meeting. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Firefighter John G. Chipura died a hero on Sept. 11, 2001, and this Saturday the Tottenville blood drive held annually in his memory will have one particularly grateful blood recipient at work. John Hudson Dilgen, a Tottenville teen living with a rare skin condition that causes his skin to blister and tear at the slightest touch, will work as a greeter at the blood drive, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the gymnasium of Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church. And Dilgen, who receives a blood transfusion every month to help maintain his strength as he battles epidermolysis bullosa (or EB), cant wait to get to work. When people donate, it really helps,'' he said, noting that he doesnt get out often and hell particularly enjoy greeting donors and thanking them. I thought this would be a good way to work for something that Im passionate about -- something that really helps me. Its fitting to have someone as brave as Dilgen present at the drive, said Chipuras brother, Gerard Chipura, an FDNY captain at Engine Co. 164, Huguenot. "I think its great for the people donating to see that their blood goes to help someone in their community,'' he said. "Its a gift of life to John Hudson.'' Chipura said hes seen the value of blood donorship first hand, as his late brother was on the National Marrow Donor Program registry and that sample of blood, saved by the New York Blood Center, was used to positively identify his 9/11 remains, giving the family closure. "Thousands of firefighters are in the system,'' he said. "For some 9/11 families, blood was the only remains they buried.'' John Chipura had also served as a city police officer, a U.S. Marine and an Eagle Scout. His years of service include an active duty tour in Beirut, Lebanon, with the Marine Corps. He transferred to the FDNY to follow in the footsteps of his father, Anthony Chipura, and his brother. He was a firefighter with Engine 219/Ladder 105 in Brooklyn when he was killed on duty on 9/11. The late Chipura would have been impressed with Dilgens bravery, Gerard Chipura said, noting that Dilgen is slated to be named an honorary firefighter by Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro on Tuesday at the FDNY Headquarters. "He would have thought a lot of this courageous young man, battling this disease head-on,'' Chipura said. "John took everything head-on, and thats how John Hudson is handling it. Hes taking it head-on to this disease with courage.'' Every Day, the 16-year-old is covered head-to-toe in bandages to prevent any further damage to his skin. Last fall, his family received keys to a mortgage-free handicapped accessible home, courtesy of the Tunnel To Towers Foundation. Since Boy Scout Troop 21 started the John G. Chipura Blood Drive 17 years ago, the Chipura family, friends and members of the NYPD, FDNY and BSA have donated 956 pints of blood in memory of Chipura. Walk-ins are welcome. To register for the blood drive online, visit the New York Blood Center website. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As ice cream shops and Italian ice operations crank up for 2019, Staten Island finds itself with a new cool spot, Richmond County Creamery. The tiny shop will begin its inaugural season in West Brighton at 417 Forest Ave. The goal, said owner Peter DiMarzio, is to put the finishing touches on the sit-down parlor just in time for the St. Patricks Parade, an annual Forest Avenue tradition that steps off on Sunday, March 3. A tour around Richmond County Creamery means taking in a few stories about the budding business. VIDEO GAME CLASSICS AND MORE The site features a single modest room with a red booth along one side and the kitchen in the back. DiMarzio said he anticipates a few stools at a counter for additional seating. A wooden wainscoting painted red encircles the eatery. And guests can look up to see a sky-blue ceiling, decorative static electricity balls and a working model train that chugs along the rooms perimeter. Video games include arcade classics like Ms. Pac Man, Donkey Kong and Street Fighter. His ice cream, DiMarzio said, is sourced locally from creameries in Brooklyn, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, all small-batch varieties with exciting flavors and distinct textures. On the menu will be milk shakes, malteds, egg creams and jumbo ice cream sandwiches. Some treats will wrap the Staten Island theme into the monikers. The Ferry Boat, for instance, is a spin on a banana split and The Haunted, a nod to a Bay Street bar from back in the day, includes strawberry syrup over ice cream and a brownie with tombstone and gummy worm garnishes. The Dump features 30 scoops of ice cream loaded with toppings and serves one to 20 guests, as does the Todt Hill Volcano, a concoction that involves streaming root beer lava. "The Haunted," a dessert that nods to an '80s bar on Bay Street, involves a brownie, ice cream, strawberry syrup and gummy worms at Richmond County Creamery -- coming soon to West Brighton. (Courtesy of Peter DiMartino) A soft serve machine can churn out cones and cups primed for hundreds of flavor combinations between candy toppings, syrups and the ice cream flavor itself. In the old-fashioned Kelvinators, rounded box freezers from the 1950s, DiMarzio said hell keep nut-laden ice creams separate. We love ice cream. We noticed there was nothing really here on this side of the Island like this, he explained. Ive designed a lot of ice cream parlors around the country," said DiMarzio, who co-owns Enthasis Design Group in Midtown. As a designer of shops around the country for quick-service retail he could see what worked and what didnt. KIDS WANT ICE CREAM The yogurt market was going down and it became more faddish. Kids want ice cream, not yogurt, he said, illustrating the point with a short-lived frozen yogurt place formerly across the street from his soon-to-open shop. I always loved Farrells in the Mall and I tried explaining to my kids what it was years ago, said DiMarzio, who grew up on the North Shore. Thats the vibe for which hes aiming. He and his wife, Stephanie, live in New Brighton with their two children. Theyre excited about it, enthused DiMarzio. They want to work there and I think it would be a good place for them to grow. One day, he hopes for them to take over the business. For now, hes excited for the birthday parties and occasion cakes the restaurant will present. His brother Joe moved up from Florida to help with the project. His sister, Leyna, will also work at Richmond County Creamery. Richmond County Creamery will be opening in West Brighton in early March 2019. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)(Staten Island Advance/Pamela Si We incorporated the train theme because you just dont see things like that on Staten Island anymore, DiMarzio said, noting that his brother pointed this out from the abandoned Staten Island Rapid Transit trestles and track on the boroughs North Shore. DiMarzios family is rooted in Staten Islands business history. His uncle, Sal Marino, owned SMC trains store, then Wallichs Photo of Westerleigh. His grandfather, Peter Marino, owned a food distributorship based on St. Marys Avenue in Rosebank. A receipt from that company, Marino Food Products, is memorialized on the wall of Ariemmas as one of the Dongan Hills delis earliest purveyors. For now, the hours of Richmond County Creamery are looking like noon to 10 p.m. In the summer, however, DiMarzio said he thinks the hours will be a bit more extensive. The ice cream store can be reached at info@richmondcountycreamery.com. Social media and a website are in the works. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Ralphs Famous Italian Ices will take a bigger bite of the Big Apple. Its first Manhattan shop will soon open at 370 2nd Ave., between 21st and 22nd Streets. We are very excited to bring Ralphs Italian Ices & Ice Cream to Manhattan...to bring something unique to a city that has almost everything is very special," enthused Long Island native Rich Salant, owner of the new Ralphs Italian Ices & Ice Cream. In anticipation of its opening at the Staten Island Mall, Shake Shack hosted a pop up at the original Ralph's Famous Italian Ices on Saturday. Staten Islanders waited on line to sample the burgers and ices. (Staten Island Advance/Carol Ann Benanti) Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance Our shop will be offering approximately 100 different flavors of Italian ices, as well as ice cream, shakes, smoothies and signature sundaes, Salant said, adding that the grand opening should happen in early March. Ralphs opened its first retail outlet in 1949 at 501 Port Richmond Ave., Port Richmond. That flagship operation started with Ralph Silvestro, an Italian immigrant who started the business in 1928. Now, his grandsons run the successful shop, a Staten Island tradition. Customers queue up to get a taste of the famous delicacies at Ralph's, long a warm weather landmark. Port Richmond. Ralph's Famous Homemade Ices and Ice Cream. (Staten Island Advance File Photo/Digitized by Historic Images, Inc.)Staten Island Advance As for the 2019 season on Staten Island, the Pleasant Plains and Huguenot shops will open by Friday, March 1. The Greenridge shop and a new operation in Rosebank at 1071 Bay St. will debut on Friday, March 15. Ralphs of Great Kills and New Dorp will open either Friday, March 8 or Friday, March 15, depending on the weather. Port Richmond will spring its product further into spring sometime in mid-April with the date to be announced. There are no new styles in the upcoming 150-plus flavor line up. Danielle Raleigh reported that Eggers Ice Cream Parlor of West Brighton will continue a second location for the second year in a row at Historic Richmond Town. We are taking over the gift shop, which will be branded as Eggers Candy and Gifts. It will be an old fashioned candy and coffee shop with a general store feeling selling a collection of Eggers, Richmond Town and Staten Island-made products, explained Raleigh. Meanwhile Uncle Louis G franchisees will roll out the frozen desserts come Saturday, June 1. Company owner Dino Russo says Staten Island will see two new Uncle Louis Gs -- one on Page Avenue and the other Watchogue Road. A new one is coming to Midland Avenue, said Russo, adding that New York ice fans can find the product now in Fort Lauderdale at five new shops. And we came out with a new item which everybody loves. Its a six ounce cup, five flavors that are fat-free, gluten-free, dairy free and kosher. Its been a big hit with the schools and the Jewish community, said Russo. His companys next big thing will be vending product to Jimmy Buffets. Uncle Louie G takes its name from Dinos Uncle Luigi Russo. The ice company originally started in 1999 on Coney Island Avenue. In the late 2000s, the new owners brought the operation to Staten Island where it now manufactures the product in Charleston. And theres a new ice cream shop in town -- Richmond County Ice Cream Co. located next door to Kettle Black in a former newsstand/deli. With a long red booth in place and equipment in place, the aim is to get rolling in time for the St. Patricks Parade on Sunday, March 3. Ice cream hails from Bassetts and other gourmet creameries. Page Content A court decision prohibiting employers from paying women less because of their compensation historymirrored in several state lawshas been overturned on a technicality. The Supreme Court vacated Rizo v. Yovino, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling that a person's previous compensation may not be used to justify gender pay disparity. In its Feb. 25 decision, the Supreme Court did not rule on the merits of the case, but vacated the decision because the circuit court counted the vote of a judge who agreed with and wrote the 9th Circuit's rulingbut died before the appeals court's final decision was issued. Without that judge's vote, the 9th Circuit did not have a majority of judges to reach its holding. "Federal judges are appointed for life, not for eternity," the Supreme Court stated. The high court sent the case back to the 9th Circuit for further proceedings and left employers wondering to what extent they can rely on previous salaries as a defense for gender pay differences. We've gathered articles on pay equity from SHRM Online and other trusted media outlets. Trend-Setting Decision The federal Equal Pay Act (EPA) prohibits businesses from paying employees of one gender less than the other for equal work, but there are exceptions for wages determined by a merit or seniority system, a system that bases pay on the quantity or quality of work or "a differential based on any other factor than sex." This last catch-all category was the subject of the lawsuit because it's unclear if a job candidate's salary history is a permissible factor other than sex. The 9th Circuit ruled that the catch-all exception for factors other than sex is limited to legitimate job-related considerations, such as experience, education and prior work performance. Past compensation aloneor in combination with other factorsisn't a permissible consideration under the law, the court held. The decision is part of a larger trend in which lawmakers and courts are starting to reject the validity of prior salary or salary history information in setting the starting pay for job applicants, said Liz Washko, an attorney with Ogletree Deakins in Nashville, Tenn. (SHRM Online) Appellate Court Split The 9th Circuit decision was the most liberal interpretation of the EPA among appeals courts. It was in direct contrast with a decision by the 7th Circuit that allows prior salary to be used as a defense to an EPA claim. (Forbes) States Ban Pay History Inquiries Six states have pay equity laws prohibiting employers from asking applicants about salary history. California, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Oregon and Vermont have such bans. "Income inequity is perpetuated by the practice of asking for salary history before an offer is made, which can disproportionately assure that women are underpaid at their first job and continue to be underpaid throughout their careers, creating a cycle of poverty," said Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. (SHRM Online) SHRM Policy Statement The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) "vigorously supports equal pay for equal work, with allowable pay differences based on factors not prohibited by law, and believes that any improper pay disparities should be promptly addressed," reads SHRM's public policy issue statement on compensation equity, released in 2018. (SHRM) [SHRM members-only toolkit: Managing Pay Equity] Improve Employee Databases to Ensure Pay Equity Legal experts cited the 9th Circuit decision in Rizo and state bans on pay history inquiries as an impetus to capture work history, a legitimate reason to justify pay disparities between men and women, in employee databases. Most databases fail to include employees' experience prior to joining the company, which leaves company leaders at a loss when they are challenged to explain pay differences. One way to capture this information is to merge the data maintained in applicant databases, which includes work history, with main HR databases when applicants are hired. (HR Magazine) You are now listening to the sounds of the New Generation. A podcast created for those who desire a new way of gaining information rather than reading a traditional newspaper. In our show we will discuss everything from sports, pop culture, politics, and local news. To stay up to date on our latest episodes every week be sure to follow us on your favorite podcast service. And dont worry, we keep it short. Thousands of traders attended Bangkok's gem and jewellery fair as the industry defied economic headwinds to reach record highs. Retailers had feared the high-end industry would be hit by the wider economic slowdown combined with trade friction between the U.S. and China. But industry figures said the ''better craftsmanship and design quality'' of Thai gems and jewellery would see exports soar by up to 10 per cent this year. The industry - currently worth 12 billion dollars annually - showed off its wares at the Bangkok Gems & Jewellery Fair 2019 on Saturday and Sunday with 900 exhibitors and dealers from around the world making orders. Banjongjitt Angsusingh, director-general of the International Trade Promotion Department, said he believes Thailand's gem and jewellery exports would increase by up to three per cent this year. He said: ''Thai gems and jewellery still have strong points such as better craftsmanship and design quality than those of other exporters. More importantly, Thai gems and jewellery come up with product variety.'' Boonkij Jitngamlang, president of the Thai Gem and Jewellery Traders Association, predicted exports could increase by up to 10 per cent in 2019. He told the Bangkok Post that provincial manufacturers and suppliers could drive the increase with improved ''innovation, marketing and branding.'' The boom has been fuelled by demand from China and India. While Thailand's has the world's highest number of silver shipments with most going to the U.S. market. Gem and jewellery exports rank third in Thailand's total exports. Supporters and opponents of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro faced off in central Madrid on Sunday evening. Police escorted a group of supporters of Maduro away from the Puerta del Sol square to try to calm tensions between the two groups. According to an eyewitness, the pro-Maduro group was made up mainly of left-wing Spanish nationals, some of whom could be heard chanting "the struggle continues" as they were led away. The group of anti-Maduro protesters was comprised mostly of Venezuelans living in Spain who shouted "freedom" towards the opposing demonstrators. Sarais Leon, a Venezuelan national living in Madrid (seen at 1:19 in this video), said she had been kicked by a pro-Maduro protester when she tried to explain the difficulty of life in Venezuela under the Maduro regime. BOGOTA, Colombia The Trump administration on Monday announced new sanctions on allies of Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro as it struggles to find new ways to boost his opponent Juan Guaido after an effort to deliver humanitarian aid to the economically devastated nation faltered amid strong resistance from security forces who remain loyal to the socialist leader. Vice President Mike Pence arrived in the Colombian capital for an emergency summit Monday of regional leaders to discuss the deepening crisis and immediately met with Guaido, who the U.S. and 50 other nations recognize as Venezuelas rightful leader. In a speech to the group, Pence urged regional partners to freeze oil assets controlled by Maduro, transfer the proceeds to Guaido and restrict visas for Maduros inner circle. He said the U.S. was imposing more sanctions on four pro-government governors. Its time to do more, said Pence. The day is coming soon when Venezuelas long nightmare will end, when Venezuela will once more be free. Pences appearance before the Lima Group comes at an important crossroads for the coalition of 14 mostly conservative Latin American nations and Canada that has joined forces to pressure Maduro. A month after Guaido declared himself interim president, hopes that support for Maduro inside the military would quickly crumble have faded. Over the weekend, security forces on the borders with Colombia and Brazil fired tear gas and buckshot on activists waving Venezuelan flags while escorting trucks with emergency medical and food kits. Four people have been reported killed and at least 300 wounded. While Colombian authorities said more than 160 soldiers deserted their posts and sought refuge across the border over the weekend, the highest-ranking among them was a National Guard major. No battalion or division commanders have come forward to challenge Maduro despite almost-daily calls by Guaido and the U.S. to do so. Thats left many asking what Guaido and the U.S. can do to break the stalemate. For now, the U.S. is showing no signs it is considering a military intervention to remove Maduro. During his visit, Pence repeated President Trumps threat that all options are on the table but gingerly avoided talking about the potential for military action. Instead, he stuck to traditional policy tools that so far have only hardened Maduros resolve. Foremost among them was the addition of four governors to a growing list of more than 50 Venezuelan officials under sanctions and blocked from doing business or having accounts in the U.S. Ben Fox and Joshua Goodman are Associated Press writers. Redefining success, President Trump heads into his second meeting with North Koreas Kim Jong Un determined to tamp down expectations that hell gain a road map to denuclearization. Yet hes still eager to claim an attention-grabbing victory to offset the political turmoil he faces at home. Trump laid out ultimate goals for both the U.S. and Kim in an appearance before the nations governors Monday before boarding Air Force One to fly to Vietnam: We want denuclearization, and I think hell have a country that will set a lot of records for speed in terms of an economy. Worries abound across world capitals about what Trump might be willing to give up in the name of a win, but there seems less mystery about his North Korean counterpart. Survival of the Kim regime is always the primary concern. Trump was the driving force behind this weeks summit, aiming to re-create the global spectacle of his first meeting with Kim last year. But that initial summit in Singapore yielded few concrete results, and the months that followed have produced little optimism about what will be achieved in the sequel. Trump once warned that North Koreas arsenal posed such a threat to humanity that he might have no choice but to rain fire and fury on the nation. However, in the leadup to the new summit, hes proclaimed himself in no hurry for Pyongyang to prove it is abandoning its weapons. Im not in a rush. I dont want to rush anybody, I just dont want testing. As long as theres no testing, were happy, Trump said. In fact, he is ready to write himself into the history books before he and Kim even shake hands in Hanoi. If I were not elected president, you would have been in a war with North Korea, Trump said last week. We now have a situation where the relationships are good where there has been no nuclear testing, no missiles, no rockets. While Trump was airborne, Kims armored train was on the move in China, bound toward Vietnams capital. Vietnamese officials promised security at the maximum level. Kim inherited a nascent nuclear program from his father, and after years of accelerated effort and fighting through crippling sanctions, he built an arsenal that demonstrated the potential to rocket a thermonuclear weapon to the mainland United States. That is the fundamental reason Washington now sits at the negotiating table. Jonathan Lemire is an Associated Press writer. CUCUTA, Colombia Opposition leader Juan Guaido has called on the international community to consider all options to resolve Venezuelas crisis, a dramatic escalation in rhetoric that echoes comments from the Trump administration hinting at potential U.S. military involvement. Guaidos comments late Saturday came after a tumultuous day that saw President Nicolas Maduros forces fire tear gas and buckshot at activists trying to deliver humanitarian aid in violent clashes that left two people dead and some 300 injured. For weeks, the U.S. and regional allies had been amassing emergency food and medical kits on Venezuelas borders in anticipation of carrying out a humanitarian avalanche by land and sea to undermine Maduros rule. With activists failing to penetrate government blockades and deliver the aid, Guaido announced late Saturday that he would escalate his appeal to the international community beginning with a meeting Monday in Colombias capital with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on the sidelines of an emergency summit of leaders of the Lima Group to discuss Venezuelas crisis. He said he would urge the international community to keep all options open in the fight to restore Venezuelas democracy, using identical language to that of President Trump, who in his public statements has repeatedly refused to rule out force and reportedly even secretly pressed aides as early as 2017 about the possibility of a military incursion. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has also stepped up the belligerent rhetoric, saying on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday that Maduros days are numbered. A close Guadio ally, Julio Borges, the exiled leader of congress who is Guaidos ambassador to the Lima Group, was even more explicit in urging a military option. We are going to demand an escalation of diplomatic pressure ... and the use of force against Nicolas Maduros dictatorship, he said Sunday. Its a prospect that analysts warn risks fracturing a hard-won coalition of Latin American nations whove come together to pressure Maduros socialist government. Most Latin American governments, even conservative ones like those in neighboring Colombia and Brazil, are on the record opposing a military solution and would face huge dissent should they back any military action led by the U.S., whose interventions in the region during the Cold War remain an open wound. These governments know they would face a huge tide of internal opinion greatly offended by a U.S.-led invasion for historical and political reasons, said Ivan Briscoe, the Latin America director for the Crisis Group, a Belgium-based think tank. At the same time, though polls show Venezuelans overwhelmingly want Maduro to resign, almost an equal number reject the possibility of a foreign invasion to resolve the political impasse. Guaido, 35, has won the backing of more than 50 governments around the world since declaring himself interim president in January. Joshua Goodman and Christine Armario is an Associated Press writer. TEHRAN Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif resigned late Monday without warning, offering an apology to the nation as the nuclear deal he negotiated with world powers stands on the verge of collapse after the U.S. withdrawal from the accord. The veteran diplomat first offered a vague Instagram post apologizing for his inability to continue to his service. The post included a drawing of Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, as Monday marked the commemoration of her birth. A Foreign Ministry spokesman, Abbas Mousavi, confirmed to the state-run IRNA news agency that Zarif had resigned but gave no reason for his departure. Zarifs resignation leaves Irans relatively moderate President Hassan Rouhani without one of his main allies in pushing the Islamic Republic toward more negotiation with the West. Analysts have said Rouhani faces growing political pressure from hard-liners within the government as the unraveling nuclear deal further strains the countrys weakened economy. On Sunday, Zarif criticized Iranian hard-liners in a speech in Tehran, saying: We cannot hide behind imperialisms plot and blame them for our own incapability. The U.S.-educated son of a wealthy family, Zarif overcame hardline objections and Western suspicions to strike the accord with world powers that saw Iran promise to limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of crippling economic sanctions. The deal, though, later faced a challenge from the administration of President Trump, who pulled America out of the accord, while fueling doubts of those at home still wary of U.S. interests decades after Irans 1979 Islamic Revolution. Zarif himself faced withering criticism at home once for even shaking hands with President Barack Obama. Zarif served as Irans ambassador to the United Nations from 2002 to 2007, first under reformist President Mohammad Khatami and then under hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Ahmadinejad wanted him replaced, but Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei intervened to keep him in the position. Nasser Karimi and Jon Gambrell are Associated Press writers. SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt Britains main opposition party took a big step Monday toward backing a second Brexit referendum amid rising concerns the country could crash out of the European Union next month without a deal. The EU also warned that Britain faced the prospect of either a chaotic exit from the bloc or delaying its planned departure date. European Council President Donald Tusk, who chairs the summit meetings of EU nation leaders, said it would be rational for the March 29 Brexit date to be extended. In a move that could change the Brexit debate in Britain, the Labor Party said it would back a second public vote if the House of Commons rejects its alternative withdrawal plan later this week as is widely expected. Leader Jeremy Corbyn told Labor lawmakers the party will do everything in our power to prevent Britain leaving the EU without a deal on the withdrawal terms and future relations with the remaining 27 members. But Corbyn also said Labor would oppose any agreement based on the overwhelmingly rejected one negotiated by Prime Minister Theresa Mays government. Parliament has refused to approve the agreement since the government and the EU reached it last year. As a result, Labor plans to put forward or support an amendment to the deal on holding another public vote to prevent a damaging Tory Brexit being forced on the country, he said. Voters narrowly approved the June 2016 referendum to pull Britain out of the EU. Labor previously said it would support a referendum as a last resort if it could not secure a new general election or make changes to Mays divorce deal. Without support from the Labor Party, there is little chance of a second referendum taking place. The move is likely to cheer many Labor Party members, who have backed calls for a so-called peoples vote. The party leadership has been reluctant to change tack, not least because majorities in many of the districts Labor lawmakers represent, particularly in northern England, backed Brexit in the referendum. Though Labors move is potentially a game-changer, the path to another referendum is far from clear. Another Brexit vote would require the support of numerous lawmakers from the governing Conservative Party, for example. May has said a new vote on any revised Brexit deal wont be held this week and could come as late as March 12. A number of British lawmakers are seeking to wrest control of the process away from government and are looking to get support for an amendment that would require May to seek an extension to the Brexit date if Parliament fails to back her deal. The EUs Tusk warned that the chances of a withdrawal agreement being concluded in time are receding, and that sticking by the planned Brexit date would be too risky. I believe that in the situation we are in, an extension would be a rational solution, Tusk told reporters at an EU-Arab League summit in Egypt after talks with May that he said included discussions over extending the Brexit process. Lorne Cook and Pan Pylas are Associated Press writers. DHAKA, Bangladesh Special forces troops stormed a plane on the tarmac of a Bangladesh airport, fatally shooting a passenger who sought to speak with the countrys prime minister, officials said on Monday. Biman Bangladesh Airlines Flight 147 had been traveling on Sunday to Dubai from Dhaka, the Bangladeshi capital. The passenger, identified by police as Mohammed Polash Ahmed, stormed the cockpit about 15 minutes after takeoff, forcing the pilot into making an emergency landing in Chittagong, where the plane had been scheduled to make a stop. A senior official with Biman Bangladesh Airlines, speaking on condition of anonymity, said seven crew members and 143 passengers, including Ahmed, who was in his mid-30s, were aboard the plane. After landing at Shah Amanat International Airport on Sunday evening, all but one crew member who was kept as a hostage but not harmed were evacuated, the official said. Military commandos then rushed the plane and shot Ahmed after he refused to surrender. Mohammad Mufti Mahmud Khan, a spokesman for the Rapid Action Battalion, a Bangladeshi police force, said investigators had taken Ahmeds fingerprint and matched it in a criminal database. Khan would not elaborate on the case against Ahmed, who lived in a district near Dhaka. But he said there was no evidence at this point that Ahmed had links to terrorist groups that have struck before in Bangladesh, a predominantly Muslim nation of about 160 million people. We are trying to get more information about his old case, he said. Passengers and officials initially told reporters that Ahmed had been carrying a pistol and had claimed to have a bomb on the aircraft. One passenger, Osman Gani, said Ahmed, who was sitting in the 17th row, had threatened to shoot people shortly after takeoff. He also fired several rounds, leaving the passengers panicked, Gani was quoted as saying by the Dhaka Tribune. But later, a local police commissioner, Mahabubor Rahman, said the pistol was a fake. And on Monday, Mohibul Haque, the secretary of Bangladeshs civil aviation and tourism ministry, would not confirm that Ahmed was carrying a weapon real or fake of any kind. Officials said that during the standoff, the suspect told army officials that he wanted to speak with his wife and Bangladeshs prime minister, Sheikh Hasina. M. Naim Hassan, chairman of Bangladeshs Civil Aviation Authority, told reporters that Ahmed appeared mentally imbalanced based on his behavior. Julfikar Ali Manik, Mike Ives and Kai Schultz are New York Times writers. Any project manager worth their salt does not solely rely on their skill set to drive a company forward. They also abide by frameworks to further maximize business success. In project management, one of the most revered systems is Lean Six Sigma, which combines two powerful methodologies: Lean and Six Sigma. Lean is all about prioritizing speed and efficiency by eliminating waste, while Six Sigma focuses on reducing the number of defects in a workflow to achieve increased customer satisfaction. When you cherrypick the strengths of both frameworks and apply them to your business, you can dramatically improve performance and yield excellent results. Elizabeth City, NC (27909) Today Clear skies. Low around 70F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Clear skies. Low around 70F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. 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. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) A group of Bay Area youth and climate activists who were seen on video confronting Sen. Dianne Feinstein at her San Francisco office last week returned to her office Monday morning to again urge her to support the Green New Deal. During Friday's impromptu meeting, the group of about 20 underage activists asked Feinstein directly to support the legislation, which aims to drastically cut the nation's greenhouse gas emissions. "I've been doing this for 30 years, I know what I'm doing. You come in here and say it has to be my way or the highway. I don't respond to that," Feinstein told the group. "I'm trying to do the best I can, which was to write a responsible resolution." Outside her office at 1 Post St. on Monday morning, the group gave their critiques on Feinstein's proposed resolution, which she invited them to read on Friday. "Senator Feinstein's resolution is a slap in the face. It is a slap in the face not only to us, the young people who have to deal with the impacts of this climate crisis, but it is a slap in the face to all American people and all beings on this dying planet," said 16-year-old Isha Clarke with the group Youth Vs Apocalypse. "Her resolution completely ignores science. We have 12 years, not until 2050. There is no room for compromise here." The Green New Deal, legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, and Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, seeks to develop a plan to reduce greenhouse gases by moving the nation toward green infrastructure while creating millions of new jobs in the process. "We've all read the Green New Deal and we've all read Feinstein's version of the Green New Deal," said 15-year-old Hannah Estrada, also with Youth Vs Apocalypse. "The Green New Deal addresses the fact that historically a lot of communities have been left out the conversation ... The problem with Feinstein's resolution is that it does not address these problems in the depth that is needed. It does not have enough promise of security and safety for communities of color, indigenous communities," Estrada said. "This is why it is so important to have a Green New Deal because it's inclusive." "The reason why I am not on board with Sen. Feinstein's resolution is because it is not bold enough to save our future," said 12-year-old Rio, a member of the Bay Area Earth Guardians. "I'm also quite angry that the older generation messed up our world and is leaving it to us and our generation. I am asking you Sen. Feinstein to not introduce your resolution and vote yes for the Green New Deal." Following Monday's rally, the group delivered a letter to Feinstein's office, again pleading that she support the legislation. After Friday's meeting with the group, Feinstein said in a statement, "Unfortunately, it was a brief meeting but I want the children to know they were heard loud and clear. I have been and remain committed to doing everything I can to enact real, meaningful climate change legislation. "We had a spirited discussion and I presented the group with my draft resolution that provides specific responses to the climate change crisis, which I plan to introduce soon. I always welcome the opportunity to hear from Californians who feel passionately about this issue and it remains a top priority of mine." 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. ANTIOCH (BCN) A 42-year-old woman who died early Saturday in a crash on state Highway 4 in Antioch has been identified, according to the Contra Costa County coroner's office. Stancy Nesby, of Antioch, was killed in the wreck about 2 a.m. on eastbound Highway 4 at the Contra Loma Boulevard off-ramp, according to the California Highway Patrol. 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) The strike by 3,000 Oakland public school teachers continued for a third day on Monday and about 1,000 teachers and their supporters gathered in front of Oakland City Hall for a boisterous midday rally. Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, who's now a chancellor's professor of public policy at the University of California at Berkeley, questioned the Oakland Unified School District's assertion that it can't afford to give teachers the 12 percent raise over three years that they are seeking. "When people in power say that they can't afford it, what they mean is either they don't care or they're not going to work hard to get the resources necessary," Reich said. Reich told the teachers that by going on strike, "What you are doing is bringing attention to a fundamental injustice, a fundamental imbalance in power." Reich alleged that school district officials "don't want to stand up for the children of Oakland." He said, "Not only is that unjust, it is cowardice." The teachers' strike began on Thursday after two years of failed negotiations between the union and the school district and is the first multi-day walkout by Oakland teachers since 1996, when they went on strike for more than two months. The district previously offered a 5 percent raise over three years but last week made a new offer of 8.5 percent over four years. However, Keith Brown, the president of the Oakland Education Association, which represents the teachers, has said that's still not enough to meet the union's demand for a living wage that addresses the high cost of living in Oakland. The school district said in a statement that the union hasn't changed its bargaining position in response to its revised offer and has maintained its same proposal on the primary issues in the talks since May 2018. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond joined the contract talks on Monday when negotiations between the district and the union resumed. "We want to get the strike resolved quickly so teachers and students can be where they want to be -- in their classes," Thurmond said in a statement. "We met with leaders in Oakland last week and have been in contact since then. My top priority is keeping them at the table to get this resolved," he said. Brown is also participating in the talks but left them to join the rally at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza in front of City Hall. Brown told the crowd that Thurmond joined the talks "because we needed an adult in the room." Brown said the school district "has no credibility because it hasn't listened to us." After the rally ended, teachers and their supporters marched to the nearby Elihu M. Harris State Building at 1515 Clay St., where the contract talks are taking place. As raindrops began to fall, they chanted, "Every day, rain or shine, we are here to walk the line!" Teachers in other school districts around the Bay Area are also staying out of work in support of Oakland teachers. Lizzy Dutton, a teacher at Mission High School in San Francisco, said in a statement that many teachers there "took a sickout for public education to join Oakland educators on the picket line across the Bay Bridge." Dutton said Oakland teachers "are fighting for demands that will have ripple effects across the state" and she hopes more teachers will participate in another sickout on Thursday. Dutton said Thurmond should support Oakland's teachers because teacher unions were "instrumental" in electing him in the election last November. The Berkeley Federation of Teachers said that on Tuesday, hundreds of Berkeley teachers, classified staff, and school supporters will take part in a citywide day of action in support of Oakland teachers. 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. Contract negotiations between the Oakland Unified School District and its teachers union broke down Sunday, meaning the teachers strike will continue on Monday, according to district officials. In a news release Sunday, district spokesman John Sasaki said the two sides did not talk Saturday and negotiations broke down Sunday. "OUSD is eager and ready for the negotiations to continue so the two sides can bring the strike to a quick end," Sasaki said. "This delay is only hampering those efforts. We ask the (Oakland Education Association) leadership to return to the table as soon as possible." Representatives from the Oakland Education Association could not be immediately reached for comment. The school district has scheduled a news conference for 2:30 p.m. Sunday at 1000 Broadway, Suite 680. The building will be locked, and media attending should call OUSD spokesman John Sasaki upon arrival at (510) 214-2080. A suspect has been arrested on suspicion of killing his brother Saturday night in an unincorporated area of Livermore, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office said. Police responded to the 1000 block of Hartman Road outside Livermore city limits around 9:55 p.m. after the suspect called 911 to report that he had shot his brother, Sgt. Ray Kelly said in an email statement. Deputies detained the suspect without incident and found the victim on the property suffering from gunshot wounds. Medical personnel pronounced the victim dead at the scene. Authorities believe a dispute between the brothers was a factor in the homicide. The names of the suspect and victim will be released after family members are notified, Kelly said. In an ironic twist, the California Highway Patrol arrested a motorist on suspicion of DUI Sunday morning after he was stopped driving a car with a sign warning against drinking and driving. A dark-colored sedan was stopped by officers after it was spotted around 4 a.m. weaving across three lanes on eastbound Interstate Highway 80 near the Gilman Street exit in Berkeley, according to CHP Officer Herman Baza. The car featured a sponsored sign by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that read, "I should probably get a ride home" (with the word "probably" crossed out) and "Buzzed driving is drunk driving." The male driver was well over the legal blood-alcohol limit of 0.08 percent, Baza said. The NHTSA pays motorists to carry the anti-DUI signs on their cars, he said. "It's a good message, but he's not necessarily the best role model," Baza said. "He was weaving all over the place. We caught him early enough that we prevented him from crashing." Another wet winter storm is setting its sights on the Bay Area as the National Weather Service anticipates a wet start to the workweek, starting Monday afternoon. Meteorologists believe the winter storm will once again affect the North Bay the most, with a Flood Watch in effect from Monday afternoon into Wednesday night, as up to 5 to 9 inches is expected to fall in the hills and mountains of Sonoma County, as well as some areas of Marin and Napa counties. Around 3 to 5 inches could fall in the coast, valleys and urban areas of that region. "We're pretty sure they're going to get heavy rainfall for an extended period of time," said Duane Dykema, a NWS meteorologist, on the outlook for the North Bay counties. Meteorologists said flooding may occur later after initial rains, especially the Russian River, with potential floodwaters not reaching Guerneville in far western Sonoma County until Wednesday evening. Around the rest of the Bay, a moderate confidence forecast anticipates around 1 to 3 inches in the immediate Bay Area, and possibly up to 5 inches in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The rain is expected to turn into showers by Wednesday. High winds are also expected starting late Tuesday into Tuesday night. Reports of a shooting at the El Cerrito Del Norte station caused major delays on BART's Richmond line Saturday night, but police found no evidence that shots had been fired. BART police were alerted at 8:19 p.m. that shots had been fired at the station and that the suspect was shooting at busses. Officers responded, surrounded the station and used a police K-9 to clear the area, according to a BART police report. No evidence or suspects were found. Trains did not stop at the station as police investigated the report. Normal service resumed around 10 p.m. A northbound Caltrain vehicle struck an individual who was trespassing on the tracks in Menlo Park at approximately 10:17 a.m. Sunday, according to the San Mateo Transit District. Emergency personnel took the individual to a hospital for treatment, Samtrans spokesman Haroon Malek said in an email statement. None of the approximately 615 passengers on the train was injured. Transit police have reopened the southbound track for single-tracking. 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. PIEDMONT (BCN) At a special meeting Monday night, the Piedmont City Council is expected on begin its search for a new city administrator. City staff recommends the council hire the Roseville-based Peckham and McKenney Inc. to recruit the successor to Paul Benoit, who in January announced his intention to retire at the end of June. Benoit, 64, has been Piedmont's top manager for five years. Also recommended: authorizing spending up to $30,000 for that search, and appointing a subcommittee of Mayor Robert McBain and Vice Mayor Teddy Gray King to work with Peckham and McKenney President Bobbi Peckham during the recruiting process. Peckham is well-known to city officials, having helped recruit Benoit as well as Fire Chief Bret Black and Recreation Director Sara Lillevand. Monday night's special council meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Piedmont City Hall, 120 Vista Ave. 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) Oakland and Bay Area residents lined Broadway Sunday to celebrate the second annual Black Joy Parade and Celebration in downtown Oakland. The family-friendly event began Sunday afternoon with a parade led by a six-person marching band, followed by dancers, drummers and even a few horses. To some, the event was a chance to not only celebrate African American culture, but to remember the history of their community. "Oakland has historically been a hub for black activists," said Oakland resident Muriel Vinson. "A lot of kids don't know that history, so it's important to come together and remind them of it." Many attendees wore gold crowns to echo the message of the parade: "Crown Your Joy." For Cassandra Carver, that message was about creating a space for the Black community to feel joyful and safe. "It's hard to be a person of color in this country," she said. "We need spaces like this that are honoring Blackness." The parade was a mix of local businesses and organizations like the Richmond-based RYSE Youth Center and the Black Teacher Project, based in Oakland, alongside larger corporations like Facebook and Comcast. The parade and festival were reminders to some of the displacement felt by many in the East Bay's black residents. "It's heartbreaking to see how decentralized the black community has been in recent years," said Oakland native Aaron Clark. "We need to let people know that we're still here." The celebration continued after the parade with a festival featuring local vendors, artists and restaurants and a concert headlined by rapper T-Pain. 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. Humanity speculating about aliens is like a virgin speculating about their first time. So little is known of the reality that the fantasy quickly ends up absurd. But hey, it's fun to fantasize anyway. So let's take a look at the wildest guesses scientists have made about who's going to probe us one day. 4 Aliens Might Evolve Into Jabba The Hutt Covered In Anuses The biggest assumption we make about aliens is that they'll look at least vaguely like us. Part of that is convenient shorthand; it would be hard to bond with a fictional alien if it had 27 ear-penis hybrids protruding from its giant slug body. But we also figure that we look like us, and we turned out OK, so clearly this is a good evolutionary route to take. Continue Reading Below Advertisement But that forces us to make a lot of other assumptions about the conditions of an alien planet and the chemical building blocks present there. If aliens exist, there's no guarantee that they're living on a planet exactly (or even vaguely) like ours. What is safe to assume is that aliens were subjected to the same laws of natural selection that we were. If you're not adequately built for the salt storms of Xipglor, then get the hell out of the Morplok. Humans, if you'll forgive the casual existential horror, are just giant masses of cells working together. And human evolution had a few key stages when that work got more complicated. Single-celled organisms became multi-celled organisms, multi-celled organisms saw increasing numbers of parts performing an increasing number of functions in tandem, and eventually all of that cooperation produced Chad, your neighbor who insists that everyone in the African country shares his name. The process that produces that complexity is what we should be looking for in intelligent life, regardless of the resulting physical appearance. And that means real first contact might be Buzz Astronaut going for an uncertain hand-to-maggot-penis shake with the butthole cactus here: SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) A 71-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbing a bank in San Francisco's Mission District on Friday afternoon, police said Monday. The robbery was reported at 12:33 p.m. at a bank in the 2000 block of Mission Street. The suspect walked into the bank and demanded money while simulating that he had a handgun, although no gun was seen, according to police. A teller handed the man cash and he fled, but was found and arrested in a nearby store, police said. His name has not yet been released. No one was injured in the robbery, according to police. 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. Interior officials including career staff and two Trump appointees had tentatively signed off on the tribes proposal in the summer of 2017. But in September the department declined to approve it, prompting a lawsuit by the Mashantucket Pequots and the state of Connecticut. The tribe has questioned whether Zinke was improperly influenced by Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., and then-Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., both of whom have received contributions from MGM Resorts International. The company ranked as Hellers second-biggest contributor between 2011 and 2016, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, giving him $57,450 during that period. Do you have a telescope, eyepiece, camera, or other astronomical accessory you want to part with? No? Then how about buying one (or more!) of the same? On Saturday, March 23, 2019, the Sheboygan Astronomical Society is hosting its 12th annual Swap-n-Sell. This years event, like the previous ones, will take place at the Aviation Heritage Center of the Sheboygan Airport in Wisconsin from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For those of you who own a GPS or like to use Google Maps or MapQuest, the address is N6191 Resource Drive, Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin 53085. Maybe you have some astronomy stuff you no longer use. If so, set up at one of the indoor tables. This event offers a great opportunity for you to sell or perhaps swap your items with other amateur astronomers. And if youre searching for certain unusual or not-often-seen items, I can assure you that the dealers at the Swap-n-Sell offer plenty of them. Most visitors, however, stop by to see what kind of deals they can find on more popular new or used equipment. Ill say that for a relatively small event, the pickings through the years have been pretty good. If you do drop in, be sure to stay awhile to chat with others like yourself. Who knows? You might be tempted to join one of the areas astronomy clubs. Terms are cash, check, swap, and some sellers even accept charge cards. Oh, and dont be afraid to haggle a little. In addition to the Swap N Sell, youll also have the opportunity to sit in on talks by two guest speakers. One talk is by noted area amateur astronomer Jeff Setzer. His topic is 3D Printing, the Amateur Astronomer, and Outreach in Unexpected Places. That sure is an appealing title. Get your seat early. The other talk is by Kenny Bergschultz. His topic is Rockets for Schools. This sounds like a great subject for teachers, parents, and those who are taking the STEM train to higher learning. This year, as in past ones, youll have the chance to win a door prize. They have been donated by Wisconsin Astronomy and Brian Hastings. Hmm. I wonder if Im eligible to win? Probably not. Oh, well, Ill just have to wander around buying stuff! Because this is Wisconsin, theres always a brat fry and chips and (nonalcoholic) drinks for sale during the event. Bring some stuff, bring some cash, and bring your love of astronomy. See you there! In some ways, Margaret not getting a full-time anchor job at CNBC was the best thing that happened to her, said Brian Shactman, a one-time CNBC colleague and former Connecticut resident. If she had not decided to move on, she would not have forged her professional relationship with David Rhodes which brought her to Bloomberg and eventually one of the biggest jobs at CBS. "What is happening at A.I. Prince Technical High School in Hartford and the programs throughout Connecticut can serve as a model for the nation, and thats why AFT leaders from across the country are here and why Gov. Lamont joined us,'' Weingarten said. "We know career and technical education programs propel students to graduation, to two- and four-year colleges, and to successful careers.'' There's a case for saying no, since Corbyn is well to the left of anyone bidding to lead the Democratic Party. That would include Sen. Bernie Sanders, the democratic socialist who announced Tuesday that he's again seeking the presidency. The independent from Vermont is a lefty for sure, but his worldview is rooted in less radical forms of socialism than Corbyn's, and his foreign policy views are somewhat more conventional than the Labour leader's. Paul Victor Tine, age 86, passed away peacefully at his home in Fort Pierce, Florida, surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, February 17th, 2019. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut to Sebastiano Victor Tine and Agnes Theresa Tine.Paul attended East Hartford schools up until his enlisting in the Army in 1950, at age 17. He earned an Army of Occupation medal for his service in Germany and was honorably discharged in July of 1952. After returning from service, he married Geraldine Mary Galvin of East Hartford in February of 1954. Together, they had four sons and three daughters. Paul grew up in East Hartford where he and Geraldine made many life-long friendships which became known as the "East Hartford Gang." Paul worked for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in the purchasing department prior to working for Aircraft Hardware in East Hartford. Paul took a leap of faith and invested everything he had into the purchase of Montville Hardware in Uncasville in 1970. He and Geraldine not only grew the Hardware into a profitable free-standing business but also a community centerpiece for all who came through its doors. Later in life, Paul built a house in Shelter Harbor, RI and bought a winter home in Fort Pierce, FL which became his permanent residence.Paul loved the ocean and was an avid fisherman his entire life. He enjoyed the company of many fishing friends, some of whom became known as the "A-Team" for their ability to catch fish when others could not. His outgoing personality and ability to tell a joke about nearly anything contributed greatly to the fact that he was loved by all those who have had the pleasure of knowing him.Paul is survived by his beloved life partner Camille (Ivins) Tine; children, Kristen Tine of New London, Dean Tine of Lebanon, James and Izabella Tine of Mooresville, NC, Shaun Tine & Kathleen Fotta of Uncasville, Colleen & Donald Nieto of Oakdale, and Scout Dellamia of Englewood, CO; grandchildren, Colton Tine, Joanna Tine, Julianne Tine, Monica Cunningham, Stephanie Sasaki, Nicholas Nieto, Brandon Nieto, Adam Dellamia, and Shiloh Dellamia; great grandchildren, Nonoka Sasaki, Luna Sasaki, and Midori Cunningham; sisters, Joanne Tine & Ann Marsh; brothers, David & Villie Tine; sister-in-law Lynn Galvin; several nieces and nephews, and his favorite dog Aggie Nieto.He was predeceased by his wife Geraldine M. Tine (June 1988), his son Paul J. Tine (January 2004), grandchild Seth J. Tine (December 1997), and brother-in-law Jim Galvin (March, 2014).The Tine family would like to extend our gratitude to all the staff of Treasure Coast Hospice, Fort Pierce, FL for their loving attention to Paul's needs. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made on Paul's behalf to Treasure Coast Hospice, 5000 NW Dunn Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34981.Paul will always be lovingly remembered for his quick wit and his charming smile. The oceans of heaven are filled with keepers.A Funeral Liturgy will be held at St. Mary's Church, 95 Main Street, Stonington, CT on Monday, March 4th, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery, 197 Greenmanville Ave., Mystic. Funeral arrangements are in care of Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly, RI. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home 59 Spruce St. Westerly 02891 (401) 596-2648 Website BLADENSBURG, Md. In the back room of the Colmar Manor American Legion post, about a mile from a 40-foot cross honoring local soldiers who died in World War I, the veterans were worried. They feared the Supreme Court would order the cross to be removed. It would be like a slap in the face, said one of the veterans, Stan Shaw. These men gave their lives for our country and you cant build a memorial? If they tear it down, it would be a desecration. The cross sits on public land, on a highway median in Bladensburg, in the suburbs of Washington. After dodging heavy traffic to reach it, Fred Edwords, a former official of the American Humanist Association and one of the plaintiffs in the case, explained his objection. We have nothing against veterans, he said. But this cross sends a message of Christian favoritism and exclusion of all others. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments over the meaning of the Bladensburg World War I Veterans Memorial and whether the cross that is its centerpiece violates the separation of church and state. The case, one of the most closely watched of the term, will give the court an opportunity to clarify its famously confused jurisprudence on government entanglement with religion. The courts last encounter with a cross that served as a war memorial was in 2010, and its decision effectively blocking the monuments removal was badly fractured, with six justices writing opinions. A Latin cross is not merely a reaffirmation of Christian beliefs, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in a plurality opinion. It evokes thousands of small crosses in foreign fields marking the graves of Americans who fell in battles, battles whose tragedies are compounded if the fallen are forgotten. Justice John Paul Stevens rejected that view. The cross is not a universal symbol of sacrifice, he wrote in a dissent. It is the symbol of one particular sacrifice, and that sacrifice carries deeply significant meaning for those who adhere to the Christian faith. The courts personnel has changed since then. Kennedy and Stevens have retired, and Justice Antonin Scalia died in 2016. But the court is likely to remain divided, much as members of the communities near the Bladensburg cross are. The memorial was built with private money and completed in 1925. At the dedication ceremony, a member of Congress drew on Christian imagery in his keynote speech. By the token of this cross, symbolic of Calvary, he said, let us keep fresh the memory of our boys who died for a righteous cause. A plaque at the base of the memorial lists 49 local men who lost their lives in the Great War. The plaintiffs say they do not want the cross torn down. They simply want it removed to private property or modified into a nonreligious memorial (such as a slab or obelisk), they wrote in their Supreme Court brief. Adam Liptak is a New York Times writer. RICHMOND, Va. Embattled Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax compared himself to Jim Crow-era lynching victims in a surprise speech Sunday, as he resists widespread calls to resign prompted by allegations of sexual assault. Fairfax defended himself and lashed out at his critics from his rostrum in the state Senate as the 2019 legislative session was coming to a close. Ive heard much about anti-lynching on the floor of this very Senate, where people were not given any due process whatsoever, and we rue that, Fairfax said, referencing legislation the General Assembly passed expressing profound regret for lynchings in Virginia between 1877 and 1950. And we talk about hundreds, at least 100 terror lynchings that have happened in the Commonwealth of Virginia under those very same auspices. And yet we stand here in a rush to judgment with nothing but accusations and no facts and we decide that we are willing to do the same thing, Fairfax said. When he finished his five-minute impromptu speech, stunned senators sat in awkward silence. Fairfax, who is black, has been accused by two women of sexual assault. Both of the alleged victims are African American. Earlier this month, Vanessa Tyson publicly accused Fairfax of forcing her to perform oral sex in his hotel room during the Democratic National Convention in Boston in 2004. Meredith Watson issued a statement accusing Fairfax of raping her 19 years ago while they were students at Duke University. House Republicans announced plans Friday to hold a public hearing where Fairfax, Tyson and Watson can testify, a move that Fairfax and some Democrats have panned as a political ploy. Fairfax has indicated he wont participate. Alan Suderman is an Associated Press writer. STAFFORD, Conn. Having lost his 29-year-old son to a fentanyl overdose, Dean Palozej believes dealers who peddle drugs that kill should be locked up for a very long time for the rest of their lives, in some cases. A state representative who heard the story felt the same way. With legislation introduced this year, he joined lawmakers around the country who have been pushing for murder or manslaughter charges in a get-tough campaign against people who supply drugs that cause fatal overdoses, in efforts to curb the opioid overdose crisis. Spencer Palozej died Feb. 1, 2018, one day shy of his 30th birthday, in his home in Manchester. In frequent pain from injuries and surgeries, he would occasionally buy oxycodone pills from an acquaintance but received fentanyl-laced pills in his last purchase instead, Dean Palozej said. No arrests have been made. If theyre dealing fentanyl ... theyre just pumping poison out into the streets, Palozej said. Id like to see these guys on a first offense get three to five years. The second offense, charge them with murder. This is going on way too much. People are dying. Lawmakers in Connecticut, Hawaii, Mississippi and Virginia have proposed murder and manslaughter charges for overdoses this year. Several states passed such laws over the past two years, while others have taken to charging drug deaths under murder and manslaughter statutes that dont specifically mention overdoses. Twenty states now have drug-induced homicide laws that carry the same sentences as murder and manslaughter, according to the Drug Policy Alliance, a drug policy organization based in New York. There is a debate, however, about whether such laws are good policy. Supporters say the laws are needed to properly punish and deter dealers and others who supply drugs that kill. Opponents argue those laws are not a deterrent, discourage people from calling 911 for help for overdose victims and help fuel higher arrest rates of minorities. Supply-side tactics really havent been proven to work over the past five decades theyve been implemented, said Lindsay LaSalle, director of public health law and policy for the Drug Policy Alliance. I think the focus needs to be on the demand. Statistics on murder, manslaughter and homicide prosecutions involving overdoses are not widely available because few state and local government agencies keep track. But from 2011 to 2016, the number of news stories about people charged with or prosecuted for drug-induced homicides increased from 363 to 1,178 more than a 300 percent increase, according to the alliance. Around 47,600 Americans died of opioid overdoses in 2017, more than 2 times the 18,515 opioid deaths in 2007, federal data shows. Dave Collins is an Associated Press writer. ANAHUAC, Texas Two bodies have been recovered at the site where a Boeing 767 cargo plane crashed into a coastal bay near Houston, authorities said Sunday. All three people aboard the Flight 3591 died, according to the planes owner. Crews continued to search for the third body at Trinity Bay, about 35 miles east of Houston, Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne said Sunday at a news conference with officials from the National Transportation Safety Board and the FBI. The planes owner, Atlas Air, issued a statement confirming the deaths, adding that its primary focus is working to provide the families of those affected with care and support. Atlas was operating the flight for Amazon when it crashed Saturday afternoon near the small town of Anahuac. NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt said security video from a jail about a mile away from the crash site showed the plane heading toward the ground nose first. Sumwalt added that air traffic controllers reported rain in the area, and that the plane did not send out a distress call before the wreck. Sumwalt said that finding the flight recorders remains a high priority for searchers. The jumbo jet had departed from Miami and was likely moments from landing at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston when it crashed. FBI Special Agent in Charge Perrye Turner asked that anyone with debris on their property contact authorities. The cargo plane made a steep descent shortly before 12:45 p.m. from 6,525 feet to 3,025 feet in 30 seconds, according to tracking data from FlightAware.com. Witnesses said they heard the planes engines surging and that the craft turned sharply before falling into a nosedive, Hawthorne said. Dave Clark, senior vice president of Worldwide Operations at Amazon, said: Our thoughts and prayers are with the flight crew, their families and friends along with the entire team at Atlas Air during this terrible tragedy. We appreciate the first responders who worked urgently to provide support. The animated short 'Bao' won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film at the Academy Awards on Sunday. And the crew of the film, at least, might owe a big thank you to the Chinatown neighborhoods in San Francisco and Oakland. "We took the crew on multiple trips to San Francisco and Oakland's Chinatown. We took them to a lot of dim sum restaurants," the film's director Domee Shi told the Los Angeles Times when the film was released in June 2018. "And also Sichuan food restaurants because there are a lot of dishes in the short that the mom character makes that are actually inspired by my favorite dishes that my parents would make for me growing up." Restaurants in the Chinatown neighborhoods in SF and The Town weren't along trip for the "Bao" crew, who created the film at Pixar's studio in Emeryville. Shi, who was the first woman to direct an animated short for Pixar for "Bao," had a special message in her acceptance speech. "For all of the nerdy girls who hide behind their sketchbooks, don't be afraid to tell your stories to the world," Shi said. The film, which is about a Chinese-Canadian mother who befriends a baozi dumpling that comes to life as a boy, was released along with "Incredibles 2." "Bao" was a personal tale for Shi who is a Chinese-Canadian. Shi's mother was a creative consultant on the film, giving input on how the dumpling making was portrayed. "She usually makes the classic half-moon-shaped, Beijing-style boiled dumpling. But she's a really creative immigrant woman, so through time she's developed her own recipes and dumpling shapes," Shi told Vogue in April 2018. "She makes a really good vegetarian one with egg and chives and rice noodles. She's very experimental." Dolly was born on March 5, 1919 in Aleppo Syria. By the time she completed her primary and secondary schooling in Lebanon she was fluent in Armenian, Turkish, Arabic, English & French.In 1947 she got a degree in RN (nursing) from the American University of Beirut, and a BA in 1950.She started working in the American University Hospital, a few years later she worked in the Mina Hospital in Tripoli Lebanon. Subsequently she was hired by the United Nations to be the head of nursing in a hospital and three associated clinics in the Kingdom of Jordan.There she met Burt Bass, a British diplomat. They were married in Lebanon in 1956 and they went to live in London. Two years later she became a British National and was given a diplomatic passport.She was with her husband on his diplomatic postings in Hungary, Italy where she learned Italian, Jakarta Indonesia where he became consul general. The next tour was Ecuador where she became fluent in Spanish. At end of their tour in 1970 her husband had a stroke and passed away at the age of 48.She returned to London and worked for a tour company called Wings as a tour guide, the knowledge of 7 languages was an asset. During one of her tours in Los Angles she met an American gentleman named John Northup.In 1979 Dolly and John were married, she became a naturalized American and lived in Unionville CT. in 1992 her husband had a stroke and passed away. She lived alone for a few years, then she moved to a senior living facility in Houston, near her brother George until her demise.She will be missed by all those who knew her.Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville, Friday (March 1), from 4-6 pm. The funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be Saturday (March 2), at 9:15 am, followed by the Funeral Liturgy in the Church of St. Mary Star of the Sea at 10:00 am. Burial will be in the family plot at St. Mary Cemetery, Avon Ahern Funeral Home - Unionville 111 Main St., Rt. 4 Unionville 06085 (860) 673-2601 Website Edna the cat, whose plight within the San Francisco Fire Department bureaucracy has stirred cat-lovers the world over, may be getting another chance at returning home. The Fire Commission holds its usual meeting on Feb. 27, but they're likely to have a larger-than-usual audience this week. Edna's Instagram account has been asking her fans of the non-furry variety to attend the meeting and speak in favor of allowing Edna to return to Station 49. The tortoiseshell cat became the center of an internet firestorm when it was announced she was being evicted from her home at Station 49 in India Basin. Because the station is an ambulance deployment facility, the San Francisco Fire Department categorized Edna, who has lived at the station since arriving as a stray four years ago, as a "public health and safety concern." The issue came to the department's attention via anonymous complaint. MORE: SF's Station 49 employees hit with cease and desist order related to Edna the cat "This facility is the Department's Ambulance Deployment Facility," a statement from the department read. "Within this facility is Department Logistics, where medical supplies, equipment and pharmaceuticals used by ambulance staff to provide crucial lifesaving emergency health care are housed." Now, the public will get its chance to weigh in. The Fire Commission allows "general public comment" at the start of meetings. Wednesday's starts at 5 p.m. and will be held at Room 400 in San Francisco City Hall. "I hope if you're able to, please attend this up coming fire commission meeting Wednesday evening 2/27 to voice your support for my return and to offer Commissioner [Joe Alioto] Veronese suggestions for Station 49," Edna's humans wrote in a message on her Instagram account. At least one former Station 49 member has already spoken out in Edna's favor. Irene Ybarra, the paramedic in charge of EMS logistics at Station 49 until June 2017, told SFGATE she disagreed with SFFD. "When I was at Station 49 I developed the medical supply in such a way that Edna was not able to get into the clean room," Ybarra said. "The items are usually boxed up, and it's not something [Edna] is usually in the habit of getting on top of. She had her own specific spot, a box with blanket in it. Edna has never been a issue." Edna is currently staying at the home of a member of the station, but it's not a permanent solution. The person already has several pets; Edna's firehouse fans are still hoping she can return to Station 49 soon. Melinda Price has had many jobs: tech worker, caterer, waitress. But it took her a while to reach the goal she set in 1990, when she was working as a high-fashion model in Paris and resolved to one day be a farmer. I realized what made me happy was not the fancy clothes and fancy restaurants. It was being in nature, says Price, who grew up in Stockton and San Francisco. I went from wearing Givenchy to wearing overalls. Im so much happier in overalls. In January, Price and her husband Simon Avery began selling their first big harvest of the organic saffron they first planted in 2017 at their Peace and Plenty Farm in Kelseyville (Lake County). A Mediterranean specialty, saffron is one of the worlds most expensive spices because each brick-red thread must be picked from a single purple flower. The couple harvested 58,000 flowers by hand, carefully removed the threads and then dried and cured them. Christa Chase, executive chef at Tartine Manufactory, is one of the first customers. She previously bought saffron from Spain, and a lot of the spice is imported from Afghanistan and Iran. It just has a very fresh, pungent, floral quality to it, says Chase, who began using the saffron in the restaurant last week. She crushed a few threads in a mortar and pestle and infused it into Sauvignon blanc vinegar as a base for a vibrant orange aioli she served with chicken croquettes and an herb salad. Its so special. I dont know if the aioli is totally the best use for it, even though its delicious. Im going to keep tinkering with it. Price and Avery believe they are the first to farm a culinary version of the spice in California theres a Half Moon Bay grower who grows saffron for medicinal use and one of the few in the United States. They join the ranks of other California farmers who have recently attempted to grow novelty crops that havent previously thrived here, including coffee and tea, which do best in the tropics, and European specialty items like black truffles and escargot caviar. Price and Avery previously considered crops like wasabi, vanilla, mushrooms and hops before buying their 7-acre property in Kelseyville in the spring of 2017, planting 11,200 saffron bulbs, which are called corms and resemble shallots. Peace and Plenty Farm / The first crop arrived in the fall of 2017, but it yielded only 25 grams of dried saffron and was too small to sell at any scale. To put that in perspective, saffron is often sold by the 0.5 gram in the grocery store, and a pinch used in cooking is probably .01 gram, Price says. Theyve already had to deal with a rodent infestation gophers find the corms tasty and being evacuated during the Lake County wildfires this summer. They loaded their car and pickup with their most precious items: one dog, one cat, 10 chickens and tens of thousands of saffron corms. For this past season, they got flowers from the orignal corms, which reproduce new baby corms each season, and 22,000 new ones that they planted. Each corm can produce several flowers over several days. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. The first day there is one flower and then you do a little dance because youre so excited. The next day theyll be 26 flowers. A few days later therell be 2,600, says Price, who says the 2018 harvest lasted five weeks between October and November, with a record day of 8,400 flowers (estimated by weight). The final yield was 320 grams of dried saffron. She and Avery completed the harvest themselves but she thinks that will change next year, since they plan to continue to expand. Next year well be needing to hire a crew, she says. Were planning to grow 1 kilo. Peace and Plenty Farm saffron costs $25 per .3 gram container at https://peaceplentyfarm.com. Tara Duggan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tduggan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @taraduggan A federal appeals court ruling that prohibited employers from taking past salaries into consideration to pay women less than men was set aside by the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday because the judge who wrote it died before it was issued. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled in April that the federal Equal Pay Act, banning sex discrimination in wages, bars taking salary history into account if a man and woman are doing the same job. The ruling went a step beyond other federal appeals courts and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which had allowed employers to consider previous pay as one of several salary factors, along with skills and experience. All 11 judges on the appeals court panel agreed that Fresno County school officials had violated the law by relying entirely on a female math consultants past salary to pay her at least $13,000 less than a male colleague. But only six, led by Judge Stephen Reinhardt, said that any consideration of previous pay would be illegal. Reinhardt died 11 days before the court published the ruling, which specified that all the judges had cast their votes and completed their opinions at the time of his death. The Supreme Court said Monday that Reinhardts status as a judge ended with his death, so his vote could not be counted and his opinion, now lacking a majority, must be set aside. The Ninth Circuit allowed a deceased member to exercise the judicial power of the United States after his death, the justices said in an unsigned ruling with no apparent dissenting votes. But federal judges are appointed for life, not for eternity. The appeals court can reconsider the case by replacing Reinhardt with another judge. California legislators, meanwhile, have rewritten state laws to reach the same result as the now-vacated ruling: A new law bars employers from asking workers about past salaries, and another forbids them from using pay history to justify less compensation for anyone based on gender, race or ethnicity. But those laws do not apply to cases that arose in earlier years, or to the other eight Western states in the Ninth Circuit. A gender gap exists in virtually every position and occupation in this country, attorney Jessica Stender of Equal Rights Advocates, who filed arguments for civil rights groups, said Monday. She said an employers reliance on past salaries can cost women hundreds of thousands of dollars in pay and retirement benefits over the years. The Equal Pay Act bars sex discrimination in compensation but allows employers to set different pay levels based on seniority, skills, productivity or some other factor other than sex. The Fresno County Office of Education said it relied on a factor other than sex when it decided on a $62,733 salary for Aileen Rizo, a newly hired math consultant, in 2009 based on her pay in 13 years as an Arizona schoolteacher. Rizo sued after learning in 2012 that a man in the same job was being paid at least $13,000 more because of his previous earnings. She left for another job in 2016. Earlier that year, the county office raised her salary to the level of her male colleague, but she continued with her suit for the harm she had already suffered. A three-judge panel of the appeals court ruled against Rizo, relying on the courts 1982 decision that allowed employers to consider past pay as a factor other than sex. The 11-judge panel overturned that ruling in April saying, in Reinhardts words, that paying employees less because of their previous salaries perpetuates the very gender-based assumptions about the value of work that the Equal Pay Act was supposed to end. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko The great white shark is not only a fearsome predator, it also has an unusual resistance to cancer and a remarkable ability to heal quickly from wounds, a team of scientists found after sequencing the genome of the toothy sea creature. The discovery gives biologists their first insights into the exceptional longevity of the shark more than 70 years and also could potentially be used by medical researchers to prevent cancer, treat age-related ailments and heal injuries in humans, the researchers said. We think that these key evolutionary traits may help facilitate white sharks long life span, large bodies, and may even contribute to sharks long-standing success as one of the most ancient vertebrate lineages on Earth, said Salvador Jorgensen, a senior research scientist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and a co-author of the study. Sharks have thrived for some 500 million years, longer than almost any vertebrate on earth. The findings, published Feb. 19 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, represent a breakthrough for scientists studying evolutionary adaptations in the marine environment. The unique blood-clotting and cancer-protection genes in white sharks were also found in whale sharks, dispelling a long-held notion among biologists that animals larger than humans were more susceptible to cancer. The research team, including scientists from California State University Monterey Bay and several other shark research and veterinary centers in the United States and around the world, used blood, skin and muscle tissue from white sharks off the California coast to identify active genes from the finned creatures DNA. The idea, Jorgensen said, was to identify genes that had evolved, essentially cellular natural selection. What they found were a lot of genes associated with stem cell maintenance and DNA repair, a type they associate with genome stability because they are specifically linked to fighting off disease and repairing damage. The opposite phenomenon, genome instability, is known to predispose humans to numerous cancers and age-related diseases, according to the study. We find that nature has developed clever strategies to maintain the stability of genomes in these large-bodied, long-lived sharks, said Mahmood Shivji, the director of the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Research Center at Nova Southeastern University in Florida, and a lead author of the study, which also compared great white genetics to other animals, including whale sharks and humans. Besides having more healing properties, scientists were surprised to discover that the great whites genome is 1 times the size of the human genetic code, possibly because of all the molecular adaptations. It is not known whether white sharks actually get cancer, but they are known to heal from wounds, even severe ones, very quickly. The restorative pathways found in sharks have the potential to revolutionize medical science, said Shivji, who co-led the study with Michael Stanhope of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Great white shark attacks Since 1851, 187 great white shark attacks have been recorded on humans in California, with 16 fatalities. Most of the attacks have occurred in the fall, especially in October, which some researchers call "Sharktober." That includes the most recent deaths - of body boarder Lucas Ransom, 19, on Oct. 22, 2010, and surfer Javier Solorio Jr., 39, on Oct. 23, 2012 - both at Surf Beach in Santa Barbara County. Close to half of California's shark attacks have occurred in the Red Triangle, but none have been recorded since 2013, when two people were injured by sharks along the San Mateo County coast. The only reported fatal human-shark encounter off San Francisco shores occurred in May 1959, when 18-year-old Albert Kogler Jr. died after he was attacked in roughly 15 feet of water while swimming off Baker Beach. Source: Shark Research Institute See More Collapse Theres still tons to be learned from these evolutionary marvels, Shivji said, including information that will potentially be useful to fight cancer and age-related diseases, and improve wound healing treatments in humans, as we uncover how these animals do it. Great white sharks, known scientifically as Carcharodon carcharias, can live 73 years or longer, reach lengths of 20 feet and weigh as much as 7,000 pounds, making them one of the worlds largest predatory fishes. The sharks, which have long struck fear in Bay Area surfers, abalone divers and swimmers, live worldwide in cool, coastal waters and have been known to dive as deep as 4,000 feet. They have a well-developed sense of smell and eyesight, and an innate ability to sense changes in water pressure, which helps them find prey. The genetic characteristics of sharks are important, Jorgensen said, because the population of great whites, particularly along the West Coast, remains relatively low compared to their historic numbers. Fewer than 350 adults were counted off the coast a few years ago, but reported sightings and encounters have recently increased, especially along the Central Coast and in Southern California. It is not the first genetic study of sharks that revealed striking results. A landmark report by Stanford University in 2009 determined that West Coast sharks, known as northeastern Pacific white sharks, are genetically unique compared with other great whites around the world. The local sharks, which prey mostly on elephant seals, sea lions and sea otters, descended from a relatively small number of sharks in the South Pacific between Australia and New Zealand in the late Pleistocene era, an estimated 200,000 years ago, and have not mixed with other populations since then, the Stanford study found. The snaggly toothed carnivores are known to spend winters in a deep ocean spot near Hawaii that scientists have dubbed the White Shark Cafe. Starting around August, they return to the Farallon Islands, where they feed through October. Some of them have been documented entering San Francisco Bay. The area they roam from Monterey Bay to the Farallon Islands and across to Bodega Head has been known for years as the Red Triangle, a scary-sounding name that many marine biologists shun because it bolsters what they consider a false impression that great whites are blood-thirsty killing machines. Attacks on humans are rare, experts say, and are usually the result of a shark mistaking a surfer or abalone diver for a sea lion. The only reported fatality in the Bay Area occurred in 1959, when a swimmer was attacked off Baker Beach in San Francisco. The researchers said their findings are just the tip of the iceberg of what they expect to learn about white sharks as they continue their studies. Peter Fimrite is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: pfimrite@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @pfimrite A teenage boy hid in thick bushes near the BART tracks in Fremont. Hed just run away from the California School for the Deaf, and police officers were searching for him in the dark with little luck. The boys friends had started their own search party, and every so often they shined a flashlight up to alert the Police Departments eye in the sky. Overhead, a drone was tracking their movements with an infrared camera in an effort to find the boy. The search, which could have taken hours, ended in mere minutes thanks to the drone, police said. The heat given off by the boys body helped authorities locate him. The ability to quickly search a large area and then find the person greatly reduced the time it would have taken us to get that person help, said Lt. Matt Snelson, administrator of the departments Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Program. The incident occurred about 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 5, when the CHP asked Fremont police for help in finding the boy, Snelson said. Social media posts and interviews with the boys friends helped officers determine that he was probably hiding near the BART tracks. The whole area is very dark, Snelson said. It is wooded, overgrown tall grass, large bushes. It would have been really hard for people on foot at 8:30 at night to try to locate this missing person alone. The drone, a DJI Mavic 2 Pro, was purchased less than two months ago. It was the departments 12th in a growing fleet. The Mavic 2 Pro has a FLIR, a thermal-imaging camera system that can sense infrared radiation. The camera can tell the difference between a warm object (a person) and cold objects (grass, trees, etc.), Snelson said. He said the drone also has a spotlight, and a loudspeaker to give announcements and commands. Four of the Mavic 2 Pros, and eight DJI Phantom 4 drones, which have color cameras that can shoot video and still photos, are now in use by the department. Fremont police began a joint program with the citys Fire Department in early 2017 to use drones in instances of barricaded suspects, rescues, hostage-taking, active shooters, mass casualty events and missing or lost people. Eleven officers in the department, mainly within the patrol unit, are registered pilots, Snelson said. Once they are certified, they can take these UAVs in their vehicle, he said. It gives us a quick response. When storm water flooded Niles Canyon on Jan. 26, 2017, officers used a drone to track down a man who drove into the creek. The drone allowed them to check to see whether he was still inside the vehicle, Snelson said. You cant do that with a helicopter, he said. The use of drones in police work is becoming much more common, raising privacy concerns. The Alameda County Sheriffs Office boasts a dozen drones that have been used in critical incidents. The camera is what makes it a great tool, said Sgt. Ray Kelly, a spokesman for the Sheriffs Office. The drone basically flies the camera. The office used drones to search for missing people during the Ghost Ship fire that killed 36 people in Oakland in 2016. Drones have also helped create 3-D maps of the destruction from deadly California wildfires. Burglary warnings: Drivers on Interstate 880 in Fremont will soon see digital billboards announcing steals, but not the kind shoppers are searching for. The city plans to replace some advertisements along the freeway in a few weeks with stern warnings about locking cars and hiding valuables. The move comes after an eye-popping increase in car break-ins, said Geneva Bosques, a Fremont police spokeswoman. Smash-and-grab thefts have been on the rise for years in Fremont, police said. But the beginning of 2019 has been especially bad for the East Bays second-largest city, with 319 reported auto burglaries between Jan. 1 and Feb. 12. The intensity of it in the first couple weeks of the year was like, Whoa, whats going on? Bosques said. Half of the victims in the burglaries lived outside city limits, and most of the thefts occurred at shopping centers and gym parking lots along I-880. That, Bosques said, spurred the department to post roadside warnings. Auto burglaries shot up 87 percent in Fremont from 2014 to 2017. The number dropped 16 percent last year, but police said 2019 has brought fresh concern. The good news, police said, is that 11 suspected auto thieves were arrested in Fremont in recent weeks. Authorities say small crews of burglars can have an outsize impact when it comes to car break-ins. Overall, Fremont is one of the safest big cities in the Bay Area. And it isnt alone in seeing a sharp rise in auto burglaries. During the last month, the Marin County Sheriffs Office and the San Mateo Police Department also issued community alerts about thefts from parked cars. In January, San Francisco saw 1,750 car break-ins, according to police data a big improvement from the previous two years. Authorities around the Bay Area have stressed the same message that will be on the Fremont billboards, that vehicles typically wont be targets if drivers dont leave valuables in plain sight. We absolutely have control over making ourselves vulnerable, Bosques said. Biggest crime news of the past week San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi, a champion for low-income defendants and a fearless critic of police and prosecutors, died Friday. A San Francisco IRS analyst is accused of illegally obtaining documents involving President Trumps former lawyer, Michael Cohen, and providing them to porn star Stormy Daniels attorney Michael Avenatti as well as a reporter for the New Yorker. The man suspected in one of nine suspicious construction-site fires in the East Bay pleaded not guilty to a single count of arson. A 41-year-old victim had his prosthetic arm stolen in a car break-in last weekend, adding a disturbing new low to San Franciscos auto burglary epidemic. A married couple in Vallejo was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of manufacturing and distributing meth pills that featured the Tesla logo, the Kool-Aid man and President Trumps name and likeness. Sarah Ravani and Gwendolyn Wu are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com, gwendolyn.wu@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani, @gwendolynawu San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon announced Monday that his office will wipe out more than 9,000 marijuana-related convictions in an unprecedented step following Californias cannabis legalization more than two years ago. Gascon last year teamed up with Code for America a nonprofit focused on using open-source technology to improve government to find every marijuana case eligible for expungement or resentencing under Proposition 64. San Francisco will be the first city in the country to clear all eligible pot convictions. On Monday, the district attorneys office said it has identified 9,362 eligible cases dating back to 1975. Gascon will present the cases to a judge in the coming weeks for expungement. Numerous studies show that marijuana convictions disproportionately affect the poor and people of color, and can limit access to federal housing and loans. A 2013 study by the American Civil Liberties Union found that African Americans in San Francisco were more than four times as likely to be arrested for marijuana possession as white people. Before Gascon announced plans to wipe out eligible marijuana cases, only 23 people had come forward to petition to have their cases reclassified or expunged. People with prior convictions needed to hire an attorney, and the process was complicated and time-consuming, Gascon said. Its incumbent that we, as law enforcement leaders, continue to evolve how we advance fairness and public safety in our respective communities, Gascon said. I hope that our success with Code for America can act as a catalyst for other leaders looking to engage in similar innovative and out-of-the-box methods to reform and rethink what our criminal justice system looks like. Gascon announced the partnership with Code for America in May, when he said he expected to have all cases identified in about a year. On Monday, he said the work came in ahead of schedule and under budget. Prop. 64, which voters passed in November 2016, legalized recreational marijuana in California for adults 21 and older, and it allows convictions to be expunged. Code for America used its Clear My Record technology a computer-based algorithm to parse cases and determine which were eligible under Prop. 64. Contact with the criminal justice system should not be a life sentence, so weve been working to reimagine the record-clearance process, said Jennifer Pahlka, Code for Americas founder and executive director. This new approach, which is both innovative and common sense, changes the scale and speed of justice. San Francisco was the first jurisdiction in the country to announce it would clear old marijuana convictions, prompting other district attorneys across the state and country to begin similar work. Gascon said he also wants to use Code for Americas technology to identify other types of cases that may be eligible for expungement. Thousands of cases under recent criminal justice reforms like Proposition 47, which reduced many drug crimes and theft cases from felonies to misdemeanors, are eligible for reclassification or expungement. Much as with marijuana conviction, though, few people come forward to have their cases changed. What we have shown with marijuana is that this can be done en masse, Gascon said. You can just go through the criminal records of thousands of people and provide the relief that they qualify for without having to have a lot of human resources invested in it. Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky The Port of San Francisco is planning to seek a developer to revitalize up to four historic piers and two other structures on the citys northeast Embarcadero but a longtime local activist is calling for a pause. The Port Commission will meet Tuesday to discuss a potential request for proposals to redevelop Piers 19, 23, 29 and 31, along with shed buildings at Piers 19 and 29. Possible new uses for the sites, which total 540,000 square feet, include retail, restaurants, recreational facilities, nonprofit and arts space, schools and offices. Four other piers south of the Bay Bridge 26, 28, 38 and 40 could be redeveloped through a subsequent request for proposals. No decision will be made Tuesday, but port staffers are seeking feedback. The move follows a request for interest last year that yielded 52 ideas for potential uses for the piers. The port controls and manages 7 miles of the citys waterfront from Hyde Street Pier to India Basin. Jon Golinger, a longtime North Beach activist who has successfully fought previous projects at the same piers, wants to see an update to the Waterfront Land Use Plan before a request for proposals moves forward. An updated plan was developed by the 32-member Waterfront Plan Working Group between 2015 and 2018. The update calls for water recreation, public waterfront access, parks and open space, along with higher revenue generators in pier sheds to help finance projects at the piers. The port endorsed the plans principles last year, but it hasnt formally been passed. It should have been done by now. The process has stalled, and Im not sure why, said Golinger, who was a member of the working group. We could hit a clash if developers plans dont adhere to the updated plan, said Golinger. It would be a shame to have all that hard work just put to the side. A port staff report released last week said the updated waterfront plans recommendations will guide redevelopment efforts. Elaine Forbes, the ports executive director, said it was appropriate to move forward with a request for proposals while following plan recommendations. We know what the public wants, Forbes said. Pausing just delays the opening of any of these piers to the public. She said the port has been actively moving the updated plan forward and is hiring a consultant, ESA, to prepare a required 18-month environmental review before it can be passed. The port is also working to coordinate plans with San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, the state agency that oversees the waterfront. Its a frustratingly slow process. I wish it was moving more rapidly, said Rudolf Nothenberg, co-chair of the Waterfront Plan Working Group and a former city administrator, but he was encouraged that the port has shown that it plans to follow the principles. I have no reason particularly to doubt their goodwill, he said. If they willfully ignore it, that could be a bad problem. Private development is needed to repair the piers and guard against significant damage in a large earthquake, as well as increasing flood risk due to rising sea levels, according to the port. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes The piers connect to the Embarcadero seawall, which also needs to be rebuilt to withstand a major earthquake. Last year, voters approved a $425 million bond to fund repairs, but the entire project will cost at least $2 billion. Previous attempts to redevelop the piers have collapsed amid local opposition including from Golinger. Jamestown Properties, which owns Ghirardelli Square, sought to build a small retail center in Pier 29. But it abandoned the plan last year, citing high infrastructure costs. In 2001, developer Mills Corp. spent millions of dollars in an unsuccessful attempt to build a waterfront mall, offices and recreation space at Piers 27-31. Shorenstein Properties also tried and failed to develop the sites. Successful port projects include the Ferry Building, the Exploratorium science museum at Piers 15-17, which is adjacent to the next batch of piers being considered for redevelopment, and Oracle Park, home of the Giants. David Polatnick, a real estate consultant who worked on the Exploratorium project, said both costs and neighborhood pushback are hurdles for waterfront development. All the port properties have challenges around base building costs and seismic costs, he said. Forbes said the port will continue to hold public hearings and build consensus as it seeks developers. There is a clamoring to see these facilities open up, she said. Roland Li is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: roland.li@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rolandlisf Hoping to prevent another California utility from being driven into bankruptcy by wildfires, state officials may create a new kind of insurance fund to help cover costs from the increasingly devastating disasters. The idea was proposed last year by a state lawmaker who formally introduced a bill toward that end in January. It could potentially also be taken up by a new commission examining wildfire issues and utility infrastructure after it begins meeting for the first time Monday in Sacramento. How it would work and who would fund it remain unclear, but the bill envisions electric utilities paying into the fund, while a leading consumer group has suggested shifting the financial burden to the property insurance market. State Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, who authored the bill last year that created the wildfire commission, said it would be a worthwhile concept for the group to explore. Dodd has also had conversations about the concept with his fellow lawmakers, including Assemblyman Chad Mayes, R-Yucca Valley (San Bernardino County), who introduced insurance fund legislation last month. We think its got some promise, if we can get it financed appropriately, Dodd said. That may be one of the tools in the tool bag. Broadly speaking, the insurance fund could be a way to reduce the potential liabilities California utilities face from wildfires. A state legal doctrine means they can be held responsible for disasters caused by their equipment even if they werent negligent. That exposure was one of the key reasons Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and its parent company recently filed for bankruptcy protection, citing a potential $30 billion in liabilities from 2017 and 2018 wildfires. State officials and their appointees, including the new Commission on Catastrophic Wildfire Cost and Recovery, are trying to figure out how they can prevent another utility from following in PG&Es footsteps. The commissions five members who include former insurance commissioner Dave Jones were appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislative leaders, who will receive recommendations from the group when it finishes its work later this year. Another California utility bankruptcy is a real possibility this year, according to one of the nations major credit rating agencies. S&P Global Ratings said last week it is entirely possible that a second electric utility in the state could face a devastating wildfire and decide to file for bankruptcy protection before the end of the year. The agency said it could lower the credit ratings of the other two major investor-owned utilities in the state, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric, unless public officials move to lessen their exposure to large wildfire liabilities. Part of the question here is, how do these utilities survive going forward? Because you have two that are now catching the seismic ripples that are coming from a PG&E bankruptcy, said Assemblyman Chris Holden, D-Pasadena. Weve got to figure out something that would not just address the needs of one utility, but the industry as a whole. Holden, chairman of the Assemblys utilities and energy committee, said the state needs to create some predictability for utilities so the market feels comfortable investing in them in a way that would keep costs down, because, that ultimately benefits ratepayers. And one way to do that could be through creation of an insurance fund, which would be appropriate for the new wildfire commission to study, Holden said. The Utility Reform Network has also been supportive of creating a wildfire insurance fund at least in theory and wanted the Legislature to move in that direction last year. Mark Toney, the consumer groups executive director, said he thinks Mayes bill in its current form puts too much financial responsibility on utility customers. But Toney still wants to see state officials consider creating a wildfire insurance fund, perhaps financing it through a surcharge on property insurance premiums. Toney said hurricane-prone Florida could serve as a model. In 1993, the state created its Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, which reimburses insurers for a portion of the losses they experience because of a catastrophic hurricane. Were still at the beginning stages, Toney said. Its not fully baked, because there are a lot of questions. Were just trying to put an idea on the table that we believe is a real idea and that at least seems to have some success in another state with huge catastrophes that happen on a regular basis. Gov. Gavin Newsom has said his office is working with bankruptcy lawyers and financial experts to come up with a comprehensive strategy thats due in the coming weeks, though details are sparse. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Holden said his understanding is that the governors team may recommend some direction to the courts on the PG&E matter and may also look at some broader thoughts or suggestions to put before the wildfire commission. PG&E has been providing information as requested to Newsoms team, according to company spokeswoman Lynsey Paulo. She said in a statement that PG&E shares Newsoms goal of ensuring safe, affordable power and agrees that the states challenges affect more than just one company or industry. We are open to a range of solutions that will make the energy system safer and safeguard Californias clean energy future, which could include a statewide wildfire insurance fund, Paulo said in the statement. PG&E believes any such fund should cover everyone who is harmed by a wildfire, not just fires caused by utility equipment. Paulo said PG&E looks forward to working with regulators, policymakers and the new wildfire commission on what she described as a complex issue. Separately, Dodd has introduced a bill, SB290, that would let the state take out its own insurance policy to cover the costs of disasters like wildfires. That would address costs like firefighting, not offering relief to utilities. The commission must submit its recommendations to Newsom and the Legislature by July 1. Holden said officials hope the group might be able to move a bit faster than that and lawmakers may not wait before taking some action on their own regarding PG&Es bankruptcy. Holden is working on a resolution that he said will provide direction to utility regulators as they participate in bankruptcy court proceedings and work with PG&E on its restructuring plan. The Legislature wants to make sure its fingerprints are on that as well, he said. J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris Talks in the Oakland teachers strike broke down Sunday, and the conflict was expected to result in a third day of absent teachers Monday. The negotiations were suspended after an hour. No new talks have been scheduled. Oakland Unified School District officials said they were on standby and ready to return to the bargaining table. Jenine Lindsey, head of the district bargaining team, said union negotiators were sticking to their demand for a 12 percent raise over three years. The district has offered 7 percent over three years, plus a 1.5 percent bonus. Oakland schools will be open Monday, with substitute teachers and administrators on duty as they were last week. School attendance was a fraction of normal, and many students met in auditoriums or libraries instead of classrooms. It wont be school as usual on Monday, Lindsey said. Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell acknowledged that teachers and administrations hold divergent perspectives. Know that we value our teachers and want to give them all they are asking for, but we cannot afford to do so, Johnson-Trammell said. The head of the teachers union, Keith Brown, said talks broke off after district negotiators returned to the table without a proposal that would begin to meet our core bargaining demands. Brown, president of the Oakland Education Association, called the strike inspiring and strong and said it would continue. The district, he said, must fully fund our schools and provide a living wage to keep teachers in Oakland. Late Sunday, union vice president Chaz Garcia announced that state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has agreed to come in and see if he can help negotiators make progress Monday. Earlier, the union announced that picket lines would be up in front of schools at 6:30 a.m., come rain or come shine, in the event that talks did not succeed. Teachers said they plan to rally at 12:30 p.m. on Monday at Oscar Grant Plaza before picketing the Oakland Unified School District meeting at La Escuelita Elementary School at 3:30 p.m. The dispute affects 37,000 students in traditional public schools, whose teachers are on strike, and 13,000 students in charter schools, whose teachers are not on strike. Along with the raise, the teachers are seeking more school counselors and nurses. During the strike, Oakland officials are keeping open 16 recreation centers from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for students honoring the strike. The centers are: Allendale, 3711 Suter St.; Arroyo Viejo, 7701 Krause Ave.; Brookdale, 2535 High St.; Bushrod, 560 59th St.; Carmen Flores, 1637 Fruitvale Ave.; DeFremery, 1651 Adeline St.; Dimond, 3860 Hanly Road; Ira Jinkins, 9175 Edes Ave.; FM Smith, 1969 Park Blvd.; Franklin, 1010 E. 15th St.; Golden Gate, 1075 62nd St.; Manzanita, 2701 22nd Ave.; Montclair, 6300 Moraga Ave.; San Antonio, 1701 E. 19th St.; Redwood Heights, 3883 Aliso Ave.; and Mosswood, 3612 Webster St. Students may also gather in Oakland libraries and some neighborhood churches. Michael Cabanatuan and Steve Rubenstein are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com and srubenstein@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan @SteveRubeSF Good morning, Bay Area. Its Feb. 25. Heres what you need to know to start your day. Jeff Adachis biggest cases San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi died suddenly Friday. Police have opened an investigation into this death but do not suspect foul play. News of Adachis death brought a wave of tributes around the city and California. As one of the most influential public defenders in the country and the only elected one in California Adachi was at the center of many of the biggest stories in San Francisco over the past three decades. We took a look at the defining moments and biggest battles in Adachis career as a public defender, politician and criminal justice advocate in San Francisco. E.T., phone Silicon Valley The universe is vast, so if were looking for aliens, should we put out messages rather than just searching for them? A cosmic rift has opened between Bay Area astronomers and a splinter group of San Francisco stargazers who are hell-bent on contacting space aliens, hang the consequences. The battle is so heated that one prominent scientist quit the Mountain View group known as SETI, or Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, to form METI, or Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence. Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle Strike expected to continue Talks in the Oakland teachers strike broke down Sunday after little more than an hour, and all signs indicated the strike would continue for a third day Monday. Late Sunday, union vice president Chaz Garcia announced that state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond had agreed to come in and see if he can help. In his column, Otis R. Taylor Jr. talks to Oakland teachers who say working conditions are absurd and that they wont come back to work without a contract the union can agree on. Most of us are going into it with the clear understanding that it could be a long haul, one teacher told Taylor. Homes and now experiences Airbnb is one of several San Francisco companies preparing for an initial public offering this year. Reporter Carolyn Said looks at how the short-term rentals company achieved detente with its hometown at the cost of slower growth and how the company and the city wary of its impact on the housing market have changed a year after strict new rules forced Airbnb to jettison thousands of listings. No West Portal quick fix Paul Chinn / The Chronicle Ten percent. Thats how much acting director Julie Kirschbaum says shell reduce stalls and stoppages on the Muni subway within three months. Promised improvements on Muni is an old story, Rachel Swan writes, but this time around Kirschbaum is initially focused on West Portal, one of the most complicated points in the system. Around the Bay Glitz, glamour and huh? Oakland native Mahershala Ali won his second Oscar on Sunday night for his performance in Green Book. But the ceremony was largely lackluster, Mick LaSalle writes, with an unexpected outcome for best picture. Its that time again: Another atmospheric river is expected to drench the Bay Area on Monday afternoon. Great white hope? A group of biologists has found the great white shark has unusual resistance to cancer and a remarkable ability to heal quickly from wounds. Out of pocket: State legislators get in on the effort to end giant bills for the privately insured at San Francisco General Hospital. Fire out: Seeking to avoid another utility bankruptcy, California considers a wildfire insurance fund. Chronicle Food Celeste Noche / Special to The Chronicle Andreas Ozzuna may be a baker, but the owner of Oaklands Wooden Table Baking Co., takes asado seriously. In the latest A Millions Plates column, Leena Trivedi-Grenier writes how the asado the tradition of grilling meat over a fire, as well as the social event itself around the meal shaped Ozzunas childhood in Argentina, and how a monthly asado takes on even more importance for Ozzuna, to celebrate fellow queer immigrants its a place for community, acceptance and once the meal is done tango. Bay Briefing is written by Taylor Kate Brown and sent to readers email in-boxes on weekday mornings. Sign up for the newsletter here and contact Brown at taylor.brown@sfchronicle.com The meeting comes after a weekend in which Guaido and his supporters, which include Colombia, the United States and the European Union, failed to significantly breach the Venezuelan border with tons of humanitarian aid that had been stockpiled in the Colombian border city of Cucuta. The aid was given principally by the U.S., with other countries including Canada and members of the EU pitching in. 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. Charles H. Woods of London, KY, passed peacefully June 18, 2021, at Baptist Hospital in Lexington after a courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Charlene; his daughter Lindsay Reedy (Aaron); and grandchildren, Tanner, Arden, and Nolan. He also leaves behind his nephew, Cr The murder of George Floyd sparked outrage, pain, and energy to mobilize against police brutality throughout Connecticut communities during the summer of 2020. A year already marked by tragedy and chaos came to a turning point on May 25. Tuesday marks one year since Floyd's murder at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, one of whom knelt on his neck for nearly 10 minutes. Take a look back at the Black Lives Matter movement in Connecticut since May 25, 2020 and the rallies of support for the equitable treatment of Black and Brown people in Connecticut, across the country and beyond. That still wasnt enough for these hemp plants, which started to flower despite researchers best efforts to keep them vegging out, or growing in a vegetative state. Grown as part of UConns new course on the horticulture of cannabis one of the first of its kind in the U.S. these young, leggy weeds are now destined for the trash, in favor of plants that are still bud-free. WASHINGTON -- The left complains that conservatives are "obsessing" over Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Well, there is a reason for that: Ocasio-Cortez is driving the agenda of today's Democratic Party and her economic illiteracy is dangerous. Case in point: Last week, Ocasio-Cortez celebrated the tanking of a deal negotiated by her fellow Democrats in which Amazon promised to build a new headquarters in Long Island City, New York, right next to her congressional district. Amazon's departure cost the city between 25,000 and 40,000 new jobs. Forget the tech workers whom Amazon would have employed. Gone are all of the unionized construction jobs to build the headquarters, as well as thousands of jobs created by all of the small businesses restaurants, bodegas, dry cleaners and food carts that were preparing to open or expand to serve Amazon employees. They are devastated by Amazon's withdrawal. Ocasio-Cortez was not disturbed at all. "We were subsidizing those jobs," she said. "Frankly, if we were willing to give away $3 billion for this deal, we could invest those $3 billion in our district, ourselves, if we wanted to. We could hire out more teachers. We can fix our subways. We can put a lot of people to work for that amount of money if we wanted to." FLORENCE, S.C. Kristy Mounger, APRN, a staff nurse on the renal floor, recently was named the February DAISY Award recipient for McLeod Regional Medical Center. Mounger was nominated by a patients family for her extraordinary care and compassion. To recognize those nurses at McLeod Regional Medical Center who are examples of Nursing Excellence, patients, family members and co-workers can nominate nurses for the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's program to recognize the nurses everyday super-human efforts. On the nomination form, the patients family wrote, Four years ago, our journey began with kidney failure. My brother-in-law was admitted to the hospital, and Kristy came into the room. She treated him like he was her family member. That visit ended, and we left all of his medications. My phone rang, and a sweet voice said, I am in your yard. After working about 14 hours, she delivered what we left behind. Using a laser to drill through a plasma, scientists working at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the US have set a new world record for plasma accelerators: In a plasma tube only 20 centimetres long, the scientists accelerated electrons to an energy of 7.8 billion electron volts (GeV), a value for which today's most advanced conventional particle accelerators require hundreds of metres. The team led by Wim Leemans, then head of the Berkeley Lab Laser Accelerator (BELLA) Center and now Accelerator Director at DESY, presents the novel concept in the journal Physical Review Letters. A plasma is a gas in which the molecules have been stripped of their electrons, creating a mix of positively charged molecules and negatively charged electrons. "The development of stable plasma acceleration with energies near 10 GeV is a milestone on the route from the lab to first applications," said Leemans, who plans to improve the method further at DESY. "We have developed a new concept in the toolbox, and together with other concepts for acceleration, beam stability and beam control existing at DESY, this will allow for compact electron sources." Particle accelerators are indispensable tools in many areas, from science to industry and medicine. Conventional accelerators use radio waves to push bunches of electrically charged particles like electrons forward faster and faster. The technique is very advanced and produces high-quality particle beams, but high energies require a lot of space and money. Laser plasma acceleration is a completely different concept. It uses an intense, high-energy laser pulse that ploughs through a plasma. Like a speedboat on a lake, the laser pulse creates waves in its wake. The electrons can ride these plasma waves like a wakeboard surfer rides the waves in the wake of a boat. Plasma waves can accelerate particles hundreds of times stronger than the best conventional accelerators. Although numerous challenges remain to be solved, the technique promises cheaper, dramatically smaller accelerators and novel applications. The more powerful the laser pulse is, the stronger the acceleration in the plasma. The team at BELLA shot incredibly intense and short infrared laser pulses, each with a peak power of about 850 trillion watts (850 terawatts) and lasting just 35 quadrillionths of a second (35 femtoseconds), into a 0.8 millimetres wide sapphire tube filled with hydrogen. The peak power is equivalent to lighting up about 8.5 trillion 100-watt lightbulbs simultaneously, though the bulbs would be lit for only tens of femtoseconds. "Just creating large plasma waves wasn't enough," noted Berkeley Lab's Anthony Gonsalves, lead author of the study. "We also needed to create those waves over the full length of the 20-centimeter tube to accelerate the electrons to such high energy." To do this required a plasma channel, which confines a laser pulse in much the same way that a fibre-optic cable channels light. But unlike a conventional optical fiber, a plasma channel can withstand the ultra-intense laser pulses needed to accelerate electrons. In order to form such a channel, the plasma needs to be less dense in the middle. advertisement In an earlier experiment at BELLA that had set the former world record for plasma acceleration at 4.25 GeV in 2014 and was also led by Leemans, an electrical discharge was used to create the plasma channel, but to go to higher energies the researchers needed the plasma's density profile to be even deeper -- so it is less dense in the middle of the channel. In previous attempts the laser lost its tight focus and damaged the sapphire tube. Gonsalves noted that even the weaker areas of the laser beam's focus -- its so-called wings -- were strong enough to destroy the sapphire structure with the previous technique. The solution of this problem was inspired by an idea from the 1990s to use a laser pulse to heat the plasma and form a channel. Leemans realised that such a laser could be combined with the discharge. If the laser is fed into the tube right after the discharge, it drills through the plasma to form a deeper channel that is able to confine the laser. Experiments and theoretic modelling of the process, performed by Leemans' students and co-authors of the paper, Joost Daniels and Chris Pieronek, among others, showed that a laser pulse of 8 nanoseconds (billionths of a second) duration, shot through the tube exactly 420 nanoseconds after the electric discharge could drill the optimal channel for the laser pulse driving the acceleration. The combined technique radically improved the confinement of the laser beam, preserving the intensity and the focus of the driving laser, and confining its spot size, or diameter, to just tens of millionths of a metre (micrometres) as it moved through the plasma tube. This enabled the use of a lower-density plasma and a longer capillary. The previous 4.25 GeV record had used a 9-centimeter capillary. With a 20-centimetre capillary the team now achieved an energy of 7.8 GeV. The team needed new numerical models (codes) to develop the technique. A collaboration including Berkeley Lab, the Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics in Russia, and the ELI-Beamlines Project in the Czech Republic adapted and integrated several codes. "These codes helped us to see quickly what makes the biggest difference -- what are the things that allow you to achieve guiding and acceleration," said Carlo Benedetti, lead developer of one of the codes at Berkeley Lab and also a co-author of the paper. Once the codes were shown to agree with the experimental data, it became easier to interpret the experiments, he noted. "Now it's at the point where the simulations can lead and tell us what to do next," Gonsalves said. "This Berkeley Lab result, published in Physical Review Letters, is a milestone for laser plasma accelerators," commented Ralph Assmann, Leading Scientist for accelerator research and development at DESY, who was not involved in the study. "This does not only establish a new energy record, but describes an innovative method, that allows establishing in a robust setup an average accelerating gradient of 40 billion Volts per metre over 20 centimetres. This new technology opens new possibilities for our work at DESY." Leemans thinks optimisation can boost the energy of the novel plasma acceleration technique to 10 GeV and beyond, and concepts researched at DESY can stabilise the method and increase the beam quality. While plasma accelerators cannot accelerate as many particles (i.e. a high beam current) as conventional accelerators, they can enable new applications like table-top X-ray lasers. "Our method is a major step forward for future compact light sources," emphasised Leemans. "The time is here to bring laser plasma acceleration from the lab to application." Thought to be Canada's most promising potential defense against the brown marmorated stink bug -- a globally spreading agricultural pest native to Asia -- the samurai wasp (another species from Asia and natural parasitoid of the former) has been considered for future release in the country in recent years. However, prior to any formal decision and regulatory approval, the parasitoid, which is known to be specialized on stink bug eggs, was identified at a heavily infested site in Chilliwack, British Columbia, during a survey of the local enemies of the bug, conducted by a research team led by Dr. Paul Abram of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Their findings are published in the open-access Journal of Hymenoptera Research. Native to China, Japan, Taiwan and the Korean peninsula, the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) has already established in areas of the United States and Europe and continues to spread. It is highly damaging to a wide range of vegetable and fruit crops, including peaches, apples, pears, soybeans, cherries, raspberries and pears. Curiously, those infested areas in both the USA and Europe also saw the arrival of the samurai wasp (Trissolcus japonicus) amid assessments whether releasing samurai wasps in the wild should be warranted. "Classical (importation) biological control of invasive pests, where natural enemies are imported and intentionally introduced from a pest's area of origin, involves years of research to assess risks and benefits of proposed introductions, followed by regulatory approval," explain the researchers in their paper. "However, there is increasing recognition that unintentional introductions of natural enemies are probably common, introducing a high level of uncertainty to the regulatory process for biological control introductions." In two consecutive years (2017 and 2018), the team of Dr Abram placed a total of 1,496 egg masses (41,351 eggs) of brown marmorated stink bugs at 16 field sites in coastal and interior British Columbia -- already known to host large and well-established breeding populations of the species -- in order to monitor and identify the local enemies of the pest. Later on, when the researchers retrieved the eggs and studied their parasitoids, they found three native wasp species, but their parasitism appeared largely unsuccessful. According to the scientists, as well as previous studies conducted in both the USA and Europe, native wasps would often lay their eggs in those of the brown marmorated stink bug, but their larvae would rarely complete development. Even when they emerged, they were unlikely to produce their own offspring. In one of the egg masses, however, the scientists noted that all eggs had been parasitized and, moreover, each produced a viable wasp. Later, the offspring would register a success of >90% in parasitizing brown marmorated stink bug eggs. Following these observations, the team identified these parasitoids as samurai wasps. While the species is currently being redistributed within some US states on purpose, samurai wasp populations advancing to other localities suggest that much like its host, the parasitoid is also becoming a "global invader." Therefore, it is quite possible that the samurai wasps in British Columbia have simply crossed a distance of >400 km from nearby Washington State, and the wasp is still at the early stages of its establishment in Canada. "Nonetheless, the detection of this exotic biological control agent in Canada concurrently with regulatory review of its intentional importation and release is emblematic of the current uncertainty around regulatory control on the movement of biological control agents across borders," comment the authors of the study. Field surveys and extensive analyses are currently underway to track the establishment and biological control impact of the samurai wasp in Canada and also reveal how the species ended up in British Columbia. The 23rd annual Old Saybrook Chili Fest on March 2 at noon on the Old Saybrook town green features a communitywide, friendly competition with chili from more than 20 chefs. The top three winning chilis will be honored with a donation to the charity of their choice. Ballots are $10 each and can be purchased at Ballot Stations along Main Street during the event, and in advance at the Chamber of Commerce office. oldsaybrookchamber.com. Lab instruments are important tools throughout research and health care. But what if those instruments are leaking valuable information? When it comes to biosecurity, this could be a very real threat, according to a group of researchers at the University of California, Irvine, and the University of California, Riverside. By simply recording the sounds of a common lab instrument, the team members could reconstruct what a researcher was doing with that instrument. "Any active machine emits a trace of some form: physical residue, electromagnetic radiation, acoustic noise, etc. The amount of information in these traces is immense, and we have only hit the tip of the iceberg in terms of what we can learn and reverse engineer about the machine that generated them," said Philip Brisk, a UC Riverside associate professor of computer science who worked on the project. In a paper presented at the Network and Distributed System Security Symposium, the group showed they could reconstruct what a researcher was doing by recording the sounds of the lab instrument used. That means academic, industrial, and government labs are potentially wide open to espionage that could destabilize research, jeopardize product development, and even put national security at risk. The researchers wondered if it was possible to determine what a DNA synthesizer was producing from the sounds its components made as it went through its manufacturing routine. DNA synthesizers are machines that allow users to build custom DNA molecules from a few basic ingredients. Researchers commonly construct segments of DNA to insert in the genome of other organisms, especially bacteria, to make new organisms. Sometimes these living systems are used to make valuable new pharmaceuticals or other products. advertisement Brisk and UC Irvine electrical and computer engineering professor Mohammad Abdullah Al Faruque and his doctoral student Sina Faezi; along with John C. Chaput, a professor of pharmaceutical sciences at UC Irvine; and William Grover, a bioengineering professor at UC Riverside, set microphones similar to those in a smartphone in several spots near a DNA synthesizer in Chaput's lab. All DNA is built from just four bases, adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T), arranged in almost infinite combinations. The specific patterns, or sequences, can be read as a clue to what kind of DNA it is. DNA synthesizers contain components that open and close to release chemicals as they manufacture each of these bases, along with the tubes and chambers through which they flow. These mechanisms make distinctive sounds as they work. After filtering out background noise and running several adjustments to the recorded sound, the researchers found the differences were too subtle for humans to notice. "But through a careful feature engineering and bespoke machine-learning algorithm written in our lab, we were able to pinpoint those differences," Faezi said. The researchers could easily distinguish each time the machine produced A, G, C, or T. advertisement When the researchers used software to analyze the AGCT patterns they acquired through the recordings, they identified the correct type of DNA with 86 percent accuracy. By running it through additional well-known DNA sequencing software, they boosted the accuracy to almost 100 percent. Using this method, a knowledgeable observer could tell if the machine was making anthrax, smallpox, or Ebola DNA, for example, or a commercially valuable DNA intended to be a trade secret. The method could help law enforcement prevent bioterrorism, but it could also be used by criminals or terrorists to intercept biological secrets. "A few years ago, we published a study on a similar method for stealing plans of objects being fabricated in 3D printers, but this DNA synthesizer attack is potentially much more serious," Al Faruque said. The researchers recommend that labs using DNA synthesizing machines institute security measures, such as strictly controlling access to the machines and removing innocuous-seeming recording devices left near the machine. They also recommend that machine manufacturers begin designing machine components to reduce the number of sounds they make, either by redesigning or repositioning the components or swaddling them in sound absorbent material. Almost all machines used in biomedical research make some kind of sound, noted Brisk and Grover, and the hack could conceivably be applied to any machine. "The take-home message for bioengineers is that we have to worry about these security issues when we're designing instruments," Grover said. featured Business New Mexican restaurant set to open in Saratoga Springs in April featured Education Glotzbach to step down as Skidmore College president May 2020 Glotzbach to step down as Skidmore College president May 2020 Law enforcement Gansevoort man arrested after throwing snow at trooper during traffic stop Stahl calls the concept a continuous dining experience. Meats just continuously come out to you; you dont have to request anything, he says. If you want to see something you havent seen, or youre looking for something specific, or you want something cooked the way you want, we can do that as well. (A diner can request their beef well-done instead of the requisite medium-rare, for example.) Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin. Detroit 67 is the middle play in Morisseaus Detroit Project. The playwright excels at creating believable workplace situations and love relationships that are so engrossing to the characters experiencing them that they barely realize that theyre living through historic periods of civil unrest and social change. The audience, of course, sees the bigger picture clearly. We feel sorry for these people who are fighting countless small battles to survive, unaware of how some of their heroic choices are adding to a great shift in national consciousness. Chandigarh, February 25 2019: As India is progressing with time, and is now named among the emerging powers of the world, but it is not on a safe political footing with respect to its neighbours. The relationships with its immediate neighbours Pakistan, China, Nepal and Bhutan are at a new low, with the tensions with Pakistan at a tethering edge. The fine balance of animosity and friendship between two nations is hanging in less than a fine balance, with the situation being very critical. In the event of rising political temperature, in the sub continent, no neighbouring country seems to have Indias back. In such sensitive times, the government is trying to create a false narrative, to keep the public winding in its web, in an effort to hide its failure in Foreign Policy as well as Security Policies. The Defence Minister of India Niramala Sitharaman, stated wrong facts yet again while addressing an event in Bangaluru on Sunday. At an event organized by Thinkers Forum in Bengaluru, she addressed the audience and stated, All facts checked, it is true that between 2014 and today vis-a-vis 2004 and 2013, except for Kashmir, has there been any terrorist or minor bomb attack anywhere else in the country? Lets talk on facts, the minister was quoted as saying by news agency, ANI. This comes days after Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju made a similar statement saying there has been no major terror attack in India, except for Uri and Pathankot in the last 4.5 years. These are reportedly wrong statements, as there have been many attacks under the Modi regime post 2014 with a few of them being Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Kikrajhar, and Sukma among others, with Pathankot and Gurdaspur and Sukma being some of the biggest attacks on security forces. It is notable that in a report which analysed data compared by US State Department, India had the third highest number of terror attacks in the year 2016. Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju With Iraq facing 2,965 attacks and Afghanistan facing 1,340 attacks, in the year 2016, India stood at the third position, having faced 927 attacks with Pakistan trailing behind at 734 attacks. According the US State Department, more than half of the terrorist attacks in India in 2016 took place in four states namely Jammu and Kashmir at 19 per cent, Chhattisgarh at 18 per cent, Manipur at 12 per cent, and Jharkhand at 10 per cent. J&K reportedly saw a rise of 93%compared to 2015. This report clearly falsifies the claims of Sitharman and Rijiju. Looking at the data available in the public domain, there are many terror attacks in the last 5 year, which show the failure of BJP led regime in the country. December 2014 witnessed a series of terror attacks in the North Eastern state of Assam, which led to the killing of more than 76 people. These attacks were attributed to National Democratic Front of Bodoland. On June 4 2015, United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia ambushed a military convoy in Chandel District of Manipur, resulting in eighteen soldiers. Though it was avenged in a cross border operation into Mayanmar on 9 June, killing 158 insurgents, it was nevertheless a major terror attack on the security forces. Dina Nagar Police station in Gurdaspur district of Punjab witnessed the next major terrorist attack on July 27 2015, with three terrorists wearing army uniforms opening fire on a bus and the the police station. This attack left three civilians and four policemen including a Superintendent of Police dead. Fifteen people were injured. Also, five bombs were found planted on the Amritsar-Pathankot Railway line near Parmanand railway station. The operation to neutralize the three terrorists lasted almost 12 hours. This attack was a serious one due to its target, a police station. The year 2016 began with a deafening attack by a heavily armed group of terrorists on January 2. They attacked the Pathankot Air Force Station which is a part of the Western Air Command of the Indian Air Force. Pathankot Air Force Station The battle between the security forces and the group of six terrorists continued till January 5, inside the Air Base. The terror organization behind this stack is touted to be Jaish-e-Mohammed, the Pakistan based Islamist terror group. This attack highlighted security lapses which aided the terrorists, and also derailed the peace talk between India and Pakistan. In the month of August 2016, Assam was at the receiving end of violence once again. A group of militants opened fire in a market near the town of Kokrajhar, killing fourteen people. The group comprising at least six militants was armed with heavy rifles like AK-56 and AK-47. The year 2016 witnessed another attack on the security forces, with four heavily armed terrorists attacking Indian Army brigade headquarters in Uri near the Line of Control on September 18. This fatal and abrasive attack saw nineteen soldiers being killed and around 30 more injured. Though all four terrorists were killed, this attack highlighted the gravity of the situation and security status, as the attackers were very precise in their modus operandi, and seemed to have worked out even the minute details of the headquarters. In a yet another attack on the security forces, another fidayeen militant group attacked Indian Army Base in Nagrota, J&K. This attack left seven security personnel dead. Maoists struck again in April 2017 and attacked a CRPF troop in Chhattisgarhs Sukma. On April 24, a group of 300 Maoists ambushed a 99 member CRPF troop, in which 25 security personnel were killed. The most recent, and the biggest terror attack of recent times has just occurred in Pulwama, on February 14 of this year. A lone fidayeen rammed his explosives laden vehicle in a convoy carrying security forces, resulting in the killing of more than 40 security personnel. This was followed by certain other attempts sporadically, leaving more soldiers dead in the state of J&K. Pulwama attack All the above data refutes the claims made by the Defence Minister and the Minister of State. In an attempt to create an alternative narrative, the government ministers are trying to go against the real facts. This is an effort which might not bode well with the public of the nation, which is at the receiving end of these attacks. -Ravijot Kaur Chandigarh, February 25: Amid uproar by the Opposition in the House on the issue, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday ruled out any arbitrary action against anyone in the Ludhiana CLU case, asserting that the law would take its own course in the matter. Intervening during the Zero Hour in the Vidhan Sabha, where the issue was raised by Akali and AAP members, the Chief Minister made it clear that he would not hang anyone by the noose on the basis of media reports or to satisfy the Opposition, which has been baying for Cabinet Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu. Lashing out at the Opposition over their demand for Ashus expulsion on the basis of unfounded allegations, the Chief Minister said the Local Government Department had already initiated an inquiry into the matter and due procedure would be followed to identify the guilty, before taking any action. Punjab CM Rules Out Arbitrary Action The Chief Minister asked the Opposition to stop trying to pre-empt the course of justice by jumping to conclusions without evidence, as that would amount to hindering the process of justice. Lambasting the Opposition for trying to make a mountain out of a molehill, Captain Amarinder Singh said his government had a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and political interference in administrative matters, and would not bend on that count under any circumstances. At the same, however, the Chief Minister said there was no question of bowing to Opposition pressure to take action against anyone without following the due course of law, and without having sufficient evidence in the case. If any anomaly or misdemeanor is found with regard to issuance of land clearance certificate to any realtor, strict action would be taken against the guilty, he assured the House. Chandigarh, February 25: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah over his blatant lies on the work done by the Badal government for the people of Punjab, saying the Akali supremo did not even know the meaning of the common man. Lambasting Shah for trying to mislead the people with false allegations against his government, the Chief Minister said the BJP, along with its ally (SAD), had plummeted to the depths of shamelessness with their brazen lies in their desperate bid to get back some of their lost political ground in Punjab. From their witch-hunts against opposition leaders, to their ridiculous accusations and claims, the BJP leaders were resorting to all kind of disgraceful tactics to get back into the public limelight, which the Modi government had completely lost with its non-performance of the past five years, said the Chief Minister. Berating Shah for his ridiculous claim that former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal had ruled Punjab as a common man, Captain Amarinder said the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) patron had been totally unconnected from the common man, whom he and his cronies had looted unashamedly during their misrule of the state. Amit Shah The SAD-BJP government had failed to take a single initiative for the people of Punjab, with the BJP at the Centre also failing to come out in support of the state despite the acute financial crisis faced by it. What have they done for the farmers? What did they do all these years to check stubble burning? What incentives have they given the industry? How many jobs did they give the youth? Who pushed the youth into drugs?, the Chief Minister asked Shah, in a hard-hitting statement issued here. From health to education, from environment to development, could he cite a single scheme launched by the previous Badal-led government for the welfare of the people, Captain Amarinder further demanded to know from the BJP president. And he (Shah) has the audacity to claim Badal functioned like a common man?, said the Chief Minister, ridiculing the BJP chief over his total disconnect from the ground reality in Punjab. Parkash Singh Badal The reality, said Captain Amarinder, was that the Congress government had not only revived the states growth but had delivered on each one of its promises to ensure the welfare of every section of the state, he added. If they were really concerned about the common man, why did they allow farmers to continue to end their lives instead of rescuing them from their massive debts? They did not set up any STF, like the current government, nor did they launch any other scheme to save Punjabs youth from destruction at the hands of the drug mafia, the Chief Minister pointed out. Citing the success of his governments Ghar Ghar Rozgar and Karobar Yojana in facilitating employment of youth, Captain Amarinder further pointed out that the Badal government had no such scheme for the jobless men and women in the state. My government has given industrial power subsidy, we have launched wellness clinics, projects for drinking water and sanitation, repair of rural link roads, smart city and smart village campaigns. We are building schools, colleges, roads and bridges. SAD-BJP We have enhanced pensions, funds under Ashirward & other schemes. We are ensuring that the real beneficiaries get their due and the money is not pocketed by unscrupulous rulers and officials. We are getting back the lost industry and investments?, the Chief Minister listed out, asking Shah if he could come up with even one meaningful initiative or welfare scheme that Badal might have launched for the common man. Had the former chief minister done so, he would not have been thrown out so ignominiously by the people of Punjab in the 2017 Assembly elections, said Captain Amarinder, adding that the coming Lok Sabha elections would see SAD-BJP end up with a worse count than ever before. Lok Sabha elections So stop misleading the people of Punjab and tell them what you have achieved in your governments five years at the Centre, said the Chief Minister to Shah, adding that the BJP-led central government had failed to even give funds to ensure a befitting celebration of the 550th Parkash Purb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji. This clearly shows their mindset and their anti-people sentiment, Captain Amarinder asserted, warning the people against being swayed by their brazen and outrageous lies. What got less attention is that as the air pollution board appointments were made, Northam also replaced two members of the State Water Control Board. In that case he replaced one board member who had voted for the MVP water certification and one who had voted against it and in December both of his new appointees voted to reconsider the pipelines paperwork. If Northams going to get the blame for his air board appointees, he ought to get credit for his water board appointees. Note this: His changes on the air board didnt make any difference in the outcome of the Union Hill vote but they did make a difference on the MVP. At least potentially. The water board voted Dec. 13. Its taken until March 1 to hold a special meeting not on whether to revoke the paperwork, but on when and how to hold a hearing on whether to revoke it. To some, this is just the routine slow-footedness of government and the difficulty of lining up the schedules of seven busy citizens who sit on the water board. To others, it smells of intentional foot-dragging on the part of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, which pipeline opponents think is entirely too cozy with the utilities its supposed to regulate. If so, what we have here are both sides using different types of stalling tactics. We know pipeline opponents are trying to tie things up long enough to drive up the costs. Are state regulators going slow to give MVP more time to complete as much pipeline as possible and render any revocation moot? Heres one way well find out the answer: How quickly does the water board schedule an actual hearing? Ideally, well find out the answer to that Friday. By then, Coley's father had passed away, and his mother was all on her own. Bender drove her to the prison for visits, and over the years she became like another member of his family, joining them for Christmas and other holidays. It scared him to think that the aging woman wouldn't have her son there to take care of her in her final years, or that Coley could die in jail. He repeatedly filed clemency petitions on Coley's behalf, and urged every law enforcement agency that he could think of to reopen the case. "It didn't seem to go anywhere," he said. "Too much power, too much politics, too many people trying to defend what they did, instead of trying to look into the truth of the matter." Finally, in 2016, Simi Valley got a new chief of police, Dave Livingstone, who took a look through the evidence that Bender had gathered. He asked his cold-case detective to revisit the file. A judge had previously ordered that the evidence from the trial be destroyed after Coley exhausted all of his appeals, but it turned out that it was still being stored at a private lab. Using advanced forensic analysis that hadn't been available in 1978, technicians discovered that a key piece of evidence that had been used to convict Coley didn't actually contain his DNA. Im not sure that you know what a poem is about until youve worked on it for a while or it tells you itself, she said. I like the interdisciplinary vein in my work. I spend a lot of time on academic writing and this is more creative and abstract. Should Northam resign from office, Fairfax would become governor. Vanessa Tyson, a California professor, has accused Fairfax of forcing her to perform oral sex in a Boston hotel room in 2004. Meredith Watson has accused Fairfax of raping her while the two were students at Duke University in 2000. Neither has filed criminal charges, but the allegations resulted in calls for Fairfax to resign. Fairfax has said both encounters were consensual. The lieutenant governors comments Sunday came after Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment, R-James City, praised him for his professionalism during a trying time. I would have to say that everyone in this body understands the stress that you have been under throughout these weeks, Norment said in a Senate floor speech. I just want to personally thank you for your professionalism and the manner in which you have presided over the Senate during these times that are stressful for you and your family. And I am most appreciative of your evenhandedness, your genteel manner, and the professionalism that you have demonstrated throughout this session, so I thank you, sir. Fairfax then thanked the senators, staff and Capitol police. A customer refers to a single paying account, such as a home or business, so the affected number of residents is higher. This is the second time in the past week a large number of weather-related power outages have occurred in and near the Roanoke and New River valleys. On Wednesday, ice and wet snow knocked power out to more than 20,000 customers. A high wind warning issued by the National Weather Service remains in effect until noon Monday, with occasional gusts reaching 60 mph possible. The Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport in northwest Roanoke recorded a maximum gust of 54 mph on Sunday afternoon. Because of recent wet weather, the winds have a greater chance of toppling trees in muddy soil. A tree was reported blown onto a house at the corner of Brambleton Avenue and Rosewood Avenue in southwest Roanoke County, according to information relayed online by the National Weather Service office in Blacksburg, and numerous trees were reported blown down in various locations across the region. Meanwhile, Giles County dispatchers reported a car stuck in floodwaters on Lurich Road along the New River, according to the National Weather Service office in Blacksburg. Several area rivers and streams remain high or out of their banks after several days of rainfall, plus melted snow and ice, over the past week. E-commerce and other forces are shaking up the market for traditional brick-and-mortar retailers, representatives said, and other prospects who have viewed this tract came away with qualms about things such as ease of access to the hillside location and the need to share part of the parking lot with Texas Roadhouse. The 2010 agreement recognized the need for flexibility and didnt lock in one set list of tenant options, representatives said. South Peak said it had been pleased to attract a new business that was ready to invest in the Roanoke Valley and would bring an attractive, complementary building to the property. In their deliberations, though, some planning commissioners were also wary of whether the proposal was the best fit for this site and would further the goal of creating a harmonious and appealing area. Mahoney voiced some disappointment to see a storage warehouse proposed for a site originally envisioned as first-class office space and retail uses not already available in the valley. This tract is one of the best remaining sites both in South Peak and southwest county, he said. Buildings were razed to make room for roads, industrial expansion and projects such as the citys civic center. Bell grew up nearby, but he said he never learned that side of the citys history. I should have known that all of this was going on, Bell said. We [African-Americans] are not writing the history books, so we cant tell those stories, unfortunately. So I believe once we start to write the history books these stories will be told. Bell is in the process of creating a documentary with his research. Smaller groups formed after Bells presentation on Sunday. Volunteers led discussions over full plates of food, guided by ground rules about honesty and openness. Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea was in attendance. His table focused on the story of 900 bodies that had been moved from a cemetery during the urban renewal era to make room for Interstate 581. There are things that cant be corrected, the table decided. But the formation of some sort of commission could help find opportunities for healing, like setting up a plaque to honor those buried in the lost cemetery. We can do something about that, Lea said. Thats a start. The next Changing the Narrative event will be held at the Roanoke College Colket Center on Sunday, April 7, at 4 p.m. It will focus on teenagers telling their stories. In Roanoke County, about 730 customers were without power, with another 765 customers experiencing outages in Roanoke, as of 9 p.m. Botetourt County had about 270 customers in the dark, with another 100 each in Franklin and Montgomery counties. Roanoke saw widespread damage to trees due to heavy winds and wet soil, city spokeswoman Melinda Mayo said. As of Monday afternoon, city staff had inspected 27 locations where trees had caused damages because of the gusts, 14 of which were on city property. Three residential streets were impassible because of downed power lines as of Monday afternoon, Mayo said: the 4400 block of Cravens Creek Road Southwest, the 4400 block of Pennsylvania Avenue Northeast, and Cherry Hill Circle Northwest. One urban forestry crew is staying late Monday to continue cleanup work, according to Mayo. Around 2,000 Appalachian Power employees and contractors are working to assess and repair damage. Because many states were affected by the storm, which brought gusts of more than 60 mph through the companys service area, Hall said its been difficult to acquire outside assistance. But an additional 300 workers from Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi and Tennessee were requested to assist with restoration. BLACKSBURG A Virginia Tech engineering professor can return to campus following a more than yearlong ban from school property by university police. Willem Hardus Odendaal, 50, is an electrical and computer engineering associate professor with tenure. He continued to get paid during the ban, and drew more than $100,000 in salary over that period from Dec. 15, 2017, until last week. He did not answer an inquiry for what he did during his absence from campus or the reason for it. A Tech spokesman declined to further outline his job duties during the ban. Odendaals annual salary is $101,341. An office on the sixth floor of Whittemore Hall was marked with his name for more than a year as the ban remained in place. It is unclear if that office will be from where Odendaal will work going forward as there is still much to be done, in ironing out the details of his role moving forward, Tech spokesman Mark Owczarski said. Odendaal will continue the research and work hes done in the past for Tech, Owczarski said. Jean De Dieu Nkurunziza was always working. A few months ago, the 26-year-old had gotten a job at the Triangle Mart convenience store in the 2600 block of Cove Road Northwest. Nkurunziza moved to the Roanoke area, where he has family, from Tanzania in 2006, said a friend, Janni Mirco. He wasnt just working like everybody else here, Mirco, 27, said. He was feeding people back home. He leaves behind a 3-year-old son in Roanoke. Mirco, who is originally from Eritrea, said he met Nkurunziza in school. Nkurunziza graduated from Patrick Henry High School and was like a little brother, Mirco said. At a recording studio, the two worked on hip-hop and Afro-fusion music together. Police have said an argument between Nkurunziza and an unidentified person escalated into a shooting. Mirco said he didnt know what led to the shooting. Law enforcement officers are searching the Roanoke and Lynchburg regions for a man wanted in a shooting that injured a police officer earlier this month. A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of Donquale DJ Gray, 25, of Bluefield, West Virginia, who state police say might be in the Roanoke-Lynchburg area. Gray is originally from Chicago but had been living recently in Bluefield. An officer with the Bluefield, Virginia, police department was shot Feb. 16 during a traffic stop. He is recovering from his injuries, and his name has not been released, state police said in a statement. Police say Gray was a passenger in the car that was stopped and sped off after the driver surrendered to police. Anyone with information about the incident can send tips to the U.S. Marshals at usms84.tips@usdoj.gov or Virginia State Police at questions@vsp.virginia.gov. Tips can also be directed to 911 or the Virginia State Police at 276-228-3131. 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. Separately, Zhang has been the target of a civil action by the former company official that accuses him and the company of improperly sharing valuable research with the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology in China, part of the countrys academy of sciences. Zhang had a consulting agreement with the institute during his latter years with Virginia Tech, work he disclosed to university officials. Judge Norman Moon, who has been handling the civil case in Charlottesville federal court, commented on the importance of Zhangs work. Sugar tastes good. But its unhealthy. So, companies and scientists explore how to efficiently change its structure. The idea is to make a sugar variant that tastes great but is less unhealthy. Zhang and Cell-Free were engaged in this endeavor, Moon wrote. When firefighters arrived on scene they reported heavy fire, front to back, floor to ceiling," Ortiz said. "They also got reports of two people trapped in the building. They made an interior aggressive attack for as long as they could." Tour providers block Holbox island access in protest of unfair competition Chiquila, Q.R. Local tour providers blocked the entrance and exit to the island of Holbox in protest of kiosks offering boat tickets. The area was blocked off for several hours while locals requested the relocation of kiosks offering tickets, saying their location creates unfair competition and affects the local tourism providers. The road blockade lasted for several hours and consisted of vehicles and people holding banners, allowing only visitors with airplane tickets to pass in order to catch their flight. Protesters later relocated to the islands pier, which they had blocked for 30 minutes before the mayor stepped in, which is when those protesting reportedly moved their efforts to the mayors office. Mayor Valerio Dominguez Mayoral agreed to relocate the bus stop, vans and kiosks away from the highway, adding that they were conducting studies in an attempt to change the street directions to improve vehicle circulation. Mexicos president attends Flag Day in Chetumal Chetumal, Q.R. State governor Carlos Joaquin was one of several who accompanied Mexicos president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador during Flag Day in Chetumal where he emphasized the importance of tourism for the growth of the states economy During the celebration, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador recalled some of the plans for the state such as the Maya Train, scholarships for low-income students and the transfer of the Ministry of Tourism to the capital city of Chetumal. During his talk, Lopez Obrador announced 600 million peso will be invested in Quintana Roo with future investments into other areas including Acapulco, Los Cabos, Vallarta and Bahia de Banderas, among others. He stressed the necessity of continuing work to guarantee public security throughout the country in a coordinated effort with the three levels of government. He also emphasized the importance of this for the economy of the state, as well as at the national level saying Quintana Roo is the state with the highest growth in generation of formal jobs nationwide. Tourism Minister Miguel Torruco announced that Mexicans with limited resources and those considered vulnerable groups will travel for free throughout the country as the federal government gets ready to introduce its national tourism strategy. Tourism will be a right for all, Torruco said during President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors visit. The Sonrisas por Mexico program will promote social tourism so that people can experience different tourist destinations around the country for free as part of their universal right, explained Torruco. The official said the program will begin with a pilot phase but did not provide more details, only adding that another national tourism program is Enjoy Mexico, which through agreements with tour operators, will offer low-cost packages for locals throughout the country. Torruco said that when he was Secretary of Tourism in Mexico City, these programs were successful. During his brief visit, Lopez Obrador also touched on national security and Chetumal becoming a free zone in the future. Richmond, KY (40475) Today A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable. The James River hit its highest level in nine years on Monday, as runoff from a week of wet weather arrived in Richmond beneath flawless blue skies. The Westham gauge observed a 16-foot reading on Monday afternoon, 1 foot above moderate flood stage. The last time Westham registered a higher reading was the 18.1-foot crest of Jan. 27, 2010. Monday's flood was mostly disruptive, not destructive. At the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge, rapids drowned out the voices of smartphone-holding onlookers. Tree trunks, bottles and bits of wood hurtled downstream, as if trying to outrun Monday's stiff northwesterly breeze. Some cyclists and runners stopped to look; others may have stopped to reroute. The floodwater lapped over portions of the Virginia Capital Trail near Rocketts Landing and the Richmond Slave Trail east of 14th Street, but it didn't climb high enough to enter Dock Street or Tredegar Street. The pipeline walk east of Brown's Island was submerged, with water nearly halfway up the metal railings. Momentous events have happened here, such as the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference, at which the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank were established. The 200-room Spanish Renaissance Revival-style hotel was newsworthy when coal and railroad magnate Joseph Stickney opened it in 1902: To have hot and cold running water and a private bath in every room in this hotel was unheard of at the time, Clemmer said. Rooms start at $219. Tours: 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily. Free for guests. Other options available. omnihotels.com/hotels/bretton-woods-mount-washington Mission Inn Hotel & Spa Riverside, Calif. To look at the Mission Inn, youd never guess this giant labyrinthine complex began as a humble adobe and boardinghouse in 1876. The owners son, Frank Miller, a world traveler and lover of beauty, opened todays hotel on the site in 1903. He constructed it in the Mission Revival tradition popular at the time, and kept adding to it in a variety of architectural styles, including Spanish, Moorish and Mediterranean revival. For those who pay attention to such things, February is Black History Month. Also, if you live in Virginia and have been paying attention, our top government leaders are each embroiled in controversy and scandal. Why might these relate? For me, they relate because I am an African-American woman in Virginia. Ive been thinking a lot about what it means to be a black woman in Virginia. At this moment for me, it comes down to being both vulnerable and powerful. At times I feel vulnerable because, for those who are supposed to lead for my benefit and on my behalf, at some point during their formative years when solidifying their circle of friends and associates, formulating their values and ideals, and forging their character two things seem probable. It is quite probable that the governor thought it was funny to dress in the way that brought ridicule to the entire group of people. He bestowed his affirmation, either by participation or acceptance, and deemed it appropriate and worthy of being documented in a yearbook that is designed to form a record of memorable moments and celebrations, including humor that made a mockery of African-American people. My people. Angie Stanley, a Sullivan County commissioner from Kingsport, organized Sundays gathering in honor of Hinkle and the Sheriffs Office. They need us in these times when they go out here and risk their lives every day for us, Stanley said. I just feel like its a time to bring everyone here together as a community, as a whole, to pray for our officers, to pray for our injured officer. Stanley decided to organize the event late Saturday and posted the information on Facebook. A number people and organizations shared the post, asking citizens to gather to pray for the officer and the department. A lot of them are like family to me, Stanley said. Ive known a lot of these men and women all my life. Stanley has known Hinkle, a veteran deputy, for 30 years. Hinkle used to live close to Stanleys parents near state Route 75. She said Hinkle has always loved children. Hes just a genuine guy, she said. Every time I would see him out I always said, Hey, Mr. Hinkle, how are you? Its a tragedy. The majority of districts with waivers are west of Interstate 95 and Kings Dominion, the amusement park in Hanover County that pushed for the legislation in the 1980s. That leaves schools in the Richmond region and Hampton Roads starting after Labor Day. Andy Jenks, spokesman for Henrico County Public Schools, which is among the districts still required to open after Labor Day, said the district has long been looking for the proposed changes. What wed be most excited about is the newfound flexibility to involve the community in choosing a start date that works for Henrico, Jenks said. We want to be able to have this conversation with the Henrico community so, together, we can choose to do whats best for our schools and students in 2020 and beyond. He added that starting school earlier would give students more time to learn ahead of certain International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement tests, which happen during a specific window of time regardless of when a school opens. Jenks said it would also help students and the school system to be two weeks further ahead in the classroom before winter weather hits, something districts are confronting this year Henrico already has used six snow days. Confronted with the evidence, Kelley admitted the thefts, police said. He said he used the stolen money for essentials, such as heating oil, the report said. Vowing to pay back the victim, he said he was very ashamed," stressing that his wife knew nothing of the thefts, the report said. The laws restrictions apply to cigarettes and liquid nicotine used in vaping devices. The law includes an exemption for active-duty military personnel. It also curtails the sale of tobacco and nicotine products out of vending machines that are generally accessible to people under 21. Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield, who voted against the proposal in the Senate, said the new law strips decision-making power away from people who are legally adults. Under current law, when kids turn 18 they are legally considered adults and able to enter into legal binding contracts, join the military and if they commit a serious crime, are tried as adults, Chase said. If as a society we have determined that 18 is considered the age one becomes an adult, we should give those types of decisions to make to them as well. Chase added that she doesnt think it makes sense to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco and nicotine without changing the age to possess and consume the substances. Police and lawmakers say the current law is hard to enforce because law enforcement must determine whether a driver is actively entering text into a phone. Stuart said the proposed compromise was meant to make the law easier to enforce. For example, it would have barred a driver from holding a phone in his hand and physically manipulating it to view data as well as to read or enter it. Some delegates were apparently concerned that police could abuse the law by engaging in racial profiling, while others were concerned that the rewritten legislation did not go far enough, the senator said. Frankly, it may have just been the late hour and everybody was worn out. I dont know, Stuart said. Earlier in the session, the House and Senate each passed legislation to ban holding a cellphone for any reason while driving. Those bills, sponsored by Collins and Stuart, included a provision meant to help legislators determine whether the law was contributing to profiling. The chairmen of the House and Senate Courts of Justice committees were to seek annual reports on citations written under the law and, to the extent available, the relevant demographic characteristics of people who received citations. Among experiences theyve had in the legislature: In the old General Assembly Building, both were repeatedly asked to show their badges when they had their delegate pins on, even when they were walking in the building alongside male lawmakers who were not asked to show their badges. Male and female lawmakers of both parties mix them up, they said, as do lobbyists. There are so many examples of people leaving things on my desk thinking its Delegate Price or people coming up to me thinking its her, Aird said. Said Price: We have to be intentional about every single detail. We have to be excellent in every single moment. And they dont even have to learn our names. Members of the black caucus like Aird and Price, who were not previously taken seriously in their own positions of power, are now being asked to help Northam. The idea that African-Americans have to pick up the banner to teach white people how to not have white privilege is white privilege, Price said. I am standing within a power structure that tells me I should not be here, but because of my power with the position, I am being asked to clean up someone elses mess. Please register or log in to keep reading Stay logged in to skip the surveys. While some patients who need dual transplants have them done one organ at a time, his condition led his doctors to do both at the same time. The heart and kidney are married in some ways where one is stressed, the other can become diseased, said Dr. Keyur Shah, a cardiologist and section chief of heart failure at the VCU Health Pauley Heart Center. He said Dandridge was starting to deteriorate every time we peeled back another layer of the onion, we found another hurdle. Shah said that between the Pauley Heart Center and the Hume-Lee Transplant Center, VCU completes more than 200 kidney transplants and roughly 25 to 30 heart transplants annually. Only a few transplants, two or three, involve both the heart and kidney. Using one donor decreases the chances that the organs will be rejected by the host. It also lowers the risk of infections. Shah said heart transplant patients, on average, return to a similar or better quality of life. The average number of years patients survive after such a surgery is 13. What you offer someone who is going to die in the next year is 13 years of a better quality life, he said, adding that in Dandridges case, those last few months, we were all crossing our fingers and saying our prayers. RPS educator picked as one of nations best RICHMOND A Richmond Public Schools educator has been chosen as one of the countrys best. Fine Arts Instructional Specialist Christie-Jo Adams was named one of nine Leaders To Learn From by Education Week. Adams will be honored May 2-3 at an Education Week event in Arlington. Registration now open for Girls Go CyberStart RICHMOND Registration for a student cybersecurity program in Virginia is now open. The Girls Go CyberStart program, which looks to help and inspire high school girls to look at careers in cybersecurity and computer science, is an online game that includes a series of challenges that put students in the role of a cyberprotection agent charged with solving problems and puzzles. Its open to girls in grades 9-12 who can participate at home and school or online. The program, which had more than 6,600 participants in its first year in 2018, is free for schools and students. A woman who fled to North Carolina after gunning down her boyfriend in his South Richmond home has been sentenced to 43 years in prison. On Friday, 39-year-old Shatema K. Smith received 70 years in prison with 30 years suspended for the first-degree murder of Montez A. Matthews, plus three years for a weapons charge. Matthews, 33, was fatally shot in his home in the 3300 block of Frank Road on Sept. 19, 2017. Police initially believed Smith to be missing along with Matthews 2007 Mercedes-Benz sedan. But authorities found her, and the car, three days later in Raleigh, N.C. high on crack and heroin and charged her with the murder. Smith was tried over three days in October, but Judge Phillip L. Hairston waited nearly two weeks to render his guilty verdicts. He found that she had acted with malice and premeditation. Smith alleged that Matthews had been beating her and that she fired at him at random as she fled. But forensic and medical testimony at trial contradicted her claims. Matthews was shot five times, according to medical testimony at the trial. Four of those shots were to his back, and two of them, both fatal, were to the back of the head. All but one of his wounds would have rendered him incapacitated, a medical examiner said. After being charged with prostitution and drug possession in 2013, Marie broke her drug habit while in jail, spent several years in recovery programs and is now attending college. Shed like to work with recovering addicts or anyone who needs help, if she can get a job with the felonies on her record. Marie shared her story of heroin addiction with Attorney General Mark Herring and at a 2016 town hall sponsored by the Stafford Sheriffs Office. She was agreeable to being named and photographed for this story, but her parents, who still live in Stafford, thought better of it. Marie lived elsewhere after her stint in jail, and her parents dont want her former customers to know shes back in town. With long brown hair and a firm handshake, Marie comes across as outgoing and self-assured. Its hard to picture her in the grip of a drug dealer, who marketed X-rated pictures of her on escort sites under the name Lexus. She was already hooked on heroin when she met the dealer, who went by Cyrus. She needed a fix so badly, she agreed to whatever he proposed. All I had was him, she said. He made it seem almost godly, the way he said he would take care of me. Two three-vehicle crashes within one hour on Chippenham Parkway, just south of Midlothian Turnpike, left four people hurt Sunday in Chesterfield County. The state police said a woman driving a Toyota Highlander was attempting to merge from the entrance ramp into the right lane at 3:38 p.m. when she side-swiped an SUV traveling in the right lane. The Toyota then struck a third sedan also traveling south. Everyone involved in the three-vehicle crash was wearing a seat belt. The driver of the SUV that was hit by the Highlander suffered minor injuries, police said. The driver of the Toyota Highlander was charged with making an unsafe lane change. In the second accident, at 4:27 p.m., the state police said a man driving a Toyota Tundra south on Chippenham Parkway struck the rear of a Honda Accord. The Tundra then struck a third vehicle, a Toyota sedan, before coming to rest in the road. All involved in the incident were wearing their seat belts. The driver of the second vehicle, the Honda Accord, and a front-seat passenger were transported to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The driver of the third vehicle, the Toyota sedan, was transported for treatment of minor injuries. The Richmond startup company TraceRx Inc. won its second local business pitch competition in less than a year on Thursday, earning a $10,000 prize in a contest sponsored by the Dominion Energy Innovation Center and Randolph-Macon College. Founded by Matthew Rosen, TraceRx has developed a technology platform that uses blockchain technology to help relief and aid organizations eliminate inefficiencies, waste and theft from their supply chains. TraceRx was one of three local startups that were finalists in the competition and whose founders pitched their business plans to a panel of five judges at Birdsong Hall on R-MCs campus in Ashland. Two Randolph-Macon students also separately pitched business ideas for a $2,000 prize. Rosen, who worked for aid organizations for 12 years before founding TraceRx, said after the pitch competition that the company would use the prize money for marketing and outreach to acquire new customers, including attending the international Aid & Trade Show in London in April. Weve migrated into the customer acquisition phase, Rosen said. Our software is stable. Weve tested it. The staff of the Litchfield Jazz Festival is presenting the fourth installment of their free virtual concert series for April. The next Metro Business Live forum will talk about the commercial real estate hot spots mostly in Chesterfield and Powhatan counties as well as elsewhere south of the James River. Lenders at the recent annual Mortgage Bankers Association meeting spoke very little about the economy and how we were getting late in the cycle. Caution had been a mainstay of the past three or four years. But that was noticeably absent from most conversations. In fact, the overwhelming view was that when compared to other asset classes, commercial real estate and multifamily are undervalued and have a way to run. This attitude is precisely why Richmond area commercial and multifamily real estate has been on a tear for the past few years. As opportunities to get comparatively good values in larger markets are disappearing, secondary markets like the Richmond region are coming into greater focus for investors. The Richmond region has always attracted out-of-town buyers for large apartment buildings, and many recent trades continue that trend. Our area also is attracting out-of-town money for office, retail and warehouse sales. For instance, the Gayton Crossing Shopping Center in Henrico County sold in January for $29 million to a subsidiary of an Atlanta-based firm. EDITOR'S NOTE: This blog is written by one of 15 individuals attending the South By Southwest Conference in Austin with the intention to bring back ideas and to reimagine Richland County. The team has since developed the Mansfield Rising plan, which Richland Source will explain idea-by-idea beginning March 1. In just a few weeks it will be one year since I joined 14 other Mansfielders on the journey of a lifetime to the South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas. For me, the real beginning was even earlier, in April 2017, when Richland Source publisher, Jay Allred called me to pose the question, Would the Chamber consider sponsoring a trip to SXSW? We called the Richland County Foundation, and that set off a whirlwind of planning, brainstorming, traveling and activity that resulted in the Mansfield Rising downtown investment plan that you will soon have the chance to read. I have worked in the Chamber industry since 2003, when I was only 26 years old. During this time, I have been involved in a multitude of planning exercises from small to large. Still, my experience as a Mansfield Rising team member has been unlike anything else I have ever done. I can honestly say it has been one of the most invigorating, challenging, inspiring, demanding, exciting, and yes, at times, stressful projects in which I have participated. Since I have been involved from the start, I can say that this project has far exceeded my expectations. It has changed me, and I believe that if we will allow it, it can be an impetus for change in our community. How has it changed me? First, it has created in me a strong belief that even a smaller community like ours can do big, innovative things. Walking around SXSW every day, you were confronted by future technology, innovation, and new ways of doing things. I think we all came back inspired by that environment. Its sometimes easy in our community to focus on the things we dont have, or cant do (Have you ever read the comments on the internet?). This experience taught me to focus on what we wanted to achieve first, then figure out how to do it. Inspire people with the vision, and it is amazing what you can accomplish. Second, it has emphasized the importance of relationships in getting things done. When I stepped foot on the plane to Austin, I knew pretty much everyone on the team at a base level. Over the course of the week I got to know them on a much different basis. We had a shared experience together and that created a bond. In the months that followed, we continued to solidify that bond as we worked together to create the plan. We learned about each others families, celebrated each others successes, mourned each others losses and became friends. We didnt all agree on everything either (still dont!), but because there was a base level of trust that had been created, we were able to have some uncomfortable conversations without ending up mad. We also worked together on many other projects throughout the year. Now we cant send every citizen to SXSW, but this experience does have me thinking about how we can scale this so that strong bonds can be built in all areas of our community. Building trusting, healthy relationships between leaders and organizations can be hugely impactful. Third, it has cemented in my mind the importance of working together, which can be a catalyst to change. Yes, sometimes it is harder to be collaborative. It can be messy and slow, but I am firmly convinced that if done right, you will end up with a better product. The projects in this plan are huge. Do I think we can accomplish them? Yes, I absolutely do. The reason I believe so strongly in it is because we are all working together to accomplish it. This isnt just the Foundation, or Chamber, or City, or County, or Downtown Mansfield, Inc. or any other entity doing this on their own. We are all trying to work together to move forward and to me, that is far more important than any particular project in the plan. We can do big things in Mansfield, Ohio just watch us go. EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was originally published in 2014 on Richland Source. We called them Shrine Barns. No doubt this was because we werent farmers, we were amateur architects and art historians. These are barns that have white painted arches on their doors arches like the round Romanesque arch you find on a shrine or an altarpiece. If you ask a farmer what the arch is for its not likely youll get much of an answer. I know because Ive done it many times. Some of them say the white outline helps to locate where the door is when youre approaching the barn in the dark. Years ago when I asked Dan Fuhrer why he painted his doors like that and he said the barn was like that when he got it, and he has always kept it like that when he repainted. Bob Carter pointed out that the design of a painted-arch door is not all that difficult to lay out if you have a piece of string and a nail and can measure the center of the doors width. But just because its easy to accomplish doesnt mean farmers wanted to take the trouble, so what was the point? It fascinated me since I was old enough to drive, and so I have spent many years driving country roads and tracking down the source of the arch-painted doors. First I discovered that the Shrine Barns are not often found in the northern part of the county they exist mostly in certain areas south and west of Mansfield. And then I found that, similarly, these barns arent all through the Midwest, but tend to gather in certain areas of western Ohio, northeast Indiana, and central Michigan. Eventually I ran across a Shrine Barn scholar in Indiana who has spent a lifetime of research that parallels my own. As we compared notes it became evident that our tracks converged and stopped at the same place: western New York. That was the place where the oldest examples of the painted-arch barns could be found. Painting Barns When our part of America was being settled and turned into cropland in the early 1800s, farmers who built barns didnt paint them. Wood was extremely plentiful and paint was a lot of trouble to make. It wasnt until after the 1870s, when all those barns had weathered to the point where action had to be taken, that barns were painted in Richland County. By then wood siding had become more expensive than making paint. Barns are red in America because the cheapest way for a farmer to preserve his wooden barn was to stir together red oxide of iron and lime with skim milk. The mixture formed a hard coating that would last for years. In 1859 a photo was taken in Elmira, NY that clearly shows the painted-arch doors. Nothing is known of the farmer who painted the barn other than that his name was Kaiser: a German name if ever there was one. All of the areas in the Ohio/Indiana/Michigan zone where these same barns can be found, were settled by a population that was predominantly German, so it seemed highly likely in our research that the original artistic template for the Shrine Barn style of painting surely immigrated to America with Germans. The Evidence My friend the Barn Scholar retired this summer, and he took the opportunity at long last to satisfy his life-long curiosity by taking a trip to Germany hoping to locate the origin of Shrine Barns. He told me he had traced certain German names from Indiana to certain specific villages in the old country, so that was where he took his search. After fruitless days of driving and querying he finally found a perfect Shrine Barn in the farmlands west of Nuremberg on the outskirts of a village called Sonderhofen. With an exuberant sense of triumph he approached the farmer and asked if he knew why his barn was painted with the arch doors, and the old man replied that he had once seen a photo of a beautiful barn in Iowa, USA, and he wanted his barn to look perfect like that. U.S. President Donald Trump left Washington on February 25 for Vietnam where he will hold his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The two leaders will meet in Hanoi on February 27-28 to discuss North Korea's nuclear-weapons and missile programs. There has been speculation that the two leaders would discuss agreeing to a formal end to the Korean War, which was frozen by an armistice agreement in 1953. Prior to leaving Washington, Trump posted on Twitter: "With complete Denuclearization, North Korea will rapidly become an Economic Powerhouse. Without it, just more of the same. Chairman Kim will make a wise decision!" Speaking to a gathering of governors in the White House earlier on February 25, Trump predicted "a very tremendous summit." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Fox television on February 24 that he hoped for "a substantive step forward" at the summit. "It may not happen, but I hope that it will," Pompeo said. Kim was traveling to Vietnam on an armored train and was expected to reach Hanoi on February 26. Vietnamese authorities have promised tight security for the event and no information has been released concerning the venue for the summit. Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and dpa Syrian President Bashar al-Assad visited Iran for talks with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rohani -- the first time the Syrian leader has traveled anywhere other than Russia since the civil war erupted in his country nearly eight years ago. Assad voiced his gratitude to Iran for its support throughout the war, official Syrian and Iranian news agencies said on February 25. Several rounds of UN-sponsored negotiations in recent years have failed to end the conflict, which began in March 2011 with protests against the Assad family's decades-long rule and has killed more than 400,000 people, displaced millions, and devastated historic sites across the country. Russia, Turkey, and Iran are all deeply involved in the seven-year Syrian conflict and sponsor separate peace talks in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana. Tehran has given the Syrian government billions of dollars in aid since the conflict began and sent Iran-backed fighters to battle alongside his forces. Syrian state TV says Assad "thanked the Islamic Republic's leadership and people for what they have given to Syria during the war." Assad's office said "both sides expressed their satisfaction with the strategic levels reached between the two countries in all fields." Syrian and Iranian media released photos showing Assad, in a dark suit, in an embrace with Khamenei and shaking hands with Rohani, both of them smiling. Based on reporting by AP and AFP Authorities say the warden of a prison in Russias Far East will be fired for providing a prominent gang leader with privileged treatment in the penitentiary. The Federal Penitentiary Service said on February 25 that Colonel Aleksandr Radkov, the warden of the Corrective Colony No. 3, in the Amur region, will be fired from the post as soon as he returns from vacation. In November, the Investigative Committee launched a probe against the colony's administration after photos of Vyacheslav Tsepovyaz, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence, circulated on the Internet. Tsepovyaz, a member of the notorious Tsapok gang, which terrorized a rural farming community in southern Russia, could be seen in photos sitting in a room with a big television set, eating crab and caviar, and grilling meat. After a public outcry, Tsepovyaz was transferred to another penitentiary and a probe was launched against members of the prison administration suspected of providing Tsepovyaz with the privileges. The Tsapok gang operated in the community of Kushchyovskaya town in the Krasnodar Krai region from the late 1990s until 2010. Members of the gang were found guilty of numerous kidnappings, robberies, a series of murders, including the brutal slaying of a wealthy farmer and 11 other people in 2010 that provoked a nationwide outcry, leading to the arrests of the gang leader and other high-ranking members, including Tsepovyaz. The case also sparked controversy after investigations revealed the group's ties to local Russian officials. Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax Media reports in Russia say that Igor Malashenko, a well-known television and print media executive, journalist, and political analyst, was found dead in Spain on February 25. Malashenko was a co-founder of NTV television company in the 1990s. He was also a former chief of the Russian state television and radio giant Ostankino. In 1996, Malashenko was the chief consultant for President Boris Yeltsin's reelection campaign. Yeltsin overcame poor opinion ratings and health problems to win a second term, holding off a Communist challenger. Malashenko founded the conglomerate Media-Most in 1997. He also used to lead RTVI television channel and headed the presidential campaign of journalist and TV host Ksenia Sobchak, who received about 1.7 percent of the vote in a March 2018 election that incumbent President Vladimir Putin won by a landslide. Based on reporting by Vedomosti and Kommersant Industry 4.0 Technology Day hosted by EPLAN CAE software company EPLAN is hosting the Industry 4.0 Technology Day which is being held at the Limerick Institute of Technology in Ireland on 16th April. The event aims to raise awareness of the Industry 4.0 concept and will enable attendees to better understand the implications and applications of Industry 4.0 in the workplace. It will also explain how existing and near future technologies can contribute to smart factory status. Commenting on the event, Ken Christie, director of EPLAN UK, said: We often hear that businesses believe Industry 4.0 to be too complex, but what many fail to understand is that the time-saving, efficient technologies that underpin it are, in reality, within easy reach. It is unfortunate that some manufacturers are adopting only a small percentage of the available technologies, thereby missing out on big opportunities for revenue growth and productivity enhancements. If they are to continue to compete successfully in the global marketplace, it is essential that manufacturers in the Republic of Ireland take up these innovations, as it is widely accepted that Industry 4.0 could lead to a 30% increase in industrial activity. Visitors to the Industry 4.0 Technology Day will be able to view innovations and discuss ideas in an exhibition area and also participate in a series of seminars on key topics in breakout rooms. During the seminar sessions, industry leaders will explain how SMEs can harness the technologies made available by smart manufacturing philosophies and how they can best prepare for Industry 4.0. Other companies exhibiting and/or making presentations at the event will include ABB, Festo, Igus, Omron, Panasonic, Rittal, Phoenix Contact, Schneider Electric, Siemens, SMC, Weidmuller and more. To reserve a place at the Industry 4.0 Technology Day at The Limerick Institute of Technology on Tuesday, 16th April, complete your free registration now at https://discover.eplan.co.uk/technology-day Contact Details and Archive... ISLAMABAD -- A Pakistani court has rejected the bail plea from former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is currently serving a seven-year jail term for corruption, his party says. The Islamabad High Court said in its February 25 ruling that Sharif couldn't be given bail on health grounds as he was already being treated at a hospital. Khawaja Asif, a leader of Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, said an appeal would be filed against the decision. Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi deemed the court ruling "disappointing," adding that a government medical board had called for urgent treatment. However, Abbasi said that the PML-N would respect the court decision. "We have always respected court decisions," he said. "We will take all necessary legal recourse." Sharif is being treated for heart complications at a hospital in the eastern city of Lahore, and his lawyers have argued that the former leader was too frail to be kept in jail. Sharif, a three-time prime minister, was removed from office in 2017 after the Supreme Court disqualified him from serving. In December, an anticorruption court sentenced him to seven years in prison on a charge of possessing assets beyond his known sources of income, the latest conviction in a series of graft allegations against him. In separate proceedings, Sharif was also sentenced to 10 years in prison in July over the purchase of luxury apartments in London. However, Sharif appealed that sentence and was released on bail in September. The PML-N lost to Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaf (PTI), the party of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, the new prime minister, in a general election in July. Sharif accused the military of backing the PTI party, an accusation rejected by Khan and the army. With reporting by dpa, Reuters, and Dawn Officials including Iran's vice president for women's affairs have publicly questioned the state broadcaster's motives in airing a married couple's account of physical abuse and reconciliation, suggesting that the program risks normalizing violence against women and encouraging victims to stay in abusive relationships. Iranian TV program Formula One broadcast the interview last week with a self-described abusive husband alongside his wife and two of their young daughters. In it, the man said that despite two decades of beatings and 27 attempts by his wife to divorce him, the family has managed to stay together. The couple divorced at one point, he said, but remained apart for just 60 days. "We would miss each other.... A phone call, and we were together again," the man said, adding that they deserve a place on the list of Guinness World Records for their numerous divorce requests. After confirming that the man had first beaten his wife "on the first night of our marriage," the moderator laughs and responds, "What a thing to do." Then to camera he adds, "We're not promoting it, and we're not saying what he did was wrong." Iranian experts warned last year of a rise in domestic violence against women, noting that financial problems and a lack of education frequently exacerbate the problem. 'My Husband Must Beat Me' Under Iranian law, courts give less weight to women's testimony than to that of men, but it is unclear whether such discriminatory legislation has played any part in this particular marital saga. The husband does most of the talking with the show's male interviewer, but despite sometimes appearing uncomfortable the wife several times defends her husband. "Not really," she said, smiling nervously, when asked whether she had objected the first time her husband struck her. "What does that mean," the moderator followed up. She looked at her husband. The moderator pressed her again, saying, "You thought: 'My husband must beat me.'" "No," she said, adding, "I was upset with him, but I was a kid. I was 16. I didn't know much." The husband said he'd come on TV to say that change was possible, even for someone who had beaten his wife for many years. But the corollary of that message was the problem, in the eyes of Massumeh Ebetkar, the vice president for women's and family issues in President Hassan Rohani's cabinet. "A common life in the shadow of beatings? What is the point of this interview?" Ebetkar asked via Telegram, a messaging app that was banned last year in Iran but which remains popular among tech-savvy Iranians. "Are you presenting this image of a married life to encourage the youth, particularly girls, to get married? Or are these models aimed at normalizing violence against women?" Criticism Another government minister, Communications Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, was also quoted questioning the wisdom of the broadcast. "There is no need to teach women to tolerate beatings to consodilate families," Jahromi said, according to local media. Lawmaker Parvaneh Mafi, who heads a women's faction in the parliament, said the interview promoted domestic violence against women while weakening their place in families. In a letter to state broadcasting director Ali Askari, Mafi asked: "How would you feel if a man says with a laugh to the camera that he's been beating his wife from the first day of their marriage while a woman who is sitting next to their daughters talks about multiple unsuccessful attempts at divorce?" There were condemnations on social media, too. "State TV with its large audience is directly teaching [women to] be beaten, have patience, then we will bring you in front of the cameras so that everyone applauds you. This is violence in itself," journalist Taraneh Baniyaghu wrote on Twitter. Lawyer Maryam Hajimohammadi posted a video clip of the controversial interview on Twitter and argued that "the whole art of the couple that state TV invited onto its show was to beat and be beaten." "The ideal couple of the State Broadcaster," she added. The popular Fararu website asked whether the state TV interview might lead to a decrease in domestic violence or rather an increase in "the culture of acceptance and humiliation of women" at a time when official data show that 60 percent of Iranian women have experienced domestic violence at least once in their life. A report last year suggested that nearly three in 10 Iranian women who had been in a relationship said they had been subjected by that partner to physical or sexual violence. A study in 2017 by an Iranian charity claimed that 32 percent of women in urban areas and 63 percent of women in rural Iran had experienced some form of domestic violence. Officials and women's rights activists have suggested that many women suffer from domestic abuse without speaking up because of the social stigma. A state television manager, Fazollah Shariatpanahi, suggested that the controversial interview was aimed at discouraging divorce -- which has reportedly been on the rise, worrying hard-liners who see it as an abdication of Islamic values. Shariatpanahi speculated that the couple had been invited to demonstrate that "those who have decided to divorce can return to their life together." But he said there was a "one-sided atmosphere" on social media and that "only the beatings" had been highlighted. State-dominated TV has been long criticized for giving an unrealistic and cliched image of Iranian women and promoting a traditional role for women, often as submissive housewives. Last year, the state broadcaster apologized after an "expert" told victims of domestic violence to kiss their husband's feet in order to experience "a miracle" in their life. A Belarusian escort and self-described sex trainer who claimed to have evidence of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election says the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) "strongly advised" her not to return to her country after months in jail in Thailand. In a telephone interview with RFE/RL's Belarus Service from Moscow on February 22, Anastasia Vashukevich, who is also known as Nastya Rybka, also said that she might get involved in politics in Russia or Belarus in the future. Vashukevich and her mentor Aleksei Kirillov, aka Alex Lesley, were detained at Moscows Sheremetyevo airport in January upon arrival from Thailand, where they were detained in the beach resort of Pattaya and spent about nine months in jail on charges of soliciting to provide sexual services. Vashukevich, 28, told RFE/RL that her detainment in Russia was illegal as she was officially deported from Thailand to Belarus, not Russia. "According to the regulations, my passport was supposed to be returned to me in Minsk. Nobody had a right to stop me [in Moscow airport]," Vashukevich said, adding that she was illegally forced to enter Russia instead of getting on her connecting flight to Minsk. Video footage showed Vashukevich being detained roughly at the airport, and she told RFE/RL that she was questioned twice while in Moscow but added that "since nobody is bothering me here now, I will stay here for the time being." Russian authorities said that the she and Kirillov were detained on January 19 upon arrival from Thailand on suspicion of luring people into prostitution, a crime that is punishable by up to three years in prison. But the two were released three days later amid reports that Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka ordered Belarusian diplomats to secure Vashukevich's release. It was unclear whether that was a factor, and Vashukevich told RFE/RL that she had not expected Lukashenka to get involved. "I had expected some sort of support in Belarus as I have many friends there. But I certainly did not expect that the president would [deal with the situation] personally," Vashukevich said, speaking Russian in the interview. Shortly after her release, Vashukevich praised "the president of my favorite country," seemingly referring to Belarus. Vashukevich became the focus of a geopolitical scandal when Kremlin foe Aleksei Navalny published an expose in February 2018 based largely on photos and video she had posted on social media. The photos and videos appeared to show her on a yacht with Kremlin-connected tycoon Oleg Derispaska and Sergei Prikhodko, a Russian deputy prime minister at the time and a longtime former foreign-policy aide to Putin. In custody in Thailand later last year, Vashukevich earlier claimed to have recordings of Deripaska talking about interference in the 2016 U.S. election in which President Donald Trump was elected. But she has never released them and suggested in comments after her detention in Russia that she would not do so. Deripaska is close to Putin and had a working relationship with Paul Manafort, Trump's former campaign chairman who was investigated by special counsel Robert Mueller and convicted last year of tax and bank fraud. The report published by Russian opposition politician Navalny's anticorruption outfit, drawing on photographs and video that Vashukevich published on Instagram in 2016, appeared to show Prikhodko being offered lavish treatment on Deripaska's yacht. The two also appear to discuss U.S. politics. Vashukevich, who was pictured on the yacht, has said that she had an affair with Deripaska. Representatives of the tycoon have accused her of fabrication and have said that she was never his mistress. Vashukevich and Kirillov made international headlines again when they asked for asylum in the United States while detained in Thailand. Vashukevich told RFE/RL she is currently working on her third book and that the subject is the conditions in Thai jails, where she said cells are overcrowded and the food "cannot be consumed." Asked whether she has ties with Belarusian tycoons, Vashukevich said that she has many friends among such people and that she might "someday" get involved in politics in Russia or in Belarus. CHISINAU -- International observers say Moldova's parliamentary elections were "competitive and fundamental rights were respected," but the campaign was marred by "strong indications of vote buying" and the misuse of state resources. The monitors led by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) made the assessment in a preliminary statement released on February 25, the day after Moldovans headed to the polls at a time when rival political forces are in a tug-of-war between integration with the European Union and closer ties with Moscow. With 100 percent of the ballots counted, the pro-Russia Socialist Party was poised to gain the most seats in the next parliament, but failed to secured a clear majority. It was followed by the ruling Democrats, which have called for closer ties with the West, and ACUM, a pro-European Union coalition that ran on an anti-corruption platform. "This was an active, hard-fought and polarized campaign in generally well-run elections," said George Tsereteli, leader of the short-term OSCE observer mission. "I call on my newly elected parliamentary colleagues to now deliver on promises, address the problems we identified, and meet the expectations of the people," he added. The vote was held under a new electoral system that divides the 101-seat parliament into 50 seats elected by party lists and 51 seats by individual head-to-head races. If the next parliament fails to form a governing coalition within 45 days after the election results, the president should dissolve the legislature and call new elections. Igor Dodon, who led the Socialist Party until he became Moldova's president, said on February 24 that "the risk is high that it could come to a snap election in the coming few months." 'Generally Well Organized' Claude Kern, head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) delegation, said that election day was "generally well organized." But he also said that the new electoral system confirmed a "lack of effective mechanisms to prevent undue influence by wealthy businesspeople, combined with a poor system of supervision of party and candidate funding, and inadequate penalties." With almost all ballots tallied, the Central Election Commission (CEC) said that the Socialist Party had captured the most votes in the party-list voting, followed by ACUM. Overall preliminary results suggested that the Socialists won 35 seats in the next parliament, the Democrats 30 seats, ACUM 26 seats, and the conservative Shor Party seven seats. Three independent candidates will receive the remaining seats. If the next parliament fails to form a governing coalition within 45 days after the election results, the president should dissolve the legislature and call new elections. Speaking to journalists on February 25, President Igor Dodon, former leader of the Socialist Party, warned that new elections would be preferable to a coalition government. "If there is to be one party with defectors from another side," he said, "then it's better to hold early elections straight away." Although the CEC said the polls were held without major incidents, both pro-Russia and pro-EU forces in the country accused the ruling Democrats of massive fraud. Speaking after polls closed, a leader of the ACUM coalition, Maia Sandu, said the elections were "neither free, nor fair, nor democratic." "These were the least democratic elections in the history of Moldova," she added. According to the CEC, just over 49 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots. Voters formed long lines outside polling stations in the villages of Dorotcaia and Cosnita, which are located at the demarcation line of Moldovas Russian-speaking breakaway region of Transdniester. Some of them told RFE/RL they were brought in on special buses from Transdniester, whose separatist authorities boycotted the elections, and that they were promised between 50 and 150 lei (between $3 and $9) after voting. Both the Socialists and Democrats accused each other of vote buying, and election authorities said they will look into the matter. Democratic Party deputy chairman Vladimir Cebotari acknowledged "violations," but said they would "not affect the voting process," while Prime Minister Pavel Filip and parliament speaker Andrian Candu praised the "transparent, free, and democratic election process." After casting his vote, Filip, a Democrat, said, "I believe in the future of Moldova. We are ready to continue reforms and all social programs, the implementation of which will change the lives of Moldovan citizens for the better." Some 340 international personnel from 38 countries were registered as observers. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) was scheduled to release its assessment on February 25. The former Soviet republic of 3.6 million people has had three governments since 2015, following the disappearance of some $1 billion -- about 12 percent of the countrys gross domestic product -- from the banking system which plunged it into a political and economic crisis. Dodon is a vocal supporter of closer ties with Russia and a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has often traveled to Moscow for talks with Putin. In December, Dodon praised what he called "the openness of the Russian leadership" and its "great interest" in developing a strategic partnership between Russia and Moldova. Russia supplies Moldova with 95 percent of its natural gas. It also has troops stationed in Transdniester -- despite repeated UN calls for them to leave. Chisinau's relations with Russia, however, deteriorated after Moldova signed an association agreement with the EU in 2014. Russia then placed an embargo on some Moldovan goods. Now, 70 percent of Moldovan exports head to the EU. With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters Prosecutors in Iran have filed a complaint against the minister of communications and information technology for alleged "Internet espionage," state media report. Mohammad-Javad Azari Jahromi was accused of not following judicial orders related to Iran's Internet controls, Javad Javidnia, the deputy for cyberspace affairs at the public prosecutor's office, was quoted as saying on February 24. Javidnia said the minister's actions left Iran's data vulnerable to access by the country's enemies, which he said amounted to "Internet espionage." Jahromi, 37, is the youngest member of President Hassan Rohani's government. He is also said to be Irans most popular minister, due largely to his support for the lifting of controls on the Internet. According to observers, the allegation against the minister is another attempt by Irans hard-liners to undermine Rohani. With reporting by dpa Irans foreign minister has announced his resignation, an abrupt departure that could further undermine the landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Western powers. In a message posted to his Instagram account, Mohammad Javad Zarif said he wanted to apologize for not being able to continue, but gave no further explanation for his resignation. Early on February 26, there was no indication that President Hassan Rohani had formally accepted Zarif's resignation. "Thank you very much to the dear and honorable people of Iran over the past 67 months," Zarif wrote in the Instagram post. "I sincerely apologize for the incapacity to continue serving and all the shortcomings during the service. I thank the Iranian nation and officials." A deputy Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed the authenticity of Zarif's Instagram announcement, state-run IRNA news agency reported. Iran's semiofficial Tasnim news agency also said "some sources have confirmed Zarif's resignation," but it was not clear whether President Hassan Rohani would accept it. Zarif, who has served as Iran's top diplomat since August 2013, headed the Iranian negotiation team that led to the 2015 agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, a deal reached with the United States, Germany, Russia, China, Britain, and, France. The deal itself has been under severe strain, despite a United Nations watchdogs conclusions that Tehran remains in compliance. U.S. President Donald Trump last year announced Washington was pulling out of the deal, and later moved to reimpose sanctions on Tehran. In his decision, Trump called Iran "the world's leading state sponsor of terror" and said his administration had acted decisively to confront it. Zarif came under attack from hard-line conservatives in Iran after Trump pulled out of the agreement. The other signatories to the nuclear deal have been working to keep it alive and have resisted U.S. pressure to abandon the accord. Top Iranian officials, including Rohani, have said that the Islamic Republic is facing its toughest economic situation in 40 years, at least partially due to the resumption of U.S. sanctions. Zarif replaced Ali Akbar Salehi, the current head of the Atomic Organization of Iran. If Rohani does accept Zarif's resignation, it's not immediately clear who would assume the post. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, AP, dpa, and irna.ir CHISINAU -- Voters in Moldova went to the polls on February 24 for legislative elections that were far from conclusive. Following a campaign that was, according to the head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) monitoring team, George Tsereteli, "active, hard-fought, and polarized," the country can expect a deeply divided parliament without a clear majority that could have trouble agreeing on a new government. Protests, instability, or another round of legislative voting are real prospects in the short term. RFE/RL's Moldova Service correspondent Valentina Ursu spoke with political analyst Angela Gramada, president of the Experts for Security and Global Affairs think tank in Bucharest, about the campaign and the outlook for Moldova's future. RFE/RL: How would you evaluate the campaign and the election that we have just seen? Angela Gramada: It was one of the most primitive election campaigns, and I use the word "primitive" to signify how little progress has been made. Or rather how much our political consciousness and our political culture have been degraded and how low is our level of political culture. I'd just mention a few concrete facts to illustrate my point. First, there was unprecedented pressure on civil society. The clearest example was [influential independent election monitor] Promo-LEX, but that isn't the only case. There was very strong pressure on Promo-LEX and that alerted international organizations and our international partners to pay more attention to how the election campaign was going. I won't [even] go into the fact that candidates with the same last name as real candidates were registered and that the campaign was characterized by unheard-of populism. The candidates of several political parties turned the campaign into a real circus, insulting the intelligence of the voters. And there was the scandal with the expired passports -- earlier the Central Election Commission allowed people with expired passports to vote, but this time -- surprise! -- it was forbidden. And I was particularly surprised by the attitude of the [Democratic Party-led] government, which accused citizens living abroad of not being ready for the elections. This was a fundamentally incorrect approach that did nothing to build confidence in the political discourse of the current authorities. Furthermore, almost no one looked at the candidate lists -- I mean, among the voters. But there was a lot of interesting stuff there. I looked over the lists for several precincts and I found candidates who did not list their residences or whose spouses also did not list their place of residence, which naturally begs the question: Do they have the right to run in that particular precinct? If you study the party lists and analyze the party platforms and compare the candidates and their behavior during the campaign, you will conclude that this was one of the weakest campaigns that I have ever participated in as a voter in the Republic of Moldova. RFE/RL: All of Moldova's [international] partners were calling for the elections to be fair and free. Were these demands heeded? Is there a danger that the elections could be invalidated or not accepted? Gramada: First, the Central Election Commission was more active and open, although the quality of its work was not always ideal. The commission was active on social media, but this does not mean that other participants in the process always acted in the best interests of the voters. Another equally important factor was that the authorities were not able to persuade our foreign partners of the honesty of their intentions. You can tell this was the case by the many statements and press releases they issued during the campaign. I saw many statements from our European partners, as well as from the Russians, that drew attention to particular issues. Of course they were pursuing various goals, but the fact that they insisted on honest and free elections or Moldova risked being deprived of political and financial support should force us all to think hard about what the next steps should be now that the elections are over. It is important to note that some in the Moldovan government and some of our foreign partners have warned of the possibility the situation could destabilize in the days following the voting. If you analyze the situation from the point of view of our foreign partners, these concerns are completely understandable, considering their high-profile financial and technical investments in Moldova aimed at enabling us to carry out necessary reforms. But instability sows panic among the voters and disorients them even more -- not only in terms of their political choices for the future but even in terms of their personal safety after the elections. In this light, consider the statement by [former Socialist Party leader and current President] Igor Dodon, who warned his supporters about the existence of such destabilization risks and the necessity of being ready to come out into the streets. That could lead to disorder and destabilization. RFE/RL: The main question now is who will run Moldova following these elections and what kind of government will be formed? Gramada: It is really difficult now to make predictions. I think that after the elections it will take several more months before we have some clarity on what might happen in the country. Some forces are pushing for dissolving parliament and holding snap elections, and I think that alone is a weighty argument against making any rash predictions, particularly ones that could complicate the situation further. RFE/RL: During the last elections, people were saying that the geopolitical factor was decisive. Was that true this time? Gramada: The question of "whither goes Moldova" is always present any time we make political decisions. Even if there are not active public discussions on this topic or even if the candidates don't give too much attention to the topic of Moscow/Brussels or United States/Brussels, it is still clear that the essence of the reforms and projects that are offered to us are pointing in one or another clear direction: either a democratic Moldova or a Moldova that is stagnating in the same situation with a very complicated future. The choice is either a pro-European Moldova or a Moldova that remains more or less in a state of obedience, that does not develop, that does not stray far from the [Moscow-dominated Soviet] sphere that it left in 1991, and that does not reject certain interests that come to it from the east. But it is important to understand that the strategies proposed by the political parties of Moldova really do aim at moving at least somewhat away from the old geopolitical discourse. A lot was said about reforms and a lot of attention was paid to legal-reform projects. I had the impression that the main innovation of the election campaign and its main discovery was the discussion of the legal system and corruption, although the conceptions that were presented to us were rather weakly argued and oversimplified. No one proposed a national project that I would personally support wholeheartedly and that would have convinced me to vote for a particular candidate. I made my choice based on the existing proposals, but that doesn't mean I agree with that vision or that my final decision was the optimal one for the future of Moldova. Russia-based private-equity group Baring Vostok has appealed to President Vladimir Putin to "take personal control" of a criminal investigation into its jailed American founder and five other executives. Baring Vostok Capital Partners (BVCP) made the call in an open letter to Putin posted on its website on February 25, after Russian prosecutors last week formally charged Michael Calvey, three additional BVCP employees, and two other executives with large-scale financial fraud. Calvey and the others, who are behind bars in pretrial detention, deny wrongdoing. The American investment-fund manager, who founded the BVCP in 1994, is one of the most prominent foreign investors in Russia. His arrest in Moscow on February 14, amid persistently and severely strained ties between Moscow and Washington, sent shock waves through Western business circles. If convicted, Calvey could face up to 10 years in prison. In its open letter, Baring Vostok said it was appealing to Putin in order to "ensure a comprehensive, independent, and objective investigation" in the case. Kremlin critics say Russian courts lack independence and are often used by the authorities and businesses to neutralize perceived political threats or get the upper hand in disputes over money and property. The letter suggested that all those arrested in the case be released from a pretrial custody, saying that a reduction in pretrial detention over financial allegations in recent years "has helped eliminate the possibility of putting undue pressure on a business partner as part of a business conflict." It also said that the charges against Calvey and the other accused were connected to "the execution of normal management functions at a commercial organisation (Vostochny Bank)." BVCP had said that the case was linked to a commercial conflict with the bank. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin would be informed of Baring Vostok's request. "I don't know whether the president saw the letter and how it was handed over, but...we will inform the president about the letter published in the media," Peskov said. Unnamed Sources Putin has not spoken directly about Calvey or the case in public. In a February 25 report, the Bloomberg news agency cited unnamed sources as saying that Putin defended the decision to prosecute Calvey at a closed-door meeting last week. When asked about criticism of the handling of the case and the damage it could do to the Russian investment climate, Putin said that investigators stated suspicions that Calvey and his associates had stolen a large amount of money could not be ignored, Bloomberg reported, citing three people familiar with the meeting. Prosecutors claim that a company owned by Calvey borrowed 2.5 billion rubles ($38 million) from Vostochny Bank, and that shares in another company that Calvey transferred to the bank as reimbursement in February 2017 were worth only about 600,000 rubles -- not the 3 billion rubles he allegedly said they were worth. On February 21, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow demanded that Russia give U.S. diplomats immediate access to Calvey. "We have requested this access multiple times. The Russian Federations Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet complied with the terms of our Bilateral Consular Convention and has not allowed us to provide consular assistance. We have expressed our strong concern about this delay through diplomatic channels," the diplomatic mission said in a statement. With reporting by Reuters, Bloomberg, dpa, and TASS The former chief of staff for Ukraines armed forces has been detained on charges of high treason. Prosecutor-General Yury Lutsenko wrote on Facebook that General Volodymyr Zamana was taken into custody on February 25. According to Lutsenko, Zamana is suspected of illegally dissolving 70 military garrisons and units, including air-defense missile brigades and battalions, and 19 air force units, and reducing a tactical aviation brigade to a squadron from 2012-2014. Zamana's "illegal" actions resulted in the liquidation of military registration and army-draft offices, which by 2014 weakened the Ukrainian Army and helped Russia annex Crimea and helped incite separatism in Ukraine's east, Lutsenko wrote. "Additionally, Zamana personally issued a directive subordinating all units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Crimean tactical group to the Navy commander, which actually paralyzed Ukrainian military personnels resistance to the Russian aggression," Lutsenko wrote. Ukrainian Chief Military Prosecutor Anatoliy Matios said earlier in the day that Zamana had been formally notified of being considered a suspect in a treason case. With reporting by UNIAN and Gordon BRUSSELS -- The daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesman works as an intern in the European Parliament in Brussels, and has unhindered access to various EU documents, RFE/RL has learned. Yelizaveta Peskova, the 21-year-old daughter of Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, serves as a trainee with Aymeric Chauprade, a French member of the European Parliament (MEP) who has publicly supported Russias 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula. Peskovas name appears on Chauprades official European Parliament (EP) webpage and Chauprade confirmed to RFE/RL that she is part of his team. Ms. Peskova is certainly the daughter of an important personality in the Russian Federation, but as a student, she does not have fewer rights than other young people to do an internship as part of her studies, Chauprade said in an e-mailed comment. He added that Peskova is not currently working in Russia, either for a state or private entity. Accordingly, there can be no conflict of interest in the exercise of my mandate as a Member of Parliament, Chauprade wrote. Chauprade is a member of both the EPs foreign affairs committee and the subcommittee on security and defense, and he is part of the delegation of the EU-Russia parliamentary committee. He was one of the international observers to the Moscow-staged referendum in Crimea following the Russian military takeover of the Ukrainian peninsula in March 2014. At the time, Chauprade called the referendum justified, a position at odds with the European Unions. A UN General Assembly resolution supported by 100 countries pronounced the referendum invalid and confirmed the assembly's commitment to the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Several MEPs contacted by RFE/RL said they were unaware that a relative of a high-level Russian official was working among them in the EP. Sandra Kalniete, a Latvian MEP from the largest parliamentary group, the center-right European Peoples Party, considers her work there negligence. This is breach of general security rules of the European Parliament, Kalniete said. Petras Austrevicius, a Lithuanian MEP from the Liberal Group in the EP, called Peskovas position there a very big shame on the face of the European Parliament. I couldnt believe that Kremlin keeps its hand in the pockets and heart of the EU institutions, Austrevicius told RFE/RL. Reached by RFE/RL, a spokeswoman for Peskova said she could not confirm her employment at the EP. As a trainee, Peskova has unhindered access to the European Parliament buildings in both Brussels and Strasbourg and can attend all committees and other meetings in the chamber. Chauprade told French news agency AFP that Peskova cannot attend closed-door debates nor participate in the work of the EU-Russia parliamentary committee. Since controls sometimes are very relaxed with few real checks, there is also the possibility to be present at gatherings of other political groups. She also has access to both the European Parliament intranet and the intranet of her MEPs party. But Chauprade emphasised that Peskova had no access to confidential documents. EP interns are paid by the budget of the MEP, which is funded by European taxpayers. It is unclear how much money Peskova is getting, if any. The MEP determines how much a trainee is paid, since the sum comes from the politicians monthly allocation for staff -- around 25,000 euros ($28,389) per month. The maximum payment for a trainee is around 1,600 euros, though it is also possible for MEPs to employ unpaid trainees. Peskova is one of numerous children of Russias political elite who reside or study in Western Europe and draw accusations of hypocrisy from Kremlin critics. Her father, who has served as Putins spokesman for nearly two decades, has been the subject of several exposes by Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny highlighting his wealth and expensive taste. Peskova is a frequent user of social media with nearly 80,000 followers on Instagram, where she typically flaunts her glamorous lifestyle and claims to be based in Moscow, Paris, and Brussels. While her social-media footprint does not appear to feature any photographs from the European Parliament, there are several photos of her visiting different Brussels landmarks. An MEP is responsible for registering his or her trainee. To get a temporary accreditation pass, a one-page form must be submitted to the parliaments accreditation office. The form contains basic information -- such as name, date of birth, and identification number -- and is typically approved within hours, people familiar with the system told RFE/RL. The procedure requires an MEP and the trainee to sign a contract, as well as an application for the defrayal of expenses, a declaration stating that the trainee has health and accident insurance, and a declaration of honor in which the lawmaker states that the trainee has a valid permit to enter and stay in the EU for the duration of the traineeship. It typically takes three weeks for those documents to be processed, after which the trainee gets a permanent accreditation. Chauprade told RFE/RL that all necessary procedures were respected in Peskovas traineeship. I repeat, this contract is validated by the Parliament and complies in all respects with the obligations in the matter, he wrote. Up until late 2015, Chauprade was a member of right-wing French politician Marine Le Pens National Front and was the partys top candidate in the Paris region for the 2014 European elections. Accusing the people around Le Pen of antisemitism, he quit the party to become an independent MEP before joining and subsequently becoming the vice-chair of the other right-wing populist group in the chamber, the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy (EFDD). That group also includes Italys Five Star Movement and the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP). Knut Fleckenstein, a German MEP from the the center-left Socialist and Democrats group, said there should have at least been a public announcement that a person with political connections like Peskovas had secured a position at the European Parliament. I would maybe think twice [about] what I would tell her, Fleckenstein said. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Market Segmentation: The Global Pulp & Paper Chemicals Market has been segmented by Type, Application, and Region. On the basis of Type, the market has been segmented into specialty additives, pulping chemicals, bleaching & deinking chemicals, fillers & coatings, polymers and others. Specialty additives segment accounted for the largest market share in the Global Pulp & Paper Chemicals Market in 2017 and is expected to register a highest CAGR during the review period. Though, the market value share of special additives will be on top, in terms of volume the market share of specialty additives will be on the lower end due to the high pricing of the specialty additives. The specialty additives help in improving the properties of recycled and raw paper such as strength, gloss, brightness and opacity and other properties whilst maintaining the operational efficiency of the equipment used in the Paper and Pulp Industry. With the developed economies emphasizing more on use of recycled paper, it is essential to retain the strength of fibers, glossiness, and brightness of paper which can be achieved using the specialty additives. Based on Applications, the market has been segmented into pulp, paperboard and tissue, printing & writing, and general purpose. Paper board & tissue segment accounted for the largest market share in the global market owing to the increasing demand for lightweight packaging materials among the various end-use industries such as FMCG, pharmaceuticals, and food & beverages. With the increasing scrutiny on non-biodegradable packaging materials, the end-use industries are focusing on bio based and biodegradable packaging materials which is expected to drive the demand for pulp and paper treatment chemicals. The pulp segment is expected to trail paperboard and tissue application during the forecast period. Request a PDF Brochure with Future Analysis @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/6932 Competitive Analysis: Some of the key players in the Global Pulp & Paper Chemicals Market are BASF SE (Germany), Kemira (Finland), Ashland (US), Clariant (Switzerland), Ecolab (US), Arakawa Chemical Industries, Ltd (Japan), Harima Chemicals Group, Inc. (Japan), Applied Chemicals International Group (Switzerland), Solenis (US), and SEIKO PMC CORPORATION (Japan). Regional Analysis: Based on Region, the Global Pulp & Paper Chemicals Market has been segregated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. The market in Asia-Pacific was the largest in 2017 due to a flourishing packaging industry and presence of large number of end-use industries in developing nations such as India and China. The growth of print media, especially, in India is expected to further drive the demand for pulp and paper processing chemicals in the region. In addition, the flourishing e-commerce in the Asia-Pacific market is expected to further augment the demand during the forecast period. North America is the second-largest market for Pulp & Paper Chemicals owing to the increasing demand paperboard in packaging applications. The European market for Pulp & Paper Chemicals is expected to grow as a result of rising demand from the Eastern European countries and increasing use of recycled paper. The market in Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are expected to exhibit considerable growth during the review period due to expanding paper industry in the regions. Get Research Report Overview @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/pulp-paper-chemicals-market-6932 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 A Vietnamese workers rights activist handed a nine-year sentence in 2010 for helping to launch a strike was released at the weekend after serving his full term in prison, sources in the country told RFA on Sunday. Nguyen Hoang Quoc Hung had been held at the Xuyen Moc prison in southeastern coastal Vietnams Ba Ria - Vung Tau province and was warmly greeted by friends and supporters on his return, another activist and former prisoner told RFAs Vietnamese Service. Im so happy now, because a colleague is coming home after nine years, said Do Thi Minh Hanh, who was sentenced with Hung and served four years of a seven-year sentence before her release in poor health. This is what people feel who have endured hardships together in a common fight, Hanh said, adding, Today, I see him coming home in person and with a strong and unbroken will. Nothing could be more excellent, she said. Hung is now much thinner than when he was arrested, Hanh said, recalling that during the initial investigation of their case, Hung had kept silent to protect two colleagues arrested with him, and had suffered severe beatings at the hands of the police. Nguyen Hoang Quoc Hung was accused of inciting workers to go on strike at the My Phong footwear company in Tra Vinh province in southern Vietnams Mekong Delta region, where thousands protested in January and February 2010 for better working conditions and higher wages. Hung was sentenced on Oct. 27 that year to nine years in prison on charges of disturbing public order and acting against the peoples administration, according to Article 89 of Vietnams Penal Code. Sentenced alongside Hung were two other activists, Do Thi Minh Hanhwho received a seven-year term for leafleting in support of striking workersand Doan Huy Chuong, who was also handed a seven-year sentence. While in prison, Hanh was frequently shackled and repeatedly beaten, both by guards and by common criminals who had been urged by police to attack her, Hanhs mother told a U.S. congressional commission in January 2014 while calling for international support to press for Hanhs release. Hanh was released without explanation, but in poor health, in June of that year, three years before her sentence ended. Reported by RFAs Vietnamese Service. Translated by An Nguyen. Written in English by Richard Finney. Thousands of protesters tried to storm government offices in the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan on after a string of recent earthquakes that local residents blamed on fracking activities. "There were probably 10,000 people there , and the Rongxian county government shut its gates and wouldn't let us in," Rongxian resident Zeng Yulan told RFA on . "Two people died in 's earthquakes, and a lot of others were injured and some houses collapsed, so a lot of people had nowhere to sleep ." Zeng said local officials had clamped down on any media reporting of the quakes or the protests. "The media weren't allowed to interview anyone or to report it," she said. Zeng said local fracking operations, which blast gas from gaps in underlying shale using water and chemicals, are widely blamed for the earthquakes. "There are usually earthquakes two or three hours after fracking starts, but they weren't previously as strong as the two that happened," she said. "This is a huge operation that didn't start until it received approval from the central government [in Beijing]," she said. "But it started causing earthquakes before it reached target output." The Global Times newspaper, sister paper of ruling Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece the People's Daily, said two quakes measuring magnitude 4.3 and 4.9 hit Rongxian county on , killing two people. Video footage of the incident showed a large crowd shouting and pushing against the gates of the county government building in Sichuan's Rongxian county, with uniformed officers pushing back. In other scenes, local residents marched with banners calling for a fracking boycott, while an unidentified person lay motionless and bleeding amid scattered rubble from a damaged building. The crowd reportedly dispersed after county officials promised over a public address system to halt shale gas exploitation, also known as fracking, official media reported. "Some residents came this afternoon after the earthquake, and now they have calmed down and left," the paper quoted a Rongxian county official as saying. "Government officials have responded to their requests," the official said. Five earthquakes since January The protests came after Rongxian county was hit by five earthquakes since January. One 4.9 magnitude quake was recorded by the U.S. Geological Society on Feb. 23, with an epicenter around 35 kilometers northwest of Sichuan's Zigong city, according to a record on the USGS website. News footage of one village in Rongxian showed rescuers helping elderly people to leave damaged buildings, and a large group of local residents taking refuge on open ground. A resident of Zigong city surnamed Cai said she had felt the tremors. "I don't know the details, but I know there were a few tremors," Cai said. "I was woken from my sleep by shaking at about 6.00 a.m.. It was pretty strong." Sichuan-based seismologist Fan Xiao said fracking was the likely culprit. "Fracking involves shooting water underground ... which can trigger earthquakes," Fan said. "It's entirely possible that human activity could produce earthquakes that are of stronger magnitude than previous natural ones that have occurred." Fan said there were precedents in the industrial history of the U.S., including earthquakes triggered by waste-water management during the 1960s. "If there are faultlines underground, then sending water down there can very easily cause the layers of rock to move around," he said. He said fracking could also boost the strength and frequency of naturally occurring earthquakes in the region. Chengdu-based writer Tan Zuoren, who researched the deaths of schoolchildren during the devastating 2008 Sichuan earthquake, said he could understand public anger over fracking-related quakes. "Large-scale human activity, whether it be fracking, drilling for oil or coal-mining, must have a triggering effect," Tan said. "We need to research and experiment to determine how strong the link is, and reach a scientific conclusion." According to the Global Times, Sichuan is home to potential shale gas reserves of up to 5.18 trillion cubic meters. The region accounted for about one third of China's total shale gas output in 2017, according to state news agency Xinhua. Reported by Wen Yuqing for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Gao Feng for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Former Chinese Supreme Court judge Wang Linqing, who in December helped blow the whistle on judicial misconduct at the highest level, is now under criminal investigation for "leaking state secrets," state media reported. State-run news agency Xinhua said a former disciplinary investigation into Wang's conduct had now been handed over to police. The announcement came as state television aired a video "confession" from Wang, his first public comment after he disappeared into incommunicado detention on Jan. 3, after making two whistle-blowing videos. Wang, a former assistant judge at the Supreme People's Court in Beijing, was likely being held under residential surveillance at an unknown location under disciplinary measures by the National Supervision Commission, a U.S.-based rights group said. The detention of Wang, who handled appeals and reviews of civil cases from around China, came after he exposed two cases in which crucial case files had disappeared, RSDL Monitor reported on its website. In the first whistleblowing video received by the China Times newspaper on Dec. 20, 2018, Wang said he had requested surveillance footage from the president of the Supreme Court after discovering that the case files had disappeared in a case he was reviewing. He was initially told that nobody had appeared to retrieve the files except him, and grew suspicious of foul play after later being told that "the camera was broken." His allegations were prompted by earlier claims from social media commentator and former state television talk show host Cui Yongyuan that files relating to a 100 billion yuan mineral ownership case had been stolen from Wang's office. Threat of trouble A second whistleblowing video made by Wang appeared online on Jan. 2, in which he said he had been under pressure from the supervision bureau within the Supreme People's Court to decide a multibillion yuan dispute in favor of a specific party. According to Xinhua, the month-long investigation "found that Yan Changlin, a former senior supervisory official with the SPC's supervision bureau, was suspected of accepting requests from one party involved in the case and attempting to meddle in the case, which was handled by Wang at the time." Yan is "suspected of serious violations of [Communist] Party disciplinary rules and laws and has been investigated by the anti-graft agency, but the 'revenge' claim of Wang was not true," it cited investigators as saying. In the Jan. 2 whistleblowing video, Wang said that when he refused the request, he was warned that he would face "trouble" as a result. He was detained the day after the video was published online. "Judge Wang was taken to a hotel near the Supreme Court in Beijing for interrogation by [an] investigation team on Jan. 3," RDSL Monitor said. He resurfaced on Feb. 22 in the now-familiar form of a video confession aired by state-run CCTV's "Focus On" program. 'Scapegoated' In the broadcast video, Wang admits to taking case files home after his superiors said he would no longer sit on the panel of judges. "Actually, my aim in taking them home was to stop other people handling this case," Wang said. "I had put a huge amount into this case over five years ... so I didn't want anyone else handling it." "This case were highly sensitive, with huge sums of money involved," he said. "It felt good to be in charge of such a case ... so I took the files home partly out of a personal grudge, and partly because I didn't want anyone else dealing with it." On Jan. 9, Cui Yongyuanwho has also commented that Wang is being 'scapegoated'posted to the Sina Weibo social media platform, saying he had spoken with Wang, who was unable to meet with him. Beijing-based lawyer Li Zhuang confirmed to RFA that Cui is currently safe and well at home, but said he was "in a meeting and unable to comment." Meanwhile, a source involved in the whistleblowing effort said they also had been unable to contact Zhao Faqi, one of the parties to the mineral rights case. Another source close to the case said neither Cui nor Zhao had lost their liberty, but were currently being asked to "cooperate with an investigation." But it was hard to say how things would turn out for them further down the line, the source said. Books censored Meanwhile, the ruling Chinese Communist Party's censors have removed law books authored by Wang from the shelves of bookshops across China, according to his publisher. "We can't sell them because something happened with him," an employee at the Legal Publishing Co. told RFA. "We have been told we can't distribute them any more, starting last Friday." "Every volume is accounted for, so they would know if we sold even a single copy," the employee said. "We can't even send them to customers who have already paid for them. It's a real pain, because they're sitting in the warehouse and we can't sell them." An official who answered the phone at the Ministry of Justice referred enquiries to the main office, and declined to comment on the case. A former classmate of Wang's surnamed Zhang said he had paid "a heavy price" for his whistleblowing. "Under the current circumstances, he was never going to be able to help much with reform [of the judicial system] or progress," Zhang said. "But we didn't want this to happen to him. We would want to see him emerge unscathed." He said there was no good reason to ban Wang's books, as he had yet to be convicted or his right to publish stripped from him. Reported by Wong Siu-san and Tam Siu-yin for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Shi Shan for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Lebanon, IN (46052) Today Thunderstorms this evening with a few showers possible overnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms this evening with a few showers possible overnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Beckley, WV (25801) Today Isolated thunderstorms during the evening. Mainly clear skies after midnight. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Isolated thunderstorms during the evening. Mainly clear skies after midnight. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%. February 25, 2019 09:00 IST 'We know what we are signing up for. There is nothing greater than that.' What Archana Masih/Rediff.com learnt from a chance encounter with an Indian Army officer. Photograph: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com IMAGE: Indian Army soldiers at an encounter in which two soldiers were killed in the Ratnipora area, Pulwama, south Kashmir, February 12, 2019. Whenever Major Delta*, a young Indian Army officer, posted in the Kashmir valley, travels home on leave for a few days, the first place where civilisational modernity hits him is at Delhi airport. He has to change flights here to make the journey home -- and as he picks up a cup of coffee, he thinks how distant this is from the chai he drinks from a Borosil glass, half-covered with a camouflage cloth, at his post in Kashmir. A bite into the brownie, reminds him of the pakoda and Parle G biscuits, the staple snacks in that area of conflict, where the temperature is freezing, the terrain is hard and a terrorist may lurk somewhere in the dark. The other night at the post, there was roti, sabzi, dal and kheer for dinner. There was chicken-rice for lunch. Meals are usually shared with 1-2 other officers at the post. These soldiers can never really be off-duty. Even when they are, there is every chance of receiving a phone call on the landline, informing them that they are "stand by". Here, there are no Sunday holidays or restful nights. They can be called anytime in 24 hours. There is no sleeping or eating time. The only time off is when soldiers get to go home on leave after 3 or 4 months of operating in a particularly hard tenure. In the conflict-ridden valley, soldiers prefer to keep dinner light because night time is when terrorists strike and they have to be most alert. "If you compare what we get to eat with any 5 star restaurant, I would say this food, at this altitude and temperature, tastes the best. It tastes amazing -- when you are in a hardship every morsel that goes into your body is well earned and a blessing," says the young officer I spoke to at a chance encounter. It was a conversation that gave a sense of what soldiers face and endure while guarding the post on a hostile and bloody border. In the month, the young officer has lost three brother officers fighting the war against terrorists in Kashmir. Another officer he knew well from the Indian Air Force perished in an air crash in Bengaluru. It was a brutal loss, but the young officer is made of sterner stuff. "It is sad, but hear what Mrs Nikita Dhaundiyal's last words to her husband Major Vibhuti were -- 'Don't sympathise; he holds a position much higher than all of us'. "If a wife can say that, I am sure a comrade can bear with it." "Martyrdom is a part of our lives. We know what we are signing up for. It is a very noble thing. There is nothing greater than that," he says. Photograph: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com IMAGE: Indian Army soldiers at an encounter in which two soldiers were killed in the Ratnipora area, Pulwama, south Kashmir, February 12, 2019. A tenure in Kashmir is amongst the hardest for security personnel. Every year on Republic Day, a majority of gallantry awards are given to men for operations in the valley, mostly young men. "There is a void when you lose your fellow men in arms, but you know they are heroes and it was a privilege to serve with them." "Whenever we part ways, we say 'It was an honour serving with you' -- because we never know when we will meet next or never," says the officer. Security forces have suffered great losses against terrorists in Kashmir and I ask if he and his men are shaken when they lose men in the line of duty. No, not the least bit, he says. "It is just too bad that such things happen. We study it so that it doesn't happen again. The motto of the IAF's Surya Kiran team very aptly puts a soldier's spirit -- 'The show must go on'." "As professional soldiers we are supposed to keep ourselves alive as long as there is life in us." "It is the honour of a profession like this." He is a young man, over two decades younger than me, and talks about the creed of a soldier with an authoritative surefootedness. His pride in being part of the Indian Army shines through his words. He speaks politely, is well spoken and aware. "The moment you make the cut and serve the army, whatever be the result, it is the man standing next to you who knows your true grit -- and that is the biggest medal anyone can ever get." Away from family, friends and posted around the Line of Control, serving in Kashmir must get lonely. Connectivity has improved from what it was 10 or 15 years ago, but is far more sluggish than what the rest of India has on its fingertips. The Internet, famous for being intermittent in the Kashmir valley, remains the main medium for connectivity. After Burhan Wani's elimination in 2016, the Internet and cellular phone connectivity were suspended for nearly seven-and-a-half months in Kashmir. There are certain forward posts that are totally disconnected. They have satellite phones, but reliability is limited and it is expensive. Here, soldiers serve in rotation, and get to speak to their families when they come down to the base. Sometimes, a month goes by without a phone call. At a particularly difficult time for the security personnel that lost 91 men last year, the highest in a decade, and has suffered disproportionate losses this year -- the young officer is unwavering in his belief. "We can either be ruthless in discharging our duties or do it with a humane touch, we do it with a humane touch, but the cost is that we may end up paying for with our lives." It is interesting to hear the views of a young man with a perspective quite unlike what others his age might hold. At a moment when the country is riding high on patriotic fervour on the backs of its soldiers, these are men for whom life and death happen in real time. "Unfortunately, the country is conditioned in such a way that all these emotions are for the civilians and keyboard warriors. People get patriotic on 26th January and 15th August -- when 365 days can be celebrated for a martyr," he says. "A soldier's patriotism is not on August 15/January 26; it is every day." "People think that by putting a post of Facebook or Instagram, we are doing our bit. But by breaking traffic rules, not paying taxes, throwing garbage out of the window, we are being more unpatriotic." As we part ways, I wish him the very best always and tell him to be safe. "Good day ma'am," he says, "Defending your country is a good cause; there is a nobility to it." As I walk away, all I can feel is pride. *The officer did not divulge his name for the feature. February 25, 2019 15:15 IST The Congress president has written to party chief ministers, asking them to file a review petition against an SC order regarding mass-scale evictions of tribals and other forest-dwellers. Nitin Sethi reports. Photograph: Kind courtesy @RahulGandhi/Twitter Congress president Rahul Gandhi has written to chief ministers of states where his party is in power to file review petitions in the Supreme Court against mass-scale evictions of tribals and other forest-dwellers. In separate letters with similar guidance to all chief ministers, Gandhi said, 'In order to pre-empt large-scale evictions, it would be expedient to file a review petition and take any other action you may deem fit.' The letters were sent to all the chief ministers on February 23. On February 22, responding to the apex court order, the Union tribal affairs ministry said, "It's clarified that the ministry of tribal affairs, government of India, is well aware of its responsibilities of defending the constitutional validity of the Forest Rights Act and the ministry will do everything at its disposal to safeguard the interests of the tribals as it has been doing so far." The moves come in response to the Supreme Court order, which asked states to forcibly evict all tribals and other forest-dwellers whose claims under the Forest Rights Act had been rejected. The court had warned each state to file a detailed affidavit on 'whether eviction has been ordered and possession has been taken or not'. It also said, "It is further directed that the cases in which the orders have attained finality (for eviction), let eviction be made forthwith. In case of noncompliance of this order, the same shall be viewed seriously." A total of 1.89 million claims had been rejected by November 2018, according to the tribal affairs ministry. Potentially all these households face the threat of eviction after the Supreme Court order. From the key states in central India with high levels of tribal populations, Chhattisgarh was the first to take steps to prevent evictions. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel tweeted, "The state government shall put up its own lawyer to defend the Forest Rights Act before the Supreme Court on the next hearing. "If need be, a review petition would also be filed." Digvijaya Singh, the Congress' senior political leader from Madhya Pradesh, said: "The court order impinges on the constitutionally guaranteed rights of tribals. We need to go in for an immediate review petition." Chhattisgarh panchayati raj and rural development minister T S Singh Deo, said, "There is no case for eviction. We will not let such large-scale evictions take place. We have ordered a full time-bound review of all rejections (of claims made under the Forest Rights Act) ..." The detailed orders sent to each district by the chief secretary, asking for such a scrutiny. In Jharkhand where 26.3 per cent of the population is tribal, the opposition party Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has prepared to hold protests in all districts and convene a larger inter-state meeting. The party's executive president and former chief minister, Hemant Soren, said, "We cannot allow this to happen to tribals ... We are beginning our protests and will take whatever steps we can to prevent any forced evictions. "This includes taking all legal recourses that may be required." February 25, 2019 11:24 IST In rebranding the F-16 into the F-21, Lockheed Martin appears to have accepted what many have warned it for years: That the IAF would never buy a fighter whose very name is associated across India with the Pakistan air force which has operated the F-16 since the 1980s. Ajai Shukla reports from Aero India 2019. IMAGE: 'The F-21: Different -- Inside and Out'. Photograph: Kind courtesy Lockheed Martin United States aerospace giant Lockheed Martin has unveiled a 'new' fighter, dubbed the F-21, which it intends to offer India, instead of the F-16, in the global contest to sell the Indian Air Force 114 fighters. Launched on Wednesday, February 20, the first day of Aero India 2019 in Bengaluru, the F-21 has the tagline 'The F-21: Different -- Inside and Out'. But in almost every respect -- engine, basic airframe and most avionics -- it is a slightly improved F-16 Block 60, an aircraft already in service. In rebranding the F-16 into the F-21, Lockheed Martin appears to have accepted what many have warned it for years: That the IAF would never buy a fighter whose very name is associated across India with the Pakistan air force which has operated the F-16 since the 1980s. The F-16 also carries the reputation of a dated fighter, having already been in service for four decades. A new F-21 which Lockheed Martin says is 'specially configured for the IAF', would perhaps overcome the reputation of an old-timer. To be sure, this is not the first time this ploy has been used. Russia Aircraft Corporation rebranded its MiG-29 as the MiG-35 and fielded it as a new aircraft in India's medium multi-role combat aircraft contest from 2007 to 2015. Lockheed Martin has briefed this correspondent on the improvements in the aircraft, not all of which it says can be revealed due to operational secrecy. However, the airframe remains largely the same, as does the fighter's engine. Randy Howard of Lockheed Martin says the changes include a 'dorsal fairing' -- a rib along the fighter's spine in which additional equipment can be carried in the future, in order to improve the fighter's avionic capability. The IAF has not asked for a dorsal fairing, but Howard says it is a "unilateral offer from Lockheed Martin". Aerospace experts say there is little to differentiate the F-21 from the F-16 Block 70 which will first enter service in Bahrain. The dorsal fairing, they say, is an attempt to overcome the IAF's key reason for rejecting the F-16 in the MMRCA contest -- that it lacked potential for growth. "This is a straight marketing play, following the same playbook as the Russians did when they rebranded the MiG-29 as the MiG-35," says Pushpinder Singh, who publishes the aerospace trade journal, Vayu. Incongruously, the US military already has an F-21 fighter, suggesting the rebranding was done in haste. In the late 1980s, the US navy bought the Israeli Kfir fighter to play the role of 'aggressor' (enemy) aircraft in two-sided air exercises. That aircraft was named the F-21. In unveiling the F-21 fighter, Lockheed Martin stated: 'The F-21 addresses the IAF's unique requirements and integrates India into the world's largest fighter aircraft eco-system with the world's pre-eminent defence company. Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems would produce the F-21 in India, for India.' Meanwhile, a US air force F-16 Fighting Falcon carryied out aerobatic displays at Aero India as did three Boeing F/A-18EF Super Hornets. The Rafale had a high voltage presence, with two flying displays daily. Swedish company Saab, which intends to offer the Gripen E in the IAF tender for 114 fighters, did not participate in the flying display, but displayed a fighter and a cockpit simulator. The other aircraft in the contest -- the Eurofighter and Russia's MiG-35 and Sukhoi-35 -- were not displayed. Aero India 2019 also witnessed the Final Operational Certification of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft. This clears the way for manufacture of another 20 Tejas fighters -- the IAF's second Tejas squadron. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Global Ready to Eat Meals Market Research Report is specific descriptive information of industry which elaborates the important factors such as Segmentation, key regions, top Manufactures, production value, and market scope to enhance business growth. The report encloses important data about consumption, share, and future aspects. The Ready to Eat Meals report provides competition analysis along with company profile, revenue, product & services, latest developments trends. Get Sample Copy at https://www.orianresearch.com/request-sample/808822 Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology. Then, the report explores the international major industry players in detail. 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Inquire more or share questions if any before the purchase on this report @ https://www.orianresearch.com/enquiry-before-buying/808822 All Key Regions Covered in Report: North America: US, Canada, Mexico Europe: Germany Spain France, Italy, UK, Rest of Europe Asia Pacific: Japan, China, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Rest of Asia Pacific South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Rest of South America Middle East & Africa: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa No. Of Pages: 98 The key Companies Analyzed in this Report are: General Mills (U.S.) Bakkavor Group Ltd (U.K.) Nomad Foods Ltd (British Virgin Islands) McCain Foods (Canada) Premier Foods Group Ltd (U.K.) Orkla ASA (Norway) ConAgra Foods Inc. (U.S.) ITC Limited (India) Key Stakeholders Ready to Eat Meals Manufacturers Ready to Eat Meals Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers Ready to Eat Meals Subcomponent Manufacturers Industry Association Downstream Vendors The report focuses on Global Ready to Eat Meals Market major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials, equipment and downstream consumers analysis is also carried out. What's more, the Ready to Eat Meals industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. Finally, the feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered. In a word, the report provides major statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market. On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into Ready Meals & Mixes Bakery Noodles & Pasta Non-alcoholic Beverages Herbs & Spices Soups Others On the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate for each application, including Restaurant Home Use Order a copy of Global Ready to Eat Meals Market Report @ https://www.orianresearch.com/checkout/808822 Major Points Covered in Table of Contents: 1 Ready to Eat Meals Market Overview 2 Global Ready to Eat Meals Market Competition by Manufacturers 3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Complementary DNA Microarrays (cDNA 4 Global Ready to Eat Meals Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2013-2018) 5 Global Ready to Eat Meals Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type 6 Global Ready to Eat Meals Market Analysis by Application 7 Global Ready to Eat Meals Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis 8 Ready to Eat Meals Manufacturing Cost Analysis 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers 10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders 11 Market Effect Factors Analysis 12 Global Ready to Eat Meals Market Forecast (2018-2025) 13 Research Findings and Conclusion 14 Appendix About Us Orian 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 syndicate research offerings do not meet the specific requirements of our esteemed clients. Contact Us Ruwin Mendez Vice President Global Sales & Partner Relations Orian Research Consultants US: +1 (832) 380-8827 | UK: +44 0161-818-8027 Email: info@orianresearch.com Website: www.orianresearch.com/ Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/13281002/ February 25, 2019 11:33 IST Water flowing into Pakistan from the Sutlej, Ravi and Beas can be stopped only if three dam projects on this side of the border are completed. Megha Manchanda reports. The government last week reiterated its decision to stop water from the eastern rivers -- the Sutlej, Ravi and Beas -- flowing into Pakistan, in a bid to respond to the terror attack on the Central Reserve Police Force convoy in Pulwama on February 14. This is, however, possible only if three dam projects on this side of the border are completed. The oldest of these is the Beas-Sutlej link, to harness water and power resources of the Beas. This was conceived in 1956 and was supposed to comprise two tunnels to divert water from the Beas to the Sutlej, and an open channel to generate power and increase storage capacity of the Bhakra dam. The second project is the Shahpurkandi dam on the Ravi, conceptualised in the 1980s. In December last year, the Union Cabinet had approved it, and central assistance of Rs 485.38 crore (for irrigation) was to be provided over five years, starting 2018-2019. Once completed, this project will help improve utilisation of the Ravi's water. At present, the river flows through the Madhopur Headworks downstream to Pakistan. The third one is the Ujh Dam project, which has been delayed because of dispute over sharing water between Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab. The proposed hydroelectricity and irrigation multipurpose project in the Kathua district of Jammu is expected to have capacity to generate 196 MW of power. These were all declared national projects in 2009. "Central government agencies -- and not the states -- should complete these projects, these have been delayed due to dispute over sharing water," said an official who did not want to be named. The Indus Water Treaty was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, after a deal brokered by the World Bank. It has survived three wars between the neighbours, in 1965, 1971 and 1999. Another official who did not want to be named said this was a treaty in perpetuity and no one party could cancel it. The Vienna Convention also allows one party to challenge it. Former water resources secretary Shashi Shekhar, however, said India was well within its rights to divert water from the eastern rivers. "India had full right over the water from those rivers under the Indus Water Treaty," he added. India can invoke Article 62 of the Vienna Convention to withdraw from the IWT. Source: Last updated on: February 25, 2019 15:49 IST Image only for representation. Two Pakistani nationals, who were top commanders of the Jaish-e-Mohammad and wanted for a 'series of terror crimes', were among the three militants killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, police said on Monday. The terrorists have been identified as Raqib Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Shiganpora in Kulgam, and Pakistani nationals Waleed and Numan, a police spokesman said. On Sunday, a deputy superintendent of police, an army jawan and the three Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists were killed during the encounter in the district's Turigam area. "The three terrorists killed have been identified as Raqib Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Shiganpora in Kulgam, and incriminating material was recovered from the site of the encounter, the other two terrorists have been identified as Waleed and Numan, foreigners from Pakistan," the spokesman said. He said, according to police records, the three slain militants were affiliated to proscribed terror outfit JeM. "The two killed Pakistani terrorists, Waleed and Numan, as per police records, were top commanders of proscribed terror outfit JeM and were active in the southern parts of the Kashmir Valley. "As per the police records, they were involved in conspiring and executing several terrorist attacks, and were wanted by the law for their complicity in a series of terror crimes, including attacks on security establishments and civilian atrocities. Several terror crime cases were registered against them for their terrorist activities, he said. The spokesman said arms and ammunition, including rifles, were recovered from the encounter site. "These materials have been taken in the case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other terror cases," he said. ***** EU asks Pakistan to take 'clear and sustained' actions against terrorists The European Union has asked Pakistan to take 'clear and sustained' actions targeting not only all UN-listed transnational terrorist groups but also individuals claiming responsibility for attacks in the wake of the Pulwama terror strike. The statement came amid heightened tension between the two nuclear-armed arch-rivals after the February 14 suicide attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad that killed at least 41 Central Reserve Police Force soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the EU Commission, urged Pakistan and India to urgently 'de-escalate' the tension which has built up after the attack. She spoke to Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday and discussed the current situation, a delegation of the European Union (EU) said in a statement here. The EU is also in contact with India, it said. Mogherini also highlighted the need to 'continue addressing terrorism including clear and sustained actions targeting not only all United Nations-listed transnational terrorist groups but also individuals claiming responsibility for such attacks', the statement said. She said the EU's policy has always been to promote a dialogue between Pakistan and India to sort out differences. After the attack, which was claimed by the United Nations-proscribed JeM, India launched a major diplomatic offensive against Islamabad after the attack and highlighted Pakistan's role in using terrorism as an instrument of state policy. India asked Pakistan to take immediate and verifiable action against terrorists and terror groups operating from territories under its control. New Delhi also announced the withdrawal of the Most Favoured Nation status for Pakistan and hiked the customs duty by 200 per cent on goods originating from Pakistan. ***** No signs of decline in Pak-sponsored terrorism in J&K: DGP Asserting that there was 'no signs of decline' in Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbagh Singh on Monday said the security forces were determined to restore peace in the state. "Pakistan-sponsored terrorism is going on for the last many years and showing no signs of decline but we are determined to eliminate terrorism from the state and restore peace in the region," Singh told reporters after the wreath laying ceremony of Deputy Superintendent of Police, Aman Kumar Thakur in Jammu. Thakur and a soldier were killed in the fierce gunfight with JeM terrorists in Kulgam district of south Kashmir on Sunday. J-K Governor Satya Pal Malik, Union minister Jitendra Singh, advisors to the Governor and senior officers of the police, Army, CRPF and civil administration attended the ceremony at police lines in Jammu and paid floral tributes to Thakur whose body was flown from Srinagar to Jammu in the morning. "JeM, Lashkar-e-Tayiba (LeT) and some other groups are continuing with their activities in Kashmir," the DGP said. "Police and other security forces are conducting their operations to counter them and wipe them out and I am hopeful that in the coming months, the situation will improve further," he added. Singh further said the security forces were 'proud of the sacrifices' made by the jawans and were 'determined' to eliminate all the active terrorist groups in the state 'in the coming months'. The security situation in the state is 'well under control' and there is 'no need to panic', he stressed. "Police and other security forces are doing their job satisfactorily and there is peace in Kashmir and Jammu," he said further. The police chief lauded Thakur for his courage saying, "We have lost a brave colleague and we are proud of his martyrdom". "On a specific information that a group of JeM terrorists were hiding in a village in Kulgam, an operation was jointly launched by police, Army and the CRPF on Sunday." "The officer killed two terrorists who are believed to be Pakistanis and came to the help of his colleague who received a bullet injury," Singh said. In the process, he received a bullet injury and succumbed to injuries while being shifted to hospital, he said. "This brave officer was working in the counter-insurgency operations group in Kulgam for the last two years. Some months ago, he received DG commendation medal," Singh said. "Last year, he has also received Sher-e-Kashmir police medal for gallantry and his name was recommended for a bigger award but before that he sacrificed his life for the nation," he added. The sacrifice of the officers and the jawans will motivate the forces in their fight against terrorism to restore peace in the state, he said further. "We bow before the sacrifice of our martyrs and salute them. The fight against terrorism will continue with more vigour," he said. "We also stand by the families of our martyrs and want to tell them that we are with them in this hour of grief," he added. Source: February 25, 2019 09:49 IST IMAGE: Security personnel patrol a street during restrictions, imposed after a mob went on a rampage during a protest against the move to grant permanent resident certificates to six communities living in the state, in Itanagar, on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo Two persons were killed and three injured in police firing as protests over recommendations of granting permanent resident certificates (PRCs) to six communities escalated on Sunday in Arunachal Pradesh, police sources said. Police opened fire when protesters tried to attack the private residence of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu at ESS sector in Itanagar in the afternoon. Security personnel urged them to return, but without paying any heed to the request, the protesters marched towards his residence and started pelting stones. To control the situation, police had to resort to firing in which two men, aged between 20 and 24 years, were killed, the sources said. Three others were injured in the firing. The body of another person, who was killed in alleged police firing on Friday night, was kept by the protesters at the Indira Gandhi Park here and they said that it will not be buried until their demands were met. So far, two persons have lost their lives and four injured as massive protests broke out over the PRC issue in the state. Pema Khandu had called an all-party meeting on Sunday to take stock of the situation and decide on future course of action, but none of the parties, including the opposition Congress, the National People's Party and People's Party of Arunachal turned up. The Chief Minister's Office sources said that the meeting has been rescheduled on Monday. "Considering the present situation pertaining to grant of PRCs to non-APST (Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes) of Namsai and Changlang districts, the state government has decided that no further action will be taken in grant of PRCs," Chief Secretary Satya Gopal said in a statement issued in Itanagar. The agitators have been demanding permanent resolution to the PRC issue, immediate resignation of the chief minister, unconditional release of protesters (numbering around 40) and immediate transfer of the chief secretary, among others. The Nyishi Elite Society (NES), apex body of the largest community here, has appealed to the people to remain calm and use maximum restraint to evade further escalation of violence. It also condemned the state government for "late and inept" handling of the bandh call given on February 21 and 22, and 'failing to read the pulse and demand of the people'. Earlier in the day, the protesters allegedly set ablaze the private residence of Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and ransacked the office of the deputy commissioner in Itanagar, police said. A large number of people marched through the streets vandalising public property and vehicles. They also set on fire a large number of vehicles parked in the compound of the DC's office. The agitators attacked the Itanagar Police station and several public properties in the state capital, police said, adding that they allegedly damaged the Sohum shopping mall in Itanagar and looted the valuables, besides setting ablaze a market complex in Naharlagun. An indefinite curfew was clamped in Itanagar and Naharlagun on Saturday as protesters resorted to stone pelting in which 35 people, including 24 police personnel, were injured. The Army had also conducted flag marches in Itanagar and Naharlagun on Saturday. Internet services remained suspended, while markets, petrol pumps and shops were closed. Most ATMs in the state capital were out of cash, police said. Over 150 vehicles were damaged by the protesters since Friday, they said. On Saturday, the agitators damaged the stage of the Itanagar International Film Festival at the Indira Gandhi Park. The organisers later called off the film festival. The Joint High Power Committee (JHPC), after holding parleys with the stakeholders, recommended granting PRCs to six communities, who are not natives of Arunachal Pradesh, but has been living in Namsai and Changlang districts for decades. The proposals evoked resentment among several community-based groups and students' organisations, who claimed that the rights and the interests of indigenous people would be compromised if the state government accepts them. The recommendation of the JHPC was supposed to be tabled in the Assembly on Saturday, but it did not happen as the speaker adjourned the House sine die. On Saturday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh appealed to the people of Arunachal Pradesh to remain calm and maintain peace. Source: February 25, 2019 15:15 IST The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine a plea seeking protection of human rights of security force personnel, who come under attack by mobs while performing their duties. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna also issued notices to the Union of India, Ministry of Defence, Jammu and Kashmir and the National Human Rights Commission on the plea filed by 19-year-old Preeti Kedar Gokhale and 20-year-old Kajal Mishra. The petitioners said they are 'greatly disturbed by the incidents of unruly and disruptive mobs' pelting stones at soldiers and Army convoys in Jammu and Kashmir. The plea has sought formulation of a policy to curb human rights violations of security force personnel who come under attack by mobs while performing duties. The petitioners said they have approached the apex court as they were aggrieved and dissatisfied with the inaction of the respondents in addressing various acts of human right violations of Army personnel, resulting in obstruction in the discharge of their duties, as well as endangers their safety and security at the place of their deployment. The petitioners are daughters of Army officials -- one serving and another retired. 'The petitioners are further disturbed by the troops in the Indian Army having to suffer the ire of stone-pelters, while they are discharging their duty of maintaining peace and security in the area of their deployment,' the plea has said. Referring to first information reports being lodged against Army personnel, the plea said cases are being lodged if action was taken against the stone-pelters in retaliation or self-defence. 'The petitioners have no grievance to any complaint/FIR being filed against any Armed force personnel for any act done by them which amounts to any criminal offence under the law for the time being in force. 'However, they are very much aggrieved by the fact that no similar action is taken against the perpetrators of violence,' it said. The petition termed as shocking a former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister's declaration in the legislative assembly that as many as 9,760 FIRs registered against stone-pelters would be withdrawn as they were first-time offenders. 'It is pertinent to note that firstly, the state is not entitled to withdraw an FIR, once registered against a person, without following the due process of the law as provided in the CrPC/RPC; secondly, the complainant or the victim of the offence is entitled to prosecute the perpetrator of a crime against him,' it said. The petition added that depriving the armed forces personnel of their right to prosecute a person who has committed an offence against them is a violation of their fundamental right to life and liberty, including the right to legal recourse. 'Further, armed forces personnel are also deprived of their basic human rights of defending themselves against assault and safeguarding their life and limb,' it said. The petition also said that the petitioners had lodged a complaint of human rights violation with the National Human Rights Commission, citing specific instances, but the commission transferred the complaint to the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) of Jammu and Kashmir on the grounds that it lacked jurisdiction. The petitioners also sought setting aside of the NHRC order dated January 4 transferring the representation to the SHRC and a direction to complete the probe of human rights violations of armed forces personnel. "There is no mechanism put in place by the Centre or the state to deal with such brazen acts of human rights violation of the forces. The armed forces personnel is deployed in these disturbed areas by orders of the respondents to discharge their duties. "As such, it is necessary that the respondent No. 1 (Centre) puts in place a mechanism to deal with and enforce the security of its forces," the plea added. ***** SC dismisses PIL seeking probe into alleged conspiracy behind Pulwama terror attack The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea seeking probe into alleged larger conspiracy behind the February 14 Pulwama terror attack. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna was hearing a public interest litigation filed by lawyer Vineet Dhanda, seeking probe into alleged larger conspiracy in the attack in which 41 Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed. The PIL submitted that nearly 370 kgs of RDX was used in the terror attack and it required a through probe. February 25, 2019 08:23 IST Forgot what happened in the week gone by? Heres a quick recap of what took place in 10 images. A soldier walks during a candle light vigil in front of India Gate war memorial to pay tribute to Central Reserve Police Force personnel who were killed after a suicide bomber rammed a car into the bus carrying them in Kashmir. Ever since the attack, one of the worst attacks in history, tensions between the two countries -- India and Pakistan -- have heightened. Photograph: Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters Buddhist monks pray at the Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple during a ceremony to commemorate Makha Bucha Day outside Bangkok, Thailand. Photograph: Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters A view of a scene of a fire that broke out at a chemical warehouse in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The fire raced through densely packed buildings in a centuries-old district of Dhaka, killing at least 80 people. Such tragedies are shockingly common in Bangladesh. In 2012, a fire raced through a garment factory on the outskirts of Dhaka, killing at least 112 people trapped behind its locked gates. Less than six months later, another building housing garment factories collapsed, killing more than 1,100 people. Photograph: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters A super snow moon rises as people visit the Areios Pagos hill at the archaeological site of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. It made its closest approach to Earth since 1948 and it will not be that close again until November 25, 2034. Photograph: Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters To Gia Huy, 9, has a haircut in a North Korean leader Kim Jong Un style in a haircut salon in Hanoi, Vietnam. The country is prepping for the upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on February 27 and February 28. Photograph: Kham/Reuters A man photographs the logo on the Karl Lagerfeld store in New York City. The legendary designer died in Paris at the age of 85. He was also credited for the rebirth of Chanel and Fendi. Photograph: Brendan McDermid/Reuters Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, exits a hotel in the Manhattan borough of New York City. The Duchess of Sussex was in America to celebrate the birth of her baby with her friends, including Serena Williams and Amal Clooney. On her return to the United Kindom, she has received much flak from British newspapers for her "extravagant" trip. Photograph: Carlo Allegri/Reuters Horsetail Fall in Yosemite National Park in California along the Merced River off Southside Drive in Yosemite Valley just before sunset as it glows. The phenomenon of this vista only occurs for only few days in February each year when several weather and climatic conditions are just right. Photograph: Phil Hawkins/Reuters Servicemen of the Belarusian Interior Ministry's special forces unit perform as they take part in event "Winter fun" at their base in Minsk, Belarus. Photograph: Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters Source: Last updated on: February 25, 2019 22:56 IST The memorial is built at a cost of Rs 176 crore and is spread over 40 acres of land in the heart of the nations capital. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi salutes the eternal flame at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. Photograph: PIB/Twitter Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the countrys National War Memorial adjoining the iconic India Gate complex in the heart of the capital, nearly 60 years after it was mooted to honour the fallen soldiers after Independence. Spread over an area of approximately 40 acres, the memorial comprises four concentric circles, namely -- the Amar Chakra, Veerta Chakra, Tyag Chakra and the Rakshak Chakra with names of 25,942 soldiers inscribed in golden letters on granite tablets. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi lights the eternal flame, to mark the dedication of the National War Memorial in New Delhi. Photograph: PIB/Twitter It also includes a central 15.5-m obelisk, an eternal flame and six bronze murals depicting famous battles fought by the Indian Army, Air Force and the Navy in a covered gallery (Veerta Chakra). The prime minister dedicated to the nation the memorial, built at a cost of Rs 176 crore, by lighting the flame positioned at the bottom of the stone-made obelisk. Rose petals were showered by Indian Air Force helicopters and a fly-past in Missing Man formation was also part of the event. There was no national memorial to commemorate the sacrifice of fallen soldiers after independence. The NWM pays tribute to soldiers who laid down their lives defending the nation during the India-China War in 1962, Indo-Pak Wars in 1947, 1965 and 1971, Indian Peace Keeping Force Operations in Sri Lanka and in the Kargil conflict of 1999. IMAGE: Modi pays tribute to a fallen soldier at the National War Memorial. Photograph: PIB/Twitter Besides, the main memorial complex, a Param Yoddha Sthal has also been built on the northern side of the India Gates C-Hexagon area. The park is dotted with bronze busts of the 21 awardees, 15 posthumously of the Param Veer Chakra, countrys highest wartime gallantry medal, a senior defence official said. A stone mural depicting a joint operation by the three armed forces, also has been made in front of the Param Yodha Sthal. Modi also interacted with three surviving Param Veer Chakra winners and later walked to the memorial complex through the Indian Gate canopy roundabout. A consecration ceremony was also held as successive chants from five different religious rent the air just before Modi lit the eternal flame. IMAGE: Modi takes a look at one of the six murals, made by noted sculptor Ram Sutar. The murals depict famous battles fought by the army, air force and navy. Photograph: PIB/Twitter The prime minister, after dedicating the memorial, also took a tour of it and visited the gallery housing the six bronze murals, made by noted sculptor Ram Sutar, depicting famous battles fought by the army, air force and navy have been put up in a gallery in the Veerta Chakra zone. He was accompanied by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat, Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa and Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba during the event. IMAGE: The PM penned emotional words honouring the soldiers' sacrifice in the guest book . Photograph: @SpokespersonMoD/Twitter Later, the prime minister also wrote a message in Hindi in the visitors book. It is a symbol of our soldiers bravery, sacrifice and courage...This memorial will encourage us to live every moment and do something for the nation. My salute to this pilgrimage site of bravery and martyrdom, he wrote. IMAGE: IAF choppers fly-past to shower flower petals on the National War Memorial during its inauguration ceremony. Photograph: Kamal Kishore/PTI Photo The sanction for the project was issued on December 18, 2015 and actual work on it started in February last year. In the complex, 16 walls have been constructed in the Tyag Chakra for paying homage to the 25,942 battle casualties and their names have been inscribed on granite tablets arranged in a circular pattern, symbolising the ancient Indian war formation Chakravyuh. The outermost circle -- the Rakshak Chakra comprises of rows of more than 600 trees with each tree representing many soldiers who guard the territorial integrity of the nation round the clock. IMAGE: The PM interacts with the families of ex-servicemen during the ceremony. Photograph: PIB/Twitter The memorial complex also comprises graphic panels and stone murals. Busts of the 21 awardees of Param Veer Chakra have been installed at Param Yoddha Sthal which includes three living awardees Sub Maj (Hony Capt) Bana Singh (Retd), Sub Major Yogendra Singh Yadav and Sub Sanjay Kumar. Officials said the Amar Jawan Jyoti, built in 1972 underneath the India Gate arch in memory of the fallen soldiers of the 1971 war, will remain there but the NWM will be the place to pay tributes to soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country. IMAGE: The National War Memorial is pictured after its inauguration in New Delhi. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters The India Gate itself is a war memorial built during the British Raj as the All India War Memorial Arch to honour the soldiers who died in the First World War (1914-1918) and the Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919). The landmark has the names of soldiers inscribed on its surface. The proposal to set up a National War Memorial was under consideration since early 1970s. A Group of Ministers in August 2012 recommended C Hexagon of India Gate as the appropriate location for the memorial. Source: February 25, 2019 14:46 IST The condition of ailing Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar is stable, his office said on Monday after a senior doctor from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi conducted his health check-up at a state-run hospital Panaji. Parrikar, 63, was admitted to the Goa Medical College and Hospital on Saturday. Two doctors from the AIIMS, Delhi, had arrived in Panaji on Sunday afternoon to examine the senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader. "Dr Pramod Garg from AIIMS who is heading the treatment of Honble Chief Minister @manoharparrikar has conducted a thorough check up of the CM. The doctors are happy with his progress and the chief minister continues to be stable," the chief minister's office said in a tweet. Goa assembly speaker Pramod Sawant also said the chief minister's condition was "stable" and his "internal bleeding had stopped". Parrikar has been suffering from a pancreatic ailment for the last one year and has undergone treatment in the United States as well as at AIIMS Delhi and a private hospital in Mumbai. Several leaders, including Sawant, health minister Vishwajit Rane and former chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar, arrived at GMCH on Monday morning to enquire about Parrikar's health. Sawant later told reporters that Parrikar's health condition was stable and, as per the doctors, treating him, the "internal bleeding which was happening had stopped". "All his health parameters are stable now," he added. Rane on Sunday had said MLAs and other leaders were not being allowed to meet Parrikar to avoid the risk of infection from outsiders. He also appealed to people not to believe rumours. Parrikar had fallen ill on February 14, 2018 and was shifted to GMCH, from where he was taken to the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai the next day. He had later undergone treatment in the US. The Goa chief minister was shifted to the AIIMS in New Delhi on September 15 last year and returned to Goa on October 14 for recuperating at his private residence at Dona Paula near Panaji. He also attended the Budget Session on January 29 and presented the state budget the next day. On the last day of the session on January 31, he was taken for treatment to AIIMS in Delhi and he returned to Goa on February 5. Source: February 25, 2019 23:49 IST Several hearing-impaired youth who were staging a demonstration in Pune for their pending demands were injured when police allegedly used baton-charge, some of the protesters said. Police said mild force was used to restrain the protesters, who had broken through barricades. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sought a report from police on the incident, after opposition leaders targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government over the alleged baton-charge. When the government has no response on education opportunities and job creation for questions raised by the differently abled, the answer is a lathi charge? And that too during a peaceful march? CM who is the home minister must answer... is this the arrogance of power, Nationalist Congress Party leader Supriya Sule said. WATCH: Pune Police lathicharge protesters The youth were demanding right to quality education, provision of trained interpreters for deaf students and preventing fraudulent distribution of disability certificates to able-bodied individuals among others. Over 11,000 hearing-impaired youth had assembled at the Social Welfare Commissionerate when the incident happened, Pradip More, secretary, State Level Association of the Deaf, told reporters using an interpreter. More said over 18 lakh hearing-impaired youth in the state have decided not to vote in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections till they get an assurance from authorities that their demands would be met. Fadnavis on Monday night sought a report from Pune police commissioner, an official said in Mumbai. Fadnavis has sought a detailed report from the Pune commissioner of police about the alleged baton-charge on the divyang march, the official said, adding the CM also asked his cabinet colleague Dilip Kamble to look into the issue. Kamble, who hails from Pune, is the minister of state for social justice. A police official said the youth tried to take out a rally and block the road despite having permission only for a sit-in protest. We used mild force on them to bring the situation under control, he added. Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra legislative assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil of the Congress slammed the police action and said the BJP-led government should apologise to the protesters and accept all their demands. Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde demanded the chief ministers resignation over the alleged baton-charge incident. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray said the government will have to bear the curse of the protesters. Meanwhile, the protesters continued their agitation and refused to budge till their demands are met. As the agitators blocked roads and disrupted traffic, police used a little force to bring the situation under control. However, the allegations of a full baton-charge are not correct, the police officer said. The protesters said issuance of disability certificates to persons without disabilities be stopped immediately, and those who secured government jobs under deaf quota through fraudulent means be asked to appear for re-examination. February 25, 2019 16:43 IST The leadership of the NSCN-K is scheduled to join the peace negotiations in March as part of the Naga National Political Group with Government of Indias Interlocutor R N Ravi, reports Sujit Kumar Chakraborty. IMAGE: NSCN-K group's general secretary Isak Sumi (2nd from left) with the chairman of the Ceasefire Supervisory Board, Lt General Shokin Chauhan in Kohima on February 23, 2019. After a gap of four years, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang faction has officially joined in the peace negotiations with the Government of India. It attended the Ceasefire Supervisory Board meeting held on February 23 in Kohima, the capital of Nagaland. The chairman of the CFSB, Lt Gen (retired) Shokin Chauhan chaired the meeting with a three-member delegation of the NSCN-K faction. They are general secretary Isak Sumi, deputyy defence kilonser (kilonser means minister) Shilem Konyak, and Newel, kilonser and supervisor of the CFSB group. In March, the leadership of this group is scheduled to join the peace negotiations as part of the Naga National Political Group with Government of Indias Interlocutor R N Ravi. Saturdays CFSB meeting was mainly a familiarisation parade. However, the breakaway faction is believed to have told the chairman that they need at least two designated camps in Mon and Tizit region to house about 400-odd cadres and leaders of the group. They are scheduled to place the list of names in the next meeting, for the issue of identity cards, scheduled for the end of this week. It is reliably learnt that the new group would be allowed to set up one camp in Mon district of Nagaland for the time being. The chairman of CFSB is also scheduled to meet representatives of all other NSCN groups this week to discuss and ensure that ceasefire ground rules are honoured. It is pertinent to note that NSCN-K group based in Myanmar signed a ceasefire agreement with the Government of India in 2001 and in March 2015 unilaterally abrogated the agreement. On June 9, 2017, S S Khaplang, one of the top-ranking leaders of the Naga underground movement, breathed his last in his Myanmar headquarter. Subsequently, Indian origin Konyak Naga leader, Khango Konyak, was chosen as Khaplangs successor. However, within three months, Khaplangs nephew, 45-year old Yung Aung, ousted Khango and took over the reins. Aung is a Heimei Naga and in the process the Indian-origin Naga leaders and his followers were given a safe passage to the Mon region of Nagaland state. Significantly, the breakaway NSCN-K faction has formally joined the Naga National Political Group. This six-group combo constituted a working committee in December 2016 and, in September 2017, Government of Indias interlocutor R N Ravi invited the NNPG for its first meeting. Since then they have attended over 50 meetings in different places and finally signed an agreement in November last year. In the agreement the Government of India has recognised the political and historical rights of the Nagas to self determine their future in consonance with their distinct identity and both sides are believed to have agreed to work out a relationship that is honourable, inclusive and enduring for peaceful co-existence. Now the entry of a new group in the NNPG will no doubt take some more time to work out the final peace agreement. Delay in signing Naga peace accord Although Nagas are mounting pressure on the Government of India for an early solution to the long-awaited peace talks, the process is expected to take a final shape after the formation of a new government at the Centre. On February 23 the Nagas organised a Global Naga Mass Rally in the national capital demanding an early solution to the ongoing Indo-Naga peace talks. But it is unlikely to happen. Naga interlocutor R N Ravi is scheduled to visit Nagaland on February 26 to interact with different Naga civil society organisations, besides students and youth of the state, to gauge the overall situation. Said a senior NSCN leader on condition of anonymity, Now the Government of India is in election mood. For any solution with Nagas, the Government of India has to convene Parliament and amend certain provisions of the Constitution to accommodate our demands. Also, any such step at this juncture might create unnecessary tension in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam since a sizeable Naga population is inhabiting all three states. Another important aspect is that if the Modi government returns to power, we have to just continue the peace process. But if a new government takes over in Delhi, everything has to begin from zero. So Nagas are restless and confused today. Internal bickering The internal bickering within NNPG and NSCN-IM has also come out into the open. NSCN-IM supremo Th Muivah, in an interview recently, blamed the NNPG combo for acting as a parallel force propped up by the Government of India against the NSCN-IM. The NNPG took serious exception to Muivahs comment and said, Even after two decades of negotiations with the Government of India the narrative of Mr Muivah has not changed. We consulted wide sections of Naga society during our talks with the Government of India in past two years. We are sure that both the entities have understood each others position and have touched all aspects of the Indo-Naga conflict and worked on the redressal for enduring peaceful co-existence as two entities. The ongoing process is leading to its logical conclusion between NNPGs and Government of India and no one should try to fool and mislead the Naga people anymore. In fact, the entry of the Khango Konyak led NSCN-K faction to the NNPG combo has further enraged the NSCN-IM group. Initially, in October last year, the NSCN-IM leadership interacted with the Khango Konyak group and invited them to join the NSCN-IM. But after a series of interactions with the people in the Konyak region, the breakaway faction of NSCN-K decided to join the NNPG combo which is a combination of different Naga tribed of Nagaland. The NSCN-IM is mainly dominated by the Tangkhul Naga tribe of Manipur and the Sema tribe of Dimapur, Nagaland. The Konyak tribe is the most ferocious force and they constitute about 40 per cent in the rank and file. Naturally, the entry of Khango Konyak faction in the NNPG has provided an advantage to the Government of India while bargaining with the NSCN-IM Collective Leadership on few unresolved issues like the use of Naga flag, separate Naga constitution to establish Naga identity, and some of the nomenclatures in the final peace accord. Now, it remains to be seen how the Government of India tackles all these aspects of the ongoing peace talks while working out a lasting peace accord. Source: February 25, 2019 19:29 IST A parliamentary panel on Monday asked micro-blogging site Twitter to address issues in real-time and engage more with the Election Commission of India ahead of general elections and also summoned senior officials of other social media platforms Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram on March 6. This was informed by Anurag Thakur, chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology, after a nearly three-and-a-half-hour meeting with Global Vice President of Public Policy for Twitter Colin Crowell and other officials of the micro-blogging platform. Thakur said Twitter officials were asked to "engage more" with the ECI and address issues on a "real-time" basis. The Twitter officials were told that there should not be any "international interference" in the Lok Sabha polls. Sources said the social media platform was categorically asked to ensure the forthcoming elections are not undermined and influenced by foreign entities. This message to the micro-blogging site was in an apparent reference to numerous complaints of interference by social media platforms in the United States elections, they said. Thakur said Twitter officials replied to most questions and would submit replies to remaining queries in writing in 10 days. The panel, which hear the views of the representatives of Twitter on 'safeguarding citizens rights on social/online news media platforms', has also summoned public policy heads of Facebook, WhatsApp and Platform, he said. Sources also revealed that Thakur read out a letter addressed to him by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey during the meeting. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. February 25, 2019: The global temporary labor market size is estimated to reach USD 673.43 billion by 2025, registering a CAGR of 6.4% from 2019 to 2025, according to a new study conducted by Grand View Research, Inc. Soaring need to employ temporary labor to offset labor shortages while handling additional projects or during peak periods is expected to drive the temporary labor market. Surging use of latest and advanced technologies, including augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), in recruitment processes is allowing recruiters to select best workforce. Small and medium enterprises across the world are increasingly hiring employees on temporary basis to reduce costs and provide flexible staff on an as-needed basis. This is likely to boost the growth of the market over the forecast period. Download sample Copy of This Report at: https://www.radiantinsights.com/research/temporary-labor-market/request-sample There is an increasing demand for temporary workforce required during execution phase of development programs launched by various governments. At the same time, several nations are introducing guest worker programs, which envisage allowing foreign workers to work in host nation on a temporary basis as temporary workers. For instance, in the U.S., the H-2A and H-2B programs allow farm owners to bring in low-skilled workers for agricultural and non-agricultural tasks, respectively; provided these tasks are temporary, after applying formally to the Department of Labor (DOL). An employer is not obliged to provide retirement security, health insurance, and other compensations to temporary workers. In other words, enterprises can reduce average cost of hiring and prevent additional overhead costs from incurring by opting for temporary labor services. Moreover, organizations are free to hire temporary workers whenever they are required, for example, while handling additional projects and during peak periods. Such benefits bode well for the global temporary labor market. Access This Full Report @ https://www.radiantinsights.com/research/temporary-labor-market Further key findings from the study suggest: The management labor type segment is projected to post the highest CAGR of 11.0% during the forecast period. Intense competition is prompting organizations to hire temporary workers as part of their efforts to increase productivity, thereby propelling the market. The healthcare end-use segment is poised to witness the highest CAGR of 8.3% from 2019 to 2025, as increasing number of temporary workers are being deployed on healthcare programs and medical campaigns launched in various nations Europe will dominate the market throughout the forecast horizon. It is anticipated to reach USD 222.37 billion by 2025, owing to burgeoning popularity of online food ordering The key industry participants include Adecco; Allegis Group; Kelly Services, Inc.; ManpowerGroup Inc.; Randstad N.V.; Hays plc; Robert Half International Inc.; Express Services, Inc.; Westaff; and Persol Holdings Co. Ltd. About Radiant Insights Radiant Insights is a platform for companies looking to meet their market research and business intelligence requirements. We assist and facilitate organizations and individuals procure market research reports, helping them in the decision making process. We have a comprehensive collection of reports, covering over 40 key industries and a host of micro markets. In addition to over extensive database of reports, our experienced research coordinators also offer a host of ancillary services such as, research partnerships/ tie-ups and customized research solutions. For More Information, Visit Radiant Insights Contact: Michelle Thoras Corporate Sales Specialist, USA Radiant Insights, Inc Phone: 1-415-349-0054 Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519 Email: sales@radiantinsights.com Blog URL: http://ictmarketforecasts.wordpress.com February 25, 2019 08:46 IST Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday asked his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to 'give peace a chance' and assured him that he 'stands by' his words and will 'immediately act' if New Delhi provides Islamabad with 'actionable intelligence' on the Pulwama attack. Khan's remarks came a day after Modi in a rally in Rajasthan said, "There is consensus in the entire world against terrorism. We are moving ahead with strength to punish the perpetrators of terrorism... "The scores will be settled this time, settled for good...This is a changed India, this pain will not be tolerated...We know how to crush terrorism." Recalling his conversation with Khan during a congratulatory call after he became Pakistan's premier, Modi said he told him 'let us fight against poverty and illiteracy' and Khan gave his word -- saying he is a Pathan's son -- but went back on it. A statement released by the Pakistan Prime Minister's Office said, 'PM Imran Khan stand by his words that if India gives us actionable intelligence, we will immediately act.' PM Modi should 'give peace a chance', Khan said in the statement. Earlier on February 19 also, Khan assured India that he would act against the perpetrators of the deadly Pulwama terror attack, carried out by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group, if it shares 'actionable intelligence' with Islamabad, but warned New Delhi against launching any 'revenge' retaliatory action. India said Khan's offer to investigate the attack if provided proof is a 'lame excuse'. "It is a well-known fact that Jaish-e-Mohammad and its leader Masood Azhar are based in Pakistan. These should be sufficient proof for Pakistan to take action," the ministry of external affairs said. "The prime minister of Pakistan has offered to investigate the matter if India provides proof. This is a lame excuse. "In the horrific attack in Mumbai on 26/11, proof was provided to Pakistan. Despite this, the case has not progressed for the last more than 10 years. Likewise, on the terror attack on Pathankot airbase, there has been no progress. Promises of 'guaranteed action' ring hollow given the track record of Pakistan," it said. Khan said during his meeting with Modi in December 2015, 'we had agreed that since poverty alleviation is a priority for our region, we would not allow any terrorist incident to derail peace efforts, however, long before Pulwama, these efforts were derailed in September 2018'. The Pakistani premier was referring to India calling off the foreign minister-level talks with Pakistan in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September last year after following the 'brutal' killing of three Border Security Forces jawans by Pakistani soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the release of postal stamps 'glorifying' Kashmiri terrorist Burhan Wani by the Pakistan government. Last updated on: February 25, 2019 14:15 IST 'While US officials understand and accept India's desire for retaliation, they still don't want to encourage steps that would likely lead to war.' Daniel S Markey --- senior research professor in international relations and academic director, master of arts in global policy at the Paul H Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University -- is an authoritative American voice on events in South Asia. "Look for other versions of cross-border strikes that Indian leaders can describe as strong and punitive, but Pakistan can absorb without escalating dramatically," Professor Markey tells Rediff.com's Nikhil Lakshman. IMAGE: Indian Air Force Garud commandos participate in a drill during the IAF's Vayu Shakti 2019 at the IAF field firing range, Pokhran, Rajasthan, February 16, 2019. Photograph: Manvender Vashist/PTI Photo Do you believe the United Nations resolution condemning the Pulwama attack, Pakistan's actions against Jaish and Lashkar will satisfy the Indian government and prevent a military operation of some kind? Or do you think a military operation is inevitable? I believe that a limited military operation is inevitable for two reasons. First, PM Modi is under considerable domestic pressure in this pre-election period. Second, from a strategic perspective, PM Modi has made a point of attempting to set new 'red lines' with Pakistan and to demonstrate that any attack of this sort will be met with a muscular response, all as a means to establish a more effective deterrent. What kind of military operation is this likely to be -- a reprise of the September 2016 surgical strike or something involving greater firepower and possible attacks from the air? Can Indian risk a military operation with all the risks of a Pakistani response and likely escalation? I imagine that India's preferred option would be some version of the 2016 'surgical strikes', which would permit the Indian government to punish Pakistan without forcing the two sides into a further escalation of violence. However, my understanding is that current weather conditions complicate that approach, and lesser steps are considered inadequate, so other options have been explored. Air strikes are riskier, in that they could fail, or lead Pakistan to retaliate in kind. The diversion of river water comes with other risks, as it militarises a vital resource in ways that harm common people. India is itself vulnerable as a lower riparian to China, so such strategies must proceed with caution. So look for other versions of cross-border strikes that Indian leaders can describe as strong and punitive, but Pakistan can absorb without escalating dramatically. Do you believe the ISI/Pakistan's Deep State has been stoking fires in Kashmir after Burhan Wani's death in July 2016? Or do you believe the terrorism that one currently encounters in the Kashmir valley is a consequence of local anger and angst and a reaction to the Modi government's handling of the situation in the state? Could this terrorism have grown without Pakistani backing? No one needs an American history lesson on Kashmir. But this dispute is not new and has many causes, both internal and external. My belief is that the politics of Kashmir have deteriorated in ways that could produce horrific violence, and that not every specific incident requires direct Pakistani support. That said, India is not alone in its frustration and anger over Pakistan's policies on terrorist groups. Iran, Afghanistan, and the United States have all loudly and frequently voiced their anger about similar matters. The response to the Pulwama attack from President Trump's national security adviser -- that India has every right to self defence -- reflects a view widely shared in US policy circles. How do you account for the resurgence of Jaish e Mohammad and its equation with the ISI and Pakistani army? After all, this is an organisation that twice tried to assassinate a Pakistani military ruler. Why did Generals Kayani, Sharif and Bajwa sanction Jaish's resurrection? Was it because the ISI wanted, as one former RA&W officer wrote on Rediff.com, to take the global scrutiny away from Lashkar e Tayiba after 26/11? The specific motivations and calculations of ISI about issues of this nature are opaque to me. I have, however, been impressed by the extent to which some Pakistani security officials seem to believe they can manage or control these groups, even as history shows how risky and dangerous that can be. The murky world of spy games with terrorists is not one I understand fully, but like statecraft in general, it frequently encourages 'deals with lesser devils' and a dubious morality. The secrecy surrounding these policies simultaneously shields them from a healthy accountability and introduces the potential for real confusion and speculation. Many fear that a peace settlement in Afghanistan will bring hordes of Islamist terrorists to India's door. Do you share that apprehension? Has the United States not factored the possibility of Islamist terror undermining one of its closest allies in Asia? India indeed paid a price duing the last period of Taliban rule in Afghanistan, so there should be no surprise that many Indians view a peace settlement with apprehension. At present, no one can guarantee that a new peace settlement will keep Afghanistan from reverting to civil war and partial (or full) Islamist rule. The United States has clearly factored these risks into its current policies, but the Trump administration (like Obama before) also believes that the only realistic path to progress involves some sort of political negotiation and settlement. The past 17 years has shown the war cannot, as they say, be won on the battlefield. Part of the negotiations will undoubtedly centre on the issue of how the United States can retain a residual counter-terror presence in Afghanistan, even if all (or nearly all) of US uniformed military are withdrawn. Does the Trump administration even care about what is happening in our part of the world and the dangers that lie in the future? Do you believe the US is involved in trying to calm tempers down in South Asia? Are countries like France playing the role the US should have played? Certain members of the Trump administration, and of the US government more generally, care deeply about what happens in South Asia. Some are also very eager to assert American leadership on a wide range of global issues. Unfortunately, President Trump has proven himself not to be a skilled or well-informed statesman. This has undermined the American position with allies, friends, and adversaries. Other States may attempt to step into the vacuum, and we can hope those efforts will be helpful, but they necessarily lack the power and capacity that the United States has historically brought to bear in similar circumstances. Do you believe the US will condone -- perhaps even back -- an Indian military operation? NSA John Bolton told NSA Ajit Kumar Doval that he understands India's need to defend itself. Is the US support likely to be limited to a surgical strike kind of mission -- or something larger in scope to deliver a clear message to Pakistan that it cannot deny as it did the September 2016 strike? Bolton's message to Doval was, by my eye, not entirely different from messages delivered by the Obama administration in 2016. They reflect a wider American frustration with the problem of terrorist safe havens inside Pakistan. That said, US-Pakistan relations have deteriorated over the past two years, and there has been even less concern within the Trump administration about the risks associated with coercing or punishing Islamabad. Still, President Trump's basic statement -- that it would be 'wonderful' if India and Pakistan could get along -- reflects a deeper truth: No one in Washington wants to see another war, or near-war, between India and Pakistan. So while US officials understand and accept India's desire for retaliation, they still don't want to encourage steps that would likely lead to war. Finally, your forecast for Kashmir, for India, for Pakistan, for Afghanistan in the next 18 months. I do not have a crystal ball. All of these issues are marked by high levels of unpredictability. That said, I anticipate that this latest Kashmir/Indo-Pak crisis will resolve without serious escalation and that Afghan talks will drag on in ways that permit a reduction of US military forces, but not a complete American withdrawal by the end of the Trump administration. All things considered, this would be the best, realistic outcome in that time frame. February 25, 2019 13:48 IST Owing to the risk perception attached with the segment by banks, the residential realty segment has been increasingly relying on non-banking finance companies and housing finance companies to raise debt financing, reports Abhijit Lele. Photograph: Reuters Banks have highlighted issues like delay in project completion, lack of fund sources, divergence of money, governance and defaults as reasons for their hesitation to take up additional exposure to the real estate sector. This comes after Union minister Piyush Goyal's statement that bankers will meet real estate players in a forthright. The sector has been hit hard by demonetisation and the Real Estate Regulations (RERA). This is in addition to challenges like delays in project completion, questionable sources of funds and divergence of money and weak project management practices, bankers said. A few days ago, while addressing a Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India event in Delhi, interim finance minister Piyush Goyal had said that within the next 7-15 days, the Indian Banks' Association will hold a meeting with the real estate players to help increase funding to the sector. The minister also assured that goods and services tax (GST) rates would be brought down soon for the sector, which has been facing a demand slack. "There is a real problem (being faced by the realty sector)," Goyal said. Public sector bankers dealing in housing finance said the sector is in transition, showing the effects of RERA. Many of the builders have taken huge exposures and inventories (housing units and commercial places) are piling up. The returns are coming down. Some of them are defaulting, which is matter of concern for lenders. After Reserve Bank India's February 12, 2018, circular on restructuring of stressed loans, which is more stringent, things have become tight. So, there is hesitation to take additional exposure to the already risky sector, pointed out a private banker. The loans to commercial real estate sector from banks have grown by just 4.1 per cent in 12 months in December 2018. The outstanding loans to commercial real estate stood at Rs 1.9 trillion, according to RBI data. Rating agency ICRA, in its outlook on the real estate sector, said the residential realty segment has been increasingly relying on non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and housing finance companies (HFCs) to raise debt financing. This is owing to the risk perception attached with the segment by banks. The liquidity crunch faced by the NBFC and HFC segment towards the mid of FY2019 has impacted fund availability to the real estate sector. If the current scenario persists in FY2020, it may cause credit stress to developers who are reliant on refinancing to support balance sheets on land assets or slow-moving inventory, ICRA added. February 25, 2019 09:40 IST To become an algorithmic trader, you need three things: Knowledge of financial markets, quantitative skills, and coding skills, suggests Nitesh Khandelwal. Photograph: Kind courtesy Pixabay.com A person planning to start a new business tries to figure out the critical factors that will contribute to its success. In other words, s/he focuses on the competitive advantages, if any, that s/he has over others. For a person who wants to trade successfully in the stock markets, the key competitive advantages can be profitable trading strategies, good technology and infrastructure, quality research and risk management, among others. Algorithmic trading, which was allowed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India in India in 2008, offers an opportunity to acquire the necessary edge, provided it is done in the right way. Before the advent of computers, traders used to rely on their own strategies, which were dependent on level of exposure to the market, understanding the way the markets work, and use of technical indicators like simple moving average (SMA), Bollinger bands, moving average convergence-divergence (MACD), and so on. There has been a sea change with the advent of algorithmic and quantitative trading. Algorithmic trading basically involves the use of a defined set of instructions to generate trading signals and place orders in an automated way. Ever since it was approved, algorithmic trading has grown rapidly and now contributes close to 50% of the trading volumes of the exchanges. Today, instead of struggling to find opportunities by themselves while the markets race ahead rapidly, traders are automating their trading strategies to generate and execute a signal whenever an opportunity arises. Develop your skills: To become an algorithmic trader, you need three things: Knowledge of financial markets, quantitative skills, and coding skills. An algo trader's knowledge of financial markets could be as basic as knowing a company's past earnings, or could extend to something as complicated as analysing a company's financial statements. Begin by learning basic concepts such as price to earnings (P/E) ratio, order-to-trade ratio, option spreads, etc. Gradually, you can move on to acquire knowledge of advanced concepts which you can subsequently integrate into your trading strategy. Quantitative skills mean the ability to handle and interpret large amounts of data. A quantitative analyst working in the financial markets uses various logical and statistical analyses tools to model data and seek the pattern in underlying factors. S/he uses them to arrive at a decision. Some level of proficiency in handling and interpreting data will go a long way towards making you a successful algo trader. If you learn coding skills, you will be able to develop a software programme that will both generate and execute your buy and sell signals. Once you have developed a winning quantitative strategy, all that remains is to code it. Many traders think of coding as an optional skill since a large variety of over-the-counter algorithmic trading programmes are available in the market. However, learning to code gives the trader a few basic advantages. The foremost among them is that s/he will at least be able to understand the code that s/he is deploying. But learning to code offers several other advantages as well. One, if a trader knows how to code her/his strategies, s/he can reduce dependency on someone else, resulting in faster and more accurate deployment of her/his strategies. Two, her/his trading strategy, which is her/his secret sauce and her/his intellectual property, remains with her/him. The moment a trader hands it over to someone for the purpose of coding, there is always the risk that it could be stolen. Most traders nowadays prefer to use Python. This is the most popular programming language in financial markets across the globe. If all this sounds intimidating, do not worry as it is not hard to gain these skills. Both free and paid professional courses are available that can help you understand the stock markets and mentor you to develop your own unique algorithmic trading strategy. Back test your strategy: Once you have created your own strategy, you will need to test it. You need a back-testing platform to test whether the trading strategy you intend to deploy is a winner. If the algorithm can take the historical data provided by the back-testing platform and generate good returns from it, then it might be a good strategy. However, you should be careful not to overfit the algorithm to match the data, as it could affect its proficiency once it is applied in live trading. If you are still apprehensive about becoming an algorithmic trader, there are stock market simulators available on the Internet that let you practise your trading strategies in the live market. You can practise for a while to make sure your strategy works and then start live trading with greater confidence. After back-testing, you can move to the last step, which is live trading. Currently, there are several brokers who provide a platform on which you can set up your algorithmic strategies and start trading. Finally, a lot of people harbour the misconception that one needs a lot of capital to begin algorithmic trading. This is not true. You can begin algo trading even with a modest sum. It is only if you are into high-frequency trading that you need a considerable amount of capital. The rise of technology and data sciences is changing the way various industries work. In the years to come, they are going to play a big role in the financial markets as well. If you can master quantitative and algorithmic trading now, you will surf the coming wave easily, instead of being hit by changes that you are unable to fathom or deal with. Nitesh Khandelwal is CEO and co-founder, QuantInsti. February 25, 2019 17:22 IST The scheme, which would give Rs 6,000 to small farmers in a year or Rs 500 a month, will add more money to the account of these cultivators than the money he/she saves every month on an average. PM-KISAN, an income support scheme announced in the interim Budget, is likely to help not just land-owning farmers, but also those who cultivate land under formal, informal or oral contracts as official or unofficial tenants, at least in some states. Besides, the scheme, which would give Rs 6,000 to small farmers in a year or Rs 500 a month, will add more money to the account of these cultivators than the money he/she saves every month on an average. For example, an average farmer who cultivates less than 1 acre saves only Rs 465 per month (income minus consumption). An addition of Rs 500 per month would double his savings, or boost his consumption. As we go up the land holding size, the relative size of the cash support would reduce. The scheme would be of the biggest benefit to rural households from Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Uttarakhand. Monthly savings of average households in these states are less than Rs 500 per month, according to the All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. The Agriculture Census 2015-16 used as the basis to determine the universe of beneficiaries (125 million) for the scheme - defines a farmer using an indicator called operational land holdings. This is different from land ownership, as the document puts it. The basic statistical unit for data collection (in the agriculture census) is operational holding rather than ownership holding, as the farm-level decisions are taken by persons who operate the land and not those who own it, the Agriculture Census report of 2015-16, published in October 2018, says. The last conducted Census of 2011 gives a different measure, and adds to the confusion. While the socioeconomic and caste census (SECC) puts land-owing households at 78 million, main Census puts the number of cultivators across land sizes at 119 million. These estimates are considerably lower than the 125 million small and marginal farmers, who form the beneficiary universe of PM-KISAN. Agriculture ministry officials say in some states, even tenants get recorded as farmers in the operational landholdings. But it might not hold true for other states. There is no official data on the extent of tenancy in India. But micro-studies have shown that it is generally more than what our national surveys record, which is an underestimate. "Due to this, it is highly likely that the agriculture census also captures tenant farmers, said S Mahendra Dev, agriculture economist and the director of Indira Gandhi Institute Development Research. Officials say land ownership records are available only with the states, and that they will be the final arbiters for identification of beneficiaries. Sometimes, even when a tenant is tilling the land for many years, it is possible that mutation in land record in the revenue registry is not done, said an official. This suggests that even those who own negligible land, or labourers who do not own any, could benefit from the scheme. Now, the average income of a farmer household in India is Rs 8,931 a month. This is across land classes, for small as well as large farmers put together. But the biggest cohort among farmers is that which cultivates less than 1 acre of land. Their monthly income is Rs 6,650. But, their consumption expenditure - that on food, health, education, transport, interest on debt and other essential things - is Rs 6,185 a month. If we look at monthly cash savings by all rural households, the Nabard survey says an average rural household in Maharashtra saves Rs 2,117 per month. But that in Jharkhand saves only Rs 310 per month. For Gujarat, the monthly surplus stands at Rs 3,028, but for UP, it is Rs 315. Andhra Pradesh forms the lowest rung of the ladder, with an average saving of Rs 95 a month. If the money comes at the beginning of the sowing season, it will be spent on farm activities. "But if it arrives in, say, March, when there is no farming season on, it is possible that the money is spent on health or other consumption, Siraj Hussain, former agriculture secretary, said. Photograph: Parth Sanyal/Reuters February 25, 2019 08:30 IST Noel Tata likes to relax at his Alibaug beach home on weekends, but he is equally passionate about driving on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway at a speed of over 100 kilometres per hour. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com Noel Naval Tata, 62, who is to join the Tata Trusts as a trustee, has contrasting traits to his personality. He likes to relax at his Alibaug beach home on weekends, but he is equally passionate about driving on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway at a speed of over 100 kilometres per hour. Like his personal preferences, Noel, the half-brother of Ratan Tata and brother-in-law of former Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry, took contrarian bets in Trent, the groups retail venture, which he has headed all these years. When Mukesh Ambanis Reliance, Aditya Birla and others aggressively expanded during 2007-2012, Trent was cautious about expansion in an uncertain environment. Trent chose profitability over scale and Noel ensured that each store was profitable before opening next, say people close to him. Trent's Star Bazaar first opened a store in 2004, and he took almost four years to open the next store. Cut to 2017-18 when the Birlas and Rahejas were selling their loss-making retail ventures and most others scaled down the expansion, Trent has been expanding its department store chain, Westside, and Star branded grocery stores like never before. It took 10 years to open 40 Westside stores; now, it proposes to open 40 Westside stores and similar number of Star stores in FY19. When most chains struggled to remain profitable, Trent was among the few retailers that was consistently profitable. It posted a net profit of Rs 87 crore on sales of Rs 2,347 crore in FY18, while competitor Future group's key listed companies reported a net profit of Rs 104 crore on sales of Rs 33,363 crore, and Reliance Retail made Rs 1,243 crore profit on sales of Rs 51,456 crore in the same year. Trent sales grew 12.6 per cent, profits grew 10 per cent and market cap grew 27.4 per cent on a compounded annual growth basis. Retail industry veterans also recall how Trent marched past Future and Bharti group in sealing a deal with the UKs Tesco, and Tata was instrumental in signing the deal with global chain Zara. "Noel Tata understands the psyche of Indian consumers well and has created a value for shareholders. "By virtue of that, he should be on the board of Tata Sons," a former Trent executive says. The executive adds that it was Tatas idea to have majority of Westsides merchandise as private labels to drive margins and synergies between different formats. About 80 per cent of the merchandise sold at Westside comprises private labels, which carry margins of over 40 per cent in categories such as apparel. In comparison, Shoppers Stop and Lifestyle have about 20 per cent sales coming from private labels. Trents focus on developing synergies between Westside, its flagship store, and Star Bazaar, its hypermarket, has also helped rationalise costs. Stars apparel division is supported by Westside and Westsides gourmet division is supported by Star, the executive added. Another firm, Tata International, the export arm of the group, which Noel has headed is also growing fast. Its sales grew six times in the past five years. Tata International is focusing a lot on exporting to the US and Latin America after Noel joined the firm, said the executive. People close to him also say that his media-shy nature will help him when he takes on the bigger role at Tata Trusts. Last updated on: February 25, 2019 09:00 IST While the five years of the Modi government have indeed seen a healthy increase in PSUs outlay and the Budgetary support for them, the next years numbers reveal the squeeze in the governments own resources even though it is expecting a much higher dividend income from the PSUs. These do not augur well for the PSUs in 2019-20 and the years ahead, unless these numbers are revisited and, hopefully, revised in the full Budget that will be presented later in July this year, says A K Bhattacharya. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com How has the Narendra Modi government managed the financial and investment needs of Indias public sector undertakings (PSUs)? The Union Budgets for the last five years tell us an interesting story. The popular narrative so far has been that the Modi government has squeezed public sector outlays and the total investments of PSUs grew at a tardy pace in this period. But take a look at the five years of the Modi government, the story looks a little different. Total capital outlay for PSUs in 2013-14, the last year of the Manmohan Singh government, was estimated at Rs 3.32 trillion. This was about 21 per cent of the Union governments total expenditure that year and a little less than 3 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP). In 2018-19, the last year of the Modi government, the total capital outlay for PSUs has risen by over 163 per cent to Rs 8.74 trillion, accounting for about 36 per cent of the total government expenditure this year. Even as a share of GDP, PSU outlay has gone up to 4.64 per cent. The number of PSUs covered by these outlays has not declined significantly -- their numbers have gone down from 146 in 2013-14 to 139 in 2018-19. A similar trend is noticeable for the total resources that have been made available for PSUs during these five years. From Rs 2.58 trillion in 2013-14, these have increased to Rs 6.44 trillion in 2018-19. Thus, PSU resources have gone up from being about a fifth of the Union governments total Budget expenditure in 2013-14 to a little more than a third of the Union governments total expenditure in 2018-19. Their share in GDP has gone up from 2.29 per cent to 3.42 per cent in the same period. The governments Budgetary support to PSUs, also, has increased significantly in these five years. It has gone up from Rs 0.69 trillion in 2013-14 to Rs 2.29 trillion in 2018-19. Its share in the total Budget expenditure has doubled from 4.43 per cent to 9.34 per cent. Similarly, the share of Budgetary support in GDP has risen from 0.62 per cent to 1.22 per cent in this period. Budgetary support for the PSUs includes the governments equity contribution and loans. It is important to note that even by way of equity contribution, the governments allocation for PSUs has gone up from Rs 0.64 trillion (4 per cent of total government spending) in 2013-14 to Rs 2.12 trillion (8.64 per cent of total government spending). Even loans have risen at a similar pace from Rs 5,497 crore to Rs 17,100 crore in this period. While the government has kept raising its allocations for PSUs through higher overall investment and Budgetary support, PSUs internal ability to raise their own resources have taken a hit. This is a disturbing trend that could have adverse long-term implications for the PSUs. Internal resources of PSUs, which are generated from their profits and retained earnings, have grown at a much slower pace, from Rs 1.72 trillion in 2013-14 to Rs 1.98 trillion in 2018-19. Worse, as per cent of the governments total expenditure, the internal resources generated by PSUs have fallen from 11 per cent to 8 per cent in this period. Even as per cent of GDP, they have declined from 1.53 per cent in 2013-14 to 1.05 per cent. A lower pace of increase in PSUs internal resource generation would suggest a decline in their overall financial performance. However, the government has continued to secure for itself a decent increase in its dividend income from these PSUs in this period. This is yet another disturbing trend as far as the prospects of PSUs long-term financial health are concerned. Dividends income for the government from PSUs (excluding financial sector companies like the public-sector banks) has risen from Rs 25,921 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 45,124 crore in 2018-19. A bigger cause for concern emanates from the interim Budgets projections on the PSUs finances for 2019-20. The total capital outlay for PSUs for the coming year will go down by 14 per cent to Rs 7.48 trillion, compared to Rs 8.74 trillion in 2018-19. Similarly, the governments Budgetary support for the PSUs would decline by a bigger margin of 43 per cent to Rs 1.3 trillion in 2019-20, compared to Rs 2.29 trillion in 2018-19. Not surprisingly, the governments equity contribution to PSUs will also drop by 47 per cent to Rs 1.13 trillion in 2019-20. But the PSUs internal resources generation is expected to go up to Rs 2.2 trillion, an increase of 11 per cent over the amount in 2018-19. And the government expects the PSUs to pay up a much higher dividend amount of Rs 53,160 crore in 2019-20, an increase of about 18 per cent over the previous year. In sum, while the five years of the Modi government have indeed seen a healthy increase in PSUs outlay and the Budgetary support for them, the next years numbers for PSUs reveal the squeeze in the governments own resources. Thus, total capital outlay for the PSUs has seen a drop, for the first time in the last four years. And even as the government has allocated less amount by way of equity support to the PSUs, it is expecting a much higher dividend income from them. These do not augur well for the PSUs in 2019-20 and the years ahead, unless these numbers are revisited and, hopefully, revised in the full Budget that will be presented later in July this year. Every week, we select the best police reports from Athens and the University of Georgia for our website and newspaper. Today, were selecting the best of this year so far. From alien abductions to a nude dude, here are our favorite blotters from January to now. 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! , We're sorry, this article is not currently available Property details: Fishing FreshWater Lake Upper Lake - Nice, Ca LAKE COUNTY NO RESERVE, NO MONTHLY PAYMENTS, HIGH BID OWNS LOT Clear Lake is a natural freshwater lake in Lake County, north of Napa County and San Francisco. It is the largest natural freshwater lake wholly within the state, with 68 square miles of surface area. Lakes have existed at the site for at least 2,500,000 years, possibly making it the oldest lake in North America. Known as the "Bass Capital of the West," Clear Lake supports large populatio... 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Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate With New York state easing some restrictions on late-term abortions and Virginia lawmakers proposing to do the same, the abortion debate has reignited across the United States and looks to be a hot-button issue in 2020. As in the past, the controversy over abortion pits the "pro-choice" view, favoring the autonomy and privacy of women, against the "pro-life" view, insisting that human life should be protected at any stage of development. The script is essentially unchanged, but the influential actors are different. The Supreme Court now has a decidedly conservative bend, making it likely that the justices will reinterpret the law as it was laid down in decisions like Roe v. Wade, Planned Parenthood v. Danforth, and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Collectively, those three decisions only allow states to restrict abortion rights after a fetus becomes "viable," the point at which it can survive outside the mother's uterus. With current medical care and technology, that fetal age is between 22 and 26 weeks. But a scientific breakthrough is on the horizon that could irrevocably alter the abortion debate as we know it. That breakthrough is the artificial uterus, which could drastically lower the developmental age at which an unborn baby is viable, potentially to as early as conception itself. At present, an artificial uterus with the latter capability is firmly in the realm of science fiction and likely will remain that way for some time. However, artificial uteruses capable of shrinking the age of viability to 15 weeks may not be that far off. In 2017, scientists at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia detailed their artificial womb that permitted premature lambs roughly comparable to 22- to 24-week human fetuses to develop healthily. At the time, the lead researcher, fetal surgeon Alan Flake, expressed to NPR his hopes to test the womb on human fetuses within the next three to five years. As artificial wombs arrive and push the age of fetal viability earlier and earlier, the debate over abortion will transition to one over "extraction." Imagine a world where the developing embryo is viable immediately at conception. Under current laws, states could potentially prohibit mothers from killing the fetus and require them instead to undergo an extraction procedure to place it in an artificial womb until it is ready to survive outside as a fully-formed baby. The question then would be whether or not the state has the right to force a woman to undergo such a procedure, which could be both invasive and risky. One could imagine another ethically fraught scenario. Currently, state agencies can remove children from negligent or abusive parents. With artificial wombs, could they also potentially mandate the removal of fetuses from pregnant women deemed not to be fulfilling standards of care during pregnancy if the expecting mother is using drugs, alcohol, or tobacco, for example. And, of course, in a world where terminating a pregnancy does not mean killing a fetus, we could see over 600,000 more babies born in the U.S. each year. Who will care for all of these potentially unwanted infants? Parents? States? Perhaps a mix, where parents of extracted babies are required to pay a tax so the state can care for them? In states with such monetary penalties, contraception rates would undoubtedly skyrocket. We might also see a thriving black market for present-day abortion procedures. As I. Glenn Cohen, a professor at Harvard Law School and faculty director of the schools Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics, wrote at Vox: "Once we go beyond the burdens of gestation as the justification for abortion and instead turn to the psychological, financial, and social burdens of unwanted parenthood, the potential of adoption to reduce but not completely eliminate some of those burdens may become relevant. While the invention of an artificial uterus for humans would end the abortion debate as we know it, the new controveries spawned will not be any easier to solve. That's why Alan Flake, creator of the artificial uterus for lambs, has no desire to test the limits of his revolutionary procedure. "I want to make this very clear: We have no intention and we've never had any intention with this technology of extending the limits of viability further back. I think when you do that you open a whole new can of worms," he told NPR. In recent years, some political leaders have raised concerns that many traditional Catholic and Jewish Americans are demonstrating more loyalty to the Vatican and Israel, respectively, than to American democratic principles. These concerns are not new. The 1930s saw similar anti-Jewish and anti-Catholic sentiments, but these were undermined by the promotion of a Judeo-Christian tradition that was instrumental in developing national unity during Word War II. Today, however, this tradition is at risk. In the early twentieth century, Catholic and Jewish loyalties to American values and democracy were questioned. In 1928, Al Smith's presidential campaign elicited anti-Catholic diatribes from many Protestant leaders. They justified their opposition because, they believed, the Catholic Church was an "un-American" and "alien culture" that opposed freedom and democracy. Presenting the official position of the National Lutheran Editors' and Managers' Association, Dr. Clarence Reinhold Tappert warned about, "the absolute allegiance [a Catholic] owes to a 'foreign sovereign' who does not only 'claim' supremacy also in secular affairs as a matter of principle and theory but who, time and again, has endeavored to put this claim into practical operation." At the time, anti-Catholicism was eclipsed by anti-Semitism and claims of dual loyalties. Following Adolf Hitler's ascendency, Jewish efforts to respond to Nazism were seen as putting religious interests before American interests. However, anti-Semitism among the Protestant elite centered much more on the perceived undermining of traditional American culture. The progressive Henry Ford spoke for many when he condemned Jewish efforts: "Frivolity, sensuality, indecency, appalling illiteracy are the marks of the American Stage as it approaches its degeneracy under Jewish control." This hostility was particularly intense with respect to Jewish efforts to bring black music to the center of popular culture. At the turn of the century, a leading music critic Daniel Gregory Mason wrote, "Ragtime is a rude noise which emerged from the hinterlands of brothels and dives, presented in a negroid manner by Jews [who have] oriental extravagance and sensuous brilliance." Twenty years later, Ford wrote, "Jazz is a Jewish creation. The mush, the slush, the sly suggestion, the abandoned sensuousness of sliding notes are of Jewish origin. Monkey talk, jungle squeals, grunts and squeaks and gasps suggestive of cave love are camouflaged by a few feverish notes." In his book "American Judaism: a History," the historian Jonathan Sarna writes, "In the face of worldwide anti-Semitic efforts to stigmatize and destroy Judaism, influential Christians and Jews in America labored to uphold it, pushing Judaism from the margins of American religious life toward its very center." The persistence of interdenominational intolerance led a group of religious leaders to form the National Conference of Christians and Jews. It organized chapters throughout the nation, stressing a unifying Judeo-Christian tradition, and instituted Brotherhood Day to combat religious prejudice. Their efforts were given a strong boost when the US entered World War II. Deborah Dash Moore documented how the Armed Forces embraced these views as a means of generating a unified fight force. In order to further this goal, all chaplains had to go through extensive training. The Standard Operating Procedure trained them to respect and surmount formal religious differences, and doctrinal disagreement had to be accommodated and subordinated to the demands of war and military requirements. The unity of purpose was exemplified by a much publicized wartime tragedy: the sinking of the SS Dorchester. The ship's multi-faith chaplains gave up their lifebelts to evacuating seamen and stood together "arm in arm in prayer" as the ship went down. A 1948 postage stamp commemorated their heroism with the words "interfaith in action." The unity fostered by the war effort carried over to the postwar period. Brotherhood Day was extended to Brotherhood Week and was widely observed. In addition, the notion of a unifying Judeo-Christian tradition fit well into the anti-Communism that flourished during the Cold War period. Unfortunately, dual loyalty claims have resurfaced in the last few years. In 2018, Senator Kamala Harris questioned a Catholic nominee to the Court of Appeals because he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, characterizing it as an extremist group because it follows church doctrine opposing same-sex marriages and abortion. This followed Senator Diane Feinstein's questioning another nominee because "the [Catholic] dogma lives loudly within you and that is a concern." The loyalty of Jewish supporters of Israel has also been questioned. When some Jewish legislators supported a bill regarding boycotts of Israel, newly elected Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) tweeted that they "forgot what country they represent." A few years earlier, then congressperson Keith Ellison said, "The United States foreign policy in the Middle East is governed by what is good or bad through a country of 7 million people [Israel]. A region of 350 million all turns on a country of 7 million." This did not hurt his standing as Ellison rose to become deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee. These current dual loyalty charges are troubling but given increased religious diversity with Islam and secularism most notable there are good reasons for sunsetting the use of the term Judeo-Christian tradition. Even if the term disappears, the goal of its wartime use must prevail. We must learn to respect and surmount these differences. Robert Cherry teaches at Brooklyn College and the author of Jewish and Christian Views on Bodily Pleasure: Their Origins and Relevance to the Twentieth Century (Wipf & Stock, 2018). WASHINGTON -- In 1964, Nelson Rockefeller, then the governor of New York, rose before the Republican National Convention to condemn "extremists" who had "no plan and no program to keep the peace and bring freedom to the world." Amidst the boos and catcalls from right-wingers on the floor, Rockefeller denounced those who "spread distrust," "engender suspicion" and "encourage disunity." "There is no place in this Republican Party," declared this stalwart of GOP progressivism, "for such hawkers of hate, such purveyors of prejudice, such fabricators of fear." You wonder what Rocky would make of a President Trump and the movement he has nurtured. And you sure wish someone like Rockefeller were around today to call his party back to reason and tolerance. The events of recent days ought to try the consciences of Republicans who know that extremism and hatred are wrong. Many in the party acknowledge -- usually in private -- that the president they have continued to back has rooted his political appeal in vicious attacks against his opponents and a free press. He has invented crises for the purpose of stoking dread and horror. And he targeted minority groups (immigrants especially) to harvest political support. In the meantime, the party as a whole has abandoned the embrace of civil rights and voting rights that had been, from the Lincoln era to Rockefeller's time, the GOP's calling card. Mimicking the segregationist Democrats of the past, Republicans have of late used the unfounded specter of voter fraud to justify voter ID laws and other measures squarely aimed at impeding access to the ballot box by African-Americans and the young. So there was a delicious irony to last week's unanimous ruling by the North Carolina Board of Elections that it was a Republican candidate for Congress, Mark Harris, who found himself accused of massive voter fraud. As a result, the board threw out the district's 2018 election results and called a new election. In 2017 Trump named a presidential commission that scoured the country for instances of in-person voter fraud that might justify the party's voter suppression efforts. It was such a bust that the commission itself had to be disbanded just eight months later. Impeding voting rights needs to be called what it is: an act of extremism. It is radically anti-democratic to keep your opponents from voting. Where are the Republicans who will speak out loudly and clearly against what their party has done in so many states that they controlled? An even more startling development was news that police in Maryland had arrested Christopher P. Hasson, a lieutenant in the Coast Guard and a self-identified white nationalist. The authorities said he stockpiled weapons and drew up a list of liberal politicians and commentators whom he hoped to kill. His catalog of targets included, among others, the House and Senate Democratic leaders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (whom he called "Sen blumen jew"), and MSNBC commentators Joe Scarborough, Ari Melber and Chris Hayes. Even if many Republicans have no problem these days labeling nearly all Democrats "socialists" based on the self-descriptions of a few in the party's ranks, it's obvious that no one should call out the entire GOP for the plotting of a fanatical would-be assassin. One can, however, ask all responsible Republicans to deplore right-wing fanaticism and to take the threat of homegrown white nationalist terrorism as seriously as they do terrorism inspired from abroad. It is entirely fair to imagine that the GOP (and, especially, the president) would have a lot more to say if Hasson had been, say, a Muslim. And it is important to examine the public statements of the president himself, his efforts to divide the country, and his constant demonizing of all those who oppose him. Let's go back to Rockefeller's words: Day after day, Trump truly is a hawker of hate, a purveyor of prejudice, and a fabricator of fear. Prejudice and fear are at the heart of his invocation of national emergency powers to build his wall, an abuse of authority that ought to horrify all who proudly call themselves "constitutional conservatives." The good news is that Republicans will soon have an opportunity to tell us who they are. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called a vote this week on a measure rejecting Trump's emergency declaration. The House is virtually certain to pass it. The Senate, by law, will be required to take it up. It's not too much to say that history will notice how many Republicans choose to separate themselves from Trump's extremism. (c) 2019, Washington Post Writers Group Vinton, IA (52349) Today Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Media figures regularly shriek in protest whenever President Trump besmirches the press as the enemy of the people. The phrase is jarring, no doubt. But heres an idea: The leaders in the Fourth Estate should quit behaving in ways that lend credence to the presidents caustic complaint. Just this past Friday, three at MSNBC, the Daily Beast, and HBO proved themselves fully deserving of Trumps denunciation. First, Michael Steele, a regular MSNBC contributor and former chairman of the Republican National Committee, appeared on that network with host Nicole Wallace, former communications director for George W. Bush. These two erstwhile conservative commentators prove that the cable news lights shine brightly for establishment Republicans willing to devote their professional lives to deranged disparagement of a president with the most conservative record since Ronald Reagan. Steele addressed the arrest of Coast Guard Lt. Christopher Paul Hasson, a maniacal white supremacist planning various attacks, especially targeting liberal luminaries in media and politics. Naturally Steele tied this lunatic to Trump. These are his [Trumps] people, right? Steele said. And hes not gonna thank law enforcement because hes probably not happy about what law enforcement did. Instead of challenging this absurd supposition with normal journalistic pushback, Wallace could be heard cheerleading the smear. Is that where we are? she responded, before gushing, Thats a brave thing to say. Well, no, Michael and Nicole, there was nothing brave about asserting that our commander-in-chief secretly wishes a disturbed member of our own military had murdered untold numbers of Americans. Far from brave, such shameful comments reveal the audacious activism of the resistance media so hell-bent on opposing this president that theyll suspend any semblance of reason to slander Donald Trump. Will Sommer of the Daily Beast chose not to denigrate our powerful president, but instead to attack a regular citizen, a working woman who happens to labor in the kitchen of a Trump property. Sommers article took muckraking to new lows as he detailed the Instagram posts of a pastry chef at Trumps Mar a Lago club in Florida. She happens to believe in QAnon, a widely discredited stream of conspiracy theories accusing prominent Democrats of various bizarre crimes. Regardless of the nuttiness of QAnon, this woman lives a quiet private life, she has no place at all in the public square, and her duties for Trump, as best anyone can tell, do not extend beyond cooking desserts. Her personal beliefs only make her a target for the bullies at the Daily Beast because she happens to bake for the wrong man. How is it possible that the editors at any respectable media operation could green-light such a public shaming of a private citizen? Taking his condescending cue from the Daily Beast, Bill Maher delivered a Friday night diatribe on his HBO Real Time show, dismissing the tens of millions of Americans who suffer the indignity of eking out an existence in red states. (Yes, Maher is a comedian, but his show is an influential forum for political commentary.) In a speech that would have made Hillary Baskets of Deplorables Clinton blush, Maher declared that red state voters are so pissed off. They dont hate us, they want to be us. On Academy Awards weekend, he reminded flyover state residents that there are no red carpets in Wyoming and that no one inquires about what they are wearing because the answer is always Target. Maher himself might be pissed off to learn that several annoying facts actually contradict his biased assumptions. For example, California has become the highest poverty-rate state in America. Is this largely due to liberal policy ineptitude a historic trend that coincides with California becoming virtually a one-party (Democratic) state ? Dont expect HBO or the mainstream media to spend any time trying to solve that riddle. Meanwhile, Americans are voting with their feet, increasingly flooding the freeway exit ramps to flee liberal enclaves. Realtor.com data show the top three states people left in 2018 are the blue bastions of California, New York, and Illinois. Mahers inaccurate and brazen contempt for millions of Americans he views as his inferiors reveals a not just hardened heart but an atrophied intellect. No one in management from MSNBC, the Daily Beast, or HBO has clarified any of these remarks or proffered an apology. They are comfortable accusing the president of sympathy for mass murder, vilifying a private citizen for her personal politics, and insulting anyone they deem unworthy of an Academy Award invite. If the chieftains of media truly detest the label enemy of the people, then perhaps they should stop acting like one. Sen. Dianne Feinstein was the target of a shaming campaign this weekend when Sunrise, a youth-based environmental movement, promoted a video of her speaking brusquely to a group of children about the Green New Deal resolution. The edited two-minute video, in which Feinstein comes off worse than in the full 15-minute exchange also shared by Sunrise, has racked up nearly 9 million views on Twitter, more than any Democrats 2020 presidential campaign announcement video. Many viewers surely agree with Sunrises characterization -- a senator treating committed, caring children with smugness + disrespect, justifying why young people desperately want new leadership in Congress. But we could use more politicians like Feinstein, who dont pat constituents on the head and fill them up with hot air, and instead actually engage and share their expertise, however unvarnished. Feinstein responds to the childrens heartfelt plea to support the Green New Deal by letting them know we have our own Green New Deal. As the group argues that the version sponsored by Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a moral necessity, Feinstein has a flash of defensiveness, Ive been doing this for 30 years. I know what Im doing. You come in here, and you say it has to be my way or the highway. I dont respond to that. Of course, the safe thing for a politician to do when faced with group of kid-lobbyists is thank them for participating in the democratic process, promise to take a look at whatever they are proposing, and move on with your day. Feinstein as an 85-year-old who beat back an electoral challenge from the left last year and probably will never appear on the ballot again felt no obligation to do the safe thing. She chose to show the children how the democratic process really works. She explained that theres no way to pay for the resolution they were promoting (the group protested Feinsteins assertion, perhaps not knowing that Ocasio-Cortez has argued that the Green New Deal should be financed with deficit spending) and that it cant pass the Senate because it lacks Republican support. She offered them copies of her own resolution; when asked how it differs from the Markey/Ocasio-Cortez version, she said it was precisely drafted [and] written by people that have spent their lives working on this that really believe you can get something done. She didnt go into specifics but offered future engagement, saying, You can take a look it, and if you have a problem with it, you can let me know, but I think it has a much better chance of passing. Feinsteins timeline is less rigid than that of the Green New Deal. Instead of a breakneck 10-year plan to end fossil fuel use, Feinstein proposes to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to zero as soon as possible and by no later than 2050. Whereas the Green New Deal is silent on pricing carbon pollution in deference to some leftists who argue that carbon taxes and cap-and-trade systems are too market-oriented Feinstein makes it central to her plan, directing the revenue generated back to taxpayers and to spur new zero-emission investments. One of the tense exchanges in the video shows the children urgently lecturing Feinstein that some scientists have said that we have 12 years to turn this around, and Feinstein counter-lecturing, [I]ts not going to get turned around in 10 years, then still more lecturing from the grown-up chaperones that the children are going to be living with these consequences from climate change. Climate activist Bill McKibben, reacting to the video in the New Yorker, sided with the youth [who] carry the moral authority and scoffed at Feinsteins mid-century conversion to renewable energy as insufficient. Scientists have told us what we must do and by when, writes McKibben. In fact, the timeline debate is not that simple. As NASA climate scientist Kate Marvel told Axios last month, 12 years isn't a deadline, and climate change isn't a cliff we fall off it's a slope we slide down. We don't have 12 years to prevent climate change we have no time. It's already here. And even under a business-as-usual scenario, the world isn't going to end in exactly 12 years." Climatologist Gavin Schmidt of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies added, All the time-limited frames are bulls---. The thing to push back against is the implicit framing that there is some magic global mean temperature or total emissions that separate 'fine' from 'catastrophic.' There just isn't. These statements, which recognize we are already feeling the impacts of climate change, arent meant to encourage lollygagging by our politicians. But they do open up the policy debate to more possibilities than a 10-year Green New Deal or global annihilation. Feinstein, being a practiced legislator, recognizes that flexible policies that can be phased in and adjusted over time have a better chance of being enacted than absolutist policies promising rapid, radical upheaval of our economy. Thats why she didnt flinch at the attempted moral scolding. In the full video, you can tell Feinstein is not trying to be a jerk, even though she is curt at times. She takes the time to talk with the children. She patiently shares her views and reads the letter the children presented. And at the end, she even helps one of the teenage activists apply for an internship with her. What she doesnt do is patronize or pander. She talks straight, treating them as the mature activists they are striving to be, and having faith they can handle a lesson in what real democracy looks like. This is not an example of a stodgy legislator collecting dust and thumbing her nose at the public while the world burns. This is an example of a very active legislator who has a different opinion and strategy on how to solve the climate crisis than some on the activist left. It may be surprising that she had the gumption to make those differences plain to a group of children, but perhaps because it, those children will grow up to be tougher, smarter activists. Does anyone really believe former Massachusetts Gov. William F. Weld just happened to launch a primary challenge to President Trump on his own? Weld, who ran for vice president on the Libertarian ticket in 2016, announced last week that he has formed an exploratory committee to run as a Republican in 2020. Of course, Weld could just be delusional. He may really think that Republicans are desperate for a Massachusetts liberal to make a bid to unseat the first truly conservative president in 30 years -- or just maybe he doesn't care about being president at all. Maybe he thinks he has a higher calling -- or a "higher loyalty" as that other turncoat James Comey put it -- and that he would be serving his country by weakening the president in order to assure a Democratic victory in 2020. Or he could be doing the bidding of powerful forces in the Republican Party who hold similar views, but dont want blood on their hands. Byron York had a piece out last week that suggests Never Trumpers face a dilemma because a primary challenge to the president might very well result in a socialist in the White House. But that assumes the Never Trumpers are true conservatives. No one could say that about Weld, who would be running far to the left of Trump. Honestly, I don't think Weld would pose any kind of serious danger to the president, and it might be amusing watching Trump turn Weld into a human pinata, but remember that the Fake News Media would be giving Weld the full "he's our guy" treatment, turning him into the second coming of St. McCain. So if Weld got 90 percent positive press coverage and Trump continued to garner his usual 93 percent negative coverage, who knows how much damage Weld could do. Campaigning in New Hampshire recently, he said that Trump is simply too unstable to carry out the duties of the highest executive office which include the specific duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed in a competent and professional matter. Echoes of the McCabe-Rosenstein 25th Amendment putsch there, dont you think? Or for that matter, echoes of another former Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney, who began his Senate career with a New Years Day op-ed in the Washington Post that questioned Trumps character and capacity. Thought by some to be Romneys trial balloon for his own primary challenge of the president, it instead turned out to be a death warrant for Romneys political future outside the comforting confines of Utah. But lets face it. The prospect of Romney running for president just weeks after taking office as senator (and with the generous endorsement of Trump) was a bit unseemly, but not impossible for someone as politically tone deaf as he has always proven to be. So if Romney still believes America cant live without him, I find it entirely plausible that he could support a Eugene McCarthy-like insurgent candidacy to wound President Trump and take him out of the picture in 2020. Enter William Weld the one-time GOP governor and most recently Libertarian running mate to Gary Johnson in 2016. How convenient for Romney that another liberal Massachusetts Republican has decided to nip at Trumps heels for the next year or so, by which time it would be less unseemly for the first-term senator to take a stab at Trump (et tu, Mittens?) Of course, there is a chance that Weld is really gaming the system for his own benefit, and plans to use his windmill-tilt of a GOP candidacy to build up enthusiasm for another run on the Libertarian ticket, this time on the top end. (Will Gary Johnson repay the favor and play second fiddle this time around? Enquiring minds want to know!) We cannot sit passively as our precious democracy slips quietly into darkness, Weld told a New Hampshire audience, this time echoing Jeff Bezos pretentious Washington Post slogan. Heck, Weld is so far left as a Republican that he may actually be running just to position Romney as a level-headed centrist. Actual collusion between Weld and Romney? No more likely than the chance of collusion between a capitalist American billionaire running for president and the Russian strongman, but who knows? Maybe we should put Weld and Romney under oath and get to the bottom of this attempt to undermine democracy (which dies in darkness, lets not forget). Speaking of the fake Russian dossier, maybe we should swear in former FBI director James Comey, too. Although Comey said he would never run for elected office, let alone president, we all know that his higher calling includes a tendency to prevaricate when convenient, especially when talking to the press or Congress. If Weld is not a stalking-horse for a Romney candidacy, I am putting a side bet on Comey as the next most likely candidate for electoral collusion. When Comey was a young attorney working for the criminal division of the U.S. Attorneys Office for the now infamous Southern District of New York, his boss was none other than Bill Weld, who served as assistant attorney general for the Criminal Division of the U.S. Justice Department from 1986-1988. Perhaps its no coincidence that the Southern District is reportedly preparing several criminal cases against the Trump Organization and/or members of the Trump family. When Weld eventually drops his quixotic candidacy and Romney decides he doesnt want to be the most hated man in America, imagine the excitement when High Horse Comey is drafted by the Republicans to rescue them from themselves! Finally, an election conspiracy that actually pays off in his dreams! Nearly a dozen members of a group of 87 Christian and other religious-minority refugees from Iran -- who were marooned in Austria for 2 years -- recently began enjoying a series of joyful reunions with family and friends in Los Angeles. Arriving at the airport to the welcoming arms of aunts, uncles, cousins and other extended family members seemed almost surreal after their arduous, 29-month travail, lawyers for the group said. The asylum seekers sold all their worldly possessions and left their jobs and life in Iran only to become stranded in Vienna with little hope they would ultimately make it to the U.S. If forced to return to Iran, they would undoubtedly be labeled traitors and face imprisonment or worse a fear that loomed over them as they waited while their funds were depleted week by week, month by month. While the first group is celebrating the sudden breakthrough in their cases, hard questions remain about the reasons behind the U.S. governments decision to block these refugees from entering the United States after almost all previous applicants under the same program had been accepted. U.S. citizens and family members had sponsored the refugees applications for asylum in the United States under the Lautenberg Amendment, a law Congress passed three decades ago to facilitate refugee admission of Jews fleeing the former Soviet Union. Lawmakers expanded the program in 2004 to include religious minorities persecuted in Iran. The program has quietly admitted an estimated 30,000 persecuted Iranians, mainly Jews and Christians, but also Mandaeans, Zoroastrians, and members of the Bahai faith over the last decade, according to U.S. lawmakers familiar with the acceptance record. Advocates for the group initially believed the 87 were victims of President Trumps highly controversial travel ban on citizens from several Muslim-majority countries, including Iran. On further investigation, they traced the denials to stricter vetting procedures for asylum seekers implemented before Trump took office. After the 87 refugees arrived in Vienna, the designated city for further vetting, in 2016, the Obama administrations Department of Homeland Security suddenly put the brakes on their applications. DHS later denied their entrance to the U.S. without explanation. Legal advocates for the group argue that Congress was clear when it passed the Lautenberg Amendment that if the U.S. government denies any asylum claim, it must provide a reason to the maximum extent feasible. However, no explanation came even after the groups plight attracted the attention and support of a bipartisan group of key members of Congress who called on Vice President Pence to intervene on their behalf in January 2018. A White House official told the Washington Free Beacon early last year that the administration is paying careful attention to the issue and was working to find a solution. High-level administration officials are monitoring the progress, the official said. Certain complexities exist that the administration has to work through, including human-rights concerns and national security. But the administration is certainly engaged. The same day the official issued that statement, Trump declared Jan. 16, 2018 to be Religious Freedom Day and extolled the need to protect the rights of all U.S. citizens to practice the religion of their choice without fear of government reprisal. He also stressed the need to champion religious freedom around the world. We will be undeterred in our commitment to monitor religious persecution and implement policies that promote religious freedoms, the president said at the time. No specific national-security concern with the group was ever disclosed. The lack of a stated risk or problem has led some advocates to believe the 87 were caught up in a tug-of-war between the Trump administration and career officials at both the State Department and DHS who didnt agree with the Lautenberg program offering special priority asylum for Christians and other persecuted religious minorities in the Middle East. They pointed to vague statements like this one by a State Department official about the groups legal limbo in Austria early last year: "The safety and security of the American people are paramount," said Cheryl Harris, spokeswoman for the State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration. "Iranian refugee applicants under this program are subject to the same security vetting process that applies to refugee applicants of other nationalities considered for admission to the United States of America." Advocates countered that the Lautenberg program was specifically expanded by an act of Congress to give persecuted minorities in Iran priority in the vetting process. Moreover, they argued, its simply not true that these refugees face the same security vetting process as other non-religious minority refugees from Iran or elsewhere. According to Ann Buwalda, executive director of the Jubilee Campaign, a nonprofit that advocates on behalf of religious minorities abroad, vetting them is much easier than other non-Christian refugees seeking asylum in the United States. The mostly Christian Iranians in the group of 87 are not converts, but ethnic minority Christians of Armenian and Assyrian descent who fled their homeland during Turkish persecution before and during World War I. They have different sounding names than other Iranians, speak a different language, and belong to churches allowed to exist in Iran, though they are heavily discriminated against. Buwalda has said holding up the group's entry into the U.S. for more than two years is particularly cruel, given that they have already endured generations of persecution in Iran. Despite the high-level White House attention to the case, the stalemate on the issue continued until lawyers at the International Refugee Assistance Project and Latham & Watkins took up their cause and filed suit on their behalf. A federal judge in California ruled in their favor last July, forcing DHS to re-evaluate their applications on an individual basis. It was only earlier this month that DHS suddenly notified nearly a dozen of those stuck in Vienna that their applications had been approved and they could book airline tickets to the U.S. Neither DHS nor the State Department has provided an explanation for why these particular individuals were first denied and then recently approved and did not say whether more of the group of 87 would also be granted asylum in the U.S. We are not able to comment on the specific reason for the denials or approvals, a State Department spokesperson told RealClearPolitics over the weekend. A DHS spokesperson didnt return a request for comment. Attorneys for the group of Iranians said the breakthrough is a victory for their clients and the rule of law and means that those allowed entrance to the United States would no longer have to live in fear of being deported back to Iran. At long last, justice has been served for some of the worlds most persecuted religious minorities! Nina Shea, director of the Hudson Institutes Center for Religious Freedom, said in an emailed statement. Given that the administration adopted the defense of Middle Eastern religious minorities as a foreign-policy priority and that the Iranian regime is officially designated as a persecutor, this episode is utterly inexplicable. Shea is now pressing the Trump administration to follow through with its stated foreign policy priority of trying to protect religious minorities in the Middle East, especially those in Iran. She is calling on Trump to issue a presidential directive and order DHS and the State Department to take actions to shore up the Lautenberg lifeline for Irans horribly repressed religious minorities. Without a proper government explanation for the bizarre episode and additional remedies to help the other Iranians who remain in limbo in Vienna, Shea and other advocates argue that Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, both of whom have expressed strong support for religious freedom around the globe, risk losing faith with dissidents in Iran and imperiling trust in the Lautenberg program. Over the past year, opposition forces in Iran have led the strongest protests against the government in Tehran since the so-called Green Revolution in 2009. During a speech at the Reagan Presidential Library in July, Pompeo denounced Irans leaders, accusing them of becoming multimillionaires while mismanaging the economy, sponsoring terrorism and bolstering other tyrannical regimes while their own people suffer in poverty. "Sometimes it seems the world has become desensitized to the regime's authoritarianism at home and its campaigns of violence abroad, but the proud Iranian people are not staying silent about their government's many abuses," he said. "And the United States under President Trump will not stay silent either. "In light of the protests and 40 years of regime tyranny, Pompeo added, I have a message for the people of Iran: The United States hears you; the United States supports you; the United States is with you." Hello, its Monday, February 25, 2019, the morning after the Academy Awards ceremony. Six years ago, also the day after the Oscars, was an occasion when thoughtful moviegoers (okay, Im bragging) were trying to figure out why the award for Best Picture went to the wrong film. Argo was a terrific picture, but it wasnt Lincoln. Many people felt that way last night about The Green Book. A really strong movie, but hardly as powerful as Roma. And dont get me started on the snub of Glenn Close, whose performance in The Wife was a tour de force. At least in 2013, the academy had enough wisdom to award the Best Actor award to the genius who played Lincoln. Politics is never far from anyones mind in Hollywood, and that year Liam Neeson, while introducing the nominees for Best Picture, mentioned the congressional gridlock faced by Abraham Lincoln. The idea behind his allusion is that partisan fighting is not new in Washington. Although I must concede things have gotten worse in the ensuing six years, the gridlock in 1870 was even more pronounced. How much worse was it? Judge for yourself in a moment, when I describe the drama over the swearing in of the first African-American in the U.S. Senate, which took place 149 years ago today. I wrote about this six years ago, as well, but its worth reprising. First, though, Id point you to RealClearPolitics front page, which presents our poll averages, videos, breaking news stories, and aggregated opinion columns spanning the political spectrum. We also offer original material from our own reporters and contributors, including the following: * * * Lets Have More Politicians Like Dianne Feinstein. Bill Scher defends the Democratic senators opposition to the Green New Deal, and her much-criticized encounter with students promoting it. Is Bill Weld a 2020 Stalking-Horse for Romney? Frank Miele ponders the possible machinations behind the former Libertarian candidate for vice presidents interest in challenging Donald Trump in the GOP primary. For 2020 Candidates, Smollett Story Shows Woke Perils. Phil Wegmann reports on strategists advice to presidential candidates who responded too quickly to the actors hoax. Congress Must Join President in Cutting Spending. Acting OMB Director Russ Vought stresses the perils if lawmakers undo the administrations 5 percent reduction in discretionary spending. If Big Tech Can Censor Me, Imagine What It Can Do to You. Donald Trump Jr. writes that social media platforms have repeatedly targeted his posts for censorship and warns that broader targeting of conservatives may follow. Are Senate Democrats in the Grip of TDS? Thomas Jipping spotlights a dramatic uptick in negative votes for District Court nominees since Trump took office. Creating an Ivory Tower Welcoming to Conservatives. Peter Berkowitz advocates an antidote to universities suppression of the spirit of liberal education, which has largely purged academia of conservative scholars. BP's Peak Oil Demand Prediction Falls Flat. RealClearEnergy editor Jude Clemente explains why the recent forecast doesn't add up. High-Speed Rail Myth. Also in RCE, Daniel Turner asserts that the key component of the Green New Deal would be a boondoggle. Scientific Breakthrough Could Upend the Abortion Debate. RealClearScience editor Ross Pomeroy spotlights the development of the artificial uterus, which could drastically lower the age at which an unborn baby is viable. * * * Hiram Rhodes Revels was born of mixed-race lineage in North Carolina in the 1820s. He was never a slave and apprenticed in the barbershop of his brother, also a free black man, before gravitating north to attend theological seminary. When the Civil War broke out, Hiram Revels was an ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and an educator in Baltimore. He helped recruit troops for Marylands first colored regiment and was later commissioned in Mr. Lincolns Army as a chaplain. Stationed in Mississippi after the war, Revels emerged as one of the nations most able and eloquent administrators during Reconstruction. He was appointed as an alderman for the city of Natchez, then ran successfully as a Republican candidate for state Senate. That body promptly elected him a United States senator. His swearing-in ceremony was scheduled for February 23, 1870, but Hiram Revels was not administered the oath that day. First, Senate Democrats decided to litigate whether a black man was eligible for such a post. Leading the opposition was Maryland Democrat George Vickers. Maryland was a border state during the Civil War, but Sen. Vickers left little doubt as to where his sympathies resided. To be a senator required being a citizen of the United States for nine years, Vickers explained; the 14th Amendment (which granted citizenship to persons of African descent) had passed in 1868, only two years earlier. Prior to that time, he argued, the controlling precedent was the Supreme Courts Dred Scott decision. Vickers, an attorney by trade, acknowledged to his colleagues that Dred Scott wasnt held in any regard by a majority of U.S. senators in 1870; but the law is the law, he said. This was absurd, but other Democrats cut to the heart of things with less legalistic arguments. Sen. Garrett Davis of Kentucky simply asserted that Revels race precluded him from serving in the Senate. This odd view, which sought to negate both the Civil War and the 14th Amendment, was echoed by Sen. Eli Saulsbury of Delaware. Republicans were outraged. Nevada Sen. James Nye rebuked his colleagues for even invoking such a discredited judicial fiat as Dred Scott. Michigan Republican Jacob Howard pronounced himself nauseated. As usual, Massachusetts abolitionist warhorse Charles Sumner was the most acerbic lawmaker on this question. The Dred Scott decision, he said on the Senate floor on this day in 1870, was a putrid corpse from the moment it was born. A stench in the nostrils, Sumner added, it should be remembered only as a warning and a shame. With that, the vote was called for, and on a party-line roll call Revels appointment was accepted. As he approached the front of the chamber to take the oath of office, the packed audience in the Senate gallery rose to watch. During the raucous debate, there had been two outbursts among the crowd. Now, those in the gallery were utterly silent as they watched history being made. Carl M. Cannon Washington Bureau chief, RealClearPolitics @CarlCannon (Twitter) ccannon@realclearpolitics.com Recently, the Congressional Budget Office released a report on the fiscal state of the union. Its findings should sound alarms in Washington. Annual deficits are on the verge of exceeding $1 trillion each year for the foreseeable future, and interest payments on the national debt are projected to exceed military spending by 2025. The national debt nearly doubled under the prior administration, and is now over $22 trillion. Unfortunately, too many lawmakers on Capitol Hill dont see this as a reason for caution. They simply cannot admit that Washington has a spending problem and they have not worked with President Trump to address it. This level of borrowing is unsustainable, and is one of the largest threats to our nations economic future. Even so, some members are already calling for another budget deal to allow Congress to exceed discretionary spending caps currently set in law. This would be bad deal for taxpayers. The Trump administration has a better plan. Discretionary spending is money controlled through the annual appropriations process in Congress (as contrasted with mandatory spending such as Medicare and Social Security, which fall outside the normal budget process). This discretionary spending represents 30 percent of total spending. For nearly a decade, the Budget Control Act of 2011 has imposed caps on this spending. Given that much of the current federal deficit in the near term consists of this discretionary spending, capping its growth is a critical element in the effort to rein in government spending. Congress has enacted three consecutive deals to raise these spending caps. The last one increased spending levels for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 by nearly $300 billion, pouring money into wasteful programs that we know dont work. In each of these deals, Democrats in Congress held defense spending increases hostage for increases in domestic spending. We should expect more of the same from Democrats this year. In the coming weeks, the president will send his third budget to Capitol Hill. Once again, it will present a clear road map for a more fiscally responsible future -- if Congress chooses to follow it. This budget will reflect the administrations continued commitment to defending our nation and addressing threats to our national security, such as terrorists abroad and criminal illegal aliens running through our southern border. Making America safe and secure is the administrations top priority and the presidents budget will reflect that. However, the budget will provide these investments while adhering to the spending caps already set in law. Additional needed defense resources will be designated as Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funds, which are not subject to the spending caps. Fiscal conservatives may feel uncomfortable using OCO in this way. Yet, as long as Congressional Democrats insist on demanding more social spending in exchange for continuing to fund defense spending, expanding the use of OCO funds remains the administrations only fiscally responsible option in meeting national security needs while avoiding yet another increase to the spending caps. Recognizing the importance of controlling excessive spending, President Trump directed federal agencies to identify how they can cut a nickel out of every dollar they spend. Hard-working American families make these sorts of tough decisions every day. The president believes Washington should be no different. The presidents 2020 budget will meet the target of a 5 percent reduction to non-defense discretionary spending, by means of one of the largest spending reductions in history. Within these constrained levels, agencies will still be able to provide investments in key national priorities. The president came to Washington with a sound understanding of desperate spending problem in Washington. His budgets reflect that. Time and again, Congress has ignored presidential cost-saving recommendations and plowed ahead with irresponsible budgets that increase both spending and the size of government. This needs to stop. It is time for Congress to join the president in his commitment to cutting spending, reducing bloated deficits, and getting our national debt under control. Americas future generations are depending on them. Smollett Case Damages City in Need of Fresh Start Jussie Smollett's alleged false report of a hate crime isn't a victimless crime, it is an attack on the City of Chicago. In early 1942 the United States was still reeling from the Attack on Pearl Harbor. They'd declared war upon the Empire of Japan, but had thus far fought unsuccessfully in every engagement. The West Coast was wary, and prepared for a seemingly inevitable invasion. Cities from Seattle to San Diego had invasion plans including things from air-raid sirens to blackout procedures. Nerves were drawn taut, and there was no shortage of false alarms. On the night of 24 February 1942 the Air Raid sirens sounded, and the Coast Guard Anti-aircraft guns were ordered to green alert, putting them in readiness to fire. From the time the battle began until it ended in the early hours of the morning, thousands of people had witnessed the search lights around Los Angeles fix on a target hovering above the city, and anti-aircraft rounds detonate in the sky. Reputable news agencies reported the attack, complete with eye-witness accounts. But the Japanese claim that they never attacked, and there was no wreckage to indicate that anyone actually did. These conflicting accounts cast uncertainty on the nature of the unidentified aircraft that caused the Battle of Los Angeles. BOSTON (AP) The inside of a tank was Clarence Smoyer's home, and the crew was his family. In that sense, the 95-year-old veteran returned home Wednesday for the first time since World War II. One of the last surviving WWII tank gunners, Smoyer was surprised with a ride through the streets of Boston in a Sherman tank. Smoyer fought with the U.S. Army's 3rd Armored Division, nicknamed the Spearhead Division. In 1945, he defeated a German Panther tank near the cathedral in Cologne, Germany a dramatic duel filmed by an Army cameraman that was seen all over the world. Since 1945, Americas ability to deter major aggression against itself and its allies has rested upon a mix of nuclear and conventional forces. Strong, capable conventional air, ground and maritime forces are essential to deterring major conventional attack. The credibility of U.S. conventional forces, in turn, is built upon the firm foundation of a modern and effective nuclear deterrent capability, a point made clearly by Army Chief of Staff (and Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) designate) General Mark Milley in March 2016 before the House Armed Services Committee: I dont have a part of the Triad, in a sense, but I can tell you that in my view, in my professional military view, and I am a member of the JCS, the nuclear Triad has kept the peace since nuclear weapons were introduced and have sustained the test of time.1 That nuclear deterrent, for over five decades, has taken the form of the Triad of strategic forces. The Triad started life, admittedly, as the offspring of inter-service rivalries of the 1950s. During the 1960s, however, strategists recognized that the combination of separate attack azimuths, complementary alert postures and three different basing modes, each with different but offsetting vulnerabilities, presented potential enemy offenses and defenses with insurmountable obstacles. Each leg contributes uniquely to a deterrent effect which is much more than the simple sum of its three parts. Today, an enemy planner contemplating a first strike against the United States must take account of the 450 Minuteman sites, the two strategic submarine bases, the two key command and control venues (Washington, DC, Omaha, NE), and possibly the three nuclear bomber bases (Barksdale, LA; Minot, ND; and Whiteman, MO). This would be a massive strike that would draw a major U.S. response.2 If you eliminate the 450 ICBM sites, the enemy planners job becomes vastly simpler: two SSBN bases, Washington and Omaha, and again, possibly the bomber bases. A massive strike is no longer necessary. As was observed recently: ICBMs are the only leg of the triad that requires that an adversary launches a large-scale nuclear attack on the United States to destroy them The strategic effect of requiring a massive attack on the American homeland is that it dramatically raises the bar for any adversary to contemplate such an attack. This is a good thing.3 The bomber force, consisting of both penetrating bombers with gravity bombs and stand-off aircraft carrying long-range cruise missiles4, offers a unique capability with which an Administration may signal intent (by putting the force on alert, or by dispersing an alert force, or by moving bombers closer to a potential enemy) and thereby de-escalate a crisis. As slow-flying weapons, bombers are inherently not useful in a first strike scenario and are therefore highly stabilizing. They also provide the widest range in weapons yield in the U.S. nuclear arsenal, thereby contributing to tailored deterrent options. The successful marriage of a nuclear-powered submarine with a sea-launched ballistic missile was, literally, a game changer for the U.S. strategic deterrent. When the SSBN USS GEORGE WASHINGTON put to sea on her first operational patrol carrying the Polaris A-1 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in late 1960s the United States had achieved an invulnerable element for its nuclear retaliatory force. When at sea, the USS George Washington (SSBN 598), and the combined 40 other ships of her class and the follow-on classes, the Ethan Allens, the Lafayettes, the James Madisons and the Benjamin Franklins, which followed in this first epoch of the U.S. SSBN force -- were undetectable and their retaliatory capability was unquestioned by the Soviet leadership. The decision to build a total of 41 boats in the 1960s was based substantially on the relatively short range of the Polaris A-1, A-2 and A-3 missiles they carried: not only did the range require forward overseas basing for these submarines (in Holy Loch, Scotland; Rota, Spain; and Guam)5, it also resulted in relatively lengthy transit times to reach their patrol areas even from those forward bases. This, in turn, required a large fleet to keep the required number of warheads at sea at any one time. The introduction of the Poseidon C-3 SLBM in the early 1970s with its increased range and warhead carriage allowed the Navy to retire the ten oldest SSBNs. Later in that decade, the Navy began deploying two new systems: the even longer range Trident 1 (C-4) SLBM and a new class of SSBNs (the first of which, USS OHIO, gave her name to the entire SSBN class). The combination of the new missile and the new SSBN allowed the retirement of 19 original SSBNs; 12 others were retrofitted to carry the Trident 1 and for a time continued in service alongside the newer OHIOs entering the fleet, gradually retiring as more OHIOs became operational. The retrofitted boats were based in Kings Bay, Georgia, while the first eight new OHIOs were assigned to Bangor, Washington. The 4000-mile range of the Trident 1 SLBM allowed a vast increase in patrol area. Additionally, the Trident Is provided the Pacific SSBNs with a major increase in target coverage against the eastern USSR. Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles As the Cold War wound down, the United States had a total of 13 OHIOs in commission and five others which were in advanced stages of construction and subsequently entered active service. The ninth through the eighteenth submarines, replacing the retrofitted BENJAMIN FRANKLIN class at Kings Bay, entered service carrying the new, more powerful and highly accurate Trident 2 (D5) SLBM. The first eight boats were later converted to carry the Trident 2. The D5s longer-range again increased patrol area in both oceans, but that was not the missiles major contribution to deterrence. The D5s extraordinary accuracy and its heavy high yield warhead6 allowed it to confidently hold at risk the hardest targets in the USSR and thereby broke the back of Soviet nuclear strategy. Until the introduction of the D5, the United States sole prompt hard target kill capability resided in the ICBM force; accordingly, Soviet nuclear war-fighting strategy focused on eliminating U.S. ICBMs, denying the U.S. the ability to respond quickly against key hardened Soviet assets. The D5 with the high yield warhead undid that strategy completely. The 1994 Nuclear Posture Review , the first of the post-Cold War re-looks at U.S. nuclear policy, mandated a reduction in the size of the OHIO class SSBN force from 18 to 14 submarines. Subsequently, the four oldest boats were removed from the strategic nuclear mission and converted to carry conventionally armed sea-launched cruise missiles.7 Since this 1994 reduction, twelve SSBNs have been available for strategic deterrent missions with two additional submarines (on a rolling basis) in long-term shipyard maintenance. Given the strategic reductions mandated by the New START treaty, in a day-to-day peacetime environment, those twelve submarines carry about 70 percent of the United States strategic nuclear warheads. But the favorable geopolitical conditions which prevailed in 1994 have changed dramatically over the past twenty-five years. In the last ten years particularly, Russia and China have posed a growing and aggressive challenge to Americas and our allies interests around the globe. Both countries are building and modernizing their major nuclear weapons systems. The 2018 Nuclear Posture Review points out that since 2010 Global threat conditions have worsened markedly including increasingly explicit nuclear threats from potential adversaries.8 Compared to the Russian and Chinese nuclear force building programs, Americas strategic nuclear Triad is aging rapidly. The Triad created during the late 1950s/early 1960s was modernized with new systems by the Reagan Administration during the 1980s. The Reagan Triad was scheduled for modernization by the George W. Bush Administration in the early 2000s, but that effort was deferred due to the focus on Iraq and Afghanistan and the perception that Russia and China did not pose nuclear threats to the U.S. and its allies. For the past several years the Armed Services Committees of the Senate and the House have been told how the Reagan Triad systems are inevitably coming to the end of their useful life. By the mid-to-late 2020s our bombers and their associated air-launched cruise missiles, strategic submarines and land-based missiles will have been deployed well past their anticipated end of life dates and will have to be retired, with or without replacement. In 2016, then-Commander Strategic Command, Admiral Cecil Haney USN, stated publicly We are fast approaching the point where [failing to modernize the Triad] will put at risk our safe, secure and effective and ready nuclear deterrent.9 Accordingly, the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review calls for modernizing all three legs of the U.S. nuclear Triad (basically endorsing, with a few key changes, the Obama Administrations plan to do so). That said, new U.S. systems will not begin to be fielded until at least the mid-2020s, which will be, as the current Commander of U.S. Strategic Command General John Hyten USAF, says, just in time.10 With respect to the SSBN force in particular, the youngest OHIO class submarine was commissioned in 1997. Originally designed to serve for 30 years, after a life extension program the OHIO class submarines will average 42 years of age when retired. No U.S. nuclear-powered submarine will have served longer. To rectify this situation and to assure deterrence into the future, the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review mandated that the U.S. build and deploy a minimum of twelve COLUMBIA class SSBNs to maintain an adequate sea-based force. Importantly, a minimum of twelve will result in an operational force of ten SSBNs; given a peacetime day-to-day posture, this will produce an average daily force at sea far smaller than ten.11 The COLUMBIA class SSBN will be the worlds most advanced strategic missile submarine. It is designed to have a 42-year service life. Its new life of the ship reactor core is specifically designed to last throughout those 42 years, eliminating the need for the mid-life reactor refueling overhaul.12 COLUMBIAs new electric drive propulsion system and other aspects of its design will ensure it remains stealthy throughout the life of the class, while its open architecture enables upgrades ensuring it will outpace the threat. Additionally, its missile tube compartment design has been developed in conjunction with the British Royal Navy (which will incorporate the design into its new Dreadnought class SSBNs), reducing overall U.S. investment and risk. Based on its merits and on the global situation, public support for the full minimum of twelve COLUMBIA SSBNs should be universal. But, sadly, that is not the case. Today, some disarmament proponents and even some elected officials are publicly calling for reducing the number of new COLUMBIA SSBNs to eight, or even fewer. Reducing even to eight (let alone less than eight) would pose very serious problems for the United States: Reducing the force to eight or fewer would make two-ocean basing highly expensive: the costs associated with maintaining two separate support facilities for only 4 SSBNs each would be very high. This could well cause the Navy to shift from the current two ocean posture to a one ocean posture; this in turn would reduce patrol area and target coverage, both of which undercut the deterrent capability of the SSBN force. Given that a force of twelve SSBNs will produce ten operational SSBNs, a total force of eight COLUMBIAs would allow for only six operational hulls, a dangerously low number from a deterrent standpoint. Third, if the U.S. was to maintain the same number of warheads at sea with an eight boat force as it would with a twelve boat force, the Navy would have to upload,e., add more warheads to, the submarines missiles. This would, as a matter of physics, result in reduced missile range, which in turn again further reduces patrol area. Fourth, and further with respect to uploading, if the Navy were to have to upload our missiles beyond what is currently planned to cover deterrent requirements, we would have no flexibility whatsoever to undertake additional prudent uploads in the event that the international situation became more menacing in the future. Fifth, any unplanned preventative or corrective maintenance required over the unprecedented 42 year service life of the COLUMBIA class SSBNs could further dramatically impact the at sea availability and survivability of the SSBN deterrent force. Finally, there is a misguided notion that cutting from twelve to eight SSBNs saves significant money in the upcoming DoD budgets. It is important to note that the entire strategic modernization program endorsed by both the Obama and Trump Administrations consumes only 3%-4% of the Defense Departments annual budget.13 Given the significant investment the Navy, in conjunction with the submarine industrial base, has already made in R&D and preparation to begin producing COLUMBIA SSBNs, the only rational choice to reduce the force size below the minimum of twelve would be at the back end of the build cycle, e. affecting boats nine through twelve (or more). The money for those boats will not appear in the Defense budget until late in the next decade and early in the 2030s. As a result, any suggestion that there is fiscal relief to be found in the current Defense budget is utterly illusory. Nuclear weapons will continue to influence great power politics for the foreseeable future, and a modern nuclear deterrent credible to Presidents of the United States, to our allies, and to our potential enemys leadership, will be vital to U.S. national security for a long time to come. President Obamas Prague speech, best remembered for endorsing the concept of a nuclear weapons free world, also contained the following statement: Make no mistake: As long as these weapons exist, the United States will maintain a safe, secure and effective arsenal to deter any adversary, and guarantee that defense to our allies.14 The modernization of the U.S. nuclear Triad is crucial to keeping that promise. And the construction and deployment of a minimum of twelve Columbia SSBNs is, simply, essential to that modernized Triad. The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral John Richardson, told the Senate Armed Services Committee in March 2016: the Ohio Replacement Program [the original name for the COLUMBIA program and abbreviated ORP] remains our top priority. In my opinion, it is foundational to our survival as a nation. This budget funds the ORP; construction is planned to start in FY 2021. This start date is vitally important to prevent any impact to continuous at-sea deterrence at a time when it could be even more relevant than today.15 And from Omaha, General Hyten made this point: were delivering the new Columbia just in time. Weve extended the life of the OHIO submarines to 42 years, but every year if we have a slip to the Columbia program the future STRATCOM commander is going to be down a submarine. A two-year slip, were going to be down two submarines. We put everything that tight so we have to deliver it. Why? Because the 160 people that go to work in that submarine today deserve to have safe capabilities to operate in and theyre carrying nuclear weapons that are fearsome weapons, and they have to operate on a safe platform. It has to be there.16 The case, then, for a minimum of twelve Columbia SSBNs is strong, as is the argument for the full Triad modernization program called for in the 2018 NPR. In this turbulent era of renewed great power competition and of an increased nuclear threat from both Russia and China, the program represents a prudent investment to ensure that the United States nuclear deterrent remains competent and confident in its task of preventing nuclear war. Mr. Miller, a Principal of The Scowcroft Group, served for thirty-one years in the U.S. government, including twenty-two years in the Department of Defenseserving under seven Secretaries in a series of progressively senior positionsand four years as a Special Assistant to President George W. Bush and as Senior Director for Defense Policy and Arms Control on the National Security Council staff. Mr. Miller received his BA (Phi Beta Kappa) from Williams College in 1972. He received an MPA from Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School in 1977. Endnotes: As dramatic changes in society are redefining the role of communication in organizational leadership across civil industry in the democratized world, a similar topic of professionalism is inspiring new conversations among U.S. military leaders. Public affairs officers and military researchers have identified challenges that complicate the best use of communication talent in the military. Insufficient training, how and where many public affairs officers are placed within unit organizational staffs, and unit cultures have historically marginalized the career field, inhibiting the inculcation of a professional ethos across the public affairs community.[1] At top global companies, the chief communication officer, who serves as an advocate between the chief executive officer (CEO) and the public, works as a key leader in the C-Suite, where senior executives of the company serve.[2] As a point of comparison, this prominence is reflected in joint doctrine, which states that public affairs officersthe nominal military equivalent of the corporate chief communication officerare part of the commanders personal staff, which serves as the military version of the C-Suite.[3] Despite the doctrine, many public affairs officers must fight for a seat at the leadership table among other members of the staff. There are a variety of reasons why many senior leaders do not demonstrate belief that public affairs provides strategic value. One could be that public affairs planning often fails to connect individual unit stories to their roles in national strategy. A U.S. Army Public Affairs Officer, William Leasure, recently stated, Our focus as public affairs officers often centers around narratives of readiness and lethality. While important, these messages often resonate far less with the average American than the personal stories of our service members and their families.[4] Leaders can use these stories, of how service members and units at a micro level are a part of strategy at the macro level, to help bridge the growing civil-military divide. Planning and implementing communication efforts specific to a small or mid-sized units mission is effective for connecting with audiences that are geographically local to the home installation, and should remain a top priority for military leaders. However, every military unit ultimately exists to support a national strategy, often within a global context. Communication leaders must expand the narrative to explain how individual units help fulfill the U.S. national security framework. Doing so demonstrates a higher value of individual units to their local communities, increases mission commitment among troops to know that their jobs matter to the nation, and reminds citizens of the value that their armed forces provides. Recognizing the Strategic Link The U.S. National Security Strategy starts with the President, who is responsible for documenting a vision that the cabinet agencies follow to safeguard the nation. The current National Security Strategy echoes a vision rooted in principled realism, specifically directing efforts of the U.S. government to support the objectives of security, economy, peace through strength, and advancing American influence.[5] The next member of the military chain of command, the Secretary of Defense, is responsible for writing the National Defense Strategy (NDS) and describing the defense departments role in supporting the National Security Strategy. The National Defense Strategy organizes Department of Defense efforts into priorities that are specified in U.S. Code, Title 10. Among these tasks are for the Defense Department to maintain combat-credible forces to deter war and protect the security of the United States.[6] These tasks shape how the U.S. Defense Department allocates resources globally. The National Defense Strategy guides military theater strategies and mission planning down to the lowest units across the force. An Army National Guard unit from Tennessee provides a timely example. Soldiers assigned to Task Force Raider take part in a Polish led Spartan Training at Bemowo Piskie, Poland. (SGT Arturo Guzman/U.S. Army Photo) Elements of the Tennessee National Guards 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment recently deployed to Ukraine and Poland as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organizations (NATOs) Enhanced Forward Presence mission.[7] The enhanced forward presence mission rotates battle groups from the United States, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom to enhance the defensive capacities of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland in the face of an aggressive Russia.[8] According to Tennessee National Guard Adjutant General Terry Haston, the 278ths mission is the largest deployment of heavy forces to this region of Europe in nearly 30 years.[9] This National Guard deployment supports the U.S. national security objective of preserving peace through strength, which includes deterring adversaries and building capability to fight and win against nations that are hostile to U.S. interests.[10] Elements of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment intend to play a key role in building that capability to fight by helping Ukrainian armed forces to increase capacity at the Yavoriv Combat Training Center with the goal of eventually training battalion and brigade-sized units for large-scale combat operations.[11] Engagement in NATO missions, like Enhanced Forward Presence, allows the U.S. government to work toward American security objectives with the expertise and international legitimacy that come with multinational security operations. As part of the Enhanced Forward Presence mission, the 2nd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment is not simply running the Battle Group Poland headquarters; it is supporting a security objective that traces its roots to the U.S. National Security Strategy: defending allies from military aggression and bolstering partners against coercion.[12] These efforts support the national security priorities of preserving peace through strength and advancing American influence, outlined in both the 2017 National Security Strategy and the 2018 National Defense Strategy. Communicating the Strategic Link Strategic connections exist for every military operation. Leaders who can recognize and communicate those links across their organizations can inspire commitment-based cultures, where subordinates feel a greater connection to their work, knowing that it plays a role in a bigger picture. Commander of the 2nd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Donny Hebel cited the strategic connection, saying the regiments deployment strengthens the defensive capability within Polandand is evidence of continued U.S. commitment to NATO.[13] Shared mission understanding across the organization is also a tool for reducing risk. Individuals who do not understand the purpose of their work are more likely to make statements that can hurt their organizations.[14] A #USArmy Soldier with the @278THACR demonstrates room clearing procedures in Yavoriv, Ukraine, Nov. 15. #partnerships U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Timothy Massey pic.twitter.com/PwL4VhT4M0 U.S. Army (@USArmy) December 9, 2018 In 2010, another National Guard unit prioritized communicating its mission connection to the 2010 National Security Strategy objective of using all elements of national power to defeat Al Quada when the Iowa National Guards 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry deployed to Afghanistan.[15] Public affairs materials produced during the mission to clear the countryside of insurgent fighters, hold terrainpartnered with Afghan security forcesand build infrastructure, commerce, and rule-of-law culminated in a book titled Reporting for Duty, adding to the historical record of U.S. National Guard units working in support of U.S. security strategy.[16] Emerging generations want to be part of something meaningful. In turn, leaders must learn how to explain big-picture linkages to every member of the organization. There are countless examples across the U.S. global military apparatus of how individual units make a difference for the nation. For example, in 2013, the command team of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division formally presented the brigades role in fulfilling national strategy to the staff. The unit was one of the few fully-funded U.S. Army infantry brigade combat teams at the time, tasked to provide a rapid contingency response capability to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, in support of a U.S. security objective to address growing competition across the Indo-Pacific Rim. Then-Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, told the House Armed Services Committee, Our rebalance to the Pacific strategy has given us a new opportunity to begin to solve these challenges and re-emphasize to our allies and partners that we are a committed Pacific nation. It also reflects the recognition that the future prosperity of the U.S. will be defined largely by events and developments in the Indo-Asia-Pacific.[17] Brigade Commander Col. Matthew McFarlane echoed Locklears guidance in the units mission statement: On order, 4/25 IBCT (ABN) conducts decisive action, to include joint forcible entry, as an Army Contingency Response Force aligned with U.S. Pacific Command to promote security and development in the Asia-Pacific Region. This mission translated into the Big 5 leader development vision, focused on training paratroopers to work safely in regions varied from extremes of northern Arctic flatlands to south-Pacific jungle terrain.[18] The visual clarity of mission and methods to achieve them unified staff action in aspiration to make the brigade the force of choice for rapid contingency, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief across the U.S. Indo-Pacific Commands region of responsibility.[19] The public affairs office could easily align unit communication engagement with clearly-documented command intent. The mission slides became the standard opening to every meeting held at the brigade headquarters, making every leader across the organization into a communication ambassador. Leaders across the brigade understood every job in the unit played a role in national policy. This mission communication across the enterprise set a culture of understanding and engagement that earned global prominence for the Alaska-based unit.[20] Beyond the Pacific focus, the 4th Brigade also trained as one of only two Arctic-focused brigades in the U.S. Army. The higher headquarters, U.S. Army Alaska, aggressively marketed that mission capability, noting that U.S. Army Alaskas brigades are the only units in the Army ready for extreme cold weather operations in the Arctic.[21] In 2015 the brigade parachuted a task force of approximately 400 paratroopers onto Alaskas north slope to demonstrate the U.S. Armys capability to conduct forced entry into Arctic conditions.[22] Paratroopers with U.S. Army Alaskas 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division ski across the drop zone during Exercise Spartan Pegasus. The extremely cold demonstration in airborne operations and arctic mobility took place in one of the northern-most territories of Alaska, well north of the Earths Arctic Circle. (SSG Daniel Love/U.S. Army Photo) The Russian Army soon responded through the Russia Today network with video of Russian paratroopers landing on a drifting ice flow near the north pole.[23] A strategically-focused communication plan, with command support, expanded a military training story from Alaska to communicate how the command validated soldier mobility across frozen terrain, a key fundamental of U.S. Army Alaskas capacity as the Armys northernmost command to a worldwide audience.[24] Expanding the Unit Narrative It is common practice to organize communication efforts around brands associated with mascots, cultural figures or historical events. Some of the more well-known examples of this include Rock of the Marne for the U.S. Armys 3rd Infantry Division, a motto earned in battle against German forces at the Marne River during World War II, and Screaming Eagles, an identity formed in the 101st Airborne Divisions early days from its unit insignia. Unit brands based on figures and stories of lore provide a strong sense of connection and esprit de corps. Adding the strategic connection to how a units mission is communicated adds a richer depth of value. Communication is an art, not an either/or proposition. Leaders and public affairs officers must be deliberate in finding the right method of building unit pride through connections to the past and links to the future through a strategic view. Every mission carries historic potential. The 278th Armored Cavalry Regiments deployment to Poland and Ukraine demonstrates military mission planning, guided by the 2017 U.S. National Security Strategy, to bolster U.S. allies in the face of a resurgent Russia. The 278ths connection to the national strategic framework propels a state-wide story about a Tennessee National Guard unit into a larger discussion at the national level.[25] Military leaders must be able to clearly articulate why service members are called away to foreign lands. Understanding the role their troops fill in a national strategy better prepares leaders to answer those questions and demonstrate the value of every military unit on a grand scale. A global mindset is critical for modern communicators.[26] Corporate Communication Officers know their organizations place in the larger context, just as military planners must understand guidance from the mission of the next two higher headquarters. That broad understanding increases the communication officers value and influence. This kind of influence opened the door for General Electrics Chief Communication Officer Gary Sheffer to accept an assignment from Chief Executive Officer Jeff Immelt to help remake the global corporations culture and to simplify the company. Sheffer rose to become a full strategic partner on everything from culture to deal making to public policy.[27] David Albritton, a former Navy public affairs officer is the latest example of a communicator who learned how to lead at a strategic level. Working in communication for 25 years, Albritton became the Chief Executive Officer for General Motors Defense in December, 2018.[28] Communication leaders who know how to think at the strategic level can shape their organizations culture and expand the reach of public engagement, further justifying modernization resourcing that military public affairs professionals need to compete in the modern information space. Unaware of their units connection to national strategy, military communicators are missing a critical opportunity to explain to an often disconnected public how a volunteer military is making a global difference for security abroad and at home. Whether demonstrating the ability to parachute a battalion task force into Arctic conditions or sending an infantry regiment to train with partner nations in Europe, every mission fills a role in national strategy. Leaders, whether commanders or public affairs officers, owe it to their soldiers and the citizens they serve to explain how their teams fit into the national effort. Public affairs practitioners who can recognize and tell that story will provide greater value to their organizations, not simply as public affairs officers, but as indispensable communication leaders. Chase Spears is a U.S. Army public affairs officer. The opinions expressed here are his own and do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government. This article appeared originally at Strategy Bridge. DOHA, Qatar (AP) Senior Taliban leaders, including one of the groups founders, were to hold another round of talks Monday in Qatar with Washingtons special peace envoy as U.S. efforts intensify to find a negotiated solution to Afghanistans 17-year war, Americas longest. The Taliban, some of whom arrived in Doha, Qatars capital, from Pakistan the previous night, raised expectations ahead of talks with U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad. Yes, there is a possibility we will reach some results, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told The Associated Press. Leading the Taliban delegation in Doha was Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a co-founder of the movement who was released last year from a Pakistani jail where he had languished since his arrest in a joint Pakistani-CIA operation in 2010. Past rounds have focused on U.S. withdrawal of troops, which has been a standing Taliban demand, and guarantees that Afghanistan will not be used again as a staging area for terror attacks on the United States. Khalilzad is expected to pressure the Taliban to hold direct talks with the government in Kabul, something the insurgents have so far refused to do. The Taliban, who had harbored al-Qaida and its leader Osama bin Laden, ruled Afghanistan before U.S. forces invaded in October 2001 following the 9/11 terrorist attack. The Taliban today have resurged, carrying out deadly near-daily attacks on Afghan army and police forces and holding sway over almost half the country. They view the U.S.-backed government in Kabul as a dysfunctional Western puppet and have refused repeated offers to negotiate with it. However, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai recently told the AP that the Taliban would talk with Afghan government officials on condition they are part of a larger group of prominent Afghan figures meeting with the Taliban similar to the gathering held earlier this month in Moscow. Karzai attended the meeting in Russia, as did Afghan opposition figures, but no one from the Kabul government was there. Baradars presence in Doha and his lead role in the talks with Khalilzad is considered significant because of his stature within the Taliban movement. The Taliban maintain a political office in Doha. Following his release, Baradar had circulated a Pashtu-language audio tape promising Taliban fighters he would have a greater presence within the movement. Khalilzad described Taliban interlocutors in Mondays meeting as more authoritative an apparent reference to Baradar and tweeted that this could be a significant moment in the talks. He also gave a shout out to Qatar for hosting the talks and to Pakistan for facilitating some of the Taliban delegations travel. Since his appointment as Washingtons peace envoy, Khalilzad has crisscrossed the region, meeting the Taliban on several occasions, as well as differing powerbrokers in Kabul, including Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. He has also been to Pakistan, India, Russia and China and held meetings with NATO and EU officials. Last week, he was in Turkey for talks with government officials as well as Zamir Kabulov, Russias envoy to Afghanistan. Ghani has also called a Loya Jirga, a traditional gathering of political and tribal leaders, for next month to draw up the governments negotiating position for talks with the Taliban, though he has yet to put together a negotiating team that would have wide support of Afghan political and tribal leaders. Khalilzad previously said he envisions an agreement reached by the warring sides as a roadmap to the countrys future. Washingtons talks with the Taliban are more about safeguarding Americas national interests and security and Khalilzad has said that Afghan negotiators have to fight for their vision of a future Afghanistan at the negotiating table with the Taliban. Gannon reported from Islamabad. Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report. copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved North Korea set out on its quest to develop a nuclear-weapons capability (reliable nuclear explosive devices and the means to deliver them over medium and long distances) in the mid-1980s. Progress was slow and uneven. The DPRK lacked financial resources and technological capacities. All the countries that possessed the relevant technologies paid at least lip service to nuclear non-proliferation and had export controls on the core technologies, including China, through which the great bulk of North Koreas trade has transited since the demise of the USSR. Two major efforts were made to dissuade Pyongyang from proceeding with its nuclear programa freeze agreed with the US in 1994, which was to be followed by the verified dismantling of the DPRKs nuclear capabilities, and the six-party talks of 20032005, which had the same objective. North Korea tested its first nuclear device in 2006, and five subsequent tests through 2017 confirmed its competence in making nuclear explosive devices. The testing was accompanied by what a surprisingly rapid mastery of building ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads over distances as far as the west coast of the United States. The blizzard of missile tests in 2016 and 2017 generated an acute sense of crisis that was abruptly defused at the end of 2017 when the DPRK used the Winter Olympics being hosted by South Korea to revive dormant channels of communication, first with Seoul and Beijing, and then with Washington. North Koreas achievement of a genuine nuclear-weapons capability was remarkable but, in a crucially important sense, not surprising. Indeed, its consistent with the pronounced belligerence that has characterised the regime since its emergence under the wing of the USSR shortly after World War II ended. Its first leader, Kim Il-sung, began lobbying the Soviet leader to support the invasion of the South and bring the entire peninsula into the socialist camp. Stalin eventually agreed that it was an attractive idea, but insisted that the Peoples Republic of China also agree to support the venture. Mao agreed and North Korean forces struck on 25 June 1950. The war ended more than three years later with an armistice agreement that is still in place. North Korea, though economically depleted, maintained its aspiration to unite the two Koreas on its terms and set out to steadily increase its armed forces. A quarter of a century latera period interspersed with acts of extreme belligerence towards the South in particularthey topped 1.1 million personnel, rendering the DPRK the most militarised state in the world but also among the poorest. The subsequent commitment to nuclear weapons appears to have emerged from the assessment that, despite facing in the US an implacable enemy seeking a second chance to terminate it, the DPRK could not support the continual modernisation of such a massive force. For essentially all of this period, Russia and China have gone along with the DPRK, declining to compel or even encourage it to amend its national story and strive to coexist with its neighbours and the wider world in the normal way. US President Donald Trump brashly agreed to meet his North Korean counterpart, Kim Jong-un, in Singapore in June last year and resolved to honour that commitment despite the Norths firmly resisting all efforts to flesh out what was at stake or how the parties might begin to address the issues between them. At the conclusion of the Singapore summit, North Korea raced to occupy the moral high ground, insisting that it had endured decades of US aggression and that the US had a major trust deficit to make upparticularly through easing the sanctions regime and transforming the armistice into a peace treatybefore the DPRK could even begin to consider reciprocal steps. The US went through the motions of asking the DPRK to draw up a baseline inventory of its nuclear assets and facilities as a prelude to joint development of a schedule to eliminate them, but the entire process fell flat very quickly. A second summit will be held in Hanoi, Vietnam, later this week. Theres still little evidence of new flexibility on either side. Kim and Trump have corresponded since Singapore and the new US special envoy has spent some days in Pyongyang. This may point towards the painstaking incremental, action-for-action approach agreed in broad terms at the six-party talks in September 2005. In addition, Kim met again with Chinese President Xi Jinping in mid-January 2019their fourth meeting in less than a year after six years without any meetings. We have no visibility of how North Koreas objectives and tactics may have been influenced by China. China did at several points lose patience with North Korea, especially when its actions threatened a full-blown crisis that could have spun out of control and prove costly to Chinas long-term interests. Broadly speaking, we can assume that China has reaffirmed its willingness to stand behind the DPRK economically and politically, provided Pyongyang remains receptive to Chinas counsel on how best to manage the issue in a way that protects Chinas primary interesta US position in Northeast Asia that has been weakened rather than reinforced. Trump, meanwhile, has been highlighting the economic bonanza that denuking could deliver for the DPRK. An even more important reason to be skeptical about a breakthrough at the Hanoi summit is that the main players continue to cling to very divergent narratives on how we got to where we are. The background rehearsed so briefly abovea few highlights from the Western recordhas been completely buried. We cannot expect a shared narrative. Nor can issues of this kind be resolved through any kind of simple reckoning of past injustices. That said, however, its difficult to see how a meeting of the minds sufficiently strong and deep to reach and to implement a denuclearisation agreement can happen if the two principals clash so spectacularly on how and why the situation is in its current shape. Screen Australia and Google Australia have announced A$500,000 in funding to support five YouTube channel creators in their Skip Ahead initiative. Production funding is being given to Chloe Morello for her project YouTube Famous, Chloe Ting (pictured, right) for the Not So Social Networks, Fury Fingers for Love, Guns and Level Ups, Need Kolhatkar (pictured, left) for Crossing the Line and Piera Forde for Nevernight.Skip Ahead helps grow the audiences of Australian online content creators who have successful YouTube channels, through the generation of more ambitious content. With past benefactors including Aunty Donna, Superwog, Skit Box and SketchShe, Skip Ahead-funded videos have now received over 40 million views on YouTube.Skip Ahead has a proven track record of launching the careers of some of Australias best online content creators, and were thrilled to be partnering with Google Australia to support five teams again this year. Each of these teams are already producing unique and engaging content that is resonating with audiences, and this is a fantastic opportunity for them to take their projects to the next level, and Lee Naimo, online investment manager at ** Screen Australia #axzz5gUOOM7cd**.Daniel Stephenson, content partnerships manager, YouTube Australia and New Zealand said: Heading into our fifth year, we continue to be blown away by the calibre of ideas and projects YouTube creators are developing for Skip Ahead. Its exciting to be able to support them in this journey to create longer form, quality videos, to further drive their careers and garner recognition globally.The projects set to receive funding this year include Crossing The Line, an eight part factual series from Cordell Jigsaw productions investigating perspectives on offensive comedy with comedian Neel Kolhatka; and Love, Guns and Level Ups about a couple Bree and Elliot who meet in the online world of video games and then discover the challenges of a real-world relationship.A live action adaptation from Piera Forde of the best-selling fantasy series The Nevernight Chronicles by Australian author Jay Kristoff is also part of this years Skip Ahead initiative, along with documentary seriesabout online influencers called The Not So Social Networks, and 10-part comedy YouTube Famous about online celebrity Chloe Morello. ACCESSIBILITY: The TOC Ability consortium has published a report into the use of digital technology to improve the accessibility of the UK rail network by enabling disabled passengers to share their journey requirements with train operators while protecting their privacy. Following testing, on February 20 Hupac Intermodal launched a five times per week service carrying semitrailers from Antwerpen to Barcelona Morrot in partnership with SNCF and RENFE. If you're interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here. Submit WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. National Invasive Species Awareness Week kicked off on Feb. 25 (Monday) and runs through March 3 (Sunday). The campaign is designed to enhance awareness about invasive species and encourage reporting of invasive species from what Purdue University entomology professor Cliff Sadof calls citizen scientists. This includes people who spend time professionally or recreationally in the outdoors and is interested in learning about invasive species. A major tool in the fight against these species is the Report INvasive website, hosted by Purdue College of Agriculture and the Indiana Invasive Species Council. The website includes several ways that people can report invasive species, including a smartphone app from the Great Lakes Early Detection Network. There are not that many specialists and experts covering the state, Sadof said. When there are concerned citizens reporting, however, we have many more eyes and a better chance of detecting and eradicating a harmful species early. The best regional example of successful reporting, he added, is the case of the Asian longhorn beetle, which made its way to Chicago several years ago. One of the first cases was found and reported by an arborist, Sadof said. He reported it and specialists were able to act quickly, functionally eradicating it from Chicago. Thats all because someone said something and did something. Thats the mentality were trying to instill here in Indiana. Elizabeth Barnes, the exotic forest pest educator in the Department of Entomology and collaborator on the Report INvasive project, explains that citizens can also call Indianas Department of Natural Resources at 1-886-NO EXOTIC (1-886-663-9684) to file a report or email depp@dnr.in.gov. At the moment, Barnes said, invasive species specialists are extremely concerned about the Asian longhorn beetle and the spotted lanternfly. Neither species have been found in Indiana yet, but Barnes said they are popping up so many places across their arrival in Indiana is almost a guarantee. We want to know the minute that happens, Barnes said. But insects arent the only area of concern to specialists. Experts are monitoring dozens of species from feral hogs to bush honeysuckle. In addition to reporting sightings or damage, Barnes also advises reading up on management techniques and, if possible, saving samples for experts to analyze. For invasive insects, if the person is comfortable with this, we would love for them to catch the offending insect, put it in a plastic bag or container and throw it in their freezer, Barnes said. Its also a humane way to kill them. Invasive species can have serious and long-lasting effects on landscapes and ecosystems and can also wreak havoc throughout agricultural and nursery businesses. Invasive species can cause grave environmental and economic impacts to our state, Sadof said. People should think about this when deciding whether or not to educate themselves or report. To file a report, visit https://ag.purdue.edu/reportinvasive/. For a comprehensive list of invasive species threatening Indiana visit https://www.entm.purdue.edu/iisc/. Writer: Emma Ea Ambrose, 765-494-2406, eeambros@purdue.edu Sources: Clifford Sadof, 765-494-5983, csadof@purdue.edu Elizabeth Barnes, 765-494-0822, barne175@purdue.edu Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-8415; Maureen Manier, Department Head, mmanier@purdue.edu Agriculture News Page WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. The Board of Trustees at the University of Vermont on Friday (Feb. 22) named Purdue Universitys Suresh Garimella as its next president, effective July 1. Garimella, Purdues executive vice president for research and partnerships, will remain at Purdue through the spring semester. Located in Burlington, the University of Vermont was founded in 1791, is a public Ivy and a top 100 research university serving more than 10,000 undergraduates in addition to graduate and medical students. President Mitch Daniels shared the news of Garimellas departure in an email to the campus community earlier Friday. I have known for some time that our friend Suresh was a candidate for this position, and I was afraid that UVM would make this very wise decision, Daniels said. We are extremely proud that Purdue produces the type of leaders that are recruited and wanted at other highly regarded institutions, but, as is always the case, these leaders are difficult to replace and I am not exaggerating to say that Suresh will be among the most difficult to replace. Garimella came to Purdue in 1999 as associate professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering. He was promoted to full professor in 2002, the Goodson Chair professorship in 2006, distinguished professor in 2009, and was named executive vice president for research and partnerships in 2014. Under his leadership, the university has experienced consecutive record years in research funding and established significant new partnerships around the world. Garimella conceived and implemented an ambitious Life Sciences Initiative, establishing two new institutes that bring together faculty from dozens of disciplines to study integrative neuroscience and inflammation, immunology and infectious disease, to complement signature efforts in the plant sciences and drug discovery. In addition, he and Purdue's provost partnered to initiate the Integrative Data Science Initiative, which is focused on applying data science research to pressing fundamental and socially relevant issues while establishing an educational ecosystem of data fluency to prepare students for the rapidly expanding future of a data-driven, knowledge economy. My time at Purdue has been nothing short of remarkable, due entirely to my inspiring faculty and staff colleagues and the students we are fortunate to work with each and every day, Garimella said. It is with sadness that I leave Purdue, but excitement that I have the opportunity to take on this new role at an outstanding land-grant institution with a storied history in liberal arts and sciences, and values that mirror my own. Information will be forthcoming regarding a search for Garimellas successor. Media Contact: Tim Doty, 765-494-2080, doty2@purdue.edu University of Vermont release: Suresh Garimella to become next University of Vermont President Winners in the 13th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service were unveiled on Friday night at a gala ceremony in Las Vegas, NV. DP DHL won 11 Gold Stevie Awards, the most in the 2019 competition among Stevie Award winners. Among other winners, winners of three Stevie Awards include: American Airlines, EFG Companies, Teleperformance D.I.B.S, and Holiday Inn Vacations. Winners in the 13th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, recognized as the world's top customer service awards and sales awards, were unveiled on Friday night at a gala ceremony in Las Vegas, NV, attended by more than 700 executives from around the world. The complete list of Stevie Winners by category is available at http://www.StevieAwards.com/Sales. DP DHL, with Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award wins for activities in Canada, Ecuador, Kenya, the U.S., Vietnam, and other nations, was the most honored organization this year, earning the top Grand Stevie Award trophy for the sixth consecutive year. Other Grand Stevie Award winners, in descending order, include IBM, HomeServe USA, Sales Partnerships, Inc., VIZIO Inc., Delta Vacations, ValueSelling Associates, Dell Technologies, GuideWell Connect, and Cvent. DP DHL won 11 Gold Stevie Awards, the most in the 2019 competition among Stevie Award winners. Among other winners, winners of three Stevie Awards include: American Airlines, EFG Companies, Teleperformance D.I.B.S, and Holiday Inn Vacations. Winners of two Gold Stevie Awards are: Birevim, Bose, CarrefourSA, Chorus.ai, Comcast, Delta Defense, Employment Background Investigations, Inc., MarketBridge, Nextiva, Qurate Retail Group, RAIN Group, VXI Global Soluations, and WNS (Holdings) Limited. Leaders among multiple winners of Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevies include: Allianz Global Assistance, Autosoft, Inc, Cross Country Home Services, Delta Defense, Druva, Inc., Electronic Arts, First American Database Solutions, FIS, GoDaddy, iHeartMedia, Inc., John Hancock Financial Services, KT, Liveops, Mailchimp, Michael Kors, MRO Corp, Municipality and Planning Department, Nextiva, Nuance Communications, Offerpad, Overstock.com, Periscope Data, Pushpay, QNB Finansbank, Response, Rimini Street, TCL USA, TTEC, UPMC Health Plan, Visualize, Vivint Solar, VIZIO, VXI Global, Wells Fargo Treasury Management Client Delivery, and Wyndham Destinations. Winners in the Peoples Choice Stevie Awards for Favorite Customer Service, as determined by more than 76,000 public votes were also presented at the event. The presentations were broadcast live via Livestream and are available to watch online. The awards are presented by the Stevie Awards, which organizes several of the worlds leading business award shows including the prestigious International Business Awards and The American Business Awards. More than 2,700 nominations from organizations in 45 nations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were evaluated in this years competition. Winners were determined by the average scores of more than 150 professionals worldwide in seven specialized judging committees. Entries were considered in 93 categories for customer service and contact center achievements, including Contact Center of the Year, Award for Innovation in Customer Service, and Customer Service Department of the Year; 60 categories for sales and business development achievements, ranging from Senior Sales Executive of the Year to Sales Training or Business Development Executive of the Year to Sales Department of the Year; and categories to recognize new products and services and solution providers. About the Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in seven programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com. Sponsors and supporters of the 13th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service include HCL Financial Services, Sales Partnerships, Inc. and ValueSelling Associates, Inc. Were exciting that crowdfunders are supporting our campaign for Vektor, which allows them to retain control over their home network or their small business network, even if they have no technical background. Vektor, the home cybersecurity and privacy device created by Q-Branch Labs that can be easily connected into nearly any home router to provide enterprise-grade security, has surpassed its $50,000 crowdfunding campaign goal on Indiegogo. Were exciting that crowdfunders are supporting our campaign, which allows them to retain control over their home network or their small business network, even if they have no technical background, said Q-Branch Labs founder and former head of Facebooks Security Tools team Jim McCoy. With Vektor, consumers who feel theyve lost some measure of control over these networks will find a solution with this game-changing device. By analyzing network traffic, Vektor can detect malware infections much earlier than traditional antivirus programs. This home cybersecurity device builds a model of the users normal network traffic so it can detect the abnormalities that may signal a developing attack. While many aspects of an attack can be hidden, malware must always communicate back to those who sent it. When Vektor sees a lot of DNS requests pointing to hot spots of abuse, it blocks that traffic and warns users of potential infections through its easy-to-use mobile app. McCoy notes that many people are adding new internet-connected devices to their network all the time, but many are usually poorly secured, never updated and open holes in their computer network. In a world where hackers can hide in your lightbulbs, talk to your children through the smart TV, and take control of your network through your internet-connected doorbell, Vektor provides the safety and security you need, he said. In addition to securing a home computer network, Vektor provides strong privacy protections including ad and web tracker blocking, Virtual Private Network (VPN) management and encryption of core internet protocols to prevent tracking by the consumers Internet Service Provider (ISP). For parents, Vektor can also give them the ability to control access times and content for childrens devices. McCoy, a graduate of Northwestern University, is a veteran of the dot-com era and a long-time security professional who ran the security tools team at Facebook that was responsible for building the tools and systems used to protect Facebooks corporate network from some of the best hacking teams on the planet. While with Facebook, I discovered that my friends and familys networks were just as vulnerable to hackers, but they lacked the ability to protect themselves, McCoy said. This put me on the path to develop Vektor to provide any consumer with enterprise-grade protection in an easy-to-use device that enables non-experts to keep their network safe. Vektor features include: Strong cybersecurity Advanced intrusion detection Malware and phishing attacks are automatically blocked An AI-powered firewall that learns what normal is for the users network and blocks unexpected connections Vulnerability scanner and protection agent that blocks known attacks on Internet-connected devices Automatic updates to the latest threat intelligence available so users are protected from new attacks Privacy protection Ad blocking and web tracker blocking for all devices in the users home VPN manager that extends VPN to all devices in the home, even those that normally cant use a VPN for privacy protection Network lookups and core functions are automatically protected by encryption, so the computer owners ISP cant monitor them or sell their browsing data Network Control Shows users all connected devices in the home (even those forgotten about) and gives them the power to disable network access for any of them Parental-control features that allow user to set internet limits for kids or limit them to kid-safe websites W-Fi features that allow users to create a VPN-only network or a temporary network for guests that doesnt require the owners to share their Wi-Fi passwords For more information or to purchase Vektor at an early-bird discount during crowdfunding, visit the Vektor Campaign Page on Indiegogo. Grinkmeyer Leonard Financial, a financial advisory services firm in Birmingham, Alabama, today announces that its co-founder, Valerie R. Leonard, AIF, CPFA, has been named to Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list for 2019. The list was published on Forbes.com, and a condensed listing is available in the current issue of the magazine. With more than 15 years of experience, Valeries mission is to help people find better ways to manage their money and time. Her commitment as a leader in the financial industry and retirement community has earned her numerous recognitions throughout the United States. She specializes in 401(k) consulting for companies and in managing investment portfolios for and offering financial advice to high net worth individuals. Wayne Bloom, CEO of Commonwealth Financial Network, Grinkmeyer Leonard Financials Registered Investment Adviserbroker/dealer, said, Congratulations to Valerie on this well-deserved recognition by Forbes. It is wonderful to see a client-centric, independent advisor who is devoted to providing expert financial planning represented on this list. We appreciate the value Valerie brings to our industry and our community, and we remain committed to providing the infrastructure and support Grinkmeyer Leonard Financials thriving practice demands. In a world where hardworking Alabamians are busy and dont have time to make sure their investments and financial planning strategies are as efficient as possible, Im delighted to offer simple solutions and proactive service to help give them the confidence they need to get where theyre going, said Valerie. I am honored to be recognized by Forbes and am thankful for the opportunity to do what makes me happy every day when working with my clients. The 2019 ranking of the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors(1) list was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person and telephone due-diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively and on a ranking algorithm that includes client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, and quantitative criteria (including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms). Overall, 30,000 advisors were considered, and 3,500 (11.6 percent of candidates) were recognized. The full methodology(2) that Forbes developed in partnership with SHOOK Research is available here. About Grinkmeyer Leonard Financial Grinkmeyer Leonard Financial has been providing individuals and organizations with financial guidance since 2007. Located at 1950 Stonegate Drive, Suite 275, Birmingham, Alabama, 35242, the firm prides itself on offering clients independent, customized service solutions including full-service investment management, financial planning advice, and 401(k) services. For more information, please visit http://www.grinkmeyerleonard.com. About Commonwealth Financial Network Founded in 1979, Commonwealth Financial Network, member FINRA/SIPC, is the nations largest privately held Registered Investment Adviserindependent broker/dealer, with headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts, and San Diego, California. J.D. Power ranks Commonwealth Highest in Independent Advisor Satisfaction Among Financial Investment Firms, Five Times in a Row. The firm supports approximately 1,800 independent financial advisors nationwide. For more information, please visit http://www.commonwealth.com. (1)This recognition and the due-diligence process conducted are not indicative of the advisors future performance. Your experience may vary. Winners are organized and ranked by state. Some states may have more advisors than others. You are encouraged to conduct your own research to determine if the advisor is right for you. (2)Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. SHOOK does not receive a fee in exchange for rankings. From left - Kanwar Ratra, CEO Ultimate Gas & Oil_Abdulrahman Musa Bashar, Chairman Ultimate Group_Manav Garg CEO & Founder Eka_Ian Evans, VP Middle East & Africa The commodity industry has traditionally been underserved in terms of innovation. Ultimate choosing Ekas digital platform is a testament that the industry is ready to break free from legacy systems with nimble solutions driven by data and cloud, that lets them scale in weeks. Eka Software Solutions (Eka), announced its first crude and refined products client in the Middle East today. The leading provider of commodity management solutions has signed Ultimate Oil & Gas DMCC (Ultimate) to provide the latest version of their specialist, cloud driven commodity management platform. The new implementation provides a unique end-to-end business solution to manage Ultimates complete trading operations. With 25 clients signed in 2018 this is a significant client win for Eka in the MEA. Ekas fully scalable solution will enable Ultimate to lower risks and increase profitability through automation and real-time analysis of trading opportunities in the market. Ultimate Oil & Gas DMCC is a crude oil, petroleum, diesel and jet fuel provider in West Africa, headquartered in Dubai, with operations across Africa, Middle East and India. The companys fast expansion in West Africa and UAE requires a real-time system that enables growth without having to add new resources and keeps all staff and management connected with Ultimates business in real-time. Kanwar Ratra, CEO Ultimate Oil and Gas, said: We looked at a number of other companies, but Ekas crude and refined products Platform was unquestionably the best fit for us. As our business grows, our requirements evolve with it and we need a solution that is modern, easily deployable, mobile and backed by a solid team. The team at Eka demonstrated deep industry knowledge and a customer-centric focus. Ratra further added, The real-time analytics provided by Ekas Platform is a unique opportunity for us to make informed decisions quickly, which is especially important in crude and refined products trading. Manav Garg, CEO & Founder Eka Software Solutions, said: The commodity industry has traditionally been underserved in terms of innovation. Ultimate choosing Ekas digital platform to scale their business is a testament that the industry is ready for a modern, digital solution that lets them break free from legacy systems and move forward with nimble solutions driven by data and cloud that now lets them scale in weeks as opposed to months. Ian Evans, VP Middle East and Africa at Eka, said: The energy sector is witnessing a rapid growth in the Middle East and we are delighted to be working with Ultimate, our first client in energy liquids in this area. Commodity businesses should be able to deploy applications based on the needs of their business, not the limitations of their systems. Ultimates need for an end-to-end solution driven by the companys expansion is precisely why Ekas Platform is the right fit for them. Ekas solution will benefit Ultimate in four different ways: o Cloud: Driven by cloud, Ekas Platform provides Ultimate visibility into every part of their business while they are on the move with apps that include Mark-to-Market, Position, Risk and Monitoring and more. o Mobile: Ekas pre-built apps are designed to deliver a holistic, accurate, current picture of the state of the business, enabling Ultimate to stay up-to-date anywhere, anytime and allowing them to share information on the go with their teams on ground. o Increased productivity: By integrating its trading and risk operations on one platform, Ultimate will be able to eliminate manual processes completely. Reports that used to take three weeks to create are now created in just a few minutes. o Scalable: Ultimate will benefit from the Platforms architecture which will enable them to go live in weeks and add functionality in the future without having to undergo a painful and lengthy implementation process. Eka expanded its operations in Dubai last year to support its rapidly growing customer base for its Digital Commodity Management Platform. As part of this endeavor, Eka appointed industry veteran Ian Evans as vice president-MEA in Dubai to setup its business operations and lead company growth across energy and agriculture markets in Middle East and Africa. Dubai is Ekas 8th global office, having established its presence with offices across Australia, Canada, India, Singapore, USA and the United Kingdom. About Ultimate Based in Dubai, Ultimate Oil & Gas is the offshore trading company arm of Rahamaniyya Group. It is a full-fledged oil and gas trading company with an array of expertise in trading, operations, trade finance, chartering, and risk management. Established in October 2003 as an onshore oil trading business, the Rahamaniyya Groups specific focus is on the Nigerian market and Sub Saharan West Africa, and to be the leader in the downstream sector. Over the years, the Rahamaniyya Group has grown into a full-fledged downstream company with various divisions. Rahamaniyya Group has a large depot strategically located at Apapa in Lagos. The depot has its own Jetty through which it receives large cargos up to 25000 MT. It has a storage capacity of 90 million litres, thereby having capacity to receive a full LR 1 cargo with break bulking in lots of 20-25 KT. It also has two MRs on long term charter for breaking bulking cargoes. Its own transport unit has about 250 trucks and supplies the petroleum products to the hinterland to various bulk customers, industrial customers and retail stations. About Eka Award winning Eka is the global leader in providing Commodity Management solutions driven by Cloud, Blockchain, Machine Learning and Analytics. Ekas modern Digital Commodity Management Platform enables companies to efficiently and profitably meet the challenges of complex and volatile markets. The companys best-of-breed solutions manage commodity trading, enterprise risk, compliance, procurement, supply chain, operations, logistics, bulk handling, processing, and decision support. Eka partners with customers to accelerate growth, increase profitability, improve operational control, and manage risks and exposures. Eka is a team of 315 staff with offices in the Americas, Asia, Australia, and EMEA, serving a rapidly growing global client base across multiple commodity segments. Uberall, Inc., the location management solution for businesses competing to attract and win local brick-and-mortar customers, today announced the expansion of its channel partner program in the US. Announced at LSA19 in Dana Point, CA, the newly expanded program packages much-needed location marketing services with hands-on expertisehelping partners turn clients and prospects online digital marketing efforts into offline foot traffic. By partnering with Uberall, channel partners establish multiple new sustainable, scalable revenue streams, both complementing and working as an organic part of their existing list of services. Uberall is a global leader in location marketing technology. The companys flagship Location Marketing Cloud platform gives multi-location businesses central control of their digital presence and online reputation per location, providing a consistent and accurate digital brand footprint. By enabling businesses to easily manage interactions at the location-level in real-time, on all digital platforms including websites, mobile apps, store locators, search engines, maps, social media, and voice assistants the Location Marketing Cloud helps capture new customers and maximize revenue for every location. In the US, the demand for location marketing technology and per location brand management has exploded. According to eMarketer, location marketing spend will reach nearly $40 billion by 2022. Comprehensive local marketing services help local consumers find, engage with and purchase from local and nearby brands. Since 2017, Uberall has enabled content, SEO and digital marketing agencies, serving SMB and enterprise clients the ability to offer the Uberall Location Marketing Cloud as a customizable white-labeled solution. With the expansion of Uberalls channel partner program in the US, Uberall will help partners scale and grow their businesses through a compelling location marketing product, coupled with expert guidance, industry best practices, support, and a dedicated partner growth manager. Uberalls flexible approach, with hands-on support and dedicated subject matter experts, can serve as an extension of the partners location marketing knowledgebase. Our technology blends seamlessly and invisibly into partner offerings, making it possible for agencies to quickly scale their solution set and establish valuable recurring revenue streams, said Florian Huebner, Co-CEO and Co-Founder, of Uberall. The demand for location marketing technology among multi-location brands, regardless of their size, is surging. In partnering with us, we are enabling agencies to meet that demand for clients and prospects through our technology and expertise. From per-location online store listings management to customer engagement and brand reputation, Uberalls location marketing cloud will expand, amplify and enhance channel partners full range of digital services, driving growth and customer satisfaction. Uberall announces this program expansion at LSA19, where they are a marquee sponsor. Created by the Local Search Association (LSA), a not-for-profit industry association of media companies, agencies and technology providers who help businesses market to local consumers, LSA19 is a must-attend annual digital marketing conference for anyone looking to better understand and capitalize on the power of local marketing. LSA19 is currently underway in Dana Point, CA from February 25-27. Uberall is participating in a number of thought leadership sessions at the event, including The Science of Customer Retention, which explores best practices for mitigating churn among companies selling media, software and services to SMBs. To see the full LSA19 schedule, visit: https://www.thelsa.org/lsa/lsa19-agenda.aspx. Attendees interested in a demo of Uberall can also stop by the LSA19 Exhibit Hall and visit booth 9. We are excited to launch this channel partner expansion at LSA19, added Huebner. Location marketing is a huge opportunity for channel clients. By ensuring that locations are properly represented and managed across the web, their clients can maximize their outreach to relevant local prospects, fortify brand loyalty and increase foot traffic. Uberall is also a finalist for the LSAs Ad to Actions Awards in the category of "Sales & Marketing Automation. The awards celebrate solutions that automate sales and marketing processes for brands and agencies, with the winner being named at LSA19. We are delivering more than just a technology platform, said Tehsin Daya, VP of Business Development, North America, Uberall. We are focused on our partner successproviding support and expert guidance, as well industry best practices, through a dedicated partner growth manager. We are also 100% free of channel conflict or competition which is essential for our partners. For more information about Uberall, visit: http://uberall.com About Uberall, Inc. Uberall is a global leader in location marketing technology. Its flagship Location Marketing Cloud platform empowers the world's biggest brands to connect with their customers and turn online interactions into offline sales. Uberall gives businesses central control of their digital presence and online reputation, enabling them to easily manage brand interactions in real-time on all digital platformsmobile, voice and desktopacross websites, mobile apps, store locators, search engines, maps, social platforms, and advertising networks. The Location Marketing Cloud provides a consistent, accurate digital brand footprint that helps businesses capture new customers and maximize revenue for every location. Uberall is headquartered in Berlin, with additional offices in San Francisco, London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Cape Town. Its clients include Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders from all over the world. Learn more at https://www.uberall.com. Trusted Objects Samir Hennaoui, Product Manager for LPWA Wireless Modules at Murata declares: With Trusted Objects TS Defender LoRaWAN, our LoRaWAN module provides a means for application developers to implement a better level of security than the standard LoRaWAN security stack, while not increasing the BOM. Trusted Objects TS Defender LoRaWAN, a secure software library for generic MCU that provides enhanced security on LoRaWAN nodes is now available for the Murata module referenced CMWX1ZZABZ-078. IoT application developers can easily assess the solution using the evaluation kit B-L072Z-LRWAN1 equipped with this small form factor module. TS Defender LoRaWAN is a 100% software solution that implements secure element functionalities with state-of-the art software countermeasures against the most common physical attacks on LoRaWAN nodes at no additional hardware cost. Trusted Objects TS Defender provides advanced protection against most massive and selective physical attacks on LoRaWAN nodes. It consists in a C language library that can easily be implemented into any host IC (like MCU or RF SoC) and provides the same functionalities as a hardware based secure element. TS Defender allows to implement security protocols with connectivity features, including secure key storage, while remaining compatible with the standard LoRaWAN software stack. Trusted Objects TS Defender has been the object of a security assessment by Secure-IC, an expert in trusted computing security technologies for embedded systems. This security evaluation has shown that with TS Defender LoRaWAN a side-channel attack based on the electromagnetism emanation of the chip was ineffective even with more than 10,000 traces while the same attack was able to obtain the key with just 250 traces when the standard LoRaWAN security stack was used. Samir Hennaoui, Product Manager for LPWA Wireless Modules at Murata declares: We are happy with our partnership with Trusted Objects as the integration of their TS Defender LoRaWAN with our LoRaWAN module provides a means for application developers to implement a better level of security than the standard LoRaWAN security stack, while not increasing the BOM of their product. Sami Anbouba, CEO of Trusted Objects, adds: "With the addition of Trusted Objects TS Defender LoRaWAN in Murata module, many developers will be able to experience the high level of protection against physical attacks provided by our library combined with the easiness of its implementation. TS Defender LoRaWAN can be integrated in Murata LoRaWAN module through a licensing model from Trusted Objects. Trusted Objects will be present during the Mobile World Congress, held in Barcelona, Spain, on February 25-28, 2019, and available to provide additional information about its security solutions. Feel free to give us a call to set up a meeting. About Trusted Objects Trusted Objects is a leading independent player in the Secure IoT market, providing innovative solutions including software and embedded firmware, to dramatically enhance the security of connected devices. Trusted Objects solutions are fully optimized, certified and are positioned as the root of trust to meet the end-to-end security needs of the IoT. Trusted Objects also delivers a set of services and systems including security assessment, personalization engine, keys and certificates management, fast prototyping to accelerate the deployment of comprehensive solutions that meet the highest security requirements. Travefy - the leading itinerary management tool for Travel Agents - announced a new collaboration with Expedia TAAP. Through this collaboration, Travel Agents can directly import all customer bookings from Expedia TAAP onto any Travefy itinerary, which will seamlessly populate with rich information. Were beyond thrilled to be working with the innovative Expedia TAAP team, notes David Chait, Travefys CEO. At Travefy, we are relentlessly focused on adding new features and collaboration that save Travel Agents valuable time and boost productivity. We know that the time Agents save from this collaboration will help them efficiently scale their travel businesses. ABOUT TRAVEFY Travefys mission is to power the success of travel professionals. Our award-winning proposal and itinerary management tools help Travel Advisors and professionals save time and impress clients. Professionals can build dynamic travel quotes and itineraries all in their brand that can be delivered via mobile app, responsive web page, or PDF. Additional time-saving integrations bring key data seamlessly to any itinerary. Travefy powers thousands of travel businesses ranging from small, independent travel advisors to the largest travel agencies, consortia, and organizations. Travefy has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Forbes among other publications and has won numerous industry honors including Entrepreneur of the Year from the American Society of Travel Advisors. For more information please see: https://travefy.com/pro For press assets please see: https://travefy.com/press ABOUT EXPEDIA PARTNER SOLUTIONS: Expedia Partner Solutions (EPS) is a global B2B partnership brand within Expedia Group that powers the business of leading airlines, top consumer brands, travel agencies and thousands of other B2B partners through its versatile API, online template solutions and powerful agent tools. Website: Expediapartnersolutions.com 2019 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. Expedia is a registered trademark of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ABOUT EXPEDIA TAAP: The Expedia Travel Agent Affiliate Program (TAAP) offers agents a wide breadth of quality travel products, competitive rates and impressive availability. The ready-built platform is constantly optimized to drive ease of use and deliver a world-class booking experience. Expedia TAAPs industry-leading technology, personalized service and access to unique inventory and planning tools empower agents and agency managers to grow their business Astrapi Corporation is honored to be named one of only twenty companies accepted to pitch to the USAF Command, Control, Communication, Intelligence and Networks (C3I&N) track for $158,000 each in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant Phase I funding. The presentation will be to a closed-door panel of USAF domain experts at the inaugural Pitch Day event in New York City on March 6th. Astrapi will also have the opportunity to present to a larger Air Force, industry, investment, and media audience on March 7. Astrapis Spiral Modulation provides an innovative, structured way to dramatically improve the utilization of spectrum for telecommunications. The additional capabilities address key problems in contested environments faced by the USAF such as Low Probability of Interception and Detection (LPI/LPD) and anti-jamming of signals, as well as providing additional data throughput enabling high-definition Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Lower required signal power also enables reduced Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) requirements for both manned and unmanned aerial vehicles. Spiral Modulation is also being developed for commercial satellite VSAT applications, funded in part by a SBIR Phase II grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Spiral Modulation is a dual-use technology that addresses commercial satellite, backhaul, terrestrial wireless, and Internet-of-Things applications. Dr. Jerrold Prothero, Astrapi Founder and CEO, stated, Our early Software Defined Radio results suggest Spiral Modulation will be able to match the dramatic reduction in required signal power that we have been able to demonstrate in simulation. Those results are quite encouraging since we have not yet fully optimized our approach. Since there are so many applications within the defense and commercial sectors, Spiral Modulation is positioned to solve multiple challenges that the U.S. Department of Defense faces related to how spectrum may be optimized, especially in congested and contested environments. ABOUT Astrapi Corporation Astrapi is the pioneer of Spiral Modulation, which opens an unexplored area for innovation at the core of telecommunications. Currently Astrapi has nine patents issued, with more pending and with international coverage. Based on a generalization of Eulers formula, the foundational mathematics for telecom, Astrapi provides fundamentally new ways to optimize the use of spectrum. By applying new mathematics to signal modulation, Astrapi is able to improve the trade-off between the four fundamental parameters in telecommunications: bandwidth, signal power, data throughput, and error rate. The resulting efficiency translates into higher spectral performance with more bits available at a lower cost. http://www.astrapi-corp.com ABOUT the United States Air Force Pitch Day Many mind-blowing ideas are being birthed in U.S. startup companies. In order to capture these ideas, the Pentagon must do business at the speed of innovation: inspiring and accelerating startup creativity toward national security challenges. Pitch Day is open to all ideas furthering national security in air, space and cyberspace. Our Inaugural Pitch Day will have special emphasis on three areas Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence and Network. USAF Special Warfare Technologies (Battlefield Air Operations Family of Systems Technologies), and Digital Technologies ABOUT Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program was established by Congress in 1982 to fund research and development (R&D) by small businesses of 500 or fewer employees. Eleven federal agencies participate in the program, including the Department of Defense. As part of a collaboration between The Salad Station and Silicon Valley-based food robotics company, Chowbotics, Louisianas first and only salad robot will debut at North Oaks Medical Center on Monday, March 4. By utilizing Sally the Robots patented technology, The Salad Station is able to expand its footprint by offering local, seasonal salads beyond its brick-and-mortar locations, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Chowbotics recently announced a similar partnership with French multinational plant-based food company, Bonduelle. Located just outside the cafeteria and available after-hours, Sally will benefit patients, visitors, and more than 2,600 North Oaks Medical Center employees, especially those who work through the night. Customers who enjoy building their own creations at The Salad Station can recreate the experience with Sally by crafting custom salads from any combination of up to 22 ingredients. Users can fine-tune the calorie total by adding or subtracting ingredients, as well as view full nutritional details for each recipe. The robot also features several pre-programmed recipes from The Salad Station including the Strawberry Spinach Salad and the Louisiana Farmers Salad. The Salad Station plans to regularly sub-in seasonal ingredients, spicing up staples like spinach and roasted chicken with fruits and vegetables from local farms. The Salad Station is built on fresh produce and fast service, says Scott Henderson, founder and president. Were excited to introduce Sally the Robot, a new and innovative way to order Louisianas favorite salads. Sally reduces the risk of foodborne illness, as ingredients are kept sanitary and separate. Each of Sallys ingredients is replenished on a regular basis and contained within the robot, greatly reducing the potential for contamination. Were thrilled to help Scott and the team at The Salad Station expand the availability of their salads beyond the store level, says Dr. Deepak Sekar, founder and CEO of Chowbotics. Sally will bring nourishment day and night to those visiting or working at North Oaks Medical Center as well as the Hammond community at large. Law Offices of Alyssa D. Honickman The launch of my Boca office furthers the firms presence in South Florida and gives my Palm Beach clients a convenient location to visit us and discuss their needs. The Law Offices of Alyssa D. Honickman, P.A., a Fort Lauderdale based law firm, is proud to announce it has opened its second location, in Boca Raton, Florida. The Law Offices of Alyssa D. Honickman, founded in 2010, is a Family Law firm that focuses on marital and family law cases. Alyssa Honickman, the owner of the boutique firm, decided to open the second location in Boca Raton at 433 Plaza Real #275 Boca Raton, FL. I am thrilled to open a second location. I have served the Broward County area for 9 years, but I have a lot of clients in Boca Raton and Palm Beach County, so it made sense to open this new location to better serve my clients, Honickman said. The launch of my Boca office furthers the firms presence in South Florida and gives my Palm Beach clients a convenient location to visit us and discuss their needs. The firm is experienced in helping clients in all areas of family law, including divorce, property division, relocation, legal paternity, marital settlement agreements, child support, modifications and alimony. Honickman has tried over 150 jury trials including misdemeanors, felonies and domestic violence cases, while also having tried over 80 family law trials. She is an active member of her community and involved with the Florida Bar. The second location will be in the heart of Boca Raton in the popular Mizner Park area. The Law Offices of Alyssa D. Honickman can be reached by phone at 954-761-2522 or her website, https://www.honickmanlaw.com About Law Offices of Alyssa D. Honickman: Honickman Law, founded in 2010 by Alyssa Honickman, is focused on helping meet her clients needs. She encourages settlement of her cases without court intervention but is prepared to litigate. Honickman is admitted to practice in all Florida State courts and Federal Court for the Southern District of Florida. -The Law Offices of Alyssa D. Honickman- Zefflin will enhance our innovative professional services capabilities and cloud offerings particularly in the area of ServiceNow and its expanding portfolio. Zefflins broad experience will be of immense value to EVT, said Joe Rumsey, EVT Founder and President. Enterprise Vision Technologies (EVT), an enterprise-focused systems integrator and value-added reseller (VAR) of IT solutions and services today announced the acquisition of its cloud management, IT Service Management (ITSM) and automation solutions partner, Zefflin Systems, LLC (Zefflin). Based in San Diego, CA, Zefflin is a technical consulting and software company with cutting-edge capabilities in cloud automation, DevOps, ITSM and IT operations management (ITOM). Zefflin works with Fortune 1000 companies across multiple vertical markets delivering advanced, cost-effective solutions spanning the entire computing life cycle from request to teardown. Zefflins founder and CEO, Sam Melehy, brings 30 years of experience delivering technology consulting solutions to IT organizations of the Global 5000 and domain expertise in cloud computing, ITSM, ITOM, automation, application lifecycle management, big data/analytics and monitoring. Melehy and the Zefflin team bring long-standing relationships with key software providers including ServiceNow and Red Hat. The acquisition combines mutually targeted business goals to address the broad needs of enterprise IT organizations. The synergy of an established VAR with an agile cloud computing service provider magnifies each companys hybrid cloud and infrastructure capabilities while merging software competencies in multiple, best-of-breed solutions including Red Hat automation tools (Ansible, OpenShift and CloudForms) and the ServiceNow product suite. EVTs presence and sterling reputation in the Fortune 500 is a perfect fit for our consulting practice and will enable us to significantly grow our service offering capabilities, said Sam Melehy. Our expertise in solving complex ITSM, cloud management and automation solutions is a value-add for todays enterprise customers. About Enterprise Vision Technologies Enterprise Vision Technologies (EVT) is an enterprise-focused systems integrator and value-added reseller of IT solutions and services. Founded in 2003, EVT specializes in holistic infrastructure design, multi-cloud architectures, rapid app deployment, analytics/big data and information security. Serving Fortune 500 and enterprise companies across the globe, the firm offers vast expertise across numerous disciplines to help clients deliver innovative services while lowering TCO of acquiring, implementing and managing IT infrastructure. EVT is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, with offices in NY, NJ, TX and AK, and overseas in Malaysia and the UK. About Zefflin Zefflin is a ServiceNow Sales and Services Partner and a Red Hat Advanced Business Partner with accreditations and certifications in ServiceNow ITOM and ITSM and Red Hat CloudForms, OpenShift, Ansible Ceph Storage and Openstack. Zefflin focuses on datacenter automation, cloud management, implementation and integration. Zefflin offers advanced, cost-effective solutions in the areas of ITSM, ITOM, Configuration Management Database (CMDB), request/catalog management, automated provisioning (OS, application, database, storage, and network), policy governance and compliance for the entire computing infrastructure. http://www.zefflin.com Perimeter Plastic Surgery offers $500 off breast augmentation With spring only a few weeks away, February is the optimal time to undergo a breast augmentation; patients will have adequate time to heal before swimsuit season arrives. Perimeter Plastic Surgery announces its February specials: $500 off a breast augmentation or $100 off filler treatments. With spring only a few weeks away, February is the optimal time to undergo a breast augmentation; patients will have adequate time to heal before swimsuit season arrives, said Mark Deutsch, MD, FACS, a board-certified plastic surgeon and medical director of Perimeter Plastic Surgery. Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that increases the size, fullness and shape of the breasts using either saline, silicone or cohesive gel implants. Dr. Deutsch recommends patients give themselves four to eight weeks to completely recover from the surgery. After this time, swelling and bruising should fade completely. In addition to the breast augmentation special, Perimeter Plastic Surgery is offering $100 off filler treatments. Fillers are minimally invasive and most commonly used to treat the lips, cheeks, neck, and under the eyes. Cosmetic injectable treatments restore youthful volume to the face with little to no downtime, said Dr. Deutsch. We encourage patients to schedule a consultation first . This visit allows us to evaluate the patients needs and desired outcome and thoroughly explain the treatment options available. Dr. Deutsch encourages those interested in a breast augmentation or fillers to schedule a complimentary consultation before February 28th, so they can take advantage of the specials. Appointments can be made by calling Perimeter Plastic Surgery at 404-255-0886 or by filling out the online contact form at https://www.perimeterplasticsurgery.com/contact/. About Perimeter Plastic Surgery: Perimeter Plastic Surgery is one of the top plastic surgery practices with locations in Atlanta and Fayetteville, Georgia. Owner and founder of the practice, Mark Deutsch, MD, FACS, has over 20 years of plastic surgery experience, is double board-certified, and has been named a Top Doctor in Atlanta by Castle Connolly for three years in a row: 2016, 2017, and 2018. Perimeter Plastic Surgerys Atlanta office is located in Northside Hospitals Northside Doctors Center on Johnson Ferry Road. For more information about Dr. Deutsch and Perimeter Plastic Surgery, please visit https://perimeterplasticsurgery.com. Ensuring that we are providing the same measurable and valid data for Spanish-speaking students is paramount to equitable assessment. -- Adam Withycombe, D.Ed., Manager of Content Design and Development for Spanish assessment at NWEA NWEA, the not-for-profit assessment solutions provider, today announced the launch of two new Spanish assessment offerings within its existing MAP Suite, including Spanish MAP Growth Reading and Spanish MAP Reading Fluency. The assessments will be available for the next school year, beginning in fall 2019, and will be included at no additional charge as part of MAP Growth and MAP Reading Fluency assessments. These new Spanish assessments, which join the previously available Spanish MAP Growth Math, will allow for access and fairness in assessment of Spanish-speaking students and provide an equitable tool to help teachers reach students who have historically been underserved. The assessments also provide administrators with the accurate data they need to make effective program decisions and track progress for Spanish-speaking students. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are approximately 4.8 million English Language Learners (ELLs) in U.S. public schools. Of those, 77 percent are native Spanish speakers. NWEAs Spanish MAP assessments help to illuminate the learning needs of a growing population of Spanish-speaking students and identify whether they are attributed to language barriers or true learning gaps. The NWEA offering provides Spanish assessments in math, reading comprehension, oral reading fluency, and foundational reading skills. The MAP Spanish assessments help track growth, measure performance, assess early literacy skills, and provide educators with the data they need to guide student learning. With a growing population of Spanish-speaking students, educators need to know what their students learning needs are and if students are growing in the languages of instruction, said Chris Minnich, CEO of NWEA. Educators have come to know and trust MAP Suite as a comprehensive assessment system that provides high-quality, trustworthy data about what students know now and what they are ready to learn next. These new Spanish assessments will help to ensure that educators have that same powerful data for Spanish-speaking students, and remove any confounding variables hiding the truth about a students true academic abilities. MAP Spanish is designed to support educators regardless of the approach used for Spanish-speaking students in their district, whether it be English-only instruction for ELLs, bilingual instruction, or dual-language immersion instruction. Approximately 60,000 students in over 100 districts have been piloting the MAP Spanish reading assessments this school year. Ensuring that we are providing the same measurable and valid data for Spanish-speaking students is paramount to equitable assessment, said Adam Withycombe, D.Ed., Manager of Content Design and Development for Spanish assessment at NWEA and a previous bilingual instructor in Spanish. Schools have a variety of different needs when it comes to native assessments, whether the goal is to simply learn English or to teach biliteracy, where students graduate knowing how to read and write in both English and Spanish. MAP Spanish assessments can be used to provide accurate data on where students are in their learning no matter the approach taken and help separate language proficiency vs. academic performance. NWEAs MAP Spanish assessments include Spanish MAP Growth Reading, Spanish MAP Growth Math, and Spanish MAP Reading Fluency, and are part of the MAP Suite, a comprehensive assessment system with multiple ways to utilize assessment to improve instruction. MAP Spanish assessments enable educators to understand where all Spanish-speaking students are in their learning by providing a valid measure of reading, math and early literacy skills. MAP Spanish is ideally suited for native Spanish speakers and students receiving Spanish instruction. NWEA will be showcasing its MAP Spanish assessments at the National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) conference at booth 313 on March 7-9, 2019 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. At the conference, Dr. Teresa Cabal Krastel, Ph.D., Spanish Solution Lead at NWEA, will present Biliteracy Toolkit: Using Reading Assessments to Track Students' Path to Biliteracy on Friday, March 8, 2019, from 11:40 AM 12:30 PM in Fiesta 8 meeting room. About NWEA NWEA is a mission-driven, not-for-profit organization that supports students and educators worldwide by creating assessment solutions that precisely measure growth and proficiencyand provide insights to help tailor instruction. For more than 40 years, NWEA has developed innovative Pre-K12 assessments, professional learning that fosters educators ability to accelerate student learning, and research that supports assessment validity and data interpretation. Educators in more than 10,000 schools, districts, and education agencies in 141 countries rely on our flagship interim assessment, MAP Growth; our progress monitoring and skills mastery tool, MAP Skills; and our reading fluency and comprehension assessment, MAP Reading Fluency. Not every surgeon has the opportunity to invent or the time to write and tell their stories to the world. Inspired to share his journey in the surgical field, Michael Lawrence-Brown enters the publishing scene with the release of Feather on the Wind of Change Safaris, Surgery and Stentgrafts (published by Xlibris AU), an autobiography that narrates the making and the life of a surgeon in the modern era of minimally invasive and inventive surgery. The 20th century saw unrivaled changes in technology, politics and human relations. Written in four distinct parts and tied together with the thread of the authors life, this book encompasses the challenges to European dominance. The first part relates to the Wind of Change speech by Sir Harold MacMillan in 1960 that heralded the collapse of the British Empire and dispersal of its colonials. In here, Lawrence-Brown describes how it was growing up in the British Empire Colony of Kenya. The second part deals with migration to Australia, medical school and becoming a surgeon. The third part describes the revolutionary changes in the specialty of modern vascular surgery and surgical invention. The narrative ends with contemplation of a life in surgery and what to do as skills sets decline. Feather on the Wind of Change Safaris, Surgery and Stentgrafts tells of invention, of research and development, and of a device that saved lives, spared thousands the pain and suffering of major operations, and funded facilities and teaching. Within its pages, Lawrence-Brown expressed his feelings in anecdotes with emotion, stark reality, tragedies, humor, failures and achievement. Diverse groups of people will empathize with the stories in this book and find it appealing, the author states. It speaks for migrants who are driven by upheavals and rapid change, youth, adventure, and a desire to succeed; it is for those who arrive with hope and the countries that give them the chance of a better life. The essence is in the characters and the places, and the power is in the interaction of multiple disciplines. To purchase a copy, visit https://www.amazon.com/Feather-Change-Safaris-Surgery-Stentgrafts/dp/1984502441. Feather on the Wind of Change Safaris, Surgery and Stentgrafts By Michael Lawrence-Brown Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 506 pages | ISBN 9781984502438 Softcover | 6 x 9in | 506 pages | ISBN 9781984502445 E-Book | 506 pages | ISBN 9781984502452 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the Author Michael Lawrence-Brown is an Australian emeritus consultant vascular surgeon in Western Australia and an adjunct professor at Curtin University. Born and raised in Kenya, he migrated to Australia and studied medicine, trained in general surgery and super specialized in vascular surgery. He is a pioneer in the endovascular revolution to minimize the invasive procedures in vascular surgery. He is co-inventor of the Zenith family of stentgrafts that are used in the aorta for aortic aneurysms and traumatic rupture of the aorta. Xlibris Publishing Australia, an Author Solutions, LLC imprint, is a self-publishing services provider dedicated to serving Australian authors. By focusing on the needs of creative writers and artists and adopting the latest print-on-demand publishing technology and strategies, we provide expert publishing services with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound and full-color formats. To date, Xlibris has helped to publish more than 60,000 titles.For more information, visit xlibrispublishing.com.au or call 1800 455 039 to receive a free publishing guide. Follow us @XlibrisAus on Twitter for the latest news. The holistic knowledge, experience, and executive-level perspective brought together by MarketTecNexus and Consensia IT Partners are unmatched by most consulting firms. MarketTecNexus, LLC, a management advisory firm specializing in adaptive growth strategies for leaders, is pleased to announce its strategic partnership with Consensia IT Partners, a professional services group that enables CIOs to successfully deliver IT projects. MarketTecNexus, known as a technology and innovation catalyst, has consistently been at the forefront of advanced technologies including nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and augmented and virtual reality. As trusted advisors, they aim to develop world-class solutions for executives facing the harsh realities of technological and market disruptions. According to a report from Accenture, 93% of executives say they know their industry will be disrupted at some point in the next five years yet only 20% feel they are highly prepared to address it. Todays leaders face mounting pressure to improve their companys performance and solve complex problems amid the pace and magnitude of disruptions. The holistic knowledge, experience, and executive-level perspective brought together by MarketTecNexus and Consensia IT Partners are unmatched by most consulting firms. MarketTecNexus leverages more than 30 years of experience in Fortune 500 enterprises, start-ups, and non-profits. Clients benefit from MarketTecNexus business ecosystem expertise, strategy development, experience managing million dollar initiatives, and partnering skills with C-Suite and entrepreneurs alike. With more than 10 years helping innovative scientific and technology startups, MarketTecNexus blends agile strategies with corporate processes. Adriana Vela, founder and principal of MarketTecNexus, said: Having tracked technology trends for decades combined with roots in IT gives me a deep appreciation for the impact of disruptions on organizations. My passion is to help leaders become future-ready by providing solutions specifically focused on mitigating the costly impact of technology and market disruptions. Consensia IT Partners leverages more than 30 years of corporate leadership and professional services expertise to help CIOs and IT departments develop strategic planning, integration and execution. Tom Lavoie, founder and president of Consensia IT Partners, said: "Partnering with MarketTecNexus will create superior customer value by providing an end-to-end solutions approach to solving complex technical problems that also impact business functions. The wealth of experience and customer success on both sides will be a huge asset to business and technology leaders. The ability to develop growth strategies and remain competitive is among the most cited issues for leaders. This plays to the strengths and expertise of MarktetTecNexus and Consensia IT Partners. Both companies are poised for success with an increased breadth of services that help leaders execute with the right business and technical strategies for the various stages of their company. To learn more about the client successes, services or schedule a consultation, visit our website at http://markettecnexus.com. About MarketTecNexus MarketTecNexus is a consulting and strategy development firm that specializes in adaptive growth strategies. Its mission is to help companies become future-ready by providing the right systems, tools, and expertise. Services include business process re-engineering, technology assessment, market validation, program and project management, marketing strategies and more. The combination of deep expertise with Fortune 500 companies, SMBs and startups is part of the unique value that helps companies achieve growth and prosper. About Consensia IT Partners Consensia IT Partners is a professional services firm whose mission is to enable CIOs and business leaders to achieve business goals together through collaboration, innovation, and technology. From artificial intelligence to digital transformation to cloud optimization, Consensia evaluates opportunities, prioritizes initiatives, and delivers successful technology projects that enable business success. A Laymans Notebook: a stimulating take on the everyday struggles that occur and the steps that one can take to overcome them. A Laymans Notebook is the creation of published author, Lester J. Forrester, a retired engineer, who has devoted his life to learning and worshiping the Heavenly Father. Forrester states, This narrative notes my experiences along the road of life, candidly pointing out my errors, experiencesgood and badand my encounter with the living God, Creator of heaven and earth, and His Son, Jesus Christ. It contains knowledge gleaned from a wide range of books, sermons I have heard, conversations I have had, and lessons from the day-to-day experiences of living in an imperfect world, among imperfect people. Although it does not have one specific theme, I trust that it strikes the reader as light rays reflecting from my life, not because of any inherent brightness in me but because of the light that comes from the source of all true lights, the Lord Himself. It may arouse in the reader empathy, sympathy, humor, curiosity, but best of all, my hope is that it will help someone avoid the errors I made and help someone find their way into the kingdom. Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Lester J. Forresters new book uses systematic Bible study, recording quotes from Christian authors, exploring contemporary and theological topics and keeps a journal to dive farther into personal spiritual growth and commitment. The author Lester Forrester, discovered these levels of growth and through these steps a transformation took place and the readers can be encouraged to follow these paths." View a synopsis of A Laymans Notebook on YouTube. Consumers can purchase A Laymans Notebook at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about A Laymans Notebook, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. Intellitec Solutions, based in Newark, DE, has announced a series of live webinars that will feature Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. These events are in response to the many business that want to learn more about Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central but are not sure where to start, or are too busy running day to day operations to schedule a demo. These interactive presentations will take place the third Thursday of every month, centered on a 30 minute live demonstration of Dynamics 365 Business Central. Attendees will see the product, learn about the functionality, and ask any questions they may have. The sessions will also focus on what Dynamics 365 is, how it compares with other Dynamics ERP products, and what it can do for businesses looking to transition off of QuickBooks. There will also be a discussion of how Dynamics 365 Business Central works with the integrated Sales and Customer Service features that are part of the Dynamics 365 suite. Businesses using or interested in learning more about Microsoft Dynamics can sign up for these webinars by contacting Intellitec solutions at 866-504-4357, or visiting the registration page. About Intellitec Solutions Intellitec Solutions is a leading ERP and CRM provider strategically located along the influential business corridor between Washington and Philadelphia. Specializing in Dynamics GP, Dynamics SL, Dynamics 365 and Sage Intacct, they have conducted thousands of engagements helping companies in diverse industries choose and implement software solutions to improve financial or customer relationship management. Using a proven system designed to maximize efficiency and business insight, Intellitec Solutions team of seasoned professionals provides value-added expertise to their clients. For more information or to schedule a demo of our solutions, please visit http://www.intellitecsolutions.com or call 866-504-4357 All products mentioned in this release are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Todays executive candidates are different. They want to know how theyll fit in and whether they could settle in for the long haul, and they want to know all of this upfront. Whats the number one thing on the mind of executive candidates interviewing for a job at your company? Its your company culture. Those were just some of the findings in a recent survey of life sciences executives conducted by The Hennessy Group. Nearly half of all respondents (46%) said they were more interested in the cultural fit presented by a company than by the compensation (11%) or even by the opportunity for growth in a new role (36%). This reflects a continuing shift in the attitude of candidates, says Robert Hennessy, CEO and founder of The Hennessy Group, a retained executive search firm. Ten or 20 years ago, culture didnt even register on an executive candidates radar. It was all about how much a candidate would make or how far up the ladder they could climb. Todays executive candidates are different, though. They want to know how theyll fit in and whether they could settle in for the long haul, and they want to know all of this upfront, Hennessy says. A culture-first approach may also be a by-product of a highly competitive labor market. In some segments of the life sciences industry, including biologics and CDMO, talent is anticipated to exceed supply before the end of 2019. Taking a culture-first approach when presenting a new role to an executive candidate may be the only way a company can get its food in the door. But to truly be successful, says Hennessy, the cultural difference of a company needs to be exhibited as well as discussed, starting with the first point of contact. Interviews should be focused, concise, and valuable for both parties. Recruiters who ask questions that could be answered by the CV or resume likely wont earn a candidates attention. Representatives of the company who interact with the candidate should have a natural rapport with individuals on an executive level and an understanding of the industry and how the hiring companys workplace is unique. This is true for everyone involved in the hiring process, whether theyre scheduling interviews, talking face-to-face with the candidate, or delivering the offer. What this says to me is that companies need to ensure theyre treating candidates with respect from day one. Timely communications, interview teams who coordinate with one another and are fully prepared, interviews that start on time, theyre all essential, says Hennessy. At my own firm, we call this candidate care, and it stresses the importance of the candidates experience with the hiring process. It starts the moment a candidate is contacted by a recruiter. Every step of the way, you have to show that you respect the candidate and that you value them and the time theyre spending to get to know you. What it doesnt mean, says Hennessy, is that companies should promise a candidate something they cant deliver. Honesty is essential. If youre promising something thats completely different from what the candidate will experience once they get to the C-suite, thats going to show. If not on this hire, on the 200 people who hear about the disconnect, and who ultimately influence the next three roles you try to fill. About The Hennessy Group The Hennessy Group is a U.S.-based boutique executive search firm dedicated to connecting life sciences companies to their next great leaders worldwide. Throughout its 30-year history, The Hennessy Group has developed industry-wide connections with professionals and companies in pharmaceuticals, life sciences startups, specialty pharma, orphan drugs, and more. This dedication to a single segment of the healthcare industry helps The Hennessy Group achieve and maintain its nearly 100% placement success rate. The company has offices in Philadelphia, PA; Denver, CO.; Los Angeles, CA; and Park City, UT; and an East Asian partnership with Shanghai-based Norland Associates. For more information about The Hennessy Group, visit https://thehennessygroup.com/about-us/. Our Minneapolis office is consistent with our expansion strategy and positions us well to better serve our clients in the Midwest. FD Fund Administration (FD-FA), a leading provider of outsourced fund administration services, announced today the opening of a new office in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Minneapolis office supports the overall growth strategy of FD-FA, expanding the firms geographic footprint beyond existing offices in Philadelphia, New York and Atlanta. FD Fund Administration supports leading private equity and real estate funds across the country, said Tom DiEgidio, Partner with FD-FA. Our Minneapolis office is consistent with our expansion strategy and positions us well to better serve our clients in the Midwest. The Minneapolis office includes two new leadership team members for FD-FA. Andy Huss and Jon Haidet both join FD-FA as Principals. Mr. Huss and Mr. Haidet formed the Minneapolis office by bringing over a core team of middle and back office professionals from Wayzata Investment Partners. Wayzata Investment Partners is a Minneapolis-based, SEC-registered investment adviser to private funds which specialize in investments in debt of distressed companies, companies undergoing bankruptcy or reorganization and special situations. Each of the team members joining the FD-FA Minneapolis office have more than 10 years of experience in private equity. The team joining FD Fund Administration is well-versed in all aspects of fund accounting, operations and compliance, and we are excited to continue leveraging their knowledge and abilities through our relationship with FD-FA. This strategic opportunity allows the team to use the extensive experience gained through their long tenure at Wayzata to service other private equity firms in Minneapolis and beyond, said Pat Halloran, Managing Partner and founder of Wayzata Investment Partners. FD-FA is one of the only leading private equity and real estate fund administration providers associated with a leading CPA firm. FD-FA is a subsidiary of Frazier & Deeter, a nationally ranked CPA and advisory firm that serves clients across all industries. About FD Fund Administration FD Fund Administration (http://www.fd-fa.com) provides highly customizable fund administration services to meet the needs of complex real estate and private equity funds. FD-FA offers a robust suite of services including fund accounting, investment reporting, tax administration, valuation services, investor servicing, company reporting and portfolio analytics and other services. FD-FA is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. About Frazier & Deeter Frazier & Deeter is a nationally recognized CPA and advisory firm headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The firm provides a wide range of tax, audit, accounting and advisory services to help clients reach their unique financial goals. Frazier & Deeters professionals focus on investing in relationships to make a difference. Frazier & Deeter is an award-winning firm that has been named one of the Top Accounting Firms to Work For and one of the Fastest Growing CPA firms among the top 100 firms in the U.S. by Accounting Today magazine. Frazier & Deeter has also been repeatedly named a Best of the Best CPA firm by INSIDE Public Accounting and a Top Firm for Women by The MOVE project. We've seen such incredible results from the schools across the state of Arizona, as well as throughout the United States, and with a continued requests we wanted decided to offer this same level of care for families at home Digital Citizen Academy, which offers online curriculum about internet safety and education for students, parents and educators through its resources, tools and trainings, has launched a specialized Home Program to support the entire family throughout the year. The newly launched Home Program helps families raise responsible digital citizens and arms parents with access to an expert that not only worked with the FBI as a visiting scholar but who has dedicated her career to this field by using both her legal and clinical degrees to create specific trainings for families to protect children from the dangers of technology. Digital Citizen Academy's research-based education, prevention and diversion programs are professionally designed to inform, protect and support young children through a cognitive behavioral trauma informed approach to ensure optimal success. Programs are designed with age appropriate content and provide trackable and measurable data for school districts and organizations. "We've seen such incredible results from schools across the state of Arizona, as well as throughout the United States, and after continued requests, we decided to offer this same level of care for families at home." Says Founder of Digital Citizen Academy, Dr. Lisa Strohman, JD, PhD. The content available for subscribed members is updated weekly to ensure families are able to navigate the ongoing challenges and protect their children from the pitfalls and dangers of online activities. All of the content stresses the importance of creating and maintaining a positive digital reputation and footprint to ensure there is a valued respect of digital opportunities. DCA Home Program / Advocacy Membership includes: Comprehensive video instruction on topics for families of children in grades K-8. Home Resource Guide which provides instructional tools and answers on how to address issues of cyberbullying, inappropriate posting, digital cheating and digital reputation. Technology use contracts for families. Access to our premium blogs on related issues and research. Access to premium Webinars and Live Streams featuring Dr. Lisa Strohman and Special Guests. Access to digital monitoring applications and resources to protect your child online. Q & A forum with access to experts and dialogue with other parents. Digital version of Dr. Lisas book, Unplug: Raising Kids in a Technology Addicted World. Membership Discounts to local seminars or live speaking engagements. DIGITAL CITIZEN ACADEMY is dedicated to improving the lives of students, parents and educators and to providing e-resources, tools and knowledge needed to foster a healthy balance with technology. Our research-based education, prevention and diversion programs are professionally designed to inform, protect and support young children, teenagers and adults impacted by issues resulting from technology use and overuse. Programs are designed with age appropriate content and provide trackable and measurable data for school districts and organizations. DR. LISA STROHMAN, clinical psychologist and author, established Digital Citizen Academy to proactively prevent and educate students, educators and parents on the issues resulting from technology use. She has spent more than a decade working with adolescents and families in her private practice and almost two decades working with schools to address challenges with student mental health and well-being using a CBT trauma informed approach. In addition, she has worked with law enforcement and the FBI on safety and cyber-crimes involving adolescents, while also lending her knowledge and guidance to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Dr. Strohman holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of California, Davis, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and later earned a PhD and J.D., completing a joint integrated program in Law and Psychology at Villanova and Drexel Universities. She was a past Chair of the American Psychological Association, Committee on Legal Issues. Dr. Strohman is a frequent speaker at schools, parent organizations, as well as business and community groups where she addresses the challenges related to the demands of technology. She is also regularly featured in the media as a technology wellness and behavioral expert. She has been interviewed by TV and radio news outlets and quoted in numerous print publications including Forbes Magazine, Fast Company, and Huffington Post. You can also hear her as a weekly expert guest on Dr. Drews Midday Live radio show. Elliot Dinkin, CEO of Cowden Associates, labels the significance of transparency in labor negotiations. The climate of labor relations in the U.S. is changing, and both sides need to consider their ownand each othersrealities as they prepare to negotiate new contracts. Toward the end of January, Los Angeles public school teachers reached an agreement with city officials to end a weeklong strike that had affected more than half a million students. The deal includes caps on class size, as well as hiring a full-time nurse for every school and a librarian for every middle and high school in the district by fall 2020.[1] This was by no means an isolated event, says Cowden Associates, Inc. President and CEO Elliot Dinkin, a nationally known expert in actuarial, compensation, and employee benefits issues. The climate of labor relations in the U.S. is changing, and both sides need to consider their ownand each othersrealities as they prepare to negotiate new contracts. The change, notes Dinkin, started becoming noticeable in early 2018. Beginning in West Virginia in February and followed shortly afterward by walkouts in Oklahoma, Arizona, and North Carolina, teachers were able to rally public support, with lawmakers partially reversing years of cutbacks to education. More recently, in February of this year, Denver educators were promised 7% to 11% increases in base pay after three days on strike.[2] Teacher unrest is not limited to public schools Chicago is in the midst of its second charter school strike. The Chicago Teachers Union, which represents educators from both charter school companies involved, said that teachers are fighting for pay parity with their peers employed in the citys traditional public schools, in addition to more resources for students.[3] This flurry of activity comes after a long period of quiet for American labor. In 2017, for example, U.S. workers went on strike only seven times, the second fewest work stoppages since the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) started keeping track in the 1940s. In 2018, however, the official number of major work stoppages recorded by BLS almost tripled, to 20. Off the picket line, workers have also won a wide range of concessions. Facing employee pressure, Google and McKinsey & Co. dropped contracts for government work employees found objectionable; thousands of dismissed Toys R Us workers were belatedly given severance payments; and Starbucks Corp. expanded parental and sick leave policies.[4] These developments have led to some speculation about the possibility of a general strike, in which a significant percentage of workers from a number of different industries in a given city or region come together to take collective action. However, Dinkin points out, the logistical and funding obstacles to such an initiative are enormous. In addition, the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947, better known as the Taft-Hartley Act, forbids actions taken by unionized workers in support of workers at other companies, effectively rendering a general strike illegal.[5] There is, Dinkin notes, little if any possibility that the Taft-Hartley Act will be abolished or amended in any significant way the basic legal framework for labor-management negotiations will continue to be what it has historically been. As a neutral party, Dinkin says, we have labor unions as clients, as well as small, medium, and large businesses. We urge both parties to take a systematic approach to understanding their own, and one anothers, realities. Employers competitive pressures and cost constraints are real. So, however, is the need for compensation to keep pace with the cost of living, and benefits to keep pace with actual needs. In todays tight labor market and relatively stable and healthy economy, we find that with careful planning and analysis, both sides of the table in collective-bargaining negotiations can find a workable path forward. About Cowden Associates, Inc. Cowden Associates, Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, was created in 2001 by the merger of Halliwell and Associates and MMC&P Spectrum Benefits, which was founded by Jere Cowden in 1986. Currently led by President & CEO Elliot Dinkin, Cowden specializes in helping corporate clients find the best solutions, both for the enterprise and for its employees, with regard to compensation, healthcare benefits, retirement and pension issues, and Taft-Hartley fund consulting. Winning Workplaces and The Wall Street Journal have recognized Cowden as a Top Small Workplace, a lifetime designation awarded to executives for their ability to build and lead savvy organizations. For more information, visit http://www.cowdenassociates.com 1. Medina, Jennifer, and Goldstein, Dana, Los Angeles Teachers Strike to End as Deal Is Reached, New York Times, January 22, 2019. 2. Andone, Dakin; Yan, Holly; and Weisfeldt, Sara, This is what Denver teachers got after 3 days on strike, CNN, February 14, 2019. 3. Jones, Sarah, Red for Ed Continues: Where Teachers Strikes Are Set to Spread Next, New York Magazine, February 7, 2019. 4. Paskin, Janet, The Resurrection of American Labor, Bloomberg Businessweek, February 7, 2019. 5. Kelly, Kim, Everything You Need to Know About General Strikes, Teen Vogue, January 24, 2019. Monica Eaton Cardone, an IT executive specializing in risk management and fraud prevention, highlights how merchants are at-risk of criminal and friendly fraud. Not only have online retailers been increasingly targeted by criminal fraud, but they experience far more chargebacks and friendly fraud. When its a customers word against a sellers, banks tend to side with the consumer. In 2018, the major U.S. payment card networks dropped their signature requirement for point-of-sale (POS) transactions, in part due to the security capabilities of chip-embedded cards.(1) While the U.S. migration to EMV chip technology was intended to combat fraud, a recent study found that 60 million U.S. cards were compromised between October 2017 and October 2018; of that total, 75% of records were from card-present (CP) transactions, and 90% of those CP cards had EMV chips.(2) Monica Eaton-Cardone, an IT executive specializing in risk management and fraud prevention, believes ongoing card fraud calls for stricter security measures and better protections for merchants, who increasingly bear the costs of fraud. Though evidence shows EMV has had some success in reducing CP fraud, card-not-present (CNP) fraud has continued to grow. From 2015 to 2016, U.S. CP fraud decreased from $3.68 billion to $2.91 billion while CNP fraud climbed from $3.4 billion to $4.57 billion.(3) The Nilson Report estimated total global card fraud losses to be $24.26 billion in 2017 and projected that by 2022, annual losses will rise to $34.66 billionincluding $12.12 billion in the U.S. alone.(4) Juniper Research forecasts that between 2018 and 2023, retailers worldwide will suffer some $130 billion in CNP fraud losses.(5) In light of these statistics, the 60 million compromised U.S. cards is particularly concerning. Gemini Advisory revealed that 14.2 million of those stolen records resulted from CNP breaches while 45.8 million were from CP transactions, including 41.6 million charges made with EMV-enabled cards.(2) The firm attributes these CP thefts primarily to point-of-sale breaches (think malware and skimmers) and card sniffing, or stealing data as it passes over computer networks. Criminals are able to encode the stolen data on magnetic strips on counterfeit cards or use it for online purchaseswhich means CP data theft can hurt eCommerce retailers who had no fault in the breach. Eaton-Cardone, who serves as Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Global Risk Technologies and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Chargebacks911, says that while EMV has the potential to be highly effective at fighting card-present fraud, its execution in the U.S. has fallen short and placed a disproportionate share of the burden on merchants. She notes that chip-enabled cards are only part of the security equation; in other countries, EMV is a chip-and-PIN system that requires cardholders to enter their personal code at the point of sale. U.S. banks instead adopted a chip-and-sign protocol; but since they dropped the signature mandate, the risk to merchants has increased. Eaton-Cardone also points out that chip encryption only benefits card-present retailers and has driven many criminals online, contributing to the ongoing rise in CNP fraud that has plagued eCommerce merchants. Card networks should have adopted the global-standard PIN requirement as part of the U.S. EMV rollout. With no signature or PIN required, its easier for fraudsters to use lost or stolen cards at point-of-sale terminals and harder for retailers to defend against card-present chargebacks, explained Eaton-Cardone. She also feels eCommerce merchants deserve better protections from fraud. Not only have online retailers been increasingly targeted by criminal fraud, but they experience far more chargebacks and friendly fraud. When its a customers word against a sellers, banks tend to side with the consumer. Data compiled by Eaton-Cardones companies reveal that chargeback stats are growing 20% per year, with friendly fraud increasing 41% every two years. She says that when consumers file unjustified chargebacks for goods they received, retailers are not only out the merchandise and shipping costs, but they must absorb fees of $20 to $100 per transactionand could face fines of $10,000 and/or lose their card-processing rights if their chargebacks exceed a specified threshold. Merchants have a duty to cardholdersand their own bottom lineto implement a multi-layered fraud solution, including chargeback mitigation. However, they should not be saddled with a disproportionate share of the fraud risks, burden of proof or penalties, asserted Eaton-Cardone. When card networks, issuing and acquiring banks, merchants, and consumers work together to reduce fraud and chargebacks, it will ultimately lead to lower costs and a more sustainable system for all. Monica Eaton-Cardone frequently discusses fraud prevention, financial technology (FinTech) and security best practices at industry conferences and events. She has been a featured panelist at TRUSTECH, the IATA World Financial Symposium and TRANSACT, and is also available for interviews, panelist opportunities and future speaking engagements. For more information, visit http://monicaec.com. About Monica Eaton-Cardone: An acclaimed entrepreneur, speaker and author, Monica Eaton-Cardone is widely recognized as a thought leader in the FinTech industry and a champion of women in technology. She established her entrepreneurial credentials upon selling her first business at the age of 19. When a subsequent eCommerce venture was plagued by revenue-leeching chargebacks and fraud, Eaton-Cardone rose to the challenge by developing a robust solution that combined human insight and agile technology. Today, her innovations are used by thousands of companies worldwide, cementing her reputation as one of the payment industrys foremost experts in risk management, chargeback mitigation and fraud prevention. As CIO of Global Risk Technologies and COO of Chargebacks911, Eaton-Cardone leverages her global platform to educate merchants on best practices in fraud prevention and to spotlight the competitive and economic advantages women can bring to the technology workforce. Her nonprofit organization, Get Paid for Grades, invests in students to inspire a new generation of innovators. Get to know Eaton-Cardone at http://monicaec.com. 1. Sugar, Rachel. Why Are We Still Signing Credit Card Receipts?; Vox; December 5, 2018. 2. Alforov, Stas. Card Fraud on the Rise, Despite National EMV Adoption; Gemini Advisory blog post; November 5, 2018. 3. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Changes in U.S. Payments Fraud From 2012 to 2016: Evidence From the Federal Reserve Payments Study; October 2018. 4. Card Fraud Losses Reach $24.26 Billion; The Nilson Report; November 2018. 5. Juniper Research. Retailers to Lose $130Bn Globally in Card-Not-Present Fraud Over the Next 5 Years; press release issued January 2, 2019. Throughout her life, Neville Abbott Jacobs was drawn to the study of what is called the greater spiritual path. She had many psychic experiences along this path and found profound answers in Tibetan Buddhism. She then traveled to India and in Dharamsala and a meeting with the Dalai Lama confirmed that this path was a wonderful, sound and good path to understanding ones own deeper self. Jacobs wanted to share her path in hopes it would help others to understand their own spiritual quest. This prompted her to write The Master on the Mountain (published by Archway Publishing), the story of one womans pilgrimage across the seas, through jungles and to the highest mountains in search of a greater spiritual path. In a fascinating account of two years of her life, Jacobs details how she first met Tibetan lama, the Nechung Rinpoche, on a mountain in Hawaii in 1977 and recognized him as her teacher from a former life. As the door opened for Jacobs to explore Tibets esoteric Buddhism, she reveals the unexpected adventures, paranormal surprises, Tibetan history and marvels of ancient Asia that followed. Through easy conversation and dialogue, Jacobs entertains while conveying the deeper meaning of Buddhism and disclosing how her quest for answers eventually led her to cross paths with another master, the Dalai Lama. As much about Tibet is still relatively unknown, my story explores and explains the history and background of Tibet, complications of the monastic society of traditional Tibet, and the deeper, more profound aspects of Tibetan Buddhism as well as basic life and customs that are unique to Tibet. Additionally, as Ive lived and travelled in various parts of the world, Ive included short stories or anecdotes of interesting experiences which are relevant to events at that point in the overall story, Jacobs says. The Master on the Mountain aims to give inspiration, or desire for readers to know more about life, an inspiration to find life richer and more exciting from Jacobs own experiences and for them to seek, with greater openness, the beliefs of other people and to strive to practice kindness, compassion and love. For more details about the book, please visit https://www.amazon.com/Master-Mountain-Neville-Abbott-Jacobs/dp/1480869627. The Master on the Mountain By Neville Abbott Jacobs Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 390 pages | ISBN 9781480869639 Softcover | 6 x 9in | 390 pages | ISBN 9781480869622 E-Book | 390 pages | ISBN 9781480869615 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the Author Neville Abbott Jacobs earned degrees in anthropology and journalism from the University of Alaska. Beyond that, real-life experiences in the paranormal motivated her to research worlds beyond the physical. After marrying Bob, an airline pilot, in 1968, they often vacationed in Hawaii. In January 1977, with Bob flying overseas, she returned to Hawaii to visit a girlfriend, and then met the Nechung Rinpoche, a high Tibetan lama. This meeting launched her into a deeper exploration of Buddhism and the mysteries of Tibet. The Master on the Mountain is her first book. Simon & Schuster, a company with nearly ninety years of publishing experience, has teamed up with Author Solutions, LLC, the leading self-publishing company worldwide, to create Archway Publishing. With unique resources to support books of all kind, Archway Publishing offers a specialized approach to help every author reach his or her desired audience. For more information, visit http://www.archwaypublishing.com or call 888-242-5904. Big Blue Swim School, one of the nations fastest growing swim schools, is pleased to announce the appointment of franchise industry veteran Catherine Monson, CFE, to its Board of Directors. Monson fills a newly created position on the Big Blue board. We are incredibly excited to have Catherine join our Board of Directors, said Chris Kenny, CEO of Big Blue Swim School. Her knowledge and experience in positioning and growing franchise brands is unmatched, and we are grateful to have access to her industry expertise as we plan to aggressively expand Big Blue Swim Schools footprint through franchising. Monson was named CEO & President of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. in 2009. Since launching the FASTSIGNS franchise development campaign in early 2010, the number of units has grown from approximately 200 to over 700 today. In addition, she serves as the International Franchise Associations Vice Chair and will serve as Chair of the IFAs executive board in 2020. Before joining FASTSIGNS in 2009, Monson served in various roles at Sir Speedy, Inc., PIP Printing and Marketing, and MulitCopy Europe while at the multi-brand franchisor Franchise Services, Inc. (FSI). Big Blue is poised to become the dominant national player in the swim school segment and I look forward to working with the brand as we make it a household name, said Monson. Big Blue Swim School has significant early momentum in franchising. The strong unit economics, combined with proprietary technology and innovative distance-based curriculum, set Big Blue Swim School up for long-term success in franchising. I am excited to be working with the team on the ground level of a very special brand. During her career, Monson has been the recipient of many franchise industry accolades including the IFAs Bonny LeVine Award (2009), the Dallas Business Journals list of Top Women Industry Leaders (2010), the first Franchise Action Network FAN of the Year Award (2015), the 2016 Leadership Award from Women That Soar, and the Sales and Marketing Executives International (SMEI) selected Monson as the 2018 Ambassador of Free Enterprise, joining the Sales & Marketing Hall of Fame in the SMEI Academy of Achievement. She served as a keynote speaker for the IFA Convention, the Australian Franchise Convention and the Brazilian Franchise Association Convention in 2016, the Canadian Franchise Association Convention in 2017, and the New Zealand Franchise Association Convention in 2018. Monson currently serves as a Board Member of Brain Balance Achievement Centers, is a former Board Member of The Learning Experience, and former Member of the Board of Trustees for Pi Sigma Epsilon National Education Foundation (PSENEF). ABOUT BIG BLUE SWIM SCHOOL Big Blue Swim School was founded in 2009 by competitive swimmer Chris DeJong. The first location opened in Wilmette, followed by Niles, Buffalo Grove and Hoffman Estates. In 2017, Level 5 Capital Partners acquired a majority stake in the brand, and is rolling out an aggressive strategy to grow through franchising to 150 locations by 2020. Big Blue Swim Schools real estate footprint, proprietary technology Lesson Buddy, coupled with its practice of employing full-time child engagement specialists that teach based on a proprietary distance-based swimming methodology sets Big Blue up for long-term success. Care is trustworthy, affordable, and simple to use, and they earn our first-place rating among referral services for Babysitters in 2019. TopConsumerReviews.com recently gave their best-in-class 5 star rating to Care, a highly-respected online referral service for Babysitters. Where can people find a trustworthy, affordable babysitter? In the past, everyone knew a teenager in the neighborhood who was available for date nights or to help get kids off the bus and delivered home after school. But in todays world, many young adults schedules are filled with extracurriculars and part-time jobs. Plus, it can be challenging to get to know ones neighbors. For that reason, online babysitter referral services have increased in popularity, providing parents - and caregiving grandparents - the ability to quickly find local, available childcare providers. The most reputable services even ensure that every candidate on their site has already cleared a background check, giving parents additional peace of mind. With a worldwide database of nearly 13 million caregivers, Care should be your go-to site for finding a babysitter, affirmed Brian Dolezal of TopConsumerReviews.com, LLC. Unlike some babysitter referral services, Care ensures that every sitter undergoes a free background check before being listed on their site. The search function makes it incredibly easy to find exactly what youre looking for, from the sitters age and pay rate, their training and experience, and much more. Care is trustworthy, affordable, and simple to use, and they earn our first-place rating among referral services for Babysitters in 2019. To find out more about Care and other online referral services for Babysitters, including reviews and comparison rankings, please visit the Babysitters category of TopConsumerReviews.com at https://www.topconsumerreviews.com/babysitters/. About Care Since launching in 2007, Care has become the worlds largest online destination for finding and managing family care, with 16.9 million families and 12.7 million caregivers across more than 20 countries, including the U.S., UK, Canada and parts of Western Europe, and approximately 1.4 million employees of corporate clients having access to our services. Spanning child care to senior care, pet care, housekeeping and more, Care provides a sweeping array of services for families and caregivers to find, manage and pay for care or find employment. Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, Care has offices in Berlin, Austin, and the San Francisco Bay area. About TopConsumerReviews.com TopConsumerReviews.com, LLC is a leading provider of reviews and rankings for thousands of consumer products and services. From Babysitters to Background Checks and Nanny Agencies, TopConsumerReviews.com delivers in-depth product evaluations in order to make purchasing decisions easier. Advantix Digital which recently added 9 new executives in the development and sales division is proud to announce and welcome Jon Willette as the Companys Vice President of Operations and Jessica Dawson as the Vice President of Performance Marketing. Willette will be responsible for strategically evolving Advantixs current operations and processes, managing the growth and implementation of additional team members and vendors, as well as general management responsibilities. Dawson will be responsible for overseeing all campaign performance, strengthening and utilizing a team of knowledgeable analysts, and providing clients with forward thinking strategies to increase their ROI. CEO and Managing Partner Peter Handy stated, " Jessica and Jon are prefect compliments to the Advantix team. Both are experts in their field, and each bring years of experience in digital marketing and analytics to the well-established group of professionals currently at Advantix. We welcome these two leaders and look forward to implementing their respective skill sets into the suite of services that our clients trust and respect." Both join the team with a combined 20 years of digital marketing experience. Jon Willette joins the team from iCrossing where he spent the last 7 years working with clients such as Belk, Mary Kay, Hilton, Sears and FedEx on a variety of projects that range from media (SEM, SEO, Social), creative, strategic planning, and web development. Before iCrossing he was the Online Marketing Manager at Neiman Marcus and oversaw the launch of their discount brand, Last Call. His experience on both the Agency and Corporate/ Client side as well as his hands-on experience leading campaigns that range in size, scope and complexity are a wealth of knowledge that will benefit the Advantix team. I am truly excited to be joining Advantix Digital as their new VP of Operations and tasked with the challenge of scaling the company based off of the growth of new and existing clients. Advantix Digital is comprised of an extremely talented group of people and I consider myself fortunate to be joining them. Dawson joins Advantix from Camelot Strategic Marketing & Media where she spent 4 years as the Digital Marketing Director, developing and executing media strategies based on branding and direct response goals. Utilizing her knowledge in attribution methodologies and granular reporting technologies, Dawson helped identify and communicate overall program performance and determine each programs impact on overall client success. Previous clients include the NFL, Southwest Airlines, Intuit QuickBooks, Borden Dairy, and more. Before Camelot, Dawson worked as a Senior Account Manager for PMG in Fort Worth, Texas. Dawsons excitement to join the Advantix family can be seen as she states, Advantix Digital is strategically positioned for quick and well-planned client and internal growth. After being at large agencies for the majority of my career, the start-up excitement of Advantix, combined with the digitally savvy people, creates an environment I had to be a part of. Shaping the future direction of the Advantixs marketing efforts across platforms is a challenge I am ready to tackle with such a talented team to work with. Chief Operating Officer, Amine Bentahar states, We are really excited to add Jessica and Jon to our leadership team, their experience working in digital marketing with some of the biggest brands in the world is aligned with our growth strategy. We have evolved from just doing SEO, PPC, Programmatic, website design, Social Media to offering a full suite of services including but not limited to Voice Search Optimization, Amazon advertising, fractional CMO and digital consulting services." Advantix Digitals growth in the past year speaks volumes to the level of talent within the organization. Adding leaders such as Jessica Dawson and Jon Willette to the team will continue to propel Advantix as an industry leader in the digital marketing landscape. Advantix Digital founded in 2001, is a boutique digital marketing agency headquartered in Dallas, Texas with offices in Houston and Miami. The agencys diverse team of strategists and analysts combined with over 18 years in the industry allows Advantix to execute progressive marketing strategies in diverse platforms for their clients. Paid media, social, creative, voice search and content are a few of Advantixs services. For more information on all of Advantixs digital marketing services, visit http://www.advantixdigital.com. Hurricane Cycles and ClimatePulse Technology the upcoming 2019 season will likely be just as destructive and costly as the 2017 and 2018 hurricane seasons In the last three years, utter destruction and devastation from hurricanes have wracked the Southeast United States from Texas to the Carolinas, and some areas of the Caribbean. Florida based prediction organization Global Weather Oscillations Inc. (GWO) has consistently predicted months in advance the landfall locations of all 7 hurricanes to strike the U.S. since 2016. What separates GWO from other organizations is ClimatePulse Technology developed by Professor David Dilley of GWO. It is this technology that can track historical landfall cycles from the 1800s through time - and into the future. Cited as the most accurate predictions by any organization, former NOAA Meteorologist Professor David Dilley - has issued the most accurate preseason and in-season hurricane tracking predictions, averaging a stunning 87% hot-spot accuracy rate during the past 11-years, and GWOs predictions were extremely precise in both 2017 and 2018. While other organizations were calling for relatively average hurricane seasons the past 2-years, GWO was the only organization that predicted both years would be the most costly and destructive years for the U.S. in over 14-years, with two major impact hurricanes occurring each year. GWO's Outlook and Tracking Webinars Because GWOs ClimatePullse Technology already knows where the 2019 hurricanes will make landfall in the United States and the regions in and around the Lesser Antilles, GWOs predictions provide readiness six months in advance, and our special weekly Outlook webinars and Tracking Webinars provide enhanced readiness eight to 14 days prior to landfall. In 2018, GWOs webinars began tracking major impact Hurricane Michael four days prior to formation, and a full eight days prior to landfall on the Florida Panhandle. Additionally, GWO accurately predicted that a major impact category 4 hurricane would make landfall in the western portion of the Florida Panhandle. You can sign up here to attend one of GWOs free Climate Pulse Outlook Webinars during March into June. GWO's 2019 Hurricane Predictions for the Atlantic Basin - Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. The past couple years have been extremely active seasons with the number of named storms and destructive hurricanes being well above normal. The United States Atlantic and Gulf Coasts are currently in a very active and dangerous hurricane landfall cycle that occurs every 70-years. GWO stresses that the number of predicted named storms does not matter during an active 70-year cycle. What does matter however, is how many hurricanes will make landfall and where they will occur. And this is where GWO comes into play. An average hurricane season has 12 named storms and 6 hurricanes. Professor David Dilleys prediction for the upcoming 2019 hurricane season calls for a near average season when it comes to the number of named storms (13) and hurricanes (6). However due to the continuance of very warm ocean water and the 70-year hurricane landfall cycle - the upcoming 2019 season will likely be just as destructive and costly as the 2017 and 2018 hurricane seasons. GWO expects two major impact hurricanes to strike the United States this year with a potential major hurricane also threatening portions of the Caribbean. GWO urges everyone to monitor the upcoming season closely via GWOs webinars and our 13 zone predictions this is not a year to be complacent. Media Invited to IHPA Conference for Professor Dilley's Hurricane presentation. Professor Dilley will elaborate further on his 2019 Atlantic Basin hurricane predictions and ClimatePulse Technology at the International Hurricane Preparedness Associations (IHPA) annual conference on the 17th of May in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida this is at the tail end of the Florida Governors Hurricane Conference in West Palm Beach. The IHPA extends an invitation for all media to attend this very important hurricane presentation. The IHPA (ihpa.com ) officially partnered with GWO in 2017 and is the only professional association comprised of hurricane protection manufacturers, suppliers, contractors and associates dedicated to the protection of life and property from the devastation associated with hurricanes. One apartment of the 390 in the notorious Opal Tower has been bravely offered for sale. But there's been no offers since it was listed 10 days ago. Sy Realty Sydney agent Joe Wang told The Telegraph "our clients asked us to test the market". Wang, who has been selling at Sydney Olympic Park for three years said their timing was "challenging." He declined to suggest a likely selling price, although he hoped the final report of the State Government on the building's cracking, may trigger a more positive sentiment. The 81 sqm unit (below and bottom) with an enclosed balcony and study cost $757,000 in 2014. The listing was taken down from listing websites after just a few days as the agency decided it was better to take prospective buyers from their database through the two bedroom, level 15 offering. There were nine apartments for sale before the cracks started to appear and residents were evacuated on Christmas Eve. "We expect more apartments will come up for lease than for sale," he said. The inner Brisbane market has reported a sharp rise in rental vacancies, a lift from 2.1 per cent to 4.0 per cent in the December quarter. But while this may seem a big jump, its actually not unusual for this market in the December quarter, the REIQ suggest. "The 0-5km ring empties of renters in the Christmas/early January period and vacancies rise," said the REIQ chief Antonia Mercorella. There has been an almost-decade long pattern of higher vacancies in December followed by a fall in the March quarter as the market returns to business as usual. There was also a fall in the June and September quarters last year too in the inner city. Brisbanes middle ring (5-20km) held rock steady at 2.0 per cent from September to the December quarter. This closes out a very stable year for this region. In December 2017 the middle ring was 2.1 per cent, before it bumped up to 2.8 per cent in the March quarter. The June and September quarters were 2.1 per cent and 2.0 per cent respectively. The market forces of supply and demand are well balanced in this section of the market. Brisbane LGA eased by 0.5 per cent, moving from a tight 2.0 per cent closer to a healthy ranking of 2.5 per cent. For most of 2017 this market averaged around 3.0 per cent to 3.5 per cent. Throughout 2018 it tightened a little as the more affordable middle ring lured tenants away from the central suburbs. But as supply to the inner city apartment market slows, its possible well start to see this market tighten again over the coming year. The Greater Brisbane region tightened from 2.4 per cent to 2.3 per cent. A combination of factors is triggering investor nervousness in the Queensland rental market as the REIQ is seeing a slowdown in investor activity. "Local agents in pockets of the southeast corner are reporting falling sales volumes, attributable to the perfect storm of real estate headwinds of tightened lending criteria, the legislation review, and the pending federal election," said Antonia Mercorella. "As federal election campaigning begins to ramp up uncertainty around potential negative gearing adjustments and capital gains tax changes have caused many investors to hit pause on possible buying activity. "The REIQ is hearing from agents that financing is causing contracts to fall over. "Were seeing tightened lending restrictions slowing both investors and first home buyers from getting into the market. "The State Governments ongoing review of the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act is adding to the unease, particularly given the types of changes introduced in Victoria following a similar review of its rental legislation. "Investors are concerned about a loss of control over their asset and worry about unwieldy legislation that will reduce their rights while ramping up concessions to tenants," she said. Outer Brisbane (Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay and Redland) tightened from 2.8 per cent to 2.0 per cent, moving from healthy to tight. This market is being dragged into tight territory by the Redlands, which fell from 4.8 per cent to 1.6 per cent. Ipswich tightened from 2.4 per cent to 1.8 per cent. Local agents report some jitters from investors who are nervous about the ongoing State Government review of the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act. The population grew from 166,904 in 2011 to 193,733 a gain of 26,829. This will add to the strain on rental accommodation. Logan tightened from 3.5 per cent to 2. 4 per cent. This market has moved from healthy into tight and, similar to Ipswich, is partially feeling the impact of population growth. From 2011 to 2016, the population of Logan grew by more than 25,000, or the equivalent of more than 5,000 people a year. With many regions reporting muted investor activity this population growth will push vacancy rates lower. Moreton Bay held steady at 2.0 per cent, the same as the September quarter. Home to North Lakes, one of the fastest growing SA2s in Queensland, according to ABS data, a stable vacancy rate of 2.0 per cent is noteworthy and indicates a region where supply and demand are well balanced. The Gold Coast's December quarter vacancy rate saw a jump in the vacancy rate from 1.7 per cent to 4.8 per cent. Several projects have been completed and added to the rental pool. The largest of these is JLLs Smith Collective build-to-rent dwellings. The precinct has around 1251 dwellings, with first tenants moving in last month. Other developments have come online in Varsity, Broadbeach, Miami, Burleigh and Robina. Agents are indicating that the market is price sensitive and tenants have choice, conditions that are relatively new to this market. The REIQ signalled the third stand-out result for the December quarter was the Redlands, which tightened from 4.8 per cent to 1.6 per cent. "This result represents a return to business as usual for this region which historically reports around 2 per cent vacancies," "The September result of 4.8 per cent was an outlier." Local agents report that there has been noticeably less activity in the December/January period than usual. Tenants are staying put, one property manager reported, summarising the general consensus on Redlands. The Sunshine Coast SD (Sunshine Coast LGA and Noosa Shire combined) has tightened and is now firmly classified a tight rental market. The vacancy rate has dropped from 2.4 per cent to 1.8 per cent. These tightened conditions will continue to exert upward pressure on prices and it is likely we will see some movement in rents if these conditions continue. A corner development site in Melbourne's Ivanhoe has hit the market with price expectations of $6 million plus. The corner block at 20 Lower Heidelberg Road and 95 Waterdale Road offers a chance to create a residential project in a tightly held area. Savills Australias Jesse Radisich, Julian Heatherich and Benson Zhou have been appointed to sell the landholding. They said they are expecting local and offshore interest. Savills sold the adjoining site 24-26 Lower Heidelberg Road for $14.5 million in late 2017. Radisich said it was an indication of the high demand in the area. We expect strong interest from a wide range of developers, Radisich said. Ivanhoe is a truly premium and tightly held suburb, with major development opportunities extremely hard to come by, particularly positioned in such close proximity to the elite Ivanhoe Grammar School. The site features a combined 142 metre street frontage, including rear laneway access. Heatherich suggested the landholding presents developers with the opportunity to deliver a project of significant scale. "They will have the benefit of favourable planning parameters and a consistently high level of residential demand, Heatherich added. The site is within close proximity of shopping centres, elite schools and public transport options. GUEST OBSERVATION Governments change priorities all the time. Some argue governments will focus on developing regional areas at one point in time and then refocus on major cities at another. Our research shows that there are cycles in how much priority governments attach to regional issues. But these fluctuations are overshadowed by a larger, long-term trend towards greater involvement with regional communities. Our findings show that regional Australia matters more today than it has at any other time since the 1940s. Cycles of regional commitment Inattention to particular constituencies can be costly. Victorias Kennett government lost office in 1999, when regional communities such as Ballarat and Bendigo became disillusioned with what they saw as a Melbourne-centric government. This was a time when governments in other states, and nationally, were paying more attention to regional voters, with the Howard Coalition government nervously watching One Nation as a growing political force. In Queensland, the pressure was more acute, with a few regionally focused conservative politicians claiming seats in parliament. Appointing a minister with regional responsibilities is one clear marker of intent in the government of the day. John Sharp, the Howard governments first minister for transport and regional development, released a budget statement with 19 major investments in regional areas. These included money for drought assistance, rural roads, and counselling and support services for young people and families. There are now six ministers and one parliamentary secretary for regional development in Australian parliaments. Bridget McKenzie (federal), Michael McCormack (federal), Tim Whetstone (South Australia), Jaclyn Symes (Victoria), John Barilaro (New South Wales), Alannah MacTiernan (Western Australia) and Mark Shelton (Tasmania) are the most recent expression of a trend that started almost 30 years ago. Our research We examined all state and Australian government gazettes from 1939 to 2015 to find out how many regional ministers were in place over time. Our criteria were for the term regional to be in the title and for the representative to have responsibilities associated with improving the well-being of rural and remote communities. We then used our data to develop an index, in which we gave a score of 1 for each month in the year where an identifiable regional minister held office. For each jurisdiction the maximum possible score in any year was 12. For Australia, with six states and one federal government, the maximum possible score was 84. Our results, in the table above, came as a surprise. It is clear that political engagement with the regions has grown rapidly since the late 1980s. Previous research has suggested the 1940-1960s period was one of strong governmental commitment to the regions. This was reflected in announcements on the need to decentralise the population. But our data suggest the notion of a golden era of regional policy and government support prior to the 1970s is misplaced. Nation-wide policies in support of agriculture, mining or infrastructure development supported regional communities. But the well-being of these places was not the primary goal. From 1972 to 1975, the Whitlam government was committed to addressing inequalities associated with where people live. This brought fresh enthusiasm for regional portfolios in state governments, but that tide quickly waned as the political climate changed. Australian governments did not begin to appoint regional ministers as a matter of course until the late 1980s. This was a period linked to the end of old-fashioned, class-based politics and the rise of our more complex political landscape. The trend has continued since and the presence of the six regional ministers and one parliamentary secretary in the halls of political power means there has never been a better time for regions to lobby governments. There are now more ministers than ever before ready, able and willing to receive delegations and advocate for country towns, rural industries and remote Australia. This means regional leaders have an opportunity to be heard in the run-up to the NSW and federal elections. The challenge is to determine the key messages and how they should be delivered. Andrew Beer, Dean, Research and Innovation, University of South Australia, University of South Australia. Washington, Feb 26 : The US targeted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government and imposed sanctions on four state governors. According to a statement issued by the US Department of the Treasury on Monday, the sanctioned officials were targeted for alleged involvement in "endemic corruption and in blocking the delivery of critical humanitarian aid, thereby exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis", Xinhua news agency reported. The US move came amid an aid standoff in which Washington and other countries in the region, in coordination with the Venezuelan opposition, declared a plan to deliver humanitarian aid to Venezuela. Denying the existence of a humanitarian crisis, the Venezuelan government refused to let the aid cross the border and called the aid operation a US-orchestrated show leading to an eventual invasion. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the Treasury "is targeting four state governors aligned with former President Maduro for standing in the way of severely needed humanitarian assistance." The US Treasury said it was imposing sanctions on Omar Jose Prieto, governor of the northwestern state of Zulia; Rafael Lacava, governor of Carabobo state; Ramon Carrizalez, governor of the state of Apure and a former Defence Minister; and Jorge Garcia Carneiro, governor of Vargas state and former head of the army. The move bans them from financial or commercial transactions with US citizens or entities. The action coincides with US Vice President Mike Pence attending a meeting of the Lima Group in Colombia to discuss the situation in Venezuela with regional nations. The Trump administration recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the nation's "interim president" on Jan. 23, days after Maduro was inaugurated for a second term as Venezuelan president. In response to Washington's support for Guaido, Maduro announced he was severing "diplomatic and political" ties with the United States, ordering all the US diplomatic and consular personnel to leave Venezuela in 72 hours. On Friday, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez announced the closure of three bridges connecting the country with Colombia. Maduro announced on Saturday the severance of his country's diplomatic and political relations with Colombia, following the latter's support for Venezuela's opposition and military defectors. Ahmedabad, Feb 26 : As the Congress braces for a meeting of its key working committee and a massive rally here on Thursday where Priyanka Gandhi will deliver her first public address after being anointed party's General Secretary, the BJP prepares to match this effort the same day with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's national video conference with lakhs of party workers. Briefing the media here on Monday, Congress's Gujarat unit chief Amit Chavda said they had requested party president Rahul Gandhi to convene a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party's highest decision-making body, in Gujarat and he had agreed. Rahul Gandhi, his mother and United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and newly-inducted General Secretary for East Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi and AICC treasurer Ahmed Patel will be present at the meeting. The meet will be followed by a Jan Sankalp Rally, where Priyanka Gandhi is expected to deliver her maiden public address after being inducted full time into the party affairs. Chief Ministers of all Congress-ruled states would also converge at this mega show of the party. Determined to ensure the Opposition party does not hog the complete limelight in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's prized home state, the BJP will have Modi addressing lakhs of party workers through video-conferencing across 450 centres in Gujarat under its "Mera Booth Sabse Majboot" programme. Nationally the address will cover 15,000 places. This will be preceded by the launch of a mass contact programme on Tuesday where 50,000 BJP workers will fan out across areas covered under 50,000 polling booths to propagate the central government's public welfare schemes. Announcing this here on Monday, State BJP Spokesman Bharat Pandya said on the same evening "Kamal Deep" event would be held where a lamp would be lighted across 47 lakh homes of party workers and beneficiaries of Central schemes. The party's entire top brass in the state would oversee this with Chief Minister Vijay Rupani being stationed at Dehgam and president Jitubhai Vaghani at his home district Bhavnagar. "Similarly, all top leaders have been assigned various locations, " Pandya said. Meanwhile, the party's national general secretary in charge of Gujarat for Lok Sabha elections Om Mathur would arrive here on Tuesday for a four-day visit up to March 1. While Prime Minister Modi's national video conference would begin at 12.30 pm on Thursday, Chavda informed that Congress's Sankalp Rally at Trimandir in Adalaj, located between Gujarat's political capital Gandhinagar and commercial capital Ahmedabad, would start from 3 pm after the all-importamt CWC meeting. Varanasi, Feb 25 : Seven teams have been set up to solve the murder of a student leader in Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, late on Sunday and apprehend the assailants, a police official said on Monday. Vivek Singh, 22, a second year B.Com student of Uday Pratap College, was shot eight times in front of his hostel in the campus on Sunday night, Senior Superintendent of Police Anand Kulkarni said. He was from Azamgarh district of eastern UP. The pistol used in the murder was of .32 bore, officials said, adding that teams of the Crime Branch have been tasked with cracking the case at the earliest. Initial investigations have revealed that the killing might have its roots in an old dispute. Extra security has been deployed in the college campus. New Delhi, Feb 25 : Around 2.36 lakh women in distress were given monthly financial assistance in 2018-19 against 2.05 lakh women in 2017-18 in the national capital by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, according to the status report of the Outcome Budget. Presented by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia to the Assemblyt on Monday, the Outcome Budget stated that 24 programmes were included comprising 207 output indicators, of which 137 were critical indicators. Under the Ladli scheme, the department received 63,014 applications for fresh enrolment till December against the annual target of 65,000, and 8,241 people were enrolled till December 2018. Under the scheme, 57,844 cases were renewed against 1,05,319 received for renewal up to December 2018, the report stated. According to report, 18,214 maturity cases were proposed against the annual target of 26,577 under the scheme. Around 12.69 lakh children and pregnant women were availing services of nutrition, vaccination and pre-school activities at 10,897 anganwadi centres under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). New Delhi, Feb 25 : Foreign direct investment (FDI) into India in April-December 2018 declined by 7 per cent to $33.5 billion over $36 billion received during the same period of the last fiscal, according to latest official data. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) data showed that India's total FDI inflows, including reinvested earnings and other capital flows, was $46.62 billion in April-December of the current fiscal. As per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, the annual growth rate of FDI inflows plunge to 1 per cent in 2017-18 from 25 per cent in 2014-15. Segment-wise, six of the 10 sectors have seen a steep decline in FDI inflows. THese sectors were computer software and hardware, telecom, construction, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals and power. The telecom sector suffered the biggest decline of $3 billion in FDI inflows during the period over the year ago months. Alappuzha : , Feb 25 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan here on Monday launched a serious attack on the BJP-led central government and accused it of a scam in tendring five airports' operations to Adani Enterprises. "Adani does not know how to operate airports, but he knows Prime Minister Narendra Modi well," said Vijayan at a function. Vijayan said: "Heard the news that Gautam Adani's Adani Enterprises won the bid for five out of six airports by becoming the highest bidder, even after the sale and financial bids were opened by the central government today only." The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is one of the five airports for which Adani won the bid. "Adani has no experience in the airport sector and the only thing that is known to all that he knows Modi quite well. The entire bid process appears to be mysterious, if not, how can a single person win all the five bids," said Vijayan. In the financial bid opened today, Adani had quoted the highest rate for a passenger for the Thiruvananthapuram airport. Adani had quoted Rs 168 per passenger, state-owned Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (KSIDC) Rs 135, followed by GMR at Rs 63. "What happened today was not a bidding but just a drama," Vijayan said. On tendering, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor said it would lead to development and more flights to the state capital, jobs in the airport should not be affected. Kohima, Feb 25 : Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday presented a Rs 1,661.68 crore deficit, tax-free budget for 2019-20 fiscal with a focus on encouraging start-ups and skill development to generate jobs. Tabling the budget on the fourth day of the ongoing session, Rio, who holds the Finance portfolio that said, the first priority of the government is to improve town roads after seeing and experiencing their acute state of neglect and the hardships the public were facing on a daily basis. "The duty of any government of the day is to ensure that people have a reasonable standard of road infrastructure and will continue to work to provide good roads in all parts of the state," he said. Noting that the current financial year 2018-19 will close with an estimated deficit of Rs 1,661.68 crore, Rio said the current year's transaction are estimated to result in a positive balance of Rs 49.70 crore. He also told members of the assembly that the state government has submitted a memorandum to the Fifteenth Finance Commission for pre-devolution deficit grant of Rs 71,329 crore for the period from 2020-21 to 2024-25. In addition, the government have also submitted proposal for funds, amounting to Rs 13,390 crore, for critical infrastructure for this period, he said. Rio said that Nagaland's adverse financial position is mainly on account of the huge number of government employees, whose salary requirements consume much of the funds that could otherwise have been used for developmental activities. "This is an area that needs to be improved. We cannot continue to sacrifice our developmental requirements solely to pay salaries, and a time will come when we will have to cut down the number of government employees to set aside our scarce resources to fund more productive activities," he told the assembly. With saturation of employment in the government sector, Rio said the government has already approved the Nagaland Start-up Policy with the vision to establish the state as a model start-up leader in the region, by creating a culture of entrepreneurship that nurtures creative and innovative youth, allowing them to build successful start-up companies, become job creators and contribute towards building a healthy and sustainable economy. The objective of the policy is to facilitate the growth of at least 500 start-ups in the next five years, with a focus on establishing innovative "Made in Nagaland" products and services, he added. The Chief Minister said that the new policies to be introduced are a Nagaland Innovation Fund, and a Nagaland Investor Network, creating Entrepreneurship Incubators and setting up Entrepreneurship Development Centres in school. The policy seeks to promote women entrepreneurship by earmarking 25 per cent of funds for start-ups led by women entrepreneurs. Several exercises in the field of skill development in both the rural and urban sector are to be undertaken, he said. Capacity building exercises form an important part of the activities of all the major government departments, and skill development initiatives under customized P3 programmes are creating significant employment opportunities, especially in the construction sector, Rio added. Kolkata, Feb 25 : A retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the West Bengal cadre, who purportedly committed suicide last week, held Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee "directly responsible" for his death. However, Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) has dubbed the allegation as one with "no basis." Gaurav Dutt, the 1986 batch IPS officer, was reportedly found with a slit wrist at his home on February 19. Dutt who had taken voluntary retirement last year wrote in his suicide note that Banerjee was "directly responsible" for abetting his suicide by constantly "victimising" him for the past 10 years. "Present CM WB has victimised me for 10 years and went all out to demoralise me due to her single-minded vendetta against me for reasons best known to her," he wrote in the note. In the letter, believed to be his last before committing suicide, Dutt claimed Banerjee refused to close two pending cases against him despite not having any substantial corruption charges against him and thereby blocked his Rs 70 lakh due earnings following retirement. Dutt, the son of Padma Shri awardee 1939 batch IPS officer Gopal Dutt, was suspended and sent on compulsory leave in 2010, following allegations of sexually abusing a male constable. "I have been singled out for bias and prejudice by the bureaucracy and the police hierarchy in my daily functions. I was refused leave, was not sent on deputation, nor was I sent on any police course, training, and was not allowed to renew my passport," he wrote. Describing the present situation in the state as "toxic and hellish" under the current regime, Dutt claimed no IPS officer in West Bengal "can open his mouth or speak his mind." "Everyone is scared to death that they will face instant revenge from (the state's) ruling party. All are prisoners here. No one is allowed to go to deputation also," Dutt wrote. A senior Trinamool Congress leader, however, rubbished the allegations against the party and its supremo and said the police were looking into the unnatural death. "Such allegations have no basis. I have not seen the letter, thus cannot comment on what is written there. I think the police have taken up the case of unnatural death. They are looking into the matter," TMC Secretary General Partha Chatterjee said. Patna, Feb 25 : Thanks to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)'s proposed "Sankalp Rally" at Patna on March 3, the Indian Railways has bagged a big business opportunity, as the Alliance has hired 17 trains to ferry its supporters to the state capital, a senior JD-U leader said on Monday. Janata Dal-United (JD-U) General Secretary and party's Rajya Sabha member R.C.P. Singh, who is considered close to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, told the mediility of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), like Reliance Jio and several Chinese brands, to source chips locally is still nearly four to five years away. "Sourcing of chips locally will happen only once the component ecosystem for low-value components is strengthened and export incentives are brought into force," he added. Reliance Jio was still catching up on the PMP and imported 40 per cent of Jio Phones in 2018. In fact, Chinese players like Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo had transitioned better from semi-knocked down (SKDs) to completely knocked down units (CKDs). These companies also have plans to scale up their local manufacturing operations, albeit limited to assembling only. Half of the handsets sold in India in 2018 were imported as SKDs while only 34 per cent were imported as CKDs. However, by the end of this year, handsets imported as CKDs are forecast to reach 75 per cent while 25 per cent will be in the form of SKDs. "We think that the government will first push to localize the components or sub-components under PMP to drive value addition. This can lead a transition from SKDs to CKDs quickly over the next two years," Pathak added. While there has been a delay in the implementation of the PMP, India has made significant strides in developing its mobile manufacturing ecosystem. Local value addition has risen from a meagre 6 per cent level in 2016 to 17 per cent in 2018 and there are now 120 assembling plants in the country as compared to just two in 2014. "While China and Vietnam seem to be way ahead in terms of local value addition, India has surpassed Vietnam to become the second largest mobile phone manufacturer by volume," said Hanish Bhatia, Senior Analyst at Counterpoint Research. New Delhi, Feb 25 : Hours after suspended AAP MLA Kapil Mishra stirred a controversy over his poem hitting out at so-called enemies of the nation residing in the country on social media, an official of the Department of Telecommunications lodged a formal complaint with the Delhi Police seeking an FIR against the legislator. Ashish Joshi, an Uttarakhand-based IAS officer on his "official letter" sent a police complaint against Mishra to the Delhi police commissioner Amulya Patnaik alleging that "it is brought to your notice that one Kapil Mishra has circulated a highly incendiary video, provoking people to attack some citizens". "I saw the video on twitter. It has been uploaded on YouTube. The content of the video is self-explanatory and violates Indian Penal Code and IT Act," Joshi said in his letter to the Delhi Police. "The letter is issued in public interest," Joshi added. Soon after the letter was shared by Joshi on Twitter, many people retweeted it. Senior journalist Barkha Dutt, senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan, former AAP leader Ashutosh also retweeted demanding action against Mishra. The suspended Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA then also took to twitter and said that he would lodge a complaint against Joshi, Bhushan, Kavita Krishnan and Ashutosh for circulating fake news against him. "This man Ashish Joshi - misusing letterhead and playing agenda. This is not part of his job. Tomorrow I shall lodge a complaint for misusing his official position. I shall also lodge a complaint againsty Bhushan, Krishnan, Ashutosh for spreading false information about me." "Another lie about me is also being spread that government has lodged a complaint against me. Ashish Joshi has miused his official letterhead. He is the same person who lodged a complaint against BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra. His only work is to promote the agenda of Left parties," Mishra said attaching few snapshots of the tweets shared by Joshi in the past. The entire controversy erupted after Mishra on Monday morning recited and posted a video of a poem on Twitter hitting out at the so-called enemies of the nation within the country. "It's Now or Never. Pull them out on streets, as the traitors are hiding inside our house. Kapil Mishra exposing Terrorism supporters in India," he said in his tweet. Reacting sharply to the video of Mishra, Shehla Rashid, Barkha Dutt, Bhushan, Ashutosh, Krishnan took to twitter to lodge a protest. "Dear IPS Madhur Vermaji, this person who has a huge following and is an MLA from Delhi, is giving an open, emotive call to people to enter our homes, drag us to the streets and lynch us," Rashid tweeted. "What a revolting man. This is direct incitement to violence and lynchijg and merits a jail term and account being scrapped ASAP cc," Dutt tweeted. Kolkata, Feb 25 : Commuters in Kolkata can now buy tickets for the state-run Calcutta State Transport Corporation (CSTC) buses on their mobile phone, the West Bengal Transport Corporation said on Monday. The air-conditioned buses of CSTCA will have the facility with immediate effect. The facility would be extended to all government buses in a few weeks' time, a release issued by the WBTC said. "With this launch, WBTC becomes the only transport corporation in the country to have mobile ticketing deployed in its fleet," it said. 'Chalo', a public transport mobile application, is providing the mobile ticketing solution. Using the app, commuters can buy their bus tickets using their mobile phone at their convenience, eliminating the need to wait for the conductor and pay in cash. Payment can be done through M-wallet, UPI, net banking or credit or debit cards. The ticket can be purchased by entering the start location and end destination. After that, one simply needs to activate it before boarding and show it to the conductor. Also, the passengers can avail a 10 percent discount on their ticket fare every time they buy a mobile ticket. The Chalo app can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing a gathering of ex-servicemen during the inauguration of the National War Museum (NWM) at the National Stadium on Feb 25, 2019. (Photo: IANS/PIB) Image Source: IANS News New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inauguration of the National War Museum (NWM) in New Delhi on Feb 25, 2019. (Photo: IANS/PIB) Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Feb 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the National War Memorial here by lighting the "eternal flame" at the monument and chose the occasion to accuse the previous Congress governments of playing with national interest, saying there was a concept of "family first" instead of "nation first." The monument consists of an obelisk centered inside four concentric circles, built to commemorate soldiers who were martyred in the line of duty since Independence. Addressing a gathering of ex-servicemen during the inauguration of the war museum at the National Stadium here, Modi also slammed the Gandhi family, stating that the probe into all the major defence scams leading to one family said a lot. "Those who called themselves the deciders of the country's fate had done injustice to the forces and also played with the national security," Modi said. "They had made the Army and the national security a means to earning for themselves. They wanted to forget the martyrs," Modi said. Targeting the Gandhi family, the Prime Minister said, "From Bofors to helicopters (AgustaWestland VVIP chopper), all the probe leads to the doors of one family. And it says a lot." Hitting out at Congress President Rahul Gandhi for criticising the 36 Rafale fighter jets deal with France, he said: "Now they are using all their tactics so that the modern jet does not come to India." "But in the next few months, when the first Rafale soars into the sky, all their conspiracies will end," he said. Attacking the Congress, Modi said, "Some people think their family interests come before the interest of the nation." "Today the National War Memorial (NWM) is being inaugurated. The National Police Memorial also had similar story. Two-and-a-half decades ago, the memorial file was introduced. It moved a bit during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government, but after the government changed, the condition remained the same. People are asking why such injustice was done to the heroes and martyrs? What were the reasons that no one focused on the martyrs. India first or 'family first,'" Modi asked. Modi said his government was bringing in modern weaponry to strengthen the armed forces. "Major defence decisions in the national interest, which were earlier ignored or halted, are now being taken without any delay. The government has given its nod to purchase 72,000 assault rifles and 25,000 crore ammunition, Modi said. After lighting the "eternal flame, the Prime Minister said: "This memorial is inscribed with the names of thousands of martyrs who will keep inspiring future generations for years to come to contribute in the service of the nation," he said. Before him, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also addressed the gathering and said that building of the monument was long time due. Since Independence, more than 25,000 personnel have been martyred during the India-China War in 1962, the Indo-Pakistan wars in 1947, 1965 and 1971, the Indian Peace Keeping Force operations in Sri Lanka and the conflict in Kargil in 1999. The National War Memorial also commemorates the soldiers who participated and made supreme sacrifices in United Nations peace-keeping missions, Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, counter insurgency operations and Low Intensity Conflict Operations (LICO). The four concentric circles are named: "Amar Chakra" or Circle of Immortality, the "Veerta Chakra" or Circle of Bravery, the "Tyag Chakra" or Circle of Sacrifice and the "Rakshak Chakra" or Circle of Protection. The outermost circle, the Rakshak Chakra, comprises rows of more than 600 trees, representing the soldiers who guard the territorial integrity of the nation. Ahmedabad, Feb 25 : After almost six decades, a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party's highest decision-making body, will be held in Mahatma Gandhi's Gujarat. All the top party leaders will attend the meet here on February 28. Briefing the media here on Monday, Congress's Gujarat unit President Amit Chavda said that they had requested party President Rahul Gandhi to convene the CWC meet in Gujarat and he had agreed. Gandhi, his mother and United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and newly-inducted General Secretary for East Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi will be present at the CWC meet as well as the Jan Sankalp Rally to be held later in the day. Top party leaders, besides Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states will arrive at the Sardar Patel International Airport around 9 a.m. on February 28. They will visit the Gandhi Ashram at Sabarmati and thereafter pay their homage to the CRPF troopers killed in the Pulwama attack at the Martyrs Monument at the Shahi Baug, said Chavda. "The CWC meeting is likely to start around 10.30 am and is expected to continue for two hours. After this a massive rally will be held at the Trimandir at Adalaj around 3 p.m.," he added. A special committee has been formed for the CWC meeting, which will see economic, foreign, and social policies being discussed. "All the Congress workers are eagerly awaiting this meeting with enthusiasm. A resolution to strengthen the Panchayati Raj Institutions as well as the democratic institutions will be passed in the CWC meet," Chavda said. Question pertaining to handing over management of airports to private players like the Adani group would also be taken up for discussion. In a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of Opposition Paresh Dhanani said, "Sadly the BJP government is hurting the democratic institutions and the Constitution of the country. In this situation, when private players are being handed over public institutions like airports, the public is asking the 'Chowkidar' that who is benefiting out of such privatisation?" New Delhi, Feb 25 : Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday paid her tributes to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty and emphsised the need for the War Memorial in the country, for which she said, it had to wait for decades. "We waited for several decades for this day... Today under the leadership of Narendra Modi we fulfilled that commitment of a war memorial," Sitharaman said in her address at the inauguration of the memorial. "After more than 70 years of independence, India will now have the National War Memorial dedicated to the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice in the interest of the country," she said. Since Independence in 1947, the Minister said, India has lost 22,500 soldiers to war and other conflicts. The India Gate, near where the newly-built War Memorial is located, was set up to honour the Indian soldiers lost to the First World War and the Afghanistan-Waziristan campaign between British India and Afghanistan in 1919. She said that there was an "inexorable requirement" for a war memorial to honor soldiers who were martyered in Indo-Pak conflicts in 1947, 1965, 1971, and 1999; 1965 India-China war; and sacrifices made by Indian Peace Keeping Forces in Sri Lanka and as part of UN Peace Keeping forces elsewhere. The Defence Minister called the War Memorial a "marvel of design" which "homogeneously merges with its surroundings". Built at a cost of Rs 171 crore, the memorial has a 15.5 metre tall obelisk with an eternal flame and 16 circular walls of honour on which names of 25,942 martyrs have been carved in golden on granite tablets. The pattern of the walls symbolise the ancient Indian war formation "Chakravyuh". The design of the memorial has a layout comprising four concentric circles, namely the 'Amar Chakra' or Circle of Immortality, the 'Veerta Chakra' or Circle of Bravery, the 'Tyag Chakra' or Circle of Sacrifice and the 'Rakshak Chakra'or Circle of Protection. New Delhi, Feb 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the previous Congress governments of playing with national interest by following the concept of"family first" instead of "nation first." "Few people think their family interests come before the interests of the nation," he said. Modi also slammed the Gandhi family saying the probe into all the major defence scams leading to one family says a lot. "From Bofors to helicopters (AgustaWestland VVIP chopper), all the probe leads to the doors of one family. And it says a lot," he said. Addressing ex-servicemen at the inauguration of the National War Museum (NWM) at the National Stadium here, Modi said, "Those who called themselves deciders of the country's fate had done injustice to the forces and also played with the national security." "They had made the army and the national security means of earning for themselves. They wanted to forget the martyrs," Modi said. Hitting out at Congress President Rahul Gandhi for criticising the 36 Rafale jets deal with France, Modi said, "Now these people are using all their tactics so that the modern jet does not come to India. But in the next few months, when the first Rafale soars into the sky, all their conspiracies will end." "Today the National War Memorial (NWM) is being inaugurated. The National Police Memorial also had similar story. Two-and-a-half decades ago, the memorial file was introduced. It moved a bit during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government, but after the government changed, the condition remained the same. "Today people are asking why such injustice was done with heroes and martyrs. What were the reasons that no one focused on the martyrs. India first or 'family first,'" Modi asked. "Earlier, from schools to hospitals, highways to airports and awards, there was just the name of one family," he said. The Prime Minister said with the inauguration of the National War Memorial, decades long wait was over. "This memorial is inscribed with the names of thousands of martyrs who will keep inspiring future generations for years to come to contribute towards the service of the nation," he said. Paying homage to the fallen soldiers, Modi said they were the first to brave the disasters, whether they were contrived by the enemy or the nature. "Our soldiers have always taken the responsibility to face the danger, man-made or natural. "Friends, at this historic monument, I pay my respect to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in Pulwama for the safety of the nation," he said. Modi also said his government was bringing in modern weaponry to strengthen the armed forces in the country. "Major defence decisions in the national interest, which were earlier ignored or halted, are now being taken without any delay." The government has given nod to purchase of 72,000 assault rifles and 25,000 crore ammunition, Modi said. Gandhinagar, Feb 25 : The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat Forensic Science University (GFSU) on Monday to improve investigation into smuggling and commercial frauds cases. The anti-smuggling agency DRI entered into an agreement with the GFSU to collaborate to improve investigations into smuggling and commercial fraud cases. "Through this MoU, the DRI will be building the capacity of our central office, zonal offices, which are into collecting intelligence inputs. Second, the GFSU will be helping us modernise our forensic labs across the country," said Debi Prasad Dash, DRI Director. "We will also set up own special lab at the GFSU campus, which will be a model laboratory in the country, specially dedicated to DRI investigations," Dash said. New Delhi, Feb 25 : Congress President Rahul Gandhi has asked Chief Ministers of party-ruled states to file petitions seeking review of an apex court order asking state governments to evict tribals whose claims to forest land under the Forest Rights Act had been rejected. In letters to Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Punjab, Gandhi sought their "urgent intervention" to the Supreme Court's February 13 order directing Chief Secretaries of 21 states to evict those whose claims to be forest dwellers have been rejected. The court also said the eviction should be carried out on or before July 24, the next date of hearing. "In order to pre-empt large scale evictions, it would be expedient to file a review petition and take any other action you may deem fit," said Gandhi in the letter. "For millions of adivasis and other forest dwellers, Jal, Jangal and Zameen (water, forest, land) is integral to their Right to Life guaranteed by our Constitution. It is time for us to work towards deepening the promise of India for everyone," he said. Gandhi also referred to a status report of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs on the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, which highlighted that less than 45 per cent of the Individual Forest Rights and 50 per cent of the Community Forest Rights claims were approved in 2018. "Further, MoTA had pointed out that forest staff often raised 'frivolous' objections leading to rejection. In this backdrop, eviction based on rejected claims alone, without a proper review and appeal process violates the due process of law," he said Gandhi has also written to the Congress chief ministers asking them to revoke amendments made to the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, in order to stop exploitation of farmers. With not much time left for the Election Commission to announce the schedule of the Lok Sabha polls, the Congress-led state governments are in the process of approaching the top court over the matter. New Delhi, Feb 25 : The Adani Group on Monday made a major mark in the the airport development and management business by bagging contracts to operate five non-metro airports in the country in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. This comes as a major development for the group amidst reports that the company plans to acquire a stake in Mumbai International Airport Ltd, which is currently run by the GVK group. The company was the highest bidder for all the five airports -- Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram and Mangaluru -- as per financial bids opened during the day, according to a statement by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The bid was decided on the basis of the highest monthly per passenger fees quoted by the bidder. Adani Enterprises will look after the operation and management of the five airports, currently run by the AAI, for 50 years. Commenting on the development, an Adani Group spokesperson said: "The airports at Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) and Mangalore (Mangaluru) remain lifelines to their respective states that will enable us to infuse enhanced growth and give wings to the aspirations of the Indian people. We would be aiming to scale up the infrastructure to bring these facilities on par with global standards." GMR Airports was the only company, other than Adani, which submitted bids for all the five airports. In November last year, the government had cleared a proposal for managing six AAI-run airports on public-private partnership (PPP) basis. The Guwahati airport was the other one to be put out for privatisation but the bids for the airport were not opened on Monday. Srinagar, Feb 25 : Although life started limping back to normal in the Valley on Monday after an intense weekend panic, most Kashmiris are keeping their fingers crossed over what might happen next between India and Pakistan. Amid a major crackdown on separatists in Jammu and Kashmir that began on Friday, the Ministry of Home Affairs sent into the Valley an additional 100 companies (nearly 10,000 troopers) of the Central Armed Police Forces, including the Border Security Force, the Central Reserve Police Force, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the Sashastra Seema Bal personnel. On Saturday morning, the Kashmir Valley had woken up to an unusual fear of war. However, there are a few optimists who believe the leadership of the two countries would work together for peace and avoid a war. "Nobody will gain by waging a war, especially given the nuclear capabilities of the two countries. "God forbid, if a limited conflict escalates into a full-fledged war between India and Pakistan, militancy or terrorism, whatever the two countries call it, would be relegated to the back burner," said Muzaffar Ahmad, a retired college principal. Ahmed is of the opinion the two countries would avoid a military face-off. Majority of locals are, however, worried that the hardening of positions could result in an armed conflict. "I remember 1965. People thought the two countries would not move beyond hot words and radio propaganda. We did not have television those days. Suddenly, we heard through radio broadcasts that the fighter jets of India and Pakistan were bombing each other's airports. We pray that the verbal hostilities remain confined to words", said Bashir Ahmad, a retired government official. The common man on the street is frightened by the heated debates on television channels. "Watch any TV news channel in the evening. These look like war rooms. I get frightened. There are hardly any voices speaking for peace. "Everybody says we have to teach the other side a lesson. If big people like retired army generals and senior politicians advocate war who will care for my family that lives on whatever little I earn by selling fruits on the streets", said Mehrajuddin, 46, a fruit seller in Srinagar. The poor are uncertain about what will happen to them. "If there is a separatist shutdown, we suffer. If there is curfew, we suffer. And if there is a war tomorrow, we will be destroyed", said Muhammad Maqbool, 45, a mason in central Badgam district. Most Kashmiris belonging to the lower middle class, outside those employed in government services, fear about the growing tension between India and Pakistan. "Even if someone is a peon in a government department, his monthly pay packet is assured. People like me earn only if there is peace and normalcy. Who would need my three-wheeler to ferry goods if there is a war, curfew or separatist shutdown?" said Javaid Ahmad, 33, who drives a three-wheeler load carrier bought by taking a loan from a bank in Ganderbal district. Javaid said it is only the well-off who can think of stocking food and other commodities in case of emergencies. "Where is the money to buy stocks of essential commodities?" he wondered. Official assurances during the last two days that all is well, do not seem to cut much ice with locals given the deterioration in India-Pakistan relations in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack. "India says the Pulwama terror attack will be avenged. Pakistan says 'we did not do it, but we are ready to defend our borders'. In a situation like this, how can assurances from the local administration be taken seriously? "Only Allah can help by sowing the seeds of peace in the minds of leaders of the two countries to pull Kashmiris out of this daily cycle of death and destruction", said Qaiser Ahmad, 42, a school teacher. Gurugram, Feb 25 : Newly appointed Gurugram Police Commissioner Mohammad Akil took charge on Monday amid protests over rising fear of gangster Kaushal in the city. Akil, who replaces KK Rao, arrived at his office amid protests and a candlelight vigil by over 500 people. They were demanding arrest of the gangster involved in the Friday killing of bookie Vijay Batra. Batra was shot dead by Kaushal gang members on Sohna Road for allegedly refusing to pay protection money of Rs 50 lakh. Batra's was the second gang killing this year after property dealer Jaydev was gunned down in Shivaji Nagar in January. Sumer Yadav Nambardar was shot dead in Manesar in December. The Gurugram Police hasn't made any arrests in these cases. Sources say with 10 killings over the past three years, the gang's hit rate has significantly increased after Sandeep Gadoli was killed by a Crime Branch team at a Mumbai hotel and the Gadoli gang members joined Kaushal. The Kaushal gang has shot dead gangsters Mahesh Attack and Manish Gujjar in targetted killings and Manish's brother gangster Bindar Gujjar, blamed for the murder of Gadoli, could be its possible target. "Law and order has collapsed in Gurugram. Gangster Kaushal is running a parallel government of fear here. His men were involved in the murder of my son Jaydev alias JD outside my residence in Shivaji Nagar on January 22," said Sanjiv Singh, who participated in the protest with his family and relatives. "We are living in fear due to killings at regular intervals. In last two months, the Kaushal gang has been involved in three murders. They are running an extortion racket in the city, right under the nose of the police and they are just silent spectators. His men are eliminating those who don't pay," said Ritu, wife of Vijay Batra. Gurugram police PRO Subhash Bokan said, "Five teams have been constituted to nab the accused responsible for Batra's murder. We have some clues. Police teams have raided several places in Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. They will be behind bars soon." New Delhi, Feb 25 : The hearing in the Supreme Court on former Congress leader and 1984 anti-Sikh riot case convict Sajjan Kumar's plea for bail and suspension of sentence on Monday was adjourned as Justice Sanjiv Khanna recused himself. Adjourning the hearing, the bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Khanna ordered, "List the matter before a Bench, wherein one of us (Sanjiv Khanna, J.) is not a member." As soon as the matter was called, Justice Khanna withdrew, saying that he had earlier dealt with the case in the Delhi High Court. The top court had on February 14 issued notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation on Sajjan Kumar's plea for bail and suspension of sentence while challenging his conviction. Sajjan Kumar has challenged the Delhi High Court verdict sentencing him to life imprisonment following his conviction in a case of the killings of Kehar Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Raghuvender Singh, Narender Pal Singh and Kuldeep Singh, all of one family, in Raj Nagar area of Delhi Cantonment by a mob. Thirty-four years after the gruesome killings, the Delhi High Court on December 17 last year convicted and sentenced Sajjan Kumar to imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life, holding that the violence was a "crime against humanity" engineered by politicians with assistance from police. It had set aside Sajjan Kumar's acquittal along with five others saying the "criminals" escaped prosecution and punishment for over two decades. Sajjan Kumar, in his appeal, has contended that the High Court verdict rested on "erroneous" grounds. The riots had taken place in the wake of the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by two of her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984. New Delhi, Feb 25 : The NIA, which is probing the Pulwama terror attack on February 14, on Monday said that the Maruti Eeco used by the suicide bomber to ram the CRPF convoy was bought 10 days before the attack by a resident of Kashmir's Anantnag district who has now reportedly joined Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). A National Investigation Agency (NIA) spokesperson said that details of the Maruti Eeco were obtained with assistance of forensic and automobile experts after piecing together remnants of the vehicle used by suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar from the attack site. At least 40 Central Reserve Police Force troopers were killed in the worst attack on the security forces since the militancy erupted in the Kashmir valley in 1989. The Pakistan-based JeM had claimed responsibility. A day after the attack, an NIA team with forensic and explosive experts had visited the attack site and collected material for investigation. Even before the NIA took over the probe from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, NIA chief Y.C. Modi, accompanied by senior agency officials, had visited the attack site. The NIA spokesperson said that the Maruti Eeco was sold over seven times since 2011 when it was first registered in the name of Mohammad Jaleel Ahmed Haqani, a resident of Anantnag. "But it was sold to Sajjd Bhat on February 4, just 10 days before the attack," he said. According to NIA officials, Bhat was a student of Siraj-ul-Uloom in Shopian. An official said that a raid was conducted on his house by an NIA team with the help of state police on February 23. "However, he was not found at his house and thereafter has been evading arrest," he said, adding that Bhat has reportedly joined the JeM now. "A photograph to this effect has also appeared in social media where Bhat is seen holding weapons," the official added. Ranchi, Feb 25 : Considering the demand of the political parties including the Opposition, the Jharkhand government has decided to file a review petition in the Supreme Court against the eviction of tribal people from forest land. "Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das has asked the concerned officials to file review petition in Supreme Court. No one will be evicted from forest land. The Chief Minister has assured the tribal people not to worry and no eviction will take place," a government press release said on Monday. Different political parties had demanded that a review petition be filed in the SC to protect tribal people. "Around 28,000 tribal indigenous people will be affected by the order. The state government should file a review petition in the apex court" said Supriyo Bhattacharya, JMM General Secretary. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ally All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) has also expressed concern over the SC order. "The SC order will affect around 11 lakh people of 16 states. Jharkhand will also be affected. The state government should intervene in the issue," said AJSU President Sudesh Mahto. Mumbai, Feb 25 : Left out in the Lok Sabha race with the Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena alliance dividing Maharashtra's 48 parliamentary constituencies among themselves, the National Democratic Alliance's smaller constituents in the state on Monday also demanded they also be given seats to contest. The Republican Party of India-A, the Rashtriya Samaj Paksha and the Shiv Sangram leaders held a separate meeting to discuss the political strategy after being ignored by the BJP-Sena leaders who announced a tie-up last Monday. In a veiled warning, RPI-A President and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale revealed that they are being wooed by the opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party to join their grand alliance. "However, we have decided to stand firmly behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi. That does not mean we should be taken for granted and ignored in the seat-sharing formula," he said. For starters, the RPI-A has demanded at least one Lok Sabha seat in Mumbai, either Mumbai South or Mumbai North-East, and one elsewhere in the state, either Latur, Ramtek or Solapur to contest, besides 8-10 seats in the Assembly elections due later this year. The RSP's Mahadev Jankar, who is a minister in the state government, and Shiv Sangram chief Vinayak Mete, who holds a ministerial rank post, have also demanded that they should be suitably included in the alliance. Athawale said that the two bigger parties should have taken the smaller parties into confidence and included them in their alliance talks instead of arriving at their own independent seat-sharing agreement. "If needed, I shall meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray, with whom I enjoy good rapport, and also BJP President Amit Shah and the PM for our legitimate demands," he said. After weeks of dilly-dallying, the BJP-Sena suddenly announced their alliance for the Lok Sabha in which they will share 25-23 seats respectively, and also in the Assembly elections where they will contest an equal number of seats after accounting for the smaller partners. However, the smaller parties - who have their own pockets of influence - are clearly not amused and want the BJP and Shiv Sena to accommodate them by allotting Lok Sabha seats from their respective quotas. Athawale is currently a member of the Rajya Sabha, while Jankar and Mete are also members of the state Legislative Council. As per current indications, the BJP-Sena appear to be in no mood to oblige the smaller parties as far as Lok Sabha seats are concerned though they may give them a share in the assembly polls. In a bid to pressurize the bigger parties, the smaller parties are likely to stay away from events organized by the BJP-Sena until their demands are met. New Delhi, Feb 25 : Blaming the ruling BJP of trying to turn Arunchal Pradesh into "another Kashmir", the Congress on Monday sought the dismissal of Pema Khandu-led state government for violence over the controversial permanent residence certificate (PRC) issue and demanded a judicial probe into the police firing on protestors killing three. A Congress delegation led by party General Secretary Luizinho Faleiro submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) seeking immediate sacking of Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju for their failure to discharge their constitutional obligations. It also demanded a probe into the police firing on unarmed protestors that led to the killing of three persons by a high court judge or a retired Chief Justice. Addressing the media later, Faleiro said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government through the PRC and Citizenship Amendment Bill has "let loose hell" in Arunachal and turning it into another Kashmir. "Don't try to make Arunachal into another Jammu and Kashmir. We have got enough problems in the country and under this regime the problems are only multiplying. Be it industries and the economy or agriculture, problems are only growing under the BJP. "Whatever the Congress has done steadfastly over the years to maintain the identity and culture of North East, this government has undone all. This government through the National Register of Citizens (NRC), through the Citizenship Amendment Bill and now the PRC has destabilised the North East. This government is destroying the North East and palying with sentiments of the people," said Faleiro. "Through the PRC the present BJP government has let hell lose in Arunachal," said Felerio, adding that the Centre must immediately sack Khandu, Rijiju and Chowna Mein for "plunging the peaceful state into anarchy". "There is no government machinery whatsoever in Arunachal and the Chief minister, his deputy and Rijiju in whose constituency three innocent people were killed and many others injured in police firing have disappeared into thin air. They must be immediately sacked," he added. Countering Rijiju's allegation of the Congress instigating violence in the state, Arunachal Congress President Takom Sanjoy said a judicial inquiry into the police action is essential to find out the real culprits. "Let there be a judicial probe to find as to who instigated the violence. If we are found to be guilty, then arrest us and put us in jail. But for that a judical probe is a must," said Sanjoy. In the memorandum to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, the Congress blamed the Khandu government's "gross mismanagement" in handling the peaceful protest against the issue of PRC and claimed that law and order machinery in the state has "completely collapsed". Kolkata, Feb 25 : Three persons, including a girl, were killed and normal life was disrupted as rains accompanied by thunderstorm lashed Kolkata and other West Bengal districts on Monday, officials said. A 20-year-old boy died while trying to get down from a jetty at Jhorkhali in South 24-Parganas district, police said. In Purulia district, the sudden rainfall spoilt a family's celebration. Pradeep Tantubai, 45, died two others were injured as a canopy collapsed over them. A 16-year-old girl of Baruipur was struck by lightning. She was declared dead on arrival by a hospital. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) of Kolkata said squall followed by gusty northwesterly wind occurred for a minute at 03:55 a.m. with speed of 44 kmph, followed by highest gust of 56 kmph at 04:25 a.m. Various parts of Howrah, 24 Parganas North, 24 Parganas South, East Midnapore and West Midnapore districts reported uprooted trees and electric poles, and damage to shops and other properties. In Kolkata, arterial rods like Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, Dufferin Road, as also the Maniktala area faced major traffic disruption due to uprooted trees. The rainfall recorded in the morning was 15.6 mm. Officials have predicted "thunderstorm with gusty wind and lightning at one or two places in West Bengal" for the next two days. The state government on Monday asked fishermen not to venture into the deep sea off the Bengal and Odisha coasts and towards the Bangladesh coast due to likelihood of inclement weather on Tuesday and Wednesday. Fishermen in the deep seas have been asked to return to the coast by night. The maximum recorded temperature in Kolkata was 32.3 degree Celsius and the minimum 19.4 degree celsius. New Delhi, Feb 25 : With the 'Make in India' plan for mobile phone manufacturing revolving only around assembling, India had to import $13 billion worth of mobile components in 2018, Counterpoint Research said on Monday. According to Tarun Pathak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, not many high-value components are being sourced from India. "As a result, local value addition in India was at 17 per cent during 2018. This helped the country save $2.5 billion in forex but increased assembly operations in India led to imports of mobile phone components going up to $13 billion," he added in a statement. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) is running behind schedule as the implementation of customs duties under Phase III, which targets Display Assembly, Touch Panel/Cover Glass Assembly and Vibrator/Motor Ringer has been delayed, said the report. According to Pathak, the possibility of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), like Reliance Jio and several Chinese brands, to source chips locally is still nearly four to five years away. "Sourcing of chips locally will happen only once the component ecosystem for low-value components is strengthened and export incentives are brought into force," he added. Reliance Jio was still catching up on the PMP and imported 40 per cent of Jio Phones in 2018. In fact, Chinese players like Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo had transitioned better from semi-knocked down (SKDs) to completely knocked down units (CKDs). These companies also have plans to scale up their local manufacturing operations, albeit limited to assembling only. Half of the handsets sold in India in 2018 were imported as SKDs while only 34 per cent were imported as CKDs. However, by the end of this year, handsets imported as CKDs are forecast to reach 75 per cent while 25 per cent will be in the form of SKDs. "We think that the government will first push to localize the components or sub-components under PMP to drive value addition. This can lead a transition from SKDs to CKDs quickly over the next two years," Pathak added. While there has been a delay in the implementation of the PMP, India has made significant strides in developing its mobile manufacturing ecosystem. Local value addition has risen from a meagre 6 per cent level in 2016 to 17 per cent in 2018 and there are now 120 assembling plants in the country as compared to just two in 2014. "While China and Vietnam seem to be way ahead in terms of local value addition, India has surpassed Vietnam to become the second largest mobile phone manufacturer by volume," said Hanish Bhatia, Senior Analyst at Counterpoint Research. Patna, Feb 25 : Thanks to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)'s proposed "Sankalp Rally" at Patna on March 3, the Indian Railways has bagged a big business opportunity, as the Alliance has hired 17 trains to ferry its supporters to the state capital, a senior JD-U leader said on Monday. Janata Dal-United (JD-U) General Secretary and party's Rajya Sabha member R.C.P. Singh, who is considered close to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, told the media here that the NDA has already hired 17 trains and is in the process of hiring another 13 for the Sankalp Rally. "NDA leaders, workers and supporters will come in 30 trains for the rally. We had booked 17 trains and 13 more trains will be booked for the purpose," Singh said. The trains would originate from different parts of the state for Patna. Since early this month, leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies JD-U and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) have been busy touring different parts of the state to mobilise support for the rally. Several buses have also been hired for the rally. A senior state BJP leader Devesh Kumar said party's district units would also ferry people in buses and other smaller vehicles. "Sankalp Rally is going to be the biggest-ever rally in Bihar. We expect that the number of people attending the rally would break all previous records," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah will address the NDA rally here, which is envisioned to be a show of strength for the alliance and a reply to the Congress' Jan Aakansha Rally, which according to the Congress leaders had the largest-ever political gathering in Patna. The Sankalp Rally will be the first joint rally of Narendra Modi-Nitish Kumar and their first big show since Nitish Kumar joined hands with the BJP in July 2017 after dumping the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress. Kasargode : , Feb 25 (IANS) CPI-M leader A. Peethamabaran, who is accused of murdering two Youth Congress workers in Kerala's Kasargode district last week, on Monday denied committing the crime when he was produced in a court here. Soon after his arrest after the murders, Peethamabaran reportedly admitted to the police that he committed the crime when he was on a high after smoking ganja. However, produced before the Hosdurg court after his police custody ended, the Communist Party of India-Marxist leader told the judge that he has no role in the murder but was forced to admit his involvement after he was threatened by police. The judge asked him if he was beaten up by police and he said "no" . Later, he was sent to two weeks judicial custody by the court. Youth Congress workers Krupesh, 19, and Joshy, 24, were attacked on February 17 by a three men. While Krupesh died at the Kasaragod district hospital, Joshy succumbed to injuries on his way to a medical facility in Karnataka's Mangaluru. Police have so far arrested five people in the case. Meanwhile on Monday ,angry Youth Congress workers marched to the office of the Superintendent of Police here, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the twin murder. The families of both victims on Monday wrote to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan demanding a CBI probe, a demand that has already been raised by the Congress. The murder case has been handed over the Kerala Police's Crime Branch. Hyderabad, Feb 25 : AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday called upon the Narendra Modi government to act rationally over the issue of Article 35A, saying it is a very delicate issue. Amid reports that the Centre is considering to scrap Article 35A which contains certain special provisions for Jammu and Kashmir, the Hyderabad MP advised the government not to lose cool but act rationally. "We hope that Modi government will act rationally. Elections will come and go but there is need to act rationally and not to lose cool. This is a very delicate issue," Owaisi told reporters. He said repeatedly it is being described as an issue of Muslims but claimed that even Hindus of Jammu would not like any tinkering with 35A. "A BJP MLA has given a statement against this. Article 35A applies not just to Valley but to the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir," said All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President. Owaisi said that if the Centre tinkers with 35A, it would send wrong message to Naga separatists with whom the government is holding talks. "You talk of 35A and you are holding talks with Naga separatists. Under 371A, we have given special provisions to Nagas. Now that you are holding talks with separatists and if you tinker with 35A, what is the message you are giving to Nagas, who are not satisfied with special provisions they got under 371A?" Owaisi said. "One thing which the entire country needs to understand when Article 370 was included in the Constitution who were members in the Constituency Assembly -- Sardar Patel, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Pundit Nehru. Article 370 has a permanent position in the Constitution," he added. Agartala, Feb 25 : A local court in Tripura on Monday sent to four-day police custody a tribal youth who was arrested from Mysuru in Karnataka for uploading on Facebook video clips supporting the Pulwama terror strike, a police official said. Forty CRPF troopers were killed in the February 14 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. Senior police and intelligence officials are interrogating 23-year-old Pramesh Debbarma, a resident of Khowai in western Tripura, who worked as a cook at a hotel in Mysuru. "Debbarma was arrested from the hotel he worked in, on Saturday for uploading video clips on his Facebook page supporting and encouraging the Pulwama terror attack," Khowai Sub-Divisional Police Officer Sourab Sen told IANS. He said the accused was brought back to Tripura on Sunday and produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) in Khowai, 80 km north of Agartala, on Monday. Khowai District police chief Krishnendu Chakraborty told IANS that the accused was arrested with the help of the Mysuru police. "A case was registered against the youth under Section 124 (a) (sedition charges) and 120 (b) (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code. The accused has confessed to his crime in preliminary interrogation," he added. Mumbai, Feb 25 : The State Bank of India (SBI) on Monday said no decision has been taken on moving the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to recover loans from private carrier Jet Airways and called media reports in this regard "speculative". "Reports have been appearing in the media about an SBI decision to refer Jet Airways to the NCLT. These are totally speculative and the SBI would like to state that no such decision has been taken," an SBI spokesperson said. Following reports of the state-run bank having decided to take the airline to the NCLT, Jet Airways shares lost 5 per cent in early trade on Monday but recovered somewhat to close 3.70 per cent down at Rs 227.95 per share. Shareholders of the beleaguered airline had, at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) here on Thursday, approved by an overwhelming majority a proposal to convert a part of the company's loans into shares. The development assumes significance as the approval was required to go ahead with the provisional resolution plan (BLPRP) led by the consortium of the lending banks. As part of the plan, public sector lenders will become the largest equity owners of the airline, virtually making it a nationalised carrier. According to the bank sources, overseas carrier Etihad, which holds 24 per cent stake in Jet Airways, abstained from voting on various proposals during the EGM. On Friday, Punjab National Bank (PNB) said the bankers' consortium is finalising Jet Airways' resolution plan for the long term as it favours preserving the airline's value. "It is too premature to tell about the interim funding plan (of Rs 550 crore). Bankers are working on it and the SBI has taken a lead," PNB CEO and MD Sunil Mehta said at a bankers' event. "Let the entire plan be worked out first. The consortium is looking at the options. Jet's resolution is a growing concern and we would like to preserve (its) value," he said. Both the SBI and the PNB are said to have agreed to provide Jet Airways with Rs 500 crore interim funding to continue operations until a long-term restructuring plan is worked out for its Rs 8,000-crore debt. Under the BLPRP, lenders are to convert part of the airline's debt into 11.4 crore shares at a consideration of Re 1 per share, as per RBI norms. Subsequently, appropriate interim credit facilities would be sanctioned to the airline by lenders. Shimla, Feb 25 : Himachal Pradesh on Monday signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with 159 companies that will attract an investment of over Rs 17,000 crore and provide employment opportunities to 40,000 people, the government said. It said three MoUs were signed with PSUs (public sector undertakings) for an investment of Rs 1,115 crore; 88 for the Department of Industries for Rs 5,243 crore; 36 for the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation for Rs 2,810 crore; 17 for the Department of Urban Development for Rs 4,332 crore; and five for the Department of Transport for an investment of Rs 2,780 crore, among others. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said the state was coming up with new policies for industry, tourism, warehouse and logistics, information technology, e-vehicles, films and Ayush to provide more attractive incentives to the entrepreneurs. Presiding over the MoU signing ceremony here under the Himachal Pradesh Global Investors Meet, he said efforts would be made to ensure online clearances under Section 118 to ensure fast clearances of the projects. Section 118 of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act of 1972 makes permission mandatory for non-agriculturists in the state to buy property other than what is offered by the state housing board. Thakur said a holistic approach had been adopted by the government to attract investments. He said the state offers great scope for investment in sectors like tourism, education, healthcare and food processing. The Chief Minister said the new industrial policy aims to establish state-of-the-art infrastructure, promote the manufacturing sector, enhance inclusivity, foster innovation and create employment opportunities across the sectors. He said the entrepreneurs willing to set up new industry or undertaking expansion would be entitled to 30 per cent Capital Investment Subsidy subject to a maximum of Rs 5 crore on plant and machinery under the Industrial Development Scheme of the Government of India. He said the state government would be holding the Global Investors Meet in June in Dharamsala. Industries Minister Bikram Singh Thakur said the state was committed to make sustainable tourism one of the prime engines of growth by establishing it as a leading global sustainable tourism destination. Kolkata, Feb 25 : A Trinamool Congress youth leader was shot dead in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Monday, police said. Nazimul Sheikh, a resident of Behrampur area, was allegedly shot dead by bike-borne assailants at around 10 a.m. "Sheikh was shot twice by the miscreants near his residence. He was rushed to the Murshidabad Medical College where he was declared dead," an officer from Behrampur Police Station said. The police said that the deceased had a number of criminal cases registered against him. "Sheikh was charged in a number of criminal cases and imprisoned for a few months. He was associated with the Trinamool Congress. A probe is going on," the officer added. The local Trinamool Congress leaders, however, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-backed miscreants for the killing, but the charge has been strongly refuted by the saffron outfit. Trinamool Congress Secretary General Partha Chatterjee said he would take up the matter with party's youth wing president Abhishek Banerjee and unite the party against such mischief. "A number of Trinamool Congress leaders and activists have been killed in recent months and every time their party has tried to put the blame on BJP. But, the reality is something else. These deaths are a result of the factional fighting within the Trinamool," state BJP President Dilip Ghosh said. "The fact is that all hooligans and miscreants in Bengal have taken shelter under the flag of Bengal's ruling party. They are freely conducting loot and violence as they are protected by the party. Trinamool government should stop blaming others and take action against these miscreants," he added. The incident comes after Trinamool MLA Satyajit Biswas's murder in Nadia on February 9 after he was shot multiple times. New Delhi, Feb 25 : The exercise of deleting names of electors from their electoral roll pertaining to assembly constituencies of Delhi was done by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) without any influence by any political party or private agency, an Election Officer told a Delhi Court on Monday. Testifying as a complainant witness, Election Officer Manoj Kumar told the court that the exercise of deletion was done by ERO on instruction of Election Commission. Around four lakh names were deleted from the electoral roll between January 2018 and January 2019. Nearly two lakh new voters were added in the list in the last one year, Kumar told Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal. Kumar submitted that, according to the final list published on January 18, there are 1,36,95,291 voters in the Delhi Assembly constituencies. He also told the court that there is no data of caste and community of the deleted voters. Kumar's submission came while deposing as a witness in the defamation complaint against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal filed by BJP leader Rajeev Babbar. Babbar has sought proceeding against Kejriwal, Rajya Sabha member Sushil Kumar Gupta, MLA Manoj Kumar and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson Atishi Malena for harming the reputation of BJP by blaming the party (BJP) for the deletion of the names of "voters" from the electoral rolls. "All the accused made accusations against BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) in a calculated manner with the sole intention to portray a negative image of BJP in relation to the voters belonging to certain sections of society viz., Bania, Poorvanchalis, Muslims etc. The reputation of the complainant has been damaged beyond repair," Babbar said. The court has listed the matter for further hearing on February 28. Kochi, Feb 25 : The Kerala High Court on Monday accepted the plea for a woman judge to try the infamous actress abduction case in which superstar Dileep is an accused. Ruling in favour of the actress's petition seeking a woman judge, the court picked Honey Varghese, presently a judge in the special court for Central Bureau of Investigation cases, for conducting the trial. It directed that the trial should be completed in nine months time. The court on Monday dismissed Dileep's petition seeking to be made party in the hearing on the actress's petition and also dismissed prime accused Pulsar Suni's petition against a woman judge. The young actress was allegedly abducted on February 17, 2017 while she was on way to Kochi from Thrissur. Suni drove her around for two hours around Kochi before she was dropped near the home of director-actor Lal, who informed the police. Dileep was arrested after two rounds of questioning on July 10, 2017, for his alleged role in the conspiracy hatched for the abduction. He secured bail after being in jail for 85 days. His former wife Manju Warrier is one of the witnesses in the case. Panaji, Feb 25 : A WhatsApp political group formed and administered by the Congress has five 'Pakis' as members who also deride Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said BJP national spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi on Monday. Hasiba Amin, the national convenor of the social media department of Congress, runs the group called 'India Political Network'. At a press conference here, Lekhi said that both Amin as well as the Congress President, Rahul Gandhi, should answer, as to why Pakistani nationals are a part of the group in which national political issues are discussed. "Rahul Gandhi needs to explain what are 'Pakis' doing in the Whatsapp group, which is run by a Congress office-bearer," Lekhi said, adding that at least five persons on the group are Pakistanis. Quoting some discussions by the group, Lekhi said that members of the group were discussing developments linked to the Pulwama tragedy and the aftermath, which included references to the Prime Minister. "Then there is a video which has been posted by Pakistanis and these are the kind of things which Congress party is indulging in. Should that (Whatsapp group) have Pakistanis who deride your Prime Minister? You may have political opposition to that man (Modi), which is one part of the story, but will you allow others to speak the same language?" she said. New Delhi, Feb 25 : A Delhi court on Monday granted bail to Dubai-based businessman Rajiv Saxena in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case. Special Judge Arvind Kumar asked him to furnish a personal bond of Rs 5 lakh and two surety bonds each of like amount. The court directed him not to leave the country without prior permission and not to tamper with evidence or influence witnesses. The court also directed him to join the investigation whenever required. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) did not oppose Saxena's bail plea on medical grounds as he has been cooperating in the VVIP chopper deal probe. Saxena told the court that he was suffering from radiating back pain, numbness and heaviness in legs, along with other ailments. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) security agencies had picked Saxena from his Dubai residence on January 30 and extradited him to India later that night, along with corporate lobbyist Deepak Talwar. According to the ED, in connivance with lawyer Gautam Khaitan, Saxena provided a corporate structure across the globe to laundered money for payment to various political leaders, bureaucrats and Indian Air Force officials to influence the contract for supplying 12 VVIP helicopters in favour of AgustaWestland. Saxena's name was mentioned in a chargesheet filed against his wife, Shivani, who has been out on bail after being arrested by the ED earlier. Alappuzha : , Feb 25 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday made a surprise visit to the residence of Vellapally Natesan, General Secretary of the powerful Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, the socio-cultural body of the Hindu Ezhava community. Incidentally, this is the first time that Vijayan, as Chief Minister, has gone to Natesan's house near here. The Chief Minister, who was accompanied by Finance Minister Thomas Issac, Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran, PWD Minister G.Sudhakaran, and Civil Supplies Minister P. Thilothaman, spent about 20 minutes there. Such visits are more commonly seen during rule of the Congress-led United Democratic Front, when the Chief Minister and other ministers visit Natesan at his house. After calling on Natesan, Vijayan and his Ministers took part in the inauguration of the first phase of the facilitation centre at the temple headed by Natesan. On the occasion, Vijayan promised that funds for the second phase would also be given. When the Centre failed to give any grant for the temple, Vijayan's government had extended a grant of Rs 3 crore. Approached by media to divulge the reason for the visit, both Vijayan and Natesan did not say anything. Of late, Natesan and Vijayan have had the best of relations and the former had extended full support to the government on the Sabarimala issue after the apex court's verdict allowing entry of women of all ages to the hilltop shrine. It was on this issue the relationship between the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist and the Nair Service Society, the body of the Hindu Nair community, worsened, after the latter wanted the Vijayan government to take a stand against entry of all women as it was "against the tradition and culture of the Sabarimala temple". After the NSS took a tough stand on the issue, Natesan came out in full strength to participate in the Women's Wall, organised by the Vijayan government, formed across the state with the twin objective of creating consensus of opening Sabarimala to all women and also to promote gender equality. Reacting to Vijayan's visit to Natesan, state Congress President Mullapally Ramachandran told the media that the CPI-M and Vijayan have the habit of criticizing social group leaders in public speeches and then suddenly turning up at their houses. "With elections round the corner, everyone understands the real reason behind this sudden house visit," he said. Hanoi, Feb 25 : A train purportedly carrying North Korea's Kim Jong-un passed through the Chinese city of Changsha on Monday on its way to Vietnam, where he is expected to arrive on Tuesday for a state visit, followed by a summit with US President Donald Trump. With two days to go for the start of the two-day summit here, Kim's convoy is continuing on its journey of over 4,000 km to Hanoi amid tight security and secrecy, as is typical of the highest ranking officials within the Pyongyang regime, reports Efe news. The North Korean leader's armoured convoy, which departed from Pyongyang on Saturday, passed through Changsha, capital of the central Chinese province of Hunan, at around 1.10 p.m. on Monday, a source told South Korean news agency Yonhap. The train halted for around half an hour at the station in Changsha, before resuming its journey southward, according to the source. The convoy was later expected to pass the southern Chinese city of Nanning before heading to Pingxiang, close to the border with Vietnam. Some experts have said that the train could also take a detour southeast to cross Guangzhou before heading towards the border, although there has been no official confirmation of the convoy's itinerary. Kim, who will also make a state visit to Vietnam, the first by a North Korean leader in nearly 55 years, is expected to arrive in the country on Tuesday through the border town of Dong Dang and travel from there to Hanoi by car (the armoured train is believed to be carrying his limousine). The railway station at Dong Dang, 170 km northeast of Hanoi, has been closed to public since Sunday and will remain shut until March 2. Bengaluru, Feb 25 : State-run Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has won Rs 234 crore export order from Elbit Systems Electro-Optics Elop Ltd, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd in Israel, to make components for airborne applications. "We received the export order from Elbit arm at the Aero India air show, held here from February 20-24, to make electro opto infra red (EOIF) payloads for airborne applications," the company said in a statement, here on Monday. Elbit Chief Executive B. Machilis gave the export order to BEL Chairman Gowtama in the presence of BEL Director (marketing) Anandi Ramalingam. "As part of the 'make in India' initiative, we entered into an agreement with Elbit's arm for technology transfer to make EOIR payloads and provide lifetime maintenance support at its facility in Chennai," it said . BEL has the infrastructure to supply payloads to domestic as well as foreign clients. "We are augmenting facilities to meet the growing need for variants of EOIR payloads for domestic and export markets," it said. BEL is also global supply chain partner of Elbit arm. New Delhi, February 25 : In a recent announcement, made by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd, they have given citizens a golden opportunity to be a part of Indian History. Any Indian can be part of it, and win cash prizes. This is a prime project that is executed by NHSRCL and they have announced a contest whereby an Indian citizen can name the Bullet Train and if selected, they will be entitled to cash rewards. The train is all ready to run right from Mumbai to Ahmedabad by 2022 and all it needs is a name and a mascot to give it more life and identity. The contest includes three main parts. One is that you provide an iconic name to the first ever Bullet Train in India. Next, you can design a mascot for the train. Last, is that- all winners will get cash reward. Next, is how you can participate in this contest. A spokesperson from NHSRCL informed the media, that the bullet train was of a Japanese make and if the Indian mass could suggest a name, they could connect with it better. For more participation from people, they have organized an online competition. All interested participants can get into www.mygov.in and submit their entries until March 25, 2019. The participant should log in the website and follow the instructions to enter their ideas. Once the mascot and name of the train has been shortlisted via a nomination committee, the winners will be rewarded with cash prizes and a certificate as proof of their participation. While choosing the mascot, it should be one that reflects the theme of NHSRCL. When the mascot, and the name syncs well with the system, then people can connect to the bullet train in a much better way. This is not the first time that such contests have been held in our nation. In 2017, the NHSRCL logo was selected through a similar content, and the participant chose a cheetah as it lend the meaning of speed, reliability and calmness. Historical mascots like Maharaja from Air India and Bholu from the Railways stand as fine examples of beautiful and meaningful mascots that have stayed in our memories for centuries. The Bullet Train aims to reduce travel time, pollution and also promises to provide safety to all. It is said to be 508.17 km long in length. For those who would love to be part of Indian history, work your creative senses and do participate and submit your entry by March 25, 2019. You can all the information here: https://twitter.com/nhsrcl New Delhi, Feb 25 : Reacting to US President Donald Trump's decision to delay the date for American tariff hike on Chinese goods, US ratings agency Moody's on Monday said although the compromise reached had become increasingly likely, the US-China relationship would continue to be contentious, "swinging between compromise and conflict". Reporting substantial progress in the US-China trade talks, Trump on Sunday announced that he would delay the March 1 deadline to increase American tariffs on Chinese goods. Trump said he would like to have a summit with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at his Florida resort to finalise a trade agreement. "An extension of the March 1 deadline had become increasingly likely in recent weeks and is part of our baseline assumptions," Moody's Investors Service MD (Sovereign Risk Group) Marie Diron said in a note. "While some compromise may be reached between the US and China on certain trade matters, the process is unlikely to be smooth and the US-China relationship should remain contentious, swinging between compromise and conflict, and involving frictions not only on trade, but also on technology, investment and geopolitics," she said. The Trump administration had set March 1 deadline for a trade deal in the US-China talks or else Washington would hike tariffs from 10 per cent to 25 per cent on yearly imports of Chinese goods worth $200 billion. The announcement comes as Trump prepares to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for the two-day second summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, starting Wednesday. Earlier on Sunday, Trump tweeted about the role China is playing ahead of talks with the North Korean leader. "President Xi of China has been very helpful in his support of my meeting with Kim Jong-un. The last thing China wants are large-scale nuclear weapons right next door," he wrote on Twitter. He also tweeted it had been "a good weekend for US and China" in trade talks. The President's announcement followed days of negotiations in which American and Chinese officials met last week near the White House to work line-by-line through a handful of documents covering intellectual property, services and subsidies, according to the New York Times. An American delegation is expected to travel to Beijing soon to resolve the remaining differences. The trade war between the world's two biggest economies was sparked by Trump's aggressive protectionist stance and has generated uncertainty and volatility in international financial markets for months. Srinagar, Feb 25 : Even by Kashmir's standards, where rumours always travel ahead of news, what happened in the Valley over the weekend was quite unexpected as a run on petrol pumps, grocery stores and chemists was sparked by the panic, fear and uncertainty that gripped the Valley as nobody had an inkling about what was really going on. It all started with the airlifting of 100 additional companies of central armed police forces (CAPF) those were airlifted to the Valley on Saturday morning. Interestingly, the state government took two days to re-assure people that the deployment was nothing unusual as it pertained to the conduct of forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state. The official clarification came too late. Kashmiris had already panicked by then. "India and Pakistan are going to war and J&K would be the worst sufferer as it always has been in the past". This was the standard rumour doing the rounds in the Valley on Saturday morning. As if the first rumour wasn't bad enough, it was immediately supplemented by another one: "They are going to abrogate article 35A and additional forces have been rushed to enforce curfew across the Valley." There were elements of credibility to both these rumours. In nocturnal raids across the Valley all senior leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) in the Valley had been arrested late on Friday and early Saturday. Instead of a statement that would scotch the rumours, what followed only gave credibility to the rumour mill. Instructions were officially issued to Chief Medical Officers to lift all necessary stocks of medicines and surgical items from Srinagar stores on Sunday. This was followed by a directive from the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department to keep stores open on Sunday so that the people could stock up on foodgrain and other essentials. Personnel of the state armed police were told to be in readiness for any law and order exigency. Did the rumour mongers need more grist for the mill? The Valley started running helter skelter as locals pounced on petrol pumps, medicine shops and provision stores. Nobody believed anything except that there was going to curfew or war and people needed to store enough. Petrol pumps across the Valley had exhausted 80 per cent of their supplies by the time the state administration stepped in to order the rationing of petrol and diesel. Provision stores were emptied in hours before anybody knew what was happening. "I had not done such sales during the last one month as I did in just a few hours on Saturday evening," said a provision store owner in Srinagar. A medicine shop owner said: "It looked as if everybody had suddenly taken ill in the city. People were buying anti-pyretics, antacids, blood pressure, diabetes drugs and what not", said the owner of a medical shop in Srinagar's Khayam area. Any rational voice was quickly brushed aside. "I told my friend why he was topping the petrol tank of his car when nobody would be going anywhere if there was curfew or war. He was too worked up to listen," said Suhail Mir who waited patiently in his friend's car near a petrol pump in Ganderbal town for hours. Governor Satya Pal Malik spoke to some media persons on Saturday evening to dispel the people's fears. By then, the Valley's petrol pumps, medicine shops and provision stores were all sold out as those still indoors remained glued to TV sets waiting with consternation for the worst news - which, fortunately, did not come from anywhere. The bushfire was extinguished - but only just. (Sheikh Qayoom can be reached at sheikh.abdul@ians.in) New Delhi, Feb 25 : The works of two of India's most-collected modernist artists, Sayed Haider Raza and Krishen Khanna, have come together in an exhibition here, coupled with snippets from their exchanged letters that express a solidarity beyond borders. The ongoing 'Yugma II' displays Raza's and his contemporary Krishen Khanna's works having different artistic styles but connected by their written correspondence. The art exhibition is part of the ongoing Raza Utsav, presented by the Raza Foundation at the Vadehra Art Gallery here and will run till March 22. Raza, who moved to France in 1950 and lived there for the next 60 years, frequently exchanged letters with Khanna. "At that time, these artists were close to each other, they discussed their work, and they needed each other. These letters are good examples of their relationship and state of mind," gallery director Sonia Ballaney told IANS. "I am sitting under my beloved olive trees, in front of a small red canvas, and paints and brushes that are calling to me irresistibly. I have chosen to concentrate on this blank sheet of paper...I would like to give you news from here, my impressions of the Geneva show and my plans for the months to come," Raza had written to Khanna in a letter dated August 9, 1987, from Gorbio, France. It was printed in the Raza Foundation's series of letters "My Dear", published by Vadehra Art Gallery. "Janine (Mongillat, Raza's wife) and I are working hard. For me, it's a period where every painting is taking a lot of time. I can hardly say why. Besides, I have taken to fairly large canvases, but not too big really when one thinks of the eight and ten yards that Husain or Akbar cover with such facility. "Anyway, size is not important. My eternal problem is of the 'image', which seems to escape with an overgrowing obsession of form," a snippet from another of Raza's letters in 1960 read. A glimpse into their personal artistic development, the letters also revealed their deep personal connect. A letter from Khanna in 1985, right after his father's death, said: "I am completely overwhelmed by your letter which arrived yesterday. You cannot imagine how close I felt, it was as if you had put your arms around me at a moment of great personal desolation." A walk through the exhibition can lead one to trace the developments that were recorded so intimately in these letters, whether it's Raza's large canvasses or Khanna's personal reflections. Islamabad, Feb 25 : Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has postponed his trip to Japan due to the "sensitive situation in the region" following the February 14 attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama that killed 40 CRPF troopers, his office announced on Monday. According to a Foreign Office statement, Qureshi in a telephone call with his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono on Saturday explained that it was "imperative" that he remains in Pakistan due to the "extremely grave" situation which emerged in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack, reports Dawn news. The Pulwama attack has been claimed by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror outfit. The Minister told Kono that he wrote to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to help stabilise the security situation. He also requested his Japanese counterpart to brief Prime Minister Shinzo Abe about the situation due to which the tour had to be postponed, the statement said. Meanwhile, both foreign ministers have agreed to set a new date for Qureshi's tour, it added. Dhaka, Feb 25 : Police in Bangladesh on Monday said that the man who was shot dead after attempting to hijack a plane carrying 156 people using a toy gun, has been identified as a "listed criminal" as his name featured on the law enforcement database. The incident took place onboard the Biman Bangladesh Airlines Flight BG 147 that had been travelling to Dubai from Dhaka, with a scheduled stopover in the city of Chittagong, on Sunday evening. Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), the elite anti-crime unit of the Bangladesh Police, has identified the suspect as Polash Ahmed, who hailed from Dudhghata in Narayanganj. RAB Law and Media Wing Director Mufti Mahmud Khan told bdnews24 that the suspect was identified after they located his name on the passenger list. Khan, however, did not state the offence for which Ahmed's name had been entered into the criminal database. Ahmed was killed when security forces stormed the Boeing 737 after it landed at Chittagong's Shah Amanat International Airport. It is not yet clear why the suspect may have attempted to hijack the plane. Itanagar, Feb 25 : Three days after violence erupted here over the state government's move to grant permanent residence certificate (PRC) to six non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes communities, curfew here continued on Monday, police said. "We have extended the curfew till 9 a.m. on Wednesday to calm the prevailing law and order situation," Itanagar Capital Complex Deputy Commissioner Prince Dhawan told IANS, expressing hope that the situation might soon return to normal. Authorities on Saturday imposed an indefinite curfew in Itanagar and Naharlagun as demonstrators protesting against the government's PRC move went on the rampage, indulging in arson and stone pelting. One person was killed after sustaining a bullet injury in Naharlagun. The Opposition National People's Party (NPP), People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) and the Congress decided not to attend an all-party meeting. "What is the point of attending the all-party meeting when the Chief Minister (Pema Khandu) refused to listen to our voice against granting PRCs to six non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes communities in Namsai and Changlang districts," NPP MLA Mutchu Mithi told IANS. Accusing Khandu of indulging in "petty politics despite the volatile situation in the state", State Congress chief Sanjoy Takam said: "How can one attend a meeting without getting any written or verbal communication? "In fact, I learnt about the meeting only when an Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister rang me up at 11.15 a.m. requesting me to attend the meeting, which was slated at 11 a.m." "Isn't it petty? The Chief Minister is not serious enough even in such a grave situation," Takam said. On Sunday, the Arunachal Pradesh government froze its decision on the controversial PRC that triggered widespread violence for a third day, leading to the torching of the Deputy Chief Minister's house. Chief Secretary Satya Gopal said in a statement: "Considering the present situation..., the government has decided that no further action shall be taken in respect of grant of PRC." Governor Brig B.D. Mishra (retd) condemned the violence. Appealing for peace, Mishra said: "Arunachalis have always demonstrated their rationality, sagacity and maturity in their conduct under all circumstances." He advised the state government to take all precautionary measures to prevent further mayhem. Four Army columns were deployed in the capital while authorities suspended internet services across the state to avoid the spread of fake news. The protests were called on Friday evening by 18 student and civil society groups to mount pressure on the Khandu government to scrap the PRC granting decision. Later that day, protesters set ablaze 50 vehicles and damaged over 100 vehicles. The protestors alleged a committee led by Environment and Forest Minister Nabam Rebia had submitted its report on PRC without proper verification of facts. Brussels, Feb 25 : Federica Mogherini, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, spoke to Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, stressing on the "urgency to de-escalate" the ongoing tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad following the February 14 Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF troopers. Mogherini, who is also the Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, had a telephonic conversation with Shah on Sunday. "The High Representative stressed the urgency to de-escalate the situation and confirmed that the European Union is also in contact with Indian counterparts," an official statement said here. "The European Union's policy has always been to promote a dialogue between India and Pakistan to sort out differences." While appreciating Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's "early commitment to reach out to India", Mogherini also "highlighted the need to continue addressing terrorism, including clear and sustained actions targeting not only all UN-listed transnational terrorist groups but also individuals claiming responsibility for such attacks", the statement added. The development comes after Khan on Sunday assured his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi that he stood by his words, saying that if New Delhi provided Islamabad with "actionable intelligence" regarding the Pulwama attack, "we will immediately act". Khan said Modi should "give peace a chance". His remark was in response to Modi saying on Saturday that the time had come to test if the Pakistan Prime Minister was a man of his word. The Pulwama attack was claimed by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad. New Delhi, Feb 25 : Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday launched a dashboard for passengers to keep track of train punctuality as well as other such information from anywhere in the country. The 'eDrishti' dashboard has been developed by the Centre for Railway Information System (CRIS) and can be accessed at www.raildrishti.cris.org.in. Launching the dashboard, Goyal said people can now track any information related to Indian Railways in a swipe - even while on the move. They can find out about the movement of trains across the country, train punctuality, freight and passenger earnings, freight loading and unloading, progress of major projects, public grievances, details of railway stations and much more, he said. The Railway Minister also used the occasion to harp on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "transparent government". "We hold ourselves accountable to people's aspirations," he said. Goyal said the NDA government has given its report card at the end of every year for the past five years and "now it is time for people's mandate on the basis of these report cards". He added that it was this increased transparency in government procedures that had brought down the number of RTI (Right to Information) applications over the last five years. Goyal said 'eDrishti' was aimed at making the Indian Railways more transparent and asked people for suggestions to improve its services. The Railway Minister also took an apparent dig at Congress President Rahul Gandhi for criticising the indigenously built Vande Bharat Express. "Those who are weak and don't work hard make fun of Make in India," Goyal said. On Friday, Gandhi had taken a swipe at Modi's Make in India programme after the much-publicised Train 18, rechristened Vande Bharat, broke down 200 km away from New Delhi on its return journey from the Prime Minister's parliamentary constituency Varanasi. The train had been flagged off amid much fanfare by Modi from New Delhi railway station. With regular complaints regarding the quality of food served on trains, the dashboard has also been linked to the base kitchens of the Indian Rail Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to allow monitoring of the goings-on in IRCTC kitchens through live video. The dashboard will also provide live status of reserved and unreserved passengers travelling on trains besides providing the exact location of trains at any point of time. Goyal also informed that the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) had signed a deal with the Maharashtra government for the redevelopment of Mumbai's Dharavi slum. He said 45 acres of surplus land would be given for the project on a 99-year lease. "With this, the redevelopment of the 400-acre slum will get a boost. I grew up near Dharavi, so in a way I am repaying my debt to the place," he said. The Minister also referred to Bollywood movie Gully Boy, which shows the Dharavi slums, and said, "Have you seen Gully Boy? Life will be transformed there." "This project will open new vistas for a huge amount of slum redevelopment across the country," Goyal added. Chennai, Feb 25 : Since her birth 35 years ago M.A. Sneha, an advocate in Tirupathur, has remained without any caste or religion. Whether it was her birth or school certificate, the columns on caste and religion remained blank. Recently, the Tamil Nadu government issued Sneha a formal certificate that she is a caste and religion less person. Perhaps she is the first one in the country to be formally certified so. "When the government can issue community certificates, it struck me why not I get a caste and religion less certificate. Initially, I had requested for such a certificate through letters. Later, I applied for it like any other person applying for a community certificate," Sneha told IANS. Her tryst with that certificate ended early this month when the government issued her one. "My family - parents, sisters, husband and daughters - have been living without any caste or religious identification. The certificate is just a legal document. We are all atheists," Sneha said. In a country where a person's name can denote his/her caste or religion, Sneha and her husband K. Parthibaraja have named their three daughters with a mix of Buddhist, Christian and Muslim names - Aadhirai Nasreen, Aadhila Irene and Aarifa Jessy. "Several decades ago when times were not this modern, my in-laws had named their daughters differently," Parthibaraja remarked. Sneha's two younger sisters have Muslim and Christian names - Mumtaj Suriya and Jennifer. "My father-in-law P.V. Anandakrishnan and mother-in-law Manimozhi are both advocates, and belonged to different castes. They were rationalists and Leftists. Sneha was named after a Telangana girl Snehalatha died in police custody," Parthibaraja told IANS. The initials before Sneha's name - M.A. - denote the first letter of her parents' names. "My paternal grandfather was a religious person but not his eldest son advocate P.V. Bakthavatchalam who during his college days got attracted towards communism and rationalism. My father too followed his elder brother," Sneha said. Recalling her childhood days, Sneha said: "We grew up in a different environment. Our home was frequented by communist friends of my parents. At home, the books, too, were on communism, rationalism and atheism. My sisters and I imbibed those principles." Sneha said during school, she and her two sisters would always answer `no caste, no religion' when their friends or their parents asked about it. "We are staunch atheists. We didn't waver an inch in our core belief even when one of my sisters was a born thalassemic patient requiring regular blood transfusion. Even when she faced life threatening ailments we didn't go in search of any God," Sneha said. Sneha said confidently that her three daughters will not waver an inch from the principles of no caste, no religion and atheism. "Life partners who are of the same wavelength will automatically come at the right time," she added. Speaking about his marriage, Parthibaraja, a Tamil professor in Sacred Heart College in Tirupathur, said: "I hail from a religiously inclined family. But I got interested in the philosophies of Periyar (E.V.Ramasamy, founder of Dravidar Kazhagam) and Ambedkar and became an atheist." Sneha said her three daughters and two sisters will soon apply for no caste, no religion certificates. "Early in my life I had got a community certificate. I had to approach the court first to get the no caste, no religion certificate," Parthibaraja said. Patna, Feb 25 : The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is likely to contest alone in Bihar for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, as party leaders hinted it will not be a part of the opposition's Grand Alliance. BSP's Bihar in-charge Lalji Medhkar said the BSP would contest all 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state. "BSP chief Mayawati has instructed us to prepare to contest from all seats in Bihar," he added. He also said the party would not join hands with the Grand Alliance. "BSP will contest the polls on its own," he said. According to him, Mayawati has invited BSP leaders of Bihar to Delhi for a meeting ahead of the polls. She will finalise the party's strategy with them and then announce its candidates. The move is a political setback for the Grand Alliance in Bihar, which was waiting for the BSP to join, in hope of putting up an united opposition against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav had even met Mayawati in Luckhnow in January, when it was being speculated that the BSP will be a part of the Grand Alliance. The BSP has some strong pockets in Bihar, particularly in Gopalganj, Kaimur and Rohtas which are near the Uttar Pradesh border. Ironically, however, Tejashwi Yadav planned to give the BSP just one or two seats. Medhkar said political scenarios are very different in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. An RJD leader admitted that the BSP's social support base was well known with a particular Dalit caste. It also enjoys support in over half-a-dozen Lok Sabha seats. The development comes amid reports of another Grand Alliance component, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) president Jitan Ram Manjhi being unhappy over the seats offered to his party. "My party should get respectable number of seats. We have a large vote bank," Manjhi, another Dalit leader, has been repeatedly saying. And after Manjhi's seat-sharing talks with RJD chief Lalu Prasad in Ranchi failed, there are growing rumours that he may join the NDA as the BJP has offered him full respect and honour. The 'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar comprises the Congress, the RJD, the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) led by former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha, the HAM led by Manjhi and the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) led by Mukesh Sahni. The Left parties, including CPI, CPI-M and CPI-ML, too are likely to contest polls together as part of the Grand Alliance. --IAN discussions primarily focused on the US troops' withdrawal and assurances that Afghan soil would not be used again by any terrorist organisation. New Delhi, Feb 25 : Political parties in India are reaching out to citizens to understand issues facing them in order to set their election agenda. Several political parties have signed up with Change.org, an online petition platform, to crowd source suggestions for their election manifestos. Rajeev Gowda from the Congress, Rajeev Chandrasekhar from the BJP, T.K.S. Elangovan from the DMK have signed up as verified "decision makers" on Change.org seeking help from citizens in building a vision for general elections 2019. While politicians such as Union Minister Maneka Gandhi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Delhi Minister Satyender Jain and Member of Parliament Tathagatha Satpathy have been using Change.org to understand citizens' issues and come up with initiatives for a while now, for political parties it is a first to approach the website to set their election manifestos. In December 2018, Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Atishi, who is contesting from the East Delhi constituency, signed up and reached out to her constituents to help her build a vision for East Delhi through her initiative "East Delhi Dialogues". The people of the area responded with an overwhelming 40 petitions addressed to Atishi. Active citizens' partipation can be gauged from the fact that since January, more than 170 petitions have been put on the website on issues ranging from food adulteration to education, child rights, environment and more ideas continue to come in. Over 130 petitions focus only on issues concerning the armed forces, youth and technology. Ideas related to every issue will be compiled, thrashed and then forwarded to every party's election manifesto team for consideration. "We believe in active citizens' participation in democracy. That's why we have been trying to enable a dialogue between the citizens and the people in power ahead of the 2019 elections. We have seen an incredible response from our users and hundreds of petitions have started on issues that matter to the ordinary citizen," said Nida Hasan, Country Director, Change.org India. Kolkata, Feb 25 : A Trinamool Congress youth leader was shot dead in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Monday, police said. Nazimul Sheikh, a resident of Behrampur area, was allegedly shot dead by bike-borne assailants at around 10 a.m. "Sheikh was shot twice by the miscreants near his residence. He was rushed to the Murshidabad Medical College where he was declared brought dead," an officer from Behrampur police station said. The police said that the victim had a number of criminal cases against him. "Sheikh was charged with a number of criminal cases and was imprisoned for a few months. He was associated with the Trinamool Congress. A probe in ongoing," the officer added. The incident comes after Trinamool MLA Satyajit Biswas's murder in Nadia on February 9 who was also shot multiple times. Bengaluru, Feb 25 : Karnataka intensified efforts to contain a raging wildfire in the Bandipur forest area in the Chamarajanagar district bordering Tamil Nadu, an official said on Monday. "As the wildfire spread to about 2,000 hectares in the 874 square kilometres (sq km) Bandipur forest, around 500 guards, officials, eco-volunteers and people from the area rushed to douse the flames," an official told IANS here. Movement of people and vehicles, including cars, buses and trucks have been banned on the National Highway-67 and inter-state roads until further notice across Bandipur, which has a sprawling tiger habitat and is biodiversity rich as part of the eco-sensitive southern Western Ghats. Unlike in the past or in many years, this is the first time the wildfire in Bandipur flared up earlier due to the sudden climatic change and rapid growth of dry grass and Lantana. "There has been no reports of casualty or injury to animals, including spotted deer, bison, antelopes, elephants, tiger and leopard so far, as they would have ran into the core forest area to escape from the scorching heat and the raging fire that started on Saturday. "Although small animals like snakes and calves would have perished caught in the blaze," said the official. Hanoi, Feb 25 : An impersonator of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un on Monday said Vietnamese authorities were deporting him from the country, just 24 hours before Pyongyang's leader was expected to arrive here ahead of his summit with US President Donald Trump. In a Facebook post, the comedian known as Howard X said three officers had escorted him to the airport in the capital, where he boarded a Singapore-bound Vietnam Airlines flight, reports Efe news. The comedian, who is a resident of Hong Kong, was detained on Friday, where authorities told him that his visa was "invalid". "My real crime was looking like the President of North Korea," the comedian said, who also published a photograph of him bidding farewell to Russell White, a Trump impersonator, whom the local authorities have allowed to remain in the country for several more days but have barred him from any public performances. The pair kissed and hugged as they said their goodbyes at a hotel in Hanoi on Monday before Howard X was escorted to the airport. Kim is expected to arrive on Monday or Tuesday for a state visit before the summit with Trump on Wednesday and Thursday. In the first visit by a North Korean leader to Vietnam since the reunification of the Southeast Asian country in 1975, Kim will meet President and General Secretary of the Communist Party, Nguyen Phu Trong. Howard X and White also made headlines in the run-up to the first summit in Singapore last June. The comedian had said that Singaporean authorities had briefly detained him at the airport upon his arrival, but he was allowed to remain for the duration of the summit. Ranchi, Feb 25 : A top Maoist guerrilla carrying a Rs 10-lakh reward has been arrested from the outskirts of Ranchi early on Monday, police said. Santosh Yadav alias Tiger was arrested from his house at Pandara area where he was being treated after sustaining bullet injuries in a gun battle with security forces in Gumla district on Sunday. He had been admitted at Rajendra Institute of Medical Science. Three other Moaists, including Gajju Gope, commander of the banned Maoist outfit People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI), were killed in the gun battle. Nine Maoist guerrillas belonging to PLFI have been killed so far this year. Seoul, Feb 25 : The US and North Korea might agree on how to declare an end to the Korean War at the upcoming meeting of their leaders this week in Vietnam, an official from Seoul's presidential office said on Monday. "I believe the possibility is open. There is no way of knowing what kind of a declaration it might be, but I believe the US and North Korea may reach an agreement on the declaration of war's end at any degree," presidential office spokesman, Kim Eui-kyeom said. US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are set to hold their second meeting in Hanoi on Wednesday and Thursday. The two first met in Singapore in June 2018, reported Yonhap news agency. The 1950-53 Korean War ended only with an armistice. Seoul earlier insisted that declaring a formal end to the war should at least involve the divided Koreas and the US. Kim Eui-kyeom claimed the two Koreas may have already made a de facto declaration of the war's end when their militaries signed an agreement to forgo all hostile acts shortly after South Korean President Moon Jae-in visited Pyongyang for his third and latest summit with the North Korean leader in September. He insisted that Seoul and Beijing may have already done so when they established their diplomatic ties, adding that the US and China normalised their bilateral relations in 1979. China fought on the North's side in the Korean War. "Therefore, the only countries left are the North and the US," he said. "Should the North and the US declare the war's end, it (the war's end) would be achieved in the practical sense." The spokesman said replacing the Korean armistice with a peace treaty would take some time and that it must be a multilateral effort involving both Koreas and China. February 25 : Actor Rami Malek received an Oscar for Best Actor in a leading role at the 91st Academy Awards ceremony for portraying the life of the late Freddie Mercury, in the movie Bohemian Rhapsody. Bohemian Rhapsody is a biopic on Freddie Mercury and the band, Queen. The movie depicts the early life of Mercury and shows the initial years of the bands formation, its rise to stardom and even the famous Live Aid concert. Other aspects of the movies include the relationship Mercury had with his Indian family, his love life, his sexuality, the ways he dealt with fame and the diagnosis of his Aids illness. Malek expressed his gratitude to the rock band and also used his acceptance speech to address the struggles of immigrants and the changing times in Hollywood. Malek went, Oh my God, as he held the Oscar statuette on the stage. My mom is in here somewhere. I love you. I thank my family. My dad didnt get to see this, but I am sure he is looking down on me, he said as the camera panned towards his visibly emotionally family. This is a monumental moment, I am so appreciative to all of you, who have had a hand in getting me here. People who took a chance on me said Malek thanking Graham King & Dennis OSullivan. I may have not been the obvious choice, but I guess it worked out smiled Malek. Malek again thanked Queen by saying,thank you for making me a tiniest part of your phenomenal and extraordinary legacy, I am forever in your debt. I would also like to thank my crew and cast. You are my equals and better. I could have not been here without you as Malek thanked his co-stars. Talking about Freddie, Malek went, We made a film about a gay man, an immigrant who lived his life just unapologetically himself. The fact that Im celebrating him and this story with you tonight is proof that were longing for stories like this. I am the son of immigrants from Egypt, a first generation American, as Malek remembered his roots. And part of my story is being written right now. And I could not be more grateful to each and every one of you, and everyone who believed in me for this moment. Its something I will treasure for the rest of my life The star also went on to thank Lucy Boynton by saying, you are the heart of this film, you are beyond immensely talented and you have captured my heart, as Malek concluded his acceptance speech. Washington, Feb 25 : US President Donald Trump has delayed the March 1 deadline to increase American tariffs on Chinese goods and said that he would be planning a summit with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at his Florida resort to finalise a trade agreement. "I am pleased to report that the US has made substantial progress in our trade talks with China on important structural issues including intellectual property protection, technology transfer, agriculture, services, currency, and many other issues," Trump said on Sunday in a series of tweets. "As a result of these very productive talks, I will be delaying the US increase in tariffs now scheduled for March 1. Assuming both sides make additional progress, we will be planning a summit for President Xi and myself, at Mar-a-Lago, to conclude an agreement. A very good weekend for US and China." The Trump administration had set March 1 as the deadline whereby a trade deal had to be reached in the US-China talks or else Washington would hike tariffs from 10 to 25 per cent on some $200 billion in yearly imports of Chinese goods. The announcement comes as Trump prepares to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for their second summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Wednesday and Thursday. Earlier on Sunday, Trump tweeted about the important role China is playing ahead of the talks with Kim, saying: "President Xi of China has been very helpful in his support of my meeting with Kim Jong-un. The last thing China wants are large scale nuclear weapons right next door. "Sanctions placed on the border by China and Russia have been very helpful. Great relationship with Chairman Kim." In the Oval Office on Friday, Trump expressed similar optimism about trade negotiations with China, predicting there was a "very good chance" that the US and China would reach a trade agreement. Trump also suggested that if substantial progress was made, he "would be inclined" to allow up to a month longer for negotiations. The President's announcement followed days of negotiations in which American and Chinese officials met last week near the White House to work line-by-line through a handful of documents covering intellectual property, services and subsidies, The New York Times reported. The Chinese were ready to commit to billions of dollars of purchases of American soybeans, beef, natural gas and other products, though they have resisted more structural changes to their economy. An American delegation is expected to travel to Beijing soon to continue to work out the remaining differences. The trade war between the world's two biggest economies was sparked by Trump's aggressive protectionist stance and has generated uncertainty and volatility in international financial markets for months. Shimla, Feb 25 : A day after snowfall halted the search operation for five troopers, who went missing last week after an avalanche hit Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, the operation began again on Monday, officials said. "The rescue operation started at 7 a.m. More engineering efforts like chain saws and drill machines have been deployed to enhance the operation," an official, who is coordinating the operation, told IANS. The search was halted on Sunday due to intermittent snowfall throughout the day. No clues was found till then. As the search operation entered the sixth day on Monday, officials said chances of survival of those trapped in the snow were slim. Officials said a lot of snow had accumulated at the avalanche site, 350 km from the state capital, and fresh snow has made treks treacherous. The snow has solidified into hard rocks, making it difficult to dig, they said. Many mountaineers from the area are also involved in the operation. The February 20 avalanche was triggered by the sliding of a glacier near Namgia Dogri, bordering Tibet, burying six Jammu and Kashmir Rifles troopers. The body of one trooper was found soon after. The state government said two separate parties of the Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) were patrolling Namgia Dogri when the avalanche hit. Five ITBP troopers were also injured in the disaster. Blizzards, high-speed winds, fresh snowfall and poor visibility had been severely hampering the rescue operations, an Indian Army spokesperson told IANS. Lt Gen P.M. Bali, Chief of Staff of Western Command headquarters, visited the site of avalanche on February 23 and assured that all out efforts were underway for searching the missing army men. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more snowfall in the region on February 26-27, and thereafter on March 1-2. Jammu, Feb 25 : One-way traffic will be allowed on Jammu-Srinagar national highway on Monday. Around 300 oil tankers stranded in the Patnitop sector have been allowed to move from Jammu to Srinagar, said traffic department official. "Once the oil tankers cross the Jawahar Tunnel, heavy vehicular traffic will be allowed from Srinagar to Jammu", the official said. Trucks and tankers carrying petroleum products have to take the Kud-Patnitop-Batote stretch of the highway as no vehicle carrying inflammatory material is allowed to pass through the Chenani-Nashri tunnel that by-passes the old Kud-Patnitop-Batote stretch of the highway. Caracas, Feb 25 : The Venezuelan opposition has said that 50 tonnes of humanitarian aid entered the country despite a blockade ordered by the government of Nicolas Maduro, who closed the national borders to prevent the entry of requested donations. "A part of the loads also entered through other roads and in the week we will show part of that result and where they will arrive and who will be the beneficiaries," the president of the Commission for Social Development and Integration, Miguel Pizarro, said on Sunday. The parliamentarian said some "50 tonnes of humanitarian aid" entered the country via two trucks from the south, where Venezuela meets Brazil, and the containers that "remain protected" contain nutritional supplements, medical supplies and hygiene products, Efe news reported. On the border between Venezuela and Brazil on Saturday, two vehicles waited to enter to the country with donations collected in the state of Roraima, but after hours they were returned. The trucks loaded with food and medicine were removed "as a precaution" and to "avoid possible conflicts," Yuretzi Idrogo, Venezuelan Democratic Unity Roundtable deputy in Bolivar state and exiled in Brazil, told Efe. "The idea is for that aid to enter peacefully and without any violence," she said, after some groups of protesters threatened to set fire to the gas tanks of the vehicles. The border between Venezuela and Brazil, as with Colombia, remains closed. In some of the Venezuelan towns bordering these countries there were riots on Saturday amid the demands of demonstrators to allow the entry of aid donations, which Maduro does not accept as he considers them a pretext to a foreign invasion. According to the opposition, the population of Santa Elena de Uairen, on the border with Brazil, is "besieged" by "paramilitaries" in connection with the clashes that have left several people dead and injured. The confrontations there occurred in parallel to those on the border between Venezuela and Colombia, which is also closed and where aid was also expected to enter from the Colombian city of Cucuta. Urena registered between the morning and afternoon on Sunday at least four confrontations between forces and civilians. A regional government source told Efe there were about 200 people injured after the riots in the border areas. The Venezuelan Observatory of Social Conflict NGO said in a preliminary report published on Sunday that it confirmed three deaths "from bullet wounds" all of them in Santa Elena de Uairen. The NGO said that on Saturday when there were also demonstrations throughout the country to support the entry of foreign aid donations, there were 295 injured "mostly by wounds from firearms, toxic substances and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment." Barcelona, Feb 25 : Dashing hopes of Indian consumers willing to acquire the just-released foldable phone from Huawei any time soon, the company says it is not planning to bring a 4G version of the Mate X shortly and that its availability will depend on the 5G network in the country. Although India is targeting 2020 for 5G roll out, the country is yet to allocate 5G spectrum to operators even for 5G trial of use cases. Expensive at 2,299 euros (about Rs 1,85,000), the foldable Mate X is a 5G phone and as the US has been raising security concerns over use of Huawei 5G equipment, the European market could be the first to see the release of the phone. Huawei showcased the foldable phone at MWC Barcelona on Sunday, but did not allow the visiting journalists to touch the device. "We expect to start shipping the device form the middle of this year through the carrier channel. Making the device available in the open market may take some time," Kevin Ho, President of the Handset Business, Huawei Consumer Business Group, told IANS here. Replying to a question about producing foldable phone for the 4G network, he said that although the company was not focusing on bringing a 4G to suit markets like India it could consider such a proposal at a later stage. Powered by the company's Kirin 980 processor, the Huawei Mate X comes with 6.6-inch dual display panel and offers a FullView display. It houses massive 4,500 mAH dual battery and several industry-first features, including a new superfast charging capability that can reach 85 per cent battery in just 30 minutes. The phone features a flexible OLED panel and a falcon wing mechanical hinge. "Creating the foldable phone's hinge is the most challenging part for our engineers," Ho said. "We had to design the hinge to avoid layers like formation that one gets when one folds a book or a notebook. This was a big challenge and they had to use a sophisticated technology," he added. While Ho asserted that the phone was ready for mass production, he acknowledged that the company was still doing several tests and was also in talks with app developers so that apps can be optimised for a foldable device. The 8GB + 512 GB phone, which can be easily unfolded at the click of a button, now has only one colour, Interstellar Blue, and comes with a full protection case. Huawei said it might introduce new colours for the device at a later stage. When unfolded, the 6.6-inch dual display panel transforms into an 8-inch tablet only 5.4mm thick. While unveiling the device on Sunday at a packed hall here, Huawei Consumer Business Group CEO Richard Yu claimed that the phone offers best selfie camera. But the company did not reveal the camera specifications. "The phone will provide users more privacy and security protection," he said. "Today, many carriers are using NSA (non-standalone) architecture, working together with 4G. But the future of 5G is SA (standalone) architecture. "Mate X is the only phone now with the capability to work in both the architecture. So this phone is not only for today, but also for future 5G," Yu said. (V.S. Chandrasekar can be reached at chandru.vians.in) Washington, Feb 25 : President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that he was "delaying" raising tariffs on hundreds of Chinese import products, a hike that had been scheduled for March 1, due to the "substantial progress" being made in the bilateral trade talks being held in Washington. "I am pleased to report that the US has made substantial progress in our trade talks with China on important structural issues including intellectual property protection, technology transfer, agriculture, services, currency, and many other issues," Trump said on his Twitter account, Efe news reported. "As a result of these very productive talks, I will be delaying the US increase in tariffs now scheduled for March 1. Assuming both sides make additional progress, we will be planning a Summit for President Xi (Jinping) and myself, at Mar-a-Lago, to conclude an agreement. A very good weekend for US & China!" the US President added in a subsequent tweet. Trump's administration had set March 1 as the deadline whereby a trade deal had to be reached in the US-China talks or else Washington would hike tariffs from 10 to 25 percent on some $200 billion in yearly imports of Chinese goods. The trade talks held this past week between the US delegation headed by Foreign Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and China, led by Vice Premier Liu He - talks originally scheduled to conclude on Friday - were extended by two days as a result of the two parties' optimism that further progress could be made. On Friday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin had said that a Mar-a-Lago summit between Trump and Xi was being tentatively planned for late March. The trade war between the world's two biggest economies was sparked by Trump's aggressive protectionist stance and has generated uncertainty and volatility in international financial markets for months. Both the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have lowered their forecasts of global economic growth as a result of the trade tensions between Washington and Beijing. The US and China have been holding rounds of talks in the two nations' capitals over recent weeks with an eye toward striking a trade pact, as discussed by Trump and Xi during their dinner in Buenos Aires on December 1. At the time, the leaders agreed to postpone escalating the trade war for 90 days while their administrations negotiated to establish common positions on assorted issues. China has offered to buy an additional 10 million metric tons of American soybeans, according to a Twitter post by US Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue on Friday. Special guests included Valerie Boyd, author of Wrapped in Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston and Writer in Residence at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University Georgia, who gave a Tribute to Zora, and Zeta's 25 th International President Valerie Hollingsworth-Baker. Kathy Adams, President of the Georgia Federation of Democratic Women accepted the Spirit of Zora award on behalf of Stacey Abrams. Hurston, who attended Howard University between 1919 1924, became one of the first initiates of Zeta, which was founded at Howard in 1920. "It is an honor to celebrate the life and legacy of Zora Neale Hurston, one of the great authors of the Harlem Renaissance," said Hollingsworth-Baker. "Zora's contribution toward protecting Black culture and instilling self-love in the hearts of her readers makes Zora's work as significant today as it was when first written." Tea attendees were entertained by Vascola Stoney, a Houston spoken word artist and saxophonist Eric Thomas. During the tea, the East Point chapter also announced the creation of the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Society that launched on Feb 5. in partnership with Westlake High School in Atlanta. Greenberg Traurig and Re/Max Platinum Access were event sponsors. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded in 1920 at Howard University, and has initiated 125,000+ members operating in more than 850 chapters. Zetas have given millions of voluntary hours to educate the public, provide scholarships, support charities, and promote legislation for social and civic change. Kappa Iota Zeta chapter was chartered in 1980 in Atlanta. For more information about Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, please visit www.zphib1920.org. SOURCE Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Related Links http://zphib1920.org VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Weekend Unlimited Inc. ("Weekend" or the "Company") (CSE: POT) (FSE: 0OS1) (OTCQB: WKULF) is pleased to announce that Northern Lights Supply, for which Weekend Unlimited has previously announced an arms-length agreement to acquire 49% of, has celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, February 23rd, less than three weeks after receiving one of 10 new licenses in Alberta. "The initial customer response confirmed we hit a home run with not only our store design and selection but just as important, our team's commitment to cannabis education," said Northern Lights Supply President, Derek Shields. "With very little promotion our grand opening achieved sales of $27,000 (approximately 35% margin) and our customers provided terrific feedback, mainly that they appreciated an education focused experience in the store, something we see as our number one priority," added Mr. Shields. Northern Lights Supply is situated in Nisku, Alberta , at the intersection to Canada's largest oilfield industrial park, along Alberta's busiest corridor, Highway 2 and opposite the Edmonton International Airport , at the intersection to largest oilfield industrial park, along busiest corridor, Highway 2 and opposite the International Airport The store provides 6,500 square feet of retail space, making it one of the largest approved retail cannabis stores in Alberta Northern Lights Supply was designed to take advantage of the upcoming edible and infused cannabis products schedule to be legal in the fall of 2019 "We want to thank all of the customers who braved the cold to come to Northern Lights Supply and we look forward to becoming an active member of our business community and are excited to be working with the Leduc and District Chamber of Commerce in establishing cannabis education seminars for business scheduled in early March," said Mr. Shields. The Company also announces that it has granted 18,000,000 options under its stock option plan to officer, directors, employees and consultants at an exercise price of $0.15. It also issued 1,260,000 options at $0.25 as part of its recent acquisition of its Jamaican assets. 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 Statements Certain 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. For further information, please contact: Mr. Paul Chu, President and CEO Telephone: 1 (236) 317-2812 - Toll free 1(888) 556-9656 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE Weekend Unlimited Inc. SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Scaleworks, the B2B SaaS focused venture equity firm based in San Antonio announced the closing of its second flagship fund, Scaleworks Fund II with $80M in capital commitments. With the firm's $60M Fund I, the majority of which was deployed by the end of 2017, Scaleworks' portfolio grew to eight companies. Scaleworks has established itself as a leader with its hybrid model to acquiring companies and applying strong common sense business practices. Revenue across its portfolio rose to $80M in 2018 to go along with two exits, Assembla and FollowUp. "In 2018, we saw a 52% growth in revenue across our portfolio, which surpassed our very modest goals when we raised our first fund and began acquiring companies," Scaleworks general partner and co-founder Lew Moorman said. "We very much enjoy bringing in fantastic companies with solid products and putting new leadership in place to scale them into well-rounded businesses." Scaleworks' current portfolio includes Chargify, Earth Class Mail, Filestack, Keen, Mailgun and Qualaroo. "We absolutely know our sweet spot. Applying our strategies from Fund I, we're excited to do deals, perhaps bigger details this time around, that most others will miss. We take a different approach - buying companies too small for traditional PE, but our hands-on approach allows us to do these deals as we work very closely with the teams and build out new leadership. We see those intangibles as a huge advantage." In addition to its venture equity fund, the firm formed a debt fund in 2018 which provides alternative funding for B2B and SAAS companies. "Traditional debt providers look for assets and profits to lend against, not dynamics which many high growth B2B and SaaS businesses have. On the other side of the coin, raising traditional VC funding can be expensive. Using the recurring nature of the revenues of these companies provides a future asset base on which to lend. We're excited to offer an alternative that actually makes sense for both the business owners and for Scaleworks," said Director of Venture Finance and General Manager, Europe John Gallagher. ABOUT SCALEWORKS Scaleworks is a venture equity firm specializing in investing for controlling stakes in B2B SaaS companies and operating them for high-growth. Venture equity, a term coined by Scaleworks, sits at the intersection of venture capital and private equity. Where the venture capitalist succeeds by getting outsized returns on a very small number of their investments, and the private equity fund acquires proven businesses with upside from smart financial engineering and operational discipline; venture equity takes the VC interest in growth opportunities, with the private equity focus on already proven businesses. http://www.scaleworks.com PRESS CONTACT: Drew Olanoff, [email protected] 415-238-8428 SOURCE Scaleworks Related Links http://www.scaleworks.com DALLAS, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Alerian announced today that TransMontaigne Partners (NYSE: TLP) is expected to be removed from the Alerian Midstream Energy Index (AMNA), Alerian US Midstream Energy Index (AMUS), Alerian MLP Index (AMZ), and Alerian MLP Equal Weight Index (AMZE) in a special rebalancing. Special rebalancings are triggered by corporate actions such as mergers, bankruptcies, and liquidations. Pending unitholder approval, TLP will cease to trade due to its go-private transaction. If approved, the rebalancing will take place after market close on Wednesday, February 27. Each index will be rebalanced in accordance with its existing methodology. Constituent additions to and deletions from an index do not reflect an opinion by Alerian on the investment merits of the respective securities. About Alerian Alerian equips investors to make informed decisions about energy infrastructure and Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs). Its benchmarks are widely used by industry executives, investment professionals, research analysts, and national media to analyze relative performance. As of January 31, 2018, over $13 billion is directly tied to the Alerian Index Series through exchange traded funds and notes, separately managed accounts, and structured products. Visit alerian.com to learn more. SOURCE Alerian Related Links http://www.alerian.com Termen extins: CJI anunta un concurs de grant pentru selectarea unei echipe care va crea un instrument sau instrumente ce vor fi utilizate la lectiile de Educatie pentru media PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) has established a Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, the first of its kind in academic medicine. Housed in Jefferson's Sidney Kimmel Medical College, the new department formalizes the teaching of integrative medicine alongside other medical departments. The initiative is supported by a $20 million commitment from The Marcus Foundation, Inc., which previously provided philanthropic funding to create the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health Jefferson Health. "The past decade has seen a surge in the number of medical colleges requiring courses in integrative medicine, mirroring the public's desire to seek out these therapies," said Mark L. Tykocinski, MD, Jefferson provost and the Anthony F. and Gertrude M. DePalma Dean of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College. "We're grateful for the Marcus Foundation's visionary investment, which will enable Jefferson to define the gold standard of excellence in evidence-based, patient-centric integrative care, research, and education." Integrative medicine addresses the whole personbody, mind and spiritto help people optimize health and maintain vitality long-term, utilizing a broad range of evidence-based therapies. Jefferson's Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences features a novel curriculum focusing on the clinical applications of integrative medicine with an emphasis on functional biochemistry, nutrient-based therapies, mind-body neuroscience, novel mechanisms of healing and emerging therapies. Initial programming will include a master's degree and several certificate programs, including Integrative Nutrition and Mind-Body Medicine. In addition, the department will award a unique one-year fellowship in Integrative and Nutritional Medicine for physicians who have completed an ACGME-approved residency program. "Jefferson has been a key player in bringing integrative medicine into the mainstream, building a comprehensive program that's unparalleled anywhere in the world," said Daniel A. Monti, MD, MBA, senior vice president and CEO of Jefferson's Marcus Institute of Integrative Health, as well as the Ellen and Ron Caplan Professor and Chair of the new department. "Establishing the nation's first academic department of integrative medicine is a natural evolution of Jefferson's longstanding leadership and a reflection of how far the field has come." The grant from the Marcus Foundation will also kick-start four new lines of scientific inquiry into the efficacy of integrative treatments. Leveraging the diagnostic power of the region's first PET-MRI scanner, the Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences will study the effect of integrative treatments in Lyme disease, Parkinson's disease, congestive heart failure and chronic fatigue. "Patients are looking for the kind of care that addresses mental and physical well-being, and the Marcus Foundation uniquely understands that consumer revolution," said Stephen K. Klasko, MD, MBA, president, Thomas Jefferson University and CEO, Jefferson Health. "This incredible gift will help future physicians break through the silos in medicine to understand a more holistic view of care, while fueling new research to make sure we present these options in a safe, well-researched, responsible way." About Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) is a leader in transdisciplinary professional education. Jefferson, home of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, is a national professional university delivering high-impact education in 160 undergraduate and graduate programs to 7,800 students in architecture, business, design, engineering, fashion, health, medicine, science and textiles. The new Jefferson is redefining the higher education value proposition with an approach that is collaborative and active; increasingly global; integrated with industry; focused on research across disciplines to foster innovation and discovery; and technology-enhanced. Student-athletes compete as the Jefferson Rams in the NCAA Division II Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. SOURCE Thomas Jefferson University Related Links http://www.jeffersonhealth.org LONDON, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Armored Vehicle Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Defense, Commercial), By Application (Main Battle Tanks, Armored Personnel Carrier), And Segment Forecasts, 2019 - 2025 Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5744647 The global armored vehicle market size is expected to reach USD 36.4 billion by 2025, registering a CAGR of 5.4% from 2019 to 2025, according to a new study conducted by Grand View Research, Inc. Growing internal and external terrorist activities across the globe are expected to drive market demand over the forecast period. Technological advancements such as unmanned vehicles are expected to further fuel market growth. Armored vehicles are protected by layers of depleted uranium or stainless-steel and are equipped with robust weapons that combine defensive, tactical offensive, and operational mobility capabilities. Development of advanced vehicles and technologies such as unmanned armored vehicle and AI-based smart object recognition and tracking technology to be used in the military sector is expected to propel the market over the next few years. Growing need to protect military recruits from land mines and fire is expected to drive demand for armored vehicles over the forecast period. Furthermore, demand for these vehicles is increasing in the Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa regions owing to constant tension among neighboring countries and internal threats from rebels. Major market players are making massive investments in research and development programs to develop new technologies and products.Enhanced protection and fuel efficiency are key aspects considered for future developments in armored vehicles. For instance, in April 2018, BAE Systems developed a new version of the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV), which was equipped with mine roller systems. The vehicle is widely used for protection against improvised explosive devices. Further key findings from the report suggest: By product, the Main Battle Tanks (MBT) segment is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR of 5.9% from 2019 to 2025 owing to improved firing abilities of MBTs even while moving at high speeds On the basis of application, the commercial segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR of 5.8% from 2019 to 2025. This growth can be attributed to increasing adoption of commercial armored vehicle by banks to transfer money The Asia Pacific region is expected to continue to dominate the market over the forecast period and is anticipated to reach USD 11.9 billion by 2025 owing to increase in border or terrorism threats and expanding defense budgets of countries such as India, China, and Russia Key industry participants include BAE Systems; BMW AG; Daimler AG (Mercedes Benz); Elbit Systems; Ford Motor Company; General Dynamics Corporation; INKAS Armored Vehicle Manufacturing; International Armored Group; IVECO; Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. (KMW); Lenco Industries, Inc.; Lockheed Martin Corporation; Navistar, Inc.; Oshkosh Defense, LLC; Rheinmetall AG; STAT, Inc.; Textron, Inc.; and Thales Group. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5744647 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 As the amount of data generated by edge devices continues to grow at a staggering rate, organizations are facing many challenges, including bandwidth congestion, lack of scalability, processing delays, data security and integrity, including compliance and privacy issues. New Edge servers from Supermicro aim to transform enterprises and empower them with intelligent connectivity from IoT devices to the cloud. These new Edge platforms based on Supermicro servers with optional support for Intel Programmable Acceleration FPGA cards or graphics accelerators deliver local compute and AI inferencing, converging the edge and cloud into one seamless data processing platform. These platforms help eliminate complexity, accelerate deployments, and elevate developers to focus on the business logic powering IoT applications and services. "Supermicro is committed to helping companies modernize their datacenters and edge infrastructure so companies can analyze data at real-time speeds as part of their core competence and business advantage," said Charles Liang, president and CEO of Supermicro. "Leveraging our advanced platforms optimized for AI at the Edge technology, these new Edge solutions help enterprises process large data volumes, increase reliability, reduce latency, and secure connections." With high reliability, availability and serviceability (RAS) features available in an ultra-dense, low-power device, Supermicro's new 1019D-16C-FHN13TP and 1019D-FRN5TP systems are Intel Xeon D-2100 processor-based platforms that deliver balanced compute, AI, storage and networking for the Intelligent Edge. With support for up to 37 LANs including RJ45 and SFP ports, these compact 15-inch depth systems offer the best workload optimized solutions and long life availability with up to 16 processor cores, up to 512GB DDR4 four-channel memory operating at 2400MHz, up to four 10GbE LAN ports with RDMA support, and are available with integrated Intel Quick Assist Technology crypto/encrypt/decrypt acceleration engine and internal storage expansion options including mini-PCIe, M.2 and NVMe support as well as support for multiple FPGA and GPU acceleration cards for AI inferencing. In addition to introducing AI to the Edge, these new Supermicro server-based solutions provide exceptional value across a wide range of industries including manufacturing, retail, oil and gas, healthcare, and smart cities. With the tremendous growth and innovation in the Mobile and IoT devices, there are millions of smart devices and sensors being added every day. As a result there is an explosion in both mobile usage and data creation. Supermicro recognizes this opportunity to provide optimized and efficient solutions not only for the "intelligent edge," but also seamless integration from the edge to the cloud. For a first-hand look at these innovative solutions, please visit the Supermicro booth at one of the following shows: Mobile World Congress 2019 in Barcelona, Spain, February 25-28, Booth #5J70, Hall 5; Embedded World 2019 in Nuremberg, Germany, February 26-28, Booth #3A-510; RSA Conference 2019 in San Francisco, California, March 4-8, Booth #157. For more information on Supermicro's complete line of Embedded Building Block Solutions visit www.supermicro.com/Embedded or download an Embedded Solutions Brochure. Follow Supermicro on Facebook and Twitter to receive their latest news and announcements. About Super Micro Computer, Inc. Supermicro, the leading innovator in high-performance, high-efficiency server technology is a premier provider of advanced Server Building Block Solutions for Data Center, Cloud Computing, Enterprise IT, Hadoop/Big Data, HPC and Embedded Systems worldwide. Supermicro is committed to protecting the environment through its "We Keep IT Green" initiative and provides customers with the most energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly solutions available on the market. Supermicro, Server Building Block Solutions, and We Keep IT Green are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Super Micro Computer, Inc. All other brands, names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. SMCI-F SOURCE Super Micro Computer, Inc. Related Links http://www.supermicro.com CHICAGO, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- SPINS, the leading wellness-focused data technology company, announces its new Investment Insights Suite, offering investors unprecedented data-driven insights to support smarter investment decisions and portfolio growth. SPINS Investment Insights Suite unlocks access to SPINS' panoramic view of retail data across all channels, including proprietary Natural & Specialty retailers, providing visibility into the hottest categories and brands in the market. Dynamic, insight-rich dashboards allow financial and strategic investors to discover, screen, and analyze brand opportunities against their own unique investment criteria. Delivered in both desktop and mobile formats, SPINS' Investment Insights Suite is the leading tool for investors in the Natural & Specialty Products Industry. "As the Natural Products Industry soars to an estimated $130 billion, it has become one of the most dynamic and exciting investment sectors today," said SPINS' President of Client Growth Solutions, Anu Goel. "With a flood of venture capital, private equity, angel investors, and major consumer-packaged-goods companies getting in on the action, investing in this space has become increasingly competitive. Investors with a solid formula to find, analyze, and grow winning brands continually reap the greatest rewards." "SPINS commitment to investing in innovation is unwavering," said SPINS' CEO, Tony Olson. "Whether it's for brands, retailers, distributors, brokers, or investors, we will continue to build the best tools to support their goals. SPINS' Investment Insights Suite is the latest example of that. For wellness-focused investors, it's the premier tool for gaining a best-in-class, data-driven edge." SPINS' Investment Insights Suite is available today to interested investors. Contact Edricco Reina ([email protected]) to learn more. About SPINS Financial Partners Group: SPINS partners with leading investors to provide data-driven tools and expertise through SPINS' Investment Insights Suite, Mobile Insights App, Due Diligence, and Portfolio Support Solutions. Learn more at www.spins.com/partners/financial-partners-solutions. About SPINS: SPINS is the leading wellness-focused data technology company, providing retail consumer insights, analytics, and consulting services for the Natural Products Industry. A passionate advocate of brands, retailers and investors that promote healthy living, SPINS helps connect consumers with the better products they desire. Learn more at www.spins.com SOURCE SPINS Related Links https://www.spins.com BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) today unveiled SAP Leonardo Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities, the all-encompassing technology that generates and drives digital transformation for Industrial IoT and Industry 4.0. In addition, SAP announced the cloud-to-cloud interoperability of SAP Leonardo IoT with Microsoft Azure IoT Hub, providing customers a choice of connectivity and device management. SAP is committed to a strong ecosystem for IoT and understands the value its partners can bring to joint customers. This announcement was made at MWC being held February 2528 in Barcelona. SAP is uniquely positioned to bring IoT data together with business processes. SAP Leonardo IoT will help customers increase productivity, redefine their customer experience and grow their revenue streams. It will enable customers to embed IoT into line-of-business (LoB) solutions, enhance business applications with IoT technology and develop new business models based on the new data the IoT solutions generate. "SAP delivers valuable insight and drives business results by embedding IoT data into business processes," said Elvira Wallis, senior vice president and global head of IoT at SAP. "With the launch of SAP Leonardo IoT, SAP solidifies its commitment to the IoT, and in particular Industrial IoT. The combination of IoT and our depth and breadth of high-value industry and application expertise helps customers gain greater business value and a stronger competitive advantage." SAP Leonardo IoT will allow customers to innovate and enhance business processes using data-driven intelligence and operational context from machines, products, supply chains, consumers and partners. SAP Leonardo IoT will offer three paths to innovation for customers based on their specific business needs, including: Combining IoT data with business process data to enable IoT-embedded business applications and accelerate adoption to give customers the ability to innovate quickly from within business applications including SAP S/4HANA, the SAP C/4HANA suite, SAP SuccessFactors solutions, SAP Ariba solutions and the SAP Digital Supply Chain portfolio Extending existing SAP IoT applications for better business value Building new intelligent IoT solutions using SAP Leonardo IoT to create unique and differentiated offerings "Aristoteles, Kaiserwetter's data-as-a-service platform, uses the power of SAP Leonardo IoT to enable our customers to maximize the technical and financial performance of renewable energies and other infrastructure portfolios," said Hanno Schoklitsch, CEO, Kaiserwetter. "By helping our customers to minimize their investment risks and to increase transparency, we foster investments in sustainability and make a game-changing contribution to global climate protection." Interoperability of SAP Leonardo IoT and Microsoft Azure IoT Hub The new collaboration plans to offer customers the possibility of using Microsoft Azure IoT Hub as the connectivity and device management layer for IoT telemetry data, which is seamlessly relayed to SAP Leonardo IoT. In addition, SAP Leonardo IoT Edge aims to give customers the option to extend support for their business processes locally on top of Microsoft Azure IoT Edge runtime. Essential business function (EBF) modules based on SAP Leonardo IoT Edge are also planned to run in containers on Microsoft Azure IoT Edge, reducing customers dependency on latency, bandwidth and connectivity. SAP is committed to working with its ecosystem to help companies exceed their own customers' expectations and maintain a competitive edge. SAP plans to offer the same interoperability with other partners in the future. For more information on the partnership, read Microsoft's blog. Visit SAP at MWC in Hall 3 Stand 3N31. To learn more about today's announcements, see "From Sensor to Business Value: Bringing Intelligence to the Enterprise with SAP Leonardo IoT," by Elvira Wallis, senior vice president and global head of IoT at SAP. Visit the SAP News Center. Follow SAP on Twitter at @sapnews. About SAP As the cloud company powered by SAP HANA, SAP is the market leader in enterprise application software, helping companies of all sizes and in all industries run at their best: 77% of the world's transaction revenue touches an SAP system. Our machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced analytics technologies help turn customers' businesses into intelligent enterprises. SAP helps give people and organizations deep business insight and fosters collaboration that helps them stay ahead of their competition. We simplify technology for companies so they can consume our software the way they want without disruption. Our end-to-end suite of applications and services enables more than 425,000 business and public customers to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and make a difference. With a global network of customers, partners, employees, and thought leaders, SAP helps the world run better and improve people's lives. For more information, visit www.sap.com. Any statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "predict," "should" and "will" and similar expressions as they relate to SAP are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. SAP undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. The factors that could affect SAP's future financial results are discussed more fully in SAP's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including SAP's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. 2018 SAP SE. All rights reserved. SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany and other countries. Please see https://www.sap.com/copyright for additional trademark information and notices. For customers interested in learning more about SAP products: Global Customer Center: +49 180 534-34-24 United States Only: 1 (800) 872-1SAP (1-800-872-1727) For more information, press only: Samantha Finnegan, SAP, +1 (415) 377-0475, [email protected], PT Susan Miller, SAP, +1 (610) 661-9225, [email protected] , ET SAP News Center press room; [email protected] Please consider our privacy policy. If you received this press release in your e-mail and you wish to unsubscribe to our mailing list please contact [email protected] and write Unsubscribe in the subject line. SOURCE SAP SE Related Links http://www.sap.com BOSTON, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Salsify, a product experience management (PXM) platform that helps brands win on the digital shelf, has entered a new strategic partnership with SellPoints, a ConversionPoint Technologies company. Brands using Salsify can now leverage SellPoints technology to further enrich their retail product pages and syndicate enhanced content to an extensive group of key retailers. Also referred to as A+ content or rich media, enhanced content on retailer sites goes beyond the traditional static text and images found on standard product pages, giving brands the ability to better express a product's unique selling points through engaging, multimedia elements. Research shows that this targeted, interactive content has proven to generate an incremental lift in add-to-cart rates by an average of 24%. "In order for brands to turn more product page views into conversions in today's retail environment, they need to provide consumers with more engaging, multimedia-rich content that instills trust and showcases a product's value based on what a consumer actually cares about," notes Rob Gonzalez, EVP of Strategic Marketing at Salsify. "Our collaboration with SellPoints enables companies using Salsify to more readily rise to this challenge, giving them more ways to easily create and roll out captivating, interactive product page elements across many of the largest, most important retailers." Brands and manufacturers using Salsify can take advantage of this powerful combination of ecommerce marketing capabilities when selling products through major online retailers, like Best Buy, Costco, Sam's Club, Lowe's, Staples and others. For more information about Salsify's enhanced content capabilities, visit www.salsify.com/enhanced-content . Learn more about SellPoints' ecommerce optimization solutions at www.sellpoints.com/solutions/story-points-hero-image/ . About Salsify Salsify combines content management, syndication and publishing, and digital shelf analytics into a unified product experience management (PXM) platform. The world's leading brand manufacturers, including Coca-Cola, Bosch, GSK, Rawlings, and Fruit of the Loom, use Salsify every day to deliver the product experiences their consumers demand where they shop. Salsify is based in Boston, Massachusetts with offices in Lisbon, Portugal, and Austin, Texas. Salsify is the 24th fastest growing technology company in North America, according to Deloitte. It has raised a total of $98.1 million in funding, led by Greenspring Associates, Underscore VC, Venrock, Matrix Partners, and North Bridge. For more information, visit www.salsify.com . About SellPoints SellPoints is an ecommerce optimization platform that unites product page content enhancement with programmatic ad tech to generate incremental sales lift and hyper-targeted media campaigns. In addition, SellPoints provides robust data and insights to help its clients make informed business decisions on how to optimize their brand's marketing and selling strategies. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ConversionPoint Technologies, Inc . For more information, visit www.sellpoints.com . Salsify Media Contact Kiley Nichols Media Relations at Salsify [email protected] SOURCE Salsify Related Links http://www.salsify.com BROOKLYN, N.Y., Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Rear View Safety, an industry leader in the sales and distribution of vehicle safety solutions, as well as a strong and dedicated road safety advocate, will attend the 2019 NTEA Work Truck Show March 5-7th in Indianapolis, IN. The NTEA is an annual trade show where thousands of industry professionals come together to display their best work trucks and work truck equipment. RVS-128 Advanced Blind Spot Sensor System RVS-335 iVue Driver Fatigue System The Brooklyn-based company will showcase a variety of 2019 safety products, including the innovative RVS-128 Advanced Blind Spot Sensor System. This system features powerful surface mounted microwave sensors with an industry leading 82ft detection range. Strong, waterproof, and noninvasive, the sensors are easily surfaced mounted to the front of the vehicle, keeping installation simple and straightforward. The company will also feature its newest system to combat drowsy driving, the RVS-335 iVue Driver Fatigue System. This system uses advanced algorithmics to alerts drivers upon detecting drowsiness. Perfect for trucks and semi-trailers, the RVS-335 has a large detection range (70-110cm). With multiple power options, installation takes minutes and no setup is necessary. The RVS-335 also has multiple accessories, including the RVS-335-GPS External GPS Module For iVue Driver Fatigue System and the RVS-335-VC Vibration Cushion For iVue Driver Fatigue System. Rear View Safety and Safe Fleet will display at booth #921 from March 5-7. Rear View Safety has long been a leader in vehicle safety solutions. The commercial backup camera provider is also available on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , Instagram , and maintains a Road Safety Resource site . Media Contact: Tyler Waugh 800.764.1028 [email protected] SOURCE Rear View Safety "We're committed to delivering the broadest set of vacation exchange options for our members," said Fiona Downing, senior vice president, RCI. "Last year, we added 172 new affiliated properties to the RCI portfolio, a 22 percent increase over 2017, which is why we continue to be the first choice as an exchange partner for affiliated resorts and a vacation partner for our members." On January 1, the Shell Vacations Club members joined the RCI network, providing access for those owners to over 4,300 affiliated resorts in nearly 110 countries. "I'm pleased to welcome the Shell Vacations Club members to the RCI member family. We know they will appreciate the vast array of vacation resorts they can choose from and our team will make it easy to turn their travel dreams into memories they can cherish," said Downing. "The addition of the 26 Shell Vacations resorts across the west coast, Hawaii, and Mexico will provide even more opportunities for our 3.8 million subscribing members to explore the world." The Shell Vacations portfolio of resorts includes top rated properties like The Donatello in downtown San Francisco and the waterfront Waikiki Marina Resort at the Ilikai on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. The RCI Latin America region's growth continues in several countries within the high end market with the inclusion of Grand Sirenis Punta Cana as well as innovative products like Grand Luxxe Jungle at Riviera Maya. New destinations for members in Asia include four resorts from Riverside Group in China, adding new and exciting destination vacation experiences for RCI members. Two of Riverside's properties in Haiyan, Zhejiang the PCVP Resort Six Flags Theme Park Haiyan and Wyndham Resort Six Flags Theme Park Haiyan are situated within the internationally acclaimed Six Flags theme park that is currently under development. Scheduled to open in mid 2020, these integrated theme park resorts are designed with families with young children in mind and offers guests quality vacation time and fun with the family. During the second half of the year, RCI added 16 resorts in India, including five resorts from Times Heaven Club across the country. At the Times Flute Boutique Hotel, guests enjoy a premium boutique experience located in the heart of Jaipur. Flute offers a serene refuge of comfort and hospitality where Indian tradition and modern services are blended. In Europe, RCI welcomed Karma resorts in Greece, France, and Italy. Located in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, Karma Borgo di Colleoli is a sprawling historic manor house which has received a new lease on life as an elegant and luxurious 5-star rated resort. Tuscany's top tourist destinations, including Pisa and Florence, are within easy driving distance. The Registry Collection program, RCI's luxury exchange program, continued to grow with the addition of the Lanais at Mare from the St. Clair Collection in San Juan, bringing a new level to vacation ownership in Puerto Rico. Also joining the Collection is the Venezia Del Caribe Resort & Spa at Wyndham Grand Belize. This is the first 5 star luxury beachfront resort and spa on the island situated on pristine beachfront just north of San Pedro Town. For more information, visit www.RCI.com or www.RCIAffiliates.com. About RCI RCI is the worldwide leader in vacation exchange, housing a unique portfolio of brands. RCI pioneered the concept of vacation exchange in 1974, offering members increased flexibility and versatility with their vacation ownership experience. Today, through the RCI Weeks program, the week-for-week exchange system, and the RCI Points program, the industry's first global points-based exchange system, RCI offers its 3.8 million members access to more than 4,300 affiliated resorts in approximately 110 countries. RCI's luxury exchange program, The Registry Collection program, is the world's largest program of its kind with approximately 200 affiliated properties either accessible for exchange or under development on six continents. RCI's portfolio of brands also includes Love Home Swap, one of the world's largest home exchange programs, DAE, a direct-to-member exchange company, and @Work International, a leading provider of property management systems. RCI is part of Wyndham Destinations (NYSE:WYND). For additional information visit our media center or rciaffiliates.com. RCI also can be found on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. WEB RESOURCES: RCI RCI Affiliates Wyndham Destinations SOURCE RCI Related Links http://www.RCI.com DULLES, Va., Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- RGNext, a joint venture between Raytheon's (NYSE: RTN) Intelligence, Information and Services business and General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), will operate the U.S. Army's Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, safely managing space vehicle and ballistic missile launches and missile defense tests conducted from islands in the 750,000-square-mile Pacific Ocean range. Under the $502-million, 10-year contract, RGNext will maintain the range's launch and safety systems, including radar, telemetry and optical sensors located on the Kwajalein Atoll. RGNext will also operate the Range Operations Center and Space Operations Center in Huntsville, Alabama, the Kwajalein Mission Control Center on Kwajalein, and the Range Safety Control Center, also on Kwajalein. RGNext has hired more than 300 engineers, technicians and other launch professionals to support this critical mission. "The Reagan Test Site is used for some of our nation's most important defense programs, from ensuring our ballistic missiles work as designed to proving the capabilities of our missile defense systems," said Todd Probert, vice president at Raytheon IIS. "The Army chose RGNext because we are experts at safely operating launch ranges and bring deep knowledge and experience to support this critical mission." RGNext also manages the two major rocket launch sites in the U.S, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, and Cape Canaveral, Florida. "RGNext remains focused on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of mission critical functions for their customers," said Rich Farinacci, vice president of Naval and Training Programs at General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT). "RGNext is prepared to help their customers modernize their legacy systems and continue to deliver solutions that advance mission performance." Jointly owned by GDIT and Raytheon IIS, RGNext operates, maintains, and sustains mission-critical systems to provide safe and effective launch, testing, and tracking of Department of Defense, civil, commercial and international spacelift vehicles. It also supports ballistic missile, guided weapon and aeronautical tests and evaluations. About Raytheon Raytheon Company, with 2018 sales of $27 billion and 67,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 97 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. Media Contact Raytheon Chris Johnson 571-250-3418 [email protected] SOURCE Raytheon Company Related Links http://www.raytheon.com TEL AVIV, Israel, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- RADWIN ( www.radwin.com ), the global wireless broadband provider, today announced that its 60GHz self-organizing wireless mesh Terragraph solution is being deployed in multiple trial sites globally. Earlier today, U.S-based Agile Networks - a long-standing RADWIN service provider customer - announced the new pilot deployment of RADWIN's Terragraph solution to address the bandwidth challenge in Ohio, U.S (see full Agile PR). Terragraph is developed in close collaboration with Facebook and Intel. RADWIN's mmWave mesh solution will enable service providers to deliver high-speed, multi-gig wireless access services to homes and businesses in urban and suburban environments, expanding service providers' network coverage beyond the fiber footprint. The inherent flexibility of the 60GHz self-organizing mesh network ensures high network resiliency and service availability and enables supporting a wide array of deployment use cases by overcoming range and LoS limitations and enabling efficient and cost-effective network expansion. Sharon Sher, RADWIN's President and CEO: "RADWIN had been an innovative provider of Fixed Wireless Access solutions for the past 20 years and we experience first-hand the challenges service providers face in extending fiber to every house and business. Terragraph's advanced technology, feature-set, cost structure and unique mesh architecture makes it the optimal wireless solution to drive multi-gig services in urban and suburban environments and complement fiber deployments. We are experiencing very strong demand from our global customer base as well as from new service providers and we are happy to announce solution availability, next quarter, for trials and pilots. We are proud to work with Facebook to be one of the first to deliver the Terragraph product to the market and to work with both Facebook and Intel in the development of this unique solution." According to Agile Networks CEO Kyle Quillen: "Terragraph will open an entirely new realm of possibilities in Canton's Innovation District, and more broadly over Agile's multistate geography. By leveraging our partnerships with global leaders in telecommunications and connectivity, we're able to install the first system that delivers multi-gig access to the entities within the Innovation District more efficiently and at a significantly lower cost than traditional fiber installation." Kyle Quillen also said: "Our team has been working for years with government entities at all levels to maximize the use of broadband as an economic development tool and a driving force to shape the future economic outlook for cities across Ohio. Terragraph is a game changer in this effort. Once complete, the Canton Innovation District project serves as a model to be replicated in dozens of cities across Ohio, hundreds of cities across the USA and tens of thousands of cities across the globe." Dan Rabinovitsj, Facebook's Vice President of Connectivity: "We are excited to see RADWIN's continued support for Terragraph, enhancing broadband connectivity in communities around the globe. With Terragraph, we're collaborating with our ecosystem partners around 60GHz technologies, with the ultimate goal of enabling more people to use the internet to connect with friends and family, learn and access economic opportunities." About RADWIN RADWIN is a leading provider of broadband wireless solutions. Deployed in over 170 countries, RADWIN's solutions power applications including fixed wireless access to homes and businesses, backhaul, private network connectivity, smart cities and broadband for public transportation. RADWIN's solutions are adopted and deployed by tier-1 service providers and used by Fortune-500 corporations. Visit www.radwin.com. RADWIN HQ: +972-3-769-2820 Email: [email protected] Media Contact Tammy Levy Tel: +972-3-766-2916 Email: [email protected] SOURCE RADWIN Related Links http://www.radwin.com Posted Monday, February 25, 2019 9:31 am Washington environmentalists stung by the November election defeat of a carbon-pricing initiative and repeated failures to pass ambitious climate bills in Olympia hope to regain momentum with legislation that would usher in an era of cleaner power generation. House Bill 1211 would require Washington utilities to be carbon-free by 2045, and if they fall short risk financial penalties. The legislation is facing strong pushback from critics who say purging the grid of all greenhouse-gas emissions from fossil fuel could be too expensive and increase the risk of power restrictions or blackouts. "If enacted in its current form, Washington's electric system will cost more and be less reliable," Nicolas Garcia, policy director of the Washington Public Utility Districts Association, told the House Finance Committee this month. Garcia and other utility representatives are calling for the Legislature and Gov. Jay Inslee to rally around the provisions in an alternate proposal, Senate Bill 5116, which also includes a 2045 phaseout deadline. But it offers a more flexible approach that could make it easier -- even after that date -- for some utilities to continue to draw power from natural-gas plants that produce greenhouse-gas emissions. Environmentalists, who have favored the House bill, are hopeful a compromise can be reached that would still give utilities a strong push to turn away from fossil fuels. One key question is whether the House bill's penalty for failure to meet the 2045 deadline would make it into a final measure. "We see a lot of commitment in both chambers, and are optimistic that ... a significant piece of climate legislation will pass this year," said Vlad Gutman-Britten, of Climate Solutions, an environmental group advocating for a shift away from fossil fuels. The clean-power bills in the House and Senate are part of a package of carbon-cutting measures backed by Inslee, who is likely to make the threats of climate change his main message if he runs for president. Inslee also is calling for passage of legislation to lower -- over time -- the carbon content in transportation fuels, improve energy conservation in buildings, eliminate use of hydrofluorocarbons in air conditioners and support increased use of electric vehicles. Inslee, in an earlier interview, said this year's climate agenda has the potential to reduce carbon by amounts equal to past legislative proposals, which included putting a price on carbon pollution. Such measures, such as a carbon tax or fee, make oil, gas and coal more expensive and thus encourage alternative sources of energy. But carbon pricing in Washington state carries considerable political baggage: Two carbon-pricing ballot measures have gone down in defeat, and the Legislature has repeatedly balked at this approach. In 2019, the prospects for passage of climate legislation are bolstered by the election gains of Democrats, who control the majority in both chambers. Both the House and Senate versions of the clean-power bills have made it through committees, with floor votes expected in the next few weeks. Clean-power legislation -- if passed into law -- would shape the evolution of Washington's utility industry for decades, helping to determine how far and how fast to reduce greenhouse-gas pollution from electrical generation. Crafting such legislation is a key part of the ongoing struggle to determine how -- at the state level -- to respond to the global threat posed by the atmospheric buildup of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released by the combustion of fossil fuels. "It's no longer about whether we do something -- but when we do something," said Rep. Gael Tarleton, D-Seattle, a sponsor of the House bill. She calls climate change an "existential threat." Carbon-free hydropower, which harnesses the force of falling water, already is the backbone of the state's electricity system. But the amount generated varies from year to year depending largely on the size of the winter snowpack. Even in a strong water year, such as 2017, about 24 percent of the state's electricity still came from coal and natural gas. And some utilities depend much more heavily on fossil fuels, including Puget Sound Energy (PSE), Washington's largest private utility, which in 2017 drew about 60 percent of its power from these two sources. Both the Senate and House bills call for a relatively swift end -- Dec. 31, 2025 -- to Washington's reliance on coal power that ranks as the most polluting form of fossil-fuel electricity. That would have a big impact in Montana, where Puget Sound Energy is part owner of a major coal-fired plant in Colstrip that -- if the legislation passes -- might not be able to survive past the mid-2020s deadline. Amid the legislative debate over the bills, the future of natural-gas power in Washington is more uncertain. Currently, there are more than a dozen natural-gas plants in Washington, mostly in the western half of the state. Some energy analysts say that, even taking into account technological innovation, there likely would be big dollar savings if some natural-gas power feeds into a future grid that is expected to draw much more heavily on solar and wind power. During infrequent winter cold snaps, the wind may die down for days on end, and the hours of sun would be at a low ebb. As power demands surge, the natural gas could kick in to keep the electric grid in balance. Under this scenario, some Northwest utilities might still get 5 to 10 percent of their midcentury power supply from natural-gas plants, according to Arne Olson, senior partner at E3, a consulting firm that analyzed the impacts of a cleaner Northwest electricity in a study paid for by utilities and utility groups. "What our work is showing is that -- trying to do wind and solar alone -- without this (natural gas) -- is very, very costly," Olson said. Tarleton is optimistic new energy technologies will evolve to replace natural gas. As scientists outline the increasingly dire threats of climate change, she wants the Legislature to compel utilities to go as far as possible to eliminate greenhouse gases. Her bill offers offramps, so in the event compliance costs appear too great, utilities can go to regulators to seek a waiver to the 2045 standard. If regulators don't approve such a request, her bill calls for a significant penalty -- $100 per megawatt-hour (roughly equivalent to the amount of energy used by 300 homes in an hour) on utilities that fail to comply. "I am trying to keep the pressure on," Tarleton said. Tarleton said the bill's 2045 penalties are disliked by utilities, including PSE, which given its current heavy reliance on natural gas and coal would have to make huge changes to get to 100 percent carbon-free power. PSE, in a statement to The Seattle Times, said it will work with lawmakers "to advance polices to reduce carbon emissions" while maintaining affordable and reliable service. Utilities, under the Senate bill, would risk penalties of $60 a megawatt hour if they did not meet interim goals for phasing out greenhouse-gas emissions. The legislation does not impose a penalty for failing to get to 100 percent clean energy by 2045. "The Senate makes it a goal -- not a mandate as a penalty and that's a huge difference for us," said Garcia, of the Washington Public Utility Districts Association. Sen. Reuven Carlyle, a Seattle Democrat and sponsor of the Senate bill, said his bill allows "flexibility " in reaching the 100 percent target, and "that, in my view, is responsible public policy." Carlyle said either bill -- if passed into law -- would make Washington a U.S. leader in cutting greenhouse emissions in the power industry. NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Pointe LNG, LLC (Pointe LNG), announced today that it has signed an engineering and technical services agreement with KBR to provide Pointe LNG with front end engineering design submittals and services as required to obtain Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approval for Pointe LNG's proposed LNG liquefaction and export facility to be located in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. "We are pleased to have KBR, a global EPC LNG Contractor, as a partner, and this strategic agreement is an important step in the development of our project. We are thrilled about the opportunity to add KBR's decades of LNG experience on board as we bring Pointe LNG to market," said James Lindsay, Pointe's co-founder. "Selecting KBR to provide the full engineering design on FERC FEED, Full FEED and a lump sum EPC turnkey bid package assures that Pointe LNG will complete the FERC filing process on time and ensures the quality design needed," said Tom Burgess, the company's co-founder. "KBR is pleased to be working with Pointe LNG in this key role and contribute to this important development in Louisiana," said Farhan Mujib, KBR President, Hydrocarbons Delivery Solutions. "KBR's selection for this work demonstrates Pointe LNG's confidence in KBR's LNG project experience, leverages our U.S. construction capability and provides opportunity for a full service EPC contract at a later date." Assuming that various contingencies and approvals are satisfied, including the completion of the FERC pre-filing process which is expected to occur by December 2019 and Pointe LNG's receipt of financing and all necessary permits and approvals, construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2021 with initial operations expected in the first quarter of 2025. Pointe LNG is a privately held company based in New Orleans, Louisiana. SOURCE Pointe LNG IRVING, Texas, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- PLH Group, Inc. (" PLH Group "), a private portfolio construction services company, has appointed Johnny Priest as Electric Segment Executive Vice President to manage and grow the electric power business group. Mr. Priest is well known in the industry with a strong operational track record and leader in safety improvement processes for the industry. "We are extremely excited about Johnny joining the PLH Group team. His experience and reputation in the electric utility industry will most definitely help position us for growth. In this new role, he will be responsible for business development, operations and financial performance of all electric companies in the PLH Group portfolio," said Mark Crowson, President and Chief Executive Officer. Early in his career, Mr. Priest held several key positions with Duke Energy before taking the leadership role in the Energy Delivery Services group. When Duke Energy sold the Energy Delivery Services group to The Shaw Group Inc., he continued to serve as President and Chief Operating Officer. Most recently, he held the position of President, Wilbros UT&D until Primoris acquired it, at which time he was appointed Group President, Primoris T&D. About PLH Group, Inc. PLH Group is a leading full service construction and specialty contractor that serves the electric power and pipeline markets. PLH Group has assembled a North American team of top quality companies that deliver services covering the broad range of needs of its customers from pipeline construction and related directional drilling to electric transmission, distribution and substation construction including specialized foundations and helicopter airborne operations. Safety, expertise, and collaboration distinguish PLH Group's diversified infrastructure service solutions. For more information, visit www.plhgroupinc.com. Media Contact: Investor Relations Contact: LaElle Hartman Rick Black Hartman Brink, LLC Dennard Lascar Investor Relations 901-628-6299 713-529-6600 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE PLH Group, Inc. Related Links http://www.plhgroupinc.com BEIJING, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Phoenix New Media Limited ("Phoenix New Media", "ifeng" or the "Company") (NYSE: FENG), a leading new media company in China, today announced that it has entered into a binding letter of intent ("LOI") with a proposed investor (the "Proposed Investor") for the sale of 32% of the total outstanding shares of Particle Inc. ("Particle"). Particle owns Yidian Zixun ("Yidian"), a rapidly-growing personalized news and lifestyle information application in China that allows users to efficiently define and explore individualized content over mobile devices. The Company currently owns approximately 37.63% of the total outstanding shares of Particle on an as-if converted basis and is expected to own approximately 5.63% if the transactions contemplated by the LOI are completed. Under the terms of the LOI, the Company will commit to sell and transfer 32% of the total outstanding shares of Particle to the Proposed Investor and its designated entities (the "Proposed Buyers") for a total consideration of US$448 million in cash, reflecting a preliminary valuation of Particle at US$1.4 billion. The Company, the Proposed Buyers, Particle and other parties as applicable are expected to execute definitive agreements for the proposed transactions (the "Definitive Agreements") on or before March 22, 2019 or other deadline agreed by the Company and the Proposed Buyers. Completion of the proposed transactions will be subject to certain closing conditions (the "Closing Conditions"), such as approvals by the board and shareholders (if applicable) of the Proposed Buyers, Particle, the Company and the Company's parent, Phoenix Media Investment (Holdings) Limited, related approval of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, and the delivery of valuation result of an independent valuation firm. There is no assurance that any Definitive Agreement will ever be entered into or that the proposed transactions will ever be closed. Pursuant to the LOI, the Company has already received a cash deposit of RMB100 million (the "RMB Deposit") from the Proposed Buyers. According to the LOI, the Proposed Buyers shall pay the Company another cash deposit of US$100 million (the "USD Deposit") in two installments with the first installment of not less than US$50 million due on February 28, 2019 and the second installment for the remaining amount due on March 5, 2019. The Company will refund the RMB Deposit to the Proposed Buyers within one business day after the receipt of the first installment of the USD Deposit, but will be entitled to terminate the LOI and keep the RMB Deposit or the first installment of the USD Deposit as applicable if the first or second installment of the USD Deposit is not paid on time. If the Company unilaterally decides to terminate the proposed transactions after receipt of the USD Deposit, the Company will refund the USD Deposit to the Proposed Buyers and pay liquidated damages to the Proposed Buyers. If (i) the Definitive Agreements are not entered into on or before March 22, 2019 or other deadline agreed by the Company and the Proposed Buyers due to reasons not attributable to the Proposed Buyers, or (ii) the proposed transactions fail to close because any of the Closing Conditions is not satisfied before the mutually agreed deadline, the Company will refund the USD Deposit to the Proposed Buyers together with interests. Except as described above, the deposit will not be refundable, and the deposit together with accrued interest will be applied towards the purchase price to be paid by the Proposed Buyers upon closing of the proposed transactions. The Company agrees to delegate all of its rights as a shareholder of Particle (excluding economic interests) to the Proposed Buyers and cause its representatives on Particle's board of directors to delegate all of their rights to the Proposed Buyers after the execution of the Definitive Agreements. Upon the payment of the full purchase price, the Proposed Buyers will be entitled to appoint two directors of Particle to replace the two directors appointed by the Company. "With the Letter of Intent now reached, we are proud to announce that an important milestone has been achieved," said Mr. Shuang Liu, Chief Executive Officer of iFeng. "Yidian has attained tremendous user base and forged remarkably close relationship with leading Chinese handset manufacturers. We are confident that Yidian will generate a handsome return on our investments. We also expect that our remaining interests in Particle will allow us to share in any further growth of Yidian. The significant cash infusion from the proposed transaction will help fuel our own growth engine and expand both our product line and content through strategic investment opportunities." About Phoenix New Media Limited Phoenix New Media Limited (NYSE: FENG) is a leading new media company providing premium content on an integrated platform across Internet, mobile and TV channels in China. Having originated from a leading global Chinese language TV network based in Hong Kong, Phoenix TV, the Company enables consumers to access professional news and other quality information and share user-generated content on the Internet and through their mobile devices. Phoenix New Media's platform includes its ifeng.com channel, consisting of its ifeng.com website and web-based game platform, its video channel, comprised of its dedicated video vertical and mobile video services, and its mobile channel, including its mobile Internet website, mobile applications and mobile value-added services. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Phoenix New Media's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Phoenix New Media may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Forms 20-F and 6-K, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Phoenix New Media's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company's goals and strategies; the Company's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth of the online and mobile advertising, online video and mobile paid service markets in China; the Company's reliance on online advertising and MVAS for the majority of its total revenues; the Company's expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its services; the Company's expectations regarding the retention and strengthening of its relationships with advertisers, partners and customers; fluctuations in the Company's quarterly operating results; the Company's plans to enhance its user experience, infrastructure and service offerings; the Company's reliance on mobile operators in China to provide most of its MVAS; changes by mobile operators in China to their policies for MVAS; competition in its industry in China; and relevant government policies and regulations relating to the Company. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the SEC, including its registration statement on Form F-1, as amended, and its annual report on Form 20-F. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Phoenix New Media does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. SOURCE Phoenix New Media Limited STERLING, Va., Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Teaming with the National Aeronautics & Space Administration for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems integration in the National Airspace System Project, PAE ISR participated in a joint kickoff meeting with NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration. PAE ISR was one of three organizations selected by NASA in October 2018 to conduct an unmanned aircraft systems flight demonstration of cooperative and non-cooperative detect and avoid technologies in the NAS by July of 2020. The demonstration is a partnership between NASA and industry with significant coordination through the FAA. Hosted by PAE ISR at the Pendleton Unmanned Aerial Range, the first meeting included team members from NASA and the FAA. PAE ISR presented the overview of its solutions package for the 2020 program and conducted a flight demonstration of the Resolute Eagle platform. "PAE ISR's demonstration team conducted a flight using a standard configured Resolute Eagle for the NASA and FAA team," said Jake Jacobs, PAE ISR chief technology officer and principal investigator for the NASA program. "The program kickoff meeting and flight demonstration of the Resolute Eagle's capabilities provided the NASA SIO team a path forward for the 2020 flight demonstration and future safe integration of the Resolute Eagle UAS into the National Airspace." PAE ISR is pursuing an FAA Type and Production Certification for the Resolute Eagle Standard Configuration UAS. On November 14th, the conversation continued at the FAA's Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office in California with deeper discussion on the future milestones for the certification program. NASA and PAE ISR will work together to tackle key challenges that prevent routine commercial UAS operations today, including development, integration, and certification of unmanned aircraft and avionics. The SIO activity will culminate in multiple flight demonstrations in 2020 that focus on UAS missions occurring at altitudes greater than 500 feet above ground level. The demonstrations will include integrated detect and avoid and command and control technologies. The outputs will help the industry partners compile the necessary artifacts and other data to support regulatory compliance of their vehicles and systems. "The data results from this program are vital, not only for the full integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the National Airspace," said Chico Moline, PAE ISR president. "But, for the positioning of UAS as a daily reality for the mainstream consumer. We look forward to collaborating with NASA and the FAA in developing the concept of operations that will drive this industry forward in the years and decades to come." The Resolute Eagle is a single, reconfigurable aircraft that comes in two configurationsstandard and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) with a flight endurance of 12 to 18+ hours depending on configuration. It is runway independent and offers the VTOL configuration for deployment and recovery in challenging conditions, including maritime and special operations. The aircraft also features a large payload capacity of 75+ lbs. (34.0 kg), low acoustic signature at mission altitudes, small logistical footprint, and significant power onboard for multi-intelligence payload integration. About PAE ISR PAE ISR LLC provides intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance solutions and services to U.S. government agencies, NATO, and other international organizations. As a lead systems integrator and full-service provider for unmanned aerial systems, PAE ISR has significant experience in system integration, test and evaluation, operations and maintenance, logistics, training, deployment support, and leased UAS services. For additional information, please follow our social media:LinkedIn,Twitter, Facebook or visit our website at PAEISR.com. SOURCE PAE ISR Related Links https://www.paeisr.com "Our customers continue to show great confidence in Ontario as an international aviation gateway," said Mark Thorpe, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority. "Despite the impact of the federal government shutdown on air travel, Ontario continued its track record of steady gains proving again it is an appealing alternative for air travel in Southern California." Air cargo also grew by 5.7% overall in January, with commercial freight and mail totaling more than 60,500 tons, up from 57,000 tons in January a year ago. Freight volume was more than 58,000 tons while mail shipments totaled more than 2,000 tons, increases of 5.8% and 3.1%, respectively. January 2019 January 2018 % Change Passenger Traffic Domestic 369,277 362,235 1.9% International 26,929 12,742 111.3% Total 396,206 374,977 5.7% Air Cargo (Tons) Freight 58,246 55,053 5.8% Mail 2,286 2,218 3.1% Total 60,532 57,271 5.7% About Ontario International Airport Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the fastest growing airport in the United States, according to Global Traveler, a leading publication for frequent fliers. Located in the Inland Empire, ONT is approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the center of Southern California. It is a full-service airport with nonstop commercial jet service to 19 major airports in the U.S., Mexico and Taiwan, and connecting service to many domestic and international destinations. There is an average of 67 daily departures offered by nine air carriers. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com. Follow @flyONT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram About the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) The OIAA was formed in August 2012 by a Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Ontario and the County of San Bernardino to provide overall direction for the management, operations, development and marketing of ONT for the benefit of the Southern California economy and the residents of the airport's four-county catchment area. OIAA Commissioners are Ontario City Council Member Alan D. Wapner (President), Retired Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge (Vice President), Ontario Council Member Jim W. Bowman (Secretary), San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman (Commissioner) and retired business executive Julia Gouw (Commissioner). News Media Contacts: Atif Elkadi, Deputy Executive Director, (858) 361-9319 [email protected] Steve Lambert, (909) 841-7527 [email protected] SOURCE Ontario International Airport Related Links http://www.flyontario.com/ DURHAM, N.C., Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A Nurse Practitioner is a nurse that is trained to diagnose patients and create treatment plans without the direct supervision of a doctor. Nurse Practitioners go to school to learn how to care for those who are sick, instead of learning about medicine as a physician would. Nurses are the most in-demand position in the medical field today, which is partially what accounts for the hectic schedules that current nurses work. They are tasked with caring for patients, providing health education, and more. It's hard to go back to school to become an NP, but access to online programs makes that easier. OnlineCollegePlan agreed, so they created a ranking titled the Top 20 Nurse Practitioner Schools Online. You can read it here: https://www.onlinecollegeplan.com/nurse-practitioner-schools-online/ The research editor created a list of all of the schools in the country that offer online or hybrid programs that lead to a Nurse Practitioner career. The majority of these degree programs are Masters of Science in Nursing with various concentrations that prepare students to sit for the credentialing exam. Once the list was created, the schools were scored according to their freshman retention and graduation rates. The top school, Duke University in Durham North Carolina had a final score of 192 out of a possible 200. Duke has eight concentrations, seven specialties, and several additional certification options to customize their academic path. You can see the full list in ascending order below. 1. Duke University (Durham, NC) 2. Georgetown University (Washington, DC) 3. The Ohio State University (Columbus, OH) 4. George Washington University (Washington, DC) 5. Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA) 6. University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC) 7. Maryville University of St. Louis (St. Louis, MO) 8. Cedarville University (Cedarville, OH) 9. University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH) 10. Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ) 11. Clarkson College (Omaha, NE) 12. Georgia College and State University (Milledgeville, GA) 13. Regis University (Denver, CO) 14. East Carolina University (Greenville, NC) 15. Ball State University (Muncie, IN) 16. Saint Joseph's College of Maine (Standish, ME) 17. University of Alabama Birmingham (Birmingham, AL) 18. Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, AZ) 19. Old Dominion University (Norfolk, VA) 20. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (Tallahassee, FL) Anne Velusa, Research Editor http://www.onlinecollegeplan.com/ [email protected] 864-245-0751 SOURCE OnlineCollegePlan.com Related Links http://www.onlinecollegeplan.com "Last year, we announced our vision of bringing standing desks to students. Since then, we've worked to integrate the VARIDESK core principles of simplicity and flexibility into the heart of our education line," said David Patton, vice president of Product Design at VARIDESK. A Bright Future: New VARIDESK Education Products Sit-Stand SchoolDesk lets students raise and lower their desk to fit their ideal height. Perfect for third grade through 12th grade, Sit-Stand SchoolDesk has a dry erase writable desktop for drawing and taking notes. Students can easily adjust the desk during class, due to a patent-pending air piston-assisted lift. Sit-Stand SchoolDesk assembles in minutes and is available for $395. SchoolDesk also lets students choose a standing level that fits their height. Made for fifth grade through 12th grade, SchoolDesk has a dual-level ergonomic footrest that encourages students to move and stretch. A writable desk surface and round edges make it ideal for any active classroom. Featuring a patent-pending spring-assisted lift, SchoolDesk is available for $250. "We have developed flexible desks that give students the freedom to move at any time," said Patton. "We partnered with educators for testing, and they said there was a new energy and confidence in their students. It's empowering and sets students up to succeed." The Complete Active Classroom VARIDESK Education offers a full line of school solutions including storage, seating and more. The new MarkerBoard is a movable, magnetic whiteboard that offers a large, writable dry erase space for learning. Created to foster collaboration, MarkerBoard is dual-sided. Its roll-and-lock system lets you easily move it and securely lock it in place. MarkerBoard is available starting at $995. Storage Lockers offer flexible storage for students' books, backpacks and supplies. Storage Lockers have a cable opening for in-locker device charging. Each unit contains two stackable lockers which arrive fully assembled. Storage Lockers are available for $295. Elevating Student Health and Engagement On average, U.S. students sit for 4.5 hours per day at school and spend 85% of their waking hours in sedentary positions.1 Standing desks are linked to increased engagement, healthier weight, and improved self-esteem. Students with the freedom of movement in the classroom experience benefits including: 15-35% more calories burned 2 5% decrease in body mass index percentile 2 15% increase in engagement in the classroom3 Download media assets here. 1 Rideout, Victoria J., Ulla G. Foehr. "GENERATION M2. Media in the Lives of 8- to 18-Year-Olds." Kaiser Family Foundation Study. January 2010. 2 Benden, Mark E., Christina Jeffrey, Monica L. Wendel, and Hongwei Zhao. "Stand-Biased Versus Seated Classrooms and Childhood Obesity: A Randomized Experiment in Texas." American Journal of Public Health. 106, 10, August 2016. 3 Benden, Mark E., Jamilia Blake, Marianela Dornheckera, Monica L. Wendel, and Hongwei Zhao "The effect of stand- biased desks on academic engagement: an exploratory study." Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 53, 5 April 2015. About VARIDESK VARIDESK launched its trademark height-adjustable standing desk solution in 2013. The first product of its kind, VARIDESK was created to promote a healthier and more productive workspace in a way that was simple, flexible and easy to use. Today, VARIDESK is the world's leading active workspace innovation company, creating affordable, height-adjustable standing desk solutions, as well as active office furniture and accessories that transform the way people and students work every day. VARIDESK has shipped products to over 130 countries and it is used in 98 percent of Fortune 500 companies. Most VARIDESK products are in-stock and ready to ship within 24 hours, making it one of the quickest and most affordable ways to transform your workspace. Media Contact Andrea McLaughlin Phone: 610-504-5423 [email protected] SOURCE VARIDESK Related Links http://www.varidesk.com NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Neuberger Berman, a private, independent, employee-owned investment manager, announced that it has been named the first winner of the Tokyo Financial Award in ESG investing. The awards were established by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government as part of its vision to achieve a better society, enabled in part by finance, to recognize those firms that display a long-term dedication to ESG investments. The awards reflect the city's goals of creating a modern and responsible hub for global finance. Neuberger Berman was selected for this award for its established track record in ESG investing, for its constructive engagement with both public and private companies, and its commitment to spreading ESG adoption in a transparent way to investors across the globe. "We're extremely honored that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has recognized our long-term and global commitment to ESG engagement across our investment strategies," said Jonathan Bailey, head of ESG Investing at Neuberger Berman. "This is a reflection of our continued dedication to pursuing the vision of a responsible and sustainable Tokyo, and we're excited to continue to build ESG strategies both locally in Tokyo, and for our clients globally." Ryo Ohira, Head of East Asia for Neuberger Berman said, "We have many to thank for this recognition, but our clients are foremost. They recognize the importance of sustainable investing and we are in service to them. We would like to express our gratitude to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the related agencies. We will continue to pursue these important investment strategies." Neuberger Berman is a signatory to the UN-sponsored Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). As of December 31, 2018, more than 50% of Neuberger Berman's assets under management used explicit ESG criteria in their investment processes. About the Tokyo Financial Award in ESG investing The Tokyo Metropolitan Government created the Tokyo Financial Award in ESG Investing to recognize those financial institutions that are dedicated to offering investment solutions that contribute to the proliferation of ESG investments and will locally meet the needs of Tokyo's citizens. The winner was chosen by a panel that includes investment professionals, academics, and representatives of multinational organizations. About Neuberger Berman Neuberger Berman, founded in 1939, is a private, independent, employee-owned investment manager. The firm manages a range of strategiesincluding equity, fixed income, quantitative and multi-asset class, private equity and hedge fundson behalf of institutions, advisors and individual investors globally. With offices in 22 countries, Neuberger Berman's team is more than 2,000 professionals. For five consecutive years, the company has been named first or second in Pensions & Investments Best Places to Work in Money Management survey (among those with 1,000 employees or more). Tenured, stable and long-term in focus, the firm fosters an investment culture of fundamental research and independent thinking. It manages $304 billion in client assets as of December 31, 2018. For more information, please visit our website at www.nb.com. All information is as of December 31, 2018 unless otherwise indicated and is subject to change without notice. Firm data, including employee and assets under management figures, reflects collective data for the various affiliated investment advisers that are subsidiaries of Neuberger Berman Group LLC. Firm history/timeline includes the history of all firm subsidiaries, including predecessor entities and acquisitions. This material is being issued on a limited basis through various global subsidiaries and affiliates of Neuberger Berman Group LLC. Please visit www.nb.com/disclosure-global-communications for the specific entities and jurisdictional limitations and restrictions. The "Neuberger Berman" name and logo are registered service marks of Neuberger Berman Group LLC. 2019 Neuberger Berman Group LLC. All rights reserved. Media Contact: Alex Samuelson, 212 476 5392, [email protected] SOURCE Neuberger Berman Related Links http://www.nb.com Adventure awaits and so does plenty of natural beauty, with spectacular, panoramic 20-mile Hill Country views, pristine meadows, great outdoor recreation, abundant wildlife, a gated entrance, private road frontage, and much more! Be surrounded by a picture perfect paradise at Sabinas Creek Ranch - ready for immediate enjoyment on the weekends or for a lifetime. This community's prime location is close to everything so, there's really no better place to raise kids, get away for the weekend, or enjoy retirement! Explore the best of both worlds - big city attractions nearby and the luxury and quiet of pure country living, with San Antonio just thirty minutes away and Houston an easy drive. The nearby local town of Boerne is known as one of the Hill Country's favorite places and is a very family-oriented community. A stroll down Haupstrasse, that's Main Street in German, through Boerne's charming historic district offers a world of specialty shops. ALBANY, New York, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The global nanocoatings market displays a high degree of competition among key players, notes Transparency Market Research. Owing to increasing dominance by key players in the competitive landscape of the global nanocoatings market is moderately consolidated. Some of the predominant players operating in the global nanocoatings market are Buhler PARTEC GmbH, Bio-Gate AG, Cima NanoTech Inc., Inframat Corporation, Eikos Inc., and Integran Technologies Inc. As per a market intelligence report by TMR, The global nanocoatings market was valued at US$ 4976.2 mn in 2017. The global nanocoatings market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 20.8% from 2018 to 2026. Request a Sample of Global Nanocoatings Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=275 Based on geographical standpoint, North America held major share of the global nanocoatings market in 2017. This is mainly because of the increasing consumption from the U.S. The country is a prominent consumer of nanocoatings in North America. This is expected to drive the nanocoatings market in the region. Based on end use, construction sector is expected to expand in the future. This is mainly due to an increasing growth in residential and non-residential construction sectors in the U.S. Request For Multiple Chapters: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=MC&rep_id=275 Flourishing End-user Industries to Propel Growth Nanocoatings are primarily used to create a rigid bond between two surfaces. Owing to this property, nanocoatings are extensively employed across various industries. Some of the end user industries of nanocoatings are construction, energy, aerospace, marine, electronics, food & packaging, health care, and marine to protect structures from corrosion. Unlike other adhesives, nanocoatings can join two substances of different sizes and compositions without much effort. In addition to this, it prevent corrosion on metals too. This property of nanocoatings is increasing its application in the construction industry. This may propel the global nanocoatings market in future. A gowth in end-user industries is boosting the demand for nanocoatings across the globe. Apart from this, scratches, contamination, and fingerprint smudge properties of anti-fingerprint nanocoatings is boosting their demand in electronics, medical & health care, and automotive sectors. This is expected to boost growth in the global nanocoating market too. Request For Discount On This Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=D&rep_id=275 Stringent Government Policies to Hamper Nanocoatings Market Use of excessive nanocoatings pose a threat to the environment owing to the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This is because VOCs are hazardous to environment and health. Several countries have set guidelines for manufacturing of the nanocoatings. Pertaining to this, manufacturers suffer several difficulties in production, storage, and supply of the nanocoatings. This is mainly due to the fact that violation of the governmental guidelines can result in legal as well as monetary punishment. In addition to this, an increasing use of nanocoatings degrade air quality as well. All these factors are likely to restrain the global nanocoatings market. Nevertheless, high performance of nanaocoatings over other substitute is likely to drive the global nanocoatings market in the near future. Browse Press Release: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/nanocoatings-market.htm The review is based on TMR' report titled, "Nanocoatings Market (Type- Anti-fingerprint, Anti-microbial, Anti-corrosion, Abrasion & Wear Resistant, Anti-fouling/Easy-to-clean, Self-cleaning (Bionic), Self-cleaning (Photocatalytic), UV-resistant, Anti-icing, Thermal Barrier & Flame Retardant, Conductive; End use - Health Care, Aerospace, Automotive, Textiles, Construction, Electronics)- Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2018 2026." The global nanocoatings market is segmented as below: Type Anti-fingerprint Anti-microbial Anti-corrosion Abrasion & Wear Resistant Anti-fouling/Easy-to-clean Self-cleaning (Bionic) Self-cleaning (Photocatalytic) UV-resistant Anti-icing Thermal Barrier & Flame Retardant Conductive End-user Health Care Aerospace Automotive Textiles Construction Electronics Food & Packaging Energy Marine Others (including Household, Water Treatment, and Tools & Engineering) Browse Chemical and Materials Market Research Reports Popular Research Reports by TMR: Pigments Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pigments-market.html Iron oxide Pigments Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/iron-oxide-pigments-market.html Decorative Coatings Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/decorative-coatings-market.html About Us 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. Contact Mr. Rohit Bhisey Transparency Market Research State Tower, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany NY - 12207 United States Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Research Blog: https://cmfenews.com/ SOURCE Transparency Market Research Posted Monday, February 25, 2019 9:38 am A pro-Second Amendment rally hosted by Patriot Prayer and the Washington Three Percent on Saturday at Woodland's Horseshoe Lake Park attracted almost 100 people, who came to hear advice on how to protect their right to bear arms. "This is grassroots here. You can change what's going on in your cities," said Matt Marshall, leader of Washington Three Percent. "It's going to take all of us, each and every one, to fight back against these infringements." The rally focused on Initiative 1639, a recently passed law that mandates background checks and gun safety training for what it calls "semi-automatic assault rifles" and raises the minimum age to purchase and possess such guns from 18 to 21. The age restriction went into place January 1, while the rest of the provisions go into effect July 1. Leaders for Patriot Prayer and Washington Three Percent said the initiative is unconstitutional because it infringes on the Second Amendment. These groups also oppose the law's definition of a semi automatic assault rifle -- which they argue is too broad and classifies a basic .22 hunting rifle as an assault weapon -- as well as the stricter background checks, they said. "Before the initiative passed, there was no definition of an assault rifle," Marshall said, noting that several bills introduced this legislative session use the I-1639 definition for "semi-automatic assault rifles." "It was clearly a gateway so they could restrict more gun rights," Marshall said. Patriot Prayer founder Joey Gibson added that the background checks require gun owners to "sign away your medical privacy rights" and become a "second-class citizen" before buying a firearm. At the rally, the two groups encouraged citizens to "put pressure" on their city government to adopt "sanctuary ordinances" that oppose the initiative. Under those ordinances, a city or county could chose not to enforce the new law. "We aren't asking people to break the law. We aren't asking sheriffs to break the law," Gibson said during the rally. "We are just asking they follow the Constitution." At the end of January, Cowlitz County Commissioners passed a resolution opposing the initiative. The resolution says the commissioners consider I-1639 and other laws that infringe upon the right to bear arms "unconstitutional and beyond lawful application of its legislative and governance authority or duties." Four other Washington countries have followed suit, Marshal said. But Clark County has yet to pass such a resolution. And Clark County Sheriff Chuck Atkins released a statement on the department's Facebook page earlier this month standing by the new law. "The Clark County Sheriff's Office will adhere to the law as passed by a vote of the people unless a court rules that it is unconstitutional," the statement reads. Patriot Prayer and Washington Three Percent visited Woodland to "get people excited about pushing for a local ordinance," Gibson said. The two groups have hosted rallies across a number of Washington cities in the last month, he said. "Most of the places we've been going, we have the support of the sheriff," Gibson said. "But not in Clark County. ... I have a lot of respect for law enforcement in this area. I'm just upset with Sheriff Atkins' decision to not uphold the Constitution." Law enforcement did not appear to be present at the rally Saturday, though a sheriff's vehicle was parked at Horseshoe Lake Park for about 15 minutes of the 90-minute rally, which took place in the park's shelter. Although some of Patriot Prayer's past events have been marred by violence, the rally in Woodland remained peaceful. Longview resident and rally speaker Aaron Babcock said the rally and ordinances are "baby steps to ... an intellectual revolution with paperwork instead of violence." Marshall added that the groups are "trying to make change the right way: through our politicians." In his new role, Lovely is responsible for leading field sales and retail credit operations throughout the U.S., managing a team of more than 140 employees. With over 20 years of experience in management, Lovely has an established track record in driving sales results and providing innovative business solutions. Prior to this position, he served as President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services BeNeLux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg). Lovely succeeds Mark Ingram, who retired after working with Mercedes-Benz Financial Services for 36 years. Lovely reports to Geoff Robinson, Vice President of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA. "I am pleased to welcome Mark to this vital role," said Robinson. "Mark is a collaborative and proven leader whose industry expertise is unparalleled. Throughout his rich history with Daimler, in several markets across the globe, Mark has delivered results in multiple divisions, including retail, OEM, and financial services. He will serve as a key asset to our team as we strive to achieve our goals." After beginning his career in a Mercedes-Benz dealership, Lovely joined the Daimler organization in 1996 as a Regional Manager for Mercedes-Benz Financial Services UK Ltd. He has since held several management roles in dealer operations and commercial vehicle sales in different business units around the globe. Besides his financial services roles, some of his notable assignments have included Dealer Operations Manager at Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd., where Lovely supported the dealers in his area through a strategic restructuring, and Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle Sales Sweden/Denmark, where he successfully led the sales division for three years. "I am humbled and eager to step into this key role and will continue to strengthen our working relationships with our dealer partners and customers," Lovely said. "Our key goals are to maintain the team's impressive sales position in passenger cars and bolster our position on the van side, all while delivering outstanding results to further drive the success of our organization." About Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA LLC Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA LLC, headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, with a Business Center in Fort Worth, Texas, provides brand-specific financial products and services for Mercedes-Benz and smart automotive dealers and their retail customers. In the U.S. trucking industry, it conducts business as Daimler Truck Financial and provides flexible financial products and services for Daimler Trucks North America commercial vehicles branded Freightliner, Western Star and Thomas Built as well as Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America, Inc. It is a company of the Daimler Financial Services Group, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, which is one of the leading financial services organizations worldwide and was ranked in the top 10 on the list of the World's Best Multinational Workplaces by the Great Place To Work Institute in 2016 and 2018. Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA LLC was also named one of the 100 Best Workplaces for Millennials in 2015 and 2016, and one of the 100 Best Workplaces for Women in 2016 by Great Place to Work and Fortune.com. For more information, please visit www.mbfs.com/corp or www.facebook.com/mymbfs. SOURCE Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA LLC With the massive increase of connected devices, voice/data creation and machine-to-machine traffic, existing network bandwidths are under tremendous stress. Evolutions in Wi-Fi 6, LTE-A, 5GNR as well as changes to the topology of wired networks will enable dramatically new applications ranging from smart cities to automated factories to virtual reality to on-demand data infrastructure. "Marvell's end-to-end network platform builds on a decade of innovation in 3G and 4G, ensuring that Marvell is well-positioned to capitalize in the 5G era," said Raj Singh, senior vice president and general manager of the Infrastructure Processor Group at Marvell Semiconductor, Inc. "We are excited to demonstrate our capabilities at Mobile World Congress and help our carrier partners solve the intensifying demands on their networks." Marvell is the ideal choice for building and expanding next generation networks. To learn more please join us at Mobile World Congress in Hall 2, Booth 2M61. Specific demonstrations include: Innovating in Cellular Deployments Facebook/TIP OpenCellular Base Station with Wi-Fi 6 Backhaul to MEC: the latest version of the OpenCellular eNodeB featuring the Marvell LTE baseband processor, Wi-Fi 6 backhaul engine, protocol stack software and edge compute processor. Enabling Smart Homes, Factories and Cities Narrowband IoT Base Station: an OEM-designed platform focused on NB-IoT vertical use cases. Cutting the Cord - Fixed Wireless Access Multi-carrier Micro Cell: a base station supporting up to three independent carriers that may be aggregated for higher bandwidth and operate in unlicensed or lightly-licensed bands including CBRS. 5G Ready Disaggregated and Virtualized Radio Access Network 3GPP Split Stack Implementations Cloud RAN Network Topology: a complete disaggregated Radio Access Network infrastructure featuring Marvell baseband, switch and server processors. To learn more about our network infrastructure solutions, please visit www.marvell.com/solutions/carrier/. About Marvell Marvell first revolutionized the digital storage industry by moving information at speeds never thought possible. Today, that same breakthrough innovation remains at the heart of the company's storage, processing, networking, security and connectivity solutions. With leading intellectual property and deep system-level knowledge, Marvell's semiconductor solutions continue to transform the enterprise, cloud, automotive, industrial, and consumer markets. To learn more, visit: https://www.marvell.com/ Marvell and the M logo are registered trademarks of Marvell and/or its affiliates. Marvell Media Relations Hanna Kang Senior Manager, Public Relations 408-222-3780 [email protected] Kristin Hehir Senior Manager, Public Relations 408-222-8744 [email protected] SOURCE Marvell Related Links https://www.marvell.com BEDMINSTER, N.J., Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:MNK), a leading global specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced it has entered into a research collaboration agreement with Transimmune AG, a company developing novel immunotherapies based on its unique understanding of the physiologic processes underlying the activation of antigen-presenting cells. THERAKOS UVAR XTS/CELLEX Photopheresis is a medical procedure that is administered using U.S. FDA-approved UVADEX (methoxsalen) Sterile Solution for the palliative treatment of skin manifestations associated with Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) in patients who are unresponsive to other forms of treatment. The companies will collaborate on translational research to further expand understanding of the underlying mechanism of action (MOA) for extracorporeal photopheresis, and its application toward the development of potential next-generation photopheresis technology, with plans to expand on Mallinckrodt's current Therakos photopheresis platform through new clinical trials. Beyond enhancing MOA understanding and advancing the technology platform, it is also anticipated that the insights gained through the joint research endeavor with the Transimmune experts can expand potential clinical applicability across diverse immune-mediated disease states. If clinical evidence is shown, these conditions may include CTCL, graft-versus-host disease, organ transplant rejection and all autoimmune diseases all exclusively licensed to Mallinckrodt under the agreement. Transimmune was founded by Richard Edelson, M.D., Lerner Professor of Dermatology, Chair and Professor, Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, and a photopheresis pioneer. Dr. Edelson has spent decades studying the photopheresis mechanism of action and founded Transimmune to translate those insights into improving photopheresis therapy. "Mallinckrodt invests in assets and technologies to further their application in conditions with few or limited therapeutic options, and for the treatment of underserved patients with severe and critical conditions," said Steven Romano, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, Mallinckrodt. "This agreement is an example of our model of collaboration and partnership with experts in both basic and clinical research similar to the recent collaborative research partnership announced with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis to expand our access to innovative science and technology in areas of mutual interest." Mallinckrodt and Transimmune will establish a joint governance committee consisting of representatives from both companies to oversee, review and coordinate the activities under the agreement. The companies intend to explore a joint commercial collaboration arrangement related to a next-generation Mallinckrodt photopheresis system. Mallinckrodt is the only provider of an integrated closed loop photopheresis therapy, which is delivered through its latest generation THERAKOS CELLEX Photopheresis System. About Therakos Immunotherapy Therakos immunotherapy is delivered through CELLEX systems to harness the power of the patient's immune system to treat the skin manifestations of CTCL, and is used by academic medical centers, hospitals, and treatment centers in more than 25 countries. Therakos photopheresis systems are fully integrated closed systems and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for the palliative treatment of the skin manifestations of CTCL in persons who have not been responsive to other forms of treatment. About UVADEX (methoxsalen) Sterile Solution INDICATIONS AND USAGE UVADEX (methoxsalen) Sterile Solution is indicated for extracorporeal administration with the THERAKOS UVAR XTS or THERAKOS CELLEX Photopheresis System in the palliative treatment of the skin manifestations of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) that is unresponsive to other forms of treatment. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION CAUTION: READ THE THERAKOS UVAR XTS or THERAKOS CELLEX PHOTOPHERESIS SYSTEMS' OPERATOR'S MANUAL PRIOR TO PRESCRIBING OR DISPENSING THIS MEDICATION. UVADEX (methoxsalen) Sterile Solution should be used only by physicians who have special competence in the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and who have special training and experience in the THERAKOS UVAR XTS or THERAKOS CELLEX Photopheresis System. Please consult the appropriate Operator's Manual before using this product. CONTRAINDICATIONS UVADEX is contraindicated in patients exhibiting idiosyncratic or hypersensitivity reactions to methoxsalen, other psoralen compounds, or any of the excipients. Patients possessing a specific history of a light-sensitive disease state should not initiate methoxsalen therapy. Diseases associated with photosensitivity include lupus erythematosus, porphyria cutanea tarda, erythropoietic protoporphyria, variegate porphyria, xeroderma pigmentosum, and albinism. UVADEX is contraindicated in patients with aphakia because of the significantly increased risk of retinal damage due to the absence of lenses. Patients should not receive UVADEX if they have any contraindications to the photopheresis procedure. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Patients who are receiving concomitant therapy (either topically or systemically) with known photosensitizing agents such as anthralin, coal tar or coal tar derivatives, griseofulvin, phenothiazines, nalidixic acid, halogenated salicylanilides (bacteriostatic soaps), sulfonamides, tetracyclines, thiazides, and certain organic staining dyes such as methylene blue, toluidine blue, rose bengal, and methyl orange may be at greater risk for photosensitivity reactions with UVADEX Oral administration of methoxsalen followed by cutaneous UVA exposure (PUVA therapy) is carcinogenic. Methoxsalen also causes DNA damage, interstrand cross-links and errors in DNA repair Methoxsalen may cause fetal harm when given to a pregnant woman. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of methoxsalen in pregnant women. If UVADEX is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while receiving UVADEX, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus. Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant. It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk After methoxsalen administration, exposure to sunlight and/or ultraviolet radiation may result in "premature aging" of the skin Since oral psoralens may increase the risk of skin cancers, monitor closely those patients who exhibit multiple basal cell carcinomas or who have a history of basal cell carcinomas Serious burns from either UVA or sunlight (even through window glass) can result if the recommended dosage of methoxsalen is exceeded or precautions are not followed Patients should be advised to avoid all exposure to sunlight during the 24 hours following photopheresis treatment Exposure to large doses of UVA light causes cataracts in animals. Oral methoxsalen exacerbates this toxicity. Serum methoxsalen concentrations are substantially lower after extracorporeal UVADEX treatment than after oral methoxsalen treatment. Nevertheless, if the lens is exposed to UVA light while methoxsalen is present, photoactivation of the drug may cause adducts to bind to biomolecules within the lens Instruct patients emphatically to wear UVA-absorbing, wrap-around sunglasses for 24 hours after UVADEX treatment Safety in children has not been established Thromboembolic events, such as pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, have been reported with UVADEX administration through photopheresis systems for treatment of patients with graft-versus-host disease, a disease for which UVADEX is not approved. ADVERSE REACTIONS Side effects of photopheresis (UVADEX used with the THERAKOS Photopheresis System) were primarily related to hypotension secondary to changes in extracorporeal volume (>1%). For the THERAKOS UVAR XTS/CELLEX Photopheresis Procedure: INDICATIONS The THERAKOS UVAR XTS Photopheresis System/THERAKOS CELLEX Photopheresis System is indicated for use in the ultraviolet-A (UVA) irradiation, in the presence of the photoactive drug 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), of extracorporeally circulating leukocyte-enriched blood, in the palliative treatment of the skin manifestations of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), in persons who have not been responsive to other forms of treatment. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION CONTRAINDICATIONS The THERAKOS UVAR XTS or THERAKOS CELLEX Photopheresis Systems are not designated, sold, or intended for use except as indicated. Certain underlying medical conditions contraindicate THERAKOS Photopheresis, including patients: who cannot tolerate extracorporeal volume loss during the leukocyte-enrichment phase exhibiting idiosyncratic or hypersensitivity reactions to 8-methoxypsoralen/psoralen compounds with coagulation disorders who have had previous splenectomy WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS THERAKOS Photopheresis treatments should always be performed in locations where standard medical emergency equipment is available. Volume replacement fluids and/or volume expanders should be readily available throughout the procedure Patients who may not be able to tolerate the fluid changes associated with extracorporeal photopheresis should be monitored carefully Procedures, such as renal dialysis, which might cause significant fluid changes (and expose the patient to additional anticoagulation) should not be performed on the same day as extracorporeal photopheresis Individual patients may require a heparin dosage that varies from the recommended dose to prevent post-treatment bleeding or clotting during a treatment ADVERSE REACTIONS Hypotension may occur during any treatment involving extracorporeal circulation. Closely monitor the patient during the entire treatment for hypotension Transient pyretic reactions, 37.7-38.9C (100-102F), have been observed in some patients within six to eight hours of reinfusion of the photoactivated leukocyte-enriched blood. A temporary increase in erythroderma may accompany the pyretic reaction Treatment frequency exceeding labeling recommendations may result in anemia Venous access carries a small risk of infection and pain Please see Full Prescribing Information, including the BOXED WARNING for UVADEX, and see the appropriate THERAKOS Photopheresis System Operator's Manual. ABOUT MALLINCKRODT Mallinckrodt is a global business that develops, manufactures, markets and distributes specialty pharmaceutical products and therapies. Areas of focus include autoimmune and rare diseases in specialty areas like neurology, rheumatology, nephrology, pulmonology and ophthalmology; immunotherapy and neonatal respiratory critical care therapies; analgesics and gastrointestinal products. To learn more about Mallinckrodt, visit www.mallinckrodt.com . Mallinckrodt uses its website as a channel of distribution of important company information, such as press releases, investor presentations and other financial information. It also uses its website to expedite public access to time-critical information regarding the company in advance of or in lieu of distributing a press release or a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosing the same information. Therefore, investors should look to the Investor Relations page of the website for important and time-critical information. Visitors to the website can also register to receive automatic e-mail and other notifications alerting them when new information is made available on the Investor Relations page of the website. Cautionary Statements Related to Forward-Looking Statements This release includes forward-looking statements concerning the collaboration with Transimmune AG, including expectations regarding future research and clinical trial plans, potential commercial arrangements and the potential impact on patients. The statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: clinical trial results, uncertainties inherent in research and development; satisfaction of regulatory and other requirements; actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities; changes in laws and regulations; issues with product quality, manufacturing or supply, or patient safety issues; and other risks identified and described in more detail in the "Risk Factors" section of Mallinckrodt's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC, all of which are available on its website. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date hereof and Mallinckrodt does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise, except as required by law. CONTACTS Investor Relations Daniel J. Speciale, CPA Vice President, Investor Relations and IRO 314-654-3638 [email protected] Media Daniel Yunger Kekst CNC 212-521-4879 [email protected] Mallinckrodt, the "M" brand mark and the Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals logo are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company. 2019 US-1900007 02/19 SOURCE Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Related Links http://www.mallinckrodt.com Themed Merah Putih (Red and White) in honor of host country Indonesia, the fundraiser invited members of the JIS community and a number of special guests to come together in the spirit of giving back and ensuring high-quality education for all. Distinguished speakers who shared their appreciation of the BTI included JIS Head of School Dr. Tarek Razik, Persada Capital Investama President Director Arini Subianto, former Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan, and Caturkarsa Megatunggal President Director and CEO Jimmy Masrin. "I'm very proud to be associated with an organization that cares so deeply both about education and about improving the lives of individuals in the country," Dr. Razik announced in his speech. "We're here tonight to let everybody know how we can all help. How we can help students, how we can help JIS and how we can help Indonesia." The BTI was launched in the 2018/19 academic year with the aim of providing academically outstanding Indonesian students the chance to meet their full potential at JIS with a fully funded, high-quality educational experience until graduation. Two exceptional students were selected last year and are currently doing very well with their studies and extracurricular activities. According to Mr. Gita Wirjawan, these students and future recipients of the BTI reflect JIS' active role in answering a broader need "to produce a product of education that has the necessary gumption, prescience, mental fortitude and foresight for Indonesia to be a relevant country." "Bringing a [student] from a public school Karawaci [in Banten], East Nasa Tenggara, North Maluku or from a public school in Papua to enroll in JIS until he or she graduates is a symbol of JIS' ability to underline the point that talent is universal, but opportunities are not," he added. "If that [student] were to be given the opportunity to learn how to speak English, mathematics, physics, literature, music, the spirit of Merah Putih shall linger." For Mr. Jimmy Masrin, a "proud Indonesian" and JIS alumnus, the fundraising event allowed him to reminisce about his formative years at the school but also underline the importance of the scholarship for other Indonesian students who may not have the financial capacity to receive the same opportunity for quality education. "The most precious gift my parents gave me was an education at JIS. I can't imagine a better [educational] foundation for Indonesia," he said. "[The BTI] is the future of Indonesia; it's a life-changing scenario." While Mr. Jimmy Masrin looked back on how JIS helped him grow as a global citizen and achieve his current level of success as a businessman, one very special guest that evening gave a very current account of how her life is being shaped at JIS. Grade 11 student Farheen Shamdasani described her experience at the school as "a student's dream", one that could help her accomplish her goal of empowering young people across Indonesia. "I always thought that because I'm so young, my opinions won't be valued [...] JIS has empowered me to fight for what I am passionate about and instilled core values in me that I use on a daily basis as I attempt to make my impact on the world; as I attempt to be the best for the world," Farheen said. "It is a community of the most passionate and creative thinkers that I know and a community that I hope to see expand through the growth of the [BTI] scholarship program." The BTI Committee is currently in the process of selecting three more recipients for the 2019/20 school year, having already visited state middle schools (SMPN) and state high schools (SMAN) across Jakarta in a scholarship Road Show. They include SMPN 111, SMPN 49, SMPN 115, SMPN 216, SMPN 41, SMPN 225 and high schools SMAN 3, SMAN 28, as well as JIS sister school SMAN 8. About Jakarta Intercultural School JIS was founded in 1951 by United Nations workers who aimed to introduce relevant schooling in English for children of expatriates in a newly independent Indonesia. Originally named the Joint Embassy School (JES) after our British, American, Australian and then-Yugoslavian embassy partners, JIS became a pioneer for international education in the archipelago and the region. A name change in 1974 saw JIS to become the Jakarta International School and finally Jakarta Intercultural School in 2014. Today, with high expectations for results-oriented and engaged learning, JIS helps each community member grow to be Best for the World. As JIS continues the nearly 70-year journey, JIS values each learner whose personal story enriches our own. With some 2,400 students, over 250 faculty members and countless alumni and parents contributing daily to the school's legacy and the world around us, JIS's diverse community remains encouraged, humbled and motivated to continue growing as lifelong learners. For more information, please go to https://www.jisedu.or.id/scholarships SOURCE Jakarta Intercultural School JINZHONG, China, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, Jinneng Clean Energy Technology Ltd. (Jinergy), a China-based technology-driven PV manufacturer, announced that Jinergy has been named as Tier 1 solar module manufacturer by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF). Independently developed by BNEF, the PV module manufacturer tiering system classifies PV module manufacturers according to their "bankability" and makes transparent distinctions among hundreds of PV module manufacturers worldwide. The strict selection criteria of PV module manufacturers makes it a reliable reference for PV manufacturer competitiveness analysis. Through technical innovation and lean production, Jinergy has built up a global top 5% most advanced and cost-effective cell and module production capacity and supplies customers with high quality and reliable Poly C-Si, PERC Mono C-Si and HJT modules. Jinergy has also made remarkable achievements in overseas markets. In 2018, Jinergy's overseas shipments account for 40% of total shipments, achieving a major breakthrough since it started commercial operation. In the Indian market alone, Jinergy has shipped more than 600MW, ranking second among China-based PV module manufacturers exporting to India, with a market share of nearly 10%. Dr. Liyou Yang, general manager of Jinergy, said, "Being named as BNEF Tier 1 module supplier means that we are recognized as a high-quality module supplier globally, and will accelerate our global market development. In 2019, overseas shipment will account for 50% of our total shipments. In the future, Jinergy will still work on technology and cost-reduction to further bring down LCOE of PV and promote utilization of renewable energy." About Jinergy Jinergy, green energy sector incorporated under Jinneng Group, one of the state-owned energy groups in China, follows technology iteration strategy and has deployed three generations of cutting-edge technology, i.e. polycrystalline, PERC monocrystalline and HJT. By the end of 2018, Jinergy has 2GW production capacity in total for polycrystalline, PERC monocrystalline and HJT modules. In 2017, Jinergy commercialized high efficiency HJT products, and will expand production capacity to GW scale within three years. Learn more at http://en.jinergy.com. SOURCE Jinneng Clean Energy Technology Ltd. Related Links https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/627983/JINERGY_Logo.jpg NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Junior Achievement USA (JA) today announced that it will honor several of Junior Achievement of New York's corporate partners with Gold, Silver, and Bronze level 2017-2018 U.S. President's Volunteer Service Awards for providing at least 15,000, 10,000, and 5,000 volunteer hours respectively to local Junior Achievement offices during the 2017-2018 school year. The U.S. President's Volunteer Service Award will be presented to 44 organizations at an awards ceremony and celebration event at the New York Stock Exchange during the JA Volunteer Summit, supported by American Express, on March 12, 2019 in New York, NY. The event will be part of Junior Achievement's year-long Centennial Celebration. Partners of Junior Achievement of New York headquartered in greater New York to be honored include: Barclays, Citi, Deloitte, EY, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, JP Morgan Chase, KPMG, Marsh & McLennan Companies, MetLife, PepsiCo, PwC, and Voya Financial. The complete list of recipients can be found here. "Junior Achievement volunteers bring our programs to life. They share their experiences and skills with students while delivering our programs, teaching them how to manage their money, succeed in the workforce, or start a business that creates jobs and grows the economy," said Joseph Peri, President and CEO of JA New York. "Junior Achievement volunteers help build communities by empowering the next generation's success," said Gavin O'Connor, JA New York Board Chair and COO and CFO of Point72. "JA could not exist without the dedication of its volunteers. We are grateful for this opportunity to recognize their invaluable support." Junior Achievement's K-12 programs are delivered across the country by a network of more than 245,000 volunteers, including 7,200 in the New York Metro area. JA programs provide innovative, hands-on work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy education to more than 90,000 students in NYC, Long Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley each year. ABOUT JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF NEW YORK Junior Achievement of New York is the local affiliate of Junior Achievement USA, the nation's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. Visit www.jany.org for more information. CONTACT: Stephanie Zlotnick Email: [email protected] Phone: 212-907-0046 SOURCE Junior Achievement of New York Related Links http://www.jany.org BOSTON, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE: IRM), the global leader in storage and information management services, today announced the formal approval from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) of its 2025 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions goals. With this approval, Iron Mountain becomes a member of an exclusive but growing group of 150+ global corporations with an endorsed goal for delivering GHG reductions in line with the Paris Climate Accord. Iron Mountain's SBTi-approved commitment is to reduce absolute GHG emissions 20 percent by 2025 for a 2016 baseline and includes both direct and indirect carbon emissions also referred to as Scope 1, 2 and 3 by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, a partnership between the World Resource Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. (WBCSD). Including the effects of expected business growth, achieving this goal will require a reduction of more than 50 percent of normal, "business as usual" carbon usage by 2025. "It is fantastic to see our RE100 member Iron Mountain continuing to set ambitious targets for climate action," said Sam Kimmins, Head of RE100, The Climate Group, an international non-profit dedicated to accelerating climate action. "Committing to 100 percent renewable electricity is a key practical step companies can, and must, take to achieve their SBTi goals. Sourcing clean energy cuts emissions, future-proofs business operations and delivers benefits to the bottom line as the cost of renewables continues to fall. It is a choice all companies should be making; it simply makes business sense." This commitment supports Iron Mountain's previous public commitments to sustainability goals. In 2018, Iron Mountain joined the RE100 initiative, a collaborative, global platform developed by The Climate Group, committing to use renewable energy sources for 100 percent of its worldwide electricity. The company pledged to complete, global conversion to renewable energy by 2050, and has already hit this threshold for its operations in the UK, Ireland, The Netherlands and Belgium. Additionally, the company has made several power-purchase agreements (PPA) to ensure that its data center operations are 100 percent powered by renewable/ energy. "As a global organization, we recognize the impact that our daily operations can have on the world, and in 2013 began a journey to better understand and mitigate that impact," said William Meaney, president and chief executive officer, Iron Mountain. "That understanding has led us to today, where we look at sustainability as an opportunity to make our operations more efficient and uncover insights that we can pass on to our customers and industry peers to do the same. Our commitment and progress to realizing this opportunity has helped us improve both our business and our customers' businesses, and we're proud to join the ranks of the SBTi-approved companies in setting aggressive targets to reduce our GHG emissions." The SBTi is a collaboration among CDP of the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund (WWF). The SBTi uses a rigorous, metrics based consensus driven process to determine if a company's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction. Targets are sufficiently ambitious to be in line with the level of decarbonization required to keep global temperature increase below 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial temperatures. For more information on Iron Mountain's environmental sustainability practices and the latest corporate responsibility report, please visit: https://www.ironmountain.com/about-us/corporate-social-responsibility About Iron Mountain Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE: IRM), founded in 1951, is the global leader for storage and information management services. Trusted by more than 225,000 organizations around the world, and with a real estate network of more than 90 million square feet across more than 1,400 facilities in over 50 countries, Iron Mountain stores and protects billions of valued assets, including critical business information, highly sensitive data, and cultural and historical artifacts. Providing solutions that include information management, digital transformation, secure storage, secure destruction, as well as data centers, cloud services and art storage and logistics, Iron Mountain helps customers lower cost and risk, comply with regulations, recover from disaster, and enable a digital way of working. Visit http://www.ironmountain.com for more information. SOURCE Iron Mountain Incorporated Related Links http://www.ironmountain.com NORWALK, Conn., Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Utiliz, a technology platform offering automatic energy savings, today announced the company has helped customers achieve more than $750,000 in energy savings to-date. The innovative platform provides customers a simple way to save money on their energy supply, tracking the energy market in deregulated states and automatically switching each customer to a cost-effective plan at the end of every term. Utiliz' total customer savings have more than tripled since the introduction of sister company Viv Network in early 2018. Viv leverages Utiliz technology to power its signature product, AutoPilot. Fueled by Viv's growth-minded executive team and network of dedicated entrepreneurs, Utiliz doubled the number of markets in which it operates over the same period, including recent expansions into Pennsylvania, Illinois and Rhode Island. "Our mission is to make life better, simpler and more affordable for our customers. This exciting milestone is more than just a number or an accolade it represents real dollars in our customers' wallets," said Cami Boehme, Chief Executive Officer of Utiliz and Viv Network. "Energy deregulation holds massive potential for customer choice and energy cost savings. However, the reality is often fraught with cumbersome processes and hidden costs. By automating the process of tracking and negotiating rates, Utiliz offers a simple, turnkey solution that helps our customers realize the benefits of greater competition in the market." In addition to energy cost savings, Viv AutoPilot customers have avoided millions of pounds of harmful carbon emissions through the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs). As a pending B corporation with deep roots in conscious capitalism, the company also voluntarily contributes a minimum of 1% of all revenue toward projects that provide access to energy, water, health, education, sustainability and economic development to make life better for children and families around the world. "We are more than a for-profit company, we are a for-purpose organization," said Boehme. "We recognize the collective impact of small, thoughtful decisions and we are proud to be one avenue by which our customers can contribute to the greater good. We believe that by doing good, we do well." Utiliz and AutoPilot offer customers a simple, streamlined platform to benefit from energy choice and ensure they are enrolled on the most affordable plan. Interested individuals can enroll quickly and easily by sending in a copy of their bill. Once enrolled, customers receive monthly updates with plan details and lifetime savings. For more information, please visit https://www.myutiliz.com or https://www.justviv.com . ABOUT UTILIZ: Utiliz is a proprietary technology platform and licensed energy broker currently serving customers in Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Utiliz is a proud member of the Path One Group of Companies. ABOUT VIV: Viv Network, LLC is a Connecticut-based technology company that provides energy and lifestyle products and services that everyone needs and uses everydayproducts that make Life Better, as the company's tagline suggests. Providing radical transparency with a customer-centric focus and commitment to social good are core to the company's mission to provide consumers a way of life that is easier, more affordable, and more satisfying. Viv is a proud member of the Path One Group of Companies. Viv's flagship product, AutoPilot, is provided through a partnership with Utiliz. Press Contact Name: Hannah Wells Title: Director of Engagement Email: [email protected] SOURCE Utiliz Related Links https://www.myutiliz.com Posted Monday, February 25, 2019 9:05 am OLYMPIA Democratic legislators want to require public schools to teach comprehensive sexual-health education, despite concerns from some over a loss of parental control and a belief that this decision should be made at the local level. Senate Bill 5395, requested by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), would mandate that public-school districts use a curriculum that encourages healthy relationships, teaches about behaviors that contribute to sexual violence and emphasizes the importance of affirmative consent -- as opposed to the extensively used "no means no" education, according to a legislative analysis. Washington's current sexual-health-education system gives public schools the option to teach it or not, but requires that, if taught, the curriculum must be age-appropriate, scientifically and medically accurate and inclusive of all genders, races and sexual orientations. It must also include information about abstinence and other methods to prevent unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases, which would remain the same under the proposed legislation. These guidelines were required starting in 2008 after the Legislature's passage of the Healthy Youth Act. In a public hearing for the bill, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal called the issue of sexual assault in schools "one of the most profound epidemics of our current time," saying that one-third of female high-school graduates in Washington are sexually assaulted and one-sixth of males. He likened school districts opting out of sexual education to not teaching geometry or the history of the Holocaust. Several students joined Reykdal at the hearing to support the bill. "Sexual-health education is education and it's so much more," said Aren Wright, a sophomore at Olympia High School. "It empowers young people with developmentally appropriate and medically accurate information and provides answers to their questions about sexual relationships without shaming or judging." Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Denise Juneau said in an emailed statement the state's largest district has been teaching sexual-health education for over 20 years and that it remains a "top priority." Reykdal noted later in an interview that just 60 percent of Washington's school districts are teaching some form of sexual education in middle and high school -- but by and large, he added, most of those offerings are not comprehensive; if passed, this bill would fundamentally change how schools teach the subject. As of Feb. 1, just 13 states require that public schools' sexual-education classes be medically accurate, while only eight mandate that it be appropriate for a student's cultural background and unbiased, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a nongovernmental research organization with offices in New York and Washington, D.C., that aims to advance sexual health and reproductive rights. Twenty-four other states and the District of Columbia already mandate some form of sexual education, according to the Guttmacher Institute. The measure's proponents think it's time that Washington catches up with much of the nation. "It's once again an area where, as adults, we've let young people down and they are now leading the way and asking for this information so that they can make the right decisions," said Sen. Claire Wilson, D-Federal Way, the prime sponsor of the legislation and former president of the Federal Way School District Board. "We need to catch up with the times if we're going to change what young people need to experience." If the bill passes, OSPI would create a list of comprehensive sexual-health-education curricula, any of which could be used by school districts. Or schools could create their own curriculum as long as it falls under state standards. Public schools would be required to report what they use to OSPI each year. The curriculum would need to be phased in for sixth- through 12th-graders by Sept. 1, 2020, and then for students in kindergarten through fifth grade by the same day the following year. The elementary-school curriculum will be focused on, among other things, how to be respectful, a key to healthy relationships from a young age. Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, the sponsor of the House version of the bill, said the goal is to support "kids with understanding good communication skills and good relationship health." The bill passed its first hurdle Wednesday as it was approved by the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee on a party-line vote with seven Democrats voting in favor and four Republicans opposed. As in most states, parents or guardians may opt their children out of the class or review the curriculum by filing a written request with either the local school board or the school's principal. This option remains under the proposed legislation. However, some think it should be an opt-in system. While 22 states and the District of Columbia require a parental notice for sexual education, just three states -- Arizona, Nevada and Utah -- require consent from parents, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Wilson believes the proposed system allows for the most children to learn what she thinks is necessary going forward as they mature. "As long as we always have opportunity for people to choose to opt-out of something, it gives us an opportunity to inform the greatest majority of folks who are interested in making sure their kids have the information they need," she said. Central Washington's Eastmont School District Superintendent Garn Christensen, who prefers to leave much of this type of education up to parents, said his district uses a curriculum focused on state-recommended sexually-transmitted-infection prevention and general sexual health, and doesn't foresee a change anytime soon. Sen. Brad Hawkins, R-East Wenatchee, the top Republican on the education committee and a former Eastmont School Board president, agreed, saying he was unsure what the problem with current sexual education is now. Decisions about sex education, said Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, are "parental rights and responsibilities." As a father of two children ages 9 and 11, Hawkins said that he and his wife, like some of his constituents, want to have these conversations with their kids -- rather than leaving the decision-making in the hands of the state. Richland School District Superintendent Rick Schulte thinks the correct venue for this discussion is at a local level, where the decision-makers are bound to understand the community better. "Those are important issues that should be left primarily to a local school board, which is far more accessible to parents and community than an Olympia Legislature is," said Schulte. Schulte also said he worries that the state is forcing schools to do so many things without enough time in the day to accommodate it all. Schulte added, "I think we've already run into the point where we can't do all the things the Legislature is already mandating." BARCELONA, Spain, February 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Enabled through a rich ecosystem of partners, design thinking philosophy, and full stack of software brought together in the '5G Living Labs' Infosys (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced the launch of new service offerings that will help enterprises imagine and create new economies with 5G technology, while simultaneously helping communication service providers accelerate and monetize their 5G network deployment. Infosys' newly established 5G Living Labs in five global locations - (Bengaluru, Richardson, Indianapolis, Frankfurt and Melbourne) will help ideate and bring these new economies to life. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/Infosys_Logo.jpg ) 5G will transform network capabilities bringing in significant opportunities for network virtualization, AI and Automation, while lowering associated costs considerably, and enhancing delivery of network-based services. More importantly, 5G will enable enterprises - IT and other business departments - to usher in a new era of innovation, create new experiences and improve operational efficiency in organizations. Having worked on enterprise applications and systems for close to four decades, Infosys brings in tremendous understanding of the opportunities and challenges enterprises face on their digital transformation journey. One significant challenge faced is the need to keep pace with innovation in their ecosystem and the ability to quickly prototype ideas. The global network of Infosys 5G Living Labs are designed to help enterprises imagine and curate game changing ideas driven by 5G, and rapidly prototype them to life. The labs combine the best of Infosys emerging technologies expertise in areas like IoT, AR, VR and AI, unique design thinking driven approaches and a diverse partner ecosystem that is deeply invested in 5G technologies. Enterprise adoption of 5G is key to monetizing networks for communication services providers and Infosys Living Labs enables that by providing an ecosystem to incubate offerings and deploy at scale. Communication Service Providers (CSPs) will also benefit from Infosys' expertise in emerging technologies to support self-organized intelligent networks, dynamic agile operations and capabilities, to build enriched experiences for enterprises together with a wide ecosystem of partners. Infosys solutions such as the Smart Network Assurance platform will help in pivoting from break-fix operations to proactive and predictive operations using AI and ML based self-healing technologies. Infosys is also building reference solutions based on open source platforms and tools that will enable continuous delivery of software using Software-Defined Networking and Network Function Virtualization principles. Ravi Kumar S, President and Deputy Chief Operating Officer Infosys, said, "5G is opening an array of opportunities for CSPs and Enterprises in the digital era. Infosys' suite of 5G offerings are powered by our extensive experience of working with major telecom service providers and enterprises globally in transforming their business and technology landscape. Our expertise in areas such as SDN-NFV, Media OTT Platforms and IoT, together with industry collaborations among network solution providers, network OEMS and CSPs will help customers maximize their 5G potential to navigate their next." Dustin Kehoe, Service Director, GlobalData PLC, said, "5G is not just an evolution of cellular standards, it will also enable various new sets of applications, some low latency, others high on throughput to improve employee productivity or external customer engagement. However, the technology is emerging and industry collaboration across the ecosystem is required to unlock new innovation to co-create use cases. Professional services and unwavering commitment to open source solutions to drive best of breed multi-vendor environments, are some of the important considerations for being successful with 5G." Related reading: ONF welcomes Infosys as its newest partner ONF to showcase new COMAC and OMEC projects at Mobile World Congress, Barcelona For more information on Infosys 5G Offerings, visit 5G - The Next Wave of Network Innovation About Infosys Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. We enable clients in 45 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over three decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer our clients through their digital journey. We do it by enabling the enterprise with an AI-powered core that helps prioritize the execution of change. We also empower the business with agile digital at scale to deliver unprecedented levels of performance and customer delight. Our always-on learning agenda drives their continuous improvement through building and transferring digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next. Safe Harbor Certain statements mentioned in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements regarding our future business expectations intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, and unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018. These filings are available at www.sec.gov . Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the company unless it is required by law. SOURCE Infosys BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Infobip Booth: Hall 8.1 Stand 8.1F49 Google stand at Innovation City: Hall 4 Stand 4A30 Infobip, a global cloud communication company for businesses and a leader in omnichannel engagement, is enabling and showcasing Rich Communication Services (RCS) for multiple brands at MWC 2019 in Barcelona. At the Google Stand at Innovation City, Infobip is showcasing multiple demonstrations from various industries how RCS bots improve customer experience across multiple stages of the customer journey. The brands participating in the Infobip RCS showcase include Twitter, Hong Leong Bank from Malaysia, the on-demand carpooling company BlaBlaCar and UTEL University, a leader in online education. Visitors of the Google stand experiencing the brands, with its wide variety of use cases of RCS bots, will genuinely understand the impact of RCS dialogue for businesses. Infobip's RCS showcase for Twitter, that was also presented at the GSMA RCS Business Messaging Labs in Barcelona on February 24th, is about reminding and helping Twitter users to reengage through RCS notifications. "Receiving a branded, re-engagement notification natively on most Twitter user's smartphone is an impactful way to reconnect with a brand. We are excited to see how the RCS bot helps enhance user experience, reconnecting and reengaging Twitter users, helping them build long-term brand loyalty," said Silvija Renusa, Product Owner at Infobip. UTEL University is always looking for impactful ways of engaging with their students, keeping them updated on new online classes and curriculum changes. "Infobip's enablement of RCS allows for responsive 2-way communications imperative to our students and prospects. Being an online university, our students may be time zones apart and it is important communicating over the channels our students use and prefer. We take advantage of RCS to publicize, in an innovative way, the new academic programs that we incorporate into our offer to boost their professional development," said Ana Gabriela Barrera Garcia, Inbound Marketing Coordinator at UTEL University. In BlaBlaCar's case RCS brings improved customer experience when ordering a car pooling ride. "With Infobip's enablement of RCS, we can provide added trust for our members, presenting pictures of drivers and their overall ratings in a branded, rich context communicated natively on the users' smart phones," said Erwann Robin, Lead Developer at BlaBlaCar. "The brands showcased at MWC 2019 present the versatility and the advancements of RCS. Infobip's enablement of RCS, helping enterprises to improve customer experience, enhancing customer retention through RCS, natively on the customers phone genuinely enriches and extends a business omnichannel marketing approach," said Silvio Kutic, CEO of Infobip. About Infobip Infobip powers enterprises to deliver messages across any channel, any device, at any time and anywhere worldwide. Infobip's technology creates seamless mobile interactions between businesses and people as well as simplifying the integration of almost all communication capabilities. With over a decade of industry experience, Infobip has expanded to include 60 offices on six continents offering an in-house developed messaging platform with the capacity to reach over six billion mobile devices in 190+ countries connected to over 800 telecom networks. The company serves and partners with leading mobile operators, messaging apps, banks, social networks, tech companies, and aggregators. Tina Loncaric - Global Public Relations Director Infobip - Tel: +385-99-4699-343 SOURCE Infobip Related Links http://www.infobip.com/ SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Hummingbird Bioscience announced today it has been awarded a product development grant totalling $13.1 million from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The grant will support the Phase IA/B clinical trials of the company's first-in-class anti-VISTA therapeutic antibody for the treatment of VISTA mediated suppression of anti-tumor immunity in solid tumors and lymphomas that are unresponsive to existing therapies. Hummingbird Bioscience is a systems-biology enabled biotech company focused on the discovery and development of novel cancer therapeutics. The CPRIT review for this grant included an in-depth evaluation of HMBD-002, an antibody that uniquely neutralizes VISTA function, by a panel of scientific, medical, and industry experts. The evaluation included rigorous review of the pre-clinical data, as well as regulatory, research and development, and intellectual property due diligence. The grant will support the Phase IA/B clinical study and preparatory steps including GMP manufacturing and Investigational New Drug (IND) submission for the HMBD-002 program. The grant will also support the relocation of the company's U.S. headquarters to Texas. Clinical trials for HMBD-002 are anticipated to begin in 2020. Hummingbird Bioscience was the only successful application of its type for this grant cycle. The award follows the recent announcement of Nobel Laureate James P. Allison, Ph.D. and Padmanee Sharma, M.D., Ph.D. joining Hummingbird's Scientific Advisory Board. "We are delighted to be awarded this highly-selective grant from CPRIT and to start building our operations in Texas," said Piers Ingram, Ph.D., CEO of Hummingbird Bioscience. "Our company applies systems biology approaches to generate uniquely differentiated therapeutic antibodies. We are thrilled CPRIT's panel of experts agrees that developing this anti-VISTA immuno-oncology program has the potential to significantly benefit patients." About Hummingbird Bioscience Hummingbird Bioscience is an innovative therapeutics development company with a proprietary rational antibody discovery platform and deep experience in applying integrative genomics and proteomics. Hummingbird develops precision therapeutic antibodies to clinical proof-of-concept for patients with the highest unmet need. The company has a pipeline of first or best-in-class drug candidates. Within its pipeline, HMBD-001 (anti-HER3 antibody) and HMBD-002 (anti-VISTA antibody) are anticipated to start clinical trials in 2020. The company has operations in South San Francisco, Calif. and Singapore. For more information, visit http://www.hummingbirdbioscience.com. Press Inquiries: Elizabeth Harness, [email protected], +1-585-435-7379 McDougall Communications for Hummingbird Bioscience SOURCE Hummingbird Bioscience Related Links http://www.hummingbirdbioscience.com Antigua enjoys a rich heritage as one of the Caribbean's leading yacht destinations thanks to its many picturesque harbours and the world-famous Antigua Sailing Week, one of yacht racing's most prestigious events. The new partnership will therefore be a mutually beneficial relationship, drawing on the synergies between the clientele of Half Moon Bay Antigua and Edmiston to establish a deep connection between luxury yachting and the new resort which is located just twenty minutes from yachting hubs English Harbour and Falmouth. "We've always admired Edmiston as a leader in luxury yachting and believe Half Moon Bay Antigua will soon be one of the leading resorts for luxury in the Caribbean. A cooperative relationship between the two brands combines our understanding of a common clientele to benefit us both," said William Anderson, CEO of Half Moon Bay Antigua. "I believe Half Moon Bay represents a very rare opportunity to quite literally acquire a 'slice of paradise'. The venue will provide unrivalled levels of luxury whilst the location offers arguably the finest yachting experiences in the Caribbean," said Jamie Edmiston, Chief Executive, Edmiston. Edmiston is one of the most recognised global brands in yachting with a long history of operations in Antigua and in-depth local knowledge. Half Moon Bay Antigua is comprised of ten of the most exclusive plots of land available for sale in the Caribbean. With prices ranging from $10 million to $25 million, the ten lots offer the opportunity to create unique estates within easy reach of the anchorage of Nonesuch Bay. Half Moon Bay Antigua boasts one of the most spectacular white sand crescent beaches in the world and offers an unparalleled setting for what will be the most sought-after resort and residential community in the Caribbean. Owners and resort guests will have exclusive access to amenities including Sense, a Rosewood Spa and a Biodynamic farm. About Replay Destinations: Replay Destinations is a fully integrated destination development company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, and operates in the continental United States, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Replay's team of strategists, planners, designers, builders and operators develop and operate authentic and enduring places that become must-visit destinations for guests and potential real estate purchasers alike. Working with visionary private equity firms, landowners, municipalities, other developers and families with legacy holdings, Replay creates places that the marketplace thinks of first and likes best, which in turn enhances the market awareness and economics of the destination. The founder and partners of Replay are select key senior executives from Intrawest Corporation, which was the largest publicly listed four-season destination resort developer in the world, with more than 18 destination resorts globally. Intrawest Corporation was sold to private interests in 2006 and Replay Destinations was established in 2007. For more information visit www.replaydestinations.com . About Edmiston: Edmiston & Company is a world leader in the superyacht industry. Specialising in the sale, charter, management and new construction of the largest and most important yachts. The company has an unrivalled reputation when it comes to performing for its clients at the very highest level. With a global network of offices in key international locations, Edmiston has the international presence combined with the key local knowledge necessary to service the needs of its clients, worldwide. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/823818/RHMB_Antigua.jpg SOURCE Half Moon Bay Antigua and Edmiston BANGALORE, India, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The 'Global Pyrimethanil Market Outlook 2018-2023' offers detailed coverage of pyrimethanil industry and presents main market trends. The market research gives historical and forecast market size, demand, end-use details, price trends, and company shares of the leading pyrimethanil producers to provide exhaustive coverage of the market for pyrimethanil. The report segments the market and forecasts its size, by volume and value, on the basis of application, by products, and by geography. The report has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from key industry participants. The global pyrimethanil market has been segmented into five major regions, namely, North America (U.S., Canada, and others), Europe (U.K., France, Germany, Russia, and others), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Australia, and others), South America (Brazil, Argentina, and others), and Middle East & Africa (South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and others). Furthermore, the report also includes an in-depth competitive analysis of the key vendors operating in this market. The report answers following questions: Analysis of the Pyrimethanil market including revenues, future growth, market outlook. Historical data and forecast. Regional analysis including growth estimates. Analyzes the end user markets including growth estimates. Profiles on pyrimethanil vendors including products, sales/revenues, SWOT and market position, recent developments. Market structure, market drivers and restraints. Browse the 120 page report : https://reports.valuates.com/sreport/GENC-Agro-01/Global_Pyrimethanil_Market_Outlook_2018_2023 Key Regions Covered: North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa South America Key Vendors: BASF SE Bayer CropScience Ltd. Jiangsu Kuaida Agrochemical Co., Ltd. Limin Chemical Co., Ltd. Tianjin Shipule Pesticide Technological Development Co., Ltd. Yantai Keda Chemical Co., Ltd. request free sample to get a complete list of companies https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/GENC-Agro-01/Global_Pyrimethanil_Market_Outlook_2018_2023 Table of Content: Part 1. Summary Part 2. Report Methodology 2.1 Methodology 2.2 Data Source Part 3. Introduction Part 4. Industry Value Chain 4.1 Pyrimethanil Industry Value Chain Analysis 4.2 Upstream 4.3 End-uses 4.4 Distributors Part 5. Competitive Landscape 5.1 Global Pyrimethanil Sales & Share by Company (2013-2018) 5.2 Global Pyrimethanil Revenue & Share by Company (2013-2018) 5.3 Pricing Trends 5.4 Competitive Trends Part 6. Segmentation by Type 6.1 Global Pyrimethanil Sales Volume by Type (2013-2018) 6.2 Global Pyrimethanil Revenue by Type (2013-2018) 6.3 Global Pyrimethanil Price by Type (2013-2018) Part 7. Segmentation by Application 7.1 Global Pyrimethanil Sales Volume by Application (2013-2018) 7.2 Global Pyrimethanil Revenue by Application (2013-2018) 7.3 Global Pyrimethanil Price by Application (2013-2018) Part 8. Regional Perspectives 8.1 Overview 8.2 North America 8.2.1 Market Size (Volume & Value) 8.2.2 by Application 8.2.3 by Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, etc.) 8.3 Europe 8.3.1 Market Size (Volume & Value) 8.3.2 by Application 8.3.3 by Country (Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, etc.) 8.4 Asia-Pacific 8.4.1 Market Size (Volume & Value) 8.4.2 by Application 8.4.3 by Country (China, Japan, Korea, India, etc.) 8.5 Middle East & Africa 8.5.1 Market Size (Volume & Value) 8.5.2 by Application 8.5.3 by Country (Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Nigeria, Iran, South Africa, etc.) 8.6 South America 8.6.1 Market Size (Volume & Value) 8.6.2 by Application 8.6.3 by Country (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, etc.) Part 9. Company Profiles 9.1 Company Profile 9.2 Product Offered 9.3 Business Performance 9.4 Recent Developments Part 10. Market Forecast 10.1 Global Pyrimethanil Market Size Forecast (2018-2023) 10.1.1 Global Pyrimethanil Sales Forecast (2018-2023) 10.1.2 Global Pyrimethanil Revenue Forecast (2018-2023) 10.2 Forecast by Region 10.2.1 North America 10.2.2 Europe 10.2.3 Asia-Pacific 10.2.4 Middle East & Africa 10.2.5 South America 10.3 Forecast by Type 10.4 Forecast by Application Part 11. Market Drivers 11.1 Opportunities 11.2 Challenges 11.3 Economic/Political Environmental Part 12. Industry Activity 12.1 M&As, JVs and Partnership 12.2 Other Developments Part 13. Appendix Inquire for discount : https://reports.valuates.com/request/discount/GENC-Agro-01/Global_Pyrimethanil_Market_Outlook_2018_2023 Purchase the report: https://reports.valuates.com/sreport/GENC-Agro-01/Global_Pyrimethanil_Market_Outlook_2018_2023 Media Contact: Valuates Reports [email protected] For U.S. Toll Free Call +1(425)388-2538 For IST Call +91-8040957137 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports SOURCE Valuates FAIRFAX, Va., Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- RGNext, a joint venture between Raytheon's Intelligence, Information and Services business (NYSE: RTN) and General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), will operate the U.S. Army's Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, safely managing space vehicle and ballistic missile launches and missile defense tests conducted from islands in the 750,000-square-mile Pacific Ocean range. Under the $502-million, 10-year contract, RGNext will maintain the range's launch and safety systems, including radar, telemetry and optical sensors located on the Kwajalein Atoll. RGNext will also operate the Range Operations Center and Space Operations Center in Huntsville, Alabama, the Kwajalein Mission Control Center on Kwajalein, and the Range Safety Control Center, also on Kwajalein. Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services and General Dynamics combined have hired more than 300 engineers, technicians and other launch professionals to support this critical mission. "The Reagan Test Site is used for some of our nation's most important defense programs, from ensuring our ballistic missiles work as designed to proving the capabilities of our missile defense systems," said Todd Probert, vice president at Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services. "The Army chose RGNext because we are experts at safely operating launch ranges and bring deep knowledge and experience to support this critical mission." RGNext also manages the two major rocket launch sites in the U.S, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, and Cape Canaveral, Florida. "RGNext remains focused on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of mission critical functions for their customers," said Rich Farinacci, vice president of Naval and Training Programs at General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT). "RGNext is prepared to help their customers modernize their legacy systems and continue to deliver solutions that advance mission performance." Jointly owned by GDIT and Raytheon, RGNextoperates, maintains, and sustains mission-critical systems to provide safe and effective launch, testing, and tracking of Department of Defense, civil, commercial and international spacelift vehicles. It also supports ballistic missile, guided weapon and aeronautical tests and evaluations. For more information about General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), please visit www.gdit.com. SOURCE General Dynamics Related Links http://www.gdit.com DENVER, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Helix TCS, Inc. (OTCQB: HLIX) (the "Company"), the leading provider of critical infrastructure services to the global legal cannabis industry, welcomes the former President of Mexico, Mr. Vicente Fox Quesada, to its Board of Directors. Mr. Fox will support the Company as a strategic advisor as it continues its growth into the international cannabis market. Mr. Fox was the 55th President of Mexico and prior to that, he was the CEO of Coca Cola's Latin American operations. Additionally, Mr. Fox is the Founder of Centro Fox, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to serving communities in Mexico and Latin America, and he is recognized as a respected advocate for the legalization of medical cannabis throughout Latin America. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of a leading U.S.-based cannabis publication advocating legalization, as well as on the Board of Directors of Khiron Life Sciences, a leading, vertically integrated Latin American cannabis producer. "We are honored to welcome former President Fox to our Board of Directors and to benefit from his strategic vision and global network," said Zachary L. Venegas, Executive Chairman and CEO of Helix TCS, Inc. "His addition is a significant multiplier in our further expansion into key production markets that we expect to become dominant cannabis export hubs that will require our full suite of services." Helix TCS provides critical infrastructure services to legal cannabis businesses including cannabis tracking technology, dispensary point of sale software, wholesale marketplaces, digital, and physical security services. This combination of services provides comprehensive and compliant management of cannabis supply chains, facilitating a global and transparent marketplace for both businesses and governments. Mr. Fox stated, "A new industry is being borne, with high ethical standards, attracting massive investment in medical and health products, bringing economic growth and jobs to communities and nations. I am proud to be part of it." About Helix TCS, Inc. Helix TCS, Inc. (OTCQB: HLIX) is a leading provider of ancillary services for the legal cannabis industry, helping owners and operators of licensed cannabis businesses stay competitive and compliant while mitigating risk. Through its proprietary technology suite and security services, Helix TCS provides comprehensive supply chain management, compliance tools, and asset protection for any license type in any regulated cannabis market. Helix TCS's products reach over 2,000 customer locations in 33 states and 5 countries and has processed over $18 billion in cannabis sales. For more information and to sign up for investor updates, visit us at www.helixtcs.com . About Centro Fox Centro Fox is a Mexican nonprofit foundation headed by the former President of Mexico, Mr. Vicente Fox Quesada. More than just a presidential library and museum, Centro Fox is an academic institution, a think tank, with a wide range of activities related to leadership. The mission of Centro Fox is to bring together leaders to create a better world through education and economic change. The core belief of the foundation is that small changes lead to big changes. At Centro Fox, we want to support each of the people who want to enhance their knowledge and develop innovative projects, so we have developed various programs that will help each of the attendees. Forward-Looking Statements Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Actual results might differ materially from those explicit or implicit in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include: our ability to fund our operations and pay any outstanding debt; fluctuations in our financial results; general economic risks; the volatile nature of the market for our products and services and other factors that could impact our anticipated growth; our ability to manage our growth; changes in laws and regulations regarding the cannabis industry and service providers in the cannabis industry; reliance on key personnel; our ability to compete effectively; security and other risks associated with our business; intellectual property risks; and other risk factors set forth from time to time in our SEC filings. Helix TCS assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Media Contact: Jeff Gonring Helix TCS, Inc. 303-324-1022 [email protected] IR Contact: Scott Ogur Helix TCS, Inc. [email protected] SOURCE Helix TCS, Inc. Related Links https://helixtcs.com/ STAMFORD, Conn. and HOUSTON and LONDON and GLASGOW, United Kingdom, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- First Reserve, a leading global private equity investment firm exclusively focused on energy, today announced an agreement to purchase Weir Flow Control ("WFC"), a designer, manufacturer and aftermarket services provider of engineered valves and pumps used in energy and broader industrial applications, from The Weir Group PLC ("Weir"). The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2019, subject to certain antitrust approvals and other customary closing conditions. WFC consists of global brands in niche applications supporting safe, reliable and efficient energy and industrial processes worldwide. These brands include the manufacturing of pressure relief, control and engineered isolation valves and centrifugal pumps for applications in the downstream, midstream, utility and industrial sectors as well as related aftermarket parts and services. The company has a significant installed base spanning a diverse global footprint which continues to be driven by the replacement of ageing facilities throughout the energy and industrial sectors. Jeff Quake and Neil Hartley, Managing Directors of First Reserve, commented, "First Reserve has deep historical experience creating value for our investors in the flow control space, and we are pleased to partner with Weir in this carve-out transaction. In our view, Weir Flow Control represents an attractive growth platform in a fragmented sector, with internationally recognized brands driven by recurring high-margin aftermarket parts and services which have proven to be resilient through multiple economic environments. We look forward to supporting David Paradis and his talented management team to promote both organic growth and acquisitive expansion of the platform as we seek to drive value on behalf of our investors." Jon Stanton, Weir CEO, added, "We are pleased to announce the sale of Flow Control to First Reserve. This is a high-quality business with great people, and I'd like to thank the team for their longstanding contribution to the Group and dedication throughout the sale process. The decision to sell Flow Control is part of Weir's recent portfolio transformation which focuses the Group on where we can maximise long-term value, building on our strong global leadership positions in mining and upstream oil and gas markets." David Paradis, CEO of WFC, added, "Weir Flow Control provides high-quality products and services, critical to the safe operations of our clients in the downstream, midstream, utility, and industrial end markets. As an organisation, we enjoy strong long-term relationships with our customers and pride ourselves on innovation that places the customer first. We thank Weir Group for their support over the years and are excited to partner with First Reserve in this next chapter for our company. We look forward to benefiting from First Reserve's experience in the flow control sector as we seek to grow our global business." About First Reserve First Reserve is a leading global private equity investment firm exclusively focused on energy. With 35 years of industry insight, investment expertise and operational excellence, the Firm has cultivated an enduring network of global relationships and raised approximately USD $31 billion of aggregate capital since inception. First Reserve has completed over 650 transactions (including platform investments and add-on acquisitions), creating several notable energy companies throughout the Firm's history. Its portfolio companies have operated on six continents, spanning the energy spectrum from upstream oil and gas to midstream and downstream, including resources, equipment and services, and associated infrastructure. Please visit www.firstreserve.com for further information. About The Weir Group PLC Weir is one of the world's leading engineering businesses working in partnership with customers to solve their toughest operating challenges safely, efficiently and sustainably. Its market-leading solutions are used in high abrasion mining, infrastructure and upstream oil and gas applications, supporting the essential resources needed by a growing world. Weir's ordinary shares trade on the London Stock Exchange (ticker: WEIR LN) and its American Depositary Receipts trade over-the-counter in the USA (ticker: WEGRY). For more information on Weir Flow Control, click here: https://www.global.weir/about-us/our-markets/flow-control/. For First Reserve media inquiries, please contact: Jonathan Keehner / Julie Oakes Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher 212.355.4449 Email: [email protected] For The Weir Group PLC media inquiries, please contact: Investors: Stephen Christie +44 779 511 0456 Media: Raymond Buchanan +44 771 326 1447 Brunswick: Carole Cable / Charles Pretzlik +44 20 7396 5395 SOURCE First Reserve Related Links https://www.firstreserve.com VALLEY COTTAGE, New York, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Over 2 million tons of fat filled milk powder was consumed globally, by 2018 end. As analyzed by Future Market Insights' new intelligence report, the consumption volume will increase by 5.1% in 2019. While demand from dairy industry will remain pervasive, FMI envisages a prominent boost to demand growth from bakery, confectionary, and ice cream segments in the near future. Economic price point compared to whole milk powder and butterfat has been a prominent factor accounting for growing popularity of fat filled milk powder among multiple sectors of the food and beverages industry. Increasing consumer preference for value-added food ingredients is translating into billowing sales of products such as fat filled milk powder. Moreover, favorable trade scenario is extending strong support to progressing sales of fat filled milk powder. Request a Sample Report with Table of Contents and Figures: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-8981 Dairy Products Register Highest Consumption, Ice Cream Most Lucrative While dairy products continue to account for more than 30% of the total volume of fat filled milk powder consumed by 2018, ice cream also registers a significant share of around 1/4th of the total sale of fat filled milk powder. FMI opines that bakery and confectionary are emerging as high-potential segments in the years to come, representing a sizeable collective share in the fat filled milk powder market. The report forecasts a dominant share for fat filled milk powder 28%, followed by fat filled milk powder 26%. Attributed to the highest vegetable fat and protein profile, the former will continue to reign supreme over others in fat filled milk powder market. Variants of instant fat filled milk powder are the relatively low shareholders in fat filled milk powder market. However, instant fat filled milk powder 26% and 28% will gradually gather traction in the years to come - reflecting healthy annual growth rates in 2019 - according to FMI's analysis. Request to Browse Report [email protected] https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/customization-available/rep-gb-8981 Almost 40% sales of fat filled milk powder is clustered at supermarkets and hypermarkets, as depicted by the report. While convenience stores have also been among the key sales channels for fat filled milk powder, FMI foresees promising opportunities residing in the thriving Ecommerce sector. Departmental store sales on the other side are witnessing a healthy upsurge in recent years. FMI anticipates global fat filled milk powder market to benefit from the improving penetration into organized retail sector, rather than within independent retail outlets. Moreover, modern trade formats are more likely to assist revenue growth of the fat filled milk powder market in coming years. Preview Analysis of Fat Filled Milk Powder Market is Segmented (Product Type - Fat Filled Milk Powder 26%, Instant Fat Filled Milk Powder 26%, Fat Filled Milk Powder 28%, & Instant Fat Filled Milk Powder 28%; Distribution Channel - Supermarkets and Hypermarkets, Convenience Stores, Department Stores, Specialty Stores, & Online; End Use - Dairy Products, Bakery Products, Confectionaries, Ice Cream, & Others;) https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/fat-filled-milk-powder-market Europe & North America Capture a Combined Share of over 40% The largest manufacturers and exporter region of fat filled milk powder, Europe will retain the top ranking consumer market position. The region will collectively account for over 44% share in the total market value, with North America. Whereas, the demand for fat filled milk powder will gain more prominence across South Asian region, according to the report. Sustained popularity of dairy products and a growing trend of consuming dairy beverages with vegetable protein and fat content. Fat filled milk powder manufacturers in South Asian market are likely to encounter untapped windows of opportunities in multiple dairy product categories such as cheese, yogurt, and fresh fermented products. Companies are thus also focusing on expansion of their culture manufacturing capacities. The report has tracked strategic profiles of some of the leading players operating in fat filled milk powder landscape. Moreover, the report has anticipated a 5.4% volume CAGR for the market during 2018-2028. For more exclusive insights on the fat filled milk powder market, write to the analyst at [email protected] Our advisory services are aimed at helping you with specific, customized insights that are relevant to your specific challenges. Let us know about your challenges and our trusted advisors will connect with you: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-8981 More from Food and Beverages Market Insights Market Intelligence: About Us Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights and an aerial view of the competitive framework and future market trends. Browse More Food and Beverages 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 T (UK): + 44(0)20-7692-8790 Sales: [email protected] Press Office: [email protected] Blog: Market Research Blog Website: https:www.futuremarketinsights.com SOURCE Future Market Insights RACINE, Wis., Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Modine Manufacturing Company (NYSE: MOD), a diversified global leader in thermal management technology and solutions, announced today that the Company's Board of Directors has expanded the size of the Board from nine to ten members and elected a new director, with both actions taking effect on February 20, 2019. Joining the Modine Board will be Eric Ashleman, age 52, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at IDEX Corporation. In addition to his current position, Mr. Ashleman has held a number of executive roles since joining IDEX in 2008, including Senior Vice President/Group Executive - Health and Science Technology, and Fire, Safety and Diversified Segments and President, Gast Manufacturing and Global Dispensing. Prior to joining IDEX, Mr. Ashleman held executive leadership roles with Schutt Sports, Inc., Danaher Corporation, Honeywell International, and Lincoln Brass Works. Mr. Ashleman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Master of Business Administration degree, both from the University of Michigan. Commenting on the election, Modine's Lead Director, Marsha Williams, said, "We are so pleased to welcome Eric to the Modine Board. He has a track record of distinguished service and proven leadership. The knowledge and experience he brings to our board will prove invaluable as we focus on achieving our Enduring Goals and execute on our Strengthen, Diversify and Grow initiatives." Mr. Ashleman will stand for election at Modine's 2020 annual meeting of shareholders. About Modine Modine, with fiscal 2018 revenues of $2.1 billion, specializes in thermal management systems and components, bringing highly engineered heating and cooling components, original equipment products, and systems to diversified global markets through its three complementary business segments: Vehicular Thermal Solutions (VTS); Commercial & Industrial Solutions (CIS); and Building HVAC Systems (BHVAC). Modine is a global company headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin (USA), with operations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. For more information about Modine, visit www.modine.com. Investors: Kathleen Powers (262) 636-1687 [email protected] Media: Lori Swarthout (262) 636-1651 [email protected] SOURCE Modine Manufacturing Company Related Links http://www.modine.com Posted Monday, February 25, 2019 9:43 am By The Chronicle A 10-year-old boy and a 39-year-old London, England woman died in weekend collision near Packwood, which also hospitalized five children and one adult. The deceased woman was identified by the Washington State Patrol as Jonna R. Rane. The child was identified by the Lewis County Coroners Office Monday as Stephen J. Rane, of Bothell. According to a press release from the Washington state patrol, at 2:01 p.m. Saturday, Jonna Rane was driving a 2017 Ford Escape eastbound on state Route 12, 10 miles east of Packwood. Ranes vehicle reportedly crossed the center line and collided head-on with a westbound 2011 Chevrolet Traverse, driven by a 36-year-old Selah woman and containing five children. Rane and her 10-year-old passenger were pronounced dead on the scene, according to the press release. The driver of the second vehicle was taken to Harborview Medical Center, and the five children, with ages ranging from 4 to 13, were taken to Mary Bridge Childrens Hospital with unspecified injuries. The state patrol reported that all the occupants of the Chevrolet were wearing seatbelts. It was unknown at the time the release was issued whether the two deceased subjects were wearing seatbelts. The exact cause of the collision is pending investigation, and it is unknown of drugs or alcohol were involved, according to the state patrol. PARIS, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- EKINOPS (Euronext Paris - FR0011466069 EKI), a leading supplier of network access solutions and optical transport equipment for service providers and telecom operators, today announces a collaboration with multinational enterprise and IT transformation specialist, Dell EMC OEM solutions (part of Dell Technologies). Combining the Dell EMC Virtual Edge Platform (VEP) with the OneAccess branded Ekinops Open Virtualization Platform (OVP) as a fully integrated solution enables enterprises to dramatically simplify consolidating branch server connectivity with virtual network function (VNF) management. The VEP 4600, is the first selected platform out of the Dell EMC VEP family. The VEP 4600 is a Universal CPE (uCPE) device purpose-built for next generation access deployments. Combined with the Ekinops' VNF management solution "OneManage", service providers can easily design virtual networks with zero-touch provisioning and offer a range of orchestrated VNF services from both Ekinops and third-parties, including vRouters, SD-WANs, vFirewalls, vSBC and WAN optimization, as well as virtualized Linux or Windows servers. "IT transformation, enterprise digitalization and massive IoT deployments require more and more flexibility in terms of connectivity solutions and infrastructure optimization. Ekinops empowers organizations of all sizes to transform their networks with a fully integrated solution including the management, automation and orchestration components. Both service providers and large enterprises can leverage this flexibility in terms of deployment, exploitation and service creation." Dermot O'Connell, vice president, OEM and IOT solutions, Dell Technologies EMEA. "Advances in branch server consolidation, SD-WAN and cross-border deployments are driving interest in uCPE, yet the resultant digital transformation has remained difficult to achieve due to costs and technical complexity," comments Chief Operating Officer in charge of Access Products and Services at Ekinops, Philippe Moulin. "Our technology collaboration with Dell EMC addresses these issues. The combination of Dell's unrivalled global presence and enterprise server expertise and Ekinops market-leading capabilities in virtualization is dramatically simplifying the management of software and hardware at the edge of the virtualized network. Our end-to-end solution takes the technical strain of NFV migration and is empowering service providers to reap the benefits of virtualization faster and at a lower cost than ever before." Ekinops solution is now available for deployment worldwide. For further media information, or to schedule an interview with Ekinops please contact Beckie Richardson, iseepr, +44(0)113-350-1922, [email protected] For more information visit: www.ekinops.net SOURCE Ekinops Related Links http://www.ekinops.net LAS VEGAS, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Ei Design, Inc., a leading consulting engineering design rm that provides Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) engineering services to clients nationally, announced today that it has signed an agreement to acquire the MEP business of Wright Engineers, a leader in structural engineering nationally. This acquisition will enhance the Ei Design best-in-class platform in the commercial MEP engineering industry while allowing Wright Engineers to continue its focus on best-in-class structural engineering. "We are very excited that the talented engineers from the Wright MEP group are joining the Ei Design Inc. team. The deep skill-sets and expanded capacity this group brings will allow us to better serve our clients. The Wright MEP projects are an excellent fit with Ei Design. This acquisition accelerates our growth and provides an expanded value proposition to our clients. Our relationship with Wright Engineers creates an exceptional partnership for joint structural and MEP projects," said Ei Design President, Pako Pimsaguan. Scott Jones, Partner at Wright Engineers stated, "We are pleased to have our MEP group join Ei Designa firm where our employees can thrive and our clients be well served. We are excited to team with Ei Design in our now joint quest to provide incredible Structural and MEP solutions to clients. And, as we have done since 2004, Wright Engineers Irvine will continue to focus on providing excellent structural engineering solutions." About Ei Design Ei Design is a dynamic, client focused, Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) engineering design rm with a reputation for successful client relationships across specialized industries. Our highly experienced staff enables us to provide service through due diligence and constant communication to clients located throughout the nation, such as Discount Tires, BurgerIM, Auto Zone and The UPS Stores. Ei Design is a member of Ei Companies, a group of national construction services firms providing design consulting, engineering and quality control inspections for code compliance, energy program management and construction risk management for builders, developers and architects building residential and commercial projects. About Wright Engineers Wright Engineers is an award-winning structural engineering firm licensed in all 50 states and with offices in California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. In 2018 Wright Engineers was ranked the number one structural engineering firm to work for in the nation. Wright Engineers provides services for all types of commercial, industrial, and residential projectswith recent high profile projects including the Porsche Experience Center in Carson, California, the Lucky Dragon Hotel and Casino, and UNLV Hospitality Management center. Contact: Danielle Armentrout, Director of Marketing, Ei Companies Phone: (702) 960-2206 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Ei Design DUBLIN, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Manufacture of Dairy in East Africa 2018" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. According to the East and Southern Africa Dairy Association (ESADA), 12 billion litres of milk are produced in East Africa annually, accounting for 27.5% of the continent's 2017 output. Factors including security of supply of high-quality milk and rising input costs continue to affect the performance of East African manufacturers of dairy products. East Africa's increased imports of dairy products from Europe are posing a threat to dairy farmers and processors in the region. Many dairy processors also find it difficult to reach consumers, since informal channels typically account for around 80% of the dairy market.; Opportunities for Growth: The the region is home to a number of fast-growing economies such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania, but also to politically unstable countries such as Burundi, Somalia, and South Sudan. The regional economy grew 5.9% in 2017 but economic growth is generally not being accompanied by a decrease in unemployment or poverty. But the dairy sector is a fast-growing sector, which has been responsible for substantial economic returns and employment opportunities, and demand is growing as a result of an expanding urban middle class that enjoys dairy products. Simple improvements in efficiency and cold chain development could lead to significant increases in milk production. Report Coverage: This report covers the manufacture of dairy products in East Africa, including comprehensive country-specific information on dairy production and consumption and major players in the sector. It includes reports on 30 companies involved in processing and distributing milk including the region's largest dairy processor Brookside Dairy, which has a market share of 40% in Kenya and the largest distribution and retail network in Uganda. The report profiles companies such as Inyange Industries, which accounts for 60% of Rwanda's processed milk and Somalia's Dayibat, the only yoghurt producer operating in the Somaliland state. Key Topics Covered: 1. INTRODUCTION 2. REGION INFORMATION 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY 3.1. Geographic Position 3.2. Industry Value Chain 4. SIZE OF THE INDUSTRY 5. STATE OF THE INDUSTRY 5.1. Local 5.1.1. Trade 5.1.2. Corporate Actions 5.1.3. Regulations 5.2. Continental 5.3. International 6. INFLUENCING FACTORS 6.1. State of Dairy Farming 6.2. Economic Environment 6.3. Rising Input Costs 6.4. Government Support 6.5. Technology, Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation 6.6. Labour 6.7. Environmental Concerns 7. COMPETITION 7.1. Barriers to Entry 8. SWOT ANALYSIS 9. OUTLOOK 10. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS 11. REFERENCES 11.1. Publications 11.2. Websites Summary of Major Players Amos Dairies Uganda Ltd ASAS Dairies Ltd Bakhresa Food Products Ltd Bio Food Products Ltd Blessed Dairies Ltd Brookside Dairy Ltd Brookside Dairy Uganda Ltd Countryside Dairy Ltd DAL Group Ltd Dayibaat Eldoville Dairies Ltd G.B.K. Dairy Products (U) Ltd Githunguri Dairy Farmers Co-operative Society Ltd Glacier Products Ltd Holland Dairy Plc Innodis Ltd International Dairy Products (T) Ltd Inyange Industries Ltd Irman Dairy JESA Farm Dairy Ltd Masaka Creamery Ltd MB Plc Nestle Kenya Ltd New Kenya Co-operative Creameries Ltd Palmhouse Dairies Ltd Paramount Dairies Ltd Pearl Dairy Farms Ltd Raka Milk Processors Ltd Sameer Agriculture and Livestock Ltd Som Dairy Tanga Fresh Ltd Vital Tomosi Dairy Ltd For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/sj67qn/east_africa_dairy?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 "We are excited to become the U.S. partner for Gruppo Montenegro and look forward to adding their brands to our growing luxury spirits portfolio," said Britt West, Vice President of Marketing for Gallo Spirits. He added, "Gallo remains strongly committed to competing in the luxury spirits space with brands of the highest quality and authenticity. We look forward to furthering mixologist and consumer awareness and understanding of this growing segment of spirits." Passionate about alchemy, founder Stanislao Cobianchi began his journey in the late 1800s exploring the world and collecting the finest botanicals from his travels. Ranging from sweet and citrusy to bitter and herbaceous, Amaro Montenegro has been made with the same secret blend of 40 botanicals for more than 130 years. Amaro Montenegro has received notable recognition by spirits connoisseurs around the globe, including World's Best Bitter at the 2017 International Wine and Spirits Competition and Best in Show Liqueur at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2018. Select Aperitivo was created in 1920 in the heart of Venice. During the postwar period, when the popularity of the aperitif began to spread, the Spritz soon became a favorite, establishing Select Aperitivo as the star of the Venetian cocktail scene and the essential ingredient for making the Original Venetian Spritz. A precise selection of 30 botanicals undergo a complex process to achieve its distinctive, well-balanced, bittersweet taste. "As a privately-owned Company, we are honored to partner with the Gallo family and appreciate their commitment to compete in the luxury spirits business. With this partnership, we look forward to unleashing the full potential of our portfolio in the U.S.," said Marco Ferrari, CEO of Gruppo Montenegro. Through acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and new brand innovations, Gallo has continued to evolve its spirits portfolio over the last decade. Gruppo Montenegro joins Gallo's U.S. luxury spirits portfolio, which includes The Dalmore Single Malt Scotch portfolio, Diplomatico Rum, Jura Single Malt Scotch, Argonaut Brandy, and Germain-Robin Brandy. Select Aperitivo will retail for $27.99 and Amaro Montenegro will retail for $37.99. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. About Gruppo Montenegro Founded in 1885, Gruppo Montenegro is a leading Italian Spirits and Food manufacturer. The Group's brands are icons of "Made in Italy" with strong brand equity. Gruppo Montenegro's products include: Amaro Montenegro, Select Aperitivo, Vecchia Romagna Brandy, and Rosso Antico Vermouth. The Group's success is a result of a consistent pursuit of excellence, respect for tradition and attention to product quality and sustainability; all values that have defined the Group since its foundation. Thanks to a solid national and international distribution network, the brands are true ambassadors of the Italian way of life. About E. & J. Gallo Winery Founded by brothers Ernest and Julio Gallo in 1933 in Modesto, California, E. & J. Gallo Winery is the world's largest family-owned winery and the acclaimed producer of award-winning wines and spirits featured in more than 110 countries around the globe. A pioneer in the art of grape growing, winemaking, sustainable practices, marketing and worldwide distribution, Gallo crafts and imports wines and spirits to suit a diverse range of tastes and occasions, from everyday offerings to boutique, luxury bottlings. Gallo Spirits currently offers New Amsterdam Vodka and Gin, Familia Camarena Tequila, RumHaven, Lo-Fi Aperitifs, E&J Brandy, Argonaut Brandy, Germain-Robin Brandy, Diplomatico Rum, as well as imported Scotch whiskies from Whyte & Mackay, including The Dalmore, Jura and John Barr. Premium wine offerings include J Vineyards & Winery, Louis M. Martini, MacMurray Estate Vineyards, Orin Swift, Talbott Vineyards, and William Hill Estate, along with highly acclaimed imports, such as Alamos, Brancaia, La Marca, Las Rocas, Martin Codax, Whitehaven, and LUX Wines, importers of Allegrini, Argiano, Jermann, Pieropan, Renato Ratti and Tornatore. PR Contacts : Natalie Henderson E. & J. Gallo Winery (209) 341-6479 [email protected] Ava Rollins Gruppo Montenegro (646) 450-2757 [email protected] SOURCE E. & J. Gallo Winery MEMPHIS, Tenn., Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A new manuscript has been accepted by the Journal of the American College of Surgeons which examines C. diff in adult surgical patients. The paper, "Multidisciplinary Approach and Clostridium difficile Infection in Adult Surgical Patients," discusses the multidisciplinary program that Duke University Medical Center implemented to reduce its C. diff rate. Tru-D SmartUVC eliminated germs using UVC energy. Tru-D is used to disinfect patient rooms, operating rooms and other areas in health care facilities. In 2017, Duke University Medical Center was identified as a "High Outlier" for postoperative C. diff infections in the American College of Surgeons NSQIP semi-annual report with .4 percent cases per year with an increased risk in morbidity and mortality. To address the issue, "The Department of Surgery initiated a CDI Task Force with representation from Surgery, Infectious Disease, Pharmacy and Performance Services to analyze available data, identify opportunities for improvement and implement strategies to reduce CDI," the manuscript states. Strategies to reduce CDI included antimicrobial stewardship optimization, increased use of Tru-D SmartUVC for terminal cleaning of CDI patient rooms, increased hand hygiene and PPE signage as well as monitoring in high-risk CDI areas, improved diagnostic stewardship by an electronic best practice advisory to reduce inappropriate CDI testing, education through surgical grand rounds and routine data feedback via NSQIP and NHSN CDI reports. Using these strategies, observed rate of C. diff decreased from 1.27 percent in 2016 to 0.91 percent in 2017, a 28 percent decrease. "Reducing hospital-acquired infections, especially C. diff, takes a multidisciplinary approach and a commitment to numerous infection prevention protocols," Alice Brewer, MPH, CIC, Director of Clinical Affairs for Tru-D SmartUVC, said. As one of the strategies, "We reviewed the terminal cleaning policies for rooms occupied by patients with known CDI once they were discharged from the hospital," the authors stated. "Additionally, the success at eliminating C. difficile through the established terminal cleans was verified through an auditing process. However, the audit demonstrated that there was variability and ineffective cleaning practices within the hospital system. These deficiencies were largely due to lack of Environmental Services staff and staff trained in Tru-D technology." The conclusion provided a basis for requesting the hiring and training of additional Environmental Services staff and "expanded training for terminal cleans was used for the Tru-D technology system, a system which uses an ultraviolet light cleaning system to denature the spores of C. difficile. This provided more effective terminal cleaning." By training five additional Tru-D operators, the facility went from using Tru-D on 30 percent of C. diff rooms to 100 percent of C. diff rooms. "Appropriately trained Tru-D technicians increased in number following the initiative from two in 2017 to seven in 2019. This increase in technicians allowed for an increase in terminal cleans by Tru-D Ultraviolet therapy from 30 percent in March 2017 to 100 percent in September 2018," the manuscript states. Validated by multiple studies including the only randomized clinical trial on UVC disinfection, Tru-D has been proven to be a chemical-free and environmentally-friendly way of providing thorough room disinfection. UVC is a type of energy that is invisible to the human eye. Its wavelengths are between 200 and 300 nanometers, making them germicidal meaning they are capable of inactivating microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa. "It has been proven that increased utilization of Tru-D and UVC disinfection technology correlates to a reduction in hospital-acquired infections, including C. diff," Brewer said. "By training additional staff in the operation of Tru-D, Duke was able to achieve 100 percent utilization, which helped to contribute to the 28 percent reduction in C. diff infections." For more information on Tru-D's technology and/or to watch a video on the power of one placement and one cycle, visit tru-dpowerofone.com. About Tru-D SmartUVC Only Tru-D delivers one automated, measured dose of UVC light to consistently disinfect an entire room during one cycle. Operating from one placement in the room, Tru-D ensures significant pathogen reduction in direct and shadowed areas. Validated by more 15 independent studies, Tru-D's automated, measured dosing capabilities and real-time usage-tracking features make it one of the most advanced UVC disinfection systems available. To learn more, visit tru-d.com. Media Contact: Christin Yates Public Relations Tru-D SmartUVC 901-774-5771 [email protected] SOURCE Tru-D SmartUVC DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Dover Corporation (NYSE: DOV) today announced that Peter T. Francis and Richard K. Lochridge will not stand for reelection at the company's annual meeting in May 2019, when their current terms expire. Mr. Francis has been a Dover director since 2007. He is the former Chair, President and CEO of J.M. Huber Corporation, a privately held, diversified company focused on engineered materials, natural resources and technology-based services. Mr. Francis currently serves as Managing Member of Mukilteo Investment Management Company, responsible for investments in gas royalty and real estate partnerships, private equity funds, leveraged buyouts and stock portfolios. He is also a Faculty member at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where he teaches courses on business transition planning. Mr. Lochridge has been a Dover director since 1999. He is the retired President of Lochridge & Company, Inc., a management consulting firm. For many years, he worked with Boston Consulting Group where a majority of his experience was with non-U.S. companies or covering international or global markets. Mr. Lochridge also serves as a director of Knowles Corporation, and is a former director of The Lowe's Company, Inc. and PETsMART Inc. Michael F. Johnston, Dover's independent Chairman of the Board, and Richard J. Tobin, Dover's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "It is an honor and distinct pleasure to have served on the Board with both Peter and Dick. Peter's Board and strategic leadership experience as a former CEO, coupled with his international business experience and expertise in investment management, made him a tremendous asset to our Board. Dick brought our Board invaluable perspectives on strategy, organizational processes, global operations, leadership development, and risk-management. On behalf of the entire Board, we thank each of them for their guidance and significant contributions to Dover over their years of dedicated service." About Dover: Dover is a diversified global manufacturer with annual revenue of approximately $7 billion. We deliver innovative equipment and components, specialty systems, consumable supplies, software and digital solutions, and support services through three operating segments: Engineered Systems, Fluids and Refrigeration & Food Equipment. Dover combines global scale with operational agility to lead the markets we serve. Recognized for our entrepreneurial approach for over 60 years, our team of over 24,000 employees takes an ownership mindset, collaborating with customers to redefine what's possible. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Dover trades on the New York Stock Exchange under "DOV." Additional information is available at dovercorporation.com. SOURCE Dover NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of their ongoing efforts to teach companies how to self-promote, digital marketing company, fishbat, shares how creating a personal brand on social media can help real estate agents generate more leads. The days of real estate agents promoting themselves primarily through marketing campaigns of calendars, postcards and bus stop benches featuring their smiling faces are no longer the gold-standard they used to be. If you aren't utilizing social media channels to cultivate a personal brand for your real estate business alongside traditional marketing avenues you may not be getting the results and leads you deserve. Creating a personal brand might be time-consuming, but it is well within reach for even novice social media users. Read on for four tips for real estate agents who want to create a personal brand by utilizing social media to drive lead-generation. Content, Content, Content An update of the old sales saying of "Location, Location, Location," might sound something like this: "Content, Content, Content." Curating quality content is crucial for creating a strong personal brand on social media. For real estate agents aiming to cultivate a personal brand, this means sharing more than just photos of your current listings. A successful social media strategy will combine your best listings with creative, relevant, and engaging content. Be Your Community's Most Trusted Ambassador Creating content that engages helps put a face to your name, and may help awareness and recall rates of your personal brand. Houses aren't just tangible goods- they're homes where children are raised and memories are made. People don't just buy houses; they buy into neighborhoods and communities. Think of yourself as your community's most trusted brand ambassador. Your social media content should showcase the best parts of the community that you represent. Where are the best restaurants to grab a burger or have brunch? How are the local libraries? What is the art scene like? Is your community home to any summer music or food festivals? How about family-friendly offerings? This is the kind of content that your potential clients crave, and it goes beyond a street address or zip code. Pics (and Video) or it Didn't Happen Make your content more dynamic don't just list your community's hot spots. Visit them and share photos from your favorite restaurants, boutiques, galleries and other local businesses across your Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest platforms. Tagging your locations whenever possible is a great way to endear your real estate company with other local business owners. When a photo can't tell a full story, such as during festivals and street fairs in your community, consider going live on Facebook or creating a video to share in your Instagram stories. Invite your followers to join you in person; there's always a possibility that a potential client might show up! Potential Clients Love Live Video Listings Listings, of course, are a real estate agent's bread-and-butter. Home buyers are spending more time than ever researching online before reaching out to real estate agents for more information. Make your listings stand out by showcasing them as video content across your social media feeds. You can easily create video walkthroughs with your smartphone, but you should consider utilizing Facebook's live feature and Instagram stories to create dynamic open house videos. Investing in a drone camera to capture aerial footage of your listing gives your potential clients another angle from which to view their future home. About fishbat fishbat digital marketing firm is a full-service agency that takes a holistic business approach to their clients' digital marketing programs. The fishbat team understands the importance of business principles just as well as the nuances of the latest digital technologies. fishbat offers every digital marketing service available from digital marketing research and planning to brand development to website and asset creation through social media management and search engine optimization programs - all custom calibrated for both B2B and B2C businesses. Press Contact: Scott Darrohn, fishbat Media, 855-347-4228, [email protected] SOURCE fishbat Related Links http://www.fishbat.com CANTON, Ohio, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Homebuilder, took home the Gold Award for "Best Digital Sales Tool/Use of Technology" from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) international competition in Las Vegas on February 19, 2019 for their patented point of sales toolFront Door. The Nationals are the most prestigious awards of their kind, setting the benchmark for innovations in new home design, marketing and sales. "We heard everyday from customers who were shopping for a custom home how frustrated they were because they did not know what was included and the total price," says Paul Schumacher, President/CEO for Schumacher Homes. "We took this feedback and developed a point of sales system called Front Door that we have been using and evolving over the last 25 years." "This innovative system allows us to give our customers a detailed document including a picture, description and total price of their home. Customers walk away with a comprehensive understanding of what their home with cost. All organized, all on paper," says Schumacher. "It completely enhances the customers' experience. There is truly nothing like it in our industry." Front Door provides information to the customer on what to anticipate in their new home including design, customizations and additional features. It presents an in-depth clear presentation of everything that goes into building the home. Schumacher Homes also received Silver Award honors for six additional categories: Industry Choice Best Digital Home Tour- Olivia II 3D Guided Tour Building Community Spirit Award- Autism Awareness Fun Run Event Best Interior Merchandising of a Model Priced under $300,000 - Olivia B - Olivia B Best Interior Merchandising of a Model Priced under $300,000 - Beverly II H - Beverly II H Best Interiors of a Custom Home- Idea House at Congress Lake Best One of a Kind Home (Custom or Spec)- Idea House at Congress Lake About Schumacher Homes Schumacher Homes, based in Canton, Ohio, is America's largest custom homebuilder, with operations in 32 markets in 14 states across the country. The National Housing Quality award winning company and recipient of the National Gold Winning Home of the Year has built over 18,000 homes since its founding by Paul Schumacher in 1992 each one unique to the needs and lifestyle of the owners. Schumacher Homes simply takes the customer's inspiration and gives it a home. Each Schumacher Homes location includes a one-stop design center. Full experience model homes are currently available throughout their markets nationwide. For more information, visit www.schumacherhomes.com or follow Schumacher Homes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schumacher_homes or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SchumacherHomes. Contact: Mary Becker, VP Sales and Marketing (330) 754-4884 SOURCE Schumacher Homes Related Links http://www.schumacherhomes.com "Having worked with Matt in the marketplace for nearly 20 years, we knew he would be a great fit for our Boston office," said Dan Sullivan, managing principal at Cresa. "We're excited to have his voice at the table with our existing and prospective clients and helping to bolster our culture. His relations and reputation in town speak for themselves." Matt has developed a sterling reputation throughout the course of his extensive career, spanning leasing and asset management, construction management, acquisitions, dispositions, redevelopments, repositioning and property management with leading commercial real estate firms and property owners in Boston. "Bringing Matt on board exemplifies the hires we are looking to continue to makeone that adds a diversity of perspectives and experiences to our team, which ultimately strengthens the advice we provide our clients," Dan added. "We couldn't be happier." Prior to joining Cresa, Matt spent over eight years with Equity Office as a vice president of leasing where he was responsible for 13 million SF in Boston and Cambridge. Before this, he was a director at Cushman & Wakefield and a vice president at the Lincoln Property Company. Matt received a Bachelor of Arts from Stonehill College in public administration. About Cresa Cresa is the world's largest commercial real estate advisory firm that exclusively represents occupiers and specializes in the delivery of fully integrated real estate solutions. Offered across every industry, services include: Consulting, Facilities Management, Global Portfolio Solutions, Investment Banking, Lease Administration, Location Strategy and Economic Development Incentives, Project Management, Transaction Management, and Workplace Strategy. With over 1,000 employees in more than 80 offices globally, Cresa partners with space occupiers everywhere. For more information, visit: www.cresa.com/boston. SOURCE Cresa The results include a 102% increase in Mineral Reserves, a 27% increase in average annual copper equivalent production to 116 million pounds (over the first ten years), a 12-year extension in mine life to 26 years and a decrease in C1 cash costs to US$1.87 per pound produced, when compared to the previous CMM production plan included in the Company's 2018 NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Copper Mountain Mine, filed in November 2018. The Integrated Production Plan outlines a phased approach to the investments in the mill expansion and New Ingerbelle development. The first phase would be the plant expansion, which requires the installation of a third ball mill. The plant expansion could be completed as early as the first quarter of 2020 and is forecasted to cost approximately US$25 million. The second phase would be for the development of New Ingerbelle, which requires capital of about US$23 million. The after-tax NPV (8%) of the Integrated Production Plan for the Copper Mountain Mine, including both growth projects, is approximately US$619 million. All metrics are on a 100% basis. All Dollars are in U.S. Dollars. "The new Integrated Production Plan completely transforms the Copper Mountain operations," states Gil Clausen, Copper Mountain's President and CEO. "For minimal capital and minimal risk, we have the potential to realize significant value as we expect to increase our annual production, double total life of mine production, extend the mine life and decrease unit costs. These growth projects build upon an already solid operating base allowing us the potential to increase and advance near term cash flow. Over the next ten years the project has no negative cash flow years, and the Company is actively reviewing the replacement of the existing debt packages that would allow for significant cash to be available from cash flows that would enhance overall liquidity for the Company." Copper Mountain has filed a NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Copper Mountain Mine ("Technical Report") containing the new Integrated Production Plan and Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimate on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Highlights Highlights from the Integrated Production Plan, which includes an expansion of the existing mill to 45,000 tpd and the integration of New Ingerbelle, are provided below. 2019 Integrated Production Plan After-tax NPV (8%)(1) US$619M Total Initial CAPEX (1) US$48M Total Copper Equivalent (CuEq) Production (1) 2,344 Mlbs Total Copper Production 1,895 Mlbs Total Gold Production 982 koz Annual CuEq Production (1,2,3) 116 Mlbs Annual Copper Production(2) 93 Mlbs Annual Gold Production(2) 49 koz Average Copper Recovery 85.5% Mine Life 26 years Average C1 Cash Costs, net of by-product credits (1) US$1.87/lb (1) Assumes consensus pricing ranging from US$2.94/lb Cu to $3.20/lb Cu with a long-term copper price of $3.18/lb and, US$1,314/oz Au and US$17.75/oz Ag and a USD to CAD exchange rate of 1.32:1 (2) First ten years of production, commencing in 2020 (3) See Appendix 1 for graph of production by year Mining and Processing The Integrated Production Plan assumes a plant expansion to 45,000 tpd from 40,000 tpd and the integration of the New Ingerbelle pit. The Plan is based on Mineral Reserves only and does not include any other Mineral Resource categories. The Company believes that potential exists to increase production further by converting Resources to Reserves as well as increasing resources through exploration. The Plan stipulates New Ingerbelle ore would be trucked to the Copper Mountain Mine, using CMM's existing mine equipment fleet, CMM's expanded 45,000 tpd mill and tailings facility. The Integrated Production Plan assumes the start-up of the third ball mill in the second quarter of 2020. The current CMM concentrator uses a simple processing flowsheet composed of primary and secondary crushing, and grinding, followed by sulphide rougher/cleaner flotation circuits. The Technical Report plans for the installation of a 22 ft x 38 ft, 12.6 MW ball mill to be integrated into the existing grinding circuit, which would allow for an increase in throughput to 45,000 tpd with a finer grind of about 150 m. It is envisioned that the mill would operate as a tertiary grinding circuit, installed after the existing two ball mills that operate in parallel and would provide for a larger energy input into the ball milling circuits (See Appendix 2 for Proposed Flowsheet). Decreasing the final grind from 225 m to 150 m would allow for higher flotation recoveries, maximizing the value of mined ore tonnes. The Company currently owns the new ball mill and has it stored for a project construction start-up decision. Further metallurgical testing on the New Ingerbelle pit ore has been completed and has yielded positive results. Samples collected within the final New Ingerbelle pit limits indicate the ore will have improved flotation performance, similar to that of historical New Ingerbelle mill recoveries of 87% to 89%. The testwork indicates copper recovery at New Ingerbelle to be better than the recovery experienced to date at CMM, with higher gold content and recovery. The average life of mine copper recovery is expected to be 85.5%, approximately 5% higher than current levels at CMM. Total ore mined is expected to be 363 million tonnes and total waste mined is expected to be 663 million tonnes, with an improved strip ratio of 1.82, when compared to the 2018 CMM Mine Plan, of 2.88. Using improved recoveries of 85.5% for copper, 69% for gold and 69% for silver, total production is expected to be 1,895 million pounds of copper, 982,000 ounces of gold and 7.3 million ounces of silver. A summary of mining, processing and production metrics is provided below. A more detailed life of mine production schedule is available in the 2019 Technical Report filed on SEDAR. Total ore mined (kt) 363,399 Total waste (kt) 662,931 Strip ratio 1.82 Total dry tonnes processed (kt) (includes low-grade stockpile) 419,976 Tonnes processed (ktpd) (1) 45 Total CuEq production (Mlbs) 2,344 Total copper production (Mlbs) 1,895 Total gold production (koz) 982 Total silver production (koz) 7,314 Average annual CuEq production (1) (Mlbs) 116 Average annual copper production (1) (Mlbs) 93 Average annual gold production (1) (koz) 49 Average annual silver production (1) (koz) 370 Average copper recovery 85.5% Average gold recovery 69% Average silver recovery 69% Average copper feed grade (1) 0.30% Average gold feed grade (1) 0.13 g/t Average silver feed grade (1) 1.00 g/t Mine life 26 years (1) First ten years of production, starting in 2020 Capital and Operating Costs The initial capital cost required to increase throughput to 45,000 tpd is estimated to be approximately US$25.2 million. This includes the installation of the third ball mill and other required equipment costs but does not include the actual cost of the ball mill as the Company has already purchased the mill. The capital required for the start-up of the New Ingerbelle pit is estimated to be approximately US$22.7 million, the majority of which is for the completion of a short bridge from New Ingerbelle to the Copper Mountain Mine side. The Company expects development of New Ingerbelle to take approximately 24 months. See Appendix 3 for a depiction of the proposed site layout. The Technical Report assumed that pre-stripping for New Ingerbelle would be completed by contract mining and was not included in the initial capital as New Ingerbelle is now integrated into the Copper Mountain Mine production schedule. As required under IFRS, in periods when the stripping ratio exceeds the average life of mine stripping ratio, the excess costs over the mine stripping ratio expected costs would be treated as capital expenditures and amortized. All waste in the life of mine production plan above the average strip ratio in any year is treated as such, including New Ingerbelle development. Total life of mine sustaining capital for CMM is estimated to be US$214 million. The majority of sustaining capital is related to the replacement of mobile mining equipment. Average C1 cash costs, net of by product credits, are approximately US$1.74 per pound of copper, for the first ten years starting in 2020, and US$1.87 per pound of copper over the life of mine. Total operating unit costs are estimated to be US$9.92 per tonne milled, which includes mining costs of US$2.10 per tonne mined and processing costs of US$4.44 per tonne milled. A unit cost breakdown is provided below. Operating Unit Costs Mining (US$ per tonne mined) US$2.10 Processing (US$ per tonne milled) US$4.44 G&A (US$ per tonne milled) US$0.36 Total Mine Site Operating Cost (US$ per tonne milled) US$9.92 All capital and operating costs assume a long-term Canadian Dollar exchange rate to U.S. Dollar exchange rate of 1.32 to 1. Project Economics The after-tax NPV for the mill expansion and integration of New Ingerbelle, assuming an 8% discount rate, is US$619 million. The economics are based on a Canadian Dollar to U.S. Dollar exchange rate of 1.32 to 1 and consensus metal pricing that varies over the initial four years and has long-term metal prices of US$3.18 per pound copper, US$1,314 per ounce of gold and US$17.75 per ounce of silver. A sensitivity analysis on varying long-term copper prices was completed on the after-tax NPV (8%) and the results are summarized below. Long Term Copper Price (US$ per lb) After-tax NPV (8%) -10% US$435 million $3.18 (long term consensus) US$619 million +10% US$799 million Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources The Copper Mountain Operation Mineral Reserve more than doubled when compared to the September 1, 2018 Mineral Reserve. The Mineral Reserve is included in the Mineral Resource and the effective date of the Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource is January 1, 2019. A summary of the Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource is provided below. Copper Mountain Operation Mineral Reserves Tonnes ('000s) Copper (%) Gold (g/t) Silver (g/t) Copper (M lbs) Gold (k oz) Silver (k oz) Proven CMM Pit 81,768 0.32 0.09 1.55 571 233 4,067 New Ingerbelle Pit 60,455 0.26 0.16 0.52 346 315 1,016 Sub-total (Pit) 142,223 0.29 0.12 1.11 916 548 5,083 Stockpile 56,124 0.16 0.04 0.45 196 72 814 Total Proven 198,346 0.25 0.10 0.92 1,112 620 5,897 Probable CMM Pit 93,301 0.23 0.07 0.98 473 225 2,938 New Ingerbelle Pit 132,355 0.23 0.14 0.46 669 614 1,952 Sub-total (Pit) 225,656 0.23 0.12 0.67 1,142 838 4,890 Stockpile - - - - - - - Total Probable 225,656 0.23 0.12 0.67 1,142 838 4,890 Proven & Probable CMM Pit 175,069 0.27 0.08 1.24 1,043 457 7,005 New Ingerbelle Pit 192,810 0.24 0.15 0.48 1,015 929 2,968 Sub-total (Pit) 367,879 0.25 0.12 0.84 2,058 1,386 9,973 Stockpile 56,124 0.16 0.04 0.45 196 72 814 Proven & Probable 424,002 0.24 0.11 0.79 2,254 1,458 10,787 Mineral Reserve Notes: 1. JORC and CIM Definition Standards were followed for Mineral Reserves 2. Mineral Reserves were generated using the January 1, 2019 mining surface 3. Mineral Reserves are reported at a 0.10% Cu cut-off grade 4. Mineral Reserves are reported using long-term copper, gold, and silver prices of $2.75/lb, $1,250/oz, and $16.50/oz, respectively 5. To define Mineral Reserves, an average copper process recovery of 80%, gold process recovery of 68%, and silver process recovery of 71% is based on geo-metallurgical domains 6. Average bulk density is 2.78 t/m3 7. Stockpile grades are approximations based on grade control results 8. Stockpile tonnes and grade based on production grade process Copper Mountain Operation Mineral Resources (based on a 0.10% Cu cut-off grade) Tonnes ('000s) Copper (%) Gold (g/t) Silver (g/t) Copper (M lbs) Gold (M oz) Silver (M oz) Measured CMM 100,616 0.29 0.09 1.30 632 0.282 4.21 New Ingerbelle 60,465 0.26 0.16 0.51 341 0.313 0.99 Total Measured 161,081 0.27 0.12 1.01 973 0.595 5.21 Indicated CMM 228,088 0.21 0.08 0.77 1,057 0.568 5.65 New Ingerbelle 159,551 0.23 0.14 0.45 809 0.739 2.33 Total Indicated 387,639 0.22 0.11 0.64 1,866 1.31 7.98 Total M&I CMM 328,704 0.23 0.08 0.93 1,690 0.85 9.86 New Ingerbelle 220,016 0.24 0.15 0.47 1,149 1.05 3.33 Total M&I 548,720 0.24 0.11 0.75 2,839 1.90 9.86 Inferred CMM 131,254 0.19 0.08 0.57 560 0.322 2.39 New Ingerbelle 106,000 0.22 0.13 0.41 512 0.453 1.40 Total Inferred 237,254 0.21 0.10 0.50 1,071 0.776 3.79 Mineral Resource Notes: 1 Mineral Resources were estimated using the January 1, 2019 mining surface for Copper Mountain Mine 2 Mineral Resources are constrained by a $3.50/lb Cu pit shell 3 Cut-off grade is based on copper grade only 4 Mineral Resources are inclusive of Mineral Reserves but do not include stockpiled material 5 Mineral Resources are reported at a 0.10% cut-off 6 Totals may not add due to rounding Competent Persons Statement The information in this report that relates to Exploration Targets, Exploration Results, Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves is based on information compiled by Peter Holbek, B.SC (Hons), M.Sc., P. Geo. Mr. Holbek is a full time employee of the Company and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'. Mr. Holbek does consent to the inclusion in this news release of the matters based on their information in the form and context in which it appears. Qualified Persons The Mineral Resource estimate for the Copper Mountain mine was prepared by Mr. Peter Holbek, B.Sc (Hons), M.Sc., P. Geo, who is the Vice President, Exploration of Copper Mountain Mining Corporation. Mr. Holbek serves as the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Holbek consents to the inclusion of the mineral resource in this news release and has approved the mineral resource information included in this news release. Mr. Stuart Collins, P.E., serves as the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is the Qualified Person for information regarding the Copper Mountain Mine's Technical Information and Mineral Reserve. Mr. Collins is independent of the Company and has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release. About Copper Mountain Mining Corporation: Copper Mountain's flagship asset is the 75% owned Copper Mountain mine located in southern British Columbia near the town of Princeton. The Copper Mountain mine currently produces approximately 90 million pounds of copper equivalent, with production increasing to over 100 million pounds of copper equivalent a year in 2020. Copper Mountain also has the permitted, development-stage Eva Copper Project in Queensland, Australia and an extensive 4,000 km2 highly prospective land package in the Mount Isa area. Copper Mountain trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "CMMC" and Australian Stock Exchange under the symbol "C6C". Additional information is available on the Company's web page at www.CuMtn.com. On behalf of the Board of COPPER MOUNTAIN MINING CORPORATION "Gil Clausen" Gil Clausen, P.Eng. Chief Executive Officer Forward-looking Statements Note: This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results. This press release includes expected results from the Integrated Production Plan for the Copper Mountain Mine but is still subject to a construction decision by the Company's Board of Directors and the Company's partner, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation (MMC). Readers are referred to the documents, filed by the Company on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, specifically the most recent reports which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to review or confirm analysts' expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statement. SOURCE Copper Mountain Mining Corporation Related Links www.CuMtn.com LONDON, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Bitcoin SV now back with Bitcoin's original protocol; to be the world's peer-to-peer electronic cash is enjoying continued acceptance on the world stage. CoinGate, a Lithuanian-based fintech company, serving over 4,500 business clients and 80,000 registered users, can now natively trade and accept BSV. CoinGate brings digital assets closer to mass adoption by offering multiple methods to set up cryptocurrency payments for any online and offline store with ease. Equally, with CoinGate, merchants have an option to keep the revenue in coins or instantly settle them to Euros, eliminating any risks associated with the price volatility of cryptocurrencies. "As a bridge between cryptocurrency users and merchants, we are in a unique position to remove adoption barriers for both sides. That said, we are pleased to make Bitcoin SV available for any consumer to spend, without introducing technical hurdles or adding overhead costs for merchants." - Vilius Semenas, Chief Commercial Officer. Additionally, CoinGate provides a platform for buying and selling digital assets without the need for depositing funds first. Customers are able to choose from a variety of purchasing methods like Neteller, Skrill, credit/debit cards, SEPA bank transfer, QQPay and mobile balance, making the process smooth and easy. Founding President of The Bitcoin Association, Jimmy Nguyen, commented: "It is great to see a business with so many active clients in the crypto space recognizing BSV and we are thrilled that CoinGate is joining the party." To get started in the world of BSV, head directly to Coingate and set up an account. Contact: Ed Pownall +44-7825-064776 [email protected] SOURCE Bitcoin SV BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobile World Congress The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), which sustains open source technologies like Kubernetes and Prometheus, today announced, in partnership with LF Networking (LFN), the open source Cloud native Network Function (CNF) Testbed . At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, CNCF is demoing the same networking code running as Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) on OpenStack and as CNFs on Kubernetes to showcase the performance improvements from avoiding virtualization overhead. "CNFs are emerging as the network architecture of the future, for many of the same reasons that containers and Kubernetes are becoming the standard platform for enterprise computing," said Dan Kohn, Executive Director of Cloud Native Computing Foundation. "We're excited to continue collaborating with LF Networking to provide telcos and their vendors a way to make replicable comparisons between VNFs and CNFs." The CNF Testbed enables organizations to reliably test network functions from ONAP or their own networking code as VNFs and CNFs and compare the performance and resiliency between running on Kubernetes and OpenStack, on the same underlying hardware. As telecom architecture evolves from VNFs into CNFs, the benefits include cost savings from improved bin packing, higher development velocity, and resiliency to failures of individual CNFs, machines, and even data centers. ONAP, as part of LF Networking, provides a comprehensive platform for real-time, policy-driven orchestration and automation of physical and virtual network functions. It was announced last year that ONAP is now a part of the cncf.ci project, which CNCF runs to integrate, test and deploy CNCF and LF projects on K8s running on bare metal. The CNF Testbed uses several open source VNFs from ONAP's virtual customer premises equipment (vCPE) use case, while also repackaging the code as containers to be CNFs. "It's great to see the collaborative work of ONAP and Kubernetes, two of the fastest-growing Linux Foundation projects, as networking and cloud platforms enabling next-generation architectures," said Arpit Joshipura, General Manager, Networking, Edge, and IoT, The Linux Foundation. "We're excited to assist the CNF Testbed in demonstrating a path for the industry to move from VNFs to CNFs." The CNF Testbed leverages the Community Infrastructure Lab which makes use of credits generously provided by bare-metal hosting company Packet . The Testbed continues the focus on continuous integration (CI) and replicability which have been hallmarks of the development of Kubernetes. The Kubernetes project runs over 10,000 CI jobs each weekday, which is made possible via the $9 million in Google Cloud Platform credits donated from Google to CNCF last year. Rather than needing to trust the initial results of the CNF Testbed, anyone can replicate the results for themselves with just a copy of the open source CNF Testbed repository and an API key for accessing Packet. Organizations interested in learning more about CNFs can do so at the twice-a-month Birds of a Feather (BoF) meeting. Details are in the CNF Testbed repo . Additional CNCF Resources About Cloud Native Computing Foundation Cloud native computing uses an open source software stack to deploy applications as microservices, packaging each part into its own container, and dynamically orchestrating those containers to optimize resource utilization. The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) hosts critical components of cloud native software stacks, including Kubernetes and Prometheus. CNCF serves as the neutral home for collaboration and brings together the industry's top developers, end users and vendors including the world's largest public cloud and enterprise software companies as well as dozens of innovative startups. CNCF is part of The Linux Foundation, a nonprofit organization. For more information about CNCF, please visit www.cncf.io . The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see our trademark usage page: https://www.linuxfoundation.org/trademark-usage Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Media Contact Natasha Woods The Linux Foundation [email protected] SOURCE Cloud Native Computing Foundation Related Links http://www.cncf.io FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- CL Yachts, the new name in luxury yachting experiences, is pleased to announce that the company sold its first yacht, a CLB72, at the Miami Yacht Show 2019, Feb. 1418. The Miami Yacht Show marks the official Miami launch of the CL Yachts brand. CL Yachts' parent company is Cheoy Lee Shipyards Limited, known for over 130 years of quality and innovation. CL Yachts Vice President Panu Virtanen sold the CLB72 to a family that will be boating in Florida and the Northeast. CL Yachts CLB 72 CL Yachts CLB 72 "We are excited to announce the first sale from our new brand during the official launch here at the Miami Yacht Show," said Hans Lo, project manager at CL Yachts. "At CL Yachts, we push innovation to new levels, to create an entirely new yachting design and experience. We look forward to selling many more of our yachts to discerning luxury buyers." The new owner celebrated the purchase with a Champagne toast along with friends, family and representatives from CL Yachts. The CLB 72 is part of the new performance and luxury brand from the Cheoy Lee Shipyards. The vessel is designed for those with a heart for adventure. Built upon the combined expertise of naval architect Howard Apollonio, and leading marine structural engineers Gurit, the CLB72 pushes the boundaries of marine engineering, achieving an exceptionally lightweight and aesthetically pleasing design without compromising the integrity of its structure. Its resin-infused composite hull and strategic use of carbon fiber ensures outstanding efficiency, performance, and durability. Meanwhile, the yacht's streamlined silhouette is complemented by modern interiors that celebrate comfort in effortless style. From its multiple lounging areas at the fore deck, fly lounge, aft lounge, and beach platform to its large staterooms below deck, the luxury of space is a common theme that runs throughout the CLB72. Expansive windows, contemporary detailing, and sumptuous amenities further elevate the cruising experience, making days at sea all the more enjoyable for everyone on board. Targeting an entirely new generation of discerning yacht owners, CL Yachts offers an unparalleled experience for the modern explorer through timeless vessels that power the desire for adventure. Blending engineering prowess, purity in design and time-honored craftsmanship, the brand champions innovation, authentic, honest experiences and a contemporary approach to yachting. The brand was conceived by Cheoy Lee Shipyards Limited. Also on display at the Miami Yacht Show is CL Yacht's CLA76 a sleek successor to Cheoy Lee's popular Alpha Express Series. Visit CL Yachts at the Miami Yacht Show 2019: At the Miami Yacht Show 2019, guests are invited to learn more about CL Yachts at the company booth, located at IWS Ramp B, Slip 99100. Meet CL Yachts' representatives and designers, and take a tour of the CLA76 and CLB72 to personally experience the innovative engineering, modern design, and time-honored craftsmanship of CL Yachts. Guests can schedule a personal VIP tour by logging onto the website at www.clyachts.com and clicking on VIP TOUR. EDITOR'S NOTE: High res images can be downloaded at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/taud5b1lval5c3x/AABLh3F4kVTISmvVtN0F1B1Ca?dl=0 About CL Yachts CL Yachts was conceived to offer unparalleled experiences to the modern explorer through timeless yachts that power the desire for adventure. Blending engineering prowess, purity in design and time-honored craftsmanship, the performance luxury brand champions innovation, authentic experiences and a contemporary approach to yachting. CL Yachts' parent company is Cheoy Lee Shipyards Limited, known for over 130 years of quality and innovation. CL Yachts' North America headquarters is located at 2955 W State Road 84, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33312. For more information, visit clyachts.com, call 954-527-0999, or email [email protected]. Media Contact: Abbie Lipton, Duree & Company, Inc. 954.723.9350 / [email protected] SOURCE CL Yachts Related Links https://www.clyachts.com DALLAS and BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Cien Inc., a leading provider of AI-powered sales productivity solutions, today announced its participation in the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Open Innovation Challenge and the unveiling of its new AI-powered "Cien Mentor" feature. MWC is the largest mobile technology event in the world, bringing together more than 100,000 attendees, 2,400 companies and hundreds of industry leaders in Barcelona, Spain. The Cien Mentor applies AI to a company's CRM data and recommends quantifiable improvements to any given sales process Hosted by 4YFN and organized by ACCIO, the Spanish regional government agency for enterprise competitiveness, the Open Innovation Challenge selects 10 proven and disruptive startups to showcase at MWC. In addition, Cien announced the launch of its new "Cien Mentor" capability to customers, partners and industry analysts. The new capability applies AI to a company's CRM data and recommends quantifiable improvements to any given sales process. "Cien Mentor is a new approach to guided selling using Artificial Intelligence," explains Rob Kall, Cien Co-founder and CEO. "Our models can develop a deep understanding of our customers' selling environment, identify winning behaviors and quantify the revenue impact of any given action. Cien makes it easy for any sales rep or manager to improve their productivity." The event will take place on 25-28 February 2019 at the Fira Montjuic, Av. Reina Maria Cristina, Barcelona, Spain. About Cien Cien gives sales teams the power of artificial intelligence to increase the productivity and effectiveness of their sales teams. Available on the Salesforce AppExchange, Cien identifies your sales team's strengths and weaknesses and recommends the shortest path to success. For more information, visit www.cien.ai. Media contact: Damien Acheson [email protected] +1 (305) 203-1288 SOURCE Cien, Inc. Related Links https://www.cien.ai Said Louis Hernandez Jr. , managing director and CEO of Black Dragon Capital, "We are pleased to welcome Moris Chemtov as the new global CEO at Digital Goodie to guide this exciting technology company through the next growth and development phase. Moris is a proven executive who has achieved high growth for digital retail companies and understands the needs of customers." Chemtov, who will work out of the company's Helsinki office, will report to the Digital Goodie board of directors and partner with Jani Jaaskelainen, deputy managing director. "Moris Chemtov brings a wealth of experience and insights at a critical time in the growth of Digital Goodie, and we are pleased to have him on board," said Irwin Kramer, chairman of the Digital Goodie board of directors and a pioneer in e-commerce for retail manufacturing and distribution companies. Previously, Chemtov was president of Jesta I.S., formerly Richter Systems, a leading software vendor for the retail industry. He has more than 30 years of business experience in retailing, manufacturing and distribution systems and has served in a leadership capacity at Deloitte Consulting as a director. In addition, he was founder and president of TIE Consulting, which specialized in retail management consulting. Previously, he held senior management positions with several esteemed firms, including Retek Inc., now Oracle, and Richter Systems. Black Dragon Capital is a minority controlled private equity firm based in Miami with a focus on growth investments, particularly in digital commerce, financial services and media technology. Black Dragon's team of industry professionals have significant operational experience, strong financial backgrounds, proven track records of success and investment experience, ranging from startups to billion-dollar organizations in both public and private vehicles. The company leverages its network expertise and deep domain knowledge to assist in accelerating growth and profits in selected markets all while working closely with entrepreneurs. Learn more at blackdragoncap.com. Digital Goodie is a digital commerce company providing a modern and fully customizable connected commerce platform. The company's strategic partners and clients include e.g. Finland's largest retailer S Group with more than 1 million consumers using Digital Goodie's shopping solution. Digital Goodie is backed by the US based eCommerce growth fund Black Dragon Capital. The Digital Goodie platform runs on top of a new generation microservices architecture consisting of modular commerce and fulfillment solutions. Retailers can either utilize Digital Goodie's Commerce and Fulfillment solutions off the shelf, or build their own services and combine third- party components to create their own versions. Digital Goodie was founded in 2009, and has headquarters in Helsinki, Finland. http://www.digitalgoodie.com Media Contact: Melissa Lichtenheld, 305-372-1234 Wragg & Casas Strategic Communications [email protected] SOURCE Black Dragon Capital Related Links https://blackdragoncap.com Founded in 1984, Baiyulan has focused on exporting to the North American market for more than 20 years. Its distribution network has successfully spread all over the United States. As the vice-chairman member of the new National Federation of Industry and Commerce Kitchen Cabinet Committee, Mr. Shen Zhongmin, Chairman of Baiyulan, shared his joy and testimony with the delegation. He said: "It is an honor to be elected as the vice-chairman member of the CFIC kitchen cabinet committee. It's a recognition of Baiyulan's 35-year development. We will keep on sharing our experience in product design, technology innovation, go-green action, marketing, and talent cultivation, thereby promoting the development and upgrading of the industry." Baiyulan is in its 36th year this year. Mr. Shen Zhongmin said, "We are a representative of Chinese enterprises going abroad. We have been constantly spurred on by the opening policy through the past years. Without the reform and opening up, without the good policies, we could not reach the achievements we have made today. We are also proud that we represents the quality of "Made in China". High-quality products, green and healthy values, technology and style make Baiyulan stand out in the overseas market and win the recognition of the world." As a veteran of the furniture industry with extensive experience in overseas trade shows and business, Mr. Shen Zhongmin said, "Baiyulan's marketing experience in the United States will be valuable for the local brands looking for overseas development. We will be happy to help them to enter this new market. Also, today, China's domestic cabinet industry is booming, while the new generation of consumer has a more international vision and aesthetics. Bai Yulan is willing to share and exchange with the domestic enterprises in the market landscape, advanced concepts, design trends and supply chain from the United States, and make progress together with everyone." Baiyulan will Gear Up Dual-Engine Strategy for Steady Development in China & US market "2018 is a tough year for all enterprises, facing multiple challenges from external trade friction to internal market narrowing and fierce competition. It is critical to enhance our internal strength at this point of time," Mr. Shen Zhongmin said. "As for Baiyulan, this year we end up with a 15% overall growth against the trend. The achievement is inseparable from the confidence and support of dealers and partners, as well as the multiple actions we took so long to maintain our competitiveness such as lean management, quality focus, and business integrity." Since 2009, Baiyulan has established a joint laboratory with Sherwin-Williams - the world's leading paints and coatings supplier. After three years of research and development, they adjusted the water paint formula and re-designed the whole production process in order to replace oil paint lacquer with water paint. It was a technological revolution, as finally they achieved the best balance of multiple paradoxical issues - good physical and chemical performance of the paint coating, cost, strong color-maintenance capacity and a relatively good varnished look. It's a milestone of the China furniture industry entering its eco-friendly "water-paint era". Baiyulan pioneered and promoted the water-paint lacquer innovation in the furniture industry in China. The cabinets produced by Baiyulan have reduced carbon footprint by 200KG per 10 square meters and obtained the world's first ECV certification. They have made practical actions for China's carbon reduction targets. The overall cabinet formaldehyde release is less than 0.0014PPM and is UL Golden Green-guard certified. This certification represents healthier and more environmentally friendly products, which are not affected by the elderly, children, pregnant women and the susceptible population. This technological innovation was initiated by Baiyulan, and developed through an in-depth cooperation in research, technology and manufacturing with the strong industry leader Sherwin-Williams from the United States. "We would like to thank Sherwin-Williams for their help in making the achievements to us and to the whole industry," Mr. Shen Zhongmin said. "The result made us outstanding and enabled us to meet the expectations of our customers and the market. " "China and the US are the two biggest economies in the world, with high potential of sustained economic development. For the kitchen cabinet industry, there is still a huge market potential to be tapped," Mr. Shen Zhongmin said. "In 2019, Baiyulan will keep gearing up the dual-engine strategy for both China and US market development. We are happy to see the positive progress made by China and the United States in bilateral trade negotiations, which has given a reassurance to Chinese companies like Baiyulan. The United States is the major importer of Baiyulan's cabinet products, and an important exporter of raw materials for us. Baiyulan will further open up the domestic market in 2019, and will have greater demand for imported raw materials from the United States. The sound development of Sino-US bilateral relations is very important for enterprises like us." The young team inspires the vibrancy of the brand "Magnolia", which is ready to debut at the next Kitchen & Bath Show in Shanghai in May. "Consumption upgrade" and "Aesthetic diversity" create a new market phenomenon, and require new thinking and the new generation to participate in development. Mr. Shen Zhongmin said, "We see a lot of outstanding young people have joined the cabinet and furniture industry. Their cultural connotation, international vision and aesthetic level have brought these companies a better image and a new vitality. We should bravely embrace change, and welcome these young people to join the company's second venture. I believe that our industry will be better in the future." The young brand director of Magnolia (a sub-brand of Baiyulan focusing on the domestic market), Shen Zhewei said that in inheriting the high quality, green and solid wood craftsmanship of the mother brand, it will focus on creating a more youthful, affordable premium for the middle-class customers. Baiyulan launched the world's first water-based lacquer high-gloss product in the United States. After the introduction to the China market, they localized the design, adding in more storage and use functions in a more compact unit; the central island was re-shaped as a more flexible side-bar. This year they will continue to explore more innovative-colored kitchen space in conjunction with world-leading research institutions such as Sherwin-Williams Global Color Lab and WGSN. They will debut their new product line at the upcoming International Kitchen and Bath Show in Shanghai this May. About Baiyulan: Founded in 1984 in Shanghai, China, Baiyulan has focused on manufacturing and exporting wood cabinets to North America and has developed as a comprehensive brand manufacturer with businesses in both China and the US market. In 2018, Baiyulan launched its sub-brand Magnolia to provide "healthy, high quality and styled wood cabinets - a unique kitchen space" to serve its domestic customers. SOURCE Baiyulan SACRAMENTO, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- California State Assembly Member Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), accompanied by cosponsors Social Compassion in Legislation, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, today announced the introduction of AB 1586, the Replacing Animals in Science Education (RAISE) Act. Under the proposed legislation, all California schools would replace animal dissection activities with contemporary and humane teaching methods in line with industry standards and best practices. Dissecting animals is costly, exposes students and educators to carcinogenic chemicals, hurts animals and the environment. Advances in medical-simulation technology, educators' need for better teaching and assessment tools, and growing concern about animal use in laboratory experiments have all contributed to a paradigm shift in biomedical education. Today, simulation-based learning is more widely available. The popular understanding of dissection in schools is the dissection of frogs and worms. However, a recent survey of schools that require dissection as a part of their science curricula include fetal pigs, cats, sharks, sheep and other animals. The use of these animals can number in the hundreds per academic school year. When accounted for in totality it provides a clearer picture of both the fiscal impact to schools and the impact that the sourcing of these animals can have on the environment and fragile ecosystems. "Learning about anatomy in schools is important scientific pedagogy but dissection presents a significant impact on the environment and our fragile ecosystems. Advancements in educational technology have expanded access to this important scientific instructional methodology without having to rely on animals," said Assembly Member Kalra. "With the development technological alternatives, virtual and computer-based science teaching practicum offer more humane teaching methods that help to better prepare students for higher education and careers in science." Judie Mancuso, Founder and CEO of Social Compassion in Legislation, added, "The fact is, we do not need to put our young people through this. There is a better way, and California can and should move to the more modern and accepted use of digital dissection resources. There is no reason for any student to cut apart an animal or be exposed to carcinogenic formaldehyde when there is state-of-the-art 3-D software available for free. Not only is getting rid of dissection the right thing to do, it will save taxpayer money." Top academic programs including the International Baccalaureate, the Next Generation Science Standards (which California adopted in 2013), and The College Board's Advanced Placement program do not requireor even mentionanimal dissection in their curricula. "PETA hears from scores of students who are being compelled to dissect animals, either with the threat of a failing grade or with perceived ostracism from teachers or peers," says Samantha Suiter, professor of biology and PETA's manager of science education. "Formaldehyde is used as a preservative and also found in cigarette smokeit is classified as a human carcinogen, and repeated exposure to low levels can cause respiratory difficulty, eczema, and skin sensitization." Suiter goes on to say that "Passage of AB 1586 would end the practice of animal dissection without relying on individual students to voice their ethical concerns when they may not feel comfortable doing so. This is a step forward for science, educators, students, and animals." John J. Pippin, M.D., F.A.C.C., director of academic affairs at the Physicians Committee, adds, "It's long past time for animal dissections to be replaced by modern, interactive dissection software that is far more comprehensive and a better educational tool." AB 1586 is also supported by the National Hispanic Medical Association, Humane Education Coalition, Center for Healthcare Education, Inc., and the United Federation of Teachers -Humane Education Committee. SOURCE Social Compassion in Legislation Related Links https://www.socialcompassioninlegislation.org PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Freeman's announced today new key business strategies designed to meet the needs of today's collectors. This experienced and well-respected organization will relocate from the address it has occupied for nearly 100 years to a new, soon-to-be-revealed, modern Center City Philadelphia location. Over its 214-year history, Freeman's has always adapted to changing market conditions and innovations, and this strategic initiative will further establish the company as a competitive 21st century auction house. The company will continue to provide their professional auction and appraisal services but will be better positioned to meet the growing demand for global services that leverage the power of technology and facilitate on-demand client engagement. "We recognize our clients' expectations are changing. Our private and institutional buyers and sellers come from every continent, and we must be fully equipped to meet their expectations for technology-enhanced services that complement and enhance our significant expertise and experience in all collecting genres," says Freeman's Chairman Alasdair Nichol. "We are overhauling our operational and marketing systems to deliver enhanced experience and service to our clients, whether they are close to our home in Philadelphia, across the United States, or around the world." The cornerstone actions of Freeman's modernized business initiatives include: A move in 2019 to an all new, technology-enabled home in one of Center City Philadelphia's most exciting landmark buildings most exciting landmark buildings The sale of their current building at 1808 Chestnut St., Philadelphia Significant investments in harnessing new technology and software platforms that will facilitate high quality online auctions accessible to local and international buyers Expansion of acquisition strategies and the development of new auctions to meet diverse interests of collectors "We are extremely proud of our history the many relationships we have formed over the years with thousands of families in Philadelphia and beyond and the fine art and countless antiques that we have exchanged since 1805," says Thomas B. McCabe IV, Freeman's Senior Vice President and Head of Business Development. "We have never stopped evolving as one of America's premier auction houses. Our new plans further our ability to remain at the forefront of the industry and to better provide collectors with well-curated fine auctions and to engage young and curious new clients with items that interest them. These are very exciting steps into Freeman's future." Freeman's 1808 Chestnut Street headquarters location will go on the market this month, and Freeman's anticipates a great deal of interest in the building in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. Broker of record is Mr. Ken Mallin, who can be reached at MPN Realty Inc., 1601 Walnut St Ste 900, Philadelphia 19102. Freeman's plans to release further details about their new location in the coming months. About Freeman's: As America's oldest auction house, Freeman's has been a constant throughout the auction world for seven generations. Founded in 1805 by Tristram Bampfylde Freeman, the company's traditions of excellence have benefited many new generations of private collectors, institutions, estates, and museums. Freeman's holds more than 25 auctions a year in the following categories: American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists; American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts, 20th Century Design; Asian Arts; Books, Maps & Manuscripts; British & European Furniture & Decorative Arts; European Art & Old Masters Jewelry& Watches; Modern & Contemporary Art; Silver & Objets de Vertu. Freeman's marketing alliance with Scotland's Lyon & TurnbullScotland's oldest auction househas extended Freeman's international reach. Additionally, Freeman's offers Trusts & Estates and Museum Services. For more information, visit: www.freemansauction.com SOURCE Freeman's Related Links http://www.freemansauction.com PRESCOTT, Ariz., Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Allianz, Ford, Marriott, and Uber have won top honors in the 2019 Elliott Advocacy Readers' Choice Customer Service Awards , an annual recognition of companies that offer outstanding customer support and service. The award, now in its 14th year, is widely recognized as one of the premier customer service honors in America. For 2019, readers of Elliott Advocacy , a leading consumer advocacy site, nominated and voted for their favorite companies in 16 categories ranging from airlines to wireless service providers. "The Readers' Choice Awards answer every consumer's basic question," says Christopher Elliott, founder of Elliott Advocacy. "Which company is the best?" Elliott Advocacy is a nonprofit consumer advocacy site that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can't. For 2019, the Elliott Readers' Choice Customer Service Awards added two new categories: apparel and luggage. Here are this year's top five companies by industry: Airline (domestic) 1. Southwest Airlines 2. Delta Air Lines 3. JetBlue Airways 4. American Airlines 5. Alaska Airlines Airline (international) 1. Virgin Atlantic 2. British Airways 3. Lufthansa 4. Singapore Airlines 5. Air France Apparel 1. Land's End 2. J. Crew 3. Gap 4. American Eagle (tie) 4. Abercrombie & Fitch (tie) 4. H&M (tie) 5. Forever 21 Car Manufacturer (domestic) 1. Ford 2. Tesla 3. Chevrolet 4. GMC 5. Cadillac Car Manufacturer (international) 1. Toyota 2. Honda 3. Lexus 4. Mercedes 5. Subaru Car Rental 1. Enterprise 2. Hertz 3. Budget 4. Alamo 5. National Cruise Line 1. Royal Caribbean 2. Viking 3. Disney 4. Carnival 5. Celebrity Ground Transportation 1. Uber 2. Lyft 3. Megabus 4. Greyhound 5. Zipcar Hotel 1. Marriott 2. Hilton 3. InterContinental (IHG) 4. Choice Hotels 5. Wyndham Hotel Group Luggage 1. Samsonite 2. Travelpro 3. Tumi 4. American Tourister 5. Eagle Creek Online Travel Agency 1. TripAdvisor 2. Expedia 3. Booking.com 4. Kayak 5. Priceline Subscription TV 1. Comcast 2. DirecTV 3. AT&T U-verse 4. Verizon Fios 5. DISH Network Travel Insurance 1. Allianz Global Assistance 2. Travelex 3. Travel Guard 4. Seven Corners 5. Generali Global Assistance Theme Park 1. Epcot (Disney World) 2. Magic Kingdom (Disney World) 3. Disneyland 4. Universal Studios (Orlando) 5. Animal Kingdom (Disney World) Vacation Rental 1. Airbnb.com 2. VRBO.com 3. HomeAway.com 4. Vacasa.com 5. Flipkey.com Wireless company 1. Verizon Wireless 2. AT&T 3. T-Mobile 4. Consumer Cellular 5. Sprint Balloting for the 2018 Elliott Readers' Choice Customer Service Awards was conducted from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, 2018. You can review a list of previous winners at https://www.elliott.org/elliott-awards/. This year's awards were sponsored by Allianz Travel Insurance , Boingo , Insuremyrentalcar.com and Southwest Airlines . About Elliott Advocacy Elliott Advocacy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1997 by author and columnist Christopher Elliott. The organization empowers consumers to solve their consumer problems and to help those who can't. Elliott writes the syndicated Travel Troubleshooter and Problem Solved features for King Features Syndicate and is a columnist for USA Today and the Washington Post. He's the author of several books, including How To Be The World's Smartest Traveler (National Geographic). The organization is based in Prescott, Ariz. SOURCE Allianz Global Assistance USA Related Links http://www.allianztravelinsurance.com "The NDA filing acceptance for diroximel fumarate further demonstrates the productive collaboration between Alkermes and Biogen and brings us closer to our shared goal of offering a new therapeutic option for people with MS," said Craig Hopkinson, M.D., chief medical officer and senior vice president, medicines development and medical affairs at Alkermes. "We believe diroximel fumarate has the potential to be a meaningful new offering for patients with MS, and we look forward to continued engagement with the FDA throughout the review process." "For more than two decades Biogen has been at the forefront of delivering new medicines to MS patients," said Michael Ehlers, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president, research and development at Biogen. "We are encouraged by the FDA's acceptance of the NDA for diroximel fumarate, which we believe could help elevate the treatment of this complex and often debilitating disease." Alkermes is seeking approval of diroximel fumarate under the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway, referencing Biogen's dimethyl fumarate data. The NDA submission includes data from EVOLVE-MS-1, a Phase 3, open-label, two-year safety study in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients. It is hypothesized that the distinct chemical structure of diroximel fumarate may impact its gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability. Alkermes is conducting EVOLVE-MS-2, a head-to-head GI tolerability study versus dimethyl fumarate, with results expected later this year. About the Diroximel Fumarate Clinical Development Program The key components of the clinical development program of diroximel fumarate include the EVOLVE-MS-1 study, a Phase 3, open-label, two-year safety study in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients, along with pharmacokinetic bridging studies comparing diroximel fumarate and dimethyl fumarate. In addition, Alkermes is conducting the EVOLVE-MS-2 study in patients with RRMS, a five-week, head-to-head gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability study versus dimethyl fumarate. About Diroximel Fumarate Diroximel fumarate (BIIB098) is a novel oral fumarate candidate in development for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS. Diroximel fumarate is designed to rapidly convert to monomethyl fumarate in the body and may have the potential to offer differentiated GI tolerability due to its chemical structure as compared to dimethyl fumarate. About Alkermes plc Alkermes plc is a fully integrated, global biopharmaceutical company developing innovative medicines for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. The company has a diversified commercial product portfolio and a substantial clinical pipeline of product candidates for chronic diseases that include schizophrenia, depression, addiction, multiple sclerosis and oncology. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Alkermes plc has an R&D center in Waltham, Massachusetts; a research and manufacturing facility in Athlone, Ireland; and a manufacturing facility in Wilmington, Ohio. For more information, please visit Alkermes' website at www.alkermes.com. About Biogen At Biogen, our mission is clear: we are pioneers in neuroscience. Biogen discovers, develops and delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. One of the world's first global biotechnology companies, Biogen was founded in 1978 by Charles Weissmann, Heinz Schaller, Kenneth Murray and Nobel Prize winners Walter Gilbert and Phillip Sharp, and today has the leading portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis, has introduced the first and only approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy and is focused on advancing neuroscience research programs in Alzheimer's disease and dementia, MS and neuroimmunology, movement disorders, neuromuscular disorders, acute neurology, neurocognitive disorders, pain and ophthalmology. Biogen also manufactures and commercializes biosimilars of advanced biologics. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.biogen.com. To learn more, please visit www.biogen.com and follow us on social media Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube. Alkermes Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements set forth in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, but not limited to, statements concerning: the potential therapeutic and commercial value of diroximel fumarate for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS; expectations regarding the tolerability of diroximel fumarate; expectations regarding future interactions with the FDA and expected timelines for potential approval by the FDA of the NDA for diroximel fumarate for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS; the potential confirmation by the FDA of its conditional acceptance of the proposed brand name for diroximel fumarate; and Biogen's marketing plans for diroximel fumarate. Alkermes cautions that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Although Alkermes believes that such statements are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and operations, the forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and they are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk. Actual performance and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: whether the results from the head-to-head study to evaluate the GI tolerability of diroximel fumarate compared to dimethyl fumarate will show that diroximel fumarate has a differentiated GI tolerability profile; whether preclinical and clinical results for diroximel fumarate will be predictive of future clinical study results or real-world results; changes in the cost, scope and duration of the diroximel fumarate development and regulatory program; whether diroximel fumarate could be shown ineffective or unsafe during clinical studies, and whether, in such instances, Alkermes may not be permitted by regulatory authorities to undertake new or additional clinical studies of diroximel fumarate; whether the NDA for diroximel fumarate, including the proposed brand name for diroximel fumarate, will be approved by the FDA; if approved, whether diroximel fumarate will be commercialized successfully; whether the potential commercial and therapeutic benefits of collaboration with Biogen under the license and collaboration agreement between Alkermes and Biogen will be achieved; and those risks described in the Alkermes Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2018 and in subsequent filings made by Alkermes with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, the company disclaims any intention or responsibility for updating or revising any forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Biogen Safe Harbor This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about potential regulatory approval and the timing thereof; the potential clinical effects of diroximel fumarate; the potential benefits, safety and efficacy of diroximel fumarate; clinical trial results and plans; the treatment of MS; the potential of Biogen's commercial business and pipeline programs, including diroximel fumarate; the anticipated benefits and potential of Biogen's collaboration arrangements with Alkermes; and risks and uncertainties associated with drug development and commercialization. These forward-looking statements may be accompanied by words such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "possible," "will" "would," and other words and terms of similar meaning. Drug development and commercialization involve a high degree of risk, and only a small number of research and development programs result in commercialization of a product. Results in early-stage clinical trials may not be indicative of full results or results from later-stage or larger-scale clinical trials and do not ensure regulatory approval. You should not place undue reliance on these statements or the scientific data presented. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements, including without limitation, actual timing and content of submissions to and decisions made by the regulatory authorities regarding diroximel fumarate; regulatory submissions may take longer or be more difficult to complete than expected; regulatory authorities may require additional information or further studies, or may fail or refuse to approve or may delay approval of Biogen's drug candidates, including diroximel fumarate; the risk that Biogen or Alkermes may not fully enroll their respective clinical trials or enrollment will take longer than expected; the actual timing and final results of the EVOLVE-MS-2 study; unexpected concerns may arise from additional data, analysis or results obtained during Biogen's clinical trials; the occurrence of adverse safety events; the risks of other unexpected hurdles, costs or delays; failure to protect and enforce Biogen's data, intellectual property and other proprietary rights and uncertainties relating to intellectual property claims and challenges; uncertainty of success in the development and potential commercialization of VUMERITY; risks relating to the potential launch of VUMERITY, including preparedness of healthcare providers to treat patients, the ability to obtain and maintain adequate reimbursement for VUMERITY and other unexpected difficulties or hurdles; product liability claims; and third-party collaboration risks. The foregoing sets forth many, but not all, of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from Biogen's expectations in any forward-looking statement. Investors should consider this cautionary statement, as well as the risk factors identified in Biogen's most recent annual or quarterly report and in other reports Biogen has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements are based on Biogen's current beliefs and expectations and speak only as of the date of this press release. Biogen does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Alkermes Contacts: For Investors: Sandy Coombs, +1 781 609 6377 For Media: Sherry Feldberg, +1 781 609 6276 Biogen Contacts: For Investors: Matt Calistri, +1 781 464 2442 For Media: David Caouette, +1 617 679 4945 SOURCE Alkermes plc Related Links http://www.alkermes.com LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD), a leading global industrial gases company, is proud of its earned reputation of successfully executing the engineering, building, owning and operating of large-scale projects for customers around the world. Today, Air Products announced it has added another successful large-scale example to its build, own and operate model portfolio, as the company has achieved mechanical completion of the largest industrial gas complex in the world in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. And if successful completion of the plant, with its remote location and regional climate challenges was not enough, the Air Products team completed the world-scale complex without a lost time injury in 25 million worker hours. "For the Air Products team members involved to complete this project with the extensive worker hours required, facing varied challenges, and to do so without a lost time injury is a truly exceptional milestone. It speaks of the dedication to safety, and extreme focus on the task to be completed. The confirmation of our success was the agreement of the customer that we had reached the mechanical completion stage of the construction project. Going forward, when a prospective customer is interested in Air Products' expertise, we can point to a map and say, let me tell you what we accomplished at Jazan," said Dr. Samir J Serhan, executive vice president at Air Products. In April 2015, Air Products announced it had been awarded a 20-year contract by Saudi Aramco, the world's largest company, under a joint venture (JV) of Air Products (25%) and ACWA Holding (75%) to build, own and operate the world's largest industrial gas complex to supply 75,000 metric tons per day (20,000 oxygen and 55,000 nitrogen) to Saudi Aramco's refinery and Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle being built in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. The Jazan Project was executed by Air Products' major execution centers in the United Kingdom, United States, China and India with active engagement of employees in Saudi Arabia. The now mechanically complete industrial gas complex is expected to be brought onstream in phases in 2019. "Overall it took approximately three years to engineer, procure and construct the world's largest industrial gas facility. The project is significantly larger than anything executed by Air Products to date, and the global company engineering effort speaks to our engineering capabilities and expertise. On top of that, there was the massive recruitment effort to bring the construction workforce and others to the location, train them, and have them understand our focus on safety. The construction success and safety results all speak to the execution by our team," said Dr. Serhan. The Jazan project effort required the hiring of new sub-contractors for almost all of the construction scope. At peak construction periods, a workforce of 6,000 people were at the site. The result was a multi-national team of people from over 30 countries filling the varied roles necessary for the construction project. About Air Products Air Products (NYSE:APD) is a world-leading industrial gases company in operation for over 75 years. The company provides industrial gases and related equipment to dozens of industries, including refining, chemical, metals, electronics, manufacturing, and food and beverage. Air Products is also the world's leading supplier of liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment. The Company had fiscal 2018 sales of $8.9 billion from operations in 50 countries and has a current market capitalization of about $35 billion. Approximately 16,000 passionate, talented and committed employees from diverse backgrounds are driven by Air Products' higher purpose to create innovative solutions that benefit the environment, enhance sustainability and address the challenges facing customers, communities, and the world. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com. NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors not anticipated by management, including risk factors described in the company's Form 10K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. SOURCE Air Products Related Links http://www.airproducts.com Under the AISG Industrial Postgraduate Programme (IPP) , AISG will train postgraduate students to deliver meaningful and purpose-based AI research that can be applied by the industry partners sponsoring the research. Through this collaboration, the students get to work on advanced research that is directly relevant to the industry and are exposed to their R&D processes. The industry partners will be enabled to quickly translate the outcomes of cutting-edge AI research into new products and services, raising their level of competence. The administration of the IPP will be supported by the universities which offer the postgraduate degrees. As the pioneer partner under this programme, Ocean Protocol will fund 4 PhD students to work on AI research and develop technologies, models and governance to enable borderless data sharing for AI. Specific areas of research include: Decentralized data science and AI applications Decentralized federated machine learning Token engineering of a data & AI services economy Economics of a token-based data & AI services economy "AI is extremely promising for humanity. It can help to address some of society's greatest problems and unlock immense value for businesses. But, AI needs data. Yet the most valuable data is stuck in silos, unusable. Ocean Protocol solves this. It's a blockchain-based platform for safe sharing of data for use by AI, in turn to address challenges in society & business," said Trent McConaghy, Founder of Ocean Protocol. "We are proud to be partnering with AI Singapore to develop the nation's AI talents, to promote the sharing of private and open data for the betterment of humanity, and ultimately advancing AI development for Singapore." The AISG Fellowship Programme is a prestigious programme aimed at engaging Singapore's top AI researchers and faculty members in AISG's activities and the local AI ecosystem. Among the incentives and benefits, AISG Fellows will be able to work with: i) AISG postgraduate students and interns on research projects and thesis work; ii) AISG industry partners on research collaboration, translation and consulting engagements and iii) the AI ecosystem to facilitate research translation, commercialization and spin-off opportunities. Joining the AISG Fellowship program is by invitation or by application. The program is open to faculty members and researchers at local institutes of higher learning and A*STAR. The programme will be formally launched in Q2, 2019. AI Singapore and Ocean Protocol will be targeting the first batch of AISG Fellows as supervisors for the joint IPP. A Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony between AI Singapore's Chief Scientist, Professor Chen Tsuhan and Ocean Protocol's Founder, Trent McConaghy was held at the announcement of the new initiatives. "We are hopeful that these innovative programmes will empower AI talents to conduct advanced research and bring it to practice. Ocean Protocol has recognised the need to directly collaborate closely with our top AI experts and reduce the time to translate state-of-the-art research. We believe that there are other companies who share the same vision. We hope to have IPPs arranged with these companies and invite them to come talk to us," said Professor Chen. About AI Singapore AI Singapore (AISG) is a national programme launched by the National Research Foundation Singapore (NRF) to catalyse, synergise and boost Singapore's artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to power our future, digital economy. The programme office is hosted by the National University of Singapore (NUS) and brings together all Singapore-based research institutions and the vibrant ecosystem of AI start-ups and companies developing AI products to perform use-inspired research, grow the knowledge, create the tools, and develop the talent to power Singapore's AI efforts. AISG is driven by a government-wide partnership comprising NRF, the Smart Nation and Digital Government Office (SNDGO), the Economic Development Board (EDB), the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), SGInnovate, and the Integrated Health Information Systems (IHiS).For more information on AI Singapore, please visit https://www.aisingapore.org/ About Ocean Protocol Ocean Protocol is a decentralized data exchange protocol to unlock data for AI. Through blockchain technology and token, Ocean Protocol connects data providers and consumers, allowing data to be shared while guaranteeing traceability, transparency, and trust for all stakeholders involved. It allows data owners to have control over their data assets and prevent them from being locked-in to any single marketplace. By bringing together decentralized blockchain technology, a data sharing framework, and an ecosystem for data and related services, Ocean Protocol is committed to kick-starting a new Data Economy that touches every single person, company and device, giving power back to data owners, enabling people to reap value from data to better our world. Visit oceanprotocol.com to find out more. SOURCE AI Singapore Related Links https://www.aisingapore.org WAKEFIELD, Mass., Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- AI Foundry, a provider of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) solutions that significantly streamline and improve business processes, announced a partnership with Ellie Mae (NYSE: ELLI), a leading provider of innovative on-demand software solutions and services for the residential mortgage industry. Under the partnership, the two organizations will integrate their respective technologies and use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to help lenders accelerate the mortgage origination process and further drive digital transformation in the mortgage industry. Lenders will benefit from the partnership through the availability of AI-driven automation capabilities that significantly reduce labor-intensive processes associated with mortgage origination. The partnership and technology integration will provide numerous benefits including: dramatically reducing time spent for loan officers to identify, collect and organize borrower documents in Ellie Mae's Encompass, Digital Mortgage Solution; increase processing efficiency by allowing loan processors to proactively identify and quickly act on missing or incomplete documentation; and reduce ongoing risk and quality management in the loan manufacturing process through real-time validations and verifications of information in Encompass with the information extracted from the documents. "Many lenders are digitally transforming their customer-facing operations while also trying to optimize their back-office systems and processes from within Encompass," said Clark Brett, VP of Business Development at AI Foundry. "By integrating our technology with an innovative industry leader such as Ellie Mae, we can dramatically expand AI Foundry's reach into lenders, and help them speed mortgage originations through increased productivity and accuracy. For their customers, this translates into mortgage application approvals in hours rather than weeks." "We are excited to become part of the Ellie Mae partner community. Our technology integration will provide the 3,000 mortgage lenders who use Ellie Mae solutions an onramp to Encompass that will significantly improve their productivity and drive their lending business forward," said Steve Butler, Founder and General Manager of AI Foundry. AI Foundry's unique approach to applying visual cognitive document automation, AI and deep learning will complement Ellie Mae's Encompass digital mortgage solution which provides one system of record that enables banks, credit unions and mortgage lenders to originate and fund mortgages and improve compliance, loan quality and efficiency. As part of the newly formed partnership, AI Foundry will be participating in the Ellie Mae Experience 19 user conference being held March 10-13, 2019 in San Francisco, California. About AI Foundry AI Foundry, a Kodak Alaris business unit, designs and builds artificial intelligence solutions that automate mortgage processing, eliminating much of the time and manual labor involved with traditional approaches. This significantly accelerates the mortgage process, moving from initiation to underwriter approval in as little as one day. AI Foundry's solutions enable banks and other lending institutions to streamline processes, create new business opportunities, manage compliance and drive bottom-line performance. For more information, visit AIFoundry.com. SOURCE AI Foundry Related Links https://www.aifoundry.com CHICAGO, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- AbelsonTaylor, one of the largest independent health and wellness advertising agencies, has agreed to a long-term lease of nearly 85,000 square feet of space at Chicago's historic Old Post Office Building, The Telos Group, the building's marketing agent, and The 601W Companies announced today. The award-winning, Chicago-based firm will move all operations into the building from its current space, which is roughly a mile away in the Central Loop, on March 1 of next year. "The Old Post Office continues to develop a diverse and progressive tenant base and the addition of AbelsonTaylor shows we are attracting tenants from all industries, including corporate headquarters, e-commerce, consumer products, media, and advertising. We could not be more excited that AbelsonTaylor will call The Old Post Office its new home and we appreciate their confidence in our vision for the building," said Brian Whiting of The Telos Group LLC. This deal marks the fourth long-term lease agreement announced during the past eight months at the largest adaptive reuse commercial real estate project in the nation, which is owned by 601W Companies. Last summer, global healthcare firm Walgreens agreed to lease 200,000 square feet of space -- roughly equivalent to one full floor -- for an estimated 1,800 employees. Then, last November, candy manufacturer Ferrara said it would relocate its corporate headquarters to the Old Post Office. Most recently, in January, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, an entity that helps counties in northeastern Illinois address quality-of-life issues like transportation, housing, and economic development, agreed to lease 47,000 square feet of space. Work on the $800m renovation to the property remains ongoing. Stephen Smith, Jamey Dix, and Daniel Heckman of The Telos Group represented The Old Post Office Building in the transaction and Jack Keenan of Cushman & Wakefield represented AbelsonTaylor. About The Telos Group, LLC The Telos Group, LLC provides leasing, marketing and consulting services in Chicago and Minneapolis and consulting services for real estate businesses nationwide. Telos employs a disciplined and goal driven process to create entrepreneurial solutions customized for each assignment. As Chicago's only dedicated owner representation firm, it has been the leader in shaping the evolution of office space for innovative businesses. Telos represents a portfolio of 28 million square feet encompassing historic to trophy buildings owned by diverse ownership groups, from entrepreneurial investor consortiums to international institutions. In addition to Aon Center the firm has been involved in the City's largest turn-around and redevelopment projects, such as Willis Tower, Prudential Plaza and The Old Main Post Office project. The firm was awarded Office Property Representative of the Year for 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017 by the Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards. To learn more about The Telos Group, LLC, visit www.telosgroupllc.com . About The 601W Companies The principals of 601W oversee one of America's leading private real estate acquisition, ownership, development and management portfolios in the country. Over the past 25 years, 601W has acquired substantial and well-known commercial properties throughout the country, aggregating 45 million square feet, with a collective value in excess of $8 billion. In relation to these deals, 601W has raised more than $2 billion in equity, mostly from longstanding investors, and has consummated transactions involving major office buildings, including 12 in Manhattan and 6 in Chicago. Visit www.601wcompanies.com to learn more. SOURCE The 601W Companies Related Links http://www.601wcompanies.com NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), a research-based global biopharmaceutical company, today announced it will present 19 abstracts during the 2019 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting, March 1-5, in Washington, D.C., including new data from the psoriasis pivotal trials for risankizumab, an investigational interleukin-23 (IL-23) inhibitor. Investigators will highlight risankizumab response over time across various psoriasis patient subgroups in the first integrated efficacy analyses of ultIMMa-1 and ultIMMa-2, two replicate trials comparing risankizumab to STELARA (ustekinumab) or placebo. Additionally, AbbVie will present up to 40 months of safety data for risankizumab, as well as longer-term data from IMMvent, a trial exploring the efficacy of switching to risankizumab versus continued HUMIRA use in moderate to severe psoriasis patients with varying levels of intermediate response to HUMIRA after 16 weeks. "We look forward to sharing the latest research from our growing immunology portfolio at AAD, including data on risankizumab that will add to the body of evidence supporting its potential as a future treatment option for patients living with psoriasis," said Marek Honczarenko, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, global immunology development, AbbVie. "The breadth of research we are presenting underscores AbbVie's continued efforts to advance the standard of care and improve treatment expectations for patients living with chronic dermatologic conditions, many of whom still struggle to achieve and maintain their desired treatment goals." AbbVie will also share results from a Phase 2b trial evaluating upadacitinib, an investigational oral JAK1-selective inhibitor, in patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. Additional presentations on HUMIRA will validate hidradenitis suppurativa patient-reported outcome measures, assess its efficacy in nail psoriasis among patients with and without psoriatic disease and highlight nine-year registry data evaluating its long-term safety and efficacy in patients with psoriasis. Risankizumab and upadacitinib are not approved, and their safety and efficacy have not been established by regulatory authorities. Risankizumab Abstracts Efficacy and Safety of Continuous Q12W Risankizumab Versus Treatment Withdrawal: Results from the Phase 3 IMMhance Trial. Langley et al. Oral Presentation; Friday, March 1, 2019 , 12:00-12:05 p.m. EST Oral Presentation; , Efficacy and Safety of Continuous Risankizumab or Switching from Adalimumab to Risankizumab Treatment in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis: Results from the Phase 3 IMMvent Trial. Reich et al. Oral Presentation; Friday, March 1, 2019 , 12:05-12:10 p.m. EST Reich et al. Oral Presentation; , Efficacy of Switching to Risankizumab Compared with Continued Adalimumab Treatment in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis. Ryan et al. Oral Presentation; Friday, March 1, 2019 , 12:15-12:20 p.m. EST Oral Presentation; , Durable Efficacy of Risankizumab Compared with Ustekinumab Across Subgroups of Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis: Integrated Analysis of Two Phase 3 Trials. Foley et al. Oral Presentation; Friday, March 1, 2019 , 12:50-12:55 p.m. EST Oral Presentation; , Malignancy Rates in Patients with Moderate to Severe Psoriasis During Treatment with Risankizumab: Analysis of Pooled Clinical Trial Data. Reich et al. Oral Presentation; Sunday, March 3, 2019 , 1:30-1:35 p.m. EST Oral Presentation; , Efficacy and Safety of Risankizumab in Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis: An Integrated Analysis of UltIMMa-1 and UltIMMa-2. Lebwohl et al. Eposter Eposter Long-term Safety of Risankizumab in Patients with Moderate to Severe Psoriasis: Analysis of Pooled Clinical Trial Data. Leonardi et al. Eposter Eposter Risankizumab Treatment is Associated with Low and Consistent Infection Rates Over Time in Patients with Moderate to Severe Psoriasis: Analysis of Pooled Clinical Trial Data. Strober et al. Eposter Eposter Exposure-Response Relationships for Efficacy and Safety of Risankizumab in Patients with Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis: Integrated Analyses of Phase 2 and 3 Clinical Trials. Khatri et al. Eposter Eposter Safety and Efficacy Results from the Open Label Extension of a Phase 2 Trial of Risankizumab, a Selective IL-23p19 Inhibitor in Patients with Active Psoriatic Arthritis. Papp et al. Eposter HUMIRA Abstracts ESPRIT Registry Nine-Year Interim Real-World Safety, Effectiveness, and Patient-Reported Outcomes of Adalimumab for Moderate to Severe Psoriasis. Wu et al. Eposter Eposter Efficacy of Adalimumab in Nail Psoriasis by History of Psoriatic Arthritis and Overall Safety from Final, Open-Label 26 Weeks of a Phase-3, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Elewski et al. Eposter Eposter Efficacy of Adalimumab in Nail Psoriasis by Baseline Subgroups, and Overall Safety from First 26 Weeks of a Phase-3, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Rich et al. Eposter Upadacitinib Abstract Upadacitinib Treatment Withdrawal and Retreatment in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis from a Phase 2b , Randomized, Controlled Trial. Guttman-Yassky et al. Eposter HEOR (Health Economic and Outcomes Research) Abstracts Psoriasis Assessing the Impact of Patient Support Programs in Adalimumab-Treated Adults with Psoriasis in Europe . Ryan et al. Oral Presentation; Friday, March 1, 2019 , 4:30-4:35 p.m. EST Oral Presentation; , Bridging the Gap between Clinical Trials and Real-World Practice: Predicting Psoriasis Area Severity Index Scores (PASI) Based on Body Surface Area (BSA) and Physicians Global Assessment (PGA). Armstrong et al. Oral Presentation; Friday, March 1, 2019 , 4:50-4:55 p.m. EST Oral Presentation; , Long-Term Safety Profile of Adalimumab versus Ustekinumab in Psoriasis - A Real World Matching-Adjusted Indirect Comparison (MAIC). Wu et al. Oral Presentation; Saturday, March 2, 2019 , 12:10-12:15 p.m. EST Oral Presentation; , The Comparative Efficacy for Novel Treatments of Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis: A Network Meta-Analysis. Armstrong et al. Oral Presentation; Sunday, March 3, 2019 , 2:00-2:05 p.m. EST Hidradenitis Suppurativa Score Interpretation of the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Symptom Assessment (HSSA) and Hidradenitis Suppurativa Impact Assessment (HSIA). Kimball et al. Oral Presentation; Saturday, March 2, 2019 , 1:25-1:30 p.m. EST The 2019 AAD Annual Meeting abstracts are available here. About Risankizumab The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA) and Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Device Agency (PMDA) are currently reviewing risankizumab applications for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. The trade name SKYRIZI (risankizumab) has been conditionally accepted by the U.S. FDA and accepted in the European Union. SKYRIZI is not approved and its safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by regulatory authorities. Risankizumab is an investigational compound that selectively blocks IL-23 by binding to its p19 subunit.1 IL-23, a cytokine involved in inflammatory processes, is thought to be linked to a number of chronic immune-mediated diseases.2 Phase 3 trials of risankizumab in psoriasis, Crohn's disease and psoriatic arthritis are ongoing, and it is also being investigated to treat ulcerative colitis. 3-7 Risankizumab is part of a collaboration between Boehringer Ingelheim and AbbVie, with AbbVie leading future development and commercialization of risankizumab globally. About Upadacitinib Discovered and developed by AbbVie, upadacitinib is an investigational oral, small molecule JAK1-selective inhibitor being studied for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis and other immune-mediated diseases.8,9 Phase 3 trials of upadacitinib in atopic dermatitis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis are ongoing and it is also being investigated to treat ankylosing spondylitis.10-14 Upadacitinib is not approved and its safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by regulatory authorities. About HUMIRA in the U.S. HUMIRA is a prescription medicine used:15 To reduce the signs and symptoms of: Moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults. HUMIRA can be used alone, with methotrexate, or with certain other medicines. HUMIRA may prevent further damage to bones and joints and may help the ability to perform daily activities. in adults. HUMIRA can be used alone, with methotrexate, or with certain other medicines. HUMIRA may prevent further damage to bones and joints and may help the ability to perform daily activities. Moderate to severe polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in children 2 years of age and older. HUMIRA can be used alone, with methotrexate, or with certain other medicines. in children 2 years of age and older. HUMIRA can be used alone, with methotrexate, or with certain other medicines. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adults. HUMIRA can be used alone or with certain other medicines. HUMIRA may prevent further damage to bones and joints and may help the ability to perform daily activities. in adults. HUMIRA can be used alone or with certain other medicines. HUMIRA may prevent further damage to bones and joints and may help the ability to perform daily activities. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in adults. in adults. Moderate to severe Crohn's disease (CD) and to achieve and maintain clinical remission in adults who have not responded well to certain other medications. HUMIRA is also used to reduce signs and symptoms and to achieve clinical remission in these adults who have lost response to or are unable to tolerate infliximab. and to achieve and maintain clinical remission who have not responded well to certain other medications. HUMIRA is also used to reduce signs and symptoms and to achieve clinical remission in these adults who have lost response to or are unable to tolerate infliximab. Moderate to severe Crohn's disease (CD) and to achieve and maintain clinical remission in children 6 years of age and older when certain other treatments have not worked well enough. and to achieve and maintain clinical remission when certain other treatments have not worked well enough. Moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in in patients 12 years of age and older. in in patients 12 years of age and older. In adults, to help get moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC) under control (induce remission) and keep it under control (sustain remission) when certain other medicines have not worked well enough. It is not known if HUMIRA is effective in people who stopped responding to or could not tolerate anti-TNF medicines. under control (induce remission) and keep it under control (sustain remission) when certain other medicines have not worked well enough. It is not known if HUMIRA is effective in people who stopped responding to or could not tolerate anti-TNF medicines. To treat moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis (Ps) in adults who are ready for systemic therapy or phototherapy, and are under the care of a doctor who will decide if other systemic therapies are less appropriate. in adults who are ready for systemic therapy or phototherapy, and are under the care of a doctor who will decide if other systemic therapies are less appropriate. To treat non-infectious intermediate (middle part of the eye), posterior (back of the eye) and panuveitis (all parts of the eye) (UV) in adults and children 2 years of age and older. Important Safety Information15 HUMIRA is a TNF blocker medicine that affects the immune system and can lower the body's ability to fight infections. Serious infections have happened in people taking HUMIRA. These serious infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. Some people have died from these infections. People should be tested for TB before HUMIRA use and monitored for signs and symptoms of TB during therapy, even if their TB test was negative. People at risk of TB may be treated with medicine for TB. Treatment with HUMIRA should not be started in a person with an active infection, unless approved by a doctor. HUMIRA should be stopped if a person develops a serious infection. People should tell their doctor if they live in or have been to a region where certain fungal infections are common, as these infections may happen or become more severe if people use HUMIRA. People should tell their doctor if they have had TB or hepatitis B, are prone to infections, or have symptoms such as fever, fatigue, cough, or sores. For people taking TNF blockers, including HUMIRA, the chance of getting lymphoma or other cancers may increase. Some people have developed a rare type of cancer called hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma. This type of cancer often results in death. If using TNF blockers, including HUMIRA, the chance of getting two types of skin cancer (basal cell and squamous cell) may increase. These types are generally not life-threatening if treated. Other possible serious side effects with HUMIRA include hepatitis B infection in carriers of the virus; allergic reactions; nervous system problems; blood problems; certain immune reactions, including a lupus-like syndrome; liver problems; and new or worsening heart failure or psoriasis. The use of HUMIRA with anakinra or abatacept is not recommended. People using HUMIRA should not receive live vaccines. Children should be brought up to date on all vaccines before starting HUMIRA. Common side effects of HUMIRA include injection site reactions (redness, rash, swelling, itching, or bruising), upper respiratory infections (including sinus infections), headaches, rash, and nausea. HUMIRA is given by injection under the skin. The benefits and risks of HUMIRA should be carefully considered before starting therapy. Please click here for the Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. If you cannot afford your medication, contact www.pparx.org for assistance. About AbbVie AbbVie is a global, research and development-based biopharmaceutical company committed to developing innovative advanced therapies for some of the world's most complex and critical conditions. The company's mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to markedly improve treatments across four primary therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, virology and neuroscience. In more than 75 countries, AbbVie employees are working every day to advance health solutions for people around the world. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram. Forward-Looking Statements Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, challenges to intellectual property, competition from other products, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, and changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AbbVie undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law. References: Papp K.A., et al. Risankizumab versus Ustekinumab for Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis. N Engl J Med. 2017 Apr 20; 376:1551-1560. Duvallet E, Sererano L, Assier E, et. al. Interleukin-23: a key cytokine in inflammatory diseases. Ann Med. 2011 Nov;43(7):503-11. A Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Risankizumab for Maintenance in Moderate to Severe Plaque Type Psoriasis (LIMMITLESS). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2019. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03047395. Accessed on February 7, 2019 . A Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Risankizumab in Subjects With Moderately to Severely Active Crohn's Disease. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2019. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03105128. Accessed on February 7, 2019 . A Study Comparing Risankizumab to Placebo in Subjects With Active Psoriatic Arthritis Including Those Who Have a History of Inadequate Response or Intolerance to Biologic Therapy(ies) (IMMpact2). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2019. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03671148. Accessed on February 7, 2019 . A Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Risankizumab in Subjects With Ulcerative Colitis Who Responded to Induction Treatment in M16-067 or M16-065. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2019. https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03398135. Accessed on February 7, 2019 . A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Risankizumab in Subjects With Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis Who Have Failed Prior Biologic Therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2019. https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03398148. Accessed on February 7, 2019 . Voss, J, et al; Pharmacodynamics Of a Novel Jak1 Selective Inhibitor In Rat Arthritis and Anemia Models and In Healthy Human Subjects. [abstract]. Arthritis Rheum 2013;65 Suppl 10 :2374. DOI: 10.1002/art.2013.65.issue-s10. Pipeline Our Science | AbbVie. AbbVie. 2019. Available at: https://www.abbvie.com/our-science/pipeline.html. Accessed on February 7, 2019 . A Study Comparing Upadacitinib (ABT-494) to Placebo and to Adalimumab in Participants With Psoriatic Arthritis Who Have an Inadequate Response to at Least One Non-Biologic Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug (SELECT - PsA 1). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2019. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03104400. Accessed on February 7, 2019 . A Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib (ABT-494) in Subjects With Moderately to Severely Active Crohn's Disease Who Have Inadequately Responded to or Are Intolerant to Biologic Therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2019. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03345836. Accessed on February 7, 2019 . Evaluation of Upadacitinib in Adolescent and Adult Patients With Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)- Measure Up 1. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2010. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03569293. Accessed on February 7, 2019 . A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of ABT-494 for Induction and Maintenance Therapy in Subjects With Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2019. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02819635. Accessed on February 7, 2019 . A Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Upadacitinib in Subjects With Active Ankylosing Spondylitis (SELECT Axis 1). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2019. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT03178487. Accessed on February 7, 2019 . HUMIRA Injection [package insert]. North Chicago, IL : AbbVie Inc. SOURCE AbbVie Related Links https://www.abbvie.com The new-generation BBU, backed up with virtualization platform and years of R&D and field testings, is industry-leading 2U NG BBU with large capacity, compatible with 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G. It is able to process 30*100MHz NR cell per rack with the industry's maximum processing capacity. While integrating virtualization and IT platform advantages, it realizes the elastic capacity of wireless network and open Interface, enables localization of innovative business, and supports C-RAN, D-RAN, and flexible networking. Serialized AAU to achieve macro coverage ZTE's 5G AAU Series, in support of the number of channels from 64TR, 32TR, 16TR to 4TR, can satisfy coverage and capacity requirements in dense urban, general urban areas, suburbs, villages and other scenarios while taking into account the characteristics of each scenario according to local conditions, to achieve the best return on investment. Among them, 64TR-200M AAU is suitable for dense urban areas and general urban coverage scenarios, and has been deployed in a number of commercial trials, and is the best choice for the first phase of 5G deployments. For suburban and rural scenarios, there are more economical 32TR and 16TR solutions, with the powerful dual-band 32TR product supporting 2.6GHz and 3.5GHz. Moreover, 64TR-400m AAU, used for discrete frequency point scenario at N78 band, boasts the industry's maximum bandwidth support capabilities. 5G Pad to support blind or hot spot scenarios ZTE's serialized PAD products include Pad RRUs, Pad BBU, Pad power, and are suitable for blind or hot spot areas such as narrow street alleys, bridge tunnels, small venues, tourist and leisure places. With a compact design and an integrated antenna, the 5G Pad features quick site detection and easy installation. 5G Qcell to deepen indoor coverage For indoor coverage, ZTE released 4G & 5G multi-mode Qcell products with ultra-large capacity. It can be easily and quickly installed in indoor high-density and deep coverage scenarios, such as shopping centers, gyms, office buildings, and airports. It is managed in a visual way for unified operation and maintenance. With end-to-end technology advantages, ZTE is committed to creating a wireless network with supreme experiences, supreme simplicity and intelligence for operators in the 5G era. To date, ZTE has cooperated with 30 operators in 5G across the globe, and has launched 5G end-to-end commercial products, fully satisfying the needs of the first wave of 5G network deployments. In the future, ZTE will continue to work with its partners to promote 5G tests and accelerate 5G commercialization worldwide, so as to provide global users with diverse 5G experiences. About ZTE ZTE is a provider of advanced telecommunications systems, mobile devices, and enterprise technology solutions to consumers, carriers, companies and public sector customers. As part of ZTE's strategy, the company is committed to providing customers with integrated end-to-end innovations to deliver excellence and value as the telecommunications and information technology sectors converge. Listed in the stock exchanges of Hong Kong and Shenzhen (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), ZTE's products and services are sold to over 500 operators in more than 160 countries. ZTE commits 10 per cent of its annual revenue to research and development and has leadership roles in international standard-setting organizations. ZTE is committed to corporate social responsibility and is a member of the UN Global Compact. For more information, please visit www.zte.com.cn. Media Contacts: Margaret Ma ZTE Corporation Tel: +86 755 26775189 Email: [email protected] SOURCE ZTE Corporation Related Links http://www.zte.com.cn BARCELONA, Spain and SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 24, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Xilinx, Inc. (NASDAQ: XLNX), the leader in adaptive and intelligent computing and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., today announced an expanded collaboration that has resulted in the world's first 5G New Radio (NR) commercial deployment. This world-first deployment is in South Korea and will be followed by additional countries globally in 2019 and beyond. Xilinx and Samsung have been working together to develop and deploy multiple 5G Massive Multiple-input, Multiple-output (mMIMO) and millimeter wave (mmWave) solutions using the Xilinx UltraScale+ platform. Additionally, Samsung is collaborating with Xilinx on its forthcoming Versal adaptable compute acceleration platform (ACAP) products to deliver state-of-the-art 5G solutions. The goal is to address a multi-fold increase in compute density requirements in next-generation 5G mMIMO systems while enabling the use of machine learning algorithms to maximize the benefits of beamforming gains to further boost capacity and performance. "Our strong relationship with Samsung spans many years and we're very proud to be a part of the 5G NR commercial deployment in addition to expanding our relationship with the company on our Versal platform," said Liam Madden, executive vice president of hardware and systems product development, Xilinx. "We are committed to providing our customers with solutions that drive high value services and look forward to our continued collaboration with Samsung." "Through a joint initiative from close collaboration with a trusted partner, Xilinx, Samsung was able to successfully supply the state-of-the-art products that were essential in 5G commercialization," said Jaeho Jeon, executive vice president and head of R&D, networks business, Samsung Electronics. "Taking full advantage of our resources and gearing up with our 5G solutions, Samsung will take a leap forward in providing immersive user experiences and enriching the life of next-generation technologies." Mobile World Congress 2019 Xilinx will be showcasing updates to its UltraScale+ platform portfolio along with other adaptable, intelligent 5G infrastructure demonstrations at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on February 25-28, 2019 in Hall 6, Stand 6M30. More information on Xilinx's presence at the show can be found here. Samsung will be demonstrating 5G NR platforms in Hall 2, Stand 2M20. About Xilinx Xilinx develops highly flexible and adaptive processing platforms that enable rapid innovation across a variety of technologies from the endpoint to the edge to the cloud. Xilinx is the inventor of the FPGA, hardware programmable SoCs and the ACAP, designed to deliver the most dynamic processor technology in the industry and enable the adaptable, intelligent and connected world of the future. For more information, visit www.xilinx.com. About Samsung Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com. -30- Copyright 2019 Xilinx, Inc. Xilinx, the Xilinx logo, and other designated brands included herein are trademarks of Xilinx in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. PR Contact: Tara Sims [email protected] SOURCE Xilinx, Inc. Related Links http://www.xilinx.com The Work Truck Show runs March 58 (exhibit hall is open March 68), kicking off with a full day of education and networking on Tuesday, March 5. Fleet managers can learn about clean vehicle solutions and test-drive or ride in the latest trucks at the popular Ride-and-Drive on Wednesday and Thursday. There will also be networking opportunities, including the opening reception Tuesday evening at Lucas Oil Stadium. "The Work Truck Show is much more than a truck show it's an opportunity for fleet managers to experience firsthand what's new in the work truck industry and learn how to improve fleet management," says Doyle Sumrall, NTEA managing director. Green Truck Summit and Fleet Technical Congress Fleet Technical Congress and Green Truck Summit will run concurrently all day on March 5, allowing registrants to switch back and forth between conference sessions. Green Truck Summit is an annual alternative fuels and advanced technology conference that addresses key vocational fleet issues. Carlton Rose, president, global fleet maintenance and engineering for United Parcel Service (UPS), will deliver the keynote address. Fleet Technical Congress addresses topics affecting the work truck fleet community. W. Craig Fugate, former Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrator, delivers the keynote address. New products and chassis updates The Work Truck Show is the best place to find new work trucks and equipment. A record 16 commercial vehicle manufacturers are exhibiting, with 15 of them also providing chassis update sessions offering insights into their future commercial vehicle plans. More than 100 companies have already announced plans to introduce new work trucks and equipment at the Show. The exhibit hall featuring 500 exhibitors is open March 68. Purdue Road School and LTAP One registration gives attendees access to a select number of Purdue Road School classes and the LTAP Fleet Educational Program: The Blizzard of 2039 on Thursday, March 7. In the morning, registrants can attend Purdue Road School sessions addressing Indiana statutes and ethics for professional engineers and surveyors. Or, they can go to the LTAP session where they will learn how the introduction of electronic controls and global positioning systems have changed winter maintenance equipment and operations over the last 20 years. All registrants may attend the Purdue Road School session from 13 p.m. to learn about the benefits of driver-assisted truck platooning. These sessions are expected to reach capacity, so pre-registration is encouraged. For more information, visit worktruckshow.com. SOURCE NTEA Related Links http://www.ntea.com WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- West Health, a family of nonprofit and nonpartisan organizations dedicated to lowering the cost of healthcare and enabling seniors to age successfully, is convening thought leaders and experts from business, media and policy for a national innovation summit in Washington, D.C. on April 2, 2019 to focus on common-sense solutions that address America's healthcare cost crisis. West Health's High Costs, Broken Promises: Healthcare in America Summit will explore the impact that high healthcare costs have on individuals, businesses, the economy and the state of public health. During the day-long summit (free registration to attend or stream here), participants will map out immediate and long-term policy recommendations to deliver on the promise of improving the quality of healthcare in America, while lowering costs, including prescription drug prices. "The exorbitant cost of healthcare is a growing national crisis and significant public health threat that demands immediate attention, smart policy and bold action," said Shelley Lyford, president and CEO of West Health. "We can no longer accept empty promises from politicians to rein in healthcare costs while more and more Americans are forced to sacrifice lifesaving treatments and even basic healthcare because they simply cannot afford it. The time for common sense reforms is long overdue." The U.S. spends more than any other country on healthcare yet lags behind other developed nations in critical health outcomes including longevity, infant mortality and overall quality of life. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, healthcare costs topped more than $3.5 trillion in 2017 $10,739 per person accounting for 17.9% of GDP. They are expected to rise to almost 20% of GDP by 2026 if current trends continue. The Summit will feature an unveiling of results from a new national survey from Gallup and the West Health Institute on how skyrocketing healthcare costs are impacting the daily lives of Americans, while top business and healthcare leaders will share their perspectives on how to remake the system. Speakers at the Summit include: John Arnold , Founder and Co-Chair, Arnold Ventures , Founder and Co-Chair, John Bardis , Former Assistant Secretary of Administration for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Former Assistant Secretary of Administration for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Roy Beveridge , MD , Chief Medical Officer, Humana , Chief Medical Officer, Humana Donna Brazile , Veteran Democratic Political Strategist; Adjunct Professor; Author; and Syndicated Columnist Veteran Democratic Political Strategist; Adjunct Professor; Author; and Syndicated Columnist Sylvia Mathews Burwell , Former Secretary, United States Department of Health & Human Services , Former Secretary, United States Department of Health & Human Services Gail deVore , Diabetes Patient Advocate Diabetes Patient Advocate Mike Ellrich , Healthcare Portfolio Leader, Gallup Healthcare Portfolio Leader, Gallup Sanjay Gupta , MD, Chief Medical Correspondent, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, CNN Mark Gwynne , DO, President and Executive Medical Director, UNC Health Alliance President and Executive Medical Director, UNC Health Alliance John Kasich , Former Governor of Ohio , 2011- 2019 and CNN Senior Political Commentator Former Governor of , 2011- 2019 and CNN Senior Political Commentator Sarah Kliff , Health Policy Journalist, Vox.com Health Policy Journalist, Vox.com Tim Lash , MBA , Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President, West Health; President, West Health Policy Center Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President, West Health; President, West Health Policy Center Mike Leavitt , Former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, three-term Governor of Utah Former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, three-term Governor of Dan Liljenquist , Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Intermountain Healthcare Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Shelley Lyford , President and CEO, West Health President and CEO, West Health Mark McClellan , MD, PhD , Director and Professor, Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy; Former Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Director and Professor, Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy; Former Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services David Mitchell , President and Founder, Patients For Affordable Drugs President and Founder, Patients For Affordable Drugs Mike Murphy , Political Strategist, Political Analyst for NBC News and Contributing Editor, TIME Political Strategist, Political Analyst for NBC News and Contributing Editor, Michael Peterson , Chairman and CEO, Peter G. Peterson Foundation Chairman and CEO, Peter G. Peterson Foundation Bob Schieffer , Former Moderator of "Face the Nation" and Former CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Former Moderator of "Face the Nation" and Former CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Kathleen Sebelius , Former Secretary, United States Department of Health & Human Services; Former Governor; State of Kansas Former Secretary, United States Department of Health & Human Services; Former Governor; Andy Slavitt , MBA , Senior Advisor, Bipartisan Policy Center; Former Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services , Senior Advisor, Bipartisan Policy Center; Former Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Adam Stavisky , Senior Vice President, U.S. Benefits, Walmart , Senior Vice President, U.S. Benefits, Walmart Lauren Vela , Senior Director, Pacific Business Group on Health "This national summit will kick-start common sense reforms that have been denied, delayed or deferred because of special interests and misaligned incentives," said Tim Lash, chief strategy officer for West Health. "Holding on to the status quo while Americans continue to suffer at the hands of misguided and outdated policies is not an option, and stakeholders across the country must engage on these issues and take action." The Summit is free to attend or stream; please visit https://hcidc.org/register/ to register. Learn more at hcidc.org and join the conversation on Twitter using #HCcosts and #HCIDC. About West Health Solely funded by philanthropists Gary and Mary West, West Health is a family of nonprofit and nonpartisan organizations including the Gary and Mary West Foundation and Gary and Mary West Health Institute in San Diego, and the Gary and Mary West Health Policy Center in Washington, D.C. West Health is dedicated to lowering healthcare costs and enabling seniors to successfully age in place with access to high-quality, affordable health and support services that preserve and protect their dignity, quality of life and independence. Learn more at westhealth.org and follow @westhealth. SOURCE West Health Related Links http://www.westhealth.org As a first-time Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest finalist, winner of the Appetizers for Any Party category, Melissa Jollands found inspiration for her Grand Prize recipe on a special trip to Ireland with her husband. The high-school sweethearts, were in Dublin celebrating two happy milestones: their 25th anniversary and first-ever vacation together. There she fell in love with Dublin's large spread of flavorful cheese and meat boards, served alongside the contrasting flavors and textures of dried fruit and warm bread. "I am so excited and incredibly grateful to be named the Grand-Prize winner of the 49th Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest. I've always enjoyed creating family memories through food," said Jollands. "I saw Pillsbury's refrigerated French bread on the list of eligible Bake-Off products and began to think about baking the creamy honey goat cheese, Irish white cheddar and flavorful salami inside and how it would be the perfect opportunity to introduce the flavorful cheeseboard cuisine into my own family recipe, while revisiting those exceptional flavors and memories from Dublin." As part of Pillsbury's partnership with Food Network, Melissa learned that she was the Grand-Prize winner on its hit show, The Kitchen. The episode aired on February 23 and includes Melissa's winner announcement complete with confetti cannons and the presentation of her Grand Prize. She will also receive $50,000 in cash, a suite of GE Appliances and will be featured in an upcoming issue of Food Network Magazine. Created as a way to celebrate home cooks across America, the beloved Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest asks contestants nationwide to submit an original recipe using specific Pillsbury refrigerated dough products, along with the story or inspiration behind the recipe. In January, Pillsbury narrowed down the entries to four category winners. Each winner received a trip to New York City to appear on The Kitchen, in addition to being included in Food Network Magazine, a suite of GE Appliances and $5,000 in cash. This year's category winners are: Cozy Weekend Breakfasts Category: Lauren Katz from Ashburn, Va. for her Cherry-Cream Cheese Crumb Cake Bombs from for her Cherry-Cream Cheese Crumb Cake Bombs Winning Weeknight Dinners Category: Andrea Espinoza from Stockton, Calif. for her Poblano Shrimp Flatbread from for her Poblano Shrimp Flatbread Sweet + Simple Desserts Category: Joanna Crumley from Hubbard, Ore. for her REESE's Piece 'O' Bliss Fudge In addition, Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest sponsor and special award presenter Meijer announced Jollands and her creamy Dublin Cheeseboard-Stuffed Appetizer Bread recipe as its Meijer Award Winner. "We loved hearing all the stories and memories that Pillsbury inspires in homes across the country, and hope that by sharing these delicious recipes with families we can help to create new memories made by spending time together in the kitchen," said Ben Irby, Director of Business for Pillsbury. Sponsor GE Appliances has provided thousands of ranges for the Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest over the existence of the contest, enabling contestants to cook their cherished recipes with the latest technology, including induction cooktops and true European convection ovens. Since its inception in 1949, the Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest has been about inspiring home cooks everywhere to share their recipes and celebrate the stories behind them. Over the years, the contest has grown to reflect what's happening in real homes across the country. To learn more about Melissa's win and the 49th Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest, check out a Taste of General Mills Blog, www.BakeOff.com or Pillsbury's Facebook and Instagram channels. About General Mills General Mills is a leading global food company that serves the world by making food people love. Its brands include Cheerios, Annie's, Yoplait, Nature Valley, Haagen-Dazs, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Old El Paso, Wanchai Ferry, Yoki, Blue and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, General Mills generated fiscal 2018 proforma net sales of U.S. $17.0 billion, including $1.3 billion from Blue Buffalo. In addition, General Mills' share of non-consolidated joint venture net sales totaled U.S. $1.1 billion. About GE Appliances GE Appliances, a Haier company, makes moments that matter for our owners through our passion for making great appliances and providing unparalleled services. Owners have more choices than ever before under the Hotpoint, GE, Haier, Cafe, GE Profile and Monogram brands. Our products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners, water filtration systems and water heaters. A leader in WiFi-connected technology, owners can monitor and maintain our connected suite of appliances from virtually anywhere, making owners' lives easier while improving their daily routines. For more information, visit www.geappliances.com/our-company. SOURCE General Mills NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Antibiotics Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Action Mechanism (Protein, DNA, RNA, Cell Wall Synthesis Inhibitors), By Drug Class (Penicillin, Cephalosporins, Fluoroquinolones), And Segment Forecasts, 2019 - 2026 Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05744655 The global antibiotics market size is expected to reach USD 62.06 billion by 2025 expanding at a CAGR of 4.0%, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Rising prevalence of infectious diseases, especially in developing regions like Asia Pacific and Middle East, is anticipated to contribute to the market growth. More than 15.0% of the deaths in children below the age of five years, are estimated to be due to pneumonia and according to the statistics provided by the WHO about 9.2 million deaths were recorded in 2015. Similar to tuberculosis, the disease is highly prevalent in the South Asian and Sub-Saharan regions. Currently, the required antibiotic treatment is available only to one-third of the infected population, thereby increasing the disease burden. Government reforms specific to antibiotics, such as the Generating Antibiotics Incentives Now (GAIN) Act in U.S., are projected to help boost the market growth over the forecast period. This is further expected to facilitate development of advanced drugs. According to an article published by the Pew Charitable Trusts, nearly 30% of the outpatient oral antibiotics prescriptions are unnecessary and majority of these are prescribed for disease conditions, such as non-bacterial infections and acute respiratory conditions, against which antibiotics are not significantly effective. Such indiscriminate use of antibiotics is anticipated to increase the risk of difficult-to-treat antibiotic-resistant infections, thereby increasing the economic burden. Further key findings from the study suggest: RNA and folic acid synthesis inhibitors are anticipated to witness healthy CAGRs over the forecast period Development of several antiviral drugs, which inhibit transcription and reverse transcription process are anticipated to support this growth Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness the highest CAGR over the forecast period on account of large population base, prevalence of infectious diseases, regulation reforms, and wide usage of generic medicine Latin America, especially Brazil, is also projected to exhibit remunerative growth due to strong growth in pharmaceutical sector Outbreak of certain viruses, such as Ebola, in African region contributed to the region's growth Some of the key companies in the market are Pfizer, Inc; Janssen Pharmaceuticals; Abbott laboratories; GlaxoSmithKline plc; Sanofi S.A.; Novartis AG; Bayer AG; Bristol Myers Squibb Company; Eli Lilly & Company, and Astellas Pharma, Inc. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05744655 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 Mrs. Supawan Teerarat , Senior Vice President for TCEB's Strategic Business Development & Innovation, says that taking account of the visions of the 20-year national strategy on security, prosperity and sustainability, a coherent digital strategy will be a crucial mechanism for growth. In line with the government's policy, TCEB is placing emphasis on 3 key goals, namely revenue generation, innovation-driven development, and equitable distribution of income and prosperity. In terms of the MICE strategy for this year, TCEB is aiming to boost the quality MICE market and distribute income to the cities. To accomplish this, the bureau is reorganizing its operating structure and has created a new MICE Intelligence & Innovation department. In addition, TCEB has unveiled the 3-year MICE Intelligence & Innovation Strategic Plan (2019-2021), which is based on a study of the behaviors of MICE travelers and private operators. These operational guidelines have spawned 16 highlighted projects, which will be implemented over the next three years. Through the new department, TCEB will work closely with operators to substantially boost the MICE sector in creating revenue and knowledge. TCEB has studied the major trends in global MICE business development including the changing behavior of business travelers. The study indicates that business travelers require events offering a full range of services. An optimum outcome will be expected even though they will have little time to engage in the event. As MICE travelers are important to economic growth, governments around the world are trying to catalyze the MICE industry and boost the number of MICE travelers. In the past, governments mainly supported budgets to develop personnel, venues and win more MICE events. However, financial support on its own cannot meet customer needs and ensure sustainable growth of the MICE business. In addition to financing, many countries are designing strategies to support the industry through other means. Several countries including Thailand are moving from the role of general information provider to offering more insightful information, allowing the operators to come up with concrete business plans through Data Analytics & Artificial Intelligence. For this reason, the TCEB has initiated the MICE Intelligence & Innovation Department to promote the adoption of innovations and data for MICE development with particular emphasis on creating innovations based on the real demands of entrepreneurs. The bureau conducted a survey of the expectations of those involved in the MICE business need to deploy innovations and data. It then designed and developed 16 key MICE intelligence and innovation projects that meet the needs of target groups. The roadmap of the MICE business development driven by MICE Intelligence & Innovation (2019-2021) consists of 6 strategies and 16 key projects: Strategy 1 is Support and Sponsorship provided for event organizing and suppliers. It features 4 projects: (1) Paperless MICE Lane Request as a fast track to welcome VIPs at the airports; (2) TCEB Online Financial Support Request; (3) TCEB Help Desk Chatbot; and (4) MICE Permit Advisor, which is an advisory service on importing goods for the exhibitions and applying for visas. Strategy 2 is Developing MICE Supply and encompasses 3 projects: (1) MICE Online Standard Assessment allowing entrepreneurs to apply for MICE standard certificates; (2) MICE Career Portal for job search and guidance; and (3) MICE Digital Learning Platform allowing suppliers to enhance their capacities. Strategy 3 is Enhancing Attendee Experience through an event application for attendee project to accommodate integrated services for event participants. Strategy 4 is Organizing Event with Efficiency. This features two projects: (1) A Mobile Application to accommodate the organizers; and (2) Event Traffic Analytics to assess visitors via video. Strategy 5 is Connecting MICE Supply & Demand and encompasses 5 projects: (1) Event Opportunities Portal which compiles the names and information about events for bidding; (2) MICE Crowd Funding Platform, a fund-raising center to support the organization of the event; (3) MICE Supply Marketplace for visitors' registration or exhibitors' bookings; (4) Event Discovery Platform; and (5) e-Commerce Platform, a marketplace for MICE products and services to create business opportunities pre and post events. Strategy 6 is MICE Intelligence & Resource Center and features the MICE Intelligence & Resource Center project, a comprehensive MICE database available via the website for assistance in creating innovations. TCEB hosted the MICE Intelligence & Innovation Conference 2019 on 22 February 2019 in Bangkok on the concept "Break through the Hype -- Uncover the Reality of Customer Insights". This platform, which has been created by TCEB's MICE Intelligence & Innovation Department, introduced the strategies and 16 highlighted projects under the 3-year MICE Intelligence & Innovation Strategic Plan (2019-2021). Moreover, the bureau encourages suppliers and individuals to raise awareness on harnessing innovations and Big Data to set a plan and strategies for the future MICE development. The first project launched by TCEB, the MICE Intelligence & Resource Center, will dramatically shape MICE innovations and data and is aimed at suppliers as well as the business, educational and public sectors. All will have access to the center, leading to an exchange of knowledge among people in the industry. The TCEB has collaborated with the global leading partners including World Bank, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Frost & Sullivan, business consulting firm involved in market research and analysis, and media intelligence firm, Meltwater Singapore. Local and international speakers were on hand to share knowledge during the event. They include Mr. Gordon Alexander Candelin - Design Director, McKinsey & Company and Mr. Khanet Kijsaereborerug - Business Connect Commercial Consultant, LINE Thailand etc. The conference was divided into 3 parts. During the first part, each speaker was allocated a 20-minute slot to address his topic. The second part has two breakout sessions enabling participants to ask for insights, while the final part was a panel discussion with an open Q&A session. The conference has been designed in such a way as to allow participants to truly focus on the contents. "Previously, Thailand's MICE industry grew by an average of 5-10% annually. The adoption of innovation and technology as enablers will potentially drive the industry to grow by 20% a year. Meanwhile, technology will also reduce inequality, allowing all parties to access information equally. The technology will also create empowering partnerships allowing individuals the opportunities to create startups or businesses through a MICE platform. Finally, the innovation and technology will create countless business opportunities, exchanges of knowledge and extend the industry, leading to the sustainable strengthening of MICE competitiveness," Mrs. Supawan concludes. Follow this link for more photos https://goo.gl/LtsXwP Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization): www.tceb.or.th For further information please contact: Corporate Communications Department, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) Ms Parichat Svetasreni Tel: +66 2 694 6009 Email: [email protected] Ms Paniyada Mulalin Tel: +66 2 694 6091 Email: [email protected] A publicist: Ms.Thittaya (Jang) +6694 323 5641, Mr.Sorasak (Earth) +6689 406 5544 SOURCE Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) Related Links http://www.tceb.or.th FOSTER CITY, Calif., Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- SutroVax Inc., a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the delivery of best-in-class conjugate vaccines and novel complex antigen-based vaccines to prevent serious infectious diseases, today announced the publication of research highlighting the importance and effectiveness of a proprietary multi-valent vaccine that has demonstrated protective immunity against Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) a common bacteria believed to be responsible for periodontal disease. The published research describes the use of three recombinant proteins from P. gingivalis, namely minor fimbriae protein (Mfa1), RgpA gingipain hemagglutinin domain 1 (HA1), and RgpA gingipain hemagglutinin domain 2 (HA2). This vaccine combination was designed to interrupt biofilm formation between P. gingivalis and other oral bacteria which stimulates virulence factors that result in disease progression and circumvent the host immune response. The published results demonstrate that immunization with the combination vaccine induces high levels of Pg protein specific Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, that resulted in significant protection against bone loss elicited from P. gingivalis infection in a murine challenge model. "The treatment and prevention of disease progression caused by P. gingivalis has the potential to significantly impact dental health. P. gingivalis has also been shown to be associated with increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and most recently Alzheimer's Disease," said Jeffery Fairman, Ph.D., SutroVax, Inc.'s vice president of research, co-founder and author on the publication. "These findings provide compelling preclinical evidence that a vaccine targeting the biofilm cascade may be an efficacious approach for the treatment and/or prevention of periodontal disease." The paper, published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology and authored by researchers at the University of Florida College of Dentistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases and SutroVax, describes the application of SutroVax's proprietary Xpress CFTM cell free protein synthesis (CFPS) technology as a platform to produce vaccines targeting Pg infection. "Periodontal disease affects over 500 million people worldwide and over half of American adults over 40 years of age are suffering from measurable oral bone loss from the disease," said Grant Pickering, CEO and co-founder. "The application of our cell free technology offers a promising avenue to intercept periodontal disease and its resultant morbidity." "These results support that a vaccination approach may provide an opportunity to change the trajectory of periodontal disease," said Frank C. Gibson III, Ph.D., University of Florida College of Dentistry researcher and author on the paper. "The findings from our initial preclinical studies are promising and suggest that we are onto something important; however, we are at a very early phase with this work and there is more work to be done before moving forward to clinical testing in humans. I look forward to continuing our collaboration with SutroVax." Reference: 'Immunization with cell-free generated vaccine protects from Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced alveolar bone loss.' Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2018; DOI 10.1111/jcpe.13047. The Journal of Clinical Periodontology can be accessed at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/loi/1600051x. About XpressTM CF Cell-Free Protein Synthesis (CFPS) Platform The CFPS platform has distinct advantages over traditional in vivo methods for protein production, such as cell lines originating from bacteria, yeast, insects, plants, or mammals. Xpress CF eliminates the need to maintain cell viability allowing for the optimization of protein synthetic capacity and allows for the direct addition of non-natural factors to manipulate transcription, translation and folding, and provide precise modulation of the protein expression process. Collectively, these unique features provide an ability to produce discrete proteins in proper conformation to mimic a desired antigen of interest to serve as the basis for development of an effective vaccine. SutroVax is leveraging these unique capabilities of the CFPS platform along with its site-specific conjugation properties to develop a pipeline of vaccines to address important unmet needs in infectious disease. About SutroVax SutroVax is an independent vaccine platform and development company whose mission is to deliver best-in-class conjugate vaccines and novel complex antigen-based vaccines to prevent serious infectious diseases. For more information, visit www.sutrovax.com. Contact: Julie Rathbun Rathbun Communications 206-769-9219 [email protected] SOURCE SutroVax Related Links http://sutrovax.com DALLAS, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- WHO: Sudanese American Physicians Association (SAPA) sapa-usa.com WHAT: Calling for swift action against Sudan regime WHEN: February 25, 2019 WHY: For the ninth week in a row, Sudanese citizens have taken to the streets to peacefully protest the brutality and corruption of the dictatorial regime of Omer al-Bashir and seek freedom and justice under a new and democratically elected Sudanese government. al-Bashir has met these protests with unrestrained violence, including using live ammunition against defenseless and peaceful gatherings, breaking into homes and hospitals to assault and kill pro-democracy activists, and arresting political opponents on a massive scale. Despite increasing international outcry, al-Bashir and the head of his security apparatus continue to threaten more bloodshed as protests continue to demand justice and an end to more than 30 years of tyrannical exploitation of the Sudanese people. Per Human Rights Watch 1, the death toll of innocent demonstrators has reached at least 51, a figure that does not include thousands more who have been assaulted or unjustly detained by the security forces. On February 22, al-Bashir has declared a year-long national state of emergency, dismissed the federal government and sacked all state governors. Shortly after the televised speech, the announcements were met with street demonstrations and protestors who were chanting "Just fall, that's all", demanding al-Bashir and his regime to step down. Two days later, hundreds of peaceful demonstrations were erupted throughout the country to defy the state of emergency. Security forces swiftly confronted protesters with tear gas and live ammunitions. Also, video footages showed masked security forces storming the premises of University of Medical Sciences and Technology and beating students with sticks and whips. In the United States, Sudanese-American communities nationwide have been organizing protests to voice our support and solidarity with our people back home. We declare our pride in the remarkable courage, determination and sacrifice of the Sudanese protestors seeking freedom, justice, and an end to the corrupt dictatorship of Omer al-Bashir. We appeal to our elected officials and fellow citizens in the United States of America to stand in solidarity with us and to support our efforts by calling on the Trump Administration and the United States Congress to: Strongly condemn the al-Bashir regime's killing of peaceful pro-democracy demonstrators and demand an international judicial investigation; Release political prisoners immediately and unconditionally, and allow the people of Sudan their right to protest and freedom of expression; their right to protest and freedom of expression; Support liberty, justice, and peaceful transition of power. We understand that the fate of this regime will only be decided by the will of the Sudanese people themselves, but it is time for the United States and the international community to stop legitimizing a regime that has long been delegitimized by its own people. Community members, scholars and activists are available for interviews. PLEASE CONTACT: Yasir Elamin MD, +1 (346) 874-8221 Mohamed Seedahmed MD, +1 (404) 451-1089 [email protected] SOURCE Sudanese American Physicians Association (SAPA) Related Links http://sapa-usa.com ZURICH, February 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Quadrant AG announced today that the company will change its name to Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials AG (MCAM) as of April 1, 2019. This name change will be an important further step in the history of the Group as the renamed company as well as most of its subsidiaries and affiliates which will share the name of Mitsubishi Chemical as part of its new identity with some additional designation. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/825626/Quadrant_MCAM_Logo.jpg ) The name aligns with the Mitsubishi Chemical Group brand and is well reflecting the activities of the company. MCAM will, under the new name, continue to serve a growing portfolio of market segments as a Strategic Business Unit (SBU) under the umbrella of its parent company Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC). Starting April 1, 2019 a new corporate identity will be established with Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials at the core. The existing portfolio of product brands such as Ketron, MediTECH, SymaLITE, Symalit etc. will remain unaffected and will continue to be used to distribute products under the same specifications and quality into the various customer channels. The company will continue to enhance its high-performance thermoplastic materials business and strive to realize "KAITEKI". KAITEKI is an original concept of the Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group that proposes a way forward in the sustainable development of society and the planet, in addition to serving as a guide for solving environmental and social issues. Quadrant is a leading global manufacturer of high-performance thermoplastic materials in the form of semi-finished products and finished parts. The company has locations in 21 countries and more than 2800 employees. Its specialty engineering thermoplastics and composites are superior in performance to metals and other materials and are used in a wide range of applications, primarily in the capital goods industry. The company is continuously developing new areas of applications in close cooperation with industry leaders in a broad variety of customer markets. Quadrant is a fully owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC) and its parent company Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation (MCHC). Further information can be obtained from : Frank-Michael Schilling, Chief Financial Officer [email protected] Quadrant AG, Talstrasse 70, CH-8001 Zurich Phone +41(0)44-213-66-66, Fax +41(0)44-213-66-99 http://www.quadrantplastics.com SOURCE Quadrant AG INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Indiana Stable Patient Protection Coalition (ISPPC), in partnership with the Global Healthy Living Foundation (GHLC) and the Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations (CSRO), recently published a study that found that most patients in Indiana are falling victim to a common practice known as non-medical switching (NMS). Non-medical switching is a strategy used to reduce administrative expenses by switching the prescription for a stable patient to a "preferred" or cheaper pharmaceutical drug. "The negligence of non-medical switching can be very harmful to patients," said Daniel Hernandez, Medical Advocacy Liaison from the Global Healthy Living Foundation. "Patients may experience additional, sometimes worse, side effects and symptoms; disease progression; potential relapse; financial and emotional strain; and potential delays in obtaining life-saving medications." Through an online survey, the majority (68.9%) of respondents reported that their insurance company switched their medication to a drug that was different from the one their physician prescribed, oftentimes without warning. Key Findings from the Study Include: Of those affected by NMS, 69.2% had no opportunity to reject and/or decline the switch. the switch. 74.1% reported that the primary therapy prescribed to them became suddenly and significantly more expensive to obtain . . 78.8% found their new medication to be less effective . . Of the 56.9% that reported side-effects from the new medication, 92.8% reported the side-effects as worse than the initial medication's, and 61.4% reported it as much worse . than the initial medication's, and 61.4% reported it as . Of the people who did experience side effects, 46.4% reported seeing their health care provider, going to the emergency room, or both because of complications they were experiencing with the new medication. because of complications they were experiencing with the new medication. 98.6% support legislation that would prohibit insurance companies from financially pressuring them to switch their physician prescribed medication for non-medical reasons. The extent and impact of NMS on patients has been remarkably unmeasured and ignored by health insurance and pharmacy benefit management companies. The findings suggest that this is not only a regional problem but a medical and economic issue on a national level. For more information, view the infographic and executive summary. About Indiana Stable Patient Protection Coalition The Indiana Stable Patient Protection Coalition consists of a diverse selection of patient and physician advocacy organizations that represent Indiana residents who suffer from complex and chronic conditions. The coalition was convened to respond to the growing problem presented by non-medical switching for patients suffering from the aforementioned conditions. About Global Healthy Living Foundation The Global Healthy Living Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for people living with chronic illnesses (such as arthritis, osteoporosis, migraine, diabetes, psoriasis, and cardiovascular disease) by advocating for improved access to health care at the community, state, and federal levels, and amplifying education and awareness efforts within its social media framework. GHLF is also a staunch advocate for vaccines. The Global Healthy Living Foundation is the parent organization of CreakyJoints , the digital arthritis community for millions of arthritis patients and caregivers worldwide who seek education, support, activism, and patient-centered research through ArthritisPower , the first-ever patient-centered research registry for joint, bone, and inflammatory skin conditions. Visit www.GHLF.org for more information. About the Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations The Coalition of State Rheumatology Organization (CSRO) is comprised of over 30 state and regional professional rheumatology societies whose mission is to advocate for excellence in the field of rheumatology, ensuring access to the highest quality care for the management of rheumatologic and musculoskeletal disease. SOURCE Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations (CSRO) Related Links https://csro.info NEW HAVEN, Conn., Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- In just one month, Americans have made a sudden and dramatic shift away from the pro-choice position and toward a pro-life stance, according to a new Marist poll. The shift was led by Democrats and those under 45 years old, according to a survey taken Feb.12-17 in the wake of efforts in several states to legalize abortion up until birth. "Current proposals that promote late-term abortion have reset the landscape and language on abortion in a pronounced and very measurable way," said Barbara Carvalho, director of The Marist Poll. In a substantial, double-digit shift, according to the poll, Americans are now as likely to identify as pro-life (47 percent) as pro-choice (47 percent). Just last month, a similar survey conducted by The Marist Poll found Americans more likely to identify as pro-choice than as pro-life by 17 percentage points (55 to 38 percent). Democrats moved in their pro-life identity from 20 percent to 34 percent. Among Democrats, the gap between pro-life and pro-choice identifiers was cut in half from 55 percent to 27 percent. The number of Democrats now identifying as pro-life is 34 percent, up from 20 percent last month, while the number identifying as pro-choice fell from 75 percent to 61 percent. Younger Americans also moved dramatically, now dividing 47 percent pro-life to 48 percent pro-choice. One month ago, the gap was almost 40 percentage points with only 28 percent identifying as pro-life and 65 percent identifying as pro-choice. "The recent legal changes to late-term abortion and the debate which followed have not gone unnoticed by the general public," said Carvalho. "In just one month, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of Americans who see themselves as pro-life and an equally notable decline in those who describe themselves as pro-choice." This is the first time since 2009 that as many or more Americans have identified as pro-life as have identified as pro-choice. More than a third of Democrats (34 percent) as well as two-thirds of Republicans (67 percent) identify as pro-life. Independents divide (46 percent pro-life, 48 percent pro-choice). At the same time, the survey found that opposition to late-term abortions is overwhelming. By about three to one (71 percent to 25 percent), Americans say abortion should be generally illegal during the third trimester. This majority includes 60 percent of Democrats, 72 percent of independents and 85 percent of Republicans. By an even wider margin (71 percent to 18 percent), Americans strongly oppose late-term abortion after 20 weeks. This 71 percent includes two-thirds (66 percent) who say abortion should be banned after 20 weeks of pregnancy except to save the life of the mother, and an additional five percent think abortion should be outlawed completely. Only 18 percent think abortion should be allowed at any time up until birth. Those opposing abortion after 20 weeks, or overall, include: 59 percent of Democrats, 78 percent of independents and 82 percent of Republicans. In addition, the poll found that 80 percent of Americans would like abortion limited to at most the first three months of pregnancy -- an increase of five points since just last month. This includes 65 percent of those who identified as pro-choice, as well as strong majorities of Democrats (64 percent), Republicans (92 percent) and independents (83 percent). The proportion overall has shown a consensus over time on the issue with three-quarters to eight-in-10 Americans supportive of restrictions on abortion. The 80 percent figure is, nevertheless, a significant increase since January a noteworthy change in what has been a very stable measure. "Arguments in favor of late-term abortion are simply not convincing the American people," said Carl Anderson, CEO of the Knights of Columbus, the organization that sponsored the survey. "If anything, since these proposals have been unveiled, people are moving noticeably in the pro-life direction. It is now clear that these radical policies are being pursued despite the opposition of the majority of Americans of both parties." This survey of 1,008 adults was conducted Feb. 12 through Feb. 17, 2019 by The Marist Poll sponsored and funded in partnership with The Knights of Columbus. Adults 18 years of age and older residing in the United States were contacted on landline or mobile numbers and interviewed in English or Spanish by telephone using live interviewers. Telephone numbers were randomly selected based upon a list of telephone exchanges from throughout the nation. The exchanges were selected to ensure that each region was represented in proportion to its population. Assistance was provided by SSRS for data collection. The sample was balanced to reflect the 2017 American Community Survey 1-year estimates for age, gender, income, race, and region. Results are statistically significant within 3.5 percentage points. MOE increases for subgroups. About the Knights of Columbus The Knights of Columbus is one of the nation's premiere volunteer and charitable organizations. Last year, Knights worldwide donated more than 75.6 million hours, and more than $185 million to charitable causes in communities throughout the Americas, as well in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. From helping children in need, to providing wheelchairs for the disabled, to helping stock food banks, to offering top-rated and affordable life insurance to its members, the Knights has been at the service of the community for more than 130 years. About the Marist Poll Founded in 1978, The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion (MIPO) is a survey research center at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York. The Marist Poll has conducted independent research on public priorities, elections, and a wide variety of social issues. The Marist Poll regularly partners with NBC News and The Wall Street Journal to conduct scientific public opinion polls in key electoral battleground states. It teams often with NPR and PBS NewsHour to take the pulse of the country. SOURCE Knights of Columbus On February 22, 2019, the Company received its third certification from Clean Green Certified; a program modeled on existing national and international agricultural standards, ensuring environmentally clean and sustainable methods. Comprised of three parts: legal compliance, review of cultivation methods and agricultural crop inspection. By practicing organic methodologies, we can produce premium product whilst leaving the smallest carbon footprint of any agricultural process. We are committed to the establishment and the long term health of our soil to ensure that our plants are nurtured to their highest potential. On behalf of our shareholders, Liht wishes to acknowledge the commitment and efforts of our Las Vegas team who fulfilled our promise to provide organically grown cannabis products. "This triple certification officially recognizes our commitment to human health and wellness through the production of organic cannabis and environmental stewardship. I commend our team in Las Vegas for being committed to the organic cultivation methods like those employed in US Food Production. Consumers can purchase our product with confidence knowing 3 independent groups, each with their own rigorous standards, have evaluated all aspects of our operations. We want to ensure that when the USDA Organic Certification is achievable in our industry that we are ready and first in line for this prestigious certification. " Kurt Keating, Director of Operations ABOUT LIHT CANNABIS CORP. www.lihtcannabis.com Liht Cannabis Corp. is a publicly traded company investing in the medical and recreational cannabis space, since 2014. Liht has rapidly expanded to include cultivation, production and dispensary locations in the key North American states of Washington, Nevada, and California, and are seeking expansion opportunities worldwide. SOCIAL MEDIA: twitter.com facebook.com STOCK EXCHANGES: Liht trades in Canada, ticker symbol LIHT on the CSE, in the United States, ticker symbol LIHTF on the OTCQX. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider, nor the OTCQX has approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the CSE nor the OTCQX accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. MARIJUANA INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT: Canadian listings (CSE) will remain in good standing as long as they provide the disclosure that is rightly required by regulators and complying with applicable licensing requirements and the regulatory framework enacted by the applicable state in which they operate. Liht owns marijuana licenses in California and Nevada. Marijuana is legal in each state however marijuana remains illegal under US federal law and the approach to enforcement of US federal law against marijuana is subject to change. Shareholders and investors need to be aware that adverse enforcement actions could affect their investments and that Liht's ability to access private and public capital could be affected and or could not be available to support continuing operations. Liht's business is conducted in a manner consistent with state law and is in compliance with licensing requirements. Copies of licenses are posted on Liht's website. Liht has internal compliance procedures in place and has compliance focused attorneys engaged in jurisdictions to monitor changes in laws for compliance with US federal and state law on an ongoing basis. These law firms inform any necessary changes to our policies and procedures for compliance in Canada and the US. FORWARD - LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which includes, the expected outcomes of its business, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur. Forward-looking statement are necessarily based upon a number of factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performances or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performances or achievements express or implied by such statements. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the state of the economy in general and capital markets in particular, present and future business strategies, the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. While such estimates and assumptions are considered reasonable by the management of the Company, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and risks. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual events, level of activity, performance or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: that laws and regulations may become more onerous; the ability of the Company to obtain necessary financing; the economy generally; the future growth, results of operations, performance and business prospectus and opportunities; changes in and the effect of government policies; demand for products; competition; anticipated and unanticipated costs; reliance on management; claims and legal proceedings; conflicts of interest; and market price and volatility of the Common Shares. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, the loss of key directors, employees, advisors or consultants, technology failures, failure to obtain a license from Health Canada or from other government agencies, failure to develop new and innovative products, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations and fees charged by service providers. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include, litigation, global economic climate, loss of key employees and consultants, additional funding requirements, changes in laws, competition, and failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements. 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. 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. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, nor approved the contents of this news release. SOURCE Liht Cannabis Corporation Related Links http://www.marapharm.com/ Cuba and Bolivia reiterate support as Venezuela cuts relations with Colombia Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro vowed to devote his life "to the defense of the country", as other countries including Cuba and Bolivia reiterated their support for the Venezuelan government. On Saturday, which marks one month after Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself the "interim president", Maduro said he is "tougher than ever" to continue taking the country's reins before tens of thousands of Venezuelans gathering in central Caracas. He said he would be "tough, and standing, governing this country now and for many years, facing destiny, with the reins in hand". He also said he would not back down and would defend the country from any attack with his life, if necessary. "My life is devoted to the defense of the country, in whatever circumstance I will never bend, I will never give up," Maduro said. On the same day, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel reaffirmed his country's support for Caracas, saying Venezuela is "not alone". The Communist Party of Cuba has called for international mobilization to prevent a war in Venezuela, denouncing in a statement the "escalation of US pressures and actions". In Bolivia, President Evo Morales also warned that any intervention in Venezuela "will only bring war". "Our Latin American brothers cannot be complicit to a military intervention. Defending Venezuela is defending the sovereignty of Latin America," Morales said. Their remarks were made amid an aid standoff in which the United States and other countries in the region, in coordination with the Venezuelan opposition, declared a plan to deliver alleged humanitarian aid to Venezuela, which was rejected by the Venezuelan government, fearing that it might be the first step toward a foreign invasion. The aid, much of it from the US, has become the centerpiece of the standoff between Maduro and Guaido. Two protesters, including a 14-year-old boy, were killed in clashes with security forces that left more than 300 people wounded at various border crossings. Maduro announced severance of relations with Colombia on Saturday, asking its embassy staff to "leave within 24 hours". Colombian President Ivan Duque has repeatedly expressed his support for the opposition and criticized Maduro's government. "Patience has run out. ... We cannot continue to put up with Colombian territory being used for an attack against Venezuela," Maduro said. The Colombian government later on Saturday ordered the return of its diplomatic officials in Venezuela following the severance of diplomatic and political ties between the two countries. Three bridges serves as the most important border crossings between Venezuela and Colombia were closed a day before. Venezuela also sealed off the country's border with Brazil and suspended aerial and maritime communications with the neighboring islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. Meanwhile, a senior US official said that Washington and its allies could upgrade sanctions on Venezuela if the aid is not allowed to pass. US Vice-President Mike Pence is scheduled to travel to Colombia on behalf of President Donald Trump on Monday to voice support for Guaido. Pence will attend a meeting of the Lima Group in Colombia where members will discuss the situation in Venezuela. The Lima Group, comprised of 13 Latin American countries and Canada, is a multilateral body established in August 2017 to focus on Venezuela's situation. Some members of the group recognized Guaido as the country's rightful interim president. The opposition leader declared himself the "interim president" on Jan 23 and was immediately recognized by Washington. In response, Maduro announced he was severing diplomatic and political ties with the US, ordering all US diplomatic and consular personnel to leave Venezuela. Maduro has accused Washington of orchestrating a coup d'etat in order to install a puppet regime. Xinhua, AFP and AP contributed to this story. (China Daily 02/25/2019 page12) TAMPA BAY, Fla. and SAO PAULO, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- KnowBe4, the provider of the world's largest security awareness training and simulated phishing, announced it has entered the Brazilian market by purchasing El Pescador, a company previously owned by Tempest a national cybersecurity leader. Through this new relationship, El Pescador will continue to operate, now as an independent subsidiary of KnowBe4, and maintain its brand. The security awareness training and simulated phishing market is one of the fastest growing subsets of cybersecurity, and this new relationship will be beneficial to all three companies involved. El Pescador will continue to offer its customers new, innovative functionalities and technological improvements; and Tempest, which purchased El Pescador in 2015, will remain a strategic business partner of KnowBe4. According to Rafael Silva, founder and CEO of El Pescador, the aquisition will provide the Brazilian company with more investments and the expansion of services, products and functionalities, as well as an accelerated growth in the sales of licenses and programs. "Since we were acquired by Tempest in 2015, we have been growing more than 100 percent a year. With the arrival of KnowBe4, our expectation is that this pace will be even faster. The proof is that we have already planned for the next few months the hiring of 30 more people, increasing our staff by three times," he says. "Our goal is to deliver new content every month to our users with interactive and engaging training modules," says Stu Sjouwerman, CEO of KnowBe4. "This acquisition enables us to deliver new training content, allowing our customers to customize their security awareness programs with the right training at the right time for their organizations. We look forward to working with El Pescador's professionals to help our customers improve the security of their organizations." "El Pescador has a fantastic team and I look forward to having them on board," says Kevin Mitnick, KnowBe4's chief hacking officer. Tempest's founder and CEO, Cristiano Lincoln Mattos, describes the acquisition that happened in 2015 as an ideal relationship. "There has always been a lot of synergy. El Pescador offered a complementary line of work to ours and to the portfolio we offered. And the "marriage" went so well that El Pescador did not stop growing. We were looked at by the biggest worldwide company in the sector. During our assessment, it was crucial that the negotiations were positive for our customers, for the El Pescador team and also for Tempest's position in the awareness market, which we have been fostering throughout this journey." "I think we have achieved all of these goals, and we are very happy with the final results," said Mattos. "We will continue to work, now in partnership with KnowBe4." El Pescador's work in education, awareness and simulation of phishing attacks will add to KnowBe4's massive library of security awareness training content. Going forward in this new relationship with KnowBe4, El Pescador will focus on the generation of research and engaging content, as well as on making available to the Brazilian market the same security tool used by millions of people around the world. For more information on El Pescador, visit https://www.elpescador.com.br/. For more information on KnowBe4, visit www.knowbe4.com. About El Pescador Founded in 2014, El Pescador is the first Brazilian platform to conduct simulations of phishing attacks and security awareness training. Leader in the national security awareness market, El Pescador has developed an exclusive educational cycle methodology with content focused on education about phishing - available in Portuguese, English, Spanish and French. Through simulations of phishing attacks, El Pescador indicates the level of risk employees face, and teaches them to recognize threats in face of a real attack in the corporate environment. About KnowBe4 KnowBe4, the world's most popular integrated security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, is used by more than 23,000 organizations around the globe. Founded by IT and data security specialist Stu Sjouwerman, KnowBe4 helps organizations address the human element of security by raising awareness about ransomware, CEO fraud and other social engineering tactics through a new-school approach to awareness training on security. Kevin Mitnick, an internationally recognized cybersecurity specialist and KnowBe4's Chief Hacking Officer, helped design the KnowBe4 training based on his well-documented social engineering tactics. Thousands of organizations rely on KnowBe4 to mobilize their end users as the last line of defense. Number 96 on the list Inc. 500 of 2018, number 34 on 2018's Deloitte's Technology Fast 500, and 2nd place in Cybersecurity Ventures Cybersecurity 500, KnowBe4 is headquartered in Tampa Bay, Florida, with offices in England, the Netherlands, Germany, South Africa and Singapore. About Tempest Founded in 2000, Tempest was born as a startup incubated at the Recife Digital Port, one of the main and most advanced technology hubs in Brazil. Reference for its technical expertise, integrity, operational maturity and delivery capacity, Tempest expanded its portfolio when it purchased the company EZ-Security, in February 2018, and also offered the integration of technology products in cybersecurity, becoming the largest digital protection company for business viability in Brazil, with revenues higher than R $ 100 million in 2017, 280 employees and a wide list of clients in Brazil and abroad, attended to by the offices of Recife, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and London. Press Info: STRATA Public Relations Fabio Chaves [email protected] | 11-3078-6969 | 11-99616-4456 Amanda Tarantino [email protected] | (727)748-4221 SOURCE KnowBe4 BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Friends of United Hatzalah of Israel (www.israelrescue.org) announced today that Jay Leno, former host of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno will be the recipient of the Humanitarian Award for his support and work with Hatzalah at the 1st Annual Los Angeles Gala, taking place on Thursday February 28th at the Beverly Hilton, featuring an uplifting performance by Israeli recording artist Dudu Aharon and hosted by Israeli model Esti Ginzburg. For more information on the gala WWW.UHLAGALA.COM. More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the philanthropic event, including elected officials, civic figures and community leaders. The evening will pay tribute to the 5,000 volunteers around the country that are the core of United Hatzalah of Israel and the organizations' capabilities of providing service to an entire country around the clock 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. "We are very excited to be holding our first gala in Los Angeles," said President and Founder of United Hatzalah of Israel, Eli Beer. "The community there has been tremendous in supporting the lifesaving work that we do in Israel and we are happy to be able to provide them with this chance to partner with us and getting more involved with saving lives in Israel." United Hatzalah is the largest independent, non-profit, fully volunteer Emergency Medical Service organization that provides the fastest and free emergency medical first response throughout Israel. United Hatzalah's service is available to all people regardless of race, religion, or national origin. With the help of our unique GPS technology and our iconic ambucycles, the average response time is less than 3 minutes across the country and 90 seconds in metropolitan areas. About Jay Leno: Mr. Leno's position as one of television's most significant entertainers has continued with the high ratings and awards achieved by his CNBC series, "Jay Leno's Garage" just starting its fifth season. SOURCE Friends of United Hatzalah Related Links https://israelrescue.org Sky and Bradford Facilities Combine for Over 128,000 kg per Year Production Capacity TSX |NYSE: ACB EDMONTON, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Aurora Cannabis Inc. (the "Company" or "Aurora") (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB) (Frankfurt: 21P; WKN: A1C4WM) today announced that both its Aurora Sky and MedReleaf Bradford facilities are now fully licensed by Health Canada for the production and sale of cannabis and cannabis derivative products. "The rapid scale-up of our production capacity - with our Sky and Bradford facilities specifically adding over 128,000 kg per year in capacity - is resulting in significant increases in product availability across our domestic medical and consumer, as well as our international market segments, over the coming months," said Terry Booth, CEO of Aurora. "Current production at Aurora Sky, with recent harvests exceeding target yields, validates our production philosophy and our investment in high-tech, highly automated facilities. MedReleaf Bradford employs best practices identified during the integration of the Aurora and MedReleaf organizations, and is consistently delivering exceptional yields and high-quality product that has resonated well in both the medical and consumer markets." Aurora Sky Located at the Edmonton International Airport in Alberta, Aurora Sky is the Company's first "Sky Class" facility. Aurora Sky is designed to deliver high quality, consistent and highly cost-efficient cannabis cultivation. At 800,000 square foot, the facility delivers massive scale, incorporates state-of-the-art technology, and leverages a high degree of automation to deliver target production costs of well below one dollar per gram. With the entire facility's cultivation space now licensed by Health Canada, the Company anticipates the facility to be fully planted in March 2019, with the full impact of product available for sale to be realized by the end of June 2019. MedReleaf Bradford Located in Ontario, MedReleaf Bradford is a 210,000 square foot high-tech production facility built to EU GMP specifications which features 17 independently climate-controlled grow rooms. Designed for large scale, hang-dried, hand-manicured production, 13 of the flower rooms are currently in production to service the consumer and medical markets. With the facility's cultivation space now completely licensed, Aurora anticipates the facility to be fully planted by early April 2019, reflecting a production capacity of 28,000 kg of high-quality cannabis per annum. About Aurora Headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with funded capacity in excess of 500,000 kg per annum and sales and operations in 23 countries across five continents, Aurora is one of the world's largest and leading cannabis companies. Aurora is vertically integrated and horizontally diversified across every key segment of the value chain, from facility engineering and design to cannabis breeding and genetics research, cannabis and hemp production, derivatives, high value-add product development, home cultivation, wholesale and retail distribution. Highly differentiated from its peers, Aurora has established a uniquely advanced, consistent and efficient production strategy, based on purpose-built facilities that integrate leading-edge technologies across all processes, defined by extensive automation and customization, resulting in the massive scale production of high quality product at low cost. Intended to be replicable and scalable globally, our production facilities are designed to produce cannabis of significant scale, with high quality, industry-leading yields, and low per gram production costs. Each of Aurora's facilities is built to meet EU GMP standards, and its first production facility, the recently acquired MedReleaf Markham facility, and its wholly owned European medical cannabis distributor Aurora Deutschland have achieved this level of certification. In addition to the Company's rapid organic growth and strong execution on strategic M&A, which to date includes 15 wholly owned subsidiary companies MedReleaf, CanvasRX, Peloton Pharmaceutical, Aurora Deutschland, H2 Biopharma, Urban Cultivator, BC Northern Lights, Larssen Greenhouses, CanniMed Therapeutics, Anandia Labs, HotHouse Consulting, MED Colombia, Agropro, Borela, and ICC Labs Aurora is distinguished by its reputation as a partner and employer of choice in the global cannabis sector, having invested in and established strategic partnerships with a range of leading innovators, including: Radient Technologies Inc. (TSXV: RTI), Hempco Food and Fiber Inc. (TSXV: HEMP), Cann Group Ltd. (ASX: CAN), Micron Waste Technologies Inc. (CSE: MWM), Choom Holdings Inc. (CSE: CHOO), Capcium Inc. (private), Evio Beauty Group (private), Wagner Dimas (private), CTT Pharmaceuticals (OTCC: CTTH), and Alcanna Inc. (TSX: CLIQ). Aurora's Common Shares trade on the TSX and NYSE under the symbol "ACB", and are a constituent of the S&P/TSX Composite Index. For more information about Aurora, please visit our investor website, investor.auroramj.com Neither the TSX, NYSE nor their Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX and NYSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Terry Booth, CEO Aurora Cannabis Inc. Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes statements containing certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur and include, but are not limited to the cost per gram of cannabis production, the capacity of production per year, and the time frame for the facilities to be fully planted. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. SOURCE Aurora Cannabis Inc. Related Links https://auroramj.com/ DULUTH, Ga., Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- DataPath, Inc., a leading provider of advanced and secure communications solutions, announced today it was awarded a prime contract from the U.S. Army to provide communications services in support of Homeland Defense and Defense Support of Civil Authorities. Under terms of the contract, DataPath will supply satellite communications hardware, software and systems installation and maintenance services to support communications interoperability between a variety of military and civil response organizations. The program supports the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) Deployable Communications Capabilities Systems (DCCS), including North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD), USNORTHCOM Subordinate and Component Commands, mission partners, and Army North (ARNORTH). USNORTHCOM Theater of Operations commands and controls the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps forces in the North American continent. In making the announcement, DataPath's Chief Executive Officer, Sherin Kamal, said, "Communications interoperability between military and civil response units is critical to mission success. Since Homeland Defense and Defense Support of Civil Authorities events cannot be pre-identified by location, all of these communications capabilities are commercial satellite link capable and connected. In addition to Homeland Defense, the USNORTHCOM mission includes the DSCA response for other disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires." Kamal added, "DataPath is partnering with SAIC to provide these critical services. We are proud to bring such a high caliber team to the US Army and look forward to further collaboration with our SAIC partners." Program communications platforms include vehicular and transit-cased systems. Within DataPath's project umbrella are such service areas as system lifecycle support, project management, capability design, system modifications, technical refreshment, equipment training, technical support, service desk, equipment repair, spare parts management and reporting. "The U.S. Army has charged DataPath to create and maintain the vital connection between the Department of Defense and civil response units for Homeland Defense and disaster relief operations," Kamal said. "DataPath is proud to play a leading role in this effort to help secure our nation's safety." About DataPath Inc. DataPath excels in advanced and secure communications solutions tailored to the unique requirements of defense, aerospace, broadcast, government, and critical infrastructure clients. Our solutions include a wide range of field communications and information technology products, including satellite communication systems, network management software, and cybersecurity services. All of our offerings are backed by 24x7 customer care and global field support. At DataPath we are passionate about helping our clients achieve mission success. For more information, visit www.datapath.com. Contact: DataPath, Inc. Patrick Millard 678-597-0723 [email protected] SOURCE DataPath, Inc. Related Links http://www.datapath.com While 256 companies participated in the 2019 study in total, responses of 240 companies were finally adopted to ensure a high degree of data integrity. Participants in the Study include companies from the US, Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao SARs, Taiwan, EU, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. The study sheds light on the impact of the trade dispute on the operation of business in South China as it was conducted shortly after the US and China announced a temporary 90-day ceasefire to deescalate trade tensions between the two countries. The 2019 Special Report shows that many companies have taken advantage of the 90-day truce between the US and China, completing orders for rush delivery from the US and China. Those orders or deals account for 20 to 30 percent of the companies' annual numbers. Forty percent of all the respondents report to have shifted some reinvestment from China to other markets in 2018 while 44 percent of all the foreign-invested companies report such shift, of which Asian countries are the biggest recipients. The Special Report also suggests most business executives have had sufficient time to assess the present and possible future impact of the trade dispute on their businesses, and have increased their 2019 plans for reinvestments in the US and China accordingly. "Companies which postponed their reinvestments in 2018 have increased their budgets for reinvestments in China in 2019 in order to keep up with customer demand - a need intensified by the postponement of their reinvestments in 2018," said Dr. Harley Seyedin, President of AmCham South China. Budgeted reinvestment from profits in China in 2019 by members of AmCham South China is expected to rise by a whopping average of 37.9 percent over 2018. While fierce local competition, shortage of qualified personnel, and rising labor costs are the top three major challenges companies are facing in China, the top strategic reason for reinvesting in China is the potential growth of the local market. But unlike previous years, only 46 percent of the companies report Mainland China as their number one investment destination. American companies report to continue being hurt the most as a result of the US and Chinese tariffs with 54 percent claiming to have lost market share to companies operating in other countries, while 33 percent and 20 percent of their counterparts from China and other countries operating in China present the same answer. Apart from the combined tariffs, uncertainty of policies and regulations is the biggest non-tariff barrier companies confront in the US-China bilateral trade. The Chamber, thereof, calls for the establishment of a new judicial venue/vehicle where foreign companies can lodge complaints and where the oversight is designated by the central government just as it is with the IPR Courts. A large portion of problems foreign companies are facing in China are not related to central government issues, but as a direct result of unfair treatment by low-level municipal governments. The Chamber suggests the China central government should create greater barriers that separate government-owned and partially-owned businesses from low-level municipal judicial systems. Seyedin said these judicial systems must be free from outside influences so that they are able to interpret laws and civil suits objectively and fairly. About White Paper on the Business Environment in China and Special Report on the State of Business in South China The White Paper on the Business Environment in China offers a summary of China's impressive accomplishments since China's "opening-up" and examines the key influences on the business environment in present-day China, such as national policy initiatives and the global economic crisis. The Special Report on the State of Business in South China is a quantitative study of the business environment, conducted for consecutive years by AmCham South China. Each year, AmCham's member and non-member companies participate in AmCham's State of Business study, results of which will be garnered and edited into a separate publication. Both documents may be downloaded free of charge from the chamber's website at www.amcham-southchina.org/amcham/static/publications/publications.jsp. About The American Chamber of Commerce in South China The American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham South China) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating bilateral trade between the United States and the People's Republic of China. Certified in 1995 by the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC, AmCham South China represents more than 2,300 corporate and individual members, is governed by a fully-independent Board of Governors elected from its membership, and provides dynamic, on-the-ground support for American and International companies doing business in South China. In 2018, AmCham South China hosted more than 10,000 business executives and government leaders from around the world at its briefings, seminars, committee meetings and social gatherings. AmCham South China is a fully-independent organization accredited by the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC. All AmChams in China are independently governed and represent member companies in their respective regions. For additional information, please contact: Ms. Rachel Chen Communication Manager The American Chamber of Commerce in South China Tel: 86-20-8335-1476 ext. 39 Fax: 86-20-8332-1642 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE AmCham South China Zero Hedge February 25, 2019 The Washington Post has stealth-edited all mention of Richard Bransons Venezuela aid concert in Cucuta, Colombia, after the paper originally claimed that the event drew a crowd of more than 200,000 people Friday. Branson hoped to attract 250,000 people to the concert and raise $100 million to buy food and medicine for Venezuelans suffering widespread shortages. The original version of the article, written by WaPos South American bureau chief Anthony Faiola and two other journalists, can still be seen at the Mercury News, which aggregated it before the changes were made (including a headline change). The attention on Saturday remained immediately focused on the single largest staging ground for aid in Cucuta, Colombia where a massive benefit concert hosted by British billionaire Richard Branson drew a crowd of more than 200,000 people Friday. WaPo via the Mercury News It can also be seen in a current Google search for the article: A second version of the article mentions Branson, but eliminates the 200,000 figure: A convoy of 14 trucks bearing 280 tons of aid was being prepped near a warehouse loading dock here in Cucuta, where thousands of volunteers had camped overnight following a massive benefit concert for Venezuela put on by British billionaire Richard Branson. And the most recent version of the article has no mention of Branson or his concert Why the change of heart? A Saturday analysis by Moon of Alabama revealed that WaPos 200,000 figure was Fake News. 200,000 people? asks MOA. MOA notes that RT correspondent Dan Cohen was in the VIP area in front of the stage Heres where the Posts 200,000 claim is destroyed. MOA used Google Maps to check the size of the concert area and performs a bit of math: The stage was build at the top right across both roadways with its front towards the southwest. There was room for a few hundred VIP and reporters right in front of it. The field where the plebs were kept away lies between the north to south treeline at the right and the north to south ditch with the two single trees. According to the Google map scale the fields northern edge is some 125 meters wide. The crowd was standing at the northern end of the field at a depth of about 50 meters. The density of the static crowd was low to medium with on average 2 to 3 people per square meter. 125m * 50m = 6,250 m2 * 2.5 people/m2 = 15,625 people One may generously add a count of one or two thousand for the people mingling around in the back of the public area. In total there may have been up to 18,000, but certainly no more than 20,000 people at the concert. Moon of Alabama In short, Fake News. This article was posted: Monday, February 25, 2019 at 6:53 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: Be nice if Spike Lee could read his notes Steve Watson Prison Planet.com February 25, 2019 President Trump accused Spike Lee of being racist Monday, following the directors comments during an acceptance speech at the Oscars where he called on Americans to vote against Trump to be on the right side of history Accepting an award for best adapted screenplay for the movie BlacKkKlansman, Lee began with an expletive, then warned Oscar producers not to put a clock on his speech. Our ancestors were stolen from Mother Africa and bought to Jamestown, Virginia, enslaved, the director stated. Before the world tonight, I give praise to our ancestors who have built this country into what it is today along with the genocide of its native people. Lee continued, adding We all connect with our ancestors. Lee then turned to current US politics, declaring The 2020 presidential election is around the corner. Lets all mobilise. Lets all be on the right side of history. While not mentioning Trump by name, Lee urged viewers to Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Lets do the right thing! You know I had to get that in there. Trump addressed the comments Monday morning, calling it a racist hit on your president and touting the Lowest Unemployment numbers in History among black people. Be nice if Spike Lee could read his notes, or better yet not have to use notes at all, when doing his racist hit on your President, who has done more for African Americans (Criminal Justice Reform, Lowest Unemployment numbers in History, Tax Cuts,etc.) than almost any other Pres! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2019 The BlacKkKlansman movie features footage of the rally in Charlottesville in 2017, where violence was blamed on white nationalists. Trump was criticized as racist for pointing out that there was unacceptable behavior and violence from both sides at the rally, including black lives matter activists. Speaking to a reporter recently, Lee commented on the footage, stating That car drove down that one street in [Charlottesville], Virginia, and the president of the United States did not reject, refute [or] did not denounce the Klan, Alt-Right and Neo-Nazis. This film, whether we won Best Picture or not, this film will stand the test of time being on the right side of history. Lee added. This article was posted: Monday, February 25, 2019 at 7:57 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: Comment on this article Chris Menahan Information Liberation February 25, 2019 Slate Magazine this week warned their readers against viewing memes which are disparaging to Democrats because it might hurt certain presidential candidates chances to defeat Trump in 2020. In a column for Future Tense, which describes itself as a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University on emerging technologies, public policy, and society, April Glaser wrote: It Sure Looks Like Trolls Are Weaponizing Call-Out Culture to Weaken Democrats The election trolls have logged on. Except, despite the cleanup efforts of Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube following the 2016 campaign, they never really logged off, with coordinated disinformation campaigns still trying to sow confusion on social media during the 2018 midterms. But now theyre getting ready for the big show. With 12 Democratic candidates already vying for the White House and more to come, memes and misinformation that appear to be coordinated and possibly connected to foreign propaganda efforts are already afflicting the race. According to a report Wednesday in Politico, Democratic contenders have been the targets of online propaganda aimed at sensationalizing missteps and promoting falsehoods. If these troll campaigns share a goal with the efforts of 2016 and 2018, then the point may be to widen societal divisions already prominent in American life and, in particular, weaken the Democratic Party. In particular, they seem intent on weaponizing a productive moment in our politics in which public figures are finally being held to account for their past actions, and Democrats are sometimes asking other Democrats to resign. The trolls want Democrats to eat each other. So far, we dont know the source of this activityits not clearly linked to the Internet Research Agency, the Russian disinformation factory that was behind thousands of accounts stirring unrest during the 2016 and 2018 elections. Wherever its from, what has been found so far does appear to be coordinated and bears many of the traits of past foreign operations. [] Trolls of both foreign and domestic vintage helped make the 2016 election the cacophony we remember. Now, as candidates struggle to differentiate themselves at a time when voters on the left may punish a candidate who has crossed ethical lines, its safe to expect trolls on social media to play every misstep up to its fullestpotentially as part of another propaganda effort to ensure victory for Donald Trump. Even if a meme you see that disparages a Democratic candidate is based on truth, its important to remember that its goal might be to simply weaken Democrats by making candidates toxic for swaths of the left, and ultimately make 2020 a repeat of 2016. [Bold emphasis added, italics in original] Three elements stand out: All criticism of Democrats is now going to be framed as the work of foreign actors. We will not be told who these foreign actors are but the implication will be its all Russkies. As we saw last week, the left is absolutely terrified of hard-hitting memes such as these ones criticizing establishment darling Kamala Harris. This article was posted: Monday, February 25, 2019 at 6:39 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: RT February 25, 2019 US Senator Marco Rubio has posted a picture of the brutal murder of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in a less-than-subtle threat to Venezuelas Maduro. Twitter blasted Rubio as a manic warmonger who has extremely poor taste. The two pictures one showing Gaddafi while still in power, the other showing the Libyan leader being tortured minutes before his brutal murder were posted by Sen. Rubio (R-FL) on Twitter without any caption. Yet, given his open calls for an armed insurrection in the Latin American country to depose President Nicolas Maduro, the message was clear. Because nothing says human rights like gloating over a human being getting sodomized to death with a bayonet. WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) February 24, 2019 Openly threatening a head of a foreign country with a brutal death at the hands of US-propped militants was, apparently, just a tiny bit off: while a few Twitteratti supported Rubios vision of Maduros demise, the majority blasted the senator over an extreme lack of taste or decency. The Venezuelan opposition's most ardent cheerleader is a bloodthristy crackpot. For most of the peoples of the world this pic represents the destruction of a nation, slave auctions, civil war. For Rubio it's a gloating message 2 Venezuela. Toe the line or we'll do this to you too pic.twitter.com/hi3O0Cpqza Lizzie Phelan (@LizziePhelan) February 24, 2019 .@marcorubio horrifically tweets images of revolutionary leader Muammar Gaddafis brutal execution at hands of US-backed jihadis in Libya just one day after the US failed to invade VZ under the pretext of humanitarian aid. The Bolivarian Republic is resisting his sick plan. https://t.co/NY5X91Dq3f Anya Parampil (@anyaparampil) February 24, 2019 Some argued that any account spewing warmongering propaganda at such a rate would likely be suspended if it did not belong to a US Senator, of course. Marco Rubio just posted a violent, graphic death threat. If any of the rest of us posted this, wed be suspended for it, journalist Bill Palmer tweeted. Marco Rubio just posted a violent, graphic death threat. If any of the rest of us posted this, we'd be suspended for it. https://t.co/bia3w1XCwA Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) February 24, 2019 Marco Rubio's feed has become like a manic, paranoid, regime-change-demanding bot account. Would probably be investigated for suspicious activity by the Twitter authorities if he was not a US Senator pic.twitter.com/sTFfh7QQpZ Michael Tracey (@mtracey) February 24, 2019 Many noted that Libya is not the best example of the US bringing its democracy overseas, but arguably the worst one. With the slave trade there on the rise, the country is effectively fractured into several warring statelets, with gangs of armed democrats fighting for control. Muammar Qadhafi was brutally murdered (sodomized with a bayonet) by Salafi-jihadist NATO proxies (one of whom later blew himself up in Manchester, England, massacring dozens) Rubio is openly threatening to do the same to the elected president of Venezuelahttps://t.co/urpFHaCJlI Ben Norton (@BenjaminNorton) February 24, 2019 Marco Rubio just posted photos of Gaddafi being lynched in an open death threat to Maduro. Libya is now a slave state thanks to US. Fuck you Marco, youre a deranged piece of shit who should immediately resign https://t.co/h0hfseEKJl Abby Martin (@AbbyMartin) February 24, 2019 Apart from the pictures of Gaddafi, Rubio posted a similar split of Manuel Noriega the de facto ruler of Panama in the 1980s. Once a valuable CIA asset whod helped Washington in arming the Contras of Nicaragua, Noriega was ousted during the US invasion of the country. Needless to say, the invasion claimed many lives, while Noriega spent the rest of his life in prison. This article was posted: Monday, February 25, 2019 at 7:00 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: Comment on this article The Sun February 25, 2019 JUSSIE Smollett may have got his hoax homophobic attack plot idea from an Instagram post the creator of his series Empire launched weeks before. Smollett may have tried to play on Daniels emotions in the hopes of becoming an LGBT hero, TMZ reported, citing anonymous sources. Lee Daniels, 59, posted a heartfelt video on January 10, after his cousin was assaulted because he is gay. Daniels, who uses the handle theoriginalbigdaddy, told his gay brothers and sisters it was OK to be who you are and inevitably right will be done. Read more This article was posted: Monday, February 25, 2019 at 7:13 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: RIYADH - Saudi Arabia on Sunday appointed a princess as its first female ambassador to the United States, a key appointment as the fallout over journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder tests relations between the allies. Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, a daughter of the kingdom's longtime ambassador to Washington Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, faces a stark challenge in improving ties between the US and Saudi Arabia. She replaces Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, a son of King Salman and a former fighter pilot who insisted after Khashoggi's disappearance Oct 2 that The Washington Post columnist simply left the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. Instead, members of entourage of the royal family, allegedly assassinated and dismembered Khashoggi inside the diplomatic post. The Post, citing unnamed sources in November, also reported that US intelligence agencies reviewed a phone call that Prince Khalid had with Khashoggi, in which he allegedly told the writer he'd be safe going to the consulate to retrieve the documents he needed to get married. The newspaper said it was not known whether the ambassador knew Khashoggi would be killed, though he made the call at the direction of the crown prince. The Saudi Embassy in Washington has denied the call took place. Philanthropic work Princess Reema, who studied in the US and is known in the kingdom for her philanthropic work, lived in the US during her father's career of more than 20 years as the Saudi ambassador there. Her father also served as the head of the country's intelligence service. "I will work with God's permission to serve my country, its leaders and all its children and I will spare no effort to that end," Princess Reema wrote on social media after her appointment. Her posting came as Saudi Arabia under King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman allowed women to drive last year. Prince Khalid is expected to return to Riyadh as a deputy defense minister. Prince Mohammed has held the position of defense minister even after becoming the next in line to the throne of the kingdom. Prince Khalid's naming as deputy defense minister came as Saudi Arabia remains mired in its yearslong war in Yemen, which also have strained US relations to the kingdom. Saudi Arabia has faced growing Western criticism over its airstrikes hitting markets and clinics, killing civilians. US lawmakers increasingly are pushing to withdraw US support for the conflict, which pits the kingdom and its allies against the Houthi rebels that hold the capital of the Arab world's poorest nation. Ap - Afp - Reuters (China Daily 02/25/2019 page12) unzensuriert.de February 25, 2019 Cops have arrested an Iraqi migrant for the murder of his Christian ex-girlfriend whose body was identified by her unique tattoos. The blood-drenched corpse was found by a hiker in a field near Gremersdorf, a town in the northernmost German state of Schleswig-Holstein. Investigators were initially unable to identify the victim so they shared pictures of two tattoos which the woman had on her body. One tattoo had a crown with the text 9 Elmira underneath while the other tattoo showed a pink ribbon and heart on a chain. Dead woman was an Iranian migrant The police soon discovered that the dead woman was an Iranian migrant who was identified as 28-year-old Fatemeh B. She fled to Germany in 2016 and filed for asylum, saying she was persecuted for her Christian beliefs. A friend of Fatemeh B. said: She was always so cheerful, liked to swim and studied German hard, after which she finally found a job. Two weeks ago she broke up with her boyfriend, but there was no bad feeling involved. The police suspected otherwise and they promptly arrested the victims ex-boyfriend. The suspect, an Iraqi migrant aged 22 whose name has not been reported, is being kept in investigative custody as the probe continues. Chief prosecutor Ulla Hingst said: The suspect has not said anything to the police or judge about the suspected crime. He also used his right to silence in relation to his personal circumstances. No information was shared by the police or prosecutors about a possible motive and how they managed to link the Iraqi migrant to the murder. Investigations are ongoing. This article was posted: Monday, February 25, 2019 at 6:52 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: Comment on this article Another stunning victory for diversity Paul Joseph Watson PrisonPlanet.com February 25, 2019 A gender-bending gay Muslim migrant who trivialized terror attacks that killed 300 people over the last few years is to represent France at this years Eurovision song contest. The choice of 19-year-old Bilal Hassani to perform his song Roi at the annual music competition is being hailed as a victory for diversity because Hassani wears feminine wigs, is homosexual, a Muslim and has Moroccan migrant parents. However, he has come under scrutiny due to previous tweets and videos in which he supported anti-Semitism and joked about jihadist terror attacks on France. In a 2014 tweet Hassani defended comedian Dieudonne Mbala Mbal, a convicted anti-Semite. He has also repeatedly accused Israel of war crimes, a factor that might not help him as Eurovision is being held in Tel Aviv this year. According to the Times of Israel, a video also surfaced in which Hassani and two friends declare France suffered a lot, attacks here, attacks there. Oooh! to hoots of laughter. A d v e r t i s e m e n t 130 people were killed during the Paris massacre in November 2015, while a further 86 were killed in Nice the following July when a 19-tonne cargo truck was deliberately driven into crowds of people by an Islamic terrorist. A Republican senator wrote a letter to Eurovision organizers demanding they withdraw Hassanis nomination for trivializing the jihadist attacks. However, Hassani claims that the criticism all stems from his sexuality and his migrant background. It bothers some people a lot that my parents were born in Morocco and that Im gay. Theres no denying that, he told Le Parisien, adding that the insults made him even more determined to respond to the haters. What Hassani thinks about the fact that gay people are still routinely incarcerated, tortured and in some cases executed in some Muslim countries and how this is compatible with his faith is not known. 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: Monday, February 25, 2019 at 8:17 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: Comment on this article Photos from the VGMA22 red carpet Day 2 of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) was held on Saturday, June 26, Seven arrested over murder of 12-year-old boy Seven men are in the grip of the Police in the Volta Region over the death of a VGMA22: List of winners for Day 1 Thirteen awards were given out on day one of the 22nd edition of the Vodafone Mathew Opoku Prempeh, Kuami Eugene and other celebrities who support Kotoko Asante Kotoko is one of the biggest clubs in Africa, in fact, they have a claim George Floyd statue defaced with name of white supremacist group A statue of George Floyd, unveiled less than a week ago in honor of Juneteenth, VGMA22: Diana Hamilton wins 'historic' Artiste of the Year award Diana Hamilton has been adjudged the artiste of the Year at the just ended 22nd Photos from the VGMA22 red carpet Day 2 of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) was held on Saturday, June 26, LAX: Man jumps from plane after trying to access cockpit A man has jumped from a moving plane at Los Angeles International Airport after Seven arrested over murder of 12-year-old boy Seven men are in the grip of the Police in the Volta Region over the death of a PRESS-REPUBLICAN ARCHIVESNorthern Adirondack Central School recently held its first science fair for grades 7 and 9, providing students with an opportunity to apply lessons and skills they learned during the year. Winners will take their projects to the SUNY Plattsburgh Science Fair, where they will compete with winners from other schools. Nearly 200 students worked on more than 100 projects. Here, Katie Scriver (left) and Amber Nephew display their recycling demonstration. (1994) , 74, of Morrisonville, NY, died on June 24, 2021 at home. He was born in Ticonderoga, NY on March 21, 1947 the son of Bernard and Frances Clifton. At his request there will be no services. The 2018 New Jersey bear hunt is history. The lawsuits it spawned are mostly decided. This year, it looks like a reduced version of the bear hunt will continue, fully pleasing neither its ardent supporters nor enemies. For South Jersey residents who arent hunters or animal-rights activists, the annual bear hunt is as much a political spectator sport as an outdoor one. The nearest bears bagged in the hunt that ended in December were in Hunterdon County. Hunters vainly tried to find one in Mercer County again for the third year, but they may as well have looked in Trenton, the county seat. Gov. Phil Murphy campaigned on ending this centurys revival of the bear hunt, and when he found he couldnt do that on his own last year, he banned the hunt from state lands. Since thats where about 40 percent of bears had been killed in the past, the numbers for the recent hunt fell dramatically. Total bears taken dropped to 225 from 409 in 2017. Ahead of the hunt, animal-rights groups said killing fewer bears was no consolation only an end to the hunt would do and they blamed Murphy for failing to deliver on his promise. SEA ISLE CITY A 24-year-old Pennsylvania man turned himself in to police and was arrested for aggravated assault Friday, according to Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and police Chief Thomas McQuillen. Police previously said they needed the publics help identifying a man who assaulted someone Feb. 16 inside the La Costa Lounge at 4000 Landis Ave., knocking them unconscious. The suspect accused in the assault was identified as Daniel B. Smyth, of Springfield Township, Pennsylvania. Officials credited the arrest to numerous tips and information provided by the public in response to their initial news release. Smyth turned himself in to city police and was charged with second-degree aggravated assault purposely attempt to cause serious bodily injury, and third-degree aggravated assault cause significant bodily injury. Smyth was processed and released with summonses pending court proceedings. City Detective Robert Scarano and Detective Sgt. William R. Bradshaw, the Prosecutors Office and other law enforcement agencies assisted with the investigation. Sutherland and McQuillen applauded the assistance from the public in making the arrest possible. Contact: 609-272-7239 AAuble@pressofac.com Twitter @AublePressofAC Winds will pick up Monday right where they left off Sunday, and then some, as an intense low pressure system continues to bring very strong gusts to the region. A high-wind warning remains in effect for most of Monday, through 6 p.m. Winds like this only occur a few times per year. Isolated power outages are likely, if not expected. Tree branches may come down, enhanced by the fact that we have a wet ground. Of course, it will not be the best day for trash pickup, as well. Temperatures Monday around sunrise will be around freezing, about 5 degrees above average. However, when you have strong northwest winds like these, the wind chill be around 20. Wind gusts will be between 45 and 50 mph for the most part. However, some 50-plus mph readings along the shores of the Delaware Bay or at the shore cannot be ruled out. Sustained winds will be 20 to 30 mph. There are two main reasons for such strong winds. Mainly, there will be a very strong low pressure system moving through Quebec. Secondly, a cold front will pass mid-morning, enhancing winds. +4 High wind warning downgraded to wind advisory in South Jersey The strongest winds are out, but wind will remain high enough for a wind advisory to go into GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP Police are investigating the vandalism of a Black Lives Matter sign outside a local church last week. The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Jersey Shore filed a police report after the sign outside the Pomona Road church was cracked by vandalism either early Thursday morning or Wednesday night, the congregation said. Authorities do not have any suspects but seek surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses for leads. At this time, there is no known surveillance footage, but we are looking to see if we can find private footage that may have covered the area, said Lt. Christopher McGinty. The sign has been vandalized in the past. In August 2015, the church installed a Black Lives Matter sign after nine people were killed in a South Carolina church that summer. It was defaced two weeks later. Someone spray painted All Lives Matter on the sign. The Rev. Dawn Fortune said in a statement that the congregation has new signs ready to be installed and that cameras will be set up to monitor future activities. This is violence meant to intimidate ... and ultimately silence us, Fortune said. Neither of those things will happen to a people devoted to justice and equality. Contact: 609-272-7258 AZoppo@pressofac.com Twitter @AvalonZoppo ATLANTIC CITY An off-duty police officer arrested a city man Saturday after police say he robbed a convenience store and attempted to flee the scene. Officer Stephen Rando, who was off duty, was stopped at California and Atlantic avenues about 2 p.m. when he saw two men chasing another man on Atlantic Avenue, police said in a news release. Rando pulled over and identified himself as a police officer. One of the two men, who was a store clerk from 7-Eleven, told Rando the store was just robbed, police said. Police said the suspect, 57-year-old Keith Powell, entered the 7-Eleven on Texas Avenue and began stealing items when he was confronted by the clerk as he was leaving. Powell allegedly pulled a box cutter from his jacket and threatened to stab the clerk and another man who attempted to help, police said. When confronted, Powell pushed away from Rando and attempted to flee, police said. Rando chased and caught Powell, holding him down while calling 911. Officer Marc Howard arrived and arrested Powell, and a box cutter was recovered from Powells pocket police said. Powell was charged with robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, certain person not to possess a weapon, theft, resisting arrest and obstruction. He was taken to the Atlantic County jail. MAYS LANDING Just as winter weather creeped in, three women said they were sleeping in the cold Mays Landing woods at night late last year. During the day, 36-year-old El Joshua arranged dates for them at Atlantic City casinos and along Atlantic Avenue, forcing them to have sex with customers in exchange for heroin, according to court documents. Inside the Pearce Road home where he allegedly detained the women, they had to ask permission to use the bathroom and endured threats Joshua made using an airsoft gun. On Thursday, the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office charged the Mays Landing man with three counts of human trafficking, two counts of criminal restraint and one count of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. In statements to police, two of the women said Joshua used their addiction to heroin to physically control them. An affidavit of probable cause details the conditions in which the women lived. Two of the women told authorities that Joshua forced them to sleep in the woods at times and in one of his vehicles. Other times, he made them sleep in a closet or in his unfinished basement, the affidavit says. Its unclear how long Joshua is accused of holding the women captive. ADVERTISEMENT The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje, has berated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the late release of election results in the state. The presidential and national assembly elections held in Lagos and other parts of the country on February 23. But INEC began releasing the results of the voting in the 20 local government areas and three senatorial districts about two days later. Mr Agbaje, while addressing a press conference in Lagos on Monday, said the delay in releasing the results was deliberate. We have a situation where results are being tampered with. That is not going to be acceptable to us. We will not accept results that have been tampered with in Lagos State, Mr Agbaje said, according to a statement by Felix Oboagwina, director of media and publicity, Jimi Agbaje campaign organisation. The results announced at the collation centres in Lagos on Monday showed President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leading the Peoples Democratic Partys Atiku Abubakar. According to Mr Agbaje, INEC officials delay in releasing voting figures was unpalatable and was an extension of the faulty conduct of elections in several polling areas throughout Lagos. The problems started from the polling units. The guidelines were very clear, that after election and counting of votes, election results are supposed to be pasted on the wall at the polling unit. We have no reports that election results were pasted anywhere in Lagos State. That was the beginning of the problem, Mr Agbaje said. At the collation centres, we had a lot of intimidation of our agents. The ruling party had a multiplicity of party agents representing it. We had a situation where officials of the Lagos State government showed up and were represented in their numbers against the lone voices of our agents. We had a situation where our collation agents were arrested, leaving us unrepresented at the collation stage. That again is not acceptable to us. We go back to the election day, wherein a lot of cases, we had a situation where the card readers did not function, including my own voting unit. It created a situation where the electoral agents were unable to verify the identity of voters vis-a-vis the PVCs presented. Mr Agbaje called on security agents to bring to book those who caused the mayhem in Okota, Coker Aguda, and several other places in the state. If we are going to talk about democracy, then we have to practise the culture. It means that everybody will play his part. Voters will come and vote and we have assured them that their votes count. Where we disenfranchise many voters then we are just paying lip service to our democracy. We have places where not less than 37 polling units in one local government had their votes cancelled and stolen. And this was done very openly; it is on camera. Also speaking at the press conference, Mutiu Shadimu, a member of the House of Representatives for Oshodi-Isolo 1 federal constituency, said voters in his constituency were intimidated on Saturday by hoodlums allegedly led by the Treasurer of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo. He said traders thought to be loyal to PDP were attacked by the hoodlums and prevented from opening their shops in the popular Oshodi Market, a claim the police dismissed. ADVERTISEMENT The Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has emerged senator-elect of Ogun Central Senatorial district in Ogun state with 88,110 votes. Mr Amosun won with a margin of 51,009 votes as he had a total of 88,110 votes, as against the candidate with the second maximum votes, Titi Oseni of ADC, who had 37,101 votes. The Returning Officer, Ayinde Akande, made the announcement around 3:58 am Monday morning at Centenary Hall, Ake, Abeokuta in Ogun State. That [Amosun] Ibikunle of APC having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected, Mr Akande said. Mr Amosun and 18 other candidates had participated at the election on Saturday for the Senatorial seat. The contest took place in six local government areas of the state. Mr Amosun was a former senator, representing Ogun Central senatorial district before becoming a governor in 2015. He was elected senator in 2003. However, in 2007, he made an unsuccessful bid to become the governor of the state on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). He lost to the PDPs Gbenga Daniel. His second attempt on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was a success and he was re-elected in 2015 on the platform of the APC. The APC was formed by a coalition of parties including the ACN. Mr Amosun won his two governorship elections with the support of an APC national leader, Bola Tinubu. Despite the intraparty crisis between Messrs Amosun, and Tinubu, he rode on the partys platform to win the senatorial seat. He is, however, supporting candidates of a different party, AA, for next fortnights governorship election in Ogun. ADVERTISEMENT The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the winner of Saturdays presidential election in Enugu state. The State Collation Officer, Joseph Ahaneku, a professor, who announced the result in Enugu on Monday, said that the party won in the 17 local government areas (LGAs) of the state. He said PDP scored 355,553 votes against 54,423 votes polled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. Mr Ahaneku, who is the Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, said that the results were carefully collated. He said the state had 1,944,016 registered voters, adding that 452,765 voters were accredited for the election. He said there were 421,014 valid votes, while 30,049 votes were declared invalid. Mr Ahaneku said INEC had some issues in three polling units within two wards in Enugu East LGA. He said while some result sheets were misplaced in the area, voters were not accredited with card readers. He thanked the people for being patient and sacrificing to see that we are diligent and meticulous in the entire exercise. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for the cancellation of the just concluded general elections in Akwa Ibom State. The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has swept the polls, from the results announced so far by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The APC in Akwa Ibom said the elections did not meet the requirements of the Electoral Act 2010. Below is an excerpt of a press statement issued on Sunday by the APC chairman in the state, Ini Okopido, and the secretary, Augustine Ekanem: The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), having reviewed all the field reports from its unit agents who participated in the Presidential and National Assembly elections of 23 February 2019, hereby states as follows: 1) That the elections purported to have been held in the state on the aforementioned date should be cancelled outright for the following reasons: a) Failure to, in particular, to deliver election materials to designated RACK Centres as announced by INEC to all political parties in a briefing by the Resident Electoral Commissioner a few days to the elections, thereby misleading party members to wait in vain in those designated centres while the state REC in collusion with his Electoral Officers and the PDP delivered the said election materials illegally to the homes of PDP leaders for illegal thumb printing of the ballots b) Failure of INEC in Akwa Ibom State to comply with the requirements of the Electoral Act 2010 (as Amended) for the conduct of elections which specifies the use of the card reader for the accreditation of voters, a requirement that was blatantly disregarded. c) That in light of the above, we hereby state that the said elections were not conducted according to law in the state. 2) That given the above grounds, the purported elections be cancelled and a new date set for fresh Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state. Signed: APC State Chairman, Ini Okopido APC State Secretary, Augustine Ekanem ADVERTISEMENT The elections for Kogi East Senatorial District and Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency have been declared inconclusive due to widespread violence, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Monday. Rotimi Ajayi, INEC Returning Officer for the senatorial election, who announced at the collation centre in Idah, said the elections did not hold in 129 polling units across the district. Mr Ajayi said that some polling unit elections were cancelled as he announced that APC scored 113,772 votes; PDP: 69,131 and ADC, 30,696 votes. According to him, a report from Bassa Local Government Area revealed that a registration area with the name Mozum, which has 12 polling units refused to vote. Mr Ajayi said that a new date for the re-run of the polls would be announced after necessary arrangements were made. On Saturday, the elections did not hold in four units in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government, as gun-wielding hoodlums invaded the polling units in Ajetachi, Etiaja, Abuja and CMML Primary School unit 005. In Ajetachi a student of Kogi State University, Daniel Usman, on the queue to vote was gunned down by the hoodlums who operated from a Toyota Sienna bus as they invaded the polling unit. In Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area with 65,129 registered voters and 16,543 accredited, elections in four polling units were cancelled within Ofuloko which has 1,145 registered voters. The local government also witnessed violent activities in Odolu town as suspected thugs, also in a Sienna bus, shot one Adebayo Adebunmi. They kidnapped Friday Sani, the member representing Igalamela-Odolu constituency at the state House of Assembly. In Bassa Local Government, out of 58,892 registered voters, 19,587 were accredited to vote: elections in nine polling units with 6,068 voters were cancelled while elections did not take place in some of the units. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT Former Peoples Democratic Party National chairman, Ali Sheriff, who is now a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), said on Monday that Borno State has fulfilled its promise to deliver most of its votes to President Muhammadu Buhari. Mr Sheriff, a former governor of the state, spoke to journalists at the venue of presidential election collation centre in Maiduguri. He said he has no doubt Mr Buhari is coasting to victory. The former senator said he has led a separate campaign, aside from the one by the state campaign council of the APC, to ensure that the president gets a second term. Mr Sheriff said the state has not only delivered maximum votes for the president but also won all the senatorial and House of Representatives seats for the ruling APC. So far, the results that we have gotten from the field are encouraging; and we are one hundred per cent sure that all our candidates, especially our three senators and all the House of Representatives will soon be declared winners. And if these are in favour of the APC, it means the president will get substantial votes from Borno State and we believe our result will be more than that of 2015. He said he had no iota of doubts on President Buharis victory as he envisaged the same favourable results from other parts of the country. We have been talking to our people in all situation rooms across Nigeria and so far so good we are in good shape. As a matter of fact, we have polled appreciable results in all the 19 states of northern Nigeria except in Taraba State. So there is contention in this election, by the special grace of God, Buhari is coasting back to Aso Rock where he will continue to do the good work he has been doing for Nigeria. ADVERTISEMENT The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari has won six additional local government areas in Kano State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Electoral Officers for Kunchi, Rimin Gado, Bagwai, Gabasawa, Bunkure and Karaye Local Government Areas made the announcements while presenting their results to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano. Announcing the results for Kunchi Local Government area, Saminu Iliyasu, Electoral Officer for the Presidential Election in the area, said APC presidential candidate polled 20,375 to beat PDP candidate, who scored 4,983 votes. Similarly, the Electoral Officer for Rimi Gado LGA, brahim Surajo, announced that Mr Buhari scored 20,589 votes to beat Mr Abubakar, who polled 10,305 votes. Isa Abdulsamad, Electoral Officer, Bagwai Local Government Area, said APC scored 23,375 votes to defeat PDP, which scored got 10,584 votes. In Gabasawa LocalGgovernment Area, the Electoral Officer, Mustapha Mukhtar, said Mr Buhari got 24,420 votes to beat Mr Abuabakar, who polled 6,130 votes. The Electoral Officer for Bunkure local government area, Hafizu Miko-Yakasai, said the APC candidate scored 27,232 votes, while PDP got 9,528. In Karaye Local Government Area, the Electoral Officer, Muhammad Aminu-Isa, disclosed that President Buhari scored 23,023, while former Vice President Abubakar polled 8,265 votes. NAN reports that APC presidential candidate had earlier won in Madobi, Tofa and Garin Malam local government areas to bring the number of areas so far won to nine in the state. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT The Nigerian government has accused the main opposition party, PDP, of plans to truncate the electoral process. The government stated this in a statement by the information minister, Lai Mohammed. Read Mr Mohammeds full statement below. Nigerian Government Warns Against Plan To Truncate Electoral Process Press Release The Federal Government has strongly warned against ongoing plans by the desperate opposition to truncate the electoral process and render the Feb. 23rd elections inconclusive, in order for them to trigger a constitutional crisis and push for an interim government. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, issued the warning in a statement issued in Oro, Kwara State, on Monday. He said the PDP has started laying the groundwork for a constitutional crisis by unleashing its talking heads, including Buba Galadima, Osita Chidoka and Femi Fani-Kayode, on the public space to claim victory from Saturdays election, even when INEC has yet to announce the result an action that amounts to a clear case of impunity. Mr Mohammed said by usurping the role of INEC through the announcement of result, the PDP has violated the Electoral Act and should face very serious consequences. By announcing the result and saying they have won the Feb. 23rd election, the PDP is deliberately seeking to confuse the polity and lay the foundation for rejecting the outcome if, when INEC eventually announces the result, the party does not win. This confirms what we said in a series of pre-election press conferences, that the PDP realizing it cannot win a free and fair election will do everything possible to scuttle the polls, failing which it will proceed to the next stage, which is to discredit the entire electoral process, including the result, with the ultimate aim of precipitating a constitutional crisis and pushing for an interim government, he said. The Minister also recalled the alarm raised by the Federal Government over the PDPs decision to set up a parallel electoral body, under the tag of Parallel Voting Tabulation (PVT) System, which the opposition party described as a tool that will determine whether or not it accepts the results of the elections. We said, then, that while it is standard practice for political parties to have their own monitoring systems during elections, what is not standard is to set up a pseudo electoral commission and imbue it with the power to collate and announce results as the PDP is now doing under the guise of PVT. Unfortunately, our warning has proven to be prescient, he said. Mr Mohammed wondered why those who parade themselves as democrats will show such disdain for the electoral process, which is a key ingredient of democracy. He called on the security agencies to nip in the bud the constitutional crisis that the PDP is working frantically to trigger, by immediately arresting and prosecuting anyone who announces the result of last Saturdays Nigerias main opposition party, PDP, has rejected the yet to be concluded result of the presidential election. The results are currently being announced in Abuja with less than a third of Nigerias 36 states already announced. The PDP, in a statement by its national chairman, Uche Secondus, however, said the results being announced do not tally with what the party has collated across the country. Firstly, I want to categorically state that our collation centers have all original results from every polling unit, in every ward, in every Local Government Area (LGA) in Nigeria, of which the international community is well aware, implying all results currently being announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is incorrect thus unacceptable to our party and people, Mr Secondus said. Read his full statement below. Our Democracy is Under Threat Protocols: 1. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is forced to take a stand and make the following pronouncements at this crucial point because our democracy is under threat of derailment. 2. Firstly, I want to categorically state that our collation centers have all original results from every polling unit, in every ward, in every Local Government Area (LGA) in Nigeria, of which the international community is well aware, implying all results currently being announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is incorrect thus unacceptable to our party and people. 3. Secondly, officials of both President Buharis government and the All Progressive Congress (APC), working with INEC officers, have tried to alter the course of history and disenfranchise our people through the cancellation and manipulation of figures for results already announced at polling units, nationwide, in Local Government Areas (LGAs) where our party, the PDP, had commanding votes; this must now be resisted by every well meaning Nigerian. 4. Thirdly, the ruling partys strategy has indeed been murderous, undignified, and disrespectful of the wishes of the electorate, our people and the international community who have been in solidarity with our nation as we attempt to strengthen our democracy and its institutions. 5. Fourthly, in full view of the watching world, and despite efforts by our great party and its agents to adhere to every laid down provision for the 2019 general elections, the APC in collusion with INEC have taken aggressive steps, mostly through inducements, manipulation and incarcerations, using the elements of state power including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army in particular, alongside other organizations including the Department of State Security (DSS) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to silence the voices of our long suffering people; this is disheartening, considering the terms of the Peace Accord, which called for impartiality and non-partisanship by members of our security organization with constitutional roles to play during this civic exercise. 6. Fifthly, as results trickled in on the Sunday, February 24th, 2019, clearly putting the PDP in the lead, the ruling party and President Buhari dispatched high-ranking officials to coercively influence outcomes in different geopolitical zones in the country. For example: I. The minister of the interior, was dispatched to the North West of the country II. The Secretary of the Government of the Federation was dispatched to the North East of the country; while the III. The Attorney General and Minister were dispatched to the South East and South-South regions. 7. With the INEC IT server hacked by agents of the APC to manipulate results, we can with certainty state that results from the following polling units have, for example, been tampered with, note: i. Sarkin Dawaki ward in Doma LGA Nassarawa state ii. Doka ward in Doma LGA Nassarawa state iii. Agyaragin Tofa ward ADVERTISEMENT iv. 10, 000 illegal votes added to already announced results in Wurno LGA in Sokoto state v. Additionally, violent and destructive attacks have been meted out to officials while counting at Lafia St. and police barracks polling units. 8. As if these provocations are not enough, our agents and officials are constantly arrested and in many cases locked-up for complaining that Card Readers were not in use in many Northern states, implying that all results from the Northern part of the country where Card Readers were not used should be voided in accordance with INEC guidelines. 9. I also believe, the arrest of Eng. Buba Galadima, who has been a great symbol of what is courageous about our people goes to show that one mans ambition is greater than our collective good, and most probably worth the blood of all Nigerians. 10. In that context, I call for Buba Galadimas immediate and unconditional release, as well as that of all officials and agents of the PDP, in the Southwest, who were mostly arrested on the eve of the elections where intimidation became the APCs sole election strategy. 11. Despite these provocations, intimidation and attempts to hijack our democracy and change the course of history, I must, in fact, convey to our good people the fact that the PDP is on course to victory and the Presidency; therefore, remain resolute and steadfast, because our party shares in your uncertainty and suffering, which must decisively come to a good end for us all. 12. Finally, and once again, we appeal to the leadership of INEC to remain impartial and not become willing agents to disenfranchise our people and derail our democracy, because the world is watching, and history will indeed pass judgment. In addition, to the international community; we welcome your support for our democracy and extend our gratitude with great hope for our democracy. Prince Uche Secondus Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) The collation officer for the presidential election in Rivers State State, Aniefiok Essien, has stepped down the results for Emohua Local Government Area after a disagreement between officials and party agents. The collation officer for the LGA, Pang Enubari, presented the results which included 72,745 votes for the All Progressives Congress and 7,148 votes for the Peoples Democratic Party. But agents of political parties led by PDPs Austin Okpara protested because the Electoral Officer (EO), Kenneth Eta, earlier said no collation took place in the area. The EO said the collation officer could not be found between Saturday night and Monday morning and queried the source of the results he presented to the collation centre in Port Harcourt. But then, Mr Essien asked the officials and agents to harmonise the results and return for their presentation. When they returned, the CO announced an agreement and presented the results but amidst protests by some parties. Mr Essien asked the EO how he and the CO reconciled having earlier said no collation took place in the LGA. The EO said he had submitted his report to the commission and requested the CO be allowed to make his presentation. When asked for the results of the polling units and wards that led to the results from the LGA he was presenting, the CO said: they are not with me here. Then, the SCOPE said the results be stepped down until the CO was able to present the forms used to record votes across polling units and wards. So far, 12 LGAs results have been collated. the APC has won two Asari Toru and Opobo Nkoro. In Opobo Nkoro, Mr Buhari polled 3,706 closely followed by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party who recorded 3,573 votes there. In Asari Toru, Mr Buhari won with 8,180 votes ahead of Mr Abubakars 3,175 votes. In the other 10 LGAs with approved results so far, the Peoples Democratic Party won. These included Oyigbo (APC 3520; PDP 16,102), Omuma (APC 2494; PDP 15322), ONELGA (APC 10996; PDP 28536), and Eleme (APC 2412; PDP 8464). PDP also won Gokana (APC 9328; PDP 10276) and Etche (APC 7163; PDP 11135). The PDP also took Governor Nyesom Wikes Obio Akpor (APC 6875; PDP 69981) and party chairman Uche Secondus Andoni (APC 10766; PDP 72330). In Khana, which was just approved on Monday morning, PDP had 89843 votes against APCs 5329. Then, in Ogo Bolo, PDP won with 8221 votes to defeat APC which got 2148 votes. The collation exercise stopped at 1:45 pm and will reopen again at 5 p.m. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT A United States airstrike in Somalia has killed 35 suspected al-Shabaab militants, the U.S. Africa Command said on Monday. The strike in central Hiran region on Sunday interrupted an al-Shabaab attempt to mass their forces, the U.S. disclosed in a statement. U.S. forces are partnering African Union troops (AMISOM) and the Somali National Security Forces in combined counterterrorism operations in the troubled East African nation. Al-Shabaab is seeking to establish a fundamentalist Islamist state in Somalia. They regularly launch attacks on government buildings, hotels and restaurants in the volatile Horn of Africa nation. The group is affiliated with the international al-Qaeda terrorist network. (dpa/NAN) A poultry farmer, Malik Mumuni, has advised poultry farmers to invest more in procuring less costly feeds to make their birds affordable. Mr Mumuni said local poultry farms can yield more returns in their businesses if they can explore more affordable alternative means of procuring quality feeds for their birds. The Chief Executive Officer of Malykon Farm Limited gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday. He stressed the need for poultry farms to always consider the viability of farming grains for feed production or purchase grains at cheaper rates from cheaper sources. A cheaper source where you can get affordable grains is usually the northern part of the country because of its abundance there. Aside the grains, there are other additives you can source for cheaply and they are also available locally. The affordability of these additives depends on who goes to source them for the farmer. Basically to enable the local poultry farmer process affordable feeds for his birds, he must be able to procure a feed mill, no matter how small it is even if it going to be a half the size of an average mill. You can get affordable locally fabricated feed mills from welders and iron fabricators around your locality, with this you are ready to go into production. he told NAN. Mr Mumuni, however, called for adequate training of the local farmers to successfully embark on affordable feed mill processing. He said a local farmer cannot just go into birds feed production without undergoing necessary training and tutelage on the processing. The affordability of bird feed, he said, is most times determined by where the farmer stays, and the management of the poultry farms and how he/she wants to mix the components. People who cut corners in the processing of local bird feeds, he said, usually produce sickly and malnourished birds. Referring poultry birds as special creatures that must be given special care and attention, Mr Mumuni said rearing birds is just like taking care of an infant. The birds cannot complain to the farmer about what it is going through. So, the farmer has to be very observant and careful with the component of their feed. Poultry business is an interesting venture. But, you just have to give it extra care and time to get the desired result you want, Mr Mumuni said. He also revealed the necessary components and ingredients that a locally processed bird feed should contain in their right percentages. There are several ingredients that make up a healthy and well-balanced feed for poultry birds and the farmer must know how to mix them in their right quantities. Some of the major components of maize, either the yellow or the white specie. Most feed processors prefer the yellow maize because it is believed to have more nutrients than the white ones. ADVERTISEMENT Wheat offal or wheat bran is also another important ingredient in bird feeds as well as poultry salts, groundnut cake, and limestone amongst others. The composition of ingredients in their varying percentages is determined by the kind of birds you want to feed. We have different feed composition for broilers, layers, cockerels, turkey, he said. (NAN) PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 15:04:57 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 25, 2019 / Viridium Pacific Group Ltd. ("Viridium'' or the "Company'') (TSX-V: VIR) (OTC PINK: VIRFF) is pleased to announce it has met the requirements of Tier 1 on the TSX Venture Exchange effective February 25, 2019. Tier 1 is reserved for the most advanced issuers with the most significant financial resources on the TSX Venture Exchange.Jay Garnett, Viridium's President and Chief Executive Officer commented: "Viridium's graduation to Tier 1 of the TSX Venture Exchange is a further demonstration of the quality of our company's strength with the recent merging with EFX and of our management team. Graduating to Tier 1 status will provide the Company with a more favorable regulatory environment, decreased filing requirements and increased opportunity for participation by institutional investors. We would like to thank the TSX Venture Exchange for recognizing Viridium's rapid growth over the past couple of years, which was demonstrated by Viridium's license with Health Canada to grow and sell its medical cannabis.'' About ViridiumViridium Pacific Group Ltd. is a consumer wellness and biotech innovation company based in British Columbia, and the parent company of operating subsidiaries involved in horticultural production (Experion Biotechologies Inc.), medical product production (EFX Labs), property development (Fish Trap Ventures Ltd.), and human resource management (Stave Lake Services Ltd.). Experion Biotechnologies Inc., is a Health Canada licensed cultivator and processor of cannabis, which operates in an 8,300 square-foot indoor facility outside of Mission, BC.More information about Viridium can be found under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com For further information:Jarrett Malnarick,Info@ viridiumpacific.com 604 837 8688DisclosureThis press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Although the Company believes that such information is reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.Forward looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, forecast, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking information as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to: the state of the financial markets for the Company's equity securities; recent market volatility; the Company's ability to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies; the risks identified in the Filing Statement, and other risks and factors that the Company is unaware of at this time. The reader is referred to the Filing Statement dated September 25, 2017 and/or the most recent annual and interim Management's Discussion and Analysis for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects, copies of which may be accessed through the Company page on SEDAR at www.sedar.com SOURCE: Viridium Pacific Group Ltd. The upstream bioprocessing equipment market can be segmented according to the type of cell used, type of processing, by product, by end users, and by geography. By type of cell, the upstream bioprocessing equipment is segmented as mammalian cell and bacterial cell. Upstream Bioprocessing Equipment Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 13:19:32 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 # 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.comSEO Manager3479183531 Bioprocessing referred as biopharmaceutical manufacturing, is a part of bioprocess engineering which aims at establishing reproducible and robust manufacturing process for the production of therapeutic cells. The products of bioprocess are of high commercial value and targeted application. Bioprocess Manufacturing is differentiated into two major processes: Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream process involves steps such as media development, cell culture, and development, harvesting of cells and fermentation. This process is done under the stringent aseptic condition, and particular temperature and pH levels are maintained throughout the process. Cell Banking is also done by upstream processes. The primary objective upstream processes are to provide an environment necessary for the growth of cells. Since the upstream process is a part of bio manufacturing process, it involves the production of therapeutic proteins, antibiotics, hormones, enzymes, blood substitutes, and vaccines. Many of the diseases like lymphoma, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus and growth hormone insufficiency that can be treated by specific proteins produced from bioprocesses. There are two types of cells used in the bioprocessing equipment, mammalian cells, and bacterial cells.Upstream Bioprocessing Equipment Market: Drivers and RestraintsAs the prevalence and incidence of chronic diseases have increased, there is a need to increase the production of substances to cure them. With innovation in technology, equipment with the well-established production system, providing high-quality biologic drugs and increased productivity is possible. This, in turn, increases the usage of upstream processing equipment which drives the biopharmaceutical market. Along with this increase in the need for cell therapy research, drug discovery, antibody production, monoclonal antibody and recombinant productions are also the major drivers for the upstream bioprocessing equipment market. However, the high cost incurred in setting up an upstream processing unit, its maintenance as the current challenge is to eliminate the contamination and the space required for the setup are the major restraining factors for the growth the Upstream Bioprocessing Equipment.Upstream Bioprocessing Equipment Market: SegmentationThe upstream bioprocessing equipment market can be segmented according to the type of cell used, type of processing, by product, by end users, and by geography. By type of cell, the upstream bioprocessing equipment is segmented as mammalian cell and bacterial cell. According to the processing, the market is segmented into disposable, single use bioprocessing system and continuous bioprocessing systems. By type of product the bioreactors and fermenters. By end users, the upstream bioprocessing equipment market is segmented into biopharmaceutical manufacturing companies and research organizations. Geographical segmentation is North America, West Europe, APEJ, Japan, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East and Africa.Upstream Bioprocessing Equipment Market: OverviewThe Single-use bioprocessing units are the major drivers in the coming decade as single-use bioprocessing units eliminated the risk of contamination. It also reduces the time required for the sterilization between batch which in turn also increases the efficacy. Over a decade disposable and single use processing units have gained momentum as it is possible to develop a small amount of drugs used for pre clinical and clinical testing. The future in the upstream bioprocessing system is single bioprocessing units as it has all kinds of the system used in upstream processing such as bioreactors, membrane absorbers, bioprocess containers, disposable mixers, and samplers.Upstream Bioprocessing Equipment Market: Regional OverviewGeographically the market for bioprocessing equipment is increasing globally. The U.S. and Europe been the strong regions for the growth of upstream processes equipment has it has shown double-digit growth over last year. In U.S. the Single-use bioprocessing units have grown significantly when compared to continuous bioprocessing system. Along with Europe and U.S., the emerging markets like Asia Pacific and the Middle East and Africa shows great potential for the growth of upstream bioprocessing equipment market. Japanese beverage, food and pharmaceutical industry are diversifying into high-value products which boosted the growth of upstream bioprocessing equipment in Japan. The government in Japan also provides financial support for research and development to industry players for the growth, which enables the industry to prosper.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2016 Upstream Bioprocessing Equipment Market: Key PlayersThe top players in the Upstream Bioprocessing Equipment market are GE Healthcare, Merck KGaA, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co.KG , Thermo Fisher Scientific, BiOZEEN and Katalyst Bio Engineering PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 08:15:10 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 Seggar Team Lead 8009610353 email http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com # 580 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 Lead8009610353 Tungsten, also known as Wolfram, is a greyish-white metal having lustrous appearance with a good corrosion resistance properties. Tungsten is widely used in its alloy form because pure tungsten is expensive and even difficult for machining. Its alloy consists of nickel, iron or copper added in tungsten. Tungsten is also available in powder form known as tungsten powder and tungsten carbide powder and its size ranges from 0.40 microns to 17.50 microns and is used in end mills, circuit board drills and nozzles. Fine tungsten carbide powders are used for inserts and cutting tools, whereas ultra-coarse and medium powders are used for wear and die parts, road construction bids. Global tungsten market is anticipated to grow by a decent single digit CAGR in coming future. The global tungsten market has its consumptions in the sector of steel alloys, mill products, cemented carbide, and chemicals. China is a dominant supplier of tungsten having the maximum market share in the global tungsten market in terms of consumption as well as supply.Growing end use industries such as automotive industries and increase in the demand of wear resistant materials is anticipated to boost the market of cemented carbide and ultimately will drive the global tungsten market. Tungsten has its application in electronic and electrical components such as electron emitters, lead-in wires and electrical contacts and these industries are forecasted to grow, leading to the increase in global tungsten market. The ability of tungsten to withstand arcing and resistant to corrosion makes it suitable to be used in voltage regulators, though demand of these application is minor but it still contributes in the global tungsten market.Request For Report Sample@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/10013 The global tungsten market can get hampered due to the recent economic slowdown in China, as China has the largest market share in mining of tungsten. Tungsten use is forecasted to decline in the lighting application due to the introduction of fluorescent and LED bulbs that has replaced the incandescent bulbs.On the basis of forms available, global tungsten market can be segmented as follows:-RibbonsSheetsFoilsStripsWireRodTubeOn the basis of end use, global tungsten market can be segmented as follows:-Hard metalsChemicalsMill productsSteelsOthersThe global tungsten market can be divided into seven regions, namely North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East and Africa. The Asia Pacific region is dominating the global tungsten market, China continues to be the leader in the supply and consumption of tungsten in the global tungsten market because of its vast tungsten reserves and support of the Chinese government to the tungsten product industries. India will represent a modest growth rate in global tungsten market due to its expanding manufacturing sectors. North America will contribute in the growing global tungsten market with the increasing construction spending in the region. Latin America will witness an above average growth in the global tungsten market by its rising durable goods sector. The expanding automobile industry in Europe makes it a valuable market in global tungsten market. The Middle East and Africa is at a nascent stage in tungsten market, but is having a bright future prospects in global tungsten market.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC)@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/10013 Some of the manufacturers of tungsten and its alloys are, Buffalo Tungsten Inc., Mahavir Metal Corporation., Federal Carbide Company., H Cross Company., T&D Material Manufacturing., Global Tungsten & Powders Corp., Midwest Tungsten Service. Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the Steam Trap Monitor Market: Global Industry Analysis 2012 2016 and Opportunity Assessment; 2017 2027" report to their offering. Steam Trap Monitor Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 06:42:58 Steam trap monitor system is designed to improve the steam system performance and provides the non-intrusive and easy installation with perfect wireless monitoring functions. It is essential to keep the record of steam trap's performance for Steam users because blocked or leaking traps waste water and energy whereas a healthy steam trap inhabitants allow condensate to be removed and recycled from the steam system. Wireless steam trap monitor operates based on wireless sensor networks which include Routers, Sensors, and Coordinators. This makes a cluster tree network of devices where coordinator or router works as a parent and sensor works as a child and measure the steam conductivity and temperature. Steam trap monitor is helpful in online computation energy saving or loss due to leakage of steam traps and provides complete trap health analysis and status generated by the steam trap system. It is widely used in automotive and manufacturing industries, owing to a high demand for automation in these industries.Global steam trap monitor market: DynamicsThe key driving factor of global steam trap monitor market is the rapid growth of automotive industry, owing to a high demand of steam trap monitor systems. Due to strong demand for packaged food and beverages in food and beverages industries is also a major driving factor of global steam trap monitor market. Furthermore, global steam trap monitor market is majorly driven by the increase in high internet penetration and high technological advancement, attributed to the high adoption of smart devices based on the internet of things in various industries. Another factor which helps to grow global steam trap monitor market is rapidly increasing chemical as well as the pharmaceutical industry due to high usage of steam trap monitor systems.Request to Sample of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3814 The microeconomic factors which drive the global steam trap monitor market are the rapid rate of industrialization and emerging economy such as Brazil, China, and India. The key restraining factor of global steam trap monitor market is higher maintenance cost and govt. Safety regulations related to global steam trap monitor market. Continuously rising in energy cost will increase the steam cost produced by site utility operations which will restrict to grow steam trap monitor market globally. Various large market players such as Forbes Marshal and Spirax Sarco released wireless steam trap monitor system which is the key trend which helps global steam trap monitor market to grow at a rapid pace over the forecasted periodGlobal steam trap monitor market: SegmentationGlobal steam trap monitor market can be segmented by end-use industry types, technology types, material type, trap types and region types.Global steam trap monitor market can be segmented by end-use industry types as follow:PharmaceuticalChemicalFood & BeveragesAutomotiveDownstream HydrocarbonsDefenseWater & WastewaterPower generationOil & gasPulp & paperGlobal steam trap monitor market can be segmented by technology types as follow:WiredWirelessGlobal steam trap monitor market can be segmented by trap types as follow:Mechanical Traps (inverted bucket & Float and Thermostatic)Thermodynamic TrapsVenturi or Orifice TrapsThermostatic TrapsGlobal steam trap monitor market can be segmented by material types as follow:SteelIronOthersGlobal steam trap monitor market: Regional OutlookBased on the geographies, global steam trap monitor market is segmented into seven regions Latin America, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, Western Europe, North America, Japan and Middle East & Africa. Among region mentioned above, North America accounts high market share in steam trap monitor market across the globe followed by Western Europe. Western Europe and Middle East & Africa is estimated to grow with a rapid rate in global steam trap monitor market due to its high usage in manufacturing industries in these regions. Due to low manufacturing cost in Asia-Pacific countries such as China and India is estimated to witness a rapid growth in steam trap monitor market across the globe.Request Report for TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3814 Few prominent market players of global steam trap monitor market as follow:Forbes MarshallEmerson Electric Co.Spirax-Sarco Engineering Plc.ThermaXX Jackets, LLC.Mosto Technologies, Inc.Armstrong International Inc.Flowserve CorporationGESTRA AGCIRCOR International, Inc Spectral Computed Tomography Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 13:20:42 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 # 711 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 Spectral Computed Tomography is a scanning technique unlike conventional computed tomography it separates the energy into two or more narrow energy bands instead of using one broad energy band of x-rays. Energy bands are absorbed differently by different body tissues. Introduction of spectral computed tomography has revolutionized the diagnostic system by offering radiologists more clear view over any type of discrepancy in body organs. The exclusivity and preciseness of spectral computed tomography proved them to be a useful and reliable tool for radiologists around the globe. Spectral computed tomography is able to perform image acquisition and processing at multiple energy levels, which are to improving visualization than conventional CT and providing urgent diagnosis for disorders having large prevalence these days such as aneurysm, cancer, tumor, cardiovascular impairment and disease related to bones. The demand for spectral tomography foreseen to increase on the back drop of rising healthcare expenditure in the economies worldwide. Furthermore, in some cases for accurate diagnosis a contrast agent is administered intravenously prior to the scan, the drug or the agent dose used is comparatively lower than the dose used in conventional CT scans. Besides, easy availability of conventional x-ray imaging systems and its cost the spectral tomography is gaining popularity and as a result adoption is anticipated to increase in the near future.Spectral Computed Tomography Market: Drivers & RestraintsSpectral computed tomography is an upcoming scanning technique that may overshadow the applications of conventional computed tomography. The images formed from spectral CT are reconstruction of two or more sets of spectral absorption values measured during the scan. Broad application base and superior diagnostic quality is anticipated to drive the market in near future. Moreover, the disease with high prevalence rate, especially the chronic non-communicable diseases is expected to underpin the spectral computed tomography market.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2023 Diseases such as cancer, tumor, cardiovascular disease, renal and hepatic disease are forcing the spectral computed tomography market to grow with high pace. The gradual rise in aging population is also expected to drive the market positively. Rise in novel and unknown disease is favoring the demand for clearer imaging techniques is expected to push the market upwards. Although, significant number of factors are is in favor but still there are some unavoidable restraints such as cost for imaging, contrasting agent reaction, high installation cost, lack of skilled personnel, initial phase of technology, lack of awareness and high installation costs are few factors, which are anticipated to resist the market growth.Spectral Computed Tomography Market: OverviewSpectral computed tomography market is predicted to rise during the forecast period due to its broad application base and quality imaging. Spectral computed tomography market is projected to grow with prominent CAGR due to increase in ageing population in developing countries. Innovations like dual-layer detector is expected to propel the market demand for spectral computed tomography. The market is anticipated to show the high growth rate due to eruptions of novel unknown diseases and increase in per-capita healthcare expenditure.Spectral Computed Tomography Market: Region-wise OutlookBased on geographic regions, spectral computed tomography market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Japan, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa. North America seized major share in the global market of spectral computed tomography market due to increase in aging population and high adoption rate of new technologies followed by Western and Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific is expected to have gradual rise in growth due to developing economies and moderate expenditure on healthcare. The spectral computed tomography market in japan will have a constant growth due to the balance between adoption of technology and prevalence of diseases. Middle East and Africa holds promising future for rise in the global spectral computed tomography market as expenditure on healthcare from foreign countries is increasing which is favoring the introduction of latest technologies.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2023 Spectral Computed Tomography Market: Key PlayersThere are many key performers in spectral computed tomography market some of the names who are leading the market in spectral computed tomography market worldwide are Philips Healthcare, GE Healthcare, Siemens Healthcare, Toshiba Medical System Corporations, Hitachi Medical Corporations, Pie Medical Imaging, Shimadzu Corporation, Neusoft Medical Systems. PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 14:45:30 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: abhishek.b@futuremarketinsights.com FMI Blog: https://www.fmiblog.com/ Web: https://www.fu Abhishek Bhudholiya Manager +1-347-918-3531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 759 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: abhishek.b@futuremarketinsights.comFMI Blog: https://www.fmiblog.com/Web: https://www.fuManager+1-347-918-3531 Pulmonary Heart Valve Replacement: Market InsightsPulmonary heart valve replacement is a type of surgery to cure disorder related to heart pulmonary valve. Pulmonary valve is one out of four valves in the heart which regulates the flow of blood in the heart. In the procedure of pulmonary heart valve replacement, the pulmonary valve is removed and replaced with a biological valve which is prepared biologically from cow or pig valve or mechanical valve which is prepared from artificial materials. Depend on the patients condition pulmonary heart valve replacement procedure is decided. Surgeon discusses the drawbacks of each valve and suggests which valve type is suitable. Biological valve needs to get replaced as it gets degenerate with time whereas for mechanical valve patient needs to take blood-thinning medication to prevent blood clots for the rest of their life. Pulmonary heart valve replacement procedure is performed through open heart surgery or minimally invasive surgery. Pulmonary heart valve replacement with open-heart surgery performed in the valve by cut open of chest. Pulmonary heart valve replacement with minimally invasive surgery performed with small incision which is an alternative method for open heart surgery. Minimally invasive pulmonary heart valve replacement is less common due to lack of skilled and expertise surgeon to perform the procedure. Rise in the geriatric population with high rate of cardiovascular disease boosting the global market growth for pulmonary heart valve replacement market.Pulmonary Heart valve Replacement: Market DynamicsRising healthcare expenditure, technological advancement for pulmonary heart valve replacement procedures, growing product launches are the key factors that drive the global market growth of pulmonary heart valve replacement market. Also, rising demand for better treatment, rising adoption rate among the patient population and increasing rate of obesity with unhealthy lifestyle are one of the reasons for cardiovascular disease is one of the important reason for the growth of pulmonary heart valve replacement market. However, high costs associated with the treatments, risks & complications related to heart valve surgeries such as infections, heart attack, valve dysfunction, irregular heart rhythm etc., and lack of awareness & skilled surgeons are the factors to restrain the revenue growth in the pulmonary heart valve replacement market.A Sample Of This Report Is Available Upon Request @ www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-7702 Pulmonary Heart valve Replacement Market: SegmentationThe global pulmonary heart valve replacement market is segmented by valve type, application type and end user:Segmentation by Valve TypeMechanical ValveBiological ValveSegmentation by Application TypePulmonary Valve StenosisPulmonary AtresiaPulmonary Valve RegurgitationOthersSegmentation by End UserHospitalsAmbulatory Surgical CentersClinicsOthersPulmonary Heart valve Replacement Market: OverviewThe most common type of minimally invasive pulmonary heart valve replacement is transcatheter pulmonary heart valve replacement which is also known as percutaneous pulmonary heart valve replacement. In this procedure, the catheter is used which is inserted in blood vessels in the chest and guides it to the heart. The new balloon-expandable pulmonary heart valve replacement at the end of the catheter is then positioned into place. With the advances in the technology, improved innovative heart valve devices and the growing number of medical applications will boost the pulmonary heart valve replacement market. The huge unexplored market in the pulmonary heart valve replacement industry in the developing economies is providing great growth opportunities for existing and new emerging market. The increasing number of mergers and acquisitions are the also the major trends for the growth of global pulmonary heart valve replacement market.Pulmonary Heart valve Replacement Market: Region-wise OutlookOn the basis of geography, the global pulmonary heart valve replacement market is segmented into seven key regions viz. North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, the Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, and the Middle East & Africa. North America is projected to hold largest shares in the global pulmonary heart valve replacement market primarily due to the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease and reimbursement coverage, followed by Europe. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to register the fastest growth in revenue generation for pulmonary heart valve replacement market owing to the high risk of cardiovascular disease due to the growing ageing population. Whereas, Latin America is expected to experience high demand for pulmonary heart valve replacement due to improving healthcare infrastructure and increasing healthcare spending.Read Comprehensive Overview with Methodology of Report@ www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-7702 Pulmonary Heart valve Replacement Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players present in the global pulmonary heart valve replacement market are Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, Boston Scientific Corporation, Medtronic Inc., St. Jude Medical, Abbott laboratories Inc., Cryolife and others. Propranolol Drug Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 13:23:28 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 # 621 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 Propranolol is a beta adrenergic receptor-blocking type medication used in the treatment or prevention of high blood pressure, post-traumatic stress disorder, irregular heartbeats, tremors, angina pectoris, migraine and anxiety. According to study published in American Heart Association, Inc., hypertension is the leading risk factor for disability and death worldwide. In 2010, Asia and Pacific region had highest burden of hypertension with 439 Mn people suffering from hypertension. As per WHO, propranolol is considered as one of the most essential pharmaceutical drug required in a basic health system. The drug is non selective beta blocker and also able to cross via blood brain barrier. It inhibit the actions of neurotransmitter and enhances memory consolidation. This advantage of propranolol made it useful for brain disorder too, which created a positive impact of propranolol drug in both heart and brain disorder. Propranolol drug is investigated as potential treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. Propranolol was first marketed in 1965 under the brand name Inderal by ICI Pharmaceutical which is now known as AstraZeneca.Propranolol Drug Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe global market for propranolol drug market is expected to be driven by rise in incidence of hypertension, and rapidly changing lifestyles in developing countries. Moreover, advancement in pharmaceutical market and funding initiatives in R&D sector are some other key factors that expected to propel the growth of propranolol drug market in the forecast period. As propranolol is a non-selective beta- blocker drug, it shows similar results on lungs, heart and other areas of body, which contributes to the adverse effects like allergic reaction, breathing problem, sudden weight gain, changes in blood sugar etc. Alternative option for propranolol drug and side effects related to drug may restrain the growth of this market.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2028 Propranolol Drug Market: OverviewNorth America and Europe lead the propranolol drug market due to increase in sedentary lifestyles and increasing aging population, which ultimately increases the rate of hypertension and angina related cases. Under route of administration segment, oral route shows high market growth in propranolol drug market as tablet form is more prescribed by doctors for long term positive effects. Tablets and extended-release capsules come under this segment, which are more preferred and shows favorable patient outcomes. Based on disease indication segment, hypertension account for high shares as compared with other disease types in the propranolol drug market. Hypertension is lifelong disease that means, patient may require to take tablets every day for rest of the life.Propranolol Drug Market: Regional OverviewRegion wise, the global propranolol drug market is classified into regions namely, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America dominated the global market for propranolol drug market. As per the study published by Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2014, nearly 70 Mn American population suffered from hypertension and expected to increase in coming years which will create growth opportunity for propranolol drug market. On other hand, Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at a fast pace over the forecast period owing to changing lifestyle and growing disease population. Moreover, variouspublic awareness programs initiated by medical organizations, to encourage people for regular checkups and explore available treatment options, will result in the strong growth opportunity of propranolol drug market in these regions.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2028 Propranolol Drug Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in global propranolol drug market includes Glaxosmithkline, Mylan pharmaceuticals inc, Actavis elizabeth llc, Inwood laboratories inc sub forest laboratories inc, Roxane laboratories inc, Baxter healthcare corp, Bedford laboratories, Wyeth ayerst laboratories, Ipca laboratories ltd, Teva pharmaceuticals, Vintage pharmaceuticals, Northstar healthcare holdings ltd, Pliva inc, Interpharm inc, Ivax pharmaceuticals inc, Clonmel healthcare ltd. Future Market Insights PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 13:29:41 Press Information Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States Abhishek Budholiya Manager +1 03479183531 email http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 588 Words U.S. Office616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesManager+1 03479183531 Polyamide intermediates are thermoplastic silky material, which is also known as nylon. It is available in fibrous state as well as in plastics. The polyamide intermediates are used for an array of applications, which includes fabrics, tires, and carpets among others. The consumption of polyamide intermediate chemicals in the automotive sector is expected to be the highest over the forecast period. Polyamide intermediate chemicals possess special characteristics, which includes high abrasion resistance, high elongation, and chemical resistance among others. Many manufacturers are engaged in developing bio-based methods for developing the polyamide intermediates. With introduction of bio-based polyamide intermediates, the global polyamide intermediates market is expected to foster a healthy growth rate, as it is recyclable and being adopted by the various end use industries from automotive to consumer goods. The consumption of polyamide intermediate chemicals in the automotive sector is expected to be the highest over the forecast period.Global Polyamide Intermediate Chemicals Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe global polyamide intermediate chemicals market is primarily driven by the demand for environmental friendly consumer products and stringent regulations for ecofriendly products. With a wide range of application of polyamide intermediates chemicals in various end use industries such as automotive, electronics, textiles and consumer goods among others is attributed with the growth of global polyamide intermediate chemicals globally. The use of polyamide intermediate chemicals in the automotive sector to replace some of the alloy parts such as nuts and bolts to reduce the weight of vehicles are increasing the adoption of polyamide intermediates chemicals in the automotive industry. Thus, this demand is fostering the growth of polyamide intermediate chemicals market. However, the moisture absorption properties of the polyamide intermediates chemicals decreases the tensile strength of the material which might pose as a restraint to its adaptability also the molded polyamide intermediates are subjected to shrinkage which might restrain the growth of polyamide intermediate chemicals market.Request Sample Report@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1699 Global Polyamide Intermediate Chemicals Market: Market SegmentationBased on the type of polyamide intermediate chemicals, the global polyamide intermediate chemicals market can be segmented into:Synthetic Polyamide Intermediate ChemicalsBio-Based Polyamide Intermediate ChemicalsBased on applications, the global polyamide intermediate chemicals market can be segmented into:TiresMusical StringsBagsConveyor BeltsOthersBased on the end use industries, the global polyamide intermediate chemicals market can be segmented into:AutomotiveTextileElectronicsConsumer GoodsGlobal Polyamide Intermediate Chemicals Market: Regional OutlookBased on the geographic regions, global polyamide intermediate chemicals market is segmented into seven key market segments namely North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. Among the aforementioned regions, Asia-Pacific market for polyamide intermediate chemicals holds the largest market. In the Asia-Pacific market, China holds the largest share followed by India, the growth of polyamide intermediate chemicals in these countries are attributed with the growth of automotive, chemicals and textile industries in these regions. The demand for bio-based polyamide intermediates chemicals in the North America and the European market to cope up with stringent environmental regulations in the region is fostering the growth of polyamide intermediate chemicals but in a moderate speed. Overall, the market is expected to show a significant growth rate by the end of forecast period.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1699 Global Polyamide Intermediate Chemicals Market: Key PlayersSome of the major players identified in the global polyamide intermediate chemicals market includes, BASF SE, DuPont, DSM, Segetis, Inc., Solvay, Arizona Chemical Company, LLC., and Genomatica, Inc. among others. Central Europe and Baltics Region Expected to Create High Opportunity for the Global Palletizers Market fmi PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 08:24:54 According to the latest market report published by Future Market Insights titled Palletizers Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2018-2028, Palletizers being a highly productive material handling solution is expected to be the prime driver of the global palletizers market during the forecast period, 2018-2028. Globally, the revenue generated from sales of palletizers has been estimated to be around US$ 2,084.4 Mn in 2018, and is projected to increase at a CAGR of 4.9%, during the forecast period 2018-2028.The palletizers market in the developed region of North America and Western Europe together estimated to account for around 40% of the global palletizers market and are projected to witness low growth during the forecast period. The developed countries of North America and Western Europe region has high adoption rate for recently developed technology. This has resulted into high demand of advanced technology for robotic palletizers as compared to other regions. Large number of palletizers manufacturers are based in these regions only. Although, the manufacturing output growth in these regions have matured, the continuous developments introduced in the robotic palletizers and the end-user industries aiming highest automation possible has propelled the palletizers market in North America and Western Europe.Request more information of Report with table of contents and Figures @China, India and South Korea are some of the rapidly developing manufacturing industries in the world and large market for robotics in the world. These countries are estimated to account for more than 85% of the APEJ palletizers market. Although, China is the largest palletizers market and the largest robotics market in the world, the industrial robot density of China is below global average. Millions of manufacturing and warehousing facilities, and huge domestic production of economical palletizers has created large opportunity for the palletizers market in the country.Japan is exhibited to possess similar characteristics as that of North America and Western Europe, which are maturing the demand of palletizers, large palletizers market share and rapid adoption of technology. Fanuc, Kuka and other globally leading companies in robotics industry and providing palletizers are based in Japan.Central Europe & Baltics region includes countries such as Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Croatia and others. The total labour force in the region has remained almost constant since 2002 while the manufacturing output in the region has expanded by around 2.7 times. This has created immense opportunity in the region for palletizers market and other industrial automation solutions. Availability of economical and skilled labour in Poland has attracted manufacturing industries in the Western Europe region to shift their production facility to Poland and other countries in the Central Europe and Baltics region.Request to Report Methodology @In the MEA region, Turkey and GCC region are estimated to account for around 60% of the MEA palletizers market in 2018 and are further expected to expand palletizers market at a significantly high pace as compared to African countries. MEA region has considerably higher demand share of conventional palletizers as compared to other regions. The rapidly developing pharmaceutical industry in the North Africa and GCC region has propelled the demand of palletizers in the region. Due to lack of manufacturing capability, the majority of the demand of palletizers is served by imports from Asia Pacific and Western European countries.The market volume for global palletizers is expected to expand at 1.6X over the forecast period 2018-2028Detailed profiles of palletizers companies are also included in the report to evaluate their strategies, key product offerings and recent developments. The key players of the global palletizers market are Premier Tech Chronos Ltd., ABB Ltd., FANUC Corp., Kion Group, Kuka Group, Honeywell International Inc., Okura Yusoki Co., Ltd., Columbia Machine, Inc., Fuji Yusoki Kogyo Co., Ltd. and Concetti S.P.A.In global palletizers market report, we have discussed individual strategies followed by these companies in terms of enhancing their product portfolio, creating new marketing techniques, mergers and acquisitions. The Competitive Landscape section is included to provide report audiences with a dashboard view and company share collectively.Ask a question to Analyst @ Near-Patient Molecular Solutions Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 13:34:55 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 # 581 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 Innovations in healthcare technologies, including smartphone apps, wearable devices, lab-on-a chip, biosensors all of which offer easy link to the patient quickly becoming part of the transformation of the healthcare landscape. The driving concept in support of point of care diagnostic is to bring testing closer to the patient and provide results appropriately and quickly. This is different technique than earlier used where all the tests were performed in the laboratory.Point of care testing has extensive application base that includes, oncology, hematology, endocrinology, prenatal testing and near patient testing in infectious disease management. Most substantial progress have taken place in the fields of oncology point of care molecular tests and infectious diseases.Rapid flu testing is a leading application for point of care platforms.Near-Patient Molecular SolutionsMarket: Drivers and RestraintsFactors, such as the increasing incidences of diseases such as cardiac diseases and diabetes in developing countries, increase in the usage of home-based point of care devices, and advancement in technology with demand for development of faster and easy to use devices are energizing the point of care diagnostic market. Rising demand for home healthcare facility and the increment in population of elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions is expected to drive point of care diagnostics market over the forecast period. In light of the many factors increasing the demand for point of care diagnosis, manufacturing companies are pushing the envelope to make point of care devices faster, easier, and more reliable. Shortage of skilled-staff, especially in the field of diagnostics, are expected to restrain the market growth for point of care diagnostic.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2098 Near-Patient Molecular SolutionsMarket: OverviewAlthough the market of near patient diagnostic is less, but it is expected to grow over forecast period according to new healthcare analysis. It has been observed that near patient molecular solutions have witnessed higher penetration in medical system market though they facilitate better antimicrobial treatment. Point of care products for diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis, malaria and other infectious diseases are supposed to achieve substantial growth in emerging markets. Manycompanies are developing molecular diagnostic platforms and assays that are designed to for near-patient. The initial focus of most of the medical devices companies is on infectious disease testing.Near-Patient Molecular SolutionsMarket: Regional OverviewRegion wise, the global near patient molecular solution market is classified into regions namely, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America dominated the global market for near patient molecular solution due to good reimbursement policies for diagnostic procedures and number of clinical studies investigating the efficiency. After North America this market is followed by Europe due to increase demand for near patient testing growth over. Asia Pacific region is expected to perceive a significantly faster growth over the forecast period due to a lower availability of hi-tech central laboratory testing facilities.Increasing number of local players providing near patient testing in countries such as China is expected to boost the market growth in APEJ region.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2098 Near-Patient Molecular SolutionsMarket: Key PlayersSome of the key players in the market of near patient molecular solution are Abbott Laboratories, Inc. Roche Diagnostics Limited, Siemens AG, Beckman Coulter, Inc., Becton, Dickinson and Company, Johnson & Johnson, Alere Inc., PTS Diagnostics and Nova Biomedical. Other prominent player in near patient molecular solution market are Bayer Healthcare, BioMerieux, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Cepheid, Danaher Corporation. PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 14:45:59 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: abhishek.b@futuremarketinsights.com FMI Blog: https://www.fmiblog.com/ Web: https://www.fu Abhishek Bhudholiya Manager +1-347-918-3531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 668 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: abhishek.b@futuremarketinsights.comFMI Blog: https://www.fmiblog.com/Web: https://www.fuManager+1-347-918-3531 Breast cancer is one of the most frequently occurring cancer in women across the world. In 2015, American Cancer Society estimated, 40,290 women are expected to die from breast cancer in the U.S. Mammography is the gold standard for breast cancer screening and focused mammography is used for better characterization. However, mammography could miss breast cancer in patients with breast implants, dense breasts and other similar situations. Additionally mammography has a high risk of false positive results making biopsy a confirmatory test. Sonography and MRI are secondary imaging modality.Molecular breast imaging demonstrated potential for identifying and characterizing breast cancers. 18F-fluoroestradiol is an estrogen analog that is used to indicate the estrogen status of a breast cancer using molecular breast imaging. Conventional molecular imaging devices cannot be used directly for molecular breast imaging since the spatial resolution is compromised in such systems. In order to use conventional systems for molecular breast imaging, the breast need to be isolated and the camera needs to be placed close to the breast. However, this method of molecular breast imaging still does not completely eliminate the resolution issue. Thus specialized molecular breast imaging devices are used for the detection of breast cancer. These molecular breast imaging devices may have a single head or dual head for better spatial resolution and accurate detection.Molecular Breast Imaging Market: Drivers and Restraints-Molecular Breast Imaging market witnessing the maximum growth in near future owing to increase in patient pool globally. The increased number of breast cancer diagnosis due to rising awareness among women globally is the major drivers for the growth of the Molecular Breast Imaging market. Better spatial resolution and more definitive results are some of the factors that support the growth of the Molecular Breast Imaging market. However, high cost of the molecular breast imaging devices may hinder the growth of the Molecular Breast Imaging market during the forecast period.A Sample Of This Report Is Available Upon Request @ www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-7701 Molecular Breast Imaging Market: SegmentationOn the basis of type of product, Molecular Breast Imaging market can be segmented as:Single Head Molecular Breast ImagingDual Head Molecular Breast ImagingOn the basis of the end user, the Molecular Breast Imaging market can be segmented as:Hospitals & ClinicsDiagnostic CentersSpecialty HospitalsMolecular Breast Imaging Market: OverviewGlobal Molecular Breast Imaging market is expected to gain significant growth rate over the forecast period. Molecular Breast Imaging is expected to gain high demand in forecast periods due to increasing in patient pool. The increasing patient pool worldwide is mainly due to rising cases of allergy related inflammation and sinus issues that is driving the growth of global Molecular Breast Imaging market. However the risk of infections is high and may overall hinder the growth of the Molecular Breast Imaging market.Molecular Breast Imaging Market: Region-wise OutlookIn terms of geography, Molecular Breast Imaging market has been divided into eight regions including North- America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and Asia- Pacific excluding China & Japan (APECJ), China, Japan, Middle-East & Africa and Latin America. North America is the most dominating market for Molecular Breast Imaging market due to the rise in awareness, substantial reimbursement and technological advancement. Western European countries such as Germany, France, and the U.K. are top revenue contributing countries in Western Europe region. The Asia Pacific excluding China and Japan Molecular Breast Imaging market is expected to expand at a substantial growth rate over the forecast period due to increasing adoption due to increased awareness and low cost. China is the one of the important revenue contributing country in global Molecular Breast Imaging market due to the availability of cost-effective Molecular Breast Imaging devices and large patient pool in the region.Read Comprehensive Overview with Methodology of Report@ www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-7701 Molecular Breast Imaging Market: Key Market ParticipantsExample of some market players participants in global Molecular Breast Imaging market identify across the value chain are Dilon Technologies Inc., CMR Naviscan Corporation, Digirad, GE Healthcare, among others. Mobile Enterprise Application Development Platform Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2016-2026 PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 10:29:51 Mobile enterprise application development platform is an integrated development environment that provides tools, and client/server middleware for creating and managing mobile applications. These platform addresses the challenges of mobile application development related to diverse sets of devices, platforms, networks, and users. Mobile enterprise application development platforms allows easier integration of mobile applications with the features and capabilities of mobile devices. It interfaces with client management server and backend infrastructure to provide high visibility and control via web-based console over the entire network. This makes it easy for the businesses to centrally manage devices and applications, install and update mobile software over the entire company network.Mobile Enterprise Application Development Platform Brings Following Capabilities for Mobile SoftwareComplete Integrated Development EnvironmentSupport for Design, Develop, Test, Deploy, and Manage Mobile ApplicationsRun-Time Middleware Server to Handle Back-End Systems of the EnterprisesRobust Security CapabilitiesLocal and Remote Data Handling CapabilityAbility to Integrate External Devices like Credit Card Readers, Scanners, Printers etc.Mobile Enterprise Application Development Platform Market: Drivers and ChallengesThe increasing trend of bring your own device (BYOD) and mobility amongst the enterprises are driving the growth of the market. Enterprises around the world are aiming at creating agile platforms and increase their mobility capabilities. Mobile devices and applications are changing the way enterprises interact with their processes, customers, and employees. An important element in any mobility adoption process is the platform that host the mobile application. Enterprise need to select a platform which provides an optimum mix of features and security.However, mobile enterprise application development platforms are in-house software, and therefore requires in-house expertise for development, maintenance, and troubleshooting. This means higher cost in training and personnel, and recruiting mobile enterprise application development platform experts. Moreover, expenses towards licensing, maintaining mobile enterprise application development platforms are significant thus, restraining its adoption across enterprises with limited financial resources..Request Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1470 Mobile Enterprise Application Development Platform Market: SegmentationMobile Enterprise Application Development Platform market on the basis of Deployment Model:On-Premises:On-Premises mobile enterprise application development platform are deployed the computers in the premises an organization using the software as against at remote facility such as remote servers..Hosted :Hosted mobile enterprise application development platform are provided by cloud service providers. In hosted environments, cost associated with mobile enterprise application development platform is relatively low.Regional OverviewIn North America, enterprise mobility is the top priority for the business enterprises to stay ahead in the competitive business environment. Due to this business organizations are increasingly deploying the mobile enterprise application development platforms.In China, enterprise mobility is becoming one of the top technology issues for enterprises. SMEs are expected to propel the market growth in this region. While in India, most of the business organizations are still reluctant to adopt enterprise mobility solutions due to security related concerns.Request For TOC@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1470 Huge spending by business enterprises in middleware software is driving the growth of the market in Europe. U.K. and Germany, and Italy are major players in the middleware software market, and are expected to drive mobile enterprise application development market in this region.Limited resources with the early stage startups is inhibiting the growth of market in Latin America and Middle East Africa regions. However, with the advent of cost effective cloud solutions, the market is expected to observe substantial growth during the forecast period.IBM Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, MobileIron, Oracle Corporation, SAP SE, and Apple Inc. are some of the major players of the market. PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 14:45:05 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: abhishek.b@futuremarketinsights.com FMI Blog: https://www.fmiblog.com/ Web: https://www.fu Abhishek Bhudholiya Manager +1-347-918-3531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 774 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: abhishek.b@futuremarketinsights.comFMI Blog: https://www.fmiblog.com/Web: https://www.fuManager+1-347-918-3531 Laser therapy is a therapeutic treatment that utilizes concentrated light for medical procedures. In contrast to most light sources, light from a laser is tuned to particular wavelengths. Minimally invasive medical devices have changed surgical procedures by eliminating or shortening hospital stays, speeding recovery times, decreasing the size of incisions and improving overall patient outcomes. There is a consistent increase in the number of minimally invasive procedures. Minimally invasive laser therapy devices are used for various different applications in oncology, dermatology, ENT etc. Minimally invasive laser therapy devices are highly preferred for neonatal patients and is also popular for cosmetic purposes as it least damages the skin. According to the annual plastic surgery procedural statistics, approximately 15.9 million minimally-invasive and surgical cosmetic procedures were performed in 2015 in the United States; giving a 2% increase over 2014.Minimally Invasive Laser Therapy Devices Market: Drivers and Restraints-Growing popularity of cosmetic procedures; increase in number of laser procedures; growing shift towards minimally invasive surgeries are three major factors that are expected to boost market growth for minimally invasive laser therapy devices during the forecast period. Increased prevalence of skin related disorders like actinic keratosis, warts, acnes and growing awareness on advantages of minimally invasive laser therapy devices over invasive therapy devices are also expected to contribute to the growth of minimally invasive laser therapy devices market during the forecast period. Whereas, high prices associated to these procedures might hinder market growth. Less availability and less awareness on novel technologies related to minimally invasive laser therapy devices also could hamper the market growth for minimally invasive laser therapy devices market during the forecast period.Request Sample Report@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-7700 Minimally Invasive Laser Therapy Devices Market: SegmentationOn the basis of Product type, Minimally Invasive Laser Therapy Devices Market can be segmented as:Low level Minimally Invasive Laser Therapy DevicesHigh Level Minimally Invasive Laser Therapy DevicesOn the basis of Modality, Minimally Invasive Laser Therapy Devices Market can be segmented as:Portable Minimally Invasive Laser Therapy DevicesStand-alone Minimally Invasive Laser Therapy DevicesOn the basis of Applications, Minimally Invasive Laser Therapy Devices Market can be segmented as:DermatologyENTOncologyCosmeticsDentalGastroenterology and EndoscopyCardiovascularOthersOn the basis of end users, Minimally Invasive Laser Therapy Devices Market can be segmented as:HospitalsClinicsSkin Care Service CentersOphthalmic ClinicsDental ClinicsOthersOn the basis of geography, Minimally Invasive Laser Therapy Devices Market can be segmented as:North- AmericaEastern EuropeWestern EuropeAsia-Pacific excluding China & JapanChinaJapanMiddle East and AfricaLatin AmericaMinimally Invasive Laser Therapy Devices Market: OverviewThe technological shift of medical procedures and constant exponential development in technologies for medical procedures have profited the market. This has led to surgeries and procedures getting minimally invasive thus, requiring less healing time and imposing lower risk to practitioners and patients alike. Low level minimally invasive laser therapy devices are highly preferred due to less exposure of laser light to the body thus, having less side effects like swelling or redness. Minimally invasive laser therapy devices are highly being used for cosmetic purposes. Number of plastic surgeries performed globally have increased drastically, contributing to the market growth for minimally invasive laser therapy devices. Growing number of healthcare facilities like cosmetic clinics and ophthalmic clinics owing it to increased government support and funding are also extensively contributing to the market growth.Minimally Invasive Laser Therapy Devices Market: Region-wise OutlookGeography wise, Minimally Invasive Laser Therapy Devices market is divided into eight regions viz. North-America, Asia- Pacific excluding China & Japan, China, Japan, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Latin America and Middle-East & Africa. North Americas Minimally Invasive Laser Therapy Devices market is expanding because of growing popularity of minimally laser therapy devices and it will remain dominant over the period of forecast due to growing need of treating patients using minimally invasive techniques. Rise in incidence of dermatology, eye and dental related ailments also contributes to the share in the region. Europes Minimally Invasive Laser Therapy Devices market is also expected to grow at a significant rate due to increased healthcare expenditure and increased acceptance of these novel laser techniques. Asia-Pacifics Minimally Invasive Laser Therapy Devices market is anticipated to grow at a decent rate due to low availability of minimally invasive laser therapy devices.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-7700 Minimally Invasive Laser Therapy Devices Market: Key Market ParticipantsSome of the market participants in the Global Minimally Invasive Laser Therapy Devices market identified across the value chain include: TE Connectivity, BTL, Boston Scientific Corporation, Medtronic, Wytech Industries, Inc., Norwood Medical, Freudenberg Medical and Cynosure. PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 09:45:01 With the digital marketing landscape evolving rapidly, a Michigandigital marketing agency has unveiled a new strategy to get a leg-up onone's competition: identity resolution marketingHOLLAND / ACCESSWIRE/ February 25, 2019 / With the digital marketing landscape evolving rapidly, a new tactic has emerged to get a leg-up on one's competition: identity resolution marketing. Identity resolution has been offered by some vendors for two or three years but up until now the actual offering was somewhat limited. What it meant traditionally was to essentially aggregate unbeknownst duplicate website visitors accessing a site from different devices into a single record with the primary goal being to reduce waste on retargeting campaigns. On average, users have 2-3 different devices that they access a website from (usually a desktop or laptop, a smartphone, and a tablet sometimes a work computer). While this strategy works fairly well and typically does achieve its purpose, newer pioneers in the Identity resolution space realized that there was much, much more one could do with visitor data once the identity of the site visitor was resolved. This newer evolution of identity resolution is what I call, "ID Resolution 2.0".An executive at leading ID Resolution IDvisitors has said, "Pioneers in the Identity resolution space have realized that there is much, much more we can do with visitor data once the identity of the site visitor is resolved." Identity Resolution 2.0This newer version of identity resolution that's just now coming on the scene is so freakishly scary (in a cool way) that its almost hard to imagine how it can be legal, especially in today's world of concerns about online privacy, but it IS actually legal when executed correctly and within compliance standards. What this Holland digital marketing agency pioneered is an incredible combination of ID resolution and big data. Together, along with some artificial intelligence and machine learning their system is able to not only reduce waste by aggregating visitors using multiple devices but also matches the resolved visitors against their proprietary "identity graph". Snap essentially purchases every possible bit of data on every move and every purchase a user makes online (yes, there's many vendors who sell this data legally) and uses this data to build a robust "user profile" telling them who is "in market" to purchase a product or service and also when they are most likely to purchase. Other data Snap is purchasing and incorporating into their identity graph includes social media activity, URL-specific website visits, and even google search phrase history (yes, scary, agreed). It's shocking to think that almost everything a person does online is recorded and the data is for sale if you've got enough money, but it is.Turning Mountains of Data Info Actionable DataHaving all this data is useless (and very expensive to buy) unless you monetize it. So how does Snap Marketing capitalize on having their own identity graph with nearly 250M US adults in it? Well in short they've come up with the most effective way to market to consumers that's ever been available: Very fast, and very targeted, across almost every channel you can think of. Traditionally, retargeting works by installing the company's Facebook or Adroll tracking pixel on a company's website, planting a cookie in the user's browser, and then "following that user around" the internet showing them banner ads. This still works well but with this newer "2.0" version, Snap has taken things to the next level. Statistically, browser cookies expire every 35 days. This means that for any companies with a sales cycle longer than 35 days, they've lost the ability to retarget lost website visitors and essentially need to "pay again" in trying to show that visitor another ad, get them to click, and drive them to the website again. With identity resolution, the user is identified during the first visit and they can now be retargeted well virtually forever, and this is because the subsequent tracking is not based on cookie technology.Check Out These New Super PowersWith this new technology, Snap is able to do amazing things such as: When visitors hit a client's site, their identity is resolved virtually instantly, matches against their identity graph and big data, then a variety of marketing automation can be triggered. Thin includes retargeting the (new scrubbed for dup's) list across virtually ever ad platform (Adwords, Facebook, Google Display Network, Gmail Ads, LinkedIn, Twitter, Outbrain, Instagram, and more).Other super powers include having the ability to almost immediately retarget website visitors via email. and yes, the website visitors who are NOT on the company's email marketing list yet. Snap Marketing uses their tech to figure out the visitor's email address, then the AI triggers their email marketing platform to send an email to that website visitor. Pretty amazing. But the capabilities don't stop there. Their marketing automation can also trigger a physical post card to be mailed to the website visitor's home, or even a pre-recorded ringless voicemail get dropped into the user's cell phone. The next wave of possibilities are said to include outbound call center services to the website visitors, targeted webTV / streaming live TV ads on platforms like YouTubeTV via Chromecast and other platforms.One other leader in the Identity Resolution space is Chicago Based Snap Marketing Agency who said, "Snap is able to make a company's website visitor data "permanent", portable, and more profitable using identity resolution." The Legality of This MarketingSo is this actually legal? The short answer is yes. The longer answer is, yes but you have to follow specific privacy rules. When the artificial intelligence runs and figures out the identity of the website visitor, that personal information is never actually disclosed to the business (who is the paying customer/client). Instead, the marketing company using the AI deploys the remarketing campaigns to those specific visitors, exactly how they promise, but cannot share the actual personal details of the prospects to the business. Essentially, the marketing agency is the buffer between the business client and the end user.To find out more about ID resolution and how it is offered by marketing agencies like Snap Marketing check them out online at https://snap.agency Contact Info:Name: Mila KarnsOrganization: Snap MarketingAddress: 6361 Reserve Way, Holland, MI 49423, United PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 14:44:40 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: abhishek.b@futuremarketinsights.com FMI Blog: https://www.fmiblog.com/ Web: https://www.fu Abhishek Bhudholiya Manager +1-347-918-3531 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: abhishek.b@futuremarketinsights.comFMI Blog: https://www.fmiblog.com/Web: https://www.fuManager+1-347-918-3531 Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are genetically heterogeneous disorders which is one of the cause of blindness. There are more than 100 types of inherited retinal diseases and severity varies significantly. Due to inherited nature of these disease there is no cure and hence path to the inherited retinal diseases treatment is not clear. Recently in 2018, gene therapy based inherited retinal diseases treatment was approved by FDA. There are more than 200 DNA which are responsible for this disease further making inherited retinal diseases treatment difficult. Most of children suffering from this disease turn blind within a year after they are born. Around 4 of every 10,000 children born in the UK are diagnosed with some form of inherited retinal disease and the prevalence further increases to 6 per 10,000 in population below aged 16 years. This represent significant amount population though the incidence of the disease seems low, further making inherited retinal diseases treatment important.Inherited Retinal Diseases Treatment Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe increasing prevalence of the inherited retinal diseases expected to drive the growth of inherited retinal diseases treatment market. Increasing awareness and treatment seeking rate expected to fuel the growth of inherited retinal diseases treatment market. Increasing understanding about the inherited retinal diseases treatment options and diagnosis of the disease further expected to enhance the growth of inherited retinal diseases treatment market. Increasing expenditure R& D by the product manufacturing companies in the inherited retinal diseases treatment market expected to increase revenue generation in near future. The manufacturing companies in the inherited retinal diseases treatment market further focusing on the gene mutation specific approach for the developing new products further expected to drive the growth of inherited retinal diseases treatment market. Various manufacturers are engaging in the collaborations, partnerships to carry out clinical trials to further develop inherited retinal diseases treatment options more efficiently.Request Sample Report@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-7698 Inherited Retinal Diseases Treatment Market: SegmentationInherited retinal diseases treatment market is segmented based on the treatment type, distribution channel, and regionBy the treatment type Inherited retinal diseases treatment market is segmented as:Gene therapy treatmentSymptomatic treatmentBy distribution channel Inherited retinal diseases treatment market is segmented as:Hospital PharmaciesRetail PharmaciesInherited Retinal Diseases Treatment Market: OverviewGlobally increasing prevalence of the disease expected to contribute to inherited retinal diseases treatment market significantly. By the treatment type inherited retinal diseases treatment market is expected to be dominated by gene therapy treatment. Whereas, by distribution channel inherited retinal diseases treatment market is expected to be dominated by retail pharmacies. The manufacturers in inherited retinal diseases treatment market are highly focusing on the development of new formulation for the inherited retinal diseases treatment.Inherited Retinal Diseases Treatment Market: Regional OutlookThe global inherited retinal diseases treatment market is expected to be dominated by North America due higher treatment seeking rate and higher penetration of inherited retinal diseases treatment options. Europe is expected to be the second most lucrative inherited retinal diseases treatment market due to comparatively higher prevalence of inherited retinal diseases coupled with higher treatment seeking rate. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing inherited retinal diseases treatment market due to rapidly increasing awareness about the disease and increasing product penetration in the region. Presence of one of the fastest growing economies such as India and China further expected drive the growth of inherited retinal diseases treatment market in the APAC region. Latin America inherited retinal diseases treatment market is expected to witness steady growth due to increasing diagnosis of the condition in the region. Middle East and Africa is least lucrative inherited retinal diseases treatment market due to low treatment seeking rate, low product penetration, and low diagnosis rate. Overall, global inherited retinal diseases treatment market expected to witness significant growth due to increasing penetration of products and diagnosis.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-7698 Inherited Retinal Diseases Treatment Market: Key PlayersSome of the global key participants operating in inherited retinal diseases treatment market are: Spark Therapeutics, Novartis AG, and others Some of the major players operating in the market for High Density (HD) Cell Banking are Genzyme Corporation, REPLIGEN CORPORATION, Pall Corporation, General Electric Company, Sartorius AG, Merck Millipore Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and others. Above manufactures are upgrading the traditional technology and concentrating on market penetration. High Density (HD) Cell Banking Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 13:17:21 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 # 731 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 banking is a process of separation and storage of cells belonging to a specific genome which are used in biological research, drug development, and medical use. The cell banking technique involves a lengthy process of extraction, and scale up owing to which the cells become more susceptible to contamination and lot of time is wasted before the cells are actually used for research or clinical purpose. High density (HD) cell banking technique is used to eliminate delay and reducing the chance of contamination.. The HD cell banking technique reduces the number of expansion steps involved in the scaling up process which are required in the traditional cell culture and turn reduces the process time and increases the level of automation in the process.In high-density cell culture technique, the cells are dispensed directly into single-use bioreactor or culture vessel which in turn speeds up the creation of homogenous cells and eliminates the need for centrifugation and dilution processes, moreover high-density cell culture reduces the interactions with the culture and in turn reduces the risk of contamination. High-density cell cultures market is expected witness robust growth over the forecast period owing to its technological advantages over traditional cell culture techniques.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1985 High Density (HD) Cell Banking Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe demand for High Density (HD) Cell Banking is fueled by growing research and development spending in biotechnology and medical industry. The growing life science industry and increasing applications of biological drugs derived through genetic engineering and cell culture techniques. High retention of the cells in the high-density cell culture, increases productivity owing to which HD cell banking market is expected to witness robust growth over the forecast period. Growing demand for stem cell research in therapeutic areas like cancer and autoimmune diseases worldwide is expected to boost demand for high-density cell banking over the forecast period. Moreover the adoption of cell culture processes for manufacturing of industrial enzymes and other proteins is growing especially in the developed and emerging economies which in turn is expected to boost demand for high density cell banking globally, however low awareness of the technology and lack of technical expertise is expected to hamper revenue growth of the high-density cell banking market over the forecast period.[RD1] High Density (HD) Cell Banking Market: SegmentationThe global high density (HD), cell banking market, is classified on the basis of end user and regional presence.Segmentation by End UsersPharmaceuticals CompaniesBiotechnology CompaniesChemical & MaterialAgricultureAcademic & Research InstitutesHigh Density (HD) Cell Banking Market: OverviewThe high density (HD), cell banking market, is largely penetrated by some key global players and is expected to witness healthy CAGR regarding revenue owing to increasing applications and high adoption rate of high density (HD) cell banking technique in research and academics globally. The entry of new players and development of enhanced technology in the high density (HD) cell banking market is expected to create fierce competition over the forecast period in the market.High Density (HD) Cell Banking Market: Regional OverviewGeographically, the global high density (HD), cell banking market, is classified into regions namely, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan, Middle East and Africa (MEA).North America dominates the global high density (HD) cell banking market followed by Europe. North America and Western Europe (comprising EU5 countries) regions are expected to witness significant growth due to increased adoption of high density (HD) cell banking and due to awareness in these regions. APEJ is expected to witness significant growth as compared to other regions and countries owing to increase in spending in pharmaceutical sector and presence of several biotechnology and research and development institutions. Latin America and MEA regions are expected to witness sluggish growth due to low adoption of high density (HD) cell banking equipment. However, increasing healthcare spending may boost the growth of high density (HD) cell banking market in these regions during the forecast period.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1985 High Density (HD) Cell Banking Market: Key PlayersSome of the major players operating in the market for High Density (HD) Cell Banking are Genzyme Corporation, REPLIGEN CORPORATION, Pall Corporation, General Electric Company, Sartorius AG, Merck Millipore Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and others. Above manufactures are upgrading the traditional technology and concentrating on market penetration. Robotic Arm PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 20:28:56 Press Information QYReports India,Pune Jones John Sales Manager +91-9764607607 email https://www.qyreports.com # 515 Words India,PuneSales Manager+91-9764607607 The swift rise in urbanization and the significant increase in the disposable income of people are likely to maintain the demand pace of Global robotic arm market professional survey report 2019 in the near future. The augmenting interest of investors, government funding, and the rising trend of automation are also projected to reflect positively on this market in the years to come.Get Sample copy of this Report: https://www.qyreports.com/request-sample?report-id=83109 Top key player profiled in this report: Covering, Ross, AR+, MR Motion Control, Camerobot, PhotoRobot, Electric Friends, Dongxu Robotics, Hanson CreativeThe research study examines the Global robotic arm market professional survey report 2019 on the basis of a number of criteria, such as the product type, application, and its geogphical presence. The whole supply chain of this market has been explained with statistical details with a special emphasis on various upstream and downstream components.The current trends pertaining to the demand, supply, and sales of Global robotic arm market professional survey report 2019, together with the recent developments have been given here to provide an exhaustive picture of this market.In this research report, the prominent trends, driving factors, restints, opportunities, and challenges have been taken into considetion in order to identify the markets future. It also discusses the production cost structure of Global robotic arm market professional survey report 2019. As per the research study, w material and equipment are two major components of the Global robotic arm market professional survey report 2019 manufacturing process.Here, researchers have studied the costs of w materials and equipment with a special mention to their suppliers. Furthermore, the labor and other opetional costs experienced in the production of Global robotic arm market professional survey report 2019 have also been discussed at length in this market report.Get Discount on this Premium Report: https://www.qyreports.com/ask-for-discount?report-id=83109 The report presents an estimation of the ovell market size in terms of value (US$) and in volume (kilo tons) and talks about the key segments and the geogphical subdivisions of the Global robotic arm market professional survey report 2019 in details. It presents in-depth information on the development trends and the policies and regulations, concerning Global robotic arm market professional survey report 2019, implemented in each of the geogphical segments. The predominant applications of the Global robotic arm market professional survey report 2019 have also been talked about at length in this research report.Further, the research study analyzes the regulatory fmework of the Global robotic arm market professional survey report 2019, offering stakeholders a better understanding of the various policies, rules and regulations, and future projects, which are expected to influence numerous proceedings in this market. It also collects in-depth information gained through extensive primary and secondary research methods, which has been assessed with the help of sevel effective analytical tools.Based on the data attained from such systematic research, the research report presents near-accute estimates for the market players as well as the readers. Readers will also gain significantly from the references and case studies given in the research study.Get Complete Report@: https://www.qyreports.com/report/global-robotic-arm-market-2017-83109/ Global "Credit Management Software Market" report talks about the manufacturing process and provides specific analysis of the various patterns and parameters that affect the development of credit management software industry. This industry report also provides an assessment of the current patterns in the market, including other essential information about the future development of the market. Credit Management Software PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 20:29:14 Press Information QYReports Pune,india Jones John Sales Manager +91-9764607607 email https://www.qyreports.com # 498 Words Pune,indiaSales Manager+91-9764607607 The Global Credit Management Software Market Report is a comprehensive survey of the growth engines, current demand and regulation of the market. This report includes new improvements in innovation, a complete profile of key competitors and research into unique model research.Get Sample copy of this Report: https://www.qyreports.com/request-sample?report-id=88065 The Major Top key players of Global Credit Management Software Market are:Rimilia, Emagia Corporation, Credit Tools, Innovation Software Limited,, Oracle Products, OnGuard, Credica Limited, Cforia Software Inc., HighRadius Corporation, Alterity, Credit & Management Systems, Inc. (CMS)?, Misys, Finastra?, S4FINANCIALS B.V., Xolv BV, SOPLEX Consult GmbH?Hanse Orga Group?, Prof. Schumann GmbH, DebtPack, Bureau voor Credit Management ?BVCM?, Apruve, Triple-A Solutions, CRiON, Creman B.V., Analytical Solutions Technology?AsTech?, SystemPartner Norge AS?, Care & Collect?, Viatec Business Solutions, Equiniti?, Sarjen Systems Pvt. Ltd.?The Credit Management Software Report is comprised of detailed information related to the growth drivers of the credit management software market and provides forecasts of market growth and its essential market competitors.Impact of Credit Management Software Market Report:A comprehensive assessment of all opportunities and risks in the credit management software market.- Recent innovations and major events in the credit management software market.- A detailed study of business strategies for growth of leading players in credit management software market.Exclusive research on the growth plans of the credit management software market over the next few years.An in-depth understanding of the credit management software market, particularly drivers, pharmaceuticals and key micro-marketsAn optimistic impression of critical technology and market trends critical to the credit management software market.The report provides information about the global credit management software industry, which consists of several well-known organizations, manufacturers and traders. The report also provides a detailed description of key players with a significant global stake in demand, sales and income by providing better products and services along with after-sales practices.Get Discount on this Premium Report: https://www.qyreports.com/ask-for-discount?report-id=88065 The Credit Management Software Industry Report provides market forecasts for the upcoming year. This report also provides value chain analysis with a survey of key and minor functions for established credit management software market players and emerging industries.The Global Credit Management Software Market Report provides detailed information on various factors driving or limiting the development of the business sector. This report will also help you understand key product segments and the future of other regions. Credit management software business reports include a variety of competitive trend analysis. The Credit Management Software Market Report also helps you make accurate business decisions by presenting an overall vision of the market.Finally, this report provides a detailed segmentation assessment of the credit management software market. There is also comprehensive information on major sectors of the credit management software market and information on growth prospects. Sales forecasts and volume shares along with market forecasts can be found in the Credit Management Software Business Report.Get Complete Report@: https://www.qyreports.com/report/global-credit-management-software-market-88065/ Compostable Product Type to Account for over 60% of the Global Compostable & Biodegradable Refuse Bags Market Value in the Coming Decade fmi PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 08:23:17 Future Market Insights (FMI) delivers key insights on the global compostable & biodegradable refuse bags market in its published report, titled Global Compostable & Biodegradable Refuse Bags Market: Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 20182028. In terms of revenue, the global compostable & biodegradable refuse bags market is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 8.0% over the forecast period, owing to numerous factors, about which FMI offers thorough insights and forecasts in this report.Compostable & biodegradable are terms used to designate organic materials breaking down in specific environment condition. Refuse bags are disposable bags used to contain waste and rubbish. Compostable & biodegradable refuse bags are made up of organic material, which are obtained from plants. Such plant based materials which are used to make compostable & biodegradable refuse bags are starch blends (corn, potato and others), Polylactic acid (PLA), PHA, PBAT and other such materials. These refuse bags can undergo decomposition readily and have minimum negative impact on the environment.The global market for compostable and refuse bags market is further segmented as per capacity, product type, speed, material type, thickness and end use.On the basis of capacity type, global market for compostable & biodegradable refuse bags is segmented into 7-20 gallons, 20-30 gallons, 30-40 gallons, 40-55 gallons and above 55 gallons. On the basis of product type, global market for compostable & biodegradable refuse bags is segmented into biodegradable and compostable. On the basis of material type, global market for compostable & biodegradable refuse bags is segmented into PLA, PBS, PBAT, PHA, starch blends, cellophane and paper. On the basis of thickness, the global market for compostable & biodegradable refuse bags is segmented into 0-0.7 mil, 0.7-0.9 mil, 0.9-1.5 mil, above 1.5 mil. On the basis of end use, the global market for compostable & biodegradable refuse bags is segmented into retail and consumer, industrial and institutional.Request more information of Report with table of contents and Figures @This report assesses trends driving the growth of each market segment on the global level and offers potential takeaways that prove substantially useful for other potential market entrants in the compostable & biodegradable refuse bags market.The North America compostable & biodegradable refuse bags market Include country level analysis for the U.S. and Canada. The U.S compostable & biodegradable refuse bags market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.7% over the forecast period wherein compostable segment enjoy dominant share, by product type. The Latin America compostable & biodegradable refuse bags market include country level analysis for Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Rest of Latin America. The Brazil compostable & biodegradable refuse bags market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period. The Western Europe compostable & biodegradable refuse bags market include country level analysis for Germany, Italy, U.K., France, Spain, Benelux, Nordic and Rest of Europe. Germany and Italy account for a significant market share in the Western Europe compostable & biodegradable refuse bags market. The Eastern Europe compostable & biodegradable refuse bags market include country level analysis for Russia, Poland and Rest of Eastern Europe. The Russia compostable & biodegradable refuse bags market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.6% during the next decade.Request to Report Methodology @The Asia Pacific excluding Japan compostable & biodegradable refuse bags market includes country level analysis for China, India, ASEAN, Australia & New Zealand and Rest of APEJ. The APEJ compostable & biodegradable refuse bags market represent most lucrative geographic region wherein India and China represent substantial incremental opportunity over the forecast period. The Middle East and Africa (MEA) compostable & biodegradable refuse bags market include country level analysis for GCC, South Africa, North Africa and Rest of MEA. Compostable & biodegradable refuse bags market in the GCC region is particularly driven by high growth in the industrial segment. The Japan compostable & biodegradable refuse bags market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.3% over the forecast period.In this report, we have discussed individual strategies followed by these companies in terms of enhancing their product portfolio, creating new marketing techniques, mergers and acquisitions. The Competitive Landscape is included to provide report audiences with a dashboard view and company share collectively.Key players operating in the global market for compostable & biodegradable refuse bags include Mondi Group, Sphere Group, Vegware Global, VICTOR Guthoff & Partner GmbH, Cedo Ltd., BioBag International AS, PLAST-UP, Polybags Ltd, Clondalkin Group Holdings B.V., Plastiroll Oy Ltd, The Biodegradable Bag Company Ltd, QUICKPACK Haushalt + Hygiene GmbH, MIRPACK, TM, The Compost Bag Company, SIMPAC, TERDEX GmbH, Pack-It BV, Cromwell Polythene Ltd, Flexopack SRL, Virosac SRL among others.Ask a question to Analyst @ Fluid Warmer Devices Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 13:49:39 Press Information Persistence Market Research Contact Us 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 Senger Associate Consultant 800-961-0353 email http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com # 662 Words Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.comAssociate Consultant800-961-0353 Fluid warmer devices, also called blood warmer devices are used to treat hypothermia. These devices are used in various healthcare facilities such as hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers and home care. The global fluid warmer devices market growth is largely influenced by the adoption rate of these devices across these facilities. The increasing prevalence of hypothermia is the main aspect driving the markets growth. Likelihood of hypothermia in geriatric population and infants is high. The increasing geriatric population across the globe is expected to drive the use of fluid warmer devices, which in turn is anticipated to boost the growth of the global market for these devices. Also, the demand for fluid warmer devices is high in cold regions.Request for Report Sample@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/222 A comprehensive market research report titled Fluid Warmer Devices: Global Industry Analysis (2012-2016) and Forecast (2017-2026) by Persistence Market Research unveils several facets of the global market that have an impact on the global markets growth. The reader can gain directions to achieve stability in the changing market dynamics and can aim for future market expansions. According to the analysis include in this extensive research report, the global fluid warmer devices market is estimated to reach a significant valuation by the end of the year of assessment and is projected to grow at a high value CAGR of 5.5% throughout the period of assessment (2017-2026).Key Segmental Highlights of the Global Fluid Warmer Devices MarketThe global fluid warmer devices market is segmented on the basis of product type, application, end user and region.With respect to product type, the warming devices are extensively used for fluid or blood warming. The increasing adoption rate of warming devices can be attributed to better end results, due to which the warming devices segment is expected to be the largest with a high market value during the forecast period. Moreover, this segment is projected to grow at the fastest rate throughout the period of forecast, 2017-2026. Disposable accessories segment is the second largest contributing significantly to the growth of the global fluid warmer devices market in the coming years.In the application category, the surgery segment is expected to grow at a significant pace during the assessment period. The use of fluid warmer devices during surgery is expected to grow in the coming years. The surgery application segment is estimated to reach a high market value of over US$ 55 Mn by 2026 end, thus dominating the global market. The adoption of fluid warmer devices for new born care and home care is also expected to grow in the years to follow.By end user, the use of fluid warmer devices has been observed largely in hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. Hospitals as an end user are highly lucrative for the growth of fluid warmer devices market across the globe. The hospitals segment is expected to lead the global market and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. In addition, the ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) segment is projected to grow at the highest pace during the forecast period.In the region category, North America and Europe, both are expected to highly contribute to the global markets growth. Of these, North America is most attractive region for fluid warmer devices, followed by Europe. On the other hand, the fluid warmer devices market in Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) region is projected to grow at a relatively higher pace in the coming years, followed by Europe. APEJ is expected to present potential growth opportunities for the adoption of fluid warmer devices.Request for Report Table of Content (TOC) @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/222 Key Players Participating in the Global Fluid Warmer Devices MarketThe research report on fluid warmer devices covers analysis on key players such as 3M Company, General Electric Company, Smiths Group Plc., Stryker Corporation, Geratherm Medical AG, Belmont Instrument Corporation, Biegler GmbH, Barkey GmbH & Co. KG, Stihler Electronic GmbH and EMIT CORPORATION. PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 08:12:21 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 Seggar Team Lead 8009610353 email http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com # 920 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 Lead8009610353 FPS (Fire Protection Systems) are emergency response equipment used in case of a fire of any kind. FPS (Fire Protection Systems) covered under the scope of this research are fire detection systems, fire extinguishers, fire suppression systems, fire response systems and their respective sub-segments in the global FPS (Fire Protection Systems) market.The global FPS (Fire Protection Systems) market is estimated to be valued at US$ 41,735.1 Mn by the end of 2018 and is anticipated to reach US$ 83,507.3 Mn by the end of 2026 while expanding at a CAGR of 9.1% over the forecast period. The global FPS (Fire Protection Systems) market is anticipated to create incremental opportunity of US$ 41,772.2 Mn between 2018 and 2026.Factors Influencing the Growth of the Global FPS (Fire Protection Systems) MarketDue to the strong growth being witnessed by various industries, including mining, automotive, construction, manufacturing, utilities and petrochemical, demand for FPS (Fire Protection Systems) in the global market is expected to increase during the forecast period. Owing to these reasons, several companies are entering the market in Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Africa regions with an aim to exploit this demand and expand their geographical footprint.Request For Report Sample@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/10822 The global FPS (Fire Protection Systems) market in the emerging regions is expected to be driven by foreign direct investments in the industrial sector. According to the Global Finance Magazine, in India, the contribution of the industrial sector to the GDP of the country increased from 24.8% in 2012 to 25.8% in 2015. Thus, companies are focusing on developing FPS (Fire Protection Systems) which comply with the safety regulations of the domestic markets. With effective research, development and innovation, the global manufacturers of FPS (Fire Protection Systems) will witness vast opportunities to capture the unexploited market and increase their market share in the FPS (Fire Protection Systems) market.Increased focus on safety will fuel the growth of FPS (Fire Protection Systems) during the forecast period. FPS are especially useful in extremely hazardous environments, such as oil & gas and chemical industries. Such industries are among the most safety-conscious end-user industries for FPS (Fire Protection Systems) equipment. Due to the high risks involved in upstream activities, this industry, globally, will create potential business opportunities for FPS (Fire Protection Systems) vendors in the global market. Within the oil and gas industry, workers are exposed to high risks of injuries and accidents. In the event of an accident, litigation costs and employee compensation costs are very high within this industry. Furthermore, loss of working days for each worker results in loss of productivity, which weighs heavily on the overall production of the company. Thus, abiding by the safety regulations and issuing suitable FPS (Fire Protection Systems) are considered wise investment decisions in the oil & gas & chemical industry. This particular factor is expected to pave way for potential revenue opportunities for the global FPS (Fire Protection Systems) market during the forecast period.Global FPS (Fire Protection Systems) Market Segmentation and ForecastThe global FPS (Fire Protection Systems) market can be divided on the basis of product type, end use and region/country. On the basis of product type, the global FPS (Fire Protection Systems) market can be segmented into fire detection systems, fire extinguishers, fire suppression systems and fire response systems. Based on end use, the FPS (Fire Protection Systems) market can be segmented into residential, commercial and industrial segments. Significant regions covered in the FPS (Fire Protection Systems) report include North America, Latin America, Europe, South East Asia & Pacific, Middle East & Africa and ChinaBy region, the North America FPS (Fire Protection Systems) market is estimated to dominate the global FPS (Fire Protection Systems) market. The Europe FPS (Fire Protection Systems) market is expected to hold around one-fourth of the market value share in the global FPS (Fire Protection Systems) market. Moreover, the South East Asia & Pacific region is estimated to remain a high growth market throughout the forecast period in the global FPS (Fire Protection Systems) market. It is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.1% over the forecast period, predominantly owing to the vast presence of all industrial and commercial organizations.By product type, in terms of volume, the fire response system segment is estimated to lead the global FPS (Fire Protection Systems) market throughout the forecast period. Furthermore, in terms of value, the fire suppression system segment is estimated to dominate the market with almost one-half of the market value by 2026. The fire extinguishers FPS (Fire Protection Systems) market is expected to create incremental $ opportunity worthUS$ 4,545.7 Mn between 2018 and 2026 in the global FPS (Fire Protection Systems) market. PMR forecasts that the fire suppression system segment is projected to represent a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1% from 2018 to 2026.By end use, in terms of volume, the commercial segment is estimated to be pegged at 313,188 000 units in 2018. This segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.0% between 2018 and 2026 in the global FPS (Fire Protection Systems) market. The Industrial FPS (Fire Protection Systems) segment is projected to create incremental $ opportunity of US$ 16,974.8 Mn over the forecast period.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC)@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/10822 Key Players Dominating the Global FPS (Fire Protection Systems) MarketSome of the key market participants reported in this study of the global FPS (Fire Protection Systems) market are Gentex Corporation, United Technologies Corporation, Siemens AG, Robert Bosch GmbH, NAFFCO, GUNNEBO AB, Johnson Controls, Honeywell International, Hochiki Corporation, Halma plc, Consilium AB, DESAUTEL SAS, Yamato Protec Corporation, Swastik Synergy Engineering Private Limited and Solas Fire Safety Equipment (P) Ltd., among others. PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 08:14:44 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 Seggar Team Lead 8009610353 email http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com # 572 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 Lead8009610353 Ferrochromium, also known as Ferrochrome, is an alloy of iron and chromium containing 50 to 70% of chromium. It is produced by electric arc melting of chromium ore and chromite. Ferrochromium is consumed extensively in the manufacturing of steel to achieve the qualities such as corrosion resistance, tensile strength, heat resistance and yield strength. The global ferrochromium market is anticipated to be in deficit to cater the increasing global steel market in near future. Ferrochromium is mostly produced in India, China, South Africa and Kazakhstan because of large chromite resources found in these countries. The global ferrochromium market is witnessing a modest single digit CAGR growth up till now and is expected to continue in future.Ferrochromium is having its maximum share of consumption in steel industry and due to the ever increasing construction and demand of steel the global ferrochromium market is forecasted to flourish. In order to get a continuous supply of raw material for ferrochrome, China has established its operations in the countries like Turkey, South Africa, Philippines and Zimbabwe which would boost the global ferrochromium market in future. Due to the favourable conditions like lower electricity price and lower labour cost in upcoming markets like China, the production cost reduces comparatively. This will boost the production of ferrochrome to suffice its increasing demand and will contribute in global ferrochromium market.Request For Report Sample@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/10046 The global ferrochromium market can get hampered because of the increase in the export tax and fixed export quotas imposed by South Africa on chrome ore, owing to the concern of losing ferrochromium market to China. South Africa is having a significant market share in global ferrochromium market but there are concerns of power supply and higher production cost which would lead to the closure of small competitors and is estimated to slowdown the global ferrochromium market.Based on the carbon percentage, the global ferrochromium market is segmented as Extra low carbon ferrochromium powderLow carbon ferrochromium powderHigh carbon ferrochromium powderExtra high carbon ferrochromium powderBased in the available form, the global ferrochromium market is segmented as Ferrochromium slagFerrochromium powderBased on the application, the global ferrochromium market is segmented as Ball bearing steelsAcid resistant steelsCast ironsPowder metallurgyOthers (civil engineering, refractory materials)The global ferrochromium market can be divided into five regions, namely North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East and Africa. Asia Pacific is having the maximum market share in global ferrochromium market, China and India are the countries having an excellent steel market, so these countries are significant in the consumption of ferrochrome. China is expanding its capacity to import chrome ore for the production of ferrochrome from the countries like South Africa, Turkey, Zimbabwe. Middle East and Africa are also marking a significant growth in the global ferrochromium market, Especially South Africa is having plenty of chromite resources for the production of ferrochrome. Europe is an emerging market in the field of ferrochrome and is anticipated to have a considerable market in future due to the flourishing automobile sector in the region. North America and Latin America is at a nascent stage in the global ferrochromium market.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC)@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/10046 Some of the key players in global ferrochromium market are, Nava Bharat Ventures Limited, VISA STEEL, Balasore Alloys Limited, Aarti Steels Ltd, SR Group, Vyankatesh Metals & Alloys Pvt. Ltd PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 14:43:28 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: abhishek.b@futuremarketinsights.com FMI Blog: https://www.fmiblog.com/ Web: https://www.fu Abhishek Bhudholiya Manager +1-347-918-3531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 684 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: abhishek.b@futuremarketinsights.comFMI Blog: https://www.fmiblog.com/Web: https://www.fuManager+1-347-918-3531 DNA chromatography chips are used to monitor transcriptional regulation through transcription factor or histone modification i.e. epigenetics. DNA chromatography chips analyzed the DNAprotein interactions in living cells by treating the cells with formaldehyde. DNA chromatography chips require the understanding of DNA sequence and a target protein. The PCR primer of DNA chromatography chips responsible for the specific amplification and also the detection of the targeted DNA sequence. In target DNA sequence direct sequencing of the DNA captured by the immunoprecipitated protein. The ability to profile a promoter for different proteins is the key strength of DNA chromatography chips. On other hands, difficulty to adapt for high-throughput screening is the limitation of DNA chromatography chips. The DNA chromatography chips provide researcher an analysis of antibody against the protein of interest.DNA Chromatography Chips Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe primary factor driving the growth of DNA Chromatography Chips market is rising incidences of cancer and the rising number of research and development by the leading contract research manufacturer. Increasing demand for personalized medicine for the treatment of chronic disease is also expected to fuel the demand of DNA chromatography chips market over the forecast period. The upsurge in the funding by government for the research and development to develop the more efficient drugs for the treatment of chronic disease is expected to propel the growth of DNA chromatography chips market over the next decade. On other hands, few limitations associated with the DNA chromatography chips may responsible for the sluggish growth of DNA chromatography chips market. Also, lack of adoption of life science research in under developing economies is may hamper the growth of the DNA chromatography chips market.DNA Chromatography Chips Market: SegmentationThe global DNA Chromatography Chips market is classified on the basis of product type, end user, and region.Based on array type DNA Chromatography Chips market is segmented into following:Chemical ArrayBiochemical ArrayBased on application DNA Chromatography Chips market is segmented into followingDrug Discovery & DevelopmentBasic ResearchToxicity ScreeningBiopharmaceutical ProductionDrug ScreeningOthersBased on end user DNA Chromatography Chips market is segmented into following:Biopharmaceutical CompaniesContract Research OrganizationsAcademic & Research InstitutesOthersDNA Chromatography Chips Market: Market OverviewThe global DNA chromatography chips market is expected to show significant growth over the forecast period due to the rise in funding for the development of novel drugs. The array type biochemical array is being more preferred by the researcher hence, biochemical array segment by array type for global DNA chromatography chips market is expected to dominate the market in term of value. By application drug discovery and development and biopharmaceutical segment collectively gain maximum market share for DNA chromatography chips market in term of value. Among all end user, biopharmaceutical companies are expected to be the most lucrative segment for DNA chromatography chips market while contract research organization is projected to grow at the faster rate for DNA chromatography chips market over the forecast period.DNA Chromatography Chips Market: Regional OverviewOn the basis of geography, DNA Chromatography Chips market is classified into eight key regions viz. North America, Latin America, Europe, APECJ, China, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America is expected to dominate the global DNA Chromatography Chips market due to the rise in research and development for the development of novel drugs. After North America DNA Chromatography Chips market is then followed by Europe due to rising incidences of chronic disease in this region. APEC and China is the fastest growing region for global DNA Chromatography Chips market owing to rising number of contract research organization in this region. Latin America and Middle East and Africa is the least lucrative region for DNA Chromatography Chips market due to lack of funding by the government for the development of novel drugs in this region.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-7691 DNA Chromatography Chips Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players found across the value chain of DNA Chromatography Chips market are Agilent Technologies, Inc., PerkinElmer Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Promega Corporation, Takara Bio Inc., Merck KGaA, and others. PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 12:55:31 Digital pathology enables pathologists to analyze, evaluate and share pathology outcomes remotely. The introduction of digital pathology in healthcare and life science applications has significantly reduced laboratory expenses and improved operational efficiency and productivity. The integration of conventional pathology operations with digital pathology in healthcare applications has enhanced treatment decision and patient care. According to the latest research by Future Market Insights (FMI), the global digital pathology market was valued at US$ 326.7 Mn in terms of value in 2015. The report on digital pathology further projects significant growth potential with an average year-on-year growth rate of 11.4% through 2025.Request a Sample Brochure of the Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-124 Digital Pathology Market: Overview & AnalysisThe global digital pathology industry is largely dominated by the histopathology application segment, which is part of the tissue diagnostics market. The digital pathology market has witnessed a significant transformation in terms of adoption across developed countries of Europe and North America over the recent past. Companies are not focused on the commercialization of cheaper digital pathology solutions in the APAC market as they already have a large consumer base in the region. Continuous efforts from AI service providers to integrate digital pathology solutions with commercial diagnostics are expected to hold key growth opportunities in the market. The recent collaboration between Microsoft India and SRL Diagnostics will empower the pathology services of SRL Diagnostics with Microsofts Azure and AI innovations. This collaboration will enable Microsoft to use a repository of more than a million histopathology slides of SRL Diagnostics for training an AI algorithm. The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer is demanding more reliable and cost-effective diagnostic platforms for pathology laboratories.Digital pathology imaging solutions have transformed the day-to-day operations image analysis and interpretation of histopathology images in pathology laboratories. The cost effectiveness and remote pathology review of digital pathology are attracting health and pharmaceutical sectors as well as education and contract research organizations. According to Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the overall spending on drug discovery and development was around US$ 90.0 Bn in 2016. Digital pathology has witnessed significant application in drug discovery and development, especially in preclinical GLP pathology and oncology clinical trials. Digital pathology technology is transforming the mode of drug delivery by enabling data sharing and integrating dispersed pharmaceutical pathology laboratories worldwide. Digital pathology technologies are primarily used for research purposes and are increasingly gaining prominence as one of the most competent technologies for pathology. The growing use of digital pathology technologies in drug discovery is a major factor expected to drive the growth of the global digital pathology market.The introduction of novel digital pathology tools in clinical diagnostics is expected to create major potential opportunities for investors over the forecast period. This can be attributed to the vast potential of digital pathology platforms in histopathology screening. Such promising opportunities for digital pathology in histopathology screening are also expected to present the histopathology screening service segment as an increasingly lucrative option for investment. The application of digital pathology in medical microbiology and hematology is likely to gain momentum by late 2020 due to the strong barriers with regard to the adoption of digital pathology technologies. These barriers include the high capital costs of products, lack of regulatory standards for commercial application and lack of product awareness among end users.FMI has segmented the global digital pathology market on the basis of product type, end user, pathology screening service and region. In terms of revenue, the instrument segment is expected to hold a substantial market share over the forecast period. The segment is expected to exhibit a healthy CAGR of 12.0% over the forecast period.Request Report for Table of Contents @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-124 FMIs report covers some of the key companies operating in the digital pathology market, which include Perkin Elmer, Inc., Sectra AB, Definiens AG, 3D-Histech Ltd., Ventana Medical Systems, Koninklijke Philips N.V, GE Healthcare, Olympus Corporation, Inspirata Inc., Leica Biosystems, Digipath Co., Zeiss, Yokogawa Electronic Corporation Hamamatsu Photonics, K.K. and Quorum Technologies Inc. Research Solution Insights PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 18:15:31 Press Information Research Solution Insights Research Report Insights 42 joseph street, Portcarling P0B 1J0, Muskoka, Ontario T: +1-631-721-4201Research Solution Insights 10 rue Pierre Grange, Zone industrielle de la pointe, 94120 Fontenay sous Bois sagar Manager 6317214201 email https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com # 483 Words Research Report Insights42 joseph street,Portcarling P0B 1J0,Muskoka, OntarioT: +1-631-721-4201Research Solution Insights10 rue Pierre Grange,Zone industrielle de la pointe,94120 Fontenay sous BoisManager6317214201 Digital forensic comprises integration of computer science with laws that are needed for the purpose of investigation of crime. It comprises complete recovery and then interpretation of data that is present in various digital devices to be presented in the courts of law and mostly involves various cyber-crimes. Investigation in digital forensics is carried out in three different stages which include display acquisition, investigation and analysis together with reporting of crime.In accordance with the research report on the world market for Digital Forensics by Research Report Insights (RRI), it has been anticipated that strong growth would prevail in the said market. The world market for digital forensics market stood at a valuation of around US$ 2.87 bn in the year 2016 and is estimated to be worth around US$ 6.65 bn by the year 2025, thereby rising at a CAGR of 9.7% from 2017 and 2025.Request For Report Sample with Table of Contents@ https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/sample/230235-Digital-Forensics-Market North America is forecasted to Continue with Regional Supremacy over the Period of ForecastThe world market for digital forensics has been regionally segmented into the geographies of South America, North America, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Europe. The region of North America is quite likely to continue with market dominance in the international market for digital forensics. North America is expected to be trailed by Europe as it stood as a major regional segment of the said market. Asia Pacific accounts for a substantial revenue in the world market for digital forensics. The growing trend of internet of things technology and cloud based solutions in many of these regions is acting as the major growth driver in these geographies.Increased Growth of Cloud Services to Encourage Growth of the MarketOwing to the rampant growth of cloud devices and services with in-built facilities of Internet-of-Things, cyber criminals have undue advantage of dealing with leaking of customer information. Such characteristics might augment the risk of viruses and malwares thereby making computer systems prone to hacking.Request For Report Discount@ https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/discount/230235-Digital-Forensics-Market Another reason for the improvement of the said market is the possible tracing of hacking activities to their source. These activities are traced by forensic agencies by making use of the right forensic methods. Thus, such evidence-based investigation for the purpose of recovery of information has been a prime factor for the rise of the market for digital forensics. The rise in demand for digital solutions and forensics tools is also fueled owing to the fact that multiple channels are utilized for the purpose of hacking confidential information from various organizations and companies.A few of the crucial companies in the digital forensics market comprise LogRhythm Inc., IBM Corporation, Paraben Corporation, AccessData Group LLC, FireEye Inc., Micro Systemation, Binary Intelligence LLC, Guidance Software Inc., CISCO, and AB, NUIX amongst many others.Report Analysis@ https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/analysis/230235-Digital-Forensics-Market Research Solution Insights PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 18:21:47 Press Information Research Solution Insights Research Solution Insights 10 rue Pierre Grange, Zone industrielle de la pointe, 94120 Fontenay sous Bois sagar Manager 6317214201 email https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com # 531 Words Research Solution Insights10 rue Pierre Grange,Zone industrielle de la pointe,94120 Fontenay sous BoisManager6317214201 Steady growth of the global market for bulletproof security glass can be attributed to increased security concerns worldwide. Rising incidences of crime and terrorist attacks have increased deployment of modules that deliver safety and security. With this, growth of the global bulletproof security glass market is projected to generate revenues of worth US$ 2,000 million by the end of 2026, as forecasted by a new report available with Research Report Insights.Bulletproof security glass finds application in multiple end-user industries including financial services, commercial services, institutional construction, residential construction, aviation industry and automotive industry among others. Based on the application in end- user industry, the bulletproof glass is used in the banks, ATM booth, armored cash trucks, residential buildings, premium vehicles and display cases. Thickness, weight, transparency, and level of bullet resistance are few of the prime prerequisites considered in the manufacturing of the bulletproof security glass.Request For Report Sample with Table of Contents@ https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/sample/230239-Bulletproof-Security-Glass-Market With the help of advanced manufacturing and processing technologies, manufacturer of bulletproof glass as well as providers of building materials have introduced a variety of entities. For instance, bulletproof glass manufacturers deliver different bullet resistant barrier systems that include bullet resistant transaction windows and doors, bullet resistant frames, and ballistic counters among others. All these bullet resistant systems are highly deployed in new construction projects of financial services, schools, vehicles and other crime prone locations.The financial community remains dynamic due to consistent merger and acquisition activities and sometimes institution failures. However, integrations of one or more entities lead to prominent infrastructure changes in the financial institutions. As these institutes are prone to crimes and terrorist attacks, demand for bulletproof security glass has dramatically increased in this industry.Request For Report Discount@ https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/discount/230239-Bulletproof-Security-Glass-Market According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the numbers of new residential construction have increased steadily in past decade in the United States. Owing to increased numbers of breaches and crimes, construction industry is adopting bulletproof security glass in the construction projects, particularly in different educational institutions as well as residential buildings. With the increasing numbers of construction projects, and intensified security concerns, bulletproof security glass are likely to witness steady demand in the construction industry.Across the globe, terrorist attacks continues to generate concerns of human safety. Highly vulnerable regions to terrorist attacks such as Israel, Iraq and Syria, have witnessed incremental demand for bulletproof security glass in automotive as well as construction industries. Apart from these industries, military and defense sectors have also increased installation of bulletproof security glass.Despite being a highly sought after material for security, bulletproof security glass may experience hindrance of adoption in automotive industry. Challenges to reduce the weight of bulletproof glass and increasing demand for light and fuel efficient vehicles do not support adoption of heavy bulletproof security glass. Further, stringent government regulations on the use of bulletproof security glass can obstruct utilization in specific world regions. For instance, the government of Philadelphia has passed a bill to regulate use of bulletproof security glass in different constructions.Report Analysis@ https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/analysis/230239-Bulletproof-Security-Glass-Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 15:24:26 Strong recovery of the housing segment, coupled with shifting consumer preferences, is playing a vital role in creating business opportunities in the global decorative plastic and paper laminates.In a recently released Future Market Insights outlook for decorative plastic and paper laminates, the global revenue is likely to observe moderate yearly growth in 2019 and approach US$ 70 Bn. A majority of the sales of decorative plastic and paper laminates is attracted by a large number of smaller players operating in the competitive landscape. While more than half of the market value is accounted by the Tier 3 players that prominently include SMEs, a mere 10-15% share belongs to Tier 1 companies, says a senior research analyst at the company.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-7610 Key Insights at a GlanceA third of the total market revenue is accounted by China, followed by Eastern Europe. FMI points to remarkable progress in sales of decorative plastic and paper laminates within BRICS countries.Soaring demand for decorative foils and papers in the commercial sector is prominently responsible for superiority of low pressure laminates over high pressure counterparts.As smaller players dominate the market, the strategic focus remains on product differentiation and cost competitive pricing. Reduced VOC emissions is another important factor dictating strategic moves of manufacturing SMEs.Key players in decorative plastic and paper laminates landscape are currently concentrating on channelizing their efforts towards strengthening the distribution network, in addition to establish a direct sales channel.Rapid Recovery of Residential Housing Sector Firms up the Base for Decorative Plastic & Paper Laminates DemandAlthough commercial sector currently dominates in terms of demand for decorative plastic and paper laminates, residential housing sector is likely to take over soon.The residential construction realm has been witnessing strong signs of recovery over the past couple of years, which is playing a key driving force for the revenue growth of decorative plastic and paper laminates landscape.Moreover, rapid growth of hospitality sector is providing a strong impetus to product innovation, thereby pushing the growth of leading bands dealing in decorative plastic and paper laminates landscape. Commercial construction is also significantly favoring the sales decorative plastic and paper laminates, as indicated by the report. Manufacturers of decorative plastic and paper laminates are also capitalizing on opportunities presented by a growing number of remodeling and repainting projects.Wooden Flooring Trends among Consumers, Following Furniture & CabinetsFurniture and cabinets account for over half the share of total market value, whereas flooring applications are likely to gradually take over, says the analyst. Shifting consumer preferences for laminate flooring in both residential and commercial sectors is creating a heap of investment opportunities for manufacturers of decorative plastic and paper laminates. Consumers today seek endurance, scratch resistance, and aesthetics while purchasing furniture for homes or workplaces. Such factors are provide the trigger for application specific innovations in decorative plastic and paper laminates, the analyst explains further. Spectacular growth prospects are identified for Asia, North America and some parts of Eastern Europe.Mushrooming Popularity of RTA Furniture Favors Global Sales of Decorative Plastic & Paper LaminatesConstant design innovation, consistent focus on superior quality, and maximum convenience are collectively driving consumer appeal for ready-to-assemble (RTA) furniture, especially in developed markets of North America and Europe. Manufacturers of both RTA furniture and decorative plastic and paper laminates are taking efforts to collaboratively unlock the opportunities with an additional benefit of less susceptibility to damage during transit and shipping. Penetration of RTA furniture into developing economies is also gradually increasing owing to relatively lower price point and maintenance cost, thereby contributing to sales of decorative plastic and paper laminates.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-7610 Digital Print Designs on Decorative Plastic and Paper Laminates Gather Considerable MomentumPersonalization has been trending across industries, and interior decoration is among the prominent ones. Customized digitally printed laminates are especially designed to cater to specific consumer demands regarding print design, pattern, and graphic. Sheets of digital decorative plastic and paper laminates have high resolution images printed on them, and can be directly applied on furniture, doors, commercials, exhibition stands, and walls. Digital print laminates are creating a slew of opportunities for manufacturers in the decorative plastic and paper laminates landscape. PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 12:22:59 Future Market Insights (FMI) announces the release of its latest report titled, Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2015 2020. According to the report, the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market was valued at US$ 402.0 Mn in 2014 and is expected to reach US$ 788.4 Mn by 2020, registering a CAGR of 12.1% during the forecast period, 2015 to 2020.Global continuous glucose monitoring systems market is driven by increasing number of diabetic patients and growing number of geriatric people across the world. Moreover, usage of advanced technologies such as artificial pancreas in continuous glucose monitors and increasing awareness of people towards diabetes are driving growth of the continuous glucose monitoring systems market. However, high prices of continuous glucose monitors and inadequate reimbursement policies pose a challenge for growth of the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market.Request to View Sample of Research Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-694 The global continuous glucose monitoring systems market is segmented on the basis of end use sector, components and geography. Moreover, company wise market share has also been indicated in the report. By end use sector, global continuous glucose monitoring systems market is sub-segmented into household and hospital & diagnostic centers. Household is a larger segment as compared to hospital & diagnostic centers and is expected to dominate the continuous glucose monitoring systems market throughout the forecast period exhibiting a CAGR of 11.9%. The household segment held 68.5% market share in 2014 and expected to account for US$ 538 Mn by 2020, owing to the convenience and ease of use offered by continuous glucose monitors at home. Hospitals & diagnostic centers sub-segment accounted for approximately 31.5% of the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market value share in 2014, and is expected to gain market share to account for 31.8% of the global market by 2020.On the basis of component, the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market is sub-segmented into transmitter & monitors, sensors and insulin pumps. Among the aforementioned sub-segments, transmitter & monitors is expected to dominate the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market with over 39% market share throughout the forecast period. Owing increasing trend of sedentary lifestyle in some developing and developed economies such as India, China and Japan, and increasing obesity rate globally, demand for continuous glucose monitoring is expected to increase significantly in the near future.Value wise share in the report has been provided for key players in the market, which includes Medtronic, Dexcom, Abbott and cumulative share of other players. Medtronic dominated the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market in 2014 and is expected to continue its dominance over the forecast period, expanding at a CAGR of 11.2%.Geography-wise, North America was dominant, accounting for over 50% of the global continuous glucose monitoring systems market in 2014 in terms of revenue. However, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ) is foreseen to witness a relatively high CAGR during the forecast period.A Methodology of this Report is Available upon Request @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-694 Competitive Landscape: Key players considered in the continuous glucose monitoring systems market include Medtronic, Dexcom, Abbott, OmniPod, Animas, Glysens, Roche, Ypsomed and Bayer. PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 10:41:04 Textiles are utilized in many ways in construction industry, both for permanent as well as temporary purposes. Bridges, tunnels, roads and dams are some common applications where construction textiles are used. These textile offer excellent combination of characteristics such as strength, resilience, lightness, resistance to chemicals, resistance to pollutants in the air etc.Tents, awnings and marquees are some obvious temporary construction applications of construction textile. Furthermore, construction textiles are frequently used for hoardings, signages, awnings, canopies and roofing material.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-971 Global Construction TextileMarket: Drivers & RestraintsExpanding infrastructure across the world and demand for innovation is foreseen to drive the demand for construction textile during the forecast period. Growing consumption of construction textile for various applications such soil sealing, ground stabilization, construction of paved and unpaved roads, green roofs and many more, is poised to propel the demand for construction textile over the forecast period.On other hand, construction textiles are prone to installation damage and their reliability is uncertain which might hamper the growth of the construction textile market. In order to overcome such problems manufacturers are now focusing towards the production of durable, reliable and quality construction textiles.Global Construction TextileMarket: SegmentationThe global construction textile market is segment on the basis of material used, application and geography.On the basis of material used in construction textile, the global construction textile market is classified into four segmentsPolyesterPolyethylenePolypropyleneOthersOn the basis applications, the global construction textile market is classified into four segmentsArchitectural membranesScaffolding NetsHoardings and SignagesAwnings and canopiesRoads and DamsOthersGlobal Construction TextileMarket: Regional OutlookDepending on geographic regions, global construction textile market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. As of 2014, Asia pacific dominated the global construction textile market in terms of market revenue followed by North America region and is anticipated to grow with a highest CAGR during 2015-2025, compared to that of the other regions. In addition, the growing infrastructure activities and evolving rules and regulations of government are expected to boost the construction textile market in Asia Pacific region.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-971 Global Construction TextileMarket: Market PlayersThe Key players operating in global construction textile market are Royal Tencate NV (The Netherlands), Gundle/ SLT Environmental Inc. (GSE) (U.S.), Low & Bonar PLC (U.K.) and Fibertex Nonwoven A/S (Denmark). Biosurgery Equipment Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 13:13:48 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 # 698 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 In the ancient time when people were infected by germs resistant to antibiotics they were treated with the use of living organisms such as fly larvae which help in disinfect the wounds by eating the dead and rotten flesh. They also helps in growing new tissues in the wound by introducing natural antibiotics. From this ancient approach surgeons invented biosurgery technique, also known as maggot debridement therapy or larval therapy. Biosurgery is an adjunct to whole treatment methods mainly for debridement and perioperative blood management. The biosurgery includes biologic and synthetic materials that are used during surgery in order to eliminate the complications, improve surgical practices and to meet various surgical needs such as prevent excess bleeding, reduce the risk of infection, debridement of necrotic, slough, devitalized wounds or tissues and defects. Moreover, biosurgery products improve the speed, consistency and enhance efficiency of surgeons with the use of various biomaterials that helps in reduce intra-operative and post-operative complications. Biosurgery products are used to treat various chronic wounds such as osteomyelitis, leg ulcers, burns, malignant wounds, infected surgical wounds, abscesses and infected surgical wounds. Biosurgery equipments also helps in preventing intraoperative air leaks and cerebrospinal fluid preservation leakage during thoracic, spinal and cranial surgery.Biosurgery Equipment Market: Drivers and RestraintsHigh investment in the healthcare sector, rise in spine injuries, increase in disease rates which indicate high volume of surgical procedures, accurate delivery of the product, product innovation such as microfibrillar collagen hemostat & fibrin sealant, plasma based & multi-usage products, rapid launch of novel products and approval for investigational products are the major driver for the growth of global biosurgery equipment market. However, high cost of surgery, side effects with treatment such as venous bleeding and stringent government regulations for product approval and patient preference over minimally invasive procedures may hamper the growth of biosurgery equipment market in near future.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1826 Biosurgery Equipment Market: SegmentationThe Biosurgery Equipment Market has been classified on the basis of product, application and end user.Based on product type, the biosurgery equipment market is segmented into the following:Bone Graft SubstituteSurgical SealantsHemostatic AgentsSoft Tissue ManagementAdhesion BarriersBased on application, the biosurgery equipment market is segmented into the following:CardiovascularOrthopedicNeurologicalUrologyGeneral SurgeryPlastic SurgeryGynecologicalBased on end users, the biosurgery equipment market is segmented into the following:HospitalsClinicsAmbulatory Surgical CentersDiagnostic centersCardiac Catheterization LaboratoriesHome Care SettingsBiosurgery Equipment Market: OverviewBased on product type, surgical sealants and hemostatic agents are the most common type of biosurgery products owing to its thicker matrix, flexibility, efficacy, strength, consistency, absorbable particles and positive patient outcomes. Fibrin sealant is used as an adjunct to hemostasis for control soft tissue bleeding during surgery such as pelvic, non-cardiac thoracic and intra-abdominal surgery when standard surgical approach is impractical or unsuccessful.With increase in the healthcare expenditure various companies are entering into new market with novel technology in the field of biosurgery such as coated mesh with polypropylene for soft tissue repair to enhance their market share which will flourish the growth of biosurgery equipment market in near future.Biosurgery Equipment Market: Region-wise OutlookDepending on geographic region, biosurgery equipment market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. North America held largest share in the biosurgery equipment market followed by Europe, Japan and Asia Pacific owing to high incidence of surgeries,reimbursement for biosurgery, rise in research & development activitiesand developed healthcare infrastructure. The developing nations in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa hold huge potential for growth in the biosurgery equipment market, due to increase in the awareness about biosurgery equipments among surgeons, rising per capita income and living standards along with increase healthcare expenditure.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1826 Biosurgery Equipment Market: Key PlayersKey players of biosurgery equipment market are B. Braun Melsungen AG, Baxter, Sanai, MAQUET Holding B.V. & Co. KG., C. R. Bard, Inc., Johnson & Johnson Private Limited, Stryker, Hemostasis, LLC, BiomUp, Atrium Medical Corporation, Kuris Biosciences AG, Prolife, Inc., Conidian, Integra Life Sciences Corporation. Key players of biosurgery equipment market are B. Braun Melsungen AG, Baxter, Sanai, MAQUET Holding B.V. & Co. KG., C. R. Bard, Inc., Johnson & Johnson Private Limited, Stryker, Hemostasis, LLC, BiomUp, Atrium Medical Corporation, Kuris Biosciences AG, Prolife, Inc., Conidian, Integra Life Sciences Corporation. Beta Thalassemia Testing Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 13:08:20 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 # 737 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 Beta thalassemia can be simplified as a diseased state of blood in which there is reduced hemoglobin production. Hemoglobin is a protein containing iron and is present in Red blood cells and the major function of hemoglobin is to carry oxygen to the body cells throughout the body. Low hemoglobin content in the beta thalassemia patients usually leads to the lack of oxygen in many parts of the body. Due to shortage of blood in the body patient, skin becomes pale yellow and the other symptoms like weakness and fatigue are prominent. Risk of abnormal blood clotting highly persist in the patients suffering from beta thalassemia.Prenatal Genetic testing Thalassemia in fetus can be detected by analyzing the amniotic fluids which is surrounding the fetus. Blood from the developing fetus can also be as good source of sample for detecting thalassemia but aspirating blood sample may cause some damage to a developing fetus, hence taking of amniotic fluid samples is generally preferred. Chorionic Villus sampling (CVS) is another technique of diagnosing genetic problems in the fetus. Sample is collected from the placental tissue or chorionic villus. There is risk of miscarriage involved with every prenatal test. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a new procedure that may be performed on embryos which are produced by in vitro fertilization. This test is performed on the embryos which are produced artificially and also allows parents to carry and implant only those embryos that are not carrying the mutated thalassemia genes.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1738 According to the symptoms severity the disease can be classified into three thalassemia major (Cooleys anemia), thalassemia intermediate and thalassemia minor. Amongst all the forms of thalassemia, major is considered to be the most dreadful. Diagnostics tests associated with Beta Thalassemia CBC Complete blood Count: CBC determines the amount of hemoglobin and RBC in the blood. Carriers possess regular hemoglobin level but may have a marginally reduced count of RBC. Patients having more severe type of thalassemia will have a lower RBC and hemoglobin levels. The detection of the diseased state comprises of measuring mean corpuscular volume which is the size of the RBC. Therefore the mean corpuscular volume is usually found declining in the patients of thalassemia. Further tests are needed to be performed in patients with decreasing RBC count (anemia), to determine if thalassemia is the cause of the anemia. To rule out the possibility of iron deficiency anemia iron levels in the blood are checked. DNA testing can also prove as an effective technique for detecting mutation of gene that may cause beta, alpha, or delta thalassemia and also DNA tests verify and confirms other tests, such as blood tests.Most commonly prone area for beta thalassemia are Mediterranean countries, African countries, and Southeast Asian countries. Thalassemia trait almost affects 5% to 30% of the population in these ethnic groups. The growing population in these countries act as the drivers for beta thalassemia testing kit market. A number of factors such as high implementation cost of sophisticated clinical and preclinical imaging systems, High cost of maintenance, low life span of accessories used are restricting the growth of the global imaging market.The testing market for beta thalassemia has a growing trend in the countries with ethnic groups like, Mediterranean countries, African countries and few countries in Asia Pacific. As migration has become more common, population of beta thalassemia can be seen rising in the developed countries as well. There are several prenatal test available in the market to determine the possibility of beta thalassemia including both invasive and noninvasive technique. A recent advancement in the testing of beta thalassemia may determine the risk of the disease by in vitro examination of the embryo. Even though there are many such testing available in the market but lack of awareness leads to the negligence and delayed diagnosis of the diseased state. Approximately 50k 100k children with -thalassemia major in middle and low income countries die every year.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1738 The topical regions are more prone to possess high numbers of patients with beta thalassemia like Nigeria, Sudan, Chad, Columbia etc. followed by few South Asian countries. Research Institutes and Pharmaceutical companies, growing usage for beta thalassemia testing and technological advancements, rising awareness are factors driving market growth. Few Asian countries like Myanmar and Thailand also have high number of beta thalassemia patients. Future Market Insights PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 13:44:45 Press Information Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States Abhishek Budholiya Manager +1 03479183531 email http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 635 Words U.S. Office616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesManager+1 03479183531 Straps are used across various industries for holding, reinforcing or fastening an items. Straps could be made from a wide range of materials primarily plastics, depending upon the purpose and tensile strength required. The materials can be bonded by a variety of methods: sewing, pressing, hooking, and injection molding etc. In automotive industry straps are employed in luggage compartment, car interiors, seating systems and transportation. In luggage set-ups straps are commonly used for fastening purposes. Contrary pull straps made with high grade webbing materials are being empirically used for towing, hauling and carrying vehicles. These days high standards of interior designs and functionality can be seen in modern vehicles, and straps forms an integral part of this structure. Not only they are being used as safety belts but also used for tightening and positioning seats, tethering airbags, retaining spare tires etc. The market is full of diverse elastic and non-elastic straps for vehicle interiors. Automotive straps are available in variegated designs and forms owing to the purpose it satisfies. The global market for straps used in automotive industry is anticipated to see a decent CAGR over the forecast period.Global Automotive Straps Market: Drivers and ConstraintsThe continuous growth in automobile sales across the globe is anticipated to be the primary factor driving the global automotive straps market in the forecast period. With advancement in automotive logistics and growth in transportation sector the need for pull straps used for automobile carriage purposes is presumed to rise. Alongside, the growth in tourism and logistics industry across the world will drive the demand for straps used for fixing luggage in car boots. Accompanying this the rising demand for multifunctional and beautiful car interiors is also expected to fuel the market for straps used in automotive interiors. At the same time the ever changing consumer needs and some technological advancement might counter effect the growth in the conventional straps market.Request Sample Report@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1811 Global Automotive Straps Market: SegmentationOn the basis of application area, the Global Automotive Straps Market is segmented into:Carriage/Automotive PullingLuggage CompartmentSeats and Seating SystemsOther Interior ApplicationOn the basis of material type, the Global Automotive Straps Market is segmented into:PolypropylenePolyesterPolyamideOthers (Rayon, Nylon etc.)On the basis of elasticity type, the Global Automotive Straps Market is segmented into:ElasticNon-ElasticOn the basis of vehicle type, Global Automotive Straps Market is segmented into:Passenger VehiclesCompact SizeMid-RangePremiumLuxuryCommercial VehiclesLCVHCVOn the basis of distribution channel, the Global Automotive Straps Market is segmented into:OEMAftermarketGlobal Automotive Straps Market: Regional OutlookIn terms of geography, the global automotive straps market has been divided in to seven key regions including North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, Middle East & Africa and Japan. The APEJ nations (especially China) are expected to significantly contribute in the growth of global automotive strap market. With avid economic growth in the Asian nations, rising FDI, cheap labor cost; the growth in automobile manufacturing/transportation as well as consumption is destined to show an impressive increment, in-turn increasing their share of pie in the global automotive straps market. Furthermore owing to the large number of car owners and innumerous logistic activities, North America and European markets are anticipated to protectively hold their majority share in the forecast period. In essence, the global growth in transportation and automotive sector will escalate the global automotive straps market across all the covered regions.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1811 Global Automotive Straps Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in the automotive straps market are JUMBO-Textile GmbH & Co., Maypole Ltd, Zilmont SRA, Damar Webbing Solutions Limited, Erickson Manufacturing Ltd., Sturges Manufacturing Inc., MISC Products Inc., etc. Future Market Insights PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 13:40:27 Press Information Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States Abhishek Budholiya Manager +1 03479183531 email http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 643 Words U.S. Office616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesManager+1 03479183531 Automotive foams are generally polymer foams and are made up of gas and solid phase mixed together to form a foam which is achieved by combining the two phases too briskly for the system to respond in a smooth fashion. The resulting foam is incorporated with either air bubbles or air tunnels also known as either closed cell structure or open cell structure. Open cell foams are usually flexible, while closed cell foams are generally rigid. The gas involved in the manufacturing of automotive foam can either be chemical or physical and is termed as a blowing agent. Physical blowing agents are those gases which are not involved in direct chemical reaction in the foaming process and thus are inert in nature whereas chemical blowing agents are those gases that take part in the chemical reaction and thus decompose to release chemicals in the foaming process. Polymer foams can be produced through various methods including extrusion, slab-stock by pouring and different types of molding. There are various types of polymer foams including polyurethane, biodegradable foams, starch foams among others. Polymer foams find their applications in various sectors including automotive, packaging, building & construction, furniture & bedding among others. Major methods of manufacturing automotive foams are molding and slabstock.Global Automotive Foams Market: SegmentationThe global automotive foams market can be segmented on the basis of types, application and end-use industry. On the basis of type, the global automotive foams market can be segmented into polyurethane, starch foams, biodegradable foams and others. On the basis of application, the global automotive foams market can be segmented on the basis of instrument panels, seating, door panels, headliners, water shields, gaskets, seals, Noise-Vibration and Harshness (NVH) solutions and others. On the basis of end-use industry, the global automotive foams market can be segmented into passenger cars, light commercial vehicles (LCV), and heavy commercial vehicles (HCV).Request Sample Report@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1753 Global Automotive Foams Market: DynamicsVarious properties of automotive/ polymer foams including low density, weight reduction characteristics and cost effectiveness are some of the main reasons driving the global automotive foams market. Moreover, automotive foams are optimal insulators with low heat transfer properties, which is a key factor fuelling the demand for automotive foams over other alternatives thus in turn driving the overall global automotive foams market. Flexibility and softness of automotive foams also provide extra comfort to the passengers which is a major factor pumping the growth of the global automotive foams market. Furthermore, growing consumer preference for polymer foams in vehicles and increasing manufacturers inclination towards automotive foam products in commercial vehicle applications is a major factor driving the demand for automotive foams thus fuelling the overall global automotive foams market.The major challenges involved in the global automotive foams market include waste disposal, flammability, recyclability and others. Moreover, adverse effects of blowing agents on the environment is another major challenge hampering the growth of the global automotive foams market. Stringent government regulations on the adverse effects of chloro-fluoro-carbons (CFCs) involved in the manufacture of polymer foams is another key factor restraining the growth of the global automotive foams market.Global Automotive Foams Market: Region-wise OutlookConsidering regions, North America in the global automotive foams market is anticipated to dominate the other regions throughout the forecast period followed by Western Europe. Moreover, APAC is expected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period. The global automotive foams market is divided into seven key regions including North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, Middle East & Africa and Japan.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1753 Global Automotive Foams Market: Key PlayersThe key players involved in the manufacture of automotive foams include Woodbridge Foam Corporation, Bridgestone Corporation, Johnson Controls, The Dow Chemical Company, BASF Chemical Company, Lear Corporation, Vitafoams, Saint-Gobain, Armacell, Recticel among others. Future Market Insights PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 13:35:59 Press Information Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States Abhishek Budholiya Manager +1 03479183531 email http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 662 Words U.S. Office616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesManager+1 03479183531 Automotive clean cold technology is an emerging zero-emission technology which is especially design to provide power and refrigeration for automotive which used for transportation and logistics of variety of temperature sensitive goods. This technology uses a mature process of liquefaction, in which liquid nitrogen is used to provide power and refrigeration to an automotive. The technology offers advantages such as potential savings in fuel consumption, reduced emissions, and better cold chain temperature control and stability.Delivery truck using refrigeration system is operates through two diesel engines, primary engine provides optimum power to drive truck and secondary engine is used to provide cold space inside truck. According to the report published by 19th European Cold Chain Conference, secondary engine used for providing cold space is consume up to 20% of vehicle diesel, releases 6 times more mono nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 29 times more particulate matter than Euro VI engine, and also leaks up to 30% refrigerants. Refrigerants have high global warming potential and emission of refrigerants can impact adversely air quality. Hence there is a need of clean technology which not only provides efficient cooling function but also ensure low emission for an automotive. Clean cold technology is a novel approach to overcome fuel efficiency and pollution problems associated with an automobiles. This technology utilize vast amount of cold lost to environment during regasification of liquefied natural gas or nitrogen or liquid air. Cold lost to environment can be used to boost efficiency of engine at low temperature, to provide zero emission cooling and power for an automobile.Automotive Clean Cold Technology Market: Market DynamicsTransportation and logistics plays an important role in keeping the product handling and transportation among the safest in the world. Refrigeration is an essential need of transportation industry, to deliver intact temperature sensitive products such as food, beverages, pharmaceuticals and vegetables among other. Growing demand for energy efficient cooling technology for automobile and governments regulation over pollution control are two key drivers for adoption of clean cold technology in automobiles. Growing food and beverage and pharmaceuticals industry which highly rely on clean cold technologies, is expected to increase adoption of this technology across the globe. Additionally, rising government regulation over emission of air pollutants is expected to boost adoption of clean cold technology across the globe. However sustainability of the global clean cold technology market is majorly depends on further innovation and product development.Request Sample Report@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1736 Automotive Clean Cold Technology Market: Market SegmentationOn basis of fluid used, global market of automotive clean cold technology can be segmented as follow as:NitrogenLiquefied AirLiquefied Natural Gas (LNG)On basis of end-use industries, global market of automotive clean cold technology can be segmented as follow as:North AmericaLatin AmericaWestern EuropeEastern EuropeAsia Pacific Excluding JapanJapanMiddle East and AfricaAutomotive Clean Cold Technology Market: Regional OutlookGrowing demand for sustainable cold chain of refrigerated warehousing and transport is expected to drive adoption of automotive clean cold technology across the world. North America and Europe are expected to be most attractive segments in global market of automotive clean cold technology market. According to a study published by the University of Birmingham, almost 20% of temperature sensitive pharmaceuticals products are delivered damage or degraded due to inefficient cold chains in India. This can offers an opportunity to clean cold technology developer to penetrate in to high potential market of India. China is the largest market in Asia-Pacific followed by India in 2020, and is expected to grow rapidly in the near future. This is primarily because of growing industries such as food and beverages and pharmaceuticals which are highly rely on efficient refrigerated transportation in China.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1736 Automotive Clean Cold Technology Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in global market of automotive clean cold technology are as follow as;The Dearman Engine CompanyCarrier CorporationRinac India LimitedUnited Technologies Corporation PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 08:18:05 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 Seggar Team Lead 8009610353 email http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com # 585 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 Lead8009610353 Adhesives and sealants are the most versatile bonding agents available today and are used by automakers to make cars lighter and tougher. Adhesives are made from precise blends of synthetic rubber elastomers, resins and agents or additives used to enhance certain characteristics, depending on the end use. Automakers today use aluminum and composites that cannot be welded together but have to be glued to hold the body parts together even at top speed and high pressure. Adhesives do not lose strength and hence are used for these applications. Adhesives bonding renders the vehicles quieter, more durable and safer and are replacing conventional joining techniques such as welding, riveting and bolting.Adhesives find numerous applications in the automobile industry and have revolutionized the way automobiles have been designed and built. Adhesives are used to assemble rubber, metal, glass, plastics and numerous other materials during the manufacture of automobiles. Adhesives help prevent the ingress of salt, dirt and water in the car body shell. Adhesives help in improving body stiffness and durability and provide improved crash performance. Every stage of production of an automobile, whether for non-load-bearing body components or structural parts, uses adhesives in one form or other. Adhesives are used in manufacture of engines, body components, gear boxes and mounted parts such as wing mirrors, seats and steering wheels. Interior applications include tray systems, safety systems, seating systems, as well as sub assembly and acoustical material assembly. In addition, adhesives are used for direct glazing, where they contribute to an increased rigidity of the car body.Request For Report Sample@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/6385 Adhesives can be applied with high speed on the production line, which results in cost reduction and savings. Hence, adhesive consumption per vehicle is expected to increase, as automotive designers continue to exploit the cost saving potential of adhesives. In addition, adhesives help to cut down on noise, vibration and harshness characteristics. Adhesives improve fuel efficiency of automobiles and provide enhanced performance which is a key driving factor behind the advancement of adhesives in the automotive industry.Consistent growth and presence of wide range of suppliers, distributors and manufacturers are the some of the characteristics of the adhesives market. Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, and Latin America hold potential for growth. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region for the adhesives industry due to growing demand for adhesives in South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Australia and India.North America and Europe are saturated markets and will grow with a low compound annual growth rate in the near future. The adhesive market in the U.S. has lost ground to China due to migration of manufacturing facilities to China but the country continues to play a significant role in the adhesives market.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC)@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/6385 The industry remains fragmented, with numerous medium-sized companies with a high level of customization, particularly in the highest-value adhesive segments. The cost of producing adhesives is attributable to the cost of the raw materials along with the requisite service component of training customers and helping them resolve manufacturing issues. Some of the key players in this market are Sika AG (Switzerland), The Dow Chemical Company (U.S.), Bayer (Germany), Henkel (Germany), BASF (Germany), 3M Company (U.S.), Ashland Specialty Chemical Company (U.S.), H.B. Fuller Company(U.S.), Hindustan Adhesives Limited (India), ExxonMobil Chemical Company (U.S) , Dynea International Oy (Finland) , Forbo Adhesives Switzerland (Switzerland), Hexion Specialty Chemicals (U.S) and Covalence Adhesives (U.S.) among others. PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 08:06:02 Ascension Healthcare plc Appointment of Medical and Scientific Advisory Board LONDON, February 25, 2019 Ascension Healthcare plc (Ascension or the Company), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercialising innovative therapies for haemophilia and osteoarthritis, is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Edward Tuddenham, Dr Ulrich Thibaut, Dr Bill Henry and Dr Leysan Shaydullina to its newly created Medical and Scientific Advisory Board. Biresh Roy, Chief Executive Officer of Ascension, said: We feel privileged to have assembled this eminent panel of clinicians, scientists and leading industry experts to form our medical and scientific advisory board. These appointments underline the outstanding quality of our science and the clinical and market potential of our products to improve prophylactic treatment care for all haemophilia A patients. We warmly welcome each distinguished member of this panel to Ascension. I am very much looking forward to working with each of them and leveraging their respective expertise, as we forge ahead in achieving our objectives and continue to drive our haemophilia product candidates through clinical trials towards commercialisation. Professor Edward Tuddenham is a pioneer in the field of haemophilia and considered one of the worlds leading haematologists having published over 300 original scientific papers, review articles and books. After receiving his medical degree from the University of London in 1968, he trained as a pathologist at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Liverpool before continuing his training in haematology at the University of Connecticut. From 1978 to 1982, whilst working as first director of the new Haemophilia Centre at the Royal Free Hospital in London, his group completed the first large scale purification to homogeneity of human factor VIII. This enabled the sequencing of the protein, cloning of its gene and production of recombinant factor VIII in cultured cells. From there he went on to set up the Haemostasis Research Group for the Medical Research Council, which he led for 20 years, during which time his group made many advances in rare bleeding disorders such as deficiency of factor VII, factor XI, combined factor V and VIII and platelet function disorders. Professor Tuddenham is now Emeritus Professor of Haematology at University College London where he is continuing his research on the establishment of gene therapies, Haemophilia A, Haemophilia B and factor VII deficiency and the structure, function and interaction of factor VIII with other proteins. Dr Ulrich Thibaut has almost 30 years experience working in a variety of scientific and managerial roles in research and development. His most recent executive role was as Executive Board Member at Octapharma Group, a manufacturer of human proteins including haematology concentrates for patients with bleeding disorders. At Octapharma he held responsibility for the global R&D organization of the Group and he has a proven track record of several large and successful product launches. His previous roles include Executive Vice President Global R&D of ALTANA Pharma and Chief Technology Officer at Dragerwerk. Dr Ulrich Thibaut studied Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Tubingen University in Germany and has a PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry. He is teaching at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland. Dr Bill Henry is an experienced executive in the healthcare industry who has specialised in process scale-up for the commercial supply of pharmaceutical actives and intermediates. He has held various senior positions throughout his career at Zeneca Bioproducts, Schering Plough, Vericore, Celltech, PowderMed and was a founder of the fund whose assets now form a part of Ascensions business today. Dr Bill Henry studied as a BP scholar at the University of Edinburgh and has a PhD in Organic Chemistry, which is complemented by a first degree in Biochemistry Dr Leysan Shaydullina has more than 10 years experience working in the venture capital industry and currently leads early stage investment assets in life science companies at Management Company RUSNANO LLC. Leysan has held, and continues to hold, positions as a member of the Board of Directors of clinical stage biotech and medtech companies, including those that are developing products using nanotechnology approach in hemostasis and bleeding disorders, rare diseases, oncology and immunology. Previous roles include senior positions at Innovative Technopark IDEA, a Russian based tech incubator providing seed financing and early-stage equity investment, and a position of Surgeon for the Childrens Republican Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Health in Russia. Dr Shaydullina holds a medical degree from Kazan State Medical University and MBA from the Academy of National Economy under the Government of the Russian Federation. For further information please contact: Ascension Healthcare plc Tel: +44 (0)20 7291 5400 Biresh Roy, Chief Executive Officer info@ascension.co.uk Consilium Strategic Communications (European Media and Investor Enquiries) Lindsey Neville, Priscila Radu Tel: +44 (0)20 3709 5700 ascension@consilium-comms.com About Ascension Healthcare plc Ascension Healthcare plc is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercialising innovative therapies for the treatment of haemophilia and osteoarthritis. The Company has three products in clinical or pre-clinical development for the treatment of Haemophilia A and also a range of internationally marketed products for osteoarthritis sufferers. For more information please visit: www.ascension.co.uk/ PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 19:06:37 EMMEN, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / February 25, 2019 / ALSO Group (SWX: ALSN):ALSO successfully drives sustainable profitable growth forwardGroup sales increased over-proportionally by 3.2 percent to 9.2 billion EuroAdjusted EBITDA improved by 6.0 percent to 162.4 million EuroBoard of Directors proposes dividend increase to 3.00 CHF per share (+9.1 percent)In 2018, the ALSO Group (SIX: ALSN) increased net sales in a slightly growing market (+1.7 percent) over-proportionally by 3.2 percent from 8.9 to 9.2 billion Euro. 90 percent of this growth was organic, primarily in Germany, France, Austria and in the Baltic States. An important growth driver was the promising IT-as-a-Service business with a sales increase of 36 percent. Adjusted for restructuring costs and currency effects, the ALSO Group achieved an EBITDA of 162.4 million Euro, compared to 153.2 million Euro in the previous year (+6.0 percent). Excluding this adjustment, reported EBITDA decreased from 157.3 million Euro to 152.7 million Euro.For ALSO, 2018 was characterized by fundamental structural optimization. This was made possible on the one hand by investments in the Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP), Business Intelligence Tools and Customer Relationship Management Systems (CRM), and on the other, by the consistent implementation of projects to improve and optimize business processes (Performance Improvement Program, Process Optimization Program). ALSO is thus pursuing the goal of sustainably increasing operational excellence and thus better aligning itself to market requirements and customer needs. At the same time, this opens up scope for further investments in the high-margin business models Solutions (IT architecture and design) and "as-a-Service" (logistics, IT and marketing-as-a-service).In order to further increase profitability, ALSO will work intensively on the five steering levers (business model mix, vendor mix, reseller mix, product mix, operational excellence). In the area of operational excellence, the further digitization of the transactional business will be a key success factor. ALSO plans to harmonize the operating systems for the webshop and the ACMP (ALSO Cloud Marketplace) with the aim of using the findings from Business Intelligence to further increase sales and develop tailor-made solutions for customers, thereby strengthening customer loyalty. In addition, ALSO will continue to focus intensively on expanding its high-margin business models Solutions and "as-a-Service".In view of the increase in efficiency achieved and the positive development in areas of strategic importance to ALSO, the Group is confident to achieve further profitability improvements in the coming years. The Board of Directors will therefore propose to the Annual General Meeting on 29 March 2019 that the dividend be increased by CHF 0.25 to CHF 3.00 per share. The distribution will be made from reserves from capital contributions and is therefore tax-free for private investors. "Our MORE strategy, the long-term activities aimed at optimizing our traditional business and the consistent implementation of the other two business models have resulted in sustained profitable growth for ALSO in recent years, a growth which will continue," stresses CEO Gustavo Moller-Hergt.ALSO expects revenue growth in 2019 to exceed Gartner's 0.9 percent market growth forecast. This growth will be driven by organic revenue growth through market share gains, the continued expansion of product categories and portfolio, as well as further development of the business models (Supply, Solutions and "as-a-Service"). ALSO will generate additional growth through acquisitions in its existing countries with the aim to further consolidate the market in the traditional distribution business and in companies active in the business models Solutions and "as-a-Service". New countries within Europe will be developed through acquisitions and partnerships. These countries also play an important role in the international rollout of Platform-as-a-Service beyond Europe.Reported EBITDA in 2019 is expected to improve by 10 to 15 million Euro year-on-year thanks to the increase in gross profit and the further optimization of costs. In the medium term, the ALSO Group is aiming for revenues of 10 to 14 billion Euro and an EBITDA margin of 2.1 to 2.6 percent.Overview financial figuresMILLION EURO20182017ChangeNet Sales9 175.78 890.7+3.2 %EBITDA152.7157.3-2.9 %EBT117.3124.2-5.6 %Net Profit81.292.5-12.2 %Net Financial Debt163.1173.7-6.1 %Cash flow before change of Net Working Capital104.197.7+6.6 %Adjusted resultsMILLION EURO20182017ChangeEBITDA as reported152.7157.3-2.9%Currency Effects-0.94.1Extraordinary Cost for Structural Optimization-8.8EBITDA ADJUSTED162.4153.2+6.0%Change in the Board of DirectorsAfter 23 years on the Board of Directors of ALSO Holding, Karl Hofstetter, member of the Board of Directors, will not be standing for re-election at the next Annual General Meeting on 29 March 2019. Gustavo Moller-Hergt, Chairman of the Board of Directors, comments: "We would like to thank Karl Hofstetter for his valuable contribution and wish him all the best for his future endeavors". The Board of Directors has decided not to propose a successor for this position.Direct link to the media release: http://also.com/goto/20190225en Direct link to the annual report: http://also.com/goto/20190225ar CONTACT:For investors and financial media:Alexandre Muller, Dynamics Group+41 43 268 32 32investor-relations@ also.com ALSO Holding AG ( ALSN.SW) (Emmen/Switzerland) brings providers and buyers of the ICT industry together. ALSO offer more than 550 vendors of hardware, software and IT-services access to over 100 000 buyers, who can call a broad spectrum of other customized services in the logistics, finance, and IT services sectors, as well as traditional distribution services. From the development of complex IT landscapes, the provision and maintenance of hardware and software, right through to the return, reconditioning and remarketing of IT hardware, ALSO offers all services as a one-stop shop. ALSO is represented in 18 European countries and generates total net sales of approximately 9.2 The key players in this markets are AngioDynamics, Inc., Animas Corporation, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Terumo Corporation and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Advanced Infusion Systems Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 13:21:47 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 # 654 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 Infusion systems are medical instruments and associated disposables, used to deliver fluids or drugs in solution to patients circulatory system in a controlled, precise and automated manner. There are different routes to introduce a drug into the patients system, of which, highly used mode is through intravenous, although subcutaneous, arterial and epidural infusion are preferred as per the requirement. They are simple devices and gravity controllers that employ a clamping action to vary the flow of liquid under the force of gravity. This instrument was extensively used for medication purpose but, due to association of high mortality rates with it, advanced infusion systems were developed. Facilities like easy start up, visual monitoring, mobility of system, balanced and continues infusion of multiple medications at the same time, patient safety are a few factors which are boosting the growth of the potential market of advanced infusion systems over conventional ones.Advanced Infusion Systems Market: Drivers and RestraintsOverall increase in global population suffering from chronic disease, cancer, diabetes is the major factor that drives the market growth of global infusion systems market. Enormously developed technology in infusion system which eliminates user-related risks, higher bioavailability, safety, therapeutic effectiveness, increase in health care spending are also some other factors that drive the growth of the market. To operate these automated infusion systems, a highly trained intelligent system is required. If this system is not trained properly, it can lead to increased morbidity and mortality rate which can restrain the growth of this market.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2026 Advanced Infusion Systems Market: SegmentationThe global advanced infusion systemmarketis classified on the basis of product type, application type, end user and geography.Based on product type, the global advanced infusion systemMarketis segmented into the following:Elastomeric infusion systemVolumetric infusion system- Large volume and Small volume pumpPatient Controlled Analgesia pumpDisposable infusion systemSyringe infusion systemAmbulatory infusion systemImplantable infusion systemBased on application type, global advanced infusion systemMarketis segmented into the following:ChemotherapyDiabetesPain managementAsthmaClinical nutritionBased on end user, the global advanced infusion system market is segmented into the following:HospitalsAmbulatory Surgical CentersDiagnostic centersBedsideAdvanced Infusion Systems Market: OverviewOver the last few decades volumetric and syringe pumps, the clinical and surgical industry, infusion systems, have been widely used for intravenous therapy (IV). Industry experts estimated that 80% of the hospitalized patients receive intravenous (IV) therapy. This demand is expected to increase in the coming years. Growing incidence of chronic lifestyle disorders like cancer, diabetes and increased rate of aging population are the major factors that are expected to rise the demand for infusion pump market in forecast period. Increasing malnutrition in developing countries is expected to increase the demand for infusion pumps for critical nutrition. Hospitals are the largest end-users of infusion systems and account for over half of the market share.Advanced Infusion Systems Market: Regional OverviewRegion wise, the advanced infusion system market is segmented into regions namely, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan and Middle East and Africa. North Americaholds the largest market share globally. The advanced infusion system market in Asia-Pacific and Latin America is expected to grow relatively fast in coming years. Factors expected to drive this growth are increase in population and increase in incidences of cancer, diabetes and asthma.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2026 Advanced Infusion Systems Market: Key PlayersHospira, Inc., is a leading provider of infusion technologies globally. The key players in this markets are AngioDynamics, Inc., Animas Corporation, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Terumo Corporation and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Infusion systems by Hospira, Inc. have operations in over 60 key markets across Europe, Asia and The Americas. Q Core Medical is a medical device company focused on the infusion pump market, which is expected to hold a large market share in the upcoming period. Advanced Computed Tomography Scanners Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-02-25 14:46:27 Press Information Persistence Market Research Contact Us 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 Senger Associate Consultant 800-961-0353 email http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com # 757 Words Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.comAssociate Consultant800-961-0353 Understanding various facets of the advanced computed tomography scanners market, Persistence Market Research has come up with an analytical research report titled Advanced Computed Tomography Scanners Market: Global Industry Analysis (2012-2016) and Forecast (2017-2027). This comprehensive research report focuses on various trends, developments, drivers, opportunities and restraints that influence the growth of the global advanced CT scanners market. The intensity of these aspects vary across various geographies. The scenario of these factors is covered in this study which gives a heads up to the reader from an investment standpoint. Along with historical data, the study covers a weighted forecast analysis for a period of 10 years, starting from 2017 till 2027.Request for Report Sample@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/22348 Global Market for Advanced CT Scanners: Segmental SnapshotThe global market for advanced CT scanners is segmented on the basis of product type, end user and region.By product type, the adoption of cone beam CT scanners is expected to soar at a high rate in the coming years, making it a fast growing segment. Low dose CT scanners segment is the largest with maximum value shareBy region, North America is the most lucrative and is expected to dominate the global market with a high market share. By the end of the year of assessment, the advanced CT scanners market in North America is projected to expand at a stellar CAGR and is estimated to reach a billion dollar milestoneBy end user, hospitals and diagnostic centers expected to largely contribute to the growth of the global market for advanced CT scannersIncreasing Strategic Collaborations Between Players to Present Lucrative Growth Opportunities in the Global MarketStrategic collaborations among key players in the advanced CT scanners market is expected to present potential growth opportunities for advanced CT scanners. Strategic alliances and collaborations can spur the development rate of the market as key players can focus on development of innovative technologies and advanced imaging systems. Collaborations are usually carried out by players that have strong product portfolio and patented technologies. This can support the international players in gaining market hold with support of local players in that respective region. For instance, Toshiba Medical Systems signed contracts with Russian imaging equipment manufacturer ZAO Roentgenprom to carry out licensing and sub-contracting production of CT scanners in the country. This initiative was a move towards enhancement of the healthcare system and infrastructure in Russia with main goal being the improvement in the countrys overall healthcare space.Moreover, increasing number of diagnostic centers is anticipated to spur the demand for advanced CT scanners. Since recent past, a number of diagnostics and imaging centers across various emerging and developed regions has increased substantially. Independent diagnostic centers offer better service and superior quality diagnosis at a pocket friendly cost. Several insurance companies have adopted efficient marketing strategies to shift the patient volume to the cost efficient independent diagnostic centers thus reducing the out of pocket costs of the patients.Global Market for Advanced CT Scanners: Factors Influencing GrowthThere are several aspects that have contributed to the growth of the global advanced computed tomography scanners market. Aspects such as increasing ageing population, growing need for medical imaging across various regions in the globe, increasing prevalence and growth in adoption of minimally invasive diagnostic procedures, high funding for research and development to carry out product innovations in medical devices and imaging systems, ease in FDA clearance, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and dental and orthopedic disorders, growing number of hospitals and diagnostic centers and growing need for faster and more definitive result are driving the growth of the global market. However, factors such as exposure to radiation, inadequate reimbursement policies, adoption of refurbished medical devices, lack of skilled personnel and lack of healthcare infrastructure in emerging markets are the main challenges restricting the growth of the global market for advanced CT scanners.Request for Report Table of Content (TOC) @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/22348 Global Market for Advanced CT Scanners: Competitive LandscapeAcquisitions, mergers, strategic collaborations and alliances are the key expansion strategies adopted by manufacturers and integrators for technology transfer and to increase consumer base in different geographies. Moreover, companies are focusing on new product launches and reducing the costs of advanced computed tomography devices in order to gain maximum market share.Some of the leading companies operating in the advanced computed tomography scanners market are Koninklijke Philips N.V., General Electric Company, Siemens AG, Carestream Health, Inc., Canon Inc., Xoran Technologies, LLC., Medtronic, Plc., iCRco, Inc., and NeuroLogica Corp. The last few days have seen an escalating crisis in socialist Venezuela. That countrys economy has virtually ceased to exist. Millions have fled rather than starve. Venezuelan currency has become worthless. The U.S. and 50 or so other nations have recognized Juan Guaido, President of the National Assembly, as interim president of Venezuela. (He has declared himself interim president, and has a colorable right to do so under Venezuelas constitution.) The U.S. and other nations are trying to deliver humanitarian aid in the form of food and medical supplies to Venezuela. Hospitals, along with everything else, have almost completely ceased to function. They often do not have running water, let alone medicines, on account of Bernie Sanders-style socialism. Maduro has closed his countrys borders and is blocking the aid convoys from entering. Similarly, an aid ship departed from Puerto Rico, loaded with supplies for starving Venezuelans, but the aid ship retreated back to Puerto Rico when Venezuelan authorities threatened to fire on it. Currently, the main standoff is at the Simon Bolivar International Bridge between Colombia and Venezuela, but similar dramas are being enacted at other international crossing points. This photo shows the Simon Bolivar bridge shortly after Maduros forces set fire to some of the aid trucks: There is an irony here, since Venezuela, blessed with astonishing natural resources, has traditionally been the richest of Latin American countries, while Colombia has been backward, oppressed by drug cartels. But things have been trending upward in Colombia even as Venezuela, under the spell of socialism, has cratered. So now it is Colombia that is trying to help feed the masses of Venezuela, starving on account of the same socialism that leading Democrats want to bring to the U.S. Maduros soldiers have fired on pro-Guiado (or maybe just anti-starvation) Venezuelans at multiple international crossings, killing at least four and injuring hundreds. If you are a socialist dictator, pretty much the only thing that matters is maintaining control over the armed forces. Stalin, after all, died in his bed. But when that control starts to wavertypically, when soldiers refuse to fire on anti-government demonstratorsa trickle can quickly turn into a cascade. That, I think, is what is happening in Venezuela. So far, more than 60 Venezuelan soldiers have defected to the anti-Maduro side. One small group drove a truck through the barriers on the Simon Bolivar bridge, to seek freedom from socialism in Colombia. A photograph of the dramatic moment: Thats the trickle. The cascade is not far behind. Maduro is doomed. Americas Democrats have, to a remarkable degree, lined up behind the failed tyrant Maduro. They have denounced Guaido as a right wing extremista ridiculous claimand have accused President Trump of orchestrating a right wing coup against Maduro. It is hard for them to let go of the socialist fantasy. But you can see which way the winds are blowing. Democrats who seriously want to be president in 2020, unlike agitators like Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar, who relentlessly spouts the Iranian mullahs line on Venezuela, are hedging their bets. Hence this Politico headline: Sanders, Harris weigh in on Venezuela, call for restraint from Maduro. Restraint means not murdering lots more Venezuelans. Which also means winding up like Nicolae Ceausescu or Benito Mussolini. But the Democratic presidential candidates dont care. They are throwing their ally, and former exemplar of socialist virtue, under the bus. On the plus side of the ledger, Senator Marco Rubio has distinguished himself as a tireless advocate for freedom in Venezuela. He has gone to Colombia and stood on the Simon Bolivar bridge. His Instagram posts, mostly in Spanish, are meant to encourage opposition to Maduro in Venezuela and across Latin America. Check this out, for example: Marco has come down firmly on the side of freedomand, not coincidentally, the side of Americain what is becoming a significant political issue in Florida. This might not be Marcos finest hour, but it is definitely on the list. And the timing of Venezuelas socialist collapse is fortuitous in the context of the 2020 presidential campaign. Even Americas mostly brain-dead liberal reporters can hardly help asking Democratic Party presidential candidates what they have to say about the socialist disaster that is Venezuela. Virginia Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax serves Governor Ralph Northam in an unanticipated capacity. He serves as an insurance policy against demands for Northams removal from office. Fairfax, it turns out, has an issue or two that somehow needs to be addressed as well. In the latest installment of Virginias continuing saga, Fairfax compares calls for his resignation to terror lynchings.' Recalling the false accusations of racism that buoyed Northam in his campaign against Republican opponent Ed Gillespie and the unfounded production of sexual assault charges against Brett Kavanaugh, we would like all Democrats to stew in their own juices for a long time to come not just Northam and Fairfax. There are limits to karma. Indeed, karma doesnt exist. Now at least we have Gillespies decent voice commenting on the morass (video below, video of the Heritage Foundation Jay A. Parker lecture is posted here). 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. District Court Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood found no evidence that the government acted in bad faith in moving to dismiss criminal charges against Juanita Moser and Raymond Martinez, and believes the government will more likely receive a fair trial in California than on Guam. The court on Monday granted the governments motion to dismiss criminal charges against the couple without prejudice, paving the way for a new trial in California. After two jury trials resulted in mistrials on Guam, the couple filed a motion to dismiss the indictment with prejudice, meaning the case could not be filed again. They urged the judge to invoke the courts inherent authority to dismiss the charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine hydrochloride and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine hydrochloride following the hung juries. The two were charged in the District Court for the Central District of California for their alleged involvement in a scheme to bring 8 pounds of methamphetamine from California to Guam in 2015. While the judge sympathized with the defendants and their families having to endure the expense and anxiety of two trials, Tydingco-Gatewood said the other factors weigh against dismissal with prejudice referring to the evidence in the case, fairly short jury trials that did not impede the courts administration of justice, and the minimum sentence of 10-years in the event of a conviction. Given the lack of government misconduct and lack of prejudice, dismissal with prejudice is unwarranted, the judge wrote in a nine-page order. Federal prosecutors accused the pair of jury tampering and the judge noted the governments exhibits constitute compelling evidence that the defendants, or at the very least a member of the defense team, took advantage of a jurors personal relationship to taint that jurors decision-making. The order stated: This evidence substantiated the governments stated reason for trying this case in California, Tydingco-Gatewood noted. In a trial in Los Angeles, it is significantly less likely that jury members will have personal relationships that defendants can use to improperly influence their votes. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, attending the National Governors Association meeting in Washington, D.C., over the weekend, saw the opportunity to talk to a Google vice president and quickly seized the moment. Lisa Gevelber, Google Global's marketing vice president, was speaking at the meeting about Grow with Google, a program that partners with community colleges and libraries to help people gain new job skills and improve what they have. Grow with Google also has launched a program that helps veterans match their military skills with civilian jobs. In the meeting televised by C-Span, Gevelber was describing Grow with Google's partnership with community colleges in 25 states and its goal to want to be 100 states. That's when the governor said, Can you come to Guam, too?" Gevelber responded, "I havent been asked that before." The governor added she'd let Gevelber know more about Guam. During a panel discussion Saturday, which was Day 1 of the conference, the governor also spoke about her frustration over the ongoing H-2B labor crisis and sought advice on how to overcome federal policy that hinders local objectives. We have gone from 3,000 (H-2B) workers to zero, said the governor. So how do you deal with that? she asked a panel of current and former federal officials. Leon Guerrero was referring to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's decision to enforce stricter interpretation of H-2B policies for Guam that constricted hiring of skilled workers. More recently, DHS issued a ban for workers from the Philippines on H-2B visas unless they're being hired for the military buildup projects on Guam. I dont think you can win that debate if we have a large-scale unemployment problem, answered Richard Haass, a former State Department policy planning director in the Bush administration. Guam's unemployment rate was 4.4 percent as of March 2018, according to the Guam Department of Labor. The U.S. unemployment rate in December 2018 was 3.9 percent. On Sunday, the governor attended a panel discussion that included AOL founder and former CEO Steve Case with whom she spoke about her hopes to attract venture capitalists to Guam to help launch an aquaculture industry. Aquaculture is a great opportunity, said Case who talked about the importance of focusing on the one, two or three things that really do play to your strengths. San Francisco and New York Leon Guerrero spent much of last week in San Francisco and New York meeting with credit ratings agencies, laying out her plans for stabilizing government finances and collecting taxes, according to a release from the governors office. She attended a lunch meeting with Vice President Mike Pence and a welcome dinner hosted by President Donald Trump at the White House. She also has spoken with key Cabinet officials including U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and Department of the Interior acting Secretary David Bernhardt about the H-2B labor ban on the Philippines and the delay in releasing war reparations checks to Guams World War II survivors. The governor also met with a Japanese delegation comprising Kentaru Sonoura, special advisor to Japanese Prime Minister Abe, and Kiyoto Tsuji, parliamentary vice minister of Foreign Affairs. They spoke about the ongoing military buildup, the H-2B worker shortage and the importance of the Japanese tourism market to Guam. In the week ahead, Leon Guerrero will meet with the National Security Council, followed by the annual Inter-Agency Group for Insular Areas meeting, a key gathering for island leaders to press their needs with high-level federal officials. Later today in Washington, she will testify at a hearing being held by the Senates Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and on Wednesday, the governor will testify at a hearing by the House Committee on Natural Resources. First Gentleman Jeffrey Cook is accompanying the governor on her trip. Leon Guerrero is expected to return to Guam Friday. OMBRE GA'CHONG The small tropical depression that we had last week around this time may have been natures way of reminding us that getting prepared for our Read more Helping employers find grants and other incentives for providing job opportunities to military veterans will be the focus of a guest speaker at an upcoming free workshop. Retired Brig. Gen. Ann M. Greenlee, the director of the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans Employment and Training Services for Hawaii and Guam, will share information on the HIRE Vets Medallion Program during a conference hosted by the Guam Department of Labor on March 5 at its office in Anigua. The program aims to recognize employers who hire and retain veterans, along with their efforts to establish employee development programs and veteran-specific benefits to improve retention, GDOL's American Job Center announced Monday. Greenlee will discuss the program's criteria for employers, the granting of awards, program procedures, employer incentives, and the application process. Private and public employers are encouraged to take advantage of the cost-free event. Seats are limited. Interested participants must register at the following link: https://events.eventzilla.net/e/speaker-series-ann-greenlee-us-dol-director-for-veterans-employment--training-services-2138727861. Participants must register no later than March 4. The presentation will take place at 10 a.m. March 5 at the American Job Center, third floor, Bell Tower Plaza, in Anigua. For inquiries, contact bsr@dol.guam.gov or call 475-7044 for more details. A new Mayo Clinic study suggests that people with osteoporosis should avoid certain poses in yoga. According to the study, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, yoga postures that flex the spine beyond its limits can increase the risk of compression fractures in people who already have thinning bones. Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones lose density, making them more prone to breaks. Mayo Clinic researchers reviewed the health records of 89 patients mostly women, who are more susceptible to osteoporosis and related conditions who were referred to the clinic for pain related to yoga practice. The patients identified 12 poses they said caused or aggravated their back, neck, shoulder, hip, or knee pain. The most common poses involved extreme flexing or extension of the spine. According to the patients medical records, 29 had bone injuries, such as compression fractures, slippage of vertebrae, and degeneration of disks. The compression fractures in particular appeared to be related to yoga postures that put pressure on the vertebra and disks. "Yoga has many benefits. It improves balance, flexibility, strength and is a good social activity," Dr. Mehrsheed Sinaki, a Mayo Clinic physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist and the studys senior author, said in a press release. "But if you have osteoporosis or osteopenia, you should modify the postures to accommodate your condition. As people age, they can benefit by getting a review of their old exercise regimens to prevent unwanted consequences." Charleston, SC (29403) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 73F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 73F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. 13.7k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising Trump put his racism on full display while addressing governors as he broke into an impression of Chinese leadership as straight out of central casting. Trump cant stop doing racist impressions of Chinese people Daniel Dale of The Toronto Star tweeted Trump doing this: Trump told governors today that Xi Jinping's aides are "central casting glasses, pad." This is what he did upon saying "glasses." pic.twitter.com/Mry8m7qomD Daniel Dale (@ddale8) February 25, 2019 Here is the story that Trump told about China and LaVar Ball: Advertising Here is the transcript of Trump's story today about China, Xi Jinping and LaVar Ball. pic.twitter.com/CX3Mr4ULFh Daniel Dale (@ddale8) February 25, 2019 Trump also broke into a racist Chinese impression while announcing his national emergency: Trump wants to give drug dealers the death penalty and make America more like China. #FakeTrumpEmergency Notice Trump's racist impression of a Chinese person. pic.twitter.com/saclxB22r0 PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) February 15, 2019 Trump cant stop himself from doing racist impressions of Chinese people, and it is harming the country. Trump is a national embarrassment As Trump heads to Vietnam for another dog and pony show summit where he will get played by the North Koreans, keep in mind that the man who will supposedly be representing the country is a national embarrassment. Donald Trump has lowered the standard for presidential behavior to embarrassing levels. The presidency, like everything else that comes into Trumps orbit, is not being treated with dignity and respect. The presidency is being diminished and damaged every single second that Trump occupies the Oval Office. He is setting a bad example and endorsing racism and discrimination, and that attitude pollutes the national discourse and attitude. One of the great challenges that the next president will face is that he or she will have to disinfect and restore the prestige and honor to the most powerful job in the world after it was dragged through the mud by Trump. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook Advertising A staffer who worked on the 2016 presidential campaign of Donald Trump alleges in a new lawsuit that Trump kissed her without her consent and it still causes her anguish. Alva Johnson told the Washington Post that Trump grabbed her hand and attempted to kiss her at a meeting with his supporters before a scheduled campaign rally in Tampa, Florida, on August 24, 2016. Johnson said the incident took place when Trump was left a recreational vehicle. She said that she was able to turn her head in time, so the kiss missed and landed on the side of her mouth. I immediately felt violated because I wasnt expecting it or wanting it, Johnson told the Post. I can still see his lips coming straight for my face. Advertising Johnson added that she had told her boyfriend, mother and stepfather about the incident the same day it happened, and all three individuals have confirmed this to the Post. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders in a statement to the Post denied the allegation, saying it is absurd on its face. This never happened and is directly contradicted by multiple highly credible eye witness accounts, Sanders wrote. Two individuals Johnson said witnessed the kiss told the Post they did not see it take place. One was an official on Trumps campaign and the other was former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi (R). Of course they are highly partisan Trump supporters and would not say anything detrimental about the president. Johnson is an event planner who lives in Madison County, Alabama. She is seeking an unspecified amount of money for emotional pain and suffering. The lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in Florida, also makes the claim that the Trump campaign discriminated against Johnson, who is black, by paying her less than her white male counterparts. A campaign spokeswoman, Kayleigh McEnany, rejected that claim as off-base and unfounded. According to the Post: Johnson said she began to consider coming forward in October 2016, after video surfaced of Trump bragging about kissing and groping women without their consent. That was the moment, she said, when she came to view the kiss as part of a pattern of Trump doing whatever he pleased to women. She said she was nervous about speaking out but had come to regret having worked on the campaign. Ive tried to let it go, she said, beginning to cry. You want to move on with your life. I dont sleep. I wake up at 4 in the morning looking at the news. I feel guilty. The only thing I did was show up for work one day. For Alva Johnson the encounter with Donald Trump was a traumatic, life changing event. But for Trump it was just one of dozens of times he has sexually assaulted women. Perhaps some day he will be held accountable for his attacks on women, and justice will (finally) be done. 2.4k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising A determined Speaker Pelosi vowed to protect the Constitution while announcing that the House will vote tomorrow to overturn Trumps national emergency. House Democrats Will Pass The Resolution Overturning Trumps National Emergency On Tuesday Pelosi said, To defend our democracy, the House will pass Congressman Castros privileged resolution to terminate the emergency declaration tomorrow. Speaker Pelosi added, This isnt about the border. This is about the Constitution of the United States. This is not about politics. This is not about partisanship. Its about patriotism, and so as I said, once we pass this resolution we will send it over to the Senate. All members, as I say, have taken the oath of office. We would be delinquent in our duty if we did not resist if we did not fight back to overturn the presidents declaration. To not do that would be to abandon our own responsibilities. We do not intend to do that. Video: Advertising Its time for the House to act on the oath we all swore to protect and defend the Constitution. #FakeEmergency https://t.co/GypPJkqjYD Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) February 25, 2019 If The Resolution Fails In The Senate, Pelosi Will Sue Trump The Senate will either fail to pass the resolution, or pass it, and fail to overturn Trumps veto. Either way, House Democrats intend to sue Trump to stop his bogus national emergency. As Speaker Pelosi stated, this isnt about a wall. The Constitution is the issue. A president cant be allowed to violate the separation of powers by assuming the power of the purse. Donald Trump has the power to declare a national emergency. Trump does not have the power to take congressionally appropriated funds and use them for a non-intended purpose. Speaker Pelosi is determined to kill Trumps national emergency by doing so will protect democracy and the constitutional separation of powers from a president with authoritarian impulses. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook Advertising On Morning Joe today co-hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough discussed the busy week ahead for former Donald Trump attorney Michael Cohen. Cohen will meet with the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday, the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, and the House Intelligence Committee on Thursday. It would be an understatement to say the Cohens congressional testimony is much anticipated. In fact, what Cohen has to say could create a firestorm in Washington that will last for months. According to experts, he will provide detailed, sordid and chilling evidence against Donald Trump, and this could be the beginning of the end of Trumps tenure in the White House. The former Trump Organization attorney has a credibility problem since he has already pleaded guilty to lying during previous congressional testimony, before entering into a cooperation agreement with investigators. According to NBC News national security correspondent Ken Dilanian, Cohen has a plan to address his credibility issues before Congress. Hes expected to address, first of all, his lies to those congressional committees on the timing of the Trump Tower and Moscow deal, the fact that it was going on much longer than he admitted in public and much longer than Donald Trump acknowledged, Dilanian told the Morning Joe panel. Advertising Cohens plea agreement details the presidents lies about his dealings with Russia during the 2016 campaign, but hes not allowed to address those issues before the committees because special counsel Robert Muellers investigation is still pending. We could have an absolutely dramatic and riveting performance by Michael Cohen, Dilanian continued. While hes not allowed to talk about the Russia investigation when he appears before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, hes going to talk about sensitive subjects, such as those hush money payments to women. The committee is also planning to question Cohen about a myriad of other explosive topics, such as Trumps violation of campaign finance and tax laws, potential conflicts of interest, and criminal business practices of his family business, the Trump Organization. Im told Cohen has been prepping with this for a long time, and he knows hes got credibility issues, so hes coming with documents, Dilanian said. And then he added: Hes got very detailed, sordid and chilling stories of how the president conducts himself behind closed doors. We were told that he has new information that he has given the prosecutors in the Southern District of New York. He has provided those prosecutors documents relating to the Trump Organization that will help those prosecutors in their criminal investigations of the president, his children and his business. And we shouldnt underestimate how powerful seeing a Trump insider who has been with Donald Trump for more than 10 years telling these stories before the glare of the television lights, Dilanian added. When Michael Cohen provides to Congress detailed, sordid and chilling evidence against Donald Trump, including documents, the whole world will be watching. The coming week could be the worst week yet in the presidency of Donald Trump. CLICK HERE to watch the entire Dilanian interview on MSNBC 151 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising By James Oliphant WASHINGTON (Reuters) Liberal Democratic presidential contenders rush to embrace the lefts most ambitious proposals has some Democrats worried there could be a price to pay when they try to defeat President Donald Trump next year. Party activists have been energized as Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand, Kamala Harris and other candidates endorsed plans to provide Medicare coverage to every American, some form of tuition-free college, a national $15 minimum wage and the so-called Green New Deal advocated by U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. But Trump and his allies in the Republican Party have seized on those stances to attack the Democratic 2020 field as outside the American political mainstream a claim the president plans to make throughout his re-election campaign, according to sources with knowledge of his strategy. Advertising Some Democrats fear the argument has potency. They worry the primary may produce a nominee who will not appeal to centrist working and middle-class voters who voted for Trump in 2016 but whom Democrats believe they can win back. The big progressive programs are popular in a caucus or primary electorate, but probably dont move the needle among voters who want to find someone who will change Washington by tilting the system to favor people in the middle not the very rich or the very poor, said Jeff Link, an Iowa Democrat who worked for former President Barack Obamas campaign. A person familiar with the presidents thinking told Reuters that Trump had been looking for a big contrast issue to help power his 2020 bid. His last Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, was widely known to the voting public before her campaign. This time, Trump may face someone new to the national stage, and he is looking to brand that candidate before she or he emerges as the nominee. In recent speeches, including his State of the Union address and again this week in Florida, a key 2020 battleground, Trump used the crisis in Venezuela to equate Democrats with socialists. Theres no question this is a deliberate strategy on his part, said Matt Bennett, a political analyst with Third Way, a Democratic centrist think-tank. It is a bit scary to think about what it could do to us in a close, tough election next year. GOING GREEN Democrats have already seen the risks of catering to progressives. Senators Booker of New Jersey, Harris of California, Gillibrand of New York and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts almost immediately backed Ocasio-Cortezs push earlier this month for the Green New Deal, a sweeping 10-year blueprint for combating climate change that involves reducing carbon emissions and retrofitting infrastructure. Senator Bernie Sanders, a Democratic socialist who announced this week he is running for president a second time, plans to introduce his own version of the climate plan. Ocasio-Cortez, who has enjoyed disproportionate influence for a first-term congresswoman because of her social media presence, was forced to backtrack when an information sheet contained policy goals not in the plan, including doing away with nuclear power and airplanes and providing income to Americans unwilling to work. That didnt stop Trump and other Republicans from treating those goals as fact, suggesting that Democrats want to destroy air travel and expand the welfare rolls. Republicans also jumped on Ocasio-Cortezs proposal to hike the marginal tax rate to 70 percent as a way to finance her environmental initiative. Even so, Warren followed by suggesting a wealth tax on Americans with large fortunes to help finance her child-care plan. Democrats are afraid to tell their base what is practical and instead are offering policies that have little chance of being enacted, said Bryan Lanza, a former campaign aide to Trump who regularly defends the president on cable news. Recent Democratic presidential nominees such as Clinton, Obama and John Kerry ran as centrists. This is the first election in the modern era, Lanza said, in which progressives are sucking up all the oxygen and energy. Democrats as a whole, however, have been moving in a more leftward direction for years. According to Gallup polling, the number of Democrats who identify themselves as liberal has risen from 32 percent in 2001 to 46 percent as of 2018. That shift has largely been among white, highly educated Democrats. African-American and Hispanic voters remain more moderate which could present a challenge as the party tries to mobilize those groups to vote in greater numbers. So far, the moderate wing of the party is under-represented in the 2020 field. Some Democratic strategists are concerned the party did not heed the lesson from last years congressional elections, when it took power in the U.S. House of Representatives largely through moderate candidates who won over suburban voters by focusing on kitchen-table issues such as coverage for preexisting medical conditions. Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota is one of the few Democrats in the presidential field to push back at the progressive agenda. At a CNN town hall this week, she called the Green New Deal aspirational and suggested Medicare for all was only a potential long-term goal. John Delaney, a former Maryland congressman and a centrist who has gotten little traction as a presidential contender, this week said the 2020 primary is going to be a choice between socialism and a more just form of capitalism. Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic strategist in the early primary state of South Carolina, said candidates must soon balance sweeping agendas with more pragmatic proposals. It has to be a mixed bag of what makes sense and will not cause us long-term political damage, he said. (Reporting by James Oliphant; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Cynthia Osterman) 1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising Fox News took their pretending that the sexual assault allegations against Donald Trump dont exist to a new level by interviewing Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine on Fox News Sunday and not mentioning the allegations against Trump. Video of Sen. Kaine on Fox News Sunday: https://youtu.be/630j3k10paU Fill in host Bret Baier did manage to talk about the vital issue of Kaines hometown newspaper not endorsing him: Advertising BAIER: Two more things, quickly, Senator. One is, were you upset when your hometown paper in Richmond did not endorse your ticket? In fact, endorsed Gary Johnson, saying going as far as to say that Donald Trump nor Hillary Clinton were acceptable to endorse. KAINE: Bret, actually, its interesting. I was kind of pleasantly surprised when my hometown paper made that endorsement because my hometown paper and its a great paper. I love the guys. But theyve never endorsed me in any contested race Ive ever been in ever in 22 years in elected office. Not for my first city council race, not for lieutenant governor, not for governor, not for senator. But what they do is they endorse Republicans. This is the first time that they have chosen not to endorse the Republican ticket for president in my memory, certainly in all the years Ive lived in Richmond. So, the fact they could not see clear to endorse the Republican ticket in Richmond, that was the news. Fox News only mentioned one poll during the interview, and it was one that showed Trump losing by a smaller margin. The level of self-delusion that Fox News has wrapped itself in is astounding. The network is repeating their 2012 behavior of creating the illusion that Democrats are going to lose by focusing all of their attention on Wikileaks and Hillary Clintons emails. Baiers interview of Kaine was not journalism. It was political messaging disguised as news. In the entire hour of Fox News Sunday, the words sexual assault were never used. This is why outside of the 2 million-3 million people who watch the network, and the Republican Party, Fox News is outlier bubble that is a joke to most Americans. Sunday Briefing: Bonomo, Van Zadelhoff Win Big February 25, 2019 Matthew Pitt There were victories too for Justin ZeeJustin Bonomo, Steven SvZff van Zadelhoff, and Joao joaosimaobh Simao. Lets check out this weeks edition of the Sunday Briefing. Natural8 Sunday Blade $10K Date February 24th Buy-in $10,000 Guarantee $200,000 Entrants 46 Prize pool $446,200 ITM 6 Natural8 hosted a massive $10,000 buy-in event, the Sunday Blade $10K, which attracted a field of 46 players, who created a $446,200 prize pool shared among the top six finishers. Macaus Chun Lei Zhou was the first player to cash, banking $21,340 for their sixth-place finish. The Macau-based player was joined on the sidelines by Ukrainian superstar SanityWaterline who took home $31,771 after busting in fifth-place. Fourth-place and $17,301 made its way to Brazil when baita busted before ImLividBuddy turned their $10,000 into a $70,423 prize after busting in third-place. This exit left FkTheseGuysBro, and ravenoustrashdog to lock horns heads-up for the title. Despite more than $65,000 difference between first and second place, there was no deal, meaning "FkTheseGuysBro" walked away with a huge $170,515 when he defeated his final opponent, resigning the runner-up to a $104,848 score. Place Player Country Prize 1 FkTheseGuysBro Canada $170,515 2 ravenoustrashdog Mexico $104,848 3 ImLividBuddy Thailand $70,423 4 baita Brazil $47,301 5 SanityWaterline Ukraine $31,771 6 Chun Lei Zhou Macau $21,340 Natural8 Sunday Blade $5K Date February 24th Buy-in $5,000 Guarantee $200,000 Entrants 78 Prize pool $370,500 ITM 11 "FkTheseGuysBro" gave himself the chance of another massive score when they reached the final table of the Sunday Blade $5K, a $5,000 buy-in event that saw 78 players take to the Natural8 felt. Unfortunately for "FkTheseGuysBro", they ran out of steam in eighth-place and had to make do with a $13,449 prize instead of a $90,367 haul. There was another familiar name at the final table, that of United Kingdom based Belgian star girafganger7. The Belgian is currently ranked number one for online poker tournaments in the UK and will likely have cemented his place there with a third-place finish in this event worth a cool $52,437. Girafganger7s exit left Shark Bait of Canada and FuTimReilly of Austria to play heads-up for the title. Again, like in the Blade $10K, there was no deal struck despite a large gulf in the prizes. When Shark Bait busted in second-place, they collected $68,837 from the $370,500 prize pool, leaving FuTimReilly to boost their bankroll with a colossal $90,367. Place Player Country Prize 1 FuTimReilly Austria $90,367 2 Shark Bait Canada $68,837 3 girafganger7 United Kingdom $52,437 4 PokerBluff1 Hungayr $39,944 5 BlackGhost222 Austria $30,427 6 Santa11 Austria $23,178 7 ravenoustrashdog Mexico $17,656 8 FkTheseGuysBro Canada $13,449 partypoker The Big Game: $1M Gtd Date February 24th Buy-in $5,200 Guarantee $1,000,000 Entrants 196 Prize pool $1,000,000 ITM 32 Canadas RPILON was partypokers biggest winner this weekend courtesy of taking down The Big Game $1M Gtd. A field of 196 players exchanged $5,200 for one million chips and the chance to win more than $200,000. Team partypokers Dzmitry Dzmitry_Urbanov Urbanovich burst the final table bubble, leaving the final eight players knowing they had locked up at least $23,000 and were only a handful of eliminations away from a six-figure prize. Tom Fugilee Simm and LintyontheLash, both from the UK, were early casualties and were joined on the rail as a spectator by Germanys Colette1986, Don_Marato and FMylife. Roman SanityWaterline Romanovskiy, fresh from a $31,771 score at Natural8, banked a massive $105,500 in this tournament after busting in third-place. There was a near $56,000 difference between first and second-place, but neither player discussed a deal. This meant drakeonne of Brazil was awarded $148,000 for the second-place finish with RPILON of Canada turning their $5,200 into a gargantuan $203,900 prize. Place Player Country Prize 1 RPILON Canada $203,900 2 drakeonne Brazil $148,000 3 Roman SanityWaterline Romanovskyi Ukraine $105,500 4 FMylife United Kingdom $78,000 5 Don_Marato Belarus $55,000 6 Colette1986 Germany $42,000 7 LintyontheLash United Kingdom $31,000 8 Tom Fugilee Simm United Kingdom $23,000 partypoker Sunday High Roller Gladiator: $200K Gtd Date February 24th Buy-in $2,100 Guarantee $200,000 Entrants 120 Prize pool $246,000 ITM 16 The $200K Gtd Sunday High Roller Gladiator event smashed its guarantee by $46,000 and Team partypokers Joao joaosimaobh Simao took full advantage of the juicy prize pool by topping a field of 120 entrants to secure a combined score worth $65,215. Any of the eight players at the final table could have won this event, there was a wealth of talent. Andrey ifearpanic Pateychuk, Niklas Drulitooo Astedt, haddoken, MOTHERSMATTERS, RovoDice and Sam DeanMalenko Greenwood all fell at the final table to leave skitzo793 and Simao to play one-on-one for the title. First and second-place prizes are almost the same in partypokers PKO events with the heads-up duo essentially playing for what is a sizable bounty payment. And sizable it was as skitz0793 banked $22,568 from the main prize pool and $5,414 worth of bounties, with Simao collecting $22,592 for winning the tournament, a figure boosted by $42,623 from the bounty prize pool. Place Player Country Prize Bounty Prize Total Prize 1 Joao joaosimaobh Simao Brazil $22,592 $42,623 $65,215 2 skitzo793 Canada $22,568 $5,414 $27,982 3 Sam DeanMalenko Greenwood Canada $16,129 $7,153 $23,282 4 RovoDice Latvia $11,290 $6,496 $17,786 5 MOTHERSMATTERS Sweden $8,387 $3,018 $11,405 6 haddoken Sweden $6,451 $1,575 $8,026 7 Niklas Drulitooo Astedt Sweden $5,161 $2,231 $7,392 8 Andrey ifearpanic Pateychuk Russia $4,193 $4,200 $8,393 Joao Simao PokerStars $1,050 Sunday Warm-Up 8-Max Date February 24th Buy-in $1,050 Guarantee $250,000 Entrants 280 Prize pool $280,000 ITM 34 Dutchman Steve SvZff van Zadelhoff emerged victorious from the PokerStars $1,050 Sunday Warm-Up 8-Max event to get his hands on a $53,445 prize. It was a tough final table and any of the eight finalists would have been worthy champions. After Fukuruku and Johannes Greenstone25 Korsar busted, everyone was guaranteed a five-figure score for their efforts. There were three South Americans in the final six and one of that Latin American flair almost danced its way to victory. Christoper NigDawG Brammer from the UK fell in third-place for $29,945 leaving the last South American, kofi89 of Uruguay, to battle with van Zadelhoff for the top prize and the glory of winning such a prestigious event. It was the Dutchman who had the last laugh, defeating his final opponent to scoop the lions share of the prize pool and leaving the Uruguayan to pad their bankroll with $40,005. It was the perfect early birthday present for van Zadelhoff who turns 40-years-old this Friday. Place Player Country Prize 1 Steven SvZff van Zadelhoff Malta $53,445 2 kofi89 Uruguay $40,005 3 Christopher NigDawG Brammer United Kingdom $29,945 4 bukharkov777 Russia $22,415 5 sonmonedas Argentina $16,778 6 elmelogno4 Uruguay $12,559 7 Johannes Greenstone25 Korsar Sweden $9,400 8 Fukuruku Ukraine $7,036 Steven van Zadelhoff PokerStars $2,100 Sunday High Roller Date February 24th Buy-in $2,100 Guarantee $200,000 Entrants 127 Prize pool $254,000 ITM 15 Justin ZeeJustin Bonomo overcame a ridiculously strong final table in the $2,100 Sunday High Roller, adding another $55,673 to his lifetime winnings. The nine-handed final table read like a whos who of online poker with Sami Lrslzk Kelopuro, Artem veeea Vezhenkov, Kristen krissyb24 Bicknell, Sergei srxakgirona Reixach, and Andras probirs Nemeth falling by the wayside in positions ninth-through fifth. Netherlands Pimmss was the fourth-place finisher and netted $25,381 while Russian grinder Kot_Spartac busted in third-place for a $32,978 score. Bonomo found himself heads-up against Austrian pro WATnlos and lets be honest, it was only ever going to end one way; with a Bonomo victory. That is exactly what happened: Bonomo triumphed over his opponent to secure a $55,673 prize, with WATnlos having to console themselves with a $42,848 addition to their bankroll. Place Player Country Prize 1 Justin ZeeJustin Bonomo Canada $55,673 2 WATnlos Austria $42,848 3 Kot_Spartac Russia $32,978 4 Pimmss Netherlands $25,381 5 Andras probirs Nemeth Hungary $19,534 6 Sergei srxakgirona Reixach Mexico $15,034 7 Kristen krissyb24 Bicknell Canada $11,571 8 Artem veeea Vezhenkov Russia $8,905 9 Sami Lrslzk Kelopuro Finland $6,854 Justin Bonomo 888poker $100,000 RakeLESS Sunday Date February 24th Buy-in $300 Guarantee $100,000 Entrants 426 Prize pool $127,800 ITM 45 888poker ran another rake free tournament on Feb. 24, a $300 buy-in with $100,000 guarantee. It was well-received as 426 players bought in to create a $127,800 prize pool shared among the top 45 finishers. Ironically, the player known as TooMuchRake was the last player standing, turning their rake-free $300 into a $24,729 prize after defeating Maltas Farrugia_1 heads-up for the title. The top four finishers all walked away with a five-figure cash prize. UKs plomaha finished in third-place and secured a $14,058 payout, while SkallePer58 from Sweden banked $10,543 when their tournament ended in fourth-place. Place Player Country Prize 1 TooMuchRake $24,729 2 Farrugia_1 Malta $18,531 3 plomaha United Kingdom $14,058 4 SkallePer58 Sweden $10,543 5 A3connect Russia $7,284 6 MFA1770 Poland $5,623 7 APOARSLAN Sweden $4,345 8 velkommeninn Norway $3,067 9 CalmRevolver Russia $2,236 888poker $50,000 Whale Date February 24th Buy-in $1,050 Guarantee $50,000 Entrants 67 Prize pool $67,000 ITM 6 A compact field of 67 entrants took to the 888poker virtual felt in the $50,000 Whale, ensuring the guarantee was surpassed by $17,000. Brazils BeeTheBeagle busted in sixth-place for $3,685 and Hateeeeem from the UK turned their $1,050 into $5,025 when they fell in fifth-place. The Brit was joined on the sidelines first by BrIliant and then matokr who walked away $6,700 and $10,050 richer than they started. This left the Swedish superstar Niklas tutten7 Astedt to fight one-on-one with Fltip4ld of the UK and surprisingly the Swede succumb to his opponent and was the tournaments runner-up, a finish worth $16,750. The champion scooped $24,790. Place Player Country Prize 1 FItip4ldI United Kingdom $24,790 2 Niklas tutten7 Astedt Sweden $16,750 3 matokr $10,050 4 BrIliant $6,700 5 Hateeeeem United Kingdom $5,025 6 BeeTheBeagle Brazil $3,685 The Stars Group is a majority shareholder in iBus Media 6 Ways to Save Big on a Rental Car in Las Vegas February 25, 2019 AutoSlash.com Las Vegas is famous for its cheap hotels, but the same cant be said about rental cars. Car rental prices fluctuate with demand and Nevada has some of the highest rental car fees in the country. Add in any unexpected charges and its no wonder that what looks like a great deal, can easily turn into a dud. But dont abandon the idea of renting a car. After all, there is a slew of fantastic sights just outside of town from Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam to the Valley of Fire State Park so it would be a shame to miss out on the chance to see all that the area offers. Need a rental car in Vegas? Here are a few hacks to slash your costs. 1. Ask AutoSlash.com for a Quote Forget a Google search. To find the very best deals, turn to AutoSlash, a site that scours the Internet for special offers, discounts, and coupons from major car rental providers. AutoSlash also factors in your memberships in clubs like Costco and organizations like the AARP and AAA to make sure that no potential discount is left on the table. AutoSlash is a gold mine for the cheapest rates. In a series of price checks by The Points Guy, AutoSlash found the lowest rate in every case but one. In many cases, AutoSlash even beat corporate rates. We did a test to see how Autoslash fared compared to quotes offered by major rental car company websites. Pick-up: Las Vegas-McCarran International Airport on 3/1/2019 at 9:00 AM Drop-off: Las Vegas-McCarran International Airport on 3/3/2019 at 4:00 PM Company AutoSlash Price Price on Car Rental Company Site National $171 $390 Alamo $182 $249 Hertz $201 $253 2. Ask AutoSlash.com to Track Your Reservation Even after youve reserved your rental car, AutoSlash can help lower your rate even more. Just input your confirmation number on the AutoSlash Price Tracker and AutoSlash will alert you if there is a price drop. Then you can cancel your reservation and rebook at the lower price. Customers that use AutoSlash to track their bookings save an additional 30% on average. 3. Never Pre-Pay For Gas Another way to keep your costs down is to decline the prepaid fuel option offered at the rental car counter. While it may seem convenient to prepay for gas, youll have to return the car with an empty tank to get your moneys worth. Fuel charges are rarely as cheap as what you can find at nearby gas stations charge and the stated charge is often exclusive of taxes and surcharges. Its always cheaper to fill up the tank yourself. Use the free GasBuddy app to find gas stations in your vicinity with the lowest prices. Typically the best price will be a few miles from the airport or off the highway. 4. Consider Renting from an Off-Airport Location Youll often pay more for a rental car at the airport because of additional fees and taxes. Shop around and youll often find better rates at neighborhood or downtown locations. We did a quick comparison for an Avis booking for the same dates at the airport versus off-airport location and found that a Chevrolet Cruze would cost $346.41 at McCarran International Airport compared to $223.27 at the South Rainbow Boulevard location. In this example, avoiding the airport would save you $123.04--or a whopping 36 percent. Even after factoring in a ride from Uber ($15) or a cab ($28) from the airport to South Rainbow Boulevard, youre still way ahead. 5. Skip the Over-the-Counter Insurance Nothing will jack up the cost of a rental car like opting for insurance at the counter. But if you own a car, your personal auto insurance is likely already covering rental cars. Before you leave, be sure to double check what is covered in your policy. There is probably no reason to purchase additional insurance. In addition, your credit card may also offer rental car coverage. Most cards offer secondary coverage, meaning that insurance kicks in only after your auto insurance limit is reached. On the other hand, if you pay with a premium credit card such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, you have primary coverage on rental cars and dont have to worry about your auto insurance deductible. If you are in an accident, you wont have to notify your auto insurance company at all. 6. Be Wary of One-Way Drop Fees Planning to pick up a rental car in Vegas for a one-way road trip? If you return your rental car to a different location, the rental company will likely charge a drop fee. You can sometimes get around these fees with a special offer or by renting from a specific company. Sixt, for instance, has no one-way fee when you pick up in Las Vegas and drop off at LAX Airport in Los Angeles. Sponsor generated content by AutoSlash.com Ecologists warn that water-dwelling creatures are being inundated with antidepressants from human waste that gets flushed out to waterways Australian researchers warned that Melbournes waterways contain high levels of dozens of different pharmaceutical drugs. These chemical antibiotics, antidepressants, and painkillers have not just contaminated the water itself, but have also tainted the local aquatic animals. According to their survey of creeks in Victoria, animals in the most heavily contaminated creek could accidentally ingest up to 50 percent of the prescribed dose of antidepressants for use by an adult human. And the animals are getting this every single day. Monash University (MU) researcher Erinn Richmond expressed her concern regarding the lack of information on the effects of human pharmaceuticals on animals. The presence of 69 different drugs in the bloodstream and organs of any animal will not end well. These pharmaceutical drugs leave the body of patients through their bodily wastes. The chemicals join all of the other toxic stuff in sewage water, which will eventually end up dumped into the nearest body of moving water. Drug-based water pollution is not just a problem in Australia. Increasing concentrations of pharmaceutical are found in waters around the world, including Antarctica. (Related: Comprehensive review finds that Arctic root is a safe and effective natural antidepressant.) Treated wastewater is not the same as clean water In most developed countries and areas with the right infrastructure, sewage ends up in a wastewater treatment plant. The bacteria in the treatment tanks can break down some of the harmful contents of sewage, which includes several pharmaceutical drugs. The power of the elements: Discover Colloidal Silver Mouthwash with quality, natural ingredients like Sangre de Drago sap, black walnut hulls, menthol crystals and more. Zero artificial sweeteners, colors or alcohol. Learn more at the Health Ranger Store and help support this news site. However, many drugs are much more resilient against the biodegrading effect of bacteria. Synthetic estrogen is one of the most infamous examples. While the latest wastewater treatment technology can deal with these sturdier chemicals, the upgraded plants are also very expensive to build and run. Richmond and her fellow researchers wanted to identify the pharmaceutical drugs in the waters of Melbourne. From 2014 to 2015, they took water samples and specimens of aquatic invertebrates from local creeks. They also caught spiders that lived near water and preyed on newly-hatched adult insects. All samples underwent testing for 98 different pharmaceutical chemicals. In their report, the researchers found traces of pharmaceutical drugs in water, invertebrates, and spiders at all sites. They even came across traces of these chemicals in a creek in the middle of a nature preserve. They identified the most common drugs as memantine, codeine, fluconazole, clotrimazol, and mianserin. Wildlife are getting huge doses of human pharmaceutical drugs The contaminated insects are eaten by bigger animals, who are eaten themselves. The concentration levels of a chemical compound increase as it goes up the food chain. That means a pharmaceutical drug will be found in much greater amounts in a high-level animal. Richmond identified the Brushy Creek in suburban Melbourne as the surveyed site with the highest levels of chemical contamination. A brown trout in those waters would get 25 percent of a adult humans dose of mianserin. Platypuses are not found in the aforementioned creek. However, the duck-billed monotreme is present in the Yarra River, which Brushy Creek empties into. The MU researchers theorize that a platypus in Brushy Creek could be exposed to 50 percent of the human dose of antidepressant. This is considered to be surprising by ecotoxicologists, given a platypus is much lighter than a human. And just because a sample set bucks the trend does not mean the water there is safer. The spiders at Brushy Creek showed lower levels of pharmaceutical drugs. This was attributed to the extremely polluted water killing off most aquatic insects, which forced the arachnids to catch non-aquatic and less contaminated prey. See PsychDrugWatch.com for more reporting on the dangers of psychiatric drugs. Sources include: ABC.net Nature.com 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. (Bloomberg) New York Mayor Bill de Blasio acted very much like a White House candidate during his weekend visit to the state that starts the presidential nominating process, meeting with Democrats and pitching a populist message. Ive been clear Im certainly not ruling out a run for the presidency, de Blasio said Sunday afternoon at a union hall in Des Moines, Iowa. Ive also said that as a progressive, as someone who believes that we need to change this country we need to change the Democratic Party I am going to go all around this country talking about the changes I think we need. De Blasio made the remarks after a young man asked whether he was running as part of the swelling field of 2020 Democrats. The mayor pledged to inform the boy first, after he makes his decision. Make sure you give me your phone number, he said. In two weekend appearances in Iowa, de Blasio argued that the nation is at a pivot point. Seize the Day We need to seize this moment, he said Sunday. We need to go out to reach people, organize people, engage them. But show that its personal for them, its also personal for us. If we do that, we not only have an election we could win, we could be ushering in a whole new progressive era in this country. De Blasio also suggested that Democrats focus on the needs of voters and not the current White House occupant. The last person we should focus on is Donald Trump, he said. The mayor didnt see many people at his events, and a severe winter storm didnt help. A local report said he drew about 30 people at a bar Saturday evening in Sioux City, and about 40 people attended his Sunday appearance. The mayors comments in Iowa echo some he made in January when he said he wouldnt rule out a presidential bid, in a race where there are already a dozen declared candidates and the field is expected to continue to grow in the coming weeks. Trumps Critique De Blasio has touted as accomplishments the lower crime rate in New York City under his leadership, and policies hes championed that include requiring two weeks of paid vacation for workers in companies of more than five employees, as well as the establishment of universal, all-day pre-kindergarten in the nations largest city. Since he took office in 2014, de Blasio has traveled around the U.S. seeking to enhance his national profile, saying his promotion of such policies could build consensus for them nationwide. Trump took a shot at de Blasio when reporters asked him in the Oval Office on Friday about the mayors trip to Iowa. He has to learn New York City before he starts running the country because he hasnt done a very good job, Trump said. Including, by the way, with Amazon. The worlds biggest online retailer on Feb. 14 abruptly canceled plans to establish a corporate campus in the citys Queens borough, following a backlash from some community organizers and politicians about $3 billion in government financial incentives promised to the company for a project that aimed to create thousands of high-paying tech jobs. In his Des Moines remarks, de Blasio called for national legislation to ban companies from demanding or receiving subsidies past a certain point, a change he said would minimize the amount of very manufactured competition created by corporations between cities for new offices and factories. With assistance from Jennifer Jacobs and Henry Goldman. To contact the reporters on this story: John McCormick in Chicago at jmccormick16@bloomberg.net;Emma Kinery in Washington at ekinery@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Sara Forden at sforden@bloomberg.net, Mark Niquette, Ros Krasny 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Spark Therapeutics Inc., a commercial gene therapy company, will move into the first planned component of the massive Schuylkill Yards development in University City in an expansion of its research and development operations that is expected to create 500 new jobs. Spark will occupy at least 180,000 square feet, with the option of expanding into 300,000 square feet, at the One Drexel Plaza office building at 3001 Market St., Michael Gerber, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, said in an interview Thursday. Spark is now headquartered at 3737 Market St., but began seeking more space following the 2017 U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval and 2018 launch of its first gene therapy, Spark said in a release. "This expansion is proof of our continued commitment to research, development, and innovation in West Philadelphia and of our determination to offer new genetic treatments for people living with genetic diseases," chief executive Jeffrey D. Marrazzo said in the release. Aside from its headquarters space, Spark currently occupies offices in the FMC Tower, at 2929 Walnut St. It was not known what, if any, of its existing office space it would retain after moving into One Drexel Plaza. The company received DCED funding for the move from a $2 million Pennsylvania First grant related to the projected job growth and a $7.5 million grant from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. The 500 new jobs created through the expansion would be in addition to 262 employees currently in Philadelphia, Gerber said. Spark's total worldwide workforce is about 350, it said in the release. Developer Brandywine Realty Trust last year acquired One Drexel Plaza, the former home of the Philadelphia Bulletin newspaper, from Drexel University with plans to renovate the building into modern offices as part of its Schuylkill Yards proposal for the area west and northwest of 30th Street Station that involves 1.6 million square feet of labs, offices, shops, and dwelling units. "In addition to creating hundreds of additional high-paying jobs at the new facility, the project will help spur further development at Schuylkill Yards that will provide even more economic benefit to the area," Gov. Wolf said in the release. By the 2020 presidential election, every county in Pennsylvania should have new voting machines that keep a paper backup record of actual voting to prevent hackers from corrupting the system. Thats a tight timeline. Even worse, there isnt enough money for counties to pay for the machines. Political leaders should be climbing over each other to protect voting, the most powerful right we have. Knowing since at least 2016 that voting systems were vulnerable to hackers, members of Congress sat on their hands and only appropriated $380 million in 2018 for the entire country to update voting systems. Pennsylvania got just $14.5 million out of the deal. Gov. Tom Wolf included a paltry $15 million in his budget. That is absurd. In the city of Philadelphia alone, new machines are slated to cost as much as $27 million. County election officials around Pennsylvania are rightly having meltdowns over the pittance federal and state governments are putting toward new, more secure voting machines, expected to cost about $150 million statewide. The Wolf administration says its working on other, as yet unknown, funding options. Thats good, but the Trump administration and Congress, should actually fund the new machines. If they can find billions for an unnecessary border wall, surely they can spend what it takes to safeguard against a crisis if the voting system is compromised. They should show they have a vested interest in upholding voter rights and ensuring that the system is safe from tampering and that they understand voters need to have confidence that their votes will be counted. Voter confidence has been shaken by reports of Russian tampering in the 2016 election. Hacking attempts extended to 21 states, including Pennsylvania, but did not disrupt the election. The threat, however, remains. Testifying before the state Senate Appropriations Committee last week, acting Secretary of the Commonwealth Kathy Boockvar said that if Pennsylvania doesnt replace its roughly 25,000 machines, most of which do not have a verifiable backup system, it would be the only state in the country without newer, more secure machines. We will certainly be the only swing state, if not the only state, left in the country without a voter-verified paper trail, Boockvar said. Its not a position that I think any of us at the county, state, or federal level want to be in. Individual machines can be hacked simply by changing their computer cartridges. The sabotage may not affect an entire county, but consider what could happen if a few machines were hacked in a single Philadelphia City Council district. It could throw off the vote count, changing the outcome of that election. Philadelphias City Commissioners bought new machines last week even as advocates said the process was too rushed. Counties around the state are making similar decisions. Now that the machines are getting ordered, county leaders would be wise to allocate the funds if the state and federal governments continue to turn their backs on citizens. Voters should take note of which politicians responsibly cover the costs of ensuring that voting is safe and secure. Then they should use those new machines to let candidates know how they feel. Susan J. Ellis, 70, of Wynnewood, an internationally known expert who helped develop the field of volunteer management through her firm, Energize Inc., in Philadelphia, died Sunday, Feb. 24, at Hospice House at Ridley Park after an eight-year battle with cancer. Ms. Ellis was considered the doyenne of the volunteer management specialty, which promotes volunteerism and trains and supports those who lead volunteers. In 1977, when she founded Energize Inc., there were few resources for those hoping to become professional managers of volunteers and seeking to stay well-versed in the field. Seeing an opportunity, Ms. Ellis created a business that offered training, consulting, publishing, and, later, resources and services online. With Ms. Ellis as its president, the business assisted clients in profit and nonprofit enterprises around the world. One of the reasons volunteer management is even on the radar is because of trailblazers like Susan, said Sheri Wilensky Burke, a Philadelphia-based volunteer management and training consultant, who began working with Energize in 2015. One of Ms. Elliss strengths was her writing. She wrote or co-wrote 14 books, including From the Top Down: The Executive Role in Successful Volunteer Involvement; By the People: A History of Americans as Volunteers; and The Volunteer Recruitment (and Membership Development) Book. From 1981 to 1987, she was editor in chief of the Journal of Volunteer Administration. She wrote more than 120 articles on volunteer management and was responsible for the bi-monthly column, On Volunteers, in the national NonProfit Times from 1990 to 2015. When new technology emerged, she launched a website for Energize in the mid-1990s. The website was embraced by volunteer program leaders around the world. She was absolutely fearless in the face of new innovations, said Jayne Cravens, co-author with Ms. Ellis of The LAST Virtual Volunteering Guidebook. In 2000, Ms. Ellis and colleague Steve McCurley launched the fields first online journal, E-Volunteerism: The Electronic Journal of the Volunteer Community. The two were its editors. Since 2005, she had been the dean of faculty for Energizes Everyone Ready Online Volunteer Management Training Program. It does not confer a degree. Ms. Ellis helped foster volunteer management associations and spoke at launches of such groups in Japan, Singapore, the Netherlands, and Ecuador. The only child of Ernst and Anne Ellis, Ms. Ellis grew up in Irvington, N.J. She moved to Philadelphia to enroll in Temple University. After graduating from Temples College of Arts and Sciences in 1969, she accepted a job with a community volunteer program in Philadelphia Family Court. She fell in love with the programs volunteers and soon found her lifes calling: to professionalize the field of volunteer management. Ms. Ellis was recognized with the Young Alumni Diamond Excellence Award from Temple, and the Association for Volunteer Administrations 1989 Harriet Naylor Distinguished Member Service Award. Before she died, she established the Susan J. Ellis Foundation to support education and research activities in volunteerism, and prepared her staff and consulting team to continue the many facets of Energize without her. Consultant Rob Jackson met Ms. Ellis decades ago at a conference and they developed a pattern of monthly Skype calls from his base in the United Kingdom. When I think of Susan, I think of those monthly calls, he said. I think of the fun we had writing and presenting workshops together. Ms. Ellis enjoyed science fiction including Star Trek, unicorns, theater, animated films, and Philadelphia folklore. Friend Kathy Gardner recalled the biannual gatherings for friends that Ms. Ellis hosted at her home. When we gathered at Susans home, we were family, said Gardner. Her genuine warmth and welcoming spirit, her wonderful laugh, and her sense of the absurd drew us together in harmony. There were no immediate survivors. Services are private. Memorial donations may be made to the Susan J. Ellis Foundation, Energize Inc., 5450 Wissahickon Ave., C-13, Philadelphia, Pa. 19144. With the recent opening of the Met Philadelphia at Poplar Street and stirrings of a larger presence for the Pennsylvania Ballet near Callowhill, the North Broad Street corridor might finally be realizing some semblance of arts equity with South Broad. The official unveiling last week of whats billed as an arts center at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts promises added vitality, if not yet critical mass. The John and Richanda Rhoden Arts Center includes a 270-seat auditorium, a new student gallery, and storage vaults, all in the basement of PAFAs Hamilton Building. The size of the auditorium is attractive. With less than half the number of seats as the Kimmels Perelman Theater, PAFAs new performance space fills a niche in the city for any group looking for a cozy, handsome venue. But acoustics matter, too, and on Sunday afternoon, the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society took it for a first spin. New halls take a while to settle in, and this one, which employs an extensive sound system of speakers both on stage and overhead, seems more complicated than most. On first hearing, though, it sounded awfully dry. PCMS brought in the Marinus Ensemble for the occasion, which offered the virtue of variety. The group appeared in various configurations string quartet with soprano in a delicate novelty by Nino Rota, string quartet and piano for Shostakovichs prismatic spectrum of moods, and more. Acoustically, the main sound quality was no-nonsense clarity, though no piece on this hearing suggested the arrival of a first-class concert hall. The Perelman is by no means a resonant hall, but PAFAs new auditorium is even drier. The room slopes down to a stage whose walls are made of panels angled like a childs wood blocks. The ceiling is low and studded with speakers and lights. The unavoidably prominent feature of the hall are three massive support columns; seating is smartly arranged so there are no seats behind the main column in the center of the hall, and the other two frame the stage. Glassed cases on either side of the hall feature sculptures by John Rhoden. The space is named for the artist and his wife, whose estate granted both artwork and cash to PAFA. Every group that uses the auditorium will have to tune the Yamaha sound system to its liking. But for this performance, PCMSs visiting artists chose a small amount of amplification. In Turinas Piano Quartet in A Minor, Op. 67, the setting produced a sound that wasnt warm, but it perfectly balanced violinist Francesca DePasquale, violist Rachel Kuipers Yonan, cellist Matthew Zalkind, and pianist Young-Ah Tak. But in Shostakovichs Piano Quintet in G Minor, Op. 57 (violinist Elizabeth Fayette joined in this and other works), the piano grew harsh in the upper register at the upper levels of dynamics. It wasnt the piano itself, which was the same Model D Steinway Concert Grand that PCMS has brought into other recent recitals at the American Philosophical Society. The bald tone might have been a miscalculation on Taks part, but I doubt it, because her sound was so fluid and hospitable elsewhere, as in the opening figures of the finale. The luscious urgency of Chaussons Chanson perpetuelle, Op. 37, came across nicely, and one stretch, where there was no piano but just string quartet and voice, was especially sweet. Soprano Sarah Shafer more than held her own in the work, though oddly, in Nino Rotas Il Presepio, for soprano and string quartet, her sound wasnt up to balance with the others. One acoustical factor that will be hard to change is the presence of the Broad Street subway just a few feet east from the auditorium. It wasnt a loud rumble, and in more highly amplified concerts it probably wont be audible. But in delicate Chausson and parts of the Shostakovich, it was a distraction. Again, concert halls settle in, and this one more than most deserves repeated listening before any verdicts. On first hearing, though, it appears there is work to do. The best concert halls do more than report sound to listeners with absolute fidelity. They support the sound and give something back in the way of warmth and resonance. This one, I suspect, is capable of more generosity than was apparent the first time around. ATLANTIC CITY The public meeting called by NJ Transit big wigs was held last Thursday evening in the cavernous train station left dormant since September by the suspension of the Atlantic City rail line. There was no heat, according to participants, no microphones or speakers so that anyone could be heard, no chairs on which to sit, and, of course, still no trains entering or leaving the station. Most frustrating, according to public officials, local entrepreneurs, and commuters who rely on the train line, there were no answers as to when service will resume. They brought pens, said Atlantic County Freeholder Caren Fitzpatrick, one of several elected officials who attended the meeting, including local state legislators and newly elected U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew. Atlantic County, Southern New Jersey, the southern counties, clearly are not a priority, Fitzpatrick said. They kept saying they had to make statewide decisions. They couldnt just focus on our line or the Princeton line. Fitzpatrick said NJ Transit executive director Kevin Corbett and other transit officials arrived unprepared. Corbett repeatedly referred to the fact that he has only been on the job a short time, Fitzpatrick and others said. They didnt bring a microphone or any kind of sound system, Fitzpatrick said. If you werent standing right there in front of them, you couldnt hear what they were saying. They seemed to have a very cavalier attitude, she said. Fitzpatrick said Corbett promised the rail line would restart by the end of June five months after initially promised but that a firm answer would come in the next three weeks. NJ Transit spokesperson Nathan Rudy said officials were considering questions posed by the Inquirer earlier Monday about the rail line and the meeting and had no response by Monday afternoon. Freeholder Fitzpatrick and other elected officials from South Jersey say the state seems unwilling to divert any resources from North Jersey. The line was originally suspended to allow installation of the rail safety measure known as Positive Train Control, a task long completed. Another meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Carman Tilelli Community Center in Cherry Hill, also billed as a time for the public to discuss and address questions about the AC rail line shutdown. "We were told that it would be up and running the beginning of January, then pushed to end of January. Come January we were told the reason it wasnt running was the federal rail association hadnt inspected. That was far from the truth, Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo said on a recent appearance on New Jersey 101.5, which prompted host Bill Spadea to write a post titled, Does Governor Murphy hate South Jersey? Dan Bryan, a spokesperson for Murphy, declined to comment Monday. Mazzeo and Assemblyman John Armato recently rode the substitute bus, and they said it took 90 minutes just to get to Camden. Other riders have complained of erratic and unreliable bus times and other inconveniences from the lack of the train line. The Atlantic City Line attracted 2,000 daily riders, but past studies suggest that if it were scheduled more frequently and the travel time to Philadelphia cut down, the line would attract significantly more people. Fitzpatrick, the freeholder, said Corbett had previously promised her the rail line would be restored with a cherry on top. Van Drew said he sent a letter signed by 11 of New Jerseys 12 congressional representatives calling on NJ Transit to restart the line. He said he wants to ensure that the transit agency does not use the time without service to claim any diminished demand for the line. Studies have shown that when they have regular service, if they run hourly service, that the ridership increases greatly, he said. He also called for some express trains to Philadelphia to cut travel time. We have lots of financial and economic challenges, Van Drew said. Were actually going in reverse here. Right now, I just want them to get the damn thing open. Jon Henderson, owner of Good Time Tricycle Production, which runs the Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival, said the prolonged shutdown is hurting local entrepreneurs, Atlantic City tourism, and NJ Transit coffers all at once. The festival, scheduled this year for March 29 and 30, attracts 27,000 people, thousands of whom in past years rode the train to the event, held at the Atlantic City Convention Center, adjacent to the train statio. He noted that March is a big month for similarly large festivals that attract and depend on train ridership, including this weekends boat show. Its their largest ridership of the year, Henderson said. People specifically take the train so they dont drink and drive. The A.C. Beer and Music Festival is the second largest of its kind in the United States, Henderson said. Theres some economics to be discussed, he said. March is the biggest offseason tourism opportunity the city has. Claire Repisky, event coordinator for Good Time Tricycle, said she was totally appalled to walk into the meeting at the train station and see it so badly run by the very people South Jersey is now counting on to restart their rail line. Their backs were all turned to us, she said. Any question posed, they would answer to that person. No one could hear. We were all just in a muddle. We were wondering if someone should run home and get their own PA system. Everyone was just fighting to get their turn. They were very dismissive, just an insincere patting themselves on the back saying they were brave to be there. The meeting lasted about an hour and 20 minutes, she said, and while officials said they would stay to answer questions one on one, everyone had places to go, she said. One woman said, I cant stay at this meeting because I need to go to bed to wake up to catch the bus. WASHINGTON Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo on Sunday seemingly contradicted President Donald Trump on whether North Korea poses a nuclear menace and then swiftly denied that there was any divergence in their views. Three days before Trump is to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Hanoi, Vietnam, the secretary appeared on CNNs State of the Union to talk about preparations for what will be the leaders second face-to-face talks. The two met last year in Singapore. Do you think North Korea remains a nuclear threat? host Jake Tapper asked. Yes, Pompeo answered. Tapper then observed that that did not square with Trumps previously stated public stance. On June 13, after the Singapore summit, Trump wrote on Twitter: There is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea. Pompeo took issue with Tappers characterization, saying: Thats not what he said, and the host parried by noting he was quoting directly from Trumps earlier statement. Without directly addressing that, the former CIA chief pointed to the administrations mission to keep American people secure, adding, were aiming to achieve that. In a separate interview on Fox News Sunday, host Chris Wallace referred to Trumps declaration at a campaign-style rally last year in West Virginia that he and Kim who is considered one of the worlds most brutal dictators fell in love. Why does the president say that? Wallace asked. Pompeo suggested it was simply a smart negotiating tactic. Relationships matter, Chris, he said. Its important that the two leaders are able to effectively communicate. In advance of the Hanoi meeting, some senior congressional Democrats have raised concerns that Trump might be outmaneuvered by Kim, who is half Trumps age and the scion of a dynasty of authoritarian North Korean leaders. Sen. Ed Markey, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee responsible for U.S. policy on North Korea, said in an interview Sunday on CBS Face the Nation that there was apprehension among U.S. diplomats over whether Trump would cede too much, perhaps in order to preserve a perceived friendly relationship with the North Korean leader. Its pretty clear that Kim wants to have a personal meeting with Trump with hopes that he can, in fact, elicit concessions that otherwise might not be possible if it was just our diplomats talking one on one, said Markey of Massachusetts. I think as a result we could run the risk that Kim is given concessions which are not accompanied by real concessions that the United States is receiving in return from Kim and his regime. Asked by host Margaret Brennan if he was predicting that Trump was going to get played, Markey replied that Trump needed to be very careful going in. The president himself expressed confidence Sunday about his negotiating prowess, comparing himself favorably to his predecessors. So funny to watch people who have failed for years, they got NOTHING, telling me how to negotiate with North Korea, he tweeted. But thanks anyway! Even some Republican allies, however, expressed caution over Trumps desire to seek a declaration to end the Korean War, saying that should not come at the expense of other, more urgent, priorities. In order to be sure that this summit is in fact successful, the president should first return with a codification of the freezing of the missile program and a nuclear program in North Korea, Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said on Face the Nation. He added that the United States should also seek a verifiable program of inspection of the Norths nuclear program, and put in place a road map to avoid lifting sanctions without proof that Kim was complying with a step-by-step denuclearization. 2019 Los Angeles Times Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. PHOTO (for help with images, contact 312-222-4194): Pompeo HARRISBURG Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman on Monday signaled that Republicans who control the chamber are willing to discuss a bump in Pennsylvanias minimum wage, which has remained stagnant at $7.25 per hour for the last decade. The minimum-wage discussion needs to happen, Corman, a Republican from Centre County, said during the monthly press club luncheon in Harrisburg, later adding: We are open to having a discussion. Its an important discussion to have if we can get to a number that is reasonable. Cormans comments signaled a shift in what had been his caucus hands-off stance on hiking the minimum wage, an issue largely championed by Democrats. For years, GOP leaders have balked at an increase, with many saying they would prefer that the federal government deal with the wage issue. Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed a bump every year since the Democrat was elected governor in 2014 and this year was no exception. Last month, the governor reiterated his plan to increase it to $15 per hour by 2025. Meanwhile, surrounding states have been upping theirs. According to the U.S, Department of Labor, Maryland set its minimum at $10.10 per hour; West Virginia is at $8.75; New York, $11.10; and Ohio, $8.55. And in New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy and Democratic leaders of the state Legislature last month reached an agreement to raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2024. In his remarks Monday, Corman said he believed Wolfs $15-per-hour proposal for Pennsylvania workers would send a shock through the states economy at a time we are looking to create jobs and have more employers here. But he suggested "a more modest bump could gain traction. He would not say what amount would be acceptable to his caucus. Even if senators reach a consensus quickly, they would still need Republicans who control the House of Representatives to sign off on a bump and that is far from guaranteed. Mike Straub, spokesman for House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler (R., Lancaster), said Monday that Cutler is open to discussing the issue, but also believes the focus should be on other policy changes, including workforce development changes, that can help lift residents into better-paying jobs. In his budget plan for the next fiscal year, Wolf has proposed raising the states current minimum wage the same as the federal minimum on a sliding scale. It would start with a hike to $12 this July, then rise by 50 cents every year until 2025, when it would be $15. The wage would increase with the cost of living every year after that. In an interview Monday, Wolf spokesperson J.J. Abbott would not say whether the governor would be willing to lower the proposed hike in his plan. The governors proposal is what he believes is fair for workers, said Abbott. But every part of the budget is subject to negotiations with the legislature, and we would certainly welcome a discussion about raising the minimum wage. Lawmakers last approved a boost in the state minimum wage in 2006, with the rate eventually moving to $7.15 an hour. It reached $7.25 an hour in 2009 to match the federal minimum wage. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, in a letter last week to Local 98 members in Philadelphia, declared that the local was not following required practices in how it spent their money and vowed to push for change. That comes three weeks after Local 98s leader, John J. Johnny Doc Dougherty, City Councilman Bobby Henon, and six other union officials were charged in a 116-count federal indictment that accused them of embezzling more than $600,000 from the union from 2010 to 2016. IBEW international president Lonnie R. Stephenson, in the Feb. 19 letter, obtained by the Inquirer, said, I have received letters from members of Local Union 98 demanding that I take various actions in response to the indictment. Stephenson said two IBEW representatives had reviewed the unions finances and provided Local 98 president Brian Burrows one of the officials indicted on Jan. 30 with a list of recommended reforms and urged him to adopt them, with membership approval, as soon as possible. Stephenson said the changes would provide additional transparency, eliminate potential abuses, and allow the membership to monitor the use of local union funds. Mark Brueggenjohann, an IBEW spokesperson, declined to go into specifics about what Local 98 spending practices were problematic and what changes were recommended. Neither the officers nor the members of Local 98 have voiced any objections to those reforms, and the IBEW expects that they will be adopted, Brueggenjohann said in an email. A Local 98 spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Stephenson, in his letter, suggested possible rising dissension among some of Local 98s 4,700 members after the indictments. Some may be asking, why havent you done more, he wrote. The IBEW must be careful not to interfere with either the ability of the prosecutors to prosecute that case or the ability of the defendants to defend themselves. The federal indictment accuses Dougherty and his fellow defendants with using union funds to pay for shopping sprees, restaurant bills, and annual trips. It also detailed more mundane trips to Target for baby supplies, dog food, cosmetics, cereal, and other household items. Dougherty drove Local 98 to political power across two decades, fueled in large part by small-dollar regular payroll deductions from members funneled into the unions Committee on Political Education. An analysis by the Inquirer shows those deductions added up to just under $41 million from 2002 to 2018, helping Local 98 to elect political allies at the city, state, and national levels. Theres a fairly broad consensus among political types that, if hes in, Joe Biden is favored to win Pennsylvanias 2020 Democratic primary and, if nominated, carry the state in the general election. Not unanimous. But fairly broad. After all, Biden feels like a fit. Born in Scranton, lived there as a child. Well-known. Not a socialist. Older guy (hell be 77) running in one of the oldest states in terms of folks over 65. And nationally, in a large (and largely unknown) field, Real Clear Politics average of polling has Biden up 10.7 points. But a sampling of state pols, pollsters, consultants, academics, party leaders and others also reflects lots of hey, who knows? Its early. Polls change. Many Democratic leaders are coy. Take state party chief Nancy Patton Mills: Too early to have this discussion. I will stay neutral and listen to voices. OK. But people are talking. The state can be crucial. So, lets talk. Whats Pennsylvania want? Someone familiar? Someone new? Progressive? Moderate? First let me note, as a lesson of 2016, and knowing how Democrats can eat their young, I dont dismiss President Trumps chances of winning the state again. What were talking about here are Democrats most likely to do well in Pennsylvania, and why. Here goes. U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, a Philly Democratic, studies state politics, has for decades: This state tends to be more center-right than center-left, or maybe even middle-of-the-road. Split congressional delegation. One senator from each party. Divided government in Harrisburg. That, says Evans, favors Biden. Or moderates such as Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar or Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown. Temple poli-sci prof Robin Kolodny also sees Biden, and doubts that California Sen. Kamala Harris or New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker would prevail in a multi-candidate primary. Kolodnys guessing, Bernie [Sanders], if he lasts, cuts into support for Harris and Booker, in particular. Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald likes the Western Pa. model of Democratic U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, who won a special election last year in a district south of Pittsburgh easily carried by Trump in 2016: Progressive but not too far left, talking pocketbook issues, education, infrastructure, somebody who can appeal to urban areas and especially western rural counties like Greene, Westmoreland, Butler, that went heavily for Trump. Names? Fitzgerald suggests Biden, Brown, Klobuchar, possibly Booker or Harris. Maybe even former Texas U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke. That squares with Franklin and Marshall College poll methodologist Berwood Yost. Yost says Trump won with appealing to white working-class voters concerns about immigration, race and being `American, which motivated their turnout. Someone who can reduce the importance of `race and elevate the importance of `economics will have more success. When pressed, Yost says, Sanders, Brown or Biden could sell the economic message but I think the most energy in the party comes from women voters. Mary Isenhour is a Democratic strategist, veteran of several presidential campaigns, former top aide to Gov. Tom Wolf, and now a consultant with the Harrisburg-based firm Rooney Novak Isenhour Group. She leans Biden if he gets in, but calls Klobuchar interesting, and says Harris has great appeal to younger voters. And younger voters? Seem more engaged. Turnout was up in 2018. Stephen Rudman, a Montgomery County election-law lawyer, is president of Pennsylvania Young Democrats. Anybody under 40 is eligible. He says of four-million-plus registered Dems in the state, 1.4 million are under 40. He tells me South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg is definitely somebody young Democrats are looking at nationally. Buttigieg (Boot-edge-edge) is 37, a Harvard Phi Beta Kappa member, Rhodes Scholar, Afghan War vet, openly gay Democrat from a red state. (Since 1968, Indiana voted Democratic for president once, Barack Obama, 2008.) Rudman says this years national convention of Young Democrats of America is in Indianapolis (in July) largely because of Buttigieg. He also says young Dems like Harris, Brown and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. And check the gut of St. Josephs University poli-sci adjunct prof Joe Powers, a Pennsylvania native who worked decades in state government and politics. My gut tells me none of the older candidates. Not Biden, Warren, Sanders. Of the five nonincumbent Democrats elected president over the last century (FDR, Kennedy, Carter, Clinton, Obama), all were 52 or younger, he notes. I see something like that happening again because I see a change election. Harris is 54; Klobuchar, 58; New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, 52. (Biden, Brown, Sanders, and Warren are all older.) Booker is 49, ORourke, 46; former San Antonio, Texas, Mayor (and former HUD secretary under Obama) Julian Castro, 44, and theres Buttigieg. There are, and likely will be, others. Who knows who emerges? And because there are 22 Democratic caucuses or primaries before our April 28 primary, a key for Pennsylvania is whos left when the race gets here. We could be inconsequential. Or decisive. And, especially if theres no Biden, we could be very interesting. This article is part of Made in Philly, a series about young residents shaping local communities. If you go to any Sunni mosque in Philadelphia on a Friday afternoon, chances are it will most likely be serving bean pie at the end of Jummah, or Friday prayer. Childrens book author Ameenah Muhammad-Diggins parents, like many African American Muslims in the 1970s, brought the tradition of baking and eating bean pie with them when they converted from the Nation of Islam to Sunni Islam. But the significance of the bean pie goes a step further for Muhammad-Diggins. Her father co-owned Ali Bean Pie factory in West Oak Lane, where she grew up. Its because of the bean pie that I was able to go to private school, because of the bean pie I was able to go to college, said Muhammad-Diggins, who attended Sister Clara Muhammad School in West Philadelphia and the Fox School of Business at Temple University. And ultimately its because of that bean pie, which Muhammad-Diggins built a childrens book around and which the Please Touch Museum has now turned into a play that children in Philadelphia are being entertained by the first Please Touch theatrical production to use actors from outside the museums longtime little troupe (now disbanded). Bashirah and the Amazing Bean Pie, now on stage through March 4 at the Please Touch Museum, is being presented in conjunction with the museum exhibit America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures Near and Far. The museum plans to bring it back in May for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The play revolves around 8-year-old Bashirah, an African American Muslim, and her friend Fatima, who is Pakistani American. Young-adult actors play all the roles. When their teacher asks the students to bring in a dish for culture day, Bashirah played by Chanel Herron proudly proclaims she will bring bean pie. Fatima (Angie Fennell) scoffs at that. Beans in a pie? Bashirah then goes through an existential crisis, questioning the traditions and culture she grew up with. Am I weird? Bashirah asked the audience out loud at a members-only performance the day before the plays official Feb. 16 opening. Nooooo, some of the kids responded. Kids are always like that, said Fennell. But although theyre vocal during the play, theyre suddenly shy when they meet the actors afterward. Danielle Defassio, manager of Studio and Performing Arts at the museum, said young audiences go off the rails during plays because they identify so deeply with whats happening in front of them. After teasing Bashirah at school, Fatima later needs her friends help to cook biryani when her stove breaks. Ultimately, the friendship mends. The plot of the theatrical production, written by Defassio in consultation with Muhammad-Diggins, differs from Muhammad-Diggins book, which focuses more on Eid morning, the Muslim holiday, than on the relationship between the two friends. I really love the direction of the play for that," Muhammad-Diggins said, "just to get kids thinking about how they should express themselves, how to mend friendships when you have disagreements, appreciating other peoples cultures even if you dont understand it, and theres nothing weird about anybody, especially when it comes to cultural things. The idea to develop a play from the book grew out of the museums inaugural Eid festival last summer, at which Muhammad-Diggins read from Bashirah. Salima Suswell, a member of the Please Touch Museums advisory committee, was developing the America to Zanzibar exhibit to better reflect the community around the museum, and she had invited Muhammad-Diggins in to do the reading. You really cant walk half a block without seeing another Muslim, said Muhammad-Diggins. So they said, OK, lets really take a look at our surroundings and do programming that will reflect our community. I think thats a bold step for its one of the top 10 childrens museums in the nation to do that. Muhammad-Diggins own motivation to write her book was twofold: She wanted Muslim children to see themselves represented in literature. And she also wanted to address the gaps she sees in how U.S. history views African American Muslims specifically. As African Americans, theres more than one story, she said. Most of the time, theres the church-centered view of black folk in America. Muslims have had a very important role in the shaping of history, and a lot of people dont know that 12 to 25 percent of the Africans brought to America were enslaved Muslims, she said. "I think that part is kind of left out. Defassio knew more generally that a story about food would resonate well with kids. Everybody can get behind food, everybody has a favorite food they want to share, so I felt like this one would really speak to everybody, no matter your gender, no matter where youre from or what you believe, Defassio said. And I was so happy not to have to do Aladdin. Defassio has been working since she started her job in 2017 to move away from puppet shows and one-person productions and toward mainstage plays that both entertain and inform. Bashirah will be a model for future productions. Its all about the authenticity of the story, Defassio said. Writing the script, she chose to use Arabic words like bismillah instead of the English translation for the blessing over food. She had Muhammad-Diggins record herself saying phrases like "as salaam alaikum, the Muslim greeting, so the actors knew how to say it correctly. Defassio and Muhammad-Diggins said they made it a priority to cast as close to character as possible but werent able to cast Muslim actors for this production because of scheduling conflicts. Fennell, who is of the Christian faith, said she was initially a little intimidated when she got the role of Fatima and wanted to be respectful of other peoples cultures. She felt encouraged by the response from the plays first run-through, when a Pakistani family approached her after the show. The mom saying, Were from Pakistan, and it was so nice to be represented on stage, that was really special for me. The four-actor play also features Brishen Miller, who plays both a West African American student and Bashirahs grandfather, and Nicole Stacie, who plays both the teacher and Bashirahs mother. Please Touch member Angela Ko saw the members-only performance of Bashirah with her 7-year-old daughter Carly and said it had a deeper meaning from other museum shows theyd seen. "Its just always kind of been fun or had bubbles, Ko said. This really hit a message in a fun way. Along with messages of friendship and cultural awareness, the message of unity was a point Muhammad-Diggins wanted to drive home. At the very end of the play, the four actors line up to face the audience and recite their final line: We are one ummah, one family. The clock high on the wall in Courtroom 676 is stuck at 6:45. Every week, lawyers and mortgage counselors are there, working with homeowners to remedy pending foreclosures due to unpaid mortgages and property taxes. But the sixth-floor room in City Hall was not always the scene of a tedious and time-consuming enterprise. It once played host to one of the most notorious criminal trials of the 19th century. Today, City Hall is considered a place to get married, attend City Council hearings, and demonstrate outside the mayors office. But the castle-like seat of government was also a criminal courthouse for a century until 1995, when the Criminal Justice Center opened at 13th and Filbert Streets. Now those courtrooms are used to resolve civil issues, making the ornate, 30-foot-high courtrooms artifacts of a rich criminal history that spanned a century. Over the years, major trials took place on other floors, but many of the most infamous cases were tried on the sixth floor. One of the first big cases in City Hall, in 1895, was also one of the most famous cases in American history: the trial of serial killer H.H. Holmes. Courtroom 676, like others on the floor, was adorned with gas-electric lighting fixtures called electroliers and with telephones, and a spacious visitors gallery opposite the judges bench with a seating capacity of 300. For the Holmes trial, the room was overflowing with spectators. Holmes, real name Herman Webster Mudgett, built a House of Horrors in Chicago, where he tortured and murdered unsuspecting victims between 1886 and 1894. But it was not until he killed Benjamin Pitezel, a business partner in Philadelphia, that police discovered the extent of his crimes. In the fall of 1895, Holmes went on trial in Courtroom 676 for murder in Pitezels death. On the first day, he dismissed his two lawyers and attempted to defend himself, but brought back the lawyers the next night. After a week, the jury found him guilty, and he was sentenced to die. He was hanged in Moyamensing Prison on May 7, 1896. By 1929, mobster cases started heating up on the sixth floor. Scarface Al Capone was arrested in Philly that May on a gun charge. Shortly after the first meeting of Americas major mob families in Atlantic City, Capone had come to Philadelphia to grab a train back to Chicago. With time to kill, he and his bodyguard, Frank Slippery Frankie Cline, caught a flick at the Stanley Theatre at 19th and Market Streets. When the movie let out, they were stopped by police, who frisked them and found loaded revolvers. By the next day, in Courtroom 650, Philadelphia officials were able to charge Capone with a crime. The room, which seated about 100 people comfortably, was packed. Aspiring spectators crowded the hallway and pounded on the door. Capone and his bodyguard each pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed deadly weapon with the intent to unlawfully and maliciously do injury to another. Capone served 10 months in several jails, including Eastern State Penitentiary in Fairmount. Five years after Capone, in 1934, serial bank robber and expert escape artist Slick Willie Sutton was a fugitive from New York, having recently escaped from Sing Sing Prison, when he was arrested in Philly. For his participation in a $10,800 holdup of the Corn Exchange Bank & Trust Co. branch at 60th and Ludlow Streets, Sutton was sentenced in one of the City Hall courtrooms to 25 to 50 years in prison. After four failed attempts to escape, his fifth succeeded. He broke out along with 11 others from Eastern State in 1945. He was caught and taken to Courtroom 653, where he later stood trial for the escape. He was found guilty, and 10 to 20 years were tacked on to his previous sentence. He was sent to Holmesburg Prison, from which he escaped in 1947. When he was brought back to Philly to answer for his crimes in 1969, he was a 69-year-old man with emphysema. He was wheeled into another City Hall courtroom, where a judge showed leniency and dropped the charges. Half a century later, the trial of Gary Heidnik took place in Courtroom 653. Heidnik was accused of kidnapping prostitutes, imprisoning them in the basement of his Franklinville home, and then torturing and sexually abusing them. In his 1988 trial, his lawyer, A. Charles Peruto Jr., told the jury panel, seated in the wood-framed jury box, that his client was simply a fruitcake. Heidnik was convicted of two murders and sentenced to death. In 1999, he died by lethal injection. He was 55. Courtroom 653 also hosted two other significant cases: Lawyers for Elmo Smith, who was found guilty of murder in the slaying of a Manayunk teenager in 1959, sought to reduce his death sentence to life imprisonment in hearings there. And then there was the 1981 trial of Joey Coyle, who found $1 million in the street and chose to spend it lavishly instead of finding its owner before being caught at a New York airport. Today, the sixth floor is mostly quiet. George Evans, historian and City Hall tour guide, leads visitors through the mostly empty hallways and past the historic courtrooms, which primarily host civil cases. But he makes sure to remind folks about what the magnificent walls have seen. Its an amazing building," Evans said, that tells an amazing story. This story has been changed to correct the reference to the Elmo Smith case above. The murder case was not heard in Courtroom 653. There is no question that kids perform better in school after having a nutritious breakfast. But a recent study found that weight gain and obesity were unintended consequences for some Philadelphia children when the School Breakfast Program was offered in the classroom rather than in the cafeteria before school. Researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public Health and Temple Universitys Center for Obesity Research and Education followed more than 1,300 students in grades 4 through 6 from low-income communities at 16 Philadelphia public schools for about 2 years. They partnered with the Food Trust and the School District of Philadelphia for the study. The results were published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics. Nationally, about 12.2 million children from low-income households take part in the federally assisted School Breakfast Program. About half the schools in the study offered students breakfast in the cafeteria before classes began, along with a standard nutrition education program. The intervention schools served breakfast during first period along with breakfast-specific nutrition education. The researchers initial hypothesis was that the intervention program would help decrease the prevalence of obesity and overweight in those students. Past studies showed that children who ate a regular breakfast were more likely to be at a healthy weight, said lead author Kate Bauer, an assistant professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. All the breakfasts met U.S. Department of Agriculture requirements with a fruit or fruit juice, a grain, a protein, or milk. The calories on average didnt differ between the meals offered in the classroom or cafeteria. The study wasnt a test of the breakfast program, it was a test of when and where the school breakfast was offered, said Bauer. The Philadelphia childrens heights and weights were measured to determine their body mass index (BMI). At the beginning of the study, nearly 18 percent of the students were overweight (defined as BMI over the 85th percentile) and 21 percent were obese (defined as BMI at or over the 95th percentile). At the schools that implemented the One Healthy Breakfast educational program, students received 18 nutrition education lessons about the importance of eating a good breakfast. Tags were placed on local corner store shelves near the schools with targeted messages, and the One Healthy Breakfast logo or mascot to help kids identify nutritious breakfast options. Parents were also included in the education efforts through monthly newsletters about healthy food options, recipes and family activities. There were also displays at back-to-school night events and report card conference days. At the end of the study, researchers found that about 12 percent of the schoolchildren who ate breakfast in the classroom and 4 percent who ate breakfast in the cafeteria had a BMI in the obesity range, said Bauer, an epidemiologist. Researchers said that the reason for the weight increase was that some kids may have already eaten breakfast at home, and the older elementary and middle school students had the freedom to buy food on the way to school, adding extra calories to their daily intake. Many were having multiple breakfasts at multiple locations in the morning, said Bauer. In the end, the researchers concluded that more research was necessary, and that they needed to find ways to improve the participation rates in the school breakfast program without having an increase in obesity among the children participating. Increasingly, pain patients who need high doses of opioids are getting another medicine prescribed alongside them: the overdose-reversing spray naloxone, more often associated with illicit drug use. According to a new report from Kaiser Health News, a handful of states including Ohio, which, with Pennsylvania, is one of the states hit hardest by the overdose crisis now require physicians to prescribe naloxone along with high doses of opioids or to pain patients who have dealt with substance use disorder. In Pennsylvania, there are no laws requiring physicians to do so, but last year the state Health Department updated its physician guidelines to recommend doctors prescribe naloxone for anyone receiving a dose of opioids higher than 50 morphine milligram equivalents per day. (The state also has a standing order for naloxone, so pharmacies can dispense it to anyone without a prescription.) Physicians here say distributing naloxone is a harm-reduction measure for patients at risk of overdose even if they are taking their medication as prescribed. People who are prescribed opioids for treatment of either acute or chronic pain can experience side effects, and those side effects include respiratory arrest and death, said Michael Ashburn, a professor in the University of Pennsylvanias department of anesthesiology and critical care who directs the Penn Pain Medicine Center. Even with well-meaning doctors, [patients are] at increased risk of death if they take these [opioid] medications than if they dont. Ashburn helped write the states new guidelines around prescribing naloxone for pain patients. He said he doesnt think state legislatures should have to set rules like this into law, noting Health Department guidelines can better keep up with the latest research. I think that its very hard for state legislatures to keep up with best practice and to be as flexible as experts can be, he said. But, he said, its important to make it easy for doctors to follow the states guidelines. Penn is working to develop an alert system that reminds doctors to prescribe naloxone when they order high doses of opioids for a patient, and a data dashboard that updates them on whether theyre prescribing naloxone often enough. Some pain patients told Kaiser they feared being stigmatized with a substance use disorder if they were prescribed naloxone or that they simply didnt need it. But Ashburn said the guideline is simply about getting people proper care. Everyone deserves to have a resuscitation drug immediately available, he said. Still, some physicians point out that people who are overdosing cant dose themselves with naloxone. And people using opioid drugs as prescribed typically risk respiratory failure in their sleep, said Eugene Viscusi, chief of pain medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Unless someone is monitoring your sleep or watching you, a patient might not get a dose of naloxone until its too late, he said. But its not that the policy is wrong or misplaced if youre getting naloxone out into the community, it will get used. Viscusi says he practices harm reduction with pain patients by trying every other option before prescribing an opioid, and then at the lowest doses possible. Leonard Kamen, a pain doctor at Moss Rehab in Northeast Philadelphia, said that before prescribing opioids, he screens patients carefully to find out if they are using other medications, including benzodiazepines like Xanax. These antianxiety medicines, when taken with opioids, raise the risk of an overdose. He has also used buprenorphine, an opioid-based drug typically used for addiction treatment, to treat pain, since it carries a lower risk of overdose than opioid pain pills. Prescribing naloxone with opioid medications, he said, isnt just a precaution for his patients its for everyone in their household. People look at me and say, Why do I need to have this? And I say, its because you have young children, or teenagers, and maybe its not your kid, but its your kids friends, he said. You have to cover that spectrum when youre using these medications. What doctors say and what patients hear is not always the same thing. For proof, look no further than patients Google search histories. Thats what a group of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania did. Combining Google search data with electronic medical records, they found that a patient who had been told of having had a walnut-size fibrous tumor promptly went home and searched How big is a walnut? and What is a fibrous tumor? Clearly something was lost in communication. Even something as banal as how big a walnut is might make us rethink how we explain things to our patients, said Jeremy Asch, a co-author of the study and an innovation strategist in the Penn Medicine Center for Digital Health. The study, which published in February, involved 116 patients from a hospital emergency room who agreed to share their Google search histories. Researchers analyzed that data to see what patients searched in the weeks and days before coming to the hospital, and compared it with medical records to see if there were any patterns. They found that health-related searches doubled during the week before patients came to the emergency room. On a daily basis, about 6 percent of all Google searches are health-related, Asch said. But in the week before a patient visits the hospital, their rate was upward of 12 percent. If we can look at this and see what patients are searching for, it could help us anticipate demand and the patients need for care, Asch said. Knowing which symptoms and concerns patients are Googling before they arrive in the emergency room can help doctors have more comprehensive conversations with them. If they searched fainting spells, but dont mention that during a visit about high blood pressure concerns, maybe the doctor can bring it up, Asch said. The study found more than half the searches patients conducted before coming to the emergency room were related to the reason for their visit. For instance, someone searched how to relieve sinus pressure, and later arrived at the hospital with a chief complaint of headache. And while doctors often worry about patients Googling symptoms and jumping to the worst possible conclusions, the researchers found that was rarely the case. Most people did search pretty accurately for what theyre complaining about and not down that rabbit hole of is it cancer or a brain tumor, Asch said. It can also be helpful to know what patients search after leaving the hospital, potentially to rectify miscommunications like the walnut-size tumor. Shelled? Unshelled? Patients sometimes feel embarrassed asking doctors questions directly, Asch said, but the study shows many are open to letting doctors know what they have searched for, and including that information in their electronic health record. That could give medical professionals deeper insight into someones condition. We could track digital info the same way we study DNA, and understand how someone's daily life choices interact with health, Asch said. There are still many questions to be answered before search data can be usefully integrated into medical care. Privacy issues are always important, though if the data were made part of the electronic medical record, it would get the same protections as current medical information, Asch said. Another hurdle is the time it would take doctors to go through mounds of search history data. Researchers hope machine learning tools could be used instead, identifying searches of concern and alerting doctors when needed. The search data might also be used to create a timeline of symptoms for patients, reminding them of events throughout the year they might otherwise forget to mention during an annual checkup. With more people Googling symptoms online and asking about medical conditions in Facebook groups, there is a lot of potential, Asch said. As the way we socially communicate changes, he said, its exciting to figure out how we can use all this data to better serve our patients. Developers of the 51-story W Hotel arising at 15th and Chestnut Streets have signed a restaurant tenant, but put down your fork: Its almost a year from opening target is early 2020. LDV Hospitality, the New York group that a few years ago set up Scarpetta at the Rittenhouse Hotel, says it will place a branch of Dolce Italian on the ground floor of the skyscraper with a dedicated entrance on Chestnut Street across from Del Friscos. Dolce Italian, whose mod concept is based on Fellinis Rome of the 1960s, first opened in Miami Beach in 2013, where its features include a mozzarella bar with made-to-order mozzarella dishes. In 2015, Dolce won the Bravo series Best New Restaurant, besting 15 contenders. A Chicago location opened in 2015 but closed in 2018. The Philly location will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Menu will include house-made pastas, Neapolitan pizzas, salads, and a signature veal Milanese. LDV has Dolce Mare at Ocean Resort in Atlantic City, a successor to its Azure by Allegretti; that restaurant closed when Revel shut down. University of Pennsylvania sophomore Claire Slineys film Period. End of Sentence won an Academy Award for best documentary short subject. Period follows a group of girls and women in a rural village outside New Delhi who fight back against Indias deeply rooted stigma surrounding menstruation. Sliney, a Los Angeles native, has been involved in the project since her freshman year in high school at the Oakwood School. The 20-year-old Sliney is credited as a producer on the film. I cant believe a film about menstruation just won an Oscar, said codirector Melissa Berton while accepting her first Oscar. This film began because high schoolers and Action India wanted to make a human rights difference, followed up codirector Rayka Zehtabchi, referencing Sliney and the group of friends who wanted to provide sanitary products to women in need. On a field trip to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, members of Oakwoods Girls Learn International club were told about the taboo of menstruation in some cultures. It often leads to girls staying home from school during their periods or dropping out altogether. None of us had ever heard about the issue, Sliney told the Inquirer. As feminists, we talk so often about womens disempowerment, but its not often we can target an individual systemic cause. We thought it was such a cool issue. While many Penn alums have earned Oscar nods, Sliney is the first Quaker to be nominated and win while currently enrolled, according to the universitys Cinema & Media Studies Program. Want to see the film? The 26-minute film is currently streaming on Netflix. The oldest existing U.S. reform school, the Glen Mills Schools, was founded 193 years ago as the Philadelphia House of Refuge. But for perhaps the first time in its storied history, Glen Mills wont enroll students from Philadelphia. The city is pulling its boys after an Inquirer investigation revealed widespread abuse and attempts to cover it up, Human Services Commissioner Cynthia Figueroa told the newspaper. Figueroa is also joining Philadelphia City Council members and state lawmakers in calling for an immediate independent investigation of the school. Officials said the Delaware County school for juvenile delinquent boys would need a change in leadership and culture before the city would contemplate resuming a relationship with it. Any place that abuses children should be shut down, and Glen Mills does not deserve a contract with the city, said Councilwoman Helen Gym. I want the boys, their family members, and anyone else who spoke out to know that this city believes them." Without pointing to any specific part of the Inquirer investigation, Glen Mills leadership said in a statement Friday evening that it disputes virtually all the allegations and conclusions." Last summer, the Inquirer reported that Philadelphia had temporarily stopped sending boys to Glen Mills after counselors beat and choked a local teenager. As of August, 143 Philadelphia boys were enrolled at Glen Mills, about 40 percent of the student body. At the time, Glen Mills executive director Randy Ireson claimed the attack was an isolated incident that his staff immediately self-reported" to the state Department of Human Services. But in reviewing documents and interviewing former students and staff, the newspaper found that violence was common at Glen Mills and that counselors routinely threatened boys to keep them quiet. The schools leaders insulated themselves from reports while failing to properly train or vet many of its counselors. Its heartbreaking. It was a very hard read, Figueroa said. She had recently received promises of change from Glen Mills, and expected to resume sending boys there as of two weeks ago. Instead, the 51 Philadelphia boys remaining at the school will go back before a judge to be placed elsewhere. Some will go to other schools for court-ordered boys, while others will be enrolled in alternative programs that allow them to stay in the community. In the meantime, Figueroa, Gym, and Councilman Kenyatta Johnson are calling for an outside investigation into the Glen Mills Schools. And theyre far from alone. State Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta and Danilo Burgos, both from Philadelphia, sent a letter to the state attorney general, the auditor general, and the regional director for the U.S. Department of Justice, requesting an immediate probe into abuse at Glen Mills, including whether the school has broken state or federal laws. The newspaper previously reported that the U.S. Department of Justice had an ongoing law enforcement proceeding at Glen Mills Schools, according to an October letter from the departments Civil Rights Division. After Glen Mills reviewed the findings of the Inquirers investigation, the school said it would form a panel including child protection experts to examine allegations of misconduct. The state lawmakers rejected this as a solution. The parents and taxpayers deserve a thorough, unbiased accounting of the history of conduct at Glen Mills," the lawmakers wrote. Local and national organizations that advocate for children also expressed outrage after reading the newspapers investigation, which covered three decades and showed the schools top leaders turning a blind eye to abuse. The intimidation of youth, parents, staff and family members who try to report abuse is especially damning, said Sue Mangold, chief executive of the Philadelphia-based Juvenile Law Center. Maura McInerney, legal director at the Education Law Center, said, These heart-wrenching and harrowing stories expose the reality of relentless physical and emotional abuse, terror, and trauma." Glen Mills reads like a house of horrors for young boys, said Nancy Nguyen, executive director of VietLead, which runs an after-school program for low-income students in Philadelphia and South Jersey. The leadership should all be fired, and the campus should be shut down. At its height, Glen Mills housed more than 1,000 boys from all over the country, and even some from Europe. But enrollment has dwindled, both due to allegations of abuse and because of a nationwide move away from institutionalizing youth. Since 2015, there has been a 47 percent percent reduction in the use of delinquent placements such as Glen Mills for Philadelphia youth. Figueroa has asked the state for an additional $3 million to build special centers and buy GPS monitors to keep children out of residential programs. Glen Mills is the fourth facility Figueroa has had to stop sending boys to since she became commissioner in 2016. The Wordsworth Academy in Philadelphia closed after counselors attacked and killed a teenager over a stolen cell phone in 2016. The state took action against its license, and Wordsworth declared bankruptcy. Philadelphia has historically been Glen Mills biggest client. It would take a lot, Figueroa said, for her department to consider sending boys to Glen Mills again. She has been crystal clear that the schools leadership team needs to go, she said, and even then she would have to see a significant shift in culture. Gym said she plans to hold hearings on what happened at Glen Mills and how to keep children safe at other programs like it. I never want to see this again, she said. I dont want to see another Wordsworth. I dont want to see another Glen Mills. New Jersey may join a small list of states including Oregon and Vermont creating portable IRAs, or retirement plans you can take with you, even if you change jobs. Under a proposed bill, employees who work for businesses with 25 or more workers would be automatically enrolled in a professionally managed retirement plan unless they choose to opt out. The bill, S-2891, would create whats called the Secure Choice retirement program, so workers without employer-sponsored retirement plans have an option to save for retirement. Its sponsored by Jersey state senators Joseph Lagana, Troy Singleton, and Shirley Turner. The New Jersey Secure Savings Program will make available to private-sector employees a convenient and efficient way to save for their retirement, said Lagana, (D., Bergen/Passaic), in a statement. Access to retirement savings accounts through an employer is among the best ways to effectively save. The savings program will accomplish the goal of helping hardworking New Jerseyans prepare for their future without burdening our businesses. The majority of American workers in the private sector do not have access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan, and this is especially true for low-wage workers, said Singleton, (D., Burlington). Its too early to predict if it will pass. And its possible that business groups may oppose the bill, citing administrative costs. The bill would allow employees to establish individual retirement accounts and contribute via automatic payroll deductions. The program would target the growing number of businesses that dont provide retirement plans for their employees. There are so many people working right now, paycheck to paycheck, who do not have any money saved for retirement because they cant afford to, said Turner, (D., Mercer/Hunterdon). According to AARP, about 1.7 million people in New Jersey dont have a vehicle to save for retirement at their jobs. The devil, of course, would be in the details: The program would be overseen by a seven-member Secure Choice Savings Board, with members appointed by the governor, the Senate president, and Assembly speaker. The savings fund would be outside and apart from other state funds, and neither employers nor the state would have any liability for, or claim to, the fund. Sounds ... vague and overly ambitious? How about just a simple menu of benchmark index funds that dont have to be overseen by anyone? Save money -- and leave politics out of the fund selection and oversight. Pennsylvanias treasurer Joseph Torsella has proposed similar portable IRAs" or multi-employer plans for the commonwealth. His idea has yet to gain traction, but that may change as the states population ages. According to a Econsult Solutions report that Torsella commissioned, baby boomers are aging in Pennsylvania without sufficient savings. Aging demographics especially will be an issue in Pennsylvania, currently the seventh-oldest state in the nation, the report found. As of 2015, 2.2 million of the states 12.8 million residents, or 17 percent, were age 65 or older. Projections from the Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office estimate that residents age 65 and older will increase to 3.1 million by 2030, or 23 percent of the states population. Why do we need more savings vehicles? They offset money spent on entitlements. Pennsylvania spent an estimated $702 million more in 2015 on public assistance programs because the elderly dont have savings, Philadelphia-based Econsult found. Absent any new savings, those numbers are projected to grow by 2030 to $1.1 billion in extra spending and $6 million in lost revenue, according to the study. Would you take advantage of a portable IRA if your employer offered it? Let us know! Tax Chatter Steve Wittenberg, director of legacy planning for SEI Private Wealth Management, gave us the following nuggets on what hes hearing so far this year from clients. The reality of the tax reforms impact is causing a stir, as initial average refunds come in lower this tax season. This may create upset feelings that tax reform did not really benefit taxpayers as a whole, he said. A ripple effect? Taxpayers are engaging in more income tax and estate tax planning, based on fear that laws will be reversed soon or with the next administration. The Democrats took back the House and many Republicans are not sure if theyll continue to support the president. Complications abound due to the recent U.S. government shutdown, which magnified 2017 tax-reform complexity. Many people are now digging into the new laws and new forms, and needed guidance at a critical time. The shutdown created a backlog, and many of our clients were impacted. They couldnt receive EINs [employee identification number] quickly for new trusts or accounts or get Form 1099s mailed to them in a timely manner, Wittenberg said. For more on taxes, see our Sunday story on handy deduction tips to save you time and headaches. Logansport, IN (46947) Today Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Logansport, IN (46947) Today Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Did you know you can save your preferences across all your digital devices and platforms simply by creating a profile? Would you like to get started? Yes, I'd like to register/log in Not right now No, never ask again Steve Zucker (231) 439-9346 This story has been updated Road crews are working to clear and reopen sections of Northern Michigan roadways after high winds and falling snow Sunday and early today, Monday created a travel nightmare around Northern Michigan. As of 1:30 p.m. a section of M-75 between the Walloon Lake junction with U.S. 131 and Ecker Road that in Charlevoix County's Melrose Township that had been closed since late Sunday because of road conditions in the area was reopened. Officials caution that the visibility in the area is still reduced because of blowing snow. Although perhaps not officially "closed" by road or emergency officials, a number of secondary roadways in the area were also still impassible. Emmet County Road Commission Engineer Manager Brian Gutowski said on Sunday road crews were battling a double-whammy brought on by winds that were often gusting in excess of 50 mph. Gutowski said not only were plow drivers doing their best to keep primary roads clear especially the north-south roads but they were also dealing with regular reports of trees or large branches being blown down across roadways. In several instances he said road crews had to clear trees out of the way before they could plow snow from the roadway. He said because other crews were busy trying to plow roads, road commission mechanics headed out to help clear fallen trees from roadways. Gutowski said crews are starting to make some progress this morning as winds begin to slowly subside, but noted the problem they are encountering is people venturing out onto secondary roads and becoming stuck in snowdrifts. He said in those situations, plow crews either have to plow around the stuck vehicles, or can't plow at all until the stranded vehicles are removed from the roadway. He urged residents who are facing unplowed roads to avoid venturing out until a plow can come through to expedite road clearing efforts. In fact, Gutowski noted one instance in which a Charlevoix-Cheboygan-Emmet Central Dispatch Authority dispatcher trying to get to work became stuck on a snow-clogged road. He said a plow was redirected from work it was doing on a primary route, to clear the road for the dispatcher to get to work. Gutowski said crews are starting to make progress in opening up roads and he said if winds continue to decrease over the course of the day, he expects road conditions to improve significantly by the end of the day. Charlevoix County Road Commission Manager Pat Harmon said his crews were dealing with many of the same issues crews in Emmet County were facing. He said the section of M-75 in Melrose Township has been closed since early evening Sunday mainly because of visibility issues. He said the worst area was right where the Melrose Township beach forms a small strip of land between the highway and Walloon Lake. He said law enforcement had requested the road to be closed because poor very visibility was leading to traffic crashes. Harmon said he drove through that section of road shortly after daybreak today and visibility was still very bad and snow had drifted across half of the southbound lane. "I couldn't see beyond the hood of the pickup," Harmon said. Harmon said he is hopeful that most roads in the county can be reopened by the and of the day today, but indicated that there could be some that won't be cleared until Tuesday. He said there are some roads where the snow is so deep that crews may have to use front-end loaders to clear the snow. He also asked motorists to not try to make it through heavily drifted roads because vehicles that become stranded in the roadway further hamper efforts to reopen the roads. Charlevoix County Transit officials had originally planned to delay the start of service until 10 a.m. Monday. However at about 9 a.m. the agency posted that it would be closed for the entire day, today, Monday because of the road conditions and the fact that the transit office was without electrical service. As of 10:30 a.m. the Mackinac Bridge was open to traffic, however winds were still strong enough to require an escort for high-profile vehicles. The bridge was closed for two periods of time on Sunday, first because of large ice chunks that were falling from the cables and towers. Later because of the strong winds a poor visibility. As of noon, Great Lakes Energy was reporting about 330 customers without service in Emmet County and about 200 in Charlevoix County. Around the same time Consumers Energy was reporting a handful of small outages around the two-county area after an earlier outage affecting around 400 customers in the Carp Lake area and another affecting about 300 customers in the Ironton Area were resolved. As of 3 p.m. the numbers of electric customers who were without service had dwindled to about 100 in the two counties for Great Lakes Energy and just a handful spread around the area for Consumers Energy. Emergency crews detoured traffic around a section of M-66 near Ironton for a time Sunday because of a power line down across the highway. William T. Perkins (231) 439-9353 A team of Michigan State University researchers say theyre hoping to travel to the Straits of Mackinac to research how oil would interact if it spilled in an icy body of water. The research project takes place amid concerns about the long-term viability of Line 5, a 65-year-old petroleum pipeline that travels beneath the Straits on its way from Superior, Wisconsin to Sarnia, Ontario. On Friday, the team released a preliminary portion of the study: A survey looking into public perception about the pipeline. The research is being conducted through a grant the universitys Institute for Public Policy and Social Research received for the 2018-19 academic year. The data comes from questions asked of 955 Michiganders during the fall, as part of the institutes quarterly State of the State Survey. At that time, 60 percent of the respondents said they were familiar with Line 5. Within that group, 44 percent said they were very concerned about a spill from Line 5, and 42 percent said they were especially concerned about an oil spill when the waters are covered with ice compared to spills during times of open water. We really wanted to understand what Michigan residents understood about Line 5, especially during icy conditions, Grant Gunn, assistant professor and lead investigator, said in a press release. And Gunn further noted that the amount of overall data about an oil spill in icy conditions is sparse. Ice in the Straits could help hold back the spread of the oil in the event of a pipeline spill, or it could have the opposite effect. We know more about how oil is dispersed during good weather, he said. We know less about oil and ice. In past instances, however, other researchers have noted that the scenario of a massive oil spill in the Great Lakes is uncharted territory. For example, when the researchers who worked on a state-commissioned Risk Analysis Report on Line 5 presented their findings at the Boyne Highlands Convention Center in August, they noted that, despite their models and projects, they did not have any case study to draw from regarding how oil would interact in the unique, freshwater conditions of the Great Lakes. That study examined 4,300 spill simulations and found that, in a worst-case scenario a Line 5 rupture could release between 32,000 and 58,000 barrels of crude oil into the Great Lakes, affecting 400 miles of shoreline in Michigan, Wisconsin and Canada, and threatening 47 wildlife species of concern and 60,000 acres of unique habitat. Meanwhile, Enbridge is preparing to conduct rock and soil samples this spring in preparation for a new Straits Pipeline tunnel. Under that project, the current Straits section of the line would be decommissioned and replaced with a new section inside of a protective tunnel at the bottom of the Straits. The results from this work will provide information that will aid in the design and construction of a tunnel, Enbridge spokesman Ryan Duffy said in a comment to the News-Review last month. Steve Zucker (231) 439-9346 Area emergency officials reported no major incidents occurred as a result of the weekend blizzard that made travel very difficult or impossible around Northern Michigan late Sunday and early Monday. Both Emmet County Sheriff Pete Wallin and Charlevoix County Sheriff Chuck Vondra said deputies were very busy with weather-related traffic issues that started around mid-afternoon Sunday. Both sheriffs said deputies handled several crashes, but many of the traffic issues were simply vehicles that had become stuck on drifted roadways. Starting at about 5 p.m. it was almost unbearable out there, Vondra said, noting that conditions seemed to be worse on the east side of the county compared to the west side. One crash east of Petoskey, involved four vehicles shortly before 3 p.m. However, no injuries were reported in connection with the East Mitchell Road crash that was near Fletcher Road. Brian Gutowski, Emmet County Road Commission engineer-manager, said one of the agencys plows was involved in the incident when it hit a vehicle in the roadway that was obscured by whiteout conditions. Both sheriffs said much of the community seemed to heed warnings to stay off the roads which likely helped reduce the number of incidents responders were called to. Pam Woodbury, Charlevoix-Cheboygan-Emmet Central Dispatch Authority director, said the call center was very busy during the storm. She said the center handled many reports of traffic issues as well as downed trees and power lines. Woodbury said 911 center officials brought in extra staff in anticipation of the storm and that move helped a great deal with the added call volume. She was not aware of any major incidents caused by the storm or the storm hampering response to any significant incidents. Both Gutowski and Charlevoix County Road Commission Manager Pat Harmon said road crews were busy much of the afternoon and well into the night dealing with issues associated with the storm. Gutowski said road crews were battling a double-whammy brought on by winds that were often gusting in excess of 50 mph on Sunday. He said plow drivers did their best to keep primary roads clear of snow, especially the north-south roads. Gutowski said plow drivers also dealt with regular reports of trees or large branches being blown across roadways. In several instances, he said road crews had to clear trees out of the way before they could plow snow from the roadway. He said road commission mechanics helped clear fallen trees from roadways because other crews were busy trying to plow roads. Gutowski said crews were making some progress Monday morning as winds began to slowly subside but noted crews were having problems with people venturing onto secondary roads and becoming stuck in snowdrifts. He said plow crews in those situations either had to plow around the stuck vehicles, or could not plow at all until the stranded vehicles were removed from the roadway. Gutowski urged residents facing unplowed roads to avoid venturing out until a plow can come through to expedite road clearing efforts. He noted one instance where a 911 dispatcher tried to get to work and became stuck on a snow-clogged road. He said a plow was redirected from the job it was doing on a primary route to clear the road for the dispatcher to get to work. Harmon, Charlevoix County Road Commission manager, said his crews were dealing with many of the same issues crews in Emmet County were facing. He said the precipitation started out as rain and then quickly changed to snow. This meant crews went from dealing with some road flooding caused by ice-clogged drains, to trying to keep ahead of drifting snow and trees coming down. In Charlevoix Countys Melrose Township, a section of M-75 between Walloon Lake junction with U.S. 131 and Ecker Road was closed from around 6 p.m. Sunday until about 1:30 p.m. Monday. Harmon said the section of M-75 was closed mainly because of visibility issues. He said the worst area was where the Melrose Township beach forms a narrow separation between the highway and Walloon Lake. Harmon said law enforcement requested the road to be closed because poor visibility was leading to traffic crashes. Harmon said he drove through that section of road shortly after daybreak Monday and visibility was still very bad and snow had drifted across half of the southbound lane. I couldnt see beyond the hood of the pickup, Harmon said. Around noon Monday, Harmon said he was hopeful that most roads in the county could be cleared and reopened by the and of the day, but indicated there could be some that would not be cleared until Tuesday. He said some roads have snow that is so deep crews may need to use front-end loaders to clear the snow. Harmon also asked motorists to not try to make it through heavily drifted roads since vehicles that become stranded in the roadway further complicate efforts to reopen roads. Emergency crews detoured traffic around a section of M-66 near Ironton for a time Sunday because of a power line down across the highway. The high winds caused numerous power outages around the area. As of 3 p.m. Monday, Great Lakes Energy was reporting about 100 customers still without service in Emmet and Charlevoix County and Consumers Energy was reporting only a handful of outages in the two-county area. Charlevoix County Transit officials originally planned to delay the start of service until 10 a.m. Monday. However at about 9 a.m. the agency posted that it would be closed for the entire day, today, Monday because of the road conditions and the fact that the transit office was without electrical service. William T. Perkins (231) 439-9353 ALANSON Officials say plans to relocate 16 campsites on the Camp Petosega campground are nearly ready to put into action, with hopes that the project will be finished by mid-October. The plan has been in the works since last summer, when representatives from the energy company TransCanada told the county that the campsites part of the countys Camp Petosega park along Pickerel Lake were too close in proximity to a pair of natural gas pipelines. The sites on the south end of the campground fall within the 300 foot safety buffer that is mandated between a pipeline and any permanent structure, per U.S. Department of Transportation regulations. As a result, TransCanada is paying for for the county to remove the sites and rebuild them further away. According to previous News-Review stories, the county had originally hoped to have the new sites up and running in time for the 2019 camping season. The timeline has now been pushed back several months. Michael Karr, of North45 architecture, presented some of his firms preliminary plans for the project at Thursday nights Emmet County Board of Commissioners meeting. As we stand right now, myself and my engineers are basically done, he said. We hope we can partner to get some construction drawings, get those documents prepared, and pending your approval, we hope wed be able to release those to bid as early as possible. The campsites within the buffer area are at the southeast corner of the campground and lie to the northwest of the pipeline. Plans call for those sites to be completely decommissioned. The replacement sites will be pushed even further eastward, past the southeast edge of the 300-foot safety buffer, and will be connected to the rest of the campground by a service road. Karr also said the new section of campground will open up future expansion opportunities. Ten years from now, 20 years from now, whatever it is, (there is) the possibility of the county developing the outer edge of the loop, he said Construction crews will also erect a service building in the new loop of campsites, which includes restrooms and shower facilities, because the new sites will be too far away from existing facilities. Current itineraries place construction bid approvals at the start of April, and construction to begin around mid-April. Karr said hes cautiously optimistic that the county will receive at least three bids. Much of the construction will be taking place during the camping season, but officials say that shouldnt cause any major problems. County parks and recreation officials have not allowed any of the 16 sites to be rented for 2019. The initial phases of construction, in which those sites will be decommissioned and deconstructed, will likely be the the most invasive. After that, however, most activity will take place a considerable distance away from where any guests are staying. Were hoping that the impact between the campers and construction is minimal, said Michael Reaves, deputy county administrator. Specifics of the cost and terms should be clearer once bids come in, but the basic upshot is that the county will be coming out ahead in the deal. TransCanada representatives have stated they will not only pay for the new construction itself, but also any losses incurred because of the project. Were getting brand new campsites, fully developed, Reaves said. They meet all the requirements of the (Department of Environmental Quality) ... Its one of the countys treasures and I think it will be a much nicer campground when were done. Sarah Churchill was an adroit investor and savvy political operative. Government Art Collection One of the challengers at this years Oscars is The Favourite, a film set in the early 18th-century court of British monarch Queen Anne. Focusing on the political and sexual intrigues of a female-led state, the film has, at its center, not only the queen but also her two favorites Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, and Abigail, Baroness Masham. Much of the film focuses on how these two female courtiers vie for influence over Anne. These early 18th-century women are hardly household names, so a movie that introduces them to a wider audience is welcome. And it doesnt hurt that some of todays biggest Hollywood stars inhabit the main roles: Olivia Coleman stars as Queen Anne, Rachel Weisz plays Sarah Churchill, and Emma Stone appears as Abigail Masham. The film, as well as all three actresses, were nominated for Oscars. But how does the portrayal of these women stack up against the historical reality? Might the fancy frocks, extravagant palaces and sexual triangles distract viewers from their true historical significance? As a historian of women in early modern Britain, Ive built my career analyzing the roles that women played in the past despite living in male-dominated societies. In fact, Sarah Churchill is featured in my recent book, Silent Partners: Women as Public Investors during Englands Financial Revolution, 1680-1750. While The Favourite introduces viewers to the women who were important political figures in early 18th-century Britain, it doesnt quite capture just how much power these women especially Sarah actually wielded. Queen Anne and the birth of an empire The Queen Anne portrayed in The Favourite is physically and mentally a mess, which isnt entirely inaccurate. While it is true that she had bad eyesight, was overweight, suffered from gout and endured the loss of 17 children, this was only one side of her. By watching the film, you wouldnt learn that Queen Anne presided over the union of Scotland and England into Great Britain in 1707, kept the Jacobite supporters of her Catholic half-brother at bay, successfully maintained a Protestant monarchy that has lasted into the present day, and furthered Britains rise to dominance on sea and land, ushering in the first century of Britains global empire. Sarah pulls the (purse) strings The figure around whom the action pivots in The Favourite, however, is not Queen Anne but Sarah Churchill. The power behind Annes throne, Sarah possesses the political, economic and military vision for the country. As Keeper of the Privy Purse, one of Sarahs jobs was to manage the royal households financial accounts. And with her husband, General John Churchill, away much of the time leading the queens troops, Sarah also handled the finances and investments for her own family. Her political adversaries accused both Churchills of benefiting financially from their ties to Queen Anne. Sarahs control over access to the queen and Johns role leading the army created opportunities for patronage, bribes and, in Johns case, some shady involvement in army supply contracts. In my book, I argue that while the Churchills may have been venal and dishonest, much of their money came from Sarahs astute and underappreciated investing in the stock market. As an early adopter of stock investing, Sarah put her familys funds into the national debt, the Bank of England and shares in private companies. In 1704, she had over 19,000 pounds of her own money in stocks, or US$3.5 million today. Sarah became famous for avoiding the losses so many of her contemporaries incurred in the South Sea Bubble of 1720, when investors poured money into the South Sea Company. She had wisely taken her familys money out a few months before the crash because she realized the companys stock was overvalued. In the process she made a cool 100,000 pounds. Unlike the male courtiers in The Favourite who foolishly wager on duck races, Sarah didnt make unnecessary gambles. She was such a savvy and significant investor; like Warren Buffett today, her actions and decisions could single-handedly influence the market. When British Prime Minister Robert Walpole needed money to fund the government, it was Sarah Churchill whom he approached for a loan of 200,000 pounds. Abigail Masham is a more shadowy historical figure. As Emma Stone so ably shows in the movie, Abigail was quite intelligent. But she seemed to be more interested in political maneuvering for personal gain, or for the benefit of her party, the Tories, who competed with the Whigs for power. Tellingly, Abigail left politics when Anne died, while Sarah, a Whig, didnt end her political involvement even when dismissed from Annes service. A reflexive response to powerful female figures As a queen, Anne had female, rather than, male attendants, meaning that those closest to power were also women. In The Favourite, Sarah Churchill tells the government ministers that if they want to see the queen, they need to an appointment with her. This inverted power dynamic made contemporaries uncomfortable and resulted in rumors and insinuations about the nature of the relationships between the queen and her female attendants. Not surprisingly, The Favourite makes much of these lesbian rumors, and some scenes depict sexual activity between women. But the 18th-century suggestions of homosexuality had more to do with the discomfort contemporaries had about women wielding power than actual same-sex relationships, although those happened too. While the movie primarily focuses on the politics of the personal the cat fights, jealousy and love triangles the reality is that these women ran Britain. The movie is on firmer ground in the way it depicts the men in their orbit. They are either absent (the Duke of Marlborough is away at the front), foolish (Minister Harley struts around in make up and a foppish get-up) or subservient (the young Colonel Masham follows Abigail around like a puppy). Yes, women like Sarah enjoyed a lot of power due to her role as the queens favorite, and yes, she used that power to benefit her family. No, she probably wasnt nice. But how was this any different from the male courtiers who had been close to English kings for centuries? Sarah Churchill wasnt doing anything new or particularly wrong. She was just doing it as a woman. Amy Froide, Professor of History, University of Maryland, Baltimore County This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Several more blimps showed up on Trump radar the past couple weeks. Trump minion Roger Stone was arrested. In addition, the president declared a national emergency on our southern border in order to override Congress in appropriating money for his border wall. This is a direct assault on Article 1 of the Constitution, which states only Congress has power of the purse. This is on top of the many other issues that continually pop up in Trump world. That would include Trumps SOTU speech where the president spoke of the ridiculous partisan investigations. Then there are multiple allegations, indictments and guilty verdicts against numerous people in Trumps campaign, including Paul Manafort, Don Trump Jr and others who colluded and conspired with the Russians in the 2016 election. The lies, allegations, indictments and guilty verdicts of corruption with connections to Russia, against numerous people in Trump world, pile up by the week. Never in the history of the U.S. have we had a president who is so conspired, compromised and corrupt as this one. And after all this, there is still a segment of 35-40% of Americans who think the president is doing a fine job. But what is really mystifying and infuriating are Republicans in Congress who act as his lackeys and enablers. Politicians such as Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham, who at one time were serious and responsible adults in the room, now aid and abet and cover up for the president at every opportunity. Even though McConnell knows in his heart of hearts that this president is unlawful and unconstitutional, he protects him in every way he can. ROBERT K. BOMBERGER, Lower Paxton Twp. As the 116th Congress begins its work, its time to focus on the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvania and the nation. Trade is one of these. On an encouraging note, the administration reached an agreement with Mexico and Canada on a new NAFTA the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). If ratified by Congress, this updated deal would provide certainty to industry and ensure that free trade continues with our largest trading partners. Federal policymakers should recognize what businesses, farmers and consumers already know: free trade means a more prosperous Pennsylvania. Despite this good news, looming tariff tensions with China still threaten to undermine the state economy. The tariffs that China has erected so far largely target the agriculture and food products industries both of which are critical to the Pennsylvanias economy. Pennsylvania is a leader within the food product sector, with the states 2,300 food-processing companies ranking first nationwide in shipment value for canned fruits, vegetables and other processed foods. On top of that, Pennsylvanias meat, fish and poultry products generate $4.3 billion in sales every year, supporting thousands of jobs across the state. While agriculture and food processing have long been mainstays of the states economy, numerous other industries must work together to enable these sectors to grow, succeed and make it to grocery shelves across the world. From fertilizers that help grow abundant crops to the transportation sectors that export Pennsylvania-produced products to consumers throughout the country and the world, the states industrial network spreads far and wide. Unfortunately, the current trade environment has created uncertainty among the agriculture and food product sectors, as companies question business decisions and prepare for a future that could be vastly different from what American farmers and producers know today. An example, U.S. soybean sales to China were down 94 percent in 2018 because of tariffs. For Pennsylvania farmers, low commodity prices and the trade war have led to the worst financial year in decades. Naturally, this same level of uncertainty trickles down throughout the other industries that are interconnected with Pennsylvanias agriculture and food production sectors. This includes freight rail, a major economic driver and an essential mode of transportation for agriculture and food producing businesses throughout Pennsylvania. In 2017 alone, rail moved more than 190 million tons of freight throughout the state. Because of the trade war, though, freight rail is operating in the same state of limbo that Pennsylvanias other critical industries are experiencing. Foreign and American businesses alike are determining how to respond, leaving freight rail operators unsure if their servives will be needed come harvest. Without certainty, it will grow increasingly difficult for railroads to properly plan future business decisions, such as the allocation of rail cars, personnel and equipment. As freight rails ability to function in Pennsylvania is thrown into question, so are the fates of the dozens of other industries supported by freight rail across the state. The transportation of coal in particular both Pennsylvanias single-greatest export and second-most exported commodity by rail could suffer if the logistics behind freight rail transport are significantly disrupted. Freight rail is absolutely necessary to retain jobs, create jobs and improve the economy. President Trump has repeatedly guaranteed substantive support for American farmers who are currently at the mercy of Chinese tariffs. But farmers in Pennsylvania just want to be able to compete in global markets federal policymakers must do their best to reject trade protectionism that undermines our economic success. -- Emily Traiforos is the Pennsylvania State Director for GoRail COLUMBUS, Miss. (AP) Weekend storms raked parts of the Southeast, leaving deaths and injuries in their wake as a tornado smashed into a commercial district in a small Mississippi city and drenching rains fed a rising flood threat. A woman was killed when a tornado hit Columbus, Mississippi, and a man died when he drove into floodwaters in Tennessee, officials said. Columbus Mayor Robert Smith Sr. said 41-year-old Ashley Glynell Pounds of Tupelo and her husband were renovating a house Saturday evening, and when the husband went to get them something to eat, the building collapsed and killed her. Smith said 12 other people were injured, but the injuries did not appear to be major. City spokesman Joe Dillon said the tornado also seriously damaged a school and two community center buildings. In Knox County, Tennessee, officials said a man died after his vehicle became submerged in high water. The tornado Saturday afternoon in Columbus was confirmed on radar, said meteorologist Anna Wolverton with the National Weather Service in Jackson. She told The Associated Press that experts would be headed Sunday to the east Mississippi city of about 23,000 people to gauge the tornado's intensity. At First Pentecostal Church in Columbus, the Rev. Steve Blaylock said the building was "a total loss," with a wall pushed in, holes in the roof and substantial water damage. He and his congregants tried to salvage what they could on the morning after the storm. But he said they still held a Sunday prayer service and even went ahead with a scheduled baptism, using a borrowed portable baptismal pool. "We will rebuild. We've got a good church here," Blaylock said. "It'll be a testimony of God." Residents of one street on the east side of Columbus were out early Sunday morning with chain saws, clearing away branches of the many trees that had snapped or were uprooted in the storm. Metal siding and roofing materials were scattered throughout the neighborhood of older homes. While the houses generally remained standing, sheds and outbuildings were mostly demolished. Lee Lawrence, who said he has been selling used cars for decades in Columbus, told The AP that four buildings on his car lot were destroyed. He said trees toppled across vehicles and car windows were blown out. Lawrence said he was at home getting ready to take a bath when the storm struck. "The wind all of a sudden just got so strong and it was raining so much you could hardly see out the door, and I could hear a roaring. Evidently it came close," he said, speaking with AP in a phone interview. "It will be a start-over deal," Lawrence said. "I can't say it will come back better or stronger, but we'll come back." A photographer working for The AP in Columbus said some antique cars on Lawrence's lot were parked among the damage and a nearby pet grooming business appeared now to be mostly twisted piles of metal. A printing shop had been speared by a pipe with great force and what seemed to be a vacant commercial building nearby appeared heavily damaged. Firefighters and law enforcement officers cordoned off the area, and power was out in the area. Elsewhere around the South, homes, highways, parks and bridges were flooded or put out of commission amid the heavy rains and severe storms. News outlets report that water rescues have been performed in some Middle Tennessee counties. Flash flood warnings and watches remained in place throughout the South and one Mississippi community reported large hail. Interstate 40 near the Tennessee line with North Carolina was closed by a rockslide, one of the dozens of roads and highways shut down throughout the region, transportation officials said. Officials said a mudslide destroyed a Subway restaurant in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. No injuries were reported. In West Virginia, officials have evacuated 11 families in the southern part of the state from low-lying areas due to flooding from heavy rains. High wind warnings remained in effect Sunday for much of the state. WCHS-TV reports more than 21,000 Appalachian Power customers were without power Sunday afternoon. In Bruce, Mississippi, rivers broke flood stage and flash floods poured into homes and businesses. News outlets report that officials in Grenada, Mississippi, declared a local state of emergency after dozens of streets and homes flooded. A 6-mile (9-kilometer) stretch of the Natchez Trace Parkway was closed in Mississippi after water covered part of the road. The National Weather Service had issued a flash flood warning for northwestern Lafayette County in Mississippi after emergency officials reported that a local dam was at risk of failing. Meteorologist Kole Fehling says emergency officials reported the threat involved the Audubon Dam, which blocks a creek on the north side of Oxford and a subdivision. Weather officials said the storm's impact stretched from eastern Arkansas to northern Georgia and beyond. Alabama's governor declared a state of emergency in several counties, hoping to speed recovery in event of damages. Kentucky announced Friday that it was closing the U.S. 51 bridge over the Ohio River to Cairo, Illinois, because of flooding on the southern approach. The bridge, which carries 4,700 vehicles a day, is likely to stay closed until Thursday, and possibly longer. Near Jamestown, Kentucky, the Army Corps of Engineers said it was increasing releases from the Wolf Creek Dam on the Cumberland River. Areas downstream of the dam, from Rowena to Burkesville, could be affected by flooding as a result, officials said. The Ohio River at Cairo was predicted to crest Sunday at its third-highest level ever recorded, and stay that high into next week. The Tennessee River near Savannah, Tennessee, also was forecast to crest at near-record levels. ___ Associated Press writers Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee and Jay Reeves in Birmingham, Alabama, contributed to this story, along with staff photographer Rogelio Solis and freelance photographer Jim Lytle working in Columbus, Mississippi. The staff of P.J. Harrigans Bar and Grill in State College underwent training on how to deal with a shooter well before Jan. 24. The employees were instructed on how to lock down the space, do a head count and get everyone in the right place. Tim Pitts, the food and beverage director of P.J. Harrigans, never imagined theyd actually have to use the training. This is State College, this is one of the safest places to live in the country," Pitts said. If it can happen here, it can happen anywhere. On Thursday, Jan. 24, Jordan Witmer, a 21-year-old, started shooting inside the bar. He fatally shot two people in the restaurant and seriously wounded a woman who has undergone several surgeries. Witmer would later go to a home in State College, killing another man before taking his own life. A month later, the employees are still coming to grips with what happened. After closing for several days, P.J. Harrigans is open again. It seems like it was last week, Pitts said, before referencing other personal traumas he and his employees experienced in the last month. Its been a bad month. A random, selfish act The small bar, attached to a Ramada hotel on South Atherton Street, sits outside the downtown area of State College, so it doesnt always draw the Penn State student crowd. On that Thursday night in January, a couple of regulars and a couple new faces sat in P.J. Harrigans after 10 p.m. Dean Beachy, 62, had just ordered food, having come in only 15 minutes earlier, Pitts said. He sat at the bar, drinking a beer with his son, Steve, 19. They were in town, as they were every couple of months, because of a livestock auction Dean was working that weekend. He was well known as an auctioneer, and was in the state every so often for work. And they typically came to P.J. Harrigans when they were in State College. Jordan Witmer was a relative stranger to the bar. He was there with Nicole Abrino, 21, but police have not released the nature of their relationship. State College Police havent released details of exactly what transpired in the bar that night, but a few things are known: Witmer shot Dean and Steve Beachy, police have said. Dean was killed at the scene and his son died the next day. Witmer also shot Abrino, who survived. He fled, drove about a mile, and then crashed at the intersection of Waupelani Drive and Tussey Lane. Witmer broke into a home by shooting through a sliding glass door. Witmer shot and killed George McCormick, 82, police said. McCormick had just celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary. Georges wife, Joanna, 80, was hiding in her closet. Witmer then killed himself, inside the McCormicks home. State College Lt. Greg Brauser said a final public report is coming, but they are waiting on Witmers toxicology results. Police previously said Witmer had no connection to the three who lost their lives. The disconnect with many of the victims remains unsettling to Pitts. It was a random, selfish act and there was no reason for it," Pitts said. "And it was completely random. It just goes to show it can happen anywhere. Wrong place at the wrong time Pitts wasnt at the bar during the shooting, but he quickly went to the scene. When Pitts got to the bar, all the employees were in the dining room, with police interviewing and talking to them. They were pretty rattled, Pitts said. He said some of his staff knew Abrino, but its unclear what brought her to the bar that night. His staff knew Dean and Steve Beachy and were happy to have them whenever they came. They were totally unconnected, Pitts said. They just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Even the McCormicks had connections to the bar, as members of Pitts staff knew George McCormick through his former job at Penn State. Its strange how everythings interconnected, Pitts said. A bartender and server were in the room at the time of the shooting. Pitts said he could not speak about what his employees saw because of the police investigation. Following the shooting, they ended up closing the bar for almost a week. It was just not appropriate to open, Pitts said. Number one: Our staff was not ready." They called off events, such as a comedy night and postponed an annual fundraiser. Just out of respect for those that were affected or lost their life, Pitts said. It was just a horrible tragedy, so we just decided that it was the best thing to do. In the following days, they brought in the Tri-State K-9 Response team, a nonprofit that brought certified dogs and counselors first to another location, then back to the bar, to debrief the shooting with staff. Pitts said the employees appreciated it, and he personally benefitted from it. You see a dog, you smile, Pitts said, reminiscing on the gentle pups that acted as a calming presence. They just wanted to sit there, put their head in your lap. Moving forward, should employees continue to struggle with the events of that night, additional resources and counseling are being offered to them, Pitts said. A message of thanks Nicole Abrino is receiving community support as she continues her lengthy treatment for the injuries she suffered in the shooting. A GoFundMe page has raised nearly $15,000 to help her with her medical bills. Some messages implore her to keep fighting and remind her you are loved. Another message says, You are what a miracle looks like. And while Abrino hasnt spoken to the media, the page has been updated with information about her progress, including the eight surgeries shes undergone so far. On Feb. 19, Abrino posted the following message on the site, her first public comments on the shooting: While I am getting closer to my spinal rehab therapy I wanted to thank everyone again for their thoughts and continuous prays. Everyday is a new journey when it comes to pain, physical therapy and mental health. I wouldnt be able to get through this without my wonderful support system and amazing doctors. Community shows support Despite the temporary closure of P.J. Harrigans after the shooting, the bar staff felt the support of their community. We got such a huge response from the community, with flowers, employees got cookies, we got phone calls, Pitts said. Once we did re-open, we had a rush of all of our regulars to come in and show support. Now, the value of the type of training given to P.J. Harrigans staff will be driven home. The hotel safety committee has discussed and debriefed the shooting. All they can ask now is that this never happens again. We just hope nobody else has to go through this. It was not something that you plan for- comes out of the blue, Pitts said. We just dont want to see anybody have to go through that again. Especially not in State College. Or anywhere else for that matter. An Annville man is facing charges after police say he sexually assaulted a teenage girl over the course of four years. According to the Lebanon County District Attorneys Office, 43-year-old Eric Bradburn has been charged with rape, statutory sexual assault, involuntary sexual intercourse, indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children and corruption of minors. Investigators say Bradburn sexually assaulted the girl when she was 13 years old in 2014, and the assaults continued until she was 17. The incidents occurred at a home in the Lebanon area, according to investigators. Bradburn was arrested Friday, arraigned before Magisterial District Judge John Ditzler and placed in Lebanon County Correctional facility in lieu of $250,000 bail. When Joseph Padilla-Vargas had to move from one Pennsylvania town to another, he didnt take his 11-month-old pit bull Rocky with him. Instead, police said, Padilla-Vargas locked the dog in the bathroom of his old apartment with a single bowl of food. He didnt return for five months. Rocky starved to death. And even after returning to the apartment and seeing the decayed corpse, Padilla-Vargas left it there for his ex-landlords to discover another three months later. A state Superior Court panel has upheld the 4-month to 2-year prison sentence a Venango County judge imposed on Padilla-Vargas after convicting the former Franklin man on cruelty to animals charges. In the state court opinion, Judge Alice Beck Dubow solidly rejected Padilla-Vargas claims that the evidence against him was shaky and that his punishment is too severe. As Dubow noted, Padilla-Vargas, 42, was living in Franklin in February 2016 when he acquired Rocky. The fatal abandonment occurred a month later when Padilla-Vargas moved to Meadville. After the dogs death, Padilla-Vargas told friends Rocky had been euthanized after biting a child or that the dog was alive and doing well, Dubow wrote. She noted Padilla-Vargas showed one friend a picture of another pit bull, claimed it was Rocky, and insisted Rocky was alive and healthy. His stories began to unravel when his Franklin landlords called police after discovering Rockys remains in the bathroom of Padilla-Vargas old apartment in October 2016. When confronted by police, Padilla-Vargas kept lying, Dubow wrote. She cited Padilla-Vargas claims that he did not own Rocky, that he wasnt aware a dog had been in the apartment, or that he had sold Rocky on Craiglist and the dog found in the bathroom was not actually Rocky. During his nonjury trial before county Judge Oliver J. Lobaugh, Padilla-Vargas testified that he completely forgot about Rocky, Dubow noted. She called Padilla-Vargas claims incredible. The evidence was sufficient to support every element of cruelty to animals beyond a reasonable doubt, Dubow wrote in backing Padilla-Vargas conviction and prison term. County Attorney Jeff Traughber had been in office in Todd County, Kentucky for exactly one week when he agreed to a plea deal with Jordan Witmer, an Army soldier from Pennsylvania who had been charged with DUI. The criminal case had been lingering since October under Traughbers predecessor and had serious flaws, Traughber said. For one, Witmer was arrested nearly two hours after police said he crashed a friends truck about 22 miles away from his base at Fort Campbell. He also suffered a concussion in the crash. Both factors allowed defenses for Witmer, 21, that could be difficult to overcome in front of a jury. So on Jan. 14, Traughber reduced the DUI to reckless driving and reduced two felony counts of wanton endangerment to a single count of second-degree misdemeanor endangerment. A judge assigned fines of $518 and required that Witmer complete an online substance abuse course and Witmer pleaded guilty. Ten days later, Witmer opened fire inside a bar at State College, killing two strangers and wounding his ex-girlfriend. Witmer then fled and crashed his car, broke into the house of an 82-year-old man he didnt know, and killed him before fatally shooting himself. It didnt take long for the shocking news to reach Kentucky, where Traughber immediately reviewed the file, wondering if he could have, or should have, handled the case differently. I just needed to see if there was anything I could have done where the results would have been different, Traughber said of the tragedy. It made me pause. And I think it will make me pause on every case going forward. In the end, Traughber said he doesnt think pushing for a DUI conviction in Kentucky could have prevented the violence that exploded in Pennsylvania, since a first-time offense doesnt carry any minimum jail time. In going for a DUI charge, however, Traughber said he could have lost the conviction entirely if Witmers well-respected attorney successfully argued that Witmer consumed alcohol after the crash during the two-hour delay or that his head injuries were the reason he failed the field sobriety tests. Even though Witmer admitted to police after the crash that he was too (expletive) up to know where he was, his attorney could have argued that it was all due to a concussion confirmed by medical doctors the day after the crash. I think everyone in that room knew what really occurred, Traughber said of the crash. But what a jury would decide could be different. There are ways to get out of a DUI. Its still on the district attorney to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. The two felonies Witmer was facing were overcharged in the first place, Traughber said, so those charges likely werent going to stick no matter what. They were related to two motorists who Witmer reportedly nearly hit when he ran a stop sign at a T-intersection. But those drivers apparently didnt stop or return to the scene. Traughber initially thought the plea deal was a good result for both sides: He got the convictions, and he got Witmer to agree to take a substance abuse course while Witmer could try to learn from the incident and continue his life without a DUI on his record. When Witmer pleaded guilty, he had recently been discharged from the military, where he served in the 101st Airborne Division, although his reasons for doing so remain unknown. Relatives said he had completed a four-year enlistment in December but its unclear if his DUI arrest in October affected his status or plans. He then returned to his hometown of Bellefonte. It was a perfect storm of bad facts, Traughber said of the case. I remember thinking in the court room that he would be wise to take advantage of this opportunity, and his demeanor suggested as much. Now Traughber, like many people, are wondering what Witmer may have been hiding behind his polite appearance while he stood in court Jan. 14. Could anyone have seen his murderous potential? Were there any signs that were missed? If there were signs, Traughber still cant find them after combing his memory, and police and court records. Witmers parents declined to respond to PennLive interview requests as did his ex-girlfriend, who is still recovering from her gunshot injuries. A hometown hero banner dedicated to Witmer that was posted on a streetlight in Bellefonte as part of an effort to honor local residents serving in the military was removed earlier this month, in light of his killing spree. The banner was given to Witmers mother. A high-wind warning remains in effect for much of Pennsylvania as the winds that left more than 100,000 people without power Sunday night continue to blow through. According to the National Weather Service at State College, winds from the west of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph can be expected today. Downed trees and power lines have already been reported around the region and the winds will continue to make travel difficult. The warning expires at 1 p.m., but wind gusts between 30 to 40 mph will continue through the evening, dropping to gusts of 30 mph overnight and into early Tuesday. Besides the wind, today should be sunny with a high of 37 and a nighttime low of 22. Tuesday will be mostly sunny with a high of 35 and a low of 20. Wednesday is expected to be partly sunny with a high of 36 and a low of 28. There is a 40 percent chance of rain and snow showers after 8 p.m. Thursday will see morning sprinkles and snow before 8 a.m. on an otherwise mostly-sunny day with a high of 41 and a low of 28. There is a 40 percent chance of snow after 8 p.m. Friday will see a 50 percent chance of snow before 8 a.m. and a 50 percent chance of rain and snow at night with a high of 41 and a low of 33. Rain and snow are likely on Saturday with a high of 50 and a low of 26. And Sunday will be mostly sunny with a 30 percent chance of snow showers and a high near 34. Visit PennLive.com/weather for your latest weather updates. Maverick Strategies, a Harrisburg-based lobbyist group, gave Harrisburg council members detailed financial information the same day its firm was up for a renewed contract vote to provide services to the City of Harrisburg. The vote, however, was removed from the agenda, President Wanda Williams explained at councils February legislative session. Council just received the billing invoices that we requested, Williams said. And, we do need clarification on some items. Council wasnt prepared to vote on the resolution, she continued. We do ask that Maverick Strategies comes back to our work session, Williams said. City leaders relayed to the administration at their last meeting they wanted Maverick to provide them with how the lobbyists spent taxpayers money under last years contract. The firms team was at the legislative session when council members were set to vote. Prior to agreeing to the one-year contract, which would be retroactive to Jan. 1 and end Dec. 31, council members said they want Maverick to provide quarterly reports, and the contract to reflect Maverick doesnt automatically renew a contract for three additional 1-year terms. We want to be able to evaluate them annually, Williams said. Maverick has been assisting the city with exiting Act 47, a state program for financially distressed cities. Mayor Eric Papenfuse has said the city would benefit from Mavericks existing relationships in Harrisburg and the General Assembly. It would cost the city $5,000 per month, according to the proposed contract. That is the same amount Maverick was paid under its last contract, which just ended. Professional services noted in the contract include general consulting, relationship building, message creation, news monitoring, hill monitoring (legislative bills), client communications and general tasks promoting the goals of the client. Ray Zaborney leads Maverick Strategies and Red Maverick Media - both based in Harrisburg. His website bio notes that Zaborney has worked to help set up a regulatory framework for Transportation Network Companies, and to expand gaming to make Pennsylvania a leader in internet gaming," as well as to pass a record investment in infrastructure." As the leader of Red Maverick Media, which focuses on political campaigns, Zaborney was most recently known for assisting Republican nominee Scott Wagner in Pennsylvanias 2018 gubernatorial midterm election, and for sending mailers for Ed Gillespie, the Republican nominee who ran against Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam in 2017. Bishop Ronald Gainer, leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg issued a statement about the just concluded Vatican summit on preventing child sexual abuse, by again issuing an apology and vowing to support survivors of abuse. The summit ended Sunday with the Pope vowing to confront abusers with the wrath of God felt by the faithful and end the cover-ups by their superiors. But he didn't offer any concrete proposals to hold bishops accountable for shielding abusers, disappointing survivors who had gathered outside the Vatican during the summit. The pope did offer an eight-point pledge of priorities going forward, and Gainer said he was encouraged by these point, one of which addressed seminary formation, or the training of seminarians to become priests. Before even being accepted into the seminary, the Harrisburg diocese requires that candidates undergo including extensive background checks, provide references and undergo evaluations, including psychiatric evaluations, said diocese spokeswoman Rachael Bryson. Here is the full statement issued by Gainer: While we are encouraged by these points which were a result of the Vatican summit, many of these points, including seminary formation, have been in practice in the Diocese for years." The Harrisburg Diocese will next year launch a victims compensation fund, Bishop Ronald Gainer (pictured here) has announced. "The Diocese certainly has recognized that some of our past leadership did place the institution before the welfare of children and for that we are deeply sorry. We will continue to support the survivors of sexual abuse through financial, spiritual and mental health programs. Bishop Gainer has publicly said he is willing to meet with any survivors who would like to speak with him. We also encourage survivors to contact our Safe Environment Coordinator, retired State Police Captain Janet McNeal. Janet would like to meet with survivors, to hear their stories and to help them on their path to healing. "Additionally, our Survivor Compensation Program is now open. We fully understand and recognize that money will not undo the incredible harms of the past, but we hope and pray that the financial compensation we are able to provide will assist survivors. We will continue to have a zero-tolerance policy for abuse of any kind and to do all we can to protect all children in our care. Two 21-year-old men were killed in a Berks County crash into a tree Friday night. According to the Pennsylvania State Police at Reading, the crash occurred around 11: 48 p.m. Friday on Main Street in Union Township near Red Corner Road. Going around a curve, the driver left the road in a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro and hit a tree. He and his passenger were rushed to the Reading Hospital, where both were pronounced dead. They were both from Douglassville, and police have not yet released their names. FREELAND, Pa. (AP) Authorities say one person died and six other people, including three firefighters, were injured in a blaze in northeastern Pennsylvania. Fire crews in Luzerne County were called to the Freeland home just before 7 a.m. Sunday and reported the building fully engulfed in flames. The blaze was reported under control in about an hour and a half. The county coroner's office was called to the scene and a body was removed. No information about the victim was immediately available. The Red Cross was on hand to assist others affected. A state fire marshal is trying to determine cause of the blaze. Freeland is about 20 miles south of Wilkes-Barre. Drawing a line connecting multiple interests that rely on clear water sources in the Delaware River watershed, the National Audubon Society and Audubon Pennsylvania has launched the Brewers for the Delaware River Association. The coalition of craft brewers has been brought together to promote protection of the watershed as a reliable, clean water source that benefits the people, birds and communities of the region. Birds, people and brewers all rely on clean water to survive, said Julie Hill-Gabriel, vice president of water conservation at Audubon. Teaming up with local brewers throughout the Delaware River Watershed will not only bolster Audubons efforts to preserve the home of more than 400 bird species, but it also inspires economic growth for local businesses and industries that depend on the health of the watershed and its water. The initial 12 members of the brewers association are 2SP Brewing Company, Aston; Babas Brew, Phoenixville; Bangor Trust Brewing, Bangor; Bonn Place Brewing Company, Bethlehem; Flying Fish Brewing Company, Somerdale, New Jersey; Goose Island Brewerys Philly Brewhouse, Philadelphia; Newtown Brewing Company, Newtown; Shrewd Fox Brewery, Eldred, New York; Tannery Run Brew Works, Ambler; Tuned Up Brewing Company, Spring City; and Zeds Beer Bado Brewing, Marlton, New Jersey. Making up at least 90 percent of beer, water is an essential ingredient that gives each brew a uniqueness that depends on the quality of the water in each local community. Water is a necessary component of life. It sustains us. Our planet and all creatures on it need it, said Carly Chelder, founder of Tannery Run Brew Works. Water is also the most important ingredient in making beer. Because we understand the need to preserve our natural resources, we must maintain biodiversity to sustain our environment; and we must keep it clean if we want to continue to make delicious beer and enjoy our local waterways like the Tannery Run. As a small brewery, it is critical that we can rely on clean water for our operation. For any brewery, if we don't have clean water, we can't brew beer, said Mike Contreras, director of sales and marketing at 2SP Brewing Company. The Delaware River Watersheds protection and preservation ensure we can bring better beer to the region and keep tap lines flowing. Having preservation efforts in place, especially concerning clean water, is not only important but vital to a healthy planet and a healthy planet, is a happy planet, said Sam Masotto, owner of Bonn Place Brewing Company. The health of the Delaware River Watershed directly impacts me and my business because we need clean water to live and the better the water quality, the better our beer. In addition to providing clean water for birds, 15 million people and the brewing industry in the region, the watershed encompasses more than 13,500 square miles of land across Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, including a variety of vast forests, 400 miles of designated National Wild and Scenic Rivers, and 700,000 acres of wetland habitat. Economically, it is a driver of more than $25 billion in annual activity, $21 billion in ecosystem goods and services each year, and contributes 600,000 jobs and $10 billion in annual wages to the economy. In January 2019, the National Audubon Society delivered a joint letter signed by 12 breweries from the Delaware River Watershed to the 116th U.S. Congress, urging members to support the watershed and the small businesses that rely on it for economic success. The signees called for congressional members support by providing robust funding for the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program in years to come. I was very pleased with the return of the Interpreter Radio Show to K-Talk (1640 AM) on Sunday night. Steve Densley, Craig Foster, and Matt Bowen did an excellent job of discussing Craigs recent Interpreter article (Assessing the Criticisms of Early-Age Latter-Day Saint Marriages) during the first hour and the Sermon on the Mount in the second hour. *** I published this column in the Deseret News on 22 September 2016: When the Spanish conquistadors returned to Europe, among the treasures they brought with them were three Maya codices or books. Today, these documents focused in each case on calendrical and astronomical matters are named for the cities whose museums hold them: Dresden, Paris and Madrid. But was a fourth Maya codex found in the 1960s? Around 1965, or so the story goes, two looters discovered several illustrated bark-paper sheets in a cave in the Mexican state of Chiapas. In 1971, having come into the hands of a Mexican collector via a story right out of a Hollywood film, the documents were displayed in New York Citys Grolier Club, and theyve been known since then as the Grolier Codex. But then they vanished. Since reappearing in 1977, theyve languished undisplayed in the basement of Mexico Citys National Museum of Anthropology. Like the three codices held in Europe, the Grolier Codex is astronomical. Its focused on the movements of Venus, the basis of the Maya calendar. However, its shorter, less detailed, rather poorly crafted and in relatively bad shape. About a third of each page is missing, and nine pages (of its original 20) have been lost altogether. The Grolier Codex was controversial from the start. In particular, the famous Mayanist Sir J.E.S. Thompson took aim at it, labeling it a fraud. Now, though, a press release on Sept. 7, 2016, from Brown University reports on a study conducted by four of the worlds most eminent living Mayanists (including Browns Stephen Houston, who, though non-Mormon, taught at Brigham Young University 1994-2004). They reviewed all known research on the manuscript, examining it without regard to the politics, academic and otherwise, that have enveloped the Grolier. (It became a kind of dogma that this was a fake, says Houston.) The new study analyzes accounts of the discovery of the Grolier manuscript, its style and iconography, the character and meaning of its astronomical tables, carbon dating and other scientific data about the manuscript, and the craftsmanship of the codex, ranging from Mesoamerican papermaking methods to Maya artistic techniques. A 20th-century forger would need to have known (or successfully guessed) several things in order to create the Grolier, and the scholars argue that it simply couldnt have been done: For example, the forger would need to have guessed the existence of deities that hadnt been discovered by the mid-1960s and then to render them perfectly; figured out how to create Maya blue pigment, which wasnt created in a laboratory until the 1980s; and have deployed a wealth and range of resources depending, in some cases, on knowledge that was unavailable until recently. The authors of the study believe that theyve now answered essentially every objection to the authenticity of the Grolier Codex. A reasoned weighing of evidence, they conclude, leaves only one possible conclusion: four intact Maya codices survive from the Pre-Columbian period, and one of them is the Grolier. Says Houston, There cant be the slightest doubt that the Grolier is genuine. In a brief 1997 article titled The Sobering Lesson of the Grolier Codex (available at archive.bookofmormoncentral.org/node/301), John Sorenson and John Welch offered five observations linking the Grolier controversy to the Book of Mormon: 1. Those who regarded the Grolier Codex as a hoax were prejudiced by the unconventional manner of its finding. Yales Michael Coe, a longtime defender of the Grolier and a co-author of the new study, believes that, had the Groliers origin been less controversial, it would have been accepted by even the most rock-ribbed scholar as the genuine article. 2. Its antagonists scarcely gave the Grolier serious examination which is very reminiscent of the Catholic sociologist Thomas ODeas 1957 quip that the Book of Mormon has not been universally considered by its critics as one of those books that must be read in order to have an opinion of it. 3. Those who dismissed the Grolier Codex were often closed-minded, responding not reasonably but reflexively. 4. When they bothered to examine the Grolier, critics often focused on nitpicking details, seeking a quick kill. It was, they felt, too obviously bogus to deserve serious examination. 5. Opponents of the Groliers authenticity frequently resorted to name-calling and dismissive epithets rather than rational argument. None of this proves the Book of Mormon true, of course. But observant members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will easily recognize remarkable parallels between the treatment of the Grolier Codex and the way the Book of Mormon is often summarily dismissed without a genuine hearing. Muslim women, even devoutly believing Muslim women, wear a variety of clothing styles. Some follow no particular rules of dress (except modesty), while, at the other extreme, some others believe in covering every part of their bodies even perhaps including their eyes when in public or in the presence of unrelated adult men. Heres a brief guide to some of the chief types of distinctively Islamic dress for women: *** In Quranic and other early classical Arabic, the term khimar () denotes a headscarf, while hijab ) ) refers to a literal or metaphorical partition or curtain. Thus, for instance, hijab seems indicate a curtain separating visitors to the Prophet Muhammads house from the lodgings of his wives. By extension, it has come to refer more generally to the public segregation of women from men and, even more generally, to the principle of modesty which can cover behavior, as well as dress. But it can also designate the veil that separates mortal humans or the world from God. Typically today, though, the word hijab names the headscarf commonly worn by Muslim women that covers the head, neck, and chest, but leaves the face clear. This is the most familiar type of headcovering among Muslims in America and the West. The scarves can come in different colors and shapes and are often color-coordinated with the rest of a womans clothing. *** The jilbab or jilbaab () is a long and loose-fitting outer garment worn by many Muslim women. It covers the entire body and serves to conceal the bodys shape. It can be worn in conjunction with a variety of head-coverings. *** The jilbab is difficult (for me, at least) to distinguish from the abaya () or cloak, the simple, loose over-garment or robe-like dress that is worn by many women across North Africa and in the Arabian Peninsula. Traditionally black and covering the entire body (except feet, hands, and head), it may be either a large square of fabric draped from the shoulders or head or a long kaftan. Like the jilbab possibly because its the same thing; what do I know? it can be worn with different styles of head-covering, with or without gloves, etc. *** The niqab () or [face] veil covers a womans face except for her eyes and usually also extends to her mid-back, as well, in order to cover her hair. While a large majority of Muslim scholars believe that the hijab is obligatory, only a rather small minority declare the niqab required. (Curiously, covering of the face is actually forbidden during the annual rituals of the hajj or pilgrimage in Mecca.) Women wearing the niqab will often also wear gloves on their hands and, outdoors, perhaps sunglasses to cover their eyes. The face veil antedates the rise of Islam in Arabia, where, among other things, it probably served to protect a womans face from sandblasting and intense sun. It seems to have come originally from the region of modern Saudi Arabia called Najd, which is still today a center of Salafi fundamentalist Islam, and, although it has spread beyond Arabia, it remains especially common on the Arabian Peninsula. Across the Islamic world generally, it is often seen as a sign of extreme fundamentalism and is regarded as being on the fringe. *** The chador (in Persian, ) is an outer garment or open cloak typically black in color that is commonly worn outside or in public spaces, mainly by women in Iran (where it is legally required) but also in Iraq and in some additional countries under Persian cultural influence, as well as in other areas where Shia Islam predominates (e.g., in southern Lebanon). It is a semicircle of fabric that is open down the front and is of full-body length. It has no hand openings, buttons, or clasps; the woman wearing it throws it over her head and then holds it closed in front. Like the hijab, it leaves the face uncovered. *** The burqa (Persian ) is the most concealing of all Islamic womens dress styles. Like the chador, it covers the entire body. Unlike the chador and the niqab, however, it covers the entire face, including even the eyes, although it includes a mesh cloth through which the woman wearing it can still see (somewhat). It is characteristic of Afghanistan and very immediately surrounding areas. The number of cameras on smartphones continues to grow. While a three camera set-up is common at this year's Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona that kicked off today, the Nokia 9 PureView debuted with five cameras as presented in the video below. The camera's multi-camera technology allows a smartphone to capture detail like never before while allowing a user to not only use Bokeh, but completely change the focus on anything they want to in the photo. The technology that Nokia is tapping into is from a company simply called "Light." Xiaomi is the next company that wants to use next-gen multi-camera technology in their future smartphones and today the announcement was made formal. Light + Xiaomi Light, the leader in advanced computational imaging, and Xiaomi Corporation, an internet company with smartphones and smart hardware connected by an Internet of Things (IoT) platform at its core, today announced the signing of an agreement to jointly develop and market new imaging solutions for smartphones. The partnership will see Light bring together its advanced computational imaging technology with Xiaomis long history of innovation in building high-end smartphone devices, enabling the companies to bring to market multi-camera smart devices with DSLR-level capabilities. Dave Grannan, CEO and co-founder, Light: "Xiaomi is one of the most innovative smartphone device manufacturers with an incredible pedigree, and were excited to enter this partnership with them. Lights computational imaging is forever changing the way our devices see the world, and we look forward to applying our pioneering multi-camera technology and empowering their devices with the imaging solutions of the future." Zhu Dan, VP, smartphone division, GM of camera department, Xiaomi: "We are thrilled to partner with Light to leverage their advanced imaging solutions for our future devices. Xiaomi works tirelessly to remain at the forefront of smartphone innovation, and perfecting smartphone photography is a key focus for us. We are excited to work on devices using Lights technology so our users can produce even more amazing photos." Light + Sony Semiconductors Last week Light announced a joint development with Sony Semiconductors Solutions. Light, the leader in advanced computational imaging announces the agreement with Sony Semiconductor Solutions, the leader in the Image Sensor industry to jointly work on development and marketing of multi-image sensor solutions. The agreement allows Light to use and recommend to its customers and partners, Sonys image sensors built in Lights computational imaging solutions and reference designs. These new reference designs combine Lights multi-camera technology together with Sonys image sensors to create new multi-camera applications and solutions beginning with the introduction of smartphones containing four or more cameras. (Click on image to enlarge) Dave Grannan, CEO and co-founder, Light: "Sony is the recognized quality and market share leader in image sensors and we are thrilled to partner with them. We are entering an entirely new era of intelligent imaging applications that will transform smartphones, autonomous vehicles, and security systems. With Sonys world-class image sensors, we can introduce new innovations in the multi-camera imaging space." Hank Ochi, president of Component Solutions Business Division, Sony Electronics Inc.: "We are excited to be working with Light and driving multi-sensor-based products and solutions into the market. Light and its technology are transforming how devices see the world. This new partnership will allow us to work together to evolve and speed up the design of todays multi-image sensor enabled connected devices. Starting today, our jointly developed reference designs will help our smartphone OEMs to quickly and easily enhance the imaging capability of multi-camera enabled smartphones." Do you want to see the light? Check out their website here for more information about what could be the next great thing in smartphone photography and beyond. About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or negative behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus. The White House plans on assembling an ad-hoc group of scientists to refute the widely proven detrimental effects of climate change and humans role in expediting the process through the burning of fossil fuels, the Washington Post reports. Among these scientists would be those who doubt the intensity of climate change and our collective contribution to its acceleration. Three senior officials from the Trump administration informed the Post of this National Security Council initiative which, while not finalized, may be implemented soon. Needless to say, the whole idea is bananas. A recent report from the United Nations scientific panel on climate change projected that if we do not drastically lower our emissions output, a large number of people will die due to the resulting catastrophes, including food shortages and wildfires. Our role in climate change and its negative impact on the planet are not up for debate. When it comes down to climate change, we are talking about thousands of independent papers, from everywhere, finding exactly the same thing: that the climate is changing, that we are doing it and that most often than not, the impacts are pretty bad, Camilo Mora, an environmental professor at the University of Hawaii and geographer, wrote in an email to the Post. That doesnt matter to Donald Trump and co., thoughits all about the Benjamins for them, baby. In fact, this plan is a new iteration of an earlier one pushed by William Happer, NSC senior director and a physicist who just happens to really dig carbon dioxide. Happer formerly headed up the CO2 Coalition, an advocacy group funded in part by donors with vested interests in fossil fuel and far-right organizations. As per the Post, public records show that the group aimed to educate the public and government officials of the important contribution made by carbon dioxide to our lives and the economy. The earlier idea championed by Happer would have established an independent federal advisory committee which, thanks to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, would be required to meet publicly, have representative membership and acquiesce to requests for public records. However, this current NSC initiative would not be a formal advisory committee and therefore would not be subject to the same level of public scrutiny. Apparently the group wouldnt even be analyzing intelligence community assessments of climate change from recent years, officials told the Post. One such report is the National Climate Assessment in November, whichyou guessed itinformed us that climate change is worsening. The very publishing of the report angered Trump, deputy national security adviser Charles Kupperman reportedly told top administration officials in the White House Situation Room on Friday, though its release is required by federal law. Its time for concrete action around climate change, which can hopefully be achieved through the Green New Deal. However, progress remains nigh-impossible when those in the top offices of government insist that the problem doesnt even exist in the first place. A few months ago, I told the American people I did not trade arms for hostages. My heart and my best intentions still tell me thats true, but the facts of the evidence tell me it is not. President Ronald Reagan, March 4th, 1987. War is in the air. Its 2002 all over again, and a Republican administration is publicly advocating for conflict with an oil-rich country while the mainstream press uncritically parrots their saber rattling rhetoric. The United States of America has called for regime change in Venezuela, and Republicans in Congress are foaming at the mouth to remove Nicolas Maduro, as demonstrated by Marco Rubios obscene tweet comparing the unpopular Venezuelan President* Nicolas Maduro to Muammar Qadaffis last moments before he was sodomized to death. *Maduro was last elected in an election that international observers said was a sham Sadly, major media are not the only ones uncritically accepting the Trump Administration's line that they are only sending humanitarian aid. Most Democrats are as well, as demonstrated by Bernie and Hillary being in lockstep on the need for aid. It's depressing as hell to see a bunch of otherwise intelligent individuals succumb to the D.C. blob's groupthink the moment the word humanitarian is uttered. Luckily, a Democrat finally spoke up through the madness and offered some clarity informed by a basic knowledge of U.S. history in Central and South America. 2/ First, so secret Trump has been talking up war with Maduro since 2017, when he repeatedly asked McMaster for a plan to overthrow Maduro. New McCabe book confirms Now, Trump says "all options are on the table" and Rubio objects to Senate resolution that forbids war. Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) February 24, 2019 3/ I want aid to get to Venezuelans. But let's be honest Venezuela didn't just lurch into humanitarian crisis. The aid is being sent there now as part of a regime change strategy. Many are hoping that it will be the match that lights a civil war against Maduro. Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) February 24, 2019 So how would a scheme like what Senator Murphy warned of take place? The simplest example we can use is one from the guy appointed to oversee this missionElliott Abramslast seen being forced by Ilhan Omar to address his war crimes that were alluded to in Reagans statement at the top of this column. For a quick refresher on the major, major presidential scandal known as Iran-Contra, heres the first paragraph of this Los Angeles Times article from May 19, 1987: Oliver L. North and other Reagan Administration aides deliberately used a 1986 program of humanitarian aid for Nicaraguan rebels to help support the secret effort to deliver military aid to the contras, U.S. officials said Monday. One of those other Reagan Administration aides was Elliott AbramsTrumps envoy to Venezuela overseeing the current round humanitarian aidwho defended his role in Nicaragua by saying that the operation was strictly by the book. (Abrams was threatened with multiple felony counts, then cooperated with prosecutors and was charged with two misdemeanor counts of withholding information from Congress.) The way the humanitarian Trojan horse worked in Nicaragua was simple: 1. Actual humanitarian aid was needed, so it was sent, and allowed into the country by the ruling regime the U.S. was trying to overthrow. 2. Weapons and supplies were also sent in along with the actual humanitarian aid. 3. Aid went to those who needed it, while weapons went to the U.S.-backed opposition force helping to create conditions that required more aid. 4. Just as long as planes filled with weapons dont get shot down (want to guess how Reagan got caught?), you can funnel weapons and supplies nonstop to opposition armies to do your dirty work, since the inclusion of weapons perpetuates the need for aid. This is justified by saying that once the bad regime murdering everyone leaves and the good regime murdering everyone takes power, the need for aid will wane. History proves this to be far more theory than fact. Its a constant cycle by design. Nicolas Maduro is wildly unpopular, and he has led Venezuela to a legitimate crisis where humanitarian aid is desperately needed in a country short on food. However, just 35% of Venezuelans want foreign help in removing their illegitimate leader. Given that starvation and subjugation are the realities of life under Maduro, the fact that most dont want our help ousting him should be instructive as to how our help is viewed in a region where history is overflowing with U.S.-fueled massacres. The concept of a Trojan horse is the literal equivalent to the U.S. threat here, as Maduro accepting U.S. humanitarian aid almost surely means allowing cargo planes filled with weapons to go to his opposition, at least if history is any indication (for what its worth, Maduros authorities said they intercepted U.S. weapons shipments). Given that the United Nations and countless other international aid organizations are not signing on to our humanitarian efforts, this is not a theory without merit. The only people in the world who seemingly believe the Trump Administrations line that this time its different are the Republican Party, U.S. major media and most Democrats in Congressproving that war is the only true bipartisan consensus D.C. has left. Jacob Weindling is a staff writer for Paste politics. Follow him on Twitter at @Jakeweindling. Bloomington VFW Post 454 will host a Hooah! Hunt for Heroes fundraiser on March 1 at the VFW Post at 1006 E. Lincoln St., Bloomington. The fundraiser will feature Pop-up Chicken Shop offerings of fried chicken or fish from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Captain Ron Band will provide live music from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Call 309-827-9733 for more information. DID YOU KNOW? Last weeks edition of Veterans Corner sparked a lot of interest about the "Four Chaplains. I subsequently learned Lt. George L. Fox, the Methodist minister of the Four Chaplains, was an Illinois Wesleyan graduate. The chaplains were memorialized by the Postal Service with a 3-cent stamp. The Pantagraph printed a feature article about Fox in its Dec. 4, 2011, edition, which provided a brief biography of this hero. William G. Bunkelman, the remaining survivor of the sinking of the USS Dorchester, passed away Jan. 1, 2019, at age 98. Staff Sgt. Bunkelman was a hero in his own right, credited with assisting 50 other sailors and soldiers to leave the sinking vessel. Browse William G. Bunkelman and Lt. George L. Fox for their moving stories. UPDATE The Bloomington VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic construction plan is on schedule. Groundbreaking for the 7,000-square-foot addition to the existing structure should occur in early April. The project contractor is on pace to turn over the completed building to the VA in September with the official opening of the clinic on Oct. 16. DID YOU KNOW? The VA Illiana Community Care Center (CCC) telephone number is 217-554-4248. The Community Care Center is staffed with two employees and receives about 200 calls per day with about 175 inquiries handled per day. The CCC assists veterans enrolled in VA Health Care to ask questions about the Community Care program and for instructions on how to access Community Care when needed health care services are not available at the local CBOC or when delays in obtaining appointments are too great. The Community Care program will officially replace Veterans Choice in June. Q: I live a considerable distance from a VA clinic or a VA medical center. A large percentage of veterans in Illinois who are enrolled in VA Health Care have to travel great distances for either VA care or even consultation with our VA doctors. It seems that, once again, veterans living in metro areas like Chicago receive a higher level of care or accessibility to VA care and communications with health care providers. When is the VA going to address this disparity? A: The VA is very aware of the difficulty in providing rural veterans with quality, timely VA health care. The creation of the Bloomington CBOC and others across the country is one way the VA is addressing the travel time and distance. The Community Care program authorizes veterans to utilize VA-contracted care providers in the veterans' own area. A new VA Video Connect app for smartphones is now available. Video Connect can also be used for a few minor questions. Veterans interested in using the app should talk with their VA care provider. The app can be used with your phone, computer, or tablet. Call 1-866-651-3180 or 1-703-234-4483 Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern to get started. UPDATE The VA has issued a directive to VA regional offices and centers on how to proceed with blue water Navy Agent Orange claims as a result of a recent federal ruling. Under the ruling, vessels within the 12-mile territorial waters of Vietnam were exposed to Agent Orange and therefore claims for Agent Orange presumptive disabilities would be valid. VA has filed a motion to stay implementation, which suspends final action on claims potentially affected by the decision, while VA continues to evaluate the courts decision. Until litigation has been resolved, rating decisions in these claims cannot take place. Vogler is superintendent of the McLean County Veterans Assistance Commission. DWIGHT A decision on annexing property for a possible federal detention center in Dwight will not come until March. On Friday, village officials posted the agenda for the Monday night Village Board meeting. Instead of voting on a recommendation from the Planning Commission to annex an 88-acre tract near Interstate 55 and Illinois 17 just outside the village, the board will likely table the matter until its next meeting on March 11. The board acknowledged receiving the recommendation but indicates the request to table the matter came from the proposed developer of the project, the Immigrations Centers of America (ICA). Village officials were not available for comment Sunday. Efforts to contact officials with ICA were also unsuccessful. Earlier this year, Village President Jared Anderson said the Richmond, Virginia-based company had contacted Dwight officials about the possibility of building a federal center to house 1,200 men awaiting immigration hearings. The facility would be managed by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Even if the land is annexed, there is no guarantee the facility would be built in Dwight. They (the company) are scouting several locations around the country, he said. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The Dwight Planning Commission recommended the annexation after three hours of testimony Feb. 19 in what one village official called the longest public hearing weve ever had. Board members voted 3-2 in favor of a zoning application to use the land for industrial purposes and approval of an annexation agreement between the village and the ICA. Prior to the vote, the board heard three hours of testimony about the facility, including from many opposed to the project. Sonny Garcia, of Bloomington, has helped form a group called No ICE Dwight, which is opposing the proposed facility. He told The Pantagraph on Sunday that despite the vote to table the manner, he and several opponents still plan on attending the Monday meeting. A handful of us from around the state are planning to go up there even if it is off of the agenda, he said. We want them to know that we are still here and are still mobilizing our efforts around the state to let them know that we do not want them to pass this. If the detention center is built, Anderson estimated it could employ about 280 people once in operation. The cost to build the facility has been estimated at about $20 million. ICA was founded in 2008 and operates a detention center in Farmville, Va. with several pending contracts to build other facilities around the country. Photos: Dwight immigration detention center recommended Contact Kevin Barlow at (309) 820-3238. Follow him on Twitter: @pg_barlow 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. Social Security touches the lives of every American. Hispanics make up our nations largest ethnic minority group with a population of 57.5 million, according to 2016 statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. In fact, Hispanic Americans form 17.8 percent of the nations total population. Social Security provides retirement, disability, and other benefits to over 63 million American workers and their family members. When people hear Social Security, they think of retirement first, but Social Security also provides protection for the families of workers who become unable to work due to severe impairments or who have died. We work hard to provide ready customer service and easy-to-access information about our important programs and benefits to millions of Americans. If Spanish is your primary language, you can visit www.segurosocial.gov, our Spanish-language website. It includes hundreds of pages of important information about how to get a Social Security card, plan for retirement, apply for benefits, and manage your benefits once youre receiving them. Many of our offices have staff who speak Spanish, or you can call 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and select the option for Spanish. Spanish-speaking individuals wishing to apply for retirement, disability, survivor, and other benefits, as well as Medicare, can request an appointment online at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyforbenefits for an in-person interview or telephone claim with a representative. In many cases, you can make an appointment with a bilingual representative. Social Security is with you throughout lifes journey. To learn more about what Social Security offers, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/people/hispanics. This column was prepared by the Social Security Administration. For fast answers to specific Social Security questions, contact Social Security toll-free at 800-772-1213 or visit www.socialsecurity.gov. Bloomington-Normal Galleries, museums University Galleries of Illinois State University; 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri., noon-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun.; Uptown Station, 11 Uptown Circle, Normal; rotating exhibits in three galleries; free; 309-438-5487. IWU Merwin and Wakeley Galleries; school hours, noon-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 1-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun., 7-9 p.m. Tue.; 302 E. Graham St., Bloomington; rotating exhibits; free; 309-556-3391. Jan Brandt Gallery; 1305 Morrissey Drive, Bloomington; janbrandtgallery@gmail.com. McLean County Arts Center; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tue., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Fri., noon-4 p.m. Sat.; 601 N. East St., Bloomington; rotating exhibits, sales, rentals, art classes and lectures; free; 309-829-0011. McLean County Museum of History; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. (until 9 p.m. Tue.), 200 N. Main St., Bloomington; permanent and rotating exhibits; adults $5, seniors $4, students, children under 12 and members free; 309-827-0428. Prairie Aviation Museum; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thu.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., 2929 E. Empire St., Bloomington; permanent and rotating exhibits and displays with aerial history themes; adults $5, ages 6-11 $3, 5 and under free; 309-663-7632. Exhibits TWOgether; Jan Brandt Gallery; exhibit through March 30; viewed by appointment; artwork pairs artists working together in various collaborative mediums. Mandy Roeing Fine Art; through February, IAA Credit Union main lobby, 808 IAA Drive, Bloomington; pastel pet portraits. Sheila Allen paintings; through March 31, Normal Public Library. What's So Good About Good Friday?; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. April 19, Second Presbyterian Church, Bloomington; artist reception, 5-7:30 p.m. April 19; 10th community art show. "Leaving Home"; LizBeth Ogiela-Scheck, Dreams 2 Create Art House, 903 S. Allin St., Bloomington. Pedal Power!; through spring 2020, McLean County Museum of History; exhibit of vintage pedal cars from the collection of Bruce Callis. ImagineAir; Children's Discovery Museum, uptown Normal; permanent exhibit shows power of wind, wind energy, aerodynamics, fluid dynamics; $7 for age 2 and older, $3 for Museums for All passholders; free, CDM members. Challenges, Choices & Change: Working for a Living; McLean County Museum of History; highlights more than 80 local workers and their daily on-the-job experiences. Challenges, Choices and Change: Making a Home; McLean County Museum of History; permanent exhibit exploring experiences of people from around the world who made McLean County their home. Abraham Lincoln in McLean County; McLean County Museum of History; permanent exhibit on Lincoln's life in Bloomington. Challenges, Choices and Change: Farming in the Great Corn Belt; McLean County Museum of History; permanent exhibit on McLean County's agricultural history. Central Illinois Galleries, museums Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sun., 212 N. Sixth St., Springfield; Lincoln-themed exhibits, historical displays, special events, more; adults $12, seniors and students $9, ages 5-15 $5, under 5 free; 217-558-8844. Amity Township Museum; 1-3 p.m. first Sunday of month or by appointment, 510 Main St., Cornell; displays and artifacts relating to history of Cornell and Amity Township; free; 815-358-2973. Contemporary Art Center of Peoria; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat., Riverfront Arts Center, 305 S.W. Water St., Peoria; rotating exhibits in two galleries; free; 309-674-6822. Dickson Mounds Museum; 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, 10956 N. Dickson Mounds Road, Lewistown; displays, special exhibits; free; 309-547-3721. Eureka College Burgess Hall Art Gallery; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays and by appointment on weekends, third floor of Burgess Hall, Eureka College, Eureka; rotating exhibits; free; 309-467-6866. Lincoln Heritage Museum; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 1-4 p.m. Sat., Lincoln Center at Lincoln College, 300 Keokuk St., Lincoln; Lincoln-era items, audiovisual displays, tours, exhibits, more; adults $7, children/tours $4; 217-735-7399. Museum of the Gilding Arts; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sun., April-Oct., and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Sun., Nov.-March, 217 N. Mill St., Pontiac; displays, history and hands-on exhibits dedicated to the art of gilding and gold leafing; free (donations welcome); 815-842-1848. Peoria Art Guild; Foster Arts Center, Harrison and Washington streets, Peoria; rotating exhibits, gift shop; free; 309-637-2787. Peoria Riverfront Museum; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Wed. and Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thu.-Fri., noon-5 p.m. Sun., downtown riverfront Peoria; permanent and rotating exhibits, planetarium shows, Giant Screen Theater and events; $9-$11 (free parking in museum garage); 309-686-7000. Pontiac Community Art Center; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., 209 W. Madison St., Pontiac; rotating exhibits; 815-419-2472. Simpkins Military History Museum; 1-5 p.m. Tue., Thu., Sat., or by appointment; 605 E. Cole St., Heyworth; permanent and rotating military history exhibits; free (donations accepted); 309-319-3413. Time Gallery; Fondulac Bank, 201 Clock Tower Drive, East Peoria; 309-467-2331 U of I Krannert Art Museum; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. (until 9 p.m. Thu. during fall and spring semesters), closed Sun., 500 E. Peabody Drive, Champaign; paintings, porcelain, historical artifacts, traveling art exhibits; $3 donation suggested; 217-333-1861. Exhibits "Transposing Color"; through February, Pontiac Community Art Center Joe Bailey Gallery; mult-media artist Christine Bennett-Weber. ExIconoclast: ReMaking Myth; an exhibit of assemblage art with found objects that connect with mythologies and classic literature, and photography exhibits emphasizing the Mackinaw River and rural America; Time Gallery, Fondulac Bank, East Peoria; through March 30; gallery talks, 10-11 am. March 2, What is found object art?; and 10-11 a.m. March 23, One view, two perspectives. American Decoy: The Invention and 10 Medical Inventions That Changed the World; Peoria Riverfront Museum. 60 Years Military Souvenir Collecting; special exhibit; open house, 1-5 p.m. March 16, Simpkins Military History Museum, Heyworth; celebrating 60 years of collecting military items and 40 years of an established museum (30 years at present location). "The Art of the Brick," opens May 25, Peoria Riverfront Museum; LEGO art exhibition. Da Vinci the Genius with The Secrets of Mona Lisa; opens Nov. 16, Peoria Riverfront Museum. Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) Nigerias ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Sunday night accused the international community of mounting aggression against it and the government, warning them to stop its "interference" in the countrys affairs Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) Hoodlums in Nigerias commercial capital of Lagos on Monday attacked shops and business premises of voters from southeastern Nigeria who overwhelmingly cast their votes for the candidate of the major opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The President of the Presidential Council of the Government of National Unity in Libya, Fayez al-Sarraj, has expressed the hope that the Arab-European summit will support Libya's political solution to the crisis, ensuring that the Libyan people can not afford to waste more time and exhaust their abilities Selflessness. It is a virtue that was molded into Morgan Klein's character by her family from a young age. "I always knew that I wanted to do something with my life to help people," she said. Today, she is helping people. As a result, she sometimes comes home with blood on her clothes. Those clothes are the blue scrubs she wears as a registered nurse in the emergency department at MidMichigan Medical Center - Gratiot. The path from inner virtue to serving people in some of the most critical times of their lives was challenging at times, yet she got some special help along the way. Growing up in Coldwater, Klein had several role models for such a caring heart. Her mother has a job at Michigan Works, an organization that provides skills training and job placement services for people in need of employment. Like Klein, her father is an avid outdoorsman, who frequently donates the meat he hunts to those in need of food. Yet perhaps the greatest influence was her grandmother, a nurse that had spent decades helping people heal. Because of the caring qualities her family demonstrated, Klein knew she wanted to pursue a career that would contribute something meaningful to her community as well. "I figured since I was going to be spending so much time working, I wanted to make sure I was doing something that would help people," she said. Eventually, inspired by her grandmother, she decided on a career in nursing. Soon after, she started down her career pathway by seeking a bachelor's degree in nursing at Saint Mary's College in Indiana. There, Klein encountered a few of the challenges she would later face in emergency nursing. A heavy course load in the nursing program meant she needed to learn time management quickly. She also learned to manage stress through participating in volleyball and by making sure she took time for friends and relaxation. However, as graduation approached, Klein faced a challenge that was beyond her own ability to solve. The transition from nursing school to actually working as a nurse can be tough, she explained. Her hope was to work in a high-intensity setting like the ER or ICU. These type of nursing positions can be particularly difficult to jump into when you're a new nurse fresh out of school. In addition, family was important to Klein. She really wanted to fulfill her dream - and stay near family. The path forward wasn't clear, yet hoping for an opportunity close to home, Klein got in touch with a nurse recruiter at MidMichigan Health. A key question in her mind was what kind of support MidMichigan offered new nurses. Her heart's desire was to help people. School had given her a high level of nursing training. Yet the next step into the one of the most challenging and fast-past of nursing careers was a steep one. That's when the recruiter told her about MidMichigan Health's new six-month Nurse Residency Program. With the guidance of a preceptor the whole time, the program would allow Klein to encounter a wide range of scenarios and see how an experienced nurse handled them. Right then, Klein knew this was the opportunity she had been dreaming of finding. Now, Klein is now completing her residency at the Emergency Department at MidMichigan Medical Center - Gratiot. "I'm definitely glad I challenged myself," she said. The helping hand that the nurse residency program provided her career also came with an extra bonus - a job offer that will give her the opportunity to stay in Alma as a registered nurse in the emergency department after her program is completed. Nurse residencies are a growing trend nationwide. MidMichigan Health is a state leader in providing this intensive training option now found at well-recognized organizations like the Cleveland Clinic. Klein feels that it's a good idea for nursing students to look for this kind of residency program in order to prepare themselves for their career, especially if they want to go into an acute setting like the emergency department. "It can be overwhelming if you go straight from school to a complex job like this. MidMichigan's program has given me a lot more resources as a brand-new nurse, so I didn't have to feel alone or unsure of things." For example, in addition to the guidance of a preceptor throughout the program, the nurse residents can seek advice from the program's administrators Tara Neeb, D.N.P., R.N., C.N.E., and Rachel Peltier, B.S.N., R.N., who are also instructors for the classroom portion of the program. Those education components of the residency are interspersed with clinic hours. That way, classes and practical experience are not competing for time and residents don't become overwhelmed by having too much to do all at once, Klein explained. Plus, residents earn many of the certifications that will be useful for their future careers, such as Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and trauma certification. "It can be kind of intimidating when you're a new nurse, but MidMichigan's nurse residency does a good job making sure you don't feel that intimidation," Klein said. Throughout her journey, Klein's family has been supportive, especially her grandmother who first inspired her career choice. In addition, Klein's sister has chosen to become a nurse as well. With both granddaughters now following in her nursing footsteps, as well as living out their family's values of compassion, Klein said her grandmother couldn't be prouder. Those who would like to learn more about MidMichigan Health's nurse residency program, including requirements and how to apply, may visit www.midmichigan.org/nurseresidency. Gregory and Darlene Lewis are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. The former Darlene White married Lewis on Jan. 25, 1969, in Midland. They have two children, Heather Aviles and Gregory Lewis Jr.; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Greg, a veteran of the Vietnam War, retired from General Motors, Buick Division, Flint, after 34 years. Darlene worked for Midland Hospital 1965-69, various physician offices 1970-76: Saginaw General/Covenant HealthCare 1979-2001, and Norton Health Care, Louisville, Kentucky 2001 - 2005. The couple celebrated their anniversary at a gathering of old friends and family at Midland Township Hall for a buffet dinner. How they met: Chance meeting at the Cabaret Lounge on Nov. 9, 1968. Darlene was there with hospital friends and one of Greg's friends called him to join the group. Twenty-three days later they were engaged and married about six weeks later. Ottumwa, IA (52501) Today Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Oskaloosa, IA (52577) Today Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. While a wines aromas and flavors are important, they are far from the only thing that matter. Just ask the Slow Wine movement, which pays respect to the entire wine production process, with heightened attention to environmental sustainability and the work of the grape grower. Slow Wine takes into account factors such as how well a wine expresses its region and whether winemaking practices mask or homogenize wines' flavors. And this year, Slow Wine is including Oregon for the very first time. Slow Wine arose from the Slow Food movement that began in Italy in 1986. The editors of Slow Food Italia and the Italian food and wine magazine Gambero Rosso were the first editors of the Vini d'Italia guide to Italian wines. In the 1980s, this guide became the Italian wine world's most important publication, raising awareness of the excellence of Italian wine. After 25 years of working together, Slow Food decided to create its own guide to wine, reflecting the main principles of the Slow Food association: quality, wholesomeness, and expressiveness. And so, the Slow Wine guide was born. Slow Wine Italia, first published in October 2010, would signify a watershed moment in wine writing, triggering a paradigm shift in wine journalism. Up until then, the only criteria for judging and reporting on a wine were the traditional score-based formulas used by critics and international wine publications. Slow Wine Italias success indicated that consumers were thirsty for a lot more than just a score. As appreciation for the guide spread beyond Italy, the editors added Slovenia in 2017 as the first non-Italian country. The following year, the guide branched out to the United States with profiles of 72 California wineries. And the 2019 Slow Wine Guide, being released in early March, will feature 50 Oregon wineries. Brian O'Donnell of Belle Pente and Slow Wine Guide editor-in-chief Gariglio Giancarlo inspect Belle Pentes estate vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton American Viticultural Area. (Jeremy Parzen) Why Oregon? Oregons ongoing commitment to sustainable winemaking and respect for the terroir are consistent with Slow Wines principles and its mission to support local agriculture. According to editor-in-chief Giancarlo Gariglio, With wines that show great character, reflect environmental awareness, and have immense appeal, Oregon inspired all of us as wine lovers. It seemed liked the natural step and the right state to work on next. Annedria Beckham, co-owner of Beckham Estate Vineyard in Sherwood, says of being included in the 2019 edition, "To be represented in the Slow Wine Guide, an internationally renowned publication dedicated to celebrating the farmers and winemakers with vision and respect for the environment to produce wines of place, is both an honor and a wonderful responsibility. Andrew and I (along with our children) strive to grow the fruit first and are thrilled to be included with our broader Oregon winemaking family in this inaugural Oregon edition. Guide readers can expect to discover some special wines because Slow Wine editors look for wines with good price-quality ratio, wines that aren't part of elitist trends, and wines that are available to as many wine lovers as possible. The editors make their selections to ensure consumers will be able to find wine gems they can drink again and again. The editor of the guides Oregon section is Michael Alberty, who writes about wine for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Future editions of the guide will include more Oregon wineries and might expand to include Washington as well. Of that expansion, Gariglio says, We're not planning to decide until we complete the March 2019 tour. The U.S. tour, for trade and media exposure, begins in San Francisco, ends in Boston, and includes stops in Portland, Denver and New York. Update: 4:50 p.m. Oregon Department of Transportation said in a press release Monday afternoon that as of 3 p.m., I-5 traffic northbound was moving again south of Cottage Grove. According to the release, ODOT and utility crews are working to remove downed line across the southbound lanes. At around 4:30 p.m., Leah Sykes said over the phone that she had finally gotten off the freeway and was able to get some gas. She was hoping to make it home to Portland Monday night. Winter weather hit Oregon hard Monday, causing power outages and road closures that left some drivers stuck on Interstate 5 south of Cottage Grove for hours. No one has moved and its very cold, said Leah Sykes, who was heading home to Portland on Monday and got stuck nine miles south of Cottage Grove on I-5 northbound with what she estimated to be hundreds of other people, all with no access to food, water, restrooms or gas. Sykes was part of a back up on I-5 that stretched for at least a mile, Gary Leaming, spokesperson for Oregon Department of Transportation, said Monday. Leaming said incident responders from multiple agencies and counties, including ODOT and Oregon State Police were working their way down the freeway Monday. Theyre trying to get people pulled out of there, he said. One complicating factor? We have crews that are stranded ourselves, Leaming said, on Highway 138 West between Sutherlin and Elkton and possibly between Elkton and Scottsburg on Highway 38. Downed power lines are one of the things causing issues for people stuck out on secondary highways, Leaming said. ODOTs TripCheck website showed traffic issues all across the state. ODOT's TripCheck Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 Leaming said he tells people this time of year to really expect winter driving conditions and be ready by having a full tank of gas when you hit the road and water, snacks and blankets in the car. UPDATE: I-84 WB closure moved to #Ontario, Exit 374 for all trucks. No more safe truck parking in #LaGrande or #BakerCity. WB freeway blocked by unchained truck spun out near MP 247, 11 mi W of La Grande. If you used alt routes, expect winter conditions. (1 of 2) pic.twitter.com/7OGpPqTLeV Oregon DOT (@OregonDOT) February 25, 2019 Sykes, who says she has snacks and blankets, was concerned about the prospect of spending the night on the freeway Monday afternoon. We just need help, she said. Looking back on I-5, nine miles south of Cottage Grove While Leaming couldnt say how long it would take to get all of the stranded drivers off I-5, he did say that help is on the way. Were just asking people to be patient, he said. No ones going home while people are out there. Hundreds gathered Sunday at a town hall to support each other and talk about personal safety amid rumors of escalating violence against people in Portlands LGBTQ community. We are here to believe survivors, the Q Centers Cameron Whitten said to the estimated 500 people inside the Portland Institute of Contemporary Arts Southeast Portland building. The Q Center, a nonprofit that supports members of the LGBTQ community, organized the event. The community has grown increasingly concerned since a Feb. 10 incident when a trans woman was hospitalized after an alleged assault at Southeast Morrison Street and 15th Avenue. Police said they havent been able to confirm that a crime occurred or that anyone else was involved, and have asked people with information to come forward. Portland police said Sunday they had not received any reports of bias-related assaults in the two weeks since the Feb. 10 incident. The purpose of the gathering was three-fold, said Lyles McFarland, of Greater Portland Trans Unity: To show victims in the community that they have support, to provide practical solutions to safety threats, and to brainstorm ways for people to protect each other. Social media posts and word-of-mouth accounts have pointed to about 10 hate crimes in recent weeks, the Q Centers Cameron Whitten said. He said he knew of three specific cases, but didnt know the details behind the seven other alleged incidents. One of the three he is familiar with included an assault reported on Twitter a week ago and retweeted more than 1,600 times. Jenny Bruso wrote that two men threw an unopened beer can in her partners face from a car, breaking her glasses and cutting her cheek. Whitten and other organizers said its no surprise victims are reluctant to go to the police. The relationship between the LGBTQ community and the police bureau has been fraught for years, they said. Others might not come forward even within the community because they dont want to become the public face of an assault, McFarland said. Debra Porta, executive director of Pride Northwest, said victims can still report their experience without having to go to the police by filling out an online form created by Portland United Against Hate, a coalition of community groups dedicated to tracking and responding to hate crimes. -- 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. Editors note: This is a weekly Q&A focused on the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System. Got a question? Submit it to politics@oregonian.com. Q: Reader JM asks: Is there anything that would legally prevent PERS from going into bankruptcy? A: Yes, there is. Just to be clear, PERS is not in any immediate danger of insolvency, so were in the realm of hypothetical here. Also, if this were possible, it wouldnt be PERS declaring bankruptcy, but public employers that are members of the system schools, municipalities, state agencies if they were unable to afford the required contributions levied by PERS. Municipalities in other states have filed for bankruptcy protection to renegotiate obligations with creditors, including public employee pensions. After filing for bankruptcy in 2012, the City of Stockton, Calif., for example, was allowed by a federal bankruptcy judge to reduce existing pensions, thought it ultimately chose to reduce compensation for new employees and eliminate unfunded health benefits and leave existing pensions intact. The City of Detroit, meanwhile, filed for bankruptcy in 2013 and ultimately reduced retirees pensions by 4.5 percent and eliminated cost-of-living increases. 'Having said that, municipalities or municipal corporations including school districts - are only allowed to file bankruptcy if that authority is granted under state law. And heres the thing: Oregon statutes do not include a provision for state or municipal bankruptcy. Only drainage and irrigation districts are allowed to file for bankruptcy protection under Oregon law. So bottom line, this is not going to happen in Oregon. -- Ted Sickinger tsickinger@oregonian.com The fatal flaw in Americas democracy, Democratic activists increasingly believe, is the Electoral College. They argue its an anachronism, one that can subvert the will of the people. They point to the fact that twice in the past two decades it has put into office a president who failed to win the popular vote. But the Electoral College is stitched into the U.S. Constitution, our most cherished founding document, and so the Electoral College isnt going anywhere. Which doesnt necessarily mean the status quo must continue to reign. Efforts to transform the Electoral College, in the process exploding its long-standing means of choosing the president, are gaining momentum. A growing number of state legislatures have passed or are pursuing legislation that would award their states Electoral College votes to the winner of the national popular vote, regardless of who wins their particular state. The so-called National Popular Vote interstate compact is pushed by the group National Popular Vote, launched in 2006 by computer scientist John Koza. This month, Colorado is the latest state to pass such legislation, joining California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington state. The District of Columbia also has passed a national-vote bill. The compact would be activated when the states participating in it represent 270 electoral votes, meaning these states would guarantee the presidential popular-vote winner would make it to the White House. The compact is now less than 100 electoral votes short of the goal. We actually see this as a constitutionally conservative approach, Colorado Rep. Emily Sirota told The Associated Press last week when her states bill passed. Constitutionally conservative it might be, but most Republicans oppose the effort. They say it would unfairly lessen the influence of sparsely populated states, which tend to be reliably Republican. But the Electoral College already sidelines most small states during presidential contests. With the current winner-take-all system, a state hands over all of its Electoral College votes to the popular-vote winner in that state. As a result, presidential campaigns spend most of their resources on a handful of midsized-to-large swing states that are closely divided between the two major parties. And small states arent the only ones to get short shrift from the Electoral College. Heavily populated states that are dependably Republican or Democratic, such as Texas and California, also rarely see the candidates during the general election campaign -- except for fundraisers. The Oregon House has passed a number of presidential popular-vote bills in recent years, but theyve all died in the Senate. Oregon House Democrats Dan Rayfield, Alissa Keny-Guyer, Diego Hernandez and Tiffiny Mitchell have put forward the chambers latest national popular vote bill. Read more: National popular vote bill stalled in Oregon Legislature. Some constitutional scholars expect lawsuits to fly if the compact states reach 270 electoral votes combined and the Electoral College national-vote laws thus take effect. -- Douglas Perry @douglasmperry Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. By Reyna Lopez Lopez is executive director of Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN), Oregons largest Latinx farmworker union. When you buy your food, its my hope that you give a thought to the people who worked so hard to provide convenient access to healthy food for all of our communities. Farmworkers and their families, a majority of whom are immigrant families from Mexico and Central America, are the backbone of Oregons $6-billion agricultural enterprise. Without them, there would be far less food to put on American tables. I know from watching my own parents labors just how intrinsically the health of farmworkers and the agricultural economy is tied to the health of the land.Im proud to serve as the executive director of Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste, the same union my father and many of my uncles and aunts belonged to. Im passionate about protecting Oregon farmworkers health and livelihood, which is why Im equally passionate about Oregon doing its part to combat climate change. Americas agricultural economy is threatened by climate change. Farmworkers are frontline communities, experiencing the effects of climate change today. Many perform their duties in hot, strenuous or smoky conditions, and their health suffers because of it. Farmworkers are also directly exposed to cancer-causing chemicals emitted by gas and diesel. The average farmworkers life expectancy is just 49 years old -- compared to 78 for the general population. Drought, high heat days, wildfire smoke and other extreme weather events also hurt crops, harming our agricultural economy. We can honor those who grow and harvest our food by taking steps to protect their health and safety. This year, the Oregon legislature can do that by passing the Clean Energy Jobs bill. The bill caps and sets a price on climate pollution for Oregons largest emitters, holding them accountable for what theyve been emitting for free while the rest of us pay with our health and lost work days. Our union is advocating for a strong cap, which will help Oregon transition to cleaner forms of energy in the next decade. That, in turn, will have immediate health benefits by providing funds for farmers to replace old, polluting engines with newer, cleaner equipment. The Clean Energy Jobs bill represents a chance to invest in Oregon communities. Helping build energy efficient, affordable housing near transit or employment centers means our workers can save money on energy bills, while driving less to get to work, which lowers emissions. As lawmakers draft a new version of the Clean Energy Jobs bill for 2019, our union is working hard with other advocates to guarantee those communities hit hardest by climate change are guaranteed a portion of the investments. Priority should be given to rural and low-income communities, as well as tribes and communities of color so that the benefits of this program are truly statewide and for the people who need it most. For the larger community, the bill will help Oregon transition to a clean energy economy. As companies, landlords and homeowners seek out clean energy and efficiency upgrades, it will increase the need for workers of many skills. Training programs can help transfer the skills many people already have into new and growing industries. Farmers can apply for funding to upgrade equipment and machinery, saving them money and resources while creating healthier conditions for workers. Unless we take dramatic action now, our children will inherit a world of food shortages and other catastrophic consequences caused by a warming world. When you sit to have dinner with your family tonight, think of the people who worked hard to grow and harvest that food. And think of what it means to honor them and their contributions. I urge you to contact your lawmakers and tell them you support passing a strong Clean Energy Jobs bill that invests in our communities. Our lives, our collective future and our shared American dream for the kind of country we want to leave our children depends on our taking action now. WASHINGTON -- Next to a photo of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and former Arizona lawmaker Gabrielle Giffords were the words Target Practice. It was the headline of a story in the National Rifle Association's American Rifleman magazine, where the author, chief NRA lobbyist Chris Cox, criticized newly introduced bipartisan universal background-check legislation. But in the eyes of others, the headline and accompanying photo of Pelosi and Giffords, who was shot in the head in Tucson in 2011, said more than the article did. Some claimed the headline was an intentional attempt to incite violence against the politicians. "The NRA's words here are clear," Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., tweeted. "They may pretend that the article is about something different. But everyone can see what is being suggested against [Pelosi and Giffords]. Time to shut them down with our voices and votes." A firestorm erupted over the weekend after photos of the spread in the magazine's March edition began circulating on social media, inviting scorn from parents of children killed in the Parkland mass shooting as well as Democratic lawmakers. Some, including Swalwell, called for legal consequences against the NRA for its "Target Practice" headline, while other gun-rights supporters insisted that critics were reading too much into the words. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, was among those who pushed back against critics, specifically Swalwell, who he suggested had stirred up fake outrage. "How can you claim this?" he said in response to the California congressman. "Are you deliberately lying or did you just not read it? The article is about legislation targeting gun owners, not the NRA targeting Democrats. If your goal is to ensure that 'outrage culture' is alive and well, continuing to divide us, congrats." The NRA could not immediately be reached for comment, though spokeswoman Dana Loesch retweeted a story on Sunday about Crenshaw's remarks. The American Rifleman magazine is the NRA's official publication, with more than two million print and online readers, according to its media kit. The backlash began Friday evening after Jennifer Bendery, a politics reporter at HuffPost, tweeted images of the spread, and it accelerated after parents of teenagers killed in the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School condemned the image as well, equating it to domestic terrorism. "Who are you trying to intimidate @NRA?" wrote Manuel Oliver, who lost his son, Joaquin Oliver, in the shooting. "By now, you should know that we don't give a [expletive] about your efforts to terrorize a nation. This 'nazi style' propaganda only shows your low power over society." Fred Guttenberg, who lost his daughter Jaime in the Parkland massacre, called on NRA members to renounce their membership over the spread. "Magazine covers and titles are highly thought out," he wrote on Twitter. "People get paid a lot of money on decisions like this. The decision in NRA magazine to have an article titled Target Practice next to photo of Pelosi and Giffords is intentional. This is incitement of violence and not OK!" He continued: "For those who have ever challenged my assertion that the current NRA leadership uses terror tactics, look no further." The controversy comes amid heightened sensitivity toward perceived threats made against lawmakers, journalists and other public figures in recent months. On Thursday, longtime Republican operative Roger Stone was forced to apologize in federal court, the day after he posted an image of Judge Amy Berman Jackson, who is overseeing his obstruction of justice case, with what appeared to be crosshairs visible just over her shoulder. A Coast Guard lieutenant was arrested on Feb. 15 and later accused by prosecutors of plotting a terrorist attack after an arsenal of guns and a hit list targeting politicians and journalists and bombmaking materials were found in his possession. And last year, a man whose white van featured images of Democrats with targets on their faces was arrested after sending pipe bombs to prominent lawmakers and to CNN. "This is only slightly more sophisticated than what Roger Stone did last week," John Iadarola, a liberal pundit and online talk show host, said of the American Rifleman spread on Saturday. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., who is running for president, and Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., were also among the lawmakers to condemn the spread. Pelosi has not chimed in, but her daughter Christine Pelosi called the NRA's magazine spread "criminal" on Sunday. "We must condemn the NRA's intentional, outrageous criminal incitement," she wrote on Twitter. "We cannot allow this hate speech to stop common sense gun violence prevention such as #HR8." A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced House Resolution 8, or the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, on Jan. 8, the anniversary of the day Giffords, then a Democratic congresswoman, was shot in the head in Tucson, Ariz.., at an event for her constituents. The gunman fatally shot six others. The bill would require universal background checks on all gun sales and most gun transfers, including among private sellers. Cobie Smulders, best known for the long-running sitcom, How I Met Your Mother and her work in The Avengers, plays the lead character in Stumptown, the pilot for a proposed ABC series about a private investigator in Portland. According to the Hollywood Reporter and other sources, Smulders stars as Dex Parios, a military intelligence veteran who now runs her own detective agency. Stumptown is based on a graphic novel series written by Portland-based Greg Rucka, illustrated by Matthew Southworth and Justin Greenwood, and published by the Portland-based Oni Press. The Hollywood Reporter item describes the character of Parios as a whip-smart, hard-luck heroine, with a complicated personal history and only herself to rely on, who solves other peoples messes with a blind eye toward her own. The pilot, according to reports, filmed in Portland and Vancouver. Smulders has played S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Maria Hill in The Avengers movies, and was also one of the stars of the recently canceled Netflix series, Friends From College. In another Oregon connection, Smulders happens to be married to Taran Killam, who appears in the Feb. 27 episode of Documentary Now! that was filmed at Clackamas Community College in Oregon City, and spoofs D.A. Pennebakers documentary, Original Cast Album: Company. -- Kristi Turnquist kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Sixteen-year-old Clayton Joseph threatened police and bystanders with a knife Tuesday before he was shot and killed by a police officer, the Vancouver Police Department said Sunday The allegation appears to contradict a statement from a family friend, who told The Columbian newspaper the teenager was shot while trying to protect a woman. Police said Sunday that Josephs brother, S. Mate Joseph, attacked a pregnant woman on the night of the shooting in the parking lot of the apartment complex in the 1200 block of Southeast Ellsworth Road in Vancouver. Witnesses told police said the woman was barefoot, screaming, crying, and trying to get away from the man, and residents of the apartment complex called 911. An altercation ensued as two residents waited for police. They told police Clayton Joseph threatened them with a knife, police said, angry that the men had called police. Clayton Joseph slashed at them, police said, and the men said they feared for their lives. One of them told police he had to jump out of the way to not get stabbed. Clayton Joseph didnt drop the knife after responding officers told him to do so, police said, and he was shot by Corporal Roger Evans. His brother was arrested and charged with fourth-degree domestic assault, police said. A friend of Clayton Josephs family had previously told The Columbian that the boy was trying to protect someone from attacking their girlfriend when he was shot. Vancouver police said Sunday that version of events did not match what witnesses had said. Evans, 48, is on critical incident leave, which is standard protocol after police shootings. -- 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. A Clark County Sheriff deputy responding to reports of a suspicious vehicle early Monday morning was struck and injured and the driver led officials on a high-speed chase before ultimately escaping. According to Clark County Sheriffs officials, the deputy pulled in front of a sedan parked on the shoulder of Northeast 75th Street near the intersection of 104th Avenue at about 3 a.m. after reports of a suspicious car in the neighborhood. The deputy spotted two women standing next to the car, according to a statement. As he exited the car the women got back in and accelerated at the deputy. He was hit in his lower extremities, and other officers pursued the women. The description of the vehicle only includes a two-door dark older model car. Officers followed the driver as she reportedly blew through traffic lights, reaching speeds of nearly 100 miles per hour. Deputies say the car was last spotted headed south on Interstate 205 over the Glenn Jackson Bridge into Portland. The women remain at large. The deputy was treated for minor injuries and released. Officials did not immediately release the deputys name. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Deputy Jayson Camp at jayson.camp@clark.wa.gov. -- Andrew Theen atheen@oregonian.com 503-294-4026 @andrewtheen Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. The Oregon Department of Transportation is leading the long-range effort to charge drivers to use sections of the metro areas freeways, but last week the Metro regional government said it was ready to wade into the tough political issue, too. In a Feb. 20 letter to the states top transportation decision-making body, Metro Council President Lynn Peterson indicated the tri-county government supported Oregons plan to toll sections of Interstates 5 and 205 and the states effort to analyze whether it makes sense to charge drivers on all metro freeways. Peterson, who just took over as Metro Council president last month, wrote that the governing body had held off on a regional pricing study for more than a year to allow ODOT to wrap up its proposal. Now, Metro said within the next six months it will move forward with its own study of the costs and benefits of charging drivers. That study wont be limited to congestion-pricing, historically known as freeway tolls, and it could mean taking a long look at the pros and cons of cordon-pricing, most famously deployed in London, where drivers are charged whenever they enter a certain part of a city. A more detailed study of pricing strategies in the region will help advance the conversation across the state and help policymakers better understand the different ways that pricing can be implemented in our region and the policy outcomes such a program could affect, Peterson wrote to the Oregon Transportation Commissions chair, Tammy Baney. Before any additional feasibility or implementation studies are conducted, our region needs to understand the policy impacts of different types of pricing strategies, to consider how those different types of pricing strategies may help us achieve regional and local goals. In 2017, the Legislature directed the Transportation Department to look closely at congestion-pricing as a way to manage traffic in the metro area. That kicked off more than a year of meetings that culminated in a December application to the Federal Highway Administration seeking the authority to toll sections of I-5 and I-205. Metro doesnt have the power to implement tolls on roads or city streets in its service district, but planners say they have long eyed a more detailed study to investigate the pros and cons of various pricing strategies that could mean detailed study of tolls, cordoned-pricing (where drivers could, say be charged to drive anywhere in downtown Portland specifically), or other funding schemes. But Metro says it is not intending to usurp ODOTs own long-range study about whether Oregon should charge drivers on Oregon 217, I-84, I-405 and U.S. 26, too. In her letter, Peterson said Metro welcomes the opportunity to work with ODOT on the issue. At its monthly meeting last week, Oregon transportation commissioners heard the latest update on the toll plan. Federal officials gave the states proposal a first-blush thumbs up in January, but its far from the final word. Oregon plans to hire a consultant in April to take a closer look at defining the I-5 and I-205 proposal. That analysis will include answering tough questions like where the tolls should begin and end, how the state can prevent drivers from diverting to local streets and how to provide better transit access throughout the region to give drivers an option other than a tolled road. All of the options are likely years away from reality, with the state required to go through a federal environmental assessment and years of planning before moving forward. In the interim, Metro and the state will be conducting their long-range studies, both likely to conclude sometime in 2021. If the state moves forward and has approval, tolls likely wouldnt be in service until after 2024. -- Andrew Theen atheen@oregonian.com 503-294-4026 @andrewtheen Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Singapore, 19 June 2020 Consulus has conducted its 4th global school with over 56 members from 20 countries. The 3-day event convened members from the global network to discuss how COVID-19 has changed the consulting industry and the need to redefine ways of engagement and introduce new solutions that can enable the firm to continue to help small enterprises at risks, while continuing to serve MNCs and governments. The annual Zika Virus Market Comrhensive Growth With Top Key Players Intrexon, Cerus, Sanofi, NewLink Genetics, Immunovaccine, GlaxoSmithKline, Bharat Biotech https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/1567407 https://www.marketstudyreport.com/check-for-discount/1567407 https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/global-zika-virus-market-growth-2019-2024 https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/global-zika-virus-market-growth-2019-2024?utm_source=rr&utm_medium=dc www.marketstudyreport.com www.marketstudyreport.com/blog The newly released research at Market Study Report titled 2019-2024 Global Zika Virus Market Report provides data, information, brief analysis, company profiles, statistics for past years and forecasts for next few years.Zika virus disease (Zika) is a disease caused by the Zika virus, which is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Based on research to date, there is scientific consensus that Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly and GBS.Request a sample of this premium report atThe key manufacturers covered in this reportBharat BiotechInovio Pharmaceuticals and GeneOne Life SciencesIntrexonCerusSanofiNewLink GeneticsImmunovaccineGlaxoSmithKlineZika virus disease (Zika) is a disease caused by the Zika virus, which is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. People usually dont get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. For this reason, many people might not realize they have been infected. However, Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly, as well as other severe fetal brain defects. Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections.Zika virus is primarily transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito from the Aedes genus, mainly Aedes aegypti in tropical regions. Sexual transmission of Zika virus is also possible. Other modes of transmission such as blood transfusion are being investigated.Segmentation by product typeSexual TransmissionBlood TransfusionSegmentation by applicationHospitalsClinicsAmbulatory Surgery CentersOthersZika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in monkeys through a network that monitored yellow fever. It was later identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. From the 1960s to 1980s, human infections were found across Africa and Asia, typically accompanied by mild illness. The first large outbreak of disease caused by Zika infection was reported from the Island of Yap (Federated States of Micronesia) in 2007. In July 2015 Brazil reported an association between Zika virus infection and Guillain-Barr? syndrome. In October 2015 Brazil reported an association between Zika virus infection and microcephaly.Request a discount on standard prices of this premium report titled Global Zika Virus Market Growth 2019-2024 atThis report presents a comprehensive overview, market shares, and growth opportunities of Zika Virus market by product type, application, key manufacturers and key regions and countries.This study considers the Zika Virus value and volume generated from the sales of the following segments:In addition, this report discusses the key drivers influencing market growth, opportunities, the challenges and the risks faced by key manufacturers and the market as a whole. It also analyzes key emerging trends and their impact on present and future development.Research objectivesTo study and analyze the global Zika Virus consumption (value & volume) by key regions/countries, product type and application, history data from 2014 to 2018, and forecast to 2024.To understand the structure of Zika Virus market by identifying its various subsegments.Focuses on the key global Zika Virus manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in next few years.To analyze the Zika Virus with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market.To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks).To project the consumption of Zika Virus 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.Complete report titled Global Zika Virus Market Growth 2019-2024 of 136 pages and published in February, 2019 is now available atRelated ReportGlobal Zika Virus Market Growth 2019-2024The Zika Virus market dynamics, forces, companies and trends have been determined after conducting a detailed study of the industry for this newly released research report now available with Market Study 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 LLC.4 North Main Street,Selbyville, Delaware 19975USAPhone: 1-302-273-0910US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:Blog: Forklift Trucks Market to 2025 Toyota, Kion, Jungheinrich, Hyster-Yale, Crown, Mitsubishi Nichiyu, UniCarriers, Anhui Heli Forklift Trucks Market https://www.supplydemandmarketresearch.com/home/contact/37421?ref=Sample-and-Brochure&toccode=SDMRMA37421 https://www.supplydemandmarketresearch.com/home/contact/37421?ref=Discount&toccode=SDMRMA37421 https://www.supplydemandmarketresearch.com/home/purchase?code=SDMRMA37421 https://supplydemandmarketresearch.com Forklift truck, also known as fork truck, lift truck, or forklift, are motorized vehicles primarily used for independent lifting, movement, and placement of discrete loads throughout a facility. They form an essential part of the supply chain market. These mobile loading trucks can be outfitted with forks for pallet-based unit load picking and for loads that are not palletized. These vehicles can be used with a variety of attachments such as platforms, grippers, or clamps. The growth of customer segments and rising demand for fuel-efficient vehicles is bringing a radical change to the global forklift truck market.First, in recent time, high growth in the transport and trading industries, as well as the increasing penetration rate of forklift trucks in manufacturing industry, is some of the major drivers of global forklift truck industry.Second, during the past sixteen years from 2000 to 2015, global forklift truck industry developed fast, with annual factory shipment increased from 603.58 k units in 2000 to more than 1000 k units in 2014 and 2015, and the CAGR is near 4%.The Forklift Trucks market was valued at xx Million US$ in 2017 and is projected to reach xx Million US$ by 2025, at a CAGR of xx% 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 Forklift Trucks.Request for PDF Sample of this Research Report@The following manufacturers are covered in this report:ToyotaKionJungheinrichHyster-YaleCrownMitsubishi NichiyuUniCarriersAnhui HeliHangchaKomatsuClarkDoosanHyundaiEPLonkingCombiliftTailift GroupHubtexHytsu GroupGodrej & BoycePaletransForklift Trucks Breakdown Data by TypeElectric Motor Rider TrucksElectric Motor Narrow Aisle TrucksElectric Motor Hand or Hand-Rider TrucksInternal Combustion Engine Trucks - Cushion TiresInternal Combustion Engine Trucks - Pneumatic TiresElectric and Internal Combustion Engine TractorsRough Terrain Forklift TrucksGet Instant Discount on this Research Report@Forklift Trucks Breakdown Data by ApplicationFactoriesWarehousesStationsPortsAirportsDistribution centersOthersForklift Trucks Production by RegionUnited StatesEuropeChinaJapanOther RegionsThe study objectives are:To analyze and research the global Forklift Trucks status and future forecastinvolving, production, revenue, consumption, historical and forecast.To present the key Forklift Trucks manufacturers, production, revenue, market share, and recent development.To split the breakdown data by regions, type, manufacturers and applications.To analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks.To identify significant trends, drivers, influence factors in global and regions.To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market.In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Forklift Trucks :History Year: 2013 - 2017Base Year: 2017Estimated Year: 2018Forecast Year: 2018 - 2025Get Detailed Analysis of this Research Report@Contact Usinfo@supplydemandmarketresearch.comGlobal Contact: +1-276-477-5910About Supply Demand Market Research(SDMR)We have a strong network of high powered and experienced global consultants who have about 10+ years of experience in the specific industry to deliver quality research and analysis.Having such an experienced network, our services not only cater to the client who wants the basic reference of market numbers and related high growth areas in the demand side, but also we provide detailed and granular information using which the client can definitely plan the strategies with respect to both supply and demand side.302-20 Misssisauga Valley, Missisauga,L5A 3S1, Toronto Crane Market Regional Forecast 2019-2024 By Top Players Konecranes, Liebherr Group, XCMG Group, Welbilt Inc, Terex Corporation, Komatsu Ltd. Crane Market https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2398 https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2398 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/crane-market https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2960 https://www.gminsights.com/ In the Crane Market, the oil & gas industry accounted for around 20% of the overall revenue and is anticipated to grow at a steady rate over the forecast timespan. The rise in the adoption of mobile Crane Market is expected to accelerate owing to the expansion in the cement plants and infrastructure development.Crane Market is expected to exceed USD 20 billion by 2024. Increasing construction spending across the globe is a major factor driving the crane market growth.Request for a sample copy of this report @Shifting focus of the government entities on infrastructure development coupled with growing consumer preference for aesthetic and luxurious constructions will drive the industry growth. Urbanization, environmental impacts, and population growth have surged the need for sustainable and smart infrastructure solutions.The construction and transportation sectors are the major segments contributing toward the adoption of mobile cranes with many on-going projects.Several major economies across the globe are contributing toward the industry growth, with construction and retrofit market growing at a significantly high pace. The crane market will witness a growing demand for the upgrading of mobile cranes in the coming years.Crane Market, By Product Mobile Crane Truck Loader Crane Rough Terrain Crane All Terrain Crane Crawler Crane Fixed Crane Monorail Crane Stiffleg Crane Tower Crane Gantry CraneMake an Inquiry for purchasing this Report @Growing adoption of mobile and tower cranes for construction activities is accelerating the U.S. crane market growth. Increasing adoption of the cranes was owing to the rise in home construction, nonresidential building, and government construction activities. According to the U.S. Commerce Department, the construction spending rose to 0.9 percent in November 2016 by 0.3 percent. The constantly-growing population in the region has resulted in increased investments in the infrastructure development sector. Rapid urbanization in the country is demanding the faster construction of facilities and buildings for the growing population. In addition, the rising government investments in infrastructural operations have provided a potential for the growth of the crane market.Public infrastructure and government utilities in North America will witness a high adoption of cranes owing to the construction of reservoirs, wastewater treatment plants, and power lines across the region thereby providing an impetus to the crane market.In Europe, the focus of the crane manufacturers is on implementing new safety standards relating to the assembly and dismantling of the machine. An important product development issue across the entire range of crane types is the reduction of diesel engine exhaust emissions in compliance with Stage V of the EU Regulation on emission limits for mobile machinery. Europe accounted for the second largest revenue in crane market owing to the growing usage of cranes across the construction and oil & gas industries. However, the European market was hurt by changes in subsidies in the wind power market in Germany, resulting in fewer crawler crane sales.Browse Report Summery @Key players participating in crane market include Palfinger AG Terex Corporation, Komatsu Ltd., Konecranes PLC, Liebherr Group, Tadano, Ltd., XCMG Group, Hitachi Sumitomo Heavy Industries, and Manitowoc among others. The crane industry is highly fragmented and competitive in nature owing to the presence of several regional and international players, who are actively investing in R&D and developing technologically-advanced products to sustain in the industry. There is an inclination toward energy-efficient cranes as they help in reducing carbon emissions. Several players are ensuring new product development initiatives to foster the crane market growth.Browse Related Reports:Crawler Crane Market to reach US$ 3 bn by 2024Crawler Crane Market size is set to exceed USD 3 billion by 2024; according to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc. The shipments are expected to grow at a CAGR of over 4%.Increasing utilization of crawler cranes in the energy sector is anticipated to drive the crawler crane market growth. These machines offer heavy lifting operations at the nuclear and renewable energy sites and facilitate the operators in handling the materials efficiently. Several manufacturers have developed energy sector-specific machines that witness a high demand. For instance, Manitowoc has launched a wind power crane, Grove GTK1100, that is used for wind turbine operations such as erection and construction. Additionally, the crawler crane market is witnessing growth opportunities due to the increasing infrastructure projects across the globe.Request for a sample copy of this report @About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone:1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb: Gallbladder Cancer Treatment Market by Top Manufacturers 4SC AG, Advenchen Laboratories LLC, Array BioPharma Inc, Aslan Pharmaceuticals Pte Ltd, Bayer AG, BeiGene Ltd Gallbladder Cancer Treatment https://www.bigmarketresearch.com/request-sample/2907408?utm_source=Anil&utm_medium=OPR https://www.bigmarketresearch.com/request-for-discount/2907408?utm_source=Anil&utm_medium=OPR https://www.bigmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/2907408?utm_source=Anil&utm_medium=OPR Gallbladder Cancer Treatment Market Insights 2019, Global and Chinese Scenario is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Gallbladder Cancer Treatment industry with a focus on the Chinese market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Gallbladder Cancer Treatment manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry.Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2014-2024 global and Chinese Gallbladder Cancer Treatment market covering all important parameters.Get Sample Copy of this Report @The key ponits of the report:1.The report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology.2.The report explores the international and Chinese major industry players in detail. In this part, the report presents the company profile, product specifications, capacity, production value, and 2014-2019 market shares for each company.3.Through the statistical analysis, the report depicts the global and Chinese total market of Gallbladder Cancer Treatment industry including capacity, production, production value, cost/profit, supply/demand and Chinese import/export.4.The total market is further divided by company, by country, and by application/type for the competitive landscape analysis.5.The report then estimates 2019-2024 market development trends of Gallbladder Cancer Treatment industry. Analysis of upstream raw materials, downstream demand, and current market dynamics is also carried out.6.The report makes some important proposals for a new project of Gallbladder Cancer Treatment Industry before evaluating its feasibility.There are 3 key segments covered in this report: competitor segment, product type segment, end use/application segment.For competitor segment, the report includes global key players of Gallbladder Cancer Treatment as well as some small players. At least 17 companies are included: 4SC AG, Advenchen Laboratories LLC, Array BioPharma Inc, Aslan Pharmaceuticals Pte Ltd, Bayer AG, BeiGene LtdFor complete companies list, please ask for sample pages.The information for each competitor includes: Company Profile Main Business Information SWOT Analysis Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin Market ShareFor product type segment, this report listed main product type of Gallbladder Cancer Treatment market in gloabal and china. Apatinib Mesylate BGBA-317 Binimetinib OthersFor end use/application segment, this report focuses on the status and outlook for key applications. End users sre also listed. Clinic Hospital OthersGet a discount on this research report @Reasons to Purchase this Report: Estimates 2019-2024 Gallbladder Cancer Treatment market development trends with the recent trends and SWOT analysis Market dynamics scenario, along with growth opportunities of the market in the years to come Market segmentation analysis including qualitative and quantitative research incorporating the impact of economic and policy aspects Regional and country level analysis integrating the demand and supply forces that are influencing the growth of the market. Market value (USD Million) and volume (Units Million) data for each segment and sub-segment Competitive landscape involving the market share of major players, along with the new projects and strategies adopted by players in the past five years Comprehensive company profiles covering the product offerings, key financial information, recent developments, SWOT analysis, and strategies employed by the major market players 1-year analyst support, along with the data support in excel format.Table of Content:Chapter One Introduction of Gallbladder Cancer Treatment Industry1.1 Brief Introduction of Gallbladder Cancer Treatment1.2 Development of Gallbladder Cancer Treatment Industry1.3 Status of Gallbladder Cancer Treatment IndustryChapter Two Manufacturing Technology of Gallbladder Cancer Treatment2.1 Development of Gallbladder Cancer Treatment Manufacturing Technology2.2 Analysis of Gallbladder Cancer Treatment Manufacturing Technology2.3 Trends of Gallbladder Cancer Treatment Manufacturing TechnologyChapter Three Analysis of Global Key Manufacturers3.1 IBM3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Product Information3.1.3 2014-2019 Production Information3.1.4 Contact Information3.2 Oracle3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Product Information3.2.3 2014-2019 Production Information3.2.4 Contact Information3.3 SAP3.2.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Product Information3.3.3 2014-2019 Production Information3.3.4 Contact Information3.4 Archibus3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Product Information3.4.3 2014-2019 Production Information3.4.4 Contact Information3.5 Trimble3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Product Information3.5.3 2014-2019 Production Information3.5.4 Contact Information3.6 CA Technologies3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Product Information3.5.3 2014-2019 Production Information3.6.4 Contact Information3.7 Accruent3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Product Information3.7.3 2014-2019 Production Information3.7.4 Contact Information3.8 Company H3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Product Information3.8.3 2014-2019 Production Information3.8.4 Contact InformationInquiry before Buy @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.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 Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic market analysis by key players AMS Biotechnology, ReNeuron, ExoCyte Therapeutics, Cell Guidance Systems, BioRegenerative Sciences, Norgen Biotek https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/1461405/?utm_source=openpr.com&utm_medium=RV https://www.marketstudyreport.com/check-for-discount/1461405/?utm_source=openpr.com&utm_medium=RV https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/global-capnography-equipment-market-insights-forecast-to-2025/?utm_source=openpr.com&utm_medium=RV https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/global-exosome-diagnostic-and-therapeutic-market-professional-survey-report-2017 https://www.marketstudyreport.com https://www.marketstudyreport.com/blog This report compiled by Market Study Report, LLC, focuses on factors influencing the present scenario of the Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic market. The research report also offers concise analysis referring to commercialization aspects, profit estimation and market size of the industry. In addition, the report highlights the competitive standing of major players in the projection timeline which also includes their portfolios and expansion endeavors.This report studies the global market size of Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic in key regions like North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Central & South America and Middle East & Africa, focuses on the consumption of Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic in these regionsRequest Sample of this premium report at:The capnography technique is widely used in intensive care units in hospitals. Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic is a tool that monitors the levels of expiratory CO2 respiratory gases during anesthesia, procedural sedation, and intensive care.With guidelines from several government bodies and research organizations repeatedly highlighting the significance of this equipment in hospital settings, the market in Latin America is anticipated to gain momentum over the forecast period. Since the recent past, the U.S. healthcare system has been holding a strong impact on the Latin American healthcare market. This is foreseen to be a major factor in pushing the Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic market in L. America.The global Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic market is valued at xx million US$ in 2018 and will reach xx million US$ by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of xx% during 2019-2025. The objectives of this study are to define, segment, and project the size of the Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic market based on company, product type, end user and key regions.This research report categorizes the global Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic market by top players/brands, region, type and end user. This report also studies the global Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic market status, competition landscape, market share, growth rate, future trends, market drivers, opportunities and challenges, sales channels and distributors.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers:AMS Biotechnology, ReNeuron, ExoCyte Therapeutics, Cell Guidance Systems, BioRegenerative Sciences, Norgen BiotekMarket Segment by Product, covers:InstrumentReagentSoftwareMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into:Cancer InstituteHospitalDiagnostic CenterOthersRequest a discount on standard prices of this premium report at:The study objectives are:To analyze and research the global Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic capacity, production, value, consumption, status and forecast;To focus on the key Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic 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.Table of Contents:1 Study Coverage1.1 Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Product1.2 Market Segments1.3 Key Manufacturers Covered1.4 Market by Type1.4.1 Global Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Market Size Growth Rate by Product1.4.2 Capnograph1.4.3 Disposables1.5 Market by End User1.5.1 Global Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Market Size Growth Rate by End User1.5.2 Hospitals1.5.3 Ambulatory1.5.4 Others1.6 Study Objectives1.7 Years Considered2 Executive Summary2.1 Global Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Market Size2.1.1 Global Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Revenue 2014-20252.1.2 Global Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sales 2014-20252.2 Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Growth Rate by Regions2.2.1 Global Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sales by Regions2.2.2 Global Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Revenue by Regions3 Breakdown Data by Manufacturers3.1 Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sales by Manufacturers3.1.1 Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sales by Manufacturers3.1.2 Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sales Market Share by Manufacturers3.1.3 Global Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Market Concentration Ratio (CR5 and HHI)3.2 Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Revenue by Manufacturers3.2.1 Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Revenue by Manufacturers (2014-2019)3.2.2 Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Revenue Share by Manufacturers (2014-2019)3.3 Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Price by Manufacturers3.4 Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Manufacturing Base Distribution, Product Types3.4.1 Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Manufacturers Manufacturing Base Distribution, Headquarters3.4.2 Manufacturers Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Product Type3.4.3 Date of International Manufacturers Enter into Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Market3.5 Manufacturers Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion Plans4 Breakdown Data by Product4.1 Global Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sales by Product4.2 Global Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Revenue by Product4.3 Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Price by Product5 Breakdown Data by End User5.1 Overview5.2 Global Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Breakdown Data by End User6 North America6.1 North America Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic by Countries6.1.1 North America Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sales by Countries6.1.2 North America Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Revenue by Countries6.1.3 United States6.1.4 Canada6.1.5 Mexico6.2 North America Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic by Product6.3 North America Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic by End UserMore Details on this Report At:Related Report:Global Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic Market Professional Survey Report 2017This report studies Exosome Diagnostic and Therapeutic in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2012 to 2016, and forecast to 2022.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 managementContact 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: CT Scanner Market | The Key players in the CT scanner market are Koninklijke Philips N.V., GE Healthcare , Toshiba Corporation , Siemens AG , Hitachi Ltd., Shimadzu Corporation , and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/ct-scanner-market-184364345.html?utm_source=OpenPR&utm_medium=Paid http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=184364345&utm_source=OpenPR&utm_medium=Paid http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=184364345&utm_source=OpenPR&utm_medium=Paid https://www.marketsandmarkets.com The report "CT Scanner Market by Type (Stationary, Portable), Architecture (C-arm, O-arm), Technology (High, Mid, Low Slice, CBCT), Application (Human, Veterinary, Research), End User (Hospital, Diagnostic Center, Research, Veterinary Clinic) - Global Forecast to 2022", analyzes and studies the major drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges of the CTscanners market in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World (RoW). Factors like growing need for effective and early diagnosis, rising global prevalence of targeted, increasing preference for minimally invasive diagnostic procedures, increasing benefits of CT scans, and technological advancements are driving the growth of the market.Browse 61 market data tables and 51 figures spread through 175 pages and in-depth TOC on "CT Scanner Market by Type (Stationary, Portable), Architecture (C-arm, O-arm), Technology (High, Mid, Low Slice, CBCT), Application (Human, Veterinary, Research), End User (Hospital, Diagnostic Center, Research, Veterinary Clinic) - Global Forecast to 2022"Early buyers will receive 10% customization on reports.The Global CT Scanner Market is projected to reach USD 6.20 Billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period.Download PDF Brochure: -Cone beam CT technology segment poised to grow fastest in CT scanner marketOn the basis of technology, the CT scanners market is segmented into high-slice CT, mid-slice CT, low-slice CT, and cone beam CT technology. The cone beam CT technology segment is expected to grow faster than the other segments during the forecast period, majorly due to factors like procedural advantages; rising market demand for cosmetic dentistry; and ongoing product development & commercialization across major healthcare markets.Portable CT scanners segment expected to register fastest growth rate in the forecast periodBased on type, the CT scanners market is divided into stationary and portable CT scanners. Portable CT scanners segment is poised to grow faster than the other segment due to increasing number of device installations across major markets, growing application horizons, and the lower switching costs provided by portable CT scanners.For Further Inquiry: -North America accounted for the largest share of the CT scanner marketGeographically, the CT scanner market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. North America accounted for the largest share of the market in 2017, which is primarily driven by growth in the aging U.S. population; an increasing public emphasis on minimally invasive & effective disease management strategies; robust reimbursement scenario; increasing adoption of novel applications; and rising public-private investments.The major players in the CT scanner market are Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands), GE Healthcare (U.S.), Toshiba Corporation (Japan), Siemens AG (Germany), Hitachi Ltd. (Japan), Shimadzu Corporation (Japan), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (South Korea), Neusoft Medical Systems Co., Ltd. (China), Medtronic plc (Ireland), Shenzhen Anke High-tech Co., Ltd. (Hong Kong), Accuray Incorporated (U.S.), PlanMED (Finland), Koning Corporation (U.S.), Carestream Health Inc. (U.S.), and PointNix Co. Ltd (South Korea).About MarketsandMarketsMarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies revenues. Currently servicing 5000 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions.Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. 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RPA allows employees to configure and program a computer software or a robot to interpret exiting application in the organization for manipulating data, processing transactions and communicating with digital systems. The report on Robotic Process Automation Market covers the present and past market scenarios, market development patterns, and is likely to proceed with a continuing development over the forecast period.Download a Sample Copy @The following manufacturers are covered in this report:Automation Anywhere, Blue Prism, Celaton Ltd, Ipsoft, Nice Systems Ltd., Pegasystems, Redwood Software, Uipath, Verint, Xerox CorporationThe main objective of Robotic Process Automation Market report is to define and forecast the global market on the basis of types, applications, key players, major sectors, technology innovation, market size and regions.Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Breakdown Data by Type- Automated Solution- Decision Support And Management Solution- Interaction SolutionRobotic Process Automation (RPA) Breakdown Data by Application- BFSI- Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals- Manufacturing & Logistics- IT & Telecommunication- Retail- Travel- Hospitality- TransportationGlobal Robotic Process Automation Market provides the latest information on the present and the future industry trends, allowing the readers to identify the products and amenities, hence driving the revenue growth and profitability.Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Production by RegionUnited States, Europe, China, Japan, Other Regions.Get Discount for this report:Table of Content1. Study Coverage2. Executive Summary3. Breakdown Data by Manufacturers4. Breakdown Data by Technology5. Breakdown Data by Type6. Breakdown Data by Application7. Market by Region8. Company Profiles9. Market Opportunities, Challenges, Risks and Influences Factors Analysis10. Value Chain and Sales Channels Analysis11. Research Findings and Conclusion12. Market Dynamics13. AppendixThe study objectives of this report are:- To analyze and study the global Robotic Process Automation capacity, production, value, consumption, status (2013-2017) and forecast (2018-2025);- Focuses on the key Robotic Process Automation manufacturers, to study the capacity, production, value, market share and development plans in future.- Focuses on the global key manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the market competition landscape, SWOT analysis.- To define, describe and forecast the market by type, application and region.- To analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks.- To identify significant trends and factors driving or inhibiting the market growth.- To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high growth segments.- To strategically analyze each submarket with respect to individual growth trend and their contribution to the 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.Buy This Report @In the end, the report introduced Robotic Process Automation new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis and Robotic Process Automation.About ReportsWeb:ReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.com Global Orthodontic Archwire Market - In-Depth Analysis with Booming Trends Supporting Growth and Forecast till 2023 Orthodontic Archwire Market Research Report https://www.researchreportsinc.com/sample-request?id=34142 https://researchreportsinc.com/enquiry?id=34142 https://www.researchreportsinc.com/check-discount?id=34142 https://researchreportsinc.com/checkout/?add-to-cart=34142&&attribute_pa_choose-license=single-user&&quantity=1 Research Reports Inc a new industry research that focuses on Orthodontic Archwire market and delivers in-depth market analysis and future prospects of Global Orthodontic Archwire market. The study covers significant data which makes the research document a handy resource for managers, analysts, industry experts and other key people get ready-to-access and self-analyzed study along with graphs and tables to help understand market trends, drivers and market challenges.Download Sample Report For Orthodontic Archwire :An archwire in orthodontics is a wire conforming to the alveolar or dental arch that can be used with dental braces as a source of force in correcting irregularities in the position of the teeth. An archwire can also be used to maintain existing dental positions; in this case it has a retentive purpose.Orthodontic archwires may be fabricated from several alloys, most commonly stainless steel, nickel-titanium alloy (NiTi), and beta-titanium alloy (composed primarily of titanium and molybdenum).The global market size of Orthodontic Archwire is $$$ Million in 2017 with $$$ CAGR from 2013 to 2017, and it is expected to reach $$$ million by the end of 2023 with a CAGR of $$$% from 2018 to 2023.The Companies Include :Danaher, Henry Schein, Dentsply Sirona, Align Technology, American Orthodontics, Rocky Mountain Orthodontics, G&H Orthodontics, Dentaurum, TP Orthodontics, Great Lakes Orthodontics, DB Orthodontics, D et al.There are 3 key segments covered in this report: geography segments, end use/application segments and competitor segment.For geography segment, regional supply, application-wise and type-wise demand, major players, price is presented from 2013 to 2023.Make An Enquiry For Orthodontic Archwire :This report coverss following regions :North AmericaSouth AmericaAsia & PacificMEA (Middle East and Africa)EuropeThe 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.Grab Discount For Orthodontic Archwire :For competitor segment, the report includes global key players of Orthodontic Archwire as well as some small players.The information for each competitor includes:Company ProfileMain Business InformationSWOT AnalysisSales, Revenue, Price and Gross MarginMarket SharePurchase Now :We also can offer customized report to fulfill special requirements of our clients.TABLE OF CONTENTSChapter 1 Executive SummaryChapter 2 Abbreviation and AcronymsChapter 3 PrefaceChapter 4 Market LandscapeChapter 5 Market Trend AnalysisChapter 6 Industry Chain AnalysisChapter 7 Latest Market DynamicsChapter 8 Trading AnalysisChapter 9 Historical and Current Orthodontic Archwire Market inChapter 10 Historical and Current Orthodontic Archwire Market in South America (2013-2018)Chapter 11 Historical and Current Orthodontic Archwire Market in Asia & Pacific (2013-2018)Chapter 12 Historical and Current Orthodontic Archwire Market in Europe (2013-2018)Chapter 13 Historical and Current Orthodontic Archwire Market in MEA (2013-2018)Chapter 14 Summary for Global Orthodontic Archwire Market (2013-2018)Chapter 15 Global Market Forecast (2019-2023)Chapter 16 Company ProfileResearch Reports Inc. is one of the leading destinations for market research reports across all industries, companies, and technologies. 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Distinctive sponsoring channels and methodology inclined towards a high growth from 2018 to 2025.Table of Content (TOC):Chapter 1 Introduction and OverviewChapter 2 Industry Cost Structure and Economic ImpactChapter 3 Rising Trends and New Technologies with key playersChapter 4 Global Strategic Marketing Consulting Market Analysis, Trends, Growth FactorChapter 5 Strategic Marketing Consulting Market Application and Business with Potential AnalysisChapter 6 Global Strategic Marketing Consulting Market Segment, Type, ManufacturersChapter 7 Global Strategic Marketing Consulting Market Analysis (by Application)Chapter 8 Major Key Vendors Analysis of Strategic Marketing Consulting MarketChapter 9 Development Trend of AnalysisChapter 10 ConclusionFor More Information:Any special requirements about this report, please let us know and we can provide custom report.About Contrive Datum Insights:Contrive Datum Insights (CDI) is the most comprehensive database of market-related research. Serious researchers from across the globe seeking up-to-date information on the latest market trends with in-depth analyses turn to Contrive Datum Insights. Our massive database boasts authentic reports published by leading authors and publications. Contrive Datum Insights highly motivated and expert in-house team undertakes rigorous screening of the credentials of publishers and authors before accepting their submissions. Such vetting is imperative for internal quality control.Contact Us:Alex Jones,(Sales Manager),Office : 4859 Slcan Street,Vancouver,British Columbia, Canada+19084598372,sales@contrivedatuminsights.com Passives drive the German component distribution market in Q4-2018 - Outlook 2019 www.fbdi.de): Berlin, 15 February 2019 Unusually high sales growth of almost 10% in the last quarter of 2018 brought a conciliatory ending of the year for the German electronic component distribution market. Sales by distribution companies under the umbrella of the Fachverband Bauelemente-Distribution (FBDi e.V.) grew 9.8% to 928 million euros. Conversely, orders fell 4.2% to 933 million euros, equating to a balanced book-to-bill ratio of 1.01. The year 2018 overall resulted in sales of 3.83 billion euros (up 6.5%).Among the major product segments, passive components achieved the strongest growth of 13.3% (to 134 million euros), followed by semiconductors (11.5% to 652 million euros) and electromechanics (0.8% to 89 million euros). Power supplies grew 5% to reach 25 million euros, while displays declined 13.4% to 17.3 million euros. The distribution by component type showed a slight growth in semiconductors and passives with semiconductors accounting for 70.2% and passives 14.5% while electromechanics (9.6%) and power supplies (2.7%) fell slightly. Other products contributed 3% to the overall figure.For the full year 2018, FBDi members achieved a positive outcome: Sales rose by 6.5% (to 3.83 billion euros) and orders grew 5.8% (to 4.13 billion euros). The current quarter will reveal how far the order buffer extends into 2019.FBDi Chairman of the Board of Directors Georg Steinberger remarked: Astonishingly, all quarters recorded nearly the identical sales levels with component shortages offsetting the usual seasonal variations. Given the decreasing order levels, however, this trend is unlikely to continue throughout 2019. Any growth is more likely to be in the low single-digit range.With regard to the general future outlook, Steinberger added: For now, we must await the effects of Brexit and the dent in the German automotive industry, as well as several uncertainties outside Europe that will come our way over the next 12 to 18 months. The solution to the climate change challenge facing society lies in smarter and more efficient technologies and systems that can be expected to underpin lasting and increased demand for electronics. For this reason, the prospects for us high-tech service providers should remain good to excellent.About FBDI e. V. (The FBDi e.V. Fachverband der Bauelemente Distribution e.V. (Professional Association of Component Distribution), founded in 2003, is well-established in the German association community and represents a large portion of distributors of electronic components with operations in Germany. In addition to the preparation and advancement of numerical data and statistics concerning the German distribution market for electronic components, work group engagement and reporting on important industry themes (amongst others, education, liability and rights, traceability, and environmental themes) form essential pillars of the associations work. The FBDi is a member of the International Distribution of Electronics Association (IDEA).FBDi e.v., Nassauische Str. 65 A, 10717 Berlin; a.falke@fbdi.deMedia contact:Agentur Lorenzoni GmbH, Public Relations, Landshuter Str. 29, 85435 Erding; ph: +49 8122 55917-0, Beate Lorenzoni-Felber, beate@lorenzoni.de Travel Insurance Market to generate over USD 22153 million by 2023 | Global Key Players Hollander, Wendre, MyPillow, Pacific Coast, Pacific Brands, Tempur Sealy, RIBECO Travel Insurance Market https://www.businessindustryreports.com/sample-request/136148 https://www.businessindustryreports.com/check-discount/136148 https://www.businessindustryreports.com/buy-now/136148/single A fresh report has been added to the wide database of Business Industry Reports. The research study is titled Travel Insurance Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2023 which provides important data about the production, consumption, revenue and company profiles for key industry participants.Global Travel Insurance Market Synopsis:According to Market Analyst, The Global Travel Insurance Market is expected to grow at an impressive Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) from 2019 to 2023.If you want to know more about Travel Insurance, Get Sample Copy of Report @The Travel Insurance industry has also suffered a certain impact, but still maintained a relatively optimistic growth, the past four years, Travel Insurance market size to maintain the average annual growth rate of 7.48% from 13560 million $ in 2013 to 16837 million $ in 2018, Market analysts believe that in the next few years, Travel Insurance market size will be further expanded, we expect that by 2023, The market size of the Travel Insurance will reach 22153 million $.Travel Insurance is an insurance policy which covers all risks while you are travelling. Whether you're planning to travel for a business trip, enjoying vacation either with family or close friends, or studying abroad, it's highly recommended to buy travel insurance plan to take care of risks or losses that might occur during the trip. Travel Insurance is meant to protect you & your loved ones from unforeseen circumstances, even if you are not with them.Despite meticulous planning, travel plans can sometimes go awry and can cause heavy losses. Whether it's the delay in flight, a sudden health issue or a missed connecting flight, there are numerous factors which can ruin your trip. Growth in tourism is the prime factor that drives the travel insurance market.Global Travel Insurance Market has been segmented on the Basis of product Type, Application and Region. In Product Type, Market can be sub segmented into rip Cancellation, Trip Delay, Medical expense, Property Damage, Other. Based on Application, Market can be sub segmented into Travel management companies, Banks, Government, Hotels, Transportation Company.Regionally, Japan, Australia, U.S., and European countries, such as Italy, Greece, Germany, Portugal, and Finland among others are witnessing an increase in senior citizen population along with an increase in the percentage of travelers within this population group.Request a Discount on standard prices of this premium report @The Market is segmented and projected on the basis of major key players:1 Hollander2 Wendre3 MyPillow4 Pacific Coast5 Pacific Brands6 Tempur Sealy7 RIBECO8 John Cotton9 Paradise Pillow and MoreMarket 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, Australia & New Zealand, GCC)Complete report on TRAVEL INSURANCE Market spread across 125 Pages and No. of Table of contents. Buy Research @Key Questions Answered in this Report:1 Which would be global TRAVEL INSURANCE market opportunities and restraints with producers in the industry?2 What all segmentations covered?3 Which will be the TRAVEL INSURANCE trending variables currently impacting the market shares?4 What will be the global TRAVEL INSURANCE market size in 2023?5 Who will be the top vendors in TRAVEL INSURANCE market?6 Whats going to be the growth speed?7 Which will be the significant TRAVEL INSURANCE market trends?8 Which industry regions are currently affecting on TRAVEL INSURANCE markets development?TABLE OF CONTENTSSection 1 Travel Insurance Product Definition 13Section 2 Global Travel Insurance Market Manufacturer Share and Market Overview 15Section 3 Manufacturer Travel Insurance Business Introduction 19Section 4 Global Travel Insurance Market Segmentation (Region Level) 80Section 5 Global Travel Insurance Market Segmentation (Product Type Level) 99Section 6 Global Travel Insurance Market Segmentation (Industry Level) 100Section 7 Global Travel Insurance Market Segmentation (Channel Level) 102Section 8 Travel Insurance Market Forecast 2019-2023 103Section 9 Travel Insurance Segmentation Product Type 106Section 10 Travel Insurance Segmentation Industry 109Section 11 Travel Insurance Industry Overview 113Section 12 Conclusion 122About 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 Car Rental Services Market Gain Impetus due to the Growing Demand of US$ 197,020 Mn By 2027 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5086 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-the-analyst/rep-gb-5086 www.futuremarketinsights.com Future Market Insights (FMI) presents a revised forecast of the global car rental market for the period 2017-2027 in its published report titled Car Rental Services Market: Global Industry Analysis (2012 2016) and Opportunity Assessment (20172027). In terms of revenue, the global car rental market is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 6.6% over the forecast period, owing to numerous factors, about which FMI offers thorough insights and forecasts in this informative report. The market is segmented on the basis of end use, customer type, sector, booking type and car type.Increased Global Affluence to Make Leisure Travellers Demand Car Rental ServicesBy customer type, the global car rental market is segmented into business and leisure customers. The leisure segment is expected to dominate over the forecast period due to expansion of global tourism market, increasing disposable income, and improved infrastructure for rental service. The leisure segment is anticipated to record a high CAGR growth rate of 7.8% over the forecast period with the total market valued at US$ 51,734.7 in 2017. On the other hand, the business segment has low growth rate of 4.3% CAGR with market valued at US$ 52,365.3 in 2017.Get Sample Copy of Report @Online Booking Unlikely to Outpace Offline Booking in the Car Rental MarketBy booking type, the market is segmented into offline access, mobile application, and other internet access. Offline booking is projected to be the higher revenue generator compared to online bookings and mobile apps. The offline booking segments is estimated to account for approximately 68% of the car rental market i.e. a value of US $ 44,871.6 Mn in 2016. Online bookings for car rentals have increased globally with the development of mobile applications and IT infrastructure advancements making it easy to book car rental services online or via mobile apps. Therefore, the car rental market is thriving. An updated report of the International Telecommunication Union, 2015 WSIS Forum states that Internet users have increased rapidly worldwide on account of continuous developments in Information & Communication Technologies. This is estimated to further increase the demand for car rental services. The proportion of households with the internet access at home increased from 18% in 2005 to 46% in 2015; whereas in 2000 the penetration rate was 6.3%.On-Airport End Use has Maximum Potential in the Car Rental MarketOn the basis of end use, global Car Rental Services is segmented into Intercity, Intracity, On-Airport, and others. On Airport segment has highest growth rate of 7.3% CAGR followed by intercity with a CAGR of 5.3% in the forecast period. Air travel has skyrocketed mainly because of the plummeting prices of airline tickets, leading to a substantial increase in air travelers across the globe. The increasing air trips for business and leisure purpose is fuelling the growth of car rentals to airports.Booming Economic Growth makes APEJ Car Rental Market Critical in the Long TermThe North America market has been estimated to dominate the Global car rental market, accounting for maximum revenue share of 45.9% by 2027 end. In terms of value, North America and Western Europe collectively accounted for more than 57% share in the global market in 2027. Although APEJ has a relatively lower market share of 17.5%, all the stars are in its favor making it likely to witness high growth rate in the medium term. Latin America, Japan and Middle East are also anticipated to show substantial amount of growth over the forecast period.If You Have Any Query, Ask The Analyst @Competition Dashboard in the Global Car Rental MarketSome of the key players in the global car rental market include Enterprise Holdings Inc., The Hertz Corporation, Avis Budget Group Inc., Europcar S.A., Carzonrent India Pvt Ltd., Sixt Rent a Car, Al-Futtaim, Localiza Rent a Car S / A, Eco Rent a Car, and GlobalCARS.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite: Microscope Digital Cameras Market Grow at a Significant CAGR by 2027 withTop Competitors: Danaher Corporation, Nikon Corporation, Roper Technologies, Inc., Carl Zeiss AG https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3523 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/customization-available/rep-gb-3523 http://www.marketresearchblog.org/ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Valuable insights on the global scenario of microscope digital cameras have been presented systematically in a recently carried out research on microscope digital cameras market by Future market Insights in its new publication titled Microscope Digital Cameras: Global Industry Analysis (2012-2016) and Opportunity Assessment (2017-2027). This research focusses on key players, trends, growth drivers, opportunities, developments and restraints across several key geographies of North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Latin America, Japan and Middle East and Africa (MEA). On the basis of a structured research process and taking into consideration the past and present scenario, forecasts are provided in the research report from the period 2017 to 2027, a ten year forecast model, across each and every segment of the market.Request to View Sample of Research Report @Global Microscope Digital Cameras Market: Forecast HighlightsAccording to the insightful market survey on microscope digital cameras, the global microscope digital cameras market is anticipated to grow at a high pace to register a robust 9.2% CAGR during the assessment period. During the 2017-2027 period, the global market is estimated to reach a market evaluation of about US$ 1.2 Bn by the end of 2027.Global Microscope Digital Cameras Market: Segmental InsightsGlobal microscope digital cameras market is segmented by product type (biological microscope cameras, industrial microscope cameras), by sensor type (CMOS, CCD), by mount type (C mount, eyepiece mount/ocular mount), by end user (hospitals, research laboratories, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, clinics) and by region.North America region shows high lucrativeness and is expected to dominate the global microscope digital cameras market during the forecast period with respect to high market valuation. This region is estimated to grow at a stellar growth rate to reach a valuation of about US$ 353.3 Mn by 2027 end. Japan region is expected to grow at the highest rate, a shade higher than North America to register a 10.3% CAGR throughout the forecast periodBiological microscope cameras segment by product type, is projected to register a higher CAGR of 9.3% during the forecast period and is more likely to lead the global market by product type in terms of high market valueBy mount type, C mount segment shows high potential as it grows at a comparatively high rate to reach a 9.4% CAGR and is likely to show dominance over eyepiece mount/ ocular mount segment. The C mount segment shows a market value almost seven times that of the eyepiece mount/ ocular mount segmentThe CCD segment by sensor type is expected to lead the market with a high value share. The CMOS segment shows high growth rate to register a stellar CAGR of 11.3% throughout the assessment periodBy end user, research laboratories (clinical and non-clinical) segment dominates the global market with a valuation of about US$ 645.7 Mn in 2027, growing at a robust growth rate. With respect to growth rate, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries segment is projected to register the highest CAGR of 9.7% during the period of forecast 2017-2027Global Microscope Digital Cameras Market: DynamicsVarious factors favour the growth of the global microscope digital cameras market and the impact of these factors changes from region to region. Diverse application of microscope imaging technology, rising preference for CMOS and CCD, increasing penetration of international players through mergers, growing partnerships for direct distribution, higher spending on academic research along with focus on digital pathology, emergence of digitalization in the life science research, rising demand for microscopy cameras in scientific applications, new product innovations and launches, advancements in microscope digital cameras and rising laboratory automation are supporting the growth of the global microscope digital cameras market. However, factors such as premium pricing limiting market penetration ability, limited manufacturing facilities for microscope cameras, high equipment cost and entry barriers for small players to enter the consolidated market are posing growth restraints to the growth of the global microscope digital cameras market.Request Customized Copy of this Report @Global Microscope Digital Cameras Market: Competition AnalysisThe global microscope digital cameras market has profiled key players such as Danaher Corporation, Nikon Corporation, Roper Technologies, Inc., Carl Zeiss AG, Olympus Corporation, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K, Basler AG, Guangzhou Micro-shot Technology Co., Ltd., BMS microscopes bv., and Euromex Microscopen bv.About UsFuture Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.FMIs research and consulting services help businesses around the globe navigate the challenges in a rapidly evolving marketplace with confidence and clarity. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. We continuously track emerging trends and events in a broad range of end industries to ensure our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.Contact UsU.S. Office616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comBlog:Web: Human Anatomical Models Market Growth Opportunities till 2028 by Top Key Players like 3B Scientific, GPI Anatomical, Honglian Tech, Laerdal Medical, Frasaco USA, Simulaids https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-7136 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-7136 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Human anatomy is complex and multi-functional, made up of the multiple organs. Visualization is the important factor in anatomy studies. Students need to learn the anatomical structure of different body organs with the relationship with surrounded organs. While textbooks provide the 2-dimensional view of the body structure. Therefore high-quality human anatomical models are built up to understand body functions and provide a three-dimensional view of body organs. Introduction of reformed study techniques in medical, dental, and other health education institutes has prompted the emergence of innovative education strategies in order to maximize the student learning.Human anatomical models are the type of models to study the overall internal and external structures of the human body. These human anatomical model helps to medical students to correctly identify anatomical structure. The human anatomical models are used in biomedical research and practices to develop new treatment options for the various disorder. The wide range of human anatomical models are used for teaching and learning prospect such as skeleton model, muscle model, heart and circulatory systems model, brain model, skull model, urinary system model, digestive systems model, denture model and others. Healthcare professional, medical students, doctors, professors gain profit from human anatomical models.Request Sample Report @Human Anatomical Models Market: Drivers and Restraints-Development of new human anatomical models, the emergence of new 3-D printed human anatomical models manufacturing techniques and technological advancement expected to fuel the growth of human anatomical models market. Adoption of new learning techniques in the medical institute as well as in schools is expected to favor the growth of human anatomical models market. Increasing government funding for medical education institutes, increasing research and development studies for the development of new products are expected to spur the demand for human anatomical models over the forecast period.Human Anatomical Models Market: SegmentationOn the basis of product type, human anatomical models market can be segmented as:Skull, Brain Model & Nervous Systems ModelSkeleton & Muscle ModelHeart and Circulatory Systems ModelDigestive Systems ModelTorso and Organs ModelDenture ModelPregnancy ModelSkin ModelOthersOn the basis of the end user, the human anatomical models market can be segmented as:Hospitals & ClinicsEducation CentersScientific Research CentersRehabilitation CentersOthersHuman Anatomical Models Market: OverviewThe demand for human anatomical models is high in education centers for teaching the complex anatomical structures of the human body. School and colleges are utilizing proper education resources for effective teaching. These educational institutes are adopted visual teaching aids such as human anatomical model to make complex anatomical study easy for students. There is a different type of human anatomical models are used to understanding the anatomy of different human body parts. A human anatomical model represents different body organ by different color and dimensions to diagnosis basis of the highly accurate human anatomical model. Different medical specialist gets training through specialized human anatomical models such as eye model, brain model, heart and circulatory model and dermatology model to the understood appropriate mechanism of the organ. Increasing number of medical education & training programs for doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals are expected to boost the demand for human anatomical models in hospital and healthcare facilities.Human Anatomical Models Market: Region-wise OutlookIn terms of geography, human anatomical models market has been divided into eight regions including North- America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and Asia- Pacific excluding China & Japan (APECJ), China, Japan, Middle-East & Africa and Latin America. North America is the most dominating market for human anatomical models market due to the high adoption of new 3D printed human anatomical models and great medical education facilities. Western Europe like Germany, France, and the UK is another fastest growing region in human anatomical models market due to the increasing number of anatomical studies and new product development for realism in anatomy. APECJ region includes fastest developing country such as India, which provide the most promising market for human anatomical models market. India is expected to grow with significant CAGR in human anatomical models market due to increasing government funding for medical education. China is one of the highest contributing countries in global human anatomical models market due to the presence of a large number of Chinese players in human anatomical models market.Request to View TOC @Human Anatomical Models Market: Key Market ParticipantsExample of some market players participants in global human anatomical models market identify across the value chain are 3B Scientific, GPI Anatomical, Honglian Tech, Laerdal Medical, Frasaco USA, Simulaids, Xincheng Scientific Industries Co., Ltd., Adam Rouilly, Columbia Dentoform Teaching Solutions, Prodont- Holliger, A. Alego Limited, Sakamoto Model Corporation, Altay Scientific Group S.r.l., Erler Zimmer, Nasco, Hager & Werken GmbH & Co. KG, Scientific Publishing, 3DIEMME srl and Dynamic Disc Design Corporation. Large number of regional players are participating in human anatomical models market.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.FMIs research and consulting services help businesses around the globe navigate the challenges in a rapidly evolving marketplace with confidence and clarity. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. We continuously track emerging trends and events in a broad range of end industries to ensure our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.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: Global Memristor Market 2019 Size, Trends, Analysis by (Micron Technology, Inc, Sony Corporation ,Intel Corporation , AMD Inc ,Sharp Corporation ,Texas Instruments Inc) Memristor Market https://goo.gl/m4g3Vj https://goo.gl/tjJnJg https://researchreport.biz/global-memristor-market/ http://researchreport.biz/ https://emarketresearchreport.blogspot.com Industry analysis and future outlook on Memristor Global Market brings a systematic perspective of the market execution and assists in strategic decision making for worldwide and additionally the regional situation. Detailed sections provides in-depth arrangement, the Memristor contemplate that make sense of different perspectives relating to the global market. To begin with, the Memristor market definition, applications, arrangement, and industry esteem chain structure are incorporated into the answer, to target gathering of people on restricting Memristor market elements including drivers, limitations, openings, patterns, applications, topographical/local Memristor markets, and aggressive scene.Get Quick Free Sample Brochure report @Memristor market rivalry by top makers/players, with Memristor deals volume, Value (USD/Unit), Revenue (Mn/Bn USD) and market size for every producer/player; the significant players include:* Micron Technology, Inc* Sony Corporation* Intel Corporation* AMD Inc* Sharp Corporation* Texas Instruments Inc* Adesto Technologies* Unity Semiconductor Corporation* SK Hynix Inc* Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd* Winbond Electronics Corp* Hewlett-Packard* Fujitsu Ltd* IBM Corporation* Toshiba Corporation* Cypress Semiconductor CorporationWorldwide Memristor statistical surveying report uncovers that the Memristor business will develop with pivotal CAGR over the estimated forecast period of 2019 and 2024. The global Memristor market in forecast years 2019-2024, is expected to hit Mn/Bn$ XX USD by 2024. The Memristor market gives broad development openings over the both created and creating economies. Further, the Memristor business sectors could profit without a doubt from the expanding interest to bring down Memristor expenses of treatment over the globe.Ask for Discount and Do Inquiry@Key Highlights of the Report: Memristor Market Report provides forecast and industry outlook for the period of 2019-2024 with 2018 as the base year and covering historic data for years2013-2017. Memristor Market outlook with Porters 5 Forces Analysis will provide market dynamics (Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities & Threats). Memristor Competitive landscape section gives you the competitive edge over other key players in the market (Key Business Strategies, Recent Development M&A, Company Overview, Products/Services Portfolio & Financial Overview). Memristor Technological Scenarios & Expected Developments. Memristor End-Use Industry & Consumer Behaviour Trends. Memristor Export-Import Scenario. Memristor Regulatory Policies across each region. Memristor In-depth analysis on Industry Trends & Dynamics across each segment covered in the report.Based on Type, Memristor market report shows development rate of each type, covers:* Molecular and Iconic Thin Flir Memristor* Magnetic and Spin Based Memristor* OthersEnd clients/applications, Memristor market report centers around the status and viewpoint for best applications/end clients, development rate for every application, this can be isolated into:* Replacement of Transistors* Programmable Logic* Neural Networks* OthersAccess More Information @Table of Contents:Global Memristor Industry Market Research Report1 Memristor Introduction and Market Overview1.1 Objectives of the Study1.2 Definition of Memristor1.3 Memristor Market Scope and Market Size Estimation1.3.1 Market Concentration Ratio and Market Maturity Analysis1.3.2 Global Memristor Value ($) and Growth Rate from 2013-20231.4 Market Segmentation1.4.1 Types of Memristor1.4.2 Applications of Memristor1.4.3 Research Regions1.4.3.1 North America Memristor Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2013-2018)1.4.3.2 Europe Memristor Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2013-2018)1.4.3.3 China Memristor Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2013-2018)1.4.3.4 Japan Memristor Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2013-2018)1.4.3.5 Middle East & Africa Memristor Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2013-2018)1.4.3.6 India Memristor Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2013-2018)1.4.3.7 South America Memristor Production Value ($) and Growth Rate (2013-2018)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Drivers1.5.1.1 Emerging Countries of Memristor1.5.1.2 Growing Market of Memristor1.5.2 Limitations1.5.3 Opportunities1.6 Industry News and Policies by Regions1.6.1 Industry News1.6.2 Industry Policies2 Industry Chain Analysis2.1 Upstream Raw Material Suppliers of Memristor Analysis2.2 Major Players of Memristor2.2.1 Major Players Manufacturing Base and Market Share of Memristor in 20172.2.2 Major Players Product Types in 20172.3 Memristor Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis2.3.1 Production Process Analysis2.3.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure of Memristor2.3.3 Raw Material Cost of Memristor2.3.4 Labor Cost of Memristor2.4 Market Channel Analysis of Memristor2.5 Major Downstream Buyers of Memristor Analysis3 Global Memristor Market, by Type3.1 Global Memristor Value ($) and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)3.2 Global Memristor Production and Market Share by Type (2013-2018)3.3 Global Memristor Value ($) and Growth Rate by Type (2013-2018)3.4 Global Memristor Price Analysis by Type (2013-2018)4 Memristor Market, by Application4.1 Global Memristor Consumption and Market Share by Application (2013-2018)4.2 Downstream Buyers by Application4.3 Global Memristor Consumption and Growth Rate by Application (2013-2018)5 Global Memristor Production, Value ($) by Region (2013-2018)5.1 Global Memristor Value ($) and Market Share by Region (2013-2018)5.2 Global Memristor Production and Market Share by Region (2013-2018)5.3 Global Memristor Production, Value ($), Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)5.4 North America Memristor Production, Value ($), Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)5.5 Europe Memristor Production, Value ($), Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)5.6 China Memristor Production, Value ($), Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)5.7 Japan Memristor Production, Value ($), Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)5.8 Middle East & Africa Memristor Production, Value ($), Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)5.9 India Memristor Production, Value ($), Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)5.10 South America Memristor Production, Value ($), Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018)6 Global Memristor Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2013-2018)6.1 Global Memristor Consumption by Regions (2013-2018)6.2 North America Memristor Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2013-2018)6.3 Europe Memristor Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2013-2018)6.4 China Memristor Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2013-2018)6.5 Japan Memristor Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2013-2018)6.6 Middle East & Africa Memristor Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2013-2018)6.7 India Memristor Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2013-2018)6.8 South America Memristor Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2013-2018)7 Global Memristor Market Status and SWOT Analysis by Regions7.1 North America Memristor Market Status and SWOT Analysis7.2 Europe Memristor Market Status and SWOT Analysis7.3 China Memristor Market Status and SWOT Analysis7.4 Japan Memristor Market Status and SWOT Analysis7.5 Middle East & Africa Memristor Market Status and SWOT Analysis7.6 India Memristor Market Status and SWOT Analysis7.7 South America Memristor Market Status and SWOT Analysis8 Competitive Landscape8.1 Competitive Profile8.2 Micron Technology, Inc8.2.1 Company Profiles8.2.2 Memristor Product Introduction8.2.3 Micron Technology, Inc Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.2.4 Micron Technology, Inc Market Share of Memristor Segmented by Region in 20178.3 Sony Corporation8.3.1 Company Profiles8.3.2 Memristor Product Introduction8.3.3 Sony Corporation Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.3.4 Sony Corporation Market Share of Memristor Segmented by Region in 20178.4 Intel Corporation8.4.1 Company Profiles8.4.2 Memristor Product Introduction8.4.3 Intel Corporation Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.4.4 Intel Corporation Market Share of Memristor Segmented by Region in 20178.5 AMD Inc8.5.1 Company Profiles8.5.2 Memristor Product Introduction8.5.3 AMD Inc Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.5.4 AMD Inc Market Share of Memristor Segmented by Region in 20178.6 Sharp Corporation8.6.1 Company Profiles8.6.2 Memristor Product Introduction8.6.3 Sharp Corporation Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.6.4 Sharp Corporation Market Share of Memristor Segmented by Region in 20178.7 Texas Instruments Inc8.7.1 Company Profiles8.7.2 Memristor Product Introduction8.7.3 Texas Instruments Inc Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.7.4 Texas Instruments Inc Market Share of Memristor Segmented by Region in 20178.8 Adesto Technologies8.8.1 Company Profiles8.8.2 Memristor Product Introduction8.8.3 Adesto Technologies Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.8.4 Adesto Technologies Market Share of Memristor Segmented by Region in 20178.9 Unity Semiconductor Corporation8.9.1 Company Profiles8.9.2 Memristor Product Introduction8.9.3 Unity Semiconductor Corporation Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.9.4 Unity Semiconductor Corporation Market Share of Memristor Segmented by Region in 20178.10 SK Hynix Inc8.10.1 Company Profiles8.10.2 Memristor Product Introduction8.10.3 SK Hynix Inc Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.10.4 SK Hynix Inc Market Share of Memristor Segmented by Region in 20178.11 Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd8.11.1 Company Profiles8.11.2 Memristor Product Introduction8.11.3 Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.11.4 Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd Market Share of Memristor Segmented by Region in 20178.12 Winbond Electronics Corp8.12.1 Company Profiles8.12.2 Memristor Product Introduction8.12.3 Winbond Electronics Corp Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.12.4 Winbond Electronics Corp Market Share of Memristor Segmented by Region in 20178.13 Hewlett-Packard8.13.1 Company Profiles8.13.2 Memristor Product Introduction8.13.3 Hewlett-Packard Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.13.4 Hewlett-Packard Market Share of Memristor Segmented by Region in 20178.14 Fujitsu Ltd8.14.1 Company Profiles8.14.2 Memristor Product Introduction8.14.3 Fujitsu Ltd Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.14.4 Fujitsu Ltd Market Share of Memristor Segmented by Region in 20178.15 IBM Corporation8.15.1 Company Profiles8.15.2 Memristor Product Introduction8.15.3 IBM Corporation Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.15.4 IBM Corporation Market Share of Memristor Segmented by Region in 20178.16 Toshiba Corporation8.16.1 Company Profiles8.16.2 Memristor Product Introduction8.16.3 Toshiba Corporation Production, Value ($), Price, Gross Margin 2013-2018E8.16.4 Toshiba Corporation Market Share of Memristor Segmented by Region in 20178.17 Cypress Semiconductor Corporation9 Global Memristor Market Analysis and Forecast by Type and Application9.1 Global Memristor Market Value ($) & Volume Forecast, by Type (2018-2023)9.1.1 Molecular and Iconic Thin Flir Memristor Market Value ($) and Volume Forecast (2018-2023)9.1.2 Magnetic and Spin Based Memristor Market Value ($) and Volume Forecast (2018-2023)9.1.3 Others Market Value ($) and Volume Forecast (2018-2023)9.2 Global Memristor Market Value ($) & Volume Forecast, by Application (2018-2023)9.2.1 Replacement of Transistors Market Value ($) and Volume Forecast (2018-2023)9.2.2 Programmable Logic Market Value ($) and Volume Forecast (2018-2023)9.2.3 Neural Networks Market Value ($) and Volume Forecast (2018-2023)9.2.4 Others Market Value ($) and Volume Forecast (2018-2023)10 Memristor Market Analysis and Forecast by Region10.1 North America Market Value ($) and Consumption Forecast (2018-2023)10.2 Europe Market Value ($) and Consumption Forecast (2018-2023)10.3 China Market Value ($) and Consumption Forecast (2018-2023)10.4 Japan Market Value ($) and Consumption Forecast (2018-2023)10.5 Middle East & Africa Market Value ($) and Consumption Forecast (2018-2023)10.6 India Market Value ($) and Consumption Forecast (2018-2023)10.7 South America Market Value ($) and Consumption Forecast (2018-2023)11 New Project Feasibility Analysis11.1 Industry Barriers and New Entrants SWOT Analysis11.2 Analysis and Suggestions on New Project Investment12 Research Finding and Conclusion13 Appendix13.1 Discussion Guide13.2 Knowledge Store: Maia Subscription Portal13.3 Research Data Source13.4 Research Assumptions and Acronyms UsedIn conclusion, the global Memristor industry report unveils research finding, outcomes, conclusions. Likewise, disclose various Memristor data sources, traders/vendors, suppliers, manufacturers, sales channel, and addendum. In short, the overall Memristor report is a lucrative document for people implicated in Memristor market.About Us:Researchreport.biz is one of the leading market research company which aims to serve the most excellent research to the various sectors of business. We are prominent in satisfying all kinds of market research needs.Contact US:701, Milton Avenue,East Ham,London. United kingdom.Pincode - 4E6 1BNEmail: amey@researchreport.bizTel: +44 20 8638 5058Website:Blog: 3D Cell Culture Market by Top Vendors (ReproCELL Europe Ltd, Nanofiber Solutions, Tecan Trading AG, SYNTHECON, INCORPORATED, Global Cell Solutions, Inc., InSphero, Nano3D Biosciences, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc.) Global 3D Cell Culture Market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-3d-cell-culture-market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/inquire-before-buying/?dbmr=global-3d-cell-culture-market The report gives inside and industry Outlook on Global 3D Cell Culture Market. It helps in imagining the arrangement of the Global 3D Cell Culture Market complete analysis regarding type and applications, featuring the key business resources and key players. Global 3D Cell Culture Market development divisions and distinguishes factors driving change. This Research helps in understanding the dynamic condition, markets significant players, and driving brands. The Global 3D Cell Culture Market five-year period can evaluate how the market is forecast to evolve. This analysis gives an examination of various segments that are relied upon to witness the quickest development amid the estimate forecast frame. Recognize the most recent Global 3D Cell Culture Market improvements, share, and systems utilized by the significant market.Global 3D Cell Culture Market is accounted for USD 466.8 million in 2016 growing at a CAGR of 23.6% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024. The upcoming market report contains data for historic years 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.Get free Sample Report:Major Market Competitors: ReproCELL Europe Ltd, Nanofiber Solutions, Tecan Trading AG, SYNTHECON, INCORPORATED, Global Cell Solutions Inc., InSphero, Nano3D Biosciences Inc., Merck & Co. Inc., VWR, Lonza, 3D Biotek LLC., Sigma-Aldrich Co., Corning Incorporated, BD, Thermo Fisher Scientific among others.Note: If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Major Market Drivers and Restraints: Increasing prevalence of various types of cancers. Increasing number of research and development activities Technological advancements and new product launches Rising number of government funding High costs of research Lack of proper infrastructuresTo Avail 10% Discount On This Report Mail Us on :- sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.comThis report focuses on the 3D cell culture 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.Competitive Analysis:The global 3D cell culture market is highly fragmented and is based on new product launches and clinical results of products. Hence the major players have used various strategies such as new product launches, clinical trials, market initiatives, high expense on research and development, agreements, joint ventures, partnerships, acquisitions, and others to increase their footprints in this market. The report includes market shares of 3D cell culture market for global, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and South America.Market Segmentation:On The Basis Of Technology: - Scaffold Based,o Solid Scaffolds,o Micropatterened Surfaces Ando Hydrogels. Scaffold Free,o Hanging Drop Plates,o Magnetic Levitations & 3d Bioprinting,o Microfluidics,o Ultra-Low Attachment Plates Ando 3-D Petrisidhes. Gels, Bioreactors, Microchips And Services.On The Basis Of Application:- Oncology Research, Toxicity Screening, Tissue Engineering, Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine, 3d Printing and others.On The Basis Of End User: - Biotech & Pharma Industry, Contract Research Institutes, Diagnostic Centers and Academic Institutes.Inquiry before Buying@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 Future Of Tobacco Pipe Market: Recent Industry Activity Focus on Key Players like Savinelli Pipes, Peterson Pipe, Rattray's, VauenCornell and DiehlButz Choquin Tobacco Pipe https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/requested_sample/63072 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/enquiry_before_buying/63072 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/requested_sample/63072 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/request_for_discount/63072 www.upmarketresearch.com Up Market Research offers a latest published report on Global Tobacco Pipe Market Research Report 2019 delivering key insights and providing a competitive advantage to clients through a detailed report. 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The report contains basic, secondary and advanced information pertaining to the Scuba Diving Fins 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. 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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 Tobacco Pipe Market: Key Stakeholders: Manufacturers Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers Subcomponent Manufacturers Industry Association Downstream VendorsIn this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Tobacco Pipe Market 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 Tobacco Pipe Market and its commercial landscape. Learn about the market strategies that are being adopted by your competitors and leading organizations. 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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: Tobacco Pipe Market Global Market Status & Trend Report 2013- 2025 Top 20 Countries Data Tobacco Pipe Market North America Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025 Tobacco Pipe Market South America Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025 Tobacco Pipe Market Europe Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025 Tobacco Pipe Market EMEA Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025 Tobacco Pipe Market Asia Pacific Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025 Tobacco Pipe Market China Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025 Tobacco Pipe Market India Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025 Tobacco Pipe Market United States Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 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. Global Resistant Dextrin Market 2019 - Matsutani Chemical Industry Co.,Ltd., Shandong Bailong Chuangyuan Bio-Tech Co., Ltd https://www.eonmarketresearch.com/sample/33906 https://www.eonmarketresearch.com/enquiry/33906 https://www.eonmarketresearch.com/global-resistant-dextrin-market-2019-33906 https://www.eonmarketresearch.com This new report by Eon Market Research, titled Global Resistant Dextrin Market 2019 Research Report, 2015 2025 offers a comprehensive analysis of Resistant Dextrin industry at a global as well as regional and country level. Key facts analyzed in this report include the Resistant Dextrin market size by players, regions, product types and end industries, history data 2014-2018 and forecast data 2019-2025. This report primarily focuses on the study of the competitive landscape, market drivers and trends, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, distributors in global Resistant Dextrin market.Make a Request for Sample Pages Resistant Dextrin Market 2019 Research Report Here @This report on Resistant Dextrin market presents market size in terms of volume and value (or whichever applicable) for the entire forecast period and also offers CAGR for the forecast period under consideration. Key trends analyzed for the prospective readers of this Resistant Dextrin market report include major demand drivers, restraints and key opportunities prevailing in the industry. Certain high-level analysis of Resistant Dextrin market such as value chain analysis, Porters five forces analysis, SWOT analysis, and market attractiveness analysis to cover all the circumstances affecting this Resistant Dextrin industry is also covered in this report. Portfolio analysis helps to understand product mix of leading companies in Resistant Dextrin industry.This report focuses on top manufacturers in the global Resistant Dextrin market, with revenue production, sales, gross margin, and market share for each manufacturer, covering Matsutani Chemical Industry Co.,Ltd.Shandong Bailong Chuangyuan Bio-Tech Co., Ltd.Tate & LyleRoquetteBaolingbao Biology Co.,Ltd. (BLB Group CO.,Ltd.)L&P Food Ingredient Co., Ltd. (L&P)Consumption, production, capacity, market share, growth rate, and prices are included for each product segment of Resistant Dextrin market 85.0% ( Type) 90.0% ( Type) 95.0% ( Type)OthersConsumption, market share and growth rate for each application segment of Resistant Dextrin market Food & BeveragesHealthcare & SupplementsOthersInquiry before Buying Resistant Dextrin Market 2019 Report and Ask For Discount Here @The Resistant Dextrin market report presents all-inclusive information on raw materials suppliers, equipment suppliers, manufacturing cost, capacity, production, profit margin, capacity utilization rate, etc. The Global Resistant Dextrin Market report also covers a systematic geographical analysis.Key regions analyzed in the global Resistant Dextrin market include; North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East Africa. The country-level analysis included for U.S., UK, France, Germany, Russia, China, Japan, India, and Brazil. The Resistant Dextrin industry report provides detailed bifurcation of each segment on global, regional and country level. In a word, the Resistant Dextrin market report provides major statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of direction and control for companies and individuals interested in the market.Browse Complete Resistant Dextrin Market Report Details and ToC Here @If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.About Us:Eon Market Research is detail and precision oriented market research end business consulting company. To offer factual and sustainable end results derived from a precise and appropriate research that assist our prospective readers to take the key decision and achieve the growth of their organizations.Contact Us:MaxEmail - inquiry@eonmarketresearch.comPhone - +1 703 879 7090Web - Virtual private network market to observe 34%+ gains to 2024| By Key Vendors: Opera Software, Avast Software s.r.o, Blackberry Limited, Anchorfree Gmbh, IBM Corporation, Microsoft, Google, Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2756 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/virtual-private-network-vpn-market https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2756 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/dynamic-application-security-testing-dast-market https://www.gminsights.com http://solutionrocket.com The European virtual private network market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of over 13% in 2017. This growth in the region can be attributed to favorable government initiatives and compliance regulations mandating companies to adopt advanced security measures. The Asia Pacific region is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 20% over the forecast timespan. The widespread digitalization across various industry verticals and the growing number of smartphone owners are driving the growth of the market in the region. The presence of protectionist policies in the region is limiting the growth of the VPN market. For instance, in March 2018, the Chinese government restricted the use of VPN services by foreign providers. Furthermore, it has also instructed the foreign companies to establish a dedicated line for cross-border communication. This is expected to increase the cost of the companys communication infrastructure.Request for a sample of this research report @Virtual Private Network (VPN) Market size is set to exceed USD 54 billion by 2024. The virtual private network market is propelled by the rising number of advanced and complex cybersecurity threats. Over the last decade, the internet has become a universal platform for conducting business. The cybercriminals are leveraging on the internet to commit thefts and frauds. The mobile devices are also not immune to this trend. The organizations and consumers are looking for products and services to safeguard their transactions conducted through the internet. The VPN provides a safe and cost-effective solution to protect the company networks.Company profiled in this report based on Business overview, Financial data, Product landscape, Strategic outlook & SWOT analysis: Airvpn Di Paolo Brini Anchorfree Gmbh Anthasoft, S.A. De C.V. Array Networks, Inc. Avast Software s.r.o Blackberry Limited. Bufferd Inc. Checkpoint Cisco Systems, Inc. Citrix Systems, Inc. Columbitech Ab Cryptzone Cyber Ghost Express VPN, LLC Golden Frog, GmbH Google, Inc. IBM Corporation Juniper Networks, Inc. Microsoft Corporation Mudhook Marketing, Inc. NCP engineering GmbH NetMotion Software, Inc. Nord VPN OPENVPN, Inc. Opera Software Safer Social Ltd. Smith Micro Software, Inc. TunnelBear, Inc. WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. Windscribe LimitedThe explosion of mobile and wireless devices within organizations is driving the virtual private network market. Falling prices and improving internet speeds are driving the adoption of mobile devices across businesses and consumers. The organizations are leveraging on the use of mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, to access various business applications from remote locations. Security has become a primary focus for the organizations as increasing number of transactions are carried out through mobile devices. Hence, the VPN technology has become a crucial component across various business verticals.Browse Full Report:The remote access market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 17% over the forecast time frame. The growth of the market can be attributed to increasing need for an affordable way of sending secure data to offsite employees. Therefore, remote access topology has been widely implemented across SMEs. The extranet market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 14% over the projected timeline. The increasing demand for secure remote access solutions to communicate with external stakeholders, such as customers and business partners, is fostering the growth of the virtual private network market.The commercial application sector is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 15% over the forecast time period. The commercial segment comprises healthcare, BFSI, IT & Telecom, manufacturing, and government. The increasing adoption of cloud technology and digital recordkeeping in the healthcare industry is changing the way people access data. Thus, the healthcare establishments are embracing VPN technology to protect patients sensitive information from unauthorized access. The consumer market is expected to register a CAGR of approximately 20% over the projected timeline. The increasing internet penetration and widespread adoption of internet-enabled devices are driving the growth of the virtual private network market.The IP segment held 25% share in 2017. The virtual private network market is primarily driven by its cost-effective nature. It provides WAN engineers with total control over the company network and allows them to perform any on-the-fly configuration changes to rectify any problems that might arise. The limited quality of services over public internet connections is restricting its adoption across large corporations. The cloud VPN market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 21% during the forecast timeline. The increasing shift toward virtual applications and the surge in demand for cloud services are nurturing the growth of the cloud market. In addition, the rising data concerns are also further adding to the growth of the cloud market.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @The companies operating in the virtual private network market are Airvpn Di Paolo Brini, Anchorfree Gmbh, Anthasoft, S.A. De C.V., Array Networks, Inc., Avast Software s.r.o, Blackberry Limited., Bufferd, Inc., Checkpoint Software Technologies, Cisco Systems, Inc., Citrix Systems, Inc., Columbitech Ab, Cryptzone, Cyber Ghost, Express VPN, LLC, Golden Frog, GmbH, Google, Inc., IBM Corporation, Juniper Networks, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Mudhook Marketing, Inc., NCP Engineering GmbH, NetMotion Software, Inc., OPENVPN, Inc., Opera Software, Safer Social Ltd., Smith Micro Software, Inc., TunnelBear, Inc., WatchGuard Technologies, Inc., and Windscribe Limited. The players working in the market are forming alliances with various VPN providers to strengthen their product portfolio and increase their customer base. For instance, in March 2017, NCP Engineering announced its partnership with Juniper Networks to enable a VPN remote access solution for SRX series firewalls.Browse Related Report:Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) Market Size, Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, China, India, Japan, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, GCC, South Africa), Growth Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2018 2024About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog: Toddler Milk Powder Market: Size, Share, Growth Rate, Industry Analysis and Key Players (Mead Johnson, Nestle, Danone, Abbott, FrieslandCampina, Heinz, Bellamy, Topfer, HiPP, Perrigo, Arla, Holle etc.) | Forecasts 2019 2025 https://inforgrowth.com/samplerequest/r/63505/global-toddler-milk-powder-market-insights-forecast-to-2025 https://inforgrowth.com/enquiry/r/63505/global-toddler-milk-powder-market-insights-forecast-to-2025 https://inforgrowth.com/customizationrequest/r/63505/global-toddler-milk-powder-market-insights-forecast-to-2025 Toddler Milk Powder Market report analyses the market at the global and regional level. The Toddler Milk Powder market has been focussing on top manufacturers in the global market, with capacity, production, price, revenue, and market share for each manufacturer. The market has been forecasted based on revenue, market share and growth rate to 2025.GET EXCLUSIVE SAMPLE OF REPORT ON TODDLER MILK POWDER MARKET HAVING 121 PAGES, PROFILING LEADING MARKET PLAYERSThe Toddler Milk Powder 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 Toddler Milk Powder market by Manufacturers: Mead Johnson, Nestle, Danone, Abbott, FrieslandCampina, Heinz, Bellamy, Topfer, HiPP, Perrigo, Arla, Holle, Fonterra, Westland Dairy, Pinnacle, Meiji, Yili, Biostime, Yashili, Feihe.Market Segment by Type like 1 Years Old, 2 Years Old, 3 Years Old, > 3 Years Old and by Application Online Store, SupermarketIndustry chain structure is analyzed by the demand of Toddler Milk Powder and suppliers along with Cost Analysis, Channel Analysis, and technology used for Toddler Milk Powder. Market Dynamics gives data about Latest News, Merger and Acquisition of major players, Planned or Future Projects about Toddler Milk Powder and Policy Dynamics.ASK YOUR QUERIES RELATED TO GLOBAL TODDLER MILK POWDER REPORT ATThe study objectives of this report are:To study and analyze the global Toddler Milk Powder market size (value & volume) by company, key regions, products and end user, breakdown data from 2014 to 2018, and forecast to 2025.To understand the structure of Toddler Milk Powder market by identifying its various subsegments.To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks).Focuses on the key global Toddler Milk Powder companies, to define, describe and analyze the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape and recent development.To project the value and sales volume of Toddler Milk Powder submarkets, with respect to key regions.Major Points from Table of Contents1 Study Coverage2 Executive Summary3 Market Size by Manufacturers4 Toddler Milk Powder Production by Regions5 Toddler Milk Powder Consumption by Regions6 Market Size by Type7 Market Size by Application8 Manufacturers Profiles9 Production Forecasts10 Consumption Forecast11 Upstream, Industry Chain and Downstream Customers Analysis12 Opportunities & Challenges, Threat and Affecting Factors13 Key FindingsAnd MoreSUBMIT YOUR DETAILS AND SPECIFIC INTERESTS FOR ALL CUSTOMIZATION NEEDS HEREAbout InForGrowth:We are a market-intelligence company formed with the objective of providing clients access to the most relevant and accurate research content for their growth needs. 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 more simplified and relevant research.For all your Research needs, reach out to us at:Address: 6400 Village Pkwy suite # 104, Dublin, CA 94568, USAContact Person: RohanEmail: sales@inforgrowth.comUS: +1-909-329-2808UK: +44 (203) 743 1890 Online Food Delivery Market set to achieve a tremendous growth by 2025 With Top Players Pizza Hut, Papa Johns, Eat24, Domino's, Seamless, Postmates, Uber Eats Online Food Delivery Market https://www.reportconsultant.com/request_sample.php?id=5437 https://www.reportconsultant.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=5437 https://www.reportconsultant.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=5437 www.reportconsultant.com Online Food Delivery is the way of ordering food from any local restaurant through its web pages or mobile apps. The introduction of an online food system was a convenient add-on that not only reduced long queues but also reduced waiting time for ordered food delivery. This market have already been adopted around the world and their performance is relatively good.Global Top Players of Online Food Delivery Market: Pizza Hut Papa John's Eat24 Domino's Seamless Postmates DoorDash Cavlar Uber Eats Delivery.comRequest for Sample Report with TOC: @Report Consultant proclaims the addition of new research report titled as Global Online Food Delivery market. According to this research report, the global market was valued at 21% in the coming year. Furthermore, it makes use of statistical and analysis tools to discover the applicable and informative data of the target market. It offers several approaches for deriving business intelligence by collecting data and patterns for the businesses. It has been compiled through the primary and secondary research methodologies.The Online food delivery market is primarily driven by growth in the income. Demographic changes, Internet and smartphone penetration rates, good lifestyle changes, young population, consumption levels, rising worker populations, aggressive marketing strategies adopted by different food delivery companies. Some assignments include unpredictable demand patterns, unaffected external circumstances (traffic, weather and ever-changing demand), high delivery costs, peak concentration at which meal orders are focused, limited delivery times, and kitchens Operation, etc.Market Segmentation:Type: Delivery TakeawayApplication: Family Non-FamilyAsk for Discount on Buying this Report: @Online Food Delivery Market Research Report covers the blend of major points, which are fueling or limiting the growth of the companies. In addition to this, it focuses on some significant points, which helps to discover the global opportunities rapidly.Table of Contents:Chapter 1. Online Food Delivery Market OverviewChapter 2. Market Competition by Players / SuppliersChapter 3. Sales and revenue by regionsChapter 4. Sales and revenue by TypeChapter 5. Online Food Delivery Market Sales and revenueChapter 6. Market Players profiles and sales dataChapter 7. Market Cost AnalysisChapter 8. Sourcing Strategy and Down Stream BuyersChapter 9. Market Strategy AnalysisChapter 10. Online Food Delivery Market effective factors AnalysisChapter 11. Market Size and ForecastEnquiry before Buying: @If you need anything more than these then let us know and we will prepare the report according to your requirement.About Company:Report Consultant, The Global Ruler in Analytic, Research and Advisory which will encourage you to renovate your business and reshape your approach. With us you can take courageous decision for your business. Using variety of methods and experienced skills we provide you the appropriate analysis figures.You will have a great experience of innovative solutions and outcomes with our Reports. Our Business is spreading all over the world with our Market Research reports and Digital Transformation skills. Thus, we provide 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 Network Traffic Analytics Market Trends Outlook By Top Key Players: Nokia, Accenture, Palo Alto Networks, Huawei Technologies, SolarWinds, Cisco, Microsoft, IBM, Symantec, Juniper Networks Network Traffic Analytics Market www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2818 www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2818 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/network-traffic-analytics-market https://www.openpr.com/news/1612740/Global-SD-WAN-Market-Growth-Revenue-By-Top-Key-Plyers-Aryaka-Networks-Barracuda-Cisco-Citrix-Huawei-Technologies-Oracle-VMware-ZTE-Corporation-Silver-Peak-Infovista.html www.gminsights.com www.industry-source.org Network Traffic Analytics Market in network security solution is growing at the fastest rate with a CAGR of 24.1% over the forecast timeline. Due to the rising advent of digitalization and the adoption of technologies, such as IoT and cloud computing, the amount of data generated grew tremendously. This growth in big data requires effective monitoring and storage as they fall prey to various malicious attacks. Therefore, network security solutions are used to detect and block malicious attacks throughout the network. The governments worldwide are investing funds and implementing rules and regulations to enhance the cybersecurity offerings of their country. For instance, in 2017, the Australian government invested USD 50 million over a period of seven years in the Corporate Research Center for cybersecurity. This investment will establish the countrys reputation as a secured market to do business, thereby enabling national security.Request for a sample of this research report @The solutions segment dominates the network traffic analytics market and held around 71% of the market share in 2017. Due to an enormous rise in the network traffic, the companies face inadequacy in providing network-wide visibility. Hence, there is a rise in the installation of network traffic analytics solutions. The network traffic monitoring leads the solution segment as it ensures the smooth functioning of the computer network by incorporating packet recapturing and network sniffing techniques and review every incoming and outgoing packet. The services segment is increasing at the fastest rate and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 24.4 percent over the forecast timeline. These services assist customers to ensure that their products run efficiently, remain available, and take advantage of the application software and up-to-date systems.Company profiled in this report based on Business overview, Financial data, Product landscape, Strategic outlook & SWOT analysis:1. Cisco2. Microsoft3. IBM4. Symantec5. Juniper Networks6. Nokia7. Accenture8. Palo Alto Networks9. Huawei Technologies10. SolarWindsNetwork Traffic Analytics Market in the network security solution is growing at the fastest rate with a CAGR of 24.1% over the forecast timeline. Due to the rising advent of digitalization and the adoption of technologies, such as IoT and cloud computing, the amount of data generated grew tremendously. This growth in big data requires effective monitoring and storage as they fall prey to various malicious attacks. Therefore, network security solutions are used to detect and block malicious attacks throughout the network. The governments worldwide are investing funds and implementing rules and regulations to enhance the cybersecurity offerings of their country.Make an inquiry for buying this report @North America held around 52% of the market share in 2017 and is anticipated to remain the network traffic analytics market leader over the forecast timeframe. The major factors contributing to the growth of the region include the early adoption of the network traffic analytics solutions along with the presence of the leading industry players including Cisco, IBM, and Microsoft. The companies operating in this region are also entering into strategic partnerships to expand their businesses offerings.The European network traffic analytics market held around 26% of the industry share in 2017. The region has the presence of some of the leading telecom companies in the world, such as Vodafone, SoftBank Group, and Telefonica S.A., fueling the market demand. Furthermore, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) implemented by the government in May 2018 has laid down effective data privacy and security guidelines. This will prevent the companies from sharing the customer personal data without their consent and boosting the network traffic analytics market growth.The Asia Pacific network traffic analytics market is growing at the fastest rate due to an increase in disposable income, rising penetration of smartphones & internet users, and an increment in the usage of advanced technologies such as IoT, connected devices, and cloud computing. More than 70% of the enterprises operating in this region are projected to adopt cloud computing technology, resulting the cloud traffic to reach 2.3 ZB by 2019. Furthermore, there is a rapid increase in cyberattacks in this region as the enterprises are easily vulnerable due to weak cybersecurity investments and greater exposure to information critical systems to cyber risks. Therefore, the organizations are readily adopting the traffic analytics solutions to ensure their safety against cyber attacks.Speaking along the same line, in UK, high-speed network recording, traffic analytics hosting and playback specialist, Endace and renowned network and security operations service provider, Gigamon, have signed on a technology partnership recently. Through this strategic collaboration, they are planning to enhance visibility into network traffic for NetOps, DevOps, and SecOps teams. In line with the futuristic approach to improve network traffic visibility, both the companies will combine their analytics and security delivery platforms that would investigate security threats and resolve application & network performance issues. The development of high performance hosting for performance analytics and network security will have a positive influence on the service based network traffic analytics industry. Reportedly, with increasing popularity, the service based network traffic market will grow at an annual growth rate of nearly 24.4% over 2018-2024.Browse key industry insights spread across 230 pages with 399 market data tables & 38 figures & charts from the report, Network Traffic Analytics Market in detail along with the table of contents:The development of SaaS enabled network traffic analytics solutions has accelerated the overall market growth. Due to the growing technological advancements and market consolidation, enterprises are offering SaaS enabled solutions to their customers. They offer multiple advantages such as enhanced scalability and administration, improved productivity, data storage convenience, and delivery of new services with optimum resilience and security. They also automatically update products empowering them to prevent the growing cyber-security threats.The fastest growing segment in the network traffic analytics market comprises cloud service providers. These service providers are highly prone to cyber attacks due to the rise in the malware attacks including ransomware, banking malware, and scareware. Moreover, around 400,000 new malware attacks that target public clouds and SaaS providers and damage the critical data daily have been recognized. Hence, it is necessary for the cloud service providers to monitor network traffic, data movement, and application activity at all stages of the cloud environment, boosting the network traffic analytics market growth.The on-premise deployment model held around 85% of the market share in 2017. This deployment model offers a reliable platform for storing information as they would send critical customer information directly from their web apps and mobile phones to the network traffic analytics service providers. However, the adoption of a cloud platform is projected to grow at a CAGR of 32% by 2024 due to the rapid increase in the number of data centers, generating a huge volume of information.The IT & telecom enterprises are anticipated to dominate the network traffic analytics market by 2024. The increased worldwide adoption rate of the internet with an enhanced usage of social networking platform and the rise in smartphone penetration rate are the major factors driving the network traffic analytics market demand. Telecommunication companies are investing millions of dollars and entering into strategic partnerships to boost their network traffic management platform, enhancing their service offerings and gaining a competitive edge in the market. For instance, in July 2017, KDDI Corporation, a Japanese telecom operator entered into a partnership with Kentik, a leading network traffic intelligence firm. This will allow KDDI to deploy the companys Kentik Detect solution for real-time network monitoring and planning efficiencies.Some of the major vendors operating in the network traffic analytics market are Cisco, Microsoft, IBM, Symantec, Juniper Networks, Nokia, Kentik, Flowmon Networks, Plixer, SolarWinds, Allot Communication, Accenture, Bradford Networks, Ascom Holding, Palo Alto Networks, Huawei Technologies, Netreo, Inc., Genie Networks, and Zenoss.Browse Related Reports:About Global Market InsightsGlobal Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact UsArun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog: (CNN) U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has denounced President Nicolas Maduro's obstruction of aid deliveries to Venezuela as the actions of a "sick tyrant." At the call of opposition leader and the nation's self-declared interim president, Juan Guaido, foreign aid has been shipped to Venezuela in response to worsening food and medicine shortages. Maduro, who has been in a standoff with Guaido for the presidency, denies that a humanitarian crisis exists in Venezuela and suggests that aid efforts are part of a U.S. plot to orchestrate a coup. In a sign that Maduro's grip on the military control of which is seen as integral to forcing new elections could be waning, Colombia's customs agency said Sunday that 104 members of Venezuela's security forces have defected, entering Colombia. Eight entered through Arauca Department, and 96 came through North Santander Department, according to Migration Colombia. Both departments the term is akin to a state or a province border western Venezuela. After Guaido named Saturday as the deadline for the aid to cross the border, Maduro vowed to stop the supplies from coming into the country. At a large rally in Caracas on Saturday, he dared the opposition to call for elections and called Guaido a "clown" and a "U.S. puppet." But a spokesman for Guaido told CNN Sunday that he would only call elections 30 days after "the usurper had left power" and that has yet to happen. Trucks torched Trucks carrying supplies were blocked at most spots Saturday. Witnesses said two trucks were set ablaze while attempting to cross into Venezuela from Colombia. Witnesses who spoke to CNN said the trucks went up in flames as Venezuelan troops loyal to Maduro prevented the vehicles from crossing the border. CNN cannot independently confirm the incident or the circumstances of how the two trucks were set on fire. National Assembly Representative and Guaido supporter Adriana Pichardo told CNN that at least five people were also killed in clashes with Venezuelan security forces on Saturday. CNN cannot independently confirm the number of fatalities, but Michelle Bachelet, the UN high commissioner for human rights, said there were four deaths and 300 injuries Friday and Saturday. Bachelet condemned the violence in Venezuela and along its borders with Colombia and Brazil, saying, "People have been shot and killed, others have reportedly received wounds from which they will never completely recover, including losing eyes." "These are disgraceful scenes. The Venezuelan government must stop its forces from using excessive force against unarmed protesters and ordinary citizens," she said, and called on the government to "rein in" pro-government elements involved in the attacks and arrest those who have attacked protesters. "It is very alarming to see them operating openly in this way in Venezuela." Venezuelan Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez said Saturday after security forces had fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters that the country's security forces had protected the border in "exemplary" fashion. He also accused Guaido supporters of burning the trucks. While a CNN team saw incendiary devices from police on the Venezuelan side of the border ignite the trucks, the network's journalists are unsure if the trucks were burned on purpose. Images of burning trucks 'sickening' In a series of tweets Saturday, Pompeo condemned the actions of Maduro's government and said the U.S. would "take action against those who oppose the peaceful restoration of democracy in Venezuela." "We denounce Maduro's refusal to let humanitarian assistance reach #Venezuela. What kind of a sick tyrant stops food from getting to hungry people? The images of burning trucks filled with aid are sickening," Pompeo tweeted. He blamed "Maduro's thugs" for attacks on civilians, accused "Cuban agents" of directing the attacks and praised opposition leader Guaido recognized by 50 nations including the U.S. as Venezuela's interim president for leading the effort to allow the aid through. "While Interim President Juan Guaido builds distribution networks for humanitarian assistance, Maduro blocks its entry and sends armed criminal gangs to attack the innocent civilians accompanying the convoys," Pompeo said in a statement Saturday. "Tomorrow is a new day," he continued. "Now is the time to act in support of democracy, and respond to the needs of the desperate Venezuelan people. The United States will take action against and hold accountable those who oppose the peaceful restoration of democracy in Venezuela," he said. U.S. leaders weigh in On Monday, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Colombia to address a meeting of the Lima Group made up of leaders mostly from Latin American countries. The White House said Pence would "voice the United States' unwavering support for interim President Juan Guaido and highlight the Venezuelan people's fight for democracy over dictatorship." A White House official said Saturday that Pence will meet with Guaido on Monday in Bogota, during Pence's visit to Colombia. Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said on Twitter that the Maduro regime had "overplayed its hand" through its actions Saturday, making it easier for the international community to isolate it and harder for regime allies to continue supporting it. "Today #MaduroRegime killed unarmed citizens of their own country to keep food & medicine from entering. They celebrated murder & burning of trucks carrying aid as a victory. The world & those inside #Venezuela will reflect on what happened today & it will give rise to action," he tweeted. Former President Bill Clinton also took to social media to condemn the regime. "The heartbreaking violence in Venezuela must stop. I stand with President @JGuaido, the National Assembly, and the people of #Venezuela as they embrace their right to live in peace, choose their leaders, and decide their future, in harmony with their neighbors," Clinton wrote on Twitter. Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders tweeted: "The people of Venezuela are enduring a serious humanitarian crisis." The European Union issued a statement saying the regime's refusal to recognize the humanitarian emergency was escalating tensions. "There are worrying reports of unrest, acts of violence and a growing number of victims, in particular in the border areas and among the Pemon indigenous community," it said. The EU reiterated a "call for the restoration of democracy through free, transparent and credible presidential elections." Violence on the border with Colombia The Colombian foreign minister said 285 people were hurt, with 37 requiring hospitalization, after the Venezuelan National Guard fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters near the Colombian border Saturday. Venezuelan soldiers faced off against protesters who were demanding to cross the border at Urena to go work in Colombia, according to a CNN crew that witnessed the scene at the Tienditas Bridge. The protesters chanted, "We want to work!" as the national guard fired tear gas to disperse them. Men with shirts covering their faces started throwing rocks toward the guard members. In Urena, Venezuelan armed forces fired tear gas at three members of the opposition-led National Assembly while they were attempting a peaceful mediation with protesters. Bogota on Saturday night said all border crossings between Colombia and Venezuela would be closed Sunday and Monday so that authorities could evaluate damage to infrastructure it said had been caused by the Maduro regime. Maduro cuts relations with Bogota Maduro declared Venezuela's borders with Brazil and Colombia closed, citing threats to security and sovereignty. On Saturday he told supporters he was breaking all diplomatic relations with Colombia and calling for its ambassadors and consuls to leave Venezuela. He gave the Colombian ambassadors and consuls 24 hours to get out of the country. Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo said all the diplomats were ordered to leave immediately for their safety. "My patience has run out. I can't continue to tolerate the aggressions against Venezuela that are being carried out by the Colombian government," Maduro said. He also threatened the United States: "If the empire dares to attack, they will be received by the strength of the Venezuelan armed forces." Four Colombian consuls have returned from Venezuela, Colombian immigration officials said Sunday. Some aid gets through Guaido spoke at a joint press conference with President Ivan Duque of Colombia in Cucuta, Colombia, on Saturday night and urged people not to be loyal to those that burn medicine in front of the sick. "Today the world has seen the tyranny that we struggle with in Venezuela. People celebrated that hospitals could not get access to the aid," Guaido said. Guaido tweeted later Saturday that aid had reached Venezuelan territory, including an image of trucks blocked by the military. Humanitarian aid moved through the Brazilian-Venezuelan border in Pacaraima, according to Maria Teresa Belandria, Venezuela's opposition-appointed ambassador to Brazil. This story was first published on CNN.com "Mike Pompeo calls Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro a 'sick tyrant' over aid blockage" South Africa: DCS commences catering project following Bosasa liquidation From 8 March 2019, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) will start an offender skills development project as part of the plan towards internalising nutritional services. Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Michael Masutha made the announcement at a media briefing on various cases of corruption, in Pretoria. The plan is part of efforts by the DCS to save the day after African Global Operations (formerly known as Bosasa), which supplies DCS with catering, filed for voluntary liquidation. African Global Operations decision to file for liquidation, follows an announcement by two major banks, FNB and ABSA, that they would be closing the banking accounts belonging to the company on 28 February 2019. Following these developments, DCS management developed and implemented a business continuity plan to ensure that the provision of nutritional services is not disrupted. The department has developed an alternative food services plan to accommodate the viability of insourcing nutritional services, said the Minister. The company was implicated at the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture. The ongoing inquiry into allegations of State capture, corruption and fraud in the public sector, including organs of State, led by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, has heard testimony from an array of personalities revealing alleged corruption in the awarding of contracts with Bosasa. African Global Operations currently services 26 kitchens with a population of 46 434 offenders. The DCS has been outsourcing nutritional services since 2004 to various correctional centres through competitive bidding processes. Masutha said processes to transfer skilled staff from other facilities to assist where necessary are currently underway. Part of the business continuity plan includes close consultations with National Treasury and organised labour in addressing some of the challenges that may arise, said the Minister. Masutha said he received a report of a pending meeting between the National Commissioner and the liquidator. In addition, management is also expected to conduct a cost benefit analysis and do a comparative study in relation to insourcing and outsourcing of nutritional services within the correctional environment, he said. As far back as 2006, the President issued a proclamation to probe allegations of corrupt activities in the awarding of contracts to BOSASA, namely for nutritional services, access control, fencing and televisions. The 2009 report of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), in this regard, made the following recommendations to the Department of Correctional Services: Disciplinary action to be instituted against the then Chief Financial Officer, Mr Patrick Gillingham. The department to consider instituting civil proceedings against Bosasa to recover possible losses. The NDPP to consider criminal charges against Mr Gillingham and the former National Commissioner, Mr Linda Mti as well as the company and individuals attached to it. Since then, no criminal or civil proceedings were instituted. However, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against Gillingham in 2009 but he resigned. DCS did not request National Treasury to place Bosasa and its subsidiary companies on the restricted supplier's database, said Masutha. To date, DCS officials who were implicated in acts of corruption in the testimonies given before the Zondo Commission have been served with notices in accordance with rules of natural justice to show cause. On-going SIU investigations Masutha said the SIU is currently investigating contracts related to electronic monitoring; Independent Development Trust (IDT) on fencing projects and DCS KwaZulu-Natal procurement of various services. Once the investigations are concluded, we will once again brief the public on the findings thereof and recommended steps to be taken, said the Minister. Thus far, the SIU has made findings on the irregularity of contracts related to infrastructure assessment (MSW) and electronic monitoring system (EMS). We look forward to a speedy conclusion of these investigations in line with our earlier stated commitment to deal with corruption wherever it rears its ugly head, said Masutha. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-02-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Global Medical Stapler Market Analysis, Developments, & Forecast 2025: Ethicon Inc., Medtronic PLC, Intuitive Surgical Inc., Dextera Surgical Inc., Conmed Corporation, Smith & Nephew, Becton and More Surgical staples are specialized staples used in surgery in place of sutures to close skin wounds, connect or remove parts of the bowels or lungs. The use of staples over sutures reduces the local inflammatory response, the width of the wound, and the time it takes to close. The Medical Stapler Market Report (2019-2025) provides valuable and unique information which is very essential. Further it also covers key players, application and future market condition. This information is extremely useful information for the new and growing company to mark themselves over the market. GET EXCLUSIVE SAMPLE OF REPORT ON MEDICAL STAPLER MARKET HAVING 121 PAGES, PROFILING TOP 15 MARKET PLAYERS IS AVAILABLE AT https://inforgrowth.com/samplerequest/r/79013/global-medical-stapler-market-insights-forecast-to-2025 The Medical Stapler market report covers major Manufactures Ethicon Inc. (A Subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson), Medtronic PLC, Intuitive Surgical Inc., Dextera Surgical Inc., Conmed Corporation, Smith & Nephew, Becton, Dickinson and Company, 3M Company, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Purple Surgical, Frankenman International Ltd., Welfare Medical Ltd., Reach Surgical, Grena Ltd., Meril Life Sciences Pvt Ltd. The report provides Medical Stapler Market Breakdown Data by its type like Skin Stapler, Alimentary Canal Circular Stapler, Rectum Stapler, Blood Vessel Stapler, Others as well as by Applications such as Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) and Clinics. Then it gives Medical Stapler Production Breakdown Data by Region United States, Europe, China, Japan, Other Regions. Medical Stapler 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, Brazil, Rest of South America, Middle East & Africa, GCC Countries, Turkey, Egypt, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa. A DISCOUNT CAN BE ASKED BEFORE ORDER A COPY OF MEDICAL STAPLER MARKET REPORT AT https://inforgrowth.com/requestdiscount/r/79013/global-medical-stapler-market-insights-forecast-to-2025 The study objectives are: To study and analyze the global Medical Stapler market size (value & volume) by company, key regions, products and end user, breakdown data from 2014 to 2018, and forecast to 2025. To understand the structure of Medical Stapler market by identifying its various subsegments. To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks). Focuses on the key global Medical Stapler companies, to define, describe and analyze the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape and recent development. To project the value and sales volume of Medical Stapler submarkets, with respect to key regions. To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market. Major Points from Table of Contents 1 Study Coverage 2 Executive Summary 3 Market Size by Manufacturers 4 Medical Stapler Production by Regions 5 Medical Stapler Consumption by Regions 6 Market Size by Type 7 Market Size by Application 8 Manufacturers Profiles 9 Production Forecasts 10 Consumption Forecast 11 Upstream, Industry Chain and Downstream Customers Analysis 12 Opportunities & Challenges, Threat and Affecting Factors 13 Key Findings And More ASK YOUR QUERIES TO OUR ANALYST REGARDING MEDICAL STAPLER REPORT AT https://inforgrowth.com/enquiry/r/79013/global-medical-stapler-market-insights-forecast-to-2025 About InForGrowth: We are a market-intelligence company formed with the objective of providing clients access to the most relevant and accurate research content for their growth needs. 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 more simplified and relevant research. For all your Research needs, reach out to us at: Address: 6400 Village Pkwy suite # 104, Dublin, CA 94568, USA Contact Person: Rohan Email: sales@inforgrowth.com US: +1-909-329-2808 UK: +44 (203) 743 1890 This release was published on openPR. Permanent link to this press release: Copy Please set a link in the press area of your homepage to this press release on openPR. openPR disclaims liability for any content contained in this release. Digital Banking Market to observe 4%+ gains to 2024|By Key Players: Oracle, SAP SE, Intellect Design Arena, Kony, BNY Mellon, Finastra Fiserv, Temenos, Backbase https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2651 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/digital-banking-market https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2651 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/dynamic-application-security-testing-dast-market https://www.gminsights.com http://algosonline.com/news Corporate banking held over 13% share in the digital banking market in 2017. The emergence of the fintech players is the primary factor accelerating the adoption of digitalization among the corporate banks. The corporate banks are experiencing tough competition from the fintech companies that are offering standalone products at low costs. This is encouraging corporate banks to embrace the technologies to provide a better experience to their customers. Moreover, the integration of the advanced technologies into the banking platforms, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data analytics, is also augmenting the demand for digital solutions among the corporate banking sector to analyze the customer behavior and meet their requirements.Request for a sample of this research report @The increasing venture capital investment in fintech sector is propelling the digital banking market. Over the past five years, fintech has emerged as the most lucrative sector and the venture capitalists are investing billions in the sector to make profits. In 2017, approximately USD 16.5 billion investment was witnessed in the fintech companies, increasing from USD 3.7 billion in 2013. Acknowledging the rise of fintech players, banks are looking to boost their investments in technology. While some banks are collaborating or investing in the fintech companies to develop more customer-centric products, others are acquiring the fintech players to acquire technical expertise and expand their product portfolio.Company profiled in this report based on Business overview, Financial data, Product landscape, Strategic outlook & SWOT analysis: Appway Backbase BNY Mellon CREALOGIX ebanklT ETRONIKA Fidor Solutions Finastra Fiserv Halcom D.D. ieDigital Intellect Design Arena Kony NETinfo NF Innova Oracle SAB SAP SE Sopra TCS Technisys Temenos WorldlineThe supportive government initiatives & policies for the promotion of digital banking services is also driving the digital banking market. Governments across the globe are constantly working on accelerating the adoption of digital banking services. The demonetization activities and digitalization policies adopted by the government are encouraging the adoption of digital payment solutions. Moreover, governments are also offering tax incentives and subsidies to the fintech players to encourage the adoption of digital solutions.Browse Full Report:Non-transaction services in the digital banking market are anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 14% during the projected timeline. The increasing need to provide enhanced customer experience is driving the adoption of non-transaction digital services among the banking institutes. The digital disruption and generational shift cause fundamental changes in customer behavior that are rapidly influencing customer expectations from banks. Over a third of the millennials (population aged between 16 to 34) believe they will be able to live a bank-free existence in the future. Customers, especially the younger population who are digitally savvy, hyper-connected, and choice conscious have an inclination toward tech-oriented services as their preferences are changing. These customers are accustomed to digital experiences offered by online retailers and expect the same or perhaps a richer experience from the banks.The North American digital banking market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 2.5% during the forecast period. The market is driven by the early adoption of digital solutions among the banking institutes. The high penetration of internet and smartphone users is also augmenting the demand for digital banking solutions. Large volumes of credit card and debit card transactions in the region also promote the digital banking market.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @The key players in the digital banking market space are Appway, Backbase, BNY Mellon, Crealogix, ebanklT, EdgeVerve Systems, ETRONIKA, Fidor, Finastra, Fiserv, Halcom, IE Digital, Intellect Design Arena, Kony, NETinfo, NF Innova, Oracle, SAB, SAP, Sopra, Tagit, TCS, Technisys, Temenos, and Worldline.Browse Related Report:Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) Market Size, Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, China, India, Japan, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, GCC, South Africa), Growth Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2018 2024About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog: Stun Gun Market is expected to enable users to upgrade their operations and business models Stun Gun Market https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/666 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/talk-to-analyst/666 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/666 Stun guns market refers to the business generated by the non-lethal conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) that are primarily utilized for the self-defense and law enforcement agencies. Ability to incapacitate the potential suspect through the delivery of high voltage electric shocks, with the prime motive of disrupting the muscle functions for small amount of time without causing substantial damage is expected to remain the primary growth driver of the industry over the forecast period.For In depth Information Get Sample Copy of this Report @Increasing concerns and requirement of preparedness to counter the proliferating threats to womens safety and irregular upsurge of civil riots are expected to drive the industry growthNumber of criminal and rape incidents, in most economies is among the primary concern of the government agencies. Some of the major economies that include Australia, U.S., New Zealand, Norway and France are among the developed economies that have the highest reported incidents per 100,000 citizens. According to the Nations Master crime and rape rate statistics, these countries had over 15 rapes per 100,000 inhabitants. Moreover, usage of lethal weapons is substantially discouraged for the personal protection and are significantly difficult to afford. Requirement of preparedness in case of threat to personal safety are expected to drive the overall industry growth through the next few years. Moreover, functionality of some of the products that feature usability in adverse weather conditions, when pepper sprays or other self-defense tactics prove inefficient, are expected to propel the adoption rates.Stun Gun Market TaxonomyOn the basis of product types, the global stun gun market is classified into:Compact, Heavy Duty, Stun Gun Flashlight / Taser Flashlight, Stun Baton, Other forms (wands, batons, electrified brass knuckles, "iPhones", or other concealed objects)On the basis of end users, the global stun gun market is classified into:Civilians, Military and Law enforcementIrregular possibilities of civil unrest and requirement to maintain the law and order without critical damage to the civilians will present considerable growth prospectsFrance, Argentina, Myanmar, Mexico, Bangladesh, and India are among the most civil unrest prone regions, owing to substantial number of news headlines associated with the civil riots. Moreover, some riots in these countries past have witnessed requirements of military interventions to ensure the peace. Recurring surfacing of such incidences are expected to be the most prominent stun gun market growth driver over the forecast period. Additionally these find significant applications for probes against convicts who are under the influence of alcohol and drugs, which reduces their sensitivity to pain.Inquire Here Before Purchase of Research Report @Advent of CEWs that can monitor heart rates rhythms with featuring over 99.75% human life safety are gaining significant tractionIn August 2016, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center researchers successfully developed stun guns that was capable of recording the subject individuals heart rhythm and rates and capability to avoid serious injuries and fatalities. Increasing incidences of the serious incidents owing to pre-medical conditions, when using these devices are doing the rounds in media. Moreover, these serious injuries and deaths often included other risk factors, including drug use. These developments will ensure the human life safety and drive the stun gun market.Law enforcement agencies are anticipated to continue the industry dominance through the forecast periodMajor factors driving the segment growth are the increasing adoption of stun guns by special police forces and law enforcement agencies in major countries such as the US, Australia, and Canada. Moreover, increased awareness in the developing and underdeveloped economies about the benefits of these devices will drive the overall product demands through the forecast period.U.S. accounted for the major global stun gun market share in 2016High utilization of these devices in both the civil and law enforcement agencies was the primary growth contributor in the region. However, the country has witnessed significant increase in the malpractices of these equipment in domestic violence and fatal incidences due to inappropriate usage on pregnant women and child abuse will drive present considerable growth challenges to the industry growthIndustry is characterized by presence of large number industry participants offering extensive range of products and devices. Some of the key players in the stun gun market include Euro Security Products, MARCH, Nova Security, Shyh Sing Enterprise, TASER International, and Jiun An Technology.Request For Customization @About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com Vinyl Ester Market 2019 Global Analysis, Opportunities And Forecast To 2025 | Growth Analysis By Top Key players Ashland, Showa Denko America, Interplastic Corporation, Hexion Inc., Scott Bader Co. Ltd U.S. vinyl ester market size, by application, 2014 2025 (USD Million) https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2992 https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2992 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/vinyl-ester-market https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/ethyleneamines-market https://www.gminsights.com http://headlinenewsnation.com Asia Pacific led the overall vinyl ester market in 2017 and is expected to follow the similar trend by 2025. North America will observe growth with a CAGR close to 6%. Increasing disposable income on existing rich class individuals and increasing number of High Net Worth Individual (HNWI) will positively influence the demand for luxury goods in the region. Moreover, the recreational boating culture in the North American region is comparatively high which, in turn will drive the market demand for these marine applications in the region by 2025.Request for a sample of this research report @Vinyl ester market will have a range of applications in the wind energy sector by 2025. Wind energy has been an essential source of renewable energy. As per the WindEurope estimates, the wind power share in the EUs total installed power capacity has augmented to 18% in 2017 from 6% in 2005. Wind energy has overtaken coal as the second largest form of power generation capacity in the EU in 2016. An upward trend in wind energy industry will encourage the overall market during the forecast span.As compared to polyester, vinyl ester resins excel on various parameters; for instance, higher durability, superior heat resistance, low maintenance and high performance for extremely challenging environment. However, the overall market growth will be subjected to some restrains including high cost of production, lower shelf life of the product and regulations to lessen the VOC content of product, in the coming years.Company profiled in this report based on Business overview, Financial data, Product landscape, Strategic outlook & SWOT analysis:1. Swancor Renewable Energy Co., Ltd.2. Mechemco Industries - India3. Nivitex Fibreglass & Resins4. Polynt-Reichhold Group5. Aliancys6. Interplastic Corporation7. Ashland8. Sino Polymer Co., Ltd.9. Showa Denko America10. Hexion Inc.11. Scott Bader Co. Ltd12. DIC India LimitedVinyl Ester Market size will surpass USD 1.7 billion by 2025; according to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc. Growth trends in the shipbuilding sector will support the vinyl ester market growth in the next seven years. The product has a higher resistance to corrosive environments and chemicals than the unsaturated polyesters. Thus, vinyl ester resins and vinyl ester blended with polyester have been extensively used in the marine applications for producing efficient water-resistant barrier for boat hulls and other parts. The increasing mega-ship building projects present brighter outlook for the product demand in marine applications.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Novolac based product involves higher crosslinking density as compared to bisphenol A based resins. With this feature, the resin exhibits superior resistance to liquid environment and provides high resistance to penetration of chemicals into the matrix. Novolac vinyl ester segment is estimated to grow with a CAGR above 6% during the forecast span.Product By Applicationo Bisphenol A Pipes & Tanks Marine Wind Energy FGD & Precipitators Pulp & Paper Otherso Novolac Pipes & Tanks Marine Wind Energy FGD & Precipitators Pulp & Paper Otherso Brominated Fire Retardant Pipes & Tanks Marine Wind Energy FGD & Precipitators Pulp & Paper Otherso Others Pipes & Tanks Marine Wind Energy FGD & Precipitators Pulp & Paper OthersBy Application Pipes & Tanks Marine Wind Energy FGD & Precipitators Pulp & Paper OthersThe pipes & tanks was the largest area of applications in vinyl ester market in year 2017, with a share over 40%. The product has been highly demanded in high temperature formulations, including: chemical reactors and storage vessels. The product has also been used as topcoats for metal containers and in electro-refining tanks. The rising demand from corrosion-resistant pipes & tanks is projected to drive global market during the forecast span.Browse key industry insights from the report, Vinyl Ester Market Forecast, 2018 2025 in detail along with the table of contents:Leading manufacturers in market have been: Swancor Holding, Ashland, Sino Polymer Co., Ltd., ALIANCYS AG, Showa Denko, Interplastic Corporation, etc. The industry has marked several price hikes in the recent decade on account of increase in the raw materials costs. For instance, AOC Aliancys declared a price hike of EUR 100 (or USD 113.98) per ton for its product range sold in Europe, India and The Middle East which was effective from September 2018.Browse Related Report :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 biotechnologyContact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog: Postpartum Depression Drug Market 2018 intelligence by Players Sage Therapeutics Inc., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Cipla Limited, Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Mylan N.V., Anikem Laboratories, and Shionogi & Co Postpartum Depression Drug www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/2258 www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-pdf/2258 Increasing research activities for treatment of PPD is expected to propel growth of the postpartum depression drug market during the forecast period. For instance, Sage Therapeutics is undergoing phase 3 clinical study for the drug Brexanolone, which might be useful in the treatment of PPD. The study started in May 2018 and is estimated to be completed in September 2020.Furthermore, Marinus Pharmaceuticals, is undergoing clinical phase 2 study for the drug Ganaxolone in the treatment of PPD and other mood associated disorders. The clinical study started in June 2017 and is expected to be completed in June 2019.Get Request a Sample Copy @Antidepressant drugs refusals by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S FDA) are expected to be a major restraint in growth of the postpartum depression drug market over the forecast period. For instance, in April 2018, the U.S FDA refused New Drug Application of Alkermes plc.s drug candidate ALKS 5461 which is to be administered orally. The drug could be useful in treating depressive disorders, which cannot be treated by other standard drug therapies. This refusal was due to failures in action of this oral medication.On the basis of region, the global postpartum depression drug market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa.North America is estimated to hold dominant position in the global postpartum depression drug market during the forecast period, owing to increasing awareness of PPD.For instance, annually, May 2017 is celebrated as a National Maternal Depression Awareness Month recognizing the seriousness of depression during and after pregnancy in the U.S. Furthermore, Asia Pacific is expected to witness significant growth in the global postpartum depression drug market during the forecast period, owing to increasing prevalence of PDD in the region. For instance, According to World Health Organization (WHO) July 2018 report, 22% of mothers in India suffer from PPD, annually.Key players operating in the global postpartum depression drug market include, Sage Therapeutics Inc., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Cipla Limited, Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Mylan N.V., Anikem Laboratories, and Shionogi & Co., Ltd.Download the PDF brochure @Postpartum Depression Drug Market TaxonomyBy Drug ClassSelective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)Tricyclic AntidepressantsAtypical AntidepressantsMonoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)OthersBy Distribution ChannelHospital PharmaciesRetail PharmaciesOnline PharmaciesBy RegionNorth AmericaEuropeAsia PacificLatin AmericaMiddle EastAfricaAbout usCoherent 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.1001 4th Ave,, #3200, Seattle, WA 98154 Opportunities in the Americas Prepared Meals Sector growing at a CAGR of 3.6%. https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=2122911 https://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/opportunities-in-the-americas-prepared-meals-sector-analysis-of-opportunities-offered-by-high-growth-economies-report.html The global market status for Opportunities in the Americas Prepared Meals Sector is precisely examined through a smart research report added to the broad database managed by Market Research Hub (MRH). This study is titled Opportunities in the Americas Prepared Meals Sector, which tends to deliver in-depth knowledge associated to the Opportunities in the Americas Prepared Meals Sector for the present and forecasted period until 2022. Furthermore, the report examines the target market based on market size, revenue and geography; making it quite useful for the readers.Request for Report Sample @Opportunities in the Americas Prepared Meals Sector: Analysis of Opportunities Offered by High-Growth EconomiesSummaryAmericas emerged as the second largest region with a value share of 29.2% in the global prepared meals sector in 2017, and is forecast to record a CAGR of 3.5% during 2017-2022. Ready meals was the largest category accounting for US$17,090.6 (67.2% of the overall prepared meals sector) in 2017 and is expected to reach US$20,326.2 million in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 3.6%. The US was the largest contributor to the growth of both market value and volume during 2017-2022. The overall prepared meals sector in the Americas region is moderately consolidated with the top five brands - Stouffers, Digiorno, Lean Cuisine, Banquet and Kraft - accounting for 30.9% of the overall value sales in 2017.This report brings together multiple data sources to provide a comprehensive overview of the region's prepared meals sector. It includes market overview, high growth country analysis, top brands, key distribution channels, packaging formats and case studies.Scopethis report brings together multiple data sources to provide a comprehensive overview of the Americas prepared meals sector. It includes analysis on the following -- Sector overview: Includes sector size, market size, and growth analysis by category.- Change in consumption: Indicates changing share of value consumption in the various prepared meals by category across high-potential countries in the Americas region.- High-potential countries: Provides Risk-Reward analysis of nine countries across the Americas region based on market assessment, economic development, socio-demographic, governance indicators, and technological infrastructure. Out of nine, a total of four high-potential countries are shortlisted.- Health & Wellness analysis: Provides insights on the Health & Wellness products in terms of value and percentage share in the overall prepared meals sector during 2012-2022. The analysis includes key Health & Wellness attributes and consumer benefits driving the sales of prepared meals in 2017. It also covers the market share of leading companies offering prepared meals with health and wellness attributes in the same year.- Brand Analysis: Provides an overview of leading brands in the Americas region, besides analyzing the growth of private label in the region.- Key distribution channels: Provides analysis on the leading distribution channels in the Americas prepared meals sector in 2017. It covers seven distribution channels - hypermarkets & supermarkets, convenience stores, food & drinks specialists, e-retailers, cash & carries and warehouse clubs, dollar stores, and other retailers.- Preferred packaging formats: The report provides percentage share (in 2017) and growth analysis (during 2012-2022) for various pack materials pack type, closure, and primary outer types based on the volume sales (by pack units) of prepared meals.Reasons to buy- Manufacturing and retailers seek latest information on how the market is evolving to formulate their sales and marketing strategies. There is also demand for authentic market data with a high level of detail. This report has been created to provide its readers with up-to-date information and analysis to uncover emerging opportunities of growth within the sector in the region.- The report provides a detailed analysis of the countries in the region, covering the key challenges, competitive landscape and demographic analysis , that can help companies gain insight into the country specific nuances- The analysts have also placed a significant emphasis on the key trends that drive consumer choice and the future opportunities that can be explored in the region, than can help companies in revenue expansion- To gain competitive intelligence about leading brands in the sector in the region with information about their market share and growth rates.Browse Full Report with TOC@Table of Contents1. Executive summary2. Market size and growth analysis (Regional analysis )Market size analysis - Americas compared to other regionsAmericas - analysis by regionGrowth analysis by regionGrowth analysis by countryGrowth analysis by category3.Identifying high-potential countries in the AmericasIdentifying high-potential countries - methodologyHigh-potential countriesIdentifying high-potential countries - risk, reward, and opportunity analysis4. Market size and growth analysis (high-potential countries in the Americas)Overview - value and volume growth analysis by countryGrowth contribution analysis by countryShare of prepared meals compared to other food sectorsChange in consumption levels by country and prepared meals categoriesPer capita consumption and expenditure analysis5. Country ProfilesCanadaUSBrazilMexico6. Success StoriesPrepared meals in the Americas: case studies7. Company and Brand AnalysisBrand share analysis in the prepared meals sectorLeading companies in the Americas prepared meals sectorLeading brands in the Americas prepared meals sectorPrivate label penetration in the prepared meals categories8. Health & wellness analysisHealth & wellness analysis - overviewHealth & wellness analysis - growth contribution by countryHealth & wellness analysis - key product attributes and consumer benefitsLeading health & wellness companies by market shareHealth & wellness analysis - Key Product Attributes and Consumer Benefits9. Key Distribution Channelsleading distribution channels by countriesleading distribution channels by categories10. Key Packaging FormatsGrowth analysis by key pack material and pack typeGrowth analysis by closure type and primary outer type11. Challenges and Future OutlookKey challengesFuture Outlook12. AppendixList of TablesRegional comparison: Market size, growth, and per capita analysis, 2017-2022Americas - analysis by regionCountries covered in North America and South AmericaIdentifying high-potential countries - Risk, reward, and opportunity analysisHigh-potential countries in Americas - OverviewValue share of prepared meals sector as a proportion of overall food by countryChange in consumption by market within prepared meals (value terms), 2017-2022Per Capita Consumption in Americas and high-potential countries, 2017Per Capita Expenditure in Americas and high-potential countries, 2017Canada prepared meals - Overview, % value share by category, 2017The US prepared meals - Overview % value share by category, 2017Brazil prepared meals - Overview % value share by category, 2017Mexico prepared meals - Overview % value share by category, 2017Leading brands in the Americas prepared meals sector and categories by value, 2017Leading companies in the Americas prepared meals sector by value sales (US$ million), 2017Leading Brands (including Private label) in the Americas prepared meals sector by value sales (US$ million), 2017Private Label penetration in the prepared meals sectorHealth & Wellness value and its share in overall sales, 2012-2022Share of product attributes and consumer benefits in high-potential countries Americas, 2017Leading Distribution Channels in the Americas region by country, 2017Leading Distribution Channels in the Americas region by category, 2017List of FiguresAnnual value growth analysis by region , 2017-2022Annual volume growth analysis by region , 2017-2022Value and volume growth analysis by country, 2017-2022Value and volume growth analysis by category, 2017-2022Top four high-potential countries in the AmericasCountry level contribution to the growth by categories in the Americas region, 2017-2022Canada prepared meals - Demographic AnalysisThe US prepared meals - Demographic AnalysisBrazil prepared meals - Demographic AnalysisMexico prepared meals - Demographic AnalysisCountry level contribution to the growth of H&W Market in the Americas region, 2017-2022Key pack material volume (units) share, 2017Unit volume growth by pack material, 2012-2022Key pack type volume (units) share, 2017Unit volume growth by pack type, 2012-2022Key closure type volume (units) share, 2017Unit volume growth by closure type, 2012-2022Key primary outer type volume (units) share, 2017Unit volume growth by primary outer type, 2012-2022Continued. @@About Market Research HubMarket Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports of different sector like Retail market research and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of industry reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email: press@marketresearchhub.com Pharmaceutical Excipients Market Trends, Analysis and Forecast till 2024 Appraised By Global Players Evonik Industries, FMC Corporation, Croda International PLC, Ashland Inc. Global Pharmaceutical Excipients Market https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/124 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/124 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/phase-xs/ Pharmaceutical excipients are crucial contents of a formulation that enable effective drug absorption. Excipients must suit the intended dosage form and comply with regulatory requirements i.e. pharmacopeial standards to ensure finished product quality. Moreover, their compatibility is crucial in dosage forms that involves taste masking, coating, controlled and sustained release, and oil base (emulsifiers). The International Pharmaceutical Excipient Councils (IPE) governs the global pharmaceutical excipient manufacturing by providing harmonized excipient guidelines to manufacturers.For In depth Information Get Sample Copy of this Report @Excipients used in drug manufacturing serve as binders, diluents, glidents, or disintegrants. Thus, multifunctional excipients can lower the drug development and manufacturing cost of the product. Generics market has witnessed robust growth in recent times, owing to patent expiries, in turn acting as a major factor driving demand for pharmaceutical excipients. Moreover, meeting growing demand for pharmaceutical products and large patient population base would propel growth of pharmaceutical excipients market. However, stringent regulations, especially inspection of manufacturing sites by the regulatory authorities such as the FDA, MHRA and TGA has impacted the supply of pharmaceutical excipients globally.China and India are the major suppliers of pharmaceutical excipients outside the U.S. and European markets. China is the largest supplier of low cost API and excipients. Demand for high-quality and functional excipients is high in developed markets, while emerging economies tend to prefer low cost alternatives.The global pharmaceutical excipients market was valued at US$ 5,394.2 million in 2015 and is expected to witness a robust CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period (2016 2024).Market DynamicsDemand for high-quality excipients is more in developed economies, while affordability is the key criteria considered for price sensitive emerging economies. China has emerged as the largest supplier of low-cost pharmaceutical API and excipients. India is the other fast emerging market to which production of excipients is outsourced owing to lower labor and production costs. North America and Europe lead the market for excipients as the number of excipient manufacturers are high in these regions. Moreover, high cost of manufactured excipients generates higher revenue for these regions compared to cost of material produced by manufacturers in Asia Pacific. However, growing pharmaceutical drug price pressure across the globe is expected to drive growth of the markets in China and India characterized by high supply of low cost excipients.Market TaxonomyThis report segments the global pharmaceutical excipients market on the basis of chemistry, functionality, application, and geography. On the basis of chemistry, the market is categorized into plants, animals, minerals and synthetic sources. On the basis of functionality, the market is segmented into binders, diluents, glidents, disintegrants, and others. The application segment is divided into oral, parenteral, topical and others. For comprehensive understanding of market dynamics, the global pharmaceutical excipients market is analyzed across key geographical regions namely North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa, and Middle East. Each of these regions is analyzed on basis of market findings across major countries in these regions for a macro-level understanding of the market.Oral and topical segment is driving the pharmaceutical excipients market growthExcipients are largely used in the production of oral dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, and liquids when compared to parenteral dosage forms. The growth of excipients usage in oral dosage forms is expected to be 7.2% over the forecast period. Local players entering the pharmaceutical industry mark their entry with oral dosage forms, as manufacturing of these are easier when compared to other dosage forms. Economies such as India, Brazil, China, and U.S. are few major pharmaceutical excipients markets, as they have large presence of regional pharmaceutical players. Therefore, demand for excipients is expected to be high in such economies. Moreover, growing topical solutions (cream, gel, eye drops, skin patch) in dermatology and pain management categories is also expected to increase the demand for excipients, thereby driving growth of the market.Request For Customization of Research Report @Key companies covered as a part of this study include BASF SE, The DOW Chemical Company, Evonik Industries, FMC Corporation, Croda International PLC, Ashland Inc., Roquette Group, Lubrizol Corporation, Innophos Holdings Inc. and MEGGLE Group Wasserburg BG Excipients & TechnologyAlso, Coherent Market Insights has a proprietary database of pipeline biologics and biosimilars, called PHASE-XS. This database provides analytical data in addition to the clinical information of ongoing trials for biologics and biosimilars. An amalgamation of more than 30 parameters, PHASE-XS helps biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to analyze the market trend, competition, and market potential. For more information or to access this database, kindly click on the below link or contact at sales@coherentmarketinsights.comAbout Coherent Market InsightsCoherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact UsMr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave, #3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com Cell Culture Market Development, Analysis and Demand Estimated By Global Players Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., GE Healthcare, Corning, Inc., Sigma - Aldrich Corporation Global Cell Culture Market https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-pdf/116 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/116 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/phase-xs/ Cell culture is fast emerging as an important tool for diagnosing and clinically treating various disease such as cancer and Alzheimers. Companies are focusing on diversifying their cell depository and enhancing their expertise by laying major emphasis on recruitment of highly trained professionals in order to gain a competitive edge in the market. The European Collection of Authenticated Cell Cultures (ECACC) is serving the patent depository for Europe for carrying out research by acting as international depository authority. According to VF Bioscience SAS, cell culture technique is also gaining popularity in the field of food and beverages, a trend that is estimated to gain significant traction in 2017. Furthermore, cell culture are also gaining preference as an important ingredient in production of high quality plant actives.Download PDF Brochure Of This Research Report @Cell culture process can include various complications such as obtaining fully traceable botanical extracts and raw material supply. Furthermore, increasing focus on ensuring regulatory compliance related to environmental sustainability can hamper efficacy of the product. To overcome these complications in 2017, in place of using wild or field-grown plants, researchers at ABResearch srl utilized the callus cultures and cell suspension cultures for better results. According to News Medical Life-sciences, in 2017, researchers are inclined towards developing culture model that can be used in early treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the third major cause for total vision loss and also more prevalent in elderly people.The global cell culture market was valued at US$ 12,251.3 million in 2015 and is expected to witness a robust CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period (2016 2024).Market DynamicsIncreasing research on personalized therapies and stem cells is driving growth of the market for cell culture. Also, growing organ transplantation and biobanking of cells tissues and organs is driving growth of the market for cell culture instruments and consumables. According to the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation (GODT), around 119,873 organs were transplanted worldwide in 2014 (1.81% increase over 2013). The demand-supply gap of organ transplantation is a major problem faced globally. In the U.S. alone, nearly 118,652 patients are waiting for organ transplant (U.S. Department of Health & Human Service, 2017). Using cell culture technique to differentiate cells of liver, heart and nervous system would aid in the treatment of millions of such patients globally. Further, advent of 3D cell culture technique has enabled researchers to understand the body physiology and biological systems much better. Moreover, the spheroid formation and scaffold-based techniques are driving demand for 3D cell culture products.Market TaxonomyThis report segments the global cell culture market on the basis of products, applications, end user, and geography. On the basis of product type, the market is segmented into consumables and instruments. The consumables market is categorized into media, sera, and reagents. The instruments market is categorized into culture systems, incubators, pipette, roller bottles, cryostorage equipment and biosafety cabinets. The end users segment comprises academic and research institutes and commercial pharma and biotech product manufacturers. For comprehensive understanding of market dynamics, the global cell culture market is analyzed across key geographical regions namely North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa, and Middle East. Each of these regions is analyzed on basis of market findings across major countries in these regions for a macro-level understanding of the market.Request For Customization of Research Report @Key companies covered as a part of this study include Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., GE Healthcare, Corning, Inc., Sigma - Aldrich Corporation, VWR International, LLC, Merck KGAA, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Eppendorf AG, Sartorius AG and Lonza Group AGAlso, Coherent Market Insights has a proprietary database of pipeline biologics and biosimilars, called PHASE-XS. This database provides analytical data in addition to the clinical information of ongoing trials for biologics and biosimilars. An amalgamation of more than 30 parameters, PHASE-XS helps biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to analyze the market trend, competition, and market potential. For more information or to access this database, kindly click on the below link or contact at sales@coherentmarketinsights.comAbout Coherent Market InsightsCoherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact UsMr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave, #3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com Diabetes Drug Market Corneal Surgery Devices Market 2019 Analysis - Research Covers Top 10 Players as Novo Nordisk, Abbott, AstraZeneca, Sunpharma, Daiichi Sankyo, Boehringer Ingelheim, Akros Pharma, Amgen, Peptron Etc Diabetes Drug Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1160 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/diabetes-drug-market-1160 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/1160 The Reports Aim is Furthermore, Increasing Awareness among the People Regarding Different Monitoring Procedures, Rising Awareness and well-Developed Technology have also Contributed to the Growth of the Market.Global Diabetes Drugs Market OverviewThe global diabetes drugs market is growing with a swift phase; mainly due to increase in patient population and research and development done by market players to fill the gap of market. The WHO estimated that diabetes leads to 1.6 million deaths in 2015 and it is the major causes of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and lower limb amputation.Increase in incidence of chronic disease owing to diabetes will drag the interest of biopharmaceutical researchers for developing effective drugs for the treatment. More than 170 diabetes drugs are in the development stage to cure diabetes or diabetes related conditions. In 2014, the cost of diabetes diagnosis was around USD 245 billion in the United States, and biopharmaceutical researchers are focusing to find new lifesaving and life-changing treatments.Request Free Sample Report atGlobal Diabetes Drugs Market - SegmentationThe global diabetes drug market is segmented on the basis of types, route of administration, drug class, and end users.On the basis of types, the market is segmented into type-1 diabetes and type-2 diabetes.On the basis of route of administration, the market is segmented into oral, intravenous and other.On the basis of drug class they are insulin, sensitizers, SGLT-2 inhibitors, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, secretagogues, peptide analogs and others. Sensitizers are sub segmented into thiazolidinediones and biguanides. Secretagogues are further segmented into sulfonylureas and non-sulfonylureasOn the basis of end users, the market is segmented into hospital & clinics, ambulatory clinics and other.Global Diabetes Drugs Market - ScenarioDiabetes is a metabolic disorder in which the body glucose level is elevated. There are two type of diabetes namely type-1 diabetes and type-2 diabetes. During last decade there is a tremendous increase in the number of diabetic population.According to International Diabetes Federation, in 2016, it was estimated that 420 million adult population were suffering from diabetes which is increasing at the rate of 8.4% and is expected to reach 625 million by 2040. A number of different types of drugs are available in the market however, no available treatment can cure diabetes totally. However, cost issues, strict regulatory rules and long approval time for drugs may led to restrain the growth of the market.The global Diabetes Drug Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.2% during forecasted period 2017-2023.Global Diabetes Drugs Market - Key PlayersThe major player in the global diabetic drug market are Eli Lilly (US), Novo Nordisk (Denmark), Abbott (US), AstraZeneca (UK), Biocon (US), Sunpharma (India), Sanofi (France), Novartis (Switzerland), Merck & Co. (US), Pfizer (US), Daiichi Sankyo (Japan), Boehringer Ingelheim (Germany), Akros Pharma (US), Amgen (US), Adocia (France), Peptron (South Korea), Takeda (Japan).Browse Complete Premium 80 Pagers Research Report Enabled with 76 Respective Tables and Figures atGlobal Diabetes Drugs Market - Regional AnalysisAmerica dominates the global diabetes drug market owing to large diabetic patient population. According to the WHO, in 2016, 9.6% of total America population were suffering from diabetes. In addition to this, increasing number of obese people, changing lifestyle and increasing healthcare expenditure have boosted the growth of the market in America. Increasing cholesterol level and smoking increases the possibility of causing diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014), 73.5 million adults in the US had diagnosed with high cholesterol level.Europe accounts for the second largest diabetes drug market, which is followed by Asia Pacific. Huge smoking population, availability of funds for research, and government support for research & development will drive the market in Europe.Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region for the market due to the presence of a huge patient population, continuously developing economies, and increasing need for the better treatment.On the other hand, the Middle East & Africa has the least share in the global diabetes drug market due to presence of poor economy especially in Africa region. Middle East holds the major share in the Middle East & Africa diabetes drug market owing to well-developed healthcare sector and huge healthcare expenditure.Major Table of Content by Diabetes Drug Market Research Report Global Forecast to 2023Chapter 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 RestrainsTOC CONTINUED!Get Prime Discount atAbout US:Market Research Future (MRFR), enable customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact Us:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone: +1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Hyperscale Data Center Market Business Growth & Competitor Segment Analysis, With Apple, Intel Corporation, Cisco, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Cavium Inc, Ericsson, Amazon Web Services, Equinix, Nlyte Software, Hyperscale Data Center Market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-hyperscale-data-center-market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/speak-to-analyst/?dbmr=global-hyperscale-data-center-market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-hyperscale-data-center-market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/inquire-before-buying/?dbmr=global-hyperscale-data-center-market Many Successful Business In Hyperscale Data Center Market Enjoy Longevity Because Of Understanding Industry key players and brands acquisitions, merges, joint ventures, recent developments, products launches and the competitive research And Regular market research to understand their target market, identify consumer problems and pinpoint realistic competitors.In This Market Report has been formed with the detailed market analysis that is performed by a team of industry experts, skilful analysts, dynamic forecasters and knowledgeable researchers. The market study of this report evaluates the market status, market share, growth rate, future trends, market drivers, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, and distributors.FREE| Get Sample Copy Of This Report@Global hyper scale data center market is driven by the increase in demand from large enterprise and government agencies, which is projecting a rise in estimated value from USD 31.98 billion in 2018 to an estimated value of USD 208.78 billion by 2026, registering a CAGR of 26.43% in the forecast period of 2019-2026This Market research can be carried out at various stages of a business life cycle, from pre-launch and beyond. Having a greater understanding of your marketplace from the very start will enable to create a sound business strategy to establish and grow your brand into one thats better than the competition.Key Developments in the Market: In October 2018, Inspur announced OCP Standard rack server solution jointly with open computer project which will bridge traditional data center to hyper data center on the basis of open infrastructure. In July 2018, Nexans data center solutions has been launched by nexan to support physical layer connectivity with global hyper data center.Major Market Competitors: Intel Corporation, Cisco Systems Inc., Hewlett-Packard, Ericsson, Cavium Inc.,IBM, Mellanox Technologies, Inc., Amazon Web Services, Inc, Equinix, Inc., Apple Inc., China Unicom (Hong Kong) Limited., NTT Communications Corporation, QTS Realty Trust, Inc., Inspur, Western Digital Corporation, Nlyte, Broadcom.Competitive Analysis: Global Hyperscale Data Center MarketGlobal hyperscale data center 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 hyperscale data center market for global, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and South America.Speak To Industry Experts, Request For Details Report@Hyperscale Data Center Market Segmentation:By Component Solutionso Servero Storageo Networkingo Software Serviceso Consultingo Installation and Deploymento Maintenance and SupportBy End-Usero Cloud Providerso Colocation Providerso EnterprisesBy Data Center Sizeo Small and Medium-Sized Data Centerso Large Data CentersBy Industryo Banking, Financial Services, and Insuranceo It and Telecomo Research and Academicso Government and Defenseo Retailo Manufacturingo Healthcareo Media and Entertainmento OthersBy Geographyo North Americao South Americao Europeo Asia-Pacifico Middle East and AfricaFor Full Free ToC@Research Methodology Use For Research ReportPrimary market research is a kind of market research that can be carried out individually or as a business, with the aim of collecting unique data that can be usedto improve products, services and overall functionality.Primary market research covers the following:o Monitoring the effectiveness of saleso Ascertaining the quality of services provided by competitorso Understanding the channels of communication used by competitorso Assess the active competition within the marketSecondary market research is a different type of market research as it relies on information thats already available from a variety of sources.Secondary market research covers the following:o Published company reports datao Existing surveys and studieso Newspaper reportso Government dataThe savvy purchaser:-This type of customer is someone thats not necessarily concerned with the quality or effectiveness of a product or service, but is intent on getting the best possible value. A savvy customer is someone thats likely to be aware of all the prices offered by your major competitors, so youll need to carry out secondary market research to understand whether your products or services will be priced competitively.The industry influencer:-An industry expert will not be fixated on the price of a product or service, they are often more concerned with the value and quality. Industry influencers make for ideal candidates to use for primary market research, allowing them to use your products or services, garnering their opinion on them and the market as a whole.The end-user:-An end-user is a customer that will actually use your products or services on a day-to-day basis. End users also make for excellent candidates for primary market research, allowing you to understand their frustrations and limitations ideal if youre still in the process of developing and designing new products, giving you the edge over the competition.Most new businesses will encounter three different types of customer; market research gives you the ability to understand how your target customers think and adapt to their needs in order to turn them into regular customers and brand advocates.Note: If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Customization With Discount Available On This Report At: @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 Beacon Market Witness Immense Growth and Advancements by 2024 | CAGR 61.5% Beacon Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/4668?utm_source=nee%2Fopen https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/4668?utm_source=nee%2Fopen https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Beacon is small device that sends out radio signals to nearby mobile phones and tablets, containing a small amount of data. Mobile apps on compatible devices are able to listen for signals from beacons on proximity area and then trigger an experience such as sending a promotional notification, coupon, video, URL form, and others through the app. Beacon technology is widely adopted in various sectors such as retail, healthcare, travel & tourism, and education owing to its features such as employee & asset monitoring, data generation, resource optimization, and others. In addition, beacon has made employee and asset monitoring more accurate and easier than before. Beacons create geofences to help track item in and out of specific area or locations. Further, it also provides history of movement, which can be used to study trend lines and predictive analysis.According to a recent report published by Allied Market Research, titled, Beacon Market by Type, Technology and Application: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2018-2024, the global beacon market was valued at $626.5 million in 2017, and is projected to reach at $14,838.8 million by 2024, growing at a CAGR of 61.5% from 2018 to 2024.Get Sample Report @North America is expected to dominate the global beacon market during the forecast period, owing to rise in investment of proximity marketing. In 2017, China dominate the Asia-Pacific beacon market. U.S. is anticipated to lead the market in North America, whereas the UK led the European market in 2017.Increase in investment in proximity marketing, enhanced features of beacon solution such as employee & asset monitoring, data generation, resource optimization, and others drive the growth of the beacon market. However, rise in data security and privacy concern is expected to limit the market growth.In 2017, based on type, the ibeacon was the dominant segment in terms of revenue, and is anticipated to continue this trend during the forecast period. However, based on application, retail segment dominated the global market in the same year. By technology, BLE segment accounted for the majority market share of the beacon market.Request Purchase Enquiry @Key Findings of the Beacon Market:Based on type, the ibeacon segment is anticipated to dominate the global beacon market, in terms of revenue. However, based on application, retail segment dominated the market in 2017.In 2017, the BLE segment accounted for the highest revenue.North America held the majority of the market share in 2017.Asia-Pacific is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR during the forecast period.Key Market Players ProfiledAdvanced system, SLUApple Inc.BlueCatsBlue Sense NetworksEstimote, Inc.,GeloGlimworm Beacons,GimbalKontakt.ioBeaconinside GmbHAllied 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.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: What's driving the Polyester Fiber Market trends? Key Company Profiled in Reliance Industries Limited, Indorama Ventures PCL, Toray Industries, Inc. Polyester Fiber Market https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2120 https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2120 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/polyester-fiber-market www.gminsights.com According to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc. Polyester Fiber Market will likely surpass USD 165 billion by 2024.Key industry players operating in the polyester fiber market are Indorama Ventures, Reliance Industries, Toray Industries, Markische Faser GmbH, Sarla Performance Fibers, Stein Fibers, William Barnet & Son, Kayavlon Impex, GreenFiber International, Silon, Nirmal Fibres, Polyfibre Industries, Swicofil, Diyou Fibre, and Shree Renga Polymers to name a few.Request for a sample copy of this report @Polyester fiber market is classified on the basis of products as hollow and solid. The hollow fiber acts as a filler to the clothing and other materials. The segment will witness growth with a substantial CAGR of around 7.5% in the forecast timespan. Solid segment holds a prominent share in global polyester fiber market and will spur to capture a over three-quarters of the industry share in coming years.- Polyester Fiber Market by Application Carpets & rugs Non-woven fabrics Fiberfill Apparels Home textiles Others- Polyester Fiber Market by Grade PET Polyester PCDT Polyester- Polyester Fiber Market by Product Solid HollowMake an inquiry for purchasing this report @Polyester is said to have superior quality, firm strength, and with wrinkle-free, tear-resistant, and reduced shrinking properties. These properties help the fiber in maintaining strength once woven in certain cloth. Using of such superior quality material in the apparels, home textiles, furnishing, carpets, and other such products enhances its quality and looks.Apart from these, the product is also used for insulating and cushioning purposes along with tire reinforcements which further augments the polyester fiber market. With high stain resistance, fabric made from the product is used in making higher quality apparels and clothing series. Extensive use of the product in apparels, home furnishing & decor, mattresses, and other textiles will catalyze the polyester fiber market in the future years.Some of the substitutes for the product are nylon, cotton, wool, and others. Polyester fiber offers superior properties and is cost-effective than the substitute products making it one of the preferred materials for the textile manufacturers. Increasing use of this cost efficient and superior quality product in fabrics used for industrial purposes will further drive the polyester fiber market in the upcoming years.Browse Complete Report Summary @The product finds extensive application in curtains, carpets, furniture covers, cushioning, mattresses, and other home textiles. Branded apparels are manufactured using fabric made from polyester fiber to enhance its properties and get wrinkle free and stain resistant garments. The segment holds a prominent share of the polyester fiber market and will exhibit growth with a lucrative rate owing to its increasing demand in the apparels and fabrics.Asia Pacific, in terms of revenue is a major segment and holds in excess of 65% of the global polyester fiber market share and is poised to increase in the upcoming years. North America and Europe will see growth at a sluggish rate owing to the increasing trends of using organic fabrics for apparels as well as home textiles.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: Wireless Power Transmission System Market Global Share and Status By Top Key Players Like Qualcomm, Inc., TDK Corporation, Nucurrent, Inc., Powerbyproxi, Ltd., Witricity Corporation and More 2019 - 2025 https://www.researchtrades.com/request-sample/1667934 https://www.researchtrades.com/discount/1667934 https://www.researchtrades.com/report/global-wireless-power-transmission-system-market-research-report-2019/1667934 www.researchtrades.com The Wireless Power Transmission System 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.Request for sample@This report focuses on Wireless Power Transmission System volume and value at global level, regional level and company level. From a global perspective, this report represents overall Wireless Power Transmission System 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:Qualcomm, Inc.Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.TDK CorporationTexas Instruments, Inc.Nucurrent, Inc.Powermat Technologies, Ltd.Powerbyproxi, Ltd.Witricity CorporationConvenientpower Hk, Ltd.SalcompLeggett & Platt, IncEnergizer Holdings, Inc.Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.LG Electronics IncTexzon Technologies, Ltd.Segment by RegionsNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSegment by TypeBy TechnologyInductive CouplingResonant Inductive CouplingCapacitive CouplingOthersBy RangeNear FieldFar FieldSegment by ApplicationConsumer ElectronicsHealthcareAutomotiveIndustrialOthersRequest for discount@Table of ContentsExecutive Summary1 Wireless Power Transmission System Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Wireless Power Transmission System1.2 Wireless Power Transmission System Segment By Technology1.2.1 Global Wireless Power Transmission System Production Growth Rate Comparison By Technology (2014-2025)1.2.2 Inductive Coupling1.2.3 Resonant Inductive Coupling1.2.4 Capacitive Coupling1.2.5 Others1.3 Wireless Power Transmission System Segment by Application1.3.1 Wireless Power Transmission System Consumption Comparison by Application (2014-2025)1.3.2 Consumer Electronics1.3.3 Healthcare1.3.4 Automotive1.3.5 Industrial1.3.6 Others1.4 Global Wireless Power Transmission System Market by Region1.4.1 Global Wireless Power Transmission System Market Size Region1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2014-2025)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2014-2025)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2014-2025)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2014-2025)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2014-2025)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2014-2025)1.5 Global Wireless Power Transmission System Market Size1.5.1 Global Wireless Power Transmission System Revenue (2014-2025)1.5.2 Global Wireless Power Transmission System Production (2014-2025)2 Global Wireless Power Transmission System Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Wireless Power Transmission System Production Market Share by Manufacturers (2014-2019)2.2 Global Wireless Power Transmission System Revenue Share by Manufacturers (2014-2019)2.3 Global Wireless Power Transmission System Average Price by Manufacturers (2014-2019)2.4 Manufacturers Wireless Power Transmission System Production Sites, Area Served, Product Types2.5 Wireless Power Transmission System Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Wireless Power Transmission System Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Wireless Power Transmission System Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 Global Wireless Power Transmission System Production Market Share by Regions3.1 Global Wireless Power Transmission System Production Market Share by Regions3.2 Global Wireless Power Transmission System Revenue Market Share by Regions (2014-2019)3.3 Global Wireless Power Transmission System Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019)3.4 North America Wireless Power Transmission System Production3.4.1 North America Wireless Power Transmission System Production Growth Rate (2014-2019)3.4.2 North America Wireless Power Transmission System Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019)3.5 Europe Wireless Power Transmission System Production3.5.1 Europe Wireless Power Transmission System Production Growth Rate (2014-2019)3.5.2 Europe Wireless Power Transmission System Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019)3.6 China Wireless Power Transmission System Production (2014-2019)3.6.1 China Wireless Power Transmission System Production Growth Rate (2014-2019)3.6.2 China Wireless Power Transmission System Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019)3.7 Japan Wireless Power Transmission System Production (2014-2019)3.7.1 Japan Wireless Power Transmission System Production Growth Rate (2014-2019)3.7.2 Japan Wireless Power Transmission System Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019)Browse complete report@4 Global Wireless Power Transmission System Consumption by Regions4.1 Global Wireless Power Transmission System Consumption by Regions4.2 North America Wireless Power Transmission System Consumption (2014-2019)4.3 Europe Wireless Power Transmission System Consumption (2014-2019)4.4 China Wireless Power Transmission System Consumption (2014-2019)4.5 Japan Wireless Power Transmission System Consumption (2014-2019)Who we areResearch Trades has a team of experts who is working on a comprehensive analysis of market research. This estimate is based on a comprehensive study of the future and estimates of future estimates, which can be used by various organizations for growth purposes.We distribute customized reports that focus on meeting the customer's specific requirement. Our company provides a large collection of high-quality reports obtained by customer-centered approaches, thus providing valuable research insights.Contact Us:Email: sales@researchtrades.comCall us: +1 6269994607 (USA), +91 7507349866 (IND)Web:Skype ID: researchtradescon Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Systems Market Scenario Highlighting Major Drivers & Trends, 2023 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/2274 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/2274 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/cbct-systems-market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com The Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT) system is a special type of x-ray machine. These systems are used by medical professionals to reconstruct 3D images of various patient anatomical areas such as dental, oral and maxillofacial regions, ear, nose and neck regions. The global CBCT systems market was valued at $536 million in 2016 and is projected to reach $1,041 million by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 9.9%.It is expected that the growth of the elderly population, the wide application of the CBCT system in dental care, and the number of patients suffering from dental diseases will lead to market growth. In addition, expanding the application of CBCT systems in other medical sectors such as breast imaging further augments market growth. However, image-related issues such as the high cost and lack of clarity of the device are expected to hamper market growth.Get Sample Copy of Report @KEY FINDINGS OF CBCT SYSTEMS MARKET: The breast imaging sector is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.2% over the forecast period. Hospitals and clinics accounted for more than three-fifths of the global CBCT systems market in 2015. The flat panel image detector is expected to register a peak CAGR of 10.0% during the analysis period. France and Germany jointly contributed more than one-third of the European CBCT system market in 2016. Japan is a major shareholder with over one-third of the 2015 Asia-Pacific CBCT systems market.Dental applications are expected to dominate the market during the analysis period due to increased incidence of dental diseases such as tooth loss, periodontal disease and TMJ disorders. On the other hand, other applications are expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.8% over the forecast period.Send Enquiry on this Report @MARKET PLAYERS: Dentsply Sirona Vatech Co.Ltd. Cefla s.c. Carestream Health Danaher Planmeca OY J. Morita Curve Beam PrexionGrowth in Asia-Pacific Region:This region offers lucrative opportunities in this market owing to presence of large pool of patients suffering from dental disorders, such as dental cavities, periodontal disease, and tooth loss. According to an article published by NCBI in 2016, about 95% of the Indian population suffers from periodontal disease. Hence, high incidence of dental disorders makes it an attractive market for CBCT systems.Browse More Details of 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: Hybrid Power Systems Market Analysis Showcases Growth Trends and Opportunity until 2024 || Key Players - Bergey WindPower Co., BORG Inc., Guangzhou HY Energy Technology Limited Corp., Kestrel Renewable Energy MRRSE https://www.mrrse.com/sample/1859 https://www.mrrse.com/hybrid-power-systems-market https://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/1859 The expanding database of Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) has been recently updated by the addition of a new study which is titled as Hybrid Power Systems Market Analysis Showcases Growth Trends and Opportunity Until 2024. The fact-based research report on the global Hybrid Power Systems market covers various aspects such as trends, drivers, challenges and opportunities that have an influence on the growth and expansion of the global market. All these factors are analyzed across key regions of Latin America, North America, Europe, Middle and Africa (MEA) and the Asia Pacific. In order to provide an accurate forecast, analysts have presented the current market, which forms the basis of how the metal caps and closures market is expected to develop in the future.The research study is designed to analyze the global hybrid power systems market. The market is calculated in terms of revenue (US$ Mn) based on the annual sales of hybrid power systems. The market for hybrid power systems has been segmented on the basis of type, end-use, and country/region. The global hybrid power systems market, based on type, has been segmented into wind-solar-diesel-hybrid, PV-diesel-hybrid, and others. On the basis of end-use, the hybrid power systems market has been segmented into residential, rural facility electrification, and others.Request Free Sample Report @The regional segments included in this study are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (MEA), and South and Central America (SCA). These regional segments are further divided into country-wise segments. The report provides a detailed growth forecast for the 20162024 period, considering 2015 as the baseline year. Projections have been provided for revenue (US$ Mn) through the annual sales of hybrid power systems.The report includes the key market dynamics affecting the demand for hybrid power systems. As a part of our market dynamics analysis, we have analyzed the market drivers, market restraints, and market opportunities. A comprehensive competitive landscape, which includes company market share analysis and market attractiveness analysis, has also been provided in this report. The report also provides a detailed industry analysis of the global hybrid power systems market with the help of Porters Five Forces model. The Porters Five Forces analysis aids in understanding the five major forces that affect the industry structure and profitability of the global hybrid power systems market. The forces analyzed are the bargaining power of buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat of new entrants, threat of substitutes, and degree of competition.The study also includes the value chain of the global hybrid power systems market which provides a glimpse of key suppliers, manufacturers, and distribution channel as well as interaction of suppliers and buyers with end-users. The company market share analysis has been done considering the revenue and global penetration of key market players in the hybrid power systems industry. The market attractiveness involves benchmarking and ranking each technology and region on the basis of numerous parameters. The parameters selected are likely to have a pronounced effect on the demand for each technology in the current scenario as well as in the near future.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Key participants in the global hybrid power systems market include Bergey WindPower Co., BORG Inc., Guangzhou HY Energy Technology Limited Corp., Kestrel Renewable Energy, KYOCERA Corporation, Panasonic Corporation, Schneider Electric SE, Sharp Electronics, Siemens AG, and Suzlon Group. This report provides an overview of these companies, followed by their financial revenues, business strategies, technical information, and recent developments.Global Hybrid Power Systems Market: Type AnalysisWind-Solar-Diesel-HybridPV-Diesel-HybridOthersGlobal Hybrid Power Systems Market: End-Use AnalysisResidentialRural Facility ElectrificationOthersGlobal Hybrid Power Systems Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaMexicoEuropeTurkeyKazakhstanRussiaRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaJapanAustraliaIndonesiaRest of Asia PacificMiddle East and Africa (MEA)South AfricaTanzaniaEgyptUAERest of MEASouth and Central America (SCA)BrazilChileRest of SCAEnquire about this Report @About Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE)Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.com Water Pump Market Analysis, Size, Share, Growth and Opportunity Assessment till 2025 || Market Key Players - Flowserve Corporation, Wilo SE, ITT Inc., Grundfos Holding A/S, Sulzer, KSB Inc, Ebara Corporation, Xylem Inc. mrrse https://www.mrrse.com/sample/1903 https://www.mrrse.com/water-pump-market https://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/1903 A fresh report has been added to the wide database of Market Research Report Search Engine (MRRSE). The research study is titled Water Pump Market Analysis, Size, Share, Growth and Opportunity Assessment till 2025 which encloses important data about the production, consumption, revenue and market share, merged with information related to the market scope and product overview.The report comprises a detailed value chain analysis, which provides a comprehensive view of the global Water Pump market. Porters Five Forces model for the Water Pump market has also been included to help understand the competitive landscape in the market. The study encompasses market attractiveness analysis, wherein end-user are benchmarked based on their market size, growth rate, and general attractiveness.To Get Sample Copy of Report, Click here @The study provides a decisive view of the global Water Pump market by segmenting it in terms pump type and end use. These segments have been analyzed based on present and future trends. Regional segmentation includes the current and forecasted demand for Water Pump in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. The report also covers demand for individual pumps across various end-users for all the regions.The study includes profiles of major companies operating in the global Water Pump market. Key players profiled in the Water Pump market include Flowserve Corporation, Wilo SE, ITT Inc., Grundfos Holding A/S, Sulzer, KSB Inc, Ebara Corporation, Xylem Inc., Weir Group PLC., Alfa Laval, Colfax Corporation, and Danfoss A/S. Market players have been profiled in terms of attributes such as company overview, financial overview, business strategies, and recent developments.The report provides the estimated market size of Water Pump for 2016 and forecast for the next nine years. The global market size of Water Pump has been provided in terms of revenue. Market numbers have been estimated based on pump types, and end use segment. Market size and forecast for each pump type and end use have been provided for global and regional markets.In order to compile the research report, we have conducted in-depth interviews and discussions with a number of key industry participants and opinion leaders. Primary research represents the bulk of research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. We reviewed key players operating in the water pump and various end user industries, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents for competitive analysis and market understanding. Secondary research also includes a search of recent trade, technical writing, internet sources, and statistical data from government websites, trade associations, and agencies. This has proven to be the most reliable, effective, and successful approach for obtaining precise market data, capturing industry participants insights, and recognizing business opportunities.Secondary research sources that are typically referred to include, but are not limited to company websites, annual reports, financial reports, broker reports, investor presentations, and SEC filings, internal and external proprietary databases, and relevant patent and regulatory databases, national government documents, statistical databases, and market reports, news articles, press releases, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the market, Europump , pumps.org, Hydraulic Institute (HI), International Renewable Energy Association (IRENA), International Pump Associations , Submersible Wastewater Pump Association.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Primary research involves e-mail interactions, telephonic interviews, and face-to-face interviews for each market, category, segment, and sub-segment across geographies. We conduct primary interviews on an ongoing basis with industry participants and commentators in order to validate the data and analysis. Primary interviews provide firsthand information on market size, market trends, growth trends, competitive landscape, and outlook, etc. These help validate and strengthen secondary research findings. These also help develop the analysis teams expertise and market understanding.The report segments the global Water Pump market as:Water Pump Market: Pump Type AnalysisCentrifugal PumpReciprocating PumpRotary PumpOthersWater Pump Market: End user AnalysisOil & Gas and RefiningChemicalPower GenerationWater & WastewaterGeneral IndustryWater Pump Market: Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeFranceU.K.GermanyItalyRussiaRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaASEANRest of Asia PacificLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaMiddle East & Africa (MEA)GCCSouth AfricaRest of MEAEnquire about this Report @About Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE)Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.com Hydroponics Market 2019: Top Key Players are Eurofresh Farms, Village Farms International, Argus Control Systems Ltd, Heliospectra AB, Logiqs B.V., Lumigrow, Inc,, American Hydroponics, Inc., Greentech Agro, Llc etc. Hydroponics Market https://www.researchreportsworld.com/enquiry/request-sample/13872766 https://www.researchreportsworld.com/enquiry/pre-order-enquiry/13872766 https://www.researchreportsworld.com/purchase/13872766 Hydroponics 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 Hydroponics market 2019 research provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Global Hydroponics 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 analysed. This report also states import/export consumption, supply and demand Figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins.Hydroponics Market research report spread across 99 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 Hydroponics market competition by TOP MANUFACTURERS, with production, price, revenue (value) and each manufacturer including Eurofresh Farms Village Farms International Argus Control Systems Ltd Heliospectra AB Logiqs B.V. Lumigrow, Inc American Hydroponics, Inc. Greentech Agro, Llc ..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 Hydroponics 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 Hydroponics market development trends and marketing channels are analysed. Finally, the feasibility of new investment projects is assessed and overall research conclusions offered.With tables and figures helping analyse worldwide Global Hydroponics 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 Hydroponics Market Report 2019 @ -Market segment by Type, the product can be split into Aggregate Hydroponic Systems Liquid Hydroponic SystemsMarket segment by Application, split into Crop Vegetable Fruit OtherThe study objectives of this report are: To analyse global Hydroponics status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players. To present the Hydroponics development in United States, Europe and China. To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyse 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 Hydroponics marketChapter 1: To describe Hydroponics Market Overview, Introduction, product scope, market opportunities, Application.Chapter 2: To analyse the Top Manufacturers of Hydroponics, with sales, capacity, production, revenue, and price of Hydroponics, in 2014 and 2019.Chapter 3: Hydroponics, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers with capacity, production, share by region, sales, revenue, gross margin and market share in 2014 and 2019.Chapter 4: To show the global market by regions, supply, consumption, with sales, export-import, revenue and market share of Hydroponics, for each region, from 2014 Hydroponics to 2019.Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 To analyse 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 Hydroponics to 2019.Chapter 12 Hydroponics market forecast, by regions, type, with sales and revenue, growth rate, price Forecast from 2019 to 2025 Hydroponics.Chapter 13: Connected Hydroponics.Chapter 14: To describe Hydroponics 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 4242530807/+44 203 239 8187 Acne Medication Market - Rise in Adoption of Skin Care Products, And Unhealthy Urban Lifestyle That Leads To Acne Development Are the Factors That Boost the Market Growth Acne Medication Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/4356?utm_source=sy-Openpr https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/4356?utm_source=sy-Openpr https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/acne-medication-market?utm_source=sy-Openpr The market for Acne Medication is expected to reach $ 10,929 million by the year 2025, an average of 3.9% from 2018 to 2025.Acne is a long-lasting skin disorder caused by blocked hair follicles, dead skin cells and skin oils. It is characterized by the possibility of a large number of acne, whiteheads, blackheads, oily skin and scars. It usually affects the skin with a relatively large number of glands in the chest, back and upper parts of the face. Acne treatment is a medication used to treat acne. These include retinoids, isotretinin, antibiotics, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, oral contraceptives, and other prescription and over-the-counter medicines.Factors driving the growth of the acne relief market include the spread of pandemics, an unhealthy urban lifestyle, increased pollution, and increased interest in skin care products. However, the presence of alternative therapies such as acne treatment and remedies and side effects associated with laser therapy hinders market growth. Conversely, the development of new products with fewer side effects and the presence of emerging economies' undeveloped markets are expected to provide favorable market growth opportunities.Download PDF Report Sample @The key players of this market include Allergan Plc. Nestle S.A. (Galderma S.A.) Johnson & Johnson Mayne Pharma Group Limited Mylan N.V. Pfizer Inc. GlaxoSmithKline Plc (Stiefel Laboratories Inc.) Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc.The retinoids segment accounted for the largest share in 2017, owing to high usage in treatment of acne and lesser side effects as compared to other therapeutics. However, the salicylic acid segment is expected to grow at the high CAGR from 2018 to 2025.The inflammatory acne segment is the largest acne type segment in the global acne medication market in 2017 and is expected to maintain its lead in the forecast period. On the other hand, non-inflammatory acne segment is anticipated to record the highest CAGR from 2018-2025.By type, the prescription medicine segment dominated the global acne treatment market in terms of revenue in 2017 and the trend is projected to continue throughout the forecast period.The utilization rate of topical medications for acne treatment is high owing to high availability of these products with high success rate and lesser side effects. However, the oral medication segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period.Make an Enquiry @Key Findings of the Acne Medication Market: The antibiotics segment accounted for nearly one-fourth share of the global acne medication market in 2017. The over-the-counter medicine segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.9% from 2018 to 2025. The non-inflammatory acne segment accounted for around two-fifths share of the global market in 2017. Europe accounted for around one-fourth share of the global market in 2017. LAMEA is expected to provide lucrative market growth opportunities and grows with the CAGR of 4.5% from 2018 to 2025.North America was the leading revenue contributor to the global acne medication market in 2017, and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. This is attributed to the early approval of acne medication products and high adoption of prescription medicines in this region. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 5.6% during the study period, due to increase in affordability, surge in healthcare expenditure, and rise in awareness toward safe acne medications products.Access Full Summery @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.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.com Ambulance Equipment Market - Key Players | ROYAX Stryker Corporation, Hamilton Medical, ZOLL Medical Corporation, Schiller AG, Spencer Italia s.r.l., LANAFORM, GE Healthcare, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Omron Healthcare, Inc. https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=2683 https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=B&rep_id=2683 https://www.factmr.com/report/2683/ambulance-equipment-market www.factmr.com/ http://insiderstribune.com/ As the population increases in this world, and advancement in automobiles is emerged the number of accidents also increased. Any sudden accidents wants instant help where hospitals are not present so ambulance was introduced and when it comes into the existence and thus its equipment is widely used, there are several equipment used. Increasing number of road accidents is considered as the major factor which is directing manufacturers to increase their focus in the global ambulance equipment market.Ambulance equipment is used to help patients at the time of medical emergencies like accident and surgeries. Ambulance equipment reduces the personal injuries and thus prevent loss of life. Over the past few years, the major ambulance equipment manufacturers have been expanding their capacity in the production of devices. Huge market opportunity in future, due to huge demand from end users. The rise in accidents and emergency cases has led the high growth of ambulance equipment market globally.Some of the Ambulance equipment which is highly are patient compartments, ambulance cot, nebulizer, Fire extinguisher, Oxygen delivery system, basic first aid box, mobile ventilator, and others which helps in emergency.Request For Sample @Ambulance Equipment Market: Drivers and RestraintsAccording to the World Bank, about 1.25 million people get injured in road accidents each year. Thus, the rising number of accidents have increased the adoption rate of ambulance equipment, particularly in the emergency cases.Majorly due to the large patient population base coupled with an increase in the incidence of trauma and emergency accidents provide lucrative growth opportunities for ambulance equipment companies to record high sales in these markets. Therefore, increasing investment in medical instruments advancement by manufacturers as well as new players opens doors to expand its global footprint to record high growth in ambulance equipment market.Ambulance Equipment Market: OverviewNowadays, ambulance plays an important role as it is considered as mobile hospitals. Ambulance contains all the equipment that is essential in case of emergency. Ambulance Equipment is essential for life so it needs focus for improvement. There are several tools that is needed either for treatment or surgical stuffs. Ambulance Equipment should be evolved. Ambulance Equipment are the most demanding thing in todays market therefore Ambulance Equipment market have only high growth rate in upcoming future because experts are trying to make improvements in Ambulance Equipment to make it more cost effective.Request For Brochure @Since Ambulance Equipment helps to prevent loss of life, Ambulance Equipment is the most demanding services of the world. Due to these reasons, Ambulance Equipment markets growth rate is increasing day by day. Ambulance Equipment behaves as a life rescuer. Ambulance Equipment are the services which must be given to each and every citizen. There is a new entry in medical science services which is a step ahead in terms of advancement i.e. Teremetrial Ambulance. Teremetrial Ambulance is helping to connect rural ambulance to a coronary care unit. So, in recent trends this is the new innovation. Teremetrial ambulance provides all the mobile facilities in the rural area.Ambulance Equipment Market: Region-wise OutlookGeographically, Ambulance Equipment market is categorized into seven regions as: North America, Latin America, Europe Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, & Africa and Middle East. Emerging economies in the Asia Pacific such as India hold immense potential in the ambulance equipment market. Since these countries have large population therefore they have more accidents and so the chances of ambulance equipment uses increases. The demand for Ambulance Equipment is high in the regions such as North America because it has high advancement Ambulance Equipment. In Asian pacific excluding japan (APEJ) growth rate is impressive of the product due to the presence of huge local manufacturers in countries, such as Japan, China and India. Asian has large population and chances of accidents become high in such countries and so Ambulance Equipment are come into the screen.Ambulance Equipment Market: Key PlayersList of the prominent market players in the Ambulance Equipment market are ROYAX Stryker Corporation, Hamilton Medical, ZOLL Medical Corporation, Schiller AG, Spencer Italia s.r.l., LANAFORM, GE Healthcare, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Omron Healthcare, Inc. and others.Report Analysis @The report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macro-economic indicators and governing factors along with market attractiveness as per segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies.About Fact.MRFact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports.Contact UsFactMR11140 Rockville PikeSuite 400Rockville, MD 20852United StatesEmail: sales@factmr.comWeb:Read Industrial News : High-Temperature Composite Resins Market is likely to reach US$ 168.3 million in 2023 https://www.stratviewresearch.com/186/high-temperature-composite-resin-market.html https://www.stratviewresearch.com/toc/186/high-temperature-composite-resin-market.html https://www.stratviewresearch.com/Request-Sample/186/high-temperature-composite-resin-market.html Stratview Research announces the launch of a new research report on High-Temperature Composite Resins Market This extensive report from Stratview Research, studies the High-Temperature Composite Resins Market over the trend period of 2012 to 2017 and forecast period of 2018 to 2023. The report provides detailed insights on the market dynamics to enable informed business decision making and growth strategy formulation based on the opportunities present in the market.Click here to read the detailed description:This High-Temperature Composite Resins Market analysis has been segmented in four ways, keeping in mind the interest of all the stakeholders across the value chain. By Resin Type (BMI Resin, Cyanate Ester Resin, Polyimide Resin, High-Temperature Thermoplastic Resins and Others) BMI resin is likely to remain the most dominant high-temperature resin type By End-Use Industry Type (Aerospace & Defense, Transportation,and Others) Aerospace & defense is likely to remain the most dominant segment during the forecast period By Composite Manufacturing Process Type (Prepreg Layup, RTM and Others)- and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW) North America is projected to remain the largest market during the forecast periodGo through the detailed TOC:OrGet a free sample:The High-Temperature Composite Resins Market: HighlightsResins used for composite applications, which can withstand extreme heat and temperature environments, are considered as high-temperature composite resins. High-temperature resins have a long history in the composites industry with usage in military and commercial aircraft engines. Nowadays, composite stakeholders are betting on these resin technologies in other applications including airframe and other hot sections.The global high-temperature composite resins market is projected to grow at a healthy rate over the next five years to reach US$ 168.3 million in 2023. Increasing penetration of composites in aerospace and automotive industries coupled with a greater demand for high-temperature composites, increasing production rates of high-temperature composite rich F-35 aircraft, and superior performance benefits of high-temperature resins are the key factors proliferating the growth of the market.High-temperature resin excels the performance of composite parts and enhances parts ability to withstand extreme heat and harsh environmental conditions. Also, the resin performs better under fatigue compared to more brittle ceramics and are lighter than metals; therefore, manufacturers have started adopting high-temperature resins instead of using ceramics and exotic metals. The aircraft engine is one of the biggest application areas of high-temperature composite resins as it is prone to extreme temperature and heat environments.Newer jet engines and 5th generation fighter aircraft have pushed service temperature into the range of 600F to 1000F (316C to 538C), along with an increasing demand for composite materials in order to achieve excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Lockheed Martins F-35 is among the best-selling fifth-generation aircraft, which has incorporated high-temperature composite resins. About 35% of the aircraft is made of composites and approximately 50% of which is high-temperature composites.Based on the resin type, the high-temperature composite resins market is segmented as BMI, Cyanate Ester, Polyimide, Thermoplastics, and Others. BMI resin is likely to remain the most dominant high-temperature resin type in terms of volume over the next five years. It is preferably used in military aircraft engines as well as airframe applications, nacelles of business jet engines, tooling prepreg, and hot-air ducts. However, polyimide resin is likely to remain the largest resin type in terms of value during the forecast period. Polyimide composite parts can withstand continuous use up to 315C (600F) and intermittent use up to 480C (900F) and exhibit extremely high dimensional stability at elevated temperatures.The global high-temperature composite resins market is segmented based on the end-use industry type as Aerospace & Defense, Transportation, and Others. Aerospace & defense is likely to remain the most dominant segment during the forecast period. Increasing production rate of high-temperature composite rich fighter aircraft F-35 (Joint Strike Fighter) is likely to give an impetus to the demand for high-temperature composites in the industry. Lockheed Martin announced it has increased the deliveries of F-35 by 40% in 2017 than the previous year. The company is likely to further increase its annual deliveries from 66 aircraft in 2017 to an expected delivery of 160 aircraft in 2023. Another key application area of high-temperature composite resin is tooling prepreg, where BMI resin is gaining traction.Based on the manufacturing process type, the high-temperature composite resins market is segmented as Prepreg Layup, RTM, and Others. Prepreg layup is expected to remain the most dominant process for manufacturing composite parts made using high-temperature resins. It is the most widely preferred process for manufacturing of critical parts in the aerospace & defense industry, where high-temperature resin systems are used. Prepreg layup offers various advantages, such as consistent material properties, high fiber volume, flexibility in fiber orientation, low-void content, and easy to operate on complicated shapes.Based on regions, North America is projected to remain the largest market during the forecast period, driven by the worlds leading aircraft OEMs, aeroengine manufacturers, tier players, and material suppliers. The USA is the growth engine of the regions market. Lockheed Martin has opened a new manufacturing facility to produce its high-temperature composite resin rich F-35 aircraft in Pinellas Park, Florida, the USA, to raise the existing production rate. There is a total un-filled order of more than 2,691 F-35 aircraft from 12 countries out of which the USAs inventory objective is 2,456 F-35 aircraft.Europe is projected to remain the second largest market for high-temperature composite resins during the forecast period. Dassault Aviation, BAE Systems, and Airbus Group are some of the key OEMs, which are driving the demand for high-temperature composite resins in the European market.The supply chain of this market comprises raw material suppliers, high-temperature resin manufacturers, prepreggers & compounders, tier players, OEMs, and airliners. The key high-temperature composite resin manufacturers include Solvay S.A., TenCate Advanced Composites, Lonza Group, Hexcel Corporation, and Renegade Materials Corporation. The development of low-cost high-temperature composite resins with an ease of manufacturing processes; reduced operational cost; and formation of strategic alliances are the key strategies adopted by the players to gain a competitive edge in the market.Report FeaturesThis report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report: Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porters five forces analysis, SWOT analysis Market trend and forecast analysis Market segment trend and forecast Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, Product portfolio, New product launches, etc. Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities Emerging trends Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players Key success factorsStratview Research is a global market intelligence firm offering a wivde range of services including syndicated market reports, consulting, sourcing intelligence, and customer research.We have a strong experienced team of industry veterans and research analysts with a perfect blend of wisdom, knowledge and attitude. We have been serving multiple clients across a wide array of industries.400 Renaissance Center,Suite 2600,Detroit, Michigan, MI 48243United States of AmericaPhone No. +1-313-307-4176 Automotive Adaptive Front Lighting Market 2025 || Industry Key Player - HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA. Magneti Morelli S.p.A, KOITO MANUFACTURING CO. LTD., Valeo, STANLEY ELECTRIC CO. LTD. mrrse https://www.mrrse.com/sample/4538 https://www.mrrse.com/automotive-adaptive-intelligent-front-lighting-system-market https://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/4538 A new report titled Automotive Adaptive Front Lighting Market Investigation & Industry Evolution till 2025 - MRRSE has been included in the enormous research repository of Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) that compiles various facets of the Automotive Adaptive Front Lighting Market at a global level portraying a holistic analysis of the marketplace along with intelligence on key participants. The report covers an unbiased analysis on various market aspects, emphasizing major trends giving direction to the market, key opportunities paving new growth avenues, key drivers pushing the markets growth and challenges and restraints hindering the market for Automotive Adaptive Front Lighting Market across the globe.Request Free Sample Report @Adaptive Front Lightings have become an essential part of automotive in the current situation. Efficiency and effectiveness of the system during night is the main reason for installation of this system. Adaptive front lighting system (AFS) enhances distribution of light from the headlights according to driving circumstances. Depending on vehicle speed and steering input, the system points the low-beam headlights toward the direction the driver intends to travel. Automotive Adaptive Front Lightings helps in maintaining a safety of the passenger. The regulations pertaining to passenger safety and set by the regulatory bodies are likely to become tougher during the forecast period. This in turn will mandate the automobile manufacturers to use Automotive Adaptive Front Lightings in the cars produced, thereby encouraging the growth of the market during the forecast period.Types of light system used in adaptive front lighting as Technology are xenon headlight, LED headlight, laser headlight, and OLED headlight. By vehicle type the global automotive adaptive front lightings market can be segmented into passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles. The rising demand for passenger cars across the world has mandated car manufacturers to use various types of advanced driving assistance system in their cars in order to adhere to various vehicular safety norms, which subsequently led to the increase in demand for adaptive front lightings in this segment.Sterner regulations are likely to shape the automobile market, companies operating in the global automotive adaptive front lightings market are anticipated to invest heavily on their research and development to come up with advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). This in turn will propel the overall market for automotive adaptive front lightings. Moreover, adherence to these norms is compulsory for the automobile manufacturers. Therefore, the use of adaptive front lightings in automobiles is likely to increase during the forecast period in order to meet these regulatory norms.This report on the global automotive adaptive front lightings market highlights the current scenario of the market along with stating the expected growth of the global market during the forecast period. Various political, social, economic and technological factors which are likely to impact the demand of automotive adaptive front lightings have been analyzed to include an exhaustive study of the global market drivers, restraints and opportunities, i.e. the market dynamics under the purview of the report. Further, the key players operating the automotive adaptive front lightings market have been profile thoroughly and competitively across the five geographic regions and their competitive landscape is inclusive of their recent developments related to automated guided vehicles and the distinguishable business strategies adopted by them.Browse Complete Report with TOC @To further analyze their market positioning, SWOT analysis has been provided for each of the players. In addition, the report includes the market attractiveness analysis of the segmentation, by adaptive front lighting type for offering a deep insight into the major adaptive front lighting usage area in the vehicles. Thus, the global automotive adaptive front lightings market report provides an extensive study of the market along with offering the forecast of the market in terms of revenue (US$ Million) and volume (million units) from the period of 2017 2025.Some of the major players in the Automotive Adaptive Front Lightings market are: HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA., Magneti Marelli S.p.A, KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., Valeo, STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD., Neolite ZKW, Continental AG, De Amertek Corp, Denso Corporation, Johnson Electric, Hyundai Mobis, Robert Bosch GmbH, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, and Texas Instruments Incorporated.The global Automotive Adaptive Front Lightings market has been segmented into:Automotive Adaptive Front Lightings Market, by TechnologyXenonLEDLaserOLEDAutomotive Adaptive Front Lightings Market, by Vehicle TypePassenger VehiclesCommercial VehiclesAutomotive Adaptive Front Lightings Market, by Geography: The market is broadly segmented on the basis of geography into:North AmericaU.S.CanadaLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaEuropeGermanyU.K.FranceItalySpainRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaIndiaJapanASEANRest of Asia PacificMiddle East and AfricaGCCSouth AfricaRest of Middle East and AfricaEnquire about this Report @About Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE)Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.com Industrial Hose Assemblies Market Estimated to Reach a US$ 37,556.7 Million Value by 2028 || Market Key Players - Gates Corporation, Parker Hannifin Corp., Parker Hannifin Corp., Semperit AG Holding, Campbell Fittings Inc. mrrse https://www.mrrse.com/sample/17011 https://www.mrrse.com/industrial-hose-assemblies-market https://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/17011 A new report titled Industrial Hose Assemblies Market Estimated to Reach a US$ 37,556.7 Million Value by 2028 has been included in the enormous research repository of Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) that compiles various facets of the Industrial Hose Assemblies market at a global level portraying a holistic analysis of the marketplace along with intelligence on key participants. The report covers an unbiased analysis on various market aspects, emphasizing major trends giving direction to the market, key opportunities paving new growth avenues, key drivers pushing the markets growth and challenges and restraints hindering the market for Industrial Hose Assemblies across the globe.Industrial hoses are used for the purpose of conveying various fluids (gas, water, chemicals) and even solid material from their source to various machines and several other applications. Industrial hose assembly are nothing but combination of industrial hoses and relevant fittings. These industrial hose assemblies are commonly utilized in food & beverage industry, Construction & Mining, chemical & Pharmaceuticals, Oil & gas, Automotive, Agriculture, General Manufacturing and Other Industries.Request Free Sample Report @In terms of value, the global Industrial Hose Assemblies market is estimated to reach US$ 19,973.7 Mn by 2018 end and is anticipated to touch US$ 37,556.7 Mn by 2028, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.5% over the forecast period. North America is expected to be the largest market for Industrial Hose Assemblies capturing nearly 23.5% of the global market share owing to high demand from end user industries.On the basis of material, rubber type industrial hoses are highly adopted in comparison to metal type industrial hosesRubber type industrial hoses are lighter in weight in comparison to plastic and metal type industrial hoses. Therefore, in end user industry, rubber type industrial hoses are anticipated to gain significant traction in the global industrial hoses assemblies market over the forecast period. There are some advantages of rubber hoses over metal hoses:When the operator drags metal hoses on the floor, unprotected metal hoses may be damaged and the outer braiding of industrial hoses also may be break or burst before the forecasted timeAt the time of manipulating or assembly of hoses, loses wire of braid may hurt the operatorAlthough, metal industrial hoses are mainly used for high pressure application. Moreover, metal hoses are costlier as compared to rubber and plastic hoses hence are used in limited places where cost is not a restraining factor. Metal hoses find its vast application in oil and gas industry.Outer boundary of industrial hoses are coated or spired by protected stainless steel. An outer spiral easily get stuck behind obstacles in the factory thus damaging the hose. Additionally, the stainless steel industrial hose may easily kink behind the fitting, affecting the pressure supply of steam or may be causing leakage of steam.Browse Complete Report with TOC @On the basis of material, industrial hose assemblies market is scrutinized into rubber, plastic and metal. In terms of value, rubber type segment is anticipated to gain noteworthy traction in the global market owing to its association with low price, high performance and vast application in end user industries.On the basis of product type, medium pressure segment is projected to grow with significant growth rate owing to high utilization rate in several end use industries including mining, construction, food and beverages etc. Moreover, these types of industrial hoses remain stable at the room temperature and possesses high degree of flexibility in terms of design. Furthermore, medium pressure Product Types have comparatively higher strength as compared to the Low Pressure hoses. This is expected to increase the demand of Medium Pressure Product Types in the upcoming years, subsequently promoting the growth of Industrial Hoses market in the near futureOn the basis of end user, the global industrial hose assemblies market is segmented into Food & Beverages, construction & mining, chemical & pharmaceuticals, oil & gas, automotive, agriculture, general manufacturing and other industries. Food & beverage segment is projected to be dominant in the market, in terms of value over the forecast period. However, construction & mining, chemical & pharmaceuticals, oil & gas and other segment are also anticipated to gain significant traction in the global market owing increasing application of industrial hose assemblies in end user industries over the slated time period.On the basis of material, rubber segment is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.9% over the forecast period, the segment is anticipated to reach a value US$ 4,474.0 Mn by 2028 end. The rubber segment is anticipated to fetch an incremental dollar opportunity of US$ 1,942.9 Mn within the forecast period.From the perspective of product type, the high pressure segment is expected to grow with a CAGR of 4.6%, which is slightly lower than medium pressure segment, however, it is expected to capture a market share of 14.1% by the end of forecast period, 2028. The segment is expected to create significant incremental dollar opportunity amounting to US$ 323.9 Mn throughout the forecast period.Leading market players dominating the global industrial hose assemblies marketSome of the key players involved in the manufacture of Global Industrial Hose Assemblies that have been included in the study are Gates Corporation, Parker Hannifin Corp., Parker Hannifin Corp., Semperit AG Holding, Campbell Fittings, Inc., United Flexible, Continental AG, Eaton Corporation Plc., Polyhose India Pvt. Ltd., Trelleborg AB, RYCO Hydraulics, RADCOFLEX Australia Pty Ltd., Transfer Oil S.p.A., ABCRUBBER Inc., FlexFit Hose LLC, Abbott Rubber Company, Inc., 4-STAR Hose & Supply, Inc., Neptech Inc., Chamberlin Rubber Company, Inc., Alfagomma S.p.A., IVG Colbachini S.p.A., Integraflex Hose Assemblies, Wellcall Hose (M) Sdn Bhd., Powerflex Industries and Novaflex Group Key market players are focusing on product innovation and differentiation with unique capabilities to strengthen their market positioning across the globe.Enquire about this Report @About Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE)Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of Market Research Reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.com Global RF Filter Research and Market Analysis 2025: NXP Semiconductors N.V., Analog Devices, Inc., STMicroelectronics, Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Broadcom Inc. https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1907263 https://www.researchmoz.us/global-market-study-on-rf-filter-mobile-phone-communication-segment-expected-to-grow-globally-across-multiple-industries-in-the-near-future-report.html/toc https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=1907263 http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG https://studyanalyst.blogspot.in ResearchMoz include new market research report "Global Market Study on RF Filter: Mobile Phone Communication Segment Expected to Grow Globally Across Multiple Industries in the Near Future" to its huge collection of research reports.Persistence Market Research (PMR) offers an 8-year forecast for the global RF filter market between 2018 and 2026. In terms of value, the RF filter market is expected to register a CAGR of 17.3% during the forecast period. This study demonstrates the RF filter market dynamics and trends globally across 7 regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, SEA and Others of Asia Pacific, Japan, China and MEA, which influence the current nature and future status of the RF filter market over the forecast period.Enter your information below to receive a sample copy of this report @This research report provides a detailed analysis of the RF filter market and offers insights on the various factors driving the popularity of RF filter and their features. It includes an extensive analysis of key industry drivers, challenges, market trends and market structure. The RF filter market study provides a comprehensive assessment of stakeholder strategies and imperatives for succeeding in the business. It segregates the market based on type, application and across different regions worldwide.The RF filter market is expected to witness moderate revenue growth during the forecast period owing to the increasing adoption of smartphones, RADAR, navigation and the enhanced features associated with them.A detailed analysis has been provided for every segment in terms of market size analysis for the RF filter market across different regions. The section provides a detailed analysis covering key trends in the RF filter market.The next section highlights a detailed analysis of the RF filter market across various countries in the region. It provides an RF filter market outlook for 20182026 and sets the forecast within the context of the RF filter market, including latest technological developments as well as offerings in the RF filter market. This study discusses key trends within countries contributing to growth of the RF filter market, as well as analyses degrees at which drivers are influencing this RF filter market in each region. Key regions and countries assessed in this report include North America (U.S. and Canada), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico and the Rest of Latin America), Europe (Germany, Italy, France, U.K., Spain, Russia and the Rest of Western Europe), SEA & Others in Asia Pacific (India, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Oceania and the Rest of SEA & APAC), Japan, China, and MEA (Northern Africa, GCC countries, Turkey, South Africa and the Rest of MEA). This report evaluates the present scenario and the growth prospects of the RF filter market across various regions worldwide for the period 2018 2026. We have considered 2017 as the base year and provided data for the remaining 12 months.Read Complete Table of Content @Also, another key feature of this report is the analysis of all key segments in terms of absolute dollar opportunity. This is traditionally overlooked while forecasting the market. However, absolute dollar opportunity is critical in assessing the level of opportunity that a provider can look to achieve, as well as to identify potential resources from a sales and delivery perspective in the global RF filter market.In the final section of the report, we have included a competitive landscape to provide clients a dashboard view based on the categories of providers in the value chain, their presence in the RF filter market and key differentiators. This section is primarily designed to provide clients an objective and detailed comparative assessment of key providers specific to a RF filter market segment in the RF filter supply chain, and the potential players for the same. Report audiences can gain segment-specific vendor insights to identify and evaluate key competitors based on the in-depth assessment of capabilities and success in the marketplace. Detailed profiles of providers are also included in the scope of the report to evaluate their long-term and short-term strategies, key offerings and recent developments in the RF filter market. Key competitors covered are NXP Semiconductors N.V.; Analog Devices, Inc.; STMicroelectronics; Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.; Broadcom Inc.; Anatech Electronics, Inc.; K&L Microwave; RS Microwave Company, Inc.; API Technologies and Bird Technologies.Key Segments Covered:By TypeBand-passLow-passHigh-passBand-stopBy ApplicationNavigationRadio BroadcastTV BroadcastMobile Phone CommunicationSatellite CommunicationRADAROthersMake An Enquiry @Key Companies of RF Filter Market:NXP Semiconductors N.V.Analog Devices, Inc.STMicroelectronicsMurata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Broadcom Inc.Anatech Electronics, Inc.K&L MicrowaveRS Microwave Company, Inc.API TechnologiesAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.For More Information Kindly Contact:ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Blog: Global Holographic Anti-counterfeiting Marks Market 2019 - Light Logics (India), Lasersec Technologies (India) https://www.eonmarketresearch.com/sample/33682 https://www.eonmarketresearch.com/enquiry/33682 https://www.eonmarketresearch.com/global-holographic-anti-counterfeiting-marks-market-2019-33682 https://www.eonmarketresearch.com This new report by Eon Market Research, titled Global Holographic Anti-counterfeiting Marks Market 2019 Research Report, 2015 2025 offers a comprehensive analysis of Holographic Anti-counterfeiting Marks industry at a global as well as regional and country level. Key facts analyzed in this report include the Holographic Anti-counterfeiting Marks market size by players, regions, product types and end industries, history data 2014-2018 and forecast data 2019-2025. This report primarily focuses on the study of the competitive landscape, market drivers and trends, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, distributors in global Holographic Anti-counterfeiting Marks market.Make a Request for Sample Pages Holographic Anti-counterfeiting Marks Market 2019 Research Report Here @This report on Holographic Anti-counterfeiting Marks market presents market size in terms of volume and value (or whichever applicable) for the entire forecast period and also offers CAGR for the forecast period under consideration. Key trends analyzed for the prospective readers of this Holographic Anti-counterfeiting Marks market report include major demand drivers, restraints and key opportunities prevailing in the industry. Certain high-level analysis of Holographic Anti-counterfeiting Marks market such as value chain analysis, Porters five forces analysis, SWOT analysis, and market attractiveness analysis to cover all the circumstances affecting this Holographic Anti-counterfeiting Marks industry is also covered in this report. Portfolio analysis helps to understand product mix of leading companies in Holographic Anti-counterfeiting Marks industry.This report focuses on top manufacturers in the global Holographic Anti-counterfeiting Marks market, with revenue production, sales, gross margin, and market share for each manufacturer, covering Light Logics (India)Lasersec Technologies (India)K Laser (Taiwan)Uflex Limited (India)Polinas (Turkey)Kurz (Germany)Unifoil Corporation (US)Everest Holovisions Limited (India)Holostik (India)SRF Limited (India)Spectratek (US)API (UK)Offset Group (Bulgaria)Integraf (US)Zhejiang Jinghua Laser (China)SVG Optronics (China)Jinjia Group (China)Shantou Wanshun (China)Shantou Dongfeng (China)AFC Hologram (China)Other CompaniesConsumption, production, capacity, market share, growth rate, and prices are included for each product segment of Holographic Anti-counterfeiting Marks market Holographic FilmHolographic PaperConsumption, market share and growth rate for each application segment of Holographic Anti-counterfeiting Marks market TobaccoFood and DrinkCosmetic/Personal CareInquiry before Buying Holographic Anti-counterfeiting Marks Market 2019 Report and Ask For Discount Here @The Holographic Anti-counterfeiting Marks market report presents all-inclusive information on raw materials suppliers, equipment suppliers, manufacturing cost, capacity, production, profit margin, capacity utilization rate, etc. The Global Holographic Anti-counterfeiting Marks Market report also covers a systematic geographical analysis.Key regions analyzed in the global Holographic Anti-counterfeiting Marks market include; North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East Africa. The country-level analysis included for U.S., UK, France, Germany, Russia, China, Japan, India, and Brazil. The Holographic Anti-counterfeiting Marks industry report provides detailed bifurcation of each segment on global, regional and country level. In a word, the Holographic Anti-counterfeiting Marks market report provides major statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of direction and control for companies and individuals interested in the market.Browse Complete Holographic Anti-counterfeiting Marks Market Report Details and ToC Here @If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.About Us:Eon Market Research is detail and precision oriented market research end business consulting company. To offer factual and sustainable end results derived from a precise and appropriate research that assist our prospective readers to take the key decision and achieve the growth of their organizations.Contact Us:MaxEmail - inquiry@eonmarketresearch.comPhone - +1 703 879 7090Web - Phosphorescent Pigments Market 2019 - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast by 2024 RTP Company, Next Generation Clinical Research, Honeywell, Glotech International, U.S. Phosphorescent Pigments Market Size, by End-user, 2013 2024 (USD Million) https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2284 https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2284 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/phosphorescent-pigments-market https://www.gminsights.com http://headlinenewsnation.com Phosphorescent pigments market will witness significant development in the forecast period due to its notable use in various end-use applications such as clock or watch dials, writing & printing inks, electronic instruments & dial pads, home appliances, camping equipment, textile printing & fabrics, outdoor path marking, lighting apparatus & switches, military applications, signboards, etc.Phosphorescent Pigments Market Size will surpass USD 290 million by 2024; according to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc.Request for a sample of this research report @Increasing use of consumer products applications such as printing on textiles, toys, shoes & other footwear, etc. will further boost the overall phosphorescent pigments market in the forecast period. Moreover, use of the product as an additive to plastics in order to increase the glow and aesthetic appearance will further enhance the phosphorescent pigments market.Growth drivers Global drivers1. Increasing product application in signage boards2. Rising paints & coatings demand Regional drivers1. Plastic films & sheets market growth in Asia PacificCompany profiled in this report based on Business overview, Financial data, Product landscape, Strategic outlook & SWOT analysis:1. Nemoto Lumi-Materials Company Limited2. Glotech International3. Honeywell4. Luminochem Ltd.5. Radiant Color NV6. United Mineral & Chemical Corp.7. Next Generation Clinical Research8. Tavco Chemicals9. GloNation LLC.10. GTA LLC11. RTP Company12. RC Tritec LTD.13. Glow Inc.14. Lightleader Co., Ltd.15. Allureglow USAAn exclusively discernible example of an industry famous among all and sundry, though not by its christened name, phosphorescent pigments market stands as one of most popularly reputed spheres at the grassroot level. Owing to their widespread popularity, phosphorescent pigments industry players have been continually involved in R&D programs that would enhance the application landscape of this business sphere.Say for instance, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), as recent as early 2017, tested four different types of surface materials on a 1,300-foot stretch of Singapores Rail Corridor behind a metro station in Bukit Panjang, in order to make the trial safer and more reliable for public use, without the necessity for street lighting. While the response to the luminous trail has been slightly underwhelming, it has been satisfying enough for the notion to gain weightage, prompting regional phosphorescent pigments market players to expand their R&D programs and explore the idea further with regards to practical implementation.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Some key industry players in the phosphorescent pigments market include LuminoChem Ltd., Honeywell International, Glotech International, Nemoto Lumi-Materials, Allureglow International, Allureglow International, Glow Inc., RC Tritec, RTP Company, GTA, GloNation, Tavco Chemicals, Next Generation, United Mineral and Chemical Corp., and Radiant Color.Phosphorescent pigments market may dynamically transform street lighting & energy consumptionThese products, better known by their colloquial name glow in the dark paints, find tremendous applications across the paints and coatings, plastics, and construction sectors, pertaining to their exclusive property of light absorption and quick, controlled emission in a dark environment.Endowed with excellent temperature resistance and longer emission times, these pigments ensure the long-term appearance of a luminous effect, which can be aptly credited for the expansive end-use spectrum of phosphorescent pigments market that includes novelty toys, roads, military equipment, plastic sheets, automobile interiors, wheel coatings, fire exits, and emergency signboards.One of the domains however, that may extensively benefit from these pigments and prove to be a profitable avenue for phosphorescent pigments industry growth, is the energy sector. In recent years, in a bid to save energy and reduce expenditure on highway lighting, companies have been tapping the notion of using bright glow paint signs on roads that would guide the driver and eliminate the necessity of lighting, thereby providing a lucrative growth ground for phosphorescent pigments market players. The concept had been brought under the scanner by a Dutch company in 2014 Studio Roosegaarde, that joined hands with a Dutch civil engineering firm called Heijmans, with the intention of developing a phosphorescent paint that can glow brightly in the dark, on the outside, creating sufficient luminescence for drivers to see the pathway ahead. Despite not being globally commercialized, the perception, back then, successfully debuted in phosphorescent pigments industry.Phosphorescent pigments market outlook characterized by myriad R&D programsAs on today, glow in the dark paint is being deployed across a plethora of applications in order to reduce energy consumption, which may substantially pave the way for phosphorescent pigments market expansion. Phosphorescent paint for instance, is being used to create luminous cement, that may transform the way the urban landscape is lit.Phosphorescent pigments industry firms have even been researching ways of developing glow in the dark plants, that may direct the global populace toward a more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle. The pigments are specifically used for emergency exit signages, given the gravity of the situation. In fact, just recently, Councilor Mabel Acosta of Philippines stated that it would be mandatory for all the establishments to install glowing emergency exits that may help people escape during unforeseen calamities.Traditionally manufactured from an amalgamation of copper and zinc sulfide crystals, phosphorescence pigments attribute their characteristic to the unique properties of crystalline zinc sulfide and the ability of copper to activate the crystals for absorbing light and emitting the same gradually to generate a phosphorescent sheen. However, these pigments have also been developed from alkaline earth metals such as strontium, after Nemoto & Company, a Japan phosphorescent pigments market player introduced a strontium-based product under the brand name of LumiNova.Browse key industry insights from the report, Phosphorescent Pigments Market in detail along with the table of contents:Apparently, these pigments possess a higher rate of durability and brightness than the traditional zinc sulfide based products technically speaking, these pigments have an afterglow period that is ten times higher than ZnS-based pigments, and they are also known to be free of radioactive substances, while exhibiting excellent weather resistance.In consequence, this has generated a slew of growth avenues for phosphorescent pigments industry players to come up other unique products that can be used for highlighting the phosphorescence effect, without compromise. The overtly robust demand for the product for emergency exits, lighting, and signage boards, in addition to the rapid transformation in the lighting and construction sectors, will further provide a boost to phosphorescent pigments market trends. As per estimates, phosphorescent pigments industry size is slated to expand at a CAGR of 4.5% over 2017-2024.About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog: Opalesque Industry Update - RAM Active Investments SA (RAM AI), systematic asset manager based in Geneva, with 4 billion euros of assets under management, strengthens its presence in Italy with the opening of its office in Milan and announces the appointment of Gianluca Carnevale Gare as Head of Sales Retail Italy. The opening of RAM Active Investments' Italian branch in Milan is in addition to our existing offices in Geneva, Zurich and Luxembourg. This new step is part of the development strategy of RAM AI for the retail channel in Italy, a process that began in July 2018 with the signed agreement with CheBanca!. For years RAM AI has been working successfully in Italy with various institutional counterparts, fund selectors and fund managers under the guidance of Eleonora Biella, Head of Sales Institutional and DPM Italy; the opening of an office in Italy will allow RAM AI to position itself closer to both the retail and institutional distribution networks. Gianluca Carnevale Gare, RAM's new Head of Sales Retail Italy, joins from Sempione SIM, a boutique active asset manager and investment consulting, where he held the position of Head of Business Development for Italy. Previously Gianluca worked at Invesco as Sales & Relationship Manager Retail Italy contributing to the growth of their retail channel, before joining Pictet Asset Management as Sales Manager Director with responsibility for the Italian retail market. Gianluca holds a degree in Business Management with a specialisation in Corporate Finance from the University of Pavia. Thomas de Saint-Seine, CEO and Founding Partner of RAM AI, commented: "I am pleased to welcome Gianluca, his experience and knowledge of the Italian retail market will support RAM AI's growth path in Italy. For years we have been present on the Italian market with institutional customer relations, the arrival of Gianluca and the opening of our office in Milan are further confirmation of our strong commitment to this market and will allow us to be closer to our investors, continuing to serve our existing institutional clients, while building our presence on the retail market. In this new phase of RAM AI's development, I wish Gianluca every success in his new role." Gianluca Carnevale Gare, Head of Sales Retail Italy, comments on his entry into RAM AI: "I am very proud to take on this professional challenge with RAM, a truly innovative asset manager where research and the use of technology and Artificial Intelligence represent its best expertise in investments management. To date, there is nothing similar on the Italian market; I am convinced that this new management style can offer a concrete diversification in the portfolios of Italian investors. RAM Active Investments is a systematic asset manager with a long experience in creating value for its customers in any market condition. Research is at the heart of our disciplined approach to investment, which enables us to identify and continually exploit new market inefficiencies by adopting the latest innovative technologies. Get out of Venezuela, Trump warns Russia; says all options open to make it happen Venezuela: Opposition leader Guaido to meet US vice president today; asks allies to topple Maduro International oi-Shubham Ghosh Caracas, Feb 25: Venezuela's Opposition leader Juan Guaido, who proclaimed himself as the country's interim president in January to defy incumbent president Nicolas Maduro, will meet US Vice President Mike Pence in Bogota, the capital of neighbouring Colombia, on Monday, February 25. Clashes took place at the border between the two countries over the Venezuelan security forces' blocking humanitarian aid from entering the country, resulting in the death of at least four persons. Two 'presidents' of Venezuela clash over aid; Guaido vows to bring in foreign help in country Guaido, 35, who is backed by several countries besides the US, has appealed to the international community supporting him to consider "all options" to free Venezuela from the grips of Maduro who recently took oath for a controversial second term. The Latin American country has slumped into an extreme economic crisis under the rules of Maduro and his mentor and predecessor Hugo Chavez. The US has also warned action against Venezuela as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News on Saturday, February 23, that Washington was considering "every option", including military interference. Guaido and Pompeo have in the past asked the Maduro administration to allow the humanitarian aid to reach the people of Venezuela but the latter hasn't agreed fearing that there could be an international ploy to unseat the president through the assistance. On Saturday, Maduro cut off diplomatic ties with Colombia after it was used as a stage for American-backed aid effort that the cornered president has vowed to prevent. Venezuela: Canada govt backs Juan Guaido but its biggest labour union supports Maduro "We can't keep putting up with Colombian territory being used for attacks against Venezuela. For that reason I've decided to sever all ties with the fascist government of Colombia. All consul employees should leave within 24 hours. Out! Get out. Enough is enough," Maduro said in a rally, according to a report in NBC News. Tension also flared up at the border area with Brazil, Venezuela's largest neighbour. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, February 25, 2019, 10:11 [IST] Why has the Lankan MPs links to Kasargod come under the ambit of the Indian agencies Sri Lanka: Mute beggar on bus suddenly starts talking International oi-Shubham Ghosh Colombo, Feb 25: Some stories are so baffling that it becomes difficult sometime to differentiate them from an entertaining joke cracked by a person of humour. Recently, an instance happened at a bus station in Sri Lanka and it left people in splits after it was shared on a news platform. It was at the Central Bus Stand in Pettah, Colombo, Sri Lanka, where a lot of beggars seek help in large numbers. One among those beggars was known to be mute and he used his hands to communicate with people while seeking help. It was mainly in the evening time that the person was spotted begging in the buses. China: Railway station asks travellers not to give money to 'rich' beggar According to a report in Sri Lanka's Daily Mirror, a passenger saw the beggar boarding a bus with a pair of crutches for his everyday business of seeking help. The passenger first thought that the mute person might have met with an accident that forced him to use the support. But just when he took out a note to give the beggar out of sympathy, the latter, to his surprise, started talking! He said: "Look at what happened to me..." The passenger quietly put the note back into his pocket even as the beggar went on convincing other people travelling in the bus. US willing to sit down for talks with Iran, other nations on nuclear deal Saudi-Pakistan bonhomie upsets Iran; Tehran media says Pak a pawn in Saudi Arabias sinister game International oi-Shubham Ghosh Tehran, Feb 25: Pakistan's foreign policy gestures are something that not only irks India but also its other neighbours like Iran and Afghanistan. At a time when New Delhi has been bashing Islamabad over harbouring a terror outfit like Jaish-e-Mohammed that recently claimed responsibility for the dastardly terror attack in Pulwama in Jammu & Kashmir, killing over 40 CRPF jawans, Tehran and Kabul too have slammed the Pakistani government over instances of attacks on soldiers (Iran too lost its personnel in a terror attack from another Pak-based outfit) and alleged territorial violations. Why India should not complain about Saudi Arabia's hefty aid to Pakistan Pakistan has also been blasted by its neighbours time and again for maintaining good relations with their enemy states and non-state actors. While it is China in case of India, it is Saudi Arabia in case of Iran and the Taliban in case of Afghanistan's elected government. Recently, while India was left frustrated over its failure to get the UN declare JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist because of China's blockade, Iran too was displeased with the way Pakistan's Imran Khan government has been found handling the Saudis. The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), recently visited Pakistan and pledged a massive investment there. He was driven from the airport personally by PM Khan and MBS later showered praise on the host country. Understandably, it did not go down well with Iran, a major enemy of the Saudis in West Asia. Imran Khan govt disappoints Iran A piece in Tehran Times titled 'Pakistan a pawn in Saudi's sinister game' hit out at the Khan government saying it eventually did not honour the words it had uttered in having a balanced relation with both Saudi and Iran, two of its close allies, and "followed the same beaten track". It said PM Khan secretly approached the International Monetary Fund for a bailout and sought financial help from countries like China and Saudi Arabia. "...Saudis doling out money to Pakistan was interesting. They saw an opportunity beckoning them and they grabbed it with both hands. Without knowing, the new Pakistan government had traded its sovereignty for Saudi petro dollars," the piece said. Pakistan PM eats sitting with Saudi crown prince; president asked to stand up and deliver speech It also accused Khan of keeping alive the tradition of earlier Pakistan prime ministers who had a clear inclination to the Saudis despite promising a change in the approach of "Naya Pakistan" of his era. It said in response to Khan's high praises for Saudi Arabia as one which "always stood with Pakistan in difficult times", Riyadh announced financial support worth $6 billion to Islamabad. "Those who were expecting a nuanced and balanced approach to Islamabad's relations with Tehran and Riyadh under Imran Khan were left disillusioned," the Iranian newspaper article said. It said Saudi Arabia's financial backing to Pakistan had less to do with its friendship and more about promoting its "own sinister agendas" like outsourcing of the Wahhabi ideology and sponsoring extremist ideologies in other nations affiliated to the same ideology. It said the Saudi's effort had to be seen against the backdrop of its rivalry with Iran and its quest in destabilising Tehran. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, February 25, 2019, 12:04 [IST] PM Modi to hold virtual summit with Vietnamese counterpart; Likely to talk on healthcare, defence Ready for second summit: Kim travels to Vietnam by train International oi-Shubham Ghosh Hanoi, Feb 25: While US President Donald Trump left Washington for the Vietnam capital for his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the latter embarked on his 4,000-kilometre land journey in an armoured train on Saturday, February 23. The two leaders will meet for the second time since their historic meeting in Singapore in June 2018. Trump, who has been found speaking about Kim in high regards in recent times, said on Sunday, February 24, that the North Korean leader could soon put his country on a fast track to emerge as a major power. Ahead of summit, this Vietnam hairdresser is giving people free Trump & Kim haircuts "Chairman Kim realises, perhaps better than anyone else, that without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the world," Trump wrote on Twitter. Images came out in North Korean state media showing the country's citizens cheering Kim as he waved from a train at the beginning of his 60-hour journey to Hanoi. Kim is accompanied in his journey by his right-hand man and top general Kim Yong Chol who met Trump in the US in January and his sister and close aide Kim Yo Jong and other high-placed officials, North Korea's official KCNA news agency reported. Kim and Trump will meet in Hanoi on February 27 and 28. The meeting in Singapore did not turn out to be as productive as the world would have expected as the two sides came up with a vague agreement on giving peace a chance in the Korean Peninsula. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, February 25, 2019, 17:59 [IST] Pulwama terror attack: EU wants India, Pakistan to urgently "de-escalate" tension International oi-Vikas SV Islamabad, Feb 25: Amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan post February 14's terrorist attack in South Kashmir's Pulwama, the European Union (EU) has asked Islamabad to take "clear and sustained" actions targeting not only all UN-listed transnational terrorist groups but also individuals claiming responsibility for attacks. The statement came amid heightened tension between the two nuclear-armed arch-rivals after the February 14 suicide attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad that killed at least 40 CRPF soldiers in Pulwama. Pulwama: JeM's Indian touts helped move RDX provided by Pakistan army Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the EU Commission, urged Pakistan and India to urgently "de-escalate" the tension which has built up after the attack. She spoke to Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday and discussed the current situation, a delegation of the European Union (EU) said in a statement here. The EU is also in contact with India, it said. Mogherini also highlighted the need to "continue addressing terrorism including clear and sustained actions targeting not only all United Nations-listed transnational terrorist groups but also individuals claiming responsibility for such attacks" the statement said. She said the EU's policy has always been to promote a dialogue between Pakistan and India to sort out differences. After the attack, which was claimed by the UN-proscribed JeM, India launched a major diplomatic offensive against Islamabad after the attack and highlighted Pakistan's role in using terrorism as an instrument of state policy. Post Pulwama, India looking at something very strong says Donald Trump India asked Pakistan to take immediate and verifiable action against terrorists and terror groups operating from territories under its control. New Delhi also announced the withdrawal of the Most Favoured Nation status for Pakistan and hiked the customs duty by 200 per cent on goods originating from Pakistan. OneIndia News with PTI inputs For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, February 25, 2019, 16:41 [IST] To stay in Grey List or downgrade to Black List: Key FATF decision on Pak this week Pakistan will implement FATF's new action plan in 12 months: Minister after country retained on 'grey list' Pak appoints administrators to supervise Jaish-e-Mohammad headquarters International oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa Islamabad, Feb 25: Pakistani authorities have appointed two administrators to supervise a seminary and a mosque believed to be the headquarters of the Jaish-e-Mohammad, the terror outfit which claimed responsibility for the Pulwama suicide attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir. The Punjab government appointed the administrators two days after it announced taking over the control of Madrassatul Sabir and Jamia-e-Masjid Subhanallah in Bahawalpur, over 400-km from Lahore. Amid heightened tensions, Pak sets up Crisis Management Cell The seminary and mosque are believed to be the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit. "The Punjab government has appointed Mohammad Ali, district Auqaf administrator and Ghulam Abbas, regional Auqaf administrator to supervise the administrative affairs of Jamia-e-Masjid Subhanallah and Madrassatul Sabir, Bahawalpur, respectively," said a senior official of the Punjab government. Jamia-e-Masjid Subhanallah is located in the densly populated industrial area in Model Town-B of Bahawalpur while Madrassatul Sabir is situated on Bahawalpur-Ahmed East highway on the outskirts of the city. Earlier in a complete U-turn, the Pakistan government dismissed its own claim of taking over the control of JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur and said the complex had no link with the JeM. In a video message on social media, Pakistan's Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the Punjab government took administrative control of Madrassatul Sabir and Jamia-e-Masjid Subhanallah in Bahawalpur in line with the decisions taken during the National Security Council meeting held on Thursday and as part of the National Action Plan. Rejecting his earlier announcement that the complex was JeM headquarters, Chaudhry said, "This is the madrassah (seminary) and India is doing propaganda that it is the JeM headquarters". On Friday, the minister told PTI that the Punjab government had "taken over the control of the JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur". 'If Pak attacks with one atomic bomb, India can finish us with 20,' says Pervez Musharraf "The government of Punjab has taken over the control of a campus comprising Madressatul Sabir and Jama-e-Masjid Subhanallah in Bahawalpur, allegedly the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammad, and appointed an administrator to manage its affairs," he had said. It was the first time in years that the campus, about 430-km from Lahore, had been acknowledged by Pakistan to be the headquarters of the Masood Azhar-led JeM. A statement issued by the Interior Ministry on Friday also said the crackdown on Jaish "has been taken in line with the decision of the National Security Committee meeting held on Thursday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Imran Khan". The Islamic seminary in the campus has a faculty of 70 teachers and currently 600 students were studying in it, the statement said, adding that Punjab police were providing security and protection to the campus. Since 2002 when the JeM was banned, different intelligence agencies have been regularly monitoring the mosque and the seminary, the Punjab government official said. Pakistan on Thursday also banned the 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed-led Jamat-ud-Dawa and its charity wing Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation. Earlier, the two outfits were kept on the watchlist of the interior ministry. The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the Lashkar-e-Toiba militant group which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai attack that killed 166 people. It was declared a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in June 2014. Forty CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on February 14 in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a JeM suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying a huge quantity of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district. Tensions between the two countries have heightened after the attack with India asking Pakistan to take immediate and verifiable action against terrorists and terror groups operating from territories under its control. New Delhi also announced the withdrawal of the Most Favoured Nation status for Pakistan and hiked the customs duty by 200 per cent on goods originating from Pakistan For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, February 25, 2019, 6:18 [IST] Mystery! Giant whale found dead in Brazil jungle how did it reach there? International oi-Shubham Ghosh Brasilia, Feb 25: Finding carcasses of sea animals on the shores is not uncommon, thanks to the growing pollution and poaching. But recently, a massive 36-feet-long humpback whale has been found dead in the Amazon jungle in Brazil, leaving everybody - from experts to commoners - shocked. How could the carcass reach a place which is by no means a habitat for a giant sea mammal? The animal was found around 50 feet away from the nearest sea body. Ahead of summit, this Vietnam hairdresser is giving people free Trump & Kim haircuts The carcass was discovered last Friday, February 22, on the island of Marajo off the Aaruna Beach, at the mouth of the Amazon River. According to experts, the whale might have died at sea and its carcass was thrown up into the jungle area by rough sea tides. A team from Semma, Brazil, went to the area to inspect the whale's remains. The whale is believed to be a 12-month-old calf. Its body bore no external injury. The Maritime Herald said in a report that the whale might have been killed by consuming marine plastics and then the carcass was washed ashore into the jungle. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, February 25, 2019, 11:09 [IST] Kim-Trump summit in Hanoi: Vietnam PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc personally inspects preparations International oi-Shubham Ghosh Hanoi, Feb 25: All eyes will be on Vietnam over the final days of February as two of the world's most talked-about leaders - US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, will meet in the Southeast Asian nation for a two-day summit starting Wednesday (February 27). This will be their second summit since their historic meeting in Singapore in June last year. Preparations were full on with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc personally inspecting them ahead of the high-profile summit that could see a major breakthrough in the Korean peace process. On Sunday, Phuc visited the International Media Centre in Hanoi to see the pace of the last-minute preparations, Viet Nam News reported. Ready for second summit: Kim travels to Vietnam by train The prime minister said during a meeting with relevant ministries and agencies that the summit is going to be a significant international event for regional as well as global peace and will be a central attraction for the entire world. He also praised the efforts that were being put in by his countries' officials for make the conditions perfect for the two top leaders' meeting as well as promoting a friendly image of the host country. The PM also stressed on the safety of foreigners who will be visiting Vietnam during the event. Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on Saturday, February 23, inaugurated the international media centre. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, February 25, 2019, 18:17 [IST] Mamata Banerjee slams PM Modi, says he is playing 'Bengal card' in Bangladesh Will do according to principles: Bangladesh on Chinas warning against joining Quad How Bangladesh forces pinned down man who tried to hijack plane International oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa Dhaka, Feb 25: Bangladesh commandos on Sunday killed an armed man, who allegedly made a foiled bid to hijack a Dubai-bound flight of the state-run Biman Airlines carrying 148 passengers, the army said. The flight, en route Dubai from Dhaka via Chattogram, made an emergency landing at the Shah Amanat International Airport in the coastal city of Chattogram following the hijack bid. Army, Navy and elite police cordoned off the plane soon after it landing. All the passengers, pilots and crew members were evacuated safely. According to Major General Matiur Rahman, the suspect, a Bangladeshi national identified as Mahadi, refused to surrender when asked to, forcing "the commandos to go for action (firing)", which "lasted eight minutes". "He (hijacker) succumbed to his wounds after the military commandos captured him (with gun shots)," Rahman told a media briefing at Chattogram airport, adding that the suspect was carrying a gun. Air force's Chattgram base commander Air Vice Marshal Mufidur Rahman, who was also present at the media briefing, said he kept the hijacker engaged in talks while special forces units prepared for the raid. Attempt to hijack Dubai-bound plane in Bangladesh foiled, suspect killed "The man repeatedly wanted to talk to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," he said, adding that the hijacker allowed the passengers to disembark the plane during the negotiation process. Meanwhile, in a press conference in Dhaka, Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority (CAAB) chairman Air Vice Marshal Naim Hassan said the hijacker was equipped with a hand gun and explosives. An investigation would be carried out to determine how the man boarded the aircraft with arms and explosives, he said. According to eyewitnesses, minutes after the Flight BG-147, which was on its way to Dubai from Dhaka via Chattogram, flew from the Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport, it returned and made an emergency landing at 5.40pm. The emergency exit was opened through which the passengers disembarked immediately. The captain and the first officer of the flight also came out later, they said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, February 25, 2019, 7:18 [IST] Eye-wash: JuD, FeF now operate as Al Madina, Aisar Foundation International oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Feb 25: Days after being banned the Lashkar-e-Tayiba's financial wings, Jamaat-ud-Dawa and Falah-e-Insaniyat have started operating under new names. In a bid to by-pass the ban, the outfits have re-named themselves as Al Marina and Aisar Foundation. Following the decision by the Pakistan government, India said that it did not read much into the ban as such instances have taken place in the past as well. Pakistan has this tendency to protect its terrorists under the cover of a ban and it had taken similar action following the 26/11 attack. However the Lashkar-e-Tayiba did not stop its activities, Indian officials explained. Pakistan's action against the JuD and also the Falah-e-Insaniyat has been taken in the backdrop of a meeting of the Financial Action Task Force in Paris that is reviewing Pakistan's steps to counter terror financing. Why the ban on Hafiz Saeed's Jamaat-ud-Dawa is an eyewash India also took note of the fact that no such action has been taken against the Jaish-e-Mohammad, which was involved in the Pathankot, Uri, Nagrota and Pulwama attacks. There have been bans in the past, but the Jamaat-ud-Dawa has managed to over come it in various ways. Both the Lahore High Court and the Supreme Court had cleared the JuD in the past and allowed it to operate. While the bans have been in place in the past as well, the JuD has always managed to overcome it either by going to court or carrying out its activities by coming up with newer outfits. The JuD is the parent group of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba. However in the year 2000, there was another parent group of the Lashkar which was known as the Markaz Dawa wal-Irshad. This was the group that carried out the alleged charity work and raised funds for the Lashkar. Those were early days of the Lashkar and the Markaz had played a vital role in funding it. However in the year 2002, the Markaz was banned for funding terror activities. Did it make any difference? Not at all and Saeed immediately floated the JuD. Similarly Saeed floated the FeF after the JuD was banned. Following the 26/11 attack, investigators in India found the funding of the attack to have been carried out by the JuD. There was international pressure and this forced a ban on the JuD. In fact the then interior minister, Rehman Malik had informed that the JuD had been banned with immediate effect. Although the statement sounded strong, Pakistan was not going to take any chances and directly confront the JuD. It did not impose the ban directly but asked various authorities such as the UN to impose sanctions on the JuD. Paksitan's eye wash was evident in the year 2008. It sealed 100 offices of the JuD and even Saeed was placed under house arrest only to be released later. During all this Pakistan made a shocking statement in which it stated that there was no need to issue any notification banning the JuD when the UN has already added it to the list of banned outfits. There was some more eye wash by Pakistan. It claimed that it had sealed the 200 acre campus of the JuD in Murdike. It also stated that an administrator in Pakistan had taken over the operational facility of the JuD. All this led to the JuD seeking legal recourse. The petition drafted by top bureaucrats of Pakistan sought a directive to first release Saeed who was under house arrest. The court allowed the petition and in the days to come even the ban on the JuD was lifted. It is quite surprising that the Pakistan government was asked to return the property of the JuD and also its other assets when there was never any official notification The JuD has a sprawling campus at Murdike spread over 200 acres of land. It has teaching facilities catering to 3000 students and also residential complexes. The investigations post 26/11 showed that the ten terrorists were housed in this complex and underwent training over here. The funds according to investigators came in from Saudi Arabia right from 1998 and till date the majority of the funding is from there. With the help of these funds the JuD has been accused of recruiting youth from Kashmir and Pakistan and train them to undertake strikes against India. Further it has also been found that the JuD in a bid to attract possible recruits from southern Punjab also held camps in Kasur district. This particular camp had come under the radar of the Indian agencies. The fact that the JuD enjoys the complete backing of the military can be seen in various instances. Following the Quetta earthquake the JuD was openly seen assisting the military in relief works. This was quite surprising as Pakistan had claimed that it had banned the JuD. Even when former President Pervez Musharaff had claimed to have curbed the outfit and clipped its wings, he was no where to be seen or heard when Saeed held a rally in Lahore at the same time. When will India hit Pakistan? Here is what we know India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Feb 25: India will seek revenge after it lost over 40 of its jawans in a ghastly act of terrorism at Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. There are various options that officials at the highest levels have discussed. Air strikes, a series of surgical strikes, an operation on the lines of Parakram, diplomatic pressure are some of the options that India has against Pakistan. In the wake of a war scare, Pakistan too has asked its army to remain on high alert. Further Pakistan has also asked hospitals to be prepared. Pulwama: JeM's Indian touts helped move RDX provided by Pakistan army An operation on the lines of Parakram that was carried out following the Parliament attack was also discussed. However looking at the cost of such an operation, it may not be entirely feasible. Operation Parakram that involved a huge deployment along the border cost India nearly Rs 1,000 crore. The cost will be much higher if such an operation was carried out now. In 2001-02, India had mobilised nearly 5 lakh troops. India had also moved ballistic missiles closer to the border. India was confident that this action would succeed as it had learnt through intelligence assessment that Pakistan was not well prepared. The Armed forces have been given a free hand and it would respond to Pakistan at time and place of its closing. The respond would need to strong, yet measured and the solution would need to be a long lasting one. A top official in New Delhi tells OneIndia that there would action, without a doubt. The timing and the surprise element is key in such an operation, he also added. The official said that the action would also need to be quick. One could expect action sometime in March, the officer also added. The Indian Air Force has already lined up several of its aircraft. Nearly 140 aircraft would be used for this operation and the chances of limited air strikes are not being ruled out. The IAF has already said that it is ready and can strike at very short notice. However the IAF would act with caution and ensure that any such operation that is launched is a complete success. Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa said that the IAF would always be at the forefront in executing its missions. We are showcasing our ability to hit hard, hit fast and also hit with precision, during day, during night and hit under adverse weather conditions through our autonomous bombing capability, he also added. 'If Pak attacks with one atomic bomb, India can finish us with 20,' says Pervez Musharraf Sources say that there would be military action, without a doubt. The pressure would not been upped only on the diplomatic and economic front, he also added. However, any action would have to be explored below the nuclear threshold, he also added. Apart from the air strikes, India could also launch a limited ground offensive. This would be done with an intention of destroying terror camps on the Line of Control and also seek control of more position. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, February 25, 2019, 11:22 [IST] Karnataka SSLC Exams 2021: COVID-19 positive students too can take exams, here is how What caused fire in Bandipur forest? India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Bengaluru, Feb 25: The massive blaze in the Bandipur forest area of Chamarajanagar district bordering Tamil Nadu is caused by miscreants deliberately putting elephant dung on fire. Forest Department stated, "Fire happened in Gopala Swamy betta three days back. Apparently it was put by a fellow disgruntled with the department which booked cases against his associate for forest offence. Person is identified but absconding. Police are in the look out for the person. Truth will be out when he is apprehended." No wild animal death is reported. The social media and print - mass media news is not true. Animals instinctively keep distance from fire. No animals are seen by us during fire fighting operations any where near by. At the most some eggs and young ones of reptiles and birds may have died. Denied CM post thrice for being Dalit: Parameshwara Environmentalist, well known as Vijay Nishant, said, "People are deliberately setting fire near Herekere, Gopal Swamy betta. This was the same method used during the 2016 fire in Kalkere, N-Begur and Gundre ranges of Bandipur tiger reserve." As far cause of the fire he said, "Miscreants have heaped up dry elephant dung and set it up on fire. Once it catches fire it spreads it's engulfing tentacles destroying vast swathes of forest cover. But, the forest department is trying their best." After the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Karnataka government, CM HD Kumaraswamy on fire in Bandipur forest areas said that he has spoken to the defence authorities and central government has agreed to send 4 helicopters to douse the fire. Abhishek Banerjee gets key role in TMC; young leader says humbled by new role TMC ghar wapsi: Will Rajib Banerjee be the next to ditch BJP? More than 30 BJP workers killed in attacks made by TMC in West Bengal: Dilip Ghosh Do not come back: TMC slams West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar who is visiting Delhi West Bengal: TMC leader shot dead in Behrampur India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Kolkata, Feb 25: Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Naju Sheikh shot dead by unknown bike-borne assailants in Behrampur. Sheikh shot dead Sheikh's body has been sent for post mortem. Police trying to ascertain the identity of shooters and their motive. The victim sustained bullet injuries on his chest and was declared brought dead to the hospital. Arunachal on the boil over PRC: 2 dead, CM forms Commissioner level probe committee According to India Today report, till now three TMC leaders have been killed in the last 12 hours, two in South 24 Parganas and one in Murshidabad. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, February 25, 2019, 13:36 [IST] Trans-national conspiracy by Khalistan forces: NIA charges 8 India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Feb 25: The National Investigation Agency has filed a chargesheet against 8 persons in connection with an attempted murder of a Shiv Sena leader. It may be recalled that an assassination bid was made on Amit Arora on February 3 2016 at Ludhiana, Punjab. During the probe it was found that the assassination bid was part of a trans-national conspiracy hatched by the Khalistan Liberation Force. Eight incidents of Targeted Killings/ Attempted Killings were executed as part of this plan between January, 2016 and October, 2017 in Punjab. All the persons targeted belonged to certain specific communities and organisations. The objective of the conspiracy was to destabilise the law and order situation in Punjab and to revive the fledgling terrorism in the state. NIA unearths deposits into shell companies by naxalites It was found that the conspiracy had its foot-prints in several countries including, Pakistan, UK, Australia, France, Italy and the UAE. As part of the conspiracy, substantial amounts of funds were supplied through Italy, Australia and the UK to the perpetrators of the Killings/ Attempted Killings, viz. Hardeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh. These funds were used by them to purchase weapons for executing the killings and other logistics. The conspiracy included recruitment and training of Hardeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh in Italy, Dubai and UAE. Accused Hardeep Singh is the permanent resident of Italy while accused Ramandeep Singh belongs to Ludhiana. Both these persons were trained by one Gursharanbir Singh, a UK national. Another UK national, Jagtar Singh Johal, who has been arrested in the case was involved in the funding of the conspiracy. Day to day co-ordination of the conspiracy was done by Pakistan based Harmeet Singh @ PhD. The charge-sheet is based on the evidence collected from Oral, documentary, material and electronic sources. Besides, further evidence is being collected from several other countries. WB CM Mamata Banerjee moves SC against HC order on filing of affidavits in Narada sting case Even if there is 1 fatality: SCs strong warning to AP on conduct of Class 12 exams SC to hear Ram-Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case today India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Feb 26: The Supreme Court will on Tuesday hear the politically sensitive Ayodhya's Ram-Janmabhoomi Babri Masjid land dispute matter. It will be heard by a five-judge constitution bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S A Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer. [Was acquisition of land near disputed site in Ayodhya right? SC to decide] The apex court had earlier on January 27 cancelled the scheduled hearing for January 29 as Justice Bobde was not available that day. 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 in Ayodhya be partitioned equally among the three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla. The five-judge bench was re-constituted on January 25 as Justice U U Lalit, who was a member of the earlier bench, had recused himself from hearing the matter. When the new bench was constituted, Justice N V Ramana was excluded from the re-constituted bench. Justices Bhushan and Nazeer, who were included in the newly constituted bench, were part of an earlier bench headed by then Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra (now retired) which had heard the Ayodhya land dispute matter. [Ayodhya: Courts have limited role says Swamy] The three-judge bench had on September 27, 2018 refused to refer to a five-judge constitution bench the issue related to reconsideration of the observation in the apex court's 1994 judgment that a mosque was not integral to Islam. While then CJI Misra and Justice Bhushan had said it has to find out the context in which the five-judge bench had delivered the 1994 judgment, Justice Nazeer had given a minority verdict disagreeing with the two judges. Justice Nazeer had said whether a mosque is integral to Islam has to be decided considering religious belief which requires detailed consideration. On January 10, Justice Lalit had recused himself after expressing disinclination to participate in the hearing any further as he had appeared as a lawyer for former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh in a related matter "sometime in the year 1997". Along with the main matters, the constitution bench will also hear the connected issues raised in separate petitions. The Centre had on January 29 moved the apex court seeking its nod to return the 67-acre undisputed acquired land around the disputed site to original owners. The 0.313 acre plot, on which the disputed structure stood before it was demolished by 'kar sevaks' on December 6, 1992, was within the 2.77-acre disputed premises, the plea filed by the government had said. The government had then acquired 67.703 acres, including the 2.77-acre plot, through a legislation in 1993. The Ram Janambhoomi Nyas (RJN) is the owner of as much as 42 acres of the acquired non-disputed land. The Centre's plea has said that the RJN (a trust to promote construction of Ram Temple) had also sought return of excess land acquired to original owners. The Centre has claimed that only 0.313 acre of land was disputed on which the structure stood before it was demolished by 'kar sevaks' on December 6, 1992. It has sought modification in its 2003 order and permission to return to original owners the 67 acres "non-disputed" land around the disputed structure in Ayodhya. A week after, another petition was filed challenging the constitutional validity of a 1993 central law by which the government acquired 67.703 acres of land, including the disputed premises of Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid, in Ayodhya. The petition, filed by seven individuals, including two Lucknow-based lawyers claiming to be devotees of Ram Lalla, has contended that Parliament had no legislative competence to acquire land belonging to the state. (with PTI inputs) PM dedicates National War Memorial; calls it symbol of soldiers' sacrifice and courage India pti-PTI New Delhi, Feb 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the country's National War Memorial (NWM) adjoining the iconic India Gate complex in the heart of the capital, nearly 60 years after it was mooted to honour the fallen soldiers after Independence. ['India or family first?' PM Modi slams Congress at National War Memorial launch] Spread over an area of approximately 40 acres, the memorial comprises four concentric circles, namely -- the 'Amar Chakra', 'Veerta Chakra', 'Tyag Chakra' and the 'Rakshak Chakra' with names of 25,942 soldiers inscribed in golden letters on granite tablets. It also includes a central 15.5-m obelisk, an eternal flame and six bronze murals depicting famous battles fought by the Indian Army, Air Force and the Navy in a covered gallery (Veerta Chakra). The prime minister dedicated to the nation the memorial, built at a cost of Rs 176 crore, by lighting the flame positioned at the bottom of the stone-made obelisk. Rose petals were showered by IAF helicopters and a fly-past in 'Missing Man' formation was also part of the event. There was no national memorial to commemorate the sacrifice of fallen soldiers after independence. The NWM pays tribute to soldiers who laid down their lives defending the nation during the India-China War in 1962, Indo-Pak Wars in 1947, 1965 and 1971, Indian Peace Keeping Force Operations in Sri Lanka and in the Kargil conflict of 1999. Besides, the main memorial complex, a Param Yoddha Sthal has also been built on the northern side of the India Gate's C-Hexagon area. The park is dotted with bronze busts of the 21 awardees, 15 posthumously of the Param Veer Chakra, country's highest wartime gallantry medal, a senior defence official said. [National War Memorial: Bronze murals depicting battles made by the same 'Statue of Unity' artist] A stone mural depicting a joint operation by the three armed forces, also has been made in front of the Param Yodha Sthal. Modi also interacted with three surviving Param Veer Chakra winners and later walked to the memorial complex through the Indian Gate canopy roundabout. A consecration ceremony was also held as successive chants from five different religious rent the air just before Modi lit the eternal flame. The prime minister, after dedicating the memorial, also took a tour of it and visited the gallery housing the six bronze murals, made by noted sculptor Ram Sutar, depicting famous battles fought by the Army, Air Force and Navy have been put up in a gallery in the Veerta Chakra zone. He was accompanied by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat, Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa and Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba during the event. Later, the prime minister also wrote a message in Hindi in the visitor's book. "It is a symbol of our soldier's bravery, sacrifice and courage...This memorial will encourage us to live every moment and do something for the nation. My salute to this pilgrimage site of bravery and martyrdom," he wrote. The sanction for the project was issued on December 18, 2015 and actual work on it started in February last year. In the complex, 16 walls have been constructed in the Tyag Chakra for paying homage to the 25,942 battle casualties and their names have been inscribed on granite tablets arranged in a circular pattern, symbolising the ancient Indian war formation 'Chakravyuh'. [National War Memorial: Bronze murals depicting battles made by the same 'Statue of Unity' artist] The outermost circle -- the Rakshak Chakra comprises of rows of more than 600 trees with each tree representing many soldiers who guard the territorial integrity of the nation round the clock. The memorial complex also comprises graphic panels and stone murals. Busts of the 21 awardees of Param Veer Chakra have been installed at Param Yoddha Sthal which includes three living awardees Sub Maj (Hony Capt) Bana Singh (Retd), Sub Major Yogendra Singh Yadav and Sub Sanjay Kumar. Officials said the Amar Jawan Jyoti, built in 1972 underneath the India Gate arch in memory of the fallen soldiers of the 1971 war, will remain there but the NWM will be the place to pay tributes to soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country. The India Gate itself is a war memorial built during the British Raj as the All India War Memorial Arch to honour the soldiers who died in the First World War (1914-1918) and the Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919). The landmark has the names of soldiers inscribed on its surface. The proposal to set up a a National War Memorial was under consideration since early 1970s. A Group of Ministers (GoM) in August 2012 recommended "C" Hexagon of India Gate as the appropriate location for the memorial. PTI Pak FM briefs Chinese counterpart on regional situation after Pulwama attack International pti-PTI Islamabad, Feb 25: Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday telephoned his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and briefed him about the regional situation in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers. [NIA identifies vehicle, owner involved in Pulwama attack] In a statement, Pakistan's Foreign Office said that State Councilor Wang thanked the foreign minister for the call and appreciated Pakistan's efforts. "He agreed that the unfolding regional situation was serious with implications for peace and security of the entire region," it said. [Pulwama terror attack: EU wants India, Pakistan to urgently "de-escalate" tension] The two leaders spoke over phone amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan after a suicide attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad killed 40 CRPF soldiers in Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir. Wang "acknowledged Pakistan's invaluable contributions in the fight against terrorism for which Pakistan has paid a heavy price," the FO said. Qureshi thanked China for its steadfast support and underscored Pakistan's desire for peace and stability in the region and resolution of all issues through negotiations and dialogue with India, it said. He also highlighted the steps taken by Pakistan to de-escalate the situation, it added. The two leaders agreed to stay in touch with each other over the regional developments. PTI Delimitation, holding of polls in J&K important milestones in restoring statehood: says Amit Shah Only Modi can give befitting reply to Pakistan: Amit Shah in Hisar India oi-Vikas SV Hisar, Feb 25: Exuding confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would win all 10 seats in Haryana in the Lok Sabha elections 2019, party chief Amit Shah on Monday heaped praise on Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Shah said Khattar gave good governance to people of Haryana. Addressing party workers in Hisar, Shah termed Pulwama attack 'cowardly', adding that Modi government has adopted zero tolerance against terrorist and terrorism. "No one but Modi can give a befitting reply to Pakistan," Shah said. 'Nobody can snatch Kashmir from us', says Amit Shah in Jammu "The voice of every Indian must reach the family members of those who died during Pulwama attack, so they understand that we are with them," he added. Shah further asked Congress to take a clear stand on the Ram Temple. "BJP will ensure that a grand ram temple will soon be built in Ayodhya. Congress must clear their stand whether they want Ram mandir in Ayodhya or not," said Shah. Praising Haryana CM Khattar, Shah said, "Only the BJP government led by Manohar Lal Khattar gave good governance to people of Haryana. 42 % educated women selected as sarpanch, sex ratio was improved in the state. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao was started by PM in Haryana and now there are 914 girls behind 1000 youths." In a veiled reference to the NRC issue, Shah said that the BJP-led Centre has identified 40 lakh intruders in the country and deported them. BJP must run with workers' contributions, not "industrialists": Amit Shah "These intruders are threat for the nation, but they are vote bank for the previous governments," he said. Shah today will meet the leaders of all 10 Lok Sabha constituencies of Haryana to discuss the strategy for the upcoming elections. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, February 25, 2019, 15:45 [IST] Chidambaram slams government for insisting on polls in Jammu and Kashmir before granting statehood Addiction is neither cool nor a style statement: PM Modi on International Day against Drug Abuse Mann Ki Baat: 'Our country accomplished an unprecedented feat by vaccinating over 7 mn people', says PM India or family first? PM Modi slams Congress at National War Memorial launch India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa New Delhi, Feb 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the National War Memorial near India Gate on Monday after addressing a mega event at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. The memorial will honour soldiers who have laid down their lives for the country since Independence. "The prime minister will dedicate the memorial to the nation on February 25. The defence minister, chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force will be among the dignitaries present on the occasion," a senior official said. Some other cabinet ministers are also likely to attend the event, he said. "The National War Memorial will include a wall that will carry the names of those soldiers who have laid down their lives for the country," Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat had earlier said. PM Modi takes holy dip, offers prayers at Kumbh in Prayagraj "The memorial would be iconic and serve as a new landmark, which would attract people from near and far," he had said. Majestic #NationalWarMemorial... For a visual tour to the grand structure, do watch this video.@PIB_India @DDNewsLive pic.twitter.com/vhswGdoEH7 Defence Spokesperson (@SpokespersonMoD) February 25, 2019 Acceding to a long-pending demand of the armed forces, the government in 2015 had approved the project for building a National War Memorial and a National War Museum near India Gate in memory of over 22,500 soldiers who laid down their lives post-Independence. "This government will be establishing a war memorial and a museum with a deep sense of gratitude to honour those brave soldiers, who laid down their lives," an official statement released after the Cabinet meeting, chaired by Modi, had then said. "The memorial will promote a sense of patriotism in the minds of visitors, and will award an opportunity to citizens of this vast nation, to express their token sense of gratitude to the brave soldiers, who laid down their lives for the motherland," it said. India Gate itself is a war memorial built during the British Raj as the All India War Memorial Arch to honour the soldiers who died in the First World War (1914-1918) and the Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919). The landmark has the names of soldiers inscribed on its surface. How the Indian Army is helping in the fight against COVID-19 Martyred Army Major's wife tops SSB to join Army as a tribute to her Late husband India oi-Madhuri Adnal Pune, Feb 25: The wife of Major Prasad Mahadik, who was martyred in a fire at his camp in Arunachal Pradesh, topped the armed forces' recruitment examination SSB and has decided to join the Indian Army. Her joining the army is a great tribute to her late husband. She competed with 16 candidates during the SSB and she topped the exam and qualified for training at OTA. Post-completion of 49-week training at the OTA, Gauri Mahadik, a qualified company secretary and law graduate who recently topped the Service Selection Board (SSB) exam in the widow category, will be inducted into the Army as a Lieutenant by March 2020. Pulwama: JeM's Indian touts helped move RDX provided by Pakistan army The 32-year-old will now undergo training at the Officers' Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai and will join the army as a lieutenant after 49 weeks of training. "After my husband's death, I was thinking what to do next...I thought I can not just sit and cry. So I decided that I should do something for him and make him proud. "I decided to follow his footsteps and with a determination that I will wear his stars and uniform, started preparing for SSB examination," said Mahadik while talking to PTI from Virar, a distant suburb of Mumbai, over the phone. Gauri's husband, Major Prasad Mahadik was an officer from 7 Bihar regiment of the Indian army and was killed in a fire in December 2017 when he was posted in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. Gauri Mahadik said her parents and in-laws supported her throughout the journey post her husband's death. Gauri Mahadik married the Army officer in 2015 and after he sacrificed his life in the line of duty, she left her job at a law firm in Worli, Mumbai, and started preparations for the SSB exam. (with PTI inputs) For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, February 25, 2019, 20:18 [IST] Mamata Banerjee hits out at Modi govt on Pulwama terror attack India pti-PTI Kolkata, Feb 25: Accusing the Modi government of indulging in "politics over dead bodies of jawans" after the Pulwama terror attack, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday alleged the Centre had intelligence inputs that such an attack can take place but did not act upon them. [Efforts on to introduce 'inhuman religion' in India says Mamata] Banerjee claimed the BJP-led Union government wants to create a "war hysteria" ahead of the Lok Sabha polls to draw political mileage. Rejecting the allegations, the BJP said counter-accused her of trying to score "political brownie points" with her statements. Addressing the Trinamool Congress's (TMC) extended core committee meeting here, Banerjee alleged that in the last over four-and-a-half years, the BJP, along with forces like the VHP and the RSS, has tried to divide the country on religious lines by injecting the "poison of hatred and communalism among the masses". She vowed to oust the "dictatorial Narendra Modi government" from power in the upcoming general election. The TMC supremo, who had organised a conclave of over two dozen anti-BJP parties at the iconic Brigade Ground here on January 19, is all set to attend a crucial meeting of the opposition parties in Delhi later this week. She also claimed that the TMC will win all the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal. Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said, "What were you doing Modi babu when the Pulwama attack took place? You had prior information about it. The central government was aware that such an attack can take place, there were intelligence inputs." "Then why didn't the government take action to protect our jawans. [Mamata Banerjee leads candle light march, says terrorists have no religion] The government allowed them to die so that they can do politics over the dead bodies of jawans in the elections," the chief minister said. "Why did they not sanitise the road taken by the CRPF jawans? Why were the jawans not airlifted that day? Why were the troopers left to die? Is it because you wanted to politicise the matter before the elections?," she asked. "The blood of our jawans should not be politicised in this way. They want to create a war hysteria ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. They want to create an atmosphere of war and gain politically," she said condemning the attacks. On February 14, 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed in Jammu and Kashmir after a Jaish-e-Mohammed militant rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into their bus in Pulwama district. Reacting to Banerjee's comments, BJP state president Dilip Ghosh criticised her and said she is making baseless allegations about Pulwama terror attack with an intent to politicise the issue. "Is this is the first time that such a terror attack has taken place in Kashmir?She should stop making such allegations just for scoring political brownie points," he said. Ghosh also asked Banerjee to keep aside her prime ministerial ambitions and stop dreaming about ousting Modi. "TMC is fast losing ground in Bengal and she is dreaming about ousting Modi. She should be rest assured about her defeat in Bengal in the Lok Sabha polls," Ghosh said. Criticising those taking out bike rallies with national flags in the middle of the night over the Pulwama attack and beating up people in the name of nationalism, Banerjee said action will be taken against such elements as only "criminals and dacoits" take out their bikes at midnight. "The VHP, RSS and the BJP are such forces which have not only tried to divide the country on religious lines but has also infused the poison of communalism and hatred among the masses. We have to remove this dictator Narendra Modi and Amit Shah from power to save the country," she said. The central government is functioning in a peculiar way and Union ministers are not aware of important decisions, Banerjee claimed, adding that the government is being run by "two brothers", who have the blood of innocents on their hands. "Those who claim to be leader on their own are not leaders. A person who is respected, loved and appointed as leader by others is the real leader," Banerjee said, taking a veiled dig at Modi and Shah for frequently alleging that the opposition alliance doesn't have a leader. She also accused the Modi government of pursuing vendetta politics. Being seen as a key force in bringing together opposition parties, she supported a collective leadership of the anti-BJP alliance. Taking a dig at Shah's claim that the BJP will win more than 23 seats in Bengal, Banerjee alleged that the saffron party will try to tamper with the EVMs to reach its target and hence, is making such claims. "We have to be cautious and thwart those efforts",she added. Banerjee alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party is trying to buy her party leaders by offering them cash and have been contacting her party leaders in this regard. "There are people coming via train to Bengal and bringing loads of cash into the state. This is for spending it on voters. I have all the information", she claimed. She asked party workers to not pay heed to the proposed alliance between the CPI(M) and the Congress in the state, and said both parties may even have a covert understanding with the BJP to fight the TMC in some places. The CPI(M) and Congress had forged an alliance in the 2016 assembly polls against the TMC in Bengal. But,it failed to have an impact as the TMC won 211 seats in the state. PTI Kiren Rijiju blames Arunachal govt for failing to inform people about PRC India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Feb 25: Union minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju on Monday blamed the Arunachal Pradesh government for failing to communicate about the ground situation to the people over the proposal to grant permanent residence certificates (PRC) to six tribal communities. "Arunachal Pradesh government was not able to communicate the correct thing to the general people. People started thinking that the government was going to implement the Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC). I have asked the state to ensure that those killed during the violence are provided adequate compensation," Rijiju said. Arunachal Pradesh violence: What is Permanent Residence Certificate? He also asked the Arunachal Pradesh government to provide adequate compensation to those who died during the violence that erupted in the state over the controversy regarding permanent residence certificates (PRC) for six tribal communities. On Sunday, two people died in alleged police firing to control the mob. The violence started soon after the body of a person who had died in police firing on Friday was cremated on Sunday after the protesters had initially refused to allow the last rites. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, February 25, 2019, 18:59 [IST] J&K Govt stand on Article 35A remains unchanged says official India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa Srinagar, Feb 25: Putting all speculation to rest, the Jammu and Kashmir administration said its stance remained unchanged that only an elected government would be able to take a stand on Article 35-A before the Supreme Court, which is hearing a bunch of petitions challenging its validity. Addressing a press conference, senior bureaucrat Rohit Kansal, who has been designated as the chief spokesperson of the governor's administration, said, "The stand of the state government on the request of deferment of hearing on Article 35A in the Supreme Court remains the same as requested by them on February 11." He was replying to a question on whether there was a change in the stand of the governor's administration on the contentious issue. Kashmir tense ahead of Article 35A hearing Kansal also urged the people of the state not to pay heed to rumours and get panicky on the basis of unsubstantiated and exaggerated pieces of information which were in circulation."In the past few days several rumours have been circulated and panic messages disseminated. Most of these have been based on unsubstantiated or exaggerated pieces of information," he said. The Jammu and Kashmir government's counsel had sought permission from the Supreme Court for circulating a letter among the contesting parties for adjourning the upcoming hearing on the pleas challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35A, which provides special rights and privileges to the natives of the state, saying there was no "elected government" in the state.The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the petitions challenging Article 35A soon. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna was told by lawyer Shoeb Alam, representing the Jammu and Kashmir government, on February 11 that he was seeking its nod to circulate the letter among the parties for getting the scheduled hearing deferred."On the day of listing, the undersigned (Alam) shall be requesting for an adjournment in the matter since presently, there is no elected government in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and the state is under President's Rule. "The present matter involves a sensitive issue regarding a challenge to Article 35A of the Constitution of India. A short reply has been filed by the state of Jammu and Kashmir in the lead matter 'We the Citizens' and notices have not been issued on the other petitions. It will therefore be requesting that the matter may kindly be heard when an elected government is in place," the state government said in the letter. Article 35A, which was incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, accords special rights and privileges to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and bars people from outside the state from acquiring any immovable property in the state.It denies property rights to a woman who marries a person from outside the state. The provision, which leads to such women from the state forfeiting their right over property, also applies to their heirs. Explainer: What is Article 35A The bench is hearing several petitions including the one filed by NGO 'We the Citizens' through lawyer Barun Kumar Sinha.Several petitions, including those by political parties like the National Conference and the CPI-M, were also filed in the Supreme Court in support of Article 35A that also empowers the state Assembly to define "permanent residents" for bestowing special rights and privileges to them. The state government, while defending the article, had cited two verdicts of the constitution benches of the Supreme Court in 1961 and 1969, which had upheld the powers of the president under Article 370(1)(d) of the Constitution to pass constitutional orders. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, February 25, 2019, 6:23 [IST] Extended rainfall in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha due to depression in Bay of Bengal Heavy rainfall, hailstorms in Delhi-NCR; 11 flights diverted due to bad weather India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Feb 25: The National Capital Region (NCR) on Monday received heavy rainfall accompanied by hail and thunderstorm on Monday. Skymet says that the sudden weather change has been perpetuated because of the Western Disturbance over Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, nine flights have been diverted to Jaipur and two to Lucknow from Delhi Airport due to overhead congestion. With the temperature hovering around 20-25 degrees Celsius and humidity levels staying pretty low at around 37%, the rains might lead to a further dip in temperature. Weather forecast for February 26: Rains to continue in Kolkata, Delhi The India Meteorological Department had predicted mild showers and thunderstorm in parts of the city for the week commencing Monday. The weather department predicted that cold day conditions are likely to prevail in some parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, West Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and West Madhya Pradesh. Pollution levels have also improved marginally in the entire region due to strong and dry north-westerly winds, it added. Will return to India from London in a few days, says Adar Poonawalla 18 dead in fire at Pune sanitiser firm, search on for missing staff Pune lockdown: Officials release new guidelines for restaurants, religious events and more Hearing-impaired youth protesting in Pune allege police baton charge India oi-Madhuri Adnal Pune, Feb 25: Several deaf youth protesting in Pune against the issuance of disability certificates to ineligible persons were on Monday subjected to a baton charge, organisers alleged, though police claimed it was "mild force" to restrain them. [ In Maharashtra, Congress in talks with Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar] Over 11,000 hearing-impaired youth had assembled in front of the Social Welfare Commissionerate here in the afternoon when the incident happened, Pradip More, secretary, State Level Association of the Deaf (SLAD), said through an interpreter. He said their demands included the right to quality education, provision of trained interpreters for deaf students and stopping fraudulent distribution of disability certificates to able-bodied persons. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked for a detailed report on lathicharge by police on protesters who were demanding among other things employment and setting up of govt school/colleges for specially abled people. Baramati Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule termed the police lathi-charge as "shameful" and hit out at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, February 25, 2019, 23:32 [IST] Delhi court grants bail to journalist Priya Ramani in defamation case filed MJ Akbar India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P New Delhi, Feb 25: Delhi's Patiala House Court Monday granted bail to journalist Priya Ramani on a personal bail bond of Rs 10,000 in connection with criminal defamation complaint filed by former central minister MJ Akbar. The next date of hearing is 8 March. The court had summoned scribe Priya Ramani as an accused in a defamation case on Jan 29 after she levelled allegations of sexual misconduct against MJ Akbar in the #MeToo campaign. Journalist Priya Ramani after being granted bail by Patiala House Court in connection with criminal defamation complaint by MJ Akbar: The next date when they will frame the charges against me is April 10. After that it will be my turn to tell my story. The truth is my defence. pic.twitter.com/mxRadNVYua ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2019 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". Rise and fall of Samajwadi Party in Lok Sabha 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. (With PTI inputs) Court orders ED to provide hard copies of documents to Robert Vadra India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Feb 25: A Delhi Court on Monday ordered the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to provide copies of documents, based on which the agency is probing the cases against Robert Vadra, to him. Delhi's Patiala House Court has directed the ED to provide both soft and hard copies of documents seized by it during raids to Vadra's legal team within 5 days, said reports. On December 7 last year, the agency had carried out raids at Vadra's offices at Delhi. Robert Vadra moves application in Delhi court seeking copy of documents with ED The Enforcement Directorate has provided digital copy of documents to Vadra's counsel in connection with money laundering case. Meanwhile, Vadra has sought stay in interrogation until the documents relating to the case are provided to him. The Patiala House Court would hear this plea at 2 pm today (February 25). Vadra is facing probe in cases relating to purchase of alleged illegal assets abroad and an alleged land scam in Bikaner, Rajasthan. Robert Vadra's counsel KTS Tulsi has reportedly alleged that Enforcement Directorate wants to rush the case as elections are approaching. Vadra, who is the brother-in-law of Congress President Rahul Gandhi, had said in the application moved by him on Saturday that the ED has been interrogating him based on seized documents and, therefore, their copies should be provided to him. Special Judge Arvind Kumar directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to provide documents to Vadra. Vadra has appeared before the ED for questioning on multiple occasions in Delhi and Jaipur. The court had on February 16 extended the interim bail granted to Vadra till March 2. Robert Vadra down with 'food poisoning', unable to attend ED questioning Vadra had filed an anticipatory bail application in the case linked to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property at 12, Bryanston Square worth 1.9 million pounds. The property is allegedly owned by him. The agency had earlier said it has received information about various new properties in London which allegedly belong to Vadra, including two houses of five and four million pounds, each, six other flats and more properties. Vadra has denied the allegation of possessing illegal foreign assets and termed it a political witch-hunt against him. He has said he is being 'hounded and harassed' to subserve political ends. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, February 25, 2019, 12:16 [IST] Arunachal on the boil over PRC: 2 dead, CM forms Commissioner level probe committee India oi-Vikas SV Itanagar, Feb 25: Arunachal Pradesh, which is otherwise a peaceful state, remained on the edge over the proposal to grant permanent resident certificate (PRC)s to six communities despite the state government's decision to not accept the recommendations of a high-level committee. The protests across the state began on Friday after the Joint High Power Committee (JHPC) recommended that Schedule Tribe (ST) status be accorded to six communities who are not native to Arunachal Pradesh but have been living in Namsai and Changlang districts for decades. Arunachal Pradesh violence: What is Permanent Residence Certificate? "I have given directives that a detailed investigation is essential. Government's stand over PRC is clear, in spite of that there were incidents of violence. I have formed a commissioner level investigating committee. It is necessary for the truth to come before public," news agency ANI quoted Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu as saying. "We feel that there is somebody's hands behind these incidents. Arunachal Pradesh is otherwise a peaceful state," he added. On Sunday evening, Union minister Kiren Rijiju, who is also the Member of Parliament from Arunachal Pradesh, said that the state government has decided to not accept the recommendations of a high-level committee to grant permanent resident certificates to six communities, and blamed the Congress for "instigating" a section of people. On Sunday the protesters set ablaze the private residence of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, ransacked the office of the deputy commissioner of Itanagar, attacked the Itanagar Police Station and set ablaze many vehicles. Late on Sunday evening the Central government dispatched 1,000 paramilitary personnel to help maintain law and order. 10 companies of ITBP dispatched to control violence in Arunachal On Saturday, the authorities had clamped indefinite curfew in Itanagar and Naharlagun, after stone-pelting by protesters led to injuries to 35 people, including 24 police personnel. The Army conducted flag marches in Itanagar and Naharlagun on Saturday as well as Sunday. Internet services were suspended in Itanagar and Naharlagun. With all markets, petrol pumps and shops closed and most of the ATMs running out of cash, normal life was thrown out of gear in the state capital. On Friday, the police fired upon protesters when they were trying to enter the Civil Secretariat in Itanagar, leaving one civilian and a police officer of superintendent rank injured. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, February 25, 2019, 10:52 [IST] AgustaWestland: After saying witness may have died, ED cites a little birdie to say he is alive AgustaWestland case: Rajiv Saxena granted bail India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Feb 25: A Delhi Court on Monday granted bail to AgustaWestland scam co-accused Rajiv Saxena, who was extradited from Dubai on January 30. The Patiala House Court on Friday (February 22) had extended the interim bail of Saxena till today (February). The Patiala House Court had on February 14 granted interim bail for seven days to Saxena and had asked AIIMS to file a detailed medical report on Saxena's health. AIIMS has reportedly filed a detailed health report of Rajiv Saxena. Saxena had sought bail on medical grounds and told the court that he was suffering from a "heart disease" and "advanced-stage leukaemia" (blood cancer). On February 14, Saxena was asked to furnish two bail sureties of Rs 5 lakh each. On February 13, the Enforcement Directorate had said that it was not opposing Saxena's bail plea due to his medical condition and the fact that he was cooperating in the probe. The court had then asked the lawyer appearing for the ED whether the bail was not being opposed on merits, to which he replied that he was relying only on Saxena's medical condition as he is suffering from leukamia. To this, the court had said, "remember it will apply in other cases then. We are recording everything, whatever you are saying". Saxena had sought bail on medical grounds and told the court that he was suffering from a "heart disease" and "advanced-stage leukaemia" (blood cancer). Saxena is one of the accused named in the chargesheet filed by Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the case. The agency had alleged that in connivance with another accused, Guatam Khaitan, a Delhi based lawyer, Saxena provided a global corporate structure for laundering illegal proceeds of the crime for payment to various political persons, bureaucrats and Air Force officials to influence the contract to supply 12 VVIP helicopters in favour of AgustaWestland. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, February 25, 2019, 14:42 [IST] 4 CRPF jawans injured in Pulwama attack discharged India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Feb 25: Four of the 5 CRPF personnel injured in the attack on 14 February were discharged on Monday. Meanwhile, one soldier who was injured is still undergoing treatment at 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar. At least 44 jawans of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed in a dastardly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama. The well-planned attack used a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (known as VBIED) to target a CRPF bus that was part of a 70-vehicle convoy. Martyred Army Major's wife tops SSB to join Army as a tribute to her Late husband The convoy was on the Srinagar-Jammu highway and was on its way to Pulwama when a suicide bomber belonging to the terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad drove an explosive-laden SUV into the bus. The SUV was carrying explosives weighing nearly 300 kgs and the bus had 39 jawans on board. Earlier in the day, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday said it has tracked down the owner of the car used by a Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) suicide bomber on February 14 to carry out an attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir's Pulwama, which left 40 CRPF jawans dead and five injured. The Pulwama attack is the biggest in Jammu and Kashmir's history. Terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the deadly attack. A spokesperson of the banned terrorist organisation said "dozens of forces' vehicles were destroyed in the attack". For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, February 25, 2019, 20:48 [IST] Since 80s China occupying this area, construction of villages not a new thing: BJP MP Tapir Gao 10 companies of ITBP dispatched to control violence in Arunachal India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa New Delhi, Feb 25: As many as 1,000 paramilitary troops have been dispatched to Arunachal Pradesh as widespread violence erupted in the state over the recommendation to grant permanent resident certificates (PRC) to six communities, officials said. At least two persons have died as protests that broke out on Saturday after the state government announced it was considering issuing PRC to six non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes (APSTs) living in the Namsai and Changlang districts. The communities are Deoris, Sonowal Kacharis, Morans, Adivasis, Mishings and Gorkhas. Most of them are recognised as Scheduled Tribes in neighbouring Assam. The ministry of home affairs has dispatched 10 additional companies of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) for deployment in law-and-order duties in Itanagar and other violence-hit places, an official said. Amid violent protests, Arunachal Pradesh scraps Permanent Residency move The state government will deploy the troops as per the requirement of the local administration. Five ITBP companies have already been deployed in the state, the official said. A company of paramilitary comprises 100 personnel. The ITBP personnel have been sent on an urgent basis as Itanagar and other areas have witnessed widespread violence, destruction of properties and vehicles on Sunday, officials said. The mob has tried to set ablaze the residence of deputy chief minister Chowna Mein and also tried to target residence of chief minister Pema Khandu, another official said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, February 25, 2019, 6:08 [IST] The Princeton Review has selected Creighton University as one of the nations best-value institutions in its 2019 edition of Best Value Colleges: 200 Schools with Exceptional ROI for Your Tuition Investment. Creighton was also named among the 25 schools Making an Impact. Schools were selected based on student ratings and responses to survey questions covering community service opportunities at their school, student government, sustainability efforts, and on-campus student engagement. A survey by PayScale.com, asking each schools alumni to rate the level of meaningfulness in their post-graduation careers, was also taken into account. Schools cited in the 2019 Princeton Review edition were selected based on a comprehensive analysis of more than 650 colleges weighing more than 40 data points to tally return on investment ratings for the schools. Data analyzed covered academics, cost, financial aid, graduation rates, student debt and more. It also factored in data from PayScale.com from their online compensation survey on starting and mid-career salaries of alumni of the schools. Best Value Colleges is on sale now at bookstores across the nation and online booksellers. WASHINGTON -- The left complains that conservatives are "obsessing" over Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Well, there is a reason for that: Ocasio-Cortez is driving the agenda of today's Democratic Party -- and her economic illiteracy is dangerous. Case in point: Ocasio-Cortez recently celebrated the tanking of a deal negotiated by her fellow Democrats in which Amazon promised to build a new headquarters in Long Island City, New York, right next to her congressional district. Amazon's departure cost the city between 25,000 and 40,000 new jobs. Forget the tech workers whom Amazon would have employed. Gone are all the unionized construction jobs to build the headquarters, as well as thousands of jobs created by all the small businesses -- restaurants, bodegas, dry cleaners and food carts -- that were preparing to open or expand to serve Amazon employees. They are devastated by Amazon's withdrawal. Ocasio-Cortez was not disturbed at all. "We were subsidizing those jobs," she said. "Frankly, if we were willing to give away $3 billion for this deal, we could invest those $3 billion in our district, ourselves, if we wanted to. We could hire out more teachers. We can fix our subways. We can put a lot of people to work for that amount of money if we wanted to." For some liberal senators, the reference to patriotic raises concern that the bill would compel instruction in a super-patriotism that looks only to the positives in our national story and goes out of its way to sidestep examples of injustice and discrimination. Some conservatives, meanwhile, express concern that liberal critics would have civics education consist almost entirely of a litany of horrors that leave young people contemptuous of our country, with devotion only to their vision of some future, abstract United States. A proper approach to civics education can reconcile those perspectives, for a reason that ought to be obvious: Our countrys story consists of great positives as well as terrible negatives, and any well-rounded civics education should include that full story. On the positive side, consider the Constitution it was an extraordinary, unprecedented step forward in human progress, anchoring in our nations fundamental governing document freedom of speech, religion, the press and assembly, as well as due process and a system of checks and balances in the federal government. At the same time, Americans need to be wide awake to the moral failures in our past, learning from those injustices so that we strive to reach the full measure of our national ideals. Syria illustrates that with Trump, decisions are never over until they're over -- and even then, they may not be over. Over the past week, Trump has evidently been more willing to listen to military advice than his critics sometimes contend. He also seems to have recognized that opposition to his Syria decision was nearly universal, not just in the Pentagon but also with key congressional supporters such as Sen. Lindsey O. Graham, R-S.C., who has campaigned to change Trump's mind. Now that Trump has altered course, Pentagon officials are continuing talks with Britain, France and other key allies about keeping a small military presence in northeast Syria, as well. The rationale, said one defense official, is "in together, out together." European allies had resisted this initial request, until they were sure that Trump himself was prepared to keep a U.S. force on the ground. The continued U.S. military presence will upset Turkey, which has bitterly criticized U.S. support for the SDF, which Turkey views as an adjunct of a Kurdish militia it regards as a terrorist group. The president had seemed willing to bow to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's demands in December that the United States pull out its forces, but Trump has since stiffened his spine. Cities arent living beings, but if there are rare moments that bind a community in shared emotions, Chicagoans are feeling what Johnson was expressing: dismay and anger at Smolletts alleged transgression. Because of the police manpower deployed to uncover a publicity stunt. Because of the possibility the next report of a hate crime somewhere in the country might not be taken seriously. Because of Smolletts callous disregard for Americas painful struggle with racism. Why would anyone, especially an African-American man, use the symbolism of a noose to make false accusations? Johnson wondered. The intersection of race, crime and policing is so fraught in Chicago that Johnson surprised us by speaking so bluntly. Gun violence is endemic to impoverished minority neighborhoods. Those are the same communities where too many homicide cases go unsolved and where many residents feel alienated by the police departments troubling history of abuse. Johnson could have kept to the script by only discussing Smollett, but he noted instead how people in those neighborhoods were again being sidelined so he could answer media questions about a Hollywood actors alleged fraud. The diocese, which operates churches and schools throughout northwestern Iowa, urged victims to come forward at that time. Its review board has spent recent weeks reviewing files and weighing the credibility of allegations. The diocese said the alleged abuse took place between 1948 and 1995 and involved 106 individuals who have come forward to make claims. Additional complaints of abuse have been made more recently, but none have been deemed credible by police or a church review board, the diocese said. All but six of the priests on the list have died. Those who are still living are not involved in the ministry or active with youths, and they have been stripped of their ability to celebrate Mass or represent themselves as priests, the diocese said. Diocese officials acknowledged that the list is probably incomplete because additional victims have not come forward. For instance, the diocese said that it was aware of 13 victims of Coyle, even though he allegedly confessed to abusing dozens more. The list included 39 victims of the Rev. George McFadden, whose abuse has long been documented and spawned an array of civil lawsuits, and 11 victims of the Rev. Peter Murphy. More than half of the identified priests, however, have only one known accuser. Two women were critically injured in an Omaha house fire Monday, and a man, who also was injured, has been identified as a suspect. Janet Bohm, 56, and Amanda Bohm, 18, have been taken to the burn unit at St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center in Lincoln for specialized care. Carl Bohm, 65, was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center. He, too, was in critical condition. He is considered a suspect in the fire, said Phil Anson, an information officer with the Omaha Police Department. The fire at 3742 Himebaugh Ave. was reported at 12:45 a.m. Monday. All three were out of the house before fire crews arrived, fire officials said. Police had been called to the address previously to investigate a reported assault, according to emergency scanner traffic. Firefighters saw large amounts of smoke and flames as they approached the house, Battalion Chief Scott Fitzpatrick said. It took about an hour to bring the fire under control. The house, valued at $58,500, was a total loss. Two family dogs escaped the fire, and animal control officers from the Nebraska Humane Society were attempting to rescue them. Very Iowa, a person off-camera remarked over the crowds uproarious laughter. Meanwhile, Kinney had reached the kitchen, and with a bottle of ranch finally in hand, she found herself facing another dilemma: How would she get back to her table? Kinney said she tried to avoid disrupting the event again but soon realized that she would have to go back the way she came. This time, though, she had support for her mission. I came back with a squirt bottle-type thing and I raised it up and I went, I got my ranch, she said. And they were like, Yes, a queen, she got her ranch. She continued: When I got back upstairs, everyone was like, What happened down there? and I was like, I really dont know, man. I got the ranch though, so thats important. But Kinney wasnt aware of the video. She had no idea she was about to become a social media sensation. It was only when she returned to her room around midnight that she saw a Twitter notification from a friend. I thought he was just tweeting a meme at me, honestly, but then I clicked it and it was this video, Kinney said. So I go through it and I was like, Wow thats me. The Scouts BSA program, which is now co-ed, allows girls to achieve all seven Scout ranks in their own all-female troops, including the highest rank of Eagle Scout. Some female troops are connected to all-male troops, but its not a requirement. Research is overwhelming that girls and boys in the adolescent age group really need spaces for them to learn and develop on their own, said Chris Mehaffey, scout executive for the Boy Scouts of America Mid-America Council, which is based in Omaha. This is giving girls a way to learn the scouting program and code of ethics on their own, Mehaffey said. Rebecca Wright, 16, is the senior patrol leader of the all-female Scouts BSA Troop 1885. The Millard North junior has fond memories of her younger brothers Cub Scout activities, such as the time she watched her mom get hit with a pie in the face at a popcorn-selling event. Or when Wright got to race her own wooden car in the Pinewood Derby. She participated with other Cub Scouts sisters and siblings in a just for fun division. The family also started going on camping trips together with her brothers troop. But other investments would follow the grant. For example, the Susie Buffett-backed Sherwood Foundation committed to provide $11 million to help pay for the construction of mixed-income housing, if Omaha wins the federal grant. Other entities pledge to increase educational, health care and job training services in the neighborhood. The City of Omaha would work with nonprofit builders such as Habitat for Humanity and Gesu Housing to build 100 new single-family homes on vacant lots in the neighborhood. The city also would work with neighborhood organizations to help more people repair older homes in the area. The city would improve streets and make them more pedestrian-friendly, including making it easier for children to walk to school at Kennedy. Seventy-Five North and its supporters have been investing in school improvement at Kennedy as part of its Purpose Built Community program. Some of the new housing at Highlander would be built before Spencer Homes would be torn down. People from Spencer Homes would be given vouchers and could move to Highlander or somewhere else of their choice. Once the new development, called Kennedy Square, is built, Spencer Homes residents would have priority to move back there. If you want to go somewhere warm, try Alaska. Some cities in Alaska are enjoying highs around 30 this week while Omaha will be stuck mostly in the teens. Omahas unrelenting cold, snowy weather is rippling through daily life, creating a run on ice melt for homeowners, slowing trash collection and pushing the city to adjust its street-clearing operations. And weather records continue to fall on Monday, a new daily low was set. Trash collection still behind Trash collection in Omaha remains about a day behind, but residents are asked to put their trash out on their normal day, because crews are working to catch up. You can help by making your trash easily accessible and visible. Shovel those sidewalks Omaha Public Schools Superintendent Cheryl Logan asked that people make it easier for kids to get to school by shoveling their sidewalks. More weather records Officially, Omaha received 7.5 inches of snow over the weekend. Some neighborhoods, however, recorded as much as 10 inches. With some neighborhood streets still difficult to travel Sunday night, the Omaha Public Schools and most other metro area districts announced that they would cancel classes on Monday. About 18,000 of OPSs 53,000 students travel by bus, and the district wasnt confident that its kids could get to school in a timely, safe fashion, said OPS spokeswoman Monique Farmer. Trash pickup was canceled Monday in Council Bluffs because of the accumulated snow. It will resume Tuesday in the Bluffs and will be a day behind for the rest of the week. The city has said it will be Tuesday at the earliest before crews begin tackling those long rows of snow in the middle of major thoroughfares. City crews have been plowing snow to the middle to aid in clearing a driving lane. Affected streets include Dodge from downtown to Happy Hollow, other downtown streets and Maple Street in Benson. The weekend storm was nastier than the areas other recent heavy snowfalls. WASHINGTON On Thursday, President Donald Trump urged wireless technology companies to step up their efforts to build next-generation data networks, tweeting that he wanted 5G, and even 6G, technology in the United States as soon as possible. But is 6G even a thing? If you have to ask, you are not alone: Searches for 6G spiked on Google in the moments after Trumps tweet. The short answer is, 6G is likely what we will call whatever advanced data networks come after 5G. And 5G is what carriers are currently building as the next generation after 4G LTE. But so far, 6G exists largely as a theoretical concept and is a long way from being deployed in the real world. No one knows yet what 6G will entail, Jessica Rosenworcel, part of the five-member Federal Communications Commission, said at a wireless industry conference in September. But, she added, she could speculate. The sixth generation of wireless service will feature terahertz-frequency networks and spatial multiplexing, she predicted, referring to the use of short-range, high-frequency airwaves to carry lots of signals over the same bandwidth on a massive scale. (CNN) Brexit is going down to the wire. With just 33 days until Britain is set to leave the European Union, Prime Minister Theresa May has again delayed a parliamentary vote on her beleaguered Brexit deal in a desperate effort to buy more time to revise its terms with Brussels. The so-called meaningful vote had been penciled in for Wednesday. But speaking to reporters traveling to an EU-Arab League summit in Egypt on Sunday, May said it would now happen by March 12 a mere 17 days before Brexit day. May said she would be returning to Brussels on Tuesday for more talks. "As a result of that we won't bring a meaningful vote to Parliament this week. "But we will ensure that that happens by March 12," she told reporters on the plane to Egypt, according to the UK's Press Association and Reuters. Downing Street confirmed the delay to CNN. The decision is likely to increase the divisions in May's government over the issue. Some members of her Cabinet are in open revolt over her failure to rule out the prospect of Britain leaving the EU without a deal. Lawmakers could take matters into their own hands this week. In place of the meaningful vote on Wednesday, Members of Parliament will be able to put down amendments to a neutral motion on Brexit. These could force the government to delay the Article 50 process, or hold a second referendum. The opposition Labour party condemned May's decision to postpone the meaningful vote to March. Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer called the delay the "height of irresponsibility." "Theresa May is recklessly running down the clock in a desperate attempt to force MPs to choose between her deal and no deal," he said on Twitter. But May insisted that the Brexit deadline could still be met: "It is still within our grasp to leave the European Union with a deal on the 29th of March and that is what we are working to do." Very few people outside the British government believe there's much chance of that happening. And it emerged this weekend that a number of people inside government don't believe it's possible, either. Three members of May's Cabinet wrote on Saturday that they were prepared to defy her and vote to extend Article 50 the legal process for leaving the EU if there was no breakthrough this week. Writing in the UK's Daily Mail newspaper, Amber Rudd, David Gauke and Greg Clark said they wanted to prevent a "disastrous" no-deal. "It would be better to seek to extend Article 50 and delay our date of departure rather than crash out of the European Union on March 29," the trio wrote in the article, published Saturday. It's a view shared by former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown, who writing in UK newspaper the Sunday Mirror, said extending Article 50 would "let us reflect, reconsider and renegotiate Mrs May's botched terms." "We have only three days to draw back from the brink," he added. As frustrations grow in London, May is expected to hold talks with key EU figures at the EU-Arab nations summit in Sharm el Sheikh, including European Council President Donald Tusk. British lawmakers have rejected the Withdrawal Agreement finalized between the British government and the EU in November. The main sticking point remains the Northern Ireland backstop, an insurance policy designed to prevent the return of border posts on the frontier with the Republic of Ireland. But European leaders have been reluctant to renegotiate what they say is the "only deal possible." In a sign of just how strained relations had become in recent months, Tusk even went as far as to say there was a "special place in Hell" for people who "promoted Brexit" without a plan. Just hours before setting off for Egypt, May told a closed meeting of grassroots Conservatives that Britain's exit from the EU must not be "frustrated," according to details of her speech released by Downing Street. "We must not, and I will not, frustrate what was the largest democratic exercise in this country's history," May said at the National Conservative Convention (NCC) in Oxford on Saturday. "In the very final stages of this process, the worst thing we could do is lose our focus," she added. May's Conservative Party is splintering over her handling of Brexit. Three Conservative lawmakers quit the party earlier this week, joining eight former Labour MPs to form a new parliamentary bloc. Speaking to Conservative party members on Saturday, May sought to stem further high-profile resignations, saying "We are not a party of purges and retribution," the UK's Press Association reported. "We called a referendum and let people express their views so we should not be seeking to deselect any of our MPs because of their views on Brexit," she added. This story was first published on CNN.com "Theresa May delays Brexit vote to buy more time... again" Wednesday A UNL student showcase produced in partnership with the universitys Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design will feature designs from more than 30 students and more than 100 works. The students are competing to win one of four scholarships. Thursday The Methodist Hospital and Xenon Survivor Show is back. More than 100 cancer survivors will wear designs from local boutiques on the runway. In partnership with Methodist, the event will give half the proceeds to the Inner Beauty Salon at Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center, which works with cancer survivors to help them deal with changes to their image while undergoing treatment. Friday Spike Lee Wore an Outfit Honoring Prince at the 2019 Academy Awards Dimas Sanfiorenzo Dimas Sanfiorenzo is the Managing Editor for Okayplayer. He specializes Dearly beloved, we are gathered here todayto get through this thing called life. Famed director Spike Lee wore a purple Ozwald Boateng suit to the 2019 Academy Awards in honor of Prince. The director also has a necklace around his neck featuring an emblem of the Prince symbol READ: Boots Riley Claims Spike Lee Yelled at Him for Blasting BlacKkKlansman On the Directors feet was a pair of custom gold Jordan 3s. Also interesting: Lee is honoring his iconic breakout movie Do the Right Thing. He is wearing two knuckle rings, with one saying LOVE and the other saying HATE. Its similar to the ring that Radio Raheem wore in the iconic movie. Spike Lee is up for Best Director and Best Picture for his latest film BlacKkKlansman. Scroll down to see more pics of Spikes excellent Oscars fir. Spike Lees Oscar footwear pic.twitter.com/Trrenm2bzR Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) February 24, 2019 READ: Spike Lee: You Couldnt Make A Movie Of Princes Life Important: Spike Lee in Ozwald Boateng. Ozwald, a black designer, was Creative Director of Givenchy homme 03-06. His green suit appeared in Black Panther. His expertise in cutting + his original talent fit perfectly with the Givenchy Homme style Marianne Tesler #Oscars pic.twitter.com/XfIzPkJTk2 Shelby Ivey Christie (@bronze_bombSHEL) February 24, 2019 Spike Lee throwing back to DO THE RIGHT THING at the #Oscars pic.twitter.com/M5qVBswMVc Nigel M. Smith (@nigelmfs) February 24, 2019 Spike Lee shows off his gold Jordan IIIs and talks about honoring Prince in purple pic.twitter.com/ucD5wRJ0Gh CJ Fogler (@cjzero) February 24, 2019 Spike Lee heads straight to the fan bleachers, gets big applause, most enthusiastic so far #Oscars pic.twitter.com/Kh05SXErhB Lindsey Bahr (@ldbahr) February 24, 2019 Spike Lee brought a little bit of Do The Right Thing to the #Oscars red carpet. pic.twitter.com/TGowkZK2zF The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 24, 2019 Registrations are now open for Cycle Against Suicides annual cycle, which takes place from April 27, 2019 May 6, 2019, including here in Tullamore. Cycle Against Suicide is an awareness charity (CHY 20687) that makes a valuable contribution to the public education of mental health by changing the narrative surrounding suicide. Each Year, Cycle Against Suicide brings together cyclists of all abilities with different backgrounds and stories to help break the cycle of suicide in Ireland. This years cycle will travel 800km passing through 63 towns, rallying hope and support in localities around Ireland. This cycle promotes a key message to local people: Its OK not to feel OK, and it is absolutely OK to ask for help.' This simple yet powerful message could save the lives of those within our communities who are feeling alone. The event will be coming into Tullamore on Saturday, April 27, 2019. Cycle Against Suicide operates a Homestay Programme that sees people and families from across Ireland open their doors to participants of the Cycle each year, providing them with a warm meal, a chance to freshen up and a bed for the night. This provides the opportunity to lend your support without necessarily having to get on a bike. As part of the National Co-ordination Team, organisers are trying to put a Homestay co-ordination team into Tullamore in order to secure a homestay for 200 cyclists and back up crew. Over the last number of years community groups have come together to secure and allocate the beds needed for the overnight stop. Register your support as a homestay host family today by emailing homestays@cycleagainstsuicide.com. Fraser Seitel The good news for the 150 candidates promoting themselves for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in 2020 is that while none can possibly win, neither could Donald Trump at this point in the last election. The bad news for this motley group of socialists and semi-socialists is that unless they start to stand for something and not simply stand against Trump, they and we will be doomed to the unthinkable: President Trump 2.0. To be clear, Trump, like Charles Barkley, is no role model. Hes crude, rude and intellectually deficient. He doesnt read. He cant speak, and hes grating in every way conceivable. He lacks common decency and self-awareness and never should have been President. So, all those who yearn for the glory days of Barack Obama have a point. Now there was a moral, decent, inspiring man to admire. But what the Trump haters arent right about, and what they cant bring themselves to come to grips with, is precisely the reason those 150 Democrat candidates better start doing more homework. The fact is forgive me, haters Donald Trump, as miserable a human being as he well might be, has nonetheless accomplished more in his first two years than any other President in our lifetime. Thats a detail that few who oppose the President dare utter, but its true. Heres a partial list that includes not only the well-known initiatives to help the rich but also those lesser-known achievements that even the most ardent anti-Trumpers should appreciate. Criminal justice reform. At the top of every liberals to do list for the past decade has been prison reform, particularly adjusting the system so that minorities arent continually disadvantaged. Neither Clinton nor Bush nor Obama could move the needle on changing the criminal justice system. But Trump, through the offices of the Jared/Ivanka wing, got a bill passed that finally begins to institutionalize reform. Fighting for international gay rights. Trumps Ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, is proudly gay and shaking up the diplomatic world to lead the effort to persuade Islamic nations and others to be more tolerant. Grenells boss is wholeheartedly behind the effort, and all those liberals who see shrinks to deal with their Trump trauma should support the effort, too. Making NATO pay for its own defense. Democratic candidates all agree that the way Trump has treated our allies is disgraceful, harsh and embarrassing. Yes, yes and yes. But isnt it about time that Germany, France, England and all the others whose national protection we subsidize began paying more for their own defense? Sure, when Trump says the U.S. pays 90 percent of NATOs costs, hes lying. What the U.S. really pays is 72 percent, compared to Englands six percent and Germanys and Frances five percent. Once again, neither Clinton nor Bush nor Obama had the guts to tell the Europeans to put up their fair share. Trump may be a bully, but hes right. Bringing home the troops. For years, liberals have decried the fact that poor peoples children are the primary defenders of this nation, putting themselves in harms way to protect the rest of us. But Trump is the only recent President with the guts to recall the troops from Syria, Afghanistan and elsewhere. Predictably, The New York Times, which sadly has let its virulent anti-Trump obsession destroy its reputation for fairness, has castigated Trumps action and led the charge to expose the danger of the U.S. precipitously abandoning these war zones. Fortunately for publisher A.G. Sulzberger and executive editor Dean Baquet, neither has a child fighting in these overseas hell holes. Good for Trump! Denuding the dictators. Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize for promises. Trump wont win a Nobel, but he neutralized North Korea and bombed ISIS back to the Stone Age. And if I were Vladimir Putin, Id demand Trump return my collusion bribes, because Russia hasnt gotten much from this administration. Bolstering the border. Obviously, Trumps wall phobia is nuts, and separating migrant parents from children is awful, but most Americans can see the wisdom in not letting too many people into the country who'll turn out to be net takers rather than net contributors. Should poor people and threatened people and sick people be allowed into the U.S.? Sure, but in an organized and limited manner. What most people oppose is wholesale immigration, where the U.S. imports anybody among the tired, poor, huddled masses who wants in. That may not be what Democrats want either, but it sure is the perception of the current candidate crop. Not playing the elitist game. People despise politicians. They detest elitists. And they deplore the McConnells, Pelosis, Schumers, Comeys, Washington Posts and all the others that make up the Washington establishment. Trump is rich but he sure aint elitist. Establishment Washington hates him as much as he does them. And thats another plus for the incumbent. Supporting making money. Trump, thank goodness for anybody whos got to support a family, is pro-business. Democrats abhor the fat cats who make more money and the businesses which support them. Trumps philosophy and policies have cut taxes, increased GNP, lowered unemployment, increased wages, ignited the stock market and caused the U.S. economy to hum at increasingly-higher levels. Sure, the rich have gotten richer, but so have the less rich. And that, too, wasnt the case under Obama. A political party that's vehemently anti-business shouldnt be running this particular country. If youre still not convinced that Donald Trump could well be the next President of the United States, consider three final words: Amazon New York. The tragedy of Amazon pulling all its employment, tax payments and ancillary jobs out of Queens is the greatest warning yet that the prevailing Democrat wisdom is dangerous for the country. When a few loudmouthed, anti-business socialists won the day, the real losers were all the Long Island deli workers and livery drivers and school teachers who wouldve made better lives for their families. Lets see who those folks vote for in 2020. *** Fraser P. Seitel has been a communications consultant, author and teacher for 40 years. Hes author of the Pearson text The Practice of Public Relations, now in its 13th edition, and co-author of Rethinking Reputation" and "Idea Wise.He may be reached directly at yusake@aol.com. Sadly, instead of taking a brave stand at an opportune time that perhaps could have jumpstarted the effort to humanize and improve black-white relations decades sooner, most of the editorials only fueled the fires of discourse. KKK still means hate 1919 was only 54 years after the end of the Civil War. 2019 is here, 154 years after the Civil War. Weve seen a lot of blood, sweat and tears flow in this state in the effort to understand shared human dignity and the right to live a life of equal opportunity. Yet, here we are in the 21st Century, and still a newspaper editor in southwest Alabama is consumed enough with racism, hatred and resentment to write such things as: Time for the Ku Klux Klan to night ride again. Slaves, just freed after the civil war, were not stupid. At times they borrowed their former masters robes and horses and rode through the night to frighten some evil doer. Sometimes they had to kill one or two of them, but so what Regarding Democrats in Washington, Seems like the Klan would be welcome to raid the gated communities up there. They call them compounds now. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump struck back Monday at film director Spike Lee, accusing him of delivering a "racist hit" during an Oscar acceptance speech in which Lee referenced the history of U.S. slavery and urged people to vote in the 2020 elections. Lee did not mention Trump by name in his remarks Sunday night after winning in the best adapted screenplay category for "BlacKkKlansman," a movie about an African American detective in the Colorado Springs, Colo., police department who infiltrates the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s. PHOTO GALLERY: See the biggest moment from the 91st Academy Awards in a gallery at the end of this story Lee thanked his grandmother for having put him through college and film school and praised her and other descendants of slaves for having "built this country into what it is today." He then observed that the 2020 presidential election is "around the corner." "Let's all mobilize," he said. "Let's all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Let's do the right thing!" Two east Alabama men were arrested over the weekend for multiple sex crimes. William Luther Britt, 54, of Lanett was arrested for Grand Jury indictments charging him with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse and two counts of traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act, Chambers County Sheriff's Office told the Opelika-Auburn News. James Michael Howard, 54, of LaFayette, was also arrested over the weekend and was charged with first-degree sodomy and sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years of again, said the sheriff's office. Both cases remain under investigation by the Chambers County Sheriff's Office. 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. On the heels of new rules that require landlords to insulate their properties, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development recently announced new home standards to make to make rental properties warmer and drier. Housing Minister Phil Twyford said that the standards set minimum requirements for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draught stopping in residential rental properties. The rules reflect feedback from a wide range of public health experts, stakeholders including landlords, tenants, and building experts. Nearly 600,000 households rent in New Zealand, and our rental stock is of poorer quality than owner-occupied homes, said Twyford. Its estimated about 200,000 families live in rental homes that do not have ceiling or underfloor insulation. The standards are pragmatic, enduring and dont impose an unreasonable burden on landlords and industry while being mindful that renters need to have warmer and drier homes as soon as possible. The new standards include the following requirements: All rental homes will be required to have a heater that can heat the main living area to 18C; Rental homes must have ceiling and underfloor insulation that either meets the 2008 Building Code insulation standard, or (for existing ceiling insulation) has a minimum thickness of 120mm; Rental homes will also be drier under these changes as kitchens and bathrooms will have to have extraction fans or rangehoods; Where rental homes have an enclosed subfloor space, property owners will need to install a ground moisture barrier to stop moisture rising into the home; The standards also reinforce existing law that says landlords must have adequate drainage and guttering to prevent water entering the home, and; Draughts that make a home harder to heat will have to be blocked. Private landlords and boarding houses should ensure that their properties comply with the new standards within 90 days of any new tenancy by 01 July 2021. All Housing New Zealand houses and registered Community Housing Providers houses must comply with the standards by 01 July 2023, and by 01 July 2024 all rental homes in the country must be compliant. Well, everybody, thats that. The Academy Awards are trying to change, but history and simple mathematical demographics and, it must be said, a fear and resentment of Netflix, which distributed Roma, are strong. CAIRO President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, whose government has jailed critics, muzzled the independent press and executed nine prisoners in the past week, has never appreciated lectures on human rights. But the subject seemed to especially irk the authoritarian leader on Monday when, at the end of a major summit meeting with European and Arab leaders, he lashed out at Europeans who dared to question his record. You are not going to teach us about humanity, Mr. el-Sisi told reporters. Europeans and Arabs have a different sense of humanity, values and ethics, he continued. Respect our values and ethics, as we do yours. The outburst was a mark of the often awkward embrace between European Union and Arab League leaders in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, at their inaugural summit to broker closer ties on issues like migration and terrorism. But Mr. Zarif also was bitter about what he viewed as American double standards around the world, an assumption in Washington, he believed, that the United States only interfered in global affairs for good, not national interest, and that Iran did so out of perfidy. At one point in 2014, he described to a reporter evidence that the United States had been shipping in damaged parts to an Iranian reactor, which he said could have led to an accident and loss of life. There was no evidence of his specific charge, but the United States has conducted similar operations against Iranian rockets and missiles and, famously, sabotaged an Iranian nuclear enrichment plant in the city of Natanz with a cyberweapon, part of a vast American covert operation code-named Olympic Games. Mr. Zarif appeared to be at the center of the Iranian strategy to adhere to the nuclear deal he had negotiated, even after President Trump had abandoned it. And as time went on, and American sanctions were reimposed, he appeared to have a dwindling constituency in Tehran and none in Washington. Iranians are angry over never having received the promised economic rewards for their concession in the agreement to ship out 97 percent of their nuclear fuel and restrict the production of new fuel for 15 years. Mr. Zarifs many meetings with Europeans in recent months to develop a barter system, going around reimposed American sanctions, amounted to little. Many around the world, particularly on this continent, speak eloquently about multilateralism, but they also need to walk the walk, Mr. Zarif said in his last public address to the West, at the Munich Security Conference. The arrangement with Europe, he said, fell short of Europes effort to save the nuclear deal, and Europe needs to be willing to get wet if it wants to swim against a dangerous tide of U.S. unilateralism. The Trump administration refused to communicate with Mr. Zarif. Senior officials declared he was powerless and asked reporters why they quoted him. He was in the same room once with Rex W. Tillerson, Mr. Trumps first secretary of state, but the two never exchanged more than polite greetings. Mike Pompeo, Mr. Tillersons successor, never dealt with Mr. Zarif, American officials say. Those claims, written more than two years ago, suddenly received intense attention this month, and led to incorrect allegations that the payments were specifically for veterans of the SS, a force closely tied to the Nazi Party that committed a disproportionate share of German war crimes. The German government says that there are no SS veterans among the recipients in Belgium the claims authors have not cited any evidence and that there are no known war criminals among those getting the payments. In reality, under the German legislation that governs the payments, called the Law on the Care of the Victims of the War, SS veterans are less likely than former soldiers in the regular army to qualify. The law prohibits payments to anyone who committed war crimes or crimes against humanity, and it states that where there is evidence of SS membership, claimants must be subjected to a particularly intensive review into whether they acted against the principles of humanity. The German government said that such reviews had been carried out in the 1990s and that payments were found to have been directed to some war criminals, 99 of which were then stopped. In total, 2,033 people living outside of Germany are still receiving the payments, the government said. But Frank Seberechts, a Belgian historian and former research director of a national archive specializing in the Flemish political movement, questioned the strength and the feasibility of the reviews. The German government did not always have a clear view of who exactly participated in war crimes, said Mr. Seberechts, author of a book on Belgian collaboration. In fact, many Belgians who did collaborate militarily did also participate in war crimes, but were never convicted of them. He cited a postwar trial in which some Belgians who served as concentration camp guards participated in a massacre of prisoners in what is now Kaliningrad, Russia, on the Baltic Sea. They were just convicted of military collaboration, he said, not war crimes or crimes against humanity, because the Belgian judicial apparatus was not equipped to handle such cases immediately after the war. Dr. Igoe said that a high proportion of the new cases involved migrants who had been infected before they came to the country, and people whose infection was detected through a local testing program introduced in 2016 that encourages people to discover their status early. Its really a rare bright note in the treatment of H.I.V. that we can tell people, If you take a test, find out your status early on, you can deal with it so that you dont get sick, and you wont make other people sick either, she said. As we say, if the virus is undetectable, its untransmittable too. In recent years, government campaigns to reduce the harm from drugs, including the introduction of needle exchanges, methadone treatments and health education, have decreased the number of H.I.V. cases transmitted through drug use. In 2017, only 5 percent of the new H.I.V. diagnoses were found to have been transmitted via infected needles, while 53 percent were attributable to sex between men, according to health officials. At the same time, the proportion of new cases via heterosexual transmission, once a small part of the total, has now risen to 33 percent. Dr. Igoe said many of these new cases involved migrants who were not aware of an infection and had come from countries with a much higher prevalence of heterosexual H.I.V. transmission, such as in sub-Saharan Africa. Barriers to medicines may have also contributed to the increase. Andrew Leavitt, a spokesman for the Irish chapter of the international H.I.V. activist group Act Up, said the use of medications to prevent infection before and after exposure so-called PrEP drugs that are particularly effective at reducing transmission among gay and bisexual men has been hampered in Ireland by the slow introduction of cheaper generic versions of the drugs. SEOUL, South Korea South Korean officials on Monday indicated that President Trump and North Koreas leader, Kim Jong-un, could agree on a joint political statement declaring an end to the 1950-53 Korean War when they meet in Hanoi, Vietnam, this week. The possibility is open, said Kim Eui-kyeom, a spokesman for South Koreas president, Moon Jae-in, referring to the results expected from the Trump-Kim summit meeting scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. We still dont know exactly what format the end-of-war declaration will take, but there is an ample possibility of North Korea and the United States agreeing to such a declaration. Mr. Moon has strongly advocated an end-of-war declaration to build trust between North Korea and the United States and to prod the North to move toward giving up its nuclear weapons. The North and the United States have remained technically at war since the Korean War was halted in a truce in 1953, and Washington still keeps 28,500 troops in South Korea to prevent it from rekindling. Until now, South Korean officials, who are closely monitoring pre-summit meeting negotiations between North Korea and the United States, had sounded skeptical that Mr. Trump and Mr. Kim would agree to an end-of-war declaration during their Hanoi meeting. The remarks by the South Korean spokesman indicated such a declaration was now being seriously discussed as Mr. Trump seeks to encourage Mr. Kim to take steps toward denuclearization. TOKYO Every time Jiro Oshima wants to see his siblings, he must travel to North Korea. Mr. Oshima, 79, a retired schoolteacher in Japan, takes a flight to Beijing, then another to Pyongyang, carrying small gifts like candy and underwear, and items that his siblings can sell: baby clothes, medicine, shoes. He has made the journey more than a dozen times since the 1960s, when his parents and siblings moved to the Communist nation as part of a repatriation program that the world has largely forgotten. Now, as President Trump and North Koreas leader, Kim Jong-un, prepare for a second summit meeting, to be held in Vietnam this week, there is nervous anticipation that a political thaw could ease the North out of its long isolation. Perhaps nowhere is that hope stronger than among ethnic Koreans like Mr. Oshima in Japan a community that embraced North Korea as the rest of the world cut it off. An estimated 322,000 ethnic Koreans in Japan are members of families that arrived during Tokyos 35-year colonial occupation of Korea. Known as the Zainichi, most trace their roots to what is now South Korea. NEW DELHI The Kashmir Valley, a disputed territory that has led to war between India and Pakistan in the past, is once again bringing the two archrivals to the brink. In the past few days, hundreds of Kashmiris have been arrested, accused of fueling the insurgency against Indian rule. India has moved thousands of new troops into the valley, where they have taken up positions in towns, along the highways and in snow-dusted apple orchards. Families are fleeing border areas. Fuel and food supplies are running out. Pakistan and India are firing artillery shells. An Indian government directive ordered doctors to gear up their Rapid Response Teams for any untoward eventuality. In Pakistan, the military has shifted to high alert. What are the chances of war? [On August 5, India revoked Kashmirs special status.] Still thankfully low, most analysts say, because neither country really wants it. But both India and Pakistan are nuclear armed, and any escalation between them sends jitters around the world. PRAYAGRAJ, India The holy man had seen a lot in his day. It was evident in his long, white beard and naked, skeletal frame. The ascetic, Naga Baba Prayagrajgiri, had twice before joined the throngs of Hindu worshipers who flock to Prayagraj every six years to pray and bathe at the confluence of Indias great rivers two of them worldly, the third divine. Over the years, he has seen the pilgrimage, known as the Kumbh Mela, swell from tens of millions of people to hundreds of millions the largest religious gathering in the world. But this years festival the biggest and most expensive ever was different, Mr. Prayagrajgiri said. BEIJING Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, abruptly summoned hundreds of officials to Beijing recently, forcing some to reschedule long-planned local assemblies. The meeting seemed orchestrated to convey anxious urgency. The Communist Party, Mr. Xi told the officials, faces major risks on all fronts and must batten down the hatches. Whether dealing with foreign policy, trade, unemployment, or property prices, he declared, officials would be held responsible if they slipped up and let dangers spiral into real threats. Globally, sources of turmoil and points of risk are multiplying, he told the gathering in January at the Central Party School. At home, he added, the party is at risk from indolence, incompetence and of becoming divorced from the public. The speech was one of Mr. Xis starkest warnings since he came to power in 2012, and has been echoed at hundreds of local party meetings nationwide. DHAKA, Bangladesh Special forces troops stormed a plane on the tarmac of a Bangladesh airport on Sunday, fatally shooting a passenger who sought to speak with the countrys prime minister, officials said on Monday. Biman Bangladesh Airlines Flight 147 had been traveling to Dubai from Dhaka, the Bangladeshi capital. The domestic passenger, identified by the police as Mohammed Polash Ahmed, tried to storm the cockpit about 15 minutes after takeoff on Sunday afternoon, forcing the pilot into making an emergency landing in Chittagong, where the plane had been scheduled to make a stop. A senior official with Biman Bangladesh Airlines, speaking on condition of anonymity, said seven crew members and 143 passengers, including Mr. Ahmed, who was in his mid-30s, were aboard the plane. After landing at Shah Amanat International Airport on Sunday evening, all but one crew member who was kept as a hostage but not harmed were evacuated, the official said. MEXICO CITY Cubans voted to approve a new constitution, the government announced Monday, but the growing boldness of those opposing its policies seemed to overshadow the modest legal changes that were on the ballot. Nearly 87 percent of Cubans who cast ballots voted yes in Sundays referendum, the National Electoral Commission said, according to Cuban media reports. But about 15 percent of voters stayed home, and those Cubans, along with the ones who voted no, represented an unusual show of opposition in the one-party state. While the final result presents no real challenge to the leadership of President Miguel Diaz-Canel and the continued control of the Cuban Communist Party, it reflects the growing confidence of diverse groups that have pushed back against official decisions in recent months and forced the government to negotiate. Evangelical groups protested a provision in the proposed constitution that would have legalized same-sex marriage, artists demanded the repeal of a decree they said would give the government more power to censor them, and small private businesses bristled at new regulations. ABUJA, Nigeria Election Day violence killed at least 39 people across Nigeria, civil society groups reported, and with ballot-counting temporarily halted and rumors flying, Nigerians were left waiting on Monday for an announcement of the winner in the presidential contest. With President Muhammadu Buhari vying for a second term against more than 70 challengers, elections officials briefly halted the count, saying that results from Saturdays voting had yet to be received from all districts. The 18-hour gap until tabulation began again late Monday morning left time for more rumors to spread about whether the delay was helping the leading candidates rig the results. At one point, members of the party of the leading challenger, Atiku Abubakar, declared victory, a notion that was far from certain. Much of the violence on Saturday played out in the south of the country, in opposition strongholds where the tight election is particularly contested, according to Cheta Nwanze, head of research at SBM Intelligence, a nonpartisan group that has been critical of the government and is tracking violence based on reports from local police and media. I ask children in the exam room how theyre doing in school, and generally they say O.K., or good, or maybe they squirm and say, not so good this year. The pediatric wisdom is always to push a little further, to ask for specifics what subjects do you like best, which are the hardest, what kinds of grades did you get on your last report card? You want to be alert for clues to problems that can get in the way of school achievement, from learning disabilities to behavioral problems to mental health issues. Asking about report cards is certainly not sufficient, but its a quick and almost universal beginning, and maybe a window into family function as well. When I was in school, I remember there were some kids who got financial rewards, a dollar for every A, or some such, and those of us who came from families that scorned such techniques were always deeply jealous, unable to keep from calculating what our take would have been, if only we had different parents. Actually, the standard parental response that I remember, the joke repeated (with accompanying eye-rolls) at least among the students in good standing, was that if you got four As and a B, a parent would always ignore the As and ask what had gone wrong in the fifth class. President Moon Jae-in of South Korea has also called for an end-of-war declaration, which could put pressure on the United States to withdraw the nearly 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea a move that the administration says it opposes. But it is uncertain how much progress toward denuclearization Mr. Trump is prepared to demand from Mr. Kim in exchange for a declaration of peace that would stop short of replacing the 1953 armistice. Ned Price, a former spokesman for the National Security Council for President Barack Obama, on Monday warned of what he called a Pollyannaish approach by Mr. Trump that could lead the United States to give Mr. Kim too much in exchange for little real progress in abandoning his nuclear weapons. The chance for a diplomatic resolution to North Koreas nuclear ambitions is too critical an opportunity to allow Trump to squander, Mr. Price wrote in an email message Monday morning. We must be comfortable holding the Trump administrations feet to the fire. Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, said it was Mr. Trumps strong tactics that pushed Mr. Kim into negotiations in the first place. But in his own series of tweets on Monday morning, Mr. Graham described the upcoming talks in Hanoi as our last, best chance to end the nuclear conflict with North Korea on peaceful terms. DES MOINES At the very first event of her first full day in Iowa as a presidential candidate, Senator Kamala Harris was greeted by a Democratic voter who delivered a pointed recommendation about the best path to the White House. The voter, Rahul Parsa, who teaches at Iowa State Universitys business school, said he told Ms. Harris at a gathering of Asian and Latino activists that she needs to think of the Democratic Party in the Midwest like a struggling retail business and that she should seek out not just the regular customers, but those who are not loyal supporters as well . Kamala needs to find out why the people voted for Trump, what are their issues? said Mr. Parsa, adding that he had one overarching demand for the burgeoning field of would-be nominees: You need to bring some states in the Midwest. As the Democratic race takes flight, with one or more candidates entering the race almost every week, Mr. Parsas viewpoint represents one side of a long-simmering debate within t he party : Should Democrats redouble their efforts to win back the industrial heartland that effectively delivered the presidency to Donald J. Trump? Or should they turn their attention to more demographically promising Sun Belt states like Georgia and Arizona ? WASHINGTON President Trumps decision to back off his threat to raise tariffs on Chinese goods carries substantial political risk as the president faces increased pressure from Republicans, Democrats and some of his own advisers to win the kind of tough concessions that Beijing has long resisted. Citing substantial progress in talks between the United States and China, Mr. Trump on Sunday evening halted plans to raise tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods at the end of this week. On Monday, the president predicted that President Xi Jinping of China would soon join him at Mar-a-Lago, Mr. Trumps Florida resort, for a signing summit. Were getting very, very close, Mr. Trump said at a gathering of governors at the White House. Mr. Trumps optimism has cheered Wall Street and business lobbyists, who have been pushing for a quick end to the trade war. But Democrats and even some Republicans are not so sanguine. Top Democrats, in an effort to outflank Mr. Trump on China, are warning loudly that the Chinese may simply be dangling false promises in hopes of getting the president to end a trade war that is hurting American farmers and damaging the Chinese economy. Some Republicans fear that Mr. Trump may settle for a deal that simply reduces the trade deficit between the two countries and potentially offers relief to a Chinese telecommunication giant, Huawei, which is facing criminal charges in the United States. WASHINGTON The routine was always the same. President Trumps lawyers would drive to heavily secured offices near the National Mall, surrender their cellphones, head into a windowless conference room and resume tense negotiations over whether the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, would interview Mr. Trump. But Mr. Mueller was not always there. Instead, the lawyers tangled with a team of prosecutors, including a little known but formidable adversary: Andrew D. Goldstein, 44, a former Time magazine reporter who is now a lead prosecutor for Mr. Mueller in the investigation into whether the president obstructed justice. Mr. Mueller is often portrayed as the omnipotent fact-gatherer, but it is Mr. Goldstein who has a much more involved, day-to-day role in one of the central lines of investigation. Mr. Goldstein, the lone prosecutor in Mr. Muellers office who came directly from a corruption unit at the Justice Department, has conducted every major interview of the presidents advisers. He questioned Donald F. McGahn II, Mr. Trumps former White House counsel, and Michael D. Cohen, Mr. Trumps former fixer and lawyer, for dozens of hours. He signed Mr. Cohens plea agreement. He conducted grand jury questioning of associates of Roger J. Stone Jr., the former adviser to Mr. Trump who was indicted last month. Craig Coley was never a wealthy man. There was a time, before he was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent nearly four decades in prison, when he juggled multiple jobs to afford a home. Those days now seem far away. On Saturday, the city of Simi Valley, Calif., announced that it had reached a $21 million settlement with Mr. Coley, 71, in connection with his 1980 murder conviction that was overturned in 2017 after DNA evidence proved he was not the killer. For Mr. Coley, the news has been overwhelming. But in a phone interview arranged by lawyers on Monday, he made one thing clear: There is no money that can replace what I lost. When I heard about this award they granted to me I was taken aback even though I knew the possibility was there, he said. The whole situation, the reason I am getting the money is where it starts none of it is normal. The need for increased infrastructure investment has been one of Americas few remaining bipartisan issues, although left and right differ over whether public money or private money would finance it. President Barack Obama made reinvesting in roads, bridges and power plants a cornerstone of the 2009 economic stimulus package, and during the 2016 presidential campaign seemingly the only disagreement Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump had on infrastructure was about which of their administrations would spend more on it. The issue unites truckers and train buffs, unions and Wall Street, economists from the left and right. And yet, when it comes to spending the money and actually getting things built very little progress has been made. Following a brief spike during the recession, government investment has hovered around 3.3 percent of gross domestic product for the past few years, which is the lowest since the 1940s. In the meantime, roads, bridges and train tracks have gotten steadily older while proposals for new projects are delayed by political intransigence and legal delays. Americas short-horizon election cycles, especially in the House of Representatives, are not in sync with the time it takes to build such massive projects, making them politically vulnerable. In California, high-speed rail had been promoted by Republicans and Democrats alike for decades before the first shovel broke ground in 2015. It was Pete Wilson, a Republican governor, who in 1996 signed the legislation establishing the California High-Speed Rail Authority. Another Republican governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, put the projects financing on the ballot in 2008. Later, Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat, became the projects biggest booster and funder. In the meantime, polls showed Republican support for the project eroding. There are so many obstacles to changing the status quo, and so many litigation opportunities at each stage, that were really looking at 20 years of consultants and lawyers and bureaucrats before these projects get started, and its almost impossible to maintain political and taxpayer support over that period, said Jennifer Hernandez, a partner at Holland & Knight who leads the law firms West Coast environmental and land-use practice. LONDON Two intriguing, elusive people I was never close to before are suddenly feeling like my new best friends. Ive known Bobbie and Caroline for ages. Yet it now seems that I really hadnt known them at all. Theyre so much warmer and cooler, funnier and sadder, more profound and more accessible than I recalled. The leading characters of the musicals Company and Caroline, or Change have been born again in two gloriously transformative revivals here. And theyre singing with their hearts in their throats, with the power to make grown men (well, this one, anyway) cry. Amazing, isnt it, what a decade or so, a trip across the ocean and the perspective afforded by distance can do? And, oh yes, in the case of one of them, a change of gender. Youve perhaps heard that Bobby, an angsty bachelor of 35, has been reincarnated as Bobbie, an angsty unmarried woman of the same age, in Marianne Elliotts enthralling revival of Company, Stephen Sondheim and George S. Furths 1970 take on the stings and sorrows of being single in swinging Manhattan. And what sounds like a gimmick turns out to be a godsend. Obesity, metabolic syndrome, autoimmune disease, Alzheimers, even aging differs by sex, Dr. Arnold noted. Twenty years ago, he said, scientists didnt think that sex chromosomes played any role at all in causing sex differences in these diseases. But now we know it makes a difference in mice, so we can say: Where does it make a difference in humans? he said. A better understanding of the role of sex in disease would eventually enable better treatments, he said. Thats kind of the hope that sex differences are not only important to understanding diseases in men and women, but also to developing a more fundamental understanding of the disease processes, so that you can manipulate them, Dr. Arnold said. In most cases, losing a chromosome or having an extra one is lethal, said Jeannie Lee, a geneticist and expert on the X chromosome at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital . [Like the Science Times page on Facebook. | Sign up for the Science Times newsletter.] Most people have 46 chromosomes, with 23 inherited from each parent. A few chromosomes can come with an extra copy, including chromosomes 13, 18 and 21 which is commonly called Down syndrome. Losing any chromosome other than a second sex chromosome is always lethal to a fetus. But the sex chromosome is the only one that people can survive with just one copy, Dr. Graves said. Girls with a single X and no Y suffer few anomalies because the second X is largely inactive anyway. After all, males have only one X, she said. People with anomalous numbers of sex chromosomes, such as those with Turner Syndrome, have a range of problems from virtually no issues to infertility, heart problems and cognitive impairment. About one in 2,500 girls is born with Turner Syndrome. It is also possible for people to be intersex, born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesnt fit the typical definitions of female or male, which may but doesn't have to involve sex chromosomes, according to the Intersex Society of North America, an advocacy group. It is not clear what mechanisms the body has to ensure that most men get only one Y and most women get two X chromosomes, said Karissa Sanbonmatsu, a structural biologist and principal investigator at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. In typical females, one X is usually but not always turned off, she said, and some research suggests that there is a mechanism that counts how many X chromosomes are present and generally turns off all but one of them. At the office, a desk chair usually has just one purpose: to keep you comfortably upright in front of a computer. But at home, it should be able to do a few things, said Christine Gachot, a founder of the New York interior design studio Gachot. Often its not just for yourself. In addition to serving as a place to sit and write a letter or compose a quick email, for instance, a desk chair ought to be able to function as extra seating at the dining table, or in the living room. And because a desk chair becomes part of the domestic landscape at home, yet is typically used for shorter periods of time than a chair at the office, aesthetics are a little bit more important, Ms. Gachot said, although you should be comfortable, always. And so they meet again . President Trump and Kim Jong-un, the ruler of North Korea, are expected to gather this week in Hanoi, Vietnam, for a second round of nuclear negotiations. Mr. Kim bested Mr. Trump at their first meeting in Singapore in June last year. And he is poised to do so again. The reason is simple: He has a strategy and the Americans do not. The United States hopes to somehow keep the world safe from North Korea. But Mr. Kim has an actual plan to make the world safe for North Korea. Mr. Kims plan the same as his fathers and grandfathers, and one breathtakingly revisionist is nothing less than unconditional reunification of the Korean Peninsula under the control of his government in Pyongyang. Nuclear weapons are indispensable to achieving his vision. And rational actors do not bargain away their core interests; only fools or traitors do. For a time, the Trump teams counter-proliferation policy its maximum pressure campaign of economic strangulation by way of sanctions seemed to pose a much more serious threat to Pyongyangs nuclear quest than did previous American administrations. North Koreas distorted economy, which is highly dependent on imports of food and energy, as well as foreign subsidies, would not be able to withstand such measures indefinitely, the thinking went. If it was squeezed enough, North Koreas defense industry would suffer, too, and Mr. Kims threat to target the United States would never be fully realized. Anyone looking for evidence of how irrational politics can be should look to Catalonia right now. Earlier this month, Catalan separatists in the Spanish Parliament voted against the 2019 national budget proposal of the Socialist prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, forcing a snap general election in late April. The separatists were retaliating against Mr. Sanchez because he would not agree to a referendum on Catalan independence. The last referendum, organized in October 2017, which was declared illegal by Spains Constitutional Tribunal and boycotted by those opposed to independence, plunged Spain into its deepest political crisis since the death of Gen. Francisco Franco in 1975. In forcing early elections and the potential fall of the Sanchez government, which came to power in June following a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy of the conservative Popular Party, the Catalan separatists appear willing to forfeit the best chance they have had in decades to advance Catalan autonomy. The Sanchez government has supported dialogue with Catalan separatists; appointed many Catalans to prominent cabinet positions, including Meritxell Batet, responsible for managing regional affairs; and agreed to a substantial increase in public spending in Catalonia for 2019. It even consented to talks about amending the Spanish Constitution to expand autonomy for all of Spains regions. Those gains could be quickly erased if the Popular Party is returned to power, something that the separatists were apparently aware of when they voted against the budget proposal. The newspaper El Pais reported that separatist leaders voted with long faces because they knew that they were most likely contributing to the rise of a new government that could reimpose direct control of Madrid over Catalonia as the Rajoy government did in 2017. Indeed, chances are that a new right-wing government in Madrid would be even more intolerant of Catalan separatism than Mr. Rajoy was. Since Mr. Rajoys departure from office, the Popular Party has hardened its stance on Catalan separatism, in no small measure because of the rise of Vox, a new far-right party that made a splash in regional elections in Andalusia in December, when it won 12 seats in the Andalusian Parliament on a platform that combined anti-immigrant rhetoric with a hard line on the Catalonia crisis. Vox has gone as far as to call for abolishing altogether Spains system of regional autonomy and outlawing separatist political parties. It would take decades before senators realized that without such a motion, there was no way for a simple majority to forcibly end debate, what we now call cloture. It was possible for a single member to block anything he opposed, and it took unanimous consent to stop him. The filibuster was born. But the small size of the Senate and informal rules around deliberation meant it wasnt used in earnest until the late 19th century, as American politics became more polarized around party and ideology, and informal rules around speaking and debate could not accommodate the increased pace of activity in the chamber. The modern filibuster began to take shape in 1917, when President Woodrow Wilson used war demands to pressure the Senate into adopting cloture and a supermajority threshold for ending debate (at the time, it required two-thirds of the Senate ). But even with reform, the filibuster remained a powerful tool for tedious delays and contemptible compromises of the public good. In the 20th century, recalcitrant senators used the filibuster to block or delay anti-lynching laws, bans on poll taxes, bans on literacy tests, and other civil rights laws. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was nearly killed by a filibuster. In recent decades, routine use of the filibuster has made it difficult for presidents to pursue their agendas and for Congress to pass major legislation. In turn, it has obscured democratic accountability and made voters feel less efficacious when voting majorities to power isnt enough to change the way things are, its fair to wonder if electoral politics is worth the trouble. We are long past the days of large, bipartisan majorities for ambitious, far-reaching legislation. Just three Republican senators backed the 2009 stimulus and not one voted for the Affordable Care Act. Critics see this as evidence these laws were too liberal, but in truth it reflects structural change in American politics. The parties are polarized and ideologically coherent; they offer fundamentally different visions for the direction of the country. A President Booker or Klobuchar might seek Republican support for their agendas, but they wont likely find it. The legislative path for their policies to say nothing of a Green New Deal or universal child care will go entirely through the Democratic Party. As it stands, Democrats would be lucky to win a Senate majority in 2020, much less the supermajority needed to end a filibuster. For the party to have any hope at actually implementing its agenda, the filibuster needs to be either reformed or eliminated. And the first step toward that is litigating the issue in public to help voters see the cost of preserving this rule, which could put pressure on other senators if a movement forms to end it. The Senate was built to govern, not to spend its time in endless deliberation, and the legislative filibuster makes that difficult, if not impossible. It does so in ways that typically disadvantage progressives and reformers, and which will cripple the next Democratic administration, as it nearly did the previous one. Any potential political danger Republicans could easily attack an anti-filibuster push as the first step toward taking away our cars, cows and airplanes is outweighed by the power that comes with being able to credibly connect the election outcome to a particular policy. Give me the votes, and Ill give you this plan. BERLIN Times are rough for the European Union. The news coming from Britain grows more depressing every day. Italy is governed by a maverick government searching for an open confrontation with France. Hungary and Poland are slowly slipping into authoritarianism. And we are headed for a European election in May that could result in further gains by populist parties. It is tempting, then, to see a ray of hope in an agreement by Germany and France, announced on Friday, for a eurozone budget, which the two countries will present to their fellow member states. Maybe, after years of delay, Paris and Berlin are finally taking the initiative to reverse Europes seemingly unstoppable, slow-motion disintegration. Not so fast. This latest deal aside, France and Germany, both founding powers of the European Union and its most powerful members, have been growing increasingly at odds. The discord is driven in part by differences over concrete policy proposals. But the bigger, intractable problem is a fundamental difference in their visions for Europe. This being Europe, the two countries have done their best to paper over their differences with rhetorical displays of unity. In November, French president Emmanuel Macron stood on the floor of the German Bundestag to deliver a speech marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. Not holding back, he described the Franco-German relationship as one of love a love born of the many catastrophes of the 20th century. On Jan. 22, the two countries even renewed their vows, so to speak, by signing an update to the 1963 Elysee Treaty, which announced a new era of comity between the two former enemies. To the Editor: Re Francis Invokes All-Out Battle on Sexual Abuse (front page, Feb. 25): Tragically but predictably, the popes summit meeting with world bishops achieved little. Despite justifiably high expectations of the laity that the abuse nightmare would finally be reined in, the focus was inexplicably modest, limited to sensitizing developing-world prelates to the suffering the scandal generates and best practices for responding. For most Catholics, especially in America and Europe, the issues that matter the existential threat to the church posed by an epic credibility crisis brought on by past decades of abominations and deceit, the evaporation of the priesthood and the restricted role of women in the church were not addressed. Their reaction of outrage should come as no surprise. The papacy of Francis at first ignited great hope that much that has driven generations from the church could be remedied. This weeks debacle effectively extinguished that hope. Catholic lay people themselves must now play the role of heroes to rescue a church that, lest we forget, is theirs. The destiny of their children and grandchildren is at stake. David G. OBrien Mount Sinai, N.Y. To the Editor: In spite of the now predictable representations of Pope Franciss critics, this potentially important meeting, in which further action was promised, may signal the beginning of a process that may yet win our praise. Twenty, 25 years ago, curators of contemporary art might have been completely and totally scared of going to the Dark Continent, she told The New York Times in 2016. Now its like, Oh, Bisi, I want to go to Lagos, I want to go to Ghana. Olabisi Obafunke Silva was born in Lagos on May 29, 1962. Her father, Chief Emmanuel Afolabi Silva, was a lawyer, and her mother, Charlotte Olamide Williams, was a civil servant with the Nigerian Railway. After graduating from the University of Dijon in France, where she studied languages, she earned a masters in curating contemporary art from the Royal College of Art in London. Her thesis examined the marginalization of black artists at exhibitions in England. Ms. Silva returned to Lagos in 2002, inspired by her research but disappointed that she could not find an outlet for her vision of curating contemporary African art. Most of the galleries were commercial, and as far as I knew, there were no nonprofits, she told Frieze. Government institutions were moribund, and there was no place for young artists interested in experimenting with media other than painting and sculpture. She decided to start C.C.A, becoming its artistic director. There is no government funding for such initiatives, she said in a lecture at the Block Museum of Art at Northwestern University in 2017. If you want to do something, you have to do it yourself. Her cutting-edge shows at C.C.A. included The Progress of Love, which explored love through performance work by Jelili Atiku of Nigeria and Wura-Natasha Ogunji of the United States, and installations by Temitayo Ogunbiyi of Nigeria and the United States and Valerie Oka of Ivory Coast; Identity: An Imagined State, which looked at African identity in videos by artists from Africa and South America; and Like a Virgin ... , an exploration of womens bodies, sexuality and identities by Lucy Azubuike, a Nigerian sculptor, and Zanele Muholi, a South African photographer. The disease, which is usually transmitted by sexual contact and can cause brain damage, paralysis, blindness and death, ran its course in several of the men. Some infected their wives, who passed it on to some of their children. The study lasted from 1932 to 1972. A colleague told Dr. Jenkins about the study while it was still going on, but not in much detail. Dr. Jenkins did some research and found dozens of articles about it in medical journals, so he understood that it was not being done in secret. Even local chapters of the American Medical Association supported it. Still, he was troubled by the ethics of the situation and spoke to his supervisor. Dont worry about it, his supervisor told him. Dr. Jenkins later learned that the supervisor was among those monitoring the study. Dr. Jenkins, who was black, and some colleagues wrote an article about it and sent it to other African-American doctors and to a few reporters. But Dr. Rowley, his wife, said he did not include any background or explanatory information, and the news media did not pick it up. Eventually, another health service epidemiologist, Peter Buxtun, gave the information to The Associated Press. The A.P. article appeared on the front page of The New York Times and elsewhere and shocked the nation. The study was soon halted. Some states, like Michigan and Hawaii, automatically expunge names from databases if cases are dismissed in court. Others distinguish between neglect and abuse, or clear records after five or seven years. Still, many state databases keep names on the lists even after people are cleared of allegations. A single database that would have contained every name nationwide never came to fruition more than a decade ago because of concerns the lists were flawed. In New York in 2010, the state Office of Children and Family Services settled a class-action lawsuit brought on behalf of people who were listed in the state register and were not given hearings that could have removed their names. The state does not keep track of the total number of people in the New York database, which is formally known as the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment, said Monica Mahaffey, the agencys spokeswoman. But the number could be in the millions. One incident, which is recorded as a case, can involve multiple people, Ms. Mahaffey said. New York is among a handful of states that require investigators to find only some credible evidence of abuse or neglect before including a case on the list. That is not the same level of proof needed for a criminal conviction. In 2018 alone, the state ordered investigations into 166,000 complaints of child abuse or neglect and ended up including 47,541 cases in the database. The database also does not distinguish minor cases from the most egregious ones. A parent who fails to put a coat on a child in winter is treated the same as a person who sexually abuses or continually beats a child. The employer viewing the database cannot see the difference. If its this easy to put my name on, then why isnt it easy to take off? said Ann, 45, who asked that her last name be withheld. Only a fraction of people on the New York registry try to get their names removed, advocates said; 1,300 people successfully had their cases removed or sealed in 2017. The process is complicated by paperwork, deadlines and two types of hearings. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] In a typical case, after a defendants conviction, the criminal process slows down as both sides prepare for sentencing or the defense prepares an appeal. But the prosecution of Joaquin Guzman Loera, the Mexican drug capo known as El Chapo, has never been a typical case. The two weeks following Mr. Guzmans three-month trial which ended with a guilty verdict on Feb. 12 have been exceptionally busy. Allegations of jury misconduct have already emerged. The kingpins lawyers have signaled their intention to move to retry the case. And in a third strange twist, two of Mr. Guzmans sons were charged with drug crimes in a federal indictment. The post-trial drama began on Wednesday when one of the anonymous jurors emailed Keegan Hamilton, a Vice News reporter, and later told him during an interview by video chat that at least five members of the panel had disobeyed instructions from Judge Brian M. Cogan to ignore media coverage of the trial. Throughout the trial, Judge Cogan regularly cautioned jurors to avoid reading or viewing anything about the case outside the courtroom. On two occasions, he directly asked the jury whether they had followed his admonishments. On Sunday night, Spike Lee won his first competitive Oscar, then made an acceptance speech that gained a standing ovation. But the events did not please at least one person apparently watching: President Trump. On Monday, he called Lees speech a racist hit on your President. Lee opened his speech, after winning best adapted screenplay for BlacKkKlansman, by discussing slavery and his familys experiences of it. I give praise to our ancestors, who have built this country into what it is today along with the genocide of the native people, he said. The 2020 presidential election is around the corner, Lee said. Lets all mobilize. Lets all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love versus hate. [Read our analysis of the ceremony.] Lee did not mention the president in his speech, but that call to action seems to have angered him. Be nice if Spike Lee could read his notes, or better yet not have to use notes at all, when doing his racist hit on your President, Trump said in a tweet in the early hours of Monday morning. PARIS The authorities here said on Monday that the French film director Luc Besson would face no charges after a nine-month inquiry into an actresss accusations that he had raped her. An official at the Paris prosecutors office, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in line with official policy, said that numerous investigations by the Paris police couldnt show that Mr. Besson, 59, had coerced the Dutch-Belgian actress Sand Van Roy into unwanted sex. Ms. Van Roy, a 31-year-old actress who filed a police complaint against Mr. Besson in May and a second one in July, accused him of raping her on at least four occasions, and said he once injured her to the point of bleeding. In an interview with The New York Times in July, she described a two-year-long abusive relationship with Mr. Besson and said she was afraid to turn down his advances out of fear that it would hurt her career. According to the first complaint, Ms. Van Roy told the police in May on the day after the sexual contact that she said made her bleed: Im afraid he might kill me, he is a psychopath. Most important to local customers, the birds are the famously fatty Chinese breed called three yellow (skin, beak, feet) that arrive, alive and squawking, each morning at the nearby Sheung Wan wet market. Since most Hong Kong cooks and chefs shop daily and expect extremely fresh ingredients, the city has multiple hubs for vendors who sell and butcher and trim and chop produce, fish and meat on site. (Theyre called wet because the sidewalks and floors are constantly hosed down to remove scales, leaves, blood and other debris.) Until Yardbird opened, expat chefs would come here and dismiss the quality of local products, said the chef Jowett Yu, who runs a similarly informal restaurant nearby with a Taiwanese-inspired menu, Ho Lee Fook. But philosophically, Matt just didnt believe you had to fly in frozen chickens from France that took two days to arrive, instead of using fresh chicken raised 30 kilometers from the restaurant. Mr. Abergel and Ms. Jang have a strong restaurant philosophy , summed up as excellence without pretension. They arrived there after decades of restaurant work, both together and separately. Growing up in Calgary, Alberta, Mr. Abergel said he absorbed a taste for chicken fat from his Russian- Jewish grandmother , and a love of grilling from his Moroccan-Israeli father. He started working in restaurants when he was 14. Ms. Jang grew up working in her familys restaurant in suburban Edmonton. Her father immigrated from Hong Kong, and her mother was a seventh-generation Scottish-Canadian; she grew up at a time when the population of Canada was far less diverse than it is now. I was the only Asian person I ever saw during my childhood who wasnt in my family, she said. When her father was laid off from his job as an engineer, the family bought Golden Capital, a Chinese restaurant, in 1984. By their late teens, both Mr. Abergel and Ms. Jang were done with school, heavily into skateboards and knew their way around a restaurant. They landed jobs at the same skate shop in Calgary, The Source, around the year 2000 , and have been together, in one form or another, ever since. Twenty years ago, the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry entered our collective consciousness when Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, J.K. Rowlings first novel, was published in Britain by Bloomsbury Publishing. American audiences might know the book as Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, however, because the publishers originally worried that Americans might not be familiar with the term philosophers stone. The series as a whole left an indelible, lightning-shaped mark on our heads and hearts as the world followed the adventures of the Boy Who Lived. Among the magical objects Ms. Rowling conjured for her series was the Pensieve, a large, shallow bowl made of metal or stone, often elaborately decorated or inlaid with precious stones [and runes], and carrying powerful and complex enchantments. Pensieves are rare, because only the most advanced wizards ever use them, and because the majority of wizardkind is afraid of doing so, according to the website Pottermore.com. The name Pensieve is a pun, using the homonym pensive to denote deep thought, and the word sieve to suggest the sorting of the mass of thoughts and memories within. With a new editor in chief, a new staff and a new look, the February issue of Out magazine represented a fresh start for the groundbreaking queer publication. Two young Hollywood stars, Hari Nef and Tommy Dorfman, made for lovely cover subjects. Splashy ads from Louis Vuitton, Cadillac and Gucci seemed like good omens for a prosperous future. And the magazines 27-year-old editor, Phillip Picardi, a recent arrival from Conde Nast, where he was a protege of Anna Wintour, sounded a note of renewal in his message to Outs readers. Every page you see here has been put together by a brand-new team of editors, photographers, stylists, journalists and designers all of whom are keen on documenting queer stories and being a part of queer history, he wrote in his first editors letter. But all was not well behind the facade. Executives involved in the influential publication, which started in 1992, have been in a bitter dispute for months. And more than 40 writers, editors and photographers have complained publicly that they did not receive compensation for their work. In addition, Pride Media, the company that oversees Out, has laid off five employees and instituted an across-the-board pay cut of 8 percent, according to its chief executive, Nathan Coyle. A spokesman for Pride Media which is owned by the boutique hedge fund Oreva Capital said payments had been sent to 89 of the freelancers who had not been compensated in a timely fashion. But many contributors are still awaiting their checks. General Electric agreed on Monday to sell its biopharmaceutical business to Danaher for about $21.4 billion, as the troubled industrial giant sells off divisions to pay down debt and steady its business. In selling the business, G.E. took another big step in what has become a drastic slimming-down of an American corporate icon. Known for decades as a titan of American business, G.E. has struggled in recent years with a bevy of problems. Under a succession of leaders, the company has announced the sale or spinoff of enormous divisions, whittling down operations like finance and energy. Last summer, G.E. said it planned to spin off its health care division including the biopharmaceutical unit, which sells equipment and software to biotechnology companies and sell its stake in a big oil field services business, Baker Hughes. Everyone, it seems, has ideas about new tax strategies, some more realistic than others. The list of tax revolutionaries is long. The short list includes Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who wants a top tax rate of 70 percent on incomes above $10 million a year; Senator Elizabeth Warren, who wants a wealth tax; Senator Bernie Sanders, who wants an estate tax with a 77 percent rate for billionaires; and even Senator Marco Rubio, who recently proposed a tax on stock buybacks. Whatever your politics, there is a bipartisan acknowledgment that the tax system is broken. Whether you believe the system should be fixed to generate more revenue or employed as a tool to limit inequality and lets be honest for a moment, those ideas are not always consistent there is a justifiable sense the public doesnt trust the tax system to be fair. In truth, how could it when a wealthy person like Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of the president, reportedly paid almost no federal taxes for years? Or when Gary Cohn, the former president of Goldman Sachs who once led President Trumps National Economic Council, says aloud what most wealthy people already know: Only morons pay the estate tax. If you pay taxes, its hard not to feel like a patsy. A New York Times poll found that support for higher taxes on the rich cuts across party lines, and Democratic presidential hopefuls are offering plans to do it. But the current occupant of the Oval Office signed a $1.5 trillion tax cut into law, so the political hurdles are high. Leaders en route for U.S.-North Korea summit meeting On Wednesday, Kim Jong-un and President Trump are to meet in Hanoi, Vietnam, to discuss the Norths nuclear arsenal. The two leaders might also declare an end to the Korean War, which was technically only paused, according to South Korean officials. Seoul has long pushed for the peace declaration as a way to incentivize the North to give up its nuclear weapons. The meeting holds special significance for the vast Korean diaspora in Japan, who arrived during the Japanese occupation of the Korean Peninsula. Many of these people, known as Zainichi, have family members isolated in the North. History: In the late 1950s, Tokyo worked to repatriate Koreans who had moved or were forcibly taken to Japan to work during World War II. The narrator travels through a cityscape that bears visible traces of World War II: The boundaries that separate old from new, the seams bearing witness to destruction, lie conspicuously exposed. It was on that day, as I walked through the park, that she first came into my mind. That she is the narrators older sister, who died less than two hours into life. They lay there on the kitchen floor, my mother on her side with the dead baby clutched to her chest, feeling the cold gradually enter into the flesh, sinking through to the bone. The confluence of the resurrected city and the lost sister becomes the through-line for a novel told in flashes and fragments, as an act of memory and incantation. Image Smiths rendering of The White Book cannot be accused of prolixity. The novel is composed of short entries centered on a word or phrase having to do with the color white, opening with a list that includes salt, shroud and blank paper. From this, the narrator constructs the novel: Now, in this moment, I feel that vertiginous thrill course through me. As I step recklessly into time I have not yet lived, into this book I have not yet written. What follows is a text shot through with vertiginous thrill. The dead sister haunts the narrator: For there are moments, lying in the darkened room, when the chill in the air is a palpable presence. Dont die. For Gods sake dont die. Perhaps I, too, have opened my eyes in the darkness, as she did, and gazed out. The novel moves fluidly between the I and the she, in shifts between first and third person, but also in the slow collapse of the boundary between the narrator and the sister, the living and the dead. This culminates in the forging of an alternate history of the sisters birth: And yet, before dawn, when the first milk finally came from her mothers breasts and she pressed her nipple between the tiny lips, she found that, despite everything, the baby was still breathing. Though she had, by now, slipped from consciousness, the nipple in her mouth encouraged a soft swallowing, gradually growing stronger. Resurrection is a theme throughout Hans work, one that is tied up in political and collective memory. In Human Acts, a writer observes an illegal police raid on a group of activists. In it, she sees the specter of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, a sustained protest against South Koreas military government that resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths: I remember being glued to the television and surprising myself with the words that sprang from my mouth: But thats Gwangju. The radioactive spread is ongoing. Gwangju had been reborn only to be butchered again in an endless cycle. It was razed to the ground, and raised up anew in a bloodied rebirth. J.D. Vances Hillbilly Elegy, the surprise best seller published in 2016, is a frisky memoir with a bit of conservative moralizing dangling off, like the price tag on Minnie Pearls hat. Nearly everyone likes the memoir sections. (His portrait of his grandmother, a pistol-packing lunatic, is indelible.) The moralizing has been divisive. A new anthology, Appalachian Reckoning: A Region Responds to Hillbilly Elegy, edited by Anthony Harkins and Meredith McCarroll, presents the most sustained pushback to Vances book (soon to be a Ron Howard movie) thus far. Its a volley of intellectual buckshot from high up alongside the hollow. Vances book tells the story of his chaotic childhood in Ohio, where part of his extended family migrated from Kentuckys Appalachian region. Some of his brawling, working-class kin are alcoholics, and some are abusers; nearly all are feisty beyond measure. The book is about how young J.D. survived his mothers drug addiction and a long series of hapless stepfathers and went on, against steep odds, to serve in the Marines and graduate from Yale Law School. Its a plain-spoken, feel-good, up-from-ones-bootstraps story. It would have gotten away clean if Vance hadnt, on his way up, pushed Appalachians back down. The New York Review of Books has installed two editors to lead the magazine after being without a top editor since the sudden departure of Ian Buruma in September. Rea Hederman, the publisher of the intellectual journal, announced Monday that Emily Greenhouse, 32, and Gabriel Winslow-Yost, 33, have been named co-editors, and that Daniel Mendelsohn, a longtime contributor to the Review, will assume the newly created role of editor at large. The shared-power arrangement echoes the history of the magazine, which was founded in 1963 by Robert Silvers and Barbara Epstein and edited by the pair until Epsteins death in 2006. Silvers then maintained control of the publication with monomaniacal focus, by all accounts until his death, at 87, in 2017. The announcement of the new editors comes more than five months after Buruma, Silverss successor, left his position amid an uproar over the publication and ensuing defense of an essay about the #MeToo movement by Jian Ghomeshi, a Canadian radio broadcaster who had been accused of sexually assaulting women. Soon after Buruma departed, the magazine issued a statement acknowledging failures in the presentation and editing of the essay. Greenhouse and Winslow-Yost both have experience at the storied publication they will now lead. Greenhouse was most recently the managing editor of The New Yorker. She worked at the Review in 2011 and 2012, as an editorial assistant to Silvers. Winslow-Yost began working at the Review, also as an editorial assistant to Silvers, in 2009, and moved up the editorial ranks to become a senior editor. Del Toro is one of the most popular Mexican directors of recent years, and in this book, he delivers an experience akin to bouncing around inside his hallucinatory brain, John Williams wrote in The Times. There are dense illustrations from notebooks for Hellboy and Pans Labyrinth, as well as pictures of del Toros Bleak House, where he works. The director said that his intention in releasing the book was to open my process a little bit more and inspire aspiring filmmakers to embrace your passions wholeheartedly, obsessively, and enshrine images, collect them and study them as a code. Image THE CLASSICAL MEXICAN CINEMA The Poetics of the Exceptional Golden Age Films By Charles Ramirez Berg 254 pp. University of Texas Press. (2015) This book covers the golden age of Mexican cinema, which lasted from the mid-1930s to the late 1950s and included the work of directors like the surrealist Luis Bunuel (who was a Spaniard, but spent much of his adult life in Mexico) and Enrique Rosas, who made the classic silent film El Automovil Gris. Ramirez Berg explores the roots of the industry and explains how filmmakers of the time crafted a style that was distinctly Mexican. Image OBJECTS OF DESIRE Conversations With Luis Bunuel By Jose de la Colina and Tomas Perez Turrent Edited and translated by Paul Lenti 262 pp. Marsilio. (1993) Ariana Grande may have skipped the Grammy Awards two weeks ago, but that appears to have had no effect on her album sales, with her latest release, Thank U, Next, topping the Billboard chart for a second time. Last week, Thank U, Next (Republic) became Grandes second No. 1 album in six months, with notably high streaming numbers for a pop album. In its second week out, its totals fell by more than 50 percent, with 169 million streams and 20,000 copies sold as a complete album, according to Nielsen. But that was enough to stay on top. Billboard reported that it was the first time that a solo female artist has had more than one week at No. 1 on the chart since Taylor Swifts Reputation notched four weeks at the end of 2017. (Last October, Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper spent three weeks at the top with A Star Is Born; this week, that soundtrack is No. 3.) Also this week, the Bohemian Rhapsody soundtrack rose one spot to No. 2; look for it to remain strong on next weeks charts, thanks to the best actor Oscar for its star, Rami Malek. The duo Florida Georgia Line opened at No. 4 with Cant Say I Aint Country, and in fifth place is Drakes mixtape So Far Gone, which first came out 10 years ago but was not commercially released until last week. Everywhere, he said, the architectural leftovers of colonialism were repurposed. A Modernist church, for example, was turned into a mosque. These colonized people felt like they were taking back what belonged to them, he said. Thats when I developed a profound interest in the notion of reappropriation, and later, of repair. By the 1990s, Mr. Attia, then in his 20s, had earned degrees in applied arts and philosophy. He then spent nearly three years in the Republic of Congo doing alternative civilian service (a substitute for Frances compulsory military service). Part of a team preparing for the opening of the countrys first national museum, in the capital, Brazzaville, he came across objects that would be on show: masks, talismans, jewelry, shields. He became aware of the spiritual dimension of these objects, he said, of the belief that they had sacred or magical powers. When he returned to France and went looking for African artifacts in museums, he found them displayed in a building that was the precursor to the Quai Branly. Important treasures that had been blessed by healers and sorcerers and used in rituals were, he said, orphans here, because the bodies and communities that celebrated them were no longer around. This years Whitney Biennial, considered the countrys most important showcase of contemporary art, has 75 participating artists and one who has already withdrawn. The biennial, no stranger to controversy, is an indicator of currents in the field as well as a career booster for the artists included. Past editions have sparked debates over identity and representation, but this year, before the list of participants was even released, a Chicago-based artist, Michael Rakowitz, pulled out of the exhibition in a protest against a museum vice chairman, Warren Kanders. Mr. Kanders is the chief executive of a company that manufactures equipment, including body armor and tear gas, for law enforcement agencies and militaries. The New York Times received a copy of Mr. Rakowitzs letter to the curators, dated Dec. 18, withdrawing from the show. The exhibitions curators, Rujeko Hockley and Jane Panetta both of whom work at the Whitney said in an interview Sunday that they respected Mr. Rakowitzs decision and regret that he wont be involved in the biennials 79th iteration, for which they tried to bring together as broad a range of artists as we could in all kind of senses of that word, whether thats medium-wise, interest-wise, geographically, demographically, generationally, in Ms. Hockleys words. Indeed, the list of participants, which The Times has previewed, is very diverse. Among the more high-profile names are Nicole Eisenman, Jeffrey Gibson, Barbara Hammer and Wangechi Mutu. People of color are a majority, and its one of the youngest groups in the biennials history, with three-quarters of the participants under the age of 40. Only five have ever exhibited in a Whitney Biennial before. LONDON A woman slides slowly down a slatted foam mountain and out of her long chiffon dress, emerging naked, perhaps new born, at the bottom. Another woman sprouts multiple legs that dance gaily as she smiles beatifically. Long metal tubes are threaded through a mans sleeves; bells are hung from anothers genitals; arrows are pierced through bodies. Yes, were in Pina Bausch Land. Or rather, a land haunted by Pina Bausch. Dimitris Papaioannous Since she is the first new full-length work to be made for Bauschs company, Tanztheater Wuppertal, since her death in 2009. For almost a decade it seemed impossible to imagine who could succeed her in creating work for the highly individual performers who populated her fantastical, epic pieces. In May, Since she was the first of two new works to have their premieres in Wuppertal, Germany. The second, Bon Voyage, Bob, by the Norwegian choreographer Alan Lucien Oyen, came in June. The pact between Mr. Netanyahu and the Kahanists set off a predictable eruption from liberal Jewish groups like J Street and Americans for Peace Now, as well as the Union of Reform Judaism, which normally stays out of Israeli politics. But the outrage was not limited to the left. On Friday, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the American lobbying group known as Aipac, and the American Jewish Committee, both of which rarely weigh in publicly on Israeli politics, declared Otzma Yehudits ideas reprehensible. They vowed not to have any contact with its leaders even if they become part of the next government. In an equally extraordinary step, Rabbi Benny Lau of Jerusalem, a pillar of religious Zionism, repeatedly assailed the merger over the weekend, warning on social media that the defilement and destruction of the land serves as a guarantee for the loss of the land. Rabbi Lau lamented that the prime minister seemed concerned only with winning re-election, and, from his pulpit at the Ramban Synagogue, likened Kahanism to Nazism and its ideas to the Nuremberg Laws. The entry of the racist doctrine into the Knesset is the destruction of the Temple, he wrote on Facebook on Sunday. In Israels chaotic parliamentary system, small parties like the ultra-Orthodox Shas can be make or break when it comes to forming a majority coalition after an election, and Mr. Netanyahu has routinely struck deals giving them outsize influence. LONDON The New York Times has been reporting for the last year on how nearly a decade of government austerity has refashioned British society, slashing away at budgets for policing, housing and welfare. It has also drawn a backlash in some quarters and, as Ellen Barry writes in the latest article in the series, reshaped the politics of many young people. Prime Minister Theresa May said last fall that the era of austerity is over. That is a matter of debate. And Britains looming departure from the European Union Brexit, as it is known could depress growth for years to come, meaning that budget pressures may continue far into the future. Here is a look back at the roots of austerity and what we know about its effects. What is austerity? Its a campaign of budget cutting that Britains Conservative-led government began in 2010 in the aftermath of the global financial panic of 2008, the most crippling economic downturn since the Great Depression. The National Health Service and education were ostensibly protected, but government spending was trimmed across the rest of society: Spending was cut for the police, road maintenance, libraries, courts, prisons and housing assistance for seniors. Local governments suffered a plunge in revenue. Venezuelan protesters throw rocks at forces loyal to President Nicolas Maduro. Were on the Colombian side of the border with Venezuela. We came here to see if the fight to push across U.S. aid will break Maduros hold on power. But so far, the confrontation has led to this: tear gas, hundreds of injuries, and the trucks with the aid eventually turning back. It was a very different scene along the border the day before. This bridge has been barricaded by Maduro to keep our donated food and medical supplies, which he sees as a ploy to undermine his government. [music] On this day, the bridge turned into the stage for a star-studded concert [singing] energizing Venezuelans with pop music and rallying support for the opposition. [cheering] At times, it felt removed from the reality inside Venezuela and we wondered if a show like this could really play any part in bringing political change. We spoke with billionaire Richard Branson, one of the events organizers. We film from up here. Were both in sweaty t-shirts. Were going to have a wonderful concert today. Hopefully, itll be a dawn of a new era. Do you believe that? Do you believe that it can be that can be achieved? Im really hopeful. I think anybody whos in a position to help should help. Is this just a media spectacle? Go and talk to the people in the audience, who are predominantly Venezuelans, and youll realize that its anything but that. [music] [music] Imagine theres no country. It isnt hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for Its the day that the opposition will try to force the aid across the border. And were back where the concert ended hours before. [truck horn honking] Juan Guaido, the leader of the opposition, arrives. Hes been recognized as Venezuelas president by more than 50 countries, including the United States. Everyone on the bridge is watching to see what will happen when Guaido tries to lead the trucks carrying across the aid. But the border is sealed. On the other side, the Venezuelan armed forces, essential to Maduros power, do not budge. And Guaidos hope that they would step aside to let the aid through is dashed. Guaido and the trucks never make it onto the bridge, nor do these Venezuelans. Colombian police keep them back to prevent clashes. But on other bridges, violence does break out. We tag along with Omar Lares, a former mayor living in exile for opposing Maduros government. We see one of the trucks with aid burning after protesters clashed with Venezuelan security forces. At the end of the day, a couple of dozen soldiers had defected. But Maduro survived the challenge. Guaido is outside his country, and its unclear when hell be able to return. Now the stage is set for what could become a bloodier conflict, as Venezuelas presidents dig in their heels. [sirens wailing] An American delegation is expected to travel to Beijing sometime between now and Mr. Xis trip to Mar-a-Lago to continue to work out the remaining differences. The fact that Mr. Xi has agreed to come to Mar-a-Lago is viewed by the Chinese as a concession, as they originally hoped that such a meeting would take place on Chinas Hainan island. But the location also represents a gamble by Mr. Trump, who could be faced with an awkward situation if Mr. Xi refuses to make final concessions while he is a guest at his resort. Mr. Trump continued to tease the prospect of a potential deal with China on Sunday evening, saying if all works well, were going to have some very big news over the next week or two. The president said tariffs on Chinese goods had helped propel the United States beyond China, saying as long as Im president, theyre not going to catch us. While some analysts said Mr. Trumps advisers appeared likely to secure greater concessions than past administrations have achieved, others remain skeptical that United States can significantly transform the economic relationship with China. The presidents announcement followed days of negotiations in which American and Chinese officials met in board rooms near the White House to work line-by-line through a handful of documents covering intellectual property, services and subsidies. The Chinese were ready to commit to billions of dollars of purchases of American soybeans, beef, natural gas and other products, though they have resisted more structural changes to their economy. Mr. Trump has long criticized China for undercutting American workers, and his advisers have tried to pressure the country into making firm commitments to protect American intellectual property, give foreign companies equal access to Chinese markets and reduce subsidies to state-owned firms. But some of these goals run counter to Chinas own ambitions of cementing the Communist Partys control over the economy and the economic dominance of its state-owned firms. One component of this weeks agreement was a pledge by China not to artificially weaken the value of its heavily managed currency, according to people with knowledge of the negotiations. A weaker currency would make Chinese products cheaper abroad and lessen the impact of American tariffs. Under the agreement reached this week, the Chinese must notify the United States when and why they are intervening in their currency. If they violate the agreement, the Trump administration would ratchet up tariffs on Chinese goods, according to one person with knowledge of the negotiations. A military draft that applies only to men is unconstitutional, a federal judge in Houston has ruled, saying that excluding women is no longer justified because they can now serve in combat roles just as men do. Judge Gray H. Miller of Federal District Court in the Southern District of Texas took note of the Supreme Courts 1981 ruling that the exclusion of women from the draft was fully justified because women then were not allowed to serve in combat. But the Pentagon abolished those restrictions in 2015, opening the way for women to serve in any military role for which they could qualify. While historical restrictions on women in the military may have justified past discrimination, men and women are now similarly situated for purposes of a draft or registration for a draft, Judge Miller wrote in his ruling. If there ever was a time to discuss the place of women in the Armed Services, that time has passed. Though no one has been conscripted into the United States military in more than 40 years, the Military Selective Service Act requires all American men to register when they turn 18, in case a draft is reinstated; they remain eligible through age 25. Men who do not register can be fined, imprisoned and denied services like federal student loans. Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax of Virginia, who has been accused of sexual assault by two women and is facing calls to resign, compared himself to lynching victims in an unplanned speech before the State Senate on Sunday and said he was standing firm in the truth. Mr. Fairfax, who is black, spoke for about five minutes from the dais on the last day of the session, and referred to bills previously passed by state legislators that expressed regret over past lynchings in Virginia. I have heard much about anti-lynching on the floor of this very Senate, where people are not given any due process whatsoever, and we rue that, said Mr. Fairfax, a Democrat. And yet we stand here in a rush to judgment in nothing but accusations and no facts, and we are deciding we are willing to do the same thing. The impromptu speech came days after Mr. Fairfaxs accusers indicated they were willing to testify publicly. Virginias Republican-controlled House of Delegates announced Friday that it would hold hearings on the accusations, a move that promised to bring the spotlight back to a scandal that had started to quiet. According to this years National Intelligence Worldwide Threat Assessment and Senate testimony by top-ranked intelligence officials, Americans can expect Vladimir Putins Russia to continue its efforts to aggravate social, political and racial tensions in the United States and among its allies. So, to best prepare for future Russian assaults, we should look to the past and study the mind-set of the Cold War K.G.B. the intelligence service in which President Putin spent his formative years. The history of the brutal Soviet security services lays bare the roots of Russias current use of political arrests, subversion, disinformation, assassination, espionage and the weaponization of lies. None of those tactics is new to the Kremlin. In fact, those tactics made Soviet Russia the worlds first intelligence state, and they also distinguished it from authoritarian states run by militaries. Todays Russia has become even more of an intelligence state after Mr. Putins almost 20-year tenure as its strongman. In the U.S.S.R., the party ruled. It was only after the rise in the 1980s of Yuri Andropov Mr. Putins role model and mentor that the K.G.B. became the states most important institution. Then, a decade after the Soviet Union fell, Mr. Putin rose to power and recruited many of his former K.G.B. colleagues to help rebuild the state. The result is a regime with the policies and philosophy of a supercharged secret police service, a regime that relies on intelligence operations to deal with foreign policy challenges and maintain control at home. Mr. Putin and his cronies had thrived in an empire where the K.G.B. was the sword and shield of the state, so they regularly return to their tried-and-true weapons when dealing with 21st-century problems. The intelligence services have even been used to covertly drug Russias Olympic and Paralympic athletes the mark of an ultimate intelligence state. I happened to be finishing Michelle Obamas memoir, Becoming, during her recent surprise appearance at the Grammys. She gave a short speech about music bringing people together whether we like country, or rap or rock, music helps us share ourselves, she said. The timing felt appropriate its Black History Month, and although the Obamas are now ensconced in that history, we are only beginning to truly examine their legacy. Let me stress that I like Mrs. Obama. I very much identify with her. I, too, was born in the 60s and grew up working class in a black family that saw higher education as the way forward. Whats always interested me about Mrs. Obama is how she created a modern narrative of black womanhood just by being herself. The most notable accomplishment of her memoir is that she shows how being consciously black and being an individual are not incompatible, but an ordinary state of being. She is a soldier in the racial struggles that engage all black folks, but at the same time she is human vulnerable, uncertain, thrilled to be in love, anxious to be liked. She is, for a time, comfortably middle class, too, which may be the most radical part of this narrative, because black folks who acquire money and prestige are assumed not to have any problems worth serious consideration (they are not, in other words, authentically black). Not so. And yet reading Becoming made me realize, with a sinking heart, how much further we have to go before we routinely hear the whole story about black peoples experience. The industrys own explanations that other entities in Americas byzantine health care system are to blame for most price increases, and that its products are expensive and risky to make are tough to swallow, given drug companies conspicuous profit margins. Its response to the crisis of soaring drug prices has been meager at best and duplicitous at worst. Last year , several companies agreed to hold off on planned price increases, but only for six months, and only after President Trump chastised them on Twitter. Those same companies have aggressively resisted both state and federal efforts to enact formal changes to drug pricing rules. Mr. Trump has not kept his campaign promise to negotiate like crazy with drug makers to lower the cost of their products, and his statement last May that the industry would soon announce voluntary, massive price cuts came to naught. But his bluster on the issue, along with his blueprint for resolving it, have at least helped to keep a spotlight on the pharmaceutical industry and its questionable practices. If the members of the Senate Finance Committee want to make use of that spotlight, heres what to ask executives on Tuesday: How do you determine list prices for drugs? Who decides the factors that go into the companies drug-pricing formulas, and why cant those formulas be made public? Senators should also ask Olivier Brandicourt, the chief executive of Sanofi the only major insulin maker scheduled to participate in the hearing why the cost of insulin continues to rise year after year, given that the drug has been available for roughly a century, and in many cases still enjoys patent protection. On Friday , Senator Chuck Grassley and now-Senator Wyden, the ranking members on the Finance Committee, opened an investigation into insulin prices. Whats a fair profit margin for lifesaving products? A common lament among pharmaceutical executives has been that without enough profit from one drug, companies cant afford to make the next one. Thats a fair point. Still, many leading companies enjoy billions of dollars a year in pure profit, even as lives are put at risk for want of basic medications. Insurers are subject to a 15 to 20 percent cap on profits and administrative expenses . Congress should consider a similar requirement for certain prescription drugs. How much do you spend on research and development, and where do those dollars go? Pharmaceutical companies routinely argue that drug prices are high because research and development is expensive and because any successful drug is preceded by many failures. I ndustry critics , however, note that a good deal of basic research is funded by the federal government, through the National Institutes of Health , and not by the drug makers. Many leading drug makers spend most of their research dollars looking for new uses of existing drugs, not on risky innovations. And independent studies show that research and development costs for drug companies are not large enough to explain high drug prices. Spike Lee finally won his first competitive Oscar, and his acceptance speech was a doozy. At Sunday nights Oscar ceremony, Lee won best adapted screenplay for BlacKkKlansman (sharing the award with Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott) and walked on stage bursting with energy and emotion. Lee, who had received two previous nominations, for the 1997 documentary 4 Little Girls and for 1989s Do The Right Thing, started his acceptance speech by ordering the Oscar producers not to turn the clock on. (He used some more choice language and was bleeped.) [Read our analysis of the Oscars ceremony.] The speech that followed touched deeply on black history and exhorted the crowd to get involved in the 2020 presidential election. The word today is irony. The date, the 24th. The month, February, which also happens to be the shortest month of the year, which also happens to be Black History month. The year, 2019. The year, 1619. History. Her story. 1619. 2019. 400 years. Four hundred years. Our ancestors were stolen from Mother Africa and bought to Jamestown, Virginia, enslaved. Our ancestors worked the land from cant see in the morning to cant see at night. My grandmother, [inaudible], who lived to be 100 years young, who was a Spelman College graduate even though her mother was a slave. My grandmother who saved 50 years of social security checks to put her first grandchild she called me Spikie-poo she put me through Morehouse College and N.Y.U. grad film. N.Y.U.! Before the world tonight, I give praise to our ancestors who have built this country into what it is today along with the genocide of its native people. We all connect with our ancestors. We will have love and wisdom regained, we will regain our humanity. It will be a powerful moment. The 2020 presidential election is around the corner. Lets all mobilize. Lets all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Lets do the right thing! You know I had to get that in there. [See the full list of winners.] LONDON You would think that after years of press calls and premieres, luncheons and prize ceremonies, the whole red carpet shebang would get easier for most movie stars. You would think particularly for nominees in the running for major awards that being photographed and judged and assessed would eventually become par for the course. You would think that for someone like Olivia Colman, nominated for best actress for her role as Queen Anne in Yorgos Lanthimoss The Favourite (and already a winner in that category at both the Baftas and the Golden Globes), choosing what to wear would long have been a pleasurable exercise. You would be wrong. I have never felt confident having to do any photographs or red carpet, Ms. Colman, 45, said this month by email. Being someone else is easy; being me is torture during those events. She was in London, where she is filming the latest installment of Netflixs The Crown (she plays Queen Elizabeth II in middle age). Flash U.S. State Secretary Mike Pompeo said Sunday in an interview that the United States would impose more sanctions against Venezuela. "There'll be a meeting of the Lima Group on Monday, where further action will be contemplated. There are more sanctions to be had," Pompeo said in the interview with CNN. Vice President Mike Pence would travel to Colombia on Feb. 25 to attend a Lima Group meeting on behalf of President Donald Trump, the White House said on Thursday. The Lima Group, comprising 13 Latin American countries and Canada, is a multilateral body established in August 2017 to focus on Venezuela's situation. Pompeo also noted that the United States would provide more "humanitarian assistance" to Venezuela, saying the aid was requested by the opposition leader Juan Guaido. Denying the existence of a humanitarian crisis, the Venezuelan government refused to let the aid cross the border and called the aid operation a U.S.-orchestrated show leading to an eventual invasion. On Friday night, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez announced the closure of three bridges connecting the country with Colombia. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced on Saturday the severance of his country's diplomatic and political relations with Colombia, following the latter's support for Venezuela's opposition and military defectors. "I think we'll find other ways to make sure that food gets to the people who need it," Pompeo said in the interview. According to a statement issued by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United States has airlifted approximately 191 metric tons of relief supplies to the Colombian border city of Cucuta since Feb. 4. At the same time, the United States began pre-positioning 178 metric tons of locally-procured supplies in Boa Vista, near Brazil's border with Venezuela, the State Department said Friday. Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself "interim president" on Jan. 23 and was immediately recognized by Washington. In response, Maduro announced he was severing diplomatic and political ties with the United States, ordering all U.S. diplomatic and consular personnel to leave Venezuela. Maduro has accused Washington of orchestrating a coup d'etat in order to install a puppet regime in Venezuela. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 25) Seven suspected members of a robbery group were killed in a shootout with police in Batangas Monday. A report from the police in Region 4A said the Agoncillo Municipal Police Station received a call from their counterparts in Laurel about a white Toyota Hi-Ace which ignored a checkpoint of the Commission on Elections and rammed checkpoint barriers. Agoncillo police immediately issued a lockdown at the boundary of both towns to intercept the suspects - allegedly members of the Baklas Bubong robbery group. The vehicle was flagged down at Barangay Banyaga in Agoncillo at around 4:45 a.m., however the van sped up and its passengers fired upon the police at the checkpoint. Authorities chased down the vehicle and a brief exchange of gunfire ensued, resulting in the death of seven suspects. No police were injured in the incident. Scene of the Crime Operatives have been requested to assist in the investigation. Mahershala Ali took home his second supporting actor Oscar in three years on Sunday night, for his role as the black pianist Don Shirley in Green Book, a film that has been one of the most heavily criticized of awards season. The movie tells the story of Shirley, his white driver, Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen) and their friendship as they toured the South in 1962. Ali joined Denzel Washington as the only other black actor to win multiple Oscars. But Alis wins were unusual in how close they were to each other. Two years ago, Ali won for his supporting performance in Moonlight. Washington won best actor for Training Day (2001) and supporting actor for Glory (1989) more than a decade apart. Other prominent black actors who have won Oscars include Sidney Poitier, who in 1964, became the first African-American to win best actor for Lillies of the Field. He later won an honorary Oscar in 2001. Louis Gossett Jr. (An Officer and a Gentleman, 1982), Jamie Foxx (Ray, 2004), Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby, 2004), Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jerry Maguire, 1996), and Forest Whitaker (The Last King Of Scotland, 2006) have also won Oscars. Alis Green Book role proved controversial. Shirleys family objected to how he was portrayed in the film, particularly the notion that Shirley was estranged from his relatives. Shirleys only living brother, Maurice Shirley, once called the movie a symphony of lies. Shirleys nephew said in an interview that Ali called to personally apologize. But even so, the film did well at the Golden Globes and Ali received acclaim for his performance. (On Sunday night, Green Book also won best picture and best original screenplay.) Five people died after a hot air balloon they were riding in hit power lines in New Mexico's largest city and the gondola crashed to the groun A Valparaiso police officer reportedly shot a dog during a burglary investigation Sunday. At approximately 3:30 a.m., a resident in the 400 block of Center Street reported a burglary, according to a news release. The suspected burglar was believed to still be inside when the resident arrived home, but a check only found locations in the home forced open or unsecured. After police arrived to get more information, a loose canine "aggressively approached the first responding officer," the news release stated. The officer started backing away, but the canine charged toward him. Fearing for his safety, the officer shot the canine. The owner transported the dog for medical treatment. The dog's condition is unknown. Investigation into the incident as well as the burglary are ongoing. The facility currently houses 13 veterans. When I got in, I built a big relationship with Miss Bessie and her husband. She listened to me and heard everything I had to say. She helped me overcome and push through my PTSD. She just kept telling me that its going to be OK, Cody said through tears. I thought my life was over and she just kept supporting me. She always encouraged me. With a love for food and cooking, the two started catering events together, which Cody said helped build his confidence and interest in becoming an entrepreneur. One of their biggest events included catering thousands at a local AMC Theatre for the premiere of Tyler Perry's Good Deeds. You want to give the veterans that have no hope, hope. Show them what they can actually do for themselves. Make them entrepreneurs and hes the prime example, Hitchcock said, sitting across from Cody in their restaurant. Before opening Veterans Life Changing Services in 2009 with her husband, a Vietnam veteran, Hitchcock said she didnt realize the number of veterans struggling with homelessness and unemployment. Working with the veterans at the facility opened her eyes and led to the idea of opening Veterans Cafe and Grill with Cody as her business partner. VALPARAISO The discovery of a man bleeding from his face resulted in the arrest Sunday night of a 49-year-old local man on a preliminary charge of battery with a deadly weapon. Lawrence Zitt Jr. is accused of attacking another man with a small knife in a hallway of an apartment complex in the 1150 block of Park Ave., according to police. Zitt appeared intoxicated and admitted to having consumed a number of alcoholic beverages, police said. He also reportedly told police he had been in an altercation with the other man. Zitt also faces a charge of disorderly conduct. 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. CROWN POINT An 18-year-old Crown Point High School student told officers she had a gun on school property Friday to protect herself from the violent girlfriend of a family member, police said. Kayla Apking, 18, of Cedar Lake, was arrested Friday and charged with a felony firearms count after an Instagram post caught the attention of a Crown Point police officer working security at the school. Police thought she might be in possession of a firearm from wording in her post. The officer notified school administrators of the suspicious post at 2:30 p.m. Friday. Crown Point officers working security, along with school officials, quickly located Apking and questioned her about the social media post, court records made public Monday state. Apking told police she did not have a firearm in her possession inside the building, but she did own an AR-15, which she said she kept at her fathers Hebron home. After giving permission to search her belongings, officers said they found a loaded 9 mm handgun in the center console of her vehicle in the school parking lot. Two bottles of vodka, a small silver marijuana grinder, a green leafy substance and brownies also were found in Apkings vehicle, police allege. Get a closer look at the Pleiades star cluster at an upcoming stargazing event at the Gabis Arboretum. Adam Rengstorf, an associate professor of physics and astronomy at Purdue University Northwest, will host the public event at 6 p.m. Friday at the Gabis Arboretum at 450 W. 100 N. in Valparaiso. Gabis Arboretum is a nice dark place for stargazing and a great location between Purdue Northwests Westville and Hammond campuses, Rengstorf said. Stargazers will get a chance to view the Pleiades, which is also known as the Seven Sisters and Messier 45. Visible to the naked eye, it's the Earth's nearest star cluster and is especially prominent in the night sky this time of year. If the weather is bad, the Gabis Arboretum will instead put on a presentation in the Railway Depot building. The 300-acre oak preserve will again become an open-air planetarium at 7:30 p.m. April 8. Both of the stargazing events are free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged. To register or for more information, email gabisarboretum@pnw.edu or call 219-462-0025. 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. Flash The vote by British lawmakers on the Brexit deal will be postponed again by March 12, Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed on Sunday. Speaking to reporters on the plane to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt for the European Union (EU)-Arab League (AL) summit on Sunday, May ruled out bringing the Brexit deal to Commons this week, local media said. May was quoted by the Guardian as saying: "My team will be back in Brussels on Tuesday. As a result of that, we won't bring a meaningful vote to parliament this week, but we will ensure that that happens by 12 March. But it's still within our grasp to leave the EU by March 29 and that is what we are planning to do." Her decision will come as a blow to opponents who planned to use this week's vote in the House of Commons to push for a delay to Britain's departure from the EU, or for a so-called People's Vote on her deal with Brussels. Although the EU-AL summit is not scheduled to discuss Brexit, May said she would take the opportunity to meet with leaders of EU member states in her quest to get changes to her deal. The new date for a meaningful date in the House of Commons will be just 17 days before Britain is scheduled to end its EU membership on March 29. The Guardian reported that May is expected to hold meetings with the European council president, Donald Tusk later on Sunday and Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday in Egypt. In what has been a stormy week for British politics, 11 MPs, three Conservatives and seven from the main opposition Labour Party, have left their parties and formed an Independent Group of MPs in the House of Commons. Meanwhile in the latest development, three of her senior front bench ministers Amber Rudd, Greg Clark and David Gauke told the Daily Mail newspaper, they would support moves to extend Article 50, the mechanism that laid down Britain's departure date as March 29. They said their move was to avoid a "disastrous" no deal Brexit, unless a deal with Brussels is agreed within the next few days. Keir Starmer, Brexit spokesman for the main opposition Labour Party, attacked May's decision to delay the vote. He said in London: "This decision to further delay the meaningful vote is the height of irresponsibility and an admission of failure. "Theresa May is recklessly running down the clock in a desperate attempt to force MPs to choose between her deal and no deal. Parliament cannot stand by and allow this to happen." Connie Schultz is a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and professional in residence at Kent State Universitys school of journalism. She is the author of two books, including and His Lovely Wife, which chronicled the successful race of her husband, Sherrod Brown, for the U.S. Senate. Email: con.schultz@yahoo.com ATLANTAFive Georgia middle school students face disciplinary action for sharing drug-tainted food with other students on Valentines Day. WSB-TV reports Fulton County School officials said on Feb. 22, the students could eventually be suspended or expelled while school officials determine whether criminal charges will be filed. #BREAKING Fulton county school officials talk about positive THC presence in Valentine treats at Sandtown Middle School. @FOX5Atlanta pic.twitter.com/f4SZ2PdVau Aungelique Proctor (@aungeliquefox5) February 21, 2019 Investigators say THC was found in a food sample taken from Sandtown Middle School where students were sent to the hospital. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said tests showed THC, the main psychoactive component in marijuana, was found in one of the samples that has the appearance of cereal. BREAKING: 5 students facing possible expulsion for sharing marijuana edibles with classmates at Sandtown Middle School on Valentines Day. Others student may also face disciplinary action. Still no word on who made the edibles. 28 students taken to hospital. pic.twitter.com/8IXavjo31N Tom Regan (@tomreganWSB) February 22, 2019 School officials said 28 students were sickened and taken to hospitals. At the time, the students reported feeling shortness of breath and other reactions after eating food or candy. All of the children had been treated and released on Friday, Feb. 22, said the Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta. In a report by WSB-TV, school officials said that no teachers got sick, only students. Theres still no word on who made the edibles. Contaminated Food A report released on Tuesday, Feb. 12 by ANSA, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said that tainted food kills 420,000 people a year. Food contaminated with toxins, chemicals, bacteria, viruses or parasites causes more than 600 million people to fall ill and 420,000 to die worldwide every year, according to a report from the opening session of the First International Food Safety Conference, in Addis Ababa, organized by the African Union (AU), the FAO, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). My whole goal around this is to show the younger community is that they dont have to think that they are alone," says Alexis Brian. "There are people who care, there are people who love them and want to see them be happy." Nebraska LEAD Program Fellow Kyle McCarthy of Chadron returned home after participating in a ten-day National Study/Travel Seminar conducted by the Nebraska LEAD Program, February 6-15, 2019. Dr. Terry Hejny, Director of the Nebraska LEAD Program served as group leader for the study/travel seminar to Kansas City, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. During the seminar Nebraska LEAD Fellows met with business, industry and government leaders. Several highlights included visits to: the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank, Dairy Farmers of America in Kansas City; American Farm Bureau Federation, the Embassy of the Canada, University of the District of Columbia, and the Nebraska Congressional Breakfast in Washington, D.C.; NuFarm, the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, and Chicago Council on Global Affairs in Chicago. Also included in this years experience were briefings and factory tours of the John Deere operations in Moline, IL. Napoleon, OH (43545) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low 71F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low 71F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. UNION COUNTY - The following reports of Union County incidents are compiled from reports recently filed in the offices of the district magistrate by the Pennsylvania State Police at Milton. DUI, reckless driving, speeding, careless driving - Jan. 18, 2019, along Route 15 northbound in Kelly Township. Police arrested Logan Joseph Bingaman, 24, of 150 Grandview Dr., Watsontown, following a two-vehicle crash along Route 15 north in the area of River Road. Trooper Brian Wakins said he and Trooper Nathan Wenzel were on duty when they were dispatched to the accident. Upon arrival they found Bingamans vehicle to be facing north in the right lane. The vehicle had several disabled air bags and sustained disabling damage. The second vehicle was backed onto River Road and was facing west. The driver of the second vehicle told police he was traveling in the right lane alone Route 15 north when he was struck in the rear by Bingamans vehicle. Bingaman allegedly told police he didnt want to talk about the accident and refused to tell police who was driving the vehicle. He told police he was not driving, however the driver of the other vehicle identified Bingaman as being the driver of the vehicle that hit him. During the interview police reportedly detected slurred speech, bloodshot, glassy eyes and a strong odor of alcohol coming from Bingaman. Bingaman refused to submit to a preliminary breath test and was arrested. He was later transported to Evangelical Community Hospital for a blood alcohol test. Bingaman is also charged with following too closely. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 14, 2019, in front of Magisterial District Judge Richard P. Cashman. Bad checks, theft by deception - between Nov. 8-28, 2018, in Lewisburg. Charges against Daphne Lee Smith, 36, of 17 Canal St., Watsontown, were filed by the Union County District Attorneys office after Smith allegedly wrote six separate checks totaling $611 for purchases from the Street of Shops between the above-listed dates and all of the checks were returned for insufficient funds. The victim reportedly contacted Smith numerous times and asked for payment. Smith was said to be attempting to sell the items on Facebook. The total of all items purchased, sales tax and returned check fees is $956. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 21, 2019, in front of Magisterial District Judge Richard P. Cashman. DUI, careless driving, driving with a suspended/revoked license - Dec. 29, 2018, along Route 15 southbound in East Buffalo Township. Dustin Michael Lockwood, 27, of Mansfield, was spotted by a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper from Milton driving along Route 15 and failing to maintain his lane of travel. He was allegedly observed crossing over the center line without a turn signal as well as drifting across the fog line several times. After being pulled over the trooper said he noticed Lockwood had glossy, bloodshot eyes and he could smell alcohol on his breath. He reportedly told police he had been drinking. Lockwood subsequently failed standard field sobriety tests and was transported to Evangelical Community Hospital where he submitted to a blood test. That test later revealed his blood alcohol content to be .111%. Lockwood is also charged with several related traffic offenses including failing to have proper registration and inspection for his vehicle. A preliminary hearing is set for March 7, 2019, in front of Magisterial District Judge Richard P. Cashman. Possession of a controlled substance - May 10, 2018, 1038 Hill School Road, Kelly Township. Pennsylvania State Police at Milton arrested Corey Joseph Zook, 24, after his wife called police because she suspected Zook of substance abuse. She allegedly found a small amount of cocaine in his gym bag. When questioned, police said Zook admitted the cocaine was his and was for his personal use. Zook is also facing charges of simple assault and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle for allegedly grabbing the hand of a woman at the Bull Run Tap House in Lewisburg on Jan. 5, 2019, causing injury to her thumb. Patrons in the bar did not see the assault but reportedly told police they heard the victim yelling and screaming. Zook was taken outside and the victim was taken out the back door and transported to Evangelical Community Hospital for treatment. At that time, Zook allegedly took the victims car keys and left in her car. The car was later located in a small parking lot near the Forest Hill Store in Mifflinburg. A preliminary hearing is set for March 7, 2019, in front of Magisterial District Judge Richard P. Cashman. Theft of property, theft by unlawful taking - Jan. 12, 2019, at WalMart, 120 AJK Blvd, Kelly Township. Joshua Joseph Mirarchi, 36, of 149 Georgetown Lane, Milton, has been charged for allegedly taking a wallet found on the top of a lottery machine inside the store. The wallet had been forgotten by an individual after he got tickets. Video surveillance showed Mirachi picked up the wallet and left the store. The wallet was later returned by the Postmaster, but did not have the $150 in cash that was in it when it was lost. A preliminary hearing was held on Feb. 21, 2019 and charges were waived for the Court of Common Pleas. Mirarchi will go before Judge Michael T. Hudock on April 29, 2019 for formal arraignment. DUI, careless driving - 205 Broad St., Kelly Township. Timothy Charles Savage, 31, of 1429 Pleasant View Road, New Columbia, was stopped by a roving patrol unit after police spotted him failing to stay in his lane of travel. Upon questioning Savage, police reportedly could smell alcohol on his breath and said that he was slurring his words and had bloodshot, glassy eyes. Savage reportedly failed field sobriety testing and was transported to Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg, for blood tests. Those tests later revealed he had a blood alcohol content of .178%, police said. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 14, 2019, in front of Magisterial District Judge Richard P. Cashman. DUI, reckless driving, careless driving, speeding - Jan. 6, 2019, on Buffalo Road at North 16th St., Lewisburg. David Alexander Antonyuk, 25, of 1020 Forest Hill Road, Mifflinburg, was charged after a traffic stop when an on-duty officer saw him traveling on a motorcycle at a high rate of speed. The motorcycle had no registration plate and upon talking with Antonyuk the officer said he noted he had red, glassy eyes and appeared to be dazed and slow in reacting. Antonyuk did not have a motorcycle license and the motorcycle was found to have no inspection sticker as well. Antonyuk reportedly failed field sobriety tests and was transported to Evangelical Community Hospital for a blood test. That test later revealed a blood alcohol level of .199%, police said. A preliminary hearing is set for Feb. 28, 2019, in front of Magisterial District Judge Richard P. Cashman. Criminal mischief, tampering with a fire apparatus, Oct. 27, 2018, at Vedder Hall, Bucknell University, Lewisburg. Bucknell University Public Safety Officer Colbey Russell filed charges against Owen Patrick McEnroe, 19, of Mendham, N.J., after a Snapchat video showed him damaging an Exit sign in one of the buildings hallways. The value of the sign is $60. McEnroe is scheduled to go before Judge Michael T. Hudock on April 29, 2019 for formal arraignment. Disorderly conduct, public drunkenness, resisting arrest - Jan. 11, 2019, along Route 15 north of William Penn Drive in Lewisburg. Douglas Chad Keller, 48, of 234 E. 8th St., Watsontown, was arrested after police were called to respond to reports of an individual running into oncoming traffic. Keller ran from police, attempting to flee across the highway and was reportedly taken to the ground by officers, while he struggled. While being questioned by police Keller allegedly was uncooperative and made several religious statements, including that he was the devil. Police could smell alcohol on Kellers breath. Keller will go before Judge Michael T. Hudock on April 29, 2019 for formal arraignment. UNION COUNTY - The following summary of police reports are compiled from those recently filed in the offices of the Union County district magistrate by the Buffalo Valley Regional Police Department in the past several weeks. DUI - at 4775 WestBranch Highway, East Buffalo Township, Jan. 15, 2019. Buffalo Valley Regional Police have charged Archie D. Nicholes, 60, of Louisville, KY, following a traffic stop in which an on-duty officer allegedly spotted Nicholes driving erratically along Route 15 southbound and driving well-below the posted speed limit. When he was stopped, the officer said he smelled alcoholic on the drivers breath, that his speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot and glassy. Nichols subsequently failed standard field sobriety tests and it was later determined he had a blood alcohol content of .210%. Possession of drug paraphernalia, marijuana - Police filed charges against Ricardo Sotomayor Velez, 22, of Rochester, NY, following a traffic stop on Dec. 11, 2018, at 35 S. Derr Drive, East Buffalo Township. Police said Velez was speeding, traveling 55 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone and was driving erratically. When stopped, police allege a strong odor of burnt marijuana was coming from the vehicle. Velez reportedly admitted to having smoked marijuana prior to driving. He subsequently failed standard field tests and later tested positive for marijuana in his system. A passenger in the vehicle, Felix, Javier Pola-Ruiz, 23, also of Rochester, was also charged with possession of marijuana. A preliminary hearing is set for March 7, 2019, in front of Magisterial District Judge Richard P. Cashman. Criminal trespass, burglary, receiving stolen property - Jan. 30, 2019 at 113 Market St., Lewisburg. Leif Marie McGeehan, 25, of 25 N. Third St., Apt. 3, Lewisburg was charged following an incident in which she is accused of forcing her way into the apartment of her ex-boyfriend at 113 Market St., Lewisburg. McGeehan allegedly went to the apartment despite being told by police in the past that she was not permitted on the property. The victim told police McGeehan refused to leave when asked and eventually grabbed his cell phone from him when he threatened to call 911. The victim believed McGeehan was under the influence of some type of drug. After calling 911, McGeehan reportedly left the apartment, grabbing a skateboard on the way out. McGeehan is also charged with theft by unlawful taking and harassment. A preliminary hearing is set for Feb. 28, 2019, in front of Magisterial District Judge Richard P. Cashman. Possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia - Jan. 11, 2019, at 421 Saint Mary St., Lewisburg. Misty Dawn Hollenbach, 33, of 421 Saint Mary St., Lewisburg, has been charged after being contacted by Hollenbachs probation officer . Police said the probation officer told them Hollenbach violated the conditions of her probation and was subsequently incarcerated. When Hollenbach was taken into custody she allegedly told her probation officer that she had drug paraphernalia at her residence. A search of the property reportedly yielded syringes, a case containing balled cotton and a black colored hard eye-glass case. One of the syringes allegedly contained a liquid that later tested positive as heroin. Hollenbach is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 28, 2019, in front of Magisterial District Judge Richard P. Cashman. Possession of drug paraphernalia - Jan. 11, 2019, at 317 Fisher Ave., Lewisburg. Virginia Patricia Goonan, 34, of the above-listed address, was charged after police allegedly found a digital scale containing a white powder in her sweatshirt. Police were attempting to serve a bench warrant on Goonan when they found her leaving her home in the minivan. Goonan is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 7, 2019, in front of Magisterial District Judge Richard P. Cashman. DUI, careless driving - Dec. 16, 2018, in the 100 block of Brown St., Lewisburg. Charges were filed against Larissa J. Zettlemoyer, 34, of 40 Brown St., Lewisburg, after an on-duty police officer spotted her allegedly driving erratically, swerving, failing to stop at stop signs and crossing over the center line of the roadway. Upon making contact with Zettlemoyer the officer said he noticed Zettlemoyer had glassy, bloodshot eyes and a severe odor of alcohol on her breath. She reportedly admitted to having been drinking prior to driving home. She failed subsequent field sobriety tests and a blood alcohol test later determined her BAC to be .128%. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 7, 2019, in front of Magisterial District Judge Richard P. Cashman. Possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia - Jan. 7, 2019, along Route 15 and Buffalo Road near 201 N. Derr Drive in East Buffalo Township. Chris Connor Holmes, 27, of 4243 Route 220 Highway, Hughesville, was charged following a traffic stop. Police said the driver of the vehicle, Derek Kessler, was wanted out of Allegheny County with full extradition and was taken into custody. Holmes was the front seat passenger and allegedly told police, when asked, that he was in possession of medical marijuana. He then produced a cigarette pack with makeshift aluminum foil pipe inside along with marijuana. He told police he was in the process of applying for a card for the marijuana. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 21, 2019, in front of Magisterial District Judge Richard P. Cashman. Possession of drug paraphernalia - Jan. 21, 2019, at 11 Buffalo Road, Lewisburg. Police charged Bryce A. Shiffer, 21, of 2834 Sunrise Road, Lewisburg, following a traffic stop for failing to have his taillights illuminated and a faulty exhaust pipe. During the traffic stop officers noted a smell of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle. Shiffer denied having smoked any marijuana, but the passenger in his vehicle, Scott Dakota Steingrabe, 19, of 3569 Hoffa Mill Road, Lewisburg, allegedly admitted to police he had been smoking. Steingrabe also admitted to having a pipe in the vehicle. Police also reportedly found a small bag with pills in the center console, which both men denied belonged to them. Shiffer is also charged with possession of an uncontrolled substance. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 28, 2019, in front of Magisterial District Judge Richard P. Cashman. DUI, speeding - Dec. 9, 2018 at 2849 Westbranch Highway, Shaffers Card Shop, Lewisburg. Charges were filed against Karl Christian Stengel, 28, of 29 Catawissa Ave., Sunbury, following a traffic stop during routine speed enforcement along Route 15. Stengel was clocked by officers traveling 82 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone. During the stop, officers noted a strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from Stengels vehicle. He allegedly admitted to having smoked the marijuana right before driving. Police reportedly found marijuana in Stengels jacket pocket as well as a pipe and a grinder with marijuana residue. Stengel was given standard field sobriety tests which he failed. He was subsequently given a blood test which revealed drugs in his system. A preliminary hearing is set for March 7, 2019, in front of Magisterial District Judge Richard P. Cashman. Flash U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he would depart for Hanoi on Feb. 25 for his second meeting with Kim Jong Un, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). "I will be leaving for Hanoi, Vietnam, early tomorrow for a Summit with Kim Jong Un of North Korea, where we both expect a continuation of the progress made at first Summit in Singapore," Trump tweeted. Trump hailed his "great relationship" with Kim, adding that the DPRK could "fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the World" in the absence of nuclear weapons. According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim left Pyongyang on Saturday afternoon by train for Hanoi for the second U.S.-DPRK summit. Trump told the press on Wednesday that his trip to Vietnam would be "very successful," anticipating his two-day meeting with Kim would "accomplish a lot." Trump announced on Feb. 8 that his second meeting with Kim would take place in Hanoi on Feb. 27-28. His first meeting with Kim in Singapore in June resulted in improved U.S.-DPRK relations. However, differences on such key issues as a roadmap for denuclearization, the lifting of sanctions and whether to issue a war-ending declaration still hinder negotiations. Norman, OK (73070) Today Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 68F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 68F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. The forecast for the rest of the week calls for more cold conditions with the potential for flurries the next couple of days, said Bryon Miller, a National Weather Service meteorologist. Temperatures are expected to top out in the low 20s all week, Miller said. Trash pickup was canceled Monday in Council Bluffs because of the accumulated snow. It will resume Tuesday in the Bluffs and will be a day behind for the rest of the week. On the snow front, the 7.5 to 10 inches of new snow that fell around the metro area this weekend allowed Omaha to match its record for snowfall during the winter months of December through February. Officially, Omaha received 7.5 inches of snow over the weekend. Some neighborhoods, however, recorded as much as 10 inches. With some neighborhood streets still difficult to travel Sunday night, the Council Bluffs Community School District and most other area districts announced that they would cancel classes on Monday. The weekend storm was nastier than the areas other recent heavy snowfalls. The diocese, which operates churches and schools throughout northwestern Iowa, urged victims to come forward at that time. Its review board has spent recent weeks reviewing files and weighing the credibility of allegations. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The diocese said the alleged abuse took place between 1948 and 1995 and involved 106 individuals who have come forward to make claims. Additional complaints of abuse have been made more recently, but none have been deemed credible by police or a church review board, the diocese said. All but six of the priests on the list have died. Those who are still living are not involved in the ministry or active with youth, and have been stripped of their ability to celebrate mass or represent themselves as priests, the diocese said. Diocese officials acknowledged the list is likely incomplete because additional victims have not come forward. For instance, the diocese said that it was aware of 13 victims of Coyle even though he allegedly confessed to abusing dozens more. The list included 39 victims of the Rev. George McFadden, whose abuse has long been documented and spawned an array of civil lawsuits, and 11 victims of the Rev. Peter Murphy. More than half of the identified priests, however, only have one known accuser. Promising unyielding vigilance in attacking clergy abuse, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops wrapped an unprecedented Vatican summit by vowing to intensify a 2002 charter designed to create a safe environment for children in the church. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, who heads the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, released his statement Sunday (Feb. 24) at the end of a four-day meeting of church hierarchy in Rome to discuss sexual abuse and child protection. At a meeting in Dallas in 2002, the U.S. bishops conference established what is formally called the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which is also known as the Dallas Charter. Among other things, it requires dioceses to set up safe environment programs that include background checks and training for anyone who has contact with minors at any Catholic church or school event. The document has been updated several times since its adoption. Some church leaders have said the number of sex abuse complaints has dropped dramatically since the charter was put in place. However, recent reports of child molestation by clergy members, most notably a shocking report by a Pennsylvania grand jury last year, brought the issue into public view again and prompted Pope Francis to stage the summit. The Vatican gathering brought together nearly 200 Catholic leaders, 114 of whom are bishops and cardinals from around the world. During meetings that ended Sunday, discussions were held on issues including transparency, responsibility and accountability. Participants also heard testimonies from sex abuse victims. We owe survivors an unyielding vigilance that we may never fail them again, DiNardo said in his statement issued at the end of the summit. How then to bind the wounds? Intensify the Dallas Charter. New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond, who did not attend the Vatican summit, said Monday he believes the summit was helpful as a world event for the Catholic church, and that he supports DiNardos efforts to bolster the charter. The charter has been revised twice, and I think this is an opportunity to address it again to see if there are ways in which to make it even stronger, Aymond said. While the United States accomplishes much of what the summit asks, we must always re-evaluate to become more thorough and effective. 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 DiNardo noted that the summit featured a range of presenters who spoke about a code of conduct for bishops, the need to establish specific protocols for handling accusations against bishops, user-friendly reporting mechanisms and the role transparency plays in the healing process. Achieving the goals will require the active involvement and collaboration of the laity, he said. These have been challenging, fruitful days, DiNardo said in his statement. The witness of survivors revealed for us, again, the deep wound in the Body of Christ. Listening to their testimonies transforms your heart. I saw that in the faces of my brother bishops. Speaking on the final day of the summit, Pope Francis called for an all-out battle" against child abuse and labeled clergy and other Catholics who abuse children tools of Satan. However, critics said the pontiff offered no definitive steps to combat the crisis, which has roots in Louisiana. The summit was one more in a long string of disappointments from the hierarchy which increasingly talks a good game but produces nearly no change, David Clohessy, former national director of the advocacy group Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, told NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune on Monday. Until dozens of heads roll, reform will remain a dream, he said. Clohessy said he has no qualms with intensifying the Dallas Charter, but the church should also focus on enforcing it. The charter, vague and weak as it is, is only sporadically followed, he said. Despite repeated zero tolerance pledges, bishops still dont consistently suspend credibly accused clerics. Referring to the churchs recent decision to defrock former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, the highest-ranking church official to date to be expelled from the priesthood for sex abuse, Clohessy said, Defrocking one 88-year-old, high profile prelate doesnt come close to really deterring the cover ups that continue. Efforts to incorporate a new city called St. George in East Baton Rouge Parish have taken a major step forward, with the parishs Registrar of Voters certifying that supporters gathered enough petition signatures to bring the issue to a vote. Registrar Steve Raborn certified on Monday (Feb. 25) that St. George proponents had gathered the signatures of at least 25 percent of registered voters in the area, according to Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landrys office. The petitioners needed 12,996 verified signatures, and turned in 17,102, according to the registrars office. A total of 14,585 were accepted and certified, while 2,517 signatures were rejected or struck from the petition. Gov. John Bel Edwards will now determine if the petition certification meets qualifications to call an election, according to WAFB. If it goes to a ballot, only registered voters within the area proposed for incorporation as a new city can vote on the issue, not Baton Rouge voters as a whole. This was the second petition effort to create a city of St. George in the southern part of East Baton Rouge Parish, an area that is currently unincorporated. The first petition drive came up short by 71 signatures when opponents launched a campaign encouraging people to withdraw their signatures. Supporters relaunched the petition effort last year after a legally-mandated waiting period, with a somewhat different map for the new city. The idea of creating a new city in the parish has been controversial. Opponents argue it will separate a whiter, wealthier area of the parish, and isolate its tax revenue from the rest of the parish. Supporters say theyre disillusioned with government in Baton Rouge and want more control over their tax money, as well as the ability to create their own school system in the future. A Lafourche Parish company is named in a complaint to the Federal Election Commission, claiming the business broke the law when it made a $100,000 contribution to a conservative political action committee. The owner of the same business, its subsidiaries and family members were part of a congressional ethics investigation. Alpha Marine Services, a subsidiary of Edison Chouest Offshore of Galliano, gave the money to the Congressional Leadership Fund while the company held a federal government contract, according to a complaint from the Campaign Legal Center. The nonpartisan group pushes for the enforcement of campaign laws. Its complaint, filed Thursday (Feb. 21), seeks sanctions against Alpha Marine, including potential civil penalties. The donation in question was made in June 2018, according to quarterly reports to the Federal Election Commission from the Congressional Leadership Fund. At the time, Alpha Marine held multiple contracts from the Department of Defense valued at more than $35 million. The company provides towing and marine support services to the military. Alpha Marines parent company, Edison Chouest, and the Congressional Leadership Fund have not responded to interview requests from NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Company leader Gary Chouest, members of his family and their businesses were previously singled out in a 2011 House Ethics Committee investigation into donations made to the legal defense fund of Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska. All told, the Chouests made 12 contributions of $5,000 each to Youngs fund, which was established to help him pay his legal fees related to a Justice Department probe into whether he had accepted bribes from a contractor who was a campaign contributor. 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 Young was exonerated, Roll Call reported, but the House Ethics Committee pushed for updates to campaign donation rules for legal trusts such as Youngs. Brendan Fischer, director of the Campaign Legal Centers federal reform program, said comparable prior complaints have led recipients to return money to the offending donor. One of its high-profile successful complaints involved an illegal $200,000 donation from Suffolk Construction Co. to Priorities USA Action, a Democratic super PAC supporting Hillary Clintons presidential bid. The Federal Election Commission fined Suffolk $200,000, even though the PAC returned its donation. A similar outcome could be in store for Alpha Marine, Fischer said in a phone interview. It should have known it was prohibited from making these contributions, and it did it anyway, he said. Flash Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon Wang Kejian said on Friday that China will continue supporting Lebanon's security and stability, according to a statement released by the Chinese Embassy in Lebanon. "China will always support Lebanon's efforts to safeguard national independence, security and stability," Wang said during his meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun. Wang's visit came against the background of the formation of a new government in Lebanon. Wang said China is willing to work with Lebanon to continuously consolidate political mutual trust and deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields under the framework of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative. For his part, Aoun said Lebanon attaches great importance to the development of relations with China, while expressing appreciation for China's assistance, saying his country is willing to further expand bilateral cooperation in various fields. In an Oscar-night surprise, director Peter Farrellys New Orleans-shot dramatic comedy Green Book was named best picture Sunday (Feb. 24) at the 91st annual Academy Awards. It becomes the second film shot primarily in New Orleans to win the award, after 12 Years a Slave took home top honors in 2014. According to many Oscar prognosticators, the favorite to win the award heading into the night was Alfonso Cuarons Spanish-language Roma," which earlier Sunday captured the Oscars for best director, best cinematography and best foreign-language film. They apparently underestimated Green Book, however, with its timely message and story of racial understanding. Although Farrellys film earned notable Oscar-season momentum after debuting at Septembers Toronto International Film Festival, it was dogged by repeated controversies about the movies veracity, about Farrellys history of inappropriate humor, over actor Viggo Mortensens use of a racial epithet in a discussion of the films racial themes that appeared to erode its frontrunner status as award season wore on. In addition, Farrelly wasnt nominated for the Academys directing award. That was seen as significant, since only four times previously has a film won best picture without having its director at least nominated (Wings, Grand Hotel, Driving Miss Daisy and Argo). But Green Book managed to buck the odds and weather those behind-the-scenes storms, earning just enough noteworthy pre-Oscar awards primary among them top honors from the Producers Guild of America and the Golden Globes to remain in the hunt. Sunday night, it paid off. A likely reason for that was one expressed by Farrelly in accepting the award Sunday night. The whole story is about love, he said from the Oscars stage. Its about loving each other despite our differences and finding the truth about who we are. Were the same people. Green Book, inspired by real events, stars Mortensen as a prejudiced New York City bouncer who is hired to accompany a black piano genius (played by Mahershala Ali) on a concert tour of the Jim Crow South. Along the way, as they get to know each other, they both learn lessons about the pitfalls of pre-judging other people. The other films nominated for best picture this year were BlacKkKlansman, Black Panther, Bohemian Rhapsody, The Favourite, Roma, A Star is Born and Vice. In addition to best picture, Green Book won the awards for best supporting actor (for Ali) and best original screenplay. Find a full list of 2019 Oscar winners at NOLA.com. 'Green Book' movie review: A road trip we can all enjoy It took 86 years for a film shot predominantly in New Orleans to win an Oscar for best picture, when the locally shot "12 Years a Slave" took home that most coveted of Academy Awards in 2014. It's taken just five years for a second one to do it. The winner this time: the locally made road trip film "Green Book," which -- in an Oscar-night surprise -- reclaimed Oscar's top prize for Louisiana on Sunday night (Feb. 24) at the 91st annual Academy Awards. And while it was certainly a big night for director Peter Farrelly's film, which also won the awards for supporting actor (for Mahershala Ali) and best original screenplay, it was a bigger night for the local film industry. It all got started with one of the first awards to be handed out Sunday, for production design, which went to local resident Hannah Beachler for her work on Marvel Films' "Black Panther." Not only did Beachler deliver one of the night's better speeches -- choking back tears as she thanked "Black Panther" director Ryan Coogler for giving her an opportunity to hone her creative voice -- but she started out with a shout-out to everybody watching back home. "New Orleans, ya heard me?" she said from the Oscar stage. Surprise! 'Green Book' wins best picture Oscar The entire film industry heard her. In a night that was ultimately overshadowed by the controversial best picture win for "Green Book" -- a film about race that is seen as thoughtful by some but regressive by others -- Beachler made Oscar history. In fact, she first made it on nominations morning by becoming the first black person ever nominated for the production design Oscar. Sunday, she became the first to win it. She and "Black Panther" costume designer Ruth E. Carter, who made history of her own Sunday night by becoming the first black woman to win her category, were also the first black women to win non-acting Oscars since Irene Cara won for her "Flashdance" theme song in 1984. That, for the math-challenged, is a 34-year span. Beachler wasnt the only filmmaker with New Orleans connections to find herself in the Oscars spotlight on Sunday night, either. Tulane University student Avery Siegel landed on-stage as one of the producers of the winning documentary short film Period. End of Sentence" -- a win that generated one of the most purely joyous moments of the night. (I cant believe a film about menstruation just won an Oscar, gushed director Rayka Zehtabchi in accepting the award.) Local musician Terence Blanchard was also nominated for best original score for his work on director Spike Lees BlacKkKlansman. While Blanchard didnt win, he made it a point to represent Who Dat Nation by hitting the red carpet in a pair of custom sneakers designed by Mandeville artist Christina Pappion that celebrated his hometown New Orleans Saints. That's only fitting. Because even without a trophy, Blanchard's nomination and Beachler's win are arguably more important to New Orleans and its film industry than the high-profile (and polarizing) win for "Green Book." True, that Universal-backed film put a whole lot of local film industry craftspeople to work. But the presence of Blanchard and Beachler on Sunday's red carpet suggest that maybe Hollywood South is continuing to mature to the point in which local creatives are getting a chance to more fully let their lights shine. That's important. It's great to have a film industry that puts money in the pockets of local crews. It's even nicer to have one that invites local voices to the table from a creative standpoint. That being said, the local film industry is decidedly smaller today than it was when "12 Years a Slave" shot in town. Caps on the state's filmmaking tax incentive program have effectively reduced the number of film and TV projects shooting in town. Those that do come aren't as big as they were before the limits were instituted by the Legislature. Still, they are still coming -- and in increasing numbers over the past several months -- which means local craftspeople like Beachler and Blanchard will continue to have the opportunity to practice their art without having to go elsewhere to do it. Does that mean we can expect to see another New Orleans-shot film taking home best picture honors within the next five years? Well, probably not. But you can safely bet it won't take another 86, either. Find a full list of 2019 Oscar winners at NOLA.com. Mike Scott covers movies for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. He can be reached at mscott@nola.com. After investigators arranged a successful sting to catch a New Orleans-area U.S. Post Office letter carrier stealing money and gift cards from mail she had opened, they found 54 pieces of rifled-through mail stashed in her personal vehicle, federal court records show. U.S. Attorney Peter Strassers office on Monday (Feb. 25) announced the letter carrier, Courtney Duplessis, 30, pleaded guilty on Feb. 21 to one count of theft of mail. She had been assigned to Carrollton Station Post office and then to Elmwood Station Post Office at the time the thefts occurred, prosecutors say. Investigators were tipped to the repeated theft after customers complained about delivery of their mail, according to a factual basis document filed in federal court. The investigation found Duplessis, who when confronted by authorities admitted to the theft, stole mail containing gift cards and cash that was intended for delivery between October 2017 and June 2018. Early in the investigation, the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Postal Service mailed a piece of test mail with a $15 Target gift card to a cooperating postal customer, in area code 70118, the document states. It was not delivered. Authorities then confirmed Duplessis used the same Target gift card last March at the Target on Clearview Parkway in Metairie. Surveillance video from the store shows her leaving the store after using the card, prosecutors say. Kenner post office manager stole $630K in stamps, sold them on eBay: federal prosecutors Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The inspector generals office also found Duplessis in May 2018 spent a $30 Walmart gift card, which was stolen from a piece of mail sent from Missouri to River Ridge. Walmart records show she used her own debit card at the store the same time the stolen gift card was used. Investigators then placed cash inside four pieces of mail, along with a tracking device. The device alerted authorities that she had opened the letter, so they followed her to a convenience store and saw her pay for her lunch with one of the marked $20 bills, according to the factual basis. They then confronted her in her postal vehicle. Duplessis admitted to opening the letters and removing cash from several of them, the document states, telling investigators, the rifled letters were in her satchel hanging in her vehicle and the stolen money was tucked into her bra. Agents then discovered 54 pieces of mail in Duplessis personal vehicle, the factual basis states. Duplessis faces a maximum prison sentence of five years, plus a fine of $250,000 or twice the value of the items and money stolen, the release states. New Orleans police officers patrolling the 400 block of Bourbon Street by foot early Sunday (Feb. 24) heard the gunshots that killed a female bystander and wounded a male security guard and the man now jailed in connection to the shooting, according to booking documents. According to an affidavit for Louis Barnes arrest, the officers were in the same block where Willies Chicken Shack is located when they heard gunfire about 3:15 a.m., and then saw the end of the physical struggle that had resulted in the shooting. Two men fighting in front of the restaurant a man with dyed blue hair and a security guard were detained before officers realized each was suffering from a gunshot wound, the document states. With each man detained, the affidavit states, officers then saw a woman lying in the road, the affidavit states. According to the document, crime camera video footage of the shooting shows the woman walking in the block, then falling to the ground. The Orleans Parish Coroners Office on Monday (Feb. 25) confirmed the woman killed was Julie Couvillon, 36. Couvillons employer, Ochsner Health Systems, said Sunday she was a beloved nurse, who dedicated her life to caring for others. Nurse killed in Bourbon Street shooting dedicated her life to caring for others Couvillon was shot in the neck area, according to the affidavit sworn by NOPD Homicide Detective Bruce Brueggeman. She was taken to University Medical Center, where she died. A witness told police the man with the blue hair Barnes was holding the firearm when the woman fell to the ground in the middle of Bourbon Street, the affidavit states. Police have said the shooting happened when Barnes, 37, grabbed the security guards gun and started firing. Police have not said the security guard, who was temporarily detained, faces any charges. Barnes was wounded when he shot himself in the shoulder during the struggle, NOPD said. He has been booked into the Orleans Justice Center jail on charges of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. A lawyer from the Orleans Public Defenders Office represented him at his first appearance hearing on Sunday evening. The 23-year-old security guard from Willies Chicken Shack was shot in the neck area. Victoria Coulon, a spokeswoman for the restaurant, said he underwent surgery midday Sunday, and was in critical condition prior to that. A restaurant representative said the guard is expected to make a full recovery. Video footage reviewed by the homicide detective also shows what Bruegeeman described as Barnes physically attacking the security officer and punching him, prior to the gunfire. It appeared, he wrote, as if Louis Barnes chased the security officer into the business... and then back out. A witness also told investigators he or she saw a blue-haired man strike the security guard several times, then physically pull the security officers firearm away from him. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The witness who spoke to police said they heard one gunshot, then saw the blue-haired man and the female bystander fall to the ground, the affidavit states. When a second gunshot sounded off, the witness said, the security guard fell to the ground. Brueggemans affidavit does not address how the altercation started, but Coulon said Monday the restaurant staff believed the accused shooter was trying to sell drugs inside the business. Security, asked him to leave, she said, which prompted the struggle. Barnes is registered as a sex offender, stemming from an August 2015 conviction out of Jefferson Parish for carnal knowledge of a juvenile. He pleaded guilty in 2003 to unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling and illegal possession of stolen things. He has also has served time for marijuana-related charges. An attorney representing Barnes in an ongoing criminal case in Orleans Criminal District Court accusing him of failing to register or renew as a sex offender, Cherie Teamer, could not be reached Sunday for comment. At Barnes scheduled court appearance in that case on Monday (Feb 25), a prosecutor told the judge Teamer did not intend to represent Barnes in the case, court records show. An attorney from the Orleans Public Defenders Office was then appointed to represent him at that hearing, though the judge required a written notice of Teamers withdrawal, the records show. Ad Hoc Judge Dennis Waldron revoked Barnes bond in connection to the sex offender registry case. ond set at $1.5 million for man accused of fatally shooting woman, injuring man on Bourbon Street In response to the shooting, Mayor LaToya Cantrell said Sunday violence will not be tolerated in the French Quarter and citywide. NOPD demonstrated on Sunday officers are prepared to respond when needed, she added. This tragedy during the Mardi Gras season should serve as a message that our community needs to be as diligent as ever to combat crime in the French Quarter, read a statement from Willies Chicken Shack. Elite Protection Solutions, the company that employed the wounded security guard, said in a statement posted to its Facebook page that the company couldnt comment on any details of the shooting, but expressed condolences to the victims. Unfortunately there are those members of our society that are evil, unsalvageable and are hellbent (on) victimizing the honest and hardworking among us, the statement says. NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said Sunday responding officers were at the scene of the shooting within seconds. While police say the shooter grabbed the security guards gun in Sundays violence, Ferguson warned residents, leave your weapons at home. This will not be accepted, the chief said. Santa Cruz County saw its second significant snowfall of 2019 on Friday, Feb. 22. Troy Tulowitzki HOMERS in his first at-bat in pinstripes. pic.twitter.com/lbyht9TWlT YES Network (@YESNetwork) February 25, 2019 TAMPA The Blue Jays thought it would be a good idea to give Troy Tulowitzki the rest of the $38 million they owed him ... to do absolutely nothing. He got a small measure of revenge against Toronto on Monday. Get tickets to see the 2019 Yankees: StubHub, Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, PrimeSport. Tulowitzki homered in his first at-bat with the Yankees also his first at-bat vs. the Blue Jays in Mondays game at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Tulowitzki hit a solo shot to right field against Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman. The 34-year-old is the highest-paid player on Torontos payroll. Below, read the Yankees press release on giving Aaron Hicks a seven-year, $70-million deal: The New York Yankees today announced that they have signed outfielder Aaron Hicks to a seven-year contract extending through the 2025 season, with a club option for the 2026 season. This contract replaces his one-year contract for 2019 that was previously announced on January 11. Over the last two seasons (2017-18), Hicks has posted a .838 OPS with a .368 on-base percentage and is one of just eight American League players over the stretch to reach both of those marks with at least 200 games played, along with Jose Altuve, Mookie Betts, Alex Bregman, Aaron Judge, J.D. Martinez, Jose Ramirez and Mike Trout. Among Major League outfielders over the last two seasons (2017-18), his 8.2 WAR (FanGraphs) ranks 12th, including sixth among centerfielders. Only two other Major League switch-hitters in 2018 hit as many as Hicks 27 home runs (Clevelands Jose Ramirez-39 and Francisco Lindor-38), and his total was the highest by a switch-hitting centerfielder (min. half of games at the position) since Carlos Beltran hit 27 home runs in 2008. He also became the seventh switch-hitter in Yankees history to reach 25 home runs in a season, joining Mickey Mantle (10 times), Bernie Williams (5), Mark Teixeira (4), Tom Tresh (3), Jorge Posada (2) and Nick Swisher (2). He excelled from both sides of the plate, compiling a 132 wRC+ as a left-handed batter and a 116 mark as a right-handed batter (weighted runs created plus; 100 is league-average). Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook. Thousands of New Jersey residents were without power Monday morning as high winds continued to blast the state overnight with gusts up to 65 mph expected in some spots. The entire state is under a high wind warning issued by the National Weather Service. The winds could blow down trees, tree limbs and power lines, and could cause scattered power outages across New Jersey. The risk is greatest in South Jersey, where trees are more likely to uproot thanks to soil being saturated by the rain earlier Sunday. Across the state, winds are expected to be between 25-35 mph, with gusts of up to 60 mph in certain areas. Follow the live power outage tracker below for updates. Loading... To report downed wires or power outage: PSE&G: Call the utilitys customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG. Click here to view the companys live outage map. JCP&L: Call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) or click Report Outage link on www.jcp-l.com. In the event of downed wires, customers should immediately contact the utility or their local police or fire department. Click here to view JCP&Ls live outage map. Atlantic City Electric: Customers can report outages by calling 1-800-833-7476, visiting www.atlanticcityelectric.com or through the utility's mobile app, available for download here. Click here to view ACE's live power outage map. Rockland Electric Co: The utility, which serves customers in northern Passaic and Bergen Counties, can be reached at 1-877-434-4100. To view Rockland Electrics live outage map, click here. The newly-passed minimum wage increase ($15 an hour by 2024) is the latest assault by New Jersey Democrats in their war on the free market and personal liberty. Unlike government, private businesses cannot make ends meet through perpetual taxation and borrowing schemes. In the real world, there are consequences to increased expenses. Businesses will be compelled to act. Some will be forced to close or relocate to less-expensive states. Others will have to reduce work hours, make fewer hires, and/or raise prices. Society will be worse off. Inexperienced or low-skilled workers and those already on a lower economic spectrum will be especially hurt. But I think thats part of the Democrats plan: Create more needy New Jerseyans for government to help. The very concept of a minimum wage should be repugnant to Americans, as it negates liberty. With what moral authority do our elected representatives our employees tell us that we are forbidden to sell our labor below a price of their choosing? Engaging our bodies and minds in productive labor to provide for our ourselves and our families is fundamental to being free human beings. The price we charge for our labor is rightfully our individual decision, and nobody elses. Our government was instituted to protect our unalienable rights, including life, liberty and the prsuit of happiness, not to set the price of labor between two willing parties. Contrary to the propaganda we are fed, a minimum wage does not protect workers. It controls them, and should be abolished, not raised. Charles Fischer. Galloway Township See climate change as Earth-bound asteroid Imagine this scenario: Scientists show us 1,000 photos of a giant asteroid hurtling toward Earth. In five years, they say, the asteroid will blow much of the world to smithereens, killing millions and making the climate nearly inhabitable. Quickly, wed scream, Costs be damned. Save us. Politically, wed quickly pulverize any president and political party that screamed, A hoax. Junk science. Too expensive. In another form, this kind of disaster is starting to expose itself. We hear the scientists. We see the photos. And many of us have suffered from once-in-a-lifetime fires, storms, floods and droughts. Its climate change. Whether man-made or not, we need to protect ourselves and our world. We need to demand emergency policies that protect our families, our nation and our world. These policies need to be intense, coordinated and scientifically valid. And, theyll put millions of people to work. President Donald Trump currently opposes such actions aggressively. He pulled America out of the Paris Agreement to combat greenhouse gases and appointed pro-industry sycophants to dismantle federal agencies and their regulations that protect us. He has mocked the Green New Deal proposed by some progressive Democrats, implausibly claiming it wouldnt allow you to drive cars or own cows. Hes ignorantly dismissed the overwhelming science on the reality of climate change, as well as United Nations and federal government reports predicting approaching catastrophes. If Congress passes more legislation to fight climate change, Trump is likely to veto it. His actions scare me. Only a large, organized, informed and persistent demand from the general public can stop the climate-change asteroid from smashing our lives to smithereens. This puts the burden on each of us. And, so, each of us must answer, What will I do? Howard Margolis, Voorhees Township Pick drinks over drugs for TV ads I turn on the TV. If I am lucky, I may see a few minutes of the program. Then, here comes a commercial. Oh my, another new prescription medication that will cure my illness. Back to the show for a few minutes. Time for a commercial for another new drug. At the end of each of these commercials, the announcer mentions that the medication has side effects that could kill me. Im advised to check first with my doctor. These commercials could drive me to drink. I long for the days when more of the TV commercials were for beer and wine. At least I didnt have to check with my doctor before I make my purchase. David M. Levin, Vineland The coming second summit meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), raises expectations about achieving the long-term goal of denuclearization in return for re-engaging the DPRK in the mainstream through the lifting of sanctions. The two leaders will meet Wednesday and Thursday in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi, the second direct meeting between them after the first last June in Singapore. It is indeed a great opportunity to tackle the serious issue of removing the threat of nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula and offer a chance for total peace in Northeast Asia. However, the road to that cherished goal is long and tortuous. The two sides should have been working on quiet diplomacy, yet it's not clear if they have managed to agree on some sticky points since the first summit. Ideally, Trump would like to leave Hanoi with something tangible on nuclear disarmament. He needs a breather from the stifling domestic confrontations and serious challenges ahead of next year's presidential elections. What he wants to get from Kim, who also wants to fill his goodie bag, is to show the people back home he is not engaging in these talks for nothing. The efforts to strike a denuclearization deal is not going to come in one go. It is a process starting from a commitment and ending in elimination of the wherewithal to develop and launch a nuclear weapon. The outcome of Singapore meeting was termed as vague, but was still a success because the two leaders agreed in principle to work for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. Before the first summit, Kim had declared a self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and missile testing, and has followed through, since there has been no testing since 2017. So, eight months after the first summit, Kim seems to have been keeping his promise. Additionally, he has also shut down or destroyed some nuclear testing and missile launching sites. If Kim offers an inspection of closed or de-activated sites during the second summit, it would be a big achievement. Trump would be able to claim success and go home asserting his gamble of opening talks is yielding results. However, it's not one-way traffic, as Kim also needs some relief. Can Trump lift some of the sanctions in return of allowing independent inspection of closed nuclear sites? It is possible if he has already done his homework and taken regional allies like China on board. The other option for Trump is an agreement to deliver substantial humanitarian aid to ward off the DPRK's economic difficulties. There should be no bar in aiding people in dire need. Another mutually-beneficial step with wider regional implications would be to agree on a formal declaration ending the Korean War that still dangles on the slender thread of the armistice agreed in 1953. It may also have a cascading positive impact on relations between the two Koreas. The summit also provides an opportunity for Kim to interact with Vietnamese leaders as he is likely to travel to Hanoi on Monday. This will be only the second such visit by a DPRK leader since that in 1964 by Kim II-sung in 1964, grandfather of the current leader. Thus, the summit offers an opportunity for him to enter the mainstream, and there are other political and diplomatic benefits available if the summit produces positive results. Kim will emerge as a leading regional leader if his efforts bring peace. His handling of ties with U.S. show he can transform the future of his people because he can take an initiative and sustain it. It is win-win equation, as any deal with Kim will boost Trump's stature as peacemaker as he is also making good progress in Afghanistan and closer than ever to end more than 17 years of war. Peacemaking is difficult and far more complicated art than making war. We should keep expectations about the outcome from the summit within limits, while acknowledging the fact the two men are meeting and talking about peace -- a big achievement if we recall the tension and warmongering during most of 2017. Sajjad Malik is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SajjadMalik.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. If you would like to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinion@china.org.cn. Not so fast, New Jersey Democrats. Thats the message some detractors have as Democratic state lawmakers are pushing a controversial proposal that aims to force President Donald Trump to release his long-sought tax returns by threatening to keep the Republican off the states presidential ballot next year if he fails to do so. Some critics and legal experts say the legislation is unconstitutional. And they expect lawsuits to pop up if the measure is passed by the Democratic-controlled state Legislature and signed into law by Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy. That legal fight could possibly spare Trump from such a requirement if he runs for re-election in 2020. The bill (S119/A1230) would require candidates for president and vice president to disclose their tax returns from the previous five years to get their name on the general election ballot in New Jersey. Its inspired by Trump, who became the first presidential contender in four decades not to make his returns public. New Jersey is one of dozens of states to introduce such a measure since Trumps election, but it could become the first state to enact one into law. Thats not surprising considering polls show Trump is deeply unpopular in this heavily blue state. Still, Kermit Roosevelt, a constitutional law professor at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, said the U.S. Supreme Court has barred states from imposing limits for federal office beyond what the U.S. Constitution allows. I think that principle would govern this case, Roosevelt said. John Carbone, an election law attorney in Ridgefield, said the bill violates the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution, which says that document supersedes any state law that tries to change it. In order to keep the federal government together, you cant have states changing the actions of the federal government and its constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, Carbone said. If that were the case, youd have slavery in Alabama still. That, Carbone noted, was the key argument in a famed New Jersey case from 2010 when the state Supreme Court shot down an effort by a Tea Party group to recall Democratic U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez. Even though the state constitution allowed it, federal law did not, the court ruled. Carbone said hes shocked Democrats who lead the Legislature here are moving forward with the tax return proposal. With all the things they need to do, this is not something they need to waste time on, he said. State Sen. Joseph Pennachio, R-Morris, said the measure sends a message that states can tamper with the ballot in any way that pleases the majority party politically. And taxpayers will be the ones who pay the price when this ends up in court," Pennachio said. This is a very slippery slope. Former Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican and longtime Trump friend, also argued the effort was unconstitutional when he vetoed an earlier version of the measure in 2017. Christie called it a transparent political stunt masquerading as a bill. State Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen a main sponsor of the bill said shes heard similar complaints in recent days, especially from Trump supporters who say their vote would be suppressed. But Weinberg said shes fully confident the measure would pass constitutional muster. The president of the United States of America should be willing to tell voters where he or she makes his or her money from," Weinberg said. Maybe had his tax returns been released, Donald Trump might not be president of United States, she added. I think this is an important principle. Republicans also point out that New Jersey law does not require state lawmakers or even the governor to release their returns. That, they say, is hypocritical. Weinberg counters that lawmakers must disclose how they make their money and that Murphy has allowed reporters to view his tax returns the last few years though only for a couple of hours. Ben Dworkin, director of Rowan Universitys Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship, said Democrats could benefit from their effort even if it is deemed unconstitutional. The antipathy toward President Trump is strong enough in this state that it makes perfect political sense to push this bill, Dworkin said. Its not a sure thing the measure will become law in the first place. The state Senate approved the legislation along party lines last Thursday, but it still needs to pass the state Assembly. And its not clear if Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, will even post it for a vote. Coughlin spokeswoman Liza Acevedo said Monday the bill must advance out of committee first. She added that the speaker will now consult with his caucus and decide on the best next appropriate action forward. Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. 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 says he wont take a dime from corporate PACs." Neither will U.S. Sens. Kamala Harris of California, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York or any other 2020 Democratic presidential candidate. Its an easy promise to make. Corporate PACs dont give much money to presidential candidates. Such donations accounted for just $2.7 million of the $4.5 billion raised by those running for president in the last three elections, according to a NJ Advance Media analysis of Federal Election Commission data. All these candidates are beating their chests about not taking corporate PAC contributions, said former FEC Chairman Michael Toner, chief counsel to George W. Bushs 2000 presidential campaign. They werent going to get them in the first place." A refusal to accept corporate PAC money was a major plank of many House Democratic campaigns in the 2018 midterm elections when the party regained the majority. Candidates taking the pledge included freshmen Reps. Andy Kim, D-3rd Dist., and Tom Malinowski, D-7th Dist., both of whom ousted Republican incumbents while pledging to overhaul campaign finance and ethics laws. Booker announced in February 2018 that he no longer would accept corporate PAC donations for his Senate campaign, one of several actions he took before announcing his presidential run. Unlike challengers, incumbents like Booker could expect to get a significant amount of corporate PAC money for a re-election campaign. I heard from constituents today asking about corporate PAC contributions. I'm joining several of my colleagues & no longer accepting these contributions. Our campaign finance system is broken. I thank @StopBigMoney for their workits time to pass campaign finance reform. Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) February 14, 2018 Corporate PAC money is in part symbolic," former FEC General Counsel Larry Noble said. Its become a short hand for, Im not going to be influenced by corporations. The same arguments can be made on the presidential level, said Adam Bozzi, a spokesman for End Citizens United, an advocacy group that supports stronger campaign finance laws. The main point that theyre trying to make is that theyre going to put people ahead of corporate special interests, Bozzi said. With corporate PACs specifically, theres only one reason that money is coming. Corporate PACs are specifically designed to buy influence and access to support their own bottom line. Rather than the presidency, corporate PACs are more concerned about elections for a different branch of government. Corporate PACs are focused on legislative and regulatory issues, Toner said. Congress is the hub for that. In 2016, corporate PACs made almost $183 million in donations, according to the FEC. Less than $1 million went to presidential candidates. Instead, more than $9 of every $10 went to those already in Congress, as incumbents are more likely to win than challengers and corporate PACs put their money on those already serving on the committees that oversee their industries. Giving in a wide-open presidential race is probably dangerous because you may not give to the right person, former FEC counsel Larry Noble said. Rather than make PAC contributions, companies play in presidential contests through bundling, where corporate executives can raise six figures by going through their Rolodexes and asking their friends and acquaintances for donations to their favored candidate. In 2016, 1,129 individuals raised at least $112 million for Hillary Clinton, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. (Trump did not release the names of his fundraisers.) Thats where there major money comes from, Noble said. They may say they wont take money from lobbyists or PACs, but they wont say they wont take money from the corporate executives. Still, Bozzi said, enough corporate PAC money enters presidential elections around that giving it up could have an impact. There is a quantifiable sacrifice that theyre making, Bozzi said. In a campaign where every dollar is tight, youre still looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars in some cases. Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. 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. The New Jersey man accused of slamming into a gas station in Passaic County in a crash that killed three people last week while driving high on drugs was ordered Monday to remain in jail pending a trial. Jason Vanderee, 29, of Glenwood in Vernon Township, is charged with three counts of aggravated manslaughter, death by auto and death by auto while driving intoxicated within 1,000 feet of school property as well as drug-related offenses including possession of hypodermic needles. He was led about 10:30 a.m. into Passaic County Superior Court in green jail garb, his hands cuffed to a leather strap around his waist. He said, Yes, sir," to Judge Ernest M. Caposela when asked if he understood the charges against him and again when asked if he was a United States citizen. Vanderees attorney John Latoracca did not argue against his client remaining detained on the charges. Jason feels the overwhelming weight of responsibility for the deaths," Latoracca said. He said Vanderee has no recollection of the crash. Three people were killed. He feels horrible, Latoracca said. Investigators said Vanderee was high Tuesday morning when he crashed at excessive speed into three cars at the Delta gas station on Route 23 in Wayne, killing a father and son sitting in their car as well as a gas station attendant. Jon Warbeck, 50, of Fair Lawn, Luke Warbeck, 17, of Lincoln Park, and Lovedeep Fatra, 22, of Pequannock, were pronounced dead at the scene. A service for the Warbecks was on Sunday. Luke Warbeck, 17, and his father, Jon Warbeck were killed in a gas station crash in Wayne. Vanderee bowed his head as Assistant Prosecutor Julie Serfess read the charges in court on Monday, his first court appearance in the case. Vanderee, who was injured, has been in custody since the crash. Serfess said allowing Vanderee out of jail pending trial would not guarantee the safety of the community. The judge agreed. The word horrific doesnt give (the crash) justice, he said. Walter and Jean Vanderee, right, with son Michael and his girlfriend, appear in court Monday. Jason Vanderee faces three counts of aggravated manslaughter and other charges after he allegedly killed three people in Wayne, New Jersey while driving his car under the influence of drugs. He appeared before Superior Court Judge Ernest M. Caposela at the Passaic County courthouse in Paterson , N.J. Monday, February, 25, 2019 (Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for According to court records and Vanderees Facebook page which has since been taken down Vanderee has a long history of drug-related offenses and struggles with addiction. In January 2018, he was issued a citation for driving the wrong way on a one-way street in Paterson just before 3 a.m., and had another citation in Franklin in April for improperly displaying his plates. Victims family and friends attend court proceedings where Jason Vanderee was charged with three counts of aggravated manslaughter and other charges after he allegedly killed three people in Wayne, New Jersey while driving his car under the influence of drugs. He appeared before Superior Court Judge Ernest M. Caposela at the Passaic County courthouse in Paterson , N.J. Monday, February, 25, 2019 (Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comEd Murray | NJ Advance Media for Court records show he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence after he was pulled over in November 2016. He lost his license for seven months after that incident but other charges such as failure to turn over drugs to police and possession of a hypodermic needle were dropped. Vanderee pleaded guilty to careless driving after a September 2015 incident in Riverdale. He paid a $539 fine. Vanderees parents, Walter and Jean, sat behind their son along with his brother, Michael, and his girlfriend. Two other couples came before the hearing began and sat with the family. Jean Vanderee appeared grief-stricken during the hearing and rested her head on her husbands shoulder. Jason lives with a very loving, supportive family, some of whom are here today, Latoracca said. They (family members) are really wonderful people. Defense attorney John Latoracca stands with his client Jason Vanderee who allegedly killed three people in Wayne, New Jersey while driving his car under the influence of drugs and he appeared before Superior Court Judge Ernest M. Caposela at the Passaic County courthouse in Paterson , N.J. Monday, February, 25, 2019 (Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for BREAKING: Don't think anyone has seen this yet. We asked one of our @PIX11News editors to highlight this tragic video and cut it at the moment of impact. So sad. 3 people killed in this crash on Rt. 23 in Wayne, NJ. The driver - survived. pic.twitter.com/aUWofhHt5R Jay Dow (@JayDowTV) February 19, 2019 Superior Court Judge Ernest M. Caposela speaks as Jason Vanderee was charged with three counts of aggravated manslaughter and other charges after he allegedly killed three people in Wayne, New Jersey while driving his car under the influence of drugs. His appearance was at the Passaic County courthouse in Paterson , N.J. Monday, February, 25, 2019 (Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for 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. Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Paulsboro) is a patient man. For seven years he gently pushed a bill that would allow terminally ill individuals in New Jersey to choose to die with dignity at their own time. During those seven years, 490,000 people died here, some in exquisite agony. In Oregon, where assisted suicide has been legal since 1997, 218 people obtained lethal prescriptions in 2017. That year 456 Oregonians died from firearms-related injuries. Burzichelli doesnt bring up those kinds of statistics, however, because he knows they wont persuade people opposed to his bill on philosophical or religious grounds. He understands their concerns, although he admits he doesnt understand why they insist on imposing their beliefs on others. "Medically-assisted suicide is a choice," he says. "It may not be a choice those individuals would ever make, but they should certainly allow terminally ill people to make that choice if they want to. If they feel they no longer want to live an pain, they should be allowed to choose to die in peace." Of the 218 in Oregon who received prescriptions in 2017, 129 died from ingesting them. In California, 577 individuals received prescriptions in 2017 and 374 died following their ingestion. During the seven years A-1504 has been around, Burzichelli has made several changes to it to reassure opponents it doesnt permit murdering anyones inconvenient relatives. First of all, the patient must be in the final stages of an irreversibly fatal illness with a prognosis of less than six months to live. Patients must make two oral requests - at least 15 days apart -- to their primary physician, then a written request. The doctor must wait 48 hours before issuing the prescription. Between requests, the doctor is obligated to talk about risks, probable results and alternatives to taking the medication, and urge the patient to consider additional treatment opportunities, palliative or comfort care, hospice, and pain control medications. If despite all that, the patient wishes to end his own life, a second physician must be brought in to talk with him and confirm that he is making an informed decision. Doctors must also encourage patients to talk with their family members, although they can't compel that. There are rules about the written request, too. It must be witnessed and signed by two people who are not related to the patient by blood, marriage or adoption. They can't be entitled to any portion of the patient's estate after death, and can't be an owner, administrator or physician at any facility where the patient resides. There are huge fines - ranging from $15,000 to $150,000 -- for undue influence on a patient to request lethal medications or forging signatures on any documents. But the bill also protects those who sign requests or otherwise assist any patient to die from charges of elder abuse or any type of homicide. No compassionate person can read or listen to the testimony of the bill's supporters, who have helplessly watched loved ones suffer for months, even years, without feeling for them. Many of the bill's Senate and Assembly sponsors are Catholics, but they don't subscribe to the theory that earthly suffering ensures quick entry into heaven. They don't believe allowing medically-assisted death in such strict circumstances makes other suicides acceptable. They reject those arguments. All they want is to let people make their own choices based on their own religious beliefs, philosophy, and physical condition. That's all I'd ever want, too, so I hope the bill passes. It's passed the Assembly three times and there seem to be almost enough votes in the Senate this year. Almost. A former assemblywoman from Jersey City, Joan Quigley is the president and CEO of North Hudson Community Action Corp. Submit letters to the editor and guest columns at jjletters@jjournal.com Seventeen people were arrested on drug charges when Seaside Heights police raided four homes on Friday and seized heroin, cocaine and marijuana as well as prescription pills and several thousand dollars in cash. Eleven of the 17 were charged with drug distribution after investigators obtained search warrants and entered homes on Sumner Avenue, the 200 block of Lincoln Avenue, the 100 block of Hancock Avenue and the 100 block of Sheridan Avenue, Seaside Heights police said in a statement. Others were charged with drug possession and other less serious offenses. Police received complaints about drug dealing in town and began what Det. Steve Korman called an extensive investigation. It was obvious there were narcotics being sold, Korman said. Milton Johnson, 45, of Jackson was charged with nine counts of possession of a drugs with intent to distribute as well as two counts each of possession/distribution in a school zone and a recreation zone. Others charged with distribution of drugs were: Stephanie Woodford, 37, of Seaside Heights (3 counts) Zahir Muhammad, 20, of Montclair (5 counts) Quaison Ellis, 21, of Barnegat (3 counts) Wali Hobbs, 31, of Browns Mills (6 counts) Janice Buquet, 66, of Seaside Heights (3 counts) Robert Hudson, 40, of Jackson (3 counts) Raymond A. Wilson, 33, of Bayville (3 counts) James Trotman, 37, of Beachwood (2 counts) Robyn Jackson, 28, of Browns Mills (2 counts) Sandra Figueroa, 42, of Seaside Heights (3 counts) Wilson had a previous run-in with police last year because he didnt have a bell on his bicycle. State Police, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office, the Ocean County Sheriffs Office and the Drug Enforcement Agency took part in the investigation. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. 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. After a month-long search for the most talented group of high school thespians in the state, staff at NJ Advance Media voted on a winner Monday morning. After a round of voting by the public, the top three schools were selected. Congratulations to Thomas Jefferson Arts Academys production of Evita," the School of Performing Arts at Passaic County Technical Institutes Mamma Mia! and Rahway High Schools Pippin for making it to the final round. And the prize for winning the competition? Well be there to cover the musical when it happens. It looks like were heading to Rahway High School this spring after the NJ Advance Media local news staff picked Rahways production of Pippin. The staff judges were impressed by Rahway students superb singing and choreography, as well as the original, inspiring song Anyone But Me" they used in the video along with clips from their rehearsals. The song was co-written by theatre teacher Jensyn Modero. Were really excited for our students, Rahway High School music director Robert Van Wyk said. Theres been a strong connection between arts and our community, we thank them for their constant support. Its a reflection of many years of hard work the students and directors have put in. Pippin tells the story of a a young prince who seeks passion and adventure in his life by joining a troupe of acrobatic performers. Rahway High School presents Pippin at 7:30 p.m. on March 29-30 and 2 p.m. on March 31. Tickets for Pippin are available at https://rwhs.booktix.com. For more, visit www.rahwaymusicals.org. A Newark-bound United Airlines flight had to turn back to Fort Lauderdale, Florida shortly after takeoff following a loss of pressure in the cabin, officials said. The Boeing 737-900 made it back to Fort Lauderdale before 7 a.m. and all passengers safely got off the plane, United said in a statement. The flight was only in the air for a few minutes when pilots discovered the problem, according to FlightAlerts. There were 179 passengers and six crew members aboard. #UA985 safely landed at Fort Lauderdale. Stopped on taxiway Bravo for inspection of brakes. https://t.co/Y3p63yd9bl Flight Alerts (@FlightAlerts_) February 25, 2019 A different aircraft is now scheduled to depart at 2 p.m. and touch down in New Jersey at 4:43 p.m. Passengers will be compensated for the wait, according to the airline. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. 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 man charged with killing his brother and his brothers entire family in Colts Neck last year was about to be cut off from their once-thriving technology company after money went missing, according an affidavit unsealed Monday. Paul Caneiro, 51, is accused of gunning down his brother, Keith, before killing his sister-in-law, 8-year-old niece and 11-year-old nephew. He then set fire to their house and later his own house, authorities say. His attorneys have maintained he is innocent and said he would never hurt his family. The criminal complaint released Monday says otherwise. Paul Caneiro was a minority owner in the Asbury Park-based technology consulting business Square One, but his brother, Keith, was frustrated with the amount of money Paul was spending from their business accounts, the affidavit said. It said Keith, who had a 90 percent stake in the company, told business associates he planned to cut payments made to Pauls wife, who was collecting money on her husbands behalf after he was injured in a car wreck and deemed disabled. Keith Caneiro also wanted those payments to stop flowing until he found the source of money that had gone missing, he told the two business associates in an email, according to the complaint. Keith forwarded that email to another brother on Nov. 19, the night before he was found dead outside his Colts Neck mansion, according to the complaint. A 16-count indictment, returned by a grand jury on Monday, also accuses Paul Caneiro of stealing $75,000 from his brother. The affidavit of probable cause provides new insight into the grisly slayings. Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni previously told reporters the motive was financial in nature but declined to elaborate. NJ Advance Media reported in December that Square One, which once raked in as much as $5.5 million in revenue, was a shell of its former self, largely staying afloat by a contract with one client, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. The two brothers also equally owned a pest control business that operated out of the same Asbury Park office. The affidavit says Keith Caneiro told his other brother that he wanted to sell one of the businesses. The affidavit also lays out in disturbing detail how the events of Nov. 20 unfolded and the evidence detectives have collected in their case against Paul Caneiro. He is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and remains behind bars at the Monmouth County jail in Freehold. Caneiros attorneys, Robert A. Honecker Jr. and Mitchell J. Ansell, said Monday evening they are reviewing the indictment and the description of the evidence in the states case. The states case On Nov. 20, around 1:30 a.m., a surveillance video from one of numerous cameras attached to Paul Caneiros Ocean Township home films him walking to his surveillance recording system in his garage, the report states. The system stops recording at that time. He would go on to tell authorities who interviewed him that he doesnt recall why he turned off the system, but that it was causing his Wi-Fi network to slow down. Detectives determined that the system is hard-wired and doesnt rely on Wi-Fi, the report said. Shortly before 2 a.m., a surveillance camera from a home behind Paul Caneiros Tilton Drive house captures headlights leaving his driveway. At 15 Willow Brook Road in Colts Neck, Keith Caneiros sprawling million-dollar mansion, a neighbor calls 911 at 3:33 a.m. and reports hearing five gunshots in the area. Another neighbor on Willow Brook Road told detectives she recalls hearing the same number of gunshots at 3:10 a.m. Authorities say Paul Caneiro shot his brother in the lower back before firing four shots into his head. His body was found on the front lawn. Jennifer Caneiro, 45, was found dead on the stairs leading from the basement to the first floor of the home, the report said. A medical examiner determined she died from a gunshot wound to her head and multiple stab wounds to her torso. Both Sophia Caneiro, 8, and her 11-year-old brother, Jesse, were stabbed multiple times, the report stated. Sophia was found on the landing of the stairs between the first and second floors. Her brother was found in the kitchen. The grisly discoveries were made around 12:40 p.m., when Colts Neck police responded to the home for a report of a fire. Authorities say Paul Caneiro set fire to the basement of the home after the killings, but its unclear how the fire churned for so long unnoticed. An aerial view of authorities responding to a massive fire in Colts Neck on Nov. 20. (Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) That morning, at 4:08 a.m., the surveillance camera behind Paul Caneiros Ocean Township house on Tilton Drive observes headlights of a vehicle returning to the home. The Ocean Township police respond to the Tilton Drive house at 5:01 a.m. to a report of smoke inside the residence. The fire was reported by a woman who fled the house, according to the 911 call, obtained by NJ Advance Media. She reported that everyone evacuated the home safely and she didnt know where the fire originated. Responding police officers found a fire burning in the back of the house, the affidavit said. A small fire was also discovered on the lower part of the garage door. Paul Caneiros wife and the couples two daughters were sitting in a car outside the house when police arrived, the report said. A red gas can and a charred, rubber glove were found next to the white Porsche Macan Paul Caneiro was renting while his car was being serviced at the dealership, according to the report. Inside the house, the report said, police found two lighters, including one that was on a small table inside the living room near the front door. Representatives with the Monmouth County Fire Marshals Office determined that the fire was incendiary and was started by combustible gases. Pauls wife told investigators that she didnt know anyone who would want to cause harm to her family. Gramiccioni, the prosecutor, previously told reporters Caneiro set fire to his own residence both as an attempt to destroy evidence he had brought back from Colts Neck and as a ruse to make it appear the extended Caneiro family had been targeted. The next day, on Nov. 21, Caneiro was arrested and charged with aggravated arson after lighting his own house on fire with his family inside, authorities announced. But that paled in comparison to the evidence authorities said they soon found. Two days later, detectives went through Pauls Tilton Drive home with a K-9 looking for blood, the report said. It didnt take them long to find a plastic container filled with blood-stained clothing and a bloody latex glove, the complaint said. Police also said they found a 9 mm bullet that matched a casing found at Keith Caneiros Colts Neck house. Outside the house, a search of a Porsche Cayenne turned up a backpack with a laptop, Paul Caneiros passport, the barrel of a 9 mm Sig Sauer gun, a gun silencer and a night-vision tool, according to the report. Police also found in Paul Caneiros basement a large gun safe with many guns and a variety of ammunition. Neighbors previously told NJ Advance Media that Paul Caneiro is a gun enthusiast and belonged to a local range. On Nov. 27, detectives received results from the New Jersey State Police DNA Laboratory that showed the blood found on the clothing in Paul Caneiros basement matched Sophias, according to the report. Her blood was also found on a knife left at the Colts Neck residence, the report said. On Nov. 29, Paul Caneiro was charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the death of his brother, his sister-in-law and his niece and nephew. Authorities announced the charges at a standing-room-only news conference filled with reporters from news outlets around the country. Its likely Caneiros case wont go to trial until 2020, Gramiccioni has 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. Two passengers in a ride-sharing car were killed in a three-vehicle crash on Route 9 that injured at least two others in Old Bridge on Monday morning, police said. The man and woman killed were riding in the back seat of a Toyota Prius that was rear-ended by a Honda Pilot and then pushed into Nissan Altima in the northbound left lane near Spring Valley Road, Old Bridge police said. They were pronounced dead at the scene following the 5:50 a.m. crash, police said. Their driver was also injured and a person in the Honda Pilot was also hurt, according to police. An update on the conditions of the two people injured was not immediately available. A vehicle in front of the Pilot moved to the center lane immediately before the crash and the driver of the Pilot was then unable to stop before slamming into the Prius, according to police. Police are notifying the victims families before releasing their names. Route 9 north was closed for about five hours this morning between Route 18 and Ferry Road. Anyone with information is asked to call Old Bridge police officer Henry Penley at 732-679-5959 In recognition of Womens History Month, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will present a free performance of In Their Footsteps on Saturday, March 30, at 1:30 p.m., at the Union County Performing Arts Centers Hamilton Stage, 360 Hamilton St., Rahway. The Hamilton Stage production of the play is presented through the Union County Department of Economic Development, Office on Women. Admission is free of charge but seating is limited and pre-registration is required at ucnj.org/women. In their Footsteps honors five American women who served in the Vietnam War, using their own words to tell the story. One of the five women featured in the play is Judy Jenkins Gaudino, a resident of Summit. Over 50 years ago, thousands of young American women went to Vietnam to serve their country. For the most part, these womens stories remain untold, said Freeholder Chairwoman Bette Jane Kowalski. In Their Footsteps recovers this lost chapter of womens history in vivid detail. On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I would like to thank Ms. Gaudino for her participation in this project, and for her efforts to raise awareness about the lives and experiences of women in war, Kowalski added. The afternoon includes: A short talk and introduction by Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski Debut of the Union County Women Making History Video, featuring Judy Jenkins Gaudino Showing of the play In Their Footsteps Question and answer session with Judy Jenkins Gaudino and actors. In Their Footsteps was created by the nonprofit theater company Infinite Variety Productions, through interviews with five women who served in Vietnam: Ann Kelsey (Special Services Librarian), Judy Jenkins Gaudino (Special Services Recreation Employee), Jeanne Sam Christie (Red Cross, Donut Dollie), Lily Adams (Army nurse), and Doris Lucki Allen (Army Intelligence Specialist). Infinite Variety Productions was established in 2011, and is dedicated to sharing the many unknown stories from women's history. The Union County Office on Women aims to help ensure that women connect with services and programs that enable them to reach their full potential at every stage of their lives, including education, employment, business, health, and in the social fabric of Union County, as well as raise awareness of the many contributions that women make in Union County. For additional details, contact Jennifer Erdos, Union County Office on Women jerdos@ucnj.org, or 908-527-4216. BAYONNE A group of local high school students are urging the City Council to publicly support the Green New Deal, a far-reaching piece of legislation that would revamp the U.S. economy and transition it off fossil fuels over a 10-year period. The group, composed of five Bayonne residents who attend High Tech High School in Secaucus, attended last weeks city council meeting and provided evidence of the effects climate change will have on the city, calling it a Bayonne specific issue. Were not asking for there to be an immediate change or transition by tomorrow, said Julia Orlowski, 17. Were just asking that we can have the support of the council to spread awareness so that we can ultimately with baby steps take the initiatives to reach this ultimate goal of carbon neutrality. The students Orlowski, Cindy Chung, Marian Harminah, Kaitlyn Kerschner and Daniel Ibraheem are part of a wide-spread coalition called iMatter, a youth-led group that aims to push local city councils to adopt measures addressing climate change. The Green New Deal, whose namesake is derived from President Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal plan of the 1930s, would broadly mobilize the economy to invest in clean-energy jobs and infrastructure. The students worked on their presentation for more than a year, and collected data on issues regarding poverty and homelessness in Hudson County. The group focused its presentation on the extreme weather events heat waves, blizzards, hurricanes that would be accentuated by climate change, adding that residents below the poverty line would be affected by extreme weather events more acutely than others, they said. A lot of people dont know that every issue on the planet will be amplified by climate change: poverty, world hunger, illnesses, Chung, 17, said after the council meeting. Front line communities and those that are homeless are most susceptible to climate change. Its a very time-sensitive issue and its sad that there are still people who dont believe in it or just refuse to acknowledge that its important. They cited a recent report issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an entity of the United Nations, to assess the science related to climate change. The report concluded that society collectively has 12 years act before worst-case-scenarios become unavoidable. "We will certainly look into (endorsing) the resolution after we discuss it and put it together," said Council President Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski at the meeting. The students were optimistic of the citys response, but added that they hoped the city would jump ahead of the issue. The fact that similar cities like Hoboken have already committed to 100 percent renewable energy and carbon neutrality... its not that far-fetched, Chung said. Were the most affected by it and it will change our entire lifestyles, if we can even move past it, Ibraheem said. We dont know the end of this, but it definitely wont be good if we dont do anything about it. A 46-year-old Dominican Republic man is facing a federal drug crime after federal authorities say he arrived in the country though Newark Liberty International Airport wearing a vest full of cocaine, the U.S. Attorneys Office said Monday. Authorities say Jose Manuel Jimenez Jimenez, 46, arrived on a flight from the Dominican Republic on Friday, Feb. 22. During a screening by customs officers, they found that about three kilograms of cocaine had been sewn into the vest Jimenez was wearing. He was charged with one count of illegal importation of more than 500 grams of cocaine, and was scheduled to appear Monday in federal court in Newark, the office said. The charge faces a mandatory minimum of five years , with a potential maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. Paige Gross may be reached at pgross@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter@By_paigegross. 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 writers of Green Book" a movie that has divided audiences over criticism that the film embraces the white savior trope, among other critiques have won the Oscar for best original screenplay. Green Book, which received a total of five Oscar nominations, is set in 1962 and is based on the real-life story of white bouncer Tony Lip Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen) and black concert pianist Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) and their trip to the Jim Crow South in the 1960s. The film takes its name from the Negro Motorist Green Book," which African American travelers used for decades to identify safe spaces for food and lodging. Vallelonga, who died in 2013 at the age of 82, lived in the Bronx when Shirley, who lived in an apartment above Carnegie Hall, hired him to be his driver for a concert tour. He later moved to Paramus and became and actor known for his roles in Mafia films. In his 70s, Vallelonga played Carmine Lupertazzi, a recurring character on The Sopranos. Accepting the Oscar was Nick Vallelonga, Tonys son, as well as co-writers Brian Currie and Peter Farrelly (Theres Something About Mary), who also directed the film. The co-writers victory followed Alis win for best supporting actor. Dad, we did it, Vallelonga said, just an hour before the film would go on to win best picture. To write the script for Green Book, Vallelonga, who grew up in Paramus, used interviews with his father and Shirley as source material. He also pulled material from letters his father sent to his mother during the trip, which Tony had embellished with the help of Shirley. Vallelonga connected with Farrelly through his partnership with Currie. When Farrelly asked Currie what he was working on, he recounted the general premise of the buddy road drama a black concert pianist, a tour of the South and a bouncer who is kind of racist himself. I said, thats a home run, are you kidding me? Thats huge, Farrelly told NJ Advance Media before the movie opened in November. I kept thinking about it for like a month or two afterwards. Finally I called him and I said, Hows its coming, the script? From there, Farrelly signed on as a writer and director, even though Vallelonga, who considered the project to be a tribute to his father, originally planned to helm the film himself. Something just clicked in me and said put ego aside, Vallelonga told NJ Advance Media this past fall. For Tony Lips son, the idea for the script had been decades in the making. I mean, I was ready to make the thing with an iPhone and a couple meatball sandwiches if I had to, he said. Starting with an early victory at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, where Green Book won a coveted audience award, the film ended up being a major contender for various awards. In January, the film won another screenplay award at the Golden Globes, along with best picture in the musical or comedy category. In addition to his supporting actor Oscar, Ali won a Golden Globe and SAG Award for best supporting actor for his performance in the film, while Viggo Mortensen was also nominated for the Oscar for best actor. Nick Vallelonga, at right, with Brian Currie and Peter Farrelly (center) at the 2019 Writers Guild Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 17. Getty Images for WGAw Though Green Book certainly became a darling of awards season, its road to the Oscars has been fraught with controversy. Some viewers and critics have said that the film, which tells the story from the point of view of Tony Vallelonga, have panned the movies treatment of racism, saying the story all too happily embraces the white savior trope. Members of Shirleys family have also spoken out against the film. There was no due diligence done to afford my family and my deceased uncle the respect of properly representing him, his legacy, his worth and the excellence in which he operated, the excellence in which he lived, Carol Shirley Kimble, Shirleys niece, told NPR. Its once again a depiction of a white mans version of a black mans life. Nick Vallelonga and Farrelly have rejected the white savior criticism, saying the film was meant to emphasize common ground and shared humanity through the friendship between Tony and Shirley, which causes Tony to examine his racist behaviors. Vallelonga answered the comments from Shirleys family by saying that the pianist, who would only allow Vallelonga to make a film after his death (he also died in 2013, at age 86), had stipulated that the screenwriter and producer of the film not reach out to his family. He was a very private man and he controlled how he wanted to be represented, he told NJ Advance Media in November. I respected his wishes. It was what he wanted. But there were other stumbling blocks for the movie. Mortensen was criticized after he said the N-word at a discussion that followed a screening of Green Book in November. The actor issued an apology and Ali issued a statement in which he accepted that apology. But that wasnt the end. Another controversy involved an old tweet posted by Nick Vallelonga. In the tweet, the screenwriter and producer of Green Book had endorsed a claim made by then-presidential candidate Donald Trump that thousands of Muslims cheered the Sept. 11 attacks in Jersey City. After deleting his Twitter account, Vallelonga apologized for the tweet. Still, there was yet another problematic development in the form of old interviews with Farrelly in which he admitted to exposing himself to colleagues including Theres Something About Mary star Cameron Diaz. At the time, Farrelly said he considered his penchant for flashing people to be a prank or a joke. After the incidents drew attention in the #MeToo era, the director apologized. Have a tip? Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup or on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Lights of Hollywood applauded when Green Book won best picture at the 2019 Oscars on Sunday, but on social media, those who have been critical of the movie continued to speak out against the film. To many, the Green Book victory was an outright shame. Some called it a travesty. Others said it was further evidence of the power of Hollywoods old guard. Another person who didnt hold back in his criticism of the film was BlacKkKlansman director Spike Lee, who won his first Oscar, the award for best adapted screenplay, alongside East Brunswick writers Charlie Wachtel and David Rubinstein. The film was also up for best picture. Im snakebit," he told reporters backstage after best picture was announced, according to Variety. Every time someones driving somebody, I lose. But they changed the seating arrangement, Lee said. When the Oscar nominations first came out, some drew parallels to the 1990 Oscars, when Driving Miss Daisy won best picture and best adapted screenplay and Lees Do the Right Thing" was nominated for its screenplay, but not for best picture. (This year, Lee also received his first best director nomination for BlacKkKlansman," though Alfonso Cuaron won for Roma.) Reporters noted that when best pictured was announced, Lee appeared to be trying to storm out of the theater, but was told to return to his seat. I thought I was courtside at the Garden and the refs made a bad call," Lee said of the Green Book win. Green Book" is based on the story of Tony Lip Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen) and his trip to the Deep South with concert pianist Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) in the 1960s. Before he died in 2013 at the age of 82, Vallelonga lived in Paramus. When he met Shirley, Vallelonga was working as a bouncer at the Copacabana in New York. The tough guy, who went on to appear in a string of films and play recurring character Carmine Lupertazzi on The Sopranos," served as a driver and security for Shirley, who is black, on a concert tour. The tour took them through the Jim Crow South. Green Book focuses on Vallelonga starting to come to terms with his own racist behavior as he develops a friendship with Shirley. While the film had been an awards season darling, having previously won best picture (musical or comedy) and best screenplay at the Golden Globes, many took issue with the films portrayal of racism and its treatment of the musician at the center of the movie. Me: OMG- is the Academy changing? Is it really embracing stories of PoC and LGBTQ communities? That's AMA--- Academy: GREEN BOOK BEST PICTURE #Oscars Me: pic.twitter.com/kJzVzT9jQi Yolanda Machado (@SassyMamainLA) February 25, 2019 The films title refers to the Negro Motorist Green Book, a guide that Hackensack postal worker Victor Hugo Green, who lived in Harlem, founded in 1936. African Americans used the book for decades in order to identify safe places for eating and lodging while traveling. Vallelongas son, Nick Vallelonga, who grew up in Paramus, co-wrote the script with friend Brian Currie and director Peter Farrelly (Theres Something About Mary) and is a producer of the film. Green Book won a total of three Oscars on Sunday. Vallelonga, Currie and Farrelly took home the Oscar for best original screenplay, and Ali won the Oscar for best supporting actor. Every generation has its best picture travesty. GREEN BOOK is that travesty for this generation. #Oscars2019 Glenn Whipp (@GlennWhipp) February 25, 2019 One criticism of Green Book is that it embraces the white savior trope. Another is that the film oversimplifies racism. Yet another is that Shirleys family was not consulted during the making of the movie. At the time of the film 1962 Vallelonga, who was Italian American, lived in the Bronx. His appetite is so huge, not just for food but for life, said Mortensen, who gained 45 pounds to play Vallelonga. Hes interested in people, hes genuinely curious about how things work. And when he sees how things work in the South, and sometimes in a negative sense, hes as surprised as anybody and he doesnt like it. Mortensen told NJ Advance Media that he started his journey to studying the character over a big family meal at Tony Lips Italian Restaurant & Pizza in Franklin Lakes, run by Nicks younger brother Frank. Green Book was nominated for a total of five Oscars, including best actor for Viggo Mortensen and best film editing for Patrick J. Don Vito. Ali, whose portrayal of Shirley won him his second Oscar (he won supporting actor in 2017 for Moonlight"), also won a Golden Globe and SAG Award for playing Shirley. Members of Shirleys family have criticized Green Book, saying filmmakers did not consult them about the pianist. In what universe Green Book better than Blackklansman, Roma, Black Panther, Favourite and a Star is Born? America 2019. #Oscars Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) February 25, 2019 There was no due diligence done to afford my family and my deceased uncle the respect of properly representing him, his legacy, his worth and the excellence in which he operated, the excellence in which he lived, Carol Shirley Kimble, Shirleys niece, told NPR. Its once again a depiction of a white mans version of a black mans life. Maurice Shirley, the pianists brother, told NPR that Shirley was not alienated from his family, as the film suggests. Before the film was released, Nick Vallelonga told NJ Advance Media that he had drawn on interviews he had conducted with his father and Shirley in order to write the script, along with letters his father wrote his mother Dolores (Linda Cardellini) during the trip. He answered criticism from Shirleys family by saying that the pianist had specifically asked that Vallelonga not talk to his family if he was going to make a film about him. In giving Vallelonga permission to make a film, he also wanted his assurance that he would only do so after his death (Tony Vallelonga and Don Shirley, who was 86, died within months of each other in 2013). He was a very private man and he controlled how he wanted to be represented, Vallelonga said. I respected his wishes. It was what he wanted. Vallelonga and the other filmmakers have rejected the white savior appraisal. But criticism of the film ramped up as Oscar season approached. When Farrelly took the stage to accept the Oscar for best picture alongside the other producers, including Octavia Spencer, he repeated a statement he has reiterated often during awards seasons that the film is about people coming together despite their differences. But for many, the notion that the kind of friendship portrayed in the film and the kind of rapport that Shirley and Vallelonga shared could somehow cure systemic racism, registered as glib and painfully ill-conceived. Here is some of the critical reaction from just minutes after the Green Book win: So the Oscars show itself seemed to go pretty smoothly. Shame about the other thing. Bilge Ebiri (@BilgeEbiri) February 25, 2019 Wow. Just wow. Notice how they did not even acknowledge the creator of the actual Green Book, Victor Hugo Green in the acceptance speech for Best Picture. It all started with Viggo. How disrespectful. #Oscars Rebecca Theodore-Vachon (@FilmFatale_NYC) February 25, 2019 Me refusing to let a win for Green Book spoil the amazing night Black talent had. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/Kv4HxEOX4k Tre'vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) February 25, 2019 Green Book? More like the White Pages pic.twitter.com/DjO2dmVnqH Ira (@ira) February 25, 2019 its not too late to do the La La Land envelope thing! people will roll with it! Alexandra Petri (@petridishes) February 25, 2019 I thought GREEN BOOK was a fascinating look at 1970s Mexico City, says one Academy member. That was GREEN BOOK, right? Richard Lawson (@rilaws) February 25, 2019 My screaming NO GOD NO! Just woke my husband up. amber ruffin (@ambermruffin) February 25, 2019 "cool maybe people will leave us alone now" - crash and american beauty andy levy (@andylevy) February 25, 2019 Really? In the year of Black Panther and BlackKlansman? I am disgusted. roxane gay (@rgay) February 25, 2019 Green Book won so y'all ethnics will know who's boss 'round here. Don't get too excited now. Morgan Jerkins (@MorganJerkins) February 25, 2019 Oh, FFS. Alan Sepinwall (@sepinwall) February 25, 2019 The fact that Green Book won the best picture Oscar despite the black family of the man supposedly depicted shunning the film is the perfect metaphor for Black citizens and residents relationship with the U.S. #Oscars #Oscars2019 pic.twitter.com/83PSLdRiUY Imaeyen Ibanga (@iiwrites) February 25, 2019 Yeah. Not worth waiting three-and-a-quarter-hours to see this film win. @Oscars2019 Stephen Whitty (@StephenWhitty) February 25, 2019 "Roma". And "Black Panther". Hell, "The Favourite". My god, what is wrong with the Academy? Jesus.#Oscars Charlotte Clymer (@cmclymer) February 25, 2019 Congrats to CRASH 2: RACISM IS BAD BOOGALOO Judy Berman (@judyberman) February 25, 2019 Green Book winning is a travesty Tim Carmody (@tcarmody) February 25, 2019 Remember when Green Book won Best Picture? Man, that choice did not age well. Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) February 25, 2019 Really Green Book welp not surprised disturbed but not surprised thats a slap in the face to Dr. Shirley family just the truth!!! Lil Rel Howery (@LilRel4) February 25, 2019 Black Panther and BlackkKlansmen were cute and all, but step aside and let us show you how to *really* make a movie about Black people. -A bunch of white guys Daniel Powell (@danieljpowell) February 25, 2019 Have a tip? Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup or on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Niagara Falls, NY (14301) Today Partly cloudy this evening followed by mostly cloudy skies and a few showers after midnight. Low 71F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening followed by mostly cloudy skies and a few showers after midnight. Low 71F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%. An American bulldog mix and a Labrador mix are being held at the Guilford Police Animal Shelter, their owner under arrest for allegedly using the animals to illegally procure pain meds from area veterinarians to use for himself. The medications were prescribed to the dogs, which were suffering from suspicious reoccurring injuries that included lacerations, police said. Police did not provide more details on the injuries. James Cunnington, 33, of East Haven, was arrested in October 2018 for allegedly harming his dogs to obtain opioids from veterinary offices along the shoreline, police said. He is scheduled to appear in court March 5. Cunnington could not be reached for comment. The charges against Cunnington include four counts of cruelty to animals, six counts of illegally obtaining a prescription drug and four counts of doctor shopping. Guilford Police Deputy Chief Butch Hyatt said this was the first case of its kind for his department. The police department was assisted in the investigation by both the Guilford and East Haven animal control offices and the East Haven Police Department. We know that people who are addicted to opioids do some crazy things, Hyatt said. Now, people have figured out that certain drugs for animals are opioid drugs and (are) fueling their own addiction through the veterinary offices. Cunnington was taking the dogs to various vets on the shoreline for treatment of lacerations. Each time the stitches and staples would be ripped out, police said. We dont know if they were intentionally or incidentally ripped out, Hyatt said. Dr. Deborah Yarrow, with Branfords Mill Pond Veterinary Hospital, said her staff became suspicious when Cunnington came into their office a third time. We gave the meds to the dog the first time the second time, the timing was that they could have used it up on the dog, so it didnt flag us then, said Yarrow. The third time, the excuse seemed a little bit unbelievable and it was too short a period, thats what flagged us then. So the staff switched to a non-opioid medication for the dog, she said. When the owner declined to have his animals X-rayed, the doctor became even more suspicious, she said. Yarrow said that in her 37 years of practicing veterinary medicine, this is the first time she has seen anything like it. Never dreamt this would be what Im up against, she said. Never dreamt it. During his interview with police, Cunnington admitted that he has been using his dogs in order to manipulate veterinarians to prescribe pain medications which he has been using instead of his dogs, according to the arrest warrant. He further admitted that he had visited several practices throughout the state but he could only name the towns of Branford, Guilford, Orange, North Haven, Cheshire and Derby, according to the warrant. However, Cunnington denied injuring his animals on purpose. Yarrow said that since this particular investigation, Mill Pond Veterinary Hospital has made changes to its office practices when treating animals with opioids. Weve become smarter, she said. So, if were suspect, we switch to a non-opioid right away. She added that she has had three cases since this first one where she had to implement the new policy. Yet, she did say these three cases were very different from Cunningtons case. Cunnington was driven to get the opioids at any cost, even injuring the animal, lying about the animal, she said. It absolutely is nauseating that someone would do that, she said about what Cunnington allegedly did. Fortunately, everybody communicated well and it ended. She stressed that open communication is important. If you suspect something or see something, do say something, she stressed. It may save that pets life. The dogs remain at the animal pound until the case is settled as they are considered evidence in the ongoing case, according to police. It is with concern that I share this potential threat to our Connecticut drinking water and our threat to human health, animals and our environment. A state newspaper recently published a Washington Post article about water contaminants known as PFAs, toxic chemicals that are used in many products and are flowing across our country including in Vermont, Massachusetts and here in our own state of Connecticut. Even though Connecticut has some of the strongest protections for our drinking water, PFAs, are a real threat and do not break down in the environment. These toxic chemicals are leaching into our life and blood via AFFF firefighting foam for training. Contributed / The owner of a West Haven transportation company pleaded guilty Monday to a tax offense related to his filing of false tax returns, federal authorities said in a release. William Scalzi, 61, of Durham, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to one count of subscribing a false tax return, according to the release from the office of Connecticut U.S. Attorney John H. Durham and Kristina OConnell, special agent in charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England. A science teacher was the sole casualty of the massive Sunday afternoon pileup on Interstate 41. Andrew Schefelker, 30, a teacher in the Iola-Scandinavia School District, was killed in what authorities said was the largest traffic crash in Wisconsin history, WISN-TV reported. Schefelker was in his first year of teaching middle school and high school science. He was very involved in Boy Scouts, District Administrator Ray Przekurat said in a written statement obtained by WBAY-TV. "Our hearts and sympathies are with the family and friends of Mr. Andrew Schefelker," Przekurat said, adding that counselors would be available to school students and staff. Schefelker's vehicle was one of 131 that crashed during whiteout conditions. In addition to Schefelker's death, another 71 people were hurt. The school district was closed Monday, among 55 schools and school districts that were closed as cleanup continued in the wake of the weekend storm, WBAY-TV reported. About 75.8 percent of the problems raised in the suggestions from national legislators at the annual legislative session last March were solved or are being addressed, according to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Monday. The 7,139 suggestions raised by deputies of the 13th NPC during the first annual session of the national legislature, were passed over to 200 related authorities after the session concluded, said a press release from the NPC Standing Committee. Raising suggestions is one of the duties of NPC deputies to channel prominent issues that the public has shown concerns about to policymakers. Most of the suggestions were about problems in people's livelihoods, such as elderly nursing services, irrigation facilities in poor areas, after-school programs and public litigation reforms, according to the NPC Standing Committee. Among the suggestions, 20 were chosen as priorities and assigned to 36 government departments under the supervision of seven special committees under the NPC. A large number of the suggestions led to constructive policy changes, the statement said, citing the one on irrigation facilities in less developed regions which led to 56.1 percent more subsidy from the central government in 2018 than 2017. In December 2018, the regulation on how to process suggestions and opinions from NPC deputies was revised after taking effect 13 years ago and incorporated new measures adopted in recent years to improve efficiency. China's NPC deputies are part-time, many of whom are ordinary citizens from various backgrounds across the country. At each bi-monthly session of the NPC Standing Committee held in Beijing, some NPC deputies will be invited to observe. In 2018, the NPC Standing Committee for the first time held consulting meetings with NPC deputies who were in Beijing to observe the legislative meetings, so that they could better communicate with the Standing Committee members. STAMFORD A state representative from East Hartford tried a bold tactic on Sunday in defense of a proposed plan to return tolls to state highways: suggesting cutting local aid to any communities that oppose it. In a tweet posted over the weekend, state Rep. Jason Rojas, a Democrat, wrote: Heres an idea. Every town that passes an anti-toll resolution gets their Town Aid Road, LOCIP and any other state aid for infrastructure eliminated. Cool? The acronym LOCIP refers to local capital improvement program. Rojas is co-chair of the states Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. On Monday, Rojas defended the tweet as more of a question than a statement. He said he was trying to make the point that the states budgetary problems could result in less funding for municipalities without a revenue source such as tolls to counteract them. The reality is there are a lot of resources transferred to cities and towns, Rojas said. Im not advocating for eliminating them but those programs are at risk. Some local representatives in Stamford, where an anti-toll resolution will go before the full Board of Representatives, did not see such nuance in the tweet. Steve Kolenberg, a member of the Stamford Board of Representatives who co-authored the resolution against tolls, said such a response is exactly why he doesnt have faith in a state tolls plan. It just proves to me that we cant trust Hartford with the revenue thats going to be collected for tolls, Kolenberg said. If theyre willing to get so petty because our resolution hurt their feelings, it just hammers home what weve been saying all along. Jeff Stella, a Democratic member of the Board of Representatives, is opposed to tolls, and responded on Twitter that Rojas should represent the people of the state, and those people have a right to voice their opinion. Rojas said critics were overreacting to his tweet. It was not meant as a threat, he said. I fully appreciate that people dont want to pay tolls, he said, adding that he views tolls as a way to invest in fixing the states infrastructure. Gov. Ned Lamont has said his tolling plan would raise $800 million a year and would include at least 30-percent discounts for Connecticut residents, in comparison to out-of-state drivers. Rojas said the Finance Committee he co-chairs will take a look at general obligation bonds to pay for infrastructure improvements, a plan he said has never been truly examined and scrutinized. Republican legislators have long supported bonding for infrastructure work, even though Lamont said he would oppose a plan that leans heavily on borrowing. If thats a viable option, Im all ears, Rojas said. Nonetheless, he warned that general obligation bonds could mean a larger bill for Connecticut residents. If were moving all of our transportation to general obligation bonds, Connecticut taxpayers are paying the entire bill, he said. In comparison, tolls would partially collect money from out-of-state drivers. Response to Rojas tweet on Twitter was overwhelmingly negative, but his post had been liked by Beth Bye, a former state senator who represented West Hartford and who recently accepted a position in the Lamont administration as head of the Office of Early Childhood, and state Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport. Besides Stamford, the town of Enfield also debated a resolution against tolls. By a vote of 6-4, the town passed the anti-toll statement, which has no legal impact, but is meant to send a message to the Capitol. The town of Trumbull is also going to debate an anti-toll resolution on March 4. Kolenberg, who took part in an anti-toll protest in Stamford on Saturday, called legislators in Hartford thugs. Their behavior is showing the accuracy of that label, he said. ignacio.laguarda@hearstmediact.com Nearly a week after a fire in an electrical substation in Devon, Metro-North is still experiencing delays of up to 15 minutes on the New Haven Line. Trains are affected between Stamford and New Haven. New Haven Line customers between Stamford and New Haven should anticipate delays of 10 to 15 minutes caused by a circuit breaker fire at an overhead power substation east of Devon Moveable Bridge in Connecticut, Metro-North said in a 4:59 a.m. advisory. These delays will continue until the interim repairs are completed and operations have been fully restored. The fire happened at 12:15 a.m. on Feb. 19 when there was a circuit breaker failure at an overhead traction power substation. The fire resulted in significant damage to the cables and wires that support then operations of the power substation, the railroad said in a statement. It said crews are working to bring a new substation that is still under construction so it could provide some of the functionality lost at the Devon substation. Engineers are also working to get a second substation - that was not scheduled to go into service until the fall. One of the most likely places for a major power war or nuclear war is between India and Pakistan. They each have between 80 and 200 nuclear weapons. This is the most likely place where a major nuclear war could break out. It is important for us to understand the situation and the thinking of the two countries. India and Pakistan have had four major wars in 1947, 1965, 1971 and 1999. They also have had many border skirmishes and incidents. There is an insightful video from a 2015 talk by Abhijit Iyer. Indias military believes that they can defeat Pakistan. India would use all conventional means to beat Pakistan even if Pakistan used nuclear weapons. Cumulatively from 1986 to 2008, there were 67,000 to 81,000 Indian deaths in Punjab and Kashmir from Pakistan related terrorism. The Punjab insurgency casualty figures include 17,000 military deaths. The deaths warped Indian military think to include strategies for winning a Pakistan war even in a nuclear war. India was not thinking about using their own nuclear weapons against Pakistan. Indias nuclear weapons are for fighting a war with China. An India-Pakistan war would be ten times larger than the Iran-Iraq war. Various war game scenarios forecast over 20 million casualties. Indias Border and Port Security Indian created a three-tier barbed wire electrified fence from 2007-2008. Indian deaths from terrorism dropped after the electrified fence. The 2008 Mumbai Pakistan terrorists carried out a series of 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks lasting four days across Mumbai. The attacks caused at least 174 people died, including 9 attackers, and more than 300 were wounded. India security its coastal cities and ports against a repeat of the Mumbai attacks. Since 2008 and the securing of Indias border and ports, there have only been about 400 deaths in India from Pakistan terrorism. Pakistan has seen a spike to over 55,000 deaths from Pakistan terrorism. Abhijit Iyer explains that India kept Pakistan nut jobs out of India and inside Pakistan. The terrorist nuts are wrecking Pakistan. Only 8 million people read the Indian english press. The rest of India reads Hindi and local language papers and media. Hindi and local language papers ignored the Mumbai attacks after 1-3 days. The non-Hindi papers viewed it like a pub brawl in Ireland. Indias industrialists did not support going to war with Pakistan over the Mumbai attacks. Indias War Planners Think About Accepting Large Casualities India thought about using the Stalin tactic of hugging the enemy. This would mean sending armored brigades to surround Pakistan cities. Any tactical nukes used against Indian forces would cause more Pakistan casualties. Pakistan has four thresholds for use of nuclear weapons. 1. After enough economic blockade, they would use nuclear weapons. Economic strangulation and economic blockade is a potential threat to Pakistan, if the Navy is unable to counter it effectively. 2. Pakistan would launch if they had nuclear weapons captured or if there was the complete knockout or comprehensive destruction of a large part of the Pakistan Armed Forces, particularly and most importantly the Pakistan Air Force . 3. Spatial threshold The military penetration of Indian Armed Forces into Pakistan on a large scale may elicit a nuclearized massive retaliation, if and only if the Pakistan Army is unable to stop such intervention. For instance, many analysts, including some Indians, believe that the Indus Valley the lifeline of Pakistan is one of many other red lines that Indian forces should not cross. The capture of key objectives in this crucial northeast-southwest axis might well provoke nuclear retaliation by Pakistan. 4. Political threshold Destabilization of the country by India could also be a nuclear threshold if Islamabad has credible reasons to believe that the integrity of the country were at stake. Stated scenarios are political destabilization or large-scale internal destabilization which the Pakistan Marines (along with the paramilitary command) were unable to stabilize effectively. One example would be encouraging the breakaway of one or more of Pakistans provinces (as in during the Bangladesh Liberation War). In war games with retired Pakistani military, spies and military planners there was no use of Pakistan nuclear weapons even after each of the first three thresholds were crossed. Tensions Over Another Attack and Over Water Tensions are again rising between India and Pakistan in the wake of a deadly terrorist attack earlier this month that killed more than 40 Indian police officers in Kashmir. New Delhi has decided to retaliate in part by cutting off some river water that flows downstream to Pakistan. Pakistan is one of the most water-stressed countries in the world. One recent estimate suggests that Pakistan will face a shortage of 31 million acre-feet of water by 2025. Pakistan uses about 104 million acre feet every year for agricultural irrigation. More than 400 dams are under construction, or planned for the coming decade, in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan; many more will be built across the Chinese border in Tibet. If the plans come to fruition, this will be among the most heavily dammed regions in the world. These schemes both aggravate international tensions and carry grave ecological risks. Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment concluded that even with a drastic reduction in carbon emissions, one-third of the Himalayan glaciers are doomed to melt by 2100. This might be as high as two-thirds. Himalayan glacier melting would put the food security of one billion people at risk from 2060 onwards. There will be an initial period of augmented river flow due to glacial melt. The rivers will begin to dry up for part of the year from 2050 or 2060. SOURCES- Youtube, Wikipedia, Abhijit Iyer, Foreign Policy Written By Brian Wang. VICTORIA, Feb. 25, 2019 /CNW/ - Federal Green leader Elizabeth May and BC Green leader Andrew Weaver celebrated the nominaton of the new federal Green candidate for Victoria, Racelle Kooy. Kooy was acclaimed as the new federal Green candidate for Victoria at a standing room only celebration at the Ambrosia Conference and Event Centre in downtown Victoria yesterday afternoon (February 24th). "It's an honour and a privilege to be the candidate for one of Canada's Greenest ridings," said Kooy. "Victoria historically elects MPs who fight for green values. It's time for Victoria to elect a Green MP. This riding was the birthplace of the Species at Risk Act under David Anderson. And after the National Energy Board's appalling decision, this is the riding that needs to lead the fight to make sure the act is enforced to protect the southern resident orcas from the Trans Mountain pipeline." Kooy was formally introduced by May. "I know Racelle to be a strong voice for climate, for justice and for reconciliation," said May. "I need her with me in parliament. Canada needs her voice on the national stage." BC Green Party leader, Andrew Weaver, told the cheering crowd that Kooy is going to win in Victoria and "the BC Greens are going to go all in to make sure that happens." Other speakers celebrating Kooy's nomination included Adam Olsen (BC Green MLA for Saanich North and the Islands), Jackie Albany (Councilor from the Songhees Nation), Chief Patrick Harry from Canoe Creek First Nation and Green Party deputy leader, Jo-Ann Roberts [via video]. In 2015, the Green Party's candidate for Victoria was former CBC host Jo-Ann Roberts, who finished second and received the most Green votes in Canada apart from party leader Elizabeth May. Roberts now serves as the GPC Deputy Leader and is running in Halifax. In the 2012 by-election that brought the NDP's Murray Rankin to parliament, Green candidate, Donald Galloway, also came second and lost by less than a thousand votes. Within ten minutes of her nomination becoming official, Kooy received over $12,000 in donations from the crowd. #KOOY2019 #GREENWAVE2019 www.racellekooy.com @racellekooy SOURCE Green Party of Canada Victoria 2019 Campaign For further information: Jonathan Dickie, Mobile: 250-818-3234, Photos available on request Age-old gender inequality, especially in rural China, is finally exacting its price. The pursuit of male births has resulted in a gender imbalance in the countryside. During the country's modernization drive, more women seek for better opportunities outside their hometowns. This is making it hard for young men to find a suitable bride. The weeklong vacation of Chinese New Year, from Feb. 4 this year, provides the best opportunity for rural young people returning from urban workplaces to seek a spouse. However, in many villages, the single young men outnumber the available young women by a ratio that can be as high as 4:1. Xiao Ling, a young woman from south rural Hebei province, said, her seven-day holiday had all been occupied by blind dates arranged by local match makers. During that time, there were always three to four brand new automobiles parking outside her house at daybreak and the male suitors stood in a long line in hope that she would grant them an "audience." However, like a job interviewer, Xiao Ling could only spare several minutes to talk to those who looked decent, had stable jobs or were stand-outs in one particular profession, and add them on her Wechat account. Last year, she received 80 to 90 suitors during the Lunar New Year holiday, an average of 10 single young men each day, but still was unable to find her Mr. Right. According to the latest release of the National Bureau of Statistics, last year, China's male population reached 713.51 million, 31.64 million more than the female figure. However, the gap in rural areas, as a result of gender discrimination, is far wider. "The lifeline of families ends if they cannot give birth to a son," said a local villager in interview with the weekly magazine Banyuetan. "Besides, families with fewer sons in our village will never have a big say in affairs," the villager added. Believing sons were the family backbone to support parents especially when they grow old was the mindset that dominated China's agricultural civilization for two millennia. And it still prevails in some rural areas. Today, young people reaching marriageable age are those born in the 1990s, at least 10 years after China's adoption of the reform and opening up policies. During their time of growing up, the gap between rural and urban areas has widened, encouraging many to flock to the cities in search of better opportunities. According to Meng Xiangmin, an official from Linzhang county, Handan city, Hebei province, the gender imbalance there has been aggravated in recent years when more than 60 percent of local young women have settled down in various cities above county level. However, 80 percent of the young men returned home to seek a spouse because of their poor educational background and lack of skills in coping with the demands of getting married in the cities. In a village at south Hebei province, 10 men and seven women out of an entire population of 314 are currently reaching marriageable age. However, all the women have worked out of the village, and none of them intend to return home. Among those young people, only one woman has married, although not in the village. A rural young man said: "The young women today who have been staying in bigger cities are dissatisfied with the idea of marrying local males." According to Chang Wenfeng, a retired official from Cheng'an county, Handan city, the best way to overcome this situation is to spread the concept of gender equality. "Every family should truly understand that daughters are not simply emotional comforts for their parents. They can go far beyond that as key members to support their families," said Chang. Besides, Zhang Xiaoli, an official from the social security department of Yijing county, Fengfeng Mine Area of Handan, said that, to narrow the yawning gap between urban and rural areas is fundamental to helping single young men suffering from poverty to marry. Impoverished young men should receive training to gain special skills and professions. Apart from that, they should be encouraged to work in female-labor-intensive sectors to increase the chances to getting acquainted with their female peers, Zhang said. Feasibility work will advance the planning for a possible hydroelectric-fibreoptic link between Manitoba and the Kivalliq region of Nunavut RANKIN INLET, NU, Feb. 25, 2019 /CNW/ - The economic potential in the Kivalliq region of Nunavut is tremendous. Local residents are committed to growing and improving their communities beyond a dependency on expensive fossil fuels for heat and electricity and the use of satellites for internet connectivity. That's why the Government of Canada, through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), is supporting a two-year technical and feasibility work on developing a hydroelectric-fibreoptic link which would connect communities in the Kivalliq region to Northern Manitoba. Such a connection could significantly reduce fossil fuel usage and improve internet connectivity in these communities. Funding of over $1.6 million was announced today by Yvonne Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and Internal Trade, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and the Minister responsible for CanNor. The studies will look at the feasibility of a main 230 Kilovolt, up to 1200 kilometres of electric transmission line, several shorter medium voltage transmission lines, and a fibre optic line. These lines would connect from Northern Manitoba and serve five Kivalliq communities as well as Agnico Eagle Mines, a major employer in the region. The project work being supported includes gathering technical data, conceptual design work, impacts costing, required permits, and government and stakeholder engagement. Quotes "The establishment of a hydro-fibre link to Nunavut's Kivalliq region would bring clean energy and broadband internet to those communities. This project has the potential to increase economic opportunities, expand mining in the region and provide a source of clean energy for everyone." Honourable Navdeep Bains Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and the Minister responsible for CanNor "Our Government is proud to support this project which will examine the development of a hydro-fibre link and the benefits it could bring to Inuit in the Kivalliq region. Bringing new economic development to the North, increased connectivity, and clean energy are key goals for the Government and we are pleased to support this work." Yvonne Jones Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and Internal Trade "The Federal government has shown leadership and will be a critical partner as we advance the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link project. Renewable energy, sustainable economic development, and high-speed fibre optic internet are priorities for our communities. This Inuit-led project will provide lasting benefits to the entire Territory and Canada. Together with our public and private sector partners we look forward to working with the Federal government to make this project a reality." David Ningeongan President, Kivalliq Inuit Association Quick Facts CanNor is investing $1,628,900 over two years in the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link study, with the project partners, the Kivalliq Inuit Association and Anbaric Development Partners, contributing an additional $818,168 . over two years in the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link study, with the project partners, the Kivalliq Inuit Association and Anbaric Development Partners, contributing an additional . The Kivalliq Inuit Association represents Inuit in the region, from the communities of Arviat , Whale Cove , Rankin Inlet , Chesterfield Inlet , Baker Lake , Naujaat, and Coral Harbour . Associated Links Stay Connected Follow Minister Bains on Twitter: @ISED_CA Join the conversation about economic development in the North: Twitter: GovCan - North Facebook: GovCan North SOURCE Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) For further information: For more information, media may contact: Dani Keenan, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, 343-291-1710; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]; Craig Welsh, Communications Advisor, Nunavut Region, CanNor, 867-975-3722, [email protected]; Gabriel Karlik, Executive Director, Kivalliq Inuit Association, 867-645-5725, [email protected] Related Links http://www.cannor.gc.ca HARTFORD A bill that would ban smoking and vaping on beaches at Connecticut state parks easily passed the Environment Committee 25-4 on Monday. The bill now heads to the House and the Senate for possible further action. The bill has the strong support from the American Lung Association in Connecticut, which submitted written testimony in support. Prohibiting tobacco use in public spaces can help to address the negative impacts of secondhand smoke, a leading contributor to environmental litter as well as the progress weve made around social norms of smoking/tobacco use, Ruth Canovi, director of Public Policy for the American Lung Association, said. Efforts to remove these pollutants from the environment where children and families play and enjoy the outdoors just make good sense, Canovi added. Because their lungs are so much smaller, children breathe in much more air pollution than an adult. They are more susceptible to the dangers of secondhand smoke - even outdoors. Canovi said that more than 300 municipalities in the country that have implemented smoke-free policies on beaches. Wed like to see Connecticut be taking even bolder action when it comes to tobacco prevention but this is a step in the right direction, Bryte Johnson, director of governmental relations for American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), said. Beaches are where a lot of kids go and they dont need to be exposed to cigarettes and vaping, Johnson added. Both Johnson and Canovi said another benefit of banning cigarettes from state beaches is beyond the public health benefits of tobacco free policies, implementation also reduces the most common form of litter - cigarette butts. Cleaner, greener parks, fields and trails are something that we should all be able to support, Canovi said. Added Johnson: The cleaning cost involved for picking up the ridiculous amount of trash on beaches caused by cigarette butts is unreal. RIDGEFIELD Power outages in the north end of town have caused four of the nine public schools to dismiss early Monday. Ridgefield High School, which reported a power outage shortly after 10 a.m. Monday, dismissed at 11 a.m. DANBURY Opponents of tolls on Connecticut highways will stage a rally in friendly territory on White Street in Danbury. The Stamford grassroots organization No Tolls CT is organizing the protest at 1 p.m. Saturday at the corner of White and Wildman streets, Danbury leaders at the state and local levels have been adamantly opposed to tolls of any kind and Mayor Mark Boughton has been one of the most vocal, both as mayor and throughout his unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination for governor last year. Boughton frequently quips that hed chain himself to the highway to stop tolls, if it came to that, but he might not be available to chant and wave signs on Saturday afternoon. I dont know that Ill be able to stop by, but obviously I agree, Boughton said. City Council members also have expressed their dissatisfaction with any tolling plan, but they will not discuss a resolution formally opposing tolls at the council meeting next week. Instead, theyll wait until this summer as the toll fight drags on. Weve got a lot of budget-related stuff that we need to get through, so well wait until the legislative session is over and then circle back, Boughton said. A resolution is something well still consider, we just have to get through this first and then well try tackle tolls. Gov. Ned Lamont proposed this month a plan to build 53 toll-collecting gantries across the cities three major interstates and the Merritt and Wilbur Cross parkways. Construction could begin in 2022 at the earliest and cost $213 million, but Lamont has estimated it could raise as much as $800 million each year. The plan has been met with some fierce opposition, however, including No Tolls CT, Danbury, Stamford and other municipalities along the states major arteries who argue the tolls are another tax on resident drivers and could hobble area businesses. zach.murdock@hearstmediact.com Writing robots have become a hot topic online recently after a student in Harbin, the capital of northeastern China's Heilongjiang province, used one to complete her handwritten homework during Spring Festival. Xie Xun, the creator of the robot, said it was designed to be a machine that could help people complete drafts of drawings, but it was also able to simulate people's handwriting. However, Xie from Ningbo in eastern China's Zhejiang province, said he had not expected it would be used in such a way by students. A junior high school student in Harbin used the machine to quickly complete her handwritten homework over the Spring Festival holiday, but her ruse was discovered by her mother. The student's mother, surnamed Zhang, said she was surprised when her daughter finished her handwritten homework in two days without any mistakes. After her daughter admitted using the help of a writing robot bought online for 800 yuan ($118), Zhang broke the robot. According to the product description on enterprise data platform Tianyancha, a patent for the machine was successfully applied for in 2016. The machine, which can be controlled by a mobile phone, computer or other electronic devices, can simulate a person's handwriting or drawing after adding a pattern to be drawn or a word to be written into its program. It is designed for repetitive writing or drawing situations such as invitations. "The machine is very easy to take apart and assemble, and it can be used after putting the program into the computer," Xie said, adding that it was originally designed to help artists, who spend a very long time completing their work, with their drafts. A video on the Beijing News website shows the writing robot using a fountain pen to perfectly reproduce Chinese characters much faster than a person could write them. A retailer on Taobao, China's biggest e-commerce platform, said the writing robot can write at about 40 words per minute, and most of his customers are students. He said it is not difficult to distinguish between a person's handwriting and that of the writing robot because the robot's writing is flawless. Xie said children are good at using technology, which might be a good thing as it stimulated their interest in exploring it. "We only provide people with our products; how they will be used is up to the user," Xie said. BETHEL Ali El Moustakims knowledge of Arabic, French and English has led him from his home country of Morocco to serving as a news director in Qatar to teaching at Bethel High School. I am the result, the outcome of languages, he said. Now, the high school French teacher hopes to open up similar opportunities for students by teaching Arabic. The school board has approved adding an Arabic course at the high school next year, contingent on the passage of the proposed budget, which includes money for another world language teacher. El Moustakim would continue teaching French, but would add one Arabic class to his roster. (El Moustakims) done such a great job of building up our French program that this is only going to enhance our world language program, Principal Chris Troetti said. The high school used to offer Italian, but now only offers Spanish and French. That is not enough, said Andreia Dovale, head of the world language department, who said she has made it her goal to increase the schools language options. Since El Moustakim is a native Arabic speaker, Dovale said she knew bringing that language to the school would be ideal. A study found 36 students in eighth through 10th grade would want to take the class, she said. We thought that was great interest, Dovale said. Few high schools in the state offer Arabic, but the U.S. Department of State has encouraged students to pursue the language through its Critical Language Scholarship program. The state department says Arabic is critical to the countrys success and national security. Arabic is in great demand right now, Dovale said. El Moustakims native language is Arabic, but he learned French at a young age in school, where subjects like math and science were taught in that language. Soon, speaking French was natural, he said. You grew up with it, he said. You became used to it. In college, El Moustakim learned English, while still studying Arabic and French. He worked as a television news director in Morocco before training at the BBC in France. He then earned a Hubert H. Humphrey fellowship to study at Syracuse University in New York and got an internship reporting in Washington, D.C. He later served as a news director in Qatar for Al Jazeera, but the pressures of the business got to be too much and he moved to the United States, where he worked at News12 Connecticut before becoming a teacher, he said. He taught at Danbury High School for 13 years before coming to Bethel, where he has taught for two years. He is also an adjunct professor for the social sciences department at Western Connecticut State University. Education has now become his passion. You can help, you can share, you can bring ideas and optimism and possibility that we can create a better world, he said. Thats the beliefthat we are so powerful we can create a better world through our education systems. Through education, we can become agents of change. He said schools need to focus on global studies, noting Bethel would do that by adding Arabic. El Moustakim said it is important students learn another language not just to understand the sounds and the words, but because it connects them to other people and cultures. It makes you part of everything else in the world, he said. CORRECTION: A version of this story incorrectly stated El Moustakim worked at the BBC in France, but he trained at this company. NEW BRITAIN Two brothers died in a quick-moving house fire on Elam Street, fire officials said. The fire was reported at 4:40 p.m. Sunday with callers telling dispatchers that two people were trapped inside, Fire Chief Raul Ortiz said. A female family member was on the first floor when she heard a noise and saw the fire, Ortiz said. She was able to get out and call for help, officials said. Two brothers, ages 17 and 29, were trapped on the second floor of the single-family home, Ortiz said. Their mother was at work when the blaze started, Ortiz confirmed. Firefighters arrived a few minutes later and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the rear first floor of the house. "By the time they established a water supply, the fire was front to back in the entire first floor," Ortiz said. Despite the heavy flames, firefighters made the decision to enter the house to attempt to rescue the two people trapped on the second floor, Ortiz said. Conditions quickly worsened with the smoke on the second floor becoming "very turbulent" indicating that the rest of the building was likely going to ignite, Ortiz said. Firefighters had to pull out out of concern they also would be trapped, Ortiz said. "They went in to search but they were successful because conditions got so bad," Ortiz said. At the same time, a firefighter battling the blaze from above fell from the roof onto an awning or other structure outside the home breaking the impact of the fall, Ortiz said. That firefighter was treated and released from a local hospital, he said. Two of the other firefighters who were inside the building received minor burns and were also treated and released, he said. About two dozen New Britain firefighters battled the blaze which had to be attacked from the outside, he said. "It takes longer when you have a defensive operation," Ortiz said. "They had to let the fire burn through the roof to gain access to the upper floors." The investigation into the blaze began early this morning after the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner removed the two young men from the home, Ortiz said. "I am sending my condolences go out to the family for the months and years to come," Ortiz said. "We will stay in contact with them and we are hoping the investigation can bring them some closure." The firefighters who battled the blaze were offered the city's Employee Assistance Program to help deal with the tragedy, Ortiz said. He also was personally checked on them Sunday night and will be checking on them again on Monday. Mayor Erin Stewart confirmed the deaths on Twitter late Sunday afternoon. I am so sorry to be writing this, she tweeted. We have confirmed two fatalities in the fire. We pray for the families affected by this awful tragedy. Stewart had tweeted earlier that one firefighter was hospitalized due to injuries sustained in the fire and that that person was in pain but will be ok. New Delhi: After planning to hold a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Florida estate Mar-a-Lago to ink a deal, US President Donald Trump on Sunday said that the US is delaying a planned increase of tariffs on more than $200 billion in Chinese exports after "substantial progress" made in trade talks. The world's two largest economies are locked in a trade war since Trump imposed heavy tariffs on imported steel and aluminium items from China in March last year, a move that sparked fears of a global trade war. In response, China, the world's second largest economy after the US, imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on billions of dollars worth of American imports. "I am pleased to report that the US has made substantial progress in our trade talks with China on important structural issues including intellectual property protection, technology transfer, agriculture, services, currency, and many other issues," Trump wrote on Twitter. "As a result of these very productive talks, I will be delaying the US increase in tariffs now scheduled for March 1. Assuming both sides make additional progress, we will be planning a summit for President Xi and myself, at Mar-a-Lago, to conclude an agreement. A very good weekend for US & China!" ALSO READ | Attempt to hijack Dubai-bound plane in Bangladesh, suspect gunned down by commandos Trump had already expressed optimism about the negotiations Friday after meeting with China's vice premier Liu He. The talks concluded Sunday. Xi also struck a positive tone in a letter Liu delivered to Trump, saying he hoped the negotiations would be held in a "win-win" spirit that would lead to a mutually beneficial agreement. The Chinese president expressed hope that the talks maintain "a mutually respectful, cooperative and win-win attitude" and lead to a "mutually beneficial" agreement. During a dinner summit in Buenos Aires on December 1, the two leaders agreed to give a pause to their trade war and set a deadline of negotiating a trade agreement by March 1. So far, at least eight rounds of talks have been held. Trump said that they have made considerable progress. The harder parts covering issues such as scaling back China's ambitious industrial strategy for global pre-eminence, meanwhile, are another question. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Pakistan is shifting terrorist leaders, including Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, to safe areas after India demanded of strong action against them following the Pulwama attack on February 14, sources said. The sources added that on February 17-18, Azhar was shifted from Rawalpindi to Kot Ghani near Bahawalpur in Pakistan. To keep Azhar and other terrorists safe, Pakistan has provided three-layer security which is guarded by local police, special forces and the Pakistan Army. The outer periphery is being guarded by the local police, while the second and third layers have been taken care of by special forces and the Pakistan Army. After the Pulwama attack, which was carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammed, India launched a major diplomatic pressure on Pakistan. The government slammed Pakistan for using terrorism as an instrument of state policy. India has also asked Pakistan to take immediate and verifiable action against terrorists and terror groups operating from territories under its control. On February 16 and 21, two meetings were held by terrorist leaders Syed Salahuddin and Masood Azhar in the vicinity of Islamabad. Both the meetings were held to discuss the future course of action after the Pulwama and to shift most of the launch pads immediately. Inputs suggest that terrorist groups are shifting their launch pads from Neelam valley to Shawai Nala. On Friday, the FATF expressed grave concern and condemned the Pulwama terror attack and said Pakistan has failed to demonstrate a proper understanding on funding of terrorist groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba. In a statement, the Paris-headquartered Financial Action Task Force (FATF) said Pakistan should continue to work on implementing its action plan to address its strategic deficiencies, including by adequately demonstrating its proper understanding of the terror financing risks posed by the terrorist groups and conducting supervision on a risk-sensitive basis. "The FATF notes with grave concern and condemns the violent terrorist attack last week that killed at least 40 Indian security forces in Pulwama in the State of Jammu and Kashmir," it said after the week-long FATF plenary held in Paris. "Pakistan has revised its TF (terror financing) risk assessment. However, it does not demonstrate a proper understanding of the TF risks posed by Da'esh (ISIS), AL-Qaida, JuD (Jamat-ud-Dawa), FIF (Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation), LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba), JeM (Jaish-e-Mohammad), HQN (Haqqani Network) and persons affiliated with the Taliban," the statement said. Forty CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on February 14 in one of the deadliest terrors strikes in Jammu and Kashmir when a suicide bomber blew up an explosive-laden vehicle near their bus in Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir. The bus was part of a convoy of 78 vehicles carrying Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel from Jammu to Srinagar. The Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the attack. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A US-backed force pushing to take the Islamic State group's last speck of territory in eastern Syria on Sunday extradited 280 Iraqi jihadists, Iraq authorities said. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have detained "a large number" of ISIS fighters "of multiple nationalities, including more than 500 Iraqis", the security media office said in a statement. "So far 280 (Iraqis) have been delivered," it added. Iraqi security forces on Thursday received the first batch of 130 Iraqi IS members, a military spokesman said, although a spokesman for the US-backed force denied the claims. The transfers were set to "continue until they are completed", the statement added. Iraqi security forces had received a list of names to be checked against a database in coordination with the judiciary, which has issued warrants against jihadists. Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi said at his weekly press conference Tuesday that the country was monitoring the situation in eastern Syria with caution, as security forces fear IS remnants could sneak across the nearby Iraqi border. ALSO READ | Attempt to hijack Dubai-bound plane in Bangladesh, suspect gunned down by commandos Iraq declared victory against IS in December 2017 after ousting the jihadists from the swathes of Iraq they took in 2014. Backed by air strikes from a US-led coalition, the SDF have trapped the jihadists in less than half a square kilometre (a fifth of a square mile) in a hamlet in the Syrian desert. Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that the US is keeping about 200 US troops as part of the planned multinational force that would maintain a safe zone in north-eastern Syria. This force would be in addition to the 200 troops the US is planning to maintain after the withdrawal at its base in at-Tanf, Syria, the official said. "I'm not reversing course," Trump told reporters responding to a question on his decision on keeping some 200 US troops in Syria as against his previous decision on full withdrawal of more than 2,500 troops. "I have done something that nobody else has been able to do. In another short period of time, like hours, you'll be hearing about the caliphate. It'll 100 per cent defeated. Nobody's been able to say that," Trump said. "That doesn't mean there aren't some very bad people walking around and strapping on bombs and all of these things. But we've done a job that nobody else has been able to do," he said. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. You are here: China Railway trips in China hit a record high as travelers returned to work after the Spring Festival break, data from the national railway operator showed. On Saturday, some 13.17 million passenger trips were made by rail, a daily record for the travel rush, up 38.8 percent year on year, according to the China Railway Corporation (CRC). On Sunday, 12.2 million railway trips are expected to be made as the travel rush continues, the CRC said. Hundreds of millions of Chinese went back to their hometowns to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year with their families. The annual travel rush around the festival (chunyun) often puts the transport system to the test. As more trains have been put into operation, railway transport capacity improved by 5.3 percent this year during the travel rush, according to the CRC. The Spring Festival travel rush started from Jan 21 and will last till March 1, with railway trips expected to hit 413 million in total, up 8.3 percent. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 25) The Sandiganbayan on Monday granted the motion of former Optical Media Board (OMB) chief Ronnie Ricketts to travel abroad. Ricketts posted a 90,000 travel bond to go on a family vacation abroad. He is facing graft charges for alleged mishandling of fake DVDs and VCDs back in 2010. Ricketts will be traveling to Tokyo, Japan on March 1 to 9 with his wife and children. "The itinerary of the family is mostly city tours, shopping, visit museums, and tourist spots, and enjoy the famous eating places and night markets," Ricketts' motion read. The action star is facing graft raps for supposedly mishandling confiscated DVDs and VCDs from Sky High Marketing Corporation in 2010. He and three other OMB officials were accused of authorizing the release of confiscated items hours after these were seized, and for failing to file appropriate charges against the company. In 2015, Ricketts posted bail and pleaded "not guilty' to the graft case. CNN Philippines Correspondent AC Nicholls contributed to this report. Barcelona: Chinese telecom gear maker Huawei expects India to emerge as the second-largest 5G market in 10 years, a senior company official said Sunday. "We know India as an important emerging market. From the long-term perspective, India's 5G market will be huge and second only to China. This can be the long-term perspective of 10 years," James Wu, president, Southern-East Asia region at Huawei Technologies told reporters here. Global telecom industry body GSM Association has projected that there will be 1.4 billion 5G connections globally by 2025, accounting for about 15 per cent of the total market. By this point, almost half of connections in the US will be 5G, 30 per cent will be 5G in China, and 5 per cent in India. ALSO READ | Huawei Mate X 5G smartphone with folding screen launched at MWC 2019 India will be the second-largest market from industry perspective, Wu said. Huawei has tied up with Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel for 5G trials. The Chinese telecom gear maker expressed willingness to set up 5G test lab in India as well. "If the Government of India invites us for setting 5G test lab, we will welcome it," Wu said. New Delhi: News Channels in India and Pakistan are hypothetically fighting the "War" post Pulwama terror attack, it is interesting to note, that, lust for blood has overtaken the national narrative in both countries. None of the news anchors in either of the two countries would have vaguely faced the bullet, even while covering counter-terror operations. But when it comes to call for action, they are heard the loudest. The language used, is at best atrocious and hits the bottom in the same breath as most of it is, below the belt. I am particularly amazed at the vitriolic vomited by news anchors in Pakistan. The debase language, jesters and axioms used against PM Modi, Gen. Rawat and above all Indian populace is downright disgusting. A lot has changed between 1999 - Kargil war and 2019. Despite fighting the war in May - July 1999, Indian & Pakistani media, never went to the extremes as they have . Pakistan was the aggressor, India was defending its territory, still, none of us reporters or news anchors talked of annihilating the other of its existence. Not a single journalist in Pakistan could abuse Former PM Vajpayee and none in India talked of nuking Pakistan. Firstly, let's talk about the warmongering anchors and reporters - those who are fighting the war from their studios and demanding retired military personnel to create war scenarios and decode India's victory path. Have you ever been close to a bullet travelling at mind-boggling speed tearing through your flesh, cracking open your bones, gushing blood from your veins leading to cataclysmic loss of senses. If not, then my fellow News Anchor, you have not even begun your journey of a bullet wound, forget a bullet in your heart! Two life-altering experiences have changed my perspective of facing the bullet and made me realize, the tremendous grit of our forces that is required to fight the enemy in a battle. In 1998, while returning to Srinagar from Anantnag, I was informed by a friend in 15 corps, that an encounter is in progress in a village close to the national highway. With all the protective gear in place, I was sheltered in a school building, which was not really in the line of fire along with the army top notch. To quell my thrust of an evolving journalist, I asked my cameraperson to record my piece to the camera (PTC) while the firing continued. After all, how many times are you so well placed during an encounter that you could talk to the camera while bullets are flying past you? 20 seconds into my PTC and I felt something wheezes past my right ear - something hit the brick wall behind me and flit from the brick grazed through the left side of my head. In an inadvertent reaction, I touched my ear and held my head. Blood was oozing out from both. I had not been hit by the bullet, but it had passed near my right ear and hit the brick wall. Being airlifted in an army chopper to the base hospital, my thoughts revolved around the fact that I got saved by some millimeters - "millimeters" was the distance between life & death. The fear of death took over later, but the oozing blood was reminder enough of what it could have been. The second incidence took place in 2002. As an embedded journalist with Rashtriya Rifles CI ops in the upper reaches of Kupwara, I was witness to the action of gunning down of nine heavily armed terrorists, who had crossed the LOC. Towards the end of the gunfight, had the Group Commanding officer not swung over the grenade which had landed between my cameraman and myself, I won't have lived to narrate the tale of that fateful encounter to my audiences on television. Those few seconds - a fraction of a second, is still etched in my mind as my balance between life and death. For nights thereon, I had trouble sleeping and would wake up in cold sweat. Had it not been for effective counselling thereafter, I would have been a nervous wreck. Contracting my experiences, I see news anchors talk of taking revenge - tangible action against the enemy - incite the audience with thoughts of all an out war - when they shed tears over the slain faceless soldiers and raise a war cry - I pause and ask myself - given an opportunity will even one of the television reporter or News Anchor prefer to go on the front. Let alone going to the front, will most of the hallowed Prime Time faces even go close to the border when active bombing is going on. Most would sit in their air-conditioned studios, pontificate about the vagaries of war and speak to the family of Sheed soldiers - and yes, call for more another revenge. Let, decisive and saner minds, decide and take the call, as people governing the nation know best. Let's not think from our gut, but from our head. Yet again, the big question that pops up is - what if the people in positions of power are actually inciting, goading, propelling and promoting warmongering? Yes, this is the point that needs actual probing. India is faced with the mother of all Parliamentary elections. Its a do or die for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). And likewise, for a majority of opposition parties. It's an open secret, that if BJP loses power in 2019, recovering from this loss would take a long time - a very long time. Possibly the current leadership may not even get an opportunity to occupy the seat of the Prime Minister. Similarly, if Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Trinamool Congress (TMC), the Left Front, Rashtriya Janta Party (RJD), etc, exhibit a dismal performance - they all were might be faced with political oblivion. More so for the Congress as a looming defeat, is its biggest drive towards a coalition front. In the midst of these high stakes, warmongering benefits the party most, which is best suited to encash national emotions. A political outfit that can tap the national anguish best in the aftermath of 40 slain CRPF men. And almost identically in Pakistan, the fate of Pakistani Army chief, Gen. Bajwa hangs in balance of either exalted prominence or complete oblivion - given the fact that he retires from active service in four to five months. That, Pakistani PM, Imran Khan is a nominated Prime Minister, is a well-known fact, not just in Pakistan, but internationally too. That's the reason, Gen Bajwa made a sudden appearance at the ground-breaking ceremony at Kartarpur Sahib. For the same reason, Gen Bajwa was the man of the hour with Saudi Prince Salman - was seen with Prince Salman at all important meetings - the army PR (ISPR) was feeding minute by minute update of Gen Bajwa's efforts at securing $20 billion for Pakistan, while Imran Khan was just left being a "chauffer". A devastating terror strike on Indian forces - the certain backlash with warmongering, is the ideal setting for a decisive Pakistani Army Chief to enforce his iron grip on the nation. The aggressive, chest thumping, the constant baying for Indian blood on television and absurdly abusive language of News Anchor in Pakistan - is a telling tale of this scenario. The more the noise, the better it is for the Pakistani populace to hold on to its Army Messiah - Gen Bajwa. With such minds at work in both, India and Pakistan, can we expect saner minds to work? Not really !! It's going to be anybody's guess as to which way this tide of frenzy will end, but one thing stands clear - the people of the two countries, India & Pakistan - will be the biggest losers if a war is unleashed on them. Neither politicians nor a journalist, news anchors, retired Generals or even industrialists would suffer. It will be the common man and the families of the soldiers who die at the front - it will be them, who will bear the brunt of an unwanted war, unleashed by the wave of news television coverage. Washington: Elderly women who have more social support are more likely to live longer, a study claims. Researchers from George Mason University in the US examined perceived social support and its effect on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. Even after accounting for factors such as income, race, and education that could have influenced the results, the researchers still found that women in this age range who reported lower levels of social support had a higher death rate during the 10 plus years of the study. In fact, they found that when women reported a very low level of social support, that predicted about a 20 per cent greater risk of death during those same 10 plus years compared to those reporting very high levels of social support. Perceived functional social support, which we examined in this study, can include whether a person believes they could get emotional support, advice, or just company from others to do fun things with, which can help reduce stress, said Nancy Freeborne from George Mason University. Its a reminder that sometimes the simplest thingslike reaching out to a loved onecan have the most profound impact, Freeborne said. To date, this is the largest study to explore the impact of perceived social support on cardiovascular disease and mortality, researchers said. The data from over 90,000 postmenopausal women aged 50-79 was collected over a period of 10 years. The researchers suggest further study to account for perceived social support delivered via social media, the rise in cardiovascular disease among women since the data collection, and to further examine age and gender differences to determine if social support has different impacts based on gender or different periods in a lifetime. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir government on a plea filed by two children of Army officers, seeking protection for Army personnel deployed in the state. The plea seeks formulation of a policy to protect human rights of security personnel. The daughters of two army officers had moved the Supreme Court seeking formulation of a policy to protect human rights of security forces personnel. Nineteen-year-old Preeti Kedar Gokhale and 20-year-old Kajal Mishra have sought direction to the Centre for the formulation of a comprehensive policy to safeguard the rights of armed forces personnel against human rights violations by the unruly mob or individuals attacking them during the discharge of their military duty. The plea filed by the two children has arrayed Union of India, Ministry of Defence, Jammu and Kashmir and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as parties. The petitioners said they have approached the apex court being aggrieved and dissatisfied with the substantial inaction of the respondents in addressing various acts of human right violations of the army personnel, from the perpetrators of violence within the state, resulting in obstruction in the discharge of their duty as well as danger to their safety and security at the place of their deployment. The petitioners are daughters of army officials -- one serving and another retired. They are "greatly disturbed by the incidents of unruly and disruptive mobs" pelting stones at soldiers and army convoys in counter-insurgency area like Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir. "The petitioners are further disturbed by the troops in the Indian Army, having to suffer the ire of stone pelters, while they are discharging their duty of maintaining peace and security in the area of their deployment," the plea said. Referring to FIRs being lodged against the army personnel, the plea said that cases are lodged if any action in retaliation or in self-defence is taken against the perpetrators of stone pelting. "The petitioners have no grievance to any complaint/FIR being filed against any armed forces personnel, for any act done by them, which amounts to any criminal offence under the law for the time being in force. However, they are very much aggrieved by the fact that no similar action is taken against the perpetrators of violence, against the armed force personnel," it said. The petition said that it was shocking to note that a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir declaring in the legislative assembly that as many as 9,760 FIRs registered against the stone pelters would be withdrawn as they were first-time offenders. "It is pertinent to note that firstly, the state is not entitled to withdraw an FIR, once registered against a person without following the due process of law, as provided in the CrPC/RPC; secondly, the complainant or the victim of the offence is entitled to prosecute the perpetrator of a crime against him," it said. The petition said that depriving the armed forces personnel of their right to prosecute a person, who has committed an offence against them, is a violation of their fundamental right to life and liberty, including the right to legal recourse. "Further, armed forces personnel are also derided of their basic human rights of defending themselves against assault and safeguarding their life and limb," it said. The petition said that the petitioners have made a complaint regarding human rights violation to the NHRC and had cited the specific instances but the commission had later transferred the complaint to the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) of Jammu and Kashmir on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction. The petitioners sought setting aside of the order dated January 4 of the NHRC transferring the representation to the SHRC and direction to complete the probe of human rights violations of armed forces personnel. "There is no mechanism put in place, by the Centre or the State to deal with such brazen acts of human rights violation of the forces. The armed forces personnel is deployed in these disturbed areas, by orders of the respondents, to discharge their duties. As such, it is necessary that the respondent No. 1 (Centre), puts in place a mechanism to deal with and enforce the security of its forces," the plea said. Daughters of two army officers have moved the Supreme Court seeking formulation of a policy to protect human rights of security forces personnel. Nineteen-year-old Preeti Kedar Gokhale and 20-year-old Kajal Mishra have sought direction to the Centre for formulation of a comprehensive policy to safeguard the rights of armed forces personnel against human rights violations by unruly mob or individuals attacking them during the discharge of their military duty. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi is scheduled to take up the matter on Monday. The plea filed by the two children has arrayed Union of India, Ministry of Defence, Jammu and Kashmir and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as parties. The petitioners said they have approached the apex court being aggrieved and dissatisfied with the substantial inaction of the respondents in addressing various acts of human right violations of the army personnel, from the perpetrators of violence within the state, resulting in obstruction in the discharge of their duty as well as danger to their safety and security at the place of their deployment. The petitioners are daughters of army officials -- one serving and another retired. They are "greatly disturbed by the incidents of unruly and disruptive mobs" pelting stones at soldiers and army convoys in counter-insurgency area like Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir. "The petitioners are further disturbed by the troops in the Indian Army, having to suffer the ire of stone pelters, while they are discharging their duty of maintaining peace and security in the area of their deployment," the plea said. Referring to FIRs being lodged against the army personnel, the plea said that cases are lodged if any action in retaliation or in self-defence is taken against the perpetrators of stone pelting. "The petitioners have no grievance to any complaint/FIR being filed against any armed forces personnel, for any act done by them, which amounts to any criminal offence under the law for the time being in force. However, they are very much aggrieved by the fact that no similar action is taken against the perpetrators of violence, against the armed force personnel," it said. The petition said that it was shocking to note that a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir declaring in the legislative assembly that as many as 9,760 FIRs registered against the stone pelters would be withdrawn as they were first-time offenders. "It is pertinent to note that firstly, the state is not entitled to withdraw an FIR, once registered against a person without following the due process of law, as provided in the CrPC/RPC; secondly, the complainant or the victim of the offence is entitled to prosecute the perpetrator of a crime against him," it said. The petition said that depriving the armed forces personnel of their right to prosecute a person, who has committed an offence against them, is a violation of their fundamental right to life and liberty, including the right to legal recourse. "Further, armed forces personnel are also derided of their basic human rights of defending themselves against assault and safeguarding their life and limb," it said. The petition said that the petitioners have made a complaint regarding human rights violation to the NHRC and had cited the specific instances but the commission had later transferred the complaint to the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) of Jammu and Kashmir on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction. The petitioners sought setting aside of the order dated January 4 of the NHRC transferring the representation to the SHRC and direction to complete the probe of human rights violations of armed forces personnel. "There is no mechanism put in place, by the Centre or the State to deal with such brazen acts of human rights violation of the forces. The armed forces personnel is deployed in these disturbed areas, by orders of the respondents, to discharge their duties. As such, it is necessary that the respondent No. 1 (Centre), puts in place a mechanism to deal with and enforce the security of its forces," the plea said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the petition seeking an investigation into alleged administrative lapses in the Pulwama and Uri terror attacks. The Bench of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna said that the court was not inclined to entertain this plea filed by advocate Vineet Dhanda. He also sought stern legal actions against those who attacked the armed forces in any form in Jammu and Kashmir. In his plea filed on February 18, Dhanda had sought direction from the Centre to constitute a commission headed by a retired Supreme Court judge along with the army, intelligence, and local administration to conduct an inquiry in the two terror attacks. The petition also sought details of action taken against separatists so far. While suggesting freezing of bank accounts of the separatists, the plea urged the top court to put a ban on the separatists from contesting elections. On February 14, around 40 CRPF personnel were killed when a suicide bomber rammed into a convoy while moving from Jammu to Srinagar in Lethpora area of South Kashmirs Pulwama district. Pakistan based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) claimed the responsibility of the attack. On September 18, 2016 militants attacked the Armys Uri base camp and killed 19 unarmed soldiers. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Pakistan Army, on Monday, violated ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmirs Nowshera sector. According to the sources, the Pakistan Army initiated unproved ceasefire violation by firing of small arms along LoC in Nowshera sector. A defence spokesman said Indian troops retaliated strongly. "At about 1830 hours, Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing of small arms along the LoC in Nowshera sector," he said. During the last week, the Pakistan army resorted to firing and mortar shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in forward posts and civilian areas in Rajouri and Poonch districts. On Sunday at about 5.15 pm, Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by shelling with mortars and firing of small arms along the LoC in Nowshera sector in Rajouri. On Saturday last at about 4.30 pm, Pakistan troops resorted to shelling and firing of small arms along the LoC also in Nowshera sector. However, there was no shelling and firing along the LoC on Friday. On Thursday last, the Pakistan army resorted to mortar shelling and small arms firing on the forward posts along the LoC in Poonch sector. On Wednesday last, the Pakistan army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by resorting to heavy shelling with mortars and firing of small arms along the LoC in Kalal sector of Rajouri district. The Pakistan army resorted to unprovoked firing along the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri on Tuesday as well. The year 2018 had witnessed the highest number of ceasefire violations 2,936 by Pakistani troops in the last 15 years along the Indo-Pak border. Pakistan continues to violate the ceasefire understanding of 2003 despite repeated calls for restraint and adherence to the agreement during flag meetings between the border guarding forces of the two countries, officials said. Amid mounting tension between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama terror attack and increasing ceasefire violations, the people along the LoC and the International Border (IB) in this region are living under intense fear. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi came down heavily on the Congress for not doing enough for soldiers and attacking the government over Rafale fighter jets deal at the opening of the National War Memorial in New Delhi on Monday. Hitting out at the Congress, Modi said the Gandhi family always short-changed the armed forces. "Is it the nation first or the family first," he questioned during his address. From Bofors to AgustaWestland deal, all the investigations are pointing to one family, it says a lot, now these people are putting all the efforts to make sure that Rafale aircraft don't arrive in the country. The Opposition is trying too hard to ensure the Rafale deal fails...But soon India will get its first Rafale. Modi also said due to the sacrifice of many soldiers, we are among the strongest army in the world. #WATCH Delhi: PM Narendra Modi,Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the three Service Chiefs at the #NationalWarMemorial pic.twitter.com/mb2Myw547Y ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2019 Decades after the project was conceptualised in 1961, the countrys first National War Memorial dedicated to the memory of the soldiers, who died in the line of duty, was inaugurated by Modi near India Gate on Monday. Here's what PM Modi said at National War Memorial launch: The demand for a National War Memorial has been there for many decades, in the last decade there were one or two attempts but nothing concrete could happen, with the help of your blessing we started the process in 2014. At this historical place, I pay my tribute to the brave soldiers who lost their lives in Pulwama and all those brave hearts who sacrifice themselves for protection of India. We are continuously working towards making the Army self-reliant, the decisions which were thought to be impossible earlier have now been made possible. About two and a half decades ago, the file of this memorial started moving, for a brief period during Atal ji's regime, the process was expedited but after him, the situation was back to square one. In 2009, forces demanded 1,86,000 bullet-proof jackets but faced enemies without them. Our government in 4.5 years bought more than 2,30,000 bullet-proof jackets. PM Modi: Khud ko Bharat ka bhagyavidhata samjhne waale logon ne rashtra ke suraksha se khilwad karne mein koi kasar nahi chodi. In 2009, Forces demanded 1,86,000 bullet-proof jackets, but faced enemies without them. Our govt in 4.5 yrs bought over 2,30,000 bullet-proof jackets pic.twitter.com/OcqsexkpxB ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2019 From Bofors to AgustaWestland deal, all the investigations are pointing to one family, it says a lot, now these people are putting all the efforts to make sure that Rafale aircraft don't arrive in the country. The Opposition is trying too hard to ensure the Rafale deal fails...But soon India will get its first Rafale. Rs 3,5000 crore distributed through OROP. Pension budget is now over Rs. 1 lakh crore. Salaries of soldiers are up by 55%. The super-speciality hospital was a long-pending demand... Glad to announce, we will be setting up three super speciality hospitals for you. Modi is not important, India is above all. Not my name but it should be the stories of valour of the soldiers that should be remembered forever. Contribution from all parts of society is necessary for the security of the nation. Because of this ideology, for the first time, women are getting the opportunity to become fighter pilots. Decisions are being taken to strengthen the participation of daughters in the forces. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and three services chiefs from the Navy, Air Force and Army will consult defence attach on how to expose Pakistan on the terror front. Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to inaugurate the National War Memorial near India Gate. The memorial will honour soldiers who have laid down their lives for the country since Independence. Robert Vadra to appear before the ED for questioning on his London properties. Supreme court will hear a PIL seeking direction to the Election Commission of India requiring all political parties to not field candidates who have more than two children and to also declare the two-child norm a mandatory criterion for government jobs, subsidies besides other measures to control population explosion. The Academy Awards better known as Oscars 2019 is being held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Watch out for all the latest news here: 15:12 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Telangana: Mirza Riyaz ul Hasan Effendi will be the Member of Legislative Council (MLC) candidate from All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM). 15:12 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Arunachal Pradesh permanent residence certificate row: A Congress delegation is going to Home Ministry at 3.30 pm. Delegation includes Luizinho Faleiro,Former Arunachal Pradesh CM Nabam Tuki and Takam Sanjoy. 14:55 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In The condition of ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is stable, his office said Monday after a senior doctor from the AIIMS in New Delhi conducted his health check-up at a state-run hospital here. Parrikar, 63, was admitted to the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on Saturday. Two doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, had arrived here Sunday afternoon to examine the senior BJP leader. 14:54 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Silver prices were higher by Rs 100 to Rs 41,600 per kg in the national capital on Monday, while gold ruled flat at Rs 34,590 per 10 gram on scattered demand, according to All India Sarafa Association. Traders attributed the rise in silver prices to pickup in offtake by industrial units and coin makers at the local spot market. 14:53 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) to contest Lok Sabha elections in alliance in Madhya Pradesh. SP to contest on three seats and BSP to contest on rest of the seats. 14:52 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Nor'wester hits Kolkata, nearby areas, several trees uprooted A norwester accompanied with sharp showers lashed Kolkata early Monday, uprooting trees and snapping cables. According to the Met department, a 44-km-per-hour gale hit Kolkata and its nearby areas at 3.55 am, followed by another gust, with a speed of 56 km per hour at 4.25 am. During this period, the city received 15.6mm rainfall. 14:48 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Sources: Anurag Thakur has asked Twitter to ensure that Indian elections are not undermined and influenced by foreign entities. He stressed they must work in real time with Election Commission to address issues. Twitter has been given 10 days to reply in writing to questions that remained unanswered and they may be called again before the Parliamentary Committee. 14:45 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Sources: Parliamentary Committee on Information Technology head Anurag Thakur read out a personal letter addressed to him by Twitter's Jack Dorsey and allowed Colin Crowell, Vice President & Global Policy Head to appear today. 14:24 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In 5 jawans missing since last week's avalanche in Himachal Pradesh still untraceable Five Army jawans missing since Wednesday's avalanche near Shipki La along the India-China border in Himachal Pradesh still remain untraced, officials said on Monday. Six jawans of the Army's 7 JAK Rifles -- four from Himachal Pradesh, one each from Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir -- were buried under the avalanche that occurred near the Shipki La border outpost in Kinnaur district around 11 am on Wednesday. The body of Havaldar Rakesh Kumar was recovered the same day, while the others are still missing. An operation to trace the personnel was underway, a district official said. The weather is clear in Pooh town but it is cloudy near the spot of the incident, Kinnaur district public relations officer Mamta Negi said, adding that the rescue operation was restarted at 7 am on Monday. The search and rescue operations are being closely monitored by the Western Command of the Army, a defence spokesperson said. The last rites of Havaldar Rakesh Kumar were performed with full military honours at his native Ghumarpur village in Bilaspur district on Friday. 14:21 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Goa CM Manohar Parrikar's health: All his parameters are normal and stable, he will be able to go home tomorrow. Nothing to worry, he is in perfect shape. Do not speculate or believe rumours. 14:16 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Delhi's Patiala House Court grants regular bail to Dubai based businessman Rajiv Saxena, who was recently deported from UAE. 13:27 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Jammu & Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik & MoS PMO Jitendra Singh at wreath laying ceremony of DSP Aman Thakur, who lost his life in an encounter with terrorists in Tarigam, Kulgam on Monday. 12:53 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Left parties will not participate in the meeting of the opposition parties, scheduled to be held on 27 February, in Parliament House Annexe Extension building over Common Minimum Programme. 12:45 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, addresses the conclave of Defence Attaches deployed across the globe. In the 2-day conclave, beginning today they would discuss issues related to international military cooperation & diplomacy. 12:39 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Disqualification of 11 AIADMK MLAs: Supreme Court refuses to take up the matter urgently. The Court also stated "we have tried to take up the matter early but we couldn't do so. We will hear the matter soon." 12:33 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Siddaramaiah on Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister's allegation he was thrice denied CM post as he belongs to Dalit community: It's the Congress party which is taking care of Dalits&other neglected sections of society. I don't know in what context he made a statement like that, it's better you ask him. 12:18 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In The three terrorists killed in the Kulgam encounter in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday have been identified as Raqib Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Kulgam, and Waleed and Numan from Pakistan, the state police said. As per records they were the top commanders of Jaish-e-Mohammed who were active in the southern parts of Kashmir Valley. Arms and ammunition, including rifles were recovered from the site of encounter. All these materials have been taken in the case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other terror cases, the police said. 11:55 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In 1984 anti-Sikh riots: Justice Sanjiv Khanna recuses from hearing Sajjan Kumar's appeal Supreme Court judge Justice Sanjiv Khanna on Monday recused himself from hearing the appeal of former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar challenging the Delhi High Court verdict sentencing him to life term in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. The matter came up for hearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. The 73-year-old Kumar had surrendered before a trial court here on December 31, 2018 to serve the sentence in pursuance of the high court's December 17 judgment awarding him life imprisonment for the "remainder of his natural life". The case in which Kumar was convicted and sentenced relates to the killing of five Sikhs in Delhi Cantonment's Raj Nagar Part-I area of southwest Delhi on November 1-2, 1984 and burning down of a gurudwara in Raj Nagar Part-II. 11:51 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Railway Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurates Rail Drishti Dashboard portal, says, "People can access information related to railways, view live feeds of railway kitchens, get details of freight and passengers & rail time table through the Rail Drishti Dashboard." 11:48 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Supreme Court issues notice to centre and Jammu & Kashmir government on a plea filed by two children of Army officers, seeking protection for Army personnel deployed in the state. The plea seeks formulation of a policy to protect human rights of security personnel. 11:41 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Jammu: People pay last respects to DSP Aman Thakur, who lost his life in encounter with terrorists in Tarigam, Kulgam yesterday. 11:39 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to leave for Delhi in the evening today for the Opposition meeting on February 27. Rahul Gandhi to chalk out draft common minimum agenda for the same. Mamata will attend a programme at the Press Club of India, in New Delhi on Tuesday. 11:36 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In National Lawyers Campaign for Judicial Transparency & Reforms (NLCJTR) had moved the SC and filed the petition seeking a direction from the Supreme Court that those lawyers who have 30 years of practice should be termed as seniors, besides pleading for other directions. 11:36 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, who is heading the Supreme Court bench, withdrew himself from hearing a PIL filed by NLCJTR (National Lawyers Campaign for Judicial Transparency and Reforms), against the usual practice of designating lawyers as 'Senior lawyers'. 11:35 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Supreme Court refuses to entertain a petition seeking a direction to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to insert an additional condition that 'political party shall not setup candidates, who have more than two children'. 11:35 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Assam Health Department: Death toll rises to 127 in Golaghat and Jorhat districts due to consumption of spurious liquor; Visuals from a hospital in Golaghat where people admitted for treatment. Assam Health Department: Death toll rises to 127 in Golaghat and Jorhat districts due to consumption of spurious liquor; Visuals from a hospital in Golaghat where people admitted for treatment. pic.twitter.com/gxMhOXIbOu ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2019 11:34 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Supreme Court refuses to entertain a plea filed by advocate Vineet Dhanda seeking a judicial inquiry into alleged administrative lapses in the Uri and Pulwama attacks and seeking stern legal actions against those in J&K who attacked the armed forces in any form. 10:59 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In MA Naqvi, BJP on posters in Moradabad with the message'Robert Vadra ji you are welcome to contest polls from UP's Moradabad LS constituency':Yeh jo P-R(Priyanka-Rahul) siyasi circus hai,us P-R siyasi circus mein joker ki entry baaki thi aur joker ki entry ab dikhayi pad rahi hai. 10:36 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Enforcement Directorate (ED) provides digital copy of documents to Robert Vadra's counsel, in connection with money laundering case. Vadra had moved Delhi's Patiala House Court with an application to seek copy of the documents in possession of ED. 09:11 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu on violence over Permanent Residence Certificate matter: I would like to assure the people in Arunachal Pradesh that govt will not take up the matter even in future. This is a clear message. 09:11 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Arunachal Pradesh CM on violence over Permanent Residence Certificate matter: On the night of 22 Feb, I had clarified through media&social media that govt won't hold further discussions over this. Today also,an order has been issued via Chief Secy that we won't take up PRC matter. 08:50 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Himachal Pradesh: Joint operation by Army, ITBP, local police & District Disaster Management to rescue 5 Army personnel trapped in snow avalanche (on February 20) at Namgya in Kinnaur district has now resumed after it was stopped last night. 08:19 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Posters saying 'Robert Vadra ji you are welcome to contest elections from Moradabad Lok Sabha constituency' seen in Moradabad. 08:16 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Nepals federal cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, will be undergoing a cabinet reshuffle soon, sources have confirmed. 08:16 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In US President Donald Trump delays tariff increase on Chinese imports. 08:15 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Delhi: Major pollutants PM 2.5 at 95 and PM 10 at 118, in 'Good' and 'Moderate' categories respectively, in Lodhi Road area according to the Air Quality Index (AQI) data. Delhi: Major pollutants PM 2.5 at 95 and PM 10 at 118, in 'Good' and 'Moderate' categories respectively, in Lodhi Road area according to the Air Quality Index (AQI) data. pic.twitter.com/oqKOV7aA0u ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2019 08:15 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Delhi: People take refuge in night shelters as cold weather conditions continue in the national capital. Visuals from a night shelter in Sarai Kale Khan area. Delhi: People take refuge in night shelters as cold weather conditions continue in the national capital. Visuals from a night shelter in Sarai Kale Khan area. pic.twitter.com/DvMDAQSzYH ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2019 For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, lit the eternal flame at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. Spread over 40 acres, the complex is a commemoration of the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers since Independence with the names of 25,942 martyrs etched in stone forever. PM Modi will light the flame positioned at the bottom of the stone-made obelisk to pay homage to the soldiers who died in the line of duty. 17:50 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In For this government nation above all: PM Modi 17:49 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In PM Modi: Khud ko Bharat ka bhagyavidhata samjhne waale logon ne rashtra ke suraksha se khilwad karne mein koi kasar nahi chodi. In 2009, Forces demanded 1,86,000 bullet-proof jackets, but faced enemies without them. Our govt in 4.5 yrs bought over 2,30,000 bullet-proof jackets pic.twitter.com/OcqsexkpxB ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2019 17:49 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In About two and a half decades ago the file of this memorial started moving, for a brief period during Atal ji's regime, the process was expedited but after him, the situation was back to square one: PM Modi. 17:49 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In We know how to change 'impossible' to 'possible': PM Modi. 17:48 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Modi is not important but the ethos, culture, and sacrifice of this country must be remembered: PM Modi. 17:47 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In In 2009, Forces demanded 1,86,000 bullet-proof jackets but faced enemies without them. Our govt in 4.5 yrs bought over 2,30,000 bullet-proof jackets: PM Modi. 17:46 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In We are continuously working towards making the Army self-reliant, the decisions which were thought to be impossible earlier have now been made possible: PM Modi. 17:46 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Contribution from all parts of society is necessary in the security of the nation. Because of this ideology, for the 1st time, women are getting the opportunity to become fighter pilots. Decisions are being taken to strengthen the participation of daughters in the forces: PM Modi. 17:46 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In From Bofors to Helicopter deal, all the investigations are pointing to one family, it says a lot, now these people are putting all the efforts to make sure that Rafale aircraft don't arrive in the country: PM Modi. 17:44 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In For some, family was above forces: PM Modi said while taking a dig at Congress 17:39 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In No bulletproof was brought during Congress rule, says PM Modi. 17:35 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In We are bringing transparency in the system, says PM Modi. 17:33 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In The demand for a National War Memorial has been there for many decades, in the last decade there were one or two attempts but nothing concrete could happen, with the help of your blessing we started the process in 2014: PM Modi. 17:31 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Our government is all set to build three super specialty hospitals: PM Modi. 17:30 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In OROP has changed the lives of every soldiers: PM Modi. 17:29 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In The long wait of every Indian is going to end today, says PM Modi at Major Dhyan Chand stadium 17:28 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In In 2014, we started the process to build National War Memorial: PM Modi. 17:25 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In PM Narendra Modi pays tribute to Pulwama soldiers. 17:21 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In I salute every war veterans who are present at this event today, says Nirmala Sitharaman. 17:19 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In When you go home, tell them of us, for your tomorrow we gave our today: Nirmala Sitharaman 17:16 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In National War Memorial will inspire the whole nation, says Nirmala Sitharaman. 17:08 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Major Dhyan Chand stadium 16:32 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In The National War Memorial, near India Gate in New Delhi, is a fitting tribute to our soldiers who laid down their lives defending the nation, post-independence. pic.twitter.com/FM7SDAATC6 PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 24, 2019 16:22 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In The design of the National War Memorial has a layout comprising four concentric circles, namely, the Amar Chakra or Circle of Immortality, the Veerta Chakra or Circle of Bravery, the Tyag Chakra or Circle of Sacrifice, and the Rakshak Chakra or Circle of Protection. 16:22 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In The National War Memorial complex includes a central obelisk, an eternal flame, and six bronze murals depicting famous battles fought by Indian Army, Air Force and Navy. pic.twitter.com/W33qo5tzzL PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 24, 2019 16:12 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Busts of the 21 awardees of Param Veer Chakra have been installed at Param Yoddha Sthal which includes three living awardees Sub Maj (Hony Capt) Bana Singh (Retd), Sub Major Yogendra Singh Yadav and Sub Sanjay Kumar. pic.twitter.com/e1dGfvYwmG PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 24, 2019 16:12 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In National War Memorial represents the culmination of the collective aspiration of a grateful nation to pay a fitting tribute to the martyrs. pic.twitter.com/HmNpDpsysu PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 24, 2019 15:56 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In The main structure has been built in the form of four chakras, each signifying different values of the armed forces. 15:55 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In The obelisk stands at a height of 15.5 metres and is visible even from a distance as one enters the complex. 15:55 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Surrounding it is Veerta Chakra with six bronze murals depicting different battle actions. Each mural weight between 600kg and 1,000kg. 15:55 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Tyag Chakra which surrounds it has been made entirely of granite bricks, each bearing the name of a fallen soldier since Independence. 15:55 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Statues of 21 awardees of Param Veer Chakra have also been installed in the National War Memorial. 15:55 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In PM Modi spoke about the memorial in his ''Mann ki Baat'' programme on Sunday, saying not having such a memorial always pained and surprised him. 15:55 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In The names of 25,942 fallen heroes, along with their rank and regiment, are inscribed in the 16 walls of the memorial. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Journalist Priya Ramani, who was sued by former editor of Asian Age and former Union minister MJ Akbar in the #MeToo case, was granted bail by the Patiala House Court in Delhi on Monday on a personal bail bond of Rs 10,000. The next date of hearing of the case is March 8. "The next date when they will frame the charges against me is April 10. After that it will be my turn to tell my story. The truth is my defence," Ramani said after Akbar had slapped a private criminal defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani on October 16 after the latter had accused the then minister of state for external affairs of sexual misconduct as the #MeToo campaign took India by storm. Taking Ramani to court, the former editor of a newspaper had accused her of wilfully, deliberately, intentionally and maliciously defaming him and has sought her prosecution under the penal provision on defamation. Ms Priya Ramani began this campaign a year ago with a magazine article. She did not, however, name me as she knew it was an incorrect story. When asked recently why she had not named me, she replied, in a tweet: Never named him because he didnt do anything. If I didnt do anything, where and what is the story? There is no story. This was admitted at the very inception. But a sea of innuendo, speculation and abusive diatribe has been built around something that never happened. Some are total, unsubstantiated hearsay; others confirm, on the record, that I didnt do anything..., Akbar had said in the statement. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Thirty-three people are being held accountable after 145 babies in Jinhu county, Jiangsu province, were given expired polio vaccine, local authorities announced on Sunday. The Huaian city government, which has jurisdiction over the county, said on its website that Gu Kun, a vice-mayor of the city, and Sun Banggui, director of its health commission, have been given administrative warnings. Zhang Zhiyong, the Party secretary of the county, and Xu Yaping, who heads the government, have been given serious Party warnings. Wang Hong, head of the Licheng Health Center, where the vaccinations were given, has been detained on suspicion of duty-related crimes. Six people directly involved in the incident, including Liu Zhibing, deputy head of the center, have been dismissed from their posts and the Party. Liu has been transferred to judicial authorities for prosecution. The babies received expired polio vaccine at the health center in the county's Licheng township from Dec 11 to Jan 7. The incident came to light in early January, after a father who is a medical worker took his son to the center to get the vaccine. When he checked the batch number printed in the boy's vaccination record book he found it had expired. The provincial government sent a special team to investigate the incident. Examinations of the babies conducted by medical experts found that none had acquired abnormal health conditions related to the expired vaccine. The operations of the health center in Licheng have been corrected, and it has reopened for vaccinations, the city government website said. The provincial government ordered Jinhu county to conduct in-depth reviews and apologize to the provincial and city governments. The city government and the provincial health commission have also been told to conduct reviews and apologize to the provincial government. The province is formulating a plan to improve the vaccine management system and clarify the responsibilities of local governments, regulatory authorities and medical institutions. The safety of vaccines became a hot topic last year when Changchun Changsheng, one of the country's major vaccine producers, was found to have fabricated production records and to have used expired materials from 2014 in the production of rabies vaccine. It also produced a substandard DTaP vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough. New Delhi: A suicide note of a retired senior cop blaming West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sparked a massive political storm in the state. The officer has been identified as Gaurav Dutt. In a suicide note that has gone viral, Dutt accused the Chief Minister of abetting his suicide by keeping him on "compulsory waiting" - a punitive step when an officer is not given a posting - and for withholding his dues after he retired on December 31, 2018. The 1986 batch IPS officer had allegedly committed suicide at his Salt Lake home on Tuesday. "This is for the first time in the history of West Bengal that a senior IPS officer committed suicide and blamed the government or a party leader," BJP leader Mukul Roy said. Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh has demanded a CBI probe into this case. "We have a copy of his suicide note and it clearly suggests that he took the extreme step under pressure after being harassed by the state chief minister and her administration," Ghosh said. Dutt was suspended for alleged sexual abuse of a male constable in 2010. Recently, Banerjee was embroiled in a high-profile drama involving former Kolkata Police commissioner Rajeev Kumar. Kumar, who had served as the Commissioner of Kolkata Police for three years, is being accused by the CBI in handling the ponzi scam probe after the main accused Sudipta Sen and Debjani Mukherjee, both promoters of Saradha group of companies, had fled to Kashmir, officials said in Kolkata. Earlier, CBI officials had to beat a hasty retreat from Kumar's residence after its officials were not only prevented by guards from entering the premises but were also detained by Kolkata police. The incident had triggered an unprecedented tussle between the West Bengal government and the Centre as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sat on a sit-in against the CBI move. Later, the agency rushed to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court later directed Kumar to appear before the CBI and "faithfully" cooperate into the investigation but made it clear that he should not be arrested. (With agency inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday asked his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, to "give peace a chance" and assured him that he "stands by" his words and will "immediately act" if New Delhi provides Islamabad with "actionable intelligence" on the Pulwama attack. Earlier PM Modi in a rally in Rajasthan said, "There is a consensus in the entire world against terrorism. We are moving ahead with the strength to punish the perpetrators of terrorism...The scores will be settled this time, settled for good...This is a changed India, this pain will not be tolerated...We know how to crush terrorism." At least 42 CRPF personnel were killed in one of the deadliest terror attacks when a Jaish suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 80 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district that also left many critically wounded. More than 2,500 Central Reserve Police Force personnel, many of them returning from leave to rejoin duty in the Valley, were travelling in the convoy of 78 vehicles when they were ambushed on the Srinagar-Jammu highway at Latoomode in Awantipora in south Kashmir. ALSO READ | Article 35A hearing: Heavy deployment of forces in Kashmir Recalling his conversation with Khan during a congratulatory call after he became Pakistan's premier, Modi said he told him "let us fight against poverty and illiteracy" and Khan gave his word - saying he is a Pathan's son - but went back on it. A statement released by the Pakistan Prime Minister's Office said, "PM Imran Khan stand by his words that if India gives us actionable intelligence, we will immediately act." PM Modi should "give peace a chance", Khan said in the statement. Earlier on February 19 also, Khan assured India that he would act against the perpetrators of the deadly Pulwama terror attack, carried out by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group, if it shares "actionable intelligence" with Islamabad, but warned New Delhi against launching any "revenge" retaliatory action. India said Khan's offer to investigate the attack if provided proof is a "lame excuse". "It is a well-known fact that Jaish-e-Mohammad and its leader Masood Azhar are based in Pakistan. These should be sufficient proof for Pakistan to take action," the Ministry of External Affairs said. "The Prime Minister of Pakistan has offered to investigate the matter if India provides proof. This is a lame excuse. In the horrific attack in Mumbai on 26/11, the proof was provided to Pakistan. Despite this, the case has not progressed for the last more than 10 years. Likewise, on the terror attack on Pathankot airbase, there has been no progress. Promises of 'guaranteed action' ring hollow given the track record of Pakistan," it said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Patiala House Court in New Delhi directed businessman and AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's husband Robert Vadra to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday at 10.30 am in the money laundering case. However, the court rejected Vadra's second application seeking a stay in the interrogation until the documents relating to the case are provided to him. A Delhi court on Monday directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to provide digital copy of documents seized during raids at Robert Vadra's properties to him. The agency gave the soft copies of all the said documents to Vadra's counsel KTS Tulsi, in connection with money laundering case. Vadra had moved the Patiala House Court with an application to seek copies of the documents in possession of the central agency on Saturday. The court also directed the Enforcement Directorate to provide the hard copies of the documents to Robert Vadra's legal team within 5 days, in connection with the money laundering case. "Robert Vadra moves Delhi's Patiala House Court with an application to seek the copy of the documents in possession of Enforcement Directorate (ED), in connection with money laundering case. Court has issued a notice to ED, next hearing in the case is on 25 February," the news agency ANI reported. Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, has been grilled by the investigating agency for questioning on multiple occasions in Delhi and Jaipur. The ED case against Vadra relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property, located at 12, Bryanston Square and worth 1.9 million pounds, which is allegedly owned by the businessman in a "benami" way. The money laundering cases also include an alleged land scam in Bikaner, Rajasthan. On February 16, Delhis Patiala House Court extended the interim bail granted to Vadra till March 2. Vadra had on February 1 moved to Delhi court seeking anticipatory bail in the money laundering case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). (With inputs from agencies) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A college student was shot dead by some unidentified men outside his college in Uttar Pradeshs Varanasi. The incident took place last night. The victim has been identified as Vivek Singh. He was said to be the second year student of Bachelor of Commerce at Udai Pratap College. The city police have formed seven teams to crack the case. A police officer said that, "It seems to be a case of an old dispute. 7 teams have been dispatched to look for accused and suspect. Investigation is underway. Situation is under control." The crime in the city will attract more scrutiny as it happens to be the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In fact, the crime rate in the state has been a cause of worry for Yogi Adityanath government. As per statistics available, the state has reported the highest number of communal incidents for three years. While 155 incidents took place in 2015, the number was 162 the following year. Things got worse in 2017 when 195 incidents were recorded. According to MHA data, UP's Bareilly recorded the highest number of custodial death at 25, followed by Agra (21) and Allahabad (19). UP is followed by West Bengal with 127 deaths, Punjab and Maharashtra tied for the 3rd place with 118 deaths in judicial custody. Other states that follow are Madhya Pradesh with 107 and Bihar with 102. Jammu and Kashmir which witnesses the highest number of encounters notched four custodial deaths. Last year, there was lot of uproar after Vivke Tiwari, an Apple manager was allegedly shot dead by constables in Lucknows Gomti Nagar locality. A fired bullet pierced the windscreen as the car rammed into a pillar, police had said. The autopsy report had later confirmed the death was caused by gunshot injuries. UP Congress chief Raj Babbar also visited the victim's house and had slammed the Yogi government. "You (CM) might be busy in political management of the incident otherwise you should have come to meet daughters of the victim." (With inputs from PTI) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti on Monday warned the government on Article 35A, saying if it's scrapped, the country might see what it hasn't seen since 1947. "Don't play with fire, don't fiddle with Article-35A, else you will see what you haven't seen since 1947. If it's attacked then I don't know which flag people of J&K will be forced to pick up instead of the tricolour," Mufti said. I have spoken to Omar Abdullah and we are making a strategy on how to tackle the situation. Dont push the people of this state to the wall I would like to appeal to all the people to come together. We all need to sit together and decide how we save our party, she said. She said if there is any tampering in Article 35A, leave aside someone hoisting the Indian flag, there would not be anyone to shoulder it. We all have to resist this, even if we hit the streets. On Sunday, the PDP president said any tinkering with Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution, which provide special status to Jammu and Kashmir, will render null and void the state's Instrument of Accession with India. "Article 370 is the constitutional connection between J&K & Indian Union. The instrument of accession is contingent on Article 370 which is inextricably linked to Article 35A. Any tampering will render Treaty of Accession null & void," Mehbooba said in a series of tweets. She said Kashmir Valley is rife with speculation about the status of Article 35A. "Before taking a decision, GoI (Government of India) must consider that J&K was the only Muslim-majority state that chose a secular India over Pak during partition," she added. Mehbooba cautioned that Kashmiris should not be blamed for the developments if the special provision was scrapped. "Those frothing at the mouth & calling for its removal shouldn't blame Kashmiris for the developments that will follow such a hare-brained decision," she said. Meanwhile, the state administration has made heavy deployment of security forces to check the law and order situation in the state after separatists called for a shutdown. Restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed in the Valley. Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had ordered deployment of 100 companies of paramilitary forces in the Kashmir Valley on an urgent basis. In a letter dated February 22, the government ordered deployment of forces with 'immediate effect' in addition to the number of forces already stationed in the state. The letter was addressed to the Jammu and Kashmir home secretary, the state chief secretary and the director general of Jammu and Kashmir Police. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Supreme Court is likely to hear petitions challenging Article 35A validity this week. State administration have made heavy deployment of security forces to check the law and order situation in the state after separatists called for a shutdown. Restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed in the Valley. Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had ordered deployment of 100 companies of paramilitary forces in the Kashmir Valley on an urgent basis. In a letter dated February 22, the government ordered deployment of forces with 'immediate effect' in addition to the number of forces already stationed in the state. The letter was addressed to the Jammu and Kashmir home secretary, the state Chief Secretary and the Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police. Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has sought adjournment of hearing on Article 35 A. "Our stand is clear. We have requested Supreme Court to defer hearing in the case, Rohit Kansal, newly appointed spokesperson of the state government, said. Kansal also appealed people not to pay heed to rumours about the movement of additional security forces in the state. The state government official said that additional troops have been deployed in the view of general elections. In the past few days several rumours have been circulated and panic messages disseminated. Most of these have been based on unsubstantiated or exaggerated pieces of information, he said. ALSO READ | What is Article 35A in Jammu and Kashmir? Know all about it here Kansal said that there has been no change in the stand of the Governors administration on Article 35A, adding that only an elected government can take a stand on the issue before the Supreme Court. Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik was detained by the Jammu and Kashmir Police from his residence in Srinagar. He was shifted to the Kothibagh police station. Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), a politico-religious organisation and dozens of other separatist leaders were also arrested. Article 35A was added to the Constitution as a testimony of the special consideration the Indian government accorded to the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir. Article 35A gives special rights to the Jammu and Kashmirs permanent residents. It prohibits people from outside the state from buying or owning immovable property, settles permanently, or avail themselves of state-sponsored schemes. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The much-awaited Hollywood awards ceremony is here. The 91st Academy Awards is being held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Hollywood fans in India can catch Oscars live at several channels like Star Movies and Star Movies HD and on Hotstar Were live with the nominees and presenters on the Oscars Red Carpet with hosts @LauraMarano and @LouisVirtel. Submit your questions using #OscarsAllAccess for a chance to have them asked live! Sponsored by @Walmart #WalmartFashion https://t.co/712xQEmg5L The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 24, 2019 For viewers who fail to make it can watch its repeat telecast at Star Movies and Star Movies at 8:30 pm on February 25. Roma, Green Book, Black Panther, BlacKkKlansman and Bohemian Rhapsody are said to be the top contenders for Best Picture this year. Interestingly, Black Panther is the first ever superhero film to be nominated for the coveted award. A Star Is Born and Vice have received 8 nominations each followed by Marvels Black Panther that has received 7 nominations. Christian Bale, Rami Malek, Glenn Close and Mahershala Ali are among the favourites this year. Kevin Hart, who was roped in to host the award ceremony this year, stepped down following a controversy that erupted when some of his homophobic tweets from years ago resurfaced on the internet. The awards night will have no host for the first time in 30 years. The organisers in an attempt to keep the live telecast under three hours have also earlier announced that four Academy Awards - best cinematography, film editing, short films and makeup/hairstyling - would be given out during the commercial breaks. However, on receiving a massive backlash from Hollywood A-listers like George Clooney, Christopher Nolan among others, the awarding committee was forced to take back their decision. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Hollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Barcelone: HMD Global, which sells Nokia brand of mobile phones, is looking to be among top three players in India over the next three-five years, a top company official said on Monday. The company said it is developing product-based on market feedback and demand from consumers. Our ambition is to be among top three players in next three to five years. We will doing it in a systematic manner. We will deliver consumers experience that they seek, HMD Global Country head for India Ajey Mehta told PTI. We now have product with difference of Rs 2000-3000 in the range of Rs 5,000 to Rs 30,000 to cater wide range of consumers demand, he added. The company on Sunday launched five mobile phones including its premium segment Nokia 9 PureView with five cameras in the price range estimated to be around Rs 50,000 a unit as per global price shared by the company. Also Read | Adani group wins bid to operate five airports, including Ahmedabad, Lucknow, for 50 years We are very seriously focussing on image which is one the experience that we want to deliver to consumers. This is the reason we have launched Nokia PureView our flagship imaging device, Mehta said. The company unveiled Nokia 4.2 expected to be priced in range of Rs 12,000- Rs 15,000, Nokia 3.2 for Rs 10,000-12000 a unit and Nokia 1 plus for around Rs 7,000 a unit. HMD also unveiled a feature phone Nokia 210 that will be priced around Rs 3,500 a unit. Mehta said that specific timing of launch of these phones will be decided in sometime but all of them are expected to start selling in India in the second quarter. Nokia brand phones dominated India market for about 7-8 years when mobile telephony started in the country but lost its spot to South Korean major Samsung and was adversely impacted by sale of low-cost?Chinese phones. Talking about competition with Chinese brands that still dominate India market with their low-cost pricing strategy, Mehta said that pricing is one strategy to sell product but HMD will focus on experience of customers. Also Read | SBI weighs NCLT route for recovery of loans from Jet Airways We know we are not disruptor on pricing but we will deliver value at the price point we sell them product, Mehta said. HMD Global now sells Nokia phones in partnership with Nokia and Foxconn. Mehta said that almost all the phones that HMD sells in India are manufactured in the country and evaluating business proposition for making its high end phone Nokia PureView also locally. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Businessman Robert Vadra, who has been under ED scanner over his alleged links with absconding arms dealer, today hinted that he may well be joining politics in near future. In conversation with News Nation, when asked about his future in political world, Vadra said, all in time! However, he made it point to stress on the point that his entry into politics is likely to be a delayed event. I will start working on it.But no hurry, have to earn it. He also said that people need to feel that I can make change. Meanwhile, a Delhi court on Monday directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to provide digital copy of documents seized during raids at Vadra's properties to him. The agency gave the soft copies of all the said documents to Vadra's counsel KTS Tulsi, in connection with money laundering case. Vadra had moved the Patiala House Court with an application to seek copies of the documents in possession of the central agency on Saturday. The court also directed the Enforcement Directorate to provide the hard copies of the documents to Robert Vadra's legal team within 5 days, in connection with the money laundering case. Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, has been grilled by the investigating agency for questioning on multiple occasions in Delhi and Jaipur. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadras husband was questioned on three occasion in connection with benami property in London. On previous occasions, Vadra was grilled for his alleged links with absconding arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari and his cousin Sumit Chadha. Vadra was grilled for about eight hours by ED officials. On another occasion, he was interrogated for about nine hours. Earlier, the questioning continued for more than five hours. The ED has also asked Vadra to furnish income tax returnes from 2001 to 2014. News Nation also has the mail on which the ED is basing its probe. The mail is written by Chadha complaining about not receiving any funds for the London house renovation. In the mail with Brynston Sq written in subject line, Chadha rues over delay in payment. Hi Robert, Hope all is well. Any update on when some funds will be sent, have not heard back from anyone and & would appreciate if you can let me know so I can plan my cash flows (sic). Here are some of the questions ED officials asked Robert Vadra on February 6: 1. Is London's 12 Brighton Squire property yours? 2. Whats your connection with the London property, why mails were sent to you regarding its renovation? 3. Is it right that the floor plan of this property was sent to you? In 2010, when these mails were coming to you, this property was with the arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari. Then why did the email come to you? Is this property linked to you? 4. A fund was also sought to build a property from you, and in response, you also responded to Sumit Chadda who had sent the mail. You had assured him for the fund, why were you arranging for the fund? 5. Why was the copy of every email sent to you was given to Sanjay Bhandari? 6. How do you know Sanjay Bhandari and Sumit Chadda? 7. Do you know the Indian national CC Thampi, who lives in Dubai, and who bought this property from Sanjay Bhandari? New Delhi: After Uttar Pradesh, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) combination have extended their Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) in Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand for the Lok Sabha Election 2019. Of the total 29 seats of Madhya Pradesh, the SP will contest only on three seats -- Balaghat, Tikamgarh, Khujarao -- while the rest (26) will be contested by the BSP. Similarly, in Uttarakhand, the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP will contest only on one seat -- Garwahal (Pauri), while the rest four seats would be contested by the BSP. In Uttar Pradesh, the BSP, led by Mayawati, is contesting on 38 seats and the SP on 37 seats, while five seats are left for other parties, including two- Amethi and Raebareli -- for the Congress. While announcing the alliance last month, both parties had said they will contest 38 seats each. Uttar Pradesh accounts for 80 Lok Sabha seats. Uttarakhand has traditionally been a BJP bastion, with the saffron party winning all five seats in the 2014 general elections. The voter base in Madhya Pradesh is traditionally inclined to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which had won 27 seats out of 29 in the previous Lok Sabha elections. The remaining were won by the Congress party Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia. Addressing party workers in Lucknow, Mulayam Singh Yadav had earlier expressed concerns over the alliance and the seat allocation. On what basis have they divided seats? Our party was very strong. We have formed the government on our own. Have been defence minister in the past as well. We are not doing politics, only placing the truth in the open," the party patriarch said. He said that he had the power to change" any ticket allocation which had been made by his son, party chief Akhilesh Yadav. Lucky Air will sue a passenger who tossed coins at a jetliner's engine to wish for a safe flight, causing the plane to be grounded overnight at great expense, the company said on its social media account on Friday. A Lucky Air flight from Anqing, in East China's Anhui province, to Kunming, Yunnan province, was canceled on Feb 17 after airport staff found evidence suggesting that one of the 162 passengers had attempted to throw coins into one of the plane's engines. Two 1-yuan coins were found on the ground near the left engine during the preflight check. Airline staff members boarded the plane and asked if anyone had tried to toss coins into the plane's engine. A man surnamed Lu later admitted that he threw the two coins at the engine as he was boarding because he believed it would bring good luck. The flight was grounded overnight as a safety precaution and a full examination of the engine was conducted. The passengers were flown to Kunming the next day. Lu, 28, was taken into a custody by transport police and detained for seven days. The airline said the coin-throwing led to the cancellation of the flight, greatly inconveniencing passengers, and causing economic losses of nearly 140,000 yuan ($20,900). The company said it will sue the passenger, as provided by law. Ouyang Jie, a professor at Civil Aviation University of China, said the engine would quite likely be destroyed if a coin entered the engine during flight. "The engine could tremble, lose speed and even stop in midair if a coin were sucked into its core," he said. "That would put all the passengers on board at great risk." Twice before, elderly Chinese travelers have been caught throwing coins into a plane's engine for good luck. Both were spared prosecution because of their age. In the first incident, an 80-year-old woman chucked coins worth 1.7 yuan into the engine of a China Southern Airline plane at Shanghai's Pudong airport in June 2017, causing a five-hour delay and a million yuan in damage. The woman was not charged with a crime because of her age. "We have seen air travelers create other safety problems in recent years, including opening emergency doors and assaulting cabin crew," Ouyang said. "It's necessary to put the wrongdoers on a black list and ban them from air travel." New Delhi: Shah Faesal, former Kashmiri IAS officer who quit the service a few months back, said he will launch a political party soon and has already applied for registration of the new party in the election commission. Speaking to NDTV on Monday night, Faesal said he made the decision following the present situation in the Kashmir Valley. Faesal also said he would not join any mainstream political parties and rather form his own, and would be happy to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections. Earlier, the 2010-batch officer said he was deeply inspired by the style of politics of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, but the situation in Jammu and Kashmir would not allow him to pursue politics in their style. I am deeply inspired by Imran Khan and Arvind Kejriwal. But, we know we are operating in a conflict zone and it is not very easy for us to work in that space, a space which has lost legitimacy in the last few years. I wish if the youngsters of the state give me that kind of opportunity, I will be happy to do a retake of Imran Khan and Kejriwal, Faesal had said. He said in recent years, due to the delegitimising of electoral politics because of the way it has been conducted, youth are not attracted to it. We need to change that. I wish to use Parliament for engagement, for bringing solutions to our problems. On a question about the possibility of him joining the Hurriyat, Faesal said he would not do so as he cannot put to use his expertise in that forum. I am a man from the system and I have experience and my specialisation is in governance... I will be happy to do something in the institutions where I can use my experience as an administrator. I wish I could do that elsewhere as well, but because the Hurriyat does not give me that kind of opportunity, very rightly because Hurriyat does not believe in electoral politics. So, I think at this moment I may not be able to do that, he said. However, he said it was wrong to assume the Hurriyat has no role in achieving resolution of the Kashmir problem. He also said phrases such as azaadi, right to self-determination and plebiscite should not be seen as taboo words in mainstream politics Faesal said his new initiative of peace-building should not be seen as an alternative to the existing parties, but an addition. He said his resignation from the IAS has nothing to do with the factors within the service, but factors external to it and the environment in which he was working there. New Delhi: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur has released the Answer Key for IIT JAM 2019 on Monday. The candidates must note that the institute has also the Question Paper. The candidates can download the Question Paper by using their respective subject code. The candidates can now download the IIT JAM 2019 Answer Key from the official website i.e. jam.iitkgp.ac.in. The Joint Admission Test for MSc 2019 was conducted on February 10, 2019, at various test cities across India. To download IIT-JAM Answer Key 2019, candidates will have to visit the official website for JAM 2019. Then, on the homepage of the website, the candidates need to click on the relevant link for downloading the Question Paper and Answer Key. In the next screen, the candidates need to click on the Answer Key and Question Paper for their respective subject code. The entrance exam for JAM 2019 was divided into three sections- Section A, Section B, and Section C. In the JAM 2019 Question Paper, the First section, which was SectionA contained a total of 30 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) involving 10 questions of one mark each and 20 questions of two marks each. Next, section B had a total of 10 Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) carrying two marks each. Finally, Section C had a total of 20 Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions involving 10 questions of one mark each and 10 questions of two marks each. New Delhi: A massive fire broke out at a market in Gujarats Ahmedabad. As the firefighters tried to douse the blaze, Rs 25 lakh turned to ashes after the fire engulfed an ATM of the Indian Bank. According to latest reports, the fire broke out at the ATM located in Memnagars Rudra Arcade on Sunday. The fire soon spread out in adjacent shops in the area. A dental clinic was also gutted in the blaze. "The financial loss in the blaze is estimated to be around Rs 2.50 crore," a fire official was quoted as saying by Times of India. On Sunday, more than 100 cars were gutted in a major fire at a parking lot in a ground opposite to Ramachandra Medical College in Chennais Porur. Fire engines had to battle for more than two hours to douse the fire. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined. Of the total 208 parked cars, 176 were gutted and 32 were "saved from the fire," he said. The cars were parked "bumper to bumper" in close proximity and is suspected to have been one of the reasons for the blaze having spread so quickly. The parking lot is situated bang opposite a large private sector medical college and hospital at suburban Porur. Several road users and local residents said huge coloumns of smoke billowed out of the facility, causing anxiety and inconvenience. The impact of the fire could have been much more if the parked vehicles had petrol in fuel tanks, the fire official said. The incident came a day after 300 cars were gutted in a fire at a parking lot at the Aero India show in Bengaluru. Worst of all these incident was Karol Bagh fire in the National Capital. Seventeen people were killed and several injured in a massive fire that broke out in Delhis Karol Bagh area in the early morning hours on February 12. The blaze was reported from Hotel Arpit Palace in Karol Bagh, which was doused somewhere around 11 am. Fire has been doused. Bodies are being taken out now. Rescue operation underway, Sunil Choudhary, Deputy Chief Fire Officer was quoted as saying. Initial probe suggests short circuit to be the reason for the blaze. New Delhi: To recover its loans from Jet Airways, state-run lender SBI is mulling moving National Company Law Tribunal as it feels the airline is running out of funds for operations, even as shareholders of the debt-laden carrier have approved a debt rejig plan, officials said. Shareholders of Jet Airways have approved the conversion of loan into shares and other proposals during the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on Thursday. A consortium of banks, led by the SBI, has extended loans to Jet Airways, which is looking to rejig debt and raise funds. Officials associated with the lenders and key shareholders said the SBI is considering moving the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) seeking insolvency proceedings against Jet Airways since it is running out of money for operations. Lenders can initiate proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) to recover dues from debt-laden entities. The process can commence only after approval from the NCLT. ALSO READ | GST cut on housing sales 'revolutionary step', to boost sentiments: Experts Queries sent to SBI and Jet Airways regarding the bank considering insolvency proceedings against the airline remained unanswered. The officials said that Gulf carrier Etihad, the strategic partner with 24 per cent stake in Jet Airways, abstained from voting on various proposals during the EGM held on February 21. According to them, Etihad is waiting for clarity on the overall funding that the SBI and National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) would provide for Jet Airways in terms of equity. The Gulf carrier has been pitching for the SBI and the NIIF to own 51 per cent and invest Rs 2,200 crore into the airline, they added. On February 17, sources said Jet Airways was likely to invest Rs 3,000 crore post-debt-rejig and investments by Etihad Airways as well as NIIF. Besides, the SBI is not agreement with Etihad on the latter's proposal regarding Right of First Refusal (ROFR). Etihad has sought ROFR for itself after one year and also want the SBI to get a confirmation from markets regulator Sebi that if ROFR is exercised, then the mandatory open offer would not be triggered, the officials said. Under the Sebi norms, entities are required to make an open offer to shareholders in case their shareholding goes beyond a certain threshold. A consortium of banks is considering interim funding of Rs 500 crore for Jet Airways but a final decision is yet to be taken, Punjab National Bank Managing Director Sunil Mehta said on Friday. PNB is part of the lenders' consortium, led by State Bank of India (SBI), that has extended loans to the airline. On February 14, Jet Airways' board approved a Bank-Led Provisional Resolution Plan (BLPRP), whereby lenders would become the largest shareholders in the airline. Following approval from the shareholders, part of debt would be converted into 11.4 crore shares at a consideration of Re 1 apiece as per the RBI norms. Later, appropriate interim credit facilities by domestic lenders would be sanctioned to the airline, according to a regulatory filing made on February 14. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Petrol and diesel continued with their upward trend on Monday after sharp rises the past week. After today's (February 25) price revision, petrol prices in national capital Delhi was Rs 71.57 a litre against Rs 71.43 on Sunday while diesel price went up to Rs 66.80 per litre compared to Rs 66.64 yesterday. In Mumbai, petrol was retailing at Rs 77.20 a litre and diesel at Rs 69.97. People in Kolkata have to shell out Rs 73.67 a litre for petrol and Rs 68.59 for diesel. In Chennai, a litre of petrol cost Rs 74.32 while diesel retailed at Rs 70.59. In Gurugram, petrol price was Rs 71.99 per litre. Diesel price, on the other hand, was Rs 66.20 on Sunday. Petrol in Noida was retailing at Rs 71.22, while diesel price was Rs 65.86. In Faridabad, petrol and diesel were priced at Rs 74.96 and Rs 66.42 a litre, respectively. Among all metros and most state capitals, petrol and diesel prices in Delhi are the cheapest due to lower taxes. Crude oil prices went up by about 5 per cent the past week in the international market. Oil prices touched three-month high on Friday. The rise was supported by high hopes of the United States and China reaching the end of their trade war. Retail petrol price had peaked to Rs 84 a litre in Delhi in October 2018 and it crossed the Rs 91-mark in Mumbai. In the international oil market, crude prices went up on Monday, amid supply cuts by OPEC and US cubs on Iran and Venezuela. International Brent crude oil futures were trading at $66.78 per barrel, up 0.6 per cent, from their last close. Global crude oil prices have declined about 28 per cent since the October high of $86.74 a barrel. However, Brent futures - the global benchmark for crude oil - have risen about 16 per cent so far in 2019. Because of the daily dynamic pricing regime, the retail fuel prices depend on global crude prices on a 15-day average, besides and the rupee-US dollar exchange rate as India imports 80 per cent of its crude requirements. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Beijing: China is conducting a test run of a self-driving bus, assisted by the 5G mobile network, as part of its efforts to fast track 5G technology use, amid escalating trade row with the US and other countries. The bus is being tested in Chongqing, a vehicle-manufacturing hub in southwestern China, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The bus, equipped with technologies such as Controller Area Network and laser radar, is able to complete all autonomous operations with the assistance of the 5G mobile network. The electric-powered 12-seater has a designed maximum speed of 20 km per hour. The bus was co-developed by China Mobile, tech giant Huawei, Southeast University and French company Easy Mile, the report said. China is fast-tracking 5G network in the country to use the next generation telecom technology amid escalating row with the US over the detention of Meng Wenzhou, CFO of Chinese telecom giant Huawei in Canada. China has already launched the 5G service in Guangzhou airport, opened its first 5G base station for the Qinghai Tibet plateau region and the road trials of a 5G autopilot bus without a driver, driver cabin or a driving wheel. ALSO READ | 'Super flexible' nanomaterials to make fuel cell cars cheaper Earlier, official media reported that the bus tests were carried out in a 5G network-covered area, where the network helps the bus adjust speed, and detect obstacles and traffic lights. Chinese officials say China would like to be ahead of the US and other countries to develop 5G telecom network to capture the markets abroad. Also, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the country's planning body, said that it will speed up the granting of 5G commercial licenses to upgrade so-called information consumption in the country. NDRC would promote high-quality video and support the launch of 4K television channels across China to enrich content as well as subsidise super high-definition TV sets, virtual reality and augmented reality devices in certain regions, it said. The move is part of a 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 telecoms equipment to the world's mobile carriers, faces growing pressure from the US amid an allegation that it is an arm of the Chinese government, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. The US filed charges against Huawei, contending that the Chinese smartphone and network gear maker had stolen trade secrets from a telecoms rival and violated US sanctions against doing business with Iran. Also, 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. It is part of their efforts to diversify their supply chain away from the Chinese mainland and to save costs, the report said. Please purchase a subscription read this premium content. If you have a subscription, please sign up for a digital website account or log in. Unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs, which are more popular as drones, are evolving from specialist gadgets to consumer electronics items on the one hand and industrial tools on the other. In the process, they are spawning an industry that is promising huge revenues and global scale, redefining smart mobility and enhancing all walks of life. In the consumer electronics sector, civilian drones are mainly used in aerial photography. Their industrial applications are seeing huge demand in China as a range of sectorsagriculture, geological surveying and mapping, electricity, oil and petroleum pipeline inspection, transportation, construction, public security and disaster reliefare using them. The consumer drone market took off in 2015, but grew slowly, and seemed to reach the saturation point last year. Media reports said drone makers such as EHang and Zerotech had cut jobs and other costs, and sought to diversify. Data from the Shenzhen-based Qianzhan Industry Research Institute said the industrial drone segment is now growing rapidly, with total sales revenue in 2020 expected to reach 16.5 billion yuan ($2.5 billion). Experts said this segment is expected to see its market value surge in the future. Expectedly, major drone makers have ratcheted up efforts to develop a variety of drones, aspiring to take a lead amid fierce competition. Shenzhen, Guangdong province-based DJI, which currently accounts for 70 percent of the global consumer drone market, is devoting a great deal of attention to farming sector drones. DJI plans to further invest 10 million yuan in agricultural drones and on cultivating drone operators this yearit will open 1,000 brick-and-mortar retail stores, train over 20,000 professional drone operators and establish more than 600 training branches across the nation. In December, it launched its latest agricultural drone, the T16, which features an upgraded loading capacity, as well as dynamic systems to increase working efficiency and accuracy. Drone operators who use such drones can spray pesticides on about 10 hectares of farmland an hour. "We don't focus only on profits but also on training people to operate the agricultural drones in the short term, as well as helping them develop a business model, which is in accordance with our corporate culture and medium-and long-term strategies," said Luo Zhenhua, president of DJI. The company is bullish about the prospects for agricultural drones as the demand for such gadgets is huge and the whole industry is still in exploration mode. In November 2015, DJI launched its first agricultural drone, the MG-1, marking its diversification into the industrial segment. It unveiled an upgraded agricultural drone, the MG-1S, in 2016 and the MG-1S Advanced in 2017, with upgraded flight control system, radar and sensors. It also provided consumer loans so that buyers could afford drones; its financial services sought to enable operations and related training. With the modernization of agriculture, the demand for advanced farming devices has been growing significantly. Qianzhan forecast that the value of the domestic agricultural drone market will exceed 12.8 billion yuan by 2021, at an annual compound growth rate of 38 percent. Police in Northern Ireland have been left incredulous after a disgruntled woman called to complain her drug dealer had ripped her off by selling her sugar instead of cocaine. The would-be drug user called the Craigavon police station after discovering she had bought what turned out to be brown sugar for 200 (NZ$360). A post to the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Craigavon, Facebook page described the bizarre call as a warning to the public. "Caller: I've been scammed. Me: Ok, are you out any money? Caller: Yeah I paid over 200 and got brown sugar instead. Me: Instead of what? Caller: Cocaine. Me: Um..." A California man has spent almost four decades in prison for the murder of a woman and her four-year-old son. On Saturday, a federal lawsuit was settled in his favour, granting Craig Coley $21 million in compensation. The now 71-year-old was imprisoned in 1980 for the double homicide but protested his innocence continuously, reports CNN. In 2017, new evidence surfaced, namely "biological samples" which the trial court had ordered destroyed after Mr Coley's conviction. The Simi Valley Police Department reopened the case, with support from Ventura County District Attorney Gregory Totten. "A key piece of evidence used to convict (the) defendant was found to not contain his DNA, but to instead contain the DNA of other individuals," said a statement from the district attorney's office. The case was reopened and the following investigation led to Mr Coley's name being cleared. In 2017 Mr Coley was awarded close to $2 million in compensation - $140 for each of the 13,991 days Mr Coley was imprisoned. Now, he's set to receive millions more. "While no amount of money can make up for what happened to Mr Coley, settling this case is the right thing to do for Mr Coley and our community," City Manager Eric Levitt said in a statement. "The tireless advocacy by those who believed he was innocent and the Simi Valley Police Department's initiative to reopen the case lead to the discovery of DNA evidence, which ultimately lead to the determination that Mr Coley was factually innocent." Mr Coley's 39-year prison sentence is the longest one overturned in California. CNN reports the now free man spent his first Thanksgiving with his family following his 2017 pardon. Newshub. Newly released data reveals farm sales numbers have increased as prices have fallen. The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) figures show there were 24 more farm sales (+6.1 percent) for the three months ended January 2019 than for the three months ended January 2018. Overall, there were 420 farm sales in the three months ending January 2019, compared to 440 farm sales for the three months ending December 2018 (-4.5 percent), and 396 farm sales for the three months ending January 2018. In the year before January 2019, 1498 farms were sold, 1.7 percent fewer than were sold in the year to January 2018; with 19.3 percent less dairy farms, 7.2 percent more grazing farms, 1.3 percent more finishing farms and 1.1 percent fewer arable farms sold over the same period. The median price per hectare for all farms sold in the three months to January 2019 was $27,087, compared to $28,257 recorded for three months ended January 2018 (-4.1 percent). The median price per hectare fell 0.7 percent compared to December 2018. Eight of the 14 regions recorded increases in the number of farm sales for the three months ending January 2019, compared to the three months ending January 2018. Waikato (+18), Manawatu/Wanganui (+10) and Taranaki (+6) were the top regions to increase the number of farm sales compared to January 2018. Southland recorded the most substantial decline in sales (-8 sales) followed by Bay of Plenty (-7 sales). The Prime Minister has defended the proposed capital gains tax (CGT) by downplaying concerns raised by the opposition. In her post-Cabinet press conference on Monday, Jacinda Ardern said she's heard some "quite inflammatory statements" about the Tax Working Group's (TWG's) recommendations released last Thursday, including a CGT. When asked what those inflammatory statements were, she noted, without naming him, a statement made by National leader Simon Bridges: "The notion that it's an attack on the Kiwi way of life, which I think is quite a broad, sweeping statement." After the TWG released its recommendations last week, Mr Bridges took to Twitter to call the proposed tax "an assault on the Kiwi way of life", adding that he will "fight it every step of the way". "National says no to new taxes. We would repeal a capital gains tax, index tax thresholds to the cost of living and let Kiwis keep more of what they earn," the National leader said at the time. The Prime Minister dismissed Mr Bridges' comments, saying she's heard "incorrect statements" about the tax, including about it being a "double tax... all of which is simply not true". "Let's debate the actual report rather than simply making things up." When asked what she thinks the Kiwi way of life is, Ms Ardern said: "I think it's values-based. It's about getting a fair go, and paying your fair share. And I think that's motivated a lot of why we wanted to have this discussion." The business community is concerned about being doubled taxed, whereby companies would be taxed on both profits made while the company was operating and capital gained when it's sold - this is the theory of a 'double tax'. But Ms Ardern brushed off concerns around the CGT, noting how the tax experts "highlighted some areas where they felt the system is not fair and not balanced and where the structure could change." Under the proposed CGT, gains and losses on land improvements would be taxed (except the family home), including shares and business assets. It would not apply to personal items though, like bikes, boats and art. The CGT would be set at the income-earner's top tax rate, likely to be 33 percent for most people, which Mr Bridges said on Thursday, was "one of the highest rates of capital gains tax in the world". Ms Ardern said only a small amount of individuals would pay CGT, pointing to Inland Revenue information that says in Australia, only 4.7 percent of individual tax returns in 2015 included capital gains, and over 95 percent of Australians don't pay capital gains tax in any given year. "It is important to note that the recommendations of the Tax Working Group relate to between only 0.4 percent in year one and 2.5 percent in year five of the Government's overall tax base over five years, and still only 4 percent of the tax base after 10 years." New Zealand already has a variation on a CGT. The Taxation (Bright-line Test for Residential Land) Bill requires income tax to be paid on any gains from residential property that was sold within five years of purchase. Introducing a broad CGT will not be an easy sell for the Prime Minister. She scrapped Labour's capital gains policy a week before the 2017 election in the face of immense criticism and attack ads from the National Party. The Government will give its official response to the TWG's recommendations in April, after the public has had the opportunity to debate the issue. Newshub. The document also warned the Minister that given the current skills shortages in the construction sector, there is a risk that "industry capacity could limit the ability for landlords to meet their obligations". Those new obligations, which will become law by mid-2019, include landlords having to provide a living room heater, an extractor fan in the kitchen and bathroom, better insulation, a ground moisture barrier, adequate drainage, as well as draught-stopping tape. ACT leader David Seymour said it's concerning that, in the middle of a housing crisis, the Housing Minister has "decided to make it harder for those people who provide housing". Mr Seymour's comments reflected those of Mike Butler, spokesperson for tenancy advocacy group Tenancies War, who said landlords will now be forced to absorb the new costs, raise rent prices or sell their properties, leaving fewer options for renters. Mr Twyford has defended the new standards, saying they're about "pulling up the bottom of the market". He said two-thirds of rentals already have ceiling and under floor insulation, but 200,000 households don't: "We're preventing the bottom of the market undercutting decent landlords". A New Zealand think tank is claiming the Government's Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) needs a course correction to ensure it isn't wasting money. The Maxim Institute released a report on Tuesday which suggests the Government's "big" thinking with the $3 billion PGF comes with too much risk, and it needs to start making "smart" investments to generate the best outcomes for the regions. "The temptation when you are under that kind of pressure is to pick the low hanging fruit, to grab the thing that is investment ready, even if it isn't necessarily the best investment in the big scheme of things" said chief executive Alex Penk. The report says that the PGF has "great potential" but introduces the risk of "misallocating resources, creating dependency culture and favouring rent-seekers over innovators". The institute's five key concerns include a lack of evaluation and little co-ordination across the overall regional development strategy. It also said a "sector-based investment strategy that picks certain sectors over others introduces undue risk". Among five recommendations, the report suggests requiring any PGF initiative over $10 million to have a monitoring strategy developed before funding is approved. It also said the fund's focus should be on a region's potential rather than its growth prospects. Mr Penk said political urgencies also need to take a back seat to ensure taxpayer money is well spent. "We all know that the faster you go, the bigger the mess, and trying to spend $3 billion in 3 years and do it well is a huge risk," he said. "We really need to just stop thinking in terms of this amount of money in this time frame, and we just need to think about what are the best outcomes we can get for the regions." Regional Economic Development Minister, Shane Jones, said he welcomed analysis of the PGF but disagreed with its suggestion that the Government needed to slow down with its rollout. "Doing so would overcomplicate the fund, and ultimately be bad news for the communities who have spent months and often years already navigating various layers of bureaucracy while trying to get their projects off the ground," he said. Mr Jones said regional New Zealand wasn't interested in "policy seances or glossy reports" and instead want action. "That's what the PGF is about. "I'm convinced that between delegated Regional Economic Developmet Ministers, the Provincial Development Unit, and our Independent Advisory Panel led by Rodger Finlay, we have the necessary experience and commercial acumen to ensure the right projects are chosen, with a wider strategic view in mind." He did, however, agree with the need for robust evaluation and monitory, but said many of the PGF projects are already supported by businesses cases and tied to various conditions and milestones. Earlier this month, Newshub revealed the Government had only spent $26.6 million of its $3 billion fund, which had created only 54 jobs. The Government then did a full inventory of jobs created by the fund and said 560 had been created, including part-time jobs. Mr Jones said projects were taking a while to get going due to a lot of red tape. Recently announced investments from the fund include $19.5 million into developing new pest control methods that don't use 1080, as well as $82 million into a new employment scheme to support workers in regional New Zealand. Mr Penk is the brother of National MP Chris Penk. Newshub At 28 years-old, it took Katy Davis just seven days to meet the love of her life, Greg, while visiting New Zealand from Canada on a backpacking trip with friends. Now, after three years together, the couple, who were married in October of 2017, are fighting to stay together after Immigration New Zealand (INZ) declined her visa to stay and work in the country. Mrs Davis told Newshub she has already used up her two partnership work visas - but when she went to do the third one, she realised INZ only allow for two. The now-31-year-old, who turns 32 next month, had the option to either apply for residency and wait the nine-month processing time, or apply for a second work-sponsored visa. With money tight after the couple's wedding and a much shorter processing time, they chose to apply for the work sponsored visa. New Zealand farmers and firefighters face more agony as the cold, dry hands of drought strangle the country. High pressure systems in the Tasman Sea are "killing off our rainmakers", creating tinder-dry conditions that fuel the fires breaking out across the country. "Meteorological drought conditions are now occurring in the Tasman, Buller, and Far North Districts," NIWA says on Twitter. And now weather experts are warning that there's worse to come in March. Notorious rowdy tourist James Nolan has evaded capture by police and skipped New Zealand after a Customs blunder at Auckland International Airport. Mr Nolan, best known as one of the British tourists who caused havoc across the North Island in January, is charged with a raft of crimes, including assault using a car, reckless driving, and fraud relating to roofing scams. The rowdy tourist has failed to appear in court on several occasions and it has been revealed he escaped New Zealand by getting around border controls. Customs group manager of border operations Terry Brown told Newshub that Customs has "robust procedures and systems" to protect our borders, but Mr Nolan had "deliberately circumvented border controls by using a valid passport that was not his own". "He used an eGate, which uses biometric data to match and confirm the identity of a passenger," said Mr Brown. "The eGate identified further checks were needed on the passport. The image was automatically sent to a Customs officer, who incorrectly identified Nolan as the passport owner. "Unfortunately that was a case of human error which shouldn't have occurred." Mr Brown said Customs was taking the breach seriously and officers have been reminded of the importance of visual checks to validate the identity of travellers. A review into the processes that led to Mr Nolan's escape is underway. Two other men believed to be affiliated with the tourists were arrested in Lower Hutt last week in relation to roofing scams. Police say they are making enquiries with partner agencies. Newshub. Chinese tech giant Xiaomi on Sunday unveiled its smartphone with a 5G modem at a press conference on the eve of the Mobile World Congress (MWC2019). With a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 system and Qualcomm's X50 5G modem, the new model Mi Mix 3 will be sold at 449 euros (around 510 U.S. dollars) and will be available from May in two colors "Onyx Black and Sapphire Blue", Xiaomi announced at the press conference. It also has a sliding front facing camera, as well as two cameras on the back, which allow users to shoot slow motion video at 960 frames per second. During the presentation, Xiaomi's Director of Product Management Donovan Sung used the device for a video call with one of the company's Spanish partners, Orange Spain, in what was the first ever video call made publically using a Xiaomi 5G device. Qualcomm President Cristiano Amon delivered a speech at the event, in which he insisted that 5G networks, were no longer the future but the present of mobile communications. "5G is here. Not in 2020, not in late 2020, it's here right now in 2019. 2019 is the year of 5G," he claimed, hinting that the launch of 5G devices will be quickly followed by the rollout of commercial 5G services by the second half of 2019. "5G will improve substantially how we think about our phones. Everything will get better," said Amon, adding that the power of the cloud for every app and service will thus be unleashed. Sunday's event also saw the launch of another Xiaomi product, the Mi LED Smart Bulb, which is a connected light bulb that allows users to control light color and brightness from their phones. Xiaomi now has around 2,000 branded products and 224 million clients with its products available in many Asian markets and some European markets, such as Spain, Britain, France and Italy, according to Xiaomi. The Mobile World Congress (MWC2019) will open in Barcelona on Monday, with around 110,000 visitors being expected. A Polish national, Wilk is wanted for his alleged involvement in a scheme to flood New Zealand with drugs. He's been charged with money laundering, participating in an organised crime group and importing a controlled drug. Wilk was arrested in Venezuela last year and now faces deportation back to New Zealand. His son, Ralph Wilk, has been sentenced to nine years and four months' imprisonment for supplying a Class A drug and money laundering. REDACTED - Wanted for sexual offending against a minor Hui Au Wong - Drug charges Wong is wanted for allegedly being the mastermind who organised New Zealand's biggest ever heroin-trafficking operation. He's believed to be the kingpin behind a drug syndicate which imported $70 million of heroin from Thailand. His whereabouts are currently unknown - however a gang member convicted over the same drug trafficking told NZME Wong was dead in 2012. He wouldn't say how he died. Gaurav Gupta - Sexual violation Gupta is wanted after he failed to appear for his sentencing in 2017. John Robert Beckenridge - Kidnapping John Beckenridge is wanted for kidnapping after he disappeared with his stepson. He broke a court order in 2015 by picking up 12-year-old Mike Zhao-Beckenridge from his school in Invercargill. Beckenridge's car was found in the sea at the bottom of a cliff in Curio Bay a week later. An Auckland Councillor fears Lime customers are being tricked into believing officials don't want the company's scooters on the city's streets. A temporary suspension was placed on Lime scooters on Friday after the company failed to convince officials they were safe to use. There have been dozens of reports of Lime scooters suddenly braking on their own, sending riders flying into the pavement. "We have been clear with Lime representatives that the equipment used on our transport network must be safe for use," Auckland Council chief operating officer Dean Kimpton said. In response, Lime prompted users via its app to contact the Mayor and Councillors. So far more than 4500 people have sent emails, flooding Councillors' inboxes. "A petition or a list of names would have been awesome - then we could have seen the support," Councillor Richard Hills told Newshub. "But right now it's sort of misguided, when Lime knows it's their [braking] issue, not the overall issue of Lime, that needs to be fixed." A proposed extension for mega cruise ships to berth in Auckland has been described as "a stain on our harbour". More than a dozen community groups are fighting to stop a 90-metre extension into the Waitemata - but planners say without it, the city will miss out on tens of millions of dollars. At 348m-long, Ovation of the Seas is the largest cruise ship to ever visit Auckland. It's so large it has to berth in the harbour and use smaller tender boats to get passengers ashore. Auckland Council's development arm, Panuku, has come up with a solution: build a 90m-long extension called a 'mooring dolphin' to the end of Queens Wharf allowing mega cruise ships to dock. It's been described as an environmental blemish by those who oppose any extension into the harbour. "We are literally filling in more of the harbour with concrete, and that is not a good thing," says Michael Goldwater from lobby group Stop Stealing Our Harbour. Panuku says the $10 million mooring is vital, and would give the tourism industry in Auckland a $30 million boost over 10 years. "Clearly the cruise industry is producing more larger ships, and they're wishing to come here more frequently," says Panuku cruise ship advisor John Smith. "So unless we're in a position to berth them alongside, both Auckland will miss out and the rest of New Zealand will miss out." On Monday, community groups got a chance to voice their disapproval at an independent hearing. "These dolphins are just going in for these big ships that only come five to seven times a year for a day and then leave," says Urban Auckland chairperson Julie Stout. She says the development of Queens Wharf will be held up for a decade if it goes ahead. "Panuku, who are the people charged with being the visionaries of our city, just come up with short term ad hoc wrong solutions." But Ports of Auckland says it's already declined 22 cruise ship bookings because there's been no space. "The real damage is the overall growth of the industry will start to slow and potentially decline because the older ships are replaced by new ships and they can't fit," says Mr Smith. The independent commissioners will make their decision next month, and if approved it could be built in time for next summer's cruise season. Newshub. Former Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley has been ordered to pay up to $6 million for her role in the collapse of construction company Mainzeal. Dame Jenny is one of four company directors found by the High Court to have breached their directors' duties and trade recklessly. Justice Cooke awarded $36 million in compensation to liquidators from the directors, plus another $2.1 million from another related company, Isola Vineyards Limited, which is now also in liquidation. Mainzeal went into liquidation in early 2013, owing unsecured creditors like tradies, sub-contractors and employees about $110 million. Andrew Bethell of liquidators BDO said creditors have waited a long time for this day. "We are thrilled with this judgment by the High Court, which sets an important precedent for the required standards of corporate governance and care owed by company directors in New Zealand towards the company and creditors," he said. Former directors Dame Jenny Shipley, Clive Tilby and Peter Gomm issued a statement of their own in response to the judgment. "The Court's basis for finding liability appears to have novel aspects which will require careful consideration. The directors will not comment further at this stage as they take advice and consider their options." The fourth director, Richard Yan, was found by the court to have induced the other directors to breach their duties, including making misleading representations to them. The decision holds him liable for the full $36 million awarded in compensation. Newshub. Canadian psychology lecturer Dr Jordan Peterson has a passionate worldwide following, including a devoted faction here in New Zealand. Dr Peterson has spent the last few months touring his bestselling self-help book 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, which offers a set of guidelines for how to live a meaningful life. His Kiwi fans turned out in full force for his four shows in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch this past week. Newshub went to his Saturday show at Auckland's Logan Campbell Centre to ask those attending why his message speaks to them so strongly, and why they think he's been met with such global success - as well as his fair share of controversy. Watch the video to find out more. Newshub. Prince Harry and his pregnant wife Meghan have wrapped up a visit to Morocco with a tea ceremony hosted by King Mohammed VI at a Royal palace in Sale, near Rabat. Harry handed the Moroccan monarch a letter from the Queen before the tea ceremony during which Meghan wore a flowing blue dress with frilled sleeves featuring a flattering crew neck and a fitted waistline. Earlier in the day, the royal couple swapped their party gear for chinos and jeans on a visit to an equestrian centre and a cooking event. The royal couple held hands and joked as they posed for photos with youngsters at the projects in Rabat and sampled some of the food - including Moroccan traditional pancakes and the famed bastila pies. The couple toured The Royal Moroccan Equestrian Club Dar Essalam, next to the royal palace in Rabat, where they learnt about a program helping children with autism and other conditions. The next stop was a cooking event at the Villa des Ambassadors hotel with food served up by children helped by a range of other projects, and by chef Moha Fedal, host of Morocco's version of Masterchef. Later in the day, they met young entrepreneurs and visited handicrafts market. They were due to fly back to London later on Monday (UK time). The visit at the request of the British government is the second to the kingdom in recent years by a member of the royal family, following a trip by Prince Charles in 2011. Queen Elizabeth visited Morocco in 1980. Reuters. Elizabeth DePompei is the digital editor for The News and Tribune. She has degrees in journalism and film from the University of Cincinnati and CUNY's Hunter College and was previously the paper's criminal justice reporter. Follow Elizabeth DePompei 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 You are here: Arts China-originated filmmakers made a splash at the 91st Academy Awards ceremony held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, as they outshone strong competitors and took home two honors. Three China-originated American directors were nominated for their movies for Best Documentary Feature. The award went to husband-and-wife filmmaking duo Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi for "Free Solo." "Free Solo" is a movie filled with human emotions, death-defying stakes and nail-biting tension. It follows elite rock climber Alex Honnold as he attempts an unassisted ascent up the El Capitan vertical rock formation at Yosemite National Park without ropes. Chin and Vasarhelyi are the first married couple of Asian descent ever nominated for Oscars together. "Minding the Gap," which lost to "Free Solo" in this category, was directed by another Chinese American director, Liu Bing. The other Oscars award claimed by a China-originated filmmaker went to Chinese-born Canadian writer and director Domee Shi for her Pixar short "Bao," which claimed Best Animated Short. "Bao" explores the life of a Chinese immigrant mom living in Toronto with her inattentive husband and struggling to cope with loneliness after her beloved son flies the nest. Shi is the first woman and first China-originated writer and director of a Pixar short. One competitor for her award was "One Small Step," a Chinese-American animated short film. Directed by China-born Disney animator Shaofu Zhang, it tells the story of a young Chinese-American protagonist who dreams of being an astronaut. Funeral services were held at 6:00 PM on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Scott Funeral Home, 2515 Veterans Parkway, Jeffersonville, IN. Visitation was 2 to 6 PM on Saturday. Tanner described the crash as a horrible tragedy, but disagreed with Vegas argument that Naylor had tried to drive around to the crossing gate arms. According to Tanner, the arms came down as Naylor was crossing the tracks, striking the garbage truck in the rear. Naylor then panicked, he said, and was unable to drive around the second crossing gate arm, leading to the collision. Tanner said video evidence of the collision will support this argument. Evidence will show he made a terrible, horrible mistake but that it was not a crime, he said. Three witnesses testified to Naylors state following the crash. Emma Freeauf, who was a volunteer EMT, said she was one of the first to arrive on the scene. She treated Naylor and said he repeatedly asked about the condition of his coworkers, showing concern for their wellbeing. However, she said she remembered Naylor saying that he tried to beat the train and that the collision was all his fault. Photos from January 2018: Amtrak train crashes into truck in Crozet, 1 dead Send news tips to news@dailyprogress.com, call (434) 978-7264, tweet us @DailyProgress or send us a Facebook message here. As the global film industry's highest accolade -- Hollywood's Academy Awards, or the Oscars -- will be handed out in Los Angeles on Sunday, China-born filmmakers are eyeing the prize with their nominated works. Although three Chinese-language feature submissions -- "Hidden Man," "Operation Red Sea," and "The Great Buddha+" -- failed to win a coveted Best Foreign Language Film nomination slot, three other films with Chinese elements did get the nod and will go on to strive for a win at the 91st annual Academy Awards celebration. China-born Canadian director, Domee Shi, now working at Pixar Animation Studios, was nominated for directing in the Best Animated Short Film category. Shi is the first female short film director and first Chinese writer and director of a Pixar short film in Pixar's history. "Bao," released with Pixar's popular blockbuster animated feature, "Incredibles 2," explores the life of a Chinese female immigrant living in Toronto with her inattentive husband and struggling to cope with loneliness after her beloved son flies the nest. Remarkably, the mother's deep empty-nester angst turns to joy when a cute, leftover dumpling (a bao) comes alive in a true Pinocchio fashion. "Traditionally, Chinese parents don't say 'I love you' to their kids. They say it with food or by fussing over them," Shi said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua after the release of "Bao," explaining why food became the focus of the animated film. "I wanted to explore an overprotective parent learning to let go of her dumpling, since I was an overprotected dumpling myself," Shi revealed to Xinhua. In an amusing aside on the ABC, Shi joked that she thinks her parents, far from being impressed by her Academy nomination, hope for "a grandchild more than an Oscar." The second China-born Oscar nominee this year is 30-year-old Bing Liu, director of "Minding the Gap," one of five films nominated for the Best Documentary Feature. Liu shot his Oscar-nominated film in Rockford, Illinois, where he grew up. Liu, who Chicago Tribune dubs "Chicagoan of the Year," is a mild-mannered camera assistant by day and an impressive documentarian director by night. He had to constantly scramble to capture those elusive moments that, in the right hands, turn documentaries from vapid reality shows to inspiring vehicles of universal truths. But despite the hardships, or perhaps because of them, "Minding the Gap" is unexpectedly deep. What starts off as a fun film on the close-knit, teen male-dominated skateboard subculture soon veers into a more profound exploration of cross-generational domestic violence and masculine identity. In his film, Liu examines many things: the fast and furious subculture of skateboarding where skinned shins and broken bones are par for the course; the quiet community of Rockford where he spent his childhood and is still connected to family and friends; the lives and tribulations of himself and his two closest comrades-in-arms, Keire Johnson and Zack Mulligan, who all struggled to cope with an adolescence tainted by abuse. U.S. media The Fader, which focuses on film, video and culture, describes the film as "a deep examination of masculinity, race, class, and the redemptive power of subcultures." Though running behind the immensely popular "RBG" biographical documentary on female activist and outspoken U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the soft-spoken Chinese-American filmmaker could still skate home with an Oscar award. The third China-born contender is former Disney animator Shaofu Zhang, the producer of Taiko Studios' "One Small Step," one of the five nominees in the category of Best Animated Short Film. Zhang founded the Taiko Studios in 2017, aiming to bridge eastern and western cultures to create memorable stories with universal appeal. Born in Wuhan, Zhang grew up in the United States and won a Student Academy Award in 2011 for a film he co-directed. Zhang and two other Disney animators, Bobby Pontillas and Andrew Chesworth, created "One Small Step" about Luna, a young Chinese-American girl, who doggedly pursues her dream of becoming an astronaut with the support of her father. The filmmaking team took inspiration from the dedicated Chinese female astronauts Liu Yang and Wang Yaping. A true mixture of the East and the West in terms of culture and creative teams, Zhang told the press that it was important to reflect the Asian American experience in the film. "At the core of the story, it is about the support of our families and our parents, especially our mothers. It was a love letter to them," said Zhang. We wanted to show where they slept, what food rations they were given and what life was like for them during the Holocaust, Evans said. It was hard trying to figure out how to put all of that together. Whitehead said she found the project challenging but really rewarding. When we got started on this project we thought that we wouldnt like it, Whitehead said. But we got pretty attached to the topic. The National D-Day Memorials Director of Facilities Martin Leamy said the students dedication to researching their topics impressed members of the panel. The students came up with a lot of neat ideas, Leamy said. I was amazed at the wide variety of topics they came up with. One of the presentations that particularly impressed Leamy and Mitchell Monday was the concept of building a memorial to the Bedford Boys the 22 soldiers from Bedford that were killed during the invasion of Normandy, 19 of who were killed during the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944. The concept included statues of each of the Bedford Boys as well as an architectural design of the memorial that would be in the shape of the insignia of the 116th Infantry Regiment that the Bedford Boys were a part of. The search for a West Virginia man suspected in the shooting of a Virginia police officer has expanded to the Lynchburg and Roanoke regions. Authorities are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Donquale M. Gray of Bluefield, West Virginia, who faces a charge of attempted capital murder in connection with the Feb. 16 shooting of a police officer in Bluefield, Virginia. Citing safety concerns, Virginia State Police haven't released the name of the 29-year-old officer, who is recovering from his wounds. According to a state police news release, the officer was shot after stopping a 2008 Toyota Yaris for an equipment violation. Police said Gray was in the passenger's seat and shot at the officer as the officer stood outside the vehicle on the driver's side. The officer and a second officer, who was responding to assist, returned fire. The Toyota driver got out of the vehicle and surrendered. Gray got into the driver's seat and drove off, police said. The car was found abandoned a few hours later. Neither the original driver, who was cited in connection with a traffic violation, nor the second officer were injured. Gray is from Chicago and most recently has been living in Bluefield, West Virginia, state police said. Thought Leaders Marco Versiani Dental Researcher University of Sao Paulo In this interview, Marco Versiani describes the Root Canal Anatomy Project, which involves sharing free images and videos acquired using Micro-CT, to professors, students and clinicians across the world. Please can you introduce yourself and the research you do at the University of Sao Paulo? My name is Marco Versiani. I am an invited professor and researcher at the Dental School of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. In recent years, Dr Sousa Neto and I have been researching the influence that root canal anatomy has on several endodontic procedures. Endodontics is the branch of dentistry that involves, amongst other areas, the study of root canal anatomy, which is the internal anatomy of teeth. More than 2000 years ago, Hippocrates stated that anatomy was the foundation of medicine. By extension, we could say that root canal anatomy is the foundation of the endodontic specialty. The root canal can be defined as the space inside a tooth that contains the dental pulp tissue and is the area where endodontic procedures are performed. Micro-CT for Dental Applications - The Root Canal Anatomy Project - Part One Play Micro-CT for Dental Applications - The Root Canal Anatomy Project - Part One from AZoNetwork on Vimeo. Please could you describe how micro-CT is used in dentistry? The application of micro-CT in dental research has generated very impressive and significant results. Micro-CT is a non-destructive and accurate tool that can be used to evaluate different structures from the external and internal aspects. Another great advantage of micro-CT is that it allows to evaluate the same structure from the same sample at different stages of an experiment. Both micro-CT and cone beam CT (CBCT) are non-destructive imaging tools. We could say they are quite similar in terms of function; however, micro-CT can only be used for laboratory purposes, while CBCT can be used for both laboratory and clinical purposes. We therefore use CBCT for patient diagnosis and in vivo studies on root canal anatomy. However, since micro-CT is more accurate than CBCT, we use this tool to validate the results and evidence that we acquire from our in vivo CBCT studies. Most of endodontic literature use destructive methods, such as sectioning and clearing techniques, for the study of root canal anatomy. Although sectioning teeth in different directions allows us to study their internal and external anatomy, it completely destroys the sample. Radiography is a non-invasive and non-destructive alternative, but it only provides a 2D image from a 3D structure. Considering the limitations of these conventional methods, nowadays we prefer to use non-destructive tools such as microCT, which overcomes all of these problems. Micro-CT can be used to evaluate opaque structures both qualitatively and quantitatively. Micro-CT algorithms also enable the evaluation of certain parameters that were previously impossible to assess using conventional methods. Examples of those parameters include volume, surface area and the 3D geometry of the root canal. Because of its non-destructive nature, micro-CT also allows the analysis of the same sample at different timepoints during the experiment and provides more reliable control groups, which makes the research more robust. Once we acquired the SKYSCAN device, we were able to publish many articles in high-impact, international peer-reviewed journals. The SKYSCAN also offers our students the opportunity to go outside of the country and start collaborating with international institutions. Please describe the root canal anatomy project you are involved with. The Root Canal Anatomy Project (http://rootcanalanatomy.blogspot.com/) was a web-based initiative that we launched in 2011. At the time, dental schools in Brazil did not have micro-CT scanners and I believe that, today, most countries still do not have such a device. Our intention when we created this project was to offer free images and videos developed using our SKYSCAN device, to professors, students and also clinicians across the world. Nowadays, the website has more than 1.5 million visitors and our materials have been downloaded more than 300,000 times. Our latest project, which we finished at the end of 2018, was the publication of a book entitled "The Root Canal Anatomy in Permanent Dentition." This book was very important because we had the opportunity to put together all the information that we acquired over the previous 40 years in the laboratory, as well as the most recent data acquired from our SKYSCAN device. We are also happy with the collaboration of several important international clinicians and researchers on this project. Micro-CT for Dental Applications - The Root Canal Anatomy Project - Part Two Play Micro-CT for Dental Applications - The Root Canal Anatomy Project - Part Two from AZoNetwork on Vimeo. What makes Bruker microCT systems unique? We chose Brukers microCT solutions as our partner for 4 main reasons. The first one is the technical support. Once we acquired the SKYSCAN 1174, a group of application scientists from Bruker visited from Belgium for several days and taught us how to use and manage the device. This was important at the time, because there was no other dental school in Brazil that had the same machine. The support they provided was therefore crucial to us starting our research using this technology. The SKYSCAN 1174 from Bruker Learn more about the World's most compact X-ray micro-CT The second reason is the yearly user meeting the company provides in Belgium, which all users of the companys devices are invited to. This provides an outstanding opportunity to meet scientists from all over the world, exchange knowledge and make some connections and friends, so it is a very pleasant meeting and an important aspect of being a Bruker-microCT user. Thirdly, the software is user-friendly, which is important to us as dentists rather than scientists. We need a device where the learning curve is not as steep as it is with other companies and allows us to easily understand how to manage all of the tools. The software from SKYSCAN is perfect for that. Finally, the availability of the staff is extremely important. Whatever the question we may have or the problem that may need solving, the SKYSCAN Bruker-microCT staff are contactable 24 hours a day, seven days a week and always provide the answers we need. Having Bruker-microCT as our partner is very valuable to this laboratory. About Marco Versiani Dr. Versiani received his degree in Dentistry in 1992. Since 1994, he has been working part-time in the Brazilian Military Police Dental Department in which he reached the grade of Lieutenant Colonel. He is a certified specialist in Endodontics (1999), but also in Didactics (1998) and Bioethics (2003). In 2015, Dr. Versiani concluded his Master Degree, PhD studies at the University of Sao Paulo, in which he is currently an invited professor and researcher. He has authored several chapters and more than 80 peer-reviewed papers in endodontics, being a member of the editorial board of the International Endodontic Journal. More recently, he published the book "Root Canal Anatomy in Permanent Dentition". Dr. Versiani has lectured worldwide focusing on his main research interests that are the influence of root canal anatomy on endodontic procedures using non-invasive 3D X-ray micro-computed tomography, towards the improvement of both chemical and mechanical debridement of root canals. American hospitals collectively have seen a loss of programs dealing with substance abuse The damage done to America's health by the opioid epidemic is well-recognized and enormous, with drug overdose death rates helping to drive down U.S. life expectancy in recent years. Yet as the problem has worsened, American hospitals collectively have seen a loss of programs dealing with substance abuse. That's the finding of a new paper written by faculty in Ohio University's Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and College of Health Sciences and Professions, and published in the journal Health Services Research. Its authors are Cory Cronin, Ph.D., CHSP assistant professor of social and public health; Berkeley Franz, Ph.D., Heritage College assistant professor of social medicine; Daniel Skinner, Ph.D., Heritage College assistant professor of health policy; and Zelalem Haile, Ph.D., M.P.H., Heritage College assistant professor of epidemiology. The study analyzed data for 3,365 acute-care hospitals across the country, from the 2010 and 2015 installments of the American Hospital Association Annual Survey. In the time between the two surveys, it found, these hospitals showed a net loss of in-patient and out-patient opioid-related programs, even as overdose deaths continued to climb. While some hospitals added programs during this period, a greater number discontinued them. In 2010, a total of 334 hospitals surveyed offered in-patient services and 588 offered out-patient services, but by 2015 these numbers had dropped to 327 and 577, respectively. "Hospitals are actually backing away from these services even while we have this discussion of an epidemic and the need for services for that," noted author Cronin. That could spell problems for patients with drug dependency, Franz added. "Hospitals play a critical role in the substance abuse services they provide and also in their ability to connect patients with local treatment and harm reduction services," she said. "We need to better understand how to support hospitals, especially in rural areas, to participate in the local opioid service infrastructure." Why are hospitals shedding opioid programs? The paper reviews some of the more important factors that may influence a decision on whether to add, drop or continue such programs. Factors that make a hospital more likely to offer them include having more beds (larger size); being nonprofit or having a religious affiliation; being in a county with higher household income; and being in a county designated Appalachian. Hospitals are less likely to provide such substance-abuse services when their home county contains a psychiatric facility. Hospital size, the study says, may affect a hospital's perception of its ability to afford an opioid program, while the effect of county income levels could reflect that "hospitals are more likely to offer these services if they are more confident in their patients' ability to pay." Nonprofit public ownership and/or religious affiliation, the study says, may make hospitals "more likely to consider themselves safety net providers," and thus more willing to address the opioid crisis. "It is also likely that they are simply better situated to carry out the kind of collaborative team-based work that this treatment requires," it adds. That having a psychiatric facility in its county makes a hospital less likely to offer opioid services, the study argues, may indicate that "if other local entities exist, hospitals may not see offering substance abuse disorder services as their responsibility beyond stabilizing acutely ill patients in the emergency room." And the fact that Appalachian counties are less likely to have such psychiatric facilities may account for hospitals in those counties being more apt to offer drug programs. The paper calls for more research on how delivery models and payment incentives might encourage more hospitals to proactively address the opioid crisis and partner with other community-based organizations. It notes that federal law already requires nonprofit hospitals to develop programming to address needs identified through Community Health Needs Assessments, but that associated regulations are vague and often lack oversight. Reforming this process to provide more guidance and enforcement could encourage more hospital opioid programming, it suggests. Source: https://www.ohio.edu/ "We will be doing a lot of PR and meet and greets. People love the dog. That's the best PR that there is. We will be getting out there making a name and letting people meet Anchor." Patrolman Brian O'Toole Pull Quote Andrew Aaron Valdez, as Jake, and Natalie Grace Sipula, as Flora, perform in Karamu Houses 27 Wagons Full of Cotton. It and another one-act by Tennessee Williams, This Property Is Condemned, comprise Two by Tennessee at the Cleveland theater. Free access for current print subscribers As a home delivery subscriber, you get free unlimited digital access to news-daily.com including stories, photos, obituaries, e-edition and more on your computer, tablet or phone. All you need is your print subscription account number and your last name. Don't know your subscription number? Email access@news-daily.com with your delivery address. Activate your account now. Andrea Marx recalls cutting her teeth on interior design during the long course of an illustrious career in the hospitality industry. She served as a marketing director for a big-box hotel company and was married to a hotel-brand executive for many years. Together, they moved around the world, relocating 17 times. I would work with owners and developers to create properties and design the rooms within those properties the scale of the rooms, what theyd look like, and how theyd meet the needs and wishes of the traveling community, Marx recalled. Ultimately, she resettled in Greenwich and began to think about a new career path, which would allow her to explore her design passion. She took an executive role with a staging company in Fairfield, and jumped right in to her new profession. Simultaneous to that, she also obtained her real estate license in Connecticut and became affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. It may seem like a value add to have a Realtor who is also a staging expert, but Marx prefers to keep these two professional roles separate. She saw an opportunity to start her own company in Greenwich, and thats how Lifestyle Staging by A/M was born. Today, she leads a team of three that includes herself, Luz Berg and Jill Reitman. They joined the company in July 2018. Though each of the AM Staging team members have defined roles, they also work in tandem on every staging project they take on. Luz Berg originally hails from Argentina, and had her own Greenwich-based staging firm when she and Marx met through a friend. She has a strong network of international clients and contacts around Fairfield County, and one of her roles is to photograph and document what is needed when a home is being assessed for staging process engineering, if you will, while Marx typically focuses on client-facing communications. As a former advertising industry graphic designer and art director, Jill Reitman comes to the team with exceptional graphics skills and social media know-how. And social media has been important to growing their business throughout Greenwich. They often hear from Realtors who have followed their posts on social media, including Instagram. Its one of the ways they keep their project pipeline filled. The three women met for coffee one day and talked about Marxs vision for the business, and two days later, they entered into their partnership. Though homeowners are the ultimate beneficiary of her work, Marxs clients are Realtors. In partnership with a listing agent, her team will transform a home and prepare it for marketing. One of the challenges that sellers face is that theyre often trying to juggle showing a home for sale and continuing to live there. Gone are the days of having a secondary home to move into, or being able to pack up and move to a new home with your belongings leaving an empty house and a blank slate, Marx said. For the majority of their projects, this is the case, and so the team has become quite adept at working within those parameters and blending some of the homeowners pieces furnishings, fixtures and decorative items with items hand selected by the staging team. One of the misconceptions about staging, Marx said, is that its a service reserved for the very highest priced properties. Rather, she said that her companys sweet spot is in working with sellers whose homes are valued in the $1.7 to $3.5 million range. Marx invests time in Realtor outreach. She hosts lunch and learns at brokerage offices around town, and uses the opportunity to educate Realtors about the possibilities of staging today, and how important their online photos are to the success of their marketing campaigns. The National Association of Realtors produced profiles in staging, with data to support why staging sells. Its factual information that I can offer to Realtors, who can then share it with their clients, she said. Todays housing market, especially in Greenwich, adds pressure for sellers. Online photography must be beautiful. They should show the scale of rooms, and demonstrate the flow of the floor plan and cohesion in terms of design and color, she suggested. Realtors also have different relationships with their buying clients than they used to. Today, buyers tell their agents what they want to see, typically after looking at photos online. Ten years ago, the demand was such that you didnt have to stage. There wasnt demand, Marx explained. Demand is everything. But look at the world were living in today. What happened after 2009, with the crash of the market and sellers not being able to give their homes away, was that people had to rethink what they were going to do to set their homes apart. The Belgian comics series "The Adventures of Tintin," opened its first flagship theme shop in Shanghai this week after the Chinese Lunar New Year. Located in central Shanghai, the shop sells more than 1,000 products surrounding the iconic figure in over 50 categories. Even though the shop is still in its trial operation, Tintin fans spread the news through social networks and swarmed into the shop over the weekend. "I've loved Tintin ever since I first read it as a kid, and I really admire his colorful life traveling around the world," said Zhang Huiying, a Tintin fan in Shanghai. "I bought some ornaments and postcards. Tintin has accompanied me for many years, and I wish his readers would love him as always." "Tintin fans bought up all the limited-edition sculptures of Tintin with a suitcase with Shanghai and his dog Snowy printed on it," said Philippe Wang, a representative of China of Moulinsart, intellectual property owner of "The Adventures of Tintin." "People are coming from Beijing and Hangzhou in groups this weekend just to visit our shop," said Wang. To meet more customer demands, Wang said an official online Tintin shop will open soon, and a Tintin exhibition in China is in preparation. In 1934, Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi, known by his pen name Herge and as "the father of Tintin," met with Zhang Chongren, then a Shanghai architectural student in Belgium, to create his story "The Blue Lotus," which took place in the metropolis. The character "Chang Chong-Chen" was based on Zhang and is the only character with a real-world origin in "The Adventures of Tintin." 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. Thirteen property owners have filed lawsuits against the Town of New Canaan following the latest revaluation. The taxpayers, all of whom had previously appealed to the town's Board of Assessment Appeals, claim their assessments are "grossly excessive, disproportionate and unlawful." At least half of the properties in the lawsuits are valued at more than $2 million. Several of them had the assessment reduced during the appeals process in April, but the changes did not seem to satisfy those taxpayers. Tax Assessor Sebastian Caldarella said the lawsuits are common after a revaluation takes place. The latest was conducted in 2013. A revaluation is a state-mandated process of performing market analysis and assessments to determine accurate and equitable values for all properties in town. The purpose of a revaluation, which is conducted every five years, is to create an equitable distribution of the tax burden. Caldarella said 13 is a low number and that two of those lawsuits have already been withdrawn. It is likely, he said, that many other property owners would file lawsuits in the upcoming months. After the previous revaluation, in 2008, about 37 taxpayers filed lawsuits against the town, he said. Seventeen of them did so the year following the revaluation -- 2009 -- but others did so in 2010 or later. Caldarella said three of those have not been settled yet, as many cases take three or four years to be resolved. "Sometimes it takes forever," he said. More Information Fact box See More Collapse According to the Tax Assessor's office, 285 appeals were filed this year. The Board of Assessment Appeals reduced 187 of them and increased two. Ninety-six appealed assessments were not changed. Although the assessed value of downtown properties saw the biggest increase after the revaluation, most of the lawsuits are from "the outskirts," as Caldarella put it. However, Elm Street appears three times on the list, including 272 Elm St., where TD Bank is located. Caldarella said the sale prices of properties in the months following the revaluation have been about 90 or 95 percent of the town's assessed value. "That shows in a sense how decent the revals were," he said. The assessor said he doesn't believe all the current lawsuits are warranted, but he said "it is their right to appeal." "When the margin is so slim, why even bother?" Caldarella said, noting that the lawsuit process may cost more than the property taxes themselves. noliveira@bcnnew.com, 203-330-6582, @olivnelson We hope the students enjoy their new arts facilities and we look forward to seeing their creative work in the future" NEWBURY Building Society has provided a 500 boost to a Hungerford schools new art and technology department. John OGaunt Schools Parent School Association (PSA) successfully applied for a one-off donation from the society under its Community Support Scheme. The financial support will go towards providing equipment for the new department, supporting the launch of a photography club and running a young journalists club. Information communication technology, media and technology teacher Deborah Arden-Hunt said: Having a building society that is really local means they play a unique role within the community. This means Newbury Building Society extends beyond simply providing people with financial products and services, but enthusiastically takes part in social enterprise, caring about their local area and supporting a community in need, especially for students where there is no exposure to outside the curriculum and extending the curriculum activities. PSA chairwoman Sian Piper said: Were ecstatic to have received the donation. The art department has begun planning exactly what purchases they will need to start the department off. This will include flash umbrellas, zoom lens, backdrop, filters and an SLR camera. We hope to create an innovative programme which will have significant results on the engagement of the students and benefit the whole school community. Newbury Building Society marketing and communications manager Emma Simms said: Its a pleasure to award John OGaunt School a cheque for 500 from our Community Support Scheme. We hope the students enjoy their new arts facilities and we look forward to seeing their creative work in the future. Further information about the societys Community Support Scheme and eligibility requirements can be found on its webpage. Applications for 2019 consideration are now open, with the panel meeting to allocate the next round of funding in early May. The software-defined wide-area networking (SD-WAN) revolution knows no boundaries. Now the technology has found its way into a telemedicine backpack that can deliver real-time communications between doctors and first responders on scene in the field. Telemedicine pioneer swyMed, based in Lexington, Mass., offers a high-performance telemedicine backpack called the DOT Doctors on Tap which enables reliable, real-time video communications powered by the Silver Peak Unity EdgeConnect SD-WAN edge platform that can improve the performance of existing wireless network communications and connect even at long distances from wireless towers. The DOT is an impressive package of technology. The lightweight mobile unit incorporates antennas, redundant dual-modem wireless connections, an all day battery, an integrated speaker/microphone, two digital scopes, and a ruggedized sunlight-readable tablet with an integrated full HD camera. It also includes the solid state Silver Peak EdgeConnect Ultra Small (US) SD-WAN appliance, which integrates SD-WAN into the backpack, and serves as a network-on-demand providing the capability to securely and directly connect to more than one wireless network simultaneously. The result is a high-powered, mobile communications network that can be carried by medical professionals into the field to provide advanced communications capabilities that reach beyond what standard wireless services offer. SwyMed CEO Stefano Migliorisi says the DOT can enable medical professionals to communicate in hard-to-reach areas using an SD-WAN that can overcome connectivity issues and improve performance by tying together disparate communications networks. We use very powerful antennas, our own patented technology, and the Silver Peak EdgeConnect appliance to connect to towers far away, says Migliorisi. It uses SD-WAN technology, forward-error connection (FEC), and path conditioning to maintain communications quality by bonding multiple SIMs to combine signals. With sub-second failover, communications are maintained continuously should one of the signals experience congestion or an outage. You can have a very good connection to a tower thats very far away. Migliorisi says the DOT and Silver Peak technology have helped paramedics improve patient care in the field when they need to urgently communicate with their doctors. In one example, the patient wanted to speak to the doctor to get a recommendation on a preferred hospital. After speaking directly to the patient and paramedics, the doctor instructed the paramedics to transport the patient to a different hospital than originally intended, ultimately providing the patient with better care that may have saved his life. When the patient arrived at the hospital he went into cardiac arrest, says Migliorisi. The medical staff was able to resuscitate him and rapidly perform an emergency intervention. The doctors remote assessment directed the patient to a hospital with more extensive capabilities, so he was where he needed to be to receive the right level of care. The DOT is used internationally in places that have wide variations in communications infrastructure. For example, Migliorisi says its currently being used in a region in India to connect rural mothers with doctors over wireless networks where the wireless towers are very far apart. SwyMed says the combination of its own patented software and the Silver Peak SD-WAN platform has been shown to boost the connectivity of poor wireless connections. By adding the capability to use multiple carriers simultaneously, the SD-WAN can make real-time adjustments in the data transport to deliver the highest quality of experience by aggregating multiple SIM cards. For example, Migliorisi said some recent tests on Long Island showed that when the DOT was connected to one tower that was yielding 50 percent and another one yielding 70 percent, the two connections could be combined to create an aggregate signal strength of 90 percent. Migliorisi says the Silver Peak technology is unique to the delivery of the DOT because of the seamless switching capability it provides between networks. He says that swyMed looked at other mobile SD-WAN solutions, but they dropped connections when switching from one mobile network to another. That is not a big deal for email or web browsing where a few seconds of delay in switching is not noticed. But in live video communication, even sub-second delays are picked up because our eyes and ears are so finely tuned to detect variations. It was very difficult to find anything that was seamless. Silver Peak has much more granularity. Its a very sophisticated product. Migliorisi said the key features that differentiate the Silver Peak SD-WAN product include: Built-in security between the DOT and a termination point at a private data center The capability to apply different policies based on the region Automatic handling of IP address changes due to service provider network address translation (NAT) Subsecond switching between wireless networks without delay or lost connections Its very easy to change the policies, says Migliorisi. There is granularity. You can centrally configure business intent overlays with Unity Orchestrator. You can have one for Europe and one for Asia. Its very flexible. The bottom line is that Migliorisi sees the Silver Peak SD-WAN platform as key to the DOT offering, which is now being offered in a few dozen places across the US, Europe and Asia. Deployments are expected to scale exponentially over the next several years. To learn more about the SD-WAN backpack, listen to this podcast where swyMeds COO Jeff Urdan describes how it works, the role Silver Peak Unity EdgeConnect plays in enabling 4G LTE connectivity, and stories of how the technology is used by first responders to help save lives. There were strong positions on both sides of this resolution, which was seen as a solution by school districts in many rural areas that not only dont have the financial resources for a security program, Bertrand said, but in the case of an active shooter situation, they would be looking at a response time from law enforcement of more than 20 minutes. A man has been arrested for allegedly committing a sexual assault at the University of Vermont. Police say the assault happened Saturday on the Burlington campus. The suspect has been identified as 37-year-old Tyson Cyphers, who is currently on the Vermont sex offender registry. Following the alleged assault, police say Cyphers stole multiple items from the victim before fleeing the scene. "UVM is deeply concerned about this sexual assault and grand larceny incident," the school said in a statement. "We are thankful for the prompt police action that resulted in the suspects arrest." Detectives say Cyphers was known to the victim, and police do not believe that there is any ongoing threat to the community. Counseling and support services, including a victim's advocate, are available to the victim and any other individuals who may have been affected by the incident, the school said in a statement. UVM Police Services is working closely with other agencies. Cyphers is being held on $100,000 bail and will be arraigned Monday. It's unclear if he has a lawyer. Powerful winds have knocked out power for tens of thousands of people across southern New England. The National Weather Service wind gusts over 60 miles per hour were reported in parts of Massachusetts on Monday afternoon. Meteorologists say damaging winds are expected to last through at least sunset in Massachusetts as well as Rhode Island and Connecticut. More than 46,300 Massachusetts customers were in the dark as of Monday night, while more than 82,850 New Hampshire customers were without power. Eversource reported more than 13,400 outages in Connecticut. National Grid said more than 4,040 customers were without power across Rhode Island Monday night. In Vermont, Green Mountain Power reported more than 1,180 outages. And more than 8,400 Maine customers were in the dark, as well. Police across southern New England reported downed trees and power lines blocking streets. In Wells, Maine, police say a trucker blamed wind for causing his tractor-trailer loaded with bananas to swerve and overturn on the Maine Turnpike. Across Massachusetts, emergency crews responded to calls of fallen trees and power lines in many communities including Milton where a tree fell on a car trapping a nanny and a 4-year-old girl inside. "It actually collapsed the roof down," said Mitch Sumner, Milton's deputy fire chief. "We were able to cut the door off and extricate them out of the car." The Milton Fire Department says a 4-year-old girl and her nanny are lucky to be alive after high winds knocked a tree over, causing it to land on the car they were in. Officials say the tree landed just inches away from the front seat, trapping both inside. The child was getting picked up by her nanny at the Village School when the tree fell. "That could have been kids walking. That's scary," said one parent. Authorities said the driver was taken to Brigham and Women's Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The child was taken to Boston Children's Hospital as a precaution. "She was a very lucky, lucky girl. To just have the injuries she had, neck, minor, so very lucky," Sumner said. In Natick, Massachusetts, a large piece of metal was dangling for hours off of St. Patricks Church. The dangerous scene over Route 135 played out for hours, forcing the road to be closed until it fell off. It was very windy and there was a piece of copper...it finally came loose and came down, said Pete Aufiero, who watched as the metal fell to the ground. Nobody was injured and no property was damaged. Im just hoping not to get hit by anything flying on my way home, said Natick resident Kerry Bonner. And then I have to take my dog out, so hopefully he wont get blown away. Police and fire departments around the region sent out warnings and road closures due to the high winds Monday. In Westford, Mass., a lot of trees made the city more vulnerable to damage and outages. Busy Route 40 was closed because of damage, and at one point about 40-percent of the town was without power, including most municipal offices. In Westford, Massachusetts, strong winds also brought down a tree on Depot Street. The driver was not hurt and able to safely escape. A number of roads around town had to be closed due to other downed trees and power lines. At one point, about 40 percent of Westford was without power. "It was horrible. I could feel like literally the house shaking," said Howard Liu of Westford. "Luckily, we have a generator, but I understand the winds are only getting worse." "We pay attention to the weather, so we were told 60 mph winds today. I think they're 55, so we were prepared," Westford Town Manager Jodi Ross said. Ross added that five schools in town were out of power and using generators, along with the highway department, town hall and the police department. High Winds Cause Downed Trees, Power Outages Across Region Similar situations were reported in many other communities, including Newton, Needham, Natick, and Brookline. "It's not necessarily typical for this time of year, but it's a windstorm," said Stephanie Lanzillo of Chelmsford. Power issues caused some schools to dismiss early and briefly stopped Amtrak train traffic between Mystic and New Haven, Connecticut. At the highest peak in the Northeast, a wind gust of 144 mph has been recorded at New Hampshire's Mount Washington. The 6,288-foot Mount Washington is notorious for extreme weather. It long held the world record for fastest wind speed ever recorded at 231 mph. Officials said widespread power outages are possible, and travel could be difficult. A second Boston-based billionaire is facing a criminal charge after a multi-agency investigation into human trafficking at massage parlors in Florida. John W. Childs, the 77-year-old Massachusetts billionaire who founded a Waltham-based private equity firm, is facing a charge of solicitation of prostitution after a wide-ranging investigation across several counties, Vero Beach police said. Childs firm, J.W. Childs Associates, is located in an office building on Totten Pond Road in Waltham. A spokesman for the company declined to comment Sunday night. Friday, the firm announced Childs' retirement and noted that he had not been active in the managing of the company. "John built an enduring and strong business and we appreciate his many contributions to JWC," managing partner Adam Suttin said in a statement. "I look forward with confidence to the next chapter for our firm and wish John well." NBC10 Boston went to a Chestnut Hill home Sunday that is listed under John W. Childs. A woman who answered the door Sunday identified herself as Childs' housekeeper and said he is in Florida right now. Childs' home is just doors down from the gated home of Robert Kraft. The owner of the New England Patriots is facing similar charges in connection with the same series of prostitution busts in Florida. Jupiter police said Kraft visited a massage parlor at least twice, each time paying for sex with a prostitute. Kraft has denied that he did anything illegal. A Massachusetts police officer was hospitalized Monday morning after being hit by another vehicle while he was on his motorcycle. Authorities said the Newton officer was hit by a Kia on Moody Street near the Newton-Waltham town line. The officer, who has not been identified, was conscious and alert when taken to Brigham and Women's Hospital. He suffered minor injuries and is expected to be OK. It's unknown at this time if the other driver involved is cooperating or what led to the crash. The investigation into the crash is ongoing. New Hampshire State Police have identified the man whose body was found on a road in Gilmanton. Authorities positively identified the man as 52-year-old Leonard W. Mccassie Jr., of Laconia, after completing an autopsy Sunday. The official cause of death is pending further investigation. Multiple authorities responded Saturday to a report of a body that had been located on Middle Route. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Trooper Stephen McAulay at 603-223-8920. A Massachusetts police officer has been arrested and charged with the aggravated rape of a child, the Essex District Attorneys Office announced Monday. Longtime Lawrence police officer Carlos Vieira, 49, was arrested in Haverhill without incident. He is charged with two counts of aggravated rape of a child and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. "This is an ongoing investigation, but the allegations against Officer Vieira are extremely troubling, and we take them very seriously, Lawrence Police Chief Roy Vasque said in a statement. Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera echoed the chief's sentiment, saying in a statement that he is "angry, sick, dismayed, and saddened by the accusations and charges against" Vieira. "We have worked very hard to improve and raise the professionalism of the Lawrence Police Department. We fired and expelled many officers who could not work between the code of conduct and the high level of professionalism in which my office, the police chief and the men and women and the leadership of the police unions worked," Mayor Rivera said. Vieira's arrest follows an investigation by the Essex DAs Office that began in January. Authorities say the victims mother contacted them to report that her son, who was 13 at the time, had allegedly met Vieira using a social media app and engaged in sexual activity with him in the summer of 2018. There was disbelief throughout Lawrence with the news of Vieiras arrest. I'm just disgusted about it, I just have no comment after that, a neighbor said. Many of Vieiras neighbors say they are surprised to hear about his arrest. From what Ive seen, he looks like a good guy, another man said. For a guy, for him to be accused of such allegations, I don't think its real. Chief Vasque says Officer Vieira, who has been a member of the Lawrence Police Department since November of 1999, was placed on administrative leave immediately after the department was notified of his arrest by Massachusetts State Police. Mayor Rivera says if the allegations are determined to be true, city officials will act quickly to remove him from his job. "This is unforgivable," Rivera said. Vieira is expected to be arraigned Tuesday in Lawrence District Court. It's unclear if he has an attorney. A graduate of St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire, has been arrested in Virginia and is now facing several sexual assault charges in the Granite State. Concord Police say the case dates back to the 1970s. The alleged victims came forward in 2017. After an investigation that lasted a year and a half, they got a call Monday from detectives who told them their alleged attacker was finally behind bars. "Back in the 70s, this was dealt with in a very different way," said Lt. Sean Ford. "This was never reported to law enforcement and never reported to the school." Police say 61-year-old Benjamin Baker was a St. Paul's School student when he allegedly sexually assaulted two young kids who were the children of a St. Paul's employee at the time. "Oftentimes, students stay with employees and families and that's how Mr. Baker came to have a relationship with these kids in a deviant way," Ford explained. He says Baker continued assaulting the children even after he graduated, when he'd come back to visit campus. The two victims came forward in June of 2017, telling St. Paul's School leaders who went straight to police. "These two brave people, and I say 'brave' because they came forward and talked about a lot of bad things that happened to them, allegedly by Mr. Baker," Lt. Ford said. He says because Baker moved out of state shortly after the alleged crimes, the clock on the 20-year state statute of limitations stopped ticking. Baker was arrested Monday morning at his home in Virginia and is facing 12 different charges of sex assault, including five counts of felony rape. "The allegations are disturbing. It's tragic what he is alleged to have done to these victims," Ford said. "We hope this process can give them some kind of closure and bring justice for them and their families." As NBC10 Boston has reported, St. Paul's School has come under fire in recent years for mishandling sex abuse cases dating back to the 1940s. But Concord Police make it clear this case is different. The school was never aware of this alleged abuse until the victims came forward in 2017. Ford says school leaders turned the information over to police right away. "A complaint was brought forward to the School in June 2017 and was reported immediately to the Concord Police Department. That investigation culminated in an arrest. St. Paul's School will continue to assist law enforcement with their prosecution," the school said in a statement. Baker will be arraigned on a felony from justice charge in Virginia on Tuesday. Trump dismissed concerns about North Koreas ballistic missiles because Putin told him they didnt have the capability of reaching the United States. Intelligence officials in the briefing stated that that was not consistent with any of the intelligence that our government possesses, to which Trump replied I dont care. I believe Putin. Now, Trump fans, who are you going to believe, our intelligence officers or Vladimir Putin? Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 25) Amid his attacks on clergymen for incidents of sexual abuse in the Catholic church, President Rodrigo Duterte proposed a "solution" Sunday. "Dapat ng pari, payagan nga maminyo. Mao ra'y solusyon gyud diha. O maski'g bayot, allow them to marry. Kanang same sex. Ako, pabor ko diha para matapos na. Matapos na ba ang problema," Duterte said in a speech before beneficiaries of the unconditional cash transfer program in Cebu City. [Translation: Priests should be allowed to marry. That's the only solution there. Even the gay ones, allow them to marry, same sex marriage. I am in favor of that so that the problem is done.] Earlier in his speech, Duterte recounted the sexual abuse he experienced under the hands of Catholic priests. He then said four out of five priests are gay. Duterte's comments come after the Vatican concluded a historic summit with 190 Catholic leaders to address a clergy sexual abuse scandal happening worldwide. The President has frequently attacked the Catholic Church, accusing it of corruption and abuse, and mocking its practices and beliefs. A Massachusetts tribe says construction is expected to begin next month for a gambling hall on the resort island of Martha's Vineyard. The Aquinnah Wampanoags tribe says Williams Building Company of Hyannis has been chosen as general contractor for the project. The 10,000-square-foot facility that's planned to have about 250 electronic gaming machines is being built on tribal trust lands. The tribe says the gambling hall will employ almost 100 full-and-part time employees when operating. Site preparation began this month. The tribe says construction is expected to take about six months to complete. The tribe already announced that Global Gaming Solutions would be the developer and consultant for the facility. The U.S. Supreme Court last year declined to take up a legal challenge brought by the state and town. An alleged OUI driver accused of abandoning a child at the scene of a rollover crash will not face a judge Monday morning. Cecilia Miranda, 37, of Revere, Massachusetts, was arrested shortly after midnight Sunday after her red Nissan Kicks rolled over while traveling on Route 16 near Route 1 in Revere, according to state police. Authorities received calls of the single-vehicle crash from witnesses who reported the driver fled the scene in a bystander's vehicle with one child and left behind an older child. The older child, a 10-year-old boy, was taken to an area hospital by another bystander. State police found Miranda and the younger child, a 6-year-old boy, at Massachusetts General Hospital and arrested the woman. Officials at East Boston Neighborhood Healthcare Center reported to authorities that the older boy was dropped off in their care. Both children suffered severe, but non-life threatening injuries, according to state police. The relationship between the suspect and two children is unclear. Miranda is facing a series of charges that include OUI and two counts of child endangerment while operating under the influence. She was bailed and released on Sunday. Miranda was expected to be arraigned at Chelsea District Court on Monday; however, it's unclear when she'll be formally arraigned. It's also unclear if she has an attorney. What to Know A plaque on the cross' base lists the names of 49 area residents who died in World War I Maryland officials argue that the cross doesn't violate the Constitution because it has a secular purpose and meaning, honoring veterans Opponents argue that the cross' location on public land in Bladensburg violates the First Amendment's establishment clause Steven C. Lowe says he has always thought that a 40-foot-tall concrete cross that stands on a large, grassy highway median near his Maryland home was odd. For years, he says, he didn't know that the cross is a war memorial. A plaque on the cross' base lists the names of 49 area residents who died in World War I, but it isn't easily read from the road and getting to the monument requires dashing across traffic. Lowe said he felt the cross implied that the city favored Christians over others. "It certainly made me raise my eyebrows," said Lowe, 68, who is retired from the telecommunications industry. In 2014, Lowe, two other area residents and the District of Columbia-based American Humanist Association, a group that includes atheists and agnostics, sued to challenge the cross. They argue that the cross' location on public land violates the First Amendment's establishment clause, which prohibits the government from favoring one religion over others. The group lost the first round in court, but in 2017 an appeals court ruled the cross unconstitutional. Now, the cross' supporters are asking the Supreme Court to overturn that ruling in a case the justices will hear Wednesday. The memorial's supporters would seem to have a good shot based on the court's decision to take the case and the court's more conservative makeup, seen as more likely to uphold such displays. Plus, even liberal Justice Stephen Breyer voted in a 2005 case to uphold a Ten Commandments display on public property. Backers of the nearly 100-year-old cross, also called the "Peace Cross," say if the justices rule against them it could threaten hundreds of monuments nationwide. Opponents, for their part, say few memorials are truly similar. They argue the cross should be moved to private property or modified into a nonreligious monument such as a slab or obelisk, a suggestion backers say would be desecration. Arguing for the cross at the high court are The American Legion, which raised money for the cross and completed it in 1925, and officials with the state of Maryland, which took over managing the site in 1960. They have the support of the Trump administration and 30 states. Supporters say the cross is a fixture of Bladensburg, Maryland, just about 5 miles from the Supreme Court. Traffic reporters use it as a reference point in radio reports. Residents give directions that refer to it. Maryland officials argue that the cross doesn't violate the Constitution because it has a secular purpose and meaning, honoring veterans, in an area where several other memorials to veterans stand. On the other side, the American Humanist Association says that using a cross as a war memorial doesn't make the cross secular; it makes the war memorial Christian. Similar monuments have met with a mixed fate at the high court. On the same day in 2005, for example, the court upheld a Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the Texas state capitol while striking down Ten Commandments displays in Kentucky courthouses. Justice Breyer, whose vote made the difference in the outcome in both cases, said the history of the courthouse displays demonstrated a government effort to promote religion while the Texas display had a primarily nonreligious purpose. The American Legion, represented by lawyers with the Texas-based First Liberty Institute, says that a test the court announced in 1971 for use in such cases, which asks whether the government's action has a secular purpose, advances or inhibits religion or fosters "an excessive government entanglement with religion," has proved unworkable. They say that question the justices should be asking is whether the government's action is coercive, which they say the cross is not. The court doesn't have to rule that broadly, however, to side with the monument's supporters. The monument's backers say they just want the cross left alone. Speaking recently at an American Legion post near the cross, member Stan Shaw said modifying the cross would be "a slap in a veteran's face." As for the suggestion the monument should be moved, Mike Moore, another member, said he's "not sure how one could do it." Add that to the fact that the monument is cracking and repair work has been on hold. Relatives of the men whose names are on the cross have also asked the court to let it stand where it is. Mary Ann LaQuay, whose uncle Thomas Fenwick's name is on the cross, says it's a way for her to remember her uncle, who caught pneumonia and died while fighting in France. His grave is in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, but LaQuay, 80, says she feels "like the cross represents his memorial." Those challenging the cross say they want to make clear that they aren't against veterans or veterans memorials. Fred Edwords, a longtime official with the American Humanist Association, says they just don't think it's right to leave the impression that only Christian soldiers are being celebrated. Lowe, the Maryland resident who lives near the cross, said some people have asked him: Why not just leave the cross alone? "I think it was a violation of the Constitution when it was built," he said. "The fact that it is old doesn't make it right. It's an old wrong." A former youth worship leader and music teacher at a Virginia church pleaded guilty to two more counts of indecent liberties of a minor Monday, having already been convicted of five counts last year. Jordan Baird, 27, behaved inappropriately with a 16-year-old girl who took music lessons from him at The Life Church in Manassas, where his father is the pastor, prosecutors said. Special prosecutor Kevin Gross told the judge it started with text messages to the girl. I would marry you if I wasnt with my wife, he wrote. He also told the girl she was beautiful. Then during a music lesson, he took the girl into a dark room and locked the door, prosecutors said. He began kissing her, forced her to touch him and later exposed himself when she refused his request for oral sex. When she left the church that day she, told her mother she never wanted to go back again. Baird faces up to five years on each count when he is sentenced May 20. A jury found Baird guilty on five counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor last year. All of those counts were connected to the abuse of one underage girl. He was sentenced to five months in jail. He was arrested in August 2016 after a 16-year-old girl told police he sent her inappropriate text messages and touched her inappropriately at the church numerous times between January and September 2015. After his arrest, the second victim came forward and told police about his inappropriate sexual contact with her in 2013. The allegations against him are part of the impetus for legislation awaiting the governors signature that would add clergy to the list of mandated reporters of child abuse. More than 18 million Americans have mailed in their saliva to commercial genetics labs in hopes of retracing their roots and uncovering clues about their family trees. News4 spoke to a Northern Virginia mother who took three genetic tests to connect with long-lost relatives and the ending changed everything she thought she knew about herself. Julee Newberger's parents took the secret of her adoption to their grave. I was adopted at birth, but it was a family secret. A cousin came and told me that there was something that she felt that I had the right to know, Newberger said. And so began the journey to find her birth parents. At that time, I was interested in having a child of my own and for that reason and others, I really wanted to learn more about my ancestry and health history. With her adoption records sealed, Newberger turned to at-home DNA test kits for clues. She sent in a tube of spit to three major DNA test companies: 23andMe, AncestryDNA and Family Tree DNA. Her results then went into each company's database for possible matches. So, this chart shows each of my cousins' chromosomes and where we overlap," Newberger said while showing her results to News4. Six months after sending off her DNA, she finally got a close match. It was her uncle. He was relatively anonymous, but through some Google searching and kind of amateur detective work, I was able to figure out who he was. As Julee poured over the complicated strands of her family's DNA, she tracked down more relatives and, finally, connected with her biological mother by phone. I think the first thing she said to me was, Julee, I was 15 when I got pregnant." It turned out her parents were high school sweethearts, but they weren't ready to raise a baby. I think when I first saw a picture of my birth dad that's when I knew it was real. Newberger's parents went their separate ways after putting her up for adoption. But their love story wasn't done yet. Later on in life, they found each other again and got back together and got married. So, they had two children of their own. My full biological brother and sister, Newberger said. At one point, her biological family and her adoptive family were living just a few miles apart in New York. There are many possibilities for us having crossed paths," Newberger said. The fact that they had tried to find me and we were so close together, you know, but weren't able to. It's just incredible that we had to go through this. And the DNA test revealed more than a new family. "In my adoptive family, I had been told that I was Russian, German, Polish and raised in a Jewish family," Newberger said. But the tests revealed she was primarily Italian. "So, that was a big shock because you know when you grow up feeling this kinship with a group of people and then you find out that that's not really who you are." Newbergers search had a happy ending, but she knows that it couldve gone much differently. I know that it opens up doors to conversations and family secrets that people may not be ready to talk about and hear about. Newberger said the benefits of finding her family outweighed any privacy concerns. Her biological parents have since passed away, but she's maintained a relationship with her brother and sister. All this week News4 is looking into home DNA test kits. Watch News4 at 5 and 6 p.m. on Tuesday for a closer look at how police are using DNA to crack cold cases and why your genetic information be examined even if you have never take one of the tests. A man who died while trying to help a driver stranded on an icy Pine Valley bridge was remembered by friends and family as a true hero, not just in his final act but throughout his life. Dozens of people gathered at the Marina Village in Mission Bay on Sunday to remember Robert "Bob" Verlin Bruno Jr, who died in a fall from the Pine Valley Creek Bridge while trying to avoid an oncoming crash. Bruno had stopped in the early hours of Feb. 6 to help a truck driver who spun out on a patch of ice in the middle of the bridge that spans some 400 feet in the air. Bruno's fiancee Gwen Sneed said it didn't surprise her that the man she loved rushed to the aid of another, though it doesn't make the loss any easier. On Sunday, she said her healing journey has just begun. "It's the hardest journey I've ever gone through, Sneed told NBC 7. "I know that I have hundreds of people to help me." Those gathered in Mission Bay recalled their cherished memories with Bruno. Megan Hefti shared her final exchange with her dear friend: "The last moment we had together was him walking out of the studio getting his hair cut and I said I love you, Bob." She also remembered his compassion for others. "I said before, I feel like if someone, a homeless person, dropped their shopping cart he would have pulled over," Hefti continued. Bruno was attempting to avoid a multi-vehicle crash when he ran to the side of the bridge railing and jumped over, California Highway Patrol said. The bridge in San Diego's East County is one of the highest in the U.S. at 450 feet tall. Bruno did not survive the fall. Bruno's body was found in a snow-covered canyon under the bridge by a chopper that was weaving through support beams during the search. He had just celebrated his 48th birthday two weeks prior. He was just somebody who went out of his way because that was the right thing to do," Sneed said. While Sneed said the void in her heart may never be filled, she hopes Bruno's heroism that foggy February morning is what Bruno will be remembered by. "Be like Bob. Be a hero; be like Bob." Hurting California Republicans chose a party insider Sunday to lead them forward after their party suffered stinging defeats in 2018, rejecting two candidates backed by activists who favored a stronger embrace of President Donald Trump. The California Republican Party's delegates had to decide where the party would go next with its leadership, and a majority of about 1,200 delegates chose Jessica Patterson, who previously headed a Republican candidate recruitment and training program. Trump's election fueled what was already a downward slide for California's Republicans, who have not won statewide office since 2006 and rank as third party status in voter registration behind Democrats and independents. The 2018 election pushed the party further toward the brink of extinction in the nation's most populous state, with Democrats flipping seven U.S. House seats once considered GOP strongholds and Republicans holding less than a quarter of state legislative seats. Patterson argued bringing the Republican message into new communities would be the key to success and said she would push candidates to focus on California issues rather than the president's message. Her two rivals, former state Assemblyman Travis Allen and party activist Steve Frank, said energizing the party base that loves Trump was the key to success. Both are strident backers of the president. But Patterson had the backing of most elected officials, including top Trump supporters like U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. She was viewed as the candidate better prepared to raise money and do the grunt work required of a chair. "Let's serve notice to the Democrats in California that we are back and we are ready to deliver on the Republican comeback," Patterson said after winning. "Then let's dig in and make it happen." Her opponents argued she represents more of the same leadership that led the party into decline. Both charged the state party has not advocated for strong conservative values and shied away from full-throated Trump support. Allen came in second and Frank placed third. "California Republicans are every bit as Republican as Republicans across the country," Allen said in an interview last week. "It's about time we have a Republican party that stands for our values, our ideals and supports our Republican president." After the vote, Allen said only that he hopes "the Republican party starts fighting again for the good of all Californians." Patterson said prior to the election she supports Trump. Beyond McCarthy, she had the backing of key Trump supporters such as U.S. Rep. Devin Nunes and the state's two Republican National Committee members. But some of Trump's most fervent California supporters were disappointed by the outcome. Stephanie Sporcich, a teacher, said she got involved with the state party because of Trump's election. She cast her vote for Allen, and saw the chairmanship race as a battle between the grassroots and the establishment. "We're the ones that are the strongest Trump supporters with Trump values," she said, adding she and other new activists have already successfully infiltrated the party structure and will keep working to do so. But Elizabeth Patock, another teacher, liked Patterson's focused on bringing "non-traditional Republicans" into the party. Patock did not vote for Trump and said she dislikes how ugly national politics have become. She said Patterson "has a positive message." Patterson is the first Latina to lead the state party. She did not make her personal heritage a major piece of her campaign, but said the party needs to use "new messengers." California Republicans have struggled to appeal to the state's growing Latino and Hispanic population because of the party's position on immigration, among other things. Patterson did not provide specifics Sunday on how she will deal with that issue. As a gesture of goodwill, she named Frank and Allen as co-chairs of a voter registration committee. Both had highlighted the party's outsourcing of voter registration activities as a major flaw. And she called for unity among California Republicans. "Our success will be a team effort, no egos, no personal agenda, no drama," she said. "We're going to be about one thing: Winning." President Donald Trump is trying to manage expectations for his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, predicting a "continuation of the progress" made last time. Trump tweeted Sunday that he was leaving early the next day for the meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam, adding a tantalizing nod to "Denuclearization?" He also said Kim knows that "without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the World." Their first meeting, in Singapore in June, produced a vaguely worded commitment from North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons program. Heading into this week's summit, Trump has said that North Korea has not tested any nuclear weapons in months and that as long as that testing has ceased, he's in no rush. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on "Fox News Sunday" that he was hoping for a "substantive step forward." But, he cautioned, "it may not happen, but I hope that it will." "President Trump has also said this is going to take time. There may have to be another summit. We may not get everything done this week," Pompeo said. Sen. Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat who serves on the Senate foreign relations committee, expressed concerns about Trump's negotiating efforts Sunday on CBS, saying the president must be "careful" with what he offers. Said Markey: "Nothing is clear, and I think as a result we could run the risk that Kim is given concessions which are not accompanied by real concessions that the United States is receiving in return from Kim and his regime." Trump pushed back against his critics on Twitter Sunday, saying: "So funny to watch people who have failed for years, they got NOTHING, telling me how to negotiate with North Korea. But thanks anyway!" Pompeo said he hoped to put a "road map" in place, but would not discuss the possibility of declaring a formal end to the Korean War or pulling some American troops from South Korea, in keeping with his stand against publicly discussing issue that could arise during the negotiations. Pompeo said he believes North Korea remains a nuclear threat, though Trump tweeted after the Singapore summit that "there is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea." Pompeo told CNN's "State of the Union" that the commitment Kim made "had substantially taken down the risk to the American people." Speaking on CNN, Pompeo also said "verifiable denuclearization" remained the administration's goal, and he insisted the administration has not changed the conditions for sanctions relief. Authorities arrested a man suspected of shooting the security guard of a news crew that was robbed while covering the Oakland, California teachers strike, according to a statement by the CBS affiliate. KPIX said a reporter and a photographer were gathering interviews Sunday about the strike at the Oakland Library when a car pulled up and the driver pulled a gun, demanding their camera. The crew surrendered the equipment and began walking away. The suspect then shot the guard, Matt Meredith, in the leg, the news station said. KPIX reporter Joe Vazquez said on Twitter that the guard, a retired Berkeley police officer, exchanged gunfire. An Alameda County Sheriff spokesman says a 21-year-old man with several gunshot wounds walked into a nearby hospital after the incident. Oakland police arrested the man on suspicion of shooting the news crew's guard. The guard's condition wasn't immediately known. Assaults on routine assignments became so commonplace in recent years that some television stations have hired armed guards to ride with news crews. No other information - including what time the robbery took place - was immediately released. It's not the first time the station has been the target of theft. In November 2012, a group of men punched a KPIX cameraman while he was filming in front of an Oakland high school and fled with his camera while it was still recording. Robberies of television news crews and still photographers have plagued the San Francisco Bay Area in recent years. The Associated Press tallied five robberies in 2012, two in 2013, three in 2014 and at least three in 2015 plus several burglaries of vehicles. "We don't know what the market is for these cameras," San Francisco Police Sgt. Michael Andraychuk told The Associated Press in 2015. Even though the cameras can cost upward of $50,000 each, it is specialized equipment that can't be easily sold on the black market, Andraychuk said, and none of the stolen cameras have turned up on Craigslist, eBay or any other online marketplace. The Jan. 19-20 online auction sale of a wooden replica of the Chicago Picasso irked preservationists who say it should be displayed and kept in the city as part of its history. American Bridge workers built the statue in 1967 to guide steelworkers in its construction. Picasso had approved the mock-up. What to Know A father is recovering after he was shot after parking near Philadelphia's South Street Sunday night. The 25-year-old man was shot in the neck as he fled an apparent robbery, police said. The man's wife and 1-year-old child fled in the other direction and weren't harmed. A father is recovering after he was shot in front of his wife and toddler during an apparent robbery near busy South Street in Center City Sunday night. Two gunmen approached the 25-year-old man as he was getting out of a car with his wife and 1-year-old child near 12th and South streets just before 8 p.m. and shouted "give it up," Philadelphia Police Capt. Sekou Kinebrew said as the investigation continued Monday. The man ran one direction while his wife ran the other direction with their 1-year-old, Kinebrew said. At least one of the robbers fired on the man, striking him in the neck, police said. Despite being wounded, the man managed to run down South Street to get help. The man remained in stable condition at the hospital Monday, investigators said. "He's not a local," Philadelphia Capt. Lee Strollo said of the shooting victim. It wasn't clear why he was in the area. Frank Garcia, who lives near where the shooting took place, told NBC10 he heard the gunshot. "My wife and I were watching TV, and we heard at least one shot and looked at each other," Garcia said. Officers closed a stretch of South Street Sunday night as they searched for clues. Police say a backpack belonging to the wounded man's child was left behind in the aftermath. In the initial hours after the shooting, investigators said the man had more than one child with him when he was shot but they later said only one child was present. No arrests have been made and police have not released a description of any suspects. They continued to look over surveillance video Monday. If you have any information on the shooting, please contact Philadelphia Police. What to Know Two construction workers were shot at a construction site in Brooklyn, police say Gunfire occurred around 11:42 a.m. at West 23rd Street Street, police officials say, adding they do not believe it was a random shooting A 47-year-old man was shot in the foot and a woman in her 40s was shot in the chest, she died, authorities say A woman was killed and a man was injured in a shooting at a construction site in Brooklyn Monday morning, innocent victims caught in gunfire between two men arguing with each other, police said. Police said two men were fighting on West 33rd Street on Coney Island just after 11:30 a.m. when one of them fired shots at the other and then ran off. Two construction workers nearby were injured in the crossfire, a 47-year-old man shot in the left leg and 53-year-old woman shot in the stomach. A coworker drove the two victims to a nearby fire station for help, and EMS transported them to hospitals. The woman, identified as Dorothy Dixon of Brooklyn, was pronounced dead at Coney Island Hospital. The man is in serious but stable condition at Lutheran Hospital. Witnesses described an SUV taking off from the scene, but police say the suspect they're looking for fled on foot. "I'm shocked," said Amaria Vasquez of Coney Island. "It's normally safe, it's been OK around here." The suspect is described as wearing a tan jacket and blue jeans. NYPD Chief of Detectives said he doesn't think the shooting was random, and the gunman knew the person he intended to target. Dixon's daughter spoke with News 4 New York Monday night. "The last time I spoke to my mom was this morning," said Minnie Scott. "When she left, she was like 'All right, I will see you later.' She said, 'I'm gonna bring the kids back some stuff,' and that was it." "She always make sure everybody was OK, especially her grandkids," said Scott. "She love her grandkids, she would do anything for them." Scott said she hasn't told her 3- and 7-year-old children that their grandmother isn't coming home and has no idea how to tell them. "Somebody so loving and caring, for you to do something like that to them is wrong, and I hope when they catch them, justice is served," she said. Tune in at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to watch the I-Team's entire three-part series, "Getting the Flu." Influenza might be a household name, but doctors say it is still one of the deadliest viruses out there. The flu lands tens of thousands of people in hospital each year in the United States, and kills just as many worldwide. Despite this, vaccination rates are abysmal. Six-year-old Nevaeh Hernandez died last February after contracting the flu. One year later, her family opens up about how theyre dealing with the loss, and the warning signs everyone should know. Producer: Matthew Fortin The CDC estimates only four in 10 people get the yearly flu shot. Even then, its a vaccine that only works about half of the time, while flu tests are also unreliable and flu drugs can only be taken in a short window. How the Flu Shot is Made The flu virus manufacturing process for next year's flu season is happening now. In a new three-part series, NBC New York's I-Team takes a look inside what makes this virus such a killer. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+t);e&&(e.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px")}})}(); Why is the vaccine so ineffective, and how does this common virus become lethal? We spoke with emergency room doctors, the National Institutes of Health, grieving mothers who buried their children from the flu and even vaccine makers in an effort to "get" the flu. We also did a newsroom "taste-test" of four home flu remedies from around the world. Here's what we found. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+t);e&&(e.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px")}})}(); The U.S. is warning pilots to use caution when flying to or over Venezuela because of civil unrest there. The Federal Aviation Administration said there is no evidence to suggest that Venezuela's military would target civilian planes, but it said mistakes are possible. And warned that some of the military's shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles could fall into the hands of groups "who may have different intent and a lower level of training." The FAA issued a notice Friday warning pilots to use caution when flying lower than 26,000 feet over the country. Several airlines halted flights to Venezuela as chaos and political strife grew, but a few still fly there. "We continue to serve two airports in Venezuela, and our team is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the FAA," American Airlines spokesman Ross Feinstein said Monday. American flies daily from Miami to Caracas and Maracaibo. The FAA's notice stopped short of banning U.S. airlines from flying to Venezuela. The FAA generally bans flights over North Korea and six other nations. In a similar warning about North Korean missile tests, the FAA advises pilots and airlines to be cautious about flying over Japan and a large swath of the Pacific Ocean that is heavily used by flights between the U.S. and Asia but does not ban such flights. The FAA warning raises comparisons to the situation in Ukraine in 2014, when a Malaysia Airlines jet flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down by a missile while flying over eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian rebels were fighting the Ukrainian military. All 298 people on the plane died. The Netherlands and Australia blame Russia for arming the rebels suspected of firing the missile. The Dutch safety board said this month that airlines still need better information to make judgments about the risk of flying over war zones. What to Know The deputy, whose name was not released, was rushed to Broward General Hospital in Fort Lauderdale with head injuries. An off-duty Broward Sheriffs Office deputy was rushed to the hospital after he was attacked overnight in Lauderdale Lakes. Rescue crews arrived at the scene near 2380 Somerset Drive before 4 a.m. Monday after reports of a incident in the area. The deputy, whose name was not released, was rushed to Broward General Hospital in Fort Lauderdale where he is listed in stable condition. Officials say the deputy was inside the home with a woman when her ex-boyfriend entered and attacked him. Investigators have not released additional details. A Florida man is facing a domestic battery charge after his girlfriend accused him of throwing a cookie at her. Wade Smith, 41, was arrested Sunday in the alleged incident at his home in Zephyrhills, WFLA reported. The victim told deputies that Smith threw a hard piece of cookie at her, hitting her in the forehead. Deputies said the woman was left with a red mark from the cookie. "The defendant admitted to throwing the cookie at the victim without her consent," an arrest report said. Smith was booked into the Pasco County jail where he remained in custody Monday, records showed. Attorney information wasn't available. The Poor People's Campaign will hold bus tours of poverty-stricken areas in more than 20 states to call attention to "what the national emergencies really are" in the wake of President Donald Trump's emergency declaration over the U.S.-Mexico border, a leader of the campaign says. The tours will begin in late March and continue through April, said the Rev. William Barber of North Carolina. Participants will include poor people, religious and political leaders and other advocates, he said. The tours were always planned as part a revived version of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Poor People's Campaign that launched in December 2017 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of King's original campaign, Barber said. But Trump's declaration of a national emergency to build a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico added urgency, he said. "Part of the problem that we see in policies of Democrats vs. Republicans is one talks about they want the wall and the other side said they don't want the wall," Barber said in a phone interview. "But nobody has sat down and said: 'Here are the real emergencies and here is how these resources could be used to address these real emergencies.'" Barber is co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign, along with the Rev. Liz Theoharis of the Kairos Institute. The renewed Poor People's Campaign began after Barber led the "Moral Monday" movement in North Carolina , which began in 2013 and held protests about issues including voting rights, gerrymandering, LGBTQ rights and unions. Instead of spending almost $6 billion on a wall, the country could invest in health care, clean energy jobs or placing more children in Head Start programs, he said. He and Theoharis announced details of the bus tours Monday in Washington. Theoharis said the tour is scheduled to visit almost 30 states and Washington, D.C. In California, the tour will visit the Yurok Indian reservation, while in New York state, the tour will go to Elmira, home to two maximum security prisons. "We know as a nation we can lift up the load of poverty," she said at a news conference. Trump issued an emergency declaration so he could access billions of dollars beyond what Congress authorized to start erecting a border wall that was a trademark of his presidential campaign. Congress approved a vast spending bill earlier this month that provides nearly $1.4 billion to build 55 miles of border barriers in Texas' Rio Grande Valley while preventing a renewed government shutdown. Trump had demanded $5.7 billion to construct more than 200 miles. In June, the Poor People's Campaign plans a People's Moral Action Congress in Washington with more than 2,000 people to discuss the realities of poverty. In conjunction with the meeting, the group will release a poor people's higher ground budget that focuses on inequality. Attendees will call on Congress to hold a hearing with people hurt by poverty and racism regarding what Barber calls "interlocking injustices" of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, a war economy and a distorted moral narrative. The U.S. needs to "shut up and shut down the foolishness that our greatest threat is who comes across our border rather than that the greatest problem is racism and poverty inside the border," Barber said. A group of former U.S. national security officials is set to release a statement arguing there is no justification for President Donald Trump to use a national emergency declaration to fund a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The statement, which was reviewed by The Associated Press, has 58 signatures from prominent former officials, including former Secretaries of State Madeline Albright and John Kerry, former Defense Secretaries Chuck Hagel and Leon Panetta and former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. The statement is set to be released Monday, a day before the Democratic-controlled House is expected to vote to block Trump from using the declaration. The measure is sure to pass, and the GOP-run Senate may adopt it as well, though Trump has already promised a veto. "There is no factual basis for the declaration of a national emergency," says the statement, which argues that border crossings are near a 40-year low and that there is no terrorist emergency at the border. Trump declared an emergency to obtain wall funding beyond the $1.4 billion Congress approved for border security. The move allows the president to bypass Congress to use money from the Pentagon and other budgets. Trump's edict is also being challenged in the federal courts, where a host of Democratic-led states such as California are among those that have sued to overturn Trump's order. A man believed to be a member of the Mongols motorcycle gang is being sought in a freeway shooting Saturday that wounded a 30-year-old motorcyclist, police said. The shooting happened about 1 p.m. near the interchange of the San Bernardino (10) and San Gabriel (605) freeways in Baldwin Park, according to the California Highway Patrol. While riding at about 50 mph as they neared the 605, up to six members of the gang surrounded two motorcyclists, officials said. Then one of the men began shooting at one of the riders on a Honda motorcycle, the CHP said in a news release. That rider was struck in the right thigh. He and another rider got off the freeway and called 911. The wounded rider was taken to a hospital where he was treated for a gunshot wound, the CHP said. His condition was not immediately known. The shooting prompted an hourlong shutdown while police investigated and collected evidence. Two .380 caliber shell casings and shards of a bullet projectile were located in the area, officers said. Police were searching for a man with an unknown tattoo on his forehead and a long pony tail. Anyone with information is urged to contact Southern Division Investigative Services Unit at 323-644-9550. When brought to the officers, Apking denied having a weapon at school, but said she owned an AR-15, which was kept at her fathers house in Hebron, documents state. She gave permission to officers to search her car, according to charging documents. What to Know Jonathan Sandoval-Lepe faces 120 months in federal prison for sex with a minor and child pornography possession. Starting in 2015, Sandoval-Lepe had traveled to Baja, California to have sex with the victim, who was 13 years old at the time. Investigations revealed he possessed more than 600 images and videos of child pornography. A Long Beach man was sentenced on Monday to 10 years in federal prison for the molestation of a minor in Mexico and possession of child pornography. Jonathan Sandoval-Lepe, 32, was also ordered by U.S. District Judge George H. Wu to pay $15,000 in restitution to his victims, including $10,000 to the Mexican victim, plus a $10,000 special assessment to the Domestic Trafficking Victims' Fund. Following his release from custody, Sandoval-Lepe will remain on federal supervised release for the remainder of his life. Over the course of about two years that began in the spring of 2015, Sandoval-Lepe traveled to Baja California to have sex with the victim, who was 13 when the illicit sexual conduct started. He also admitted that in September 2017 he enticed the victim to produce child pornography while he was in the United States. The victim sent child porn to Sandoval-Lepe in California. In August 2017, Sandoval-Lepe knowingly received child porn images that he downloaded onto his computer from a peer-to-peer network, his plea agreement states. The investigation found more than 600 such images and videos, some of which depicted children who were under 12 years old, according to court documents. Sandoval-Lepe pleaded guilty in November in Los Angeles federal court to charges of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place and receiving child pornography depicting other victims. What to Know Ninety-five percent of all school districts in LA have improved breastfeeding policies in the last four years. California Womens Law Center works to push school districts to comply with state breastfeeding laws. Mothers attending or working at schools throughout Los Angeles County four years ago would often struggle to find appropriate breastfeeding areas for their babies while trying to cram for an exam or prepare a lecture for the next class. A report from the California Womens Law Center shows that 95 percent of all school districts in the Southland are doing much better at providing pregnant or postpartum staff and students with breastfeeding accommodations than they were four years ago. The nonprofit's "ABCs of Breastfeeding Report Card" evaluates lactation accommodations at schools and grades the districts' compliance to notify students and staff of their California Title IX rights. The report follows a traditional grading rubric: A, B, and C for passing while D and F for failing to meet the criteria. Points to improve the grades are rewarded based on the districts ability to meet state law requirements, provide breastfeeding rights online and create board policies addressing lactation accommodations. As of February 2019, the nonprofit found the following results: 61 districts got As Eight scored Bs Eight districts got Cs One got a D Three school districts have F grades. That was a far cry from the first report card four years ago, where the inverse was found to be true. Only one district got an A, while 12 had Bs, 25 had Cs, 21 got Ds, and 22 districts received Fs. The report reviewed 81 schools, which educate approximately 1.5 million students throughout Southern California. See how your school district did here. One example from the report shows that Arcadia Unified School District scored an F in 2015. This year, AUSD received an A grading for its efforts to provide students and staff with appropriate breastfeeding policies. The report also shows the school districts that have continuously failed to improve their breastfeeding accommodations: Bellflower Unified School District and Keppel Union School District have not improved since they scored Fs in 2015, according to the report card. In 2015, the law was officially changed to mandate that schools provide students a private space to pump that isn't a bathroom, nor a closet. "Many pregnant or parenting students are unaware of their rights and for various reasons are forced into alternative schooling or to drop out of school," the press release said. The Dallas Sheriff's Department said one man is dead after a crash along I-20 near Kirnwood. Investigators said the man was dead when when rescue crews arrived at the crash. Five vehicles were involved in the crash. Three left lanes of I-20 eastbound were closed while crews investigated the crash. All the bill needed to become law was President Donald Trump's signature. It would create a national archive of documents from civil rights cold cases. Students had been working on the project for years, families waiting on it for decades. But time was running out. Legislation dies in the transition from one session of Congress to the next, and unless Trump acted, it would be lost. So the students at New Jersey's Hightstown High School did what teenagers do: They started tweeting at the president. And not just Trump. They tweeted at his advisers, his staff and even Trump-friendly celebrities whose thousands of followers could carry their message to the White House. As the deadline neared, Oslene Johnson, 19, was managing the project's Twitter account from under the blankets in her bedroom and trying not to be discouraged. "When you really look at it, it's about providing closure for communities, families, and also as a country," said Johnson, who has since graduated but still works with the students. Imagine, the class considered, all the people, African-Americans mostly, who have lived with questions about what happened to their loved ones 50 years or more ago. The killings and injuries have long passed. The perpetrators are gone. But the families, she said, "they're still with us." The students' interest began in 2015, when teacher Stuart Wexler's Advanced Placement government and policy class at Hightstown High was studying the civil rights movement. They couldn't believe that in America, so many criminal cases involving racial violence and death could remain unsolved. Srihari Suvramanian, 17, a senior, said in an Associated Press telephone interview with the class: "It's just atrocious that these individuals have gotten away with crimes committed decades ago, for so long, even though the majority of Americans know it's wrong." He added: "We think it's very important to provide a sense of closure. Even if we can't get a full sense of closure, maybe provide some answers to the people that were denied justice." The students crowdsourced a list of cases, filed Freedom of Information Act requests and then waited. Research on old cases often runs into dead ends, and they could imagine the difficulties that families go through trying to get answers. They turned their attention to Congress. The President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992, which collects records at the National Archives from the assassination, provided a model for the legislation they wanted. They took bus trips to Washington to find supporters. Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., was among the first to sign on, inspired, his office said, by the work and the possibility it held. Then Democrat Doug Jones won a Senate seat from Alabama in December 2017. They had already reached out to Jones, the U.S. attorney who won convictions after reopening the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing case from 1963 in Birmingham. Six months after he was sworn in as the first Democratic senator from Alabama in a generation, Jones stood on the Senate floor and introduced the bill that would become the Civil Rights Cold Case Collection Act. The students watched from the gallery above. "Justice can take many forms," Jones said. Reconciliation can be a potent force, he said. "After all this time, we might not solve every one of these cold cases, but my hope is, our efforts today will, at the very least, help us find some long overdue healing and understanding of the truth." Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who was presiding in the chamber that day, has said he was so moved that he told Jones he would sign on as a co-sponsor. Cruz helped bring Republicans on board. By December, in the final days of the congressional session, the bill unanimously passed the Senate and was approved in the House, 376-6. From there, it was off to the president's desk. But the students worried the bill would expire when the new Congress convened in January. "We went on a mad, desperate scramble to get the president to sign the bill," said James Ward, a 17 year-old senior who helped mobilize the student body, class by class, "to take out their phones and tweet." In Wexler's classroom, students posted photos of Trump's "midnight advisers" aides, media celebrities and started putting "X's" through the ones they had reached out to. "We were tweeting at as many people as we could," Suvramanian recalled. He was finishing class one afternoon when he dashed off an email to Christopher Ruddy, the CEO of Newsmax and a Trump ally. "He got back to me within 30 minutes," the teenager said. After a short exchange, another note came back, "He said, 'I dropped a message to the president around 10 minutes ago and I really hope your bill gets signed into law.'" Even with the new Congress starting the next day, the actual deadline for signing the bill was still a week away the night of Trump's border security address to the nation amid what became the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Johnson, a student leader when the project started, tried not to lose hope as she tweeted. She had graduated and moved on, as had many other students. There have been dozens in all, over the past several years, who had been involved in the project. Then word came. Jones' office told Wexler, who told the students: Trump had signed the bill, which focuses on unsolved criminal cases from 1940 until 1980. Johnson cried. "The families could now, with access to information, at least know something about what happened," she said. Along with Trump's signature came a lengthy signing statement of potential concerns about the process for review and public release of the documents, but also support for Congress to fund the effort. Ruddy confirmed he had reached out to the White House, impressed by the students. He thinks the president would have been, too. Margaret Burnham, a law professor at Northeastern University and director of the Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project, said what Wexler and his class did was "nothing short of amazing." "The creativity was not so much in framing potentially effective legislation, but in strategizing how to get it through the Congress," said Burnham, who has worked for years on these issues and similar efforts in Washington. "That's where Stuart and his students, over several classes, were just dogged and creative, incredibly creative in their ability to persuade Congress, people on both sides of the aisle, of the meaning and continuing urgency and significance of this issue." Tahj Linton, 17, said he hopes other Americans understand the power they have to shape political outcomes. "If we can start to solve some of the racial problems that were never really closed in the past decades or 50 years or so, maybe we can start to work on the ones that are happening today and make a difference about it," he said. Twelve Democrats have said they will vote against David Whitley for Secretary of State. Since two-thirds of the senate is needed to confirm him, that's enough to block his nomination. "I think his vision of what should happen in that office is different from mine, particularly with respect to the integrity of our election system and encouraging voter participation. I think the events of the last couple of months have undermined my confidence in him to the level that I simply can't confirm, said Sen. Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas Dist. 16). His decision comes after Whitleys hearing in the senate. He addressed his offices flawed rollout list of 95,000 suspected non-citizens registered to vote. Whitley called it at effort to ensure the accuracy of the state's voter rolls. Others have called it an attempt to intimidate and suppress legitimate voters. "I will readily level with you that we can always improve the process. But the data is what the data is, and we were confident that that was the best data that we could get from DPS," said Whitley at a Feb. 7 hearing. The nominations committee still has not voted him to the senate floor for a full vote. If the senate does not vote on him this session, then Whitley needs to vacate the job the end of the session. If there is a vote on the senate floor and he is not confirmed, then he would have to vacate the office right away. A spokesperson from the governors office told NBC 5 that Gov. Greg Abbott is 100 percent behind Whitley. Tyson Timbs admitted he'd sold drugs, and he accepted his sentence without a fight. What he wouldn't quietly accept was the police seizing and keeping the $40,000 Land Rover he'd had when arrested. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court sided with him unanimously in ruling the Constitution's ban on excessive fines applies to the states as well as the federal government. The decision, in an opinion written by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, could help efforts to rein in police seizures of property from criminal suspects. Reading a summary of her opinion in the courtroom, Ginsburg noted that governments employ fines "out of accord with the penal goals of retribution and deterrence" because fines are a source of revenue. The 85-year-old justice missed arguments in other cases last month following lung cancer surgery, but she returned to the bench on Tuesday. Timbs, of Marion, Indiana, was charged in 2013 with selling $400 worth of heroin. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a year of house arrest but faced no prison time. His biggest loss was the Land Rover he had bought with some of the life insurance money he received after his father died. Timbs still has to win one more round in court before he gets his vehicle back, but that seems to be a formality. A judge in Indiana had ruled that taking the car was disproportionate to the severity of the crime, which carries a maximum fine of $10,000. But Indiana's top court said the justices had never ruled that the Eighth Amendment's ban on excessive fines like much of the rest of the Bill of Rights applies to states as well as the federal government. The case drew interest from both liberal groups concerned about police abuses and conservative organizations opposed to excessive regulation. Timbs was represented by the libertarian public interest law firm Institute for Justice. "The decision is an important first step for curtailing the potential for abuse that we see in civil forfeiture nationwide," said Sam Gedge, a lawyer with the Institute for Justice. Law enforcement authorities have dramatically increased their use of civil forfeiture in recent decades. When police seize the property of people accused of crimes, the proceeds from the sale often go directly to the agency that took it, the law firm said in written arguments in support of Timbs. The Indiana man had been on hand when arguments in the case were heard before the justices last November. He said back then that his view of the case had changed over time. "At first it was about getting my truck back because I was mad, and I wanted my stuff back. Now it's a lot different," he said. "I was curious to see how often they did this to people. They do it a lot around here, and apparently it's done all over the country." As it did in earlier cases applying parts of the Bill of Rights to the states, the court based its decision on the part of the 14th Amendment that says "no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty or property without due process of law." That same provision, the due process clause, also was used in cases that established a woman's right to an abortion and knocked down state laws against interracial marriage and gay sex. The 14th Amendment was passed after the Civil War to ensure the rights of newly freed slaves. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote separately to say he would have used a different part of the 14th amendment to achieve the same result. Thomas has long been a critic of the court's application of the due process clause, which also is found in the Fifth Amendment. He wrote that cases that employ the provision "are some of the court's most notoriously incorrect decisions," including the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion case and the 1857 Dred Scott case that held that African-Americans were not citizens. Thomas said he would have relied on the Constitution's language forbidding states from making or enforcing "any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States." Justice Neil Gorsuch also expressed his preference for the privileges or immunities clause. The case is Timbs v. Indiana, 17-1091. Cubans were asked Sunday to send an overwhelming message of approval for the country's communist system as its founding generation of geriatric former guerrillas cedes the public spotlight to a new class of middle-aged bureaucrats. Voters were expected to overwhelmingly approve the draft of a new constitution that preserves the single-party socialist system and centrally planned economy while making some updates. The new constitution recognizes private and cooperative businesses alongside state ones, creates the posts of prime minister and provincial governor, and introduces the presumption of innocence and habeas corpus to the justice system. The only open question was how overwhelming the "yes" vote would be. The current constitution was approved by 97.7 percent of voters in a referendum in 1976, the peak of a system dedicated to displays of national unity achieved through a blend of consensus-building and coercion. Forty-three years later, Cuba is one of the world's last communist nations, its economy is faltering, its population shrinking and the percentage of "no" votes is expected to be small but significant when results are released Monday. President Miguel Diaz-Canel's government waged a non-stop campaign promoting a "yes" vote and tarring those voting "no" as counterrevolutionaries and enemies of the state. "I came to vote for the constitution of my country, for the rights we Cubans have to defend, for continuity and our revolutionary process," said one voter, Januarys Molina, 34. Aside from a few independent websites, all Cuban media is state-run and the airwaves were filled with messages urging people to approve the new constitution for the sake of continuity on the island. In recent days, those messages were mixed with words of support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as tensions rise between Cuba's main ally and the Trump administration, along with Latin American allies who support the Venezuelan opposition and its attempt to force aid into the country. "We're living a moment of imperialist menace," Diaz-Canel told reporters after voting Sunday morning. "What they're applying in Venezuela can be applied in any place in the world." Diaz-Canel's predecessor, 87-year-old Communist Party head Raul Castro, was shown voting in footage on state TV that didn't include comments to state media on the scene. The largest block of "no" votes could come from the growing ranks of evangelical Christians in Cuba, who object to language that eliminates a requirement for marriage to be only between a man and woman, paving the way for a future legalization of gay marriage. Cuban dissidents reached out to the growing number of people who have internet access on the island, urging them to vote "no" or boycott the vote altogether. Both Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Vice President Mike Pence attacked the vote as illegitimate in Twitter statements Sunday. In Miami, many Cuban exiles gathered Sunday to protest the referendum. "We're here to protest the mega fraud that the Cuban regime is committing with the constitution," said Ramon Saul Sanchez, a Cuban exile. "We've been suffering for six decades from this regime that deprives us of all rights and divides us as a nation." The Cuban community also stood in solidarity with the people of Venezuela and Nicaragua. "We will not stop here in the United States supporting the efforts of Cubans, Venezuelans and Nicaraguans to try and find liberty in their own countries," said Mayor Francis Suarez. On Monday, PTAs from all over Texas plan to rally on the front steps of the state capital in Austin for education reform. Families from several North Texas PTAs are boarding buses to make the trip with a particular focus on meeting with lawmakers about school finance reform. About 40 parents and students in Plano left about 5:45 a.m. and 80 parents left Frisco ISD. "We want fair and equitable public education funding that is not totally driven on property taxes," said Melinda Samberson, President of the Frisco ISD Council of PTAs. Samberson, who has three children in Frisco schools, said she supports the Texas PTAs legislative priorities that include increased special education funding, literacy programs, increasing security in schools, strengthening anti-cyberbullying laws and developing student mental health programs. But adds those school reforms also rely on meaningful school finance changes. "It cant be another band-aid, it needs to be a whole reform," said Samberson. Monday, 140 parents, students and community members from Frisco plan to ride to Austin together to meet with lawmakers. "We want our lawmakers to see we're engaged. We're ready to come and talk to them about things that we would hope they would change," said Samberson. Plano ISD Council of PTAs President Kelley Thomas said families are especially concerned about how their property tax dollars are distributed. "We're paying more and more and we're not seeing that direct impact on our own school district," Thomas said. "We definitely are concerned about that and its one of the motivating factors of getting down to Austin." In Plano, at least 40 families from PTAs in the district plan to make the trip for rally day. Thomas says she wants lawmakers to keep school finance reform front and center this legislative session instead of delaying reforms for future sessions. "This time around, we've been encouraged by all of our local legislators that this session will be the school finance reform session. We're holding them to that," said Thomas. "We've got to take a step in the right direction now or we're going to fall further and further behind," she added. Samberson says PTA groups from other North Texas districts including Lewisville, Arlington, Richardson and Mansfield are also planning the trip. Texas PTA said it expects at least 2,000 people to rally on Monday. Courtney Gilmore contributed to this report. Fort Worth police detectives are asking for the publics help in finding a man who impersonated a police officer and sexually assaulted a woman during a supposed traffic stop. A woman told police she was driving on Loop 820 near Team Ranch Road on Monday, Feb. 18 at about 8:15 p.m. when she saw a black Dodge Charger with a white spotlight on the drivers side door and a red flashing light on the roof driving behind her vehicle. She thought it was a police officer attempting to stop her, so she pulled over on the northbound shoulder at the Team Ranch Road exit. A man exited the vehicle and told her to get out of her car and to walk to the passenger side of his Dodge Charger. It was there, the woman told police, that the man sexually assaulted her. In a press conference, Sgt. Chris Britt Monday said there were indications a weapon was present but she did not see it. The man, whose race was not known, is described as about 6 feet tall with a stocky build. He was wearing a dark-colored jacket with dark-colored jogger-style pants tucked into white high-top Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers. The victim said he had a southern accent. "There was nothing that he was wearing that gave the impression that he was a police officer," Britt said. The Dodge Charger had tinted windows, tinted black-out style, rear tail light covers, black rims and a Texas license plate. A police light on the roof of the Dodge, which Britt described as a "bubble light," would be recognizable for anyone who saw it. No Fort Worth Police vehicles have a bubble light on their roof. If you have any information about the incident, call 817-469-8477. Part of Interstate 84 East in Union was closed for more than four hours Monday morning after a multi-vehicle crash but the road is now back open. The crash closed I-84 East between exits 73 and 74. Connecticut State Police said it was at a "standstill" at exit 73. According to Massachusetts State Police, "there is some sort of a pile-up" that closed the highway about a mile before the state line. Troopers in Massachusetts said they were called as backup for the crash, but could not respond. The crash was reported shortly after 5 a.m. It is unclear how many vehicles are involved or if anyone was injured. A second crash has happened in the area of the multi-vehicle crash on I-84 East in Union, according to Connecticut DOT. The second crash involves a box truck between exits 72 and 73. Connecticut State Police said it appears that box truck jackknifed and at least two cars spun out in the area of exits 72 and 73. At least two people are being transported to the hospital for minor injuries. Officials said to expect lane closures. What was the detour for the crash on I-84 east has reopened after a separate crash closed it on Monday morning. #TrafficAlert - Multi-car #crash in #Union has I-84 EB CLOSED at Exit 73. The detour is Exit 73 > Rt. 190 > Rt. 171, however Rt. 171 is CLOSED for a jackknifed TT near cemetery Rd. Continue detour on Rt. 197 > Rt. 198 @NBCConnecticut #NBCCT pic.twitter.com/YLjuKf0ElN Hanna Mordoh (@HannaMordoh) February 25, 2019 Route 171 from the Union Fire House on Buckley Highway to the commuter lot at I-84 at exit 74 was closed for a separate incident involving a jackknifed tractor-trailer, Union Volunteer Fire Department said in a Tweet. Jay Kenney Traffic was backed up onto Route 190 and surrounding areas, firefighters said. Traffic now backed up up into RT190 and surrounding areas. Avoid the Union, CT area completely if possible. pic.twitter.com/HS0oaT0Di1 Union Volunteer Fire (@UVFDstation72) February 25, 2019 Schools in Union originally had a two-hour delay for Monday, but later decided to close. Karas, 40, was on administrative leave after being stripped of his authority in June when he was charged with armed robbery for allegedly driving the getaway car in gas station robberies in Park Ridge and Norridge, police said. The robberies had been reported on the morning of Sept. 12 at a Shell station at 2301 W. Touhy Ave. in Park Ridge, and Fire King Exxon at 8500 W. Lawrence Ave. in Norridge, police said. Hartford Police are investigating a shooting on Martin Street in which a man was shot and sent to the hospital. He is now in stable condition, according to Lieutenant Paul Cicero of the Hartford Police Department. The incident occured Sunday evening. Detectives from the Major Crimes Division are handling the investigation, police said. It is unclear if anyone else was injured during the incident. This story is developing. NBC Connecticut will update the story as information becomes available. A Massachusetts man is accused of threatening comedian Aries Spears with a knife after a heckling situation during a show in Manchester. According to police, 34-year-old Michael Perrone of Worcester, Mass., attended a show at the Funny Bone Comedy Club at the Shoppes at Buckland Hills in Manchester Friday. Witnesses told police that Perrone was heckling Spears, and the two got into a verbal argument. After the exchange, Perrone left the club and was seen pulling out a folding knife and threatening to wait for Spears outside, police said. Perrone told officers he left the club because the comedian was making fun of him. Perrone did not have a knife on him, but investigators found one in a planter outside the club. Witnesses confirmed the knife in the planter was the one that Perrone brandished, according to police. Perrone was charged with second-degree threatening, second-degree breach of peace, and tampering with evidence. He was released on a $1,000 bond and is due in court on March 7. Hartford Police arrested a man on Sunday involved in a shooting. 27-year-old Anthony Torres was charged with first degree assault, home invasion and carrying a pistol with a permit, police said. The shooting took place on Feb. 9 on Sumner Street. Torres shot the victim in the groin. He underwent surgery and is now in stable condition, according to police. Torres allegedly shot the victim after an argument between the two. He is held on a $550,000 bond. Two young men, including a New Britain High School student, have died after a house fire in New Britain Sunday night that also injured a firefighter. Both victims were young men and one was a 17-year-old student at New Britain High School, according to school officials. The men were trapped on the second floor of the home, Fire Chief Raul Ortiz said. The firefighter is in stable condition, according to Mayor Erin Stewart, who tweeted the firefighter is "in pain but will be okay." Two other firefighters suffered minor injuries, Fire Chief Raul Ortiz said. "We pray for the families affected by this awful tragedy," Mayor Stewart said in a tweet. The New Britain Fire Department responded to 73 Elam Street on Sunday and when they arrived, they spotted a heavy fire engulfing the house. The fire department received reports of two people trapped in the building so they made an "aggressive, interior attack," Ortiz said. The firefighter who is being treated at the hospital fell off the roof, Ortiz said. Ortiz told reporters that he believes three people were home and one made it out on their own. NBC Connecticut An NBC Connecticut photographer spotted a tarp in front of the house. "Theres a lot of family members out here offering their support," Ortiz said. "This is one of those times where the community does come together. Clergy members remained at the scene Sunday night to help both the family and firefighters. "We're also human," Ortiz said. "Anytime we get a call like this, we take it to heart also." A cause has not yet been determined and remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal and city fire investigators. Grief counselors will be at New Britain High School Monday. Authorities have not released the names of the people killed in the fire. The scramble is on to convince voters to get to the polls as the largest group ever of candidates for Chicago mayor are on the ballot. On Sunday, candidates dashed from churches to coffee shops and although some names are more recognizable than others, with a total of 14 names on the ballot, it is expected no one will receive more than 50 percent of the votean April runoff is more than likely. Rahm Emanuel's name won't be on Tuesday's ballot but he was at the Beverly fundraiser, along with those who want his job, to raise money for bulletproof vests for police officers. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Bill Daley are said by the rest to be the two to beat. "When you're the front runner, you get a lot of tomatoes thrown at you," Preckwinkle said. Daley mentioned that his background, in both the private sector and within the government, are contributing factors. 12 Races to Watch in Chicago's Municipal Elections "(I) stand separate from people whove been in politics for 20, 30, 40 years," he said. Willie Wilson ran four years ago and has strong church-based support, while Amara Enyia is a newcomer, counting on millennials. Not to mention, Lori Lightfoot has won the endorsement of Progressives such as Scott Waugespack, Congresswoman Robin Kelly and Former Cook County Clerk David Orr. "I think it helps enormously, were talking about, at this point, a game of inches, meaning a few votes here or there, I think are really going to make the difference," she expressed. With a large number of undecideds, Gery Chico and Susana Mendoza are hoping face-to-face persuasion works. "I'm not the brother or the son of a former mayor, certainly not the boss of the party bosses, I'm focused not on the next four years, but the next generation," Mendoza said. "(It's) so important to talk to as many as you can face-to-face in the final two days of the election, a lot of energy, were feeling the surge," Chico said. Could there be a surprise? Jerry Joyce says there's "great momentum going into the final few days." Momentumthat's what it is all about. Though with a large number of mail-in votes requested, if the race is indeed that close, we may not know the top two finishers on election night until those votes are counted too. With so many important races happening across Chicago, it can be tough to know which ward you're in - and thus, who's on your ballot. That's why we've created a tool to help you learn who's running to represent you on City Council for the next four years. Enter your address below (be sure to include the street direction and street suffix) and it will tell you your ward and all the candidates running for alderman. [[505521291, LG]] Election Day is Feb. 26, but you can early vote every day before then to avoid the rush. You can find all the early voting locations in Chicago here. If you vote on Election Day, you will have to go to your specific polling place. If you're not registered in Illinois but still want to vote, it's not too late! You can take advantage of grace period registration through Election Day. You simply have to bring two forms of identification, one with your current address, to your polling place and be prepared to vote at the same time. [[505902811, C]] In addition to voting for your chosen candidates, your ballot may feature referendum questions on issues impacting you locally. You can see questions that will be on Chicago ballots here. To see your complete sample ballot, be sure to visit the Chicago Board of Elections' website. Happy voting! A Massachusetts community is heartbroken after an 18-year-old high school student was killed while taking a flight lesson Saturday. Julian Lattermann, of Dover, was on board a single-engine airplane with instructor Sydney Miti, 31, of Waltham, when it crashed nose-first into the ground at Mansfield Municipal Airport. Lattermann was a senior at Dover Sherborn Regional High School. He was by all accounts a kind and talented young man with a passion for aviation, the superintendent said in a statement. His future was extremely bright. Our hearts go out to his family and we ask that all respect their privacy during this unimaginably painful time. The high school was open Sunday afternoon for friends and staff to gather. Counseling will be available to all in need throughout the week. Mansfield police say Lattermann and Miti were both killed upon impact. An initial investigation shows Miti was giving Lattermann a lesson aboard a 2002 Cessna 172S aircraft on Saturday. It was in the Mansfield area after having taken off from the Norwood Airport around 11:26 a.m. The Mansfield Police Department communications center received multiple 911 calls reporting the accident around 12:30 p.m. When emergency crews responded, they found the plane had crashed into the ground at runway 4, the turf landing strip located on the north side of the airport adjacent to Fruit Street. Police say a radio transmission from the aircraft indicated a missed approach as it maneuvered away from Mansfield runway 32. Moments later, the Cessna flew past the Municipal Airport administration building and crashed into the turf landing area. The FAA is investigating, and the NTSB will determine the probable cause of the crash. Mansfield and Massachusetts State Police detectives are assisting in the investigation. The aircraft was owned and operated by Horizon Aviation, of Norwood. The company declined to comment Saturday night. U.S. intelligence officials are increasingly doubtful that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un intends to dismantle his nuclear program, the officials told NBC News. That's President Donald Trump goal in negotiating with North Korea, though there's no evidence Kim shares it. The White House has set low expectations for the meeting between Trump and Kim this week in Vietnam. Trump could establish bare-bones diplomatic outposts between the two nations or perhaps offer to formally end the decades-old war on the Korean Peninsula, current and former U.S. officials say. Trump has been vague on whether he would offer to withdraw U.S. troops as part of a deal, saying last week that it was "not one of the things on the table" but later that "everything is on the table." One former senior U.S. official said, "One of the worst possible outcomes is he makes some crazy deal pledging to withdraw U.S. troops for a vague promise of denuclearization." Actor and comedian Volodymyr Zelensky is a household name in Ukraine. The 41-year-old Zelensky has played many different roles throughout his decades-long career; he even stars as the president in a Ukrainian TV series. Even though playing the president on TV is the extent of his political experience, the actor has rapidly crossed over to become a star in Ukrainian politics: A recent poll suggests Zelensky is the front-runner in the countrys upcoming presidential election, with more support than the incumbent Petro Poroshenko and the former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, NBC News reported. Despite his popularity, some fear Zelensky might be biting off more than he can chew. Oakland teachers and school district officials plan to resume negotiations that would end a work stoppage that started Thursday. Thousands of educators in the Oakland Unified School District are prepared to return to the picket lines on Tuesday if they are unable to reach a deal for a new contract, according to the Oakland Education Association. The main sticking points are salary and class sizes. Teachers are asking for a 12 percent retroactive raise covering 2017 to 2020 to compensate for what they say are among the lowest salaries for public school teachers in the expensive San Francisco Bay Area. When we started, the market was set up in the hallway outside the auditorium, but we expanded it to the gym to have a place for people to sit and eat and be social while they shopped before the performances, Cahill said. Its such an important tradition to bring everyone together, and having that space when everyone is abuzz to be able to eat and talk and take photos was a nice way to finish off the celebration. Authorities made at least two arrests in connection with shooting of the security guard of a news crew that was robbed while covering the Oakland, California teachers strike, accorfing to the Oakland Police Department. KPIX said a reporter and a photographer were gathering interviews Sunday about the strike at the Oakland Library around 5 p.m. when a car pulled up and the driver pulled a gun, demanding their camera. The crew surrendered the equipment and began walking away. The suspect then shot the guard, Matt Meredith, in the leg, the news station said. KPIX reporter Joe Vazquez said on Twitter that the guard, a retired Berkeley police officer, exchanged gunfire. An Alameda County Sheriff spokesman says a 21-year-old man with several gunshot wounds walked into a nearby hospital after the incident. Oakland police arrested the man on suspicion of shooting the news crew's guard. The security guard has since beein released from hospital. Officers and investigators have recovered the film camera and the investigation into the armed robbery continues. Assaults on routine assignments became so commonplace in recent years that some television stations have hired armed guards to ride with news crews. It's not the first time the station has been the target of theft. In November 2012, a group of men punched a KPIX cameraman while he was filming in front of an Oakland high school and fled with his camera while it was still recording. Robberies of television news crews and still photographers have plagued the San Francisco Bay Area in recent years. The Associated Press tallied five robberies in 2012, two in 2013, three in 2014 and at least three in 2015 plus several burglaries of vehicles. "We don't know what the market is for these cameras," San Francisco Police Sgt. Michael Andraychuk told The Associated Press in 2015. Even though the cameras can cost upward of $50,000 each, it is specialized equipment that can't be easily sold on the black market, Andraychuk said, and none of the stolen cameras have turned up on Craigslist, eBay or any other online marketplace. Well, this is certainly ironic. A driver behind the wheel of a car fixed with an anti-driving under the influence sign reading "I Should Probably Get a Ride Home" was arrested for, you guessed it, driving under the influence, according to the California Highway Patrol's Oakland office. The CHP office wrote in a Facebook post that the driver of the sedan was weaving across three lanes of eastbound Interstate 80 in Berkeley before he was taken into custody early Sunday. "He was arrested for driving waaayyy over the legal limit," the CHP Oakland office wrote. "A bit ironic for someone driving drunk with a sign encouraging not to drink & drive." Boston Market pork rib frozen meals have been recalled after extraneous material was found inside the meat. Bellisio Foods, based in Jackson, Ohio, recalled more than 173,000 pounds of the "Boston Market Home Style Meals boneless pork rib shaped patty with BBQ sauce and mashed potatoes" after consumers complained of finding glass or hard plastic in the rib shaped patty. The 14 ounce cardboard box packages have "best by" dates of: 12/07/2019 - lot code 8341 01/04/2020 - lot code 9004 01/24/2020 - lot code 9024 02/15/2020 - lot code 9046 There have been no confirmed reports of injuries due to consumption of these products. The product should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. Government employees paid with tax dollars have a duty to serve the public, but when the wages of city employees are paid by private corporations, who do they really answer to? Thats the question raised by community members and a local ethicist after learning about an arrangement that allowed Google to pay more than $1 million to Sunnyvale city workers in the Transportation and Traffic Division of the citys Public Works Department. The branch is responsible for making sure businesses like Apple, Yahoo, and Google reduce solo car trips to their offices, or face fines. But many wonder whether this funding agreement creates a conflict of interest for regulators. SUNNYVALE DEVELOPING TRAFFIC Anyone whos driven through Sunnyvale during rush-hour knows that traffic can be a nightmare. Now emergency workers tell NBC Bay Area that the gridlock is creating a jam for first responders. The traffic is such a problem at this point where its impacting the entire city, said Sunnyvale Public Safety Officer Association President Frank Bellucci. In November, Bellucci wrote a letter to the city council voicing his concerns about a recent study that found traffic congestion on our roads is so bad that our fire crews are not able to hit the 4-minute and 8-minute travel time response goals during commute hours. If a fire engine is responding to an emergency medical call and they arent able to get there in a timely fashion to meet some of those deadlines the survey is talking about, yes someone could die, Bellucci told NBC Bay Area. Bellucci attributes the citys traffic problems to the explosion of new development. He warned city leaders last year that Googles proposal to expand in Moffet Park will increase traffic gridlock. Were all for new development, he said. We just want to be sure there is some plan in place to address the changes this new development is going to cause. Sunnyvales current plan to reduce traffic requires many businesses to reduce solo car trips taken by employees or face a potential fines as part of the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program. To meet these requirements, companies are encouraging commuter shuttles and carpooling. But some question the citys ability to enforce the TDM program requirements when it comes to traffic caused by Google employees. CONFLICT OF INTEREST? In June 2016, Google agreed to pay $1.23 million through July 2019 for the city to hire a Traffic Engineer and Transportation Manager. Emails examined by NBC Bay Area show that one of these employees, the traffic engineer, helped review Googles vehicle reduction plan for the companys offices in Sunnyvale. Hana Callaghan, director of government ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University, told NBC Bay Area the agreement appears to create a conflict of interest. If this gift was being made to an individual public official, wed all be up in arms, Callaghan said. Even if [buying influence] wasnt the intended effect, [the agreement] certainly gives the appearance that might be the motivation behind it. Callaghan said public agencies have the duty to avoid even the appearance of a conflict. No one from the city would speak on camera about controls to prevent a potential conflict. But a spokesperson for the city cited the contract, which stipulates that Google doesnt have priority over the citys employees funded by the agreement. The city also said in addition to the traffic manager, several managers review Googles traffic reduction plans, which helps guard against preferential treatment. But Callaghan is concerned, Even if [Sunnyvale] agrees [Google] wont get special treatment, is that actually in fact whats going to happen? Google did not respond to multiple requests for comment. REDUCING TRAFFIC Meanwhile, Sunnyvale has been working with corporations to calm traffic. According to NBC Bay Areas review of government records, the traffic engineer funded by Google found that the company failed to meet its trip reduction goals at Technology Corners, one of the companys biggest Sunnyvale campuses, in 2017. Sunnyvale allowed Google to survey its own employees about their commute patterns again in 2018, and Google reports the location now exceeds the citys traffic reduction goals. Google is the only company Sunnyvale has a funding agreement with. According to the city, the transportation manager was employed for a year and a half and the traffic engineer worked for the city for two years, leaving just before the new year. City records show the city was paid the full amount, even though the employees did not work the entire length of the three year contract. Mountain View has had a similar contract with Google to pay for staffers in the public works and community development departments. A spokesperson for the city said the employees were brought on to handle project demands from a variety of companies, in addition to Google. In nearby Cupertino, the city has a contract with Apple to reimburse the city for the cost of employees, if the city decides to hire extra workers. So far the city has not received any funds or hired those positions. If you have a tip for the Investigative Unit email theunit@nbcbayarea.com or call 888-996-TIPS. Follow Liz on Facebook and Twitter. A team of scientists led by Prof. LI Ming of the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, found widespread allomaternal nursing behavior in nursing others' offspring in an Old World monkey, the golden snub-nosed monkey. The findings were published in an article entitled "Routine allomaternal nursing in a free-ranging Old World monkey" in Science Advances on Feb. 20. The evolution of lactation in metatherian and eutherian mammals has resulted in a large degree of nutritional and developmental dependency between a female and her offspring. Milk production is energetically costly for mothers since they need to synthesize and provide nutrients, hormones, vitamins, and immune compounds. Therefore, lactating females should be reluctant to invest time or energy in nursing others' offspring. While regular allomaternal nursing has been documented in a number of rodent and carnivore species, as well as in some prosimians, New World monkeys and humans, it is not common in Old World monkeys and apes. Based on more than eight years of field observation of infants and their mothers at Shennongjia National Park, Central China, as well as analysis of the monkeys' reproductive histories, the study provides the first evidence of regular allomaternal nursing in golden snub-nosed monkeys (Fig. 1) and expands the taxonomic distribution of this behavior in primates to Old World monkeys. (Natural News) In a certain province in China, more than 99 percent of all the children have been vaccinated against measles with the MMR vaccine, but the disease still runs rampant. Do not speak of this case study in America, especially if you work in the fake news MSM media or are employed at the highly corrupt CDC, or you will be fired. Do not post this article on social media or YouTube either, or you will be banned, blacklisted and demonetized. The theory of vaccines is legitimate, but todays vaccines contain so many neurotoxins, genetically modified bacteria, heavy metals, foreign animal proteins, live combinations of deadly viruses, and severe allergens, that anybody in their right mind wants legitimate answers to valid questions, but wont get any. Thats why medical doctors and the entire pro-vaccine community shuts down all discussions of vaccines, and no longer tries to push the propaganda in the news because the more they talk about it, the less people believe in modern vaccines and the less patients accept the dogma. The vaccine skeptics are winning the war, just by simply discussing the repercussions of getting vaccines. The bottom line is youre safer getting the diseases than getting the vaccines, and its been that way for the past few decades. Read the facts. Measles vaccine does NOT WORK as advertised The more the media advertises and propagates measles outbreaks, the more the public figures out that the outbreaks occur in fully vaccinated populations. The media and CDC are quick to flip the blame and say those childrens vaccine immunity wore off, and they just needed more frequent boosters, but thats just one more lie piled on top of a whole pack of lies. Scientists describe vaccine immunity as plastic immunity because while one line of your immune system, antibodies, are built up, your main system, cellular immunity, goes to sleep. The trade off is scary and dangerous. Chinese and American research, studies, and data prove without a shadow of a doubt that disease outbreaks are more common among vaccinated children. Getting a case of the wild measles provides lifetime immunity. Give a child some key supplements, like vitamins A, C, and D, and their immune system is plenty strong to deal with measles and chicken pox. Informed parents are happy when their kids get measles or chicken pox, because children rarely suffer complications. Some parents will literally take their children to someones house to play with children who have measles or chicken pox to go ahead and get it over with. This makes sense. To consider vaccines for these infectious diseases means rolling the dice with lifelong asthma, eczema, extreme allergies to vaccine ingredients (peanuts, eggs, dairy, MSG, latex), and yes, autism. The autism epidemic has exploded with the CDCs vaccine regimen of 50-plus jabs before age 7. Herd immunity has been exposed as a failure and a hoax. In fact, the vaccinated kids are the ones spreading the diseases to their friends and schoolmates during the two weeks after theyre inoculated its called shedding. Were witnessing an entire generation of vaccine-abused children who have zero cellular immunity and who spread disease. This is the discussion the media, and CDC, do NOT want anyone engaged in. New generation of vaccine-abused children experiencing deranged immune systems for life Think about it. If vaccines were actually safe and effective, would Congress have needed to grant the vaccine industry complete immunity from being sued for vaccine damage and deaths? Would the vaccine industry need a slush fund of $4 billion to quiet the parents of children who are permanently maimed from getting injected with contaminated African Green Monkey kidney cells and two deadly strains of a pig virus called Circovirus, all of which have no business whatsoever in childhood vaccines? Its vaccine insanity, and the industry does not want anyone thinking critically about it, so all debates are now being struck from the media, leaving only scare tactics and fear-based propaganda. News coverage of vaccine controversies LESSENS vaccine support and for good reason Recently, mainstream lamestream media outlets plastered stories about the measles vaccine far, wide, and frequently in their fake news, hoping to stir up fear and a measles mania mad dash for vaccination. It was all sensationalized, as usual, but ironically, the media shot themselves in the foot (pun intended). The more the news pressed on about vaccine controversy and the politics surrounding it, the less Americans supported vaccination. Hilarious. In other words, reporting on the conflict of pro-vaxxers versus anti-vaxxers strengthened the questioning of the safety and efficacy of vaccines, resulting in fewer people getting their kids jabbed with known neurotoxins and GMOs. Have you or your children been injured by the CDCs admittedly ineffective and unsafe vaccines? You can utilize the national, federal program VICP (Vaccine Injury Compensation Program) to get mad money from their slush fund. Just call 800-338-2382, but remember, they put a time limit for filing claims, knowing the catastrophic long-term health detriment of toxic jabs is real. Tune in to Vaccines.news for updates on the really important debates you should be having about vaccines. So, whats REALLY in vaccines that makes them so unsafe and ineffective? Find out in this short video: Sources for this article include: Vaccines.news NCBI.nlm.nih.gov ContagionLive.com JamesLyonsWeiler.com NaturalNews.com CDC.gov/vaccines AgeOfAutism.com HealthImpactNews.com (Natural News) A video camera-controlling robot was used to record the negative effects of neonicotinoids on bumblebees. The Harvard-designed machine was able to record and show the disruptive effects of the pesticides on the way the bees behaved, interacted with other members of their nest, and regulated their body temperature. Bees are in serious danger from widely used neonicotinoid pesticides. Populations of wild bees have been all but wiped out by the widespread use of the chemicals. Studies showed that these insecticides caused bee colonies to diminish in size until they are no longer capable of sustaining themselves. However, the means by which neonicotinoids accomplish this harmful outcome remains vague. For their experiment, Harvard University researchers used bumblebees (Bombus impatiens). These big bees are social insects that cooperate with each other in order to support and maintain their colony. Alterations in their behavior could affect the well-being of the nest. Previous studies used modified QR codes as tags for individual worker bees that would be exposed to neonicotinoids and released back to their colony. However, this method could only observe a single nest. The new camera robot can keep track of a bee colony without disturbing it. Furthermore, it could monitor a neonicotinoid-contaminated nest as a single unit, allowing it to keep an eye on bees that interacted with members of many other colonies. (Related: Popular pesticides found to damage ability of honey bee pollinators to FLY.) Studying the effects of neonicotinoid pesticides on bumblebee behavior The Harvard researchers rebuilt the chassis of an existing robot that was previously used to study fruit flies. The machine spanned the space of over 18 separate bumblebee nests. The machine featured a pair of video cameras suspended over the area. One camera would keep track of the activity inside the bumblebee colony while the other unit monitored what was happening inside a foraging chamber assigned to that colony. The foraging chamber contained pollen and sugar water that substituted for nectar. Half of the chambers contained concentrations of neonicotinoid pesticides found in real world conditions. The robot can move both cameras across the room to monitor any of the nests and foraging chambers. Its programming brought a camera over a colony or foraging chamber and kept the device focused on that structure for a certain amount of time to record the movement of tagged bees. Each colony had an artificial nesting chamber made from plastic that blocked visible light but allowed the passage of infrared light. The cameras have an IR function that lets the researchers see through the walls and view the effects of pesticides on the behavior of bumblebees without disturbing the animals. Neonicotinoids turn social bees into lazy recluses that abandon their duties Their findings showed that bumblebees affected by neonicotinoid pesticides lost the ability to maintain the temperature inside their nest. They failed to keep the nest warm when the external temperatures dropped low enough to harm the eggs, larvae, and pupae. The worker bees also neglected to build wax canopies over the brood. Contaminated bumblebees also tended to keep to themselves at the edges of the nest. They devoted less time to performing their jobs and socializing with the other bees. Overall, the poisoned bees displayed less physical activity. The drastic behavioral changes were observed during the night, when bees perform important jobs like feeding and caring for the developing brood. Worker bees that acted normal during the day would change their behavior once they retired into the nest. Now that we think we have a good tool for studying these kinds of behaviors at low levels, wed like to start studying different compounds at different concentrations, said Harvard researcher James Crall, who served as the lead writer. Sources include: MongaBay.com Science.ScienceMag.org On Tuesday, 26 February 2019, the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Ms. Rose Gottemoeller, will travel to Budapest where she will participate in the Ambassadorial Conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. During her visit, the Deputy Secretary General will have meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Peter Szijjarto and the Minister of Defence, Mr. Tibor Benko. Follow the Deputy Secretary General on Twitter @Gottemoeller. Also follow us at @NATOPress. On 20-21 February 2019, the NATO Military Committee led by its Chairman, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach visited the NATO Allied Land Command in Izmir, Turkey. The visit was also an opportunity to meet the Aegean Army Commander General Abdullah Recep and other high-ranking Turkish military officials. Opening the two-day meeting, the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach congratulated Turkey on its recent Anniversary: On 18 February, Turkey celebrated its 67th Anniversary as a NATO Ally. You have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the Alliance since joining in 1951. The Chairman also commended Turkey for its ongoing and enduring commitment of the Turkish armed forces to NATO missions and operations around the world. Co-chairing the opening session, General Abdullah Recep the Turkish Aegean Army Commander welcomed the Military Committee visit as a show of support. Hosted at the Headquarters of Allied Land Command (LANDCOM), the NATO Military Representatives were briefed by Major General Mustafa Oguz, head of the directorate for Plans and Principles of the Turkish General Staff, about the country's contributions to NATO. They then received an update from the LANDCOM Commander Lieutenant General John C. Thomson on the responsibilities of the Land Component. The meeting ended with a review of the ongoing implementation of the NATO Command Structure and a discussion on the Theatre Land Component Command Element. LANDCOM is the standing headquarters for NATO land forces and when directed by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), it provides the core of the headquarters responsible for the conduct of land operations. All the winners at Oscars 2019 as Green Book is named Best Picture Metro.co.uk Stanley Donen, director who filmed Gene Kelly singing in the rain, dies at 94 WaPo. Take heart, this years Oscar losers: For all its later acclaim, Singin in the Rain drew favorable but not ecstatic reviews when it was released. We were ignored, Mr. Donen told his biographer. Not that its such a big to-do. The year of Singin in the Rain, the best picture went to The Greatest Show on Earth, one of the worst movies ever made. Giant Tortoise Feared Extinct Reappears After 113 Years Motherboard DUTCH OVEN LADY PROMOTES A NEW OLD COOKING STAPLE Daily Yonder The White Earth Band of Ojibwe Legally Recognized the Rights of Wild Rice. Heres Why Yes Magazine (martha r) Is Drilling and Fracking Waste on Your Sidewalk or in Your Pool? ProPublica Half glitzy, half dowdy Times Literary Supplement. On comedy double acts. Are we on the road to civilisation collapse? BBC Could we soon be able to detect cancer in 10 minutes? Guardian Stop Funding Climate Change!: Jamie Dimon Interrupted for Important Planetary Message Common Dreams Concrete: the most destructive material on Earth Guardian New Cold War How Politics Trump Intel in the US-Russia Nuke Treaty Pullout American Conservative. Scott Ritter. Women at State Dept. fear incentive program contributes to gender pay gap The Hill Nessel reversing 16 years of GOP ideology in Attorney Generals Office Detroit Free Press (marla r) AOC GND 2020 As Ex-Enron CEO Exits Prison, Some of Companys Old Businesses Thrive WSJ. Seems like a different world, although it was only a dozen years ago when CEOs were prosecuted and sent to jail for their crimes. Health Care Big Brother IS Watching You Watch Popular Apps Cease Sharing Data With Facebook WSJ The snow patrol drones saving skiers from an icy death BBC North Korea Why North Korea wont be the next Vietnam Asia Times China Donald Trump to delay extra tariffs on Chinese imports SCMP India Brexit Jerri-Lynn here: Ive deliberately gone light on Brexit links today, so as to steer interested readers to Yvess post today and thus concentrate the discussion there rather than here on the Links thread. Big banks divided on defaults strategy after Brexit FT BlackRock CEO unhappy with UKs handling of Brexit report Financial News BMW and Daimler put aside rivalry to take on Google and Uber Handelsblatt Class Warfare Syraqistan As US withdraws troops from Syria, France and UK remain in the back seat France 24 Trump Transition Cuba sees high turnout at polls for constitutional referendum Reuters Venezuela Thomas Friedman Is Right: Pie Doesnt Grow on Trees Rolling Stone. Matt Taibbi latest in a long series, the first of which ran in New York Press aeons ago IIRC, on Friedmans crimes against the English language. No need to have read any of those to enjoy the latest. Antidote du Jour (via): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. By Justin Mikulka, a freelance writer, audio and video producer living in Trumansburg, NY. Originally published at DeSmog Blog Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti recently announced the city is scrapping plans for a multi-billion-dollar update to three natural gas power plants, instead choosing to invest in renewable energy and storage. This is the beginning of the end of natural gas in Los Angeles, said Mayor Garcetti. The climate crisis demands that we move more quickly to end dependence on fossil fuel, and thats what today is all about. Last year Americas carbon emissions rose over 3 percent, despite coal plants closing and being replaced in part by natural gas, the much-touted bridge fuel and cleaner fossil fuel alternative. As a new series from the sustainability think tank the Sightline Institute points out, the idea of natural gas as a bridge fuel is alarmingly deceptive. But signs are emerging that, despite oil and gas industry efforts to shirk blame for the climate crisis and promote gas as part of a lower-carbon fuel mix, the illusion of natural gas as a bridge fuel is starting to crumble. Market Forces While Mayor Garcetti may be right in predicting the downward slide of natural gas for power generation, climate concerns wont drive that change just simple economics. It wasnt long ago that President Obama who was accused of starting the war on coal because of air quality regulations was touting the benefits of clean coal. But automation in the coal mining industry and competition with cheaper renewables and natural gas began taking a toll on coal. The struggling coal industry thought things were looking up when Donald Trump was elected, with his promise to bring back coal. But he has failed. Most recently, President Trump tweeted that the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) should vote to keep two old coal power plants open. Coal is an important part of our electricity generation mix and @TVAnews should give serious consideration to all factors before voting to close viable power plants, like Paradise #3 in Kentucky! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 11 February 2019 Nevertheless, the TVA voted to close those coal plants and said it expected the move would save a billion dollars in future costs. Burning coal for electricity is increasingly incompatible with profits. Gary Jones, the economic development director for the Kentucky county where one of the closing coal plants is located, acknowledged this economic reality in his comments to The Wall Street Journal, saying: We definitely dont blame him [Trump] for this. Its the market. Exactly. Coal cant compete with the historically low and unsustainable price of natural gas in the U.S. when it comes to power generation. And it cant compete with renewables either. In July 2016 I wrote the following about a presentation on coal at the annual Energy Information Administration conference: The presentation on India ended with the following conclusion: Cheap coal remains critical to Indian economic growth. India was all-in on coal for the next few decades, and yet in the two and half years since I wrote that, renewables have been hurting Indias coal industry. Why? Just like in Tennessee and Kentucky, its the market. But it isnt natural gas taking down coal in India, its wind and solar, according to a recent Reuters column by Clyde Russell: the main reason coal may battle to fuel Indias future energy needs is that its simply becoming too expensive relative to renewable energy alternatives such as wind and solar. A coal power plant in Datteln, Germany. Credit: Cropped from image by Arnold Paul, CC SA 2.5 A similar situation is unfolding in Germany, which aims to close all its coal plants in the next 20 years. The natural gas industry initially saw this as an opportunity to slide in and replace coal, but the lower cost of renewable energy may lead Germany to skip the bridge offered by natural gas and move straight to renewables, which already provide over 40 percent of the nations power. According to Bloomberg, a large German energy companys study predicts natural gas use in Germany (and other European countries) will likely decline. Why? the cost of solar and battery systems will fall far enough that renewables may become the most cost-effective way to generate new flows of electricity. Compare that to 2014, when industry giants were trash-talking the future of renewables in Europe. At an energy industry conference, Paolo Scaroni, the CEO of oil and gas company Eni, said that Europe is realizing that renewables are more a problem than a solution, and Siemens CEO Joe Kaeser said, Using solar panels in Germany is like growing pineapples in Alaska. Now renewables are the solution. And that certainly poses a problem for the fossil fuel industry. Coal is dead. Soon enough, natural gas will also be dead. The economics alone will drive the world to wind & solar. An appropriate recognition of the social cost of CO2 & methane will greatly accelerate this transition. https://t.co/lZUF8iXhmr Robert Howarth (@howarth_cornell) 20 February 2019 Building new natural gas infrastructure looks like a bad investment right now to cities like LA when renewables are already competitive. Natural gas seems poised to join coal as another fuel that just couldnt compete with renewables. Here are more reasons why thats the case. Natural Gas Prices Headed Up, Renewables Down A Nordex wind turbine parts manufacturing facility in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Credit: Department of Energy, public domain The price of renewable energy and storage is trending downward while the already super-low price of natural gas especially in the U.S. has nowhere to go but up. While India and Germany already are finding renewables cheaper than fossil fuels for power generation with todays technology, further advances in research and development as well as manufacturing will continue making renewables even more competitive. MIT professor and former CIA director John Deutch recently presented a study entitled, Demonstrating Near Carbon Free Electricity Generation from Renewables and Storage, at a Stanford University energy seminar, in which he said: You are going to find yourselves very shortly in a situation where you have storage alternatives that, when matched with existing solar and wind generating systems, will be able to meet load extremely effectively. Meeting power demand effectively and as the lowest-cost producer using fuel sources (wind and sun) that are free. According to Greentech Media, energy industry analysts at Wood Mackenzie say the combination of renewables with battery systems can currently replace approximately two-thirds of U.S. natural gas turbines right now. Estimates predict the cost of storage alone could drop 80 percent by 2040. Who wants to own a gas power plant in 2040 knowing that? Meanwhile, the cost of producing power with natural gas is dependent on the cost of the fuel. Right now, gas companies are losing money and have been for some time at the current price of natural gas in America. As DeSmog has detailed, the fracking industry, which is responsible for most U.S.natural gas production, has been on a decade-long, money-losing streak. The industry has proven unable to turn a profit at current natural gas prices. So, unless Wall Street wants to lose billions more subsidizing the natural gas industry, prices will have to go up at some point. And when natural gas prices go up, residential electricity rates go up. Additionally, if all of the planned infrastructure gets built to export U.S.natural gas in liquid form (known as liquefied natural gas, or LNG, prices for natural gas are very likely to rise. This is the industrys survival plan for the future. However, the higher prices natural gas producers need possibly will kill off one of the industrys main markets. Solar is beginning to outshine other forms of energy in Alberta. Three new #solar farmswhich will provide the provincial government with 55% of its electricity needswere contracted at a lower cost than natural gas. #abpoli https://t.co/NhwN4z9S6H pic.twitter.com/egTS6qPq6W Clean Energy Canada (@cleanenergycan) 19 February 2019 Tom DiCapua, managing director of wholesale energy services at Con Edison Energy, recently summed up the situation to Reuters: As LNG exports increase, so will future gas prices. When it comes to the long-term economics of power generation, it isnt a fair fight. There is no clear way natural gas can compete with renewables on an economic basis in the coming decades. Which is why the oil and gas industry works so hard to convince people gas is clean and cheap. It knows it cant win a fair fight. Structural Financial Issues With Natural Gas Industry In a July 2017 Forbes column, energy industry expert Art Berman laid out the details of the structural problems in the finances of natural gas production. Since then, things have only gotten worse as huge volumes of gas are pumped simultaneously out of Permian oil wells in Texas and New Mexico. However, even before the huge ramp-up in the Permian, Berman made the case that the natural gas industry was producing record amounts of gas at prices in which companies could not make money. How could they do that? Wall Streets coffers. As Berman explained, Credit markets have been willing to support unprofitable shale gas drilling since the 2008 Financial Collapse. Of course, now credit markets are not as willing to loan money to shale companies to produce gas at a loss. Berman estimated that natural gas producers needed prices of $4 per million Btu of gas to break even. Prices are below $4, and the average price has been below that for years. Not looking good for natural gas. If You Cant Beat Them, Join Them In 2017, workers clean Heliostats at the Ivanpah Solar Project, a concentrated solar energy project. Credit: Dennis Shroeder, National Renewable Energy Lab, CC BY NC-ND2.0 Similar to the fossil fuel industry, electric utilities also have fought renewable energy options. In 2016, utilities in Florida spent almost $30 million to limit residents ability to install rooftop solar perceived as a direct threat to the utilities. Much like coals prospects in India, a couple of years has made a huge difference, however. In February, the Christian Science Monitor reported that utilities in Florida have begun embracing utility-owned solar farms. And while utilities have still been fighting residential rooftop solar, its started making gains in Florida anyway despite regulatory restrictions. The utilities are putting out solar like you wouldnt believe, said James Fenton, director of the University of Central Floridas Florida Solar Energy Center. The utilities didnt suddenly decide the climate was more important than profits. They just see a better path to profits with solar, as long as they can be in control of it, at least. It is simply undeniable now that this is often the lowest cost source of generation, Ethan Zindler, the head of U.S. research at Bloomberg New Energy Finance, told the Monitor. So you can pat yourself on the back for doing something environmentally conscious, but at the same time, youre also actually doing something to procure power at the lowest cost for your customers. Arizona Public Service (APS) is the largest investor-owned utility in the state, and it spent big money to help defeat a 2018 ballot initiative that would have required Arizona get 50 percent of its electricity from renewables by 2030. However, because APS is investor-owned, the utility is now investing in solar and claims that solar plus batteries are an even cheaper option than natural gas power plants for peak power. The need for so-called gas peaker plants that can quickly ramp up electricity in times of peak demand is one of the energy industrys favorite arguments against renewables and for natural gas. But because investors want to make money, APS is moving forward with solar and batteries. This is a head-to-head [economic] comparison where were trying to select the best resources to meet our customers needs, Brad Albert, vice president of resource management for APS, told Greentech Media. In that head-to-head comparison, natural gas lost. Historic shift: @APSfyi making big investment in batteries to capture surplus solar energy, which it says is now the most cost effective way to meet energy demand in the Southwest. https://t.co/qHv4H2dUbt Ryan Randazzo (@utilityreporter) 21 February 2019 PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwas team pressed on to dialogue with losing candidates in last Julys presidential election in the absence of main opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa and other key stakeholders who described the process as hopeless. Chamisa has demanded that a neutral party mediates in the talks and that any dialogue must include the legitimacy of Mnangagwas presidency, despite losing an electoral challenge at the Constitutional Court. Mnangagwa did not attend the meeting at State House, angering the other leaders who had attended. The meeting, which was supposed to lay ground work for the actual dialogue, was chaired by National Peace and Reconciliation Commission chairperson Sello Nare and reportedly attended by 18 of the 22 losing candidates. Noah Manyika, of Build Zimbabwe Alliance, who attended the inaugural meeting, snubbed yesterdays event, saying any dialogue without Chamisa would not yield any positive results. It is my position that any dialogue that does not include the MDC Alliance and other critical stakeholders will not pass the credibility test locally and globally, he said in a statement addressed to Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Misheck Sibanda. Manyika came short of telling Mnangagwa that his current efforts were meaningless and would not move the country out of its current political and economic crisis. Any dialogue that does not produce a democratic, competent integrous governance outcome that will permanently solve the socio-political and economic problems that have bedevilled our country in the past four decades, is pointless, he said. Daniel Shumba also pulled out his United Democratic Alliance party from the talks, which he said were choreographed and unlikely to achieve anything. The President didnt even attend or extend an apology. It was chaired by a Nare, who was clearly out of his depth and following a Zanu PF script. It is insincere, choreographed and highly compromised process, with some political principals singing for their super, he said. However, Elton Mangoma, of Renewal Democrats, who attended the second leg of the dialogue, said they were progressing smoothly. We are basically still laying the ground work for an inclusive national dialogue. Among the issues is who should convene the meeting and how to include everyone, including labour, churches and civil society, he said. Mangoma said another meeting would follow in the next two weeks, where concrete decisions on the way forward would be made. National Constitutional Assembly leader Lovemore Madhuku, who also attended the meeting, down played Mnangagwas absence It was not dialogue, but we, political parties, were just seconding people to committees so that we can kick start the dialogue. We could have easily done that using text messages, he said. Information deputy minister Energy Mutodi said there was progress at the meeting, with political parties in attendance establishing committees among themselves. Today, representatives of various political parties established committees to facilitate national dialogue, he said. The national dialogue will go on without the MDC Alliance, who have refused to accept defeat in last Julys elections. Chamisa Friday held a national council meeting with leaders of his party at their Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House headquarters, as the party steps up preparations for congress in May this year. NewsDay Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Zanu-PF has retained the Beitbridge East Ward 15 and Matobo North Ward 25 rural district council seats in Matabeleland South. Beitbridge East Ward 15 candidate for Zanu-PF, Cde Rabson Mbedzi garnered 638 votes against MDC-Alliance candidate Mr Victor Moyo who had 54 votes. Matobo North Ward 25 Zanu-PF candidate, Cde Sibonginkosi Dube garnered 483 votes against MDC-Alliances Mr Elkanah Sibandas 121 votes. However, Zanu-PF candidate for Chitungwiza South Ward 24, Cde Mercy Guvamombe narrowly lost to MDC-Alliances Mr Yotam Chagwada by 66 votes. Mr Chagwada garnered 1 059 votes against Cde Guvamombes 993 votes. MDC-T candidate Ms Jane Makovere and NCA candidate Mr Anderson Tsakeni garnered 29 and three votes respectively. In an interview with The Herald yesterday, provincial chair for Matabeleland South province Cde Rabelani Choeni said the party was happy with the results, which bore evidence to the fact that Zanu-PF was a peoples party. We are very happy that we managed to retain the two rural district council seats and the margins by which our candidates won signify the strength of the party in the province, said Cde Choeni. Harare provincial chairperson Cde Goodwills Masimirembwa said while the party was saddened by its loss in Chitungwiza, it lost the seat by a narrow margin, an indication that Zanu-PF was gaining ground. We expected to win. We had put everything in that by election. However, we lost the seat by a narrow margin, very narrow indeed and that to us is a sign of a rebound in urban areas, said Cde Masimirembwa. Contacted for comment, the Chitungwiza candidate, Cde Guvamombe said she was not satisfied with the results attributing her loss to alleged MDC Alliance-perpetrated violence that broke out towards the end of the voting process. Elections watchdog, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network confirmed that an incident was reported at Unit M Creche in Chitungwiza where it was alleged that supporters of ZANU-PF and MDC-Alliance argued over suspicions of vote buying close to the polling station. Herald Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa is not reading too much into rants made by former President Robert Mugabe at the weekend, saying his predecessor was entitled to his opinion. Mugabe let rip at Mnangagwa on Saturday in a speech believed to have been made at his plush Borrowdale mansion during celebrations to mark his 95th birthday organised by the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Church. But Mnangagwa, through his spokesperson George Charamba, laughed off Mugabes attack. Even in the village, there are old people with a right to an opinion. We dont have time for that. Everyone has a prerogative of opinion, Charamba said somewhat dismissively. Information ministry secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana said Mugabe could not be held responsible for his actions, given his advanced age. Former President Mugabe is an elderly man whose age is quite advanced. At that age, people tend to have some feebleness of the mind. That state of decrepitude manifests in different ways. Some of the ways are that one is taken advantage of by having words deceptively attributed to them and, in other cases, manipulated to say things they have no lucidity or presence of mind to make sense of, Mangwana said. But, whatever the case, most people who are 95 cannot be held responsible for their actions or words and our former President is no superman. We will continue to remember the positives he contributed to our country and learn from the mistakes he made and still makes in his fallibility as a man of advanced age. Mugabe, in the alleged offensive speech, accused Mnangagwa of pitching his administration on dead bodies of tens of thousands of people who died and disappeared in a military campaign codenamed Gukurahundi between 1982 and 1987. Some of us think leadership means killing people. You want to see a dead body every day, but people will, at some point, want to see your head on a platter. You are not God, ED [Mnangagwa]. Today, you are at the top, tomorrow you will be at the bottom. You should know that. God has his own way of punishing rogue and cruel people, Mugabe reportedly told his audience. Mnangagwa served in various capacities under Mugabe for 37 years, but mainly in the security sector, including as State Security minister during Gukurahundi. The President is also believed to have been the power behind the brutal pre-run-off election in 2008 after Mugabe had lost the first round to the late opposition MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Mugabe was pushed out of power in November 2017 after a coup following an internal Zanu PF power struggle. The former guerrilla leader was seen as preparing his wife Grace for an active role in the presidium, including possible succession. He fired Mnangagwa, triggering the coup and a chain of events that led to his resignation under duress. Since Mnangagwas takeover, the military has performed a more active role in public security issues, leading to the death of at least 20 people since August last year and Mugabe wants them back in the barracks. I say to soldiers, be followers of the people you want to lead, you are not even qualified to lead them. Take your places in recognition that you are not trained to lead, but to follow the people, to protect them. No! no! no! to soldiers being leaders of the people. Get the soldiers to their rightful place, Mugabe reportedly said. Before the 1987 secession of hostilities and the Unity Accord, Mugabe hounded then opposition leader Joshua Nkomo out of the country as the North Korea-trained Fifth Brigade closed in. Despite having used the army and consistently arguing that politics leads the gun since the liberation struggle, Mugabe reminded Mnangagwa that the military was created to protect people. (Former Vice-Presidents) Joshua Nkomo, Simon Muzenda and others are gone, but this is not what we created our army for. Soldiers should never lead our politics, the former Zanu PF leader said. When we started our struggle we had principles and those principles have been abandoned NewsDay Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News MDC Alliance secretary general, Mr Douglas Mwonzora, is understood to be seriously considering to challenge the partys president Advocate Nelson Chamisa for the top post during the opposition partys congress in May. Last Friday, the MDC Alliance announced that it will be holding its congress in May to elect new leaders. Sources within the party yesterday told Chronicle that Adv Chamisa is likely to be challenged for the presidency by the partys secretary general and his deputy, Mr Elias Mudzuri. MDC insiders said Adv Chamisa is aware that Mr Mwonzora could be a threat to his presidency which he grabbed following the death of the partys founding president Morgan Tsvangirai last year in February. Remember Chamisa lost the secretary general post to Mwonzora in the last congress. If we consider the mafia style in which Chamisa rose to the presidency, his leadership qualities leave a lot to be desired. He might be popular among Zimbabweans but the reality is that those numbers mean nothing as some of his sympathisers are not party card carrying members, said an MDC insider. Mwonzora might pull a shocker that is why during the internal squabbles that led to Thokozani Khupe and others being expelled from the party he (Mwonzora) was also censured for his association with Khupe and crew. Contacted for comment, Mr Mwonzora said he has full rights to seek election to any party position. Let me answer this way, I am a full member of the MDC with full rights given by the MDC constitution. One of these rights is the right to contest any position. However, Im not yet aware of the position that Im going to contest because the nomination process has not yet started, said Mr Mwonzora. So I do not know what the members are going to nominate me for. The system is not whether you want or not. Its whether you are nominated. But the nomination has not yet started so Im not aware, I dont know what position I will contest. But Im eligible to contest any position. He said he will not speculate on any position at the moment but will make a special announcement soon after the nomination process has been opened. The nomination process is going to be taking place in due course. I will also be announcing shortly after the nomination, if I get nominated for any position I will contest that position. But I have not been nominated yet, he said. Meanwhile, addressing a rally at Mkoba Stadium in Gweru yesterday Adv Chamisa threatened mass action and shut down Harare if President Mnangagwa doesnt agree to a power sharing arrangement. He said his party was prepared to use its political muscle through demonstrations in which all its supporters countrywide would descend on Harare. Last month there was a stay away called by our mother, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions and we took heed to it as we are a child of ZCTU. Now we are saying we want dialogue with (President) Mnangagwa. I know you are asking yourselves a question, if (President) Mnangagwa refuses dialogue what will we do? We said we are giving him a short space of time to conclude dialogue and do away with the election mode. The country cannot be perpetually in an election mode. We want to close the election mode and go into economic transformation. We will call our membership from across the country and engage in a democratic mass action and shut down Harare, he said. The opposition leader, who snubbed an invitation last month by Mnangagwa for dialogue involving all party leaders who contested for the presidency in last years elections, said the dialogue should be restricted to Zanu-PF and MDC Alliance. But analysts says Chamisas demands make a lot of sense because all the other candidates invited by Mnangagwa did not contest his win after 2018 elections. They agreed that Mnangagwa won. Nelson Chamisa is the only candidate who is contesting Mnangagwas victory so dialogue should be between the two protagonists in order to solve the legitimacy question. Chronicle Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News I was a little nervous to come back because Im still going through chemotherapy, she said. I was not sure how I would handle the job and chemotherapy at the same time, but being back in my routine has been very healthy for me. It allowed me to appreciate my life and do my job and be with kids. Mayor Sylvester Turner on Monday named Marissa Aho Houston's chief resiliency officer to oversee Houston's efforts to boost its resilience to natural disasters and systemic urban problems. Aho will head up the city's development and implementation of a resilience strategy through its partnership with The Rockefeller Foundation's 100 Resilient Cities program. A $1.8 million grant from Shell Oil is funding Houston's membership in the network of cities, through which it receives access to consulting and technical support from private and public partners, as well as a team of experts headed by Jeff Hebert, New Orleans' former chief resilience officer. Houston joined the network in August last year. Also covered by the Shell grant is Aho's two-year salary. Before coming to Houston, she served as chief resilience officer for Los Angeles, where she managed the release of the city's resilience plan. The plan contained "96 immediate actions which give residents the tools to plan and prepare for inevitable shocks and stresses," according to a news release from Turner's office. That included a plan to place an equity lens over how Los Angeles responds to extreme heat, an increasing problem for the city. Michael Berkowitz, the president of 100 Resilient Cities, and Jason Klein, a Shell vice president, both issued statements supportive of Aho's appointment. The concept of urban resilience combines efforts to mitigate the effect of major disasters with addressing long-term issues, such as affordable housing shortages, infrastructure and economic inequality. Stephen Costello, Houston's former chief resilience officer, began overseeing the city's Harvey recovery efforts in November 2018. He took over as "recovery czar" from Marvin Odum, the former president of Shell. Seguin police say Santos Reina, 47, is facing multiple charges in connection to the shooting death of 38-year-old Jesse Valdez Sr. Saturday in the small community east of San Antonio. Officers were dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of N. Bowie Street Saturday evening about 6 p.m. for a call of a shooting but did not find anyone. San Antonio police arrested a suspected drunk driver early Sunday morning after a fatal high-speed crash on the city's West Side. Ayana Gonzales, 23, was charged with intoxication manslaughter in connection to the death of Brittany Cruz, 28, who was a passenger in Gonzales' car, police said. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox The blue Toyota Corolla the two were in was speeding on the westbound frontage road of Northwest Loop 410 when Gonzales cut across three lanes and crashed into a tree, according to a police report. Cruz was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, police said. Gonzales was taken to University Hospital with non life-threatening injuries and arrested on the intoxication manslaughter charge. 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 A wreck that involved up to 10 vehicles and backed up traffic for miles on a busy San Antonio highway Monday morning has been cleared but Texas Department of Transportation traffic cameras still showed heavy congestion in the area as of 8:30 a.m. The accident was initially reported as a 6-car crash shortly before 6 a.m. in the southbound lanes of Highway 281 near Wurzbach Parkway, according to San Antonio police, but more cars may have gotten involved since the initial report. Two people were rescued Sunday night from a very dramatic, fast-moving fire that caused significant damage to an apartment complex on San Antonios North Central Side. More than 100 firefighters and 27 units responded to the fire call, officials said. No injuries had been reported as of near midnight. Arriving at the scene with the Willow Run Apartments still in flames, San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said no one was believed to be missing. RELATED: Employee at Community Bible Church in San Antonio admits to 'inappropriate behavior,' pastor says Two people were rescued from the second floor of the building at 7543 South Sea Lane, where they were trapped by fire and smoke, he said. About 10 units of the complex are heavily damaged, Hood added, with smoke and water damage in other units. An initial sweep of the building has been completed, but a secondary sweep for victims was still underway, he said after 10 p.m. Sunday. Hood said the blaze spread quickly through the length of the entire 2-story building. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox The cause of the fire is under investigation, he said. Officials were working to find shelter for displaced residents who might not have anywhere else to go. Josue and Maximo Aguilar loved the same Mexican musicians growing up together. They sang along to Beto Quintanilla and loved listening to La Santa Grifa, a Mexican rap group, while driving around Houston, said their mother Elva Aguilar. But last week, their lives were cut short when a gunman ambushed them with a semi-automatic rifle from the roof of a flooded-out home, police say. The suspect, Marlon Valdez, has since been arrested on a capital murder charge and denied bond. Elva, meanwhile, said she tried to stop Josue, 18 and Maximo, 20, before they left to meet Valdez. She said she can't think straight through her devastation. "They were still kids to me, and each one had plans," she said. "And that guy just cut their plans short." FOR SUBSCRIBERS: HPD chief targets gang violence, only on HoustonChronicle.com Houston police believe another suspect remains at large in the shooting last Thursday in the 12700 block of Eastbrook Drive, according to a press release. A spokesperson for the department declined to elaborate on that person's possible relationship with Valdez. Police said Josue and Maximo were in a car full of people who agreed to meet there to a settle a feud at the home. Elva said the brothers were riding in the car with her 25-year-old son Julio and Josue's longtime girlfriend. Those two were shot but are expected to be OK. Police Chief Art Acevedo said the night of the shooting that an AR-15 was used to attack the group. He said the suspect "shot these young people like they were deer." Elva said Julio told her about a fight at the location, but she said she didn't know the purpose of the dispute. She said she also didn't know her children's relationship with suspect Valdez. "I begged them not to go," she said. Elva also denied that her children weren't affiliated with any gangs. "They did have tattoos, but they weren't gang related," she said. When Valdez appeared for his probable cause hearing Sunday night, prosecutors said he was trying to lure Josue to the location. He was texting and using Snapchat to communicate with the victim before the shooting, prosecutors said. Aside from her anger toward Valdez, Elva said she's also dealing with confusion about his motive. "Josue planned to go the Navy," she said. "[He was taking] pre-ap classes. He was a good student. He was a smart person. He never disrespected anybody. Both of them were always laughing and smiling." She said both her sons attended school in Galena Park ISD. Josue was attending North Shore Senior High School at the time of the shooting. Maximo had dropped out of school but was planning to retake classes, she said. Maximo eventually wanted to become a welder, she said. They were all living with her at the time of their deaths. Court records show Maximo has faced numerous charges of robbery, assault and failure to identify himself dating back to 2015. One assault case from November 2018 remains active, records show. Elva said those charges were in the past and not related to last week's deadly dispute. "He served his time," she said. "He paid what he had to pay. He was trying to make his life better." HOUSTON IN-DEPTH: Sign up for the day's top headlines delivered to your email in the Morning Report from HoustonChronicle.com. Valdez, who is currently booked in Harris County Jail, has also been charged with evading arrest for an incident last July in which he led police on a high-speed chase in his mother's car, police said. In that case, court records show Valdez crashed the car and fled the scene on foot. He pointed a gun at a driver who was trying block his exit, police said. At his probable cause hearing, Valdez said he is a Mexican citizen and agreed to notify its consulate. The judge issued a $5,000 bond for his evading arrest charge, but Valdez is still not eligible for release, the judge said. 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. After a Harris County misdemeanor judge testified before a grand jury on Monday, he was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing in a police investigation of allegations that he grabbed two women in his courtroom. However, a woman the judge was accused of forcefully clutching by the crook of her arm, and a witness who apparently was also grabbed, were available to testify to the grand jury but were not called, according to the alleged victims attorney, Thuy Le. What happened today reeks of a one-sided system in which the prosecutors continued to protect those in power and ignore and silence crime victims, said Le. I'm saddened and disappointed that (the prosecutor) allowed the aggressor to testify in front of the grand jury without calling either victims to present their testimony. Criminal Court at Law #10 Judge Lee Harper Wilson, who took the bench after a Democratic sweep last year and presides over misdemeanor criminal cases, was investigated by the Houston police for allegedly assaulting the legal assistant of a defense attorney in his courtroom on Jan. 29. Lee was accused of walking down from the bench and physically grabbing the woman as he told her she was not allowed in an area in the courtroom typically reserved for attorneys. The incident left the woman with bruises on her arm, according to Le. Le criticized prosecutors for allowing only the judge to testify before the grand jury, but not the alleged victims. The second woman, a courthouse staffer, told authorities that the judge lightly took hold of her forearm, in the moments before he grabbed the second woman, according to court records. Neither woman is a lawyer and the judge was apparently telling both that only lawyers were allowed in the area immediately in front of the judges bench, called the well. Le said both women and other witnesses were willing to come forward to testify about what they saw that day, but were not called. A spokesman for the district attorneys office said the grand jury made its own decision. Grand jury proceedings are secret, so what the grand jurors heard or saw is confidential. Because this involved a public official, we took this directly to a grand jury to decide whether any incident rose to the level of a crime and grand jurors said no, said spokesman Dane Schiller. I can tell you that in every grand jury proceeding, grand jurors are made aware of all the evidence and any witnesses who could come talk to them. Grand jurors can decide what they want to consider and whose testimony they want to hear. They are independent and secret for a reason. James Stafford, Wilsons attorney, said the judge did not hurt or intend to hurt the legal assistant and took a lie detector test to prove it. Stafford also said an eyewitness testified in the grand jury. The lawyer said he believes the eyewitness testimony was consistent with an earlier statement that the judges actions did not look malicious or violent. What he did was not intended to harm her, he was just trying to get her attention, Stafford said about the allegations. Its really sad that an innocent act can get you in so much trouble when you didnt intend to do any harm. He said pictures taken after the incident showed a small red bruise. Immediately after the incident, other witness said she was upset and visibly shaken by how angry the judge had appeared, court records show. I think she reacted the way she did was because it happened in open court, in front of some of their clients and the judge was stern with her, Stafford said. One of the witnesses said he looked like a grumpy old man, but he always looks like a grumpy old man. Stafford confirmed that the judge gave testimony to grand jurors about his encounter with the legal assistant. The judge did not intend to cause her any emotional stress, and were still puzzled about why she had the reaction she did, Stafford said. He said the judge learned a lesson to let the bailiffs enforce court rules, like making sure only attorneys are beyond the barrier that separates the gallery. The judge, who has been on the bench since the alleged incident, has declined to comment on the matter. brian.rogers@chron.com If we dont go home with a dog today, at least we had some fun, we gave them some attention and some love that they need, and maybe somebody else will give them a forever home, Mistrata said. Bunker Hill 2/15/19 at 1715 Hours. 200 Block of Gessner. Credit Card Abuse. The victim was notified by his bank of the use of his credit card to purchase a soda at a vending machine. Due to the fact that a second charge was attempted, the card was declined as a possible fraud (probing). The victim requested that a report be initiated and for a detective to follow-up in reference to the fraud and possible identity theft. 2/16/19 at 1800 Hours. 400 Block of Tealmeadow. Found items, (Firearm and Narcotics). The caller reported finding a duffle bag with a handgun and narcotics in the area. MVPD officers took possession of the items and tagged them into the MVPD evidence room. Detectives for attempting to identify the owner of the items. 2/17/19 at 1630 Hours. 11700 Block of Forest Glen. Criminal Mischief/Leaving the scene of an accident. The property owner reported that unknown person(s) had damaged their mailbox by striking it with their vehicle causing extensive damage in excess of $1000. Damaged car parts were also found at the scene. Officers initiated a report and are attempting to locate any area video surveillance coverage. 2/18/19 at 1345 Hours. 11900 Block of Taylorcrest. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Officers were dispatched to the area, in reference to a group of juveniles who were gathered along the ditch bank smoking marijuana. MVPD officers checked the area with the MVPD drone and located the group of 5 juveniles smoking from a bong. Upon seeing the drone, the juveniles split up attempting to leave in different directions. The juvenile carrying the bong and other paraphrenia was followed by the drone as other officers approached on foot. The subject was then stopped and found in possession of the paraphernalia. The subject was then issued a citation and released to his parents. 2/20/19 at 0000 Hours. 12300 Block of Longworth. Possession of Dangerous Drugs. Officers were dispatched to the area in reference to a suspicious person in the homeowners backyard. Upon arrival officers located a highly intoxicated female in the homeowners yard. The homeowner did not know the female and she did not know where she was. A bag was found near-by containing alcohol and drugs. Drugs were also found on the suspects person. The suspect was placed under arrest for the possession of dangerous drugs. A subsequent investigation located keys to the drug vault for her employer. She was not authorized to have the keys and had possibly stolen drugs from the employer. Detectives were notified and have taken over the investigation. Hunters Creek 2/15/19 at 2200 Hours. 10900 Block of Little Lisa. Minor in Possession of Alcohol. Officers were dispatched to the area in reference to a suspicious vehicle parked near a construction site. Upon arrival officers located a vehicle occupied by several subjects. One of the subjects who is 16 years old, was found to be in possession a bottle of Vodka. The juvenile was issued a citation and transported to his home and released to his mother. 2/15/19 at 2315 Hours. 900 Block of Voss. Runaway. Officers were dispatched to the area in reference to a juvenile riding his bike in the street along Voss Road. Upon arrival to the area the officers located the subject and his bicycle. It was learned that the young man had runaway from home after getting into an argument. His mother requested that he be returned home at which time MVPD officers returned him to his Houston home. A report was written and forwarded to juvenile officials (CPS) for their follow up intervention. 2/20/19 at 0300 Hours. 300 Block of Voss. Driving while Intoxicated. Officers observed a vehicle strike the curb at Voss and Memorial Drive and blow out a tire. Upon stopping and approaching the driver, the officer observed signs of intoxication. The driver was then administered and failed sobriety tests. The 30-year-old male was then placed under arrest. A breath test was administered that showed the driver to be twice the legal limit. The subject was then booked into the Harris County Jail. Piney Point 2/17/19 at 1330 Hours. 100 Block of Brompton Court. Burglary of a Habitation. The victim who is house sitting the property, upon returning to the home after 2 days, found that unknown persons had forced their way into the home through a rear door. The home appeared had been ransacked however, many valuable items were not taken and still in plain view. It appeared that the suspects had possibly been looking for specific item(s). A crime scene investigator checked the area for fingerprints and other evidence while detectives checked for video surveillance footage. The alarm on the home had not been set. Detectives were notified and are following up on the investigation. Applications have officially been filed, and two candidates are vying to be the next mayor of Humble. Incumbent Merle Aaron, a retired contractor is looking to fulfill his second term as mayor. Arliss Bentley, a retired English teacher from Humble High School, is also seeking the seat. If elected, Bentley could become Humbles first woman mayor. Early voting starts on April 22, and the election will take place on May 4. Why run? Aaron said he is seeking a second term as mayor to continue working on the projects the city currently has going on and to make new plans to help Humble grow while still preserving its history. Were just so far down the road with these projects, and I felt like in one more term I could complete many of these along with our staff, Aaron said. Bentley said she has been thinking about running for the mayor since 2007 when she received encouragement from her friends and neighbors to run for local office. Since then she has attended almost every council meeting and beautification committee meeting to keep up with what is going on in the city. More Information wE See More Collapse They were getting ready to have the election, and I kind of watched the pattern. And if nobody steps forward and runs against the incumbents, they cancel the election, Bentley said. They were getting ready to cancel this election because nobody had stepped forward, and I said OK God, Im stepping out of my box here. I just decided that this is the time to file. Background Bentley has been in education for 40 years and says she will utilize her experience as an educator to lead the council. Teaching is a service. Even though you get paid its still a service, Bentley said. Maybe its time to be more of a service to the city; maybe its time. When youre a teacher you have high expectations of your students; high expectations of what we want to do with the City of Humble. You have definitely have to be prepared and organized as a teacher otherwise the kids will eat you up. I feel like Im organized and prepared. Aside from being Humbles current mayor, Aaron has years of experience in the construction industry. Aaron was a paving superintendent for the George Bush Intercontinental Airport back around 1967. Aaron was also a construction foreman in the Houston and Dallas areas. Since serving his first terms as mayor of Humble, Aaron said he has worked closely with the public works department on city projects. Im very knowledgeable with construction. I understand underground, (and) I understand what it takes to make a system work, Aaron said. Initiatives Aaron said he and other city officials will head to Austin soon to speak with local legislators about how legislation targeting property tax revenues a priority for Governor Greg Abbott will impact small cities like Humble. Were very concerned about that because Humbles property tax is only 24 cents (per $100 valuation), Aaron said. Most other cities like Houston theyre at least twice that and most of the time three times that. We would be handicapped if we couldnt continually adjust up and down to where we can pay our bills and continue to go forward with our city. Aaron is also focused on finishing road projects on Townsen Boulevard, Wilson Road and Rankin Road. He and other city officials are also looking at ways to ease traffic in several parts of the city. Something that is on the top of Bentleys list if elected into office is giving residents a voice. At this point the residents can come and talk to the council members and the mayor, but I would like them to have more of a voice, Bentley said. Maybe the first council meeting of the month, maybe from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. we can have random residents sign up and talk for three minutes. I think think were missing a whole wealth of ideas of wonderful plans that the city can implement if the residents were allowed to talk. Economic growth Bentley feels Humble is growing at a very past face and is worried about the impact it could have on the city. I want see Humble grow in an organized fashion whether it be the economic (development), or to improve downtown (and) make it more welcoming and beautiful, Bentley said. Aaron said in order for Humbles economic growth to continue, the departments that make up the city as a whole would need to grow as well. What we have to understand is if we have the growth we have to have the capacity,Aaron said. Its more than just water and sewer. We have to be able to relocate a different fire station, and were looking at that in the future, of putting a fire station further out south and that would keep us from depending on Fire Station No. 1 for everything because a lot of our growth is going to be on Rankin Road and some of the other areas. Voter support Bentley feels voters should elect her into office for her passion for the City of Humble and her determination to know every detail about the city and the projects that can help Humble grow. Meanwhile, Aaron said he knows that not everyone is going to understand or support his plans or goals for Humble, but that he always makes a choice that he believes are best for the city. kaila.contreras@chron.com Feb. 15 At 11:29 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the West U PD Lobby in reference to an accident that had already occurred. An officer observed a vehicle traveling northbound in the 5300 block of Buffalo Speedway with expired registration. A traffic stop was conducted and after further investigation, the driver was found to be in possession of marijuana. He was deemed eligible to participate in the Misdemeanor Marijuana Diversion Program and was released from the scene. An officer observed a vehicle traveling northbound in the 5600 block of Weslayan with expired registration. A traffic stop was conducted and after further investigation, the driver was found to be in possession of marijuana. He was deemed eligible to participate in the Misdemeanor Marijuana Diversion Program and was released from the scene. An officer observed a vehicle traveling northbound in the 6400 block of Buffalo Speedway at a high rate of speed. A traffic stop was conducted and after further investigation, the driver was arrested for Unlawful Carry Weapons. Feb. 16 An officer was dispatched to meet with HPD Officer and pick up a subject in custody with outstanding West University Place warrants. The subject (Brittany Webster) was taken into custody and then transported to West University jail facility and booked without incident. An officer on-viewed a possible burglary of motor vehicle in progress in the 6600 block of Brompton. While attempting to detain the subjects, both individuals evaded on foot. A perimeter was set and after an extensive search, neither suspect was located. An offense report for attempted theft (motor vehicle) was generated. At 4:32 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the CVS at Buffalo Speedway and Main St. to pick up a prisoner with outstanding West University Place Police Department warrants from a Texas DPS Trooper. The officer took custody of the prisoner (Brittany Petters) and transported her to the West University Place Police Department Jail for booking. An officer was dispatched to the Harris County Sheriffs Office Jail to pick up an individual with outstanding warrants out of the City of West University Municipal Court. The individual was taken into custody and transported without incident. Feb. 17 An Officer was dispatched to the 6300 block of Weslayan in reference to a suspicious vehicle. Officers arrived and locate the vehicle in the area. Officers approach the vehicle and find a subject asleep behind the wheel with the vehicle on and transmission in park. Officers made contact with the subject and after further investigation, determined that the subject was heavily impaired by an unknown substance. The subject was arrested for public intoxication and transported to West University Place jail for book-in. An officer observed a vehicle traveling southbound in the 6400 block of Buffalo Speedway with expired registration. A traffic stop was conducted and after further investigation, the driver was arrested for Driving While License Invalid. Feb. 19 An Officer observed a vehicle traveling 42 mph in a 30 mph zone in the 6600 block of Buffalo Speedway along with a defective license plate light. The traffic stop was conducted and the driver was subsequently arrested for Driving While Intoxicated. At 10:23 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in operation with an expired registration. The traffic stop occurred in the 5700 block of Buffalo Speedway. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the driver of the vehicle had several outstanding warrants for his arrest. The driver was subsequently taken into custody for the outstanding warrants. At 8 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the West U PD Lobby in regard to a walk-in report of found property. Feb. 20 An officer was dispatched to the Fort Bend County Jail, in regards to a prisoner who has outstanding warrants with the City of West University Place. Upon the officers arrival, the prisoner was taken into custody and transported to the West University Place jail where the prisoner (Gary Jenkins) was booked in without incident. An officer observed a vehicle in the 2800 block of University Blvd. traveling west bound with no registration sticker and no front LP. The Officer initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and upon approach of the vehicle, could smell a strong odor of marijuana emanating from within the vehicle. The driver was detained and the vehicle was searched; the officer located a bag containing drug paraphernalia. The subject was issued a citation for the contraband and released. An officer was dispatched to the West U PD Lobby reference to an identity theft report. Feb. 21 At 2:24 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the 2700 block of Arbuckle in reference to a burglary of a motor vehicle that had just occurred. An officer was dispatched to meet with Baytown P.D. Officer to pick up a subject in custody with outstanding West University Place traffic warrants. The male subject was taken into custody and then transported to West University jail facility and booked without incident. Never ask Jafet Soto to share where he takes his insane-looking photos of abandoned buildings in Houston. The Houston-based artist said urbex photographers (people who only shoot abandoned buildings) never share their locations; it's against their code. "We don't give out locations out of safety and because we don't want to get into trouble," Soto said. "People who look for the locations [of abandoned places] themselves, they gain respect. That's how you start building a reputation in the community." On his own, the 26-year-old self-made urban street photographer said he has found and shot nearly 20 different abandoned places in and around the Greater Houston area. From abandoned churches, schools and hospitals; to a funeral home, a prison and even an abandoned skyscraper-turned trap house (a drug house where dealers buy and sell drugs), Soto's stunning shots have entered Houston into the playing field of the urbex and street photography world. Photo by: Jafet Soto/infphy "When I find an abandoned place, I put it on the map," Soto, who more commonly goes by his Instagram name infphy, short for "influence," said. "I love photographing places to show the urbex side of Houston to my fellow explorers." HAVE YOU BEEN HERE? The most notorious (and haunted) addresses in Houston Soto said other urban explorers have traveled from as far as places like Paris to explore the city with him. He collaborates with two different "crews," one Houston-based and one Los Angeles-based, to find new spots in the city and to travel to other abandoned places across the country. New York-based Youtuber Robb Atch has made the trek to the Bayou City to go exploring with Soto several times. Atch documents their adventures on his Youtube channel he shares with his wife Kristy and said he has explored hundreds of abandoned buildings across the country. One of his latest videos with Soto is when they discovered an abandoned church on the outskirts of Houston. Photo by: Robb Atch/rnk.all.day "It was very unique in a sense that it reminded me more of a theater or of a space where you might go to see a concert," Atch said, recalling the video. "I go for the ones that are really unique and together. I like things that are still intact where you can still see the beauty." Soto said it's rare to find abandoned places in Houston as buildings are often demolished quickly here. He said he finds these hidden gems by doing his fair share of research on Google maps and reading historical articles. SWIMMING WITH PREDATORS: Houston artist takes to the depths of the ocean floor for jaw-dropping photos Most of the buildings he's found are located on the outskirts of Houston, in suburbs like Channelview, the Woodlands, Humble, Spring, Sugar Land, Cypress and League City, he said. "Once I found out that it's (a building) abandoned, I hit it the next day just because I know within that week, it will be gone. And now that the hurricane [Harvey] happened I am pretty sure there are tons that I haven't yet found," Soto said. "But I am still looking, I spend hours every day trying to find at least something." Hungry for the best shot, Soto regularly braves all of the dangers that come with entering abandoned places: falling ceilings, homeless people, drug dealers and his biggest pet peeve: fleas that swarm the buildings during hot Houston summers. Despite the dangers, Soto said he is grateful that his passion is now his full-time career. "I enjoy the history behind it. People tend to forget [the history of a place] so I want to bring it back. And it's just amazing to me too...I am finding the grittiness of Houston and showing Houston in a whole new, different perspective." HOUSTON STAPLES: Houston native's paintings highlight icons from the Bayou City Aside from abandoned buildings, Soto shoots all sorts of street art and is planning his third annual personal art gallery for later this year. He has plans to write a book on his adventures exploring abandoned places and is also busy helping run another social media account, We Own the Night HTX. He said he uses the account as a platform to connect aspiring Houston photographers and to highlight their work. "We basically built this platform where if you are into street photography, urban photography or urbex, then this is the right page for them," Soto said. " We are kind of becoming the face of Houston when it comes to urban and street (photography)." Find more of Hech's videos here and here. Find more of Soto's work here and here. Rebecca Hennes covers community news. Read her on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | rebecca.hennes@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message Sandwiched between the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and a Scottish castle on a list of the world's most-booked sightseeing tickets is the San Antonio Zoo. The travel company TripAdvisor recently published its 2019 Experiences Trends Report to give insight into the tours, activities and experiences industry and provide a glimpse into what travel trends to expect for 2019. TripAdvisor analyzed mostly 2018 data and found admission to the local zoo was the 5th most-booked sightseeing ticket in the world. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox TripAdvisor promotes the $14.99 zoo ticket purchased through their site as providing access to the "largest collection of birds in the world," as well as tigers, elephants and other large animals. Tourists are encouraged to listen to daily talks by zoo experts, "ride a train around the beautifully landscaped grounds," or take a spin on the carousel in Zootennial Plaza. Tickets purchased through the San Antonio Zoo website are listed as $16.90 for adults and $13.35 for children. Skip-the-line admission to One World Observatory in New York City ranked first on the list. The Tower of London, at the No. 2 spot, and the Guinness Storehouse in Ireland, at the No. 7 spot, are among the locations that join the San Antonio Zoo on the list. RELATED: Date set for grand opening of San Antonio Zoo's new rhino exhibit "Travelers are booking more immersive experiences than ever," TripAdvisor spokeswoman Molly Burke said in a news release. "Visiting iconic sites is still a priority, but travelers are increasingly curating trips to suit their unique interests. Whether that means bringing the whole family along or booking rejuvenating wellness experiences, travelers have so many options to really customize their trip, and immerse themselves in the local culture." In recent months, the San Antonio Zoo hosted its annual holiday event, complete with a light show synced to Christmas music, started work on a parking garage to accommodate more guests and it is now days away from opening the new rhino savanna on March 2. Madalyn Mendoza is a breaking news reporter and general assignment writer. Read her on our breaking news site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | mmendoza@mysa.com | @MaddySkye He had a shaved head but was standing tall showing he was proud to be a Jew, Schneider said. He stood up tall like you did saying you were proud to be a Jew, the congressman said, as he choked up commenting to Firestone. President Donald Trump View Photos President Trump spoke about crime reduction and his administrations support of law enforcement officers. Trump was Mondays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words: When I took office two years ago, one of my highest priorities was to reduce violent crime. In the two years before my inauguration, violent crime increased by 8 percent nationwide, and murders were up by more than 20 percent. The cornerstone of our strategy is revitalizing one of the most effective crime reduction initiatives in history: Project Safe Neighborhoods. This program brings together law enforcement, community groups, and local leaders to get the most violent offenders, in the most dangerous areas, off our streets and put them behind bars as quickly and easily as possible. Last year, we secured $50 million in funding Project Safe Neighborhoods, and Im proud to announce that we are asking Congress for even more funding this year. And well get it. Weve deployed nearly 200 new violent crime prosecutors across our country. In 2018, my administration prosecuted more violent criminals than ever before in the history of our country. And weve increased the average sentence for drug trafficking to its highest level in many years. Through the combined effort of everyone here today, violent crime is now going down for the first time in a long while. Murders in Americas largest cities dropped by 6 percent compared to 2016. The police departments here today have provided us with new homicide data showing steep declines over the last two years, including an estimated reduction of 16 percent in New Orleans, 27 percent in Newark, and 30 percent in Milwaukee. Thats great. Three places thats a great job youre doing in those three places, especially. In my administration, we understand that reducing crime begins with respecting law enforcement. We will not tolerate smears, or slanders, or assaults on those who wear the badge and police our streets. In order to keep every American safe, we are making officer safety a top priority. In support of that goal, more than $600 million worth of surplus military equipment has been made available to law enforcement. This is equipment that was rotting. The best stuff, but rotting in warehouses that a past administration didnt want you to have. Someday theyll explain that one to me. I actually have heard the reasoning, but youre getting it and its coming in droves. And as we get additional equipment, we send it out to our great police. When an officer is hurt, it is a wound inflicted upon our entire nation. In my administration, we strongly believe that criminals who murder cops should get the death penalty. Every day our law enforcement officers risk their lives to defend the lives of others. We enacted the Fix NICS Act and the STOP School Violence Act, which gives grants to schools and law enforcement to improve safety. My administration also formed a School Safety Commission that recently released its official report, which includes nearly 100 detailed recommendations that really work and really make sense, based on input from families, educators, mental health practitioners, and law enforcement. Now we must work together to turn these recommendations into reality. Theyre really good recommendations. A lot of common sense in those recommendations. And we need more common sense, overall, in our country. Nothing is more important than protecting our children. So to every police chief and sheriff and to every officer and deputy across America to all of law enforcement: We will never forget your service, and we will never, ever let you down. We will never let you down. We greatly respect you, we love you, and we thank God for you each and every day. Thank you very much. God bless you. And God bless America. 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. Throughout Moerschels reading, the kids would ooh and ahh as the tale unfolded. She told them it was a true story and they were full of questions after hearing the book read. They wanted to know more about the incident. Since Moerschel and her family own the home with the covered pool where Gentry tumbled, she was able to oblige. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 25) - Communist Party founding member Jose Maria "Joma" Sison is speaking up against President Rodrigo Duterte again. This time, Sison is calling out what he calls the President's "misogynist and anti-gay character" after Duterte's comment saying 40 percent of New People's Army (NPA) members are gay and that alleged gay members of the NPA abused his son, Sebastian - also known as Baste. "The position of the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) and the revolutionary movement has always been not to discriminate against women and the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) in the recruitment of fighters by the NPA," said Sison in a statement Monday. In a speech during the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) campaign rally in Laguna Saturday, Duterte said, "Alam ba ninyo 40 percent ng NPA ngayon na sundalo bakla? Ibig sabihin - hindi itong sabihin mo 'yung bakla-bakla lang na ano. I mean, ano lang 'yan eh. It's - a tag. Actually, as they're - as natural as...Huwag lang makakita ng gwapo ang mga g***." [Translation: Do you know that 40 percent of the NPA's soldiers are gay? I mean, this is just, it's a tag. Actually, they're as natural as...Just as long as the a******s don't see a handsome guy.] Duterte told a story about how his son, Baste, was brought to the woods by members of the NPA where they would release captive soldiers to him. "Kaya itong - ang anak ko nagtaka ako bakit sabi nila si Baste talaga ibigay nila 'yung sundalo na bihag nila. Kaya pagdating doon sa itaas, si Baste pala ang gusto ng mga g***," he said. [Translation: That's why I wondered why they said they would give the captured soldiers to baste. When they reached the top, it seemed the fools wanted Baste.] Duterte said his son told him he was kissed by the NPA. "Eh sabi, 'Pagdating sa bukid, dinala ako ng apat na NPA doon sa niyogan. Gihalik halikan ako tapos 'yung lahat...' 'Ah, inano ka pala. Inabuse (abuse) ka.' Sabi niya, "Oo, lahat nakahalik.' Okay 'yan, makatikim ka rin ng halik ng bakla, mas masarap." [Translation: He said, 'When we got to the field, I was brought by four NPA members to where the coconut trees are. They kissed me and...' 'Ah, so so you were abused.' He said, 'Yes, they all kissed me.' That's good, you were kissed by a gay man, it's much better. That flirt.] Sison said Duterte obviously invented the story about gay NPA members bringing Baste to the woods. The communist group has strict rules against such acts, he said. "There is a strict NPA rule of discipline against sexual molestation and taking sexual liberties against the will of others. It is up to the NPA command concerned to inform us how Baste was treated. If indeed anyone in the NPA molested or took liberties with Baste, they would face disciplinary action," Sison said. The communist leader also said the President's claim about the number of gay NPA members was "unbelievable." "How can he make such a survey finding when his military and police minions cannot locate the thousands of Red commanders and fighters in more than 110 guerrilla fronts. These armed revolutionaries reveal their momentary location only when they are already ambushing or raiding his armed minions," he said." We need legal brains with requisite ... Political courage is a rare commodity in Springfield. And new ideas are rarer still. When politicians face challenges, they usually dig out the same tired political play books and take the path of least resistance. In regard to funding state pensions, thats what appears to be happening now. Gov. J.B. Pritzkers deputy Dan Hynes is proposing that we balance the budget in part by shorting payments to the state pension systems again. Such ideas become policy when governors confuse the urgent with the important. The most urgent issue on Pritzkers desk is proposing a budget. But the most important matter is figuring out how to fund the states retirement systems, which are teetering on the brink of collapse. Illinois already has the worst-funded pensions in the nation. Now Gov. J.B. Pritzkers administration wants to reduce how much the state pays in the next fiscal year to the tune of $800 million? Good grief. Have we lost all common sense? Of course, Hynes didnt use the words short or underfund. He called it a modification of the Edgar Pension Ramp. You see, the fiscal mess that is Illinois bears both Republican and Democrat fingerprints. During Gov. Jim Edgars time in office the so-called Edgar Ramp was created, which was touted as a cure-all for the states pension woes. It wasnt. It isnt. And it never will be. It simply delayed the states Day of Reckoning. And, in fact, it made things worse. Back in the 1990s the states finances were a mess. Pensions were underfunded in part because annual payments had been skipped and the money spent on other things. For months, Edgar, legislative leaders and union bosses hashed out how to solve this predicament. And they gave birth to a rat. In a nutshell, the grand compromise Edgar championed called for having low annual pension payments while he was in office and higher ones when future governors were in office. He kicked the can down the road. He made his problem that of future governors. And now Hynes is ripping a page out of that old playbook and talking about adding seven years onto the ramp so it ends in 2052 instead of 2045. Bad idea. Sure, stretching out the payment schedule would reduce short-term pension costs so the state can spend the money elsewhere. But money diverted today by not putting it into the pension funds results in investment dollars lost that will have to be put in by taxpayers years down the road. Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the Hynes proposal. Back in the bad old days, they called such schemes pension holidays. Its how we got into this mess in the first place. Payments were put off and investments were not made. Unpaid pension obligations kept piling up and now we are being asked to make up the difference. But the biggest problem with these pension holidays or ramp modifications is that they fail to address the underlying, flawed state retirement system. Illinois would be much better off if it amended its constitution to move government workers into 401k-like defined contribution plans. There doesnt appear to be the political will in Springfield to do such a thing. But plenty of folks are talking about raising taxes. So, hang on to your pocket books. Scott Reeder is a veteran statehouse journalist and a freelance reporter. He can be reached at ScottReeder1965@gmail.com. While a technician trimmed her toenails, Guinevere lay limp on a table, sleeping soundly throughout the procedure without a twitch or movement, perhaps for the first time in her life. Guinevere, a Dutch rabbit which generally appear to be wearing a tuxedo because of their black-and-white or brown-and-white markings was spayed in early February. She is among thousands of Quad-City pets that will be spayed or neutered this year. Some Quad-City veterinarians spay and neuter as many as 100 animals in a single week. Most of the procedures are still for typical house pets such as dogs and cats. But the surgery is also becoming commonplace for other animals too, such as rabbits and other exotic animals. When I started six years ago, I would do maybe one bunny or two a month, said Dr. Lauren Hughes, a veterinarian at Animal Family Veterinary Care Center in Davenport. Last year, I did 75 bunny neuters and 50 spays. Its definitely increased. People are often surprised that smaller animals, such as rabbits, skunks, guinea pigs and rats, can be altered, Hughes said. When altering small animals, veterinarians consider how theyll respond to anesthesia and whether their behavior is that of a predator or prey. Hughes has neutered a lot of Guinea pigs to decrease their cage aggression, the Quad-City Times reported. Guinea pigs are susceptible to ovarian cysts, so she recommends spaying the females too. Ive done a few mouse neuters, but I do rat spays relatively frequently because they have high risk for breast cancer, she said. Sometimes the reason the procedures dont happen is that people arent aware that the surgery is available for smaller pets. Its just not something that is common knowledge. Hughes also has spayed an iguana and a chameleon. Normally, reptiles are spayed in an emergency situation, such as when an egg gets stuck, she said. She also has altered several skunks. Every small pet owners worry is anesthesia, she said. The most important thing is finding a veterinarian that you trust that has experience doing these things. According to dogtime.com, in 1969 the first low-cost spay and neuter clinic opened in Los Angeles. That led to discussions across the country about the benefits of spaying and neutering. Before that, advocates presented information about animal sterilization as a convenience to the pet owner instead of as an animal-welfare issue. In 1972, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals began requiring sterilization for all adopted animals. Shelter intake rates continued to drop, and feral cat trap-neuter-release programs emerged in the 1990s. Now the euthanasia rate has decreased to about 12.5 dogs and cats per 1,000 people, a drop of nearly 90 percent compared to numbers recorded 50 years ago. Over the next several decades, shelters and rescue groups campaigned to create more awareness to change not only the language on spay-and-neuter literature but also the public mindset. Now that the procedures are spreading to other animals too, its not just the physiology that makes spaying animals as rabbits and guinea pigs different from dogs and cats. For example, rabbits are prey species, while dogs and cats are predators. More than 40 feline and canine surgeries were scheduled for a day. Dog spays were first on the docket, with bigger dogs taking priority. Dog neuters followed, and then cat spays and cat neuters. The spay-and-neuter program is open to everyone with a pet. The waiting room became crowded with a line of people and animals. One woman held a meowing carrier. Behind her, a man held a wriggling puppy in his arms as the line continued to form behind him. One by one, each pet owner checked, while staff members answered questions and tried to calm both the patients and their people. We do this every Thursday and Friday, offering spay and neutering to the public, said Patti McRae, executive director at the Milan center. Among the volunteers on hand were Mary Vandevoorde, Milan, and Pamela Hildebrant, Davenport. Hildebrant has been doing some form of rescue 14 years and has been a volunteer at the clinic for six years. Im an animal lover, Vandevoorde said. I have three special-needs animals adopted from here. She volunteers to make things easier for the staff, she said. They have so much on their plates. Four times weekly, Rindsig is at the Humane Society or a facility in Aurora, spaying and neutering animals. In this part of the country, she thinks people understand the importance of spaying and neutering. (Quad-City) people do get it, she said. But its a whole different world down south, she said. Shelters (in the Midwest) are drawing from shelters down south because they dont spay and neuter. Were getting stuff under control. Were spaying and neutering colonies. By 1858, Lake County was becoming a stopping off point on the Underground Railroad and one of the hot spots was Deerfield, according to a published report. That is when slave Andrew Jackson fled to freedom arriving at the home of Lyman Wilmot in what is now Deerfield. EDWARDSVILLE On Friday, the Madison County Sheriffs Department received 24 notices of Firearm Ownership Identification Card revocations from the Illinois State Police, according to Chief of Detectives Capt. Michael Dixon. Normally the department will receive about 10-15 per week, including both its venue, the unincorporated portions of the county, and for municipalities which normally receive their own notices too. Fridays notices were all for the countys venue. Dixon said the system, which was under intense scrutiny following a mass shooting in Aurora, has very little accountability and is irresponsible. Its too great of a cost when youre talking about people whose FOID cards are being revoked, he said Thursday. You cant simply depend upon hope and possibilities when youre dealing with situations where people are dangerous and own a gun. This comes as the ISP is taking sharp criticism over the issuing of an FOID card to Gary Martin, his subsequent purchase of a handgun, revocation of that card after it was discovered Martin had a felony conviction in Mississippi, the failure of law enforcement to follow up, and Martins using that gun to kill five co-workers and shooting several law enforcement officers before he was killed in a shootout with police. FOID cards are required in Illinois to possess, own or purchase firearms and ammunition. Residents with felony convictions, domestic violence convictions, drug use and addiction, and serious mental illness are barred from possessing either the FOID cards or the weapons. Federal law also restricts who can possess firearms and ammunition. In 2018, the ISP revoked 10,818 FOID cards, according to figures provided by the agency, but Dixon said the system doesnt really allow for proper follow-up. Its almost as if it is up in the air, he said. The state police will issue those FOID cards and revoke those FOID cards, but they do not go out and look for those individuals. They simply send a letter to some address where a person lived at some point in time when they applied for a FOID card, hoping that person may still live there, Dixon said. In the off chance he doesnt they also send local law enforcement a notice its not certified, theres no way to track that, theres no way you can know if law enforcement got it. Part of the problem is that an FOID card is valid for 10 years, so there is a good chance that the person it is issued to has moved. Dixon also noted that most of those having cards revoked are not the most responsible people in society. They (the ISP) just send this notice hoping the applicant may still live (there), I hate to use the word, but they almost wash their hands of it at this time and say OK, local law enforcement, here you go, Dixon said. This is an irresponsible way to handle this. If the person has moved, Dixon said a big question is how much effort can or should a local law enforcement agency spend to track them down. Then, if they live in another venue, how much responsibility does the local agency have to notify that agency. He also noted they get an alarming number of notices for St. Clair County residents. Another issue is unincorporated areas under municipal addresses. He gave the example of a Meadowbrook resident with a Bethalto mailing address. It should go back to the state police, he said, noting Madison County will notify other jurisdictions. He also noted there is little actual contact between those responsible for administering the FOIDs and local law enforcement, other than written notices they may or may not get. But they have no direct contact with the ISP office responsible, only a fax number. We have no way to talk to anybody, theres a very minimal amount of people dealing with these at the state, he said. When Madison County gets an FOID revocation notice, Dixon said the first step is to contact that person and make sure they received notification. I dont know how many times Ive called a person and said, Did you get your notice? and they said, I dont know what youre talking about, he said. At that point the person can either turn over guns to law enforcement, or give them to another person with a valid FOID card. They are also required to fill out a Firearm Disposition Record within 48 hours of receiving notification of revocation. Dixon said another part of the problem is the lack of internet access for those receiving the notifications. Now we have to get deputy to respond to home to fill out forms, and then give guns to another person, he said. However, according to the ISP which sent out a lengthy press release outlining the issues surrounding FOID cards and the Martin case 10,818 cards were revoked in 2018, but only 3,469 cards were returned to the ISP and 2,616 Firearm Disposition Records were received, meaning more than 75 percent of those whos cards were revoked failed to fill out the form. There is almost no enforcement for failure to fill out the form. According to the ISP, there were only 10 arrests statewide for the offense, and only 110 between 2014 and 2019. In Martins case, he received an FOID card in January 2014. The ISP conducted a background check using its normal databases, but a 1995 guilty plea and five-year sentence in Mississippi on an aggravated assault charge did not show up. According to the ISP, as of Feb. 20 a database search did not show the conviction, but as of Feb. 21 it does appear. However, it has been noted in other media that within a few hours of Martins name being disclosed, news agencies had his criminal record. In early March 2014, Martin purchased a .40 caliber handgun through a licensed dealer, then applied for a concealed-carry permit a few days later. Because he submitted fingerprints, his felony conviction in Mississippi was flagged and on April 17, 2014 his FOID card was revoked. Fingerprints are not required to be submitted for a concealed carry permit, but will speed up the process, according to the ISP. At the time of Martins revocation, the ISPs procedure was to notify law enforcement through the LEADS system, but because the records are only maintained for three years there is no record of the notification. That was changed in March 2015, to written notification through the U.S. Postal Service. After an exhaustive search of paper and electronic records, neither Martins FOID card nor a related Firearm Disposition Record could be located, according to the ISP release. According to the ISP there are 2,285,990 FOID card holders in Illinois. Of those, 70,688 are in Madison County, 8,220 in Jersey County and 2,376 in Calhoun County. Of the 10,818 FOID cards revoked in 2018, 329 were from Madison County residents, 33 Jersey County and seven for Calhoun County. VIRGINIA The Virginia school board will meet in regular session at 7 p.m. today at 651 S. Morgan St. Among the items on the agenda are: Horry County Council recently approved tax and fee hikes that will raise the bill of an owner-occupied $200,000 home by $105.80 in most of the unincorporated areas. Inside the city limits, the owner of a $200,000 home would pay $20 more per year (those residents pay separate city taxes). The hikes in the countys nearly $600 million budget will help pay for raises for county workers, additional 911 dispatchers, firefighters and patrol officers, and new stormwater equipment. Do you think county council should have increased taxes? Choices are: You voted: Discuss this article with your neighbors or join the community conversation. Click here to get access As this site is no longer part of the villages redevelopment plans, it is prudent for the village to divest itself of the property and sell it to an appropriate private party, Witherow said in a report to the board. As the strains of The Final Countdown boomed from speakers inside of the auction barn at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, the 2019 Grand Champion Market Steer poked its snout out of the staging area, ready to stomp onto the hay-strewn stage. On Saturday morning, Claire Riley McCormick led Homer, a tan Charolais, before 300 cheering people at the junior steer market auction. The crowd, clad in Western wear and cowboy hats, filled the bleachers, rows of folding chairs and aisles. Auctioneer C. Jason Spence reeled off dollar amounts that prompted bidders to jab their hands in the air until W.M. Rusty Rush stood up from the front row. Investigators scoured the shallow waters of Trinity Bay Sunday, trying to determine why a Boeing 767 cargo plane fell out of the sky the day before, killing three and leaving a trail of debris. Capt. Sean Archuleta of Houston, Capt. Ricky Blakely of Indiana and First Officer Conrad Jules Aska of Antigua were being mourned Sunday by friends and family on social media. Authorities have not confirmed the identities, but did say that all three on board died when Atlas Air flight 3591 crashed near Anahuac shortly before 12:45 p.m. Saturday. Two of the bodies have been recovered, authorities said Sunday. 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. Archuleta, 36, had been living in The Woodlands for a few years as a pilot for Mesa Airlines. He was a new father and had just landed his dream job at United Airlines, said Don Dalton, his roommate of three years. He was supposed to start next week and caught a ride in the jump seat of the cargo plane to return to Houston from Miami. "He got his dream, almost," Dalton said. "Now he'll never fly it ... that's the part that kills me." Archuleta's wife and children live in Colombia. Dalton was at the scene Sunday in case he was needed to identify Archuleta's body. He said Archuleta's wife had been contacted. "She's devastated," he said. "They just had their baby. I'm not an emotional guy, but this tore me up today. I lost a guy that I truly looked forward to opening the door and seeing. I miss the guy. I miss him already." The plane, contracted by Amazon Prime Air Fleet and operated by New York-based Atlas Air, was just minutes from arriving at Bush Intercontinental Airport when it crashed into shallow water. Parts disintegrated on impact, and the largest piece police have recovered is 50 feet long. "This is a sad day for the entire Mesa Family as we mourn the loss of Captain Sean Archuleta," said Jonathan Ornstein, chairman and chief executive officer of Mesa Airlines. "Our thoughts are with Sean's family, the families of the two Atlas Air pilots, and the whole Atlas Air organization. This is a loss for all of aviation." Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne described the scene as "total devastation" hours after the crash and urged witnesses and people who find debris to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI. A five-second clip of the plane nosediving into the water was captured on a security camera at the Chambers County jail. CHRON CATCH-UP: Don't miss out on what's happening in Houston. Sign up for the newsletter at HoustonChronicle.com. Real-time flight data published by FlightAware.com shows the aircraft departed Miami International Airport at 10:33 a.m. Central Time. At 12:38 p.m., the aircraft descended 11,750 feet in about 30 seconds. The Federal Aviation Administration lost radar and radio contact with the plane when it was about 30 miles southeast of Bush, the agency said. Some witnesses reported hearing the aircraft's engines sputtering, while others reported hearing a sound resembling a thunderclap, Hawthorne said. It crashed into the bay shortly before 12:45 p.m., according to the FAA. The National Transportation Safety Board, an independent federal agency that investigates civil aviation accidents, will handle the investigation. Investigators called the process ahead "painstaking" and estimated it would take over a year. There was no distress call or hazmat materials on the plane. Pieces of the wings and landing gear have been identified in the debris field, which spans 200 yards by 100 yards, authorities said. They are continuing to search for "perishable evidence" and the black box, which records flight data and voices in the cockpit. "We have to get those recorders," said Robert Sumwalt, chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board. "We will stay here as long as it takes to get that." Black boxes emit ultrasonic "pings" to make them easier to find after a crash, but the muddy landscape could prevent the pingers from being heard. Sumwalt said that if that is the case, they may need to physically comb the landscape with scuba divers or even dredge the area. A storm band moved through the Houston area at the time of the crash, though heavy rain is nothing new for pilots approaching Bush Intercontinental. Air traffic controllers warned the pilots of the rain, which was significant in spots. In some of the last communication between the plane and the ground, one of the pilots says he will aim west of the heaviest rain. Controllers warn him of departing planes headed that way. "Oh, OK, then we'll go on the east side, just go ahead and direct us," one of the pilots says. After some back and forth among the controllers, one last transmission comes from the plane's pilots, with one of them saying "OK." Moments later, air traffic controllers continue to hail the plane but receive no communications. They start hailing other planes in the area, asking if they can see anything in the area of the plane's location. It could take months to unravel why the plane nose-dived into the bay, officials said. "We urge everyone to not become involved in speculation or rushes to judgment," Capt. David Bourne, Teamsters airline division director said in a statement. "We are very fortunate to have the experts from the FAA, NTSB, FBI and so many other organizations that will; in due time, determine the cause of this accident." The Boeing 767 is a large twin-engine jet airliner used to transport cargo or up to 280 passengers. They are a workhorse of American aviation with more than 1,000 in service, nearly 600 of which are the third-generation extended-range version that crashed into Trinity Bay. The aircraft that crashed Saturday was built in 1992 and was converted to a cargo plane in recent years, FAA records show. Boeing 767s have been involved in six fatal crashes since its debut in 1981, according to research compiled by the Flight Safety Foundation. The vast majority of fatalities have been related to terrorism, notably the two planes that crashed into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Other incidents have been related to pilot error, such as 2002 Air China Flight that crashed into a hillside in South Korea during a storm. A handful of times, the GE engines the same as the ones on the Atlas Air plane burst apart, spraying debris. In a 2016 incident, an engine on an American Airlines plane leaving Chicago's O'Hare Airport burst apart in a fiery incident that led the pilots to quickly abort takeoff. The "uncontained failure" of the engine, as it is was determined by the NTSB, sent parts of the engine more than half-mile from runway. Following the Chicago crash, General Electric urged airlines to inspect the turbine discs the blades the convert the engine's combustion into thrust, similar to a windmill on both the high and low pressure turbines inside the engines. In August, the FAA required inspections using ultrasound equipment to detect cracks in the turbine discs. Witnesses Saturday told television stations they heard a thunderclap or sonic boom sound around the time of plane's plunge into the bay. In the 2016 Chicago incident, those on the plane said the engine burst apart with a loud bang. The pilot, in his testimony to the NTSB, likened it to hitting a pothole at 115 mph. A 767 operated by Air New Zealand that had just departed Brisbane lost its left engine in a similar incident in December 2002. The pilots were able to turn that plane at about 10,000 feet and make an emergency landing back at the airport. No one was seriously injured in the two incidents. The 767 is capable of flying with only one of its two engines. Reporters Dug Begley and Andrea Leinfelder contributed to this report. rebecca.schuetz@chron.com; twitter.com/raschuetz An Oregon fugitive was arrested Sunday by the Midland County Sheriffs Office, according to an MCSO Facebook post. Kalin Swartz, 30, was arrested by deputies Sunday morning on a warrant out of Oregon for dangerous drug assault, a third-degree felony. She is being held in Midland County jail on a third-degree felony charge of fugitive from justice. As the looming gray building imploded, crumbling into a pile of debris and dust, a crowd of onlookers cheered. Some wept. The televised blast Friday that leveled the Monaco building, the former home of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar in Medellin, Colombia, erased a symbol of the citys past that many have tried to forget. In its place, the city is planning a memorial park to honor the victims of his drug cartels crimes. Today, that building falls and hope begins, President Ivan Duque of Colombia said in a televised statement. It is impossible to change the past, but you can build a better present and a better future. Escobar lived in the Monaco building for years until 1988, when rivals bombed it. The Escobar family abandoned the structure, and it has remained vacant ever since. But more than 25 years after Escobars death, the six-story building with a penthouse had still sparked heated debate, as city officials weighed the potential tourist draw of the site against the urge to move on from a painful past. The drug lords legacy has cast a shadow over Medellin, driven in part by new documentaries, television shows like the Netflix hit Narcos and books that have focused on Escobars life often neglecting the details of his victims and glorifying his legacy. In death, he has become something of a folk hero, for his meteoric rise from the working class to billionaire, and for his generosity to some, building houses and hospitals for the poor. Medellin, called the worlds most dangerous city by Time magazine in 1988, has seen violent crime plummet and has increasingly become a tourist destination. Some have capitalized on the citys history as a narcotics hot spot. Tour guides including Pablo Escobars top hit man, John Jairo Velasquez, known as Popeye take customers on walks through the cartels old haunts. Street vendors sell T-shirts emblazoned with Escobars face. But the tourist narrative often leaves out the impact of his bloody rise to power and the bribery, kidnappings and killings of anyone who dared defy the cartel. The mayor of Medellin, Federico Gutierrez, told local news outlet El Colombiano before the demolition that knocking down the structure was an important symbolic step forward for the city and the country. He said that flipping the narrative by emphasizing victims stories, rather than glorifying the illegal activity of Escobar and others like him, was essential to reclaiming Colombias national story. We are concerned about the way in which we have narrated, and stopped narrating, our own history, Gutierrez said. In most stories, the perpetrators are the protagonists, and this has long-term consequences, because it ends up validating an environment of illegality. The city consulted with neighbors, academics, local artists and the families of victims to design the memorial park, he said. The purpose of demolishing the Monaco is not to erase history, he said. We need our young people to know the stories, to tell them this cannot happen again. On Friday, Gutierrez joined dozens of victims families and members of the community for a ceremony on the grounds of a hotel near the site of the Monaco, where they watched the building fall. Medellin can tell a different story, he told the crowd. Today a symbol falls, and a light of hope is born. This article originally appeared in The New York Times All of our materials are education related and many are centered around stress relief, Gurza said. I wanted to get my name out there. When people think of toy stores, they dont think of wellness. I wanted them to make that connection. Torontos condominium market has seen both its sales volume and average purchase price fall abruptly in January, according to a Better Dwelling study of data from the Toronto Real Estate Board. The analysis found that the citys condo sales have fallen to the levels it has last seen in 4 years, declining by 2.4% year-over-year to reach 1,238 transactions last month. Prior to this, the slowest January was back in 2015. Januarys results reflected the trend found by a recent analysis conducted by Altus Group. For all of 2018, a little over 25,000 new home sales occurred in the Greater Toronto Area, representing the lowest overall activity in 18 years. This accompanied a larger inventory of new condos, which went up by 12.59% annually (up to 2,521 new listings). The City of Toronto accounted for much of the number with its 1,716 new listings, up by 13.41% from last year. Read more: Toronto, Montreal luxury prices surge Overall supply as of January was at 2,657 active listings, representing 2.54% growth from last year. The City of Toronto contributed 1,738 for a 5.46% increase during the same time frame. This was the highest inventory level for January since 2016. Torontos annual housing price growth of 8.04% was around 59% lower than the gains seen in January 2018, with the median sale price of a condo going up by 7.77% year-over-year (up to $485,000). The City of Torontos average condo price was at $529,900, up 8.14% from last year. MortgageBrokerNews.ca, which reported last month that a predatory lender was operating in the Greater Toronto Area, has learned that the Financial Services Commission of Ontario has taken action. However, Creditstone Lending Service has yet to respond to FSCOs order that it cease operating its website. Please be advised that Creditstone Lending Service is not licensed with FSCO as a Mortgage Brokerage, read a letter from the government agency to the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, whose Burlington address Creditstone falsely listed on its website. We reached out to the entity to request that the website, creditstonelendingservice.com, be removed, however no response has been received, continued the letter. To warn consumers of the unlicensed activity, a Warning Notice was posted on FSCOs website on February 21, 2019. On its website, Creditstone Lending Service bills itself a nation-wide [sic] financial service provider that accommodates private loans, including on mortgages. However, a quick phone call to FSCO last month revealed Creditstone Lending Service is not registered. Moreover, the address listed on Creditstones website3344 Mainway Burlington, ONhas belonged to the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association for at least the past two years. An Ottawa-based mortgage broker named Stephane Prevost contacted MortgageBrokerNews.ca last month when his client had allegedly been swindled by Creditstone. Prevosts client was due a $10,000 loan from Creditstone but was first told to pay an upfront insurance fee of $890 before any loan documents were even sent. If there was a fee to be charged, legally you cant do that, said Prevost. For any loan agreement in Ontario, its fraudulent to ask for an advanced fee, even if its an insurance fee. Prevosts client paid the fee and was subsequently told to send another one, this time for $990, before any loan would be disbursed. When MortgageBrokerNews.ca contacted Steven Price, the Creditstone representative whom Prevots client dealt with, he denied knowing her, even though a promissory note confirming the two were familiar had already been reviewed. Price subsequently called Prevosts client to ask if shed consented to a journalist calling him. While there were several red flags, Prevost says arguably the biggest is that the insurance fee his client paid was e-transferred directly to Price rather than to the lender. In addition to contacting FSCO, which took action, the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association reported Creditstone Lending Service to Halton Police, however, the latter has yet to respond. February is the time for breakups in the fund industry. Every year we see a slew of manager departures. Calendar-year returns are still a big deal, so managers care about their records, and fund companies assess their performance at year-end. Of course, bonuses are another part of the story. Managers who are moving on to another job want to wait until they've collected their bonuses. Likewise, some managers read the handwriting on the wall when they get smaller bonuses than expected and decide it's time to hit the road. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. featured Health care Wakeman woman first to undergo heart procedure at Fisher-Titus @MJ_JournalRick on Twitter Richard Payerchin covers Lorain City Hall, business news and other interesting stories for The Morning Journal. Reach the author at rpayerchin@MorningJournal.com or follow Richard on Twitter: @MJ_JournalRick. Lorain County Resource Fair for special needs coming in March With the latest Housing Needs Assessment showing high demand for homes affordable to middle-income families, all evidence points to it: Morganton is western North Carolinas new it city. I have lived in the Hickory bubble for most of my life and admittedly thought of Morganton as a small town that, like Hickory, lost its economic center when the manufacturing industry left the area. Burke County as a whole, I assumed and stereotyped, was a conveyor belt that had been turned off and would soon rust away. Not so, I have found, as work now brings me to Morganton often. There are open signs on nearly all downtown storefronts, a modern brewery with live music for evenings out, and young people floating about the place everywhere just going about their business in their hometown. Added to the recent debut of a public transit system, the ever-expanding economic anchor that is Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge, and plans for the NC School of Math and Science site locally, I do not need to see an economic development report. Morganton is boom town! As one of the central cities for the western piedmont region, we all must celebrate Morgantons growth as a victory and see how partnerships between municipalities can share the success. Because in our globalizing, ever-connected world, any upward wave must be one that raises the prosperity for all boats in the Catawba Valley. To the person who commented on the Warren High School incident with the train: You obviously misread the information. The bus was heading east. You could tell by the picture in the paper. The light was green as the bus went thru the intersection, but then bus stopped as required which means they have to put the bus in neutral and apply the parking brake, then open drivers window and then the door. Then reverse the procedure before crossing tracks. As the bus driver did this, a train approached and the driver could not backup as the were cars behind it. Still, both books deal with womens struggles to make their ways in families and communities dominated by men. The central character in the first pages of Rums book is Isra, a 17-year-old Palestinian girl whose family forces her into marriage with an older man, Adam. He owns a deli and lives with his parents and siblings in Brooklyn. Adam and Isra move into the familys basement. Isra becomes a virtual servant to Adams mother, Fareeda, who pushes the couple to have children. She wants males who can make money and build the familys reputation and influence. When Isra produces only four children, all girls, she is dishonored by Fareeda. Adam beats her regularly. The central character of the second part of the book is Deya, Isra and Adams oldest daughter. Because Adam and Isra have died, Fareeda raises the children. Following the communitys customs, when Deya is a high school senior, Fareeda looks for a Palestinian man for her to marry. Deya wants to go to college, but she is afraid to bolt her family and the communitys customs. She knows of women who have stood up against male domination and then faced beatings and even death. A Woman Is No Man is fiction, but it is clearly autobiographical. As such, On the opposite end of the parenting spectrum from Felts is the troopers father, who is currently serving a 2-year, 6-month-prison sentence following convictions for being a felon in possession of a weapon, felony obtaining property by false pretenses, felony breaking and entering and larceny. Thats the guy who pressed a claim for a third of his sons death benefit, and hired a lawyer to try and get his ex-wife to agree. The guess here is that Felts, like any number of other weary single moms tag-teamed by unreliable partners and a system that doesnt do a whole lot to enforce child-support, went along with the proposal just to have it done. She was far more concerned with the loss of her son than the division of any death benefit. Before any checks could be written, Deputy Commissioner Silver had to OK the deal. He pumped the brakes instead. He wrote that he hadnt signed off on the proposed agreement between mother and father, and found that Bullard had displayed minimal love, care and affection for his son but willfully abandoned the care and maintenance of (the trooper) and is precluded from sharing in the workers compensation death benefits at issue here. Sullivan said Disability Rights has had verbal communications with the school and DPI about the investigation. We are seeing a lot of positive changes at the school, Sullivan said, so were encouraged by what we see ." Sullivan wouldnt say what the positive changes are, citing the investigation. When the organization releases the findings to the school and DPI, she said it should be able to release something to the public at that point. Principal Sarena Fuller has been serving as acting school director since Garvins resignation. The school director position is posted on the state website and says it will close the search for someone to fill the position on March 15. The annual salary for the position ranges from $65,373 to $117,589. Within the same post, however, the range lists $65,373 to $108,373. Garvins salary at the time of her resignation was $108,783, according to a public records request from The News Herald at the time. A local nonprofit that wants to look at reusing material waste from the furniture and textile industry for new products was one of 33 awarded grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission, it was announced Thursday. The Industrial Commons in Morganton was awarded a $98,300 ARC grant for a feasibility study of creating a circular economy model in western North Carolina. A circular economy is one where waste is collected and transformed back into new products, explained Sara Chester, one of the co-founders of The Industrial Commons. Chester also is project and communications manager for Burke Development Inc., which is the economic development organization in Burke County. The study will identify and map manufacturers in two regions and conduct 100 waste stream audits to understand the content and volume of their waste, according to a release from the Appalachian Regional Commission. The study also will produce a business plan and proformas that define the financial viability of operating a sorting and aggregation facility (the one component missing to create the loop), and provide an understanding of the job creation and investment impacts that could result from such a model, the release said. In Combat: Marine PFC Harold Wayne Bailey, son of Mr. and Mrs. William M. Bailey of Route 3 Morganton, is serving with a rifle company in the 9th Marines near Zuan Tree, Vietnam. Bailey a 1968 graduate of Drexel High School, entered service last Sept. 1, and was employed at Waldensian Bakeries in Valdese. He took basic and advanced training at Parris Island, South Carolina and Camp Lejune, and spent a 20-day leave at home during Christmas. En-route to Vietnam Marine PFC Melvin W. Davis, son of Mr. and Mrs. France Davis of Icard, will leave Thursday for Camp Pendleton, California, from where he will be assigned to a unit in Vietnam. He has been spending a short leave with his parents. Davis is a 1968 graduate of Hildebrand High School, and played softball on the Rutherford College team and with the Morganton All-Stars in the state tournament. AMONG US MORGANTONIANS; J. GORDON QUEEN A large warehouse, around 160 feet long and 30 feet wide, is being built at Wall Lumber Company. The plant is located just off South Sterling Street and near the new Northwestern Bank time payment building, and the addition of this building appears to us that he believes Morganton will grow whether we like it or not. The Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina is pleased to announce the promotion of Ryan Sparks to stewardship director. Sparks joined the land trust as a conservation associate in 2016. In this position, he was responsible for the annual monitoring of more than 5,000 acres of conservation easement lands and assisting with the natural resource management of more than 4,100 acres of conservancy-owned preserves. In his new role as stewardship director, Sparks will manage and lead the conservancys land management program. This includes overseeing the stewardship and legal defense of land trust properties including perpetual conservation easement lands, land trust-owned preserves, and other protected properties on which Foothills Conservancy provides stewardship support and maintenance. When I came on board, I helped with projects that were passed down to me by the former stewardship director, now executive director, Andrew Kota, said Sparks. Im looking forward to being more involved in setting future management priorities for Foothills Conservancys protected properties. The group came up with the testing firm, the same one which took ethylene oxide air samples in Willowbrook with support from elected officials at the village, city and county levels of government in DuPage County. Waukegan officials were told the cost for testing air at five locations over a month would be $43,000. Thats just about a dollar each for every resident in Gurnee and Waukegan impacted by chemical pollution venting from both plants. February 25, 2019 Venezuela - No, The "Responsibility To Protect" Does Not Apply Richard Haass is the president of the Council of Foreign Relations. On Friday, before the failed delivery of fake "humanitarian aid" to Venezuela, he opined that the rejection of the "aid" would justify an intervention based on the dubious doctrine of a Responsibility to Protect (R2P): Richard N. Haass @RichardHaass - 19:26 utc - 22 Feb 2019 What the Maduro regime is doing to the people of Venezuela is inconsistent with the obligations that come with being a sovereign state. The time has come for the UN or OAS or Lima Group to consider how to apply the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine. bit.ly/2TZaoZv Haass attached a link to a report by the Crisis Group which summarized the situation at that time: High Noon over Humanitarian Aid at Venezuelas Border Attaching the Crisis Group piece is an apt display of the utter stupidity of Richard Haass. That's because the report completely contradicts his argument. The principle of the Responsibility to Protect .. .. is based upon the underlying premise that sovereignty entails a responsibility to protect all populations from mass atrocity crimes and human rights violations. The principle is based on a respect for the norms and principles of international law, especially the underlying principles of law relating to sovereignty, peace and security, human rights, and armed conflict. The Crisis Group report argues, quite correctly, that the Venezuelan government is legally justified to reject the "aid". Thus R2P, which presuppose that a state does not fulfill is legal obligations, can not apply to the case: Under international law, governments must give consent to the distribution of food and medical supplies when a populations survival is threatened, but only if the aid is of an exclusively humanitarian and impartial nature. This aid operation, however, is primarily political, in that it is intended to undermine Maduro and bring about a change of government. The acts of the Venezuelan government were fully consistent with "the obligations that come with being a sovereign state". To recommend a legal procedure and policy by linking to a report that contradicts that reasoning is quite daft. Furthermore Haass wants "the UN or OAS or Lima Group to consider how to apply the Responsibility to Protect". But neither the Organisation of American States nor the Lima Group, a Canadian plot together with some Central and South American states to attack Venezuela, can apply R2P beyond the already taken sanction measures: The Responsibility to Protect provides a framework for employing measures that already exist (i.e., mediation, early warning mechanisms, economic sanctions, and chapter VII powers) to prevent atrocity crimes and to protect civilians from their occurrence. The authority to employ the use of force under the framework of the Responsibility to Protect rests solely with United Nations Security Council and is considered a measure of last resort. The UNSC will of course reject any U.S. attempt to apply R2P with regards to Venezuela. The only and last time that the Security Council passed a chapter VII resolution based on R2P was with regards to Libya. The resolution allowed other states to protect the civilian population of Libya by force. The U.S. and others abused the resolution to overthrow the Libyan government and to completely destroyed the country. China and Russia certainly noted that. They will never again let such a resolution pass. That Senator Marco Rubio, a driving power behind the campaign against Venezuela, explicitly posted these pictures of Muhammad Ghaddafi before and after R2P was applied, only strengthens the case against it. Posted by b on February 25, 2019 at 19:00 UTC | Permalink Comments next page Lithium miner Galaxy Resources Ltd [ASX:GXY] has resumed trading today after entering into a trading halt on Friday. Upon resuming trade, the miners share price has jumped up 4.72%, and is currently trading at $2.22 per share. Galaxy Resources trading halt details Galaxy announced last Friday it had requested a trading halt pending an announcement regarding the sale of a package of tenements, located on the northern area of the Salar del Hombre Muerto in Argentina to POSCO. POSCO [NYSE:PKX] is a South Korean steel-making company that flags itself as the most competitive steel maker in the world. In an update made this morning, Galaxy announced it has completed the sale of tenements to POSCO, following the registration of the tenement and usufruct transfers. The sale will see Galaxy receive a total of US$271.6 million. Dont buy a single lithium stock until youve read this free report. Download our free guide to learn more. US$257 million will be held in escrow plus interest accrued will be released by the Escrow Agent to Galaxy by Tuesday 26 February 2019. POSCO will pay US$14.6 million to Galaxy directly by Friday 1 March 2019. The total price of the sale is a little lower than the company initially indicated in their December Quarterly Update, stating a final consideration of US$280 million. Whats next for Galaxy Resources share price? The sale of its tenements has given the company a sizeable war chest to help develop its other two projects at Mt Cattlin and James Bay. At the end of the last quarter Galaxy had a cash and liquid assets balance of US$41.1 million and zero debt. This sale will bring its cash balance up towards the US$312 million mark. Galaxy completed its Yield Optimisation Project at the end of last year with commissioning 85% complete. Proceeds from the Salar del Hombre Muerto sale are likely to help complete the commission as well as fund exploration of the project. Galaxy is targeting total production volumes in the range of 40,000 tonnes to 45,000 tonnes in Q1 of 2019 and 180,000 tonnes to 210,000 tonnes for the full calendar year. The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) was completed and submitted to various authorities for evaluation in Q4 2018 for the James Bay Project. Phase 2 test work is estimated to be 50% complete for the James Bay upstream operation, while a competitive bid process to select engineering firms to undertake the feasibility study integrating a downstream conversion facility into the project design was completed. Regards, Ryan Clarkson-Ledward, For Money Morning PS: Whats Driving This Green Energy Stock Frenzy?Read this free report before you buy lithium stocks. Download now. The IL&FS bond toxicity contagion is spreading rapidly. The virus has now spread to a rather large body of savers, in this case insured, which coming as it does just before the general election is not good news for the government. With a concerned Trinamool Congress top gun and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Brinda Karat both expressing their displeasure over the exposure of 1.5 million salaried employees to these highly toxic bonds in IL&FS, the emergence of Postal Life Insurance (PLI) policyholders being exposed to the same bonds directly will lead to soul searching by the government. It is imperative for the government to take congnisance of this terminal decline in these bonds and to look at an immediate corrective strategy to arrest the growing panic. What is worrisome is that at the end of 2016-17, 213,323 new policies were added to the PLI policyholders' list with a sum assured of Rs11,096.67 crore. For the total number of 4.68 million policies at the end of the FY 2016-17, the aggregate sum of Rs1,13,084.31 crore was involved which is humongous by itself. The fund balance at the end of FY 2016-17 was Rs55,058.61 crore while premium income for that year was Rs7233.89 crore. Given that this is life insurance business, its exposure to the toxic bonds is direct, unlike salaried employees of private and PSU companies which is indirect through EPFO and pension funds. Top of the line private and public sector companies as exposed by IANS are part of this myriad list. The ever burgeoning community of salaried employees is concerned about its money deposited with the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). At the cutting edge of the ever burgeoning IL&FS crisis, these employees are exposed to toxic investments. Most of these Employee Provident Funds and Employee Pension Funds have already stated that the IL&FS resolution plan must provide repayment before secured creditors as the resolution framework proposed by the company doesn't provide for any payment to secured creditors. PLI is the oldest insurance company in India which was formed on 1 February 1884 under British India. The insurance company was initially set up for the welfare of postal employees. Their plans are exclusive to public sector employees. As far back as in 1894, it became the first insurance company to cover female employees of the P&T Department. It is enormously popular because it is the only insurer in the Indian Life Insurance market today which gives the highest return (bonus) with the lowest premium charged for any product in the market. PLI has grown substantially from a few hundred policies in 1884 to more than 4.6 million policies as of 31 March 2017. It now covers employees of Central and state governments, Central and state public sector undertakings, universities, government-aided educational institutions, nationalised banks, local bodies, autonomous bodies, joint ventures having a minimum of 10% government/PSU stake, credit cooperative societies, etc. PLI also extends the facility of insurance to the officers and staff of the defence services and paramilitary forces. Apart from single insurance policies, PLI also manages a group insurance scheme for the extra departmental employees (gramin dak sevaks) of the department of posts. PLI is an exempted insurer under Section 118 (c) of the Insurance Act of 1938. It is also exempted under Section 44 (d) of LIC Act, 1956. If one adds a vast number of 4.68 million policies which are now exposed to this new bug, then the number of salaried and other types of government employees rises to close to 61 lakh. The company enjoys a vast network spread across the country with around 1,55,669 branches making it India's largest and also the most trusted retail and financial services provider. When contacted on the new expose, IL&FS declined to comment. The types of policies vary and are essentially five in numberwhole life assurance (Suraksha), edowment assurance (Santosh), convertible whole life assurance (Suvidha), anticipated endowment assurance (Sumangal), joint life assurance (Yugal Suraksha) and children policy (Bal Jeevan Bima). Some of the affected entities have filed an intervening petition with the tribunal (NCLAT), thereby impleading themselves in this gargantuan case on how to run a corporate into the ground, include Apco Infratech, Apco, Titan, Asian Paints PF, Asian Paints Management Cadre Superannuation scheme, Aditya Birla Sun Life MF, Thomas Cook PF, Titan Watches, Hindustan Unilever (HUL), M & M PF, Himami, Bajaj Finance, Hindalco EPF, Max Financial Services PF Trust, IDBI Trusteeship Services Ltd, IndusInd Bank, Hudco Employees CPF, MMTC CPF, 63 Moons, Nayara Energy EPF, Indian Oil Corp, ITPO, CIDCO, SBI PF, GUVNL PF, Ambuja Cement, HDFC AMC, IREDA among others. The employee provident funds of various companies and other entities had invested in IL&FS bonds and bond-holders are unsecured and may or may not get paid in the ongoing crisis at IL&FS. In any case, they are seen pretty much last on the priority list. Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article. Sudhir Choudhrie, India's biggest arms agent and lobbyist, who is being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), has made enough through his deals to have reportedly entered the real estate business. Investigating agencies tracking his activities say he is constructing a network of cinema halls, lifestyle malls and luxury hotels. These investigations are also providing telltale clues into how closely networked the world of defence contracts isand that there are neither permanent friends nor permanent enemies among those in the defence business. For instance, Alpha Design Technologies, a Bengaluru-based company with links to Mr Choudhrie, which was acquired by Adani Defence Systems and Technologies in December for Rs400 crore cash, has links to Russian and Israeli players and is promoted by Vasaka Promoters and Developers. Adani Defence Systems and Technologies is a wholly-owned unit of Adani Enterprises of the Gautam Adani-led group. Alpha Design, which has got industrial licences to manufacture defence equipment in India, had the following shareholders on 31 March 2018: Vasaka Promoters and Developers (3.21 crore shares and 85.8% holding), Col HS Shankar (retd), who manages the company (no shares) and One Earth Capital Ltd of Mauritius, a foreign institutional investor or FII (0.53 crore shares, or 14.15% holding). On 1 December 2018, Alpha Design Technologies allotted equity shares to the following entities: Elara India Opportunities Fund Ltd, an FII (0.03 crore shares, 0.79% holding for Rs8.24 crore), Astraea Fund Ltd, Cayman Islands (0.01 crore shares, 0.26% holding for Rs4.52 crore) and Cogent Global PCC, Mauritius (0.01 crore shares, 0.26% holding for Rs3.21 crore). Following this, there was a change in shareholding status. Vasaka Promoters and Developers held 84.68% in Alpha Design and Technologies, One Earth Capital Ltd of Mauritius held 13.98% and Col Shankar (retd) held 0.03% while FIIs together held 1.31% of the company. There are two interesting aspects of these dealsone, the transfer of 13.98% equity stake of Alpha Design from three companies linked to Mr Choudhrie and his associates to One Earth Capital, Mauritius and, two, the holding of Vasaka Promoters and Developers: the first because of the interlocking shareholding and, in the second case, the family relationships involved. Vasaka Promoters is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) promoted by the Murugappa Group, Karvy Group and Amarjit Singh Bakshi and his company, Safdarjang Estates Pvt Ltd. The family connections build on from here. Mr Bakshi is chairman and managing director of Bakshi group, which is involved in the automotive, infrastructure, defence, real estate and hospitality industries. Safdarjang Estates is a Bakshi group company and has on its board Amrita Bakshi, wife of Amarjit Singh Bakshi. Continental Defence Solutions Pvt Ltd, another Bakshi Group company, has been granted industrial licences for defence manufacturing by the government's department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP). Mr Bakshi's daughter, Simrin is married to Bhanu Choudhrie, Sudhir Choudhrie's son. Continental Defence Solutions Pvt Ltd, another Bakshi Group company, has been granted industrial licences for defence manufacturing by the government's department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP). Mr Bakshi's daughter, Simrin is married to Bhanu Choudhrie, Sudhir Choudhrie's son. Now, to cut a long story short, all the companies mentioned abovethe Bakshi Group companies, the Murugappa Group, the Karvy Group, Vasaka Promoters, One Earth Capital, Mauritius and Elara India Opportunities Fund Ltd -- have links with Alpha Design Technologies Pvt Ltd, a Sudhir Choudhrie front company, which has now been bought over by Adani Defence Systems and Technologies. The rationale for the acquisition is obvious. It pitchforks the Adani Defence Systems into the big league where it can match the Tatas, Reliance Defence and the Mahindras. Mr Choudhrie, whose name figures among the biggest account-holders in the infamous Panama Papers, has been one of the beneficiaries of the offset programme in defence. The Panama Papers Link On 17 October 2016, six months after the Panama Papers and days after the Indian Express reported on several offshore firms linked to London-based arms agent Mr Choudhrie and his son Bhanu, a Mossack Fonseca employee had raised the red flag, new data from the law firm revealed. On 17 October 2016, six months after the Panama Papers and days after the Indian Express reported on several offshore firms linked to London-based arms agent Mr Choudhrie and his son Bhanu, a Mossack Fonseca employee had raised the red flag, new data from the law firm revealed. According to the report , "The 'compliance note' pointed out that both father and son were arrested in 2014, as part of a SFO probe in London for allegedly helping Rolls-Royce pay bribe to secure contracts in China and Indonesia. In India, it noted, the Ministry of Defence also ordered a CBI inquiry into the purchase of aero engines by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) from Rolls-Royce." On 27 October 2016, two entities from British Virgin Islands (BVI) - Anterna Ltd and Belinea Services Ltd, associated with the Choudhries were served a 90-day notice by Mossack Fonseca to change their registered agent. "The latest data shows that Mossack Fonseca's UK office informed its BVI arm that Bhanu had resigned as director of Anterna on 27 January 2016, after all 50,000 shares were transferred in November 2015 from a Seychelles entity - Protype Services Inc - to Sumant Kapur, the son of Sudhir Choudhrie's uncle BK Kapur," the report from Indian Express says. Rolls-Royce Connection A Both Mr Choudhrie and his son Bhanu were arrested in February 2014. In February 2014, Mr Choudhrie was detained by the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in a bribery investigation into Rolls-Royce Holdings. According to an investigation by BBC and The Guardian, Rolls-Royce had paid the money to companies linked to Mr Choudhrie, a known arms dealer. report from BBC said , "The joint investigation has also found evidence of a suspicious payment that was made in cash. It involves Mr Choudhrie's son, Bhanu, who accompanied an arms executive called Peter Ginger on a trip to Switzerland in 2007. During the trip, Mr Ginger made a cash payment amounting to hundreds of thousands of pounds into a secret bank account. The account was opened in the name of 'Portsmouth' and bank documents seen by Panorama later showed a balance of more than 1 million Swiss francs. Mr Ginger was a key negotiator on the sale of Hawk aircraft to the Indian government. All of the planes had Rolls-Royce engines and the deal was worth around 400 million pounds to the company."Both Mr Choudhrie and his son Bhanu were arrested in February 2014. Mr Choudhrie denied any wrongdoing, was never charged and was released on bail without conditions. The Sunday Times reported that the bail was completely lifted in July 2014. The company, Europe's largest maker of commercial jet engines, agreed in January 2017 to pay about 670 million pound to settle US and UK investigations into allegations its representatives bribed foreign officials, says a report from UK Telegraph This report from October 2018 also stated that Bhanu Choudhrie was taking legal action against his wife Simrin to prevent her disclosing 'pillow talk' about his part in a Rolls-Royce corruption inquiry. Simrin Choudhrie had filed for divorce in May 217, but was living with her husband till November that year. The couple is going through divorce proceedings. In UK, Mr Choudhrie is regarded as a long-term backer of the Liberal Democrats and has supported the party financially since 2004, making over 1.5million in donations, in personal capacity and from his company. In 2015, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron had appointed Mr Choudhrie as his adviser on India, a role involving helping the party develop its relationship with the British-Indian community and providing advice on Britain's foreign and business relationships with India. According to a report from Deccan Chrinicle , Israel-based international defense electronics company Elbit Systems Ltd gave its first megabuck order for export of high technology jammer power amplifier to Alpha Design Technologies during the the Aero India 2019. These amplifiers would also be sold to Indian armed forces later. Bezhalel Machlis, President & CEO, ELBIT Systems, said the company selected Alpha Design Technologies as their technology and production partner for manufacture of new generation jammer power amplifiers to meet requirements worldwide and would ensure that large export orders accrue to Indian manufacturers. Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article. In a big relief to the realty sector and homebuyers, the GST council on Sunday lowered tax on under-construction properties to 5 per cent from 12 per cent, and affordable housing projects to 1 per cent from 8 per cent. The council also made changes in the definition of the affordable housing. The new rates will be applicable from April 1. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said: "It is a milestone decision to promote affordable housing for all. The expanded definition of affordable housing is to encourage aspiring people buy bigger flats. The council did not accept the super carpet area concept as many developers have made it variable and flexible. "We will have to see how new rates can be passed on to incentivise people to buy under-construction flats. We believe competition will take care of price benefits to be passed on to consumers." "However, developers won't be able to claim input tax credit (ITC)," Jaitley said. The group of minister (GoM) on housing had suggested 3 per cent affordable housing projects. The council also decided that properties costing up to Rs 45 lakh will be considered affordable as well as properties with a carpet area of 90 square metres in metro cities and 60 square metres in non-metro cities, he said. On issues like transfer of development rights, sale or transfer of floor space index (FSI) and joint development rights, Jaitley said it was suggested that these be exempted from the goods and services tax (GST) for the sector's growth. The council, he said wanted guidelines for the transition to be prepared for the law & fitment committee to take it up on March 10. "Transition is a challenge. The notification will have to be carefully drafted. The law & fitment committee will draft notifications and the GST council will approve the same through video-conferencing," he said. Revenue Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey said the decision will help the common man afford a house, while also enabling the industry to emerge from the "recent tough time". Though praising the decision, the housing sector and property experts, also called for caution. Niranjan Hiranandani, National President, NAREDCO, said, "Industry lauds the GST rate cut on real estate to 5 per cent on non-affordable and 1 per cent on affordable housing without input tax credit as a welcome and positive move. It will bring a big relief to the homebuyers and help narrow the demand mismatch gap." The announcement would give an impetus to affordable housing and enthuse homebuyers to close the sale deals. "The GST on cement has not been reduced as was expected. At 28 per cent, it remains among the highest taxed inputs for construction -- and there will be no input tax credit, developers will face a challenging time," he said. He said the changes should have been applicable 'with immediate effect'. As it would be effective from April 1, "we will see rise in sales figures only in the next financial year," he added. Rajat Mohan, Partner, AMRG & Associates, said lowering of tax rates at the cost of the tax credit in the realty sector could be a good populist measure. But businesses may witness a quick bloodbath, and after that the sector will reboot itself to a higher equilibrium price to justify the margins, he added. "This may prove to a costly affair for businesses as they will see incremental costs due to breakage of credit chain," Mohan said. M.S. Mani, Partner, Deloitte India, said, the real estate sector needed rate reductions to prop up sales. "The reductions announced today for normal housing and specially for affordable housing could lead to an uptick in demand. With these reductions, the GST on normal under-construction apartments would be a little lower than prior to introduction of GST and affordable housing would be significantly lower than before," he said. "The combination of the increase in the threshold to be termed as affordable housing together with the lower rate of 1 per cent could lead to significant upswing in demand. The lower rates would lead to a revival of demand for under-construction apartments, which had tapered down as buyers were preferring ready apartments that did not attract any GST," the Deloitte India partner said. "Having certain categories that are not eligible for input tax credits is an aberration of the basic principles of a good GST, in addition to issues of traceability of transactions and making the transactions opaque," Mani said. Jaitley also said the lottery issues have been referred back to the GoM. A GoM had suggested a single rate of 18 per cent or 28 per cent on lotteries, which are of two types -- state-organised and state-authorised. Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on February 25 telephoned his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and briefed him about the regional situation in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers. In a statement, Pakistan's Foreign Office said that State Councilor Wang thanked the foreign minister for the call and appreciated Pakistan's efforts. "He agreed that the unfolding regional situation was serious with implications for peace and security of the entire region," it said. The two leaders spoke over phone amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan after a suicide attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad killed 40 CRPF soldiers in Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir. Wang "acknowledged Pakistan's invaluable contributions in the fight against terrorism for which Pakistan has paid a heavy price," the FO said. Qureshi thanked China for its steadfast support and underscored Pakistan's desire for peace and stability in the region and resolution of all issues through negotiations and dialogue with India, it said. He also highlighted the steps taken by Pakistan to de-escalate the situation, it added. The two leaders agreed to stay in touch with each other over the regional developments. North Korea could become one of the world's "great economic powers" if it relinquishes its nuclear weapons, US President Donald Trump has said on the eve of his departure for Vietnam for a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Trump's comments came hours after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Pyongyang remains a nuclear threat. Trump will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for the second time on the 27-28 February in Hanoi, Vietnam. "We both expect a continuation of the progress made at first summit in Singapore," Trump tweeted, referencing the meeting between the two leaders in Singapore last June. Trump and Kim had their historic first meeting in Singapore last June, wherein they agreed on denuclearisation of North Korea. North Korea has long insisted it will not give up its nuclear arsenal unless the US removes its troops from South Korea. "...I tell Chairman Kim, he has a chance to have a country that is so vibrant, economically. Maybe one of the most in the world. He's got a location that's unbelievable. As a real-estate person, I've always done very well with location. But he's right between China, Russia, and then on the other side, South Korea. So they can't touch each other unless they go through North Korea," Trump told a meeting of Governor's at the White House. "And I think it can be, really, one of the great -- one of the great financial and economic countries anywhere in the world. So I tell him that. I said, 'But you can't do that if you're going to keep nuclear. If you do nuclear, that can't ever happen'," Trump said. Trump reiterated that he is having a great relationship with Kim. Trump said he was "not in a rush" to denuclearise North Korea. "We see eye to eye, I believe. But you'll be seeing it more and more over the next couple of days, one way or the other. What's going to happen? I can't tell you. I think eventually it would, but I can't tell you. And I'm not in a rush. I don't want to rush anybody. I just don't want testing. As long as there's no testing, we're happy, he said. Trump said he has done really something, very special with respect to North Korea. A court in Pakistan rejected the bail application of deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday, refusing to grant him relief on medical grounds in a corruption case. The reasons will be given in a detailed judgment to be issued later. Sharif, 69, has been serving a seven-year jail term in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case. The Islamabad High Court's two-member bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani announced that the bail application was "dismissed". Several leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) including former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and former foreign minister Khawaja Asif were present inside the court when the verdict was announced. "We are disappointed by the decision because different panels diagnosed the disease (of Sharif) and recommended treatment. But we accept the verdict and will explore more forums to get a remedy," Abbasi told reporters after the verdict. Asif said "we will go for appeal against the verdict" which will be filed in the Supreme Court. Dozens of PML-N supporters were also present outside the court premises and raised slogans against the verdict. Sharif was sentenced to seven years in jail on December 24 by an Islamabad-based Accountability Court and he was sent to Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore to serve the sentence. Last month, he filed the bail application through his counsel Khawaja Haris for bail on medical reasons as he developed heart-related medical complications in jail. Last week, the court heard the counsel and lawyers of the anti-corruption body National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and reserved the verdict for Fenruary 25. Additional police and paramilitary personnel were deployed around the court to maintain law and order. Meanwhile, Sharif is being treated at the Jinnah Hospital in Lahore, where he was shifted a few weeks ago. The Al-Azizia Steel Mill case was about setting up steel mills in Saudi Arabia with ill-gotten gains. Three corruption cases - Avenfield properties, Flagship investment and Al-Azizia steel mills - were registered against the Sharif family by the National Accountability Bureau in 2017 following a judgment by the Supreme Court that disqualified Sharif in the Panama Papers case in 2017. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in the Avenfiled case in July 2018 which was related to his properties in London. Later he was given bail in September. The accountability court on December 24 convicted him in the Al-Azizia case but acquitted him in the Flagship reference. Sharif's daughter Maryam and son-in-law Muhammad Safdar were also convicted and sent to jail in the Avenfield case but granted bail along with Sharif. His two sons Hasan and Hussain were named in all the three cases but never appeared before the court after which they were declared fugitives. Vietnam hosts the second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this week, with denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and ending sanctions against Pyongyang the main items on the table. Here are the key things that each side will be looking for at the Feb 27-28 summit in Hanoi. WHAT THE US WANTS Denuclearisation of North Korea is the over-riding goal that Washington is seeking to achieve. That means elimination of all weapons of mass destruction programmes in North Korea - the production of those weapons, as well as the intercontinental ballistic missiles that can deliver them. WHAT IT MAY SETTLE FOR The United States will seek to form a shared understanding with North Korea of what denuclearisation means at the summit, US officials said on Thursday. Washington is also expected to seek to establish a roadmap that sets expectations and the process for negotiations on denuclearisation beyond this week's summit. A freeze on North Korea's weapons of mass destruction and missile programs is also likely to be on the agenda. North Korea appears to have produced enough bomb fuel in the past year to add as many as seven nuclear weapons to its arsenal, a report by Stanford University's Centre for International Security and Cooperation said earlier this month. WHAT NORTH KOREA WANTS North Korea has publicly called for an end to the crippling economic sanctions imposed by the United States and the United Nations, which will be its main aim at the summit. But its concept of denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula could include removal of the US nuclear umbrella for South Korea and nuclear-capable forces. Some officials in South Korea, the US Congress and elsewhere have expressed concern that North Korea is calling for changes to the level of US troops stationed in South Korea, but Trump said on Friday that drawing down US troops in South Korea is not on the table. North Korea has also long called for a peace deal with the United States to normalise relations and end the technical state of war that has existed since the 1950-1953 Korean War concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty. WHAT IT MAY SETTLE FOR Washington has balked at signing a comprehensive peace treaty before North Korea completely denuclearises, but US officials have signalled they may be willing to conclude a more limited agreement to reduce tensions, open liaison offices, and move toward normalising relations. Kim said in January that North Korea is "ready to re-open Kaesong industrial park and tours to Mount Kumgang without any preconditions or price,". The two inter-Korean projects require at least partial easing of sanctions to resume operations. Kim also said North Korea is seeking from the US "corresponding practical actions" for the "various practical measures" it says it has taken for the complete denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula. "Corresponding actions" that North Korea is demanding of the US include "the end of hostile policies" against North Korea and the lifting of sanctions, a commentary by state news agency KCNA said on December 20. What the 'end of hostile policies' entails is unclear. Former UK Prime Minister Theresa May Prime Minister Theresa May put off a vote in parliament on her Brexit deal until as late as March 12 - just 17 days before Britain is due to leave the EU - setting up a showdown this week with lawmakers who accuse her of running out the clock. As the Brexit crisis goes down to the wire, May said a so-called "meaningful vote" would not take place this week as expected. Parliament will still hold a series of Brexit votes on Wednesday, but May's deal itself will not be on the table. On her way to an EU-Middle East summit, May said she is close to bringing home changes to her agreement that would satisfy objections to it, but needed time for meetings with European leaders which meant it would not be ready this week. "We won't bring a meaningful vote to parliament this week but we will ensure that that happens by the 12th of March," May told reporters on board her plane. "It is still within our grasp to leave the European Union with a deal on the 29th of March and that is what we are working to do." Opponents accuse her of deliberately running out the clock, so as to force parliament to choose between a deal it has already rejected or leaving the EU with no deal at all, which businesses say would destroy their supply chains. Both May's Conservatives and the main opposition Labour Party are formally committed to exiting the EU in line with a 2016 referendum vote, but both parties are internally divided over how or even whether to do so. CABINET SPLIT Before May set off for Egypt, three members of her cabinet publicly split with government policy and said they would side with rebels and opposition parties to stop a no-deal Brexit. Yvette Cooper, an opposition Labour lawmaker who has proposed a bill that would block a no-deal Brexit, said May's "last minute announcement that she wont put a deal to parliament this week, and is leaving it until just two weeks before Brexit day, is utterly shambolic and irresponsible." "She cannot just keep drifting and dithering like this or there is a real risk our whole country tumbles off a cliff edge into a chaotic no deal that no one is ready for and that would hit food prices, medicine supplies, manufacturing and security." Some lawmakers will seek to grab control of Brexit in Wednesday's series of votes, though such attempts have previously been defeated as May sought more time to get a deal. Senior Labour figures said that the main opposition party was moving closer to supporting another Brexit referendum and could do so as soon as early as this week. Nine Labour lawmakers and three Conservatives quit their parties last week in the biggest shakeup of its kind in British politics for decades, raising the prospect of further defections from both parties. The British parliament voted 432-202 against May's deal in January, a defeat by the biggest margin in modern British history. May says she can still win support for it if EU leaders ease rules intended to ensure no hard land border ever appears between British-ruled Northern Ireland and the rest of Ireland. European Council President Donald Tusk told May that the EU needs clarity that whatever the bloc might offer would command a majority in the British parliament, before a summit of EU leaders scheduled for March 21-22, an EU official said. EU officials have considered many theoretical scenarios, including an extension of Brexit for up to two years, though it is unclear if such a delay would resolve the current impasse. The EU has ruled out reopening the withdrawal agreement. Both sides are looking at a possible legal addendum to reassure lawmakers who worry that the Irish border plans could keep Britain trapped in the EU's orbit for years to come. But Europeans sound increasingly frustrated at Britain's political chaos: "You need two to dance tango, and I know how to dance," European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said when asked if he was running out of things to give on Brexit. "I have a certain Brexit fatigue." Vernon Hills Craft Beer Festival: The annual beer fest is from 5-9 p.m. March 2 at Sullivan Community Center in Vernon Hills. There will be several area breweries pouring samples of their ales, lagers and stouts; plus live music and food available for purchase. Participants will receive a free tasting glass. Tickets are $35. At 635 N. Aspen Drive. Call 847-996-6800 or go to vhparkdistrict.org/event/6th-annual-craft-beer-tasting. Vivo recently announced the launch of its latest sub-brand iQoo. The company has not provided tons of details about the devices that will launch under the new sub-brand, except for a few spec confirmations about a flagship handset. The new smartphone under the iQoo brand will feature a Snapdragon 855 chipset, 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The information provided paints a clear picture that Vivo may use the iQoo branding on their top-tier smartphones. The new handset will also boast a 4,000 mAh battery capacity with support for 44W fast charging. Few of the other known details of the upcoming phone include 4D, NFC, Super HDR camera, and the USB Type-C support. Current specs Vivo has provided about their upcoming iQoo phone reveal that the brand may tackle the top-tier smartphone spectrum, going head-to-head with handsets likes of the Galaxy S10 family, Xiaomis Mi9 and future 2019 flagships. However, Vivo could take the iQoo brand in another direction: The Gaming direction. Gaming phones have gained considerable momentum in the past two years. Several companies like Razer, Asus and Xiaomi are manufacturer handsets dedicated to gaming, even Samsung and Huawei sub-brand Honor have jumped on the gaming-phone band-wagon with specific gaming-centric handsets. This could explain Vivos desire to enter the mobile gaming space. Whatever the companys motives to launch a new sub-brand, it shouldnt come as any surprise. Large Chinese manufacturers often start sub-brands to appeal to different audiences. Take for example Huawei who use the Honor sub-brand to target the affordable and mid-range market, while premium handsets are sold under the Huawei brand. The question as to why Vivo has taken this route isnt entirely clear as the company is owned by BBK Electronics who also own Oppo and OnePlus. Both Realme and OnePlus initially founded by Oppo executives have become standalone companies. However, well just have to wait until the 1st of March when Vivo launch the first smartphone under the iQoo brand to know where the future of the company stands. Sonchiriya film poster (Image: Twitter/@BajpayeeManoj) Joginder Tuteja Having been in the industry for over 25 years and having done a variety of roles across 70-odd films, Manoj Bajpayee -- who would soon turn 50 -- has definitely seen a lot. He was also honoured with the Padma Shri award recently. Yet, Bajpayee feels that he has a lot more to learn and accomplish in the world of acting and it is not a case of seen it and done all. "When you work with a director of the calibre of Abhishek Choubey, you just surrender to the kind of vision that he has and the way he wants to execute it. These are the filmmakers who bring in different kind of grammar in their narrative. I truly enjoy working in such highly challenging work environment," said Bajpayee who had an eventful 2018, with films as diverse as Satyameva Jayate, Baaghi 2, Aiyaary, Missing, Love Sonia and Gali Guleiyan. It is the best time for him to be in the industry, as coming months will see some exciting releases such as Sonchiriya and Bhonsle to the television series The Family Man, about which he is excited already. Sonchiriya will release on March 1. "Honestly, I am enjoying this time of being really secure," Bajpayee said with a glee on his face. I can experiment the way I want to and filmmakers too are giving me so many different opportunities. Like last year, when Milap (Zaveri) brought to me Satyameva Jayate, I knew it was one 'masala' outing I had to be a part of. I am enjoying working in different genres because now Sonchiriya has taken me to Chambal no less," he added. Bajpayee wished the same for his peers and contemporaries as well. "I just hope and pray that each and every actor out there gains from this kind of position where he can just go and do anything and everything that excites him. There should be no boundaries," he said. For the actor, who first made waves back in 1994 with Shekhar Kapoor's Bandit Queen, Bajpayee is happy that the government recognised his contribution. "I had been actually hearing for the last three or four years that my name was being considered. Then last year suddenly it was all over on the social media that I would be getting this honour. So much of hullabaloo happened back then but the award did not come," Bajpayee recalled. Asked if it was disheartening, Bajpayee said, "No, not really, it did not affect me much." "See, you do not ask for any honour, you always earn an honour. That has been my stand right through. Now that it has come, I am thankful to the committee for considering my name. I take it as a huge honour. That said, the work will go on as usual. The search and the dream that I am chasing will continue to be on," he said. Bajpayee also expressed happiness over his dream collaboration with his director Abhishek Choubey, who has films like Udta Punjab, Ishqiya and Dedh Ishqiya to his credit. "I do feel that a country like ours need directors like Abhishek, or for that matter Anurag (Kashyap)," he opined. "They know how to say new things and at the same time reach audience of every strata. They break the grammar of filmmaking and at the same time touch each and every person who is sitting in a theatre. I enjoy being a part of all kind of cinema, be it hardcore commercial, truly independent or middle of the read. I lend myself to do justice to the form, be it Aligarh, Rukh or Love Sonia. This, in true sense, is a form of great art," Bajpayee added. Asked where Sonchiriya fits in, Bajpayee said on a confident note: "This one has a good commercial appeal to it. The story and the script is superb, while the performances of the other actors like Sushant Singh Rajput, Ranvir Shorey, Ashutosh Rana and Bhumi Pednekar are magnificent. You see Abhishek in a new form here as a storyteller." Talking about new projects that he is planning to pick up, Bajpayee said: "Right now, I have stopped taking any work." "I would start deciding about things only after four-five months. I want to take a step back and look at the offers coming my way. Last couple of years have been quite hectic and right now, I want to take a breather," he said. (Joginder Tuteja is a trade expert and film critic, and loves to talk and write about anything that is related to films. Views are personal) Vodafone on February 25 said there are only three major telecom vendors, including Huawei, in the world and moving to block the Chinese company would not be good for the industry. Apart from Huawei, Ericsson and Nokia are the two other major telecom vendors. "This is not a Vodafone topic, it is an industry topic. Huawei plays a major role in supply chain (of telecom equipment). If you look at it from our perspective, we have resiliency and security in our networks. If we concentrate down to two players, it is not healthy," Vodafone Chief Executive Officer Nick Read said here. He was responding to queries regarding discussions going on in the industry about security issues related to Huawei. In India, Vodafone's joint venture Vodafone Idea has partnered with Huawei for 5G trials. Certain countries have blocked purchase of 5G equipment from Huawei due to security concerns. According to reports, there are attempts to block purchase of Huawei equipment due to global politics rather than security concerns. Read also indicated that there is a need for evidence-based facts for decision making with respect to choosing vendors. The decision of Vodafone to stop using Huawei equipment and adopting Nokia solution in Germany was only a business decision and it should not be misread, he said. While the Galaxy S10 may have stolen all the headlines over the weekend, Nokia is hitting back hard with a smartphone that has five rear cameras. HMD Global recently announced its latest flagship smartphone Nokia 9 PureView. The new Nokia 9 PureView features a whopping five cameras on the back of the phone. The camera layout on the back of the phone is easily one of the most unique youll ever see. So, whats the purpose of this Penta-camera setup? Nokia states that the more cameras you have, the more detail you can capture. Only two of five cameras on the back of the Nokia 9 shoot in colour, while the other three are monochrome. Each of the five cameras features a 12-megapixel sensor and an f/1.8 lens. By pressing down on the shutter, all five cameras shoot different exposures simultaneously, which then get merged in an ultra-detailed image. Nokia claims that each of the five cameras can shoot multiple exposures on their own, bringing even more detail to the final photo. This could redefine the level of detail and colour in a smartphone camera if what Nokia claims is accurate. Nokia partnered with Light to devise this impressive camera setup. The Lights Lux Capacitor camera-control chip on the Nokia 9 manages the five cameras as the Snapdragon 845 chipset is only built to handle three lenses out of the box. Additionally, Adobe Lightroom will come preinstalled on the PureView handset. Both Nokia and Adobe are developing Lightroom presets specifically tuned to the lenses on this device. The Nokia 9 PureView is HMDs most high-end flagship smartphone with other premium features like a 5.99-inch 2K pOLED display panel and an in-display fingerprint sensor. The Nokia 9 is equipped with a Snapdragon 845 SoC and 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It runs on the latest Android Pie OS and features a 3,320 mAh battery capacity. The Nokia 9 PureView will be available in March, fetching a $699 price-tag in the United States. Blockchain Summit India 2019, the first edition of the Vision Blockchain 2030 initiative, highlighted the importance of empowering a blockchain ecosystem in the country and formulation of cryptocurrency regulation of India. The regulation is planned to be implemented by end of financial tenure. The summit, which was held at IIM Lucknow Noida Campus over two days, drew representatives and bureaucrats from various ministries. The ministry of Commerce and Industry also signed an agreement with Government of UAE to learn and leverage blockchain technology in the e-governance of India. One of the largest Blockchains events hosted in the country had multiple elements to offer its mixed audience of policy makers, entrepreneurs, VCs, academicians and students. The summit observed the presence of over 80 global blockchain influencers and speakers to address 2300 participants. More than 50 VC & crypto funds together with a number of premium academic institutes including ISB, NUS, IIT-B,IIT-D IIM-S and others participated in summit to strengthen the Indian blockchain ecosystem. The summit hosted around 10 panels to discuss topics of e-governance, supply chain, fintech, Aadhar (Indian identity system), cryptocurrency regulations, digital frauds, money laundering, ICOs & STOs, traditional funding and skills enhancement in blockchain. The summit has been supported by Department of Science & Technology, Government of India and State Government of Uttar Pradesh. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More More than 10 days after a section of workers stopped reporting to duty at Royal Enfields factory near Chennai, the workers union decided to voluntarily end their strike on February 23. This move comes after the companys management, which termed the strike illegal, has claimed to have given transfer orders to five more workers and a dismissal order to more than 40 trainees. A letter distributed by Royal Enfield welcomed those workers who reported to duty on February 23 and asked them to refrain from influencing others to resort to a strike as well as avoid damaging property. While the Eicher Motors-owned brand has refused to provide details about the loss of production on account of the strike, sources say the niche bike brand suffered a production loss of at least 3,000 units. A valiant strike by Royal Enfield workers has come to an end after the management went on an offensive against striking workers. As the workers struck work through the week, the management has issued transfer orders to five more workers and has dismissed more than 40 trainees, said a statement from the union. The union decided to send the workers back to work as it considers further strategies. Workers and trainees reported for work this morning and have signed a good conduct form as demanded by the management. Those workers and trainees, who have been given transfers and dismissal orders, have not been allowed inside, according to R Sampath, Vice-President, Royal Enfield Employees Union. Royal Enfield workers were demanding regularisation of all workers who complete 480 days of work, besides revoking all transfer orders. Workers are also asking for a provision of bonus for everyone working for more than a month. Another demand of the workers is that trainees employed through National Employability Enhancement Mission (NEEM), an initiative by the Government of India, should not be given work suitable for permanent employees. The union at Royal Enfield's Oragadam plant in a statement on February 19 said the factory employs 5,559 workers, including 1,059 permanent workers, 2,000 contract workers, 1,000 trainees and 1,500 trainees employed through NEEM. The union claims that the companys management refused to attend a meeting called by the labour department, which had shifted the planned conciliation date from February 26 to February 22. The strike coincided with production ramp-up plans of Royal Enfield for its most celebrated recent launches -- Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 -- both of which were launched in November. This is not the first time that Royal Enfield saw worker unrest at its factory. In September last year, a large section of the Oragadam plant workers resorted to strike that lasted 50 days and resulted in a production loss of 30,000 units. Production of the 650 twin bikes was to be raised to 5,000 units a month by March-end as against around 2,500 units at present. Waiting period on both the bikes has stretched to six months. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has ventured into the app-based taxi market to rival established players like Ola and Uber with the launch of Glyd, which will run electric cars, in Mumbai. This is the second foray by the Mumbai-based SUV specialist into the aggregator platform after having entered into app-based cargo aggregator business in 2015 through the brand SmartShift. Though brand Glyd is owned by M&M, the fleet will be owned by third party companies and drivers. M&M, which will not own any of the cabs, today flagged off a fleet of 10 e-Veritos (fully electric versions of Verito). This fleet is owned by Mumbai-based ride hailing company Meru Cabs. Since Glyd will have only electric cars on its app, it is designed on the lines of the Bengalurubased all-electric cab company Lithium. Ola too started with electric cabs (in Nagpur); however, the response so far has not been encouraging, according to reports. Mahindra hopes that Glyd will get traction in the business and enterprise hubs such as the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and Lower Parel in Mumbai. It will enter more Indian cities at a later stage. As for demand, as per expectations, BKC alone can have a fleet size of 200-400 electric cars while Lower Parel can have around 800-1,600 cars. Pawan Goenka, Managing Director, M&M, said, Glyd is our unique step to drive positive change towards a smart, sustainable and experiential daily commute. Going forward we plan to launch multiple e-mobility solutions, across cities." M&M will add more models in Glyd when they are available in the market. Though no official word has come from M&M on the future model range in Glyd, the company is launching the electric version of the KUV100 this year followed by an electric version of the XUV300 next year. Glyd will have only Mahindra branded vehicles in its fleet. Tata Motors is the only other auto company in India to make electric vehicles. It supplies the electric Tigor to Energy Efficiency Services. Glyds pricing will be premium since this is premium service and should be 5-10 percent more than the rates of Ola and Uber alternatives. Privacy screen, air purifier, strain-free lighting, bolstered seats, wrap-around headrest and custom designed armrests are will be featured in the Glyd cars. Within the next year, Mahindra will expand Glyd to other markets. Delhi and Bengaluru have better-charging infrastructure than Mumbai since these cities have been hosting fully electric cars for several months. Drivers are starting to get confidence about putting an electric vehicle for commercial use. The cost advantages of running an EV is much higher for commercial purposes than running petrol or diesel-powered car, said a market watcher. Glyd has partnered with Vodafone-Idea for in-car WiFi services. Cisco Systems have helped Mahindra develop the app along with other service and content providers. Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have declared their seat-sharing strategy for Uttarakhand as well as Madhya Pradesh, with only weeks to go for the Lok Sabha elections. In Uttarakhand, which has a total of five parliamentary constituencies, the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP will contest from one seat while the Mayawati-led BSP will contest from four. The SP will be contesting from the Pauri Garhwal seat. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) to contest Lok Sabha elections in alliance in Madhya Pradesh. SP to contest on three seats and BSP to contest on rest of the seats. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/0UZXDlbGIB ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2019 In Madhya Pradesh, which has a total of 29 parliamentary constituencies, the SP will be contesting from merely three seats Balaghat, Khajuraho and Tikamgarh while BSP will be contesting from the remaining 26 seats. Uttarakhand has traditionally been a BJP bastion, with the saffron party winning all five seats in the 2014 general elections. Similarly, in Madhya Pradesh, where the voter base is traditionally inclined to the BJP, the saffron party had won 27 seats out of 29 in the previous Lok Sabha polls. The remaining were won by the Congress party. SP and BSP, which had declared their alliance for the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year, had last week revealed their seat-sharing strategy for Uttar Pradesh with the SP contesting from 37 seats while the BSP contesting from 38. Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday trained his guns on Narendra Modi, alleging that the prime minister's ego is not allowing him to meet his demand for granting "shaheed" (martyr) status to personnel of CRPF and other paramilitary forces killed in action. He, however, hoped that the prime minister would act on the Supreme Court's order for better pay to paramilitary forces personnel. "We must recognise the sacrifices of our paramilitary forces, like the CRPF & award their martyrs the title of 'Shaheed'. Even if the PM's ego will not allow him to act on my request, I hope he will act on the SC's order for better pay to the Paramilitary," he tweeted. He attached a media report alleging that before the Pulwama terror attack, the Centre had opposed salary hikes to CRPF in the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, ahead of the inauguration of the National War Memorial in Delhi, senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal asked Modi what he had done to save the lives of soldiers in the past five years. Sibal said, "We stand by the war memorial. It is for the prime minister to tell us how we save the lives of our security forces." The former union minister said memorials are good and one should remember those who gave up their lives for the country. But there should be actions on the ground too, he added. He said that while 19 jawans lost their lives in the Uri terror attack and 40 were killed in Pulwama, and asked how the government plans to prevent such killings. Abhinav Prakash Singh The January 12 announcement of the seat-sharing agreement between the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) has put an end to all speculations regarding the fate of this unlikely alliance in run up to the 2019 general elections. The coming together of the two major regional parties has changed the electoral dynamics and has put the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the back foot apart from reminding the Congress of its enduring irrelevance in the Gangetic belt. There is no doubt that coming together of these two parties representing major social constituencies has seriously dented the chances of the BJP repeating its stellar performance in Uttar Pradesh. Going by the sheer arithmetic of the alliance, the BJP may find it tough to cross the tally of 20 seats (of the 80 in UP). However, there are three underlying assumptions to this scenario; first, is that the SP represents the Other Backward Caste (OBC) votes and the BSP the Dalit communities; second, they will be able to consolidate various castes under these categories; and, third, the SP and the BSP will be able to transfer votes to each others candidates. It is here that things get complicated. The SP is largely a party of the Yadavs of the Etawah-Mainpuri belt, while the BSP is primarily a party of the Jatavs of the Agra belt. An important reason of their decline has been the resentment of the non-Yadav and non-Jatav castes against their marginalisation in the party and state patronage whenever the SP or the BSP was in power. In fact, this was a major factor behind the en mass shift of these castes to the BJP fold in the 2014 Lok Sabha and the 2017 Vidhan Sabha elections. The SP-BSP alliance is being seen as the alliance of the Yadavs & Jatavs of the western UP to reclaim their lost power under the BJP government. This has not only confused the other castes but has also frightened some of the weaker castes who now worry about the future of their representation in legislature and government machinery. The simplistic assumption that the SP-BSP represent all the Dalit and OBC castes ignores the diversity and heterogeneity of the caste assertion on the ground where each caste is striving for greater political representation. Among the Dalits, the Pasi are the second-largest caste in UP but have resolutely voted for the SP and later the BJP but never for the BSP after the initial days of the BSP movement. The breakup was complete after the demise of the Kanshiram when Mayawati started running her party like a fiefdom of her caste men. Similarly, the OBC castes such as the Kushwahas and the Kurmis have steered clear of the SP after failing to prevent the Yadav dominance of the party. Therefore, to assume that SP-BSP alliance will be able to rally various castes behind its umbrella is not a very realistic scenario. That said, what is making it more of a possibility is that the BJP has messed up the basic social equation in the state. The government and administration has become dominated by the upper-cates with the Thakurs and the Brahmins cornering all the state patronage. There is not even an influential Dalit or OBC leader in the UP Cabinet today. No important portfolio is being handled by any Dalit minister. Both the Jatav and the Pasi have been side-lined leading to weakening of the pro-BJP Dalit consolidation of the past five years. Top administrative posts, posts of vice-chancellors, posts in commissions, etc. are going almost exclusively to the upper-castes with the Thakurs and the Brahmins fighting with each other for the greater share of the same. This lack of basic statecraft and not the SP-BSP alliance may come to haunt the BJP in the 2019 elections. The issue of the decimation of the reservations by implementing a fraudulent 13-point roster system, via the judicial route, at the same time when the BJP has gone out of its way to provide reservation to the upper-caste, via EWS category, is leading to strengthening of the perception that the BJP remains anti-SC/ST/OBC reservation. The dilly-dally attitude of the BJP government at the Centre, especially that of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), has damaged the party while the leadership has deluded itself into believing that its the matter of only few thousand seats in colleges and universities. It is clear that the opposition will make 2019 an issue of defending the SC/ST/OBC reservations and falling recruitment in the government jobs. The BJP will find it tough to defend its record on both the issues. The perception has gained foothold among the Dalits that the BJP is destroying the avenues of their socio-economic mobility, and the party has done little to contest this narrative. The BJP can now only rely on the upper-caste consolidation behind it but even that may very well be threatened with the entry of the Priyanka Gandhi, which may attract the traditional Brahmin support base of the Congress. It is clear that the BJP leadership has realised this and is trying to focus on the beneficiaries of the massive pro-poor policies it has implemented in the past five years, such as the Ujjwala scheme, Swaccha Bharat, Ayushman Bharat, rural electrification, Mudra, etc. It is hoping that the poor and the neo-middle class mobilisation may counter the mobilisation on the basis of caste. The national party is also hoping that the cadre of the SP and the BSP may find it difficult to vote for the candidates of the party which has been its main rival for decades. Also, there is a less discussed but important regional factor both the SP and the BSP are parties rooted in the western UP, while the BJP has tried to cultivate the Purvanchal in the past five years by undertaking massive infrastructural work in the neglected region. Even both the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister belong to the region. Will the BJP pay the price of failing to stop the free run of the upper-caste lobbies or will it succeed in damage control by shifting the narrative away from the caste? Only time will tell. In the meanwhile, as of today, what is sure is that its seat tally is all set to fall drastically. Abhinav Prakash Singh is assistant professor, Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, Delhi. Views are personal. For more Opinion pieces, click here Fates, whose daughter lives in Clarendon Hills with her family, said they often eat together at Casa Margarita in Hinsdale. The Mexican restaurant is located in the downtown train station, and her grandchildren like to watch the trains, especially in the summer when they eat outdoors. File image: Twitter/@INCMaharashtra Congress President Rahul Gandhi will address a rally in Maharashtras Dhule on March 1 to kick-start the Opposition alliances campaign in the state for the Lok Sabha elections. The party is also planning a rally of recently-appointed All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra next month. While the public meetings are being seen as the partys attempt to ramp up its election campaign, the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) alliance is seemingly struggling to get smaller parties on board. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena had formally announced its seat-sharing formula on February 18. However, the Opposition alliance has not announced their seat-sharing formula yet. Other parties in the Opposition alliance are likely to include the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) and the Raju Shetti-led Swabhimani Shetkari Saghtana. It is unclear if the alliance has struck a deal with the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA), which has a strong presence in Palghar. Also read: Palghar factor in Sena-BJP alliance: Why is the seat important? Congress turns down offer to include MNS The Congress has rejected an alliance with Raj Thackerays Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), as was reportedly proposed by the NCP. "We have ideological differences with MNS, and any kind of electoral tie-up with it would be difficult," Maharashtra Congress unit chief Ashok Chavan said on February 22. According to reports, NCP was keen on getting MNS on board. Senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar had met Thackeray a few days earlier. Raju Shetti may reconsider support The Congress-NCP combine are willing to give Raju Shettis Swabhimani Shetkari Saghtana one parliamentary seat Hatkanangle. However, Shetti has sought at least three seats that include Buldhana and Wardha, besides Hatkanangle. Shetti had earlier demanded six seats. According to reports, Shetti is considering exiting the alliance if his demand for three seats is not met. He is expected to hold a meeting with party leaders on February 27, to decide the future course of action. Prakash Ambedkar on board? According to a report in The Economic Times, Prakash Ambedkar-led Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) has rejected Congress-NCPs offer for four seats. The report adds that Ambedkar has asked the two parties not to field candidates in 18 Lok Sabha constituencies where he has already announced candidates. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the report. On February 22, Chavan had said, "We want Ambedkar to be part of our alliance so that the BJP does not benefit (from division of votes)." The Ambedkar-led party has already tied up with Asaduddin Owaisis All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM). However, BJP-Shiv Sena may also be facing trouble with smaller allies. Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on February 24 said he was disappointed that his party was not considered when BJP and Shiv Sena formed an alliance. The Republican Party of India [RPI (A)] leader said he would have preferred to fight the Lok Sabha polls from Mumbai South-Central seat, currently held by Shiv Sena's Rahul Shewale. The Minister of State (MoS) for Social Justice also said that the BJP could give his party the Mumbai North-East seat if it cannot get Sena to part with the South-Central seat. (With inputs from PTI) Uttar Pradesh Cabinet minister and SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar on Monday said he will take a decision on his party's continuation in the saffron party-led alliance after meeting BJP president Amit Shah. Rajbhar, who earlier threatened to part ways with the BJP if recommendations of the Social Justice Committee were not implemented by February 24, said a meeting has been scheduled with the BJP president in Delhi on Tuesday (February 26). "After the meeting, it will be decided whether we have to contest the coming elections in alliance with the BJP," he said. Senior leaders of his party as well as Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma will also remain present in tomorrow's meeting, Rajbhar said . Asked if Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will also attend tomorrow's meeting, Rajbhar, whose Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) is an ally of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, said, "His presence is not important as the decision has to be taken by the BJP." On the issues concerning the meeting, he said that besides the implementation of the recommendations of the Social Justice Committee, matter of allotment of office for his party in Lucknow among other issues will also be taken up. To another question, he said how sincere the BJP is in giving shape to the promises made to him by it was more important than how many seats are given to his party in the coming polls. Rajbhar had recently accused the BJP of creating confusion and not fulfilling his party's demands, saying the option for his outfit to join the SP-BSP alliance in the state for the upcoming general elections is open. He had then said he was in talks with TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackrey, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, SP president Akhilesh Yadav and BSP chief Mayawati, and a decision on retaining or severing ties with the saffron party would be taken after February 24. Rajbhar had written to UP CM Adityanath to give up the charge of the backward class welfare department, expressing disappointment that his recommendations on appointment of state backward castes panel members have been "ignored". In the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the BJP had bagged 312 out of 403 seats, while the SBSP had won 4 seats. Another ally in the combine, the Apna Dal (Sonelal), had won nine seats. Arun Rajbhar, general secretary of the SBSP had earlier said, "If the BJP does not agree to the demands raised by us, we will definitely part ways with them. If the saffron party does not implement the recommendations of the Social Justice Committee by February 24, then our path would be separate, and subsequently, we will contest all 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state." Hitting out at the BJP, Arun Rajbhar had said, "It is the last warning, and after February 24, there will be no agreement with the BJP. Q4. Lashing out at the Modi government, Chidambaram said, "No penalty clause for undue influence, no clause against agency commission, no clause for access to suppliers' accounts, and Dassault goes laughing all the way to the bank."Citing the media report, Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "Modiji, after waiving off sovereign guarantee in Rafale deal, you also waived off the 'anti-corruption measure' of a 'safeguard Escrow A/c'! What is the corruption you wanted to hide?(sic)" The whole country is abuzz that "chowkidar chor hai", he said. This resonates Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? a Latin phrase found in the work of the Roman poet Juvenal from his Satires. Which not so money making venture of 2010 by Marvel has its origins in this statement? (Albeit originally was conceptually a literary phenomenon) Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on February 25 termed the PM-KISAN scheme as "cash for votes" and said it was BJP's "desperate attempt" to placate debt-ridden farmers with "crumbs" of Rs 17 per day per family. The former finance minister also said the scheme showed that the BJP was living by the "truth that desperate times require desperate measures". The Rs 75,000 crore scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gorakhpur on February 24 by transferring the first instalment of Rs 2,000 each to over one crore farmers. The scheme was announced in this year's Interim budget whereby the central government announced that it will provide Rs 6,000 per year in three instalments to 12 crore small and marginal farmers holding cultivable land up to up to two hectares. PM launches 'Cash for Votes' scheme. After driving farmers into debt and acute distress, BJP is desperately trying to placate them with crumbs of Rs 17 per day per family! P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) February 25, 2019 "PM launches 'Cash for Votes' scheme. After driving farmers into debt and acute distress, the BJP is desperately trying to placate them with crumbs of Rs 17 per day per family," he said on Twitter. Chidambaram also hit out at the government over the reduction in GST rates for the housing and real estate sector, asking where was this wisdom when the Congress told the government to reduce these rates. He alleged that the BJP government has made a mockery of the GST. "GST rates cut for construction sector. Where was this wisdom when we had told the government that, with multiple and high rates, they were making a mockery of GST," he said. GST rates cut for construction sector. Where was this wisdom when we had told the government that, with multiple and high rates, they were making a mockery of GST? February 25, 2019 The senior Congress leader on Sunday dubbed the PM-KISAN scheme as a bribe for votes and said the greater shame is that the Election Commission is unable to stop it. Today is the 'Cash for Vote' day. The BJP government will officially give a bribe of Rs 2000 per agricultural family to get their votes, he had tweeted. Nothing can be more shameful in a democracy than 'Bribe for Votes'. The greater shame is that the Election Commission is unable to stop the 'Bribe for Votes', he had said. The BJP in Karnataka on February 24 blamed the state government for the fire that gutted about 300 cars at the venue of Aero India show. "When terrorist activities are increasing in the country, why did the state government not take any safety measures?" State BJP Chief B S Yeddyurappa asked. He was addressing reporters at a press meet. Noting that the incident caused great loss to those who had come in their vehicles to witness the show, the BJP leader said the responsibility to make peripheral arrangements and safety measures rests with the state government whereas the Defence ministry was responsible only for organising the show. Seeking to know why no fire tenders were parked at the spot as a precautionary measure, Yeddyurappa said, "A high-level inquiry should be ordered into the incident to find out the truth and who all were responsible for it." The fire swept through the parking area of the Aero India event at the Yelahanka Air Force station gutting more than 300 cars on February 23, the penultimate day of Asia's premier air show. The 12th edition of the five-day air show went on unaffected by the fire incident, which came four days after two jets of Indian Air Force's aerobatic team Surya Kiran crashed, killing a pilot and injuring two others. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 25 said the armed forces and national security suffered due to criminal negligence before his government came to power in 2014, in an attack directed at the Congress. In an address to a group of ex-servicemen ahead of the inauguration of the National War Memorial, Modi said the previous dispensation put "the family first" while for him it was India first. He said this while referring to the long delay in construction of the memorial mooted decades ago. The delay by previous governments in construction of national war memorial was an injustice to families of fallen soldiers, he said. The Prime Minister said crucial decisions related to defence procurement and strengthening the armed forces were pending but his government cleared them on priority basis. Addressing the ex-servicemen, he said the government will set up three super-specialty hospitals for them. On the Rafale deal, Modi said attempts are being made to stop arrival of the fighter aircraft aircraft but they will come to nought once the jets start flying in months. As ruling coalition partners in Karnataka began parleys on seat sharing for Lok Sabha polls, senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Monday said winnability will be the criteria. The leader of the Congress Legislature party also ruled out his contesting the parliamentary polls and said, he would like to continue in state politics. "There is hope that there will be agreement on seat sharing... no ratio, who will win from where is important," Siddaramaiah, who is also the head of Congress-JD(S) coordination committee told reporters in Hubballi. Pointing out that the first meeting on seat sharing is on between coalition partners, he said, KPCC chief Dinesh Gundu Rao and Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara from the Congress' side; JD(S) state chief H Vishwanath and PWD Minister H D Revanna from the regional party's side will be holding discussions today. "I will then call a coordination committee meeting, where we will discuss again," he added. Congress and JD(S) as per their coalition arrangement have decided to fight the Lok Sabha polls together. However, seat sharing is likely to be a major test for both parties as JD(S) banking on two-third, one-third formula adopted in ministry formation and allocation of boards and corporations, has demanded for 10 to 12 seats out of the total 28. The Congress is opposed to this, and has maintained that sharing of seats will be based on "merit". Also, there is pressure from within the Congress not to cede too many seats to JD(S), specially ten seats where the party has sitting MPs. Sharing of seats from old Mysuru region is expected to be an acid test for both parties, as JD(S) considers it as its bastion, and the Congress has its sitting members from most of the seats there. The Vokkaliga bastion of Mandya will be another bone of contention between the coalition partners as JD(S) has plans to field Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil from the seat that it currently holds, while there is growing pressure within the Congress to field Sumalatha Ambareesh, wife of late actor-turned-politician M H Ambareesh. Noting that Sumalatha had met and told him that she was under pressure from party workers in Mandya and Ambareesh's fans to contest the Lok Sabha polls from there, Siddaramaiah said, "I have told her that we are yet to discuss seat sharing, and would discuss with her after that." The Congress is hopeful of gaining the seat banking on Ambaressh's popularity in the region and sympathy wave by fielding his wife Sumalatha, who is also a popular south Indian actress. There are also talks about Sumalatha contesting independently, if the JD(S) does not give up the seat to Congress in her favour. Siddaramaiah also denied reports that he was shifting to national politics. "I won't contest from anywhere, whether it is Koppal or Dharwad or Mysuru. I won't contest from anywhere," he said in response to a question about him contesting from Koppal. Asked what his decision would be if the high command asked him to contest, he said, "The high command won't tell me (to contest)." "I am in state politics now, I will continue there," he added. Responding to a question about the delay in SIT probe into an audio clip containing purported conversation to lure a JD(S) MLA, involving state BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa, Siddaramaiah said, it is for the Chief Minister to decide, as he had announced it on the floor of the assembly. Shashi Tharoor is a leader who has a way with wordssometimes, those words find a way into a controversy. In July, addressing an event in Thiruvananthapuram, he said: If they (the BJP) are able to win a repeat of their current strength in the Lok Sabha then, frankly, our own democratic Constitution, as we understand [it], will not survive... because then they will have all the three elements they need to tear up the Constitution of India and write a new one. And that will enshrine the principle of Hindu Rashtra, that will remove equality for the minorities, and that will create a Hindu Pakistan... A Delhi court on February 25 allowed Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, accused in a case related to death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar, to travel to Saudi Arabia from February 28 to March 4 for attending a seminar. Special CBI Judge Arun Bhardwaj permitted Tharoor noting that he was given permission to travel abroad earlier and had abided by the terms and conditions of the court. It also noted that another court had already given him permission to travel to UAE, Qatar and Bahrain. "Considering the fact that earlier the applicant/ accused was given permission to travel abroad and he has abided by the terms and conditions of the court, now the applicant/accused is further permitted to visit Saudi Arabia from February 28 to March 4 in addition to permission already granted to him to travel to UAE, Qatar and Bahrain," the court said. Tharoor had sought the court nod to travel abroad saying that he has been invited by Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre, Saudi National Committee for a UDF National Seminar to be conducted from March 1-3, and to attend conference on the invitation from Zahrani Group, Saudi Arabia on 'Indo-Arab trade in ancient India'. He told the court that he has always abided by the terms and conditions and has never violated them in any manner. Delhi Police opposed his plea saying that invites are to be cross-checked for their veracity by communicating with the organisers. It said the trial in Pushkar's death case is in the initial stage and Tharoor has property and other interests abroad and may settle there to evade the trial. "Granting travel permission for abroad at this early stage of proceedings may hamper course of trial and consequently delay delivery of justice in this matter," it said. The court had earlier adjourned to March 7 the hearing in the case against Tharoor. The court had on February 4 sent the case to Sessions Court for further proceedings since the offence under Section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was triable by a sessions judge. Tharoor, former Union minister and Pushkar's husband, has been charged under sections 498-A (husband or his relative subjecting a woman to cruelty) and 306 of the IPC, but has not been arrested in the case. Pushkar was found dead in a suite of a luxury hotel in the city on the night of January 17, 2014. The couple were staying in the hotel as the official bungalow of Tharoor was being renovated at that time. "Abusing Modi is the priority for the opposition, my priority is to ensure taxpayers' money doesn't become their black money," PM Modi said. "When India's FDI is at an all-time high, is it possible that jobs are not being created? When a lot of international reports are saying India is fastest in eradicating poverty, is it possible that jobs are not being created?" PM Modi asked. "In the case of inflation, the previous government, you had reported that the dearness rate had exceeded the figure of 10%. The rate of inflation in our government has dropped to around 2-4%," PM Modi said. "The previous government put India on the World's Fragile Five countries' list in 2013. Today, India has become ' Fastest Growing Large Economy ' on the strength of the government's determination and the hard work of 1.25 crore countrymen," PM Modi said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Rising India Summit 2019 Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the venue to deliver the keynote speech. Bhupendra Chaubey in conversation with Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath. "We have more farmers suicides than Africa, yet we say we have done a lot. This is absurd. You won't understand this sitting in ivory towers," Kamal Nath said. "The new industrial policy is ready and is awaiting cabinet approval. Whatever implements that we have put in, are ready to be executed for instance, the industrial corridor," Suresh Prabhu said. "When we talk about minimum governance, we mean that the maximum work is done in minimum time," Piyush Goyal said. "Who is the mahamilaavat's prime ministerial candidate Is it Mamata Banerjee? Is it Akhilesh Yadav? Is it Mayawati?" asks Ravi Shankar Prasad. "This government really deserves another term... fabulous kind of work has been done by this government. I would definitely say 'Phir ek baar Modi sarkar'," Ajay Singh said. Robin Rain, chairman and CEO of Ebix Inc, called for rationalisation of taxes. "While the government has created access through Ayushman Bharat, it has not helped to create infrastructure. We also need to look at cost, we are doing at one-tenth of the world cost... delivering healthcare is actually very expensive," Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director Apollo Hospitals said. "We need to crack areas which keep India backwards," Amitabh Kant said. "I dare say we would beat the likes of Emirates and Qatar, all we need is a level playing field given to airlines, unfortunately that is not happening," Ajay Singh, CMD, SpiceJet said. Shereen Bhan in discussion with Subhash Chandra Garg, Suneeta Reddy, Robin Raina, Ajay Singh, Amitabh Kant. Zakka Jacob speaks at the Rising India Summit. "Nobody can criticise the Bible, nobody can criticise the Quran. But to criticise the Vedas has now become the fashion of a group of people in this country," Baba Ramdev said. "If spirituality is a disability, let's ban it immediately. Time is rolling fast for all of us. Yoga is a way of managing that time effectively so as to enhance your energy and your life," Sadhguru said. Prasoon Joshi speaks at the summit. Some farmer organisations and experts have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the proposed mega-trade deal RCEP should not place any obligation on India with respect to intellectual property (IP) on seed and planting materials. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a free-trade agreement (FTA) being negotiated by 16 countries, including 10-member Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) bloc and India, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea. It aims to cover goods, services, investments, economic and technical cooperation, competition and intellectual property rights (IPR). In a letter to the prime minister, 41 farmer organisations and 12 experts said certain RCEP members are demanding a tighter IPR regime in the form of insistence on provisions on rights in plant varieties. "It is demanded by some RCEP-participating countries that such plant variety protection (PVP) shall provide for the IP protection of all plant genera and species by an effective PVP system, which is consistent with the 1991 Act of the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants," the letter said. A mega FTA that undermines farmers' seed freedoms in a diverse country is unacceptable, it added. "Countries have complete freedom to adopt a system suitable to their agricultural condition and needs. Nothing in the RCEP negotiations should affect and limit this freedom," it added. India wants to have a balanced RECP trade agreement as it would cover 40 per cent of the global GDP and over 42 per cent of the world's population. India already has an FTA with ASEAN, Japan and South Korea. It is also negotiating a similar agreement with Australia and New Zealand but has no such plans for China. The organisations that have signed the letter include All India Coordination Committee of Farmers Movement, All India Farmers Association, All India Kisan Sabha, All India Kisan Mazdoor Sabha, Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture, and Annadana Soil and Seed Savers. Days after her foray in active politics as Congress general secretary in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may address a poll rally in Gujarat on February 28, a party leader said Monday. February 28 is also when a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) will be held here. The last CWC meet in Gujarat was held 58 years ago, the leader said. Priyanka's brother and party president Rahul Gandhi and mother Sonia Gandhi will be present at the rally in BJP stronghold and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state. The "Sankalp Rally", to be held at Adalaj, ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, is being perceived by Congress leaders as a major morale booster to the party in the state where it has been out of power for almost three decades. The February 28 meeting of the CWC, the highest decision-making body of the Congress, will be followed by the rally the same day. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh will also attend the rally, Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda told reporters here. "I am glad that Rahul Gandhi accepted our proposal to hold the CWC meet here to mark the 150thbirth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi," he said. The last CWC in Gujarat was held in 1961, he added. Senior Congress leaders will attend a prayer meet at the Gandhi Ashram here before attending the CWC meeting, to be held at Sardar Patel memorial building Thursday morning. "They will pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and the 40 CRPF personnel who were killed in the Pulwama terror attack. This will be Rahul Gandhi's second Gujarat visit this month. On February 14, he had addressed a rally at Dharampur in Valsad district. In the 1961 CWC meeting held in Bhavnagar, the party had passed a resolution to strengthen the Panchayati Raj system and to take up balanced development through the third Five-Year Plan. The resolution also talked about strengthening unity in the country, Chavda said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 25 paid tributes to the soldiers martyred in the Pulwama terror attack and said India's armed forces are the government's "top priority". The PM was speaking at the inauguration of the National War Memorial. "At this historical place, I pay my tribute to the brave soldiers who lost their lives in Pulwama and all those bravehearts who sacrifice themselves for protection of India," Modi said. Also Read | Saluting Indias heroes: PM Modi to dedicate National War Memorial to nation today Speaking about the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) issue, Modi said Rs 35,000 crore had been distributed to ex-servicemen. "The salaries of soldiers have been increased by 55 percent while the Pension Budget is now over Rs 1 lakh crore," Modi said, adding that the government is taking care of all the needs of the veterans. "Families of martyrs will also be eligible for pension... we have taken decision on women's role in our forces," Modi said, adding that for his government, the Army is top priority. Taking a jab at the Congress, the PM said "some people have played with the nation's security". Stating that the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government neglected the Army, Modi said the country's soldiers wanted bulletproof jackets and had demanded over 1,86,000 jackets in 2009. In a short while from now, Rashtriya Samar Smaarak, the #NationalWarMemorial will be dedicated to the nation. Here are some glimpses of the Memorial, located near India Gate in Central Delhi. pic.twitter.com/ktA9hhudOL Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 25, 2019 "In five years from 2009 to 2014, the bulletproof jackets were not bought for the Army," Modi said, adding that his government had bought more than 2,30,000 jackets for the Army. In a similar vein, Modi also said the Congress does not want Rafale jets to come to India. "Our government has honoured India's heroes... whether you remember Modi or not, our martyrs' sacrifice will always be remembered," Modi said. Earlier, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said the war memorial will keep reminding Indians of the valour of soldiers. "We have waited several decades for this great day," Sitharaman had said. A day after hinting at "a larger role in serving the people", Robert Vadra on Monday said he was not in a hurry to take the political plunge. His comments came on a day when posters were put up in his hometown Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, welcoming him to contest elections. Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, had Sunday put a Facebook post announcing that he might play "a larger role in serving the people" after the ongoing cases against him were over, sparking speculation over his joining active politics. "I need to absolve from baseless accusations and allegations...I will start working on it. There is no hurry. People need to feel that I can make a change," he said when asked about his joining active politics. Vadra is being probed by the Enforcement Directorate in money laundering cases related to purchase of alleged illegal assets abroad and an alleged land scam in Bikaner, Rajasthan. In a Facebook post, Vadra wrote about years and months he had spent campaigning and working in different parts of the country, mainly in Uttar Pradesh, and claimed that it gave him a feeling to do more for the people. "All these years of experience and learning cannot be just wasted and should be put to better use...Once all these accusations and allegations are over, I feel I should dedicate a larger role in serving the people," Vadra, who is Congress general secretary for Uttar Pradesh (East) Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's husband, said. The comments have come weeks after Priyanka jointed active politics and was appointed as the All India Congress Committee general secretary in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh. In India, there is no dearth of wealth and the proof of this is the growing number of wealthy Indians. A common trend amid high net-worth individuals (HNWI) in India is that they find the opportunity to live or do business abroad very attractive. A lot of countries are leveraging this by coming up with programmes that not only provide them with visa free access, but also lets them invest. Some of these programmes also give them access to permanent residency. The known places where Indians prefer living abroad include countries like US. Going by 2018 data on the share of EB-5 visas, Indian nationals prefer US and the number of Indians receiving conditional green cards grew by an astonishing 236 percent, as compared to 2017. Malaysia has a My Second Home Programme (MM2H), which allows those below the age of 50 to put up about MYR 300,000 (approx. $75,000) in a bank account, which then gives them access to a 10-year resident permit in the country. To invest in Malta, the financial requirement is 900,000, through a combination of donation to the government, investment in stocks/bonds and a property transaction. In a conversation with Moneycontrol, Dominic Volek, Managing Partner and Head of Southeast Asia, Henley & Partners, a global citizenship and residence advisory firm, said: "When it comes to residing overseas, US tops the charts, followed by UAE, UK and Canada. Canada had a very successful programme, probably the original high investment migration programme where you could do $800,000 non-interest bearing loans to the government in Canada and get permanent residence. The original programme is closed. There's a similar programme in Quebec. You give 1.2 million Canadian dollar on a zero interest loan to the government for five years and you get permanent residence." Volek added that the above mentioned destinations are followed by places like Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, which have investment migration programmes and high net worth individuals can obtain permanent residency by just investing in these countries and create economic benefits within them. "I welcome their investment but we also want them to come and live there and add their skills and talent to the local workforce," Volek added. Last year in the second quarter, the UK issued 23 percent more Tier-1 entrepreneur visas as compared to the same period in 2017. And Indians made up the top 10 applicants (by nationality). In London, three percent of buyers of properties worth $1 million or more are Indian nationals. Indians are also investing in real estate in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, New York, and Dubai. But what is driving these HNWIs to live and invest in countries abroad? According to Volek, people in India are looking to relocate and it's lot to do with education. "It's a big driver here. Destinations like US, the UK and Australia are very popular. Half million Indians are in US, three million in the UAE, three million in the UK. So education is a big factor. Quality of life for which destinations like Canada, Australia are top destinations whether it is the quality of the transport system, the healthcare and then again tax also comes in. A lot of firms in order to become tax efficient have to physically relocate to destinations where taxes might be more friendly," he said. Giving more details about popular residency by investment program Volek said theres an interesting resident Greece Golden Visa Program which includes investment of EUR 250,000 into real estate to become a resident in Greece. With this amount of money high networth individuals get exposure to the European real estate with value added benefit of permanent residence. This is interesting because with Indian passport you have visa free access to any of these 61 countries around the world but with residence in one of these European countries, the resident card increases to Portugal which gives you visa free access to the whole of Schengen areas. He added that there are twelve and half thousand Indians living in Greece. Other such programmes include- Canada Quebec Immigrant Investor Programme applicants have an option of investing CAD 1.2 million at 0% interest to the government. And they can get a Permanent Residency from Canada. Thailand Elite can get a 5-, 10- or 20-year residence visa with a fee ranging from THB 500,000 to THB 1 million (approx. USD15K to USD32K) Singapore Global Investor Programme (GIP). Volek said that Singapore doesn't particularly need FDI (foreign direct investment), but they are more focused on entrepreneurship. Applicants need to invest either SGD2.5 million in a new business entity or expand an existing business operation, or invest SGD2.5 million in a GIP-approved fund. "By getting applicants to come to Singapore, start a business and employ locals, Singapore is looking for more continued economic benefit from an investment migrant who would then get a permanent residence," said Volek. Australia Residence-by-Investment programs ranging from AUD 1.5 to AUD 5 million investment requirement. The applicant would typically move to Australia to enjoy the benefits those countries provide. Apart from Residence-by-Investment programs, countries are also giving citizenship by investment programs but they are only handful said Volek. Within the European Union, there are 28 member states. And two of them, Malta and Cyprus, have citizenship-by-investment programs. Their passports have good visa-free access but the real attraction is that they are EU members, meaning you can have settlement rights in the EU. So you can settle in all of the 28 countries in the EU. "There are countries in the Caribbean which are very popular. Greneda is one particular country for a family of four for example they can either donate 200,000 US dollars to the Greneda government or they can invest 350,000 US dollars into real estate. So they can have an Indian passport with an access to 61 countries and then Grenadian passport with access to almost 150 countries and that includes the whole of European Schengen area, the UK, explained Volek. "Greneda is quite unique because it has visa free access to China which a lot of countries dont. So, free access and the ability of being able to acquire a stronger force from a travel perspective is driving the industry. When you look at the European Union, within the EU there are 28 member states and two of them - Malta and Cyprus - have a citizenship line investment programme and the real attraction here is EU members because if you have citizenship of any one EU member, you have the right to settle in all 28 countries," he added. For Cyprus, applicants need to invest 2 million into real estate, we submit an application for citizenship and after 6 months, it will be approved. They dont actually have to live in Cyprus but they can live, work or study in any of the 28 EU member states. Volek said that the primary reason Indians are looking for an alternative passport is travel freedom. He said that the trend of global travel freedom is increasing year on year and more countries are realising the benefits of having visa waiver and it will continue in 2019. Representative image Jagyaseni Biswas After a series of delays and postponements, the Supreme Court is finally set to hear the petition challenging Article 35A from February 26-28. While this announcement has been met with resistance as usual, there are hopes a judgment will guarantee a headway. So, what is Article 35A? Article 35A grants special rights to the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir. The Article was the outcome of a 1952 agreement between the Centre and Srinagar. A 1954 presidential order saw its annexure to the Article 370, allowing the state to define who would constitute permanent residents of the state. As per the Article, only the permanent residents of the state shall be granted rights to settle down permanently there, acquire immovable assets, and avail government jobs, and grants. The Article also disallows J&K government from hiring non-permanent residents. As per a Quint report, Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir was adamant about sticking to the Instrument of Accession while joining India, which included the law barring any outsider from buying property in the state. It is believed that the king was afraid that the British would be swayed by the favourable weather in the state and begin settling in large numbers there. This fear extended to other Indians after independence, mainly an influx of Punjabis that may have led to the local Dogra community to losing jobs. Why is it contentious? The main contention surrounding Article 35A, based on which many are opposing to any changes being made to it, is that the special rights accorded to permanent residents were introduced as an addition to Article 370, and not as an amendment to the Constitution. The Article was never tabled at Parliament and came into force by way of a presidential order. Speaking to News 18, Jahangir Iqbal Ganai, senior advocate and former advocate general of J&K, said the article is not a part of the Indian Constitution, which render the foundation of all petitions baseless. He said: "There is a very fine difference between the two. If one reads any book on the Constitution of India, they wouldnt find a reference to the Article. Only Article 1 and Article 370 are applicable to J&K, while the other provisions are made applicable only by Presidential orders. Under Article 370, the President of India has powers to apply the Constitution of India vis a vis Jammu and Kashmir, with certain exceptions and modifications. He added: "The very basis of the petition is not supported by law. They say that it's an amendment and the President cannot amend the Constitution. But we say that it is not an amendment as it's not a part of the Constitution of India but it's a part of the Indian Constitution that was for J&K. By applying the Constitutional provisions to the state of J&K, the Constitution itself gives power to the President to apply the provisions of the Constitution by exceptions and modifications. So 35A is an exception to the chapter pertaining to the fundamental rights." What are the petitions against the Article and what do they oppose? a. Petition by NGO We the Citizens Trouble began in 2014, when a Delhi-based NGO We the Citizens filed a petition stating Kashmir never separated from the Federation of Indian dominion. It pointed out that J&K had already joined India under the Government of India Act, 1935. According to the NGO, the new rules of accession were signed by Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh to remove doubt, confusion or ambiguity. Challenging the constitutional validity of the orders passed by then president Dr Rajendra Prasad, the petition states it limited the powers of Parliament to make laws for the state. It said: The President of India under the garb of a temporary provision i.e. Article 370 (1) cannot amend the Constitution by incorporating a new Article of permanent nature. The NGO also contends, Article 35A creates two classes of citizens, which is against the basic tenets of our Constitution. b. Petition by West Pakistan Refugees Action Committee Cell In 2015, the West Pakistan Refugees Action Committee Cell moved the Supreme Court through a writ petition, pointing out the violation of human rights of refugees who settled down after partition independence. West Pakistan refugees do not have right to property or vote and are not recognised as permanent residents. They argue that their rights should be like that of those who migrated to West Pakistan but returned. Referring to the Resettlement Act of 1982 passed by the state, the petitioners highlighted that it gave such persons and their kids the right to acquire of permanent citizenship. c. Petition by Charu Wali Khanna Delhi-based Kashmiri Pandit Lawyer Charu Wali Khanna had a simple question: Why cant my property remain mine? Saying Article 35A favours men, Charu Wali had told the court, though men do not lose their right to permanent citizenship even after marriage to an outsider, women do. So, a woman from outside the state becomes a permanent resident by virtue of marrying a male resident of the state, but a woman who is born as a permanent citizen loses her right after marrying an outsider. Elucidating the same, she had told News 18: We are entitled to property rights on inheritance basis, but that is limited. But what if I have property, and I die. Will my husband and children not be entitled to it? The Kashmiri women who have married outside are being denied admission for their children and even the gains of the PM Scholarship scheme. How can it be justified? A woman who has lived her whole life in J&K, her children are being denied rights just because she married an outsider. This is creating a situation of radicalisation and thereby people will be forced to move outside. Representative image Global investment company Blackstone and realty firm Embassy Group will in a few weeks launch the country's first real estate investment trust (REIT) with an estimated issue size of Rs 5,000 crore, a top company official said. Embassy Office Parks, the joint venture firm of Blackstone and Embassy, had in September last year filed the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the market regulator Sebi to launch REIT, touted as the Asia's largest in terms of portfolio size of 33 million sq ft. REIT is an investment tool that owns and operates rent-yielding real estate assets. It allows individual investors to make investment in this platform and earn income. Sebi had notified REIT's regulations in 2014, allowing setting up and listing of such trusts, which are very popular in some advanced markets. "We will launch our REIT in few weeks," Embassy Office Parks CEO Mike Holland told PTI. "We already have a strong book of anchor and strategic investors. The REIT will be successful as in other countries and Embassy Office Parks will set a precedent for the REIT in India," he said. Holland expressed confidence that the REIT in India would be successful as it has been in other countries like the US, the UK, Australia and Singapore. When asked about the size of the issue and expected return to investors on its REIT platform, he declined to comment. Banking sources had earlier pegged the issue size at over Rs 5,000 crore. The internal rate of return (IRR) for unit holders is expected at around 9 percent in the first year and about 18 percent in a five-year horizon. Embassy Office Parks, a leading player in commercial real estate, has put 33 million sq ft of office and hospitality assets under its proposed REIT comprising of seven business parks and four city-centric buildings spread across Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune and Noida. Out of 33 million sq ft, about 24 million sq ft area is operational at 95 percent occupancy and yielding rental income of over Rs 2,000 crore annually. Another 3 million sq ft area is under construction and 6 million sq ft area in pipeline. Embassy Office Parks' rental income is expected to rise by 55 percent in the next three years as it expects to lease area at a higher rent. The JV firm has top MNC clients in its commercial projects. More than 50 percent of the rents come from Fortune 500 companies. Clients such as Microsoft, Google, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan etc have their base in the office parks. Unlike housing segment, the commercial real estate sector is doing well and attracting huge investments from domestic and global investment firms. The rising demand for co-working space is also fuelling demand for office properties. Apart from Blackstone-Embassy, realty firm DLF is a major player in commercial real estate with a portfolio of over 30 million sq ft and a rental income of about Rs 3,000 crore. Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC had invested Rs 9,000 crore in December 2017 in DLF's rental arm. Brookefield, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), Ascendas and Qatar Investment Authority are also investing in commercial real estate. Many real estate developers are creating a strong portfolio of office space. Answer: Uber Eats. Sounak Mitra Cab hailing firm Uber is reportedly selling Uber Eats, its food delivery service in India, to rival Swiggy. At first blush, it is just another deal in the food delivery space, a sector that has consolidated in the past couple of years. But a share-swap deal with Swiggy will still give it a stake in the fast-growing food delivery business and something to brag to investors while it prepares for an initial public offering. Selling Uber Eats probably makes sense. Despite growing seven-fold between September and December 2018, Uber Eats lags the leaders by a large margin. According to a report by The Times of India, Swiggy delivered 8 lakh orders a day in December 2018, while the second largest Zomato was at 6.5 lakh. Latest entrant Uber Eats delivered just 1.5 lakh orders in December. What the data shows is this: Uber Eats might have had its initial success, at a cost of discounts and heavy advertisements. But it is still far behind of top two food delivery firms. Playing catch-up is also not going be easy. Swiggy and Zomato already have a massive head start. Take the former, for instance. Its core business is food delivery with a fleet of around 125,000 partners. In December, Swiggy raised $1 billion to support expansion and has been exploring entry into new segments, including grocery and daily essentials through Swiggy Stores. In the second half of 2018, it added 42 cities, and its gross merchandise value doubled. Swiggy has already swallowed Scootsy, another player in the food delivery space. Now, acquiring Uber will allow it to leverage Ubers technology infrastructure and network of 300,000 drivers to strengthen its delivery business. Uber, which will get a 10 percent equity in Swiggy after the deal is consummated, will be poised to reap the benefits of a maturing business. Despite being a decade old in India, food delivery is mainly centred in the metro markets and restricted to around 4,000 PIN codes, while the overall online retailing industry reaches around 97 percent of 19,100 PIN codes in India. As the food delivery business takes off, Uber will still be a part-owner without the management headache. In any case Ubers core business is rides and not food delivery. There it is already engaged in a fierce competition with Ola. Ride hailing would require continuous management focus as it prepares for its IPO. Success in India is crucial for the share sale. Heres some facts why India is very important for Uber. During the past two years, the American cab-hailing firm that has been valued by bankers at around $120 billion has exited eight markets, including China. India, which currently accounts for 11 percent of its total number of trips globally, has already emerged as Ubers healthiest market in terms of growth rates. And, the companys management has high hopes. Ubers CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has reportedly said that the ride-hailing companys aim is to increase the number of trips in India by 5-10 times over next 10 years. India is currently the third largest market for Uber, after the US and Brazil. At the moment, Ubers sole aim is to make its IPO successful and that is linked to how well it manages to sell the India growth story to the Street. A growing ride hailing business without the distractions of a food delivery business will allow it to do just that. Representative Image live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Share price of Aurionpro Solutions added 3.3 percent intraday Monday after company bagged projects in Singapore & Thailand. The company's subsidiaries in Singapore & Thailand, has won two prestigious projects in the banking fintech space. Both the order wins are pertaining to the iCashpro+; transaction banking product of the company. Aurionpro Solutions Pte, a wholly owned subsidiary of company, has been awarded a contract by Ahlibank S.A.0.G., Oman to develop and implement a B2B portal which will cater to the diverse banking requirements of its corporate customers. Another subsidiary, Integro Technologies Co has been awarded a contract, to provide the licenses and implementation of Aurionpro's financial e-supply chain software solution to enable TMB Bank, Thailand to facilitate the financial activities between the customers of the bank. Shekhar Mullatti, EVP, Head- Banking, AurionPro Solutions said, "We are delighted to be the chosen partner for two leading banks in Middle East Asia & ASEAN to deliver 828 solution for its corporate customers. Our new digitized iCashpro+ version is a 'State of the Art', designed for banks to offer customer centric and innovative services to their Corporate & SME segments." "We are confident that our new version iCashPro+ will accelerate the digital journey of our customers & will further consolidate our leadership position in Asia," he added. At 10:36 hrs Aurionpro Solutions was quoting at Rs 114.75, up Rs 3.75, or 3.38 percent on the BSE. LOGOS India has acquired two logistics parks spread across 2.2 million sq ft in Chennai from the Casagrand Group for Rs 700 crore. The purchase marks LOGOS' first acquisition in India following the launch of its Indian business. Mappedu Logistics Park and Mahindra World City are located within the industrial corridors of Chennai and benefit from access to the government-approved Chennai Bangalore Industrial Corridor and the Chennai Port. The properties comprise a total Gross Lettable Area (GLA) of 2.2 million square feet, across a combined area of approximately 85 acres of land. Both parks are fully leased and provide further development opportunities within the sites, a company statement said. Were very pleased to have completed our first acquisition in India, bringing on board 2.2 million square feet of quality logistics facilities to our Asia Pacific portfolio," said Trent Iliffe, Managing Director, LOGOS. "India has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and with a high-growth real estate sector, this market is an important part of our Asia Pacific strategy as we continue to support our tenant customers growth across the region. We look forward to bringing our significant regional experience and global development and design standards to India and these two new properties," he said. Given Chennai's prominence as a leading industrial hub, with access to one of the country's largest ports, the parks are able to efficiently service the high-volume consumption markets of the greater Chennai region and the industrial corridors of Southern India, said Mehul Shah, chief executive officer of the LOGOS Indian business. "LOGOS will look to enhance the two parks, through an active asset management approach and further developing the available land within the sites," Shah added. LOGOS' Indian business is a partnership between LOGOS and Assetz Property Group, a Bengaluru-based real estate developer. The LOGOS India Logistics Venture, with commitments from Canadian investors Ivanhoe Cambridge and QuadReal Property Group, has US$800 million in investment capacity to develop and own high-quality, modern logistics facilities in key logistics markets of India. Avendus Capital was the exclusive financial advisor to Casa Grande Distripark on the transaction. We are witnessing significant interest from global investors in the Indian warehousing space in recent times with major players partnering with developers to create large platforms. The highly unorganised and under developed Indian industrial warehousing sector is expected to undergo an unforeseen transformation owing to rapid changes in business environment such as rise the of e-commerce, GST implementation, changing costs and Make-in-India movement. The anticipated demand-supply gap of Grade 'A' warehousing is expected to open up numerous investment opportunities in the future. Through this acquisition, LOGOS has made its maiden investment even as it plans to invest in the specialised logistics and industrial parks in India," said Prateek Jhawar, director and head, Infrastructure & Real Assets Investment Banking at Avendus Capital. Implementation of GST has had far reaching implications across sectors, more so in the warehousing and logistics sector that recorded an overall space take-up of over 24 million sq ft in 2018, a growth rate of more than 40 percent compared to 2017, as per a recent report. Mumbai, followed by NCR, Bengaluru and Chennai dominated leasing, accounting for more than 70 percent of the space take-up. The second half of 2018 witnessed robust leasing activity with about 14.3 million sq ft of space take up, a 46 percent increase on a half-yearly basis. Mumbai dominated leasing activity with a share of about 21 percent, followed by Delhi-NCR (20 percent) and Chennai (16 percent), as per the CBRE report titled India Industrial and Logistics Market View, H2 2018. This was closely followed by Bengaluru (15 percent) while Hyderabad and Kolkata accounted for 14 percent and 9 percent respectively. Pune and Ahmedabad collectively held a 5 percent share in overall demand. When compared on a half-yearly basis, almost every city witnessed a growth in leasing activity. While Chennai witnessed a growth of about 104 percent, Hyderabad and Kolkata witnessed growth of 93 percent and 73 percent respectively. Other cities such as Mumbai (54 percent), Delhi-NCR (41 percent) and Pune (17 percent) also witnessed growth. Even as FY19 comes to a close, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is yet to approve bonuses and stock options for CEOs of private banks for FY18. This delay is because the variable pay component of the new compensation policy is still being finalised, reports Business Standard. A source told the newspaper that this is the longest delay yet. "Usually the clearance comes in by October-November, but this year seems to be special," the person said. There was a delay in FY17 as well, but the approvals had come in before the end of the calendar year. The RBI wants to have standards in place before this process begins again for the current fiscal. Apparently, most of the cases have been sorted and almost closed now. The bonuses will be released soon, which will provide insight into the compensation regime for CEOs, the newspaper report stated. The new policy being drafted will put greater emphasis on information drawn from the annual financial inspection reports (AFIs) and risk-based supervision (RBS) the offsite surveillance system. It will also take into account compliance by private banks and their subsidiaries with regulators like Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). The central bank is tangled in some governance issues in case of a few private banks. "The RBI did ask about exposure to non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) and the real estate sector after what happened at the Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS)," another source told the newspaper. "Appropriate regulatory actions were taken against some private sector banks on account of certain lapses in their functioning and governance. With a view to align the compensation policy with evolving international best practices and for an objective assessment of remuneration sought by the banks for their whole-time directors, a review of the extant guidelines on compensation is on the cards," the central bank noted in its Trend and Progress of Banking in India (2017-18) report. Even the extent of variable pay is being reviewed and terms for clawback are being written. Moneycontrol couldnt independently verify this report. Popular mobile wallets such as Paytm and Mobikwik now offer ways to invest in direct mutual fund schemes through their apps without any charges. With over 300 million registered customers using Paytm and more than 107 million registered customers using Mobikwik, mutual funds would get a booster dose in penetrating the hinterlands in India. Users of these mobile wallets will now be able to pick and choose a mutual fund of their choice on their respective platforms and get to invest in direct mutual fund schemes on tap of the fingers through apps. Paytm launched mutual fund investment services through a separate app called Paytm Money in September 2018. According to the company reports, since its launch, Paytm Money has now crossed one million users who invest in direct mutual fund scheme using their platform. Now with recent developments, Paytm Payments Bank users would be able to make their account as the primary bank account on Paytm Money, and it will be the default choice for investment and redemption of mutual fund investments. Earlier the purchases were allowed through the wallets but the redemption could only be settled back in the investors bank account, which was a cumbersome process. However, Paytm Payment Bank account is not mandatory to invest in mutual funds via Paytm Wallet. You can continue to invest in mutual funds by setting up auto pay (one-time bank mandate) on Paytm Money app to enable one-click investments from your primary bank account. Alternatively, you can invest using Unified Payments Interface (UPI), net banking and debit card of your verified bank account. Following Paytms footsteps, in October 2018 Mobikwik acquired wealth management platform Clearfunds to enter into the wealth management business. Through this acquisition, the MobiKwik platform allowed its customers to start investing in direct mutual funds seamlessly from the app. There seems a rat race to acquire new investors and make them habitual to savings and investing in mutual funds using their mobile wallets. The ease of investing is convenient, but are investors equipped to ascertain their risk profile and invest in the right mutual fund scheme? Moneycontrol asks four experts: Stance: Boon The biggest challenge for the mutual fund industry today is adoption and penetration. Out of the total population of 130 crore, we today have only approximately four crore mutual fund folios, which when de-duplicated (one person having multiple investment folios), falls more than 50 percent. Traditionally, mutual fund investments can only be made from bank accounts. Learning from what wallets did to the payment industry in terms of penetration and adoption, SEBI allowed mutual funds to be purchased via wallets. However, were yet to see the benefits play out. And the reasons lie embedded in the SEBIs circular itself. According to the SEBIs circular dated May 8, 2017, individuals could use mobile wallets to invest in mutual funds provided that the money is loaded into the wallet, from a bank account (a mobile wallet otherwise can be loaded through cash, credit cards, cashback as well). Now, although this sounds simple, the challenge came in the form of mechanisms for identifying the source of money. No wallet company had anything in place to identify the colour of money as it was not only an arduous task but it didnt seem to be that important. These wallets are convenient to use and also give a very promising outlook for market penetration and adoption. And can be a game changer for enabling the new generation of digitally savvy users to start saving and investing, with professionally managed and efficient mutual fund products. But that can only happen if the regulations are eased. It doesnt matter if your mobile wallet is linked to the same companys payment bank or not. None of the wallet companies today have an infrastructure to identify the source of the money (it has to be from your bank account) so no, you cannot subscribe to mutual funds. Stance: Boon Anything that motivates and sustains a regular investing habit is beneficial to an investor. Be it new varieties of systematic investment plan (SIP) or new methods of making the investment, if a new idea makes it more convenient or profitable for an investor, its definitely a good idea. Wallets have found great favour among millennials in the country as the favourite way of moving money around. Mutual fund industry is constantly looking to see how it can tap the millennial market to get them going on the investment habit early in their life. Also, the industry needs to keep with the changing habits of its target market. So, enabling investments through wallets is simply a matter of industry going towards where the money is when it comes to next-generation investors. For the young investors, this makes it easy and convenient to get started with investments and they can track it easily with all their other expenses and outflows. One thing to be cautious, however, is the ease of conducting a transaction should not be combined with ease of building a portfolio itself. If young investors can do sufficient groundwork to understand the investment process and instruments better before they transact, it will truly yield the ultimate benefits of investing for them. Stance: Bane Using mobile wallets to invest in mutual fund schemes is not recommended to investors. Primarily for the reason that mutual fund schemes have undergone several changes with recategorisation and rationalisation. Even evolved investors face difficulty in understanding changes made by the asset management companies. So, for new investors, it will be a challenge to select the right scheme from mobile wallets as per their risk appetite and goals. Second, mobile wallets have picked up pace among consumers to book movie or travelling tickets, pay utility bills, etc., which is fine. But using mobile wallets for making mutual fund investments is a little bit of delicate affair. I would not advise the investors to put their money for investment in mutual funds through mobile wallets as its still not investor friendly in terms of adaptability. Plus, on wallets, there is no one to advise the investors. On investments done through mobile wallets, there might not be clarity on the process, reporting and monitoring of the investment portfolios. Investors should prefer investment platforms with more simplicity and structured process. For investors, its always better to invest under the guidance and with the help of some financial expert who monitors the portfolio and explains them the pros and drawbacks of invested schemes on regular basis. It is better to invest directly with the fund house or through IFAs on recommended schemes instead of mobile wallets. Because there is monitoring, there is a responsibility on a financial advisor for recommending schemes that perform. Also, there is a comfort level on advice between an investor and advisor, which is missing while investing through mobile wallets on your own. Stance: Neutral Millennials who are hooked to mobile phones and prefer Ola, Swiggy, BookMyShow, etc. will opt mobile wallets for investing into mutual funds either with expectations of higher returns or due to sheer convenience of investing. Also, retail investors who have burned fingers in the past due to wrong advice or inadequate handholding of some agents, bankers and distributors, may buy from mobile wallets due to transparency and feeling of being in control. But, investors through mobile wallets are likely to redeem investments quickly or stop SIPs during the volatile markets since they might lack knowledge of mutual fund products and investment discipline. In future, investor experience of investing through mobile wallets will define the success of this model, not just the cost and convenience factor. As investors evolve, they will prefer to work with a human financial advisor when they find a trustworthy advisor, easily accessible and cost-efficient. So, many of these young investors will prefer to seek offline consultation and then invest in mutual funds. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Here are stocks that are in the news today: Results on February 25: JMT Auto, Khaitan India, Rollatainers, United Drilling Tools. NBFCs: RBI to merge 3 categories of NBFCs to create a new category called NBFC-ICC. Motilal Oswal, IIFL Holdings: SEBI declares commodity arms of Motilal Oswal, IIFL 'not fit and proper'. IIFL Holdings clarification: SEBI order on IIFL Commodities has no impact on businesses of other companies of IIFL Group. Motilal Oswal Financial Services clarification: SEBI order against subsidiary company Motilal Oswal Commodities Broker Private Limited will have no impact on overall business activities of companies of Motilal Oswal group. Tata Metaliks board meeting will be held on February 27, 2019 to consider, a proposal for raising of funds NTPC: Nabinagar Thermal Power Project has been declared running commercial operation. Wipro gets approval to issue of bonus shares and increase in authorised share capital Sharon Bio-Medicine: API facility located at Taloja, Maharashtra received 4 Form 483 observations after the inspection completed by USFDA Corporation Bank: Company received Rs 9,086 crore from Government of India. Mold Tek Packaging inaugurates 9th Manufacturing Plant at Pudi (Vizag) Hubtown: Company divested and transferred its entire holding of 4,720 equity shares in its subsidiary Heet Builders. Tulive Developers: Board approved the buyback of up to 4,80,000 equity shares of the company at a price of Rs 350 per equity share. Vyapar Industries: Board approved the buyback of up to 15,30,000 equity shares of the company at a price of Rs 29 per equity share. Tata Investment Corp completed extinguishment/destruction of 45,00,000 fully paid-up equity shares of face value of Rs 10 each India Motor Parts sales 2.68% stake (1,20,52,112 equity shares) in Royal Sundaram General Insurance to Ageas Insurance International N.V. Piramal Enterprises board decided to withdraw the issue of privately placed secured Non-Convertible Market Linked Debentures aggregating upto Rs 130 crore Jet Airways: An additional two aircrafts have been grounded due to non-payment of amount outstanding to lessors under their respective lease agreements. GVK Power & Infrastructure: Equity shareholding of the GVK Group will increase to 64 percent from the existing 50.5 percent of the total paid-up share capital of Mumbai International Airport Limited after the acquisition of 13.5 percent stake from Bid Services Division (Mauritius). City Union Bank inaugurated 4 new branches in Tamil Nadu Shakti Pumps: Akhilesh Maru tendered his resignation from the post of Chief Financial Officer as he is looking to start his own enterprise. Adani Green Energy: Company awarded 150 MWac solar power project to its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Adani Power: Board approved the proposal for acquisition of entire stake of Adani Power Dahej Limited; Adani Pench Power Limited; and Kutchh Power Generation Limited, which are wholly owned subsidiaries of Adani Enterprises (AEL) from AEL. Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone: Subsidiary Adani Logistics approved the proposal for acquisition of 100 percent equity shares of Adani Agri Logistics Limited, Adani Agri Logistics (Dahod) Limited, Adani Agri Logistics (Darbhanga) Limited and Adani Agri Logistics (Samastipur) Limited from Adani Enterprises Limited. Sandhar Technologies: India Ratings and Research assigned a rating of A1+ to company's commercial paper. Lux Industries: Company incorporated subsidiary Altai Industries Private Limited. CARE has reaffirmed credit rating on the bank facilities of PNC Infratech's subsidiary, MP Highways as CARE A with stable outlook Manappuram Finance: Board approved equity infusion up to Rs 100 crore in its subsidiary Asirvad Micro Finance Ltd. Tilaknagar Industries Q3: Consolidated loss at Rs 49 crore versus loss Rs 16.6 crore; revenue rises to Rs 425 crore versus Rs 366.5 crore YoY. Asahi Songwon Colors: Company planned a shutdown of CPC Crude Blue Plant at Padra, Vadodara with effect from February 24 to carry out the periodic maintenance, which will affect CPC crude blue production for the quarter ending March 2019. The shutdown is expected to last up to March 7, 2019. SKF India: Company closed its share buyback. Manugraph India: Suresh Narayan, Chief Financial Officer of the company has decided to pursue other opportunities and tendered his resignation. : Out of the capital infusion fund of Rs 6,896 crore received from the Government of India, Rs 2,750 crore has been appropriated to make loan loss provision in order to bring down the net NPA ratio below the threshold under Prompt Corrective Action Framework and remaining Rs 4,146 crore has been appropriated towards shoring up the capital base so as to enhance the Capital to Risk Weight Asset Ratio (CRAR). Kotak Mahindra Bank: Mark Newman, a Non-Executive Non-Independent Director of the bank has resigned from the board. PVP Ventures: Company approved the Scheme of Amalgamation amongst PVP Ventures Limited, Picturehouse Media Limited, PVP Media Private Limited and PVP Cinema Private limited & their respective shareholders and creditors. Birla Precision Technologies: Company approved the issue of 6,07,005 equity shares at Rs 16.24 each on preferential basis to Zenith Dyeintermediates Limited, promoter company. Mcleod Russel: Company announced execution of Memorandum of Understandings by the wholly owned subsidiary (WOS) for disposal of its stake in one of its subsidiaries and disposal of a part of its holding in another subsidiary by the WOS. Hindustan Zinc: Agnivesh Agarwal steps down as Chairman and Director of company to pursue other interests. Reliance Industries: Subsidiary Reliance Industrial Investments and Holdings Limited (RIIHL) entered into agreement for acquisition of equity shares of software service and data solutions company Surajya Services Private Limited (Easygov) for up to Rs 18 crore. RIIHL will further invest an amount up to Rs 50 crore. The said investment upon completion will translate into 76 percent equity stake in Easygov on a fully diluted basis. The total investment is likely to be completed by March 2021. Reliance Industries: Subsidiary RIIHL entered into an agreement for acquisition of equity shares of software company SankhyaSutra Labs Private Limited (SSL) for up to Rs 16,02,08,808. RIIHL will further invest an amount of up to Rs 200 crore and is likely to be completed by December 2021. The said investment will translate into around 83 percent of equity capital in SSL on a fully diluted basis. Reliance Industries: RIIHL entered into a agreement for acquisition of equity shares of Reverie Language Technologies Private Limited (Reverie) for up to Rs 190 crore. RIIHL will further invest an amount up to Rs 77 crore. The said investment upon completion will translate into 83.30 percent equity capital in Reverie on a fully diluted basis. Stocks Out of F&O Ban: Reliance Capital, Reliance Infrastructure, Kaveri Seed Company Bulk Deals on February 22 IndInfravit Trust: Omers Infrastructure Asia Holdings Pte Ltd bought 8,28,00,000 shares of the company at Rs 104.5 per share on the NSE. However, ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund (1,00,00,000 shares), L&T Transportation Infrastructure Limited (26,00,000 shares), Larsen & Toubro Limited (6,62,00,000 shares) and Yes Bank (26,00,000 shares) were net sellers at same price. Kotak Mahindra Bank: ING Mauritius Investments I sold 2,92,26,738 shares of the bank at Rs 1,228.51 per share and bought the same number of shares at Rs 1,225.14 per share. Nagarjuna Oil Refinery: Zuari Investments sold 25,24,278 shares of the company at 38 paise per share. Refex Industries: Sheil Atulbhai Patel sold 90,000 shares of the company at Rs 27.5 per share. Reliance Communications: STCI Finance Limited sold 2,60,00,000 shares of the company at Rs 6.75 per share. Sanco Industries: Ajay Kumar Bokadia sold 98,100 shares of the company at Rs 13.90 per share. Silver Touch Techno: Thakkar Keyur Balkrishna HUF purchased 72,000 shares of the company at Rs 122.05 per share. Sintercom India: Pivotal Enterprises Private Limited sold 1,64,000 shares of the company at Rs 58.92 per share. (For more bulk deals, click here) Analyst or Board Meet/Briefings Som Distilleries & Breweries: Board meeting is scheduled on March 2 to consider allotment of 12,88,906 equity shares upon conversion of an equal number of convertible warrants and to convey an EGM on March 26. Zeal Aqua: Company's officials will be meeting Trust Capital, M3 Investments and Moneybee Securities on February 25 in Mumbai. KNR Constructions: Company will be participating in HDFC Infra Day conducted by HDFC Securities on February 25 in Mumbai. Power Grid Corporation: Board meeting scheduled on March 7 to consider and approve the declaration of interim dividend for the financial year 2018-19. Pacific Industries: Board meeting is scheduled on February 27 to consider the rights issue of equity shares to the existing shareholders of the company. Ashoka Buildcon: Company will be attending the Investors Conference organised by HDFC Securities on February 25 in Mumbai. PNC Infratech: Company will be attending the Investors Conference organised by HDFC Securities on February 25 in Mumbai. JMC Projects: Company will be attending the Investors Conference organised by HDFC Securities on February 25 in Mumbai. Tata Chemicals: Company's officials will meet Baron Capital Managment Inc on February 25. Escorts: Company has scheduled meeting with TT International HK on February 25. Mahindra & Mahindra: Company's officials will meet UBS Global Asset Management and Janus Henderson Investors on February 26, and GIC Singapore on February 27 in Mumbai. Fine Organic Industries: Officials of the company will be interacting with investors and analyst on February 25 and 26. Mahanagar Gas: Company's officials will meet Mathews International on February 25. Endurance Technologies: Various meetings have been planned with institutional investors on certain dates during the next two weeks starting February 25. Welspun Enterprises: Company will be attending HDFC Infra Day Conference on February 25. Ahluwalia Contracts: Company will be attending HDFC Infra Day Conference on February 25. Eris Lifesciences: Company's officials will meet Investec Capital Services (India) Private Limited on February 25. Syndicate Bank: Board meeting is scheduled on February 27 to consider raising of equity capital by way of preferential allotment. Dr Lal PathLabs: Company's officials will meet C Worldwide Asset Management on February 25 and Bay Capital on February 27. Tata Motors: Company's officials will meet analysts/investors during February 25 and 28. Share India Securities: Board meeting is scheduled on February 26 to consider the proposal for migration of company's present listing on BSE SME Platform to the BSE Main Board Platform. Welspun Corp: Extra Ordinary General Meeting of the company to be held on March 19. : Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments. Representative image live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Phoenix Mills climbed 2.7 percent intraday Monday after brokerage house Motilal Oswal has maintained buy call on the stock with a price target at Rs 708, implying potential upside of 20 percent. Operational retail portfolio of the company is expected to double in four years, said the research house. "Currently, the company has a retail portfolio of 5.9 million square feet-msf (operational) and 4.6msf (under construction), with plans to add another 1-2 new assets taking the total portfolio to 11-12msf by FY23," it explained. The company is developing five new malls three under the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) platform (PMC Wakad, PMC Hebbal, and PMC Indore), Palladium Ahmedabad (a 50:50 alliance with BSafal group), and PMC Lucknow (100 percent self-owned). Total ongoing investment towards construction of malls and a new office asset (Fountainhead, Pune) is around Rs 5,680 crore. Of this, the company has already invested Rs 2,230 crore, the balance Rs 3,450 crore (Rs 2,000 crore under the CPPIB platform) will be invested over the next couple of years till FY23, the brokerage said. Motilal Oswal believes that Phoenix is a unique play in India's retail growth story due to its (a) experienced management with successful track record of execution, (b) scalability as reflected in the line-up of five new under-construction malls, and (c) robust cash generation. At 11:37 hours IST, the stock was quoting at Rs 601.45, up Rs 11.25, or 1.91 percent on the BSE. : The above report is compiled from information available on public platforms. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Auto component major JBM Group on Monday said it has acquired majority stake in Germany's Linde-Wiemann GmbH KG, a manufacturer of complex structural components and assemblies supplying to global automobile manufacturers. The acquisition is being done through one of the group's flagship companies, Neel Metal Products, and it will give access to global platforms and German technology inheritance to Indian operations, JBM said in a statement. The company, however, did not disclose the value of the deal. Linde-Wiemann (L+W), which has revenue of USD 700 million, has 17 plants in eight countries -- Germany, US, China, Spain, Turkey, Czech Republic, Hungary and South Africa, employing over 2,300 people. JBM Group Executive Director Nishant Arya said, "This business activity is a strategic fit perfectly in sync with our existing scope of operations and solutions and will also further consolidate our global footprint." He further said JBM is looking forward to leverage L+W's experience in Europe coupled with the group's expertise in the auto component domain. The combination will focus on developing new products that contribute towards improving safety and performance of vehicles through light-weighting and minimising the time to market for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), offering an integrated one-stop solution, Arya added. Through the acquisition, JBM will also have access to L+W's strengths in domains such as electric vehicle components and systems, and battery structure and systems. Linde-Wiemann CEO Ulrich Schoof said, through the new business model, L+W will be able to unlock substantial growth by the adaption of product competencies in the area of chassis and suspension. "Furthermore, L+W will extend its holistic system understanding in the field of e-mobility through the exchange with JBM's electrical bus division," Schoof added. Headquartered in Dillenburg, Germany, Linde-Wiemann specialises in areas such as hot forming, tubular assemblies and usage of alternate materials such as aluminium resulting in lighweighting in auto systems. It supplies parts to global auto OEMs such as BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Porsche, Daimler, Ford and PSA. Representative Image The US-headquartered GlobalLogic is expanding its footprint in the Asia Pacific region (APAC) and is investing in setting up offices locally. It is also looking to double its India workforce in the next 2-3 years. It is a change in the company strategy, as Puneet Gupta, Chief Technology Officer, GlobalLogic India, says, Overall, the industry has neglected the APAC region till now. APAC region is one of the fastest growing regions in the digital space. However, not many companies, including GlobalLogic, focused on the region given the challenge in building business here until recently. For the company, 80 percent of the business comes from North America, 10-15 per cent from Europe and the rest from APAC region. It is this portion that the company is looking to increase with its latest APAC strategy. "When you apply the US model it does not work. You need to be local as each region is different. APAC is different, he explained. Unlike the US, the region has a longer decision life-cycle and is more successful when the business conversation is business leaders-led. Though there is initial resistance, Gupta said digital conversations are moving forward. The right trick for that is business leaders-led conversation. It has to be CEO or CTO driven, he added. The company is now in the process of setting up local offices and is already working with companies in sectors such as telecom, media, retail and other industries where GlobalLogic has competence in. We are putting up investment and setting up offices to expand in the market, he added. Though the company did not disclose the name of the locations, Gupta hinted that Singapore and Indonesia are few locations they are looking at. On the hiring front, Gupta said as they expand the business, the company is looking to hire 1,500 personnel in the next 2-3 years. India already accounts for over half of its 13,000 workforce. The company has been continuously stepping up its India workforce in the last few years. It has almost doubled its hiring since 2014, from 3,000 to 6,500 now. The company has its largest R&D centre in Noida and four more centres in Nagpur, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad. The company is opening its second centre in Bengaluru soon. According to media reports, the company is looking to triple its revenue to $2 billion by 2022, with revenue crossing $550 million at the beginning of 2018. Havard@India may still be a possibility. Ten years after a bill to the effect was turned down, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) is trying to revive proposals allowing the entry of foreign educational institutes into India. The Foreign Educational (Regulations of Entry and Operations) Bill, 2010 had proposed to allow international institutes to set-up campuses in India, but it could not be passed as lack of consensus on the process of granting approvals led to the bill being sent to the cold storage. Sources told Moneycontrol that MHRD will discuss this matter with the University Grants Commission (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and with representatives of some of the global institutes in the next few days to get views of the stakeholders on this matter. We want to finalise this process before general elections, so that there is clarity before the start of the academic session, said an official. The idea to allow foreign institutes into India stemmed when a few Europe-based business schools expressed interest to set-up a campus here. It was decided that these educational institutes would be allowed to set standalone campuses in India and offer degree programmes. But a lack of consensus stymied passage of the bill. Having an international institute set-up a campus in India would mean that the cost of higher education would not only be cheaper, but access to the institutes would be easier. Visiting the institute and examining the facilities offered will be viable if it is based in India. The government, on one hand, wants students to get access to the best educational facilities in the country, while on the other wants to ensure that students do not end up with dubious credentials. The idea is to get an assurance that the degrees will be compatible with the current education system in India. Also, students do not face any difficulty pursuing research or jobs after their education because of the fact that the institute is an Indian arm of the global one, added another official. Earlier, about 30 foreign institutes that had firmed up plans to enter the country had to change their focus to other markets. Even after extensive discussions with the then Human Resource Ministry, they had to drop their plans. The governments aim was to also encourage students to stay back for employment in India, thereby preventing a brain drain. Jet Airways owes banks nearly Rs 8,000 crore. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More In a joint statement that gave away little, Jet Airways and partner Etihad Airways reiterated that they are working towards the finalisation of a bank-led provisional resolution plan. But the statement didn't give any details. Instead, sources told Moneycontrol that details of the possible deal could come out in the first week of March, when Etihad is expected to meet Jet's lenders, led by State Bank of India. "The meeting is crucial, and the deal could fructify after that," said an executive from the industry. The plan was cleared by the Jet Airways board on February 14, and a week later on February 21, it also got the nod of shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting. The troubled airline, with mounting debt and stiff repayment schedule, was expected to make an announcement on the plan post the shareholders nod. But with reports emerging that Etihad had put in conditions for its investment, it may take a while more before the details are disclosed. "Jet Airways, its principal shareholders including Etihad Airways, and key financial stakeholders are working towards the finalisation and subsequent implementation of the Bank-led Provisional Resolution Plan (BLPRP), to ensure that the carrier emerges as a financially strong and resilient airline," Jet Airways' Chairman Naresh Goyal and Etihad Airways' Chief Executive Officer Tony Douglas said in a joint statement. "We are confident that once the BLPRP is finalized and implemented, Jet Airways will reemerge as a viable and robust airline to reclaim its rightful place as an airline of the first choice for its customers," the statement read. The two partners didn't give a timeline. Facing liquidity crunch, Jet Airways has been forced to ground aircraft, curtail its flights and delay salaries to its pilots. The carrier has debts of over Rs 8,000 crore, and has to make repayment of about Rs 1,700 crore by end of the March. The pilots and its union have threatened of non-cooperation if the dues are not cleared. The carrier has debts of over Rs 8,000 crore, and has to make repayment of about Rs 1,700 crore by end of the March. The plan After the allotment of fresh shares, which is part of the plan, banks will become the biggest shareholders of Jet Airways. Goyal's 51 percent stake may come down to 25 percent, and that of Etihad will reduce to 12 percent from the present 24 percent. But it remains to be seen how much of the debt will be converted to equity by the banks. Also, Etihad may put in more money, thereby increasing its stake in the airline. But it has put in conditions, including relaxation in giving an open offer, which would otherwise get triggered once the stake goes above 25 percent. "It's not a solution to have banks take control of an airline. They have no experience. At present no details are coming forth, and it's like the banks have bought a first class ticket to Titanic," said Mark Martin, Founder and CEO of Martin Consulting LLC, an aviation advisory and consulting firm. Goyal and his partner though sought to paint a more optimistic picture in their statement. They went on to list the challenges faced by the aviation industry over the past year due to rising oil prices, a depreciating rupee and market saturation, among other things. Despite being hit hard, Jet Airways has managed to improve on certain metrics such as network load factor that rose to a high of 87 percent through December 2018 and January 2019. The note pointed out that in November and December 2018, Jet Airways was ranked No. 1 among all Indian carriers when it came to on-time arrival performance with flight cancellation rate in December 2018 at a mere 0.2 percent, the lowest among Indian carriers. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More After remaining in captivity for almost three months, four employees of IL&FS Transportation Network (ITNL) have been rescued from Ethiopia and returned to India, the company said. On November 25, local Ethiopian workers of ITNL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of cash-strapped IL&FS Group, took hostage seven Indian employees for not having received salaries for the previous two months. Of the seven, three were released from captivity and had returned to India between December 2018 and January 2019, the company said in a statement. "We have been able to secure safe return of our four employees, working in projects in Ethiopia, to India. These four employees have returned to India on 24 February," ITNL said in a statement. IL&FS arm ITNL through its wholly owned subsidiary, Elsamex SA, has been executing road projects across three sites in Ethiopia. The company had defaulted on paying both taxes and local employee pensions for past few months. ITNL's subsidiary has employed close to 800 Ethiopian workers for its three construction sites. The company said since mid-2018, under its instructions, several of the Indian employees employed by its project companies had returned to India. IL&FS Group and its various subsidiaries, including ITNL, are facing a liquidity crisis and have defaulted on various debt payments. Ciner Resources LP, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the trona ore mining and soda ash production businesses in the United States and internationally. It processes trona ore into soda ash, which is a raw material in flat glass, container glass, detergents, chemicals, paper, and other consumer and industrial products. The company holds approximately 23,500 acres of leased and licensed subsurface mining areas in the Green River Basin of Wyoming. As of December 31, 2020, it had proven and probable reserves of approximately 208.2 million short tons of trona. Ciner Resource Partners LLC serves as the general partner of the company. The company was formerly known as OCI Resources LP and changed its name to Ciner Resources LP in November 2015. Ciner Resources LP was incorporated in 2013 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Ciner Resources LP is a subsidiary of Ciner Wyoming Holding Co. Read More Cebu (CNN Philippines, February 25) Seemingly changing his tune on the religious sector, President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday posted a warning to groups out to harm members of the Catholic Church. Speaking at the PDP-Laban campaign rally in Cebu on Sunday, Duterte told groups to "lay off" priests and other officials of the religious sector. This comes amid rumors that some individuals claiming to be working for the President's family have been sending death threats to some members of the sector. "Wala na sila'y labot sa ato Do not try to do it. Ang religious has nothing to do with the vagaries of life," Duterte said in Bisaya. [Translation: They have nothing to do with this. Do not try to do it. The religious (sector) has nothing to do with the vagaries of life.] "Lay off.. Oras manghilabot mo og madre ug pari, o imam... Ayaw ninyo pagahilabti na kay those are religious people. 'Pag ginalaw ninyo yan, kita'y mag-engkwentro diha," he emphasized. [Translation: Lay off. The moment you touch nuns or priests Do not touch them because those are religious people. If you touch them, you will answer to me.] Duterte, in the middle of his speech, revealed that Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle sent a text message regarding the supposed threats received by the clergy. "Good day po! Greetings from Rome! I was informed by Bishop David and some priests got death threats from someone to be claiming to be working for the President's family. Just to let you know. Baka may naninira. Thanks! We pray," Duterte said, reading the message from the Cardinal. The Chief Executive denied any ties with these groups, saying that they only aim to sow controversies by using his name. "Ingon ko wala akong ganun. Salamat po, Cardinal. (I told them, I do not have such groups. Thank you, Cardinal)," Duterte noted. Love-hate relationship? Duterte, in previous speeches, launched into a series of tirades against bishops, Catholic Church officials, and religion itself. In November 2018, he said Catholic beliefs are "archaic" and people should instead build their own chapels at home. The President also accused Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of "asking for contributions" and insinuated that the latter was involved in illegal drugs. David earlier slammed both allegations. READ: Malacanang to Church: Learn to accept criticism The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines in January issued a pastoral letter, where officials addressed some of the pressing national issues including the government's war on drugs, the recent Jolo twin bombings, and the House approval of the bill lowering the minimum age of responsibility. CNN Philippines' Cebu-based stringer Dale Israel and Digital Producer Alyssa Rola contributed to this report. More offensive than blackface: I cant believe how people are getting so upset about somebody who may have worn blackface 40 or 50 years ago. My god, they all did it back then for Halloween. What people need to start worrying about is people like that idiot Congresswoman ( Alexandria Ocasio) Cortez and all the crap she wants to do, including changing America into a crazy socialist country. The scary part of it is people are starting to listen to her. Whatever you do this weekend, go to church and pray. Pray these people dont get in power. Lino was one of six people accused of kidnapping a woman from her Elgin home on Feb. 26, 2016, and beating her before taking her to the Elgin apartment of Gino Moraca, where she was held against her will, beaten and burned with cigarettes, the release said. The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, implemented by Russian energy corporation Gazprom, serves the interests of Germany, according to Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Soder, as quoted by Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. The politician stressed that Germany needs as many ways for energy purchases as possible, while the US is constantly trying to impose its own liquefied natural gas (LNG) on European consumers by criticizing gas imports from Russia. To follow your own economic goals is normal, but to link such interests to security issues is unconvincing, Soder said. It is difficult to understand the US government when they call German cars a risk to US national security, and then sits down at the same table as we do at NATO. Also on rt.com No way back for Nord Stream 2 pipeline project Germany The comment came shortly after US Vice President Mike Pence once more blasted Berlin over its alleged energy dependence on Russia during the Munich Security Conference. Pence issued a warning to Germany over the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The Bavarian prime minister added that Germany has to look for multiple opportunities for gas purchases after the country rejected coal and nuclear energy. I cannot understand why the pipeline that comes from Russia via Ukraine should be safer than a direct pipeline from Russia to Germany, he said. When it comes to international politics, Moscow has no business being on the penalty bench, Soder said. Nord Stream 2 is set to run from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea. The pipeline, a joint venture of Russias Gazprom and five European energy majors, is expected to double the existing pipelines capacity of 55 billion cubic meters annually, and is supposed to come into operation by the end of 2019. Also on rt.com Replacing Russian gas with American LNG would be absolutely ridiculous expert to RT The pipeline has been repeatedly criticized by the US and some other eastern European countries. Ukraine has complained that it might lose gas transit revenue when the project is implemented. Both Moscow and Berlin have repeatedly stressed that the project is all about business and have assured Kiev that Russian gas transit through Ukraine will continue after the pipeline is built. Earlier this month, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said that the country is planning to continue buying Russian gas despite US pressure and fear-mongering from other European nations over dangers to the energy security of the EU. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section As Washington and Caracas blame each other for torching a truck carrying what the US called vital humanitarian supplies from Colombia to Venezuela, a video has emerged, finally shedding some light on the incident. The truck caught fire and burned down during a failed attempt on Saturday by US-backed opposition activists to breach the closed Colombia-Venezuela border crossing at the Francisco de Paula Santander Bridge, near the Venezuelan city of Urena. The Venezuelan government refuses to let the American cargo in, calling these humanitarian convoys a propaganda stunt and a precursor to a military invasion. Photos of the incident were immediately used by US officials to double down on their outrage and calls for regime change in Caracas. But footage that has surfaced on social media tells a strikingly different story, pinning the blame on activists in the crowd. One clip appears to have caught the moment a man on the Colombian side of the border pelted a Molotov cocktail at the truck, while another video from the scene showed the opposition activists openly preparing the incendiary devices. Border security guards can be seen patiently holding their line at a distance, casting further doubts on claims that the truck was seized and torched after it had crossed into Venezuela. Also on rt.com Who burnt the truck? Venezuelan FM says false flag expert Pompeo should look among his agents Like this story? Share it with a friend! A record number of Afghan civilians, mostly women children, were killed in 2018, a new UN report said, pinning the sharp increase on US airstrike rules of engagement, relaxed after almost two decades of futile war. Despite promises from the White House to reduce the number of troops currently stationed in Afghanistan, the 18-years-long American campaign is far from finished and is claiming a record number of civilian lives, a new United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) report reveals. In fact, the battle against the Taliban and the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIL) forces in the country is witnessing a news resurgence on a scale not seen in the last decade. Also on rt.com Trump mulling mass pullout of troops from Afghanistan reports At least 3,804 civilians died last year in Afghanistan, while another 7,189 were wounded, UNAMA said in its annual report, stressing that 2018 became the deadliest on record ever since the organization began tallying figures, in 2009. While stressing that 63 percent of all civilian casualties were caused by Islamist militants, the annual review also noted a steady increase in civilian casualties, caused by the relaxation of the rules of engagement for airstrikes by the US-led forces in 2017. After documenting an 85 percent spike in child casualties from aerial operations in 2017, the UN report stressed that US-led airstrikes have caused the same number of civilian casualties as those inflicted by government forces on the ground. UNAMA recorded a 61 percent rise in civilian casualties, and documented 1,015 civilian deaths and 479 injuries from 173 aerial operations conducted by the so-called 'pro-government forces' last year. In 2018, approximately the same number of civilians were killed from airstrikes as in 2014, 2015 and 2016 combined, the report says. Women and children continued to comprise almost two-thirds of all civilian casualties from aerial operations, amounting to 320 deaths and 328 injured. The US-led coalition, whose own tally places civilian casualties at only 62 people, defended the use of its aerial tactics, stressing that it is taking all feasible precautions to limit the loss of civilian lives. For the last few months, the US has been calling for direct talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government to try to somewhat stabilize the situation in the country after the apparent failure of the destructive American mission. The US hopes that reconciliation between numerous warring factions and the government could pave the way for a partial US withdrawal. Also on rt.com Taliban & Afghan delegates seek end to 18yr war at Moscow peace talks boycotted by US-backed Kabul Russia, meanwhile, has been engaged in a separate diplomatic push aimed at seeking ways to build an inclusive intra-Afghan dialogue. Representatives of the Taliban met with numerous Afghan delegates in Moscow earlier this month to discuss the prospects of peace and the removal of all foreign troops from the country. Despite progress made, the government of President Ashraf Ghani refused to attend the talks, placing their trust in US diplomacy to end the conflict they have helped create. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! The debt settlement fund in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced plans to write off loans worth 361 million dirhams taken out by more than 3,300 Emiratis, the countrys state news agency WAM reports. The measure is intended to ensure a decent standard of life for all Emiratis, along with a high level of social stability, according to Jaber Mohammad Ganem Al Suwaidi, general-director of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi and chairman of the Supreme Committee of the Debt Settlement Fund, as cited by the agency. Also on rt.com Venezuela to sell gold reserves to UAE without Russias help report According to Al Suwaidi, the generous step will decrease the financial burden for the countrys nationals. The debts remission coincides with the Year of Tolerance, announced by UAE President Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The initiative will reportedly be implemented in close partnership between the UAE Banks Federation and the UAE Central Bank, with 13 local lenders taking part in the program. The national banks that are going to discharge the debts include Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, the National Bank of Ras Al-Khaimah, Al Hilal Bank, Union National Bank, Noor Bank, Emirates Islamic, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Sharjah Islamic Bank, and Arab Bank for Investment & Foreign Trade. Also on rt.com Bye-bye dollar: India & UAE agree to trade in local currencies The government has also launched special awareness sessions to improve the financial literacy of Emiratis by providing details on the risks of living on loans and teaching young people how to manage their finances. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section US President Donald Trump has promised to extend the temporary truce in the trade war with China, claiming that talks between the sides were so productive that he might even meet his counterpart Xi Jinping in person soon. Trump hinted that an agreement might be concluded during a face-to-face meeting with Xi at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, but gave no concrete time frames, saying that additional progress was needed. Beijing and Washington are struggling to come to an agreement before the March 1 deadline that marks the end of a 90-day truce the leaders agreed-to when they met in Argentina late last year. The US has repeatedly accused China of stealing trade secrets and of unfairly subsidizing its economy, while Beijing slammed US measures as protectionist. Also on rt.com US is still sounding the alarm on China, but their confrontation could be apocalyptic As part of the standoff Washington imposed tariffs on $250 billion on Chinese imports. Beijing retaliated with levies on $110 billion on US goods. Trump has threatened to extend the tariffs to an additional $267 billion on Chinese goods, unless a trade deal is reached. The White House also plans to hike tariffs on $200 billion-worth of Chinese imports from 10 percent to 25 percent. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker gave everyone a laugh when he answered a phone call in the middle of a press conference from the usual suspect, his wife. Apparently having not yet learned to put his phone on silent after his phone disrupted another press conference a few years ago, Junckers phone went off a total of three times at the EU-Arab League press conference in Egypt on Monday. While Jean-Claude screened Miss Merkels call in 2017, he amused his audience in Egypt by answering his wife (albeit on her third try). After briefly responding and hanging up, he relayed to his audience that the call was from the usual suspect, i.e. his spouse, inciting raucous laughter. He then proceeded with his speech completely casually. The first ever EU-Arab league conference was being held in Sharm El-Sheikh and aimed at strengthening the regions partnership on common challenges like terrorism and migration. The next summit is scheduled to take place in Brussels in 2022. Also on rt.com My job here is hell, EUs Juncker laments, as Brexit deadlock looms large Juncker has made headlines on more than one occasion for his odd actions during diplomatic events. The kooky commissioner drew fire after a European Council summit where he tussled womens hair, threw papers on the floor and even blocked a camera with his hand like a paparazzi-hating celebrity. Like this story? Share it with a friend! US Senator Marco Rubio has posted a picture of the brutal murder of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in a less-than-subtle threat to Venezuelas Maduro. Twitter blasted Rubio as a manic warmonger who has extremely poor taste. The two pictures one showing Gaddafi while still in power, the other showing the Libyan leader being tortured minutes before his brutal murder were posted by Sen. Rubio (R-FL) on Twitter without any caption. Yet, given his open calls for an armed insurrection in the Latin American country to depose President Nicolas Maduro, the message was clear. Openly threatening a head of a foreign country with a brutal death at the hands of US-propped militants was, apparently, just a tiny bit off: while a few Twitteratti supported Rubio's vision of Maduro's demise, the majority blasted the senator over an extreme lack of taste or decency. Some argued that any account spewing warmongering propaganda at such a rate would likely be suspended if it did not belong to a US Senator, of course. Marco Rubio just posted a violent, graphic death threat. If any of the rest of us posted this, we'd be suspended for it, journalist Bill Palmer tweeted. Many noted that Libya is not the best example of the US bringing its democracy overseas, but arguably the worst one. With the slave trade there on the rise, the country is effectively fractured into several warring statelets, with gangs of armed democrats fighting for control. Apart from the pictures of Gaddafi, Rubio posted a similar split of Manuel Noriega the de facto ruler of Panama in the 1980s. Once a valuable CIA asset whod helped Washington in arming the Contras of Nicaragua, Noriega was ousted during the US invasion of the country. Needless to say, the invasion claimed many lives, while Noriega spent the rest of his life in prison. Also on rt.com US-backed opposition caught on VIDEO throwing Molotov cocktails at aid truck on Venezuela border Like this story? Share it with a friend! Residents have overwhelmingly rejected the relocation of a US military base to a remote part of Okinawa out of fear it will destroy the ecosystem and jeopardize locals safety. But Tokyo will likely ignore the protest, as usual. The non-binding referendum saw a 52 percent turnout and some 72.2 percent of locals have said 'No' to the construction of a military base next to the fishing village of Henoko. Only 19 percent voted in favor of moving Futenma Marine Corps airbase to a new location, away from the densely populated Ginowan city, the prefecture reported. Also on rt.com Japanese PM Abe set to ignore local referendum on US Okinawa military base relocation But, despite the massive public opposition, the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe continues to insist that American presence on the island is vital to Japans deterrence capabilities and ability to protect itself against potential adversaries. The Japanese government is pushing through the construction by force, one of the voters, Sina Miyagi, told RTs Ruptly. However, I hope that our opinion will make a difference and Okinawa and Japan will restart dialogue, so that both can find a compromise. Okinawa accommodates about half of the 54,000 American troops stationed in Japan, to the detriment of the locals, who continue to rally against noise pollution and the behavior of US troops, who, in the past, had repeatedly been involved in sexual assaults and even deadly incidents. There are many people protesting in Henoko every day, another local, Sho Asato, said. I hope this referendum will be a show of support to them. Over the years, Henoko has become synonymous with mass protests and numerous sit-ins, as locals rally to preserve the peaceful existence of Henoko Bay, where corals and dugongs could face extinction from the US presence. Also on rt.com 70,000 people protest US army base in Okinawa Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! DETROIT Its trade deadline day in the NHL. The Detroit Red Wings have made a pair of moves the past few days and are still exploring more possibilities prior to the 3 p.m. deadline. Goaltender Jimmy Howard is the biggest name on the board for Detroit. General manager Ken Holland said on Friday that he doesnt anticipate signing Howard to a contract extension by today, meaning hell continue seeking offers for the soon-to-be 35-year in the final year of his deal. Calgary, Carolina, Pittsburgh and San Jose are among the limited number of teams that might be seeking help in goal. If the Red Wings move Howard, it would likely be for a package that includes a second-round pick. They would then look to re-sign him as a free agent on July 1. Howard has expressed his desire to return to Detroit. Howard returned to practice Monday after missing a few days with the flu. Other Red Wings are drawing interest, including checking center/winger Luke Glendening, who Toronto was pursuing last year. Glendening has two years remaining on his contract, after this season, at a $1.8 million cap hit. The Red Wings value what he brings and wont move him unless they receive a solid offer. Forward Thomas Vanek, whom the Red Wings traded for Florida two years ago at the deadline for a third-round pick, might be in play. But he has a full no-trade clause and would need to sign off. Niklas Kronwall has drawn some interest from Toronto and Columbus, among other teams, but the Red Wings believe he has earned the right to finish his career in Detroit if he chooses. He would only be moved if he approves. The Red Wings traded forward Gustav Nyquist to the San Jose Sharks Sunday night, receiving a second-round pick in 2019 and a third-round selection in 2020, which will become a second-rounder if the Sharks reach the Stanley Cup final or Nyquist re-signs with San Jose. Detroit dealt defenseman Nick Jensen to the Washington Capitals on Friday, receiving a second-round pick in 2020 and defenseman Madison Bowey. BAY CITY, MI The next phase of Uptown Bay City is expected to begin in the fall or in early 2020, the projects developer said Monday. The work will include construction of a new mixed-use buildings to further connect downtown Bay City to the Uptown Bay City site. The update was given at the Great Lakes Bay Economic Club luncheon meeting at Saginaw Valley State University on Monday, Feb. 25, where President and Chief Executive Officer of Shaheen Development Dr. Samuel Shaheen and Vice President Peter Shaheen gave updates on some of their developments in the mid-Michigan area. The next phase of Uptown is really working to concentrate on integrating Uptown with downtown, Peter Shaheen said. Currently, the centers of commerce and activity are isolated by (neighboring) blight and vacant land and we are working to bridge that gap and build the two neighborhoods together. The new area of land is expected to produce 700,000-800,000 square feet of residential and commercial mixed-use properties. Additionally, roughly 80 residential units will be the first to go up in the near future. According to a PowerPoint presentation at the meeting, 200,000 square feet will be commercial with 530,000 square feet being commercial. Right now, its based on the square footage, but itll be hundreds of residential units and several commercial spaces as well, Samuel Shaheen said, adding that the next phase will be 10 to 15 years of continuous development. Its a continuum of development over the next decade or so." In comparison, phase one took roughly five years to complete. Peter also said the next phase of the development will include the reconfiguration of the M-25 off-ramp from Veterans Memorial Bridge that currently leads into the F.P. Horak building. One of the main factors of this is going to be improving the M-25 off ramp as you come into Bay City, he said. Right now thats kind of an abandoned network of roads and infrastructure so we will recreate that. Samuel Shaheen added that they are starting to work on demolishing the F. P. Horak building and that it will be taken down in the coming months. On March 20, site plans for phase two of the development will go before the Bay City Planning Commission, which will see the commission either approve or reject the developers latest plans for the site along the Saginaw River. The commission will work with the development company on refinements to the plans, if necessary. Dana Muscott, Bay City manager, said Shaheen Development is spending roughly $16 million to complete the second phase of the project with the city investing an additional $7.3 million that the city bonded out and will be repaid through tax increment financing. She added that no public money will be used for the project. OSHTEMO TOWNSHIP, MI Police have identified the three people killed in a car-train crash Sunday in Kalamazoo. A northbound vehicle was struck by a westbound Amtrak train around 10 p.m. at the railroad crossing at 11th Street near KL Avenue in Oshtemo Township. All three people in the vehicle were killed, according to Michigan State Police. Police have identified the victims as Jarmaine Brown, 20, Marcionna Edwards, 19, and Jordan Brooks, 18, all of Kalamazoo. No one was injured on the Amtrak train. State police are investigating circumstances that caused the crash and whether the flashing lights and train crossing gates were working at the time of the crash, Michigan State Police Sgt. Brian Buege said. Investigators are waiting to video footage from the front of the Amtrak train, Michigan State Police Lt. Ryan Schoonveld said. He said investigators have gained a lot of information about how the crash happened and expect to release more information later this week. Schoonveld could not say who was driving. He also could not say when autopsies on the victims would be performed. This is the second fatal crash at the train crossing in recent years. On Nov. 18, 2014, 21-year-old Joshua Cartwright, 20-year-old Ashley Melson and 19-year-old Justin Mastin, all of Kalamazoo, were killed when an Amtrak train hit their minivan. In that case, witnesses told police that a minivan, driven by Cartwright, was northbound on 11th Street when it drove around vehicles that were stopped for train crossing signals. The van drove around the crossing signals and was struck broadside by an eastbound Amtrak train that was carrying about 120 passengers. The van was pushed about a mile before the train came to a complete stop. KALAMAZOO, MI -- Advocates and family members are hopeful the Michigan Attorney Generals Office will be able to resolve a 35-year-old investigation into the death of Erik Cross. According to a Monday, Feb. 25 news release, the Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Office and the Kalamazoo County Prosecuting Attorneys Office asked the Michigan Attorney General to review the homicide investigation. During the last few years, a group of family members and dedicated supporters sought to pressure Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeffrey Getting to authorize charges against suspects in the case. Cross was a 16-year-old Vicksburg High School student when police suspect he was intentionally hit with a vehicle while walking to his familys home. Cross was found lying in the roadway in the 5100 block of East Y Avenue in the early morning of June 26, 1983. Arrest warrants were requested in October 2017 for people suspected of being involved in his death, but Getting did not file charges. Detectives have said previously that theyve focused on a core group of four to five people who were either directly involved in Cross death or victims of circumstance, but have lacked enough information to make an arrest. A friend of the Cross family, Melissa Hatfield, said she hopes Attorney General Dana Nessel will have good news before the 36-year anniversary of Cross death. Hatfield said the development was made possible by years of grassroots efforts to raise awareness and collect evidence in partnership with the county sheriffs office. Its just overwhelming, Hatfield said. I dont want to get my hopes up, and the family and the group doesnt, but this is the most movement since those arrest warrant requests in 36 years and its overdue." At least theyre taking the time to say this needs to be closed. This case has gone on too long. It does need some resolution. Finally someone in authority in the state of Michigan will take a look at this boys case and see if it will go somewhere." Hatfield was Cross classmate when he was murdered. She became more involved in efforts to find his killer after she found a Facebook group in 2010 started by his sister, Jackie Mitchell. Members of Eriks Army and Justice for Erik spread information about the case across the country through social media, billboards, posters and flyers. Hatfield said the effort revealed previously unknown witnesses to police, slowly putting together pieces of a puzzle that formed a clearer image over time. One poster at a time reaches one person at a time, Hatfield said. If we can reach one person that has a piece of information, well get them to police and keep pushing in there as quickly as we can find people. Hatfield said advocates never received a response to hundreds of handwritten appeals to former Attorney General Bill Schuette. She has more confidence that Nessel will resolve the case. I dont know that Nessel is someone who messes around, Hatfield said. I dont know the lady, but I have a feeling that she is stepping into a position where she could do a lot of good here and change a lot for a lot of people by resolving this. Hatfield said she wasnt given any indication of how long the review could take Nessels office. Every year, supporters and family members retrace the route Cross would have walked on his way home on the night of his death. To know that he made it home and was then taken is one of those things that really hits you when you walk down that road," Hatfield said. "He thought he was home and the next time he came home he was dead. HUDSON, MI A missing 94-year-old South Lyon man was found by police 70 miles from his home after he got lost driving during Sundays windstorm. A Michigan State Police trooper from the Jackson post was on routine patrol when at about 8:25 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, he saw a vehicle turning the wrong way onto U.S. 127 near U.S. 223 in Hillsdale County and stopped it, according to Michigan State Police. The trooper discovered the man was on his way to Redford from South Lyon when he left the highway, got lost and was attempting to head back north, police said. Police contacted the mans family who said they had not yet filed a police report, but had been looking for him since 5 p.m., police said. The trooper stayed with the man until his family came and took him home safely, police said. Deerfield art teacher Chris Sykora said he wanted to find a way for his students to add emotion to technique in their work. He connected with Cheryl Jefferson of Chicago, who developed the exhibit and shows pieces of it dealing with such issues as child marriage, honor killing and other cultural phenomena around the country. GRAND RAPIDS, MI As school districts rack up snow days during winter storms, 19 Kent and Ottawa county districts have received approval from the state for three extra forgiven days so far. Michigan law allows districts to be forgiven for six days of closures due to conditions beyond their control such as weather and power outages before having to make up lost instructional days. An additional three days may be granted with the approval of the state superintendent. However, multiple districts in the Kent and Ottawa ISDs have already reached or exceeded nine snow days. Some of those districts are up to 13, 14 or 15 days. That means their students could be destined for an extra week of school in June. But lawmakers are considering legislative relief for this unusual winter. Michigan Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich, D-Flint, introduced a bill that would exclude snow days during the period Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency regarding the extreme cold - Jan. 28 through Feb. 2. In the House, Rep. Ben Frederick, R-Owosso, has similar legislation to hold school districts harmless for closures during that time. Most local schools were shut down that entire week, with wind chills at minus 30 degrees and icy roads, so they would gain five days. I have received calls from parents passionate on both sides of this issue,'' said state Rep. Lynn Afendoulis, R-Grand Rapids Township. There are those who want to see kids make up the instructional days and others who want them waived. I have to weigh all the information from my school superintendents, parents, and colleagues.'' In the meantime, districts can at least pursue the three extra days. Rockford, Hudsonville, Kentwood, Caledonia, West Ottawa, Lowell, Zeeland, Grandville, Jenison, and Wyoming schools are among those recently approved for the three days. Some districts are still in the process of applying for the waiver, and others are still waiting for approval such as Grand Rapids, which has 11 snow days, and Cedar Springs, which is at 14 days. When considering a snow day waiver request, Interim State Superintendent Sheila Alles looks at the number of instructional days scheduled, according to the Michigan Department of Education. Some other considerations include: Building, district, or program level Number of days requesting Number of instructional days originally scheduled - a few districts have less than the required 180 days scheduled due to preexisting collective bargaining agreements Date and rationale for all closures If theyve already attempted to add instructional hours and days Rationale supporting why these days cannot be rescheduled before the end of the school year The request must also demonstrate how the district initially prepared for cancellations for the current school year, as well as indicate how they might improve upon their planning process for subsequent school year. For instance, some districts build in extra days and might have 182 or 183 days in their calendar. Rockford schools is benefiting from the three days, but waiving the week missed during the polar vortex would have more impact. The district of nearly 8,000 students has had to cancel school 15 days, including Monday, Feb. 25, because of yet another winter storm. Grand Rapids, Forest Hills, and Kentwood were among other districts that closed today. I am in favor of legislation approving the state of emergency days as added snow days, said Rockford Superintendent Michael Shibler. We have another one and a half months of winter to experience. The district was granted three additional days, but after using the nine forgiven days - the original six plus the three additional waived days - that still leaves them five days to be made up so far. Forest Hills Public Schools, which has nearly 10,000 students, has closed 13 days this school year. Officials plan to apply for the three-day waiver. Superintendent Dan Behm also supports the bills to waive the snow days the week of Jan. 28. Obviously, he said the most important issue is safety. We would happily add a few extra days in June in order to keep everyone safe during this extreme weather, Behm said. The issue becomes how many days do we add in June. Any teacher will tell you that instructional time in mid- to late-June is really challenging. Behm said he knows many people are concerned with the loss of instructional days this winter but what people may not remember is that there have been 11 days added to the school year over the past several years. Students who graduated in 2005 only had 170 scheduled school days, he said, noting with snow days they attended less than 165 days. These kids are now adults and doing fine. Additionally, Behm said districts schedule instructional time that goes well beyond the statutory minimum. Over the course of a student's K-12 education, he said students will have well over 14,000 hours of time in the classroom, even with snow days. Below are the other nine districts in Kent and Ottawa counties that have been approved for the additional three days so far: OTTAWA COUNTY, MI A fire destroyed a house Monday, Feb. 25, in Nunica, but residents escaped safely. Crockery Township firefighters responded to a 7:50 a.m. call that fire had started at the front of the house. When firefighters arrived, the front of the house was engulfed in flames, with fire breaking through the roof. Crockery Township firefighters sought assistance from neighboring fire departments to help at the scene and to cover their station for other calls. The American Red Cross of Ottawa County responded to help the victims of the fire. The fire happened on Stoneway Drive, a cul-de-sac off of Cleveland Street, or M-104. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Civil rights groups allege Grand Rapids police officials acted on racial profiling not fear of terrorism when they called federal immigration authorities on a former U.S. Marine who is Latino. The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and Michigan Immigrant Rights Center released police communications they received through a Freedom of Information Act on Monday. They say those communications outline a pattern of racial profiling based on police actions. A separate Freedom of Information Act request by MLive/The Grand Rapids Press relays, among other details, confusion from a Kent County prosecutor to police on why ICE was contacted regarding the former U.S. Marine who is a Grand Rapids native. Jilmar Ramos-Gomez was arrested in November after setting a small fire inside Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital and then standing on the rooftop helipad. He was later held for three days by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who concluded he was a foreign national illegally in the U.S. even though he was arrested with a U.S. passport. Grand Rapids police officials have maintained ICE was contacted because investigators believed it was a potential act of terrorism. According to the ACLU and Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, the notion that Ramos-Gomez was a potential terrorist and should be dealt with by federal authorities was dismissed by investigators early on, saying instead he was suffering post-traumatic stress disorder. Grand Rapids Interim Police Chief David Kiddle, in a statement last week clearing but not naming the officer who contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, maintained the officer contacted ICE because he believed Ramos-Gomez actions met the criteria of a potential act of terrorism." Kiddles statement was made following an internal affairs review of the case. Kiddle said the officer is the departments liaison to ICE. Emails obtained by MLive through the Freedom of Information Act indicate Grand Rapids Police Capt. Curt VanderKooi contacted ICE. Grand Rapids police officials declined to offer further comment. VanderKooi asked ICE officials to check Ramos-Gomez immigration status about 12 hours after Ramos-Gomez was arrested in the Nov. 21 incident, according to emails obtained by MLive through FOIA. A screenshot of a text the ACLU says is a communication from a Grand Rapids police investigator to a Federal Bureau of Investigation contact nearly eight hours earlier dismisses the notion that investigators thought Ramos-Gomez was a potential terrorist. The text states: Vet, PTSD. But not a FBI issue. Thanks much. ICE Deportation Officer Matthew Lopez emailed VanderKooi back two days later, saying they concluded after an interview that Ramos-Gomez was a foreign national illegally in the U.S. Lopez thanked VanderKooi for the tip, adding that he should contact them again if you ever have any other good leads. ICE officials previously said in a statement they sought to detain Ramos-Gomez for immigration proceedings after he allegedly told them he was a foreign national illegally present in the U.S." VanderKooi, in an email with ICE officials on Nov. 26, referred to Ramos-Gomez in the subject line as the Spectrum Helicopter Pad Loco." It is not clear what mad intent was involved in this breach of hospital security but here is the report," he wrote to ICE officials. Police reports obtained by MLive state Ramos-Gomez had a passport in his possession when he was arrested. Ramos-Gomezs family says his actions were related to post-traumatic stress disorder and that he is currently receiving mental health treatment. Ramos-Gomez, a lance corporal and tank crewman, served in Afghanistan from 2011 to 2014. We cant begin to restore community trust until the GRPD recognizes this for what it is: racial profiling compounded by ridicule of a person who experiences Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of his service to our country, ACLU attorney Miriam Aukerman said in a statement. Hillary Scholten, an attorney with MIRC, said in a statement that VanderKooi reaching out to ICE and not the FBI shows he wasnt concerned with the incident as possible terrorism. To suggest that Captain VanderKooi was investigating terrorism, when he asked ICE only about Mr. Ramos-Gomezs status and did not follow up despite not receiving a response for two days, doesnt pass the laugh test, Scholten said. "This was racial profiling, pure and simple. The emails obtained by MLive also highlight a confusion among law enforcement and prosecutors about why Ramos-Gomez was deemed a foreign national illegally in the U.S. to be detained after his criminal case concluded. I am confused, said Kent County Assistant Prosecutor Daniel Helmer in a response email to news about ICE wanting to detain Ramos-Gomez. Didnt his property have a U.S. passport in it? And he was a veteran?! Grand Rapids Police Officer Adam Baylis, who is listed as the investigating officer on the Nov. 21 incident, responded to Helmer. "Who knows, not sure it was a U.S. passport .... I am not sure about the vet thing.. he wrote Helmer back. Ramos-Gomez was transferred Dec. 14 from Kent County Jail to the Calhoun County Jail for possible deportation proceedings. He was released three days later only after an attorney, contacted by Ramos-Gomez mother, provided citizenship documentation to ICE. ACLU has maintained Jilmar was arrested with several documents of identification on him: a U.S. passport, Michigan drivers license, military ID card and U.S. Marine tags. Kent County Jail officials have previously said Ramos-Gomez was lodged with a Michigan drivers license in his possession. The incident prompted Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young in January to change her departments policy of cooperation with ICE. Her office no longer honors federal immigration holds without an arrest warrant signed by a judge. The move, LaJoye-Young said at the time, provides another layer of oversight. A person can be held in the Kent County Jail for up to three days passed their stay on local charges if ICE has both a detainment request and an arrest warrant for that person. GAYLORD, MI Drifts as high as three feet have been reported on I-75, which was shut down overnight. We have the winter weather trifecta this morning: deep snow/drifts in places, strong winds creating low visibility situations, and icy conditions where snow plows have been able to clear the snow, state police said on Twitter. Troopers reported drifts as high as three feet near Gaylord. The road is open but police said travel is not advised. Update: US-131 is still closed between Alba Road and M-32 as plows attempt to clear snow drifts. I-75 is open to at least one lane in both directions, but some ramps are full of deep snow. Many backroads remain unplowed throughout northern Michigan. @MSPNorthernMI (@mspnorthernmi) February 25, 2019 After the Gaylord Regional Dispatch Center reported that I-75 was open, police received reports that parts of U.S. 131 between Alba and Elmira was snowed shut, state police said. Travel remains extremely difficult, if not impossible, early this morning across much of (Northern Michigan) due to significant drifting overnight, the National Weather Service in Gaylord said. FLINT, MI Three Flint police officers have been placed on administrative leave following a vehicle pursuit and fatal shooting Sunday morning. A vehicle pursuit involving Flint police ended around 2:20 a.m. Feb. 24 in an officer-involved shooting on westbound Interstate 69 at Center Road. Flint Police Detective Sgt. Tyrone Booth issued a statement Sunday afternoon that reads As a standard practice, the officers involved in the shooting are now on administrative leave while the investigation is being conducted. The person shot has been identified by Flint and Michigan State Police as Tommy John-Ernest Kirby, 41, of Flint. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A Flint police officer is receiving treatment for a minor injury sustained during the incident. The incident started when Flint police were dispatched to the area of Iowa Avenue and Broadway Boulevard to investigate a suspicious person. When an officer made contact with the person, the person fled the area in a vehicle which began a pursuit that ended on westbound I-69. Traffic was diverted off westbound I-69 at Center Road for several hours as police combed over the scene. The Michigan State Police Crime Lab out of Bridgeport responded to the interstate along with the Michigan State Polices Third District Special Investigations section. Michigan State Police Lt. Duane Zook noted they were not involved in any other portion of the incident aside from assisting Flint police on the interstate. He added the police officers injuries did not come as a direct result of the shooting. The incident remains under investigation. Flint and Michigan State Police will provide additional information on the incident in the coming days, Booth said. FLINT, MI -- Controversial Flint filmmaker Michael Moore has been told where to go, but on Tuesday, Feb. 26, we find out more about where hes from. Moore is the subject of Tuesdays episode of Finding Your Roots, the PBS series that explores the ancestral heritage of celebrated guests by using cutting-edge DNA analysis and old school genealogicial detective work. In an exclusive clip from an episode scheduled to air at 8 p.m., Moore describes how finding out about his ancestry was so powerful, reinforcing that his beliefs and values didnt just come out of thin air. My soul has been touched by this because who I am and how I feel and what I believe in just didnt appear, he says. It came through a shared experience by many, many people, passed down. Finding Your Roots isnt giving away further details about Moores episode, part of the shows fifth season. In a news release, it says the roots of guests in this season, which include Moore, Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei, and politicians Marco Rubio and Paul Ryan, cover the globe -- from Samoa, Nigeria, Taiwan and Sicily to Iran, Ireland, India and Cuba -- and almost everywhere in between. Finding Your Roots is hosted by Henry Lousis Gates Jr., who is also the programs executive producer. FLINT, MI World-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma is set to make a stop in Flint this week as part of a Day of Action." Ma is scheduled to hold an invitation-only working session on Thursday, Feb. 28 with dozens of Flint-based community leaders at the Flint Fresh Food Hub to discuss cultural collaboration for social change and later take part in a Community Cultural Showcase at Berston Field House. The Day of Action is themed Flint Voices: Culture, Community, and Resilience and will explore how culture has help raised voices in helping to create a strong community and forward-looking view for the city. Culture matters because it helps us connect and understand one another, said Yo-Yo Ma in a news release. And its only through connection and understanding that we can create strong, inclusive and resilient communities and build a better future. I have watched with the nation as Flint has done just that. The visit to Flint -- the day after a stop in Ann Arbor where Ma will speak at the Hill Auditorium on the University of Michigan campus -- comes during his two-year journey for the Bach Project that began in August 2018. The project includes performing Johann Sebastian Bachs six suites for solo cello in 36 places around the world to engage in conversation about cultures role in society. In each Bach Project location, Ma and his team partner with artists and culture makers, cultural and community organizations, and leaders from across sectors to design conversations, collaborations and performances. The Community Cultural Showcase being hosted by Ma will run from 4-6 p.m. Feb. 28 at Berston Field House, 3300 N. Saginaw St., and include performances and presentations to show off the citys vitality, diversity, and artistry in a new way as well as food from Flint Farmers Market vendors. We are extremely excited that Yo-Yo Ma has chosen the Flint Community for one of his Days of Action, and were so honored to be a community sponsor and host site for this event, said Bryant Nolden, Friends of Berston Executive Director. We look forward to inviting others in the community in to see what kinds of special events happen at Berston on a daily basis and to showcase both the facility and our incredible cultural community to a wider audience. Natasha Thomas Jackson, a community organizer and artist who is curating the Day of Action Community Cultural Showcase, called Flint a place where resilient and talented people have used creativity, arts, culture and activism to shape the life of the city for a long time and it makes for Ma to choose the city for such an event. This day is a wonderful opportunity for our community to explore how we can better cultivate a culture of inclusion, accessibility and diversity in both large institutions and small grassroots organizations, she said. Its also an opportunity for the many brilliant artists in our city to collaborate with and perform alongside Yo-Yo Ma. I am excited to see the intentional action steps and the amazing performances that come out of this day. His visit is made possible with support from the University of Michigan-Flint Office of the Chancellor and the University of Michigan-Flint Office of the Provost, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, The Hagerman Foundation, the Ruth Mott Foundation and the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. Sue Alcock, the Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Michigan-Flint, said, It is exhilarating to be part of an inspiring project that seeks to heal and bring people together. Arts and culture have long played a key role in how we have imagined and built our past, present, and now, our future and were elated that Yo-Yo Ma wants to shine a spotlight on the strong and talented community that is Flint, she added. The showcase event at Berston Field House is free and open to the public until capacity is reached. ANN ARBOR, MI - Protesters on the University of Michigan campus spoke out Monday, Feb. 25, against a UM-Flint professor who filed a federal complaint against a Detroit coding course that catered specifically to black girls. A group of 15 demonstrators from the National Action Network (NAN) decried School of Management Professor Mark Perrys decision to make the complaint with the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights, alleging a computer coding camp hosted at Wayne State University last summer violated federal Title IX law because it was meant for minority girls only. NAN Michigan Chapter President Charles Williams II said Perrys actions threaten opportunities for young black girls and could prevent them from being able to enter science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs at universities like UM and WSU. Standing outside of the UM presidents house Monday, Williams also called on the university to look into whether Perry is using his time as a tenured faculty member to conduct research and file complaints with the OCR. Several questions need to be answered. Is the professor using this as research? Is it funded by the university? Is he doing this on university time? Williams asked. This suit is even more alarming, considering that the STEM industry is overwhelmingly white and male. Perry has challenged around 30 girls-only summer STEM camps at universities across the country, including Wayne State and the University of Michigan. Black Girls Code is a separate organization from Wayne State, but because the organization hosted the event on a campus that accepts federally funding, the college must follow Title IX, Perry claims. Perry said he personally supports the Black Girls Code organization, donating to their organization last week, but still believes it discriminates, particularly against black boys. Schools all over the country do this, where they have these summer STEM camps or coding camps that are restricted to girls-only, Perry said. Perry noted he typically has reached out to universities he believes are violating Title IX before filing a complaint with the OCR, and some have worked with him to provide similar programs for boys. This was the case at Eastern Michigan University, Perry said, which now invites "Digital Dudes to be a part of its annual Digital Divas conference. My goal is to have consistent enforcement of Title IX across the country and end this kind of double standard that they have, Perry said. ... I wasnt trying to pick on Black Girls Code or Wayne State. It was just that I noticed they were hosting that group every summer. WSU spokesman Matthew Lockwood said Black Girls Code is a voluntary youth service organization that is tax-exempt. The university also hosts co-educational programs in coding and other STEM fields similar to Black Girls Code for both boys and girls. Therefore, the university is not in violation of Title IX or any other statute or law prohibiting discrimination based on sex. In addition, Black Girls Code allows girls from all racial backgrounds to participate in its programs, Lockwood said. Perry also filed a complaint against UM, alleging the university offers resources, funding, initiatives and scholarships available to women only. UM Spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said Perry speaks for himself on these matters. He does not speak for the University of Michigan or for UM-Flint, where he has a 50 percent appointment as a professor of finance and business economics, Fitzgerald said. Detroit fashions itself as a hard-working, blue-collar city. And why not? Its the birthplace of the auto industry. The city where Henry Ford and his associates perfected the assembly line where each person pulls his or her weight and accomplishes a single task. But according to a study released by the personal finance website Wallethub on Feb. 25 titled 2019s Hardest-Working Cities in America, Detroit is dead last. The number crunch is consistent with a Wallethub study released in Aug. 2018 that ranked Michigan dead last in study of the hardest working states, presumably because of Detroits ranking. But why? Michiganders certainly wouldnt agree that they work any less than other states. To arrive at the rankings, WalletHub compared the 116 largest cities in the United States across ten key metrics including employment rate, average weekly work hours and share of workers with multiple jobs. Detroit finished 116 out of 116 with a score of 31.39, just behind Burlington, Vermont, Buffalo and Cleveland. Michigans ranking was hurt more by direct work factors than indirect work factors; things like employment rate, average workweek hours, households where no adults work, engaged workers, idle youth and amount of vacation time left unused. It ranked higher in indirect work factors like average commute time, workers with multiple jobs, volunteer hours per resident and average leisure time spent per day. Anchorage, Alaska, San Francisco, Irving, Texas, Virginia Beach and Plano, Texas are the five hardest-working states in America, according to the study. You can see the entire report here. Citing new laws and weak cases, Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel is dismissing charges against four people in two pending marijuana cases, officials announced Monday. We are focusing all of our efforts and resources on the truly bad actors and those who have non-marijuana related charges, Nessel said in a statement. They will be held accountable and we will pursue them. Nessels actions affect two of three pending marijuana cases in her office -- changing course from her predecessor, Republican Bill Schuette. There are still 12 individuals facing charges from marijuana cases brought by the attorney generals office. I think the attorney general decided they were the bit players and not the main culprits -- and not worth them spending their time on negligible cases, said Matt Abel, a Detroit lawyer and executive director of Michigan NORML. Which doesnt portend well for the others -- the people whose cases are not being dropped. In a case out of St. Clair County, Nessel is seeking the dismissal of charges of felony delivery/manufacture of marijuana against Mark Sochacki and Terra Sochacki, and charges of conducting a criminal enterprise against Amanda Amsdill. The three are part of a larger lawsuit -- People v. Mark Sochacki, Terra Sochacki, James Amsdill, Debra Amsdill, Amanda Amsdill. It stems from a 2011 Michigan State Police investigation into James and Debra Amsdills marijuana dispensaries, according to media reports. The Amsdills, their daughter Amanda Amsdill and employees Mark and Terra Sochacki, were all arrested as a result, according to media reports. "Were delighted to hear that the attorney general had the courage to dismiss against the Sochackis," said Michael Komorn, lawyer for Matt and Terra Sochacki. "They were merely employees that were working at this facility . They were merely the people at the door that interacted with an undercover DEA agent." The case against the Amdsills and Sochackis was dismissed twice by the Court of Appeals, Komorn said. It doesnt repair eight years of litigation, Komorn said of the dismissal announcement. In a separate case out of Hillsdale and Jackson counties -- People v. Landon Boggs, Tyler Stanley, Ronald Earley, William Stewart, Robert Bruton, Noelle Lathers, Mark Hanna, Daniel McCready and John Lougheed -- just one defendant is being singled out. Nessel is seeking the dismissal of two counts of felony delivery/manufacture of marijuana and two counts of felony conspiracy to deliver/manufacture marijuana against Lathers. The dismissals against some of the defendants in these cases also reflect that they either were not major players in these marijuana cases or that the evidence is simply insufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that they committed the charged crimes, Nessel said in a statement. Nessel is considering a plea for reduced charges for Darryl Berry in a third case -- People v. Darryl Berry and Johnny Cooper, out of Genesee and Livingston counties. Berrys charges stem from a 2015 raid on his medical marijuana grow operation. Komorn, who also represents Berry, said he was expecting the case to be dismissed. Berry was accused of sending caregivers to buy marijuana plants, Komorn said -- an issue because state laws have differing treatments of growing plants and marijuana. Nessel has taken up a wide review of legal actions by former Attorney General Bill Schuette -- and has removed the state from a number of lawsuits in recent weeks. We appreciate the fact that it appears that the attorney general is exercising independent judgement and is giving these cases a second look, Abel said. Nessels actions are among signs of changing legal attitudes towards marijuana in Michigan. Juries dont want to convict people on charges concerning something that is now legal, Nessel said in a statement. Voters legalized cannabis for adults over the age of 21 in November 2018. Since that time, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has said shell consider pardoning offenders imprisoned for marijuana offenses. County prosecutors have also turned their attention away from marijuana-related crimes. -- 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 medical and recreational marijuana. Running for the top elected office in that city are Albert Abney; Christopher Clark, who is finishing up his first term as alderman of the citys 3rd Ward; Charles Givines, a former alderman who is Harvey School District 152s director of building and grounds and also sits on the board of Dolton Riverdale School District 148; Ronnie Lee; Anthony McCaskill, president of the Harvey Park District Board; Keith Price a three-term alderman in the 6th Ward and Gregory Thomas, the citys police chief and a 16-year department veteran. LANSING, MI Michigan officials plan to continue testing at approximately 60 water systems, schools and childcare centers with detections of toxic PFAS chemicals in the drinking water. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality plans the new quarterly testing in a bid to learn more about the detections, which came from a $1.7 million effort to find the so-called forever chemicals in state water supplies last year. The state will fund and oversee the continued testing. Altogether, the state found at least traces of PFAS contamination in 62 municipal utilities serving nearly 1.5 million people. All but one of those detections the high levels found in the city of Parchment are below a federal advisory threshold that public health advocates around the issue consider inadequate. At least traces of PFAS were also found in the water serving more than 18,000 people at 58 schools, daycares and Head Start centers drawing from groundwater wells. The testing also found PFAS in nearly 60 other public supplies serving more than 28,000 people in mobile-home parks, apartment complexes and other residential communities. The overall number of water systems with a detection are a small fraction of the nearly 1,600 systems and schools tested over the past nine months in what Michigan officials call the first such statewide PFAS testing effort undertaken in the United States. Nonetheless, there are enough detections within a range of concentration that is below the federal advisory level but above what state health officials loosely consider background levels that the DEQ wants to monitor how detections may fluctuate. That means quarterly monitoring for supplies with any type of PFAS detection above 10 parts-per-trillion (ppt), which includes 16 municipal systems including large ones like Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor, Portage and Union Township in Isabella County as well as 19 other systems like the Arlington Woods mobile home park near Muskegon. There are about 30 schools on the states list with a Total PFAS (the sum of all detected PFAS compounds in a given sample) above 10-ppt. The DEQ will also take initial samples of 12 Head Start programs that were closed for the winter and three community water systems that could not be scheduled in 2018. About 75 percent of state drinking water comes from public supplies. If you have any detection, at minimum we recommend you do annual monitoring, said Steve Sliver, acting head of the DEQs Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART). Were not done, but we are fortunate to have some really good data to help drive our next steps, Sliver said. The Michigan League of Conservation Voters said the DEQ detections should serve as a wakeup call to the Michigan Legislature, which has allocated money to address PFAS but, under Republican control, has not moved toward new regulations. Toxic PFAS chemicals build up in our bodies so even low amounts are extremely dangerous to our health. The MDEQs report should serve as a wakeup call to the Legislature to take swift, bold action to ensure all Michigan communities have safe, clean drinking water, said Bob Allison, deputy director of Michigan LCV. We cant settle with just being first in the nation in testing," Allison said. "We should be first in the nation in tackling this problem head-on. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle should work together with the Whitmer administration to pass a science-based, enforceable drinking water standard for PFAS to protect the health of Michigan communities. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), studies have shown that PFAS exposure has a variety of negative health effects on humans. Exposure can affect the growth, learning, and behavior of infants and older children. It can lower a womans chance of getting pregnant and cause complications once she does. It can interfere with the bodys natural hormones, increase cholesterol levels, affect the immune system and increase the risk of certain cancers. The toxicity science is still evolving. The degree to which low PFAS levels are deemed a health risk is a matter of considerable debate both at the state and federal levels. Even the definition of low differs between academics, activists, regulators and industry representatives. Detections above the Environmental Protection Agency health advisory level of 70-ppt for the individual compounds PFOS and PFOA are treated as emergencies by the state. Rather than relying on the EPA level, public health advocates would like to see the response threshold drop in accordance with enforceable PFAS contaminant levels in other states like New Jersey, which recently passed a drinking water standard for the individual compound PFNA of 13-ppt. In December, a science panel convened by former Gov. Rick Snyder concluded that 70-ppt may not provide an adequate safety margin. 70-ppt is not the number on which officials should be basing their decisions, said Anna Reade, staff scientist and PFAS expert at the Natural Resources Defense Council. A lot of independent scientists and the CDC are looking at levels 10 times lower, or lower. Other than the city of Parchment near Kalamazoo and Robinson Elementary School in Ottawa County, where DEQ testing found PFOS and PFOA at levels above EPA advisory level, the state has not undertaken measures to provide alternative water in response to 2018 testing results. The Parchment system was connected to the city of Kalamazoo municipal system in August. Robinson Elementary receives bottled water and plans to install carbon filtration. State health officials say theyre evaluating detection response on an individual basis and are making case-by-case recommendations depending on factors like the mixture of PFAS compounds, levels detected, dosage and the logistics of taking additional steps. At these public water supplies, schools and daycares (below the EPA level), we are promoting monitoring because thats more effective than adding filtration, said Steve Crider, drinking water unit manager at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Prior to launching the statewide effort in May 2018, the DEQ had tested for PFAS in numerous locations in connection with groundwater contamination investigations. In some cases, utilities that tested positive for PFAS in 2016 and 2017 did not test positive in 2018 an example of data fluctuation the DEQ is trying to interpret. Several of those data anomalies involved public systems that draw from the Great Lakes, such as systems around Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River, as well as the Saginaw-Midland Municipal Supply, which found trace levels in the water serving 339,000 people around the Saginaw Bay region in 2017 but was non-detect in 2018 testing. Also in the 2018 non-detect category, but which has previous PFAS detection, is the Huron Shores Regional Utility Authority (USRUA). The utility supplies communities like Oscoda, where the Lake Huron-based supply has been hooked-up to schools and homes with PFAS detections in well water caused by plumes from the former Wurtsmith Air Force base. In 2016 DEQ testing, Total PFAS at the HSRUA treatment plant spiked at 74.2-ppt and 48-ppt in raw lake water in June. Later sampling data showed lower levels. Ian Smith, an emerging contaminants coordinator in the DEQs drinking water division, said those types of variations are helping drive future testing plans. The Great Lakes are very complex, Smith said. We are in discussion as to how we choose systems for future testing and those variations are one of the things we are looking at, he said. Bonnifer Ballard, director of the American Water Works Michigan Section, said water systems managers are worried about the cost of advanced filtration at the municipal level. We have to figure out how to destroy these chemicals, Ballard said. Just filtering them creates another problem once the used-up filters enter a landfill. Protecting our source water is just as important an issue as treating our drinking water, she said. If we push the problem to another point in the water cycle, were just creating more complex problems that will be more difficult to treat. COPEMISH, MI A Michigan man allegedly barred his girlfriend from leaving his residence while he repeatedly assaulted her over the course of 36 hours. 29-year-old Jesse Revolt was charged with Assault with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm less than Murder, Aggravated Domestic Assault, and Interfering with the use of a Telecommunication Device in 85th District Court on Feb. 23. The charges come after a trooper from the Michigan State Police Cadillac Post interviewed a 22-year-old female from Mesick at Munson Medical Center on Feb. 22. The female, who suffered serious facial injuries, told police that Revolt took steps to keep her from leaving his house, threatened her if she tried and took her cell phone so she couldnt call for help. It wasnt until she was able to find her cell phone that she called her mother for help, according to police. She was then taken to the hospital where she was interviewed by police. Revolt was arrested at his home later that day and lodged in the Manistee County Jail. A felony warrant was later issued. Revolt is being held on $90,000 bond. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the MSP Cadillac Post at 231-779-6040. The Michigan Court of Claims has rejected a challenge to the prevailing wage repeal enacted by the legislature last year, determining the measure was constitutional. For decades, Michigans prevailing wage law stipulated that job sites for public projects, such as schools and public buildings, grant workers union-level wages. Last year, the group Protect Michigan Taxpayers obtained enough signatures to send an initiative to repeal that law to the legislature, which voted to enact the repeal. The group Protect Michigan Jobs, which supported the prevailing wage law, argued in a lawsuit that the initiative was unconstitutional because it enacted a $75,000 appropriation, and also claimed the House of Representatives gave the law immediate effect without having the required support. But in an order issued by Michigan Court of Claims Judge Cynthia Diane Stephens, the court determined those claims were invalid, concluding the repeal initiative adopted by the legislature has all the bearings and trappings of a duly enacted law. Plaintiffs position fails to appreciate that a valid appropriation can be made by way of a public act, Stephens wrote. This proposition is neither novel nor complicated, as the Legislature has made appropriations by way of public acts that were not compiled in the Michigan Compiled Laws for decades. The legislature could have let the issue go to the 2018 ballot, but chose to take it up and approve it. Shortly after the Senate passed it 23-14, the House passed the measure 56-53. In both chambers, Democrats and a handful of Republicans voted against it. Because the measure was introduced through the initiative process, the legislature did not require then-Gov. Rick Snyders signature for it to become law. Social Media You can follow us on different types of social media by clicking the links below: How to use the mindat.org media viewer Click/touch this help panel to close it. Welcome to the mindat.org media viewer. Here is a quick guide to some of the options available to you. Different controls are available depending on the type of media being shown (photo, video, animation, 3d image) Controls - all media types Zoom in and out of media using your mousewheel or with a two-finger 'resize' action on a touch device. 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If the left/right images are reversed on your display (this often happens in full-screen mode) press the 4 key to reverse them. Controls - photo comparison mode If a photo with activated comparison mode is opened in the viewer, the button appears in the bottom right corner giving access to "Comparison mode settings" menu. Several layouts are supported: slider and side by-side comparison with up to 6 photos shown synchronously on the screen. On each of the compared photos a view selector is placed, e.g.: Longwave UV . It shows the name of currently selected view and allows to select a view for each placeholder. Summary of all keyboard shortcuts This article by Jared Keller originally appeared on Task & Purpose, a digital news and culture publication dedicated to military and veterans issues. It's a photo for the ages: a Marine NCO, a Greek god in his dress blues, catches the eye of a lovely young woman as her boyfriend urges her on in distress. It's the photographic ancestor of the much-loved "distracted boyfriend" stock photo meme, made even sweeter by the fact that this is clearly a sailor about to lose his girl to a Devil Dog. Well, this photo and the Marine in it, which hopscotched around Marine Corps Facebook and Instagram pages before skyrocketing to the front page of Reddit on Thursday, are very real. The photo shows then Staff Sgt. Louis A. Capozzoli and he is absolutely not on his way to steal your girl. The photograph first appeared in the October 1950 issue of Leatherneck magazine, according to Marine Corps historian Kara R. Newcomer, and it is indisputably presented as a romantic look-back. "Hey! Nancy Kelley, USN(W) takes a second look at SSgt. Louis Cappazzoli's [sic] dress blues," the photo caption reads. 'Joe Ewing, USN, holds her back. All are students at [Navy Journalist] School." The original photo as it appears in the October 1950 edition of 'Leatherneck.' (U.S. Marine Corps) Was Capozzoli really as much of a ladykiller as he appears in the photo? Hell yes, according to family members interviewed by Task & Purpose. "He was very clever and very handsome ... We always used to say he looked like Clark Gable or Errol Flynn." Capozzoli's daughter Linda Herbst told Task & Purpose on Friday. "He was a good dancer, and he always said 'don't marry a man who doesn't dance.' He was still pretty handsome at 80 when he died." Legendary American actress Lauren Bacalll checking out Capozzoli's medals in January 1951. (Courtesy of Michael Herbst) Capozzoli had met and married his wife in 1945; according to Herbst, he was engaged to a Rockette from New York City at the time, but was so enamored with his future wife that he dumped the dancer immediately. But while Capozzoli may have been the most dapper Marine in the continental United States at the time, he was no Don Juan. "He was very charming, but he was always respectful of women. He loved women," Herbst told Task & Purpose. "He called all ladies 'dolls' rather than 'broads,' and if he didn't remember your name, he would just say 'doll.' Women would fall all over the floor over that." "Men were flirtatious and they had their ways in the 1940s and 1950s," she added. "But I think because of who he was and how he was brought up in the Marine Corps, boy, was he a respectful man." An undated photo of Capozzoli. (Courtesy of Michael Herbst) Louis Anthony Lawrence Capozzoli was born in 1924 in Flushing, New York, according to a detailed account of his service published following his death in 2004. He joined the Marines in 1942, deploying to Guadalcanal, Bouganville and New Caledonia during his three-year stint in the South Pacific. "When he shared WWII stories, he would say, 'I joined the Marines at 17 and hit the beach at Guadalcanal in 1942,'" wrote Herbst at the time. "He didn't hesitate. His country needed him and he answered the call. In our modern world of today, who among us would be willing to quit everything and on 24 hour notice leave family, and friends, behind?" Capozzoli on the hunt for new Marine recruits. In 1946, Capozzoli transferred to Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., working on recruitment efforts before attending the U.S. Navy School of Journalism in Great Lakes in 1950, where the Leatherneck photo was taken. That photo was "clearly one of his little recruiting schemes ... you know, 'Marines are more attractive than the Navy,'" Herbst told Task & Purpose, noting that the trio appeared together on the cover of Quill and Scroll later that year. (Courtesy of Michael Herbst) After graduating top of his class, Capozzoli deployed to Korea in 1953 as a combat correspondent, where he served for three years before returning to San Diego in a series of editor positions within the military. "He had a wonderful work ethic; he was an artist and she shared it with everybody," Herbst said. "We always talked about him going into the movies because of his looks, but he was strictly a Marine and a journalist." Capozzoli retired from the Corps in 1961 after nearly 20 years of service, but he continued his close relationship with the armed forces in his journalism, writing for for what's now the Orange County Register for 15 years as a night editor and writing a weekly military affairs column. "He kept everyone informed about the military through the 1960s and the Vietnam War," Herbst said. "He was always part of the military, right up until the end." Now, 15 years after his death, Capozzoli has taken on the mantle of immortality as a meme, a Marine-specific interpretation of "distracted boyfriend." And that's just fine by his family, if totally strange. "I had to explain that meme to my mom," Michael Herbst, Capozzoli's grandson, told Task & Purpose. "[I] also saw my grandpa's face photoshopped onto the meme, which was weird." More articles from Task & Purpose: Well, this new Army PSA on household safety took a dark turn The Army's Latest Recruiting Spot Is A Hip-Hop Ode To Service Awesome video shows Apache helicopters flying mere feet above the ground Troops Receive New Travel Guidance for Mexico The United States Army North Force Protection Division has issued new guidelines for U.S. military travel to Mexico. All active-duty, reserve, Guard and Defense Department civilians and contractors are required to follow the guidance and to be aware of the new directive. According to a release, all of the above personnel traveling to Mexico need to notify their local counterintelligence representatives of exactly where and when they plan to travel in the country. All personnel must have a valid U.S. passport and avoid any states in Mexico on the DoD's restricted list, even in transit. When on official State Department business on behalf of themselves or a family member, individuals must limit travel to daytime with no overnight stays in restricted states.This travel also requires chain-of-command approval by an O-6 or civilian equivalent. Individuals must also have a communication plan for any intended travel. Read more at AF.mil. For more on military travel, visit the Military.com Travel section. For travel discounts for military members and veterans, visit the Military.com Discount Center. The Marine Corps' F-35B Joint Strike Fighters led a big part of the campaign to demolish Islamic State terrorists in recent months, outpacing the combat flight hours flown by older aircraft on past deployments by 2-to-1. Members of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 flew 1,200 combat hours over Iraq and Syria, "making up a considerable portion of the ordnance that was dropping in theater," said Col. Chandler Nelms, commander of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. "They were very active and did very well," he told Military.com. "As the MEU commander, anytime I see aircraft flying that much, I get concerned about what the breaking point is going to be. But there's no breaking point with these guys; they just crushed it." The Marines spent more than seven months deployed to the Pacific and Middle East. The F-35B detachment was assigned to the 13th MEU, which operated from aboard the amphibious assault ship Essex. It was the first time the Marine Corps' variant of the stealth jet, which can take off and land vertically, deployed to the Middle East. The F-35B's first combat strike was in Afghanistan in September, where the Marine pilots were flying close-air support missions, said Lt. Col. Kyle Shoop, VMFA-211's commanding officer. From there, they flew more than 50 days' worth of close-air support and defensive counter-air missions in Iraq and Syria. "Every day, [the pilots] were supporting over six hours of time in theater," Shoop said. The Marines were prepared for a higher-level fight had they been provoked by other actors in the region, he added. Their encounters with pilots from Russia, which is supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces, were minimal though, he said. "We were aware they were airborne," Shoop said. "There are some established de-conflictions that are already set up between Russian and U.S. forces. They were all adhered to, but we were aware." The F-35Bs were able to give troops on the ground more information than would have been possible in the AV-8B Harrier jump jet, which the Joint Strike Fighter will eventually replace. Its sensors are better in poor weather, Shoop said. The Marines ended up flying the F-35B about twice as much as the Harrier flew on past deployments, Nelms said. "A conservative estimate is the F-35 flew 100 percent more hours on this deployment than a typical deployment for a Harrier squadron," he said. "When you consider that their readiness was 75 percent or better ... while doubling the amount of flight hours being flown, it's a real testament to the aircraft and the maintainers." The F-35B pilots weren't the only members of the MEU supporting the fight against ISIS. A CH-53E Super Stallion heavy-lift helicopter provided airlift in Iraq, Nelms said, and an artillery battery deployed to Syria with M777 howitzers. "It was an exciting time to be doing so many different things," he said. The MEU is expected to return to California this week. -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. Each of the military services this week has announced plans conduct inspections of base housing and interviews with families to discover how badly service members have been impacted by unhealthy living conditions. In the wake of recent reports of neglected facilities and hazardous living conditions, as well as ongoing pressure from lawmakers to rectify the problem, the services issued directives on how they plan to address problems, including black mold, rodent and bug infestations, water damage, radon contamination and faulty wiring. The Air Force last week ordered commanders at all its bases worldwide to conduct a "100 percent review of the condition and safety of all military housing by March 1," Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson and Chief of Staff Gen David Goldfein said in a joint statement. Wilson plans to visit MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Wednesday to speak with affected families and housing management leadership about what more can be done to corner the dilemma, the Tampa Bay Times reported Monday. The service will conduct home walk-throughs and interviews with families at all 74,500 family housing units across the Air Force, officials said. In addition to an immediate Air Force Inspector General review on how the service has been responding to housing complaints, senior leaders at bases "will be responsible for identifying and helping resolve a host of problems in housing where airmen and their families live," according to a Feb. 19 release. Air Force officials told Military.com they would have to receive permission before entering any military familys home. Related content: The Navy will conduct home inspections and reach out to "100 [percent] of Sailors living in government and Public Private Venture (PPV) family housing" to understand whether families are satisfied, the service said Feb. 23. "Every Sailor residing in PPV or government housing will be afforded an opportunity for a visit from their command at their residence no later than April 15, 2019," Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russell Smith said in a release. The visits will be voluntary and by invitation only. "The purpose of these visits is to raise Navy awareness of family living conditions, to allow command leadership to personally observe any issues affecting the home and to understand any actions being taken to address them," officials said. The visits will serve as an opportunity to help sailors and their families resolve any outstanding housing issues, they said. Richardson and Smith said additional information on how sailors and spouses can reach out to report a problem will be published this week. "This is unacceptable and will be resolved," Richardson wrote on Twitter. "We are prioritizing efforts to better understand our Sailors' living conditions in on-base government family and PPV housing to ensure that as residents they are provided with the quality of life they have earned and deserve." Echoing the CNO, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller said he "expects commanders to know how their Marines and Sailors are living and to advocate for them." "Because we care, we have an obligation to be personally involved in the lives and welfare of our Marines and their families," Neller wrote Feb. 22 on Twitter. The Marine Corps issued a "white letter" to commanders and senior enlisted leaders to conduct voluntary home visits to all who reside in government quarters, privatized military housing or off-base civilian rental property by April 15, the service said in a statement. Command teams will visit only those members "who accept the command's offer of assistance" but will still "provide information on how to address housing concerns," the statement said. Officials could bring about more effective changes by holding government housing contractors in check, some Pentagon leaders said. Last week, Army Secretary Mark Esper, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley and Sergeant Major of the Army Dan Dailey met with the heads of seven contracting companies following a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on how Defense Department leaders plan to solve the widespread problems. Esper, Milley and Dailey traveled to Fort Meade, Maryland, earlier this month to conduct their own inspection of the privately managed housing on the installation, where they observed what they described as "unacceptable ... deficient housing conditions." Dailey traveled to Fort Belvoir, Virginia, last week while Army Under Secretary Ryan McCarthy conducted similar tours at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Fort Eustis, Virginia, the Army announced Monday. "We will stop at nothing to make sure that we are doing the right thing by our Soldiers," McCarthy said in a statement. "It shouldn't take us going to stand in someone's kitchen to understand the extent of the problem." Companies that met with the service include Balfour Beatty Communities, CRC Companies LLC, Corvias Military Living, Hunt Military Communities, Lincoln Military Housing, Lendlease Corp. and Michael's Military Housing. The Army has also said it would step up inspections of all base housing and hold town halls across more than 40 installations for soldiers and families living in more than 87,000 homes, according to a service release. In addition to oversight of housing and improved communication with the companies, Esper, Milley and Dailey said they had agreed to a tenant bill of rights that would suspend certain fees and let soldiers withhold rent payments if their housing issues aren't solved. The Air Force and the Navy said they too support a tenant bill of rights that would provide troops with more protection with housing authorities, according to a Reuters interview. Issues over the safety of privately managed military housing were exposed last year in several months-long investigations by Reuters, titled "Ambushed at Home." They included reports of children poisoned by lead in older homes and families falling ill as the result of mold growth in new construction. -- Patricia Kime contributed to this report. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. The money is earmarked to purchase vests that are then distributed to police officers in districts around the city of Chicago, allowing officers to get new body armor every few years. That is essential because the bullet-proof vests are designed to last about five years before they lose their ability to protect officers. For nearly 40 years, Bill Burhans has steadfastly maintained he wasn't drunk when, as an Air Force lieutenant colonel driving fellow U.S. military liaisons home from a holiday party with their Soviet counterparts in East Germany, he lost control of the car, careened up an embankment and slammed into a bus. When the car came to a stop on Dec. 29, 1979, Air Force Lt. Col. James Tonge, his passenger, called to him to move the car to the shoulder. But Burhans sat frozen, except for his trembling hands. It was as if he'd been "hit in the head with an ax at the slaughterhouse," Tonge would later tell U.S. investigators in a sworn statement. "He didn't respond at all," Tonge said of Burhans, who at the time was set to replace him as deputy of the U.S. Military Liaison Mission. Based in Potsdam, near Berlin, the USMLM's official mission was to serve as a liaison between the U.S. military command and its Soviet counterpart in post-war Germany, but its personnel also gathered intelligence, monitored Soviet forces and reported on readiness throughout the Cold War era. French, British and Soviet liaison missions did similar work. After helping Burhans into the back seat, Tonge moved the car himself. Police arrived in minutes. The two men would say the Soviet officers, including some they suspected of being members of the Soviet's Main Intelligence Directorate, had drugged them -- a story that has remained unchanged in interviews for almost four decades. But the U.S. government did not believe them, treating it as a drunken-driving incident. Tonge and Burhans were fired and sent packing in disgrace. Now, recently discovered documents from the archives of the former East German state security service -- the Stasi -- prove Burhans' and Tonge's version of events. According to 250 pages of Stasi files obtained by Stars and Stripes from the German government, the Soviets plotted to target and discredit the men, then considered "high-value targets," culminating on the night of the crash. Documents reveal a cat-and-mouse game between the Cold War superpowers' "military liaisons," who were effectively spying on each other in the open. Both men, now in their 80s, and their supporters say they feel vindicated. "I was thunderstruck to see that Stasi report," Burhans said after receiving a copy from Stars and Stripes. The incident "heavily impacted my marriage and returned me to civilian life." The documents might not convince everyone of their innocence, he said, but he was glad the information was finally coming to light. 'The friends' For 40 years, from its founding in 1950 until months after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the Stasi built an extensive network of 189,000 informants, or one in 20 members of the East German Communist Party, according to estimates in a 2008 study by historian Helmut Mueller-Enberg. After Germany was reunified in 1990, detailed Stasi records -- enough paperwork to stretch 69 miles end-to-end, according to a government website -- were made available to the public. Burhans and Tonge didn't know about the release of the records at the time. The dossiers on the two men include mundane details of their daily lives, but also reveal the extent to which the two were monitored by code-named informants -- likely including East German cooks, cleaning women and handymen who worked in the U.S. mission house in Potsdam. The informants eavesdropped on the Americans' conversations, followed their movements and read their private mail. The Stasi started a dossier on Burhans when he first served as an MLM reconnaissance officer in July 1971, until June 1975. They painted him as a bold officer with a knack for shaking his East German minders or turning the tables on them. On one occasion, when he was on a reconnaissance tour -- the term used for MLM missions -- Burhans shook a tail between Cottbus and Hornow and managed to "not be under control for several hours," one report states. Another time, he reportedly chased down the people tailing him and photographed them. "The only thing in our way was the crowd of soldiers," Burhans later wrote of one incident involving an altercation with Soviet troops. The driver "simply plowed on through them in reverse" and the pair got away, escaping almost certain detention. The Soviets monitored Burhans even after he returned to the U.S. in 1975, intercepting his letters and learning that he hoped to return to the mission. At one point, an informant reported that he might soon be promoted to lieutenant colonel and brought back. He did return in July 1979. By then, a Stasi plan was well underway to discredit Tonge, who had first served in Frankfurt in 1970 but didn't join the USMLM until May 1976. A veneer of goodwill The U.S. and Soviet military missions were founded in 1947 as a two-way channel between the military commands in determining the fate of post-war Germany. The 14 officers on each side were officially accredited as liaisons and often held social functions meant to build relationships and open dialogue. "We celebrated New Year's, Christmas, Thanksgiving there was a big dinner and [we] invited people, there was a 4th of July," said Stephen Hoyt, current president of the USMLM Association and an instructor at the University of Maryland University College in Germany. But as relations soured, the missions began focusing on gathering intelligence on their adversaries. "For the longest time the thought was the major function of the missions was to see whether or not there was going to be any kind of an invasion," Hoyt said. "We would be able to see whether or not there were any indications of hostility." They were essentially licensed spies, according to a 2013 U.S. Army history. Uniformed and unarmed, they roamed each other's territory in pairs, driving vehicles with distinctive license plates. As the only legally sanctioned U.S. representatives in East Germany, the American liaisons specialized in identifying and photographing new Soviet military equipment, Hoyt said. But some areas, detailed on maps they carried, were specifically off-limits. Actions toward liaisons grew aggressive and continued that way well after Burhans and Tonge left. In 1984, the East Germans rammed a vehicle, killing French mission soldier Philippe Mariotti. A year later, the Soviets shot and killed U.S. Army Maj. Arthur Nicholson Jr., who was taking pictures of a remote Soviet tank shed. The plot Tonge's Stasi minders found that he consistently ignored signs marking restricted areas. GDR authorities were convinced he was a spy. The first known "action plan" against him is dated Jan. 10, 1979, nearly a year before the fateful holiday party. "What to do against Tonge," it states, above a list of tasks, such as collecting damaging material to use against him. It also instructs agents to work Tonge's contacts and use every opportunity to talk to him or his spouse for reconnaissance purposes. The ultimate goal: "Block his active spy activity and secure spy material and technology." The measures were not good enough in their initial stages and the East Germans stepped up their drive to discredit the American, the Stasi files show. A document dated Oct. 20, 1980, notes that a "targeted measure" by the Soviets had, by the end of 1979, sidelined him and Burhans. "Action against him was planned and executed," the document states in German. "During a consultation with the Soviet friends concerning high value targets among USMLM members, it was disclosed that toward the end of 1979 (on Dec. 29, 1979, precisely), the friends had successfully carried out a targeted measure to discredit Tonge as well as his intended successor, Lt. Col. Burhans." The document was signed by "Lt. Col. Klebow." No further information is included on the "action" taken in the files. An unreal world For the American and Soviet liaisons, Dec. 29, 1979, had been a festive day, just days before the dawn of a new decade. Gifts were exchanged, food was eaten, several toasts were raised and vodka shots downed. After the merriment, Tonge and Army Maj. John Goff piled into a car with Burhans at the wheel and headed back toward West Berlin. After driving three blocks, Burhans "expertly" threaded the serpentine barriers of the Glienicke Bridge -- dubbed the "bridge of spies" -- connecting Potsdam and Berlin, pausing so guards could examine their credentials, Tonge told investigators after the crash. "The corners are quite tight and require perfect timing," Tonge said in a sworn statement, after describing the border crossing's slalom of thick tank barriers. "Lt. Col. Burhans navigated the course through the barriers with no problem." Just past the checkpoint, Burhans lost control. Several bottles of vodka -- gifts from their Soviet friends -- were smashed in the accident, making the car and its occupants reek of alcohol, Tonge said in a statement at the time of the crash. There was no sign that Burhans had been drunk before the crash, Tonge said: "All my observations were to the contrary." Goff, the second passenger, said in a sworn statement right after the accident that Burhans' driving had been "faultless" before he'd swerved off the road. Goff died in 1985. Burhans wasn't taken to the hospital for a drug test until days later, on Jan. 2. Results showed the presence of a drug that can cause drowsiness, memory loss, lack of coordination and dizziness. Bromazepam, "containing benzodiazepine derivative, e.g. Lexotanil, was ingested," a U.S. military toxicology report states, referring to an anti-anxiety drug with side effects similar to Valium. A drug test administered to Tonge five days after the accident found traces of a medication used to control an irregular heartbeat. Neither Burhans nor Tonge were prescribed any such medications at the time, they said. Burhans "may have been slipped a mickey," Tonge wrote in his sworn statement after the crash. Still, the test results, adamant denials and sworn statements were not enough to convince U.S. officials that the Americans were telling the truth and had been set up. "The commander of the U.S. Army Hospital in West Berlin commented that he was unable to help me clear my name," Burhans wrote in a personal memoir for his children that he shared with Stars and Stripes. "He could not verify that I had not drugged myself to escape responsibility." Burhans' mental state deteriorated, leaving him so agitated that, when he took a polygraph test, the results were inconclusive, he said. Officials found him at fault for the crash and ordered him to pay damages, he wrote. They offered him the choice of court-martial or the lesser nonjudicial punishment. He took the latter. He was reassigned to his previous posting as deputy in the USAF Soviet Awareness Program at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. "To my knowledge, there was no standard operating procedure in place" to respond to being drugged, he said. "In my case, no one bothered to do any investigation other than to implement the [U.S. Command Berlin's] directions" to pursue it as a drunken-driving case. The incident all but killed the career of a man whose friends described him as a rising star. Burhans' nonjudicial punishment was later thrown out and purged from his record by an Air Force official assigned to review the case, Burhans would later write. The lieutenant general had worked with Burhans in Potsdam and trusted his version of events, but the damage had been done. "I remained depressed, shut myself off from my wife and children and began to live in an unreal world," Burhans, now 84 and living in Lake Kiowa, Texas, wrote to Stars and Stripes. He told ColdWarSpies.com in 2007 that he became a "hopeless throwaway drunk." After a stint in the hospital for mental health issues, he retired in 1985. Tonge was also accused of drunken driving, he wrote in handwritten notes following the incident. U.S. Command Berlin ordered nonjudicial punishment, but an officer has to accept it. Tonge refused. They did not have enough evidence to pursue a court-martial. Though Tonge was promoted to colonel, said he was forced into a dead-end assignment in Wiesbaden where he evaluated foreign scientific and technical information until June 1983. He retired from the military in 1985. "I was humiliated and singled out," Tonge told Stars and Stripes in December. "They relieved all three of us. Burhans suffered more than I did. There's a bit of shame associated when the government says, 'You're bad.'" Burhans and Tonge did not remain close, yet they remain forever linked. They agree that the discovery of their Stasi dossiers has helped to set the record straight and exonerate them. "For me, the most unusual part of the story is finding written evidence that the Soviets drugged us," said Tonge, now 85 and living in Charleston, S.C. "It would have been good to have had that information when Berlin authorities were treating it as an 'alcohol-related incident.'" In retrospect, Burhans said, despite the personal and professional price he paid following the 1979 incident, "I take it as a compliment that the Soviets considered me that much of a threat." The patrol boats, which have been in the Persian Gulf region since 2003, have been replaced by two of the service's newest... Gov. Ned Lamonts new state budget is less than a week old, but the pressure already is shifting to the General Assembly to protect the tax cuts it passed last year. Seniors, teachers, hospitals, corporations and other groups are pressing lawmakers to deliver the tax relief they pledged in 2017 and campaigned on last fall even though Lamont says Connecticut no longer can afford it. What we are concerned about is how things pile up, said Nora Duncan, state director of AARP Connecticut. Lower- and middle-income seniors face some of the highest property taxes in the nation, pay state income taxes, and now face a proposal from the governor that would place an asset test on elderly medical assistance and raise sales taxes by hundreds of millions of dollars by canceling exemptions. And AARPs nearly 600,000 members also took note when Lamont said Connecticut cant afford nearly $60 million in income tax breaks for retirees. This relief enhanced exemptions on Social Security income, pensions and annuities was enacted 16 months ago, but scheduled to take effect in 2019. Equally important, Duncan said, legislators approved that relief by a wide, bipartisan margin. AARP members are looking to us and their legislators, so many of whom promoted their affirmative vote on this issue in their 2018 campaigns for re-election, to stop this repeal, she said. The AARP is not alone. Retired Connecticut teachers await similar relief. While 25 percent of their pensions are income-tax-exempt, thats supposed to grow to 50 percent this year. The governors budget recommends canceling that as well. The same goes for a 10 percent surcharge on the corporation tax, which is supposed to expire now but otherwise will cost businesses almost $100 million over the next two fiscal years combined. Connecticuts college students are watching the fate of a new income tax credit designed to help pay off their school debt. Thats worth almost $12 million over the next two fiscal years to graduates with science, engineering and math degrees who stay and work in state after school. And the biggest tax break hanging in the balance is Connecticuts provider tax on hospitals. Its a complicated arrangement of tax payments by hospitals and supplemental funds returned back to the industry all designed to leverage more federal Medicaid dollars for the state. The industry was scheduled to see its effective tax burden shrink by nearly $190 million per year, but Lamont proposed canceling that and replacing it with a $43 million increase. There is no predictability in what is happening, said Bristol Hospital President Kurt Barwis, who said the unstable tax situation wreaks havoc with hospitals abilities to provide specialized care, replace critical equipment and make capital improvements. Every year its a different deal and were in disaster mode, managing cash and managing projects. Nancy Andrews, spokeswoman for the Connecticut Education Association the states largest teachers union said the group understands the tough choices facing Lamont and the legislature. But teachers also must plan for their retirements, and its getting harder to do so in the state, she said. Placing this tax burden on educators who dedicated their lives to teaching our children is a disincentive to them staying in Connecticut and participating in our states economy, Andrews said. Many retirees move out of state and take up residence in Florida and dozens of other states where they do not tax any part of retiree pensions. Connecticut Business and Industry Association Joseph F. Brennan praised Lamont for freezing income tax rates and for seeking concessions from state employee unions. But Brennan has said repeatedly that the key to encouraging companies to add workers and expand their business is a stable tax environment. In other words, if you adopt tax relief, deliver it. The new governor, who proposed a $42.3 billion, two-year budget to the legislature last Wednesday, has asked taxpayers to consider he is attempting something unprecedented. Lamont is trying to avert a major, projected deficit $3.5 billion to $3.7 billion over the next two years combined without raising income taxes. But thats not all. He also wants to restructure Connecticuts massive pension and bonded debt to end the cycle of deficits projected for many years down the road. And hes doing it with significant limitations on his ability to lay off state workers, meaning he has little leverage to negotiate with unions. None of that is likely to happen, Lamont said last week, unless some things change. This is the Land of Steady Habits, but we cant continue along the same path and expect that things will fix themselves, the governor said. Our state needs to make real, substantive structural changes to facilitate a sustainable financial future. Lamonts budget director, Office of Policy and Management Secretary Melissa McCaw, put things more succinctly. Folks there are no easy choices, she said. There is pain throughout the budget. But what about the legislature? Lamont administration budget director Melissa McCaw briefs the media on the governors proposal last week. Democrats widened their margins in the House and Senate in last Novembers elections and now hold majorities in both. But does that really matter, given that both parties voted overwhelmingly for these tax breaks as part of a budget compromise? At that time, legislators excluded lame-duck-Gov. Dannel P. Malloys administration from final negotiations after nearly eight months of attempts to reach a budget agreement had failed. No one expects lawmakers will exclude Lamonts administration from budget negotiations this spring after only four or five months in office, however, and Democratic leaders were diplomatic last week after the governor called for suspending the tax relief. A majority of these are not just my priorities, but things I touted and ran on last fall, House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin, said. It took a lot of effort to put them in place and I want to preserve them. But the speaker also said he has a deep appreciation for the problems Lamont is tackling and the fiscal stability he said he wants to bring to Connecticut. He is as advertised, Aresimowicz said, adding that applies not only to Lamonts goal, but to his pledge to take an open-door consensus approach toward the next state budget. I believe those tax cuts are going to be on the table. Senate President Pro Tem Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, said the governor obviously has his own take on this budget, but now its in our hands. Governor Lamont has said he wants a collegial process and he has not drawn any particular lines in the sand. Looney added that there remains substantial support in his caucus for the tax relief Lamont wants to rescind. But Looneys Republican counterpart, Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano of North Haven, said that while he also appreciates Lamonts efforts at inclusiveness, the new governor could have given more weight to these bipartisan legislative priorities in his own budget. The first thing he did was to dismantle a historic on many levels bipartisan budget, Fasano said, adding that he believes his caucus will support retaining the tax cuts. Just because you canchange course doesnt mean you should change course. The top Republican in the House, Minority Leader Themis Klarides of Derby, said Lamont has made it clear his budget proposal is only that a proposal and that other opinions are welcome. Clearly we are at the starting point of doing a budget now, she said. But Klarides also said much of the tax relief in the bipartisan budget were longtime Republican initiatives that remain GOP priorities. These are things that we fought for for many, many years, she said. Were going to continue to fight for that. On Dec. 23, authorities say, Plushkis robbed the TCF branch on Randall Road in Algonquin but was apprehended by a citizen in the parking lot. Jessica Plushkis was parked and tried to drive away after she saw her husband apprehended, but she was stopped by law enforcement and arrested. Specifically, the plan includes three parcels of property, all privately held and currently zoned unincorporated. The central parcel, or sub-area, is about 50 acres at Easton Avenue and North Main Street across from the commuter train station. This Easton Street gateway would include 35,000-square-feet of retail space with room for three to four restaurants, local businesses and two public plazas for farmers markets and festivals, Stilling said. It would also house 332 apartments or condos and 75 townhomes, according to village data. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 25) President Rodrigo Duterte has not let up on his attacks against the Catholic church, saying Monday that Catholicism will disappear in 25 years because of the clergy's alleged abuses. "Itong Katoliko na ito, will disappear. In almost 25 years wala na 'yan. Hindi na makalimutan ng tao 'yan," Duterte said in his speech Sunday. [Translation: This Catholic will disappear. In almost 25 years, it will disappear. People will not forget it.] Duterte said this will be the result of the church's alleged malpractices and a string of sexual abuse allegations it faces. "'Pag inabot ng libog, (inaabuso ang mga) madre. Kung mga bakla, ***, mga bata. Who needs a religion like that?" he said. [Translation:When they are aroused, they abuse nuns. If they're gay, they go to children. Who needs a religion like that?] The President and the church have been at odds over his tirades against the institution. Duterte has previously said he criticizes the church to push limits and "shake the tree." He previously called "God" stupid and lambasted a priest who prayed that the President falls ill amid allegations of his failing health. Duterte said all priests should die of venereal disease. She could especially relate to LBJ since she served as an assistant in the White House during his presidency and assisted in writing his memoirs. Even so, she is so steeped in the lives of the other presidents, that we felt she knew them too! Her visit to Barrington was arranged by Motorola Chairman and CEO Greg Brown, who introduced her. Five of the officers had injuries related to gunfire. The sixth received what police have described as a minor injury while responding to the Feb. 15 shooting at Henry Pratt Co., where an employee opened fire, injured the officers and killed five of his coworkers, police said. At 10:30 tomorrow, Tuesday, 26 February, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Katrougalos, will meet with the UN Secretary Generals Special Envoy on Cyprus, Jane Holl Lute, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Terence Quick, sent a letter to Mr. Giorgos Dimaras, the competent Deputy Minister for the Environment, requesting the extension of the date of submission of declarations to the National Cadastre for Greek expatriates or for all Greeks residing abroad, at least until the end of September. "The Greeks, regardless of whether they can avail themselves of the electronic submission or the assistance of a proxy holder, wish in many cases to take care themselves of these declarations and the best time is during their summer holidays in Greece, especially in July and August. The deadline set for the end of June 2019 must therefore be extended," said the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, adding: "In addition to the letter I sent on 15/02/19, I also discussed this question personally with my colleague, Mr Dimaras, who replied that since the request was reasonable he will propose to initiate the process of changing the dates, with the help of the National Cadastre." JOURNALIST: To date, how many times has the Joint Interdisciplinary Committee met, and what is planned as regards future meetings? M. BOLARIS: The Joint Interdisciplinary Committee of Experts which was established as a result of the Prespa Agreement has met one time to date, on 2 November 2018, in Thessaloniki. Both sides discussed, as a first stage, the establishment and adoption of the Committee's operating procedure so that the commitments undertaken with the Prespa Agreement are actualised to the letter. The next meeting is scheduled to take place in Doirani in the coming days. JOURNALIST: What are the main points of the common decisions to date, and what is the time frame for their implementation? M. BOLARIS: In accordance with Article 8(5) of the Prespa Agreement, the two countries must remove any irredentist or revisionist reference contained in the curriculum, textbooks, and every form of supplementary school material. As regards the Greek side, we decided to proceed with swift procedures in terms of the obligations that arise for our country from the International Agreement, for the purpose of avoiding lengthy procedures, as is the case with the corresponding committee that monitors Albanian books, which has been meeting for the past 16-17 years. Therefore, we put three issue to the other side, to be implemented from as early as the coming school year. JOURNALIST: Is recognition of the contested points an easy task? M. BOLARIS: It is clear that each side is fully aware of what the irredentist and revisionist references are which are included in textbooks and other supplementary school material. And it is the obligation of each side to proceed with implementation of an international agreement, which has already been ratified and approved and consequently has international effect globally as such. Based on the foregoing, during the first meeting in Thessaloniki - which I must stress was carried out in a very positive climate - the Greek side explicitly placed on the table that, in order to observe the letter and the spirit of the Prespa Agreement, as well as the categorical commitment to eliminate irredentist and revisionist references, the following is clear: 1) The detailed programmes to be issued by the Ministry of Education of North Macedonia for the 2019-2020 curriculum will provide clear and categorical instructions to educators [teachers and professors] that any material, which had been used during all the proceeding years as material for irredentism and revisionism, will not be taught. It is obvious from the text of the Prespa Agreement that this material is what is included in chapters of the curriculum which, in violation of the internationally accepted information from an academic, scientific and historical point of view, refer to propaganda adopted for geopolitical reasons on the relationship of the Slavic people of North Macedonia with the ancient Greek Culture of the Dorian Macedonians, the ancient Greek history and philosophy, Alexander the Great, his father Philip II of Macedon, his teacher Aristotle, Vergina, Pella, Amphipolis, Thessaloniki etc. 2) Every image, symbol, design, or photograph which are in some way related to the above, must be removed from all books - elementary school, middle school, high school textbooks - and not just history books; in other words all irredentist and revisionist references. 3) All maps must be removed, both those which are included in textbooks as well as those that are used as school aids and are posted in classrooms and schools and display examples of irredentism and revisionism, highly propagandistic material which lays out, before the eyes of young pupils, false and propagandistic depictions of Greater Macedonia. Our reference to all the above issues, a reference that is fully grounded in the spirit and letter of the Prespa Agreement, was clearly accepted by the other side. And how could it be otherwise? We did not seek anything more than that which has been accepted by the international community, and we shall settle for nothing less. In this manner, we ensure that as early as the coming school year, the above items will no longer be found in the curriculum, with a goal of, at a secondstage, inspecting the textbooks, line by line, a process that has already begun. JOURNALIST: What will you focus on during the next meeting? M. BOLARIS: During the next meeting of the two countries committees, we will focus on inspecting the basic education textbooks of North Macedonia. Specifically, the History and Geography textbooks will be examined. Special emphasis will be placed on the visual information, such as images and maps that depict irredentist and revisionist elements. JOURNALIST: What is your impression of the Joint Interdisciplinary Committee, its constitution, and its contacts to date? What would you say to those who express doubts? M. BOLARIS: The scientists that are participating in the JICE for the side of North Macedonia are distinguished professors with serious work under their belts, and this is why they have been entrusted with this task. They prove that our neighbours to the North have selected the path leading them out of their isolationism in the Balkans, the path of inclusion into the large European family. As a people and as a country, they came to Prespes free of geopolitical and geostrategic agendas, free of the falsehoods and distortions of the propaganda which to a great extent had been turned against themselves and, liberated, they declare before the international community that they are Slavs, that the language they speak is Slavic and they clarify that, as such, they cannot possibly have any relationship whatsoever with ancient Greek history or the cultural heritage of Greece. In other words, they are declaring the obvious. Consequently, the meetings of the two countries committees could not but be carried out in a very positive climate. We saw notable people on the other side's committee who understand history, historical truth, and the actions they must follow throughout their course of accession to NATO and to the European Union. Because voices have been heard which still have doubts with regard to adherence to what has been agreed upon, it is crucial to stress that, especially as regards what has been agreed upon pertaining to education, this constitutes an integral part of the European Acquis. Through the positive changes ushered in both by the work of the scientific committee we established, as well as the Prespa Agreement itself, time will continue to pass and wipe out this sick nationalism we have witnessed over recent decades. JOURNALIST: When will the Joint Interdisciplinary Committee have completed its work? M. BOLARIS: The work of the committee will be completed when every word of every textbook has been checked, as well as the related school material, and the agreed upon changes to the books have been made, which will be reprinted. But I repeat that, from the coming school year, the irredentist and lacking historical veracity segments of the curriculum will not be taught. As I told you, we want to finish the work with quality and effectiveness, as soon as possible. Having experienced difficulty with a similar committee for Albania's textbooks, we are attempting to speed up the changes so that as early as the coming school year, the three conditions that we have set are respected. Both as regards the Greek side as well as the side of North Macedonia, the committees consist of notable scientists who fully understand the task they must carry out, who have thorough knowledge of the history of the two peoples, respect international law and the European acquis, and are in a position to bring about justice and record historical truth, eliminating the propagandistic chapters, visual art, and maps that have sullied textbooks over recent decades. Let me remind that, for decades now, former Prime Ministers, Ambassadors and academics in the neighbouring country, with courage and overcoming the fears of a misconceived political cost, have honestly voiced the internationally accepted academic historical truth through their statements. SCHOOL BOARD (A full text of the minutes is available for public inspection at the District office, by mail, or on the district website.) A Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Royalton Public School District was held Monday, 8/20/2018, beginning at 6:00 PM in the ECC PK115 120 S Hawthorn St. Royalton, MN 56373. Directors present: Jim Block, Ellie Holm, Noel Guerard, Randy Hackett, and Mark Petron. Also in attendance: Tiffany Schmidt, Dawn Duevel, Andrea Swanberg, Phil Gurbada, John Phelps, and Tony Duevel. The meeting was called to order by Director Noel Guerard, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Reports included: Business Managers, Principals, Director of Student Activities and Community Education Coordinator, Superintendents, Director of Maintenance and Grounds, and Board Committees. The following action item was introduced and moved into adoption by Director Block and seconded by Director Holm. Resolution Relating to the Election of School Board Members and Calling the School District General Election Motion carried 5/0. This resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. Motion to approve the agenda and policies #521, #515, and #526 was moved by Director Block and seconded by Director Petron. Motion carried by 5/0 vote. Motion to approve the minutes of the 7/16/18 Board of Trustee meeting, financial transactions, contracts, the Set the Truth in Taxation Hearing, and upcoming meetings was moved by Director Holm and seconded by Director Hackett. Motion carried by 5/0 vote. Motion to approve hirings moved by Director Hackett and seconded by Director Petron. Motion carried by 5/0 vote. Motion to approve resignations was moved by Director Block and seconded by Director Holm. Motion carried 5/0 vote. Motion to approve donations and facilities use agreement was moved by Director Hackett and seconded by Director Block. Motion carried by 5/0 vote. Motion to approve of out of state travel was moved by Director Petron and seconded by Director Holm. Motion carried by 5/0 vote. Motion to approve bids for 2018-2019 School Year: Kemps was moved by Director Holm and seconded by Director Block. Motion carried by 5/0 vote. CentraSota was moved by Director Block and seconded by Director Petron. Motion carried by 5/0 vote. Discussion items were: Superintendent Evaluation Criteria and End of school year discussion Adjournment was moved by Director Petron and seconded by Director Block to adjourn the meeting at 8:25p.m. Motion carried by 5/0 vote. PUBLISH: September 30, 2018 (863340) Ad details SCHOOL BOARD (A full text of the minutes is available for public inspection at the District office, by mail, or on the district website.) A Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Royalton Public School District was held Monday, 8/20/2018, beginning at 6:00 PM in the ECC PK115 120 S Hawthorn St. Royalton, MN 56373. Directors present: Jim Block, Ellie Holm, Noel Guerard, Randy Hackett, and Mark Petron. Also in attendance: Tiffany Schmidt, Dawn Duevel, Andrea Swanberg, Phil Gurbada, John Phelps, and Tony Duevel. The meeting was called to order by Director Noel Guerard, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Reports included: Business Managers, Principals, Director of Student Activities and Community Education Coordinator, Superintendents, Director of Maintenance and Grounds, and Board Committees. The following action item was introduced and moved into adoption by Director Block and seconded by Director Holm. Resolution Relating to the Election of School Board Members and Calling the School District General Election Motion carried 5/0. This resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. Motion to approve the agenda and policies #521, #515, and #526 was moved by Director Block and seconded by Director Petron. Motion carried by 5/0 vote. Motion to approve the minutes of the 7/16/18 Board of Trustee meeting, financial transactions, contracts, the Set the Truth in Taxation Hearing, and upcoming meetings was moved by Director Holm and seconded by Director Hackett. Motion carried by 5/0 vote. Motion to approve hirings moved by Director Hackett and seconded by Director Petron. Motion carried by 5/0 vote. Motion to approve resignations was moved by Director Block and seconded by Director Holm. Motion carried 5/0 vote. Motion to approve donations and facilities use agreement was moved by Director Hackett and seconded by Director Block. Motion carried by 5/0 vote. Motion to approve of out of state travel was moved by Director Petron and seconded by Director Holm. Motion carried by 5/0 vote. Motion to approve bids for 2018-2019 School Year: Kemps was moved by Director Holm and seconded by Director Block. Motion carried by 5/0 vote. CentraSota was moved by Director Block and seconded by Director Petron. Motion carried by 5/0 vote. Discussion items were: Superintendent Evaluation Criteria and End of school year discussion Adjournment was moved by Director Petron and seconded by Director Block to adjourn the meeting at 8:25p.m. Motion carried by 5/0 vote. PUBLISH: September 30, 2018 (863340) MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes, 333 The filing of an assumed name does not provide a user with exclusive rights to that name. The filing is required for consumer protection in order to enable customers to be able to identify the true owner of a business. ASSUMED NAME: Electic Engineering PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: 2009 Laramie Trl Brooklyn Park, MN 55444 NAMEHOLDER(S): minh anderson 2009 Laramie Trl Brooklyn Park, MN 55444 I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath. DATE FILED: June 21, 2018 SIGNED BY: minh anderson Published in the Brooklyn Park Sun Post September 27, October 4, 2018 861043 Ad details MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes, 333 The filing of an assumed name does not provide a user with exclusive rights to that name. The filing is required for consumer protection in order to enable customers to be able to identify the true owner of a business. ASSUMED NAME: Electic Engineering PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: 2009 Laramie Trl Brooklyn Park, MN 55444 NAMEHOLDER(S): minh anderson 2009 Laramie Trl Brooklyn Park, MN 55444 I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath. DATE FILED: June 21, 2018 SIGNED BY: minh anderson Published in the Brooklyn Park Sun Post September 27, October 4, 2018 861043 Pinkard, 37, had only been on the job at the Henry Pratt Co. 11 months when an employee in the process of being fired opened fire, killing five people and wounding others including several police officers Feb. 15. Meridian, MS (39302) Today Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low near 70F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low near 70F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. HMD Global, the Finnish company that currently sells Nokia brand smartphones has launched a brand new device for photography enthusiasts. It's called the Nokia 9 PureView and has an array of 5 rear cameras and Nokia claims it is the next step in computational photography. HMD Global The Nokia 9 PureView was announced ahead of MWC alongside other budget smartphones such as the Nokia 4.2, Nokia 3.2, Nokia 1 Plus and a feature phone called the Nokia 210. The Nokia 9 PureView uses all five sensors at the same time to combine a number of images into one. MD Global claims that each lens shoots simultaneously in order to capture the perfect saturation, brightness and details. All five sensors on the Nokia PureView have 12MP sensors where three are monochrome sensors and the other two are RGB sensors with PDAF focus. The Nokia 9 PureView takes images in RAW by default and can be changed to different formats according to a user's preference. The camera setup was developed in collaboration with Light, a camera company known for making portable cameras with multiple lenses. The Nokia 9 PureView's comer setup is very reminiscent of the Light L 16 camera but with fewer lenses. All five camera lens on the Nokia 9 PureView is certified by Zeiss. Even though the Nokia 9 PureView has a Penta-camera setup, it does not have optical image stabilisation or OIS. Nokia is also partnering with Adobe for the Nokia 9. Lightroom will come preinstalled on the device and will have specific presets tuned to the lenses on the Nokia 9 PureView. Reuters In terms of components, the Nokia 9 PureView is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor which is a bit outdated now that Snapdragon 855 is available. The Nokia 9 PureView has a 5.99-inch 2K pOLED display with noticeable top and bottom bezels. The chipset is complemented by 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage which may not be enough to store RAW images. The Nokia 9 PureView is probably the most expensive device by HMD Global yet and will cost $699 (roughly Rs 49,674). Nokia 9 PureView is expected to launch in India soon and we will know the India pricing details when the smartphone gets launched. Sony's smartphone business has not seen any great traction in the recent past however that will now change with the Xperia 1. The Japanese company announced the Xperia 1 at MWC and it as has a very tall 21:9 display. It's Sony's new flagship smartphone and is the world's first smartphone with 4K resolution. (c) Sony Sony plans to breathe new life into its smartphone lineup by launching a smartphone with a very unique feature. The 4K resolution is probably aimed at users who like to watch a lot of video content on streaming apps such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. The Sony Xperia 1 has a 6.5 display which Sony calls CinemaWide as it combines 1-style image processing, as seen on Bravia TVs with the colour calibration of Sony's professional master monitors. The display also supports HDR content and as Dolby Atmos sound for the complete cinematic experience. The Sony Xperia 1 has stereo speakers at the bottom and in the earpiece. The screen on the Sony Xperia 1 is so tall that it is 1 full inch taller than the iPhone XS Max. (c) SlashLeaks Since the display is so tall, Sony is already emphasising on features such as using the extra real estate for using multiple apps at once (two apps at once). The tall screen is also capable of showing more information on the screen, especially when you browse the internet, read texts or emails. (c) Sony Other specifications for the Xperia 1 include a triple camera set up at the back where one is a 26mm wide lens (with OIS), a 52mm telephoto lens (also with OIS), and a 16mm superwide lens. The Sony Xperia 1 is also powered by Qualcomm's latest chipset i.e. Snapdragon 855. It has 6GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage and is water resistant. The fingerprint sensor on the Xperia 1 is on the side of the smartphone. For a 4K display, Sony is offering a 3,300 mAh battery with USB Power Delivery 3.0 support. Sony is targeting to launch the Xperia 1 by Spring and will be available in Black, Grey, White, or Purple. When it comes to shaving, good technique is a product of experience (as is the case with most things in life). However, that doesn't mean that you have to deal with painful nicks and cuts, or those annoying skin irritations, until you eventually become a skilled shaver. There are steps you can take to improve your shaving experience right from day one, and it all starts with getting your hands on the best razor. This simple act goes a long way to helping you achieve the smoothest, closest shave, and we're going to help you zero in on the perfect one. Selecting A Razor: The Basics Whether you plan to sport a classy clean shave or maintain a stylish beard, there's an element of grooming behind every look. In short, ignoring the razor completely is just not an option - instead, you should be selecting the best one as per your grooming routine. Essentially, you want a razor that can glide effortlessly over the contours of your face, removing hairs as closely as possible without leaving you looking like you've been attacked by a wild animal. Once that's settled, the next step is to select the right type of razor. There are enough options out there to make a man's head spin, including safety razors, straight razors, disposable razors, cartridge razors and electric razors. Finding the perfect one that works well not only with your skin, but also your shaving schedule, preferences and budget can turn out to be quite a daunting task. However, one thing you can be sure of is that there's definitely a razor out there to suit your particular shaving needs. Keeping that in mind, we've compiled this extensive list to help you pick out the perfect one. These Are The Best Razors All Indian Men Should Know About 1. Edwin Jagger Safety Razor Amazon Not only is this a supremely effective razor, it's also a great beauty, thanks to its two part, die cast and hand polished chrome plated blade head. The triple plated handle, along with the blue white scratch resistant chrome plating on the head components, make it a spectacle to behold. Even the handle is capped with chrome plated end cap detailing, while the Edwin Jagger name is embossed into the chrome plated collar as a mark of quality. It delivers a shaving angle that is gentle on all skin types thanks to expert precision engineering. This means a smooth, close, comfortable and accurate shave for all who use it, whether they're n old hand at shaving or a novice.When you purchase one of these beauties, you even get five free Derby double edge blades, which are some of the best razor blades in the world in terms of quality and performance. MRP: Rs. 4,183 Buy It Here 2. Gillette Flexball Fusion Pro Glide Amazon Featuring the thinnest ever blades used by Gillette, the Fusion Proglide glides effortlessly over your face thanks to the advanced low resistance coating on the blades. FlexBall technology further enhances the shave experience, allowing the head to pivot freely over the contours of your face while the Blade Stabilizer keeps the blade shape steady. As the blades are doing their job, a reformulated Lubrastrip that is infused with lubricating polymers and mineral oil makes their journey even smoother. Additional features that make this a viable choice of razor are the precision trimmer, long-hair trimmer comb, rinse through slots, and the incredibly affordable price. MRP: Rs. 499 Buy It Here 3. Wahl Professional 8051 Razor Edger Image Amazon It has the word 'Professional' in its name, and professional results are exactly what it delivers. This 5-Star Razor Edger from Wahl is designed to deliver the sharp and precise results that experts demand. Powered by a strong electromagnetic motor, it doesn't allow heat build up when it runs, which makes for a comfortable shaving experience. Its ergonomic shape makes it easy to grip and wield, so you can achieve the exact results that you visualised in your mind. This razor also comes with three T-blade guards, a pro set tool, oil, a cleaning brush, operating instructions, and a red blade guard. It also features an eight foot-long professional-grade, chemical resistant power cord, which allows mobility and freedom. So if you've been shying away from using an electric razor to shave your beard for fear of the damage it might do to your skin or hair, this is the perfect option for you. MRP: Rs. 6,673 Buy It Here 4. Feather Artist Club SS Straight Razor Amazon You've probably seen these beauties at your barber's shop, and marveled at the skill and dexterity shown by those who use it to give their clients a great shave. Still, you're quite literally putting a razor sharp blade to your throat, so you probably haven't made it part of your own grooming routine! However, this Feather Artist Club SS Scotch Wood Razor is an excellent option if you want to add a straight razor to your grooming arsenal. The razor head is made of SUS317 stainless steel, which not only makes for smooth shaving but also resists heat, chemicals and other impurities. The rounded head gently pushes the skin down and disperses optimal pressure at the blade tip, reducing the risk of nicks and cuts. The blade head is a spring-mounted, one-touch mechanism, which means it can be dismantled and reassembled for cleaning purposes with consummate ease. The beautiful wood handle is made of a non-endangered wood species, which means you're not harming the environment either. However, the Feather Artist Club SS Scotch Wood Razor is the best razor for men who want to add a straight razor to their grooming arsenal. MRP: Rs. 24,469 Buy It Here 5. Bic Single Blade Shavers Amazon Some of you might be more used to seeing the name Bic on a pen or a cigarette lighter, but the company has made great strides in the world of shaving too. For almost half a century now, their disposable razors have been a favourite among those who prefer a quick and easy shave. Their design takes shaving right back to the basics - a single blade that does an admirable job for one (or even a couple at a stretch) shave and can then be thrown away, to be replaced by another one of the same. More blades doesn't necessarily mean a better shave, and these throwaway razors offer a steady, straight shave at a ridiculously low price. MRP: Rs. 927 Buy It Here 6. Vikings Blade The Chieftain Safety Razor Amazon Just the badass name alone would be enough to make your shaving experience a great one, but as it happens, this is a quality safety razor as well! Featuring the finest materials from Sweden, their patented micro-comb system ensures a smooth shave with no cuts or skin irritation. This perfectly weighted razor is hand-crafted from a mix of brass and bronze and coated with shiny chrome, which makes it easy to use as well as durable. You can change blades with minimal effort thanks to the advanced butterfly head. With each purchase, you get a stylish case that also contains a mirror. You also get five raw, unbranded, unpolished super sharp platinum-coated Swedish steel blades, widely considered to be among the best razor blades you can get. MRP: Rs. 4,774 Buy It Here 7. Schick Hydro 5 Amazon One of the most efficient and affordable cartridge razors you can use, the Schick Hydro 5 features five ultra glide blades, equipped with with skin guards that smooth the skin and reduce irritation when you're shaving. For tricky areas like your upper lip or chin that a lot of men are liable to miss out on thanks to the tricky terrain, the flip trimmer is the easy-to-use solution. You can engage the trimmer with just a flick of your thumb, making it much easier to groom hard-to-reach areas. The handle also flaunts high-gloss colored chrome with soft touch rubber that provides a firm grip. If you're looking for the best shaving razor in India, this one is hard to overlook. MRP: Rs. 3,773 Buy It Here 8. Philips Norelco Oneblade Electric Trimmer and Shaver Amazon This isn't just your average, run-of-the-mill electric shaver - Philips has made a big splash in the world of male grooming with a product that's unlike any other. The rechargeable OneBlade is a hybrid razor, shaver and trimmer all wrapped up in one stylish package. One blade is all you need to trim, edge, or shave any length of hair, especially when the blade is capable of moving 200 times per second! With three different comb lengths that you can choose from, you can switch between designer stubble, short beards and a clean shave without hurting your skin due to the overuse of blades on it. What makes it one of the best electric razors in the world is the fact that it can be used wet or dry, and the blade is designed to last up to four months, which means it's extremely durable as well. MRP: Rs. 3,850 Buy It Here 9. Dovo Straight Razor Amazon Although the price tag might seem a little steep at first, it's an investment that's totally worth it when you consider that this is a razor that'll last you a lifetime. Featuring the precision and quality one associates with German engineering, its three inch blade is crafted from a single piece of carbon steel. Pre-honed and stropped when you get your hands on it (along with its own carry case), it will glide through your whiskers effortlessly. Once you get the hang of shaving with a straight razor, you definitely won't regret investing in this piece of art. MRP: Rs. 21,497 Buy It Here 10. Rockwell Razors R1 Safety Razor Amazon If you're looking to explore the world of shaving with double edge razors, this is the ideal beginner instrument for you. It features top quality components and an advanced butterfly head which combine to create for an effortless and intuitive shaving experience. Its setting is such that the user is protected from nicks and cuts, while also eliminating ingrown hairs, shaving acne, and other irritation. This makes it one of the most popular options when you're in the market for the best shaving razor for sensitive skin. It's made from a carefully selected, superior alloy that makes it a durable shaving tool, and this particular variant also comes with five Rockwell Razors blades that are made from premium Swedish stainless steel. MRP: Rs. 2,732 Buy It Here 11. MicroTouch Tough Blade Razor Amazon If you're looking for a great deal on shaving accessories, this is the best razor and blade combo you'll get in terms of value for money. Why? Well, it comes with no less than 12 replacement blades, which makes it the best shaving razor for men who have an eye for a bargain. Each razor head contains three German engineered stainless steel blades, all with a micro-thin, non-stick coating that almost quadruples their longevity as compared to others on the market. The slip-resistant grip proves extremely useful when you're rushing through a quick shave before work, and the whole thing has a nice weight to it that makes for an effortless shave all the time. MRP: Rs. 3,668 Buy It Here 12. Braun Series 9 9240s Electric Shaver Amazon Another shining example of German craftsmanship, the Braun Series 9 Electric Shaver provides superb skin comfort and unmatched closeness thanks to the combination of no less than four cutting elements and one skin guard. Two of those are specialised trimmers with a titanium coating, all placed on a 10 directional flexible head that adapts to your facial contours and catches even hard to reach hairs. It's completely waterproof, which means it can be used wet or dry, with shaving cream or foam, and comes complete with a 5-action alcohol-based Clean&Charge station that also lubricates, dries and charges your shaver. MRP: Rs. 17,399 Buy It Here 13. Merkur 34C Heavy Duty Safety Razor Amazon Available in four different finishes including chrome, gold, and stainless matte, the Merkur 34C razor is a heavy-duty German-made shaving tool. Its three-inch long handle has a non-slip grip, which means you can save time and use it in the shower as well! The grip also serves to make it extremely manoeuvrable, so this is an ideal choice for the first time shaver. It's incredibly easy to use thanks to its unique two-piece design that allows for easy loading of blades. The classic closed comb, straight bar-head design gives it a solid, old fashioned look that is further enhanced by the knurled, barber-pole and smooth handle options. MRP: Rs. 3,674 Buy It Here 14. Bolin Webb X1 Nero Razor Amazon If there ever was such a thing as a luxury razor, this surely is it. The X1 razor from Bolin Webb was inspired by the curves and design of the Aston Martin cars, so you know it's a sight to behold. The razor is sheathed in a lacquered metal coat, which is available in a series of colours. The striking black finish of this particular variant gives it a sleek look too. All these design features make this the best razor for shaving enthusiasts who also appreciate design. It's not just about its looks though, as the base of the razor is made of bacteria-resistant rubber that enhances grip and also promotes hygiene. MRP: Rs. 19,328 Buy It Here 15. Remington TF70CDN Electric Razor Amazon If you want to keep up with your grooming regime even when you're on the go, then this is the best razor to take along on your travels, for a number of reasons. Its blades are made of surgical steel, and are housed beneath two foils to deliver a smooth shave. The integrated head guard and built-in cleaning brush help protect the components and make maintenance extremely easy. It even has a travel lock to ensure that it won't turn on and drain the batteries unbeknownst to you while it's stored away in your bags. All things considered, it's a super compact yet super effective option that would be a great addition to any shaving kit. MRP: Rs. 2,349 Buy It Here Read More: Best Safety Razor Types of Razors Best Razor Blade Radiotherapy for prostate cancer is an alternative to surgical treatment such as Radical prostatectomy and over the years the results of this treatment have improved and currently the results seem to be comparable to surgery. New era of medical research and treatment with radiations began, following the ground-breaking discovery of radioactive elements radium and polonium by Madam Marie Curie. Radiation therapy is now an essential part of Cancer therapy around the world. The Treatment modality is now highly developed and sophisticated for cancers like Prostate cancer. Two Main Types of Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer: External beam Radiotherapy Internal Radiotherapy (Brachytherapy) External Beam Radiation Therapy (ERBT) utilises high-energy rays or particles to destroy cancer cells by disrupting their DNA structure. Radiotherapy for Prostate cancer is used for different stages of the cancer and is indicated as follows: As a first line treatment for localised cancer or the cancer which is not spread outside the prostate gland. Success rate for curing cancer with radiotherapy at this stage is similar to Radical prostatectomy surgery. First line therapy along with hormonal therapy for the cancer, which has spread outside the prostate gland but in nearby tissues only. In case of incomplete removal of prostate gland during surgery or in Cancer recurrence. As a palliative treatment in Advanced cancer with purpose of reducing the tumor size and providing pain relief due to bone metastasis. When is External Beam Radiation Therapy (ERBT) Not Used? ERBT is contraindicated in patients with history of gastrointestinal problems like ulcerative colitis and diverticulitis as well as in patients with poorly controlled Diabetes, because EBRT in these patients will carry high risk of Intestinal Obstruction, Perforation, Colitis and Proctitis. EBRT is used for treating prostate cancer in its early stages and also for prostate cancer that has spread outside the gland to bones. The Radiation is applied from outside the body in form of focused beams of radiation. Imaging evaluations like X-ray, CT scan or MRI of pelvis area is done before initiation of the therapy to identify the exact location of prostate cancer. Once the tumor size and location is known, physicians put some ink marks on the skin of patient which are then used to focus radiation beams on affected area. Mostly the patient is treated 5 days a week as an out-patient up to 7-9 weeks. The procedure is painless and is completed within few minutes. Observational research suggests that when patients with localised cancer are treated with EBRT, 60-65% of them have disease-free survival up to five years. However, 10 year disease free survival rate is observed in only 30-40% and disease recur in 70-80% patients at 15 years after therapy. The long term results of radical prostatectomy are considered better than EBRT. With advancement in technology, newer EBRT techniques have been developed which can administer higher dose of radiation which are more focused to the tumor to reduce radiation to adjoining structures and hence lower the side effects of the treatment. Three Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT) In 3D-CRT, location mapping of prostate tumor is done using advanced technology like CT and MRI, after which precisely shaped and focused radiation beams are administered to the patient. During the course of therapy, the patient is confined in a Plastic body cast to reduce movement and increase accuracy of the treatment. Research suggests that 3D-CRT is more effective in the patients whose pre-treatment PSA (prostate specific antigen) level are 10-20 ng/ml. Also the therapy is 30% more effective as compared to the EBRT in providing disease free survival up to five years. Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) for Prostate Cancer Treatment IMRT is an advanced form of 3 Dimensional conformal radiotherapy. Currently, it is the most common method of EBRT used for treating prostate cancer. A movable unit of the machine moves around the affected area to deliver focused radiation beams from different angles. The main advantage of this method is that the radiation dose can be adjusted and reduced during the course of treatment so that normal surrounding tissues are less affected and hence it lowers the side effects of radiation. Recent IMRT machines carry an in-built imaging scanner. This advanced technique is known as Image guided radiation therapy (IGRT). Imaging scanners in IGRT allow the Radiologist to capture picture of prostate tumor during the procedure and allows him to make necessary Radiation dose adjustments in order to enhance effectiveness and reduce radiation toxicity to normal surrounding tissues. However, further research is warranted to verify the safety and efficacy of this method. In another form of IGRT, minute implants are placed in the prostate tumor which emits radio waves which act as the guide to Radiation machine for delivering more focused radiation. The main advantage of this technique is that it guides the radiation machine to make even the minutest movement adjustment even if the patient moves during normal breathing. The machines that use this are known as Calypso. A Major Meta-Analysis of 23 studies among 9556 Prostate patients, by Yu et Al in 2016 has found out that IMRT produces less toxicity has shown significant reduction in Morbidity and gastro-intestinal toxicity when compared to 3D CRT. Further sophisticated variation of IMRT is known as Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). The VMAT technique administers radiation to affected area in focused by highly rapid manner and therefore allows the procedure to complete within few minutes. While VMAT technique is more convenient for the patient, so far no research has been identified to prove it superior to IMRT. Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for Prostate Cancer Treatment SBRT is another form of advanced technology used for delivery high intensity radiation to the prostate cancer tumor with extreme precision (i.e. stereostatically). The technique utilises sophisticated imaging techniques like 3 dimensional CT scans to develop precise map of prostate tumor. The entire course of treatment is completed within few days with SBRT as compared to few months with other forms of External beam radiation therapy and therefore reduces the overall cost of prostate cancer treatment. However, recent clinical trial performed at Yale School of Medicine suggested that patient taking SBRT are at higher risk of developing genitourinary and gastrointestinal radiation toxicity as compared to the conventional IMRT. Proton Beam Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer Treatment Proton beam Radiation therapy utilises protons for generating radiations unlike X-rays used in other types of EBRT. X-rays emit radiation energy both before and after hitting the target and therefore affects the surrounding normal tissues. On the other hand, protons first travel up to particular distance and then release energy. This characteristic of Proton beams allows them to deliver higher energy to prostate tumor in a more precise manner. Techniques similar to those used in 3D-CRT and IMRT are also used for Proton beam radiation therapy. Although early results are promising, so far studies have not shown that proton beam therapy is safer or more effective than other types of EBRT for treating prostate cancer. Right now, proton beam therapy is not widely available. The machines needed to make protons are very expensive, and they arent available in many centres or countries. Proton beam radiation might not be covered by all insurance companies at this time. Radiotherapy can be combined with hormonal therapy or surgery to improve treatment outcomes. There are various terms used for this combination What is Combined Radiotherapy and Androgen Ablation? The combined radiotherapy and androgen ablation are gaining significance in treating Prostate cancer with Intermediate grade cancers such as Gleason scores of 7 or more, which suggests bi-lobar and more severe cancer, which is moderately curable or very unlikely to be cured. The Treatment modality uses both the androgen ablation using hormone therapy and External beam radiation together or in alternative stages. Research by Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (USA) has found that 4 months of hormonal ablation therapy along with EBRT is more effective in producing disease-free survival (identified by low levels of PSA) at 5 years as compared to EBRT alone for patients with Gleason score of more than 6. In case of more curable early stages of prostate cancer, the European Organisation for Research and treatment has found that primary total hormonal ablation therapy for reducing the size of tumor increases the effectiveness and outcome of 3D-CRT in producing disease free survival at 5 years. When External beam radiation therapy is given in addition after prostate surgery or in addition to Brachytherapy, it is known as adjunctive EBRT. As per the findings of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (USA), combination of EBRT and permanent implant brachytherapy provides higher rate of disease free survival at 5 years for high-risk patient as compared to brachytherapy alone or surgery alone. In many cases, higher PSA levels are detected even after Radical prostatectomy, which suggests incomplete removal of prostate tumor. Adjunctive EBRT is applied in such cases. American Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology suggest that post-operative EBRT reduces the PSA levels by 70% and therefore provides more effective destruction of prostate tumor. Bowel disturbances: Irritation and damage caused to intestine and rectum by radiations lead to development of medical condition called Proctitis. The condition is characterised by frequent diarrhoea, bloody stool, stool leakage, and incontinence of gas. Irritation and damage caused to intestine and rectum by radiations lead to development of medical condition called Proctitis. The condition is characterised by frequent diarrhoea, bloody stool, stool leakage, and incontinence of gas. Urinary bladder cystitis: Damage to urinary bladder and cystitis causes urine frequency, Urinary incontinence, burning sensation and often bloody urine. Erectile dysfunction and Impotence: Erection problems and impotence gradually develop over years after EBRT. Erection problems and impotence gradually develop over years after EBRT. Fatigue: Very common side effect. Feeling of tiredness continues for months after taking EBRT. Very common side effect. Feeling of tiredness continues for months after taking EBRT. Lymphedema: If the lymph nodes around the prostate glands are damaged during EBRT, lymph fluid becomes stagnant in legs and genital region causing swelling and pain. If the lymph nodes around the prostate glands are damaged during EBRT, lymph fluid becomes stagnant in legs and genital region causing swelling and pain. Urethral Stricture: Rarely the urethra (tube which allows to pass urine out of body) is damaged by radiation which causes difficulty in urination. It should be noted that with advancement in EBRT techniques which administer focused radiations, the rates of these adverse effects are decreasing. The number of people with Diabetes is steadily rising in India. At present, 74 million Indians have Diabetes. Not even half of this number is aware that they have Diabetes. Only half of those who are aware seek medical management and treatment for Diabetes and its varied complications. Another 77 million people are suspected to be prediabetic. Uncontrolled Diabetes is known to cause damage to the kidneys, nerves, eyes and heart.Chellaram Hospital - Diabetes Care & Multispeciality has organized its 3rd International Diabetes Summit 2019 from 8th to 10th March 2019 to tackle Diabetes and identify practical ways to tackle the growing menace of Diabetes and its complications. The International Diabetes Summit aims to empower healthcare professionals with the latest research and knowledge to win this uphill battle to defeat Diabetes.Dr Deelip Mhaisekar, Vice Chancellor of MUHS, Nashik will grace the inaugural function. Nearly 1550 delegates are expected to attend this conference. World renowned scientific experts in the field of Diabetes including Clinicians and Researchers from Karolinska Institute, Lund University and Orebro (Sweden), Mayo Clinic and University of Virginia and University of Miami (USA) and Cardiff University and University of Manchester (UK) and 50 faculty members from India are speaking at the summit. Chellaram Foundation Diabetes Research Award amounting to 1 lakh rupees will be awarded to one of the 50 young researchers presenting posters and free papers at the conference.A unique feature of the summit is the Workshop on management of Diabetic Lower Limb Neuropathy. This workshop will include a live demonstration of clinical examination of diabetic foot and hands-on training session on how to treat wounds and calluses.Another salient feature of the summit includes a discussion on Decoding Fad Diets whose main aim is to look at various diets that either helps you lose weight or reverse Diabetes by normalising blood glucose levels through low calorie diets and exercise. The summit will also cover discussions and talks on new age treatments, bariatric surgery, new technology to manage foot infections, injectable therapies, hypothyroidism, continuous glucose monitoring, insulin pumps, once-a-week injections, role of artificial intelligence in Diabetes management, remote monitoring of Diabetes, self-monitoring of Diabetes, etc.Mr Lal L. Chellaram, the Patron of International Diabetes Summit and the Chairman of Chellaram Hospital - Diabetes Care & Multispeciality, says Chellaram Hospital - Diabetes Care & Multispeciality is at the forefront in the fight to tackle the escalating problem of Diabetes in India. The International Diabetes Summit is an example of our effort to empower health care providers with the best knowledge about diabetes care strategies. This would eventually have a major impact on the treatment of Diabetes and its complications which affect the various parts of the body.Dr Unnikrishnan AG, CEO of Chellaram Hospital - Diabetes Care & Multispeciality says, The International Diabetes Summit, organized by Chellaram Hospital - Diabetes Care & Multispeciality, is a unique initiative to bring world class Diabetology care practices to the Indian setting. Diabetes in India poses a distinct challenge, when compared to Diabetes in Western countries. In this conference, the best Diabetes experts from the world would interact with their Indian counterparts. I hope that the unique India-oriented solutions that this interaction brings forth would help improve the lives of the millions of people suffering from Diabetes in India.Dr (Brig.) Anil P Pandit, Chief Medical Director of Chellaram Hospital - Diabetes Care & Multispeciality says Chellaram Hospital - Diabetes Care & Multispeciality has a unique initiative to fight against the epidemic of Diabetes. Diabetes has affected close to 74 million people and Chellaram Hospital - Diabetes Care & Multispeciality provides advanced infrastructure and facilities including endocrinology, haemodialysis centre, podiatry department, real- time continuous glucose monitoring system, insulin pump, bariatric surgery. Recently, the Chellaram Hospital has expanded to provide multispecialty care including state-of-the-art cath-lab, comprehensive ophthalmic care and advanced radiological imaging. We hope this unique conference will help highlight a novel way to fight the Diabetes epidemic in India.The 3rd International Diabetes Summit - 2019 seeks to bridge the gap between current theoretical knowledge and its and application and practice in the real-world. The summit aims to provide comprehensive knowledge about Diabetes and its complications to health care practitioners of India. Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, is when the thyroid gland produces too few hormones. Low levels of thyroid hormones can cause a wide range of signs and symptoms from changes in mental functioning to digestive issues. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits in front of the neck. Thyroid hormones play a vital role in regulating metabolism and energy use and affect almost all of the bodys organs. In the early stages, a person may not notice any symptoms. However, without treatment, hypothyroidism can lead to severe complications, such as infertility and heart disease. In this article, we describe 12 common signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism. We also discuss how common hypothyroidism is and when to see a doctor. Share on Pinterest Image credit: Stephen Kelly, 2019 1. Fatigue Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism. Many people with the condition report feeling so exhausted that they are unable to go about their day as usual. The fatigue occurs regardless of how much sleep a person gets or how many daytime naps they take. Treatment for hypothyroidism usually improves peoples energy levels and functioning. 2. Weight gain Thyroid hormones help to regulate body weight, food intake, and the metabolism of fat and sugar. People with low levels of thyroid hormones can experience weight gain and an increase in body mass index (BMI). Even mild cases of hypothyroidism may increase the risk of weight gain and obesity. People with the condition often report having a puffy face as well as excess weight around the stomach or other areas of the body. 3. Sore muscles and joints Hypothyroidism can affect a persons muscles and joints in numerous ways, causing: aches pains stiffness swelling of the joints tenderness weakness Research also suggests a link between thyroid disorders and rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune condition that causes painful swelling in the lining of the joints. Effective treatment for both conditions will help people manage their symptoms. 4. Mood and memory changes It is common for individuals with untreated hypothyroidism to experience: anxiety depression apathy, or general lack of interest or feelings of indifference impaired memory function less attentiveness and concentration low moods slower thinking and speech These symptoms can occur because the brain requires thyroid hormones to function correctly. Research shows that low levels of thyroid hormones can cause changes in brain structure and functioning. These brain changes can reverse once a person begins treatment. 5. Feeling cold Share on Pinterest A person with hypothyroidism can continually feel cold. Hypothyroidism can slow down metabolism, which can lead to a drop in core body temperature. As such, some people with low levels of thyroid hormones may feel cold all the time or have a low tolerance of the cold. This feeling of coldness can persist, even when in a warm room or during the summer months. People with hypothyroidism often report having cold hands or feet, although they may feel that their whole body is cold. These symptoms are not exclusive to hypothyroidism, however. Circulation problems or anemia can also cause people to feel chilly. 6. Constipation Digestion is another body function that can slow down due to hypothyroidism. Studies report that an underactive thyroid can cause problems with movement through the gut and the activity of the stomach, small intestine, and colon. These digestive changes cause some people to experience constipation. Doctors typically define constipation as having fewer than three bowel movements a week. A person may also have hard stools, difficulty passing stool, or a feeling of being unable to empty the rectum fully. 7. High cholesterol Thyroid hormones play a vital role in removing excess cholesterol from the body via the liver. Low hormone levels mean that the liver struggles to carry out this function and blood cholesterol levels can increase. Research suggests that up to 13 percent of individuals with high cholesterol also have an underactive thyroid. As a result, many experts recommend that doctors routinely test people with high cholesterol for hypothyroidism. Treating the thyroid problem may help reduce cholesterol levels, even in those who do not take cholesterol-lowering drugs. 8. Slow heart rate People with hypothyroidism may also have a slower heart rate, or bradycardia. Low thyroid levels can affect the heart in other ways too. These effects may include: changes in blood pressure variations in heart rhythm less elastic arteries Bradycardia can cause weakness, dizziness, and breathing problems. Without treatment, this heart condition may result in serious complications, such as high or low blood pressure or heart failure. 9. Hair loss Untreated hormone disorders, including thyroid problems, can contribute to hair loss. This is because thyroid hormones are essential for the growth and health of hair follicles. Hypothyroidism may cause hair loss from the: scalp eyebrows legs other body parts People with thyroid problems are also more prone to developing alopecia, which is an autoimmune condition that causes hair to fall out in patches. 10. Dry skin and weak hair and nails An underactive thyroid affects the skin in various ways and can cause symptoms, such as : dry, coarse skin paleness thin, scaly skin People with hypothyroidism may also develop dry, brittle, and coarse hair or dull, thin nails that break easily. These symptoms usually clear up once people begin thyroid hormone therapy. 11. Goiter A goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland that appears as a swelling at the base of the neck. Other goiter symptoms include: a cough hoarseness problems swallowing and breathing Many thyroid problems can result in a goiter, including iodine deficiency and Hashimotos thyroiditis, which is an autoimmune condition that damages the thyroid gland, stopping it producing enough hormones. Other causes include underactive thyroid and, less commonly in the United States, iodine deficiency. 12. Menstrual changes People with an underactive thyroid may experience heavy or irregular menstrual periods or spotting between periods. According to the Society of Menstrual Cycle Research, hypothyroidism causes these problems because it affects other hormones that play a role in menstruation, such as by: impairing the detoxification of estrogen reducing the amount of sex hormone-binding globulin. How common is it? Share on Pinterest Hypothyroidism is more likely to affect people over 60. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, hypothyroidism affects around 4.6 percent of people aged 12 years or older in the U.S. However, most of these individuals experience only mild symptoms. Hypothyroidism is more likely to occur in women and people over 60 years of age. Other risk factors include: a personal or family history of thyroid problems previous thyroid surgery or radiation treatment to the neck or chest having been pregnant recently other health conditions, such as Turner syndrome, Sjogrens syndrome, or certain autoimmune conditions When to see a doctor It is vital for people with unexplained fatigue or other signs or symptoms of hypothyroidism to see a doctor. Without treatment, an underactive thyroid can lead to serious complications, such as infertility, obesity, and heart disease. A doctor can carry out a simple blood test to check a persons thyroid hormone levels. Treatment for hypothyroidism involves taking synthetic thyroid hormones. These medications are safe and effective once a person takes the right dose. by Ray Schultz , February 25, 2019 The sums may pale next to the 50 million fine doled out to Google by French authorities, but Germany has imposed several GDPR-related penalties and is considering others. A survey by Handelsblatt shows that 41 fines have been issued by German privacy authorities through mid-January of this year, according to an analysis by Mondaq. The highest fine has been 80,000 -- for an entity that allowed health-related data to be publicly seen, the report continues. In addition, a 20,000 penalty was imposed on the chat portal Knuddels.de by the State Data Protection and Freedom of Information Officer for Baden-Wurttemberg. The offense: A 2018 data breach in which hackers captured personal data, using passwords allegedly saved in plain text on the company server. Some state data supervisory authorities are still hesitant to issue fines, Mondaq advises. However, companies should not rely on this. Instead, they should view the fines as motivation to update their data protection policies as needed, it adds. And they should cooperate with authorities in the event of a data breach. Such behavior is rewarded. In another action, Germanys Bundeskartellamt, or Federal Cartel Office warned Facebook that it must stop collecting data on unsuspecting consumers and combining it with their Facebook accounts within the year. This is Germanys anti-trust watchdog, not its privacy authority. Facebook said it will challenge the Bundeskartellamt in court. Similarly, Google is planning to fight the fine levied by France's Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertes (CNIL). The CNIL alleges that Google is not being transparent and providing data to users, as required under the GDPR. In January, the Austria-based privacy group None Of Your Business (Noyb) filed actions against Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Youtube, Spotify and three other firms, alleging that they failed to provide requested data. Google's chief data officer Keith Enright said last week that the firm's CNiL case and others involving multinationals are likely to come before Europes highest court. We disagree on the law, Enright said in a speech before the Institute of International and European Affairs in Dublin, according to The Irish Times. We disagree with the opinion the [CNIL] reached, but we recognize that there is ambiguity. He noted, however, that all of this is clear evidence that we remain in a position of considerable uncertainty for the foreseeable future. by Steven Rosenbaum , Featured Contributor, February 25, 2019 The media ecosystem is changing. We can feel it. TV used to be free, over the air and advertising-supported. But now its increasingly by subscription, and even the NBC shows on Hulu are a mix of ad-supported and subscription. But what if theres a new media ecosystem on the horizon one that doesnt rely on advertising at all? As the internet weaves its way into every part of our lives, the old methods of broadcast advertising that demand attention are turning off audiences, millennials, and their younger friends. Why? Because audiences dont want to be lectured, sold to, preached at, and overwhelmed. The old idea of dominating with brand voice doesnt work in the world of conversational marketing and social engagement. And platforms like Facebook and YouTube are finding that selling brand advertisers spots adjacent to the wild West of the open web doesnt work, either. AT&T, Nestle, Disney, and Hasbro are pulling ads off YouTube due to objectionable content in the comments section next to videos of young children. advertisement advertisement In a post on The Conversation, Ramsi Woodcock, an assistant professor of law at the University of Kentucky, goes so far as to ask the question that puts gasoline on the fire: Is Advertising Obsolete? Herein lies the paradox of all advertising in the information age, online or otherwise. If there is one thing that the internet has made it easy for consumers to access without the help of advertising, it is information and especially information about products, writes Woodcock. Woodcock bases his argument on his reading of antitrust laws. He poses it this way: Imagine a world wiped clean of advertising of all kinds -- from sponsored Google search to Facebooks sponsored posts as well as TV commercials and billboards in the offline world. Would you still be able to find all the information you could ever want about products in this alternative world? Of course you would. As sociologist Emily Fogg Mead wrote a century ago: "Ads are a subtle, persistent, unavoidable presence that creeps into the readers inner consciousness. A mechanical association is formed and may frequently result in an involuntary purchase. And Woodcock agrees: Advertising remains so common today not because it informs but because it persuades. Which brings us to his antitrust argument: "Commercial advertising can put companies selling products that consumers might actually prefer, but are less well advertised, at a competitive disadvantage says Woodcock. "That gives the Federal Trade Commission, which is charged with enforcing the nations antitrust laws, a legal basis for going beyond current limits on advertising that is false or aimed at children, to sue to put an end to all advertising. So if advertising is obsolete, what replaces it? What if brands, services organizations, and associations dont really want to sell things? What if instead, they want to share stories, invite action, and reward readers/viewers who embrace their story and share it? Is endorsement and amplification as important a measurable outcome as ringing the register for organizations with social rather than economic goals? As consumers begin to consider, and then demand, control over their personal data, the power to register preferences puts users back in control of what they buy, and how their preferences are inculcated in user data. Which could well lead to user- controlled AI and interaction with chatbots. Chatbots have significant advantages over advertising. Deep learning and predictive analytics allow them to have data-driven relationships with users. They are adaptable more than an ad campaign can ever be. The more you share with a bot, the more it can fine-tune its response and the offers it shares with you, driven by your past-purchase history and behaviors. Advertising is information. Information is either controlled by the platform or by the user. Today, Facebook and Google are free, but we pay these platforms with our data. And advertisers pay the platforms to target us with an endless flow of offers and come-ons. But Woodcock and others think the time has come to no longer make users into the product and instead once again make users the customer. Using emerging tools like blockchain, user preferences and behaviors may once again be the property of users, shared knowingly, and in ways that benefit users rather than put them in the line of fire for a barrage of poorly targeted ad campaigns. Much as junk mail is now managed by increasingly capable fillers, junk advertising may be the next recipient of smart filters and engaged consumers. Are ads obsolete? It may be time to find out. *Rasmi Woodcock will be at SXSW, on a panel with Tracie Lee, product design director of The New York Times, and myself. The panel will be moderated by commentator and comedian Baratunde Thurston. Its March 8 at 11 a.m. You can learn more about the panel here. Hope to have you join the conversation in Austin, or in the comments section below. The first informational meeting will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. March 5 at the Oswego Public Library, 32 Jefferson St. in Oswego. Two other meetings will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. March 13 at the Oswego Fire Protection District Station 1, 3511 Woolley Road, Oswego; and 10:30 a.m. to noon March 21 at the Oswegoland Park District Civic Center, 5 Ashlawn Ave. in Montgomery. by Sara Guaglione , February 25, 2019 PCMaghas created a new hub to track the top four wireless carriers Race to 5G. Intel is the launch sponsor. 5G is the next generation of wireless networks. It's not just faster lower latency and more flexibility mean it could start an era of augmented reality, self-driving vehicles, and other applications we haven't dreamed of yet. It's going to take years to realize 5G's potential, reads the landing pages description. According to a post on the "Race to 5G" hub by Sascha Segan, PCMag.coms lead mobile analyst, the impact of 5G is best understood by looking at how 3G and 4G "transformed society." 3G basically enabled widespread mobile web use. 4G introduced a host of applications that changed America: Instagram, Snapchat, and Uber, for instance," Segan writes. advertisement advertisement Over the next two years, PCMag.com will update the hub monthly with data on the telecoms companies move to adopt 5G from the current 4G system, based on coverage, device availability and speed. PCMag is tracking AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon. There is a ton of misinformation in the 5G space and it is only going to get worse as competition heats up," Dan Costa, editor-in-chief of PCMag and senior vice president of content of parent Ziff Davis, told Publishers Daily. "We wanted a way for consumers and businesses to know how fast 5G is and exactly where it is being rolled out." PCMag will follow the rollout "until the entire nation has 5G coverage," Costa added. PCMag.com will give points to each carrier that makes strides in the move to 5G: One point for each 5 million covered. Three points for each device model launched and points for download speeds and low latency. So far, AT&T and Verizon are tied, with three points in the devices category. AT&T is testing a Netgear Nighthawk 5G mobile hotspot with a limited release. Samsung recently announced its Galaxy S10 5G phone will be available for all four US carriers, starting with Verizon, in the second quarter. The hub also offers links to available 5G products, as well as the latest PCMag news and reviews on 5G, such as Sprint shows the first real 5G coverage maps and a link to the Netgear Nighthawk 5G. Costa said PCMag's data-driven journalism and testing experience "help our readers make better purchase decisions." by Larissa Faw , February 25, 2019 Bernstein-Rein founder Bob Bernstein and his sons Steve and David are re-acquiring Kansas City-based Beauty Brands, a retail beauty products and salon business they developed and later sold. The seller is TSG Consumers Partners; the salon business fell into bankruptcy under the company. The deal includes 23 stores operating in Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Colorado and Texas, as well as a distribution center in Lenexa Kansas. With the business back under their wing, the Bernsteins are wielding their advertising expertise by enlisting B-R leaders at their Kansas City headquarters to lay out a new vision for rebuilding the company to its full potential. We recognize the marketplace has evolved a ton in the last five years. That said, the combination of our business and category experience paired with incredibly strong marketing capabilities, were excited to see how successful we can be with Beauty Brands now that were back. advertisement advertisement "We think the sky is the limit, said David Bernstein, who will now run the re-acquired business as CEO. The Bernsteins sold the company five years ago to TSG because the founders believed more capital could grow the business faster. But the growth plans developed by private equity-focused TSG foundered. Now, BR is embarking on the largest client turnaround mission in the agencys history. "Our experience in the beauty and retail categories paired with our marketing expertise has us very confident well be successful," says Steve Bernstein, B-R CEO. He says the firm plans to return Beauty Brands back to its customer-first fundamentals. "Were so confident weve invested a sizable sum and know itll be a shining example of our business and marketing prowess," he adds. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, February 25, 2019 Making a stronger move into the United States, Uberall expanded its U.S. channel partner program for small and medium-size businesses that use its services such as the Location Marketing Cloud platform. The platform allows marketers to manage interactions per location in real-time on all digital platforms such as websites, mobile apps, store locators, search engines, maps, social media, and voice assistants. The expansion aims to grow the U.S. portion of their business. The majority of the clients are based in Europe. By partnering with Uberall, channel partners can build multiple new revenue streams, according to the company. The demand for location marketing technology among multi-location brands regardless of their size continues to increase, according to Florian Huebner, Uberall co-founder. "We are enabling agencies to meet that demand for clients and prospects through our technology and expertise," he stated. advertisement advertisement The announcement was made at this years LSA19 in Dana Point, California. Local marketing services help consumers find and purchase goods and services from nearby brands and retailers. eMarketer estimates marketers will spend nearly $40 billion by 2022 on location services to build relationships with local consumers. Uberall, which focuses on content and search engine optimization, also supports digital marketing agencies. Uberalls December 2018 study on holiday shopping and searches suggests that more than three-quarters of shoppers did a near me search during the holidays. Looking at U.S. versus UK shoppers, near me searches were more prevalent in the U.S., at 83% versus 75%. In the U.S., leaving a review online for a store or location was more common than in the UK. Among U.S. holiday shoppers, one-third had left a review, versus 26% in the UK. The Global Surgical Instrument Tracking System (IGRT) Market is growing exponentially owing to the the impact of the UDI regulation and rising need for inventory management are the major factor driving the Surgical Instrument Tracking System Market. The global surgical instrument tracking system market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18% during the forecasted period. Get Premium Sample Copy @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1391 Furthermore, the increasing adoption of instrument and medical devices tracking products by private and public hospitals is considered as a major factor contributing to the growing market. The major challenges such as vast inventory management and tracing of instruments and medical devices during the work cycle, such as during surgery, post-surgery, and sterilization procedures are faced by the hospitals. Thus, the need of tracking systems for medical devices and instrument is growing at an exponential rate, which is anticipated to propel the growth of the market segment. Barcode technology is the most commonly type of tracking technology used and adoption in medical devices industry. This technology is the key element that contributes to its high revenue share. In addition, the low installation cost has resulted in its growing applications in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. In a report published by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information states that the retained surgical objects has a fatality rate of approximately 2%. Hence the need for advanced technologies such as RFID and 2D barcodes, to track the instruments used in operation theatre is growing all these factors are expected to boost growth. The surgical instrument tracking devices is very effective and helpful tool for healthcare professional to access any instrument or device and is considered as a time saving tools all these factor is responsible for the growth of surgical instrument tracking system market. According to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), annual death of approx. 90,000 in the U.S. is due to hospital-acquired infections. Thus, in order to prevent contaminated instruments from causing the infection and for better inventory management, use of tracking is expected to grow at high rate in the near future. Global Surgical Instrument Tracking System Market Company Analysis: The surgical instrument tracking systems market is considered to be highly fragmented and is based on clinical results of product and their novel product launches. Thus, the major players have employed various strategies such as agreements, acquisitions, market initiatives, high expense on research and development, clinical trials, new product launches, partnerships, and joint ventures to increase their footprints in this market. Technological advancement in software is a key factor driving the adoption of tracking software for inventory and surgical instruments management. For instance, IMPRESS instrument management software delivers information on serialized surgical instruments, assisting in inventory management and providing ongoing support through continuous assistance through phone. Braun Melsungen AG, BD, Censis Technologies, Inc., Xerafy, Haldor Advanced Technologies, Microsystems, Inc., Applied Logic, Inc., Infor, Intelligent InSites, Key Surgical, Mobile Aspects Inc., STANLEY Healthcare, TGX Medical Systems, Vizbee RFID Solutions, Roboz Surgical Instrument Co., JJ International Instruments, GEISTER MEDIZINTECHNIK GmbH, ESI, Millennium Surgical Corp and Katalyst Surgical, LLC and others are some of the prominent players at the forefront of competition in the Global Surgical Instrument Tracking System Market and are profiled in MRFR Analysis. Global Surgical Instrument Tracking System Market Regional Analysis: According to regions, the global Surgical Instrument Tracking System Market is dominated by North America. USA held the largest market share for the global surgical instrument tracking systems market in the year 2016. Availability of advanced products and highly developed healthcare infrastructure is anticipated to drive the demand for instruments and medical device tracking products in North America during the forecast period. The UDI regulations by FDA are a major factor influencing the adoption of tracking systems in North America. Europe is expected to uphold the second dominant position during the forecast period. The factor contributing for its growth includes the rising medical tourism and increasing healthcare sector privatization in this region. The major factors for this includes, constantly expanding population base along with the cost advantage, the emergence of high-quality and better healthcare infrastructure and institutions in these countries and growing private funds and government initiatives in the region. Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at highest rate during the forecast period due to untapped opportunities in this region. Healthcare industry is rapidly shifting to APAC from other regions such as Americas and Europe. In addition, increasing geriatric population coupled with rapidly evolving healthcare infrastructure in the Asian countries, such as China and India, propels the market. Surging healthcare costs, high health expenditure, huge population for better health management, chronic diseases account for 90% of overall deaths. Middle East region currently acquires the lowest market share. Moreover, Countries in the Middle East, and North African Regions offer potential export opportunities for the local producers which has the potential to drive the growth of this market in this region in future. Full Report Details @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/surgical-instrument-tracking-system-market-1391 Industry Updates: March, 2015 The Tag Factory and Xerafy had announced a licensing agreement for Xerafys RFID ceramic tag technology. As per the agreement, The Tag Factory will be manufacturing and marketing ceramic RFID tags using the RFID ceramic tag technology. Contact Us: Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India Phone: +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Segmentation Analysis: The pharmaceutical grade lactose market is segmented on the basis of type, and application. On the basis of type, the market is segmented into crystalline monohydrate lactose, inhalation lactose, granulated lactose, spray dried lactose, and others. Crystalline monohydrate lactose is further segmented into -Lactose monohydrate, and -Lactose (anhydrous lactose). Sub-segmentation of -Lactose monohydrate includes milled and sieved. Inhalation lactose is further segmented into sieved and milled. Get Premium Sample Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4816 On the basis of application, the market is classified into tablets manufacturing, capsule manufacturing, and others. Tablets manufacturing is further classified into direct compression, wet granulation, and dry granulation. Capsule manufacturing is further classified into capsules, sachets, and others. Pharmaceutical Grade Lactose Market Key Players BASF SE, Merck KGaA, Kerry Inc. DFE Pharma, Meggle, Armor Pharma, ALPAVIT, and others are some of the prominent players at the forefront of competition in the pharmaceutical grade lactose market and are profiled in MRFR Analysis. Pharmaceutical Grade Lactose Market Overview The pharmaceutical grade lactose market is growing mainly due to efficient compatibility of lactose with active ingredients. According to a recent study report published by the Market Research Future, the pharmaceutical grade lactose market is booming and expected to gain prominence over the forecast period. The market is forecast to demonstrate a spectacular growth by 2023, surpassing its previous growth records in terms of value with a striking CAGR during the anticipated period (2017 2023). Pharmaceutical grade lactose is a specialized grade of lactose that meets the rigid pharmaceutical expectations. It is produced by concentrating whey or permeate to over-saturate the lactose, which is then further refined, dried, and milled properly. Pharmaceutical grade lactose is manufactured in different specialty and customized range to use in various oral solid dosage forms (OSDFs) such as tablets, capsules, sachets, dry powder inhalers and others. Rising approval from government bodies to use pharmaceutical grade lactose as an excipient is the primary driver for pharmaceutical grade lactose market. Due to broad availability and cost effectiveness, lactose is getting great acceptance across the world. According 2017 updated inactive ingredient database by FDA, lactose is approved to use as an excipient for different dosage forms. Other push factors such as, compatibility with active ingredients and other excipients, and increasing demand for dry powder inhalers (DPI) products are also fuelling the growth of the market. With the increasing advancement, the usage of dry powder inhalers is also expanding for the delivery of different drugs. Using DPI technique an effective plasma concentration of levonorgestrel drug can be exceeded over a period of 16-60 hours in comparison to the oral delivery. According to FDA, lactose along with glucose and mannitol can be used as carriers in DPIs. Despite these drivers, lactose-induced problems, stringent government regulations, and lack of compatibility with amine-based drugs are expected to hinder the growth of the market. Although lactose has been widely accepted for inhalation products, but it is not compatible with proteins. According to a study published in the Revista Mexicana de Ciencias (Mexican Journal of Sciences) in 2015, lactose has propensity to react with primary and secondary amine drugs through Maillard reaction to produce colored products. Pharmaceutical Grade Lactose Market Competitive Analysis Due to rising research and development expenditure various existing and new marketers are continuously coming up with more advanced products. The global pharmaceutical grade lactose market is currently dominated by very few players. Kerry Inc. is one among them, by holding a strong position globally. It has a global presence, however more than 60% of its share come from European region. This shows strong grip on the European market, however, only 40% of the share comes from the rest of the world, which includes countries like India, China, etc. The strategic alliance of Foremost Farms, Sheffield Bio-Science, and Kerry Group is expected to promote the pharmaceutical grade lactose products. The lactose is sold internationally under the Fast Flo trademarks and foremost trademarks. Acquiring Lactose (India) Limited, was also a part of strategy. Browse Complete 85 Pages Premium Research Report Enabled with 31 Respective Tables and Figures at https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/pharmaceutical-grade-lactose-market-4816 BASF SE is another renowned player in the pharmaceutical grade lactose market. The companys stronghold is largely attributed to its innovative and sustainable products. The company provides customized products to make drug formation processes more efficient. Pharmaceutical grade lactose products are covered under Nutrition & Health segment of the company. In 2016, the Nutrition & Health was having revenue of USD 2251.39 million. DFE Pharma is well-known for its broad range of lactose offerings in the pharmaceutical industry. Its position among the key pharmaceutical grade lactose manufacturers is due to its global footprint through distributors and agents. In October 2014, the company opened a new sales office in Shanghai, China to effectively meet the escalating demand for excipients products in China. In April 2014, the company has also opened a new sales office in Sao Paulo, Brazil to strengthen its position in South and Central American countries. Over the past years, Merck KGaA has also transformed from a supplier of pharmaceutical and chemicals into a global science & technology company with the acquisition of various companies such as Sigma Aldrich in the year 2015. The company has portfolio in three business sectors, Life Science, Healthcare, and Performance materials. About US: Market Research Future (MRFR), enable customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. Contact Us: Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India Phone: +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com MINNEAPOLISNonin Medical, Inc., a global leader in noninvasive medical monitoring, today announced that David Hemink has been named its new CEO effective February 11, 2019. Hemink succeeds Nonin founder, Philip Isaacson, as CEO. Isaacson will remain as chief technology officer, and take on the responsibility of executive chairman. I have a great sense of accomplishment in guiding Nonin Medical since the founding of the company in 1986; I am proud of our achievements and how we have been able to improve the quality of peoples lives through our innovation, said Isaacson. With his passion, leadership and industry experience, the board and I are confident that David is the right person to continue to drive continued innovation and growth well into the future. Hemink has extensive experience as a leader and innovator in the medical device industry. Before joining Nonin as Executive Vice President of Sales in August 2018, he served as president of Cantel Medical, a leading provider of infection prevention products and services. At Cantel, he helped to drive significant, profitable growth and developed innovative infection prevention and control technologies that measurably improved outcomes for caregivers and patients alike. Prior to Cantel, Mr. Hemink served as senior vice president of electrophysiology at Boston Scientific, a renowned global medical technology leader, and president of Bard Access Systems, a market leader in vascular access devices. Earlier in his career, he held senior sales and marketing roles at Abbott Vascular Devices, Dell EMC, and Boston Scientific. Hemink received his Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications from California State University, Fresno. I know I speak for everyone at Nonin in thanking Phil for his dedication and leadership to the company, said Hemink. I am excited by the opportunity to lead Nonin Medical, a company rich with talent, capability and technology platforms that have a long standing history of success and delivering best-in-class care. Ive had the privilege to support caregivers and patients, for over 25 years in the medical device field, and I am thrilled to be working with such a strong team as we look to future innovation and advancements within the next chapter at Nonin Medical, continued Hemink. About Nonin Medical Since 1986, Nonin Medical has developed reliable technologies and manufactured durable noninvasive patient monitoring devices for healthcare professionals and consumers. Nonin pulse oximeters, cerebral and tissue oximeters, capnographs, sensors, and software deliver dependable performance day after dayeven in challenging environments. To learn more, visit www.nonin.com. Segmentations Analysis: The report is segmented into four key dynamics for enhanced understanding. By Type: Blood Collection Tubes, Infusion Products, Wound Care Products, Surgical Drapes, Dialysis Consumables, Blood Glucose Test Strips, and Adult Incontinence Products among others. By Application: Wound Care, Urology, Sterilization, and Anesthesia among others. By End-user: Clinics, Hospitals, and Nursing Homes, others. By Regions: Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and the Rest-of-the-World. Request Sample Report at https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2433 Major Players Key players leading the global medical supplies market include Medtronic plc (Ireland), B. Braun Melsungen AG (Germany), 3M Company (U.S.), Johnson & Johnson (U.S.), Baxter International Inc. (U.S.), Boston Scientific Corporation (U.S.), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (U.S.), and Halyard Health, Inc. (U.S.) among others. Medical Supplies Market Insights The vast and diverse medical supplies business refers to supplying a wide range of healthcare materials ordered or prescribed by a physician. These items could vary ranging from consumables and disposable to Electronic medical devices. Low-cost, medical supplies are used for primary care whereas, customarily supplies including catheters, gloves, oxygen, gauze, needles & syringes, and diabetic supplies are used to serve a specific medical purpose. These medical supplies and equipment have a significant impact on the quality of care and account for a high proportion of health care costs. Over the past few years, owing to the increasingly prosperous population that demands higher-quality care, the healthcare sector is burgeoning, worldwide. This, as a result, is increasing the demand for the treatments which is pushing up the market growth. Moreover, the growing prevalence of chronic diseases, miscellaneous large and small disorders driven by the ecological changes and increasing cases of accidents & injuries are escalating the market on the global platform, increasing the demand for medical supplies. Additionally, the improving economy worldwide is supporting the growth of the market, increasing accessibility to good health care. Furthermore, safety-enhanced devices used in the minimally invasive delivery of medicines, inhalation therapies & IV, and dialysis solutions are expected to boost market growth. Competitive Analysis Highly competitive, medical supplies market appear to be fragmented with the matured & small key players along with the new entrants forming a competitive landscape. Through the acquisition, strategic partnership, expansion, product/technology launch &collaboration, these players try to gain competitive advantage. Heavy investments are transpired in the R&D to develop a completely different technology compared to their competition. Accentuating on fundraising, these players are working on strengthening their technology and increase the team size. Simultaneously they try to increase the number of their fulfillment centers through the online platform and develop supply chain and logistics capability. The cost of materials in a hospital constitutes around 22 24 % of total expenses. In such scenarios, to help hospitals to curtail their procurement costs up to 17-19 %, these players are following B2B marketplace model where they act as an aggregator charging a service fee for packing and delivering products depending on category and size. Thus, by eliminating mediators from the supply chain they ensure delivery of medical supplies on time, providing choices that too with transparency in pricing. These supplier companies also try to maintain a good number of fast-moving items which they sell directly to customers for a commission. Usually, a typical network of an e-commerce operation stocks up around 100,000 products ranging from a machine as complex as an MRI scanner to a cotton roll and ensures timely delivery. They also open fulfillment centers to aid in the process of receiving, packaging and shipping orders for goods. Industry/Innovation/Related News: January 28, 2019 - Bound Tree Medical, LLC (the US), a leading, nationwide distributor of emergency medical supplies, equipment, and pharmaceuticals, announced the acquisition (a definitive agreement) of Southeastern Emergency Equipment, Inc. (the US), a regional specialty distributor of medical supplies, training, and education solutions. Starting February 25, 2019, operations of Southeastern Emergency Equipment will be under the Bound Tree brand name, and the businesses will be fully integrated, and Bound Tree will begin servicing Southeastern customers. Browse Complete 85 Pages Premium Research Report Enabled with Respective Tables and Figures at https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/medical-supplies-market-2433 Global Medical Supplies Market Geographical Analysis The North American region, heading with the extensive accessibility to products & services, accounts for the largest market for medical supplies, globally. Moreover, factors such as the huge uptake of advanced technologies and increasing emphasis on delivering cost-competitive supplies foster the growth of the regional market. The medical supplies market in Europe backed by the improving economic conditions in the region is rapidly emerging as a lucrative market, globally. Moreover, factors such as increasing healthcare expenditures, the adoption of advanced technologies, and the presence of global players drive the medical supplies market in the region. The Asia Pacific medical supplies market led by the rapidly proliferating healthcare sector and developing economy, is emerging as a promising market, globally. Rapidly growing markets in countries, such as Japan, China, and India, are pushing up the growth in the regional market. About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. Contact Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India Phone: +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Medical Document Management System Market Overview Medical document management systems have become a necessity due to the vast amounts of patient data which is being generated on a regular basis. Market Research Future has analyzed the global medical document management system market with great scrutiny, and the findings published in its report suggest considerable growth during the upcoming forecast period. The increasing patient pool, rising health care expenditures and expanding healthcare sector has intensified the need for the adoption of medical document management systems for achieving clinical efficiency. These systems offer a reduction in costs and ensure patient safety, which has accelerated the revenue creation for the market players. Furthermore, the growing demand for modernization, digitalization, and automation in the healthcare sector is another major factor responsible for the expansion of the market. Request Sample Copy at https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/6578 The growth trajectory of the market is guided by the technological innovations added to the product portfolios by the key vendors. Investments are likely to flow towards the development of technology in the upcoming years. This, in turn, is expected to catalyze the proliferation of the medical document management systems market. The swift adoption of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) in the healthcare sector and the development of cloud technology is currently favoring the market growth. It is likely to continue benefitting the market over the next few years. However, a lack of IT professionals and rising data privacy concerns are projected to hold the market expansion in the foreseeable future. Segmentation: The markets various crucial parts have been segmented on the basis of products, application, delivery model, end-users, and region. Products in the medical document management systems market have been divided between services and solutions. Applications of medical document management systems include billing records, admission & registration, medical records, and others. Delivery models of medical document management systems include web-based, cloud-based, and on-premise. Cloud-based deployment is growing rapidly as it can be availed as a service, does not require physical infrastructure, and is scalable among other advantages. End-users of medical document management systems market include hospitals & clinics, nursing homes, healthcare providers, and insurance agencies. Competitive Players: Some of the key players operating in the global medical document management systems market are EPIC Systems Corporation, 3M Company, Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc., GE Healthcare, Kofax Ltd., Nextgen Healthcare Information Systems, LLC, Cerner Corporation, Athena Health Inc, Toshiba Corporation, EPIC Systems Corporation, Hyland Software Inc., Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc., and McKesson Corporation. Research Methodology: MRFR delivers comprehensive market insights into market structure, competitive landscape, and on emerging trends through conduction of scrupulous research methods. Primary research constitutes a significant part of the research process which is then analyzed by expert analysts. Primary data is collated with deep-diving insights extrapolated from secondary data sources such as paid sources, white papers, corporate presentations, and others. For the estimation of market size, revenue of various players operating in each region, the top-down and bottom-up approaches are deployed. Regional Outlook: The global medical document management systems market, by region, has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. North America is a significant market and is likely to exhibit substantial growth over the next couple of years. The technological advancements coupled with developments in the healthcare sector has fueled demand for medical document management systems in the regional market. The trend is prognosticated to perpetuate in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, the favorable regulatory enforcements coupled with healthcare reforms are likely to catapult the market on an upward trajectory. The major country-level markets of the region are the U.S. and Canada. Europe is an important growth pocket and is expected to remain highly lucrative in the forthcoming years. The factors that have paved the way for rapid adoption of the technology include increased government funding in healthcare technologies, developed healthcare IT infrastructure, and the need for better quality of healthcare services. Meanwhile, Asia Pacific is poised to show a steep rise in the growth of the market. The exponential patient pool, adoption of EHRs, increased research & development activities, booming medical tourism industry, etc. are some of the factors that are responsible for favoring the expansion of the regional market. India, China, and Japan are anticipated to contribute substantially towards the proliferation of the medical document management systems market in the upcoming years. Browse Full Report at https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/medical-document-management-systems-market-6578 About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. Contact Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com A native of Serbia, Srbulovic discovered her passion for baking and fondant after moving with her husband Dan to the United States in 2000 after college. She followed her sister, Tanya, who dreamed of living in America and starting a business. When Srbulovics first son, Ilia, was born with a heart murmur and required surgery at six months, she stayed home with him and began baking. She had a second son, David, and started taking cake decorating and fondant classes at The Wilton School. Marietta, GA (30060) Today A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Partly cloudy skies. Low 69F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Partly cloudy skies. Low 69F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Participating artists include McDowell High School students and art teachers. Retired art teacher Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} and free-lance artist Karen Dark supervised the art work and artists. Christi Shaw is a county art teacher and educator who worked to provide materials, studio space and she painted the Lake James mural. Local art student Korryn Shedlock and Marion artist Holly Whitsett were major contributors and project artists. Each canvas is a custom made, wooden structure built by Mike Lucas, who has created over 200 similar forms as part of the McDowell Quilt Trail project. The city of Marion installed each piece, created and donated individual mural name plates to identify each piece and artist. The McDowell County Tourism Authority provided project funding and printed promotional brochures. The walk covers three blocks in downtown Marions Main Street neighborhood. To find directions and to preview these murals go to muraltrail.com . The Appalachian mural Trail website has over 75 cultural murals showcased that are located throughout North Carolina and Virginia. The Appalachian Mural Trail honors mural projects that bring folks together to create public art that uplifts their community in such a beautiful way. As we strive to constantly improve the experience for our customers, we will need to adjust roles from time to time, Lundberg said in a prepared statement. Weve recently shared our plans to change the responsibilities of the people greeter role in some stores and that involves associates with disabilities in some cases. We recognize that our associates with physical disabilities face a unique situation. With that in mind, we will be extending the current 60-day greeter transition period for associates with disabilities while we explore the circumstances and potential accommodations, for each individual, that can be made within each store. This allows associates like Jay to continue their employment at the store as valued members of the team while we seek an acceptable, customized solution for all of those involved. Your roquefort dressing or fried camembert cheese fix is no longer in jeopardy. The Student Prince in downtown Springfield is open for normal hours" Monday following a weekend fire in the iconic restaurants building that led to a temporary closure Sunday. While there were no injuries and the restaurant didnt suffer any damage, the building, which is owned by the New England Farm Workers Council, is estimated at between $50,000 and $60,000, Dennis Leger told The Republican over the weekend. The main electrical panel that comes in under the sidewalk caught fire and all the electrical wiring had shorted out that was what was generating all the smoke, said Fire commissioner Bernard J. Calvi. The electricity is restored after the small fire of last night. We will open for our normal hours today.. See you on Fort Street! Posted by Student Prince Cafe and Fort Restaurant on Monday, February 25, 2019 Andy Yee, one of the owners of the restaurant, told The Republican on Sunday that he received texts and calls from a many loyal supporters of The Fort, including Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. The biggest thing, the most important thing, is no one was hurt, Yee said. The Fort is set to host its third and final Hunters Dinner/Game Night of the year on Monday night. MassLive covered the annual event in 2018, which can be seen below: A Springfield Police officer is under review after an incident captured on video shows him grabbing a juvenile by the neck in a school hallway. Security footage captured a student at the High School of Commerce walking through a school hallway when he passed the officer, assigned as a school resource officer for the city high school. The student appears to make eye contact with the officer and say something. The officer follows, taking several steps toward the teen before grabbing him by the back of the neck and holding him against the wall. Video recorded shows another officer and school official intervene within seconds, seeking to separate the two. One holds the teen as the officer who grabbed the teen handcuffs him. The incident, which occurred in December, made waves this week after it was shared on social media by Bishop Talbert W. Swan II. The president of the Springfield chapter of the NAACP and head of Spring of Hope Church of God in Christ on Alden Street called the video abuse by an officer assigned to the school and said he has raised concerns with local officials. The video drew significant reaction from the community. Azell Cavaan, chief communications officer for Springfield Public Schools, said school officials immediately contacted the department following the incident, requesting the officer be reassigned. Shortly after, an investigation was opened into the matter, Ryan Walsh, a spokesperson for the Springfield Police Department, said. The officer, who has not been identified by the department, was reassigned during the internal affair investigation, which may take up to 90 days from the date of the incident. The student, a minor, was not identified due to his age and the reason for his arrest was not specified. Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno released a statement to MassLive Monday, questioning the students actions. First of all, a small number of our youths have a tendency to show disrespect and/or malice towards authority figures, whether it's their parents, seniors, other youths, teachers and/or public safety officials, Sarno said. Situations always have two sides to the story, but avoidance of confrontation and de-escalation tactics is always the key. Sarno emphasized the positives of school resource officers in city schools. We have made tremendous positive strides and built positive relationships with our Quebec team and students and the statistics bear that out. Bottom line here is that mutual respect must be achieved by all parties involved, but as I stated before, avoidance of confrontation and de-escalation tactics is first and foremost in these situations." There are 20 members of the Springfield Police Department assigned as school resource officers in Springfield Public Schools - known as the Quebec Unit. The program was formed to promote safety in city schools. The officers assigned to the unit undergo training to better interact with the students. Arrests are down significantly in city schools - 70 percent between 2011 and 2016, when arrests dropped from 301 to 80. Suspensions are also down, from an out-of-school suspension rate of 10.5 percent during the 2012-2013 school year to 7 percent during the 2017-2018 school year. Bryce Harper has another suitor, but still no signed contract as spring training continues without the former Washington Nationals star. Going into the weekend, it appeared that Harper and the Phillies were headed to the altar, but when Philadelphia managing partner John Middleton left Las Vegas, where Harper lives in the offseason, without a deal Saturday, it opened the door for the Dodgers to get involved according to MLB.coms Jesse Sanchez: Sources: The Dodgers are back in the mix for Bryce Harper. Club officials, including manager Dave Roberts, were seen in Las Vegas on Sunday. https://t.co/cBRqZx4kOO Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) February 25, 2019 Los Angeles became the latest team to join the chase for the 26-year-old outfielder joining the White Sox, the Padres, the Giants and the Nationals. Harper hit 34 home runs, drove in 100 runs and took a league-high 130 walks in 2018. But he hit .249, 70 points lower than his .319 average in 2017. Multiple reports have Harper chasing a 10-year, $300 million contract similar to the one former Dodger Manny Machado received from the San Diego Padres last week. But the defending National League champions are taking a different approach: In her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. Elizabeth Warren says her focus wont be on wealthy donors. In a message to supporters Monday, the Massachusetts senator pledged to forgo attending fancy receptions or big money fundraisers only with people who can write big checks." Warren said the decision will allow her to focus on grassroots supporters and those offering smaller donations to the campaign. For every time you see a presidential candidate talking with voters at a town hall, rally, or local diner, those same candidates are spending three or four or five times as long with wealthy donors -- on the phone, or in conference rooms at hedge fund offices, or at fancy receptions and intimate dinners -- all behind closed doors, Warren wrote. When I thank the people giving to my campaign, it will not be based on the size of their donation. Her campaign confirmed to CNN that Warren has not held a fundraising event since her presidential exploratory committee was launched on New Years Eve. She previously said she would refuse PAC money and donations from federal lobbyists and called upon other Democratic candidates to follow suit. Warren officially announced her 2020 White House campaign against the backdrop of Lawrences Everett Mills the site of the Bread and Roses labor strike earlier this month. She laid out plans to prioritize working and middle-class people over the wealthy and well-connected. We are here to take on a fight that will shape our lives, our childrens lives and our grandchildrens lives, just as surely as the fight that began in these streets more than a century ago. ... This is the fight of our lives. The fight to build an America where dreams are possible, an America that works for everyone. I am in that fight all the way, she said. And that is why I stand here today: to declare that I am a candidate for president of the United States of America. Shes among a growing pool of hopeful Democratic presidential nominees, which also includes Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, California Sen. Kamala Harris and Sen. Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota. Former Vice President Joe Biden has yet to enter the 2020 White House race but has seen support. A University of Massachusetts Amherst survey released last week found that 28 percent of likely Democratic voters in New Hampshire said they would support Biden if the states primary were held today. Twenty percent, said theyd vote for Sanders, who won New Hampshires Democratic primary in 2016, according to poll results. The poll found 9 percent of likely voters would support Warren. SPRINGFIELD -- Dozens of environmental activists from across Massachusetts will gather in Springfield Tuesday to urge U.S. Rep. Richard Neal to join fellow delegation members in supporting Democrats Green New Deal agenda. The Boston chapter of Sunrise Movement, a youth-led effort that seeks to force political action on climate change-related issues, announced Monday that it will hold a late afternoon rally with local high school students, college students and other environmental activists outside the Springfield Democrats State Street office. Organizers said the 4 p.m. demonstration will call on Neal to support the federal Green New Deal" resolution and use his power as the House Ways and Means Committees chairman to help advance it through Congress. Noting that Neal is the only member of Massachusetts congressional delegation to not come out in support of the controversial climate change proposal, Sunrise Movement Boston officials stressed that they need him to fight for our futures and back the Green New Deal.' The Springfield rally will come just weeks after officials with Sunrise Movement said they met with the congressmans office and asked him to co-sponsor the Green New Deal resolution. Organizers pledged to take action if the Democrat failed to sign on as a co-sponsor to the legislation by Tuesday, Feb. 26. Fellow Massachusetts Democrat U.S. Sen. Ed Markey joined New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez earlier this month in unveiling their Green New Deal agenda, which calls for a series of economic, social and energy overhaul goals to be achieved in the next decade. They include, among other things: building smart power grids; upgrading all existing buildings and constructing new buildings to achieve maximum energy and water efficiency; removing all pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from transportation and agricultural sectors; and cleaning up hazardous waste and abandoned sites. Nearly 70 lawmakers have signed onto the House version of the resolution, including eight members of Massachusetts delegation: U.S. Reps. Stephen Lynch, D-South Boston; Ayanna Pressley, D-Boston; Jim McGovern, D-Worcester; Katherine Clark, D-Melrose; Seth Moulton, D-Salem; Bill Keating, D-Bourne; Lori Trahan, D-Westford; and Joe Kennedy III, D-Newton. About a dozen senators, including U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, meanwhile, have signed up to co-sponsor Markeys companion version of the Green New Deal. Neals office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former state Gov. Bill Weld are among a handful of politicians and 2020 White House hopefuls selected to discuss their visions for Americas future as part of a conversation series at the South by Southwest festival in Texas next month, organizers announced Monday. Warren, a Democrat who formally entered the race earlier this month, and Weld, who is exploring a possible GOP run, will take part in the festivals Conversations About Americas Future, a two-day event that seeks to bring together top political leaders. Other expected speakers include: U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat and 2020 presidential candidate; Julian Castro, a former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Democratic White House hopeful; and Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana and a Democratic presidential candidate. Organizers noted that former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, former Ohio Gov. John Kasich and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy are also slated to speak in the conversation series, which will take place in collaboration with The Texas Tribune on March 9 and 10 at ACL Live at The Moody Theater. Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith said his newspaper is thrilled to be working with SXSW to raise the level of civic engagement in and out of Texas through serious conversations about the future. SXSW Chief Programming Officer Hugh Forrest added that there is no better place to have these important conversations about the future of our country and the many issues facing it than SXSW. Our audience is made up of a young and diverse group of people, who are savvy, smart early adopters from the creative industries and beyond, he said in a statement. "I couldnt think of a better group to have participate in helping solve these complex problems. Warren is scheduled to speak with Time Magazine contributor Anand Giridharadas at 2 p.m. on March 9. Weld, meanwhile, is slated to sit down with WIRED contributing editor Garrett M. Graff at 5 p.m. on March 9. The conversation series will take place as part of the SXSW festivals Cities, Government and Politics track, organizers said. When my wife Frances and I visited Dave Vigneault at Mercy Hospital recently, we recalled how young we were when we first met in the late 1950s. After military service Dave enrolled at the University of Massachusetts and I was already half way to my degree at that time. Fran remembered Daves initial campaign for State Representative and how he impressed her parents with new ideas and lots of enthusiasm. He rang every doorbell in the district and visited with every potential voter. Dave won the election and from 1961 to 1973 served in the House. Our friendship continued when I moved to Boston to study law and Dave put all his energy into the Statehouse. He was part of the remarkable group of Young Turks that included Mike Dukakis, later governor. In 1967 Dave asked me to serve as his attorney in a radical lawsuit challenging the validity of the apportionment of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. I agreed and filed papers in the Massachusetts Supreme Court for the case known as Vigneault vs. Secretary of State et al Based on the one man, one vote ideal of the Constitution, our case pointed out the disparity of Daves hugely populated district with the sparsely populated Marthas Vineyard as well as Nantucket Island, each with one representative seat. We prevailed in the courts and the long overdue re-apportionment of Massachusetts finally occurred. This major triumph was due to Dave Vigneaults vision of fairness and his determination as a legislator. When we were leaving the hospital, Dave, Fran and I expressed a hope to soon meet as usual during weekly Mass at St. Michaels Cathedral where we all were parishioners and still friends after more than half a century. Realistically, we knew it was our final farewell, after a nice visit of recollection. Dave leaves us all with a proud legacy possible because of his belief in the Constitution and adherence to its ancient ideas like the vote. He left the world a better place. Victor N. Gagnon, Springfield When all else fails, lower your expectations. This bit of sage advice, offered on occasion by someone who can see clearly that success in some coming endeavor is unlikely, if not impossible, must have been given to President Donald Trump on the eve of his upcoming meeting with North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un. After the pair first met, in Singapore last year, Trump was nearly giddy with excitement about the progress that had been made. His posts to Twitter immediately upon his return to the United States tell the tale: "Just landed -- a long trip, but everybody can now feel much safer than the day I took office. There is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea." That came early in the morning on June 13 of last year. Soon there after, the president wrote the following: "Before taking office people were assuming that we were going to War with North Korea. President Obama said that North Korea was our biggest and most dangerous problem. No longer -- sleep well tonight!" For a quite different view, fast-forward some eight months. On Sunday, on CNN's "State of the Union," host Jake Tapper asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo: "Do you think North Korea remains a nuclear threat?" "Yes," Pompeo responded. Perhaps the realist secretary has gotten through to the often-less-grounded president, as Trump, in advance of Wednesday's meeting, has been tamping down expectations. This, of course, is not unwise. As the saying goes: Better to underpromise and overdeliver. When Trump jetted off to Singapore for his initial one-on-one meeting with Kim, he did so on a whim. And seemingly without any sort of real preparation. To have called the confab a "summit" was to employ greatly inflated language for what was in fact little more than an impromptu get-together. The worry at the time was that Trump, not wanting to come away empty-handed, would effectively give away the store in negotiations, needlessly strengthening Kim in so doing. In a way, this is exactly what happened, as Kim made vague promises regarding his nuclear arsenal, pledges that may well have come to nothing, and Trump agreed to halt our nation's military exercises with South Korea. All that said, no one, no matter his opinion of Trump's presidency, his intellect, his fitness for the job, should be doing anything but rooting for our nation's president's success when he meets with Kim in Hanoi on Wednesday. If Trump can come away from the meeting believing that Kim is moving further away from his nuclear ambitions, so much the better. As long as the United States makes no real concessions of its own. (A hollow, symbolic gesture would be just fine, of course, as, by definition, it would be merely hollow and symbolic.) It's important to remember that Kim, the grandson of North Korea's founder, pushed the rogue nation's nuclear program forward in an effort to give the impoverished land outsized standing on the world stage. Without its nukes and missiles, no one would be talking about North Korea. And Trump wouldn't be meeting with Kim. Kim knows this better than anyone, and isnt going to give up his nuclear operations lightly. As such, it only makes sense to calibrate expectations realistically. A 24-year-old man was killed Saturday evening when the snowmobile he was riding in Florida went out of control and struck a tree. Dennis Yusko, spokesperson for Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington, said Camron E. Howland was riding on a snowmobile trail near Monroe Road in the Town of Florida at about 7:30 p.m. when the incident occurred. Troopers from the Massachusetts State Police barracks at Cheshire responded to the scene along with emergency medical personnel from the Florida Fire Department and officers from the North Adams Police Department. The Massachusetts Environmental Police and detectives attached the District Attorneys Office are investigating the incident. Ruth E. Carter, who cut her teeth as a costume designer 30 years ago on the Spike Lee films School Daze and Do the Right Thing, was honored with an Academy Award on Sunday for the Afro-futuristic wardrobe she created for the Marvel/Disney blockbuster Black Panther. The win by the 58-year old Springfield native, who graduated from Technical High School and apprenticed at the former StageWest, was greeted with thunderous applause during the 91st Oscars telecast from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Wow! This has been a long time coming, Carter said in her acceptance speech. Spike Lee, thank you for my start. I hope this makes you proud. She added, This is for my 97-year-old mother watching in Massachusetts. Mom, thank your for teaching me about people and their stories you are the original superhero. Carter also thanked her crew, Black Panther director Ryan Coogler, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and Walt Disney CEO Robert Iger. Marvel may have created the first black superhero, but through costume design, we turned him into an African king, Carter said. Its been my lifes honor to create costumes. Thank you to the Academy, and thank you for honoring African royalty and the empowered way women can look and lead on screen. Carter, who has designed costumes for such films as Malcolm X, Amistad and Selma, is the first African-American to win an Academy Award for Best Costume Design. She had been nominated twice before. In winning for Black Panther, Carter beat out the designers of "Ballad of Buster Scruggs," "The Favourite," "Mary Poppins Returns" and "Mary Queen of Scots." Last week, Carter received a career achievement honor from her peers at the 21st annual Costume Designers Guild Awards. She was also honored by the guild for her Black Panther designs. The first Academy Award for Best Costume Design was given out 70 years ago. President Donald Trump announced Monday that an American held hostage in Yemen for more than a year has been returned to the United States. Trump, in a series of afternoon tweets, said he was honored to report that Danny Burch has been recovered and reunited with his wife and children after spending 18 months held hostage in Yemen. It is my honor today to announce that Danny Burch, a United States citizen who has been held hostage in Yemen for 18 months, has been recovered and reunited with his wife and children. I appreciate the support of the United Arab Emirates in bringing Danny home... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2019 The president lauded the United Arab Emirates for helping to bring Burch home, offering that his recovery reflects the best of what the United States and its partners can accomplish. We work every day to bring Americans home. We maintain constant and intensive diplomatic, intelligence and law enforcement cooperation within the United States government and with our foreign partners. he tweeted. Trump, who stressed that recovering American hostages is a priority for his administration, said Burchs release marks the 20th U.S. captive freed since his 2016 election win. He added that his administration "will not rest as we continue our work to bring the remaining American hostages back. ...our foreign partners. Recovering American hostages is a priority of my Admin, and with Dannys release, we have now secured freedom for 20 American captives since my election victory. We will not rest as we continue our work to bring the remaining American hostages back home! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2019 Reuters reported in January 2018 that Burch, who works for the Yemeni Safer oil company, had been released and taken to Oman. Sources reportedly told the news outlet that Burch was accompanied to Muscat by a senior Houthi leader. Burch, who is married to a Yemeni citizen, was detained in September 2017 after taking his children to school, Reuters reported. This is a breaking news story and will be updated. A teenager is accused of leading police on a 40-mile chase from Massachusetts to New Hampshire Monday morning after troopers responded to a report of a stolen car in Malden. A trooper was flagged down on Interstate 93 in Medford around 12:15 a.m. by a woman who said her car had been stolen in Malden. The woman, according to Massachusetts State Police, was tracking her red 2014 Toyota Camrys location using her cell phones locator application. Troopers saw the car got off I-93 and headed to I-95 northbound. A few minutes later, two other troopers, one of them a K-9 unit, saw the stolen car on I-95 and tried to pull it over. The driver of the stolen car began to pull over in the breakdown lane in Wakefield, but before coming to a full stop it sped off at a high rate of speed, State police said. The driver, identified later as a 17-year-old male from Malden, continued northbound on the highway, speeding along the way. The suspect abruptly, without signaling, tried to take the ramp onto Route 114, but could not successfully take the ramp because of excessive speed, and instead drove across the ramp median and re-entered 95 northbound, State police said. Authorities deployed tire deflation devices to disable the car, but the teen was able to drive around them. The teen, according to State police, turned off the Camrys lights as he tried to avoid being caught. The chase continued into New Hampshire as the teen crossed into Seabrook, New Hampshire around 12:45 a.m. A New Hampshire officer joined the chase with State police. The car got off I-95 north while New Hampshire troopers began to follow it onto Route 101. The car then crashed. The teen ran from the crash but was caught around 1:10 a.m. by Stratham, New Hampshire Police. The teen was taken to an area hospital for evaluation. The teen, who was not named by State police because of his age, does not have a drivers license. Authorities are seeking a warrant to arrest the juvenile on nine different motor vehicle charges. He will eventually face charges in Salem Juvenile Court. WEST SPRINGFIELD One victim was left bloodied and a massive police response unfolded on Ohio Avenue Sunday morning after a masked man with a gun allegedly assaulted several residents, a neighbor said. It was serious. It was wild, said political consultant Anthony L. Cignoli, who lives three doors away from the home where the incident began. There were no less than 20 law enforcement vehicles and three fire trucks there at one time, with no sirens. Officers closed the tree-lined residential street for at least two hours and officers, some with dogs, spent a lot of time searching the road and big backyards that lead to a wooded area for the gun the suspect allegedly used, Cignoli said. Offering a blow-by-blow account Monday morning, West Springfield police said John C. LaRace, of 269 Forest Hills Road in Springfield, first tried to force his way into a home around 10 a.m. LaRace then tried to carjack one vehicle and, when that failed, tried to carjack residents in the driveway of a neighboring home. He was arrested after an altercation with a resident when he forced his way into a second home, police said. LaRace is charged with a number of crimes, including armed assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (firearm) carjacking and discharging a firearm with 500 feet of a dwelling. Troopers and local police told residents to stay inside and lock their doors, Cignoli said, and officials kept neighbors well informed about what was happening. After the incident was over police officials and Mayor William Reichelt talked to neighbors and told them there had been an attempted armed robbery at 80 Ohio Ave., Cignoli said. Police spent a significant amount of time at the home where the suspect tried to carjack a vehicle, Cignoli said, and state troopers spent hours stationed outside the home where the incident began. That homeowner, who suffered a cut on his head during the fight with the suspect, was brought to Cignolis front lawn, where firefighters provided medical assistance. He was bleeding a lot, Cignoli said. Police said the victim declined to go to the hospital. Cignoli praised police for their coordinated effort and for keeping neighbors as informed as they could while they were investigating. They took it extremely seriously, he said. I never heard I siren. I didnt even know there were there until I heard a (fire)truck engine. The incident brought the neighborhood together, he said, with many people gathered outside the barriers chatting instead of staying inside to try to find out information from social media. Gov. Charlie Baker spent the weekend in Washington, D.C., hobnobbing with governors from around the nation as well as President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence who gave the Massachusetts governor a public shout-out on Friday. Baker, a Republican, is attending the National Governors Associations winter meeting, which ends Monday. On Friday, Baker and his wife Lauren Baker attended a lunch for governors and their spouses hosted by Pence at the Naval Observatory. Pence, a Republican, is a former Indiana governor. Although Baker has often been critical of the Trump administration, Pence called Baker out by name when he talked about the Federal Emergency Management Agencys partnership with state governors. I just want you to know that we're going to continue to work hand in glove with your administrations, whether it's the hurricane winds blowing, whether it's historic snowfall, we're here, Pence said, according to a transcript of his remarks. An unnamed participant apparently, Baker then says, Why (are) you looking at me? Pence responds, Charlie Baker was in office for 15 minutes when he got about 15 feet of snow and did a phenomenal job for the people of Massachusetts. I remember it well. Generally, Pence stressed the work Trumps administration has done with states on opioid addiction and developing natural resources, and he reiterated the administrations goal to pass an infrastructure bill. On Sunday evening, Baker attended a dinner for the governors at the White House. On Saturday, Baker, a former health insurance executive, spoke as part of a panel on managing costs and improving value in health care. On Sunday, Baker spoke on a panel called Shelter from the Storm: Building Resiliency Against the Unexpected." Baker also attended a panel on child welfare. He went to a reception at the Japanese ambassadors residence. He spent time meeting with the other governors, including a session with other northeastern governors, according to his public schedule. Update, Monday, 4:55 p.m.: On Monday, Baker attended breakout sessions with several governors and Trump administration officials at the White House. One session Baker attended involved improving health care and drug pricing. According to the White House, they talked about controlling healthcare costs and increasing competition, policies to make Medicaid more sustainable, and ways to give States more flexibility in administering the Medicaid program, as well as challenges facing rural healthcare systems and ways to improve state-federal partnerships. Baker and other governors also met with administration officials to talk about combating the opioid epidemic and reducing demand for drugs. Participants also discussed Federal barriers to better addressing the opioids crisis, how the Federal government can best partner with States on marketing initiatives regarding drug demand reduction, and how States have leveraged increased Federal funding and waivers to combat the opioid crisis, the White House said. Fire inside a bedroom wall forced six people from their home Sunday afternoon, fire officials said. Dennis Leger, executive aide to Springfield Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi, said the 5:45 p.m. fire at 117 Stafford St. seemed to have originated in a bedroom wall between the first and second floors. The fire worked its way into the third floor before firefighters were able to bring it under control and completely extinguish it. Leger estimated the fire caused about $35,000 in damage to the home. The Springfield Arson and Bomb Squad is investigating to determine the exact cause of the fire. Two adults and four children were displaced by the fire. The American Red Cross has been called in to assist the family. There were no reported injuries. Robert Kraft and at least eight other men from New England, including reported billionaire John W. Childs, face charges in connection to widespread sex trafficking investigations in Florida. An investigation of sex trafficking in Indian River County by Vero Beach Police appears to be separate from the police work in Jupiter, where investigators identified Kraft as one of 25 suspected Johns and charged him with solicitation of a prostitute. Krafts arrest warrant could potentially arrive in Massachusetts on Monday, according to reports. John W. Childs, a 77-year-old businessman who has a home in Chestnut Hill and founded Waltham-based firm J.W. Childs Associates, was also charged with solicitation by Vero Beach Police. Both Kraft and Childs have denied the accusations. On Friday, the New England Patriots released a statement to categorically deny that Kraft engaged in any illegal activity. Childs told Bloomberg on Friday he had not been contacted by police and that the allegation was totally false." The investigation in Indian River County resulted in 171 arrest warrants, police said in a press conference last week. Vero Beach Police Chief David E. Currey said the investigation revealed that the women working at the massage parlors were licensed masseuses, many brought from China with debts to pay, who were being coerced into giving sexual acts. These people truly are stuck, and when they got here, they thought they were going to be doing something else, Currey said at a press conference. Though most of the suspects identified in the Indian River County investigation were from Florida, there were several others from New England. In a PowerPoint shared by Vero Beach police last week, other suspects from the Northeast were accused of soliciting a prostitute: Note: This is the fourth in a series of five stories about wineries in Provence, France visited by the author. A Week in Provence, Part 1 (Two wineries in La Motte, France) A Week in Provence, Part 2 (Three wineries on Cote d'Azur, France) A Week in Provence, Part 3 (Three wineries in Pierrefeu-Du-Var, Correns and Ponteves, France) PART 4 DOMAINE DE SAINT SER (Puylobier, France) Recommended Wines 2017 Domaine De Saint Ser Rose - Aromatic, flinty, dry rose with hints of strawberry flavors and aromas. Full bodied, well balanced. Beautiful wine. 2016 Domaine De Saint Ser Rose - Outstanding, dry, flinty rose that's even smoother and more subtle than the 2017 vintage. Strawberry flavors and aromas softer than 2017. Simply sublime. 2015 Domaine De Saint Ser White Cuvee Tradition - Light, bright, dry white wine perfect for a hot, summer day. Like a comfortable sweater on a Sunday morning, this relaxing wine goes down easy. 2014 Domaine De Saint Ser Red - Meaty, robust, sultry red wine with hints of roasted raspberries, cherries and sea salt flavors. Not a harsh edge at all to this well-rounded wine. 2012 Domaine De Saint Ser Red - Big, bold wine which needs about an hour to fully open up and reveal its luxurious, smooth, roasted cherry flavors. Outstanding wine. The jagged, white cliffs of Sainte Victoire soar straight up behind Domaine De Saint Ser, the 116-acre winery located on the south side of this sun-drenched mountain. Artist Paul Cezanne painted this barren, 3,000-foot-high peak numerous times from his studio in nearby Aix-en-Provence. It's easy to see why standing near the rugged, beautiful landscape. There are barely any trees, barely any buildings near the mountain. Situated at the foot of the mountain, the winery feels like an isolated outpost far from a nearby village center a few kilometers down a narrow, two-lane road. Here, Paris feels like another world away walking along the dusty roads near the winery's stone buildings. And yet that's exactly where the winery's owner, Jacqueline Guichot, moved from in 2006. Guichot did not follow a traditional winemaker's path. Unlike many winemakers, she did not grow up in a winemaking family. She lived most of her life in Paris, where she worked as a pharmacist. Even so, Guichot was always interested in wine, she explains as we walk through her vineyards. As she got older, she decided to wanted to do something completely different from being a pharmacist. "When I sold my pharmacy, I thought about changing my life so I changed my life completely," she says. Guichot spent 18 months searching for just the right winery before deciding to buy Domaine de Saint-Ser. It also took a little while for the winemaking community to accept her as well, she adds, partly because she's a woman. "It's not too easy to enter into this community of making wine because it's the property of the men," she says. "So when you're a woman, when you're out of place, it's a little bit difficult to come in. But finally, it's good now." Guichot grows 19 different grape varieties and uses eight different types of grapes to make wine. She also grows 14 different varieties of olives. The grapes benefit from the southern exposure, plentiful sun and Provence's famous Mistral, the powerful winds that often sweep through the region and keep the vines dry and grapes crisp and flavorful. Before Guichot moved to Provence, she says she often didn't drink wines from here, except for an occasional glass of rose in the summer. "Now I am passionate about Provence," she says. "I think it's a very beautiful wine region, even for red and for white and for everything." DOMAINE DES DIABLES, MADE IN PROVENCE (Puylobier, France) Recommended Wines 2017 Domaine Des Diables MIP Les Petits Diables Les Petite Rose - Slightly sour and tart apple-like taste. Almost like a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc blended with a Rose wine. Very distinct, bold, unique wine. 2017 Domaine Des Diables MIP Collection Premium Rose - Crisp, salty, green apple-like flavors give this lively, young, playful Rose a delightful, distinct finish. 2017 Domaine Des Diables MIP L'Hydropathe Elite Rose - Subtle, understated, subdued wine with mild apple and passion fruit-like flavors. 2017 Domaine Des Diables MIP Premium White - Clean, refreshing, refined white wine with just a hint of green apple and other slightly tart flavors. 2017 Domaine Des Diables MIP L'Hydropathe Elite White - Warm, oaky, buttery white wine with subtle, bright, clean finish. 2017 Domaine Des Diables MIP Le Dou Dou De MIP - Dessert wine with a Sauterne-like finish mixed with hints of candy apple and sea salt. Absolutely delightful. Some winemakers take their job very seriously. Or at least it can seem that way from the somber advertisements and marketing brochures promoting their wines. Made in Provence and Domaine Des Diable takes a completely different approach. So do their winemakers, Guillaume Philip and his partner, Virginie Fabre. Fabre's from Provence. Philip grew up in the Rhone region. The couple met at wine making school in Montpellier. Then in 2005, they began working at Fabre's family vineyard in Puylober not far from Mount Sainte Victoire. Starting in 1979, Fabre's father grew grapes there for other winemakers. Now, grapes from those same vines are sold as Made In Provence wines, which are also known by their initials, M.I.P. Philip says they chose the Made In Provence name to make sure there's no confusion among wine buyers about where the wine comes from. Often, "French brands don't work so well (overseas) because it's too complicated to understand where it's from," Philip says. Then in 2007, the couple bought another nearby winery and renamed it Domaine des Diables.The name of the winery (which means "domain of the devil") playfully "refers to the energy of our children," Fabre says. Philip adds they also chose the name "because around here, there are too many saints," referring to many other wineries in the area with saint their name. "And it's paradise here," Philip adds. Both wineries produce award-winning, world-class wines. But you would never know that talking to Philip, a modest, down-to-earth person. The winery's walls are covered with photographs of Philip smiling with various visitors to the winery. He also encourages visitors to take fun photographs in the winery as well, including posing on top of the winery's large, wooden wine barrels. Philip also speaks with passion about his wines as we walk through the modern, state-of-the-art winery. The winery uses various techniques to achieve its distinct flavors, including using an icing system to cool the grapes soon after harvest. Throughout the tour and the tasting, it's clear a lot of thought and a lot of hard work went into making such delightful, playful wines. MAS DE CADENET (Trets, France) Recommended Wines 2017 Mas De Cadenet Cotes De Provence Rose - Flinty, dry, outstanding Rose with a hint of limestone and Chablis-like finish. Beautiful, aromatic flavors linger nearly an hour after opening the bottle. Outstanding. 2017 Mas De Cadenet Cotes De Provence White - Clean, crisp, refreshing white wine with an understated, mineral-like finish. Vibrant, elegant, subtle fruit-like flavors. 2015 Mas De Cadenet Cotes De Provence Rose - Robust, ripe, hearty Rose wine with well-rounded body and superb, meaty finish. Best wine of the tasting. Terrific. 2015 Mas De Cadenet Cotes De Provence Red - Full, robust, meaty red wine with a peppery finish at first. After an hour, the wine has a more refined, elegant, soft, smooth finish with hints of dried raspberries. Sublime. Tradition matters at Mas De Cadenet winery. That's because the Negrel family has been making wine here since 1813, when the family bought the winery located near the south side of Mount Sainte Victoire. That sense of tradition continues to this day. Several members of the Negrel family continue to run the winery, including Matthieu Negrel, who brought four, outstanding Mas De Cadenet wines to a tasting dinner in the charming village of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume. Like many wineries in Provence, the 110-acre winery produces mostly rose wine, which accounts for 60 percent of its output. Its remaining wines are 30 percent red and 10 percent white. All three types of wines produced by the winery have a crisp, bright, mineral-like flavor, especially the winery's dry, flinty Rose wines. Many wineries in Provence produce high-quality Rose wines. But when Matthieu's father, Guy, set out to do just that 30 years ago, some people were skeptical. "My father wanted to create a gastronomic Rose with aging potential," Matthieu explains as we taste the wines. "Back then, it was quite ambitious because the Rose was considered much more of an appetizer. His objective was very high." "Half the people thought he was very ambitious," Matthieu adds. "The other half thought he was completely crazy. But by the end, many found his idea very good." "He's passionate about his job," Matthieu says, referring to his father. "He has devoted his heart and soul to the winery." Guy Negrel continues to runs the winery with the help of Matthieu and Guy's daughter, Maud. But Guy never put any pressure on his children to go into the winemaking business because it can be such hard work. "He (Guy) didn't want it to feel like it was an obligation to continue," Matthieu says. Instead, Matthieu and Maud began working at the family winery because they're just as passionate about making wine as their father. In particular, Matthieu says he has always been fascinated by the winemaking process. "I always enjoy working in the cellar during and after harvest," he says. Matthieu has two young children. He adds that he and his sister hope to pass the winemaking traditional along to their children - but only if that's something they want to do. "I don't want them to feel an obligation to do this," Matthieu says. "Because if you're not passionate, a large time of your life is devoted to making wine." "You have to be passionate" to be a wine maker, Matthieu adds. "You have to love it." Cheers! Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican's weekend section every Thursday. Follow Ken Ross on Twitter and Instagram. For two decades, Stephen Petegorsky, camera in hand, has traveled the world with a small nonprofit agency that helps people who have lost limbs in war zones. The Polus Center for Social and Economic Development, headquartered in Petersham, works to develop prosthetic clinics -- and to build capacity at existing clinics -- in areas as diverse as Nicaragua, Honduras, Peru, Colombia, Ethiopia, Jordan, Tajikistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Parts of those countries are strewn with unexploded ordnance, explosive remnants of war, and improvised explosive devices. "A man might be clearing land with a machete, hit a hand grenade by mistake, and lose his arm," the Northampton-based photographer said. For the month of March, Petegorsky's work for the Polus Center will be on display at the Valley Photo Center at Tower Square in Springfield. "I've taken more than 30 trips, and each one has been eye-opening," he said. "In poor countries, if you lose a limb, there is no safety net. You lose your livelihood. It's not like the U.S., with its personal injury lawyers and benefit programs." Receiving a prosthetic limb or wheelchair can be transformative for individuals, their families, and communities, and determine whether someone rebuilds his or her life or remains dependent and indigent, he said. The Polus Center, among other sources of funding, receives support from the U.S. Department of State, which maintains a program to assist the victims of conflict. "The aim of this ongoing body of photographic work is not simply to show the horror or sadness of limb loss and disability, but rather to create a compassionate view of people who have suffered, and to depict the efforts being made to help them lead better lives," according to publicity for the event. The photographer said that the painter Greg Stone, a well-known Northampton artist who died in 2016, convinced him 20 years ago to get involved. "I was driving around with Greg one day, photographing his paintings in towns all over Western Mass, and he started talking about the Polus Center," said Petegorsky. "Before I knew it, I was on a plane and headed to Nicaragua." An opening reception is set for March 1 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. If you go: What: Step by Step: Photos by Stephen Petegorsky When: March 1-31; opening reception March 1, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Where: Valley Photo Center, Tower Square, 1500 Main St., Springfield SPRINGFIELD Firefighter Glen Carpenter unrolled a hose to trail behind him Sunday morning as he ventured down into the subbasement below The Student Prince Cafe & The Fort Restaurant to investigate heavy smoke. Its the best way, he said Monday, to make sure he could find his way out again if he needed to. When you have a cellar like thats divided up and has been renovated many times, he said Monday. If you get turned around... He didnt finish the sentence. But he did make plans Monday to go back and do a site survey of the The Fort so he and other firefighters can learn the layout when the building is not filling with smoke. Carpenter and his fellow firefighters met Monday with two of Student Princes owners Andy Yee and Peter Picknelly and General Manager Bill Porter brought lunch to Springfield Fire Headquarters as a thank you. You saved The Fort, Picknelly, chairman and CEO of Peter Pan Bus Lines said. You our are heroes every day. You run into situations where people are running out. Porter and his crew smelled smoke Sunday morning while preparing to open for lunch. Firefighters traced the fire to a burning electrical panel in bowels of the building and three storefronts away from The Fort. The Fort reopened Monday for lunch. Porter expects 240 guests Monday night for the last of The Forts annual game dinners. The German restaurant is in its 85th year of operation. He said The Fort is relying on generator power as the new electrical panel wont be in place until Tuesday. When you hear fire, your heart just sinks, Yee said. Fire Commissioner Bernard Calvi said the fires location and the amount of rolling smoke was very concerning . You had smoke coming out of things that shouldnt have had smoke coming out, Calvi said . When you have a cast-iron fitting in a door, and you see smoke curling out around that fitting . Thats not good. Picknelly said a fire the building could have been catastrophic. The stein collection alone numbers more than 1,700. There are things in that restaurant that are irreplaceable, Picknelly said. Its like a museum. Back in 2014, it looked like the Student Prince might close for good. Picknelly, Yee and father-and-son business consultants Michael K. Vann and Kevin B. Vann bought The Fort from the Scherff family, renovated it and re-opened it. 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. That leads me to my second reaction to Boots column, his assumption that you have to major in history in college to be literate in it. He states that in the late 1960s, 5 percent of female and 6 percent of male undergraduates majored in history as opposed to less than 1 percent and 2 percent currently, respectively. Why did he feel the need to distinguish between female and male undergraduates? Although the percentages are lower now, are the actual numbers of undergraduate students majoring in history about the same? That is, are there more students in college now than in the late 1960s? But that still leaves us with the issue that, if you are measuring the historical knowledge of the public by the number of college history majors, isnt 5 or 6 percent still abysmally low? Uh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here. 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!) Every time the subject of legalizing civil marriage is raised in Lebanon there are politicians and clergy who say, now is not a good time. This has been the case since 1951 68 years ago when Raymond Edde, then a young deputy and leader of the National Bloc, proposed legalizing civil marriage as an option for couples. Eddes proposition followed the adoption of a law on April 2, 1951 that granted religious communities jurisdiction over personal status matters. Today, an estimated 800 or so Lebanese couples want a civil marriage each year. They have no choice but to travel abroad, mainly to Cyprus, for their unions to be recognized under Lebanese law. The debate over civil marriage resurfaced last week after Interior Minister Raya El Hassan told Euronews that she intended to open the door for dialogue to recognize optional civil marriage in Lebanon. The statement was quickly denounced by Dar el-Fatwa, the highest Sunni authority in Lebanon. Since then, El Hassan, who is Sunni, has been silent on the issue. Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, who once voiced support for civil marriage, also changed his position, falling back to the old saying that now is not a good time. In a country claiming to be democratic, it is high time to launch such a dialogue. Nevertheless, this debate should not turn into a conflict between the civil society and the clergy or even between the secular State and religious authorities, Ibrahim Traboulsi, a lawyer specializing in family law, told LOrient-Le Jour (OLJ). Traboulsi praised the minister of interiors courageous and forward thinking attitude for raising the subject and pointed to a survey conducted by the newspaper An-Nahar in 2010 that showed that 82 out of Lebanons 128 MPs had voiced support for legalizing civil marriage, including Parliamentary Speaker Berri and all MPs from his political bloc. Civil marriage contracts held up at the ministry Traboulsi said that El Hassans statement may have been motivated by the many civil marriage contracts concluded in Lebanon that are still held up at her ministry because former Minister Nouhad Machnouk did not ratify them. In 2013, Nidal Darwish and Khulud Sukkarieh became the first and only couple to have a civil marriage contract issued in Lebanon after they removed their sectarian affiliations from their civil status records, Traboulsi said. Many other couples soon followed suit, but their marriages have yet to be validated. "Ms. Hassan simply expressed her willingness to launch a national debate and dialogue," Traboulsi continued. In response, Dar al-Fatwa reiterated the position put forward by Mufti Mohammed Rashid Qabbani in 1998 when he lobbied then Prime Minister Rafic Hariri to not sign a bill that would have legalized civil marriage. The Council of Ministers had approved the bill by a vote of 21 to seven. But Qabbani issued a fatwa against civil marriage, and under pressure from Sunni religious authorities, backed by all religious institutions, both Christian and Muslim, Hariri did not sign the bill or send it to parliament. In 2019, the opposition is still coming from the Muslim community, as it did in 1998, particularly from the highest Sunni authority, Traboulsi said. Today, the Christian clergy no longer hesitates to announce their support of civil marriage, he continued, adding that in 2011 the Maronite Patriarch voiced his support for mandatory civil marriage, and just last week, Bechara al-Rahi, the current Maronite Patriarch, reiterated this position. The Muslim communitys opposition to civil marriage likely stems from the fact that the bills introduced on the subject include articles that go against Muslim principles and rules of sharia regarding inheritance, polygamy and adoption, according to Traboulsi. Civil marriage statutes would prevent polygamy, allow adoption and provide for equal inheritance between men and women. Giant steps There are currently 35 bills on personal status that have been submitted to parliament and not yet taken up for discussion. Using the term optional in these bills when referring to civil marriage gives freedom to believers whether to adhere to this system or not, Traboulsi said. But the Muslim community completely rejects the concept of civil marriage whether it is conducted in Lebanon or abroad and regardless of if it is optional or mandatory. For Traboulsi, the current Lebanese law authorizing civil marriage abroad is not fair toward Muslims. A Lebanese couple, where the two parties are Muslim, who opt for a civil marriage abroad, has no choice but to adhere to sharia law in case of conflict, he explained. This also applies to Darwish and Sukkarieh who entered into a civil marriage contract in Lebanon in front of a public notary. Even though the minister of interior at the time, Marwan Charbel, ratified their contract, their union will still be governed by sharia law in case of conflict, Traboulsi added. Still, the couple broke a taboo and set a precedent by forcing the authorities to recognize their union. Traboulsi, however, is not optimistic about the possibility that Lebanese politicians will go against religious authority and legalize civil marriage. As long as Muslims continue to oppose even optional civil marriage, I dont see how this can change, he said. He added, however, that civil society has contributed to making giant steps forward when it comes to child custody, alimony and especially domestic violence. The victory on domestic violence came with the adoption of a law in 2014 that protected battered women and abused and out of school children. It is now no longer the responsibility of religious authorities to protect these people, but up to civil courts, and therefore the state, Traboulsi said, adding that the law provoked anger from the clergy when it was adopted. At the time, religious authorities accused the government of taking away their powers and prerogatives. For the standoff between the clergy and advocates of civil marriage to be overcome, it is important to launch a national debate or even hold a vote on the issue, Traboulsi concluded. (This article was originally published in L'Orient-Le Jour on the 22nd of February) Whats required is that elected officials commit themselves to cleaning up government. Again, naive? No. The dramatic sweep of this investigation and the timing, coming so close to an election, is a gift to the people of Chicago. No one running for office can pretend that the political culture here is saintly. Maybe the city isnt inherently corrupt, but clearly something went wrong after Honest Abe left town with the Republican nomination for president in 1860. Weve spoken with dozens of candidates, and when asked about how to defeat endemic corruption, they all accept the premise that Chicago needs to change. They all offer up ideas. Easy for candidates, of course. Family & Parenting, Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Arts & Culture, Press Releases, Seasonal & Current Events By Chris Boyle Published: February 25 2019 Enter Your Designs From Now to March 15th. Long Island, NY - February 25, 2019 - 2019 represents a series of new beginnings for LongIsland.com, and among them is a brand-new logo for Long Islands #1 website, created by YOU, our readers! LongIsland.com is pleased to announce a new, reader-driven contest to create a brand-new logo for our website, devised by new LongIsland.com owner and noted local entrepreneur Andrew Hazen. The contest is open to anyone and everyone who wants to get involved, no matter if they're 6, 16, or 60 years old, according to Hazen; all you need is a creative spirit and an undying love of all things Long Island, and the artistic talent to translate that passion into a brand spanking new logo for the website. We want the new logo to be representative of what Long Island is. LongIsland.com is the homepage for all of Long Island, and to live up to that we need to have some great branding. Thats why I'm opening this contest up to Long Islanders, because they're the people who live here and the people who visit our site every day. Upon acquiring LongIsland.com in January of 2019, Hazen the well-known owner of businesses such as LaunchPad Long Island and BobbleBoss realized that his vision of taking the site to the next level would require new branding in the form of updated logo; the original has been a near-constant on the site since it originally launched in 1996. I'm very familiar with the current logoI recall the days when I would be driving down the LIE and I would see it on signs and moving trucks. It's a well-known logo, but it just needs a modernized look, potentially a refresh, he said. Over the years brands like Google, AOL and Coke have been very subtle with changes they've made to their logos. So with the new ownership of LongIsland.com and the new vision of creating a media company and creating new content and things that Long Islanders want to be engaged with, I'm looking to refresh the brand. We're looking from submissions from anyone. They can be a skilled, professional artist, someone in school, somebody who's retired, or just someone who has an overwhelming love for Long Island and all of the things that make it special, he said. As for what form the new logo should take, Hazen is giving Long Island residents a fairly free hand in utilizing their creativity help usher LongIsland.com into a new era, as long as their entries evoke the look and feel of what makes Long Island one of the greatest places to live, work, and play. Most people, when they think of Long Island, picture the beaches, the food, the boats, the nightlife, and a number of other iconic things, Hazen said. I'm looking for a refreshed logo that will become iconic and that people will automatically associate with Long Island and LongIsland.com. The new logo should illustrate what Long Island is all about. CONTEST RULES: logo@longisland.com. Initial entries can be of any style, graphical resolution, and image format, but contenders for the winning entry may be asked to potentially create a higher-quality version suitable for publication if they are able to do so. Submissions are due by the end of business on March 15th, 2019. All submissions should be sent to. Initial entries can be of any style, graphical resolution, and image format, but contenders for the winning entry may be asked to potentially create a higher-quality version suitable for publication if they are able to do so. Entries are given a wide degree of creative freedom, but the text LongIsland.com must be included in any logo design or it will be rejected. The winner will be publicly announced on a date to be determined after the end date of the contest. If a significant number of high-quality submissions are received by the end of business on March 15th, 2019, a second round of judging may take place amongst a selected group of finalists. Selected entries including the winning entry will be announced and displayed on the LongIsland.com website. LongIsland.com reserves the right to not display/reject any entry for any reason whatsoever. The winning design will be featured on the LongIsland.com website, as well as any affiliated websites owned by Long Island Media LongIsland.coms parent company and in all manner of advertising and promotional materials, including physical signage, print media, and digital. The winner will receive the Ultimate Long Island Gift Package, which shall include but not be limited to, gift cards to restaurants, hotel stay, apparel, limo ride and more! The package will feature a variety of Long Island's goods and services. All entries become the sole property of LongIsland.com and Long Island Media. The creator of the winning entry will be contacted by Long Island Media, and will receive full public credit for their logo design. Long Island Media reserves the right to re-create, edit and/or alter the winning entry in any way whatsoever needed to suit marketing and advertising purposes without prior consent of the creator. The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, is urging Longford businesses to take a few minutes to register with Revenue for a customs number, which they will need if they want to continue trading with the UK after Brexit. Minister Humphreys made the call as she launches a series of free customs training workshops for all businesses, which is being rolled out for the Government through the 31 Local Enterprise Offices. Also LISTEN: Edgeworthstown robot study slammed as 'pie in the sky' Businesses that intend to import or export to the UK post Brexit, can only do so with a customs number called an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number. Revenue has written to over 70,000 businesses in recent weeks alerting them to this requirement. An EORI number is already used by any business trading with a non-European Union (EU) country and is a EU customs requirement for trading with third countries. If a business does not have an EORI number post-Brexit, it will not be able to move its goods. Calling on businesses to register with Revenue for an EORI number without delay, Minister Humphreys said, So far around one in four businesses in Ireland that trade with the UK have registered with Revenue. With just five weeks to go to Brexit, I am strongly urging the remaining three-quarters or so of firms to sign up for the EORI number. It only takes a few minutes to do so online through Revenues Online Service, ROS. Also read: Restaurants Association want Government to reverse VAT increase ahead of any no-deal Brexit Be they a local retailer who buys their fresh and frozen goods from a UK supplier or a restaurant owner who sources key ingredients from the UK, they will need their number to protect their business from delays and other Brexit impacts. The Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen TD, also called on businesses to decide whether they plan to carry out customs procedures themselves or use a customs agent to act on their behalf. Businesses who move their goods to or from mainland Europe using the UK landbridge need to be aware that customs procedures apply to them post Brexit. There is a simplified transit customs process for goods using the landbridge, but to use it businesses must put in place a Revenue approved comprehensive financial guarantee, Minister Breen said. This process can take time, so I urge businesses to start by consulting with their financial provider and Revenue straight away. Alternatively business can engage a customs agent or logistics company to do so. Either way the process needs to start now and businesses must be aware that they will be responsible for providing their agent with accurate and timely information and their EORI number, the Minister added. Also read: Longford's Glennon Brothers hail employees 250 years of service Businesses from all sectors can seek customs advice and training through the Prepare Your Business for Customs workshops, which the Local Enterprise Offices are rolling out from today. These one-day workshops will provide businesses with an opportunity to understand about potential customs impacts, formalities and procedures they will need to adopt when trading with the UK after this date and help businesses put arrangements in place. Businesses can also receive online customs training through Enterprise Irelands website to find out more about key customs concepts, documentation and processes, which takes about 45 minutes to complete. https://www.prepareforbrexit. com/customs-insights-course/ Further information about actions businesses can take now to prepare for Brexit is available on www.dbei.gov.ie Co Leitrim based lender Avantcard has today announced the creation of 40 new jobs at its headquarters in Carrick-on-Shannon and satellite office in Dublin. The announcement of these new jobs comes on the back of an additional 58 people joining the Avantcard workforce over the last eighteen months, making Avantcard an increasingly attractive prospect for talent in the financial services sector in the North West. Avantcard currently employs 220 people across their offices in Leitrim and Dublin. The new positions will include customer-facing roles, roles supporting the new An Post and Avantcard partnership announced in 2018 as well as a handful of specialist roles to support planned business growth. With more people seeking a better work/life balance and with many finding themselves priced out of the housing market in Dublin and the East coast, the benefits of working, living and learning in the North West are highly valued by those seeking alternatives. The region has enjoyed a string of new high-end jobs announcements and investment over recent months and with businesses such as Avantcard prioritising the work/life balance of employees, the region offers a quality of living that our major cities are struggling to match. A lower cost of living, significantly less traffic and a slower pace of life, combined with the tech boom taking place in neighbouring Sligo, means the region is increasingly attracting more and more businesses and investment. 2018 was a momentous year for the company after it acquired the Tesco Bank Ireland credit card portfolio, along with the announcement of a new partnership with An Post which will see it offering An Post branded personal loans and credits cards through the national post office network in the coming weeks. Avantcard was also awarded both the Ibec KeepWell Mark and the Great Place to Work accreditation in a matter of months. Chris Paul, Avantcards CEO said, As a fast-growing business in Ireland, we are delighted to announce these 40 new jobs. We had an incredibly busy 2018 as the business continues to expand and we look forward to building on that in 2019 with our new team members. We were very proud to have been recognised as a Great Place to Work and receive Ibecs KeepWell mark in 2018, both of which highlight how committed we are to our employees and to ensuring that we have practices in place which allow them to flourish in the workplace." Helen Richardson, Avantcards Director of Human Resources, said, We are very excited to be welcoming 40 new people to the business, and for the opportunities this presents for Avantcard. We are particularly proud of being a major employer in the North West region offering a large number of high-quality jobs in the financial services space and see this as a real boost for the area. We believe we can offer a truly great opportunity for people looking to live in this area and for those who wish to have fulfilling careers in financial services. We are proud of the contribution we make to our employees lives. Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys said, Today is a great day for Carrick-on-Shannon and the announcement is a huge vote of confidence in the local workforce. As Minister, regional development is my key priority, and Avantcard is living proof that you dont have to be based in a big city to make a big impact. Today I am also launching a new Regional Enterprise Plan for the North-West. This Plan is rooted in collaboration, with local stakeholders from Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal working together to build on progress in the region to date and fill in any gaps. Our goal is to encourage more investments like this one and ensure that our enterprises remain resilient. I would like to warmly congratulate Chris and the team at Avantcard on this huge achievement, which serves as an example for others to follow. Lockport, NY (14094) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 72F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 72F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%. An Auckland Transport owned building in Stanmore Bay, which is leased by Auckland Councils property arm, Panuku Development, cannot currently be re-let because of the state that it is in. The residential area on the first floor of the building at 1 Brightside Road was described as being in a disgusting state by members of the Hibiscus Coast Mens Shed who looked through it recently with a view to leasing it. The organisation is currently leasing the ground floor while it raises funds for its purpose-built shed in Silverdale (see story below). Mens Shed chair Maurice Browning says he was shocked at the near-derelict condition of the upper floor, which had recently been vacated. Wallpaper was peeling off and it was damp, mouldy, and filthy, Mr Browning says. We were retching from the smell. I am surprised that the landlord would let the building get into this condition. He says members of the Mens Shed have a wealth of practical knowledge and believe a lot of the issues appear to be structural, including leaks from the roof. He says Panuku inspected the building and advised the Mens Shed that if they were to lease the property, they would need to do interior work at their expense, including new carpet and wallpaper, hanging new doors and fitting a new kitchen and toilet. The charitable trust would then be charged rental of around $17,500 a year for the whole building a sum that Panuku told Mr Browning is well below market rental. Panuku said they would fix up the outside, including roof repairs, at a cost of around $30,000-$40,000, and the interior was up to us, but must be brought to their standard, Mr Browning says. Were not going to live in it, so we are only happy to fit it out for our work purposes. Hibiscus & Bays Local Board deputy chair, Janet Fitzgerald, says Panuku and Auckland Transport are meeting to discuss the issue, after which they will talk with local board members. Until then, Mrs Fitzgerald is not able to comment further. However, she says that they are aware of the reported state of the building and want to see it for themselves. It is one reason why we want to talk with Panuku, she says. Hibiscus Matters asked Panuku whether, as landlord, it was aware of the condition of the building and why it was allowed to deteriorate to this extent. Portfolio manager Ian Wheeler, says that prior to expiry of the lease, Panuku inspected the premises and advised the tenant that they would need to vacate so repairs could be carried out. The tenant expressed interest in re-leasing the premises, subject to repair works and Panuku is in discussion with them, Mr Wheeler says. Work is due to commence shortly. Mens Shed faces funding hurdle The Hibiscus Mens Shed, which has been working towards establishing a purpose-built facility on the Hibiscus Coast since 2015, has reached a critical point with several funding applications that would enable it to build a shed in Silverdale turned down. Mens Sheds operate around the country. They consist of not-for-profit community workshops where, for a small fee, members can drop in for a chat and to work on practical tasks. As well as the satisfaction of the work itself, a large part of the Mens Sheds popularity and success comes from the opportunity to talk with others, bringing recognised mental health benefits. Chair Maurice Browning says that after being turned down by large funding bodies including Foundation North and Lotto, the organisation has been forced to change tack. With the total project estimated to cost around $760,000 the group has now divided this into thirds and is looking at funding each portion as a separate stage. He says the response from funders has been disappointing and frustrating, particularly given the support of the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board, which has provided a site in Silverdale, near the rugby club. Even mentioning the benefits for mens mental health, and dementia, has not raised a single cent, he says. The Hibiscus Mens Shed is now looking for sponsorship and help from local businesses to build a slab and driveway, then the shed itself, followed by the fit-out. He says the local Mens Shed is not alone in its funding difficulties with sheds in other parts of the country taking as long as a decade to become established. In the meantime, the organisation is hoping to expand to other parts of the building it already occupies, at 1 Brightside Road (see story above). Mr Browning says the Hibiscus Mens Shed has until the end of this year to start building at Silverdale or at least get earthworks done and the slab down before its resource consent will run out. The time and money involved in re-applying for consent is something the group can ill afford, he says. Anyone who can help, phone Maurice, 027 279 0179. Phone calls aimed at defrauding people of their money have been hitting residents on the Hibiscus Coast and wider Rodney hard in recent weeks. In particular, a scam where a person calls saying they are from Spark has had a big impact. Sergeant Nick Herd of Whangaparaoa Police says in the last fortnight over the whole of the Waitemata Police district, at least $100,000 has been lost due to Spark scams. Around $42,000 of this was from two locals on the Hibiscus Coast. The scammer generally calls a landline and impersonates a Spark employee saying there is a computer problem. They want to gain access to the victims computer and then take money via internet bank accounts. Sgt Herd says that in both the local cases, the people concerned were in the 70-80-year age bracket. He says the victims are distressed and angry, having lost their life savings and money that was a potential inheritance for their children. Sgt Herd says that as soon as you have given someone access to your computer remotely, and realise that something may be wrong, call your bank, police or a family member. Tracking down the offenders is next to impossible, but the bank may be able to put a freeze on the account. However, there are limits to what banks can do. Sgt Herd also recommends asking a more computer savvy family member or friend to provide advice about computer security. He says scams continue to evolve, and local police have had cases where hundreds of thousands of dollars were taken. A snapshot of Rodney over the past month reveals scams which have ranged from a scammer impersonating a family member on Facebook, another in which an employee received a fake email she believed from her employer and transferred funds, to one where someone claimed to be from the IRD and told the victim they owed unpaid taxes and required payment in iTunes vouchers, Sgt Herd says. The only thing they all have in common is that the scammer impersonates someone either known to the victim or in a position of perceived authority or trust. There are also scams utilising Facebook in which fake profiles are created and items sold on local buy and sell pages to unassuming buyers. This is slightly different in that it typically originates from New Zealand and the items appear legitimate. Sgt Herd says this is a method that is becoming a bigger and bigger issue. Spark is working with Netsafe to combat the epidemic of scams and has a list of all current scams at spark.co.nz/help/scams-safety/scams/current-scams/ About three-fourths of states nationwide currently have a fair tax because they understand a graduated income tax is the fairest way to support the state and boost the middle class. Implementing a graduated income tax in Illinois is the only way to fix our financial system without slashing necessary funding from the critical services our residents depend upon or imposing new taxes that will hurt a vast majority of Illinois residents. At the end of this month, Auckland Transport begins public consultation on its proposed Speed Limit Bylaw review. The proposals include a large number of speed reductions in Orewa from the current 50kph to 30kph (see below). Public consultation is to begin on February 28 and is open until March 31. The Speed Limit Bylaw review is a step in bringing down the road toll. To participate in the consultation process, visit at govt.nz/speed Proposed speed reductions, Orewa, from 50kph to 30kph: Alice Avenue, between Florence Ave and 15m north of Florence Ave Bakehouse Lane and Cammish Lane, full length Empire Rd, between Hibiscus Coast Highway and 40m west of the highway Hibiscus Coast Highway, between 35m north of Marine View and 40m south of Empire Rd Hillary Square, Keith Morris Lane and George Lowe Place, full length Marine View, Florence Ave, Moana Ave, Moenui Ave, Tamariki Ave and Tenzing Lane, full length Riverside Rd, between highway and 60m west of highway. The spotlight will be on coastlines in Rodney and the Hibiscus Coast when the Coastal Restoration Trust holds its annual conference in Warkworth this month. The theme Living with Dynamic Coastlines will bring a raft of coastal scientists, local experts and practitioners, iwi representatives, coast care volunteers, students and interested members of the community together. Trust chair Greg Bennett says the conference normally attracts up to 100 people who represent the myriad of community organisations working on coastal projects throughout NZ. Its an opportunity for people to network and share knowledge and information, he says. Working in sometimes remote parts of NZ can feel quite isolating and dealing with government and local council bureaucracies can be bewildering. Sharing experiences is useful. Council and government professionals are also welcome to attend. The conference will include field trips to a number of locations including Orwea, Wenderholm, Muriwai and Te Arai. The discussion will be about our coastal processes and how we manage the changes that climate change and sea level rises will bring, Greg says. Increasingly, hard options such as the Orewa seawall project are seen as the option of last resort. What we want is soft shorelines so that the land and sea can shift and migrate. This means maintaining sand dunes and looking after our estuary margins. Buffer zones allow the sea to come and go with the natural cycles. A good example of this is Papamoa Beach, which was done in the 1990s. Auckland Council open sanctuaries senior ranger Matt Maitland has been providing local support for the conference. He says Warkworth is an ideal location because attendees will be able to visit both the Pacific and Tasman coasts, which represent different coastal dynamics. We hear a lot of talk about climate change, sea levels and storm events, and our coasts will bear the brunt of that. Rodneys coastlines will also be under pressure as the population of Auckland increases and moves north so the conference will provide a forum for anyone with concerns about future threats. Matt says the field trips, in particular, will provide an opportunity for locals to talk about their own projects and hear fresh ideas. Coastlines can have similar aspects, but responses can be quite different depending on things like population, expectations, and natural and cultural values. The conference will be based at the Warkworth Town Hall from March 27 to 29. There will also be a Coastal Restoration101 workshop in Orewa the day before, on Tuesday March 26. The day is sponsored by the Department of Conservation and attendance is free, although registrations for catering purposes are appreciated. Info: coastalrestorationtrust.org.nz Seawall still in mediation Mediation between the parties for and against building a seawall on Orewa Beach, between Marine View and Kohu Street, is ongoing. Auckland Council advises that further mediation was due to take place last week, February 21-22. The Environment Court hearing date has been set down for the week beginning May 6. Councils proposal for a seawall on this stretch of the beach was declined consent by Council, on the advice of independent commissioners, in December 2017 and Council then lodged an appeal, effectively against its own decision. Six hundred submissions were presented by Arkles Bay residents Rod and Leigh Jenden, left and third from left. The submissions were accepted on behalf of Council by, second from left, Cr Wayne Walker, Cr Greg Sayers and Cr Linda Cooper. The strength of community concern about Auckland Councils proposed Freedom Camping in Vehicles bylaw was apparent at a meeting held in Orewa on February 16. The meeting was the largest of several held around Auckland during the period when public submissions were open, from December 3-February 18 (HM December 12, 2018 and February 13, 2019). The draft bylaw defines the number of sites across Auckland where freedom camping is allowed and where it is restricted. It has been developed under the Freedom Camping Act 2011, which means that the council can only restrict or prohibit the activity if it has evidence to do so at a particular site. Staff carried out assessments of more than 1000 council-controlled sites, which has led to the inclusion of 422 sites where Council proposes to prohibit or restrict freedom camping. Local sites where restrictions are proposed include Arundel Reserve; Grant Park; Kinloch Reserve; Loop Rd Reserve; Orewa North Lookout; Orewa Reserve; Remembrance Reserve; and Western Reserve in Orewa, Silverdale War Memorial Park and Metro Park East, Swann Beach Reserve, Manly; Whale Cove Reserve, Stanmore Bay, Fishermans Rock Reserve, Army Bay; Little Manly Reserve; Manly Park (boat ramp area), and Red Beach waterfront reserve. A bylaw under the Freedom Camping Act will mean enforcement officers can issue a $200 fine to anyone in breach. The Orewa meeting was a chance to quiz staff and councillors directly about the proposed bylaw. Crs Wayne Walker and Greg Sayers were at the meeting, as well as Hibiscus & Bays Local Board chair Julia Parfitt and chair of the hearings panel, Cr Linda Cooper. However, most of the heat was taken by a staff member, Council policy manager Michael Sinclair. Chief among the concerns of around 60 residents who attended the meeting were the desire for restrictions to be placed on several other local sites, the criteria under which sites were assessed, and the potential displacement of campers to areas where bans were not put in place. Each site was assessed by Council staff on the need to protect the area environmentally, to protect access, or to protect the health and safety of people using the area. Several residents asked why the presence of nearby homes was not included in the assessment criteria. Mr Sinclair said that solid evidence of harm caused by freedom campers was needed. Its not enough for people to say they dont like how it looks when people freedom camp in a public place, he said. Under the law, we have to allow people to have a free camping option. Some residents agreed, saying that many freedom campers are responsible and not causing harm but that the sharp increase in numbers over summer was a concern. There was general applause when the possibility that freedom campers would simply move to sites that have no restrictions, once they were prevented from camping at the sites nominated in the bylaw was raised. Mr Sinclair said that issue was taken into account when selecting sites where restrictions may apply. We looked at allowing freedom camping on sites where we believe it will be manageable, he said. Mr Sinclair said that Council is very aware of the distinction between necessity campers, or homeless people forced to live in their vehicles, and freedom campers. We definitely dont want to use the bylaw to victimise the homeless, but there will be an impact on them and there is tension around that for local residents too. Enforcement funding However according to Cr Wayne Walker, whether or not the practice is banned in a particular location could be a moot point, as he says there is inadequate money in the Councils proposed budget for enforcing regulations and bylaws. There is one bucket of money for enforcement related to a wide range of things such as building and resource consents, stormwater and sediment runoff, dog and noise control, as well as freedom camping. I want more information brought to Councillors so we can ensure there is enough money in the pot, Cr Walker says. But in any case money is so tight, that even if we needed more we probably couldnt get it. Local board chair Julia Parfitt says that current funding for enforcement is inadequate, which led to the local board providing just over $20,000 to improve responsiveness related to freedom camping issues this summer. The local board should not be paying to enforce a Council bylaw, she says. Mr Sinclair says it is too early to speculate what funding will be required. He says council takes a graduated response to enforcement. In the first instance council will educate and warn campers. If the warning is ignored, we will consider whether escalated enforcement action is needed. We will use the best enforcement tool to help prevent non-compliance in the future, he says. A further issue is the need to get central Government approval for camping on areas that fall within the Reserves Act; currently this is not permitted. Before any final decision to include the 87 reserves as restricted sites in the bylaw, council will first need to consent to camping on those reserves under the Reserves Act. This decision is expected prior to the adoption of the bylaw, Mr Sinclair says. Submissions on the bylaw closed on February 18. A panel consisting of Crs Penny Hulse, Linda Cooper and Independent Statutory Board member Tau Henare will consider all the feedback during a meeting that the public can observe on April 4 and 5 from 9.30am at the Auckland Town Hall. The panel will make a recommendation to the Governing Body for final approval and adoption of the bylaw, which is likely to be in May. More related stories: Council seeking more freedom camping sites, Local board braces for freedom camping influx, New freedom camping bylaw to be developed In only a few years of acting, 18-year-old Brook Churchouse has already taken on some of the big theatre roles, including Shakespeares King Lear. However, it was a humble three-line part that got Brook hooked on drama, when he played a watchman, Hugh Oatcake, in a college production of Much Ado about Nothing. A range of other parts in Orewa College plays followed everything from comedic turns as Tweedle Dee in Alice in Wonderland and Lysander in A Midsummer Nights Dream to a role in the emotional Ken Duncum drama Cherish. Brook says he was a bit of a naughty kid and drama helped put him on a better path. When he had to dig deep for roles like Lear, he drew on personal experience including people he knows who have suffered from mental illness, along with theatre techniques such as emotional recall. The colleges King Lear won the regionals of the University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare competition last year, with a number of actors singled out from the production for awards. Brook was chosen as a member of the NZ Young Shakespeare Company, which travels to London in July for workshops, culminating in a free public performance at The Globe. Brook says this is designed to challenge the young actors, who have less than a week to prepare for the performance. A workshop with the Shakespeare Globe Centre of NZ, which followed the Sheilah Winn competition, will come in handy as it focused on ways of embodying Shakespearean characters in a short space of time. Although he grew up going to movies, as his father worked in cinema, being in front of a live audience has fueled Brooks desire to become a professional actor. Being on stage is the best feeling, he says. Every member of the Young Shakespeare Company has to pay $9000 to cover the trip to London, and as well as working in a bar and as a TV extra, Brook has a givealittle page called The Road to Shakespeares Globe to raise the funds to get him there. An 85-year-old woman was forced to spend five nights in hospital after tripping over an uneven footpath in Warkworth, even though Auckland Transport (AT) has known about the hazard for years. Retired Brick Bay resident Gaye Rowe was using the pedestrian crossing to cross Percy Street to reach the Warkworth New World supermarket on Thursday, February 7. When she reached the footpath at the end of the crossing, she says her toe caught on something and she fell forward on to her face. Gaye sustained numerous fractures and bruising, especially around her right eye and cheekbone. She says she did not lose consciousness and was aware of being quickly surrounded by people anxious to help. A wheelchair was found and she was taken into the foyer of New World while an ambulance was called. Gaye was first taken to Warkworth Medical Centre where staff directed that she should be taken immediately to North Shore Hospital. In addition to having her wounds dressed, Gaye also underwent two scans to determine if she had suffered a brain injury. Last week, she was due to travel to Middlemore Hospital to determine if surgery would be required. Gaye says having to stay in hospital was not much fun and the footpath really needs to be fixed, as another elderly person could fall and sustain even worse injuries. Her fall comes in the wake of complaints to AT over several years about the state of the same path. Earlier this month, Warkworth resident Gay Callaghan wrote to Mahurangi Matters (MM February 13) saying she had tripped there around August 2017 after tree roots had lifted footpath pavers. She broke two teeth in the accident and had to have expensive crowns fitted. Rodney Councillor Greg Sayers says that at least one local business manager has complained about the footpath to AT numerous times, but nothing has been done. Cr Sayers himself made a complaint in November 2017 and, again, no action was taken. He says he was told that AT, did not think it was serious enough to spend any money fixing it. Cr Sayers says ATs inaction is unacceptable and has left him fuming. He says that Gaye Rowes injuries were entirely preventable. Warkworth is being neglected, particularly when it comes to health and safety. It seems anywhere else in Auckland the footpath would have been fixed immediately, but we have to wait for an injury to occur, he says. Following Gayes accident, Cr Sayers phoned AT chief executive Shane Ellison, calling for a complete audit of pedestrian tripping hazards in Warkworth, including a notorious spot outside the ANZ bank in Queen Street. He followed it up with an email to ATs executive general manager for integrated works, Mark Lambert. It read, I refuse to let Rodneys residents be exposed to any preventable health or safety issues and request your urgent action to correct the poor state of all of Rodneys township footpaths. Please be warned that I will apply my maximum efforts and use any and all the political avenues available to me to ensure the local community is safe, he wrote. Mr Lambert responded by setting out a plan for remedial works for Queen Street, Percy Street and elsewhere in Warkworths CBD. ATs preferred option in Percy Street is to remove the unhealthy trees, whose roots are lifting part of the footpath. This will require a resource consent that will take a minimum of three months to secure. In the meantime, AT is planning a temporary repair, which will see the removal of uplifted metal grates and replacement with concrete and mulch around the base of the trees. Its hoped works can commence within two weeks. The preferred option outside the ANZ Bank is to retain two healthy trees, whose roots are again causing cobbles to lift, and replace the cobbles with a layer of concrete. Its hoped work could start early next month. Following an audit of other trip hazards in Warkworth, AT has engaged Downers to start repairs, mainly minor grinding work and filling of trip lips. AT spokesperson Mark Hannan conceded the accident in Percy Street should never have happened and said AT apologised to Gaye Rowe. An AT contractor checks out Warkworth footpaths after Gaye Rowe sustained serious injury. Mahurangi Matters did a walk around the main centre of Warkworth for a first-hand audit and found further substandard footpaths. Hazards included eroded footpath and exposed bricks on the corner of Neville Street and Mill Lane, and broken tiling outside Westpac Bank on Baxter Street, as well as uneven surfaces throughout, particularly around access lids to underground services. Experts on opposing sides of the weir debate clashed before a packed meeting at the Warkworth Town Hall on February 13. The controversy arose after it emerged that Auckland Council planned to remove the historic weir on the Mahurangi River, near the Bridgehouse Bar and Restaurant, in an effort to save whitebait. It was claimed that the fish were unable to scramble over the weir to spawn. But many locals adamantly insist the weir poses little threat to whitebait and ought to be retained for historical and aesthetic reasons. Councils advisor for fresh water biodiversity, Matt Bloxham, presented the case for the weirs removal, while the manager of Warkworth-based whitebait farm Manaki, Paul Decker, argued for retention. Also presenting was the chair of the steering committee for the Jane Gifford Trust, Dave Parker, who spoke on the weirs historical significance. Mr Parker blasted Mr Bloxham for failing to consult with interested community groups, such as the Warkworth River Bank Enhancement Group, the Mahurangi River Restoration Trust and the Jane Gifford Trust over plans for the weirs removal. Its unfortunate the Councils biodiversity department really appears to have no interest in things to do with our heritage, he said. Mr Bloxham defended the lack of consultation charge, saying a survey conducted at a booth at last years Kowhai Festival revealed that more than 80 per cent of respondents favoured removal of the weir to allow fish to pass. He went on to reiterate arguments for the weirs removal. He said inanga the chief whitebait species in the river were poor climbers and the weir was too big a hurdle for them to cross. This meant that they were denied 100km of stream habitat above the weir. Once they were halted at the weir, they became easy prey to predatory birds and whitebaiters. This was a concern because inanga are a threatened species in the region. Mr Bloxham said Council had considered alternatives to the weir removal such as fish passes or ladders, but these had a high failure rate, were expensive to maintain, difficult to ensure an appropriate water flow across them and were subject to vandalism and flood damage. He said the New Zealand Fish Passage Guidelines advised that weir removal was the first option for maximising fish passage. Im very keen on cultural heritage, but not when it has such a huge impact on our natural fauna, he said. In response, Paul Decker agreed that inanga were not great climbers, but he had personally witnessed them climbing over the weir. Noting that the weir was more than 100 years old, he said if it had truly stopped whitebait travelling upstream, then they would have been extinct in the river by 1907. Mr Decker said there were other reasons why whitebait struggled in the Mahurangi River, notably rising water temperatures and a high pH level. He said there was no evidence to suggest removing the weir would improve whitebait numbers. My proposal is the weir stays, he said, to hearty applause. Mr Decker suggested instead the installation of two fish passes, which he said would cost a mere $500. He disputed Mr Bloxhams concerns about passes, saying passes on nearby Mill Stream worked well, had never been vandalised and had never needed maintenance. He said data could be collected to determine if the passes were effective. If they were ineffective, only then would it be appropriate to consider removing the weir. Mr Decker and Mr Bloxham were joined by planner Shane Hartley, of Terra Nova Planning, for a panel discussion and to take questions from the audience. One speaker contested Mr Bloxhams view that inanga were being denied 100km of stream habitat, since there were major waterfalls just a few kilometres upstream that presented a far more serious impediment to fish passage than the weir. Another speaker backed Mr Deckers view that more data was needed before the weir was removed. But yet another speaker, Paul Franklin, a NIWA fresh water ecologist, supported Matt Bloxhams views on fish passes, saying that to get them to work on the Mahurangi River would be a complex and expensive process. Asked to comment from a planning perspective, Mr Hartley said Warkworths planned rapid expansion over the next 25 years would increasingly see the character lines that made the town special get rubbed out, and he urged caution over the weir. We rush into these things because the ecological approach is to say, Lets fix this in a dramatic way, but you have got to set against that the balancing issue of heritage, he said. If this was any old weir Id say, Fine to let it go. But this is a substantial structure and the decision cannot be made lightly. Following the meeting, Council general manager of environmental services Gael Ogilvie said Councils next step would be to complete an independent technical study of the weir to provide a factual basis for further discussion. Mr Deckers help would be sought to help scope the study, which would then be outsourced to an independent freshwater ecologist. Ms Ogilvie said Council would fund the study. The cost would depend on the scope of the study. Well, were already almost through February, where does the time go? People have been out enjoying the fantastic area we are so lucky to live in. With the beautiful weather over the last couple of months, beaches have been packed, businesses seem to be doing a good trade and families are getting out and enjoying the many things happening in the Auckland region. A local highlight was the annual Rodders Beach Festival, which was well attended and those cars had many of us thinking of days gone by. I took relatives visiting from Australia and they are keen to come again next year. Well done to the organisers! Its great to have local events so we dont have to travel far, and we are putting money back in to our local economy. So, get out there everyone and enjoy the rest of summer while you can but remember to slip, slop, slap and keep out of the sun when its at its hottest. Unfortunately, the problems of skin cancer dont show up till later in life for most of us, so it is very important to take the advice we are given and protect ourselves. Auckland Council is now back into gear after the summer break and with many things happening, this is your opportunity to have your say. Consultation on our Annual Budget is open until March 17. Its your chance to have a say on our proposed financial priorities for the coming year as set out in year two of our 10-year Budget 2018-2028. You will also be able to give feedback on a discussion document about how we manage water in our region. As Auckland continues to grow and change, we need to look after the waters that sustain us. Your feedback will help shape the issues that we need to focus on. You can give feedback online at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz, by post, or in person at events being held in local areas. Visit the Auckland Council website before March 17 to find out more and tell us what you think. The Dog Management Bylaw will be considered by the councils Governing Body before a draft goes out for public consultation. Here again, its important that you have your say. Your voice is vital you may have a very important point that others have never considered. There is nothing more important than hearing from those who are most affected. At the end of the day, its about balancing all opinions to come out with the best result. Local body elections are later on this year. Have you thought of standing? Are you interested in the community and think you can add something to our beautiful area by being involved in the decision making? If so, it would be good for you to attend a local board or Governing Body meeting to see how the business happens. Ask questions of those of us that are already on the local board. There will be a handbook for people wanting to stand, which will have a lot of detail to help you understand the role and more about whats expected of you. There are many meetings held during the day that further your understanding and inform your decision-making. Engaging with the community means sometimes you are attending meetings on weekends as well as workshops and business meetings during the week. It is important that you read agendas and ask questions. Auckland Council is different to previous councils and local boards are different to community boards in other areas of New Zealand. Auckland Councils wish to remove Warkworths historic Wilson Weir was the subject of a Town Hall Talk hosted by One Warkworth and Mahurangi Action on February 13. One Warkworths manager, Murray Chapman, facilitated presentations by Councils senior freshwater ecologist Matt Bloxham; whitebait authority, Paul Decker, from Premium Marine Technology and Mahurangi Technical Institute; and planner Shane Hartley. I put value on the historic weir and attended to better understand the reason for the proposed removal. In isolation, Matt gave a reasonable argument for removing the weir. In short, it is all about whitebait, with generic examples used to assert that the weir is the primary reason whitebait struggle to reach further up the Mahurangi River for spawning. He talked about five native fish species and the limited ability of inanga, which makes up more than 90 per cent of the whitebait population, to climb over structures like the weir. I was beginning to think removing the weir was justified. Then, supported by data and evidence gathered over 20 years by the National Institute of Water and Atmosphere, Paul Decker told us: Only two of the five fish species live in the Mahurangi River. The absence of the other three is not because of the weir. The pH level (acidity/alkaline content) of the river is a significant factor. New Zealand rivers usually have a pH level of 6-8.5 with whitebait preferring low pH levels. The Mahurangi River flows over limestone and has a pH level of 8.5 generally too high for whitebait survival, though some obviously do survive. High pH levels are ideal for native eels, so there is an exceptionally large and healthy eel population in the river. Eels eat whitebait, so this is a likely factor in low whitebait numbers. Water temperature is another factor. Whitebait like water temperatures to be about 18C. Most whitebait wont survive in 27C. The mean temperature of the Mahurangi River (according to a 1980s University of Auckland study) is 24C. On the day of the meeting, the river was 26C, so arguably global warming has and will continue to contribute to lower whitebait numbers. Waterfalls a short distance up from the weir represent a greater barrier to whitebait, so if the weir was removed it would only provide a small additional stretch of river for spawning. Whitebait return to where they hatch their eggs. There are whitebait above the weir that make their way down river each year in sufficient numbers to lay eggs and breed. This has been the case ever since the weir was built. If the weir does represent a significant barrier to whitebait (strong evidence suggests other factors play a bigger part), fish ladders or stairs are an option. Paul and Shane both called for a decision not to remove the weir in the foreseeable future while additional evidence and data specific to Mahurangi River is gathered. Objectively considered, no other course of action is logical. There seems no reason to support removing the weir at this time, which is the strong position of One Warkworth. Chris Murphy, One Warkworth Chair www.onewarkworth.co.nz Google Maps A woman has been charged in a tow truck driver's death over the weekend after she crashed into a DPS trooper's vehicle in Galveston, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Authorities say Dianna Hoyler, 52, who remains hospitalized, has an outstanding arrest warrant on charges of intoxication manslaughter and possession of a controlled substance. Sgt. Stephen Woodard, a DPS spokesman, said troopers found muscle relaxants in the woman's car after the crash. The Reinhardt case had to do with the federal Equal Pay Act, which generally requires men and women to be paid equally for the same work. The question for the Ninth Circuit panel was whether, under the law, employers can use past salary to justify a disparity in pay. Reinhardt wrote that "Based on the text, history, and purpose of the Equal Pay Act, the answer is clear: No." Five judges agreed with his reasoning. Five other judges agreed with the outcome, but not with the opinion Reinhardt wrote. WASHINGTON - The White House plans to create an ad hoc group of select federal scientists to reassess the government's analysis of climate science and counter its conclusions that the continued burning of fossil fuels is harming the planet, according to three administration officials. The National Security Council initiative would include scientists who question the severity of climate impacts and the extent to which humans contribute to the problem, according to these individuals, who asked for anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. The group would not be subject to the same level of public disclosure as a formal advisory committee. The move would represent the Trump administration's most forceful effort to date to challenge the scientific consensus that greenhouse gas emissions are helping drive global warming and that the world could face dire consequences unless countries curb their carbon output over the next few decades. The idea of a new working group, which top administration officials discussed Friday in the White House Situation Room, represents a modified version of an earlier plan to establish a federal advisory panel on climate and national security. That plan - championed by William Happer, an NSC senior director and a physicist who has challenged the idea that carbon dioxide could damage the planet - would have created an independent federal advisory committee. The Federal Advisory Committee Act imposes several ground rules for such panels, including that they meet in public, are subject to public records requests and include a representative membership. The new working group would not be subject to any of those requirements. While the plan is not finalized, NSC officials said they would take steps to assemble a group of researchers within the government. The group will not be tasked with scrutinizing recent intelligence community assessments of climate change, according to officials familiar with the plan. The National Security Council declined requests to comment on the matter. During the Friday meeting, these officials said, deputy national security adviser Charles Kupperman said President Donald Trump was upset that his administration in November had issued the National Climate Assessment, which must be published regularly under federal law. Kupperman added that congressional Democrats had seized upon the report, which is the product of more than a dozen agencies, to bolster their case for cutting carbon emissions as part of their Green New Deal. Attendees at the session, which included acting interior secretary David Bernhardt and senior officials from throughout the government, debated how best to establish a group of researchers that could scrutinize recent federal climate reports. More than one participant suggested that they might face a challenge establishing an independent outside panel that would question central findings of the National Climate Assessment and other landmark federal reports, said one official familiar with the discussion. Happer, who headed an advocacy group called the CO2 Coalition before joining the administration in the fall, has challenged the scientific consensus on climate change inside and outside of government. Public records show the coalition, which describes its mission as informing policymakers and the public of the "important contribution made by carbon dioxide to our lives and the economy," has received money from far-right organizations and donors with fossil fuel interests. In 2017, according to federal tax filings obtained by the Climate Investigations Center, the group received $170,000 from the Mercer Family Foundation and more than $33,000 from the Charles Koch Institute. One senior administration official said the president was looking for "a mixture of opinions" and disputed the National Climate Assessment, a massive interagency report, in November that described intensifying climate change as a threat to the United States. "The president wants people to be able to decide for themselves," the aide said. Several scientists, however, said the federal government's recent findings on climate change had received intense scrutiny from other researchers in the field before they became public. Christopher Field, director of the Stanford Woods Institute who served on the National Academy of Sciences review panel for the scientific report that formed the basis of last year's climate assessment, said the committee met several times "to do a careful, page by page evaluation by the entire report." "The whole review process is confrontational from the very get-go, but it's based in scientific credibility, in a traceable chain of evidence through publications," said Field, an earth system science and biology professor. Trump officials had weighed the idea of conducting a "red team-blue team" exercise on climate change, an idea espoused by Scott Pruitt, who was then the chief of the Environmental Protection Agency, during the early months of the administration. White House aides, including then-chief of staff John Kelly, blocked the idea, and at one point discussed whether to "ignore" the climate research being conducted by federal scientists. Government researchers in a range of disciplines have identified climate change as a serious threat for the past two decades, under Republican and Democratic administrations. In 2003, the Pentagon commissioned a report to examine how an abrupt change in climate would affect America's defense capabilities: Its authors concluded that it "should be elevated beyond a scientific debate to a U.S. national security concern." Last year, a military-funded study warned sea level rise and other climate impacts could make more than a thousand low-lying islands in the Pacific Ocean "uninhabitable" by midcentury, including an atoll where a missile defense site is located. Just last month, the national intelligence director delivered a worldwide threat assessment that "climate hazards" including extreme weather, wildfires, droughts and acidifying oceans are worsening, "threatening infrastructure, health, and water and food security." Judith Curry, a former Georgia Tech climate scientist whom Republicans have sought to testify on climate change because she often highlights the uncertainties that remain, said in an email that she backed the idea of an independent assessment of government climate reports as long as the participants reflected a range of perspectives and are not activists on either side of the debate. But retired Rear Adm. David Titley, who served as oceanographer of the Navy and chief operating officer at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said the new initiative could imperil national security by clouding "truthful assessments of the risks stemming from a changing climate." "I never thought I would live to see the day in the United States where our own White House is attacking the very science agencies that can help the president understand and manage the climate risks to security of today and tomorrow," said Titley, who sits on the advisory board of the Center for Climate and Security, a nonpartisan group focused on climate-related risks. "Such attacks are un-American." Several experts questioned whether the White House's plan could undermine decades' worth of science pointing to a warming planet. One federal climate scientist, who asked for anonymity to avoid possible retaliation, said agency researchers had pursued and published their research in the past two years without meaningful resistance. Camilo Mora, a geographer and environmental professor at the University of Hawaii, said in an email that a single task force could not alter the findings of scientists across the globe. "When it comes down to climate change, we are talking about thousands of independent papers, from everywhere, finding exactly the same thing: that the climate is changing, that we are doing it and that most often than not, the impacts are pretty bad," Mora said. This week, President Donald Trump will meet with North Korea's Kim Jong Un in Vietnam, hoping to build on the agreement he reached with Kim after their summit in June. In a tweet on Sunday, Trump said he and Kim "expect a continuation of the progress made at first Summit in Singapore." But that raises a big question: Has there actually been any progress? The answer is complicated. Although Trump has spoken warmly of Kim since meeting him last year, the agreement signed by the two leaders was notably light on details. At just 400 words, it was far more brief than most international agreements. And though it set out four areas of agreement between the two sides, it framed those areas so vaguely that analysts wondered whether Washington and Pyongyang had the same interpretation of the document they signed. Here are those four areas - and what has happened on each subject since the Singapore summit. --"The United States and the DPRK commit to establish new U.S.-DPRK relations in accordance with the desire of the peoples of the two countries for peace and prosperity." "Peace and prosperity" are certainly lofty goals, but it's not clear what working toward them means in practice. After the Singapore summit, attempts to establish U.S.-North Korea working groups ran into difficulties. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo struggled to make progress in his meetings with North Korean counterparts, while Stephen Biegun, the U.S. special envoy to North Korea, initially struggled to get meetings with North Korean officials at all. There have been some signs of progress here in recent months. Notably, Biegun has been able to meet his North Korean counterparts since the second summit was announced. The two sides have also mooted opening liaison offices in each other's countries - a possible step toward formal diplomatic relations. But U.S.-led bilateral and multilateral sanctions on North Korea remain in place, much to the chagrin of Pyongyang. The U.S. government is still demanding progress on denuclearization before those sanctions can be lifted. --"The United States and the DPRK will join their efforts to build a lasting and stable peace regime on the Korean Peninsula." This vague statement overlapped a lot with the first, but the mention of a "peace regime" was important. A peace regime means a formal end to the Korean War. That conflict ended in 1953 with an armistice, but an official peace was never reached. The peninsula technically remains at war, and the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas is still one of the most tense borders in the world. While North Korea has long wanted a formal end to the war, previous U.S. administrations have argued that such negotiations could happen only after Pyongyang gives up its nuclear weapons. But there is widespread speculation that Trump may announce that he intends to end the war or even agree to a peace treaty. Either of those options would be complicated. The other parties to the war, including China, would need to be involved. A peace treaty could also require the consent of Congress, which might balk at a measure that could undermine the argument for keeping U.S. troops in South Korea. In the meantime, there have been some positive steps. Increased inter-Korean cooperation has led to a more peaceful atmosphere on the peninsula, and South Korea has removed some military positions near the DMZ. The United States and South Korea have also suspended a number of joint exercises in what the Pentagon's chief spokeswoman has described as a move "to give the diplomatic process every opportunity to continue." --"Reaffirming the April 27, 2018 Panmunjom Declaration, the DPRK commits to work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula." When Kim first met his South Korean counterpart, Moon Jae-in, in April, the two leaders signed a declaration that they would work toward "a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula." Trump and Kim reiterated this aim at their Singapore summit. But the meaning of "complete denuclearization" isn't necessarily obvious. The United States views it as the "complete, verifiable and irreversible" end of North Korea's nuclear program. But North Korea may have a broader definition that includes the removal of nuclear-armed American bombers and submarines from the area - or even the removal of all U.S. troops from South Korea. There has been some progress on North Korean nuclear weapons recently. Pyongyang hasn't tested a nuclear weapon since September 2017, and its last missile test came a month later. It also destroyed Punggye-ri, a nuclear testing site, in May 2018. But these were unilateral moves that took place before Trump and Kim met. There has been little action since then. And while North Korea isn't overtly testing weapons, it may still be producing them. --"The United States and the DPRK commit to recovering POW/MIA remains, including the immediate repatriation of those already identified." The agreement to let the United States recover the remains of U.S. troops from the Korean War was the least ambiguous of the Singapore aims - and perhaps the most successful. Fifty-five sets of remains were returned in a ceremony in July. But the United States would like to receive more remains from North Korea, and for American researchers to be allowed into the country to search for remains, as they were in the past. In a statement released last week, the Coalition of Families of Korean & Cold War POW/MIAs - an organization that brings together families of U.S. troops lost in foreign wars - said that negotiations to resume joint operations had "stalled" and that "remains of U.S. servicemen already exhumed in the DPRK wait to be returned." President Donald Trump said Sunday he will extend a deadline to escalate tariffs on Chinese imports, citing "substantial progress" in weekend talks between the two countries. Trump tweeted that there had been "productive talks" on some of the difficult issues dividing the U.S. and China, adding that "I will be delaying the U.S. increase in tariffs now scheduled for March 1." Trump said that if negotiations progress, he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Florida resort to finalize an agreement. U.S. and Chinese negotiators met through the weekend as they seek to resolve a trade war that's rattled financial markets. Trump had warned he would escalate the tariffs he has imposed on $200 billion in Chinese imports from 10 to 25 percent if the two sides failed to reach a deal. The increase was scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. EST on March 2. The reprieve is likely to be greeted with relief by financial markets. The world's two biggest economies have been locked in a conflict over U.S. allegations that China steals technology and forces foreign companies to hand over trade secrets in an aggressive push to challenge American technological dominance. The two counties have slapped import taxes on hundreds of billions of dollars of each other's goods. The conflict has unnerved investors and clouded the outlook for the global economy, putting pressure on Trump and Xi to reach a deal. "Trump clearly wants a deal and so do the Chinese, which certainly raises the probability that the two sides will come to some sort of negotiated agreement, even if it is a partial one, in the coming weeks," said Cornell University economist Eswar Prasad, former head of the International Monetary Fund's China division. On Twitter, Trump said the two sides had made headway on issues including protection of trade secrets, forced technology transfer and U.S. agricultural sales to China. But the administration did not immediately provide details. Business groups and lawmakers in Congress want to see a comprehensive deal that forces the Chinese to change their behavior and that can be enforced. The U.S. has accused China of failing to meet past commitments to reform its economic policies. "Encouraging news from @POTUS that progress is being made in a trade deal with China. Hopefully this leads to an agreement that stops China's theft of US intellectual property and avoids a full blown trade war," tweeted Republican Sen. Pat Toomey, of Pennsylvania But critics worry that the president has given up leverage. "They now have lost the advantage of a deadline," said Philip Levy, a senior fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and a White House economist under President George W. Bush, adding that "I see the odds tilting" in China's favor. Cannabis and coffee are similar industries in many ways. Both markets grow from a strong love for a plant (cannabis/coffee beans), both have developed a multitude of processing options (THC activation methods/roasting levels) and their customers enjoy a wide variety of consumption methods (flower, concentrates, etc./espresso, drip, cold brew, etc.). It's natural for these industries to blend well. Cannabis brands including Willies Reserve and Jane West have launched lines of CBD coffees. Investment groups including Canaccord Genuity believe beverages infused with THC and CBD have the potential to become a $600 million market in the next four years. Savvy cannabis brands should take note of these six artisan coffee branding practices to generate buzz around their cannabis business. 1. Get nerdy about your product. Theres a pretty good chance that what excites you as a cannabis geek will get your customers geeking out, too, so let your geek flag fly on your menus, website and packaging. From the plant species to the growing conditions to the harvesting process, coffee and cannabis users alike love to learn more about the plants they cherish. Brandywine Coffee Roasters, like many craft coffee brands, inscribes on their packaging every delicious detail of their products, from the farmer's name to the altitude where the beans grew. Eager readers devour it. Telling customers the time of harvest doesn't directly make for a better blunt or cup of coffee, but it creates a connection with the source of the product that enhances the consumer's overall experience. Whether you grow, process or dispense cannabis, tell the story of how it is crafted for quality and potency. Related: Do You Drink More Coffee Than Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Other Creative Leaders? 2. Guide your customers to better consumption. No matter if they are talking with a budtender or barista, no one likes being clueless about what to order. Counter Culture Coffee has made coffee education a key component of their brand to save new customers from feeling like idiots. Across the US, Counter Culture cafes feature Training Centers for lessons on home brewing, cupping fundamentals and the long history of coffee culture. Coffee lovers leave confident and Counter Culture Coffee got to be their hero. The innovative cannabis industry is always exploring new ways to consume the plant, from new processing methods to techy tools like Pax vape pens. Longtime cannabis users may be unaware of innovations that might enhance their established ritual. Think about what they may be missing out on but don't know to ask about. Listen to your customer and be ready with both answers and suggestions. 3. Create a like-minded community. As legalization and consumption of cannabis grows across the US, brands need authentic ways to get involved and make a difference. Make it easier for yourself by finding a few collaborative partners -- iife and business are both better when you surround yourself with awesome people. The team at Stumptown Coffee in Portland, Oregon, are experts at co-branded collaborations that expand their brand beyond the coffee shop. Stumptown partnered with Jacobsen Salt Co. to develop a line of coffee salted caramels; blended their cold brew into Mast chocolates and Tillamook ice cream; and went so far as creating a coffee-stout cheddar (yes, cheese!) with Rouge Creamery. Co-branding introduces a brand to new audiences who may never otherwise learn about them. While cannabis has restrictions coffee roasters dont need to worry about, there are still plenty of ways to get creative on partnerships with local artisans. 4. Stand for something more. Activism is the heritage of the cannabis industry. It's also common to find roasters driven by more than just profit. Many are cognizant of the environmental and socio-economic repercussions of the plant they love so much. For some, business practices that make a positive impact are integral to their brand identity. Grounds & Hounds Coffee, with blends including Morning Walk and Sit & Stay, donates 20 percent of profits to animal rescue groups. Birds & Beans coffee helps to set aside bird-friendly habitats on coffee farms. Turn to your brand values to find innovative ways to make an impact that is true to your brand and will connect with your audience. Related: Stand Tall for Your Values and Your Cannabis Brand Will Stand Out 5. Stay true to your style. Finding your own style while staying true to your story and mission will be the foundation of a strong brand in the fast growing cannabis industry. Celebrate the individuality behind your brand. Feel like waking up to beautifully vivid illustrations? Since their launch in 2015 Brandywine Coffee Roasters has painstakingly screen-printed new artwork onto bags of their coffee. Inspired by their brand theme of "artfully sourced" ingredients, and their close location to the Brandywine School of Illustration, each illustration doubles as an up-sell with designs available as t-shirts, mugs and art prints. Chicago-based Dark Matter Coffee has taken a different approach to their packaging artwork. Each month, Dark Matter commissions a different artist to develop a bag design. Their colorful, anything-goes approach has resulted in a brand style that delivers instant recognition on retail shelves as the wildest thing in the coffee aisle. The best way to create a distinct visual style that sticks with customers is to know what your brand stands for and who it is speaking to. After all, your brand design is there to give a warm and friendly Oh hey! to your core audience and invite them to share the wonderful experience your business is hosting. 6. Keep your brand uplifting and energizing. While society perceives and regulates these two mood-enhancing, benefit-rich plants differently, the passion and celebration behind cannabis and coffee make the growing merger of these two industries a new frontier of possibility for brands. The growing cannabis industry offers many opportunities unavailable anywhere else. By learning from other industries, and learning from their mistakes as well as their successes, smart cannabusinesses can build their agility to navigate the unique challenges without losing momentum. Related: These 6 Coffee Marketing Tricks Are a Perfect Blend for Your Cannabis Brand Clarity: The Secret Weapon to Experiencing Explosive Business Growth 5 Ways European Companies Use B2B Influencer Marketing Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved HANOI, Vietnam - The outlines for a grand bargain between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are broadly in place. The question in Hanoi this week is whether the two men can close the deal. Last June's Singapore summit was criticized by many experts because Trump failed to secure any concrete pledges from Kim to surrender his nuclear weapons, apart from vaguely worded commitment to "work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula." South President Moon Jae-in, the strongest advocate of the engagement process, argued last month it was time to move from abstract talk to concrete action when Trump meets Kim again. But on Monday, he was full of praise for Trump and Kim for traveling "on a path no one has taken before." "President Trump is personally spearheading diplomacy toward North Korea with his bold determination and new diplomatic strategies in order not to repeat past failures," he said in a statement. "If the upcoming summit produces results, now is the real beginning." Speaking to CNN, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed hope that the two leaders would take steps to realize what Kim had promised in the last summit. "He promised he'd denuclearize. We hope he'll make a big step toward that in the week ahead," he said. His comments echoed those of a senior administration official briefing reporters last week that the United States wants to "move forward with a number of initiatives that could specifically advance each of the four pillars of the Singapore joint statement." Officials, diplomats and experts say it's not hard to imagine what those initiatives might be. The opening of liaison offices in each other's capitals would be a step toward transforming relations between the two countries; a declaration that the 1950-53 Korean War is over would be a move toward a permanent peace regime on the Korean Peninsula; while it shouldn't be too hard to make progress on the search for the remains of U.S. servicemen killed in the Korean War. But it is the third pillar, denuclearization, where the tough talk really has to happen in Hanoi, and where Kim needs to prove he means business. "There are many things he could do to demonstrate his commitment to denuclearization," Pompeo said Sunday. "I don't want to get into the details of what's being proposed, what the offers and counter offers may be, but a real step, a demonstratable, verifiable step, is something that I know President Trump is very focused on achieving." In Seoul, lawmakers and officials have their eyes on the Yongbyon Nuclear Research Center, which is home to North Korea's three nuclear reactors. It is North Korea's only source of plutonium, and also one - but not the only - source of highly enriched uranium used for making nuclear weapons. Closing it down permanently, in the presence of expert inspectors, would slow down North Korea's ability to produce more nuclear weapons, although it would leave its current nuclear and missile arsenal intact. In return, North Korea would almost certainly demand sanctions relief. Pompeo said Sunday that "core economic sanctions" imposed by United Nations Security Council have to remain in place until the country completely denuclearizes, but that other steps are possible. "There are other things we could do - exchanges of people, lots of other ways that North Korea is sanctioned today that if we get a substantial step and move forward we could certainly provide an outlet which would demonstrate our commitment to the process as well," Pompeo told CNN's Jake Tapper. The United States has imposed a range of unilateral sanctions on North Korea over a range of issues including its nuclear and missile program, money laundering, support for terrorism and human rights abuses. Suspending some of those sanctions would require the president to certify to Congress that progress has been made in these areas, while others could be unwound by executive order, experts say. But it is far from clear the U.S. and North Korean negotiating teams have had enough time to reach a deal on the core issue - denuclearization - ahead of this hastily arranged summit, or indeed whether two sides can find common ground, experts say. The United States will also be looking for Kim to spell out exactly what he means by the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and whether his definition makes any demands on U.S. forces stationed in South Korea or the region. They would ideally like to agree on a road map spelling out a series of corresponding steps toward denuclearization and sanctions relief, although experts said that is very unlikely to be agreed on this week. Last week, CNN reported that the United States and North Korea are seriously considering exchanging liaison officers, an incremental step toward building formal diplomatic relations. On Monday, Seoul's presidential Blue House said the "possibility is open" that Trump and Kim might reach agreement on how to declare an end to the Korean War this week. The war ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty, signed by the United States, North Korea and China's "People's Volunteer Army," a regular army force in all but name. South Korea says an end of war declaration could simply be signed by the United States and North Korea, although a formal peace treaty would come later and would have to involve other countries. "An end-of-war declaration between North Korea and the United States is sufficient on its own," Blue House spokesman Kim Eui-keum told reporters Monday. "Our government would welcome any form the declaration might take, as the important part is the declaration's role to smoothly bring on and accelerate denuclearization of North Korea." But administration officials stress that the entire agreement should be seen as a package, with denuclearization at its core. "We are in the midst of negotiating on some issues and, as is often the case in these negotiations, nothing is agreed to until everything is agreed to," the official, who was not authorized to be identified, said. - - - The Washington Post's Min Joo Kim contributed to this report. Read more: Trump-Kim summit: From Yongbyon site to sanctions, what each side may bring to the table Confusion over North Korea's definition of denuclearization clouds talks Today's coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari won the first six of 36 states in early results, which the main opposition party claimed were being manipulated following an election marred by delays and sporadic violence that killed at least 39 people. Buhari, 76, defeated his main challenger, Atiku Abubakar, in the southwestern state of Ekiti, where he lost four years ago, and retained Kwara with a large majority, Osun, Gombe and Kogi, the Independent National Electoral Commission announced Monday in the capital, Abuja. He also won narrowly in Nasarawa, where he lost last time and which is next to the capital territory where Abubakar triumphed by a wide margin. As many as 73 million people were eligible to vote Saturday in a tight race between Buhari, an ex-general who campaigned on an anti-graft platform, and Abubakar, a 72-year-old businessman and former vice president. INEC's announcement of the full results is expected Tuesday or Wednesday. The chairman of Abubakar's People's Democratic Party, Uche Secondus, accused the government of using "inducements, manipulation and incarcerations" and enlisting the police and national army "to silence the voices of our long suffering people." In a statement, he threatened to challenge some results and said "our democracy is under threat of derailment." The presidential and parliamentary election in Africa's top oil producer was the continent's biggest-ever democratic exercise. Much will depend on turnout, which was less than 44 percent four years ago when Buhari became the first opposition candidate elected to the presidency in the West African nation's history. The election pitted two men of contrasting economic views, with Buhari, who favors a strong government role, against Abubakar, a pro-market multimillionaire who has said he would float the national currency and sell stakes in the state oil company. Wall Street banks such as Citigroup Inc. say Nigerian equities and bonds will probably rally if Abubakar wins. The stock market closed up 0.6 percent in Lagos on Monday to extend its gains this year to 4 percent. At least 39 people were killed in election-related violence, Clement Nwankwo, the chairman of Situation Room, a monitoring group, told reporters Monday in Abuja. The inspector general of police, who didn't give a death toll, said 128 people were arrested across the country for offenses such as homicide and snatching of ballot boxes. INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu said an election worker was killed by a stray bullet in Rivers state. "Serious operational shortcomings placed undue burden on voters," the European Union observer mission said, while the African Union called the vote "largely peaceful and orderly." To win, a candidate must get the majority of votes and at least 25 percent in two-thirds of Nigeria's 36 states and Federal Capital Territory. If none of them achieve that, there'll be a second round. Analysts were more or less split down the middle over who would win ahead of the election. Abubakar's PDP suffered an early blow when one of its highest-profile politicians, Senate President Bukola Saraki, lost his seat in the southwestern state of Kwara to the candidate from Buhari's All Progressives Congress, according to INEC results. "Whilst the environment was tense and divisive, overall, fundamental freedoms of association, expression, assembly and movement were generally respected," the chairman of the Commonwealth Observer Group, former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, told reporters in Abuja. Both Buhari and Abubakar are northern Muslims in a country split roughly evenly between a Christian south and Islamic north. Buhari ruled the country briefly in the 1980s and morphed into a civilian politician who won on his fourth try for the presidency in 2015. Abubakar, a former vice president, has business interests ranging from oil and gas services to food manufacturing and a private university. Buhari and his APC have faced sharp criticism for their handling of the economy. The president imposed capital controls as the naira currency came under pressure amid plunging revenue from oil, the country's main export, and foreign investors fled. After an economic contraction in 2016, the economy expanded 1.9 percent last year, the fastest since Buhari's election. Yet Nigeria now has more extremely poor people, 87 million, than any other nation, according to the Brookings Institution, a Washington-based think tank. The United Nations expects its population to double to 410 million by 2050, overtaking everywhere bar India and China. Buhari's supporters paint him as an honest politician who provides a sharp counterpart to the PDP that governed Nigeria for 16 years from the end of military rule in 1999. Buhari's suspension of Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen, accused of falsely declaring his assets, just weeks before the presidential election, was criticized by the legal community, the U.S. and the European Union, because the vote results may be contested in the Supreme Court. Abubakar portrays himself as someone who knows how to get things done and his pro-market policies have won some favor among investors. While he's faced allegations of corruption, he denies any wrongdoing and has never been indicted at home or abroad. - - - Bloomberg contributors: Michael Olukayode, Mustapha Adamu, Dulue Mbachu, Emele Onu, Paul Wallace, Solape Renner and Ruth Olurounbi. Iran's semi-official Fars news agency said Khamenei told the visiting Assad that "the buffer zone that Americans are after in Syria is among dangerous plots that should be rejected," and that the U.S. plan to maintain a presence in Syria near the Iraqi border "is another sample of their designs." Washington With health care a top issue for American voters, Congress may actually be moving toward doing something this year to address the high cost of prescription drugs. President Donald Trump, Democrats trying to retire him in 2020, and congressional incumbents of both parties all say they want action. Democrats and Republicans are far apart on whether to empower Medicare to negotiate prices, but there's enough overlap to allow for agreement in other areas. High on the list is capping out-of-pocket costs for participants in Medicare's popular Part D prescription drug program, which has a loophole that's left some beneficiaries with bills rivaling a mortgage payment. The effort to cap out-of-pocket costs in Medicare's prescription plan is being considered as part of broader legislation to restrain drug prices. Limits on high medical and drug bills are already part of most employer-based and private insurance. They're called "out-of-pocket maximums" and are required under the Obama-era health law for in-network services. But Medicare has remained an outlier even as prices have soared for potent new brand-name drugs, as well as older mainstays such as insulin. "The issue has my attention," said Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees Medicare. "Out-of-pocket costs are a concern of ours, particularly at the catastrophic level." His committee has summoned CEOs from seven pharmaceutical companies to a hearing Tuesday. While Grassley said he hasn't settled on a specific approach, the committee's top Democrat, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, recently introduced legislation that would cap out-of-pocket costs at about $2,650 for Medicare beneficiaries taking brand-name drugs. One co-sponsor is Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democratic presidential candidate. In Des Moines, Iowa, retired special education teacher Gail Orcutt is battling advanced lung cancer due to radon exposure. Although she has Medicare prescription coverage, she paid $2,600 in January for her cancer medication and will pay about $750 monthly for the rest of the year. She said it cost more last year for a different drug $3,200 initially and then about $820 monthly. Someday her current drug may stop working, said Orcutt, and then she'd have to go on a different medication. "What if that is two or three times what I'm paying now?" she said. "It's not sustainable. The country needs more problem-solving for the common good and not the corporate bottom line." At a recent House Ways and Means Committee hearing, three expert witnesses with varied policy views concurred on limiting drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries. "This is still the only program that does not provide that protection to its beneficiaries," testified economist Joe Antos of the business-oriented American Enterprise Institute. The House committee also oversees Medicare. Before the hearing, the committee's chairman and top Republican released a joint statement unusual in polarized times: "We agree that the time is now to take meaningful action to lower the cost of prescription drugs in the U.S. health care system," said Reps. Richard Neal, D-Mass., and Kevin Brady, R-Texas. A suspected Mexican Mafia member has been arrested for a recent robbery that occurred in Zapata County, authorities said. READ MORE: Laredo man accused of stealing, pawning Fender guitar Alberto Jaime, 24, was charged with robbery. On Jan. 22, Zapata County sheriff's deputies responded to a theft report at the Conoco Pump-N-Shop, 1824 U.S. 83. A store clerk stated to deputies that a Hispanic man stole $200 from the cash register. He said he and the suspect struggled over the cash register, according to the Sheriff's Office. Deputies obtained footage from the video surveillance and identified the assailant as Jaime, a suspected member of the Mexican Mafia. Deputies later located Jaime at a residence in the intersection of 16th Street and Diaz Avenue in Zapata. Authorities said they found him in a bedroom along with a syringe that contained heroin. The contraband weighed about 3.3 grams, according to authorities. READ MORE: Ronda Rousey, WWE Live! take over Sames Auto Arena He was taken to the Sheriff's Office for an interview. "During the interview, Jaime admitted entering the gas station and committing the robbery," the Sheriff's Office said in a statement. A man accused of breaking into a vehicle to steal a Fender guitar has been arrested, according to Laredo police. Aldo Armin Almendarez, 22, was served with arrest warrants on Feb. 12. He was charged with burglary of a vehicle and theft of property. Bless us, God, with what is going on today. You know what Chicago needs, Davis said as some in the historic African-American congregation raised their hands in the air. We ask you to empower this man here and that when he is elected, he will not forget that he has earned something to please you for your people and the city of Chicago. Bless him with the wisdom and knowledge to carry on for this great city. Hallelujah! Update: Authorities said vehicular traffic has resumed at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge. Traffic at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge in Laredo has been halted due to a possible threat of a significant group of undocumented immigrants trying to enter the United States, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Houston-based KBR has won a contract to provide engineering, procurement and construction services to build infrastructure that will support the expansion of Exxon Mobil's Beaumont Refinery. Exxon Mobil awarded KBR an engineering, procurement, and construction services contract for offsite infrastructure that will support the refinery's expansion, KBR announced on Monday. Financial terms were not disclosed but KBR President of Hydrocarbons and Delivery Solutions Farhan Mujib said the project showcases the company's abilities. "KBR is proud to continue our relationship with ExxonMobil through our partnership on this project," Mujib said in a statement. "This project showcases KBR's long history of executing projects on the U.S. Gulf Coast and our ability to deliver projects in operating facilities safely and efficiently." Downstream: ExxonMobil to begin construction on Beaumont refinery expansion Exxon Mobil announced in January that the company is expanding capacity at the company's 366,000 barrel-per-day refinery in Beaumont. Currently configured to process heavier and foreign varieties of crude oil, the expansion will give the refinery the ability to process an additional 250,000 barrels per day of domestically produced light sweet crude oil from the Permian Basin in West Texas. TechnipFMC won the engineering, procurement, and construction services contract for the refinery expansion. The work is expected to be completed by 2022. Fuel Fix: Get daily energy news headlines in your inbox KBR's contract is for offsite and interconnecting units supporting the refinery expansion. Created by the 1998 merger of M.W. Kellogg with Brown & Root Engineering and Construction, KBR now employs more than 36,000 people in 75 nations. San Francisco police continued to investigate the death of Public Defender Jeff Adachi on Sunday, but officials said they have found no evidence of foul play after he was discovered unresponsive at a residence on Telegraph Hill. It is not unusual for police to get involved after the death of a public official. But some of the circumstances around Adachis death remain unknown, including the whereabouts of a woman he was with when he suffered an apparent medical emergency, according to sources familiar with the matter. The death of the only elected public defender in California, a hard-charging champion for the accused and watchdog against police abuses, stunned civic leaders and residents across the city and beyond. Josh Edelson / Special to The Chronicle Tributes to Adachi, who leaves behind a wife and daughter, continued to flood in Sunday, as Adachis colleagues organized a vigil for their former leader, scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the public defenders office at 555 Seventh St. Jeff was a tireless advocate for justice who never wavered from his fight for San Franciscos most vulnerable communities, Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, wrote on Twitter. He will be missed here in the Bay Area, and my thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. Matt Gonzalez, chief attorney and second-in-command at the office, will assume control of day-to-day operations until Mayor London Breed appoints a new public defender. The seat will be added to the Nov. 5 ballot. Police have been told that Adachi had dinner with a woman in North Beach on Friday night and began feeling ill, according to sources familiar with a preliminary police incident report who declined to be identified because they were not authorized to speak publicly. A woman called 911 from Adachis phone at 5:41 p.m. to report that he was having a medical emergency, the sources said. Paramedics soon arrived at a home on Telegraph Place, a narrow and quiet dead-end street near Coit Tower, said police and fire officials. Adachi, 59, was rushed to California Pacific Medical Centers Pacific Campus on Buchanan Street, where he was pronounced dead at 6:54 p.m., according to the city medical examiner. Once hospital officials identified Adachi, they notified police, who began an investigation and headed to the scene at 8:37 p.m., according to the the preliminary report. As police headed to the scene, they were called off by the medical examiner but proceeded to the home after speaking to their supervisors at Central Station, sources said. At the location, a woman met the officers and let them into a unit that Adachi had recently arranged to use for the weekend, according to the preliminary report. Inside, officers took pictures of alcohol, cannabis-infused gummies and syringes believed to have been used by the paramedics. Police learned that the woman who called 911 had been performing CPR on Adachi when paramedics arrived. Investigators were working to contact that woman, a source familiar with the investigation said. Josh Edelson / Special to The Chronicle The medical examiner is the lead agency in this investigation. The (Police Department) is assisting, Sgt. Michael Andraychak, a department spokesman, said on Twitter. This is a death case with cause to be determined. There are no signs of foul play. Authorities did not publicly provide further details on the investigation. The residence where Adachi was found on Telegraph Place is a three-story, four-unit building roughly 150 yards west of Coit Tower. Efforts to reach the owner and residents were unsuccessful Sunday. Records show the building is owned by the Kaplan Family Trust. One neighbor, who declined to provide her name, said she was awakened later Friday night by banging on the door of the home where Adachi was found, and an officer yelling, Its the police! Open up! Adachis colleagues at the public defenders office said they believe he suffered a heart attack, but the medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine an official cause and manner of death. The public defenders office also said Adachi was having dinner with a friend when he began to have trouble breathing. A spokeswoman for the office, though, said Saturday that the office doesnt know exactly what happened, and if theres an investigation, were awaiting more information. Evan Sernoffsky, Phil Matier and Trisha Thadani are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com, pmatier@sfchronicle.com, tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @evansernoffsky, @philmatier, @trishathadani Denham Springs, LA (70726) Today Isolated thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 73F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Isolated thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 73F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. An attempt to illegally transport Egyptian mummy parts was recently thwarted at Cairo International Airport. Airport X-ray scanners detected mummy remains concealed in a package headed for Belgium, Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities reported yesterday (Feb. 24) on Facebook. The recovered remains a torso portion, an arm, part of a left hand, two legs and two feet came from two mummies and were concealed inside a pair of stereo speakers, according to the ministry. [Reclaimed History: 9 Repatriated Egyptian Antiquities] After airport officials discovered and confiscated the hidden body parts, archaeologists examined the remains and confirmed that they came from ancient mummies. The mummy parts were then brought to the Museum of Antiquities in Cairo for restoration, the ministry reported. All antiquities that originate in Egypt are considered to be the property of the state, according to the Egyptian Law on the Protection of Antiquities, enacted in 1983. With some exceptions, the law prohibits private ownership of objects that have historical or archaeological value including human and animal remains. Mummy remains recovered during a smuggling attempt at Cairo International Airport came from two bodies. (Image credit: Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities) Trade in Egyptian antiquities is strictly forbidden, and the removal of objects from the country without the express permission of antiquities authorities carries a fine and a prison sentence of up to two years. To enforce this law, a special archaeological unit the team that identified the recently-discovered mummy parts operates at the Cairo airport, the ministry reported. Despite these precautions, trafficking in stolen artifacts persists. In 2016, objects worth an estimated $50 million were illegally shipped from Egypt to the U.S. This represents the highest annual value of trafficked Egyptian artifacts in 20 years, Live Science previously reported. In fact, looting of archaeological sites in Egypt has escalated dramatically since 2011, when political upheaval and economic instability rocked the country, experts reported in 2016 in the journal Antiquity. Examination of satellite imagery of more than 1,000 sites across Egypt dating from 2002 to 2013 showed that looting affected many locations. Researchers found that incidents of looting doubled between 2009 and 2010, the years leading up to the 2011 unrest, and then doubled yet again between 2011 and 2013, according to the 2016 Antiquity study. Originally published on Live Science. A failed Soviet Venus probe similar to that of Venera 8 seen here will slam into Earth's atmosphere some time in 2019. Here's another warning about incoming space hardware but this saga has an interplanetary connection. First, we have to peel back space history to the early 1970s, just after the height of the Cold War space-race between the Soviet Union and the United States. The Soviet Union launched the Cosmos 482 Venus probe on March 31, 1972. But the spacecraft messed up its rocket-powered escape to that cloud-veiled world and got trapped in Earth orbit. [The 10 Weirdest Facts About Venus] A big chunk of that failed craft remains in orbit today as space junk but it's due to come down soon, perhaps as early as this year, experts said. Sister probe The descent vehicle of the Venera 8 spacecraft (left) and its parent spacecraft are seen in a Russian museum. (Image credit: Copyright Alamy) Cosmos 482 was a sister probe to Venera 8,which in July 1972 became the second craft to land successfully on the surface of Venus, said Don Mitchell, who studies Soviet space history and has a keen interest in that country's Venus exploration missions. Venera 8 relayed data from Venus' surface for 50 minutes and 11 seconds before succumbing to the harsh, lead-melting conditions. But Cosmos 482 got stranded in an Earth parking orbit, Mitchell told Space.com. Some hardware from that failed flight a heavy frame of tanks and equipment that was jettisoned fell into Earth's atmosphere in rather short order. But some remained aloft. Venera 8 comprised a spacecraft "bus" and a lander probe. The lander was a spherical pressure vessel of similar design to the Soviet Union's Venera 7 probe. Venera 7 launched in August 1970 and made the first-ever successful Venus landing on Dec. 15 of that year. It sent valuable data back to Earth from the surface, if only for a few brief minutes. Still adrift (Image credit: Copyright Ralf Vandebergh) Still adrift around Earth, making one lap every 112 minutes, is the wayward Cosmos 482 Venus entry capsule, a contraption built to withstand the heat of diving into that cloud-veiled planet's thick atmosphere. The errant Venus lander mass is 1,091 lbs. (495 kilograms) and carries significant thermal protection. And this piece of space junk will likely survive its inevitable descent back to its home planet, experts said. "Yes, the descent craft will survive a re-entry with no problems," said satellite watcher Thomas Dorman of the northeastern Oklahoma community of Zeb. "It would be funny if it was spotted coming down and the parachute has deployed but I am sure the batteries to fire the pyrotechnics to release the parachute have died long ago!" True condition a mystery Ralf Vandebergh of the Netherlands has been observing the wayward Cosmos 482 leftovers for the last eight years. (Image credit: Ralf Vandebergh) Like Dorman, veteran astrophotographer Ralf Vandebergh of the Netherlands has been observing the wayward spacecraft for a while the last eight years, in fact. He told Space.com he's done a new appraisal of Cosmos 482. "My preliminary conclusion of Cosmos 482, observing using a 10-inch aperture telescope during varying passes, viewing angles, illumination angles and observing conditions, [is that it] seems [to be] an elongated object with strong brightness variations," Vandebergh repored. "There is an indication of smaller structures, but these are unconfirmed. Despite the successful results, the mystery around the true condition of Cosmos 482 and what elements of the spacecraft exactly are still in orbit still remains unsolved. Meanwhile, Dorman recently captured Cosmos 482 on his skywatching equipment. His imagery showed the object flaring. A spherical object such as theVenus descent capsule seemingly wouldn't flare, he said, suggesting that more of the upper spacecraft bus was still intact. [Space Junk Clean Up: 7 Wild Ways to Destroy Orbital Debris] Re-entry when? A stamp printed in the USSR, shows the automatic interplanetary station Venera 8, circa 1972, which flew to Venus. (Image credit: Shutterstock) "Our guess is maybe as much as 40 to 50 percent of the upper spacecraft bus may still be there," Dorman told Space.com. "It is interesting to note the apogee of the orbit is slowly starting to decay. My guess right now is that re-entry is late this year to mid next year. But predicting its decay is as much of an art [as] it is science. The other issue is, nobody can forecast solar activity for the next year, which could affect the decay time," he said. Dorman said Cosmos 482 is in an orbit that swings it out from Earth over 1,700 miles (2,735 km) away, but the low point, the perigee of the orbit, is just 125 miles (200 km) above our planet. "Trying to study Cosmos 482 and what remains of the spacecraft is like attempting to gain an understanding and insight of a shipwreck that is moving at hypervelocity speeds, under ever-changing lighting conditions from the surface of an oceanthis ocean being several hundred miles deep, with only a few seconds to see it at its closest and at best a few times a year!" Another rough estimate suggests that what's left of the failed Venus probe might stay up for another 2.5 years, even with such a low perigee. "This suggests the object is very dense, which could support that it might withstand re-entry," said T.S. Kelso of CelesTrak, an analytical group that keeps an eye on Earth-orbiting objects. You can see Vandebergh's latest view of Cosmos 482 here. Leonard David is author of the forthcoming book, "Moon Rush: The New Space Race" to be published by National Geographic in May 2019. A longtime writer for Space.com, David has been reporting on the space industry for more than five decades. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or Facebook. This version of the story published on Space.com. Foot-binding was practiced for about 1,000 years in China. The memory of this practice is preserved in historical documents, shoes found in graves of the elite and the testimonies of a dwindling number of women with bound feet who survive today. But only in recent years have archaeologists looked at skeletons with bound feet to learn more about the women who experienced this extreme form of body modification. Elizabeth Berger, a postdoctoral fellow in Chinese studies at the University of Michigan, had been working on an archaeological excavation at the site of Yangguanzhai near Xi'an in China's Shaanxi Province. The archaeological team, led by Liping Yang of the Shaanxi Archaeological Academy, was primarily interested in a Neolithic village buried there; they unexpectedly found an overlaying cemetery from a much later era, the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and they salvaged the graves. [Gallery: Ancient Chinese Warriors Protect Secret Tomb] "I was looking at the bones and I noticed that there was something very strange about the feet," Berger told Live Science. "My first thought was that it might be foot-binding, and I started to look into it and found that at that point there hadn't been many publications on what the bones of foot-bound feet actually look like, although there was a lot of research on the history of it." In an article in the March 2019 issue of the International Journal of Paleopathology, Berger and her colleagues reported that four of the eight elite women had signs of bound feet. Researchers think that the earliest forms of foot-binding had started by the Southern Song Dynasty (11271279). At first, the practice was aimed at making the feet narrower, a process that didn't alter the bones too severely. The more extreme binding of the foot into a much shorter-arched form started during the Ming Dynasty. The practice started among elite women and later spread to other classes. Binding typically started at a young age; the tight bandages that folded the foot into its "lotus" shape had to be worn throughout a woman's life. A northern style and southern style of foot-binding existed by the 1600s. While the toes remained straight in the southern style, in the northern style, all the toes except the big toe were curled under the sole, making the foot even less stable. Women with bound feet faced health consequences throughout their lives, including infections, lost toes, lost mobility, pain during walking and a higher rate of fractures from falls in old age, research has found. Historians and economists are still publishing papers investigating the factors that influenced foot-binding, as the motivations behind the practice seem to be complex and not simply about enforcing beauty standards. One recent study in the journal PLOS ONE showed that foot-binding, in the early 20th century at least, was linked to high productivity among girls and women in craft industries like weaving and embroidering textiles, which contradicts a conventional assumption that the practice was a fetishistic custom that continued despite the economic burden it placed on families. "Definitely, there's a lot more research that needs to be done about exactly how the practice changed over time in different places in China," Berger said. "I see a lot of descriptions in Western literature that describe it as one thing, as a monolithic practice, whereas in fact it was practiced for 1,000 years and it changed from one place to another." The sample from the excavations at Yangguanzhai was small, but Berger thinks that the pattern observed may reflect foot-binding as an evolving practice. Metatarsal bones from a woman's bound foot (left) and a man's unbound foot from a Ming Dynasty cemetery in Yangguanzhai. (Image credit: Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Berger) The researchers noticed that the women's metatarsals, which are the long bones in the arch of the foot, and the few surviving toe bones had been dramatically altered. However, compared with the few known later cases of foot-bound skeletons, the ones found at Yangguanzhai had tarsal bones around the heel that were not as clearly altered, though they were slightly reduced in size, Berger said. "That suggests there might have been an increase in how extreme the binding was over time during the Qing Dynasty," she said. Christine Lee, an anthropologist at California State University, Los Angeles, has also been studying archaeological evidence of foot-binding found in graves at the Xuecun archaeological site in China's Henan Province that date to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Lee explained that there is normally an aversion to digging up graves that are less than 1,000 years old in China. "They're worried about accidentally disturbing their ancestors, which would cause bad luck today," Lee said. Excavations on cemeteries from the last millennium, when foot-binding was practiced, are rare unless the tombs are under threat of being destroyed. The Xuecun site had to be dug up during recent rescue excavations as part of the world's largest water-diversion project, which is channeling water from the Yangtze River to Beijing. Lee was also working with a small sample, but she noticed a general pattern: The rate of foot-binding among women seemed to increase from the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), which fits with historical knowledge about the practice. Foot-binding became more widespread, especially among elite women, during the Qing Dynasty. During this era, Manchurian rulers in charge suppressed the culture of the Han Chinese ethnic group. One part of Han identity that couldn't be policed was foot-binding, as it was practiced among women in domestic spaces, Lee said, adding that the tradition could also have provided a way for women to escape their socioeconomic class. But there's little historic record of how women personally experienced foot-binding. "You don't get any writings by women with foot-binding until the early 1900s, when they're calling for the abolishment of it," Lee said. "So, what happened for those thousand years [before]?" If bioarchaeologists (those who specialize in skeletal remains at archaeological sites) can't fully reconstruct how women felt about foot-binding, the researchers might at least be able to gain some insights into the physical experience. Berger and her colleagues wrote in their paper that most accounts of foot-binding before the 19th century didn't include explicit or technical explanations of the practice but simply described the feet as "slender," "pointed," "bowed" or shaped like lotuses. "One of the things bioarchaeology can do is it can tell us about people's experiences that were never written down," Berger said, "and we can see that now." Originally published on Live Science. It is common for people out on bond to be prohibited from leaving the jurisdiction without special permission. Smollett has been ordered to turn over his passport and cannot have contact with witnesses or their families. Super spiders (Image credit: Shutterstock) Spiders are incredibly diverse creatures. They can be the size of the period at the end of the sentence or the size of your face. They can live in deserts, in the tropics, in Siberia and even underwater. They can be docile or deadly, ground-dwelling or web-spinning. To highlight the incredible accomplishments of arachnids, biologist Stefano Mammola of the University of Turin and his colleagues rounded up 99 of their most mind-boggling records in a publication in the open-access journal PeerJ. It's a wide-ranging list, but we've picked 21 of our favorite entries and paired them with pictures of the spiders that deserve a little bit of recognition. These records might just make you see arachnids in a whole new light. Largest fossil spider Now here's a new twist on Jurassic Park: The largest fossil spider ever found comes from the middle of that era, some 163 million to 174 million years ago. The species is Mongolarachnidae jurassica. Found fossilized in Inner Mongolia, China, this species had a body length of 0.7 inches (1.65 centimeters) and legs up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) long. Oldest fossil spider Spiders are eight-legged old souls. These arachnids have witnessed the breakup of Pangaea, the rise and fall of the dinosaurs, and the expansion and retreat of the polar ice caps. The oldest fossilized spiders date back around 300 million years, with the trophy for oldest going to a species called Palaeothele montceauensis. Discovered in Montceau-les-Mines, France, the fossil shows an impression of a spider about 0.5 inches (1.2 centimeters) long. Biggest family (Image credit: Nature Picture Library/Getty) The prize for most unwieldy family reunions goes to Saltidicae! This group, better known as the jumping spiders, includes more than 6,000 individual species. Jumping spiders are a fascinating bunch. They have the best vision of any spiders and often put on fantastic mating displays, complete with snazzy dances. One fuzzy little jumping spider in England even learned to jump on command. Most star-studded names (Image credit: Agnarsson Lab) They'll never know it, but a group of "smiley-face spiders" found in the Caribbean now boasts star-studded monikers. Researchers and students at the University of Vermont gave six new species of Spintharus spiders names to honor those who had stood up for human rights and warned about climate change. These spiders are known for their distinctive markings, which look a bit like a happy face. The arachnid-honored individuals? Figure them out from these scientific names: Spintharus davidattenboroughi, S. barackobamai, S. michelleobamaae, S. davidbowiei, S. leonardodicaprioi, and S. berniesandersi. (The researchers also named one species, Spintharus skelly, after a pet cat.) Largest web (Image credit: Shutterstock) The Darwin's bark spider (Caerostris darwini) spins its webs across rivers, ponds and lakes, trawling for the insects that flutter over water. By necessity, these webs can be huge up to 30 square feet (2.8 square meters) in area and some 82 feet (25 m) across. That's a lot of work for a little spider: Females measure about an inch (2.5 cm) in body length, and males just a quarter of an inch (6 millimeters). The webs are also extremely tough and elastic, researchers have found. A 2010 study revealed that the spider's silk is about twice as stretchy as other related spiders that spin smaller webs. It was also 10 times more resistant than Kevlar to breaking from being stretched. Longest leg span (Image credit: Sandra Caldwell/Shutterstock) Heteropoda maxima, the giant huntsman, is sometimes considered the largest spider on Earth. These spiders, found in Laos, are more spindly than the Goliath bird-eater, but regularly boast leg spans of at least a foot (30 cm). This dinner-plate-sized arachnid doesn't spin webs; instead, it chases down its prey, delivering a venomous killing bite. Fortunately, the venom isn't very dangerous to humans, causing only minor pain and swelling. Smallest spider (Image credit: Raymond R Forster, et al/American Museum of Natural History/ CC BY 4.0 A little less terrifying than the bird-eater or the huntsman is Patu digua, the smallest spider on record. This pipsqueak is only 0.01 inches (0.37 millimeters) in total length, according to a 1977 paper in American Museum Novitates. The spiders are so small that studying them is a challenge, according to that paper. A light microscope isn't strong enough to allow researchers to see their most diminutive features, so scanning electron microscopy must be used instead. Longest fangs (Image credit: Shutterstock) The longest fangs-to-body-size award goes to Myrmarachne spiders. Remember the Salticidae jumping spiders and their enormous family tree? Well, Myrmarachne occupy one of the weirder branches. These spiders look almost exactly like ants, an adaptation that helps them avoid spider-loving predators. Male Myrmarachne spiders also have enormous fangs, longer than their head and thorax put together. Largest venom glands (Image credit: Shutterstock) Most spiders have some form of venom, but very few are actually dangerous to humans; spider venom is generally injected in tiny amounts into insects or other small prey, so hurting people isn't the point. The Phoneutria genus of Brazilian wandering spiders is an exception. Their venom is capable of killing a human, in part because their large venom glands pack a lot of punch. Their venom glands can be up to 0.4 inches (10.2 mm) by 0.1 inches (2.6 mm) in size. But wandering spiders don't typically inject all their venom at one time, so the chance that a bite will actually kill a person is low. Heaviest spider (Image credit: Mark Kostich/Getty) With a common name like the Goliath bird-eater, it's no surprise that Theraphosa blondi weighs in as the most massive spider on the planet. These spiders have been known to grow as large as 6 ounces (170 grams), with a leg span up to 1 foot (30 cm) and bodies the size of a clenched fist. Goliath bird-eaters are capable of eating birds, but since they hunt mostly on the ground, their main prey are large earthworms though they'll chow down on frogs and insects, too. Tonto Dikeh has called out a man and his mistress - an actress - for travelling to Dubai to frolick while the man's wife is in Nigeria. According to Tonto, the actress and the man's wife are best friends but this didn't stop the couple from carrying on their affair. Tonto threatened to call names if those guilty dare to call her phone. Read her post below. Police in Nairobi have arrested a Kenyan notorious drug trafficker after he was caught with five kilograms of heroin. Mr.Joseph Njau Ngendo who is an anti-drug abuse campaigner in the country was arrested on Friday in Westlands, Nairobi after returning from a trip to Kampala, Uganda. Njau, who authorities say is part of a larger heroin distribution network in Nairobi is said to have procured the narcotics from a Nigerian based in Kampala which he had concealed inside pawpaws. Joseph Njau Ngendo was arrested within Westlands area on his return from Kampala, Uganda he had left Nairobi on Wednesday night travelling by MASH bus, reads a police report. Police records indicate that Njau is a frequent traveler to Uganda. He has a pattern of leaving Kenya through Busia border and comes back to Kenya through Malaba border. He does this to evade detection, the reports expounds. In early February 2019, Njau made two other trips to Uganda where he is suspected to have hammered a deal with his Nigerian drug associates. Njau, the authorities say, masks his drug dealing activities in legitimate business and charity work. When not dealing drugs Njau Ngendo works part time as an anti-drug abuse campaigner. He regularly visit schools and social gatherings to give talks against drug abuse. The suspect will be arraigned at the JKIA law courts on Monday, February 25 where he is expected to be charged with possession and trafficking in narcotic drugs. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today informed Justice Valentine Ashi of a Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court sitting in Apo that it has written to the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami, SAN, in respect to the extradition of a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, from the United Kingdom. Diezani and Jide Omokore, a former Chairman, Atlantic Energy Drilling Company, were supposed to be arraigned by the Commission on February 25, 2019, for offences bordering on conspiracy and illegal act of accepting and giving gratifications. They are alleged to have accepted and given gifts in properties located at Penthouse 22, Block B, Admiralty Estate, Ikoyi, and Penthouse 21, Building 5, Block C, Banana Island, Lagos. They are to be arraigned on February 25, 2019 on a five-count charge for the offences, which are contrary to Sections 26(1) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. At the last sitting on December 4, 2018, the Court had ordered the EFCC and other security agencies, to ensure that she is brought to court 72 hours after she returns to Nigeria, for her to face the fraud charges. At the resumed sitting on February 25, 2019 prosecuting counsel, Faruk Abdullahi, informed the court that the Commission has written to the AGF, seeking for the extradition of Diezani. He said: The Commission has written the AGF, with a view for the extradition process so as to enable her face her trial, as she is still in the United Kingdom. .. Titled, Letter Of Request To Extradite Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke From The United Kingdom, it was received by the office of the AGF on December 14, 2018.. . It reads in part: The Commission recently filed charges against Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke in both the Federal High Court (Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/208/2018) and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (Charge No. CR/22/2018)". MAYOR James Collins has renewed his criticism of a new regional strategy which, he claims will cleave a wedge between Cork and Limerick. A special meeting took place at County Hall this Monday afternoon on the controversial new Regional Spatial and Economic strategy, which many fear will see Leeside develop at the expense of Shannonside. The mayor said: This strategy document will create a two-tier economy, with prioritised boarding for Dublin and Cork, classified as international cities for development. Limerick, meanwhile, is classified as a second-tier regional city. Let nobody be in any doubt - this strategy document will cleave a wedge between Cork and Limerick, at a time when Cork and Limerick should be working together, developing in tandem, into interlinked centres of economic growth, balanced and planned cities than can counterbalance an overheating Dublin, he said, We need to grow Cork and Limerick and Galway, grow the South, Mid-West, and West, to address the imbalance at the heart of our economy. Dublin accounts for 50% of Irelands GDP. London, by comparison, accounts for only 22% of the UKs GDP. So the imbalance in Ireland is obvious. This strategy document should be putting Limerick and Cork together to work in their mutual interests, instead it sets them apart - and literally sends them on two different roads, he told the meeting. Mayor Collins vowed: Limerick is not going to be some second-tier economy playing second fiddle to Cork. As a city we want to grow our population by 100,000 by 2030. This plan links our development in with Shannon and says that together, Limerick and Shannon should only grow by 50,000. Its there in no uncertain terms - the government department authors of this report - have half the ambition, half the vision, that we have for a future Limerick. It will ultimately be up to members of the Southern Regional Assembly to decide on whether the plan is adopted. They meet on the third Monday of each month in Waterford. For more coverage on the special meeting, see The Leader, out Wednesday morning and the weekend edition, out Thursday morning. A YOUNG girl who remains in intensive care following a boating incident in Limerick has made a slight improvement, but it is understood she remains in a serious condition this Monday. The girl, who is a primary school student from the Limerick suburbs, has made a slight improvement since she arrived at Temple Street Childrens Hospital on Saturday evening, the Limerick Leader understands. On Saturday morning, five young people, including four girls and one boy, were assisted by rescue crews on Saturday after their rowing boat overturned on the river. The crew were accompanied by a safety boat, operated by their rowing club Athlunkard Boat Club, at the time. We are monitoring the situation and are in constant contact with the family and Rowing Ireland, the boat club said in a statement. Our thoughts are now focused on supporting the family, the girls and boy who were in the boat at the time and our club members. My heart goes out to her, her family and the others who were in the boat, Limerick TD Jan OSullivan said. Our hearts absolutely go out to her family and to everyone who was there with her and saw it happening. INCREDIBLE, powerful, and inspiring is how the Limerick senior hurling team manager John Kiely described the stories behind the 12 nominees for the Limerick Person of the Year award 2018. He made the comments after the All-Ireland senior hurling champions were revealed as the Persons of the Year at a gala ceremony at Limericks Clayton Hotel. Accepting the award on behalf of the hurling panel, John paid tribute to all the monthly winners: Having listened to the stories of all the other award recipients, were humbled to even be considered on the same page as these people. Their stories are just incredible, theyre powerful, they are inspiring, they are just laden with courage and determination and they epitomise the people of Limerick in a very very unique way. We salute them for what they have done. We are part of a team, we have maybe 70 of us in total, those people ploughed their own furrow in many respects. At the same time, I hope that our journey made their road and other peoples road a little bit easier this last year. To have been where we were last August and ended that phase of our history, I think its a wonderful thing for us all and it opens up the door to an even brighter future. On behalf of the team and the management I would like to thank you all for your support over the last number of years, its been incredible and inspiring for lots of young kids running around with hurleys in their hands. At the gala event which took place on Thursday afternoon cervical cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan was honoured with a Special Achievement Award. Vicky, who unfortunately wasnt able to attend the ceremony due to a hospital appointment, was recognised for her steadfast work in uncovering the CervicalCheck scandal and her tireless support of other women who have been affected and are fighting for justice. Mayor of Limerick City and County Council James Collins accepted the award on Vickys behalf saying: Her strength of character exposed glaring weaknesses in a failing system, with fatal consequences for far too many women. There was also an award for the family of Dolores ORiordan, after she was inducted in the Limerick Person of the Year Hall of Fame. - For further coverage of the awards see The Leader and weekend edition A TEENAGE entrepreneur from Limerick has become the youngest ever stockist at Shannon Duty Free. 14 year old Evan Quaid from Castlemahon in West Limerick has become the youngest ever producer of an item to be stocked at the worlds first Duty Free store after his Quaid Candles were put on sale there. The young student has been rewarded for his remarkable entrepreneurship by having his product placed in the store. Evan, who won the junior category of the National Student Enterprise Programme after developing the product in November 2017, messaged the Shannon Airport Instagram account late last year asking for the candles to be stocked in the store. After meeting him and his mother Triona, the Duty Free team didnt think twice. Head of Commercial at Shannon Airport Darren Smyth said that the airport was struck by his enthusiasm, entrepreneurship and the quality of the product. Evan is a remarkable young man and its already clear that he has a very bright future in business ahead of him. We were impressed by his enterprise in the first instance and then wowed by his enthusiasm and determination when we met him, he said. He got the idea for the candle making business from his favourite YouTube vlogger, bought a candle making kit and it started from there. Thats the type of can-do spirit that has epitomised Shannon over the years. We want him to be the first but not the last young entrepreneur to have their goods featured here and we would ask any others out there that are producing non-perishable items to see this as an opportunity for themselves. Evan said he was delighted to get my candles into Shannon Duty Free. I contacted a number of stores about stocking my candles and Shannon Duty Free came back very quickly, said they liked the idea and asked if they could meet my mother and I. Ive read up about the history of Shannon Duty Free, that it was the first airport duty free shop in the world. With over 1.7 million passengers going through the airport each year, its a fantastic opportunity to have the candles stocked. The staff at Shannon have been really supportive and this is a really big moment for me. Aside from being a great place to have my candles on sale, this is great promotion for the candles also. Shannon Airport managing director Andrew Murphy said: Shannon Duty Free has been a supporter of local businesses from its origin. In recent years we have put a significant focus on featuring local producers in the ORegan Food Emporium and the Shannon Design section. We currently have 50 Irish suppliers with over 100 different products on sale in the store and now we have Quaid Candles sitting proudly among them. In addition to his entrepreneurship, Evan has shown great enthusiasm and courage. Hes been a pleasure to deal with and we are all in agreement here that not alone has he a really good product but were going to be hearing a lot from him in the years ahead. Shannon Duty Fee is asking that any young entrepreneurs between the ages of 13 and 18 years who would like to have a product considered for inclusion in the world famous Shannon Duty Free shop to email youngentrepreneur@shannonairport.ie for an application form. THE THEFT of community employment scheme equipment in a County Limerick village has been described as disheartening. The container in the Super Valu car-park in Castleconnell was broken into between 9pm and 11pm on Thursday evening. Three strimmers, three blowers and one hedge trimmer with a total estimated value of 3,500 were stolen. There are 28 on the scheme who work diligently to improve the appearance of the pretty village and its outskirts. It is very disappointing for the community because we have worked so hard and it has been our community who have helped us to fund all that equipment. We have been buying it bit by bit from donations and church gate collections. To see it gone overnight is disheartening, said supervisor, Louise Madden. It is upsetting that a person or people dont seem to value what we do, said Louise, who has been overwhelmed by the amount of positive messages she has got from locals and businesses. When you see that reaction you cant stay down for too long. You have to get up and show the good side. It is not going to stop those on the scheme. They are committed to the village and work very hard, said Louise. As the criminals left brushes and shovels the streets were continued to be cleaned this Monday morning. However, the stolen equipment was vital for the community employment scheme to cut grass in the river park, graveyards, Dalys cross and many more locations. To start fundraising to buy replacements, a coffee morning takes place in the parish hall on Tuesday, March 5 from 10am to noon. Anybody with any information on the theft is asked to contact Castleconnell gardai on 061 377105. SCHOOLS in County Limerick have made further pitches to local councillors in a bid to improve safety. How are we going to deal with all the requests coming in? Cllr Michael Collins asked as yet another two schools, Scoil Mhuire, Broadford (see more below) and St Fergus NS, Glin made their pitch to the Newcastle West councillors for funds to improve safety at the school gates. Just four months earlier, a deputation from Killoughteen NS had appealed to councillors for 35,000 for a pedestrian crossing and the question loomed large in the room: how many more schools out there needed additional safety measures? The real dilemma, councillors agreed, was that school safety measures fall between the two stools of the Department of Education and Skills and the local authority. I think it is time now for the council and ourselves to a programme for the national schools, maybe all schools but particularly the national schools, Cllr Liam Galvin said. Let us have a programme of works. If we do one or two schemes a year we would have a good job done in the lifetime of the council. Cllr Francis Foley agreed. It is going to be too late if one of these children gets knocked down or is seriously injured, he said. We collected development levies and we should be looking at taking some of that money back. This is a community project. It will benefit a whole lot of communities. The Department of Education should make some contribution, Cllr Seamus Browne argued, and they should be made aware of the scale of the problem. We are dealing with two or three now but it could be four or five going into the future. Cllr John Sheahan suggested the 24,000 for Glin could come out of the 95,000 for roads allocated to Newcastle West under GMA (General Municipal Allocation) could be used. But he rejected director of services Gordon Dalys advice that the project could be considered private and not roads. He would challenge any auditor to look him in the eye and say a childs life was not worth 24,000, he said. It is small money and we would have that school taken off the map, he said. Next month we could have Broadford taken off the map. And he proposed that Killoughteen also be funded. Three schemes. Job done, he said. Councillors asked for a costing to be done for Broadford, having been told that a pedestrian crossing would cost less if done in conjunction with the overlay of the road. The matter will be discussed again in March. 1,600 cars a day passing Broadford NS An average of 1,600 cars a day use the road passing the national school in Broadford and a pedestrian crossing and flashing speed detectors are urgently needed to ensure the safety of the 167 pupils attending Scoil Mhuire. It is chaos at three oclock in the evening, Marie OCallaghan, chairperson of the Parents Association told Newcastle West councillors earlier this month. My heart is in my mouth and the hearts of all the parents, she said, explaining that she has gasped in horror many times over close misses. Ms OCallaghan, along with school principal Belinda Murphy and David Browne, chairperson of the Board of Management, were appealing to councillors to take action. Numbers at the school had risen from 100 to 167, Mr Browne said and these numbers are expected to continue rising. The school had taken measures to address safety issues, he explained. A designated set-down area had been developed and parents were also encouraged to use the church car park and walk their children to and from school. Over half the children now walk to or from school regularly, he pointed out. In addition, Mr Browne explained, practically all of the staff have to be on duty when children are being dropped off or picked up. These measures had gone some way to alleviating the pressure on traffic, he told the councillors but further intervention was needed. Roadworks are due to go ahead on this road in the coming months, Ms Murphy pointed out. It is an opportune time to put in the safety measures, she said. These include a pedestrian crossing, warning lights and a speed detector. Police could not say if the shooting was related to Thursday's fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy in the 300 block of May Street. Police also are investigating a shooting Friday evening that injured two men, ages 20 and 30, near Washington Junior High at 4th Avenue and Union Street. When police arrived at that shooting, they could not locate any victims, but two men later arrived at Amita St. Joseph Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries, according to a news release from police. Both men were treated and released. A NEW autobiography by one of Irelands most acclaimed songwriters charts his artistic and spiritual journey, along with his commitment to faith that has sustained him over the half century of his career. The Voyage by Johnny Duhan, tells the second part to his story following his first memoir There is a Time, with special focus on his intimate family relationships as one of the main sources of inspiration for his work. Over the years, the songwriter has received many letters from people who have been touched by his song The Voyage, popularised by Christy Moore and recognised as one of the most popular ballads of modern times. A few stand out, Johnny told the Leader. One from Limerick photographer Gerry Andrews, who, while on a assignment in the Omo Valley in a remote part of Ethiopia where only a few bars and stores have electricity, heard Christy Moore singing The Voyage in a shop full of half naked Mursi tribespeople and discovered that it was played regularly there for one of the Elders who loved the song. Another came from a doctor from the Isle of Skye asking for copyright clearance to include a Scottish version of The Voyage as the title track on a CD he was putting together of his wifes favourite songs for her fortieth birthday, he added. Some months after I gave approval, he contacted me again with news that the CD was soon to be released, not as a birthday gift but as a memorial album for his wife, after her death from cancer. The opening chapters of The Voyage tell the story of the songwriters relationship with his mother, who sadly suffered a breakdown on the cusp of Johnny signing an international recording contract. The memoir also charts the songwriters own breakdown that led to a restoration of his religious faith, his fathers dying days and his first meeting with Christy Moore. Lots of interesting and well-known characters are encountered but Johnnys main achievement in these pages, as in his most popular song, is the treasure that he and his first mate attain at the shores of the heart. Johnny Duhan will launch The Voyage at the Limerick City Gallery of Art, Pery Square on March 14 at 6pm. Logs from the book will be read and all able chanters will be expected to join in on the chorus of the song that gave the book its title. All are welcome. A DISTRACTED motorist drove into a garage forecourt as a car came from the other direction because he became suddenly and violently ill. Paul Bennett, aged 54, of Rossroe Avenue, Caherdavin pleaded guilty to careless driving at Holycross, Bruff. Sergeant Michelle Leahy said on May 20 the defendant was driving a van on the R512. He turned into the forecourt of a garage. He failed to observe an oncoming car. The driver of the car had to take avoidance action and collided with the fuel pumps. The defendant was badly shaken on the day, said Sgt Leahy. Edmond Dillon, solicitor for Mr Bennett, said the State had outlined the case most fairly. He is a 54-year-old married man who drives for a living. He has no previous convictions, said Mr Dillon. The solicitor said there were somewhat unusual circumstances. He became suddenly and violently ill. He glanced at the petrol station to see if there was a bathroom he could access in a hurry. His attention wavered momentarily, said Mr Dillon. Mr Bennett was fined 150. A young fisherman who is one of the most prolific anglers on Leitrim's most popular pike-fishing lakes was part of the Irish tourism team who went to the Northern Angling Show in Manchester last weekend to promote Leitrim angling to over 20,000 UK anglers. Aaran Carr from the Camlin Angling club has taken part in multiple pike-fishing competitions on the popular lake near Dromod and led a team of four people who met up with the UK anglers at the show on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and distributed over 4,000 new colour brochures on what the county of Leitrim has to offer to the visiting angler. This promotion was organised by the Lough Ree Angling hub with the support of Leitrim Tourism officer, Sinead McDermott, the Upper Shannon Erne Future Economy project and Failte Ireland's Development officer Sarah McCarthy who is working with the hub to promote the angling paradise within the new Ireland's Hidden Heartlands Region. "We got a tremendous reaction from the UK anglers," Philip Gordon, secretary of the angling hub said, "this show was one of the top shows in the world for anglers and we invited hundreds of fishermen and women to come to Cavan and the Hidden Heartlands region to see what we have to offer." "County Leitrim in Irelands Hidden Heartlands has a great array of Waterways from the Atlantic Ocean in the north of the county to its many streams, rivers, canals and lakes in the south" Sinead McDermott says and "the county offers game, pike and coarse fishing and hosts many match angling competitions. Leitrim offers a wide choice of accommodation catering for the angler from hotels, B&Bs and self catering, something to suit all tastes and budgets. In Leitrim you can be guaranteed good fishing and a warm welcome. " Aaran Carr said there was a fantastic response to the new colour brochure the hub produced and the Hidden heartlands imagery. "We produced a special slide show and video which was also shown on the stand" Aaran said, "and we are now confident we will see dozens of these anglers coming over to us in the coming years." Support for attending the show came from Failte Ireland, Leitrim County Council and the Upper Shannon Erne Future Economy Project. This is a partnership project between four local authorities, (Leitrim, Roscommon, Longford and Cavan) ESB, and Bord na Mona and has a number of working groups including Tourism. In recent years the working group has focused on promoting the angling offering of the region. In March the Lough Ree Angling hub will be teaming up again with the tourism authorities to attend another major show in Farnborough UK where coarse fishing will be the theme. For more information contact Andy Burnett at 04333 21734 or e mail: loughreeanglinghub@gmail.com Co. Leitrim based lender Avantcard has today announced the creation of 40 new jobs at its headquarters in Carrick-on-Shannon and satellite office in Dublin. The announcement today was welcomed by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys. The announcement of these new jobs comes on the back of an additional 58 people joining the Avantcard workforce over the last eighteen months, making Avantcard an increasingly attractive prospect for talent in the financial services sector in the North West. Avantcard currently employs 220 people across their offices in Leitrim and Dublin. The new positions will include customer-facing roles, roles supporting the new An Post and Avantcard partnership announced in 2018 as well as a handful of specialist roles to support planned business growth. With more people seeking a better work/life balance and with many finding themselves priced out of the housing market in Dublin and the East coast, the benefits of working, living and learning in the north west are highly valued by those seeking alternatives. A lower cost of living, significantly less traffic and a slower pace of life, combined with the tech boom taking place in neighbouring Sligo, means the region is increasingly attracting more and more businesses and investment. 2018 was a momentous year for the company after it acquired the Tesco Bank Ireland credit card portfolio, along with the announcement of a new partnership with An Post which will see it offering An Post branded personal loans and credits cards through the national post office network in the coming weeks. Avantcard was also awarded both the Ibec KeepWell Mark and the Great Place to Work accreditation in a matter of months. Chris Paul, Avantcards CEO said As a fast-growing business in Ireland, we are delighted to announce these 40 new jobs. We had an incredibly busy 2018 as the business continues to expand and we look forward to building on that in 2019 with our new team members. We were very proud to have been recognised as a Great Place to Work and receive Ibecs KeepWell mark in 2018, both of which highlight how committed we are to our employees and to ensuring that we have practices in place which allow them to flourish in the workplace. Helen Richardson, Avantcards Director of Human Resources, said We are very excited to be welcoming 40 new people to the business, and for the opportunities this presents for Avantcard. We are particularly proud of being a major employer in the North West region offering a large number of high-quality jobs in the financial services space and see this as a real boost for the area. We believe we can offer a truly great opportunity for people looking to live in this area and for those who wish to have fulfilling careers in financial services. We are proud of the contribution we make to our employees lives. Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys said, Today is a great day for Carrick-on-Shannon and the announcement is a huge vote of confidence in the local workforce. As Minister, regional development is my key priority, and Avantcard is living proof that you dont have to be based in a big city to make a big impact. !Today I am also launching a new Regional Enterprise Plan for the North-West. This Plan is rooted in collaboration, with local stakeholders from Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal working together to build on progress in the region to date and fill in any gaps. Our goal is to encourage more investments like this one and ensure that our enterprises remain resilient. I would like to warmly congratulate Chris and the team at Avantcard on this huge achievement, which serves as an example for others to follow. Avantcard DAC trading as Avantcard is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. A jury has been sworn in for the trial at the Central Criminal Court of a woman accused of attempted murder in Dublin two years ago. Laura Kenna, 37, of no fixed address, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the charge of attempted murder of Fionnuala Burke on Lower Drumcondra Road in Dublin on January 3, 2017. Ms Kenna has also pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to assaulting Ms Burke with intent to cause her serious harm on the same date. A jury of six men and six women were sworn in by Mr Justice Michael White this morning. He told them to expect the trial to last approximately six days. While swearing the jurors in, Mr Justice White told the jury panel that while Ms Kenna has no fixed address, she grew up in Celbridge and has lived in Prosperous and Swords. The trial will begin tomorrow, Tuesday, February 26, before Ms Justice Tara Burns Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider subscribing to our ePaper and/or free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Some 137 prisoners will be granted varying periods of temporary release this Christmas under the Criminal Justice Act 1960. Laois TD and Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan announced this today and said the figure represents approximately 4% of the overall prisoner population. The corresponding numbers released for Christmas in 2015, 2016 and 2017 were 203, 177 and 142 respectively. Many of the prisoners being released are nearing the end of their sentences and the overriding concern when considering the applications is the safety of the public. In addition to compassionate and humane considerations, other criteria taken into account include the nature and gravity of the offence, length of sentence served to date, prior record on temporary release, behaviour while in custody and previous criminal history. The periods of release vary from 1 to 7 nights. All releases are subject to stringent conditions and any offender who breaks these conditions may be arrested and returned immediately to prison by the Gardai. MORE: Laois Offaly mountain bike trail in Slieve Bloom cash boost to finish trail. Would you like to become a creator at Electric Picnic this year? The festival is now on the hunt for creators to invent, design, build and host their own caravan or mobile structure at this years Electric Picnic. The most jaw-dropping and inspiring ideas will be given pride of place in the bustling metropolis of Trailer Park. This year Electric Picnic has teamed up with Will Hardie, the master craftsman behind Channel 4s Amazing Spaces and Shed of the Year, to launch in this years Trailer Park competition. The judging panel will be led by Will who will be joined by Roz and Hugo Jellett (the creative directors of Trailer Park) to choose the best ideas and work with them to bring the wacky designs into being. Winners will be invited with a team of friends to host the creation at Electric Picnic. Will Hardie said this is a chance to bring the craziest and brightest creations to the picnic. Im delighted to be involved in this competition, I love that Trailer Park supports people's passion and vision to turn the humble caravan into wonderful and wacky creations and where better to do this than at a festival where all can be entertained and inspired. Ireland and the UK are home to so many creative and eccentric individuals who demonstrate incredible vision, ingenuity and skill in the wacky projects they build at home. This is a chance to bring your crazy inventions to the brightest and most creative festivals around! The Trailer Park is spreading its tentacles as far as the UK and will debut at Latitude one of the UKs best-loved festivals. Trailer Park will become Latitudes quirky hub for the unpredictable, with a haven of hilarious caravans, utilitarian mobile homes that have undergone surgery, vans re-functioned and campers converted. Festivals are such explosions of fun and creativity, a place where for a few days we can let our hair down and go wild, a place where the extraordinary, eccentric and unique almost become normal! The combination of creativity, caravans and festivals is a winner. Im always astounded by the passion with which folk adapt and embellish their caravans. There is a huge community that is wild about these humble structures and this is a competition that celebrates this quirky world without limits," Will added. Artists, architects, theatre-makers, performance groups and creators of all sorts, with an appetite for what makes a festival really sing, will be given an opportunity to let their creative hair down. Up to 10 grants up to 2000 are being offered for designing, building and presenting your own CONCEPTUAL CARAVANS at Electric Picnic. Thats it really you turn a caravan (or something with wheels that can come and go) into something implausibly wonderful, and we will give it a home from home, in Trailer Park, the mobile-tropolis in the centre of the festival. Your design proposals will be read by our judging panel, and well choose the best ideas and work with you to bring your designs into being. If all goes according to plan, you will then come with a team of your friends to host the creation at Electric Picnic. We have given out over 60 grants to Irish makers in the past few years for the eponymous Electric Picnic, and some incredible ideas have materialised (see examples below) have a look because they will give you a sense of scale and expectation! The deadline for entries is 15th April, so its time to get creative! WHERE AND WHEN? Trailer Park is a haven of hilarious caravans, utilitarian mobile homes that have undergone surgery, vans re-functioned, campers converted. Collectively they create a metropolis of tiny venues, interactive cultural outposts, fun-clinics and oddball theatres. At Electric Picnic Festival in Ireland, for the past five years, over 60 creators have been given grants to help them realise their wildest ideas, and become part of one of the strangest art and design communities in the country. It is now the turn of Latitude We are looking for more jubilant and bewildering caravan-based ideas to join Trailer Park - we are seeking fresh designers, artists, engineers, architects, community groups, thespians, dancers, builders, furniture makers, photographers, sculptors, horticulturalists, steelworkers and most of alldreamers and asking them to emerge from their cerebral laboratories with some preposterous festival inventions! MORE INFORMATION These bursaries are not for your labour; they are for materials or skills that you do not have! We are looking for projects that stand on their own as installations, independent of performances or activities, although these may well accompany and complete the installation. They do not need to be roadworthy, but it would definitely help if they were. They do need to be safe. They need to be about the design of the exterior as well as the interior, and applicants should think about lighting as the area operates at night-time as well as daytime. Please note that this project will require a significant time investment, and the ability to adhere to firm deadlines, and is going to need to be fuelled by artistic and practical passion. The number of crew passes required to host your venue for the three full days of the festival is 8, and these obviously include camping. They cant be shared. LIKELY QUESTIONS How many grants are awarded? Up to 10, including some proposals may be selected but not funded if deemed deliverable without our help. When may I apply for a grant? The deadline for emailed grant proposals is April 15, at 11:59 AM. No exceptions. We much prefer that you email your proposal, but if you cannot, your mail must be received by us before the deadline. When will I know if Ive been awarded a grant? Most final decisions will be made by April 25th. What if I have an idea, but not a caravan? We have access to a very limited number of caravans and vehicles that can be made available, but these will remain the property of Trailer Park after the festival. We thoroughly advise that you go in search of your own caravan - the country is full of them, often people will be delighted for you to take them away, and we prefer to see older caravans being remodelled. Those who provide their own caravan/vehicle will retain ownership of their caravan project at the conclusion of the event. Should I be awarded a grant, how much will I receive? This varies from project to project, but grants normally pay for only a portion of production costs predominantly to cover material costs, but not for your own labour or time. Designers should be ready to provide other methods and sources of funding if they are going to be needed, and illustrate an effort to encourage collaboration and co-operation with other practitioners (for example performative groups). When and how will I receive money? A schedule of payment is developed for each project, agreeable to you, to ensure delivery of the final work. When does the complete piece need to be delivered or collected? Your caravan must be in position by the 20th August in Electric Picnic. Note that further work on the caravan can be completed onsite, but the caravan itself MUST be available for positioning onsite on that date. Who is responsible for keeping my installation safe? Site Security will be responsible for anti-vandalism measures in the weeks running up to the event, but you should make sure your caravan is lockable and safe. During the Festival, you are wholly responsible. Trailer Park will provide infrastructure to stop festival-goers from going where they shouldnt. Who is responsible if an accident occurs during the event? Ensuring your creation does not physically harm anyone is a key responsibility of the designer. You will need to think about a method statement if appropriate, and Festival Republics own structural engineer and their safety officer will inspect each creation to ensure they are fit for purpose. Festival Republic will then provide public liability insurance for during the Festival. You must take responsibility for the safety of anyone involved in the design, manufacture, transport and removal of the structure before and after the event. Are residential caravans (creations which provide bedding) eligible? No. This competition promotes interactivity and artwork, although caravans can have the functional aspects of sleeping areas included etc. What are your criteria for awarding grants? It has to be visually spectacular. Experiential. Interactivity with festival-goers. Interactive design brings people together around it, provoking reactions and creating roles and transforming voyeurs into active contributors. (Sometimes, the mere act of encounter (such as a mobile sculpture) is sufficient, but most of the time more in needed). The thoroughness of your proposal, including a detailed budget, a construction schedule, and at least one drawing. Make it easy for us to choose you. Is retailing to the public from the caravan possible? In certain rare instances it is, but full-on food concessions and bars of any kind should not use this competition as back door for a commercial venture. Does ownership of the caravan/vehicle remain with the designer/maker? If the designer/maker owns the caravan or vehicle, yes. If they are making use of a caravan or vehicle supplied by us, no. What happens to these installations after the Festival? The creators must leave the site 'greenfield'. We may be able to help with storage, and this can be discussed individually, and may carry a cost. Artistic Director, Roz Jellett suggested ideas for Trailer Park inspiration. In Trailer Park we really do set out to make people laugh, inspire and engage. Projects that marry creativity, participation and style. This competition loves a good host, so if you have a gang of friends who like to make people around you have fun, simply think of how you might do that in the most unusual way, and either inside or in front of a room on wheels. To get you thinking, some past submissions have included: 1. To Let A team of real estate agents try to sell a decrepid caravan to passers-by. 2. Caravan Club Extravanaganza the front side folds down to become a stage for bands. 3. Police check-point an officious police van checking passers-by for anything out of order 4. Crappervan yes one of them. 5. Turbante a Brazilian collective who dress people in turbans. 6. Narnia into a caravan and out the back is a snowy kingdom. 7. Tow Ho Ho a caravan stuffed with Christmas cheer, continual carols and yuletide songs for three days, and an inebriated Santa experience. 8. Trailer Tower a viewing platform in a caravan that is craned into the sky. 9. Caravagina a rebirthing experience. 10. Redneck Wedding a mobile home with a confederate flag outside and an extended and complicated family within. 11. Lord Ganeshs Larder A regular delivery van given the vibrant Calcutta bus makeover, including an elephant carriage on the roof. 12. Terrible Terrys Jail A caravan with jails bars on the windows for misbehaving festival goers, who then have to find the escape plan. 13. Gangsta Granny A collection of senior ladies knitting everything that moves, and serving tea to a hip-hop soundtrack. 14. Seagulls Nest seagulls scavenge the nearby neighbourhood for debris to bring back to their giant nest (including a broken caravan). 15. Mad De-Programming Machine a scientific experiment using submarine parts, wires and colanders to give your brains a fresh start. A group of parents said they are concerned about inclusiveness regarding a special needs class hosted at Bangor Area Middle School. Catarina Campbell spoke before the Bangor Area School Board on Tuesday and raised issues concerning a Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 special needs class that uses a classroom at the middle school in Upper Mount Bethel Township. Colonial IU 20 is one of 29 intermediate units in Pennsylvania that offer special programs and services to children, especially those with special needs. In addition, to Colonial Academy in Bushkill Township, there are intermediate unit classes hosted in various district school buildings. Campbell has three other children that attend other Bangor Area schools. She said she became concerned in October when she learned that all the classrooms in the district participated in an active shooter training drill except for the IU 20 class. "I was confused as to why my son's IU class was left out of a safety training that all of the other teachers within the district were receiving," Campbell said, "especially when students with disabilities and their teachers would need the most practice." Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 Executive Director Charlene Brennan said, when she learned of the situation, the intermediate unit coordinated with Bangor Area School District to make sure the proper training occurred. "It was a miscommunication," Brennan said. "I am satisfied that the classroom is safe and being included. Bangor has always collaborated with us and we with them." Campbell said there are other issues that still need to be resolved and she is concerned that changes are not happening quickly enough. Campbell said she learned that IU 20 students did not have a television to broadcast the middle school's morning broadcast, the students are not included in the middle school's attendance, and IU 20 teachers are not equipped with iPads, which Bangor Area School District teachers have to communicate students' safety during an emergency. Nikki Huggan, a parent on the IU 20 Local Special Education Task Force, said IU 20 parents do not receive robo calls for district-wide alerts that parents in the Bangor Area School District receive. "I really want you to see these kids just like the other students," Huggan told the board. Bangor Area School District Superintendent William Haws said he has met with Campbell and other parents and the administration is trying to address their concerns. However, changes may not be happening as fast as the parents want because the school district cannot not make changes on its own since the class is operated by the Colonial IU 20. Coordination is happening but can be complex, Haws said. Campbell asked that guidelines and procedures be put in place to avoid oversights in the future. John Best is a freelance writer. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. In November, Gainwell shot and killed Ahmonta Harris, a community activist, according to the Columbia Daily Tribune. Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Knight announced in January that Gainwell would not have been charged in Harris death because it occurred when Harris was breaking into Gainwells house. Drafting men and not women for military service is unconstitutional, according to a federal judge in Texas. This might seem like a moot point, given that the U.S. went to an all-volunteer military in 1973, and hasnt drafted anyone since. But the military has changed. Women were cleared for combat duty in 2013; all gender-based restrictions were tossed in 2015. Under the Military Selective Service Act, all men aged 18-25 must register. Women are not subject to registration. Last week Senior Judge Gray Miller, of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, said a men-only draft violates the U.S. Constitutions equal protection provisions. The ruling came in response to a suit by the National Coalition For Men, a watchdog group that monitors discrimination against men. The group argued that men face prison and fines for failing to register, and that women given changes in military service restrictions should face the same rules for registering and eligibility for the draft. The government argued that forced registration might make women less likely to enlist, thinking they could be sent into combat. The judge didnt buy it. Whether a gender-neutral registration will become the national standard is uncertain. The federal government is currently assessing the future of the draft system. What do you think? Should women be required to register and be drafted, if needed? Have a say in our informal, unscientific poll, and feel free to elaborate in the comment section. Authorities are investigating the killing late Sunday night of a 44-year-old Allentown man at a Lehigh County business, Upper Macungie Township police report. Nestor Ortiz DeLeon was killed at about 11 p.m. at Customized Distribution Services, which runs a 24-hour warehouse at 8400 Industrial Blvd. in the township, police said. A spokeswoman from Customized Distribution Services corporate office in Bluffton, Indiana, said the killing was in the parking lot. The Lehigh County coroners office said DeLeon was pronounced dead at 11:53 p.m. at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest, in Salisbury Township. Township police, the Lehigh County District Attorneys office and the Homicide Task Force are involved in the probe, police said. Police did not say how the man was killed or if anyone was in custody. Lehigh County records as of 8:30 a.m. did not show an arraignment in a homicide case. An autopsy is scheduled for 8 a.m. Tuesday to determine the cause of the mans death, according to the Lehigh County Coroners Office. This is an ongoing investigation, police said in a news release. No additional details and information will be disseminated at this given time. At this time we have very limited information and are focusing our efforts on providing any needed assistance to the employees family and to our entire employee community, said CDS spokeswoman Kathleen E. Horacek. We ask that you join us in keeping our employee and his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers. The district attorneys office declined further comment, citing the status of the investigation. Pennsylvania State Police provided forensics personnel to the investigation, but wont be commenting on the probe, an official said. Anyone with information is asked to call township police at 484-661-5911 or the Lehigh County emergency dispatch center at 610-437-5252. Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A Bronx, New York, man charged with killing a man in Easton was indicted last week with two additional homicides in New York City, according to a Northampton County Prosecutor. Jeffrey Raymond, 24, allegedly gunned down Michael Bond in Easton in 2016. The Bronx, N.Y., man was indicted last week for two additional homicides in New York City, according to Assistant District Attorney William Blake. Local authorities previously said Raymond killed Bond, 35, on May 9, 2016. Bond was found shot in the head outside his car in the 600 block of Church Street, police said. He died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek. Blake confirmed Monday that Raymond was indicted Friday for two killings in September 2016 in New York. He couldnt release any more information, including the identities of the victims, because the indictment is under seal. It was discussed during a court hearing Monday in Northampton County, Blake confirmed. Michael Bond, 35, of the Bronx, was fatally shot May 9, 2016, in Easton, police said. (Courtesy photo)EJA Oren Yaniv, a senior communications officer with the Brooklyn District Attorneys office, said Monday he had no information to share about the indictments. Police said Tatiana Lockhart saw Raymond shoot Bond. The witness account was discussed at a preliminary court hearing in March 2018. Relatives said during the hearing that Bond lived in Bronx, New York, but would stay with his girlfriend in Easton. Another witness allegedly told police she saw the killing but changed her story when testifying before a Northampton County grand jury and was charged with perjury. That witness, Lakisha Honore, remains charged with perjury, online records say. Raymond was a fugitive until he was picked up by federal marshals in July 2017. He was charged in Pennsylvania and extradited from New York to Easton in October 2017. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday in Northampton County to discuss whether Raymonds right to a speedy trial has been violated. Prosecutors have one year from the time a defendant is charged to bring him to trial. If the trial is postponed at the request of the defendants, that time doesnt count against the prosecution as part of the one-year delay theyre allowed. Raymonds defense attorney in the Easton case is Herbert McDuffy Jr. He did not return a message seeking comment. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook. A partial power outage will shut four Bethlehem area schools, according to an alert. Freedom High School is dismissing students at 9:30 a.m. Monday, while East Hills Middle School will shut at 10 a.m., the Bethlehem Area School District said. The Bethlehem Area Vo-Tech wont have an afternoon session and morning students will be sent to Freedom for 9:30 a.m. dismissal and returned at 10:15 a.m. to Liberty High School, the district said. Freedom and the vo-tech are in Bethlehem Township while Easts Hills is just across the Bethlehem border. They all share a campus. Governor Wolf Elementary School at 1920 Butztown Road in Bethlehem will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m., an alert says. Due to the power outage at East Hills, the school board meeting scheduled for Monday evening will be moved to the education center. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. The area is in a high wind warning and power outages have been reported throughout the region. Power was on in parts of the schools but out in other parts, Superintendent Joseph Roy said. It wasnt clear when power would be restored so the district took action, Roy said. Since Bethlehem has already used its snow days -- April 18 is now a school day because of a snow day last week -- the district will apply for a waiver from the 180-day rule for Monday for Freedom and East Hills due the difficulty in scheduling an extra day just for two schools, Roy said. UPDATE: Power was restored to all of the schools by Monday afternoon. Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A couple from Brooklyn is accused of leaving their two kids alone in a hotel while they gambled at the Bethlehem Sands casino, city police said. Police said they were called at 11:17 p.m. Saturday to the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem campus because a 6-year-old child was found wandering alone on the fifth floor of the hotel. Security cameras showed the child leave a room on the seventh floor a little before 11 p.m., police said. Officers found the childs sibling, 4 years old, alone in the hotel room. Police met Qizhong Chen, 35, and Hua Chen, 36, at the elevator on the fifth floor. Security cameras recorded the pair leaving the room on the seventh floor together at 10:22 p.m., and then Qizhong Chen gambling with Hua Chen on the gaming floor, according to police. After about an hour, Qizhong Chen went back to the room and found the older child missing, police said. Qizhong Chen then left the 4-year-old alone as he went to the gaming floor to get the childrens mother, police said. The parents were each arrested and later charged with two counts of child endangerment. Hua Chen reportedly told officers the older child has a respiratory disability that requires a high level of care. Hua Chen was sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $30,000 bail, and Qizhong Chen, the father, was sent to prison in lieu of $50,000 bail, records show. Both remained in prison as of Monday morning. The children were taken care of by Northampton County Children and Youth, police said. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. There was confusion at national collation centre on Monday, February 25, in Abuja as the collation officer for Ondo mixed up number of votes gathered by two political parties - the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Legit.ng reports that following series of mix up of the number of votes, the national chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, asked that the collation officer and his colleague step aside to reconcile their results. READ ALSO: Live updates: INEC begins official declaration of presidential election results Mahmood further queried if the collation officer needed more light or a ruler for easy reading of the result. To this, the Ondo collation officer replied that he would need both a ruler and more light. Mahmood further called on the secretariat to make provision for ruler and light. However, the collation officer was later asked to step down to reconcile his result after he continued with the mistake. READ ALSO: Breaking: INEC declares Atiku winner of FCT election Immediately he stepped down, vice chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Michael Umale Adikwu was called to present the collated results from Kogi state. Adikwu announced that Kogi with a total of 21 LGAs had 1,640,449 registered voters and 570,773 accredited voters. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that the PDP said it would not accept the results of last Saturdays presidential and National Assembly elections being announced by the INEC. READ ALSO: Breaking: Buhari floors Atiku in Gombe state The PDP national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, who addressed a press conference in Abuja, described the figures being announced by INEC as incorrect and totally unacceptable. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! 2019 Election: Nigerians react to Saraki's loss as INEC releases more results| - on Legit TV Source: Legit - The United State has congratulated Nigerians for maintaining peace for most parts of the country during the general elections - The US ambassador, W. Stuart Symington, in his statement said that Nigerians through the elections have proven their resolve to choose their leaders - Symington also urged politicians and all candidates to honour the peace accord they signed before the commencement of the polls As the collation and announcement of results for the presidential and National Assembly elections are ongoing, foreign observer groups are making their remarks on the nature of the polls throughout the nation. The ambassador of the United States (US) to Nigeria, W. Stuart Symington, has released a statement on how the elections were conducted and the comportment of Nigerians throughout the voting exercises. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Symington said that the polls were peaceful to a large extent and that Nigerians, through their civil conduct during the processes, proved their resolve to choose their leaders. The US envoy called on politicians and candidates to remain and honour the peace accord they signed before the elections. The statement said: "I congratulate the tens of millions of Nigerians who stood patiently in long lines to vote this week and the hundreds of thousands who worked together with INEC to conduct the elections. "As noted by many observer groups in their preliminary reports, this election was predominantly peaceful, and it was proof of the Nigerian peoples resolute commitment to choose their leaders. "The peaceful achievement of millions was shadowed by the violence of a few. We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives, and we urge all candidates to honor the Peace Accord they signed. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! "All should convince those who support them to refrain from using force or violence to interfere with INEC. No one should break the law by announcing results before INEC does, or break the peace by claiming victory before the results are final. "Everyone has a common interest in showing patience as INEC collates and announces the election results." Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the PDP, on Friday, February 15, said he received a phone call from the US government reaffirming the international communitys commitment to free and fair elections in Nigeria. Atiku who made this known through his verified twitter handle, further disclosed that the US secretary of state, Michael R. Pompeo, made the call on behalf of the government. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! 2019 Election: Nigerians react to Saraki's loss as INEC releases more results| Legit TV Source: Legit - A member of the US House of Representatives, Chris Smith, says it is important for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to announce results without delay - Smith claims credible reports indicate that there are electoral irregularities in some states and localities - including Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, and Abia - The lawmaker states that anyone who seeks to compromise the Nigerian electoral process will be held accountable A member of the US House of Representatives, Chris Smith, has raised concerns over reports of purported vote manipulation in the Nigerian 2019 general elections. The US lawmaker who is a ranking member of the House subcommittee on Africa in a statement on his website noted that it was important for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to announce results without delay. READ ALSO: JUST IN: INEC officially declares Buhari as winner in Osun He said credible reports had indicated that there were electoral irregularities in some states and localities - including Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo and Abia. "Yesterday, Nigeria voted. Today, votes are being counted. I am very concerned by credible reports that the vote is being tampered with. To avoid any manipulation of the tally, it is critical that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announce without delay actual results which are certified by party agents and observers at each polling unit as the vote is tabulated," Smith said. Well-placed sources report that in some states and localities including Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia INEC commissioners are receiving enormous pressure to alter poll results. This must not be allowed to happen Follow Live updates: INEC begins official declaration of presidential election results Chris Smith is a ranking member of the House subcommittee on Africa: Photo source -Twitter Source: Twitter The lawmaker stated that anyone who seeks to compromise the Nigerian electoral process would be held accountable. The eyes of the United States, of Africa, and the world are upon Nigeria and INEC. I also ask Secretary Michael Pompeo to hold accountable anyone who seeks to cheat the Nigerian people - who have waited patiently - of their vote or foments violence," he said. Chris Smith is an outspoken lawmaker who has shown passion for defending the rights of others as seen in one of his tweets below: Meanwhile, the West Africa Network for Peace Building (WANEP) has released its preliminary statement on the Presidential and National Assembly Elections held on Saturday, February 23. WANEP, the civil society implementing partner of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has been working to promote peaceful elections across West Africa. The group commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Nigerians for the conduct of the elections and released some recommendations. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better. #Elections2019: Abuja votes, displays massive turnout at Jabi Sharki| Legit TV Source: Legit Nigeria - The people of Kaduna have been warned against planning of protest or procession in the state - The police in the state, which gave the warning, says it will deal decisively with persons and groups planning to stage protest or procession - According to the police, the ban on protests in the state is still in force The Kaduna state police command, on Sunday, February 24, warned that it would deal decisively with persons and groups planning to stage any form of protest or procession in the state. The command said the ban on protests in the state was still in force and would not condone any attempt to breach the order with the aim of destabilising existing peace, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Legit.ng gathers that the commissioner of police in the state, Ahmad Abdur-Rahman, said at a press briefing in Kaduna that the command had received report on such plan and advised those hatching it to shelve the idea. READ ALSO: Ondo: 35-year-old SDP candidate Tajudeen Adefisoye wins House of Reps seat He said: I want to appeal to them to rescind their decision, to have a rethink not to do so, because the law banning procession or protest that will cause break down of law and order is still in force in the state. The security agencies especially the Nigerian Police Force will not sit down and watch such disgruntled elements in the society cause trouble. Therefore, if the appeal is met with deaf ears, I am warning that the police under my command, together with other security agencies, will go out with force and arrest any individual or groups that will make peace a problem. Such people will be arrested, investigated and taken to court of law for prosecution. Abdur-Rahman enjoined people of the state to continue with their lawful businesses and alert security agencies of any act capable of destabilising the peace. The police commissioner also warned against declaration of fake results by desperate politicians to scuttle ongoing election process, adding that we want to warn such people to change their decision for the good of all". He reminded politicians that only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is mandated by law to announce election results. Abdur-Rahman commended people of Kaduna state for exhibiting maturity during the presidential and National Assembly elections and urged them to remain peaceful throughout the period of the elections. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission showed that the All Progressives Congress won all three senatorial seats in Kwara state. The party at the National Assembly election conducted on Saturday, February 23, won in Kwara South, North and Central senatorial districts. In Kwara North senatorial district, APC also polled 98170 votes to defeat the PDP which polled 33, 364. Follow live updates of situation reports and collation of results across Nigeria NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better 2019 Election: We are retrogressing in Nigeria 83-year-old man says after voting| Legit TV Source: Legit Mohammed Sani Musa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been declared winner of the Niger East senatorial district election held on Saturday, February 23. Announcing the result on Monday in Minna, the returning officer, Professor Ali Audu Jega, said Musa scored 229,415 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Ishaku Ibrahim of the PDP, who polled 116,143 votes, NAN reports. Legit.ng gathers that the candidate of ADC, Musa Hassan scored 2,655 votes. READ ALSO: Ondo: 35-year-old SDP candidate Tajudeen Adefisoye wins House of Reps seat Jega said: Mohammed Sani Musa of the APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected. Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Patrick Ifon, the House of Representatives candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), winner of the Eket federal constituency election held on Saturday, February 23. Announcing the results, the returning officer, Professor Bassey Antia of the University of Uyo, said that Ifon polled 61,580 votes to defeat his closest rival, Akpabio Kufre of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 11,263 votes. The results was announced at Eket senatorial district collation centre on Monday, February 25. Addressing his supporters, Ifon, the Eket federal constituency member-elect, thanked the constituents for being steadfast in their quest to ensure that the peoples will prevailed. He said: This is a collective victory in the face of threatening assertions by the opposition. It is a victory attributed to God, the people and a proof that Akwa Ibom is PDP." Ifon commended INEC for the peaceful process but decried the malfunctioning of the card readers that disenfranchised a lot of eligible voters from voting. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app He said: I commend INEC for the peaceful process but I urge them to do better during the Governorship and State Assembly elections." Ifon promised his constituents a better representation, saying since the victory was a collective one, the representation would as well be collective. Follow live updates of situation reports and collation of results across Nigeria NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better 2019 Election: We are retrogressing in Nigeria 83-year-old man says after voting| Legit TV Source: Legit We know that it can be difficult to get to the polls, especially in cold and wintry weather, and we dont want transportation challenges to prevent anyone from casting their vote, said Brandon Bordenkircher, general manager for Car2Go in Chicago. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 24) The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) will not recognize the 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority, the new Muslim autonomous region's transition government. Atty. Emmanuel Fontanilla, spokesperson of MNLF founder Nur Misuari, told CNN Philippines in a message Saturday since their faction of the MNLF is not part of the BTA, their group does not recognize the transition government. The MNLF has several factions, including Misuari's. Other factions include that of incumbent chair Yusuf Jikiri, and former Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema -- which have expressed support for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and have representatives in the BTA. Under the ratified BOL, the BTA will be composed of 80 presidential appointees -- including the elected officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. It does not, however, outline how many shall go to each Moro faction. "The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) shall lead the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, without prejudice to the participation of the Moro National Liberation Front," the BOL stated. The BTA will be composed of 41 members from the rebel group MILF and another 39 from the government side will govern the region for the three-year transition period until 2022. The government has yet to announce the members of the BTA. The transition government's oath-taking ceremony was originally scheduled on Wednesday, but had to be moved to Friday. Among the 41 people in the BTA is MILF chairman Al Hadj Murad Ebrahim. Misuari was the embattled former governor of the transitioning Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he wanted to meet with Misuari for peace negotiations in Mindanao. NOTE: This powerful herbal solution rescued me from hypertension, I really thank Kolaq herbs. 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I here by introduce you to the High Blood Pressure Solution that worked for me and helped me normalize my blood pressure and lower blood sugar without any side effects. I recommend you get L_CINE pack N20,000 Double pack N36,000 Kolaqolayemi@gmail.com Call: 08117701772 WhatsApp: 09070024488 OR 08023093598, Instagram : @KOLAQHERBS_LTD_MD follow for more health details. [Sponsored] Source: Legit The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom state have debunked the fake results allegedly being circulated online and in the state. In a press release made available to the media, the Akwa Ibom APC chairman, Ini Okopidio, said the results are false. Part of the statement read: "Our attention has been called to the malicious intention by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) within the state and their recent spate of the release of fake election results. While it is not surprising, it must be stopped at its root. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda "Our usual source within the party has informed us of further plans to hold emergency meetings to consolidate on the already released fake results. "Having disrupted the peaceful conduct of the electoral process in several polling units across the state, it is evident that the PDP are desperate and are grabbing at straws. "However, they should be mindful that release of fake results is a punishable offence as it misleads the public and can go on to instigate violence." Continuing, he called on the people of Akwa Ibom state and Nigeria to adhere to the guides of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to discredit all social media results and allow the commission to conduct the collation to allow due process. "Our call is therefore to INEC, Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and all law-enforcement agencies to continually warn the PDP and their followers within the state that anyone who flouts the law on announcement of official results and violence will be made to face the law. He also highlighted the APC's issues with the conduct of the election. In his words: "we have reported cases of missing result sheets and election materials that never left INEC office to polling units." "We therefore urge all well-meaning citizens of Akwa Ibom, Nigeria and even reasonable members of the opposition not to be bought by these cheap antics of the PDP. PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news updates "Let's restrain our wards from being used by these unscrupulous elements. The Independent National Electoral Commission is the only authorised commission that can release trusted and certified results. "We enjoin everyone to discard every other form of result as we anticipate results," he said. Legit.ng earlier reported that some results of the elections have continued to trickle in from the various states of the federation. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have upgraded to serve you better. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo casts his vote, boasts of APC victory | Legit TV Source: Legit Nigeria A Nigerian street pastor has landed himself in jail after getting arrested for disturbing public disturbance at Southgate station, London on February 23. The yet-to-be identified man was seen preaching the gospel to strangers and it attracted the attention of the police. When asked to leave by the police, he attempted to preach salvation to the officers of the law. The preacher refused to leave when he was asked and stated that he will not be leaving as he had to tell people the truth about Jesus. The officer then threatened to arrest him and it did not deter the preacher from still trying to preach the word. He was later whisked away by two police officers who clearly ran out of patience. The street pastor appeared to be willingly cooperating with the officers but got slightly offended when his bible was taken from him. READ ALSO: Falz shares result of his polling unit in Ikoyi, Lagos The video has since gone viral and sparked a lot of interesting debate on social media. Nigerian preacher arrested in London for disturbing the public (Picture/UGC) Source: Instagram Watch below: PAY ATTENTION: Get your daily relationship tips and advice on Africa Love Aid group Many internet users have reacted to the video with some criticising the preacher for daring to do such in a civilised society. Here are some reactions below: Nigerian preacher arrested for public disturbance Source: Instagram Meanwhile, an internet user, Philip Emmanuel, has recounted an encounter he and some other passengers in a bus had with a mobile pastor while travelling. According to him, the pastor prayed vigorously for over two hours while waiting for the passengers to drop offering money. He said the bus took off from Egbu in Owerri and even when they got to Okija in Anambra, he was still praying but none of the passengers dropped any money. 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 Who is The Most Influential Nigerian Pastor? on Legit TV: Source: Legit.ng The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Niger on Friday, February 15 said that elections for the senatorial positions of Niger east and Niger north may not hold on Saturday as the ballot papers meant for the zone were missing. Prof. Samuel Egwu, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, made the declaration while interacting with newsmen in Minna. READ ALSO: 66 killed in Kaduna The issue has been reported to the INECs Headquarters in Abuja for urgent attention. The officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria saddled with the responsibility of securing the electoral sensitive materials have gone to Abuja for the last batch of the sensitive materials for Saturdays elections in the state, so we are waiting, he said. Egwu said that 85 per cent of the needed facilities for the conduct of free and fare elections in the state had been provided with the non sensitive materials already moved to various destinations across the 25 local government areas of the state. He said that the commission trained 23,000 ad hoc staff for the elections in the state. The REC also said that 2,181,400 eligible voters would participate during the general elections in the state. PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news updates Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that election materials razed down by fire in some states of Nigeria may have been replaced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the election umpire reportedly offloaded ballot boxes in Plateau state. The ballot boxes and voting cubicles were offloaded at the Quan Pan local government area of the state. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have upgraded to serve you better. Legit TV visits Anambra fire scene, as INEC reveals preparedness | #Elections2019. Source: Legit.ng Jussie Smollett is facing a disorderly conduct charge alleging he filed a false police report and set up an attack on himself the night of Jan. 29 near his Streeterville apartment. Investigators used surveillance camera footage, cellphone and bank records, and witness reports -- including the cooperation of the two men who Smollett alleged attacked him -- to reach the conclusion that the attack on the "Empire" actor and entertainer was staged. The Cook County state's attorney charged Smollett with disorderly conduct on Feb. 20, 2019. He was taken into custody at 5 a.m. the next day. Here is a minute-by-minute account of the attack according to the Cook County state's attorney bond proffer, police and court records, and news reports. Brothers' residence O'Hare International Airport Uber ride drop point 290 55 Northwestern Memorial Hospital Site of planned attack Jussie Smollett's residence Subway Hyatt Regency Hotel Miles 1/8 12:30 a.m. Smollett arrives at O'Hare International Airport on a flight from New York after a four-hour delay. 12:49 a.m. Smollett calls Abimbola "Abel" Osundairo and tells him the "attack" would take place at 2 a.m. at the corner of New and North Water streets, a predetermined location. Minutes later Abel's brother, Olabinjo Osundairo, orders an Uber ride share, which picks the brothers up at their Lakeview apartment and drops them in the 1400 block of North Wells Street. They hail a cab, which takes them to within three blocks of the meeting site. A light from a videographer's camera shines on the door of a residence that was served with a search warrant in the investigation of the attack on "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) 1:22 a.m. until 2:03 a.m. Surveillance video shows the Osundairo brothers on foot in an area bordered on the north by Illinois Street, south by the Chicago River, west to Columbus Drive and east to Lake Shore Drive. On Jan. 30, 2019, Chicago police released this image of two people captured by a surveillance camera near Jussie Smollett's building in Streeterville. (Chicago Police Department) 1:30 a.m. Smollett arrives at his Streeterville apartment from O'Hare airport. 1:45 a.m. Smollett leaves his apartment building to walk to a nearby Subway restaurant in the 500 block of McClurg Court. Subway Smolletts residence Miles 1/8 mile (Google) 2 a.m. The Osundairo brothers arrive at the intersection of New and North Water streets, but Smollett is not there. They walk a quarter-block north and wait near a bench. 2:04 a.m. Smollett arrives and the attack is staged just outside the view of a nearby surveillance camera. He'll later claim two men approached him, shouted slurs at him, struck him in the face and poured an "unknown substance" on him before one of them wrapped a rope around his neck. While the 45-second incident occurs, an employee of nearby NBC News Chicago observes it and later tells police she heard nothing. Smollett also says he was on the phone with his manager at the time of the attack. Location of planned attack Miles 1/8 mile (Google) After the attack Video evidence shows the brothers running south toward the Chicago River and west toward Columbus Drive. 2:10 a.m. Video shows the brothers entering a taxi at the Hyatt Regency hotel, south of the river at 151 E. Wacker Drive. 2:25 a.m. The Osundairo brothers exit the taxi in the 3600 block of North Marshfield Avenue, just a few blocks from their Lakeview apartment, and walk north. 2:27 a.m. Smollett's business manager, Frank Gatson, calls police from the actor's apartment in the 300 block of East North Water Street. Surveillance camera footage shows the actor still had a rope around his neck when he returned to the building. 2:42 a.m. Officers arrive at Smollett's apartment building to interview him. They observe cuts and scrapes on the actor's face and notice a small rope around his neck. At Smollett's request, the officers then turn off their body cameras. According to Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi, Smollett told them the attackers yelled he was in "MAGA country," an apparent reference to the Donald Trump campaign's "Make America Great Again" slogan. Then (no time given) Smollett goes to Northwestern Memorial Hospital after being advised to do so by police. He's later reported to be in good condition, treated for scrapes and bruises and then released. (Google) 7:45 p.m. Eighteen hours after the alleged attack, Smollett places a five-second call to Abel Osundairo. 7:47 p.m. Before the brothers board a flight at O'Hare with the eventual destination of Nigeria, Abel Osundairo places a 94-second call to Smollett. New Delhi, February 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Kumbh Mela on Sunday and took a dip at the holy Sangam. The picture of the Prime Minister taking bath was flashed on all the news channels and viewers were happy to see PM Modi at Prayagraj. However, what spoilt a picture perfect moment for the PM was a tweet by BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya. In a tweet, Malviya claimed that PM Modi is the first Prime Minister to visit Kumbha and called him the Indian 'head of the state'. Both his claims have proved to be false. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Takes Holy Dip At Kumbh Mela 2019, Prays For 'Well Being of 130 Crore'; Watch Video. India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had also visited the Kumbh. Not just him, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi too had the honour of visiting the esteemed Kumbh Mela. So Malviya's first claim is not true. EC Says BJP's Amit Malviya Under Scanner While Announcing Karnataka Assembly Elections 2018 Schedule and Dates. See the Picture of the Tweet Below: PM Narendra Modi at Kumbh 2019 | (Photo Credits: Amit Malviya) The Alt News website mentioned that, in the book "Pilgrimage and Power: The Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, 1765-1954", author Kama Maclean has published a photograph of Pandit Nehru from 1954 at Kumbh and wrote how Nehru was involved in overseeing the preparations of the Kumbh, held near from where his father lived in Allahabad. Read the Tweet by Amit Malviya Below: Refreshing to see Prime Minister wear his faith on his sleeve. He is the first head of the state to visit Kumbh in all these years. #ModiInKumb #ModiKumbhVisit pic.twitter.com/SXofJsE4PB Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) February 24, 2019 The second flaw in Malviya's tweet is that he claims Prime Minister is the "first head of the state to visit Kumbh in all these years." Now, even a Google search on Head of State in India will tell you that President is the head of state in our country and not the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is the head of the government and the executive branch of administration. Therefore, Malviya's tweet has little factual value to it. One expects better from the IT head of the ruling party in the country. Fact check Claim : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first head of the state to visit Kumbh in all these years. Conclusion : BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya's tweet regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi being the first head of state to visit Kumbh has proved to be factually incorrect. Full of Trash Clean (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 25, 2019 04:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). N'Djamena, Feb 23 (AFP) A contingent of more than 500 Chadian troops entered Nigeria on Friday to "lend a hand" to the Nigerian army in its efforts to tackle the Boko Haram jihadist goup, a Chad army spokesman told AFP. The soldiers, part of a regional force comprised of troops from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger, will be deployed on Saturday, the day Nigerians will vote in presidential and parliamentary elections. Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari, seeking re-election, vowed Friday that voters will be able to vote in security, despite a week-long postponement and renewed violence. The election campaign has coincided with fresh violence in the north, blamed on both criminal gangs and Boko Haram jihadists. More than 200 people have died since the start of this month alone. In 2015 Buhari was elected on a promise to put an end to the Boko Haram threat. The conflict between Boko Haram and the Nigerian army has claimed more than 27,000 lives since 2009 and more than 1.7 million people are still unable to return to their homes. And the problem has spread across to the other countries in the Lake Chad region. On Friday four people were killed and seven more reported missing in an attack attributed to Boko Haram jihadists on a small settlement in southeast Niger, a local official there said. Five more killings attributed to Boko Haram were reported in Chad the previous day. Nigeria is the most populous African nation, with 190 million residents, and the continent's biggest exporter of oil. Saturday's elections are seen as of great importance to the stability of the region. (AFP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. The Missouri State Auditors Office is still poring over Camden Countys books, but the end is in sight. According to Auditor Nicole Galloways office, the public will likely know the results of the audit sometime this summer. According to Galloways spokesperson Steph Deidrick, a draft report is working through the internal review process. The county will get a chance to see the draft report during an exit meeting, which she said the auditors office expects will be scheduled during the first half of this year. At that point, the county will have 30 days to provide written responses to the audit findings. The auditors office will incorporate the countys response into the final report, which, once finalized, will be released to the public. Camden County Presiding Commissioner Greg Hasty called for a full audit of the countys books and processes in a letter to the editor published at LakeExpo.com at the end of 2016, citing multiple concerns with things he had seen since he took office. In an April 2017 commission meeting, Hasty said the audit would allow the citizens of this county [to] have confidence in their government, noting that over the past several years, actions at the county and federal levels had undermined local citizens belief in the efficacy of their government. We need a level of stability in this county, he said. The call for an audit happened on the heels of a September 2016 data breach that put the countys computers on full lockdown, enforced by the FBI as well as the Missouri State Highway Patrols Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS). The breach was suspected to have been internal, though the full results of that investigation have not been made public. Hasty said when the Director of CJIS took a look at the countys computer server hardware, software, and security, he actually laughed out loud. It was embarrassing, Hasty recalled. The county has since upgraded its hardware and Hasty says the countys IT systems are in much better shape than they were before the breach. Camden County Phones Could Be Out Until Next Week CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. Phones at the Camden County Courthouse have been offline for the entire Outdated Computer Systems Made County Vulnerable To Hack, Commissioner Says CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. The Camden County Commission is taking a hard look at its computer syste Cagliari, February 25 - Centre-right candidate Christian Solinas won Sunday's regional elections in Sardinia after the second-placed candidate conceded defeat after the results of about half of the ballot sections came in on Monday. Solinas had over 47% of the vote after the count at 930 of the 1,840 sections, followed by centre-left candidate Massimo Zedda with about 33%, 14% behind, who conceded and wished Solinas well. Francesco Desogus of the 5-Star Movement (M5S) was third with around 11%. This compared with 33% for the M5S at last year's general election. Solinas said: "today Sardinia won. I thank the Sardinians for their trust, the government project we presented was rewarded. I never saw a head to head (with the centre left), which wasn't true, 14 points of advantage are an incontrovertible figure". The turnout for Sunday's vote was 53.75%, up slightly with respect to the regional elections on the island in 2014. Premier Giuseppe Conte and Deputy Premier Luigi Di Maio both said Monday that the outcome of Sunday's regional elections in Sardinia will not affect central government. Di Maio's 5-Star Movement (M5S) looks set to come a distant third while Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini's League is set to help a centre-right alliance win the vote on the island. The League and M5S were rivals until they teamed up to form a coalition government after last year's general election. Salvini's party continues to run with its traditional centre-right allies in local and regional elections. The M5S, which also fared badly in recent regional elections in Abruzzo, continues to run alone. "We must not emphasize the role of regional elections," Conte said on the fringes of the EU-Arab League summit in Sharm El Sheikh. "They are important for Sardinia and they give some electoral food for thought but I do not think consequences for the national government can derive from it". Labour and Industry Minister Di Maio echoed those sentiments, but said the party needed a shake-up in the light of recent poor performances. "Nothing changes for the government," he said. "I don't see any problems. "Obviously we don't have the official figures but we are positive because, for the first time, we are going to have regional councillors in Sardinia". But he stressed "we will go ahead with reorganisation and between today and tomorrow there will be important news for the Movement. "The reorganisation will help us cover more ground and respond to citizens' needs. "It won't be a lightning process, it will be an important process that will help the Movement get stronger". Di Maio said among the ingredients would be weighing alliances with local civic lists, ending the movement's tradition of never teaming up with other forces. League leader Salvini also said that "the result changes nothing at the level of the national government". He added "from the general election to today if there is one sure thing it is that out of six electoral consultations, the League wins 6-0 against the Democratic Party (PD). "Also in Sardinia, after Friuli, Molise, Trento, Bolzano and Abruzzo, the citizens have chosen to let the League govern. "And like in Abruzzo, in Sardinia too it is the first time we have run in the regional elections." The Sardinian election result is showing a renewed bipolar system between the two centre-right and centre-left blocs, Lazio Governor and Democratic Party (PD) leadership favourite Nicola Zingaretti said. "The Sardinia result maps out a bipolar system that sees a clash between the centre right and the centre left (again)," said Zingaretti. "Just a few months ago everyone was convinced that the bipolar system was between the League and the M5S". He said the "centre left people" has not disappeared and with the right candidates would return to the fold after the PD scored 18%, its worst ever, at the general election a year ago. The Sardinian election win for the centre right shows that the League is "not self-sufficient", its local and regional ally Silvio Berlusconi of the Forza Italia (FI) party said Monday. Brothers of Italy (FdI) leader Giorgia Meloni, the third leader on the centre right, said "after this new collapse of the 5-Star Movement it seems to me that the end of the government is getting closer". "We are very satisfied at the umpteenth victory of the centre right and in particular the growth of FdI and the League, the only parties to go forward". At a party level, not counting alliances with civic lists, the PD came top with almost 15% of the vote followed by the League with about 12%. photo: Solinas Rome, February 25 - Economy Minister Giovanni Tria said Monday on the Turin-Lyon high-speed rail (TAV) line that "no one will invest if deals and laws change". Government partners the 5-Star Movement (M5S) and the League are at odds over completing the TAV. The League is in favour an the M5S against. Tria said he was "not interested" in the cost/benefit analysis that has come out against finishing the project. Rome, February 25 - Economy Minister Giovanni Tria said Monday a number of reports on "selective" VAT hikes were "all crazy". "They're all crazy, not only because we aren't talking about it, but because it would be wrong to so this from the standpoint of economic policy", he said. Tria said "why should we make a budget move to put Italian businesses into greater difficulty?". The minister again ruled out a supplementary budget saying "this is a fixation (with the media and the opposition), now is not the time". Around 1 p.m. the driver announced that a bus from San Francisco five to six hours away had left at 12 p.m. This meant we would not reach Oakland until after midnight. I had no other choice but to take a local bus back to Arcata, secure a hotel for the night and schedule my return for the next day. This was a very unfortunate and inconvenient experience for me (and for the other passengers). As a result, I had the unanticipated expenses of an overnight stay plus transportation costs the next day. Rome, February 25 - Economy Minister Giovanni Tria said Monday a number of reports on "selective" VAT hikes were "all crazy". "They're all crazy, not only because we aren't talking about it, but because it would be wrong to so this from the standpoint of economic policy", he said. Tria said "why should we make a budget move to put Italian businesses into greater difficulty?". Milan, February 25 - A Milan prosecutor on Monday rejected an appeal for house arrest from jailed former Lombardy governor Roberto Formigoni. Formigoni last week started serving a 5-year, 10-month sentence for corruption at Milan's Maugeri Clinic and San Raffaele Hospital. The prosecutor sent the rejection to the court of appeal so it may rule on Formigoni's request. Rome, February 25 - Gianni Alemanno, the former centre-right mayor of Rome, was sentenced to six years in prison on Monday after being found guilty of corruption and illegal financing. He was also banned from ever holding public office again. The trial is an offshoot linked to the huge 'Mondo di Mezzo' case regarding allegations an organized-crime organisation muscled in on city of Rome contracts worth millions. "The sentence is mistaken," Alemanno said. "We will definitely appeal once we have read the explanation (of the ruling). "I'm innocent. I've always said it and I'll say it at the second tier of justice too". In Italy sentences do not usually become effective until the appeals process has been exhausted. As part of the sentence, nearly 300,000 euros was seized from Alemanno and he was ordered to pay compensation of 50,000 euros to both waste collection company AMA and the Rome city council. Vatican City, February 25 - Pope Francis pledged that the Catholic Church will not longer cover up cases of sexual abuse by members of the clergy as he wrapped up an important four-day meeting on the protection of minors in the Vatican on Sunday. "The time has come to work together to eradicate the evil (of child abuse)," the Argentine pontiff told top church figures from around the world. "The Church will spare no effort to do all that is necessary to bring to justice whosoever has committed such crimes. "The Church will never seek to hush up or not take seriously any case". Francis is set to issue a new motu proprio document on how the Church should handle child-abuse cases in the light of the meeting. Victims groups, however, expressed disappointment at the fact the meeting did not produce an action plan to hold bishops accountable when they fail to stop child abuse. The pope was also criticised from comments in which he said that the sexual abuse of minors is "a widespread phenomenon in all cultures and societies" and not just a problem for the Church. Francis did also stress that: "the brutality of this worldwide phenomenon becomes all the more grave and scandalous in the Church, for it is utterly incompatible with her moral authority and ethical credibility". Sanders Thomas is also shown standing in front of the Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park in the trailer. Though Thomas hails from the South Side, scenes were not filmed there. Most ardent reminder of the imminent 2020 presidential election: Lets all mobilize, Spike Lee said, upon winning the adapted screenplay award with three colleagues for BlacKkKlansman. Lets be on the right side of history lets do the right thing! You knew I hadda get that in there! Backstage, Lee was asked about his feelings regarding Green Book. Although Do the Right Thing failed to get a best picture nomination the year Driving Miss Daisy rolled home the winner, Lee said: Every time somebodys driving somebody, I lose. A group of 5th graders have taken it upon themselves to their part, and help the less fortunate in the Billings community. "Kids can take charge too. Kids can do it as long as they have adult supervision, otherwise, no." Ten-year-old Miranda Miller said she saw a video in church, which inspired her to help the homeless. So she gathered up with some of her friends, and decided to take action. For the next couple weeks, Miller and her friends would meet at different houses and at recess to organize a bake sale. After getting permission from the Elysian Elementary's Superintendent, and lots of baking from the kids' parents, the group had a bake sale on Friday. Purchases from students, teachers, and $20 from the superintendent (a large contribution according to Miranda), the group raised $350.84 for the less fortunate. One member of the group raising the money, Allison Watt said, "It's really fun that we all kind of aren't just thinking about ourselves, but we want to help other people, but we are also doing it together." On Sunday, the kids got together at Miranda's house to brainstorm what they should do with the money. After lots of deliberation, Miranda said the group is going to buy backpacks filled with needed items like toiletries and warm clothes. The other half of the money will be donated to local shelters like Montana Rescue Mission and The HUB. But the kids aren't done yet. Miranda said they're considering other projects to raise more money, and they hope to serve at a local shelter soon. "Help other people, because a lot of the world is getting sadder and people are doing more ridiculous things. So, with just a few people helping and inspiring others and then them inspiring others, we can make the world a happier place," Miranda said. The students involved in the bake sale to help the homeless are Maya Kane, Alia Frank, Elena Villavicencio, Haylee Petty, Ben McCall, Samuel McCall, Bella Gratwohl, Shaylee Levitt, Samantha Smith, Allison Watt, and Miranda Miller. One portion of the menu that Park is particularly excited about is the rice course. "Ive been hesitant to put on a rice course, just because I was scared that its not cool enough," says Park. "But I was inspired when I was out West and a lot of restaurants were serving it. I thought, 'Maybe I can too.'" Discard any notions of a boring bowl of plain rice. Park cooks short-grain rice with Chinese pearl barley and a stock made of corn tea and kombu. "When that cooks up, the nuttiness from (the pearl barley) comes through, and the roasted corn gives it that super earthy aroma, almost like popcorn," says Park. The rice will be served with sliced duck and a seasonal kimchi. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - New Orleans police say a female bystander was fatally shot as a man being ejected from a Bourbon Street eatery grabbed a security guard's gun and fired it several times as they struggled. Police say the man also shot himself and the guard. A police statement says 37-year-old Louis Barnes was arrested after the shooting early Sunday and underwent shoulder surgery, while the guard had surgery for a neck wound. Police say Barnes faces charges of second-degree murder and attempted murder. It's not known if he has a lawyer. Rosaleen Brown tells The New Orleans Advocate her friend Julie Couvillon was killed. The 36-year-old nurse died at a hospital. Police spokesman Juan Barnes says a third man was also hurt, but not by a bullet, outside the fried chicken-and-daiquiri restaurant. (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) Whether you are seeking better health or just a truly delicious dinner, this recipe isnt one to try and throw together on a weeknight. But complex is not the same as difficult. So, while this recipe is fussy, it certainly isnt beyond the capabilities of a home cook, especially if you separate out the tasks over the course of a couple of days. More of a weekend project, it is the perfect dish to build your Mardi Gras party around. The components can also be bonus gifts the garlic oil is a terrific condiment to keep in the fridge for salad dressings or sauteing vegetables, and the stock would be an amazing base for any soup or even risotto. The finished gumbo can be frozen, so even if you arent planning a fais do-do (a Cajun dance party), it would be the perfect thing to have on hand for that unexpected early spring head cold. Auburn, IN (46706) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Angola, IN (46703) Today Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low 68F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low 68F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. Storms more numerous this evening. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 68F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. Storms more numerous this evening. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 68F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. An ad agency had not yet been selected, but the campaign was likely to be in the Got Milk? mode of the dairy industry, trying to boost the broader beer category. Marino said he expected a test campaign to launch as early as this summer. US President Donald Trump, with USAmbassador to Canada Kelly Knight Craft, walks to Air Force One prior to departure from Canadian Forces Base Bagotville in Canada, June 9, 2018. - Trump travels to Singapore to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 12. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) On Thursday, researchers announced that they were able to create a DNA-like molecular system that can store and transmit information. It's not a life form, but the genetic system represents what an alternative to DNA-based life may resemble. Full credit: Indiana University School of Medicine Salvatore intends for the vibe of the original location to follow it to its Fulton Market digs, where Coca-Cola and McCaffrey Interests, the developer of the office building, have also signed on as tenants. The risk is that the new Heritage polishes out the personality that made it successful in the first place, but Salvatore said he will be intimately involved to ensure that doesnt happen. Three people have been shot dead and five others were critically injured in a shooting in Durban on Monday. Two men and one woman were among the dead. Kwazulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbhele told Xinhua that the person behind the shooting also died. "We are at the scene collecting information and the place is cordoned off. The shooter is dead," Mbhele said. The shooting occurred in a block of apartments in Victoria Embarkment. The cause of the shooting is yet to be determined. Durban Metro police Parboo Sewpersad told Xinhua that an off-duty Metro constable was among the killed during the shooting. Sewpersad refused to confirm if the Metro constable was responsible for the shooting. This marked a second shooting that happened in Durban after three people were shot dead outside the high court in November last year. South Africa: Mkhize condemns abuse under guise of culture Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Zweli Mkhize has condemned human rights abuses meted out in the name of culture and traditional practice. We cannot talk about the promotion of our cultures without addressing some defective aspects, such as the wanton abuse of human rights that occur in the name of culture, particularly with regard to women and girl children. As we celebrate our cultures and traditions, we also condemn certain practices such as the abuse of women and children under the cloak of culture. Practices which deny women their rights to freedom, economic freedom and participation, dignity and self-expression have no place in our democracy. We should thus unite in condemning child marriages and practices such as Ukuthwala, which are practiced in the name of culture. All cultures should protect children, women and the vulnerable. We have to preserve the good aspects of our culture and abandon harmful ones that contradict the Constitution, understanding also that culture is dynamic, that it evolves over time. We should also be ready to refine aspects of our culture which violate the human rights of others, said Mkhize on Monday. The Minister was speaking at the fourth National Consultative Conference of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities, underway in Tshwane. Mkhize said his department was also working closely with traditional leaders to find ways of curbing the high death rates of initiates, particularly in the Eastern Cape. The conference will review the state of religious, cultural and linguistic matters, and evaluate progress made regarding the promotion of respect for the protection of the rights of cultural, religious and linguistic communities in South Africa. Traditional healing and cultural rights, land and cultural rights, the review of the status of languages in South Africa as well as the language challenges experienced by the deaf community will also feature strongly on the agenda. The CRL was established through an act of Parliament (Act No 19 of 2002) to get South Africa talking and acting on cultural, religious and linguistic diversity. The act requires the commission to convene two national consultative conferences during every term of the commission. The term of the current commission ends on Thursday and the process is underway to appoint new commissioners. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-02-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. URENA, Venezuela/CUCUTA, Colombia (Reuters) - Troops loyal to President Nicolas Maduro violently drove back foreign aid convoys from Venezuelas border on Saturday, killing two protesters and prompting opposition leader Juan Guaido to propose that Washington consider all options to oust him. Trucks laden with U.S. food and medicine returned to warehouses in Colombia after opposition supporters failed to break through lines of troops, who dispersed them with tear gas and rubber rounds, injuring dozens. Witnesses said masked men in civilian clothes also shot at protesters with live bullets. Todays events force me to make a decision: to formally propose to the international community that we must have all options open to secure the freedom of our country, Guaido said on Twitter. The United States has been the top foreign backer of Guaido, who invoked Venezuelas constitution to assume an interim presidency last month and is now recognized by most Western nations as the OPEC nations legitimate leader. President Donald Trump has in the past said military intervention in Venezuela was an option, though Guaido made no reference to it on Saturday. Guaido had given a personal send-off to one convoy carrying aid from the Colombian city of Cucuta on Saturday. The opposition had hoped Venezuelan soldiers would balk at turning back supplies desperately needed in the country, where a growing number of its 30 million people suffer from malnutrition and treatable diseases. But while some 60 members of the security forces defected on Saturday, according to Colombian authorities, the lines of National Guard soldiers at the frontier crossings held firm, firing tear gas at the convoys. At the Urena border point, two aid trucks caught fire, sending plumes of dark smoke into the air as crowds raced to try to save the boxes of supplies, a Reuters witness said. Guaido said he would keep demanding Maduro let the aid in and would seek other routes. He said he would attend a meeting of the regional Lima Group of nations in Bogota on Monday with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence during which they would decide more actions to ramp up pressure on Maduro. Today the world saw in minutes, in hours, the worst face of the Venezuelan dictatorship, Guaido said at an earlier news conference in Colombia, alongside Colombian President Ivan Duque. Angered by Duques support for Guaido, Maduro said he was breaking diplomatic relations with Bogota and gave its diplomatic staff 24 hours to leave the country. Maduro denies his oil-rich nation has any need of aid and accuses Guaido of being a coup-mongering puppet for U.S. President Donald Trump. Washington has warned it could seek to impose tough new sanctions on Venezuela at Mondays summit if Maduro blocked the aid shipments. What do the Venezuelan people think of Donald Trumps threats? Get your hands off Venezuela. Yankee go home, Maduro told a rally of red-shirted, flag-waving supporters in the capital, Caracas. He is sending us rotten food, thank you! Trumps national security adviser John Bolton said on Twitter that countries still supporting Maduro should take note of what they are endorsing, in a thinly veiled rebuke to China and Russia. FREEDOM In the Venezuelan border towns of San Antonio and Urena, troops fired rubber rounds at opposition supporters, including lawmakers, who walked toward the frontier waving Venezuelan flags and chanting Freedom. Reuters television images from San Antonio showed a dozen men on motorbikes, dressed in black and wearing balaclavas, firing shotguns and pistols at a crowd. Demonstrators in Urena barricaded streets with burning tires, set a bus alight and hurled stones at troops to demand that Maduro allow aid into a country ravaged by a meltdown that has halved the size of the economy in five years. They started shooting at close range as if we were criminals, said shopkeeper Vladimir Gomez, 27, wearing a white shirt stained with blood. At least six of about a dozen trucks that tried to reach Venezuela later returned to Cucuta, where Colombias disaster management agency said they would be unloaded and the aid stored until Guaido requested their use again. Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello said he ordered a Puerto Rican ship carrying humanitarian aid to turn back after a Venezuelan navy ship threatened to open fire on it. This is unacceptable and shameful, Rossello said in a statement. We have also notified our partners in the U.S. government about this serious incident. A Reuters witness said two aid trucks crossed the Brazilian border but not the Venezuelan customs checkpoint. In the southern town of Santa Elena de Uairen at least two people were killed in clashes with security forces, according to a doctor at the hospital where they were treated. On Friday, a married couple in a nearby indigenous community was shot dead by security forces. Rights group Penal Forum said it recorded 29 injuries from bullet wounds and two deaths across Venezuela in clashes with troops on Saturday. Colombian authorities said they registered 285 people injured, including those affected by tear gas. Im a homemaker and Im here fighting for my family, for my children and parents, resisting the militarys tear gas, said opposition protester Sobeida Monsalve, 42, in Urena. DOZENS DEFECT Guaido had appealed to Venezuelas armed forces to stand aside and allow aid in, promising amnesty to officers who disavowed Maduro. Dozens of soldiers, whose families suffer the same shortages as other Venezuelans, took up his offer. You dont owe any obedience to someone who sadistically celebrates that the humanitarian aid doesnt enter a country that needs it, Guaido said. A social media video showed troops who abandoned their post driving armored vehicles across a bridge linking Venezuela and Colombia, knocking over metal barricades, and then jumping out of the vehicles and running to the Colombian side. What we did today, we did for our families, for the Venezuelan people, one of the defectors said in a video televised by a Colombian news program. Venezuelas ruling Socialist Party calls Guaidos aid effort a veiled invasion backed by Washington and insists that the United States should instead help Venezuela by lifting crippling financial and oil sector sanctions. On Saturday, Maduro turned his ire on Colombia and said Duque was letting its territory be used for attacks against Venezuela. For that reason, I have decided to break all political and diplomatic relations with Colombias fascist government, he told cheering supporters. Thousands of white-clad protesters gathered outside a military base in Caracas to demand that the armed forces allow in the aid. This is the biggest battle that the armed forces can win, said Sheyla Salas, 48, who works in advertising. Please join this struggle, get on the right side of history, allow the humanitarian aid to enter. Editor's Note:Kitco News has the best precious metals coverage in the world and is in the process of improving its mining news, so we want to hear from you. If you work in the mining sector please take this short survey to help us bring you the news you want. Image courtesy of: Casimiro PT/Shutterstock.com (Kitco News) - The drama between the two largest mining companies is heating up as Newmont Mining (NYSE: NEM) has rejected an all-stock merger proposed by Barrick Gold (NYSE: GOLD, TSX: ABX). In a press release Monday, Newmont executives said that they still prefer to move forward with their proposed merger with Goldcorp; the new company would surpass Barrick Gold as the worlds largest gold miner. Newmont has previously reviewed and rejected potential combinations with each of Barrick and Randgold Resources Ltd., prior to their merger. Newmonts proposed combination with Goldcorp represents the best opportunity to create optimal value for Newmonts shareholders and other stakeholders, the company said in the press release. Newmonts pending transaction with Goldcorp offers optimal value with greater certainty and a proven management team and operating model. The company added that Barricks $18-Billion proposal is lower than the companys current valuation of $19 billion as of Friday. Newmont had some harsh words about the Barrick organization, saying it has an ineffective operating model. Newmont has previously determined that Barricks risk and return profile is inferior on many fronts, including factoring Barricks comparatively ineffective operating model, poor track record on delivering shareholder returns and unfavorable jurisdictional risk. Newmont also noted that they have provided better value for shareholders over the years, compared to Barrick. Since January 1, 2014 (merger discussions between Barrick and Newmont ended in April 2014), Newmont has achieved 65 percent total shareholder returns compared to the negative 22 percent total shareholder return delivered by Barrick, while gold prices improved 15 percent during that period, the company said. Looking at the proposed deal with Goldcorp, Newmont said that the deal has the potential to create $2.5 billion in value creation. The combination will be immediately and highly value-accretive to Newmonts net asset value and cash flow per share; generate an estimated $75 per ounce in Full Potential cost and efficiency improvements, representing anticipated benefits of approximately $165 million per year, and along with $100 million in pre-tax synergies, generate $265 million in combined expected annual pre-tax synergies, the company said. Editor's Note:Kitco News has the best precious metals coverage in the world and is in the process of improving its mining news, so we want to hear from you. If you work in the mining sector please take this short survey to help us bring you the news you want. (Kitco News) - Barrick Gold Corp. (NYSE: GOLD; TSX: ABX) has made a proposal to buy Newmont Mining Corp. (NYSE: NEM) in an all-stock deal, Barrick announced Monday. News reports are pegging the value of the proposed acquisition at around $18 billion. The move would combine the worlds two largest gold producers. The news came after recent press reports saying that Barrick was aiming to take over Newmont, which analysts said was a sign of the continuing consolidation in the precious-metals sector. Barrick argued that the acquisition would unlock $7 billion net present value (pre-tax) of synergies, much of it by combining the companys assets in Nevada. The proposal comes after Barricks acquisition of Randgold Resources Ltd. and Newmonts agreement earlier this year to acquire Goldcorp Inc. Under the Barrick proposal, each Newmont shareholder would receive 2.5694 Barrick shares per Newmont share, representing an at-market transaction based on the volume-weighted average trading prices of the shares of Barrick and Newmont on the New York Stock Exchange over the 20 trading days that ended Wednesday. This was the last trading day before news of the transaction was leaked through the financial press. Barrick shareholders would own 55.9% of the merged company and Newmont shareholders would own 44.1%. The combination of Barrick and Newmont will create what is clearly the worlds best gold company, with the largest portfolio of tier-one gold assets and the highest level of free cash flow to drive future growth and support sustainable shareholder returns, run by a management team with an unparalleled record of delivering value, said Mark Bristow, the former Randgold chief executive officer who is now president and CEO of Barrick. Bristow said that a Barrick-Newmont deal was long overdue and would be superior to Newmonts proposed acquisition of Goldcorp, arguing that Barrick-Newmont annual synergies 7.5 times larger than the quoted annual synergies for the Newmont-Goldcorp transaction. Most important, it will enable us to consider our Nevada assets as one complex, which will result in better mine planning and fully realize the states enormous geological potential for all stakeholders, Bristow said. Considered globally, the merger represents a radical and long-overdue restructuring of the gold industry, and a transformative shift from short-term survival tactics to the long-term creation of sustainable value. Should a merger with Newmont occur, the two companies teams would review the combined portfolio using strategic filters to maintain the best production, project and exploration assets in the industry, Barrick said. Barrick said the combined company intends to match Newmonts annual dividend of 56 cents per share which. Based on the proposed exchange ratio, this would represent a pro forma annual dividend of 22 cents per Barrick share, compared to the current annual dividend of 16 cents. Editor's Note:Kitco News has the best precious metals coverage in the world and is in the process of improving its mining news, so we want to hear from you. If you work in the mining sector please take this short survey to help us bring you the news you want. (Kitco News) - Barrick Gold Corp. (NYSE: GOLD; TSX: ABX) is arguing that its proposal to buy Newmont Mining Corp. (NYSE: NEM) in essence provides Newmont shareholders a premium through an estimated $7 billion in synergies, even though a premium was not built into the share-price offer, Barricks chief executive said on Monday. Mark Bristow, president and CEO of Barrick, made the comments during a conference call with analysts after his company announced a proposal to acquire Newmont, which in turn earlier this year agreed to merge with Goldcorp Inc. (TSX: G, NYSE: GG). Bristow called Newmonts plans to acquire Goldcorp ill conceived and said Barrick would not want Goldcorps assets. Newmont, in turn, issued a statement Monday saying it considers the planned merger with Goldcorp to be the better option for its shareholders. Under Barricks proposal, each Newmont shareholder would receive 2.5694 Barrick shares per Newmont share, representing an at-market transaction based on the volume-weighted average trading prices of the shares of Barrick and Newmont on the New York Stock Exchange over the 20 trading days that ended Wednesday. This was the last trading day before news of the transaction was leaked through the financial press. Barrick shareholders would own 55.9% of the merged company, while Newmont shareholders would own 44.1%. With $7 billion of synergieswe are in fact offering Newmont more than $41 a share in value, Bristow said. So the synergies clearly are the premium. Newmont shares were trading down 42 cents to $36.05 as of 10:48 a.m. EST on Monday. The companys share price rose to $37.63, the highest level since July, on Friday following a report in The Globe and Mail newspaper saying that Barrick was considering a takeover bid for Newmont. Bristow said the combined company would have eight tier-one assets and would likely create another one or two. He added that optimization of Barricks current portfolio is well advanced, with the company expecting to generate $1.5 billion in the near term. Near the start of a question-and-answer session, the premium issue came up again when an analyst asked Bristow why Barrick did not offer a stock-price premium and whether it might still do so in order to sweeten the deal for Newmont shareholders. Ive never seen a premium as high as this, Bristow said. If you take the $7 billion of synergies which we are offering, thats a premium in itself. Bristow said there have been a number of unsuccessful attempts by Barrick and Newmont to merge over the years. The reason for not doing it escapes me because this opportunity has strategic and financial rationale and is so obvious and compelling, Bristow said. At the start of the year, Barrick completed what Bristow called a widely applauded no-premium merger with Randgold Resources Ltd. Bristow was the CEO of Randgold before the merger. Newmont, in contrast, by all accounts, has rushed into an ill-conceived premium merger with Goldcorp, which is unlikely to deliver significant benefits to their shareholders, Bristow said. He said this is why Barrick decided to make what he called an unsolicited but clearly superior proposal to the Newmont shareholders. In fact, Bristow said Newmonts decision to pay a premium for Goldcorp when Newmonts chief executive officer planning to retire later this year strikes me as both desperate and bizarre. The Barrick CEO said his company would not wait until after the Newmont-Goldcorp acquisition to make a merger offer because we dont want Goldcorps lower-quality assets in our portfolio. He listed several reasons why he thinks a Barrick-Newmont merger would be successful, particularly the synergies that can be realized in Nevada, where both companies have a significant presence. Barrick has the bulk of the higher-grade reserves, and Newmont owns key processing plants, Bristow said. Thus, a merger would reduce operating costs, increase free cash flow and reduce cut-off grades, which would increase reserves and resources, extending not only the lives of the mines but profitability, he said. Some of the other benefits would involve transporting ore to the closest processing plant or those that would provide the best recovery for various ore types, Bristow said. The company could consider all of Nevada as effectively one ore body, which would result in better mine planning, the Barrick CEO said. Incidentally, I have shared all of this with Newmont already, but to no avail, Bristow said. Bristow touted the work of Barricks management team in the two months since it acquired Randgold, commenting that the company has already integrated management for a savings of some $150 million. Further, he said, Barrick has identified another $200 million in annual savings which it will deliver before the end of next year. Bristow said some $5 billion of shareholder value has been added since the Barrick-Randgold merger was first announced back in September. There can be no doubt that we have the people to create that value for both sets of shareholders, Bristow said. Assuming that Newmonts pending transaction with Goldcorp is terminated, Barrick projects that a Newmont-Barrick merger would close in the third quarter, Bristow said. We are offering Newmont and Barrick shareholders an exciting opportunity to hold the worlds best and most valued gold company, Bristow said. A combined Barrick-Newmont offers shareholders a significant re-rating potential due to its superior asset base, while realizing $7 billion of real synergies. In addition, it will have the highest levels of free cash flow and a management team with a long record of delivering. You know the day destroys the night Night divides the day Tried to run, tried to hide Break on through, to the other side As I write this, gold is flirting with breaking through $1,350 and its getting everyone excited. Well, the gold bugs that is. But will gold break on through to the other side like the Lizard King, Jim Morrison, sang so many moons ago? Every two-rate newsletter that didnt mention gold a couple years ago now has a gold promotion with their latest resident gold expert (Note: nothing more than a well marketed desk jockey). That alone tells you that retail investors are starting to get interested in gold. The many franchises of newsletters dont waste time marketing things that dont sell subscriptions to the retail audience. Gold is Getting Hot Again on the Institutional Side Bankers who I knew well during the 2011 gold bull top are back at it attempting to raise equity and clip their fees. Below is a chart showing gold sentiment on a weekly basis back to 2009. As you can see, we are touching the upper bound of the DSI level. My friend Brent Johnson at Santiago Capital pointed out to me that between Jan 1, 2000 and today, that the DSI (Daily Sentiment Index) on gold has hit 90 and over 220 times. 98 was hit in August 2011. Since then the highest DSI was 91 in Jan 2018. The DSI is just slightly above 85 today, which means we are inching close to the highest DSI ever. This can be interpreted many ways Some can argue this indicator is bearish, others will interpret that as bullish. I personally believe its a sign of caution. Make sure you only own the best names in the sector as the odds are that gold can correct from here, before it takes off. What the Gold Commitment of Traders is Saying Right Now A positive sign for gold is the non-commercial positioning in gold is still at very low levels. It means institutions and fund managers have not been major participants in the rally yet. Below is a chart which shows the Commitment of Traders Report for Non-Commercial long positions in gold. This chart is actually quite bullish Late last year we were at the lowest positioning level in 3 years and now we have moved off the bottom. If gold is going to go on a run, we will need to see continued increases in non-commercial long positions. On top of all of that I just went through, February is the 4th strongest month of the year for gold seasonality strength. You can see this in the chart below What Really Moves the gold Markets? The fact is, until the major funds and sovereign wealth funds start buying into the gold story, the equities and the metal wont start its major ascent. Lets first discuss the obvious. Yes, its true that: Governments have increased their take via taxes, permits, royalties The cheap and easy gold has been mined out. Timelines and costs to build new mines have increased. Unions have increased their share of production, increasing labor costs. Every new ounce produced cost more to produce than the previous ounce. But an interesting stat we found is this: Since the year 2000, executives made more in compensation per ounce produced than their predecessors And its a much higher multiple than a mine manager in the 1950s1970s. Its hard to find all the data on this going back to 1900 (we tried). But we are confident from the data we have closely examined that since 2000, executives have taken a much larger chunk of the gold than has been given to shareholders when compared to any time in the past. This was accomplished through high salaries, large compensation packages and unbelievable change of control provisions. But the biggest reason shareholders have received the mine shaft over the last 8 years: DEBT on the balance sheet The problem with debt is that you eventually need to pay it back. You cant just dilute it away (especially when priced in USD the last decade). Lets dig a bit deeper to see what happened in the gold sector over the last decade. Just before the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) in 2008, the gold sector was nearly 1:1 on the ratio of equity raised per year to the debt carried on the balance sheets. This means that for every $1 of equity raised, $1 of debt was added. Everything changed after the GFC. Executives went wild on debt. With readily available cheap debt at low rates, the bean counters who keep the books found a new market to fund the companys growth profile. However, we will soon see that this cheap debt is anything but cheap to the shareholders. The Gold Equity and Debt Chart Below is Stunning Gold production is the gold line. In blue, you can see the equity raises (selling shares to investors for cash) for the gold sector. They peaked in 2009 and trended downwards for the next nine years. Debt taken on by the sector is in red. The debt load increased by over 300% during the same time frame. In 2007, global gold production was 83 million ounces. That same year, $16.7 billion was raised in equity for the gold sector. And the gold sector carried about $17.7 billion in debt. To make it simple, lets call it a 1:1 equity to debt ratio. Eleven years later, gold sector production had increased by 28 million ounces (33%). But the debt within the sector increased by $54.4 billion (307%). In total, $4.15 billion of equity was raised in 2018. This represents a 75% decrease in equity raised compared to 2007. Your key takeaway: The gold sector went from an almost 1:1 debt to equity ratio in 2007 to over 17:1 a decade later! Its safe to say that the gold sector took part in the easy/low debt binge after the Global Financial Crisis. There are some fundamental questions you need to know And there is a definite investment angle to profit from the coming collapse and unwinding of the Golden Leverage. My subscribers have seen this in action in my newly released February issue of Katusas Resource Opportunities. I just got filled on a gold stock I believe could gain 50-100% within the next 4 months. Not to mention, our last recommendation in Dec 2018 is up +177% and still climbing. Regards, It gives us the ability to get a new brand and our existing brands in front of customers outside of the regulated dispensary market, said Cresco spokesman Jason Erkes. Theres a lot of curiosity about CBD and the benefits, and being able to put Crescos name and reputation for quality on this brand will help educate consumers. MASON CITY, Iowa - While some county and city plows were pulled off of streets and roadways around North Iowa and Southern Minnesota, private plow drivers were out and about throughout the day in some very adverse conditions. Dalayne Germundson is not only the owner of Mason City Auto Sales, he's also a plow driver during the winter months. He and his daughter have been taking calls and clearing away the snow in driveways and parking lots since early Sunday morning, and notes of the bad drifts just in town alone. "Homer's bar was pretty bad because of how close to being out in the open. Kinda out there on the highway. Heck, they had 6-7 foot drifts out there, it was horrible this morning." "Some of the drifts downtown were as high as 6 feet. So you can just imagine what it would be like out in the open." Germundson advises drivers to be on the look out for plow drivers, and to watch for warning lights. Over one hundred people gathered in Kilkenny together with politicians, experts and civil society groups last weekend to come up with creative and practical climate actions. The event Creating a Local Sustainable Future - Practical Actions for your Community was organised by the Public Participation Networks of counties Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford, Tipperary and Waterford and the Irish Environmental Network. It took place at the Ormonde Hotel on Saturday. Farmers, environmentalists, Tidy Towns representatives, councillors, and people involved in a wide range of community projects and initiatives gathered to discuss the challenges facing us today, and to come up with actions that can be implemented in their communities. Senator Grace O'Sullivan delivered the keynote address that comes in response to growing demand for local solutions to the impending threat of climate change. During the day there were four breakout sessions, each focusing on an important issue that we face today, including biodiversity loss, with wildlife populations down 60% in the last 40 years. Padraic Fogarty, leading Irish ecologist and vocal spokesperson for reversing biodiversity loss, led a workshop to explore solutions to this crisis. There was also an interactive workshop to explore the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as the practical side of applying them to the work of community groups. Davie Phillip, who for the last 20 years has helped to create sustainable communities and locally led initiatives, led this community orientated workshop. Individuals around Ireland are becoming more vocal about the need for climate action. Ray McGrath, who has been working within communities in Waterford to bring climate actions to a wider audience, led an action focused workshop that explored how to expand the conversation to all community groups, and identify a range of environmental actions that they can take. With floods and droughts increasingly impacting rural farming communities and set to become more severe over the next few years, it is important that we work now to protect our water sources. For this reason, the final workshop explored initiatives that are being taken to protect water quality and look at what can be done within communities to help nurture healthy rivers and lakes. Fran Igoe, the southern regional coordinator for the Local Authority Waters Programme, led this workshop. Mr Igoe has worked on large scale locally led conservation projects, which were explored during the workshop. Many challenges were brought up during the day, from a lack of awareness of damaging everyday actions, to the inadequate practices in place in our government and local councils. Solutions were also discussed, such as education at all stages of life, and making nature accessible to all. The importance of local action and of conversation came up throughout the day, with an emphasis on including everybody in the conversation, and discussing mutually beneficial solutions to ensure that nobody is left behind. The event closed with a Q&A panel including all hosts and speakers, and time over lunch to browse the information stands from local and regional environmental groups. The actions and solutions that were discussed at this event will be collated and distributed to all participants and made available to the public through the participating PPNs and the IEN. Senator Grace O'Sullivan said: The importance of Think Global, Act Local has never been more evident than at the moment. The evidence for strong government and international action goes hand-in-hand with the need to include communities. We need to give citizens a feeling of agency and improve support for and awareness of environmental initiatives designed to tackle the ecological crisis we face. Use the wisdom of your life, and be the wave of change. Padraic Fogarty of the Irish Wildlife Trust said: "The extinction crisis is happening in parallel with the climate crisis and it is important the communities can appreciate how this is affecting the places in which they live and work. Addressing both crises in tandem can bring enormous opportunities for local people when the right initiatives are put in place." Davie Phillip, of Cultivate said: More than ever we need connection. We cant go on as we are - our communities are fragmented, suffering from inequality, isolation and loneliness and now facing an ecological crises and the existential threat of climate breakdown. We are already vulnerable and these converging challenges will make our regions more fragile. We need to strengthen the resilience of our local places. More than ever we need cohesive regional action towards our communities wellbeing - the health of citizens and the local environment - and resilience - our ability to respond to the challenges faced. Practical actions in our local communities are needed, there are many responses we can take. It is clear that we must restructure our economy and society so that we can transition to an equitable, sustainable and low carbon future and whose accomplishments are measured beyond that of economic growth. There are many challenges that we face locally and globally as we look to adapt to a low carbon, sustainable society but this transition provides opportunities to reshape our communities, bring vitality and livelihoods to our local areas and make ourselves resilient - enabling us to surf the waves of change. Catherine OToole, of the Irish Environmental Network said: The people present today showed an understanding of our precarious position that far surpasses any insight coming from a government level. While there are some councilors and TDs who understand the effects that the changing climate will have on our communities and country, this does not translate into government action. Its a David and Goliath situation. Communities are doing what they can, but find themselves fighting against outdated policies, climate action plans that are never put in place, and state-owned and state-hired companies that are using practices that have been proven to do nothing but make things worse. There is little to no help available for communities, and now they are realising that the only way to create change is to work together and do it themselves. I hope to see more of these meetings throughout the year, and help people connect through their Local Environmental Networks, keeping the conversation flowing and sharing our knowledge to make strengthening our actions easier for everyone. Weather Alert ...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM PDT THURSDAY... * WHAT...Dangerously hot temperatures will continue through the week. * WHERE...Portions of North and North Central Idaho. Portions of Central, East Central, North Central, Northeast, and Southeast Washington. * WHEN...Until 7 PM PDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Unprecedented heat and unusually warm overnight temperatures will make it difficult to control the build up of heat in homes without air conditioning. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...This event will likely be one of the most extreme and prolonged heat waves in the recorded history of the Inland Northwest. Unprecedented heat will not only threaten the health of residents in the Inland Northwest but will make our region increasingly vulnerable to wildfires and intensify the impacts our ongoing drought. 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. Going to a place with air conditioning even for a couple hours can help mitigate heat stress. Consider going to a shopping mall, local library, or community center for relief. Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes. Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. && SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- A Springfield teen was arrested after sharing photo on Snapchat, allegedly threatening Briggs Middle School. The message showed what appeared to be two handguns and a caption saying "Don't come to school Monday." After an investigation, Springfield Police said the guns were realistic looking BB guns. Police said they received several calls about this alleged threat on Saturday. They said it was sent to several Briggs Middle School students. Police said it was sent by a 14-year-old student who attends the school. They said he claimed no intent to shoot up the school and had not intended to post the message in a public format. Investigators said he sent another snapchat message apologizing. The student was taken into custody for Disorderly Conduct in the first degree and transported to the John Serbu Juvenile Detention Facility in Eugene. ROSEBURG, Ore. -- Two men were arrested in Oregon after an alleged violent, multi-state crime spree, including Attempted Aggravated Murder and Assault. Oregon State Police said there was an attempted car-jacking at the Red Robin in Roseburg at about 5:30 Saturday night. They said the suspect (or suspects) was not able to steal it and left in his original vehicle. Police said he left a man behind: Jose Lopez-Jovel, who'e from El Salvador. Roseburg Police arrested Lopez-Jovel for that initial criminal act and he was taken to the Douglas County Jail on warrants of fugitive from another state (Utah). Meanwhile, police continued to pursue the other man: Matthew Anthony Fanelli, who's from New Mexico. While pursuing him down I-5, they said Fanelli shot a firearm several times and that those bullets hit some cars. Police said they struck a Commercial Motor Vehicle, a passenger car (striking the occupied child seat inside) and an Oregon State Police patrol car disabling it. This continued into Josephine County, where police lost him. They said Fanelli shot a man and assaulted a woman in Grants Pass while trying to steal their car, but ended up leaving in his original car again. The man was critically injured and police said his identity and status will be released at a later date. Law Enforcement located Fanelli driving again, and that's when they said his vehicle became disabled. Fanelli was arrested and taken to the Josephine County Jail on multiple charges. Police said Lopez-Jovel and Fanelli are associated with a multi-state crime spree of violent criminal activity. Oregon law enforcement is working with out-of-state and federal partners for this case. As a matter of precaution, police are asking citizens along the route of the vehicle chase and associated crime scenes to be vigilant of their surrounding area, hitchhikers, and securing of their property. Additionally, they're asking motorists traveling I-5 during the vehicle pursuit to check their vehicles for evidence of firearm damage. This is an ongoing investigation. Police said other than the carjacking victims in the Grants Pass area, no additional injuries were reported. Anyone with any more information is asked to call the Oregon State Police Dispatch at 1-800-442-2068. 54 Shares Share Medicine need not be confined to the role of cultural bellwether, a sheep with a bell on its neck that reveals where the whole flock is headed. Along with other professions such as law, clergy, and education, medicine can and should play the leadership role of a shepherd, helping our society to develop more thoughtful, balanced and generous approaches to the challenges that face us. After all, the word doctor means teacher, and our culture needs the best instruction we can offer. The dawn of a new year makes the time ripe for such a shift in medicines role. Doctors as teachers In serving as educators, doctors have many resources to draw on. They are among the best educated groups in our society, having pursued one of our the longest and most intense courses of study. In practice, they regularly participate in moments that help to clarify what life is all about birth and death, growth and aging, suffering and relief. And they serve as trusted confidantes and counselors to patients and families at some of lifes most meaningful moments. Popular culture has reflected an erosion of the doctor as teacher and role model. In the 1960s and 70s, television doctors such as Dr. Kildare and Marcus Welby epitomized virtues such as dedication and compassion. Then along came M.A.S.H. and St. Elsewhere, which adopted a more irreverent attitude toward medicine and the people who practice it. By 2004s House, which ran for eight seasons, the doctor had degenerated into a clever but deeply misanthropic opioid addict. First, do no harm As a physician and educator, I think that, for medicine to help heal our culture, doctors must embrace their role as advocates for principles that have long represented the core of the healing professions. Although Primum non nocere, or First, do no harm, does not appear in the writings of the father of medicine Hippocrates, it is often cited as medicines first principle. And the idea that doctors should avoid harm is part of the modified Hippocratic Oath that most doctors take when they graduate from medical school. This principle does not imply that doctors should never harm. After all, no surgeon could ever operate and no oncologist could ever administer chemotherapy if they rigorously adhered to it. It means instead that risks and harms must always be balanced against benefits, and that where the balance is too uncertain or unfavorable, it is better to do nothing. More broadly speaking, we should avoid saying things or acting in ways that cause needless injury. What would Do no harm look like in our popular culture? First, it would mean eschewing personal attacks, which seek to label people as unworthy, disgusting, or evil. In public discourse, our goal should be to understand different points of view, to educate one another, and to take the interests of others into account in arriving at decisions. Physicians are expected to take good care of even patients they find disagreeable, and this an outlook sorely deficient in the U.S. today. Get the whole story A second habit deeply ingrained over the course of medical training is to recognize that there are usually more than two sides to any question. Suppose a patient complains of pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, a classic symptom of appendicitis. Only poor physicians would confine their attention to the question, Is it appendicitis or not? The real issue at hand is to determine what is causing the pain and what needs to be done about it. In popular culture, complex matters are often reduced to highly simplified dichotomies, in which the two sides are portrayed as sporting white and black hats. It seems as though all Americans need to know is whether a person is a Democrat or Republican, a conservative or a liberal, or a reader of The Washington Post or The Wall Street Journal. In fact, however, making good choices requires an understanding far deeper than which side of a political divide a person is on. Good doctors learn quickly that a cursory inspection can be deeply misleading, as a story once told by a colleague reveals. An elderly, disheveled, incoherent woman was brought to the emergency room with a broken arm. The staff took her for a homeless person. Later, however, she started to make sense, and provided her phone number. When her family came to pick her up, they arrived in a chauffeured limousine. In this as in so many cases, what first met the eye turned out to be quite deceptive. Put service before self To become really good doctors, medical students need to learn something: Patients do not exist to provide careers to physicians; instead, physicians exist to care for patients. Like other professionals, doctors need to put the interests of their patients first. The overarching goal is not to advance the physicians career, to generate more income, or to secure the business interests of a medical practice or hospital. The goal is to care well for the patient. The founders of the U.S. knew that human beings are not angels, but they also believed that people can look beyond narrow self-interest and do what is best for others and the larger whole. They knew that serving a purpose beyond self is one of the surest ways to find meaning and purpose in life, and that those who contribute the most often lead the fullest lives. They bet their own lives on the proposition that Americans could answer the call of their better selves. By serving as exemplars of what a life of service looks like in communities across the country, doctors and other professionals can remind Americans of all ages what human beings at their best are really capable of. To look out only for number one is to lose hope in neighbors, communities and society. To get to know others, to take an interest in their stories, and to reach out and serve when they need help and support is one of the signs of a hopeful, thriving culture. The idea of medicine as a cultural beacon of goodness may seem profoundly counter-cultural. Our appetite seems much greater for stories of doctors whose financial or sexual misconduct has disgraced themselves and the profession. Yet for the professions to play a role in reshaping our habits of mind and heart, their members must act courageously, not waiting until the cultural winds have shifted but letting their better voices speak even when no one else seems to be listening. Image credit: Shutterstock.com Even if the wall is largely a political symbol, however, the debate over its fate is already dominating the capital. Sen. Lamar Alexander, a Tennessee Republican, is not running for re-election, so hes free to speak his mind, and he thinks Trumps declaration of a national emergency is a really bad idea. He called the decision unnecessary, unwise and inconsistent with the U.S. Constitution. He added: Our founders chose not to create a chief executive with the power to tax people and spend their money any way he chooses. Alexander is right. The constitutional principle is clear. Congress not the president has the ultimate right to spend taxpayer money. And a few brave Republicans will admit that publicly. The constitutional issue is not the only thing troubling Republicans. Some are worried that Trump is setting a bad precedent that could be used by future Democratic presidents. Rep. Mac Thornberry of Texas, the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee, warns that tapping the defense budget to fund the wall would have detrimental consequences for our troops. The Indiana man who was critically injured in a pileup on Interstate 80 on Wednesday morning has died, law enforcement officials said Friday. Jason Palmer, 29, of Mishawaka, Indiana, died Friday from the injuries he suffered in a pileup of 11 vehicles nine of which were semitrailer trucks on I-80 between Aurora and Giltner. Palmer was a passenger in a Jeep Cherokee that was in one of the early collisions. The drivers of two semis saw that the Cherokee was stopped, the Nebraska State Patrol said. One semi struck the other, then collided with the Cherokee. Palmer was taken to a hospital in Aurora, then flown by medical helicopter to a hospital in Kearney, where he died. The driver of the Cherokee was treated at the Aurora hospital for minor injuries and released. Authorities are still investigating the pileup but said winter weather conditions were a factor. KEARNEY The University of Nebraska at Kearney is seeking proposals for a new dining services contractor to begin in May 2019. UNK has partnered with Chartwells, a division of the Compass Group USA Inc., for more than 20 years. Compass Group sought to renegotiate financial terms of the current contract. When those efforts proved unsuccessful, Compass Group terminated the contract on Feb. 13, but will continue to provide service until May 20, 2019. UNK is now primarily concerned with ensuring there is no disruption in food service to our students, campus and community, said Jon Watts, vice chancellor for business and finance. We are also committed to retaining successful recent additions of Chick-fil-A and Starbucks operations. Chartwells informed employees of the situation on Friday. UNK Assistant Vice Chancellor for Communications and Community Relations Kelly Bartling expressed appreciation for Chartwells employees. We value these dedicated members of our campus and community and hope they will continue with our new dining services provider, Bartling said. The skills you learn will transfer to whatever career you pick later on, she said. They will transfer to different relationships you build. The program is open to any UNK student but geared mainly toward freshmen and sophomores. There is no cost. Participants, who have up to four semesters to complete the UNK Leads program, receive a letter of recommendation upon completion. Cory Holsapple, a UNK sophomore from North Platte, knows that will come in handy down the road. Anything that involves improving your ability to lead and cooperate with others looks great on a resume, he said. The international studies major and U.S. Army Reserve member understands the significance of developing leadership skills in college, which is why hes part of UNK Leads. Those traits are very important when you get in the workforce, Holsapple said. Thats what employers are looking for. It just opens so many doors when you join a program like this. ROSEBURG, Ore. (AP) Two men suspected in crimes across three states, including a deadly Colorado carjacking, have been arrested, authorities said Monday. Oregon State Police Capt. Timothy Fox said Jose Lopez-Jovel, 31, and Matthew Anthony Fanelli, 30, were being held in separate county jails on multiple charges. They are suspected of being the same men behind a fatal shooting in Colorado and armed hold-ups in Utah and Wyoming, authorities said. The two men set off a police pursuit in Roseburg on Saturday when they attempted to steal a car outside a Red Robin restaurant, according to police. They failed in their effort and tried to flee but Lopez-Jovel was left behind and was quickly arrested Fanelli went onto an interstate, igniting a police chase. Investigators say he opened fire several times. At least one bullet disabled a state police vehicle and another hit an occupied child car seat in a passenger vehicle. Authorities did not say if anyone was injured. Fanelli then tried to carjack another vehicle from a couple. Police say he shot the man, critically injuring him, and assaulted the woman. Police did not immediately respond to inquiries about the man's condition. The suspect was unable to take the car. His own car then became disabled and he was subsequently taken into custody. CLICK HERE for more on the story of the car chase into Josephine County and where the final suspect was arrested. Authorities in Oregon say both men are suspected of fatally shooting a man in Denver among other crimes. About two hours before the Denver shooting, Fanelli is suspected of firing a gun at a strip club near Colorado Springs after becoming upset when he was asked to leave. The El Paso County Sheriff's office said Fanelli, who was accompanied by an unidentified Hispanic man, fired at the club manager and two bouncers before getting away but no one was hurt. It also said Fanelli physically assaulted a woman inside. Police say after the Denver slaying, the two men took off in the victim's black 2015 Cadillac sedan. The vehicle was used two hours later in an armed robbery at a convenience store in Cheyenne, Wyoming, 100 miles (160 kilometers) north. Nobody was injured, according to Cheyenne police. But the men stole cash and merchandise and returned to the Cadillac, where a woman was waiting. Six hours after the Cheyenne robbery, the same men robbed a Wells Fargo bank in Park City, Utah, 440 miles (710 kilometers) west of Cheyenne, authorities said. Summit County sheriff's deputies said the suspects drove away in a black Cadillac with the same Colorado license plate as the car stolen in Denver. It was not immediately known Monday if Lopez-Jovel, who is from El Salvador, and Fanelli, of New Mexico, had attorneys. Officials in Multnomah County are reporting a fifth possible case of Measles. Four people already diagnosed with measles were exposed to the highly contagious virus from an ongoing outbreak in Clark County, Washington. Multnomah County health officials announced the fifth possible case on Sunday. They said a link between the case and the Clark County outbreak has not been identified. Officials say people might have been exposed to the virus at the Portland International Airport and Randall Children's Hospital. In Washington, health officials say 66 people have been affected by the viral illness. Most of the cases have involved young children under 10 years old who weren't immunized. There's been two cases of people who got measles despite being immunized. Health officials say at least 21 days need to pass before they feel comfortable saying the outbreak is over. Anyone who has been exposed to the disease and is showing symptoms is asked to call their health facility before visiting. Does context matter when a racial slur is used? Thats whats at the heart of a hearing Wednesday night over whether a Lees Summit teacher and coach should be fired. 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. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Monday banned unauthorised rallies as he announced a slew of new measures to end demonstrations that have rocked his rule for weeks. Bashirs latest orders come as part of a nationwide state of emergency he imposed on Friday after a sweeping crackdown failed to suppress protests against his administration. As part of a state of emergency declared by the president, he issued an order banning any gathering or rally that has not been authorised, the presidency said in a statement. Bashir gave sweeping powers to the countrys security forces to raid buildings where suspicious activities were being carried out and also search people, the presidency said. Blocking roads and stopping traffic was banned, after protesters obstructed streets with rocks and tree trunks to prevent security forces from entering their neighbourhoods. Publishing news that hurts the citizens or the constitutional system on any platform, including social media, was also outlawed. But the group that is spearheading the demonstrations rejected the new measures, which also banned strikes. We are calling on our people in the capital, across all states, towns and villages to take to the streets now to express their rejection of the new emergency measures, said the Sudanese Professionals Association. The state of emergency prompted Washingtons acting envoy to the United Nations, Jonathan Cohen, to urge Khartoum to respect the rights of all individuals in Sudan. The US diplomat called on Bashirs government to bring an immediate end to the violent repression of peaceful protests. We are not scared A new court and a special prosecutor were created to investigate violations of the measures, with offenders facing up to 10 years in prison. Deadly protests began on December 19 after the government tripled the price of bread and quickly evolved into demonstrations against Bashirs rule. Officials say 31 people have died in protest-related violence so far. Human Rights Watch says at least 51 people have been killed, including medics and children. Hours before the latest measures were announced, hundreds of protesters rallied in some areas of Khartoum, chanting their rallying cry freedom, peace, justice. Riot police confronted them with tear gas, witnesses said. We are challenging the regime and we are not scared of the state of emergency, said protester Erij who gave only her first name for security reasons. We have only one aim and that is to make the president step down. Riot police also fired tear gas into the compound of Ahfad University for Women after students staged a sit-in, witnesses said. In the face of public anger over Sudans economic woes, Bashir on Monday announced measures to tackle the foreign currency shortage. The presidency said no more than $3,000 would be allowed to be carried by any individual travelling outside the country. Bashir also ordered that buying and selling of foreign currency be done only through official channels. Over the past two years, the foreign exchange market has seen high volatility, forcing the countrys central bank to devalue the local pound twice last year. Party deputy sacked The financial measures came after Bashir made top-level changes in his administration, including sacking his long time ally and first vice president Bakri Hassan Saleh. He continued with more changes, by sacking his deputy in the ruling National Congress Party on Monday. Faisal Hassan Saleh was replaced by former governor of North Kordofan state, Ahmed Harun, the party said. The NCP executive bureau approved Ahmed Harun, nominated by President Bashir as his deputy in the party replacing Faisal Hassan Saleh, party spokesman Ibrahim al-Siddiq told AFP. Harun is wanted by The Hague-based International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the conflict in Darfur. The Darfur conflict erupted in 2003 when ethnic minority rebels took up arms against Khartoums Arab-dominated government, accusing it of socially and economically marginalising the region. About 300,000 people were killed and millions displaced, according to the United Nations. Harun was Sudans minister of state for the interior during the peak of the conflict. Bashir himself is wanted by the ICC for alleged genocide and war crimes in Darfur. He denies the charges. On Sunday, he swore in a new prime minister and appointed 16 army officers and two others from the feared National Intelligence and Security Service as governors for Sudans 18 provinces as part of a major shake-up of his adminstration. The summer of 2018 visited a naturalized Ethiopian American with a twinge of pity. After about 40 years of anonymity, Nigussie Mergia, who is now 58 years old, could be facing a fatal intersection of time and space following his arrest on charges of multiple immigration offenses. The sealed indictment from the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) alleges that Mr. Nigussie lied in his immigration documents about his role in persecuting Ethiopian prisoners for their political opinions during the countrys so-called Red Terror period in 1977-78. His trial is to open on February 25 before a district court in Virginia. Mengistu and the Red Terror Red Terror was a brutal and violent political phenomenon in 1977-1978 in Ethiopia, an unbridled moment of extra-judicial mass execution, torture, and arbitrary imprisonment perpetrated by the military government of socialist Ethiopia, known as the Dergue, against its political opponents. The Dergue ruled the country for 17 years, from 1974 to 1991. In March 1977, three years after the Dergues assumption of power, President Mengistu Hailemariam smashed bottles filled with red fluid (representing the blood of enemies) before a huge crowd at Addis Ababas Meskel Square, expressly proclaiming a state of Red Terror (Qey Shibir in Amharic) against his political opponents. In the following two years thousands of students, young men and women would turn up dead in the streets of the capital and other cities. In an elaborate theatrics of violence, the government authorities would not allow the victims families to take their corpse without first paying for the bullets used to kill them. This violent campaign claimed the lives of an estimated 40,000-100,000 people. A Human Rights Watch report characterized it as one of the most systematic uses of mass murder by the state ever witnessed in Africa. The Red-Terror Trial The Dergue regime was toppled in 1991. The new government established the Special Prosecutors Office (SPO) in 1992 to investigate and prosecute former officials of the Dergue. It came to be known as the Red-Terror Trial and is sometimes referred to as the African Nuremberg, although it is the least known and least researched post-atrocity justice effort in contemporary Africa. The first indictment was filed in 1994. According to Human Rights Watch data, 5198 individuals were indicted on charges of killing 8752 people, causing the disappearance of 2611 others, and torturing 1837. Of all individuals indicted, 2,246 were already in detention and 2,952 were charged in absentia. The defendants were classified into three main categories: policy and decision makers; officials who passed on orders or reached decisions on their own; and those directly responsible for committing the alleged crimes. In the first category were 55 top officials, including Mengistu, ministers, military commanders, and others. The charges brought against this group included genocide and crimes against humanity, torture, murder, unlawful detention, rape, forced disappearances and abuse of power. On 12 December 2006, the Ethiopian Federal High Court convicted all but one of these top defendants. Others from different categories were also convicted in various federal and regional courts. The Red-Terror Trial wasnt immune to criticism. The duty to preside over such a complicated and demanding trial fell to junior and inexperienced judges; senior judges were dismissed for having ties to the Dergue regime, and some of the new judges, especially in the regional courts, were either trained for a very short time or without any training in law or court experience. The lack of an institutionalized and skilled public defender system in the country had a negative impact on the rights of the defendants. The quantity of evidence proved to be an additional problem for the prosecution. An attempt to computerize the prosecution evidence foundered when the American computer operatives were expelled on suspicion of espionage. Despite the pitfalls, the Red Terror trial remains significant and represents a trail-blazer for national accountability and post-atrocity justice in Africa. Revolution squads During the period of Red Terror, the Dergue regime divided Ethiopias capital, Addis Ababa, into about twenty-five administrative units or wards. A ward was called a Higher Zone (Kefitegna in Amharic). It also organized volunteer civilians known as Defense of the Revolution Squads and distributed arms and ammunitions to them. The squads carried out the campaign by detaining, interrogating and torturing the opponents at each higher zone or ward. Nigussie Mergia came to America in 1999. He obtained U.S. citizenship in 2008. His case has been investigated by the Homeland Security Investigation unit with the support of the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center, whose goal is to prevent the United States from becoming a safe haven to those individuals who engage in the commission of war crimes, genocide, torture and other forms of serious human rights abuses from conflicts around the globe. According to the U.S. DoJs indictment, filed before the Federal District Court for Eastern District of Virginia in August 2018, a young Nigussie had served as a civilian interrogator in the Higher Zone Number 3 prison (kefitegna 3) around 1977-1978. U.S. prosecutors produced a two-page ledger, which carries Nigussies name. Apparently, the document emanates from an Ethiopian court. Prosecutors allege that the defendant was an agent of the Dergue and in that capacity he had persecuted and interrogated political opponents at the Higher Zone 3 prison. However, prosecutors seek to pursue Nigussies alleged violent past only from the angle of an immigration offense in connection to his misrepresentation in gaining entry to this country and, ultimately, fraudulently obtaining U.S. citizenship. The purpose is not to punish Nigussie for the crimes allegedly committed in Ethiopia; but to punish him for violating immigration laws of the United States. This practice is highly consistent across U.S. courts. Europeans, however, have a differing approach in cases similar to Nigussies. Favoring universal jurisdiction, some courts in Europe allowed to try Red Terror fugitives on the merits of the case, for international crimes. For example, on 15 December 2017, a Dutch District court found 63-year old Eshetu Alemu guilty of war crimes, including arbitrary detention, inhumane treatment, torture and murder in relation to his role in the Red Terror. Eshetu was sentenced to life in prison in the Netherlands, after he was judged in absentia and sentenced to death by a court in Ethiopia on 12 December 2006. Fair trial concerns Fair trial is one of the hallmark of the U.S. justice system, arguably. Nevertheless, one cannot discount the possible risk in Nigussies case. The U.S. governments leading evidence against Nigussie is an authenticated two-page ledger which had been created and maintained by the Dergue regime. The ledger, according to the U.S. government, listed names of individuals, weapons, ammunition, and their signatures. Nigussies name appeared twice along arms and ammunition he might have received. The judge ruled that there is no reason to doubt that the document is what the proponent claims it is. Statements in an ancient document are admissible, as an exception to the rule against hearsay. As a result, the court thinks that the probative value of the ledger is clear. However, the defense could push further requiring the government to prove that the ledger doesnt carry a content that is hearsay in itself; or worst yet, a hearsay within a hearsay. Nigussies lawyers have already argued that there is a mismatch of signature on his naturalization documents and the 1978 historical ledger. The expert witness for the government testified, however, that it is not uncommon for an individuals signature to change over such long periods of time. Thus, the exemplars of the defendants signature appearing on these two immigration forms are of little persuasive value. This might look like shifting the burden of proof. The defense also raised concern about whether the copy of the ledger is an accurate copy of the original document. In response to Nigussies assertion that alterations or additions could have been made to the copy of the ledger, the court said that such a bald assertion is utterly insufficient to raise a genuine concern about the accuracy of the copy the government seeks to introduce because the defendant has provided only a hypothetical basis, as opposed to an actual basis, on which to conclude that the copy is inaccurate and therefore inadmissible. The court further relied on the governments witness testimony that the Special Prosecution Office (SPO) stamp which appears on the Ledger demonstrates that the Ethiopian Federal High Court verified that the copy of the Ledger stored in the courts evidence folder was an accurate copy of the original. The defendants motion was rejected. The mastermind is free In the absence of an effective and digitalized national archive system in Ethiopia, the possibility of falsifying and imitating the official stamp of the SPO on the ledger cant be underestimated. Falsifying government documents is not uncommon practice in Ethiopia. In the face of low ethical accountability on the part of archive employees, it may be risky to rely on the ledger as conclusive evidence. But whatever the outcome of Nigussies case, the case shows that the demand for justice on the Red Terror period is still catching up with some people in a transnational legal context. His trial will provide space to tell the story of Red Terror. One paradox of justice will remain: Nigussie, the 18-year old youth, who was arguably among the youngest civil interrogators under Red Terror, is being tried while Mengistu Hailemariam, the mastermind of the violence, still enjoys sovereign protection and a luxury life in Zimbabwe, where he escaped in 1991. Includes High Grade Interval Grading 11.15 g/t Gold Over 7.00 Metres VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Balmoral Resources Ltd. (Balmoral or the Company) (TSX: BAR; OTCQX: BALMF) has received, from joint venture partner GTA Resources and Mining Inc. (GTA), results from three drill holes completed on the Northshore Property located near Schreiber, Ontario late in 2018. Two holes tested the Afric Gold deposit beneath the previously outlined resource, successfully expanding the deposit and leaving it open for additional delineation at depth, in particular to the east and northeast. The Afric Gold deposit continues to demonstrate significant mineralized widths to depth, highlighted by an intercept of 124.50 metres grading 1.05 g/t gold (0.86 g/t gold cut) in hole WB-18-54 (see Figure 1). As with previous drilling this broad mineralized envelope includes a high grade core, which returned 7.00 metres grading 11.15 g/t gold (7.65 g/t gold cut), including 1.00 metre grading 56.50 g/t gold. This intercept extends the high grade core of the deposit by approximately 100 vertical metres in the area tested. The deposit, and the high grade core, have now demonstrated continuity to a little over 250 vertical metres depth, the deepest level tested to date at Northshore (see Figure 2). We are pleased to see the expansion of the Afric Gold deposit, and in particular to see the continuity being demonstrated by the higher grade component of the deposit at depth, said Darin Wagner, President and CEO of Balmoral. DDH FROM TO INTERVAL (m)* GOLD g/t CUT GRADE** GOLD g/t WB-18-53 (528 m) 189.00 190.50 1.50 4.32 225.00 234.00 9.00 0.72 286.50 297.00 10.50 0.95 325.00 332.00 7.00 0.41 439.75 444.00 4.25 0.67 WB-18-54 (531 m) 190.50 315.00 124.50 1.05 0.86 including 262.50 303.00 40.50 2.53 1.93 which includes 294.00 301.00 7.00 11.15 7.65 which includes 300.00 301.00 1.00 56.50 32.00 WB-18-55 (102 m) No Significant Values * Reported drill intercepts are not true widths. Insufficient data is available to calculate true orientations at this time. **Assays over 32.0 g/t gold have been cut to 32.0 g/t gold (this applies to one sample in hole WB-18-54 only, which assayed 56.5 g/t over 1.0 m) The third hole of the program, WB-18-55, tested an exploration target outside the Afric Gold deposit and outside the host intrusive unit. Future work on the Northshore Property will be reviewed by the joint venture following completion of the sale of GTAs mineral property assets, which remains pending. About the Northshore Property The Northshore Property is resource stage gold property located in Priske Township, Ontario, immediately south of the town of Schreiber and three kilometres south of the Trans-Canada Highway. The property hosts a number of known zones of gold mineralization including the former producing North Shore Mine and the Afric Gold deposit, the latter the current focus of activity. Located in the Hemlo-Schrieber greenstone belt approximately 70 kilometres west of the world class Hemlo gold deposit, the structurally controlled, intrusive-hosted gold mineralization on the Northshore Property shares similarities with gold deposits in the Kirkland Lake and West Timmins areas of Ontario. The Northshore Property is a joint venture between Balmoral and GTA. GTA is the current operator of the joint venture and holds an approximate 54% interest in the Property with Balmoral holding the remaining 46%. Quality Control and Assurance GTA has implemented a quality control program for the drill programs on the Northshore Property to ensure best practice in sampling and analysis. GTA maintains strict quality assurance/quality control protocols including the systematic insertion of certified standard reference and blank materials into each sample batch. Analyses in this release were performed by AGAT labs in Thunder Bay and Mississauga, Ontario with ISO 17025 accreditation. Samples were transported in sealed bags to AGAT and all samples were assayed using industry-standard assay techniques for gold. Gold was analyzed by a standard 30 gram fire assay with an AA and/or gravimetric finish. Wayne Reid, P. Geo., Director and VP Exploration for GTA and a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, was involved in the planning, execution and monitoring of GTAs exploration program at Northshore. Mr. Darin Wagner, P. Geo. (Ontario, B.C., Restricted Permit Quebec) has reviewed the technical information contained herein on behalf of the Company About Balmoral Resources Ltd. Balmoral is a multi-award winning Canadian-focused exploration company actively exploring a portfolio of gold and base metal properties located within the prolific Abitibi greenstone belt. The Companys flagship, 1,000 km2 Detour Gold Trend Project hosts the resource stage Bug and Martiniere West gold deposits and the Grasset nickel-copper-cobalt-PGE deposit. Employing a drill focused exploration style in one of the worlds preeminent mining jurisdictions, Balmoral is following an established formula with a goal of maximizing shareholder value through the discovery and definition of high-grade, Canadian gold and base metal assets. On behalf of the board of directors of BALMORAL RESOURCES LTD. Darin Wagner President and CEO For further information contact: John Foulkes, Vice-President, Corporate Development Tel: +1 (604) 638-5815 / Toll Free: +1 (877) 838-3664 E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, forward looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement, duration and cost of exploration programs, anticipated exploration program results, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves, the timing of the receipt of assay results, and business and financing plans and trends, the potentially open nature of the mineralized zones on the property and the potential for future discoveries of additional mineralization on the property and the proposed sale of an interest in the property by the operator are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions or are those which, by their nature, refer to future events. Although the Company believes that 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. Important factors that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from the Companys expectations include those related to weather, equipment and staff availability; performance of third parties; risks related to the exploration stage of the Companys projects; market fluctuations in prices for securities of exploration stage companies and in commodity prices; and uncertainties about the availability of additional financing; risks related to the Companys ability to identify one or more economic deposits on the properties, and variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located on the properties; risks related to the Companys ability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities on the properties; and risks related to the Companys ability to produce minerals from the properties successfully or profitably. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. All of the Companys public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the latest technical reports filed with respect to the Companys mineral properties. This news release contains information with respect to adjacent or similar mineral properties in respect of which the Company has no interest or rights to explore or mine. Readers are cautioned that the Company has no interest in or right to acquire any interest in any such properties, and that mineral deposits on adjacent or similar properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Companys properties. This press release is not, and is not to be construed in any way as, an offer to buy or sell securities in the United States. /NOT FOR DISSEMINATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES AND NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO US NEWSWIRE SERVICES./ MELBOURNE, Feb. 25, 2019 /CNW/ - OceanaGold Corporation (TSX: OGC) (ASX: OGC) (the "Company") is pleased to announce a high-grade mineral Resource at its WKP prospect, located ten kilometres north of the Waihi Gold Mine in New Zealand. Highlights Indicated Resource of 0.41 million tonnes grading 18.0 g/t for 234,000 ounces of gold and 22.7 g/t for 296,000 ounces of silver on the East Graben Vein Inferred Resource of 1.05 million tonnes grading 11.9 g/t for 401,000 ounces of gold and 16.8 g/t for 568,000 ounces of silver on the East Graben and T-Stream veins Mick Wilkes, President and CEO of OceanaGold said, "I'm very pleased to announce this major milestone for the Company at our newest high-grade discovery at WKP. This quality resource further demonstrates the strong organic growth potential of our business and the prudent investments we're making in exploration to create value for shareholders. This significant discovery at WKP is also a tremendous outcome for New Zealand, as it has the potential to create additional employment opportunities and generate significant socio-economic benefits for the country and communities." "For the past year, we have been focused on drilling at the East Graben vein, currently one of three major veins discovered to date. Drilling of the East Graben vein over the past 3-4 months has focussed on resource definition drilling however, a much more extensive zone of mineralisation has been identified over a current strike length of 1,000 metres that is open in both directions with a 200-metre vertical extent open for a further 100-200 metres up-dip." "In addition to the East Graben vein, we have discovered significant high-grade footwall and hangingwall veins with follow-up drilling planned for this year. Our exploration budget for WKP has increased significantly from that of 2018 and we expect to continue drilling to expand the East Graben and other veins in the area including the T Stream and Western Veins. Overall in 2019, we expect to drill 14,500 metres of diamond drilling at WKP." The Inferred Resource of 1.1 million tonnes at a gold grade of 11.9 g/t is comprised of material from several veins along the East Graben vein trend with the East Graben main vein contributing 460,000 tonnes at 12.2 g/t gold for 180,000 ounces representing approximately 45% of the inferred metal. The footwall veins to the East Graben main vein contributes 325,000 tonnes at a grade of 13.9 g/t gold for a further 36% of the contained inferred metal totalling 145,000 ounces of gold. The remainder of the gold mineralisation is made up of T Stream and East Graben Hanging wall veins. Table 1: Updated WKP Project Mineral Resource Table Resource Category Cut-off g/t Au RESOURCES Mt Au g/t Au Koz Ag g/t Ag Koz Indicated 3.0 0.41 18.0 234 22.7 296 Inferred 3.0 1.05 11.9 401 16.8 568 Notes: No Provision has been made for dilution and mining recoveries. The tabulated resources are estimates of metal contained as troy ounces of gold and do not include allowances for processing. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy and confidence of the estimates and totals may not add correctly. There is no certainty that Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves will be converted to Mineral Reserves. Figure 1 Oblique View of WKP major veins and resources Figure 2 Plan View of geology and distribution of known major veins at WKP. Figure 3 Long Section of East Graben Vein All drill data in relation to the WKP Resource can be found on the Company's website at Click Here. In line with ASX listing requirements, OceanaGold has appended the information required by JORC Table 1 for the WKP results to its ASX announcement. JORC Table 1 is not required under National Instrument 43-101. Readers are referred to the ASX website at www.asx.com.au or the OceanaGold website at www.oceanagold.com to view JORC Table 1. About OceanaGold OceanaGold Corporation is a mid-tier, high-margin, multinational gold producer with assets located in the Philippines, New Zealand and the United States. The Company's assets encompass the Didipio Gold-Copper Mine located on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. On the North Island of New Zealand, the Company operates the high-grade Waihi Gold Mine while on the South Island of New Zealand, the Company operates the largest gold mine in the country at the Macraes Goldfield which is made up of a series of open pit mines and the Frasers underground mine. In the United States, the Company operates the Haile Gold Mine, a top-tier, long-life, high-margin asset located in South Carolina. OceanaGold also has a significant pipeline of organic growth and exploration opportunities in the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions. OceanaGold has operated sustainably since 1990 with a proven track-record for environmental management and community and social engagement. The Company has a strong social license to operate and works collaboratively with its valued stakeholders to identify and invest in social programs that are designed to build capacity and not dependency. In 2019, the Company expects to produce between 500,000 to 550,000 ounces of gold and 14,000 to 15,000 tonnes of copper at All-In Sustaining Costs ranging between $850 and $900 per ounce sold. Competent/Qualified Person's Statement The resources and exploration results were prepared in accordance with the standards set out in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves' ("JORC Code") and in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators ("NI 43-101"). The JORC Code is the accepted reporting standard for the Australian Stock Exchange Limited ("ASX"). Information relating to WKP Mineral Resource and Exploration Results in this document has been verified by, is based on and fairly represents information compiled by or prepared under the supervision of Mr Peter Church, a Chartered Professional of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and an employee of OceanaGold. Mr Church has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code and is Qualified Persons for the purposes of the NI 43 101. Mr Church consents to the inclusion in this public report of the matters based on their information in the form and context in which it appears. Cautionary Statement for Public Release Certain information contained in this public release may be deemed "forward-looking" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information relate to future performance and reflect the Company's expectations regarding the generation of free cash flow, execution of business strategy, future growth, future production, estimated costs, results of operations, business prospects and opportunities of OceanaGold Corporation and its related subsidiaries. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements and information. They include, among others, the accuracy of mineral reserve and resource estimates and related assumptions, inherent operating risks and those risk factors identified in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form prepared and filed with securities regulators which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com under the Company's name. There are no assurances the Company can fulfil forward-looking statements and information. Such forward-looking statements and information are only predictions based on current information available to management as of the date that such predictions are made; actual events or results may differ materially as a result of risks facing the Company, some of which are beyond the Company's control. Although the Company believes that any forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release is based on reasonable assumptions, readers cannot be assured that actual outcomes or results will be consistent with such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements and information, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. The information contained in this release is not investment or financial product advice. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP. (AG: NYSE; FR: TSX) (the "Company" or First Majestic) is pleased to announce the results from its 2018 exploration program at the Ermitano Silver/Gold project located four kilometres south of the producing Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine in Sonora, Mexico. The initial discovery hole (EW16-04) was previously announced on January 17, 2017 which intersected 997 AgEq grams per tonnes (g/t) over 18.0 metres (11.4 g/t gold and 86 g/t silver). At the end of 2018, a total of 50 drill holes had been completed on the property. The 2018 exploration program totalled 17,447 metres in 40 drill holes consisting of nine infill holes designed to increase the confidence and size of the resource and 31 step out holes to target areas to the West and East of the known mineralization. DRILLING HIGHLIGHTS Drill Hole 18-35 30.1 metres grading 293 AgEq g/t (3.0 g/t gold and 53 g/t silver) Drill Hole 18-36 11.2 metres grading 1,019 AgEq g/t (11.1 g/t gold and 128 g/t silver) Drill Hole 18-39 17.6 metres grading 654 AgEq g/t (6.3 g/t gold and 149 g/t silver) Drill Hole 18-47 28.3 metres grading 403 AgEq g/t (3.9 g/t gold and 95 g/t silver) Keith Neumeyer, President and CEO of First Majestic stated: The drilling results announced today from our Ermitano project are extremely encouraging as it continues to show the potential to build high quality resources in close proximity to our producing Santa Elena operation. The environmental permitting process is in the final stage with an expected positive decision in the coming weeks ahead. Pending project approval, Ermitano will add several years of mine life at Santa Elena and will displace the reprocessing of the old heap-leach ore pad with fresh ore containing higher grades that are not subject to the Sandstorm streaming agreement. PERMITTING STATUS In early February, technical personnel from SEMARNAT visited the Ermitano site in connection with the submission of the Company's Unified Technical Document ("DTU") for Exploitation. The DTU permit is the final federal requirement that includes authorizations for environmental impact and land-use change needed prior to the commencement any construction and mining activities. The Company anticipates receiving permission from the federal agency in March. SUMMARY OF COMPOSITES Hole ID From To Length (m) Estimated True Length (m) Ag g/t Au g/t Ag Eq g/t EW-16-03 199.6 202.1 2.5 1.9 37 5.3 463 EW-16-04 224.5 242.5 18.0 14.5 86 11.4 997 including 228.1 229.5 1.4 83 16.6 1,407 233.1 233.8 0.7 634 39.7 3,808 233.8 234.3 0.5 97 19.5 1,658 234.3 235.5 1.1 154 40.1 3,364 235.5 236.4 0.9 129 31.9 2,678 237.6 240.1 2.5 60 14.7 1,232 EW-16-05 126.4 152.6 26.2 20.7 52 4.2 390 including 134.9 136.3 1.3 92 13.9 1,207 136.3 137.4 1.1 165 11.1 1,053 EW-16-06 271.3 301.6 30.3 19.8 201 4.1 528 including 271.3 272.5 1.2 312 11.2 1,204 272.9 273.5 0.6 534 10.9 1,404 273.5 273.9 0.4 643 9.6 1,410 274.4 274.8 0.4 1517 5.5 1,955 274.8 275.6 0.8 1408 24.9 3,403 275.6 276.9 1.3 1128 18.4 2,602 276.9 277.7 0.8 654 16.3 1,956 EW-16-08 350.7 371.5 20.9 16.5 40 2.2 214 EW-17-09 268.5 280.7 12.2 9.8 77 3.6 367 including 271.3 271.8 0.5 76 12.9 1,109 EW-17-10 147.4 152.9 5.4 4.0 65 4.8 450 EW-18-19 669.0 670.9 1.9 1.5 78 1.7 217 EW-18-27 708.1 709.1 1.0 0.9 29 1.0 111 EW-18-33 237.2 255.5 18.3 14.5 28 2.9 261 EW-18-34 273.5 287.1 13.6 9.4 53 3.4 327 including 275.4 276.3 0.9 72 13.6 1,160 EW-18-35 148.0 188.3 40.3 30.1 53 3.0 293 including 163.6 164.1 0.5 139 19.4 1,691 165.4 166.1 0.7 118 18.7 1,614 EW-18-36 292.3 311.0 18.7 11.2 128 11.1 1,019 including 299.3 300.4 1.1 307 19.8 1,891 300.4 301.7 1.3 567 70.8 6,231 301.7 303.0 1.3 122 20.1 1,730 303.0 304.4 1.4 326 32.0 2,886 EW-18-37 185.5 192.0 6.4 4.0 54 3.2 309 EW-18-38 182.6 185.3 2.8 2.2 48 5.8 510 EW-18-39 265.4 294.1 28.7 17.6 149 6.3 654 including 265.4 266.0 0.6 520 17.0 1,879 268.8 270.0 1.2 369 20.1 1,980 272.0 273.0 1.0 387 8.6 1,074 283.0 284.0 1.0 149 15.5 1,392 286.0 287.0 1.0 180 10.4 1,010 289.0 290.2 1.2 192 14.4 1,342 EW-18-40 294.7 307.4 12.8 10.3 21 1.3 126 EW-18-41 166.3 172.9 6.5 4.5 78 9.6 849 including 167.7 168.5 0.8 83 14.6 1,250 169.3 170.3 0.9 133 39.4 3,281 EW-18-43 347.2 356.3 9.1 5.9 26 1.2 125 EW-18-44 199.1 229.5 30.4 16.8 39 2.6 251 EW-18-45 189.5 215.1 25.6 15.4 77 2.5 274 including 214.1 215.1 1.0 85 17.2 1,457 EW-18-46 74.6 99.3 24.7 20.5 41 3.7 341 including 90.2 91.1 0.9 95 13.0 1,136 93.3 94.0 0.8 149 27.3 2,334 EW-18-47 296.2 343.7 47.5 28.3 95 3.9 403 including 304.6 305.7 1.1 434 21.1 2,125 313.5 314.9 1.4 184 10.4 1,019 318.0 320.1 2.1 160 11.8 1,100 EW-18-48 260.5 264.6 4.1 3.5 59 6.3 561 EW-18-49 307.1 322.5 15.4 11.1 60 2.3 244 EW-18-50 243.5 263.4 19.9 17.8 57 3.9 366 including 260.2 261.4 1.2 74 12.2 1,043 Note: Holes EW16-01 to EW16-04 were announced on January 17, 2017 (see press release at https://www.firstmajestic.com/news/2017/index.php?content_id=312). Holes EW16-06 and EW 17-09 were announced on January 9, 2018 (see press release at https://www.firstmajestic.com/news/index.php?content_id=340). Gold equivalent (Gold-Equiv) is calculated using a gold to silver ratio of 1:80. After detailed geological logging, all drill core samples were split on site by diamond saw. One half of the core was submitted to Bureau Veritas Mineral Laboratories at the laboratory in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and to SGS Laboratories at the laboratories in Durango and Hermosillo, Mexico. The remaining half core is retained on-site for verification and reference purposes. ERMITANO VEIN SYSTEM Low sulphidation epithermal silver and gold mineralization is hosted in the steep dipping Ermitano and Ermitano Splay structures. The structures host green and white massive, banded, and bladed and stockwork quartz, calcite, and adularia. The veins are commonly brecciated and are associated with argillic alteration. Sulphide and iron oxide after sulphide and pyrolusite occur locally. The bulk of Inferred mineralization disclosed in 2018 is hosted in the Ermitano Splay. Drilling of the Ermitano Splay has delineated an east-west striking structure approximately 500 metres long, 400 metres down dip, with mineralized true thicknesses ranging from 0.9 to 30.0 metres, averaging 11.0 metres. Mineralization in the Splay remains open up-dip and down-dip to the west. The Ermitano Splay separates from the Ermitano structure which is delineated by drilling over an approximate 1,000 metre southwest strike length and 400 metre dip length. Mineralized true thicknesses range from 0.8 to 11.0 metres, averaging 4.0 metres. Figure 1: Oblique view of Ermitano and Ermitano Splay Figure 2: Plan view of Ermitano and Ermitano Splay 2019 EXPLORATION PROGRAM The 2019 exploration program will consist of approximately 16,000 metres in 75 planned drill holes. In the first half of 2019, the Company will explore the Ermitano Splay at shallow elevations with the objective to investigate the continuity of mineralization at low depths and to evaluate the feasibility of open pit extraction. If feasibility is confirmed, this could provide a faster way to process ore from this area. Figure 3: Ermitano Splay Grade x Thinkness Long Section Mr. Ramon Mendoza Reyes, Vice President Technical Services for First Majestic, is a "qualified person" as such term is defined under NI 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the technical information disclosed in this news release. ABOUT THE COMPANY First Majestic is a mining company focused on silver production in Mexico and is aggressively pursuing the development of its existing mineral property assets. The Company presently owns and operates the San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine, the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine, the La Encantada Silver Mine, the San Martin Silver Mine, the La Parrilla Silver Mine and the Del Toro Silver Mine. Production from these mines are projected to be between 14.2 to 15.8 million silver ounces or 24.7 to 27.5 million silver equivalent ounces in 2019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , visit our website at www.firstmajestic.com or call our toll-free number 1.866.529.2807. FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP. signed Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forwardlooking information and "forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws (collectively, forwardlooking statements). These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance, business prospects or opportunities that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management made in light of management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the Companys business strategy; future planning processes; commercial mining operations; cash flow; budgets; the timing and amount of estimated future production; recovery rates; mine plans and mine life; the future price of silver and other metals; costs of production; costs and timing of the development of new deposits; capital projects and exploration activities and the possible results thereof. Assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Consequently, guidance cannot be guaranteed. As such, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon guidance and forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, assumptions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forwardlooking statements. Statements concerning proven and probable mineral reserves and mineral resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forwardlooking statements to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered as and if the property is developed, and in the case of measured and indicated mineral resources or proven and probable mineral reserves, such statements reflect the conclusion based on certain assumptions that the mineral deposit can be economically exploited. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as seek, anticipate, plan, continue, estimate, expect, may, will, project, predict, forecast, potential, target, intend, could, might, should, believe and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forwardlooking statements. Actual results may vary from forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to materially differ from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to the integration of acquisitions; actual results of exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; commodity prices; variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; actual performance of plant, equipment or processes relative to specifications and expectations; accidents; labour relations; relations with local communities; changes in national or local governments; changes in applicable legislation or application thereof; delays in obtaining approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; exchange rate fluctuations; requirements for additional capital; government regulation; environmental risks; reclamation expenses; outcomes of pending litigation; limitations on insurance coverage as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Description of the Business - Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form, available on www.sedar.com, and Form 40-F on file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. Although First Majestic has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forwardlooking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forwardlooking statements included herein should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws. I spent more than 20 years trying to explain to my father what I do for a living. So it is ironic that just days following his passing in October, I accepted a responsibility that I know would have resonated with him. As the new co-chair of the Black Leadership Forum in JPMorgan Chases Corporate & Investment Bank, I am supporting the firms recruitment, development and retention of black employees at every level. This type of work always matters, but it is especially important during Black History Month, which holds personal significance for me. This year marks the first February I will be celebrating without my parents. And though I am still dealing with the emotions, Ive been inspired through the grieving process as my sister and I have sifted through various aspects of my parents lives. One of many photos we came across was this picture of them at their wedding reception in Virginia Beach in 1961. I wonder what they were thinking at that time. What possibilities were they imagining? Were they discouraged by the obvious racial roadblocks? Could they foresee the end of Jim Crow Laws, or imagine a desegregated world? What were their dreams for themselves and our family? Looking back, I certainly appreciated what my parents endured. However, Im not sure if I properly expressed how much their perseverance inspires me. After serving eight years in the U.S. Navy, my father became IBMs first black employee in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia in 1963. NASAs Langley Research Center in Hampton, which was featured in the film Hidden Figures (2017), was one of his many accounts. Having gone on some calls with him as a kid, it was exciting to see his profession as an IBM field engineer in the film. However, what is truly inspirational about his days at IBM is how it all started. Summerville, SC (29483) Today A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Slight chance of a shower late. Low near 70F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Slight chance of a shower late. Low near 70F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. First, this decision to cancel your smartest and most interesting cartoonist rather than (more appropriately) publishing an editorial response to him comes on the heels of your announcement that you are changing a number of your comics. Comics, graphic novels and newspaper comic strips and single-panels are overall a tremendously energetic and cutting-edge medium, and yet you are bleeding off the smart and artistically interesting ones (such as the long-gone Lio) and leaving us with the bland and banal Argyle Sweater and Off the Mark, and (seriously?) Nancy. Second, while the office of the president of the United States most certainly deserves respect, I do not see that that automatically extends to the person holding that office no matter what he/she does. It was President Trump himself who first lowered the tone of public discourse to this level, and who continually and viciously insults Americans of almost every occupation, ethnicity, gender, identity and description. Much more crucially, the spectacle of a newspaper clutching its pearls and canceling a writer for insulting a president who has repeatedly called newspapers the enemy of the people and who embraces despots who murder journalists defies belief. If anyone should be telling off the president, it is you. Stephanie Lovett His cohort also provided most of the troops for the wars that were started after 9/11. Among those who served was Buttigieg himself, who deployed to Afghanistan during his first term as mayor. And people his age, he noted, "will be on the business end of climate change, for as long as we live." Buttigieg is not well known enough to even register in the early polling. But at a time when Donald Trump sits in the White House, who's to say what is improbable anymore? "We get that the path is narrow and that this is an underdog project, but it seems to me there is a path, or we wouldn't be doing it," Buttigieg told me. "This cycle is going to test which of the rules are broken forever, and which are going to snap back into place." So for now, he's trying to win voters one living room at a time. And judging by what I saw here in Merrimack, he is making headway, even with people who are old enough to be his parents. "He's like a nobody, but I hope he's going to be a somebody," Jeanne Gall, 66, said afterward. "He's a man of substance, not just the blowhard cliches." But this being preseason in New Hampshire, she's still keeping her options open and is eager to see whether former vice president Joe Biden gets in the race. Still, everyone that day came away at least knowing how to pronounce his name ("boot-edge-edge"). Which is a good thing. Because we all might be saying it more than we imagine. Karen Tumulty is a columnist for The Washington Post. What about the big spike in asylum-seeking families? That is a very real problem. But it is not a problem of allegedly nonexistent borders, since these people are largely turning themselves in to seek asylum. Trump and Miller argue that many of these people are slipping into the interior while awaiting hearings, and have sought changes to the law to, for instance, make it easier to detain families together indefinitely. This is a worthy debate to have. The response is that such measures are deeply inhumane and that the better answer to the problem which Trump absurdly hypes to begin with is to invest more in streamlining and reorganizing the ways in which asylum seekers are processed. But regardless of which side of that debate you take, theres just no credible way to argue that this problem poses a serious threat to our national sovereignty, unless the real claim being made here is that any illegal infiltration of the country, no matter how minor in the larger scheme of things, represents a serious threat to it. Trump and Miller really do view the levels of overall immigrants here legally or not as a threat to our national sovereignty. But if that connotes the ability for the nation to govern itself that is, to control who gets in and who gets out then if majorities legitimately got their elected representatives to let in immigrants or to let more remain here legally, they wouldnt constitute a threat to our sovereignty, either. And on this question, political majorities are aligned against Trump and Miller, and with the Democratic political class, which supports current levels of legal immigration and wants to give undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship. Greg Sargent is a columnist for The Washington Post. When Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., announced last week that his state would scale back its failing high-speed rail project, President Donald Trump demanded that California return the $2.5 billion in federal funds that had already been provided. The president also said the Transportation Department would terminate a $929 million federal grant supporting the project. Originally projected to cost $40 billion, the high-speed rail was more recently projected at $37 billion over budget, at least four years delayed in certain sections, and had already cost taxpayers $4 billion. Whether the federal government will be able to recoup money it pledged for the project is unclear, but that question misses the broader point: I fear America is unable to do anything big. What happened in California is just the latest example of this country's inability to complete big economic projects. Last year, a multiyear effort to build a state-of-the-art nuclear power plant in South Carolina was abandoned, declaring an end to what the New York Times described as "a project that was once expected to showcase advanced nuclear technology but has since been plagued by delays and cost overruns." Construction on the power plant was shut down with less than 40 percent built at a cost of roughly $9 billion, and overruns led to an eventual projected cost of as much as $25 billion to complete the project, more than twice the initial $11.5 billion estimate. In science, you cant just sit there and talk about it, Schambach said. My students have learned that if you throw a bottle on the beach, itll come right back. The reason this works is we put it in the Gulf Stream current. The bottles take 14 to 26 months to arrive on the other side of the ocean after Schambachs friend, Capt. Ken Upton, drops them into the current about 40 miles off the coast of Wrightsville Beach. Lauras bottle took 15 months to complete a distance roughly as far as Winston-Salem to Juneau, Alaska. She said she was shocked that the glass bottle survived the trip. Coincidentally, she will be taking her first trip to Ireland this summer to celebrate her grandparents anniversary. I sent her (Patten) a letter in the mail a couple days ago. I told her You found my bottle and gave her my information, so she can write me back, Laura said. Its kind of crazy. Im super excited. According to a drift bottle project based out of the Institute of Ocean Sciences Canada, only about one out of every 25 bottles dropped into a current are found with the majority sinking, being buried in the sand or washing up in remote areas. Boswell had previously been banned by a Wake County judge from doing any paving or graveling work in North Carolina due to numerous complaints that he was defrauding people. Assistant District Attorney James Dornfried said in court that at 2:30 p.m. May 25, 2016, Boswell, Shaw and several other people came up to Mickey Reavis house. They said they had just finished a paving project nearby and had extra asphalt. Dornfried said the men offered to pave her driveway for free. But later, one of the men approached Reavis, who was 69 at the time, and asked her about payment. When Reavis, who is now 72, told them she thought the job was free, the man, who appeared to be the foreman, told her it would cost her $6,500. The woman refused to pay, and a group of men circled her. The woman told authorities she began feeling intimidated. I thought they were going to kill me if I didnt pay, Reavis said at Boswells court hearing in January 2018. The men lowered the amount to $3,700, Dornfried said. Chinese telecommunications giants ZTE, Huawei and Xiaomi displayed their brand new products at the 2019 Mobile World Congress (MWC2019), which opened Monday in the city of Barcelona in northeast Spain. New ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G is presented on the opening day of the Mobile World Congress 2019 (MWC19), in Barcelona, Spain, February 25, 2019. [Photo: EPA via IC/Andreu Dalmau] ZTE presented its new smartphone: the ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G, one of a range of 5G compatible devices to be shown to the public for the first time at the event. "We have been coming to the MWC for several years, but 2019 is the first year in which we are going to see 5G commercialized and we think we are going to be a key player in the sector," Li Qing, marketing manager from Chinese smartphone producers ZTE told Xinhua, adding "Innovations in 5G have been and will continue to be a very important strategy for our company." A member of Huawei staff shows the new Huawei Mate X device during a pre-briefing display ahead of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, February 23, 2019. [Photo: VCG] Chinese companies Huawei and Xiaomi presented their proposals for 5G handsets on the eve of the MWC2019, with Huawei showcasing the Mate X and Xiaomi, their Mi Mix 3 5G. However, MWC2019 is not just about smartphones, with 5G opening new possibilities for connected and autonomous cars and Artificial Intelligence (AI). "I hope to see what the new trends are, especially in 5G, and this week will decide the business strategy that my company will take for the coming years," Bojan Pavlovic, Research and Development Director of software developing company, Ibis Instruments, told Xinhua. "I have come here to see the challenges which the introduction of 5G offers to telecommunications providers and to try and identify the spaces in the market, so we can attempt to fill them," he added. Senior Vice President of Strategic Cooperation at Xiaomi, Xiang Wang, speaks during the presentation of the new Xiaomi Mi 9 and the new Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G in an event held on the eve of the Mobile World Congress 2019 (MWC19), in Barcelona, Spain, February 24, 2019. [Photo: IC] The four days of the MWC2019 also offer opportunities for networking, with numerous rooms set aside to visitors to find future business partners, while there is also a series of keynote speeches and conferences hosted by industry heavyweights aimed as helping decide the future of the mobile industry for 2019 and beyond. "This is probably the most important conference in the world, in which we are going to see the next generation of technology. The products that are going to be used in society during the next 10 years are all here," industry expert Mike Murphy commented to Xinhua. This is the 14th time for Barcelonia to host the event since the Mobile World Congress was moved to the city in 2006. Around 110,000 people are expected to visit the MWC2019, which will last until Feb. 28, with 2,400 companies from 200 counties exhibiting under the banner "Intelligent Connectivity." 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 ! Police Chief Maury Richards shared digital image models of the new police building, noting the large lantern feature on the front of the building that will glow blue at night. Tom Hallberg covers a little bit of everything, from skiing to long-form feature stories. A Teton Valley, Idaho, transplant by way of Portland and Bend, Oregon, he spends his time outside work writing fiction, splitboarding and climbing. Jacksonville, TX (75766) Today Variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. Storms more numerous this evening. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. Storms more numerous this evening. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. McLean County Coroner to Address Opioid Crisis BLOOMINGTON, Ill. As the opioid epidemic continues to grow into a public health crisis, McLean County Coroner Kathy (Davis) Yoder will present a talk on the national and local effects of opioid abuse on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. in the Hansen Student Center (300 E. Beecher St., Bloomington). This event is free and open to the public. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) from 1999 to 2014, 165,000 Americans died from opioid prescription overdoses. Total medical expenses to treat opioid abuse cost an average of $72 billion each year. Both Yoders background as a nurse practitioner and her current position as county coroner have provided her valuable insight into the opioid crisis. After graduating from the Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University with a Master of Science in Nursing in 2005, Yoder received board certification as a family nurse practitioner. She then joined the neurosurgery team at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois, while also teaching at Illinois Wesleyan University and Illinois State University. Yoder earned her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she continued to provide care to neurosurgical patients at Carle Foundation Hospital. Yoder worked on research for a cooling brain helmet that would help combat brain injuries, a project funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. Yoder, a lifelong McLean County resident, was appointed McLean County Coroner in November 2014. She also currently serves on Advocate BroMenns Governing Council and the Mennonite College of Nursing Strategy and Planning Council. Yoders talk is sponsored by Illinois Wesleyan Universitys Counseling and Consultation Services. For more information, please contact executive director of Counseling and Health Services Annorah Moorman at amoorman@iwu.edu. By Rachel McCarthy 21 Australian engineers and scientists have designed the local infrastructure for the biggest radio telescope the Square Kilometre Array moving the billion-dollar global project a step closer to being launched. A statement from the CSIRO, which is leading the SKA Infrastructure Australia consortium along with industry partner Aurecon Australia, said the group had designed everything from supercomputing facilities, buildings, site monitoring and roads, to the power and data fibre distribution that are needed to host the instrument at CSIROs Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory in remote Western Australia. The Infrastructure Australia group, and counterparts designing SKA infrastructure in co-host country South Africa, are among 12 consortia each designing specific elements of the SKA and include some 500 engineers and scientists in 20 countries. Construction is expected to begin next year after the design packages are complete and approved, and a critical design review takes place. Funding for the project has come from the Australian Government and the European Union. Were setting the groundwork to host 132,000 low-frequency SKA antennas in Australia. These will receive staggering amounts of data, CSIROs SKA Infrastructure Consortium director Antony Schinckel said. The data flows will be on the scale of petabits, or a million billion bits, per second more than the global Internet rate today, all flowing into a single building in the Murchison. To get this data from the antennas to the telescopes custom supercomputing facilities we need to lay 65,000 fibre optic cables. An artists impression of the future Square Kilometre Array in Australia. Credit: SKA Organisation CSIRO and Aurecon engineers have already worked on the infrastructure design for the Australian SKA Pathfinder telescope, CSIROs 36-dish radio telescope that is already operating at the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory and this experience stood them in good stead. Aurecons senior project engineer Shandip Abeywickrema said the biggest challenge was minimising radio "noise" created by systems to avoid drowning out faint signals from space that the telescope is designed to detect. Containing the interference created by our own computing and power systems is an unusual construction requirement, Abeywickrema said. Were trying to reduce the level of radio emissions by factors of billions. For example, the custom supercomputing building is effectively a fully welded box within a box, with the computing equipment to be located within the inner shield, while support plant equipment will be located in the outer shield. Australian SKA director David Luchetti said a second consortium had designed the infrastructure for the South African SKA site. CSIRO and Aurecon have delivered world-class designs, and the collaboration between the Australian and South African infrastructure consortia is a great example of the massive global effort behind the SKA project, he said. Infrastructure isnt usually seen as an arena for innovation, but this project has produced innovative designs, in Australia, which may have applications beyond astronomy. In addition to the incredible scientific potential of this project, we expect that the SKA will generate many spin-off benefits that we cant yet anticipate. We want to make sure Australia is best placed to capture these benefits. Vodafone chief executive Nick Read says the US must share any evidence it has about Chinese telecommunications equipment vendor Huawei Technologies with authorities in Europe, so that they can make an unified decision on using equipment from the company. Read, head of the world's second largest mobile firm, told media at MWC Barcelona that reducing the number of companies that supplied equipment for 5G networks from three to two would affect both the industry and economic growth. Reuters quoted him as saying: "We need to have a fact-based risk-assessed review." A Vodafone spokesperson contacted by iTWire said his remarks were unscripted and therefore there was no transcript to verify the quotes. Read said Vodafone was using Huawei's 5G radio equipment in Europe, though deployment in the core network had been paused. People are saying things at the moment that are not grounded, Im not saying that is the case for the US because I have not met them directly myself so I have not seen what evidence they have, but they clearly need to present that evidence to the right bodies throughout Europe, he said. The US has been pushing countries it sees as allies to prevent Huawei from tendering for 5G work. Australia has banned the company. New Zealand, which initially blocked telco Spark from using Huawei gear, has now indicated this is not the end of the matter. Read said a solution was not as simple as not allowing the use of Huawei equipment in future networks; 4G networks contained its equipment too and those networks were the foundation of the new technology. If an equipment swap on that scale had to be undertaken, it would be massively disruptive to infrastructure and users, besides costing a pretty penny, he pointed out. It will delay 5G in Europe by probably two years, Read said. It structurally disadvantages Europe. The director of Government Communications Headquarters, Britain's top spy agency, has told an audience in Singapore that the strategic challenge posed by China in an era of globalised technology is much bigger than that posed by one telecommunications company like Huawei. Delivering the Fullerton Lecture at the International Institute for Strategic Studies on Monday, Jeremy Fleming outlined the UK's approach to dealing with the challenges posed by the introduction of 5G technology and also dealt with the one name that has been raised more times than any other: Huawei. Referring to calls to ban the Chinese telecommunications vendor from the US, Fleming said a market that was consolidated to the extent that there were just a few options was not good for cyber security. The US has been campaigning for a couple of years now to get Huawei equipment banned from 5G rollouts. Australia and New Zealand have fallen in line, but Wellington has now indicated that the initial refusal for telco Spark to use Huawei gear is not the end of the matter. There have been indications that both Germany and the UK are ploughing a different path. Last Wednesday, the chief of Britain's National Cyber Security Centre, Ciaran Martin,in Brussels that his country was able to manage any potential security risks posed by using Huawei equipment. And a day earlier, it was reported that Germany may snub the US and allow Huawei to supply gear for some parts of the country's 5G network. Fleming said: "Thats regardless of whether those options are Western, Chinese, or from somewhere else. Experience shows that any company in an excessively dominant market position will not be incentivised to take cyber security seriously. So we need a diversified market, competing on quality and security, as well as price." He listed three preconditions for securing 5G networks: stronger cyber security practices across the telecommunications sector. "The market is configured in a way that does not incentivise good cyber security. That has to change." telecommunications networks must be more resilient. "Vulnerabilities can and will be exploited. But networks should be designed in a way that cauterises the damage. So we must do that." there must be sustainable diversity in the supplier market. Fleming said the UK had not made a decision about 5G yet. "There is an ongoing review led by the Digital Department and its Secretary of State which will conclude its analysis in the spring. Only when thats complete will the government make a decision about the supply chain balance." GCHQ would be at the heart of the work around 5G, he said. "We already have a role managing Huaweis presence in our existing networks. We think this is probably the toughest oversight regime for that company in the world. Its revealed significant problems with their cyber security practices... which have caused them to commit to a multi-million pound remedial programme. "And as Im sure you will have seen, weve been crystal clear that we will not compromise on the improvements we expect. But and its an important but 5G security is about more than just Huawei...thats what the three pre-conditions for 5G security are all about." Bron Gondwana: "The mere existence of capabilities which are not documented or tested along with the rest of the system is a systemic weakness." Melbourne-based secure email provider FastMail says it has begun to see existing customers leave and potential customers go to other providers, and the reason cited is the government's encryption bill. In a submission to the ongoing inquiry into the law, which was passed on 6 December, FastMail chief executive Bron Gondwana said the company's customers were "deeply concerned that they cannot trust the Australian Government to properly manage, monitor and control the flow of access requests". "They don't trust the government's technical capabilities (activities around the MyHealthRecord and Robodebt are sources for justification for this view)." Gondwana dealt with one of the much-discussed aspects of the law systemic weakness by pointing that any capability in a system that was not documented, designed and tested along with the rest of the system would add a systemic weakness. This was "especially when those capabilities involve security and access control", he added. Keeping the functionality provided by any TCN was fine, he said, but the existence of the TCN should not be kept secret. Among the changes FastMail has suggested are that companies be allowed to disclose that they have received a technical capability notice. Elaborating, Gondwana said the secrecy requirements would place all companies, which build a trusted relationship with their customers, at risk. "To conclude that additional capabilities built under TCN can be kept a secret, whether from staff or customers, is naive at best," he said. "When the capability is discovered, [the law] threatens criminal penalties for acknowledging that the capability even exists. This is incompatible with best practices for computer security." Gondwana said a reduction of foreign investment in Australian start-ups was bound to occur as nobody would want to invest in a product that could be compromised without any warning. "We are regularly being asked by customers if we plan to move. In addition to affecting current businesses, this bill has a chilling effect on anyone who might be considering starting a business," he pointed out. "Technology companies have a choice of location that bricks-and-mortar companies do not. "If Australians with great ideas choose to take their intellectual property to another country, it has a negative impact both by reducing future tax revenue and by depriving the technology community in Australia of another entrant." Soon after the law was passed, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security began a fresh review of what is officially called the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018). It is scheduled to submit a report by 3 April. Is the end of flat screens nigh? Probably not, as flat devices are sure to be with us for years yet, but with TCL's patented DragonHinge set to fire up MWC 2019, the Game of Phones is set to enter a whole new chapter. Ok, so Samsung has launched its folding Galaxy Fold phone which will go on sale for US $1980 in the first half of this year. Huawei has also hinted that its own folding smartphone is due this year, no doubty again when the company unveils its P30 Pro range in Paris, and at MWC 2019 as you can see here. Now comes news of TCL Communication, the parent company of Alcatel, unveiling its "patented DragonHinge technology supporting the companys future flexible display mobility portfolio" at MWC 2019. Thanks to this new DragonHinge technology, which can be seen in the images above and below, TCL states it is able "to showcase for the first time a preview of the companys complete lineup of flexible panel mobile devices". We're told: "Using custom flexible AMOLED displays from TCL sister company, CSOT, these foldable mobile devices are supported by TCL Communications proprietary DragonHinge technology which creates a mechanical housing for these devices, allowing them to fold and bend in support of a variety of use cases. This provides effortless and seamless movement, enabling the development of further flexible device designs which will make more advanced user experiences possible." Peter Lee, general manager of Global Sales and Marketing at TCL Communication, said: "Together with the support of our sister company, CSOT, were showing that TCL can be an innovator and leader in the mobile device market of the future. When we look at the potential of our flexible device portfolio, were obviously very excited about what well be bringing to market down the road. However, were not in a race to be the first because we feel it is more responsible to take a patient, thoughtful approach to not only solve hardware challenges, but also work with our partners on software solutions to ensure we deliver a meaningful user experience. Shane Lee, general manager of Global Product Centre at TCL Communication said: "When we look at the practical application of flexible display and foldable mobile devices, there are really three challenges that need to be overcome: the flexible AMOLED display itself, a durable mechanical housing, and of course the software that can seamlessly adapt to these new form factors. Through TCLs vertical integration with CSOT, we have conquered many of the challenges that come with flexible displays; and now with the announcement of DragonHinge, were able to show the world how well overcome the mechanical housing challenges that must be solved in order to support these new foldable form factors. "We now have a hardware solution to build from, freeing us up to tackle the unique software experiences this new technology enables, and how it all ties in to the larger connected ecosystem as we prepare to launch our first foldable device next year. TCL Communication notes it "will showcase the first DragonHinge concept products this week at Mobile World Congress 2019, with the first consumer-ready devices expected to arrive in 2020". Commentary A Tale of 3 Myanmar Political Assassination Plots From left to right: U Saw, Capt. Ohn Kyaw Myint, Kyi Lin and Aung Win Zaw YANGONTwo weeks ago, a Yangon court handed down death sentences to two men involved in the killing of National League for Democracy (NLD) legal adviser U Ko Ni, who was gunned down at point blank range outside Yangon International Airport two years ago. With U Ko Nis assassination widely believed to be politically motivated, these were the highest-profile capital cases in Myanmars recent history. U Ko Ni was a longtime advocate for amending the countrys Constitution, mainly to diminish the militarys involvement in politics. The Constitution was drafted by the military and is widely criticized as undemocratic. At the time of his death, the 63-year-old lawyer was advising the ruling NLD on charter reform. On Feb. 15, a judge at Yangons Northern District Court pronounced that convicted gunman Kyi Lin should be hanged for his premeditated murder of U Ko Ni. His accomplice Aung Win Zaw received the same sentence for helping to plan the killing. (Two others received prison sentences while another major suspect is still at large.) Since independence, U Ko Nis case is the third political assassination plotsuccessful or otherwisethat has led to the death sentence and gripped the public. Seventy years before U Ko Nis bloody assassination in Yangon, Myanmar national hero General Aung San and his cabinet members were shot to death during a meeting at the citys Secretariat. The killings, which took place less than one year before the country achieved independence from the British, were masterminded by U Saw, a former prime minister of British Burma and the generals bitter political rival. U Saw and nine men were put on trial for the assassinations, and a special tribunal handed down death sentences to all of them in December 1947 after convicting them of committing or abetting the murders. But only U Saw and five accomplices were executed on a late summer morning in May 1948. As the gray dawn broke on the day, witnesses said, U Saw emerged from his cell and smiled to everyone he saw on his way to the gallows. The 48-year-old paid his last respects to a Buddha statue on the way. He even shook hands with some of the officers supervising the execution and said goodbye. While U Saw paid with his life, his familys suffering lasted long after his death for they became virtual outcasts for what he had done. The case may have appeared to be open-and-shut, but many loose ends were left hanging, leading to conspiracy theories and rumors of other participants in the assassination plot, including British Army officers. In his book A Trial in Burma, which tells the full story of the assassination and trial in the context of the politics and personalities involved, author Dr. Maung Maung, a former assistant attorney-general who briefly served as Myanmars president in 1988, writes that Britain itself was on trial in the eyes of the public, as rumors swirled that figures in London supported the plot, believing that with Aung San gone and U Saw in charge, Burma might be kept in the British fold. As a result, to this day many Myanmar people still suspect the British were behind Gen. Aung Sans killing. Twenty-nine years later, in March 1976, another assassination plot was hatched, this time within Myanmars military circles targeting state leaders including the president, General Ne Win; U San Yu, who was general secretary of the then ruling Burma Socialist Program Party (BSPP); and National Intelligence Chief Colonel Tin Oo. The coup plottersa group of young army officers led by a captainwere unhappy with Ne Wins Burmese Way to Socialism, as well as his recent ouster of General Tin Oo as defense minister and chief of staff. The general was quite popular among army personnel at the time. (U Tin Oo went on to become one of the founders of Myanmars currently ruling NLD and is currently the patron of the party.) They wanted to restore Gen. Tin Oo to his former position. The assassination was planned to take place at the Armed Forces Day dinner on March 27 at the Presidential Residence on Yangons Ahlone Road. It didnt happen, however, due to poor coordination among the plotters and the long distance between the site where their weapons were stored and the targeted location. The plotters aborted the plan and agreed to make another attempt later. The plan was leaked, however, and arrests began. On the evening of July 2, a frightened 36-year-old man appeared at the entrance to the compound of then U.S. Ambassador David L. Osborn on Pyay Road asking for political asylum. The panic-stricken man was the leader of the failed coup, Captain Ohn Kyaw Myint. He told the ambassador that the plot had been uncovered and that he feared imminent arrest. Unfortunately, his request fell on deaf ears, as the U.S. government was trying to maintain good relations with Burma at the time. Embassy officials persuaded the fugitive to get into an embassy car and drove into the city while asking him for details about himself and the other plotters. During the ride, they refused his asylum request and managed to get him to leave the car voluntarily somewhere downtown. The New York Times reported in late August of 1976 that Osborn said he called on the authorities the following morning to report that a man claiming to be an officer had requested asylum. The embassy did not want the Burmese government to suspect U.S. complicity in the reported coup attempt. The paper said it learned independently that the ambassador had not notified the Foreign Ministry, which would have been in accordance with protocol, but had made his report to Col. Tin Oo, the chief of intelligence. A few days later Capt. Ohn Kyaw Myint was arrested. Along with 13 others, he was put on trial. The trial ended on Jan. 11, 1977 with the captain being sentenced to death, while having also earned the publics silent admiration. Capt. Ohn Kyaw Myint was executed in 1979 without his familys knowledge, according to U Win Htein, who was then an Army captain and went on to become an aide to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi until early last year. U Win Htein was himself dismissed from the army in 1977 for withholding information about the plot. Forty-one years later in 2017, NLD legal adviser U Ko Ni was shot dead. While the victim himself did not hold a position in the state leadership, as in previous cases, his endeavors on behalf of constitutional amendment were unquestioningly remarkable and important for Myanmar. Were it not for his expertise in the Constitution, there would have been no State Counselor position created for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, allowing her to serve as the de facto head of state. The position was necessary as the military-drafted charter bans her from holding the presidency. He advised the NLD on what should be changed in the Constitution in order to make it democratic for the betterment of all Myanmar citizens, bestowing equal rights and self-determination on the countrys diverse ethnic minorities. The motive behind the assassination is an open secret. For his relentless activism and contributions to the NLD on charter reform, he was rewarded with a bullet to the head. In all three high-profile assassinations, the victims attracted varying levels of public sympathy. The whole nation mourned the loss of its leader Aung San and his cabinet. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi praised U Ko Ni as a martyr and a majority of the people remember him as a hero who sacrificed his life while helping to shape a better Myanmar society bound by a democratic constitution. At the same time, his killing epitomizes how difficult it will be to change the charter. The failed assassination attempt against Ne Win and his colleagues was a source of public dismay. Their survival led the country to become poorer and the people continued to suffer for decades to come. Given the diverse motives for these attempted and successful killings, public opinion regarding the assassins is varied as well. U Saw and his men have gone down in history as a national disgrace. This will also be the case for Kyi Lin and Aung Win Zaw, U Ko Nis assassins. Despite their death penalties, some questions remain unanswered, such as who masterminded the killing. Only when those behind it are brought to trial will justice be done for the slain Muslim lawyer. Capt. Ohn Kyaw Myint may be a daredevil in the eyes of some due to his unrealistic coup plot. Nobody can deny, however, that he tried to change the regime. He gave his life in the fight against the repressive Ne Win regime. He deserves praise for that. News Revenge Killing Following Death of ARSA Leader A view of a Rohingya refugee camp in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, on November 16, 2018. / Reuters DHAKAArmed assailants shot dead one Rohingya paramedic and injured a computer technician at the Muchuni camp in Teknaf sub-district of Coxs Bazar on Friday evening for allegedly sharing information about the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) military commander Nurul Alam who was killed in a gunfight with a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) earlier the same day. The police discovered the body of paramedic Mohamed Hamid, 41, in a forested area near the camp hours after being kidnapped by sympathizers of Nurul Alam. Computer operator Hasan Ali was shot in Muchuni refugee camp at around 7 p.m. on Friday. The police on receiving information rushed to the spot and dispatched Hasan to the district hospital, while the body of Hamid was found later at night, said additional police Superintendent Nihad Adnan Taian of Teknaf-Ukhia Circle. The police official said sympathizers of slain Nurul Alam carried out the attack at the dispensary where Hamid, better known as Doctor Hamid, worked and took his body to the nearby forest. He suspected that Nurul Alams cohorts singled him out and killed him as revenge for sharing information about Nurul Alam. Teknaf police and army personnel rushed to the spot and recovered Hamids body, sending it to the district hospital. Nurul Alam is said to have been involved in, or an organizer of, a number of serious crimes committed in the region since 2016, including murder and looting, most notably an incident of looting of arms from an Ansar security establishment near the Nayapara Rohingya shelter in Tekhnaf in May 2016. The commander of the Ansar battalion was killed during the incident. Nurul Alam was killed on Friday morning in what has been called a gunfight with RAB next to the road near Damdamia of Teknaf. We are collecting intelligence and closely monitoring the development, RABs Teknaf Commander Lieutenatn Mirza Shahed Mahtab told Dhaka-based newspaper New Age. He said they were yet to clarify the identities of the Hamids killers but would continue joint patrols in the area. Coxs Bazar additional police Superintendent Iqbal Hossain said on Saturday afternoon that no one had yet been arrested and that the case had yet to be filed with the Teknaf police. Local Rohingya believe that Hamid worked as an informant for the law enforcement agencies. Police officials believe that Nurul Alams deputy Al Yaqeen leader Sadek was behind Hamids murder. When The Irrawaddy contacted Hamids family they were unwilling to comment. As of Sunday evening, a case was yet to be filed with the Teknaf police, though the hunt for the killers continues. Burma NLD Urges Public Not to Worry Amid Military Warnings over Charter Reform A public rally organized by the NLD in Maubin, in the Irrawaddy Delta region, in May 2014 to call for constitutional amendment / The Irrawaddy YANGONAmid rising tension between the military and the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) over constitutional reform, the partys spokesperson urged the public not to worry, promising that the Constitution would be amended in accordance with ethnic peoples wishes. What we are doing is within a legal framework. We [the NLD] always maintain a policy of non-violence, so nothing will happen that will harm the public. I urge people not to worry, Dr. Myo Nyunt told The Irrawaddy on Monday, calling on the public to overwhelmingly support the partys efforts. Senior leaders of the military, or Tatmadaw, warned at a press conference in Yangon on Saturday that the NLDs move to form a joint committee tasked with amending the military-drafted Constitution, breached constitutional rules and parliamentary by-laws, and reiterated the views expressed by military appointees in Parliament. We will need to wait and see what the results and consequences are [of breaching the constitutional rules], Major-General Tun Tun Nyi said at the press conference. The NLD has questioned the militarys objection to its formation of the joint committee, pointing out that under the previous government led by the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), Parliament also initiated a process of constitutional amendment. A committee was formed to review the proposed amendments, and only after that was a bill to amend the Constitution submitted to Parliament. The USDP-dominated Parliament only amended a few minor articles of the Constitution, and the effort was generally seen as ineffective. The USDP did just as we are doing in terms of constitutional amendments Why do they [the military] only oppose it now, while they didnt oppose the formation of the committee as unconstitutional [when the USDP was in power]? NLD vice chairman Dr. Zaw Myint Maung told local media on Sunday. From the outset, the military appointees, who hold 25 percent of seats in Parliament as stipulated in the Constitution, have cited Chapter 12 of the charter in their rejection of the NLDs proposal to form the committee. They said that at least 20 percent of lawmakers must agree to a bills submission before it can be discussed in Parliament. The committee was formed after a majority of votesfrom the NLD and other ethnic party members in Parliamentagreed to do so. The senior officers repeated during Saturdays press conference that the militarys main duty is safeguarding the charter and strongly warned that they wouldnt tolerate any amendments that harm the essence of the Constitution, referring to the 48 basic principles of the Union stated in Chapter 1 of the charter. NLD spokesperson Dr. Myo Nyunt told The Irrawaddy on Monday that the essence of the Constitution should be public representation and the deriving of the Unions sovereign power from the public. But if they see maintaining the Tatmadaws important role [in politics] as the essence, I would say we dont share the same view on that, he said. He added that the proposed amendments to the Constitution will only be submitted after all members of the amendment panel, including ethnic parties and independent candidates, reach a common agreement. It seems that they [the military] want to amend the Constitution as they desire. But we will amend it as per the wishes of all ethnic people, the spokesperson added. Burma Myanmar Military Major Killed in Fighting With Arakan Army in Rakhine Maj. Aung Ko Nyein. / Masarita Nyarni / Facebook YANGON The Office of the Commander-in-Chief said a Myanmar military major was killed during fighting with the Arakan Army (AA) in northern Rakhine States Buthidaung Township Friday night, near where the rebel group killed 13 border police officers in early January. Brig. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, a spokesman with the office, identified the dead officer as Maj. Aung Ko Nyein. This has been confirmed, and it happened in the same location where four [border police] stations were attacked in Buthidaung, he told The Irrawaddy on Monday, declining to answer further questions. On Sunday, Maj. Aung Kyo Nyeinss wife, Daw Phyo Pa Pa Win, posted a short message to her Facebook account that said: Now you left me with two daughters. More than 200 users including some soldiers responded with condolences. Masarita Nyarni, who identified herself as the majors sister on her own Facebook page, posted messages and photos on Sunday stating that her brother was a graduate of the 44th intake at the Defense Service Academy and died during fighting in northern Rakhine. But she said he died Saturday, not Friday. The posts have since been removed. The AA reported clashes with the military on Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Kyauktaw and Mrauk-U townships in northern Rakhine and in Paletwa Township in neighboring Chin State, but not in Buthidaung. A source close to the AA told The Irrawaddy that Maj. Aung Ko Nyein may have been killed during fighting between the military and AA in the mountains of Mrauk-U because the military had recently sent soldiers from various battalions to the area. The AA claims it killed six soldiers in Paletwa and Mrauk-U on Thursday and that it killed at least two soldiers and severely wounded at least five in Kyauktaw on Friday. It said one AA fighter and an unspecified number of soldiers died in fighting on Saturday in Paletwa. The AA also claims that the military randomly fired about 70 rocket propelled grenades and mortar shells ranging from 105mm and 120mm in size into a forested area in Paletwa on Friday. It said the shells produced an unusually large amount of smoke and that it was investigating whether they were chemical weapons. Maj. Aung Ko Nyeins death during fighting with the AA is the second involving a high-ranking officer that the military has confirmed since December. Burma Japanese Newspaper Apologizes to Commander-in-Chief over Interview Asahi Shimbuns Yangon bureau chief Ryuta Sometaya interviews Army chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw on Feb. 14, 2019. / Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) YANGONJapanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun has issued an official apology to the Office of the Commander-in-Chief after the latter complained to the Myanmar Press Council over alleged inaccuracies in an interview with Army chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. The Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) filed a complaint with the council on Feb. 16, apparently upset that the Asahi Shimbun had failed to honor its agreement to show the senior general a draft of the interview prior to publication. The interview was conducted in Naypyitaw on Feb. 14. Yes, we filed a complaint, and Asahi Shimbun gave us an apology. As it sent us a formal apology, it can be said that the case is settled now, Brigadier-General Zaw Min Tun of the Tatmadaw True News Information Team told The Irrawaddy. Myanmars military is commonly referred to as the Tatmadaw. The senior general had asked to see a draft of his interview with the Japanese newspapers Yangon bureau chief, Ryuta Sometaya, to prevent any mistakes or misunderstandings. However, the newspaper published the story the following day on its Japanese-language website without doing so. In its complaint, the Myanmar Army said the Japanese newspaper failed to report the interview correctly and precisely, and therefore breached Chapter 4, Paragraph 9 (a) of the Media Law and Chapter 10, Para 33 (c) of the Media By-law. The Myanmar Press Council has asked the Myanmar Army to clarify which parts of the Asahi Shimbuns story it believes could cause misunderstanding. The website of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief has itself published the entire interview in both Burmese and English. U Myint Kyaw, joint secretary 1 of the press council, said, In my view, if it agreed to show a draft before publication, [the newspaper] has to do so, because it is an interview, adding that the situation might be different if the military were demanding an apology over a straight news story. The interview touched upon the military chiefs view on constitutional amendment, the militarys role in Parliament, the Rohingya issue, the peace process, and the policies of State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the ruling National League for Democracy. The Press Council has invited representatives of both sides to discuss the issue at a meeting on March 1. Asia Security Men and Metal Detectors: Vietnam Prepares for Trump-Kim Summit A Vietnamese soldier uses a metal detector at a Hilton hotel's terrace ahead of the North Korea-U.S. summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Sunday. / Reuters HANOI Dozens of North Korean security men with identical haircuts and suits marched off an aircraft at Hanoi airport on Sunday, as Vietnamese soldiers searched through shrubbery outside a posh hotel in the city center days before a North Korea-U.S. summit. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump will meet in Hanoi on Wednesday and Thursday, hoping to build on a commitment they made at their first meeting, in Singapore in June, to rid the Korean peninsula of nuclear bombs. They are expected to meet for their second summit in Hanois Government Guesthouse, an elegant, colonial-era building in the city center, or at the nearby Metropole Hotel, sources have told Reuters. Vietnam has confirmed that Kim will arrive for an official goodwill visit as well as the summit with Trump, but has released no further details regarding the location of meetings. A Reuters witness saw Vietnamese soldiers in camouflaged fatigues sweeping the area around the Metropole with a metal detector. Its potted plants were thoroughly checked. Teams of soldiers were also seen busy on nearby rooftops, installing radio devices and equipment under camouflaged webbing. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has ordered that security should be a top priority for the summit, the government said in a post on its website. The Southeast Asian country is relishing its role as peacemaker, seeing it as an opportunity to burnish its international standing and balance its foreign ties. Vietnam has pushed U.S. and North Korean security services to work closely to prepare for the summit, a senior Vietnamese security official told Reuters. Media published photographs taken at Hanois Noi Bai International Airport showing a North Korean cargo plane with its loading door open and the security men filing off onto the tarmac. Some banners proclaiming the summit have gone up along Hanois tree-lined streets and some lamp posts are decked with North Korean, Vietnamese and U.S. flags fluttering above a handshake design, but apart from that, for now at least, life goes on as normal. Motorists have been warned to expect road closures when the leaders are in town. Security at the train station in the town of Dang Dong, on the Chinese border where Kim is expected arrive by train, has also been stepped up. Vietnamese soldiers were seen patrolling its streets on Sunday. In Person Selling Rakhine to the World U Htun Htun Naing at his office in Yangon in 2017. / The Irrawaddy In the wake of the 2017 Rohingya crisis and ongoing fighting between the military and Arakan Army, the Myanmar government is desperate to attract investors to Rakhine State in hopes that they will help reverse the fortunes of one of the countrys poorest regions. To that end, it invited more than 600 of them to the beach resort town of Ngapali on Thursday, Friday and Saturday for the first ever Rakhine State Investment Fair, which was opened by State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi herself. Foreign and domestic companies signed 28 expressions of interest for projects worth a potential $4.9 billion. Businessman U Htun Htun Naing has been playing a key role in helping the state government bring investors to Rakhine. He is also chairman and group CEO of Blue Ocean Investments and of Blue Ocean Operating Management Co. Ltd, based in Yangon. The Irrawaddys Nan Lwin spoke with him about the current investment climate, China, Japanese and Indian interest in Rakhine, and what government technocrats are doing to try to revive Rakhines image abroad. What sectors in Rakhine have the most potential for investment? Rakhine State has abundant opportunities for investment. The Rakhine Investment Fair wants to attract both foreign and local investment, particularly for infrastructure projects such as building and upgrading roads, bridges and ports. Once we receive investment for infrastructure, we can move on to production-based industry, the fisheries sector, and service-based and value-added industry. What are the priority foreign investment projects for Rakhine State? Speaking of infrastructure projects, we now have investors for the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone in Kyaukphyu, and also for the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project in Sittway. However, we need to upgrade road access to other parts of the country. We have improved access to electricity for the public, but we still need more for industrial use. The government is currently implementing a 30 MW power plant project in Kyaukphyu. We need airports. For example, we need to upgrade the Thandwe and Mrauk-U airports. After all those projects are completed, conditions will be better for additional investment here. As far as we know, the Rakhine State government has invited investors to invest in six major projects. Are the investors interested in investing in those projects? Yes. We have showcased six major projects from the project bank that was introduced by the Union government at the Invest Myanmar Summit in Naypyitaw. Actually, Rakhine has more than that. Thats why we are having a separate investment fair. In terms of the countries interested in investing in Rakhine, China is the top country, Japan is second and [South] Korea is third. Furthermore, among neighboring countries, India and Thailand are also interested in investing in Rakhine. Which projects do they want to invest in and why? There is a power play among the countries. After China and Myanmar agreed to implement the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone, Japan and Korea also became interested in initiating mega-projects in Rakhine State. Rakhine occupies a unique geographic position next the India. We have the greatest sea access and own the longest coastline in Myanmar. So investors really love to invest in Rakhine. However, it would be better if we had more investment, particularly from Korea, Thailand and India rather than China. Because, as we have said, we would like to invite responsible and sustainable investment from foreign investors. You mentioned that Japan and Korea are interested in mega-infrastructure projects. Can you provide more details about these projects? Korean investors are eyeing the construction of a new city that they have submitted a proposal for. Moreover, Japan has proposed building both mega and small industrials parks in Rakhine. Thai investors are interested in investing in the tourism sector, especially in Ngapali and Mrauk-U. If we can upgrade and build airports in Mrauk-U and Ngapali, that would help boost the tourism sector in Rakhine. India is also interested to operate ports. Although India and Myanmar have been working on the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, the Rakhine government just received new proposals from Indian and local investors to build ports in other part of Rakhine. When we talk about foreign investment in Rakhine State, the investors mostly point out infrastructure problems, electricity and roads in particular. How are you dealing with the infrastructure problems? When it comes to attracting foreign investment, electricity and roads are crucial for Rakhine State. We will start a mega-electricity project in Kyaukphyu. Moreover, the government has plans for electric power projects in Sittway and Ponnagyun. The government also received proposals for a mini-grid to provide electricity to villages. Furthermore, we only have access to the sea. We also need better access to the interior. We will need upgraded roads to reach China if we are to implement the One Belt One Road Initiative projects. If we have better road access, we can be the major hub for transporting goods from upper Myanmar to India. So we need to upgrade road access. The government is also inviting BOT [build, operate, transfer] for the road construction projects. We all know Rakhine has problems securing investment because of the Rohingya crisis and the armed conflict. What is your opinion on that? Rakhine is a big state that stretches from south to north. The crisis happened in the northern part of the state Buthidaung and Maungdaw which borders Bangladesh. Except for Buthidaung and Maungdaw, the rest of the cities Sittwe, Mrauk-U and Kyauktaw are peaceful. Kyaukphyu, Thandwe, Gwa, Manaung and Ngapali in particular are the most pleasant places in southern Rakhine. When we look at the map, the crisis happened in a small part that is less than 10 percent of Rakhine State. However, Rakhines image has been tarnished because of the international medias portrayal. Now we are conducting a Beautiful Rakhine campaign to revive our image. As you see today, 65 percent of the attendees at the fair are foreign investors and only 35 percent are local investors. We have problems, but we can solve them. Investment should aim for long-term benefits. I hope investors can invest more for the long-term benefit of the state. We also found out that the root causes of Rakhines problems are education and the economy. If we have improvements in education and the economy, we will have less crisis. This was also mentioned in a report by late U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. What are the government and your team doing to revive Rakhines image? As a first step, we are working on the Beautiful Rakhine campaign together with the Rakhine government. We uploaded a lot of photos that show the beauty of Rakhine. We currently reach 7 million people on Facebook. As a second step, we participated in the Invest Myanmar Summit in Naypyitaw. As a third step, we will publish a report about the results of this fair including short- and long-term plans for implementing the investment agreements. We have also traveled abroad to China, India and elsewhere to attract investment and to explain Rakhines situation. Arts Photographer Tells the Dark Side of the Elephants Story in Myanmar One of the award-winning photos from Ko Myo's photo essay Beautiful Girl in which the baby elephant Mi Chaw and her care-giver nap together. / Ko Myo YANGONFreelance documentary photographer Ko Myo fell in love with elephants when he started photographing the beautiful story of a mahout and his best friend, an elephant called Pho Khwar, and this love has motivated him to spend several years photographing the gentle giants. When I got to know more about elephantstheir behavior, their natureI came to love them more and more and wanted to protect them from cruel poachers, said Ko Myo. Back in 2015, Ko Myo was searching for a topic for his photo essay. His mother told him that people in Bagan still use elephants for traditional ceremonies. I started questioning why elephants are going among crowds, why they are working under the bright sunlight. I went to Bagan to see them but they had already left, Ko Myo said. Luckily, he managed to get the details of the group providing elephant services for the traditional event he had just missed. He traveled to Yinmabin in Sagaing Region. I didnt know anything about elephants; I didnt even know what story I could get, so I asked the elephant owner everything, he said, recalling the beginning of his long journey. Here, he heard the touching story of the elephant Pho Khwar and his best friend, the mahout, and started to capture their story. Both the mahout and elephant are 18 years old. They grew up in different elephant camps but after they met, they became best friendsnow they play together, eat together and sleep close to one another. They are like brothers, said Ko Myo. The photo essay he created about them, Brothers, won fourth prize at the 2015 Yangon Photo Festival. But the story of the elephant in Myanmar is not usually a happy one. He recalls witnessing a tragic moment of violence between a group of wild elephants and villagers in Kyaukpadaung, Mandalay Region. It was in 2015. Six wild elephants from the Bago [mountain range] had wandered into Kyaukpadaung Township. They passed through many villages and so many people came together and used some tame elephants to urge them to change their direction and to go back to their habitat in the Bago mountains. I followed them, Ko Myo recalled. At one place, there was a gorge and the elephants were in the middle. The people were scaring them from both sides. One man went very close to the wild elephants and he was telling me to come to take photos but I refused because it was too dangerous. I even called him to come back but he didnt and a big elephant crushed him. It looked like a balloon burst. He died right there and I was so confused, scared and sorry for him. I got some pictures of the moment but deleted them later because I dont want to use those sad images for my project even though they are really good, Ko Myo said. For his second prize-winning photo essay Beautiful Girl he followed the story of a newborn elephant calf named Mi Chaw. She was taken away from her mother and saved by an elephant doctor at Wingabaw elephant camp. However, the doctor found it impossible to source the milk she needed and milk powder was expensive. The doctor used Facebook to reach out to others for donations but help came too late. We moved her to a nearby elephant camp to save her. If she got milk from elephants, she could survive but she didnt know how to deal with other elephants. She thought the doctor was her father. Her health condition got worse and Mi Chaw died at 23 days old, said Ko Myo. But their efforts were not in vain. Soon after Mi Chaw died another orphaned calf, Marry, was brought to the elephant camp. We sent her to Wingabaw and were able to support her with the things donated for Mi Chaw. Now, Wingabaw elephant camp has other motherless calves and they have everything they need. Its all because of Mi Chaw, said Ko Myo. He continued to spend many years studying the lives of elephants, staying in the jungle with other villagers. He got a lot of contacts and a deep understanding of elephants. He even learned an elephant lullaby only known by old mahouts. In more recent years, he began to look into the wild elephant trade. When someone contacted me to say that an elephant was killed, I went to that place immediately. Most of the time I dont get permission to take a photo. Sometimes they allow it but its really risky, said Ko Myo. He spoke of the risks he takes to photograph the illicit tradesometimes poachers would try to attack him, but he pushes on with his drive to document it regardless. If I dont photograph those moments, the public cant know these terrible things and more elephants will die and poachers will cut more skins and tusks and kill them. He urges other photographers to document wildlife trading too and to give awareness to the public. Its not only elephants, other animals are also suffering from illegal wildlife trading. The animals are living in naturethey never intentionally hurt people, they just defend themselves when people come too close to them, said Ko Myo. As well as Beautiful Girl which won him an award in the 2017 Yangon Photo Festival, his most recent photo essay about the illegal wild elephant trade Hunting the Poachers won third prize in the professional photo category at this years festival. It doesnt matter whether I win a prize or not but Im happy to accept the prize too. I just want people to become aware of this issue, thats more important, said Ko Myo. Ko Myo said most elephant poaching happens in the Bago mountain range and in Irrawaddy Region. In 2017, about 59 wild elephants were killed by poachers but this number dropped to 18 in 2018. Currently, there are about 2,000 wild elephants left in Myanmar and if they keep losing their habitat, there will be more conflict with humans and illegal trading. Wild elephants might disappear from Myanmar altogether. Through Ko Myos photos, people can know more about elephants: that they are lovely and worth protecting; that we should value them and they dont deserve to be killed. His projects help to raise awareness of the illegal wild elephant trade. Thats a good impact, said Ko Ye Min Thwin, Senior Communications Officer at WWF Myanmar. Ko Myo said, The solution is to raise awareness to encourage people to stop using products made of animal [parts]. All poaching and trading is motivated by the greed of humans, so humans should stop using all animal-made products. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says Ireland is not playing chicken over Brexit after British prime minister Theresa May delayed a House of Commons vote on a deal until just days before March 29 deadline. Ahead of the first summit between the EU and the Arab League in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Ms May confirmed a meaningful vote planned for Wednesday will now be delayed until as late as March 12. It means any Brexit deal may not be known until 17 days before the March 29 EU-UK divorce date, nine days before the final pre-Brexit EU summit, and risks derailing some of Irelands no-deal Brexit legal changes. Despite growing concerns that London is attempting to drag out talks until the last second to force the EU to compromise, Mr Varadkar warned Ms May he and Ireland are not playing chicken on the stand-off. The decision on when this vote happens in the House of Commons isnt under my control, said Mr Varadkar. I havent had a chance to speak to Prime Minister May yet. I will today or tomorrow. I understand she has taken the decision to defer the vote until some time around mid-March, but for the EU, that doesnt change anything. It doesnt take anything from Irelands point of view either. Lets not forget this March 29 deadline is a self-imposed deadline. It is one that the UK has imposed on itself. Nobody in Ireland of the EU is threatening no deal. This is a situation the UK has created for itself so we are not playing chicken, we are not playing poker, we are just standing by our position which has been solid from day one. Although no meeting between Mr Varadkar and Ms May been formally confirmed in Egypt, Government sources said the two leaders were likely to hold sideline talks last night or early this morning on the fringes of the summit. Tanaiste Simon Coveney, yesterday told Sky News there is no possibility whatsoever that Ireland or the EU will back down on the backstop to placate Brexiteers. It is understood that EU officials are willing to offer stronger legal letters reassuring Britain on the backstop Mr Varadkar said that fresh mechanisms will be considered. Meanwhile, Mr Varadkar, Ms May, and 22 of the EUs other 28 member state leaders met with their Arab League counterparts yesterday. The summit concludes today and focused on migration, peace in the middle east and closer working ties. It was criticised by some human rights groups over the fact it was held in Egypt, whose leader, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, has faced protests over his human rights record. It could have been a scene straight out of a film, except that it wasnt, Terry Prone. Farmer Matt Rogers, from the Naul, in north Co Dublin, courteously responded to questions from journalists at his padlocked front gate. They wanted to know what it was like to be part of a small family syndicate that won 175m in the Lottery. It was, he told them sadly, like being in jail. I was happy at the start, he told the Sunday World. But now, with all this... Its a lot to take in. Then he remembered that his sister had previously telephoned him to tell him to keep it zipped, and realised that even this tiny comment would show he had failed to obey orders. He left the journalists and trudged back to his modest home. Ive been asked a lot this week about how Id advise winners of Euromillions to manage the communication of their good fortune, and the first point Id make is that its too late now. They needed to plan ahead. Before you buy a lottery ticket, imagine what it would be like to win. If you win a measly three mill, its not a huge threat to your way of life and self-definition, but if you win nearly two hundred mill, that is a very different kettle of potentially stinky fish. The curious thing is that many of the people in radio vox pops last week took a positive view of the jackpot being won by a syndicate, on the basis that several members of a family would do well, rather than one being overwhelmed by the scale of the win. In PR terms, however, a syndicate is a bad thing. It goes back to the old mafia saying that three people can keep a secret if two of them are dead. Winning the lottery is a secret you want to keep. Look at the alternative. The National Lottery, according to spokeswoman Miriam Donohoe, will not pressure any winner to go public. Of course, the Lottery would be thrilled skinny if the winners in this case did go public. Her point was that the Lottery leaves it up to winners to be private or public about it. Now, the best PR advice to the winners would be to be obsessively private about it. Whats the advantage to pictures of shaken champagne hosing out of a bottle and family members clutching an oversized cheque that has the scale of their win emblazoned across it? Many younger people might not know what the cheque actually is, since so few people today use them. But winners stump up for the photo-shoot. The more valuable part of their visit to Lottery HQ is the tutorial on how to manage their finances, but, inevitably, the one outsiders remember is the picture. For years to come, whenever something bad happens to those winners, the picture gets rerun. So, if the marriage of a pair of winners fails, or one of their children is done for DUI, or a business they start falls on its face, up will come the photograph of the happy before to contrast with the less-happy after. Hostage to fortune, innocently offered up. Individual winners of vast sums can keep it a secret. Syndicates rarely, if ever. A syndicate multiplies the chances of someone wanting to talk. Each member of a syndicate has their own family, whom they tell and who are subsequently overheard sharing the news with a trusted friend, and thats the secret blown wide-open, right there. Syndicates never sit down, before they start buying lottery tickets, to work out contracts, applicable in the event of a win. They think itll be grand if it ever happens, but that it wont happen. And then it does and it isnt grand at all. When psychology professor Philip Brickman looked at the happiness of lottery winners, he found that, within as short a time as a month, they had reverted to their happiness baseline. Those who were generally miserable and downbeat before the win went right back to being miserable and downbeat within a month or so, whereas the happy-clappy types stayed happy, but, significantly, only as happy as they had been before the win. In the case of the family syndicate outed in the last few days, this reversion to the norm or worse may have come phenomenally quicker than that, because of the vicious circle of publicity. If a good PR person had advised them in advance to keep their sudden wealth a secret, they wouldnt have a problem. But because the word got out, the gate to the farm where one of them lives is now padlocked and the farmer feels like hes in prison. This may get worse. We have to hope it doesnt, but the odds of him and his siblings returning to anonymity are poor. The family will be bombarded with begging letters. If those begging letters dont get a fast, positive response, some senders will upload their rage, when they believe they have such a legitimate reason for dunning the newly rich family. These will feed into the envy that is the backswing of the initial goodwill extended to lottery winners, and the family will suddenly find themselves not heroes, but something close to hate figures. Drunks will come up to them in the local pub and give them what for. One of their options is to leave home. They have the money, after all, to live anywhere in the world, where they will go unrecognised. Theyre so lucky, theyre in a situation like US criminals who cut a deal with the FBI to sell out pals, in return for plastic surgery and protected witness status, living miles away from their homes, unable to make contact with friends, hated by their uprooted children. Lucky them According to the Naul farmer, some kind of public announcement is due this week. He didnt sound thrilled about it, and hes right. Unless the family has signed a contract with the National Lottery to publicise their win, they should pull out of the event. They may feel badly about letting the Lottery down, but they didnt know what they were doing when they committed to publicity. Every picture, from now on, will cement their presence in the public mind with zero benefit for them. Ditto every interview. Media, mainstream and social, are like a pendulum. The pendulum gets swung one way, with, for example, an interview about how unhappy they are with the loss of privacy. Next thing, the pendulum gets swung the other way, with columnists opining that theyre the epitome of moany ingratitude. Even pulling out of further publicity wont unpadlock the gate in Naul, but resolute silence can help a bit, if the family wants to retreat from the public gaze. Begging letters and envy are the backswing of the initial goodwill extended to winners More accurate ways of measuring data have revealed how this country lags behind in a number of key targets, including poverty, inequality, and climate change, writes Catherine Kavanagh. Ireland ranks 11th out of 15 similar EU countries on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. But what does this mean and why does it matter? This means that Ireland is performing poorly on a range of indicators that together make up a more accurate way of assessing Irelands economic, societal and environmental health. This is important because we are at a turning point in both our understanding and the availability of national data. Policy makers now have the opportunity to change the data they prioritise to account for real national progress and societal health, beyond simple economic indicators such as GDP. If the UN SDGs are seriously integrated into policy formation as standards by which new policy must be assessed and old policy must be judged, then we will have entered a new era of accountability and real progress. In January 2016, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) came into force. These 17 goals underpin the UNs 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted by 193 countries, including Ireland. SDG 17 Partnership for the goals seeks to support and achieve the targets of Agenda 2030 by bringing together national governments, the intl community, civil society, private sector and others. Ireland is ranked 11 out of EU 15. Read #measuringprogress https://t.co/I5vmFc86ol pic.twitter.com/d9FB1AWqjP Social Justice Ireland (@SocialJusticeI) February 22, 2019 The SDGs are designed to refocus efforts towards policies that directly help people and communities in the long run. They aim to provide both a pathway out of poverty for about a billion people in the world, and a pathway to a sustainable future for all people and all countries. The goals in the 2030 agenda imply an obligation for all, including governments, business and individuals. Since 2016, there have been several attempts to track countries progress on achievement of the goals (for example, by Jeffrey Sachs et al; Eurostat; the OECD). Our new report contributes to this body of work. We have just published the third in a series of reports that examines Irelands performance in the context of the EU15 countries. Comparing relative performance among countries from a similar regional or income group is valuable. The substantial variations observed in small groups of similar regions should encourage policymakers to better understand reasons for divergence and design strategies for achieving the SDGs by 2030. Data collection for the analysis was far-ranging. Our report identifies 65 indicators across the 17 goals. The SDGs have become an essential part of scoring economic, social and environmental progress. So, the first part of our report examines progress on the goals by broad dimension: economy, environment and society. Clearly, however, it needs to be borne in mind that the three dimensions are interdependent and interlinked. We find that Ireland is ranked 11th out of the 15 countries on the economy dimension. Although the record on GDP per capita and unemployment is good we score best on these indicators the low score on the economy index is influenced by several factors. With approx. 22.5% of employees in Ireland considered low-paid, Ireland scores at the bottom for this indicator. Other factors, such as the proportion of youths not in employment, education or training (the NEET rate) and the percentage of GDP devoted to R&D lower the score on this dimension. On the social index, Ireland comes in at 10th place out of the 15 countries. We score highly on goals relating to education, peace and justice; less well on goals reflecting poverty, inequality, gender equality and health and wellbeing. Irelands score ranks it 13th on the environment index. Achievements on sustainable cities/communities, life on land and water suggest Ireland is ranked mid-way in the list. SDG 13 Climate Action Implementing the commitment to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and operationalizing the Green Climate Fund are the key aims of this SDG. Ireland is ranked 13 out of EU 15. Read #measuringprogress https://t.co/I5vmFcpHMV pic.twitter.com/4egGRNIm7c Social Justice Ireland (@SocialJusticeI) February 22, 2019 However, poor performance on goals relating to responsible production and consumption, clean energy and climate change are the key factors driving the result for this dimension. The overall Sustainable Progress Index, which includes all 17 goals, concludes that Ireland is in 11th place out of the 15 countries. Countries at the bottom are Portugal, Italy, Spain and Greece. Three Scandanavian countries (Sweden, Denmark and Finland) top the rankings. The SDGs provide an ambitious, comprehensive plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. Our goal is to provide an indication of the state of play, help raise awareness of the 2030 agenda and encourage policy action. Irelands overall position on the SDGs relative to its peers shows the scale of the challenge facing policy-makers, businesses and individuals. In particular, it is critical that government integrate all 17 SDGs into all policy-making processes give them the priority they require if they are to be achieved. The SDGs are essential for building a better world. Ireland can, and should, do better. Dr Catherine Kavanagh is lecturer in economics at University College Cork Theresa May might have her head in the Brexit sand, but as each day passes there are increasing indications she could be finally about to dig it out and drag it back into the light. Speaking on the sidelines of the EU-Arab League summit in Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, on Monday, Ms May was still publicly adamant she will not countenance any suggestion of a Brexit deadline extension. Despite rumours of a potential delay of either two months or two years swirling around like a sand storm in the nearby desert, the British prime minister was standing firm, head ducked down into the ground. Repeatedly asked by reporters if she will consider extending the self-imposed deadline at a media briefing after separately meeting European Council president Donald Tusk, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and German chancellor Angela Merkel, Ms May was clear in her public view. No. Nil. Nein. This lady is not for turning, or at least surfacing, she explained again and again. A "delay is a delay", she said when asked if any extension will be considered. Everything can still be sorted out between March 12 and the current deadline of March 29, she explained to unconvinced onlookers aware of the difficulty of meeting such a plan. "We still have it [leaving on March 29] in our grasp," she repeatedly insisted. It's not the full story, and there is a sneaking suspicion that despite Ms May's public comments, she knows it. Across the corridor to Ms May's briefing room moments before she took to the stage, European Council president Donald Tusk was giving a briefing of his own. Standing between European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Mr Tusk was asked about rumours of a Brexit deadline extension. He smiled, said he wanted to "put an end to the speculation" and then with one subtle slip, let the cat out of the bag. At a private meeting on Sunday between him and Ms May, the British prime minister had asked him about the technical realities of a Brexit extension, should one hypothetically be requested in the future. "I believe in the situation we are in it is a rational solution," Mr Tusk said, before adding it is not Ms May's "objective" and that she continues to be in opposition to such a move. British Prime Minister Theresa May (L) and European Union Council President Donald Tusk. Photo: EPA/Francisco Seco/POOL Similarly, at his own media briefing earlier in the day before he had met Ms May, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said despite the ongoing threat of a no deal crash out Brexit, he is "confident" come March 29 there will either be an agreement or a delay. Describing any alternative as "a lose-lose-lose scenario for everyone", he said there is a "sense the UK will not crash out of the EU without a deal on March 29, we will either have a deal or we will have an extension". The comments from Mr Tusk and Mr Varadkar clash with Ms May's ongoing public insistence all her energies are on ensuring Britain leaves on March 29, a view she repeated during a private meeting with Ms Merkel on Monday. However, with the British prime minister due to give an update statement to the House of Commons on Tuesday, a potential vote on the Yvette Cooper motion to take a no deal off the table on Wednesday, and British officials travelling to Brussels on Tuesday for further technical talks, all might not be quite what it seems. A two year delay is almost certain to be rejected by hard-line Brexiteers as treason against the pro-leave voters in June 2016. But a two or three month extension, provided it is used to good effect, could buy Ms May and the EU just enough time to avoid catastrophe. The British prime minister is insistent nothing could be further from her mind as she continues to burrow down into the Egyptian sand. However, after 20 months of little to no progress, even she knows everything you have to come up to face the light. Three staff at the countrys only detention centre for young offenders provide a rare insight into their work, what they are trying to achieve and why society should invest in their efforts, writes security correspondent Cormac OKeeffe. Changing the countrys most high-risk young offenders doesnt happen overnight. So explains Selenna Reilly. Developing empathy towards their victims and instilling a sense of responsibility is a process, one that takes time and effort. Selenna is charged with this considerable task at Oberstown Children Detention Campus, the countrys only place of detention for young offenders aged between 12 and 18. In the midst of a turbulent time for the facility, in 2016 and 2017, Selenna was appointed young peoples programme manager in August 2017. Addressing the offending behaviour of young people is central to all the programmes she drives at the remote north Dublin campus. The overall programme, CEHOP, covers care, education, health, offending behaviour and preparation for leaving basically from entry into the detention centre to exit back into the world. Every six weeks they hold a placement planning meeting for each child. We identify areas of risk and need and place them on a programme that is appropriate to deal with their offending behaviour, she said. The programmes include Victim Empathy, Decider Life Skills, Real U (relationships), Drug Relapse Programme (with Crinan Youth Project) and Teen Parents Support Toolkit. All of these are aimed at helping them to make better choices, to be less impulsive, Selenna said. Victim empathy is a major part of what they are trying to do. This gives them an opportunity to discuss the offence in a safe environment, in a non-judgemental environment. They have already been judged and sentenced. She said they look at the factors that led them to commit the offence, whether it was their behaviour, drug and alcohol use, their peers, etc. We work on areas like How can you change, how can you do something differently the next time?" Part of the task is getting the young person to accept responsibility for what they have done. Mostly what happens is that they are reluctant in the beginning to take part, because it is a difficult thing to do, to look at taking responsibility for sometimes very serious offences. But as we work through the programme, you begin to see where they do realise: Do you know what? It wasnt the drugs that made me do it, I did have choices and they do come to realise that Ive made these choices, this just didnt happen because I live in a bad area or hang around with certain people that made me do it. So, they do take responsibility. But she said it is a process, like the central challenge of developing empathy towards their victims. We talk them through it, how a particular offence may affect a person, get them to think about things they dont really think of. She said she doesnt think the young offenders dont care about what they do: When they do actually start to discuss those things, you see the realisation. Its like they put it to the back of their minds. She said 22 young people went through the victim empathy course in 2018. She said they hosted a particular programme run by Tallaght West Childhood Development Initiative on building relationships and dealing with conflict. They learned how to communicate with each other in an appropriate way, rather than screaming or shouting. You keep working with them, showing them new ways, new skills but you wont do it overnight. She said a major issue highlighted in media coverage and court cases involving the safety of staff from attack by young offenders did not reflect the daily reality of their work. Its not at the front of your mind all the time, she said. We build relationships with them. Building empathy Lena Timoney likens their job to planting the seeds of change. Through engagement, there is a shift in their attitude and a shift in their behaviour, albeit in a very controlled environment. Theyre teenagers, theyre egotistical, emotionally not developed, so it is about building empathy and responsibility. Thats our focus. Its a little acorn we start with here. She raised the issue of judging how good they were in trying to do their job: What is success? Success may not be complete desistance from offending behaviour. Thats not how it works. Lena, who is deputy director care services, said you have to bear in mind the clientele they are working with: By the time a young person comes to us, because it is a last resort, they are a young person who has committed an extremely serious offence or who has not engaged in services in the community and has persisted to offend. She said their client group were all high risk of reoffending. Lena said the offenders may end coming back to the facility their own figures show that but she said they might return for a lesser offence or an offence that was committed prior to their last detention. They may have succeeded reasonably in the community since their last time in Oberstown, but because of the gravity of the offence, the court has seen fit to impose a detention order or they may have been released from here and there may have been some kind of crisis fairly close after release which may have resulted in breaking a bail condition, but maybe not committing the same level of offence. Lena Timoney, Deputy Director, Care Services at Oberstown Children Detention Campus. PIC: Dave Meehan She said the young people often have a range of common factors: early school leaving, not engaged in school immediately prior to being detained, a significant amount of substance misuse, and a significant proportion of mental health difficulties. The latter two issues, she said, are often interlinked. Their activities may be to do with their substance misuse, particular vulnerabilities in their communities, children who are often out of home or very limited support from family. She said that in 2019 they would be pushing linkages with outside companies and training facilities, in order to improve the skills and qualifications of the young people. Lena mentioned a new partnership with Java Republic, due to start in April, in which the coffee company will train young people on site in becoming a barista. She said they were also looking into building partnerships with the health and fitness industry. Lena said a lot of the young men want to work in trades and with their hands. They ran a Safe Pass course (a safety training programme useful for the construction industry) in the campus, with 10 juveniles going through it last November and between 12-15 next month. As part of a pre-release programme, she said they also bring offenders to training courses in the community, typically through phases: first, escorting them to and from the place; second, where they youth brings themselves back; and, third, the young person is allowed to stay overnight at their home. Grainne Smyth, Advocacy Officer at Oberstown Children Detention Campus. PIC: Dave Meehan. As care manager, the issue of the behaviour of offenders on campus is an obvious one, given the events of recent years. She said the residential social care workers were highly skilled, not only in relation to relationship building but also in de-escalation. When situations become very difficult they use non-physical intervention, but we have some very challenging people here and, yes, sometimes we do have to employ physical intervention. We do monitor those. She said: We deal with extremely challenging young people here. Unfortunately for Oberstown, the media coverage is about what goes wrong, but theres a lot of very good work here. She pointed out: We have the 48 highest risk young men in the country and the six highest-risk young women, as regards offending behaviour and they are a challenging population, absolutely. She said many of these young people have a very particular world view. This, she explained, as: Their world view, maybe, is that no one has minded them, they may be very reckless in their own behaviour, they maybe dont have respect for themselves, so some of the behaviour we would see, its actually harming themselves more than other people. So our job is to build a relationship, to teach this young person they can trust an adult, an adult will respect you, but there are boundaries. Childrens voice Grainne Smyth has worked at Oberstown, through its various incarnations, for 20 years. She has been on the frontline as a residential social care worker. But now, since last month, she is advocacy officer, part of a number of initiatives the campus has taken to give the young people a voice. I have gone from being on the floor with care staff and advocating from that perspective to being on the floor and advocating for young people, she said. Her job is all about engaging young people and improving their participation in the life of the campus basically, that their voices are heard. This includes bringing complaints from the young people to the relevant people in authority, securing their response and relaying that, and explaining it, to the young person. It doesnt mean everything they ask for is achievable, but their voice will be heard and it will be brought to the people it needs to be and there is feedback. I would be very clear at the start: What do you hope to achieve? and theres a lot of discussion. It helps young people develop coping skills about difficulties and adversities. She said things have moved on a long way in this regard over the last two decades: It would never have been dreamed of. When I started here 20 years ago we made the decisions for the young people. Grainne said having an internal advocate for the young people was very unique in youth detention as advocates were typically from the outside. Another development that she said was unique was the Campus Council, which is comprised of, and chaired by, the young people. In the last number of weeks and months, theyve achieved things none of us would ever think they could through learning skills, holding formal meetings, setting out agendas, following up with feedback, taking responsibility for decisions. Thats absolutely amazing, definitely not something you would have seen 20 years ago. Grainne firmly believes Oberstown is worth investing in: Yes, it absolutely is, because all of the young people who come here are victims of circumstance and of bad choices that they may have made because of the adversities that they faced. This is an opportunity for them to turn their life around. They may, or may not, make that choice. Asked what victims of these youths would make of them also being considered victims, she said: Theyd say what the hell is she going on about? But I am advocating for these young people, about their circumstances. Should they be considered both victims and perpetrators? Generally, every young person on this campus tends to fall into both of those categories, thats the reality. She added: As a society, some people might think just lock away the problem and its gone then however these are young people, young lives. They have a huge amount to offer society and its up to us, as their carers, to tap into that and ensure we get the best out of them." It makes you think of your family, the victim and his family When Billy came into Oberstown, he hadnt intended on opening up. I wouldnt have trust any of youse when I came in here, he said to Selenna and Grainne, who sat in on our interview. "It took me four months to trust them. Selenna said the first time they assessed him with a view of placing him in appropriate programmes he was having none of it and didnt want to be even in a room with people. At the time, [I said] f**k that man, Billy said. Im not doing that. Grainne added, laughing: Thats exactly how it was, word for word. Grainne said they are used to that attitude, initially, and continue to try and encourage the young people to engage. Billy who is currently detained at Oberstown, speaking with Irish Examiner reporter Cormac OKeefe, and staff Grainne Smyth and Selenna Reilly. Billy* (aged 17) entered Oberstown in June last year and is due out in March, but declined to reveal his offence. Before he was sentenced, he was getting himself into trouble as a result of his use of drugs, mainly tablets (such as benzodiazepines, a tranquilliser). It was affecting me big time, just waking up every day, just taking drugs, you know what I mean, thinking it was a right life, but its not. He said he couldnt remember much of what happened: I was just going around doing mad stuff, just get blackouts and all, yeah. He said he didnt have a good relationship with the gardai and didnt like some of his teachers in secondary school. While it took him a while to settle in, he started taking courses and has now clocked up a good few. Ive done the bleedin Real U [relationship] programme, the Crinan Programme [drugs] and Victim Empathy. Empathy He said that while he didnt know what he was doing on tablets, he has learned that he can not use them as an excuse for his actions. Its my choice to commit them crimes, he said. I know I was on drugs, but I still took that choice to swallow the tablet, ye know what I mean. The Victim Empathy course wasnt easy at first, he said: The first few weeks were hard, I didnt really open up, but in the last few weeks I realised I shouldnt have done any of those things. It was out of order. It makes you think of your family too and the victim and his family. Its not all about you or the victim, its also about his family and your family too cos everyone gets affected, the community, yeah, too. He said his behaviour had a bad effect on his family: I have two little sisters, yeah, it was bad for them, obviously, because police coming in raiding your gaff at seven in the morning and they are going to school and all. I have six- and 14-year-old sisters, so bad on them. "At the time I wasnt really thinking about anyone else now, looking back, yeah. I didnt really care back then about anyone, now I do. He said he was now in communication with his parents more and that they visit him twice a week. When Selenna says his communication has improved generally, he said: Yeah, 100%, even with other people, not just my parents. Billy works in the kitchen one day a week, for which he gets paid. Its good, yeah, just chopping and all. Last week, I was cooking beef for the entire campus. Building a life He said he wants to become a carpenter and has a training course arranged in the community when he is released. Im going to a place in Ballyfermot, called the Candle Project. You get a full education in the project and they get you an apprenticeship. Being locked up, he missed being free and seeing his family: I miss me bleedin family, being out, being free. You cant go out, you cant walk around. He said the facilities in Oberstown were good, and mentioned the gym, which has its own instructor, as well as the MP (multi-purpose) room, which has a Playstation 4, as well as snooker tables. The campus also boasts an all-weather astro pitch as well as a full-size grass football pitch. He said there were plenty of evening activities, such as art, textiles, wood burning, which run between 4pm and 7.30pm. He said you dont want to be overloaded with programmes either: Ya dont want too much programmes you go off your head, you would. The one big gap was the weekends: Ya go off your head in here. I think that is one thing that could change in the future: its a 24-hour place, if you could get people in at the weekends. He said Oberstown gives you a structure many people didnt have outside: Youre getting woke up in the morning, your day is filled, youre not going around looking to do stuff, you have stuff to do. He progressed so much in Oberstown that he became chair of the Campus Council last September. Sometimes, the boys come to me if they want things done and I go to Grainne, instead of them complaining to staff, they can complain to me. I tell them the truth, I bring it to Grainne and she would get a better word than the staff would. Instead of us fighting with staff when they are not giving us answers, wed think theyre lying to us, if I tell them straight they believe me more than staff. Billy said he cant wait to get out, by which stage he will have turned 18. If he reoffends and is ever given a jail term, he would not be going to Oberstown, but an adult prison. Ill try me best to stay out of trouble, he said. If you want to change, you will. If I want to go back down that road I will, its my choice at the end of the day. Im not going back down that road again just cos of me sisters and me ma, not letting my ma go through that again or me da, ya know. * Billy is not the boys real name Echoes of 2016 as security flaws, drug availability highlighted The Irish Examiners visit to Oberstown had echoes of the last time we were there, back in September 2016. Though the events that engulfed the countrys sole detention centre for children then were on a different scale to now, the facility has again been under a cloud, with external experts highlighting security flaws, widespread availability of drugs, and calling for an independent review of senior management. When the Irish Examiner visited previously, it came after a chaotic day, August 29, 2016. Oberstown director Pat Bergin: Struck over the head with a metal bar. Picture: David OShea That started with industrial action, followed by a rooftop protest by eight young people, significant injuries to a member of staff, and a fire causing extensive damage (subsequently valued at 3m) all requiring the intervention of gardai and the fire brigade. After the rooftop protest, three of the participants took a court challenge after they claimed they were subjected to strip searches by gardai and held in solitary confinement in Oberstown since the incident (The High Court ruled in November 2017 that some of their constitutional rights were breached). Review In September 2016, Childrens Minister Katherine Zappone met both the director, Pat Bergin, and board of management chair Professor Ursula Kilkelly and announced that two British experts, Professor Barry Goldson of the University of Liverpool, and Professor Nick Hardwick, former chair of the UKs parole board, were to examine the operation of the facility. The review followed an inspection report in June 2016 by Hiqa, which, among other things, documented staff shortages, management problems, a failure to address offending behaviour, and issues in dealing with violent incidents. Our visit this month came as the report of the British professors dominated media coverage concerning Oberstown, mainly because of a continuing refusal by Oberstown and Minister Zappone to publish the report. Various reasons were cited, including legal advice and the contention that much of the progress called for in the report has been implemented. This sparked serious concerns from the authors, who said they were not satisfied with the reasons not to publish. The minister did publish a 16-page document from an official group tasked with implementing the report. This document contains 120 recommendations from the report and the actions (as of May 2018) taken by the implementation group. The recommendations (and reported actions) include: A comprehensive suicide and self-harm reduction policy (reported action: a range of measures have been put in place); Single separation should not be used solely because a young person is deemed at risk of self-harm (action: single separation use being monitored by the board); Handcuffs to be subject to strict controls, recording and monitoring (action: handcuffs only to be used in exceptional circumstances after risk assessment); New fencing and doors (actions: measures taken in most cases); Girls should no longer be placed in Oberstown, but the document does not give reasons for this recommendation (action: Government decision in 2017 was to have all detention facilities on one campus); Targeted bail supervision programmes (action: bail supervision scheme in place since October 2016 and is being evaluated, with the intention to expand beyond pilot and extend to other areas); A serious security breach at a particular gate needed to be fixed (action: restrictions put in place); Due to the relatively widespread recent availability of drugs, young people returning to Oberstown or entering it for the first time, where there are strong grounds for believing they are carrying drugs, should receive a full search (action: new search policy in place); Consider ending protection rooms in units and have a central high-care unit with therapeutic intervention and mental health support (action: protection rooms kept under review); Each restraint incident should be reviewed (action: working group set up); Revised training programme for staff should be urgently implemented on de-escalating incidents and restraining young people safely (action: training ongoing); Revise the possible use of specialist personal protective equipment in emergency situations, to be used by specially trained staff from an external agency (action: issue is being addressed in consultation with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs); Gardai should only be called in exceptional circumstances and first require the authority of the most senior person on duty (action: this is in place); The Oberstown Board should commission an independent review of the senior management team to ensure that it is suitable to direct Oberstown through the next stage of development (action: external review was conducted and new management structure put in place); Gardai providing escorts should take steps to prevent drugs being transferred by youths to the campus (action: gardai notified about this need); Urgent action should be taken to resolve without any further delay the dispute between management and trade unions (action: substantial improvements have been made and are being monitored by Workplace Relations Commission) Close the rupture between senior managers and frontline operational staff, with senior managers more visible on the units (action: plans and strategies adopted) Trauma A separate review on behaviour management, conducted by Professor Derek Perkins and Dr Margaret ORourke, was commissioned by director Pat Bergin. It was completed in early 2017 and was published, together with an implementation update, in October 2018. Referring to the riot in August 2016, it said: It was clear to us throughout our visits and discussions that the organisation, staff in general, and some staff in particular, had been significantly affected and traumatised by the aggressive behaviours and criminal damage caused by eight boys to units 1 and 2, culminating in the fire in unit 3 in August 2016. The authors said they heard from young people that some of the children intended to burn down the whole campus in a bid to escape. The authors said they had been assured by the director that significant supports and engagement with staff had been put in place. The report said it had been described as the most serious incident on the campus since 1998. It said there were very rare situations where the current behaviour management methods cannot cope. The report said: Most staff spoke of this being an unresolved issue but we were advised by senior management that, whilst there is a protocol for this, this issue is under current review. It said staff described situations where childrens behaviour was more extreme than could be managed by current procedures. Katherine Zappone: Concerns over her refusal to publish an expert report on Oberstown. It said improvised methods were being used, that staff had been injured by sticking to what they understood were the current procedures and had contacted gardai without senior management approval. (The update on implementation said that, following staff consultation, new training began in October 2017, with additional training on critical incidents.) Elsewhere, the report said young people had told them that some evenings and weekends were very long and boring and that sometimes stand offs were planned just to get a bit of excitement going. (The update said a range of physical security measures had been taken.) The report said there was little evidence of staff using the Management of Actual and Potential Aggression (MAPA) physical holding methods. Everyone with whom we spoke agreed that the most violent confrontations, involving, for example, threats with weapons to staff or other children, could not be managed using the MAPA system, the report said. No one suggested a solution apart from calling the gardai. The report recommended: In our view, it may be more appropriate to have a team of dedicated staff trained and regularly refreshed in PPE [Personal Protective Equipment] interventions available for those rare incidents where MAPA is insufficient, rather than having to turn to An Garda Siochana in all such incidents. A court case which took place just days before our visit graphically underlined the potential for violence at the facility. As he attempted to deal with an incident in May 2017, director Pat Bergin was struck over the head with a metal bar by an offender, who later managed to escape from the campus. Launching a scathing attack on the Congress dispensation in Punjab, BJP president Amit Shah Sunday alleged that the "raja-maharaja" government brought to a standstill the development projects and schemes started during the SAD-BJP rule. He also hit out at Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu for hugging Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa at Imran Khan's swearing-in ceremony in Islamabad last year. Addressing a state-level BJP workers' meet, Amit Shah made light of the opposition parties' effort to stitch up a ''Mahagathbandhan'' saying a leaderless alliance cannot take the country forward. The people of this country have made up their mind to bring the BJP-led NDA back to power, Mr Shah said. "This grand alliance cannot take the country forward, it cannot make the country superpower. Only a government under PM Modi can do so. Can Congress party give befitting reply to terror attacks? Only Narendra Modi government can," he claimed. At the meeting, a two-minute silence was observed in memory of the 40 CRPF personnel killed in the February 14 Pulwama terror attack. Of the slain jawans, four belonged to Punjab. "I want to tell the families (of the slain CRPF men) that the blood shed by the 40 jawans will not go in vain. Our government will teach terrorists a lesson," the BJP president said. Touching upon how Punjab for decades has been meeting the country's foodgrain needs and safeguarding its borders, he said the centre has left no stone unturned to ensure the state's development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley were always liberal in giving grants to Punjab, and the state got Rs. 1,61,907 crore under the NDA dispensation as against the UPA's Rs. 30,157 crore, Mr Shah said. Mr Shah spelled out several schemes and projects for Punjab by the Modi government, including an IIM for Amritsar, AIIMS in Bathinda, improved road network, upgradation of road network and 41 projects sanctioned by the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries led by SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal. Describing the Amarinder Singh-led Congress dispensation as "raja-maharaja government", he claimed there is no match for the previous SAD-BJP regime led by Parkash Singh Badal. "These days Capt Sahab (Amarinder Singh) has become vocal, may be because polls are near. Sometimes he also goes to office. Now, he has started saying the Centre has not done this and that. He is seeking accountability from us," Shah said. "But what about his promises to farmers, on ending the drug menace, about unemployment allowance? Even Rahul Gandhi had vowed loan waiver for Punjab farmers, but the way they came out with a loan waiver, it has not benefitted the state's peasants," Mr Shah claimed. He alleged that several schemes started by the SAD-BJP government has been stopped by the Congress dispensation. "I do not know whether this government is the one to carry development or stop it. Raja Sahab (Amarinder Singh, who belongs to the erstwhile Patiala royals), you stopped development works," Mr Shah said. About the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, the BJP national president said Modi government has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to give justice to the victims. "For 30 years, not even a single person was punished. Now, Sajjan Kumar is behind the bars," he said. Slamming Mr Sidhu, the BJP chief said, "He claims that he went to Pakistan and made Kartarpur Sahib corridor possible... The Pakistan Army chief who is responsible for killing our soldiers, you gave him a warm hug and the lowered country's image." "You (Sidhu) did not bring Kartarpur, but you are in that party which handed over Kartarpur to Pakistan at the time of partition, which could easily have been a part of India." Mr Shah, instead, credited the Modi government for the corridor, linking Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur - the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev's - to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district to facilitate visa-free movement of Indian Sikh pilgrims. About the proposed "mahagathbandhan" of opposition parties, he sought to know from Congress president Rahul Gandhi who is the leader of this alliance. "Can the grand alliance do any good to this country? Rahul baba who is the leader of this alliance? If people elect you, who will become prime minister?," Mr Shah posed. "The leaders of this alliance are seeking mandate from public, but they have not decided who their leader is. Whereas, we are clear that on getting majority, Narendra Modi will once again become prime minister. The BJP, the Akali Dal and our other allies are going to fight under Modi ji's leadership. "I can see the writing on the wall. Modi is once again going to be PM... Congress can daydream," he said. On the centre announcing Rs. 6,000 annual financial assistance for small and marginal farmers, Mr Shah said Rahul Gandhi makes jokes about this scheme while demanding loan waiver. "During the 10 years (of UPA rule), they waived Rs. 52,000 crore of three crore farmers. Through our scheme, farmers will get Rs. 75,000 crore every year, which works out to Rs. 7.5 lakh crore for 10 years," he said. -PTI A woman who lost control of her senses caught a work colleague by the throat in their office canteen and cut her with a steak knife as the victim felt she was going to be killed. The accused went on trial yesterday. Erica Gill, aged 40, previously of Ozalid House, Camden Quay, Cork, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to three charges arising out of the violent incident and she was so found by a jury following the presentation of medical evidence at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. The injured party, Sandra OConnell, testified in a statement that she worked as general manager of technical support at Solar Winds at East Gate, Mahon Point. She said the defendant worked with her and that in the previous few days there had been a number of outbursts of temper from her. The injured party said she had a good relationship with Ms Gill and did not feel the defendant had any hostility towards her. On the morning of the incident, the injured party said, she had had her morning porridge and cappuccino and welcomed the defendant back to work as she had been out sick for a brief period. Fifteen minutes after the conversation, Ms OConnell noticed that Ms Gill was staring at her and then the defendant stood up in an aggressive fashion and left the room. Later that morning the injured party was in the canteen talking to others when she was grabbed from behind and caught around the throat. Ms OConnells first reaction was that someone was joking with her. However, she then heard Erica Gill say, you fucking bitch, as she had Ms OConnell caught by the throat. She felt something pressing against her neck. Ms OConnell pulled it away from her. It turned out it was a steak knife which Ms Gill had purchased earlier at Tesco nearby. In protecting herself in this way the injured party sustained cuts to her fingers which were bandaged later but did not require stitches. During the incident, she said Ms Gill also said, tell them what you did you and that other fucker laughing at me. The injured party did not want to do anything to antagonise the defendant who eventually left the canteen. Ms OConnell said in her statement: I was petrified. I thought I was going to be killed. It was like she had lost control of her senses. Medical evidence called by prosecution and defence indicated that the accused was suffering from a mental illness at the relevant time. Judge Sean O Donnabhain told the jury: The issue here is, what was her state of mind at the time? She went for the other lady with a knife. It was all because of some incident that grew in her mind and had no attachment to reality at all. All the evidence in this case points to the fact that she was suffering from a psychosis and she did what she did because she was suffering from a mental illness. The jury took minutes to find the defendant not guilty by reason of insanity on charges of making a threat to kill and producing a knife in the incident. On the count of assault causing harm there was a similar verdict but on that charge it was by direction of the trial judge. After the not-guilty verdicts the matter will be mentioned in court again today in relation to the possible mental health assessment of the defendant now. Update 2pm: Tributes have poured in for a 12-year old girl who was seriously injured in a boating incident in Limerick last weekend. She was one of four girls and a boy who were on board a rowing boat that capsized on a stretch of the River Shannon, at Thomond Salmon Weir, last Saturday. While her four friends were rescued, the girl had been trapped underwater after her hair snagged in the boats outriggers used to anchor the oars. All five were part of a group from Athlunkard Boat Club which headed out on the river, sometime around 9am. A statement from Athlunkard Boat Club said the group was accompanied by a support boat at the time. At around 10am the youngsters' rowboat overturned at Thomond Salmon Weir, in fast flowing water, according to an eye witness. Two members of Limerick City and County Fire and Rescue Service, each trained in water rescues, had been carrying out a routine morning patrol on the river in their emergency response boat and came upon the scene while simultaneously receiving the 999 alert. They took the girl from the water after cutting her free and they administered emergency first aid while ferrying her to a waiting ambulance. She was initially brought to University Hospital Limerick but was later transferred to Temple Street Childrens Hospital where she remains in a serious condition Monday. Gardai are investigating why the boat overturned. They have also referred the matter to the Marine Casualty Investigation Board. According to a number of sources, the girl had shown small signs of improvement in her condition as doctors continued to monitor her in the Intensive Care Unit at Temple Street. Tony Cahill, principal of Monaleen National School where the girl has been attending, said he was heartened to hear through her family, that they had found comfort from a recording of her favourite songs, a gesture from her teacher and classmates to help aid Amys recovery. The class teacher actually sent on some songs he knew she really liked for that, and we heard she appeared to be responsive to the music, which was lovely, Mr Cahill said, Monday. Offering his best wishes to the girl and her family, he said: We are all very fond of her, shes a very good natured, kind child. Shes very helpful and is always willing to do what she is told and all that kind of thing. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family. We are praying that she will continue to improve and make a full recovery. Mr Cahill said the school was monitoring how hers friends and classmates were dealing with the news of her injuries, and a child psychologist has been consulted. The school are keeping things calm and are reassuring the children that, if any of them are in any way unduly stressed or traumatised or worried, they can talk to myself or any of the teaching staff and we will do whatever is necessary to help and support them. We are just waiting and hoping and praying that she continues to improve, and please god she will be restored to full health, and that shes able to come back to school and get on with things as usual, Mr Cahill said. Its so sad and such a pity that such a thing like this would happen. It remains unclear if the young rowers involved had access to life jackets or other flotation devices. Reliable sources in rowing and water activity circles said rowers do not normally wear life jackets as this can interfere with their rowing stroke. Under Section 3 (3) of the statutory instruments Pleasure Craft (Personal Flotation Devices and Operation (Safety) Regulations, the use of personal safety flotation devices do not apply rowers in boats which are (a) designed and specifically used for rowing in boat races and which are capable of being entered into regatta or other events recognised by the Irish Amateur Rowing Union. Earlier: Girl, 12, injured after boat overturned remains in 'serious condition' Update 7.45am: The capsize of a boat in Limerick, in which a girl was seriously injured, is being referred to the Marine Casualty Investigation Board. Gardai are also investigating after the boat overturned at Weir on the Abbey River on Saturday morning. The row-boat which overturned at Thomond Salmon Weir, was carrying five members of a local Boat Club, including four girls and a boy. The boat was being chaperoned by a support boat at the time and it's unclear what caused it to capsize. One of the party, a 12-year-old girl, was freed by a rescue crew after getting trapped beneath the boat, and was rushed to University Hospital Limerick for treatment. She has since been transferred to Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin, where she remains in 'serious condition'. Limerick gardai say an investigation into the incident is ongoing and the Marine Casualty Investigation Board will begin an investigation from today. A Dublin church has been targeted by vandals, who decapitated an 800-year-old 'Crusader' who was in a crypt. The incident happened over the weekend but was discovered today by a tour guide at St Michan's Church in Dublin. The 'Crusader' that was vandalised at St Manchan's Church in Dublin "The culprits, whoever they are, broke into the vault. A number of our bodies were destroyed including the 800-year-old Crusader, who is quite a big tourist attraction, explained Archdeacon David Pierpoint to Philip Boucher-Hayes on RTE's Liveline. The Archdeacon added he was "disgusted" by the act of vandalism. "It's devastating for the parish, it's devastating for the community," he said. "I was quite disgusted initially, and now just saddened by the whole thing." "They turned his body around, they messed around it and then they severed his head, they removed his head and it disappeared," he explained. They have completely destroyed the vault. A nun's body was also destroyed by vandals. It's pretty horrific down there, it's not a pretty sight," he added. The tours of the site are being cancelled for the time being at the site which last year attracted around 27,000 visitors. A spokesman for the gardai said: Garda are investigating a break-in at St Michans Church on Church Street, Dublin. The matter was reported to gardai this afternoon. The incident is believed to have occurred between 7pm on Saturday and 8am on Sunday 24th. Gardai are appealing for anyone with information to contact them at Bridewell garda station on 01 666 8200. - Additional reporting Press Association A five-judge Supreme Court has unanimously granted a man's appeal over being jailed for a week for contempt by a District Court judge. The judgments of Mr Justice Donal O'Donnell and Mr Justice William McKechnie in the successful appeal by Kevin Tracey, and an unsuccessful separate appeal by another man, clarify issues concerning the courts' approach to contempt and disruptive behaviour in court. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission had submitted the finding of contempt against Mr Tracey, who represented himself, breached his rights. Mr Tracey was jailed arising from comments he made when his case, involving a charge of driving without due care and attention, was mentioned before the District Court on May 31, 2006 for the purpose of fixing a hearing date. Mr Tracey made comments including "how crooked? And you think you will get away with this? How crooked you are" which, he claimed, were directed to a Garda after the District Judge refused to allow Mr Tracey to read a statement to the court. As a result of the comments, the District judge directed Mr Tracey be brought back before him and jailed him for contempt. In his Supreme Court judgment today, Mr Justice O'Donnell noted Mr Tracey believes he has been a subject of "victimisation" by the legal system, dating back to a civil dispute he had with a neighbour who is a judge. In this particular case, Mr Tracey had no right to demand to make a statement to the District Court, no right to persist in attempting to do so and no right to make allegations against the gardai, "if they were indeed the object of his comments", on the occasion in question. However, when the District Judge ordered Mr Tracey be brought back before him, the situation changed since it was now possible punishment could be imposed, he said. That meant "more elaborate" procedures were called for. Mr Tracey was entitled to have a separate hearing, the possibility of getting legal assistance and, if appropriate, legal aid, and should be told of his entitlements in that regard. Given the importance of fair procedures and the constitutional value of personal liberty, the committal order would be quashed, he ruled. His judgment was endorsed by three other judges. In a separate judgment, Mr Justice McKechnie expressed "grave reservations" about the bona fides of Mr Tracey at the District Court. However, because he could not be sure the "appropriate" level of fair procedures were afforded, he "most reluctantly" would also allow the appeal. When Mr Tracey then raised the issue of damages, he was told those would have to be sought in separate proceedings. The court dismissed a separate appeal raising similar issues brought by David Walsh arising from a hearing at Waterford Circuit Court on May 31st 2016 which, among a list of cases, dealt with possession proceedings concerning his sister Feana. Due to Mr Walsh's behaviour and constant interruptions, an order was made to jail him for two weeks for contempt. He was freed two days later by the High Court but the Court of Appeal in March 2017 reversed that High Court ruling after which the Supreme Court agreed to hear a further appeal. Mr Justice ODonnell said every court that had addressed this matter had concluded the "utterly unacceptable" conduct amounted to contempt. This matter would never have reached the stage of contempt had Mr Walsh been willing to accept, even at a late stage, he was wrong and must accept the rulings of the trial judge, he said. For reasons including, when the question of imprisonment was raised, Mr Walsh was told of his entitlement to legal aid and given "ample opportunity" to address the issue, fair procedures were complied with and no injustice was done to Mr Walsh, he ruled. After expressing hope the matter could be resolved without Mr Walsh spending any further time in prison, the court will hear submissions at a later date as to the form of order to be made. A secondary school, where a Junior Cert teenager was a student have enlisted the help of psychologists following a fatal accident in which he died and one other was seriously injured. The 16-year-old victim Eamon Kavanagh was from Raheenleigh Myshall, Co Carlow. Eamon was driving the car when it hit the wall at around 5am on Sunday, when it hit a wall at an area known as the Nine Stones, close to Mt Leinster, Borris, Co Carlow. Weather conditions were foggy at the time. Four other male occupants of the car, all in their late teens, were taken to St Lukes General Hospital in Kilkenny and Waterford University Hospital for their injuries. One of the teenagers, who is in a critical condition, was later transferred to the Mater Hospital in Dublin. Eamon was one of five children of James and Jennifer Kavanagh. In a statement, the teenagers secondary school, Borris Vocational said: Our school has implemented our Critical Incident Management Plan. Psychologists from the National Education Psychological Service (NEPS) have been with us today and will assist and advise staff in our efforts to support our students at this time. The staff will be helping students to deal with this tragic event. The school will be open to parents to support them and to offer them advice and guidance. We learned this morning of the death of one our students, Eamon Kavanagh. This is a terrible tragedy for the family, our school and our community. We are deeply saddened by these events. Our sympathy and thoughts are with Eamons parents, brothers and sister, their wider family and many friends. Eamon was a very popular third year student and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. We have been in contact with his family and they have requested that we all understand their need for privacy at this difficult time. Offers of support have been pouring in and are greatly appreciated. We would ask you to respect our privacy at this time. Thank you. Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced. Gardai are continuing to investigate the crash and anyone with information are asked to contact Carlow Garda Station on 059 9136620, the Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station. A new scheme allowing post-primary schools to share teachers will be introduced in September. Currently, there are teacher shortages in subject areas such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), modern languages, Irish, and home economics. Announcing the Teacher Sharing Scheme today, Education and Skills Minister, Joe McHugh, said the scheme, to be introduced in the 2019/20 school year, would be reviewed after the first year of operation. The initiative is one of 22 contained in the departments Teacher Supply Action Plan, published last November. The scheme will allow two schools to work together to recruit a teacher and employ them for more hours than if they were teaching in just one school. Mr Mchugh said the scheme would allow a teacher to teach as many hours as possible in a high-demand subject. I am confident that it will make a difference and help to ease the difficulties that some schools have experienced in sourcing teachers of high-priority subjects, said the minister. Mr McHugh said school management bodies and teacher unions had shown great commitment and co-operation in agreeing to innovative solutions, like the Teacher Sharing Scheme. The implementation of the Action Plan is led by the Teacher Supply Steering group, chaired by the secretary general of the department, Sean O Foghlu. Options will be explored this year on recruiting teachers currently employed in other jurisdictions and developing an online teacher recruitment portal. The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI), said while the initiatives were welcome, there was a lack of serious Government intent to eradicate unequal pay. The Teachers Union of Ireland has described the plan as a list of sticking plaster measures that ignored the root causes behind the recruitment and retention crisis in schools. It wants the process of pay equalisation to be accelerated for teachers who started working since 2011, to make teaching attractive again. A masterplan will be designed to help renovate a derelict boarding school in a Cork gaeltacht. Colaiste Iosagain, an imposing building on the main Cork-Killarney road in Baile Mhuirne, closed as a school in 1989. However, 180,000 funding from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund is being seen as a first step in helping owners Udaras na Gaeltachta to restore the building. Securing a green light for this first phase of funding was very positive, said Paid O Neachtain, Udaras na Gaeltachta PR executive. He said third-level educationwas a possible use for the former college but options were being kept open and he stressed that they could also include business enterprise projects. The authority, he said, would begin a tendering process for research and design of the masterplan with a view to applying for full category one funding in 2020, subject to planning permission. The masterplan will look at the different markets that could be identified for the use of the building, said Mr O Neachtain. Are we talking about all the buildings or that new buildings would be required? Were absolutely delighted that this has been approved. Our current focus for this site is to complete this masterplan before year-end with a view, if thats what comes out of the plan, to having a planning application ready. We are the lead agency but we will be working in partnership with UCC, CIT, Cork ETB, Cork County Council, Skillnet, Failte Ireland, and the local Comharchumann [Gaeltacht co-operative], in developing this masterplan. Mr O Neachtain said offering students an immersive Gaeltacht experience with residential accommodation was being considered. The running of Irish language and culture classes for a degree programme in UCC could make up part of the plan and it would become a very important and distinct location for the teaching and learning of Irish, he said. There was also the possibility to establish a visitor centre there or a tourist destination to tie in to the musical heritage with Sean O Riada and the culture of the area, he said. It could be a location for foreign students who wish to study Irish language and culture, said Mr O Neachtain. It would be a huge asset to the Irish language. We are definitely looking at the language aspect and that it would be a resource for language, but also that it would be a resource for tourism. Mr O Neachtain said that although the Muscrai Gaeltacht attracts tourists, there is no visitor centre in Baile Mhuirne, and perhaps Colaiste Iosagain may solve that problem, while highlighting the rich heritage and culture of the area. The building, used as a setting for the 2003 film Song for a Raggy Boy, had been touted as an education centre in the past, with then-education minister Michael Woods turning the sod in 1999 on a 1.5m national all-Irish education facility that failed to materialise. Constructed by the State in the 1930s, the building was used as a teachers preparatory college before being acquired by the De La Salle order in the 1960s and used as an Irish language school for boarders and day students. It was bought by Udaras na Gaeltachta in 1998 for over 500,000. Following the demise of the 1999 plans for an education centre, and a cultural interpretive centre incorporating a section on the work of composer Sean O Riada, a bid was made in 2012 to turn Colaiste Iosagain into a training centre for international workers. A 3.2m investment plan by Trident Safety Group for a live-in vocational education centre foundered when the firm said it was disillusioned with Udaras bureaucracy, having asked the authority to hand over the site for a nominal sum. Delegates hungry for power are angry at the continued support which allows inept FG to govern, writes Political Editor Daniel McConnell. He has been leader of the opposition for eight years, since Fianna Fail was decimated by the electorate in 2011, following its handling of the financial crash of 2008. Those were dark days for the party; its very future hung in the balance. Its first ard fheis in opposition was a heady affair. Anger, bemusement, and fear all combined to make Micheal Martins job near impossible. That was then and this is now. In 2019, Fianna Fail is no longer toxic, but it is still out of power. The mood at this weekends ard fheis was tetchy, but in a different way. Delegates hungry for power are perplexed and angry at Martins decision to extend the confidence-and-supply arrangement. While leading TDs, including John McGuinness, Willie ODea, and Niall Collins, as well as MEP hopeful Barry Andrews, have all openly questioned the wisdom of continuing, Martin is unrepentant. In an interview with the Irish Examiner, he says he was right to give the Government space, because of Brexit. A no-brainer, he describes it. My message to delegates was I get it. I understand the lack of delivery on health and housing, by government, and other issues, like broadband. All the feedback from the ground, in relation to health, is growing frustration with the delay on major projects, he says. There is a lot of anger and people are anxious to move on. We are at a very difficult moment for our country. We have just published legislation which needs to get passed by March 29. That would not have happened if we pulled it. We would now be in the middle of the general election, at a time when we need to get this legislation through, had I done that. There is a reason: we need to put the national interest first. People do get it that the national interest comes first, he says. Fair enough, the public may accept a stay of execution until March 29, but how far beyond that is Fianna Fail willing or able to go? I am saying you cant do confidence-and-supply piecemeal. That is not sustainable. Space has to be provided. We did come under strain in the past couple of weeks, because of the National Childrens Hospital. He rejects that Fianna Fail have been rendered political eunuchs, neutered and passive, which some of his party are saying. No, we are not [eunuchs]. I disagree with that. We changed the budgetary policy after 2016. We went from regressive budgets to budgets which were fairer than before. Likewise, in education, we secured major changes in career guidance and pupil-teacher ratios, which would not have happened but for us, he says. The Government is in place two-and-a-half years. Are people saying we should have elections every two-and-a-half years? People need to weigh that up. I am not a fan of elections every two years. I was a student in the early 1980s, when we had three elections in 18 months. I dont agree fully with the British system of fixed-term parliaments, but anything less than three years is not good for stability and not good for decision-making and we are not already at the three-year mark. Martin says the misleading of his party in relation to the cost overruns at the National Childrens Hospital represents a breach of the terms of the confidence-and-supply deal, akin to the crisis which led to the resignation of Frances Fitzgerald in November 2017. But he says they abstained on the motion of confidence in Health Minister, Simon Harris, in order to provide stability at such a delicate time for the country. He insists that in the weeks of talks the parties held in the wake of the budget, the cost overruns at the childrens hospital never came up. Certainly not to the extent of 400m, he says. The big thing when we went in was the current overrun and they could not give us a specific figure on the overrun, because they said the HSE hadnt come back. But Fine Gael says Fianna Fail never asked the right question. Thats ridiculous. It doesnt wash that we didnt ask the right question. It was only in September when we got the figure. Simon Harris has had to apologise for misleading the Dail and giving incorrect figures to Barry Cowen. He did not mention the extra 391m/400m. That was a breach in trust. But because of Brexit, Brexit is an issue that trumps everything, Martin says. He has also been locked in a battle with his once-close ally, Billy Kelleher, over the latters desire to run for Europe, against his leaders wishes. Having made it clear he did not want Kelleher to go, Martin now concedes defeat and accepts Kelleher is going. He is going, as far I am concerned. I said what I said in the past, and you quoted me accurately. So, the letters have gone out now. I have had an amicable chat with Billy and I understand where he is coming from, he says. He says Kelleher is a significant player. His performance on the Eighth Amendment was one of the best in terms of parliamentary management and putting people together, he says. Why, then, move him from the portfolio before the abortion legislation was concluded? He was in health for six or seven years and I felt we needed to freshen things up. I think you need to get different perspectives. But he had done the business on it, the legislation was not going to change what had been agreed at committee, and it didnt. The template of which was agreed at the committee and he played a central role in that, he says. Martin also rejects the notion that he demoted Kelleher to the graveyard of the enterprise portfolio. I dont see it as a graveyard or backwater, because if you look at Ireland.inc, sometimes we dont match that with our political focus. To me, enterprise is one of the most important departments and should be, along with foreign affairs, because we are a global economy. That is why I put him in there, he says. If only Kelleher saw it that way, this whole row could have been avoided. The EU has asked Pakistan to take "clear and sustained" actions targeting not only all UN-listed transnational terrorist groups but also individuals claiming responsibility for attacks in the wake of the Pulwama terror strike. The statement came amid heightened tension between the two nuclear-armed arch-rivals after the February 14 suicide attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad that killed at least 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the EU Commission, urged Pakistan and India to urgently "de-escalate" the tension which has built up after the attack. She spoke to Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday and discussed the current situation, a delegation of the European Union (EU) said in a statement here. The EU is also in contact with India, it said. Mogherini also highlighted the need to "continue addressing terrorism including clear and sustained actions targeting not only all United Nations-listed transnational terrorist groups but also individuals claiming responsibility for such attacks" the statement said. She said the EU's policy has always been to promote a dialogue between Pakistan and India to sort out differences. After the attack, which was claimed by the UN-proscribed JeM, India launched a major diplomatic offensive against Islamabad after the attack and highlighted Pakistan's role in using terrorism as an instrument of state policy. India asked Pakistan to take immediate and verifiable action against terrorists and terror groups operating from territories under its control. New Delhi also announced the withdrawal of the Most Favoured Nation status for Pakistan and hiked the customs duty by 200 per cent on goods originating from Pakistan. -PTI Half of Irish people do not think a loved one should be arrested or prosecuted for possessing or using drugs, according to a survey. A quarter of respondents said their loved one should be arrested and prosecuted while the remaining quarter did not know how society should respond. But six out of ten people surveyed backed the conviction and sentencing of a loved one who turned to crime to support their drug use. The findings show that eight out of 10 people support a health intervention when it comes to dealing with use of drugs by someone close to them. The results are contained in a RED C poll involving a random representative sample of more than 1,000 adults. The survey was conducted on behalf of the Ana Liffey Drug Project, which is part of an umbrella group calling for the decriminalisation of possession and use of drugs. The #SaferFromHarm campaign also includes the CityWide Drugs Crisis Campaign, the National Family Support Network and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties. The poll found that younger people (18-34) were less likely to agree with convicting a loved who turned to crime to support their drug use (with a 50% split, as opposed to the average of 60% agreeing). It found that people with personal experience of drug use (either their own or family) were also less likely to support a court or garda response. Three in four people favoured access to both legal and illegal drugs by a loved one with a debilitating illness. The survey found that more than half of the adults surveyed said they had never used drugs themselves, while less that one in seven had a history of drug use but didn't anymore. A quarter had friends or family who had used drugs. Men, 25-34-year-olds and those who were unemployed were more likely to have used drugs. The results come as a high-level State working group is finalising its recommendations regarding possible changes to Irish drug laws in relation to the possession for personal use of illegal substances. As reported in the Irish Examiner last month, the group is understood to be considering keeping the possession of drugs illegal but establishing a diversion system for those caught in possession to a health intervention and away from the criminal courts. The State working group, comprised mainly of senior officials from government departments and state agencies, is due to submit its report next month. Tony Duffin of the Ana Liffey Drug Project said the research suggested that Irish people recognised that an individual's drug use was a health issue, not a criminal justice issue. He said that despite criminalising people who use drugs for 40 years, the number of people using drugs had increased dramatically, as has the harm caused by drugs. Anna Quigley of CityWide said people found in possession of drugs for their own use should always be given the opportunity to access support and health services rather than causing them further harm through criminalisation. Supporting the campaign, Senator Lynn Ruane said that, very often, those being criminalised were already facing challenges in their lives and came from backgrounds where opportunities have been limited. Gardai say they are concerned for a man who has been missing in Dublin for more than five weeks. 34-year-old Mark McCabe was last seen on January 17 but was only reported missing in recent days. Mr McCabe is from the Coolock area and often visits the Dublin city centre. He is described as being 5'10" in height with short red/brown hair and with blue eyes. Gardai are asking anyone who can assist in locating him is to contact Coolock garda station on 01 6664200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station. The family of Clodagh Hawe, who, along with her three children, was murdered by her husband Alan, have called for a fresh inquiry into the atrocity. Clodaghs mother, Mary Coll, and sister Jacqueline Connolly, said they were refused access to the garda investigation files four weeks ago and needed the truth as to why they died. They said there were many unanswered questions and completely rejected evidence at the inquest that Alan Hawe had depression and developed psychosis. Interviewed on RTEs Claire Byrne Live last night, they also called on Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to set up a special investigation unit for familicide and for several legal changes. Clodagh Hawe, aged 39, and her sons, Liam, 13, Niall, 11, and Ryan, 6, were killed by Alan Hawe overnight on August 18, 2016, in Virginia, Co Cavan. Alan Hawe took his own life after. Mary and Jacqueline said they received no initial support and that they tried to contact people but that nobody was there. Jacqueline said they were seeing reports online, such as that an axe was used on Clodagh, and only received the five-page letter that Alan Hawe had left at the scene just two weeks before the inquest, some 16 months after the murders. Mary said Alan Hawe met Clodagh when she was aged 17 on Valentines night and told here you know, I will look after you. She said he always accompanied Clodagh. While there was a control element to him and he was very strict, he was never rough with the boys and she never saw him raise a hand to them. In February 2016, she said that Alan Hawe had told Clodagh he was watching porn and that he started seeing a counsellor. Clodagh and Alan Hawe But then an issue arose at the school where he was vice principal. Jacqueline said they had bits and pieces of information about what was going on in school. In his letter he said he had been caught red-handed, appearing to indicate that he had been caught masturbating, maybe at school. In June, he cancelled his counselling sessions and murdered his family on the day before school restarted. He kind of said that it was easier for them [Clodagh and the boys] to die than have to live with the truth of what he was doing, said Mary. Jacqueline added: We dont know why, after a full investigation, were left with these questions. Weve requested the files from the gardai and theyve declined that request. But we feel an injustice has been done to Clodagh and the boys. And we feel we need the truth, we need to know why they died, out of respect for them but to be able to have some peace of mind, we need those answers. Mary said: We need answers to the questions. You know, he was caught, who caught him, what was he doing, where was he doing it, why did he feel the need that he had to wipe out his whole family? Deliveroo says its working with the gardai after a number of riders were attacked in recent weeks. Riders protested outside the Deliveroo headquarters in Dublin last Friday to highlight their frustrations, saying that attacks are becoming increasingly common. Deliveroo's Head of Corporate Communications in the UK and Ireland, Robert Oxley says they are offering every support to staff. "We're working quite closely with authorities," he said. "We're convening at meetings with the guards and with the riders to look at where these incidents happened, what we can do to help and support the riders who have been involved, but also how can we make sure that these kinds of incidences are reported correctly to the authorities so that they can take action as well. I think that's what's not been happening and we're very keen to try and support our riders in this. Meanwhile, Deliveroo has defended its position of not making its riders fully-fledged employees. Delivery riders are seen as self-employed, which the company says is to allow themselves to be as flexible as they wish. Mr Oxley says they are trying to give riders additional supports. "We were the first gig economy company to introduce paid insurance for all our riders but there is more that we can do." Impatient, frustrated and eager for change, Fianna Fail delegates young and old gathered at City West, Dublin, with one topic dominating discussion off stage: the date of the next general election. Mingling close to the main hall, senior members harked back to the successful days of the party. But there was some at City West who broke the mould. Newer, younger, more strident members. As conceded by several party TDs in recent weeks, the strain of the confidence and supply agreement with Fine Gael is showing. There is more supply than confidence at this stage, they say. With the national childrens hospital debacle and the housing crisis, TDs, councillors and members are at their wits end maintaining support for the Fine Gael government. It is not if but when it will come to an end. And with that will come a general election. There are some mixed opinions about Micheal Martins tenure too despite his strong efforts to increase Fianna Fails electoral gain. Yet, his supporters outnumber his critics. Emma Murphy, 34, from Firhouse, Dublin, heaped praise on Mr Martin, particularly for his role during the marriage equality campaign of 2017 and the abortion referendum last year. She and her family sought help when their grandmother had motor neurone disease. She says former party senator Maria Corrigan was the only politician who helped them find care for their frail relative. Ms Murphy has stayed with Fianna Fail since. Echoing others concerns, however, she believes the lifetime of the confidence and supply deal is coming to an end. It is a necessary evil. Without it and with Brexit, there would be mass chaos. Once Brexit is over, we need to have a serious look at confidence and supply and then have an election. Despite some internal critcism from disgruntled TDs about Mr Martins approach, there are no doubts for the young councillor about who should lead the party going forward: He is so hardworking. And on a canvass adds an exra impetus. The party leader is always under pressure. But you cant fault his work ethic. Ms Murphy, who is due to wed her fiance Caroline Conway in October, is particularly praiseworthy of Mr Martins role in the marriage and abortion referendums. In contrast, other delegates have a short fuse when it comes to supportng the Government and staying the course with the present Fianna Fail strategy. Retired sheet metal worker Colm Smyth, 70, thinks Fianna Fail are getting hammered. Something needs to change. And quick. I dont feel the party is doing well. It is being too easy on Fine Gael. They are wagging the tail, quipped the Dundalk delegate who has been involved with Fianna Fail all his life. Confidence and supply has gone a bit too far. Health and housing... no one cares. Fianna Fail was always the party of housing. He says there will be an election before the year is out, maybe in September. Martin is carrying a bit of baggage from the last [Fianna Fail] government. They didnt do a good job, but it is not a good time to unseat him either. So if there was an alternative figure to take the partys reins, who might that be? Billy [Kelleher] would be good, but he is going for Europe. He shoots from the hip and tells it like it is. Cork East local election candidate Rosarii Griffin also believes Fianna Fail must bide its time when it comes to a general election. Martin is doing the right thing. He is maintaining the stability, with Brexit. But Fianna Fail have been tested with the national childrens hospital debacle and [Health Minister] Simon Harris. He is on notice. The UCC lecturer contends that October might be a better time for a general election. Another experienced Cork delegate predicts a general election wont even happen this year. Gerry Nunan, 74, has worked with finance spokesman TD Michael McGrath for years, as well as his brother, Seamus, who is seeking selection in Ireland South in the European elections. Confidence and supply has done its course. It was essential to have it in 2016. It [a general election] cant happen this year though. Even if the Brits go out or there is a deal, it will take two to three months at least to settle things. There is one more budget in this [deal]. And we will need to support the Finance Bill [votes], which probably brings it then to January or February next. After that, it is anybodys guess. If there was another leader, Mr Nunan said Cork South Central TD Micheal McGrath or Mayo TD Lisa Chambers could be potential alternatives. The mayor of Cork County, the countrys largest local authority based on geographic area size, has highlighted the inequality in the dispersal of monies under the Urban and Rural Regeneration Funds. Mayor Patrick Gerard Murphy said he was hugely disappointed that only two projects from Cork County received a total of 260,000 from the 62m dispersed. This was in spite of making 48 high-quality and highly deserving applications submitted for planned rural-based projects, he said. Cork county, he said, had a population of more than 400,000 across more than 141,000 households. In contrast, said the mayor, Roscommon with a population of around 60,000 people received almost 5m for four projects in the second phase of funding under the 1bn scheme. While I must acknowledge that Kinsale Library in Co Cork received over 2m in the round-one announcement, both the number and the financial value awarded to us in the second round was immensely disproportionate, the mayor said. He said Cork is home to nearly 10% of the population of the Republic of Ireland and Project Ireland 2040 had set Cork out to be the fastest growing region. We in the council accepted the challenge and identified projects that will enable and encourage growth throughout the county, said Mr Murphy. He added that the planned schemes range from developing beaches and harbours to arts and cultural centres, to relief roads and many other diverse projects. We are a county of endless possibilities. But we need support, now more than ever, to fully deliver for our people, he said. Upcoming boundary changes will see large towns such as Ballincollig, Douglas, and Glanmire transfer from Cork county to the citys local authority, with significant financial implications for County Hall. To ensure both Cork city and county continue to thrive after the boundary change, the mayor said he and city lord mayor Mick Finn had met with a quartet of Cork-based ministers in mid-2018. Simon Coveney, Michael Creed, David Stanton, and Jim Daly all urged Cork County Council to pursue funding under the Urban and Rural Regeneration Funds. I feel Cork county was let down, said Mr Murphy. I believed we should have been a top priority in round two due to the pending boundary changes. We still have every intention of firing ahead with our projects, but we do need central government backing. We will need support if we want to see the region reach its full potential. The Minister for Transport is being asked to explain a ban on the Coast Guard using blue lights and sirens while driving to emergencies. Sinn Fein's transport spokesperson says the signals are the only way to alert traffic that a rescue crew is trying to get through - and banning them could cost lives. There are delays of nearly an hour-and-a-half on all train services out of Heuston Station in Dublin. Delays of up to 30 minutes are expected on to all services into Heuston. Update: Expected delays of up to 80 mins to all services out of Heuston at present, and delays of up to 30 mins to all services into Heuston. Iarnrod Eireann #StaySafe (@IrishRail) February 25, 2019 Irish Rail said the issue is caused by "mechanical issues" between Sallins and Newbridge. It is also causing delays of 30 minutes on the Newbridge to Grand Canal Dock route. Update: Disruption to all services in and out of Heuston at present due to mechanical issues between Sallins and Newbridge. Passengers for GCD to join alternative services to Hazelhatch and change for GCD there. Iarnrod Eireann #StaySafe (@IrishRail) February 25, 2019 "There was a mechanical fault on an out-of-service train that was heading out of Heuston to take up a commuter service," said Irish Rail spokesperson Barry Kenny. "That was on the outbound, that's why trains that are leaving Heuston are most severely delayed, delays between 60 and 80 minutes. "In the opposite direction, which of course is where the maximum number of commuters are travelling, it is typically about a 30-minute delay, so a very significant affect to those customers." Politicians are to spend almost 24 hours discussing emergency legislation for a no-deal Brexit this week. As the Government intensifies work to deal with a hard Brexit, private veterinary practices are being asked to apply for posts at ports and airports where inspections will be significantly increased if Britain crashes out of the EU. The omnibus legislation published by the Government last Friday is to come before the Dail tomorrow evening where just over five-and-a-half hours have been set aside for debate. Large blocks of time have also been made available on Wednesday and Thursday and the Dail will sit past 11pm every day to get through the massive Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union Bill. The Bill, which aims to mitigate as much damage as possible from a no-deal Brexit, takes in nine Departments from health, to business, to education and agriculture and it is expected it will take a number of weeks and considerable Oireachtas time to pass. The Government is under a tight timeframe and hope to have the Brexit Bill through committee, report and final stage in the Dail by the week of March 4. The emergency measures will then be sent to the Seanad for scrutiny. Areas covered under the emergency legislation include facilitating continued access to cross-border health services, securing the all-island electricity market, providing special supports to vulnerable businesses, keeping buses and rail services running across the border and enabling the ongoing availability of grants and insurance products. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture will need to use private vets at border inspection posts and have invited practices to register as part of the Departments Brexit contingency planning. While the Department will be able to redeploy some staff, extra vets will be needed at Dublin and Rosslare port in the case of a hard Brexit and depending on evolving import and export patterns, there may be potential for engagement at further border inspection posts in the future, for example at Shannon or elsewhere. "Everyone in Government and beyond would wish that no-deal Brexit plans and contingencies remain on the shelf. It is appropriate however that solutions are put in place that can address all potential contingencies," the Department said. As the Brexit clock ticks down to the March deadline, the Government has also launched customs training workshops across the country. Speaking at the first workshop which took place in Cootehill, Co Cavan, Business Minister Heather Humphreys said: "While there is still a lot of uncertainty around what will happen next month, the skills and mentoring provided by these workshops will stand to firms long into the future. As a small island, importing and exporting are key for our companies, and we will ensure that they have the supports they need to continue doing this from the end of March and beyond. The workshop was attended by 25 business people from around the region who may be directly affected by Brexit and included those involved in manufacturing, food, logistics and service companies, all of whom will need to deal with customs on import and export of goods or materials after the March 29 if the UK leaves the Customs Union and Single Market. The next customs training workshop will take place on the March 8 in Cork, followed by events in Dublin and Portlaoise. Photo: Canadian Journal of Anesthesia A woman's bra underwire sliced her open when it was hit by a bullet in a 2017 shooting, the Canadian Journal of Anesthesiology reports. The woman was brought to Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster with a gunshot wound to the chest. She was awake and talking when she arrived, but her condition quickly deteriorated. Rushed into surgery, the doctors were shocked to see a wire pop up from inside her chest. To open an abdomen and have a wire pop out at 90 degrees, it felt like we were on a Greys Anatomy episode, Dr. Laura Duggan told CTV News. We had no idea what it was. And then one of the nurses (said) that looks like an underwire! The bullet drove the wire deep into the womans chest, slicing her stomach in half, cutting both her liver and diaphragm. The underwire acted like a sword, it was almost surgical, said Duggan. The patient made a full recovery. with files from CTV Vancouver The Waterford start-up has developed software specifically to help exhibitors, writes Trish Dromey. Waterford start-up Voxgig is preparing for a US release of event management software that informs companies of the effectiveness of their participation at a conference. Most event management software has been designed for use by the organisers to sell tickets, ours is one of the few which been created for exhibitors. "It can measure success in terms of sales leads generated and also of hires made, said Voxgig founder and chief executive Richard Rodger. Setting up the company in September 2017 to create a centralised platform to improve conference experience for organisers and attendees as well as exhibitors, Mr Rodger identified a market opportunity for a specific product for exhibitors. Our software is now being trialled by eight large companies including some Fortune 500 ones, said Mr Rodger, who has recently raised 1m in funding with a view to start selling to the market at the end of the year. He is contemplating expanding into the US. Mr Rodger is a serial entrepreneur who previously was the chief technical officer at FeedHenry a mobile application platform provider which sold for 63.5m in 2014. He was also the chief executive and co-founder of Waterford-based enterprise software company, NearForm which now has an annual turnover of 17m. Seeing a gap in the event management market prompted him to sell his stake in NearForm and to start on a new venture, taking a slightly different approach to typical start-ups. He wanted to follow the Silicon Valley start-up model, and, because he had funding from selling his stake in NearForm, had more freedom to do so than a typical early stage company. One of the unusual things about Voxgig is the fact that it does not have an office or premises, although it does have a full-time staff of 10. All our employees work from home or from co-working spaces. This was the best way to get the staff we want we were not going to be able to hire them in Waterford and we dont need them to be in one place, said Mr Rodger, who registered the company in Waterford and works from a co-working space. Good morning everyone! Today we've got the #FridayFeeling and we're ready for the weekend! As many of you know, working in events, while ever-changing and exciting, is not always an easy road. We want to hear about your biggest challenges as an events speaker/manager. Tweet us! pic.twitter.com/8LMisKfqZv voxgig (@voxgig) February 22, 2019 Two of the Voxgigs staff are in London, one is in Spain and the rest of the staff are in Ireland. Six months after Voxgig was set up it began trialling a basic viable product. Normally the first next step for start-up is to start registering users but we have taken a different route and have concentrated on validation by conducting trials, he said. Voxgigs target market is IT companies with a staff size of more than 100 people. The company exhibits at one or more conferences a year sending a team of five to 10 people, said Mr Rodger. He says conferences have become hugely significant for the IT industry. Besides large ones like Web Summit, there are over 10,000 tech conferences each year around the world. We estimate that the market for our software is worth at least $500m annually. In developing sales, Mr Rodger said he adopted the Silicon Valley Freemium model which involves giving away the companys software for free at the start to develop a user base. We plan to introduce charges in the second half of the year for companies with more than five users. For these we will charge a monthly per-user fee, he said, adding that at the end of the year, he also plans to develop sales in the US. To make this possible, Voxgigs 1m in funding came partly from private investors and partly from Enterprise Ireland, which identified the company as a High Potential Start-Up in 2018. The aim, using the Freemium model, is to work on getting user numbers of the Voxgig software to a certain level. When you get to a point when you see 20% month-on-month growth then it is time to start spending on marketing, he said. The big plans for this year include opening that US office and for the company to run its first conference of its own for exhibitors. And Mr Rodger expects to launch an aggressive global marketing campaign. Long term we would like to be the Number One choice for exhibitors at tech events, he said. Shares in Irish exploration company United Oil and Gas surged by nearly 10% on the back of drilling at one of its UK licences uncovering a "bonus" discovery. United is a 10% junior partner at the offshore Colter field, located in the south of England. "Initial results from Colter have delivered a bonus in the form of an additional hydrocarbon structure, which has excellent initial oil and gas shows," said United chief executive Brian Larkin. "This offers opportunity for future appraisal and to increase the overall value of the Colter licence," he said. More work will be required to determine the resource potential within the structure, the company said. United, last week, announced an independent report increased the resource estimate from the Jamaican licence it co-owns with Tullow Oil. Elsewhere, British mineral exploration company Erris Resources is considering new mining licence opportunities in Ireland as it looks to build its asset base here. The company, which is also active in Sweden and Finland, is looking at opportunities in a number of countries. Ireland is high up on its list as the majority of its operational team is based in Sligo, also the location for the company's Abbeytown zinc-lead-silver-copper project. The company is also awaiting approval for a number of mining licence applications, in the Galway region, it lodged last year. "We are reviewing several new projects that fit the Erris model. These are opportunities that either have defined mineral resources or show significant exploration upside," said Erris chief executive Anton du Plessis. President Donald Trump said that trade talks over the weekend with China had been very productive, as negotiators worked ahead of a March 1 deadline for the imposition of further US tariffs on Chinese imports. President Trump said on Twitter that discussions would continue. Officials are trying to come to terms on an array of complex issues governing the relationship between the worlds two largest economies, including Chinas currency policies and the enforcement of intellectual property rights. President Trump said last week there was a good chance a deal would emerge, and that he might extend the March 1 deadline and move forward with a meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping. The US is set to increase tariffs on $200bn (176bn) of Chinese imports to 25% from 10% unless President Trump decides to delay it. The imposition of tariffs by both countries and the threat of more severe action has been a major source of global economic tension in recent months. The situation has contributed to recent large swings in stock markets and is considered by some to be a key reason why business investment has slowed of late. Meanwhile, the president and his top trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, have grown increasingly frustrated with each other. The exasperation between the two erupted into the open during an unusual public exchange in front of Chinas top negotiator, assembled US officials and journalists last week, during which Presdient Trump took issue with Mr Lighthizers explanation that any deal would take the form of a memorandum of understanding. I dont like MOUs because they dont mean anything, the president said, before shooting down Mr Lighthizer when the career lawyer described such documents as legally binding. After that exchange, said sources, the president complained that Mr Lighthizer had embarrassed him by publicly correcting him in front of the Chinese delegation and the press. The president also expressed frustration that Mr Lighthizer hadnt yet stitched up a deal he views as increasingly important. Reuters and Bloomberg Britains politicians are rediscovering the art of co-operation, just as Irelands consensus faces its sternest test, writes Ruth McCarthy Rarely has the contrast between the way Irish and British politicians approach Brexit appeared so stark. Ever since the UKs 2016 Brexit referendum, Irish politicians of all parties have come together to confront a common challenge, while in parts of the UK, the stresses of Brexit have shattered party discipline and the electorates tribal political loyalties. The result has been a deadlock in Westminster and a splintering of both main parties nearly a dozen MPs resigned from both Labour and the Conservatives this week to form a new independent group. But behind the scenes, the political mismatch with London is slowly changing. When Theresa May visited the Taoiseach in Dublin earlier this month, she did so with Westminster inching towards a Brexit consensus for the first time. True, that consensus is modest. About the only thing MPs agree on is the need to avoid a chaotic, no-deal Brexit. Nevertheless, the Labour Party leadership is finally offering to support Ms Mays Brexit deal, in what Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell describes as a very British compromise. Irelands rock solid consensus faces its toughest challenge yet. Within days of the UKs 2016 vote, politicians across the Dail had agreed to bury their differences and work together in the national interest by mitigating the impact of Brexit on Ireland. Its a measure of their unity of purpose that the backstop the insurance policy designed to prevent a hard border, whatever form Brexit takes retains the support not only of a large majority of Irish voters but also of other EU leaders. And its a measure of Dublins strategic skill that many other EU countries have come to see the backstop as indivisible from the wider withdrawal agreement. Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney have successfully positioned the backstop, not only as an Irish issue but as a fundamental EU demand that must be part of any Brexit deal. The strong line has helped Dublin set the agenda in Brussels. But that strength may become a weakness as the threat of no deal increases. The backstop which faces the implacable opposition of the British government and its DUP coalition partners has emerged as the biggest sticking point in negotiations between London and Brussels. With neither side giving ground, and the Westminster government accused of deliberately running down the Brexit clock to strengthen its hand, Ireland is slowly being sucked into Britains high stakes poker game with the EU. The conundrum is this: Irelands EU partners are committed to the backstop but they are also committed to avoiding a no-deal Brexit. In the final countdown to the March 29 deadline, proponents of Brexit are hoping Europes second priority will trump the first. Dublin could then face pressure from other European capitals to accept an eleventh-hour compromise on the backstop. Needless to say, such a prospect is fraught with political risk for the Irish government. But with the European Commission warning that it will insist on a hard border in the event of no deal, the Taoiseach could soon face an impossible paradox sacrifice the backstop in order to save the deal, and thereby prevent a hard border, in the short term at least. Other than the builders of border posts, I know of no sector of the Irish economy in favour of a hard border. Even service industries like my own which doesnt ship physical goods across the border would be hurt by the trade friction created by border checks, not to mention the danger that a hard border could unravel the Good Friday agreement. The EU has a long tradition of cobbling together compromise deals at five minutes to midnight. The backstop remains the best guarantee that Ireland will not turn back the clock to a hard border. Irelands politicians have successfully fought for it for more than two years, and their resolve must not waver in the final weeks. - Ruth McCarthy is CEO of Fexco Corporate Payments February 25, 2019 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Trent Mell, CEO of First Cobalt, sits down with Peter Epstein of Epstein Research to discuss his company's projects, refinery and the macro outlook for cobalt. First Cobalt Corp. (FCC:TSX.V; FTSSF:OTCQX; FCC:ASX) is a well-known name in the cobalt world, but its share price has not been spared the beating taken by fellow cobalt and lithium junior shares over the past year. The cobalt price has not helped; it too has experienced a precipitous decline. First Cobalt's market cap is ~C$63 million+ (C$11 million cash at Sept. 29, 2018) yet it owns a cobalt refinery in Ontario, Canada, that has a replacement value (according to Hatch) of US$100 million, and that doesn't account for the years it would take to permit a new refinery. Time is money. This implies the company's 50 past-producing mines in Ontario are free to investors. It also implies that First Cobalt's flagship U.S. project, Iron Creek in Idaho, is free. Meaningful capital has been sunk into all of these assets, what to make of this? Is Cobalt being engineered out of electric vehicles, being replaced by nickel? Not according to the experts I trust most. Trent Mell is the CEO of First Cobalt; he's possibly biased in his thinking on cobalt demand, but I asked him his opinion anyway. Please continue reading to learn more about Mr. Mell's views on the cobalt space and his company. Peter Epstein & Epstein Research have no prior or existing relationship with First Cobalt or CEO Trent Mell. The views expressed in this interview are entirely those of Mr. Mell. Please give readers the latest snapshot of First Cobalt Corp. First Cobalt Corp. (TSX-V: FCC; ASX: FCC; OTCQX: FTSSF) is a North American pure-play cobalt company. Our flagship asset is the Iron Creek Cobalt project in Idaho, U.S., which has an Inferred mineral resource of 26.9 million tonnes grading 0.11% cobalt equivalent, (Co Eq), which works out to over 45 million pounds of cobalt, plus 175 million pounds of copper. We have been drilling for just over a year, and we see lots of opportunity to significantly grow this resource. We also own the only permitted cobalt refinery in North America and 50 past-producing mines in the Canadian Cobalt Camp in Ontario. The refinery is a rare strategic asset and our quickest route to cash flow and to cobalt production in North America. Please tell us more about your Flagship asset Iron Creek in the U.S. (Idaho). The Iron Creek Cobalt project is in the heart of the Idaho Cobalt Belt in Idaho, U.S. Most cobalt mining activity today takes place in the Democratic Republic of Congo, so having an asset in America is pretty special. This particular property was explored in the 1970s and '80s and has roads, historical drilling and underground access in three different areas of the deposit. The mining claims cover 1,700 acres and the area immediately above the resource is patented property, which means we own the surface rights. This is a big advantage when it comes to permitting. As stated previously, we have an initial Inferred Resource estimate of 26.9 million tonnes grading 0.11% Co Eq., containing 45.4 million pounds of cobalt, plus 175.4 million pounds of copper, under a base case open pit scenario. Alternatively, there is a conceptual underground option with a small open pit that results in an estimated 4.4 million tonnes grading 0.23% Co & 0.68% Cu (0.30% Co Eq.), containing 22.3 million pounds of cobalt, plus 66.7 million pounds of copper. We are delighted with the outcome of our first drill campaign, but much more remains to be done. We will have a second resource estimate by the end of March and the deposit remains open, meaning there is potential to continue expanding the resource. In 2019, we will continue to de-risk Iron Creek across three key fronts. First, there is the updated resource estimate which will include an additional 10,000 meters of drilling that was completed late last year. Next, we will commence baseline environmental studies to provide information on the existing conditions at the site and surrounding area so that designs for future mining and processing activities minimize the impact to the environment. Finally, metallurgical test work is planned on representative samples of the mineralized zones, including a review of mineralogy, comminution, flotation and hydrometallurgical recoveries. Please tell us about First Cobalt's most recent drill results announced Feb. 13th. The four holes we reported on Feb. 13th were drilled beyond the western extent of the resource. Extensions of particularly copper-rich mineralization were encountered. Results from these holes expanded mineralization an additional 120m in the Waite zone and 60m in the No Name zone. Whereas the maiden resource estimate reported mineralization to 150m below surface, the two westernmost holes released today trace mineralization to >300m below surface, and show that mineralization remains open down-dip and along the western strike extent. Iron Creek now has a continuous horizon of mineralization between the two zones along a strike length of ~800m. The best intercepts were: 13.4m of 2.22% Cu, incl. 4% Cu over 3m, and, 1.9m of 3.9% Cu + 0.22% Co, incl. 10.37% Cu + 0.47% Co over 0.5m, and, 4.0m of 2.88% Cu + 0.12% Co, incl. 6.17% Cu + 0.19% Co oer 1.2m, and, 3.9m of 2.92% Cu, and, 6.1m of 1.34% Cu, and, 1.6m of 5.68% Cu. Together, extensions along strike and at depth, continue to suggest further tonnage potential well beyond the boundaries of the maiden resource estimate. The Feb. 13th results support our view that copper-rich areas provide options for mine planning. There are 18 drill holes pending, which will also be included in an updated mineral resource estimate expected at the end of March. We anticipate a notable enhancement over the maiden resource estimate that we released in September, with still further upside as the deposit remains open in all directions. Some prospective shareholders think that a grade of 0.11% cobalt equivalent is too low, what's your response? The short answer is that I disagree, and there are a number of reasons why. One can certainly point to some high-grade cobalt drill results that have been released over the past couple of years, but these are typically vein-style deposits that struggle to hold together in resource modeling. In other words, grade is worthless without sufficient tonnage. By contrast, there are a number of Australian nickel-cobalt deposits that have the tonnage but much lower grades than we have at Iron Creek. In the case of Iron Creek, we are seeing good grade and we also have the opportunity to add a lot more tonnes to a deposit that is already as big as just about anything else in North America. Keep in mind that we also have a 0.3% Co Eq Inferred grade as an underground deposit, which starts to look quite high-grade across the universe of cobalt deposits. More generally, there are not many cobalt deposits out there, so it could be tempting to compare a 0.11% Co Eq. grade with copper or nickel deposits. However, the price of cobalt/lb can range from 7 to 12 times the price of copper/lb, so it is perhaps helpful to think in these terms. Iron Creek is rare as it is a primary cobalt project, whereas 98% of the world's cobalt is produced from nickel and copper operations. What should readers be looking for in your updated resource estimate at Iron Creek? Drilling from mid-2018 to the end of the year has further extended mineralization to the west, as well as at depth. This drilling has also intercepted mineralization between the two known zones throughout much of the 2018 resource area. All this points towards an increase in tonnage in the updated estimate expected at the end of March. For the maiden resource, we had only tested 500m of a known 1,000m strike extent and incorporated 150m of down-dip drilling. The upcoming resource will test further along strike and 300m down-dip. Importantly, the March resource update will not be the final word on the potential size of Iron Creek, but I hope it underscores that there are more tonnes to be drilled at the property. Tell us more about your permitted Cobalt Refinery in Cobalt, Ontario? Could the 24 tonnes per day (tpd) throughput be increased without a new permit? The First Cobalt refinery is potentially the quickest path to cash flow for First Cobalt and we are spending a lot of time working towards a restart of the facility within the next two years. We are currently testing third-party cobalt feed material as well as having discussions with automotive companies, metals traders and private equity funds, all of whom could help finance a restart in exchange for an off-take agreement for final product. The refinery is a hydrometallurgical cobalt facility in the Canadian Cobalt Camp, ~500 km from the U.S. border. It has the potential to produce either a cobalt sulphate for the lithium-ion battery market or cobalt metal for the North American aerospace industry and other industrial applications. In late 2018, the company released the results of three independent studies undertaken to estimate capital requirements, operating costs, permit renewal timelines, potential feedstock options and off-take opportunities. At a 24-tonne-per-day feed rate, and using the current flowsheet, the capital cost of the restart is estimated at US$25.7 million (including a 30% contingency) and a permitting review concluded that a restart is possible within 18 months of selecting a feedstock. Note: Here's a 4-minute corporate video featuring the First Cobalt Refinery in Ontario, Canada. Some investors are concerned that a sizable equity raise will be required to fund the US$25.7 million cap-ex for the refinery, is that the case? We believe that there is a strong business plan for the refinery that would support a financing package that could include debt, off-take financing, a stream or a JV interest. My goal is to restart the refinery without any equity dilution and generate cash flow to continue funding activities at Iron Creek. We believe that the refinery has the ability to be cash-generating in a relatively short period of time, which lends itself to a number of non-equity dilutive structures. With cobalt prices much lower than they were, might you have trouble finding feed material for the refinery? Payabilities for cobalt feedstocks, such as hydroxide, have come down due to lower demand from Chinese refiners. This is very advantageous for the First Cobalt refinery as it results in better margin opportunities. Some miners have also had difficulty having their contractual terms honored in Asia. As a result, many are now seeking alternative options to refine their cobalt material. There does not seem to be much focus lately on the 50 past-producing cobalt properties in Ontario. Are those properties out of the money with the current cobalt price? The Canadian Cobalt Camp remains highly prospective and our belief is that the area continues to hold district-scale potential for cobalt. With Iron Creek in Idaho now on the path towards becoming a development asset, our focus is on how to unlock value for our shareholders in this rapid-paced market. You may hate this question, but I have to askwhat are your thoughts on cobalt prices for 2019? A common refrain that I am hearing from supply chain purchasing managers is that a structural deficit in cobalt is expected in 2022 and 2023. That is not far away and auto companies are concerned about securing supply. Prices have pulled back significantly from their highs due to factors ranging from a strong U.S. dollar, trade war rhetoric, concerns over a slowdown in China and some gamesmanship in the cobalt trading market. It is disappointing and has certainly scared a number of retail investors but, in my view, it can't last. With EVs representing barely over 1% of new vehicle sales, how can one not be bullish on cobalt? Do you have a view on nickel substitution for cobalt; will nickel destroy demand for cobalt? No serious battery researcher believes that cobalt is coming out of the battery anytime soon. More nickel and less cobalt is on the horizon as we move towards the NCM 8.1.1 cathode, but even that has been delayed and will be more than offset by higher EV penetration rates. Battery metals expert consultancy Benchmark Minerals estimates that even factoring in adoption of the 8.1.1 chemistry, demand for cobalt will still increase more than 4x by 2028. Concerns that cobalt will be engineered out of the battery started with a prominent Tweet, that was quickly debunked. Why should investors consider buying shares of First Cobalt (TSX-V: FCC; ASX: FCC; OTCQX: FTSSF)? First Cobalt is well positioned for a shift in the commodities market. Iron Creek is a primary-cobalt project located in a mining friendly jurisdiction, Idaho, USA. The refinery is a unique asset in North America and has gained significant interest for its potential to provide traceable, ethical cobalt material into the North American market. While the battery materials have faced significant, and maybe overzealous, pressure in recent months, the fundamentals remain strong as EV adoption rates continue to rise in coming years. Peter Epstein is the founder of Epstein Research. His background is in company and financial analysis. He holds an MBA degree in financial analysis from New York University's Stern School of Business. Disclosures: Peter Epstein & Epstein Research have no prior or existing relationship with the management team, or any company mentioned in this interview. At the time this interview was posted, Peter Epstein did not own shares of First Cobalt Corp. or any company mentioned herein. Disclosures: The content of this article is for information only. Readers fully understand and agree that nothing contained herein, written by Peter Epstein of Epstein Research [ER], (together, [ER]) about NuLegacy Gold, including but not limited to, commentary, opinions, views, assumptions, reported facts, calculations, etc. is not to be considered implicit or explicit investment advice. Nothing contained herein is a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell any security. [ER] is not responsible under any circumstances for investment actions taken by the reader. [ER] has never been, and is not currently, a registered or licensed financial advisor or broker/dealer, investment advisor, stockbroker, trader, money manager, compliance or legal officer, and does not perform market making activities. [ER] is not directly employed by any company, group, organization, party or person. The shares of NuLegacy Gold are highly speculative, not suitable for all investors. Readers understand and agree that investments in small cap stocks can result in a 100% loss of invested funds. It is assumed and agreed upon by readers that they will consult with their own licensed or registered financial advisors before making any investment decisions. Streetwise Reports Disclosure: 1) Peter Epstein's disclosures are listed above. 2) The following companies mentioned in the article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: None. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. 3) 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. 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One person lives in the VCH region, and the other was traveling through Richmond and Vancouver International Airport en route to Edmonton, then the Northwest Territories. A spokesperson for Interior Health confirms there are no confirmed cases of measles in this region. In the Okanagan, 86 per cent of two-year-olds have been vaccinated for measles. Interior Health medical health officer Dr. Silvina Mema confirmed there will be wait times for people to get immunizations in the Okanagan, however. They may have to wait a week to get their appointment, said Mema. Measles at first presents with flu-like symptoms, but then a fever develops, followed by the distinctive rash. People who think they have measles are advised to stay home and call Health Link at 811 before visiting any health care facility or provider. February 25, 2019 (Investorideas.com Newswire) The arrival of a pilot plant adds to the already brisk pace of what a Canaccord Genuity report described as "the best undeveloped lithium brine project globally." Neo Lithium Corp. (NLC:TSX.V) successfully brought to Catamarca, Argentina, the pilot plant for its Tres Quebradas (3Q) lithium brine, adding a new milestone to a project characterized by its brisk pace, according to a February 14 research report by Canaccord Genuity analyst Eric Zaunscherb. Zaunscherb reiterated his speculative buy rating for Neo Lithium and also a target price of CA$2 per share. Neo Lithium's pilot plant arrived at the Argentinian province of Catamarca without delays or issues at customs. Engineers are currently reassembling the plant. The management intends to have it fully operational by the end of this month, Zaunscherb explained. The aim of Neo Lithium's 3Q project is to produce high-grade lithium carbonate from its brine reservoir complex in Catamarca. "The 3Q project, in our view, is the best undeveloped lithium brine project globally based on grade, chemistry and scale," Zaunscherb highlighted. The arrival of the pilot plant is the most recent of the project's "brisk pace" development, according to Zaunscherb's report. Before the arrival of the plant, Neo Lithium completed the first environmental license renewal of the project. The provincial government of Catamarca issued the environmental license, a requirement for the exploration and the development of the 3Q's lithium brine. The license must be renewed every two years. Neo Lithium plans to complete the prefeasibility study of the project during the first quarter of 2019, explained Zaunscherb. The company also intends to conclude the project's environmental impact assessment report before the end of the first half of the year, the analyst added. "Neo Lithium will now be able to continue infill drilling, develop production and monitoring wells, drill in the high-grade zone and expand the automation and fine-tuning of the pond system," Zaunscherb commented. Before its arrival in Catamarca, the pilot plant was successfully tested in neighboring Chile. The plant will use brine concentrated to approximately 4% lithium extracted from the project's pilot evaporation ponds, Zaunscherb explained. No reagents will be employed in the process. "This positive step continues to demonstrate the brisk pace that management has had from discovery to development," he said. The pilot plant has a capacity to produce 50 tonnes of lithium carbonate annually, while the evaporation ponds have a capacity to produce over 500 tonnes of approximately 4% lithium brine per year, he added. Along with the plant's reassembling, Neo Lithium will build additional warehouses, as well as other infrastructure. Neo Lithium "remains well funded with $49 million in cash" and continues to evaluate "a range of financing options," among them "potential strategic partnerships," Zaunscherb explained. "We believe there are many avenues to expand the project's resources and optimize its economics," he added. The company currently trades at 0.11x normalized (5%) P/NAV, a discount when compared to peers that trade at 0.21x. "We see this discount as unwarranted due to the speed and quality of work conducted by management," the analyst pointed out. Zaunscherb included in his assessment of risks the possibility that "a vocal minority of project opponents may force delays (or worse) in the permitting process." However, the main risk, according to the analyst, "is the price of lithium carbonate." Disclosure: 1) Mario Santana compiled this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise reports as an independent contractor. He or members of his household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: None. He or members of his household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. 2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: None. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. 3) Comments and opinions expressed are those of the specific experts and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. 4) The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports. 5) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the interview or the decision to write an article until three business days after the publication of the interview or article. The foregoing prohibition does not apply to articles that in substance only restate previously published company releases. Disclosures from Canaccord Genuity, Neo Lithium Corp., Flash Update, February 14, 2019 Analyst Certification: Each authoring analyst of Canaccord Genuity whose name appears on the front page of this research hereby certifies that (i) the recommendations and opinions expressed in this research accurately reflect the authoring analysts personal, independent and objective views about any and all of the designated investments or relevant issuers discussed herein that are within such authoring analysts coverage universe and (ii) no part of the authoring analysts compensation was, is, or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the specific recommendations or views expressed by the authoring analyst in the research. Analysts employed outside the US are not registered as research analysts with FINRA. These analysts may not be associated persons of Canaccord Genuity Inc. and therefore may not be subject to the FINRA Rule 2241 and NYSE Rule 472 restrictions on communications with a subject company, public appearances and trading securities held by a research analyst account. Required Company-Specific Disclosures (as of date of this publication): Canaccord Genuity or one or more of its affiliated companies intend to seek or expect to receive compensation for Investment Banking services from Neo Lithium Corp. in the next three months. The authoring analysts who are responsible for the preparation of this research have received (or will receive) compensation based upon (among other factors) the Investment Banking revenues and general profits of Canaccord Genuity. However, such authoring analysts have not received, and will not receive, compensation that is directly based upon or linked to one or more specific Investment Banking activities, or to recommendations contained in the research. Disclosures are available here. More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. 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Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp February 25, 2019 (Investorideas.com Newswire) This Canadian company's current production, and the impact its new Nevada operation will have on the numbers, were addressed in a ROTH Capital Partners report. In a Feb. 8 research note, analyst Jake Sekelsky reported McEwen Mining Inc. (MUX:TSX; MUX:NYSE ) should reach first production by the end of February 2019 at Gold Bar, its open-pit, heap-leach operation in central Nevada. Currently, McEwen has placed 150,000 tons of mineralized material on the pad at Gold Bar, and initial leaching work is in progress. The company intends to attain steady state production by the end of March. ROTH expects Gold Bar to produce just under 53,000 ounces (53 Koz) of gold in 2019 and about 72 Koz in 2020. Sekelsky noted that in 2019 the output from Gold Bar should offset the expected drop in production from El Gallo, where mining is "concluding with residual leaching activities." Production at El Gallo in 2018 was 39,106 ounces (oz) of gold equivalent (Au eq). ROTH anticipates production at Black Fox and San Jose to stay about the same. In 2018, those numbers were 48,848 oz of Au eq from Black Fox and 87,607 oz of Au eq from San Jose. Overall, ROTH forecasts a "year-over-year consolidated production increase of 15% to just under 198 Koz Au eq, primarily driven by Gold Bar." Along with the ramp-up at Gold Bar, this year McEwen will likely concentrate on exploration at Black Fox and its Timmins assets, wrote Sekelsky, using funds from the $15 million flow-through financing that closed in Q4/18 to do so. ROTH anticipates McEwen might leverage the excess capacity at the Black Fox mill should additional exploration in the region be successful. "We view this as a key driver of growth for the company over the next year," Sekelsky commented. ROTH has a Buy rating and a US$3 per share price target on McEwen Mining, whose stock is trading at around US$1.92 per share. Disclosure: 1) Doresa Banning compiled this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise reports as an independent contractor. She or members of her household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: None. She or members of her household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. 2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: None. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. 3) Comments and opinions expressed are those of the specific experts and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. 4) The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports. 5) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the interview or the decision to write an article until three business days after the publication of the interview or article. The foregoing prohibition does not apply to articles that in substance only restate previously published company releases. Disclosures from ROTH Capital Partners, McEwen Mining Inc., Company Update, February 8, 2019 Regulation Analyst Certification ("Reg AC"): The research analyst primarily responsible for the content of this report certifies the following under Reg AC: I hereby certify that all views expressed in this report accurately reflect my personal views about the subject company or companies and its or their securities. I also certify that no part of my compensation was, is or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the specific recommendations or views expressed in this report. ROTH makes a market in shares of McEwen Mining Inc. and as such, buys and sells from customers on a principal basis. Shares of McEwen Mining Inc. may be subject to the Securities and Exchange Commission's Penny Stock Rules, which may set forth sales practice requirements for certain low-priced securities. ROTH Capital Partners, LLC expects to receive or intends to seek compensation for investment banking or other business relationships with the covered companies mentioned in this report in the next three months. More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ and tickertagstocknews.com Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp What Is Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC)? BRIC is an acronym for the developing nations of Brazil, Russia, India, and China - countries believed to be the future dominant suppliers of manufactured goods, services, and raw materials by 2050. China and India will become the world's dominant suppliers of manufactured goods and services, respectively, while Brazil and Russia will become similarly dominant as suppliers of raw materials. As of 2010, South Africa joined the group, which is now referred to as BRICS. Key Takeaways BRIC is an acronym for the economic bloc of countries consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. In 2010, South Africa joined the BRIC group. Economists believe these four nations will become dominant suppliers of manufactured goods, services, and raw material by 2050 due to low labor and production costs. Critics argue that the nations' raw materials are limitless and the growth models ignore the finite nature of fossil fuels, uranium, and other critical and heavily used resources. 1:25 Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) BRIC's Growth in Global Dominance In 1990, BRIC countries accounted for 11% of global gross domestic product (GDP). By 2014, this figure rose to nearly 30%. These figures include a high in 2010, following a plunge in value, surrounding the 2008 financial crisis. BRIC countries were originally projected to be the fastest-growing market economies by Jim O'Neill of Goldman Sachs in 2001. The Goldman Sachs thesis does not argue that these countries are a political alliance, like the European Union (EU), or a formal trading association. Instead, it asserts they have power as an economic bloc. BRIC countries have not announced formal trade agreements, but leaders regularly attend summits together and often act in concert with one another's interests. It has been postulated that by 2050 these economies would be wealthier than most of the current major economic powers. This growth is due to lower labor and production costs in these countries. The BRIC initialization expanded to include South Africa as the fifth nation in 2010. Many companies also cite BRIC nations as a source of foreign expansion or foreign direct investment (FDI) opportunities. Foreign business expansion happens in countries with promising economies in which to invest. Goldman Sachs, which coined the term, also created an investment fund especially targeted at opportunities in the BRIC economies. However, it merged that fund with a broader emerging markets fund in 2015 following a slowdown in growth prospects for the economies. Image by Sabrina Jiang Investopedia 2020 Introduction and Early Writing on BRICs In O'Neill's 2001 report, published by Goldman Sachs, he noted while global GDP was set to rise 1.7% in 2002, BRIC nations were forecast to grow more quickly than the G-7. The G-7 are a group of the seven most advanced global economies, which include Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In the paper "Building Better Economic BRICs," O'Neill runs through four scenarios for measuring and projecting GDP, adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP). In these scenarios, the nominal GDP assumption for BRIC rises from the 2001 measurement of 8% in US dollars (USD) to 14.2%or, when converted at PPP rates, 23.3% to 27.0%. In 2003, Dominic Wilson and Roopa Purushothaman wrote a report "Dreaming with BRICs: The Path to 2050," again published by Goldman Sachs, claiming that by 2050 the BRIC cluster could grow to a size larger than the G7 when measured in USD. The worlds most significant economies would, thus, look drastically different in four decades, with the largest global economic powers, by income per capita, no longer being the wealthiest nations. The 2007 work, BRICs and Beyond focused on BRIC growth potential, along with the environmental impact of these growing economies and the sustainability of their rise. The report considered the Next 11, (N-11), a term for 11 emerging economies, in relation to the BRIC nations. The study also looked at the overall ascendency of new global markets. Criticism of BRICs ONeills BRIC thesis has been challenged over the years as the economic and geopolitical climate has shifted. Arguments include the notion that raw materials in BRIC nations China, Russia, and South Africa are limitless. Those critiquing the growth models say they ignore the finite nature of fossil fuels, uranium, and other critical and heavily used resources. It has also been argued that China outstrips the other BRIC members' economies in GDP growth and political muscle, putting it into a different category. Atlanta, GA, February 25, 2019 Jared Mathis, executive vice president and head of the Blue River Underwriters specialty property group will be presenting an informational webinar on a new investor property insurance program later this week. The webinar will be held on Thursday, February 28 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Central Time and attendees need to register in advance here. Zurich North America, which underwrites the Blue River Program, will facilitate the webinar through its ZProgramsMatch service*. ZProgramsMatch is a Zurich North America online tool offering agents the opportunity to access Zurich through its Programs Business unit. As part of the ZProgramsMatch Knowledge Hub, webinars are conducted to provide agents and brokers with insights around specific programs. The Insuredge Investor Property Program is a competitive non-admitted property and general liability package program that is specifically designed for residential property portfolios of one- to four-unit family dwellings. It is available nationwide for diverse investors such as mid- to large-size property managers, family offices and trusts, fix-and-flippers, individual and corporate real estate investors, real estate owned (REO) interests, and real estate investment trusts (REITs). Further information on the program can be found here. In addition to providing customizable insurance coverage for property investors, the Insuredge technology platform is available for select larger and more active portfolios to simplify the addition and deletion of properties, streamline record keeping and consolidate monthly billing. BLUE RIVER UNDERWRITERS is a national program administrator with managing general underwriting and managing general agent authority for several programs with top-rated international carriers. The team partners with select retail and wholesale insurance agents to deliver industry and risk insights and solutions for diverse insureds from Auto Dealers to Contractors to Outdoors entities. Blue River Underwriters continues to build its reputation for quality coverage, competitive rates, and unparalleled service with ten offices nationwide and is a part of the Breckenridge Insurance Group. BRECKENRIDGE INSURANCE GROUP, headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., is an international specialty wholesale insurance broker, program manager, managing general agent (MGA) and insurance services provider. The company offers access to diverse range of commercial insurance and financial services products to businesses and professional services firms in a variety of industries. The company serves independent insurance agents, brokers, and financial institutions nationally by way of Blue River Underwriters, OSC, Breckenridge Insurance Services, Breckenridge Elevation Authorities contract binding group and Southeastern Underwriters, Inc. For more information, please visit WWW.BRECKGRP.COM or call 855.728.8822. CA Insurance License #0G13592 *Zurich does not guarantee any particular outcome nor guarantee that each and every such risk will be placed or accepted by the participating program administrator. Coverages may not be available in all states. Media Contact: Caren Henry chenry@breckgrp.com 267.961.8252 Topics Agencies Underwriting Property Training Development Insurance Wholesale Human Resources Connie Free, 34, of Moreno Valley, Calif., is scheduled to be arraigned today on 18 felony counts including grand theft and forgery after allegedly stealing at least $174,000 in insurance premiums from seven different victims. The former insurance agent allegedly targeted port truck drivers who lost their operator authority as a result of not having insurance. After receiving consumer complaints, the California Department of Insurance launched an investigation, which revealed Free, acting as Justyce Insurance or Pure Justyce Insurance Agency, allegedly accepted premium payments from her victims and failed to remit payments to insurance carriers, instead converting the payments for her own use. Between September 2017 and July 2018, at least seven victims reportedly paid Free for coverage that was not placed with an insurer. The investigation found Free would establish contact with her victims by soliciting them through telephone, email or a post card offering competitive quotes with attractive rates on commercial vehicle insurance. Free would then gather the victims vehicle information, provide a quote for the desired coverage, and if accepted, have the victim make a cash payment directly into her bank account, allegedly so she could pay the carrier to immediately establish a policy for them. Some victims reportedly received fraudulent certificates of insurance and insurance identification cards. Frees victims were primarily truck drivers and small businesses in the trucking or charter bus industry. Some of Frees victims discovered that their authority to operate as a motor carrier was suspended by reviewing their own status on either the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Access Agreement websites. In some cases, these victims were turned away when attempting to haul loads from or return chassis to port terminals or service client sites. Other victims had to decline jobs after learning Free failed to place coverage. These victims were forced to find and pay for other policies to meet the coverage requirements that would allow them to resume their businesses, causing them to incur losses over and above the premium amounts provided to Free for non-existent policies. Free failed to provide refunds, and in most circumstances refused to even respond to inquiries made by her victims. Free was arrested Jan. 10 and was booked into Riverside County Jail and bail was set at $198,552. The case is being prosecuted by the Riverside County District Attorneys Office. Frees insurance license was suspended effective May 21, 2018 due to a non-insurance related criminal case. Topics California Agencies Several conspirators involved in a massive workers comp kickback scheme have been ordered to serve prison sentences and pay millions in financial penalties for their roles in the corrupt payment of millions of dollars to induce doctors and other medical professionals to refer hundreds of injured workers for medical treatments and services. According to court records, dozens of marketers, doctors, lawyers and medical service providers conspired to bilk the workers comp system in California by buying and selling patients and their individual body parts like commodities. Among the defendants sentenced was an attorney, a chiropractor, two business owners and several marketers who referred patients for tests, such as MRIs, functional capacity exams and sleep studies, and treatments like X-rays, and ultrasound, as well as pain medications, and durable medical equipment based on the corrupt payments. Defendant Fermin Iglesias and co-defendant Carlos Arguello reportedly operated a patient-capping enterprise, in which they found individuals who would file workers comp claims against their employers. Iglesias and Arguello then sold, bartered and exchanged these applicants with others in the workers comp industry, including attorneys, primary care physicians, and providers of medical goods and services. Each of these entities had to pay to play, and as the patient was referred throughout this corrupt system, money changed hands at each step. Arguello operated several patient-recruitment entities, including one called Centro Legal. Through billboards, flyers, advertisements and business cards, Centro Legal recruited persons to seek workers compensation benefits from their employers or former employers. When the injured worker called the 1-800 number on the billboard or card, he or she reached a call center, which might be located in another country. From there, Iglesias company, Providence Scheduling, took over brokering the patient to maximize the profit that could be extracted from him or her. Centro Legal referred the newly-acquired patient to complicit workers comp attorneys. To get these new clients, the attorneys in the corrupt network were expected to comply with certain conditions: first, they had to use Arguellos copying service to fulfil document requests for all of the new clients medical records; second, they had to agree to designate as their clients primary treating physician with one of the complicit physicians within the corrupt network. In exchange, the attorneys received compensation. In sentencing hearings held on Feb. 20 and 21, U.S. District Judge Cynthia A. Bashant sentenced each defendant to custodial time. For his crimes, Iglesias was sentenced to 60 months in custody, and required to forfeit $1,005,000 in ill-gotten gains. Judge Bashant imposed five years probation on Igelsias corporations, MedEx and Meridian, and imposed a $500,000 joint and several fine. Miguel Morales was sentenced to 12 months and one day in custody, and was required to forfeit $140,000. Topics California Workers' Compensation The strongest data privacy law in the country may be about to get sharper teeth, and lobbyists representing the tech industry think its a disastrous idea. Companies that amass user data could be the target of mass class-action litigation from California consumers if theyre accused of violating the California Consumer Privacy Act, under a proposed amendment to the law filed Feb. 22. The measure would allow consumers to sue such companies, including Facebook Inc. and Google Inc., for monetary damages should they be accused of breaking the law. If approved, the measure would dramatically raise the stakes of adhering to the statute and shape the conversation around federal regulations being considered by Congress. In its unaltered form, the statute would give violators a 30-day window to cure any alleged malfeasance before facing consequences mostly limited to regulatory penalties. This proposal eliminates that get out of jail free card if plaintiffs are suing for monetary damages, as described by the bills sponsor, Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, a Democrat from Santa Barbara.The tech industry, by its very nature, has been very much opposed to any form of regulation, she said in an interview about the CCPA. Its an industry thats reincarnated the Wild West; no rules, no limits, no regulation. Weve reached the tipping point. Former Governor Jerry Brown signed the CCPA into law in 2018, with an effective data of July 2020. That leaves 2019 for parties to tighten or loosen the screws on an internet privacy law likened to Europes General Data Protection Regulation. The bill is one of a handful of proposed amendments to the CCPA filed ahead of the states Feb. 22 deadline that lay the foundation for intense negotiations between industry lobbyists and privacy advocates. Other proposals include: requiring data brokers to register with the attorney generals office requiring companies to inform users if their data may be sold to third-parties requiring companies to disclose the monetary value of users data allowing consumers and business to continue engaging in loyalty programs that otherwise may have been viewed as discriminatory under the CCPA Industry advocates see the right to sue amendment as an unnecessary complication to an already intricate law that survived detailed negotiations on enforcement mechanisms before it was passed last year. It already includes a narrow right for consumers to sue over data breaches.Proposing a broader right to private action, as the broader measure to sue is described, could threaten to destabilize established business models in tech, insurance, retail and advertising, according to the bills opponents. A private right of action on a law that is not yet cooked would be a disaster, said Sarah Boot, a lobbyist for the California Chamber of Commerce. It would be a class-action bonanza, she testified at a hearing on Feb. 20 about the CCPA. That may be an overstatement. The lack of a state right to sue didnt stop consumers from suing Facebook over the Cambridge Analytica scandal, in which the personal information of millions of Americans was transferred to the political consulting firm hired by President Donald Trumps 2016 campaign. The admission by Facebook led to federal investigations and class-action claims by shareholders and consumers who alleged negligence and violations of Californias unfair competition laws. The public backlash against Facebook over the ways in which its platform was used to influence the 2016 presidential election was a catalyst for data privacy advocates and lawmakers including Jackson. They argue that penalties should be harsher when a company collects then improperly discloses the data of 50 million people. The amendment will be reviewed in legislative committees, where parties will testify about its viability before it may proceed for a vote. The proposal is also likely to be the subject of intense negotiations on the final rules of CCPA before the end of the year. The law is already being used by other states as a model for data privacy regulation, and could serve as a standard for any legislation to be considered by lawmakers. Both sides of the debate in California are aware of whats at stake in Sacramento, since whatever happens here will almost undoubtedly shape the direction of the debate in Washington, according to Nicole Ozer, Technology and Civil Liberties Director for the American Civil Liberties Union of California. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics Lawsuits California Legislation Privacy A midyear budget that would add $20 million for loans to farmers and $2 million for hospitals affected by Hurricane Michael has received final approval from the Georgia legislature. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the budget covering through June 30, approved Friday, will now go to Republican Gov. Brian Kemps desk. The state had earlier allocated $55 million in loans for farmers affected by the October storm, but that money was all distributed. The new funding should allow for about 70 more loans at an average of $290,000 each, the newspaper reports. Other additional funding will go to paying for K-12 education and the states Medicaid program. The budget also includes $69 million in one-time grants to Georgia public schools to make safety enhancements, a campaign pitch of Kemps. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation Agribusiness Georgia Homes, highways, parks and bridges throughout the South were flooded or put out of commission Saturday, as the toll of days of drenching rains swelled waterways and pooled over saturated lands amid a threat of severe storms. Interstate 40 near the Tennessee line with North Carolina was closed by a rockslide, one of the dozens of roads and highways shut down throughout the South region, transportation officials said. Tennessee Department of Transportation spokesman Mark Nagi said on Twitter that a full scale detour was in place, with traffic being diverted to Interstate 81 and Interstate 26. In Bruce, Mississippi, rivers broke flood stage and flash floods poured into homes and businesses. News outlets report that a local state of emergency was declared by officials in Grenada, Mississippi, after dozens of streets and homes flooded. A six-mile (nine-kilometer) stretch of the Natchez Trace Parkway was closed in Mississippi after water covered part of the road. National Weather Service radar estimated the 2,000-person north Mississippi town saw 6 inches (15 centimeters) of rain Thursday and Friday. One confirmed tornado struck a part of the east Mississippi city of Columbus on Saturday afternoon, authorities said. The tornado hit in a downtown area of the eastern Mississippi city about 5 p.m. CST Saturday but details of how long it remained on the ground werent immediately known, meteorologist Anna Wolverton with NWS in Jackson told The Associated Press. NWS issued a flash flood warning for northwestern Lafayette County in Mississippi until Saturday evening after emergency officials reported that a dam was at risk of failing. Meteorologist Kole Fehling says emergency officials reported the threat involved the Audubon Dam, which blocks a creek on the northside of Oxford and a subdivision. High water also threatened property in Tennessee, which, like many other areas of the South, has been soaked by several inches of rain over the past week. Officials said a mudslide destroyed a Subway restaurant in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. No injuries were reported. Another mudslide on Thursday morning on State Route 70 in Tennessee involved two cars, killing one driver and injuring another. Hawkins County Emergency Management Director Gary Murrell told The Kingsport Times News that the body of 62-year-old Steven Lawson of Jonesborough was recovered from a vehicle around 11:45 a.m. Thursday. The Tennessee Highway Patrol reported his vehicle rolled down a 200-foot embankment and landed on its top. The injured motorist was hospitalized after climbing down the side of Clinch Mountain. The road was blocked off to other traffic. News outlets report that water rescues have been performed in some Middle Tennessee counties. Flash flood warnings and watches remained in place Saturday throughout the South. Kentucky announced Friday that it was closing the U.S. 51 bridge over the Ohio River to Cairo, Illinois, because of flooding on the southern approach. The bridge, which carries 4,700 vehicles a day, is likely to stay closed until Thursday, and possibly longer. Near Jamestown, Kentucky, the Army Corps of Engineers said it was increasing releases from the Wolf Creek Dam on the Cumberland River. Areas located downstream of the dam, from Rowena to Burkesville, could be affected by flooding as a result, officials said. The Ohio River at Cairo was predicted to crest Sunday at its third-highest level ever recorded, and stay that high into next week. The Tennessee River near Savannah, Tennessee, also is forecast to crest at near-record levels. In North Carolina, a Catawba County building inspector said extra weight from rain is suspected to have contributed to a partial roof collapse at a child day care center in Hickory. The Hickory Daily Record reported that firefighters responded to a roof collapse at Rainbow Child Care Center on Thursday morning. There were no children at the facility at the time, and no injuries were reported. In Alabamas Tennessee Valley, some roads were covered with water Friday and schools were closed after days of heavy rain. As much as 4 inches of rain fell across a wide area of the state since Tuesday, swelling waterways. Forecasters say another 2 inches of rain was expected to fall on Saturday with nowhere for the water to go because the ground is saturated. Volunteers were filling sandbags to try to save properties from the Skuna River in Mississippi, which jumped by 19 feet (5.8 meters) from noon Thursday to 2 p.m. Friday according to an automated gauge. Officials fear a further rise as water drains from upriver. More than 30 school districts in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee closed Friday, in part because school buses couldnt navigate flooded roads. Road officials in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi reported Friday that more than 50 state or federal highways were closed by flooding, plus scores more local roads. Floodwater is roaring through spillway gates on many dams on the Tennessee River. Were seeing some of the highest rates weve seen in many decades, said James Everett, manager of the Tennessee Valley Authoritys River Forecast Center. The federal agency controls the dams. Flooding is also a concern on smaller rivers in the flat Mississippi Delta, where water can spread for miles when rivers overflow. Floodwaters have already entered a few houses in Greenwood, and that towns mayor told The Greenwood Commonwealth that employees were working frantically to keep water moving through drainage ditches that pancake-flat towns rely on to carry away water. Associated Press writers Jeff Amy, Adrian Sainz and Jay Reeves contributed to this report. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Flood Mississippi Alabama Tennessee Kentucky The county home to Houston is in line to receive a $320,000 federal grant to evaluate a flood protection strategy that involves building deep underground tunnels to move stormwater to the citys ship channel. The Harris County Flood Control District would use the grant money from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to study whether the tunnels would be a cost-effective option without overburdening the areas bayous, the Houston Chronicle reported. The district has already started working on flood-control projects funded through $2.5 billion in bonds that voters approved last summer. The bond money is intended to supplement federal funds for flood mitigation projects after Hurricane Harvey left Texas with $125 billion in damages. None of the projects so far have included underground tunnels, which present unique challenges to the Houston area because of the regions flatness, soft soils and high water table. The study is basically to look at our ground conditions, including our groundwater table, and compare that to existing technology in the tunnel industry to see if theres a match, said Russ Poppe, the flood control districts executive director. If thats true, then we can start looking at costs, routes and opportunities we can potentially pursue. County officials could approve the study as early as Feb. 26, which would include $80,000 in matching dollars. District leaders said tunnels could help Harris County achieve protection against 100-year floods, which have a 1 percent chance of occurring in any given year. Jim Blackburn, co-director of the Severe Storm Prediction, Education, and Evacuation from Disasters Center at Rice University, doesnt oppose the underground tunnels, but he expressed concern that the strategy could siphon money from more urgent proposals. Constructing the tunnels is estimated to cost between $40 million to $163 million per mile, according to the flood control district. County officials said last year that the total price tag could be several billion dollars. Its one of those big dream projects that may take us away from much more reasonable short-term projects, Blackburn said. I doubt the feasibility of it. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Texas Flood Photo: CTV News Vancouver's school board is considering the possible closure of several schools. While it has not identified schools on the chopping block, it has issued a list of those with low enrolment that do not meet seismic safety standards. The district saw 4,700 fewer students over the decade ending in 2017, and by 2027, a further decline of 2,300 is expected, CTV News reports. Half of the schools on the list are more than 70 years old with "significant seismic safety concerns." Those considered for closure are expected to be named by the end of September. For now, the 31 schools being looked at include: Grandview Elementary Queen Alexandra Elementary Britannia Elementary Admiral Seymour Elementary Bayview Elementary Queen Elizabeth Elementary Sir Guy Carleton Elementary George T. Cunningham Elementary Waverley Elementary General Brock Elementary John Henderson Elementary Sir Alexander Mackenzie Elementary Graham D. Bruce Elementary Grenfell Elementary Dr. H. N. MacCorkindale Elementary Champlain Heights Elementary Sir John Franklin Elementary Dr. A.R. Lord Elementary Lord Beaconsfield Elementary Mount Pleasant Elementary Florence Nightingale Elementary Lord Selkirk Annex School Nootka Elementary Renfrew Elementary Thunderbird Elementary John Oliver Secondary Killarney Secondary Templeton Secondary Britannia Secondary Gladstone Secondary Windermere Secondary with files from CTV Vancouver Multiple fire crews are responding to a blaze that has badly damaged businesses in Guthrie, north of Oklahoma City. Firefighters battled to contain a structure fire Saturday afternoon after officials say it consumed two businesses that sold flowers and musical instruments in downtown Guthrie. Fire officials say that no injuries have been reported but that they expect to be working the scene well into the evening. The task of containing the fire was made more difficult by strong winds blowing through the city of 10,000 people. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Oklahoma Theres no dispute that a $48.9 billion merger announced in 2015 between health insurers Anthem Inc. and Cigna Corp. imploded two years later over antitrust concerns. Now, the question is whether one owes the other billions for the deals failure. A Delaware judge will start the process of deciding that pricey dispute Monday in a trial of dueling lawsuits by Anthem and Cigna over the merger meltdown. Cigna, which would have been acquired by Anthem, says its the injured party and is demanding about $15 billion. Anthem, which runs Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in more than a dozen states, insists its owed $20 billion because Cigna dragged its feet to sabotage the deal. The case provides a look at one of the largest corporate deals in the U.S. to go sour and a courtroom version of the blame game. It features competing narratives about how the transaction which would have created the largest American health insurer by membership wound up on the rocks. Its a little surprising that this didnt settle and it has to be hashed out in court, said Larry Hamermesh, executive director of the University of Pennsylvanias Institute for Law and Economics and an expert in Delaware corporate law. The companies will probably reach a settlement in which Anthem pays Cigna something less than the full amount of the breakup fee of $1.85 billion, said Ana Gupte, an analyst at SVB Leerink. That would help Cigna reduce debt taken on from acquiring Express Scripts Holding Co. for $52.7 billion. Cigna sold $20 billion of bonds in September to help fund the deal. They need to pay down that debt in the next 18 months, Gupte said. From their standpoint, a $1.8 billion breakup fee is meaningful. Brian Henry, a Cigna spokesman, said the company strongly believes in its case. Brooke Padilla, an Anthem spokeswoman, didnt immediately return an email seeking comment. Delaware Chancery Court Judge Travis Laster is no stranger to the two companies jousting over the deal. Laster ruled in May 2017 that Cigna could walk away from the merger because another court blocked the deal as anticompetitive. The 10-day trial in Wilmington is set to feature testimony from top executives and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Chief Executive Officer Scott Serota. Hes expected to testify about Cignas claims that Anthem violated a requirement to use its best efforts in addressing the mergers anticompetitive effects and the governments objections. Antitrust Suit Anthem offered to buy Cigna in a 2015 cash and stock deal to bulk up and gain negotiating power to cut care-providers rates. Anthem officials also said the combination would pump up enrollment in its Medicare Advantage programs in high-growth states such as Florida and Texas. Those programs offer care to patients 65 years and older. The U.S. Justice Departments antitrust division sued in 2016 to block the tie-up, arguing it would further consolidate an already concentrated market and lead to higher costs for employers and consumers. A federal judge in Washington backed the governments position in 2017 and an appeals court upheld that ruling. Anthem asked Laster to keep the deal alive while it appealed the antitrust ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, but he refused. The Delaware judge said, however, he found significant evidence that Cigna may have violated the merger agreement by dragging its feet in trying to get antitrust clearance, which could entitle Anthem to potentially massive damages. Executives at Indianapolis-based Anthem took Lasters comments to heart and filed a $20 billion suit. Anthem alleges Cigna CEO David Cordani unhappy with his proposed role in the combined insurer decided to derail the deal by disengaging from the process. During the antitrust trial, Cigna officials attempted to undermine projections of future savings from the corporate marriage, helping the Justice Department make its case to block it, Anthem claims. In its suit, Cigna focused on Anthems allegedly wrongful conduct while the companies sought regulatory approval. In the guise of pushing the merger, Anthem sought to undermine Cignas business by stealing confidential information and harassing its customers, Cigna claims. Since the deal sought to combine two of the four U.S. health insurers capable of serving large companies with employees in multiple states, Cigna executives recognized the government might nix the union on antitrust grounds, according to the lawsuit. Thats why the Bloomfield, Connecticut-based company negotiated to have Anthem pay a $1.85 billion termination fee if the deal was thwarted, Cigna said. Anthem didnt pay the breakup fee, Cigna said. And the companys also seeking $14.7 billion from Anthem for what it claims is the premium its shareholders would have gotten if the deal were done. The case is In Re Anthem-Cigna Merger Litigation, 2017-0114, Delaware Chancery Court (Wilmington). Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics Lawsuits Mergers USA Delaware In the conglomerates annual report published on Saturday, Berkshire Hathaways Chair Warren Buffett recommended that readers focus on operating earnings, reviewing a year in which insurance operations contributed $6.1 billion to a $24.8 billion total. While total operating income rose 71 percent to nearly $25 billion for insurance and non-insurance operations for 2018, net income fell to $4.0 billionless than one-tenth of the prior years total. A long footnote in a media release summarizing some of the key financial statement figures discusses an accounting rule change that puts a $20.6 billion lossrepresenting a reduced level unrealized gains from stock holdings for the yearinto the net income calculation. As I emphasized in the 2017 annual report, neither Berkshires Vice Chairman, Charlie Munger, nor I believe that rule to be sensible. Rather, both of us have consistently thought that at Berkshire this mark-to-market change would produce what I described as wild and capricious swings in our bottom line,' Buffett wrote in his letter to shareholders. Our advice? Focus on operating earnings, paying little attention to gains or losses of any variety, he concluded. Another factor contributing to the share drop in net income for the year was the one-time tax benefit of more than $29 billion recorded in 2017 related to the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017. The accounting rule change drawing Buffetts commentary for the second year straight also damaged Berkshires fourth-quarter bottom line. Written in red ink for 2018, a $25.4 billion net loss compared to $32.6 billion in net income for fourth-quarter 2017. As was the case for the full year, however, operating income for the fourth-quarter 2018 grew 71 percentcoming in at $5.7 billion for the last quarter of last year, compared to $3.3 billion for fourth-quarter 2017. The Fifth Grove: Insurance Ops Advance In this years report, Buffett also spent time dissuading investors who obsess over the details of Berkshires many and diverse businessesor economic trees. Understanding the forestor more correctly, five clusters of businesses and financial assetsis a less mind-numbing exercise, Buffett suggests. Among them, wholly owned non-insurance operations are the first grove, while insurance and reinsurance operations are the fifth. As in prior years, Buffetts 2018 letter highlights a key value of the insurance grovethe float available for investment. In addition, he wrote, Our property/casualty insurance businessour fifth grovehas been the engine propelling Berkshires growth since 1967, the year we acquired National Indemnity and its sister company, National Fire & Marine, for $8.6 million. Growth, however, did not show up on the revenue line for aggregated P/C operations. With earned premiums for the reinsurance businesses dropping 48 percent, total P/C earned premiums sank 7.2 percent to $50.9 billion in spite of 13 percent premium jumps for GEICO and other primary insurance operations. Both GEICO and Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group reported underwriting profits for 2018, helping to turn around $2.5 billion in pretax underwriting losses for all the P/C operation in 2017 to $2.1 billion in underwriting profit for 2018. Berkshire has now operated at an underwriting profit for 15 of the past 16 years, the exception being 2017, when our pretax loss was $3.2 billion, Buffett wrote, including results of life reinsurance operations as well. For the entire 16-year span, our pretax gain totaled $27 billion, of which $2 billion was recorded in 2018, he added. Only the P/C reinsurance operations had underwriting losses for 2018, although the $985 million total came in lower than 2017s $2.9 billion. GEICO reported $2.4 billion in underwriting profita combined ratio of 92.7with lower losses from catastrophes and prior year loss events, together with increased average premiums per policy, contributing to the improvement. Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group reported a lower underwriting profit in 2018 than in 2017$670 million vs. $719 million a year earlier. Overall, the Berkshire Hathaway insurance operations also reported workforce growth, with nearly 49,000 people now employed throughout the primary and reinsurance businesses. But a few businesses reported staffing declines, including Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance, General Re, and Applied Underwriters. Reports late last week suggested Berkshire may be selling the Applied Underwriters unit. One high-profile employment announcement also made it into Buffetts letterthe retirement of long-time GEICO CEO Tony Nicely, who was succeeded by former president Bill Roberts in June of last year. Nicely is still GEICOs chairman. The letter made no mention of Berkshires recently announced commercial insurance offeringa three-page policy for small businesses. But readers looking for the annual statement on the Berkshire Hathaway website couldnt miss a teaser prompting visitors to find out more about the new venture at the top of the page where all the annual statements are availablea box at the top of the page announcing, Berkshire Hathaway is reinventing small business insurance. Click here to find out more. Topics Profit Loss Underwriting Reinsurance Property Casualty Berkshire Hathaway Michigans Court of Appeals has ruled against a woman whose offer of conditional employment by a public entity was rescinded after she tested positive for marijuana even though she had a state-issued card allowing her to use the drug. An Associated Press report suggested the ruling could reinforce zero-tolerance workplace rules for marijuana even in cases in which a person has a medical marijuana card. The Feb. 19 court decision came in a lawsuit brought by Angela Eplee of Dimondale, who said the Lansing Board of Water and Light rescinded a 2017 job offer after she tested positive for marijuana even though she had made it clear that she was a qualified patient under the states medical marijuana law. The board denied the test result was the reason for withdrawing the offer. The trial court dismissed the case, reasoning that the conditional offer of employment did not constitute a contract of employment because it could be withdrawn at any time, according to the Court of Appeals written opinion. In its opinion, the appeals court stated that the core of the dispute in this case is plaintiffs contention that because she tested positive for THC as a result of her use of medical marijuana, the BWL was absolutely prohibited from rescinding her conditional offer of employment. However, noting that under Michigan law by presumption, employment relationships are terminable at the will of either party, the court found the plaintiff failed to offer any legal argument suggesting she had the right to be employed by the BWL. The plaintiff had acknowledged that the offer of employment by BWL was conditional and never made a case to suggest that the employment offer was not at will, the court said. Ultimately, the appeals court found, the plaintiff could not use Michigans medical marijuana law to gain an enforceable contractual right to employment where no such right previously existed. The plaintiff did not show that BWL had limited its right to withdraw the job offer. In addition, the court said, plaintiff has failed to state a claim for breach of contract on which relief could be granted. The court affirmed the trial courts dismissal and declined to award costs to either party. The Associated Press reported that Eplees attorney is reviewing the decision. Medical marijuana use in Michigan was approved in 2008 for some chronic medical conditions. Recreational use of marijuana was approved in the state last year. An Associated Press report contributed to this story. Topics Legislation Talent Michigan Cannabis Rural state lawmakers are pushing a plan to allow the Kansas Farm Bureau to offer health insurance coverage to members without having to comply with federal Affordable Care Act mandates in hopes that the influential agriculture group can offer a lower-cost product. But the proposal is drawing strong criticism from Democrats and health groups because the Farm Bureau would not be required to cover people with pre-existing medical conditions. The Farm Bureau also would face relatively little regulation, and critics of the bill worry that the group could lure healthy individuals away from other, more-regulated plans, making them less affordable. The state Senate approved the bill Wednesday on a 28-11 vote, sending it to the House. The bills support came mostly from Republicans, who see it as an opportunity to give consumers a choice after spikes in health insurance rates that they blame on the 2010 federal health overhaul championed by former President Barack Obama, a Democrat. The Kansas bill also was inspired by a long-standing law in Tennessee and new ones in Iowa and Nebraska. The goal has been stated many times, to increase the number of Kansans with coverage, said state Sen. Elaine Bowers, a Concordia Republican. Lets allow Farm Bureau members across the state to help reach these people, who find the ACA plans unaffordable. The bill would allow the Kansas Farm Bureau to provide benefit coverage to members and their dependents to cover their health costs. While its coverage might work like health insurance, the measure, like the Iowa law enacted last year, declares that the coverage shall not be considered insurance. That would effectively exempt it from federal mandates and most state insurance regulations. Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat and Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, a Republican, have not yet taken a public position on the legislation. The Kansas Farm Bureau has about 100,000 members, and the Senate vote was a testament to its political clout, particularly with rural Republicans. All but one GOP senator Majority Leader Jim Denning, an Overland Park Republican supported the bill. Farm Bureau officials said they expect about 42,000 people eventually to take its coverage if the law passes and that rates will be significantly lower than plans that comply with Affordable Care Act mandates. They said their coverage would be targeted to individuals who either have no coverage now or people who are struggling to find or pay for individual coverage. Kansas has seen the number of individual coverage plans offered through the federal ACA marketplace decline to 23 for 2019 from 42 in 2016, according to the Kansas Insurance Department. While average rate increases for 2019 were smaller than in past years, theyve sometimes previously topped 25 percent, according to the departments annual reports . House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said the bill has appeal among GOP lawmakers outside rural areas because, a lot of people look at that as a free market thing, giving people choice. But Democrats noted that people dont have to be farmers or work in agriculture to join the Farm Bureau, only pay a $50 annual membership fee. Also, the bill requires only that Farm Bureau file a certified statement of its coverage plans reserves annually with the Kansas Insurance Department. And they honed in on how Farm Bureau would be able to set higher rates or reject coverage for people who have pre-existing medical conditions, a feature of the Iowa law. Groups including the American Diabetes Association, the Cancer Action Network and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society have opposed the bill for that reason. Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat, proposed an amendment to require the Farm Bureaus plan to cover pre-existing conditions. But it was voted down, 24-15, with Republicans arguing that such a requirement would eliminate the flexibility Farm Bureau needs to offer an affordable product. Consumers with pre-existing conditions will almost certainly surely be turned away or offered excessive prices, said Sen. Tom Hawk, a Democrat from Manhattan, where the Kansas Farm Bureau has its headquarters. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation Agribusiness Iowa Kansas Chinas banking and insurance regulator said on Monday it had told all of the countrys banks to sharply increase lending to private companies, as policymakers step up support for the slowing economy. Big state-owned commercial banks should increase outstanding loans to smaller companies by more than 30 percent this year, the China Banking and Regulatory Commission said in an online statement. The private sector accounts for over half of Chinas economic growth and most of its new jobs, but firms have been facing higher borrowing costs and a tougher time obtaining financing due to a multi-year regulatory crackdown on shadow banking, one of their major funding sources. Chinese banks also believe smaller firms carry higher credit risks and prefer lending to state-backed companies. Commercial banks are prohibited from discriminatory practices when approving loans for private firms, the regulator said. Banks should also quicken the disposal of non-performing loans to make room for fresh lending to private firms, it said. The regulator also said it would allow insurers to provide flexible private company loan insurance products and is studying removing industry restrictions on insurance funds ability to make equity investments. (Reporting By Shu Zhang and Vincent Lee; Editing by Kim Coghill) Topics Carriers China Brazilian federal prosecutors are seeking the arrest of a Vale SA senior executive, authorities said on Friday, following the collapse of a dam holding mining byproducts that is believed to have killed over 300 people. This is the first time that prosecutors are seeking to detain a senior-level executive, although several mid-level employees were arrested after the disaster in the town of Brumadinho. Eight employees are still being held. The executive, Director of Ferrous Metals Peter Poppinga, has not been arrested after a judge declined to issue a warrant. But prosecutors told Reuters they are still seeking his arrest in an appeal of the judges decision. Poppinga represented a risk to the public order and his freedom could hurt the enforcement of criminal law, said prosecutor Gustavo Oliveira in the arrest request originally filed on Feb. 11. The prosecutor said in the arrest request that Vale and particularly its Ferrous division were ultimately responsible for the Brumadinho disaster. The causes of the dam collapse are still being investigated. A federal judge disagreed, saying in his decision that the fact that Poppinga continued as an executive director at Vale did not pose a risk to the public or economic order. Vale said in a statement that it considered the judges decision absolutely right, adding that it is certain that none of its executives acted with intention to cause any accident. The Vale executive is already a defendant in criminal lawsuits resulting from a previous dam burst, where 19 people died in 2015 in the town of Mariana, located in the same state as Brumadinho. Poppinga was a board member of Samarco, the joint venture between Vale and BHP Billiton that managed the dam that burst in Mariana, in Brazils largest ever environmental disaster. The death toll from the burst dam has risen to 169 people, with 141 people still missing and probably dead. (Reporting by Marta Nogueira; writing by Marcelo Rochabrun and Marcelo Teixeira; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe and Bill Berkrot) Related: The legal loopholes that have allowed Catholic bishops to escape sanction when they cover up clergy sex abuse cases may be closing. Two U.S. cardinals have confirmed that the Vatican is working on a clarification to a 2016 law that was supposed to hold bishops and religious superiors accountable when they fail to protect their flocks but never really did. Cardinal Sean OMalley of Boston told a press conference Friday during Pope Francis sex abuse prevention summit that he had been guaranteed that the new document would come out very soon. Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich said the document would standardize procedures within the various Vatican offices to investigate bishops and order their removal. The new document would further clarify the law Francis issued in 2016, entitled As a Loving Mother, which he passed instead of creating a special tribunal section inside the Vaticans Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to handle abuse of office cases. Cupich said the law had been applied in recent cases, but the Vatican has provided no information about how it has been implemented or how many bishops have been sanctioned as a result of it. For decades, the Vatican has been criticized by abuse victims and their advocates for having turned a blind eye to the bishops and religious superiors who failed to punish sexual predators in the priesthood. While the Vatican began cracking down on the abusers themselves under Pope Benedict XVI, the superiors who enabled the crimes and allowed abusers to continue raping children largely got a pass. Acting on a proposal from his sex abuse advisory commission, Francis and his group of cardinal advisers agreed in 2015 to create a tribunal section within the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to prosecute bishops and superiors when they botched cases. A press statement issued at the time said the pope had pledged to provide the new office with adequate staffing and resources. But the tribunal posed a host of legal and bureaucratic issues and ran into opposition from bishops and the Vatican bureaucracy. The congregation, which already handles sex abuse cases, apparently was never consulted about the feasibility of creating such a tribunal before it was announced to the press to great fanfare. A year later, Francis issued As a Loving Mother that made no mention of a tribunal but merely reminded the four Vatican offices that already handle bishop issues that they were also responsible for investigating and punishing negligence cases. It made clear that a negligent act or omission on handling an abuse allegation was grounds for dismissal. The Vaticans longtime sex crimes prosecutor, Archbishop Charles Scicluna, told reporters Friday that under the 2016 law, it was actually easier to remove a negligent bishop than if he were subject to a canonical trial in a tribunal where the bishops intent would have to be proven. The 2016 law looks at the objective state of the (bishops) incapacity to govern, whereas a tribunal would have required proof that an actual law had been broken, Scicluna said. The 2016 legislation benefits those who are claiming negligence by a bishop because they only have to denounce an objective fact: that nothing was done, Scicluna said. OMalley, who heads a commission that first proposed the tribunal, said the issue of holding bishops accountable was uppermost in our minds right now. Right now the Holy See is working on, preparing a clarification of the implementation that will come out very soon, I am guaranteed, he said. Cupich, for his part, dedicated his speech to Francis abuse summit to how such investigations against bishops might be reported to the Vatican and then carried out once the Vatican has authorized an investigation. His proposal called for the metropolitan bishop _ who has authority over other bishops in a particular geographic region _ to conduct the investigation, using the help of lay experts. What I present here is a framework for constructing new legal structures of accountability in the church, Cupich said, in a speech that implied that such structures are very much in the works at the Holy See. Speakers at Francis summit have proposed other changes to canon law as well to ensure accountability and fairness to victims and accused priests alike. Linda Ghisoni, an Italian canon lawyer and undersecretary at the Vaticans laity office, said the Holy See should change its laws concerning the pontifical secret the confidentiality regulations that govern how sex abuse cases are handled internally. Victims for years have denounced the high level of secrecy, which often prevents them from learning the outcomes or progress of their cases. Accused priests, too, have complained how they are kept in the dark about the details of their cases. Ghisoni told the summit that a degree of confidentiality must be retained to guarantee the dignity and reputations of all involved. But she said the secrecy regulations should allow for the development of a climate of greater transparency and trust. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation Abuse Molestation Massad once had a medical license, but he turned it in 37 years ago after Floridas medical board filed several counts against him related to the death of a three-year-old child, according to The Tampa Bay Times. Those counts included malpractice, faulty record-keeping, and human experimentation without consent. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) began investigating Massad four months ago, after receiving tips that the former doctor was illegally practicing medicine, the Times reported. Patients told the FDLE that Massad had treated them for various injuries, injected medications, and even performed minor surgical procedures. The FDLE set up a sting operation in which someone feigning a knee injury went to Massad for treatment, the Times reported. Massad allegedly diagnosed a tendon injury and said he would find the proper medication. When FDLE agents and the Pasco County Sheriffs Office raided Massads home to arrest him, Massad allegedly fired a .40-caliber handgun at deputies twice, the Times reported. Hes lucky hes not dead, Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said at a news conference following the arrest. Sources told Reuters that a grouping of insurance firms and a reinsurance firm backed by a hedge fund are in talks to purchase Applied Underwriters at around the value of the units book of business. The sources declined to disclose the price and the buyers identities. The sources, however, cautioned that there is always the possibility that the deal would not close. Berkshire Hathaway has yet to provide comment on the rumored sale. Photo: @VCHhealthcare UPDATE: 5:20 p.m. Two new cases of measles were reported in British Columbia on Sunday, as officials in Alberta and the Northwest Territories warned that someone may have exposed others to the infection as they travelled. A spokesman with the Vancouver International Airport said the first case arrived on a Philippine Airlines flight from Manila on Feb. 11, and another person with measles departed Vancouver on an Air Canada flight to Edmonton the following day. Chris Devauld did not know whether the passenger on the Philippine Airlines flight left Vancouver on another flight or stayed, nor did he know whether the Edmonton-bound passenger had arrived in Vancouver from another destination. "Frankly, people shouldn't be getting measles in the 21st century in British Columbia and we have the means to deal with that," B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix said at a news conference Sunday where he stressed the need for people to be immunized. "I don't think, in my view anyway, enough people are immunized in B.C." Health officials in both Alberta and the Northwest Territories advised people who aren't vaccinated for measles and who may have been on board flights, in shuttles, at stores or hotels where the affected person was present to monitor themselves for symptoms. Measles at first presents with flu-like symptoms, but then a fever develops followed by the distinctive rash. "Measles is an extremely contagious disease, spread easily through the air. There is no treatment for measles; however, it can be prevented through immunization," the AHS news release said. - with files from the Canadian Press UPDATE: 2:20 p.m. Two more people in Vancouver have become infected with measles after a contagious person travelled through Vancouver International Airport. Damien Healy, a spokesman for N.W.T. Health and Social Services, confirms that a person with measles who passed through Vancouver and Edmonton before flying to other destinations in the North is the same person. There was no immediate word on where the person had been before Vancouver. Health officials in B.C. have been investigating nearly a dozen measles cases in the Vancouver area. Many of them have been at two French-language schools in Vancouver, a cluster that began after an unvaccinated B.C. child contracted the disease during a family trip to Vietnam. Vancouver Coastal Health announced Sunday in a tweet there are two new cases of people who were infected while travelling. Health officials in both Alberta and the Northwest Territories advised people who aren't vaccinated for measles and who may have been on board flights, in shuttles, at stores or hotels where the affected person was present to monitor themselves for symptoms. Measles at first presents with flu-like symptoms, but then a fever develops followed by the distinctive rash. - with files from the Canadian Press ORIGINAL: 1:50 p.m. Two new measles cases have been diagnosed in Vancouver, bringing the number to 12 people with measles. Vancouver Coastal Health announced on Sunday afternoon that the two new cases are not related to the outbreak involving the schools. The two people got the infection while traveling, says a spokesperson. Vancouver International Airport tweeted that if you were at the airport on Feb. 11 or 12 and are experiencing symptoms to please contact 811 and speak with a nurse. More information about the two cases is expected to be released on Sunday afternoon. Alberta Health Services announced Sunday that an infected person travelled from Vancouver International Airport, stopped in Edmonton and flew to Inuvik. Anyone who visited the same locations on the same day may have been exposed to measles. On Friday, Vancouver Coastal medical health officer Dr. Althea Hayden said nine of the cases were clearly associated with schools that were at the centre of the original outbreak this month, but they don't know where the other person contracted the disease. A number of specific public venues near Vancouver where people could have been exposed to measles have now been identified and listed here. Measles at first presents with flu-like symptoms, coughing, a runny nose and red eyes, but then a fever develops, followed by the distinctive rash. People who think they have measles are advised to stay home and call Health Link at 811 before visiting any health care facility or provider. For more information visit this link. Chinese tech company Huawei on Sunday launched its Mate X, a foldable 5G ready smartphone, at an event attended by around 3,000 people held on the eve of the 2019 Mobile World Congress (MWC2019) which opens in Spain on Monday. A member of Huawei staff shows the new Huawei Mate X device during a pre-briefing display ahead of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, February 23, 2019. [Photo: VCG] The Mate X has a 6.6-inch screen, which can be opened out into an eight-inch OLED screen to allow the user to read or view videos. "The Huawei Mate X is a step into unknown territory," confirmed Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei's Consumer Business Group. He said the phone was a "masterwork of engineering" and that it folded in an "almost perfect" manner, while its 5G capacity would help "change the world that we currently know". The Mate X has a Balong 5000 processor, 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB internal memory, which Yu commented would make it the "reference point for the 5G smartphones still to come". Other points in favor of Huawei's new smartphone are its lightness and the fact that even when folded it is only 11 millimeters thick. Meanwhile Yu highlighted that the Mate X's two batteries give it 4,500 milliamps per hour (mAh) which is "well above that of its competitors", and these batteries can be recharged in just over half an hour. Richard Yu, CEO of the Huawei Consumer Business Group presents the new Mate X smartphone, ahead of the Mobile World Congress (MWC 19) in Barcelona, Spain, February 24, 2019. [Photo: VCG] It will retail for 2,299 euros (2,607 U.S. dollars) and is expected to be available to the public "by the summer". Huawei presented several other products at the same event, including a new range of laptops: such as the MateBook X Pro, which has a 13.9, 3K screen, as well as MateBooks with 13 and 14 inch screens. Finally, Huawei showcased its 5G CPE Pro mobile router, which is aimed at taking 5G connectivity into the home allowing for the transmission of 8K video in real time. This is a welcome move by the German legislator to remove some of the uncertainty for both insurers and policyholders in the event of a no-deal Brexit, which is increasingly being seen as a very real possibility, commented Clyde & Co partner Henning Schaloske in Dusseldorf. The extension of passporting rights for up to 21 months post-Brexit is a significant development and should provide sufficient time for the resolution of outstanding contracts but it is important that regulators across the EU continue to work together in a spirit of cooperation to address issues relating to cross-border insurance. Last week, when the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) issued recommendations relating to contract continuity, EIOPA chairman Gabriel Bernardino said concerned national supervisors have to cooperate closely and effectively to ensure the protection of policyholders and beneficiaries. Read more: Beazley reports 133% surge in business email compromises The sextortion cyber scam attempts to extort money from people by sending an email claiming to have embarrassing evidence of them accessing adult material on their computer. Sometimes the email will claim to have webcam footage of the person recorded while viewing the adult material. To make the email seem even more real, sometimes it will include a password of the persons, usually sold to the cybercriminal from a data breach. The criminal will then request bitcoins or other cyber currency or else they will send the material they claim to have to the persons workplace, family and friends. Beazleys manager for breach response services, Raf Sanchez (pictured), said part of the issue with cyberattacks is that many businesses are ill prepared, and despite being warned are still not seriously thinking about the issue. Companies are not winning the arms race, Sanchez told Insurance Business. They are relatively slow to change. If you want do anything you have to go through various layers of approval, you have get sign off from people, you have to convince people to purchase something and invest in the service. In the meantime, the criminals have already created three new types of attack. This latest attack, for example, has been created simply because criminals had access to information that was breached, and needed ways to use that information. This sextortion epidemic is happening because attackers had access to literally billions of breached email addresses and account passwords, Sanchez explained. The Facebook breach, many others have put into their hands literally millions of identities and they have to find a way to exploit that, ways to make money from this. This is why cyber insurance is important for businesses, Sanchez believes. He outlines that many employees are more careless with cybersecurity when accessing emails at work, assuming that their employer would have filtered out junk or scam emails. So, if there is an extortion or malware issues, like can happen with this sextortion email where a clicked link can install a program to steal information, its important for the business to have insurance that will cover them. Unfortunately, the traditional extortion scam is always going to be effective against a small number of people, Sanchez said. This is not a fixed risk - cyber threats are changing because as we adapt to defend against a particular type of incident the attackers will just move on to the next type of thing they can think of. And theyre actually quite creative. This particular scam has been so successful that police have had to issue warnings about the sextortion threat from cyber criminals, meaning businesses should take real note. If theres one thing I think is demonstrated by this issue its that cyber criminals are creative, and attacks are very cheap and easy to conduct, Sanchez said. Its also extremely cheap for the criminals to conduct this type of extortion, with large amounts of emails being able to be purchased on the dark web for as little as 50, and an automated bot then sending the emails to targets. Its not like building a defence that costs money because you have to hire consultants and you have to purchase software - this is literally changing the text of an email and sending it out. Our EOCGE citation does not signify that these employers have solved all of their gender equality issues. Rather, it recognises that they have embraced a rigorous and detailed programme to transform their workplaces, said Libby Lyons, WGEA director. These leading employers know the importance of achieving gender equality for their employees and for their business and are implementing leading-practice measures to do so. Suncorp, six-time EOCGE citation holder, said the company has made great progress towards gender balance, with 50% of the board and senior-leadership team with roles now held by women. This is an important acknowledgement of our commitment to embed equality across the business, through inclusive workplace policies and practices, said Michael Cameron, Suncorp CEO and managing director and WGEA pay equity ambassador. We recognise that we will be our best when our workforce is as diverse, talented, and passionate as the communities in which we operate. We have achieved gender balance across our leader roles, and we continue to embed equality for all genders throughout the organisation. Allianz Australia, which has been awarded the EOCGE citation for the 10th consecutive year, said the company is on track to reach its target of 40% women in leadership positions by 2020 and has achieved a like-for-like gender pay gap of no less than 1%. Whether we are talking about the fair representation of women and men across the organisation, or ensuring equal pay for equal contribution, embracing diversity drives entrepreneurial thinking and better business results, said Richard Feledy, Allianz Australia managing director. We will ensure that gender equity remains at the forefront of all business practices at Allianz not just to achieve our goals, but for the benefit of our people, our customers and the community. Criteria for the citation included leadership, learning and development, gender remuneration gaps, preventing sex-based harassment and discrimination, and targets for improving gender equality outcomes. Gallagher Bassett has been named the official sponsor of the Mental Health for First Responders Conference, which will be held on March 6-7 at CQ Functions Melbourne. Now in its third year, the event will provide attendees an update on the latest mental health research and practical strategies to proactively build resilience and foster a culture of support. It will also inform them how to improve their mental health and wellbeing strategy. When we look at the underlying figures, theyre actually very strong performance is solid, consistent and it demonstrates continued, successful execution of our strategy, he said. The group reported a 1.8% increase in adjusted net profit after tax to reach $17 million, up from $16.7 million in 1H18. However, a challenging NSW Workers Compensation market, investment in risk services and costs associated with the Austbrokers Canberra fraud all impacted the final figures. Discussing the trifecta of issues, Searles remained unconcerned, expressing optimism for AUBs future. The NSW Workers Compensation impacted the half because of the various changes that were put in place but we knew that was going to happen and wed already called it out because we were essentially bottoming out a cycle, Searles told Insurance Business. What were now seeing now, given more recent changes to the way the market is administered, is referral volumes are going back up again and when you see that happen, revenue follows.Searles also noted that the group is on track with its investments in risk services, which would soon start yielding returns to warrant the invest ment. We are putting a lot of investment in that division at the moment, but were investing exactly as we planned to, and it mirrors what we did in th e second half of FY18, he said. That investment is for new services - and as we start to see those new services coming online, well start to see the investment earn revenue. Finally, commenting on the fraud at Austbrokers Canberra, Searles attempted to be as candid as possible while meeting legal obligations. From a personal point of view, that was incredibly disappointing because were a partnership group and whenever you get something like this happen, it goes to personal relationships, he said. To have this happen is obviously not good but what I am very pleased about is the way the group very quickly acted when we were in receipt of information and the way we went to our core values of transparency we told the ASX, we told ASIC, and the police are now involved which is why were limited on what we can really say. While the police investigation is still ongoing, AUB included the following contingent liability statement in its financial results: During the current reporting period, the directors were advised of a fraud perpetrated by the Managing Director of Austbrokers Canberra Pty Limited. ASIC has been advised that the company is currently investigating the full extent of the fraud. The company has reported the matter to the Australian Federal Police. A recovery claim has been brought by the company against the former managing director and his related entities and the company has obtained court orders for the freezing of various assets. A claim has been made against insurance policies to seek to recover potential losses. Whilst no further amount has been included in the financial statements there are contingent liabilities in respect of potential disputes, third party claims and legal proceedings. At the date of this report, due to the complexity of the matter it is not yet possible to determine whether there is a financial exposure, and, if there is, to reliably quantify the amount of any possible loss net of insurance recoveries. On a more positive note, Searles said he was particularly pleased with the organic growth achieved by the firm, as it indicates increasing collaboration across AUBs entire network. We invest in 135 businesses, be they brokers, underwriters, risk services companies, loss adjusting firms, the whole thing, and were really seeing that collaboration increasing now, he said. That increasing level of collaboration is really encouraging for me because its good for everybody for client businesses and partner businesses alike. So, despite the challenges, Searles said he is confident AUB will continue to go from strength to strength when incoming CEO Mike Emmett steps up in March. Im going to hand over the baton very shortly to move into my advisory position and I think the group is in the strongest position its ever been in, he told Insurance Business. Its bloody annoying to have had the Canberra issue happen on my watch but, other than that, when we look at the underlying figures, theyre very strong. Dale City Republican Devinder Singh has filed to run in the special election for Neabsco District supervisor. "Devinder is a conservative who is passionate about protecting our freedom and improving economic opportunity for all Dale City and Woodbridge residents," according to a Facebook post from the Prince William County Republican Committee. Singh is a small-business owner who was selected in a caucus Feb. 19. Republican leaders decided not to announce their candidate until after Democrats made their pick Sunday. The special election will be held on April 9 to fill the remaining months of Supervisor John Jenkins term. Jenkins, a Democrat and the longest serving member of the board, died Feb. 6. Neabsco Democrats selected Victor Angry as their candidate during a firehouse caucus Sunday. A Dale City resident, Angry is a retired command sergeant major of the U.S. Army National Guard, a Dale City volunteer firefighter, motivational speaker and leadership instructor. All candidates have until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, to file with the countys Office of Elections. "My campaign centers on three principles: accountability, integrity, and prosperity," Singh said in a statement Monday. "As a proud resident of Dale City for over 20 years, small business owner, and father of two children who attended Prince William County public schools and graduated college in the great state of Virginia, I am committed to serving this community that makes up so much of who I am and what I value. In my pursuit of public service, I want to bring greater accountability to the governance of this region to ensure my fellow citizens are afforded the highest standards of local government. Building my own successful business from the ground up required the utmost integrity, a value I want to bring to this position. Finally, because of my personal experience as someone who immigrated to the United States with few resources to now being in a position to give back to my community and help others, I want to ensure every family has the same access to prosperity that has led me to this moment. I am committed to putting these principles into action in the pursuit of a conservative agenda that puts families and community first." Singh was an outspoken and early supporter of Corey Stewart during his 2017 gubernatorial primary race and signed letters of support as a Prince William County faith and business community leader. She was the most selfless person Ive ever met in my life. She would put anybody or anything ahead of herself. It didnt matter if she didnt like them or not, he said. They could have been as mean as they could to her and five minutes later, were asking her for something, and she would have done what they needed, tenfold. Real-time social media posts from local businesses and organizations across Northern Virginia, powered by Friends2Follow. To add your business to the stream, email cfields@insidenova.com or click on the green button below. 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. Australian miner Base Resources rapidly increased its production of mineral sand ore in the second half of 2018, and drew down stockpiles, to counteract the effect of sharply declining ore grades at its Kwale operation in Kenya. The project has seen a reduction in the amount of heavy minerals such... In this photo taken on Feb. 24, 2019, army and police officers participate in the wreath-laying ceremony of slain Deputy Superintendent of Police Aman Thakur, who died in a gunfight with militants the same day, in Srinagar. (Habib Naqash/AFP/Getty Images) Suresh Garimella got the votes needed by the University of Vermont Board of Trustees to officially be named as the universitys next president. (purdue.edu photo) Winds downed a tree over a power line by the Full Moon Pub and Grill on Md. 140 just over the county line around 2 p.m. Monday, sparking a fire in the grasses abutting the highway, a spokesman for the Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Company said. Eleven firefighters controlled the blaze as of 3:30 p.m. and nobody was injured, the spokesman said. HMD Global, the Finnish company that owns the Nokia brand, today released a new smartphone at MWC 2019. The Nokia 9 PureView, noteworthy because of it has a whopping five cameras on it's rear for all you camera enthusiasts. Images courtesy: HMD Global The device features a 6-inch 2K pOLED display with an embedded fingerprint scanner. It packs a Snapdragon 855 SoC coupled with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The 9 PureView runs on the latest Android Pie OS and features a 3320 mAh battery. The Nokia 9 PureView will be available in March, fetching a $699 price-tag in the United States. Most important though are the five cameras on the rear, laid out in a circular pattern with the LED flash and sensor. Only two of those cameras actually shoot in colour, while the others shoot in monochrome to focus on light sensitivity. All five cameras feature a 12MP sensor with an f/1.8 lens. The way this setup works is, when you hold down the shutter button, all five cameras shoot at different exposure levels, and the images are then merged into a single shot in post processing, to give you the best details and lighting in the scene. The Nokia 9 PureView will release in the US first in March for Rs 49,000. Hopefully, that means it'll be available in India by April. After Samsung, Huawei became the second worldwide brand to announce its foldable screen smartphone -- the Huawei Mate X -- at Mobile World Congress 2019. And it has definitely sent tongues wagging like nobody's business. Is the Huawei Mate X a flash in the pan, in terms of a tablet-smartphone hybrid? Or is it actually a sign of things to come? A crucial first step in the evolution of smartphones? We spent some "eyes on" time with the device soon after its launch in Barcelona yesterday, and this is what we feel. Huawei Mate X // Jayesh Shinde ALSO READ: Huawei Releases A Foldable Smartphone Of Its Own, The Mate X Which Is Priced At Rs 1.85 Lakh The biggest noticeable difference between the Samsung Galaxy Fold and the Huawei Mate X is that the Mate X has its foldable 8-inch OLED display wrapped around the outside of the phone, and this definitely makes things more interesting from a user perspective. Huawei didn't let any reviewer or news analyst to handle the device personally, and I got closest to the Mate X during an interaction with Huawei's Kevin Ho, President of Huawei's Smartphone product line. Why didn't Huawei let anyone touch the Mate X? It held secrets in design -- especially on its back -- that they still wanted to hold pretty close to their chest. Here @Huawei's Kevin Ho shows us how the Mate X -- while it's playing a @YouTube video -- folds from a tablet into a smartphone. And snaps into place with a click. Simply magic! #MWC19 #MWC2019 #HuaweiMateX pic.twitter.com/wiIqBDd0GY Indiatimes (@indiatimes) February 24, 2019 Samsung Galaxy Fold has its foldable screen inside the device, therefore needing a secondary display panel on the back for when the device is folded into smartphone mode. The Huawei Mate X doesn't have this problem, since it has a single screen layer present on the outside of the phone, and depending on how you hold the phone in smartphone mode only one of the two sides of the screen is active. Another area where the Huawei Mate X seemingly has an edge over the Samsung Galaxy Fold is the fact that one side of the Mate X houses its camera module -- a 40 MP main camera, a 16 MP wide angle, and an 8 MP telephoto lens next to an LED flash and a power button. That part of the Huawei Mate X is also the thickest at 11 mm, providing you a solid grip to hold it in any of its two tablet-phone mode, but also giving dedicated space to embed the Mate X's fingerprint scanner and USB Type-C charging port. Huawei Mate X camera edge // Jayesh Shinde ALSO READ: The Galaxy Fold Is Samsung's New Foldable Phone, But Will You Buy It For Rs 1.5 Lakh? The Huawei Mate X has a bigger overall screen compared to the Samsung Galaxy Fold, too. The Mate X's massive 8-inch 24802200 OLED display trumps the the Galaxy Fold's 7.3-inches. When shut into smartphone mode, the Mate X's 8-inch display shortens down to a 6.6-inch, 2480 x 1148 display section on the front, and a 6.38-inch, 2480 x 892 section on the back -- both of which are bigger than the Samsung Galaxy Fold's 4.6-inch screen. Unlike the Samsung Galaxy Fold which supports 4G networks, the Huawei Mate X is a strictly 5G only smartphone, running on the company's Kirin 980 SoC and brand new 'Balong 5000' 5G modem -- which Kevin Ho tells me is the only 5G modem in the world to support both SA (Standard Architecture) and NSA (Non-Standard Architecture) 5G modes, and in theory better than Qualcomm's X50 5G modem chip as well. In the middle of folding, Huawei Mate X // Jayesh Shinde In line with Huawei Mate X's future trajectory, the device doesn't hold a standard microSD card slot, instead housing Huawei's "Nano Memory" (NM) Cards, a proprietary card format that matches the dimensions of a nano SIM card. It's the only foldable smartphone in the world to have two NM card slots right now. Two batteries in each half of the Huawei Mate X's screen total up to 4500mAh. The Mate X comes with a jaw-dropping 55W quick charge feature supported by the bundled charger, which is (as far as specs go) hands down the fastest charging capability offered by a smartphone right now -- Huawei says the Mate X can do 0 to 85 percent charge in just 30 minutes flat, which is just astonishing. Jayesh Shinde Which foldable phone is better: Samsung Galaxy Fold or Huawei Mate X? The Huawei Mate X definitely has a simplistic, well-thought out single screen design for its folding tablet-phone hybrid, something that Samsung Galaxy Fold definitely lacks. But the Huawei Mate X is only a 5G device, meaning it won't work on a 4G network -- like Samsung Galaxy Fold. Huawei also clearly outmatches the Galaxy Fold in the screen size and battery fast charging department -- two big considerations for any smartphone buyer. Lastly from a practical, usability perspective, the Huawei Mate X seems to edge out the Samsung Galaxy Fold on its implementation of the screen and its patented foldable hinge which has over 100 individual parts. However, Huawei clearly admits that the Mate X will undergo more refinement, and that the concept is far from a done deal in terms of achieving perfection. But with Samsung Galaxy Fold, and now Huawei Mate X, the era of foldable display phones has truly begun, and who would've thought it would happen in 2019? The future definitely looks interesting as the smartphone continues to take its next big evolutionary step. Pawan Mishra, in his critically acclaimed book Coinman: An Untold Conspiracy, had famously written, The only thing God is afraid of is a strong-willed human. Examples of such sheer will power are rarely seen though. Here in India, one man by the name of Vishnu Patel is doing something rather extraordinary. Aged 60, Patel is a differently-abled person with impaired hearing since birth who has left many automobile engineers in a tizzy. Hailing from Surat, Patel uses e-waste - like discarded mobiles, laptops, TV remotes as well as vehicle parts - to build-battery operated vehicles. Twitter/ ANI Also read: Had Harley-Davidson Listened To One Guy, They'd Have Had An Electric Bike 40 Years Ago So far, Patel has built seven such battery-operated two and three wheelers, which he likes to call 'e-bikes'. His creations come with a purpose too - to help the specially-abled. In an interaction with ANI, he said I want to make three-wheelers for the differently-abled community, using which, they can give their families a ride too." Surprisingly, Patel does not have any formal training in electrical or mechanical engineering, neither does the man have any investment for carrying out his projects. It's through sheer will power that he is creating eco-friendly vehicles with no emissions whatsoever. Gujarat: Vishnu Patel, a 60-year-old differently abled man in Surat, says he has built two-wheeler and three-wheeler vehicles using parts of old electronic items. He says, "If Rs 20 Lakh loan is granted to me, I can make a vehicle which will bring laurels to India." (20.02.2019) pic.twitter.com/azszoPLK9t ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2019 Also read: Piaggio Confirms An Electric Three Wheeler Lineup In India By Mid 2019 As per reports, Patels son Nikhil mentions that it takes Patel around a month to manufacture a vehicle. For each of his projects, Patel spends around Rs 25,000 from his pocket, including the salary of his workers. Among all his creations, Patels electric bikes stand apart, deemed as the star attraction of the collection. As for the vehicles, Nikhil mentions, These battery-operated bikes fulfil our goal of not leaving behind any carbon footprint. By charging them for 2-3 hours, one can easily commute for about 35-45 km. Patels determination to stand apart with his deeds post his retirement were also reflected in his claim, "If Rs 20 lakh loan is granted to me, I can make a vehicle which will bring laurels to India." (With inputs from ANI) Earlier this year, Apsara Reddy made history by becoming the national general secretary of All India Mahila Congress by the Indian National Congress. The 35-year-old politician had worked with the BJP as well as the AIADMK prior to resuming her authoritative position. In January this month, Narthaki Nataraj, a renowned dancer from Tamil Nadu became the first person from the trans community to be honoured with one of the top civilian awards in India. The 54-year-old Bharatanatyam exponent was among those bestowed with Padma Shri, the third highest civilian award this year. For the first time, Kumbh Mela saw the participation from transgender community. The Kinnar Akhada debuted this year at the Kumbh Mela being held in Prayagraj.This is a massive step forward towards inclusion of transgenders. Laxmi Narayan Tripathi from the akhada called it, an "akhada beyond sexuality" and was thrilled to be a part of it at Kumbh. Photo: Reuters/A member of the On September 06 in a landmark verdict for India, the Supreme Court of India decriminalised homosexuality. Ever since the verdict has come out, people and organisations can no longer deny LGBTQ partners accommodation, employment or any other equal opportunity. Though, it will still take many years for India to become progressive regarding various roles that transgenders take on in our society, implementation of equal and flexible policies for the LGBTQ+ community are imperative to bring about any social change. Keeping this in mind, the Maharashtra government has formed a Transgender Welfare Board to provide formal education, employment opportunities, conduct health programmes and give legal help to the community. Transgenders were neglected in the society which led to creation of many taboos and misunderstanding around them. Maharashtra Social Justice Minister Rajkumar Badole said that therefore, it was important to make sure that they arent discriminated against and arent kept out of the developmental process. The state government has accepted guardianship of this community and we will protect their rights," Badole said. The Welfare board will take necessary steps that are required for upliftment of this community. The board aims to make sure that they would be able to live with respect in the society. Photo: BCCL Through this welfare organisation, transgenders will be given identity cards to obtain education and they will also be liable to Class X scholarships. Eligible third gender students would be provided hostel accommodation under the Babasaheb Ambedkar Swadhar Scheme. Under this scheme, Rs 48000-60000 would be given as scholarship annually. Skill development programmes will also be organised to help transgenders land jobs in various sectors. A similar exercise was carried out by the Congress-led Democratic Front government in 2014 but the board could not be formed. However, many LGBT activists were not very pleased as they said that this move has come after a four-and-a-half long year wait. Speaking to Times of India, one of the activists Bindumadhav Khire, president of the Samapathik Trust and an LGBT activist said that given the welfare board has been announced just ahead of Lok Sabha polls could also be a possible gimmick. "I had given a presentation to the women and child development minister in the previous government and since then, we have been waiting for the announcement." however, he didnt deny that this board will definitely help the community in its economic prospects. An encounter broke out between security agencies and terrorists in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday. In the encounter that ensued, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Aman Kumar Thakur and an Army soldier were martyred while three Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists were killed. Wreath laying ceremony for our colleague #DySP Aman Kumar who attained #martyrdom today at #Kulgam was held at DPL #Srinagar. Officers led by DGP laid floral wreaths on mortal remains & paid rich tributes to martyr for supreme #sacrifice made in the line of duty. @JmuKmrPolice pic.twitter.com/FpTcNuhbmf Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) February 24, 2019 The encounter took place in Turigam area of Kulgam after the police received tip-off regarding presence of militants taking shelter inside a residential house. Thakur was gravely injured in the neck and succumbed to his injuries while being rushed to an Army hospital. A non-commissioned officer Havaldar Sombir also succumbed to his injuries while an Army major and two other soldiers were injured. The identity of the three terrorists who were killed is yet to be ascertained. Jammu: Jammu & Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik & MoS PMO Jitendra Singh at wreath laying ceremony of DSP Aman Thakur, who lost his life in encounter with terrorists in Tarigam, Kulgam yesterday. pic.twitter.com/fLqqlvNj2z ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2019 The encounter broke out at around 3 pm on Sunday. NDTV had reported that around a thousand locals had surrounded the encounter site and had starting pelting stones at the security forces. Thakur was a 2011-batch J&K Police Services officer and had been posted in kulgam for the last two years. He had been heading the counter-terrorism wing of the state police in the area. Last month, Thakur was also awarded the DGP's Commendation Medal and Certificate for his exemplary service. Photo: Twitter/DSP Aman Kumar Thakur Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh told TOI, "It is an unfortunate incident, in which we have lost a brave officer. He was a fighter and he led Sunday's operation himself." Later in the day a wreath-laying ceremony for was also organised for Thakur where officers led by DGP laid floral wreaths on mortal remains & paid rich tributes to martyr for supreme sacrifice made in the line of duty. Over forty CRPF soldiers were martyred on February 14 in a terror attack. Ever since the attack, the security forces have become vigilant about the presence of any JeM terrorists all across India. On Friday, two alleged JeM terrorists who were posing as students students were arrested from Deoband in Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh. Union Minister of State for Health Ashwini Kumar Choubey on Sunday launched the national action plan for viral hepatitis here. There are estimated 4 crore patients of Hepatitis B and 0.6-1.2 crore patients of Hepatitis C in India, as per the health ministry data. "The action plan takes forward the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program launched by the Union Health Minister in July 2018. The aim is to eliminate hepatitis by 2030," Choubey said. MD Anderson The budget outlay for health in India has increased over the years, and we are progressing towards taking it to 2.5 per cent of GDP, the minister said. "We aim to establish 1.5 lakh Health & Wellness Centres by 2022, out of which 10,000 are already operational; by March 2019 the number will reach 15,000. These centres have diagnostic facilities for twelve illnesses," the minister said. More than six crore people in the country fall below the poverty line due to health expenditure, and the Ayushman Bharat health coverage scheme will change this, he said. Protests in Arunachal Pradesh have turned violent against the governments move to grant permanent residency certificates (PRCs) to certain categories of people. On Sunday, the protest spilled to the streets as a lot of protesters defied the curfew and set fire to the private residence of deputy chief minister Chowna Mein and ransacked the office of the deputy commissioner. Actor Satish Kaushish has apparently also borne heat of the protests as five theatres he is associated with, have been burnt down too. 1. This was how the venue of 1st @ItaFilmFestival went up in flames last night during widespread violence in #Itanagar that erupted during #PRC-related protests. The festival was called off and all guests were evacuated from hotel today. pic.twitter.com/fi4ovhK2BK Utpal Borpujari (@UtpalBorpujari) February 23, 2019 I am associated with five theatres named Picture Time. I am a promoter. I got a call this (Saturday) morning from the owner, Sushil Choudhary, that our five theatres were burnt, Satish Kaushik told IANS. He was being evacuated to Guwahati along with 50 other delegates to the first Itanagar International Film Festival, which was cancelled after the violence erupted. I reached yesterday (Friday) and went to the hotel. I was supposed to get ready for the evening function... But they (organisers) said 'hold on' there is some problem ... The event could not take place due to protests. The protesters were on a rampage and pelting stones. We couldn't make it to the convention centre. "There was a fire. We got stuck. We thought we'd leave in the morning but we got stuck. We crossed the border with the help of an IAS officer. He sent people and about 10-12 vehicles for us. Then we crossed the (Arunachal Pradesh) border, he added. Notes from Indian Country Professor Bill Dulaney: A one of a kind journalistBy Tim Giago (Nanwica Kciji Stands Up For Them) My old friend, the man who encouraged me and other Native journalists to form an association of Indian editors and journalists in 1984 is terminally ill. I want to share with all Indian newspaper, radio, and Internet journalists and with other journalists who knew him as a friend, a letter I got from Professor William Dulaney describing how it was he became associated with Indian journalists and how he helped to form the Native American Journalists Association My association with Native Americans began when I was a Professor of Journalism at Penn State University. We hosted meetings of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers Association and the Pennsylvania Society of Newspaper Editors and I thought, Why not Native American publishers and editors? Easy answer: There was no such association. But the need was evident when I pondered the fact that the ancestors of the original owners of the land we tread had little voice in its use and had been marginalized by the larger society. It escapes me who first termed the media as the fourth branch of the government, but I had little doubt in my mind that the media serving primarily Native Americans could, in addition to objectively reporting news, address concerns of indigenous peoples and perhaps effect change when needed. My next step was to find a respected Native American who shared my interest. Im not sure how I got Tim Giagos name but I was told there was ink in Tims veins and that he could not be intimidated. I talked with him several times and we went to work me with the arrangements for a meeting of Native journalists at Penn State and Tim founder of the Lakota Times searching out and rallying Native journalists and editors. After all of the letters had been sent out and a date set for our initial meeting, the wait began. It was late in the afternoon and so far Tim, and his managing editor Adrian Louis, were the only people who showed up and we were very worried so we were having a beer at a sidewalk cafe at State College, Pennsylvania and anxiously looking for a third Indian to show up who could be a tie-breaker on a substantive issue, when here comes a some kind of bus belching blue flames down College Avenue with a load of Native Americans on board. The next day when the meeting began more than 30 Native editors and journalists had showed up. From there it was on to Tuskahoma, Oklahoma on the Choctaw Nation where our first elected officers were chosen. They were Tim Giago, Lakota Times, President, Loren Tapahe, Navajo Times, Vice President, Anita Austin, Native American Rights Fund Magazine, Treasurer, and Mary Polanco, Jicarilla Chieftain, Secretary. Thirty five years later, the organization they formed is still a viable force in journalism in Indian Country. I miss greeting my old friends from Indian country. The joy of knowing all of you has been the highlight of my life. Oh yes, there is one other: Tim had a ceremony for me where I was given the Lakota name of Waonspekiye, or teacher, and that award hangs above my desk and along with an award from NAJA, it is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Sincerely, Prof. Bill Dulaney Professor Dulaney (Bill) wrote: Of all of the things Bill Dulaney has accomplished in his life, he holds dearest the time he spent working with his new found friends in Indian Country Adrian Louis, my managing editor at the Lakota Times, worked side by side with me to locate as many Native owned newspapers and journalists so that we could send invitations to all of them to join us at Penn State for our initial meeting. Adrian passed away earlier this year. He was a great writer and a great friend. He was followed in death by Jerry Reynolds, another journalist who worked for me at the Lakota Times and Indian Country Today. Jerry was also with us all the way as we fought to make NAJA a viable organization of Indian journalists. The Native American Journalists will be meeting in September in Prior Lake, Minnesota for their annual convention. I have been invited to be a keynote speaker as I close out my career as a newspaper publisher and editor. I hope that many of the Indian journalists I have met and worked with over these many years will be there with us. I would like to renew our friendships and discuss old times, probably for the last time. Professor Dulaney may not live to see September, but I know that if he was well and able, he would be there to cheer us on. Contact Tim Giago at najournalist1@gmail.com Join the Conversation Murdered and missing Indian women Women drape red dresses for redress of violenceBy Talli NaumanNative Sun News Today Contributing Editor RAPID CITY When Sandy Swallow presented a carefully folded red dress to Mary Black Bonnet one cold day this winter, friends with them learned that the dress would be one of 70 at an exhibit culminating in a February 24 multi-media performance here at the Journey Museum to honor missing and murdered indigenous women. The installation of red dresses, each with an alleged South Dakota crime victims nametag, was mounted in the cottonwoods at the museum February 10, in the two-week kickoff of the WHY Campaign aimed at comforting survivors of violence, raising awareness of injustice, and achieving equitable public safety enforcement. Swallow, Black Bonnet, and the other members of the Red Ribbon Skirt Society of the Black Hills, who conceived the commemoration, labelled and draped the dresses from the trees so people can see them from Omaha St. They planned to move the installation inside on February 24, to be part of their finale presentation, consisting of poetry-reading, talks, photographic documentation, music, treats, and unveiling of the original artwork Why by Jim Yellowhawk. Swallows dress symbolizes the 1968 murder of her sister, who she said she also will represent with an original verse at the event. An excerpt: Donna Swallow May your name never be forgotten. Strong Lakota woman. Big sister guiding and protecting me. Advising me on life. Donna Swallow your life was not easy, you didnt complain. Or show your bruises and pain. Black Bonnet, author of the poetry book Here There Be Dragons, said she will read some of the work she wrote especially for the upcoming occasion, which includes a found-word introduction to an artbook for guests to sign. It is dedicated to those still trapped and those whove passed, she says. You are always in our hearts. Black Bonnet is particularly sensitized to the campaign issues after surviving her own rape and battery. A part of her went missing in the incident unresolved by law enforcement, she acknowledges. Doing this project has been very triggering for me, she told Native Sun News Today. I feel so grateful in so many ways that Im still here and that I didnt disappear. The whole situation could have been so different. Yet, addressing the issue was not new to Black Bonnet. She had long since been alarmed by the losses of family members on her Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. She recalls the unresolved case of 11-year-old Richynda Robideaux, who went missing from a Rosebud family home 22 years ago and was found murdered. It was horrific to me. I learned about the power of silence. I felt like someone had the answers, but they werent giving them. She urges family members of every age to be aware of their surroundings, to take responsibility for their own safety and each others, but without becoming paranoid. We have to work out a balance between fear and a healthy environment, she said. What I want people to think about, when they see it as just a womens or an Indian issue, is that everyone is related to a woman somehow in some way in their lives, she added. Crime victims of unpunished violence are all too often children and teens, she noted. Many of the dresses in the installation are for them, including at least one of age three. Another part of the spectrum are the women who are strong, spirited, and dont keep their mouths shut; they are victimized because some people dont like it when you point out the truth, or discrepancies or things that are wrong, she said. She cites Anna Mae Aquash, a Miqmak Red Power activist and 30-year-old mother of two, who spoke truth to power and was disappeared in 1975. Her body with a bullet hole in the back of her head was found on the frozen ground of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Not until three decades later were suspects trials concluded. It was the disappearance of Savanna Greywind that spurred nationwide advocacy and media coverage for such victims, after her Fargo, North Dakota neighbor pleaded guilty to killing her in a fetal abduction two years ago. Black Bonnet cries when she talks about it. Greywind, whose body was found in a river, was loved by many people; she had a husband who loved and supported her and was there for her baby. The baby was reunited to be raised by the father but will not know her mother. The tragedy is also a success story in that it caused change to happen, Black Bonnet comments. It was probably the first funeral that went down the streets of North Dakota that honored an Indian woman, she said. For more information on the WHY Campaign dedicated to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Children and Two-Spirited of Turtle Island, contact the Red Ribbon Skirt Societys Lily Mendoza via lilym@rap.midco.net. Contact Talli Nauman at talli.nauman@gmail.com Copyright permission Native Sun News Today Join the Conversation In recent years, pollsters havent bothered to ask about the issue because it seemed to be settled in Maryland. Mileah Kromer, director of the Sarah T. Hughes Field Politics Center at Goucher College, said the last polling on the issue she has seen from Maryland was from 2006. At the time, she said, 63 percent of voters favored abortion rights. Let Indian Country cast the first votes to pick the next president Iowa and New Hampshire have always gone first. The tyranny of we have always done it that way."By Mark TrahantIndian Country Today Most of the candidates running for president are already on the campaign trail. Theyre mostly visiting Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, California and the Deep South. The first votes will be cast in less than a year. The logic here: Iowa and New Hampshire have always gone first. It's the tyranny of, we have always done it that way. But the United States is changing fast. And these two states are among the least representative of what the country will be, and especially unrepresentative of the Democratic Party. In Iowa there is one tribal nation, the Meskwaki, Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi , and the total Native population is four-tenths of one percent. New Hampshire is even less so, no tribal nations , and a total population of three-tenths of one percent. One reason this matters: As the campaign unfolds the issues involving Indian Country have largely focused on Elizabeth Warrens identity, her DNA test, and her apology to the Cherokee Nation. And this weekend she raised a new issue: Reparations for Native Americans. When asked whether they should receive some kind of relief, she told The Washington Post : I think its an important part of the conversation. The Post said there were few details, but she referenced Americas "ugly history We need to confront it head-on. And we need to talk about the right way to address it and make change. A Meskwaki Nation powwow. Photo: Angelo Mercado Reparations are well and good. But its not an issue that has surfaced much in Indian Country. There are dozens of issues that tribes are eager to insert into the national discourse -- and reparations would have been way down on that list. What is important? A candidate could promise to literally fulfill promises already made to tribal nations and citizens via the treaties. This isnt as headline grabbing. It would be a candidate saying, for once, that yes, the Constitution is the Supreme Law of the land, and the budget will finally match the countrys own aspirational language. Its as simple as the country promising to do what it says. Indeed. A campaign official reached out to Indian Country Today after this post went up with the longer statement from Warren. "Tribal nations have unique interests, priorities, and histories, and should not be treated monolithically," she said. "I fully support the federal government doing far more to live up to its existing trust and treaty responsibilities and that includes a robust discussion about historical injustices against Native people. Tribal nations have a government-to-government relationship with the federal government, and they deserve a seat at the table in all decisions that will affect the well-being of their people and their communities." Fulfilling the treaties would mean a real funding plan for the Indian health system. As the National Indian Health Board says : The fact that American Indian and Alaska Native patients still have only one-third the per capita health spending of the general U. S. population to address overwhelming health disparities is indefensible. The fact that our citizens are disproportionately at the bottom of almost all reportable health status indicators is shamefully predictable given the lack of investment in the IHS delivery system. The health board recognizes that Congress wont do this all at once. We are asking for our trustees to partner with tribal leaders to create a strategic roadmap to fully fund the Indian Health Service within a 12 year phase-in time period. Lets ask candidates about that. NIHB Vice Chairman Victoria Kitcheyan (WINNEBAGO Tribal Council; Great Plains representative) addresses @NCAI1944 General Assembly today. You cant be in Washington, DC every day to fight for our Peoples health but NIHB is and we DO! pic.twitter.com/RBPjPfSoVM NIHB (@NIHB1) October 25, 2018 The first time I saw a presidential candidate campaign in Indian Country was Jesse Jackson in 1984. He took the time to meet and speak with the Navajo Nation Council as well as events in Window Rock and Shiprock. He did this because it was the right reason. Now imagine, what if Navajo had a primary? What if early in the process, Jackson won those delegates and the conversation about his viability was matched with the delegates that included Indian Country? Presidential campaigns have already changed candidates. As I wrote in The Last Great Battle of the Indian Wars , Washington Sen. Henry Jackson went from being a longtime supporter of termination to a champion for self-determination and primary sponsor of legislation to make that so (and hiring Forrest Gerard to make it so). He did this about the same time he ran for president. George McGovern wasnt a strident supporter of tribes before he ran for president. But he was sure was after. Before running for president -- and after -- is a line of questioning that virtually all of the challengers should be asked about. For example: Californias Sen. Kamala Harris needs to distance herself from the positions she took while she was attorney general (not unlike other states attorney generals whove run for higher office). She needs to figure out where she stands on tribes, treaties, and specific issues, such as land into trust. Or a presidential candidate could pledge to invest in education in a whole new way. Indian Country has an advantage that the United States needs, a young population. This is a perfect moment for education innovation -- and that takes resources. The median age in the United States is 37.9 years and getting older with smaller family sizes. Indian Countrys median age is 31.2 years. But even those numbers dont reflect the true nature of the divide. Iowas median age is 38 and New Hampshires median age is 41.4 years old. There are 2.1 million American Indians and Alaska Natives under the age of 24 years old. That is a constituency deserving a voice in picking the next president. (New Hampshires population is 1.3 million.) Or a presidential candidate could pledge to make sure that the next White House will use its resources to protect and improve the Indian Child Welfare Act . That law has 40-year history of keeping native families together thats now under attack as unconstitutional. The lawsuit, Brackeen v. Bernhardt, was brought by Texas, Indiana, Louisiana, and individual plaintiffs, claim the act is race based. How big an issue is this in Indian Country? Amicus briefs were filed in support of the act by 325 tribal nations, 21 states, several members of Congress, and dozens of Native organizations, child welfare organizations, and other allies. That would seem to rise to the level of an issue for presidential candidates. (Warren did express her support for the law at a tribal womens honoring ceremony.) The list of issues is long. Presidential candidates should be asked about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and a federal response. Or how to fix the convoluted legal mess of the 2009 Supreme Court Carceri decision that makes a mess of tribal authority and lands. As Jefferson Keel, president of the National Congress of American Indians, said in his 2019 State of Indian Nations a couple of weeks ago, the Trump administration is using the Carceri framework to undercut tribes. The Department of the Interior cannot be allowed to simply make it up as it goes along when deciding whether to take land into trust for tribal nations, ignoring decades of established precedents in the process. The departments recent about-face in rejecting the Mashpee Wampanoags placement of traditional homelands into trust is especially troubling. If left to stand, it threatens to create a class system of haves and have nots among tribal nations, he said. Some tribal nations will be able to take newly acquired land into trust to protect sacred places; others will not. Some will be able to regrow their land bases to empower economic growth; others will not. They will be subject to the whim and conflicted interests of whoever is running Interior at the moment. This not only ignores the Indian Reorganization Acts mandate of tribal self-determination, it is patently and arbitrarily unfair. You would think presidential candidates would be eager to talk about a process that unfair But why would they in Iowa? Or New Hampshire? The problem is not the candidates; its the process itself. In the small meetings in small states these issues are not likely to surface. But what if there was an Indian Country primary? Call it an experiment. Lets do it once and see if it can be done because it would require candidates to talk about the issues impacting American Indians and Alaska Natives in a new way. (Ive written before, wouldnt it be cool to have the first national primary take place among the first nations?) Ready for #NativeVote2020? Graphic by Indian Country Today How would this primary work? Every tribe has an election process of some kind. The Democratic and Republican parties could work with the tribes that choose to participate to come up with a voter list (imagine how potent that data would be) and to manage how the results are calculated. Perhaps even mobile phones and other digital tools could be a part of the experiment. Indian Country has a young, mobile population. The cell phone is secure enough (unlike personal computers) to conduct an election. There would also have to be polling places. What a great statement a primary election could be. This would be the America of its own aspirations. Especially if the election could be organized in a way to bring out every voter, that inclusion really was the overriding goal. And if the experiment works? Perhap a generation from now, some writer will dismiss change and say, we have always done it that way. Mark Trahant is the editor of Indian Country Today . He is a member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes . Follow him on Twitter @TrahantReports This story originally appeared on Indian Country Today Join the Conversation 'She was just a good mother' Suspect linked to long-unsolved death of Agatha White Buffalo, Rosebud SiouxBy Kevin Abourezk Agatha White Buffalo was a diminutive woman, barely 5 feet tall, and pretty. She was a housewife, who ironed her husbands police blues and washed her eight childrens clothes by hand, hanging them out to dry on a clothes line with the help of her daughters. Living on South Dakotas Rosebud Indian Reservation, the Lakota woman guided her children in the Catholic faith, ensuring they properly practiced communion and the sacraments. But when her husband, Patrick Henry White Buffalo, was incarcerated, she struggled to care for her children on her own. The state of South Dakota eventually took her children from her and placed them with foster parents. Then, White Buffalo got sick. The Indian Health Service hospital in Rosebud, South Dakota, found a spot on her lung, and sent her to Omaha, Nebraska, to have a biopsy done. So in November 1973, the 34-year-old hopped a bus headed south. She never came home. She wandered off and got killed, said her daughter, Joyce Bresette. She was there for a reason, but she got involved with the wrong people. A November 17, 1973, article in The Omaha World-Herald reported the murder of Agatha White Buffalo at the age of 34. Courtesy photo Last November 45 years after White Buffalos body was found upside-down in a 55-gallon barrel in Omaha authorities announced they finally had a suspect in her murder. And just last week, Omaha police said they have officially linked a Texas inmate who has claimed responsibility for 90 killings over 35 years to White Buffalos murder. Sam Little , 78, has confessed to killing women from 1970 to 2005, and is serving three consecutive life sentences after being convicted in 2014 of murdering three women in Los Angeles from 1987 to 1989. The former boxer has admitted to killing women from California to Florida, saying he would beat them and then strangle them before dumping their bodies in alleys, dumpsters and garages, according to the FBI. Federal authorities have been able to corroborate 34 killings so far. Little chose to kill marginalized and vulnerable women who were often involved in prostitution and addicted to drugs, the FBI said in a news release last November. Their bodies sometimes went unidentified and their deaths uninvestigated. A family portrait of Agatha White Buffalo. His method of killing often left few signs that the death was a homicide. The former competitive boxer usually stunned or knocked out his victims by punching them and then strangled them. His victims causes of death were often attributed to drug overdoses, accidents or natural causes. As for White Buffalo, her body was found November 16, 1973, inside a barrel at the Sturges Hide Company in south Omaha, according to an article published the next day in the Omaha World-Herald. A 27-year-old man, Martin Hernandez, was moving barrels behind the plant when he found her body. Police later found some of her clothing nearby. A county coroner ruled she had been strangled but hadnt been sexually assaulted. Bresette, who at 62 is the oldest of White Buffalos six surviving children, said she learned about the Littles confession in November. She said she contacted Omaha police after learning they were trying to reach her family. A detective told her about Little and said Omaha prosecutors planned to extradite him to Nebraska to face trial in her mothers death. A family photo of Patrick Henry White Buffalo. A smaller photo of Agatha White Buffalo can be seen in the lower right. The detective also offered her a few details about her mothers death that she hadnt heard before, including information about another Native woman who had been drinking at a bar with Agatha White Buffalo the night she was killed. The Native woman told police at that time that the two women had been drinking with a man who she believed had killed White Buffalo. The other woman left White Buffalo and the man at the bar later that night. The news of Littles confession didnt shock Bresette, she said. The pain of her mothers death had long since faded, but she said shes glad her family may now find some closure. She said her mothers death nearly shattered her family. It was mayhem for us, she said. Her father, Patrick Henry White Buffalo, began drinking constantly and was unable to care for his children. His four youngest children were placed in foster care, until they were old enough to attend boarding school and were returned to Bresettes grandmother and aunt. Another person close to the family said White Buffalo a Korean War veteran who died in 2003 loved his wife and grieved for her until the day he died. He was lonely for the rest of his life, this person said. Some people can't be replaced. Bresette, who today still lives in St. Francis, South Dakota, not far from her childhood home, said her family has never fully healed from her mothers death. She was just a good mother, she said. She was real kind. She was gentle-hearted. She was just a nice person. The only reporter who has spoken to Samuel Little explains how the criminal was finally caught, and why he almost got away with his crimes https://t.co/arQN90yaUG The Cut (@TheCut) December 21, 2018 Join the Conversation More than just a car tag By Principal Chief Bill John BakerCherokee Nation Every time a tribal citizen registers a vehicle with the Cherokee Nation , they make an investment in public education and our young people. You see, our vehicle tags are more than just a pretty tag. By Cherokee Nation law, 38 percent of the revenues from our tag sales are earmarked specifically for public education. This year, thanks to our flourishing Motor Vehicle Tax program, Cherokee Nation is awarding a record-breaking $5.7 million to more than a hundred school districts in northeast Oklahoma. Since 2002, Cherokee Nation has contributed more than $56 million to public education. Today, that investment in public education is more important than ever for the Cherokee Nation and the state of Oklahoma. Activity happening all around the Oklahoma State Capitol today with our Cherokee National Youth Choir serenading the crowds. What a group of talented voices! pic.twitter.com/pPAGauQx7W CherokeeNation (@CherokeeNation) February 20, 2019 More tribal car tag revenue means we are able to serve more students. When we expanded the sale of Cherokee Nation tags statewide to all 77 Oklahoma counties in 2013, we knew the school systems in northeastern Oklahoma would reap the benefits. Indeed, it has proven to be an essential component of their annual budgets for many schools here. Supporting local school districts is important to the Cherokee Nations long-term success. These partnerships with schools represent our investment for the future of our great state and our tribal government. Our tribal funding comes with no strings attached and is not earmarked for specific budget items, so every pupil benefits. This means we are helping area students in our local schools, regardless of whether they are Cherokee. For Cherokee people, embracing education has always been a community value. It creates hope for a better future for our children and the generations to come. I come from a long line of teachers and administrators devoted to learning. My familys background helped build a foundation and reinforced an ideal that I have embraced as a public servant: Supporting access to educational programs is the best investment we can ever make as a sovereign tribal government. Over the last several years, public education in Oklahoma has taken numerous financial hits and the proceeds from Cherokee car tags allow us to help fill in the gaps in school budgets. I am extremely proud of the many ways our region benefits from these revenues. The Cherokee Nation Motor Vehicle Tax program not only saves our people money on their car tags and instills Cherokee pride, it also has a positive and lasting impact in our communities and schools. With every vehicle registered, we are investing in our children, in our families, and in our future as Cherokees and Oklahomans. Bill John Baker currently serves as the 17th elected chief of the Cherokee Nation, the largest Indian tribe in the United States. Born and raised in Cherokee County, he is married to Sherry (Robertson) Baker. Principal Chief Baker has devoted much of his life in service to the Cherokee people. He spent 12 years as a member of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council and was elected Principal Chief in October 2011. Join the Conversation The Quapaw Nation is prepared to break ground this spring on a commercial gaming facility in Arkansas, The Pine Bluff Commercial reports. Chairman John Berrey said the tribe is waiting on a license from the state. The goal would then be to open the Saracen Casino Resort in the city of Pine Bluff in less than a year. We want to help make Pine Bluff better, Berrey told a meeting of the Pine Bluff Rotary Club, the paper reported. We want to create a destination for people to come from outside Jefferson County. The facility would be located on ancestral land in the city. Chief Saracen , a leader of the Quapaw people, was laid to rest in Pine Bluff in 1832 at the age of 97. Voters in Arkansas approved a casino in Jefferson County. The tribe was a primary backer of Issue 4 , which appeared on the November 2018 ballot. The tribe operates two casinos in Oklahoma, with one of those properties extending in the states of Kansas and Missouri. Read More on the Story Join the Conversation Related Stories The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians saw major progress on a proposed off-reservation casino when the Bureau of Indian Affairs held a public hearing on the long-awaited project in December. But that was before the government shutdown crippled the BIA for a record 35 days. The tribe now expects a decision in a few months, WZZM reported. "So it could be June or July now," Ogema Larry Romanelli told the station. The tribe is pursuing the casino under the two-part determination provisions of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act . If the BIA approves, the state governor will have final say on the project. Even if the tribe completes both steps, the BIA still has to make a decision on the land-into-trust application for the 60-acre site in Fruitport Township. But there's good news on that front -- Deputy Secretary David Bernhardt , who has been tapped to lead the Department of the Interior said he is pulling the plug on the Fee-to-Trust Regulations (25 CFR 151) I have no interest in modifying our 151 regulations unless you want them changed so we are not going to go forward with that matter," Bernhardt told the National Congress of American Indians this month. Tribes had criticized the proposed changes, saying they would have made it more difficult for them to acquire land away from existing reservations. Read More on the Story Federal Register Notices Join the Conversation Related Stories Concord City Council is also a part of that team effort, providing funding and emotional support for the departments initiatives. Then there is the community piece. The department has started several initiatives to develop relationships with the community. Officers can be seen patrolling on bicycles, riding horses and in the annual Christmas parade. They also visit schools to speak to students, hold youth academies and invite residents to attend crime and safety briefings. Recently the department held its first Spanish crime and safety briefing to reach a different segment of the population. I like to say that our community support and engagement is a secret ingredient. They are obviously supporting us. They are engaged in the process and theyre engaged in keeping their neighborhoods safe, Gacek said. So as an example, when they see something suspicious, they call us. And if you look at communities that struggle with crime, fear and disorder what you are more than likely going to find is a community that doesnt trust their law enforcement. Trust is everything and Gacek said a community that doesnt trust its law enforcement is less likely to call the police when they see something out of order. FFA alumni and current members also brought their animals to show the students. Mount Pleasant Middle student Riley Gray brought two one-month old goats for students to hold. Gray said her family has five goats at home, which is hard work but it pays off. I like FFA because it gives you another family and it helps you learn more and expand your knowledge on agriculture, Gray said about being a member of the organization. I do (compete in) Parliamentary Procedure and it also helps with public speaking. Seventh-grade student Charlee Coley helped at the dairy table with her friends calf. She joined the FFA because she enjoys animals. Her family has three goats, a pig, chickens, a donkey, a hamster, a rabbit, a dog and a cat. This is a good event to help people understand how important it (agriculture) is, how important animals and plans and stuff are how much they mean to our world and how much we should take care of them, Coley said. The best part is just seeing the people listening to your information and getting to interact with the cow and pet it, because its not every day you get to pet a cow. Its important, some kids need to experience it. Donald Trumps eldest son has accused federal authorities of using Stalinist tactics as they investigate the US presidents inaugural committee and family enterprise. Donald Trump Jr told Fox & Friends in an interview that the investigation is as political as it gets. It's that old Stalinist tactic, you know?Donald Trump Jr He said the dream of federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York is to try to find something to get Trump, adding: Its that old Stalinist tactic, you know? Joseph Stalin led the former Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until 1953. But Mr Trump Jr, who is helping run the family business while his father is president, said he is not worried about the investigations because we know theres nothing there. Prosecutors are investigating, among other potential crimes, whether foreigners illegally contributed to inaugural events in 2017. We would make the kombucha during the week after work, and on weekends we would walk around with coolers filled with samples for the local cafes and shops to try, the companys website says. We first gained traction in Hampden, then Remington, and the next thing we knew we were getting contacted to sell in cafes and yoga studios throughout the city. President Donald Trump speaks at the Governors Ball at the White House (Carolyn Kaster/AP) President Donald Trump has said he will extend a deadline to escalate tariffs on Chinese imports, citing "substantial progress" in weekend talks between the two countries. Mr Trump tweeted on Sunday that there had been "productive talks", adding that: "I will be delaying the US increase in tariffs now scheduled for March 1." Mr Trump says that, if negotiations progress, he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Florida resort to finalise an agreement. US and Chinese negotiators met through the weekend as they seek to resolve a trade war that has rattled financial markets. Mr Trump had warned he would escalate the tariffs he has imposed on 200 billion US dollars in Chinese imports, from 10 to 25pc, if the two sides failed to reach a deal. Speaking to governors gathered at the White House for an annual black-tie ball on Sunday, Mr Trump said he was doing "very well" with China. "If all works well we're going to have some very big news over the next week or two," he said, though he took care to add that "we still have a little ways to go". Asian stock markets rose following Mr Trump's announcement. The Shanghai Composite index jumped 5.5pc, while other markets in the region also rose, but by smaller margins. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index added 0.5pc while Tokyo's Nikkei 225 also climbed 0.5pc. Read More The world's two biggest economies have been locked in a conflict over US allegations that China steals technology and forces foreign companies to hand over trade secrets in an aggressive push to challenge American technological dominance. The two counties have slapped import taxes on hundreds of billions of dollars of each other's goods. The conflict has unnerved investors and clouded the outlook for the global economy, putting pressure on Mr Trump and Mr Xi to reach a deal. Chinese negotiators said the talks made progress on technology transfer, protection of intellectual property rights and non-tariff barriers, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. It cautioned there are "still some differences that need more time to be ironed out". "Trump clearly wants a deal and so do the Chinese, which certainly raises the probability that the two sides will come to some sort of negotiated agreement, even if it is a partial one, in the coming weeks," said Cornell University economist Eswar Prasad, former head of the International Monetary Fund's China division. On Twitter, Mr Trump said the two sides had made headway on issues including protection of trade secrets, forced technology transfer and US agricultural sales to China. But the administration did not immediately provide details. Business groups and politicians in Congress want to see a comprehensive deal that forces the Chinese to change their behaviour and that can be enforced. The US has accused China of failing to meet past commitments to reform its economic policies. "Encouraging news from @POTUS that progress is being made in a trade deal with China. Hopefully this leads to an agreement that stops China's theft of US intellectual property and avoids a full blown trade war," tweeted Republican Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania But critics worry that the president has given up leverage. "They now have lost the advantage of a deadline," said Philip Levy, a senior fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and a White House economist under President George W Bush, adding that "I see the odds tilting" in China's favour. A Saudi princess has been named as the country's first ever female ambassador and its next envoy to the United States. The appointment of Princess Reema bint Bandar al-Saud comes as the conservative kingdom remains under international scrutiny over the alleged torture of imprisoned female activists and the murder in Istanbul of Jamal Khashoggi, the dissident journalist. The kingdom's strict regime for women was highlighted last month after a teenager, Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun, made a dramatic escape from the country, citing an abusive family and state-sponsored oppression. Princess Reema, whose father, Bandar bin Sultan al-Saud, held the post from 1983 until 2005, grew up in the US and Saudi Arabia, and gained a degree in museum studies from George Washington University. A high-profile businesswoman, she has worked in the public and private sector, notably as the CEO of a retail company with Harvey Nichols in its portfolio. She is also known for her advocacy work on women's rights, increased women's participation in sport, and breast cancer awareness. Princess Reema will take over the role from Prince Khalid bin Salman, the younger brother of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, who has been named Saudi deputy defence minister. The US envoy oversees one of Saudi Arabia's most valuable relationships, which has been strained over the murder of Mr Khashoggi and its role in the war in Yemen. The two countries are bound by shared interests in the Middle East, including hundreds of billions of dollars in arms deals. ( Daily Telegraph London) Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] Reports of an offer boosted the companys share price early on Monday (PA) An investment company has confirmed it is in the early stages of tabling a 20 million bid for Laura Ashley, despite the current owners insistence that it has no plans to sell the brand. Flacks Group, a Manchester-based private investor, issued a statement on Monday afternoon stating that it is in very preliminary stages of evaluating a possible transaction, valuing the company at around 20 million, or 2.75p per share. Shares in Laura Ashley dropped 1.2% to 3.2p following the latest update, as the proposed value of the sale appeared to fall short of investor expectations. We remain just as committed and passionate about this well-loved brand as when we first decided to invest in Laura Ashley over 20 years agoChairman Andrew Khoo The stock had initially gained as much as 35% to reach 4.4p on Monday, following reports of Flacks bid over the weekend. However the potential offer values the company at a discount to its current 23.3 million market capitalisation. Responding to speculation in a statement on Monday, Laura Ashley chairman Andrew Khoo said that although the board would consider any approach, current owners Malaysian retail group MUI has no intention of selling. Whilst I understand why potential parties would think we are significantly undervalued, I have complete confidence that we will be able to grow profitably and in a sustainable manner so as to create long-term value for our shareholders, he said. We remain just as committed and passionate about this well-loved brand as when we first decided to invest in Laura Ashley over 20 years ago. Clashes: A man on a cross-border bridge in Cucuta, Colombia, on the Venezuelan border, after the violence. Photo: REUTERS The United States has warned Nicolas Maduro that his "days are numbered", before an international meeting in Bogota today with his rival, Juan Guaido, to decide the next steps in the battle for Venezuela. Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, who will travel to Bogota alongside Mike Pence, the vice-president, condemned the violence and said he was confident Mr Maduro, the embattled president, would soon be gone. "Predictions are difficult. Picking exact days is difficult," he said, speaking on a US political chat show the day after violent protests wracked the South American nation. "I'm confident that the Venezuelan people will ensure that Maduro's days are numbered." The violence looked set to get worse, however, after Iris Varela, Venezuela's prisons minister, announced she was bringing "trained" inmates from overcrowded and highly dangerous prisons to the border, to "have the privilege of fighting for the fatherland". "I'm bringing them here, and I will continue to bring them here, in significant numbers," she said, speaking in the border city of San Antonio. Mr Maduro, who is clinging to power with the support of Cuba, Russia and China, spent Saturday dancing on national television at a rally in Caracas. State television did not show the bloody scenes at the borders, where on Saturday two people were killed in a town bordering Brazil and two died on the Colombian border. Running battles on bridges from Colombia into Venezuela resulted in 285 people being injured on the Colombian side while trying to get humanitarian aid into the country. Some of the aid was burned on the bridges, with a witness claiming Mr Maduro's troops poured fuel on to the convoy. Colombian migration officials confirmed that 100 officers had downed arms and declared their support for Mr Guaido, who last month declared himself the legitimate "interim president". Mr Guaido had planned for an "avalanche of aid" to flow into Venezuela on Saturday after co-ordinating the delivery of hundreds of tons of supplies with the US, Europe and Latin American nations. On Friday, a fundraising concert organised by billionaire Richard Branson energised tens of thousands of Venezuelans to the cause. But yesterday, Mr Maduro mocked the efforts as a Washington plot. "They tried to disguise, with a concert and a supposed delivery of 'humanitarian aid' at the border, a plan which had been developed and announced by Donald Trump," he said. "The people are on the streets, mobilised and alert in every corner of the country. "I call on all men and women of good faith to not let their guard down and keep on the front foot of the fight to preserve the peace in Venezuela." According to a Reuters witness, two aid trucks crossed the Brazilian border but did not pass through a Venezuelan checkpoint. A Puerto Rican ship carrying humanitarian aid was ordered to turn back after a Venezuelan navy ship threatened to open fire on the vessel. "This is unacceptable and shameful," said Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico. "We have also notified our partners in the US government about this serious incident." Mr Guaido's side was left licking their wounds and planning their next steps. Meanwhile, Freddy Superlano, the 42-year-old opposition politician who is one of Mr Guaido's closest confidantes, was recovering from being drugged in the early hours of Saturday morning. Carlos Salinas, his adviser and cousin, died in the incident. Initial reports suggested he had been poisoned in a restaurant, causing immense alarm. Local media now claim he was drugged and robbed by prostitutes in a Cucuta motel. In Cucuta's hospitals, the walking wounded were vowing to continue the fight. Evaristo Jose Guerrero, a 27-year-old farmer, broke down in tears as he recounted how he was shot in the eye on the Francisco de Paula Santander bridge - one of four crossings where volunteers tried to bring in aid. "I wanted to help Venezuela," he sobbed. "I love my country. And I love Colombia, for giving us refuge from what is happening there." ( Daily Telegraph London) Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] Shamima Begum caught on CCTV as she left the UK to travel to Syria Radicalised: Londoner Shamima Begum (19) and baby son Jarrah during an interview with ITN in a Syrian refugee camp on Wednesday. Photo: PA Islamic State bride Shamima Begum said she regrets speaking to the media and wishes she had found a different way to contact her family. The teenager, who fled London aged 15 to join Islamic State's self-proclaimed caliphate in Syria, has said she wants to return to the UK with her newborn son. Ms Begum, who has had her British citizenship revoked, was one of three schoolgirls to leave Bethnal Green to join the terror cult in 2015 and resurfaced heavily pregnant at a Syrian refugee camp last week. Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph from the al-Hol camp in Syria, Ms Begum said: "They are making an example of me. I regret speaking to the media. I wish I had stayed low and found a different way to contact my family. That's why I spoke to the newspaper." The UK Home Secretary revoked Ms Begum's British citizenship in a move only permissible under international law if it does not leave the individual stateless. It was speculated that Ms Begum, who is of Bangladeshi heritage, may have citizenship there but Bangladesh's minister of state for foreign affairs Shahriar Alam denied this. Her family have written to the UK Home Secretary asking for his help to bring her newborn son to Britain. The letter to Sajid Javid said the baby boy was a "true innocent" who should not "lose the privilege of being raised in the safety of this country". Her sister Remu Begum, writing on behalf of the family, asked how they could help "in bringing my nephew home to us". The family said they have had no contact with Ms Begum and had only learned she had given birth to a boy through media reports. Expand Close Shamima Begum caught on CCTV as she left the UK to travel to Syria / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Shamima Begum caught on CCTV as she left the UK to travel to Syria They made clear that they were "shocked and appalled" at the "vile comments" Ms Begum had recently made to the media. Meanwhile her father, Ahmed Ali, 60, said he "does not have a problem" with the UK Government's stance and suggested he did not have sympathy for his daughter due to her lack of remorse. Speaking to the Mail on Sunday at his home in the Sunamganj region of north-east Bangladesh, he said: "I am on the side of the Government. I can't say whether it is right or wrong, but if the law of the land says that it is correct to cancel her citizenship, then I agree. "If she at least admitted she made a mistake then I would feel sorry for her and other people would feel sorry for her. But she does not accept her wrong." Mr Javid's removal of Ms Begum's citizenship came amid heated debate over whether the teenager should be able to return to the UK after she was found in a Syrian refugee camp with the terror group's reign nearly over. While many do not want to see Ms Begum return to the UK, others have argued she should face prosecution for her actions, and attempts at deradicalisation. The Begum family's lawyer Tasnime Akunjee said she was born in the UK, has never had a Bangladeshi passport and is not a dual citizen, which was confirmed by the Bangladeshi minister. The inquest into the Birmingham bombing heard how two bomb blasts ripped apart two pubs on what was a "perfectly ordinary evening", in the city. The long-awaited inquests into the deaths of 21 people in the 1974 IRA Birmingham pub bombings began with a minute's silence for the victims. Coroner Sir Peter Thornton told the jury there would be evidence alleging British security forces may have had some forewarning about the attacks, widely thought to have been carried out by the provisional IRA, including an "over-heard" conversation which took place in prison two weeks before the bombings. Sir Peter, continuing his opening statement, added that the inquests would not deal with the issue of who planted the bombs, adding that was a "task of police, prosecutors and the criminal courts". He added that although a single hearing, lasting up to six weeks, the inquests would deal with "21 separate people, 21 separate lives lost from two terrible events". As well as those killed, 220 were injured in the blasts, which were carried out at the height of an IRA bombing campaign in the West Midlands, the jury was told. Expand Close Desmond Reilly (left) on his wedding day, who died in the Birmingham pub bombings Credit: Family Handout/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Desmond Reilly (left) on his wedding day, who died in the Birmingham pub bombings Credit: Family Handout/PA Wire A third bomb, jurors heard, was planted near the Barclays Bank on the Hagley Road but failed to properly detonate that night. The coroner said that there had been "over 50" incidents involving bombs and incendiaries "in and around Birmingham" in 1973 and 1974, but that after the pub blasts "the campaign in the West Midlands stopped". He told the six women and five men of the jury it would be a matter for them whether the IRA called off its Midlands campaign because of the "outrage of civilian deaths on this scale" or "some other reason". Sir Peter said: "This is something that the city of Birmingham has suffered now for many years. "While the inquests will inevitably focus on those who died we must also remember many other lives were and continue to be affected." Jurors, sitting at Birmingham Civil Justice Centre, were told they would hear evidence from only a few eyewitnesses of those there on the evening, because some were "no longer alive". He added: "They will be doing their best to recollect events accurately, but we all know memory will sometimes have gaps. "Recollection may sometimes be distorted or inaccurate, it may be correct." Expand Close Stephen Whalley, 21, of Bloxwich, Staffordshire, who died in the Birmingham pub bombings Credit: Family Handout/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Stephen Whalley, 21, of Bloxwich, Staffordshire, who died in the Birmingham pub bombings Credit: Family Handout/PA Wire Sir Peter said "nobody has been successfully prosecuted for the attack", and that the only men ever to stand trial, the Birmingham Six, were freed on appeal in 1991. He also said: "Nobody is on trial here, an inquest does not decide matters of criminal or civil liability, and this is not a question of attributing blame to any individuals." He told jurors who "may well be wondering why now", that the original inquests were put aside in 1975, with the start of the six men's criminal trial. The former chief coroner for England and Wales added that there would be details of the so-called "forewarning issue", and evidence the British authorities may have received information signalling there were to be bomb attacks. Among them, evidence of an alleged tip-off concerning a "possible conversation in a local prison nearly two weeks before the bombings". Jurors would also hear an account of "evidence of a students' visit to a police station the evening of the bombings, which was cancelled". Detailing the chain of events that night, Sir Peter said that at 8.11pm, the Birmingham Post and Mail newspaper received a coded bomb warning from a man "with an Irish accent" accompanied with the code word "double X". The caller, ringing from a telephone box, spoke of a bomb in the city's landmark Rotunda, and the tax office in New Street. Sir Peter said that the newspaper's telephonist's record of the message made no mention of pubs. The two bombs detonated in "massive explosions" between 8.15pm and 8.20pm, killing 19 on the night - eight in the Mulberry Bush, at the foot of the rotunda, and two outside the nightspot. Another nine died in the Tavern In The Town, which was a large pub in the basement of the same building as the tax office, King Edward's House. Two died later of their injuries, with 12 of the victims under 25. Sir Peter said: "It was a normal Thursday evening in Birmingham, on November 21, 1974. "It was not a weekend, but the pubs, two in particular, were busy enough and both quite popular with young people." He added the premises were only some 50 yards away from one another. "At 8pm that evening, it was a perfectly ordinary evening in the two pubs, a film was showing at the Odeon cinema but just after 8.15pm, all of that changed," Sir Peter said. "Moments later there was an explosion at the Mulberry Bush, and just minutes later a second explosion at the Tavern In The Town. "They were massive explosions." He told jurors: "After hearing the evidence you may conclude the bombs were brought and planted in such a way that extensive loss of life, injury and devastation, would have been caused. "They were planted in enclosed spaces in busy pubs, where there were many people. "You may be asked to determine whether those who died were unlawfully killed." Hearings will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday with pen portraits of each of the victims, while on Thursday, the jurors will be taken to the former sites of the pubs - both since long gone. The inquests, which are being held in Birmingham, are the culmination of years of campaigning by relatives of the dead for a full account into the circumstances of what happened on the night of November 21, 1974. Julie Hambleton, whose 18-year-old sister Maxine was among those killed, attended the inquest, alongside some 15 other bereaved family members. Expand Close Firemen searching through debris in Birmingham in the aftermath of the bombings Photo: PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Firemen searching through debris in Birmingham in the aftermath of the bombings Photo: PA Wire She has said previously that all the bereaved were seeking was "truth, justice and accountability". What a romantic and ignorantly idealistic view of what happens when thousands of our senior citizens and other terminally-ill patients die every single day. Does this writer actually believe that patients still do not decide intentionally to die by whatever means a hospice may offer? Does the writer also believe that family members do not decide, with or without input from doctors, that it is time for a patient to die regardless of what the patient thinks? Charlize Theron attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) (L-R) Gloria Campano, Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) Jennifer Lopez looks on backstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Petit - Handout/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images) Lady Gaga poses with the Music (Original Song) award for 'Shallow' from 'A Star Is Born' backstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Sayles - Handout/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images) Billy Porter attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Renee Bargh attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Billy Porter attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (L-R) Billy Porter and Adam Smith attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Ryan Seacrest attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Giuliana Rancic attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Danielle Macdonald attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) : Constance Wu attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Ashley Graham attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Ashley Graham attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Emilia Clarke attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Chris O'Dowd attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images) Fatma Al Remaihi attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Michelle Yeoh attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Awkwafina attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (L-R) Olivia Grant and Richard E. Grant attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Linda Cardellini attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Octavia Spencer attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Regina King attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Melissa McCarthy attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) James McAvoy attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Gemma Chan attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Gemma Chan attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Kacey Musgraves attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Kacey Musgraves attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Glenn Close attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Maya Rudolph attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images) Octavia Spencer attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Jennifer Hudson attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Jennifer Hudson attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Amy Poehler attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Tina Fey attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Maya Rudolph attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Helen Mirren attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Leslie Bibb attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Helen Mirren attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Amy Adams attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Amy Adams attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (L-R) Jordan Peele and Chelsea Peretti attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Allison Janney attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Charlize Theron attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Charlize Theron attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Brie Larson attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Brie Larson attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Molly Sims attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Lisa Bonet attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (L-R) Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Amy Adams attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Cicely Tyson attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Emma Stone attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Tessa Thompson attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Lucy Boynton attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Rachel Weisz attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Rachel Weisz attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Pharrell Williams and Helen Lasichanh attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Jennifer Lopez attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Sarah Paulson attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Jennifer Lopez attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (L-R) Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Danai Gurira attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Letitia Wright attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Molly Sims attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images) (L-R) Lucy Boynton and Rami Malek attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Chris Evans attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Queen Latifah attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Paul Rudd attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Serena William attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (L-R) Dee Ocleppo and Tommy Hilfiger attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Christian Bale and Sibi Blazic attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (L-R) Lisa Bonet and Jason Momoa attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Michael B. Jordan attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Danai Gurira attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Lady Gaga attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (L-R) Adam Granduciel and Krysten Ritter attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Sarah Paulson attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images) (L-R) Emma Stone and Laura Dern attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Lady Gaga attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Olivia Colman and Ed Sinclair attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Irish Actor Chris O'Dowd arrives for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Robyn BECK / AFP) Best Actor nominee for "A Star is Born" Bradley Cooper (L) and his wife Russian model Irina Shayk arrive for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) Best Actor nominee for "A Star is Born" Bradley Cooper (C), his wife Russian model Irina Shayk (R) and his mom Gloria Campano arrives for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) Best Actor nominee for "A Star is Born" Bradley Cooper (L) and his wife Russian model Irina Shayk arrive for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) Best Actor nominee for "A Star is Born" Bradley Cooper (C), his wife Russian model Irina Shayk (R) and his mom Gloria Campano arrives for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) Best Actor nominee for "A Star is Born" Bradley Cooper (C), his wife Russian model Irina Shayk (R) and his mom Gloria Campano arrives for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) Best Original Song nominee for "Shallow" from "A Star is Born" Lady Gaga arrives for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) Best Original Song nominee for "Shallow" from "A Star is Born" Lady Gaga arrives for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) Best Original Song nominee for "Shallow" from "A Star is Born" Lady Gaga arrives for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) Best Original Song nominee for "Shallow" from "A Star is Born" Lady Gaga arrives for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) (L to R) Lady Gaga, Rachel Weisz, Glenn Close and Billy Porter at the Oscars It's hard to find a more thoughtful celebrity on the red carpet and Lady Gaga's flawless Oscar ensemble is further proof that every inch of a Gaga-approved outfit is carefully considered. After early buzz for A Star is Born, Gaga knew she was no longer a Best Actress contender in what would eventually come down to a two woman race between Olivia Colman and Glenn Close, but she still dressed the part on every single occasion. Her awards season journey came to a head at Sunday night's Academy Awards in a black strapless Alexander McQueen dress, but it was the breath-taking Tiffany & Co 128-carat diamond that was the centrepiece of an otherwise understated look. The last person to wear it? Audrey Hepburn in the 1960s. Colman, who walked away with the statue last night, chose a custom Prada gown, which she worked on for months alongside her stylist Mary Fellowes and the team at the Italian fashion house. "It was clear all around that emerald should be the principle hue," Fellowes told Vogue, adding that she later found out the colour held special meaning and is considered "the colour of hope and change in mythological terms." Her The Favourite co-star Rachel Weisz's red Givenchy latex and tulle two-piece was a way of bringing haute couture to the red carpet and, as such, divided fashion critics. Emma Stone, who has been championing Louis Vuitton suits in recent months, chose a structured sequin gown with ruffled shoulders by Hedi Slimane for Celine. Regina King, who won the Best Supporting Actress award, opted for classic elegance in a strapless Oscar de la Renta gown with a high slit and dramatic train and the choice of dress was a thoughtful one. "I felt like this film is a film about the fabric of America, one of the threads in the fabric of America, and Oscar de la Renta is an American designer, so I thought it was appropriate, she said on E! News. Shimmering fabrics of all sorts dominated the event with Glenn Close putting up a worthy fight for best dressed in a gold Carolina Herrera gown with breathtaking cape detail - and more importantly, it has pockets. A true feat of ingenuity. Black Panther star Danai Gurira was presenting an award and dressed the part in a strapless foil gown by Brock. Jennifer Lopez shimmered in head to toe silver by Tom Ford, Brie Larson chose a similarly hued halter dress and Amy Adams turned heads in a corseted Versace gown. Charlize Theron debuted a new dark hairstyle, which complemented her ice blue Dior dress with Bvlgari jewels. On the other end of the spectrum was an array of frills, ruffles and shocking colours like Gemma Chans high neck Valentino gown, Helen Mirrens pink tulle number and even Linda Cardellinis divisive pink feathered bow dress by Schiaparelli Couture injected some colour into an otherwise muted and underwhelming - red carpet palette. This year, the focus was evenly divided with men putting on a strong show on the red carpet including Bradley Cooper - who brought his partner Irina Shayk and mother Gloria as his date - in a classic black tuxedo, but it was undeniably all about the velvet suit jacket. Chris Evans chose a pale blue velvet blazer to add some edge and Michael B. Jordan, who also brought his mother Donna as his date, opted for a midnight blue Tom Ford, while Irish actor Allen Leech went for classic black. However, the runaway star from the red carpet is Billy Porter, who has been redefining gender constructs in clothing and wore a custom tuxedo dress by Christian Siriano. I wanted to create a space where we can have a dialogue about the masculine and the feminine and everything in between, he told E! News. A woman shows up in pants, and no one bats and eye. A man in a dress is ehh. What is that? Jason Momoa, who attended with wife Lisa Bonet, had Fendi make a custom scrunchie to tie hair back later in the night while still matching his suit. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Best Original Song nominee for "Shallow" from "A Star is Born" Lady Gaga arrives for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) Best Original Song nominee for "Shallow" from "A Star is Born" Lady Gaga arrives for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) Best Original Song nominee for "Shallow" from "A Star is Born" Lady Gaga arrives for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) Best Original Song nominee for "Shallow" from "A Star is Born" Lady Gaga arrives for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) Best Actor nominee for "A Star is Born" Bradley Cooper (C), his wife Russian model Irina Shayk (R) and his mom Gloria Campano arrives for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) Best Actor nominee for "A Star is Born" Bradley Cooper (C), his wife Russian model Irina Shayk (R) and his mom Gloria Campano arrives for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) Best Actor nominee for "A Star is Born" Bradley Cooper (L) and his wife Russian model Irina Shayk arrive for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) Best Actor nominee for "A Star is Born" Bradley Cooper (C), his wife Russian model Irina Shayk (R) and his mom Gloria Campano arrives for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) Best Actor nominee for "A Star is Born" Bradley Cooper (L) and his wife Russian model Irina Shayk arrive for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) Irish Actor Chris O'Dowd arrives for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Robyn BECK / AFP) Olivia Colman and Ed Sinclair attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Lady Gaga attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) (L-R) Emma Stone and Laura Dern attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Sarah Paulson attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images) (L-R) Adam Granduciel and Krysten Ritter attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Lady Gaga attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Danai Gurira attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Michael B. Jordan attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (L-R) Lisa Bonet and Jason Momoa attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Christian Bale and Sibi Blazic attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (L-R) Dee Ocleppo and Tommy Hilfiger attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Serena William attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Paul Rudd attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Queen Latifah attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Chris Evans attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (L-R) Lucy Boynton and Rami Malek attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Molly Sims attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images) Letitia Wright attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Danai Gurira attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (L-R) Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Jennifer Lopez attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Sarah Paulson attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Jennifer Lopez attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Pharrell Williams and Helen Lasichanh attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Rachel Weisz attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Rachel Weisz attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Lucy Boynton attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Tessa Thompson attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Emma Stone attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Cicely Tyson attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Amy Adams attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) (L-R) Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Lisa Bonet attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Molly Sims attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Brie Larson attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Brie Larson attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Charlize Theron attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Charlize Theron attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Allison Janney attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (L-R) Jordan Peele and Chelsea Peretti attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Amy Adams attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Amy Adams attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Helen Mirren attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Leslie Bibb attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Helen Mirren attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Maya Rudolph attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Tina Fey attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Amy Poehler attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Jennifer Hudson attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Jennifer Hudson attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Octavia Spencer attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Maya Rudolph attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images) Glenn Close attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Kacey Musgraves attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Kacey Musgraves attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Gemma Chan attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Gemma Chan attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) James McAvoy attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Melissa McCarthy attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Regina King attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Octavia Spencer attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Linda Cardellini attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (L-R) Olivia Grant and Richard E. Grant attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Awkwafina attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Michelle Yeoh attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Fatma Al Remaihi attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Chris O'Dowd attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images) Emilia Clarke attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Ashley Graham attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Ashley Graham attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) : Constance Wu attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Danielle Macdonald attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Giuliana Rancic attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Ryan Seacrest attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (L-R) Billy Porter and Adam Smith attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Billy Porter attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Renee Bargh attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Billy Porter attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Lady Gaga poses with the Music (Original Song) award for 'Shallow' from 'A Star Is Born' backstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Sayles - Handout/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images) Jennifer Lopez looks on backstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Petit - Handout/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images) (L-R) Gloria Campano, Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) Charlize Theron attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Best Original Song nominee for "Shallow" from "A Star is Born" Lady Gaga arrives for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) Chris ODowd, from Roscommon, and wife Dawn OPorter, were also guests for the first time this year and they took their usual down-to-earth approach to awards ceremonies: Dawn did her own hair and makeup and dazzled in a vintage find, while Chris flew the tiniest Irish fashion flag, adding an emerald green pocket square to his navy blue suit. Cartoon Saloon CEO Paul Young, whose animation Late Afternoon was up for Best Animated Short, and Yvonne Ross Gold also brought a little bit of Ireland to the Dolby Theatre not to mention that Yvonne, a jewellery designer, oozed Old Hollywood elegance in a custom design by Laura Jayne Halton, who is based in Maynooth. Ed Guiney, who produced one of last nights big winners The Favourite, attended with his wife Aoife ORiordan, who dazzled in a green sequin wrap dress. Bonos daughter Jordan Hewson, fresh from landing a spot in Forbes 30 Under 30, was in attendance at the Vanity Fair Oscar party, opting for a plunging metallic gown with oversized bow, as she walked the red carpet with boyfriend Diego Osorio. With this years ceremony trouble filled, it made sense that the after-parties would boast most of the jaw-dropping looks, including Chrissy Teigen in Marchesa, Lupita Nyongo in Oscar de la Renta and Miley Cyrus walking away in some of the best looks of the night. TV personality Kendall Jenner attends the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party following the 91st Academy Awards at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on February 21, 2019. (Photo by JB Lacroix / AFP) Kendall Jenner arrives for the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 24, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by JB Lacroix / AFP) Kendall Jenner arrives for the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 24, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by JB Lacroix / AFP) TV personalities Kendall Jenner (L) and Caitlyn Jenner (R) attend the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party following the 91st Academy Awards at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on February 21, 2019. (Photo by JB Lacroix / AFP) Kendall Jenner (L) and Caitlyn Jenner attend the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 24, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) Kendall Jenner attends the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 24, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) Kendall Jenner attends the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 24, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) Kendall Jenner attends the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 24, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) Kendall Jenner attends the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 24, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) Kendall Jenner attends the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 24, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) What do you do when it's the biggest post-Oscars party and you're not an actress, but you still demand to be centre of attention? If you're Kendall Jenner, you'll wear what might very well be the most daring slit of any red carpet dress we've ever seen. Jenner joined a host of other Victoria's Secret Angels to fill the supermodel quota at Sunday night's Vanity Fair Oscars party and her determination to court press was two-fold: firstly, she wore a Rami Kadi gown with so much cut-out and one which exposed her pubic bone, that we might not be legally allowed to call it a dress. Kadi is a Lebanese-American designer and while his work is normally of the luxurious ballgown kind, the black lurex velvet gown from his spring/summer '19 couture collection was fit only for someone with Jenner's confidence. The halter neckline was obstructed by a plunging cut-out, but it was the dramatic centre slit, which displayed her hip bones and confirmed she wasn't wearing underwear, took the concept of the naked dress to new levels. Secondly, she put paid to any rumours of a rift as she put on a united front with father Caitlyn Jenner. In recent years, Caitlyn has said on more than one occasion that she doesn't feel as connected to the Kardashian-Jenners and was hurt by her daughters Kylie and Kendall's distance in particular. But it looks like water under the bridge as the pair happily posed for photographers as they arrived to the event at the same time, while Caitlyn posed afterwards with friend Sophia Hutchins. Expand Close TV personalities Kendall Jenner (L) and Caitlyn Jenner (R) attend the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party following the 91st Academy Awards at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on February 21, 2019. (Photo by JB Lacroix / AFP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp TV personalities Kendall Jenner (L) and Caitlyn Jenner (R) attend the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party following the 91st Academy Awards at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on February 21, 2019. (Photo by JB Lacroix / AFP) Jenner flew in fresh from Milan, where she walked the runway on Friday, to attend the bash alongside fellow supermodels Adriana Lima, Winnie Harlow, Heidi Klum and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. For all the must-see pictures from the Vanity Fair Oscar party, see our gallery below: When Zalando launched its new Irish website last summer, it took many shoppers here by surprise. Many of you were not familiar with the brand but its over 10 years old and was launched in Germany in 2008. Since then, its become Europes biggest fashion e-commerce platform, with 25 million customers in 17 European countries to date. Newness and quality is the life blood of a contemporary shoppers wardrobe, especially the savvy ones seeking out useful trans-seasonal buys and then there are those who just want to buy shoes and jackets. For Zalandos first ever fashion shoot in Ireland, we decided to put the spotlight on brands you might not have come across before, such as the competitively priced Nly by Nelly (pictured p17) which layers up well with a high-end label. One of the undoubted stars of our Weekend shoot was the embroidered tulle dress from PatBO (far right), a Brazilian label from Patricia Bonaldi which was new to me. Shoe fiends will have spotted some of the Paloma Barcelo footwear like the sandals (above) and pink high heels (far right). The stand-out gold fabric mules, are, like the black gingham sandals (far right) from Loeffler Randall, an American shoe brand I had not come across before, so another one for the Little Black Book of names. If leather jackets are your thing, Freaky Nation have some cool looks while the suede coat (above) is from Studio ID. Melissa Weston, marketing manager, said the launch of the website in Ireland last June was a proud moment for us. Zalando.ie boasts almost 2,000 international brands from high street to high-end, and for SS19 we are encouraging Irish customers to express their own style, letting them explore a huge assortment of new season collections. The Oscars might be a firmly Los Angeles event, but there was still a good representation of British talent on the red carpet. This isnt hugely surprising considering The Favourite is nominated for the equal-most awards of the night, and two out of three of the lead characters are played by British actresses. With the Brits storming the nominations, what were they wearing on the red carpet? Expand Close Rachel Weisz (Jordan Strauss/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Rachel Weisz (Jordan Strauss/AP) Rachel Weisz supported British designers by wearing Givenchy to the ceremony, which is helmed by Brit creative director Claire Waight Keller. One of Kellers most famous designs is the Duchess of Sussexs wedding dress, but Weiszs outfit couldnt be further from this. The top of the fire engine red gown looks to be made of latex, which starkly contrasted to a gentle chiffon skirt with floral detailing. Its more experimental than weve come to expect from Weisz, and is a particularly striking mix of harsh and soft aesthetics. A bejewelled headband and poker-straight hair added to the somewhat demure nature of Weiszs look. Expand Close Olivia Colman (Richard Shotwell/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Olivia Colman (Richard Shotwell/AP) Olivia Colman wore a Prada outfit which included a tribute to her upcoming role in The Crown. She stunned in an emerald gown topped off with a delicate tulle wrapping which culminated in a bow around the back and was finished off with a long train. Colmans stylist Mary Fellowes told Vogue the bag she carried was a fun little nod to Colmans next role as Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown, because the vertical draped bows reminded Colman of the garters British monarchs wear. A bold red lip topped off the look, keeping it refreshingly modern. Expand Close Emilia Clarke (Jordan Strauss/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Emilia Clarke (Jordan Strauss/AP) Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke tapped into the sculptural trend with her column Balmain dress. At first glance it looked like it was silver, but on closer inspection you could see that it was in fact a pale lavender colour. Her brown hair played off the softness of the purple gown, and apparently this is a new look for Clarke presenters on the E! red carpet said she bought the hair dye from a local chemist and dyed her own hair just that morning. Expand Close Lucy Boynton (Jordan Strauss/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lucy Boynton (Jordan Strauss/AP) Bohemian Rhapsody star Lucy Boynton wore a purple satin Rodarte dress for the occasion. The neckline and balloon sleeves gave this dress an almost Victorian feel, but the bright colour made it feel much more contemporary. Rodarte was a popular choice for the event, with both Laura Dern and Roma star Yalitza Aparicio Martinez wearing dresses from the Californian brand. Expand Close Helen Mirren (Jordan Strauss/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Helen Mirren (Jordan Strauss/AP) Dame Helen Mirren seemed to be having more fun than anyone else as she worked the skirt of her tulle dress, showing off the different shades of her pink gown. Her look was completed with 6 million dollars (4.5 million) worth of Harry Winston jewels. Expand Close Nicholas Hoult (Jordan Strauss/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Nicholas Hoult (Jordan Strauss/AP) In a world of fairly plain mens tuxedos, Nicholas Hoult came as a welcome breath of fresh air. The Favourite actor wore a Dior creation which reinvents the classic suit silhouette with drapes and extra material hanging off the side. Celine Dion might have stunned the world back in 1999 by attending the Oscars in a backwards tuxedo, but its a completely different story in 2019. Although there were no backwards outfits on the red carpet this year, women wearing suits was a far more common sight. Even though a big gown is still very much a go-to, it would seem like increasingly people are realising just how versatile and chic a suit can be, and how it can be styled to highlight all kinds of women. Expand Close Awkwafina (Richard Shotwell/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Awkwafina (Richard Shotwell/AP) Take the rapper and actor Awkwafina. She matched her outfit with precision, with the suit, shirt, shoes and clutch all the same glittering gold colour. The look was designed by DSquared, which is particularly meaningful for Awkwafina who says: Theyre a brand that have supported me from the beginning. Expand Close Amy Poehler (Jordan Strauss/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Amy Poehler (Jordan Strauss/AP) Amy Poehlers version of the look was the epitome of a power suit. Dressed in Alberta Ferretti trousers and tails, its hard not to be blown away by how precise the cut of the outfit is. Poehler keeps the ensemble from looking too harsh and masculine with a see-through ruffled shirt and relaxed hairdo. Expand Close Melissa McCarthy (Jordan Strauss/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Melissa McCarthy (Jordan Strauss/AP) Wearing custom Brandon Maxwell, Melissa McCarthy put a feminine spin on the classic suit. Her monochromatic outfit featured black trousers, a white top and matching cape. Even if it isnt technically a suit, the cut of the pants and the black and white colour scheme definitely looks like a riff on the classic tux. Expand Close Elsie Fisher (Jordan Strauss/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Elsie Fisher (Jordan Strauss/AP) At just 15 years old, Elsie Fisher is one of the youngest people to attend the Oscars. However, she pulled off her red carpet look with elegance and style, wearing a three-piece Thom Browne suit with more ease than her age would suggest. It seems like theres a noticeable increase in women wearing suits on the red carpet this year, which has been met with praise on social media. ALL THE WOMEN IN SUITS ARE THRIVING #Oscars Shar (@echollsmiller) February 25, 2019 Women in suits and tuxedos! #Oscars Ali (@madeira_blue) February 25, 2019 I feel like there has been an influx of women in suits this year and I am HERE FOR IT #Oscars #Oscars2019 pic.twitter.com/0rZfL8MskF Jenna McBride (@JennakMcbride) February 25, 2019 Considering how other trends at this years award ceremony include pink gowns and frothy tulle dresses, it comes as a welcome change to see so much masculine tailoring. Producers of Best Picture nominee "The Favourite" Ed Guiney (L) arrives for the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) Dawn O'Porter, the British journalist and broadcaster, has long established herself as one of the most down-to-earth women in showbusiness. The former magazine columnist has been married to Irish actor Chris O'Dowd for the last six years and with that, comes a wave of invitations to premieres, prestigious film festivals and as of last night - the Oscars. While Chris' profile continues to rise, his wife's taken on their imminent stardom has made her an Instagram sensation all her own. She often shares pictures with the #MarriedToAMovieStar hashtag, usually when she's hungover, but her journey towards getting Academy Awards red carpet ready was on another level of charm. She began a 12-point diary entry in which she revealed that she would be doing hair and makeup herself, making a quick errand run to a local CVS, sipping champagne and eating chips in the run-up before. "Diary entry 1: Mum of 2 wakes up and regrets not booking hair and make up for the OSCARS," she wrote, before adding snippets of her day. The adventure culminated in her debuting her Oscars look: an orange silk gown with beaded high neckline and a pearl clutch, which she picked up from a vintage store and she "never loved a dress more". Instead of posing with the Dolby Theatre as the backdrop, she got a picture in the bathroom - in front of a bin. Chris was just as chuffed to be there and shared a picture of his wife's resplendent look on social media, with the caption: "Lighting up an already bright room, as always #Oscars." The Roscommon native flew the tiniest Irish fashion flag, adding an emerald green pocket square to his navy blue suit. Meanwhile, the Irish contingent was out in force, including Cartoon Saloon CEO Paul Young, whose animation Late Afternoon was up for Best Animated Short, joined by Yvonne Ross Gold, a jewellery designer, who oozed Old Hollywood elegance in a custom design by Laura Jayne Halton, who is based in Maynooth. Allen Leech was joined by his Bohemian Rhapsody castmates to support Remi Malek take home Best Actor. Ed Guiney, who produced one of last nights big winners The Favourite, attended with his wife Aoife ORiordan, who dazzled in a green sequin wrap dress. Bonos daughter Jordan Hewson, fresh from landing a spot in Forbes 30 Under 30, was in attendance at the Vanity Fair Oscar party, opting for a plunging metallic gown with oversized bow, as she walked the red carpet with boyfriend Diego Osorio. It all began with 9/11, I think, and has grown globally beyond the bounds of sanity since then. I refer to the practice of doing ones job and giving to this the air of heroism and self-sacrifice. From firefighters to ambulance and rescue crews generally, the general demeanour is one of uniformed giants encountering personal danger yet ignoring it in the face of their own brave actions which used to be just a job in a more sensible era. Now they embrace the titles of first responders, frontline comrades, airport police and every other dramatic wartime handle which enhances the reputation. And they are not beyond the shedding of tears as they tell us how proud they are of themselves. It can be very unsettling at this point when we remember there was a time when to express pride in oneself was considered big feeling. They do a good job, yet storming the beaches at Normandy is not part of their daily duties. Its not just the skilled workers who fall into the trap of looking good on television. We can have a cookery judge sobbing as he tells a contestant the drizzled lemon sponge he just produced is stunning and to die for; followed on the other channel by a judge reduced to a quivering wreck as she tearfully watches a couple of youngsters go through a dance routine, so broken is she by its beauty. Is this real life or is it a pretence at portraying the myth that everyone is a hero, every day? Robert Sullivan Bantry, Co Cork Naive to believe Isil bride should be allowed home Patricia Caseys article (Why Britain should take back Isil bride and her baby, Irish Independent, February 23) was written by a decent, law-biding, humanitarian. It is a view which is a necessary cog in a wheel that every civilised society needs to develop and prosper in peace and harmony. It is a view that allows rehabilitation and acceptance when individuals commit crimes so they may re-enter society to start anew. The real problem with this view is it must be set aside during war time and make no mistake, this is a war which has been declared on the West and we are under attack from the ideology this woman subscribes to. It is intent on destroying the freedom and way of life we enjoy. It is not a war in the normal sense of the word because it relies on a combination of cowardice and terrorism. It does this by using our decent, law-abiding humanitarian views against us by radicalising elements within societies to attack and murder their own innocent men women and children on the streets of western cities. It succeeds because there are rights and freedoms attached to every member of our society and even if they are caught they will not be summarily executed; they will not be put in a cage and burned alive in the town square; they will not have their heads sawn off online for the world to witness; they will not be tortured and killed after they have been forced to watch their family murdered in front of them. Ms Casey asks if ethically, can a person be allowed to remain stateless because if so, then they have no rights. Ms Casey also pointed to the fact that this woman was 15 when she became indoctrinated. Decisions made at such a young age are often poorly thought-out. Naive as it is, Ms Casey is to be commended for her compassionate view, but the fact is the motive behind this war appears to be based on a basic frenzied thirst for blood-letting in the most savage and murderous fashion that can be imagined, all under the guise of a religion. This young woman has clearly indicated she has no problem with that murderous motive. Of course, the child she has given birth to is an innocent and should be allowed to return to Britain, but not with his mother. To allow this woman to raise any child and indoctrinate him would simply see that child grow up with hate in his heart. Anthony McGeough Dublin 24 Sinn Fein does not have nations interest at heart Listening to Micheal Martin address his Ard Fheis, where he appealed to his delegates to put the country first before party with the enormity of Brexit before us, one might expect the nation would agree with and approve his approach. A tweet from Mary Lou McDonald was mind boggling in its rejection. Sinn Fein doesnt take its seats in Westminster, doesnt take its seats in Stormont, and now it wants to vacate seats in the Dail with 34 days to go to Brexit a possible Armageddon for our agricultural industry. Limerick GAA should hand over the Liam MacCarthy Cup to SF as without doubt they are the All Ireland Champion hurlers on the ditch. Padraig OToole Gorey, Co Wexford Not having women on the ballot paper has probably never done too much harm to political parties in the past on a bald assessment. In previous elections, the majority of voters were hardly swayed by the number of women the party had fielded nationally when indicating their first preference in their own constituency. People tend to vote with their back pockets, local concerns and other pressing issues in mind. And this year may not be any different. But it's probably not the year to test that wisdom. Globally, we've had 'Me Too' sweeping long-concealed issues across multiple industries into the spotlight. The gender pay gap and parity at all levels of society have become real talking points on the back of the movement. At home, the vote for Repeal the Eighth was spearheaded by female activists, including from the Women's Council. That vote became about much more than the right of women to access abortion or not. All that is to say that the place of women in Irish society is no longer a debate confined to those on the left, or feminist activists or in universities and colleges. It's something that has shoe-horned itself on to the national agenda and the front pages of newspapers. So it naturally follows that there will be more scrutiny than ever on the number of women put forward by political parties when the country goes to the polls in May to vote in the Local and European elections. All parties are struggling to get women on the ballot for the local elections, with Fianna Fail trailing significantly - though the party insists it is "misleading and inappropriate" to compare the parties while they are at "dramatically different stages of progress" in the selection of candidates. Mr Martin said the party was aiming to exceed 30pc in terms of the proportion of female candidates, adding: "We did it in the general election." Rebel TD Anne Rabbitte has thrown her hat in the ring for the party in the Midlands North West constituency, blindsiding the party leadership. "We shouldn't be afraid of elections as females We should be putting our name forward, we shouldn't be afraid to voice for something different to Brexit and CAP," she said. But the party is facing the very real possibility of having no women contesting for a seat in Europe in one of the most historic European elections since the foundation of the European project. And no matter what angle you come at it from, it's just not a good look. The party, it appears, is aware of that. On two occasions in recent days, Micheal Martin has failed to draw any kind of line under it. On 'The Week in Politics' on RTE, he gave polished answers to everything from Brexit to Confidence and Supply, but when asked about the lack of women expected to contest in comparison to Fine Gael, who are fielding a majority of women, he was less than convincing. He stumbled over his words about the fact that there may be some women candidates in the end, before moving on to point out just how hard a European election is to win, noting you needed a profile to be electable. It is hard to know what impact the events of the past 18 months will have on the upcoming elections but Fianna Fail risk being labelled as a party with a "woman problem" at a time when that seems like a foolish risk to take. British Prime Minister Theresa May is in Egypt for her first and last EU-Arab League of States summit. This is the type of event the UK will be excluded from when it leaves the European Union next month. On the agenda are multi-lateralism, regional peace and stability, migration, human rights, counter-terrorism, trade, economic development and climate action. Syria is the only country from the Arab League not represented, having had its membership suspended in 2011. Brexit is not on the agenda, although it looms large in the background for many of the EU delegations. At one stage, there was talk about a "deal in the desert" as this is the last time a majority of EU leaders will be in one location before the next EU Council meeting on March 21 - eight days before 'B-Day'. Irish sources believe the idea of finding a resolution in the heat of Sharm El-Sheikh is nothing more than "devilment in the desert". As she touched down, Mrs May confirmed as much when she announced the cancellation of the next "meaningful vote". It was scheduled for the House of Commons on Wednesday but will now take place just eight days before Brexit, which coincidentally is the same day the EU Parliament was scheduled to formally sign-off on it. She cited the fact her team will be back in Brussels this week for more negotiations as the reason. One theory is Mrs May is secretly hoping MPs will pass a motion calling for Brexit to be postponed unless a deal is secured. That would leave the March 22 vote looking like May's deal or Brexit delayed. If it came down to that choice, the Irish Government would swallow either outcome rather than face a no-deal scenario. Mrs May will use her time in Egypt to canvass support among other EU leaders for concessions, fully aware there are none. It's not clear which part of 'no' the UK government doesn't understand but it continues to talk-up a time limit to the backstop or a unilateral exit mechanism. But back to Egypt, where Mrs May has found a land more barren than her list of "alternative solutions". There are what EU leaders see as real problems up for debate inside a conference centre that is akin to a fortress. Thousands of police lined the roads around it while sniffer dogs were stationed at Red Sea resort hotels. Terrorists roam in the sandy distance and quite possibly in the streets as well. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is here, trying to rub shoulders with Westerners afraid to be seen with him since the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. There is likely to be much debate about migrants crossing from Africa into Europe - a topic upon which Ireland will be expected to return some Brexit solidarity. The situation in Palestine interests many countries and there is the crisis in Yemen. Britain may be self-obsessed but it appears the EU is trying to move on. Few people now remember that Alan Dukes and Fine Gael actually gained Dail seats in the election which followed two years of vilification over the so-called Tallaght Strategy. If you are among the few who did retain that arcane fact, you are in the running for political anorak of the year. The rest of you could do with a quick explanation. Dukes certainly had his problems when he took over the Fine Gael leadership from the iconic Garret FitzGerald in spring 1987. They included his support for Charlie Haughey's Fianna Fail minority government - as long as it was dishing out austerity to fix the economy - formalised in a speech to Tallaght Chamber of Commerce on September 2, 1987. "Any other policy of opposition would amount simply to a cynical exploitation of short-term political opportunities which would inevitably prove to be equally short-lived. I will not play that game," Dukes said on the day. There was more than a little echo in the words and sentiments of Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin as he strongly defended the extension of the Confidence and Supply Agreement in his leader's speech to the delegates at the Ard Fheis on Saturday night. Brexit posed such an urgent threat to Ireland that it could not be tackled with "politics as usual". So, Fianna Fail needed to put the national interest first. It sounded very like a speech pitched first and foremost at his own party faithful - the ones he will need to pound the beat for him over the coming three months in local council and European Parliament elections. He argued it would be irresponsible in the extreme to collapse the Government at such a critical time. "The price of playing politics with Brexit would be felt by the Irish people in fewer jobs, lower salaries, less money for schools, hospitals and pensions," he said. Mr Martin insisted Fianna Fail wanted this awful Government gone. "But we refuse to expose our country to the massive risk of having no functioning government or Dail at this moment of great threat," he said. So, there you have it in a nutshell. He can still lower the blade and deliver a withering judgment on Leo Varadkar and all his ministers. But he cannot get over the riposte from allies and adversaries that he is also the one keeping this minority Fine Gael-led Coalition in office. This is a reality in the case of Sinn Fein, who will continue to seek traction from its 'two for the price of one' attacks on Fine Gael and Fianna Fail as "the parties of Government". Here, at least, Martin did score some good points at the weekend, highlighting Sinn Fein's Westminster abstentions and failure to reach compromise with the DUP to get power-sharing in the North restarted at a time of crisis. But those internal tensions also go a little further in that some Fianna Fail TDs and senators feel all bets are off if there is some kind of resolution over Brexit in the coming weeks. There is a distinct possibility of a fairly lengthy extension to the Brexit process, and many in the party feel that would give Fianna Fail the opportunity to fight and gain considerable advantage in a general election. But Martin has ruled out a general election this year. He insists he and the party will deliver the fourth Budget next October as promised in the extension deal. It will be a continuing source of tensions even as the party faces the big challenge of expanding gains made in the 2014 local council elections, and also recovering much ground lost in the European Parliament elections on the same date five years ago. And mention of Europe brings us neatly to a row within a row over who will stand. On Saturday morning, delegates arriving at the Citywest conference centre in Dublin were treated to posters trumpeting Cork TD Billy Kelleher's Euro MEP ambitions. Martin has made it known that Kelleher is needed in Cork North West to deliver a second out of four Dail seats. As party leader he goes all coy on this one - but he expressed his doubt again in an interview last Thursday with the Cork 'Evening Echo'. The party leader has reasonably targeted three European Parliament seat gains. But he wants to do it without putting any Dail seats at risk. The signal is that he favours Cork councillor Seamus McGrath, a brother of party finance spokesman Michael McGrath, and Wexford councillor Malcolm Byrne. Critics in the party see that as too weak a team and think he needs to put forward better known names, such as Kelleher. At this point, things get kind of personal amid talk of internal Cork party rivalry at several levels. But to quicken up, it appears that Kelleher may well have stolen a march on his boss and it will be hard to keep him off the ticket. Other TDs may well follow suit. The names of Cavan-Monaghan's Brendan Smith and Offaly's Barry Cowen are among those cited. Further speculation on this one feeds back into the bigger issue of a general election and its timing. The dual mandate ban means if a TD gets elected to Europe they must resign the Dail before taking up their European Parliament seat on July 2. By law, a Dail by-election must happen within six months of a vacancy arising. But, by any reasoning, a by-election, or even a series of them, in early 2020 may well prove not hugely relevant politically, and other parties may be in the same boat. The pressing reality is that Fianna Fail badly needs success in the Europeans. The party leader has rightly devoted a deal of time to the party's umbrella organisation, the Liberal grouping. It has seen the influence at EU level brought about by excellent work from Fine Gael's MEP team, notably by Sean Kelly and Mairead McGuinness, who are two hugely influential people in Brussels. Sending a strong team to Brussels would be a big part of the party's rebuilding process after the 2011 electoral meltdown. Clearly, Martin and his party strategists have some tough decisions to make which cannot be delayed too much longer. In the background is the reality that the next general election will be his final shot at it - and he risks becoming the only party leader never to have been Taoiseach. Going back to our departure point, and the story of one-time Fine Gael leader Alan Dukes, we did note that his party made gains in an ill-judged snap election called in June 1989 by Charlie Haughey. But otherwise the cards fell badly for Fine Gael and Dukes and he lost the party leadership in late 1990. More recently, history has been kinder to Dukes, who is rightly remembered for being honest and correct in his choices back in the dark economic days. Martin deserves similar recognition - though he will hope for a more tangible political reward within a shorter time scale. Ideally, voters should reward him for putting country ahead of party. But gratitude is not always, or even often, a strong point with voters. I am deeply offended that there are people so devoted to the use of governmental power to interfere in my private decisions about my life and death. Surely, they need to pay attention to problems in their own lives before interfering in mine. One day in 1983, David Woods inadvertently spilled a pint of Guinness all over a pretty young woman from Donegal who happened to be visiting Clontarf Castle that day. He apologised profusely and immediately bought me a drink, recalls Dara, the victim of the frothy dousing. I was smitten there and then. That somewhat comical event would herald the beginning of a deeply caring relationship that would bring much joy but also unbearable sadness for the couple. In time, David, a maths and physics teacher, and Dara, a credit controller, married and bought a house in Swords. They were content, even though there was a health issue relentlessly yapping at Daras heels she suffered constant nosebleeds. I come from a family of nose-bleeders, says Dara. Living with them as a child was pretty routine. You just wiped your nose on your sleeve and got on with it. However, my dad would lose blood very rapidly, so he was transfusion dependent. He died at 68 from complications of his condition. The bleeds also made Daras two pregnancies more difficult. She would take a container when she was travelling by car in case she had a blood vomit. And sometimes she required medical interventions. Id end up in hospital having cauterisation of the nose which, it transpired, was the worst possible solution, as it can cause permanent damage to the septum, she says. Nonetheless, in spite of all the problems, her son, Paul, was born in 1989, followed two years later by his sister, Katie. Both children were also prone to unexplained nosebleeds. Then in 2003, their grandfather saw Mike Nolan and consultant radiologist Dr Adrian Brady being interviewed on The Late Late Show. Mike was the father of nine-year-old Grace, who had died from hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), a rare genetic disorder. In essence, this condition causes abnormalities in certain blood vessels (arterio-venous malformations or AVMs) which may lead to bleeding in the nose, lungs, brain, spinal cord, gut and/or liver. The most common symptom is nosebleeds. AVMs may require surgical or interventional radiological treatment. In very rare cases, serious complications may arise. Many of the symptoms described in the television interview were familiar to the childrens grandfather, so he urged Dara to have them assessed in the newly founded HHT Centre at Mercy University Hospital (MUH) in Cork. By then, Dr Robert (Bob) White (Yale University School of Medicine) who was a leading expert on HHT, had already been invited to visit the centre. In the meantime, Dara took the children to Cork; they were the centres very first patients. We each had a CT (computed tomography) of the lung, and an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)of the brain, as well as genetic blood testing, says Dara. HHT was indeed found to be the cause of the familys problems. While there was a 50pc chance that each child could be born with it, it transpired that unfortunately both Paul and Katie had inherited the condition. Yes, two out of two; they were bleeders, says Dara ruefully. However, while none of us had it in the brain, Pauls lungs were found to be affected by HHT. He asked his father if he was going to die from this, and David said, No. We thought that by being proactive and getting on the database, we were all going to be fine. They were informed that Dr White would be arriving 10 days later to train Dr Brady in an interventional radiological technique for dealing with HHT in the lungs. Instead of invasively opening up the lungs, he fed a line through the groin up to the lungs to embolise the bleeding points, explains Dara. This is now a run-of-the-mill procedure. After Paul had it done, his teachers noticed a great improvement in him; he had much more life and energy. Paul had to return to the centre for check-ups. As time went on, the bleeding points in his lungs became more aggressive, so he required ongoing specialised treatments. But none of that prevented him from successfully studying environmental science at Dublin City University(DCU). As the summer of 2012 blossomed, he took his girlfriend Karen to Paris, his favourite city. In the very early hours of June 8, all hell broke loose when Paul, whod been immersed in his book, suddenly keeled over. Karen immediately called the emergency services, and then his family in Ireland. At that time, Katie was in Granada, in Spain; Dara was in Galway, while David was at home. So they all began making frantic efforts to get to Paris. But it was all in vain; Paul was already lost to them. It later transpired that a blood vessel in his lungs had catastrophically ruptured. We were told that that was a very, very unusual event, explains Dara. As it happened, David was alone when he got a call from the hospital in Paris, asking if the family would consent to the donation of Pauls organs. Somehow, even though he was in deep shock and totally traumatised, David found the strength to agree. Its a decision none of them regret. Having arrived in Paris, David and Dara were taken to the mortuary to identify their beloved boy. To see your son on a slab in a mortuary is... And here Daras voice trails off, as tears gather in her blue eyes. His hair was so soft, he looked like he was just sleeping. It took four days to get Paul back to Ireland (with the help of Irish embassy staff). In the meantime, Daras mother had taken up residence in Dublin, which meant that while they were in Paris, Pauls friends could gather in his home to reminisce about the great times theyd had with this bright, funny, loving, handsome young man. To this day, they still come on Christmas night to share stories and to remember Paul, says Dara. It helps us all, especially Katie, who is now a translator and interpreter in Spain. Dara says there are about 1,000 people with HHT in Ireland, but less than half of them have been diagnosed. She says the most obvious symptom is nosebleeds which are recurrent and unexplained. Following their very sad loss, Dara and David set up HHT Ireland, so that affected families can be better supported. They have also forged links with Rare Diseases Ireland and Rare Diseases Europe, (EURORDIS) an alliance of organisations from 70 countries. Surely a fitting tribute to their beloved Paul. Rare Diseases Ireland is hosting a conference in Dublin to mark World Rare Disease Day on February 28. To register, see rdi.ie/rdd-2019 For more information about HHT, contact HHT Ireland, which will be hosting an awareness day on March 23, see hhtireland.org An artist's impression of the new bridge A woman known as 'the Irish Oskar Schindler' is to be honoured by having Cork's newest bridge named in her memory. Mary Elmes from Ballintemple in Cork city is credited with having helped save more than 200 Jewish children from Vichy France in World War II when Jewish families were being sent to concentration camps in Germany and Nazi-occupied Poland. Ms Elmes, who was an aid worker, helped save the youngsters by hiding them in the boot of her car and ferrying them to safety. She is currently the only Irish person honoured by Israel as 'Righteous Among the Nations' - the highest honour the Jewish state can bestow. The same honour was accorded to Oskar Schindler who famously used his metalworking factory in World War II to help thousands of Jews escape Nazi death camps. Marie Elmes died in 2002 having also been honoured for her work as a volunteer ambulance worker during the Spanish Civil War. Following a public consultation process, Mary Elmes was chosen to have Cork's new city centre footbridge named after her from a shortlist of five. A total of 92 submissions were made and a total of 35 names were proposed after whom the new bridge should be dedicated. In a run-off, Mary Elmes was selected by Cork City Council members by 17 votes compared with 12 votes for the next highest nominee, Donnchadh de Barra. Cork's newest crossing of the River Lee will now be known as the Mary Elmes Bridge. A Carlow firm is currently fabricating parts of the new pedestrian bridge which will be lifted into place, just downstream of the existing St Patrick's Bridge, next June. The new bridge will link St. Patricks Quay with Merchants Quay from Harley Street on the northern side. It is expected that up to 11,000 pedestrians and cyclists, travelling between the city centre and the Victorian Quarter daily, will benefit from the improved connectivity offered by the new bridge. The Victorian Quarter is made up of MacCurtain Street and its surrounding areas. It will become a major focal point of Cork city in future years thanks to multi-million euro developments in the adjacent Penrose Quay and Horgan's Quay areas. Roll-out: Head of Forsa Derek Mullen said there is huge interest. Picture: Dylan Vaughan More than 3,400 civil servants have applied for new jobs under a 'mobility scheme' that means they can avoid long commutes and sky-high housing costs. The scheme, which opened last September, gives State employees the opportunity to move to other parts of the country to work. They include civilian staff in Garda stations and clerical and executive officers working in welfare, Revenue, agriculture and other government offices. Of the total who have applied, 855 are clerical and executive officers based in Dublin who wanted to work outside the capital. They represent 12pc of the total 7,000 in these grades who are eligible to apply for the scheme. The scheme is due to be extended to allow the same civil service grades to move to other parts of the capital by June. This could facilitate moves from the city centre to the suburbs, for example. And it could be extended to other parts of the public service, according to a spokesperson at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. However, just 100 applicants have actually moved to new workplaces since the scheme was introduced. The department said more than half of the offers made were declined or cancelled by applicants when they were asked if they were still interested. An interactive 'mobility map' on the department's website carves the country into 46 zones and allows civil servants to search for vacancies. It gives information on the working conditions in various offices, including the availability of flexitime, a shorter working year, work sharing, wheelchair-friendliness, Irish language requirements, and the total number of positions per grade in the building. Head of Forsa's civil service division Derek Mullen, who is involved in talks on the roll-out of the scheme, said it had attracted huge interest, mainly for commuting and career reasons. But he said avoiding high rental and mortgage costs may well be a factor for newly appointed staff working in Dublin. The scheme currently applies to staff in lower-paid roles in the civil service, but will eventually be extended to higher grades. "It is a new departure and is part of a civil service renewal commitment to provide mobility at various grades through the civil service," said Mr Mullen. "I might work in the Department of Agriculture in Castlebar but might like to move to a Revenue Commissioners office because I have an accounting qualification." A teenager was seriously injured in a stabbing in Dublin's inner city in the early hours of yesterday. The man (19) was stabbed in an attack on Liffey Street, Dublin 1, just opposite the Ha'penny Bridge. The incident happened shortly before 3am. It's understood the incident took place after the victim had been socialising in the city centre on Saturday night. He was rushed to the Mater Hospital where he remained overnight. The victim's injuries were described as serious but not life-threatening. Gardai are asking for anyone with information on the incident to contact them. A Garda statement said: "A 19-year-old male received stab injuries described as serious but non-life-threatening following an altercation in the Liffey Street area at approximately 2.50am [on Sunday]. Taken to the Mater Hospital. Investigation ongoing." On Thursday, a 17-year-old male was stabbed in an incident in the early hours of the morning in Limerick. The boy, originally from Eastern Europe, sustained "a number of stab wounds", Garda sources said. It's believed he was chased and attacked on a green area near Gouldavoher estate, Dooradoyle. Gardai appealed for witnesses to contact Roxboro Road garda station on 061 214340. David Pierpoint, Archdeacon of Dublin pictured outside St Michans Church where a Crypt was broken into and vandalised. Picture credit; Damien Eagers / INM A sign advising people the church and vaults are closed due to the the break in and vandalism of a Crypt in St Michans Church. Picture credit; Damien Eagers / INM David Pierpoint, Archdeacon of Dublin beside a sign advising people the church and vaults are closed due to the the break in and vandalism of the Crypts in St Michans Church. Picture credit; Damien Eagers / INM St Michans Church on Church street which is currently closed due to the break in and vandalism of one the crypts under the church. Picture credit; Damien Eagers / INM The entrance to one of the Crypts in St Michans Church, which was broken into and vandalised. Picture credit; Damien Eagers / INM David Pierpoint, Archdeacon of Dublin beside the entrance to one of the Crypts in St Michans Church, which was broken into and vandalised. Picture credit; Damien Eagers / INM David Pierpoint, Archdeacon of Dublin beside a sign advising people the church and vaults are closed due to the the break in and vandalism of the Crypts in St Michans Church. Picture credit; Damien Eagers / INM David Pierpoint, Archdeacon of Dublin beside the entrance to one of the Crypts in St Michans Church, which was broken into and vandalised. Picture credit; Damien Eagers / INM A search is underway for the missing head of an 800-year-old Crusader after vandals broke into a Dublin church and decapitated his mummified remains. Gardai have launched an investigation into the incident in which a large amount of damage was caused to the vault at St Michans Church in the city centre. The body of a 400-year-old nun was also interfered with and her head turned the wrong way around after vandals managed to break through a steel door and a metal gate leading to the crypt. Several other preserved remains were also damaged while an 800-year-old Crusader was decapitated and his head removed from the vault. A separate skull is also missing. Expand Close The mummies at St Michan's Church crypt / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The mummies at St Michan's Church crypt The Church of Irelands Archdeacon of Dublin, the Venerable David Pierpoint, described the damage as "vandalism, sacrilege, desecration" and raised serious concerns over the preservation of the Crusaders head. "I had a phone call just after one oclock today from the tour guide who said that the vaults had been broken into," he told Independent.ie at the site this afternoon. "I went down to the vault and discovered a pretty gruesome scene down there. It is pretty bad. The perpetrators of this vandalism, sacrilege, desecration have turned over some of the bodies. "The body of a nun who is there for about 300 odd years... she has been pretty much trashed, her head has been turned around the wrong way. Expand Close David Pierpoint, Archdeacon of Dublin beside a sign advising people the church and vaults are closed due to the the break in and vandalism of the Crypts in St Michans Church. Picture credit; Damien Eagers / INM / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp David Pierpoint, Archdeacon of Dublin beside a sign advising people the church and vaults are closed due to the the break in and vandalism of the Crypts in St Michans Church. Picture credit; Damien Eagers / INM "But the worst thing is the Crusader whose mummified body is down there... its 800 years there and his body has been pretty much smashed up and his head has been severed from his neck," Archdeacon Pierpoint said. "So the head has disappeared and theres another skull missing as well. The Hamilton vault is the first vault in the crypt. The Hamilton family, of the famous mathematician who has a building named after him in Trinity College, hes buried here as well. "So were not quite sure what the motive behind all of this is. Whether its vandalism or, we dont know. "At the moment were just waiting for the gardai to do their job. Expand Close The entrance to one of the Crypts in St Michans Church, which was broken into and vandalised. Picture credit; Damien Eagers / INM / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The entrance to one of the Crypts in St Michans Church, which was broken into and vandalised. Picture credit; Damien Eagers / INM "They came over straight away, theyve been very good. I cant fault them, theyve just been excellent. In fact, theyre coming over again shortly to check up on a few other bits and pieces. "Its just a very sad day and were completely devastated by what has happened," he said. Expand Close A sign advising people the church and vaults are closed due to the the break in and vandalism of a Crypt in St Michans Church. Picture credit; Damien Eagers / INM / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A sign advising people the church and vaults are closed due to the the break in and vandalism of a Crypt in St Michans Church. Picture credit; Damien Eagers / INM "Theres property in the crypts that keeps them preserved for so long. But once its exposed to the extremes of the outside world, my fear is the longer it takes before the head is returned or recovered, then the head will just disintegrate. "And its not a skull, its a proper head, its got skin and a nose and ears and everything else, its just a very sad day." The incident is currently under investigation by officers at the Bridewell garda station, which is across the road from the church. St Michans has six CCTV cameras operating on the grounds, including one pointing directly at the vault doors, which is hoped will help identify those responsible. In a statement the Church of Irelands Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Reverend Michael Jackson, appealed for those responsible to return the head of the Crusader. "I am shocked that someone would target this ancient burial place and desecrate the remains of those lying within it. "Not only have these individuals desecrated the sacred crypt but they have destroyed these historic mummies which have been preserved in St Michans for hundreds of years. I would appeal to those responsible to examine their consciences and return the head of The Crusader to its rightful place," he stated. "The actions of these people are devastating and sacrilegious. "We are upset at the amount of damage that has been caused. But also the crypt will have to close so tourists will not be able to visit. "It is very frustrating," he said adding: "I would appeal to anyone with information to contact the gardai," he added. The Office of Public Works (OPW) paid more than 6,000 for a sniper to kill 60 deer in the Phoenix Park last year. The agency, which is responsible for managing the park, recouped some of the cost by selling the animals' carcasses to a meat supplier for 3,268. A total of 16 other deer were euthanised during 2018 due to illness or serious injury, according to the OPW. Car accidents accounted for the deaths of eight deer, while three of the animals were killed by other members of the herd last year. Three deer died from unknown causes during the 12-month period. The past three years have seen 10 culls carried out by a sniper in the Phoenix Park, resulting in the deaths of 263 deer. Total revenue of 22,756 was generated from the sale of carcasses. Last year, the carcasses from culls carried out in February and November were sold to Kildare-based meat supplier Ballymooney Foods Limited, for an average of 54 per animal. This was down from the average sale price of 96 per animal in 2016 and 2017, when the carcasses were sold to Wild Irish Game Limited. The services of a veterinarian were engaged for each cull. The deer population in the Phoenix Park stood at 553 last September, compared to 540 recorded in October 2017 and 570 in October 2016. A spokesperson for the OPW said: "An over-abundant deer population can result in increasing incidence of road traffic accidents and increase the potential role for deer in the epidemiology of specific diseases." Accident: The rowing boat which capsized on the River Shannon, trapping a girl lodged against a former salmon weir in Limerick. Photo: Liam Burke/Press 22 A YOUNG girl who was seriously injured in a boating accident at the weekend is a "very good natured, kind child," her school principal said today. The girl, named locally as Amy Mulcahy, from Annacotty, was one of four girls and a boy who were on board a rowing boat that capsized on a stretch of the River Shannon, at Thomond Salmon Weir in Limerick, on Saturday. While her four friends were rescued, Ms Mulcahy (12) had been trapped under water after her hair snagged in the boats outriggers used to anchor the oars. All five were part of a group from Athlunkard Boat Club which headed out on the river, sometime around 9am. A statement from Athlunkard Boat Club said the group was accompanied by a support boat at the time. At around 10am the youngsters row boat overturned at Thomond Salmon Weir, in fast flowing water, according to an eye witness. Two members of Limerick City and County Fire and Rescue Service, each trained in water rescues, had been carrying out a routine morning patrol on the river in their emergency response boat and came upon the scene while simultaneously receiving the 999 alert. They took Ms Mulcahy from the water after cutting her free and they administered emergency first aid while ferrying her to a waiting ambulance. Ms Mulcahy was initially brought to University Hospital Limerick but was later transferred to Temple Street Childrens Hospital where she remains in a serious condition Monday. Gardai are investigating why the boat overturned. They have also referred the matter to the Marine Casualty Investigation Board. According to a number of sources Ms Mulcahy had shown small signs of improvement in her condition as doctors continued to monitor her in the Intensive Care Unit at Temple Street. Tony Cahill, principal of Monaleen National School where Ms Mulcahy has been attending, said he was heartened to hear through Amys family, that they had found comfort from a recording of her favourite songs, a gesture from her teacher and classmates to help aid Amys recovery. The class teacher actually sent on some songs he knew Amy really liked for that, and we heard Amy appeared to be responsive to the music, which was lovely, Mr Cahill said, Monday. Offering his best wishes to Amy and her family, he said: We are all very fond of Amy, shes a very good natured, kind child. Our thoughts and prayers are with Amy and her family. We are praying that she will continue to improve and make a full recovery. Mr Cahill said the school was monitoring how Amys friends and classmates were dealing with the news of her injuries, and a child psychologist has been consulted. The school are keeping things calm and are reassuring the children that, if any of them are in any way unduly stressed or traumatised or worried, they can talk to myself or any of the teaching staff and we will do whatever is necessary to help and support them. We are just waiting and hoping and praying that she continues to improve, and please god she will be restored to full health, and that shes able to come back to school and get on with things as usual, Mr Cahill said. Its so sad and such a pity that such a thing like this would happen. Its remains unclear if the young rowers involved had access to life jackets or other flotation devices. Reliable sources in rowing and water activity circles said rowers do not normally wear life jackets as this can interfere with their rowing stroke. Under Section 3 (3) of the statutory instruments Pleasure Craft (personal Flotation Devices and Operation (Safety) Regulations, the use of personal safety flotation devices do not apply rowers in boats which are (a) designed and specifically used for rowing in boat races and which are capable of being entered into regatta or other events recognised by the Irish Amatuer Rowing Union. A CONVICTED drug dealer shot dead over what gardai believe was a debt dispute had around 25,000 in bank accounts at the time of his murder, Independent.ie can reveal. Detectives are investigating if the significant cash haul was earned as part of Zach Parkers cocaine-dealing enterprises. Parker (23) was shot dead as he left a gym near his home in Swords, north Co Dublin, on the night of January 17. There have been no arrests so far in connection with his murder. The most prominent theory being considered in the case is that Parker owed 50,000 to a dangerous Traveller gang, which is closely aligned with jailed mobster Cornelius Price. It is believed the gang may have used a young Finglas-based criminal to organise the hit on Parker. However, inquiries have failed to uncover an exact chain of events which led to the murder the first gun killing in the capital this year. The fact that Parker had so much cash at his disposal makes it strange that he was in a dispute over an even larger drugs debt, a source said last night. This investigation, which is being carried out by Swords gardai, is proving to be difficult and complex. Gardai continue to closely monitor many of Parkers other associates, including a Coolock trafficker who was so shocked over his pals death that he briefly called a halt to his considerable drug-dealing and cash-gathering activities in the Coolock and Raheny areas. Read More A lot of people are very upset but none so much as this fella. He was very close to Zach, they did a lot of business together, a source said. It seems that Zach had considered himself almost untouchable because of his relationship with him, as the Coolock trafficker has links to young members of the Kinahan cartel based in the Crumlin area of the southside. However, none of Parkers connections mattered to the gang which murdered Zach and injured his completely innocent pal James Morrison (25) in last months gun attack outside the gym. Parker, who was also a top-class barber and hoped to open his own salon, died as at least five shots were fired into the BMW X5. He was at the wheel of the car, with his friend Mr Morrison in the passenger seat. Gardai said that although Mr Morrison was injured, CCTV footage indicates that the killer approached the drivers side of the car only. Independent.ie previously revealed that Parkers car had been the target of an arson attack outside his home six months earlier. He was also involved in a recent incident in which a house was stormed as a local drugs dispute threatened to spiral out of control. The local Traveller gang remain the chief suspects and their twisted logic seems to be that they were putting down a marker to other young fellas who owe them cash and there are plenty of them, a source said. The victim, Mr Parker, was a kind of Jekyll and Hyde character in many ways he could be very pleasant and kind to people but he could also be highly aggressive and dominating to other people. The notorious drug dealer known as Mr Flashy turned up at Parkers funeral with two suspected hitmen. The north Dublin trio were among a large crowd of mourners who showed up, with sources saying it showed the close links that have developed among gangs based in Swords, Ballymun, Finglas and Coolock in the northsides lucrative drugs trade. Meanwhile, sources say that gardai have ruled out a link between the Parker killing and the capitals latest gangland murder. John Lawless (39), who had no involvement in crime, was shot dead near his home at Marigold Crescent, Darndale, just over two weeks ago as he left to go to work as a fire safety officer at a private company. Family and friends filled the Church of St Francis of Assisi in Priorswood for his funeral Mass. Liam Adams abused his daughter over six years Liam Adams, a convicted paedophile and the brother of former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, has died. Mr Adams (63) had been receiving end-of-life care for terminal cancer in a Belfast hospice. He was moved to the hospice earlier this month from Maghaberrry Prison, where he had been serving a 16-year sentence for the rape and sexual assault of his daughter. He was five years into his prison term. Expand Close Gerry and Liam Adams in 1997 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Gerry and Liam Adams in 1997 The Northern Ireland Prison Service confirmed the death in custody of a 63-year-old prisoner from Maghaberry Prison. "The prisoner died on Monday morning, February 25. His next of kin have been informed. As with standard procedure, the PSNI and Prisoner Ombudsman have been informed," a statement said. Ronnie Armour, head of the Northern Ireland Prison Service added: "I would like to extend my sympathy to the family of the prisoner. My thoughts are with them at this difficult time." Freelance journalist Ian Bailey (60) said he believes the French will convict him of murder in absentia over the killing of Sophie Toscan du Plantier (39) in west Cork 22 years ago. The British journalist, poet and law graduate said he now feels "greatly imperilled" over the decision by the French authorities to press ahead with a Paris murder trial on May 27 next despite their failure to have him extradited from Ireland. Mr Bailey, who has been living here for 27 years, said he is now facing into "a very grim, dark period of my life." Last week the Irish Independent revealed the majority of the surviving witnesses interviewed by gardai over the murder of Ms du Plantier in 1996 have indicated they will co-operate with a French trial planned for next May. Expand Close Ian Bailey. Photo: Collins Courts / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ian Bailey. Photo: Collins Courts The French criminal high court will mount a Paris trial from May 27 in which Mr Bailey is charged with the murder of the French mother-of-one at her holiday home outside Toormore, Schull in west Cork on December 23 1996. Mr Bailey will be tried in absentia - with his legal team slating the Paris prosecution as both "a show trial" and "farcical." In an interview with Virgin Media, Mr Bailey warned that the French seem intent on convicting a totally innocent man. "I am greatly, greatly imperilled here," he said. "I know that I had nothing to do with this and I am going to finish up a convicted murderer. "I am actually an innocent man and what will happen in France is that they will probably celebrate the fact that I have been convicted and believe me to be the killer. "But all they will have succeeded in doing is convicting an innocent man." Expand Close Undated family handout file photo of Sophie Toscan du Plantier. Photo: Family Handout/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Undated family handout file photo of Sophie Toscan du Plantier. Photo: Family Handout/PA Wire Mr Bailey - who is now retraining as a specialist wood artist - has consistently protested his innocence and maintained that "sinister attempts" were made to frame him for the brutal killing. However, French prosecutors have received the go-ahead to proceed with a murder trial before the Paris Assizes or criminal high court. The trial will take place before a panel of three judges and is expected to last at least a week. Under France's Napoleonic Code, prosecutions can be taken against individuals who are not within the French jurisdiction and for alleged offences which occurred overseas. Expand Close The village of Schull, West Cork (Haydn West/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The village of Schull, West Cork (Haydn West/PA) French prosecutors believe the majority of 40 Irish witnesses, the bulk of whom were interviewed as part of the original garda murder probe, will either agree to travel to Paris for the planned trial or co-operate with video-link evidence. None can be compelled to attend. French authorities will cover all travel and subsistence costs for those who agree to attend in person. Under France's Napoleonic Code, evidence such as witness statements can be offered from individuals who have died in the 22 years since the shocking murder. Several of those interviewed in west Cork as part of the original garda murder investigation have since died. If Irish witnesses decline to travel to Paris for the hearing, their statements can still be offered in evidence. The French received special permission from Ireland to allow an elite team of Paris detectives to visit west Cork multiple times over the past decade and re-interview the original garda murder file witnesses. Those interviews were also video-recorded. Full access was also given by Ireland to the forensic data obtained by gardai in 1996. The French investigation involved the exhumation of Sophie's body, a battery of fresh forensic tests and re-interviewing all the original Garda witnesses. Mr Bailey, who moved to Ireland in 1991, was twice arrested by gardai for questioning. He was released without charge on both occasions in 1997 and 1998. He successfully fought one French attempt to extradite him in 2012 but a second European Arrest Warrant (EAW) has been issued but not acted upon. Mr Bailey said the past 22 years had been rendered "a nightmare and a torture" for him through being wrongly linked to the case. The French investigation and prosecution followed a confirmation by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) almost a decade ago that a charge was extremely unlikely to be levelled in Ireland. Paris-based Magistrate Patrick Gachon was appointed to lead the investigation. His report formed the basis for the planned trial next May. Sophie's family have welcomed the impending Paris trial and urged Ireland to offer every assistance to the French prosecutors. Mr Bailey has signalled a European Court of Human Rights challenge to the French action but acknowledged it would not stall the Paris trial. Sophie was found battered to death on an isolated laneway leading to her holiday home at Toormore outside Schull on December 23 1996. She was apparently confronted at her property by an intruder and attempted to flee on foot before being caught and beaten to death. Sophie had been due to fly back to Paris just hours later to spend Christmas with her family. Gardai acknowledged that the petite woman had been subjected to an horrific level of violence. The last potential obstacle to a French trial - a Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) investigation - was cleared last August. The Gsoc probe was ordered amid claims by Mr Bailey that elements within the gardai had acted unfairly or corruptly towards him. However, French solicitor, Alain Spilliaert, who acts for the du Plantier/Bouniol family, insisted the Gsoc report verified what they always knew - that "the garda criminal investigation was not corrupted." The Paris-based advocate also insisted that the Gsoc report would ultimately prove to "go in our favour." Mr Bailey lost his last legal avenue of challenge in France to the proposed trial last May. "I know there are people here in Ireland, in Bantry, (who) know I have nothing to do with this," he said. "Short of a miracle or an intervention or some new information coming out, it would appear inevitable that at a point later this year I will become a convicted murderer in France. "I am looking at a date in May when the tectonic plates in my life are going to shift hugely. I do not know how I am going to handle it. "Even if I am tried for murder in France and found guilty under their Napoleonic Code of law all they will have done is convict an innocent person and merely managed in France what the members of An Garda Siochana tried to and failed," Mr Bailey added. The Manchester-born journalist and poet also warned it was "astonishing" that the French could proceed with a prosecution based on material already rejected by Ireland's DPP. Gsoc did raise what it called "grave concerns" over various aspects of the garda investigation ranging from potentially key evidence having gone missing to deliberate changes to official reports and documents. The commission was also scathing over issues it highlighted with the management oversight and administration of the original murder investigation. However, it found no evidence of corruption in respect of the du Plantier investigation as claimed by Mr Bailey. Gsoc said Mr Bailey's original arrest and questioning was not, as he claimed, in any way unlawful. Its ruling came after Mr Bailey lost a high-profile High Court action against the State for wrongful arrest. He warned he fears his 22 year "nightmare" will now only end with his death. The group set up to support the du Plantier family, ASSOPH, founded by Sophie's uncle, Jean-Pierre Gazeau, bluntly warned the Irish authorities that they would now be expected to fully adhere to their judicial commitments under European law. Officers responded just before 9 p.m. Wednesday to the 100 block of Bernita Nick Way, where a 17-year-old girl said Moss punched her in the face repeatedly, threw her to the floor and kicked her in the stomach after an argument over a cellphone. The teen was holding their 3-month-old child during the assault, police said. Accident: The rowing boat which capsized on the River Shannon, trapping a girl lodged against a former salmon weir in Limerick. Photo: Liam Burke/Press 22 A teenage girl is in a critical condition after a weekend boating accident. Gardai are investigating the circumstances in which the girl was seriously injured when she became trapped under a rowing boat after it capsized. It is understood she became trapped beneath the rowing boat after her hair was entangled in the outriggers which hold the oars in place on the boat. The incident occurred on the River Shannon at the Thomond Salmon Weir, Limerick, at around 10am on Saturday. Expand Close Haunted by the screams: Danny and Susan Ryan saw the accident happen. Photo: Brendan Gleeson / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Haunted by the screams: Danny and Susan Ryan saw the accident happen. Photo: Brendan Gleeson The girl and three teenage girls and a teenage boy had all set off in the rowing boat from a local boat club a short time earlier. It is understood a support boat was travelling alongside the row boat when it overturned in fast-flowing water. Last night, it was still unclear whether or not the four girls were wearing life jackets. The girl was initially treated at University Hospital Limerick but was transferred to Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin on Saturday evening. Her family has been keeping a vigil at her bedside. Athlunkard Boat Club issued a statement yesterday saying: "There was a serious incident on the River Shannon yesterday morning where four teenage girls and one teenage boy from our club were in a rowing boat that overturned. "They were accompanied by one of our safety boats. "One of these girls was transferred to hospital following the incident. We are monitoring the situation and are in constant contact with the family and Rowing Ireland. "Our thoughts are now focused on supporting the family, the girls and boy who were in the boat at the time and our club members." Limerick Superintendent Derek Smart said the investigation was ongoing and he has also referred the matter to the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB). Firefighters attached to Limerick City Fire and Rescue Service, who happened to be carrying out a routine patrol of the river at the time, came across the overturned boat, while simultaneously receiving a Coast Guard alert about the incident. Firefighters cut the girl free from underneath the boat and performed emergency first aid on their boat en route to a nearby slipway where the girl was met by paramedics. The rowing boat, which is believed to have been badly damaged during the incident, will be examined by investigators. It was removed from the water at low tide at around 9.30pm on Saturday. Eye witness Danny Ryan (49), from Thomondgate, who came upon the scene, said he will be "forever haunted" by hearing friends of the girl "screaming" for help. "I could see the boat turned over and a girl waving and screaming," he said. "My stomach is sick over it. It was scary. I'm haunted all day. I can still hear the girls screaming, 'Help, help, help'." Post-primary schools are being asked to share teachers in key subjects, amid a growing crisis over staff shortages. Principals are facing increasing difficulties recruiting and retaining teachers in Irish, modern languages, maths and other Stem subjects, and home economics. The situation regarding home economics is particularly acute, as there will be no new teaching graduates this year because the degree programme was extended. With pupil numbers on the rise, and more schools due to open to cater for the burgeoning demand, the problem of teacher supply is set to worsen. Second-level enrolments are expected to grow by about 36,000 by 2024, which will require 2,000 extra teachers overall. The aim of the new initiative is to encourage two schools to collaborate and, between them, to employ the teacher on a full-time basis. Announcing the teacher sharing scheme, Education Minister Joe McHugh described it as a "solution" for principals as well as graduates who were looking for full-time employment. He said it was a "good option" and expressed confidence "that it will make a difference and help to ease the difficulties that some schools have experienced in sourcing teachers of high-priority subjects". It is hoped the full-time positions rather than part-time hours - the fate of many new post-primary teachers - will encourage more of them to stay in Ireland. According to a recent Higher Education Authority report, 15pc of post-primary graduates in 2017 were working on a part-time basis nine months later, and 6pc were seeking work. Mr McHugh urged schools to see this as an opportunity and begin the groundwork to make the most of the scheme. But it remains to be seen how attractive it will prove, as there is keen competition between schools, and principals will have to agree a shared timetable for the teacher or teachers involved. In some cases, shortage can be attributed to a lack of graduates in a subject. Job sharing is already facilitated in the education and training board sector, but on a small scale. There is no history of it in the voluntary secondary school sector, which is dominated by schools traditionally run by the religious. In what is effectively a call to action to principals, Mr McHugh said addressing the current and future challenges in teacher supply was a national priority. He said that with the growing number of pupils in post-primary and new initiatives like Leaving Cert PE and computer science, "we need to focus on new ways of working. "Principals and the boards of management should seize this opportunity to work with a neighbouring school by sharing a teacher in a specialist subject". The minister said teacher supply was a complex challenge but success in addressing it would only be possible "if we continue to work together and seek to identify and implement flexible and innovative approaches to ensure that we meet the future needs of our schools, our teachers and our children". The scheme will be reviewed after a year to determine the level of take-up by schools and to consider any amendments. The lack of teachers sees schools regularly advertising posts that fail to attract suitably qualified applicants, and in some cases, no applications at all. According to the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals many post-primary schools opened without a full complement of teaching staff last September, The new scheme is the latest in a series of proposals to tackle shortages. Other measures include extra places on post-primary teacher education courses and a relaxation of rules around career breaks. Left to get purse: Edel Vesey leaves the Dublin District Courts where she was charged with making off without paying for her hairdo. Photo: COLIN ORIORDAN A beauty salon customer who absconded without paying for a hairdo claimed later that stylists had ruined her hair, leaving it a "ridiculous bright orange". College graduate Edel Vesey (31) initially told salon staff she was "delighted" with the results of a three-hour, 130 hair treatment, but ran off after asking to leave to get her wallet and then claimed her hair had been burned. Judge Timothy Lucey told her he would jail her for two months if she did not pay twice the cost of the hairdo in compensation. The judge said Ms Vesey had lied and he was "suspicious" after noting differences between pictures of Ms Vesey's hair taken by the salon and others taken by the accused herself. Ms Vesey, of Clonmore Villas, Ballybough, Dublin, had pleaded not guilty to making off without paying for services. Dublin District Court heard the incident happened at Nabella Hair and Beauty, Dorset Street, Dublin, on September 21, 2017. The owner said Ms Vesey had asked for a wash, cut and highlights. She paid a 10 deposit on the 130 price, giving her phone number and the name Michelle O'Connor. After the treatment, she was shown the back and sides and was "delighted", the owner said. When it came time to pay, Ms Vesey said she had forgotten her wallet and that she had to get it from her car. The owner said Ms Vesey had told her: "I'm going to get my purse, I'm not that kind of bad person, I will pay you, I'm a good girl. I am not running away." After she left, she sent a text message saying she was not happy with her hair. The owner offered to fix her hair, but she did not return. In cross-examination, the owner denied Ms Vesey had been dissatisfied with her hair in the salon, saying the accused told her that was "the look she wanted". She denied Ms Vesey had told her that her hair was "burned and ruined". Ms Vesey said in evidence that when she was giving her name, the staff member did not understand and she eventually said: "OK, Michelle." "I said 'are you sure that looks alright?'," she told the court. "I said 'are you sure that is blonde?' I wasn't happy with it because my hair was bright orange and all patchy. It was ridiculous looking." She claimed the three salon workers locked the door, were "surrounding" her, and she "panicked" and said she had to leave to get her wallet. This was denied by the owner. Judge Lucey said if Ms Vesey paid 240 to the salon he would dismiss the charge under the Probation Act. TRACES of blood were found in Mary Lowry's house by crime scene examiners, the Tipperary murder trial has heard. Retired detective John Grant told the trial that they examined the six-bedroom bungalow at Fawnagowan, Co Tipperary after the discovery of the remains of Bobby Ryan in a runoff pit on the farm. Expand Close Patrick Quirke has denied the murder of Bobby Ryan. Picture: Collins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Patrick Quirke has denied the murder of Bobby Ryan. Picture: Collins Patrick Quirke (50) of Breanshamore, Co Tipperary has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Ryan, a part-time DJ known as Mr Moonlight on a date between June 3 2011 and April 2013. Mr Grant noted that Ms Lowry's mother-in-law had a separate entrance to her area of the house and later noted that the main section of the house was 'extremely untidy and unkempt'. All the outhouses were in a state of disrepair with broken windows, Mr Grant said. Gardai had used a Kastle-Meyer (KM) test which gives a positive or negative reaction to the presence of blood. There were four positive readings in the sitting room, he said and so they prepared the room for luminol testing, which involved making the room as dark as possible to shine a light on it. Expand Close Bobby Ryan / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Bobby Ryan A light fitting in the ceiling showed a 'very faint' reaction, he said, and it was sent to the laboratory for further testing. Only the ceiling and light fitting confirmed blood and there was no other reaction on the surfaces of the living room, he said. Ms Lowry's bedroom was also tested, with the bedframe, mattress and floor showing a positive reading. The wardrobe also revealed spots of blood on the slide doors of the wardrobe and in the interior and the doors were sent away to the lab for further analysis. The court has not yet heard evidence of the results of the laboratory testing. Mr Grant said the rest of the house was examined with crime lights but nothing was found. "There was no evidence of any blood in the remainder of that house," he said. Gardai scenes examiners also examined the silver Ford vehicle owned by Pat Quirke and got a negative result. They also checked the outhouses around the farm but found it difficult to do luminol testing on those because it was difficult to make them dark enough, he explained. Mr Grant revealed that a health and safety risk assessment carried out at the scene found there was a "high risk" posed to officers by bodily fluids, slurry and methane and so it was decided that fire officers wearing chemical suits would perform the operation. He was present during the post mortem examination which revealed numerous injuries on the body. The cause of death was multiple blunt force trauma, mainly to the face and side of the head, he said. He asked the pathologist if the injuries had been the cause of death and Dr Khalid Jabbar confirmed the injuries were fatal and that the victim 'would have died within minutes of receiving the same.' Under cross-examination by Lorcan Staines SC for the defence, Mr Grant agreed the body was badly decomposed, with Mr Staines putting it to him that he had noted that one of the arms had become detached. Mr Grant told the court that 'unfortunately' one of the members of the technical bureau team had been lifting the body into the body bag, when the arm had become detached during that motion. "They had an adverse reaction. I had to call in the welfare service for them because of what happened," he said. Mr Grant declined to tell the court the identity of the member of the team, and when asked if that person had already given evidence, replied: "I think so." He said the person's reaction had 'not been pleasant' and that it had been 'physical.' Meanwhile he agreed that he witnessed the breaking of the concrete slab over the tank in the retrieval of the body. He did not believe this to be a major event, he told the court. The case continues. Family members of a woman who died after seven rib fractures were not spotted by a hospital have said they want tighter procedures at all public hospitals. Christina "Chrissie" McGagh (75), a mother of five and grandmother of six, suffered the fractures after she fell down the stairs at her home at Ballon, Co Carlow. However, despite being X-rayed at St Luke's General Hospital in Kilkenny in October 2012, her injuries were not identified. She died five months later on March 28, 2013. An apology was read in the High Court last week as Ms McGagh's son Tom, who had sued the HSE on behalf of the family, settled his action for 265,000. Liability was admitted in the case. Her family have now said they do not want any other family to endure what they and their mother went through. Speaking for the family, Ms McGagh's daughter Kathryn said the past six years had been "such a struggle" for everyone, from dealing with their mother's accident, her misdiagnosis, to her death and the length of time it took for the case to go to court. She said 175,000 of the award would go directly to Ms McGagh's husband "due to losing his wife, who was his carer and for his future medical needs. "He now needs 24/7 care following his own fall and the entire family are looking after him." Ms McGagh said her brother's bravery in taking the High Court case "resulted in us being able to highlight the past mistakes and shortcomings of the hospital and HSE to the nation". In the High Court last week, St Luke's and the HSE apologised for the failings in the treatment and care provided to Ms McGagh and the "tragic consequences of these failings". A RETIRED surgeon who groped seven boys in his care over a period of three decades has been jailed for four years. Michael Shine (86) of Ballsbridge, Dublin, had pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 12 charges of indecent assault and one charge of sexual assault committed during medical examinations at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth, and at two private clinics in Drogheda on dates between 1971 to 1992. On day 17 of the trial, a jury of two women and eight men returned guilty verdicts, having deliberated for after just over six hours. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Shine to four years imprisonment for one count of indecent assault. He sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment for all other counts and ordered that each sentence run concurrently. Judge Nolan said that the appropriate headline sentence in the absence of mitigation was one of seven years imprisonment. He described the offending as a serious pattern of misbehaviour. At an earlier sentence hearing, Detective Garda Seamus Nolan told Cathleen Noctor SC, prosecuting, that Shine indecently assaulted six boys aged between 11 and 15 on dates ranging from 1971 to 1988. He said the sole count of sexual assault related to an incident in 1992 when the injured party was aged 16. Det Gda Nolan said that during the trial a medical expert gave evidence that there was no medical basis for the behaviour described by the seven men. Shine has three previous convictions for indecent assault relating to two complainants who were both aged 15 in 1975 and he was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment in late 2017. These convictions are currently under appeal. Speaking outside the court after Shine was sentenced, Patrick Cusack (56), one of the injured parties in the case who has waived his right to anonymity, said it was a good day for me and for all victims of abuse, but particularly the victims of abuse of Michael Shine. Mr Cusack encouraged others who have been the victims of abuse to come forward and seek help. He said he was delighted with the sentence and that it was most appropriate, but said that the conviction had been more important. He (Shine) will never say sorry. Paedophiles don't say sorry, it's their chemical make-up, Mr Cusack said. He went on to say he expects that Shine will never acknowledge himself or any of his victims. He will self gratify in his abuse, but that's as far as it goes. You are just a toy in his world. Judge Nolan said the aggravating factors in the case were the number of assaults and that as a doctor Shine was in a position of trust. Further aggravating factors were that the victims were at the time vulnerable boys, that there was no expression of remorse and that Shine has previous convictions for offences of this type. He said the mitigating factors were Shine's age, his health challenges, his good work record, his being held in high regard by his family and that there was a possibility of him dying while imprisoned. Judge Nolan said it had been well decided by precedent that age is no barrier to prison sentences. A former Dublin drug addict with 128 previous convictions has been spared jail for robbery and attempted robbery because of his Trojan work at rehabilitation. Judge Patrick Quinn noted that father-of-one Patrick Paget (30) had remained out of trouble since the date of his last offence in January 2017. "To his absolute credit, he appears to have done Trojan work, Judge Quinn commented. He imposed 20 months with the final 15 suspended and credit for any time Paget has spent in custody. Paget, with an address at Sillogue Park, Ballymun, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two robberies and attempted robbery of personal belongings at Abbey Street, Dublin, on January 18, 2017. A co-accused, Paul Coady (27) of Carnlough Road, Cabra, Dublin, pleaded guilty to the same offences on the same date. Coady has also pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at Tesco Express, Aungier Street, Dublin, on January 20, 2018. Coady has nine previous convictions for minor offences and will be sentenced in October. Garda Laura Burke told Noel Devitt BL, prosecuting, that Paget's 128 previous convictions include 25 crimes under the Larceny Act. He received 18 months in prison for burglary in 2015. Paget's key social worker told Judge Quinn that she was satisfied that his attitude, direction and outlook had completely changed and he deserved a chance. Lawyers for Paget submitted he has been drug free for 23 months and now has stable accommodation with his partner and child. Judge Quinn described Paget's most recent crimes as cowardly but suspended the sentence on condition he remains drug and alcohol free and attends NA meetings. She goes out of her way for her constituents and just has this huge heart, particularly around her residents [and] her most needy residents who need social services or frankly need to make sure they have access to mental health services. She is a tremendous advocate on behalf of them, Glaros said. A Dublin woman accused of an online harassment campaign directed at a BBC childrens television presenter has been given another two months to decide how she will plead. Blogger, comedian and actress Frances Winston, 45, is charged with harassing CBeebies star Ferne Corrigan on social media. She faced her third hearing Monday before Judge Michael Walsh at Dublin District Court. He adjourned the case for nine weeks. In December, she was given a warning, sought by gardai, to remind her she had to obey a bail condition banning her from contacting Ms Corrigan on social media. Ms Winston, who has an address at Rathgar Road, Dublin 6, has not yet indicated how she will plead. Disclosure of evidence, including typed statements, was ordered at an earlier stage following a request from defence solicitor Colleen Gildernew for the material. The defendant faces a single count under Section 10.1 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act in which it was alleged on an on-going basis between February 19, 2016 and May 20, 2017, at various unknown locations she harassed Ferne Corrigan. At her first hearing in September 2018, Detective Sergeant Jonathan Kelly told the court Ms Winston, was charged at Irishtown Garda station after which she made no reply. Ferne Corrigan, host of My Pet And Me and Ferne and Rorys Vet Tales, was not present for the hearing. The Director of Public Prosecutions had directed the case should be dealt with at district court level and not in the circuit court, which has tougher sentencing powers. After hearing an outline of the case against the accused, Judge Walsh had accepted jurisdiction. Detective Sergeant Kelly told the court it was alleged, The defendant engaged in an online campaign of harassment against a named individual who is not resident in the State, and used various social media platforms to harass this individual in a very public way. Judge Walsh had asked if they were connected and the Garda said they were not directly linked but he added, The injured party is the daughter of the defendants former partner. The defence solicitor had successfully resisted the gardas application for an absolute ban on her client using social media of any type. The judge agreed to her request that the order in relation to using social media would be limited to the injured party. He has also warned that if Ms Winston were foolish enough to make contact it could lead to further charges. Ms Winston cannot have any contact with the injured party, or members of her family and her friends, by any means. He warned her she could not contact Ferne Corrigan and this included social media, emails, any manner whatsoever. She was also told to reside at her current address and she had to give gardai her phone number. The judge has ordered gardai to hand over copies of all the communications which included various emails to the defence. Legal aid was granted to Ms Winston at her first hearing after the judge noted from the defence solicitor that she was employed but not above the threshold. Ms Winston was cast to play murder plotter Sharon Lying Eyes Collins in a 2017 TV3 reconstruction of that case. A CHILDCARE worker accused of stealing 117,000 from a state-funded creche has been given a date for her arraignment. Avril OBrien (49) appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court charged with 106 counts of theft from the west Dublin creche over a three-year period. Judge Melanie Greally remanded Ms OBrien on continuing bail until May 7 for arraignment. In those proceedings, the charges will be formally read to her and she will be expected to enter a plea. The accused, of Raheen Crescent, Tallaght, is charged with stealing various sums of money from Loreto Playgroup, St Marks Junior School, Fortunestown, Tallaght, between 2013 and 2016. She no longer works at the playgroup and has not yet indicated a plea. She was not required to address the brief hearing. Previously, she was sent forward to the circuit court from Tallaght District Court, where a book of evidence was served on her. That court had heard it would be alleged that the total amount stolen was 117,000. When the case was before the district court, Gda Geraldine Ross had objected to legal aid being granted to Ms OBrien as she owned a mobile home in Co Wexford, was in full-time employment and goes on several foreign holidays a year. However, the prosecution withdrew its objections to free legal aid and a judge granted it to cover Ms OBriens solicitor, Padraig ODonovan, and a barrister. Ms OBrien was given the formal alibi caution in the district court and sent forward on bail of 1,000. Crash marks: The scarred area of the wall which the car struck. Photo: Mark Condren A community is in mourning after a teenage boy was killed and four others injured after a car crashed into a wall in the early hours of yesterday. Gardai are investigating the crash which occurred near 'The Nine Stones', Mount Leinster, Borris, Co Carlow, yesterday morning. The young victim has been named locally as Eamon Kavanagh (16), from Myshall, Co Carlow. Eamon was driving the car when it hit the wall at around 5am on Sunday. Four other occupants were in the car at the time. The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene. The site where the young man crashed is a cattle grid with walls either side of it on Mount Leinster. Impact The wall along the right-hand side of the grid was noticeably damaged from the impact of the vehicle the teen had been driving. Conditions on Saturday night in the area were described locally as "seriously foggy". The stretch of road was closed but had opened again yesterday afternoon following a forensic examination of the scene. Another of the occupants is in a serious condition in hospital, while the others incurred less serious injuries. They were taken to St Luke's Hospital and Waterford General Hospital. One of the occupants is believed to have raised the alarm using their mobile phone and contacted emergency services. Borris Vocational School, where he was a student, paid a touching tribute today. "This is a terrible tragedy for the family, our school and our community. We are deeply saddened by these events. Eamon was a very popular third year student and will be greatly missed by all who knew him," the school said in a statement. "Offers of support have been pouring in and are greatly aprpeciated. The staff will be helping students to deal with this tragic event. The school will be open to parents to support them and to offer them advice and guidance." Cllr Denis Foley, whose cousin was also involved in the horrific crash, said the tight-knit community had been left devastated by the news. Mr Foley said his cousin received minor injuries in the crash. "I want to sympathise with all the families concerned and a member of my own family included, who was lucky to escape it. "But it's really unfortunate that young people were out for a night out enjoying themselves and they end up like this," he said. Another local resident told the Independent.ie there was "great shock" in the area after the past few days. He said that prayers were said at yesterday morning's Mass. However, the identities were not released at the Mass because some of the family members were still unaware. The teenager was the son of James and Jennifer Kavanagh, who appeared in court last week on animal cruelty charges. James Kavanagh (48) was given a three-year prison term on Friday after pleading guilty to 30 counts of causing or allowing animal cruelty on his property at Raheenleigh, Myshall, Co Carlow, in April 2015. His wife was given a 12-month suspended sentence after she admitted 30 counts of allowing animal cruelty on the property, relating to 15 specific animals. Creating an iconic comic character sometimes exacts a heavy toll. Harry H Corbett, a serious-minded actor and a follower of the Stanislavski system who in the late 1950s and early 60s was feted as Britains answer to Marlon Brando, could never escape from the shadow of Harold Steptoe. When Corbett, who earned great acclaim in Shakespearean roles early in his career, played Hamlet in 1970, he complained that theatregoers and even critics couldnt (or perhaps wouldnt) take him seriously. Steptoe and Son made him a big star, but it destroyed his serious acting career. Modern audiences are more open-minded and accepting when performers choose to change direction, yet an iconic character can still be tough to shake off. Even though Rowan Atkinson underplayed commendably as wily, ruminative French detective Maigret in four ITV specials in 2016/17, a little part of you kept expecting Edmund Blackadder or Mr Bean to come bursting through at any second. No matter what part John Cleese plays or however well he plays it, whether its the romantic lead in A Fish Called Wanda, the conspicuously English sheriff in Western Silverado or the cheery retiree in vapid BBC sitcom Hold the Sunset, in a corner of the viewers mind Basil Fawlty is always lurking, just waiting for the right moment to break into a goose-step. Its not the actors fault; its just that the characters theyve created are simply so brilliant, so vividly drawn, they leave an indelible impression on the publics memory. Nobody can say Steve Coogan has been typecast. His acting career, particularly in the past 15 years or so, from 24 Hour Party People through The Trip and Philomena right up to his superb performance as Stan Laurel in the delightful Stan & Ollie, has been too rich and varied for that to happen. In a way, this is astonishing, because in Alan Partridge, Coogan created one of the all-time great comedy characters. Having made his debut in 1991 on BBC Radio 4s spoof current affairs show On the Hour, the Alan we know and love seemed to burst, fully-formed, in all his glorious naffness and monumental ignorance and ineptitude, on to television in 1994s The Day Today, which was quickly followed the same year by chat show parody Knowing Me, Knowing You. If would have been perfectly understandable if Coogan had retired the character after Im Alan Partridge. Over the course of its two series (one in 1997, the other in 2002), it hit the summit of comedy brilliance. Every one of its 12 episodes was a gold-plated, eminently quotable classic. Rather than trying to escape Alan, Coogan embraced him and expanded his world. Since 2010, weve had the YouTube shorts (later shown on Sky Atlantic) Mid-Morning Matters, co-written with brothers Neil and Rob Gibbons, who have worked on every Partridge project since; the hilarious spoof memoirs I, Partridge and Nomad; the hit film Alpha Papa and the Sky mockumentaries Scissored Isle and Welcome to the Places of My Life. Alan Partridge just emailed everyone in the BBC. pic.twitter.com/DM3POwgIDu Tim Johns (@timoncheese) February 25, 2019 Most characters would have been exhausted of all possibilities after 28 years on the go, but Coogan and co-writers the Dobbs brothers and Peter Beyham have struck comic paydirt yet again with This Time with Alan Partridge, starting on BBC1 tonight. Alan is back in the big time and back at the BBC, but more cluelessly adrift in the social media age than ever. Hes the catastrophic stand-in co-host on This Time, a live (uh-oh) magazine show thats a whole lot like The One Show. Hes sharing the sofa and tussling for supremacy with regular co-host Jennie Grisham (Susannah Fielding, a perfect foil). Familiar faces pop up too. Im not going to spoil your pleasure; all Ill say is its riotously funny, some of the best class-A Partridge youll ever see, plucked from the very top branch of the pear tree. This Time with Alan Partridge airs on BBC1 at 9.30pm on Mondays. Seana Kerslake knows things. Our chat this evening is bookended by advice and observations that are way off today's subject of discussion (namely, her star turn in new Irish horror The Hole In the Ground). It begins with a miracle remedy she swears by. "Hot, salty water," she beams. "Then gargle. I swear to god." She's picked up on my sore throat and is offering not some tip passed down from generation to generation of actors but a piece of know-how from her mother, who, as we discover later, has been something of an influence. "Mammies know these things, don't they," she winks. Later, she will attend the Irish premiere of The Hole In the Ground in Smithfield's Light House cinema, not too far from where I'll be dining out tonight. "Ooh. Whatever you do, try the vegan chicken," she advises. Expand Close Seana in Can't Cope, Won't Cope / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Seana in Can't Cope, Won't Cope Another thing the 28-year-old seems to have insider knowledge on is how to pick a role that stands out, as her track record proves. In just a few years, the Tallaght native has found herself in the shoes of some iconic parts that have made audiences laugh, cry and google the actress in question. The first sign that something was happening was in 2010, when Kirsten Sheridan (Jim's daughter) cast her in Dollhouse while she was a third-year student of English and Music at NUI Maynooth. The performance caught the attention of the Ifta jury who deemed it worthy of a nomination in 2013. The next splash was even bigger, however. Her turn as the titular ex-con in A Date For Mad Mary (2016) seemed to find its way into the hearts of critics and audiences alike. Darren Thornton's film chimed with something authentic in the language it spoke - but it was Kerslake's depiction of Mary that was the central vehicle. Not long after, Can't Cope, Won't Cope, the whipsmart RTE comedy penned by Stefanie Preissner, saw another Kerslake triumph. Her portrayal of hapless twenty-something Aisling was picked up by Netflix in the US and the BBC over in UK-land. Expand Close Seana in Dollhouse / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Seana in Dollhouse Between all this and the rave reviews, The Hole In The Ground has garnered since its Sundance world premiere in January (trade publication Variety has officially dubbed Kerslake "a star", in case you hadn't heard), she's finding herself hopping from her current domicile in London across the Atlantic for interviews and meetings stateside. Directed by Lee Cronin and trembling with a heightened level of sensory dread that is slaying overseas film critics in its wake, The Hole In The Ground is being hailed as a high point in horror cinema in 2019, and an heir to modern classics such as The Babadook and Hereditary. Kerslake is superb as the recently single mother who begins encountering strange goings-on when she and her son (an equally excellent James Quinn Markey) relocate to a new home off the beaten track. Like all the best horror, her terrors are veiled exaggerations of real ghouls. "It's vastly metaphorical," she agrees, "and that's what Lee was conscious of it being about facing demons from the past but also living with your past. You walk the streets with monsters every day which is quite terrifying. There's also that element of doubt while she tries to rebuild a life for herself and her son but then being faced with somebody who isn't who they say they are." Whether her shift into more international attention will allow Kerslake to shed the wearisome "Irish Scarlett Johansson" tag remains to be seen but she is slowly getting used to increased spotlighting. "It's always weird," she giggles. "It is an odd existence. Things like the premiere tonight can get quite stressful, you get nerves and butterflies, and you have a full day of press and you want to come across well. But I keep telling myself you have to enjoy these things as much as you can because your voice might be important now but tomorrow nobody cares. Roll with it." The sassy snap of Kerslake's Dublin vowels and the odd "yeknowwarramean" belie a canny operator who identified at a young age that stage and screen was where she belonged and stayed the course. Like older sister Amie and younger sister Niamh ("Ah, you can't get notions with them around!"), she was enrolled in speech and drama classes from a young age and was constantly involved in school plays and talent shows at St Paul's in Greenhills, as well as drama festivals such as Feis Maitiu outside of it. "I only found out the other day that when I was about four or five, I came home from school with a slip for extracurricular drama and I said to my mam, 'I want to do that'. "There was a drama teacher called Mrs Birchall who I had in school before I went to [renowned speech and drama tutor] Anna Walker. I thought for years my mam wanted us to be good at public speaking and have a bit of confidence or special skills - but actually it was me when I was only five and whatever that teacher ignited in me. "And my parents made it happen - even though life was difficult, they made it happen." Something else her parents have helped with, and something she is preparing for on this Irish premiere night, is anxiety. (Horror, incidentally, is not a genre she was ever drawn to, and she has confessed to being something of a "scaredy-cat"). "I think I'm better able to manage it now," she winces. "When I was younger, I don't think I knew how to use all the emotions that are happening in your body. When you're about to perform, they say it's like being in a high-intensity car crash, your heart rate is so bad. "When I was young and doing Feis Maitiu and my Royal Irish Academy grades and stuff like that, it was very daunting and overwhelming for a little human to do that - but I put all that pressure on myself. My mam wasn't pushy at all, same with my dad. "And I wasn't an attention seeking child, but maybe my sisters would tell you otherwise," she hoots, "especially on a day like today where I'm all over the place! I'm actually quite a shy individual when it comes to those things. I'd only sing under the table as a kid. I'd do shows with my cousins in front of family but that was just for fun. "But on stage was different. Mam was always like, 'you don't have to do it if you don't want to'. That need to do it was always there but I also didn't want attention either - which is kind of messed-up when you think about it! Why do it?" 'The Hole In The Ground' is in cinemas nationwide from March 1. Cert: 15A The Academy Awards 2019 were a rather zippy, slightly sedate affair, given there was no host to slow things down and no Best Picture mix-up to raise eyebrows. What did raise an eyebrow or two on the night, however, was the Best Picture winner, with Green Book claiming the most prestigious award, despite Roma being the favourite. It was quite a democratic affair, with no one film sweeping the awards. Bohemian Rhapsody led with four wins for Best Supporting Actor (Rami Malek), Editing, Sound Mixing and Sound Editing, but Black Panther, Roma and Green Book each earned three gongs. Aside from the awards surprises, the acceptance speeches ranged from rousing (Spike Lee) to hilarious (Olivia Colman), and although there were no hosts, the presenters - particularly Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler, and Tina Fey - managed to raise a giggle or two over the course of the evening. Here are the best bits: Maya, Tina, and Amy's mock opening monologue Expand Close Maya Rudolph, from left, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Maya Rudolph, from left, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) The ceremony went ahead without a host for the first time in 30 years, but it didn't really need one. Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler, and Tina Fey kicked things off with a mock monologue and that's all we needed. It went like this: Fey: Good evening and welcome to the 1 millionth Academy Awards! We are not your hosts but well stand here a little too long so the people who get USA Today tomorrow will think that we hosted. Rudolph: So just a little update in case youre confused - there is no host tonight, there wont be a popular movie category, and Mexico is not paying for the wall. Poehler: And we wont be doing awards during the commercials but we will be presenting commercials during the awards. So if all the winners can say Hellmanns Mayonnaise, were on the side of food instead of your speeches, that would be great. If Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler had hosted the #Oscars, it would have gone like this: pic.twitter.com/97X1D9uzW4 Vulture (@vulture) February 25, 2019 They then took the Mick out of the usual Oscar hosts... Fey: If we had hosted it would have gone like this: Buster Scruggs, I hardly know her!' Rudolph: Hey Chad Boseman, Wakanda plans you got later? Poheler: These Spanx are so tight, theyve entered my Spider-verse. Fey: Roma is on Netflix!? Whats next, my microwave makes a movie?! Rudolph: Dont worry Bradley [Cooper], after four kids I, too, have peed myself at the Grammys. Fey: And look under your seats, youre all getting one of those cheese sandwiches from the Fyre Festival. Queen and Adam Lambert's musical opening If you're going to kick off the biggest awards ceremony with a rousing musical number you couldn't really ask for more than Queen's We Will Rock You. They also gave us We Are the Champions. Delightful. Mike Myers and Dana Carvey thank Queen Wayne's World stars Mike Myers and Dana Carvey appeared on stage together and thanked Queen for providing them with Bohemian Rhapsody and a key scene in the classic movie. The clip of Myers and Carvey headbanging to the song was shown, much to the audience's joy. "We're not worthy!" they declared. "Don't hurl, because if you honk, I'll spew," Myers said. "And if you spew, I'll blow chunks," Carvey added. "Bohemian Rhapsody played a large part in the success of Wayne's World, due to that brilliant song. We are humbled to be associated with that brilliant song," they said. Spike Lee's acceptance speech BlacKkKlansman director Spike Lee accepted the Oscar for best adapted screenplay, and gave a powerful speech. "The date: the 24th. The month: February, which happens to be the shortest month of the year, which also happens to be Black History Month. The year is 2019. The year is 1619. ... Four-hundred years our ancestors were stolen from Northern Africa and brought to Jamestown, Virginia, enslaved." Expand Close Spike Lee poses with the award for best adapted screenplay for BlacKkKlansman (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Spike Lee poses with the award for best adapted screenplay for BlacKkKlansman (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) He spoke about his own grandmother who lived to 100 and who had graduated college. Her own mother had once been a slave. He said she saved 50 years of Social Security checks to put him through college and film school. "She called me Spikey Poo," he said, before adding, "The 2020 presidential election is around the corner. Let's all mobilize. Let's all be on the right side of history, make the moral choice between love versus hate." Melissa McCarthy and Brian Tyree introduce Best Costume nominees in their best costumes Melissa McCarthy and Brian Tyree Henry gave the nominees a run for their money. McCarthy's bunny dress will go down in Oscar history while Henry wore a mask, red hat and blue cape. 'I'm not crying because I'm on my period'... ...is a sentence you probably never thought you would hear uttered at the Academy Awards. During her acceptance speech, Rayka Zehtabchi, director of Period. End of Sentence, made the statement during her acceptance speech for best documentary short. "I can't believe a film about menstruation just won an Oscar!" she said. The film looks at the stigma Indian women face regarding menstruation and the Pad Project, an organisation started by a group of high school students which aims to bring affordable sanitary pads to women. "A period should end a sentence, not a girl's education," added producer Melissa Berton. That Mary Poppins style entrance In order to introduce the performance of Best Song nominee 'The Place Where Lost Things Go' from Mary Poppins, actor Keegan-Michael Key descended from the ceiling of the Dolby Theatre, with an umbrella, of course. Keegan-Michael Key is the Mary Poppins we never knew we needed #Oscars https://t.co/ANh4JmbklP Alissa Evans (@alissacevans) February 25, 2019 Olivia Colman's acceptance speech Colman's acceptance speech for Best Actress was hilarious, moving, and utterly charming. "Oh, it's genuinely quite stressful. This is hilarious. I got an Oscar. I'd like to thank lots of people. If, by the way, I forget anybody I'm going to find you later and I'll give you a massive snog." She addressed fellow nominee Glenn Close who was nominated for her performance in The Wife, "Glenn Close, you've been my idol for so long and this is not what I wanted it to be and I think you're amazing and I love you very much." She spoke about her kids watching at home, and added that she hoped they were watching because "this isn't going to happen again." She added, "And any little girl who's practicing her speech on the telly - you never know!" Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper's intimate performance of Shallow The A Star Is Born actors took to the stage to perform Shallow, which won the best original song prize. Gaga sat at the piano with Cooper at the side of the stage before he then joined her, and they spent much of the romantic performance looking into each others eyes, channelling their film characters Ally and Jackson. Sony has launched its latest smartphone bid to offer an alternative to the iPhone, Samsung and Huawei. At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, it unveiled four Xperia handsets, ditching its previous XZ branding for the devices. The flagship model, the Xperia 1, now has three rear cameras and a 6.5-inch 4K Oled display. Sony has yet to release a price, although it is expected to be close to 1,000. Meanwhile, the Xperia 10 and 10 Plus handsets, with 6-inch and 6.5-inch displays, feature dual cameras on the back of the phone, although only the 10 Plus model uses an optical zoom. The second camera on the Xperia 10 is present to add depth of field, or bokeh, to photos. Sony is trying to position all three phones as creator handsets. The company is making a point of the phones 21:9 ratio, making them considerably narrower than other phones on the market. The idea is that almost three quarters of new movies are now being made in the letterbox-like 21:9 format, with Sony keen to emphasise its film industry connections in this field. However, most television programmes are made in the boxier 16:9 format, meaning that most video watched on the phones will appear slightly smaller as each end of the phone will be redundant. One advantage to the narrow form factor is that apps toward the upper part of the screen can more easily be reached with a users thumb than on rival smartphones. However, all of the new models featured retain bezels (the forehead and chin parts of a phone between the screen and the edge), making them a little bigger than the latest high-end devices from rivals. Battery life on the new phones will be a factor to watch, with relatively modest battery sizes in each device. Sony says that it mitigates this with software safety controls that eke longer life out of the batteries. The Xperia 10, which is being launched in Ireland this week, is set to cost 329 while the Xperia 10 Plus is 399 and can be ordered online today. A fourth phone, the Xperia L3, will cost 199. Huge numbers of people over the age of 50 are "too afraid" to switch health insurance provider, despite large savings that can be made. A majority of people are also unaware of shortfalls in their cover for the likes of hip replacements and other orthopaedic procedures. Less than one-in-five people with health cover have changed provider in the last two years, a survey commissioned by Laya Healthcare indicates. Separate research has found in the past that older people are paying double what they need to for health insurance - with overpayments of around 500 a year. Those who seek out better-value plans could possibly save up to 1,000 a year on their cover. The new Laya survey found that huge numbers of people were unaware there may be a shortfall on their policy for orthopaedic procedures. Insurers have attempted to segment the market by offering cheaper policies aimed at younger people with limited coverage for procedures that are in higher demand for older people, such as hip replacements and cataracts. The survey, carried out by Empathy among 1,000 adults, found that half of those over the age of 65 don't know whether a shortfall applies on their current plan for hip and knee replacements. Some polices require what is known as a co-payment for these procedures, which can amount to 2,000. Benefits One in three responded that the benefits that come with a policy are the number one reason when making a final decision on which provider to take out cover with. This is most pronounced among those over 50, with four in 10 saying the benefits that come with their insurance scheme are more important than cost. Head of marketing at Laya Kevin Kent said the health insurance market was extremely competitive, and there was significant value in people of all ages shopping around. "It's a shame that fear is stopping a significant number of people from unlocking better value and benefits from their health insurance cover," he said. He added that a common worry for people when switching is waiting periods or pre-existing illnesses. Build for the future: Kingspan chief executive Gene Murtagh wants more to be done by Climate Minister Richard Bruton to insulate modern buildings. Photo: David Conachy Ireland has failed to do enough to transform the economy's energy efficiency and it risks a "missed opportunity" to capitalise on its renewable energy potential, according to Gene Murtagh, the chief executive of Cavan-based global insulation giant Kingspan. "There's been very little tangible evidence of the move towards a more efficient energy economy," he told the Irish Independent. "It's a missed opportunity." The Government has been dragging its heels over a planned climate action plan as Brexit approaches. Richard Bruton, Climate Action and the Environment Minister, received approval last November from the Cabinet to engage a plan that would force all Government departments and State agencies to implement measures and targets to address climate concerns. While a final report on the plan is due towards the end of next month, it's been previously reported that it could be put on ice if there's a hard Brexit. The plan will detail actions, target dates and milestones for the three main sectors emitting carbon - agriculture, industry and transport to reduce carbon emissions by 30pc between 2021 and 2030. Mr Bruton has warned that if Ireland misses its EU-mandated 2030 carbon reduction targets, the country will face up to 5.5bn in fines. Expand Close Climate Action and the Environment Minister Richard Bruton. Photo: Mark Condren / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Climate Action and the Environment Minister Richard Bruton. Photo: Mark Condren "We're going to be subject to penalties, which we will be paying," said Mr Murtagh. "That money is far better invested in moving the economy towards a more renewable source of power, rather than being fined for having achieved nothing," he said. Mr Murtagh, whose company generated revenues of almost 4.4bn last year and has a 7bn-plus market capitalisation, said the payback associated with investment in cleaner technology is "very compelling". He said Ireland's climate and geography is ideally suited for "much more" wind energy generation. "But it's not just that. We think that [energy] conservation is the place to start," he said. "There's much more can be done to actually conserve the requirement for power in the first place." Mr Murtagh said more than 40pc of emissions relate to heat from buildings. "To be fair, Ireland has been quite progressive on that going back in time but there's been very little advance on that front in recent years," he said. "The cost of building to standard to conserve power should generate its own payback. At the end of the day all things are based on a return on investment," said Mr Murtagh. A report published last year by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland found that in 2015 Irish homes were using 7pc more energy on average than the European average. However, Irish homes are responsible for 58pc more carbon emissions than their European counterparts. Bank of Ireland is to increase its dividend to 16c per share, or 173m, in respect of 2018. This is up from 11.5c per share, or 124m, in 2017. It comes as customer loans grew to 77bn last year, reflecting net lending of 1.3bn, with new lending of 15.9bn, according to 2018 results for the group. In its mortgage sector, the bank reported 17pc growth in lending. The bank has a mortgage market share of 27pc. Meanwhile, the bank's net interest margin - a key barometer of profitability of banks was 2.2pc. During the year the banks non-performing loans reduced by 24pc to 5bn. The banks non-performing loan ratio now stands at 6.3pc. Overall the bank reported underlying profit of 935m, a decline on the profit of 1.08bn reported for the prior year. Profit before tax was 835m, down from 852m in 2017. The bank's share price fell by almost 5pc in early morning trading. Francesca McDonagh, CEO of Bank of Ireland, said: "We have grown our loan book with net lending of 1.3bn in 2018 as we support our retail and corporate customers across all our markets." "This inflection point represents growth for the first time in a number of years and we are confident of further growth." Ms McDonagh added that the bank is taking actions to increase returns in its UK business. Looking forward, the bank said that, not notwithstanding Brexit uncertainties, Irish businesses were operating in a positive trading environment, with two thirds on a growth trajectory. "Our diversified portfolio is well positioned to support this growth in enterprise," it added. Much of the testimony on House Bill 786 came from opponents. They accused the state of trying to harm law-abiding gun owners by requiring the license, making it more difficult for poorer residents to buy the firearms. They also argued long guns arent a public safety risk because they are rarely used in homicides. They asked lawmakers to consider legislation improving access to mental health care rather than creating licenses for gun ownership. A farmer in the Austrian mountains has been ordered to pay 480,000 after a herd of his cows trampled a German tourist to death. The incident occurred while the unnamed female holidaymaker, 45, was hiking in Tyrols Pinnistal valley in 2014. A court in Innsbruck heard how the animals stampeded, most likely after they became agitated by the presence of the hiker's dog. The court has now found the farmer to be negligent, and ordered him to pay compensation to the victims husband and son. Although the farmer insisted he had put up warning signs, the court ruled there were not enough and that, in any case, the footpath should have been fenced off from the herd. But the ruling has angered many of the regions farmers, who say it will become a threat to their livelihood in a region that attracts huge numbers of Alpine tourists. The Tyrolean Chamber of Agriculture described the incident as tragic but said that it felt the verdict was out of touch with reality. In a statement, it said: "The ruling is generating a great deal of anxiety and uncertainty among farmers, who are faced with the question of whether they should allow their cows to graze, or whether they should close off the pastures completely. Footpaths across meadows and pastures would have to be fenced off, and made inaccessible to walkers. "An obligation to put up fences would be economically unreasonable for farmers and would, in many places, mean the end of pastoral farming." The European Union is no closer to a trade deal with Mercosur because members of the South American bloc have changed their position on previously agreed issues, but expects to settle a U.S. claim for a bigger share of a beef import quota within weeks, the Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan has said. Were not closer (to a deal) because there has been some backtracking on the part of the Mercosur countries in relation to certain products where we had agreements in 2017, he said in an interview at the Paris farm show. I regret this very much but there are political reasons in the Mercosur countries for this it seems. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in December that the new Brazilian government of President Jair Bolsonaro would make it harder to reach a deal in the long-running talks with the Mercosur, which also includes Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. The South American group has been pushing for greater access to the EU for its agricultural exports, notably beef. Brazil has previously blamed the EU for being protectionist about farming. The EU was looking for concessions in relation to cars, car parts, rules of origins, public procurement, the maritime sector, dairy and geographic indications, ahead of a next round of negotiations in March, Hogan said. Regarding a U.S. request for a greater share of a 45,000 tonne EU import quota for hormone-free beef, he said he expected it to be settled in four to six weeks. Other countries who use the quota, including Australia and Argentina, understood the need to resolve the matter or face the risk not having the quota at all, he added. The quota was created in response to a long-standing row over the EUs refusal to allow U.S. beef produced with hormones. However, under World Trade Organisation rules, the hormone-free beef quota also had to be opened to non-U.S. suppliers. The beef quota is separate to wider trade discussions between Washington and Brussels, and Hogan reiterated the EUs position that agriculture would not be part of wider negotiations. U.S. officials have been urging the EU to address agriculture as part of talks, which the two sides agreed to last year to avert the threat of extra U.S. tariffs on European cars. The EU has cited a jump in its imports of U.S. soybeans since last summer as a sign of goodwill. But Hogan played down its political significance, saying low prices for U.S. soybeans encouraged the massive purchases by the EU, which is reliant on imported soy as protein for livestock feed. 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. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday January 26, 2019. Hundreds of protesters have warned Theresa May that a hard Irish border risks destroying Northern Ireland's hard-won peace. See PA story POLITICS Brexit Border. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Private veterinary practitioners are being called on by the Department of Agriculture to consider possible inspector positions as pat of the Government's Brexit contingency planning. The Department is looking for vets to registering for a process whereby appropriately qualified vets may be contracted for Border Inspection Post (BIP) duty as part of the Departments Brexit contingency planning. This initiative forms part of a broader response by the Department to resource the contingencies that may arise as a result of Brexit over the near and longer term, which also includes external recruitment through our partners in the Public Appointments Service as well as redeployment of existing staff within the Department. It is envisaged that successful veterinary practitioners engaged under this process may be deployed at Dublin and Rosslare Ports, should the need arise. Depending on evolving import and export patterns, there may be potential for engagement at further Border Inspection Posts in the future, for example at Shannon or elsewhere. The Department of Agriculture had previously said it would need an additional 300 vets in light of Brexit, but downsized that figure late last year to 116. The move comes as there is a growing expectation in the UK that Brexit will be delayed by anywhere between two months and two years. French President Emmanuel Macron talks with a breeder as he visits the International Agriculture Fair (Salon de l'Agriculture) at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris, France, February 23, 2019. Julien De Rosa/Pool via Reuters French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a large budget to defend EU goals on food quality and environmental protection. France is the EUs biggest agricultural producer and the main beneficiary of its Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which is due to be renegotiated this year just as Britain, a net budget contributor, is set to quit the bloc. The EU should maintain an ambitious farming budget with not one euro less than at present, after factoring in the impact of Brexit, Macron said. Under plans for the EUs budget (MFF) for 2021-2027, farmers would receive around 232 billion in direct support, a drop of more than 30 billion from the current seven-year budget. European agriculture has always been a given, it is today under threat, Macron said in his speech, citing the EUs reliance on imported soybean protein for livestock feed and Russias rise as a massive cereal exporter. No farmer or consumer wants to be subjected to the diktat of non-European countries, he added. Agriculture is a flashpoint in trade negotiations, notably in areas such as food safety standards and genetic modification, and Macron reaffirmed Frances red line that farm products be kept out of trade talks with the United States. The European Commission also wants to leave agriculture out of EU-U.S. discussions, at odds with Washington, which is threatening punitive tariffs on European cars. His comments come as a boost to Minsiter for Agriculture, Minster Creed who has been actively engaging with counterparts from France, Spain, Finland, Portugal and Greece, who have all called for the restoration of the CAP budget for the 2021 2027 period to current levels. Up to 20 Member States have joined this alliance and Minister Creed has said the group will continue to work together in an effort to build consensus on this point. In France recently, Minister Creed also raised the issue of Irish Exporters use of the UK land-bridge and sought assurances that Irish exporters would not be disadvantaged due to the transit of goods via the UK. The issue of maximising opportunities for live cattle exports was also raised by Minister Creed with specific reference to the provision of facilities in France for use by exporters. Ireland's position on the EU budget has been so far unequivocal. From the Taoiseach to the Minister for Finance and Minister Creed, Ireland wants to see the budget restored to the previous level, taking into account that there will no longer be the UK contribution. Some 80pc of the EU funds for Ireland come through the CAP. For every euro Ireland puts into EU funds we get back a higher amount through CAP. However, the Commission's current proposals are based on a certain increase in member state contributions and not all member states are willing to make a contribution. The Dutch led the charge for rich northern states unwilling to step into the Brexit breach: A smaller EU ... should have a smaller budget, Prime Minister Mark Rutte has said. If the UK were to hit Irish beef exports, it wouldnt be facing down Devs Ireland, it would be confronting the entire EU bloc Don't bank on the European Union to bail out our beef industry if the UK decides to favour a cheap meat policy after Brexit. Suggestions that the British government may allow low tariff Brazilian beef into the country, while punishing Irish beef exporters with higher tariffs, are worrying. So it was no surprise that Tanaiste Simon Coveney was quick to point out that our EU colleagues could come to the rescue with some kind of financial supports for the sector. We definitely should not rely on a package of supports. The EU would only be willing to provide some kind of compensation or subsidy package for a limited period of time. It would not form the basis on which to rebuild our beef industry which would undoubtedly be very badly hit, given that 52pc of exports go to the UK. The issue prompted comparisons with de Valera's Economic War between Ireland and the UK in the 1930s where we slapped tariffs on each other's produce for several years and we came off the worst. But the world is a very different place than it was in the 1930s. First of all, slapping tariffs on Irish beef imports to the UK would involve slapping tariffs on EU beef. This would have to be factored in to any wider future trade deal yet to be negotiated between the EU and the UK after Brexit. We have become so focused on the diplomatic tension around the backstop, it is easy to forget that Britain's future trading relationship with the EU has yet to be negotiated. Even if they crash out, at some point they will have to sit down and negotiate a trade deal. Flooding UK supermarkets with cheap Brazilian beef while taxing Irish beef would have reciprocal consequences in what the UK could sell to the EU. The Economic War involved tiny Ireland going up against the buying power and financial resources of the UK. Would the British jeopardise a better trade deal with 500 million EU citizens in order to give the Irish beef sector a slap? Maybe, but the situation is a little more complicated these days. In fact, the economic might of the EU could come to the rescue of Irish farmers in this scenario a lot more effectively than a temporary compensation package. If the UK crashes out without a deal, then in the immediate short term there would be extensive tariffs placed on Irish beef imports to the UK. This would require short term financial assistance for the sector. But any move by Britain to flood its supermarket shelves with cheap Brazilian beef would have to be weighed up against the needs of a future trade deal with the EU which would involve everything from food and car manufacture to financial services. In a worst-case scenario, where Irish beef exporters are sacrificed on the altar of Tory expediency and the need for cheap food on British shelves, Ireland would have to look further afield for new markets. China holds some prospects, but there would be no easy win here. Other countries have got a bigger foot in the door although Ireland is catching up. The EU has been steadfast in keeping Brazilian beef imports to relatively low numbers. There is of course the question of consumer taste preferences, food safety and traceability. Brazil may be the biggest exporter of beef in the world, but it still has lots of questions to answer around health and safety in the industry. Surely questions would be asked about the wisdom of such an approach even if it kept beef prices down. How would consumers, politicians and the farming industry in the North feel about it? It is hard to see that the wider British public would be given the "mushroom treatment" by their own government i.e. kept in the dark and fed lots of sh**e. Datalex triple whammy Bad news comes in threes, they say. Travel software group Datalex had the third instalment of a triple whammy this week when its chief financial officer Donal Rooney said he was leaving the company after just three months in the job. The first instalment came in January when Datalex issued a profit warning and announced that it may have misstated its 2018 results based on difficulties recovering certain costs on a piece of service work with a client. The shares crashed by 59pc on the day as the market doesn't like negative surprises and it raised obvious questions about how this happened, and was it just a one-off. Datalex said it was calling in PWC to do a review of what went wrong. The inference seemed to be that much of the costs would be recovered but just not in 2018 as had been accounted for. The second instalment came when Datalex's stock took another hit ten days ago as it disappointed investors with its earnings guidance for 2019 and 2020. It also unveiled plans to cut jobs and contracted positions to save up to $10m annually from next year. This was a smart and positive response from management but it also suggested that the previous issue wasn't just a minor blip. This week saw the third instalment when Rooney announced he was leaving. It was reported that Rooney had taken the view in recent times that the job was vastly different to the one he signed up to last year. If that were the case, one can see how slashing costs and headcount numbers, dealing with a PwC review and battling a shattered share price, would represent a very different job to what appeared last year. Or perhaps there were other issues around this whole saga that changed his perspective towards the company. Datalex will have to beef up its management team with a new CFO, at a time when lots of questions still hang over what happened. It is hard to see how much can change or move on until PwC reports back. During the week the shares were trading at 72c, well below the 1 they sank to in the aftermath of the profit warning in January. Hotels escape Vat apocalypse January can be a tough month for a lot of businesses, including hotels. But this year hotels faced a 4.5pc higher Vat rate, which led some in the sector to make apocalyptic predictions about what would happen. No apocalypse yet it seems. Revenue per available room (Revpar) figures published last week showed that hotels in both Dublin and regional Ireland reported higher RevPARs in January, despite the Vat headwind from January 1. Dublin RevPAR grew 0.9pc in January, with occupancy down 0.8 percentage points, and average daily rate up 2.1pc. In regional Ireland, RevPAR increased 4.9pc in January, with occupancy up 0.5 percentage points and average daily rate up 3.9pc. A single month's figures are hard to read but it seems that lower occupancy in Dublin hotels might have been due to higher prices but the sector could still manage to take in more money. If the occupancy rates were to fall further however, Dublin hoteliers would sit up and take notice. Visitor numbers and continued growth in the economy suggest that Dublin hotels will continue to rake it in. Hotels elsewhere have managed OK in the first month but it is early days. No figures are available for restaurants which stood to take a bigger hit in what is a more competitive business in the capital city. German visitor numbers were up 18pc last year. This should be seen as a positive response to Brexit as the industry and Tourism Ireland pursue a better result from markets outside the UK. Continental Europe now accounts for the larger portion of foreign visitors having overtaken Britain. Willkommen to you all. The Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin is co-owned by Hammerson Hammerson, the co-owner of the Dundrum Town Centre, is to submit a planning application for a residential development in Dundrum. The UK group, which also owns 50pc of the Ilac Centre in Dublin, said 2018 had been "another strong year" for its Irish portfolio, with further rental growth and continued tenant demand. The Irish portfolio generated net rental income of 40m (46m) in 2018, and produced like-for-like net rental income growth of 1.6pc, according to results from the group. All three of its Irish shopping centres - Dundrum, Ilac, and the Swords Pavillion - recorded higher income. Occupancy at its Irish centres remained very high at 99pc. For principal leases, rents secured in Ireland were 28pc above previous passing rents and 8pc higher than December 2017 estimated rental values. The group experienced strong demand from both leisure brands and restaurants in Dundrum Town Centre. Overall though the listed company swung to a loss in 2018 after a year of retail failures put pressure on property values. The group unveiled full-year results on Monday showing a loss before tax of 266.7m (307m), compared with a profit of 413m (475m) in 2017. Net rental income declined 6.2pc to 347.5m. Chief executive David Atkins said: "2018 was a tough year, particularly in the UK. Tenant failures, the structural shift in retail and a more considered consumer created a difficult operating environment, putting pressure on property values." Major retailers such as Maplin and House of Fraser went into administration last year, while many others used a form of insolvency known as a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) to shut stores. Hammerson said net rental income had dropped by 1.3pc at its UK flagship destinations and by 4.3pc at retail parks due to tenant failures and CVAs. The value of the company's portfolio dropped 5.9pc to 9.94bn. Hammerson said its properties have fallen in value by an average of 4pc during 2018, including a reduction in UK values of 11pc. The firm expects further weakness in the UK until the outcome of Brexit is determined. The group also sold off 570m worth of its assets in 2018, with plans to dispose of a similar amount in the current year. Hammerson said it would target another 500m worth of disposals in 2019 and has set up an Investment and Disposal Committee as it ramps up its focus on slimming down the portfolio. The group is in talks over possible transactions with a total value of up to 900m. The move was welcomed by activist investor Elliott, which upped its stake in the company to more than 5pc in July. The hedge fund has been pushing for a major reshaping of the portfolio. Elliott said in a statement: "This increased focus on strategic disposals, as marked by updated targets for 2019 and a current pipeline of potential sales of over 900m, signals a positive development in the company's progress, and its ability to ensure that its portfolio of high-quality assets delivers compelling value for all shareholders." (Additional reporting PA) Meeting: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar arrives at the joint EU and Arab League summit at the International Congress Centre in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. Photo: AFP Welcome: British Prime Minister Theresa May is greeted by Nabila Makram, Egyptian Minister of Immigration, in Sharm El-Sheikh. Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Brexit could be pushed back by up to two years as Theresa Mays diplomatic dash to the desert is unlikely to break the current impasse. The embattled British prime minister has delayed a meaningful vote on her deal to March 12 at the latest, which would see parliament voting on the divorce package just over two weeks before the UK is scheduled to leave the EU. European diplomats are currently teasing out several solutions to the crisis, including a so-called technical delay of Brexit for a short time. But the idea of a 21-month delay has gained traction among senior officials, according to British newspaper reports. This would allow the future trading relationship to be fleshed out, which would serve to override opposition to the backstop that has proved the major stumbling block to date. Speaking at an EU-Arab summit in Egypt last night, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar signalled that he was open to the idea of a Brexit delay, noting that March 29 is a self-imposed deadline by the British. A source told the 'Guardian' newspaper that attempts to blame Ireland for a no-deal Brexit would "backfire", as the EU believes Ireland is being used as a proxy to tease out future trade issues. Mr Varadkar's willingness to see a Brexit delay was backed up by Austria's chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who said if there was no agreement in London by the beginning of March, a postponement would be the best option. Mrs May has been accused of running down the clock in a bid to force her deal through by deferring a key vote yet again. The next "meaningful vote" will come after a series of votes in Westminster this week, one of which could see the parliament symbolically reject a no-deal scenario even if it means that Brexit has to be pushed back. By re-organising the parliamentary calendar, Mrs May could be in a position to argue that it is her deal or a delay - and possibly a lengthy one - to Brexit. The Taoiseach and senior EU figures have again underlined the idea that the withdrawal agreement can not be reopened, with Mr Varadkar warning that the EU is not "playing chicken". Read More "Mechanisms" to give the UK assurances over the temporary nature of the backstop are on the table, Mr Varadkar said. Ireland can do little to help the UK if its government doesn't understand the need for the backstop "at this stage", he said. He will meet Mrs May on the fringes of the EU-Arab summit in Egypt - but any hopes of a 'deal in the desert' have been firmly buried. In advance of talks with Mrs May, Mr Varadkar said the EU won't compromise on a deal that has already been agreed. "We're not playing chicken, we're not playing poker. We are just standing by our position which has been solid from day one," he said. Asked whether he was concerned the vote in Westminster will now take place within just two weeks of Brexit, Mr Varadkar said it made no difference. "The decision on when this vote happens in the House of Commons isn't under my control," he said, adding it "doesn't change anything from Ireland's point of view". Mr Varadkar described March 29 as a "self-imposed deadline", suggesting again the EU would agree to a postponement if London seeks one. "The position of the EU is the same as Ireland's position, is that the withdrawal agreement, including the backstop, are not up for renegotiation. "We're happy to discuss with the UK assurances that they may need to have further confidence if the backstop is ever applied, so we're happy to talk to them on that basis, to give them reassurance. However, we can't agree to something that would contradict the legal reality," Mr Varadkar said. He repeated that there was no plan being developed for erecting a hard Border despite the "obligation to protect the integrity of our single market, which we are part of and intend to be a full member of". Responding to comments by UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove, who claimed progress was being made on either a time-limit to the backstop or unilateral exit mechanism for the UK, the Taoiseach said if people don't understand that's not going to happen "I don't think there is any more I can do to help them". Meanwhile, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has accused the Taoiseach of using "childish" language which is adding to the deterioration of Anglo-Irish relations. Last Friday, Mr Varadkar told his party's selection convention that Westminster was not the boss of other parliaments. "It's very childish kind of stuff that we don't need to be doing. It's getting too serious for that," Mr Martin said yesterday. Elsewhere at the EU-Arab summit, leaders discussed the migrant crisis. Mr Varadkar said that Ireland will show solidarity with the EU countries most affected by the crisis, in the same way they are standing by us over Brexit. "We're very keen to demonstrate solidarity with other EU countries. That means working to disrupt people-smuggling," he said. British Prime Minister Theresa May has pushed back yet another key vote on her divorce deal, fuelling speculation she is trying to run down the clock in a bid to force her deal through. In Europe, Mrs May's decision was described as "reckless" as it will see confusion persist. Arriving in Sharm El-Sheikh, Mrs May confirmed there would be no "meaningful vote" on the Withdrawal Agreement this week, but promised MPs they would have a vote by March 12 at the latest - just 17 days before Britain is set to leave the EU. The European Parliament's Brexit co-ordinator hit out at Mrs May for "kicking the can down the road". "Kicking the can down the road only adds to the crippling uncertainty for businesses on both sides of the channel and for millions of citizens. "I have seen many surprising decisions in a lifetime in politics. But this is close to being one of the most reckless," Guy Verhofstadt tweeted. Mrs May had told reporters on board her plane to Egypt: "We won't bring a meaningful vote to parliament this week but we will ensure that that happens by the 12th of March. "It is still within our grasp to leave the European Union with a deal on the 29th of March and that is what we are working to do." The Tory leader said her negotiators will return to Brussels tomorrow, saying that discussions had been "constructive" to date. But the delay has fuelled the theory that Mrs May is attempting to force the hand of MPs with the threat of a delayed Brexit unless her deal is accepted. A growing number of MPs, including cabinet ministers, are pressing for a delay in order to shore up agreement for a deal. But Mrs May has rejected the idea Article 50 should be extended, arguing it would not solve the problem. "It defers the point of decision. There comes a point where we need to make that decision," she said. "Extension of Article 50 doesn't solve the problem." Senior figures in the opposition Labour Party said yesterday it was moving closer to supporting another Brexit referendum and could do so as soon as early as this week. Leader Jeremy Corbyn has so far stuck to Labour policy to keep the option of a second referendum "on the table" if Mrs May fails to secure a deal with Brussels that can break the impasse in parliament. Prime minister Theresa May meets with EU Council President Donald Tusk at the EU-League of Arab States Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, EgyptStefan Photo: Rousseau/PA Wire Formal talks on the implications of a delaying Brexit have taken place between British Prime Minister Theresa May and EU Council President Donald Tusk. Although Mrs May publicly insists she will take her country out of the EU on March 29, the idea of an extension to Article 50 is now firmly in play. Expand Close Prime Minister Theresa May during a bilateral meeting with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar as they attend the EU-League of Arab States Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Prime Minister Theresa May during a bilateral meeting with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar as they attend the EU-League of Arab States Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire Mr Tusk said he wanted to end the speculation by confirming that he met Mrs May yesterday and teased out the legal implications of a delay. He said both sides wants to avoid a disorderly Brexit, meaning an extension would be a rational solution. He noted that the British Prime Minister still believes she can get the Withdrawal Agreement through the House of Commons. At her press conference before leaving Sharm El-Sheikh, Mrs May said she remains focused on getting changes to the backstop so that the UK Parliament can have a new meaningful vote before March 12. "An extension to Article 50, a delay in this process, doesn't deliver a decision in parliament, it doesn't deliver a deal," May said. "What it does is precisely what the word 'delay' says. It just delays the point at which you come to that decision. And I think that any extension of Article 50, in that sense, isn't addressing the issue. We have it within our grasp." She added: "Any delay is a delay, it doesn't address the issue, it doesn't resolve the issue." she said. Earlier, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar predicted that Britain will either leave the European Union with a deal on March 29 or seek an extension to Article 50. Ahead of a one-to-one meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May in Egypt, Mr Varadkar sounded much more positive than in recent weeks. There is a growing expectation in the UK that Brexit will be delayed by anywhere between two months and two years. Whats evident to me is that absolutely nobody wants the United Kingdom to crash out without a deal. It is a lose, lose, lose scenario for everyone, Mr Varadkar said. That gives me confidence, or a sense at least, that the UK will not crash out without a deal on March 29. Well either have a deal or have an extension. The possibility of extending Article 50 was raised at a meeting between Mrs May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the fringes of an EU-Arab summit this morning. It is understood Mrs Merkel brought up the issue and UK officials briefed afterwards that the discussion was not substantive. "It wasn't something the PM raised," the official told reporters. Also in Sharm El-Sheikh, Denmark's prime minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said his country will not stand in the way of a possible postponement. I believe everyone will be flexible, no one wants the UK to leave the EU in a disorderly way," he said. When asked what type of extension might be granted, Mr Varadkar said there are different views. The European Union cant really consider any requests for an extension until that comes in and it hasnt as yet. A lot of people, a lot of colleagues feel that if there is an extension, it should be an extension with plan rather than an extension just to continue negotiations which have already gone on for almost two years but my own view is that nobody wants a no deal exit by the UK on March 29. It doesnt benefit the UK, it doesnt benefit Ireland, it doesnt benefit the European Union. And that is why I feel the chances are that wont happen, he said. Security personnel stand guard outside of the hijacked aircraft of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines in the Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram, Bangladesh Photo: Reuters A man who was killed while trying to hijack a commercial flight in Bangladesh was a 24-year-old passenger from a village near the capital who may not have been armed, officials have said. "There was no signal that he had something" when he went through airport security before Sunday's flight, Bangladesh civil aviation minister Mahbub Ali said at a news conference in Dhaka. The statement contradicted previous allegations that the passenger was carrying a pistol. A police chief in Narayanganj outside Dhaka, Mohammed Moniruzzaman, identified the suspect as Mahmud Polash Ahmed. Mr Moniruzzaman said Ahmed's parents confirmed his identity, and that residents of the village where he lived said he had a "bad reputation". The minister's statement contradicts what Major General Motiur Rahman told reporters on Sunday. According to ATN TV news, Mr Rahman said commandos fired at the suspect after he shot at them when they asked him to surrender, and that he was armed with a pistol. "We don't know if there was any exchange of gunfire," Mohibul Haque, secretary of the civil aviation ministry, told reporters. The plane operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines made an emergency landing in Chittagong after the attempted hijacking, which occurred shortly after take-off from Dhaka. The plane was headed to Dubai via Chittagong. The suspect asked to speak to the prime minister before dying from gunshots fired by the commandos, according to officials. Monday, February 25, 2019 at 11:37AM The LG V50 ThinQ 5G with the optional Dual Screen case The V series isn't something LG typically launches at this time of the year. But it looks like the company wants to capitalize on the buzz surrounding 5G and opted to launch its own 5G-ready phone at MWC. The LG V50 ThinQ 5G will come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset alongside an embedded Qualcomm X50 modem, which promises "up to 20 times the speed of 4G." Looks-wise, it's similar to the V40. It has the same 6.4-inch 3,120 x 1,440 resolution OLED display. Its body is MIL-STD 810G compliant. The notch hasn't gone away, either. You get two selfie cameras: a standard 8-megapixel sensor and a 5-megapixel wide-angle sensor. It also has the same triple camera system at the back, which includes a 12-megapixel standard lens with f/1.5 aperture, a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with f/2.4 aperture, and a 16-megapixel ultra-wide lens with f/1.9 aperture. The V50 now has a 4,000mAh battery. It also has stereo speakers and 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC (yes, the headphone jack is still there). There isn't an in-display fingerprint sensor. Instead, there's the rear fingerprint sensor and the selfie camera lets you do face unlock. While this 5G phone isn't a foldable device, there is an optional second screen case for the V50. This Dual Screen accessory adds a 6.2-inch 2,160 x 1,080 resolution OLED display. It connects to the V50 via pogo pins in phone's rear. It gives you an extra display to work with and supports both landscape and portrait use. The LG V50 is coming first to the US exclusively through Sprint, while other countries like South Korea, Australia, and several other unspecified European countries are expected to get the phone, too. It comes in Aurora Black. Source: GSMArena Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has travelled to Egypt to attend the first ever EU-Arab League Summit (Tom Honan/PA) TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has urged leaders of some of the worlds most conservative countries to look to Ireland as an example of how change can be positive. Addressing an EU-Arab League of Nations summit in Egypt, Mr Varadkar told how Ireland has changed a lot in the past 10 years. We have become leaders in advancing equality for women and members of the LGBT community. We have legalised both same sex marriage - the right to love - and abortion - the right to choose, he said. I respect that every country has its own culture, traditions and religious beliefs. However we believe these rights are universal. The Taoiseach was speaking to leaders with some of the most regressive laws on relating to women and homosexuality. They include Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UAE and Iraq. Mr Varadkar explained how almost a century ago Ireland became an independent state, claiming our place among the nations of the world. Since then, we have worked hard to build our nation, and to move beyond our history of colonialism, conflict, Poverty, famine and forced migration. We have succeeded, he said. The summit in Egypt is the first of its kind, with 24 out of the 28 EU heads of government also in attendance. Mr Varadkar said Ireland feels stronger, more secure and more prosperous thanks to the European Union. I think that Europe is stronger and safer when it works in partnership with other regions, within a multilateral, rules-based system, he said. As a relatively small country, Irelands positive experience of multilateralism has reinforced our conviction that the international community can achieve far greater things by working together. A new teacher-sharing scheme aimed at alleviating some of the recruitment issues facing schools has been announced. Education Minister Joe McHugh urged school principals to sign up to the new scheme, which will allow post-primary schools to share teachers in priority subjects. The initiative will start from the beginning of the 2019/2020 academic school year and will be reviewed after the first year of operation. Mr McHugh said: The aim of this scheme is to alleviate some of the challenges schools have faced in recruiting teachers. This new approach to filling posts is a solution for principals who are seeking teachers and graduates who are looking for full-time employment and more options for work. The scheme is one of a range of measures contained in the ministers Action Plan for Teacher Supply, published last November. The development and implementation of the plan is being led by the Teacher Supply Steering Group, in recognition of the significant recruitment challenges some schools have experienced. It is hoped the initiative will provide more options to ease recruitment pressures in some specific subject areas such as Stem, modern languages, Irish and home economics. I urge schools to see this as an opportunity and begin the groundwork to make the most of this new schemeJoe McHugh, Education Minister Addressing the current and future challenges in teacher supply is a national priority, Mr McHugh said. Principals and the boards of management in schools should seize this opportunity to work with a neighbouring school by sharing a teacher in a specialist subject. With all the progress in our post-primary education system, the growing number of young people in post-primary and new initiatives like Leaving Cert PE and computer science, we need to focus on new ways of working. I urge schools to see this as an opportunity and begin the groundwork to make the most of this new scheme. The scheme will allow two schools to work together to recruit a teacher for a job and employ them on more hours than if they were teaching in just one school. It will optimise the use of teaching time and it will allow a teacher to work as many hours as possible in a high-demand subject. Mr McHugh added: It is a good option for the schools and for the teacher. I am confident that it will make a difference and help to ease the difficulties that some schools have experienced in sourcing teachers of high-priority subjects. He said school management bodies and teacher unions had shown great commitment and co-operation by agreeing to innovative solutions such as the scheme being announced. Teacher supply is a complex challenge but we will only succeed in addressing the challenges if we continue to work together and seek to identify and implement flexible and innovative approaches to ensure that we meet the future needs of our schools, our teachers and our children, he said. A new survey has found the majority of people believe the response to drug use should be health led (PA Wire) The majority of people believe the response to drug use should be health-led, a new survey found. The research, conducted by RedC on behalf of the Ana Liffey Drug Project, showed eight out of 10 adults would rather their loved ones using drugs received treatment from healthcare professionals than face criminalisation. Ana Liffey Drug Project chief executive Tony Duffin said: What this research suggests is that Irish people recognise that an individuals drug use is a health issue, not a criminal justice issue. When someone realises that a loved one has taken illicit drugs a common response is to worry, be frightened and not know what to do or where to turn. Knowing that their loved ones behaviour is a crime further compounds the problem and can stop people seeking help. People want to get help from a health professional for their loved one as quickly as possible. In 2017, there were 12,201 recorded incidents of possession of drugs for personal use, representing over 72% of all drug offences. Mr Duffin added Ireland has been criminalising people who use drugs for over 40 years, yet over that period the number of people using drugs had increased dramatically, as had the harm caused by drugs. How we currently respond does not work and needs to change, he said. The projects latest campaign, called #SaferFromHarm, aims to decriminalise people who use drugs. Mr Duffin said they want to see a fully decriminalised model introduced in Ireland. Punishing people for nothing more than their own drug use has failed us, we must now work smarter in a decriminalised environment drug dealing remains in the realm of criminal justice, whilst drug use is treated for what it is a health issue, he said. Mr Duffin concluded: It is important to remember that decriminalisation is not the same as legalisation or regulation. In a decriminalised system, drugs remain illegal. We just change the way we deal with people who use drugs treating them as people who require a health intervention, rather than people who deserve to be punished. What we need to do is to bring our response in line with our national drugs policy, which recognises that personal drug use is a health issue, not a criminal justice one. The survey interviewed 1,007 adults by random selection last month about their attitudes towards interventions in the case of drug use by a loved one. Gardai said a motorcyclist died following a crash on the M50 (Niall Carson/PA) A motorcyclist has died following a crash on the M50. Gardai said the incident happened close to the north bore of Dublin Port Tunnel shortly after 10am on Monday. The motorcyclist, a man in his fifties, was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was taken to Dublin City Morgue for a post-mortem examination. The road was closed to allow a technical examination of the scene by Garda forensic collision investigators. It has since reopened. No other vehicles were involved in the crash. Tents belonging to homeless people on the banks of the Royal Canal near Dublins city centre (Brian Lawless/PA) Housing and homelessness continues to dominate caseloads at a human rights organisation. Representatives at the Free Legal Advice Centre (FLAC) say they are also concerned about access to justice for disadvantaged groups, such as members of the Traveller and Roma communities. FLAC, which offers free legal information, dealt with over 25,000 requests for legal advice last year. It opened its new head office in Dublin which coincides with its 50th anniversary. aAccess to legal aid is a crucial requirement of access to justice, and justice for all must lie at the very heart of any democratic society.a President Higgins speaking at the official opening of @flacirelandas new offices.https://t.co/Z0NbPQLkiV pic.twitter.com/LkoT7SEQOs President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) February 25, 2019 The organisation is also calling for courts to be more accessible for people with disabilities and lay litigants. Chief executive of FLAC, Eilis Barry said: Fifty years on and access to justice is still unattainable for some groups and individuals in our society. Access to justice includes access to the courts, which are an essential part of democracy and the rule of law and the courts and the Legal Aid Board needs to be adequately resourced. We are proud of the work that FLAC and its squad of volunteers have done for the last 50 years in seeking to establish a comprehensive system of civil legal aid. However, our staff and volunteers cannot begin to meet the current legal need we encounter on a daily basis. FLAC was established in Dublin in 1969 by law students David Byrne, Denis McCullough, Vivian Lavan and Ian Candy, who were looking to use their legal knowledge to provide advice and information to those who could not afford the fees involved. When vulnerable citizens are abandoned to navigate a complex legal system alone, they are experiencing a grave injustice.Michael D Higgins Since its establishment, FLAC has used strategic litigation to effect change. Irish president Michael D Higgins opened the new head office at Dorset Street Upper. Speaking at the event, he said that those who are most vulnerable and marginalised in society are also those who are most at risk of facing legal difficulties. The homeless, the poor, those with a disability or who suffer from mental illness, immigrants, lone parents and those living or growing up in disadvantaged communities encounter many more legal problems than the rest of our population, he said. They are often problems that could be easily resolved with access to timely legal advice. Yet, because such access is denied, and many barriers are placed between disadvantaged citizens and legal assistance, they so often escalate into situations that profoundly impact on the well-being, self-esteem and security of an individual and their family, casting long shadows and having far reaching implications. When vulnerable citizens are abandoned to navigate a complex legal system alone, they are experiencing a grave injustice. An injustice which can deprive them of an income, a roof over their head or their freedom and liberty, an injustice that can exclude them from employment or education, an injustice that can deny them access to their children or reunification with their family and an injustice that, in so many ways, can push citizens further and further towards the margins of society. A week ago, along with seven other colleagues, I left the Labour Party to co-found the Independent Group of MPs. We were joined by another former Labour colleague the day after and on Wednesday three former Conservative MPs took our number to 11. We are encouraging others who, like us and millions of others, have felt politically homeless and fed up of the old politics to join us to create something new, giving people an alternative to the status quo, establishment parties. Already we have signalled that we intend to be activists in the House of Commons for the mainstream majority in Britain which is why this week we will bring new contempt proceedings against the government if it fails to publish cabinet briefing papers on the impact of a no-deal Brexit on business and trade. Two weeks ago TIG MPs had tabled an amendment (in the name of Anna Soubry) to force ministers to do this but we withdrew it when they relented and promised to publish these papers before the vote this week. They appear to have rowed back on that promise if they do so, we wont let them to get away with it. We will show that our actions match our words when we say we will do all we can to stop the disastrous trajectory our country is on. The common thread running through our grouping is the progressive values we share. We hail from different political traditions so have taken varying political positions in the past. It means, for example, that former Labour members have voted against every Conservative Budget since 2010, whereas the former Conservative members have done the opposite. We see the fact we havent all agreed on everything and dont parrot the same line like robots as being a huge strength not a weakness. If we, as a diverse group, can reach a consensus on economic policy, we are much more likely to settle on a position that can unite our divided country unlike the existing political tribes who often oppose each other for the sake of it. It is the fact that we hail from different political traditions which distinguishes our project from what was attempted in the 1980s. The SDP was essentially another Labour Party, whereas we want to build an alternative that unites those who have progressive values across the centre left, the liberal middle and the centre right, and who are currently sitting in parties with others whom they have increasingly less in common with. In any event, we recognise that the left/right fulcrum around which so much political debate revolved in the last century is not as relevant in the current one. The 2016 Brexit vote where your age, class, whether you have a nationalistic or internationalist outlook, where you live and other factors featured strongly is perhaps the best example of this. Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Show all 12 1 /12 Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Change UK Details on the individual MPs are in the following photos Reuters Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Heidi Allen Anti-Brexit MP for South Cambridgeshire resigned from the Conservative party on February 20 PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Chuka Umunna MP for Streatham since 2010 and prominent People's Vote supporter PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Anna Soubry The prominent anti-Brexit MP for Broxtowe resigned from the Conservative party on February 20 PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Luciana Berger MP for Liverpool Wavertree since 2010, resigned from the Labour Party over bullying and anti-semitism PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Sarah Wollaston Anti-Brexit MP for Totnes resigned from the Conservative party on February 20 PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Joan Ryan MP for Enfield North resigned from the Labour party on February 19 citing its tolerance of a "culture of anti-Jewish racism" PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Ann Coffey MP for Stockport since 1992 Chris McAndrew / UK Parliament Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Gavin Shuker MP for Luton South since 2010 Getty Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Chris Leslie MP for Nottingham East since 2010 PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Mike Gapes MP for Ilford South since 1992 PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Angela Smith MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge since 2010 As a group, we also better reflect modern Britain than those who attempted to change British politics in the past. We are not a bunch of grandees who have been part of the furniture in parliament for decades. Instead, our group comes from a wide variety of backgrounds, including a former lecturer, social worker, solicitor, entrepreneur, a GP and a church leader. We represent regions across the country. In contrast to the heavily male-dominated established parties, two-thirds of our group is female. We are proud of all of this. The reaction of both main parties to last weeks events is instructive and underlines for us why we made the right decision. On the Conservative side, I did BBC Radio 4s Any Questions? with the solicitor general, Robert Buckland, who was in complete denial about the Ukip-isation of many Tory local associations. If you refuse to even see there is a problem, you wont be able to fix what is broken. On the Labour side, the leader failed to follow the example of his deputy Tom Watson in recognising the reasons we left have validity. Watson aside, the leaderships of both main parties give every indication they will carry on with business as usual. Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said the Labour Party would crush us splitters spouting the same old tribal nonsense people are so tired of. Today we will have our first formal inaugural meeting of our group ahead of key votes this week on Brexit due on Wednesday and, possibly, Thursday. Our move last week has emboldened Conservative ministers to support the important amendment being voted on to empower the House of Commons to stop no deal even if it means they get the sack. The resignations of our three former Conservative colleagues has served notice on the prime minister that there is only so much those on the pro-European, one-nation wing of her party can put up with. Equally, on the Labour side, the prospect of a new progressive, pro-European force has served as the perfect incentive to get the party over the line to support a peoples vote, giving the electorate the final say over what happens over Brexit. We consequently expect to see those Tory ministerial resignations and the Labour Party backing the amendment tabled by Labour MPs Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson which includes a peoples vote. We said we wanted to change British politics it will be a long and arduous road ahead with lots of bumps along the way, but hopefully people can see we have already started to do that. Bravo Olivia! We are huge fans of Olivia Colman in the Umunna household so we were delighted she won Best Actress at last nights Oscars for her astounding performance in The Favourite, which I would recommend watching and have written about before in this column. Her acceptance speech was humble, emotional and funny. She is a great role model for all those who dream of doing something big she has done so but hasnt forgotten where she came from. Oscars 2019: Olivia Colman wins best actress award Her speech was so brilliant its worth recounting what she said: Its genuinely quite stressful. This is hilarious. I got an Oscar! OK, I have to thank lots of people. If, by the way, I forget anybody, Im going to find you later and give you all a massive snog. And finished up by saying: I used to work as a cleaner and I loved that job but I did spend quite a lot of my time imagining this. Its worth watching her speech above. Itll put a smile on your face. Go Olivia! Chuka Umunna is an Independent Group MP for Streatham Stigma surrounding mental health is on the decline: we talk about it in the media, in our workplaces and with our friends, and importantly with professionals. But one of the few remaining taboos is talking about what causes a lot of our anxieties and depression: stress, worklessness, job-insecurity, poverty, financial insecurity, inequality. In short, work. In the recent trial of basic income in Finland, in which 2,000 people received 560 euros (473) every month for two years - regardless of whether they were in work, in-between jobs or out of work - notable reductions in stress levels were observed. The Finnish trial is the first of its kind in Europe, however, there have been numerous examples or trials of basic income, including in Alaska, Canada, India, Namibia and Kenya. These trials have sought to examine the effects of direct, unconditional cash payments in sample communities. In each case, amongst numerous other valuable, positive effects these trials have shown that unconditional payments lead to improved mental health outcomes. Advocates of basic income, and those that have researched past trials, believe that a basic income could help to reduce and relieve the inequality and social and financial insecurities that negatively affect mental health. Elon Musk believes Universal Basic Income will follow more automation Research shows, and intuitive reasoning suggests, that people are affected by job-insecurity, worklessness, poverty, precarious living situations, financial insecurity, and social and economic inequality all issues that are increasingly prevalent in todays free-market capitalist western societies. These factors result in high stress levels for those affected those at the bottom of the financial scale in society, aka the vast and increasing numbers of people living hand-to-mouth and on very little income with no security net to fall back on. 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 An unconditional basic income, paid to all members of society regardless of employment status, life ambitions and aims, would also avoid the social stigma commonly related to means-tested benefits payments. A basic income would ensure a reasonable standard of security and safety for those suffering from the above mentioned insecurities, laying a modest but effective, solid foundation that would give people the surplus energy, motivation, happiness, willingness to be able to pursue their aims, just as those with security and wealth are so freely able to do, and so commonly take for granted. Put simply, mental health problems derive from situations of scarcity, poverty, unemployment and job insecurity, while basic income serves to improve peoples financial stability, helps people to cope when unemployed; live more comfortably while job seeking; afford to live without paid employment if they so wish; and to care for elderly or unwell relatives or friends. It reduces the incidence of crime, dependence on alcohol and substance abuse in general, and improves peoples educational attainment and ability to pursue later and further studies. All of this is conducive to happy, healthy, more equitable societies. Grab 'em the pussy wasn't going to do it. Describing an Olympic ice skater as wonderful looking while on the ice but built like a linebacker with a bad complexion up close wasnt going to do it. Telling a journalist who wrote about his bankruptcy that she had the face of a dog wasnt going to do it. And calling Hillary Clinton a nasty, mean enabler because of her husbands affairs certainly wasnt going to do it. But now Alva Johnson, a former Trump 2016 staffer, has said that the president kissed her without her consent while they were attending a rally in Florida on the campaign trail. Shes filed a lawsuit against him in Tampa. And that may, ultimately, do it. Whats different about Alva Johnson? Well, for one thing, she was a fully signed-up evangelist for the MAGA cause. Described in her lawsuit as a highly accomplished African American woman, she climbed the ladder in the Trump campaign and was promoted after numerous successes in outreach and operations. To Defendant Trump, however, the lawsuit continues, Ms Johnson was nothing more than a sexual object he felt entitled to dominate and humiliate. She was, her lawyer also alleges, paid less than similarly qualified male employees and less than her white compatriots, even those who were lower-ranked than her. The lawsuit adds that Johnson seeks to bring this case as a collective action on behalf of female campaign employees who suffered unlawful pay discrimination at the hands of Defendant Donald J Trump for President, Inc. That might seem like an about-face for someone who decided to throw themselves in to electing someone like Trump for president. Arent those people the sorts who laugh when women get called pigs and dogs; who think a man should justifiably expect his wife to eschew her own career and make sure dinner is on the table as soon as he gets home from furthering his; who subscribe to a brutal, dog-eat-dog kind of capitalism that is sceptical about the minimum wage and supportive of cutting red tape without care or compassion? Well, not exactly. Johnson voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012, her lawyer says, but during President Obamas two terms in office, she saw the African American community in Alabama [her home state] continue to experience severe economic hardship, and felt that perhaps Trump, with his background in business, could help invigorate the economy and provide jobs for her community. When she first met him as a presidential candidate, she tried to explain that she was a political outsider, like him, and was coming from the private sector. She organised numerous rallies, including one in her home county of Madison, where Trump won in the primary. She travelled to Missouri, Utah, Wisconsin, Indiana and California helping to pull together similar-sized crowds. The lawsuit continues, and it makes for sad reading. Alva Johnson committed herself to keeping volunteer morale high and organised an appreciation event called Super Saturday. Travelling from state to state, she transformed offices, coordinated yard signs and bumper stickers, and reached out to African Americans in the area. She knocked on doors. There is a picture of her kneeling behind large boxes spelling out TRUMP with her fellow volunteers, an American flag hung in the background next to a cardboard cut-out of The Donald. She managed the huge motorhomes (RVs) which the whole campaign used as mobile offices while traversing the country. After Hurricane Hermine, the lawsuit says, instead of campaigning, Ms Johnson instructed the North Florida RV to purchase hundreds of dollars of supplies to deliver to community members who had been impacted. Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Show all 23 1 /23 Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Joe Biden The former vice president - poised to be a frontrunner - has announced his run. He recently faced scrutiny for inappropriate touching of women, but was thought to deal with the criticism well AFP/Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Bernie Sanders The 2016 runner-up has announced that he will be running again in 2020 Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Hillary Clinton The 2016 Democratic presidential candidate and former Secretary of State says she is still considering whether she will run again. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Pete Buttigieg The Indiana mayor and war veteran will be running for president. If elected, he would be the first openly LGBT+ president in American history. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Kamala Harris The former California attorney general will be running for president in 2020. Introduced to the national stage during Jeff Sessions testimony, she has endorsed Medicare-for-all and proposed a major tax-credit for the middle class. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Elizabeth Warren The Massachusetts Senator has formally launched her bid for president in 2020. A progressive Democrat, she is a major supporter of regulating Wall Street. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Beto ORourke The former Texas congressman told Oprah Winfrey that he has been thinking about running for presidency, but stopped short of formally announcing his bid to run in 2020. AFP/Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Wayne Messam Mayor of the city of Miramar in the Miami metropolitan area, Wayne Messam has announced his bid. He intends to run on a progressive platform against the "broken" federal government. He favours gun regulations and was a signatory to a letter from some 400 mayors condemning President Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord. Vice News Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Kirsten Gillibrand The New York Senator formally announced her presidential bid in January, saying that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Cory Booker The New Jersey Senator has announced that he will be running for the presidency in 2020. If he secures the nomination he said finding a female vice president would be a priority. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? John Delaney The Maryland congressman was the first to launch his bid for presidency, making the announcement in 2017. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Julian Castro The former San Antonio mayor announced his candidacy in January and said that his running has a special meaning for the Latino community in the US. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Tulsi Gabbard The Hawaii congresswoman announced her candidacy in January, but is likely to face tough questions on her past comments on LGBT+ rights and her stance on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Andrew Yang The entrepreneur has announced his presidential candidacy, and has pledged that he would introduce a universal basic income of $1,000 a month to every American over the age of 18. AFP/Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Marianne Williamson The author and spiritual advisor has announced her intention to run for president. She had previously run for congress as an independent in 2014 but was unsuccessful. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? John Kerry The former secretary of state has said he is still thinking about whether to run. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Michael Bloomberg The entrepreneur and former New York mayor with a net worth of around $50bn has said he will decide by the end of February whether to seek the presidency. AFP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Howard Schultz Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has not yet ruled out running for president in 2020, despite criticism that his bid could help re-elect Mr Trump by dividing the Democrat vote. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Eric Holder The former attorney general has said he will decide in the next month or so whether to run as a 2020 presidential candidate. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Eric Swalwell The California congressman said he is ready to do this and will decide before April whether to run. MSNBC Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Terry McAuliffe The former Virginia governor, who worked to elect Democratic governors during 2018 midterms, said there was a 50 per cent chance he would run. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Sherrod Brown The Ohio senator is still undecided about whether to run for president in 2020. Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Mitch Landrieu The former New Orleans mayor said he doesnt think he will run for president, but never say never. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin It was one of these RVs that Donald Trump was exiting when he allegedly tried to kiss Alva Johnson on the lips, straight after shed encouragingly told him that he should go out there and kick ass in the name of volunteers like her whod been working away from their families for months. She says she cried when she rang her parents and partner and told them what had happened. She called in sick the day after seeing the infamous grab em by the pussy Access Hollywood tape, because she realised that what Trump had done to her was not an isolated incident, but part of a pattern of predatory behaviour towards women. Johnson said that she spoke with other female Trump supporters in the wake of the Access Hollywood tape, and that they said they believed the tape had been doctored. She quit the campaign and kept her head down, assuming no one would believe her in turn. The reaction to Johnson's lawsuit has been mixed. Some Democrat-voting liberals have embraced her; others have struggled with the idea of backing someone who worked so assiduously to put the president into the White House. Some Republicans have said they are disturbed by the allegations; others (mostly on Twitter) have claimed it's all a liberal hoax. One Twitter meme features a hand hovering between two buttons, imploring liberals to choose one already: one is labelled Trump kissed black former staffer and the other Trump is a racist. In other words, Alva Johnson is in danger of having fewer sympathisers on both ends of the spectrum than others who have made similar allegations. Neither diehard Democrats nor Republicans have come out solidly in support of her. If both groups did, we might end up seeing genuine, thunderous change. When you read through the lawsuit, you get a sense of Johnson's story, her ambitions, and her regrets. The whole thing feels genuinely relatable, and its part of the reason why Hillary Clintons deplorables comment stung so much when other, seemingly much worse insults were being thrown about left, right and centre. There are a lot of Trump supporters who desperately wanted to believe in him, who needed to believe in him, because otherwise it meant giving up on democracy completely. There are a lot of people whose communities remained mired in poverty and crime throughout successive presidencies from both parties. There were a lot of people who took Trump at face value, not because they were stupid but because they were optimistic and hopeful. And there were a lot of people who reacted to the smug crows of Democrat voters every time Trump did something wrong with anger, incredulity and defensiveness. In this landscape, Alva Johnson stands out even more. She poured her heart and soul into a project that allegedly collapsed in a moment. She dedicated months of her life, away from her loved ones, to something she can no longer stand by. Many of us most of us whod put in such time and effort to a cause would hesitate to call it all a waste of time; most of us would have fallen for the sunk cost fallacy. Not so for Alva Johnson. It takes a lot of strength and integrity to publicly admit that you made a mistake a big, political mistake. It takes even more to speak out when youve been the victim of a sexual assault. This womans courage may well be the tipping point for the Trump presidency if we can find it within ourselves to allow it. Q We have booked a villa for a holiday in Cyprus. It appears from the location that we will need to have a car. But because we are both about to turn 75, we have been told that we cannot rent with the firm. Is this no one over 75 rule legal? It appears to discriminate against us. Margaret M A Car rental companies, like travel insurers, take a hardnosed approach to risk and it tends to increase sharply beyond a certain age. Experience has taught them that the chance of a driver being involved in an accident is significantly higher if they are in their late seventies onwards. At the other end of the age spectrum, they know younger drivers have proportionately more accidents than average. Cyclists, rejoice: a 6,400km cycle route crossing the US is being created. The ambitious project is to run from east to west across the country, with aims to complete it in a few years time. The plans were announced by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, which has spent 18 months analysing existing trails across the US to come up with the best route. The Great American Rail-Trail will cross 12 states from a starting point in Washington DC, on thousands of miles of connected trails separated from cars. More than half of the route has been chosen from the US' existing 54,700km+ of trails. Firefall in Yosemite Pak phenomenon Show all 16 1 /16 Firefall in Yosemite Pak phenomenon Firefall in Yosemite Pak phenomenon The phenomenon known as firefall has arrived in Yosemite National Park for 2019, but the conditions this year are treacherous and unsafe, according to locals. Reuters Firefall in Yosemite Pak phenomenon The spectacle occurs for two weeks in February when conditions are right, with Horsetail Fall on the east side of El Capitan transformed into what looks like a stream of lava as the sunset hits it at the right angle. Reuters Firefall in Yosemite Pak phenomenon Thousands of firefall chasers descend upon the park each year for a chance of seeing and photographing the ethereal visual effect. Reuters Firefall in Yosemite Pak phenomenon However, conditions must be just right: clear skies and enough rainfall for the falls to flow. Reuters Firefall in Yosemite Pak phenomenon This year, the weather isnt stopping the firefall from happening, but it is making the pilgrimage to see it laborious and potentially dangerous. Reuters Firefall in Yosemite Pak phenomenon Reuters Firefall in Yosemite Pak phenomenon The firefall phenomenon occurs in Yosemite National Park once a year. Getty Firefall in Yosemite Pak phenomenon The spectacle occurs for two weeks in February when conditions are right. Getty Firefall in Yosemite Pak phenomenon Horsetail Fall on the east side of El Capitan is transformed into what looks like a stream of lava as the sunset hits it at just the right angle. Getty Firefall in Yosemite Pak phenomenon Conditions must be just right: clear skies and enough rainfall for the falls to flow. Getty Firefall in Yosemite Pak phenomenon Thousands of firefall chasers descend upon the park each year for a chance of seeing and photographing the ethereal visual effect. Getty Firefall in Yosemite Pak phenomenon Drought meant the firefall didn't occur from 2014-2016. Getty Firefall in Yosemite Pak phenomenon In 2019, heavy snow is making the pilgrimage to see the firefall potentially dangerous. Getty Firefall in Yosemite Pak phenomenon What would have been a 10-minute walk normally turned into a two-hour trek through waist-deep snow, said photographer Ryan Fitzsimons of a recent trip to see the phenomenon. Getty Firefall in Yosemite Pak phenomenon The park has decided to keep numbers manageable by blocking parking on Southside Drive. The closest open parking area is Yosemite Falls Parking Area, more than a mile from the closest viewing points. Getty Firefall in Yosemite Pak phenomenon The firefall should continue to be visible from 20 to 24 February, although park staff warn theres no guarantee that visitors will see it on any given day. Getty The full route will be unveiled in spring, but will definitely go through Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, finishing up in Washington State. At RTC, weve known the potential of a coast-to-coast rail-trail for decades, said RTC president Keith Laughlin. But before we committed to bringing this vision to life, we wanted to be certain it was viable. With open trails comprising more than 50 per cent of the potential route, combined with strong local and state enthusiasm, we are now confident that the Great American Rail-Trail can be completed. RTC is ready to lead the effort to connect the trail across communities, counties and state lines to create a seamless off-road biking and walking journey for the country. The news follows Septembers announcement that a new hiking route has been launched through Chiles Patagonia region. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Created to attract more tourists to the area and improve awareness of the need for conservation, the Route of Parks runs from Puerto Montt to Cape Horn a distance of 2,800km in total. The area is known for its lakes and rich array of wildlife and plants. The trail was funded by US billionaire Douglas Tompkins and his wife Kristine. The North Face and Esprit co-founder, who died in a kayaking accident in Chile three years ago, set up the Tompkins Conservation foundation, which bought up great swathes of land in Chile and Argentina in order to preserve it. | BY Ricki Green | Peugeot Australia in conjunction with lead creative agency The Works has launched its first-ever local brand campaign featuring its distinctive vehicles and the personalities that drive them. The integrated campaign is the first and only to be produced for a local market outside of France in recent history demonstrating the importance of the Australian market. The commercial launched on free-to-air television last night and celebrates the fact that Peugeot offers beautifully designed vehicles to those who have a strong sense of self identity and are confident to be themselves. Featuring the unmistakable 1984 Gloria Gaynor anthem I am what I am, the commercial features a range of characters undertaking elements of their daily life in their own way, with their own style. Managing director of Peugeot Australia, Ben Farlow said it was a defining moment for the iconic French brand and signals the next chapter in the marques local turnaround. Says Farlow: With 208 years of experience, its fair to assume that Peugeot knows who it is. However, our brand activities have rarely reflected the relationship Australians have with our brand. Peugeot is a brand whose history is well established locally, though for the next chapter, we must stand out, stand up and be celebrated for what we are. The timing of our communications coincides with the 70th anniversary of Peugeots presence in Australia, but more importantly, it punctuates the beginning of a new era of product underpinned by award winning drivetrains, platforms and designs. Its an exciting time for Peugeot. The concept was born from deep customer understanding that suggested previous brand activities were not distinctive enough, and when presented alongside the near saturation levels of automotive marketing did not stand out or apart. Says Amy Slade, general manager of marketing, Peugeot Australia: The campaign is about celebrating the style and attitude of our vehicles and the people who drive them, but in a self-depreciating way. Its the effortless style and attitude of the French that makes them unique, and we think this is our main point of difference. We are hoping to remind people to have the confidence to be themselves, to be bold and live life how they see fit rather than following the crowd. Says Paul Swann, managing partner at The Works: Its been a real privilege getting to know the Peugeot brand and creating this integrated campaign alongside their team. The success of the brand globally is testament to a clear business and marketing strategy which we have adapted and optimised for the Australian market. The campaign is a statement about the self-confidence of the brand and its drivers, which is exemplified by the use of Gloria Gaynors iconic hit I am what I am. The campaign was shot in a variety of locations including Maroubra Beach; the historic Carriage Works, Redfern; Farrah Place, Sydney and Connells Point. The 60 second commercial, which includes 15 and 30 second cut-downs will be supported with social media created by content agency Daresay, out-of-home, digital media, cinema, catch-up TV and PR, and will run throughout the year. Client: Peugeot Australia Managing Director: Ben Farlow General Manager of Marketing: Amy Slade Marketing Manager: Dee Wescombe Digital Communication Manager: Dan Hughes Creative Agency: The Works Managing Partner: Paul Swann Chief Strategy Officer: Adam Donnelley Creative Lead: Guy Patrick Art Director: Marijke Spain Copywriter: Eric Franken Creative Project Lead: Jen Hird Creative Project Manager: Erin Morrey Executive Producer: Alistair Pratten TV Producer: Bill Doig Print Producer: Tom Harrison Designer: Chris Hall Digital Designer: Steve Brown Social Content and Production: Daresay Head of Content and Strategy: Ruth Haffenden Social Strategy Director: Vanessa Hartley TVC Production: Infinity Squared Director: Melvin J. Montalban Producer: Chris Seeto Post Production: White Chocolate. Editor: Brad Hurt Music Supervision: Nylon Studios Licensing Manager: Chelsea Ramsden Sound Mix: Sonar Photography Production: The Kitchen Photographer: Juli Balla Producer: Zabrina Wong Americas largest pro-Israel lobby groups have issued rare and stinging rebukes of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his move to ally with an extremist party for the upcoming elections, joining a chorus of criticism from dozens of powerful Orthodox rabbis. Mr Netanyahu has faced intense pressure to rally the right after his chief rival and ex-army chief Benny Gantz joined forces with centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid last week, sweeping the majority of the seats in the pre-elections polls. On Wednesday, the premier helped broker a controversial agreement between the ultra-nationalist Jewish Home party and Jewish Power, an offshoot of the banned Kach movement, which was outlawed by Israel and the US because of its racist and extremist views. As part of their deal, Mr Netanyahu gave the merged party a seat on his Likud Party's list of candidates and guaranteed them two cabinet positions if he wins. The American Jewish Committee, a powerful New-York based Jewish advocacy group, said it felt compelled to speak out about the merger which it called reprehensible. 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 Shortly after they put out a statement, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) arguably the worlds largest and most powerful pro-Israel lobby group, also issued a rare critique of the Israeli leadership and endorsed the AJCs statement. The views of Otzma Yehudit [Jewish Power] are reprehensible, the AJC said in a statement released on Friday. They do not reflect the core values that are the very foundation of the State of Israel. The party might conceivably gain enough votes to enter the next Knesset, and potentially even become part of the governing coalition, it added. AIPAC responded saying: We agree with AJC. AIPAC has a long-standing policy not to meet with members of this racist and reprehensible party. On Monday around 90 powerful rabbis and scholars part of Torat Chayim, a worldwide association of progressive-minded Orthodox rabbis, joined the denunciation of the Israeli leaders new deal calling Jewish Power lamentable. Torat Chayim said Jewish Power was a racist, violently nationalist party which justifies terrorist activity by Jews, is anti-democratic, preaches hatred toward other Jews and Arabs. Among the signatories were renowned scholars Rabbi Yitz Greenberg and Rabbi Asher Lopatin. "The ends do not justify the means," they wrote in as statement published online. "This deal with a detestable group to get them into the Knesset [parliament] will give a black eye to Israel and its standing in the world as a moral and democratic state. This is truly a lamentable failure on the part of a leader who has focused his life on Israel's security and on strengthening its international standing," it added. They closed the statement telling Jewish Home "shame on you for agreeing to the alliance. Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organisations, also released a statement saying the alliance is "very disturbing" to many American Jews. He added that he feared the move would fuel Israels critics. Jewish Power last ran in the 2015 election on a joint list but has yet to secure a seat in the Knesset, Israels parliament. The party calls for the annexation of the West Bank and Gaza, complete Israeli control over all land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, the cancellation of the Oslo peace accords and for the imposition of Israeli sovereignty over Temple Mount. It also advocates the expulsion of Arab citizens of Israel who are deemed not loyal enough to the country and the deportation of what it calls Arab extremists. It is believed to be spawned from the Kahanist movement, founded by the late Rabbi Meir Kahane, who was personally accused of plotting various terrorist attacks throughout the 1970s. Rabbi Kahanes followers continue to face accusations of supporting domestic terrorism and incitement to racism. Mr Netanyahu is facing mounting pressure to perform well in the snap elections set for 9 April. He did not directly respond to criticism from American Jewish leaders over the merger, but lashed out at comments made by Gantz and Lapids newly formed Blue and White Party. He accused the Left of allying with extremist Islamists. "What hypocrisy and double standards by the left," the Israeli premier wrote on his Facebook page on Saturday. "They denounce a bloc on the right with right-wing parties while the left has acted to put extremist Islamists into the Knesset to create a bloc that would overtake the right." Mr Netanyahu hopes to be re-elected for a fifth term, which would make him Israel longest-serving PM, but is campaigning under the shadow of possible indictment on corruption charges. Israeli media reported on Monday that the countrys Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit is expected to announce his decision on indicting Mr Netanyahu in two of the three graft cases against him. This deal with a detestable group to get them into the Knesset [parliament] will give a black eye to Israel and its standing in the world as a moral and democratic state. Rabbi Yitz Greenberg and Rabbi Asher Lopatin Left-leaning daily Haaretz reported that Mr Mendelblit is likely to indict the embattled leader in Case 1000, in which he allegedly accepted extravagant gifts, and Case 4000, or Bezeq, named after a telecommunications company he supposedly awarded regulatory favours too. Mr Mendelblit has apparently not yet made a decision on Case 2000, in which the premier allegedly struck a deal to get positive coverage in Israels second largest newspaper. Mr Netanyahu has repeatedly denied all the charges. Analysts told The Independent, against this backdrop, that the alliance with Jewish Power was proof the PM would do anything to stay in power. The people who make up Jewish Power are right-wing fanatic religious trouble makers, they represent something very dangerous and have not had widespread support up until now, said Dalia Scheindlin a public opinion expert who has worked on five Israeli electoral campaigns. I hear a number of voices in the national religious community freaking out, she added. The rise of Isis attracted thousands of foreigners from around the world to Syria. But it wasnt just religious extremists who were drawn here. While scores were travelling to Syria for jihad, a smaller but no less committed group of internationalists was heading to the other side of the battle. People back home like to think Daesh [Isis] is just a problem for the Middle East and thats it, says Kyle Town, a mild-mannered 30-year-old from Thunder Bay, in Ontario, Canada, using the Arabic name for Isis. But it doesnt just exist here. It affects everyone. Town, a former sheet-metal worker, is among thousands of westerners who travelled to Syria to fight Isis and take part in a revolution led by a hitherto little-known Kurdish group in the countrys north. Among them are former soldiers, charity workers, students, engineers and all manner of anarchists and leftists. Eight Britons who went to fight Isis men and women died in towns and cities unknown to most people back home. The volunteers have drawn comparisons to the International Brigades, the foreign fighters who travelled to Spain to battle Francos fascists in the 1930s and were made famous by George Orwell. This time, though, they are on the winning side. Timeline of the Isis caliphate Show all 19 1 /19 Timeline of the Isis caliphate Timeline of the Isis caliphate ISIS began as a group by the merging of extremist organisations ISI and al-Nusra in 2013. Following clashes, Syrian rebels captured the ISIS headquarters in Aleppo in January 2014 (pictured) AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi declared the creation of a caliphate in Mosul on 27 June 2014 Timeline of the Isis caliphate Isis conquered the Kurdish towns of Sinjar and Zumar in August 2014, forcing thousands of civilians to flee their homes. Pictured are a group of Yazidi Kurds who have fled Rex Timeline of the Isis caliphate On September 2 2014 Isis released a video depicting the beheading of US journalist Steven Sotloff. On September 13 they released another video showing the execution of British aid worker David Haines Timeline of the Isis caliphate The US launched its first airstrikes against Isis in Syria on 23 September 2014. Here Lt Gen William C Mayville Jnr speaks about the bombing campaign in the wake of the first strikes Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Isis militants sit atop a hill planted with their flag in the Syrian town of Kobani on 6 October 2014. They had been advancing on Kobani since mid-September and by now was in control of the citys entrance and exit points AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Residents of the border village of Alizar keep guard day and night as they wait in fear of mortar fire from Isis who have occupied the nearby city of Kobani Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Smoke rises following a US airstrike on Kobani, 28 October 2014 AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate YPG fighters raise a flag as they reclaim Kobani on 26 January 2015 VOA Timeline of the Isis caliphate Isis seized the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra on 20 May 2015. This image show the city from above days after its capture by Isis Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Kurdish forces are stationed on a hill above the town of Sinjar as smoke rises following US airstrikes on 12 November 2015 AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Kurdish forces enter Sinjar after seizing it from Isis control on 13 November 2015 AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Iraqi government forces make the victory sign as they retake the city of Fallujah from ISIS on 26 June 2016 Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Iraqi forces battle with Isis for the city of Mosul on 30 June 2017 AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Members of the Iraqi federal police raise flags in Mosul on 8 July 2017. On the following day, Iraqi prime minister Haider Al Abadi declares victory over Isis in Mosul Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Members of Syrian Democratic Forces celebrate in Al-Naim square after taking back the city of Raqqa from Isis. US-backed Syrian forces declare victory over Isis in Raqqa on 20 October 2017 after a four-month long campaign Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Female fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces celebrate in Al-Naim Square after taking back the city of Raqqa from Isis. US-backed Syrian forces declare victory over Isis in Raqqa on 20 October 2017 after a four-month long campaign AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Trucks full of women and children arrive from the last Isis-held areas in Deir ez-Zor, Syria in January 2019 They were among the last civilians to be living in the ISIS caliphate, by this time reduced to just two small villages in Syrias Deir ez-Zor Richard Hall/The Independent Timeline of the Isis caliphate Zikia Ibrahim, 28, with her two-year-old son and 8-month-old daughter, after fleeing the Isis caliphate, on Saturday 26 January 2019 Richard Hall/The Independent Isiss self-declared caliphate is all but defeated, leaving those who came to fight it at a crossroads. Many say they are not ready to return home, and instead will stay on in Syria. But as the civil war transitions to a new phase, their role is uncertain. There is a lot of work besides fighting Daesh, says Town, who is currently in an infantry unit. There are all sorts of civilian works. I came here because I wanted to participate in this revolution as best I can. Town is a member of a leftist Kurdish militia called the Peoples Protection Units (YPG), which has counted thousands of western volunteers in its ranks over the past few years. The group has been the main ally of the US-led anti-Isis coalition in Syria, receiving military equipment, the support of some 2,000 US troops and, crucially, the overwhelming power of the American air force. A largely unknown entity before the war, the YPG has also gained a following in western leftist circles for its military and ideological opposition to Isis. While Isis subjugated women and massacred minorities, the YPGs women fighters (known as the YPJ) led battles on the front lines against the group. While Isis positioned itself an enemy of democracy, the YPG through its Kurdish-Arab alliance the Syrian Democratic Forces set up an autonomous administration that it says will form the basis of a radical, democratic system when the war ends. Kyle Town, a 30-year-old YPG volunteer from Canada Beyond its appeal as a fighting force, the group espouses an Marxist-inspired ideology of decentralisation that attracted many who were seeking to live in a society radically different to the capitalist lives they left behind. For Danielle Ellis, a 29-year-old Oxford graduate from London, it was a mixture of both. I initially emailed the YPG, asking to become a soldier. But they didnt reply, she says, in an interview with The Independent in the town of Derik, in northern Syria. Thats probably a good thing, now I think about it. After some consideration, she felt her masters degree in engineering could be put to better use elsewhere, so she instead came to work as a non-combatant volunteer with an internationalist commune. They needed people with my skill set, she says. Its a much more rational choice than signing up to join a militia. Ive been working on off grid-power systems, water supply, that kind of thing. Recommended Syrian Kurds fear more upheaval as US troops plan withdrawal Elliss interest in the group was piqued after learning about the YPG on the Internet and through friends. She had read about the commune, and was inspired by the stories of other volunteers who went before her, among them Anna Campbell, who became the first British woman to be killed fighting for the YPJ. Campbell was killed not by Isis, but in fighting against Turkish forces, during its invasion of the previously YPG-controlled Afrin region. Its a very exciting time to be here. Its also a knife edge because the people in this region have proven that they can do something amazing and their existence is hanging in the balance. I see this very much the start of something now, not the end Danielle Ellis The YPG has encouraged foreigners to join it, and has helped to facilitate journeys to northern Syria. The group has had to rely on the support of outside countries in the fight against Isis, such as the US and the UK. Having westerners among the ranks gives it a useful propaganda boost in their home countries. Many volunteers have gone home to advocate on behalf of the YPG. In Rojava, we have a principle of free citizenship, says Nuri Mahmoud, a YPG spokesman. If they believe in the culture, the history and the philosophy of the region, then they are welcome to be part of this community. Fighters from the SDF attend the funeral of one of their commanders, killed in October in the town of Hajin during battles against Isis (AFP) Not all Syrians feel that way, however. Opponents of the YPG accuse these volunteers of colonialism. Others of adventurism and naivety. Ellis says she is aware of these perceptions. There are definitely some friends who have the feeling of this as a white-saviour, gap-year, go-off-and-help-brown-people kind of thing. But when I told Kurdish friends in London I was coming here they were so grateful, she says. I still have all these questions of myself. Is it self-serving? Its hard not to have those doubts. We are incredibly privileged people. But the more time I spend here, the more I feel like we are doing good. There have also been questions over the rights record of the YPG in the areas it controls, which now amounts to roughly a third of the country. In a report last year, Human Rights Watch said the group had recruited child soldiers to its ranks, and stifled political opposition. YPJ fighter Kimmie Taylor: 'The empowerment of women is changing society' Hunter Page, a 25-year-old restaurant worker from Bloomsburg in Pennsylvania, was motivated partly by what was happening in his own country. He became disillusioned, he says, following the election of Donald Trump in 2016. I noticed that the culture of the kitchen, where I worked, became more of a hateful place, he says, describing the events that brought him here. It seemed more people were able to espouse racism and sexism and homophobia in the workplace. It was unchecked. Listening to this day after day, I could feel myself getting affected by it. A combination of a stifling political atmosphere in the US and a growing interest in events in Syria led to him making the jump. But there were other motivations, too. I think for everyone who comes here and everyone who joins, its always a mixture of political and personal reasons, he says. I mean, if we had great home lives with wonderful spouses and great jobs, I dont think even the most radical political people could easily come here. Page joined the international brigade in the YPG when he arrived in May 2018. Upon arrival, new recruits go have language classes, lessons in the history and culture of the region and weapons training. Almost every continent is represented in my brigade. Its a mixture of people who are former military, people involved in political actions in their hometown, and some people here who are just looking for adventure, he says. Hunter Page, a former restaurant worker from Pennsylvania, who came to Syria to fight Isis (Richard Hall/The Independent) (Richard Hall / The Independent) He has been on two operations in Deir ez-Zor, where Isis is currently making its last stand. In the past few months, as the caliphate has shrunk from a string of villages along the Euphrates river to a few fields, hundreds of Isis fighters and their families have surrendered to the SDF. Some 800 Europeans are now being held by the SDF in camps and jails, among them a handful of Brits and at least two Americans. As they have filed out of the last territory, those American Isis members may have passed by American YPG volunteers, on their way to a screening point where they would have been interviewed by American special forces soldiers. The idea of his fellow countrymen and women being on the other side of the battle is something Page has thought about. Its unfortunate that our platoon only numbers hundreds of volunteers, while Isis can claim thousands worldwide, he says. It would be otherworldly to meet an American, someone who came from a state that Id been to, had shared experiences, and they decided to go and fight with Isis. More than a dozen British women and their children are thought to be held in SDF camps, and at least six British Isis fighters. One of the most well known, Shamima Begum, garnered headlines around the world when she fled east London with three school friends in 2015. Her reappearance earlier this month, at a camp for Isis families in northern Syria, has sparked a debate over the responsibility of western countries to take back their extremist citizens. After giving an interview with The Times, in which she expressed little remorse for joining the terror group, the home secretary Sajid Javid revoked her citizenship, and has promised to use his powers to stop Isis suspects returning. Men of the British Battalion of the XV International Brigade in Spain, 1937 (Getty) (Getty Images) But the UK has also sought prosecutions against returning YPG volunteers. Ellis, the engineering graduate, was detained and questioned in London under the terrorism act for eight hours on her way out to Syria, and expects to be interrogated on her way home too. Jim Matthews, a former British army soldier, became the first Briton to be charged for terror offences last year after returning from fighting Isis in Syria. The charges were eventually dropped. At least three other Britons have been arrested for similar offences, only for them to be dropped. The 44-year-old, who became a teacher after leaving the army, recently told The Independent that it was a strange contradiction to be accused of terrorism after fighting against jihadis. We [British YPG volunteers] went out there because our government was not doing enough, Matthews said. It was a job that needed doing, we had to get Isis out of that territory. Turkey, the UKs Nato ally an major trading partner, classifies the YPG as a terror group for its links to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a Kurdish group that has fought an insurgency against Ankara for 40 years. The US and the European Union also classify the PKK as a terror group, but distinguish it from the YPG, despite well established links and ideological ties. The YPG denies that it has any material connection. A Syrian Democratic Forces member inspects the embattled village of Baghouz in Deir ez-Zor (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images) Turkey has repeatedly threatened to cross the border into Syria to set up a safe zone, which would involve going to war with the SDF and perhaps some of its international volunteers. It is that sense that the battle may not yet be over that is keeping some of them from leaving. We cant forget that while Daesh has been a major problem, the biggest threat to this society and this movement is from Turkey, says Kyle Town, the Canadian YPG fighter. It was the invasion of Afrin, a majority Kurdish area that was overrun by Turkey and its Syrian rebel allies last year, that solidified his decision to come to Syria in the first place, he says. Ellis says she doesnt plan on going home any time soon. I severed quite a lot of links with the UK. I gave away lots of my possessions. I finished my job, she says. The people here have managed to create the foundations of a radically democratic and egalitarian society, despite Isis. I see this very much the start of something now, not the end. Green snow has fallen on a Russian city, sparking an outcry over pollution. Chemicals pumped out by a chrome factory in Pervouralsk have been blamed for the phenomenon, the latest in a string of environmental concerns thought to be damaging Vladimir Putins popularity. Protests have also been held over a Siberian coal processing plant blamed for turning turned snow black, while residents of Sibai have launched legal action over smog which has blanketed the Southern Urals town since November. Parents in Pervouralsk, a city in the central Russian Sverdlovsk region, told local media their children had fallen ill after green snow fell near their nursery. They had a cough and their skin turned red, rashes on their face, Natalya Solovey told ND News. 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 Pictures show acid green icicles hanging from buildings in the city, which has a population of about 125,000. The chrome factory has denied the chemical poses a health risk. Spokesman Vsevolod Oreshkin said: Its a routine situation for residents that should not cause alarm. Does not threaten lives or health of adults and children. Its Pervouralsk. There are a whole variety of industrial enterprises here. If we take samples of snow in any place we will see a multitude of dangerous substances. It is not the first time pollution from the factory turned snow green in the city. In 2016, the phenomenon was caused by an overflowing pipe spilled chromium-contaminated water on to streets. The latest pollution scare comes after mass protests in dozens of towns and cities over plans to dump Moscows waste in surrounding regions. A farmer in the Austrian mountains has been ordered to pay 425,000 after a herd of his cows trampled a German tourist to death. The incident occurred while the unnamed female holidaymaker, 45, was hiking in Tyrols Pinnistal valley in 2014. A court in Innsbruck heard how the animals stampeded, most likely after they became agitated by the presence of the hikers dog. The court has now found the farmer to be negligent, and ordered him to pay compensation to the victims husband and son. Although the farmer insisted he had put up warning signs, the court ruled there were not enough and that, in any case, the footpath should have been fenced off from the herd. 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 But the ruling has angered many of the regions farmers, who say it will become a threat to their livelihood in a region that attracts huge numbers of Alpine tourists. The Tyrolean Chamber of Agriculture described the incident as tragic but said that it felt the verdict was out of touch with reality. In a statement, it said: The ruling is generating a great deal of anxiety and uncertainty among farmers, who are faced with the question of whether they should allow their cows to graze, or whether they should close off the pastures completely. Footpaths across meadows and pastures would have to be fenced off, and made inaccessible to walkers. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events An obligation to put up fences would be economically unreasonable for farmers and would, in many places, mean the end of pastoral farming. The UK's decolonisation of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean was unlawful and it should immediately end its administration of the archipelago that is now home to the Diego Garcia US military base, the International Court of Justice has ruled. In a non-binding opinion issued on Monday, the World Court said the UK acted illegally when it divided the territory from Mauritius in 1965 and later displaced thousands of islanders. Mauritius told the court, in a series of hearings, that it was forced to give up the islands during the decolonisation process in order to gain independence. The country eventually won independence in 1968. Its representatives also argued that the archipelago had been part of its territory since at least the 18th century and was seized unlawfully by the UK. Chagos islanders demand to return home: in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Chagos islanders demand to return home: in pictures Chagos islanders demand to return home: in pictures Chairman of the Chagos Refugees Group, holds his grandson Julien aloft outside The High Court in central London alongside then backbench Labour MP for Islington North Jeremy Corbyn on May 23 2007. Families expelled from the Chagos Islands by the British Government to make way for the Diego Garcia US airbase won their legal battle to return home Wednesday. The ruling was later overturned after the British government appealed AFP/Getty Chagos islanders demand to return home: in pictures Chagos islanders march by Parliament on October 22 2008. The British government on Wednesday won its appeal to Britain's highest court over previous rulings that allowed displaced islanders to return home AFP/Getty Chagos islanders demand to return home: in pictures Chagos islanders march by Parliament on October 22 2008 AFP/Getty Chagos islanders demand to return home: in pictures Chagos islanders march by Parliament on October 22, 200 AFP/Getty Chagos islanders demand to return home: in pictures A Chagossian man shows his identity card stating his birth place as the Solomon Island, Chagos on January 17 2005 in Port Louis, Mauritius AFP/Getty Chagos islanders demand to return home: in pictures Chagossian Islanders and their supporters arrive at the Court of Appeal in central London on February 5 2007, as they prepare to fight a court ruling which would prevent the islanders from returning to their homes in the remote Chagos archipelago AFP/Getty Chagos islanders demand to return home: in pictures Chagossian islanders outside of the Court of Appeal in London on February 5 2007 protest a court ruling which would prevent them from returning to their home islands AFP/Getty Chagos islanders demand to return home: in pictures Chagossian islanders outside of the Court of Appeal in London on February 5 2007 protest a court ruling which would prevent them from returning to their home islands AFP/Getty Chagos islanders demand to return home: in pictures Chagossian islanders outside of the Court of Appeal in London on February 5 2007 protest a court ruling which would prevent them from returning to their home islands AFP/Getty Chagos islanders demand to return home: in pictures Chairman of the Chagos Refugees Group, holds his grandson Julien aloft outside The High Court in central London alongside then backbench Labour MP for Islington North Jeremy Corbyn on May 23 2007. Families expelled from the Chagos Islands by the British Government to make way for the Diego Garcia US airbase won their legal battle to return home Wednesday. The ruling was later overturned after the British government appealed AFP/Getty The UK maintained that Mauritius had given up the islands willingly, but the court found the agreement between the countries at the time was not based on "the free and genuine expression of the will of the people concerned". The decolonisation process did not therefore comply with standards for self-determination, the ICJ said. The Chagos Islands are currently part of British Indian Ocean Territory. UK authorities evicted 2,000 people from the islands during the 1960s and 1970s so the US could build its strategically important military base. Many of the evicted islanders were sent to Mauritius and the Seychelles but eventually resettled in the UK. They have fought in British courts for years to win the right to return to their homes. Reading a summary of a the 14-member tribunal's decision, presiding judge Abdulqawi Yusuf said the UK was "under obligation to bring to an end the administration of Chagos Islands as rapidly as possible". The UN General Assembly asked the court in February 2017 to weigh in on whether the decolonisation process was concluded lawfully. Although the opinion is non-binding, the court's statement will put significant pressure on the UK to consider its position. While the US still operates its military base from the islands the court added that "all member states are under an obligation to cooperate with the United Nations in order to complete the decolonization of Mauritius." Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Additional reporting by agencies A teacher was forced to apologise after he called a black student ugly in what he claims was an experiment to teach children about racism. Mauro Bocci, 42, was working as a supply teacher at a primary school in central Italy when he reportedly asked the only black pupil in the class to stand at the front of the room where he is said to have told the other children: Look how ugly he is. The incident, in the town of Foligno, in Umbria, is said to have happened two weeks ago but only gained national attention this week after politician Nicola Fratoianni, of the left-wing Sinistra Italiana, posted about it on Facebook. Mr Bocci told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that his intention was to teach the class of 10- and 11-year-old pupils that you should never single someone out because of the colour of their skin. But he apologised and insisted he was not racist and had asked the children for their permission beforehand. Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures London A young boy holds a placard reading 'migration is beautiful' during the march against racism demonstration in London. Getty Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures Warsaw Protesters rally in Warsaw under the slogan 'Tired of racism and fascism'. AFP/Getty Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures London An anti-racism demostrators chants with chains around his neck during a march against racism. Getty Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures Vienna People getting ready to march against racism in Vienna. Twitter/Wriseup Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures Glasgow Anti-racism demonstrators take part in a rally through the city centre of Glasgow. Getty Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures London An anti-racism demostrator holds a placard readin 'Laundry is the only thing that should be seperated by colour'. Getty Images Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures Paris Thousand of protesters demonstrate against police brutality and in defense of migrants and those without papers in Paris. EPA Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures London Anti-racism demostrators hold placards and chant during a march organised by the group Stand Up to Racism as an expression of unity against racism, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. Getty Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures Athens A girl poses for a photo during a rally against the EU-Turkey deal blocking mass migration into Europe in Athens. AP Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures Glasgow Aamer Anwar a prominent Scottish lawyer joins an Anti-racism rally through Glasgow city centre. Getty Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures London Anti-racism demostrators hold placards and chant in London's march against racism. Getty Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures Glasgow A man in Glasgow holds a banner reading 'refugees welcome'. Getty Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures London Anti-racism demostrators let off flares during the march against racism in London. Getty Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures Paris A protester in a grim reaper disguise holds a shield reading 'State racism, no impunity for police brutality against those without papers' in Paris. EPA Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures Athens Migrants who live in Greece chant slogans during a rally against the EU-Turkey deal blocking mass migration into Europe, in Athens. AP He told Corriere della Sera: In hindsight, its clear, I would not do it again. I showed the class what you should never do, isolate someone because they do not have the skin of your own colour. The pupils father, who moved to Italy from Nigeria more than a decade ago, said his son told him what had happened when he returned home from school. He told Italian state broadcaster Rai: Its not a social experiment, its racism. The boys parents claimed the teacher also racially abused their daughter, however Mr Bocci told Corriere della Sera this was not the case and that it was the first time he had carried out the experiment. According to Repubblica newspaper, Italys education ministry suspended the teacher and an investigation into the incident has been opened. Berlin looks set to hold a referendum on banning big landlords and expropriating their homes into social housing, as part of a response to growing complaints in the German capital about the cost of living. The proposed law would bar landlords with more than 3,000 homes in their portfolio from operating in the city including the citys biggest property company, Deutsche Wohnen AG. That real estate behemoth has become a favoured target of activists, who claim its business is an example of the kind of speculation which they blame for driving up rents and property values. The expropriated homes an estimated 200,000 would be covered would effectively become the German equivalent of council housing, let out at social rents in a bid to reduce the cost of living. The city, which is its own state under Germanys federal system, has a local constitution that provides for a system of binding ballot initiatives or Volksentscheid, which allow framework for holding referenda. Though the initiative must first collect 20,000 signatures to make it into the ballot paper, it is likely to find them quickly, as opinion polls show a majority of voters back the plan. The activists proposal has sparked extensive coverage in the German press, including legal debates about whether expropriation would be constitutional or not. One of the activists behind the initiative told German newspaper Der Tagesspiegel that they had consulted with lawyers and constitutional experts and that the compensation for expropriations could be paid well below the market value. They cite a legal precedent set by the expropriation of land in Hamburg after a 1962 flood after which the Federal Constitutional Court ruled that the common good sometimes required property rights to be interfered with. The left-wing Die Linke party supports the plan, as do some Greens and centre-left SPD representatives. The so-called red-red-green coalition in Berlin made up of those three left-of-centre parties, has made building affordable housing a priority, and is also engaged in a more modest plan to buy up private housing of its own. First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Show all 30 1 /30 First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo The first pictures have been released of a polar bear cub that was born in Berlin's Tierpark Zoo on December 1. AP First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo The pictures were taken after the cub's first veterinary examination which revealed that the 11-week old is a female. AP First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo She is yet to be named and the zoo says that a name will not be announced until the cub and her mother Tonja are ready to make their first public appearance. AP First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo In recent years Tonja has given birth to two other cubs, though both died in infancy. Tierpark director Dr. Andreas Knieriem says that "infant mortality in polar bears is extremely high, especially within the first ten days of life. However we are all staying positive and keeping our fingers crossed for Tonja." AP First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo The pair have been living together in a birthing den where Tonja can raise her cub in privacy for the first few months. AP First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut, a polar bear at the nearby Zoo Berlin became hugely famous in 2006 when he was rejected by his mother at birth. He was able to survive by artificial incubation and developed a close relationship with his keeper. Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut plays at the Berlin Zoo in March 2007 Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut plays at the Berlin Zoo in March 2007 Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut plays at the Berlin Zoo in March 2007 Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut rests in his den at the Berlin Zoo in March 2007 Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut in March 2007 Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut plays with his minder during his first public outing on March 23 2007 AFP/Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Photographers struggle to get a view of Knut at his first public appearance on March 23 2007 AFP/Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut on his first public outing on March 23 2007 AFP/Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut on his first public outing on March 23 2007 Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut plays with his minder during his first public outing on March 23 2007 AFP/Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut nuzzles with his minder during his first public outing on March 23 2007 AFP/Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut plays with his minder during his first public outing on March 23 2007 AFP/Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut in March 2007 Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut in March 2007 AFP/Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut at six months old plays with his keeper on June 22 2007 Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut at 11 months old in November 2007 Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut on his first birthday on December 5 2007 AFP/Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut bathes, January 2008 AFP/Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut plays in hay in January 2008 AFP/Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut at two years old in September 2009 AFP/Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Polar bear Giovanna joins Knut in his enclosure in September 2009 AFP/Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut and Giovanna, on loan from the Munich Zoo, play together in January 2010 AFP/Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut and Giovanna nuzzle in January 2010 Getty First pictures of the polar bear cub born in Berlin Zoo Knut Knut and Giovanna nuzzle in January 2010 Getty In addition to the new building, we also want to see how we can make a good offer in the portfolio, and this is where municipalisation plays a role, said Berlin's SPD mayor Michael Muller in his New Year press conference last month. In 2017 property prices in Berlin grew faster than in any other major city around the globe at 20.5 per cent, according to a ranking published last year by estate agent Knight Frank. Rents are also increasing fast, despite the imposition of new laws to control them in 2015 in a city used to affordable and plentiful housing. The concerns about rising housing costs have spilled over into other areas. In October 2018 Google backed down from building a major office in the citys Kreuzberg district in the face of widespread protests whose participants worried that an influx of highly paid tech workers would make the city even more unaffordable. A group of New Zealanders have launched an improbable campaign to declare their native South Island independent to stop people confusing it for their neighbours to the north. Retired businessman Stanley Gyles, who claims to be the spokesman for a group of anonymous but high-profile South Islanders, has told a local newspaper those who live on the South Island are fed up of being lumped in with the more populous and developed North Island. The cornerstone of the campaign would be to rename the island NZ South, Mr Glyes told the Otago Daily Times. When an international visitor goes home and says they had a great time in New Zealand, they may have only come to the South Island, so they should be saying, we had a great holiday in NZ South, he said. The South Island was historically the centre of gravity for New Zealand but over the decades more and more people have moved to the North Island, which boasts both the capital Wellington and the countrys largest city Auckland. Best sights on New Zealand's South Island Show all 14 1 /14 Best sights on New Zealand's South Island Best sights on New Zealand's South Island Hokitika Gorge Getty Best sights on New Zealand's South Island Lake Tekapo Getty Best sights on New Zealand's South Island Mount Cook Getty Best sights on New Zealand's South Island Waiau River, Hanmer Forest Park Getty Best sights on New Zealand's South Island Fox Glacier Getty Best sights on New Zealand's South Island Lake Wanaka Getty Best sights on New Zealand's South Island Milford Sound Getty Best sights on New Zealand's South Island Marlborough Sounds Getty Best sights on New Zealand's South Island Fiordland National Park Getty Best sights on New Zealand's South Island Abel Tasman National Park Getty Best sights on New Zealand's South Island Split Apple Rock, Abel Tansman National Park Getty Best sights on New Zealand's South Island Larnach Castle Getty Best sights on New Zealand's South Island View from Larnach Castle over the Otago Peninsula Getty Best sights on New Zealand's South Island Queenstown Getty Today, the North Island is home to 77 per cent of New Zealanders, despite being significantly smaller in land mass. But the NZ South campaign said their island had plenty going for it regardless, including famous wine regions, picturesque countryside, hydroelectric dams powering the whole nation and thriving ski slopes. The time has come for the South Island of New Zealand to be independent and to have its own identity NZ South, the campaigns website states. NZ South is totally different to the North Island in every way. We dont have an Auckland with its crime, violence, gangs, racial tensions and congestion. Why do we need the North Island? [We have] a million more sheep and Bluff oysters feeding our neighbours. Mr Gyles said his project also aimed to radically streamline local government and bureaucracy in NZ South, abolishing entirely all regional councils. Some of the other items in the eccentric manifesto including banning freedom campers polluting our countryside, filling in vacant shopfronts, and introducing a new tax on tourists. To push the campaign closer to its goal, Mr Gyles said they needed $900,000 (474,000) urgently as seed funding. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The money would be used to hire constitutional lawyers, lobbyists, social media gurus and other researchers, who must all share the same values and vision for a NZ South, the website states. However, despite their blue-sky thinking, Mr Gyles and his campaign has so far failed to drum up much support: only 41 people have liked their page on Facebook. Undeterred, he told the Otago Daily Times he was planning a public roadshow to gauge enthusiasm for his secessionist plans. You cant introduce something if people dont want it, he admitted. A British man has drowned while swimming with his family at a popular beach in New Zealand. Andrew Massey, from Kent, died while swimming off Ocean Beach in Tairua, on New Zealands North Island. Local police said the 68-year-old got into trouble on Saturday evening when he was in the water with family members. Mr Massey was brought back to the shore and CPR was attempted but he could not be resuscitated. In a statement, New Zealand Police said: Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. 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 tourists death will be referred to the local coroner, the statement also said. The site of the tragedy, Tairua, is a popular holiday destination on New Zealands Coromandel Peninsula. The region draws hordes of tourists every year, lured by its warm climate and beautiful beaches. Mr Massey is not the first tourist to drown while swimming in the area recently. In October, a man died at nearby Hot Water Beach after he tried to save a child who was struggling in the ocean. Kim Jong-un has set off from Pyongyang for his second meeting with Donald Trump on a rail journey which will take over 60 hours to Vietnams Dong Dang station before a road move of another three hours to Hanoi. It is unclear why the North Korean leader did not take a flight of three and half hours instead of the train, which is particularly slow because it is heavily armoured. One theory is that the countrys state jet, Chammae-1, is of ancient Soviet vintage and has experienced mechanical problems. Kim had to borrow a plane from the Chinese government to meet Trump at their first summit last year in Singapore. But Kim was in no hurry and neither, it appears, is the US president. I am in no rush, Trump said in Washington. I dont want to rush anybody. I just dont want [nuclear] testing. As long as theres no testing, were happy. We both expect a continuation of the progress made at first summit in Singapore. In reality nothing much had been progressed since the Singapore summit where an agreement, vague in details, was signed last June, with the general aspiration to denuclearise the Korean peninsula. But there is little sign of that seven months on, with disagreements about how the process of disarmament would even begin. Trump stated that he was not going to press Kim on denuclearisation at the Hanoi meeting before going on to claim in a tweet that North Korea has more potential for rapid growth than any other nation if it did not have nuclear weapons. The problems in achieving this phenomenal growth rate in a country with a shattered economy and a broken infrastructure, would be solved, according to Trump because of its location (and him) [Kim]. Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Show all 20 1 /20 Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim leave following their historic meeting AFP/Getty Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim sign a document committing to peace between their nations, amongst other things EPA Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump holds up a document that both he and Mr Kim have signed AFP/Getty Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un The two leaders reach out to shake hands for the first time AP Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim shake hands as they meet for the first time Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim walk off stage, following their historic meeting Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim take a stroll after their meeting on June 12 Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim interrupt their stroll to talk to the media AP Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Kim and Mr Trump look out over a balcony at the Capella hotel, where they held their meeting on June 12 Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump takes questions at the press conference following his meeting with with Mr Kim AP Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump appreciates the crowd in the press conference following his meeting with Mr Kim Getty Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump travels to the Istana ahead of the summit with Kim Jong Un on June 12 Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Kim Jong Un travels to the Istana ahead of the summit with President Trump on June 12 Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Kim poses for a photo with Singapore's Finance Minister Vivian Balkrishnan and Education Minister Ong Ye Kung ahead of the summit with Mr Trump Twitter/Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump shakes hands with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, meeting on Monday June 11 in the Istana, Singapore's presidential palace AP Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un At a working lunch on Monday, Singapore's Prime Minister surprised Mr Trump with a birthday cake, in early celebration of his 72nd birthday later in the week EPA Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo answers questions about the summit at a press briefing in Singapore on Monday, June 11 Getty Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un US President Donald Trump arrives at the Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore on June 10, two days prior to his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim met on Tuesday June 12 in the Capella hotel on the island resort of Sentosa, just off the south coast of Singapore AFP/Getty Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump boards Air Force One following the summit AFP/Getty After the Singapore summit Trump had tweeted everybody can now feel much safer than the day I took office, there is no longer a nuclear threat from North Korea. The US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, seemed to contradict the president during a TV show on Sunday. Do you think North Korea remains a nuclear threat? he was asked in a CNN interview. Yes, replied Pompeo. But the President said it doesnt, journalist Jake Tapper pointed out. The secretary of state insisted: Thats not what he said ... I know precisely what he said. Pompeo, in another interview, wanted to downplay any suggestion that there may be a breakthrough in Hanoi. We may not get everything down this week [but] we hope well make a substantial step along the way. There have been persistent reports from diplomats and officials that Pompeo has privately expressed frustration at how little has been achieved since Singapore and is also worried how Kim has outwitted Trump. The North Korean leader, for example, achieved a long held aim of Pyongyang, to stop the annual joint military exercises by American and South Korean forces, without having to give up anything much in return. Ian Bremner, the president and founder of the international Eurasia Group research institute held: There is no optimism in the administration. Pompeo is deeply sceptical that we are going to get anything of substance on denuclearisation from Kim Jong-un and Pompeo believes the North Koreans are just playing for time. John Bolton has been more openly sceptical of the negotiations, accusing Pyongyang of not taking effective action following the Singapore meeting. The national security advisor had, at one stage, suggested that Kim Jong-un should follow the Libya model in ridding itself of nuclear weapons. Muammar Gaddafi had given up his nuclear arsenal in 2003, with western assurances of security, to get back into the international fold. The North Koreans, recalling how the Libyan leader was subsequently deposed, captured and killed by rebels with the help of Nato bombing, protested vehemently about Boltons proposal. Kim Kye-gwan, first vice-minister of foreign affairs, described it as a manifestation of (an) awfully sinister move to impose on our dignified state the destiny of Libya or Iraq which had been collapsed due to yielding the whole of their countries to big powers. The US presidents critics are apprehensive that he may make grandiose gestures of concessions to Kim. The US-based think-tank, National Security Action, charged: Time and again, Trump has placed politics ahead of policy, and his approach to North Korea emphasising showy summits over sustained, serious diplomacy has been no different ... Only principled, strategic, and most likely long-term engagement will set the stage for real progress towards the most important objective: denuclearisation. Anything else is empty political bluster designed to fortify Trumps poll numbers, potentially even at the expense of our national security by offering de facto recognition of North Korea as a nuclear weapons state and strengthening Kim Jong-uns position without meaningful concessions. Trump-Kim meeting: how events unfolded at the Singapore summit Robert Emerson, a British security analyst, pointed out that Trump will welcome a distraction from domestic woes. There will be lots of photo opportunities for Trump in Hanoi and he will make lots of use of them, but no one is saying there will be anything of substance. But there is trouble piling up at home while he is away, he maintained. There had been frenzied media speculation that the special counsel Robert Muellers report into alleged Russian collusion in getting Trump to the White House would be delivered this week. This was denied by the Justice Department at the weekend. One reason for the delay in Mueller sending his findings to Attorney General William Barr was the view that it should wait until the president is back in the country. The Democrats, now in control of the House of Representatives, have warned of legal action if Barr attempts to suppress significant parts of the report. Meanwhile House Democrats have introduced a resolution to block the president from building his wall with Mexico through emergency powers. Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated: The presidents act is lawless. It does violence to our constitution and therefore to our democracy. His declaration strikes at the heart of our founders concept of America, which demands separation of powers. | BY Ricki Green | Biostime in partnership with Noisy Beast have released a $10 million integrated campaign to launch the premium paediatric nutrition brand into the Australian market. Biostime is the No. 1 brand of paediatric probiotic supplements in the world* and the Australia launch is in response to the genuine need from Australian parents looking for premium quality nutrition for their children. The Next Generation Organic brand campaign is fronted by Australian entrepreneur, supermodel, organic advocate and mother Miranda Kerr. The campaign celebrates the unique Biostime SN-2 BIO PLUS Premium Organic Toddler Milk Drink which combines the power of science and nature, to give the next generation of children a great start. The integrated launch campaign provides a 360 degree showcase of Noisy Beasts complete service offering consisting of strategy, media, digital, PR and social. Says Severine Brichard, global marketing director, H&H: Biostime recognises the changing and complex world of parenting, especially when it comes to nutrition. Were delighted to offer Biostime to the Australian market with an immersive campaign launch that disrupts the formulaic category approach and speaks to Biostimes unique positioning combing the power of science and nature to support Australian parents. Were thrilled to be working with Noisy Beast. Their unique model offers everything we need to launch our brand under one roof which makes our life easier due to each strategy and campaign touchpoint seamlessly integrating. Says David Brown, managing director, Noisy Beast: As an international agency managing global brands, were delighted to share our expertise and capability in helping Biostime disrupt the Australian market. Its been amazing to see how much work and effort the entire Noisy Beast team has produced in such a short amount of time. Were excited to demonstrate how a smart media mix can catapult Biostime into Australian homes. Says Murray Bransgrove, creative director, Noisy Beast: I joined the Noisy team for the opportunity to contribute to an agency model with a difference. This campaign has touched everything we offer, through strategic planning to production, media, PR, social and digital. The campaign aims to connect with the next generation of Australian parents, who want to give their children a great start and are looking for products founded upon nature but still contain strong nutrition. The campaign TVC featuring Miranda Kerr launched this weekend with Biostimes range of infant probiotics and toddler milk drinks available through key Australian pharmacies and retailers. Agency: Noisy Beast Managing Director: David Brown Group Account Director: Jo Hardy Account Director: Laura Butler Global Engagement Director: Bec Ahern Account Executive: Tessa Symon Creative Director: Murray Bransgrove Senior Copywriter: James Blow Art Director: Joan Lim Copywriter: Ying Chin Broadcast Producers: Christina Dess & Anne Comber Content Producer: Claire Crawford Content DOP & Editor: Thomas Pollard Group Media Director: Ben Lynch Senior Account Manager: Amy Robinson Production Company: REVERSE Director: Antoine Pai Music Composer: Dmitri Golovko Offline Editor: Adrian Katz Online Editor: Alex Evans Sound Engineer: Rodney Lowe, Production Alley Donald Trump has admitted he will go into a second summit with North Koreas Kim Jong-un later this week with expectations substantially reduced from when they first met in Singapore last year. The US would be happy with the outcome of the talks in Vietnam as long as theres no testing, Mr Trump said, a reference to the continuation of a pause on nuclear and missile tests that has been in place in North Korea since late 2017. After his first summit with Mr Kim in June last year, the US president tweeted there was no longer a nuclear threat from North Korea a claim the secretary of state Mike Pompeo has now admitted was untrue. And speaking on Sunday night to a gathering of governors at the White House, Mr Trump declared he was no longer in a rush for Pyongyang to prove it was abandoning its weapons. Im not in a rush. I dont want to rush anybody, I just dont want testing. As long as theres no testing, were happy, he said. Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Show all 20 1 /20 Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim leave following their historic meeting AFP/Getty Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim sign a document committing to peace between their nations, amongst other things EPA Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump holds up a document that both he and Mr Kim have signed AFP/Getty Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un The two leaders reach out to shake hands for the first time AP Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim shake hands as they meet for the first time Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim walk off stage, following their historic meeting Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim take a stroll after their meeting on June 12 Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim interrupt their stroll to talk to the media AP Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Kim and Mr Trump look out over a balcony at the Capella hotel, where they held their meeting on June 12 Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump takes questions at the press conference following his meeting with with Mr Kim AP Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump appreciates the crowd in the press conference following his meeting with Mr Kim Getty Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump travels to the Istana ahead of the summit with Kim Jong Un on June 12 Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Kim Jong Un travels to the Istana ahead of the summit with President Trump on June 12 Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Kim poses for a photo with Singapore's Finance Minister Vivian Balkrishnan and Education Minister Ong Ye Kung ahead of the summit with Mr Trump Twitter/Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump shakes hands with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, meeting on Monday June 11 in the Istana, Singapore's presidential palace AP Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un At a working lunch on Monday, Singapore's Prime Minister surprised Mr Trump with a birthday cake, in early celebration of his 72nd birthday later in the week EPA Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo answers questions about the summit at a press briefing in Singapore on Monday, June 11 Getty Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un US President Donald Trump arrives at the Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore on June 10, two days prior to his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim met on Tuesday June 12 in the Capella hotel on the island resort of Sentosa, just off the south coast of Singapore AFP/Getty Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump boards Air Force One following the summit AFP/Getty In statements on Twitter and elsewhere on Sunday evening on the eve of his departure for Vietnam, the US president spoke in gushing terms about how, with the dictatorial Mr Kim at the helm, North Korea had more potential for rapid growth than any other nation. Chairman Kim realises, perhaps better than anyone else, that without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the world, Mr Trump wrote, attributing this potential to its location and people (and him). The two leaders will meet in Hanoi on Wednesday and Thursday, eight months after their historic summit in Singapore, the first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader. And according to reporters at Sundays black-tie Governors Ball, Mr Trump boasted of having developed a very very good relationship with Mr Kim. He added: Well see what that means. But hes never had a relationship with anybody from this country, and hasnt had lots of relationships anywhere. Amid concerns over what Mr Trump might agree to in order to secure a foreign policy victory, Democratic senators and security officials have warned against any deal that does little to curb North Koreas nuclear ambitions. As Mr Kim made his way across China by train for the summit, North Korean state media warned the US presidency not to listen to critics who, it said, were disrupting efforts to improve ties. A South Korean presidential spokesperson told reporters in Seoul the two sides might agree to declare a formal end to the 1950-1953 Korean War at the summit. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The war ended in a truce, not a treaty, and the North has long called for a treaty to end it. It also wants security guarantees. The US has for years demanded North Koreas complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation, before any concessions will be granted. But in recent days Mr Trump has signalled a possible softening of the US position, hinting at support for a limited deal if there is only meaningful progress on the denuclearisation issue. A Bangladeshi man shot dead after he tried to force his way into the cockpit on a Dubai-bound flight was carrying a toy gun, police revealed on Monday, contradicting an earlier statement from the army that he had fired the first shot. Police officials said they are investigating how the mentally imbalanced man was able to board the Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight in Dhaka and threaten the pilot. The Boeing 737-800 pilot was forced to make an emergency landing at Bangladeshs Chittagong airport on Sunday. Commandos then stormed the plane and shot the would-be hijacker who later died later of his injuries in what the military had earlier said was an exchange of gunfire. The pistol with the suspect was a toy pistol and he had no bomb attached to his body, said Kusum Dewan, additional commissioner of Chittagong police. He appeared to be mentally imbalanced. We heard he had a personal issue with his wife and demanded to speak to the prime minister. But we are still investigating. We dont want to come to any conclusions right now. Bangladeshi security forces react to the hijacking: in pictures Show all 8 1 /8 Bangladeshi security forces react to the hijacking: in pictures Bangladeshi security forces react to the hijacking: in pictures Security forces stand guard at the Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong, Bangladesh after a man attempted to hijack a plane EPA Bangladeshi security forces react to the hijacking: in pictures Photo released by Bangladeshi Police of Mahmud Polash Ahmed, who was shot dead after attempting to hijack the plane with a toy gun AP Bangladeshi security forces react to the hijacking: in pictures Security personnel search a vehicle at an entrance to the airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh as security is boosted following the hijacking at Chittagong airport AFP/Getty Bangladeshi security forces react to the hijacking: in pictures Security personnel search people at an entrance to the airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh as security is boosted following the hijacking at Chittagong airport AFP/Getty Bangladeshi security forces react to the hijacking: in pictures Security personnel search a vehicle at an entrance to the airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh as security is boosted following the hijacking at Chittagong airport AFP/Getty Bangladeshi security forces react to the hijacking: in pictures Security personnel search people at an entrance to the airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh as security is boosted following the hijacking at Chittagong airport AFP/Getty Bangladeshi security forces react to the hijacking: in pictures Security personnel stand guard at an entrance to the airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh as security is boosted following the hijacking at Chittagong airport AFP/Getty Bangladeshi security forces react to the hijacking: in pictures Bangladesh civil aviation minister Mahbub Ali, center, addresses a news conference in Dhaka on Monday 25 February AP All 148 passengers and crew were able to safely disembark before soldiers stormed the plane and ordered the suspect to surrender. The suspect was fired at after he shot at the soldiers, a military spokesman had told reporters on Sunday. Nayeem Hasan, chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, said it was a mystery how the man, believed to be in his 20s, had managed to board the plane with an object resembling a pistol. It was the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority to search each passenger before boarding and it was done for this aircraft also, but it is a big question to us that how he boarded with a pistol, he said. Bangladeshi security personnel inspect plane after exchange of gunfire with hijacker (AFP/Getty Images) Now we are focusing on two issues his background and identity and the security aspect that how he boarded with a pistol. Politician Moin Uddin Khan Badal, on board the plane, told Bangladeshi media the man had demanded to speak to the countrys prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The airline said the aircraft left Dhaka for Dubai at 4.35pm, and landed at Chittagong airport around 5.40pm local time. Flights were suspended at the airport during the brief standoff with the would-be hijacker. Additional reporting by Reuters A dog owner was mauled to death by her own pets after they turned on her while she was wrestling with them. Neighbours rushed to fend off the two dogs as they bit down on Nancy Cherryl Burgess-Dismukes arms outside her mobile home in Greenville, South Carolina, on Thursday. The 52-year-old suffered a number of serious dog bites and died in hospital about nine hours later. Amber Greer, who witnessed the incident and called 911, told The Greenville News it went from looking like she was playing with the dogs, described as boxer mixes, to the pets eating her alive. Another resident told the paper Ms Burgess-Dismuke had put her arms in her dogs mouths while playing with them in the past. Dog's brain tumor turns out to be large needle stuck in its neck Show all 4 1 /4 Dog's brain tumor turns out to be large needle stuck in its neck Dog's brain tumor turns out to be large needle stuck in its neck X-ray showing the 7cm needle lodged in the neck of Yorkshire Terrier Toby PA Dog's brain tumor turns out to be large needle stuck in its neck X-ray showing the 7cm needle lodged in the neck of Yorkshire Terrier Toby PA Dog's brain tumor turns out to be large needle stuck in its neck Yorkshire Terrier Toby has since made a full recovery PA Dog's brain tumor turns out to be large needle stuck in its neck Yorkshire Terrier Toby has since made a full recovery PA The Grenville News reported that one neighbour grabbed an axe while another picked up a car part before they began hitting the dogs to free their owner. Ms Burgess-Dismuke reportedly managed to escape by jumping over a fence. Lieutenant Ryan Flood, spokesman for Grenville Sheriffs Office, said Ms Burgess-Dismuke suffered severe injuries in a statement to The Grenville News. He added that a preliminary investigation showed she had been wrestling with the two dogs in her front yard when they became aggressive. Senior Deputy Coroner Kent Dill told The Washington Post that the woman was alert and talking with paramedics when they arrived on scene but went into cardiac arrest once in hospital. Greenville County Animal Control is said to have taken the dogs away from the scene. They were due to be put down on Friday, according to The Greenville News. The US has announced new sanctions on Caracas and insisted that all options were on the table to oust Nicolas Maduro, as a Republican senator tweeted images showing the death throes of Muammar Gaddafi in an apparent threat to the Venezuelan leader. Vice president Mike Pence said four Venezuelan state governors allied to Mr Maduro were the target of the new sanctions, while he urged the international community to freeze assets of the nation's state-run oil company. The US also asked the United Nations Security Council to hold an urgent meeting on the crisis. I want to assure you, President Guaido, that the tragic events of the past weekend have only steeled the resolve of the United States of America, Mr Pence said at a meeting of the Lima Group in Colombia. The meeting was attended by opposition leader Juan Guaido, who last month declared himself Venezuela's president. According to the Associated Press, Mr Pence added. We are with you 100 per cent. Also in Colombia at the weekend, where he visited efforts to transport US aid across the border into Venezuela an effort that resulted in violence and several deaths was Republican senator Marco Rubio, who has been highly influential on Donald Trumps Latin American policy and whom the New York Times has termed the ouster in chief. Venezuela aid protests: Civilians demand food and medicine Show all 5 1 /5 Venezuela aid protests: Civilians demand food and medicine Venezuela aid protests: Civilians demand food and medicine Demonstrators push a bus that was torched during clashes with the Bolivarian National Guard AP Venezuela aid protests: Civilians demand food and medicine Demonstrators are seen through the cracked windshield of a torched bus AP Venezuela aid protests: Civilians demand food and medicine A woman moves away from the flames of a burning bus AP Venezuela aid protests: Civilians demand food and medicine A bus that was torched during clashes with the Bolivarian National Guard AP Venezuela aid protests: Civilians demand food and medicine Demonstrators push away a bus that was torched during clashes AP On Sunday, he tweeted several messages attacking Mr Maduros government before then posting three images of ousted dictators Libyas Gaddafi, Panamas Manuel Noriega and Romanias Nicolae Ceausescu. The gruesome, blood-laced image of the Libyan leader was taken as he was bayoneted to death by rebels in the city of Sirte in October 2011. Nato had earlier engaged in a devastating bombing campaign against Gadafi's forces. Mr Rubios tweet of the image contained no text, but quickly sparked outcry on social media. A number of commentators said he was tweeting the equivalent of stills from a snuff movie. In Colombia at the meeting of nations from the Americas, Mr Pence spoke with Mr Guaido, who Washington had encouraged to declare himself the countrys legitimate president and who it quickly regonised as such after he did so. The UK, Canada and up to 50 other nations quickly followed, while China, Russia and Mexico still recognise Mr Maduo. Mr Pence accused Mr Maduros forces of burning several trucks containing medical supplies over the weekend as the opposition tried to deliver US aid, even though it was unclear how they were set alight. As the world watched, the tyrant in Caracas danced as his henchmen murdered civilians and burned truckloads of food and medicine destined for the people of Venezuela, Mr Pence claimed. These men worked to block aid for people in need and suppress peaceful protests and their actions will not go unpunished. Pink Floyd's Roger Waters posts video of support to Venezuela with angry message to Trump In the days ahead, the US will announce even stronger sanctions on the regime's corrupt financial networks. We will find every last dollar they have stolen and return that money to the Venezuelan people. As we continue to bring economic and diplomatic pressure to bear on the Maduro regime, we hope for a peaceful transition to democracy, but as President Trump has made clear, all options are on the table. But others - including several European nations - voiced caution. Hamilton Mourao, vice president of Brazil, one of the nations that has recegnised Mr Guaido, said under no circumstances would his country allow the US to intervene militarily in Venezuela from Brazilian territory. Mr Maduro has denied claims that he is refusing to accept aid. Indeed, the UN has stepped up distribution of humanitarian supplies in the country. His supporters point out the US has previously used shipments of aid in Latin America to smuggle weapons to rebels. Three decades ago, Elliott Abrams, currently Mr Trumps point person on Venezuela, oversaw such an operation against the democratically elected government of Nicaragua. Mr Maduro on Monday tweeted that the empire and its lackey must understand that in Venezuela the self-determination of our people reigns. We will solve the problems in a national union, with the Bolivarian government that I preside over. Together for Venezuela!. Meanwhile, the US asked the UN Security Council to discuss the Venezuela situation on Tuesday. Reuters said Washington wanted the 15-member council to formally call for free, fair and credible presidential elections in Venezuela with international observers, a move that prompted Russia to propose a rival draft resolution. The US military must include women in any future drafts, a federal judge has ruled, after a prominent mens rights group successfully sued the Selective Service System (SSS). The decision follows the Pentagons policy reversal in 2015 to begin allowing women to serve in combat military roles. Women were previously barred from combat, which caused the US Supreme Court to rule in 1981 that their exclusion in draft registrations was constitutional. If there was ever a time to discuss the place of women in the Armed Services, that time has passed, Judge Gray Miller wrote in his ruling. The Texas judge noted in his decision that, while historical restrictions on women in the military may have justified past discrimination, men and women are now similarly situated for purposes of a draft or registration for a draft. Harry Crouch, president of the National Coalition for Men, celebrated the ruling for his group's lawsuit in an interview with The Independent, describing a four-year court process ending with a major decision that should cause the conversation to accelerate towards a resolution. However, when asked whether future drafts should apply to all women including transgender Americans Mr Crouch replied, We dont get into gender politics. He then clarified, Theres some things we dont delve into. Theres a lot of issues we dont get involved in but you can plug in anybody you want. This is all about equitable treatment, he added. 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 his ruling, Judge Gray wrote that women could conceivably be better suited physically for some of todays combat positions than the average man and that combat roles no longer uniformly require sheer size or muscle. Mr Crouch said he agreed with that statement, saying, I think there are situations in all forms of employment where some people do better than others, and some of that is based on gender. The National Commission on Military, National and Public Service is slated to provide Congress and the White House with recommendations surrounding the military draft including the possibility of abolishing it altogether by 2020. Mr Crouch said NCFM does not take a stance on whether or not the US should abandon military draft registrations, but that the ruling in the groups lawsuit should provide support for the committees findings. We have a ruling that says the way things are situated is unconstitutional, which is huge, he said. So that should cause the conversation to accelerate towards a resolution. The decision could pave the way for women to begin following the same Selective Service guidelines men must follow in the US, including registering with the federal agency within 30 days of their 18th birthday. The federal judge declined to provide injunctive relief in the suit, however, meaning there are no immediate changes to the current SSS policies. A draft allows the US government to rapidly increase the size of its military forces if it were ever forced to reinstate conscription. If we have draft registration, both sexes should have to register, Marc E Angelucci, an attorney for NCFM, told the New York Times. Theres really no more excuse to require only men to register. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events While Mr Crouch called out Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and other feminist military advocates in Congress who have remained silent on the ruling, many civil rights activists celebrated the decision as a win against discrimination. Shannon Minter, the legal director of the National Centre for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) a group that has sued the government over Donald Trumps transgender military ban said in a statement to The Independent the ruling affirms that military policies that discriminate on sex like the transgender military ban are subject to meaningful judicial review and will be struck down when they rest on stereotypes and over broad generalizations about women and men. This will be an important precedent for courts ruling on Trump's attempt to ban transgender service members, they added. It is also important in its own right, as a step toward greater gender equality in our nation's armed forces. The last military draft was over 45 years ago and ended 27 January, 1973, when the Selective Service said no more draft calls would be made for the waning Vietnam War. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Donald Trump has launched an attack on filmmaker Spike Lee, accusing him of a racist hit on your president during his Oscars speech. The president was seemingly responding to comments made by the director while accepting the Best Adapted Screenplay award for the movie BlacKkKlansman. Lee said during Sunday nights ceremony: The 2020 presidential election is around the corner. Lets all mobilise. Lets all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Lets do the right thing. Mr Trump, who is on his way to a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Vietnam, responded with a personal jab on Twitter on Monday: Be nice if Spike Lee could read his notes, or better yet not have to use notes at all, when doing his racist hit on your president, who has done more for African Americans (Criminal Justice Reform, Lowest Unemployment numbers in History, Tax Cuts,etc.) than almost any other pres! BlacKkKlansman, which earned Lee his first non-honorary Oscar, is adapted from a memoir by Ron Stallworth, a black detective who infiltrated the white supremacist Ku Klux Klan. Although set in the 1970s, the film also explores the resurgence of racism and the far right in the US under Mr Trump. Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Show all 15 1 /15 Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Julia Roberts The actor took a candid selfie backstage with her close friend Paul Rudd, writing on Instagram: "Ran into this fella. My pal Paul- he is an original. #Oscars91 #actualfriends". Instagram/@juliaroberts Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Emilia Clarke The 'Game of Thrones' actor posted a selfie while on her way to the ceremony, writing in the caption: "Blondes have more fun eh?! Well I will see about that this fine #oscar2019 evening..... let the good times roll". Instagram/@emilia_clarke Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Miley Cyrus The singer posted a photograph of herself ahead of the Oscars x Vanity Fair after party, which she attended alongside husband Liam Hemsworth. She wore a plunging black sequin gown by Saint Laurent complete with a thigh-high slit and accessorized the look with Bulgari jewellery. Instagram/@mileycyrus Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Spike Lee The 'BlacKkKlansman' director posted a triumphant snap of his award for 'Best Adapted Screenplay' alongside his sparkling gold trainers, which neatly matched the statuette. Lee captioned his post: "BOOMSHACKSLACKA". Instagram/@officialspikelee Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Lupita Nyong'o The 'Black Panther' star might not have walked down the red carpet before the awards ceremony, but she did offer fans a behind-the-scenes sneak preview of her chosen gown, which was a stunning white feathered number by Oscar de la Renta. Instagram/@lupitanyongo Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Alex Rodriguez The revered basketball player posed alongside Jennifer Lopez during the ceremony, writing in the corresponding caption: "Mirror mirror on the wall. Whos got the hottest date of them all?!" Instagram/@arod Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Gabrielle Union The American actor wore a deep crimson satin gown by Valentino for Vanity Fair's famous Oscars after party, giving her 12.2m Instagram followers a sneak preview of the final look. Instagram/@gabunion Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Awkwafina Showing that no celebrity is immune to the lures of fan girling, the American rapper posted a photograph of herself posing alongside 'Big Little Lies' star Laura Dern on the Oscars red carpet, writing: "Freaking out - I love u @lauradern !!" Instagram/@awkwafina Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Tracee Ellis Ross The American actor was captured taking a selfie on the night of the ceremony alongside her musician mother Diana Ross and brother Evan, and his wife, Ashee Simpson, both of whom are also singers. She captioned the image, "NIGHT OUT WITH THE FAM". Instagram/@traceeelisross Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Gemma Chan The 'Crazy Rich Asians' star gave her fans a preview of her Oscars gown by posting this snap on Instagram, revealing her billowing fuchsia Valentino gown, which she paired with Bulgari jewellery. Instagram/@gemma_chan Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Jennifer Hudson The singer and actor posed for a selfie while inside the ceremony alongside friend Walter 'Wally' Bean. Instagram/@iamjhud Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests James McAvoy The 'Split' actor took a mirror selfie, presumably inside the bathroom at the Dolby Theatre, revealing his white shirt that had been covered in celebrity autographs, including ones from Frances McDormand and Michael B Jordan. "Went to the Oscars. Presented. Got mugged by sharpie wielding celebrities," he wrote. "#thuglebrity Im sure my shirt is going to be defaced by more of these entitled graffiti mentalists as the night goes on." Instagram/@jamesmcavoyrealdeal Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Michael B Jordan The 'Black Panther' star posted a candid photograph of him and his mother on Instagram ahead of the Oscars. "My mama about to make me have to fight somebody she looking so pretty," he wrote in the caption. Instagram/@michaelbjordan Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Selma Blair The American actor posed for a selfie at the Oscars x Vanity Fair after party with renowned TV producer Shonda Rhimes. Instagram/@selmablair Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Jason Momoa The 'Game of Thrones' actor posed alongside his co-star, Emilia Clarke, on the night of the awards, posting the snap on Instagram alongside the caption: "So proud of you @emilia_clarke I love u with all my heart Aloha Drogo" in reference to his character's name, Khal Drogo. Instagram/@prideofgypsies During his impassioned acceptance speech, which he read from a page of notes, Lee implored Americans to connect with our ancestors ... have love and wisdom, and regain our humanity. He said: Four hundred years. Our ancestors were stolen from Mother Africa and bought to Jamestown, Virginia, enslaved. Our ancestors worked the land from cant see in the morning to cant see at night. Before the world tonight, I give praise to our ancestors who have built this country into what it is today along with the genocide of its native people. The director did not refer to Mr Trump by name during the speech, but in a subsequent press conference he addressed the presidents failure to condemn far-right violence. Lee included footage of an August 2017 white nationalist rally at which a counter-protester was killed in in Charlottesville, Virginia, at the end of BlacKkKlansman. Mr Trump infamously refused to condemn the far right, saying both sides were to blame for the violence. Lee said: That car drove down that one street in Virginia, and the president of the United States did not reject, refute, did not denounce the Klan, alt-right and neo-Nazis. This film, whether we won best picture or not, this film will stand the test of time being on the right side of history. During the Oscars ceremony, Lee also stormed off in disgust as Green Book was announced as surprise winner of Best Picture. Peter Farrellys comedy-drama, about a black jazz pianist and his rough-around-the-edges driver, has been accused of advancing the white saviour trope. The Trump administration is reportedly ready to set up a panel to reconsider and possibly change the US governments position on climate change. A committee working under the National Security Council (NSC) would include sceptics who have questioned the scientific consensus on manmade global warming, administration officials have revealed. The White House plan has been championed by William Happer, one of the NSCs senior directors and a physicist who has disputed the damaging impact CO2 emissions are having on the Earths atmosphere. Having the panel operate under the NSC would avoid the public scrutiny usually required of government advisory committees, senior officials told The Washington Post. The White House is thought to be keen to formally challenge recent federal reports, including the National Climate Assessment an interagency study released in November that outlined the threats posed to the US by global warming. Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet Show all 20 1 /20 Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet Donald Trump's Cabinet Donald Trump's Cabinet is one the richest in American history, filled with billionaires, conservatives and several career politicians. AFP/Getty Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet Mike Pence US Vice President Mike Pence has defended Donald Trump throughout his presidency while walking a fine line to avoid any public involvement in major scandals. AFP/Getty Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet Mike Pompeo Secretary of State Mike Pompeo replaced Donald Trump's previous appointment to the post, Rex Tillerson, and has led talks with North Korea in establishing high-profile summits between the president and Kim Jong Un. Getty Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet Wilbur Ross Secretary of Commerce Wibur Ross raised controversy when he was accused of falsely claiming to have sold stock in a bank and violated a government ethics agreement. AFP/Getty Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet Robert Lighthizer US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has been a fixture in Donald Trump's ongoing trade spat with China. AFP/Getty Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet William Barr Attorney General William Barr replaced Jeff Sessions as the nation's top cop in early 2019 and has refused to commit to recusing himself from the Russia probe despite an unsolicited memo he sent to the Justice Department decrying the investigation. EPA Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet Rick Perry Energy Secretary Rick Perry has held his post throughout Donald Trump's presidency despite previously undermining the need for the agency he now leads in past public statements. Ken Shipp / United States Department of Energy Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet Betsy DeVos Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has also held her post throughout the presidency, despite major backlash to her apparent undermining of the nationwide public school system and advocacy for charter programmes. Getty Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet Steven Mnuchin Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has faced numerous controversies throughout his tenure as the head of Treasury, including costing taxpayers at least a million dollars in travel expenses. AP Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet Robert Wilkie Veterans Affairs secretary Robert Wilkie was appointed after Donald Trump's White House doctor Ronny Jackson withdrew over allegations he provided prescription drugs to patients without prescriptions. AFP/Getty Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet David Bernhardt Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt took office in January 2019 after the resignation of Ryan Zinke after previously serving as Zinke's deputy. Before taking office Bernhardt worked for many years as a solicitor for the Department of the Interior. Tami Heilemann / United States Department of the Interior Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet Elaine Chao Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao has held her post throughout the presidency and has mostly avoided controversy, despite a report claiming her office has been in frequent coordination with her husband's, Mitch McConnell. AFP/Getty Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet Kevin McAleenan Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan took over from Kirstjen Nielsen after she resigned in April 2019. He previously worked as the executive director of the executive director of the Office of Anti Terrorism in the Customs and Border Protection agency United States Customs and Border Protection Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet Ben Carson Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson was appointed shortly after Donald Trump took office and raised controversy over an exorbitant furnishing bill for his office. Reuters Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet Gina Haspel CIA Director Gina Haspel was appointed in 2018 and faced backlash surrounding her oversight of Guantanamo Bay. Getty Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet Dan Coats Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats could be the next person to leave Donald Trump's administration over his refuting the president's claims surrounding ISIS. Reuters Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet Sonny Perdue Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has been dogged by ethics questions throughout his tenure and faced controversy when emails showed the agency appeared willing to eagerly work with lobbyists under his leadership. Reuters Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet Alex Azar Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar is a former pharmaceutical lobbyist and former drug company executive. Getty Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet Mick Mulvaney Acting Chief of Staff and Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney has described himself as one of the most conservative officials in the White House. EPA Trump's inner circle: Meet the members of the US president's cabinet Robert Wilkie Secretary of State for Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie has spent his career on Capitol Hill serving in various roles in foreign affairs and defence. He holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the US Air Force Reserve. Gene Russell / United States Department of Veterans Affairs The report linked climate change to an increase in natural disasters and warned of the dire effects in failing to contain a rise in global temperatures to 2C. Only days after its release, Donald Trump told reporters: I dont believe it. Climate scientists strongly condemned the latest Trump administration plan, reportedly discussed at the White House Situation Room on Friday. This is like assembling a panel of gravity sceptics who insist its safe to jump off tall buildings, except in this case they want to take us all with them, Nasa climate scientist Kate Marvel told Axios. Trump's pick for UN's ambassador believes 'both sides of the science' about climate change This is a truly bad idea that just refuses to die. All bureaucracies have them they are just more dangerous when they originate and live in the White House, the US navy's retired oceanographer David Titley told the website. Donald Trump has characterised the National Climate Assessment as a study prepared by Obama administration officials, but scientists have insisted the federal study was subjected to a series of in-depth peer reviews. There is also huge concern about the influence of Mr Happer, the senior NSC official set for a major role in the proposed committee, who has called the scientific consensus on climate change a cult. In 2010, he told a climate committee in the House of Representatives that global warming will be small compared the natural fluctuations in the earths temperature, and that the warming and increased CO2 will be good for mankind. Mr Happer previously ran a think tank of sceptics called CO2 Coalition, a group which has received funding from the right-wing Mercer Family Foundation, according to the Climate Investigations Centre. The president has his own history of denying the science on anthropogenic climate change. Mr Trump once claimed the phenomenon was a Chinese hoax intended to hurt American exports and has repeatedly confused seasonal weather with global warming. Last week he selected diplomat Kelly Craft to serve as the countrys next ambassador to the United Nations. Ms Craft has said she respects both sides of climate change science, framing the consensus as a debate in which deniers have equal credibility. Mike Pompeo has contradicted Donald Trump after the president claimed North Korea was no longer a nuclear threat. The secretary of state said Pyongyang still posed a risk in spite of the presidents previous claim which followed his first meeting with Kim Jong-un. On that occasion Mr Trump tweeted: There is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea. Meeting with Kim Jong Un was an interesting and very positive experience. But when asked on CNNs State of the Union programme on Sunday if he believed North Korea did still pose a nuclear threat, Mr Pompeo said: Yes. He attempted to explain away Mr Trumps prior claim by suggesting the president had actually said his meeting with Mr Kim last year in Singapore had lowered the risk. What he said was that the efforts that had been made in Singapore this commitment that Chairman Kim made have substantially taken down the risks to the American people, Mr Pompeo said. Its the mission of the secretary of state and the president of the United States to keep the American people secure. Were aiming to achieve that. Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Show all 20 1 /20 Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim leave following their historic meeting AFP/Getty Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim sign a document committing to peace between their nations, amongst other things EPA Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump holds up a document that both he and Mr Kim have signed AFP/Getty Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un The two leaders reach out to shake hands for the first time AP Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim shake hands as they meet for the first time Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim walk off stage, following their historic meeting Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim take a stroll after their meeting on June 12 Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim interrupt their stroll to talk to the media AP Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Kim and Mr Trump look out over a balcony at the Capella hotel, where they held their meeting on June 12 Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump takes questions at the press conference following his meeting with with Mr Kim AP Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump appreciates the crowd in the press conference following his meeting with Mr Kim Getty Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump travels to the Istana ahead of the summit with Kim Jong Un on June 12 Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Kim Jong Un travels to the Istana ahead of the summit with President Trump on June 12 Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Kim poses for a photo with Singapore's Finance Minister Vivian Balkrishnan and Education Minister Ong Ye Kung ahead of the summit with Mr Trump Twitter/Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump shakes hands with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, meeting on Monday June 11 in the Istana, Singapore's presidential palace AP Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un At a working lunch on Monday, Singapore's Prime Minister surprised Mr Trump with a birthday cake, in early celebration of his 72nd birthday later in the week EPA Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo answers questions about the summit at a press briefing in Singapore on Monday, June 11 Getty Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un US President Donald Trump arrives at the Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore on June 10, two days prior to his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un Reuters Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump and Mr Kim met on Tuesday June 12 in the Capella hotel on the island resort of Sentosa, just off the south coast of Singapore AFP/Getty Singapore Summit: historic first meeting between Trump and Kim Jong-un Mr Trump boards Air Force One following the summit AFP/Getty Mr Trump is due to hold his second meeting with Mr Kim this week in Vietnam, where senior administration officials have said the two leaders will meet one-on-one and share a meal together. The president has claimed that negotiators are making strong headway, but there remains significant obstacles. During a call with reporters, senior administration officials said that the two sides had yet to agree on what the term denuclearisation means. Chairman Kim realises, perhaps better than anyone else, that without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the World. Because of its location and people (and him), it has more potential for rapid growth than any other nation! Mr Trump tweeted on Sunday morning. Later in the day, Mr Trump took a shot at opponents who have suggested he will not be able to strike a lasting deal with North Korea, and that the Singapore summit resulted in little tangible differences. So funny to watch people who have failed for years, they got NOTHING, telling me how to negotiate with North Korea, Mr Trump wrote. But thanks anyway! The lieutenant governor of Virginia has likened himself to a lynching victim while battling accusations of sexual assault and calls to resign from his post amid a series of scandals impacting the states top lawmakers. Justin Fairfax made the controversial statements during a surprise speech on Sunday, lashing out against his critics in the state Senate as 2019 legislative session was coming to a close. Ive heard much about anti-lynching on the floor of this very Senate, where people were not given any due process whatsoever, and we rue that, Mr Fairfax said, referencing legislation the General Assembly passed expressing profound regret for lynchings in Virginia between 1877 and 1950. And we talk about hundreds, at least 100 terror lynchings that have happened in the Commonwealth of Virginia under those very same auspices, he added. And yet we stand here in a rush to judgment with nothing but accusations and no facts and we decide that we are willing to do the same thing. Stunned senators sat in awkward silence when he finished his five-minute impromptu speech. 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 Fairfax, who is black, has been accused by two women of sexual assault. Both of the alleged victims are African American. Earlier this month, Vanessa Tyson publicly accused Mr Fairfax of forcing her to perform oral sex in his hotel room during the Democratic National Convention in Boston in 2004. Her lawyer said last week that she plans to meet with prosecutors in Massachusetts to detail her allegations. Meredith Watson has also publicly accused Mr Fairfax of sexual assault. She issued a statement accusing him of raping her 19 years ago while they were students at Duke University. Recommended Another top Democrat in Virginia faces major blackface scandal House Republicans announced plans Friday to hold a public hearing where Mr Fairfax and his accusers can testify, a move that he and some Democrats have panned as a political ploy. Mr Fairfax has indicated he wont participate in the hearing, leaving it an open question whether Republicans will try to compel him to testify. He has said the accusations should be investigated by law enforcement. Governor Ralph Northam and Attorney General Mark Herring, both Democrats and both white, are embroiled in their own scandal after acknowledging they wore blackface in the 1980s. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Mr Northam has also resisted widespread calls to resign and instead said he intends to devote his remaining years in office to addressing the states deep and lingering racial divisions. The Associated Press contributed to this report A Republican senator quoted fascist dictator Benito Mussolini in a bizarre attack on socialism. Texas congressman John Cornyn prompted confusion and incredulity with an out-of-context Twitter post quoting the former Italian ruler. He tweeted on Sunday: We were the first to assert that the more complicated the forms assumed by civilisation, the more restricted the freedom of the individual must become. More than six hours later, after being asked to clarify the post, he said he was warning against an overly powerful central government. Since so-called Democratic Socialists have forgotten or never learned the lessons of history, and how their ideology is incompatible with freedom, I guess we have to remind or teach them, he tweeted. Twitter users pointed out that Mr Cornyn was attacking socialism by quoting a fascist who ordered the murder of his socialist political opponents. I cant decide if youre too dumb to understand the quote or just a terrible American, said one. The lesson of history is that Mussolini was an enormous liar, and that he slandered progressive forms of government with fear mongering so that he could promote a far-right agenda built on patriotic distraction to enact the most dreadful anti-liberty policies possible. Canadian writer Jeet Heer tweeted: When you consider the number of Democratic Socialists who were jailed and murdered for opposing Mussolini and Hitler, the true obscenity of this tweet becomes glaring. 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 Jared Holt, a reporter for Right Wing Watch, wrote: Senator who quoted Mussolini says he did so to warn against socialism, while neglecting to mention that Mussolini killed off his socialist opponents. Mussolini, who ruled Italy between 1922 and 1943, organised armed squads known as Black Shirts to terrorise political opponents. Mr Cornyn will stand for a fourth term in 2020, and Donald Trump last week endorsed his re-election bid. Senator John Cornyn has done an outstanding job for the people of Texas, the president tweeted. Dakota graduated from Bret Harte in 2013 and went to Davidson College, NC where she earned a bachelor's degree in Arab studies. After spending time studying in the Middle East and Europe, she is happy to be home, writing about the community she loves. Follow Dakota Morlan 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 Facebook content moderations disclosed the extreme consequences that come with the stress of constantly reviewing graphic and offensive material, according to a new report from the Verge. Facebooks content moderators are based in a facility in Arizona, operated by contract vendor Cognizant, where employees told the tech website that they cope with using drugs and having sex while on the job. The content moderators, most of whom are paid $15 an hour, are hired to look through a constant stream of content that includes offensive jokes, possible threats, and videos of beheadings and murders. The moderators are allotted two 15-minute breaks, one 30-minute lunch break, and nine minutes of wellness time during one work day. However, a lot of the time spent on these breaks are for waiting in long bathroom lines where reportedly three bathroom stalls are used for hundreds of workers. Sometimes these stalls are used as a venue for people to have sex to cope with the high stress that comes with watching graphic and offensive content for their job. Some workers also use the facilitys nursing rooms to have sex, which became such an issue last year that the company removed locks from the rooms doors. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Show all 9 1 /9 How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Lock your profile down If you havent done this already, do it now. In Settings, hit the Privacy tab. From here, you can control who gets to see your future posts and friends list. Choose from Public, Friends, Only Me and Custom in the dropdown menu. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Limit old posts Annoyingly, changing this has no effect on whos able to see your past Facebook posts. Instead, on the Privacy page, you have to click on Limit Past Posts, then select Limit Old Posts and finally hit Confirm on the pop-up. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Make yourself harder to find You can stop completely random people from adding you by selecting Friends of Friends from the dropdown menu in the Who can send you friend requests? section of the Privacy page. Its also worth limiting who can find your Facebook profile with your number and email address. At the bottom of the page is the option to prevent search engines outside of Facebook from linking to your profile. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Control access to your Timeline You can limit who gets to post things on your Timeline and who gets to see posts on your Timeline too. In Settings, go to Timeline and Tagging and edit the sections you want to lock down. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Block people When you block someone, they wont be able to see things you post on your Timeline, tag you, invite you to events or groups, start conversations with you or add you as a friend. To do it, go to Settings and Blocking. Annoyingly, you have to block people on Messenger separately. You can also add friends to your Restricted list here, which means theyll still be friends with you but will only be able to see your public posts and things you share on a mutual friend's Timeline. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Review tags One of Facebooks handiest privacy features is the ability to review posts youre tagged in before they appear on your Timeline. Theyll still be visible on the News Feed while theyre fresh, but wont be tied to your profile forever. In Timeline and Tagging, enable Timeline review controls. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Clean up your apps You can view a list of all of the apps youve connected to your Facebook account by going to Settings and Apps. The list might be longer than you expected it to be. Its worth tidying this up to ensure things you no longer use lose access to your personal information. If you dont want to log into websites and apps with your facebook account, scroll down and turn Platform off. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Change your ad preferences You can view a list of everything Facebook thinks youre into and tinker with your ad preferences by going to Settings and Adverts. A lot more information is displayed on the desktop site than the app, so wed recommend doing this on a computer. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Download your data Facebook lets you download all of the data it has on you, including the posts youve shared, your messages and photos, ads youve clicked on and even the IP addresses that are logged when you log in or out of the site. Its a hell of a lot of information, which you should download to ensure you never over-share on the social network again. The Verge also reported that employees confessed to using drugs and alcohol to numb the pain and psychological stress. Some regularly smoke marijuana while working and others have often joked with each other about drinking to forget. A former content moderator said he even starting bringing his gun to the Cognizant facility to protect himself from former employees. He said she was worried about violent threats made by terminated employees at the time. Although he has left the company, he said that he still sleeps with a gun at night. The former worker said viewing all those content led him to believe some of the conspiracy theories he was exposed to at work, including some claiming that the September 11 was not a terrorist attack or that the Las Vegas massacre had multiple gunmen involved. He told the Verge that he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and generalised anxiety. A counsellor at Cognizant denied any risk of its contract content moderators developing PTSD, the Verge reported. The counsellor also argued that some of them could experience "post-traumatic growth," where they can become emotionally and mentally stronger. A Facebook spokesperson released a statement in response to the report, citing the company has certain standards around well-being and support. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events "We value the hard work of content reviewers and have certain standards around their well-being and support, the statement read. We work with only highly reputable global partners that have standards for their workforce, and we jointly enforce these standards with regular touch points to ensure the work environment is safe and supportive, and that the most appropriate resources are in place." In another statement by Facebook, a spokesperson for Cognizant said the contract vendor investigated the issues mentioned in The Verge report and has taken appropriate action. Cognizant has "previously taken action where necessary and have steps in place to continue to address these concerns and any others raised by our employees, the statement read. In addition to offering a comprehensive wellness program at Cognizant, including a safe and supportive work culture, 24x7 phone support and onsite counsellor support to employees, Cognizant has partnered with leading HR and Wellness consultants to develop the next generation of wellness practices." Donald Trump has said the US will postpone an increase in its tariffs on goods from China as a result of substantial progress in trade talks. He said if additional progress was made he would plan a summit with Chinese president Xi Jinping at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. I am pleased to report that the US has made substantial progress in our trade talks with China on important structural issues including intellectual property protection, technology transfer, agriculture, services, currency, and many other issues, the US president tweeted. He added: As a result of these very productive talks, I will be delaying the US increase in tariffs now scheduled for March 1. Assuming both sides make additional progress, we will be planning a summit for President Xi and myself, at Mar-a-Lago, to conclude an agreement. A very good weekend for US & China! President Trump delivers State of the Union address Show all 22 1 /22 President Trump delivers State of the Union address President Trump delivers State of the Union address Nancy Pelosis sarcastic clapping stole Trumps thunder For many the president's speech was overshadowed by Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's applause after his call for political unity, which many interpreted as "sarcastic" AFP/Getty President Trump delivers State of the Union address Trump issues ominous threat over investigations as he rails against immigration and abortion In a State of the Union speech calling on Washington to cast aside revenge, resistance and retribution, Donald Trump was accused of issuing a veiled threat over the investigations dogging his administration. An economic miracle is taking place in the United States and the only thing that can stop it are foolish wars, politics or ridiculous partisan investigations, Mr Trump said AFP/Getty President Trump delivers State of the Union address Congresswomen, dressed in white in tribute to the women's suffrage movement, pose for a photo as they arrive AFP/Getty Images President Trump delivers State of the Union address The 72-year-old harkened back to American achievements, celebrating the moon landing as astronaut Buzz Aldrin looked on from the audience and heralding the liberation of Europe from the Nazis AFP/Getty President Trump delivers State of the Union address He also led the House chamber in singing happy birthday to a Holocaust survivor sitting with first lady Melania Trump. "Together, we represent the most extraordinary nation in all of history. What will we do with this moment? How will we be remembered?" Mr Trump said Getty President Trump delivers State of the Union address Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez dressed in white in an act of solidarity with other women declined to join a standing ovation for Donald Trump despite his purported call for unity Reuters President Trump delivers State of the Union address The president ticked through a litany of issues with crossover appeal, including boosting infrastructure, lowering prescription drug costs and combating childhood cancer Getty President Trump delivers State of the Union address Republican Veronica Escobar reacts as President Trump claims that El Paso, Texas, has become safer due to a wall along the border with Mexico Reuters President Trump delivers State of the Union address Despite no one working in the White House Office of National Aids Policy, and having sacking his HIV advisory council last year, Mr Trump pledged to inject funds to stop the spread of the disease in America by 2030 Getty Images President Trump delivers State of the Union address "Scientific breakthroughs have brought a once-distant dream within reach," the president said. Together, we will defeat Aids in America and beyond." he said Reuters President Trump delivers State of the Union address Trump led the House chamber in singing happy birthday to a Holocaust survivor sitting with first lady Melania Reuters President Trump delivers State of the Union address He also appealed to his political base, both with his harsh rhetoric on immigration and a call for Congress to pass legislation to prohibit the "late-term abortion of children EPA President Trump delivers State of the Union address Women from both political parties wore white outfits tonight at the behest of the Democratic Womens Working Group to honor the legacy of women's suffrage in the United States AFP/Getty President Trump delivers State of the Union address He devoted much of his speech to foreign policy, another area where Republicans have increasingly distanced themselves from the White House EPA President Trump delivers State of the Union address Trump greets Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, alongside Vice President Mike Pence AFP/Getty President Trump delivers State of the Union address US First lady Melania Trump (left) with Grace Eline and Joshua Trump, special guests of President Donald Trump AFP/Getty President Trump delivers State of the Union address Trump announced details of a second meeting with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, outlining a summit in Vietnam starting on 27 February AFP/Getty President Trump delivers State of the Union address "If I had not been elected president of the United States, we would right now, in my opinion, be in a major war with North Korea," he said AFP/Getty President Trump delivers State of the Union address Getty President Trump delivers State of the Union address Supreme Court Justices John Roberts, Elena Kagan and Neil Gorsuch laugh AFP/Getty President Trump delivers State of the Union address President Trump greets lawmakers after delivering his second State of the Union address EPA President Trump delivers State of the Union address Independent Senator from Vermont Bernie Sanders holds his notes EPA The delay in tariffs was the clearest sign yet of a breakthrough the two sides have sought since calling a 90-day truce in a trade war last year. It will likely be cheered by markets as a sign of an end to the dispute that has disrupted commerce worth hundreds of billions of dollars of goods and slowed global economic growth. US and Chinese negotiators met over the weekend as they sought to resolve a trade war that has rattled financial markets. Mr Trump had warned he would escalate the tariffs he has imposed on $200bn (153bn) in Chinese imports, from 10 to 25 per cent, if the two sides failed to reach a deal. However he had signalled greater flexibility in recent days. On Friday he suggested there was a good chance a deal would emerge. The worlds two biggest economies have been locked in a conflict over US allegations that China steals technology and forces foreign companies to hand over trade secrets in an aggressive push to challenge American technological dominance. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events However, Mr Trump was caught on camera disagreeing with his top trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, over terminology in a proposed trade deal with China. The dispute took place in front of Chinas vice premier, Liu He, who could be heard laughing as the bickering unfolded. A man wrongly convicted and imprisoned for nearly 40 years in the killing of his girlfriend and her four-year-old son reached a $21m (16m) settlement with the city of Simi Valley, California over the weekend. Craig Coley, 71, was released from prison in 2017 after DNA evidence and another investigation proved the mans innocence. Then-Governor Jerry Brown pardoned Mr Coley. The large-sum settlement agreement will also cover the arduous, costly and unneeded legal proceedings, Simi Valley officials told the Los Angeles Times. While no amount of money can make up for what happened to Mr Coley, settling this case is the right thing to do for Mr. Coley and our community, city manager Eric Levitt said in a statement. Simi Valley will be paying $4.9m (3.75m) whereas the rest of the settlement will be paid out by insurance and other revenue sources. Inside South Koreas mock prison Show all 20 1 /20 Inside South Koreas mock prison Inside South Koreas mock prison The experiment: a participant meditates before being locked up Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison See no way out: the Prison Inside Me is shrouded by fog at dawn Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Holiday snaps: Park Hye-ri (left) takes a selfie with her friends before being locked up Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Serving time: participants bow before being locked up Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Jailwalking: Park heads to her cell Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison No contact: Park puts her mobile phone outside her cell Photography by Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Life sentence: Park working at her office in Incheon Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Redemption: Park sitting inside her cell Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Chowtime: an administrator serves meals at the prison Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Banged up abroad: a participant looks through the window of a cell Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Screening process: Park shows her YouTube channel at a cafe in Incheon Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Nosh: a prisoner gets their meal Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison In the yard: a last taste of freedom before being locked up Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Bed and breakfast: prison food isnt all that bad... Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Cell phones: reducing contact with the outside world Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Exercise time: Park stretches while being locked inside a cell Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison The lights are on... and somebody is home Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Downtime: a participant takes a nap inside a cell Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Room with a view: looking out of a window from inside the cell Reuters Inside South Koreas mock prison Letter of recommendation: Park receives a certificate of parole after doing time Reuters Last year, the state approved a separate $2m payment for Mr Coley. The 71-year-old spent 39 years in prison after he was wrongly convicted of killing Rhonda Wicht, 24, and her toddler son in 1978. Simi Valleys police chief and Ventura Countys district attorney requested the then-governor Mr Brown to pardon Mr Coley following results from forensic tests proving that his DNA was not on the victims bed sheet. Recommended Four black men wrongly convicted of raping white teen in 1949 pardoned The contained DNA came from an unknown man. Mr Coley had an alibi for the time of the killing. Investigators disproved eyewitness testimonies that placed him at the scene of the slayings. His parents died while he was still behind bars. They mortgaged their home to pay for his legal bills. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Ron Kaye, Mr Coleys attorney, said the settlement offers only a little bit of closure and vindication for his client. He added that no amount of money could pay back the time and life he missed while being falsely imprisoned. He now can live the rest of his life, which we hope will be really well into the future, with the security he deserves, Mr Kaye told the Associated Press. After Mr Coley was pardoned, the judge declared him factually innocent. There has been no other arrests made in the killings. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez did not mince her words when she fired back at Fox News for criticising her decision to cap higher-level staff salaries in order to pay every staff member a $52,000 annual salary as socialism and communism on display. The progressive firebrand took to Twitter on Monday to say the GOP is disconnected from the simple concept that people should be paid a liveable wage. "The GOP is so disconnected from the basic idea that people should be paid enough to live that Fox actually thinks me paying a living wage in my office is 'communism,'" Ms Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. She added, so the next time GOP screams 'socialist,' know thats their go-to attack for any common-sense, humane policy." Pete Hegseth, a weekend co-host of Fox & Friends, said on Sunday that the Bronx-born lawmakers planned $52,000 salary for her staff as an example of communism and socialism. Corbin Trent, Ms Ocasio-Cortezs communications director told Roll Call that the top salaries of the congressional office would cap at $80,000 under the policy. According to USA Today, its a sharp contrast to the median salary for top congressional staffers in the 2018 fiscal year: $154,634. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - the Democratic congresswoman in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - the Democratic congresswoman in pictures Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - the Democratic congresswoman in pictures Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez greets fellow lawmakers ahead of the State of the Union address Getty Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - the Democratic congresswoman in pictures Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez participates in an event with Democratic members of Congress EPA Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - the Democratic congresswoman in pictures The Democrat senator speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol January 30, 2019 Getty Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - the Democratic congresswoman in pictures Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and fellow Democrat Rashida Tlaib AP Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - the Democratic congresswoman in pictures Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at the Senate chamber to watch two votes on January 24, 2019 Getty Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - the Democratic congresswoman in pictures Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez arrives with Chellie Pingree at a House Democratic Caucus meeting Getty Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - the Democratic congresswoman in pictures Ocasio-Cortez during Donald Trump's State of the Union address Reuters Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - the Democratic congresswoman in pictures New York State Assembly member Catalina Cruz with Ocasio-Cortez AFP/Getty Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - the Democratic congresswoman in pictures Nydia Velazquez talks with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Reuters Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - the Democratic congresswoman in pictures Ocasio-Cortez casts her vote for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House EPA Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - the Democratic congresswoman in pictures Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez poses with a campaign worker during a whistle stop in the Queens borough of New York Reuters Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - the Democratic congresswoman in pictures Ocasio-Cortez outside the US Capitol AFP/Getty Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - the Democratic congresswoman in pictures Ocasio-Cortez after casting her ballot in the 2018 midterm general election at a polling site in New York EPA Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - the Democratic congresswoman in pictures Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez looks on during a march organised by the Women's March Alliance in Manhattan Reuters Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - the Democratic congresswoman in pictures Ocasio Cortez looks on at the Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 16, 2019 AFP/Getty Mr Trent also said that the progressive congresswomans staff would reach the congressional limit with 18 members. In December, Ms Ocasio-Cortez also said she would pay her interns at least $15 an hour. Mr Hegseth acknowledged that "every Capitol Hill office has a limited amount of money to pay their staff, before arguing that her chief of staff would be earning a salary below the actual market rate. Recommended AOC suggests cocktail recipes to sip while working in politics He went on to challenge Ms Ocasio-Cortez by asking if she would share portions of her salary with her staff. "Will you share some of that money, Miss Congresswoman, with the rest of your staff who is not making as much as you? Mr Hegseth added. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The New York lawmaker also took to Instagram to double-down on her response to Mr Hegseth and Fox News. She argued that the lack of socioeconomic diversity in Washington, DC has real consequences for government being disconnected with the people it is supposed to represent and serve. Low pay is also a big reason for lack of socioeconomic diversity in DC, aka why many spaces in government can feel like a silver spoon club: only people who work 80+hr weeks w/ multiple jobs without an outside life, or whose parents can supplement their pay can have the opportunity to work in the nations capital, Ms Ocasio-Cortez said. That has real consequences for government being out of touch w/ the people we serve on all levels. Theres a TON of work that needs to be done when it comes to the workplace (parental leave, hiring practices, living wage, healthcare as a right and not a perk, etc), but it starts with paying people enough to live as a minimum requirement, and not a luxury (and I guess that gets you called a communist these days). The National Rifle Association (NRA) has been criticised over an article featuring a photo of the US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a former congresswoman who was shot next to a headline that reads Target Practice. The article appeared in the March issue of the NRAs monthly publication the American Rifleman with the featured photo taken last month at an announcement about proposed legislation to expand background checks for firearms purchases. Standing behind Ms Pelosi in the photo is Gabrielle Giffords, a former Democratic congresswoman from Arizona who was shot in the head during a constituency meeting in 2011. The article, written by Chris W Cox, executive director of the NRAs lobbying arm, described Ms Pelosi as an arch anti-gunner, and said the proposal was being deceptively marketed to the public and was a broadside against gun ownership in America. On Friday, a political reporter at HuffPost, Jennifer Bendery, posted photographs of the article on Twitter, setting off rounds of criticism about the juxtaposition of the headline and photo. Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter was killed in the 2018 mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, condemned the NRA and said on Twitter the layout was an incitement of violence. Senator Christopher Murphy, who has been a vocal supporter of gun restrictions since the 2012 mass shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, said on Twitter that the magazines editorial decisions were not accidental. Representative Eric Swalwell said on Twitter that the layout was a call for violence and that the NRA should face legal consequences. But lets put them out of business with boycotts and ballot boxes, he wrote. Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC Show all 12 1 /12 Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC Protesters hold up signs and flags to show solidarity with House Democrats after they staged a sit in over gun-control laws on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on June 23. 2016. Andrew Caballero/AFP/Getty Images Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC A lone protester wears tape printed with the U.S. flag on her mouth while attending an open hearing of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence where intelligence chiefs, including Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, testified at the U.S. Capitol February 25, 2016 in Washington, DC. Clapper said that the group known as the Islamic State, or ISIS, has become a greater global threat than al-Qaida ever was. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) waves to supporters along with House Democrats after their sit-in over gun-control law on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., June 23, 2016. Yuri Gripas/Reuters Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC Supporters of House Democrats taking part in a sit-in on the House Chamber shout encouragement from outside the U.S. Capitol on June 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. Led by civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) Democrats, have maintained control of the House chamber since this morning demanding a vote on gun control legislation. Pete Marovich/Getty Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC U.S. House Democrats walk out on the East Front on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., after their sit-in over gun-control law, June 23, 2016. Yuri Gripas/Reuters Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC A poster for the gun-control law support is left on the ground on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., June 23, 2016. Yuri Gripas/Reuters Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (R) applauds as Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) (L) waves to supporters along with House Democrats after their sit-in over gun-control law on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., June 23, 2016. Yuri Gripas/Reuters Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC Supporters of House Democrats taking part in a sit-in on the House Chamber shout encouragement from outside the U.S. Capitol on June 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. Led by civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) Democrats have maintained control of the House chamber since this morning demanding a vote on gun control legislation. Pete Marovich/Getty Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (R) and Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) (L) walk out with House Democrats on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., after their sit-in over gun-control law, June 23, 2016. Yuri Gripas/Reuters Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC U.S. House Democrats walk out on the East Front on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., after their sit-in over gun-control law, June 23, 2016. Yuri Gripas/Reuters Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC U.S. House Democrats walk out on the East Front on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., after their sit-in over gun-control law, June 23, 2016. Yuri Gripas/Reuters Protests call for stricter gun-control laws in Washington DC Protesters hold up signs and flags to show solidarity with House Democrats after they staged a sit in over gun-control laws on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on June 23. 2016. Andrew Caballero/AFP/Getty Images Responding to Mr Swalwell, Representative Dan Crenshaw denied that the NRA was targeting Democrats. How can you claim this? Are you deliberately lying or did you just not read it? Mr Crenshaw wrote on Twitter. The article is about legislation targeting gun owners, not the NRA targeting Democrats. If your goal is to ensure that outrage culture is alive and well, continuing to divide us, congrats. The NRA did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday. Recommended Democrats push for biggest gun control measures in years Peter Ambler, executive director of Giffords, an umbrella group that supports gun violence prevention, called the headline reprehensible. Evoking threats of violence should never be tolerated, he said. Words matter. This headline should tell us all we need to know about how wildly out of touch the NRA is with its own members and how low they will stoop to advance their damaging agenda at the expense of our safety. A spokesman for Ms Pelosi declined to comment. But her daughter Christine Pelosi said on Twitter that this hate speech should not get in the way of common sense gun violence prevention such as #HR8. The HR8 is the congressional background check bill, which is expected to come to the House floor for a vote this week. The NRA magazines latest issue surfaced after high-profile government officials were the recent targets of veiled or explicit threats of violence. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Donald Trumps long-time adviser, Roger Stone, who is under indictment on charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller, posted a photo of the federal judge handling his criminal case with what appeared to be the cross hairs of a gun near her head. Separately, Ms Pelosis name emerged on a list of Democrats and journalists that officials said was put together by Christopher Hasson, a Coast Guard lieutenant federal investigators labelled a domestic terrorist. They said he planned to assassinate prominent figures. New York Times Brazilian wildlife experts have been left baffled after discovering a dead humpback whale in the Amazon rainforest. The 10-ton mammal was found in the jungle undergrowth on the island of Marajo, which sits at the mouth of the Amazon River. Although scientists presume the enormous creature was hurled onshore during a storm, they do not understand how it came so far inland or why it was swimming off the coast in the first place. Officials from Para states health, sanitation and environment department said they only found the 11m-long whale after following the birds of prey which were scavenging on its huge carcass. The remains were deposited in such a remote part of the mangrove swamp in the Amazonian delta that it took two trips for the wildlife experts to reach the site. Tragic photos show beached whales Show all 15 1 /15 Tragic photos show beached whales Tragic photos show beached whales A dead sperm whale lies on Hunstanton beach in Norfolk on 5 February 2016 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales Volunteers pour buckets of water over the 80 remaining live pilot whales found stranded on remote Ocean Beach on New Zealand's southern-most Stewart island, 8 January 2003 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales Contractors clear away the body of one of the dead 48ft sperm whales that were washed-up on a beach near Gibraltar Point in Skegness, Lincolnshire in 2016 PA Tragic photos show beached whales People pass by a beached whale at the Pointe de la Torche, near Brest in France on 29 November 2011 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales A woman touches the tail of a large whale carcass on Wattamola Beach at the Royal National Park in Sydney on 25 September 2018 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales Beached humpback whale in California, 2015 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales Dead long fin pilot whales at Hamelin Bay on Australia's west coast on 23 March 2009 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales A 36ft sperm whale lies dead on the beach at Sutton Bridge, in The Wash, off the Lincolnshire coast, where it became stranded in 2004 PA Tragic photos show beached whales A female fin whale opens its mouth as it lies stranded and alive on the beach at Carlyon Bay, Cornwall on 13 August 2012 Getty Tragic photos show beached whales The lower jaw of a dead sperm whale that stranded itself on a beach in Hunstanton, Norfolk on 5 February 2016 Getty Tragic photos show beached whales One of the five sperm whales that were found washed ashore on beaches near Skegness, Lincolnshire over the weekend on 25 January 2016 Getty Tragic photos show beached whales Employees at work to skin the remains of a beached 60ft whale on 25 January 2013 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales Two long-finned pilot whales are stranded on a beach in the northern French city of Calais on 2 November 2015 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales A sperm whale lies dead after becoming stranded on a beach in Hunstanton, Norfolk on 5 February 2016 Getty Tragic photos show beached whales Crowds gather as a sperm whale lies dead after becoming stranded on a beach in Hunstanton, Norfolk on 5 February 2016 Getty Marine specialists from the Bicho Dagua Institute, a conservation group based on Marajo, are part of the team examining the whale, which is thought to have died several days before it was found. Renata Emin, the institutes project leader, said: Were still not sure how it landed here, but were guessing that the creature was floating close to the shore and the tide, which has been pretty considerable over the past few days, picked it up and threw it inland, into the mangrove. Along with this astonishing feat, we are baffled as to what a humpback whale is doing on the north coast of Brazil during February because this is a very unusual occurrence. Humpback whales are commonly seen further south on the Bahia coast of Brazil between August and November, but very rarely travel the thousands of kilometres north to the mouth of the Amazon. Ms Emin said the whale is believed to be a calf which got separated from its mother while migrating back south. Researchers said there were no clear reasons why the animal died but were starting to take samples from the carcass for further study. Marine biologists are now taking samples from the enormous creature to find out how it died (SEMMA/FocusOn News) Depending on the state of decomposition, some information may already have been lost. We are collecting as much information as we can get and identifying marks and wounds on its body to see if it was caught in a net or hit by a boat, Ms Emin said. Dirlene Silva, from the state environment department, told local television that the body of the whale would be left where it crash-landed into the jungle. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Its very difficult to get there and theres no way we can send a bulldozer because it would not get through. There is no way to remove it. To get there, we need to cross the swamp. The skeleton of the humpback will, however, be dismantled, preserved, and then sent to a natural history museum in the city of Belem for future study. More Germans view China as a better partner with their country than the United States, according to a recently released poll showing souring relations since Donald Trump took office two years ago. Germans hold an increasingly negative view of the relationship between the US and their country, with just 23.1 per cent saying they think the US is a better partner than China. Meanwhile, 42 per cent of Germans surveyed said that China is a more reliable partner than America. The survey was conducted by Atlantik-Brucke, or Atlantic Bridge, a pro-Nato non-profit group that promotes US-Europe relations. Given the huge loss of confidence in the US, we need to engage more than ever in our talks with and about America, Burkhard Schwenker, deputy chairman of the Atlantik-Brucke, said of the results. Beyond the international partner results, a significant number of Germans indicated that they believe the US and Germany have poor relations. All told, 85 per cent of respondents said that the US and Germany have a negative or very negative relationship. Only 10 per cent said that the two countries have a very positive or rather positive relationship. Nato leaders gather for summit: in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Nato leaders gather for summit: in pictures Nato leaders gather for summit: in pictures World leaders gather for Nato family photo Getty Images Nato leaders gather for summit: in pictures British Prime Minister Theresa May arrives EPA Nato leaders gather for summit: in pictures President Donald Trump talks to British Prime Minister Theresa May EPA Nato leaders gather for summit: in pictures AP Nato leaders gather for summit: in pictures US President Donald Trump and Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg attend a bilateral breakfast ahead of the Nato Summit in Brussels Reuters Nato leaders gather for summit: in pictures President Donald Trump, right, gestures as he speaks to the media prior to his bilateral breakfast with Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, left AP Nato leaders gather for summit: in pictures President Donald Trump, US Secretary of Defence James Mattis and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the bilateral breakfast with Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg REUTERS Nato leaders gather for summit: in pictures President Donald Trump and Mike Pompeo, left, are reflected in a mirror as they attend at a breakfast meeting AFP/Getty Images Nato leaders gather for summit: in pictures President Donald Trump speaks during the bilateral breakfast EPA Nato leaders gather for summit: in pictures President Donald Trump gestures during the bilateral breakfast EPA Michael Werz, a senior fellow at the Centre for American Progress think tank and a member of the board of directors for Atlantik-Brucke, urged Germans in the surveys summary to not let anti-American sentiment sentiment blind them to the dangers emanating from the authoritarian systems of Russia and China. Since taking office, Mr Trump has taken a starkly different approach to US-Europe relations than his predecessors before him. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Mr Trump has repeatedly signalled a dissatisfaction with the funding scheme for Nato, and has demanded that US allies in Europe contribute more to the mutual defence pact. The US president has also taken a combative tone and approach to some European allies, and has threatened or imposed tariffs on allies in the continent The Atlantic Bridge survey was conducted in November and December, and contacted 5,000 respondents. Theresa May has been spotted playing an illegal shot during a game of pool with her Italian counterpart Giuseppe Conte. Mrs May strikes the cue ball twice, a clear foul. The Italian prime minister challenged Ms May to a game after the first day of a summit between the European Union and Arab League countries. A previous video posted on Twitter shows him explaining the rules to her. Ill have a lot of support but Ill be hopeless, she says as he hands her a cue. Top politicians' Brexit tweets haven't aged well Show all 18 1 /18 Top politicians' Brexit tweets haven't aged well Top politicians' Brexit tweets haven't aged well These billboards were plastered by campaign group Led By Donkeys @ByDonkeys / Twitter Top politicians' Brexit tweets haven't aged well @ByDonkeys / Twitter Top politicians' Brexit tweets haven't aged well @ByDonkeys / Twitter Top politicians' Brexit tweets haven't aged well @ByDonkeys / Twitter Top politicians' Brexit tweets haven't aged well @ByDonkeys / Twitter Top politicians' Brexit tweets haven't aged well @ByDonkeys / Twitter Top politicians' Brexit tweets haven't aged well PA Top politicians' Brexit tweets haven't aged well @ByDonkeys / Twitter Top politicians' Brexit tweets haven't aged well @ByDonkeys / Twitter Top politicians' Brexit tweets haven't aged well @ByDonkeys / Twitter Top politicians' Brexit tweets haven't aged well @ByDonkeys / Twitter Top politicians' Brexit tweets haven't aged well @ByDonkeys / Twitter Top politicians' Brexit tweets haven't aged well @ByDonkeys / Twitter Top politicians' Brexit tweets haven't aged well @ByDonkeys / Twitter Top politicians' Brexit tweets haven't aged well @ByDonkeys / Twitter Top politicians' Brexit tweets haven't aged well @ByDonkeys / Twitter Top politicians' Brexit tweets haven't aged well @ByDonkeys / Twitter Top politicians' Brexit tweets haven't aged well @ByDonkeys / Twitter Youll have to show me how. Gavin Barwell, Theresa Mays chief of staff, then gets involved by showing her how to position her hand and how to hold the cue. Earlier on Sunday, Ms May delayed a meaningful vote on the final Brexit deal, but insisted one would be held by 12 March. Labour has a much larger group of antisemitic members than it recognises which Jeremy Corbyn has failed to deal with, Momentum founder Jon Lansman has warned. The Labour leaders long-standing ally said conspiracy theorists had infiltrated the party a consequence of its huge surge in membership in recent years. Mr Lansman stopped short of backing the call from Tom Watson, Labours deputy leader, for Mr Corbyn to take personal charge of the antisemitism complaints dogging Labour. But he said: I do think we have a major problem and it always seems to me that we underestimate the scale of it. I think it is a widespread problem. I think it is now obvious that we have a much larger number of people with hardcore antisemitic opinions which, unfortunately, is polluting the atmosphere in a lot of constituency parties and in particular online. We have to deal with these people. It came as one Jewish Labour MP, Ruth Smeeth, told of vile abuse similar to that which had hounded Luciana Berger out of the party, to help form The Independent Group of MPs. At the weekend, Mr Watson said of Mr Corbyn: The test for him, as a leader, is to eradicate antisemitism. Protests against Labour antisemitism Show all 14 1 /14 Protests against Labour antisemitism Protests against Labour antisemitism Protesters clashed during the demonstration Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism Members of the Jewish community hold a protest against Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn and antisemitism in the Labour Party AFP/Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism Protesters hold placards and flags during a demonstration, organised by the British Board of Jewish Deputies for those who oppose antisemitism, in Parliament Square Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism Hundreds of people gathered in Parliament Square to protest against antisemitism in the Labour Party EPA Protests against Labour antisemitism Labour MP Luciana Berger speaks during the protest PA Protests against Labour antisemitism A protester blows through a shofar during the demonstration Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism Members of London's Jewish community protest in support of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn outside parliament EPA Protests against Labour antisemitism Labour MP John Mann speaks during a protest against antisemitism PA Protests against Labour antisemitism People protest against antisemitism in the Labour Party as Jewish community leaders have launched a scathing attack on Jeremy Corbyn, claiming he has sided with antisemites again and again PA Protests against Labour antisemitism Labour politicians Stella Creasy and Chuka Umunna leave after attending the demonstration Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism A pro-Jeremy Corbyn protester holds a placard during a counter-protest Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism A support of the Labour Party hold up a placard during the demonstration Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism Jeremy Corbyn supporters during the demo Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism A protester holds up a sign reading For the many, not the Jew AFP In response, Mr Lansman who is himself Jewish said: Jeremy Corbyn has been an anti-racist campaigner all his life, I have known him for decades and I do absolutely believe in his commitment to eradicate that. I think he is overseeing the partys battle against antisemitism. Im not sure about him taking personal responsibility for cases. I think if he did that, some people might argue that that would be inappropriate. He rejected Ms Bergers claim that Labour is institutionally antisemitic, saying the problem was partly a reflection of the 300,000 new members that joined after Mr Corbyn became leader. There are conspiracy theorists in many parts of the political spectrum, I dont think its exclusive to the Labour party, Mr Lansman said. The Tory party is a smaller party and an elderly party and the role of social media in fomenting and spreading some of the poison is therefore more of a problem in the Labour party. Ms Smeeth told LBC Radio she was adamant to fight my corner by staying in Labour, adding: I am not prepared for any Jew to be hounded out. And she said: One of my friends has changed my Twitter password so I cant see anything thats being said about me. My staff hide all of the abuse. I get convictions, were had convictions, I get a lot of regular abuse and thankfully not from within my own local party in Stoke-on-Trent, but nationally we have party members have been saying vile things about me who have never met me. If they have those values, they have no right to be in my party at all and they can leave. The European parliaments Brexit chief has criticised Theresa May for delaying a parliamentary vote on her deal, branding the decision one of the most reckless he had ever seen in his life. Guy Verhofstadt accused the prime minister of kicking the can down the road and adding to the crippling uncertainty for citizens and businesses. The prime minister announced over the weekend that she would not be holding a Commons vote this week, despite a looming deadline to ratify an agreement before the UK crashes out. Critics have accused Ms May of deliberately delaying the vote to run down the clock and put extra pressure on MPs to back her with the threat of a damaging no deal. She lost the first meaningful vote on her deal by a historic margin of defeat for any government. Recommended May rules out vote on Brexit deal in commons this week Kicking the can down the road only adds to the crippling uncertainty for businesses on both sides of the channel and for millions of citizens, Mr Verhofstadt said. I have seen many surprising decisions in a lifetime in politics. But this is close to being one of the most reckless. Labour had said the decision to delay the vote was the height of irresponsibility and an admission of failure. Arriving at a summit in Egypt on Sunday the prime minister had said the delay was justified because positive talks were taking place with the EU that could produce a solution to the backstop. The PMs claim is however not reflected in Brussels, where officials have expressed bemusements at repeated visits from the prime minister and her ministers. Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission president, said last week that he was not optimistic at the prospect of avoiding a no deal following the meeting with Ms May, and that their talks had simply amounted to a chat. 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 British negotiators will be returning to the EU capital on Tuesday, the prime minister confirmed. She will make a statement to the Commons on the same day, with further votes on an amendable motion on Wednesday. MPs are expected to use that opportunity to push legislation that would take a no-deal Brexit off the table by mandating an extension of the negotiation period. Reports out of Brussels on Sunday evening suggest the EU would be open to offering the UK a long extension to Brexit possibly until as late as 2021. Theresa May has just 48 hours to persuade Remainer cabinet ministers against backing plans for parliament to seize control of Brexit and delay Britains departure from the EU. The prime minister will make a statement urging members of her own front bench not to support the proposal on Wednesday, despite also revealing that the historic vote on her new Brexit deal is now likely to be just 17 days before the UK is set to depart. Pro-EU cabinet ministers who previously threatened to back delaying Brexit have indicated they will listen carefully to Ms May, but the chances of the prime minister suffering a damaging defeat over it this week look high. MPs are guaranteed a chance to vote on the cross-party proposal to stop a no-deal scenario on Brexit Day, 29 March, after Ms May revealed on Sunday she would not be able to put a new withdrawal agreement in front of the Commons this week and instead would delay it to Tuesday 12 March. Despite a series of meetings between her officials, top European Commission figures and EU nation state leaders, Ms May said she still needs more time to secure necessary changes to the existing withdrawal agreement. 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 Pensions secretary Amber Rudd, justice secretary David Gauke and business secretary Greg Clark have all said they are ready to back the plan to stop no deal, while others in cabinet and at more junior ministerial levels have indicated they could resign if Ms May does not take no deal off the table. But after Ms May indicated she would make a last-ditch bid to dissuade them, one source close to the Remain wing of the cabinet told The Independent: The clock is ticking and no deal is unacceptable, so well listen carefully to what the PM has to say on Tuesday. Due to previous Commons votes, Ms May promised that if she had not secured a new deal with the EU by this Wednesday she would place an amendable motion before MPs. This is a mechanism by which other members of parliament can bring forward their own proposals for next steps in the Brexit process by adding amendments to the prime ministers motion. There is strong backing from within Ms Mays ministerial team for the plan put forward by senior Labour backbencher Yvette Cooper and ex-Tory minister Oliver Letwin, allowing MPs to seize control of the parliamentary calendar so as to pass legislation delaying Brexit if the prime ministers agreement fails to pass. Theresa May is recklessly running down the clock in a desperate attempt to force MPs to choose between her deal and no deal. Parliament cannot stand by and allow this to happen Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer As Ms May announced she would not be able to put a new deal to the Commons, she said she would ensure that it does happen by 12 March at the latest, and went on to signal that she would make an attempt to avert the frontbench rebellion on Wednesday, saying: We dont know what amendments are going to be tabled. We dont know what amendments are going to be selected. You havent even seen what motion the government is going to put down as I say, it wont be the meaningful vote. I will be making a statement to parliament on Tuesday. And then, obviously, well be having the debate the next day. Deputy Labour leader Tom Watson on second Brexit referendum: 'we're moving in that direction' One option open to her could be to offer ministers and MPs who are worried about a no-deal Brexit another way to stop it from happening instead of backing the Cooper/Letwin amendment. But while the prime minister has already managed to push back attempts by MPs to back the proposal, Brexit day is now so close that many of those minded to support it believe this could be their last chance. The prime ministers promise to bring her new deal before the Commons by 12 March is also significant, because if the Cooper/Letwin plan is passed on Wednesday it would require MPs to vote on the actual legislation delaying Brexit on 13 March. That means Ms May will have one final opportunity to get her deal through, and could also tell Tory Brexiteers that the UKs departure would be delayed if they still refuse to back her withdrawal agreement on that day. The PMs move to delay bringing any new deal before the house was attacked by critics in the UK and on the continent. Ms Cooper branded Ms Mays actions utterly shambolic and irresponsible. The Labour MP added: She cannot just keep drifting and dithering like this or there is a real risk our whole country tumbles off a cliff edge into a chaotic no deal that no one is ready for and that would hit food prices, medicine supplies, manufacturing and security. Michael Gove says 'no deal' Brexit could lead to higher food prices Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer called Ms Mays decision over the timing of the meaningful vote an admission of failure, adding that it represents the height of irresponsibility. He went on: Theresa May is recklessly running down the clock in a desperate attempt to force MPs to choose between her deal and no deal. Parliament cannot stand by and allow this to happen. Ms May met European Council president Donald Tusk for talks on Sunday afternoon, and was set to hold a number of meetings with European leaders on the fringes of the summit she is attending in Egypt. But at least one senior European figure was unhappy with her decision to delay the vote. The European parliaments Brexit spokesman Guy Verhofstadt said on Twitter that he had seen many surprising decisions in a lifetime in politics. But this is close to being one of the most reckless. There were even uncorroborated reports that EU officials were looking at delaying Brexit to 2021 to allow time to fully plan an orderly withdrawal. Josh Hardie, CBI deputy director-general, said of Ms Mays announcement: This is the latest signal to businesses that no deal is hurtling closer. It must be averted. Every day without a deal means less investment and fewer jobs created. Thats the cost of running down the clock, and its irresponsible to treat that as a price worth paying. Theresa May could announce a delay to Brexit upon her return from an EU leaders' gathering in Egypt, a government minister has hinted. The remarks from Tobias Ellwood follow Ms May's decision not to hold a second vote on her deal this week and reports suggested a two-month extension of Article 50 is being considered by Downing Street officials. Asked if the prime minister could announce an Article 50 extension after her return from talks with other EU leaders in Egypt, the defence minister said: "You need to wait and hear what she has to say when she gets back. "That, I don't know. I'm encouraging that to happen because it's not in anybody's interest to see no deal." Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Ellwood also on Eurosceptic MPs in the European Research Group (ERG) to "fall in line" to help Ms May secure a deal. The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Show all 8 1 /8 The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Post-Brexit immigration workers sorting radishes on a production line at a farm in Norfolk. One possible post-Brexit immigration scheme could struggle to channel workers towards less attractive roles - while another may heighten the risk of labour exploitation, a new report warns. PA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Customs union A key point in the negotiations remains Britain's access to, or withdrawal from, the EU customs union. Since the referendum there has been hot debate over the meaning of Brexit: would it entail a full withdrawal from the existing agreement, known as hard Brexit, or the soft version in which we would remain part of a common customs area for most goods, as Turkey does? No 10 has so far insisted that Brexit means Brexit and that Britain will be leaving the customs union, but may be inclined to change its position once the potential risks to the UKs economic outlook become clearer. Alamy The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Northern Ireland-Irish border Though progress was made last year, there has still been no solid agreement on whether there should be a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. To ensure borderless travel on the island, the countries must be in regulatory alignment and therefore adhere to the same rules as the customs union. In December, the Conservative Partys coalition partners, the DUP, refused a draft agreement that would place the UK/EU border in the Irish Sea due to its potential to undermine the union. May has promised that would not be the case and has suggested that a specific solution would need to be found. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Transition period Despite protests from a small number of Conservative MPs, the Government and the EU are largely in agreement that a transitional period is needed after Brexit. The talks, however, have reached an impasse. Though May has agreed that the UK will continue to contribute to the EU budget until 2021, the PM wants to be able to select which laws made during this time the UK will have to adhere to. Chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said the UK must adopt all of the laws passed during the transition, without any input from British ministers or MEPs. EPA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Rights of EU citizens living the UK The Prime Minister has promised EU citizens already living in the UK the right to live and work here after Brexit, but the rights of those who arrive after Brexit day remains unclear. May insists that those who arrive during the transition period should not be allowed to stay, whereas the EU believe the cut-off point should be later. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Future trade agreement (with the EU) Despite this being a key issue in negotiations, the Government has yet to lay out exactly what it wants from a trade deal with the EU. Infighting within the Cabinet has prevented a solid position from being reached, with some MPs content that "no deal is better than a bad deal" while others rally behind single market access. The EU has already confirmed that access to the single market would be impossible without the UK remaining in the customs union. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Future trade agreements (internationally) The Government has already begun trying to woo foreign leaders into prospective trade agreements, with various high profile state visits to China, India and Canada for May, and the now infamous invitation to US President Donald Trump to visit London. However the UK cannot make trade agreements with another country while it is still a member of the EU, and the potential loss of trade with the world's major powers is a source of anxiety for the PM. The EU has said the UK cannot secure trade deals during the transition period. EPA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Financial services Banks in the UK will be hit hard regardless of the Brexit outcome. The EU has refused to give British banks passporting rights to trade within the EU, dashing hopes of a special City deal. However according to new reports Germany has suggested allowing trade on the condition that the UK continues paying into the EU budget even after the transition period. Getty "She has done her utmost to appease the ERG," he said. "The referendum itself was done with them in mind, the Article 50 letter was sent with them in mind, the motions have been delayed and written with the ERG in mind. "It's now important for them to fall in line. We would not be having this conversation about no deal if it wasn't for the fact that, I'm afraid, there's been a bloc voice in our party that has hindered the Prime Minister getting this across the line. "She may get the necessary concessions and legal agreements concerning the backstop, but, ultimately, the clock is ticking down. If we cannot get this deal across the line, we are facing the prospect of having to extend." During the first day of the EU and Arab League summit in Egypt, the prime minister insisted a vote will be held on her deal before 12 March and said it was "still within our grasp" to leave the EU on 29 March - a remarkably lukewarm assessment given Ms May's previous statements on the UK's exit date. But according to the Daily Telegraph one of the options being considered by Downing Street in order to avoid a no-deal scenario, includes requesting a short extension of the Article 50 negotiating period if the prime minister fails to achieve MPs' backing for head deal by 12 March. And on Wednesday, Ms May will also face a challenge from backbenchers spearheaded by the Labour MP Yvette Cooper which also seeks a extension of the negotiating period if a second meaningful vote fails. Ms Cooper BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The Government doesn't feel to me to be behaving like a responsible government at all at the moment. The idea that we could be only a few weeks from Brexit and we still don't know what kind of Brexit we are going to have and we're not even going to have a vote on it until two weeks before that final deadline. "I don't see how businesses can plan, I don't see how public services can plan and I think it's just deeply damaging." She denied that her proposal was designed to stop Brexit: "The bill doesn't revoke Article 50, it doesn't block Brexit, it doesn't solve the big decisions that Parliament still has to take and that the Government still has to take." Delaying Brexit with an extension to Article 50 would be a rational solution to the ongoing crisis, the president of the European Council has said. But speaking at an EU summit in Egypt Donald Tusk suggested Theresa May had been resistant to a delay in a meeting with him earlier at the gathering. I believe that in the situation we are in, an extension would be a rational decision but prime minister May still believes she will be able to avoid this scenario, Mr Tusk told reporters following his meeting with Ms May. Mr Tusk said he and the prime minister had discussed the legal and political consequences of a possible extension of Britains two-year limit on Brexit negotiations, which is set to expire on March 29 when the UK would otherwise crash out. For me its absolutely clear that theres no majority in the House of Commons to approve a deal, we will face an alternative: a chaotic Brexit or an extension. The less time there is until the 29 March the greater the likelihood of an extension. This is an objective fact, not our intention or plan, but an objective fact, the president said. 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 His comments come after Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar backed a long extension, suggesting that it would be better than the disastrous consequences of a no-deal. Angela Merkel is also understood to have asked the prime minister about a possible extension during a meeting at the Sharm El Sheikh summit. At the same meeting Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte warned that Britain was sleep walking into no deal scenario and that as the UKs best friends EU countries were urging Britain to wake up. Irish PM Mr Vardkar told reporters: Id certainly rather see an extension than seeing the UK leave without a deal. A long extension creates a complication in relation to the European elections, but thats a small complication relative to the impact on our economy. He added that he was confident that the UK would either go for a deal or an extension and avoid crashing out. EU officials have been discussing the possibility of a long extension to Article 50 in recent days, according to reports out of Brussels. The plan would delay Brexit until at least 2021. Ministers appear to be public split on the matter of an extension, however. Defence minister Tobias Ellwood suggested on Monday morning that he would be "tempted" to vote for a delay, while Damian Hinds, the Education Secretary said the same morning that Brexit would not be delayed and that "it is going to happen on 29 March". EU officials have previously expressed worries that any significant extension of Article 50 would mean the UK would, under the EU treaties, have to participate in the European Parliament elections scheduled for May. But Mr Varadkar said: Id certainly rather see an extension than seeing the UK leave without a deal. A long extension creates a complication in relation to the European elections, but thats a small complication relative to the impact on our economy. A short extension could also present problems of its own: the European Parliament must ratify any withdrawal agreement, and will dissolve in mid-April ahead of the vote, not returning until July. It would not be able to approve any agreement while it is dissolved. Ministers calls for short prison sentences to be abolished would see thousands of hardened criminals avoid jail, a report has claimed. David Gauke, the justice secretary, last week said that terms of less than six months were ineffective in preventing crime and outlined plans to encourage judges to use strengthened community orders instead. If it is necessary to legislate, which it may very well be, that is something I'd want to explore, he said, amid a prisons crisis in which violence and self-harm are at record highs. His speech was welcomed by reform campaigners, but a report by the Civitas think tank claimed the proposals would amount to an amnesty for prolific thieves and burglars. Report author Peter Cuthbertson analysed Ministry of Justice figures on short sentences to find that the vast majority were handed out for shoplifting, theft burglary, public order offences, weapons and drug possession, and driving offences. UK prison conditions: in pictures Show all 8 1 /8 UK prison conditions: in pictures UK prison conditions: in pictures A cell covered in graffiti at HMP Liverpool. PA UK prison conditions: in pictures HMP Liverpool has some of the worst conditions inspectors have seen. HM Inspectorate of Prisons/PA UK prison conditions: in pictures A broken window in a cell at HMP Liverpool HM Inspectorate of Prisons/PA Wire UK prison conditions: in pictures A shower unit with protruding electric cable at HMP Liverpool HM Inspectorate of Prisons/PA UK prison conditions: in pictures Litter at HMP Liverpool HM Inspectorate of Prisons/PA Wire UK prison conditions: in pictures A wall damaged by damp at HMP Liverpool HM Inspectorate of Prisons/PA UK prison conditions: in pictures A pool table at HMP Liverpool HM Inspectorate of Prisons/PA UK prison conditions: in pictures A sign for HMP Liverpool, where drones are seized at a rate of more than one a week. The prisons watchdog flagged up the impact of the remote-controlled flying devices at HMP Liverpool. PA The consequences for public safety could be enormous, with the government unleashing a crime wave on hundreds of thousands of citizens, he wrote. [Prisons minister] Rory Stewart claims that ending sentences below six months would help respectable people to hold on to their jobs and reputations. In reality, his own departments data makes clear that it would mean tens of thousands more hardened criminals avoiding prison. It would mean far more victims of burglary and shoplifting, drink driving and knife crime. Mr Cuthbertson calculated that abolishing terms of less than six months would result in in non-custodial sentences for about 34,000 offenders a year who would currently go to prison. Around 4,000 would be first-time offenders, leaving the remainder of terms that would be abolished being for repeat offenders. The government must now consider the evidence, rather than proceed any further with plans for an effective amnesty for burglars, shoplifters and other prolific criminals, Mr Cuthbertson wrote. His analysis suggested the proportion of people given community sentences for knife possession would rise from 70 to 83 per cent and for burglary from 44 to 58 per cent. Abolishing short sentences could also see less than 1 per cent of shoplifters jailed and effectively remove the threat of prison for any kind of drug possession a charge often used by police against drug dealers when more substantive charges seem unlikely to stick, the report said. David Gauke describes shocking videos emerging from UK prisons Many of the offences are currently dealt with by magistrates courts, which cannot pass sentences longer than six months, but burglary, drug and knife possession can be sent to crown courts for a longer sentence. Mr Gauke said there was a very strong case to abolish sentences of six months or less after a government study found links between short terms and higher reoffending. He said that there would be closely defined exceptions for some violent and sexual crimes, but Mr Cuthbertson argued that violent and non-violent offenders could not be divided into separate groups. Burglars avoiding prison means violent offenders avoiding prison because it is the same criminals doing both, he said. Civitas said the findings raised serious questions about the implications for public safety of failing to keep so many repeat offenders off the streets, even for relatively short periods. Mr Gauke previously said that reoffending rates were stubbornly high and called for a national debate about what justice, including punishment, should look like. For the offenders completing these short sentences whose lives are destabilised, and for society which incurs a heavy financial and social cost, prison simply isnt working, he said. It is not a choice between hard and soft justice, it is a choice between effective and ineffective justice. But the government's part privatisation of the probation service has created a two-tier system where community rehabilitation companies have been underperforming and needed government bailouts to stay afloat. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said public protection remained a priority. It would be wrong to spend taxpayers money doing what we know doesnt work and the evidence is clear that short sentences often do more harm than good, the spokesperson said. They fail to rehabilitate many offenders and lead to high rates of reoffending, which actually makes us less safe and more likely to be a victim of crime. That is why we are exploring more stringent and enforceable community sentences - but this work is ongoing and weve reached no conclusions at this time. The British government has designated Hezbollahs political wing a terrorist organisation, amid a US push to isolate Iran and its proxies. The UK had previously made a distinction between the Lebanese Shia groups military and political branches, the latter of which counts 13 MPs in Lebanons parliament. But following a renewed campaign by Donald Trump to pressure Tehran, it has now proscribed the whole organisation as a terror group. Hezbollah is continuing in its attempts to destabilise the fragile situation in the Middle East, and we are no longer able to distinguish between their already banned military wing and the political party, home secretary Sajid Javid said Monday. Because of this, I have taken the decision to proscribe the group in its entirety. Hezbollah was founded in the early 1980s with the support of Iran, and spent much of its early existence fighting the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon. Following Lebanons devastating 1975-1990 civil war, Hezbollah was the only militia in the country which didnt fully disarm, justifying its weapons as a necessary deterrent to another Israeli invasion. Today, Hezbollah is the most powerful armed group in Lebanon, surpassing even the countrys national army. That military power has given it a significant influence over the governments decision making. 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 recent years, it has played a key role in the Syrian civil war, intervening on the side of its ally, Bashar al-Assad. The group said it was motivated by a desire to stop the war spreading to Lebanon, but it also sought to protect the main delivery route for weapons from Iran, and prevent a majority Sunni opposition taking power. Policy makers in the west have watched Hezbollahs growing strength with alarm, but the latest move appears to come in response to the groups increasing role in Lebanons government. In the countrys last elections, held in May 2018, Hezbollahs political bloc emerged as the largest in parliament. The group named three cabinet members in the current government, two of whom belong to the organisation. The Trump administration has introduced sweeping sanctions on Iran which it characterises as the worlds biggest sponsor of terrorism and its Shia proxies in the region, Hezbollah being the largest. Key financiers and entities tied to the group have been targeted by the US Treasury in a clear effort of containment, and Mr Trump has urged other members of the UN Security Council to work with America to ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear bomb. Earlier this month, the US ambassador to Lebanon, Elizabeth Richard, said Hezbollah was fighting in at least three countries, referring to Syria, Iraq and Yemen. I was also very frank with the prime minister about US concern over the growing role in the cabinet of an organisation that continues to maintain a militia that is not under the control of the government, she told reporters after meeting Lebanons prime minister, Saad Hariri. Recommended Inside the Hezbollah tunnel that Israel never found Hezbollah has also become more of an issue in the UK since Jeremy Corbyn became Labour Party leader. Mr Corbyn has previously called for greater dialogue with the group. Sami Nader, director of Levant Institute for Strategic Affairs, said the ban may affect ties between Lebanon and the UK government in the future. It used to be the case that European countries would distinguish between military and political wings because it offered them a certain space to manoeuvre, so it could keep dealing with Lebanon independently from its position on Iran and Hezbollahs behaviour, he told The Independent. But after the last election, Hezbollah has the upper hand in the government; its the number one stakeholder. The big question now is how this will impact the relationship between the UK and the Lebanese government, given that this margin of manoeuvre doesnt exist anymore. There may be a material impact on the group, too, according to Phillip Smyth, a fellow at the Washington Institute and a researcher on Shia armed groups. Hezbollah has sent political representatives to the UK before and its supporters would wave its banners at religious celebrations. That will now come to a halt. Fundraising, while less developed in the UK, will also be stopped, he said. Regardless, Hezbollah itself never argued it had a political or military wing. Let alone that these wings were autonomous, he added. The news was welcomed by Israel, Hezbollahs greatest foe. All who truly wish to combat terror must reject the fake distinction between military & political wings, Israeli security minister Gilad Erdan tweeted. Now is the time for the #EU to follow suit! Hezbollah declined to comment when contacted by The Independent. Catapult attacks have soared across Kent, with people, animals and property targeted. A total of 80 offences involving catapults were recorded in 2018, almost double the number just two years earlier. Last week a man was left with severe facial injuries when a group targeted him while he was driving, and days before that another man was hit as he tried to stop someone stealing a scooter. In November a man was left with head injuries when the window of his car was smashed in a catapult attack in Dover and earlier in the year a cyclist was shot in the back of the head with a stone, leaving her with cuts and swelling. Ashford has become the countys catapult crime hotspot, new figures show. An Freedom of Information request by local newspaper the Kentish Express revealed a third of catapult crimes (27) were recorded there in 2018, up from 10 in 2016. BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 Show all 21 1 /21 BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 Adam Corbett / @adamcorbettphoto BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 Adam Corbett / @adamcorbettphoto BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 Adam Corbett / @adamcorbettphoto BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 Adam Corbett / @adamcorbettphoto BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 Adam Corbett / @adamcorbettphoto BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 Adam Corbett / @adamcorbettphoto BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 Adam Corbett / @adamcorbettphoto BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 Adam Corbett / @adamcorbettphoto BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 Adam Corbett / @adamcorbettphoto BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 Adam Corbett / @adamcorbettphoto BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 Adam Corbett / @adamcorbettphoto BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 Adam Corbett / @adamcorbettphoto BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 Adam Corbett / @adamcorbettphoto Adam Corbett / @adamcorbettphoto BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 Adam Corbett / @adamcorbettphoto Adam Corbett / @adamcorbettphoto BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 Adam Corbett / @adamcorbettphoto Adam Corbett / @adamcorbettphoto BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 Adam Corbett / @adamcorbettphoto Adam Corbett / @adamcorbettphoto BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 Ollie Trenchard / @ollie.trenchard Ollie Trenchard / @ollie.trenchard BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 Ollie Trenchard / @ollie.trenchard Ollie Trenchard / @ollie.trenchard BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 Ollie Trenchard / @ollie.trenchard Ollie Trenchard / @ollie.trenchard BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 Ollie Trenchard / @ollie.trenchard Ollie Trenchard / @ollie.trenchard BikeStormz Ride Out against knife crime London 2018 Ollie Trenchard / @ollie.trenchard Ollie Trenchard / @ollie.trenchard Maidstone, Theresa Mays constituency, has also seen catapult attacks rise from seven in 2016 to 15 in 2018. In Tunbridge Wells, there was one attack in 2016, but 10 in 2018. Numerous people have had their windows smashed, and in December an RSPCA investigation was launched after a cat was found having been shot in the face with a ball bearing in a callous and cruel attack. Police have said most reported attacks have involved children. The crimewave has sparked calls for a change in the law enabling police to take tougher action on those carrying the weapons. It is not illegal to carry a catapult unless evidence reveals a strong link between the carrier and the crime. Mark Street, from Ashford, who was subjected to a suspected attack in the town, told the Kentish Express he thinks catapult crime should be taken much more seriously. He said: Rightly or wrongly, it feels like the police treat catapult attacks less seriously than other forms of violent crime. At the very least catapults should be confiscated and the names of those carrying them recorded by the police. Inspector Jason Atkinson, from Kent police, told The Independent: Weve seen an increase in the number of reports of catapults being used to damage property in Ashford and this is something we are taking seriously. While its not illegal to own or carry a catapult, and most people use them safely, there is clearly a minority who are breaking the law by causing criminal damage and risking public safety. In 2018 we received 27 reports of criminal damage and assault, which all reference catapults being seen or used. This is more than double the amount of similar reports in 2016. He added: Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells have also seen a rise in reports over the past three years. In most cases the suspects are described as young people, therefore we urge children and their parents to give consideration regarding how these toys are being used. Our officers have the power to stop and search anyone we believe is carrying a catapult and suspected of using it to cause damage or harm. Anyone caught will risk prosecution. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank members of the Ashford community who have already given us very useful information and descriptions of potential suspects, which is valuable to our enquiries. Our police community support officers will be visiting local schools this year to talk about anti-social behaviour, including the dangers of using catapults. Like all political parties, or, in this case, a proto-party, the Independent Group (TIG) of MPs has a formal, manifesto-style policy on Europe, which is vague and soothing and can unite them. However, TIG are travelling light on formal commitments and on detail. All they say on their official website about Brexit is this: We believe in maintaining strong alliances with our closest European and international allies on trade, regulation, defence, security and counter-terrorism. Neanderthals walked with an upright posture just like modern humans, according to a new analysis. Over the years, reconstructions of ancient humans have varied enormously, with the gradual ascent from hunched creatures to modern people still seen as the classic depiction of human evolution. But the idea of Neanderthals as straight-backed fits with a wider image that is developing of our prehistoric ancestors as sophisticated contemporaries rather than knuckle-dragging dimwits. At the beginning of the 20th century it was thought Neanderthals were more ape-like in posture, but the more recent reconstructions go in the direction of a very straight, upright spine, Dr Martin Haeusler from the University of Zurich told The Independent. Despite the persistence of the ape-like stereotype, a recent study concluded these ancient creatures actually had straighter spines than modern humans. However, new work undertaken by Dr Haeusler, based on a well-known skeleton unearthed at La Chapelle-aux-Saints in France, found the curves of its ancient spine closely matched those of modern humans. This made sense to him, as the rigid posture previously suggested would be troubling in people alive today, and would lead to a lot of back pain. Recommended Rare Neanderthal DNA gives some people differently shaped brains Neanderthals still had some physical difference compared to modern humans, including shorter legs and stockier bodies. However, they were similar enough to breed with our ancestors, something that is clear from the roughly 4 per cent of their genetic material non-African people have inherited from Neanderthals. According to Dr Haeusler, his latest work adds to a growing body of evidence showing that in everything from anatomy to culture, these ancient humans were our equals. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Our studies cannot show how they behaved, but there are now a lot of other lines of evidence that show Neanderthals were also capable of doing art, religion and so on, said Dr Haeusler. Our study supports the idea that Neanderthals were not so different from us. The new results were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Today marks the 20th anniversary of the death of original king of caustic comedy, Bill Hicks an originator of the rambling, stand-up rant and, arguably, one of the greatest entertainers of all time. On the 16 June 1993, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The disease quickly spread to his liver, forcing him to undergo weekly chemotherapy while he toured and recorded his album, Arizona Bay, with American Drug War director Kevin Booth. At the time, he was also working with comedian Fallon Woodland on the pilot of a brand new comedy talk show, Counts of the Netherworld. And the cancer became the butt of his jokes any given performance, he used to quip, could be his last. His final show took place on 6 January 1994, and shortly afterwards, he moved back to his parents home in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he died two weeks later at the age of 32. But in his untimely death he left behind a legacy of laughs. Including these 10 classic examples: 1) The Dad Joke "I never got along with my dad. Kids used to come up to me and say, 'My dad can beat up your dad.' I'd say 'Yeah? When?'" 2) The Blue Joke "I can speak for every guy in this room here tonight. Guys, if you could blow yourselves, ladies, you'd be in this room alone right now. Watching an empty stage." 3) The Christian Joke "Lots of Christians wear crosses around their necks You really think when Jesus comes back, he ever wants to see a f*cking cross?" 4) The Equality Joke "I believe that there is an equality to all humanity: We all suck." 5) The Absolute Classic "It's always funny until someone gets hurt. Then it's just hilarious." 6) The Amusement Park Joke "The world is like a ride in an amusement park. And when you choose to go on it you think it's real because that's how powerful our minds are. And the ride goes up and down and round and round. It has thrills and chills and it's very brightly coloured and it's very loud and it's fun, for a while. Some people have been on the ride for a long time and they begin to question: 'Is this real, or is this just a ride?' And other people have remembered, and they come back to us, they say, 'Hey, don't worry, don't be afraid, ever, because this is just a ride.' And we kill those people." 7) The Pot Joke "They lie about marijuana. Tell you pot-smoking makes you unmotivated. Lie! When you're high, you can do everything you normally do just as well - you just realize that it's not worth the f*cking effort. There is a difference." 8) The Reader Joke "You know I've noticed a certain anti-intellectualism going around this country ever since around 1980, coincidentally enough. I was in Nashville, Tennessee last weekend and after the show I went to a waffle house and I'm sitting there and I'm eating and reading a book. I don't know anybody, I'm alone, I'm eating and I'm reading a book. This waitress comes over to me (mocks chewing gum) 'what you readin' for?'...wow, I've never been asked that; not 'What am I reading', 'What am I reading for?' Well, goddamnit, you stumped me...I guess I read for a lot of reasons the main one is so I don't end up being a f**kin' waffle waitress. Yeah, that would be pretty high on the list. Then this trucker in the booth next to me gets up, stands over me and says [mocks Southern drawl] 'Well, looks like we got ourselves a readah'...aahh, what the fuck's goin' on? It's like I walked into a Klan rally in a Boy George costume or something. Am I stepping out of some intellectual closet here? I read, there I said it. I feel better." 9) The Weather Joke "Today a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, that we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves. Heres Tom with the Weather!" 10) The Evolution Joke "Folks, it's time to evolve. That's why we're troubled. You know why our institutions are failing us, the church, the state, everything's failing? It's because, um they're no longer relevant. We're supposed to keep evolving. Evolution did not end with us growing opposable thumbs. You do know that, right?" Rachel Lloyd was forced to leave her school in England after her abusive, alcoholic stepfather drained her mothers finances then left the family. As an underage teen she was raped by an adult and battled with substance abuse. When she moved to Germany, her boyfriend who was a crack addict eventually became her pimp. This is by no means an isolated tale. Studies show anywhere from 50 to 90 per cent of women who end up in the sex industry were sexually abused as children. Poverty is often a driving force for women to get into prostitution. Although some people may choose to work in the sex industry, many are forced into it by circumstance. So how do we break this destructive cycle? And how do we detect when its beginning in the first place? Duluth, MN (55816) Today Isolated thunderstorms this evening. Skies will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 59F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Isolated thunderstorms this evening. Skies will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 59F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. In the nearly two years that the special counsel, Robert Mueller, has been investigating whether there was collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign, few figures seem to have offered more promising leads than Konstantin V Kilimnik. A diminutive, multilingual political operative who was born in Ukraine while it was still part of the Soviet Union, Kilimnik has continued to attract intense interest from prosecutors for his interactions with his long-time boss and mentor, Paul Manafort, and his suspected ties to Russian intelligence. Kilimnik pops up repeatedly as a possible connection between the Trump campaign and Russia, with ties to both sides that are as enigmatic as they are deep. His dealings with Manafort, who in 2016 served as Donald Trumps campaign chairman, encompass two of the most intriguing elements of the special counsels inquiry to surface publicly: the sharing of polling data with Kilimnik, and the work he and Manafort did on behalf of Kremlin-aligned Ukrainian interests. Dozens of interviews, court filings and other documents show Kilimnik to be an operator who moved easily between Russian, Ukrainian and American patrons, playing one off the other while leaving a jumble of conflicting suspicions in his wake. Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Show all 16 1 /16 Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions New York Post Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Washington Post Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Newsday Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions St Louis Post Dispatch Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Chicago Sun Times Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Star Ledger Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Daily News Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The New York Times Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions San Francisco Chronicle Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Boston Globe Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Houston Chronicle Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Miami Herald Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions Detroit Free Press Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Wall Street Journal Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions The Dallas Morning News Trump's presidency: US media reacts to Manafort and Cohen convictions USA Today To US diplomats in Washington and Kiev, he has been a well-known character for nearly a decade, developing a reputation as a broker of valuable information. He travelled freely to the US, and on a trip in May 2016 met senior State Department officials for drinks. Later that year, he visited the new US ambassador to Ukraine in Kiev. But in a federal court in Washington, Muellers prosecutors have repeatedly portrayed Kilimnik as something potentially more nefarious: a former Russian intelligence officer who has ties to a Russian intelligence service and had such ties in 2016. And around the same time he was passing through Washington nearly three years ago just as Trump was clinching the Republican presidential nomination he first received polling data about the 2016 election from two top Trump campaign officials, Manafort and Rick Gates, as Russia was beginning a social media operation intended to help Trumps campaign. Prosecutors have also scrutinised the effort by Manafort and Kilimnik to drum up political consulting business with Kremlin-aligned political figures in Ukraine and Russia who were pushing plans to end the simmering conflict between the countries. Those plans could have resulted in the easing of sanctions imposed on Russia by the US a policy shift to which Trump had signalled an openness during the campaign. Recommended Why Robert Mueller is the most unknowable man in Washington In many ways, Kilimnik is an unlikely figure for such a pivotal role in an investigation that has shaped Trumps presidency. To some of those he encountered, he was an impish, 5-foot-tall cynic whose American associates nicknamed him Carry-on or KK. At the same time, he did little to defuse long-running suspicions that he was a Russian agent. And his involvement in discussions related to back-channel peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia attracted attention from Barack Obamas National Security Council. They saw him as a functionary for oligarchs working to sell out Ukraine to Moscows benefit, a former US official said. Kilimnik, 49, who has Russian citizenship, lives in Moscow. He is unlikely to ever face obstruction of justice charges that the special counsel brought against him and Manafort. There was talk of him being related to Russian intelligence agencies going as far back as the 1990s, said Michael R Caputo, who travelled in the same circles as Kilimnik when both worked in the Moscow offices of American pro-democracy groups in the years after the fall of the Soviet Union. In Kiev, Kilimnik became a valued source for the political staff of the US Embassy, said David A Merkel, a deputy assistant secretary of state under President George W Bush. The idea that he is some master spy seems hard to fathom, said Merkel, who was Kilimniks boss at one of the pro-democracy groups. I find it much more likely that these guys were pursuing business interests without regard to core patriotic beliefs. Kilimnik was born in the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, when the country was part of the Soviet Union. He studied at a Soviet military language academy considered a training ground for the countrys military intelligence service, known as the GRU. He joined the Russian army as a translator, and said he later worked for a time in Sweden for a Russian arms exporting company. In the chaotic years after the Soviet Union collapsed, Kilimnik made do with money from freelance translating gigs, before landing a job in 1995 in the Moscow office of the International Republican Institute, or IRI, which receives tens of millions of dollars annually from the US government to promote democracy. At the institute, Kilimnik came to know Americans who would eventually become key players in the Manafort milieu and the Russia investigations, including Caputo, Philip M. Griffin and Sam Patten. While his IRI colleagues said Kilimnik seemed to be no fan of the fallen communist government or Russias post-Soviet leadership, he appeared to embrace the perception that he had ties to Russian intelligence. He did nothing to disabuse that notion because it added to his back story and made him more attractive to visiting consultants and women, Caputo said. Two former IRI colleagues have said the group fired Kilimnik in April 2005 after suspicions arose that he had leaked information about an institute conference in Bratislava, Slovakia, to Russias Federal Security Service, the successor agency to the KGB. Will Trump fall to the 25th Amendment? The key players in the debate Show all 7 1 /7 Will Trump fall to the 25th Amendment? The key players in the debate Will Trump fall to the 25th Amendment? The key players in the debate President Trump Donald Trump, whose firing of the FBI director James Comey in 2017 sparked concerns among senior government officials Getty Will Trump fall to the 25th Amendment? The key players in the debate James Comey The former director of the FBI, James Comey, whose firing by Mr Trump sparked the crisis in 2017 EPA Will Trump fall to the 25th Amendment? The key players in the debate James McCabe James McCabe, the former acting director of the FBI, who has made the explosive accusations in a TV interview AFP Will Trump fall to the 25th Amendment? The key players in the debate Rod Rosenstein The deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, who allegedly discussed which cabinet members might back invoking the 25th Amendment Reuters Will Trump fall to the 25th Amendment? The key players in the debate Lindsey Graham Republican senator Lindsey Graham, a key Trump ally who has pledged to hold an investigation into the affair AFP Will Trump fall to the 25th Amendment? The key players in the debate Christopher Wray The new director of the FBI, Christopher Wray, who took over after Mr Trump fired Mr Comey AP Will Trump fall to the 25th Amendment? The key players in the debate Mike Pence The vice-president Mike Pence, who has dismissed suggestions Mr Trump is not capable of discharging his duties AFP An institute spokeswoman declined to address the allegation, instead saying that Kilimnik was fired because the organisation came into possession of information that led us to believe that he was joining Paul Manaforts team on the Ukraine program. That was a violation of our code of ethics banning freelancing, the spokeswoman said. Kilimnik quickly made himself indispensable to Manafort, who spoke neither Ukrainian nor Russian. At the time, Manafort worked as a political and business consultant to Ukrainian steel and coal oligarch Rinat L Akhmetov, as well as Russian aluminium oligarch Oleg V Deripaska. Paul took Konstantin under his wing, not just as a protege but as his own surrogate son, Caputo said. Gates, who joined Manaforts Ukraine team the year after Kilimnik and has since pleaded guilty to charges brought by Mueller, later told an associate he knew that Kilimnik was a former officer with the GRU, according to a court filing by Muellers team. In a February 2017 interview with the New York Times in Kiev, Kilimnik denied ever serving in a Russian intelligence agency. What would I do if I were a real Russian spy? he said. I would not be here. I would be in Russia. Donald Trump's acting attorney general shuts down questions on Mueller probe: 'Your five minutes is up' But for the politicians and oligarchs who were Manaforts clients, Kilimniks suspected intelligence connections suggested a seal of approval from Russia. The perception in political circles in Kiev was that hiring Manaforts team would open doors in Washington and Moscow. Akhmetov persuaded Manafort to try to resuscitate the political career of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor F Yanukovych, a Russia-aligned figure who lost the 2004 presidential election amid allegations of vote-rigging. In Yanukovychs Party of Regions, Kilimnik was known as the representative of Russia, said Taras V Chernovyl, a former party member. With help from Manafort and Kilimnik, Yanukovych won the presidency in 2010. But things started going south for Yanukovych in late 2013, as mass protests erupted over the governments corruption and pivot toward Russia. Yanukovych stepped down and fled in February 2014, eventually arriving in Moscow. Recommended Ukranian opposition leader deported to Poland Russia began a military incursion into eastern Ukraine in 2014. And Kilimnik leveraged his access to US diplomats for a new endeavour. He turned up in Donetsk as the city was slipping into war, presenting himself as having the State Departments ear, the American ear in general, said Alexei Kovzhun, a member of a group of pro-Ukrainian political advisers working there. With their primary benefactor in exile, Manafort and Kilimnik sought business with Russia-aligned factions that arose from the ashes of Yanukovychs party. A common goal for these factions was to pursue initiatives to settle the Ukraine conflict on terms seen by many in the country as favourable to Russia, and as an opening for an effort to persuade the US and its allies to lift sanctions on Moscow. Among the Russia-aligned Ukrainians they advised was Oleksandr V Klymenko, a minister in Yanukovychs government. Manafort and Kilimnik discussed plans to conduct polling in connection with a possible bid by Klymenko for president of Ukraine in 2019, even though he was living in exile in Moscow and under European Union sanctions, according to three people briefed on their activities. Another client was a party backed by Serhiy Lyovochkin, a television company owner who served as Yanukovychs chief of staff. Around the time of Kilimniks trip to the US in spring 2016, Manafort directed Gates to transfer some polling data to Kilimnik, including public polling and some developed by a private polling company working for the campaign, according to a person with knowledge of the arrangement. Manafort asked Gates to tell Kilimnik to pass the data to Lyovochkin and Akhmetov, the person said. Representatives for both Lyovochkin and Akhmetov said they neither requested nor received the data and would have had no use for it. Muellers team has focused on what appears to have been another discussion about polling data in New York on 2 August 2016. A partly redacted court transcript suggests that Gates, who entered a plea agreement with the special counsel that requires his cooperation, may have told prosecutors that Manafort had walked Kilimnik through detailed polling data at a meeting that day. Prosecutors contend that Manafort lied to them about the meeting and other interactions with Kilimnik. Those lies, a federal judge ruled, violated Manaforts agreement to cooperate with prosecutors. Manaforts lies about his interactions with Kilimnik gave rise to legitimate questions about where his loyalties lie, Judge Amy Berman Jackson said. Just before Manafort was forced to resign from the Trump campaign in mid-August 2016 amid scrutiny of his work in Ukraine, the FBI opened an investigation into the campaigns possible ties to Russia. By the inauguration, investigators were focusing on Kilimnik and his connections to Manafort. Yet Kilimnik again travelled to the US for Trumps inauguration, meeting in the Washington area with Manafort, according to Muellers team. The month after the inauguration, Kilimnik and Manafort met again and discussed a poll being planned for Klymenkos prospective presidential campaign, according to court filings and interviews. The poll was not conducted, according to people familiar with the arrangement, and Klymenko ultimately did not run. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Manaforts allies point out that Muellers team has not publicly presented any evidence that Kilimnik is a Russian agent. They argue that it is unlikely that he is an agent because he was able to travel freely to the US and deal regularly with its officials. If he was a Russian intelligence asset, then the State Department officials who met with him over the years should be under investigation, Caputo said. New York Times A no-deal Brexit would be an unforgivable act of economic and social self-harm, insurers have said, in the industry's most scathing attack yet on the governments handling of Britains EU departure. Brexit should be delayed if no deal is the only alternative, Huw Evans, director general of the Association of British Insurers, will say. Any future arrangement with the EU that requires the UK to comply with rules it has no say over could be weaponised by those in the EU that want to.damage the UK, Mr Evans is expected to tell attendees at the ABIs annual dinner. This could mean savers receive less from their pensions if insurers are forced to hold extra capital that they dont really need. The UK is currently the largest insurance market in Europe and the fourth largest in the world, employing over 300,000 people. Car manufacturers cutting UK jobs Show all 5 1 /5 Car manufacturers cutting UK jobs Car manufacturers cutting UK jobs Jaguar Land Rover Britain's largest automotive manufacturer announced in January that it plans to cut 4500 jobs from its 40,000 workforce Getty Car manufacturers cutting UK jobs Nissan The Japanese car company announced early in February that it would no longer be making the new X-trail model at its Sunderland factory Getty Car manufacturers cutting UK jobs Honda Honda has announced that it is planning to close its Swindon plant with the loss of 3,500 jobs PA Car manufacturers cutting UK jobs Michelin Michelin announced in November that it will close its Dundee tyre factory which employs over 800 people by 2020 PA Car manufacturers cutting UK jobs Schaeffler Shchaeffler's Llanelli plant is to close by the end of 2019. The company provides automotive and and industrial parts worldwide and the Llanelli plant employs over 200 people. Juergen Ziegler, chief executive for Europe, said that while Brexit was not the only factor, it has "brought forward" the decision to relocate Google The UK exports 16.7bn more insurance services than it imports and is an undisputed global and European leader in the sector, Mr Evans will say. Trading on World Trade Organization terms would be wholly inadequate, in part because rules do not guarantee access to markets for services, which make up around 80 per cent of the UK economy. Along with banks and other financial services firms, insurers have been preparing for Brexit by establishing around 40 branches and subsidiaries in the EU to minimise disruption. An estimated 29 million insurance contracts have also been transferred. Mr Evans will add: We still believe very strongly that a conscious decision to opt for no deal would be an act of economic recklessness our great country would live to regret with WTO rules offering little to no protection against the consequences. As a last resort, if the only alternative to no deal is some form of short delay to Brexit, then delay we should. We have to keep reminding ourselves that it is the agreement on our future economic relationship that we will have to live with for decades to come, not the divorce arrangements. And here, we continue to face a wholly unacceptable risk that we could end up long-term rule-takers of the trading block we have just left. This matters because our sector leads Europe. This city with its world-famous London Market is the insurance capital of our planet. Roberta Fidora, who makes electronic music as Curxes, first heard about Resonate on Twitter. She had listed her music on Spotify, which last year opened to independent artists, but Fidora had begun to question whether big streaming services like YouTube and Spotify were truly democratic. She knew from experience that more experimental artists like herself had always relied on smaller networks for support. I wanted to join something that recognised the strength of collaborative ideas and action, she says, because these things provide a better experience for listeners and musicians and foster a sense of community. As a child, I recall being taken by my father to witness a helicopter that was landing in the town, to bring the Very Important Boss who was flying in to open his new factory. The facility, complete with landing pad, was on the outskirts, on land that had been made cheap and available by the council. Id never seen a helicopter before it was the late 1960s and the whole event was exciting. Lady Gaga sent a joyful message to her LGBT+ fans at last nights Oscars. Gaga, who has long been an outspoken supporter of LGBT+ people, was asked if she had a message for her fans, many of whom were celebrating at Sydneys Mardi Gras. One of the hardest things in life is to be brave enough to be yourself, she said. I wish, to everyone who is going to that celebration, to feel a joy inside of them. Thats actually what Bradley [Cooper] said to me yesterday right before we did our last rehearsal for this performance of Shallow. He said: Lets just drop a little bit of joy, and I said, OK. And, it turns out joy did a whole lot for me. Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Show all 21 1 /21 Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Actor Rami Malek accepts the Actor in a Leading Role award for 'Bohemian Rhapsody' onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Actress Olivia Colman accepts the Actress in a Leading Role award for 'The Favourite' onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Film Oscars Show - Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 24, 2019. Peter Farrelly accepts the Best Picture award for "Green Book." Reuters Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Director, Best Foreign Language Film and Best Cinematography Best Director, Best Foreign Language Film, and Best Cinematography winner for "Roma" Alfonso Cuaron poses in the press room with his Oscars during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019 AFP/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Original Screenplay Best Original Screenplay nominees for "Green Book" Nick Vallelonga (R), Brian Currie (L), Peter Farrelly (C)accept the award for Best Original Screenplay for during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California AFP/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role Regina King with her best supporting actress Oscar for If Beale Street Could Talk in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role Best Actor in a Supporting Role winner Mahershala Ali poses backstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California AMPAS/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Original Score Best Original Score nominee for "Black Panther" composer Ludwig Goransson accepts the award for Best Original Score during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019 AFP/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Original Song Lady Gaga poses with the Music (Original Song) award for 'Shallow' from 'A Star Is Born' backstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California AMPAS/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Adapted Screenplay Spike Lee, David Rabinowitz , Kevin Willmott and Charlie Wachtel accept the Best Adapted Screenplay award for "BlacKkKlansman" onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Live Action Short Guy Nattiv (L) and Jaime Ray Newman winners of the Short Film (Live Action) Award for 'Skin' pose in the press room during the 91st annual Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, USA, 24 February 2019 ETIENNE LAURENT EPA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Visual Effects Paul Lambert, Ian Hunter, J. D. Schwalm and Tristan Myles accept the Best Visual Effects award for "First Man" onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Documentary Short Melissa Berton (center L) and Rayka Zehtabchi (center R) accept the Documentary (Short Subject) award for 'Period. End of Sentence.' onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Animated Short Becky Neiman-Cobb (left) and Domee She with the award for best short film (animated) for Bao in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Sound Editing Nina Hartstone and John Warhurst with the award for Best Sound Editing for Bohemian Rhapsody in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Sound Mixing Paul Massey, Tim Cavagin and John Casali with the award for best Sound Mixing for Bohemian Rhapsody in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Production Design Jay Hart and Hannah Beachler with the award for best production design for Black Panther in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Costume Design Ruth Carter with the award for Best Costume Design for Black Panther in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Makeup and Hairstyling Greg Cannom, Kate Biscoe and Patricia Dehaney with the award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling for Vice in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Documentary Feature Free Solo filmmakers Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi pose with awards backstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California AMPAS/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Animated Feature Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, Phil Lord, and Christopher Miller with their Oscars for best animated feature film for Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles PA I hope that everyone there in Sydney feels so much joy and celebrates all sexual identities, she added. Gaga concluded by proposing a more inclusive approach to awards categories in the future. I also have a true dream in our future, as we evolve as humanity, that these award shows wont be male and female, and that we include everyone. While Gaga lost out on the Best Actress award for her performance in A Star is Born, she won Best Original Song for Shallow. In her acceptance speech, she urged viewers never to give up: If you have a dream, fight for it. Gaga and co-star Bradley Cooper performed a sizzling rendition of the song at the ceremony. Gaga is the only person in history to win a Golden Globe, a Grammy, a Bafta and an Oscar in a single year. A new campaign launched by Mothercare aims to challenge unrealistic images of new mothers and their post-birth bodies. The campaign, called Body Proud Mums, features a series of 10 images which will be displayed across London showing new mums and their real post-natal bodies scars, stretch marks and all. According to new research commissioned by the baby and childcare brand, more than half of new mums report being unable to feel proud of their bodies after giving birth. The research also reveals that over 80 per cent of UK mothers have compared their post-birth bodies to unrealistic images, with a quarter feeling the most pressure from the media. And, among women aged 18-25, 90 per cent report that they expect their bodies to compete with celebrities and people in the media. As a consequence, more than half (51 per cent) of mums use filters when posting pictures on social media to hide things about their appearance they dont like. When it comes to representation, around 61 per cent of mothers feel that their pre and post-natal experiences are not reflected in the media. Eleanor and baby (Sophie Mayanne c/o Mothercare) In addition, body confidence is cited as a problem for mums in Northern Ireland, where 67 per cent feel embarrassed about being undressed in front of their partners. Linda Papadopulous, psychologist and author, commends the campaign. The way we see and value our appearance, our body image' can significantly affect our thoughts, feelings, behaviours and overall quality of life. This campaign hopes to reduce some of the pressures that new mums may be feeling by celebrating the body changes that come with motherhood rather than trying to edit them out. Natesha and baby (Sophie Mayanne c/o Mothercare) Very often, we end up showing compassion to others that we simply cant show to ourselves when it comes to how we feel about our bodies. Clemmie Hooper, midwife, mother and Instagram account holder of mother_of_daughters, was also pleased to see a more realistic portrayal of mothers. I feel like the media is starting to make a positive transition in moving with the times when it comes to celebrating women's bodies after they've had a baby, she posted on Instagram. I would love to see these posters around the maternity wards in hospitals and in birth centres. Imagine how powerful this message could be, she said. Photographer Sophie Mayanne shot the campaign after pledging never to digitally manipulate skin in her work in 2017. Mayanne said: The aim is for mums of all shapes and sizes to be able to identify with these photos in one way or another, and to feel more confident with their imperfections. A poignant series of photos has been released documenting childbirth and motherhood traditions from around the world, in countries including India, Uganda, Sweden and Scotland. Following the birth of a child, different communities have various ways of celebrating the momentous occasion. Take Malawi, for example, where new mothers are served a special porridge that's believed to provide them with energy and essential nutrients. Or Madagascar, where new mothers wear a "masonjoany" mask, a paste that's made from a grounded sandalwood tree branch to protect them from evil spirits. These rituals and several more were captured on camera by non-profit organisation WaterAid, in a series of images that pay tribute to the beauty of childbirth and familial love. Click through the WaterAid childbirth rituals photo series below: WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world Show all 29 1 /29 WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Zambia, Linety, 18, bathes her one-month-old daughter Maria in Nsambilo, a concoction of protection made from tree roots. The concoction is believed to keep the baby healthy and protect her from evil spirits. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Zambia, Flora, 59, sits with her daughter, Linety, 18, and prepares to bathe her one-month-old grandaughter Maria in Nsambilo, a concoction of protection made from tree roots, believed to keep the baby healthy and protect her from evil spirits. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Zambia, two-week-old baby Mutinta wears a kakonde, a necklace to protect her from vomiting, diarrhoea and bad omens. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Zambia, Grandma Estheli, 62, covers two-week-old baby Mutinta while being held by her mother Chuuma, 18. Mutinta wears a kakonde necklace to protect her from vomiting, diarrhoea and bad omens. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Nigeria, a twig tree is held in a calabash bowl, where it is dissolved in water as part of the Nana Fatsuma tradition. The pregnant mother will drink the solution to hasten delivery. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Malawi, grandmother Melise makes porridge for her daughter, Lucia, 26, who has just given birth to baby Bertha. New mothers are given a special porridge made from soya, maize flour and sugar. It is thought that this will give them the energy and the nutrients they need. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Malawi, Lucia, 26, mother to newborn baby Bertha, eats a special porridge made from soya, maize flour and sugar, which is given to mothers after childbirth. It's believed this will give mothers the energy and nutrients they need. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Malawi, Lucia, 26, mother to newborn baby Bertha, sits with her mother, Melise. Melise has made her a special porridge from soya, maize flour and sugar which is given to mums after childbirth. It is thought to give her energy and the nutrients. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Uganda, Nagit, 30, sits in the doorway of her home with her baby Bakita after a blessing ceremony. As part of the ceremony, the skin of an Etopojjo tree is soaked in water and small strings are tied around the babys wrist, ankles, neck and waist. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Uganda, Nagit, 30, and her husband Lomer, 32, sit with their five children after the blessing of their newborn. As part of blessing ceremony, the skin of an Etopojjo tree is soaked in water, forming small strings. These strings are then tied around the babys wrist, ankles, neck and waist. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Uganda, clan members dance and sing to welcome the birth of new baby Loumo. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Uganda, Awas, 58, (far left) serves local beer to her six-week-old grandson Loumo, the baby's mother Sagal, 24, and clan elders. The clan members all drink from one gourd as a sign of peace and togetherness as they welcome the new baby. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In the USA, a priest baptises four-month-old Emmeline at the Roman Catholic Holy Family Church in New Jersey. Some Catholics believe pouring holy water over a babys head absolves them of sin. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In the USA, parents Robert, 38, and Marisa, 37, hold their four-month-old baby Emmeline. She was baptised in a Roman Catholic church. Some Catholics believe pouring holy water over a babys head absolves them of sin. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Scotland, five-week-old Emma is given a coin by her Nana, Sandra, a custom meant to bring good luck and prosperity. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Scotland, Ross, 35, and Amanda, 32, from Glasgow hold their five-week-old baby, Emma. Emma is given a coin by her Nana, Sandra, a custom meant to bring good luck and prosperity. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Japan, Natsumi, 29, feeds her four-week-old daughter Miwa during Okuizome, a first food ceremony. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Japan, Natsumi, 29, feeds her four-week-old daughter Miwa during Okuizome, a first food ceremony. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Japan, four-week-old baby Miwa has a first food ceremony. Natsumi, 29, feeds her daughter Miwa during the ceremony, which is called Okuizome. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Sweden, Sebastian, 31, cuts his newborn son Harrys umbilical cord in an operating theatre at Ostersund hospital. The convention helps fathers feel more involved in the birth. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Sweden, Sebastian, 31, and Maria, 34 hold their baby son Harry. Sebastian cut his newborn son Harrys umbilical cord in an operating theatre at Ostersund hospital. The convention helps fathers feel more involved in the birth. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In India, Rinku, 22, applies thick, black kajal or kohl to her child Kritikas eyes, to ward off evil spirits. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In India, two-year-old Kritika has a drink after her mother, Rinku, 22, has applied thick, black kajal or kohl to her child's eyes and forehead to ward off evil spirits. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Madagascar, Nome, 21, wears a masonjoany mask to protect herself from the sun and bad spirits. It is made by grinding a sandalwood tree branch and adding water to form a paste. She holds her newborn baby Jackie Marcel Stephan. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Madagascar, Nome, 21, wears a masonjoany mask to protect herself from the sun and bad spirits. She sits with her sister, who applied the mask. It is made by grinding a sandalwood tree branch and adding water to form a paste. She holds her seven-day-old baby, Jackie Marcel Stephan. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Madagascar, Nome, 21, wears a masonjoany mask to protect herself from the sun and bad spirits. It is made by grinding a sandalwood tree branch and adding water to form a paste. She holds her seven-day-old baby Jackie Marcel Stephan. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Ghana, Vida, 30, holds her one-month-old baby David in front of a tree from which bark is taken, boiled in water and then poured over her as part of Kosoto to protect her from stomach problems in future pregnancies. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Ghana, Vida sits with her children (L-R) Patrick, aged 11, one-month-old David, Hannah, aged five and Desmond, aged three, outside their home. Vida took part in the Kosoto custom following David's birth where bark from a tree is taken, boiled in water and then poured over her to protect her from stomach problems in future pregnancies. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Ghana, Mary, 21 stands with her husband Sampson and two-year-old son Nathaniel. They performed the Nila tradition where a traditional herbalist makes a small cut on the babys cheek, thought to prevent the him from getting convulsions. Both parents also did the Nila tradition as infants. Water Aid Many rituals carried out by communities following childbirth involve water. Yet one in nine people across the globe don't have access to clean water, with one in three health centres not being able to provide patients with water that's safe to drink. WaterAid, which was first established in 1981, helps people living in poor communities access clean water, healthy sanitation and education regarding hygiene. Recommended Birth photography contest unveils amazing images from around the world Tim Wainwright, the NGO's chief executive, explained that while many communities conduct rituals for new mothers with the belief they'll be provided with protection, for some, this isn't a reality. The birth of a new baby is a time of great joy and celebration, and all over the world, communities hold to traditions believed to keep the mothers safe and bring the babies good luck, happiness or good health," he said. "But for the millions of mothers who have no choice but attend a health centre without clean water, they do not have the most important thing to welcome any new life clean water and a hygienic environment." The photo series has been launched as part of WaterAid's Water Effect campaign, an initiative that aims to provide mothers and babies with clean water, healthy sanitation and good hygiene in health centres across the globe. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events To find out more about WaterAid's Water Effect appeal, click here. The world's most popular YouTube channel has changed hands for the first time in more than five years, after PewDiePie was dethroned by the Indian channel T-Series. But the long-anticipated takeover only lasted a few minutes. T-Series' YouTube subscriber count briefly passed that of PewDiePie over the weekend, but help from billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk caused a return to the status quo. Fans of PewDiePie, whose real name is Felix Kjellberg, made attempts in recent weeks to keep the YouTuber as the most-subscribed-to channel, calling on Musk to host a popular segment on his channel called Meme Review. The collaboration finally took place last week and was posted to PewDiePie's channel over the weekend. "Elon Musk came down from the sky and hosted Meme Review," Kjellberg said in a video on Sunday. "PewDiePie is rightfully at number one again." 11 YouTube features you didn't know existed Show all 11 1 /11 11 YouTube features you didn't know existed 11 YouTube features you didn't know existed Play in the background One of the YouTube apps most frustrating shortcomings is the inability to play music videos in the background or when youre phones locked. There is a way around this, but only on iOS. Open the YouTube website in Safari, play a video and then press your iPhones home button. After that, launch the Control Centre by sliding up from the bottom of the screen and tap play. 11 YouTube features you didn't know existed Loop videos YouTubes looping option on desktop is really useful, but nowhere near as easy to find as it should be. To loop a video, right-click it while its playing and select Loop. Even if you have Autoplay enabled, your video will replay itself as soon as it finishes. 11 YouTube features you didn't know existed Enable Dark Theme YouTube recently introduced a black-and-red Dark Theme on the desktop, which is much easier on your eyes than the regular version of the site. Enable it by clicking the account symbol, selecting Dark Theme and turning Activate Dark Theme on. 11 YouTube features you didn't know existed Simplify YouTube Another alternative YouTube user interface is available to access at youtube.com/tv. Its a really simple, no-frills UI thats incredibly easy to navigate. 11 YouTube features you didn't know existed Try out new features You can test upcoming and experimental features early by signing up to YouTube TestTube. 11 YouTube features you didn't know existed Read When you want to watch a YouTube video but dont have your headphones and dont want to disturb anyone around you, turn on Captions. Theyre also really handy if youre trying to watch a video in a foreign language. Transcriptions, meanwhile, break down exactly when certain things take place, so you can skip to the part you want to watch accurately and easily. In the More tab under the video title, launch the dropdown menu and select Transcript. 11 YouTube features you didn't know existed Use shortcuts You can lean back in your seat and control YouTube videos with your keyboard if you want to. J and L let you rewind and fast-forward 10 seconds, K is pause/play, M is mute/unmute and the 0-9 keys let you jump through various stages of the video, from 0 per cent to 90 per cent. On the app, you can fast forward or rewind 10 seconds by double-tapping the right or left side of a video. 11 YouTube features you didn't know existed Limit data use If youre on a limited mobile data plan, there are easy ways to save yourself some money. In Settings on the YouTube app, hit General and enable Limit Mobile Data Usage and disable Autoplay. 11 YouTube features you didn't know existed Keep things private Unless you make them private, other people can see your Liked videos, your saved playlists and subscriptions. If you want to hide them, go to Settings and Privacy. You can also clear or pause your History. On either desktop or the mobile app, go to History and select Clear All Watch History or Pause Watch History. 11 YouTube features you didn't know existed Make sharing clearer Sometimes you want to share a video with a friend, but want them to watch a specific part, rather than the whole thing. Instead of sending the timestamp through as a separate message, make the video automatically play from the right place. Just pause it at the right moment, click the Share button, tick the Start At box and copy the URL. 11 YouTube features you didn't know existed Get nerdy Stats for Nerds shows you technical data for YouTube videos, including video format, audio format and bandwidth. On desktop, you can find the info simply by right-clicking the video player and selecting Stats for Nerds. On mobile, you have to enable it first in General Settings. Once thats done, open a video, hit the menu button in the top-right corner and tap the Stats for Nerds option. The campaign by PewDiePie supporters has provided a significant boost to Kjellberg's channel, with web analysts originally predicting that the takeover would take place as long ago as October.Statistics from social media analytics firm SocialBlade revealed that the recent T-Series takeover lasted just eight minutes. The Bollywood record label has experienced massive growth in 2018 and early 2019, adding roughly a million new subscribers per week, prompting PewDiePie fans to pull stunts like hacking websites and taking part in guerilla advertising campaigns to promote his channel. The sub-count rivalry between the two channels has proved controversial among some YouTube users, who see it as an indication of the video-sharing platform's increasing commercialisation in recent years. "The more I thought about it, I began to realise that PewDiePie getting surpassed by T-Series is a really fitting situation for the current state of YouTube," said popular YouTuber EmpLemon, in a video explaining the end of PewDiePie's reign. "Because the era of YouTube that PewDiePie represents simply does not exist anymore. The fact he has even managed to stay on top for as long as he has is somewhat of a miracle." PewDiePie has been the most popular YouTuber since 2013 (PewDiePie/ YouTube) (PewDiePie / YouTube) T-Series describes itself on its YouTube channel as India's largest music label and movie studio, which "believes in bringing world close together through its music [sic]". "Its incredible to see how media companies like T-Series are flourishing in this space. Whilst YouTube continues to be a pivotal platform for influencers like PewDiePie, media companies have really doubled down on the platform this year," Denis Crushell from social video analytics firm Tubular Labs recently told The Independent. "T-Series and its sister channels now see well over 4 billion views per month, making it YouTubes most viewed media company globally." T-Series' remarkable growth can also be attributed to India's own digital growth, which now counts around 460 million internet users in the country, according to Statista. PewDiePie fans in Bangladesh placed posters of the popular YouTube star around their local neighbourhood (Rokonujjaman Konok/ Facebook) (Rokonujjaman Konok/Facebook) In the run up to the takeover, PewDiePie made joke diss tracks against T-Series and called upon his subscribers to help him retain the top spot, however he also said he did not care about no longer being the most prominent YouTuber. "It's already a heated subject now that a company is taking over. Everyone is going on the rant, 'YouTube is not really becoming YouTube' and, 'it's never going to be the same now'," he said in a video posted to his channel in October. "I don't really care about T-Series, I genuinely don't, but I think if YouTube does shift in a way where it does feel more corporate, [then] something else will take its place. I think people enjoy this connection so much, I think something else will just show up, if it feels too corporate." If theres one colour that defined the 2019 Oscars it was undoubtedly pink. On Sunday 24 February, Hollywoods most lauded industry members took to the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles to celebrate the ingenuity, talent, and creativity contributed by artists, screenwriters, directors and more over the last 12 months. However, while the carpet lining the entrance of the venue may have been a ruby red colour, the most memorable colour of the was pink, ranging from shades of fuchsia and bubblegum to rose and coral tones. The sartorial choice of colour comes just over a week since fashion designer Molly Goddard displayed a similar choice of colour palette at her recent London Fashion Week runway show (think Killing Eves Villanelles pink tulle midi-dress but bigger). And the popularity of the colour didnt go unnoticed among the A-listers, with Helen Mirren mentioning its dominance in the room as she presented the award for Best Documentary with actor Jason Momoa. The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Show all 11 1 /11 The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Sarah Paulson oozed sartorial sophistication in a Brandon Maxwell dress with cut-out sides Getty Images The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Gemma Chan looked stunning in this high-neck voluminous Valentino Couture gown AFP/Getty Images The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Kacey Musgraves looked like a delectable concoction of candy floss in a Giambattista Valli couture dress Getty Images The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Angela Bassett wore a one-shouldered Reem Acra dress with an exaggerated train AFP/Getty Images The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Helen Mirren swished her multi-layered Schiaparelli dress which featured an ombre effect of coral and blush pinks AFP/Getty Images The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Maya Rudolph wore a caped floral dress in a luscious rose pink hue Getty Images The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Linda Cardellini opted for a two-tone layered tulle dress in a dark fuschia colour with a baby pink bow Getty Images The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Kiki Layne sported a pastel pink column dress with an oversized ruffle at the back AFP/Getty Images The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Marie Kondo arrived wearing a floral embellished Jenny Packham dress AFP/Getty Images The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Meagan Good wore an almost lilac-hued baby pink asymmetric dress with a thigh-high split Getty Images The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Lisa Bonet and Jason Momoa matched in blush pink for the event. According to The Cut, Momoa wore a Fendi scrunchie on his right wrist designed specifically by the late Karl Lagerfeld, who also personally designed the outfits for the actor and his wife Lisa Bonet. Getty Images "I swear to God, Jason and I didn't coordinate our outfits tonight," she said. "But it just goes to show, doesn't it, that these days a Hawaiian god and a very mature English woman can actually wear the same colour. We can both wear pink!" Tonight, Grammy-award winner Kacey Musgraves looked a vision in a soft pink Giambattista Valli couture dress featuring layers of thin tulle and structured shoulders. Meanwhile, actor Angela Bassett sported a hot pink one-shouldered Reem Acra dress with an oversized bow. From Gemma Chan to Linda Cardellini, click in the gallery above to see the best pink outfits from 91st Academy Awards. Actors Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet have paid tribute to the late Karl Lagerfeld at the 2019 Oscars. On 19 February, luxury fashion house Chanel announced its creative director had died at the age of 85 in Paris, France. Tonight, the married couple took to the red carpet in matching blush pink ensembles and later revealed their outfits were designed by the late designer, who was also the creative director at Italian fashion label Fendi. "We have the honour of wearing Karl Lagerfeld, said Bonet, dressed in a lilac and blush pink sheer skirt and panelled dress, during an interview with model Ashley Graham on MTV News ahead of the ceremony. He designed Jasons tux personally for him and this is from his last couture collection from Fendi, she added, laying her hand on her husbands outfit which featured a brown lapel. The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Show all 11 1 /11 The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Sarah Paulson oozed sartorial sophistication in a Brandon Maxwell dress with cut-out sides Getty Images The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Gemma Chan looked stunning in this high-neck voluminous Valentino Couture gown AFP/Getty Images The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Kacey Musgraves looked like a delectable concoction of candy floss in a Giambattista Valli couture dress Getty Images The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Angela Bassett wore a one-shouldered Reem Acra dress with an exaggerated train AFP/Getty Images The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Helen Mirren swished her multi-layered Schiaparelli dress which featured an ombre effect of coral and blush pinks AFP/Getty Images The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Maya Rudolph wore a caped floral dress in a luscious rose pink hue Getty Images The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Linda Cardellini opted for a two-tone layered tulle dress in a dark fuschia colour with a baby pink bow Getty Images The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Kiki Layne sported a pastel pink column dress with an oversized ruffle at the back AFP/Getty Images The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Marie Kondo arrived wearing a floral embellished Jenny Packham dress AFP/Getty Images The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Meagan Good wore an almost lilac-hued baby pink asymmetric dress with a thigh-high split Getty Images The best pink outfits from the 2019 Oscars Lisa Bonet and Jason Momoa matched in blush pink for the event. According to The Cut, Momoa wore a Fendi scrunchie on his right wrist designed specifically by the late Karl Lagerfeld, who also personally designed the outfits for the actor and his wife Lisa Bonet. Getty Images Graham described the pairs looks as beautiful and added: What a great way to honour [Lagerfeld] tonight. Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet wear matching pink Karl Lagerfeld-designed outfits to the 2019 Oscars. (Getty Images) Momoa also honoured the late designer by wearing a matching-coloured hair scrunchie on his right wrist which featured a small Fendi tag. Unsurprisingly, the actor's choice of hair accessory hasn't gone unnoticed by fans on Twitter. Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet wear matching pink Karl Lagerfeld-designed outfits to the 2019 Oscars. (Getty Images) "I'll just be here, waiting for Jason Momoa to put that scrunchie in his hair," wrote one user. W.Howard Group has made a significant investment in a new warehousing facility in Glazebury, near Warrington in Cheshire. The 4.5-acre site on Albion Park was purchased in October 2018, and was previously a manufacturing facility. W.Howard has spent the last few months renovating it, and transforming it ready for use as a storage facility for the companys wide range of quality MDF profiles. W.Howard Group made the investment to improve its storage capacity, which means it can hold more stock on the ground and will be able to fulfil its customer orders faster and more efficiently. Simon Fleet, Group Commercial Director at W.Howard, explains: Its an exciting time for W.Howard Group. Our business is growing, and we knew we needed more stocking capacity to facilitate our continued growth over the coming years. The new warehouse space means we can hold the right stock for our customers, at the right time, so that we can better support them and their business needs. W.Howard Group will stock its entire product range at the 6,000m2 site, which can hold approximately 2,500 packs of finished goods at any one time. These will include MDF skirtings, window boards, door linings and architraves, as well as its bespoke, veneered and wrapped products. The W.Howard Group has one of the largest ranges in Europe, with over 200 different profiles and sizes available either as part of the core range, or as a made-to-order product. The warehouse is situated less than five miles from the W.Howard Groups manufacturing headquarters in Astley, near Manchester, and is conveniently located near the M62, from where the MDF profile manufacturer can dispatch deliveries to all corners of the country. From Albion Park, W.Howards own fleet of vehicles will supply customers across England, Wales and Scotland, with deliveries also being sent down to the London distribution hub, which supplies merchants and customers based inside the M25 area. Customers in Northern Ireland and Ireland will continue to be supplied by the W.Howard factory in Kildare. As well as warehousing space, the Albion Park site will have meeting rooms and office space where, later in the year, customers will be able to visit W.Howard Group, learn more about the company and how it can support them, and also hold their own meetings. As part of the companys investment, five new jobs have been created to help boost the local community. For more information about W.Howards products and merchant offering, visit https://whoward.eu/. A new poster and trailer for Disneys CGI-animated remake of The Lion King were revealed during last nights Oscar ceremony. Using similar CGI technology to the studios 2016 The Jungle Book remake, The Lion King features a voice cast of contemporary stars, including Beyonce, Donald Glover, Chiwotel Ejiofor, Seth Rogen and John Oliver. The poster, which depicts King Mufasa (James Earl Jones) looking over a sunset with his son Simba, was met with praise for its nostalgic evocation of the imagery of the original. However, fans hoping the trailer would give them a taste of some of the films performances have been sorely disappointed. Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Show all 21 1 /21 Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Actor Rami Malek accepts the Actor in a Leading Role award for 'Bohemian Rhapsody' onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Actress Olivia Colman accepts the Actress in a Leading Role award for 'The Favourite' onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Film Oscars Show - Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 24, 2019. Peter Farrelly accepts the Best Picture award for "Green Book." Reuters Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Director, Best Foreign Language Film and Best Cinematography Best Director, Best Foreign Language Film, and Best Cinematography winner for "Roma" Alfonso Cuaron poses in the press room with his Oscars during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019 AFP/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Original Screenplay Best Original Screenplay nominees for "Green Book" Nick Vallelonga (R), Brian Currie (L), Peter Farrelly (C)accept the award for Best Original Screenplay for during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California AFP/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role Regina King with her best supporting actress Oscar for If Beale Street Could Talk in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role Best Actor in a Supporting Role winner Mahershala Ali poses backstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California AMPAS/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Original Score Best Original Score nominee for "Black Panther" composer Ludwig Goransson accepts the award for Best Original Score during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019 AFP/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Original Song Lady Gaga poses with the Music (Original Song) award for 'Shallow' from 'A Star Is Born' backstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California AMPAS/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Adapted Screenplay Spike Lee, David Rabinowitz , Kevin Willmott and Charlie Wachtel accept the Best Adapted Screenplay award for "BlacKkKlansman" onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Live Action Short Guy Nattiv (L) and Jaime Ray Newman winners of the Short Film (Live Action) Award for 'Skin' pose in the press room during the 91st annual Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, USA, 24 February 2019 ETIENNE LAURENT EPA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Visual Effects Paul Lambert, Ian Hunter, J. D. Schwalm and Tristan Myles accept the Best Visual Effects award for "First Man" onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Documentary Short Melissa Berton (center L) and Rayka Zehtabchi (center R) accept the Documentary (Short Subject) award for 'Period. End of Sentence.' onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Animated Short Becky Neiman-Cobb (left) and Domee She with the award for best short film (animated) for Bao in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Sound Editing Nina Hartstone and John Warhurst with the award for Best Sound Editing for Bohemian Rhapsody in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Sound Mixing Paul Massey, Tim Cavagin and John Casali with the award for best Sound Mixing for Bohemian Rhapsody in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Production Design Jay Hart and Hannah Beachler with the award for best production design for Black Panther in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Costume Design Ruth Carter with the award for Best Costume Design for Black Panther in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Makeup and Hairstyling Greg Cannom, Kate Biscoe and Patricia Dehaney with the award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling for Vice in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Documentary Feature Free Solo filmmakers Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi pose with awards backstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California AMPAS/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Animated Feature Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, Phil Lord, and Christopher Miller with their Oscars for best animated feature film for Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles PA The minute-long trailer is very similar to the first teaser trailer, which launched last November and accrued 224.6m views in 24 hours. It echoes almost beat-for-beat a famous scene from the original Lion King, in which the animal kingdom gathers to celebrate the birth of Simba. In particular, people were upset at being denied a glimpse of the character Nala, Simbas mother, who is voiced by Beyonce. Some took to Twitter to voice their frustration: The Lion King is released in cinemas in the UK and the US on 19 July. The Oscars ended with two major shocks on Sunday night in Los Angeles, as Olivia Colman took home Best Actress for The Favourite and Green Book won Best Picture. Colmans win in the Best Actress category brought Yorgos Lanthimoss period piece back in the spotlight after being shut out for most of the evening, missing out on its two Best Supporting Actress nominations (for Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz), as well as nods in the Cinematography, Costume Design, Directing, Film Editing, Production Design, and Writing (Original Screenplay) categories. Green Book, meanwhile, took home the biggest trophy of the night despite an awards season marred by scandal, and even though it was up against mammoth contenders such as Bohemian Rhapsody, The Favourite, Roma and the extremely popular Black Panther the first superhero movie to score a nomination in the Best Picture category. Colman defeated Glenn Close for the Best Actress trophy, telling the actor in her emotional thank you speech: Glenn Close, youve been my idol for so long and this is not how I wanted it to be. Close was one of the strongest nominees in the Best Actress category, which also included Yalitza Aparicio, Lady Gaga, and Melissa McCarthy. Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Show all 21 1 /21 Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Actor Rami Malek accepts the Actor in a Leading Role award for 'Bohemian Rhapsody' onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Actress Olivia Colman accepts the Actress in a Leading Role award for 'The Favourite' onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Film Oscars Show - Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 24, 2019. Peter Farrelly accepts the Best Picture award for "Green Book." Reuters Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Director, Best Foreign Language Film and Best Cinematography Best Director, Best Foreign Language Film, and Best Cinematography winner for "Roma" Alfonso Cuaron poses in the press room with his Oscars during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019 AFP/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Original Screenplay Best Original Screenplay nominees for "Green Book" Nick Vallelonga (R), Brian Currie (L), Peter Farrelly (C)accept the award for Best Original Screenplay for during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California AFP/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role Regina King with her best supporting actress Oscar for If Beale Street Could Talk in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role Best Actor in a Supporting Role winner Mahershala Ali poses backstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California AMPAS/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Original Score Best Original Score nominee for "Black Panther" composer Ludwig Goransson accepts the award for Best Original Score during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019 AFP/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Original Song Lady Gaga poses with the Music (Original Song) award for 'Shallow' from 'A Star Is Born' backstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California AMPAS/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Adapted Screenplay Spike Lee, David Rabinowitz , Kevin Willmott and Charlie Wachtel accept the Best Adapted Screenplay award for "BlacKkKlansman" onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Live Action Short Guy Nattiv (L) and Jaime Ray Newman winners of the Short Film (Live Action) Award for 'Skin' pose in the press room during the 91st annual Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, USA, 24 February 2019 ETIENNE LAURENT EPA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Visual Effects Paul Lambert, Ian Hunter, J. D. Schwalm and Tristan Myles accept the Best Visual Effects award for "First Man" onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Documentary Short Melissa Berton (center L) and Rayka Zehtabchi (center R) accept the Documentary (Short Subject) award for 'Period. End of Sentence.' onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Animated Short Becky Neiman-Cobb (left) and Domee She with the award for best short film (animated) for Bao in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Sound Editing Nina Hartstone and John Warhurst with the award for Best Sound Editing for Bohemian Rhapsody in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Sound Mixing Paul Massey, Tim Cavagin and John Casali with the award for best Sound Mixing for Bohemian Rhapsody in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Production Design Jay Hart and Hannah Beachler with the award for best production design for Black Panther in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Costume Design Ruth Carter with the award for Best Costume Design for Black Panther in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Makeup and Hairstyling Greg Cannom, Kate Biscoe and Patricia Dehaney with the award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling for Vice in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Documentary Feature Free Solo filmmakers Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi pose with awards backstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California AMPAS/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Animated Feature Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, Phil Lord, and Christopher Miller with their Oscars for best animated feature film for Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles PA Green Book earned Mahershala Ali his second Oscar win in the Actor in a Supporting Role category, and the film also took the Oscar for Writing (Original Screenplay). Black Panther won big throughout the evening, receiving awards in the Costume Design, Music (Original Score), and Production Design categories. It had also scored nominations for Best Original Song, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Best Picture, for a total of seven nods. The evening also saw Regina King pick up the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in If Beale Street Could Talk. Roma won in the Cinematography, Directing, and Foreign Language Film categories. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events One of the highlights of the ceremony came when Spike Lee won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for BlacKkKlansman. This is the 61-year-old directors first Academy Award win, and he topped it off with an acceptance speech in which he urged American voters to do the right thing during the 2020 presidential election. Close Oscars 2019: Nominations for Best Picture The Oscars ended with two major shocks on Sunday night in Los Angeles, as Olivia Colman took home Best Actress for The Favourite and Green Book won Best Picture. Colmans win in the Best Actress category brought Yorgos Lanthimoss period piece back in the spotlight after being shut out for most of the evening, missing out on its two Best Supporting Actress nominations (for Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz), as well as nods in the Cinematography, Costume Design, Directing, Film Editing, Production Design, and Writing (Original Screenplay) categories. Green Book, meanwhile, took home the biggest award of the night despite an awards season marred by scandal, and even though it was up against mammoth contenders such as Bohemian Rhapsody, The Favourite, Roma and the extremely popular Black Panther the first superhero movie to score a nomination in the Best Picture category. Here are the five biggest talking points from the ceremony. Green Book disappoints as Best Picture win (AFP/Getty Images) (AFP/Getty) This years Academy Awards was a tale of two shocks: one pleasant, one dire. The latter arrived with the announcement that Green Book had beaten out the categorys frontrunner, Roma, to Best Picture. It was a dismal reminder that progress is a slow, tedious process. Had Roma prevailed it would have made history, becoming both the first foreign language film and the first film distributed by Netflix (or any other streaming service) to win Best Picture. It would have been a win that actually felt like the Academy was looking towards the future, smashing through the strict confines that have so far determined what we deem awards worthy and allowing this yearly celebration of film to finally start reflecting how diverse (on every possible level) the art form actually is. But alas, no. Instead the Academy chose a film that has faced widespread criticism for its use of the white saviour trope, since its story of a friendship between two real-life figures black jazz musician Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) and his white driver Tony Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen) depicted the experiences of black Americans in the segregated South almost entirely through a white perspective. Crucially, it ignored the realities of racism in order to deliver a neat story about Tonys redemption as a racist man who learns to become a more tolerant person. Green Books win tonight doesnt feel like much of a victory. Its more of a case of the same old, same old when it comes to the Oscars. Clarisse Loughrey Olivia Colmans Best Actress win is a joyful surprise Oscars 2019: Olivia Colman wins actress in leading role Its a win that many hoped for, but one that not many genuinely expected. Colman beat frontrunner Glenn Close to Best Actress, delivering a delightful (and thoroughly English) acceptance speech to boot. Its genuinely quite stressful, she said. This is hilarious. I got an Oscar! Okay, I have to thank lots of people. If, by the way, I forget anybody, Im going to find you later and give you all a massive snog. Granted, Close has been wildly overdue when it comes to the Oscars, having failed to win the past six times shes been nominated it seems particularly outrageous now that she wasnt awarded either for 1988s Dangerous Liaisons and 1987s Fatal Attraction. Yet, Colmans handling of Queen Annes various comedies and tragedies in The Favourite soars above any other film performance this year. A figure pathetic, fearsome, and desperate at all moments, Queen Anne is filled with endless conflicting layers, all effortless delivered by Colman. Thanks to Deborah Davis and Tony McNamaras masterful screenplay, The Favourite was one of the greatest possible platforms for what a unique talent Colman is. Clarisse Loughrey Richard E Grant wins hearts, even if he doesn't win awards (REUTERS) (Reuters) No one has enjoyed awards season more than Richard E Grant. The 62-year-old star of Can You Ever Forgive Me? was, in his own words, granted temporary membership to the A-list fame club after the role earned him an Oscar nomination. Given the adorable viral video he posted in reaction to the nod, the countless selfies with every Hollywood actor he comes across, and the interviews in which hes grinning ear to ear, its clear Grant decided to grab the opportunity with both hands. He didnt grab the Oscar, though. That honour, predictably, went to Mahershala Ali for his role as jazz pianist Don Shirley in the somewhat controversial Green Book. Ali is brilliant, of course just look at his previous Oscar-winning role in Barry Jenkins Moonlight but wouldnt it have been wonderful if Grant had managed to pull off a surprise victory? This was his first ever nomination, 32 years after he was snubbed for his iconic role in Withnail and I, and he plays Jack Hock the playful, conniving, antagonistic friend to Melissa McCarthys Lee Israel like no one else could. Alexandra Pollard Bohemian Rhapsody is ahead of the pack with four wins Oscars 2019: Rami Malek wins Actor in leading role: ' We made a film about a gay man, an immigrant' Although Green Book walked away with Best Picture, the film with the most wins of the night was Bohemian Rhapsody. Its news that will also come as a significant disappointment to many. Alongside three wins in the technical categories for Best Sound Mixing, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound Editing Rami Malek also picked up Best Actor for his role as Freddie Mercury. The film, however, has been argued by many to be nothing but a karaoke-style paean to Queen, with many critics picking up on how the film downplays the AIDS crisis of the 1980s - Mercury was diagnosed with HIV in 1986 and died of AIDS-related bronchopneumonia in 1991 - and Mercurys sexuality. Indeed, the film focuses solely on Mercurys relationship with Mary Austin (played in the film by Lucy Boynton), leaving his relationship with Jim Hutton (Aaron McCusker), who was with Mercury until his death, as an epilogue untold, leading to accusations that the project straight-washes or de-queers its subject. It should be mentioned, crucially, that Academy voters made their decision in the light of the allegations facing Bohemian Rhapsodys director, Bryan Singer. Last month, The Atlantic published multiple accusations that Singer had sexually abused underage boys. The director denies all allegations. That the Academy sees fit to reward the film in any way has, inevitably, made a statement about how the film industry reckons with the work of alleged abusers. Clarisse Loughrey The Academy takes two steps forward for diversity, one step back Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Show all 21 1 /21 Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Actor Rami Malek accepts the Actor in a Leading Role award for 'Bohemian Rhapsody' onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Actress Olivia Colman accepts the Actress in a Leading Role award for 'The Favourite' onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Film Oscars Show - Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 24, 2019. Peter Farrelly accepts the Best Picture award for "Green Book." Reuters Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Director, Best Foreign Language Film and Best Cinematography Best Director, Best Foreign Language Film, and Best Cinematography winner for "Roma" Alfonso Cuaron poses in the press room with his Oscars during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019 AFP/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Original Screenplay Best Original Screenplay nominees for "Green Book" Nick Vallelonga (R), Brian Currie (L), Peter Farrelly (C)accept the award for Best Original Screenplay for during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California AFP/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role Regina King with her best supporting actress Oscar for If Beale Street Could Talk in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role Best Actor in a Supporting Role winner Mahershala Ali poses backstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California AMPAS/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Original Score Best Original Score nominee for "Black Panther" composer Ludwig Goransson accepts the award for Best Original Score during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2019 AFP/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Original Song Lady Gaga poses with the Music (Original Song) award for 'Shallow' from 'A Star Is Born' backstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California AMPAS/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Adapted Screenplay Spike Lee, David Rabinowitz , Kevin Willmott and Charlie Wachtel accept the Best Adapted Screenplay award for "BlacKkKlansman" onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Live Action Short Guy Nattiv (L) and Jaime Ray Newman winners of the Short Film (Live Action) Award for 'Skin' pose in the press room during the 91st annual Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, USA, 24 February 2019 ETIENNE LAURENT EPA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Visual Effects Paul Lambert, Ian Hunter, J. D. Schwalm and Tristan Myles accept the Best Visual Effects award for "First Man" onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Documentary Short Melissa Berton (center L) and Rayka Zehtabchi (center R) accept the Documentary (Short Subject) award for 'Period. End of Sentence.' onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Animated Short Becky Neiman-Cobb (left) and Domee She with the award for best short film (animated) for Bao in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Sound Editing Nina Hartstone and John Warhurst with the award for Best Sound Editing for Bohemian Rhapsody in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Sound Mixing Paul Massey, Tim Cavagin and John Casali with the award for best Sound Mixing for Bohemian Rhapsody in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Production Design Jay Hart and Hannah Beachler with the award for best production design for Black Panther in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Costume Design Ruth Carter with the award for Best Costume Design for Black Panther in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Makeup and Hairstyling Greg Cannom, Kate Biscoe and Patricia Dehaney with the award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling for Vice in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, PA Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Documentary Feature Free Solo filmmakers Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi pose with awards backstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California AMPAS/Getty Oscars 2019: all the winners from the Academy Awards Best Animated Feature Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, Phil Lord, and Christopher Miller with their Oscars for best animated feature film for Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse in the press room at the 91st Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles PA Four years on from the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, and two years since the Academy took steps to rectify its predominantly white, male demographic by inviting 774 new members, its clear that progress has been made. Regina King won Best Supporting Actress for her role in If Beale Street Could Talk, BlackKklansman director Spike Lee finally won an Oscar after decades of snubs, and Black Panthers costume designer Ruth Carter, and its production designer Hannah Beachler, both became the first ever African American winners in their categories. Still, the fact that there are still firsts like these in 2019 is a pretty sorry state of affairs and the fact that the night ended with Green Book, with all its problematic racial politics, winning Best Picture shows there is still work to be done. Alexandra Pollard See all the action as it happened below. You can find a full list of winners here. Chris Evans has won the respect of the Internet for helping Best Supporting Actress winner Regina King up the Oscars slippery steps. Captain America making sure Regina King had a flawless walk on stage to accept her Oscar, wrote one Twitter user. Love seeing Captain America out there doing his thing, wrote another. Halloween actor Jamie Lee Curtis praised Evans: Hey Chris Evans you are a gentleman! And you look handsome AND well groomed! I just played his mother in a movie so I feel I can say that! Evans, who appeared with the actor in the film Knives Out, replied: That means a lot coming from my on-screen mom :) King won the award for her role in If Beale Street Could Talk, beating Amy Adams (Vice), Marina de Tavira (Roma), Emma Stone (The Favourite) and Rachel Weisz (The Favourite). King described her win as a little surreal. James Baldwin birthed this baby she said, before adding through tears: Im an example of what it looks like when support and love is poured into someone. Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Show all 46 1 /46 Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Olivia Colman looked regal in an emerald green high-neck dress by Prada with a long grey-coloured train. REUTERS Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet SZA wore a layered asymmetric white corseted dress by Vivienne Westwood on the red carpet. REUTERS Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Black Panther's Michael B. Jordan, Letetia Wright, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, Zinzi Evans and Ryan Coogler rocked a cool shade of grey, gold, blush pink and black outfits on the red carpet REUTERS Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Kiki Layne sported a gigantic bow at the back of her structured baby pink dress, which was custom-made by Atelier Versace. REUTERS Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Emma Stone shone like a ruby in this burgundy and gold-hued Louis Vuitton dress. REUTERS Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Rachel Weisz stood out in a bright red lace floor-length dress by Givenchy complete with a latex top. REUTERS Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Lady Gaga wore a black strapless Alexander McQueen dress with black latex gloves for the event. She teamed the look with the famous canary yellow 'Tiffany' diamond owned by Tiffany & Co. Audrey Hepburn wore the aptly-named diamond in a necklace in publicity photos for Breakfast At Tiffanys in 1962. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Sarah Paulson stunned in a wide floor-length fuchsia pink dress by Brandon Maxwell on the red carpet. REUTERS Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Lucy Boynton epitomized Hollywood glamour in this purple and black off-the-shoulder number by Rodarte. Malek, meanwhile, opted for a black Saint Laurent tuxedo. Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Serena Williams wore a strapless red and black dress by Armani Prive on the red carpet with a slicked back hair do' Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Allison Janney sported a structured V-neck black gown by Pamella Roalnd at the event. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Actors Letitia Wright and Danai Gurira complemented each other's metallic looks perfectly on the red carpet. Wright opted for Haute Couture Dior while Gurira's foil-like gown was from Brock Collection. AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Never one to miss out on an opportunity to ooze her sartorial prowess on the red carpet, Jennifer Lopez looked flawless in this high-neck sleeved silver dress by Tom Ford. REUTERS Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Laura Dern kept things simple in this coffee-coloured sweetheart neckline number by Rodarte. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Queen Latifah dazzled in black and midnight blue sequins and Chopard jewellery. Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Glenn Close, nominated for best actress, was seemingly inspired by the Oscar statuette for her head-to-toe gold gown by Carolina Herrera that featured a floor-sweeping cape. AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Amy Adams wore an understated white column dress for the occassion with Cartier jewellery. AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Charlize Theron showcased a new darker hairstyle that contrasted beautifully against her duck-egg blue column dress by Dior. AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Brie Larson opted for a metallic silver dress that featured a thigh-high slit and high neck. It was designed by Hedi Slimane for Celine. AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Allison Janney wore a plunging structured dress with a tuxedo-style top and trailing skirt and Chopard jewellery. AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Regina King, nominated as best supporting actress for her role in 'If Beale Street Could Talk', opted for a white Oscar de la Renta dress with thigh-high split. Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Amy Poehler wore a tonal black trouser suit by Alberta Ferretti with a ruffled blouse and wide leg bottoms. AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Melissa McCarthy opted for a chic monochromatic trouser suit with matching cape for the occasion. Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Billy Porter defied fashion norms on the red carpet with a velvet tuxedo dress designed by Christian Siriano. Getty Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Maya Rudolph opted for wallpaper florals with this floor-length gown and matching cape. Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Best Supporting Actor nominee Richard E. Grant attended the ceremony with his daughter Olivia wearing a red velvet tuxedo jacket with contrasting lapels. AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Japanese organising guru Marie Kondo chose a pale pink lace gown with floral embellishments by Jenny Packham. AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Black Panther star Angela Bassett wore bright pink asymmetric gown by Lebanese designer, Reem Acra. Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Singer Jennifer Hudson opted for a scarlet one-shoulder gown by Elie Saab with ruffle detailing. Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Octavia Spencer attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards wearing an elegant off-the-shoulder gown in navy blue. Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Linda Cardellini took the ruffle trend and ran with it for her Oscars look in a dress that cascaded with the detail from top-to-toe. Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet James McAvoy opted for a traditional black suit and tie by Prada for the 91st Annual Academy Awards. AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Gemma Chan chose a fuschia pink Valentino gown with tiered layers and a Victoriana collar. AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Actor Tina Fey attended the awards wearing a royal blue strapless gown by Vera Wang. Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Another example of the trouser suit trend, American rapper Awkwafina sported a metallic version by Dsquared2 with a pussy bow blouse. AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Singer Kacey Musgraves opted for a pastel pink dress made from voluminous layers of tulle by Giambattista Vali. Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Emilia Clarke opted for a chic lavender Balmain gown with ruched detailing. Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Model Ashley Graham kept things classic with a form-fitting black dress by Zac Posen. Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Roma actor Yalitza Aparicio sported a mint green one-shouldered dress by Rodarte covered in embellishment. AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Meagan Good wore a lilac floor-length gown by Georges Chakra with a thigh-high slit and mesh cut-outs AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Crazy Rich Asians actor Michelle Yeoh wore a timeless off-the-shoulder gown by Elie Saab with a sequin bodice and tulle skirt. AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Roma star Nancy Garcia opted for a scarlet red dress that featured a floor-sweeping train. AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Actor Laura Harrier wore a pastel blue two-piece covered in delicate beading by Louis Vuitton. Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Stephan James opted for an eye-catching deep red suit by Ferragamo and white boots. AFP/Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Fatma Al Remaihi arrived on the red carpet wearing an elegant blue dress that featured a high neck and butterfly embroidery. Getty Images Oscars 2019: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Constance Wu wore a canary yellow gown by Versace, Getty Images The 2019 Oscars saw Rami Malek take home Best Actor for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. Other winners included Olivia Colman for The Favourite and Alfonso Cuaron took home Best Director for his Netflix drama Roma. Green Book won Best Picture, proving a controversial choice over Roma. You can find a full list of winners here. Bohemian Rhapsody has become an Oscar winner, leaving a certain sector of the Internet furious at its victory. The Freddie Mercury biopic won Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing and Best Editing, beating competition from the likes of First Man, A Quiet Place, Vice and Roma. Rami Malek also won Best Actor. Was trying to kid myself into thinking Bohemian Rhapsody wouldnt win this many Oscars, but its time to face the awful tooth, wrote one Twitter user. Every time Bohemian Rhapsody wins an Oscar, God kills a bunny, added another. Bohemian Rhapsody was well received by audiences but was mauled by critics. This karaoke-style paean is all style, no soul, said The Independents critic Clarisse Loughrey. Mike Myers and Dana Carvey also dropped in to introduce the Best Picture nominee. The two actors used the Queen track "Bohemian Rhapsody" in their film Wayne's World in 1992. Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Show all 15 1 /15 Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Julia Roberts The actor took a candid selfie backstage with her close friend Paul Rudd, writing on Instagram: "Ran into this fella. My pal Paul- he is an original. #Oscars91 #actualfriends". Instagram/@juliaroberts Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Emilia Clarke The 'Game of Thrones' actor posted a selfie while on her way to the ceremony, writing in the caption: "Blondes have more fun eh?! Well I will see about that this fine #oscar2019 evening..... let the good times roll". Instagram/@emilia_clarke Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Miley Cyrus The singer posted a photograph of herself ahead of the Oscars x Vanity Fair after party, which she attended alongside husband Liam Hemsworth. She wore a plunging black sequin gown by Saint Laurent complete with a thigh-high slit and accessorized the look with Bulgari jewellery. Instagram/@mileycyrus Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Spike Lee The 'BlacKkKlansman' director posted a triumphant snap of his award for 'Best Adapted Screenplay' alongside his sparkling gold trainers, which neatly matched the statuette. Lee captioned his post: "BOOMSHACKSLACKA". Instagram/@officialspikelee Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Lupita Nyong'o The 'Black Panther' star might not have walked down the red carpet before the awards ceremony, but she did offer fans a behind-the-scenes sneak preview of her chosen gown, which was a stunning white feathered number by Oscar de la Renta. Instagram/@lupitanyongo Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Alex Rodriguez The revered basketball player posed alongside Jennifer Lopez during the ceremony, writing in the corresponding caption: "Mirror mirror on the wall. Whos got the hottest date of them all?!" Instagram/@arod Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Gabrielle Union The American actor wore a deep crimson satin gown by Valentino for Vanity Fair's famous Oscars after party, giving her 12.2m Instagram followers a sneak preview of the final look. Instagram/@gabunion Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Awkwafina Showing that no celebrity is immune to the lures of fan girling, the American rapper posted a photograph of herself posing alongside 'Big Little Lies' star Laura Dern on the Oscars red carpet, writing: "Freaking out - I love u @lauradern !!" Instagram/@awkwafina Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Tracee Ellis Ross The American actor was captured taking a selfie on the night of the ceremony alongside her musician mother Diana Ross and brother Evan, and his wife, Ashee Simpson, both of whom are also singers. She captioned the image, "NIGHT OUT WITH THE FAM". Instagram/@traceeelisross Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Gemma Chan The 'Crazy Rich Asians' star gave her fans a preview of her Oscars gown by posting this snap on Instagram, revealing her billowing fuchsia Valentino gown, which she paired with Bulgari jewellery. Instagram/@gemma_chan Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Jennifer Hudson The singer and actor posed for a selfie while inside the ceremony alongside friend Walter 'Wally' Bean. Instagram/@iamjhud Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests James McAvoy The 'Split' actor took a mirror selfie, presumably inside the bathroom at the Dolby Theatre, revealing his white shirt that had been covered in celebrity autographs, including ones from Frances McDormand and Michael B Jordan. "Went to the Oscars. Presented. Got mugged by sharpie wielding celebrities," he wrote. "#thuglebrity Im sure my shirt is going to be defaced by more of these entitled graffiti mentalists as the night goes on." Instagram/@jamesmcavoyrealdeal Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Michael B Jordan The 'Black Panther' star posted a candid photograph of him and his mother on Instagram ahead of the Oscars. "My mama about to make me have to fight somebody she looking so pretty," he wrote in the caption. Instagram/@michaelbjordan Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Selma Blair The American actor posed for a selfie at the Oscars x Vanity Fair after party with renowned TV producer Shonda Rhimes. Instagram/@selmablair Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Jason Momoa The 'Game of Thrones' actor posed alongside his co-star, Emilia Clarke, on the night of the awards, posting the snap on Instagram alongside the caption: "So proud of you @emilia_clarke I love u with all my heart Aloha Drogo" in reference to his character's name, Khal Drogo. Instagram/@prideofgypsies The 2019 Oscars saw Olivia Colman win for The Favourite, while Alfonso Cuaron took home Best Director for his Netflix drama Roma. Green Book won Best Picture, proving a controversial choice over Roma. You can find a full list of winners here. This years Oscars ceremony may have had no host, but Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph were on hand to ensure the opening segment was a memorable one. Earlier this month, ABC president Kerry Burke confirmed the ceremony would have no host for the first time in 30 years. Burke said that the controversy that led to the decision, sparked by Kevin Harts departure as host after a number of old tweets resurfaced in which the comedian expressed homophobic views, has actually helped keep the Oscars relevant. Instead, the ceremony had a series of segments presented by different stars, including Helen Mirren, Brian Tyree Henry and Melissa McCarthy with loads of rabbits in honour of Yorgos Lanthimos's period comedy, The Favourite. The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Show all 65 1 /65 The best pictures from Oscars 2019 The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper perform "Shallow" from "A Star Is Born." Reuters The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Rami Malek holds his Best Actor Oscar as he reacts after the show concluded Reuters The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Spike Lee (left) jumps in the arms of Actor Samuel L Jackson as he accepts the award Best Original Screenplay for "BlacKkKlansman" AFP/Getty The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Olivia Colman accepts her Best Actress award Reuters The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Melissa McCarthy presents the Best Costume Design award. REUTERS The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Hannah Beachler celebrates with her Oscar for Best Production Reuters The best pictures from Oscars 2019 US actor and singer Billy Porter arriving AFP/Getty The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Rami Malek winner of the Best Actor award for "Bohemian Raphsody" opens a bottle of champagne Best Actor winner for "Bohemian Rhapsody" Rami Malek The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Jennifer Lopez checking her make up backstage AMPAS/AFP/Getty The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Rami Malek (L) winner Best Actor in a Leading Role award for 'Bohemian Rhapsody, Olivia Colman (2L) winner of Best Actress for 'The Favourite,' Mahershala Ali (R) winner of Best Supporting Actor for 'Green Book,' and Regina King (2R) winner of Best Supporting Actress for 'If Beale Street Could Talk EPA The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Keegan Michael Key drops down to announce the Mary Poppins performance. REUTERS The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Best Supporting Actress winner for "If Beale Street Could Talk" Regina King AFP/Getty The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Actor James McCoy before the start of the 91st Academy Awards show. Reuters The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Olivia Colman, winner of Best Actress for 'The Favourite,' Getty Images The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Best Supporting Actor nominee Sam Rockwell and Leslie Bib arrive Reuters The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Comedians Maya Rudolf, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler (right) talking backstage AMPAS/AFP/Getty The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Miley Cyrus poses at the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party EPA The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Becky Neiman-Cobb (left) and Domee Shi (right) winners of the Short Film (Animated) Award for 'Bao' EPA The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Ben Falcone (left to right), Olivia Grant, Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant attending the Vanity Fair Oscar Party PA The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Lady Gaga cries as she wins the award for Best Original Song AFP/Getty The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Charlie Wachtel, David Robinowitz, Kevin Willmott, and Spike Lee accept the Best Adapted Screenplay award Reuters The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Helen Mirren arrives Reuters The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Best Foreign Language Film winner for "Roma" Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron (right) walking with US actress Angela Bassett (centre) and Spanish actor Javier Bardem backstage AMPAS/AFP/Getty The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Best Live Action Short Film winners for "Skin" Director Guy Nattiv, and his wife actress Jaime Ray Newman AFP/Getty The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper perform "Shallow" from "A Star Is Born." AFP/Getty The best pictures from Oscars 2019 AFP/Getty The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt accept the award for Best Original Song AFP/Getty The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Adam Lambert (left) performs with Queen's Brian May (right) and Roger Taylor (centre) AMPAS/EPA The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Best Supporting Actress winner for "If Beale Street Could Talk" Regina King and Best Adapted Screenplay winner for "BlacKkKlansman" Spike Lee attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards Governors Ball AFP/Getty The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Best Supporting Actress nominee Rachel Weisz arrives. Reuters The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper perform "Shallow" from "A Star Is Born." Reuters The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Best Actor winner for "Bohemian Rhapsody" Rami Malek AFP/Getty The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Director Peter Farrelly, winner of Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay for "Green Book," backstage AMPAS/AFP/Getty The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Alessandra Ambrosio attending the Vanity Fair Oscar Party PA The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Lady Gaga backstage AMPAS/AFP/Getty The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Spike Lee holds a knuckle ring that reads "Love" as he arrives with his wife Tonya Lewis Lee. Reuters The best pictures from Oscars 2019 AFP/Getty The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Olivia Colman attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Getty The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Terry Crews poses at the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party EPA The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Lady Gaga accepts the Best Original Song award for "Shallow" from "A Star Is Born" Reuters The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Chadwick Boseman and Taylor Simone Ledward attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 Getty The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Regina King (R) and Steven James. Reuters The best pictures from Oscars 2019 AFP/Getty The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Jennifer Hudson, Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph and Amy Poehler. Reuters The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Lady Gaga arrives at the 91st Academy Awards Reuters The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Hannah Beachler and Jay Hart celebrate backstage with their Best Production Design awards for "Black Panther." Reuters The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Regina King poses backstage with her Best Supporting Actress award for her role in "If Beale Street Could Talk." Reuters The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Spike Lee (L) embraces presenter Samuel L. Jackson as he wins the "Adapted Screenplay" award for "BlacKkKlansman." Reuters The best pictures from Oscars 2019 EPA The best pictures from Oscars 2019 (Credit too long, see caption) The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Viggo Mortensen, Linda Cardellini, Mahershala Ali, Octavia Spencer, and Brian Currie accept the Best Picture award for 'Green Book' Getty Images The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Getty Images The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Ludwig Goransson accepts the Music (Original Score) award for 'Black Panther' from Tessa Thompson and Michael B Jordan Getty Images The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Megan Pormer attends the 27th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party Getty Images for EJAF The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Chelsea Hamill (L), Mark Hamill (C) and Marilou York (R) poses at the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party EPA The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Sir Elton John and Brandon Flowers of The Killers perform onstage during the 27th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party Getty/EJAF The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Amy Adams (R) and Darren Le Gallo (L)pose at the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party EPA The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Marilyn Manson (L) and Jon Voight attend the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party EPA The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Glenn Close poses at the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party EPA The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Billy Porter Getty Images The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Kobe Bryant (R) and Vanessa Laine Bryant attend at the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party EPA The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Brandon Flowers of The Killers performs onstage Getty/EJAF The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Stephen Moyer and Anna Paquin attend the 27th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party Getty Images for EJAF The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Ben Falcone (2-R) and Melissa McCarthy (R) attend at the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party EPA The best pictures from Oscars 2019 Gerard Butler (C) arrives at the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party EPA Below is a list of the evenings best jokes. Hey everybody, look under your seats: youre all getting one of those cheese sandwiches from the Fyre festival Amy Poehler Dont worry Bradley, after four kids, I too have peed myself at the Grammys Tina Fey to Bradley Cooper Were not your hosts, we stand here a little too long so that the people who get USA Today tomorrow will think were hosts Tina Fey Romas on Netflix? Whats next my microwave makes a movie? Tina Fey Hey Chadwick Boseman, Wakanda plans you got later? Maya Rudolph Mel Gibson came up to me saying Wakanda Forever. He said a word after that but the Wakanda forever part was nice Trevor Noah I want these people to like me to a degree I find embarrassing John Mulaney "We're both from Brooklyn... and we both love hats" Barbra Streisand about Spike Lee The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Show all 23 1 /23 The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Selma Blair For her first red carpet appearance since revealing her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis, 'Cruel Intentions' actor Selma Blair wore an ethereal, multi-coloured Ralph and Russo strapless gown with a matching cape. The star also carried a cane, which was personalised to feature her monogram on the handle next to a pink diamond. REUTERS The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Jennifer Lopez Jennifer Lopez certainly turned heads at the Vanity Fair afterparty, wearing a multi-coloured strapless gown with a thigh split by Lebanese fashion designer Zuhair Murad. AFP/Getty Images The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth Miley Cyrus stunned at the Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty with her husband, actor Liam Hemsworth. The singer wore a plunging black sequinned Saint Laurent gown, which she accessorised with Bulgari jewellery. Hemsworth wore a dapper black suit with a bow tie and velvet lapels, appearing in better health since his recent bout of illness. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Kerry Washington 'Scandal' star Kerry Washington wore a strapless, sheer, tiered Schiaparelli haute couture gown for the Vanity Fair afterparty, paired with simple, silver pumps and a pixie hair do. AFP/Getty Images The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Freida Pinto 'Slumdog Millionaire' actor Freida Pinto looked every a star at the Vanity Fair afterparty, wearing an oxblood sequinned plunging Julien Macdonald gown. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas Sophie Turner's look at the Vanity Fair afterparty appeared to take inspiration from the famous Oscar statue, with the 'Game of Thrones' actor dressed in a dazzling Louis Vuitton gold sequinned dress. Her fiance, Joe Jonas, looked equally as smart in a white suit. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Karl Glusman and Zoe Kravitz Zoe Kravitz attended the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty alongside her partner, actor Karl Glusman. The 'Big Little Lies' actor wore an 18 karat gold top made by Tiffany and Co., pairing it with a long black Saint Laurent skirt, while Glusman wore a black Valentino suit. Getty Images The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Natalie Portman Natalie Portman looked ever-so chic at the Vanity Fair afterparty, wearing a strapless black Dior jumpsuit and diamond necklace. Getty Images The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Melissa McCarthy Oscar nominee Melissa McCarthy decided to swap her Brandon Maxwell jumpsuit for something more casual for the Vanity Fair afterparty, donning an Adidas jumpsuit also worn by her husband, actor Ben Falcone. Getty Images The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Chrissy Teigen and John Legend Chrissy Teigen and John Legend made quite an impression at the Vanity Fair afterparty as they posed with photographers. Teigen wore a feathered, nude Marchesa gown, while Legend donned a stylish black suit by Gucci. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Amy Adams Oscar-nominee Amy Adams changed out of her white, strapless custom Versace gown for the Vanity Fair afterparty, swapping it for a plunging navy blue floor-length gown. REUTERS The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Sarah Paulson 'American Horror Story' star Sarah Paulson opted for a silk fuchsia Brandon Maxwell gown for the Vanity Fair afterparty, complete with pockets. She accessorised with a diamond choker necklace. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Tina Fey Tina Fey, who was on of a trio who opened this year's host-less Oscars, stunned in a strapless maroon J. Mendel gown for the Vanity Fair afterparty. She sneakily wore a pair of converse underneath, ideal for partying into the early hours. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Jeff Goldblum and Emilie Livingston Always one to make a statement on the red carpet, actor Jeff Goldblum stood out at the Vanity Fair afterparty in a wet-look dark grey suit with a light grey high-neck top underneath. His wife, Emilie Livingston, wore a high-neck white gown for the occasion. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley sparkled as she attended the Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty, wearing a silver, off-shoulder Versace dress with a thigh split. REUTERS The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Ciara Singer Ciara looked effortlessly cool as she arrived at the Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty, wearing a silver and blush pink Versace gown for the star-studded event. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Diana Ross and Tracee Ellis-Ross Mother and daughter duo Diana Ross and Tracee Ellis-Ross ruled the red carpet at the Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty. Tracee wore a red, one-shoulder Versace gown for the event, while her mother wore a contrasting black, off-shoulder dress. Getty Images The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Gabrielle Union Actor and activist Gabrielle Union was glowing as she attended the Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty, donning a blood orange strapless Valentino gown. Getty Images The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Sofia Vergara 'Modern Family' star Sofia Vergara stunned on the red carpet alongside her husband, actor Joe Manganiello. Vergara wore a sheer, feathered and embellished Dolce and Gabbana dress for the Vanity Fair Oscar party, while Manganiello looked dapper in an Isaia suit. Getty Images The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Elizabeth Banks 'Pitch Perfect' star Elizabeth Banks went for a bold look at the Vanity Fair Oscar party, wearing a red crop top and matching billowing skirt by Moniquqe Huillier for the festivities. EPA The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Isla Fisher Actor Isla Fisher shone brightly at the Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty in a silver, off-shoulder sparkling creation by Jonathan Simkhai. She accessorised with Louboutin heels and Norman Silverman jewellery. Getty Images The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Charlize Theron Charlize Theron opted for periwinkle blue for the Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty, wearing an open-back Dior gown for the occasion with her natural blonde locks dyed dark brunette. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP The best-dressed stars at the 2019 Vanity Fair afterparty Emma Roberts Actor Emma Roberts looked every inch a Hollywood star at the Vanity Fair Oscar afterparty, wearing a sheer, sparkling off-shoulder gown with gold, strappy heels. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Winners at this year's ceremony included Olivia Colman for The Favourite, Rami Malek for Bohemian Rhapsody, Regina King for If Beale Street Could Talk and Mahershala Ali whose film Green Book won Best Picture. Alfonso Cuaron took home Best Director for his Netflix drama Roma. You can find a full list of winners here. Remarks by Vice President Pence to the Lima Group Bogota, Columbia - Remarks by Vice President Pence to the Lima Group: THE VICE PRESIDENT: President Duque; President Varela; President Morales; and especially the Interim President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, President Juan Guaido; Vice President Mourao; Your Excellencies: Its an honor to address this gathering today at a momentous hour for the people of Venezuela and for the progress of freedom in this hemisphere. And before I begin, allow me to bring greetings from a great champion of freedom, of liberty, in Venezuela and across this hemisphere. I bring greetings from the 45th President of the United States of America, President Donald Trump. (Applause.) Just days ago, as the world watched, the tyrant in Caracas danced as his henchmen burned truckloads of food and medicine, and murdered civilians. Saturday was a tragic day for the families of those who lost their lives. And we mourn with those who mourn. It was also a tragic day for the suffering people of Venezuela. But it was also just one more day in Venezuelas long and inevitable journey from tyranny to freedom. As President Trump said one week ago today, so I say to all of you: Despite the brutality that the world witnessed this weekend, a new day is coming in Latin AmericaIn Venezuela and across the Western Hemisphere, socialism is dying, and liberty, prosperity, and democracy are being reborn before our eyes. And, President Guaido, President Donald Trump asked me to be here today to deliver a simple message to you and to the people of Venezuela: Estamos con ustedes. We are with you 100 percent. We stand with you in America, along with all the nations gathered here today, and we will keep standing with you until democracy and your libertad are restored. As President Trump said, in his words, There will be no [turning] back. And the events of the last two days have only steeled our resolve. Two years ago, leaders from 12 nations across the Western Hemisphere gathered in Peru and took a bold stand for freedom when they signed the Lima Declaration and created this group that now bears its name. The Lima Group has proudly led hemispheric efforts to call out the Maduro regime for its slide into dictatorship. And today, thanks in large part to the leadership represented here today, more than 50 nations have joined us in recognizing Interim President Juan Guaido as the only legitimate President of Venezuela. Youve heard the voices of Venezuelan patriots crying out for freedom. Youve supported their courageous effort to face down the brutal dictatorship of Nicolas Maduro. And for that, to all those gathered here, I say you have the thanks and the greatest respect of the United States of America, and I know you have the gratitude of the Venezuelan people. To the countries represented here today, and especially to our friends, Colombia and Brazil, the United States is grateful for the way youve stepped forward to help the Venezuelan people in their hour of need. President Duque, your country has accepted more than a million Venezuelans with open arms and fought the drug smugglers, gangs, and human traffickers that have overrun your sister republic. And for your countrys leadership, you have the deepest gratitude of the United States. And let me take this opportunity to say to all those who would threaten our friend for taking a bold stand in defense of democracy in Venezuela, know this: Colombia is our strongest partner in the region, and any who would threaten her sovereignty or security would do well not to test the commitment to our ally or the resolve of the United States of America. Vice President Mourao, as I saw firsthand in Manaus, the Brazilian people as well, have shown great compassion in providing aid to the Venezuelan people. And that compassion was, again, on display this weekend in the midst of the tragic events that unfolded before the eyes of world. And you have our thanks. What brings us together today is the recognition, by all the nations gathered here, that Nicolas Maduro is a usurper with no legitimate claim to power, and Nicolas Maduro must go. The struggle in Venezuela is between dictatorship and democracy, between oppression and freedom, between the suffering of millions of Venezuelans and the opportunity for a new future of freedom and prosperity. It was utterly unconscionable that Maduro blocked hundreds of tons of aid from reaching impoverished people across Venezuela. But he literally danced while truckloads of aid with food and medicine burned. The reality is that, today, more than 9 out of 10 people in Venezuela live in poverty. The average Venezuelan has lost 20 pounds through deprivation and malnutrition, and the economy has shrunk by half. Thousands of children are starving this very hour. And, for months, food, medicine, and other supplies provided by the United States and our allies across this hemisphere have piled up along the border, even as Maduro sent aid to his puppet masters in Cuba. The Venezuelan people continue to suffer deprivation. By contrast, the Venezuelan peoples true leader took decisive action to put an end to their suffering. Interim President Juan Guaido issued a direct order to the armed forces of Venezuela to allow all humanitarian aid to enter the country on Saturday, February 23rd. And he called on the Venezuelan people to show their resolve by holding peaceful protests outside military bases across the country. In response, thousands of Venezuelans gathered outside La Carlota Air Base in Caracas to raise their voices in support of liberty. And many of the militarys rank-and-file showed their loyalty when they refused to fire on their fellow countrymen. So far, nearly 200 members of the armed forces of Venezuela have chosen to stand with the citizens of Venezuela, and defected from the Maduro regime. And even in the midst of the tragic events of this last Saturday, some aid was able to cross the border into Venezuela from Brazil. As one of the servicemen who defected to President Guaidos government said this weekend, and I quote, Its millions versus 30 or so of them. Thirty usurpers must not be allowed to deny liberty to 30 million people. As President Trump has said, The fight for freedom has begun. But Maduros loyalists turned on their own people. As the world watched, they set fire to trucks loaded with food and medicine desperately needed by the Venezuelan people. Cuban-trained thugs in ski masks, known as colectivos, went roaming about border towns, shooting randomly at innocent civilians. More than 300 people were injured, and at least five Venezuelans lost their lives, including members of the Pemon indigenous tribe. What weve seen in the last two days wasnt a bold stroke by a triumphant leader; it was the desperate act of a tyrant clinging to power with violence and intimidation. Since day one of this administration, Im pleased to report that the United States has recognized the threat that Nicolas Maduro posed to the Venezuelan people and to nations across the region, including ours. And our administration has taken decisive action to stand with the people of Venezuela as they seek to reclaim their freedom. The United States has imposed sanctions on more than 50 top officials, as well as on Venezuelas state-owned oil company, PDVSA, to stop Maduros cronies from enrichening themselves at the expense of the Venezuelan people. Speaking before the United Nations General Assembly in 2017 and in 2018, President Trump called on all nations to stand with us in condemning and isolating Maduros dictatorship. And on January 23rd, when the Venezuelan people took to the streets to march for freedom and democracy, the United States was proud to be the first nation on Earth to recognize Juan Guaido as the rightful President of Venezuela. Its been my honor to travel to Latin America five times, on the Presidents behalf, to strengthen the coalition of support for a free Venezuela, to strengthen the ties that bind freedom-loving people all across this hemisphere. And Im proud to report that America has kept our promise to stand with the suffering people of Venezuela. Weve stood with resolve and generosity, and so we will continue to stand. Under President Trumps leadership, the United States has provided more than $139 million in aid to the people of Venezuela already the most of any nation on Earth. Just in the last two weeks, weve sent five military transport aircraft with 400 tons of food and medicine to Colombia and Brazil. And as President Duque and I discussed today, our efforts to date will not only continue, they will be increased. Despite Maduros brutality, we will press on. As we speak, we are identifying new areas along the border where we can pre-position additional aid for the struggling people of Venezuela. Today, also, its my privilege to announce that the United States will provide an additional $56 million to support our partners in the region as you come to the aid of the Venezuelan people fleeing from the deprivation and oppression of the Maduro regime. In the days and weeks ahead, the United States will continue to deliver life-saving food for the hungry, medicine for the desperately ill, and shelter for those displaced by the brutality and deprivation of the regime. And while we stand with the Venezuelan people, we will also continue to stand up to all of those who would oppress them. Many of your countries such as Panama, Canada, and Colombia have frozen the assets of military officials still loyal to Maduro, and we commend their action. These are important steps cutting off the regime from the millions that theyve stolen from the Venezuelan people and we urge other freedom-loving countries to do the same. But as we stand here today, for all that we have done before, its time to do more. Many of your countries have pledged to crack down on the regimes money-laundering and other corrupt activities, and to cut off the worst offenders from the financial system completely. As the people of Venezuela take to the streets to reclaim their liberty, its time to make good on those promises. And so, today, with great respect, the United States calls on all the nations gathered here to intensify efforts to deny the Maduro regime access to financing and take the following actions to isolate the Maduro dictatorship. First, we call on all Lima Group nations to immediately freeze the assets of PDVSA. Second, we urge you to transfer ownership of Venezuelan assets in your country from the Maduros henchmen to President Guaidos government, and to do so immediately. We also urge all nations present to restrict visas for Maduros inner circle, and vote to recognize President Guaidos representative at the Inter-American Development Bank. These are important steps that the members of the Lima Group should endorse today and your nation should implement tomorrow. Its time. And to support you in these efforts, at President Trumps direction, effective today, the United States will impose additional sanctions on regime officials, including three border-state governors implicated in last weekends violence and a member of Maduros inner circle. These men worked to block aid for people in need and suppress peaceful protests while their tyrant danced in Caracas. Their actions will not go unpunished. In the days ahead as well, the United States will announce even stronger sanctions on the regimes corrupt financial networks. We will work with all of you to find every last dollar that theyve stolen and work to return it to the Venezuelan people. As we continue to bring economic and diplomatic pressure to bear on the Maduro regime, we hope for a peaceful transition to democracy. But as President Trump has made clear, all options are on the table. And to those members of Venezuelas armed forces who continue to back Maduro, I have a message from the President of the United States. In words he first spoke one week ago, I say to the members of Venezuelas armed forces: You can choose to accept President Guaidos generous offer of amnesty, to live your life in peace with your families and your countrymen. But if you choose the other path: continuing to support Maduro, you ultimately will be held accountable. And as the President said one week ago to those same military, You will find no safe harbor, no easy exit, and no way out. You will lose everything. President Guaido does not seek retribution against you, but to be clear, neither does the United States of America. To all of those in the armed forces of Venezuela today, we say: If you take up the banner of democracy, President Guaidos government and the United States government will welcome your support and grant relief from the sanctions that have been placed. Now, we know that whats holding many of you back is not loyalty to Maduro, but fear fear for your families whom Cuban-trained secret police have kept under constant surveillance. But the truth is, after years of oppression and poverty, after this weekends unspeakable brutality, Maduros regime grows weaker by the day. So again, to those members of the Venezuelan armed forces, for yourselves, for your families, for your country, we say: Make the right choice. Accept President Guaidos sincere offer of amnesty and an inclusive transition to democracy. As President Trump said last week, Now is the time for all Venezuelan patriots to act together as one united people. And so it is. And to the leaders around the world, we also say, Its time. There can be no bystanders in Venezuelas struggle for freedom. The United States calls on every freedom-loving nation in this hemisphere including Mexico, Uruguay, and the nations of the eastern Caribbean to join with us in recognizing Interim President Juan Guaido and his government, and join us by stepping forward to support the Venezuelan peoples struggle to reclaim their libertad. And to those nations that have been supporting the Maduro regime, in the wake of the brutality that the world witnessed this weekend, we urge you to reconsider. Reconsider your support for the tyrant. Join nations around the world to stand with the Venezuelan people. Withdraw your support for the Maduro regime. Those who continue to endorse this regime will only isolate themselves further on the world stage. We gather here to reaffirm our commitment to freedom in this hemisphere. And as President Trump said, The people of Venezuela are standing up for freedom and democracy, and the United States of America is standing right by their side. As the people of Venezuela prepare to take to the streets again, we say, from our hearts, to the freedom-loving people of Venezuela: Know that you do not go alone. You go with the support and the prayers of the American people, the people of the nations gathered here, and with freedom-loving people all across the world. And I also believe that, as you stand for freedom, you go with the grace of the author of freedom who said, in those ancient words, Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you todayfor where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Freedom springs from the hearts of all the people across this new world. And as Simon Bolivar said, A people that loves freedom will in the end be free. And with faith in that great promise and in all who have joined us in the cause of freedom in Venezuela, faith in the resolve of our President and the American people, and faith in the courage and strength of the Venezuelan people and those who have stepped forward for her freedom, I believe with all my heart the day is coming soon when Venezuelas long nightmare will end, when Venezuela will once more be free, when her people will see a new birth of freedom in a nation reborn to libertad. To the good people of Venezuela: Seek your freedom. We will go with you. You go with God. Vayan con Dios. (The Center Square) There are a few more weeks for landlords and their tenants in Illinois who havent paid rent because of the eviction moratorium to apply for some of more than $1.5 billion in rental assistance, but not every situation is eligible.The Illinois Housing Development Authori Campus News UB to host 16th annual Safe Schools Initiative Seminar By CHARLES ANZALONE The annual Safe School Initiative Seminar continues to provide an invaluable platform for the Secret Service and our many partners across upstate New York to further our efforts in enhancing school safety and preventing future incidents of targeted violence in our schools. The tragedy at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, redefined the nation, and compelled the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) to conduct research, training and consultation on threat assessment and prevention of various forms of targeted violence. In 2002, NTAC published the Safe School Initiative, which served as the impetus for establishing threat assessment programs in schools, including the first annual seminar hosted at UB. In response to the shootings last year at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas, NTAC published Enhancing School Safety Using a Threat Assessment Model: An Operational Guide for Preventing School Violence. This report will provide a focus for the program for this years Safe Schools Initiative Seminar, Reboot 2019: Preventing Targeted School Violence & Lessons Learned. The 16th annual seminar will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. March 21 in the Center for the Arts, North Campus. The event is free, but registration is required. The goal of this years seminar is to update best practices for preventing school violence, and to learn firsthand about recovery following incidents of violence and tragedy. Speaking at the seminar will be U.S. Secret Service agent John Bullwinkel, who will present the findings of the latest NTAC report, and Frank DeAngelis, principal of Columbine High School from 1996 through 2014. DeAngelis will provide a personal overview of the tragic event at the school through its aftermath, offering invaluable insights into managing the after-crisis with students, staff members, community members and never-ending media attention. The annual Safe School Initiative Seminar continues to provide an invaluable platform for the Secret Service and our many partners across upstate New York to further our efforts in enhancing school safety and preventing future incidents of targeted violence in our schools, says Lewis Robinson, special agent in charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Buffalo Field Office. The Secret Service has long been a leader in our nations effort to prevent targeted violence in schools, and the National Threat Assessment Center has been at the forefront of this critical work. I am pleased to welcome back the National Threat Assessment Center for this years seminar. The lead sponsors of the Safe School Seminar include the U.S. Secret Service, Buffalo Field Office; UBs Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention and University Events; the U.S. Attorneys Office, Western District of New York; the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; and corporate partner Utica National Insurance Group. Amanda Nickerson, director of the Alberti Center, notes that the Safe Schools Seminar will bring timely and important information to our partners working in schools and in law enforcement. Frank DeAngelis, who rebuilt the Columbine school community with compassion, is committed to taking the lessons learned from his experience to help others to prevent school violence, Nickerson says. We are also honored to have the U.S. Secret Service providing the latest information about threat assessment, which continues to be a best practice in school violence prevention. The program is open to all school personnel who deal with school or building safety issues, including grade school, middle school, high school and district faculty, staff, administrators, counselors, psychologists and school resource officers, as well as school board members; college/university administrators, police officers and other law enforcement officials; first responders; elected officials; and school transportation professionals. The seminars community partners include Charter Communications, Doyle Security Systems, Erie Community College, Erie County District Attorneys Office, Erie County Law Enforcement Foundation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Leadership Group (Buffalo State College), New York State Police and the Western New York Educational Service Council. For more information and to register, visit the safe schools initiatives webpage. OIX to present talks The Office of Inclusive Excellence is presenting two talks next months in association with the exhibition Revolution: Civil Rights at UB, 1960-1975, currently on display in the Silverman Library. Make the Struggle Everyday: A Retrospective on 50 years of Student Protests at Predominately White Institutions by Lori Patton Davis, professor of urban education at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, will take place from 2:30-4 p.m. March 8 in 106 OBrian Hall, North Campus. It is co-sponsored by the Graduate School of Education. The following week, David Fathi, director of the American Civil Liberties Unions National Prison Project, will speak on Mass Incarceration in the United States. His lecture, co-sponsored by the School of Law, will be held at 4:30 p.m. March 13 in 509 OBrian Hall. Both lectures are free of charge and open to the public. The ACLUs National Prison Project challenges the conditions of confinement in prison, jails and other detention facilities, as well as the policies that have given the United States the highest incarceration rate in the world. Fathi, who was named director of the Prison Project in 2010 after 10 years as a staff lawyer with the organization, has special expertise in challenging supermax prisons, where prisoners are held for months or years in conditions of almost total isolation. He also represented the ACLU in negotiations that lead to the adoption of the United Nations Revised Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Nelson Mandela Rules. The revision, which was passed unanimously by the U.N. General Assembly, updated the 1955 resolution to reflect recent advances in correctional science and best practices. Patton Davis is a higher education scholar whose research agenda focuses on African Americans in postsecondary contexts, Critical Race Theory as applied to higher education, student development theory and the influence of campus environments on student experiences. She is a leading researcher in the area of culture centers organizations, buildings or complexes that promote culture and arts. She was one of the first to write a dissertation focusing on culture centers, From Protest to Progress: An Examination of the Relevance, Relationships and Roles of Black Culture Centers (BCCs), and more recently edited the book Campus Culture Centers in Higher Education, which highlights various types of racial- and ethnic-specific culture centers in higher education, their continued relevance and implications for their existence in relation to student retention and success. For more information on the lectures, contact the Office of Inclusive Excellence at 645-6200. 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. Whether we have two of them on the field, all three of them on the field, well get creative and have some fun with it," defensive coordinator Joe Barry said. 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. iciHaiti - DR : 1,204 Haitians deported to Haiti The Directorate General of Migration (DGM), informs that by order of the Lieutenant General Maximo William Munoz Delgado, Director General of the institution and following a work of information and denunciations of the population on the localization of Haitians presumed illegal, several Migration control operations were carried out in different communities in the provinces of Azua, Duarte, Espaillat, Hato Mayor, La Vega, Montecristi, Santiago de Caballeros, Sanchez Ramirez, Valverde, Puerto Plata as well as the national district and several municipalities of Santo Domingo, during which 1,702 Haitians were controlled The teams deployed for these operations were composed of inspectors, agents of the Directorate General of Migration (DGM) with the support of the military, the National Police in coordination with the Public Ministry of the Provinces concerned. After verifying the legal status of the persons checked, using fingerprint readers and the central database, 1,204 Haitians (70%) were declared irregular and taken to the border posts of Dajabon and Elias Pina, to be registered and returned to Haiti. See also : https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-26903-icihaiti-dr-552-haitians-deported.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-26826-haiti-dr-migration-maintain-the-pressure-1-153-haitians-deported.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26744-haiti-rd-nearly-340-000-haitians-deported-or-sent-back-to-haiti-in-3-years.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-26682-icihaiti-social-more-and-more-difficult-to-live-illegally-in-the-dominican-republic.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-26492-icihaiti-dr-1-079-illegal-haitians-deported-to-haiti.html S/ iciHaiti A billboard blown over on State Street in North Adams. A large tree forced the closure of a section of Water Street in Williamstown for several hours. A broken utility pole on Cold Spring Road in Williamstown. A tree on Main Street in Williamstown took down wires. PreviousNext High Winds Take Down Trees, Power Lines Utility crews were everywhere on Monday. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. First responders were kept busy on Monday as high winds pummeled the region, taking down trees and power lines. National Grid trucks and Asplundh tree removal trucks, along with local departments of public works vehicles, were ubiquitous as the utility tried to keep pace with the calls. The National Weather Service reported gusts as high as 69 mph in Adams and 66 mph recorded at both Harriman-West Airport and Pittsfield Municipal Airport at around noontime. The high winds preceded a cold front moving into the area from the west that left thousands out of power across the Midwest. National Grid had stationed teams across its coverage area on Sunday ahead of the storm. It reported nearly 40,000 customers without power across New York and Massachusetts by late Monday afternoon. More than 2,000 customers largely in Williamstown and Lanesborough were affected. Eversource reported nearly 8,000 customers out in Western Massachusetts, including more than 4,000 in Pittsfield. The Berkshire Crossing plaza was reportedly affected and a number of the stores closed. Pittsfield Police posted photos of a large tree that fell on Wendell Avenue and cautioned motorists that intersections controlled by traffic lights may not be functioning properly. Mount Greylock Regional Middle and High School was without since 1:15 p.m. Monday after a tree on Cold Spring Road pulled down wires and broke a utility pole; school officials late Monday evening cancelled school for Tuesday because power would not be restored. Water Street between Ide Road and Meacham Street was also closed in Williamstown when a large tree came down across the road sometime after 2 p.m. There were several reports of trees down in Williamstown, including one on a house on Northwest Hill. A large tree blocked Route 2 near the bottom of the Taconic Trail in Williamstown earlier in the morning and more trees came down in the afternoon on wires near the truck escape ramp. A tree blocked River Road not far from the Vermont border in the afternoon, forcing traffic to divert over Henderson Road in Clarksburg and The Lane in Stamford, Vt. A billboard blew over on State Street in North Adams and city police and firefighters responded to numerous calls throughout the city about trees and wires down, debris in the road and fire alarms going off. Adams toned out the fire wardens to aid with a downed tree on Airport Road. The gusty winds blew debris largely sticks and small tree limbs across roads, pelting motor vehicles. Microsoft workers, however, criticised the plan in an open letter that made the rounds at the company last week. We are alarmed that Microsoft is working to provide weapons technology to the US Military, helping one countrys government increase lethality using tools we built, the authors wrote. We did not sign up to develop weapons, and we demand a say in how our work is used. The call to action, addressed to CEO Satya Nadella and legal chief Brad Smith, gained the support of over a hundred employees, Bloomberg reported. While Microsoft has collaborated with US and Israeli military forces to develop training tools in the past, the company has never crossed the line into building weapons, the letter stated. Employees are also pushing Microsoft to openly state the acceptable uses for its products and to create an ethics board that will serve as oversight. The video highlights the company's values through a series of comical exchanges between SodaStream CEO Daniel Birnbaum and the Mountain. The shooting took place in Israel in the company's headquarters, as well as in its global manufacturing campus in Lehavim and features real SodaStream employees. We were looking for very talented employees and we concluded that this video could be exposed to heaps of different people, said Zucker. Therefore, we could save a lot of time and effort in trying to look for candidates and reach the worlds most talented people. Zucker added that the culture at SodaStream is a very unique one, and can be described as open, challenging and exciting. At FedEx, we practice a fair, merit-based and non-discriminatory policy, Cheong said. To give you a few examples, if you look at our workforce in Singapore, we always think that the logistic industry's mostly dominated by males. But at FedEx, 50% of our workforce [and] in management are women. We believe in this also be-causea diverse workforce, according to research, will give greater profitability. One way the company has managed to sustain the impressive numbers, she shared, is through their Job Change Application (JCA) policy. When a job role opens up in FedExs global offices, employees who are meet the requirements can apply through the very open system. Hiring managers, who are trained to remain fair throughout the process, will consider all applicants and find the best per-son for the job. The beauty of the JCA is that [its very consistent], she said. The process helps to ensure that we get the best fit for the job, not just from within the country, but across the region, regardless of gen-der. Cheong herself is a beneficiary of the policy. Around 1998, the Singaporean began her career with FedEx in Shanghai as the managing director for Operations, International Services at FedEx Express China. Through the JCA, she was able to secure her current position. 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Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. It was the type of call every law enforcement officer dreads, but prepares for. An armed robbery, the second in about as many weeks, had taken place at a local pharmacy. The alleged suspect Jakouri Jones had cleaned out the cash registers at gunpoint before finally being apprehended on foot by Pasadena police, carrying a gun in one hand and the bag of cash in the other. Jones was later identified as the suspect in other armed robberies in the area, which included shooting at a witness and his son. As police officers, we are sworn to protect and serve, comprising one part of a larger criminal justice system that must work together seamlessly to keep our neighborhoods safe. If any part fails to uphold its duties, the entire system fails. Law enforcement did its part. Jones was behind bars. So it was both disappointing and frustrating to learn that two Harris County judges another critical component of our criminal justice system had failed in their duty, letting this alleged criminal out on unsupervised personal recognizance bonds twice in just one month. Jones was allowed to simply sign his name and walk out of jail with nothing more than a pinky promise to show up for his court dates despite being arrested only days before for unlawful possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor. No supervision. No accountability. Even after twice being arrested, including for aggravated robberies and an aggravated assault on a police officer, which are felonies, these dangerous, unsupervised releases allowed Jones to continue to freely roam our streets. And its these dangerous revolving-door practices that unnecessarily put our citizens and our law enforcement officers lives in jeopardy. It was the decision of an individual judge to release Jones after being charged with felonies, but expect more like this when bail reform expands beyond misdemeanor courts. Harris County has long been ground zero in the fight to reform our criminal justice system. As someone who works every day in that system, I agree that there are certainly changes that we can make to ensure justice is served more fairly and efficiently. Unfortunately in the effort to enact change, it seems the pendulum has swung too far. Harris County now allows 85 percent of those arrested on misdemeanor charges to sign their names and walk out of jail on personal recognizance. This completely ignores the fact that many who are arrested require supervision, monitoring and a support system to ensure they will appear for future court dates and will not slip into a pattern of future crimes. After Harris County was ordered by a federal judge to change its bail system in 2017, almost 40 percent of defendants released on unsecured bonds failed to appear for their scheduled court date, compared to 10 percent of defendants released on commercial bail. Harris Countys results track with what has happened in states like Kentucky, New Mexico and Alaska, which saw increases in crime and recidivism rates after implementing bail reform. Its particularly frustrating when this revolving door means our officers must put their lives in danger multiple times to arrest the same criminal. Rather than acknowledge this, now the county is considering expanding policies to apply to those arrested on felony charges. It seems these reforms are no longer simply about keeping poor defendants from sitting in jail. Further, the state of Texas is poised to take up bail reform this legislative session, and some proposals include changes similar to Harris Countys reforms. Thankfully, Jones was apprehended before he could injure or kill anyone. But this story could have ended far more tragically and we could just as easily be talking about a capital murder charge today rather than an armed robbery. If we are serious about being smart on crime, we need to learn from these mistakes. Lets not let our eagerness to implement reforms blind us to common sense. Bruegger is police chief for the city of Pasadena. The Trump administration not only claims it is too hard to find the thousands of migrant children it separated from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border and then lost track of, but that reunification actually would harm those youngsters whom the government already has placed in non-relative sponsor homes. Despite a court order last summer, the administration proposes to do nothing to help these children reunite with their families. Instead, it would leave many of them indefinitely in the sponsor homes, creating a kind of de facto adoption. Jonathan White, who leads the Health and Human Services Departments reunification efforts, justified this policy in part by what he calls grave child welfare concerns about uprooting and destabilizing the children who have already endured the trauma of separation. Separating children for a political agenda is not new. Between 1976 and 1983, for instance, the right-wing rulers of Argentina separated approximately 450 children from their families, by kidnapping them or murdering their parents or relatives. The Argentinean government then arranged for or allowed the children to be placed in adoptive homes. A human rights group, the Abuelas (Grandmothers) de Plaza de Mayo , tried to track the children. Afterward, the Abuelas pioneered the creation of a genetic data bank in Argentina to help locate children. They also supported reunification, informally and in court. In high profile cases, reunification (what they called restitution) became hotly contested, with competing claims and expert psychological and child welfare testimony marshaled on both sides. Some pseudo-adoptive parents argued that reunification would traumatize the children even more, especially after many years in the custody of new families. They claimed that it would not be in the best interest of the child (a legal standard shared by Argentina and the United States) to restore the separated children to their families of origin. The latter replied with their own view of what was in the best interest of the separated children and with their own expert testimony. One of the first cases involved a child named Paula Eva Logares. Paula had been abducted and separated from her parents at 23 months. She lived with pseudo-adoptive parents until her grandmother found her when she was 7 years old. In the lengthy legal dispute that followed, the de facto foster parents argued that it was in her best interest to leave Paula with them. They cited cases in which courts granted permanent custody of children to someone who took care of them after they were abandoned by their parents. They contended that these decisions in a different context demonstrated the laws desire to protect the child from disturbance, trauma or custody changes. The pseudo-parents also presented testimony from experts in child psychology who testified to the trauma of separation if reunification to the family of origin was permitted. The Abuelas answered with their own experts who testified to the trauma of continued separation and to the justice of reunification. Paulas grandmother said that it was wrong to focus on the alleged trauma of the latest separation when the worst damage was when [the children] were seized the first time from their real parents, from the warmth of their mother, when they cried and cried, maybe for days. This must have made a terrible mark on them, they will never forget thisBut the people want to forget this initial damage. It took a year before the appellate court agreed with the grandmother and returned Paula to her. One of the judges later explained their reasoning. He asserted that the court put the best interest of the child foremost at all times. But that did not imply acceptance of the arguments of the de facto foster parents. Instead, the court also weighed the importance for the girl of not living out a lie about her family, one that was likely to precipitate a great crisis for her in her teen years. The separated migrant children whom the Trump administration has placed somewhere and then lost surely have not forgotten their families over the last few months, and nor should we. The children deserve to be reunified with their families; the federal court has ordered it; it is unacceptable for the Trump administration to justify refusing because of a version of trauma that owes more to politics than it does to genuine concern for child welfare. Oren is a professor emerita at the University of Houston Law Center where she taught courses in Civil Rights, Conflict of Laws and Constitutional Law. Salvador Dalis surrealist painting of melting clocks would be a fitting metaphor for Washington, where so many rock-solid stances have become a goopy mess. That includes the Republican Partys opposition to deficit spending. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell used to raise his voice in frustration with the nations biggest problem, spending and debt. The Kentucky Republican constantly criticized President Barack Obama, but he rarely talks about the deficit now that Donald Trump is in the White House. Meanwhile the difference between what Washington spends and collects in revenue has reached $985 billion. Thats close to the $1.4 trillion deficit Republicans raised such a fuss about in 2009 after Obamas stimulus measures to end the Great Recession kicked in. The deficit dropped to $585 billion in 2016, Obamas last year in office, but has risen each year of Trumps presidency and is projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2028. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) blames an unholy alliance for Washingtons lack of fiscal restraint. The right wants more military spending. The left wants more domestic. What happens? They come together and spend more on everything, he said. Sadly, deficit spending is one of Washingtons few bipartisan efforts. The nonprofit Coalition to Reduce Spending calculated the cost of each bill Congress passed last year and concluded no Democrat and only seven Republicans can claim they cut spending. No one from Texas made the list. Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence H. Summers, writing for the journal Foreign Affairs, said reducing the deficit is important but so is spending when necessary. The United States needs to invest in solutions to its fundamental challenges, Summers said. Hes right when it comes to upgrading infrastructure, expanding health insurance coverage, and improving schools. Accomplishing those things would be easier, though, if this country reduced the boatload of interest being paid on its debt. Annual interest payments totaling $315 billion last year are projected to climb to $914 billion by 2028. The Congressional Budget Office says a combination of spending cuts and revenue increases totaling 1.9 percent of GDP annually would stabilize the debt. We say a good place to start would be reconfiguring the Trump tax cuts, which are projected to cost $1.9 trillion in lost revenue over 10 years. Trump is unlikely to ever admit his signature achievement is hurting more than helping. That might change if McConnell and other deficit parakeets ever become hawks again. A better bet now that the presidential race has begun would be for Americans to choose a candidate who will confront the deficit, not ignore it. On a Monday evening in May 2016, Carol Everett sent an email to fellow anti-abortion activists detailing an extraordinary pro-life opportunity. Her nonprofit, the Heidi Group, she said, had spent the past year pushing for nearly $40 million in funding to help Christian pregnancy centers bless many poor women across Texas. It is no exaggeration to say this is the greatest possibility for expansion of pro-life care for the poor ever, she wrote. The enthusiasm might have sounded familiar to those who knew Everett, whose decades of work in the anti-abortion movement had earned her accolades from the states leading conservatives. But this wasnt an advocacy project she was describing, and these werent private dollars. It was an application she had just submitted to become one of the states leading family planning providers. Everett had never contracted with the state and had no clinical background. Many of the pregnancy centers she cited dont provide contraception, a core service. Yet state health officials gave her much of the money anyway, ignoring warning signs and overruling staff who recommended millions less in funding, according to a review of the contracting by the Houston Chronicle. When Everetts clinics began failing, the state delayed for months in shifting money to higher performing clinics, instead devoting vast amounts of time to support Everett and her small, understaffed team. Though its impossible to say how many more women could have been served had the resources been shifted sooner, several competing clinics burned through their funding early in the grant cycle, surpassing their targets for both spending and patients treated. Had they been sent some of the $6.75 million sitting in wait for the Heidi Group, the door could have opened for thousands more women to receive access to contraception, STD screenings and breast exams. We would definitely have been able to serve more, said Marcie Mir, the chief executive officer of El Centro de Corazon, which serves immigrant communities in East Houston. The Chronicles review, including emails, internal records and interviews with two dozen people, found that the Health and Human Services Commission made repeated concessions, and not just to the Heidi Group. Officials there lowered the standards for applicants in two new womens health programs and revised past patient counts, making it easier to show growth. Quality control measures were stalled, and only the Heidi Group received on-site clinical assessments in the first year, despite similar problems with other contractors. At least one top Republican, Gov. Greg Abbott, laid the groundwork for Everetts selection, controlling her appointment to an influential committee helping to develop the new programs, according to records. And the health official who allocated her award has close personal ties to the Texas Public Policy Foundation, whose founder, Dr. James Leininger, has been a key donor to the Heidi Group, as well as Abbott. More Information The Heidi Group fell far short of its goals. It wasn't alone. The Heidi Group was not the only contractor that struggled in Texas Healthy Women. By the end of the first year, others had met just 46 percent of their combined patient targets, according to an analysis of the most recent state data. They had spent just over a third of their proposed fee-for-service expenditures, the state's preferred source because every expense can be tracked. Those excelling early on were established providers versed in the state's labyrinthine billing procedures. For them, the program has been a boon from the beginning, increasing funding for equipment and staff, and adding reimbursements for a larger swath of health services. But many of the smaller, less-experienced clinics could not scale up quickly enough, and felt they had not received adequate training on billing, enrollment delays and other procedures. Family Planning had twice the success rate, both in spending and patient targets. Though the 39 Healthy Texas Women contractors had access to more money in the first year, those in Family Planning outspent them by several million, according to the analysis, which the state said it could not immediately verify. Because of its less stringent eligibility requirements, Family Planning providers say they can more easily meet need where it exists. And for many of them, that is with immigrant and undocumented families. With Family Planning patients, "we could use millions and millions because there are so many, oh my God," said Patricio Gonzalez, the head of Access Esperanza in South Texas. "With Healthy Texas Women, it's like looking for a needle in a haystack." The health commission has asked for more funding in Family Planning, but lawmakers convening this session have so far proposed maintaining current levels in both programs. That assumes the federal government kicks in tens of millions through a waiver program that has been in limbo for years. If it doesn't, the state will have to find the money elsewhere - a variable that concerns some providers. Sen. Jane Nelson, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee and has worked closely on women's health policy over the years, said the programs are succeeding. "Funding is at an all-time high," she said in a statement. "We are serving more women than ever before with a provider network that delivers services all across the state." See More Collapse Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox The health commission is still struggling to recover from the lapses. Everetts funding was revoked last fall after two years of poor performance, and auditors are reviewing whether the Heidi Group mishandled funds. As legislators now reconvene for the first time since data became available for the programs, providers who have performed well worry they and in turn their patients will suffer from the notoriety Everetts contracts have brought, and that the programs more positive outcomes may get lost. Overall, the number of Texas women receiving services grew in fiscal year 2017, the most recent year of available data. New treatments were offered, and some experienced providers thrived, though there were wide disparities in the programs early outcomes. The state still served 100,000 fewer patients than in 2010, despite spending about $35 million more in 2017, including federal dollars. The health commission said many providers were still ramping up in the first year, making it an incomplete window into the health of the programs. In a statement, however, a spokeswoman acknowledged some shortcomings, and said the commission is working to strengthen its processes for contracting, oversight and data collection in womens health. The Heidi Group had substantial deficiencies, she said. These are lessons learned, and we are moving forward to make the program better. What has happened in Texas may be a preview for the country at large. The Trump administration on Friday announced it is cutting family planning funding to abortion affiliates, a decision that further undermines groups like Planned Parenthood, which provide the bulk of non-abortion services to low-income women nationally. The move, much like the one in Texas years ago, is expected to direct millions toward faith-based providers. A key political appointment Conservative lawmakers won big in 2011 when they moved to defund Planned Parenthood, but the celebration didnt last long. For years, the national abortion provider had delivered the bulk of non-abortion family planning services to the states low-income women. After its removal, the number of patients receiving care in the programs declined from a high of 350,000 in 2010 to 170,000 in 2013 just under 10 percent of the 1.8 million Texans thought to be eligible for services. Under siege from health advocates, the Legislature in 2015 agreed to earmark $50 million more in funding to the efforts, and to overhaul and relaunch the programs. Their centerpiece, Healthy Texas Women, would be tied to Medicaid and offer an array of services, from birth control to pregnancy testing and immunizations. Family Planning would offer similar services and take in anyone remaining, including men and undocumented immigrants. Everett hoped to play a key role. A resilient entrepreneur with a warm Southern drawl, Everetts life story is so well known in the Capitol that its practically etched into the granite. For a few years in the early 80s she worked for a group of abortion clinics in North Texas, then left amidst a company-wide scandal, became devout and began renouncing the industry. In 1995, she created the Heidi Group, naming it after the unborn child she says she aborted at the insistence of her second husband. For subscribers: Dozens of Texas lawmakers back anti-abortion heartbeat bill Two decades later, the state created the Womens Health Advisory Committee and appointed Everett to it. The committee was established to provide input for the launch of Healthy Texas Women, and it included some of the top reproductive care experts in Texas. Everyone except Everett was either a practicing clinician or had the formal support of state and federal health organizations. According to an internal memo sent to the executive health commissioner, Everetts name was backed only by Abbott and two other Republicans, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and state Sen. Jane Nelson. Spokespeople for Nelson and Patrick strongly denied that they had any involvement, calling the memo inaccurate. A spokesperson for Abbott didnt respond to a request for comment. The health commission said it had no other records on the nominations. The appointment would come in handy for both Everett and the state, helping cement her stature as a perceived expert in womens clinical health. Later, when the Heidi Group began building its clinic network, providers asked the state about its credentials, according to emails. The health commission responded by pointing to Everetts role on the committee. Lesley French, a lawyer and former political aide who was new to public health, managed the launch of the programs. Her husband, Robert Henneke, is general counsel for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, the right-wing think tank that Leininger founded in the late 1980s. French resigned in December and is now an assistant attorney general. She didnt respond to requests for comment. Everett declined to comment at length, but said her relationships with Abbott, Patrick and Nelson had no bearing on her application. She also noted that Leininger hasnt donated to the Heidi Group in years. As the advisory committee began meeting in 2015, Everett remained unusually silent. She asked few questions, and offered fewer suggestions. Despite the states ban on abortion affiliates, she suspected that some fellow members were still performing abortions, or connected to providers that did, according to a person with direct knowledge. If they led the way on the new programs, Everett worried, the same things that she says happened at her clinics decades earlier could happen again. To prevent that, she would have to take the lead herself. Lower standards, missed signs With the launch nearing in early 2016, French made it clear that the health commission was tossing out its old contracting playbook. Whatever you know about the process, please just forget about it, she told the advisory committee that February. Seriously, just forget about it. Were going to start all over. In the past, womens health contracts had been awarded through a competitive bid. Applications were reviewed by teams of employees and awards allocated based on numerical scores. Healthy Texas Women started out that way as well. But by early May 2016, when the applications were due, it became apparent that only some of the providers would pass an initial business screening. Thirteen of the 34 applicants were missing materials, including antitrust and lobbying disclosure certifications, and security and privacy inquiries, records show. The Heidi Group was one of 21 that passed. On May 9, French emailed Ron Pigott, the then-head of procurement. Can we talk when you have a minute? she wrote. Im a little worried. The next day, Pigott sent a directive to staff in which he referenced the insufficient responses were receiving for Healthy Texas Women. The process, he said, was moving to open enrollment. That switch was crucial. It meant the health commission could push back the deadline and consider providers who would otherwise not have made the cut. It also reduced transparency scoring sheets and disclosure forms for large contracts like the Heidi Groups were no longer required. By May, Everett had persuaded more than two dozen clinics to join her new network, and said it could support 111,000 patients annually across 60 counties, including 67,000 in Healthy Texas Women. Even in its best years with the state, Planned Parenthood had served about 50,000 in a comparable program. There were problems, though. Only seven of the Heidi Groups clinics were licensed to distribute birth control pills and other prescriptions, as typically required by the health commission. Without it, they would be forced to refer patients to outside pharmacies, decreasing the likelihood that women would actually receive the contraception, and receive it in quantities that would serve them for months to come. The Heidi Group was also struggling financially, posting losses in four of the five years leading up to 2016. And there were inconsistencies in its tax returns over the years: loan principles growing inexplicably, net asset calculations that didnt add up. These should have been concerning, according to William Brown, a nonprofit expert at Texas A&M. The health commission said it was not required to review applicants financial records, but plans to begin doing so. The commission redacted nearly all records detailing deliberations on the Heidi Group contract, citing confidentiality. It did provide an email from July 22, in which one of Frenchs senior staffers, Travis Duke, recommended cutting the Heidi Groups biggest award from $5.1 million to $2.5 million. If we give them more we will have to put in more money because I dont think we can reduce everyone else any further, Duke wrote. Even with that reduction, he warned they would need to lower allocations for providers who had performed well in the programs in the past. French told Duke to stick with the $5.1 million figure, while also increasing the awards for a few of the top performers. Send me the revised numbers, she wrote. Falling behind as others run out By the summer of 2017, problems with the organization were beginning to emerge publicly. Healthy Texas Women was less than a year old, and the Associated Press was already reporting that the Heidi Group had not met its outreach goals, failing to air public service announcements, help clinics promote its work, or establish a toll-free number. Charles Smith, then the executive commissioner and a close ally of Gov. Abbott, assured lawmakers that the group had in place a robust network of providers across Texas. But at that point, only about half of the clinics were still active. Some told Everett they were having trouble getting women in the door, and she suspected privately that abortion activists may be behind it, flooding their phone lines with fake appointments in an attempt to sink her operation, according to the person with direct knowledge. The health commission had known as early as that February that the Heidi Group was failing. In Healthy Texas Women, it had served fewer than 700 women, about 1 percent of its goal, according to internal records. Only nine of Everetts clinics had seen more than 10 patients. In Family Planning, as of March it had served just four people under fee-for-service, in which providers bill and are reimbursed for a specific medical service. Part of that was because the Heidi Groups Family Planning contract wasnt finalized until December, delaying when its clinics could start billing. Meanwhile, other providers were already running out of fee-for-service money, meaning they could have used the millions that Everett had yet to spend. Denton County had asked the state for $300,000 and was awarded less than half that. By February 2017, though, it had spent nearly all of its award and seen 475 patients, 98.5 percent of its approved target. There were still four months left in the grant cycle. Matt Richardson, the countys health director, said with additional dollars they could have easily served many more patients. Demand is meeting supply for us, Richardson said. The more resources we seem to have, the more demand we seem to experience. Everetts own clinicians were growing frustrated. Sherry Tenison, whose three clinics in Dallas were serving the majority of the Heidi Groups patients, complained to the commission that Everett had only visited once, dropping off a binder of protocols at one of Tenisons clinics. How does she know if the clinics are in compliance with what the grant requires? she asked in an email. The health commission later faulted Everett for inadequate oversight. During the rollout, though, the state had provided little of its own. The commission performed just three on-site clinical inspections in the first year, all for the Heidi Group, according to its records. It did less-stringent off-site reviews of records and written policies for 14 providers. More than three dozen providers failed to serve even half of the patients they planned to that year, most of them in Healthy Texas Women. A beginning This past fall, after two years of underwhelming results, the health commission revoked its contracts with the Heidi Group. Critics breathed a sigh of relief. A few weeks later, in early December, a group of medical professionals assembled in downtown Austin for the final 2018 meeting of the Texas Womens Healthcare Coalition. French and her colleague Viveca Martinez, who had helped manage the launch of Healthy Texas Women, stopped by to update them on the health commissions recent work. Near the end, Martha Zuniga, the head of South Texas Family Planning and Health Corporation, raised her hand. Zuniga has been delivering reproductive care for decades, and had served on the Womens Health Advisory Committee alongside Everett. But the state hadnt heard publicly from her in awhile. Shortly after the launch in 2016, Abbott disbanded the committee, declaring its work complete. For Zuniga, though, the rollout was just a beginning. Especially now, she thought, with the Heidi Group gone and a new legislative session approaching, health officials and lawmakers needed to be hearing about her experiences and ideas for ways to improve. She envisioned a dialogue in which providers set the agenda and resolutions are reached collectively. "We really need that extra special communication, and that confidence from the state that we're all equal partners, Zuniga said. I'm not saying it's not better than it was, but I would like it to be even better than (that)." French listened attentively. She told Zuniga not to hesitate to reach out, at any time, with any questions. But after years of change, continuity was no guarantee. Two weeks later, French resigned. The health commission is still searching for a replacement. jeremy.blackman@chron.com Twitter.com: jblackmanChron A military draft that applies only to men is unconstitutional, a federal judge in Houston has ruled, saying that excluding women is no longer justified because they can now serve in combat roles just as men do. Judge Gray H. Miller of U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Texas took note of the Supreme Courts 1981 ruling that the exclusion of women from the draft was fully justified because women then were not allowed to serve in combat. But the Pentagon abolished those restrictions in 2015, opening the way for women to serve in any military role for which they could qualify. While historical restrictions on women in the military may have justified past discrimination, men and women are now similarly situated for purposes of a draft or registration for a draft,' Miller wrote in his ruling. If there ever was a time to discuss the place of women in the Armed Services, that time has passed. Though no one has been conscripted into the U.S. military in more than 40 years, the Military Selective Service Act requires all American men to register when they turn 18, in case a draft is reinstated; they remain eligible through age 25. Men who do not register can be fined, imprisoned and denied services like federal student loans. Now Playing: An all-male draft has been ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge in Texas, declaring that the "time has passed" for debating the role of women in the army Video: Time The ruling came in a case brought by the National Coalition for Men, a mens rights group, which argued that drafting men exclusively violates the 14th Amendments equal-protection clause. Kate Germano, a retired Marine who served for 20 years, said Sunday that the ruling was a natural progression from the lifting of the ban on women in combat roles. It would be an advantage to the country, and also for men, who have bore the preponderance of the burden since the draft was established, Germano said of registering women. Noting that women make up slightly more than half the adult population, she said, Why not leverage all of the talent pool? David R. Segal, founding director of the Center for Research on Military Organization at the University of Maryland, said he supports retaining draft registration, and that as a matter of equality, both men and women should be part of it. Since registration for selective service is one of the indicators of citizenship, I think we should at least say publicly that women and men have the same rights and responsibilities of citizenship, said Segal, who has been studying military organization for more than 50 years. Only on HoustonChronicle.com: Pelosi visits South Texas to block Trump border emergency The mens rights group that brought the suit welcomed the ruling. We think its about time since women are allowed in combat, Marc E. Angelucci, a lawyer for the National Coalition for Men, said. If we have draft registration, both sexes should have to register. Theres really no more excuse to require only men to register. The Pentagon declined to comment Sunday. Millers ruling was declaratory, and it did not specify any action that the government must take to comply. The ruling comes at a time when an advisory panel, the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service, is studying the draft system, considering whether it should continue and whether women should be included. Personally, I dont think we will remain with the status quo, Joe Heck, chairman of the commission, told USA Today in January. But where we end up on the spectrum is yet to be determined. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. TEXAS TAKE: Catch the political news you need every weekday at HoustonChronicle.com. Days after Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear demanded greater scrutiny of 10 churches for their handling of sexual abuse, an SBC committee called on convention leaders to refrain from publicly criticizing churches without giving them an opportunity to respond, and it announced that no further inquiry was needed for seven of the 10 churches on Greears list. We understand it is difficult, if not impossible, to issue a report on sexual abuse that will be met with satisfaction by everyone, Ken Alford of Valdosta, GA, chairman of the SBCs bylaws work group, said in a message released Saturday evening. The statement revealed discord among SBC leaders as they wrestle with a national controversy over hundreds of incidents of rape, molestation and other accusations of sexual misconduct within the largest coalition of Baptist churches in the U.S. An investigation earlier this month by the Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News found that more than 700 people most of them children had reported being victims of sexual abuse over the past two decades. The newspapers series, Abuse of Faith, found that 220 church pastors, employees and volunteers had been convicted of sex crimes or took plea deals. The groups announcement clearing all but three churches on Greears list was met with dismay but not surprise by victims advocates who have spent years calling for reforms. The statement of the SBC executive committee work group was a Saturday night massacre of hope for any near-term change on sexual abuse within the Southern Baptist Convention, activist Christa Brown wrote Monday in an email to the Chronicle. A lot of people are very upset, said victims advocate Dee Parsons. Ive been getting a number of emails saying: This is it. Theyre playing games with my emotions. Greear did not respond to an interview request. Russell Moore, president of the SBCs Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, released a statement Monday saying he stood squarely behind Greear and an advisory panel Greear commissioned to study ways to prevent sexual abuse in Southern Baptist churches. I was not present for this bylaws work group meeting, Moore said. But he predicted that Southern Baptists will respond with clarity and action when they meet for their annual meeting this June in Birmingham, Ala., where attendees could ask whether any churches on Greears list should continue to be in good standing with the convention. Critics complained that Alfords work group kept a narrow focus that allowed some churches to escape scrutiny. The group examined whether the 10 churches on Geears list had employed a convicted sex offender; allowed a convicted sex offender to work as a volunteer around children; continued to employ anyone who concealed sexual abuse from law enforcement; or ignored mandatory child-abuse reporting laws. By that standard, the group singled out three churches that risked losing membership in the SBC: Cathedral of Faith in Houston, where a registered sex offender leads the church; Bolivar Baptist Church in Sanger, where a pastor had admitted to impregnating a teenage member of a different church that he pastored. Sovereign Grace Church in Louisville, Ky., where the church may have evidenced indifference to sexual abuse. The churches did not respond to phone calls Monday. Southern Baptist leaders for years have resisted calls by victims and advocates to do more to stop sexual abuse within churches, which are acknowledged as soft targets for predators. Specifically, critics have called for leaders to develop a database of those who were credibly accused of sexual abuse or convicted of sex crimes in order to keep them out of other churches. Quickly cleared Three churches in Houston made the original list, but two were cleared Brentwood Baptist Church and Second Baptist Church. The SBC work group said Houstons Second Baptist Church, led by Pastor Ed Young one of the largest Southern Baptist churches in the country has significant, detailed procedures and policies in place to prevent abuse and properly respond to charges of abuse. A former youth pastor at Second Baptist, Chad Foster, had pleaded guilty in 2013 to three counts of sexual assault of a child and two of online solicitation of a minor. Investigators said Second Baptist officials stayed quiet about Fosters earlier dismissal from the church in 2010, even after Harris County detectives arrested Foster. Second Baptist released a statement last week assuring the convention that it has long adhered to strict policies and guidelines dealing with sexual conduct and abuse. The statement was applauded by Daniel Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in North Carolina, who emailed a church spokesman to praise the churchs response. Second Baptists statement on sexual abuse, as well as your policies and procedures, are excellent, Akin wrote in his email. They are exactly what I would have expected from your church and my dear friend and mentor, Ed Young. Akin told the Chronicle that the statement from Second Baptist was sufficient proof that it did not need to face any inquiry. I would have complete confidence that (Second Baptist Church of) Houston would protect well my 12 grandchildren, all of whom are 12 and under, he wrote. Previous arrests Some of the churches cleared by the SBC work group hadnt knowingly employed convicted sex offenders but they had allowed men who had been arrested and charged with sex crimes to volunteer or work at the churches while their criminal cases were still pending. At First Baptist Church in Bedford, Texas, Charles Adcock served as a music minister in 2015 despite facing 29 counts of rape and sodomy involving a 14-year-old girl in Alabama. It was a bad hiring practice at the time, said the current pastor at First Baptist, Billy Taylor, who wasnt responsible for hiring Adcock. Adcock is no longer at the church but insisted he was innocent. Without admitting any guilt, he pleaded to a single charge of second-degree sodomy in January 2016 and served 15 months. He is now a registered sex offender. Taylors church issued a statement saying members were shocked, disgusted and angered when they learned of Adcocks prior arrest. The church leaders who hired Adcock are no longer at the church, and it revised its policies to make sure it doesnt make the same mistake a move noted by the SBC work group. All 10 churches on Greears list were featured in Abuse of Faith. The list didnt include scores of other Southern Baptist churches that activists have criticized. The list was about optics, not change for the purpose of protecting people within Southern Baptist churches, said Amy Smith, a victims advocate in Dallas. Change will not happen until churches face legal consequences, both criminal and civil, for failure to report sexual abuse, Smith said. Words and policies dont protect kids and vulnerable people. Actions do. *** ABUSE OF FAITH: In the past 20 years, a disturbing number of Southern Baptists with formal church roles have engaged in sexual misconduct. They were pastors. Deacons. Youth pastors. They left behind more than 700 victims. Read our investigation into Southern Baptist sexual abuse on HoustonChronicle.com. Part 1: Southern Baptist sexual abuse spreads as leaders resist reforms Part 2: Southern Baptist churches hired dozens of leaders previously accused of sex offenses Part 3: More than 100 Southern Baptist youth pastors convicted or charged in sex crimes Search the database: We compiled 20 years of convictions Help us investigate: Do you have information about sexual misconduct in Southern Baptist churches? Fill out our confidential questionnaire here. Support our journalism: Help our journalists uncover the big stories. Subscribe today . A possible suspect is in custody after a shooting Monday morning at a north Houston apartment complex in the 2800 block of Northborough, according to a tweet from Houston police. 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. One man was taken to the hospital in stable condition, police say. Witnesses said the victim was assaulting his girlfriend when another man "took offense" to it, according to Houston police Lt. Larry Crowson. The onlooker confronted the man, and one of them pulled out a gun. Crowson said he wasn't sure which man pulled the gun, but the victim was shot at least one time. The man who fired the weapon is in custody. Police are trying to see whether he was defending himself during the confrontation, Crowson said. Cryptocurrency firms were fined by state regulators and told to offer repayment to Texas investors for what the state alleges were illegal cryptocurrency-mining investments, the Texas State Securities Board said Friday. It was the first enforcement action taken by a state against a cryptocurrency firm that resulted in both a fine and a full refund offer for investors. Utah firms NUI Social LLC, Mintage Mining LLC and other related companies, that are controlled by Darren Olayan, a self-described "entrepreneur, visionary and motivational speaker," settled a complaint by the state alleging that the companies illegally sold unregistered investments and misled Texas investors. The firms paid a fine of $25,000 to the state and are in the process of identifying the number of investors and associated damages that they must repay, according to a spokesperson with the Texas State Securities Board. The securities sold in Texas totaled less than $100,000, according to the firms. VIRTUAL CONVERSATION: Is cryptocurrency the future of money, or just a sucker's bet? The companies did not admit guilt in the settlements. NUI disputes the allegations of fraud and misleading investors. Olayan said in a statement that his company strives and will continue to abide by all relevant laws and regulations. Moving forward, the company will not offer any cryptocurrency mining products in Texas, he said. "We are committed to doing things the right way," Olayan said. "With so many factors affecting today's crypto space, it's important that we take the best steps to protect our company, our members and our products." The state regulatory agency has issued 18 orders regarding cryptocurrency or cryptocurrency mining offerings to investors since it first began concentrating on the growing industry after the price of Bitcoin, the poster child of cryptocurrencies, skyrocketed in late 2017. At the time, the agency noticed a concerning flurry of misleading cryptocurrency investment advertisements on social media in dozens of Texas cities. Texas was the first state to take enforcement action against promoters offering cryptocurrency-related investments. "Despite the fluctuations in the price of Bitcoin, the majority of these scams continue to be pitched to investors in Texas," said Bob Elder, spokesperson for the Texas State Securities Board. "It's seen as a new exciting technology, but investors need to do their due diligence." The Nui settlement, which states that two of the company's products were not registered as securities with the state, replaces an emergency cease and desist order that was issued in 2018. The state initially alleged widespread violations of Texas securities law, including making deceptive claims to the public. Advertisements by Mintage Mining claimed the company could generate returns of up to 250 percent annually by mining cryptocurrencies, but the state alleged that there was no credible evidence of how those returns would be achieved. And, the state alleged, Olayan and Mintage Mining told investors that they were in compliance with the law, while neither were registered to sell securities in Texas. NUI Social, a marketing company, attracted investors by signing up individuals who received commissions for recruiting investors. "NUI disagrees with the legal conclusion that the (Texas State Securities Board) reached, but is pleased that the matter is now behind them," a company statement read. RELATED: Is it time to reconsider cryptocurrencies like bitcoin? One of the more recent enforcement actions taken by the state against fraudulent cryptocurrency firms has now led to an FBI investigation. In January, the state took emergency action against BitConnect, a public company based in England that issued its own currency. Regulators found it was fraudulently offering cryptocurrency-based investment programs. After the emergency order, the company closed its lending program and its stock market value, which had previously reached a high of $2.6 billion, lost 98 percent of its value. BitConnect was delisted from all cryptocurrency exchanges in September. Elder encouraged investors in Texas to educate themselves about the companies they are investing in and to check whether the company is registered with the state to sell securities to prevent themselves from investing in fraudulent cryptocurrency companies. "There aren't many people outside a computer science lab that can really fully explain the world of cryptocurrency," Elder said. "We're continuing to investigate suspicious cryptocurrency offerings and taking action, but investors also really need to practice self-defense." Nui said it will make a refund offer to Texas residents who purchased the products "in the near future." erin.douglas@chron.com Twitter.com/erinmdouglas23 Empire's production stood by Jussie Smollett throughout his hate crime scandal until recently. When the actor became the suspect of a felony crime for allegedly filing a false police report, solidarity appeared to keep the crew together. However, the show suddenly issued a statement announcing Smollett's dismissal on Friday, February 22, after Smollett turned himself in. The actor, who plays Jamal Lyon on the series, will not take part in the last two episodes of this season. His departure would "avoid any further disruptions on set" in relation to the controversial legal situation. This dynamic was not only formed by the delicate nature of Smollett's criminal charges. It appears to have also been amplified by a blowout between actors. Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images According to a source who spoke to TMZ, "Thursday was a complete disaster on set after Jussie turned himself into Chicago Police. Terrence (Howard) was so upset he refused to come out of his trailer for most of the day." They claim Howard did not believe Jussie's story from the very beginning of the debacle since his testimony did not seem to make sense. He began to confront him with questions as the investigation developed. Abel and Ola Osundairo's testimonies bolstered Howard's grilling. He reportedly screamed at his co-star, urging him to confess. Later that evening, Jussie addressed the crew to apologize about the scandal while still maintaining his innocence. Howard was nowhere in sight at the time. Other members of the Empire team are also said to harbor similar sentiments as Howard. This flagrant tension led to Jussie's dismissal. Terrence Howard still displayed support for Jussie Smollett via social media on Saturday. The Jussie Smollett story has been difficult to keep up with. With so many updates happening last week, things kept getting wilder with Jussie getting arrested for filing a false police report. Apparently, we haven't even heard the entire story because, in a new interview with Good Morning America, the same show that spoke to Smollett after the alleged hate crime, police chief Eddie Johnson said that more evidence will be coming out in the next few days. During an appearance on GMA this morning, Johnson told Robin Roberts that not everything has been presented to the public yet. "Theres a lot more evidence that hasnt been presented yet, and does not support the version he gave," says Johnson. "Theres still a lot of physical evidence, video evidence and testimony that just simply does not support his version of what happened." In case you've been out of the loop, Empire actor Jussie Smollett alleges that he was attacked in the streets of Chicago one night, getting a noose tied around his neck and having bleach poured over him while racist and homophobic epithets were used against him. Johnson has delivered a public address regarding the case, suggesting that Smollett staged his own beating because he was "dissatisfied" with his salary. Since this information became public, FOX decided to cut the actor from the final two episodes of Empire's season. Will you be keeping an eye out for new information in the Smollett case? [via] Speculations have been swirling around Jussie Smollett's indictment. The actor is currently facing prison time for allegedly filing a false report detailing an assault. At the time, his assailants were described as racist and homophobic. While legal proceedings are underway to determine the validity of Smollett's original claims, a new theory arose from his skeptics. According to TMZ, Empire cast members believe Lee Daniels might have played an indirect part in the whole ordeal. They claim the story he shared about his cousin's assault could have inspired Jussie's supposed orchestration. Jussie Smollett and Lee Daniels appear to have a close relationship. The actor even spoke during Daniels' Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony. The Chicago PD has claimed the actor planned his attack because of his dissatisfaction with the income gained from his work on Empire. This theory was received with mixed reactions given Smollet's friendship with the show's creator. Araya Diaz/WireImage/Getty Images Lee Daniels had uploaded a video on January 10, revealing the distressing incident involving his family member. "This past week my cousin was beat up for being gay and I am sick of hearing these stories. Its the beginning of a new year and we need to do better," he wrote in the caption. "We need to continue to remember to love and to turn against the hate that were seeing out there. But we all need to fight that fight together." He went on to offer an ear and a safe space "For all the people who are hurting, who are struggling, and who are trying to find some meaning in this life." After a few tour dates in Australia, Eminem is enjoying a few new records. At this point, the Detroit rapper should be used to making history. During his Aussie run, Shady broke attendance records for the stadiums he played, clocking an impressive 81K+ seats filled. Now, that's a lot of people. As we reported last week, he did not entertain the crowd's efforts to get him to sing "Killshot," sending shots at Machine Gun Kelly through some quick insults instead. Ever since his beef with MGK, Eminem has been sharing the most bizarre photos of himself to his social media profiles, blaming his poor selfie skills on his age. They seemed to slow in quantity but when he took the stage in Melbourne, Em couldn't help but post a fresh shot of himself and Mr. Porter, who were barely visible in the shot. At this point, the man has got to be intentionally trying to take terrible photos. Eminem seemingly stopped sharing these sorts of "barely-there" selfies in May of last year but it looks like a new string may be coming after his joint shot with Porter. Crowning himself the Selfie GOAT in the caption, Em is really just having fun out here these days. Some may argue that he's the king of rap but when it comes to photography, that's a hard no. Comedian Chris D'Elia, who has perfected the art of mimicking Eminem, recently linked up with Complex's Joe La Puma for an all-new episode of "Sneaker Shopping" at Flight Club's Los Angeles location. If you follow D'Elia's "Congratulations" podcast, or have seen any of his stand-up performances, you already know that he's no stranger to the sneaker game and is a huge fan of Yeezys and Air Jordan 1s. That said, D'Elia tells La Puma that the first sneaker he took notice of was the Nike Air Max 180, which has always been his dad's go-to shoe. D'Elia also discussed LeBron "stealing his style," his favorite Air Jordan 1s, Balenciagas, Yeezy sizing, the pricing at consignment shops and more. At the end of his trip to Flight Club Los Angeles, D'Elia racked up $2,190 worth of kicks, but you know that ain't making a DENT in his bank account. Peep the full episode below. The historic Raleigh Hotel property in Miami was purchased today by a joint venture between Deutsche Finance America, Bilgili Holding and SHVO. The partnership purchased the property for $103 million from Tommy Hilfiger and Turkish conglomerate Dogus Group, which had owned the Raleigh since 2014. The historic Raleigh Hotel property in Miami was purchased today by a joint venture between Deutsche Finance America, Bilgili Holding and SHVO. The partnership purchased the property for $103 million from Tommy Hilfiger and Turkish conglomerate Dogus Group, which had owned the Raleigh since 2014. The 83-room hotel is an icon of South Beach art deco, known especially for its ornate beachside swimming pool, which LIFE Magazine called "the most beautiful pool in America" in 1947. The new joint venture purchased the property in an all cash transaction in partnership with a number of Germany's largest institutions including Bayerische Versorgungskammer ("BVK"), Germany's largest manager of public pension schemes. The acquisition of the Raleigh Hotel marks the second joint investment between New York City based development firm SHVO, Turkish investment group Bilgili Holding and investment management firm Deutsche Finance after acquiring 685 5th Avenue six months ago. "We are thrilled about the next chapter of the Raleigh's history as a nostalgic icon and a symbol of twenty-first century style and luxury," said Michael Shvo, Chairman and Founder of SHVO. "Over the past 4 years, Tommy Hilfiger and the Raleigh Group have put incredible effort into restoring this iconic Art Deco gem and we are grateful that they are entrusting us as stewards of the Raleigh's future. We are committed to bringing about its next renaissance." Jason Lucas, Managing Partner of Deutsche Finance America, commented, "The Raleigh Hotel is an embodiment of Miami's timeless South Beach and we believe this investment offers our LPs outsized risk-adjusted returns in a liquid, gateway market." "We are very excited to further solidify our partnership with Deutsche Finance and SHVO on our second deal in the U.S. We are still looking forward to diversifying and growing our portfolio further in other global hubs, especially in Los Angeles and New York City," said Serdar Bilgili, Chairman of Bilgili Holding. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource With the founding of Residence Inn, followed by Summerfield Suites and Candlewood Suites, DeBoer is recognized as the pioneer of the extended-stay and all-suite hotel concepts. The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) in partnership with the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) recognized Jack DeBoer, the founder of extended-stay, with the prestigious Pioneer Award. Andrea Belfanti, Executive Director of ISHC, commented, Jack DeBoer is extremely deserving of this award and ISHC is honored to be able to give it to him. As the pioneer of the extended-stay concept over 40 years ago, his vision has forever changed the landscape of the hospitality industry. Today the extended-stay segment is even more relevant to our industry than ever before and continues to grow exponentially. ISHC members recognize the incredible impact Jack has had on our industry and we are thankful for his legacy. With the founding of Residence Inn, followed by Summerfield Suites and Candlewood Suites, DeBoer is recognized as the pioneer of the extended-stay and all-suite hotel concepts. He designed and built the first Residence Inn, an all-suite hotel, in downtown Wichita, Kansas, in 1975, and built or franchised 103 more properties before selling The Residence Inn Company to Marriott Corporation in 1987. In 1988, he co-founded Summerfield Hotel Corporation, a second-generation upscale all-suite hotel chain, which was sold to Hyatt. In 1995, he founded the Candlewood Hotel Company. After developing 130 hotels, Candlewood was purchased by InterContinental Hotels Group in December 2003. In June 2002, DeBoer used his extended-stay hotel model to create Value Place, a short-term apartment concept that continues to expand. Value Place, now known as WoodSprings, sold to Choice Hotels in January 2018. In 2014, he founded WaterWalk Hotel Apartments, a hybrid between a hotel and an apartment. Today, DeBoer serves as chairman of the board for the Hix Corporation, the premier manufacturer of printing equipment, electric and gas dryers, and machines for the food industry. He also serves as chairman of Consolidated Holdings, Inc., a company he founded in 1989. In addition to many other business ventures and civic interests, DeBoer loves to fly and is an active pilot. He currently holds the 3 kilometer world speed record for jet aircraft under 18,000 pounds. In 1988, DeBoer and his wife, Marilyn, completed a four-month-long trip around the world in his Gulfstream II. They studied the needs of the world throughout their travels. From this experience, the DeBoers are now deeply involved in World Vision projects in Myanmar. ISHC Chair Elizabeth Winkle, ISHC, Chief Strategy Officer of STR and President Chris Cylke, ISHC, Chief Operating Officer of REVPAR International, Inc. presented the Pioneer Award during plenary session at ALIS. DeBoer was unable to be in Los Angeles to accept the award, but sent in video with his acceptance where he thanked ISHC and imparted his future vision of where the hospitality industry is headed. The ISHC Pioneer Award was established in 1996 to recognize an individual each year who has made an outstanding contribution, achievement and/or improvement in the hospitality industry. Winners are selected on a basis of three criteria: Active involvement in the hospitality industry; Contribution to the industry; and Personal/organizational attributes and qualities adhering to professional standards recognized and respected by industry peers. Past recipients include: Wing T. Chao (2018) Ian Schrager (2017) Lyndall DeMarco (2016) Stephen Kaufer (2015) Michael Bedner (2014) Steve Rushmore (2013) Chip Conley (2012) Kathleen Taylor (2011) Leland C. Pillsbury (2010) J.W. Marriott (2009) Jean Gabriel Peres (2008) Stanley Selengut (2008) Jean-Claude Baumgarten (2007) James E. Burba (2007) Stelios Haji-Ioannou (2006) H.P. Rama (2006) Costakis Loizou (2005) Barry Sternlicht (2005) Christel DeHaan (2004) Regis Bulot (2004) Bill Kimpton (2002) Jonathan M. Tisch (2001) Micheal A. Leven (2000) Jack Vaughn (1999) George Johnson (1998) Randell A. Smith (1997) Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource Next in the series of Interviews with Leaders is Mr. Neil George, Strategic Advisor, Rosewood Hotel Group. 1. How would you describe Rosewood Hotel Groups development and growth strategy in the Middle East and Africa? We have a measured and considered approach to our global growth strategy. We have four brands Rosewood Hotels & Resorts in the ultra-luxury segment, New World in the upper-upscale space, Penta in the upper-midscale lifestyle space, our latest brand KHOS targeting the luxury business-lifestyle space. In this region, we are primarily focused on growing the Rosewood brand, but open to gradual development of New World and Penta, and will soon be launching KHOS too. For Rosewood, as an ultra-luxury brand with 24 properties in 15 countries, we are extremely selective about where, with whom and for which projects we partner. The Rosewood brand originated in the US with the Hunt family, a legendary oil family that had close ties with Saudi Arabia. So the brands relationship with the region goes back many years. We intend to add to our existing presence in Jeddah and Abu Dhabi in the near term, with markets like Dubai and Riyadh being a priority. Nevertheless, our goal is to grow the brand globally. We take a long-term perspective on our development, and are not managing to a quarterly announcement schedule. For us, the integrity of the Rosewood brand is paramount; each project needs to fit with the Rosewood DNA and our A Sense of Place philosophy. In the case of New World, the brand enjoys high recognition among Chinese consumers, and has just completed a brand refresh with a modernised Asian positioning which focuses on the luxury business segment. There are currently 11 operating New World Hotels and Resorts in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, The Philippines, and Malaysia; the pipeline is healthy with new hotels coming up in selected Tier 1 and 2 cities in China, as well as in Vietnam and in Rajasthan, India. The brand has historically been positioned as an upper-upscale targeting business travellers, with a management-only model. For the Middle East region, we see it as an exciting, fresh offering in the somewhat crowded upper-upscale space. New World will be the first collection brand born out of Asia. We will look to new-build as well as conversion opportunities for this brand, and we are creating a franchise platform for New World that will be rolled out later in 2019. While not our focus in the Middle East now, our newest luxury business-lifestyle brand KHOS will be launched in 2019. KHOS is an innovative concept by Rosewood Hotel Group created especially for the new generation of the digital age. These are travellers and locals whose needs are not served by either business or lifestyle hotel offerings; the former because it lacks style and are seen as overly functional, and the latter tends to be focused around fashion or music, and are also unable to serve more functional and professional needs. The KHOS concept tapping into the new ways of working and living brought forth by the Internet, focuses on community, wellness and interconnectedness, and speaks to the new generation of professionals and travellers. It is the first luxury lifestyle brand to incorporate a coworking component as part of its programming, as well as a very different approach to F&B. The notion of space planning focuses on efficiency, collaboration and creativity to align with a contemporary way of thinking about how we live and share. With a number of exciting projects in the works across global capitals, a city like Dubai would be ideal for KHOS because Dubai is a vibrant, always-on, connected global gateway, which perfectly embodies the KHOS ethos. 2. What sets Rosewood Hotels & Resorts apart from other luxury hotel brands? Compared to more traditional luxury brands, Rosewood resonates strongly with consumers who have a modern mindset, and are looking for more unique and authentic experiences; the brand is known for showcasing a more progressive, contemporary, layered, less formal and residential approach to luxury hospitality. Everything we do is guided by a simple idea: A Sense of Place. We believe in enabling personal journeys and discoveries for our guests that are shaped by nature, local culture and culinary traditions. We provide exquisite experiences of impeccable individual service and comfort in beautiful surroundings. The creative process through which each Rosewood hotel is created is essentially handcrafted, and bespoke to each project while at the same time seeking to be at the cutting edge of innovation. No two Rosewood hotels are alike. From the majesty of the Hotel de Crillon, a Rosewood Hotel, to the magnificent Rosewood Beijing, every Rosewood hotel is a unique expression of its destinations culture. Staying at a Rosewood feels like staying in someones private, beautiful mansion. It can be a very personal experience. Being the flagship brand of a very focused group with just 4 brands, the way we think about Rosewood is opposite to how large brand families approach their luxury brands. We are guided by a principle of relationship hospitality. Because we are a small, family controlled business, our values reflect this principle. Our size also allows us to make decisions quickly. We too are the largest investors in the brand approximately 50% of our existing 65+ hotel portfolio across all the brands is owned by our parent company. 3. How will the recent launch of KHOS impact Rosewoods global growth and its ability to compete with the other large international hotel operators? Which new brands would you like to see depute in the region and why? Rosewoods rapid ascent as one of the leading luxury hotel brands made us realize that we needed to expand our brand offering to respond to market demand. KHOS is a brand we are proud to have incubated in-house. The idea was to leverage Rosewoods demonstrated expertise in luxury hotel design, development, marketing and operations to create a dynamic new luxury lifestyle brand for next-generation travellers who thrive in the fast-moving pace of the digital era. KHOS intends to redefine the hotel experience to address the always-on and connected nature of todays collaborative economy. The brand also builds upon the growing influence of modern day Asia in terms of design, innovation and creativity. KHOS moves away from the usual music and fashion pillars of other lifestyle brands into a more evolved and relevant idea. For example, it approaches spatial design differently, with a focus on efficiency without sacrificing comfort. It is the first brand in its category to feature a purpose-built, coworking component, as well as a membership-based social/wellness/retreat facility. The cuisines the world is craving influence the brands food and beverage programming. Aspects of the KHOS brand are being incubated in several pilot projects, and we plan to announce the brands global flagships in important global destinations in 2019. We are focused on getting through this first phase of the brands launch, and expect to bring the brand to the region in 2020. For Rosewood, New World and Penta, we are fully open for business in the region and welcome any opportunities that may arise. 4. How critical to success are the relationships with your hotel owners and how do you make sure that these relationships work effectively? Rosewood Hotel Groups guiding principle is the commitment to relationship hospitality. The belief that true hospitality springs from the nurturing and building of strong, lasting relationships with our associates, guests, partners and communities. We are a family-controlled business and this guides us in the way we treat all of our partners. We are a first class business doing things in a first class manner. Because we are a small company, one of our key advantages is that our size allows for owners to have full access to our senior-most leadership team, directly and easily. We are not a process-driven partner. Being a significant asset-owner ourselves allows us to relate to ownership issues very well, and very often our owners find that we share common perspectives with them. 5. In your experience, what are the key commercial and legal areas of concern that hotel owners are becoming increasingly aware about during hotel management agreement negotiation? I think the type of owners we deal with are extremely savvy and I think they have always been well versed on commercial and legal aspects of our management relationship. There has however been an increasing focus on certain areas more than others which tend to relate to transparency around centralized charges, brand standards and issues of control. What has changed is that owners now have many more options available to them apart from management agreements. So we keep focusing on quality over quantity, and on building lasting relationships. And we are also opening our New World and Penta brands to franchising from 2019 onwards. 6. In your opinion, how does Airbnb impact the hotel industry? How is Rosewood Hotel Group planning to combat or embrace the disruptions in global travel? We see Airbnb as being complimentary to hotel offerings and being good for the industry overall by encouraging travel. Instead of a disruptor, our view is that Airbnb is a sustainable innovation that has a positive impact in various ways. We welcome Airbnbs impact on motivating more people to travel and discover the world. We are on a similar mission. Their business model also pushes us to challenge our own way of thinking. 7. What is your experience with HVS and how would you describe its value proposition and the contribution of its consultancy services to your development initiatives? Being one of the well-established and recognized providers of hospitality advisory services, HVS has always been a reliable and knowledgeable partner to the industry. Certainly, having a well-advised owner or developer to deal with is an advantage, as it can level the playing field in terms of industry knowledge and expertise. www.hvs.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 Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the official opening of Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor, the first Andaz branded hotel in Germany. Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the official opening of Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor, the first Andaz branded hotel in Germany. Joining Andaz hotels in top destinations around the world, including New York, London, Amsterdam and Abu Dhabi, Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor is the third Andaz branded hotel in Europe. The hotel offers guests an unscripted Bavarian-inspired experience, allowing guests to feel like locals from the moment they arrive. The hotel is located in the Schwabing district, the cultural hub of the city and home to theaters, restaurants, and the renowned Englischer Garten. Schwabinger Tor is a vibrant and bustling area in Munich known for its culture and diversity, said Mattheos Georgiou, general manager for Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor. The hotel is a place for inquisitive travelers, guests, and neighbors with interest in the areas urban design, street art, and social responsibility. Munich is known as one of the most livable cities in the world, and the hotel will offer guests an immersive experience in the Bavarian capital. Locally Inspired Design Just as Munich combines new and old traditions, the interior design of Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor weaves in the heart and soul of the city. Guests can take in a video installation by artist Yves Petzner in the lobby. Stone and herringbone oak floors, luminous diamond patterned ceilings, copper accents, and leather sofas all come together to emphasize the design style of Munich. In a nod to the Englischer Garten, Munichs largest park located steps from the hotel, the meeting space area features a nature-inspired wall composed of vertically hanging plants. Additionally, the Andaz Lounge offers an authentic Bavarian feel, furnished with a golden pretzel a seat made from a cast bronze alloy and produced by a local Munich art foundry. Advertisement Guestrooms The hotel features 277 spacious, loft-inspired suites and guestrooms that deliver breathtaking views of the city and the Alps. Every room has been thoughtfully designed with contemporary interpretations of Bavarian traditions. Locally inspired snacks and drinks fill the mini-bar in each room. In a unique collaboration with Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor, bath amenities in each guestroom were produced by La Bottega and Saskia Diez, an internationally renowned Munich jewelry designer. Custom-designed sofas, reminiscent of vintage car seats, provide a comfortable and luxurious setting. Dining The Lonely Broccoli celebrates the unique flavors of Bavaria by serving quality meat and using (almost) all parts of the animal. The menu offers a selection of prime cuts, grilled and slow-roasted meats, accompanied by local and seasonal produce. The open kitchen in the middle of the restaurant is accompanied by two long chefs tables offering front row seats to the culinary activities. MUniqo, the dramatic rooftop bar, one of the highest in town, is the perfect place to socialize over botanical-infused cocktails, listen to live music, and take in a stunning, panoramic view of the city and the Alps. Designed to stimulate the senses, Bicicletta, the hotels coffee bar, infuses aromas its artisan coffee and also offers fresh juices. Guests can enjoy their favorite beverage while sitting on unique bar stools shaped like bicycle seats. For a casual bite, guests can stop by Cafe M throughout the day for its deli menu. Wellness With carefully selected, regionally inspired products and healing treatments massages, body rituals, facials and aromatherapy every guest will leave The Andaz Spa, one of the citys largest spas, feeling truly connected to the heart and soul of Munich. A spiral staircase connects the spa to the 15 foot (17 meter) swimming pool, along with an elevator that takes guests directly to the pool deck, where, on a clear day, guests can see as far as the Alps. Gym-goers can take advantage of the fully equipped, state-of-the-art, 24-hour gym. Meetings and Events Measuring more than 21,530 square feet (2,000 square meters), Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor is the perfect location for creative gatherings. Guests can choose from seven inspiring studios for meetings and events, two private kitchens, a 2,150 square foot (200 square meter) exhibition space, and a 5,380 square foot (500 square meter) ballroom with a diamond-shaped folding ceiling and countless programmable lighting options. The studio spaces offer guests a creative and relaxed environment to work alone or host informal meetings. Situated across two floors and complete with comfortable sofas and playful elements, guests also have access to large flat-screen TVs and glass whiteboards. Each gathering space reflects the neighborhood, such as the green wall with hanging plants in the welcome area thats inspired by the Englischer Garten. Opposite the studios on both floors is a private kitchen seating 12 at a wooden table set under the playful, suspended lamps. Here, guests can enjoy the action of live cooking at every event. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource Situated in Warsaw's business district, the Radisson Collection Hotel, Warsaw will be close to the city's Financial Center and the Rondo ONZ Tower. Radisson Hotel Group announced the introduction of its Radisson Collection brand to the Polish capital of Warsaw. Currently undergoing a transformation, the Radisson Collection Hotel, Warsaw will be another addition to the group's portfolio of properties when it opens in May 2019. Reserved only for the group's most outstanding properties, Radisson Collection's global portfolio boasts a glittering array of exceptional hotels and one-of-a-kind properties. And now, following a major capital investment to upgrade and rebrand the existing Radisson Blu property, the Radisson Collection Hotel, Warsaw will offer the highest standard of guest experience through its exceptional interior design and guest amenities not to mention the expertise of its people. Elie Younes, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Radisson Hotel Group, said: "Located in the heart of the city, this property becomes part of a select group of 25 hotels to have joined Radisson Collection since last year. We're grateful to our partners, Europa Capital, for their trust in our people and our brands." The Radisson Collection Hotel, Warsaw will feature 311 rooms and suites, a significantly upgraded modern lobby, lounge and open-plan communal areas as well as a restaurant venue. With the hotel and its team attuned to the philosophy of Radisson Collection, guests will find no detail unattended. James Pennington, Director at Europa Capital, said: "Having acquired the Radisson Blu Hotel building in 2017 with our partners WX Management Services, we're delighted to be launching this comprehensive refurbishment, which is in line with our asset management strategy. These works will modernize the existing property and upgrade it to deliver Warsaw's newest five-star hotel, right in the heart of Poland's capital. Warsaw is a prime destination for business travelers and a growing number of tourists so, by working closely with Radisson Hotel Group, our ambition is to create a modern, fit-for-purpose hotel to match the city's dynamism." Another key characteristic of every Radisson Collection hotel is the outstanding level of service guests can expect during their stay and the Radisson Collection Hotel, Warsaw will be no different. Team members will take care of the tiniest detail, with 24/7 room service and Guest Relation Managers available throughout the day. For business travelers, the hotel will provide exceptional meetings and events facilities, with the capacity to host more than 400 people. Situated in Warsaw's business district, the Radisson Collection Hotel, Warsaw will be close to the city's Financial Center and the Rondo ONZ Tower. There will also be an abundance of historical and cultural attractions nearby, including the Jewish Ghetto and Roma Theater both within 2km of the hotel. The hotel will also benefit from excellent transport links, with Warsaw Chopin Airport only 25 minutes away and the newly renovated Central Railway Station just 1km away providing convenient access to other Polish cities as well as major business hubs such as Berlin, Paris, London and Rome. The Radisson Collection Hotel, Warsaw will be operated by Radisson Hospitality AB under an International Management agreement. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource As a hotelier, the process of (effectively) marketing to millennials might have initially presented itself as a rather daunting task. Just how much buying power and influence do millennials have? And how does that impact the hospitality industry? What are their travel behaviors and preferences? How can hotels readily appeal to the millennial generation without compromising their relationship with travelers of previous generations? Who and what should be the priority? As a hotelier, the process of (effectively) marketing to millennials might have initially presented itself as a rather daunting task. Just how much buying power and influence do millennials have? And how does that impact the hospitality industry? What are their travel behaviors and preferences? How can hotels readily appeal to the millennial generation without compromising their relationship with travelers of previous generations? Who and what should be the priority? More specifically, when addressing the group hospitality segment what do millennials expect from meetings and events in 2019 (and beyond)? What do millennial planners require from hotels to effectively vet and book venue space in a timely manner, and curate the perfect event? With small group business alone representing 30% of hotel business and the demand for meetings and events projected to rise 5-10% in demand, this consideration should be mulling in the mind of all hoteliers. By 2020, millennial travelers will reportedly make up more than 50% of all hotel guests worldwide. Further, the 2018 Travelport U.S. Vacation Survey of approximately 1,500 U.S. residents shows that millennials (ages 18-34 years old) are most likely to spend more money on their upcoming vacations than other age groups, with one out of three millennials willing to spend $5,000 or more on their vacations. Not only that, but 56% of millennials plan to travel more this summer compared to summer 2017, in contrast to 35% of Gen X respondents (ages 35-54 years old) and 22% of Baby Boomers (ages 55+). So, if there was ever a time to re-focus and refine your millennial marketing strategy its right now. Addressing the Group Booking Demand Likely influenced by the influx of millennial travelers, the demand for group and event venue space continues to outpace the supply of eligible hotels. Or, perhaps, the supply does exist but simply hasnt been effectively realized or maximized due to limited booking infrastructure. If hotels are still allocating a largely manual process to their group segment, they likely cant meet encroaching demand of prospective millennial planners. When it comes to event planning timeframes and the unique demands of small or robust group bookings, millennial planners do not want to be restricted by the limiting nature of manual forms/RFPs, emails and phone calls. Rather, they expect an online group booking process that mimics that which is available for transient travel live availability, easy mobile booking tools, 3D virtual tours, online invoices/payments and more. After all, millennials are cited as more likely to book through a mobile app with customized notifications, when available. Further, 81% of organizers desire real-time inventory and pricing and 83% want self-service. Its no surprise, really, as millennial planners were brought up in the age of digital media meaning they crave (better yet, they demand) a more innovative and digital-savvy process from the venues they work with. With increased demand for meetings/events and the promise of higher group rates, millennial planners will likely look to book venue space further in advance. In order to effectively manage this shift, hotels should look to employ group booking technology that allows them to segment business intelligently (with insight-driven demand forecasts), prioritize leads effectively and streamline communications and marketing efforts. With the right tools in place to empower their sales team, hotels can finally adequately address and maximize the group booking demand and satisfy the booking expectations of millennial planners. If you dont offer the capacity to answer the demand, however, millennial planners will likely take their business elsewhere. In fact, millennials are reportedly 37% less likely to source directly through a venue when compared to their older generation industry peers, indicating that the new generation of meeting planners value the convenience and simplicity of an event management platform during the process. Selling the Experience Millennials are notoriously interested in experiences over material goods, which gives way to an exciting opportunity for hotels to capitalize on experience-based travel or, in this case, experiential meetings and events. If millennial planners are responsible for curating buzz-worthy, shareable moments within each meeting/event, how can your venue space best help them achieve that effect? Packages that include station-style food and beverages to encourage networking/attendee engagement, interactive components and/or local experiences are sure to be well received by millennial planners. Generally speaking, millennial attendees arent interested in sitting through long, boring meetings or event presentations rather, they want to feel engaged in a unique experience that is worth talking about (or sharing to social media). Venue elements/features could include Artificial Intelligence or Virtual Reality, a unique seating or room setup, local recommendations, improved amenities or experiential packages that cater to the millennial desire for a share-worthy experience. With the needs of the millennial attendee in mind, your hotel can best market its venue space as an exciting event concept to prospective millennial planners. Ultimately, millennial planners are looking to create exceptionally unique experiences for their attendees meaning that every aspect of the venue space should offer its own unique personality or draw. Further, millennials are a generation of travelers decidedly influenced by social reputation and online clout. Millennial planners, specifically, are 50% more likely to say social media and blogs are highly influential when it comes to evaluating a venue compared to older generations. This means that online reviews/ratings and influencer recommendations are more important than ever. So, with this in mind, whats the best way to attract millennial planners? The answer is to closely monitor your online reputation and offer a buzz-worthy, FOMO (fear of missing out) inducing venue space that, ideally, already has people buzzing. Tech-Savvy and Personable, All in One Millennials crave face-to-face, personalized communications both when it comes to the brands they support, but also in their event expectations. Hotels that curate more organic opportunities for networking and genuine engagement are sure to thrive in the modern group booking environment. With this in mind, hotels can leverage lobbies, rooftops and other communal areas for networking-specific events (or as smaller segments of a larger event). Further, when engaging with millennial planners, its important to maximize the resources saved from the self-service aspects of an online booking experience and reinvest them back in a high-touch relationship. By this, we mean that millennial planners still have high expectations for a personalized experience with hotel sales teams. Sure, they require the convenience of online booking, but once they fulfill the self-service segment of their booking journey, you need to personalize communications with high-touch, responsive service. Not only that, but while face-to-face connection is exceedingly valuable to the millennial crowd, they consider the availability of digital-focused interfaces and conveniences with equal precedent. Think charging stations, free (and high quality) Wi-Fi, social media walls or aesthetically-influenced installations for social media sharing, mobile communications and check-in/out and so much more. Ideally, the physical elements of any event/space should interact seamlessly with the digital elements, allowing millennials to enjoy a unique experience that is memorable as it is convenient and hyper-connected. With the millennial masses seemingly taking the hospitality industry by storm, its never been more important for hotels to shape their offering and marketing strategies accordingly. By tapping into the potential of millennial group bookings, hoteliers put themselves in prime position to optimize revenue consistently throughout the year and foster a strong connection with this profitable crop of travelers. About the Author Lauren Hall is the award-winning Founder and Chief Executive Officer of iVvy. She is a passionate entrepreneur with more than 25 years of business management experience at the Executive and Board level, successfully growing multiple companies from startup to established company. With a background in programming, accounting and marketing, Laurens expertise spans manufacturing, retail, advertising and the technology industry in both South Africa and Australia. She co-founded iVvy in 2009, overseeing its growth to 1,000 clients across 13 countries and its expansion to New Zealand, Asia, Europe and North America. Ernst & Young recognized Lauren as a future global leader of industry through the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women Asia-Pacific program for 2016. Lauren also won three International Silver Stevie Awards for Entrepreneur of the Year Globally 2016, Innovator of the Year 2016 and Entrepreneur of the Year Asia Pacific 2016 and was recently named Gold Coast Business Woman of the Year 2016. About iVvy iVvy offers meeting planners the ability to search, compare, book and pay for function space, catering and group accommodations online, 24/7. By providing conference centers, hotels, restaurants and cruise lines with an integrated revenue management and distribution platform, iVvy equips Venue Operators with the tools they need to manage inquiries on any device, anywhere. With enhanced reporting and analytics, Venues are provided with greater visibility over their business so they can yield their meetings & event spaces to maximize revenue. With offices in 5 countries and a global team providing support 24 hours a day, iVvys groundbreaking, cloud-based software offers scalable solutions that tackle core issues faced by the travel, MICE and events industry, and continues to service the worlds leading hospitality groups, major corporations, travel companies, government offices, associations, universities and nonprofits. 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 25 February 2019 Horwath HTL Miami Managing Director Andrew Cohan, MAI, a leading consultant in hospitality advisory as it pertains to health, wellness and spa offerings as well as environmental and ecologically sustainable resorts globally, has observed "migration" efforts to bring the Asian immersion wellness and destination resorts to the Americas. Advertisements "As experiential travel continues its evolution into "transformational travel," more and more vacationers are motivated to travel by a desire to enrich and even alter their personal perspectives," shares Cohan. "These "inward" journeys are often enhanced by taking place in dramatic settings where westerners find the local cultures to be exotic. In theory, we are more likely to incorporate new ideas or habits when we are removed from our familiar surroundings and routines." For a variety of reasons, ranging from favorable labor cost to prevailing "eastern" philosophies, many such immersion wellness resorts have been established in countries such as Thailand and Indonesia. Additionally, we have seen in recent months the opening of the Sprit Sanctuary in Bhutan, a country that has been a frequent entry on lists of "the next must-see destinations." Cohan observes that these immersion wellness resorts depend heavily on North American and European visitation, though emerging wealth centers in the Middle East and Asia are generating a smaller but growing base of wellness travelers. A major factor limiting patronage of these resorts by Europeans and North Americans is the time it takes to get there and to return home. And time is one of the most valued resources of luxury-tier travelers. "Some of these top-tier wellness resorts from Asia are considering expansion plans to bring similar experiences to destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and the countries of Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia," he acknowledges. However, significant challenges surround the "transplanting" of one-off Southeast Asian destination resorts to the Americas. "We have seen how long it has taken for global hotel brands based in North America to proliferate around the world." However, significant challenges surround the "transplanting" of one-off Southeast Asian destination resorts to the Americas. "We have seen how long it has taken for global hotel brands based in North America to proliferate around the world." Can individual Asian resorts with fewer resources be successful in serving North American and European travelers closer to their homes What attributes of access, location and programming will be necessary for these properties to ramp up to stabilization in a reasonable time frame in the American tropics? "Time will tell," shared Cohan. "But I look forward to following the pattern to bring Asian spa hospitality deeper into the West." Horwath HTL, Miami serves the sunbelt region of the United States, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean Basin, assisting hotel investors and developers from around the globe with strategic planning and advisory. Specialty areas include eco-friendly hotels, health and wellness practices for hotels, spas and resorts, sustainability and connection with community, trophy resorts properties and destination hotels among others. Horwath HTL Miami has consulted for leading branded management companies such as Canyon Ranch, Six Senses, Montage, Solage and Bulgari. http://horwathhtl.com/office/miami-fl/ Supplier News 25 February 2019 New York, NY - Fresh off the news of their merger, leading hospitality tech providers Travel Tripper and Pegasus announced that they will debut their newly enhanced suite of solutions at next month's ITB trade show in Berlin. The new combined offerings will bring together and leverage the strengths of two world-class brands in a recharged product suite that encompasses award-winning platforms and services for reservations, distribution, business intelligence, and e-commerce. Individually and taken together, they empower hotel groups, brands, and independent properties to directly own guest relationships and maximize bottom-line revenues and ROI. The complete set of solutions include : CRS and Distribution GDS Demand Generation Services Global Corporate Sales Demand Services Business Intelligence Platform Booking Engine & E-commerce Platform Website Design and Development Digital Marketing Direct Booking Conversion Tools Pegasus and Travel Tripper will present these solutions at ITB Berlin in private demos and during a series of Tech Talks hosted at the Travel Tripper stand (Hall 10.1, Stand 112) during show hours on March 6 and 7. During the tech talks, experts from Pegasus and Travel Tripper will discuss: How to increase corporate sales at your hotel (Mar 6 at 10am) Amplifying revenue management and marketing success using an automated, easy platform (Mar 6 at 1pm) UX innovations in enterprise CRS for casinos/resorts (Mar 6 at 3pm) Driving hotel website conversions in the age of personalization (Mar 7 at 2pm) The top 4 digital marketing strategies of 2019 (Mar 7 at 3pm) Pegasus will also be welcoming visitors and conducting product demos in Hall 8.1, Stand 111. Gautam Lulla, President of Travel Tripper and Pegasus, said, "We are delighted to bring these combinedsolutions into public view at ITB on the heels of our announced merger.The experience and expertise within the Pegasus organization combined with the innovation that Travel Tripper is known for has the potential to be transformational for this industry." Fiona Godfrey, Global Director of Revenue Generation at StayWell Holdings Pty Limited, commented, "We are very fortunate to have a connection with both companies. Prince Hotels, our parent company, has had a strong relationship with Pegasus for more than 25 years, and StayWell has in recent years successfully partnered with Travel Tripper to increase direct website revenues across our brand's 35 properties. Now as one entity, we are thrilled to be able to access all of these innovative solutions as part of one combined platform, and we are looking forward to seeing what the new company will develop for the future." To arrange an appointment with the Travel Tripper and Pegasus executive team and see a demo of their newly enhanced product suite, please contact [email protected] About Travel Tripper Travel Tripper is a hotel tech provider and strategic digital partner helping hotels worldwide to optimize their direct booking channel and maximize overall revenue. Known in the industry for its constant innovation and exceptional expertise, Travel Tripper provides a comprehensive suite of solutions that empowers hotels from search to stay, including CRS and booking engine, website design and development, and e-commerce and digital marketing management. For more information, visit www.traveltripper.com. About Pegasus Pegasus is a leading global technology provider empowering independent hotels, hotel groups and large chains to grow their reservations businesses in a digital world. The company provides a comprehensive offering of cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions and services designed to help hoteliers connect with their guests, increase profitability and maximize productivity. Pegasus combines its highly scalable and reliable reservations platform with representation and demand services, uniquely enabling hoteliers to sell to guests worldwide across all touch points. To learn more, visit www.pegasus.io Press Release 25 February 2019 EHL Group, which includes Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne, a worldwide reference in hotel management schools, and the Luxury Hotelschool Paris offer executive training in Paris to develop the skills of hoteliers in management and project management. Advertisements This brand-new program, developed with EHL Advisory Services, the consulting and executive professional training unit of the EHL Group, is aimed at managers in the hotel industry who wish to acquire additional management and strategy skills, and who wish to work in a team on an innovative project. The program is particularly aimed at managers who will have to assume greater responsibilities in the near future. The program is divided into 14 blocks of 3 days a year and is aimed at hoteliers in office. The training is delivered in French and English and leads to an executive certificate in Luxury Hospitality Management jointly delivered by both institutions. Classes starting in September 2019 will take place on the Luxury Hotelschool campus in Clichy, close to the L'Oreal research centre, as well as in luxury hotels in Paris. Half the lecturers are from the Luxury Hotelschool, and the other half from EHL. Arnaud Bouvier, President of the Luxury Hotelschool Photo: EHL "We bring our expertise in luxury hotel management to the service of this exceptional program, which will enable hoteliers to validate their skills and gain access to higher levels of responsibility. Our alliance with Lausanne offers graduates worldwide recognition of their competencies "says Arnaud Bouvier, President of the Luxury Hotelschool. "The luxury hotel industry is the leading segment of the hospitality industry for its emotional and economic impact. Continuing education is an obligation for all managers and a priority for us, to support professionals in the rapid evolution of the market. Together with the Luxury Hotelschool Paris, we offer participants a new perspective, with the aim of inspiring them to deliver an unforgettable customer experience and develop more relevant management tools, "says Olivier Roux, Senior Managing Director of EHL Advisory Services. About the Luxury Hotelschool Paris The Luxury Hotelschool Paris is the first hotel school in the world dedicated to luxury. It offers two university degrees in English: a Bachelor's and a Master's of Science in International Tourism and Hospitality Management. With a history dating back to the end of the nineteenth century, the school masters the tradition of French hospitality associated with Anglo-Saxon management to train the future leaders of the luxury hotel industry in France and internationally. www.luxuryhotelschool.com. Supplier News 25 February 2019 Rigorously monitoring even the most basic of demand-based data can make a critical difference to overall performance says EyeforTravel and Datumize's new Understanding Customer Behaviour Through Demand-Based Analytics white paper, which is available to download now. The paper finds tracking own-site searches, business-to-business requests, drop-outs across the funnel and service availability can result in major uplifts to bookings. "All companies know what they sell - but they don't know what they don't sell," says Josep Maria Gomis, Travel Solutions Architect, at Datumize. He suggests that travel brands can grab uplifts in conversions quickly by monitoring simple elements such as geographies for where requests are received. "When we deployed our solution with one of our clients five years ago, for example, we found that the first region they received requests for was Spain." The sales director knew this already, and he was also blase about the discovery that the second most common type of request was for inventory in France. But the fourth region - to his astonishment - was China. "He said - 'you are wrong - we are not selling in China!'" says Gomis. "And we said, 'you are not selling because you don't have a product, but this is the fourth most popular market for which you receive requests. You should have a product for them! We consider this a lost sale.' And after a month they started offering products for China. Profits went up." Another way of finding these lost sales and improving business performance quickly through monitoring requests is looking at the languages used: "One of our customers discovered that people were looking for products on its Polish webpage but typing in queries in the German language," says Datumize founder Nacho Lafuente. "This might seem like a stupid case but it's tens of thousands of euros that you are not converting. If you are looking for 'Crete', a Greek island, on a Polish page, then the result is not found." Analysing requests can find that some customers are not finding products that you have available because of a language gap. Not every destination is the same in every language, which leaves an obvious measurement metric to judge whether the offering matches what your clients are searching for. Demand-based analytics create opportunities to match a brand's product with the true picture of what customers want and are looking for. Measuring relatively simple metrics, such as those above, also gives brands an opportunity to search for patterns and critically when anomalies occur in those patterns. For Spanish tour operator W2M, which receives 250 million availability requests per day, finding the mismatches has been a key driver of business performance. W2M has set up some automatic alarms to flag up higher-than-expected error ratios, so the IT team can respond immediately. "We went from a 10% level of error to under 5%," says Ernesto Sigg Rodriguez, head of clients and supplier performance. "I would say that represents between 5% and 10% growth in terms of sales," which has made major difference to his business where margins are very slim. Making dynamic changes and working across a business to implement them requires constant inputs, says Lafuente. "When you are dealing with a highly competitive business such as travel, margins are so low that they need to squeeze [every] euro," he says. "It's not only about having a general understanding or perception of how things are going. You need to photograph every single minute and have alarms for things if they break certain thresholds." Demand-based analytics promise a step-change in travel brands' capabilities, unlocking huge insights that will allow brands to better target consumers, build superior products and adjust faster to changing patterns. To understand how to unlock the value contained in demand-based data, download the Understanding Customer Behavior Through Demand-Based Analytics white paper now! It includes: Real-world examples and case studies Industry survey data Data-based techniques and areas of focus that can improve business performance immediately Expert insight. This white paper features insights from: Europcar IHG The Travel Corporation Thomas Cook Hotels & Resorts Vueling Click here to download your copy of the white paper for free! Appointment 25 February 2019 Montage Beverly Hills is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Treanor as executive chef. Drawing upon two decades of culinary experience earned at luxury hotels and restaurants on both coasts, Treanor will oversee all culinary operations for the hotel's wide-ranging dining experiences including The Restaurant, The Bar, The Cafe, and The Rooftop Grill, as well as private and in-room dining. Treanor arrived at Montage Beverly Hills from The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Ga., where he spent nearly four years as executive sous chef. Previous positions also included chef de cuisine at The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta; banquet chef at Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles; chef de cuisine at Westin Charlotte, North Carolina; chef de cuisine at The Greenbrier, West Virginia; and sous chef of five-Star, five-diamond Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead, Atlanta. Treanor got his start as a chef de partie with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company back in 2003. Pipeline 25 February 2019 InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of world's leading hotel companies has signed a Management Agreement with Indroyal Hospitality Services Pvt Ltd for Crowne Plaza Amaravati. The 300 rooms hotel will be the first IHG hotel in the city and is expected to be operational by 2024. Amaravati, the soon to be capital of Andhra Pradesh is being rapidly developed as a world class city and is expected to attract high-value manufacturing and service industries, creating strong economic growth opportunities in the years to come. Connected to the major cities in India by land, rail and air through its neighbouring city of Vijaywada, Amaravati is expected to attract both domestic and international travellers. Strategically located, Crowne Plaza Amaravati will be approximately 3 kilometres from the city centre, adjacent to various government offices and the business park zone, making it a perfect destination for business travellers and a great venue for MICE events. Along with well-appointed rooms, the hotel will feature 20,000 sqft of meeting space, a business centre, outdoor pool and a gymnasium. Additionally, featuring an all-day dining outlet, a specialty restaurant, a lobby lounge and bar, the hotel will offer guests a number of food and beverage options to choose from. Pipeline 25 February 2019 Radisson Hotel Group, one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups, is delighted to announce the introduction of its exceptional Radisson Collection brand to the Polish capital of Warsaw. Currently undergoing a remarkable transformation, the Radisson Collection Hotel, Warsaw will be yet another unique addition to the group's portfolio of premium lifestyle properties when it opens in May 2019. Reserved only for the group's most outstanding properties, Radisson Collection's global portfolio boasts a glittering array of exceptional hotels and one-of-a-kind properties. And now, following a major capital investment to upgrade and rebrand the existing Radisson Blu property, the Radisson Collection Hotel, Warsaw will offer the highest standard of guest experience through its exceptional interior design and guest amenities - not to mention the expertise of its people. Another key characteristic of every Radisson Collection hotel is the outstanding level of service guests can expect during their stay - and the Radisson Collection Hotel, Warsaw will be no different. Team members will take care of the tiniest detail, with 24/7 room service and Guest Relation Managers available throughout the day. For business travelers, the hotel will provide exceptional meetings and events facilities, with the capacity to host more than 400 people. Situated in Warsaw's business district, the Radisson Collection Hotel, Warsaw will be close to the city's Financial Center and the eye-catching Rondo ONZ Tower, making it an ideal base from which to attend meetings. There will also be an abundance of historical and cultural attractions nearby, including the Jewish Ghetto and Roma Theater - both within 2km of the hotel. The hotel will also benefit from excellent transport links, with Warsaw Chopin Airport only 25 minutes away and the newly renovated Central Railway Station just 1km away - providing convenient access to other Polish cities as well as major business hubs such as Berlin, Paris, London and Rome. Brian Paul Kaufman bkaufman@tmnews.com BEDFORD No, Virginia, your eyes were not deceiving you Saturday. There were indeed 10 Santas and two Mrs. Clauses in and around Lawrence County. Like something out of a Christmas movie classic, the jolly old St. Nicks and their wives made a pilgrimage dressed in their holiday best to downtown Bedford and their favorite store. You guessed it: The 12 Months of Christmas. The Hoosier Santas, as theyre called, came to get their Dec. 25 fix and snap a group photo amid the beautiful trees, sparkling lights and decorations inside. They hailed from all over: Terre Haute, Martinsville, Muncie, Anderson, Lebanon, Huntingburg, Mooresville and Corydon, to name most. Prior to stopping at the store, they visited Bedfords Smokin Jims BBQ. No cookies and milk for towering Ward Bond of Anderson. This Father Christmas said he polished off a Santa-sized serving there called the Meatarama: a half-pound burger, topped with 1/4 pound of brisket, 1/4 pound of pulled pork, bacon and cheese on Texas Toast. Or as Hoosier Santas president Larry Shaw put it: Anytime you get Santas together, No. 1, food has to be part of the event. Of course, folks at Smokin Jims were excited to see so many Santas in one place and that led to at least four photos, Bond said: three with families and one with a softball team. We got a lot of looks, Bond said. Shaw said he started what he believes was the first Facebook page for Santas in 2011 and then, in 2012 created the Hoosier Santa group after much pleading from Indianas would-be Kris Kringles. Decked out in a red suit with flashing lights he got at Sams Club, Shaw said most Santas start off as props. But the love that people express toward the iconic character creates a feeling that grows and multiplies. They love you, he said. Its almost like being Superman. Owen Davenport said hes been portraying Santa for 24 years. The very first time he recalls it was closing time at the mall when a little girl climbed into his lap and said, Santa, I need to talk with you. The girls parents had just been killed on a car accident. They talked for two hours and Davenport, who runs a homeless shelter in Terre Haute, said he will never forget it. The group meets every month in different spots around Indiana for training so its more convenient for members to attend. And the training: not so much about elf management, but rather about how to wear the Suit properly, dealing with autistic children and even how to smile properly for photos. Instead of Cheese, the operative word is Wow, said Shaw. All had real white beards, save for one: Huntingburgs Ray Kissling. But there was method behind his hairlessness. He was able to serve as Santa in town for 10 years before anyone knew it was him even his grandkids, he said. His wife Janet takes part in the portrayal as Mrs. Claus, but it wasnt always so. It took about six years before she learned she was missing out on all the fun, she said. Corydons Bob Morrison said one of his highlights was entertaining Jim Irsays grandkids not so many Christmases ago. Irsay is the owner of the Indianapolis Colts. Not content to just soak in the Christmas spirit, the Santas bought signs and ornaments and some will come back this week to bring handcrafted work to be sold in the shop, said The 12 Months of Christmas Manager Alissa Lintz. After snapping the all important group photo Lintz said she was thrilled with the visit. Its exciting to have people who appreciate a store like this, she said. Michelle White mwhite@spencereveningworld.com President and CEO Kevin Brinegar says the Indiana Chamber of Commerce is deeply disappointed with the actions taken by the Republican majority in removing the categories of victims protected by the bias crimes legislation (Senate Bill 12): Unfortunately, what passed the Senate today does not meet the all-important criteria of a meaningful bias crimes law. The Indiana Chamber and its members will continue to work with all legislators to do just that. We agree with Gov. Holcomb that the current legislation does not even remove Indiana from the list of five states without a bias crimes statute. With more than two full months left in this legislative session, there is still time for the House to properly address this issue and for the Senate to act again this time to pass a comprehensive law. If the General Assembly fails to do so, it will only unnecessarily fuel this controversy. Nearly 75 percent of Hoosiers support passage of a bias crime law. Republican, Democrat, white, minority, urban, rural, young and old voters all are in strong support. This debate is now about politics within the Statehouse, not among Indiana voters. It is time for legislators to truly represent the wishes of their constituents. There is no rational reason not to pass a meaningful and comprehensive bias crimes law this year to remove Indiana from the list of five states without one. Our states reputation is at stake. We must send a strong message of inclusiveness to help ensure our states future success. The Indiana Chamber commends co-authors Mike Bohacek and Ron Alting for their original bill and continued efforts. The Indiana Chamber partners with 25,000 members and investors representing over 4 million Hoosiers to achieve the mission of cultivating a world-class environment which provides economic opportunity and prosperity. BORDERLAND BEAT The Most Extensive and Reliable Source of Information Related to the Mexican Drugs Cartels. You will not find this level of coverage anywhere else, join us! Send information, pictures or videos, you remain 100% anonymous. Envia fotos, videos, notas, enlaces o informacion todo 100% Anonimo. General Mail Box: borderlandbeat@gmail.com Want to be a contributor or citizen reporter for Borderland Beat? We love to have you in our team, send us an email! WARNING: Posts may contain strong violent material, discretion is advised. COMMENTS: We do not publish all comments, and we do not publish comments immediately. Anthony Woodside | Reporter-Times MARTINSVILLE State representatives sat down to speak with constituents on Saturday at the Morgan County Farm Bureau Insurance Building in Martinsville. In attendance were state Sen. Rod Bray, R-District 37, state Rep. Peggy Mayfield, R-District 60 and state Rep. John Young, R-District 47. The Third House session was moderated by Morgan County Republican Party Chairman Daniel Elliott. During the discussion a variety of topics were broached, including hate crimes legislation, gerrymandering, and drainage. Hate crimes Many people spoke passionately about a recent amendment made by the state Senate to legislation related to bias-motivated crimes, with people speaking and favor and against the amendment. Jen Nuckles Stafford said that she was frustrated with the Senates decision to remove language from the original bill that had listed specific groups. Bray said that the Senate had spent many hours debating if there should be a list or if the bill should be more general. Bray explained that the list got taken out on the floor on the Senate and replaced with bias to provide broader protections. Young said it was established some time ago that Indiana judges can consider bias motives in sentencing criminals. Young said that there were also free speech concerns with listing specific groups, noting that the legislature did not want to criminalize hateful speech, because of the First Amendment. John Phillips of Clay Township noted that Gov. Holcomb had said that he wasnt happy with the bill because it was not in line with how other states have done their hate crimes legislation. Phillips inquired as to whether the legislature could compromise using language like including but not limited to, so that the list would be included while still providing the general protection that Bray spoke of. Shannon Adams of Martinsville said she believed that there needed to be specific language offering protection to groups that historically have been subject to hate crimes, reflecting the language of legislation in other states. Leonard Huffman said that he agreed with the Senates decision and remarked that Indiana didnt necessarily need to follow the lead of other states. Gerrymandering Sandy Adams from Green Township inquired about gerrymandering, asking the legislators where they stood when it came to how district lines should be drawn, noting that some other states had their lines drawn by commissions. Bray said that the state Senate had recently voted on a bill that addressed the drawing of district lines. He explained that while the bill didnt form a commission, it set guidelines for the state legislature. Bray also pushed back on the idea of the formation of a commission to draw districts, noting that the constitution required them to be drawn by state legislatures. Mayfield said that she felt similarly because Indianas lines had not been challenged like other states and said that public input was invited in the map drawing process. Mayfield also noted that political appointees for a commission wouldnt take politics out of it. Young said that because the issue of gerrymandering was working its way through the courts, itd be better for the legislature to wait on passing legislation on the issue. Drainage Warren Waymire said that he was concerned about House Bill 1266 has he feared it would lead to the loss of local control on erosion control. He explained that he would like for legislators to talk to erosion control folks who work in surveyor offices and MS4 individuals as a one-size fits all solution would not work. He noted that it was really important to keep erosion control local to keep water clean. Mayfield said that the bill had passed in the House, and while she had voted for it, she believed there was still work to be done on it in the Senate. Young said that he had concerns because it would prevent locals from passing restrictions tougher than the Indiana Department of Environmental Managements (IDEM) standards. Mayfield noted that the bill will affect all counties around Lake Monroe and wondered if IDEMs rules were strict enough if local control wouldnt be permitted to set stricter standards. Education Adams noted that she worked in Martinsville schools and raised several concerns related to education. Adams asked Mayfield why she voted no on House Bill 1001, which would have allowed for a 5 percent pay increase for teachers. Mayfield explained that the increase for teachers would be 2.1-2.2 percent. Adams also said that she was opposed to arming teachers in schools, but more so than that, she was concerned with the underlying cultural social and emotional issues that led to school shootings and suggested that counselors could be given more resources from the state. Veteran benefits Phillips asked Bray about House Bill 1010, a bill related to veteran benefits. Phillips inquired what Bray thought of the measure. Bray said that the legislature would have to analyze cost to the budget and make sure it fits. Phillips noted that sometimes its not all about money and that it was impossible to put a price on service. Bray said that has legislator, he could never not look at the cost. Mayfield says that other states do it differently and said that fewer but more meaningful benefits for veterans was something that could be considered. In closing, all of the legislators thanked those present for attending, reminded them that many bills came from people talking with their representatives and encouraged them to reach out. Bloomington, IN (47401) Today Scattered thunderstorms early, then becoming mostly clear after midnight. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then becoming mostly clear after midnight. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. Brittani Howell Herald-Times There are no wrong notes in an improvised jazz solo, Shawn Goodman told the young women assembled for Jazz Girls Day. What youre playing when you improvise has never been written before, so there are no wrong notes, said Goodman, clarinetist, in a meeting room of the Monroe County Public Library on Sunday. Whatever you play is whatever its supposed to be. Improvisation was the focus of Jazz Girls Day, an all-female event that brings together young, budding jazz musicians and older performers who can mentor them. It was started five years ago by Sarah Cline, a band director at Berkeley High School in California, and was put on locally this year by Monika Herzig, a local jazz pianist. Herzig says young women tend to be less likely to tackle solos in jazz performance than their male peers, and that division can start as early as band practice in middle and high school. By working with young women on their solo skills, Jazz Girls Day looks to help close that gap. In one room, Herzig and drummer Cami Mennitte Pereyra led three young musicians through basic solo work: take three notes, they said, and play with them for a few bars. In another room, Goodman along with harpist Destiny Muhammad and bassist Crystal Rebone did more advanced work with musicians who were further along in their expertise. When you guys are soloing, what are you thinking about? Rebone asked them. The girls looked around at each other and laughed a little nervously. Rebone told them to think about the scales they choose when soloing, then had them play a song called Little Sunflower. As each girl took a solo, Rebone told her to stay within a Dorian scale, forcing them to get inventive with a limit on the notes they could use. Theres a need to do this with young girls, because theres a systemic discrimination towards women in the jazz world, said Goodman. Shes been on the receiving end of that discrimination more than once. She and Muhammad both recalled moments when other musicians, usually male, doubted their skill or authority based on their gender. Neither of them had many professional female jazz musicians to look up to when they were first falling in love with the music. Middle and high school are particularly difficult periods, too, when emotions are raw and insecurities are distracting. Female musicians have to learn to tune all that out and focus on the music, Muhammad said. The event looks to instill confidence, teach skills and provide young jazz girls with professionals to look up to. We catch these youngsters now and let them know how fierce they already are, she added. After spending a few hours in improvisation clinics with the pros, the girls split into combos and performed in groups in front of an audience of their family members and jazz enthusiasts, giving them a chance to try out their solo skills for real. Click here to find out where to get a COVID-19 vaccine or test. To find out how many local residents have been vaccinated for COVID-19, click here. Use the map to find numbers for individual counties. Find detailed statistics about COVID-19 tests, cases and deaths by county and for the state as a whole on the Indiana State Department of Health's online dashboard. Lima, OH (45805) Today Partly cloudy. Isolated thunderstorms possible. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Low 71F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. A woman who worked on President Donald Trumps campaign has alleged in a lawsuit he kissed her against her will, before an election rally in Florida in August 2016. Alva Johnson has alleged that when she saw Trump leaning towards her to kiss her on her mouth, she turned away her face, and he kissed her on the corner of her mouth instead. I immediately felt violated because I wasnt expecting it or wanting it, she said to TheWashington Post in an interview. I can still see his lips coming straight for my face. Johnson has also alleged in the lawsuit that when she first met the Republican candidate, in November 2015, he had looked her up and down and said, Oh, beautiful, beautiful, fantastic. Johnson, a 43-year-old mother of four and African American, jointed the Trump after two months as director for outreach and coalition for Alabama, her home state. She was moved to Florida, a crucial swing-state, three months before polling. And the alleged incident took place in Tampa. Also read | Very, very bad situation between India and Pakistan: Trump on Pulwama attack The Washington Post reported it had verified her account with people she had discussed it with at the time, her boyfriend, mother and step-father. An attorney she had contacted had found her account credible, according to a text from the time that he showed to the publication and a therapists notes from them also showed Johnson had been troubled by something that happened during the campaign. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders has called the allegations absurd and told the publication, This never happened and is directly contradicted by multiple highly credible eye witness accounts. Two senior officials of Trump campaign who were present at the time of the alleged incident have denied seeing the alleged kiss. President Trump has faced allegations of inappropriately touching women without their permission, and has himself bragged about forcing himself on women in a 2005 recording for Access Hollywood, which he later sought to dismiss as locker-room talk. Johnson has alleged in the lawsuit that the incident took place inside an RV (recreational vehicle) at the Tampa rally. As it was raining Trump and others had moved into the vehicle. As he was leaving, she has said she told him he should go in there and kick ass. Trump had held grasped her hand and did not let go as he spoke to her telling her he will take care of her for her hard work fr the campaign. and leaned towards her. He moved close enough that she could feel his breath on him, according to the lawsuit. Johnson realized the candidate was trying to kiss her on the mouth and attempted to avoid this by turning her head to the right, the suite alleged, adding, Defendant Trump kissed her anyway, and the kiss landed on the corner of her mouth. Also read | Denuclearization: Donald Trump teases ahead of talks with Kim Jong-un President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday flagged off the first consignment of Afghan exports to India through Chabahar port, saying the new trade route through Iran will help double his countrys exports to $2 billion. Ghani flagged off the convoy of trucks at a ceremony in Zaranj that was attended by the ambassadors of India, Iran and Turkey and diplomats of Indonesia and Kazakhstan, officials said. The consignment will head to Chabahar from Zaranj city in Afghanistans Nimroz province. The 570 tonnes of cargo includes Afghan carpets, dry fruits, cotton, talc, stones and other items. Addressing the ceremony, Ghani said Afghanistan is not a landlocked country as it is the heart of Asia. The country is changing from an importer to an exporter, and with the opening of the Chabahar route, exports will increase from the current level of $1 billion to $2 billion in the next year, he added. Indian ambassador Vinay Kumar said Afghanistans exports to India had increased 40% after the launch of an air corridor between Kabul and New Delhi. Later, during a meeting in Zaranj, Ghani said an elite unit of the National Directorate of Security will be deployed to protect the route from Nimroz to Chabahar to ensure the safe movement of goods. Chabahar Day, a business event to promote the port and the trade corridor, will be held at the Iranian port on February 26. Indias shipping secretary will lead the official delegation to the event, while CII is sending a delegation of 30 companies. People familiar with developments said the event will provide an opportunity to India, Afghanistan, Iran and Central Asian states to explore Chabahars potential for promoting regional connectivity and trade with landlocked countries. In May 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan signed an agreement for establishing a transit and transport corridor using Chabahar as a regional hub. India has helped develop the Iranian port to facilitate trade with Afghanistan and reduce dependence on trade routes through Pakistan. Last December, Indian company India Ports Global Limited took over operations at Shaheed Behesti terminal of Chabahar. India has delivered 110,000 tonnes of wheat, pulses and other assistance to Afghanistan through Chabahar port since 2017. During meetings held last October and December, the three countries finalised the routes for the trade and transit corridor through Chabahar. In January, direct shipping services were established between three Indian ports and Chabahar. The new route launched on Sunday will supplement the air freight corridors established since June 2017 that link the cities of Kabul, Kandahar and Herat in Afghanistan with Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad in India. Trade between India and Afghanistan increased by 40% in 2018-19, exceeding $1 billion. Afghanistan now has a trade surplus, as its exports to India, last year were worth $740 million. Kim Jong Uns arrival in Vietnam by train this week for a second meeting with US President Donald Trump may be most remarkable for how normal its becoming. Since opening talks with South Korea last year, the once-reclusive North Korean leader has turned into one of the most sought-after guests in Asia. At each stop -- from Beijing to Singapore and now Hanoi -- Kim, 35, is being escorted down red carpets by officials eager to build early ties with the head of one of the worlds last untapped emerging markets. The swing from international pariah to guest of honor is a testament to Kims success in wresting power from military chieftains and eliminating rivals since his father died in 2011. It also illustrates his long-held desire to restore an economy drained by decades of famine, state planning and military expansion under his father and grandfather. If you want to really understand the Kim Jong Un of the present, you have to travel back to his early years, said Kim Young-hui, who defected from North Korea in 2002 and is now a senior economist at the Korea Development Banks Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Research Unit. He wondered why his father, Kim Jong Il, hadnt traveled overseas much and why North Korea was so poor, she said, citing a book by a Japanese chef who worked for the late dictator. Kim Jong Un was thinking that when he became the leader, he would run the country a lot better than his reclusive father. Over the past seven years, the Swiss-educated Kim has steered North Korea from his fathers military first policy focused on building a nuclear arsenal to one that emphasizes the economy. After successfully testing an intercontinental ballistic missile in 2017, he declared the weapons program complete, initiated talks with Trump and announced a new strategy for boosting the economy. The move ended Trumps threats of war and paved the way for a historic first meeting with the US president in June. It also opened a new world of potential investors from Seoul to Singapore -- provided Kim can get Trump to relax international sanctions against his weapons program. Trump played down expectations that he might quickly ease pressure on North Korea, telling US governors gathered at the White House on Sunday: Im not pushing for speed, but were not removing the sanctions. In recent months, Kim has railed against the sanctions, which do everything from ban travel by officials to curb its energy imports. North Korea ranks as one of the worlds poorest countries and the sanctions are believed to have helped cause the countrys deepest recession in two decades in 2017, according to South Korean estimates. When they come to negotiations, it means they are having a tough time internally due to sanctions and Kim feels nervous, said Thae Yong-ho, who was North Koreas deputy ambassador to the UK before defecting in 2016 and becoming a critic of the regime. Kim left Pyongyang on Saturday afternoon on a train that will take him through China down to Vietnam. He traveled abroad five times last year -- more than any North Korean leader in at least two decades -- often visiting industrial sites. Kim reportedly plans to do the same in Vietnam ahead of the planned summit, giving him a close-up view of a fellow socialist state that has prospered after easing hostility with the US. North Korean officials have been spotted near Samsung Electronics Co.s smartphone plants in Vietnam, the Yonhap News Agency reported last week, suggesting Kim may tour South Korean factories. While South Korea is Vietnams second-largest trading partner, a North Korean leader hasnt visited Vietnam since Kims grandfather, Kim Il Sung, in 1964. Trump himself has repeatedly cited Kims development goals while arguing why North Korea would trade its nuclear arsenal away. Chairman Kim realizes, perhaps better than anyone else, that without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the World, Trump tweeted on Sunday. Because of its location and people (and him), it has more potential for rapid growth than any other nation! Kim hasnt secured his control over North Korea by showing weakness. His reign has been marked by ruthless purges and executions, including the killing of his uncle and one-time deputy, Jang Song Thaek, as well as the murder of his older half-brother, Kim Jong Nam. That consolidation of power has given him the space to introduce economic and government reforms once seen as nearly impossible in the insular, one-party state. And its allowed him to shake hands with Trump, the leader of a country that North Korean propaganda has spent generations blaming for all of its problems. Even now, the purges appear to be continuing. Kim exiled, imprisoned or executed 50 to 70 members of the countrys political elite last year, including opponents of engagement with the US, according to a report published last week by the North Korea Strategy Center, a Seoul-based research institution founded by a former defector. Kim Jong Un has been very skillful in rewarding the friendly, co-opting the neutral and punishing the hostile, said Moon Chung-in, special adviser on foreign policy to South Korean President Moon Jae-in, said in an interview earlier this month. His longevity is institutionally guaranteed. But at the same time hes good at consolidating power. Kim now needs to show the elite back in Pyongyang that his engagement efforts can bring economic opportunity without sacrificing the countrys nuclear deterrent -- its treasured sword. The regime has a long history of coming to the bargaining table dangling the prospect of cooperation, only to renege on deals after extracting economic concessions. Chun Yungwoo, former chief South Korean envoy to international nuclear negotiations with North Korea, said Kims successful consolidation of power requires him to consider what kind of country he wants to rule over for the next 40 to 50 years. He wants to have a more prosperous country -- he wants economic development, Chun said. Without giving up nuclear weapons, all he can do is maintain a subsistence-level economy. Bangladeshi commandoes shot a passenger on Sunday who had tried to enter the cockpit of a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight after waving a gun and threatening to blow up the plane, airline and aviation authority officials said. The passenger, who had said he had a personal issue with his wife and told the pilot he wanted to speak to Bangladeshs Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, died later from the injuries suffered after the commandos stormed the plane at Chittagongs Shah Amanat International Airport, officials said. We tried to arrest him or get him to surrender but he refused and then we shot him, said Major General S M Motiur Rahman of the Bangladesh Army. The mans threat to blow up the plane, which was on its way to Dubai from Dhaka via Chittagong, led its pilots to make an emergency landing. Before the commandos moved in, all 142 passengers and most of the crew had been let off the aircraft unharmed. One crew member had been held hostage, the officials said. Air Vice Marshal Nayeem Hasan, chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, told reporters at a news conference that as well as holding what appeared to be a pistol the passenger said he had explosives bound to his body. With the plane close to Chittagong after leaving Dhaka, the passenger stood up from his seat and tried to go to the cockpit, according to aviation officials. When a member of the crew blocked his way, he showed his pistol. He then said he had explosives and if they didnt open the door of the cockpit he would blow up the plane, officials said. Other members of the crew alerted the pilots to the problem and they asked air traffic control for an emergency landing. It was not immediately clear if he had explosives, though the pistol was real, according to a senior aviation official. It also wasnt immediately clear if the pistol was loaded or how it got through security at the airport in Dhaka. The security questions are a matter of concern and would be the subject of an investigation, said the aviation official. The man appeared to be in his 20s, and was probably Bangladeshi as he was speaking Bangla, but his identity was not yet clear, Hasan said. Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday plodded on with her belief that Brexit will happen on March 29, while her ministers, MPs across the political spectrum and even the European Union believe an extension to Article 50 is a rational decision. Speaking in Egypt after talks with EU leaders, May said there is still more work to do on seeking changes to the withdrawal agreement to ensure its passage in parliament, but insisted that there is real determination to find a way through the impasse. Under Article 50, the UK is due to leave the EU on March 29. May, who is under pressure to delay Brexit politically as well in terms of parliamentary procedure, is due to make a statement in the House of Commons on Tuesday, before a debate and voting takes place on Wednesday. Mays comments raised the level of frustration in London and elsewhere European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker called it Brexit fatigue while Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte warned May the UK was sleepwalking into a no-deal scenario and needed to wake up. Also read | No to no-deal: Mays cabinet ministers want to delay Brexit Donald Tusk, European Council president, said after meeting May: For me it is absolutely clear that there is no majority in the House of Commons to approve a deal. We will face an alternative: a chaotic Brexit, or extension. The less time there is until the 29 March, the greater is the likelihood of an extension. And this is an objective fact; not our intention, not our plan, but an objective fact. I believe that in the situation we are in an extension would be a rational solution. But Prime Minister May still believes that she is able to avoid this scenario. Ministers, MPs across parties and others have expressed increasing ennui at the binary choice May has offered: support her agreement or leave the EU without a deal on March 29 the worst-case scenario due to its debilitating impact on the UKs economy and everyday life. Mays cabinet remains divided on the way ahead. After three ministers broke ranks last week to suggest they favoured delaying Brexit, Damian Hinds, education secretary, insisted Brexit it would not be delayed. It is going to happen on 29 March, he said in media interviews on Monday. Asked if he was 100% confident about that, he said: Yes I am. Myself and my colleagues in government are working very hard, no one harder of course than the prime minister, to make sure we can get that deal over the time. There is a very good deal on the table. There are some legitimate concerns about the backstop in terms of the timing and so on. And it is important to get those resolved, but yes that is what we are doing. Also read | Immigration is good for Britain, we just need control: PM Theresa May Afghanistan has complained to the United Nations about violations of its territory by Pakistans military, including shelling of Afghan territory, violation of its airspace by military aircraft and construction of military posts and barriers on its soil. The complaint was made in a letter sent by Afghanistans deputy permanent representative at the world body, Nazifullah Salarzai, to the president of the UN Security Council on February 22. The latest letter said the Pakistan militarys violation of Afghan territory dated back to 2012 though the scope and frequency of these unlawful and unjustifiable acts have increased dramatically since 2017. These actions, including shelling of Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, have led to the death and maiming of scores of innocent Afghan civilians...and destruction of public and private properties and amount to a grave breach of the UN Charter (and) international humanitarian law. The Afghan letter said concerns about the violations had been conveyed to the UN several times, including through a report on recorded incidents during 2012-17. This document stated Pakistani forces fired nearly 29,000 artillery shells into Afghanistan during this period, killing 82 people and injuring 187. Since January 2018, Pakistani troops were involved in 161 violations and fired more than 6,000 mortar and artillery shells into Afghan territory. Earlier this month, Kabul also complained to the UN Security Council about the Islamabads official engagements with the Taliban that amounted to a violation of Afghanistans sovereignty. The complaint was made after the Afghan Taliban unveiled plans for meetings with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and US representatives in Islamabad on February 18. After Afghanistan pointed out that the planned meetings violated UN sanctions and undermined efforts for a peaceful settlement in the war-torn country, and that eight members of a Taliban negotiating team were sanctioned, the militants called off the visit to Islamabad. The latest letter said former Pakistani premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi visited Kabul in April 2018 and finalised an action plan for peace, while foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi too visited Kabul last September and expressed his commitment to the action plan. Nevertheless, what we have seen is nothing but actions that translate to the continued violation of the action plan, the letter said. It added that the police chief of Kandahar, General Abdul Razeq Achekzai, who was working to prevent illegal fencing by the Pakistani side, was assassinated in an attack on November 18 last year that was planned and perpetrated by elements based in the territory of Pakistan. The single-minded determination of Virar resident Gauri Mahadik, the 32-year-old widow of Major Prasad Mahadik, will soon see her join the Indian Army. Gauri said joining the Army is her way of paying tribute to her husband, who was killed in a fire at his shelter on the Indo-China border in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, in December 2017. Gauri will join the Army next year as a lieutenant, after she completes her training at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai. I will be commissioned as a lieutenant in the non-technical category for war widows, she said. One of the 16 candidates, who appeared for the Service Selection Board (SSB) examinations at Bhopal between November 30 and December 4, 2018, Gauri topped the exam and qualified for training at OTA. She will now undergo 49 weeks of training from April and will be inducted into the Army in March 2020. The SSB exam was held for widows of defence personnel, who died in harness. Around 16 candidates qualified from three centres Bangalore, Bhopal and Allahabad, said Gauri. We were exempted from answering a written exam conducted by the Combined Defence Services (CDS) and directly appeared for the oral test at Bhopal. The journey, for Gauri, also came with a happy coincidence. At the exam centre in Bhopal, I got allotted the same chest number [28] that my husband was allotted before his selection to the OTA, she said. Gauri, a qualified company secretary and a lawyer, had married Prasad in 2015 and currently resides with her in-laws in Virar. After her husband was martyred, she quit her job at a law firm in Worli to prepare for the examinations to join the Army. Prasad had joined the Indian Army in March 2012, after training at the OTA in Chennai. He was one of the finest officers posted in the 7th battalion of the Bihar Regiment, said Gauri. His colleagues remember him as a dedicated officer, with a penchant for music and sports, she added. Firebrand Director: Aruna Raje Cast: Usha Jadhav, Sachin Khedekar, Girish Kulkarni, Rajeshwari Sachdev Rating: 3.5/5 After the restrained Soni, Netflix has come up with an Indian original where the focus is firmly on women and their place in the Indian society. Firebrand, Netflixs first Marathi original, is about a rape survivor who has made it her lifes work to help other women. Priyanka Chopras Pebble Pictures has produced the film. National Award-winner Usha Jadhav plays Sunanda, a lawyer fighting for other women facing injustice and violence. Her husband Madhav is played by Girish Kulkarni, a man who is ready to give space and love that his wife suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) needs. Sunanda is a rape survivor and the films eponymous firebrand she never loses a case and is single-minded in pursuance of justice for women. However, it is her quest for justice that makes her lose once. Directed by Aruna Raje, the film that also stars Rajeshwari Sachdev, Puja Agarwal and Sachin Khedekar, has a strong, socially relevant issue at heart and solid performances all around. Also read: Oscars 2019: Heres a complete list of winners, from Bohemian Rhapsody to Black Panther The film shows us the inner life of women and how sexual assault and domestic violence have nothing to do with economic situation or demographic. From a woman married to an auto driver to the wife of an industrialist, Sunanda takes on cases of women who are all united by the cruelty they face at hands of their husband. However, one rare case takes her inside a home where husband is the real victim, making Sunanda take some tough decisions. Firebrand is an emotionally draining experience - even as the protagonist fights cases in the family court, she returns home everyday to fight a different battle. She lives with an understanding, caring husband with whom she wants to have sex, but cannot because of the trauma she faced as a child. In their personal time, the duo pay visits a psychologist in an effort to overcome Sunandas fear of physical touch. Also read: Koffee With Karan promo: I like Arjun Kapoor this way or that, says Malaika Arora If I applaud Sunandas character for being realistic as well as heroic, I also cherish Madhavs approach to life. His open-mindededness and dedicated, selfless love is remarkable. While Firebrand boasts of powerful performances, it is the supporting cast that at times brings in the incongruous hint of melodrama to an otherwise smooth film. Another wrong note in the film is when Sunanda is at her psychologists clinic and is asked to vent out her anger at a stuff toy. The sudden transition of a calm and composed lawyer to an emotionally vulnerable rape victim is unrealistic and even Usha fails to make it believable. However, none of these undermine the importance of the films subject and storyline. Follow @htshowbiz for more The author tweets @swetakaushal ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop Ever wish you could rant about a films blatant sexism to more than just your family and friends? A new mobile application called Mango Meter, launched last week in Jakarta, Indonesia, allows users to do just that. Its founders describe it as the worlds first feminist film review app. Supported by the German non-profit Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Foundations political feminism programme in Asia, the app is the brainchild of six women from the region, who hit upon the idea while discussing how popular culture influences perception. Film is such a powerful and influential medium, yet it is very problematic in its portrayal of women, and in perpetuating stereotypes, Devi Asmarani, one of the six founders, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation on Friday. So we decided to create a movie rating app - like Rotten Tomatoes, but with a feminist lens - so we can spark a bigger conversation about sexism and misogyny in the movies. The app, which features films from Hollywood, Indias Bollywood, China, Bangladesh and more, allows users to rate movies by answering questions on metrics such as representation, agency, sexuality, and intersectionality. Based on the responses, each film on Mango Meter gets a rating of one to five mangoes, depending on how sexist or feminist it is. The only other feminist film rating system is the Bechdel Test, popularised by American cartoonist Alison Bechdels comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For. The website rates a film based on three simple criteria: it has to have at least two women, who talk to each other, about something besides a man. Our questions go a little deeper, said Asmarani, editor-in-chief of an Indonesian feminist magazine. We look at whether the movie portrays a western notion of beauty, whether it addresses marginalised communities, whether it talks about class, she said. The app comes at a time when women in Hollywood, boosted by the #MeToo movement, are exerting their influence to break on-screen stereotypes, insisting on producing roles to have more control, and commanding the directors chair more. Asia has been slower to change, with too few female directors and screenwriters, and with persistent stereotypical depictions of women that are quite problematic, said Asmarani. Their depiction of abusive behaviour like stalking or coercion as being acceptable has real consequences, she said. Few countries in Asia have an anti-stalking law, and womens rights groups in India - which does - have blamed the nations prolific film industry for glorifying a crime that has resulted in several violent deaths. Other recent efforts include calling out sexist lyrics in film songs, and a plea to end so-called item numbers or songs, which often have little to do with the subject of the movie, and typically feature skimpily clad women. The Mango Meter can help widen the conversation, said Asmarani. That way, perhaps we can get the movie industry to hear these concerns, and do something about them, she said. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Amethi on March 3, union textile minister Smriti Irani on Sunday reached the Congress bastion to launch a scathing attack on local MP and Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Her Amethi visit was timed with the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme by the PM in Gorakhpur on Sunday. Distributing Kisan Samman Nidhi certificates to 25 farmers from Amethi in a symbolic launch of cash transfer scheme during a programme at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Gauriganj, Irani repeatedly accused Gandhi of lying. Hailing the PM-KISAN Scheme, she said it would benefit 3.80 lakh farmers of Amethi alone. Modi had last visited Amethi on the final day of the 2014 Lok Sabha poll campaign, a visit which political experts believe helped Irani put up an impressive fight against Gandhi in just about 20 days. She had brought down Gandhis victory margin to one lakh votes in 2014, down from 3 lakh in 2009. Irani is widely tipped to re-contest against Congress chief Rahul Gandhi in the 2019 LS polls. Five years back, Narendra Modiji had promised development. He has honoured his promise even as Amethis naamdaar family only sold dreams to you, she said after listening to Modis radio show Mann ki Baat. Accusing Gandhi of never raising the issue of Amethis development in Lok Sabha, she said: Your local MP never cared about the development of Amethi but about 1.40 lakh people in Amethi benefited through Modi governments Ujjawala scheme and another 1.25 lakh got the benefits of Ayushman Bharat Scheme which provides illness cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per annum to each poor household. The Modi government gave you izzat ghar (toilets). In record time, the Yogi Adityanath government in UP has identified poor farmers who would benefit under the Kisan Samman Nidhi, she said, stressing that only the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could develop Amethi. She said the Modi government honoured 12 farmers with Padma awards. Irani inspected the venue where the PM would address the people of Amethi and also met BJP leaders who have been tasked with ensuring a good turnout for Modis rally. Both the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have decided against fielding a candidate from Amethi and Rae Bareli in 2019 LS polls a decision likely to benefit the Congress. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set the pitch for a fierce poll battle in Purvanchal region (east UP) with the announcement of the launch of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) as well as Rs 10,000-crore development projects for the region on Sunday. Aware of the importance of 31 Lok Sabha seats of east UP that will be crucial in regaining power at the Centre, Modi said the NDA government had launched several development and welfare schemes to give thrust to development in the region. The projects will pave way for development of Purvanchal that remained neglected under the Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) governments, he said. The prestige of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will be at stake as its top leaders, including PM Narendra Modi, Kalraj Mishra, Manoj Sinha, Varun Gandhi, Mahendra Nath Pandey and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath come from this region. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had swept this region by grabbing all the seats except Azamgarh that went into the SPs kitty. The Congress won two while the BSP failed to open its account. As the BJP plans to bag maximum seats from the region, various development and welfare schemes have been announced during public meetings in PMs Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi, located on the southern tip of Purvanchal, and Gorakhpur that is located in the north. With the SP-BSP combine and the Congress also shifting their focus on Purvanchal, the BJP is going all out to win maximum support from the region. The SP-BSP alliance has shared equal number of seats in Purvanchal to give a tough fight to BJP. Once a strong fort of alliance partners, the BJP made inroads into their vote base in the 2014 Lok Sabha election. SP leader Shivram Yadav said, Riding on Dalit-Backwards-Muslim formula, the alliance hopes to check the BJP. The Congress has appointed Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as its general secretary for east UP. The region had played a major role in the formation of UPA government in 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha elections. In 2014, Congress was wiped out in Purvanchal which was its stronghold since Independence. Congress has also appointed three secretaries Zubair Khan, Kumar Ashish and Bajirao Khade to assist Priyanka in the battle of ballot. The party plans to win over upper castes, Dalits and Muslims that were its traditional vote base. That the BJP is concerned over the SP-BSP alliance as well as Congresss Purvanchal plan can be gauged from the fact that during their address both the PM as well as the CM highlighted the governments development schemes and attacked the opposition parties. Modi said the BJP government strengthened health facilities in the region, restarted fertiliser factory, electrified rail routes, started manufacturing of railway engine in Varanasi and Gorakhpur to pave way for prosperity in the area. Political analyst AK Mishra said, To retain the BJPs hold on Purvanchal region, Modi launched PM-KISAN Scheme in Gorakhpur. Purvanchal region is the agriculture hub of the state and the support of farmers will play a decisive role in elections. The SP-BSP alliance is working on caste equations to win the election while Congress is depending on the magic of Priyanka Gandhi. Besides YogiModi charisma, BJP is playing Purvanchal development card to win the election. In the face of a stalemate over seat-sharing among Grand Alliance (GA) constituents, the Congress has deputed All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary Virender Singh Rathore to review the winnability factor of its candidates in five of the 40 Lok Sabha (LS) constituencies in Bihar. Rathore arrives in Patna on Monday on a five-day tour and will visit five constituencies Hajipur, Samastipur, Darbhanga, Motihari and Valmiki Nagar (West Champaran) to ascertain the partys prospect of wresting the seats in the upcoming LS polls. During his stay, Rathore is set to meet local leaders and prominent citizen and check whether the party could win those seats under the alliance. Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) spokesman Harkhu Jha said Rathore would return to Delhi on March 1 and submit his report to the AICC in-charge of Bihar, Shaktisinh Gohil, before the seat talks take off next month. The delay in allocation of seats among the GA partners comprising Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular (HAM-S), Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) has already started causing unrest within the coalition. Peeved at the delay in allocation of respectable seats to the HAM-S, former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has sought at least four seats. The Congress, which intends to contest not fewer than 15 seats, has sought a respectable number of seats in conformity with its national stature. It had contested 12 LS seats in the last general elections. Party insiders claimed that the Congress has strong possibility of winning in at least 14 LS seats, including Samstipur, Darbhanga, Motihari, Valmiki Nagar, Kishanganj, Supaul, Sasaram, Madhubani, Purnia, Aurangabad, Sheohar, Begusarai and Munger. The party may also contest Hajipur, if the GA strategists deem it fit, they claimed, adding that allocation of fewer than 14-15 seats might force the party to explore other options. Gohil, however, exuded confidence that the allocation of seats would not be any make or break-like issue. We are in touch with coalition leaders, and there is no confusion among them. Suitable decision would be taken at an appropriate time, said Gohil, adding that the talks over allocation of seats might begin in the first or second week of March. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Amit Shah will address two meetings of party leaders in Haryanas Hisar on Monday. In view of his meetings, security has been beefed up in the entire district. BJPs Hisar unit chief Surender Poonia said that Shah will meet the leaders of all 10 Lok Sabha constituencies to discuss the strategy for the upcoming elections. Later, he will hold a separate meeting of leaders in Sirsa, Hisar and Rohtakthe three seats from where the party lost during the last Lok Sabha elections. There are about 6,000 polling booths in these three districts. Notably, the Congress and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) are in a strong position in Rohtak and Sirsa. Poonia revealed that earlier the BJP chief was to take out a road show but it was cancelled at the last minute. Meanwhile, party workers put up BJP flags, hoardings and billboards in the entire city to welcome Shah. DSP (law and order, Hisar) Narender Singh said, Heavy police force has been deployed to maintain the law and order situation. It is 7 pm on a Thursday. As a Metro train heading toward Noida City Centre rumbles into the Rajiv Chowk station, the commuters rush in to grab empty seats. Some of those who have lost the battle for seats stand in the middle, others at the gate, almost leaning on the doors. As the train starts, a familiar male voice crackles on the speakers, followed by a female voice informing commuters about the next station, and that the doors will open on the left, that the first car in the moving direction is reserved for ladies; then comes a request to vacate seats for the differently abled, senior citizens and women; and a reminder on how they are supposed to stand at the centre of the exit door while alighting. The announcements barely stop, but no one seems to be listening. With earphones plugged in, most commuters are listening to music on their mobile phones. I live in Noida and work in Janakpuri and spend about three hours a day in the Metro; I use headphones not so much to listen to music as to drown out the cacophony inside a Metro compartment, including these never-ending announcements, says Atul Kapur, a marketing professional. Most announcements, except those informing about the next station, and which side the doors will open, can be done away with. I have been travelling in the Metro for over a decade and know the drill. On an average, about 30 kinds of general announcements are made on the Metro, including what the Metro calls mandatory announcements on the next station, door opening, destination station during a journey repeatedly one after another in both male and female voices. Rini Simon Khanna, voice of Delhi metro (HT Photo) After complaints of excessive announcements from commuters such as Kapur, this week Delhi Metro decided to reduce on a trial basis the number of in-train announcements on the Magenta Line to only seven. The rest will only be displayed on the screens inside the compartments. Based on the feedback, we will decide whether we should do it on other lines too, says Anuj Dayal, chief spokesperson, Delhi Metro. Transit announcements have been an integral part of the lives of commuters across the world, with broadcasters, well-known TV personalities, musicians and actors lending their voices, requesting passengers to have the patience for delays in journeys, cautioning them to mind the gap and nudging them not to lean on the door. While Delhi Metro, which commenced its journey in 2002, has borrowed most of its announcements from other transit systems, it has been adding newer ones over the years. But commuters feel these have lost their punch and persuasive powers. People continue to eat on the Metro, they continue to sit on the floor, and they rarely vacate their seats for the elderly, says Aditya Gupta, an IT professional who travels between Civil Lines and Gurgaon on the Yellow Line. I think it is time Metro not only curtailed the announcements but also rewrote some to make them a little peppier and brighter. While both the male and female voices are great, Metro should bring in new guest voices, says Gupta, citing the examples of Vancouver, a city that last year roped in actor Morgan Freeman and Seth Rogen to make transit announcements for a limited period. Shammi Narang, voice of Delhi metro (HT Photo) Himani Dubey, a graphic designer, agrees, Metro is getting crowded by the day, and the delays are increasing. So, a message like there will be a short delay in this journey. We apologise for the inconvenience does not help, says Dubey. Metro needs to change the way it communicates with passengers. Apart from the automated announcement system, there could be a few cheery announcements from the operators. In fact, the New York City subway is doing it now to be more empathic to commuters. Shammi Narang and Rini Simon Khanna both celebrated news anchors with Doordarshan in the 1980s and 90s, whose voices echo out to almost three million commuters of Delhi Metro every day say as transit announcers, their main job is to help people get to where theyre going. I am like their invisible teacher. One needs to understand that metro announcements are not like a song being sung. You have to get people to pay attention, and accordingly have to mould your voice. It has to be a voice of calm and assurance, says Khanna. And both believe that Metro can indeed curtail the number of announcements on the trains. As a commuter, I would want some silence. There is no point drilling the same messages over and over again into someone who has been doing the same route for years. He or she will get tired of unnecessary messages, says Khanna. She first heard her voice on the Metro in 2011. More than anything else, I took the opportunity to gauge peoples reaction to my announcements, and I realised they were very receptive, especially to the mind the gap announcement. Narang and Khanna have recorded hundreds of announcements that commuters have never heard. They are meant for certain situations, including emergencies. You have not heard them because thankfully those emergencies have never arisen and hopefully they will not, says Narang, who recorded his first announcement in 2001 and latest on February 6 about the opening of the skywalk with travelators connecting the Airport Express Lines Dhaula Kuan station with Delhi Metro Pink Lines Durgabai Deshmukh South Campus. In fact, Metro has a bank that contains hundreds of announcements, including topical ones regarding the book fair, trade fair or other events near stations, and play them according to the need and situation. Every month, I record one or two messages for Delhi metro. Among the messages I have recorded is one about prohibiting pets, says Narang. When Metro started in 2002, apart from mandatory announcements such as the next station, most other announcements were about how to use the card and token and other facilities. Not many know that some announcements - for example, beware of pickpockets-- are more frequently played at Chawri Bazar and Chandni Chowk stations than others. There are occasions when Narang and Khanna have to record special messages almost on the fly. Once such occasion was in 2012 when Pratibha Patil, the then President, was to take a ride in the Metro. We were asked to record a special welcome message, and we only had a day to do so. We worked through the night, the message was recorded, tested and played during the Presidents ride, says Narang. His favourite announcement is one requesting people to vacate seats for the elderly and children. Making transit announcements, he says, requires correct tone, pronunciation, modulation and projection. A lot of people rely on us for learning correct pronunciation for many city streets and localities. I have to be careful about some stations such as Dashrath Puri, Vishwavidyalaya, and even Karol Bagh, where pronouncing Bagh is quite tricky, says Narang. Narang first travelled on a Metro in 2003 with his wife and parents between Kashmere Gate and Tis Hazari after her mother expressed her desire to hear his voice on the train. I had already earned fame as a Doordarshan newsreader and at that time did not think recording Metro announcements was a big deal, says Narang, who, not many know, is a mechanical engineer by education. Sixteen years on, he feels Metro has immortalised his voice. Earlier I was famous as Doordarshan news reader, now I am better known as Metro Uncle. I am invited as a guest at schools where children imitate my voice at their programmes. They will say things like Teacher ke anne tak darwaje band rahegey (the doors will remain closed till the teacher arrives), says Narang, who along with Khanna, has also recorded announcements for the Metro in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Lucknow, Jaipur -- at his Hauz Khas Enclave studio. A lot of people visit the studio, curious to know how metro announcements are recorded. But what I regret is the fact that while we have come to be known as the voice of the Metro, we do not find any mention in the Metro museum, says Narang, as he sits in front of the microphone, headphones on, ready for a recording. After remaining suspended for a week following the Pulwama terror attack, the weekly cross-LoC bus service Carvan-e-Aman (procession of peace) resumed operations in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district on Monday. Officials said a total of 13 people availed the services five returned to Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) , and eight to reach Kashmir. Of the eight, they added, only one new passenger arrived in Kashmir. Officials said a total of 13 people availed the services five returned to Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) , and eight to reach Kashmir. Of the eight, they added, only one new passenger arrived in Kashmir. The service was resumed after a week on the instructions of top officials, a senior officer in Uri said. Earlier, a communique from the Union ministry of external affairs had ordered suspension of all cross-border travelling in view of the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama terror attack on February 14, which killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel, they said. The bus service was launched by the governments of India and Pakistan on April 7, 2005, to allow the relatives, living in the two parts of Kashmir and divided by the Line of Control (LoC), to visit each other. It allows residents to travel from Srinagar to Muzaffarabad and Poonch to Rawlakot once in a week on Monday. The bus takes Muzaffarbad-bound passengers to Uri where the passengers are allowed to walk to the other side from where another bus from PoK side completes the journey. Suheldev Bahujan Samaj Party (SBSP) national president and UP cabinet minister Omprakash Rajbhar, who has been lashing out at the state government on various issues, appeared to take a political U-turn of sorts on Sunday when he said the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) had joined hands because he, a descendant of Lord Hanuman, was with the BJP. He also accused the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party of looting the other backward classes (OBCs) and Dalits during their respective regimes in Uttar Pradesh. He did not spare the Congress either. He was speaking at Ati Pichara, Ati Dalit (Extreme OBCs and Extreme Dalit) Adhikar Rally organised by his party at Cutting Memorial Inter College ground in Varanasi. Rajbhar said the SP and the BSP parties knew they could not win elections alone. Ever since this (pointing to himself) descendant of Lord Hanuman has supported the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Samajwadi Party and the BSP are quite upset. Both the parties know that they cannot win the election alone. Therefore, the SP-BSP formed an alliance, he said. He said he explained to BJP chief Amit Shah and chief minister Yogi Adityanath that OBCs accounted for 38% of votes in some parliamentary seats and 36% in others. This meant that the 36% OBC votes with 20% votes of other caste groups would fall in the NDAs kitty and those who joined hands for looting the people would drown in the Ganga. He said he would visit Delhi on February 26 to hold a meeting with Shah on subdividing 27% OBC reservation in three categoriesOBC, most Backward and extreme backward. A 20-year-old Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS) student was allegedly abducted and gang raped by three youths in Chhatnag area here on Saturday morning, police said. The victim somehow escaped and called her cousin for help on Sunday. The girl was admitted to Dufferin Hospital and one of the accused was nabbed, superintendent of police (SP) transGanga Narendra Kumar Singh said. He said, the womans father in the complaint said her daughter is a BUMS student at a college in Chandauli district. She took a bus to Varanasi from Andawa Crossing at around 11 am on Saturday when the three accused abducted her while issuing threats to kill her family. The trio took the girl to a house in Chhatnag area where they took turns to rape her. They also forced her to drink liquor and smoke cigarettes. The accused then called the girls brother and demanded a ransom of Rs 3 lakh in return of her release. However, while the three were sleeping in an inebriated state, the victim managed to flee, Singh said. The superintendent of police further said on the complaint of the victims father, an FIR was lodged against 6-7 unnamed persons and three named accused of which one has been arrested. The girls statement has been recorded and she was admitted to hospital, the superintendent of police added. The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition seeking probe by a retired top court judge into Pulwama terror attack that left 40 jawan dead following a suicide attack on their convoy at Lethpora on Jammu-Srinagar highway on February 14. More than 2,500 CRPF personnel, many of them returning from leave to rejoin duty in the Valley, were travelling in the convoy of 78 vehicles when they were attacked at around 3.15 pm . Read: NIA says close to solving case, finds clear Pakistan link in Pulwama attack The Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group has claimed responsibility for the attack that took place about 20 km from Srinagar, officials had said. Police identified the suicide bomber as Adil Ahmed, who officials said joined the Jaish in 2018. He was driving a vehicle packed with over 100 kg of explosives on the wrong side of the road and hit the bus, in which an estimated 39-44 personnel were travelling, head-on, an official at the spot had said. Read: Give proof on Pulwama attack, we will act: Imran Khan to PM Modi In a related case, the top court on Friday issued a notice to the central government and 11 states, seeking their response on a plea for its intervention to prevent the alleged attacks on Kashmiri students after the terror attack . The notice was issued to Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). The court asked the chiefs of the state police to ensure the safety of Kashmiris. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has come under a sharp attack from opposition leaders after a retired IPS officer Gaurav Chandra Dutt committed suicide on February 19. Dutt, a 1986 batch IPS retired on 31 December 2018 after remaining on compulsory wait for nearly a decade. The officer committed suicide by slashing his wrist after sending out an eight-page letter in which he blamed the system for punishing him for 10 years without a proper hearing. Constant torture and humiliation led me to this drastic step, Dutt wrote in a letter to the chief minister, a copy of which is in HTs possession. BJP national secretary Rahul Sinha said he would request the Union home ministry to conduct a thorough probe on why the state government dragged the departmental inquiry against Dutt for 10 years. He was a victim of political vendetta, probably because he could not become a yes-man like many of his colleagues, said Sinha. Mukul Roy, once a confidant of Mamata Banerjee before he fell out, demanded that a case of abetment to suicide be registered against the chief minister. CPI (M) politburo member and Lok Sabha MP Mohammad Salim echoed Sinhas vendetta point. Imagine a situation, when an IPS officer, who has just retired, has to take such a drastic step. I have heard that he hoped his final step would help his wife get the dues. Now in this state only those officers who can be yes-men are favoured. Dutt, somehow, did not learn that art, said Salim. I feel sorry for his (Dutt) family since political vendetta drove him to depression and then compelled him to take an extreme step, remarked state Congress president Somen Mitra. My husband sent the letter to a few close friends as well, said his wife Sreyasi Dutt. Trinamool Congress secretary general Partha Chatterjee did not respond to calls and text messages. Officers placed on compulsory wait are not given a posting. In law, a compulsory wait is not a punishment and was designed as a short-term measure, say when the government is looking for a suitable post for an officer. Dutt was placed on compulsory wait in 2009 after wives of two constables petitioned the state Human Rights Commission alleging sexual harassment by Dutt. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was then the chief minister in charge of the home department. Dutt alleged that he was framed in the harassment case because he tried to free the police training college at Barrackpore of corruption and other malpractices. Dutt also mentioned how his hopes of getting justice after the change of guard in the state in 2011 were belied. I could not withstand govts vindictiveness, revengeful attitude and vendetta to demoralise and destroy me, he wrote in the letter. My financial position after retirement has become precarious now with medical treatment of both me and my wife and daily expenses also, he added. A Delhi on Monday granted bail to journalist Priya Ramani on a personal bail bond of Rs 10,000 in a defamation filed by former Union minister M J Akbar whom she accused of sexual misconduct around 20 years ago, ANI reported. She appeared in the Patiala House court on Monday after Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal had issued the direction on January 29 on Akbars plea. The court has posted the next hearing on April 10. The next date when they will frame the charges against me is April 10. After that it will be my turn to tell my story. The truth is my defence, ANI quoted her as saying. Akbar has denied Ramanis allegations. Ramani was among a number of women who accused Akbar of sexual misconduct during his time as an editor, forcing him to resign from the Union cabinet on October 17, 2018 after returning from a tour of Africa. Following the magistrates summons, Ramani responded with a tweet, saying Time to tell our side of the story. The former ministers legal team told the court that Ramani hs damaged Akbars reputation by levelling false, wild and baseless allegations. A journalist now based in the United States also accused Akbar of sexual harassment and claimed that she was assaulted at a Jaipur hotel over 23 years ago. It was followed by instances of sexual, verbal and emotional defilement. Akbar responded by saying that theirs was a consensual affair, but the woman said that a relationship based on coercion and abuse of power cannot be couched in such terms. The Editors Guild of India suspended Akbar from its membership in December until the defamation case he had filed against Ms Ramani came to its logical conclusion. After three days of violence, Itanagar remained incident-free but tense on Monday even as the army, paramilitary and police patrolled the streets, officials said. A day after protesters agitated over the contentious issue of the government likely granting permanent residence certificates (PRC) to six communities, chief minister Pema Khandu reached out to civil society organisations, and students bodies saying there was no such plan. However, no political party except the BJP turned up for the all party meet. Union minister Kiren Rijiju Monday told reporters in New Delhi: There is no question of imposition of Presidents rule, or changing the chief minister. The state government could not communicate effectively with the people on the issue, he added. Rijiju represents Arunachal Pradesh in the Lok Sabha. However, an official in the ministry said the decision on the certificates was uncalled for and unnecessary. The home ministry has directed the state government to start consultations with all stakeholders to calm down the situation, a second senior official at the ministry said and added: We havent yet seen anything that suggests the violence was fuelled by rival political groups. The ministry is likely to ask for a detailed report from the state government. The situation is tense but no incidents of violence have been reported today, said K Harshvardhan, superintendent of police, Itanagar on Monday. On Monday, Khandu said the government would never take up the issue of PRC and announced compensation of Rs 20 lakh and a government job to the next of kin of those who died in the violence. Khandu, addressing the media in Itanagar on Monday said an inquiry committee under a commissioner would be formed to investigate the incident. He admitted lapses on the communication front on the issue. Congress stuck to its demand that Khandu should resign. They were trying to bring in the sensitive PRC issue without proper dialogue with the stakeholders... It is part of RSS-BJP design to divide Arunachal Pradesh, said Takam Sanjoy, president of the Congress state unit. It was a rare meeting to begin with. President Ramnath Kovind was meeting his teachers at the senior school he had joined many years ago, right when the President had moved to Kanpur 60 km away as a child. And he was to felicitate them. President Kovind did, but he surprised many in the audience when the 73-year-old President humbly bent down, to touch their feet. Two of them, Hari Ram Kapoor, 92, and TN Tandon, 86, were on the dais. Both of them gave him a pat on his back before greeting him with folded hands as he draped the shawl around their shoulder. The third teacher, Pyare Lal, 98, had been too unwell to make it to the dais. President Kovind walked down to him. Honoured to visit my alma mater BNSD Inter college and Shiksha Niketan in Kanpur and felicitate my former teachers Shri Pyare Lal (98), Shri Hari Ram Kapoor (92) and Shri TN Tandon (86) #PresidentKovind pic.twitter.com/TAN572wM7L President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) February 25, 2019 Guruji, you havent forgotten me? President Kovind asked Pyare Lal, his English teacher, according to a report in Amar Ujala quoting the teachers daughter-in-law who was beside him. He hadnt. He (President) was a kid then, Pyare Lal later told reporters. Hari Ram Kapoor said he had been honoured on many occasions. But this was, by far, the most memorable. I am so fortunate, he said, according to the newspaper. President Kovind born in UPs Paraukhan 60 km from Kanpur had gone on to become a lawyer who appeared at the high court and Supreme Court. He also joined politics, becoming the leader of the BJPs Dalit wing and a member of the Rajya Sabha for 12 years. When he was elevated as President in 2017 and set to move to the presidential palace, Ramnath Kovind had fondly spoken about humble origins and his first home, a hut with a leaking roof. On Monday, he also addressed the alumni association conference and annual day function of the BNSD Inter College and Shiksha Niketan, Kanpur, where he had studied. President Kovind was in Kanpur as part of his two-day visit to Uttar Pradesh that ended on Monday. At the event in Kanpurs DAV College where he inaugurated the institutions centenary celebration, President Kovind stressed on Indian values, which he said, combined with modern science and technology, could hugely benefit humanity. The president was addressing the students of DAV College, Kanpur after inaugurating the institutions centenary celebrations. Today is an era of technology and the future will be of artificial intelligence, President Kovind noted. You have to face new challenges. We have to utilise the new instruments of technology for development and move ahead, he told the audience. President Kovind also remembered the crucial role that his teachers had played. For a poor student like me, it was not easy to pursue studies and stay in Kanpur. But, the guidance and assistance of teachers and the government scholarship helped me to move ahead in life, he added. Kovind said that his father too had studied at the same college and was a classmate of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday dismissed the oppositions campaign that India was seeing a rise in unemployment and questioned how it was possible when the country was growing at record rates. Is it possible that with India growing at record rates, there are no jobs in the country? With Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) at all time high, Indians moving out of poverty at record rate, roads and railway lines being constructed, how is India not producing jobs? Modi said while speaking at News18s Rising India summit. The opposition had targeted the NDA government over the past few weeks citing the National Sample Survey Offices figures for 2017-18 saying that unemployment rate has touched the highest level in 45 years. Congress president Rahul Gandhi had referred to PM Modis promise of 2 crore jobs before 2014 polls and said the the promise has turned into a National Disaster in five years. Also read: India first or family? PM Modi trains guns at Congress at National War Memorial launch PM Modi said that the opposition is only focused on targeting him and claimed that people who want to loot public money dont like him. The opposition remembers me every day. Attacking me is their priority. For me the taxpayer, the common main is priority, Modi said. The Prime Minister also stressed that India is going through an economic boom and dismissed reports of job loss. He said that in 2014 India had slipped from 132 to 142 is ease of doing business ranking. Now we are at the 77 spot, up by 23 spots in the ease of doing business rankings, he added. Also read: Jobless growth slipped into job-loss growth, Manmohan Singh targets NDA govt Modi, who inaugurated the National War Memorial on Monday, said his government is focused on the welfare of soldiers and farmers. The war memorial is located near the India Gate complex and pays homage to over 26,000 soldiers who have sacrificed their lives since 1947. It was promised by the National Democratic Alliance in its 2014 election manifesto. On Sunday, the PM launched the Rs 75,000 crore Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme that is meant to benefit 12 crore farmers across India, the cash transfer scheme proposes to give Rs 6,000 to farmers in three instalments annually. Yesterday it was jai kisan, today it was jai jawan, Modi said on Monday recalling the famous slogan coined by former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. Putting all speculation to rest, the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday said its stance remained unchanged that only an elected government would be able to take a stand on Article 35A before the Supreme Court, which is hearing a bunch of petitions challenging its validity. Addressing a press conference, senior bureaucrat Rohit Kansal, who has been designated as the chief spokesperson of the governors administration, said, The stand of the state government on the request of deferment of hearing on Article 35A in the Supreme Court remains the same as requested by them on February 11. He was replying to a question on whether there was a change in the stand of the governors administration on the contentious issue. Kansal also urged the people of the state not to pay heed to rumours and get panicky on the basis of unsubstantiated and exaggerated pieces of information which were in circulation. In the past few days several rumours have been circulated and panic messages disseminated. Most of these have been based on unsubstantiated or exaggerated pieces of information, he said. The Jammu and Kashmir governments counsel had sought permission from the Supreme Court for circulating a letter among the contesting parties for adjourning the upcoming hearing on the pleas challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35A, which provides special rights and privileges to the natives of the state, saying there was no elected government in the state. The apex court is scheduled to hear the petitions challenging Article 35A soon. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna was told by lawyer Shoeb Alam, representing the Jammu and Kashmir government, on February 11 that he was seeking its nod to circulate the letter among the parties for getting the scheduled hearing deferred. On the day of listing, the undersigned (Alam) shall be requesting for an adjournment in the matter since presently, there is no elected government in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and the state is under Presidents Rule. The present matter involves a sensitive issue regarding a challenge to Article 35A of the Constitution of India. A short reply has been filed by the state of Jammu and Kashmir in the lead matter We the Citizens and notices have not been issued on the other petitions. It will therefore be requesting that the matter may kindly be heard when an elected government is in place, the state government said in the letter. Article 35A, which was incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, accords special rights and privileges to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and bars people from outside the state from acquiring any immovable property in the state. It denies property rights to a woman who marries a person from outside the state. The provision, which leads to such women from the state forfeiting their right over property, also applies to their heirs. The bench is hearing several petitions including the one filed by NGO We the Citizens through lawyer Barun Kumar Sinha. Several petitions, including those by political parties like the National Conference and the CPI-M, were also filed in the Supreme Court in support of Article 35A that also empowers the state Assembly to define permanent residents for bestowing special rights and privileges to them. The state government, while defending the article, had cited two verdicts of the constitution benches of the Supreme Court in 1961 and 1969, which had upheld the powers of the president under Article 370(1)(d) of the Constitution to pass constitutional orders. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is close to cracking the Pulwama terror attack case, with evidence pointing to an elaborate operation by four or five Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militants, including suicide bomber Adil Ahmad Dar and a local handler, according to people familiar with the developments. The owner of the Maruti Eeco vehicle used in the February 14 attack on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy that killed 40 troopers has also been identified, said the people cited above. The vehicle was registered in Kashmir some eight years ago and was being used by the group with the knowledge of the owner, who has gone missing, they added. NIA investigators, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Pakistani footprint in the attack is clearly visible. The bombers vehicle was loaded with about 25 kilograms of RDX stored in a container. While it is still being investigated on how the JeM unit behind the attack managed to procure the RDX, investigators believe that the explosives knowhow came from across the border. Read more| Give proof on Pulwama attack, we will act: Imran Khan to PM Modi We have the full details about the vehicle, which was sighted with the same group at least a couple of times, said an NIA investigator. The NIA has found that Dar was active with the JeM unit since he went missing last March. The group comprised largely of terrorists from across the border. Adil particularly disliked the CRPF after an alleged attempt by security forces to set Dars Kakapora house on fire in end May or June, 2018. The investigators point to a JeM statement after the June 2, 2018 grenade attacks on the security forces at Fateh Kadal and Badshah Chowk in Srinagar as part of Operation Badr. At that time, local news agency GNS quoted a JeM spokesperson as saying that government forces made a vain and shameful attempt of setting ablaze the house of one of our colleagues Adil Ahmad Dar alias Waqas of Kakapora Gundibagh, Pulwama, during the dead of night. The spokesman, according to GNS, warned that every army camp in Jammu and Kashmir was a target, and would be burned. Investigators believe that Dar may have been radicalised by his local Jaish handler after the alleged ransacking of his house, and prepared for the extreme step on instructions from across the border. Although the NIA declined to reveal the identities of people involved in the attack at this stage, a senior official said that the full details of the case should be known over the next two weeks. We have pieces of evidence; the job of joining of dots to unravel the entire conspiracy is on. Someone brought the RDX from across the border, while another person rigged the device. The vehicle was perhaps repainted with someone doing the reconnaissance of the spot and selection of target. We have the full picture of the attack, the senior official added. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath on Sunday constituted a cabinet committee to propose an action plan in view of the Supreme Court order for eviction of about one million tribal and other forest-dwelling families in 17 states. 1 The decision came after Congress general secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia wrote to Nath, expressing concerns regarding the possible eviction of over 350,000 people in MP, whose land rights claims have been rejected under the Forest Rights Act. The apex court last week asked the governments of 17 states to evict from forests by July 12 an estimated one million tribal and other households whose claims of the right to live in forests were rejected. The cabinet committee in Madhya Pradesh comprises ministers Bala Bachchan, PC Sharma, Umang Singhar and Omkar Singh Markam. [The] committee is constituted to propose next action in light of the Supreme Courts order regarding rejected claims of Scheduled Tribes people on forest land, a Madhya Pradesh government order said. On Saturday, Scindia wrote to Nath, saying the apex courts order on February 20 concerns over a million tribals and other forest dwellers in the country. These include 3.5 lakh families from MP and the reason behind this was that the then BJP administration did not grant recognition to the claims of these people, said Scindia. He said as per the documents submitted to the Supreme Court, the claims of over 0.2 million scheduled tribes and over 0.1 million forest dwellers were rejected in MP. He added the rejections were more than in any other state. Scindia said the Central government did not present its plea for forest dwellers. He added its carelessness will impact their lives and urged Nath to take all possible measures to protect the rights of these people including the filing of a revision petition. Madhya Pradesh BJP spokesman Rajneesh Agrawal said, Blaming the central government for the apex court order is not correct. Kamal Nath government should look into the judgment and take steps to protect the rights of affected instead of blaming the BJP for everything. Some body parts were detected by the ROV (remotely operated vehicle) of the Indian Navy that has been engaged in rescue efforts to trace trapped miners in a coal mine being operated illegally at Khloo Ryngksan in Meghalayas East Jaintia Hills district on Sunday. According to R Susngi, spokesperson of East Jaintia Hills district administration, decomposed body parts were detected on Sunday by the Indian Navy crew and till filing of this report, attempts are being made to salvage them. The exercise will continue throughout the night and is expected to last till tomorrow morning, the official spokesperson said even as he was unsure whether the body parts spotted belonged to the second body detected by the ROV on January 26 but slipped the ROVs jaws during retrieval efforts. In all 1,40,76,000 litres of water were pumped out by teams from Coal India, Kirloskar and KSB on Sunday, the spokesperson informed while adding that the NDRF were rendering all assistance to the rescue teams on site. Two hundred and fifty personnel from the National and State Disaster Response Forces, Indian Navy, Kirloskar Brothers, KSB Pumps, district administration, police, Coal India, National Geophysical Research Institute, Odisha Fire Service, Planys Technology and the National Institute of Hydrology have been involved since the disaster struck, though the latter three have left the scene. The Odisha Fire Service were one of the first agencies from outside the state to arrive at the mine, but their pumps were not high-powered enough. Planys, meanwhile, brought in small ROVs, but these were not compatible with the situation on the ground. The Indian Air Force and the Indian Army too chipped in towards the rescue efforts by providing all required logistics as and when requested by the state government. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee Monday alleged that though the Modi government had intelligence inputs about the Pulwama attack, it did not take any step as it was more keen on playing politics over the dead bodies of jawans. Banerjee, while addressing the Trinamool Congresss extended core committee meeting in Kolkata, vowed to oust the dictatorial Narendra Modi government from power in the upcoming general election. She claimed that her party Trinamool Congress(TMC) will win all the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal in the polls. The central government was aware that such an attack can take place, there were intelligence inputs. Then why didnt the government take action to protect our jawans. The government allowed them to die so that they can do politics over the dead body of jawans in the elections, Banerjee said. They want to create a war hysteria ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the TMC president alleged. The central government is functioning in a peculiar way and union ministers are not aware of important decisions, Banerjee claimed. This government is being run by two brothers (Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah), who have blood of innocents on their hands, she said. Our party workers and cadre should be cautious as efforts are on to tamper EVMs (electronic voting machines) during the Lok Sabha polls. You all have to thwart those efforts, she said. On February 14, 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed in Jammu and Kashmir after a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into their bus in Pulwama district. Delhi: Visuals from the National War Memorial Delhi: Visuals from the National War Memorial. A multi faith prayer held at the inauguration of the National War Memorial A multi faith prayer held at the inauguration of the National War Memorial in Delhi. A multi faith prayer held at the inauguration of the #NationalWarMemorial in Delhi pic.twitter.com/0wO8yki5oq ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2019 PM Modi inaugurates National War Memorial in New Delhi PM Modi inaugurates National War Memorial, pays homage to soldiers who have sacrificed their lives. PM Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the National War Memorial Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the National War Memorial. Delhi: PM Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the #NationalWarMemorial pic.twitter.com/BBYlxhB5HN ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2019 Armed forces and national security suffered due to criminal negligence before we came to power: PM Modi Armed forces and national security suffered due to criminal negligence before we came to power. Decisions which were pending for decades were cleared on priority to strengthen the armed forces, says PM Narendra Modi. About two and a half decades ago the file of this memorial started moving: PM Modi About two and a half decades ago the file of this memorial started moving, for a brief period during Atal jis regime, the process was expedited but after him, situation was back to square one, says PM Narendra Modi. Army had demanded bulletproof jackets, 5 years have passed the jackets were not bought: PM Modi In the year 2009, the army had demanded 1 lakh 86 thousand bulletproof jackets. Five years passed from 2009 to 2014, but the bulletproof jackets were not bought for the army, says PM Narendra Modi. From Bofors to Helicopter deal, all the investigations are pointing to one family: PM Modi From Bofors to Helicopter deal, all the investigations are pointing to one family, it says a lot, now these people are putting all the efforts to make sure that Rafale aircraft dont arrive in the country. India first or family first?, says PM Narendra Modi. Soldiers on LoC areas if injured or killed in natural calamities like avalanche will be eligible for pensions: PM Modi Soldiers on LoC areas if injured or killed in natural calamities like avalanche will be eligible for pensions, says PM Narendrs Modi. Contribution from all parts of society is necessary in security of the nation: PM Modi Contribution from all parts of society is necessary in security of the nation. Because of this ideology, for the 1st time women are getting the opportunity to become fighter pilots. Decisions are being taken to strengthen the participation of daughters in the forces, says PM Narendra Modi. We are continuously working towards making the Army self-reliant: PM Modi We are continuously working towards making the Army self-reliant, the decisions which were thought to be impossible earlier have now been made possible, says PM Narendra Modi. Due to sacrifice of many soldiers, we are among the strongest army in the world: PM Modi Due to the sacrifice of many soldiers, we are among the strongest army in the world, says PM Narendra Modi. Due to OROP, the pensions of veterans were increased up to 40%: PM Modi Due to OROP, the pensions of veterans were increased up to 40%. We are also working on building 3 super specialty hospitals, says PM Narendra Modi. Demand for a National War Memorial has been there for many decades: PM Modi The demand for a National War Memorial has been there for many decades, in the last decade there were one or two attempts but nothing concrete could happen, with the help of your blessing we started the process in 2014, says PM Narendra Modi. New India is now moving forwards with new virtues: PM Modi New India is now moving forwards with new virtues, and it is because of your dedication. When Lata di had sung Mere Watan Ke Logon here, it made all of us emotional, says PM Narendra Modi. Wait for the national war memorial is over: PM Modi Whether the problems have come due to enemies or nature, the soldiers have always been at the forefront to protect the country and answered as well. The wait for the national war memorial is over and it is being dedicated to nation at the right time, says PM Narendra Modi. Rashtriya Samar Smaarak will be dedicated to the nation: PM Modi Rashtriya Samar Smaarak will be dedicated to the nation. Thousands of martyrs names are etched and will continue to inspire future generations, says PM Modi I pay my respect to the soldiers killed in Pulwama attack: PM Modi I pay my respect to the soldiers killed in Pulwama attack, says PM Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses inauguration ceremony of National War Memorial in Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the inauguration ceremony of National War Memorial in Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the inauguration ceremony of National War Memorial in Delhi pic.twitter.com/7Rblj0iYHB ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2019 This war memorial will keep reminding us of the valour of the soldiers: Nirmala Sitharaman When you go home, tell them of us... and say, for your tomorrow, we gave today... The last words of our heroes always reverberate in our hearts...This war memorial will keep reminding us, in years to come, of the valour of the soldiers and their dedicated service, says Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Busts of 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees will also be a part of the memorial Designed in four concentric circles, the memorial will be spread over 40 acres, with a 15-metre-high obelisk at its centre. The busts of 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees (Indias highest war-time gallantry award) will also be a part of the memorial. The memorial will pay homage to over 26,000 soldiers who have sacrificed their lives since 1947 Promised in the National Democratic Alliances 2014 election manifesto, the countrys first war memorial near the India Gate complex will pay homage to over 26,000 soldiers who have sacrificed their lives since 1947. PM Narendra Modi to dedicate National War Memorial PM Narendra Modi to dedicate National War Memorial by lighting eternal flame below obelisk. A parliamentary panel on information technology on Monday asked microblogging site Twitter to address the concerns of the election commission and work with the poll body in real-time to address all high priority issues, said a person aware of the development who asked not to be named. The panel, headed by BJPs Lok Sabha MP from Hamirpur, Anurag Thakur, has also asked the site to ensure that the upcoming elections to the Lok Sabha and a clutch of assemblies are not undermined and influenced by foreign entities. The election commission is expected to announce the schedule of the upcoming elections in early March. Thakur is learnt to have told Twitter, represented at the meeting by Colin Crowell, its global vice president of public policy, that there must be clarity and transparency regarding advertisements and sponsored content on the platform. The panel summoned Twitter for a hearing, after concerns were raised about the impact that the platform can have on the electoral process in the country and that it seemed biased against right-wing handles. Twitter has given an assurance that it will appoint a point of contact to address Issues flagged by the EC, said the person cited in the first instance. Members of the panel raised concerns over Twitters algorithm, pointing out there needs to be clarity on its registration in India, policy on fake news and fairness. Twitter has been given 10 days to reply in writing to questions that remained unanswered and may be called before the panel again, the person said. One member of the panel is learnt to have said that intention was different from practice to which Twitter responded by saying that it is trying to provide greater transparency on this issue. Even people with good intentions will sometimes make mistakes, the company is learnt to have said at the meeting. A Twitter spokesperson did not comment on the meeting, but last week said it will provide users in India details about advertising spends and data on tweets from political entities as part of its endeavour to ensure transparency on its platform. The company said information being shared within its Ads Transparency Centre will include a visual label and disclaimer information on promoted content from certified accounts to allow users to identify political campaign ads. The election commission has asked the platform to ensure that the process of electioneering is insulated from any outside interference and content that can affect the level playing field is not allowed to circulate. The government is working on a strategy for campaign silence on social media 48 hours before polls. After refusing to meet representatives of Twitter in India at its last meeting on February 11; the parliamentary panel wrote to the company to send its CEO Jack Dorsey to address its concerns. Dorsey did not appear before the panel, but sent a letter, which was read out at the start of the committee meeting. The chairman of the panel allowed Crowell to represent Twitter during the hearing based on Jack Dorseys letter. The panel also summoned social media giants Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp on March 6 to discuss similar concerns. In an email response Facebook said, Facebook is deeply committed to India and to safeguarding our users and their rights on our family of apps. We deeply appreciate the opportunity to answer questions from the Honorable Parliamentary Committee and to outline the specific steps we have taken to help ensure the safety of our users. Members underlined the need to strengthen the complaints redressal mechanism of Twitter. Another issue that was flagged by the members was that the platform should respond in real-time to requests made by the CERT, the nodal agency that deals with cyber security threats such as hacking and phishing. (With inputs by Vidhi Choudhary) Two alleged Jaish-eMohammed (JeM) operatives, who were arrested during a raid by UP ATS at a hostel in Deoband town of Saharanpur on Thursday night, had organised party for a special guest but he left before the crackdown, said senior police officials. The duo, Shahnawaz Teli and Aquib Ahmad Malik, were arrested during the raid on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, but the special guest was found missing, said an ATS official. The mobile phone intercepts of the two suspects confirmed that they organised the party for the special guest and cooked chicken for him on Thursday evening. We hoped to find the special guest in their room and conducted a raid the same night, but he fled, said the official. The phone intercepts also confirmed that Shahnawaz Teli drew money for the party from an ATM. Inspector general (IG) of police, ATS, Asim Arun said the ATS had some inputs about unknown people visiting the rented room of the two accused. He said the duo was quizzed about people who visited their room in a Deoband hostel, but they feigned ignorance about them. Another official assisting the investigation said the mobile intercepts of Shahnawaz, a resident of Pulwama (J&K), also revealed his conversation with some unknown caller in Kashmir after the attack on CRPF troops in Pulwama on February 14. Shahnawaz was heard stating that Mann toh kar raha hai ki sabke sir kalam kar doon par abhi apna haath roka hua hoon (I feel like beheading them all, but holding myself back due to certain reasons). However, Shahnawaz denied uttering such words even after his intercepts were played before him during the interrogation, said the officer. He said the duo was allegedly camping in Deoband hostel with the intention to radicalise youths and recruit new members for the terror group. They stayed there posing as students of Islamic studies, but were not enrolled in any of the Islamic institutions in Deoband, said the official. The two operatives will also be quizzed about the recruitments and their links in Kashmir, said the official, adding, Shahnawaz and Aquib will be taken to their home towns in Pulwama and Kulgam, respectively with the possibility of recoveries of explosives and firearms hidden at their secret place. ATS officials had claimed to have recovered two .32 bore pistols, apparently supplied to the duo from across the border, and 30 cartridges from them after their arrest. The two suspects are in ATS custody for interrogation after a special ATS court in Lucknow granted their 10-day police custody remand. IG Asim Arun said the two accused used a special application to have text and voice chats with their bosses. This application was similar to popular messaging apps, but wasnt available on playstore. This special application is shared only among terror operatives to dodge Intelligence agencies. Conversation through such application is not easy to intercept, he explained. Director-general of police OP Singh interrogated the two alleged operatives for around four hours on Sunday. ATS officials confirmed that the mobile handsets of the two accused contained several jihadi chats and videos of top commanders of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). They said forensic experts were trying to retrieve even the deleted chats and videos from these phones. Amid a breakdown of communication between India and Pakistan because of the February 14 Pulwama terror attack, senior leaders from both sides will come face to face at a high-level international meet in early April, according to officials familiar with the matter. The three-member Indian delegation to the 140th assembly of the International Parliamentary Union (IPU), the apex body of 178 national parliaments scheduled from April 6-10 in Qatar, will be led by Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh. India and Pakistan are among permanent members of IPU. Among other issues, the meeting will discuss a draft resolution on the non-admissibility of using mercenaries as means of undermining peace and violating human rights. One of the senior officials cited in the first instance said that New Delhi will not leave any stone unturned to highlight Pakistans increasing role in disturbing the peaceful situation in the subcontinent. Before going to Qatar, the ministry of external affairs will not only brief the delegates but provide them with talking points. We can also assume that Indias stated position vis-a-vis Pakistan and the recent terror attacks on Indian troops will be highlighted and the efforts to corner Pakistan in the international circles will continue, the official said. On April 7, its Standing Committee on Peace and International Security -- BJP MP Hari Babu Kambhampati as one of its members -- will debate on the draft resolution on the non-admissibility of using mercenaries. All IPU statutory bodies, including the Governing Council, Standing Committees, Committees on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians and on Middle-East Questions, as well as the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and the Forum of Young MPs, will meet in Qatar. Apart from the meeting on peace and security, this years theme for the general debate is parliaments as platforms to enhance education for peace, security and the rule of law. The Hindu Mahasabha on Sunday felicitated its activists who had re-enacted the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by allegedly firing at a portrait of the Father of the Nation in Aligarh on January 30. Thirty people who were felicitated included Hindu Mahasabha national secretary Puja Shakun Pandey, who had allegedly fired at the Mahatmas image, in Aligarh, and her husband Ashok Pandey, the organisations spokesman. Puja Shakun Pandey, Ashok Pandey and others were arrested earlier this month for the incident. They are currently out on bail. The Mahasabhas national president Chandra Prakash Kaushik handed over a copy of the Bhagwad Gita and a sword to Pandey at the function. We honoured office bearers and activists who were sent to jail by Aligarh police. We also honoured our advocates who stood with us in securing bail, which was granted on February 14. Those who stood as surety for us were also honoured, beside the seers who graced the occasion today, said Ashok Pandey. We were not afraid of the police and did what we planned although the police video recorded the event today, he added. Kaushik said, Hindu Mahasabha national secretary Puja Shakun Pandey has not committed any crime by re-enacting the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi but it was publicised in the wrong manner. The case registered against office bearers and activists of Hindu Mahasabha by the Aligarh police was uncalled for, Kaushik added. Puja Shakun Pandey justified her act and advocated the inclusion of books on the Mahatmas assassin Nathuram Godse in the school curriculum so that students could come to know the real facts. Aligarh police reached the venue and video recorded the event. Dhirendra Sharma, the incharge of Gandhi Park police station, said , There was a gathering where those released from jail came and had food together. There was nothing objectionable and thus action was not taken. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give peace a chance and assured him that he stands by his words and will immediately act if New Delhi provides Islamabad with actionable intelligence on the Pulwama attack. A statement released by the Pakistan Prime Ministers Office said, PM Imran Khan stand by his words that if India gives us actionable intelligence, we will immediately act. Tensions between the neighbours have spiralled in the wake of the suicide attack by Pakistan based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy that killed 40 personnel in Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama. Earlier, on February 19, Khan assured India that he would act against the perpetrators of the attack if it shares actionable intelligence with Islamabad, but warned New Delhi against launching any revenge retaliatory action. India said Khans offer to investigate the attack if provided proof is a lame excuse. It is a well-known fact that Jaish-e-Mohammed and its leader Masood Azhar are based in Pakistan. These should be sufficient proof for Pakistan to take action, the foreign ministry said. Read more| NIA says close to solving case, finds clear Pakistan link in Pulwama attack Pakistan wants peace Islamabad wants peace, but India is creating a war frenzy, Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi claimed on Sunday. Qureshi also said Pakistan was trying to defuse tensions and has written to the United Nations. The local media reported that Pakistans Foreign Office has set up a crisis management cell in view of heightened tensions. Read more| We want peace, says Pakistan foreign minister. Follows up with a sharp message The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday said it has managed to identify the Maruti Eeco vehicle used in the terror attack of February 14 in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed in Pulwama and said the vehicles owner, Sajjad Bhat of Bijbehara in district Anantnag of Jammu and Kashmir, was directly involved in the attack. The investigators said Bhat was missing for the last few days but stressed the vehicle, of which he was the eighth in the long line of owners, gave them key clues into the worst terror strike in the Valley in three decades of insurgency. He [Bhat] has reportedly joined [Pakistan-based terrorist outfit] JeM [Jaish-e-Mohammed, led by Masood Azhar], NIA spokesman Alok Mittal said. He was a student of Siraj-ul-Uloom [a madarsa], Shopian. A raid was conducted by an NIA team at his house with the help of J&K Police on February 23. However, Bhat was found not present in his house and thereafter has been evading arrest . He has reportedly now joined JeM. A photograph to this effect has also appeared in social media where he is seen holding weapons, Mittal added. HT reported in Mondays edition that investigators had identified the vehicle, that the explosives (25kg of RDX) were carried in a container, and that investigators believed the operation was carried out by a JeM unit in which the explosives knowhow came from across the border but which included some locals -- the bomber, his handler, and possibly, the owner of the vehicle. Mittal said on Tuesday that investigators pieced together remnants of the car used by the suicide bomber, JeM operative Aadil Ahmad Dar of Kakapora in south Kashmir, from the scene of crime in the Lethpora area. Dar is believed to have been driving the vehicle alone, he added. A Maruti Eeco vehicle having chassis number MA3ERLF1SOO183735 [and] engine G12BN164140 was sold to Md Jaleel Ahmed Haqani, a resident of Heaven colony, Anantnag in the year 2011. It subsequently changed hands seven times and finally reached Sajjad Bhat, said Mittal. Investigators said pieces of vehicle were spread over a radius of around 150 metres and painstakingly collected by the forensic experts working with a team from vehicle manufacturer Maruti Suzuki. Most of the vehicle parts are generally not numbered, but they can be identified by number of lots in which they were manufactured. Once the lots were identified, the manufacturer checked its computerised data to find out about the lots of vehicles and where they went for sale, said an investigator who asked not to be named After identifying the lots of vehicles, the agency zeroed in on a couple of vehicles that were sent to dealers in Jammu and Kashmir. Initially, we suspected one vehicle that may have been used in the attack but when our team checked the owner, he was found to be using that Maruti Eeco. So, the exercise continued till we identified the vehicle used in the attack, added the investigator quoted above. Investigators confirmed that 25kg RDX was used in the attack, along with initial findings that the bus which came under attack was the fifth in the 78-vehicle convoy. The suicide bomber was waiting for the convoy in a by-lane, and as soon as it crossed, he entered the highway from the left side and detonated the explosives when the bus was on his right. All 39 CRPF personnel travelling in the bus number five died in the attack. One CRPF personnel who was part of the Road-Opening-Party for the convoy was also killed in the attack. Inaction by local officials is likely to have contributed to the worsening of forest fires that broke out in Karnatakas Bandipur last week, environmentalists and forest officials say, raising alarm over the damage that may have thus been done to the plant and animal life that includes some endangered species. For the fourth day in a row, the dry deciduous forests of Bandipur were up in flames, destroying an estimated 3,000 hectares of forests that are home to tigers, leopards, civets, sambar deer and four-horned antelopes among other animals. In the last few weeks, there have been many small fires in the Kundhkere range, this major fire too started from there, said Joseph Hoover, a Bengaluru-based wildlife activist. If they had been better prepared, they could have killed the fire there instead of letting it spread as much as it has, said Hoover. According to Hoover, fire lines should have been ready and fire-watchers hired on time for a season marked by warm and dry winds: conditions that are known to be essential factors in starting and fanning forest fires. Their inaction has now led to this large-scale ecological damage. We are concerned that other regions like Nagarhole might suffer a similar fate soon, he added. States forest officials say in addition to the weather, the fire may have been caused by miscreants who deliberately started a blaze after not being hired as fire-spotters. A fire guard earns Rs 320 per day and each range hires at least 10 of them, making it a critical source of income for many in the region. Officials at the Forest Survey of India, an agency under the Union government, said automated alerts about the outbreak had been sent out at 2.20pm on Friday from a system that uses satellite information to identify ground fires. Controlling the fire is the states responsibility. We cannot interfere in how they control fire. They must have received an alert from FSI,said Siddhanta Das, director general, forests, ministry of environment. We are also monitoring the situation and are in touch with the forest department. But we dont have resources to control fire, said Das, The principal chief conservator of forests of Karnataka, P Sridhar, said the alerts would not have been timely as the conditions fanned the fire too quickly. FSI alerts go directly down to the local officers and those officers immediately act on it. Here the situation has been that even when officers reach a fire spot on time, unfavourable conditions prevented them from dousing the flames. Dry grass combined with strong winds makes it difficult for us to contain it within an area. Once it spreads to nearby zones, it becomes very difficult to contain, he said. On Monday, the fire, according to Forest Survey of Indias monitoring (FSIs), had spread to adjoining Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu, while it had reduced in intensity in Bandipur Tiger Reserve. In addition to Bandipur and Mudumalai reserve fires, several other forests across three states reported outbreaks. In Karnataka, these were Nandi Hills, Chikmagalur, Biligiriranga Hills, Shivamoga and Nagarhole Tiger reserve. In Tamil Nadu, Yercaud Hills in Salem district was affected as were three forest divisions in nearby Wayanad wildlife sanctuary in Kerala. Karnataka forest officials said on Monday that containing the blaze was still a challenge, even as air force choppers airdropped water brought in from farther away places. Every morning, the flames look under control only to rise up again later in the day. We are hoping to get the situation under control soon, added Sridhar. On Monday, officials managed to douse flames in the GS Betta range. Over 300 volunteers from local communities assisted in fire-fighting efforts. The Indian Army on Monday deployed more men and machines to trace five of its soldiers who went missing on Wednesday after they were swept in avalanche near Namgia Dogri outpost along the China border in tribal Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Contingents of the Army, Indo-Tibetan border police resumed rescue operations at 7 am. The army deployed men with chain saws and drill machines to cut through thick hardened snow to retrieve the soldiers buried in snow mound for least six days, said an official in Kinnaur. Snow and blizzard had hampered rescue operations on Sunday. Weather is cloudy. So search parties are continuing their efforts, he added. The Army has deployed specialised teams of mountaineers from Dogra scouts equipped with thermal radars. Sniffer dogs have also been deployed to rescue the missing soldiers. With the weather clearing, search operations for remaining five buried persons of the army trapped under an avalanche in Dogri Nullah are progressing with renewed vigour. Specialised rescue dog, rock drills and chain saws have also been deployed into the search operations, said army spokesman. On Monday, the army and ITBP deployed nearly 270 men. The track has been partially cleared, he said. The avalanche was triggered on February 20 when a glacier near Namgia Dogri slid, burying six soldiers of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles when they were on a routine patrol. One of the troopers, Havildar Rakesh Kumar, 41, was rescued but succumbed to injuries at the civil hospital, Pooh. Kumars body was flown to his village Ghumarpur in Bilaspur district where he was cremated with military and state honors on Friday. Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah on Monday said he has asked chief ministers of the BJP-ruled states to file a review petition in the Supreme Court to stop eviction of tribals from forest areas. The top court had on February 13 ordered the chief secretaries of 17 states to evict an estimated one million tribal and other households whose claims of the right to live in forests under the Forest Rights Act 2006 were rejected on various grounds, including absence of proof that the land was in their possession for at least three years. It also said the eviction should be carried out on or before July 24, the next date of hearing. I have spoken to all CMs of BJP-ruled states in the situation arising out of Supreme Courts order on eviction of tribals living in forest areas. The states will be soon filing a review petition and care will be taken to safeguard the rights of our tribals and prevent eviction, Shah tweeted. The BJP remains committed to the upliftment of our tribal brothers and sisters and we will do everything to protect their rights, he said in another tweet. Soon after Shahs tweet, Jharkhand chief minister Raghubar Das announced that his government will seek review of the SC order. I have directed the officials to initiate steps in this regard. The government is fully dedicated to protect the interests of tribal and other families dependent on forests, Das said in a press communique. Shahs tweets come two days after Congress president Rahul Gandhi announced a similar step. The recent order of the Supreme Court deserves your urgent intervention. The court has directed state governments to evict tribals and other forest dwellers whose claims under the Forest Rights Act were rejected, Gandhi wrote to Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Bhagel on Saturday. A day later, Bhagel said the state government will file a review petition after examining the SC order. Gandhis office had also sent similar letters to chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the other two Congress-ruled states having a sizeable population of tribals and forest dwellers likely to be hit by the SC order. Gandhi also cited a report of the tribal affairs ministry which said that less than 45% of the individual forest rights and 50% of the community forest rights claims were approved until April 2018. Further, the ministry has pointed out that forest staff often raised frivolous objections leading to rejection, the Congress president pointed out. Meanwhile on Monday, the tribal rights organisations under the banner of Campaign for Survival and Dignity announced a series of protests from February 26 to March 10 against the court order in different parts of the country. On March 2, tribal and forest dwellers from across the India will participate in a march to Parliament, said Bhil Tribal Party leader B L Chhanwal. There have been reports of protests by tribal groups in several states in the wake of the apex court order. In Jharkhand, forest dwellers took out Jangal-Zameen Adhikar yatra. The Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan, an umbrella group of state NGOs, also held a protest at Korba, claiming that the SC order will result in a large number of forest dwellers becoming landless and sought intervention of the state government. (With inputs from Ranchi and Jaipur bureaus) Asked to look for allies for the Lok Sabha elections, Jammu and Kashmir Congress president Ghulam Ahmad Mir has said that an alliance with Farooq Abdullahs National Conference would be on different terms. I was called to Delhi along with other state presidents of the party and had a meeting with Congress president (Rahul Gandhi) who asked me to look for the possibility of alliance partners in J&K, he said. He said that though no formal talks have started yet, the possibility will be discussed after taking feedback from the ground level with the leaders of other parties. In 2014, we had contested Lok Sabha polls jointly and lost, but this time, the situation is quite different in the state, he said. If there is an alliance with the NC, it will be on different terms this time. Jammu and Kashmir has six Lok Sabha seats. In the 2014 polls, which Congress and the NC contested jointly, Congress candidates lost from Jammu, Udhampur and Ladakh to BJP while the National Conference lost Anantnag, Baramulla and Srinagar to the PDP. In the bye-elections for Srinagar Lok Sabha seat, NC president Farooq Abdullah managed to wrest it from the PDP despite a low polling percentage. Congress did not field any candidate against Abdullah as a goodwill gesture. Sources said that both Congress and NC want that anti-BJP votes, especially in Jammu and Ladakh, should not get divided between the Congress, NC and the PDP which will help BJP to repeat a victory, especially in Jammu and Ladakh divisions. The decision to grant divisional status to Ladakh could see BJP reaping good dividends in Leh region of Ladakh division. Last time, the BJP had managed to win Ladakh seat by just mere 36 votes. On the other hand, the NC has announced that its Mohammad Akbar Lone will be contesting elections from Baramulla Lok Sabha seat, while Srinagar MP and party president Farooq Abdullah would contest from the same seat. The party hasnt decided names of candidates for two Jammu seats, and Ladakh and Anantnag. NC is part of UPA and if Congress will make some sacrifices, it is going to help Congress on the national front, said a senior NC leader who did not wish to be named. Recently, former state chief secretary, B R Kundal joined the National Conference, and party president Farooq Abdullah had hinted that he could be the party candidate from Jammu. Kundal had been member of legislative council and has also served as minister of state when Congress was running the coalition government with the PDP in 2008. Rajiv Saxena, who is an accused in the AgustaWestland chopper scam, was provided three armed guards for his round-the-clock security after a Delhi district court granted him a regular bail on Monday. The court granted Saxena bail after going through his medical report it had sought from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. It observed that Saxena is indeed suffering from a number of serious ailments including blood cancer. The accused needs constant medical care and attention. He is required to undergo regular checkups, special judge Arvind Kumar observed. Saxenas lawyer, Geeta Luthra, had sought bail for her client on health grounds. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) did not oppose his bail plea saying Saxena has been cooperating with the investigators. Luthra said her client was granted security because of a threat perception without elaborating. Kumar granted Saxena bail after furnishing a Rs 5 lakh bail bond and two sureties of the same amount. He asked Saxena not to tamper with evidence and to join the investigation as and when called. The court also asked Saxena not to leave the country without its permission. Saxena, who was granted interim bail on February 21, was brought from Dubai to India in January to face trial over alleged bribery of government officials involved in an abortive deal to buy 12 helicopters from the Anglo-Italian firm, AgustaWestland. The ED has named Saxena as the key money launderer in the scam. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)-Samajwadi Party (SP) alliance on Monday announced a poll pact to fight Lok Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand with the former establishing a dominant position in the seat-sharing arrangement. The SP will contest three of the 29 Lok Sabha seats in MP while the BSP contest the rest. The Samajwadi Party will contest Balaghat, Tikamgarh, and Khajurago seats in Madhya Pradesh. In Uttarakhand which has 5 Lok Sabha seats, the SP will contest the Garhwal (Pauri) seat and the BSP will fight in three, according to a joint statement by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati With this the SP-BSP alliance has officially spread to three states. The two parties had announced their alliance on January 13 in Lucknow. The Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand seat division announcement came a week after the two parties announced seat sharing in Uttar Pradesh where the BSP will contest 38 seats and the SP will fight in 37. After leaving the Congress out of the poll pact, Akhilesh said earlier this month that the Congress was part of it and two seats were given to the grand old party in the alliance. While announcing their alliance Mayawati and Akhilesh had said that the alliance would not field any candidate at Amethi and Rae Bareli parliamentary constituencies, represented by Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi respectively. Last week, Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav appeared to criticise Akhilesh for the delay in naming candidates and questioned the poll pact with Mayawati. Three people, including a woman, from the same family were killed and five others injured early on Monday when the multi-utility vehicle they were travelling in fell into a 150-metre deep ditch in Uttarakhands Pauri Garhwal district, officials said. The dead have been identified as Maheshwari Devi, 50, Vinod Singh Rawat, 50, and 36-year-old Arvind Singh Rawat - all resident of Chourkhanda village of the district. Arvind was the head of the village. They were returning from a family function in Delhi, when the accident took place near Kotdwar town at around 5:30am, State Disaster Response Force officials said. SDRF official Praveen Alok said there were eight people, including the driver, in the vehicle. There were seven people of the same family hailing from Chourkhanda village of Pauri. They had gone to Delhi in the rented vehicle for a family function. On Monday morning, they were returning home when on the way near Dugadda area of Kotdwar town, the driver lost control over the vehicle and it fell in the ditch about 150m deep, Alok said. He said SDRF received the information about the accident from the local fire station at around 6am. A team of nine SDRF personnel were rushed to the spot for the rescue operation, he said. The three deceased had died on the spot while the five others including the driver who were injured, have been rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Alok said an initial investigation shows that the driver must have dosed off on the wheel, which could have led to the accident. However, the actual reasons could be ascertained after speaking to the injured and as the investigation progresses. Two Pakistanis were among the three Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists killed in a firefight with security forces in Jammu and Kashmirs Kulgam on Sunday, the state police said on Monday. At least eight JeM terrorists have been killed since the Pakistan-based group claimed responsibility for the killing of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in a suicide car bomb attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama district on February 14. The police identified the three killed in Kulgam as Raqib Ahmad Sheikh, a local resident, and Pakistani nationals Waleed and Numan. Deputy police superintendent Aman Kumar Thakur and an Army soldier were also killed in the Kulgam firefight. A police statement said Waleed and Numan were JeMs top commanders and were active in southern parts of the Kashmir Valley. They were involved in conspiring and executing several terrorist attacks, the statement added without elaborating. The statement said arms and ammunition were recovered from the firefight scene and advised people against venturing inside the gunbattle zone since such an area can be dangerous due to stray explosive materials. People are requested to cooperate with the police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosives materials if any. Thakur, a 2011 batch Kashmir Police Service officer, led the operation in Kulgam. He had been heading the state polices counter-terrorism wing in the district for around two years. Thakur had played an instrumental role in killing terrorists in the area, another police statement said on Sunday. Also read: Jaish commander behind CRPF convoy attack killed in encounter in Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama Thakur was a resident of Gogla in Jammu and Kashmirs Doda district. He is survived by his parents, widow, Sarla Devi, and six-year-old son, Arya. Three militants, including two Pakistanis, were killed in Pulwama in a major anti-terror operation against the JeM leadership four days after the car bomb attack on February 14. The three were killed within 100 hours of the car bomb attack. Four Army soldiers, including a Major, and a policeman were also killed in the operation. Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Puma Khandu said on Monday his government will never take up the issue of permanent resident certificates (PRC) after two people were killed in firing by security forces and three others injured in widespread violence in capital Itanagar on Sunday over protests against granting residency to six non-native communities. On the night of February 22, I had clarified through media and social media that the government will not hold further discussions over this. Today, an order has been issued via the chief secretary that we wont take up PRC matter, Khandu said, according to news agency ANI. I would like to assure the people in Arunachal Pradesh that the government will not take up the matter even in future. This is a clear message, he said. Khandu also appealed to the people to maintain peace and help in restoring normal life in the state capital. The chief minister said he has given orders that a detailed investigation is essential. The governments stand over PRC is clear, in spite of that there were incidents of violence. I have formed a commissioner level investigating committee. It is necessary for the truth to come before the public, ANI quoted Pema as saying. We feel that there is somebodys hands behind these incidents. Arunachal Pradesh is otherwise a peaceful state, he said. Chief minister Khandu also said an ex-gratia has been announced for those killed in the protests and that a meeting of all community-based organisations and parties will be held on Monday to discuss the PRC matter. Thousands of people attacked chief minister Pema Khandus residence. While the police tried to exercise restraint, the protesters tried to break the barricades, state minister and government spokesperson Bamang Felix said. In the unfortunate incident, two protesters lost their lives while three others were injured. Several police personnel have also suffered injuries as protesters attacked them with stones, Felix said. On Sunday, hundreds of protesters defied a curfew and burnt a section of Arunachal Pradesh deputy chief minister Chowna Meins private residence in Itanagar besides damaging many other vehicles and buildings. One protester was killed in firing on Friday during the second day of a 48-hour shutdown. More than a hundred vehicles were torched or damaged and many including policemen were injured in stone pelting and violence. The protests forced the state government to drop a discussion on the panel report in the state assembly. The assembly was adjourned sine die on Saturday and curfew imposed in Itanagar. The army, which was also brought in on Saturday, conducted flag marches in the state capital. But despite the curfew and heavy deployment of troops, protesters came out on Sunday and continued the violence. Also read: Congress instigating people in Arunachal, says Union minister Kiren Rijiju Protesters also damaged two police stations in Itanagar and Naharlagun, ransacked the office of the deputy commissioner of Itanagar and burned a commercial building in Naharlagun owned by forest and environment minister Nabam Rebi. Rebia was chairman of the government panel which advocated giving PRC to six non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) communities, who are not natives of the state, but have been residing in Changlang and Namsai districts for decades. There is anger among the states indigenous communities who feel the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in the northeastern state is indulging in vote bank politics. (With inputs from Sadiq Naqvi) Director Spike Lee and actor Samuel L Jackson werent the only ones upset after the dramedy Green Book was announced the Best Picture at the 91st Academy Awards, held in Hollywood on Monday morning. Several fans took to Twitter to express their displeasure at the Academys decision to honour the controversial picture with its top prize. The film also won the Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor awards. Watch | IMDb Oscar coverage: Stars Reveal Who They Want to Work With Next Also read: Green Book pulls off shock win, Rami Malek, Olivia Colman, Indias Period End of Sentence score According to Deadline, Lee, who had moments earlier won his first Oscar for BlackKklansman and had delivered a passionate speech, got up and walked to the back of the auditorium, clearly furious. He turned around and appeared to get into an intense conversation with Jordan Peele, who was behind him. He was pacing the aisle and stormed to the back of the auditorium. When he came back, he turned his back to the stage during the speech, the report said. You can almost hear him say, "You know you dont deserve this, right?" pic.twitter.com/i4ciY6Syre amber ruffin (@ambermruffin) February 25, 2019 Meanwhile, Jackson, a close friend and collaborator of Lees and presenter of the Best Original Screenplay award, did not hide his feelings while handing co-writer Nick Vallelonga his Oscar. Vallelonga had previously tweeted in support of US president Donald Trump and allegedly made racist statements on Twitter, according to Uproxx. Green Book has been involved in a series of controversies lately. Besides its use of the much derided white saviour trope, the film was condemned by members of Don Shirleys family. The character is played by Mahershala Ali in the film, about a black musician and his white driver as they tour a pre-Civil Rights American south. My brother never considered Tony to be his friend; he was an employee, his chauffeur (who resented wearing a uniform and cap). This is why context and nuance are so important. The fact that a successful, well-to-do Black artist would employ domestics that did NOT look like him, should not be lost in translation, Shirleys brother had said. It had also been reported that director Peter Farrelly, known for broad comedies such as Dumb and Dumber and Theres Something About Mary, had a tendency of flashing his genitals on set, according to a 1998 Newsweek article. Here are some more reactions to Green Books win: Sam Jackson's reaction when he sees "Green Book" laid me out #Oscars pic.twitter.com/DBoESOITUq Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) February 25, 2019 Wow. Just wow. Notice how they did not even acknowledge the creator of the actual Green Book, Victor Hugo Green in the acceptance speech for Best Picture. "It all started with Viggo." How disrespectful. #Oscars Rebecca Theodore-Vachon (@FilmFatale_NYC) February 25, 2019 I WARNED YOU. Fuck Green Book. We took shots at the Oscar party. I wish they were wrong. And what did Carrie Fisher do to deserve the mention, you racist fucks? Odie Henderson (@odienator) February 25, 2019 Green Book shouldn't have won even if all the 8 nominees were Green Book. #Oscars (@varungrover) February 25, 2019 GREEN BOOK is the worst best picture Oscar winner in more than a decade. https://t.co/JpS2zTp2EJ Justin Chang (@JustinCChang) February 25, 2019 This guy has two Oscars now. pic.twitter.com/5ReKcNLQI8 Graeme Harwell (@GraemeHarwell) February 25, 2019 me losing my shit at the manager of my local Arbys after Green Book wins Best Picture or whatever pic.twitter.com/Xv3YfF4Err david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) February 20, 2019 It's Hollywood's bigot night Megan Amram (@meganamram) February 25, 2019 Brie Larson gasped, Samuel L. Jacksons eyebrows hit the ceiling and they both announced "Green Book" for best screenplay like: pic.twitter.com/xAQdvQ7snX Saeed Jones (@theferocity) February 25, 2019 the difference between samuel l jackson presenting green book with an oscar and samuel l jackson presenting blackkklansman with an oscar deserves an oscar ellie (@eleanorbate) February 25, 2019 the academy should apologize to samuel l. jackson for making him give an award to GREEN BOOK Inkoo Kang (@inkookang) February 25, 2019 Follow @htshowbiz for more The ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12) examination for English literature of Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) was easy but lengthy, students said on Monday. Deepinder Khara, English educator, Strawberry Fields High School (SFHS) in Chandigarh, said, The questions were direct and as per the expected lines. Students came out of the examination hall all happy. She further added, For Class 12, the syllabus was newly modified and was tested for the first time. We teachers, as well as students, were wary as no one could predict from which chapter of the book the questions will be set up by the examiner. However, the paper was easy, said Khara. The council changes the syllabus once in every two-three years. There were a new set of plays, poems as well as stories. Now for the next year paper prediction will be even easier. Deepinder further added, In fact, the Class 10 paper was also on expected lines and students seemed confident and happy after examination. A teacher at St Xaviers High School in Chandigarh added, We had prepared the students already for the exam, which followed the pattern we had expected. I am sure all the students will pass with flying colours. Sonam Pande, a student at St Xaviers High School said, This year paper was so easy, unlike last years paper which was not only lengthy with multiple subparts but also tricky. However many students in Chandigarh were of a view that the paper was lengthy. Jagatjot Kaur of SFHS said, My paper for 15 marks was left unattempted as it was very lengthy. Aarushi of SFHS said, I completed my paper almost in time, there was no time left for revision. It was easy but lengthy. Lucknow Both students and teachers in Lucknow felt that ICSE and ISC Class 10 and Class 12 English literature paper was relatively easy. Himanshu Ambedkar, a Class 12 student of the Arts stream at City Montessoir School said, The reference to context questions were very easy to answer. Aanchal Yadav and Ananya Sharma of Class 12 science stream were of the view that the long answer questions were theme based and easy to understand. Read more: CBSE board results 2019 to be declared by May 10 this year Kushagra Satyam and Kaushal Mulchandani of ISC commerce stream said, The paper was easy and we managed to complete it satisfactorily. Principal Vineeta Kamran said students looked confident and positive when they came out from the examination hall. She said overall students were satisfied with their performance. According to the ISC English teachers of City Montessori School, Kanpur Road branch in Lucknow, Kallol Kumar Mishra and Mamta Singh it was a standard paper requiring thorough study on the part of the students. A teacher, Vaibhav Srivastava said, There was a question on the story to build a fire was unexpected and less number of students would have attempted that. I doubt whether students will be able to do well in that or not. But overall response of the students were positive. Two more teachers, Archana Pearl Peters, Chhaya Joshi said, We are confident that the students will come out with flying colours as they were better prepared for the topics. The ICSE students were also pleased with their English literature paper. Prakhar Srivastava of Class 10 CMS Kanpur Road said, The paper was easier than expected. The ICSE English teachers of the school Chandani Awasthi, Satish Mishra, Amanpreet Kaur, Jasneet Kaur, the paper was overall very easy and straightforward. There were some difficult and length chapters in course but only the most simple ones had been asked. The last question in every reference was kind of tricky and asked for a hidden aspect of the text. Rest the division of marks in most of the questions was quite straightforward. Shalini Tandan, a teacher at La Martiniere Girls College, Lucknow said, the ISC (Class 12) Literature in English paper was an easy and straightforward one. The students were well prepared. All the sections had well framed questions. Though the paper was lengthy, the students were able to complete it in time. Even though the syllabus was new yet the students were happy with the questions. The questions in Echoes and Reverie were direct and pointed. The reference to context questions from The Tempest were balanced. The students could not have asked for a better question paper. The girls heaved a sigh of relief and were contended. It was a big confidence booster for the students, she said. Kolkata Souparna Sarkhel of WWA Cossipore English School, Kolkata said, I found todays paper quite easy and was able to attempt all the questions. Of course, some questions were out of the suggestions given by our teachers. But that was quite predictable. I am satisfied with todays paper. (With inputs from Sumanta Ray Chaudhuri in Kolkata) The cancellation of fire safety certificates of a large number of hotels and guest houses by the Delhi government in the aftermath of the Arpit hotel fire is a welcome step, but how did these hotels get the certificate in the first place? This raises serious questions about the entire enforcement process and underscores the need for transparency and accountability in the working of enforcement agencies. Another issue that comes to the fore following the hotel fire, is the owners wilful violation of the laws. After obtaining a fire safety certificate, many of them routinely destroy all fire safety measures put in place. Fire exits are treated as storage spaces and blocked with unwanted goods or locked up. Buildings are modified , fire fighting equipment, smoke detectors and smoke alarms are not serviced and kept in proper working order. So much so that consumers who patronise these hotels trusting the fire safety certificate issued to them, are at risk. Given these circumstances, it would be wise to reduce the validity of the fire safety certificates given to the hotels from three years to one year. Or the punishment for violation should become exemplary, thus forcing compliance. In fact so long as there is no deterrent punishment for such wrong doing, fire safety will not improve. The Delhi Fire Service Act, 2007 provides for a maximum imprisonment of three to six months under various provisions (Sections 37, 49 and 52) and/or fine varying from Rs 1,000 (Section 49- failure to take precautions) to Rs 50,000 (penalties for violations of provisions of Chapter VI) for non-compliance. In sharp contrast, , the Uttar Pradesh Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Act, 2005, provides for imprisonment for contraventions for a term which may extend to ten years and/or with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees . Such deterrent provisions are absolutely necessary to bring about behavioural change vis-avis fire safety. In fact there should be huge penalties for each violation such as misusing the basement or blocking or locking the exits or switching off the fire alarm or for a dysfunctional smoke detector or a public address system.. It is also important to amend Section 304 A of the Indian Penal code to ensure that in case of fire tragedies, punishment to those found guilty of flagrant violation of fire safety laws is proportionate to the magnitude of the crime. As of now, Section 304A (Causing death by negligence) prescribes only a maximum punishment of two years of imprisonment or fine or both. Its hardly a deterrent punishment. It should also become mandatory for all hotels to declare, in their advertisements and on their websites, whether the hotel is fully compliant with fire safety norms. . At the time of booking too, whether done through a travel agency or an online portal , consumers should be first informed of the fire safety status of the hotel. This information should also be prominently displayed at hotel reception area. Any breach of fire safety laws should automatically give consumers the right to cancel the booking for a full refund and demand alternate accommodation in a safe hotel or a hefty compensation . It is equally important to introduce transparency and accountability in the enforcement process, so as to eliminate corrupt practices as well as apathy and sloth. Today, enforcement agencies get away with shoddy work, perfunctory inspections, because of lack of awareness among citizens, of the work that they are supposed to do. So it should become mandatory for every website of the fire service department as well as the civic authorities to provide on an excel sheet, the various provisions of the law that they are supposed to enforce and the actual enforcement work done by them. And this should be updated every month. A 23-year-old private tutor was attacked with a blade near her home in outer Delhis Raj Park Saturday evening, police said. Stating that a case of voluntarily causing hurt has been registered at Raj Park police station, police said the woman received multiple cuts to her cheek and chin and needed stitches, but the injuries are superficial and she is out of danger.The woman, police said, suspected the role of a man who had been stalking her for the last 11 years. According to police, the woman was allegedly being stalked and harassed by a 27-year-old man since 2008, when she was a school student. The woman has reportedly told police that she was certain that it was he who had ordered the attack. Rajendra Singh Sagar, additional deputy commissioner of police (outer Delhi), said, In 2008, the man held the womans hand and harassed her. He again intercepted her last year while she was walking to her tuition centre. He had proposed marriage but the woman had turned him down. Sagar added that investigators have learnt from different channels that the 27-year-old had murdered his brother-in-law in a case of honour killing in June 2012, but the information is yet to be verified from police records. The police have also learnt that he was arrested for that murder and released on bail last year. We do not know his whereabouts. He doesnt stay in Raj Park and the surrounding neighbourhoods. His parents live in Dadri. We have formed multiple teams and are trying to track them and his friends circle to know his whereabouts and his past, said Sagar. Police said the woman gives private tuitions and is simultaneously pursuing her post graduation through distance learning from Delhi University. She was returning home from a shop around 8.30pm when a man suddenly attacked her with a blade. He repeatedly slashed her face before fleeing, said an officer. The woman cried for help, drawing a crowd to the spot, but the suspect took advantage of the gathering and managed to escape. The woman was rushed to a hospital where she was treated. A relative of the woman said, We had once met the mans parents and complained about his behaviour. They had apologised and said he wouldnt do it again. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A day after chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that he would go on an indefinite fast to press the demand for full statehood for Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday came out with a comprehensive 10-day plan to mobilise public support. The plan includes party MLAs joining the CM on his fast as well as supporters taking out 500 yatras daily across the city. Both the BJP and Congress, however, have described the protest as a plan to divert publics attention from real issues. Gopal Rai, a minister in the Kejriwal cabinet and the convener of AAPs Delhi unit, said though the party is yet to decide the venue for CMs fast. Kejriwalji will discharge his duties as chief minister from the venue. We will announce the site in the next two days. Indefinite fast is the last option to press for our demand of full statehood, said Rai, who is also the development minister, on Sunday. We have formed three committees at central (Lok Sabha constituencies), vidhan sabha (assembly constituencies) and zonal levels to coordinate the protests. Between March 1 and 9, partymen will take out 560 nyay yatras across the city by roping in residents welfare associations, students, teachers, lawyers and members of social and religious groups, he said. Vijender Gupta, leader of the opposition in Delhi Assembly and BJP MLA, said the protest was a dramatic way of carrying out election campaign. He (Kejriwal) wants to divert publics attention from real issues. He is not bothered about the people of Delhi as he his government has blocked several welfare schemes in Delhi such as Ayushman Bharat, RRTS project and Metro phase-4, Gupta said. Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit asked why Kejriwal was raising the issue when the elections are around. I dont understand how is he planning to receive full statehood for Delhi. The full statehood is created by the act of Constitution and now there is no time to change ... You have chosen a time when Parliament is not in session. What are his intentions?, Dikshit told ANI. CM attacks Centre In a series of tweets on Sunday, Kejriwal attacked both the BJP and Congress for not fulfilling their promise of according the status of a full state to Delhi. As per the Constitution, Delhi is a semi-state with lieutenant governor (L-G) as its administrator. Three key areas of police, land and services are governed by the Centre through the L-G. Yes, Delhi is Indias national capital, so let the Centre keep entire the NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Council) area under its complete control. How can rest of Delhi, in which Delhiites elect their own government, be kept subservient to the Centre? No more injustice to be tolerated, Kejriwal tweeted.Advaniji, as Home Minister, in August 2003 introduced statehood for Delhi Bill in Lok Sabha. Pranab da headed parliamentary comm endorsed it in Dec 2003, but it finally lapsed.Did they intend to just play with the emotions of people of Delhi? Why this injustice with Delhiites? (sic). Minister Rai also accused the BJP and the Congress of deceiving Delhiites on the issue of statehood and alleged that the two parties had promised it but are backtracking now. Fortis Healthcare has said it has asked markets regulator Sebi to initiate legal proceedings, including arrest of its former promoters Singh borthers, to recover Rs 472 crore from them and related entities. In an application to Sebi for the recovery of the amount, Fortis Healthcare and Fortis Hospitals have asked for the invocation of Section 28 A of the Act to recover the amounts from Malvinder Mohan Singh, Shivinder Mohan Singh, RHC holdings Pvt Ltd, Shivi Holdings Pvt Ltd, Malav Holdings Pvt Ltd, Religare Finvest Ltd, Best Healthcare Pvt Ltd, Fern healthcare Pvt Ltd and Modland Wears Pvt Ltd. Fortis Healthcare has also asked the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) for a personal hearing on the matter. Commenting on the development, Fortis Healthcare Ltd Chairman Ravi Rajagopal said: Once SEBI order was received in Oct 2018, then the revised version in Dec 2018, we began legal proceedings to recover the money as per the directive in the order. All the nine parties/noticees were sent notices from FHL. On January 18, 2019, the SEBI deadline for notices to pay back money to Fortis expired and on February 13, 2019, petition was filed by Fortis with SEBI to initiate legal proceedings against ex-promoters and related entities to recover money and for other directions, he added. The company is also awaiting SEBI approval on declassification of Singh brothers as promoters, Rajagopal said. He further said the previous board of Fortis Healthcare had links with Singh brothers and there was an investigation by law firm Luthra and Luthra into the Rs 472 crore diverted into other companies. Following release of the Luthra report, we initiated legal action - writing to the regulatory authorities with the primary objective of recovering money and protecting shareholders interest. We filed applications with SEBI, SFIO and handed them report copies. Legal action have been taken against the three entities - Fern, Modland and Best, Rajagopal said. When contacted, Shivinder Singh said seeking to invoke Section 28A of SEBI Act is premature and unfair when a final order has not been passed in the matter. ...and when I have not had a chance to review or respond to Fortis own investigation report which I have requested and not received till date, strikes me as premature, unfair and against the principles of natural justice, he added. Singh reiterated that the decisions on ICDs (Inter Corporate Deposits) were taken after his retirement and he had no role to play in their planning or execution. Since September 2015 - after stepping down from all executive positions in Fortis - my position was no more than that of every other non-executive board member of Fortis. Just like the other board members, I was also kept in the dark regarding these transactions, he said in a statement. Asserting that even Fortis is well aware of the facts and his role on the matter, Singh said, It would be grossly unjust to hold me responsible for decisions and actions taken by others who were in a position of responsibility and power. He also said he had cooperated in all interactions with Sebi and other agencies making his position clear in detailed written and oral submissions which establish my innocence. Im confident the truth will prevail and that the regulators will carefully examine the role of all decision makers individually and do justice, Shivinder said. An email sent to Malvinder Singh seeking his comments on the development remained unanswered by the time of filing the story. Commenting on other initiatives undertaken by the new Fortis board, Rajagopal said Malvinder Singhs lease of Singapore property has been cancelled, all other official assets have been reclaimed back from the Singh brothers. PTI AKT RKL MR Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan has revealed that he has been living normally despite being diagnosed with Hepatitis B. He also said he is pained to know that women, who carry hepatitis B virus, face discrimination in the society. Bachchan is the World Health Organizations Goodwill Ambassador for Hepatitis in South-East Asia Region, said women must be treated with respect and dignity. Also read: Oscars 2019: Heres a complete list of winners Discrimination against women has been most disturbing for me. This shouldnt happen. Women are half the power of the country, they are the strength of the country. They must be given the respect and dignity that all deserve, Bachchan said. To be discriminated like this just because they are carrying hepatitis B virus is not acceptable. I will fight for this as long as I am alive, he added. The 76-year-old actor was speaking at the launch of National Action Plan on combatting viral hepatitis in India. Bachchan said this discrimination is condemnable and was shocked to know how things unfold for women suffering from the disease. Also read: Koffee with Karan: Kareena Kapoor reveals secrets about Priyanka Chopra I have heard such horrific stories where married women were thrown out of their houses because they were suffering from hepatitis B. I thought if my voice and face can help bring awareness, then I will be glad to do so. If I can be the living example for the citizens of the country that despite being a hepatitis B patient, I am living normally, he added. Follow @htshowbiz for more As one of the worlds largest economies, Indias environmental leadership is crucial, and the country can help spur global progress by taking on an important challenge that is closely linked to both public health and the planets health: air pollution. India as an emerging economy has been going through a phase of accelerated development for the past few years to meet the aspirations of its burgeoning population. This rapid industrialisation and urbanisation have brought many benefits to peoples lives, but they have also brought to the forefront public health concerns about air pollution in urban and industrial towns. The Indian government has acknowledged the importance of the issue by launching the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), as a comprehensive national level programme. This is a landmark effort of the government to improve air quality, quality of life, health, and economic well being in the country. Its ambitious, but it is achievable and these measures that will help India fulfil its commitment will also modernise the economy and address climate change, since many of the biggest sources of air pollution are also major contributors of the greenhouse gases that are warming the planet. India is already taking other important steps forward with far reaching benefits under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. For instance, the Indian government launched a major effort to provide all citizens with access to clean fuels, and, under the Ujjwala Scheme, provided free cooking gas connections to more than 60 million households, with the ultimate goal of reaching 100% of households. This effort will not only improve peoples lives, but also bring enormous health benefits, because cooking with wood and other biomass is the single largest cause of air pollution in India. India is also working to reduce emissions from cars and trucks and has proposed a transition to an electric vehicle fleet, both of which set an example for other countries. The government has prescribed new pollution standards for power plants, and launched an ambitious programme to increase clean energy and reduce dependency on fossil fuels, which are major sources of both air pollution and carbon emissions. Now, India is poised to tap another powerful driver of both economic modernisation and cleaner air: its cities. While cities are the centre of the pollution problem both in India and around the world they can also be a big part of the solution. New York City is one example among many. The city used to have a reputation for having terrible air quality. Today, New Yorks air is cleaner than it has been in more than 50 years. That progress was made possible through efforts like making safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists; helping building owners switch to cleaner fuel; new guidelines to increase energy efficiency; and planting one million new trees. From 2005 to 2013, New York Citys carbon emissions fell by nearly 20%, life expectancy increased by three years, and the number of jobs rose to record levels. People want to live where the air is clean, and where people live, businesses want to invest. Cities around the world are taking similar steps, and to assist Indian cities, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is collaborating with some of the institutional organisations like Bloomberg Philanthropies, World Bank, UNDP etc on a new effort. Over the next two years, that will help a group of non-attainment Indian cities better understand air pollution-related aspects with scientific approaches, identify its sources, and develop action plans. Cities will be supported to work together to share insights and strategies. No two cities are the same but they face many common challenges and what works in one often works in others. For example, better waste facilities in and around cities would also clean up the air and improve life in neighbourhoods currently burdened with waste issue. And investment in modernising the brick making industry would support a vital source of jobs and income while reducing its impact on public health. Effective implementation of NCAP will help millions of Indians live healthier lives. They will help India lead the way in fighting climate change. And these measures will help make Indias economy more competitive. Ultimately, the same steps that address air pollution and protect the planet also make communities healthier and wealthier and that is a powerful message that India can deliver to the rest of the world. Harh Vardhan is Union minister of environment, forest and climate change. Michael Bloomberg is former mayor of New York City The views expressed are personal Breaking News Updates Would you like to receive our Breaking News updates? Signup today! Calendar Updates Would you like to receive our weekly Calendar updates? Signup today! Deals Updates Would you like to receive Deals updates? Signup today! As she looked for a larger space, The Hickory Tree consignment shop owner Meredith Ross told Dana about Old Lenoir Road. There is a vision to make Old Lenoir Road an arts district, Dana explained. I like that vision, so this is where I want to be. We have lots of artists, but there isnt a destination for artists in the area yet. Im hoping to be part of that vision. Danas pottery shop, called Mud Mamas, is now located at 932 Third Ave., NW, in Hickory. Its going really well. We have so much support from the community, she said. People who did pottery in high school and college are so happy, Dana continued. They say, 'Finally, I have a place where I can do pottery. I think there are a lot of people who want to do pottery, but there isnt a place to do it. Here, they have that opportunity. I dont see us going anywhere. What motivates you? Probably my love for the arts. That has to be number one, because otherwise it's not worth it. Its a lot of work, and little pay. Why is art important to a community? ****************** MID-MONTH MADNESS WINNERS GRAND PRIZE WINNER - Roxanne Cruz BLOG WINNER: Melanie Backus Individual Winners: Nancy: Amazon Gift Card: Connie Ruggles Contest #2 (not sure of prize): Marilyn Ridgeway Naomi: Ebook of Love Coward and swag: Darla Fillmore Catherine: Reader's choice of Destiny Series book: Deb Allard Vicki: Anonymous Bride: Darla Fillmore Mutiny of the Heart: Marilyn Ridgeway Linda: Ebook of Gold Rush Bride Hannah: Avis Powers Ebook of Gold Rush Bride Hannah: Nancy Costello ***************** GIVEAWAY RULES Winners must leave their email address and will be notified by email and the winne r s name will be anno unced in the days comments. No one under 18 can enter our giveaways. No purchase is necessary. All winners have one week to claim their prize. USA shipping only. Offer void where prohibited. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Staff reports The Herald-Mail Have we become numb to evil? To the editor: It seems that there are those among us who have been so completely numbed to evil that they condone the horrible practices of abortion, right up to the time of birth, and physician-assisted suicide. How can the rest of us fail to be horrified and to speak out? Thank you for publishing thoughtful letters and articles such as The Banality of Evil by Kathleen Parker and America should be weeping over New York abortion law by George Michael. May they not go unheeded. It is truly time for Americans to wake up to the very dangerous direction were going. We need to repent and ask God for mercy before we begin reaping what were sowing. Jackie Fields Hagerstown 'Feminine genius:' As women we have choices To the editor: The "feminine genius," as described by St. John Paul II, includes qualities such as receptivity, emphasis on the person, empathy, protection of life, sanctity and modesty, among others. He attributes these feminine genius qualities to the ability of women, more so than men, to acknowledge the human person, and help him or her regardless of ideology or politics. It is in this light that women should view our choices. In a letter to the editor Feb. 15, Richard Poling challenged the idea that some pregnant women express: Its my body. I agree with his sentiment, and heres why. A pregnant woman does not have two hearts, four arms and 20 toes. Ladies, we cant not know that a life -- a human person -- is growing within us, even as he or she is tiny and hidden and in the safest place on earth inside our bodies. As a woman, I say to all women that you are beautiful and have dignity and value and the ability to make your own choices. We must admit, however, that our choices end where another life begins -- that new life being a woman or a man one day, deserving the chance to make choices all their own. Show me a living, breathing human being, and you will see someone who was formed in the womb, who began as a fetus, which is the Latin term for offspring or child. Once pregnant, the thought, I dont want to have a child right now becomes nullified as the child has already been created. The thought must shift to, How am I going to parent this child? If the child would be a hardship, there are many loving families that would raise the child as their own. Our moms gave us a chance to live and breathe and walk into the sunshine and make our own choices. Who are we to take that choice away from our very own flesh and blood? Pamela Ward Hagerstown Jennifer Fitch waynesboro@herald-mail.com CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. U.S. Rep. John Joyce perhaps felt more at home touring Chambersburg Hospital than your average lawmaker would. A physician himself, Joyce not only asked doctors and nurses about substance abuse and overdoses, as was the stated purpose of the tour, but also questioned them about their schooling and burnout on the job. It gives you insight into whats going on, said Joyce, R-Pa. Joyce first met with hospital administrators, then visited the emergency department, pharmacy, critical care unit and neonatal intensive care unit. He said he was impressed with the staff and saw how doctors graduating from medical school could learn from experienced personnel and make a difference in a community if they worked in the Summit Health system. Summit Health recently was acquired by WellSpan Health. Pharmacy director Clint Pentz talked to Joyce about how the pharmacy collaborates with physicians to provide patients with fewer narcotics than in the past. He said those with pain may be given five pills to start, rather than 30. Pentz and Joyce talked about drug shortages from large pharmaceutical companies. For instance, lidocaine is increasingly difficult to obtain for topical numbing. Joyce hopes to use his role on the House Committee on Small Business to examine how health care issues affect employers. I think health care was the major impetus for me running for Congress, said Joyce, who represents Pennsylvanias 13th District. Amber Rephann, who works in Chambersburg Hospitals critical care unit, told Joyce the drug overdoses they treat involve all types of substances. She said the unit had 17 patients on Monday, with 11 of those people on ventilators. Rephann described a partnership with St. Louis Mercy Virtual in which critical care nurses and other providers monitor patients via video and audio links in their rooms. Roughly one in four babies in the neonatal intensive care unit are born addicted to substances, officials told Joyce. Matthew Umstead mumstead@herald-mail.com MARTINSBURG, W.Va. A Berkeley County, W.Va., grand jury on Friday returned 50 indictments, according to Prosecuting Attorney Catie Wilkes Delligatti. Jeriah Aaron Ahlfeld, 23, of Inwood, was charged with malicious assault. Orlando Jamiel Atkins, 34, of no fixed address, was charged with counterfeiting, fleeing from a law enforcement officer with reckless indifference, felony destruction of property, and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in damage to vehicle. Phillip Arnold Bennett, 30, of Keyser, W.Va., was charged with two counts of possession of a weapon in jail, misdemeanor destruction of property, conspiracy to violate possession of contraband in jail by an inmate, offense by inmate (making correctional facility less secure), and attempted escape. Mark L. Blue, III, 34, of Baltimore, was charged with misdemeanor battery on a government representative, felony second offense battery on a government representative, offense by inmate (resisting lawful authority of correctional officer) and willful disruption of governmental process. Kimberly Lynn Celmer, 31, of Martinsburg, was charged with transporting a controlled substance into jail, possession with intent to deliver buprenorphine and attempted delivery of buprenorphine. Jason Allen Chapman, 36, of Hedgesville, was charged with six counts of sexual abuse and six counts of sexual abuse in the first degree. Stephan Gene Christian, 48, of Martinsburg, was charged with possession with intent to deliver marijuana and possession of a controlled substance. Amanda Combs, 38, of Falling Waters, was charged with two counts of DUI resulting in serious bodily injury and driving suspended (non-DUI). Mary V. Cook, 29, of Martinsburg, was charged with robbery first degree, conspiracy to commit robbery, assault during the commission of a felony, possession with intent to deliver crack cocaine, possession with intent to deliver MDMA, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, possession with intent to deliver heroin, and conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver controlled substances. Shavon Len Craig, 34, of Martinsburg, was charged with distribution of crack cocaine and conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. James Tyrone Davis, 38, of Martinsburg, was charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine. Adam Lee Domer, 36, of Martinsburg, was charged with robbery first degree, murder, and assault during the commission of a felony. Norris Blaine Domer, 43, of Martinsburg, was charged with six counts of sexual abuse, three counts of sexual assault in the third degree and three other counts related to the case. Dalton Eddie Donivan, 25, of Martinsburg, was charged with arson in the first degree. William Alan Franklin, Jr., 41, of Falling Waters, W.Va., was charged with murder. William E. Funk Jr., 47, of Martinsburg, was charged with third offense driving while license revoked for DUI. Alvin D. Gilbert, 27, of Martinsburg, W.Va., was charged with robbery first degree, conspiracy to commit robbery, assault during the commission of a felony, use or presentation of a firearm during commission of a felony, possession with intent to deliver crack cocaine, possession with intent to deliver MDMA, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, possession with intent to deliver heroin, and conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver controlled substances. Walter Lee Holliday, 45, of Martinsburg, was charged with 38 counts of fraudulent use of an access device. Randolph Dennis Hutchens II, 38, of Martinsburg, was charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver cocaine, two counts of possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, fleeing from law-enforcement officer by means other than use of vehicle, and driving revoked or suspended. Anthony Alpheus Jones, 41, of Martinsburg, was charged with four counts of distribution of crack cocaine and distribution of heroin. Rachael Kerill, 38, of Martinsburg, was charged with three counts of attempted breaking and entering, three counts of misdemeanor destruction of property and felony destruction of property. Jaclynn Renne Kump, 21, of Gerrardstown, W.Va., was charged with one count of distribution of fentanyl, two counts of conspiracy to distribution of fentanyl and single counts of distribution of heroin, conspiracy to distribute heroin, possession with intent to deliver heroin and conspiracy to possession with intent to deliver heroin. Travis Jackson Latta, 31, of Martinsburg, was charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine. Raymond Glenn Little, 31, of Hedgesville, W.Va., was charged with malicious assault and domestic battery. Jeffrey Tyler Markley, 22, of Philadelphia, was charged with breaking and entering, petit larceny and misdemeanor destruction of property. Elizabeth Jane McConnell, 34, of Martinsburg, was charged with possession with intent to deliver fentanyl and possession with intent to deliver synthetic cathinone, and conspiracy to possession with intent to deliver fentanyl. Brian Maxim McDonald, 61, of Martinsburg, was charged with possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver oxycodone, possession with intent to deliver anabolic steroids, possession with intent to deliver phentermine and possession of ephedrine with intent to use in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Frank Brad Minch, 31, of Hedgesville, was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and possession with intent to deliver heroin. Traun Renekki Musgrove, 39, of Martinsburg, was charged with distribution of marijuana and conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Julie Ann Orellana, 46, of Gerrardstown, was charged with murder, attempted murder, malicious assault, and two counts of use or presentation of a firearm during commission of a felony. Clyde S. Patterson, 59, of Martinsburg, was charged with robbery in the first degree, attempted murder, assault during the commission of a felony and use or presentation of a firearm during commission of a felony. Candelario Perez, 54, of Martinsburg, was charged with two counts of sexual abuse, two counts of sexual assault in the second degree and two counts of sexual assault in the third degree. Roger Antonio Reid, 32, of Martinsburg, was charged with possession of a controlled substance in jail and possession with intent to deliver lorazepam. Jason Lee Renner, 33, of Inwood, W.Va., was charged with sexual assault in the second degree and sexual abuse in the first degree. David Anthony Richardson-Young, 33, of Martinsburg, was charged with single counts of battery on a government representative, offense by inmate (causing bodily injury or resist lawful authority) and willful disruption of governmental process. Kenneth Rogers II, 49, of Martinsburg, was charged with burglary, three counts of breaking and entering of automobile and four counts of petit larceny. Bryan Samuel Romero, 25, of Winchester, Va., was charged with three counts of sexual assault in the third degree and distribute or display obscene matter. Nicholas Edward Rotruck, 26, of no fixed address, was charged with burglary. Matthew Dillon Shank, 26, of Falling Waters, was charged with distribution of heroin within 1,000 feet of a school or college and conspiracy to distribute heroin. Zachary Ryan Siford, 21, of Falling Waters, was charged with two counts of sexual assault in the second degree, two counts of sexual assault in the third degree and robbery in the first degree. Zachary Thomas Simpson, 24, of Gerrardstown, was charged with distribution of fentanyl, two counts of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, distribution of heroin, conspiracy to distribute heroin, possession with intent to deliver heroin and conspiracy to possession with intent to deliver heroin. Michael Lee Smith, 42, of Falling Waters, was charged with burglary conspiracy to commit burglary and obstructing an officer. Brice Ray Sparkman, Jr., 47, of Gerrardstown, was charged with felony destruction of property. Michael E. Springer, Jr., 47, of Hedgesville, was charged with embezzlement. Jimmie Thompson, 25, of Martinsburg, was charged with arson in the first degree and burning or attempting to burn insured property. Thanikwa Thompson, 26, of Martinsburg, was charged with arson in the first degree and burning or attempting to burn insured property. Jerome Donavon Williams, Jr., 40, of Martinsburg, was charged with two counts of distribution of heroin and distribution of crack cocaine. Roy Edward Williamson, Jr., 40, of Stephenson, Va., was charged with daytime burglary and grand larceny. Edward Earl Wright, 30, of Berkeley Springs, was charged with two counts of possession of a weapon in jail, misdemeanor destruction of property, conspiracy to violate possession of contraband in jail by an inmate, offense by inmate (making correctional facility less secure) and attempted escape. Raymond Lee Yates, Jr., 47, of Ranson, W.Va., was charged with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Joshua L. Green, 30, of Martinsburg, was charged with one count of possession with intent to deliver heroin. Robert A. Crabill III, was charged with malicious assault on a government representative, three counts of offense by inmate (resisting lawful authority of correctional officer), one count of threatening a public official, three counts of retaliating against a public official and one count of willful disruption of governmental process. Alexis Fitzpatrick afitzpatrick@herald-mail.com In an effort to communicate more with parents of bullying victims, Washington County Public Schools this year began sending out letters at the end of its internal investigations. Executive Director of Secondary Education Rick Akers said the resolution letter was created in response to parents who said steps werent taken quickly enough or at all following a report of bullying, harassment or intimidation. The form includes various outcomes, including that the administrator found that all or some of the named offender(s) have bullied, harassed or intimidated said child; the allegation could not be substantiated; or, while the harassment allegations could not be substantiated, the child was found to be involved in a conflict or dispute with the offenders. While WCPS officials said they cannot comment on specific instances or cases of alleged bullying to preserve confidentiality for those involved, the letter does state if there were appropriate corrective actions and the reported bullying, harassing or intimidating behavior had ceased. It also gives the option of no corrective actions being taken, but student conferences were conducted and parents/guardians were notified of the concerns, the investigation and other actions. Akers said victims are contacted twice following the investigation to confirm if the bullying has stopped before the letter is sent to their parents. If the same alleged offender bullies the child again, Akers said parents should call the school and additional corrective action will be taken. If a different child is doing the bullying, a new form must be completed. The process does not end until the bullying stops, period, he said. Bullying numbers were last presented to the Washington County Board of Education in April 2018, stating there were a total of 240 reports of bullying in the 2016-17 school year, which was the most incidents reported since state law required county school systems to begin tracking such data in 2005. Sit and wait Several parents of county students have shared stories with Herald-Mail Media saying they dont believe the issue is being taken seriously enough by school administrators. The school makes every excuse possible, said one mother who claimed not to have been told about the nature of a threat toward her son until three days after the incident. Its not fair to parents to sit and wait. Another mother said she removed her daughter from WCPS after her daughter was incessantly picked on at lunch by the same group of girls. I want to put her back in, but I feel like nothing is being done, she said. (The bullying forms) do nothing. ... I honestly feel like they have not protected my child. Akers said when he or Jana Palmer, executive director of elementary education, are contacted about a situation, it often ends up being a disagreement over the definition of what bullying really is or parents not accepting their childs part in an incident. According to the WCPS bullying, harassment or intimidation reporting form, bullying is defined as a pattern of behavior when a person repeatedly uses power in an intentional manner, including verbal, physical or written conduct of intentional electronic communications against one or more students. The form also includes cyberbullying, harassment and intimidation definitions. Incidents are often found to be mutual conflicts, as opposed to bullying, Akers said, so when the alleged victim also gets reprimanded, the parent feels like his or her child was punished for reporting bullying. When a parent calls me or calls Jana and says, They didnt do anything with it, we can see exactly what they did, he said. I can tell you its a very rare instance that I find theyre not following the process. Due to confidentiality laws, WCPS is not allowed to disclose much of its investigations, according to Akers, but principals or vice principals fill out forms noting to whom they spoke, what their investigation consisted of, why the incident occurred and if any corrective actions were taken. The forms are kept on record at the school and the WCPS Center for Education Services and are very thorough, Palmer said. Akers and Palmer said once a bullying form which can be filled out by students, parents, teachers, administrators or counselors is submitted, investigations start within the next day if immediate action is not possible. Most real bullying and bullying cases are solved very quickly and ended, Akers said. The lingering ones that I see on TV and read about in the paper typically were never bullying in the first place. When were made aware of it, we handle it if its a legitimate bullying situation, Palmer said. If its a back-and-forth situation, thats when it becomes a little more entangled. Consequences for students found guilty of bullying range from a phone call to parents and a warning, to suspension and, in the most severe and rare cases, Akers said the student could get moved to an alternative school. On the elementary level, Palmer said the bully might change classrooms, but the victim can request a change. Secondary schools pose more problems, according to Akers, as changing one class has a bigger impact on a students schedule. He said a school wouldnt change a victims schedule as a method of fixing a bullying problem. Online issues Social media has added new layers to the bullying issue, since students can harass one another from their phones 24/7. Akers said parents often call about things said or done online, but WCPS is limited in its authority unless the incident happened on a school-owned device, at school or at a school-sponsored event. Most issues in the last few years have started online, he said, and frequently spill over to school. This is not new to human nature, Akers said. Whats new is social media. Students now are accustomed to recording much of their lives, and that includes taking video of bullying incidents, which leads to other problems, according to Akers. Students are not allowed to record on school property without permission, he said. If someone videotapes someone being bullied, Im pretty sure the victim of the bullying would feel like that person is intensifying the effects of the bullying by videotaping it and sharing it, Akers said. Staff reports The Herald-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. Shepherd University and the West Virginia Library Commission are accepting short-story submissions for the 2019 West Virginia Fiction Competition. The program is a literary competition for writers and storytellers in the state, designed to foster an appreciation of Appalachian culture and values. Any resident of West Virginia or student attending school in the state may submit an original, unpublished work of fiction. The submission may not have received any other award, recognition or honor. A panel of writers, editors and creative-writing instructors will choose finalists, and the 2019 Appalachian Heritage writer-in-residence, Kentucky writer Crystal Wilkinson, will select winners from the field of finalists. Winners will receive $500 for first place, and $100 for second and third places, and judges choice awards. The competition is funded by the WV Center for the Book at the West Virginia Library Association and the Shepherd University Foundation. All finalists stories will automatically be submitted for consideration to the Anthology of Appalachian Writers, Crystal Wilkinson Volume XII. The writing of public school students is welcomed, as teachers and schools are credited in the awards citations and in the anthology. Recent student winners of the Judges Choice Award have been from Tucker County High School (2018), Parkersburg High School (2017), and Oak Hill High School in Fayette County (2016). Wilkinson is one of the original Affrilachian Poets, a grass-roots group of poets of color living in the Appalachian region, and was winner of the 2008 Denny Plattner Award in Poetry from Appalachian Heritage Magazine. Her fiction writing has received many awards, as well, including the 2016 Ernest Gaines Award for Literary Excellence and the Appalachian Studies Associations Weatherford Award. Her story collection Blackberries, Blackberries was the 2009 Chaffin Award winner, and her fiction work Water Street, a collection of interrelated stories, was a finalist for the UK Orange Prize for Fiction and the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award. Water Street, similar to Henry Louis Gates Colored People: A Memoir, is this years selection for One Book One West Virginia, West Virginias statewide book discussion group. Students across the state will be reading the book and using the resources provided by the Appalachian Heritage writer-in-residence project, supported by the W.Va. Humanities Council. Writers interested in submitting their original works of fiction to the fiction competition should submit their stories, double-spaced and within the 5,000-word maximum limit, to Brenda Feltner, Shepherd University, P.O. Box 5000, Shepherdstown, WV 25443. The deadline for submissions is May 1. Winners will be announced at ceremonies on the campus of Shepherd University on Sept. 26. For more information about the West Virginia Fiction Competition, go to www.shepherd.edu/ahwir/west-virginia-fic tion-competition; or contact Karen Goff at kar en.e.goff@wv.gov or Sylvia Shurbutt at SShurbut@shepherd.edu. Staff reports The Herald-Mail WAYNESBORO, Pa. Renfrew Institute is launching its annual spring lecture series, Penns Woods Over Time, at 7 p.m. March 7 in the visitors center at Renfrew Park. Admission is free. The first program in the three-part lecture series is Pennsylvania Foods: Foraging Over Time, presented by David Foster, professor of biology and environmental science at Messiah College. A local author and forager, Foster has more than 20 years of experience in forests and will take participants through a sensory journey of memorable plants, and discuss their ecology today. Come see, taste and experience how native people used the plants of Pennsylvania forests for food, fiber and medicine, Foster said in a news release. Fosters two books, Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants and Field Guide to Medicinal Wild Plants will be available for purchase, and he will sign them after the program. What are Penns Woods? In 1681, William Penn was granted a charter by King Charles II of England to establish a colony in the New World. Penn referred to the land as Sylvania, which means woods or forest in Latin. King Charles added Penn to the title in honor of Admiral Sir William Penn, Penns father. Thus, Pennsylvania means Penns Woods. Foster earned his doctorate at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. His areas of specialty include plant ecology, ethnobotany and environmental ethics. The second lecture is March 14, when Beth Brantley of Penn State Mont Alto will present Pennsylvania Forests Over Time. The final program, on March 21, is Dinosaurs in Pennsylvania, presented by Steve Jasinski of the State Museum of Pennsylvania. The lecture series is funded in part by Robert and Grace Brown and by Renfrew Institutes Todays Horizon Fund contributors: The Nora Roberts Foundation; The John R. Hershey Jr. and Anna L. Hershey Family Foundation; APX Enclosures Inc.; and the Carolyn Terry Eddy Family: Carolyn, with daughters Connie Fleagle & Kim Larkin. Facility support is provided courtesy of Renfrew Museum and Park. For more information, go to www.renfrewinsti tute.org or call the institute at 717-762-0373. Matthew Umstead mumstead@herald-mail.com MARTINSBURG, W.Va. A circuit judge on Friday stood by her decision last fall to deny a Martinsburg-based companys petition for authority to do bail bonding in the Eastern Panhandles 23rd Judicial Circuit. The amended petition by Special Services Bureau Inc., doing business as A Regional Bonding Co., to engage in the bail-bonding business in Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties was again denied by 23rd Judicial Circuit Judge Laura Faircloth. She cited testimony previously heard in the case last fall and other submitted evidence. Faircloth previously ruled that Sher Orem, the companys president, was complicit in allowing her husband, John Orem, to engage in the bonding business on Nov. 8 with her at the Berkeley County Judicial Center in Martinsburg, in violation of an October court order. In Fridays hearing, the judge, in denying the petition, again pointed to the couples actions on Nov. 8. She said Sher Orem as the companys president at that point was responsible for knowing that her husband was not to be in the bail-bonding business. John Orem, who ran the company until turning it over to his wife on Nov. 1, was ordered by Faircloth in October not to engage in bail bonding until after the court ruled on the merits of the companys petition, including an examination of results of his drug screening. Sher testified in a Nov. 28 hearing that she did not know whether she actually was the president of Special Services Bureau as of Nov. 8, but her husband would not be involved in the business, according to the judges Dec. 4 final order. Sher Orem also testified that her husband came with her on Nov. 8 to the magistrates office because she was nervous and she wanted to make sure she did everything properly, according to the judges order. Yet, Faircloth again said Friday that she did not find Sher Orems previous testimony to be credible. Before making her ruling, Faircloth agreed Friday to strike consideration of some of previous testimony heard from Berkeley County magistrate assistant Kimberly Clark on how the Orems were granted access to Magistrate Darrell Shulls office on Nov. 8. After reviewing surveillance video footage, the judge said she found that John Orem did not appear to be concealed by his wife when entering the magistrates office suite, as Clark had testified. Herald-Mail Media obtained a copy of the video, which shows John Orem press a button at the main magistrate office suite door to contact a magistrate. Regardless, Faircloth again concluded on Friday that she could not find that Sher Orem is a person of good moral character and stood by her previous ruling. The latest Bolt Action campaign takes players to the Carpathian Basin where Axis forces would be in for a long fight with the allied forces of the Soviets, Bulgaria, and Romania for Fortress Budapest. The Red Army, pushing ever westward, was nearing the peak of its strength, with close to 6.7 million soldiers advancing on a front that ran from the Baltic Sea to the Adriatic. The Axis frontline in Romania collapsed on 23 August as the Red Army defeated the combined Romanian and German forces of Army Group South Ukraine in the Iasi-Chisinau operation. Faced with the complete destruction of their country, these defeats prompted the Romanians to switch sides and their monarch, King Michael, to declare war on their former allies and dismiss the pro-Axis Prime Minister, Ion Antonescu. German units in Romania suddenly found themselves in hostile territory. This, coupled with the rapid advance of the Soviet 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian Fronts, allowed the Red Army to maul the badly disorganized German units fleeing towards Hungary. The generals of these two Soviet Fronts, Malinovsky and Tolbukhin, were reported to have annihilated 13 enemy divisions and taken 106,000 prisoners. On 12 September, Stalin promoted both men to Marshal of the Soviet Union in recognition of this victory. Bulgaria followed Romania and defected on 8 September, leaving the Kingdom of Hungary (alongside tiny Croatia) as the last of Germanys European allies. She would fight to the bitter end and would pay the price accordingly. Following the destruction of the German forces in Romania, units of the Soviet 2nd Ukrainian Front moved up from the south-east and arrived at Hungarys southern Transylvanian border on 25 August. Despite a spirited defence by the Hungarian 1st Army fighting in Galicia, the 4th Ukrainian Front also broke through from the northeast, creating a giant pincer holding the Carpathian Mountains in its claw. Learn more about the historical campaign here. Packed with history Fortress Budapest contains complete scenarios, additional special rules, army lists, new units and of course the all-important complete theatre selectors. Pre-order your copy from Warlord today and get a FREE exclusive miniature! BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. Law enforcement officers affected by Saturdays officer-involved shooting in Sullivan County have received an overwhelming amount of support, an official said Sunday. Early Saturday, while officers were responding to a call along U.S. Highway 11W in Blountville, Deputy Steve Hinkle was critically wounded during an exchange of gunfire. The resident, Jackie Scott Pendergrass, died during the incident, authorities said. At least five Sullivan County officers were on scene at the time Hinkle was wounded, Capt. Andy Seabolt said Sunday. Those officers returned fire when police said Pendergrass fired shots from his property. Immediately following the hours-long standoff and shooting, Seabolt said the Sheriffs Office began offering assistance for the affected deputies. The department has a number of chaplains who serve various functions, including providing support for deputies following serious incidents, such as Saturdays call. Seabolt said mental health professionals also have been made available to talk to the deputies as they cope with the incident. Sheriff Jeff Cassidy said Saturdays call was tragic and stressful for all involved. Rain over the weekend in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia set records and caused flooding and mudslides that blocked roads. George Matthews with the National Weather Service office in Morristown said based on readings from Tri-Cities Airport in Blountville, rainfall on Saturday set the rainfall record for that date at 1.83 inches. As of Sunday, Matthews said 10.31 inches of year to date rainfall makes this February the wettest on record in the Tri-Cities. Though it had stopped raining in much of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia by Sunday, the National Weather Service Morristowns flood warning wont end until 2:45 p.m. Monday. Dispatch with Bristol, Tennessee, and Bristol, Virginia, police departments said they had not received any serious calls related to flooding. Dave Vencill with the Bristol Tennessee Fire Department said on Saturday the department blocked off a section of Trammell Road that was flooded but was not aware of any other action the department took related to flooding. According to dispatch with the sheriffs offices for Russell County, Washington County (Virginia) and Smyth County, flooding on Saturday night and Sunday led to some roads closing. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. Sullivan County Sheriffs Office Deputy Steve Hinkle is the third law enforcement officer in the region to be seriously wounded in the line of duty in the last month. Before Hinkle was critically wounded in a shooting on Saturday, a Virginia State Police trooper was fatally wounded Feb. 4, and a Bluefield Virginia Police Department officer was seriously wounded Feb. 16. Hinkle, who remains in critical condition at a local hospital, was responding to a welfare check call Saturday at a residence along U.S. Highway 11W in Blountville. During an exchange of gunfire, Hinkle, 65, was wounded. Authorities later entered the home and found the body of Jackie Scott Pendergrass, 44. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation continues to investigate. On Feb. 4, VSP Trooper Lucas B. Dowell, a Chilhowie, Virginia, native, was assisting in the execution of a search warrant in Cumberland County. He was shot and died at the hospital. The suspect, Corey Johnson, 44, died at the scene, authorities said. A large funeral was later held in Chilhowie, where about 1,500 law enforcement officers from around the country gathered for services. Police are still on the hunt for a man wanted for shooting a police officer two weeks ago and the reward for his capture has increased again. Donquale "DJ" Gray, 25, of Bluefield, W.Va., is wanted in Virginia for attempted capital murder of a police officer. The charges stem from a traffic stop on Feb. 16 in the town of Bluefield, Virginia. Gray was the passenger in a vehicle stopped for an equipment violation. Gray began shooting and wounded a police officer that was standing outside the vehicle on the driver's side, according to a news release from the Virginia State Police. Officers returned fire, police said. The driver of the vehicle got out and surrendered. Gray got into the driver's seat and drove off. The vehicle was found abandoned a few hours later in Bluefield, W. Va. Police have been searching for Gray ever since. VSP, U.S. Marshall's Service, ATF, West Virginia State Police and local law enforcement in Virginia and West Virginia have been following up on dozens of tips related to Gray's possible location. Sheriff Jeff Cassidy said Saturday was a tragic and stressful day for the department. Angie Stanley, a Sullivan County commissioner from Kingsport, organized Sundays gathering in honor of Hinkle and the Sheriffs Office. They need us in these times when they go out here and risk their lives every day for us, Stanley said. I just feel like its a time to bring everyone here together as a community, as a whole, to pray for our officers, to pray for our injured officer. Stanley decided to organize the event late Saturday and posted the information on Facebook. A number people and organizations shared the post, asking citizens to gather to pray for the officer and the department. A lot of them are like family to me, Stanley said. Ive known a lot of these men and women all my life. Stanley has known Hinkle, a veteran deputy, for 30 years. Hinkle used to live close to Stanleys parents near state Route 75. She said Hinkle has always loved children. Hes just a genuine guy, she said. Every time I would see him out I always said, Hey, Mr. Hinkle, how are you? Its a tragedy. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} You have permission to edit this image. Edit Close Anderson, IN (46016) Today Partly cloudy skies during the evening giving way to a few showers after midnight. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies during the evening giving way to a few showers after midnight. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%. 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. Attack happened at around 3am near the HaPenny Bridge A teenager was rushed to hospital in a serious condition after being stabbed in the neck in an early morning attack. The young man (19), who had been on a night out in the city centre, suffered knife wounds during an incident on Liffey Street, close to the Ha'Penny Bridge. The incident took place shortly before 3am yesterday morning. The victim's injuries were described as serious but not life-threatening. Cordoned He was taken to the Mater Hospital for treatment. The scene was cordoned off for several hours to allow gardai to carry out their inquiries and tests. "A 19-year-old male received stab injuries described as serious but not life-threatening in the Liffey Street area at approximately 2.50am on Sunday morning," a garda spokesman said. "He was taken to the Mater Hospital and investigations are ongoing." North inner city Worker's Party councillor Eilis Ryan said yesterday that she believes the lack of gardai in the city centre increases the risk of people being attacked while on nights out there. "There's no better way to prevent these types of incidents than to have a higher number of gardai on foot and on bikes in the city centre," she said. "A strong garda presence is something we just don't see nearly enough. "Whenever you're in the city centre, especially at night, you should be able to feel safe knowing that the authorities are close by." Gardai are now calling for anyone who was in the area of the incident at the time and might have useful information to contact them. Witnesses are asked to call Store Street Garda Station on 01-6668000, the garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station. Immigrants The stabbing comes just days after a group of men working for the food delivery service Deliveroo were attacked on Dublin's Westmoreland Street. Footage of the assault on the delivery men, many of them immigrants, has sparked outrage among the Brazilian and wider foreign language student community in Dublin, who say it is their "daily reality". Gardai confirmed that they are investigating the incident. Gardai at the scene of the tragic accident A teenage boy was killed and four others injured after a car crashed into a wall early yesterday morning. The tragedy, which is being investigated by gardai, has plunged a community in Carlow into mourning. The victim was named locally as Eamon Kavanagh (16), from Myshall, Co Carlow. One of the other youths was said to be critically ill in hospital last night. The crash happened near The Nine Stones on Mount Leinster, Borris, Co Carlow. Eamon was driving the car when it crashed into the wall in foggy conditions at around 5am yesterday. He was pronounced dead at the scene. There were four passengers in the car with him at the time, one of whom suffered serious injuries. Impact The site where the young man's car crashed is a cattle grid with walls on either side of it on Mount Leinster. The wall along the right-hand side of the grid was noticeably damaged from the impact of the vehicle yesterday. Conditions in the area at the time of the accident were described locally as "seriously foggy". The tragic accident happened just two days after Eamon's father was convicted of animal cruelty at Carlow Circuit Court and jailed. Licensed dog breeder James Kavanagh (48) was handed a three-year prison term on Friday after pleading guilty to 30 counts of cruelty to dogs and horses. The stretch of road where the accident happened was closed in the aftermath of the crash. However, it opened again yesterday afternoon following a forensic examination of the scene. The seriously injured teenager was described as critically ill last night by gardai. The other passengers suffered less serious injuries. The injured youths were taken to St Luke's Hospital and Waterford General Hospital. The critically ill teenager was later transferred to the Mater Hospital. One of them is believed to have raised the alarm after getting out of the car and contacted emergency services. Local Fine Gael councillor Denis Foley, whose cousin was also involved in the accident, said the "tight-knit" community in Myshall has been left devastated by the news of Eamon's death. Cllr Foley said his cousin received minor injuries in the crash. "I want to sympathise with all the families concerned and a member of my own family included, who was lucky to escape it," he said. "But it's really unfortunate that young people were out for a night out enjoying themselves and they end up like this," he added. Another Myshall local told the Herald that there was "great shock" in the area after the past few days. He said that prayers were said at yesterday morning's mass. However, the identities were not released at the mass because some of the families were still unaware of what had happened. The victim was a student at Borris Vocational School and the school community is said to be deeply saddened by his death. Counselling and support services are to be made available to the students at the school in the coming days. The capsized boat on the River Shannon after the accident which left the girl critically ill A girl was last night in critical condition in hospital after a weekend boating accident. Gardai are investigating the circumstances in which the girl was seriously injured when she became trapped under a rowing boat after it capsized. It is understood she became trapped beneath the row boat after her hair was entangled in the outriggers which hold the oars in place. The incident occurred on the River Shannon at the Thomond Salmon Weir, Limerick, around 10am on Saturday. Water The girl, along with three teenage girls and a teenage boy, had set off in the craft from a local boat club a short time earlier. It is understood a support boat was travelling alongside the row boat when it overturned in fast-flowing water. Last night,it was still unclear whether or not the occupants had been wearing life jackets. The girl was initially treated at University Hospital Limerick but was transferred to Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin on Saturday evening. Her family has been keeping a vigil at her bedside. Athlunkard Boat Club issued a statement yesterday saying: "There was a serious incident on the River Shannon yesterday morning where four teenage girls and one teenage boy from our club were in a rowing boat that overturned. "They were accompanied by one of our safety boats at the time. "One of these girls was transferred to hospital following the incident. We are monitoring the situation and are in constant contact with the family and Rowing Ireland. "Our thoughts are focused on supporting the family, the girls and boy who were in the boat at the time and our club members." Garda Superintendent Derek Smart said he has referred the matter to the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB). Firefighters attached to Limerick City Fire and Rescue Service, who were on routine patrol of the river at the time, came across the overturned boat at the same time as they received a Coast Guard alert about the incident. They cut the girl free from underneath the boat and performed emergency first aid on their boat. At a nearby slipway, the girl was met by paramedics. The row boat, which is understood to have been badly damaged during the incident, will be examined by investigators probing the accident. It was removed from the river at low tide at around 9.30pm on Saturday. Witness Danny Ryan (49) from Thomondgate, who came upon the scene, said he will be "forever haunted" by hearing friends of the girl "screaming" for help. "I could see the boat turned over and a girl waving and screaming," he said. "My stomach is sick over it. It was scary. I'm haunted all day. "I can still hear the girls screaming, 'Help, help, help.'" Appeals have been lodged over plans to demolish the IDA offices in Wilton Place, Dublin 2, and replace them with a seven-storey building that would house up to 4,000 workers. The Irish Georgian Society, An Taisce and several residents, among others, have complained about the development, which was given the green light by Dublin City Council last month. Residents have voiced concerns about losing another part of Georgian Dublin, of increased traffic and losing a community space. Iput, which has net assets of 2.4bn, is planning a major revamp of the area, but its plans conflict with sections of the community. The Irish Georgian Society wrote to planners saying it was concerned about the development "proposing significant and dramatic changes to the layout of Wilton Park, including the relocation of the central fountain, to facilitate the creation of an open lawn for events". It also highlighted the construction of a pavilion - a commercially-operated coffee shop and tea room - and the installation of "large areas of hard landscaping" that would result "in a profound change in the character of Wilton Park". The society believed conflicts would arise between the proposed new events space and the "long-established residential use" and that a "buffer zone" would be needed. South Georgian Core Residents Association said they were concerned about "the change of use of 25 residential apartments to a very large office building at Wilton Place, Dublin 2", accompanied by "the demolition of Wilton Park House and rebuilding of a larger office development and the works at the park at Wilton Place". The society said it felt there was a "pressing need" for high-quality accommodation to address housing needs and homelessness in the city, rather than office blocks. "The residential foothold in this area is fragile. By allowing greater office development, the residential amenities will not be developed and the area will be a ghost area in the evenings and weekends," it said. The Pembroke Road Residents' Association has also criticised the plan, saying recent office developments have seen 3,000 office workers enter the Upper Baggot Street area, increasing traffic and increasing pressure on school places. An Taisce warned that the development could impinge on the historic triangular park, Wilton Square. Dublin City Council approved the project, believing it would improve one of the most important sites in the city centre. A decision on the appeals is due by An Bord Pleanala in June. Forensic teams seal off the scene of last months shooting in Swords A convicted drug dealer shot dead over what gardai believe was a debt dispute had around 25,000 in bank accounts at the time of his murder, the Herald can reveal. Detectives are investigating if the "significant" cash haul was earned as part of Zach Parker's cocaine-dealing enterprises. Parker (23) was shot dead as he left a gym near his home in Swords, north Co Dublin, on the night of January 17. There have been no arrests so far in connection with his murder. The most prominent theory being considered in the case is that Parker owed 50,000 to a dangerous Traveller gang which is closely aligned with jailed mobster Cornelius Price. Strange It is believed the gang may have used a young Finglas-based criminal to organise the hit on Parker. However, inquiries have failed to uncover an exact chain of events which led to the murder - the first gun killing in the capital this year. "The fact that Parker had so much cash at his disposal makes it strange that he was in a dispute over an even larger drugs debt," a source said last night. "This investigation, which is being carried out by Swords gardai, is proving to be difficult and complex." Gardai continue to closely monitor many of Parker's other associates, including a Coolock trafficker who was so shocked over his pal's death that he briefly "called a halt" to his considerable drug-dealing and cash-gathering activities in the Coolock and Raheny areas. "A lot of people are very upset but none so much as this fella. He was very close to Zach, they did a lot of business together," a source said. "It seems that Zach had considered himself almost untouchable because of his relationship with him, as the Coolock trafficker has links to young members of the Kinahan cartel based in the Crumlin area of the southside." However, none of Parker's connections mattered to the gang which murdered Zach and injured his completely innocent pal James Morrison (25) in last month's horror gun attack outside the gym. The drug dealer, who was also a top-class barber and hoped to open his own salon, died as at least five shots were fired into the BMW X5. He was at the wheel of the car, with his friend Mr Morrison in the passenger seat. Gardai said that although Mr Morrison was injured, CCTV footage indicates that the killer approached the driver's side of the car only. The Herald previously revealed that Parker's car had been the target of an arson attack outside his home six months earlier. He was also involved in a recent incident in which a house was stormed as a local drugs dispute threatened to spiral out of control. "The local Traveller gang remain the chief suspects and their twisted logic seems to be that they were putting down a marker to other young fellas who owe them cash - and there are plenty of them," a source said. "The victim, Mr Parker, was a kind of Jekyll and Hyde character in many ways - he could be very pleasant and kind to people but he could also be highly aggressive and dominating to other people." Mourners The notorious drug dealer known as 'Mr Flashy' turned up at Parker's funeral with two suspected hitmen. The dangerous north Dublin trio were among a large crowd of mourners who showed up, with sources saying it showed the close links that have developed among gangs based in Swords, Ballymun, Finglas and Coolock in the northside's lucrative drugs trade. Meanwhile, sources say that gardai have ruled out a link between the Parker killing and the capital's latest gangland murder. John Lawless (39), who had no involvement in crime, was shot dead near his home at Marigold Crescent, Darndale, just over two weeks ago as he left to go to work as a fire safety officer at a private company. Family and friends filled the Church of St Francis of Assisi in Priorswood for his funeral Mass. Staff at Met Eireann have been told not to talk "despair" over climate change and to use positive language to show people they can make a difference. An internal memo says words such as "inevitable" could create a feeling that nothing can be done and lead to "inaction" from the public. The advice, some of it far-from-clear, is in a set of guidelines for Met Eireann staff issued last month. "We can discuss the choice we face between a future with more climate change and larger increases in extreme weather, and one with less. The future is in our hands," the document states. Met Eireann said the advice was circulated in response to increased enquiries about human influence on climate change. It suggested using metaphors such as "the weather on steroids" or how global warming was "stacking the deck" towards more extreme weather events. The advisory said staff could say something like: "Heat-trapping gases act like steroids in the climate system, increasing the odds of extreme heat, heavy downpours and some other types of extreme events." It said this would communicate that while extreme events do occur naturally, they were now happening more frequently and more intensely. Heatwave It said staff could also say global warming was "loading the dice towards more rolls of extreme events". The document explained how a large number of studies showed that human-induced global warming had increased the likelihood of extreme weather events across the planet. It said if Ireland experiences a drought or heatwave, as happened last summer, it is correct to point to the increase of such events due to human activities. "The answer to the question 'Is this event due to climate change?' can be framed as 'events of this type have been made more likely by climate change'," the guidelines said. They also said it is important to be clear that climate change was "happening now, and is human-caused" even if there was no certainty over blaming it for a particular event. The guidance further suggested "reframing poorly posed questions". It said: "Scientists being interviewed are often asked 'Did climate change cause this event?' Reasons for asking such a question can relate to liability, context, planning and more. "However, it remains a poorly posed question, with no simple yes or no answer, due to the multiple factors involved." Met Eireann were advised to turn these questions on their head and identify particular events that were very unlikely to have happened in the absence of human-caused climate change. They were also cautioned about using terminology that might mean one thing professionally and another to the general public. It said the word "uncertainty" had a particular meaning for scientists to discuss a range of scenarios, but to the public it means "we just don't know". A beauty salon customer who absconded without paying for a hairdo claimed later that stylists had ruined her hair, leaving it a "ridiculous bright orange". College graduate Edel Vesey (31) initially told salon staff she was "delighted" with the results of a three-hour, 130 hair treatment, but ran off after asking to leave to get her wallet, then claimed her hair had been burned. Judge Timothy Lucey told her he would jail her for two months if she did not pay twice the cost of the hairdo in compensation. The judge said Vesey had lied and he was "suspicious" after noting differences between pictures of Vesey's hair taken by the salon and others taken by the accused herself. Happy Vesey, of Clonmore Villas, Ballybough, had pleaded not guilty to making off without paying for services. Dublin District Court heard the incident happened at Nabella Hair and Beauty, Dorset Street, on September 21, 2017. The owner said Vesey had come and asked for a wash, cut and highlights. She paid a 10 deposit on the 130 price, giving her phone number and the name Michelle O'Connor. After the treatment, she was shown the back and sides and was "quite happy", and "delighted", the owner said. When it came time to pay, Vesey said she had forgotten her wallet and that she had to get it from her car. The owner said Vesey told her: "I'm going to get my purse, I'm not that kind of bad person, I will pay you, I'm a good girl. I am not running away." After she left, she sent a text message saying she was not happy with her hair. The owner offered to fix her hair, but she did not return. In cross-examination, the owner denied that Vesey had been dissatisfied with her hair in the salon, saying the accused told her that was "the look she wanted". She denied Vesey had told her that her hair was "burned and ruined". Vesey said in evidence that when she was giving her name, the staff member did not understand and she eventually said "OK, Michelle". She was going to England the following day and her usual salon had no appointments. "I said, 'are you sure that looks all right?'," she told the court. "I said 'are you sure that is blonde?' I wasn't happy with it because my hair was bright orange and all patchy. It was ridiculous-looking." She claimed the three salon workers locked the door, were "surrounding" her, and she "panicked" and said she had to leave to get her wallet. This was denied by the owner. When the salon offered to "fix" her hair, she said she did not want to pay the original amount because it had been "ruined". Vesey said other salons told her afterwards her hair was so badly broken it would have to be "stripped completely". Photographs taken of her hair in the salon and by Vesey herself were shown to the court. In cross-examination, she told the prosecuting garda she had not wanted to be tagged on Facebook by the salon. The garda said the pictures Vesey had taken 24 hours after she left the salon had looked "very different". There were blonde streaks in it and he did not see that in the salon photos. Vesey was claiming her hair was "in bits" and no other hairdresser would go near it, but the pictures did not look "anywhere near as dramatic" as that, the garda said. Judge Lucey said he did not accept that the two "after" photos were the same and he believed "something happened" between the two pictures being taken. Vesey had been very clear in her evidence, her barrister said. "I know she is very clear, but she is lying," the judge said. "I'm not lying, she took a picture of the back of my hair," Vesey said. Suspicions The judge said he accepted the salon owner's evidence and rejected the accused's. "I have my suspicions that this was something that was planned because of the name that was given and the lies that were told, but I'm not prepared to go that far," the judge said. The court heard Vesey had 11 previous convictions, several of which were for theft. She had a degree in applied social studies and social care and was due to undertake another degree course. She also did charity work. She had fallen on hard times previously, but was dedicated to improving herself, her barrister said. Vesey had felt aggrieved and thought she was in the right, her barrister added. Judge Lucey adjourned the case and said if Vesey paid 240 to the salon, he would dismiss the charge under the Probation Act. Otherwise, he said he would jail her for two months. Avril OBrien has been charged with 106 counts of theft A childcare worker accused of stealing 117,000 from a state-funded creche has been given a date for her arraignment. Avril O'Brien (49) appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court charged with 106 counts of theft from the west Dublin creche over a three-year period. Judge Melanie Greally remanded Ms O'Brien on continuing bail until May 7 for arraignment. In those proceedings, the charges will be formally read to her and she will be expected to enter a plea. The accused, of Raheen Crescent, Tallaght, is charged with stealing various sums of money from Loreto Playgroup, St Mark's Junior School, Fortunestown, Tallaght, between 2013 and 2016. She no longer works at the playgroup and has not yet indicated a plea. Holidays She was not required to address the brief hearing. Previously, she was sent forward to the circuit court from Tallaght District Court, where a book of evidence was served on her. That court had heard it would be alleged that the total amount stolen was 117,000. When the case was before the district court, Gda Geraldine Ross had objected to legal aid being granted to Ms O'Brien as she owned a mobile home in Co Wexford, was in full-time employment and "goes on several foreign holidays a year". However, the prosecution withdrew its objections to free legal aid and a judge granted it to cover Ms O'Brien's solicitor, Padraig O'Donovan, and a barrister. Ms O'Brien was given the formal alibi caution in the district court and sent forward on bail of 1,000. Xem them ... Tin bai cuoi cung Khong con du lieu e load Bohemia Viva Debuts 'Symphonica' at The Palm Cabaret Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - 'Symphonica' is a new musical project that blends elements of a symphony orchestra with the smooth, harmonic sounds of the musical duo, Bohemia Viva. With this season's highly successful show, 'Reflections,' Bohemia Viva has once again thrilled audiences at The Palm Cabaret with their unique style, gorgeous harmonies, beautiful instrumentals and fascinating stories. Andrea Mottura and Luis Lujan have toured throughout Latin America, Italy, Mexico and the USA. Their beautiful harmonizing vocals, coupled with the infusion of various guitar styles and original music, combine to create their popular and unique sound. They blend stories of travel, cultural experiences and their Latin heritage to weave a special connection with their audiences through music and culture. Their new show, 'Symphonica' is a pilot version of their upcoming show for the 2020 season. It will feature a small group of orchestra violins along with a cello, trumpet, flute, bass and percussion. For the 2020 season, they will perform with a full 70 piece orchestra to deliver the full expanded presentation of 'Symphonica.' Bohemia Viva is thrilled to present this exciting, new, musical experience that is sure to result in an extraordinary performance! Open your eyes, your heart and your soul to the harmonies of Bohemia Viva, as you re-imagine versions of their classic songs, Don't Cry For Me Argentina, Unchained Melody and Stairway To Heaven, enhanced by the beautiful sounds of an orchestra. With Bohemia Viva's inspirational music performed in multiple languages (Spanish, English, Italian, Latin Portuguese), enjoy a new symphony of life, laughter and fun with Vallarta's favorite Argentinian musical duo. Be part of the Bohemia Viva lifestyle of freedom, love and unity as you celebrate with these exceptional musicians. Join Bohemia Viva on March 3rd for 'Symphonica 2019' with shows at 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm. For tickets and more information, go to ThePalmCabaret.com. Open 7 nights a week, The Palm Cabaret and Bar features two shows per night, one at 7:00 pm and the other at 9:30 pm. They sometimes offer afternoon matinees as well. For more information and the 2018-2019 season's complete line-up, visit ThePalmCabaret.com. 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. A NEW bar and restaurant is to open in Henley in the spring. The Hart Street Tavern is to take over the premises of the former Cau restaurant in Hart Street, which closed last summer. It will be run by David Holliday and Alex Sergeant, who have spent the last two years running the Bottle and Glass pub and restaurant in Binfield Heath after it was refurbished and extended. They wanted a second premises in Henley and have signed a 20-year lease with landlord Juan Gil Rios who ran the La Bodega Spanish restaurant in Hart Street for 10 years before it closed in August 2014. The Hart Street Tavern, which takes its name from the Gramercy Tavern in New York, will employ 40 to 50 people. It will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and offer 120 covers, including 22 in a private dining room. Work to strip out the building began last week. The interior will be designed and fitted out by Spratley & Partners, who also worked on the transformation of the Bottle and Glass. Mr Holliday said: We have wanted to have a place in Henley for a long time. Alex and I put a pin in a couple of venues that we potentially wanted to take on. One was the Red Lion but we didnt have deep enough pockets and the other was Cau. Were very excited to get hold of it and we feel that a privately funded and privately run restaurant in that part of Henley is really exciting. We couldnt be more happy with the location its nice and close to the river and people see it after they come over the bridge. Its going to be an all-day dining venue. We want to do modern British I mean really, really tasty, simply put together, approachable food. The menu will include pates made in-house, a burger, whole fish roasted in the oven to share, salads, triple cooked chips and roasts on Sundays. Mr Holliday added: We will take bookings but youll always be able to walk in off the street and have a bite to eat. If you want to have a bite at the front or at the bar, you can and if you want to get your laptop out and have a coffee you can. We want to move away from formulaic chain menus. We will be buying in everything fresh, we will be baking things on site, we will be cooking over an open fire and we will have charcuterie at the bar. It will be fresh and up-to-date. Its not going to be tweed and Chesterfields but its not going to be ultra-sleek and modern either. The tavern will have a large wine selection and sell Loddon and Rebellion beers and the proprietors are working with Heston Blumenthal's head mixologist on a range of cocktails. Mr Holliday said: Were going to take our drinks offer very seriously in terms of our cocktails and wine list. Were going to have a bar where people will be able to come and sit it will be a really convivial place and a real focal point. We want the sort of hospitality operation that we would want to go to on our days off. The business will have a soft launch at the end of April. Mr Holliday said: Its not the Bottle and Glass II its very much the Hart Street Tavern. We want to put something in place that Henley can be really proud of. Were taking a big gamble at a time when the high street is really struggling but we believe that if you put something in place thats of good quality, by people who really care about what theyre doing, customers will find you. The Bottle and Glass opened in April 2017 having been shut since November 2013 before being bought by the Phillimore Estate. The former Brakspear pub had struggled under a rapid succession of landlords before its closure. Lord Phillimore added a two-storey extension which houses a 70-cover restaurant while the original Grade II listed building has a traditional bar area. Mr Holliday and Mr Sergeant signed a 20-year lease on the building and spent 250,000 furnishing the interior. The pub has won several awards. It was listed in the Michelin Guide 2018 and awarded LAssiette Michelin, an honour for eateries which almost reach the required standard for a coveted Michelin star. Cau, an Argentinian steak restaurant chain, opened in January 2015 after a 1million refurbishment of the premises. It closed in July after its parent company went into administration. BUSINESSES in the Henley area say the uncertainty surrounding Britains departure from the European Union is affecting them negatively. Companies and owners say that with no withdrawal agreement in place as the official date of departure on March 29 approaches, they have had to make contingency plans. Some say this is already costing them money and at least one company is considering leaving the country. Giles English, who runs Henley luxury watch company Bremont with his brother Nick, said: Its slowing down the whole retail sector. Its as much about indecision as anything else. We need to get out of it as soon as possible so people can feel comfortable in their jobs and businesses and grow them. Luckily, we have got a global audience for our products and are not just relying on the UK. If you are slightly worried about your business is it going to put you off buying a 5,000 watch? We havent seen a marked slowdown but December and January were slightly subdued. We have a place in Ruscombe and are building a new place in Henley. We want to become less dependent on importing goods. We are holding a little bit more stock than usual in preparation for that and being less reliant on global currency. MMS Marketing in Queen Street, Henley, which has clients in the UK and abroad, is considering moving the headquarters of the business to elsewhere in Europe. Managing director James Munn said: As it is for many businesses, Brexit is a huge concern for us a concern compounded by the fact that we still dont know whats happening! I would not wish to comment on the outcome of the referendum as that is of little consequence to our business now. What is important to us is what happens next. It is utter madness that Parliament voted by a margin of something like six to one to hold the referendum. There was then a huge majority in Parliament to trigger Article 50. And yet when it comes to implementation, Parliament has been incapable of doing so as too many individuals have been, and still are, seeking personal or political agendas. It is a disgrace that so many businesses, including ourselves, have been left in limbo while the squabbling continues. Consequently, were having to consider the outcome of any and every eventuality. Weve investigated the possibility of moving our head office and the company to within the EU. On a more day-to-day basis, we commission manufacturing in the UK for export to Europe and vice-versa. It may be that we will have to restrict manufacturing to within the markets, i.e. UK manufacturing for UK requirements and European manufacturing for the EU. Clearly this could reduce flexibility in what we do for our clients which is of great concern. All of our concerns are surrounded and caused by uncertainty. It is a disgrace that our Members of Parliament do not recognise that their duty should be to UK people and UK businesses, not to their own personal or political ambitions. John Board, dean of Henley Business School, said: There are two big things for us to worry about. The first is the effect on staff and the second is the effect on students and therefore revenue. We are long-established and have a pretty strong international reputation with a lot of campuses overseas. We already have three venues in Europe, so we are not in the position of some firms having to rush abroad to get over that regulatory hurdle. Clearly there will be an effect and the Dutch Government has now told 18-year-olds not to study in the UK. Its not so much about what its going to do for the EU 27 but for places like China and South America. Brexit is bad for the UK brand and thats the part that really worries me. As far as staff are concerned, we arent seeing a big exit and we have had several staff members taking UK nationality. The big effect has yet to hit us and the number of European staff is modest. We are downgrading expectations and we are expecting a decline in student registrations. Most people register in September and October and last time we saw a bit of a drop but nothing major. We expect to see a much bigger one this time round depending on the outcome. We are expecting a financial hit. Where we are really putting in effort is switching from medium-sized venues in places like Munich to having a campus. Thats the main preparation. The second one is managing the budget more effectively. One wishes someone would decide something. A hard Brexit would be catastrophic. The other part of this is if theres Brexit there is likely to be a big economic downturn in the UK. Firms will spend less on training senior people and the number of 18-year-olds planning to go to university rather than work will drop as well. Andrew Ingram, who runs the Tree Barn in Christmas Common, says Brexit could result in a loss of seasonal workers from Eastern Europe who travel to the country each year to help him harvest his trees in the build-up to Christmas. He said: At the moment we just dont know but my main concern is that I normally have six or seven boys from the Czech Republic who come and work for me at harvest time. My feeling is the whole of UK agriculture would grind to a halt without those seasonal workers, not just for Christmas trees but all the salad crops, strawberry picking and others which at the moment is supplied almost exclusively by Eastern European labour. My wife has a major business importing Christmas decorations and we are not entirely sure what will happen with tariffs or how a no deal would affect us. We are sitting tight and seeing what happens over the next couple of months. If, for whatever reason, there is no probability of getting my seasonal workers in, the situation would become pretty serious. Mr Ingram said he believed an agreement would be reached to allow workers to travel to the UK as failure to do so could ruin the agricultural industry. He said: I cant believe the Government would allow us to get into a situation where we cant get seasonal workers and there wouldnt be some arrangement for them to come in on a temporary licence for six to 10 weeks. Its very early days. I would have to do something if the Government doesnt make any arrangement but Im not going to waste my time at this moment if we dont know whats going to happen. Jan Mirkowski, who runs Fairmile Vineyard in Henley, said: The main challenge is labour. At certain times of the year we buy in specialist labour from a company in Kent and a lot of the labourers are Eastern European. We have seen fewer people coming from Eastern Europe and I think that will continue. They are falling because they are uncertain and unsettled. Last harvest we had a bumper crop and there just wasnt enough labour to go round. We had to call on the good people of Henley, who did a great job. That will be my back-up plan if we dont have enough specialist labour. The only other thing Im thinking is if import tariffs go up it could become more expensive. You might see fizz from Europe become more expensive but thats to my advantage. Brexit is a concern but when you run a business there are always concerns. Its just one of the things in the back of my mind. Nick Warner, a partner at Knight Frank estate agents in Thames Side, Henley, said house sales had been affected by Brexit, especially in the higher price ranges of more than 1.5 million. He said: It has definitely created uncertainty. Part of our marketplace is aspirational, which really does not thrive off uncertainty. The core housing stock we deal with is valued between 500,000 and 1.5 million and tends to be more needs-based purchasing rather than aspirational and is less affected but nevertheless an impact is felt. The overall impact of all this uncertainty is that it doesnt create any feelgood for anybody and impacts on the desire to spend or make major lifestyle changes. This has resulted in us doing less business than we might usually do in a more stable climate. We just have to be prudent with our business management. We are just yearning for clarity. People want to get on with their lives and make changes that in the last one to three years they havent felt able to. Mr Warner said changes to stamp duty, including a higher charge for foreign buyers, had also had an effect and the more stringent financial checks on those buyers made it more attractive for them to look for trophy assets or property in other European countries that might demand less restriction. Stephen Christie-Miller, head of residential sales at estate agent Savills Henley office, was more optimistic. He said: The Brexit factor is an issue, it has slowed things down. Its all about realistic pricing really. Its steady as she goes and once we get to April, if a deal is done, then it will be a bit of catch-up and people moving on with their lives. Whatever happens on March 29, it is what it is and we have to be here ready and open for business with whatever stock we have. Right now is the most uncertainty but we are still agreeing sales. Gary Reynolds, chief investment officer at Courtiers Investment Services in Hart Street, Henley, said he was unsure how Brexit would affect financial markets and exchange rates and couldnt predict how strong the pound would be after Britain left the EU. He said: Brexit has made it very difficult to manage portfolios and the pound has become volatile. Thats a nightmare on currency management. On the day we voted out we bought a lot of sterling. We thought we would remain but bet against that outcome and we made a lot of money. Subsequently it has been difficult to see where this might go. Although we expected it to be messy we are surprised by how messy it is. That has made managing money quite difficult. The outcomes are quite different depending on whether we are out with a free trade agreement or not. If you think its going to be okay and the UK economy is not going to get a whack, buying small stocks more reliant on the UK economy is good. If you think its going to be messy you want to be in big FTSE 100 companies. If you are a business exporting to the continent or in Northern Ireland it must be hell. Mr Reynolds said that despite the uncertainty, the business was still performing well. He said: We havent seen a downturn in business; it has been quite good for us. We are fortunate in the type of business we have. Our clients all want to make sure we have got contingency plans in place and they are going to be able to buy European stocks after March 29. Clients are very nervous about buying in sterling. We are having more foreign currency assets but weve been doing that for nearly three years, since before the vote. We have options that protect against a messy outcome, things like foreign currency, but if you are holding a lot of dollars and theres not a messy outcome the pound will shoot up and we are effectively losing money. This has been quite a difficult tightrope to tread. A strong pound will hurt foreign currency but if we dont hold foreign currency and theres a messy outcome we wont get the benefit of a diminished pound. Niki Schafer, head of the Henley Business Partnership and an interior designers, said many of her suppliers had been affected by Brexit, which meant it was harder and took longer to source materials from abroad. She said: My business on the whole is very small so Ive had mixed experiences. Some of my suppliers are closing down. They havent cited Brexit per se but they are all importers and small family businesses so the idea of dealing with that type of paperwork is too much for them. Im nervous about all the bureaucracy and time it will take for my furniture and materials to come from abroad but its not going to impact me directly, just the schedule and cost. Conservancy reaches 45,000-acre milestone in saved land Dark green signifies acreage saved by Conserving Carolina. Conserving Carolina protected another 1,070 acres in 2018, bringing the total acreage that the land trust has helped protect to more than 45,000 acres. The protected lands are located in Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania counties, and in neighboring parts of adjoining counties in North Carolina and South Carolina. The land trust has just released a new map of protected lands in this region. Lands that Conserving Carolina has helped protect include many of regions most popular areas for recreation, such as DuPont State Recreational Forest, Chimney Rock State Park, Headwaters State Forest, parts of the Green River Game Lands, Bearwallow Mountain, a growing trail network in the Hickory Nut Gorge, and local greenways. In all, Conserving Carolina has helped protect 26 places that are currently open to the public, with more trails and recreation projects in the works. Conserving Carolina has also protected tens of thousands of acres of privately owned land through conservation easements, including working farms and forests, summer camps, and educational nature preserves. Conserving Carolina is excited about the important land and water resources we have been able to protect, both for the health of our natural resources and the well-being of our communities, says executive director Kieran Roe. We feel that our conservation and community engagement programs are helping foster a love of the land in our region and bringing positive changes to peoples lives. Where land is protected Conserving Carolina was formed in 2017 by the merger of two local lands trustsPacolet Area Conservancy, founded in 1989, and Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, founded in 1994. Over this time, these local conservation efforts have helped to protect approximately: 15,000 acres in Henderson County 14,500 acres in Transylvania County 10,000 acres in Polk County 4,500 acres In Rutherford County 1,000 acres in Buncombe County These conservation successes were made possible through the joint efforts of many partners, including landowners who protected their property; Conserving Carolina members and donors; federal, state, and local governments; and other conservation nonprofits. In addition to the 45,000+ acres that Conserving Carolina has helped to protect, tens of thousands more acres in this region have been protected as public lands or have been protected by other conservation nonprofits. 2018 conservation highlights In 2018, Conserving Carolina protected 1,070 acres, including 5.5 miles of streams. The land trust also celebrated the opening of several protected places to the public. Highlights from last year include: New Land for DuPont State Forest: Conserving Carolina recently added a 402-acre tract to DuPont State Recreational Forest, linking the forest with a corridor of public lands spanning over 100,000 acres. This tract creates the potential to eventually link trails in DuPont to the 77-mile Foothills Trail. Headwaters State Forest: This new state forest opened to the public in September 2018, offering 6,730-acres full of beautiful waterfalls, pristine trout streams, and rare mountain bogs. Its 50+ miles of crystal-clear streams flow into the French Broad River. Little White Oak Mountain: In 2018, Conserving Carolina transferred 600 acres at Little White Oak Mountaina cherished scenic landmarkto expand the Green River Gamelands and another 300 acres for a local park behind Polk County Middle School. Weed Patch Mountain Trail: Since opening in May 2018, this 8.6-mile trail through the Town of Lake Lures 1,527-acre Buffalo Creek Park has been a huge hit with hikers, mountain bikers, and rock climbers. In 2018, Conserving Carolina also protected another 442 acres adjoining the park. New Greenways: Conserving Carolina secured funding to expand greenways in Brevard. It is also spearheading efforts to create the Mills River Valley Trail, which will create a safe route for walking and biking, connecting the heart of Mills River to the French Broad River. Carolina Memorial Sanctuary: The first conservation burial ground in North Carolina was protected in 2018. This sanctuary in Mills River offers people a place to return their loved ones to the earth, in a forever-protected natural environment. Mountain Bog in Flat Rock: Conserving Carolina purchased part of a mountain bog in Flat Rock, with the goal of adding it to the Mountain Bogs National Wildlife Refuge. The land trust is now helping to protect this bog on three connected propertiesa haven for unique plants and animals. Conserving Carolina is a local land trust dedicated to protecting land and water, promoting good stewardship, and creating opportunities for people to enjoy nature. Learn more and become a member at conservingcarolina.org. Former speaker, Senate president, say Box Elder representative subject of report Staff and wire A former legislative leader and a current one have said Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, was the source of texts that led to a report that led to the Montana Legislature adopting a new policy for reporting and investigating harassment, discrimination and retaliation involving lawmakers and legislative employees, The Associated Press reports. The article says both former Speaker of the House of Representatives Austin Knudsen, a Culbertson Republican, and Bozeman Republican Scott Sales, the Senate president, confirmed that Windy Boy was the subject of the report. Windy Boy had not by this morning responded to calls and emails sent by the Havre Daily News Friday requesting comment. His telephone went to voice mail, which gave a message saying it was full and could not accept new messages. The Associated Press reports Windy Boy declined to comment before the House floor session Friday and referred questions to his attorney. Rep. Jacob Bachmeier, D-Havre, said he obtained a copy of the redacted report and could not confirm Windy Boy was the subject. Bachmeier said the behavior in the report is "horrible and must be addressed." "My sympathy goes to the victim of the harassment," he said Friday in a message to the Havre Daily. "People deserve to be treated with dignity. The horrible behavior of harassment is never acceptable." Montana Sens. Russ Tempel, R-Chester, and Mike Lang, R-Malta, and Rep. Casey Knudsen, R-Malta, all told the Havre Daily that they did not have information on the report and could not comment. Rep. Joshua Kassmier, R-Fort Benton, had not responded by printing deadline today to a request for comment. The Havre Daily has requested a copy of the report for its review. The report was obtained by The Associated Press through a public-records request, AP reports. The Legislature's Legal Services Office released a redacted copy of the March 2018 investigative report by Great Falls attorney Jean Faure that recommended legislative leaders take action against the lawmaker who sent the texts between August and October 2017 before the harassment could happen again. Jenny Eck, a former lawmaker who was the leader of the House Democrats until last year and who co-authored the new harassment policy, said legislative attorneys advised her not to comment, Associated Press reports. House Democratic leaders said in a statement that they were "shocked and disappointed to learn that a member of our caucus, an elected official in a position of power, harassed another individual." "This behavior is completely unacceptable," the statement written by the minority party's leaders and released by spokeswoman Monica Robinson said. Windy Boy, a former member of the Chippewa Cree Business Committee at Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation, lost a bid last fall to be re-elected to the committee, but defeated Republican G. Bruce Meyers in November's race for his House seat, retaining the seat with 2,234 votes to Meyers' 1,351. He represents House District 32, which runs from the northeast corner of Chouteau County through southern Hill, Blaine and Phillips counties and includes Rocky Boy's and Fort Belknap Indian reservations. He was first elected to the House in 2002 and has won every re-election since, serving in the 2003, 2005 and 2007 legislative sessions. He then forbore running for a fourth term in the House, instead winning two terms representing a Senate district that ran from Chouteau County to the eastern part of the state and included the Fort Peck as well as the Rocky Boy's and Fort Belknap Indian reservations. After terming out in the Senate, Windy Boy again ran for the House, winning in 2016 and 2018. He has passed some major legislation while in office, including one of his bills in the 2017 session being the vehicle for the legislative proposals addressing suicide and a bill in 2005 creating a water treatment fund for the heap-leach mines in Zortman and Landusky which still are being treated today. He also has supported some controversial positions, such as trying to revise the state rules on funding charter schools. The report stated the offender was "in a position of influence and power," AP said. "The offensive conduct is subtle but evident," Faure wrote. "A pattern of these behaviors appears established." The investigator wrote that the situation was likely to repeat itself and recommended legislative leadership take action. Faure recommended a written warning and training "at a minimum." Austin Knudsen confirmed to the AP that Windy Boy was the legislator named in the report and that he and other legislative leaders from both parties discussed how they should discipline Windy Boy. "There was discussion about taking harsher action, but legally nobody had any authority to do anything," said Knudsen, who is no longer in the Legislature. "We couldn't remove him from office, we couldn't censure him because we weren't in session. I, as speaker of the House, had the authority to remove him (as committee chairman)." Democratic legislative leaders requested to be allowed to speak to Windy Boy before any disciplinary action was taken, Knudsen said, adding that Windy Boy resigned as chairman of the State-Tribal Relations Committee shortly after that and before he could be stripped of the position as punishment. A legislative newsletter from April 2018 said Windy Boy resigned from the committee "due to work-related commitments." The investigative report by Faure blacked out the names of the lawmakers and witnesses, citing privacy interests, but detailed most of the text messages sent to the female lawmaker between mid-August and October 2017. The texts sent between August and October 2017 called the recipient "gorgeous," and "A wonderful sight for My Sore Eyes," AP reports. In one exchange the recipient was concerned about overstepping boundaries in resolving an issue. The offender responded, "Well. Just know, between you and me. You can step all over me and there is no boundaries." Earlier this month, the Legislature passed the new policy on reporting and investigating harassment, discrimination and retaliation involving lawmakers and legislative employees. It allows for confidential reporting and investigation of claims and sets penalties for violators. Knudsen said the investigation's results showed him the need for the new policy. "That certainly turned my vote around," he said. Sales said he knew the complaint involved Windy Boy, but he didn't handle it because it involved a member of the House, not the Senate. In late 2017, Sales had argued the Legislature didn't need a new anti-harassment policy, but he changed his mind and voted for it. He said Friday that the Windy Boy case "did influence my decision to some extent." AP reports that the recipient made the complaint against Windy Boy in January 2018 after reading a news article about sexual harassment in the Legislature, Faure's report said. Either the victim or another person sent the offender a message on Jan. 9, 2018, that the past text messages were inappropriate and should "cease and desist," the report said. The offender responded with an apology and said that if the "behavior came across as inappropriate, it would never happen again." Faure's report also indicated the offender sent text messages to a legislative staffer in January and February 2017 which said: "You looked beautiful yesterday" and another that said: "BTW you look gorgeous today." The staffer apparently mentioned the text messages to someone and was told to "steer clear" of that lawmaker. Any further text messages from the lawmaker to the staffer "were strictly professional," the report said. Rep. Jacob Bachmeier, D-Havre, Rep. Joshua Kassmier, R-Fort Benton, spoke Friday from Helena during a legislative teleconference in Havre on bills in the Legislature. Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, also briefly attended. Guest speakers Rep. Ryan Lynch, D-Butte, and Rep. Jim Keane, D-Butte, spoke during the teleconference about appropriations in the House of Representatives. Keane said the House Appropriations Committee is working on several new bills such as a House Bill 553, introduced by Rep. Frederick Moore, R-Miles City, a bill to generally revise infrastructure funding laws. He said the bill passed out of committee Thursday and will be heard on the floor this week. The bill is creating a new system in Montana so counties no longer have to fight over infrastructure, Keane said. He added that the bill addresses reduced coal tax revenue. Coal tax since the 1970s in all areas of the state has funded at least $60 million in infrastructure, Keane said. The language the bill uses has been borrowed from a couple of different states such as Utah, Keane said, and it was written so bankers and investment representatives can support it. During stable periods, the bill will take care of itself, Keane said, and during up periods the state will be able to pay in cash or in bonds for infrastructure depending on what is needed in the economy. He said the bill will function similarly to the Treasure State Endowment Program. Lynch said a bill he proposed for long-range building bonding programs, House Bill 14, will be re-worked, re-figured, re-numbered and assigned a new sponsor. He said the bill would include two projects in Chouteau County and two in Hill County. Were up here and I think you guys, since delegation, believes in investing in infrastructure, believes you have to have that foundation to be able to grow jobs and grow economy and its the basic stuff, Lynch said. Keane added that there was some opposition to this bill, specifically on the sunset. He said originally there was no sunset on the bill, also taking the oppositions recommendation will now be including a 10 year sunset. I dont think the old coal miner down there mining coal all over the state of Montana ever been recognized for the gift that theyve given to Montana, he said. Legislators bills Bachmeier said that his House Bill 391, which was to provide funding for historic development, was tabled in State Administrations Committee. This bill, he said was specifically crafted for Havre Beneath the Streets, which has experienced extensive water damage in the past year, and would grant them $100,000 for repairs. Although the bill has been tabled, he said, the bill is not dead by any means. He said he is working with people on the appropriations committee to amend the bill as a special project bill into House Bill 7, introduced by Keane, which is a reclamation and development grants bill. Once this amendment is in the bill, Bachmeier said, it will be very hard to get it out. He added that Keane is also getting people on both sides of the aisle to work on this bill. Bachmeier said Havre Beneath the Streets is also working on additional grants and fundraisers with Bear Paw Development Corp. to make these repairs. The repairs would be for the sidewalk in front of the Havre Eagles Club, where water has been leaking through into the historical underground, damaging property estimated at $200,000 for repairs. Bachmeier added that he also introduced House Bill 607 to revise laws regarding the manufacturing and sale of pet food treats, inspired by Havre business owner Keeley Wilson. He submitted the bill Thursday, he said, and the bill will probably be heard after transmittal. It has a later transmittal deadline because it is a revenue bill. He said he was told that the Department of Agriculture likes the language in the bill so much that they are proposing the bill as a model for other states because this being a common problem for small scale pet treat businesses. Thats exciting to hear and Im looking forward to continuing to work on that, he said. Kassmier said that his House Bill 332, regarding the relocation of wild bison, has been recently passed out of committee and will be heard on the floor this week. Bachmeier said that he voted against this bill and respectfully disagrees with Kassmier on this bill. He said he believes Fish, Wildlife and Parks is doing a good job with bison relocation and changing procedures is not needed. Kassmier said that the FWP still manages the process although counties will be able to decide if wild bison will be relocated to their counties. He added that the liability of the bison will also still be on the FWP because it is in control of vaccinations and testing for brucellosis. Kassmier said House Bill 490 of Rep. Walt Sales, R-Manhattan, passed through the committee last week and will be heard on the floor some time this week. House Bill 490 is a raw milk bill, Kassmier said, adding that there are some good components in it. Bachmeier said that he voted for Sales bill, although he is still not a fan of raw milk for human consumption. If we are going to have raw milk, it needs to be regulated, he said. I cant tell people what or what not to drink but wanted to have at least some regulations on it. He said during this legislative session he has heard three big raw milk bills. One was for herd sharing, he said, which was tabled because raw milk producers already are allowed herd sharing. The second was introduced by Rep, Nancy Ballance, R-Hamilton, which had no regulations. Bachmeier said Sales worked with the dairy industry while drafting the bill, writing it in a way which it is very difficult to oppose. He added that there are a few sideboards on the bill which will hold producers accountable and to the same standards as other dairy producers. Kassmier said the sideboards will protect consumers. I think this bill is about as good as you can get, Bachmeier said. Bachmeier and Kassmier both talked about House Bill 21, Hannahs Act, sponsored by Rae Peppers, D-Lame Deer, which will involve the Montana Department of Justice assisting in cases of murdered and missing Native American women. They said the bill was passed by the House although the financial part of the bill was removed. Bachmeier said he was also speaking on the floor Friday regarding the State Rock n Roll Song. He said some people have mixed feeling on this bill although it is not necessarily about the song, the Hippy Hippy Shake, written by Chan Romero while he was living in Billings and made famous by The Beatles. He said this bill took him about 10 minutes to write and was in committee for about 15 minutes, not using a large amount of resources and time. The legislative website said this morning that the bill is probably dead. Its not so much about the song its about honoring the Montanan who wrote the song, Bachmeier said. State Senator Sonny Borrelli and State Reps. Regina Cobb just wrapped up a marathon legislative session. Tell us what you think of their performance this year. You voted: It is now clear that Trump isnt waiting for a better moment. This was not an anomaly. Its not an accident. The distance from downtown Baltimore to Laurel Park is about 20 miles. The distance from downtown Baltimore to Pimlico Racetrack is just over 9 miles. The distance from Baltimore to Indianapolis is 578 miles. The closing of Pimlico will not affect Maryland racing fans ability to go to the racetrack. The attacks on The Stronach Group are misguided. The Stronach Group is a national leader and innovator of operating racetracks. For the last four years, Arizonas since-departed state schools chief, Republican Diane Douglas, was at odds with Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, and his appointed state board of education over whos in charge , who works for who and state standards . But Douglas lost her primary last year, and Democrat Kathy Hoffman, former special education teacher, was ultimately elected state chief. In an interview with Education Week, Hoffman described her new priorities for the state education department, including altering the states ESSA plan, pushing for more funding for schools, and rebuilding trust between the department and the states political leadership. Hoffman was partly voted in as part of a wave of teacher activism across the state over school funding. In her State of the State speech last month, she complimented Ducey on his efforts to boost teacher pay by 20 percent by 2020, but urged him to think more holistically about school funding. Lets be clear: Student success is not possible without highly qualified teachers in the classroom, she said during the speech. We absolutely must advance teacher recruitment and retention, which means competitive pay and benefits across the board. Because districts, rather than the state, control teacher pay amounts, some teachers were given as little as 2 percent raises last year, while other teachers were given 18 percent raises. Hoffman said in an interview shes encouraged that Ducey included in his budget more funding for the board that oversees the states expansive charter sector, which she said will lead to more accountability. And she said she appreciates that Ducey included money for more school counselors. The state currently employs one counselor for every 900 students. But she said the state needs to spend more on special education and providing pay raises for support staff like school bus drivers and office secretaries. Im acutely aware of the diminished resources and the shortages, the former special education teacher said about the shortage of special education teachers. Theres also a retention problem because theyre burning out and leaving the field. Hoffman said to rebuild trust between the governor, state legislators, and the state education department, she will conduct an audit of the departments spending habits in order to show that the department is spending its money effectively and efficiently. As part of that effort, Ducey also included in his budget money to update the software the department uses to figure out how to distribute state resources. The software was installed in the mid-'90s, Hoffman said. Were managing, but were worried it could fall apart at any moment, she said. Meanwhile, Hoffman said, the department is in the early stages of researching how teachers health care costs have risen and looking at ways to amend the states accountability plan. Were actively in conversations right now discussing how can we maintain stability and assure that we have a reliable accountability system, she said. Hoffman said that her experience as a teacher has helped her explain some of the day-to-day realities for teachers in under-resourced schools. Im very tuned in to the personal experiences and conversations with colleagues with some of the challenges educators face that policy makers are unaware of, she said. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Submit Alicia Farnam is a woman who not only cares about the well-being of her fellowman, but is a woman of action as well. Deeply affected by the flash tornado that hit Havana, Cuba in late January of this year, Farnam recalled her delightful pre-devastation trip to Cuba with a group of travelers through People to People, an organization that assists travelers with entry to the country."This is a beautiful country, and we spent ten days there staying in B&B's throughout Cuba. We traveled extensively and met with and became close to a number of families. Even before the tornado, and before the trip I brought two suitcases filled with items we felt the Cuban people could use," Farnam revealed.Following the tornado, Farnam took it upon herself to use the outreach of social media to obtain now desperately needed items for those who were most impacted by the damage, which resulted in the death of three and injury to more than 150. She learned that she could send one suitcase filled with items, especially footwear (sneakers), to Cuba with the travel agent who had arranged her memorable trip. The same travel agent is planning to return to Cuba the first week in March, and Farnam's goal is to fill yet another suitcase with items for the agent to bring to those in need.Five municipalities including Cerro, Diez de Octubre, Guanabacoa, Regla and Habana del Este suffered severe damage and Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel compared the damage to that of a war zone, thus solidifying Farman's determination to help where she could.Farnam is a resident of Southampton, and was born and raised in Sag Harbor. She credits her mother's involvement in charitable works over the years, as well as her Catholic faith and upbringing for instilling in her a social conscious and a desire to "help where and when I can." Farman continued, "I do this on my own locally in Southampton, such as Maureen's Haven , and after such a wonderful visit to Cuba it just felt natural for me to reach out to see what I could do."Farnam hopes to return to Cuba within the next year and continue her humanitarian efforts in person.If you would like to make a donation Farnman has requested that you contact her via Facebook ( Click Here ), and she will make arrangements to have items picked up and sent to this small nation that could use a helping hand. Eileen Casey spent many years working in the television and music industries in New York City on the "ABC In Concert" weekly series, as well as several prime time network and cable television specials. An award-winning journalist, editor, and artist, and former Editor-in-Chief of Hamptons.com, she enjoys staying warm in Charleston and cool in the Hamptons. Haiti - News : Zapping... Subsidy of imported rice threatens Haitian planters The decision of the administration Moise-Ceant, in its emergency measures https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26955-haiti-flash-prime-minister-ceant-reveals-9-emergency-measures.html to subsidize the importation of rice raises the concern of producers of Artibonite. According to Nicolas Pierre Louis, leader of the peasant organization "Tet kole ti peyizan", this provision risks to bankrupt the rice planters. Dialogue : Failure announced "At this point in our life as a people, the President of the Republic wants to redo the History of Haiti. It has just launched its Facilitation Committee of the Inter-Haitian National Dialogue https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27016-haiti-politic-the-facilitation-committee-of-the-inter-haitian-national-dialogue-is-formed.html , without any chance of success. How sad for the first black republic in the world..." said former presidential candidate (2010-2011) Josette Bijou. Arrest of a dangerous bandit Saturday, February 23, the dangerous bandit actively sought "Vlaw" was arrested on the island of La Gonave and transferred to Port au Prince to answer for his crimes. Seydina Allen, 3rd runner-up On Sunday, top model Seydina Allen (24) returned home after having represented Haiti in Manila at the 6th edition of the Miss Global International beauty contest by winning the title of 3rd runner-up. It is the Japanese Sophia Ng, who was crowned Miss Global International, the Canadian Amber Lynn Bernachi was elected 1st runner-up and Tamila Khodjaeva 2nd runner-up. "Never stop dreaming, never stop believing, never stop trying, and never stop learning. It does not matter what you do. Thank you to all those who supported me and encouraged me to follow my dreams and aspirations [...]" said on her Instagram account Seydina Allen. The 5th census will include women The 5th General Population and Housing Census will take into account the gender dimension and provide data on various aspects of women's lives (education, health status and employment status to better meet their needs) Competitive recruitment has become the rule According to Josue Pierre-Louis, the General Coordinator of the Office of Human Resources Management (OMRH), recruitment by competition is now the norm in the Haitian public administration. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - FLASH : At Carrefour Feuilles, individuals open fire on innocent citizens On the morning of Friday, February 22, in Fouchard neighborhood, at Carrefour Feuilles, unidentified armed individuals opened fire on all the people on their way causing panic among the population of the area. The toll of this savage attack is quite heavy at least 2 people killed on the spot Shinaider Mervil (25 years old), a security agent and Romane Lumain (40 years old) a motorcycle taxi driver whose passenger was shot and wounded as well as several other passers-by including a merchant according to the testimonies. The wounded were rushed to the hospital. The authorities are currently unaware of the rashes of this attack on innocent citizens. However it murmurs in the population of the area, that it could be reprisals of the Gang of Savane Pistache, directed by "Ti Je" following the death the day before one of their members... The residents of this neighborhooddenounce the rise of banditry and insecurity in the country and hope that the authorities concerned will take all measures to ensure that such acts do not happen in this neighborhood considered peaceful before this violent incident. HaitiLibre Have any questions? Please give us a call at 520-625-5511 Just like the big boys, ZTE isn't missing on the 5G action. The company announced two new phones one of which is a flagship device with 5G connectivity support called Axon 10 Pro 5G. The smartphone comes with Snapdragon 855 chipset along with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X50 5G-capable modem. ZTE has partnered with China Telecom, Hutchinson Drei, and Elisa carriers to ensure a global release within the first half of this year. Axon 10 Pro 5G In addition to the powerful SoC, the Axon 10 Pro 5G also boasts a 6.47-inch AMOLED display with 1080 x 2340 pixels resolution. There's also a fingerprint reader under it. The chipset includes 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The triple-camera setup on the back adopts the popular 48MP sensor with f/1.8 and pixel-binning technology. The second camera is an ultra wide-angle one with 20MP sensor and 125 field of view. The third one is telephoto with 8MP sensor whereas the front uses a 20MP unit. The device is powered by a 4,000 mAh battery and runs on Android 9.0 Pie out of the box. And by the looks of it, it won't be cheap. The specs sheet is indeed impressive ZTE Blade V10 The Blade V10, on the other hand, gives away only the essential specs. It carries a 6.3-inch FHD+ (1080 x 2280) display with a small notch on the top housing a 32MP sensor. We assume it's the same one found on the V15 Pro so we can expect some impressive selfie performance. Blade V10 The chip is yet to be revealed and ZTE says only "octa-core 2.1 GHz" and is aided by 3GB/4GB of RAM and 32GB/64GB of internal storage. The back houses the fingerprint reader along with a dual-camera setup that consists of a 16MP sensor and a 5MP one for depth sensing. A 3,100 mAh battery powers it all that charges over USB-C. For now, we know that Europe, China and South America will get the device sometime in March. The price remains unknown too. The available colors are black, blue and green. As principal of Mt. Hope Colored School, Brown fought to ensure that we had the necessary resources (even if they were handed down books from the white school) to receive the best possible education. Most of us came from rural backgrounds, including me. Brown worked very well with our three other teachers Gross, Young, and Miles. We saw her as a tough disciplinarian that we didnt want to cross. We respected her a great deal. We were certain to be on our best behavior if we were in her eyesight. I appreciate what she did to create educational opportunities for my brothers and myself. As I learned about her challenge for equal pay, Ive gained greater reverence and appreciation for her. She is indeed a black hero. Samsung officially announced two new midrangers, called Galaxy A50 and Galaxy A30. They come with Infinity-U displays, 4,000 mAh battery and a so-called 3D Glasstic design on the back. Both of them have a fingerprint scanner, but the A50 has it under the screen, while the A30 comes with the sensor mounted on the back. Samsung Galaxy A50 in Black, Blue, Coral, and White The official specs confirm a leak we found two weeks ago - Exynos 9610 chipset and a 6.4 Super AMOLED screen with Full HD+ resolution for the Galaxy A50. The Galaxy A30 comes with the same display and footprint, but runs on Exynos 7885 with two main Cortex-A73 cores and six energy-efficient Cortex-A53 at 1.6 GHz. The Galaxy A50 has a vertical triple camera setup - 25 MP f/1.7, coupled with a 5 MP f/2.2 depth sensor. There is also an 8 MP ultra wide-angle shooter. The front-facing camera is also 25 MP, but with an f/2.0 aperture. The Galaxy A30 received a complete downgrade in the camera department - dual 16 MP + 5 MP setup, the second having wide-angle lens, while the selfie snapper is 16 MP as well, but with a brighter aperture. Samsung Galaxy A30 in Black, Blue, White Samsung will offer the Galaxy A50 with either 4 GB or 6 GB RAM, while storage will be 64 or 128 GB. There is a microSD slot for up to 512 gigs more. The Galaxy A30 will come with 3/4 GB RAM and 32/64 GB storage, but at least the microSD slot has the same theoretical capacity. Samsung Galaxy A50 will arrive in four characterful color options - Black, White, Blue, and Coral. The Galaxy A30 will miss the last option that looks anywhere between Pink and Orange, depending on lighting and personal perception. The Korean manufacturer calls the design 3D Glasstic which is a portmanteau from glass and plastic. Pricing and availability are yet to be announced, but we are at MWC 2019 and well try to get more info from Samsung officials at the company booth. Source Lenovo announced a tablet-like smartphone at this year's MWC for users looking for a huge screen on a budget. The Lenovo Tab V7 - as the name suggests - houses a huge 6.9-inch IPS LCD screen and a whopping 5,180 mAh battery to keep it alive. Even Lenovo markets it as a phone-tablet hybrid. It's powered by the low-end Snapdragon 450 chipset aided by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. MIcroSD card support is at hand and you can stick up to 128GB. The display itself has a surprisingly high resolution given the price point and the nature of the product - 1080 x 2160 pixels, which accounts for 18:9 aspect ratio. Lenovo focuses mostly on the multimedia capabilities of the handset as it offers Dolby Audio-tuned front-facing stereo speakers and the screen-to-body ratio is rather good - 81% according to Lenovo. A fingerprint reader sits on the back along with the 13MP main camera. The front shooter is just 5MP, but both units support portrait modes, which is obviously processed entirely by software since there are no additional depth-sensing cameras. The Tab V7 runs with Android 9.0 Pie out of the box. The handset will pop up in stores starting April with a price tag of 249. Source The four-bedroom colonial at 26 Appletree Lane in South Wilton is listed for sale, with an asking price of $879,000. Lorraine Winsor of Realty Seven knows the property well; shes both the listing agent and the owner. Winsor acquired the property in 2003. She recalled discovering it: We loved the curb appeal of the house immediately the way it is located on the circle of a picturesque cul-de-sac, she said. the yard was level and flat. We were also attracted to the southern Wilton location, as my husband was commuting to New York City. Built in 1974, the four-bedroom, three-bath home affords 3,282 square feet of living space. The first major improvement we did was the master bath expansion, Winsor said. We bumped out the back of the house and created a large luxurious master bath. The space under the bathroom on the deck also was transformed, with pillars and a covered area with lighting and a bead-board ceiling. Its a wonderful spot to sit and sip a beverage in the warm months. We updated the other two bathrooms, as well. We put in a new front walk and had the front walk newly landscaped about 10 years ago. In preparation to sell, we painted the main- and lower-level interiors, refinished the hardwood floors throughout the house, painted the trim and replaced trim as necessary on the exterior, and just put in new carpet in the lower level, she added. The kitchen had been newly renovated when the Winsors settled in, but they have replaced the appliances, including adding double wall ovens. I love them. I never had a wall oven before, and its much easier to use than an oven you have to bend down and use, Winsor said. Details Address: 26 Appletree Lane, Wilton Price: $879,000 Number of Rooms: 9 Features: Built in 1974, but updated by its current owner, this four-bedroom colonial in South Wilton is located on an oversized 2.46-acre lot, on one of the neighborhood's most sought-after cul-de-sacs. The house affords 3,282 square feet of living space with formal living and dining rooms, an eat-in kitchen, family room and screened porch. The finished lower level adds an additional 616 square feet of living space to the above figure. Schools: Miller-Driscoll Elementary, Middlebrook Middle, Wilton High See More Collapse The kitchen has extensive lighting with accent lighting in the cabinets as well as under-cabinet lighting, which highlights the ceramic backsplash. The flooring is tile. The best feature of the kitchen, I think, is that it is open to the living room, which makes entertaining very easy. I cook five or six nights a week, and the kitchen is truly my dream kitchen. Between the screened porch and the partially covered backyard deck, there is lots of space to entertain and enjoy the milder weather to come. Winsors family enjoyed hosting friends and family here over the years. They had parties during the summer months, for which they utilized the deck and the backyard. The house also has extensive outdoor accent lighting, which adds a beautiful backdrop for outdoor entertaining, she noted. One of the many reasons that buyers are attracted to Wilton is that youre able to have a little land and some privacy. This lot is 2.46 acres. Most of Wilton is 2-acre zoning, and our property is even a bit bigger than that. The property is very level, flat and expansive, which is hard to find in Wilton. Many lots are very ledge-y or have sharp drop-offs, Winsor explained. The location of this property is noteworthy, especially for buyers who are contending with a commute. The number-one reason we loved the location was the commute to New York City, the listing Realtor said. Were only minutes from the connector and the Merritt 7 train station. Were also very convenient to Wilton Center, which offers shopping, dining and entertaining. Were also close to Norwalk, which offers many more shopping options. Beyond the convenience, Wilton also offers its residents a real sense of community and exceptional schools. The people in Wilton always come together to help anyone who is going through a difficult time, and come together to celebrate milestones in peoples lives. We have loved living here and have made lifelong friends. Plus, Wilton offers many outdoor areas for families to enjoy, such as Merwin Meadows, Ambler Farm, Weir Farm and Comstock Community Center. Listing Agent: Lorraine Winsor, Realty Seven; (203) 762-5548, ext. 335 office; (203) 247-2198 cell; winsor@realtyseven.com Parents in South Carolina are outraged after an elementary school class took in a field trip in which students were instructed to pick cotton while singing "slave songs." Video obtained by Fox 46 shows fifth-graders from Ebenezer Avenue Elementary in Rock Hill picking cotton. In one video, the kids are being instructed to sing: "I like it when you fill the sack. I like it when you don't talk back. Make money for me." "I'm livid right now," said Jessica Blanchard, the mother of one of the students. "I'm African-American and my ancestors picked cotton. Why would I want my son to pick cotton and think it's fun?" Rock Hill School District said the activity at the Carroll School, which was built in 1929 by and for African-Americans, was meant to educate students on the Great Depression and wasnt part of a lesson on slavery or Black History Month. The district called the field trip a "unique learning opportunity" that promotes "understanding about our past" and "helps students make real-life connections." The school district said parents had signed permission slips that noted students would be picking cotton during the trip. Blanchard felt the entire ordeal was "a mockery of what our people went through." Wali Cathcart, 81, an instructor and former student at the Carroll School, said the cotton picking activity is meant to show what he and his parents had to do to survive during the Great Depression. "This program is not about that (slavery)," he said. "This program here is centered around the Great Depression of the 1930s, so slavery is not the predominant issue." Blanchard still feels the activity is inappropriate. "I support the Carroll School. I support everything else about it," said Blanchard. "But I don't understand, at the end, why do you make it a point to pick cotton and sing those songs? I think it's misguided, and maybe ignorance on their part." The chief academic and accountability officer for Rock Hill Schools, Dr. John Jones, called Blanchard and apologized. Jones promised changes would be made so future trips would not be offensive to anyone. Rock Hill Schools released a statement to WCNC: "The Carroll School field experience is a unique learning opportunity for all 5th grade students in Rock Hill Schools elementary schools," the statement said. "Students have been visiting the Carroll School for the past fifteen years as a part of studying the Great Depression in the school curriculum." "He did not intend it to sound like, or in any way be a 'slave song' as it has been characterized," the statement continued. "The lyrics came from his experience as an African-American farmer picking cotton and making money for his family in the Great Depression time period." South Carolina state Rep. John King, D-Rock Hill, responded by calling the field trip "insensitive" and "terribly wrong." Fox 46 reports the school had to be placed on lockdown Friday after the school received "threatening phone calls" regarding the controversial field trip. Ms. Muthana, and at least 59 women like her, chose to leave her homeland behind and give aid and comfort to sworn enemies of the United States. Surely it must have occurred to her that by doing so, her days as an American were over. One side of me was happy to condemn her, but the historian in me cannot help but remember that 150 years ago, Americans were asking themselves these same questions about the Confederate soldiers after the war and they somehow found the will to forgive them. A startling discovery in a North Carolina neighborhood has prompted a lot of questions. Charlotte resident Mark Liebner told WBTV a neighbor asked him if he wanted to see something "really crazy" last week. When he accepted the offer, the two walked into a wooded area behind their subdivision. So we were walking back there at first it looked like a whole bunch of deer or raccoons or something, Liebner said. We got closer and closer, and it was just literally a pile of just dead coyotes. All piled up, had tags on them. It was a really gnarly sight. Smelled really bad, Liebner added. "It was like, why would you bring a whole bunch of dead coyotes and dump them here? Images from the scene are too graphic to share. About 70 to 80 coyote carcasses were piled in a heap on the ground next to a wet weather ditch. The two called police. "Ive never seen that amount in one place before, said Wildlife Enforcement Officer Sampson Parker. While it is legal to kill coyotes, the proper way to dispose of them is to bring them to a landfill. Investigators believe the person who dumped the coyotes got the animals from a large hunt. "It wasn't just Mecklenburg County where this came from, said Parker. "It looks like one individual got a hold of all these coyotes and unfortunately just made a bad decision to dispose of them not properly." Parker said his office, Emergency Management, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Animal Care and Control and Charlotte Fire responded to the scene and collected evidence. The person who dumped the coyotes may face littering charges. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, who is poised to formally announce that he is running for president as early as this week, has held elected office since before Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 29, was born. Though he said it has felt lonely at times, the 68-year-old Democrat has been trying to do something about global warming for almost that entire time. He's learned more from his failures than his successes. Now he hopes that Democratic primary voters come to value hard-earned wisdom. Every 2020 candidate is talking extensively about climate change in his or her stump speech, but no one else has made it the central rationale for seeking the presidency. "I've got three grandkids, and I want them to experience what I have: salmon in the river, snow in the mountains, clean air and forests to hike in," he said in an interview this weekend at the National Governors Association winter meeting. "It's all going to be degraded if we don't take this battle on." As a congressman, Inslee was a key player in the push for a cap-and-trade system 10 years ago. A bill passed in the House but stalled in the Senate, even though Democrats had a near-filibuster-proof majority. Last March, Inslee fought hard but failed to enact the nation's first carbon tax in Washington state. He couldn't whip the votes to pass the bill through his state's Democratic-controlled legislature. This past November, voters in his state rejected a ballot initiative to impose a carbon fee on fossil fuel emissions. A separate push he spearheaded to cap emissions was blocked in the courts. Inslee said "perseverance" is his single greatest personal quality. "You have to realize it's a necessary quality to achieve any major social change," he said. "Suffragettes understood that. ... You have to just keep plugging away at it. Sometimes perseverance is more important than genius." Inslee said he "welcomes" Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal for its ambition and for drawing attention to his pet issue, but he said there's not really a plan for him to endorse. "This was not a policy document. It was really not meant to be," he said. "So now people like me will issue policies to actually put meat on the bones." Republicans have warned in apocalyptic terms that the resolution could take away people's cars and even lead to killing cows. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is moving to hold a show vote to force Democrats to take a position on the resolution. Inslee said Republicans are using scare tactics that remind him of the debate over Obamacare. "It's just death panels all over again," he said. "They squawk . . . and they make up stuff out of thin air, just like they did on health care, and then we win. I believe, and I hope, it will be the same result on climate change." During our conversation at the Marriott Marquis, I noted that Democrats lost the House in 2010 after they passed the Affordable Care Act and that several congressmen lost their seats specifically because they walked the plank to vote for cap-and-trade system during the same Congress. "Timing is everything - in comedy and politics," he said. Inslee explained that he's cleareyed about what's realistic. He does not think getting to a carbonless economy in a decade is doable. After his defeats of the past decade, the governor also no longer advocates for a carbon tax or a carbon-pricing system. "I'm proposing alternatives," he said. "What's important to realize is this other assortment of tools in the toolbox can achieve the same carbon reduction as a carbon charge. There's a lot of routes to this destination." When cap-and-trade failed in 2010, Inslee argued that "it was just a line on the graph." Now people experience more frequent fires, flooding and hurricanes, plus worse air quality, so it feels real and thus they're inclined to act. While the general idea of action is popular, specific steps can generate backlash. During our interview, I noted that the mass yellow vest protests in Paris over the past few months started because of public outcry over France imposing a new tax to fight climate change. Inslee emphasized that this is partly why he does not advocate carbon taxes. "Look, we've got a suite of policies that are available to us, not just carbon pricing," he said. "In my state, we've got five bills in the legislature that are all moving forward with the goal of 100 percent clean energy. . . . We've learned that we have multiple tools, not just one. There are a lot of different ways to skin this cat." Inslee's decision to go all in on climate is certainly calculated, but it's not craven. This is not some election-year conversion. Back in 2007, Inslee co-authored a 416-page book on this topic called "Apollo's Fire: Igniting America's Clean Energy Economy." Bill Clinton wrote the foreword. Inslee pointed to a poll conducted this month by the Center for American Progress, a progressive advocacy group, that found "addressing the climate crisis" is tied with universal health-care coverage as the top priority among Democratic voters in the five early states. Another poll this month from Saint Anselm College found that 88 percent of likely New Hampshire Democratic voters said they are more likely to support a candidate who advocates for the Green New Deal. That was a higher number than Medicare-for-all, regulating Wall Street, taxing the ultra-wealthy and providing tuition-free college. A December poll from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication found 69 percent of Americans are at least "somewhat" worried about climate change, up seven points from last March. Inslee said he would be willing to declare a national emergency on climate change, allowing drastic federal action that could not pass Congress, if the Supreme Court upholds President Trump's emergency declaration to build a wall on the southern border. The governor emphasized that he's against Trump's invocation of emergency powers and hopes it gets struck down. "But if the rules change and the circumstances change, we're going to play by whatever rules exist to deal with this existential crisis," he said. "So if the possibility exists, we'll say yes." Inslee noted that he has made tangible, if incremental, progress as governor. Indeed, the Seattle Times Editorial Board praised him last month for trying to elevate the national conversation surrounding global warming and for his work to reduce emissions during six years as governor: "Inslee has a compelling story to tell about the state's ability to grow its economy, increase education spending and host the nation's two most valuable companies - all while reducing emissions, increasing use of renewable energy and enforcing strong regulations to protect the health of forests, waterways and air quality. . . . "Inslee secured investments in clean-energy research, pushed to increase electric vehicle use in the state and co-founded a coalition of 17 governors working to uphold the Paris Agreement on climate-change goals. Energy related greenhouse-gas emissions in Washington declined 3 percent since their pre-recession high in 2007, despite population growth and the nation's fastest economic growth in recent years. Emissions are expected to fall 5.5 percent by the time Inslee's current term ends in 2020 . . . He's been a strong advocate for private- and public-sector research and advanced product development. That includes championing state support for Boeing's development of cutting-edge, fuel-efficient jetliners." Inslee has significantly more experience than most of his better-known rivals for the nomination. He got elected to the state House in 1988, won a U.S. House seat in 1992, lost reelection in 1994 because he voted for the assault weapons ban, battled his way back to Congress in 1998 and stayed there until he won the governorship in 2012. His second term wraps up at the end of 2020. Inslee also recently wrapped up a successful stint as the chairman of the Democratic Governors Association. Right now, however, he doesn't register in the early polls. But the governor said he's accustomed to starting races as the underdog. He noted that he defeated a GOP incumbent to win his House seat and said he didn't have support from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "They flew a guy out to Yakima to tell me they weren't going to help me," he recalled. "I said why didn't you just call?" - - - The Washington Post's Joanie Greve and Mariana Alfaro contributed to this report. You might not know it, but Buzz Aldrin was rejected the first time he applied to NASAs astronaut program. Hed try again -- and make it -- but only to a backup crew. It took a freak accident to make room for him on Gemini 12s flight crew, where hed take the longest successful spacewalk of that time. Down-to-earth anecdotes like these comprise No Dream is Too High, Aldrins latest book, and an opportunity for the space pioneer to reflect on a lifetime of experiences, which include the Apollo 11 mission and eventually becoming the second man to walk on the moon. In the book, he reminds us of the power of luck and persistence -- and that any goal is attainable. We caught up with the 86-year-old astronaut and educator to get his take on whats needed for our next breakthroughs, big or small. Says Aldrin, well need both a commitment to curiosity and to mentoring those who can continue our work after us. This interview was edited and condensed. Entrepreneur: Lets talk about applying to the astronaut program. There was a point you thought it might not happen, yes? Aldrin: I read in Life Magazine a description of the Mercury program and that President Eisenhower thought astronauts should be trained as test pilots. But I had not [been trained as one]. The space program looked like it wouldnt be available to me. Entrepreneur: In your book, you talk a lot about luck, about how success is about being ready when opportunity comes. Aldrin: It's fascinating to think about. How lucky I was. My mother was born the year the Wright brothers flew an airplane. My father was an aviator. I grew up and fought WWII. [I was in the military and the space program]. Now I am pioneering people going to Mars. From the Wright brothers to Mars, that has all been part of my life, in a way. Entrepreneur: After the Apollo 11 mission, where did you find yourself? In your book, you mention struggling with normal life after the moon landing. Aldrin: I experienced depression. It was inherited. My grandfather attempted suicide, and my mother committed suicide the year before I headed to the moon. I wasnt productive, and my mind was clouded. I was given the command of the test pilot school. It really posed a major readjustment. As I was doing that, it just occurred to me, that is not the way I want to resume my Air Force career. I decided to retire at that point and see what else I could do. [At that point] I had disconnected myself from the Air Force and NASA. Entrepreneur: How did you get your bearings back? Aldrin: I thought about [how I could make a contribution] and the ways that I could reach out to help, to do better, with some development companies and think tanks. I decided to look at the continuous orbits between Earth and the moon. The [1975 Apollo-Soyuz Test Project] mission with the Soviets, [began] a legacy of cooperating with Cold War enemies, and survived the breakup of the Soviet Union. What followed that first mission in 1975, eventually led to the Shuttle program and International Space Station. Entrepreneur: In your book, you talk about legacy as going beyond oneself. Where does this stem from? Aldrin: Jimmy Doolittle, [a WII pilot famous for leading the 1942 attack on Tokyo, known as the Dolittle Raid, in response to Pearl Harbor], was a friend of my fathers. When my father died, Jimmy became a mentor, inspiring me to try and duplicate that [mentorship] with the astronauts, not just the twelve that landed on the moon. Entrepreneur: NASA recently received a record number of applications for this latest class of astronauts. What should they be thinking about? Aldrin: The ones that are being selected now will probably be [in their mid-twenties or early thirties] and theyre going to be too old maybe to get to Mars. But they will do a number of things in between, such as dress rehearsals for younger astronauts. Maybe in 2025 and 2030 and beyond, those will be the people who will be mature enough, trained enough to go to Mars, to assemble bases there the way we assembled bases at the moon. It's easy for me to think about humans going out [to Mars] but not coming back. But it is harder for other people. I predict it will be 2040 when they will land. Until then, we should be committing to permanence. We have to think ahead. Entrepreneur: It seems like theres more and more collaboration between public and private sectors in space exploration and even in other industries. Why is this collaboration so important for innovation? Aldrin: The government had to rely on the private sectors to carry out the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo program and then when they started building the shuttle system. The space station is still up there but we dont have a shuttle to go up there so we have to rely on the Russians, we have not been able to replace the shuttle with a smaller spacecraft, and its discouraging. What funds we do have are developing expensive but not really good rockets. The private companies, with government will start being able to take our people to the space station, the end of next year, 17 into 18. We need to build something to replace the International Space Station, helping other nations so we can lead those missions. Entrepreneur: What are you excited about? Aldrin: I learned to ski when I was 50, but havent skied for a year or two. I'd love to continue scuba diving but you cant just do that every day. But Im doing other things, like serving my country. Thats what I took an oath to do. I want to communicate something of value. [Hopefully people learn something] just by traveling along with me. Related: Copyright 2016 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved GREENWICH Parents, the Board of Education and the Food Services Department are all on board with making changes in the lunch program in Greenwich Public Schools, but they are at odds over what the changes should look like. In a 2017 survey released last fall, parents and students overwhelmingly said the quality of ingredients and food could be better in the school cafeterias. Since then, the food services department has made many changes, director John Hopkins said. He reduced the offerings in elementary schools, added more fresh fruits and vegetables, incorporated more from-scratch products and added pictures to the menu. But some advocates spear-headed by members of the PTA Health and Wellness Committee are pushing to outsource the lunch program entirely. The school board held its first public discussion Thursday about outsourcing food services to New Jersey-based No Fuss Lunch. Board members were open to sending out a request for proposal to third-party vendors, but they want to know more about the company, research alternatives closer to Greenwich and consider the impact on students who eat for free or at reduced rates. Many food service workers attended the meeting, where they defended their work, combatted what they called misinformation and asked the school board for a chance to improve. A dozen parents also turned out who endorsed improving the quality of the food or outsourcing the whole operation. Robin Wiley, head cook at Hamilton Avenue School, is saddened by the bashing of the Food Services Department that she sees online. We have made many changes to our food, she said. Well continue to make changes. But instead of outsourcing first, why arent you giving us the option to change? The department serves five vegetables and fruits locally sourced whenever possible and children can take as much they want, Wiley said. On average, the meals have less than 10 percent of calories from saturated fat, and every item contains zero trans fats, she said. The food meets federal guidelines for eliminating sodium, and they limit how often children can eat extras such as cookies and ice cream. Why would we jump ship to outsource without first working together to make changes, which we have done? Have the parents and the children revisited our lunch programs since we have made changes? Wiley said. Chris Zgutka, a cook at North Street School, says he enjoys teaching the students about nutrition. Were trying to make kids understand better food and better quality, he said. With what were given, were doing the best we can. He said he does not understand why the board is considering outsourcing. Why are we not allowed to give our ideas? Im not allowed to work on certain dishes because of this, because of that, he said. All I ask is to show that we not only care about our kids, we care about your kids, and we care about every dish we put out there. Nerlyn Pierson, co-chair of the health and wellness committee of the PTA, has talked about improving the food quality at the school in every meeting for the last five years. The committee made minor changes raising the quality of snacks and reducing the number of frozen vegetables but these changes do not address the substantive overhaul parents want, she said. We recognize that the employees and staff work hard every day, and were not here to question that, she said. But every time we try to implement real changes, we run into the same roadblocks and reality: The Food Services Department is a business that needs to take into account a number of factors such as budget, staffing and bottom line. District 12 RTM Rep. Mary Flynn, a former member of the PTA committee, said she ran into similar problems 13 years ago. Instead of outsourcing, she suggested buying better quality food. Before you outsource and lose this very valuable infrastructure, you might consider insisting on changing the quality of foods we order as a town, Flynn said. After the community comments, board members discussed the proposal to allow No Fuss Lunch to take over meal production. Ultimately, board members wanted to see more options explored. Board chair Peter Bernstein celebrated the changes already made but said the department needs massive movement. This is a restart of a discussion, he said. The difference though is were not letting go of it. There are a myriad things to consider before coming to a decision about piloting with No Fuss Lunch, however. Bernstein supports bringing in a consultant to find ways for the department to improve, and asking other districts that have outsourced for input. I think we should look at all options before we make such a decision, board member Kathleen Stowe said. Board member Meghan Olsson agreed. I think we need to look at more than one vendor before we pilot, she said. The way No Fuss Lunch funds meals for children who qualify for free- or reduced-price lunch bothered Bernstein. A new state policy automatically enrolls families in the free- or reduced-lunch program, which removes the stigma of applying. The outside provider would require families to apply for benefits, which they would receive through a 501(c)3 that Bernstein said may not get full funding. I dont think were there yet, he said. jo.kroeker@hearstmediact.com Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media GREENWICH Greenwich Fertility has been designated a Nursing Center of Excellence by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. This designation underscores the important role nurses play in providing exceptional fertility care and patient education at Greenwich Fertility. We are proud to offer high success rates with the finest nursing care, said Brenda Misuraca, RN, program director of Womens and Childrens services at Greenwich Hospital. GREENWICH Greenwich Public Schools has no formal process or standards for tracking capital projects and do not have enough staff members to manage new and ongoing projects, according to a recent report by Blum Shapiro, a consulting firm. Those were some of the shortcomings that contributed to the funding scramble last summer when town finance officials discovered that money had not been allocated for ongoing roof replacement work at Julian Curtiss School. The Board of Education, the Board of Estimate and Taxation and the Representative Town Meeting hastily approved more than $500,000 for the project, but the incident provoked conversations among school and town officials over how the school board tracks capital projects. The district hired Blum Shapiro to assess its operations and review its capital budgeting process, as well as how it tracks capital projects and financial operations. The consulting firm recommended eight strategies for the district to manage its projects, which will be presented in a joint meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday in Town Hall. The group found that documentation of projects is limited from start to finish, many tasks are not monitored or tracked, financial analysis does not occur regularly, district employees receive little to no formal training in the software used to track projects, the department is too small to manage the capital and turnover erases institutional knowledge of ongoing projects. Developing a process to monitor projects would include checklists, new policies and project management software, and a yearly audit by the town on some capital projects to make sure procedures are followed. It also found many users track financial information in separate Excel spreadsheets or in paper ledgers, not just online, and that these staff members are unfamiliar with MUNIS, the software the district uses. This software combines, for example, all roofing projects together, according to Blum Shapiro. School board officials said the practice of bundling projects contributed to how administrators lost sight of the money needed for the roof work at Julian Curtiss. Murky knowledge of software is not the only issue stretching existing staff members thin also contributes to the problem, the report said. In addition to handling project management, Facilities Director Dan Watson oversees the custodial and maintenance staffs, the telephones and capital projects for the schools, with a total of 85 full-time employees across 13 buildings. Blum Shapiro recommended adding more staff and outsourcing some duties, because the district had only one internal project manager and one facilities technical assistant available to help with monitoring and tracking capital projects. Greenwich Public Schools already acted on one suggestion, which had been in the works since December 2017: hiring an additional project manager. Last month, Eric Haaga, from McCloud Consulting Group, began his new job as a project manager for Greenwich Public Schools. In the past, he helped the district with a number of projects as a consultant. The need for a project manager was clear from the day I started, Chief Operating Officer Lorianne ODonnell said in an email. The district had zero full-time staff dedicated to capital project management other than the Director of Facilities position which is also responsible for day to day operations for all of the schools and there was a grave need for succession (or) transition planning. ODonnell and Watson started the same year former superintendent Jill Gildea began as superintendent. The decision to hire a project manager came after ODonnell, Watson and Gildea took over their roles in the district. Soon after ODonnell started, she presented the idea of a project manager to the school board for inclusion in the 2019-20 budget. Such a manager would help in the event of turnover in the future. Leadership turnover made monitoring capital projects challenging, especially when ODonnell, Watson and Gildea all started in Greenwich, according to the report. A significant amount of institutional knowledge regarding GPS capital projects was lost due to the transitions of the three administrators. To make sure all administrators are updated on projects, Blum Shapiro suggested monthly meetings with administrators so that they know important project information, such as project status, financials and timelines. jo.kroeker@hearstmediact.com The Danbury Music Centres Charles Ives Concert Series spring season, completing its second full season, will feature four concerts. The series is dedicated to celebrating the legacy of Danburys own Charles Ives with performances of his music, todays American music and music that transcends the traditional boundaries of classical music to incorporate other styles, according to a news release. Tickets to the series can be purchased and more information can be found here. The series is led by artistic director Paul Frucht and associate artistic director, Jon Cziner, both of whom are composers. Frucht, a recent Juilliard graduate and Danbury native, is also the Centres new associate director, artistic planning and program development. The spring season begins with a program called American Violin Sonatas on Saturday, March 9, at 7:30 p.m., at the Danbury Music Centres Marian Anderson Recital Hall, which features two nationally-renowned musicians, violinist Rachel Lee Priday and pianist Conor Hanick. The Series renews its partnership with Congregation Shir Shalom in Ridgefield, presenting an afternoon of Music by Jewish Composers on Sunday, March 31, at 4 p.m., featuring violinist Avi Nagin, cellist Julian Schwarz and pianist Marika Bournaki, all of whom are both familiar faces on the Ives Series and nationally recognized chamber musicians and soloists in their own rite. On May 13th, the Ives Series will, for the first time, present a concert in New York City, in an effort to bring Danburys iconic composers legacy further out into the tristate area. The programed, titled The Ives Series in NY: Charles Ives and His Living Legacy, will take place at 7:30 p.m. at Peter Norton Symphony Spaces Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre. The program will feature Ives Series Artist-Faculty performing works by Ives, the series two artistic directors Frucht and Cziner, 2019 Composer-in-Residence Robert Paterson and Nina C. Young and Justin Dello Joio, two previous composers-in-residence. The spring season closes on June 2 at 4: p.m. at Congregation Shir Shalom with concert featuring Dallas Symphony Orchestra Principal Harpist, Emily Levin. Tickets to the series can be purchased and more information can be found here. This is the right thing for our economy and people, and Gov. Cooper will continue to work with members of both parties to get it done, Porter said. A group of Democratic state legislators submitted identical Medicaid expansion bills, N.C. House Bill 5 and N.C. Senate Bill 3, on the first formal day of this session of the General Assembly. The primary sponsors of the House bill said all Democratic members support it. Bill sponsors said their legislation represents the fastest and best way to expand Medicaid. They also said that North Carolina has been sending tax revenue to Medicaid-expansion states for seven years. There is definitely momentum that is growing for Medicaid expansion in this state, said state Sen. Paul Lowe, D-Forsyth, a co-sponsor of SB3. I am doing everything I can to move the state and legislature in this direction. Bergers statement may be designed to puncture momentum that either bill may gain after the January breakup of the Republican supermajority rule in both chambers. At First Pentecostal Church in Columbus, the Rev. Steve Blaylock said the building was "a total loss," with a wall pushed in, holes in the roof and substantial water damage. He and his congregants tried to salvage what they could on the morning after the storm. But he said they still held a Sunday prayer service and even went ahead with a scheduled baptism, using a borrowed portable baptismal pool. "We will rebuild. We've got a good church here," Blaylock said. "It'll be a testimony of God." Residents of one street on the east side of Columbus were out early Sunday morning with chain saws, clearing away branches of the many trees that had snapped or were uprooted in the storm. Metal siding and roofing materials were scattered throughout the neighborhood of older homes. While the houses generally remained standing, sheds and outbuildings were mostly demolished. Lee Lawrence, who said he has been selling used cars for decades in Columbus, told The AP that four buildings on his car lot were destroyed. He said trees toppled across vehicles and car windows were blown out. Lawrence said he was at home getting ready to take a bath when the storm struck. The consequences were devastating for Baltimore City, which enacted higher and higher tax rates on fewer and fewer people, accelerating the cycle of disinvestment. But in the end, it hasnt worked out so well for Baltimore County, either. The city has the oldest school buildings in the state and faces a crisis from its crumbling water and sewer infrastructure, but the county isnt far behind. If the county had been assessing impact fees all along, it would have had more money for decades to invest in its infrastructure. It didnt, and now that it is running out of developable land (at least under its current, responsible land use policies), it faces a crisis point, with communities and constituencies in increasingly open conflict over resources that are no longer growing fast enough to cover all the bills. Stone sought to help the Trump campaign benefit from damaging material released by WikiLeaks. After the DNC pointed the finger at Russia in its hacking, Stone pitched himself as a WikiLeaks insider in discussions with the Trump campaign. According to Mueller , Trump's campaign kept in contact with Stone about the timing and content of any releases of Clinton documents that could be damaging to her campaign. Trump himself also publicly welcomed Russia's help. During a political rally, Trump called on Russia's hackers to help find emails scrubbed from Clinton's private server, saying: "Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing." Court documents show that on that same day, Russian intelligence officers tried to hack into email accounts hosted at a domain used by Clinton's personal office, as well as email addresses used by her campaign. TRUMP WAS TRYING TO DO BUSINESS IN RUSSIA DURING THE CAMPAIGN In fact, he wanted to build a Trump Tower in Moscow. WASHINGTON A ruling by a federal judge finding it unconstitutional to require men, but not women, to register for a draft into the U.S. military has revived a debate about whether the system should be altered or ended. But the decision, which does not order the government to revise the registration requirement, also raises a question: What happens next? The Selective Service System, first created at the outset of World War I, requires men ages 18 to 25 to register and was last used to send draftees to combat during the Vietnam War. But whether it is constitutional has been debated for years, especially after the Obama administration rescinded a policy in 2015 that prevented women from serving in most ground-combat roles. U.S. District Judge Gray Miller said in his ruling Friday that times have changed and the government can no longer justify the male-only systems gender-based discrimination. While historical restrictions on women in the military may have justified past discrimination, men and women are now similarly situated for purposes of a draft or registration for a draft, Miller, a judge in Houston, wrote in his 19-page opinion. If there ever was a time to discuss the place of women in the Armed Services, that time has passed. For more than 15 years, Jay Melton has worked as a greeter at the Walmart in Marion where he always welcomed customers with a smile and a friendly hello. But now Melton, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, may lose his job because the retail giant is changing the requirements. On Friday, Meltons niece Keely Melton posted on Facebook about what is happening to her uncle. Hes been a highly regarded greeter at the old Walmart on U.S. 70 West and then the current Walmart Supercenter on Sugar Hill Road. He has been a staple of the Marion Walmart through two locations and over 15 years, she wrote on Facebook. I received a call this morning which stated that in 60 days, my uncle would no longer be an employed greeter at Walmart of Marion. On Friday, The McDowell News spoke with his sister-in-law Jamie Melton. She also said Jay was told that within 60 days he would have to take on new responsibilities like being able to lift 25 pounds and stand for long periods of time duties he cannot perform because of his cerebral palsy. Jamie Melton is worried about how this will affect him. She said her brother-in-law lives to work at Walmart and go to church. This is what he gets up out of bed to do, she said. He lives to see those people. Commission members also want to track labor market related data such as the share of young adults enrolled in school or working, the overall labor force participation rate, the share of mid-career adults with family income at or above a living wage, and current and forecasted workforce demand compared to the supply of graduates. Led by locally owned Peter Hans, another co-chairman of the Commission and president of the North Carolina Community College System, said that there will be county and regional goals in addition to statewide goals. In an interview after the event, Hans described the project as state led but locally owned. Hans and Jenkins also said that we need to focus on collaboration across the three silos of education: K-12, community colleges and other universities. If North Carolina isnt able to meet these goals, the commission projects that 400,000 people will be left behind. The outlook for folks who dont have postsecondary degrees or high quality credentials is not as promising. Quite frankly, it is not the way it used to be 20 or 30 years ago when you could find meaningful employment, Jenkins said. HIGH POINT Guilford County officials plan to sell up to $40 million in bonds this spring to help finance a variety of projects, including new mental health, emergency management and law enforcement facilities. The Guilford County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously at its annual retreat Monday morning to authorize the sale of that much in two-thirds bonds that can be sold without a countywide referendum. State law authorizes local governments to sell up to two-thirds of the value of bonds that they retire in a single year without having to ask voters to approve the sale at the ballot box. Spending included in the proposed package of projects earmarks $10 million to increase security at Guilford County schools. It also envisions the possibility of demolishing the current law enforcement center on West Sycamore Street and replacing it with a new building that would be ready for use in about two years at a cost of more than $12 million the preferred option of new Sheriff Danny Rogers. The plan is among several under consideration by county officials, including a potentially costlier initiative by former Sheriff BJ Barnes to renovate the existing center. GREENSBORO A Guilford County attorney spent Thursday night and part of Friday in jail after being accused of assaulting a woman. Joseph Donald Floyd II, 51, of 404-B Fisher Park Circle in Greensboro, is accused of pushing a woman and pinning her against a wall with his arms across her throat before striking her against a cabinet, an arrest warrant shows. Greensboro Police arrested Floyd on Thursday and he remained in custody through Friday afternoon. He was scheduled for a first appearance at 2 p.m., but District Court Judge Marcus Shields said the matter was taken care of outside the courtroom. The online roster for Guilford County jail changed from showing Floyd held without bail to being released with permission of the judge. By 4:30 p.m. Friday, any evidence of Floyd in jail was removed. Court documents said Floyd is being represented by Charles Lloyd, who spoke with the victim Friday morning. The woman, whom the News & Record is not identifying because it involves an allegation of domestic violence, lives with Floyd but told Lloyd she would be out of state by 10 a.m. Friday and wanted Floyd out of jail as soon as possible, according to court records. Universal background checks, while hardly a panacea for gun violence, are such a common sense protection in the manner of licensing drivers or requiring prescriptions for powerful drugs that one would like to assume the measure will be on President Donald Trumps desk before the end of the week. But thats not the reality. Instead, Republican support for this and related measures is modest in the House and perhaps even more problematic in the GOP-controlled U.S. Senate. As usual, the National Rifle Association is at the forefront of efforts to deep-six attempts to close the so-called Charleston Loophole as if law-abiding gun owners would be seriously injured if they had to face an effective criminal background check instead of the dysfunctional system in place today. Wait. Once again, that is what the Catholic Church told the victims of decades of sexual abuse committed by priests a sinister scandal that has plagued the church since it was unveiled nearly two decades ago. Pope Francis promised this time would be different. That a four-day summit that just concluded at The Vatican would result in a bold plan to transform a church culture that allowed clergy to prey on vulnerable children and then protected the priests when they were found out. This after delaying American bishops last fall from coming up with their own remedy because finally the Vatican would take a strong stance. It was not Kristen DelForges wish to be married during a storm, but Hurricane Florence had other plans for September 15, 2018. I was born during hurricane Hugo, so it seems only fitting that I got married in the middle of a hurricane, DelForge says. The Cliffs Notes version of her and Alex Bondys love story is this: They met at Elon University, where DelForge was an undergrad studying history. Bondy knew right away that she was the one, and not long into the summer of 2009 DelForge realized it, too. Thus began their long walk down the aisle. I knew that I would marry him because he was so rock-solid my true North, DelForge says. They dated for nine years (yes, you read that right!), eventually moving in together in Burlington, where they bought a home in 2016. DelForge wanted to get married after her undergrad studies but Bondy says he felt law school would require her full attention. So she focused on school while he focused on a career in business management. In a commentary in the journal Joule, a team from the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, suggests that graphdiyne (GDY)a two-dimensional carbon allotrope that complements the properties of prevailing carbon materialsshows intrinsic advantages as an electrochemical interface. It draws much attention for its applications in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), catalysts, solar cells, and electro-chemical actuators. Compared with other carbon materials, GDY has good controllability in terms of its structure and preparation. The synthesis of GDY at low temperature (usually below 100 C) changes the understanding in the preparation of traditional carbon materials, and it can be produced in solution even at various substrate. The size of the in-plane cavities in GDY can be accurately tuned for atomic-level selectivity via varying the terminal acetylenic groups of precursor. Molecular engineering introduces heteroatoms and functional groups into GDY readily; thus, its intrinsic electronic structure (band gap), optical property, and surface energy are artificially tailorable. It performs high mechanical modulus and stiffness, fulfilling diverse requirements for constructing composite materials. Zuo and Li The ball-and-stick model of a single-layer GDY. Sun et al. (2015) The team of Professor Yuliang Li and Zicheng Zuo review the key scientific issues and opportunities and provide insight into the challenges related to solving these issues. Well-defined interfacial defects in catalysts are the critical aspect affecting their performance and reproducibility in fuel cells, water splitting, CO 2 reduction, and so on. The character of GDY allows the production of well-defined defects. Zuo and Li Further, they note, atomic-thick GDY naturally possesses in-plane cavities, high mechanical strength, good conductivity, and good affinity with metal elements; no other material with these properties has been prepared on a large scale. These properties of GDY can potentially solve the interfacial problems in alkali metal batteries such as Li, Na, K, and Mg, they suggest. Although GDY has strong development potential, there remain several major challenges, the researchers point out. Large-scale preparation of highly crystalline single- and few-layer GDY. Obtaining the atomic phase structure and measuring the intrinsic properties (electronic,optical, acoustic, and magnetic). It is very important to develop methods for the damage-free transfer of GDY film and fabrication of high-quality devices. Theoretical simulation; the correct calculation models are needed for studying the electrochemical mechanism and process on GDY in different applications. Interface analysis: advanced experimental methods for characterizing the interface structure and interfacial synergetic effects. Resources This can be a complicated issue, of course, but its pretty easy to see that if cigarettes deserve to be taxed at $2 per pack, cigars do not deserve to be sold tax-free. That much is obvious. And if any lawmakers have doubts, they should go visit their local pulmonologist and hear their heartbreaking stories of patients who suffer horrific medical problems and deeply regret taking up tobacco, only its too late for them. Its not just cigarette smokers who suffer irreversible damage from smoking, its those who puffed cigars as well. If we can discourage Marylanders from following that costly path or at least force them to pay for a portion of the damage they inflict on society we have a duty to do so. Be nice if Spike Lee could read his notes, or better yet not have to use notes at all, when doing his racist hit on your President, who has done more for African Americans (Criminal Justice Reform, Lowest Unemployment numbers in History, Tax Cuts,etc.) than almost any other Pres! Michael Busch, Maryland House of Delegates speaker, is withdrawing his legislation to put abortion rights in the states constitution. 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. Vancouver, February 25, 2019 - Max Resource Corp. (TSXV: MXR) (OTC: MXROF) (FSE: M1D1) is pleased to announce that, since January 30, 2019, the Company has received proceeds of $1,134,775 as a result of the exercise of 6,078,700 previously issued common share purchase warrants. As of the date of this news release, the Company now has 59,673,064 common shares issued and outstanding. The warrants were issued in connection with private placements and had exercise prices between $0.075 and $0.25 per share The Company intends to use the proceeds of the warrant exercise for mineral exploration and general working capital purposes. About MAX Resource Corp. Max Resource Corp.'s focus is to explore and consolidate gold and platinum group mineral assets in the richly endowed Choco mineral district of Colombia. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF MAX RESOURCE CORP. "Brett Matich" Brett Matich, CEO and President For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.maxresource.com or the Company's profile at www.SEDAR.com If you would like to be added to Max Resources' news distribution list, please send your email address to info@maxresources.com For more information contact: Brett Matich, CEO and President Tel: (+1) 604 365-1522 info@maxresource.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed as "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements pertaining to completion of the Transaction and any approvals required in connection with the Acquisition. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing 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 the forward-looking statements include: changes in market conditions, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in the price of commodities (particularly copper), unanticipated changes in key management personnel and general social, economic or geo-political conditions. Mining exploration and development is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be from time to time by the Company or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/43017 THUNDER BAY, ON, Feb. 25, 2019 /CNW/ - Premier Gold Mines Ltd. ("Premier" or "The Company") (TSX:PG) is pleased to provide mineral reserves and resources (MRMR) as of December 31, 2018 including updated statements from the Mercedes Mine (100%-owned) and South Arturo Property (40%-owned). All tables reflect tonnes and ounces attributable to Premier, and mining depletion from 2018. Exploration success is continuing to support the replacement of mined reserves at Mercedes and South Arturo. 2018 MRMR Highlights Replacement of 80% of mined production within Proven and Probable Reserves in 2018 Replacement and increase of gold Reserves at South Arturo 8% growth in Measured and Indicated resource ounces at South Arturo (exclusive of reserves) Cove delivers robust PEA that includes a 50% increase in Indicated resources of gold Table 1: Comparison of 2018 and 2017 Proven and Probable Gold Reserves GOLD (Au) 2018 2017 PROPERTY Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Mt g/t 000's Mt g/t 000's Greenstone 70.85 1.02 2,324 70.85 1.02 2,324 Mercedes 3.38 3.63 395 3.29 3.94 417 South Arturo 2.84 3.01 275 2.64 3.18 270 TOTAL 77.08 1.21 2,994 76.78 1.22 3,012 Table 2: Summary of 2018 Proven and Probable Reserves for Gold and Silver GOLD (Au) PROVEN RESERVES PROBABLE RESERVES PROVEN+PROBABLE RESERVES PROPERTY Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Mt g/t 000's Mt g/t 000's Mt g/t 000's Greenstone (Hardrock) (1) - - - 70.85 1.02 2,324 70.85 1.02 2,324 Mercedes (2) 0.19 9.01 56 3.19 3.31 339 3.38 3.63 395 South Arturo (3) 1.51 3.20 155 1.34 2.79 120 2.84 3.01 275 TOTAL 1.70 3.87 211 75.38 1.15 2,783 77.08 1.21 2,994 SILVER (Ag) PROVEN RESERVES PROBABLE RESERVES PROVEN+PROBABLE RESERVES PROPERTY Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Mt g/t 000's Mt g/t 000's Mt g/t 000's Greenstone (Hardrock) (1) - - - - - - - - - Mercedes (2) 0.19 80.97 503 3.19 21.67 2,222 3.38 25.05 2,725 South Arturo (3) - - - - - - - - - TOTAL 0.19 80.97 503 3.19 21.67 2,222 3.38 25.05 2,725 Table 3: Summary of 2018 Mineral Resources for Gold and Silver (exclusive of mineral reserves) GOLD (Au) MEASURED RESOURCES INDICATED RESOURCES M+I RESOURCES INFERRED RESOURCES PROPERTY Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Mt g/t 000's Mt g/t 000's Mt g/t 000's Mt g/t 000's Greenstone (1) 2.03 1.07 70 18.38 2.27 1,340 20.41 2.15 1,410 13.68 3.09 1,360 Mercedes (2) 0.25 3.32 27 3.00 3.41 329 3.25 3.40 356 1.72 4.18 231 South Arturo (3) 2.40 1.06 81 6.82 1.03 228 9.22 1.03 309 0.76 1.30 32 McCoy-Cove (4) - - - 0.95 11.22 342 0.95 11.22 342 3.66 11.24 1,322 Hasaga (5) - - - 42.29 0.83 1,124 42.29 0.83 1,124 25.14 0.78 631 TOTAL 4.68 1.18 178 71.44 1.46 3,363 76.12 1.45 3,541 44.96 2.47 3,576 SILVER (Ag) MEASURED RESOURCES INDICATED RESOURCES M+I RESOURCES INFERRED RESOURCES PROPERTY Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Mt g/t 000's Mt g/t 000's Mt g/t 000's Mt g/t 000's Greenstone (1) - - - - - - - - - - - - Mercedes (2) 0.25 51.23 417 3.00 36.94 3,564 3.25 38.05 3,981 1.72 36.11 1,997 South Arturo (3) - - - - - - - - - - - - McCoy-Cove (4) - - - 0.95 29.53 900 0.95 29.53 900 3.66 20.89 2,457 Hasaga (5) - - - - - - - - - - - - TOTAL 0.25 51.23 417 3.95 35.16 4,464 4.20 36.13 4,881 5.38 25.76 4,454 Pricing assumptions for gold and silver and other parametres are summarized in the "End Notes" at the end of this release. Note that any discrepancies in tables are be due to rounding. A detailed MRMR statement of all Premier's properties is highlighted in Table 2 for Mineral Reserves and in Table 3 for Mineral Resources (exclusive of reserves). "Premier has maintained a solid reserve and resource base in 2018 including updated statements at three of its property interests. We remain committed to the advancement of our portfolio through sustained exploration and a long-term strategic vision of growing production" commented Ewan Downie, President and Chief Executive Officer. Operating Mines Premier's two operating assets include Mercedes (100%) located in Sonora State in Mexico and South Arturo (40%) within the Carlin Trend in northern Nevada. Mercedes Mine Premier has owned Mercedes since October 1st, 2016. Mineral reserves at the mine stood at some 404,000 ounces of gold with an effective date of June 30, 2016. Since then, a total of 197,000 ounces of gold have been produced at Mercedes, of which 174,000 ounces of production is attributable to Premier. Proven and Probable reserves have been reduced by only 2.2% for 2.5 years of mining to some 395,000 ounces of gold. During 2019, Premier anticipates delineation drilling at Marianas to provide much of the resource to reserve conversion at Mercedes. Tables 4 and 5 are detailed summaries of mineral reserves and mineral resources (exclusive of reserves) respectively on a "per ore zone" basis. Importantly, the Diluvio ore zone represents 52% of current mineral reserves at Mercedes and 38% of remaining measured and indicated resources. Mining at Diluvio represents a similar weighting in the mine plan for 2019 having efficiently transitioned to primarily longhole mining methods. An important component to replacing mined reserves at Mercedes in 2019 will be the successful delineation of the Marianas deposit that is located along the significant Mercedes ore trend. The Company has planned for 22,000 metres of delineation drilling at Marianas in 2019, which are coordinated with an extensive underground development program. The mineral resources summarized in Table 5 represent a comprehensive review of 2018 results that imposed a stringent depletion of the resource. Removing sterilized areas from the mineral resources explains most of the tonnage or grade reductions as compared to 2017. Table 4: Detailed 2018 Mineral Reserves for Gold and Silver at Mercedes Mine (2) GOLD (Au) PROVEN RESERVES PROBABLE RESERVES PROVEN+PROBABLE RESERVES ORE ZONE Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces kt g/t 000's kt g/t 000's kt g/t 000's Mercedes 20.09 7.53 5 74.06 2.79 7 94.15 3.80 12 Aida - - - 120.44 3.84 15 120.44 3.84 15 Lupita 45.43 7.95 12 283.56 3.85 35 328.99 4.42 47 Rey de Oro 31.36 8.43 8 342.51 3.80 42 373.87 4.19 50 Barrancas 96.32 10.01 31 314.87 3.54 36 411.19 5.06 67 Diluvio - - - 2,054.79 3.10 205 2,054.79 3.10 205 TOTAL 193.20 9.01 56 3,190.22 3.31 339 3,383.42 3.63 395 SILVER (Ag) PROVEN RESERVES PROBABLE RESERVES PROVEN+PROBABLE RESERVES ORE ZONE Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces kt g/t 000's kt g/t 000's kt g/t 000's Mercedes 20.09 89.84 58 74.06 21.71 52 94.15 36.25 110 Aida - - - 120.44 22.36 87 120.44 22.36 87 Lupita 45.43 43.51 64 283.56 22.33 204 328.99 25.26 267 Rey de Oro 31.36 119.66 121 342.51 39.82 438 373.87 46.51 559 Barrancas 96.32 84.18 261 314.87 34.72 352 411.19 46.31 612 Diluvio - - - 2,054.79 16.50 1,090 2,054.79 16.50 1,090 TOTAL 193.20 80.97 503 3,190.22 21.66 2,222 3,383.42 25.05 2,725 Table 5: Detailed 2018 Mineral Resources for Gold and Silver at Mercedes Mine (2) GOLD (Au) MEASURED RESOURCES INDICATED RESOURCES M+I RESOURCES INFERRED RESOURCES ORE ZONE Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces kt g/t 000's kt g/t 000's kt g/t 000's kt g/t 000's Marianas - - - 21.45 18.39 13 21.45 18.39 13 644.84 4.46 92 Klondike 2.66 4.70 0 45.42 3.36 5 48.08 3.44 5 27.88 3.26 3 Lupita 41.30 2.59 3 355.31 3.63 41 396.62 3.52 45 59.45 6.76 13 Barrancas 87.52 1.18 3 407.03 3.23 42 494.56 2.87 46 197.10 4.47 28 Rey de Oro 32.72 8.07 8 477.71 2.75 42 510.43 3.09 51 194.80 4.13 26 Mercedes 89.18 4.00 11 422.74 3.65 50 511.92 3.71 61 240.02 3.69 28 Diluvio - - - 1,272.59 3.33 136 1,272.59 3.33 136 356.09 3.50 40 TOTAL 253.39 3.33 27 3,001.26 3.41 329 3,254.65 3.41 356 1,720.17 4.18 231 SILVER (Ag) MEASURED RESOURCES INDICATED RESOURCES M+I RESOURCES INFERRED RESOURCES ORE ZONE Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces kt g/t 000's kt g/t 000's kt g/t 000's kt g/t 000's Marianas - - - 21.45 10.50 7 21.45 10.50 7 644.84 26.99 560 Klondike 2.66 52.29 4 45.42 39.77 58 48.08 40.46 63 27.88 23.47 21 Lupita 41.30 21.65 29 355.31 32.61 373 396.62 31.46 401 59.45 51.23 98 Barrancas 87.52 36.53 103 407.03 53.57 701 494.56 50.56 804 197.10 51.87 329 Rey de Oro 32.72 128.03 135 477.71 54.79 842 510.43 59.48 976 194.80 29.12 182 Mercedes 89.18 51.16 147 422.74 47.14 641 511.92 47.84 787 240.02 50.39 389 Diluvio - - - 1,272.59 23.06 943 1,272.59 23.06 943 356.09 36.59 419 TOTAL 253.39 51.23 417 3,001.26 36.93 3,564 3,254.65 38.05 3,982 1,720.17 36.11 1,997 South Arturo Mine Premier purchased its interest in the South Arturo property in mid-2015 with first production on August 1, 2016. At that time, the property hosted a mineral reserve (contained entirely within the Phase 2 pit) of 155,000 ounces of gold. Between 2016 and 2018, the Phase 2 pit realized total production attributable to Premier of some 167,000 ounces of gold and Premier estimates that some 11,000 ounces of gold currently remain stockpiled (ARSO and/or roaster) at Goldstrike from Phase 2 mining. Overall, this represents approximately 15% more ounces of production versus the original reserve estimate. Some 86% of current mineral reserves reside in the Phase 1 open pit that is currently under construction. Table 6: Detailed 2018 Mineral Reserve for Gold for South Arturo (3) GOLD (Au) PROVEN RESERVES PROBABLE RESERVES PROVEN+PROBABLE RESERVES ORE LOCATION Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Mt g/t 000's Mt g/t 000's Mt g/t 000's Stockpiles 0.18 1.98 11 - - - 0.18 1.98 11 Open Pit 1.32 3.32 141 1.27 2.33 95 2.59 2.84 236 Underground 0.01 13.61 2 0.07 11.08 25 0.08 11.24 27 TOTAL 1.51 3.19 154 1.34 2.79 120 2.84 3.01 275 Table 7: Detailed 2018 Mineral Resources for Gold (exclusive of mineral reserves) for South Arturo (3) GOLD (Au) MEASURED RESOURCES INDICATED RESOURCES M+I RESOURCES INFERRED RESOURCES ORE LOCATION Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Tonnes Grade Ounces Mt g/t 000's Mt g/t 000's Mt g/t 000's Mt g/t 000's Stockpile 0.12 0.97 4 - - - 0.12 0.97 4 - - - Open Pit 2.28 1.05 77 6.78 0.99 217 9.06 1.01 294 0.69 0.44 10 Underground 0.002 12.11 1 0.03 10.04 11 0.04 10.16 12 0.07 9.73 22 TOTAL 2.40 1.06 82 6.82 1.04 228 9.22 1.05 310 0.76 1.30 32 Underground mineral reserves and resources currently reside entirely within the El Nino area which remains open for expansion. Drilling at El Nino in 2019, from surface and underground, will focus on expanding reserves and resources. Attractive exploration targets such as East Dee, where delineation drilling will be completed in 2019, and several other target areas offer potential for further MRMR growth. Advanced Exploration Premier's two advanced exploration properties include Greenstone Gold (50%) located in the Geraldton-Beardmore Greenstone Belt, in Ontario and the McCoy-Cove Property in the Battle Mountain-Eureka Trend in northern Nevada. Only McCoy-Cove property is updated in this release. McCoy-Cove Property In May 2018, Premier released a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") on the 100%-owned portion of the McCoy-Cove Property now referred to as the Cove Property. The PEA highlighted an NPV5 of US$143 million and an after-tax IRR of 48% for an underground mining plan of the Helen and Gap Zones. Included in the PEA was an updated MRMR statement that contains some 342,000 ounces of gold grading 11.22 g/t in the combined Measured and Indicated category. This represents a 50% increase in gold ounces versus the 2017 mineral resource estimate as a result of additional delineation drilling. In addition, some 1,322,000 ounces of gold grading 11.24 g/t has been estimated in Inferred resources. The remaining portion of the McCoy-Cove property currently contains no mineral resource. However, it is being actively explored by Barrick Gold Corp. under the terms of an Earn-in agreement which could see Barrick spend some US$22.5M to earn a 60% interest in the property. Since the beginning of 2018, exploration results from the McCoy-Cove joint venture and Cove Property highlighted a greater than 4 km footprint of Carlin-style chemistry that remains open at McCoy-Cove. Also, the Favret formation, a highly receptive limestone host of high-grade Carlin-style mineralization, remains largely untested on a property-wide basis. Stephen McGibbon, P. Geo., is the Qualified Person for the information contained in this press release and is a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101. Premier Gold Mines Limited is a gold-producer with a respected exploration and development pipeline of high-quality precious metal projects in proven, accessible and safe mining jurisdictions in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Premier remains focused on creating a low-cost, mid-tier gold producer through its two producing gold mines - South Arturo and Mercedes - as well as mine development opportunities at McCoy-Cove in Nevada and Hardrock in Ontario. End Notes (1) GREENSTONE GOLD: Mineral reserves and resources were calculated at a gold price of US$1250 and US$1320 respectively. The current independent technical report on the property, dated December 21, 2016, is entitled "Hardrock Project, Ontario, Canada" was completed by G Mining Services Inc. (2) MERCEDES: For 2018, mineral reserves and mineral resources were calculated under the supervision of Stephen McGibbon, Executive Vice-President of Project & Corporate Development at Premier Gold Mines Ltd. at gold prices of US$1200 and US$1400 and silver prices of US$16.50 and US$19.25 respectively. The independent technical report on the property dated April 18, 2018, entitled "TECHNICAL REPORT ON THE MERCEDES GOLD-SILVER MINE, SONORA STATE, MEXICO" provides detail on resource estimate methodologies and assumptions. (3) SOUTH ARTURO: Calculations have been prepared by employees of Barrick under the supervision of Rick Sims, Vice President, Resources and Reserves, of Barrick, Geoffrey Locke, Manager, Metallurgy, of Barrick and Mike Tsafaras, P. Eng., Manager, Value Realization of Barrick. Except as noted below, reserves have been estimated based on an assumed gold price of US$1,200 per ounce, an assumed silver price of US$16.50 per ounce (4) MCCOY-COVE: Mineral resources at Cove were estimated using a gold price of US$1400 per ounce. One ounce of gold is equivalent to 140 ounces of silver. The current independent technical report on the property, dated June 29, 2018, is entitled "PRELIMINARY ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT FOR THE COVE PROJECT, LANDER COUNTY, NEVADA" and was completed by Practical Mining LLC (5) HASAGA: Mineral resources at Hasaga were estimated using a gold price of US$1400 per ounce. The current independent technical report on the property, dated February 24, 2017, is entitled "NATIONAL INSTRUMENT 43-101 TECHNICAL REPORT: HASAGA PROJECT, RED LAKE MINING DISTRICT, ONTARIO, CANADA, NTS MAP SHEETS 52K/13 AND 52 N/04" and was completed by MRB and Associates. This Press Release contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements about strategic plans, including future operations, future work programs, capital expenditures, discovery and production of minerals, price of gold and currency exchange rates, timing of geological reports and corporate and technical objectives. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including the risks inherent to the mining industry, adverse economic and market developments and the risks identified in Premier's annual information form under the heading "Risk Factors." There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Premier disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE Premier Gold Mines Ltd. Northgate Dutra Joint Venture, a firm with offices in Frederick, was selected in late 2017 to carry out a $3 million pilot project to test sediment in the Conowingo reservoir and dredge a small portion of it to determine a possible reuse and market for the materials. Officials said the project is being paid for through the Maryland Department of the Environment, in conjunction with the Maryland Environmental Service and the Governors Bay Cabinet. Vancouver, February 25, 2019 - Go Cobalt Mining Corp. ("Go Cobalt" or the "Company") is pleased to provide the following property and corporate update. Highlights regarding the Upcoming 2019 Monster Yukon Property Exploration Program: The Company has engaged IOCG expert Rodrigo Diaz to continue target generation and prioritization on the Monster property using Remote Spectral Geology (RSG) data in preparation for Go Cobalt's 2019 field program. Mr. Diaz' expertise in RSG and particularly on IOCG deposits includes 28 years of development in exploration with mining companies like Phelps Dodge, Rio Tinto and Codelco. Additionally, the Company has engaged Southern Geoscience Consultants to re-process historic gravity data on the Monster property with new high-resolution elevation data collected by Go Cobalt in 2018. Southern Geosciences Consultants is a group of highly experienced geophysicists based out of Perth, Western Australia that have contributed to exploration successes around the globe. Go Cobalt is planning an extensive detailed gravity survey in early 2019 to use in combination with the successful detailed airborne magnetic and radiometric survey flown by Go Cobalt in 2018. Together, gravity and magnetic surveys have been used to successfully identify IOCG deposits and will prove invaluable in drill hole targeting moving forward. The Company is also reviewing new passive EM surveys being developed by Precision Geo-surveys which may be able to outline certain characteristics associated with large IOCG deposits that could also be implemented this year. Go Cobalt is currently applying for a Yukon Mineral Exploration Program (YMEP) grant from the Yukon Government which offers mining incentives to qualified exploration companies for the upcoming season. Barrachois Vanadium Property in Quebec Following the successful identification of up to 2.01% vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) (see release dated November 27, 2018) the company began compiling all historic data and has started planning its summer program at the Barrachois Vanadium-Lead-Silver-Zinc prospect. The Barrachois project is road accessible and has mineralization close to surface in three widely spaced historical multi-element occurrences. Mineralization is hosted in mudstones, shales, sandstones and conglomerates. The sedimentary units hosting mineralization are relatively flat lying and contain mineralization where exposed along a regional northwest trend. In addition to Vanadium historic samples have run up to 8.75% lead and up to 5.24% zinc (Quebec assessment report GM64643). No drilling has been done to date on the Barachois Property. The Company expects to spend no less than $200,000 in qualifying exploration expenditures this year to meet its flow-through commitments in Quebec. IR and Marketing After successful events in Vancouver at VRIC and the AME Roundup, Go Cobalt will be attending PDAC in Toronto on March 5th and 6th and invites you to visit booth 2625. Go Cobalt has started an advertising campaign with First Marketing GmbH of Heidelberg, Germany focused on engaging the European market. The campaign will highlight the company's cross listing on the German stock exchange under the symbol '47G'. Wels Property Joint Venture K2 Gold made the final payment of 500,000 common shares to Go Cobalt and satisfied all the terms of its option agreement thus earning a 90% interest in the Wels gold project located 45 km east of Beaver Creek in the Yukon Territories. K2 Gold will now advance the project as operator and Go Cobalt will hold a 10% working interest. Under the Joint Venture, the K2 Gold will fund the project fully through completion of a preliminary economic assessment. Following, project expenditures will be funded on a 90/10 proportionate basis between K2 Gold and Go Cobalt, respectively. President and CEO of K2, Steve Swatton stated: "Wels is currently our priority exploration project and I am pleased that we have fulfilled our earn-in option." President and CEO of Go Cobalt, Scott Sheldon comments: "We are pleased to have K2 as the financing partner on the Wels project. The K2 team has substantial experience developing gold projects in the Yukon and we believe that they will add significant value." Qualified Persons Adrian Smith, P.Geo., is the qualified person for the Company as defined in the National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed the technical information presented within this news release. About Go Cobalt Mining Corp. Go Cobalt is a Vancouver based mining exploration company. We develop exciting and relevant energy metal projects to help meet demand for a battery powered future. For further information, please contact: Scott Sheldon, President 604.725.1857 scott@gocobalt.ca Forward-Looking Information: This press release may include "forward-looking information" (as that term is defined by Canadian securities legislation), concerning the Company's business. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company's management, including future plans for the exploration and development of its mineral properties. Although the Company believes that such expectations and assumptions are reasonable, investors should not rely unduly on such forward-looking information as the Company can give no assurance they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to publicly update any forward-looking information (whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise) other than as required by applicable securities laws. A third choice for the school division would be to place employees into newly-assigned pay grades based on their total years of experience in the school system, known as hire-date parity, which would increase their salaries an average of $3.343, or 12.3 percent. That option would apply to all 538 non-teacher employees and would cost the division about $1.8 million. Option four, known as class-date parity, would place employees into a newly assigned pay grade based on their years of experience in their job classification. At a cost of about $1.08 million, it would give the 538 workers an average increase of $2,016, or 9.2 percent. Recio said in the report that the new pay structure would improve pay equity within the school division as well as in the market; allow for flexibility in its administration; and provide room for salary growth within ranges. Danville School Board Vice Chairwoman Renee Hughes said she is not sure which of the four options she supports. Its going to take a lot of consideration, she said. Danville schools must do what it can to hire and keep employees, Hughes added. I do know we need to do something to attract and retain the best and the brightest in all areas, she said. Upon facing the car line at the high school, I wished I was changing a dirty diaper. Or three of them. That happens quite a bit with triplets three at a time. The trick then is to get the diaper out of the way by tossing it over the baby gate before the other two get it. Just throwing that advice out if you ever need it. Feeding two age groups is different too. Well, maybe not. They all want to eat all the time me too but they want different things, purely because the little ones havent lived long enough to taste the good stuff. They are still happy to beg in cute language for food like grapes, blueberries, fig bars and black beans. The bigger ones know the truth about good eating and have enough words to ask you to make cookies and brownies and take them to Chick-fil-A. Then you make the brownies and the 11-year-old skinny boy leaves his brownie out on a napkin on the counter and forgets about it. Who forgets about a brownie? What kind of amnesia is that? I wish I had it. Those brownies at this very minute are over on the counter calling my name, not Tylers. The plus with little ones is naptime. Thats a sad, sad day when your last child stops taking a nap and theres still two years to kindergarten. There is early bedtime, though, so thats nice. MIKE SPRINGER/Staff file photo/A Cape Seafoods employee shovels herring into containers in on the Jodrey State Fish Pier. The baitfish, which had been salted to preserve them, were caught by the Challenger and the Endeavour, visible in the background. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is considering measures designed to protect spawning herring in the inshore Gulf of Maine. UK's SAS Fought in Syria Skirting Parliament's Decision, Military Admits Sputnik News 18:32 24.02.2019(updated 18:33 24.02.2019) Back in 2015, when the British parliament was deciding on the country's participation in a US-coalition it allowed the use of its air forces in the Arab state, but never authorised boots on the ground. The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed that its Special Air Service (SAS) have been participating in operations against Daesh* in Syria, The Sunday Times reported citing results a freedom of information request. The request was made in light of the death of SAS soldier, Sergeant Matt Tonroe in Syria in 2018. According to the media, the wording "British forces embedded in the armed forces of other nations operate as if they were the host nation's personnel" justified the presence of British special forces in Syria, while officially the UK never sanctioned ground operations. The British parliament voted on 3 December 2015, 397 to 223 votes in favour of participating in the US-led coalition in Syria by sending its air forces to conduct airstrikes. However, the approved notion contained no mention of sending Special Forces or other military to the Arab state. The US-led coalition has been conducting military operation in Syria without authorisation from either Damascus or the UN Security Council. In December 2018, US President Donald Trump announced that American troops would be withdrawing from the country, while other allies would stay to eliminate Daesh's* remnants. The White House later added that 400 US soldiers will remain in Syria after the pull-out, and will be divided between the al-Tanf military base and northeastern Syria. *Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is a terrorist organisation banned in Russia Sputnik UK PM delays final parliament vote on Brexit deal Iran Press TV Sun Feb 24, 2019 02:48PM British Prime Minister Theresa May has announced that a meaningful vote in the parliament on her European Union (EU) withdrawal agreement will not be held next week as it had been expected by the British lawmakers. May said on Sunday that no parliamentary vote would be held on her Brexit deal until March 12 when Britain will have just over two weeks before the March 29 deadline to leave the EU. "My team will be back in Brussels on Tuesday. As a result of that, we won't bring a meaningful vote to parliament this week, but we will ensure that that happens by 12 of March," said May as she was departing for a meeting of EU and Arab leaders in Egypt. The announcement comes amid increasing criticism that May is trying to delay the vote in the House of Commons as long as she can in order to force the lawmakers to either accept the agreement or face the prospect of a disorderly withdrawal from the EU. The British premier has repeatedly indicated that Britain will leave the EU at the end of March regardless of what happens in the parliament. The Commons had expected May to submit a revised version of her Brexit deal to the chamber next week. The agreement, signed off by the EU in November, was defeated with a historic majority in an original vote of parliament on January 15 mainly out of concerns that a clause in the agreement which sets out rules for future administration of the Irish border would cause huge problems for the UK after Brexit. May, whose demands for changes to the co-called Irish "backstop" clause have been rejected by the EU, expressed hope on Sunday that the deal would finally go through the parliament. "Parliament wants to see changes to the backstop. We have been working with the EU on that. Our focus is on leaving with a deal. My intention is to work with a deal," she said. Daesh Roadside Bomb Blast in Western Syria Kills at Least 24 Civilians - Reports Sputnik News 11:06 24.02.2019(updated 11:43 24.02.2019) Militants operating in Syria's Idlib de-escalation zone on 16 February shelled four settlements in Hama and Aleppo provinces, according to the Russian Defence Ministry's Centre for Reconciliation in Syria. At least 24 people have been killed in a roadside bomb explosion in the western Syrian province of Hama, state television reported. The SANA agency reported that it was a landmine left behind by Daesh* in al-Azib valley in the Salamyieh countryside. Such incidents in Syria are not uncommon, as terrorists, leaving settlements under the onslaught of the Syrian Army, put down explosive devices, sometimes even in residential buildings. However, this number of victims is unprecedented since the liberation of territories from the control of terrorists. A day earlier, the SANA agency reported that the Syrian Army had destroyed rocket launching pads for terrorist groups in Latamina, Kafar Zeita, al-Habbeet, and Mourek in the countryside of Hama and Idlib. On 16 February, terrorists from the Idilb de-escalation zone attacked Tall-Salhab and Kibriya in Hama province as well as Hara [a settlement] in Aleppo province and western districts in the city of Aleppo, the Russian Defence Ministry's Centre for Reconciliation reported. According to a live map of the conflict, Daesh militants have lost control over most of the territories that they had previously held in Syria, due to actions by government forces and foreign assistance. Russia and Turkey, alongside Iran, are guarantors of the ceasefire in Syria. Moscow has also been assisting Damascus both through supporting the struggle against terrorist groups operating in the country and providing humanitarian aid to civilians. *Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is a terrorist group banned in Russia Sputnik The teachers also noted that on that first day back, students and visiting adults were not all sent through metal detectors on their way into the school building. As of the Feb. 8 shooting, only the main student entrance was outfitted with a metal detector. While children were required to walk through a metal detector in the mornings, people who came in through the visitors entrance wouldnt be scanned. That was the entrance Davis used on the day of the shooting, according to police. Carolyn Sattin-Bajaj is an associate professor at Seton Hall University. Shes the author of the book Unaccompanied Minors and her research has been featured in popular outlets like the New York Times and the Huffington Post. Shes spending the year as a visiting researcher at Australias University of Sydney, so shell explore how issues of school choice, rural education, and teacher recruitment get tackled down under. Today shes joined by coauthor Matthew A.M. Thomas , an American senior lecturer at the University of Sydney. Australia. For many Americans, this distant country conjures up images of kangaroos, crocodile hunters, and Vegemite sandwiches courtesy of the pop culture that found its way to American soil. This superficial knowledge of the vast land down under belies the countrys rich and complex history and its interesting educational context that is ripe for comparison with the U.S. So, in the next three guest blog posts, well highlight a few key aspects of the educational landscape in Australia that weve found particularly notable as American academics living and working in Australia (one temporarily as a visiting researcher on sabbatical and one permanently, as a senior lecturer, both at the University of Sydney). Well describe the extensive system of school choice and controversial funding policies, and explore some of the initiatives in place to try to attract and retain strong teachers in rural and remote areas. Before we dive into the nitty gritty of schooling in Australia, it is helpful to understand more about the country itself (i.e., no one actually drinks Fosters Beer ), and to outline some core tenets of the educational system. Australia is simultaneously the worlds largest island and smallest continental land mass, and the sixth largest country in the world. It is only slightly smaller geographically than the USA, which is the fourth largest in the world. Despite similarities in land mass, these two countries have drastically different populations: Approximately 25 million people live in Australia (spread across six states and two territories) whereas the U.S. is home to more than 300 million. Both countries have complex histories of migration , although the nature and impetus for new arrivals landing on Australian shores in the 1800s were quite distinct, as many of the early immigrants were British convicts and therefore migrated involuntarily. Moreover, the horrific mistreatment of indigenous communities in both the U.S. and Australia reflect shared sources of national shame. To this day, migration remains an important feature of Australias demography. As of the latest census (in 2016) nearly half of people in Australia were either foreign-born (28.4 percent) or had at least one foreign-born parent (20.9 percent), with nearly one-fifth of the foreign-born population arriving since 2012. While migrants from the United Kingdom and New Zealand comprise the largest share of the foreign-born population (21 percent combined), there has been measurable growth in both Chinese and Indian migration in recent years, a trend that is poised to continue. The growing diversity of Australias population is mirrored in its schools. In New South Wales, for example, the most populous state that is home to the largest number of foreign-born families, roughly a third of students in public schools come from language backgrounds other than English. Of these students, 15.9 percent come from Chinese language backgrounds followed by 13.9 percent of students where Arabic is the dominant home language. Much like the U.S., people (and students) are not evenly distributed across Australia. More than 9 million people live in Melbourne and Sydney alone, contributing to the 86 percent urbanization rate . But Australias comparatively smaller population means that the population density in some areas is extremely low, creating a unique challenge for staffing public schools in rural and remote areas (see this coming Fridays blog post). There are approximately 9,400 schools in Australia comprising three basic types: government (public), Catholic (private), and independent (private). With more than 275,000 full-time teachers in these schools, the system-wide student-teacher ratio is 13.7 to 1, with independent schools having the lowest ratio at 11.8 to 1 and Catholic schools the highest at 14.4 to 1. As in the U.S., much of the educational decision-making in Australia occurs at the state/territory level, though funding for education is shared between the federal government (28.4 percent) and states/territories (71.6 percent). In general, the Commonwealth is the majority public funder for private, non-government schools (shocking, we know!), while states and territories are the majority public funder for public, government schools. This unique system exists largely for historical and political reasons, and remains a topic of intense debate (see this coming Wednesdays blog post). Several recent national innovationsincluding the National Assessment of Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) and MySchool have likewise proven controversial. NAPLAN is a series of tests administered in grades 3, 5, 7, and 9 (akin to NAEP in the U.S.). Critics argue that NAPLAN has failed to improve assessment results while increasing time spent on test preparation. Meanwhile, MySchool is an online database available to parents/guardians interested in reviewing the performance and funding levels of individual schools. Its been attacked for promoting competition among schools and parents and reinforcing market ideologies among citizens. In sum, in some ways educational policy in Australia is quite similar to the U.S., while in others it strays widely. In the blog posts that follow we will explore issues relevant to both contexts, while drawing comparisons that hopefully leave you wanting to learn more about Australia, to discover its educational challenges and successes, and to take a long plane ride to come see it all for yourself. Plus, koalas . Carolyn Sattin-Bajaj and Matthew A.M. Thomas Erdogan warns US-planned Syria safe zone must be under Turkey's control Iran Press TV Sun Feb 24, 2019 01:14AM Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned the United States and allies operating along the Syria border that any safe zone planned for the area should be under Ankara's control. Erdogan said in an interview aired late on Saturday that plans by the US and European military forces to set up a safe zone along Syria's border with Turkey should be coordinated with Ankara, reiterating that the Turkish military should have control over such initiatives. "If there is to be a safe zone along our border then it must be under our control. Because that is my border," Erdogan told broadcaster CNN Turk. The warnings came as Washington revised plans for a total pull-out of troops from Syria by saying that it will form part of the contingent of 800 to 1,500 troops meant to police northeastern Syria in the near future. Around 400 US troops will remain in Syria to contribute to the safe zone and other plans, according to a Friday statement by a US administration official, which was seen as a reversal of promises by President Donald Trump to withdraw all 2,000 US troops from the Arab country once Washington's alleged fight against terrorism ends. However, Turkey suspects the US and allies are helping the Kurdish YPG forces operating east of the Euphrates river to establish a permanent foothold in the region. Ankara views the armed Kurds in northeastern Syria as an extension of its outlawed Kurdish militants. "It is important for us that the U.S. decision to withdraw from Syria does not lead to developments against the interests of our countries and Syria's political unity and territorial integrity," said Erdogan. The Turkish military has launched several operations to push back the Kurds from west of the Euphrates while authorities have repeatedly warned that they would continue the battle into the other bank of the river where the US and European allies plan to set up the safe zone. Erdogan said Turkey's border regions would be the first to be affected by the heavy gunfire from Syria if the safe zone is violated. "I will take my precaution in the opposite country," he said, adding that Ankara had the right to conduct operations inside Syria near the Turkish border based on a 1998-agreement signed with the Syrian government. Landmine blast kills 24 civilians in Syria Iran Press TV Sun Feb 24, 2019 09:30AM A landmine left behind by the Takfiri Daesh terrorists in Syria's west-central Hama Province has killed 24 civilians. Syria's official SANA news agency reported that the mine exploded on Sunday when a car carrying workers ran over it on the outskirts of Hama's Salamiyah district. Earlier this month, a similar landmine explosion left seven civilians dead and an unspecified number of people injured in Rasm Ahmar Village in Salamiyah. An armed conflict began in Syria in 2011. But the Syrian military, backed by the Russian air force and Iranian military advisers, has taken back control of most of the areas in Syria that had been held by militant and terrorist groups. Pockets of Daesh terrorists remain on a tiny patch of territory the village of Beghouz in northern Syria, near the Iraqi border. Other armed groups have been bused into Syria's Idlib Province under deals with the government in Damascus. Three guarantor countries for Syrian peace, namely Iran, Russia, and Turkey, are negotiating on behalf of the Syrian government and opposition to decide about the fate of the armed groups in Idlib. Hezbollah: US main cause of persisting crisis in Syria Iran Press TV Sun Feb 24, 2019 06:32PM A high-ranking member of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement says the United States is the main cause of the persisting crisis in Syria. In remarks published by Hezbollah's Media Relations Office on Sunday, Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem said the US had prolonged the presence of foreign-backed militants in the Middle Eastern country. "The long war in Syria is because of the US, which is now hindering the settlement there," he said, adding that Washington was also using evil schemes in an attempt to destabilize the Arab country. However, the US "is moving from one defeat to another, but it doesn't want to acknowledge that," Qassem further said. "Through resistance, we forced Israel out of Lebanon. Through resistance, we managed to impose the equation of deterrence. Through resistance, Lebanon and Palestine managed to confront Israel. Through resistance, we wiped out Takfiri terrorism in the region. Through resistance, we dealt blows to the US and prevented Washington from achieving its goals in our region," Qassem added. He also cautioned those who count on the US to resolve the persisting issue of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, saying they were making a losing bet. Qassem also described the US stance toward the region's issues as an oppressive one and against the people's interests. He also lashed out at some Arab countries for destabilizing the region, noting that they were being supported by the White House. More than one million Syrian refugees are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Lebanon. The Beirut government estimates that the true number of Syrians in Lebanon stands at 1.5 million. Tens of thousands of Lebanon-based Syrian refugees have so far returned to their homeland. However, Hezbollah says that the US is spearheading a global scheme aimed at preventing the return of the rest of the Syrian refugees under the pretext that the situation in Syria is still unstable. An armed conflict began in Syria in 2011. The Syrian military, backed by the Russian air force and Iranian military advisers, has taken back control of most of the areas in Syria that had been held by militant and terrorist groups. Pockets of Daesh terrorists remain on a tiny patch of territory the village of Beghouz in northern Syria, near the Iraqi border. Okinawans vote on high-interest plan to relocate US military base Iran Press TV Sun Feb 24, 2019 10:10AM The people of the Japanese island of Okinawa have taken part in a referendum to determine what percentage of the residents are opposed to the government's controversial plan to relocate a US airbase there. The government's plan requires the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station, which is currently located in a busy and densely-populated part of Okinawa, to be moved to the remote coastal region of Henoko in Nago some 50 km away. Opponents of the move, including Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki, say the relocation of the base will not only threaten the area's delicate marine ecosystem, but also endanger its 2,000 local residents. The referendum asks "on the landfill for the construction of the US military base planned by the government in Henoko, Nago city, to replace Futenma air base," with the answers being "I agree," ''I oppose" and "Neither." Media polls have indicated that voters are likely to reject the relocation plan. Nearly 1.16 million residents, 18 or older, are eligible to vote, and turnout is expected to be high. Referendum interest has been strong, not only in the rest of Japan, but among pacifists internationally. The official result of the Sunday referendum is expected to be out later this day. However, the referendum is technically non-binding, with the government saying it will go ahead with the controversial relocation plan regardless of the referendum's outcome. The controversial plan has its beginnings in 1995, when outrage erupted against US military troops over the rape of a 12-year-old girl. The US base has long been criticized as being dangerous to locals due to crimes committed by American personnel on the Okinawa island. Okinawa makes up less than 1 percent of Japan's land space, but it hosts about half of the 54,000 American troops stationed in Japan. It makes for 64 percent of the land used by the US bases, under a bilateral security treaty rooted in imperial Japan's defeat in WWll. Over the years, the US base on Okinawa has drawn countless protests and sit-ins. The election last year of Okinawa Governor Tamaki, who was born in 1959 to a US Marine father he has never met and a Japanese mother, has injected passionate energy to the anti-American sentiments in Japan. The US relies on Japan and its other main regional ally South Korea to support efforts to challenge China. Afghanistan Sends First Exports To India Via Iran's Chabahar Port By RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan February 24, 2019 Landlocked Afghanistan has sent its first export shipment to India through Iran's strategic Chabahar Port. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who attended a special ceremony on February 24 in the western city of Zaranj to mark the event, said the exports through the Iranian port on the Indian Ocean would connect "hundreds of villages and millions of" Afghans to the outside world. "Chabahar Port is the result of healthy cooperation between India, Iran, and Afghanistan this will ensure economic growth," he added. The shipment contained 570 tons of dried fruits, textiles, carpets, and other goods carried by 23 vehicles, Afghan officials said. The consignment is to be shipped to the port city of Mumbai in western India. Key Supply Route Chabahar Port, inaugurated in 2017, has been built largely by India and will provide a key supply route for Afghanistan while allowing India to bypass rival Pakistan to trade with Central Asia. Most of Afghanistan's imports and exports currently go through Pakistan, which Kabul accuses of harboring the Afghan Taliban. The U.S. State Department in November exempted the Chabahar Port project from its sanctions on Iran in recognition of its importance to war-torn Afghanistan. The U.S. sanctions are intended to exert pressure on Iran to renegotiate its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, which President Donald Trump walked away from in May 2018. The effort to build up Afghanistan's economy is aimed at reducing Kabul's dependence on foreign aid and putting a major dent in the illicit opium trade that has been a major source of revenue for the Taliban insurgency. New Delhi has poured $2 billion into development in Afghanistan since the 2001 U.S.-led overthrow of the Taliban's government. In December 2018, the state-owned India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) formally took over operations at Chabahar Port. With reporting by Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan- first-exports-india-chabahar -iran/29787862.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. Iran Test-Fires Cruise Missile From Submarine In Military Drill February 24, 2019 Iran has test-fired a cruise missile from a submarine during annual naval exercises near the Strait of Hormuz, according to state media. The missile test on February 24 comes amid heightened tensions with the United States. Iran has previously threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil shipping route at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, in retaliation for any hostile U.S. action. The official news agency IRNA reported that a Ghadir-class Iranian Navy submarine successfully launched a cruise missile on February 24. It did not specify the missile's range. Iranian media said it was the first time the country had launched a cruise missile from a submarine. IRNA reported that Iran's other submarines -- the Tareq and the new, domestically-built Fateh -- have the same capability. Iran often claims it has made breakthroughs in its military capabilities. But many of the claims have been challenged by Western experts who have said Iran often exaggerates its capabilities for propaganda purposes. U.S. President Donald Trump in May withdrew from a landmark 2015 deal to curb Iran's nuclear program and reimposed sanctions on Tehran. Trump said the deal was flawed because it did not include curbs on Iran's development of ballistic missiles or its support for proxies in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, and Iraq. Iran has expanded its missile program, particularly its ballistic missiles. Based on reporting by Reuters and AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-test-fires -cruise-missile-submarine-military- drill-hormuz/29787664.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. Iran Navy successfully fires cruise missile from submarine Iran Press TV Sun Feb 24, 2019 08:06AM On the third day of major annual drills by the Iranian Navy, a Qadir-class submarine has successfully fired an anti-surface cruise missile. Tasnim news agency reported the launch on Sunday, saying that it was the first time the missile was being fired at a mock target from the depth of the sea. The launch of the cruise missile cannot be detected by enemy forces whereas there is a likelihood for the launcher submarines to be detected when firing torpedoes, which also have a comparatively shorter range, the report said. Other submarines, such as Tareq and Fateh, also have the capability to launch the cruise missile, the report added. The naval exercise, code-named "Velayat 97," is being held in an area of two million square kilometers, from the Strait of Hormuz to the southeastern coasts of Makran, the Sea of Oman, and the northern parts of the Indian Ocean, down to the 10-degree latitude. In recent years, Iran's Navy has attained self-sufficiency in producing defense equipment and increased its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers. It has foiled several attacks on both Iranian and foreign tankers during its missions in international waters. Iran has repeatedly warned that any act of transgression into Iran's territorial waters would be met with an immediate and befitting response. Iran hacked US drone command center in response to Washington's impudence: IRGC Iran Press TV Sun Feb 24, 2019 06:06PM A senior commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says Iran's aerospace force has successfully hacked the US drone command and control system as a response to Washington's impudence in claiming that it has sabotaged Iran's missiles. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a ceremony in Tehran on Sunday, the commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Division, Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, said, "We did this to tell them (the Americans) that you not only failed to achieve your goals, but we infiltrated into your systems," and this was a response to the United States' insolence. On February 12, the New York Times reported that the administration of US President Donald Trump had reportedly revived a secret plan to sabotage Iran's ballistic missiles as part of its broader plan to weaken the Islamic Republic's military might and harm its economy. According to the report, the program was created under former President George W. Bush, who sought to disrupt Iran's aerospace program by slipping defective parts and materials into its supply chains. The sabotage attempts were sped up during the early years of former President Barack Obama's time in the White House. However, they were toned down in 2017, when Mike Pompeo, who would go on to become the country's secretary of state, took over as the director of the CIA, the report added. During his Sunday remarks, Hajizadeh said, "If we are declaring this issue today, it is because Americans were impudent enough to say that they have sent impaired parts for [the purpose of sabotaging] our missiles." Addressing the ceremony earlier in the day, Hajizadeh said although the Americans have recently announced that they wanted to scuttle Iran's missile program, "we had found out about this a few years back, but we did not make it public." "They tried to sabotage some [missile] parts to make our missiles blow while flying, but they have not been able to do a damn thing up to the present time, because we had predicted this and had fortified this sector," the senior IRGC commander emphasized. Last Friday, the IRGC said it had penetrated US drone command and control networks, releasing footage of a US military aircraft bombing a hacked drone out of fear that it might end up in the hands of Iranian armed forces. Hajizadeh said at that time that the US drone was operating in Syria and Iraq when it was forced to make an emergency landing due to a problem it faced during flight. The drone was landed with difficulty in a desert area 10 km away from a US base, a report by Fars news agency said. "However, the Americans did not dare to approach their own drone" and had to bomb it with a warplane, it added. Iran air force uses Nasr cruise missile in Persian Gulf drills IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Bandar Abbas, Feb 24, IRNA -- Iran's Air Force has launched Nasr cruise missiles, destroying targets on sea as part of military drills being carried out in the Persian Gulf. A Phantom fighter jet launched the cruise missile on Sunday that successfully hit its target in the Persian Gulf. The successful operation was realized on the third day of the wide-scale military war games, dubbed Velayat-97, that were held in a region of two million square kilometers in the Strait of Hormuz, the Makran Coasts, the Oman Sea and the north of Indian Ocean. Iran's Navy and Air Force have been conducting the maneuvers during the last three days. 9218**2044 Iran navy copters conduct attack operation in drills IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Bandar Abbas, Feb 24, IRNA -- Iranian Navy's Air Force helicopters carried out attack operations on Sunday on the third day of the wide-scale military exercises in the Persian Gulf. Various types of copters such as Bell 212 used their missile launchers and machine guns in attacking their targets on the Persian Gulf waters. The Navy Air Force choppers also carried out heliborne operations. The military drills, dubbed Velayat-97, have been underway during the past three days in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean. 9218**2044 The whole idea is rooted in growth mindset, a concept that counselors and educators have been advocating for in the schools. The idea is that talent is not the be-all and end-all of success. Work and practice allow students to develop skills both academic and emotional. Trump Optimistic About Summit with N. Korea's Kim By Ken Bredemeier February 24, 2019 U.S. President Donald Trump says he is optimistic about his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, over U.S. efforts to end the threat of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons arsenal. "We both expect a continuation of the progress made at first Summit in Singapore. Denuclearization?" Trump said in a Twitter message Sunday. After their first meeting last June, Trump boasted as he returned to Washington, "Everybody can now feel much safer than the day I took office. There is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea." But as he meets Wednesday and Thursday with Kim in Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital, there is little concrete evidence that progress has been made to set the specific terms of North Korea's promised denuclearization. 'No change' Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CNN on Sunday "there is no change" in U.S. economic sanctions targeting North Korea until it agrees to "full verifiable denuclearization." He said the United States is "happy to make security assurances" for North Korea's survival as an independent state, to "make North Korea more like South Korea" as an economic power. He said the U.S. is offering North Korea an alternative to "becoming a pariah state." But he acknowledged "we've got work to do" to reach an agreement on how and when Pyongyang would destroy its nuclear arsenal. "A demonstrable step (toward denuclearization) is very much what President Trump is focused on," Pompeo said. The top U.S. diplomat said American officials are aware of North Korea's history, over decades, of making promises to disarm and then abrogating agreements. Arrivals Trump said he is leaving for Hanoi early Monday, with Kim already headed to Vietnam in an armored train. Kim's green and yellow train was spotted late Saturday crossing into China and media reports said it then headed south, ending speculation Kim might stop in Beijing before going to Hanoi. North Korea's official news media carried photos of Kim boarding his train and announced he was heading to Vietnam to meet with the U.S. president for a second time. It was the first time that North Korean state media have reported on the summit. Economic Power In the early months of his presidency, Trump said he would unleash "fire and fury like the world has never seen" on North Korea for its threats against the U.S. and its allies. But on Sunday, Trump tweeted, "Great relationship with Chairman Kim!" The U.S. leader said Kim "realizes, perhaps better than anyone else, that without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the World. Because of its location and people (and him), it has more potential for rapid growth than any other nation!" Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping "has been very helpful in his support of my meeting with Kim Jong Un. The last thing China wants are large scale nuclear weapons right next door. Sanctions placed on the border by China and Russia have been very helpful." U.S. intelligence officials remain skeptical that North Korea intends to follow through on Kim's Singapore pledge to denuclearize. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats told a congressional panel last month that 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," Coats said. Despite the end to testing, Coats said, "We currently assess that North Korea will seek to retain its (weapons of mass destruction) 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." Kim Jong-un Takes Armoured Train to Vietnam for Second Summit with US Sputnik News 07:05 24.02.2019 North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was on a train Sunday to Vietnam, where he is set to hold a second summit with US President Donald Trump, local media reported. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the train left Pyongyang for Vietnam on Saturday afternoon. Kim was accompanied by Deputy Chair of the North Korean Workers' Party's central committee Kim Yong Chol, who is in charge of nuclear talks with the United States; Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho; director of the international affairs department of the Supreme People's Assembly, Ri Su Yong; and Defence Minister No Kwang Chol. The North Korean leader's sister, Kim Yo Jong, is also among the members of the delegation. Later on Saturday, an Associated Press reporter saw a green and yellow train similar to the one used in the past by Kim cross into the Chinese border city of Dandong via a bridge. Kim's overseas travel plans are kept secret, yet it will take approximately more than two days for the train to travel to Vietnam through China. The Trump-Kim meeting is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in Vietnam's capital, Hanoi. Vietnam's Foreign Ministry announced Saturday that Kim would pay an official goodwill visit to the country "in the coming days," having been invited by the President and general secretary of Vietnam's ruling Communist Party Nguyen Phu Trong. Vietnam's Foreign Ministry said that 2,600 members of the foreign press have registered for the event. As a part of its preparations, the Vietnamese government has announced a traffic ban along Kim's possible arrival route. The first US-North Korean summit in Singapore, held last June, resulted in an agreement stipulating that Pyongyang would make efforts to promote the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula in exchange for the United States and South Korea freezing their military drills. Pyongyang expects Washington to deliver on its commitments and relax sanctions pressure, while the US administration is waiting for new steps toward North Korea's nuclear disarmament. Sputnik US warned of 'shattered dream' as Kim heads to summit Iran Press TV Sun Feb 24, 2019 11:44AM North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is heading to Vietnam for a second summit with US President Donald Trump whose advisers have said they have low expectations for the talks. North Korea's state news agency KCNA on Sunday announced Kim's departure by train, en route to talks in which the two leaders aim to rid the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons. Pyongyang-based state media, however, hit out at US Democrats and American intelligence officials for "chilling the atmosphere" ahead of the second summit this week. Kim is accompanied by senior officials, including chief negotiator Kim Yong-chol and Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho, as well as his sister Kim Yo-jong for the February 27-28 summit. The meeting comes eight months after a first round of talks in Singapore, which has not made to any progress in Trump's express aim of denuclearization. Washington has said it will not lift sanctions unless a full denuclearization of North Korea is confirmed, but Pyongyang has vowed to keep its nuclear arsenal as long as there are threats from the US. North Korea has repeatedly denounced the Trump administration's "gangster-like behavior," accusing Washington of betraying the spirit of the June summit by making unilateral demands while keeping its sanctions in place. The North is also uneasy with the US military presence on its backyards, but Trump stressed on Thursday that the issue of troop withdrawal was not "on the table" at the Hanoi summit. KCNA issued a commentary on Sunday, saying if Trump listened to skeptics at home, he could face a "shattered dream" and "miss the rare historic opportunity" to improve relations with North Korea. Trump's opponents would bear the responsibility if the summit failed to achieve results, which would leave the US people exposed to "security threats", it said. KCNA also singled out US intelligence officials who recently testified to Congress that North Korea was unlikely to ever give up its entire nuclear arsenal. "It is absolutely as foolhardy as expecting to see a chicken turning into a phoenix to expect proper comment from the US intelligence agencies as they have it as their basic mission to claim white to be black and lie to be truth," the article said. Three Democratic chairmen of House committees, in a letter to Trump on Thursday, said there were "ample reasons to be skeptical that Chairman Kim is committed to a nuclear-free North Korea." The KCNA article warned, "If the upcoming DPRK-US negotiations end without results as wished by the opponent forces, the US people will never be cleared of the security threats that threw them into panic and then responsibility will be placed on those due." Most of Trump's advisers have low expectations for the talks. Many have cautioned Trump that his second meeting is unlikely to generate as much interest as the first. Similarly, many advisers have cast lower expectations for what concessions North Korea is prepared to offer to move toward denuclearization. "I don't know that there's real high expectations for anything substantial for something to come out of the meeting," a person close to the White House told CNN. "There are very tempered and cautious expectations on what may come out of this," the person said. The US insists that UN sanctions must remain in place until North Korea gives up its weapons, while Pyongyang wants them immediately eased. South Korea's President Moon Jae-in said on Tuesday that Seoul was ready to resume inter-Korean cooperation as a "concession" if it helped the denuclearization of its northern neighbor. Liaoning ends maintenance, leaves shipyard Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Source:Global Times Published: 2019/2/24 21:38:40 Nation's second aircraft carrier expected to soon begin new sea trial: report China's first aircraft carrier Liaoning appears to have left the maintenance bay of the Dalian Shipyard on Sunday, as the country's second carrier, the Type 001A, is also expected to soon begin a new sea trial, reports said. Accompanied by a fireworks display, the Liaoning left the shipyard in Northeast China's Liaoning Province with the help of tug boats Sunday morning, according to a report from Hong Kong-based Wen Wei Po and photos and video posted on Sina Weibo on Sunday. The Liaoning reportedly conducted a sea trial in January after more than half a year's maintenance and modification in the shipyard. If the maintenance work is done, the ship could be on its way back to its home base in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province and return to normal service in the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Otherwise, the voyage might be yet another sea trial to check the results of the maintenance, military observers said. "Farewell to the Liaoning and wish it all the best on its new journey," read a banner in the shipyard, indicating that the Liaoning could be resuming PLA service and will not return to the Dalian Shipyard anytime soon, according to the Wen Wei Po report. No official information has been given as of press time on the Sunday voyage of the Liaoning. Meanwhile, the Type 001A, China's second aircraft carrier being tested at the same facility, might follow the Liaoning. The domestically made warship started its engine and cleaned its deck on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, indicating it will soon set out for its fifth sea trial, Wen Wei Po reported in two separate reports on Saturday and Sunday. Coincidentally, a military exercise is scheduled from Sunday to March 5 in the northern Huanghai Sea near Dalian, and other ships are prohibited from entering a designated area, according to a notice the Maritime Safety Administration of China released on Friday. This usually happens when an aircraft carrier conducts a sea trial. The notice did not mention which ships might be involved in the exercise. It is currently unknown if the exercise area is designated for the Liaoning, the Type 001A, or both. Many Chinese military observers hope to see both carriers at a naval parade to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the PLA Navy. Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military analyst, told the Global Times that it is possible for the two aircraft carriers to conduct easy formation and communication training if they conduct an exercise together in the same area. If the parade will be held, the Liaoning will surely participate, Wei predicted, noting that the Type 001A's participation still depends on the vessel's test results and whether it can join the PLA Navy before the parade. 'Deeply Disturbing': Civilian Deaths in Washington's Afghan War at 9-Year High Sputnik News 00:14 25.02.2019(updated 00:21 25.02.2019) More civilians were killed in 2018 than in any of the previous nine years of the 18-year US war in Afghanistan, according to new data. A greater number of non-combatants in Afghanistan were killed in 2018 than during each of the previous nine years of the ongoing US war in the nation, according to a new United Nations report released Sunday. While many have noted that recent peace talks between representatives of the Taliban and US officials could see a pullout by the Pentagon, others are worried that after America leaves the Middle Eastern nation there may be bloodbath and civil war. The newly-released report, from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), suggested that increased numbers of suicide bombings, alongside concurrent aerial attacks on armed tribes outside of urban centers by US forces, were the cause of the rise. The yearly UNAMA data claimed 10,993 civilians killed or wounded in 2018, representing the highest casualty figures since the UN branch initiated its documentation in 2009. "In total, UNAMA documented 10,993 civilian casualties (3,804 deaths and 7,189 injured), representing a five-percent increase in overall civilian casualties and an 11-percent increase in civilian deaths compared to 2017," according to the report, cited by Xinhuanet.com. "Key factors contributing to the significant increase in civilian casualties were a spike in suicide attacks by AGEs [anti-government elements], mainly Daesh/ISKP [Islamic State Khorosan Province], as well as increased harm to civilians from aerial and search operations by pro-government forces," the UNAMA report noted. "2018 witnessed the highest number of civilian casualties ever recorded [since the 2009 beginning of the ongoing study] from suicide attacks and aerial operations," noted the report. As detailed by UNAMA, an estimated 63 percent of civilian casualties were the result of Islamic religious fundamentalists Islamists broken down into 37 percent by the Taliban, 20 percent at the hands of Daesh and another 6 percent by miscellaneous armed cabals. Almost a quarter of civilian deaths were blamed on the US-supported Afghan government as well as its NATO allies. In the past ten years, according to the UN secretary general special representative for Afghanistan, Tadamichi Yamamoto, over 32,000 civilians have died and another 60,000 have been injured in the longest war yet conducted by the United States. "The report's rigorously researched findings show that the level of harm and suffering inflicted on civilians in Afghanistan is deeply disturbing and wholly unacceptable," commented Yamamoto, cited by Apnews.com. "All parties need to take immediate and additional concrete steps to stop a further escalation in the number of civilians harmed and lives destroyed," he added. While US and Taliban representatives have engaged in tentative talks, the Washington-led central Afghanistan government in Kabul has been notably absent. The administration of US President Donald Trump earlier declared the possibility of a withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. Diplomatic experts warned that a quick US withdrawal would lay the grounds for increased violence between multiple armed groups attempting to wrest control of the resource-rich nation. "I am concerned that the withdrawal plans are being hurried up," noted former secretary general of NATO Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, adding, "if the US goes ahead with it, it will be a new tragedy for Afghans," cited by Deutsche Welle. "But let me be clear that nobody is interested in a permanent military presence in Afghanistan, so it will happen someday," Scheffer remarked. Sputnik Will 2019 Be the Year of Euro-Skeptics? By Lisa Bryant February 24, 2019 A poster at the National Rally's headquarters outside Paris shows a smiling Marine Le Pen standing alongside Italy's interior minister and League leader Matteo Salvini. "Everywhere in Europe," reads the tagline, "our ideas are coming to power." The message is more than aspirational. As campaigning heats up for May European Parliament elections, experts predict the two far-right leaders and those of other nationalist movements may score strongly, with potentially sweeping consequences for the European Union. "Complacency will be very dangerous with these elections," said analyst Susi Dennison, of the European Council on Foreign Relations, who estimates that "anti-European" parties could grab up to one-third or more of the vote. "The idea of change, that the political system is broken, is a very powerful one among European voters." Le Pen also sees a potential sea change, calling the upcoming vote a "historic turning point." "The European Union is dead," the National Rally leader said during a recent interview with Anglophone journalists. "Long live Europe." If she proves right, the elections will consolidate a trend that has put Euro-skeptics into governments in Hungary, Italy, Austria and Poland, further weakening a union already shaken by internal divisions and Britain's upcoming departure. In France, the National Rally has rebounded from a stinging defeat in presidential and parliamentary elections two years ago, to become the country's leading opposition force. Since taking control of the party her father founded in the 1970s, 50-year-old Le Pen has fundamentally revamped its pugnacious image and rhetoric including a name tweak last year from its original moniker, the National Front. From outsider to almost-mainstream From once-shunned political outsider, the National Rally is now almost mainstream, surfing on the implosion of France's center-right and center-left in 2017, and a shift in voter support to the political margins. In a nod to its success, the conservative Les Republicains party has controversially borrowed some of its hardline rhetoric, notably on immigration. Le Pen has also capitalized on the plummeting support for President Emmanuel Macron and his reformist agenda, seen with the weeks of "yellow vest" protests. "Instead of offering an alternative to chaos," she said of the president, "the French got both chaos and Macron." For the EU elections, she has tapped 23-year-old loyalist Jordan Bardella to head the party's list and bolster its appeal to younger voters. Recent polls have shown the National Rally neck-and-neck with Macron's Republic on the Move, although a survey released Friday found slipping support for the Le Pen's party. Still, it has traditionally fared well in EU Parliament elections, coming in first in the last 2014 vote, with nearly a quarter of the vote. Today, Le Pen is banking on a broader win. "I think Europe is moving toward the return of nation-states, and we're part of this great political movement supporting this," she said. "Our goal is to turn the EU into a cooperation among nations, and not this kind of European super state." Eroding support for pro-EU parties An EU Parliament forecast released last week appears to bolster her prediction. While parliament's top two blocs, the Christian Democrats and Socialists will retain their primacy, it finds their overall share of membership and support is expected to erode. Meanwhile, nationalist parties including Italy's League and Le Pen's National Rally are expected to grow sizably, with the latter predicted to gain six parliamentary seats to reach 21 in total. Launching their European parliament campaign in Rome last October, Le Pen and Italy's Salvini predicted a win by nationalist parties would bring "common sense" to Europe, and blasted key EU officials, including European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, as "enemies of the people." Like other European populist leaders, both have sought counsel from Steve Bannon, an EU skeptic and former political advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, who founded a Brussels-based initiative called The Movement. Europe's populists are riding on citizen ambivalence and outright antipathy to a bloc many consider too soft on immigration and overly focused on bureaucracy. Recent Eurobarometer surveys show that while two-thirds of Europeans believe their country has benefited from being part of the EU a 35-year high only four in 10 have a positive image or trust in it. A strong showing by euro-skeptic parties could have significant repercussions for the EU, she said, giving them greater influence and access to key posts, including in the European Commission, the bloc's executive body. "The challenge for EU institutions and pro-EU politicians going into this elections, is to find issues on which Europe can deliver that will mobilize voters" such as climate change, she added. Exploiting weaknesses Nationalist parties also have weaknesses that pro-European ones can exploit, Dennison said, including differences on how to handle immigration. And while some populist parties are calling for nothing less than the EU's demise, others want to reform, not break it. In France, the National Rally's prospects may be complicated by the yellow vest protest movement. Some yellow vests are eyeing an EU Parliament run, but the movement is leaderless and disorganized, and the idea of turning grassroots action into a political force is controversial. "The yellow vests present both a threat and an opportunity for Marine Le Pen," said political scientist Jean Petaux, of Sciences-Po Bordeaux University, "They could offer her party a chance to enlarge its audience as the party that listens to their grievances." But a yellow vest list could steal votes from the National Rally, he added. In Le Pen's favor is the traditionally poor turnout for EU elections in France, Petaux said, leading to a potentially significant protest vote. "When you have a low turnout," he said, "it is usually those who are against who mobilize not those who are for." UN: Criminalization of Dissent in Nicaragua Worsens Unrest By Lisa Schlein February 24, 2019 U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet is expressing alarm at growing repression in Nicaragua and warns the increasing criminalization of dissent is promoting political and social instability in the country. Over the past six months, the government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has arrested hundreds of political opponents and activists, allegedly to muzzle them and keep their opinions from being heard. The U.N. human rights office says those arrested and held in pre-trial detention for long periods allegedly had leading roles in last year's anti-government protests between April and July. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michele Bachelet warned these hard-nosed tactics are seriously undermining proposed efforts to resolve the growing political and social unrest in Nicaragua. The High Commissioner's spokesman, Rupert Colville, said guilty verdicts and extremely heavy sentences have been handed down to a number of prominent opposition and community leaders since December. He said some of these leaders had cooperated with the U.N. and have brought a number of human rights abuses in Nicaragua to its attention. "The high commissioner is deeply concerned about the apparent lack of due process and increasing criminalization of dissent in Nicaragua. The arrest and jailing of opposition leaders, she says, is possibly in some cases could be a reprisal for cooperating with the U.N. and it clearly hinders the creation of an environment that is conducive to holding a genuine and inclusive dialogue, which the government says it wants," said the spokesman. The government has blamed protests on criminal groups and "opposition political groups with specific political agendas." The government calls them "terrorists" and says it has "the duty to defend the security and peace." Among those convicted in recent weeks is student leader Jonathan Lopez. He was sentenced to five years and three months in prison. Peasant leaders Medardo Mairen and Pedro Mena have been sentenced to 216 and 210 years in prison respectively. Sentences are pending for two former army officers, Carlos Brenes and Tomas Maldonado. The state prosecutor is seeking jail terms of 32 and 34 years respectively. High Commissioner Bachelet is calling for these convictions and sentences to be reviewed by independent experts. This, to make sure their cases were properly handled at every stagefrom arrest to prosecution. She said all those arrested for protesting peacefully and exercising their freedom of expression should be released. Senegal Awaits Election Results By Salwa Jaafari February 24, 2019 Vote counting has begun in Senegal after a peaceful day of voting in Sunday's presidential election. Polls closed at 6 p.m. local time and preliminary results are expected as soon as Monday or Tuesday, according to CENA. After three weeks of campaigning, long lines of voters formed early Sunday to either support incumbent Macky Sall's bid for re-election or replace him with one of his four challengers - Idrissa Seck, Ousmane Sonko, Madicke Niang or Issa Sall. The election process was smooth and there were no major disruptions in the election process, Doudou Ndir, president of Senegal's electoral commission (CENA) told a press conference. "Our observations show everything is proceeding in good conditions, peacefully, calmly," Ndir said. President Sall, 56, cast his ballot in his hometown of Fatick early Sunday. "I hope that at the end of this day, the Senegalese people will be the sole winner," he said after voting. "What we all have in common is our country, and we want a candidate who will work for it, for our Senegal," Mbene, an 18-year-old student who voted for the first time Sunday, told VOA Afrique after casting her ballot for Sall. Though some will renew their support for Sall, some young voters are pledging their support to the youngest of the candidates, Ousmane Sanko, 44, who is promising drastic changes from the current system. "The system has been in place for 60 years with the same men, the same heads, and we need to break from this," Pape Amadou Diop, a student in Dakar, said after voting for Sonko, whom he calls the "perfect representation of hope in Senegal." Approximately 15,000 voting stations were expected to be open Sunday. CENA chief Ndir said that by noon, about 30 percent of eligible voters had cast their ballots. A candidate must win more than 50 percent of Sunday's vote to be declared Senegal's president. If no one wins an outright majority, then the top two contenders will face off in a run-off vote in March. US Looking for New Ways to Get Aid into Venezuela By VOA News February 24, 2019 Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the U.S. is looking for ways to get humanitarian assistance into Venezuela, after troops loyal to President Nicolas Maduro repelled aid trucks in clashes at the borders with Brazil and Colombia. The top U.S. diplomat, in an interview Sunday on CNN, did not suggest how the U.S. might carry out the aid mission in the face of armed opposition. He said, however, that the United States would consider imposing more sanctions against the Venezuelan government to increase pressure on Maduro to quit in favor of the country's interim president, Juan Guaido, the president of the National Assembly. Guaido is considered by the U.S. and dozens of other countries as the legitimate leader in Caracas. Pompeo called Maduro a tyrant, saying, "I'm confident that the Venezuelan people will ensure that Maduro's days are numbered." U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is meeting Monday with Guaido and other regional leaders in Bogota, the Colombian capital, to discuss a strategy against Maduro and how to get aid into Venezuela, where supplies of food and medicine have run low. Maduro has blocked the aid effort spearheaded by the U.S., saying it is a pretext for an armed U.S. invasion. On Saturday, Maduro supporters fired bullets at those attempting to get aid trucks into Venezuela, while Venezuelan border troops fired tear gas and rubber bullets. Foro Penal [Criminal Forum], a group that tracks violence in Venezuela, reported four deaths at the Brazilian border with Venezuela on Saturday. It said the victims were shot by pro-government militia members. A spokesman for the group, Alfred Romero, posted a video on Twitter saying more than two dozen other people were wounded in the violence. At one border point, aid trucks caught fire, leading the crowd to rush to save the boxes of food and medical supplies. A U.S. State Department official traveling with the Brazilianaid convoy told VOA that the trucks crossed the borderintoVenezuela, but were not allowed through the military checkpoint there, and did notunload their cargo. Afterward, Guaido pressed the case for new foreign assistance to oust Maduro. "Today's events force me to make a decision: to pose to the international community in a formal way that we must have all options open to achieve the liberation of this country that is fighting and will continue to fight," he said on Twitter. The European Union, also supporting Guaido, condemned Maduro's actions to repel the trucks with the humanitarian aid. "We repudiate the use of irregular armed groups to intimidate civilians and lawmakers who have mobilized to distribute assistance," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on behalf of the 28-member bloc of countries. Sunday, Pompeo deplored the fact that the Venezuelan military, despite a small number of defections to the opposition, has mostly remained loyal to Maduro. "We hope the military will take that role back in protecting their citizens from these tragedies. If that happens, I think good things will happen," he said. "We're aimed at a singular mission -- ensuring the Venezuelan people get the democracy they so richly deserve and the Cubans and the Russians who have been driving this country into the ground for years and years and years no longer hold sway," he said. Colombian officials say more than 60 Venezuelan soldiers defected Saturday. Venezuelan Army Major Hugo Parra announced his defection, telling VOA Noticias he recognizes Guaido as the legitimate president of Venezuela. Guaido tweeted his praise of the soldiers' actions. "They aren't deserters," he said. "They've decided to put themselves on the side of the people and the constitution." Maduro announced in a speech to his supporters Saturday that he is cutting off diplomatic ties with Colombia. Colombia President Ivan Duque has been making public appearances with Guaido as they work to transport aid across Venezuelan borders. Duque said Colombian ambassadors and consuls have 24 hours to leave Venezuela. Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holms Trujillo released a statement in response, saying, "Colombia holds the usurper Maduro responsible for any aggression or violation of the rights of Colombian officials in Venezuela." Maduro also said he would defend Venezuela's independence with his life. He called Guaido a puppet of the White House. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted his support for Guaido. "The people of Venezuela stand at the threshold of history, ready to reclaim their country and their future. God Bless the people of Venezuela!" Trump said. UN Pledging Conference Seeks Support For 19 Million Yemenis in Crisis By Lisa Schlein February 24, 2019 A high-level pledging conference for the humanitarian crisis in Yemen this week will seek international support for 19 million people who are suffering from years of conflict and deprivation. In December, the U.N. asked for a record $4.2 billion for Yemen, the largest single country appeal ever launched. By any measure, the situation in Yemen is catastrophic. The United Nations calls it the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. The U.N. human rights office reports nearly 18,200 civilians have been killed and injured since the beginning of the civil conflict between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels in March 2015. It says airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition are responsible for two-thirds of these casualties. The United Nations reports about 80 percent of the population, 24 million people, need humanitarian assistance and protection. Jens Laerke is Spokesman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. He tells VOA the suffering of the civilian population has reached a scale not seen in living memory. "It has really been a horrific year for millions and millions of people in Yemen who are literally balancing on the edge of starvation and, indeed, famine," said Laerke. "And they need massive amounts of other kinds of aid in the health sector, water and sanitation, education for their children and so on and so forth." The World Food Program reports it plans to help 12 million people a month in 2019. This is a 50 percent increase over last year's goal. WFP says it needs $1.5 billion or nearly one third of the U.N. appeal to feed all these people. While U.N. and private aid agencies are always short of cash, they still have managed to accomplish much. For example, they have reduced the number of new cholera cases in Yemen from a historic high of one million to 370,000 last year. Tens of thousands of children have died from malnutrition-related causes. But the U.N. Children's Fund, World Health Organization and partners have saved the lives of thousands of starving children through special nutrition programs. U.N. Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres will convene the pledging conference, which is co-hosted by Sweden and Switzerland. A: This years Carroll One Book title is Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, published in 2015. It is written as a passionate, often poetic letter to the author's teenage son about the challenges he faced growing up in Baltimore as an African-American and using the best within to make ones way in the world. It gives us the opportunity to discuss the inspiration behind his forceful message to his son of which courage is one of several big ideas. Courage means the strength to persevere. It means getting to the heart of connecting with the best in life under any circumstance. We can gain insights into how to apply courage to learn new ways to be helpful and find creative and often unexpected solutions, and in the long-run strengthen ones ability to be successful. UN: Afghan Civilian Deaths Rise to New High in 2018 By Ayaz Gul February 24, 2019 The United Nations says the armed conflict in Afghanistan last year killed more than 3,800 civilians, including 927 children, the highest number of civilian deaths recorded in the past ten years. The intensified violence injured nearly 7,200 civilians and the overall civilian casualties rose by five percent in 2018, according to a new report released Sunday by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). It blamed a spike in suicide attacks by Islamic State's local affiliate, known as Khorasan Province (ISKP), and increased harm to civilians from aerial as well as search operations by pro-government forces for the significant rise in civilian casualties. Children's deaths shocking "The fact that the number of children killed this year is the highest on record, is particularly shocking," the report quoted U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet as lamenting. The UNAMA attributed the majority of civilian casualties - 63 percent - to anti-government forces: 37 per cent to the Taliban, 20 per cent to ISKP and 6 per cent to undetermined militants. The rest of the civilian casualties were blamed on Afghan security forces and their U.S.-led foreign partners. "This is the U.N.'s tenth annual report documenting the plight of civilians in the Afghan conflict more than 32,000 civilians killed and around 60,000 injured in a decade," said UNAMA's chief Tadamichi Yamamoto. He reiterated his call for halting the fighting to put an end to the human misery and tragedy in Afghanistan. "That is why there is all the more need now to use all our efforts to bring about peace. I urge all parties to seize every opportunity to do so," said Yamamoto. Peace talks continue For the first time in a decade, UNAMA recorded more than 1,000 civilian casualties, including 536 deaths, from aerial operations and blamed U.S.-led international military forces for causing nearly 60 percent of them. Official data shows the U.S. military dropped 7,362 bombs and munitions in Afghanistan in 2018, the highest in a single year in at least a decade. The ramped up airstrikes have been part of the Trump administration's strategy to try to pressure the Taliban to the negotiating table, though the campaign could not break the battlefield stalemate and insurgents continued to make territorial gains. Taliban's response The Taliban swiftly declared the UNAMA report as "tendentious" and propaganda material, saying it did not offer "any proof or justification" for attributing 37 percent civilian casualties to the insurgent group. "The entire Afghan nation is a witness that the American invaders, by their own admission, have dropped over 7000 bombs against the Afghans over the course of last year," a Taliban statement noted. It accused both U.S. and Afghan forces for causing "eighty percent" of all civilian casualties, saying insurgent fighters take utmost care when dealing with civilian lives. The report on civilian casualties comes a day before the United States is due to resume peace negotiations with the Taliban in Qatar to promote a political settlement to the conflict in Afghanistan. There have been several meetings between the two sides since last fall and both reported "significant progress" toward ending the war after their interaction a month ago in the Qatari capital of Doha. Tensions escalate in Venezuela, civilians killed and injured: top UN officials lament excessive use of force by authorities 24 February 2019 - As tensions escalated on Saturday at various points along Venezuela's borders with Colombia and Brazil, as well as within the country itself, resulting in the death and injury of various civilians, the United Nations chief, Antonio Guterres, and the head of the UN human rights office (OHCHR), Michelle Bachelet, expressed their shock and appealed for calm. The UN Secretary-General called for violence to be "avoided at any cost and for lethal force not to be used in any circumstances". He urged "all actors to lower tensions and pursue every effort to prevent further escalation". Ms. Bachelet condemned "the excessive use of force used by the Venezuelan security forces, as well the involvement of pro-government elements", which have resulted in at least four confirmed deaths and more than 300 injuries on Friday and Saturday, according to OHCHR. "People have been shot and killed, others have reportedly received wounds from which they will never completely recover, including losing eyes," she deplored. "These are disgraceful scenes. The Venezuelan government must stop its forces from using excessive force against unarmed protesters and ordinary citizens." Ms. Bachelet said she had received reports of numerous and, in some cases prolonged, violent incidents, at different points along the borders with Colombia and Brazil, as the Venezuelan security forces tried to halt the aid supplies coming into the country through closed border points. OHCHR also received several reports pointing at the involvement of armed pro-government elements in the violent attacks on protestors, and Bachelet urged the Government "to rein in these groups and arrest those among them who have used force against protestors". "The use of proxy forces has a long and sinister history in the region," she added. "And it is very alarming to see them operating openly in this way in Venezuela. The Government can, and must, stop them from exacerbating an already highly inflammable situation." UN and partners to hold conference seeking urgently needed funds to save millions in Yemen from 'horrific' plight 24 February 2019 - Preparations are being finalized at the UN for a $4.2 billion appeal to scale up help to millions of people in Yemen, where years of war have created the world's worst humanitarian emergency. But the situation remains "horrific" for people everywhere in the war-torn country, according to Jens Laerke, spokesperson from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): "It has really been a horrific year for millions and millions of people in Yemen who are literally balancing on the edge of starvation and indeed, famine. And they need massive amounts of other kinds of aid: in the health sector, water and sanitation, education for their children, and so on and so forth. We are really at a crossroads." He stressed that while the UN and its humanitarian partners were indeed aware of, but "we need to address the root causes to find a political solution but meanwhile, while all this happens, people are suffering, and we have reached a scale that we have not seen in living memory." Last year, humanitarian programmes were scaled up to reach eight million people with direct assistance per month, up from 3.5 million in 2017. In a briefing to the Security Council earlier this week, UN emergency relief chief Mark Lowcock explained that although Hudaydah is calmer than in recent months, the violence has continued elsewhere. Clashes have even escalated in some front-line areas particularly in Hajjah, in north-west Yemen, he said, such that about 80 per cent of the population some 24 million people need humanitarian assistance and protection. Of that number, 14.3 million have "acute" needs 27 per cent higher than last year, OCHA says, and two-thirds of the country's districts are in a "pre-famine" situation. "Some 20 million people need help securing food, including nearly 10 million who are just a step away from famine," he said. "Nearly 240,000 of those people are right now facing catastrophic levels of hunger." In addition, almost 20 million people lack access to adequate healthcare, and nearly 18 million don't have enough clean water or access to adequate sanitation. Led by the governments of Sweden and Switzerland and with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in attendance, the Yemen appeal also aims to raise awareness that more than three million people including two million children are acutely malnourished. Some 3.3 million have also been forced from their homes, including 685,000 who have fled fighting along the west coast since June 2018. "It's a plan that aims to reach up to 19 million people in the country," said OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke. "It requests $4.2 billion, that is the scale of the crisis it is the largest country appeal that has ever been launched after four years of almost continual conflictLast year, we received $2.6 billion which is the equivalent of 83 per cent of what we asked, which is around $3 billion." According to the UN human rights office, OHCHR, the total number of civilian casualties since March 2015 stands at 18,173. That includes 7,025 killed and 11,148 injured "not the whole picture", spokesperson Rupert Colville told journalists in Geneva, since this total only refers to victims that OHCHR staff have been able to independently verify. "When there's a major incident we try to get staff there, which is how we are also able to identify in most cases the likely perpetrator," he said, "but we wouldn't claim that this is every single case, because there are some places we can't get to, and of course some casualties may simply not be reported." Of those killed in the conflict in the last four years, OHCHR has attributed 4,585 deaths to actions by the Saudi-led international coalition, 1,448 to the Houthi opposition militia and their allies, and 367 to extremists Al Qaeda and ISIL. Pompeo Looking for Cause to Start War Against Caracas - Venezuelan Minister Sputnik News 10:38 24.02.2019(updated 10:44 24.02.2019) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza has accused US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of orchestrating the torching of trucks with Venezuela-bound humanitarian aid on the Colombian border and of "desperately" looking for a reason to start a war against Caracas. "Secretary Pompeo, a CIA [US Central Intelligence Agency] specialist on false flag operations, thinks that he will fool the world with the truck that was set on fire in Colombia by his own agents Pompeo and his hit men are desperately looking for a cause for war. Today, the operation failed. If you want to find those who burnt the truck with fake humanitarian aid, look for them among your own staff", Arreaza said via his official Twitter feed. Following the incident with the trucks, Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo announced that President Ivan Duque Marquez had ordered the rest of the aid-filled vehicles that had departed for Venezuela, to return to the country. On 23 February, the US-backed Venezuelan opposition tried to bring in trucks with foreign humanitarian aid to Venezuela from hubs in Colombia and Brazil, despite the legitimate government's refusal to allow the aid in. Upon arrival, several trucks were set on fire on the border with Colombia. Later in the day, Pompeo called the images of the burning trucks "sickening". Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has refused to allow any US-sponsored aid into the country, calling it a "fake show" and accusing Washington of trying to use it as a ploy to oust him from power. In order to prevent unauthorised deliveries of humanitarian aid, the president earlier in the week closed the land border with Brazil and the sea border with the Lesser Antilles, where aid was being collected as well, and temporarily shut several bridges connecting Venezuela with Colombia. Russia, which, along with China and several other countries, has endorsed Maduro as the country's legitimate president, has warned that unauthorised deliveries of aid to Venezuela would be a provocation that could be used as a pretext for military action against the legitimate government. Sputnik Over 60 Venezuelan Servicemen Asked Bogota for Asylum - Colombian Minister Sputnik News 14:38 24.02.2019 MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) - Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo said on 23 February that more than 60 Venezuelan National Guard troops who defected to Colombia had sought asylum in the country over the past day. "Over 60 Venezuelan servicemen came to us, asking for asylum in the country", Holmes Trujillo told a press conference in the city of Cucuta near the border with Venezuela. According to the minister, there is a certain procedure that these people now have to go through. The statement comes after a member of the Venezuelan parliament Juan Andres Mejia said earlier the same day that over 20 officials and servicemen had sided with opposition leader Juan Guaido. Earlier in February, local media reported that several high-ranking officers switched sides and recognised the opposition leader, Juan Guaido as president, denying Nicolas Maduros' power. Colombia Shuts Northeastern Border Crossings Bogota decided to partially shut the country's northeastern border with Venezuela after the Venezuelan opposition's efforts to let trucks with unauthorised humanitarian aid into the country led to clashes between Venezuelan security officers and pro-aid protesters, Director General of the Colombian migration agency Christian Kruger Sarmiento said. "As a result of the unrest that took place today [on Saturday] at different checkpoints here, in the North Santander department, caused by a peaceful attempt to deliver humanitarian aid to Venezuela, Mr President [Ivan Duque] has decided to close the checkpoints on 24 and 25 February", Kruger Sarmiento said in a video address, released on the agency's Twitter feed. According to the official, the closure of the border is needed to assess the damage inflicted to the infrastructure during Saturday's events and to come up with measures that would allow Bogota to reopen the border crossings on 26 February. On 23 February, several humanitarian trucks from Colombia tried to cross into Venezuela's western Tachira state and were burnt on the border. Four people were killed on the border with Brazil, which has been collecting aid as well, according to Venezuelan non-governmental organisation Criminal Forum. Head of the Organisation of American States Luis Almagro, in turn, said that at least 335 people had been injured in border clashes between law enforcement officers and protesters. Meanwhile, a group of radicals attacked the Venezuelan border post in the Brazilian northern border state of Pacaraima and set a vehicle belonging to the Venezuelan National Guard on fire. The attackers also threw stones at the officers, who were forced to use tear gas. Following the attempts to illegally bring humanitarian aid into Venezuela from Colombia, President Nicolas Maduro announced that Caracas was cutting off diplomatic and political relations with Bogota. READ MORE: No Possibility of Coup in Venezuela, Risk of External Meddling Remains Caracas The situation in crisis-torn Venezuela escalated on 23 January when Guaido declared himself interim president, disputing last year's reelection of the incumbent president, Nicolas Maduro. The United States and some other countries almost immediately recognised Guaido. Russia, China, Mexico, among other nations, voiced support for Maduro, who, in turn, accused Washington of orchestrating a coup. Sputnik Moldovan Democratic, Socialists Parties Running Neck and Neck in Sunday Vote Sputnik News 23:59 24.02.2019(updated 00:18 25.02.2019) CHISINAU (Sputnik) - Four political parties have managed to secure seats in the Moldovan parliament, while the Party of Socialists is leading with 30.4 percent of the votes after 10% of the votes counted in the Sunday parliamentary elections the Central Electoral Commission data showed. After 10% of the votes counted, the ruling Democratic Party is trailing behind the Party of Socialists with 30.4 percent of the votes. The two leading parties are followed by the electoral bloc ACUM and the SOR Party with 19.79 percent and 10.7 percent respectively. Earlier, preliminary data showed that the ruling Democratic Party was leading with 32.4 percent of the vote via party lists, while the Party of Socialists gained 29.94 percent. The two leading parties were followed by the electoral bloc ACUM and the SOR Party with 19.6 percent and 10.6 percent respectively. The country's Central Election Commission said on Sunday that the voter turnout for the Moldovan parliamentary election amounts to 49.09 percent. As of 9:00 p.m. local time (19:00 GMT), some 1.44 million Moldovan citizens cast their ballots, including more than 72,000 people having done that abroad. Moldova is holding parliamentary election on Sunday with 51 lawmakers being elected via single-mandate constituencies and 50 others via party lists. In the parliamentary election, a total of 14 parties and one bloc are competing for seats in the 101-member parliament. The main struggle is expected to unfold between the Party of Socialists, which is calling for closer cooperation with Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union, and the ruling Democratic Party and the opposition bloc ACUM, both supporting European integration. Sputnik Crucial Moldovan Parliamentary Vote Marred By Fraud Allegations By RFE/RL's Moldovan Service February 24, 2019 CHISINAU -- Moldova has held parliamentary elections that could determine whether the impoverished Eastern European country moves closer to Moscow or the European Union. The Central Election Commission (CEC) said the February 24 polls were held without major incidents, but both pro-Russian and pro-EU forces in the country have accused the ruling party of massive fraud. Speaking after polls closed, a leader of the pro-EU opposition ACUM coalition, Maia Sandu, said the elections were "neither free, nor fair, nor democratic." "These were the least democratic elections in the history of Moldova," she added. Opinion polls have suggested the Socialist Party -- led by Igor Dodon until he became Moldova's president -- would secure the most votes. But the pro-Russia Socialists did not appear to have enough support to win an outright majority in parliament. Challenging the Socialists were the ACUM coalition and the Democratic Party, the main party in the ruling coalition which has called for balancing ties between Russia and the West. With no party likely to gain the majority needed to form a government, observers fear a period of instability after the vote. Dodon on February 24 predicted another election in the coming months, saying there was a "a major risk of early elections." According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), just over 49 percent of eligible voters had cast their ballots. The first results are expected on the morning of February 25. Voters formed long lines outside polling stations in the villages of Dorotcaia and Coshnita, which are located at the de facto border of Moldova's Russian-speaking breakaway region of Transdniester. Some of them told RFE/RL that they were brought in on special buses from Transdniester, which is not holding elections, and that they were promised between 50 and 150 lei ($3 and $9) after voting. Other voters said that they were urged to vote by members or flyers of the Socialist Party. Both the Socialists and Democrats accused each other of vote buying, and election authorities said they would look into the matter. Democratic Party deputy chairman Vladimir Chebotar acknowledged "violations," but said they would "not affect the voting process," while Prime Minister Pavel Filip and parliament speaker Andrian Candu praised the "transparent, free, and democratic election process." CEC head Alina Russu said 18 complaints of alleged violations had been filed but that the elections had been held without any major incidents. Observers led by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) are to release their assessment on February 25. The elections come after a campaign marked by accusations that two ACUM members were poisoned and the removal by Facebook of fake accounts suspected of targeting Moldovans ahead of the ballot with false or misleading information. Moscow announced just two days before the vote that it was opening an investigation into a suspected money-laundering scheme that allegedly involved a leader of the ruling Democratic Party. The timing of that announcement was seen by some critics as an attempt by Moscow to influence the results of the election, as it allegedly attempted to do in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and in several European Union countries. Parliamentary speaker Andrian Candu said this was a Russian ploy to influence the election. "It is all manipulation and disinformation," he said after voting in a Chisinau polling station. "It's not the first time that Russia has tried to influence Moldova's election." Moldova's Prime Minister Pavel Filip, of the Democratic Party, is also among those who have complained about developments that could be "considered an intervention" by Russia in the campaign. Vladimir Plahotniuc, the Democratic Party chief and the country's de facto leader, said the ruling party had brought "order and discipline" through its economic policies. The former Soviet republic of 3.6 million people has had three governments since 2015, following the disappearance of some $1 billion -- about 12 percent of the country's gross domestic product -- from the banking system, which plunged it into a political and economic crisis. Dodon is a vocal supporter and staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has traveled to Moscow for talks with Putin. In December, Dodon praised what he called "the openness of the Russian leadership" and its "great interest" in developing a strategic partnership between Russia and Moldova. Ahead of the February 24 vote, Dodon said Moldova needed to maintain good relations with Moscow because of what he said was uncertainty about the future of the EU. "I don't know what will happen to the EU in 10 to 15 years from now," he told AP on February 21. "Why should we have objectives and make promises?" Dodon said, noting Britain's scheduled departure from the 28-nation bloc. Russia supplies Moldova with 95 percent of its natural gas. It also has troops stationed in the Russian-speaking breakaway region of Transdniester -- despite repeated UN calls for them to leave. Chisinau's relations with Russia, however, deteriorated after Moldova signed an association agreement with the EU in 2014. Russia then placed an embargo on some Moldovan goods. Now, 70 percent of Moldovan exports head to the EU. The ACUM has accused Moldova's governing coalition of rampant corruption. It has pledged not to enter a coalition with either the Democratic Party or the Socialists in the case of a hung parliament. Days ahead of the vote, Sandu and her ally Andrei Nastase accused authorities of poisoning them. Medical tests showed they had elevated levels of mercury in their blood in recent months. Medical files provided to RFE/RL's Moldovan Service on February 22 show that Nastase had a mercury blood level of 8.7 at the start of December, well above the normal value of less than two for that type of test. Sandu had a level of 2.7. The Democratic Party rejected the accusations of poisoning. The charges came after Facebook announced it had removed 168 accounts, 28 pages, and eight Instagram accounts after they were discovered to be "engaging in coordinated unauthentic behavior targeting people in Moldova." Facebook's cybersecurity policy chief, Nathaniel Gleicher, said on February 14 that the suspicious accounts focused on local news and political issues, and shared "manipulated photos, divisive narratives, and satire." Gleicher said "some of this activity was linked to employees of the Moldovan government." In a statement on February 22, the Russian Interior Ministry said it was investigating a money-laundering scheme through two Russian banks which it believes was organized by two of Moldova's richest men -- Plahotniuc and Veaceslav Platon. Plahotniuc is one of the most influential people in the country. Russian police say they have detained a Russian national in connection with the case. With reporting by AP and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-elections- dodon-socialists-acum-democrats- russia-eu/29787009.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. Moldovan Socialists Take Lead Over Democrats By RFE/RL's Moldovan Service February 24, 2019 CHISINAU -- With more than 66 percent of the votes counted, Moldova's pro-Russia Socialist Party has taken the lead over the ruling Democratic Party in a close battle that could determine whether the impoverished Eastern European country moves closer to Moscow or the European Union. With 66.5 percent of ballots tallied, Moldova's Central Election Commission (CEC) early on February 25 said the Socialists -- led by Igor Dodon until he became Moldova's president -- had 31.46 percent of the vote. The Democrats had 26.19 percent. Dodon and his Socialist Party have pressed for closer ties to Moscow, while the Democrats have called for balancing relations between Russia and the West. The ACUM coalition, which has run on an anticorruption platform and is seen as pro-EU, was third with 23.91 percent. The party list results may not be conclusive, however. Moldova's electoral system provides that the 101 parliament seats will be elected in a mixed system in which 50 will be won by lawmakers on party lists and the other 51 will go to the victors in individual constituencies. A clearer picture is expected later on February 25. Opinion polls had suggested the Socialists would secure the most votes, but with no party likely to gain the majority needed to form a government, observers fear a period of instability after the vote. Although the CEC said the polls were held without major incidents, but both pro-Russia and pro-EU forces in the country accused the ruling Democrats of massive fraud. Speaking after polls closed, a leader of the ACUM coalition, Maia Sandu, said the elections were "neither free, nor fair, nor democratic." "These were the least democratic elections in the history of Moldova," she added. Dodon on February 24 expressed the possibility of another election in the coming months. "If no one has a parliamentary majority, I think that there will be attempts to form it, but the risk is high that it could come to a snap election in the coming few months," Dodon told reporters. According to the CEC, just over 49 percent of eligible voters had cast their ballots. Voters formed long lines outside polling stations in the villages of Dorotcaia and Coshnita, which are located at the de facto border of Moldova's Russian-speaking breakaway region of Transdniester. Some of them told RFE/RL they were brought in on special buses from Transdniester, which is not holding elections, and that were promised to get between 50 and 150 lei (between $3 and $9) after voting. Both the Socialists and Democrats accused each other of vote buying, and election authorities said they will look into the matter. Democratic Party deputy chairman Vladimir Chebotar acknowledged "violations," but said they would "not affect the voting process," while Prime Minister Pavel Filip and parliament speaker Andrian Candu praised the "transparent, free, and democratic election process." After casting his vote, Filip, a Democrat, said, "I believe in the future of Moldova. We are ready to continue reforms and all social programs, the implementation of which will change the lives of Moldovan citizens for the better." Some 340 international personnel from 38 countries were registered as observers. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) was scheduled to release its assessment on February 25. The former Soviet republic of 3.6 million people has had three governments since 2015, following the disappearance of some $1 billion -- about 12 percent of the country's gross domestic product -- from the banking system plunged it into a political and economic crisis. Dodon is a vocal supporter and staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has traveled to Moscow for talks with Putin. In December, Dodon praised what he called "the openness of the Russian leadership" and its "great interest" in developing a strategic partnership between Russia and Moldova. Russia supplies Moldova with 95 percent of its natural gas. It also has troops stationed in Transdniester -- despite repeated UN calls for them to leave. Chisinau's relations with Russia, however, deteriorated after Moldova signed an association agreement with the EU in 2014. Russia then placed an embargo on some Moldovan goods. Now, 70 percent of Moldovan exports head to the EU. With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova- socialists-lead-democrats-acum- parliamentary-vote/29788181.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. Mueller Court Filing Says Manafort Does Not Deserve Leniency In Sentencing By RFE/RL February 24, 2019 WASHINGTON -- Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office has told a U.S. judge that President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, "repeatedly and brazenly" broke the law and does not deserve any leniency at his sentencing. The recommendation came from the special counsel's sentencing memo that was filed on February 22 and made public on February 23 in the second of two cases Manafort faces. Mueller is investigating Russia's role in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and whether Trump's campaign team conspired with Moscow. Trump rejects any charges of collusion, and the Kremlin denies meddling in the election. At least 34 people and three entities have pleaded guilty or have been indicted in the Mueller probe and related prosecutions. The 69-year-old Manafort, who is also facing a long prison sentence for an earlier conviction in Virginia, pleaded guilty in a federal court in Washington last September to conspiracy against the United States. The charges also include money laundering, unregistered lobbying, and conspiracy to obstruct justice through attempts to tamper with witnesses. 'Bold Criminal Actions' He can be sentenced up to 10 years in total for those charges. Sentencing is scheduled for March 13. "For over a decade, Manafort repeatedly and brazenly violated the law," Mueller's team said in the sentencing memo. "His criminal actions were bold, some of which were committed while under a spotlight due to his work as the campaign chairman and, later, while he was out on bail from this court." Any sentence imposed in Washington could run concurrently or consecutively to an expected long term for the charges in Virginia. A sentencing date in Virginia has not yet been set. In a February 15 filing, the special counsel said it agreed with federal sentencing guidelines that would set a prison term of between 235 months and 293 months based on the charges Manafort has been convicted of and to which he has pleaded guilty. Manafort was a longtime Washington political operative, allied mainly with Republicans. He headed up the 1996 presidential campaign for U.S. Senator Bob Dole, and he also built a lucrative lobbying career working with foreign clients, including Russian metals tycoon Oleg Deripaska and, later, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. Manafort was instrumental in getting Yanukovych elected in 2010. According to court records, after Yanukovych was forced to flee in February 2014 amid mass street protests, Manafort's lucrative Ukraine work dried up. In March 2016, he joined Donald Trump's presidential election campaign and was named chairman in June. But Manafort was fired by the campaign three months later, after a secret accounting ledger showing the extent of his work for Ukrainian politicians was revealed. In October 2017, Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, were indicted in Washington federal court by Mueller on foreign agent and conspiracy charges related to their work for Yanukovych and his Ukrainian allies. In February 2018, new charges of bank and tax fraud were filed against both men by a federal jury in Alexandria, Virginia. Gates later pleaded guilty to the Virginia charges and agreed to testify against Manafort. In June 2018, Mueller hit Manafort with new charges of obstruction of justice and witness tampering, stemming from his alleged communications, along with Russian-Ukrainian operative and longtime partner, Konstantin Kilimnik, aimed at influencing potential witnesses. A Virginia federal jury found Manafort guilty on the tax and bank fraud charges in August 2018. Days before his Washington, D.C., trial was due to begin, in September 2018, Manafort pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with Mueller's prosecutors. But Mueller later accused Manafort of violating their plea agreement by lying, something a judge subsequently agreed with. With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/mueller-court -manafort-leniency-sentencing -russia-probe/29787585.html Copyright (c) 2019. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. Taliban Political Chief Baradar To Attend Afghan Peace Talks In Qatar By RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal February 24, 2019 A new round of peace talks between Taliban and U.S. negotiators is to begin in Doha this week and will include the militant group's co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, according to Taliban and diplomatic sources in Qatar. Reports said the talks were set to begin in the Qatari capital on February 25, and were expected to center around a cease-fire to end Afghanistan's 17-year conflict and the withdrawal of foreign troops from the country. The U.S. negotiating team will be led by the United States Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad. Afghan Taliban leaders had said that their new political chief, Baradar, would not attend the negotiations because he had had difficulties obtaining travel documents. The Taliban also said there were differences among the Taliban leadership over the precise role that Baradar should have in the talks. Baradar was released from a Pakistani jail in October. His appointment was widely seen as marking a new push by the Taliban to achieve political and diplomatic legitimacy. The Taliban, which now reportedly controls nearly half of Afghanistan, has held a series of direct talks with Khalilzad in recent months. However, the group has so far refused to hold direct negotiations with the Afghan government, calling it a Western puppet. During their previous round of talks in Doha, U.S. and Taliban negotiators reached the basic framework of a possible peace deal. 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. U.S. troops have been in Afghanistan since an October 2001 invasion that brought down the Taliban government after it refused to hand over Al-Qaeda terrorists, including Osama bin Laden, blamed for launching the September 11 attacks in the United States. With reporting by Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban-political -chief-baradar-to-attend-afghan-peace- talks-in-qatar/29788128.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. Similar legislation to allow impact fees in Baltimore County didnt make it far last year even though such fees are common elsewhere in Maryland. But with the county delegation behind it, supporters say they now have momentum for it as county officials look for ways to alleviate a budget shortfall and relieve overcrowded schools. UN: Record Number Of Afghan Civilians Killed In 2018 By RFE/RL February 24, 2019 The United Nations says a record number of Afghan civilians were killed in 2018, blaming the increase on unprecedented suicide bombings by militant groups and air strikes carried out by U.S.-led forces. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said the conflict in Afghanistan killed 3,804 civilians and wounded another 7,189, an 11 percent increase from 2017, in its annual report released on February 24. The civilian death toll is the highest number since UNAMA began tallying figures in 2009. The UNAMA report said 2018 "witnessed the highest number of civilian casualties ever recorded from suicide attacks and aerial operations." According to the report, 63 percent of all civilian casualties were caused by militants -- with the Taliban being blamed for 37 percent of the dead and wounded, the Islamic State (IS) militant group for 20 percent, and other antigovernment groups for 6 percent. The Afghan government and its U.S. and NATO allies were blamed for 24 percent of the dead and wounded civilians, many of them killed in increased air strikes carried out mostly by international forces. "For the first time since 2009, UNAMA recorded more than 1,000 civilian casualties from aerial operations," the report said. The U.S. military said it carried out 6,823 sorties last year in which munitions were fired, the highest number in the last six years. 'Deeply Disturbing' UNAMA said women and children comprised almost two-thirds of all civilian casualties from aerial operations. The uptick in violence in 2018 also coincided with a significant increase in the number of deaths caused by the "deliberate targeting of civilians," according to the report, mostly stemming from suicide attacks by the Taliban or the IS group. At least 65 suicide attacks were recorded in 2018, the majority hitting the capital, Kabul. The report said the Taliban was responsible for 1,751 civilian casualties in 2018, compared to 916 in 2017, while the IS group killed or wounded 2,181 civilians last year -- the highest number ever recorded for the militant groups. The report's release comes a day before U.S. and Taliban negotiators hold another round of peace talks in Qatar aimed at ending the 17-year conflict. U.S. peace enjoy Zalmay Khalilzad has held a series of direct talks with Taliban negotiators across the Middle East in recent months, raising the prospect of peace. Tadamichi Yamamoto, the head of the UN mission in Afghanistan, called the spiraling number of civilian casualties "deeply disturbing and wholly unacceptable." "It is time to put an end to this human misery and tragedy," said Yamamoto. "The best way to halt the killings and maiming of civilians is to stop the fighting." Since the UN began documenting civilian casualties 10 years ago, more than 32,000 civilians have been killed and another 60,000 wounded in Afghanistan. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghan-civilian -casualties-record-number-2018-un- yamamoto/29787592.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. Colombia: Deserting Venezuelan soldiers cross into Colombia as riots continue Iran Press TV Sun Feb 24, 2019 03:24AM Members of the Venezuelan National Guard have left their posts and crossed into Colombia to the applause and cheers of those protesting at the border in Cucuta on Saturday. Footage shows thousands of protesters at the border, some throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails, and a fire starting as night falls. A small group of Venezuelan National Guard soldiers, escorted by Colombian police, are seen walking past the protesters away from the border. Violence broke out on Saturday during an attempt to deliver humanitarian aid into Venezuela, while Venezuelan forces blocked the border. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has stated that the aid is a US plot to disguise an intervention in Venezuela. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says he will cut all diplomatic ties with neighboring Colombia amid tensions over US aid delivery. Maduro described his Colombian counterpart, Ivan Duque, as the devil. He also called on US President Donald Trump not to interfere in Venezuela's internal affairs. Maduro was speaking at a rally of thousands of his supporters in the capital Caracas. Iran slams foreign intervention in Venezuela, backs government Iran Press TV Sun Feb 24, 2019 03:22PM Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has slammed foreign intervention in Venezuela's internal affairs amid escalation of the political crisis in the Latin American country. The Islamic Republic supports Venezuelan government and nation, Zarif said in a meeting with Ruben Dario Molina, Venezuela's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Asia and the Middle East, in Tehran on Sunday. The top Iranian diplomat added that Tehran supports Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's proposal for political talks between the government and the opposition with the purpose of resolving differences. Late last month, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro said he was ready to sit down for talks with the country's opposition and was also open to the possibility of third countries mediating. The Venezuelan diplomat, who is in Tehran at the head of a delegation, commended Iran's efforts to help improve the political situation in his country. Zarif and Dario Molina emphasized that the meddlesome US measures in Venezuela and other Latin American countries as well as Washington's threats to use force against Caracas are in violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, and are doomed to fail. Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido, 35, who is also the head of Venezuela's defunct National Assembly, plunged the country into political chaos on January 23, when he proclaimed himself as the "interim president" of Venezuela, a bizarre move that drew US President Donald Trump's immediate support and prompted the White House to call on other countries to follow suit in recognizing Guaido as such. The US-backed opposition figure has also planned to bring in foreign humanitarian aid, including those from the US through the Colombian border, to allegedly alleviate the country's economic crisis. Maduro has said the real incentive behind Guaido's "relief" effort is to undermine his government in a Washington-orchestrated bid to oust him, stressing that Caracas would not allow the entry of the so-called aid to Venezuela, which has the world's largest proven oil reserves. Earlier this month, Russia warned that the United States is considering a range of options against the government of Maduro, including a direct military invasion of the Latin American country. "There are still signs coming from Washington about the possibility of using force in order to overthrow the legal authorities, including through direct military invasion," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in Moscow, adding, "This is actually being spoken about openly in the White House." In a phone conversation with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza in January, Zarif said the Islamic Republic supports the legal government in Venezuela and the country's people in the face of all plots, particularly those hatched by the United States. Zarif and Arreaza also exchanged views about ways to expand negotiations between the Venezuelan government and the opposition groups and find a political solution to the conflict. Mercenaries fighting for Riyadh killed in Yemeni missile strike near Najran Iran Press TV Sun Feb 24, 2019 05:09PM Dozens of mercenaries fighting for the regime in Riyadh have been killed in a strike by a domestically-manufactured ballistic missile fired by Yemeni army forces on their base in the northwestern Yemeni province of Sa'ada near the border with the southern Saudi region of Najran. Spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces Brigadier General Yahya Saree said a short-range and solid-propellant Badr P-1 missile hit al-Boqe'e base with great precision on Sunday evening, Yemeni Arabic-language al-Masirah television network reported. The source added that the missile strike left at least 40 mercenaries dead and tens of others injured. The Badr P-1 missile was unveiled during a ceremony in the Yemeni capital city of Sana'a on October 27 last year. It is said to have a pinpoint accuracy of three meters. Earlier a number of mercenaries were killed and injured when Yemeni soldiers and allied fighters from Popular Committees detonated an explosive device in the Bir al-Basha area of Yemen's southwestern province of Ta'izz. Separately, Saudi military aircraft launched a series of airstrikes against residential buildings in the Nihm district of Sana'a province, leaving three women and an elderly man dead. A man suffered injuries as well. Saudi Arabia and a number of its regional allies launched a devastating campaign against Yemen in March 2015, with the aim of bringing Hadi's government back to power and crushing the Houthi Ansarullah movement. According to a new report by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), a nonprofit conflict-research organization, the Saudi-led war has so far claimed the lives of about 56,000 Yemenis. The Saudi-led war has also taken a heavy toll on the country's infrastructure, destroying hospitals, schools, and factories. The UN has already said a record 22.2 million Yemenis are in dire need of food, including 8.4 million threatened by severe hunger. According to the world body, Yemen is suffering from the most severe famine in more than 100 years. A number of Western countries, the US and Britain in particular, are also accused of being complicit in the ongoing aggression as they supply Riyadh with advanced weapons and military equipment as well as logistical and intelligence assistance. Civilian deaths in Afghanistan hit record high in 2018: UN Iran Press TV Sun Feb 24, 2019 05:40PM A United Nations (UN) report says more civilians lost their lives in the war in Afghanistan in 2018 than any other year on record, nearly 18 years into a United States-led invasion and ongoing occupation. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in its annual report on Sunday that civilian deaths in 2018 jumped by 11 percent from 2017, with 3,804 people killed, including 927 children, both all-time highs since the international organization started recording figures in 2009. "In total, UNAMA documented 10,993 civilian casualties (3,804 deaths and 7,189 injured), representing a five-percent increase in overall civilian casualties and an 11-percent increase in civilian deaths compared to 2017," the report said. The mission blamed the spike in deaths on increased aerial attacks by US-led coalition forces and bombings by militant groups. At least 65 attacks were recorded in 2018, with militants responsible for the death of more than 2,200 civilians across the country. The uptick in violence in 2018 was caused by the "deliberate targeting of civilians," mostly stemming from attacks by militants allied with the Taliban or the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group, the report said. An increase in airstrikes by US-led and Afghan forces also led to the higher civilian deaths in 2018, with more than 500 civilians killed by "aerial operations for the first time on record," it added. According to the UNAMA, at least 32,000 civilians have been killed and another 60,000 wounded over the last decade Meanwhile, Tadamichi Yamamoto, the head of the UN mission in Afghanistan, said at a press briefing in Kabul on Sunday that the civilian casualties were "wholly unacceptable" and called on all parties to take "immediate and additional concrete steps to stop a further escalation in the number of civilians harmed and lives destroyed." "It is time to put an end to this human misery and tragedy," Yamamoto said, adding, "The best way to halt the killings and maiming of civilians is to stop the fighting." The report's release comes a day before the US and the Taliban hold their next round of talks aimed at ending the conflict. The talks due in Doha, Qatar follow years of escalating violence in Afghanistan. Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump told Congress that he intended to bring home US forces from Afghanistan as negotiators made progress in talks with the Taliban militants. But US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has emphasized that any troop withdrawal would depend on conditions on the ground. Critics remain skeptical of the talks for a number of reasons, including primarily that they have not included the Afghan government. The US invaded Afghanistan in October 2001 and overthrew a Taliban regime in power at the time. But US forces have remained bogged down there through the presidencies of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and now Donald Trump. Yemen targets Saudi positions with missile IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Feb 24, IRNA -- Yemeni army targeted Saudi positions in Southern Saudi Arabia with missile and artillery shells. According to Yemeni media 'Al-Masirah', Yemen launched Zelzal-1 missile towards Saudi Arabia's positions in Najran. The Yemeni artillery units also targeted Saudi forces' positions in Al-Zabaa killing some Saudi forces and injuring many others. Meanwhile, Yemeni snipers killed two Saudi military forces in Jizan. This is while, Saudi missile and artillery units targeted some villages in Saada Province. The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2451 to support the Stockholm Agreement on deployment of a team in order to facilitate monitoring and implementing the Agreement and establishing truce in important Yemeni ports. The resolution mainly focuses on sending essential commodities to the Yemeni people, supporting the Stockholm Agreement, assigning the Secretary-General of the United Nations to implement it and observing the ceasefire. The fourth round of Yemen peace talks kicked off in Stockholm, Sweden on December 6 with the attendance of the UN special envoy Martin Griffith and the government representatives. It agreed to establish truce in Yemeni ports of al-Hudaydah, al-Salif and Ayn Issa. Saudi Arabia and its regional allies attacked Yemen in March 2015 to bring back to power the deposed president of Yemen Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. Since then, the invaders have committed horrible war crimes against Yemeni civilians. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said Iran has given no commitments to any party or country over Yemen. He added that Tehran believes in establishment of a ceasefire in Yemen and is trying to pave the way for sending humanitarian aid there and holding intra-Yemeni talks. Islamic Republic of Iran will spare no efforts in line with finding a peaceful solution to Yemen crisis and preventing continuation of humanitarian disaster in this country, Qasemi reiterated. 9376**2050 Mali: UN mourns three Guinean peacekeepers killed, condemns attack 'in strongest terms' 23 February 2019 - The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council condemned on Saturday in the strongest terms the attack against vehicles of the peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA), which took place on Friday and in which three "blue helmets" from Guinea were killed and at least another injured. The peacekeepers were killed in the area of Siby, near the capital, Bamako. Mr. Guterres and the members of the Security Council extended their condoleances to the families of the fallen, wished the injured a speedy and full recovery, and expressed their solidarity with the people of Guinea and with those who risk their lives serving in the mission. Guinea is the eight largest contributor of troops to MINUSMA, with 869 women and men serving in it. The UN chief cautioned that any attack against UN peacekeepers may constitute a war crime and called on the Malian authorities to "spare no effort in identifying and swiftly bringing to justice the perpetrators of this attack". The UN Security Council added that" involvement in planning, directing, sponsoring or conducting attacks against MINUSMA peacekeepers constitutes a basis for sanctions designations pursuant to United Nations Security Council resolutions". After a failed coup six years ago, a proliferation of armed groups fighting government forces and their allies in the centre and northern areas of the country has plunged the country into conflict. Today, MINUSMA is the deadliest mission to serve in as a UN 'blue helmet' with more than 180 paying the ultimate sacrifice, since it was established in 2013. In 2019 alone, the number of fatalities stands at 15. The UN chief reaffirmed nonetheless in his statement on Saturday the determination of MINUSMA, which currently has 16,227 deployed personnel, to "continue implementing its mandate in support of the people and Government of Mali in their quest for peace". This was echoed that by the UN Security Council members who stressed that "these heinous acts will not undermine their determination to continue to support the peace and reconciliation process in Mali". In 2015, a UN-backed peace agreement was signed by armed groups the Coordination des Mouvements de l'Azawad and the Plateforme coalition of armed groups and the Government of Mali. However, continued violence has rendered its implementation very challenging. Another somber milestone for Afghanistan: 2018 saw record-high civilians killed in decade UN report 23 February 2019 - With over 3,800 civilian women, children and men killed in just one year, Afghanistan has hit yet another "deeply disturbing and wholly unacceptable" record, according to a new report issued on Sunday by the UN political mission in the country (UNAMA) and the UN human rights office (OHCHR). Fighting and brutal violence claimed exactly 3,804 civilian lives in 2018 including 927 children, another tragic record for the year according to data carefully collected by the UN. The number represents an increase of 11 per cent compared to 2017. In addition, 7,189 people were injured in 2018, 5 per cent more than in the previous year. Overall, close to two thirds of the civilian casualties were caused by armed opposition groups, including the Taliban, Islamic State and other undetermined groups. However, civilians were also collateral victims of pro-Government forces (including the Afghan military and international forces) responsible for close to one quarter of all civilian casualties. According to the report, the increase is largely due to a spike in suicide attacks by armed opposition groups, as well as increased harm to civilians from aerial and search operations by pro-Government forces. "The report's rigorously researched findings show that the level of harm and suffering inflicted on civilians in Afghanistan is deeply disturbing and wholly unacceptable," said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN's Special Representative for Afghanistan. "All parties need to take immediate and additional concrete steps to stop a further escalation in the number of civilians harmed and lives destroyed." The report is the UN's tenth annual report documenting the plight of civilians in the Afghan conflict: in a decade, more than 32,000 civilians have been killed and around 60,000 have been injured. The conflict, which has now gone on for a total of four decades, has claimed thousands and thousands more lives. "It is time to put an end to this human misery and tragedy. The best way to halt the killings and maiming of civilians is to stop the fighting. That is why there is all the more need now to use all our efforts to bring about peace. I urge all parties to seize every opportunity to do so," stated Mr. Yamamoto, who also heads UNAMA. Election-related violence was particularly deadly for civilians in 2018, including on 20 October polling day when UNAMA recorded the highest number of civilian casualties in any single day for the whole year. Number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan, 2009-2018. Number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan, 2009-2018. "The conflict in Afghanistan continues to kill far too many civilians and has caused long-lasting suffering, both physical and psychological, to countless others," said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet. "The fact that the number of children killed this year is the highest on record, is particularly shocking. In addition to the lives lost, the dire security situation is preventing many Afghans from enjoying their economic, social and cultural rights, with thousands of children already handicapped for life because of attacks on schools and medical facilities," she added, calling on all parties to the conflict to fully respect international humanitarian and international human rights law to protect the lives of all civilians. Children killed and injured in Afghanistan, 2009-2018. Children killed and injured in Afghanistan, 2009-2018. Feb. 22, 2019 News By Jim Garamone Defense.gov U.S., Turkish Defense Officials Discuss Syria, Other Issues at Pentagon Meeting WASHINGTON -- U.S. and Turkish defense officials met today at the Pentagon to discuss the future of operations in Syria and the other areas where the two countries fight together. "Today's meeting is really about talking about the next steps," said Acting Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan, who spoke to reporters before a full-honors arrival ceremony for Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on the Pentagon parade ground. Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen. Yasar Guler of the Turkish army, the commander of the Turkish armed forces, joined their civilian chiefs in the meeting. Syria dominated the discussion. President Donald J. Trump announced the U.S. presence in the country will draw down as the campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria concludes. That will curb the physical caliphate that the terror group declared at its apogee, but will not end efforts to prevent the group from reconstituting. "I'm confident that we can continue the campaign," Dunford said before the meeting. "We had always planned to transition to a stabilization phase where we train local forces to provide security to prevent the regeneration of ISIS. So, there is no change in the basic campaign. The resourcing is being adjusted because the threat has been changed." Shanahan, who has met with Akar before at various NATO and Defeat-ISIS meetings, is building on a long history of cooperation between the two nations. The United States and Turkey have been partners since the end of World War II, and Turkey fought in the United Nations Forces during the Korean War. The nation joined NATO in 1952 and served as an anchor for the alliance during some very tough times against the Soviet Union. Partnership Continues "Now the partnership continues in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo," Shanahan said at the top of the Pentagon meeting. "Today's meeting is very important, because we need to continue to do our excellent planning to find solutions, in particular to Syria. "I think we all recognize that it is very complex, but we have the smartest people available to work on this situation," he continued. "I look forward to the progress we will make today and at our next meeting and the meetings after that." The defense officials met the day after Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke via telephone of the bilateral relationship between the nations. "As true strategic partners and allies, we should continue the close cooperation in our fight against all terrorism," Akar said. "In this regard, we should share our determination to fight against all terrorist organizations." The defense minister made a point of saying Turkey has no problems with the Kurdish people, but does oppose groups that sponsor terrorism. Feb. 22, 2019 Transcript Press Operations Acting Secretary Shanahan and Minister Akar Remarks at the Opening of the Bilateral Meeting Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan and Turkey Minister of Defense Hulusi Akar ACTING SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PATRICK SHANAHAN: Minister Akar, Ambassador, General, welcome to the Pentagon. Before I make some comments, I wanted to pass along my condolences for Sergeant Han, who was killed in a -- in a training incident and we wish that those that were injured have a quick recovery. In preparation for your -- our meeting today, I talked to many people here in the building. You're very famous here. (Laughter.) MINISTER HULUSI AKAR: Really? I only know Joe Dunford. (Laughter.) MR. SHANAHAN: Many, many relationships. MIN. AKAR: Thank you very much. My pleasure. MR. SHANAHAN: This is, I think, our fifth or sixth meeting in one week. We've met five or six times now and I think each time, all of the meetings have been productive, and I believe very much the latest meeting was very, very productive. But we thought we'd do something special, so we brought out the cannons with Chairman Dunford's permission. (Laughter.) Our security partnership has existed for many, many decades. And today, that partnership continues in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. Today's meeting is very important because we need to continue to do our excellent planning and find solutions, in particular to Syria. I think we all recognize that it's very complex, but we have the smartest people available to work on this situation. I look forward to the progress that we'll make today and in our next meeting and the meetings after that. Again, welcome to the Pentagon. MIN. AKAR: Thank you. Thank you very much. First of all, I'd like to thank you, as you're the acting secretary of defense, for your kind invitation and the great hospitality. You and General Dunford, thank you very much. Our relationship is important. We are very much aware of this, not only for our bilateral relation, but also for the security and the stability of the region. Yesterday, as you know, our presidents had a telephone call as they discussed bilateral relations and the latest developments in Syria. (Inaudible) very positive (inaudible) Turkey. We are eager to maintain the close and strong relations with our security partner, United States. We believe that the United States control decision will be implemented in line with our mutual interests, and in close coordination and cooperation with us, with Turkey. As two strategic partners and allies, we should continue the close cooperation on our fight against all kinds of terrorism. In this regard, we will share our determination to fight against all terrorist organizations, including PKK, YPG, PYD, Daesh, FETO and others. We have here every respect, just to reiterate, for the political unity and the territorial integrity of Syria, Iraq and other neighboring countries. Finally, in conclusion, we are strongly for the security, stability and the peace in Syria and Iraq. Again, thank you. Thank you very much. MR. SHANAHAN: Thank you very much. We have time for questions for our friends. Q: Mr. Secretary, of the troops that are staying in Syria the U.S. troops who are staying in Syria, what will their mission be? And then Minister Akar, I heard your comments about what your threats are to your country. What assurances can you give the coalition that your forces will not hit Syrian Kurds? And then finally, have you changed your mind on the purchase of the S-400? MR. SHANAHAN: Would you like for me to go first? MIN. AKAR: I -- yes please. (Laughter.) (CROSSTALK) MR. SHANAHAN: Yeah, yeah. Our -- our mission remains unchanged in terms of the defeat of ISIS. The transition that we're working towards is stabilization, and to enhance the security capability of local security forces, and we'll do that as strategic partners. Would you like to add ... MIN. AKAR: Oh yeah, the -- let me say, first of all, that we are here, part of the delegation, to discuss all of those issues in detail. And they of course, as I said(inaudible)for the benefit of our country, and for the benefit of the whole region. And just one thing (inaudible), that I'd like to underline, the difference between the YPG, PYD, PKK, (inaudible) and (inaudible) terrorist organization and (inaudible) communities. We have never, ever had any problems with either the Kurds or any of the other entities in Turkey or outside Turkey in Syria, but we are fighting against terrorist organizations. Thank you. MR. SHANAHAN: Yeah, thank you very much. Q: And the -- the S-400, sir? MIN. AKAR: Yes, yes, discuss. Yes. MR. SHANAHAN: We're going to talk about it. Yeah, that's good. Thank you. https://dod.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/1765709/ An investigation by The Baltimore Sun in 2017 found Kushner Cos. to be the most aggressive in Maryland in using a controversial debt-collection tactic. Under their practices, corporate entities affiliated with the complexes have sought the civil arrest of more than 100 former tenants for failing to appear in court to face allegations of unpaid debt, the newspaper found. Feb. 22, 2019 News Release Press Operations Release No. NR-039-19 Readout of Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan's Meeting with Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar Acting Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Charles E. Summers Jr. provided the following readout: Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan met with Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar today at the Pentagon to reaffirm the defense relationship between the United States and Turkey. Also in attendance were Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., Turkish Ambassador Serdar Kilic, and Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces Gen. Yasar Guler. The leaders discussed a broad range of defense issues, including operations to defeat ISIS in Syria and the United States' concern with Turkey's potential purchase of the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile system. They agreed to continue cooperating to achieve stability and security in northeast Syria. Secretary Shanahan acknowledged the U.S.-Turkey bilateral relationship is "foundational to regional security" and thanked Minister Akar for Turkey's commitment and support to the NATO alliance in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Iraq and NATO maritime activities. https://dod.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/1765707/ Airtel to test Nokia's 5G-ready fronthaul solution News oi-Priyanka Dua This trial has the potential to improve the performance of service providers' existing network even as it prepares the network for 5G and to meet the future demand. India's second largest telecom service provider Bharti Airtel has joined hands with gear maker Nokia to a trial homogenous fronthaul solution which can support 4G, 5G and enterprise services through a common platform. This trial is part of Bharti Airtel's strategy to make its network future ready to meet the growing demand for high-speed data driven by the digital revolution in India. "Airtel has always set the benchmark when it comes to the roll-out of latest network technologies. The upgrade of the transport network is also essential to cater to the booming consumption of mobile broadband services and enable world-class digital services. Nokia is our longstanding partner and we look forward to their support in our journey towards 5G," Randeep Sekhon, CTO at Bharti Airtel, said. Nokia said that solution under this trial has the potential to improve the performance of service providers' existing network even as it prepares the network for 5G and to meet the future demand. It allows service providers to meet the growing demand for bandwidth and enables to deliver 5G services. Sanjay Malik Head of India Market, at Nokia, said: "The modernization of the transport infrastructure is crucial for ensuring the ultra-high speed and extremely low latency, promised by 5G. We look forward to this trial with Bharti Airtel, which is a crucial step towards preparing the networks for 5G. The ring architecture will help in adding resiliency to the network and ensure that the network is able to meet the ever-growing bandwidth demand of their customers." Fronthaul is the link between baseband unit and radio, and modernization of this part of the transport network is essential to deliver high-speed and low latency of 5G services. The solution supports multiple interfaces, including Common Public Radio Interfaces (CPRI) and enhanced Common Public Radio Interfaces (eCPRI). 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 Oppo Foldable Smartphone teased: Comes with a dual camera setup News oi-Vivek Oppo Foldable smartphone offers an 8-inch display when unfolded Foldable smartphone is the latest trend in the MWC 2019, where companies like Samsung, Huawei, Alcatel have already working on foldable smartphones. Now, Oppo also has joined the bandwagon of foldable smartphones. Oppo's VP Brian Shen has officially confirmed that the company is working on a foldable smartphone, and he has also shared a bunch of photos of the prototype. It is a working prototype, running on Oppo's own ColorOS on top of Android OS. Looks a lot like the Huawei Mate X Now, there are two types of foldable smartphones in the market. Samsung's Galaxy Fold has an in-fold display, and other sets of foldable smartphones, including the Oppo's prototype, has an out-fold display, which is similar to the Huawei Mate X. The Oppo's offering looks a lot like the Huawei Mate X with a size chin to house all the camera sensors and buttons. Oppo is yet to update the specifications of the smartphone. Considering the competition, the Oppo foldable smartphone is expected to come with a top of the line specifications (Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, 6 GB RAM, 128 GB storage and more). Unlike the Oppo Find X, the foldable smartphone does not feature a popup selfie camera. Just like most of the foldable smartphones, the Oppo foldable smartphone is expected to cost at least the double that of the typical flagship smartphone from 2019. Oppo has confirmed that the device will go into mass production in the future with no timeline mentioned. As these are the first generation device, these smartphones might come with some issues, which will be solved with the future models, and the price of the foldable smartphones is expected to remain premium at least for the next few years. What are your thoughts on the Oppo's foldable smartphone, or about the foldable smartphone in general? Is this the next innovation in the smartphone industry? Share your views in the comment box. 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 Flipkart Month End Mobiles Fest: Honor, Poco, Asus, Samsung and more Features oi-Harish Kumar With "Month End Mobiles Fest" which will exist from 25th to 28th Feb, Flipkart is alluring its customers for maintaining a proper track of interest. In case not to lose its users, the portal brings in some of the top deals on some devices and other products quite often. Similar is the case with the aforementioned scheme. To be illustrative, users can avail several handsets at reviving discounts and EMI rates. Below you'll find a listing of devices from Honor, Poco and more. Some other offers are no-cost EMI option, good exchange and cashback offers, extra 5% off with Axis bank buzz credit card, and more. You get a warranty of 12 months on the related handset, 6 months on battery, 6 months on the charger and 3 months on data cable. In addition, these handsets come with some of the best features. Like you can find a better camera module, a snappy processor with robust graphics, clean OS, powerful battery backup with Quick Charging technology etc. Honor 9N MRP: Rs 13,999 Offer Price: Rs 8,499 Key Specs 5.84-inch (1080 x 2280 pixels) Full HD+ 19:9 2.5D curved glass display Octa-Core Kirin 659 processor with MaliT830-MP2 GPU 3GB RAM with 32GB storage 4GB RAM with 64GB / 128GB storage expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD Android 8.0 (Oreo) with EMUI 8.0 Hybrid Dual SIM (nano + nano / microSD) 13MP rear camera and secondary 2MP camera 16MP front-facing camera Fingerprint sensor 4G VoLTE 3000mAh (typical) / 2900mAh (Minimum) battery Asus Zenfone MAX Pro M2 MRP: Rs 15,999 Offer Price: Rs 11,999 Key Specs 6.3-inch (2280 1080 pixels) Full HD+ 19:9 display Octa Core Snapdragon 660 14nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 512 GPU 4GB LPDDR4X RAM, 64GB / 128GB storage expandable memory upto 2TB with microSD Android 8.1 (Oreo) Dual SIM (nano + nano + microSD) 12MP rear camera and secondary 5MP camera 13MP front camera Dual 4G VoLTE 5000mAh battery Poco F1 MRP: Rs 21,999 Offer Price: Rs 17,999 Key Specs 6.18-inch (2246 1080 pixels) Full HD+ 18.7:9 2.5D curved glass display Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Mobile Platform with Adreno 630 GPU 6GB/8GB LPDDR4x RAM, 64GB / 128GB/256GB (UFS 2.1) storage expandable memory with up to 256GB with microSD Android 8.1 (Oreo) with MIUI 9, upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) Hybrid Dual SIM (nano + nano / microSD) 12MP rear camera and secondary 5MP camera 20MP front-facing camera Dual 4G+ VoLTE 4000mAh battery Samsung Galaxy S8 MRP: Rs 49,990 Offer Price: Rs 30,990 Key Specs 5.8 Inch QHD+ Super AMOLED Display Octa Core Exynos 9/Snapdragon 835 Processor 4/6GB RAM With 64/128GB ROM WiFi NFC Bluetooth Dual SIM Dual Pixel 12MP Rear Camera 8MP Front Camera 3000 MAh Battery MRP: Rs Offer Price: Rs Key Specs 5.8 Inch QHD+ Super AMOLED Display Octa Core Exynos 9/Snapdragon 835 Processor 4/6GB RAM With 64/128GB ROM WiFi NFC Bluetooth Dual SIM Dual Pixel 12MP Rear Camera 8MP Front Camera 3000 MAh Battery Asus Zenfone MAX M2 MRP: Rs 8,999 Offer Price: Rs 12,999 Key Specs 6.3-inch (1520720 pixels) HD+ 19:9 2.5D curved glass display 1.8GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 632 14nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 506 GPU 3GB LPDDR3 RAM with 32GB storage / 4GB LPDDR3 RAM with 64GB storage expandable memory upto 2TB with microSD Android 8.1 (Oreo) Dual SIM (nano + nano + microSD) 13MP rear camera and secondary 2MP camera 8MP front camera Dual 4G VoLTE 4000mAh battery Samsung Galaxy Note 9 MRP: Rs 73,600 Offer Price: Rs 67,900 Key Specs 6.4-inch Quad HD+ (2960 1440 pixels) Super AMOLED Infinity display with 516ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass protection Octa-Core Samsung Exynos 9 Series 9810 processor with Mali G72MP18 GPU 6GB LPDDR4x RAM with 128GB storage / 8GB LPDDR4x RAM with 512GB storage (UFS 2.1) expandable memory up to 512GB with microSD Android 8.1 (Oreo) Single / Hybrid Dual SIM (nano + nano / microSD) 12MP primary rear camera and 12MP secondary rear camera 8MP auto focus front-facing camera 4G VoLTE 4000mAh battery Asus Zenfone 5Z MRP: Rs 36,999 Offer Price: Rs 28,999 Key Specs 6.2-inch (2246 1080 pixels) Full HD+ 19:9 2.5D curved glass Super IPS display Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Mobile Platform with Adreno 630 GPU 6GB LPDDR4x RAM with 64GB / 128GB storage 8GB LPDDR4x RAM with 256GB storage expandable memory up to 2TB with microSD Android 8.0 (Oreo) with ZenUI 5.0, upgradable to Android P Hybrid Dual SIM (nano + nano / microSD) with Dual VoLTE 12MP rear camera and secondary 8MP camera 8MP front-facing camera Dual 4G VoLTE 3300mAh battery Samsung Galaxy A7 2018 MRP: Rs 22,300 Offer Price: Rs 18,990 Key Specs 6-inch (10802220 pixels) Full HD+ Super AMOLED Infinity display Octa-Core (2.2GHz Dual + 1.6GHz Hexa) Exynos 7885 14nm processor with Mali-G71 GPU 4 GB RAM with 64GB / 128 GB Storage 6GB RAM with 128GB storage expandable up to 512GB via micro SD card Android 8.0 (Oreo) Dual SIM 24MP rear camera and 8MP 120 Ultra Wide camera and 5MP camera 24MP front camera Dual 4G VoLTE 3300mAh battery LG G7 Thinq MRP: Rs 50,000 Offer Price: Rs 27,999 Key Specs 6.1-inch (3120 x 1440 pixels) 19.5:9 FullVision Super Bright IPS Display with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Mobile Platform with Adreno 630 GPU LG G7 ThinQ - 4GB LPDDR4x RAM with 64GB (UFS 2.1) storage / LG G7+ ThinQ - 6GB LPDDR4x RAM with 128GB storage (UFS 2.1) expandable memory up to 2TB with microSD Android 8.0 (Oreo) with LG UX 16MP rear camera and secondary 16MP camera 8MP front camera 4G VoLTE 3000mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0, Wireless charging Samsung Galaxy A9 MRP: Rs 36,000 Offer Price: Rs 30,999 Key Specs 6.3-inch (10802220 pixels) Full HD+ Super AMOLED Infinity display Octa Core Snapdragon 660 14nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 512 GPU 6GB / 8GB RAM with 128 GB Storage, expandable up to 512GB via micro SD card Android 8.0 (Oreo) Dual SIM ( nano + nano + microSD) 24MP rear camera and 10MP and 8MP 120 Ultra Wide camera and 5MP f/2.2 depth camera 24MP front camera 4G VoLTE 3800mAh battery with adaptive fast charging Best Mobiles in India How to hide display hole on the Galaxy S10 smartphone How To oi-Sandeep Sarkar The camera cutout on the Galaxy S10 smartphone can be hidden from the Settings menu. Samsung has recently introduced its highly anticipated Galaxy S10 smartphone lineup in an Unpacked event held in San Francisco. The latest premium offering by the South Korean tech giant offers some top-of-the-line features and brings a new punch-hole display panel. Unlike the notch trend, Samsung decided to rather go with the punch-hole display design to offer a maximum viewing area on the device. While the punch-hole is placed at the top right corner of the display, it is still noticeable while playing full-screen videos or content. If that is what bothers you, then you don't have to worry as Samsung has provided an option where you can turn off this feature to enjoy the content on the device. Following are the steps to turn off the camera cut-out in the Galaxy S10 smartphone lineup. 1. In the first step, you will need to head to the Settings menu of your Samsung Galaxy S10 smartphone. 2. From the Settings menu go to the Full-Screen app option. 3. Once you will select the Full-screen app option you need to choose "Hide Front camera" tab. 4. Once the above procedure is completed the camera cut-out will be hidden behind a black bar. Samsung Galaxy S10 specifications and features: The premium Samsung Galaxy S10 flaunts a 6.1-inch AMOLED display panel that has a QHD+ resolution of 1440 x 3040 pixels. The display offers a maximum pixel density of 550ppi and has an aspect ratio of 19:9. The display is protected by a Corning Gorilla Glass 6 layer on top. The Galaxy S10 features a triple camera module at the rear with a 12MP (f/2.4 aperture) telephoto lens, a 12MP (f/1.5 aperture) lens with OIS support and a 16MP ultra-wide sensor with f/2.2 aperture. The smartphone runs on an octa-core Exynos 9820 chipset paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage which is expandable to up to 512GB via microSD card. The smartphone is fuelled by a 3,400mAH battery unit. 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 Gillette, WY (82718) Today Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 50F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 50F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Georgia is our homeland Exclusive interview with Muslim al-Shishani a.k.a Murad Margoshvili - GeorgianJournal There was a lot of research done at other waterfront communities to look at how the waters edge should be planned for and built, she said. They found that when there were rails, very often people, and especially children, would lean on the rails and fall in unintentionally. T3 names Georgia among 8 of the best adventure travel destinations for 2019 - GeorgianJournal On February 14th, the Hong Kong police announced that they had intercepted two passengers who were illegally transporting no less than forty kilos of rhinoceros horns. A sad record for smuggling by air This is the type of macabre discovery that should be avoided... On February 14th, customs in the Hong Kong International Airport explained in a statement having established a new sad record. After arresting two people, they unfortunately discovered in their luggage... forty kilos of rhinoceros horns! Traffic All in all, twenty-four horns were carefully hidden in the luggage, for a total value estimated at 780,000. The two smugglers intercepted by security forces arrived from the city of Johannesburg, South Africa, and were in transit to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, a country known to be one of the main markets for rhinoceros horn. Their loot was carefully hidden in cardboard boxes, according to the press release given to the press on February 15th. Profitable trade According to the ADM Capital Foundation, the philanthropic branch of the investment fund that bears the same name, this seizure turns out to be one-fifth of the amount of rhinoceros horns discovered in Hong Kong over the last five years. Sophie le Clue, head of the Foundation's environmental program, suggested that a large network of traffickers was behind this operation. Catching the culprits Still, for the authorities, it is very difficult to get their hands on the real culprits, the masterminds behind the international trafficking of rhinoceros horns. Indeed, within hubs that are airports or railway stations, customs officers usually only catch those known as mules, namely those responsible for transporting the goods from point A to point B, but who are only vaguely aware of the hierarchy whereby the traffic is organised. Take a look at the video above for more on this shocking discovery... Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. Food is universal, it connects different people and cultures. But how people enjoy, eat and talk about food varies widely, sparking some truly contentious food debates. Some shake people to their very core and cause quite a stir on social media. These food debates, in particular, have taken hold of the discourse around food, sparking countless fights and conversations. (Carolyn Menyes and Kaitlin Miller, The Daily Meal) Health_care top story Rock County first responders learn canine first aid Angela Major Paul McNamara, right, of Odin's Fund, a nonprofit that provides first aid training to canine handlers, examines Sasha, a Rock County Sheriffs Office police dog, as handler Deputy Nathan DeBoer watches Friday at MercyHealth Hospital and Trauma Center in Janesville. Angela Major Paul McNamara, left, tells emergency responders how to medically treat police dogs as Deputy Nathan DeBoer of the Rock County Sheriff's Office holds police dog Sasha on Friday at MercyHealth Hospital and Trauma Center, Janesville. Angela Major Rock County sheriff's Deputy Nathan DeBoer, right, brings his police dog, Sasha, into the medical training session Friday at MercyHealth Hospital and Trauma Center, Janesville. JANESVILLE Almost all the knowledge a paramedic uses to treat humans can be used to help an injured police dog. Most paramedics dont know that, said Paul McNamara, a veterinarian and owner of Odins Fund, a nonprofit that teaches canine first aid to first responders. McNamara demonstrated canine first aid for a packed room full of Rock County first responders Friday at Mercyhealth Hospital and Trauma Center in Janesville. His class teaches basic first aid that will help police dogs that are injured on the job. Police dogs face the same hazards as human officers: guns, knives, explosives, chemicals, insects and other threats. Dogs often approach a scene first, making them the most vulnerable, McNamara said. The opioid epidemic has exposed dogs and humans to even more danger because of substances such as carfentanyl, which can cause overdoses simply by touching it, McNamara said. Fridays class was one of the most impressive groups McNamara has trained, he said, because it included canine handlers, paramedics, doctors and other first responders who normally dont attend the training. The turnout showed the commitment local professionals have to police dogs and the community, he said. Many medical skills that stabilize humans before theyre transported to a hospital can also help police dogs, McNamara said. Likewise, many of the same drugs that help humans can be used on dogsjust in smaller doses. Rock County sheriffs Deputy Nathan DeBoer and his partner, Sasha, a German shepherd-Malinois mix, helped give a demonstration to the class Friday. McNamara used Sasha to show how to approach an injured police dog: give a visual examination, approach the dog from the front, give the dog a few pats and scratches for comfort and then begin care. Sasha let McNamara check her pulse and arteries. DeBoer then scooped up the large dog in both hands to show how a handler can calm a dog for an exam. Police dogs provide valuable services to law enforcement and the community. Treating humans is always the priority during an emergency, but helping a police dog preserves an important resource, McNamara said. Jennifer Gibson Chambers, an MD-1 physician, said police dogs provide another layer of safety to medical staff in dangerous scenarios. Parker McKenzie, a paramedic who works with Beloits Special Weapons and Tactics team, said he has never seen a police dog get hurt, but he was glad to know what do if that happened. He was surprised at how many of his paramedic skills transfer to animals. For her part, Sasha didnt seem nervous at all. She lay in DeBoers arms with her tongue out, tail wagging, loving the medical attention she was getting. There's good news to report today about snow in the mid-valley although if you've arisen today to see a fresh coating of the white stuff on area roads, you might not necessarily agree, at least not at first. We spend a lot of time editorially fretting about the status of the region's snowpack, especially considering there's not much we can do about it year to year. But there's still good reason to keep an eye on snowpack levels each winter: They're a good indicator of how our summer will go. Will our forests dry out weeks or months before they should, leading to yet another exceptionally busy fire season? Will farmers have adequate water supplies for irrigation? Will we have enough water to help drive a solid recreation and tourism season, with all the fishing and rafting and related activities that we enjoy in an Oregon summer? Just three weeks ago, there was reason for serious concern: Officials at the Natural Resources Conservation Service, which tracks the statewide numbers, said that snowpack statewide remains well below normal and one of the state's regions with particularly low numbers was the Willamette Valley basin, which had a snow water equivalent of about 54 percent of normal. And February typically is the last month when snowpack can accumulate in any serious way and forecasters were calling for a month that was colder than normal (check) and drier. Simmons said one of the most important lessons they try to teach students is knowing where the best exits are for everyplace they go. One of the mistakes he and Llanos made, he said, was trying to exit through the route they took into their dorm, instead of a set of stairs that were closer to their room. If they had evacuated by the most direct route, they might have escaped without the severe burns they experienced. He added that they also talk about when to evacuate: Some concrete dormitory buildings burn so slowly that it can actually be safer to shelter in a dorm room than evacuating, and it can be helpful for students to understand when sheltering in place might be appropriate. Simons said college students often feel invincible and never think something like this could happen to them. He said because he and Llanos were students themselves, they can speak about their experiences in a way that connects with students. This is not your average fire-safety program, he said. Simons added that he and Llanos also want to inspire students, by showing them that despite the severe burns they experienced, they have been able to go out in the world and make a difference. We also want to teach them that despite the adversity they face, they can overcome anything, he said. Anthony Rimel covers weekend events, education, courts and crime and can be reached at anthony.rimel@lee.net, 541-758-9526, or via Twitter @anthonyrimel. Love 10 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. March 5: Greater Albany Chamber of Commerce: Women in Business, 11:30 a.m., Holiday Inn Express & Suites Albany, 105 Opal Court. Andrea Beem of the Beem Team, Keller Williams, will present "The Leadership Mindset." Cost: $16 per chamber member; $25 per nonmember; includes lunch. Registration: albanychamber.com by Friday. March 7: Medicare seminar and luncheon, 11 a.m., Brookdale Heritage Plaza, 1560 Davidson St. SE, Albany. Alex Johnson of TrueLIFE Financial Solutions will discuss Medicare penalties, deadlines, and Parts A, B, C and D. RSVP: 541-926-6800. March 9: Greater Albany Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Awards Banquet, 5:30 p.m., Mid-Willamette Family YMCA, 3201 Pacific Blvd. SW. Awards will be announced for Junior First Citizen, Jim Linhart First Citizen, Distinguished Service, Legacy Award, and Small and Large Business or Organization. Cost: $70 per person for dinner, or $560 for a table of eight. Registration: albanychamber.com by Friday. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Fort Wayne, IN (46808) Today Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 69F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 69F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. 23rd February 2019 Privately funded Moon mission blasts off SpaceIL has launched its Beresheet probe, the world's first privately financed mission to the Moon. Oshratsl [CC BY-SA 4.0] SpaceIL is an Israeli firm, established in 2011 as a nonprofit organisation wishing to promote scientific and technological education. It has been competing alongside several other companies in the Google Lunar X Prize (GLXP) to land a spacecraft on the Moon. SpaceIL's budget for the mission is US$95 million, provided by philanthropists and the Israel Space Agency (ISA). The 160 kg lander they developed is officially named Beresheet (Hebrew: "Genesis"). In 2015, SpaceIL signed a contract for a launch from Cape Canaveral in Florida on a SpaceX Falcon 9 via Spaceflight Industries. Yesterday, it blasted off as a secondary payload (along with a telecom satellite, PSN-6) and is now in Earth orbit. If all goes according to plan, Beresheet will complete several orbits around the Earth and then slowly perform orbit raising. After 1.5 months, the probe will reach the Moon's area of influence, where it will perform manoeuvres to be captured in a lunar orbit. Eventually, it will decelerate until a soft landing is possible on 11th April 2019. If successful, Israel will become only the fourth country to land on the Moon, after the Soviet Union, United States and China. Beresheet is also the first private Moon lander and the first Israeli spacecraft to travel beyond Earth orbit. The mission will study the Moon's local magnetic field to help understand how it formed. It also carries a digital "time capsule" containing over 30 million pages of data including a full copy of the English-language Wikipedia. The planned landing site is at the north of Mare Serenitatis. The planned operational lifetime is only two days, as it has no thermal control and is expected to quickly overheat. "It was very difficult to raise money for this mission because it was really a mission impossible," said Morris Kahn, the project's main donor. "I didn't realise it was impossible and the three engineers who started this project didn't realise it was impossible, and the way we in Israel think, nothing is impossible. We dare to dream. And we really are making this dream come true." The mission's prime contractor, Israel Aerospace Industries, is now considering the commercial possibilities of building several such landers. Comments Have any questions? Please give us a call at 907-352-2250 With her dark blonde hair pulled in a ponytail, the woman who identified herself as Amy sat at the table in front of the crowd and seemed painfully uncomfortable in the spotlight. When it was her turn to talk, she described in gripping detail how she answered an ad at a strip club because she desperately needed money to care for her medically needy baby. Her second night there, a man who played himself off as a successful businessman, an average-looking white guy, approached and seemed to have the answer to all her troubles. She told him about being a single mom and living alone in Florida, without anyone to help with the bills. He said hed be her manager, book private parties and make sure she was OK. Shed make more money that way, he said, and when she had earned enough for her and her child, she could just walk away from it. The way he explained it made it seem legitimate, and I believed him. I fell for it, she said. This was all part of his plan. So was the part about breaking in the product. If you really want a license and cant cut it in the Commonwealth, you might want to try your luck in South Dakota, where the overall difficulty score came out to 42. In that state, it appears that test-takers who figure out the lights on a traffic signal are half way to passing the road test, which has only six elements. Mudd Tavern Road closures scheduled Drivers who use Mudd Tavern Road in Thornburg should plan for delays this week. Weather permitting, all traffic on that road will be stopped for 10 minutes a pop Monday and Tuesday for work around the Interstate 95 overpass, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. The stoppages will happen from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Also next week, there will be periodic one-way traffic and flagging operations on Mudd Tavern Road, Mallard Road and Dominion Avenue next week, according to local VDOT spokeswoman Darragh Frye. Crews will be installing mast arms for three new traffic signal as part of the project on the overpass and exit ramps. It all seemed so harmless in the beginning. Some teenage girls went to a movie at the mall, where a nice-looking, well-mannered young man introduced himself to one of them. The two exchanged phone numbers and Facebook information. They started an online friendship. The girl's mother, Susan Young, had no reason to be concerned. "After all, how much trouble can you get into over a text?" Young, who serves as a technical adviser with Just Ask, a McLean-based organization focused on educating others about human trafficking, was about to find out. She eventually learned her daughter, Courtney, was being lured into sex trafficking. That nice young man turned out to be a 20-year-old with a criminal record, a member of the MS-13 gang. He had targeted Courtney when she was a rising ninth-grader, about to enter high school. Under his influence, Courtney transitioned from distant to rebellious and deceitful. She pulled away from her childhood friends, and her grades dropped. When her parents tried to talk with her or suggested she see a counselor, Courtney "interpreted our advice as dictating how to run her life," her mother said. "Little did we know that a gang was brainwashing her, telling her that if her family really loved her, they'd accept who she was." Yext plans to occupy the top three floors of 1101 Wilson Blvd. and display its logo on the Rosslyn skyline near buildings occupied by Deloitte, CEB and Nestle. The publicly traded company specializes in digital knowledge management technology, which small and large businesses use to connect their information to more than 150 digital platforms that consumers use to look up information about local businesses. Companies including Marriott, T-Mobile and Ben & Jerry's use it to ensure that information about store locations, hours and product information are fully and accurately represented on platforms such as Google Maps, Facebook and Instagram. Most of the company's customers come from the financial services and health-care industries. Lerman gushes about the company's mission to "get the truth online everywhere" by ensuring that consumer information comes directly from the source. The company is looking to fill the ranks at its Rosslyn office with not only engineers and software developers, but also those with an expertise in advertising and digital marketing. The company will remain headquartered in New York, but the Rosslyn venture is a bit of a homecoming for Lerman. Tint World Honors Franchise Owners, Plans Ahead for 2019 Success National Automotive Styling Centers awards franchisees at 11th International Franchise Convention February 25, 2019 // Franchising.com // BOCA RATON, Fla. - Tint World Automotive Styling Centers, a leading auto customization and window tinting franchise, honored their top performing franchise owners at its 11th annual International Franchise Convention held Feb. 17-19 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando Florida. The convention featured a vendor trade show, seminars and training, while an awards banquet on Feb. 19 recognized top-performing franchises. This years theme was Play to Win, and attendees learned best practices to boost sales and run their stores more efficiently. In 2018, Tint World reported an increase of chainwide sales of more than 27% percent from 2017 to 2018, and an increase in store locations from 54 in 2017 to 68 in 2018. The company also entered the growing United Arab Emirates market with its first store in Dubai. There are currently 21 more locations in development across the United States and Canada.The convention is an annual highlight for the Tint World family, said Charles J. Bonfiglio, CEO of Tint World. Our owners have the opportunity to grow and learn from each other as we come together to celebrate the previous years successes and plan ahead for the future. Franchise owners have an opportunity to have one-on-one time with vendors, but they also have one-on-time with each other. The Tint World family is constantly growing, and the exchange of ideas during this convention re-energizes our team every year. Tint World presented the following awards in recognition of achievments earned throughout the 2018 business year: Franchise of The Year - Acey and Kerri Light, Lubbock, Texas - Acey and Kerri Light, Lubbock, Texas Best Performing Franchise - Jeff and Penny Rackley, The Colony, Texas - Jeff and Penny Rackley, The Colony, Texas Best Performing Franchise - John and Carole Anhalt, Webster, Texas - John and Carole Anhalt, Webster, Texas Best Performing Franchise - Randy Silver and Austin Silver, Cary, North Carolina - Randy Silver and Austin Silver, Cary, North Carolina Most Improved Franchise - Pedro Flores, Midland, Texas - Pedro Flores, Midland, Texas Most Improved Franchise - Abdul Afaghani and Sultan Alafghani, Santa Clara, California - Abdul Afaghani and Sultan Alafghani, Santa Clara, California Most Improved Franchise - Patrick McNiven, Boca Raton and Hollywood, Florida - Patrick McNiven, Boca Raton and Hollywood, Florida First Franchise to Exceed $1 Million in Sales the First Year - Santiago and Dominica Rojas, Massapesqua Park, New York - Santiago and Dominica Rojas, Massapesqua Park, New York Local Marketing Impact - Pete and Barbra Muller, Longwood, Florida - Pete and Barbra Muller, Longwood, Florida Franchise Mentor of the Year - Xan Owens, Morgan Hill, California - Xan Owens, Morgan Hill, California Top Gun Franchise - Tim and Stacy Kjaer, Medford, New York - Tim and Stacy Kjaer, Medford, New York New Franchise Ambassador of the Year - Mike Richards and Rodney Thiel, Grapevine, Texas - Mike Richards and Rodney Thiel, Grapevine, Texas Area Developer of the Year - Danny Shenko, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Tim and Stacy Kjaer, co-owners of the Medford/Long Island, New York store, along with manager Kurt Kaufman were once again honored for being in the $2 Million Club. Members of the $1 Million Club included Rodney Thiel and Mike Richards, owner of the Grapevine, Texas store, Danny Shenko and Mike Rogers, of the Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, location; Acey and Kerri Light, owners of the Lubbock, Texas store and Santiago and Dominica Rojas, owners of the Massapequa Park, New York store. In addition to these awards, thirty-two Tint World owners were recognized as part of the 5-Star Program, which is a comprehensive pathway for franchise owners to improve operations and increase sales. Tint World also honored ARC Audio with the Vendor of the Year Award. Many of our franchise owners performed exceedingly well in 2018, said Paul Pirro, executive vice president of Tint World. We had several stores that deserved to be recognized as best performing franchises, as well as several other stores that had improved a tremendous amount, earning them the title of most improved. Tint World franchise owners are extremely driven and passionate about what they do, and its always a pleasure to see them recognized for their hard work. Tint World Automotive Styling Centers offer sales and installation of auto accessories, mobile electronics, audio video equipment, security systems, custom wheels and tire packages, window tinting, vehicle wraps, paint protection films, detailing services, nano ceramic coatings, maintenance and repair services, and more. Tint World is also the leading provider of residential, commercial and marine computerized window tinting and security film services with locations throughout the U.S. and abroad, with franchise opportunities available worldwide. About Tint World Founded in 1982, Tint World has grown to become an award-winning franchised provider of automotive styling, residential, commercial and marine window tinting and security film services. With Automotive Styling Centers in the U.S. and abroad, each franchise location houses approximately 20 profit centers, ranging from in-store accessory installations to off-site sales and installation of residential, commercial and marine window tinting and security films. To find out more, please visit www.tintworld.com. Media Contact: Heather Ripley Ripley PR 865-977-1973 hripley@ripleypr.com SOURCE Tint World ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Home Helpers CEO Receives Prestigious Franchising Award Emma Dickison Named 2019 Crystal Compass Honoree at IFA2019 February 25, 2019 // Franchising.com // LAS VEGAS - Emma Dickison, CEO and President of Home Helpers Home Care, has received the International Franchise Associations (IFA) 2019 Crystal Compass, recognizing outstanding leadership in the franchising industry. The Crystal Compass is presented by the IFAs Womens Franchise Committee each year during the Associations annual leadership meeting. This years event, IFA2019, is being held in Las Vegas February 24 - 27. Each year, IFAs Womens Franchise Committee selects one individual in the franchise community who has exemplified the organizations ideals of leadership and community involvement. To be considered for the Crystal Compass, professionals must have demonstrated significant contributions to their own organizations as well as to the franchising industry and the communities they serve. Dickison has been president of Cincinnati-based Home Helpers Home Care since 2008. She was named CEO with the companys acquisition by Linsalata Capital Partners (LinCap) in February 2016. With more than 25 years experience in franchise leadership, she played a role in building two of the industrys most iconic franchise brands. While at Blockbuster during the companys heyday, Dickison saw the brand grow from 150 stores to 8,800 worldwide. She also helped fuel similar growth at Sylvan Learning Center. Shes a Certified Franchise Executive, Certified Senior Advisor, co-chair of the Southwest Ohio Womens Franchise Chapter, a Board of Director with the Home Care Association of America, a former board member of the Womens Franchise and Distribution Forum, and an active affiliate of the International Franchise Association. About Home Helpers Home Care Since1997, Home Helpers Home Care has provided exceptional in-home care to seniors and others. With independently owned and operated offices in more than 1,000 communities across the United States, we are committed to supporting the dignity and independence of the families we serve. Learn more at HomeHelpersHomeCare.com. Home Helpers is committed to recruiting veterans and service family members as owners, managers, administrators and at all levels in our network. Learn more athomehelpershomecare.com/military. About the International Franchise Association Celebrating 58 years of excellence, education and advocacy, the International Franchise Association is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the more than 733,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 7.6 million direct jobs, $674.3 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy and 2.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology and business development. Media Contact: Daniel Lally Powers Agency 513.763.1535 dlally@PowersAgency.com SOURCE Home Helpers Home Care ### Add to Request List Added Request Information Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Cauldron Ice Cream Opening Its First Texas Location in Dallas The popular California-based dessert concept will arrive in Dallas on Saturday, with plans for future expansion DALLAS, TX - Cauldron Ice Cream, the rapidly growing California-based scoop shop known for its made-to-order nitrogen ice cream, innovative flavors, and viral OG Puffle Cone, will open doors at its first Texas location on Saturday, March 2, in Dallas (3001 Knox Street #103). The new location will host a grand opening celebration from 3 10 p.m., offering exclusive Cauldron Ice Cream merchandise and giveaways to the first 100 people in line. The newly launched Fluffypuff, a Japanese fluffy pancake ice cream sandwich, will also be available at the new store. "The quality, taste, and unforgettable customer experience that Cauldron Ice Cream offers is unlike anything we have seen or experienced in Dallas, said franchisee Sonya Ali. As a foodie haven, Dallas is the perfect location for this first scoop shop. Were excited to expand and bring our passion for unique, creative flavors to the rest of the Lone Star State. The Dallas location is the first to open in the Texas area under Cauldron Dallas Group, a franchise collective. The group is exploring prospective locations for the second Cauldron Ice Cream store to open in the greater Dallas area by the end of the year, with plans to open a total of five locations in the next two years. Despite only joining the scene in 2015, Cauldron Ice Cream quickly made a splash in the media with features in Cosmopolitan, People Magazine, Food Network, and more for its creative flavor offerings and unique presentation. The concepts small batch flavors include a mixture of unique mainstays, like Earl Grey Lavender, Milk and Cereal, and H20 Rose, while also offering seasonally rotating flavors to keep the menu fresh and intriguing. The ice cream is served as traditional or rose-shaped scoops in Cauldron Ice Creams signature OG Puffle Cone, an egg-based waffle cone inspired by a popular Hong Kong street snack. Cauldron Ice Cream currently operates locations in Santa Ana, Artesia, Glendale, Pasadena, Temple City, Chino Hills and Irvine, with more than 20 units coming to Canada, Texas and California. Cauldron Ice Cream is partnered with Fransmart, the industry-leading franchise development company behind the explosive growth of brands like Five Guys Burgers and Fries, The Halal Guys, and Qdoba Mexican Grill, as their exclusive franchise development partner to grow the brand. The concept is currently looking for experienced multi-unit foodservice operators to develop franchise territories in major markets. To learn more and stay up-to-date on the latest happenings, find Cauldron Ice Cream on Facebook and Instagram. About Cauldron Ice Cream Despite only joining the scene in 2015, Cauldron Ice Cream quickly made a splash in the media with features in Cosmopolitan, People Magazine, Food Network, and more for its creative flavor offerings and unique presentation. The concepts small batch flavors include a mixture of unique mainstays, like Earl Grey Lavender, Milk and Cereal, and H20 Rose, while also offering seasonally rotating flavors to keep the menu fresh and intriguing. The ice cream is served as traditional or rose-shaped scoops in Cauldron Ice Creams signature OG Puffle Cone, an egg-based waffle cone inspired by a popular Hong Kong street snack. For more information about Cauldron Ice Cream, visit www.cauldronicecream.com. About Fransmart Fransmart is the global leader in franchise development, turning emerging restaurant concepts into national and global brands for over 10 years. Company founder Dan Rowe identified and grew brands like Five Guys Burgers & Fries and QDOBA Mexican Grill from 1-5 unit businesses to the powerhouse chains they are today. Fransmarts current and past franchise development portfolio brands have opened more than 5,000 restaurants in 45 states and 35 countries. Fransmart and their partner brands are committed to franchise development growth. For more information, visit www.fransmart.com. SOURCE Cauldron Ice Cream ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus ENOREE, SC (FOX Carolina)- Deputies with the Spartanburg County sheriff's office say they found two juveniles in a residence that was in "extreme disarray" when they arrested a woman for meth possession on Monday. In this file photo, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) delivers remarks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center on July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Please either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin. (CNN) -- President Donald Trump announced Monday that the United States has recovered Danny Burch, an American citizen who was being held hostage in Yemen for the last year and a half. "It is my honor today to announce that Danny Burch, a United States citizen who has been held hostage in Yemen for 18 months, has been recovered and reunited with his wife and children," Trump tweeted. "I appreciate the support of the United Arab Emirates in bringing Danny home. Danny's recovery reflects the best of what the United States & its partners can accomplish." He continued, "We work every day to bring Americans home. We maintain constant and intensive diplomatic, intelligence, and law enforcement cooperation within the United States Government and with our foreign partners. Recovering American hostages is a priority of my Admin, and with Danny's release, we have now secured freedom for 20 American captives since my election victory. We will not rest as we continue our work to bring the remaining American hostages back home!" Burch, according to The New York Times, is an American oil worker who had spent years working as an engineer for a Yemeni oil company when he was abducted in Sanaa, Yemen, in 2017. According to Reuters, Iran-aligned Houthi forces were behind Burch's kidnapping. The President's announcement of Burch's recovery came as he traveled to Vietnam for his upcoming summit with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un. A home in Satsuma was riddled with bullets, leaving a 53-year-old woman wounded. "That's where some of the bullets went through right there," Leo Crook Jr. said as he pointed to multiple bullet holes at the front of his home. "It took forever to stop." On Monday morning, Crook walked through his home on Thomas Drive looking at each of the bullet holes, trying to make sense of who would do this to his family and why. "I ran and got a cup of coffee and went into the bedroom. My sisters were still in the kitchen cooking," he said. "It was all smokey out and they tried to get out of the kitchen and that's when my sister got shot, trying to run out of there." Satsuma Police Chief Clint Harrell says his department is working hard trying to answer the questions Crook's family has. He says they're looking for several people of interest in the case, one of them is Terrell Lee. According to Harrell, Lee is also wanted for a previous assault charge. "We just do know that he has victimized someone who resides in that house in the past, which is why he's gone to the top of our suspect list," Harrell said. "And because we have active warrants for him we are actively looking for him at this time, but there are several other individuals we are scheduled to interview before we can really name our chief suspect in this specific case." This violent crime happened less than 72 hours after another shooting in the quiet community. Although the two shootings are not related, Chief Harrell wants residents to know his officers are putting in extra hours to solve both crimes and continue to protect and serve. "We still believe that this is a safe community, we haven't wavered in that at all. We do believe these were isolated incidents. they weren't just random acts of violence, they were targeted at specific individuals, so overall we still believe this is one of the safest places in Alabama." If you know where Lee is, you're asked to call the Satsuma police department. A single vehicle crash at 3:15 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 24, claimed the life of an Enterprise woman. Lindsey Brooke Jensen, 22, was killed when the 2017 Hyundai Elantra she was riding in left the roadway and struck a bridge piling. Authorities say Jensen was pronounced dead on scene. The driver, Robert Earl Whatley, 23, of New Brockton, was injured and transported to D.W. McMillian Hospital. The crash occurred on Interstate 65 at the 70 mile marker, 10 miles west of Flomaton. Nothing further is available as Alabama State Troopers continue to investigate The Navy League of Mobile, the Alabama State Port Authority and GulfQuest Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico will host this years Mardi Gras Ships, the USS JAMES E. WILLIAMS (DDG 95) and the USCG CUTTER MANOWAR. The USS JAMES E. WILLIAMS will berth at the Alabama State Port Authoritys Pier 2 Terminal located on Water Street, downtown, Mobile, Ala. The USCG CUTTER MANOWAR will berth at GulfQuest located on South Water Street, downtown Mobile. The Navy ship, whose motto is Lead from the Front, should begin transiting the Mobile Ship Channel shortly after daybreak the morning of March 1, 2019, with an anticipated arrival at Pier 2 sometime around 11:00 am. CST. The USS JAMES E WILLIAMS (DDG 95) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. The ship was named for First Class Petty Officer James Elliott Williams (19301999), a River Patrol Boat commander and Medal of Honor recipient from the Vietnam War who is considered the most decorated enlisted man in Navy history. Commissioned on December 11, 2004, Northrop Grumman Ship Systems built the USS JAMES E WILLIAMS at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula. The ships leadership includes Commander Joseph E. Fals, as her Commanding Officer, Commander Christopher Norris, as her Executive Officer, and Command Master Chief, Vernon Al Milligan, as her Command Master Chief. Learn more at https://www.public.navy.mil/surflant/ddg95/Pages/default.aspx The USCGC MANOWAR is a Marine Protector class of coastal patrol boats of the United States Coast Guard. The 87-foot-long vessels are based on the Stan 2600 design by Damen Group, and built by Bollinger Shipyards of Lockport, Louisiana. Each boat is named after a marine predator. This vessel class, which can reach speeds of 26 knots, carry a mission to combat drug smuggling, illegal immigration, marine fisheries enforcement and search and rescue support. Since the September 11, 2001 attacks, many have a homeland security mission in the form of ports, waterways and coastal security (PWCS) patrols. The Commanding Officer of the MANOWAR is LTJG Julia Mundy. The motto of the U.S. Coast Guard is Semper Paratus, meaning Always Ready. USS JAMES E WILLIAMS (DDG 95) Welcome Ceremony and Public Tours Info Welcome Ceremony: 11:00 am, CST, Friday, March 1, 2019. Alabama State Port Authority, Pier 2. Gates open at 9:30 am (CST). Public Tours: March 2-5, 2019 between the hours of 8:00 am - 11:00 am and 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (CST) Pier 2 Terminal, downtown Mobile. The gate entrance is located on the north side of the Mobile Convention Center on Water Street, Downtown Mobile. USCGC MANOWAR Public Tours Info March 2-3, 2019 between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm (CST) at the GulfQuest Maritime Museum, 155 S Water Street, in downtown Mobile. Since the beginning of the year, teachers have already gone on strike in Los Angeles, Denver, West Virginia, and Oakland, Calif. In three of those strikes, principals were charged with running their buildings while teachers were out on the picket line. In Los Angeles, they were also expected to teach classes while juggling their regular dutiesa job that already keeps most principals occupied for more than 60 hours a week, on average. The decision by districts to keep schools open is putting principals in a bind. Many school leaders, who are former teachers, support their teachers calls for higher pay, more education funding, and additional counselors and social workers. But they also have a duty to keep students safe and ensure that they are learning. I want to emphasize that the principals job, fundamentally, is to make sure children are safe and are educated, said Judith Perez, a retired principal in the Los Angeles school system, who served two terms as president of the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, which represents the districts principals and other administrators. And they have to have a positive environmentand that means supporting teachers. So, its challenging on all levels. They were really stressed by the circumstances and feeling very much alone and isolated in handling it. So given the demands on principals during these emergency situations and the inherent tension between supporting their striking staff and upholding their duty to keep students safe and learning, what can districts do to make the job more manageable during a strike? Close Schools If Possible Ernest Logan, a former principal in New York City who now serves as president of the American Federation of School Administrators, said that districts should close schools when teachers are striking if they are not safe and secure. Its a farce to represent that there will be meaningful instruction taking place inside the school buildings when the majority of the teaching staff is on the picket line and principals are expected to juggle administrative and classroom teaching duties, he said. Los Angeles Unified kept its schools open during a six-day strike last month. That prompted the principals union to ask the district to shut down schools two days into the strike after it got several complaints, including one from a principal who encountered expletives from picketing teachers while trying to enter their schools. Others emailed about insufficient staff to help them manage the workload. Denver also kept schools open during a teachers strike earlier this month, and on the first day, a student at East High School sent a video to the Denver Post showing students dancing in the hallways, and students painted a chaotic scene to the paper. And Oakland schools planned to stay open during its first teacher strike in more than two decades, which started Thursday, though the principals union has called on the district to close schools during the duration of the strike. The United Administrators of Oakland Schools has expressed its support for teachers, and 75 principals signed a public letter supporting their demands, including higher pay for teachers and more state education funding. More than two dozen principals boarded a bus to the state capitol in Sacramento, the day before the start of the strike, to lobby legislators for more funding, including forgiving a $36 million state loan to the district dating to 2003. Principals manned schools with fewer students in Oakland on Thursday. In a statement issued before the strike, principals union president Lauran Waters-Cherry, and executive director JoAnna Lougin, said they would monitor the situation in schools during the strike, but urged the district to abandon the notion that students can learn, and schools will function without professional teachers, and the supports of our counselors, psychologists, librarians, speech pathologists, social workers, early childhood and adult education teachers. Logan agreed. I believe that we should close schools, if its not a safe and secure environment, he said. All we are doing is babysitting those kids, thats what we are doing. There is no meaningful instruction going on. If Districts Keep Schools Open, Be Transparent About Why Since meaningful instruction is not going to taking place, districts should be honest with parents and the community about why they are keeping schools open: Because schools have often become the only place where some children get two meals a day and a warm place to stay, Logan said. The question the public needs to ask, If we are not having instruction, then why did we have the schools open? Because there is a greater social need more so than education[al] need, he said. Districts have a powerful incentive to remain open during strikes with millions of dollars at stake. When schools are shut down, funding tied in part to average daily attendance is lost. Dan Domenech, the executive director of the AASA, the School Superintendents Association, acknowledged that schools are open during the strikes because families have become dependent on schools. It would be easier to close schools during a strike, but doing so would leave many kids hungry and without supervision, he said. It is certainly not an optimum situation, Domenech said. But the principals are going to do the best that they can, he said. Everybody in the building is going to do the best that they can. But can you say Well, this is fine; this is OK? It isnt ... Its just a short-term solution to a problem that needs to be resolved. Respond to Changing Dynamics on the Ground Districts can think that they have dotted all their Is and crossed all their Ts as they prepare for the work stoppage, but very few things ever go according to plan. They must be able to respond in the moment to feedback from principals. While Los Angeles Unified hired 1,400 substitutes and sent 2,000 district administrators to help principals, the support staff members and substitutes were not evenly distributed. Some schools had too many administrators, while others did not have enough assistance, according to the local administrators union. Principals complained about the long work daysthey were arriving at school at 5:30 a.m. and leaving later than they normally did. Staff was stretched to the limit. The working conditions were untenable before the strike. The situation is now impossible. Learning is not happening. Schools should have been closed, one principal wrote to Juan Flecha, the president of the Los Angeles administrators union. Flecha asked the district to address all concerns that principals raised, but also urged officials to close the schools if those issues couldnt be addressed. The schools remained open for the duration of the strike. Keep Principals in The Loop Before and During The Strike As district representatives, principals are the main conduit of information from the central officeto students, parents, and the wider communityand they must walk a fine line in what they can say, even when they are not always privy to the details of the negotiations. During a strike, they often have to reassure parents that schools are safe. But very often principals dont know whats happening behind the scenes and lack critical information that parents want to know, like how long the strike will last and when teachers will return to school. And because they must maintain the trust of their parents and the community, they shouldnt be forced to parrot the central offices talking points. District officials must give principals accurate information, as much as is legally allowednot just talking pointsduring the strike. And those messages should be conveyed in writing to principals and given to them before teachers walk out. Perez said that a standing committee that sets guidelines for what principals need to know and do during a strike would go a long way to alleviate the anxiety and stress. Perez experienced two strikes during her career in Los Angeles, and she recalled that during the 1989 teachers strike, the district sent communications to the school administrators that included tips on what to do in various situations, Q & As, and contacts to call in various scenarios. I think what applies in LAUSD applies as much anywhere else there is a strike, where principals need to be clear on what is expected; what to communicate to parents; what to say to concerned community members; how to ensure the safety of the children and the staff members in the school; what they do if they have a question, whom do they call; how do they deal with an emergency, with questions and answers, Perez said. And that needs to be provided to them well in advance. Its simply because its just a different situation from what they do on a day-to-day basis. And they need to feel like they can manage it. Pay Principals for the Extra Time They Work Before and During a Strike If schools are open during strikes, principals must show up. They are barred from striking in many states, and they cant disobey a direct order from their superintendents without repercussions, Logan said. In many cases, principals do not have any recourse. They could file a grievance against the district for changing working conditions, but that may only lead to discord and does not address the underlying conditions that led teachers to walk out in the first place, Logan said. As such, principals should be paid for the extra work and additional hours they put in before and during the strikes, said Perez, the former Los Angeles principals union head. Principals in Los Angeles reported spending weekends and nights before and during the strike to prepare lesson plans for classes they had to teach. The compensation will be not be a significant sum of money, but its a sign of respect and appreciation for those who dealt with extremely tough situations on behalf of the district for no thanks or appreciation, Perez said. And that goes a bit in the direction of providing that recognition and support. Caption: Teachers and supporters at a rally at Frank Ogawa Plaza in front of City Hall in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. Teachers in Oakland, California, went on strike Thursday in the countrys latest walkout by educators over classroom conditions and pay. --Jeff Chiu/AP Related Quote: crawlin-kingsnake Originally Posted by Yeah, saw that on their site. My shop guy also didnt recommend 15W40 (too thinn in summer), but said to stick with the dino GL-4 80W90, thats in there right now. He also said that its probably a slightly worn synchro with them sticking when cold. I used Addinol dino 80W-90 GL-4. Addinol is a german brand and the GL-4 I picked is approved for synchronized manual transmissions. In contrast to the widespread automatic transmissions over at yours, the majority of our cars and trucks have manual transmissions, so I hope our guys know what oils they are developing. Ill probably use a Novak master rebuild kit and overhaul the gear box when its out of the truck one day Im attending the worn flywheel. GL-4 or GL-5 will be ok in a T-19. The GL-5 rating is for extreme pressure and high velocity applications. From what I can gather GL-5 superseded GL-4 and for the past 20 years or so has been used in manual transmissions with no degradation of yellow metals. Additional sulpher in the GL-5 formulations is used to protect the gears better than GL-4. Some people are saying that sulpher is attracted to the synchros and can damage them. Others say that yes the sulpher is attracted but does not damage the synchros, there may be some color change but it wont damage the yellow metals. Damage to synchros is more likely caused from hard shifting and improper clutch operation.Because of the controversy over the possible damage to synchros from GL-5, some oil companies have come out with a GL-4 product that has been reformulated for use specifically in manual transmissions. This is more of a marketing tactic than a big deal for synchro wear. These reformulated GL-4 lubes for transmissions are probably good.I like the idea of extra gear protection offered by the GL-5. I don't think it will eat the synchros. May change the color as the sulpher adheres to the yellow metals but wearing them out has not been a problem you can trace to the lube. A recent report said that Samsung is expected to launch new Samsung Galaxy A Series smartphones on February 28th. Now the company has started teasing the new Galaxy A series on its social channels and its website. This shows the base model with single rear camera and without a fingerprint scanner, which should be A10, another model with dual rear camera and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, which should be A30, and the top-end A50 that surfaced recently has triple rear cameras, in-display fingerprint scanner and Infinity U FHD+ Super AMOLED display. Are your ready for some spectacular recaps? Create stunning stories with Hyperlapse on the all-new #GalaxyA series. Coming soon! #ReadyAction Learn more: https://t.co/KQ62adOmR2 pic.twitter.com/U2Ddpk7lWN Samsung Mobile India (@SamsungMobileIN) February 24, 2019 Samsung is also teasing ultra-wide camera, slow-mo and fast charging for the A50. We should know the official launch date later this week. Samsung Galaxy A50 rumored specifications 6.4-inch (2340 x 1080 pixels) Full HD+ Infinity-U Super AMOLED display 2.3 GHz Octa-Core Exynos 9610 10nm processor with Mali-G72 GPU 4GB RAM with 64GB storage / 6GB RAM with 128GB Storage, expandable up to 512GB via micro SD card Dual SIM 25MP rear camera with LED flash, f/1.7 aperture, 5MP depth sensor with f/2.2 aperutre, 8MP ultra-wide angle camera with f/2.2 aperture 25MP front camera with f/2.0 aperture In-display Fingerprint sensor Dimension:158.5 x 74.5 x7.7mm 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5, GPS + GLONASS 4000mAh battery with 15W fast charging Samsung Galaxy A30 rumored specifications 6.4-inch (2340 x 1080 pixels) Full HD+ Infinity-U Super AMOLED display 1.8GHz Octa-Core Exynos 7904 14nm processor with Mali-G71 GPU 3GB RAM with 32GB storage / 4GB RAM with 64GB Storage, expandable up to 512GB via micro SD card Dual SIM 16MP rear camera with LED flash, f/1.9 aperture, 5MP ultra-wide angle camera with f/2.2 aperture 16MP front camera with f/1.9 aperture Fingerprint sensor Dimension:158.5 x 74.5 x7.7mm 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5, GPS + GLONASS 4000mAh battery with 15W fast charging Samsung Galaxy A10 rumored Specifications 6.2-inch (1520 720 pixels) HD+ Infinity-V display Octa-Core Exynos 7884B processor 3GB RAM, 32GB Storage, expandable up to 512GB via micro SD card Android 9.0 (Pie) with Samsung Experience UI Dual SIM 13MP rear camera with LED flash, f/1.9 aperture 5MP front camera with f/2.0 aperture Face Unlock Dimension:155.6 x 75.6 x 7.94mm 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5, GPS + GLONASS 4000mAh battery Situs Judi Slot Online Terbaik Indonesia Situs Judi Slot Online yang telah lama muncul di perjudian situs judi online slot pada saat kemajuan teknologi dan zaman mengalami perubahan besar oleh karena itu sistem judi game online sekarang masuk ke dunia digital. 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By Jorge Silva HANOI (Reuters) - Dozens of North Korean security men with identical haircuts and suits marched off an aircraft at Hanoi airport on Sunday, as Vietnamese soldiers searched through shrubbery outside a posh hotel in the city centre days before a North Korea-U.S. summit. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. By Jorge Silva HANOI (Reuters) - Dozens of North Korean security men with identical haircuts and suits marched off an aircraft at Hanoi airport on Sunday, as Vietnamese soldiers searched through shrubbery outside a posh hotel in the city centre days before a North Korea-U.S. summit. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump will meet in Hanoi on Wednesday and Thursday, hoping to build on a commitment they made at their first meeting, in Singapore in June, to rid the Korean peninsula of nuclear bombs. They are expected to meet for their second summit in Hanoi's Government Guesthouse, an elegant, colonial-era building in the city centre, or at the nearby Metropole Hotel, sources have told Reuters. Vietnam has confirmed that Kim will arrive for an official goodwill visit as well as the summit with Trump, but has released no further details regarding the location of meetings. A Reuters witness saw Vietnamese soldiers in camouflaged fatigues sweeping the area around the Metropole with a metal detector. Its potted plants were thoroughly checked. Teams of soldiers were also seen busy on nearby rooftops, installing radio devices and equipment under camouflaged webbing. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has ordered that security should be a top priority for the summit, the government said in a post on its website. The Southeast Asian country is relishing its role as peace maker, seeing it as an opportunity to burnish its international standing and balance it foreign ties. Vietnam has pushed U.S. and North Korean security services to work closely to prepare for the summit, a senior Vietnamese security official told Reuters. Media published photographs taken at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport showing a North Korean cargo plane with its loading door open and the security men filing off onto the tarmac. Some banners proclaiming the summit have gone up along Hanoi's tree-lined streets and some lamp posts are decked with North Korean, Vietnamese and U.S. flags fluttering above a handshake design, but apart from that, for now at least, life goes on as normal. Motorists have been warned to expect road closures when the leaders are in town. Security at the train station in the town of Dang Dong, on the Chinese border where Kim is expected arrive by train, has also been stepped up. Vietnamese soldiers were seen patrolling its streets on Sunday. (Additional reporting by Mai Nguyen, Khanh Vu, Kham Nguyen; Writing by James Pearson; Editing by Robert Birsel) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. DOHA (Reuters) - The latest round of peace talks between the United States and the Taliban will begin in Doha this week and include Taliban political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Qatar said on Sunday, despite earlier reports suggesting his absence. The talks are expected to centre around a ceasefire to end America's longest war and the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan, and are expected begin on Feb. DOHA (Reuters) - The latest round of peace talks between the United States and the Taliban will begin in Doha this week and include Taliban political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Qatar said on Sunday, despite earlier reports suggesting his absence. The talks are expected to centre around a ceasefire to end America's longest war and the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan, and are expected begin on Feb. 25, according to diplomatic sources. U.S. officials have been keen to negotiate with Baradar, hoping the Taliban's co-founder and military veteran would add momentum and have the clout to discuss tough issues surrounding the end of the 17-year war. Baradar was released from a Pakistani jail in October and his appointment was widely seen as marking a new push by the Taliban to emerge from the political and diplomatic shadows. The talks will be led on the U.S. side by United States Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad, the foreign ministry statement said. U.S. officials said that last month's talks in Doha had seen the most significant progress to date but that major sticking points remained over the timing of a ceasefire. The Taliban have snubbed recent Afghan government attempts to participate, as well as an offer by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to open a Taliban office in Afghanistan, with the group pushing instead for international recognition of its Doha office. Some 14,000 U.S. troops are based in Afghanistan as part of a U.S.-led NATO mission to train, assist and advise Afghan forces. Some U.S. forces also carry out counter-terrorism operations. The push for peace comes as the Taliban, ousted by U.S.-led forces in 2001, have staged near daily attacks and are in control of or contesting districts across nearly half the country. The foreign presence in Afghanistan has been sharply reduced since its peak at more than 130,000 troops including 100,000 Americans in 2010. More than 2,300 Americans have died in Afghanistan and more than 1,100 troops from more than two dozen allied countries, including more than 450 British soldiers. The United Nations, which has tallied civilian deaths since 2009, had counted nearly 30,000 by 2017. Tens of thousands of members of the Afghan security forces and an unknown number of insurgents have also died. (Reporting by Eric Knecht; Editing by Peter Graff) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. He also said that if Pakistan will attack India with one atomic bomb then the neighbouring country could finish us by attacking with 20 bombs Abu Dhabi: Former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has rejected the prospects of any nuclear attack from Pakistan on India even after the relations between the two nuclear countries have reached "dangerous level". He also said that if Pakistan will attack India with one atomic bomb then the neighbouring country could finish us by attacking with 20 bombs, reported Dawn. Addressing the press conference in UAE on Friday, Musharraf said: "Indian and Pakistan relations have again reached a dangerous level. They will be no nuclear attack. If we would attack India with one atomic bomb, then the neighbouring country could finish us by attacking with 20 bombs. Then the only solution is that we should first attack them with 50 atom bombs so that they cannot hit us with 20 bombs. Are you ready to first launch an attack with 50 bombs." The former president's comment comes on the heels of Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama after a Pakistan-sponsored JeM terrorist rammed an IED-laden vehicle into a convoy of the security forces. The former president said that for establishing a relationship with Tel Aviv, who has long-standing ties with Delhi, "there was a need to break the alliance between India and Israel, and Pakistan could do it very easily." He also claimed that Israel wanted to establish relations with Pakistan. The chief of All-Pakistan Muslim League (APML), who is living in self-exile in UAE, is ready to return to Pakistan as he sees the political environment in his country favourable. "In my opinion, the political environment is good and favourable. Half of the [present] ministers are mine. [The] law minister and the (incumbent) attorney general were my lawyers," said Musharraf. Musharraf took power in 1999 following a military coup that ousted former President Nawaz Sharif. By James Macharia and Ahmed Kingimi ABUJA/MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) - Nigeria began counting votes in Saturday's closely-fought presidential election although the electoral commission extended voting in some places where polling stations opened late or ballot machines malfunctioned. By James Macharia and Ahmed Kingimi ABUJA/MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) - Nigeria began counting votes in Saturday's closely-fought presidential election although the electoral commission extended voting in some places where polling stations opened late or ballot machines malfunctioned. President Muhammadu Buhari and his main challenger, businessman Atiku Abubakar, both said they were confident of victory when casting their ballots in an election which was already delayed by a week due to logistical problems. The vote in Africa's biggest economic power is too close to call, with the outcome hinging on which man voters trust most to revamp an economy still struggling from a 2016 recession. Buhari, a former military ruler who is seeking a second elected term faces Atiku, a former vice president who has pledged to expand the role of the private sector in Africa's most populous nation and top oil producer. They lead a field of more than 70 candidates in an election which was postponed last Saturday just hours before it was due to begin. On Saturday, voting had been completed in some areas and the counting of ballots was taking place, Reuters witnesses said. "The Independent National Electoral Commission is generally satisfied with the process and the procedures for the conduct of these present elections," INEC official Festus Okoye told reporters in the capital, Abuja. But he said there had been challenges related to the delayed start of voting in some polling stations and INEC had extended hours in the places affected. Voting officially began at 8 a.m. (0700 GMT) and was due to close at 2 p.m. Okoye said 68 percent of polling units had opened by 10 a.m. Okoye said INEC was investigating reports of attempts to steal electoral material in Lagos state and the southeastern state of Anambra, as well as violence in the oil-rich southern state of Rivers. Problems related to malfunctioning voter card machines were mostly resolved, he added. ISLAMIST ATTACK In the northeast, where Islamist insurgents have waged a decade-long war, blasts were heard in Maiduguri, state capital of Borno state, shortly before polls were due to open. In neighbouring Yobe state, residents in the town of Geidam fled an attack around the same time. A group called Islamic State West Africa Province, an off-shoot of Boko Haram, claimed it had carried out an attack in Maiduguri. Boko Haram had warned people not to vote. Army spokesman Colonel Sagir Musa earlier said there had not been any attack on Maiduguri, but there had been an exercise by the military. He called the Geidam attack "futile" and said there were no casualties. Buhari, who voted in his hometown of Daura in the northern state of Katsina, said: "I will congratulate myself, I'm going to be the winner," when asked by reporters if he would congratulate his rival, should Atiku win. Atiku cast his ballot in the eastern Adamawa state. "I am impressed by the turnout of the people," he told reporters. "I look forward to a successful transition." DELAYS Some of the country's 72.8 million eligible voters were frustrated by delays. Kingsley Moghalu, a presidential candidate for the Young Progressives Party, said he had only managed to vote at noon in the southeastern state of Anambra. He said polls opened two hours late and machines were not working. "If as a presidential candidate my polling unit can be treated in this manner, I can imagine what a lot of Nigerians are going through in many parts of the country," he said. Other voters echoed his concerns. "I've been to 10 polling units today. I've been redirected many times," said Victor Kanoba, a voter in Lagos. John Tomaszewski, an observer with the joint U.S. National Democratic Institute and International Republican Institute delegation, said delays had been expected given the challenge of getting materials to the polling stations in time. "Logistics weren't properly managed despite the postponement of the polls," said Idayat Hassan, director of Abuja-based think-tank Centre for Democracy and Development. However, in Lagos' business district Victoria Island, Reginald Anthony, 45, who runs a transport business, said: "We are seeing a transparent election, everything is open for everyone to see". After voting in the northern Kano state, Hadisa Hayatu, a 38-year old housewife, said: "I voted for Buhari because he has assured us that he is going to build on what he has done on security and other issues." An Atiku supporter in Kano, stylist Laurie Isaac, 27, said: "We need change. I need more work. I need my salary to increase." (Reporting by Paul Carsten, Seun Sanni, Aaron Ross, Abraham Achirga, Adewale Kolawole, Afolabi Sotunde, Ardo Hazzad, Didi Akinyelure, Garba Muhammed, Mike Oboh, Nneka Chile, Ola Lanre, Percy Dabang, Camillus Eboh, Christian Merenini, Tife Owolabi, and Ulf Laessing in Tunis; Writing by James Macharia and Alexis Akwagyiram; Editing by Toby Chopra and Robin Pomeroy) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The US is planning new ways to pressure Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro to give up power to provide assistance to people after a failed effort to deliver aid Washington: The United States is planning new ways to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to give up power and other means to provide assistance to the people of the economically devastated South American nation after a weekend effort failed to deliver aid. Vice President Mike Pence travels Monday to the Colombian capital to meet with members of a regional coalition and Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido to discuss the next steps aimed at ousting Maduro. A senior administration official said Pence is expected to announce "clear actions" as he speaks to members of the Lima Group, a coalition of more than a dozen nations organized to address the crisis in Venezuela. "We are going to show the world and Maduro that the United States stands with the people of Venezuela and that the United States stands with Guaido," the official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity to preview the speech in Bogota. "And we are going to continue to stand with him until democracy is restored and humanitarian aid gets to where it needs to go." Pence's appearance before the Lima Group comes two days after a US-backed effort to deliver humanitarian across the border from Colombia ended in violence, with forces loyal to Maduro firing tear gas and buckshot on activists accompanying the supplies and setting the material on fire. Two people were killed and at least 300 wounded. For weeks, the US and regional allies had been amassing emergency food and medical kits on Venezuela's borders in anticipation of carrying out a "humanitarian avalanche" by land and sea to undermine Maduro's rule. Guaido, who has been recognized as interim president by the US and 50 other governments who say Maduro's re-election last year was illegitimate, has called on the international community to consider "all options" to resolve Venezuela's crisis. A close ally, Julio Borges, the opposition ambassador to the Lima Group, was more explicit Sunday, urging the use of force against Maduro's government. But US officials have avoided talk of military action. The administration official said the US plans to bring "the full measure of its economic and diplomatic weight to bear on this issue." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in interviews on Fox News Sunday and CNN's "State of the Union," did not rule out US military force but said "there are more sanctions to be had." But any additional sanctions will increase the suffering of the Venezuelan people and may lead to more political violence, said Mark Weisbrot, the co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, who advocates a negotiated end to the political crisis. "The 'humanitarian aid' this weekend was a public relations stunt, since the aid was just a tiny fraction of the food and medicine that they are depriving Venezuelans of with the sanctions," Weisbrot said. "As the Trump administration admitted, it was an attempt to get the Venezuelan military to disobey Maduro. It was a farce, and it failed." Kim Jong-un impersonator Howard X arrived in town with Donald Trump impersonator Russell White last week, staging a fake summit on the steps of Hanoi's Opera House amid a swarm of press and hired security guards Hanoi: A Kim Jong-un impersonator was hauled from his hotel on Monday ahead of his planned deportation from Vietnam before the real North Korean leader meets US President Donald Trump in Hanoi later this week. Howard X arrived in town with Trump impersonator Russell White last week, staging a fake summit on the steps of Hanoi's Opera House amid a swarm of press and hired security guards. The real Trump and Kim will meet for a summit in Hanoi on 27-28 February to build on their first meeting in June in Singapore which failed to produce any concrete moves to dismantle Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal. The Kim lookalike was questioned by Hanoi police on Friday and informed he would be put on a plane back to Hong Kong where he lives. The impersonator was told by Vietnamese immigration officials his visa was "invalid", but said he received no further explanation. "The real reason is I was born with a face looking like Kim Jong-un, that's the real crime," he told reporters Monday, getting into a van headed for the airport with three Vietnamese men, not in uniform and who did not identify themselves. White will be permitted to stay in the city but has been asked to stop appearing in costume in public. The Trump doppelganger has been stopped on his Hanoi walkabouts by locals and tourists eager to snap a selfie with "The Donald". Howard X said he thought he was being deported because the real Kim "has no sense of humour". His plane ticket back to Hong Kong would also be cheaper for Vietnamese authorities than a flight for White back to his native Canada, he added. "Satire is a powerful weapon against any dictatorship. They are scared of a couple of guys that look like the real thing," said Howard X, wearing a signature Mao-style black suit and thick black glasses. Vietnam is hastily preparing for this week's Kim-Trump summit, deploying security personnel across the city, where hotels and government buildings are getting last-minute facelifts ahead of the meeting. The communist capital has billed itself the "City of Peace" ahead of the talks and is carefully corralling press events to avoid any embarrassing PR moments with the world watching the one-party state. The Donald Trump governments process of slow-walking the H4 visa work permit off the cliff is on its last mile and anxiety is peaking across the community of H1B spouses in the United States. New York: The Donald Trump governments process of slow-walking H1B spouses' H4 visa work permit off the cliff is on its last mile and anxiety is peaking across the community of H1B spouses in the United States. The proposed rule to do away with H4 work permits (which came into effect in Barack Obama's second term) was sent to the Trump administrations Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review last week. Headlines like "Game over for H4EAD" are floating around as families are torn between decisions about work and life in the US and the endless skewering. "The squeeze is real and it's very effective from the administration's point of view. H1B extensions are getting very hard. Our families are getting hit. Spouses are upset that they may be denied working rights and to top to all, recruiters are going cold when they hear the word H1B. It's coming at us from all sides and frankly, we can't take it any more", an ex-H1B worker who has moved to Canada barely a month ago, told Firstpost, in a phone conversation. The H4 EAD is a work permit for spouses of H1B workers who have been approved for green cards and are yet to get those in hand. The Trump administration first announced its intent to scrap the H4 EAD in early 2017. The pushback against these work permits predates the Trump era and takes the form of a lawsuit launched against the program within days of its announcement by the Barack Obama government in 2015. Charts extrapolating how quickly or slowly the H4 revocation could happen speak to the many pressures working on legal immigrant spouses over a prolonged period of many years now of which the last 2 years have been the most fraught. "Lets do everything collectively in our power to prevent the revocation of H-4 EAD", says Cyrus Mehta, a high name recognition immigration attorney based in New York. In government filings, the proposed changes are listed as economically significant and with international impact. At least 45% of all pending rule changes are in the proposed rule stage. You can see the high level overview here. If OMB moves at top speed and wraps up comments period within 30 days, we are looking at Spring 2019 when the comments review may begin. On the same sliding scale, a slower pace could push it all out by a few months. Either way, a constant gnawing remains for H1B families. Once OMB reviews the proposed rule, it will be published in the Federal Register and opened for comments - the typical rubric for rule changes. Those who are following this can check for DHS pending rules and look for 1615-AC15. The same link also summarises the 'official' DHS lens on the issue. Framed against the backdrop of the wider political scene in the country, the brief history of the H4 EAD in the Trump era fits neatly within the US presidents all-base, all-the-time strategy. But, like anything else, the White Houses chief occupant is the final wild card in this game and could always (in theory) step off the gas at any time. The motivations to soften the blow could come from multiple flanks and are emergent in nature, not all of which are overt at this moment. At this time, the biggest of the #MAGA themed decisions - Trump's emergency declaration - is also on thin ice. Nearly two dozen former Republican members of Congress are urging GOP lawmakers to reject President Donald Trumps national emergency declaration to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. Whichever way that goes, it's an anthem for shifting sands and chaos well into the 2020 campaign season and all the way till the November 2020 elections. Anirban Das, who came to the US on an F1 student visa to study for an Engineering Master's degree and has been a leading advocate for skilled immigrants here, explains how the numbers stack up, in a tweet: As per USCIS stats, 100k #H4EAD are issued, out of which 30k were renewals. Which means only 70K are original applicants. USCIS has no idea how many are ACTUALLY working. US labor force is approx. 155 million. And they want to pull out 70k people from the workforce? This is how DHS explains the upside for citizens: DHS anticipates that there would be two primary impacts that DHS can estimate and quantify: the cost-savings accruing to forgone future filings by certain H-4 dependent spouses, and labor turnover costs that employers of H-4 workers could incur when their employees EADs are terminated. Some U.S. workers would benefit from this proposed rule by having a better chance at obtaining jobs that some of the population of the H-4 workers currently hold, as the proposed rule would no longer allow H-4 workers to enter the labor market early. Das, quoted above, refutes that idea as a lump of labor theory. "USCIS claims #H4EAD takes away American jobs. If an #H4EAD takes a job, it means a corresponding job loss for a citizen. This is "lump of labor" fallacy. No. of jobs in US economy are not set in stone. Studies show when more people join workforce, more jobs are created". Prominent US politicians have been at the forefront of the pushback; now even more so. Kamala Harris, the Indian American running for 2020 has called the effort outrageous. She tweeted that it will force immigrant women who are doctors, nurses, scientists & academics, among others, to abandon their professional careers. I called on DHS last year to withdraw this proposal & will continue to fight this. Officials are silent on the fine print. What wasnt clear earlier remains that way. We dont know whether the proposed rule change will have retrospective effect or not. If say, an H1B spouse has an H4 EAD that is stamped till 2021 and the rule changes this year, does it mean the H4EAD holder must stop work for pay immediately? The lions share of H4 EADs are held by Indians, mostly women. A small percentage of H4 visa holders are men. The closest we have come to an official/ bureaucratic view on this are USCIS chief Francis Cissna's quotes to Bloomberg Law. Cissna said there are very good reasons why you might want to have H-1B spouses be able to work, and that many of those spouses are very highly skilled. If the spouse cant work, that might prevent that person from wanting to come over or stay, but thats something Congress should fix, he told reporter Laura D Francis. The reason why were proposing rescinding it is not because we dont desire these people to have employment authorization...Its because, amongst other reasons, it doesnt appear to have been the intent of Congress to grant them work authorization, Cissna said, in the same Bloomberg interview. The replies on this Twitter thread below give us a good sense of how many directions the H4 or even the H1B debate can take when it goes beyond the legal framework and instead becomes a flashpoint between a dominant group and a new subculture that gains currency in an economy, like the H1B has come to be understood over three decades of its presence in the US. Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan on Sunday asked his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to 'give peace a chance' and assured him that he 'stands by' his words and will 'immediately act' if New Delhi provides Islamabad with 'actionable intelligence' on the Pulwama attack. Islamabad: Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan on Sunday asked his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to "give peace a chance" and assured him that he "stands by" his words and will "immediately act" if New Delhi provides Islamabad with "actionable intelligence" on the Pulwama attack. Khan's remarks came a day after Modi in a rally in Rajasthan said, "There is consensus in the entire world against terrorism. We are moving ahead with strength to punish the perpetrators of terrorism...The scores will be settled this time, settled for good...This is a changed India, this pain will not be tolerated...We know how to crush terrorism." Recalling his conversation with Khan during a congratulatory call after he became Pakistan's premier, Modi said he told him "let us fight against poverty and illiteracy" and Khan gave his word saying he is a Pathan's son but went back on it. A statement released by the Pakistan prime minister's office said, "PM Imran Khan stands by his words that if India gives us actionable intelligence, we will immediately act. Prime Minister Modi should give peace a chance", Khan said in the statement. Earlier on 19 February, Khan also assured India that he would act against the perpetrators of the deadly Pulwama terror attack, carried out by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group, if it shares "actionable intelligence" with Islamabad, but warned New Delhi against launching any "revenge" retaliatory action. India said Khan's offer to investigate the attack if provided proof is a "lame excuse". "It is a well-known fact that Jaish-e-Mohammad and its leader Masood Azhar are based in Pakistan. These should be sufficient proof for Pakistan to take action," the Ministry of External Affairs said. "The Prime Minister of Pakistan has offered to investigate the matter if India provides proof. This is a lame excuse. In the horrific attack in Mumbai on 26/11, proof was provided to Pakistan. Despite this, the case has not progressed for the last more than 10 years. Likewise, on the terror attack on Pathankot airbase, there has been no progress. Promises of 'guaranteed action' ring hollow given the track record of Pakistan," it said. Khan said during his meeting with Modi in December 2015, "we had agreed that since poverty alleviation is a priority for our region, we would not allow any terrorist incident to derail peace efforts, however, long before Pulwama, these efforts were derailed in September 2018". The Pakistani premier was referring to India calling off the foreign minister-level talks with Pakistan in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September last year after following the "brutal" killing of three BSF jawans by Pakistani soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the release of postal stamps "glorifying" Kashmiri militant Burhan Wani by the Pakistan government. Press Trust of India NASA's New Horizons spacecraft has beamed back the sharpest, images of Ultima Thule the most distant object ever explored by mankind. Just before its closest approach during the New Year's flyby, the spacecraft precisely pointed the cameras to snap the sharpest possible pics of the Kuiper Belt object officially named 2014 MU69. The New Horizons has sent those stored flyby images back to Earth, NASA said in a statement. These images of Ultima Thule obtained just six and a half minutes before closest approach to the object at 12.33 am EST on 1 January offer a resolution of about 33 metres per pixel. Their combination of high spatial resolution and a favourable viewing angle gives the team an unprecedented opportunity to investigate the surface, as well as the origin and evolution, of Ultima Thule thought to be the most primitive object ever encountered by a spacecraft. Close-ups from the Kuiper Belt! #NewHorizons has sent home its sharpest images from the #UltimaThule flyby, revealing new details about the farthest object ever explored by spacecraft. https://t.co/vKTWJPUFEG pic.twitter.com/MDvUzW8dL7 NASA New Horizons (@NASANewHorizons) February 22, 2019 "Getting these images required us to know precisely where both tiny Ultima and New Horizons were moment by moment as they passed one another at over 32,000 miles per hour in the dim light of the Kuiper Belt, a billion miles beyond Pluto," Alan Stern, of the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). "This was a much tougher observation than anything we had attempted in our 2015 Pluto flyby," said Stern, who is also the New Horizons Principal Investigator. "These 'stretch goal' observations were risky, because there was a real chance we'd only get part or even none of Ultima in the camera's narrow field of view," he said. "But the science, operations and navigation teams nailed it, and the result is a field day for our science team! Some of the details we now see on Ultima Thule's surface are unlike any object ever explored before," he added. The higher resolution brings out a many surface features that weren't readily apparent in earlier images. Among them are several bright, enigmatic, roughly circular patches of terrain. In addition, many small, dark pits near the terminator (the boundary between the sunlit and dark sides of the body) are better resolved. "Whether these features are craters produced by impactors, sublimation pits, collapse pits, or something entirely different, is being debated in our science team," said John Spencer, deputy project scientist from SwRI. Project Scientist Hal Weaver, of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, noted that the latest images have the highest spatial resolution of any New Horizons has taken or may ever take during its entire mission. Swooping within just 3,500 kilometres, New Horizons flew approximately three times closer to Ultima than it zipped past its primary mission target, Pluto, in July 2015. tech2 News Staff The Carnegie Institution for Science has accidentally discovered twelve new moons circling Jupiter. But it looks like naming all of them proved a little much, and the organisation has announced a contest on Twitter to name five of them. While the contest is open to anyone wishing to participate, there are rules strict rules so people don't get "too" creative, or repeat pre-existing names of other celestial bodies or asteroids. One of the 12 rules (set by the International Astronomical Union), entries must be 16 characters or less and cannot closely resemble names already given to pre-existing moons or other celestial bodies like asteroids. Another no-go areas are names that are offensive in any language or culture or related to a company, individual, place, or of any political, military, or religious significance. Names that commemorate people who are still alive will also be rejected. And those are just the most general of the rules. If you're fairly familiar with Greek and Roman history and have any names in mind for Jupiter's new moons, head over to Twitter and send your suggestions to @JupiterLunacy with the hashtag #NameJupitersMoons. The contest closes on 15 April this year. Researchers at Carnegie announced the discovery in July 2018, when astronomers everywhere were deep in the search for a possible planet beyond Pluto, dubbed 'Planet X' or 'Planet 9'. The discovery brought Jupiter's total moon-count to 79, making it the only planet to have as many moons in our solar system. Press Trust of India A parliamentary panel on Monday asked micro-blogging site Twitter to engage more with the Election Commission of India (ECI) ahead of general elections and also summoned senior officials of other social media platforms Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram on March 6. This was informed by Anurag Thakur, chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology, after a nearly three-and-a-half-hour meeting with Global Vice President of Public Policy for Twitter Colin Crowell and other officials of the micro-blogging platform. Thakur said Twitter officials were asked to engage more with the ECI and address issues on a real-time basis. The Twitter officials were told that there should not be any international interference in the Lok Sabha polls. Sources said the social media platform was categorically asked to ensure the forthcoming elections are not undermined and influenced by foreign entities. This message to the micro-blogging site was in an apparent reference to numerous complaints of interference by social media platforms in the US elections, they said. Thakur said Twitter officials replied to most questions and would submit replies to remaining queries in writing in 10 days. The panel, which hear the views of the representatives of Twitter on safeguarding citizens rights on social/online news media platforms, has also summoned public policy heads of Facebook, WhatsApp and Platform, he said. Sources also revealed that Thakur read out a letter addressed to him by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey during the meeting. 19:39 (IST) All you need to know about Sony's brand new flagship - the Xperia X1 Sony also launched two new budget-oriented smartphones at MWC today, namely, the Xperia 10 and the Xperia 10 Plus. Read about all the smartphones here. https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/mwc-2019-sony-xperia-1-launched-alongside-xperia-10-10-plus-featuring-219-displays-6149961.html tech2 News Staff Microsoft's second-generation mixed-reality headset is finally here the HoloLens 2. Having taken an awful amount of time for Microsoft to make this new product, the HoloLens 2 does feature a number of significant improvements when compared to the original. Microsoft claims that the headset is not only more immersive with double the field of view of the original HoloLens but is also more comfortable to wear courtesy of carbon fibre and better thermal management. There's a dial for tightening the main headband, similar to PlayStation VR and the main visor can be flipped up when something else needs quick attention. The company does not reveal numbers but for perspective, the jump in image quality here is equivalent to jumping from a 720 p TV to a 2K set for each eye. Manoeuvring the HoloLens 2 is also much simpler now. The headset is capable of tracking your retinas to see where you're looking which allows Microsoft to bake in support for Windows Hello authentication. The headset also packs in a new "time-of-flight" depth sensor, a sensor we're now beginning to see on certain smartphones. The sensor along with some software aid is able to track hand movements without the need of a controller. The HoloLens 2 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 chip as well as a custom-built Holographic Processing Unit. Audio input and output are handled by a 5-channel microphone array and a built-in spatial audio hardware respectively. The mixed reality headset will launch later this year for $3,500, or as part of a subscription that includes Dynamics 365 Remote Assist (a diagnostic tool) for $125 a month. The headset will be sold in the US, Japan, China, Germany, Canada, the UK, Ireland, France, Australia and New Zealand. So is the HoloLens 2 meant for regular consumers? Seemingly not. Microsoft's target market here comprises of developers to experiment with and start building applications. As always, you can head here if you wish to keep yourself apprised about the latest developments at MWC 2019 By Sacha Molitorisz, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Centre for Media Transition, Faculty of Law, University of Technology Sydney For social media and search engines, the law is back in town. Prompted by privacy invasions, the spread of misinformation, a crisis in news funding and potential interference in elections, regulators in several countries now propose a range of interventions to curb the power of digital platforms. A newly published UK report is part of this building global momentum. Read more: Why are Australians still using Facebook? Shortly after Valentines Day, a committee of the British House of Commons published its final report into disinformation and fake news. It was explicitly directed at Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and it was less a love letter than a challenge to a duel. The report found: Companies like Facebook should not be allowed to behave like digital gangsters in the online world, considering themselves to be ahead of and beyond the law. The committee was particularly vexed by Zuckerberg himself, concluding: By choosing not to appear before the Committee Mark Zuckerberg has shown contempt. Its far-reaching recommendations included giving the UKs Information Commissioner greater capacity to be an effective sheriff in the Wild West of the Internet. The law is back in town In December 2018, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) handed down its preliminary report into the impact of digital platforms. It tabled a series of bold proposals. Read more: Digital platforms. Why the ACCC's proposals for Google and Facebook matter big time Then, on February 12, the Cairncross Review an independent analysis led by UK economist and journalist Frances Cairncross handed down its report, A Sustainable Future for Journalism. Referring to sustainability of the production and distribution of high-quality journalism, Public intervention may be the only remedy, wrote Cairncross. The future of a healthy democracy depends on it. And a week later, the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee of the House of Commons issued its challenge in its final report on disinformation and fake news: The big tech companies must not be allowed to expand exponentially, without constraint or proper regulatory oversight only governments and the law are powerful enough to contain them. How do the responses of the three reports compare? ACCC inquiry broadest in scope First, its important to note that the scope of these three inquiries varied significantly. The ongoing ACCC inquiry, billed as a world-first and set to hand down its final report in June, is seeking to assess the impact of digital platforms on media and advertising, with a focus on news. Read more: Attention economy: Facebook delivers traffic but no money for news media The Cairncross Review was narrower in intent, addressing the sustainability of the production and distribution of high quality journalism, and especially the future of the press, in this dramatically changing market. And the House of Commons committee had a very direct brief to investigate fake news. It then chose to focus on Facebook. As such, the three inquiries overlap substantially, but the ACCC investigation is unequivocally the broadest in scope. Not just distribution platforms However, all three reports land in roughly the same place when it comes to characterising these businesses. They all see digital platforms as more than just conduits of other peoples content and this brings certain responsibilities. The ACCC says digital intermediaries are considerably more than mere distributors or pure intermediaries when it comes to the supply of news and journalism. The Cairncross Review stresses there is a fundamental difference between distributors and content creators. The House of Commons committee proposes a new category of tech company as a legal mechanism for having digital platforms assume liability for harmful content. Need more oversight A related important point is that all three reviews recommend that digital platforms are brought more squarely into the legal and regulatory environment. By this, they dont just mean cross-industry laws that apply to all businesses. There is some of that for example, adapting competition laws so certain conduct is regulated. Read more: Google and Facebook cosy up to media companies in response to the threat of regulation But these inquiries also raise the prospect of specific rules for platforms as part of communications regulation. How they go about this shows the point at which the inquiries diverge. News reliability The ACCC has flagged the need for further work on a platforms code of practice that would bring them into the orbit of the communications regulator, the ACMA. The platforms would be bound to the code, which would require them to badge content produced under established journalistic standards. It would be the content creators publishers and broadcasters, not platforms that would be subject to these standards. In the UK, Cairncross proposes a collaborative approach under which a new regulator would monitor and report on platforms initiatives to improve reliability of news perhaps, in time, moving to specific regulatory obligations. Algorithms regulator In Australia, the ACCC has proposed what others refer to as a new algorithms regulator. This would look at how ads and news are ranked in search results or placed in news feeds, and whether vertically integrated digital platforms that arrange advertising favour their own services. The algorithms regulator would monitor, investigate and report on activity, but would rely on referral to other regulators rather than have its own enforcement powers. Unsurprisingly, the leading digital platforms in Australia oppose the new algorithms regulator. Equally unsurprisingly, media companies think the proposal doesnt go far enough. Read more: Facebook needs regulation here's why it should be done by algorithms For its part, Cairncross does recommend new codes on aspects such as indexing and ranking of content and treatment of advertising. The codes would be overseen by a new regulator but they would be developed by platforms and a move to a statutory code would only occur if they were inadequate. In contrast to both these reviews, the House of Commons committees Code of Ethics is concerned with online harms. Right from the outset, it would be drawn up and enforced by a new regulator in a similar way to Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, enforcing its Broadcasting Code. It says this would create a regulatory system for online content that is as effective as that for offline content industries. Its forcefulness on this is matched by its recommendation on algorithms: it says the new regulator should have access to tech companies security mechanisms and algorithms, to ensure they are operating responsibly. Both the ACCC and Cairncross pointedly avoid this level of intervention. However, the ACCC does raise the prospect of a new digital platforms ombudsman. Apart from delivering 11 preliminary recommendations, the ACCC also specified nine proposed areas for further analysis and assessment. Among these areas, the ACCC suggested the idea of such an ombudsman to deal with complaints about digital platforms from consumers, advertisers, media companies and businesses. Data privacy And then there is data privacy. This is where the ACCC and the House of Commons committee delivered some of their most significant recommendations. Its also where regulators in other jurisdictions have been turning their attention, often on the understanding that the market power of digital platforms is largely derived from their ability to access user data. Earlier this month, Germanys Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) found that Facebook could no longer merge a persons data from their Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp accounts, without their explicit consent. In Germany, the law has spoken. In Australia and the UK, its still clearing its throat. Sacha Molitorisz is a postdoctoral research fellow at The Centre for Media Transition at UTS. The Centre has received funding from public and private sources, including News Corp Australia for a study into digital defamation, and Facebook Australia for a study on journalism and trust. Derek Wilding receives research grant funding from the Australian Research Council and the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network Consumer Research Grants Fund. He is a member and Australian chapter head of the International Institute of Communications. The Centre for Media Transition has received project funding from News Corp Australia, Facebook Australia and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Originally published in The Conversation. tech2 News Staff Huawei's chairman on Sunday shrugged of the risk that President Donald Trump could issue an executive order banning the Chinese telecom giant, saying the company could succeed without the US market. Guo Ping said such an order "is not necessary and should not be released" but if issued would have little impact on Huawei, which has become the leading supplier of the backbone equipment for wireless mobile networks worldwide. "In 2018 Huawei had revenues of over 100 billion dollars. The share of US in this is really small. That means the US market can be ignored by us," he told a press conference in Barcelona on the eve of the Mobile World Congress trade fair. Guo added that such a move would hurt some small telecoms operators in the United States that do use its equipment. US officials suspect Shenzhen-based Huawei's products could be used by Beijing to spy on Western governments and have already severely restricted the company's presence in the United States. Washington considers the matter urgent as countries around the world prepare to roll out fifth-generation or 5G networks that will bring near-instantaneous connectivity, vast data capacity and futuristic technologies such as self-driving cars. The administration has been lobbying allies to block Huawei from building 5G networks and Trump is reportedly mulling an executive order to stop the Chinese firm from selling advanced equipment in the United States. Huawei strenuously denied its equipment could be used for espionage. "We have never and we are not and we will never allow backdoors in our equipment and we will never allow anyone from any country to do that in our equipment," Guo said through an interpreter. "Huawei needs to abide by Chinese laws and also by the laws outside China if we operate in those countries. Huawei will never, and dare not, and cannot violate any rules and regulations in the countries where we operate," he added. The United States did not represent the whole world and Huawei hoped each country would make decisions based on its own interests, Guo said. Network operators seeking to quickly deploy the new wireless networks are in a bind as Huawei's 5G equipment is seen as being considerably more advanced than that of its rivals such as Sweden's Ericsson or Finland's Nokia. The company has 180,000 employees in 170 countries and counts 45 of the world's biggest wireless carriers as customers. As always, you can head here if you wish to keep yourself apprised about the latest developments at MWC 2019 tech2 News Staff The Google Assistant may be just a couple of year old, but thanks to Google's push the voice assistant is nearly on every Android device we see around us today. The next stop for Google appears to be feature phones. Having invested $22 million into KaiOS Technologies, (a company that makes KaiOS for feature phones like the JioPhone, JioPhone 2 and the Nokia 8110 4G), Google is now adding support for more functions to the Google Assistant on feature phones with KaiOS. As per a report by 9To5Google, the Google Assistant is soon being upgraded with 'voice typing', letting users dictate messages, web searches and everything that requires typing into a text box. KaiOS, an operating system which allows you to switch the native language of operation, now also has a version of the Google Assistant which supports multiple local languages. To make this feature accessible to millions of Indians, Google is offering the Assistant in seven new Indian languages. Namely, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam and Urdu. These seven languages join Marathi, which was added to the assistant last August. That's not all. The tech giant is also adding support for third-party actions to the Assistant. If you've ever called yourself an Uber, played a game or checked on the status of packages using the Google Assistant, you've essentially used actions. Actions are basically Google's equivalent to skills for Amazon's Alexa voice assistant. All these features will be rolled out to devices running KaiOS in the next few months. As per the report, Google also plans to add all these new features to the Google Assistant on phones running Android Go. Disclaimer: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd. Sheldon Pinto Smartphones with folding displays or foldables are a new category of mobile devices that promise to merge the best parts of a smartphone and tablet into one device. And at this years Mobile World Congress, there are plenty of announcements from different smartphone brands populating this nascent category. While the Royole FlexPai was the first device to go on sale with a foldable display and was showcased recently at CES 2019, it is far less polished in comparison to Samsungs recently unveiled Galaxy Fold or Huaweis just announced Mate X foldable. We also expected Xiaomi to showcase a 5G capable foldable device, but except for the Mi Mix 3 5G there was nothing new and interesting showcased at its launch event. What is a foldable? Googles Android developer blog first referred to these devices with foldable displays as foldables. Simply put, these are devices that will let you run apps in two configurations (smartphone or tablets) and switch between them seamlessly using screen continuity. When a user opens up a folded display, optimised apps switch from a portrait mobile layout to a tablet-friendly landscape layout either on the same display (if it folds out) or from a vertical display on the outside to a horizontal one on the inside of the foldable. From what we have seen so far, there are three categories of folding devices. Outward Fold Until now, China-based Royole unveiled its FlexPai, which is an outward folding device where the display has to be folded out to showcase a tablet-like interface with scaled up apps that display more information or data. Huaweis Mate X takes a similar approach with an outward fold as well. The advantage of an outward folding display is that they can fold out flat when viewed in a tablet layout. The display also, in theory, is less prone to creases as it rests on the folding mechanism. The downside of this folding mechanism is that it always leaves the rear-facing side of the fold (when closed) exposed to scratches, because you will have to keep that phone down on a table or a bench, and that surface may not necessarily be smooth. Another issue that you must think about is how you'd mount a case on such a device. Do you use tempered glass screen protectors everywhere? What happens to the bendy bit? Inward Fold Next up is inward fold, which is the more complicated of the two. Samsung took this approach with its Galaxy Fold device, one that features a smaller display on the outside of the fold and a larger one on the inside. The Galaxy Fold opens up like a book. While it may seem simple, the mechanism to support an inward folding display will be complicated as it has to protect the display by maintaining the central curve. It also needs the strength to protect the display when someone, say, accidentally sits on the phone. This is because the display can't fold beyond a certain point. This also results in a thicker smartphone design, but the design does protect the display from scratches. Twin fold Xiaomi recently teased a prototype device that has two folds, resulting in a left, right and central portion. Teased by company Co-Founder Lin Bin, the blurry video showcases a unique-looking device that has a fold on either side of the main viewing area. Both sides fold out to form a tablet-like display widening the viewing area. The device then can be folded back into a compact smartphone-like form factor and placed into a pocket. Check out this special video from #Xiaomi President and Co-founder Bin Lin, showing off a very special phone prototype... What does everyone think we should name this phone? #InnovationForEveryone pic.twitter.com/1lFj3nM7tD Donovan Sung (@donovansung) January 23, 2019 Since Xiaomi has not made its folding device official just yet, and Oppo only showcased a prototype, lets take a look at what the new production-ready foldables from Huawei and Samsung have on offer and how they compare. Its wise to note that this is not a comparison to judge performance but just to give our readers an idea about whats different between the two unreleased devices that were launched around MWC 2019. Smartphone Samsung Galaxy Fold Huawei Mate X Display Size (inch) 7.3 + 4.6 8 Resolution (pixels) 1536 x 2152 + 840 x 1960 2480 x 2200 Pixel Density (PPI) 414 + 463 414 Display Type Dynamic AMOLED + Super AMOLED AMOLED Dimensions(mm) NA Folded: 161.3 x 78.3 x 11 Unfolded: 161.3 x 146.2 x 5.4 Weight (gm) NA 295 Dual SIM NA Yes SIM Type NA Nano SIM Connectivity Types GSM/HSPA+/LTE GSM/HSPA+/LTE Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 855/Exynos 9820 HiSilicon Kirin 980 CPU Cores Octa-core Octa-core CPU Clock Speed (GHz) 1 x Qualcomm Kryo @ 2.8 GHz + 3 x Qualcomm Kryo @ 2.4 GHz + 4 x Qualcomm Kryo 1.8 GHz / 2 x Mongoose M4 @ 2.7 GHz + 2 x Cortex A75 @ 2.3 GHz + 4 x Cortex A55 @ 1.9 GHz 2 x Cortex-A76 @ 2.6 GHz + 2 x Cortex-A76 @ 1.92 GHz + 4 x Cortex-A55 @ 1.8 GHz GPU Adreno 640 / Mali-G76 MP12 Mali-G76 MP10 RAM 12 GB 8 GB Ruggedness NA NA On-Board Memory 512 GB 512 GB Expandable Memory No 256 GB (NM Card) Sensors NA Gravity Sensor, Ambient Light Sensor, Proximity Sensor, Gyroscope, Compass, Fingerprint Sensor, Hall sensor, Barometer, Infrared sensor, colour temprature sensor Primary Camera 12 MP, f/1.5-f/2.4 + 12 MP, f/2.2 + 16 MP, f/2.2 40 MP, f/1.8 + 16 MP f/2.2 + 8 MP, f/2.4 + ToF system Optical Image Stabilization Yes + Yes + No NA Camera Array Triple Camera Triple Camera Autofocus System Super Speed Dual Pixel + PDAF NA Secondary Camera 10 MP f/2.2 + 8 MP f/1.9 + 10 MP f/2.2 Cover camera No Video Capture NA NA Flash LED LED OS Version Android 9 Pie Android 9 Pie (EMUI 9.1) AI (Smart Assistant) Google Assistant + Bixby Google Assistant GPS Yes Yes Wi-Fi NA 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Bluetooth NA 5.0, BLE, SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC and HWA Audio NFC NA NFC Infrared NA Yes Fingerprint Scanner Yes Yes 3.5 mm jack No No Radio NA NA USB Type NA Type-C USB Standard NA USB v3.1 Battery (mAh) 4,380 4,500 Fast charging Yes, Fast Charging Yes, 55 W SuperCharge Colours Space Silver, Cosmos Black, Martian Green, Astro Blue Interstellar Blue Prices in India $1,980 $2,609 As we can see from the table above, Huawei has the practical (almost bezel-less) folding display that not only folds flat in a larger 8-inch table-like display but also does not have an interfering notch as the Galaxy Fold does. Going purely by the specifications on paper, the Mate X also features a higher sensor pixel count in comparison to the Samsung Galaxy Fold and the same goes for the battery. Samsungs inward folding display is a more rugged design, though both devices havent advertised an IP rating yet. So if you were looking to buy one of these and jump in a pool, you are better off with the recently launched Galaxy S10 or the Mate 20 Pro instead. One detail to note about the launch was that Samsung did showcase the UI of the device, which according to them was developed with the Android developer community. At the same time, out of the two devices, Samsung has barely given out any details about the Folds size and weight, even though it looks compact in comparison to the Mate Xs larger footprint. The Mate X does weigh at a little above a quarter of a kilo (298 grams). What remains to be seen is how apps will react and how well third-party apps will transition from a smartphone layout/configuration to a tablet interface. What also remains to be seen, as mentioned in my article about the Galaxy Fold, is how soon developers will jump to support these apps, a fragmentation issue that has plagued the Android platform for long. Everyones waited years to see something new come from the smartphone industry and make these mobile computing devices interesting and fun after the iPhone inspired all smartphone-makers to ditch their creativity and courage. And after all the camera popping action, foldables sure sound interesting even if they cost upwards of $1,500. While many of us will not be able to afford these ultra-premium devices, those who have been waiting for an iPhone XS Max equivalent (budget-wise), will now finally have a choice. tech2 News Staff Apple is aware of concerns over iPhone and Mac prices. In a brief speech at Elon University, Apples COO Jeff Williams discussed a variety of topics and spoke of his history in joining Apple in 1998. In the short speech that took place last Friday, Williams talked about Apples incredible growth since he joined the Cupertino tech company. The COO took questions from students in the audience and during the Q&A session, a student raised a question regarding Apple plans to reduce product prices. The student further cited a report that claimed that the manufacturing of an iPhone only costs $350. Williams, however, dismissing those reports suggested that the actual cost of development isnt considered in these analyst reports. "The stories that come out about the cost of our products [have been] the bane of my existence from the beginning of time, including our early days," Williams was quoted as saying in The Times News report, the Burlington tabloid who covered Williams' speech. "Analysts don't really understand the cost of what we do and how much care we put into making our products," he mentioned. The Times News in its report described the length Apple has gone to for its product development. Williams taking Apple Watch as an example explained the reason for the increasing cost that goes into developing a product. The COO mentioned that to build the Apple Watch activity tracker, the company built a physiology lab with 40 nurses and enlisted 10,000 participants to study how calories are burned in fitness exercises. William did concede the concern of Apple products rising price point and said that Apple doesnt want to be an elitist company. Its something were very aware of, he said. We do not want to be an elitist company. Thats not what we want. We want to be an egalitarian company, and weve got a lot of work going on in developing markets. Apple premium iPhones pricing has been cited as one of the critical factors in slow iPhones sales in the last quarter by analysts and tabloids. Apples CEO Tim Cook earlier said that there are several factors affecting iPhone sales, mostly in emerging markets. But one cannot undermine the fact that Apple iPhones prices have unduly increased since the past few years with the latest iPhone XS Max touching the highest price record in iPhone lineup $1099. However, Apple now seems to be paying due attention in this area, as the company has begun reducing the price of the iPhone for third-party distributors in China. As per reports, the company might make a similar move in other emerging markets including in India. The Punjab Assembly witnessed unruly scenes on Monday between members of ruling Congress and the Akali-BJP over the Amritsar train accident last year where 60 people died Chandigarh: The Punjab Assembly witnessed unruly scenes on Monday between members of ruling Congress and the Akali-BJP over the Amritsar train accident last year where 60 people died. On the last day of the budget session, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) legislator Bikram Singh Majithia sought to draw the attention of the revenue minister towards non-payment of the compensation to the victims of the accident that occurred on Dusshera. Majithia accused the state government of cheating with families of the victims by not providing them with government jobs that were promised to them. Intervening in the matter, Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Sidhu, in whose constituency the accident had occurred, took on Majithia and claimed that he had been supporting eight families of victims by giving each of them Rs 8,000 per month from his own pocket. Sidhu asked the Akalis whether they had ever given compensation to any victim out of their own pockets. SAD chief Sukhbir Badal asked the government whether there had been any arrest in the Amritsar train accident so far, leading to heated exchanges between members of the Congress with the SAD and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Replying to the SAD president, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said it was the government's job to take care of the families of the victims. "It was your (Sukhbir) question was anybody arrested? Let me ask you one thing... there have been so many incidents wherein several people died involving Orbit (owned by Badal family) buses. Anybody was arrested?" Singh asked. Badal said all the drivers of those buses were arrested. Then, the Akalis rushed to the well of the House and raised slogans against the government, following which they staged a walkout. Taking a dig at Badal, state minister Sukhjinder Randhawa demanded that the owners of such buses should also be arrested. Meanwhile, the chief minister assured the House of all possible measures to check noise pollution, including strict action against the violators. Reiterating his government's commitment to provide students with a congenial environment to study, Singh promised strict action against those who violate pollution norms by using of loudspeakers, DJ and other musical instruments, especially before and during examination days of the students. Meanwhile, the assembly passed the Punjab Appropriation Bill, Punjab One-Time Voluntary Disclosure and Settlement of Violations of the Buildings Constructed in Violation of the Building Bye-laws Bill; Amritsar Walled City (Recognition of Usage) Amendment Bill, Punjab Legislative Assembly (Salaries and Allowances of Members) Amendment Bill and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2019. When the bill regarding the salaries and allowances was presented, the Aam Aadmi Party members stormed to the well of the House, seeking inclusion of movable properties in the bill. The bill will make all the members to declare their immovable properties in the month of January of every calendar year. Earlier, the AAP members staged a walkout protest against not being allowed to speak on demands for grants relating to budget estimates. Later, the House was adjourned sine die. NC leader Omar Abdullah on Monday called on the Centre and Satya Pal Malik to hold elections in the state saying the new govt will 'safeguard' Article 35A. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Monday called on the Centre and Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Satya Pal Malik to hold elections in the state, which has seen political turmoil since the precarious BJP-PDP alliance was dissolved last year. Abdullah's statements come a day before the scheduled Supreme Court hearing of the petitions challenging the contentious Article 35A of the Constitution. Abdullah asserted that the new elected government would work towards "safeguarding" the provision of the Constitution which grants special status to the residents of the state and defines its permanent residents. The NC leader was quoted by ANI as saying, "The Centre and Governor have only one responsibility right now, and that is to hold elections. So, hold elections, let people take the decision, the new government will itself work towards safeguarding Article 35A." Abdullah's comment came only a day after the Jammu and Kashmir administration said that its stance remained unchanged that only an elected government would be able to take a stand on the validity of the Article before the Supreme Court, which will hear a bunch of petitions against it from Tuesday onwards. Abdullah also said that holding elections in the state will be a test of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's handling of Kashmir over the last five years. He tweeted, "Will the Modi government bow before those forces of separatism and terror that have always sought to disrupt or delay polls in Jammu and Kashmir or will the polls take place on schedule? (This is) the moment of truth for Prime Minister Modi's handling of Kashmir over the last 5 years." The former chief minister of the state was reacting to media reports that the Election Commission will take a call on holding Assembly polls together with the Lok Sabha election after a visit to the state this week. Abdullah said except for an odd by-election, all elections in Jammu and Kashmir since 1995-96 have been held as per schedule. "Will Modi be able to keep to this schedule or will he accept he's totally mishandled Jammu and Kashmir? The next few days will give us the answer," he added. On Sunday, senior bureaucrat Rohit Kansal, who has been designated as the chief spokesperson of the governor's administration was quoted by PTI as saying, "The stand of the state government on the request of deferment of hearing on Article 35A in the Supreme Court remains the same as requested by them on 11 February." He was replying to a question on whether there was a change in the stand of the governor's administration on the contentious issue. The Jammu and Kashmir administration's counsel had sought permission from the apex court for circulating a letter among the contesting parties for adjourning the upcoming hearing, saying there was no "elected government" in the state. With inputs from agencies The budget session of the Maharashtra legislature began on a stormy note on Monday with Opposition parties boycotting Governor C Vidyasagar Rao's address to the joint sitting of both Houses to voice their protest against his recent remarks on the RSS. Mumbai: The budget session of the Maharashtra legislature began on a stormy note on Monday with Opposition parties boycotting Governor C Vidyasagar Rao's address to the joint sitting of both Houses to voice their protest against his recent remarks on the RSS. In remarks made in Nagpur earlier this month, Rao described the RSS as one of the most secular and inclusive organisations and said it has always respected the right of individuals to practice their own faith. Expressing displeasure over the remarks, Opposition members stayed away from the Central Hall where the governor delivered his address to the joint sitting of both the Houses on the first day of the budget session. Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde said they decided to boycott the address because they "were doubtful if it will be the governor's address or that of a RSS person". "A governor's post is constitutional. We had doubts whether his speech was going to be in the interest of the state or the RSS. Hence, we decided to boycott it," he added. NCP's group leader in the Assembly Jayant Patil told reporters outside the House that the opposition had taken the decision to protest Rao's support to the RSS, "which sows the seeds of divisiveness". "A governor's post is constitutional and his remarks were unwarranted. The governor supports the RSS. The promises made by the governor have remained unfulfilled, so we have decided to boycott his speech," Patil said. Before the governor could begin his speech, opposition parties staged a protest against Rao's remarks at the steps of the Vidhan Bhavan. Some opposition members also raised slogans against the BJP-led state government. On Sunday, opposition parties boycotted the customary tea party hosted by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the eve of the interim budget session. They said the state government should not announce any "populist" or policy decisions during the six-day session. The vote-on-account, which will have budget provisions till 31 July, will be tabled on 27 February. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara Sunday claimed that he has thrice been denied the chief ministerial post, as he belonged to Dalit community. Bengaluru: Alleging that there were attempts by some in the Congress to block the rise of Dalit leaders, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara Sunday claimed that he has thrice been denied the chief ministerial post, as he belonged to the community. Speaking at a programme in Davangere, Parameshwara, a Dalit, said, "Basavalingappa missed the chief ministerial post and so did KH Ranganath." "My elder brother Mallikarjuna Kharge also could not become the chief minister.. I missed it thrice.. Some how after much dilemma they made me the deputy chief minister," said the deputy chief minister, alleging that some people wanted to suppress him politically. Over 400 cases of irregularities have been registered against chit fund companies in Chhattisgarh. The Congress government is struggling to assuage those who lost their money. Editor's Note: This is part of a multi-article series on the jobs crisis in the three states crucial to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. *** He got a job through a state-organised employment fair. He didnt have it six years later. In between, he lost 10 lakh rupees, and a lot of face among his family and friends. Based in the Parsada village in the outskirts of Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, Lakshminarayan Chandrakar, 57, and his family depended on their 4.5-acre farmland for livelihood. But when the state decided to build Naya Raipur, our farmland was acquired, he says, clad in a white shirt and trousers. Naya Raipur, or New Raipur, is an upcoming city in Chhattisgarh, 17 kilometers south east of Raipur. It is currently serving as an administrative capital of the state, and is supposed to be a hub for trade and industries. In 2006-07, we were offered a rate of Rs 5.9 lakh per acre and a job in return, says Chandrakar. We agreed. But we havent got anything yet. A year after he had lost his land, and thereby his livelihood, unemployed Chandrakar stumbled upon an advertisement of a job fair in a local newspaper. A chit fund company had been looking to recruit agents. I thought the state has issued a notification of an employment fair, it is a good opportunity, he says. I went there, and got the job. There were thousands that had come. Many of them got employed that day. As an agent, Chandrakars objective was straightforward: get people to invest in the company. In return, he would get a commission of 5 percent on the amount his customers would invest. He also had to recruit more agents, which is what is required in a normal pyramid scheme, which promises exponential growth of investment. However, to convince others to invest in the chit fund company, Chandrakar had to gain peoples trust. I invested my own 10 lakh rupees, which helped me sell the scheme to my relatives and friends, he says. I had saved it up after years of hard work. Every agent did the same thing. The chit fund companies had licenses. They had state sanctions. It seemed like a safe bet. As things stand today, over 400 cases of irregularities have been registered and the Congress government is figuring out a policy to return money to more than 2.70 lakh people who had invested over Rs 1,105 crore in close to 200 chit fund companies operating in the state, according to newspaper reports. It turned out to be a scam. Chandrakar says, I had managed to persuade 35-40 of my family and friends to invest. In total, they have invested close to Rs. 2 crores. They are devastated, and they blame me for it. The agents have been living with that guilt since. Anita Verma, 50, got into it because she separated from her husband, and has to look after herself. There were several agents operating where I live in Patan, which is 30 kilometers from Raipur, she says. I didnt have a job. I got into it, and convinced several others to join in. Even today, Vermas customers harass her through repeated phone calls. It was their hard-earned money, so I dont blame them, she says. But most women would have been broken by now. I started selling sarees for a while, but every village I wanted to sell sarees in had an investor who would ask for the money back. For the past 3-4 months, I have had no source of income. Virendra Pandey, all-India president of the Swabhiman Party, a lesser-known political outfit in Chhattisgarh, who has been raising this issue in the state, says thousands of those agents who were also investors in the chit fund setup were either unemployed youth looking for a job, or farmers or labourers wanting get out of farms to make their ends meet due to the agrarian crisis. The chit fund scam has rendered all of them jobless, he says. They are either back in their farms or looking for odd jobs without any security. According to CMIEs figures as of January 2019, Chhattisgarhs unemployment stands at 7.7 percent, 0.4 per cent higher than Indias. When CMIE did a detailed research between May and August 2018, it found that 26 percent of Chhattisgarhs youth aged 20-29 were unemployed. In Raipur, over 96,000 people have registered at the District Employment Centre as of January 2019. But when the irregularities in the chit fund investments came to light initially, the BJP-led Raman Singh government, instead of going after the directors of the companies, cracked down on agents. As many as 286 of them were arrested between 2012 and 2018. Pandey says the state went after soft targets. One of them was Bhupendra Hirvani, 51, who spent seven months in prison. What was my fault? he asks. I did my job. Some of these chit fund companies were inaugurated by ministers, including Raman Singh. Why wouldn't they seem credible? I had invested Rs 10 lakh of my own from fixed deposits. I lost that, and I was jailed too. I am the only earning member of the family. I have two kids. For seven months, my family went through hell. Ahead of the Assembly elections, being the Opposition party, Congress blamed the Raman Singh government for allowing the scam to fester under their nose. The agents, in the meantime, formed their own union to demand justice, to which the Congress leaders extended unconditional support. The party even included their demands in its manifesto. In December 2018, Congress swept the assembly elections with 68 out 90 seats, unseating the 15-year rule of Raman Singh. The government has decided to withdraw cases against the agents. But a policy is being devised to return money to the duped investors, when the promise was to do so immediately. The first budget in February 2019 was dedicated to the farm loan waivers. In an event organised by the teachers' groups, which are waiting for their own promises to be realised, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said the next budget would focus on their demands. The duped investors and agents are in a queue, says Pandey. They are looking for jobs in the meantime. Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Naju Sheikh was shot dead in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Monday, only a few weeks after party MLA Satyajit Biswas was gunned down in the state's Nadia district. Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Naju Sheikh was shot dead in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Monday, only a few weeks after party MLA Satyajit Biswas was gunned down in the state's Nadia district. Sheikh was walking in Gopal Ghat on Monday morning when bike-borne assailants stopped him and shot him in the chest at point-blank range. He died on the spot, CNN-News18 reported. A police team has reached the spot and is trying to identity the shooters and the motive for the murder. Sheikh's body has been sent for an autopsy. #NewsAlert @AITCofficial leader Naju Sheikh shot dead in Behrampur. Sheikh shot dead by unknown bike-borne assailants. Sheikhs body has been sent for post mortem. Police trying to ascertain the identity of shooters and their motive. | @prema_rajaram with more details pic.twitter.com/FcXNnvJJh4 News18 (@CNNnews18) February 25, 2019 On the evening of 9 February, TMC legislator Biswas was shot dead by unidentified assailants as he was getting off the stage during a Saraswati Puja event in Nadia. Biswas was a respected leader among the Matuas, which is a politically sensitive community for both the TMC and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP had recently made inroads in the district of Nadia, which borders Bangladesh. A political row began soon after his killing, as Nadia TMC president Gourishankar Dutta had blamed BJP and followers of saffron party leader Mukul Roy for the murder. Roy was also among the five who were booked in connection with the case. The police filed an FIR in the case on 10 February and also arrested two of the four suspects, besides Roy, named in the report. However, Roy filed an anticipatory bail application on 12 February before the Calcutta High Court, claiming that he had been booked for murder because of "political vendetta" and in no way had any link with Biswas' death. by Kamel Abderrahmani For the first time in two decades tens of thousands of people protest Bouteflika. The 81-year-old president is ready to stand for a fifth term. The support of religious leaders opposed to protests in the name of stability and the dictates of Islam. The Imam Network in Support of Leadership. Paris (AsiaNews) - For the first time in 20 years, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in recent days in several cities of Algeria, to protest against the twenty-year reign of Abdelaziz Bouteflika. The 81-year-old president and long-time leader of the nation, who is expected in Switzerland for medical examinations in the coming days, is ready to stand for a fifth term, triggering popular protests. The police responded to the gatherings with charges and violence. The scope of the protest has surprised the same opponents, starting from the capital where the demonstrations have been banned since 2001. Below we publish a reflection by the scholar Kamel Abderrahmani, 30 year old, Algerian Muslim: I have always said that "I am not frightened by Islamic [extremism], but official Islam". Obviously, my thoughts may seem cryptic because if misinterpreted. In fact, my arguments were solid, built and based on my personal experience and my observations. If Islamism as a minority ideology in the Muslim world aspires to the creation of the Caliphate, official Islam remains an essential engine that fosters not only the stagnation of Muslim theology in all its ritual and cultural components, but also operates in the context of Muslim majority. This point of view that I still defend today, is coming to the fore in what is happening in Algeria. First of all, this country deserves to be taken into consideration because it has just rebelled against a political regime that has kept it in a grip for twenty years. After the announcement of Bouteflika's candidature for his succession, appeals against this absurd decision multiplied erupting in protest on 22 February 2019, after Friday prayer. The regime did not hesitate to resort to one of its pillars to try to prevent the people from expressing their dissatisfaction: the imams. The latter were instructed to hold Friday prayers invoking peace and stability. In reality, they speak of a stability that can be observed only among those who govern, because the country seems to fall further into poverty with each passing day. To put it differently, a rich nation but a poor people. Imams, as state officials and as representatives of official Islam, based themselves on apocryphal religious texts that prohibit "demonstrating against the government" (1) and have incited the same Salafists to launch appeals on the web focused on the importance of respect for the president. To clarify the concept a little, one must know that these apocryphal texts of a political nature are invented and imposed by the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphs, with the aim of paralyzing their societies. In fact, they reinforce their dictatorship through false religious texts, because that was the era in which the Hadiths were written, sayings and anecdotes about the life of the Prophet Muhammad. Nevertheless, the wind sometimes blows in unexpected directions! In Algeria, the faithful refused to continue Friday prayers. This is the case, for example, of the great "al-Kawthar" mosque in Bejaia - a department located about 250 km east of Algiers - and of other mosques scattered throughout the country. There were at least three million Algerians who went out on the streets to protest against the fifth term of Bouteflika, unable to speak and go against the mafia system that governs and maintains power. To return to the idea of official Islam, this religion has always been a means of keeping the population in ignorance. This static Islam contributes to the spread of Islamism in its peaceful and obedient form to the system of power, as well as being one of the branches of Salafism exported from Saudi Arabia and that Algeria had never known before. They were used against the Muslim Brotherhood, hostile to the regimes of the Arab dictatorships, as well as the secular opposition movements. Algeria has been living under the Bouteflika regime for twenty years who hasnt spoken to the people publically since he suffered a stroke in 2013. Today, the regime tries to impose itself using, among other things, an official Islam in favor of sacred ignorance, hostile to religious and ethnic minorities with the purpose of separating the Algerian from the rest of the world and keeping him docile. In conclusion, ignorance and religious fundamentalism in all its forms are blessed by the dictatorship in Algeria and we cannot rule out a return to fundamentalism in its most violent form: terrorism. Question: "Are the demonstrations a legal route for proselytism (da'wa)?" Answer: "Praise to Allah, Lord of the universe, prayers and blessings on our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his companions and those who follow them in love until the day of resurrection. He said: demonstrations are inventions, because none of this was known either at the time of the comrades, nor that of the well-guided caliphs or of the companions after them. They cause problems and disorder, which is why they are forbidden. (During the demonstrations) windows, doors and other things are broken, men mix with women, old people and young people, and other bad things happen. As for putting pressure on the authorities, if there is a Muslim authority it is sufficient to solicit the word of Allah and the Sunna of his Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam), and this is a good that is offered to Muslims; if he is a disbelieving ruler, he will give no consideration to these demonstrators. Apparently, he will treat them with courtesy, but in reality he hides his aversion. That's why we believe that demonstrations are a factor to blame. As for those who say that the demonstrations are peaceful, it may well be that this is true in the early stages or the first time, but later they turn out to be destructive. I therefore advise young people to follow the voice of the Salafites, because Allah has praised the Muhajirins, the Ansar and those who have followed them in charity. Source: Al-Jawab Al-Abhar Li Fawa'id Siraj The Supreme Court has listed for hearing from 26 to 28 February petitions challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35A which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir residents. The Supreme Court will start hearing petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the contentious Article 35A from 26-28 February. Former chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah warned Centre that any tinkering of the Article 35A will trigger political upheaval. Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Mufti said, "If anything like that happens (tinkering with Article 35A), its consequences would be I have said it earlier and my words were not taken well that it would be difficult for those who raise the flag of this country to even shoulder it. If it (Article 35A) is attacked, I dont know that which flag the people of Jammu and Kashmir would raise after dropping the Tricolour," The Indian Express reported. According to reports, the mood in Kashmir Valley was one of dread ahead of the Supreme Court's hearing. Article 35A of the Constitution grants "special status" to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir and defines the "permanent residents" of the state. It also bars people from outside Jammu and Kashmir from acquiring any immovable property or jobs in the state. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a number of petitions challenging this constitutional provision. The demand to abrogate Article 35A has gained more fervour since the attack on a CRPF convoy on 14 February, in which 42 jawans died. In the aftermath of the attack carried out by the Jaish-e-Mohammad, Kashmiris across the country have been facing violence and hate, and the Centre has initiated a crackdown on separatist leaders in the state. The pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the Article 35A (relating to the special rights and privileges enjoyed by Jammu and Kashmir) in Supreme Court listed for hearing this week from Feb 26-28. pic.twitter.com/CiGJoYFpj9 ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2019 Violence erupted in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday as rumours began to circulate on social media that the Supreme Court was going to strike Article 35A down. Dozens of protests and incidents of stone pelting were reported from districts in the Valley, with people thronging markets to stock up on essentials in the fear that there could be a long shutdown and curfew in the state. On Friday, the Home Ministry had issued a notification to "urgently" deploy 100 additional companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the Valley. The Supreme Court, on 19 February, had agreed to look into a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the article. The PIL, filed by BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay, also said the court must decide on the President of India's jurisdiction and thereby delineate who exactly can rule over Jammu and Kashmir. When brought into force at the time of Independence, Article 35A was meant to be a temporary arrangement. But successive mentions of the article, especially by the Supreme Court, which has upheld its constitutional validity several times, has given it a kind of immovable authenticity. With inputs from agencies The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Centre, directing it to recover the bodies of miners trapped in Meghalayas East Jaintia hills district The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Centre, directing it to recover the bodies of miners trapped in Meghalayas East Jaintia hills district. Water levels inside the 370-feet-deep coal mine are proving to be a hindrance in rescue operations, which are being led by the Indian Navy. The apex court has ordered that Kirloskar pumps be airlifted to Meghalaya to pump out water from the mine in order to facilitate the speedy recovery of miners bodies. In December last year, 15 miners were trapped when water from the Lytien river flooded the illegal mine in Lumthari village on 13 December. The first body was retrieved on 24 January. Two days later, the second body was located but could not be retrieved. Rescue teams discovered the third decomposed body of a miner on Sunday. "The underwater ROV of the Indian Navy on Sunday detected skeletons of the third miner deep inside the coal mine. Efforts are on to retrieve it," a senior district official told PTI. Rescue operations, which also include the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state agencies, continued for the 75th day on Monday. The state government announced interim relief of Rs 1 lakh to family members of the miners. The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a petition seeking a judicial inquiry into administrative lapses that allegedly led to the Uri and Pulwama attacks. The plea filed by advocate Vineet Dhanda also sought stern legal action against those who attack the armed forces in any form in Jammu and Kashmir. The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a petition seeking a judicial inquiry into administrative lapses that allegedly led to the Uri and Pulwama attacks. The plea filed by advocate Vineet Dhanda also sought stern legal action against those who attack the armed forces in any form in Jammu and Kashmir. On 18 February, Dhanda had moved Supreme Court seeking an inquiry into the terror attacks to identify alleged lapses at the local level as well as the alleged role of Indian nationals in extending help to Pakistan in executing such attacks. "I have filed a PIL in the Hon'ble Supreme Court for action against separatists leaders who are conniving with Pakistan against our country. Hope will get justice for our martyrs of Pulwama. Jai Hind," Dhanda had tweeted. The petition dismissed by the Supreme Court had sought an inquiry by a Special Investigation Team, led by a retired apex court judge, into the 14 February terror attack in Pulwama. Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi refused to entertain the plea, saying the court isn't inclined to interfere in the matter. The plea had also sought a direction to the Centre to submit a "detailed report on the action taken against All Parties Hurriyat Conference leaders" as well as a direction to freeze their accounts. It had also sought an immediate order to the government to permanently withdraw the security cover of Hurriyat leaders. "Issue an appropriate writ order or direction directing the Union of India and respondents to ban the All Parties Hurriyat Conference and other anti-national parties from contesting the Lok Sabha elections and other state polls," the petition said, adding that any derogatory or "anti-India" remarks published online should be made a punishable offence and all cultural ties with Pakistan be banned. On 14 February, a suicide bomber of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a CRPF convoy that was travelling on the Jammu-Srinagar highway near Pulwama. As many as 42 troopers of the paramilitary force, hailing from various states across the country, were killed in the attack. Should our military options be directed more specifically at the Pakistan army? The ISI and Pakistan military leadership is the real driving force behind terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and unless they feel real pain, they will have no reason or incentive to change their ways. Editor's note: The following article appeared in this weekend's edition of Firstpost Print. *** On 14 February, a suicide bomber hit a bus carrying CRPF personnel from Jammu to Srinagar with an explosive-laden vehicle. In one of the deadliest attacks in Kashmir, 40 CRPF men were martyred. As pictures emerged of the carnage, Indians reacted initially with horror and then anger and outrage. Within minutes of the blast, the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a Pakistan-based jihadi group, claimed responsibility for the strike. This was a departure from past high-profile attacks where terror groups have generally been silent about their involvement. The Indian political leadership has promised retribution and the Prime Minister has stated that the army has been given a free hand. Expectations among the people are high, particularly after the successful surgical strike of 2016 that was the topic of endless discussions and a highly popular movie. However, this is serious business and the political and armed forces leadership must carefully weigh and consider the military options, unencumbered by public chatter. The surgical strikes of 2016 and the extremely heated Line of Control with massive exchanges of gunfire have apparently not had a significant enough impact on the Pakistan-based terror groups to curb their activity. Therefore, as we mull over our military options, should we focus on terror camps as the primary target? But will the killing of a few jihadis prevent terror attacks when there is no shortage of radicalised Pakistani youth waiting to join the ranks? Should India then plan a decapitation strike on the leadership of JeM and the Lashkar-e-Taiba? This would require precise intelligence and a more long-term effort than what public impatience demands. Should our military options be directed more specifically at the Pakistan army? The ISI and Pakistan military leadership is the real driving force behind terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and unless they feel real pain, they will have no reason or incentive to change their ways. However, many questions are raised on whether India can actually bring adequate military pressure to bear on a nuclear-armed neighbour without escalating to an unacceptable level. In my view, the dangers of any military action by India escalating to an all-out war are over-stated. Certainly, escalation has its own dynamic and is not always controllable, but we need to view it realistically in the India-Pakistan context. If our past conflicts, including the last confrontation in Kargil, are any guide, both countries can responsibly restrict themselves up to a certain level of violence. The discussion between our political and military leaders must, therefore, centre on how much escalation we are willing to accept. Two alternatives suggest themselves. The first is a single high-profile action against the Pakistan army to prove our point, assuage popular sentiment, and provide a face-saving excuse to the rogue neighbour to back down. We saw this in 2016 when Pakistan denied that the surgical strikes even happened. However, we must also be prepared for a response. Pakistans Prime Minister Imran Khan has said: If you think, you would launch any attack on Pakistan and we would not think of retaliating, Pakistan will retaliate. The second alternative is sustained low-level military action to keep the Pakistan army under continuous pressure. Pakistan can shrug off a quick tactical loss but will have to introspect deeply when faced with a long-drawn conflict that remains below the threshold of an all-out war and does not permit it to flash the nuclear card. In my view, this is perhaps the better alternative, but may not be politically suitable at present. However, starting with the premise that we are unwilling to go beyond a certain limit of escalation is also a tacit acceptance of the limits of pure military coercion in the India-Pakistan geopolitical landscape. And these limits raise doubts about our ability to change the attitudes and behaviour of the Pakistani deep state. Does it follow that we should not consider the military option as a viable response to the Pulwama attack? There are no clear answers to this question. The fact that use of force could have only a limited strategic advantage has never prevented the political leadership from pursuing the military path, particularly when the political imperatives for action are strong. A major consideration before the leadership today is whether it can deter the Pakistan military from continuing with its policy of bleeding India through a thousand cuts. The strategy of deterrence has three main components capability, credibility, and communication. A strong and capable military force, a credible declaration of intent to use force to deter an adversary, and clear messaging of intentions. The American and Israeli states have been able to deter many potential aggressors because they demonstrate both a strong military capability and the political will to use that force. If India shows a lack of resolve, its credibility will suffer. The government will have to debate the options open and the long-term implications of the path that it chooses. It is obvious that diplomacy and international isolation of Pakistan will be key ingredients of Indias strategic policy. However, diplomatic negotiations, though extremely important, are conducted in safe environs and carry little risk of escalation. The use of military force, on the other hand, is highly threatening and dangerous, but it is also the ultimate weapon of deterrence. The real challenge before the political leadership will be the manner in which they calibrate the employment of this weapon. The author is a former Northern Army commander Journalist Priya Ramani on Monday got bail in the criminal defamation case filed against her by former Union minister MJ Akbar. He had sued her for defamation after several women, including Ramani, accused Akbar of sexual misconduct during his years as an editor and a journalist amid the #MeToo movement in India. Journalist Priya Ramani on Monday got bail in the criminal defamation case filed against her by former Union minister MJ Akbar. He had sued her for defamation after several women, including Ramani, accused Akbar of sexual misconduct during his years as an editor and a journalist amid the #MeToo movement in India. It was in response to Ramani's October 2017 article in the Vogue, which she re-shared on Twitter on 8 October around the time when women were sharing their #MeToo stories, that at least 18 women came out their own encounters with Akbar and his relentless advances towards them in the newsroom. On Monday, Ramani told reporters that truth is her only defence as she waits to tell her side of the story to the court. As the list of women coming out with their own "MJ story" became exhaustive, he was forced to resign as the Minister of State for External Affairs on 17 October, 2018. Days before resigning, the journalist-turned-politician had sued Ramani "for making false and defamatory statements in print/electronic media". On Monday, Ramani appeared before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal, who had summoned her in the case on 29 January. Senior Advocate Rebecca John, representing Ramani in court, moved a bail plea as the hearing commenced. She pointed out that in a complaint case, the complainant should be present in court as well, he Akbar was not there. Ramani then got bail on a surety of Rs 10,000, after which John, on Ramani's behalf, and moved an application for exemption from personal appearance in the case. Journalist Siddharth Varadarajan, who accompanied Ramani to the hearing, tweeted that he and others who spoke out against sexual harassment at the workplace, stand in complete solidarity with Ramani as he shared a picture of him and other journalists present in the court on Monday, to support Ramani. This morning, after the court hearing. In complete solidarity with @priyaramani and others who spoke out against sexual harassment at the work place. pic.twitter.com/an8hrEQHvI Siddharth (@svaradarajan) February 25, 2019 Many senior journalists, including Nidhi Razdan, Rajdeep Sardesai, Suhasini Haider and Javed Mansari, were present in court on Monday. The next hearing in the Ramani versus Akbar defamation case is scheduled for 10 April. During the winter season, hills are first to get affected in terms of rains wherein the plains see weather activities a day later. As far as this season is concerned, rains were on the backseat in the beginning for plains, however, starting mid-January, rains started to peak. In fact, rains have been a little more frequent than the average due in the region. Over 70 tourists, including three foreign nationals, were stuck at various places after avalanches blocked roads in Himachal Pradesh's Shimla on Sunday. The increasing number of avalanches in the hilly terrains of north India has rung alarm bells for disaster management authorities. Meanwhile, in the plains, rains have peaked since January. However, according to recent weather forecasts, rains will not be as intense in the coming days. A change in the climatic system will start affecting north India from 26 February onward, due to which rainfall activity may continue until 28 February over the northern plains. For instance, according to The Weather Channel, 26 February will see heavy rainfall in some pockets and will spread over entire North India. The possibility of a hailstorm, lightning and strong winds over the region is also likely. The report added that rains will reduce, and clearance will be seen around 28 February. Meanwhile, in Arunachal Pradesh, a cyclonic circulation will cause moderate to heavy snowfall and rain in the region, including in Sikkim. Moderate to heavy rain is likely in Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland as well. Scattered rainfall is predicted in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha, the report said. In the hilly terrains, scattered rain or snow with thunderstorms will be seen in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand with isolated rain and thunderstorms in Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh. Another western disturbance expected on 28 February will cause snow and rain in north India until the weekend. Regions along the coast of the Bay of Bengal and southern Indian states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala will witness isolated rainfall as well. In New Delhi, according to Skymet Weather, recent rains and flow of northwesterly winds have majorly improved the level of pollution since Sunday. As a result, pollution has been upgraded to moderate and satisfactory level over most places. Moreover, due to the commencement of these winds, the day temperatures have dropped. "With no major weather system in the coming days, we expect weather across Delhi and its adjoining areas such as Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Faridabad to remain dry until 24 February. Thereafter, some clouds may appear on 25 February, with some possibility of isolated thundershower and rain during the late night or early morning hours of 26 February," the report added. With inputs from agencies The memorial pays tribute to those killed in the Indo-China War in 1962, Indo-Pak wars in 1947, 1965 and 1971, Indian Peace Keeping Force Operations in Sri Lanka and the Kargil conflict between India and Pakistan in 1999. It also commemorates those who died in the UN peacekeeping missions and during counter-insurgency operations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the National War Memorial near India Gate in New Delhi on Monday in a ceremonial function to commemorate its opening. The National War Memorial is a tribute to the soldiers who laid down their lives defending the nation post-independence during various wars and battles fought by the Indian Army. The memorial pays tribute to those killed in the India-China War in 1962, India-Pak wars in 1947, 1965 and 1971, Indian Peace Keeping Force Operations in Sri Lanka and the Kargil conflict between India and Pakistan in 1999. It also commemorates those who died in the UN peacekeeping missions and during counter-insurgency operations. It is made in the India Gate complex and spread over 40 acres in the heart of Delhi and was executed at a cost of Rs 176 crore. Its vision was laid down by Modi in 2014, who had promised the nation a state-of-the-art monument honouring the sacrifice and valour of the country's armed forces. Modi will address ex-servicemen on the occasion. National War Memorial represents the culmination of the collective aspiration of a grateful nation to pay a fitting tribute to the martyrs. pic.twitter.com/HmNpDpsysu PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 24, 2019 Meanwhile, the layout of the memorial comprises four concentric circles, namely, the 'Amar Chakra' or Circle of Immortality, the 'Veerta Chakra' or Circle of Bravery, the 'Tyag Chakra' or Circle of Sacrifice, and the 'Rakshak Chakra' or Circle of Protection. Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Lt Gen PS Rajeshwar said that the Amar Jawan Jyoti built in 1972 underneath the India Gate arch to commemorate soldiers martyred in the Indo-Pak War of 1971, will continue to be there. "Wreath-laying ceremony on all designated days will be held at the National War Memorial built in memory of soldiers and unsung heroes who have laid down their lives defending the nation since Independence. A new flame will come up there. But the eternal flame at Amar Jawan Jyoti will stay. We have inherited that flame," he said. The Amar Jawan Jyoti is a memorial symbolised by an inverted bayonet and soldier's helmet over it with an eternal flame burning beside it. Tri-Services chiefs pay respect on occasions like Independence Day and Republic Day at the Amar Jawan Jyoti. The outermost being the Raksha Chakra is made by a row of 750 trees depicting soldiers guarding the nation; the Tyag Chakra comprising 16 walls having granite tablets wherein the names of the soldiers are inscribed; the Veerta Chakra consisting of six bronze murals showing famous battles of the three services; and the innermost one called the Amar Chakra comprising of the obelisk. Amar Jawan Jyoti to retain its significance Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, Lt Gen PJS Pannu said, "Amar Jawan Jyoti is an inseparable part of our history. So much emotions are attached to it. And, it is located beneath the India Gate which itself is a war memorial, built during the British-era. So, if any old regiments wish to commemorate their important days and mark an event and pay respect, they can still do it there as well." However, the central part of the memorial has been built in a sunken plot as the design had to respect the heritage look of the India Gate's Central Vista, officials said. The names of 25,942 battle casualties have been inscribed across 16 walls that consist of granite pieces bearing the name, rank and regiment of the fallen heroes, the officials said, adding that it was built between February 2018 and February 2019 in "record time". The 42 m-high India Gate was built during the British Raj as the All India War Memorial Arch to honour the soldiers who died in the First World War (1914-1918) and the Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919). The landmark has the names of soldiers inscribed on its surface. Over 80,000 Indian laid their lives in those campaigns and India Gate bears names of 13,516 etched over its surface. Names of fallen soldiers till 2017 Lt Gen Rajeshwar said that wreath-laying retreat ceremony involving lowering of flags will be held every evening at the memorial which will be open to the public. Asked if new names can be added in the memorial, he said, "Yes, there is a scope for that... We will hold a periodic review for that." He also informed that only names of those soldiers have been included in the new memorial, which were "frozen in time" before the construction work began in February 2018. "The cut-off date for including those names of fallen soldiers was till 2017 for the Army and early 2018 for the Air Force and Navy," Rajeshwar said. He said that a footfall of about 250 can be accommodated at a time so public entry will be regulated. The complex includes a central obelisk, an eternal flame, and six bronze murals depicting famous battles fought by Indian Army, Air Force and Navy. Busts of the 21 awardees of Param Veer Chakra have been installed at Param Yoddha Sthal which includes three living awardees Sub Maj (Hony Capt) Bana Singh (Retd), Sub Major Yogendra Singh Yadav and Sub Sanjay Kumar. During the inauguration, Modi will light the eternal flame signifying the souls of soldiers who laid down their lives for the country under a 15.5 metre tall obelisk at the memorial. The inauguration of the memorial will happen at about 5.30 pm. The ceremony at the memorial, which is located at India Gate C-Hexagon, will include dropping of flower petals by Indian Air Force helicopters over it. An air force missing man formation of three fighter aircraft signifying the departure of a fallen comrade will also be displayed. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and chiefs of the army, air force and navy will be present for the event. Modi will also meet the next of kin of the Param Vir Chakra (the countrys highest bravery award) awardees. Under the PM-KISAN programme, vulnerable landholding farmer families, having cultivable land up to 2 hectares, will be provided direct income support at the rate of Rs. 6,000 per year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday has launched the Rs 75,000-crore Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, by transferring the first instalment of Rs 2,000 each to over one crore farmers, a senior official of the agriculture ministry said. Another one crore farmers will be covered in the next two or three days, the official added. The scheme, which was announced in the NDA government's Interim Budget this year, various Opposition leaders took to social media to criticise it on Sunday. Many said the scheme is not really bettering the ongoing farmers' crisis. What is this farmers' scheme? Under the PM-KISAN programme, vulnerable landholding farmer families, having cultivable land up to 2 hectares, will be given direct income support of Rs 6,000 per year. This income support will be transferred directly to the bank accounts of beneficiary farmers in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000 each. Around 12 crore small and marginal farmer families are expected to benefit from this scheme. The programme was made effective from 1 December, 2018, and the first instalment for the period until 31 March, 2019, will be paid this year. The cut-off date to determine the eligibility of beneficiaries was 1 February. Changes, if any, in the cut-off date to check for eligibility to avail of the scheme for the next five years will only be considered with the approval of the Union Cabinet. However, the benefit will be allowed on the transfer of ownership of cultivable land only on account of succession due to the death of the landowner. Who is eligible? A small and marginal landholder farmer family is eligible for the PM-KISAN scheme. To calculate the benefits, the "family" is defined as "a family comprising of husband, wife and minor children (up to 18 years of age) who collectively own cultivable land up to 2 hectares as per land records of the concerned state or Union Territory". The following are ineligible to get the benefits: - All institutional landholders - Farmer families where one or more of members belong to the following categories: i. Former and present holders of constitutional posts ii. Former and present ministers/state ministers and former/present members of Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha/state legislative assemblies/state legislative councils, former and present mayors of municipal corporations, former and present chairpersons of district panchayats iii. All serving or retired officers and employees of Central/state government ministries/offices/departments and its field units Central or state PSEs and attached offices/autonomous institutions under the government as well as regular employees of local bodies (excluding multi-tasking staff/Class IV/Group D employees) iv. All superannuated/retired pensioners whose monthly pension is Rs 10,000 or more (excluding multi-tasking staff/Class IV/Group D employees) v. All Persons who paid income tax in last assessment year vi. Professionals like doctors, engineers, lawyers, chartered accountants and architects registered with professional bodies and carrying out profession by undertaking practices The existing land-ownership system in states and Union Territories were used to identify beneficiaries. Those whose names appear in land records till 1 February, 2019, are eligible to avail of the benefit. If a landholder farmer family has land parcels spread across different village/revenue records, then the land will be pooled to determine the benefit. Aadhaar mandatory Having an Aadhaar card is mandatory to avail the benefits of the farmers' scheme. In cases where the beneficiaries do not have Aadhaar identification, alternate prescribed documents can be presented. But all beneficiaries without an Aadhaar card will have to sign up for the scheme after receiving their first instalment to receive subsequent instalments of the PM-KISAN funds. How does it work? Funds will be transferred to the bank account of the beneficiaries through a state notional account. For transfer of benefit, district-wise lists of beneficiaries will be certified and uploaded by the states or Union Territories on the online portal of the PM-KISAN. The Centre will transfer the funds electronically to the beneficiary's bank account through the state notional account on a pattern similar to MGNREGS. How much does it cost? For the 2018-19 financial year, a Budget provision of Rs 20,000 crore has been allocated for the disbursal of this financial benefit to the eligible landholding small and marginal farmers' families. Similarly, a budgetary provision of Rs 75,000 crore has been kept aside for the 2019-20 financial year. For more information, visit the official website for the scheme pmkisan.nic.in. rime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the country's National War Memorial (NWM) adjoining the iconic India Gate complex in the heart of the capital, nearly 60 years after it was mooted to honour the fallen soldiers after Independence New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the country's National War Memorial (NWM) adjoining the iconic India Gate complex in the heart of the capital, nearly 60 years after it was mooted to honour the fallen soldiers after Independence. Spread over an area of approximately 40 acres, the memorial comprises four concentric circles, namely the 'Amar Chakra', 'Veerta Chakra', 'Tyag Chakra' and the 'Rakshak Chakra' with names of 25,942 soldiers inscribed in golden letters on granite tablets. It also includes a central 15.5-m obelisk, an eternal flame and six bronze murals depicting famous battles fought by the Indian Army, Air Force and the Navy in a covered gallery (Veerta Chakra). The prime minister dedicated to the nation the memorial, built at a cost of Rs 176 crore, by lighting the flame positioned at the bottom of the stone-made obelisk. Rose petals were showered by IAF helicopters and a fly-past in 'Missing Man' formation was also part of the event. There was no national memorial to commemorate the sacrifice of fallen soldiers after independence. The NWM pays tribute to soldiers who laid down their lives defending the nation during the India-China War in 1962, India-Pakistan Wars in 1947, 1965 and 1971, Indian Peace Keeping Force Operations in Sri Lanka and in the Kargil conflict of 1999. Besides, the main memorial complex, a Param Yoddha Sthal has also been built on the northern side of the India Gate's C-Hexagon area. The park is dotted with bronze busts of the 21 awardees, 15 posthumously of the Param Veer Chakra, country's highest wartime gallantry medal, a senior defence official said. A stone mural depicting a joint operation by the three armed forces, also has been made in front of the Param Yodha Sthal. Modi also interacted with three surviving Param Veer Chakra winners and later walked to the memorial complex through the Indian Gate canopy roundabout. A consecration ceremony was also held as successive chants from five different religious rent the air just before Modi lit the eternal flame. The prime minister, after dedicating the memorial, also took a tour of it and visited the gallery housing the six bronze murals, made by noted sculptor Ram Sutar, depicting famous battles fought by the Army, Air Force and Navy have been put up in a gallery in the Veerta Chakra zone. He was accompanied by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat, Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa and Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba during the event. Later, the prime minister also wrote a message in Hindi in the visitor's book. "It is a symbol of our soldier's bravery, sacrifice and courage...This memorial will encourage us to live every moment and do something for the nation. My salute to this pilgrimage site of bravery and martyrdom," he wrote. The sanction for the project was issued on 18 December, 2015 and actual work on it started in February last year. In the complex, 16 walls have been constructed in the Tyag Chakra for paying homage to the 25,942 battle casualties and their names have been inscribed on granite tablets arranged in a circular pattern, symbolising the ancient Indian war formation 'Chakravyuh'. The outermost circle -- the Rakshak Chakra comprises of rows of more than 600 trees with each tree representing many soldiers who guard the territorial integrity of the nation round the clock. The memorial complex also comprises graphic panels and stone murals. Busts of the 21 awardees of Param Veer Chakra have been installed at Param Yoddha Sthal which includes three living awardees Sub Maj (Hony Capt) Bana Singh (Retd), Sub Major Yogendra Singh Yadav and Sub Sanjay Kumar. Officials said the Amar Jawan Jyoti, built in 1972 underneath the India Gate arch in memory of the fallen soldiers of the 1971 war, will remain there but the NWM will be the place to pay tributes to soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country. The India Gate itself is a war memorial built during the British Raj as the All India War Memorial Arch to honour the soldiers who died in the First World War (1914-1918) and the Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919). The landmark has the names of soldiers inscribed on its surface. The proposal to set up a National War Memorial was under consideration since early 1970s. A Group of Ministers (GoM) in August 2012 recommended "C" Hexagon of India Gate as the appropriate location for the memorial. Journalist Priya Ramani is expected to appear in a Delhi court on Monday morning in connection with a defamation case filed by former Union minister MJ Akbar over allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him amid the #MeToo movement in India in 2018. Journalist Priya Ramani is expected to appear in a Delhi court on Monday in connection with a defamation case filed by former Union minister MJ Akbar over allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him amid the #MeToo movement in India in 2018. Ramani was among a number of women who had accused Akbar of sexual misconduct during his years as an editor and a journalist. As the list of women coming out with their own "MJ story" became exhaustive, he was forced to resign as the Minister of State for External Affairs on 17 October, 2018. Days before resigning, the journalist-turned-politician had filed a criminal defamation case against Ramani "for making false and defamatory statements in print/electronic media". Akbar accused Ramani of "willfully, deliberately, intentionally and maliciously defaming" him on "wholly and completely false, frivolous, unjustifiable and scandalous grounds", thereby harming his "goodwill and reputation". It was in response to Ramani's October 2017 article in the Vogue, which she re-shared on Twitter on 8 October around the time when women were sharing their #MeToo stories, that several women spoke up with their own stories of being sexually harassed by Akbar and his relentless advances towards them in the newsroom. At least 18 women have accused Akbar of sexual harassment when they worked with him during his years as a journalist. The women recounted their ordeals with Akbar right from the 1980s till as recently as in 2010-2011. Their accounts include details of his "predatory tactics" and incidents ranging from sexual harassment, sexism and abuse of power in his capacity as an editor. On 29 January, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal summoned Ramani to court in the defamation case, after which Ramani tweeted: "Time to tell our side of the story." As the slew of sexual harassment charges built against Akbar, the Editors Guild of India suspended him from membership until his defamation case against Ramani concluded. A court in Damanhur sentenced Wael Saad and Ramon Rasmi Mansour to death for being led by the devil" when they killed the abbot of St Macarius. Now the Grand Mufti will review the ruling. Coptic religious leaders call for prayer and urge an appeal to the sentence. Cairo (AsiaNews) A court sentenced two monks to death over the murder of the abbot of the monastery of St Macarius in Wadi El Natrun. For Egyptian Christians and the leaders of the Coptic Orthodox Church, this is a sad day and represents a catastrophe that will be appealed as soon as possible. The details of the case are still murky. Many of the pieces of the puzzle are missing, nor is it clear why the death penalty was imposed. Sources that spoke to AsiaNews, said that they will wait for further developments before commenting on the matter. On Saturday, a court in Damanhur imposed the death penalty on Wael Saad, known by his monastic name Isaiah al-Makari, and Ramon Rasmi Mansour, known as Faltaous al-Makari, who wept at the ruling. Both were defrocked after the assassination. "The defendants were led by the devil to the path of evil and vice, said Judge Gamal Toson of the Damanhour court in his ruling. They committed the greatest of the greatest sins and the greatest of crimes which the heavenly religions forbade". For him, the two men are responsible for the murder on 29 July 2018 of Coptic Orthodox bishop Anba Epiphanios, abbot of the monastery of St Macarius, an event that shocked Egypts Coptic community and monastic circles. Following the murder, the Church banned monks from using social media and suspended admissions into its seminaries for one year. The disregard shown by the two men for the abbots advanced age and spiritual role played an important role in the sentencing and ruled out extenuating circumstances in the case. Now the case goes for review. In Egypt, death sentences are reviewed by the countrys highest religious authority. The Grand Mufti of Egypt is now tasked with reviewing the court decision. His ruling is expected on 24 April. Throughout the trial the two defendants proclaimed their innocence. For the prosecution however, the two were responsible for the murder, due to a financial dispute with the abbot. The two men religious were also blamed for unspecified violations of monastic rules, which led to them being defrocked following a trial before a religious court. For Bishop Anba Aghathon, the verdict a "catastrophe" and a "sad day" for the community. He urged believers to pray for the monks, hoping that an appeal will be launched as soon as possible. Esam Ebaid, secretary of the European Union for Egyptians and a member of the Christian Union, a Dutch political party, slams the sentence, noting that the investigation was marred by corruption and political interests. For him, the verdict is an offence against monasticism and leaves the door open to interference into the affairs of monasteries and land seizures. Egypt has a population of about 95 million, mostly Muslims. Christians represent about 10 per cent, a majority of whom are members of the Coptic Orthodox Church. In 2016 and 2017, a wave of deadly terrorist attacks swept over the country, with Christians among the targets. A bandh was called by the Federation of School Association of Maharashtra (FSAM) after the state government failed to respond to the issue raised by the administration in a letter dated 24 January Around 4,400 schools in Maharashtra were closed in the state on Monday in protest over the implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act. A bandh was called by the Federation of School Association of Maharashtra (FSAM) some days ago after the state government failed to respond to the issue raised by school administrations in a letter dated 24 January. The on-going Maharashtra Board HSC, SSC Examination 2019 have, however, not been impacted by the bandh even as 2,000 school buses were also on strike, reported The Times of India. The FSAM has been protesting the delayed RTE admission reimbursements and to demand action against parents who default on fee payment, among other issues. FSAM members have alleged that the state department government resolution (GR), on 1 November, 2008, allowing reimbursement of Rs 17,000 each year per child is less than the tuition fee in many schools. Rajendra Singh, a representative of the Independent English Schools Association, was quoted saying, "Each school has a different fee structure depending on the facilities it provides. Moreover, the GR states that the government will only reimburse the tuition fees, and no other costs, like electricity, land etc. He also said that schools have been asked for documents and certificates of students admitted under the RTE, even though these kids were admitted after the proper government verification process. FSAM members further pointed at the lack of infrastructure to effectively monitor the implementation of the RTE Act. They argued that government officials should visit schools to verify if students were attending classes, instead of asking schools to do the same. FSAM demands also include rules for the protection of school staff and making changes to older ones that held a bus provider or contractor responsible for any untoward incident rather than the principal. They also insist on starting Darja wadh (permission to pass students of Class 8 and Class 9) online, providing free books, bags, uniform and stationery material to students under the RTE and reimbursing RTE fees according to the Executive Parents Teachers Association approved fees of respective schools. Article 35A, which was incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, accords special rights and privileges to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu: Putting all speculation to rest, the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday said its stance remained unchanged that only an elected government would be able to take a stand on Article 35A before the Supreme Court, which is hearing a bunch of petitions challenging its validity. Addressing a press conference, senior bureaucrat Rohit Kansal, who has been designated as the chief spokesperson of the governor's administration, said, "The stand of the state government on the request of deferment of hearing on Article 35A in the Supreme Court remains the same as requested by them on 11 February." He was replying to a question on whether there was a change in the stand of the governor's administration on the contentious issue. Kansal also urged the people of the state not to pay heed to rumours and get panicky on the basis of "unsubstantiated and exaggerated pieces of information" which were in circulation. "In the past few days several rumours have been circulated and panic messages disseminated. Most of these have been based on unsubstantiated or exaggerated pieces of information," he said. The Jammu and Kashmir government's counsel had sought permission from the Supreme Court for circulating a letter among the contesting parties for adjourning the upcoming hearing on the pleas challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35A, which provides special rights and privileges to the natives of the state, saying there was no "elected government" in the state. The apex court is scheduled to hear the petitions challenging Article 35A soon. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna was told by lawyer Shoeb Alam, representing the Jammu and Kashmir government, on 11 February that he was seeking its nod to circulate the letter among the parties for getting the scheduled hearing deferred. "On the day of listing, the undersigned (Alam) shall be requesting for an adjournment in the matter since presently, there is no elected government in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and the state is under President's Rule. The present matter involves a sensitive issue regarding a challenge to Article 35A of the Constitution of India. A short reply has been filed by the state of Jammu and Kashmir in the lead matter 'We the Citizens' and notices have not been issued on the other petitions. It will therefore be requesting that the matter may kindly be heard when an elected government is in place," the state government said in the letter. Article 35A, which was incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, accords special rights and privileges to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and bars people from outside the state from acquiring any immovable property in the state. It denies property rights to a woman who marries a person from outside the state. The provision, which leads to such women from the state forfeiting their right over property, also applies to their heirs. The bench is hearing several petitions including the one filed by NGO 'We the Citizens' through lawyer Barun Kumar Sinha. Several petitions, including those by political parties like the National Conference and the CPM, were also filed in the Supreme Court in support of Article 35A that also empowers the state Assembly to define "permanent residents" for bestowing special rights and privileges to them. The state government, while defending the article, had cited two verdicts of the constitution benches of the Supreme Court in 1961 and 1969, which had upheld the powers of the president under Article 370(1)(d) of the Constitution to pass constitutional orders. Indias deepening ties with the Islamic world could act as a bulwark to prevent Pakistan from using the secretariat and OIC forum for its own propaganda. New Delhi: On 29 January 1980, when most visiting delegates at Islamic Foreign Ministers conference in Islamabad had left and others were sleepy and inattentive, then Pakistani chief of army staff General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq with the help of trusted aides quietly inserted Kashmir in the draft declaration. Pakistans then foreign minister and conference president Agha Shahi simply asked the delegates if the draft was approved and mild applause was taken by all as unanimous acceptance. Thereafter Indian diplomats posted in Islamabad rushed to envoys and questioned them about accepting such declaration. They claimed complete ignorance about Kashmir reference. Clearly, Pakistan ticked them and of course, was able to exploit the conference for its main purpose. Indian diplomats debated in the 80s that Pakistan was able to raise Kashmir issue at Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) platform due to successful infiltration of Pakistani officials in the secretariat. A section believed that Pakistani diplomats were by far the most skilled in handling conferences as compared to other Muslim countries and used Islamic conferences to their advantage. No doubt, OIC, formerly called as Organisation of the Islamic Conference has been used by Pakistan in the past against India. This basically started with Karachi International Islamic Conference held in November 1949 and attended by 18 countries. Subsequently, in 1951 Motamer-e-Alam-i-Islam held its session in Karachi that was attended by various countries but Pakistan missed the boat soon thereafter. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto brought Pakistans position back in the forum and he successfully built up a military machine financed by Arab money. Zia, initially treated as persona non-grata by almost all the major countries, adopted the policy of Islamisation at home drew them closer. He was also able to successfully present Pakistan to the Islamic world as a victim of Soviet aggression after their intervention in Afghanistan. Since then Pakistan did not miss any opportunity to exploit its Islamic link in the political field. Naturally, the invite to India to attend foreign ministers meeting of the OIC on 1 March as guest of honour would bring unease to the Pakistani establishment. Although Indias participation is limited to the inaugural session, the invitation is seen as a huge diplomatic victory and sign of growing ties with the Islamic world, particularly Saudi Arabia and UAE. The invite, amid international pressure on Pakistan to rein in terror groups operating on its soil, could also become a huge opportunity for India to use the forum of 57 member states to expose Pakistans foreign policy manoeuvres aimed at raking up anti-India issues while playing Islamic card to their advantage. Despite the lack of interest among the other member countries, Pakistan has been surreptitiously using the platform to include a reference to Kashmir in the communiques. However, the Pulwama terror attack and strong condemnation by the UN Security Council is likely to trigger a change in OIC stand. Since 1969 Rabat fiasco where India was disinvited due to Pakistans hectic lobbying with other countries, the government has been patiently working to strengthen bilateral relations with Islamic countries. India was treated shabbily at Rabat and president Habib Bourguiba of Tunisia had told an Indian diplomat that Muslims in India though having a large population do not wield real political power in the country. Amid the discussion in 80s and 90s on whether India should lobby with other member states to participate in OIC forum, the government had decided to set up an Islamic Cell under the Ministry of External Affairs to carry out regular and intensive studies of religo-political movements in the Islamic world and keep track of Islamic conferences within and outside the Arab world. At least three primary factors have always triggered the debate for India's deep ties with OIC -- the presence of Pakistan in the forum and its adverse effect on India, secondly the existence of a large majority of Muslims in the population of India and finally the strengthening of Indias relations with the Muslim world. It is important to mention a confidential note of 1981 where Indian diplomats argued that entry into OIC will help India marginally to counter Pakistani moves, but at the same time our constant confrontation with neighboring country will expose us to the charge of having a phobia against Pakistan. It further said: On important questions such as Kashmir and in eventuality of an Indo-Pakistan war, there will certainly be pressure on us in the OIC for a compromise settlement, and attempts at mediating the issue will be made by OIC. It will go against our basic approach to this problem. It had further suggested that entry in the OIC does not appear to be of any particular advantage for India and the focus should be on intense bilateral relations with OIC member states, which seems to promise a brighter future for Indias relations with Muslim states than even getting the observer status of OIC. Pakistan's attempt to forge deep cooperation and get more economic assistance from the Muslim countries has been restricted and its stock is not as high in the forum. The recent terror attack in Iran and suspected Pakistani link is also showing severe strain in Pakiatani-Iranian relation. On the contrary, Indias deepening ties with Islamic world could act as a bulwark to prevent Pakistan from using the secretariat and OIC forum for its own propaganda. Hundreds of mainly poor people die each year in India from tainted liquor, which normally costs just a few US cents a bottle. Cheap, locally made booze is common in rural parts and bootleggers often add methanol a highly toxic form of alcohol sometimes used as an antifreeze to their product to increase its strength. At least 58 more workers have died in northeastern India after drinking toxic liquor, police said on Sunday, taking the death toll from the latest mass alcohol poisoning beyond 150. The deaths in Assam state came less than two weeks after tainted liquor killed around 100 people in the northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. At least 200 others were still receiving treatment in hospitals across Assam. "A total of 85 people have died in Golaghat district due to consumption (of toxic alcohol)," Dhiren Hazarika, deputy commissioner of the worst affected region, told AFP. "Another 100 are undergoing treatment... The rush of new patients has (only) slowed down today afternoon," he added. Samir Sinha, Assam's principal health secretary, told AFP that 71 deaths had been confirmed in neighbouring Jorhat district by Sunday afternoon. "131 people, including 13 critical patients, are undergoing treatment at hospitals in Jorhat," he said. "What is happening is also a kind of fear psychosis. Many locals, even if they took (illegal alcohol) four or five days back, are worried and reporting (for check-ups) at the local medical facilities," he added. Sinha said that additional teams of medical personnel and supplies had been rushed to the affected districts. Police said people started falling sick after consuming a batch of illegally produced liquor late Thursday. The victims, who include many women, worked at local tea estates in the region. Doctors said those rushed to hospital in critical condition were suffering from severe vomiting, extreme chest pain and breathlessness. "A total of ten people have been arrested. We have sent the samples of the liquor... to a forensic laboratory. The report is awaited," Mukesh Agarwala, additional director general of state police, told AFP on Sunday. Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal has ordered an inquiry into the deaths. Apart from the arrests, two excise department officials were suspended for failing to take adequate precautions over the sale of the alcohol. Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma vowed those responsible for the tainted liquor would be brought to justice. Hundreds of mainly poor people die each year in India from tainted liquor, which normally costs just a few US cents a bottle. Cheap, locally made booze is common in rural parts and bootleggers often add methanol a highly toxic form of alcohol sometimes used as an antifreeze to their product to increase its strength. If ingested in large quantities, methanol can cause blindness, liver damage and death. Many drinkers in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand were taken to hospital earlier this month in writhing pain after drinking illicit alcohol. About 100 people died after consuming the tainted moonshine. In 2015, more than 100 people died in a Mumbai slum after drinking illegal liquor. Of the estimated five billion litres of alcohol drunk every year in India, around 40 percent is illegally produced, according to the International Spirits and Wine Association of India. Many Indian states have implemented or pushed for prohibition, which, according to critics, further increases the unsupervised manufacture and sale of alcohol. Bihar, one of India's poorest states, banned alcohol in 2016. But just months after prohibition took effect, 16 people died after consuming toxic liquor. The entire staff of a local police station in the eastern state were suspended for "dereliction of duty" and failure to stop bootlegging. As wave after wave of raucous cheers echoed around the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, Saurabh Chaudhary was an island of calm Travels through the Hindi belt: Chhattisgarh govt struggles to assuage investors, agents duped in chit funds during BJP's tenure When the irregularities in the chit fund investments came to light initially, the BJP-led Raman Singh government, instead of going after the directors of the companies, cracked down on agents. As many as 286 of them were arrested between 2012 and 2018. As things stand today, over 400 cases of irregularities have been registered and the Congress government is figuring out a policy to return money to more than 2.70 lakh people who had invested over Rs 1,105 crore in close to 200 chit fund companies operating in the state. Narendra Modi should remember despite Kargil win, BJP didn't sweep 1999 polls; Pulwama sympathy may not turn into votes The war-mongering following the Pulwama attack in Jammu and Kashmir has political pundits mulling its possible impact on the impending 2019 Lok Sabha election. Reminded of the limited war India fought with Pakistan in Kargil from May to July 1999, just three months before the polls in October, they ask: Did it help the BJP win in 1999? BJP was able to retain in 1999 the 182 seats it had won in 1998. Yet, ironically, the outcome of that election still contradicts the view that war, skirmishes or cross-border campaigns necessarily secure electoral majorities. This is because in 1999 the BJP lost vote-share nationally and even seats in key states. If Oscars cared about diversity, Spiderman Into the Spider-Verse or Black Panther should have won Best Picture Both the Marvel films Black Panther and Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse are bold, original ventures that expanded the scope of cinematic storytelling and encouraged empathy, understanding and discussion about how there is more that unites us than divides us. They are not dated, inauthentic films in which black people exist primarily to help white people overcome their problems or absolve their past sins. ISSF New Delhi Shooting World Cup 2019: Saurabh Chaudhary cuts out the noise to claim Tokyo Olympics quota with world record score As wave after wave of raucous cheers echoed around the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, Saurabh Chaudhary was an island of calm. Unflappable. In a field of battle-hardened veterans, the 16-year-old seemed to be the only not feeling the pressure. Fittingly then, he ended the day with the gold medal in the 10m air pistol event, a quota place for India for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and a world record his score of 245.0 a culmination of peerless shooting containing just five shots in the 9s. Confusion over Aadhaar linking afflicts several Jharkhand tribal groups; 43% go hungry due to web of procedural obstacles In Jharkhand's Latehar it is not unusual for Parhaiyas classified as a 'Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)' like Sonmati, to live in such dire destitution. Far away from any markers of governance like, health, law and education, they live in the crevices of hills unable to access any basic amenities of living. Most places have no functioning roads, sporadically functioning schools and anganwadis, and healthcare facilities available many hours away. For Sonmati, and many like her, hunger is the norm here. A Delhi court on Monday directed the Enforcement Directorate to provide Robert Vadra with the soft and hard copies of documents seized by it during raids conducted at his offices last year in a money laundering case. New Delhi: A Delhi court on Monday directed the Enforcement Directorate to provide Robert Vadra with the soft and hard copies of documents seized by it during raids conducted at his offices last year in a money laundering case. Special CBI Judge Arvind Kumar said it will take up at 2 pm Vadra's separate application seeking directions to the ED to stay interrogation until documents are given to him. Vadra, who is the brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, had said in the application moved by him on Saturday that the ED has been interrogating him based on seized documents and, therefore, their copies should be provided to him. On 7 December last year, the agency had carried out raids at Vadra's offices at Delhi. The court said Vadra will join investigation before the ED after it took up his plea for hearing. During the hearing, senior advocate KTS Tulsi, appearing for Vadra, alleged that the agency wants to expedite the investigation as elections are approaching and they are losing their patience. Vadra was facing probe in cases relating to purchase of alleged illegal assets abroad and an alleged land scam in Bikaner, Rajasthan. Vadra has appeared before the ED for questioning on multiple occasions in Delhi and Jaipur. The court had on 16 February extended the interim bail granted to Vadra till 2 March. Vadra had filed an anticipatory bail application in the case linked to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property at 12, Bryanston Square worth 1.9 million pounds. The property is allegedly owned by him. In an interview with Firstpost, Swechas general secretary Kiran Chandra explains where the NERP-AP went wrong in Telangana In the National Electoral Roll Purification and Authentication Programme (NERP-AP) held across Telangana in April 2015 to remove duplicate voters, the names of over 30 lakh voters were deleted, response to an RTI query revealed on Monday. The software that was used to implement NERP-AP, involving linking of Aadhaar number with Voter ID, deleted potential duplicate voters without verification, due to which lakhs of voters found their names missing in electoral rolls during the Telangana Assembly election held in December 2018. The response to the RTI query filed by city-based independent security researcher Srinivas Kodali also revealed that then-chief electoral officer (CEO) Bhanwar Lal had written a letter to the Election Commission of India (ECI) admitting poor progress of the programme in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) area, which comprises 24 of the 119 Assembly constituencies in the state. In a press conference held on Monday, Swecha, a Hyderabad-based NGO working on free software movement in India, released documents showing lapses on the ECIs part. In an interview with Firstpost, Swechas general secretary Kiran Chandra explains where the NERP-AP went wrong, violation of norms and laws by the ECI, its possible impact on election results and corrective measures that can be taken: What are your complaints against the ECI? Kodalis RTI query revealed that a call from the Telangana chief minister to then CEO Bhanwar Lal to speed up the Aadhaar-Voter ID linking process, especially in GHMC and Nizamabad, was followed by the process to remove all duplicate voters from the Election Commission database. The ECI gave the voter database to the Information Technology department of Telangana. A tender was then issued open to private players as well to build software to filter out duplicate voters. The software contained Aadhaar details along with comprehensive survey details put together by the state of Telangana, including caste, religion, demographic details, migration, bank accounts, ration card number. Using this software, names were removed from the electoral list. However, ECI is a statutory body that is supposed to ensure voting rights for all citizens above the age of 18 years. This raises concerns regarding the criteria used to delete the names during the NERP-AP process. Not only did the ECI violate its own norms by giving voter details to the IT department, but it also denied certain people their voting rights. Moreover, the ECI lied in court about following the norms in scrutinising the electoral rolls, which amounts to perjury. Now, ECI has issued a nationwide circular saying that this process of removing duplicate voters needs to be followed across the country. Which means that people could be removed from the list owing to factors like caste or religion. This subversion of the democratic process is a matter of embarrassment. What are your suggestions for the ECI to rectify the situation? The ECI needs to take corrective action before the election notification comes out and electoral rolls are made. The list of deleted names should be made public and genuine voters should be approached and relevant rectifications should be made immediately. We have also demanded that the source code and algorithm used in the software to identify and delete duplicate voters be made public. This is not a systemic problem but a new system created by the ECI. How can the ECI use state surveillance data to decide who votes? The ECI should come out and speak about why it is failing the Constitution and how it will rectify the situation. Do you think the election results in Telangana could have been different in the absence of this glitch by the ECI? In Telangana, which has a population of 3.5 crore people and 2.8 crore people voted, 30 lakh people could not vote. That is a big number that could have made an impact. What course of action is your organistion planning to take to resolve the matter? Kodali hs filed a petition in the Telangana High Court questioning the transparency of the algorithm used by the EC in December last year. We are waiting for the matter to come up for hearing. Is there any other method apart from NERP-AP that can be used to filter our duplicate voters? The problem lies with relying on surveillance data for filtering out duplicate voters, involving the police and the IT department in handling election data and involving private players in developing the software for the same. The ECI can make its own software for this purpose with the required specifications while keeping its algorithm public. At Kumbh Mela, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was washing the feet of the poor and the oppressed as well as mocking the elitism that marks the corridors of power in India There's a reason why cliches are called cliches. Underneath the lack of imagination and overuse, they reflect a universal truth. For instance, the truth about the adage a picture (video clip, actually) is worth a thousand words was evident all over again as one saw images of the prime minister honouring sanitation workers by washing their feet. #WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi washes feet of sanitation workers in Prayagraj pic.twitter.com/otTUJpqynU ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 24, 2019 The image is a powerful one in more ways than one. It also provided ample evidence of the fact that Narendra Modi remains a master communicator. This point needs to be expanded a bit before we go into the details of his gesture and its significance. Effective communication includes but is not limited to oratory. It includes but is not limited to winning debates. It includes but is not limited to delivering a riveting public speech, extempore. Had that been the case, any good debater or public speaker could have become a mass leader. Effective communication, especially in politics, is all this and much more. For a politician, it is a way to connect with the last person in the queue and convince the disadvantaged and the downtrodden that they are not forgotten. In a society that is more feudalistic than democratic, classist than egalitarian and remains rooted still in casteism, sending across a message that is inclusive and universal in nature remains a challenge. It is here that the prime minister struck a chord on Sunday with his gesture of respecting the safai karmcharis (sanitation workers) who had worked tirelessly to keep the Kumbh Mela premises clean. Five sanitation workers, who had won an award at the Swachh Kumbh Swachh Aabhaar event organised by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, were felicitated along with boatmen (naviks), firemen and cops for ensuring that a clean Kumbh remains a melting pot of spirituality, culture and commerce. In a mark of respect to the real karma yogis as Modi hailed the sanitation workers the prime minister proceeded to wash and wipe the feet of Pyare Lal, Naresh Kumar and Chaubi from Banda, and Hori Lal of Sambhal and Jyoti of Korba in Chattisgarh (three men and two women) who, according to a report in Times of India, were left awestruck. We were told that we will be honoured and were made to sit on chairs. We were speechless when we saw the prime minister approaching us. He was very soft-spoken. He then washed and wiped our feet and felicitated us with angavastram. He also asked us about our problems and the experience of working at Kumbh, one of the workers was quoted, as saying in the report. Moments Ill cherish for my entire life! Honouring remarkable Safai Karamcharis, who have taken the lead when it comes to realising the dream of a Swachh Bharat! I salute each and every person making a contribution towards a Swachh Bharat pic.twitter.com/IsjuCgjlkn Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 24, 2019 The image of a prime minister, seated on a low stool and touching, washing and wiping the feet of sanitation workers seated on chairs above him, is more than mere symbolism. In a deeply casteist society where sanitation workers represent the most oppressed section and are denied respect and dignity in everyday life, this one image goes a long distance in pointing towards the evil of casteism in Hindu society and tackling it in a manner that is more effective than dictums, advices, lectures or treatises on the subject. One image hammers home a message of inclusivity that a thousand words cannot, and it does so with disarming simplicity and efficiency. It also serves as a reference point for caste-related debates in places that remain outside the loop of egalitarian media debates. But this is just at one level. At another level, the image is a boost for the prime ministers Swachh Bharat campaign involving a human congregation of millions, and Kumbh was an opportunity for the government to show that it can implement the Swachh Bharat idea on a grand scale. The image may also be interpreted as an effort to raise awareness by harnessing the power of media that was sure to highlight it. During his speech on the occasion outlining the huge effort it took to keep the Kumbh clean, the prime minister pointed out that over 20,000 dustbins, one lakh toilets... difficult to even imagine how much safai karamcharis have worked. He called them brothers and sisters who were waking up early, sleeping late, all to ensure the cleanliness of the area. They did not want any praise but they were doing their jobs without any fuss". The Uttar Pradesh government had pulled out all stops to keep the Kumbh a tidy and hygienic spot and it seems from the reactions that it has been largely successful in its efforts. The mark of respect for sanitation workers, therefore, is also a message that the BJP government in the state has been successful in organising such a massive event with minute attention to detail. After taking a holy dip and washing the feet of the sanitation workers, Modi later said that he has never seen such a clean Ganga. Ive never seen a cleaner Ganga previously and it has only been possible because of the Namami Gange project, he said. Finally, the washing of feet of sanitation workers who are mostly Dalits is a huge political statement just ahead of the elections. The success of the message lies in its ingenuousness. It solidifies Modis image as a prime minister who is humble and unpretentious despite immense power at his command. It is a message of humility and it is expected to show that Modi, who has known poverty in the early stages of his life, remains rooted to the ground. The fact that he washed the feet of Dalits will go a long way in refuting the Opposition campaign that the government is anti-Dalit. Nothing convinces someone more than when one is nudged towards a conclusion based on own inference instead of being asked to subscribe to an idea. The image is also a severe indictment of the snobbery, classism and elitism that afflict the incestuous clique that had cornered power in India. Modi was simultaneously washing the feet of the poor and the oppressed and mocking at the elitism that marks the corridors of power. These are powerful political statements that may resonate with the electorate. Modis move also left little space for the Opposition to criticise him without appearing to be insensitive and touched the heart of plebeians who flooded social media with approving responses. The act of washing and wiping the feet also carries a deeper symbolism. It denotes the sense of service that Modi had alluded to in his last Lok Sabha speech where he compared Congress' "55 years of satta-bhog (enjoying power) to his governments 55 months of seva bhav. It reinforces the image of Modi as the pradhan sevak. Political messaging doesnt get more efficient than this. Despite assurances from the Centre and Arunachal Pradesh government, protests over the issue of the permanent resident certificate (PRC) being proposed for six communities escalated on Sunday after the death of two people. Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu on Monday reiterated that the state government would not take the recommendations of a high-level committee to grant permanent resident certificate (PRC) to six non-local communities in the Namsai and Changlang districts of the state. Khandu's statement came after the deaths of at least two people amid widespread protests against the proposal. Reportedly, police opened fire at protesters on Sunday when they tried to march to the chief minister's residence. Khandu said, "Today an order has been issued via the Chief Secretary that we won't take up the PRC matter. I would like to assure the people in Arunachal Pradesh that the government will not take up the matter even in the future. This is a clear message." He also appealed to the agitators to end the protests because "their demand had already been accepted" on Friday and said that directives had been issued for a "detailed investigation" because the violence had persisted. "I request (protesters) not to hold protests and dharnas and to cooperate with the government. I've given directives that a detailed investigation is essential. Government's stand over the issue was clear, but there were still incidents of violence." "I've formed a commissioner-level investigating committee. It is necessary for the truth to be brought out before the public. We feel that there is somebody's hand behind these incidents. Arunachal Pradesh is otherwise a peaceful state," Khandu was quoted by ANI as saying. The six communities include five non-Arunachal Pradesh STs Deoris, Sonowal Kacharis, Morans, Adivasis and Mishings, and the Gorkhas living in Vijaynagar. The protesters, who are agitating against the proposal to grant PRC to communities living in Namsai and Changlang districts, are demanding that the PRC issue be resolved once and for all, along with calling for the resignation of the chief minister and the unconditional release of the 40-odd detained agitators, The Indian Express reported. The report added that the Arunachal unit of the Congress has demanded the President's Rule in the state by dismissing the BJP government. Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday said that the state government had passed an order to not accept the recommendations of the Joint High-Powered Committee to grant the communities with the PRC. He also blamed the Congress for "instigating" a section of people. The central government has dispatched at least 1,000 paramilitary personnel to the state to help the administration in maintaining law and order. "Everyone must come together without blaming each other for the sake of peace. It's very unfortunate that innocent lives were lost in the violence," Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, said. He also stated that Khandu has clarified that the state government was not bring the bill on PRC but only tabling the report of the Nabam Rebia-led committee consisting of members and student organisations. Rijiju alleged that the Congress has supported and "instigated" non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Lekang area to fight for PRC but "misguided" innocent people in Itanagar. #WATCH Permanent residence certificate row: Violence broke out in Itanagar during protests against states decision to grant permanent resident certificates to non-#ArunachalPradesh Scheduled Tribes of Namsai & Chanaglang; Deputy CM Chowna Mein's private house also vandalised. pic.twitter.com/FrcmqWbL8c ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2019 On Sunday, protesters defied curfew and allegedly set ablaze the private residence of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein. Reportedly they also ransacked the office of the deputy commissioner as part of the protest. They also set on fire a large number of vehicles parked in the compound of the DC's office, PTI reported. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday appealed to the people to remain calm and maintain peace. He also spoke to Khandu, who reportedly briefed him about the situation in the state. The Joint High Power Committee, after holding parleys with the stakeholders, recommended granting PRC to six communities, who are not natives of Arunachal Pradesh but has been living in Namsai and Changlang districts for decades. The proposals evoked resentment among several community-based groups and students' organisations, who claimed that the rights and the interests of indigenous people will be compromised if the state government accepts them. With inputs from agencies A total of four deaths have been reported in violence in Arunachal Pradesh three days after protests erupted over the issue of granting PRCs to six communities. A total of four deaths have been reported in violence in Arunachal Pradesh as protests continued against the governments move to grant Permanent Residence Certificates (PRC) to six non-indigenous communities in Arunachal Pradesh. Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu on Monday met leaders of 17 community-based organisations of Arunachal Pradesh. He had also called an all-party meeting in Itanagar to discuss the situation. However, the meet was cancelled after the Congress and National Peoples Party refused to attend it. Asserting that the government does not intend to introduce a bill for granting PRCs to the six non-indigenous communities, Khandu said, I made the government's stand clear on 22 February. We are not taking the PRC matter forward, and want to reassure that we will not take up the issue of giving PRCs to non-APST (non- Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe) communities in future. Still, some incidents have taken place, in which some boys lost their lives and some others were injured. I am deeply saddened by this and once the situation is normalised, I will visit the families personally. A curfew is still in place at Itanagar and some parts of Naharlagun, where protests erupted on Friday night. So far, over 150 vehicles and several houses have been burnt down, most of which belong to non-APSTs. Protesters also set ablaze the house of deputy chief minister Chowna Mein and vandalised government offices, including the Deputy Commissioner's office and Itanagar Police Station. The army has conducted flag marches in sensitive areas, especially in Namsai and Changleng districts and Vijayanagar, where non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes and Gorkhas reside. These six communities are Deoris, Sonowal Kacharis, Moran, Adivasis and Mishing. Among these, Sonowal Kacharis and Mishing have been granted ST status in Assam. However, on Monday, incidents of violence continued to be reported from the capital, although 1,000 paramilitary troops have been sent to the state to bring the situation under control. Angry protesters were seen vandalising shops and shopping malls in Itanagar. Arunachal Pradesh is a peaceful state, especially the capital. We feel that the message the government wants to send to the people has not reached them properly through media or social media. Security forces have been deployed to maintain peace and tranquility, said Tapir Gao, BJP president of Arunachal Pradesh. Meanwhile, the Assam Police has issued a helpline number to assist people from Assam who are stranded in Arunachal Pradesh. The numbers are: 8749860803 (mobile) and 0361-2381511 (landline). People from Assam have been fleeing to border areas to avoid clashes with the protesters. On Monday, Takam Sanjay, the president of Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee and former Congress chief minister Nabam Tuki have sent a letter to Union home minister Rajnath Singh urging serious attention on the part of the central government. The situation warrants that the government takes a serious view on these developments. The state government has completely failed and remains a mute spectator to the unfolding events over the past two days. Further complacency and lack of action would not only jeopardise the socio-cultural fabric of the state but also have serious strategic ramifications." Slamming Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, the letter stated, It is a matter of shame that your deputy, Union Minister for Home Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju, who represents the Arunachal West parliamentary constituency, has been indifferent to the sensitivities of the people, the deaths and the ongoing unrest. Instead, he has been indulging in politicising the issue, discarding blatantly his constitutional obligations to safeguard the interest and safety of his people. Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, in a tweet, had criticised the Congress for instigating the protesters. CM Pema Khandu has clarified that State govt wasn't bringing bill on PRC but only tabling report of Nabam Rebia led JHPC consisting members & student organizations. It means State Govt hasn't accepted it. In fact, Congress Party is fighting for PRC but instigating people wronly. pic.twitter.com/AXNI61e1EN Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 24, 2019 Rijiju on Monday further said, At this time, rather than politicising the issue, we all should work with the government. We are very sorry for the incidents that took place in Arunachal Pradesh. I have been in touch with the governor and the chief minister, and have taken stock of the situation. The Centre has assured that it will do the needful to bring normalcy in the state. Meanwhile, internet services have again been shut down in the state. On Sunday, the internet services had been functional for a few hours during the day. Japans famed Kodaiji temple worked with one of the world's leading robotics experts to build a talking Kannon. The robotic deity has hands that can fold in prayer, can move parts of the body and recite sutras. Kyoto (AsiaNews/Agencies) The Kodaiji temple in Kyoto unveiled the Android Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, which can preach sutras and interact with human beings. The robot will begin its official "preaching" in March, but it is already possible to see it at work. The famed Kyoto temple was built by the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the 16th-century warlord who unified Japan, to commemorate her husband. Buddhism saw a phenomenal spread in the world with the emergence of Buddhist images, said Tensho Goto, one of the temple priests. We are hoping that the Android Kannon will help Buddhist teachings reach the hearts of people today. The project is the result of collaboration between the zen temple and Hiroshi Ishiguro, professor of intelligent robotics at Osaka University. The android is programmed to deliver a sermon from the Heart Sutras in Japanese. The translated versions of English and Chinese are projected on a screen. The android is 195 cm tall, weighs 60 kilos, and can move head, arms and torso. With months to go for the elections, the BJP has got itself embroiled in a host of controversial issues that could swing either way for both the party and the concerned demography, leaving a trail of uncertainty for the residents in turmoil. Pakistan on Sunday said attempts to scrap Article 35A of the Indian Constitution were aimed at bringing about demographic changes to the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region in violation of international law. Article 35A, which was incorporated in the Constitution of India by a 1954 Presidential Order, accords special rights and privileges to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir and bars people from outside the state from acquiring any immovable property in the state. It also denies property rights to a woman married to a person from outside Jammu and Kashmir. However, apart from Jammu and Kashmir, several other states are seeing the implementation of policies that could have a bearing on their demographic character. These include the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which would essentially affect the whole of India but primarily the states bordering neighbouring countries, the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise in Assam and the latest, and the proposal to grant Permanent Resident Certificates (PRC) to six non-native communities in Arunachal Pradesh (from which the state government later backtracked). BJP national president Amit Shah made the party's intent clear at a rally in Assam on Sunday. "We will not allow Assam to become another Kashmir. That is why we have brought the NRC. We will deport each and every infiltrator with the help of NRC. We are committed to that," he said in North Lakhimpur. Shah's remarks, made at a campaign rally ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, indicate that the saffron party aims to exploit social fault lines, and win the favour of communities that would stand to gain from policies such as the NRC. The Centre has maintained that the NRC exercise in Assam is solely aimed at weeding out illegal immigrants in the state, those unable to produce the requisite documents to prove their citizenship. Assam, which has faced an influx of people from what is now Bangladesh since the early 20th century, is the only state with an NRC, which was first prepared in 1951. When the government was criticised after over 40 lakh names were left out of the NRC on the intervening night of 31 December and 1 January, Shah was quick to dismiss it as a draft list, even though many were believed to be genuine Indian citizens. He also didn't leave the opportunity to say that the Congress, Trinamool Congress and other political parties opposing the NRC had not clarified their stand on "Bangladeshi infiltrators". What contradicts the Centre's stand on expelling illegal immigrants from India is its persistent push for the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. The proposed legislation aims to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslims members of minority communities from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan even if they don't have the documents to prove that they have lived in India for six years, the stipulated period. Granting this section of people permanent Indian citizenship would drastically affect the demography of the border states in particular, and was, naturally, vehemently opposed and ultimately not passed by the Rajya Sabha. This was primarily because it was seen as another Hindutva politics-centric move by the BJP to add to its Hindu vote bank ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. This claim that the government had committed to "take care of the persecuted people who come to India" is not one the central government can really support with proof, courtesy the deportation of some Rohingya Muslims the world's most persecuted minority group to Myanmar. The controversy over PRCs has also triggered unrest in Arunachal Pradesh. Three people died over the weekend during protests against the proposed move to grant PRCs to six communities five non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes (Deoris, Sonowal Kacharis, Morans, Adivasis and Mishings), and the Gorkhas of Vijaynagar in the Namsai and Changlang districts of the state. The proposal triggered protests among groups who claim that the rights and interests of indigenous people will be compromised if the Arunachal Pradesh government accepts the recommendation of the joint high-powered committee. This argument holds true for every one of the decisions the government has made that could bring about demographic changes to the regions they concern, including in Jammu and Kashmir in the event of any alteration to Article 35A of the Constitution. However, the Centre's stand on Article 35A is quite unclear at the moment. The BJP government has not been forthright about its stance on the matter as all decisions have been restricted to the core group of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitley. But the government is expected to make its stance clear in the Supreme Court, when it will take up for hearing petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Article. One can only imagine the kind of turmoil that scrapping Article 35A could bring about in crisis-ridden Kashmir. If the agitations in the North East and allies breaking away from the NDA are any indications to go by, some of the NDA government's moves in the region could end up hurting it politically. This may particularly be so with respect to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. Similarly, any hint that Article 35A may be changed in any way would only add fuel to the fire already simmering in Jammu and Kashmir, where people have gone into panic mode since rumours spread that the Supreme Court was going to do away with the constitutional provision. With months to go for the elections, the BJP has got itself embroiled in a host of controversial issues that could swing either way for the party, while leaving a trail of uncertainty for the residents of several regions. Saxena was allegedly operating a number of bank accounts in Switzerland in which huge amounts of money were deposited, according to the government dossier. New Delhi: A Delhi court on Monday granted regular bail to Dubai based businessman Rajiv Saxena, who was earlier deported from UAE in connection with the AgustaWestland money laundering case. Delhi's Patiala House Court further directed Saxena to furnish a personal bail bond of Rs 5 lakh and two like amount surety. It also stated that Saxena can't leave the country without the permission of the court. Saxena was earlier out on interim bail. On 14 February, Saxena was granted interim bail till 22 February. Later it was extended to 25 February. The Dubai-based businessman was extradited to India in the wee hours of 31 January in connection with alleged scam in the Rs 3,600 crore deal for the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland company. He was allegedly operating a number of bank accounts in Switzerland in which huge amounts of money were deposited, according to the government dossier. The banks in which the amounts were allegedly deposited, include Union Bancaire Privee UBP in Zurich, UBS Switzerland, and Credit Suiss AG, states the dossier accessed by ANI. The remittances into these accounts came allegedly from Matrix Group Ltd, UHY Saxena and Associates, Tiramisu Holdings Inc and Tanay Holdings Ltd, claimed the government dossier. India has plenty to ponder before it strikes Pakistan if it does. That should explain the silence of the guns even 11 days after the Pulwama attack Is anybody counting? Not how many days have passed since the Pulwama attack, but how often has Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with teeth grinding and eyes flashing fire, has vowed since then to teach terrorists a nasty lesson. At the cost of sounding like a stuck record, he once again said, this time in the last episode of his Mann ki Baat sermon on Sunday, that India would avenge the Pulwama attack. It was 11 days after the Uri attack in September 2016 that India retaliated with surgical strikes on militants launch pads in Pakistan. Today, its 11 days since a suicide attacker drove a car packed with explosives into a truck and killed 40 CRPF personnel in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir. But no action, of the military kind which Modi presumably has been talking about, is yet forthcoming. This could mean one or all of these things: Risk of revenge Modi is not a fool. He is not rushing in where angels might fear to tread in which case, dont blame him for only talking the talk but not walking the walk. In other words, Modi is probably seeing some sense in the warning of that wise man who once said: if you want to take revenge, dig two graves including one for yourself. Surgical strikes The surgical strikes that followed the Uri attack were sp cosmetic in nature producing neither a strategic nor tactical victory for India that even Pakistan denied these were carried out. The international opprobrium and domestic anger in India that followed the Pulwama attack (40 killed) are, however, more intense than the reaction to the Uri assault (17 killed). The surgical strikes of the 2016 kind might now be considered too little by angry Indians and too late by military strategists. Its likely that the government has by now discarded the option of war and decided to do nothing or is planning something big. Hence the delay? Follow LIVE updates on IAF's operations in Pakistan here. Hunt down Azhar But the popular expectation is for something big. Some find it hard to imagine that no further action big or small is on the cards and believe that doing nothing is not an option for Modi with public indignation so high and elections so near. Its a different matter, however, whether, or, to what extent, this will influence the Lok Sabha poll outcome. Any high-profile action from the government could include, among other things, a series of surgical strikes instead of just one round of them like in 2016. Or, it could be the hunting down and elimination of the likes of Masood Azhar, the kingpin of Jaish-e-Mohammad, the Pakistan-based terror outfit that has owned up the Pulwama attack. Getting Azhar may take time. The Americans took ten years to find and kill Osama bin Laden after 9/11. Is that why nothing seems to be cooking now? Job already done? Or, Modi perhaps believes that India has already done enough by way of retribution by ferreting out and eliminating key perpetrators in the ongoing encounters in Kashmir. He might add to that: 1) India scrapping the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to Pakistan, however ridiculously inconsequential that may be, 2) the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the international terror-financing watchdog, putting Pakistan on notice, and 3) getting China to become a party, even if grudgingly, to a UN Security Council statement that denounced the attack in no uncertain terms, even if these terms didnt include the word Pakistan. Backroom talks Or, maybe some backroom manoeuvres are going on not everything can be or needs to be telecast live by countries including the US to persuade India not to precipitate matters. And India is, perhaps, trying to leverage this to squeeze out of countries that matter to take punitive measures against Pakistan that are tougher than before. As is well known, international pressure pulled India from the brink of war after similar attacks in the past, but with assurances from mediating countries and Pakistan forgotten soon afterwards. Confusing Pakistan Another reason why India is holding fire could be a tactical one. Does Modi, by talking about teaching a lesson to terrorists ad nauseam, every time he gets on a podium somewhere or the other in the country and yet doing nothing about it, want to confuse Pakistan about his intentions? Its a trick as old as the planet. The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy so that he cannot fathom our real intent, the 5th Century BC Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu said in The Art of War. Or, Modi is confused Or is it Modi, or, in particular, the decision-makers in armed forces whom he had given a free-hand, who are confused? About when, where and how to strike Pakistan? All of this is in the realm of speculation but none of it can be ruled out. The trickiest of all these is the scenario of an India that is confused and undecided about what it should do to tame its dysfunctional neighbour whose contempt for international rule of law is only matched by its propensity for terror. Enough has been said about the military options available to India, in addition to the economic ones, to tame Pakistan. There isnt much disagreement on the need for and the range of economic measures that must be clamped on Pakistan which has already brought itself to financial ruin by spending a disproportionate part of its resources on arming its military and terror gangs. But its on the use of force that there is a divergence of opinion; not only on what kind of action is needed but also whether its needed in the first place. The obvious sticking point is the risk of any Indian action escalating into a full-scale war and then leading to a nuclear conflict. This also depends on whether Pakistan wants an escalation of the conflict. The question that arises then is: Is Pakistan provoking India into a war? Independent analyses are hard to find in Pakistans media, which, already badly hit by the current economic crunch, is at the mercy of government advertisements. But a comment on an Indian channel by Husain Haqqani, former Pakistan ambassador to the US and author of several books, that his countrys rulers might be unwilling to risk a war is significant. Despite the bluster by Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan and that countrys army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, it seems to make little sense for Pakistan to favour war with India which they have a good chance of losing. And whatever is the worth of his word, former Pakistan president General Pervez Musharraf doesnt see the prospects of his country launching a nuclear attack on India. Evidently, India has plenty to ponder before it strikes Pakistan if it does. That should explain the silence of the guns. The author tweets@sprasadindia Wipro on Sunday said it has received approval from a majority of its shareholders for the issue of bonus shares and increase in authorised share capital New Delhi: Wipro on Sunday said it has received approval from a majority of its shareholders for the issue of bonus shares and increase in authorised share capital. In a separate filing, the company said its the board of directors has fixed 7 March, 2019, as the record date to determine eligible shareholders entitled to receive the bonus equity shares (including stock dividend on American depository share). In January, Wipro's board had approved an issue of bonus shares wherein shareholders will get one bonus share for every three shares held by them. In a regulatory filing, Wipro said the "resolutions have been approved by members with the requisite majority and shall be deemed to have been passed on 22 February, 2019, being the last date of receipt of postal ballot forms/e-voting". Consequently, the company's authorised share capital stands increased from Rs 1,126.50 crore to Rs 2,526.50 crore by the creation of an additional 700 crore equity shares of Rs 2 each, it added. The filing said the 98.82 percent votes cast were in favour of increasing the authorised share capital, and 99.81 percent votes cast were in favour of offering bonus shares. In its January filing, Wipro had said the company had an aggregate amount of Rs 46,847.9 crore as on December 2018 in free reserves, securities premium account and capital redemption reserve account. MILAN (Reuters) - Telecom Italia's (TIM) main shareholder Vivendi said on Sunday it would back a merger of the fixed-line networks of TIM and rival Open Fiber if conditions were right, while renewing its attack on U.S. activist fund Elliott. Elliott, which owns just under 10 percent of TIM, is locked in a battle with Vivendi over how to re-launch the debt-laden firm after last year wresting control of its board from the French media giant MILAN (Reuters) - Telecom Italia's (TIM) main shareholder Vivendi said on Sunday it would back a merger of the fixed-line networks of TIM and rival Open Fiber if conditions were right, while renewing its attack on U.S. activist fund Elliott. Elliott, which owns just under 10 percent of TIM, is locked in a battle with Vivendi over how to re-launch the debt-laden firm after last year wresting control of its board from the French media giant. In a series of slides, Vivendi said TIM's fixed network was core to value creation, adding it would support a merger of Open Fiber with TIM if conditions were right from an operational, financial and regulatory standpoint and overseen by an independent board. "Any potential decisions involving its 'crown jewel' assets must be taken with the utmost care and consideration," it said. The future of TIM's fixed network has been a bone of contention between the two investors with Elliott pushing for a merger and Vivendi reluctant to lose control. Last week Luigi Gubitosi, an Elliott ally appointed CEO in November, presented TIM's three-year strategy saying he did not rule out losing control of the group's fixed-line network under a deal with Open Fiber. Open Fiber is jointly controlled by utility Enel and state lender CDP which also holds a stake in TIM. TIM's shares have lost more than 30 percent since March last year, partially due to the governance battle between its top two shareholders. Vivendi accused the Elliott-nominated board of having "led TIM into a precarious state." An Elliott spokeswoman declined to comment. Vivendi also said it was ready to support proposals in the long-term interest of TIM shareholders including alternative fixed network business models, non-core asset sales, capital structure simplification, and a resumption of dividend payment. The two adversaries will again face off on March 29 when shareholders are asked to vote on Vivendi's request to replace five board directors appointed by Elliott. (Reporting by Stephen Jewkes; editing by Jason Neely) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. A consortium of banks, led by the SBI, has extended loans to Jet Airways, which is looking to rejig debt and raise funds New Delhi: To recover its loans from Jet Airways, state-run lender SBI is mulling moving National Company Law Tribunal as it feels the airline is running out of funds for operations, even as shareholders of the debt-laden carrier have approved a debt rejig plan, officials said. Shareholders of Jet Airways have approved conversion of loan into shares and other proposals during the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on Thursday. A consortium of banks, led by the SBI, has extended loans to Jet Airways, which is looking to rejig debt and raise funds. Officials associated with the lenders and key shareholders said the SBI is considering moving the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) seeking insolvency proceedings against Jet Airways since it is running out of money for operations. Lenders can initiate proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) to recover dues from debt-laden entities. The process can commence only after approval from the NCLT. Queries sent to SBI and Jet Airways regarding the bank considering insolvency proceedings against the airline remained unanswered. The officials said that Gulf carrier Etihad, the strategic partner with 24 percent stake in Jet Airways, abstained from voting on various proposals during the EGM held on 21 February. According to them, Etihad is waiting for clarity on the overall funding that the SBI and National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) would provide for Jet Airways in terms of equity. The Gulf carrier has been pitching for the SBI and the NIIF to own 51 percent and invest Rs 2,200 crore into the airline, they added. On 17 February, sources said Jet Airways was likely to invest Rs 3,000 crore post debt-rejig and investments by Etihad Airways as well as NIIF. Besides, the SBI is not in agreement with Etihad on the latter's proposal regarding Right of First Refusal (ROFR). Etihad has sought ROFR for itself after one year and also want the SBI to get a confirmation from markets regulator Sebi that if ROFR is exercised, then the mandatory open offer would not be triggered, the officials said. Under the Sebi norms, entities are required to make an open offer to shareholders in case their shareholding goes beyond a certain threshold. A consortium of banks is considering an interim funding of Rs 500 crore for Jet Airways but a final decision is yet to be taken, Punjab National Bank Managing Director Sunil Mehta said on Friday. PNB is part of the lenders' consortium, led by State Bank of India (SBI), that has extended loans to the airline. On 14 February, Jet Airways' board approved a Bank-Led Provisional Resolution Plan (BLPRP), whereby lenders would become the largest shareholders in the airline. Following approval from the shareholders, part of debt would be converted into 11.4 crore shares at a consideration of Re 1 apiece as per the RBI norms. Later, appropriate interim credit facilities by domestic lenders would be sanctioned to the airline, according to a regulatory filing made on 14 February. In January, Reliance Retail jumped 95 places on Deloitte's Global Powers of Retailing 2019 index, to reach the 94th spot as revenues soared Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd, a subsidiary company of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), is reportedly planning to go public after June this year, a media report said. Mint, citing people aware of the development, said that the company is expecting a good response. It added that RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani is betting big on the companys consumer businesses Reliance Retail Ltd and Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd to double sales in about seven years. Last month, Reliance Retail jumped 95 places on Deloitte's Global Powers of Retailing 2019 index, to reach the 94th spot as revenues soared on the back of growth in grocery, consumer electronics, and fashion and lifestyle businesses. Reliance Retail "was a new entrant in the Fastest 50 list FY2016 (released last year) and continued its rapid growth by nearly doubling its retail revenue (in local currency) in FY 2017. This was also reflected in its climb of 95 places to number 94 in the top 250," Deloitte said. The company's "retail segment witnessed the robust operating performance, driven by major growth across its grocery, consumer electronics, and fashion and lifestyle businesses," it said. Reliance Retail, which operates 9,907 stores in over 6,400 towns and cities, is India's largest retail chain, both by revenue and the total number of stores. In the first nine months of the current fiscal, the company reported more than doubling of revenue to Rs 93,903 crore and a profit of Rs 4,278 crore. Reliance Retail reported an over twofold jump in its pre-tax profit to Rs 1,680 crore for the December 2018 quarter, driven by healthy festive season sales and new store openings. "Revenues have nearly doubled for five consecutive quarters and EBITDA has nearly tripled for four consecutive quarters. Year-to-date revenues and profits have surpassed the whole of FY18," said RIL in a statement in January. Reliance Retail's grocery stores led by Reliance Fresh and SMART delivered a robust revenue growth during the quarter backed by healthy volume growth across food and non-food categories. While in fashion and lifestyle segment, it has added 100 new stores being during the quarter, extending its reach to 25 new cities, it said. During the quarter, area operated by Reliance Retail was also increased 42% to 20.6 million sq ft as against 14.5 million sq ft of the corresponding period. With PTI inputs (Disclaimer: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd which publishes Firstpost) By Yuka Obayashi and Yoshiyasu Shida TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's top steelmaker Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal aims to boost crude steel output to nearly 11 million tonnes a quarter in the year from April 1, after system troubles cut production and its profit outlook this year, a senior executive said. 'We should be able to produce 11 million tonnes of crude steel a quarter, but actual output has been falling short of it in the past few years,' Nippon Steel Executive Vice President Katsuhiro Miyamoto told Reuters in an interview on Friday. By Yuka Obayashi and Yoshiyasu Shida TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's top steelmaker Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal aims to boost crude steel output to nearly 11 million tonnes a quarter in the year from April 1, after system troubles cut production and its profit outlook this year, a senior executive said. "We should be able to produce 11 million tonnes of crude steel a quarter, but actual output has been falling short of it in the past few years," Nippon Steel Executive Vice President Katsuhiro Miyamoto told Reuters in an interview on Friday. The average of estimated quarterly output for the financial year ending on March 31 comes in at 10.3 million tonnes. "We plan to increase our crude steel production next year from this year, which will be a key factor to grow our profits," Miyamoto said. Earlier this month, the world's third-biggest steelmaker by crude steel output, warned that its annual profit for the 2018/19 financial year would be 6 percent less than previously forecast, citing lower crude steel output. Technical troubles at its mills, including Oita and Wakayama in western Japan, were due to mixed factors, he said, citing lower quality of raw materials, ageing facilities, and heavier strain on its systems in processing harder and more advanced products such as high tensile steels. To fix the problems, Nippon Steel has conducted routine maintenance more often and started operating a new blast furnace in Wakayama this month, replacing a 31-year-old blast furnace, which had been the world's oldest blast furnace in operation. "The Oita is back in full operation, while the Wakayama's new furnace is on track for ramp up," Miyamoto said. Japanese steelmakers are enjoying solid domestic demand from automakers and the construction sector, which is busy with projects for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. But natural disasters and glitches have prevented them from producing as much steel as they had planned. Also, steelmakers worldwide are facing higher prices of iron ore after a tailings dam burst at a mine owned by Vale, killing an estimated 300 people in Brazil's deadliest mining disaster. "We assume things will stabilise after other types of tailing dams used in other mines are recognised to be safe," Miyamoto said, without specifying a timeframe. Nippon Steel, which buys about 30 percent of its iron ore from Brazil, has not seen any impact on its procurement in terms of volume, he said, although surging prices are a concern. He expects the prices will gradually regain stability. "Vale is capable to increase output as it has other mines in northern Brazil, and other miners also can bolster production," he said. (Reporting by Yuka Obayashi; Editing by Tom Hogue) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Paul Sandle, Jack Stubbs and Douglas Busvine BARCELONA (Reuters) - China's Huawei welcomed comments from President Donald Trump about the future of U.S. mobile communications on Sunday and asserted its position as a world-leading smartphone producer as Washington and Beijing seek a trade war ceasefire By Paul Sandle, Jack Stubbs and Douglas Busvine BARCELONA (Reuters) - China's Huawei welcomed comments from President Donald Trump about the future of U.S. mobile communications on Sunday and asserted its position as a world-leading smartphone producer as Washington and Beijing seek a trade war ceasefire. U.S. and Chinese negotiators are set to meet for a sixth straight day of negotiations on Sunday as they work to strike a deal ahead of a March 1 deadline on a trade dispute which has disrupted global commerce and slowed the world economy. At the centre of the imbroglio is Huawei Technologies, accused by Washington of sanctions busting, intellectual property theft and facilitating Chinese state espionage operations. Speaking ahead of the mobile industry's biggest global event which begins in Barcelona on Monday, Huawei Chairman Guo Ping reiterated his company's position that it has never and would never allow any country to spy through its equipment. Guo, who holds Huawei's rotating chairmanship, said Trump's recent assertion that the United States needed to get ahead in mobile communications through competition rather than seeking to block technology was "clear and correct". Trump's tweets on Thursday did not specifically mention Huawei, the world's largest producer of mobile network equipment, but appeared to soften earlier U.S. statements that it should be barred from Western networks on security grounds. "I have noticed the president's Twitter, he said that the U.S. needs faster and smarter 5G, or even 6G in the future, and he has realised that the U.S. is lagging behind in this respect, and I think his message is clear and correct," Guo said, speaking through an interpreter. He said the United States did not represent the whole world and called for equipment makers, network operators and governments to work together to devise trustworthy standards to manage cyber security risks. "We need to have unified standard that should be verifiable. It should not be based on politics," Guo said. FOLDING PHONE, RIGID PRICE TAG Huawei also sought to reaffirm its position as one of the world's leading technology companies, unveiling a folding 5G smartphone to an audience of media and analysts in Barcelona. Huawei, the worlds second-largest smartphone vendor after Samsung, said it had taken the lead in developing phones for 5G - which promises super-fast internet speeds - because it was also involved in developing the networks. The new Huawei Mate X will have two back-to-back screens which unfold to become an eight-inch tablet display, and goes on sale later this year priced at 2,299 euros ($2,607), setting a new upper limit for consumer smartphones. Samsung had unveiled its own folding smartphone last week, priced at nearly $2,000, as part of a bid to top the technology of Chinese rivals and Apple Inc. Thomas Husson, principal analyst at Forrester Research, said the Mate X showed Huawei was an innovative technology company and no longer trailing American and Korean competitors. "The fact that Huawei is not just a network equipment provider but also a smartphone manufacturer ... gives them a competitive advantage for 5G. It is also a double-edge sword as some argue the security risks are higher," Husson said. China's Xiaomi, the world's fourth-largest smartphone maker, also unveiled a 5G handset on Sunday, but without the folding screen or high price tags touted by the Huawei and Samsung devices. Xiaomi's offering will start at 599 euros ($679) when it hits the market in May. (Reporting by Paul Sandle, Jack Stubbs and Douglas Busvine; Additional reporting by Isla Binnie; Editing by David Holmes) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The Budget registered an increase of 14.73 percent over the previous year's estimates of Rs 1.15 lakh crore. This is the last Budget of the current Manohar Lal Khattar government in Haryana Haryana finance minister Captain Abhimanyu on Monday presented Rs 1.34 lakh-crore Budget for the financial year 2019-20 in the state assembly. The Budget has no new tax proposal. The Budget registered an increase of 14.73 percent over the previous year's estimates of Rs 1.15 lakh crore. This is the last Budget of the current Manohar Lal Khattar government in Haryana. The finance minister announced new schemes to provide financial relief and security cover to families of farmers who possess land up to five acres. Besides this, workers in unorganised sectors with an income below Rs 15,000 per month will also get the benefit of these schemes, said a report in The Times of India. The government has earmarked Rs 1,500 crore for these schemes in the budget, the report said. In order to woo the sugarcane growers, the government has announced Rs 340 per quintal for sugarcane this year, which is reportedly the highest in the country. For the first time, a subsidy of Rs 16 per quintal was given to facilitate the payment of sugarcane arrears to the farmers during 2017-18, said a report in The Indian Express. Claiming that the government successfully implemented the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Abhimanyu said that Rs 406.27 crore premium was collected from the farmers and Rs 1,140.98 crore had been distributed back to them as compensation in the last three years, which is more than the premium of Rs 818.20 crores paid to the insurance companies, said the report. He said that for the socio-economic security of the livestock owners of the state, Pandit Deen Dayal Uppadhaya Livestock Insurance scheme was launched in 2018-19. The state government aims to double the area under horticulture from the present 8.17 percent to 15 percent and triple the produce in the state by 2030 under the Horticulture Vision, the finance minister said. The government has allocated Rs 12,989 crore for power sector and Rs 12,307 crore elementary and secondary education, he said. Similarly, the government has earmarked Rs 3,324.51 crore for irrigation and water resources, Rs 3,984.95 crore for urban local bodies and Rs 5,194.26 crore for development and panchayats. The North Korean leader is expected in the Vietnamese capital for tomorrow. Unknown route of the convoy. About 3,000 journalists from over 200 agencies in 40 countries will cover the summit. On the agenda: denuclearization and economic development. South Korean President Moon: "Let's get ready for a New Korean Peninsula System". Seoul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived at the Chinese city of Changsha (Hunan) this morning on board a special train. The convoy will continue south to Hanoi (Vietnam), where on February 27 and 28 Kim will hold a second summit with the president of the United States, Donald J. Trump. The Vietnamese government declares itself ready to host the historic event, despite the little time for preparation. South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who in recent months has successfully held the role of mediator between the North and the US, promises efforts for the resumption of inter-Korean economic cooperation: Seoul is willing to take on a leadership role in the development of Pyongyang. According to Korean sources, Kim's train arrived in Changsha after having stopped at the city of Wuhan (Hubei). The convoy route is not known, but observers claim that the North Korean delegation will continue its journey to Nanning (Guangxi) and Pingxiang (Jiangxi), a city along the border with northern Vietnam. It is expected that Kim's train will cross the border into the city of Dong Dang, in northern Vietnam. From there, the leader of North Korea will most likely travel by car to Hanoi, where he is expected for tomorrow. "Everything is ready" in the Vietnamese capital: the Deputy Foreign Minister, Le Hoai Trung affirms this, underlining the efficiency with which the country has set up the Trump-Kim meeting. The senior official declares that Vietnam "is honored" to host the historic event, perceived as an opportunity to gain international recognition for what the country has done on the world stage. The Ministry of Information and Communications reports that about 3,000 journalists from over 200 agencies from 40 countries will cover the summit. At the first summit with Trump, last June, Kim rented a Chinese plane to travel to Singapore. During the summit, the leader agreed to carry out the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, in exchange for security guarantees from Trump. Analysts had expected the two now to focus on concrete actions for denuclearization by the North and corresponding measures by Washington, including the possible easing of sanctions and improving bilateral relations. The South Korea president has welcomed the second meeting between the two leaders. [They] have come this far after walking the path that no one else walked before," Moon noted. "Should President Trump succeed in dismantling the last remaining Cold War regime on earth, it would be another great achievement that will clearly go down in the history of the world." We will actively prepare for the New Korean Peninsula System that will move from war and confrontation to peace and coexistence, from division and ideology to economy and prosperity, while standing not in the periphery but at the center of history," he concluded. CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said GST Council has provided great relief to the sector and is a step towards hastening growth for this very important sector New Delhi: The GST Council's decision to cut the rate on houses under construction from 12 percent to 5 percent as well from 8 percent to 1 percent on affordable housing will address the needs of home buyers and boost offtake of housing, CII said Sunday. "The real estate and housing sector drives construction and is a key employment generator and we believe today's decisions for a better and simpler tax regime will boost offtake of housing, thereby also contributing to job creation," CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said. He said the GST Council has provided great relief to the sector and is a step towards hastening growth for this very important sector. In a big relief to home buyers, the GST Council Sunday slashed tax rates on under-construction housing properties to 5 percent without an input tax credit, from the existing 12 percent, finance minister Arun Jaitley said. The Council also cut GST rates on affordable housing to 1 percent from the current 8 percent and expanded the scope of affordable housing to those costing up to Rs 45 lakh and measuring 60 sq metre in metros and 90 sq metre in non-metro cities. The new tax rates will come into effect from 1 April, 2019. Currently, the GST is levied at 12 percent on payments made for under-construction properties or ready-to-move-in flats where completion certificate has not been issued at the time of sale. However, builders will not be able to claim an input tax credit (ITC) under the new GST rates. The recent capital infusion of Rs 48,239 crore in 12 PSBs will help Corporation Bank and Allahabad Bank to come out of the PCA framework in the next few weeks New Delhi: The finance ministry expects three to four more lenders to come out of weak bank list of the Reserve Bank in the next six to eight months on account of improvement in financial health amid capital infusion and falling bad loans. The recent capital infusion of Rs 48,239 crore in 12 public sector banks (PSBs) will help Corporation Bank and Allahabad Bank to come out of the Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework in the next few weeks, sources said. Corporation Bank is the biggest beneficiary of this round of capital infusion with Rs 9,086 crore of funding, followed by Allahabad Bank with Rs 6,896 crore. This infusion will help these two lenders meet requisite capital thresholds of 7.375 CET-1 ratio, 8.875 percent Tier I ratio, 10.875 percent of capital-to-risk weighted assets ratio (CRAR) and the net NPA ratio threshold of below 6 percent. The RBI may in the next few weeks take a decision to remove these two lenders out of PCA supervision as they had done in the case of Bank of India (BoI), Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) and Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) last month after capital infusion in December, sources said. With the removal of three banks on January 31, the list has already come down to 8 from 11. Dena Bank, which is among eight entities under PCA, will cease to exist from 1 April, 2019. So, the list will further shorten with the bank merging with Bank of Baroda beginning next fiscal, sources said. IDBI Bank, now majority owned by LIC, is also improving its financial health and bringing down its net non-performing assets (NPAs) in a bid to come out of the PCA supervision. If the bank continues to improve its health, it is anticipated that the RBI would lift the curb from IDBI Bank after September numbers. Besides, Central Bank and UCO Bank are trying to improve their parameters on mission mode. So, sources said, four more banks are likely to see curb lifted by RBI on them in 6-8 months. Last month, Financial Services Secretary Rajiv Kumar had said: "Government's sustained 4R's (Recognition, Recapitalization, Resolution, and Reform) strategy for banking transformation delivers again. 3 better-performing PSBs (BoM, BoI & OBC) exit PCA. Banks need to be more responsible, adopt high underwriting & risk management standards to avoid recurrence". Kumar, who has been credited with undertaking multiple reforms in the banking sector, provided a record amount of capital infusion in the public sector banks (PSBs). Since the commencement of clean-up in 2015-16, the recapitalisation has crossed over Rs 3 lakh crore through mix of budgetary support and market raising helping banks to make adequate provisions for the bad loans. As a result, there has been a reversal in the deteriorating bad loan situation and there has been record loan recovery during the current fiscal. Various initiatives taken by the government have yielded results, with the bad loans of public sector banks declining by over Rs 23,860 crore in the first half of the current fiscal. At the same time, PSBs have also made a record recovery of Rs 60,726 crore in the first half of the current financial year, which is more than double the amount recovered in the corresponding period last year. Instead of addressing the dwindling jobs and agrarian crisis, the government has responded by announcing a Targeted Basic Income (TBI) scheme for farmers. The Interim Budget this year announced a bonanza for small and marginal farmers, promising them income support of Rs 6,000 per year. The ruling government claims that it will benefit 12 crore farmers holding cultivable land up to two hectares. Opposition and the media critiqued the income support initiative as a move to woo farmers ahead of the upcoming elections when they are facing one of the worst agrarian crisis in recent times. Just a day before the election budget there was a news report, quoting periodic labour force survey (PLFS) data (not officially released), that Indias unemployment rate in 2017-18 was at a 45-year high at 6.1 percent. Joblessness in rural areas has compounded the agrarian crisis. Unemployment among rural male youth, aged 15 to 29, rose from 5 percent to 17.4 percent between 2011-12 and 2017-18. For rural women in the same age group, unemployment rose 4.8 percent to 13.6 percent. Critics have pointed out that the government's farm income scheme (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) is too little to have any sizable impact on farmers let alone alleviate their distress. In spite of its huge budgetary allocation Rs 75,000 crore per year, which exceeds National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) budget, it offers very little purchasing capacity to individuals, let alone potential to create sizable jobs. In the debate on income versus jobs, this report reveals that people prefer jobs to governments charity income schemes. Instead of addressing the dwindling jobs and agrarian crisis, the government has responded by announcing a Targeted Basic Income (TBI) scheme for farmers. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi is a scaled down version of Quasi Universal Basic Rural Income (QUBRI) proposed by Arvind Subramanyam and colleagues. It is in line with NITI Aayog, and economists, especially western scholars writing on India, advocating Universal Basic Income (UBI) as a silver bullet for poverty reduction, by replacing various subsidies the government provides. For TBI schemes to have any tangible effect on reducing poverty, it has to cover the basic expenditure of the household for survival. If the government decides to offer half the minimum wage Rs 160 per day to each household, the total expenditure would cost Rs 2,88,000 crore, which is more than the total subsidy bill of the Union government in 2018-19. To finance this the government will have to roll back the entire ecosystem of subsidy schemes on food, fuel, fertilizer, health, and education. This will impose unprecedented social and human costs, akin to demonetisation, affecting food security, nutrition, education, and health of the vulnerable population. It is also politically unviable as welfare schemes once introduced in India are here to stay for eternity, in different forms. Targeted income support based on land size poses a huge challenge of exclusion of small and marginal farmers, who account for more than half of the total land holdings and may not hold formal land titles. The scheme also excludes a sizable number of landless contract farm labourers. Analysis by PRS India on Land records and Titles in India shows that the Land Records Modernisation Programme which aims to give conclusive land titling is far from complete. As of September 2017, 86 percent of the digitisation of records have been completed mostly based on the surveys done in the colonial era, carrying the legacy of the zamindari system. Only 47 percent of the mutation records (recording the transfer of ownership) have been computerised, out of which only 39 percent of the spatial data has been verified. Chances are that a farmer identified by the records for income transfer may be a long-dead grandfather of the living farmer. By choosing TBI scheme like farm income transfer, the government is choosing a path of least resistance, without acknowledging its failure to generate jobs. An unfortunate outcome of this may be forgetting the lessons learned over the centuries for poverty reduction through productive employment generation. To handle the agrarian crisis, Indias farm economy needs liberalisation, not government handouts- which at best can act as band-aid solutions. Eliminate the perpetual dependence of farmers on government and bring them closer to market. Unlike TBI, NREGS is a demand-driven scheme, where beneficiaries are self-selected. NREGS has been criticised for not providing productive employment, not generating substantive assets, and for failing to develop marketable skills. Shift NREGS focus on skilled employment so that their perpetual dependence on employment guarantee schemes subsides. Invest in human capabilities through education, universal health care, and skill development. Focus on universalising secondary education and expanding vocational education. India faces a double burden of malnutrition- both undernutrition and obesity which impacts the productivity of the labour force. Develop skills - both soft and hard - to prepare the bulging young population for new generation jobs. Move away from the metro-centric development model, to the creation of economic hubs in Tier II and Tier III cities. Diversify economy at the local level, keeping the demographic profile and geographic advantages into account. We need writers, journalists, teachers, data analysts, managers, and entrepreneurs, as much as shopkeepers, truck drivers, and food vendors in small cities and towns. Empower women to break the social barriers to enter traditionally male-dominated sectors like hospitality, transport, and industries. Distributed and diversified economy focusing on district and tehsil development generates greater employment and return on investment than the unitary mega city models. The USA, with 1/4th of Indias population and 3 times area, has far more economic clusters, spread over length and breadth of the country, than India. While enhancing human capabilities, addressing regional inequalities, rejuvenating local economies, and diversification of economy may look challenging- but it is the only way out to address the challenges in employment and economic growth in the long run. (The writer is Associate Professor, Public Policy at FLAME University) The government will provide budgetary support to rubber sector to enhance research, promote exports and reduce dependence on import, according to the draft national rubber policy. New Delhi: The government will provide budgetary support to rubber sector to enhance research, promote exports and reduce dependence on import, according to the draft national rubber policy. The proposed policy will also provide support for skill development; incentives for smallholders, workers and entrepreneurs; and enforcement of regulations on quality and standards. For all these measures, proportionate budgetary provisions would be made, the draft said. As per the draft policy, the possibility would be explored for treating natural rubber as an agricultural product for all practical and legal purposes, it said. The policy will also explore the possibility of treating income from rubber production as agricultural income, in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. The draft said the budgetary support from the central government would focus on new plantation and replanting. "Appropriate convergence and dovetailing of funds with other programmes of departments/ministries of the central and state governments such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment (MGNREGA), would be attempted," it added. The 27-page draft said financial assistance is vital in motivating growers to take up rubber cultivation. "Adequate planting subsidy would be given for incentivising rubber plantation. Priority would be given to marginal and small growers belonging to the resource-poor communities," it added. The commerce ministry has come up with this draft policy seeking views of stakeholders. The objectives of the policy include promoting overall sustainability of the rubber industry with respect to economic, social and environmental dimensions, development of the entire value chain from upstream production to downstream manufacturing activities. Besides, the policy aims to increase the area under natural rubber by new plantation without causing any adverse impact on forests. The draft has also suggested several policy interventions such as providing insurance cover for the growth of the sector. It said the import policy for natural rubber would be accorded special focus as imports have an impact on both growers and end-user industries. Natural rubber is not a traditional export-oriented commodity and export may be promoted only to adjust temporary demand-supply imbalances in the domestic market, it added. The draft said, "the price volatility in rubber crop directly impacts the livelihood of lakhs of small and marginal growers and efforts would be made to ensure the livelihood protection by way of insurance/price support in consonance with the prevailing norms and policies". It also said the possibility of extending exclusive financial assistance schemes for grower forums for processing and trading in rubber would be explored in consultation with NABARD. "Introducing auction for rubber trading in the country would be attempted for fair price discovery," it said. Most of the rubber products, including tyres, require blends of natural rubber and synthetic rubber. India is currently the sixth largest producer of natural rubber in the world with one of the highest productivity (6,94,000 tonne in 2017-18). Kerala and Tamil Nadu account for 81 percent of the total natural rubber production in India. The other states include Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra and West Bengal. India is the second largest consumer of natural rubber globally with a current consumption of around 1.1 million tonne. Of this, 68 percent is consumed in the automotive tyre sector. There are around 1.3 million rubber growers and 0.6 million workers in rubber plantation sector in India. Around 40 percent of the domestic consumption is met from imports. No bank or financial institution can declare the accounts of debt-ridden IL&FS and its group companies as non-performing assets (NPAs) without NCLAT's permission, the appellate tribunal said on Monday New Delhi: No bank or financial institution can declare the accounts of debt-ridden IL&FS and its group companies as non-performing assets (NPAs) without NCLAT's permission, the appellate tribunal said on Monday. A two-member National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) bench, headed by Chairman Justice S J Mukhopadhaya, said that this is done in the interest of IL&FS debt resolution plan. "No IL&FS or its subsidiaries' account to be declared NPA by any financial institution without approval from NCLAT," the appellate tribunal said. The tribunal's direction came during the hearing over the government's plan for the resolution of IL&FS group companies. During the last hearing on 11 February, NCLAT had allowed 22 companies of the IL&FS group, which were classified in the green category based on their financial health, to service their debt obligations. Besides, it had also approved the appointment of former Supreme Court judge Justice D K Jain to supervise the resolution process of crisis-hit IL&FS and its group companies. The appellate tribunal also lifted the moratorium and allowed 133 IL&FS firms incorporated outside India to continue with the resolution process. IL&FS group companies are classified into three groups -- Green, Amber and Red -- based on their respective financial positions. The companies falling under the green category will continue to meet their payment obligation. While the companies which can not meet their obligations but can meet only operational payment obligations to senior secured financial creditors are classified as amber. The red category includes those entities which cannot meet their payment obligations towards even senior secured financial creditors. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 25, 2019) - Romios Gold Resources Inc. (TSXV: RG) (OTC Pink: RMIOF) (FSE: D4R) ("Romios" or the "Company") today announced that Crystal Lake Mining Corp. ("CLM") received regulatory approval from the TSX Venture Exchange on February 22, 2019 for it to enter into the definitive agreement (the "Definitive Agreement") whereby Romios' Newmont Lake Property ("Newmont Lake") is optioned to CLM. Under the terms of the Definitive Agreement, payments due to Romios to date have been made, and the initial consideration of four million common shares of CLM is to be received by Romios on or before February 28, 2019. CLM over the next three years can earn a 100% working interest in Newmont Lake in consideration for, among other things, 12 million common shares of CLM; the payment of an additional $1.75 million in cash option payments, with $250,000 payable on each of the following: 90 days, 180 days and 270 days from the February 22, 2019 and a further $1 million payable upon CLM earning its 100% interest in Newmont Lake through the expenditure of $8 million on Newmont Lake over a 3-year period. CLM is required to spend $3 million on Newmont Lake by September 20, 2019, and present an exploration program and budget and provide evidence that the funds are available for the program by March 18, 2019, failing which the Definitive Agreement may be terminated by Romios. If CLM is successful in acquiring Newmont Lake, Romios will receive a 2% Net Smelter Returns Royalty ("2% NSR") on Newmont Lake, or on any after-acquired claims within a 5 km radius of the current boundaries of Newmont Lake. The 2% NSR may be reduced at any time to a 1% NSR on the payment of $2 million per 0.5% NSR. About Romios Gold Resources Inc. Romios Gold Resources Inc., a progressive Canadian mineral exploration company established in 1995, is engaged in precious and base metal exploration primarily focused on gold, silver and copper on its properties in the Golden Triangle area, northwestern British Columbia. In addition to the properties in the Golden Triangle area, Romios holds a 100% interest in the Lundmark-Akow Lake property in Ontario, the LaCorne Property in Quebec and the Scossa Property in Nevada. It also holds a 2% Net Smelter Return Royalty on the Hislop property in Ontario. This News Release contains forward-looking statements which are typically preceded by, followed by or including the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance as they involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements and shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such statements. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information, please contact: Tom Drivas, President and Director, (tel) 416-221-4124, (fax) 416-218-9772 or (email) romios@romios.com. Frank van de Water, Chief Financial Officer and Director, (tel) 416-221-4124 or (email) fvandewater@rogers.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/43031 Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - February 25, 2019) - Grizzly Discoveries Inc. (TSXV: GZD) (FSE: G6H) (OTCQB: GZDIF) ("Grizzly" or the "Company") announces that it has been advised by Kinross Gold Corporation's wholly owned subsidiary, KG Exploration (Canada) Inc. ("Kinross") that it has completed its 2018 work program on the Grizzly Greenwood property, located near Greenwood in southern B.C. The 2018 work program, through drilling, has confirmed the presence of extensive epithermal alteration at the Midway target area. Kinross is planning further exploration within the Greenwood option area for 2019. Current plans and budget are in planning are still to be confirmed. The portions of Grizzly's Greenwood Project being explored by Kinross is 100% owned by Grizzly Discoveries Inc. and includes 131 claims that form a contiguous package totaling approximately 27,346 hectares, representing approximately one third of Grizzly's land holdings at Greenwood. Under the terms of a September 2015 agreement, KG Exploration (Canada) Inc. can earn a 75% interest on the optioned land pursuant to an Option Agreement with Grizzly on portions of its land holdings in southeastern British Columbia, by incurring US$3 million in exploration expenditures over a 5 year period. KG Exploration (Canada) Inc. has incurred approximately CDN$1,280,500 in exploration expenditures to date. Highlights of the 2018 Kinross Exploration Program The 2018 exploration program drilled 4 HQ core holes at the Midway epithermal target area, immediately east of 2017 drilling, focusing on a structure aligned with a significant hydrothermal breccia showing. In addition, limited surface sampling and geological mapping were carried out at the Midway and a few other target areas. A total of 1,420 m of core drilling was completed in 4 holes at the Midway target area, testing the down-dip extent of hydrothermal features documented on surface. KG Exploration completed approximately $CDN370,984 worth of exploration during 2018. Drilling, at the Midway epithermal target area in 2018, yielded weak gold and silver mineralization with up to 0.25 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Au) and up to 7.93 g/t silver (Ag) over 1.0 m core length in hole 1, from a hydrothermally brecciated and intensely argillic altered volcanic-sedimentary sequence interpreted as part of the Eocene Marron Formation. Extensive argillic alteration along with widespread brecciation and sporadic sulphide mineralization, with occasional low grade but anomalous gold and silver, was intersected in all 4 holes. Kinross has indicated that further work is warranted for the Midway area, which should follow up the extensive epithermal zone that has been mapped and drilled to date. Grizzly 2019 Greenwood Exploration Plans Grizzly has identified high priority drill targets at the Ket 28 prospect, located within the Rock Creek claim group of the Greenwood Project, at which historic drilling in 1994 intersected high grade gold with 52.19 g/t Au over 3.35 m core length. Drilling by Grizzly in 2009 and 2010 at the Ket 28 prospect, following up the historic drilling in the mid 1990's, yielded up to 2.77 g/t Au over 11 m core length and 8.75 g/t Au over 3 m, with a higher grade zone of 11.90 g/t Au over 2 m core length. Wider intervals of lower grade mineralization were intersected, as well with 1.02 g/t Au over 13.5 m core length and 1.19 g/t Au over 10.35 m core length. The Company is currently planning a 2019 exploration program that will focus on the Ket 28 prospect, where the gold mineralization is open along strike and to depth, requiring further drill testing. Grizzly is planning a 10 to 15 hole drill program that will target the gold-prospective zone in the central portion of the Ket 28 prospect, with the intention of expanding the currently defined mineralized zone and developing a maiden mineral resource estimate. The initial Ket 28 drill program is expected to cost approximately $500,000 to $750,000, and is subject to financing. All of the mineral claims in the Rock Creek Ket 28 claim group are 80% owned by Grizzly and 20% owned by Mineworks Ventures Inc., a private corporation based in Vancouver, BC. Grizzly CEO, Brian Testo, stated: "Our extensive land position on the Greenwood Property hosts numerous mineralized areas. Our initial focus is to develop a high grade gold resource estimate that can lead to production potential. We believe the Ket 28 prospect has such potential, and this will be the first of several recommended stages of exploration to accomplish our goals in this prolific mining region of southeastern BC." ABOUT GRIZZLY DISCOVERIES INC. Grizzly is a diversified Canadian mineral exploration company with its primary listing on the TSX Venture Exchange with 63 million shares issued, focused and its precious metals and Cobalt-Copper properties in southeastern British Columbia. The Company holds, or has an interest in, over 180,000 acres of precious-base metal properties at its Greenwood Property. Additionally, Grizzly holds approximately 10,000 acres with Co-Cu-Ag mineralization at its Robocop Property, both located in southeastern British Columbia. The technical content of this news release and the Company's technical disclosure has been reviewed and approved by Michael B. Dufresne, M. Sc., P. Geol., P.Geo., who is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. On behalf of the Board, Grizzly Discoveries Inc. Brian Testo President (780) 693-2242 For further information, please visit our website at www.grizzlydiscoveries.com or contact Investor Relations: Nancy Massicotte IR PRO COMMUNICATIONS INC. Tel: 604-507-3377 Toll Free: 1-866-503-3377 Email: ir@grizzlydiscoveries.com www.irprocommunications.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. Caution concerning forward-looking information This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. This information and statements address future activities, events, plans, developments and projections. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information and statements are frequently identified by words such as "may," "will," "should," "anticipate," "plan," "expect," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and similar terminology, and reflect assumptions, estimates, opinions and analysis made by management of Grizzly in light of its experience, current conditions, expectations of future developments and other factors which it believes to be reasonable and relevant. Forward-looking information and statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause Grizzly's actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information and statements and accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed thereon. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary include but are not limited to the availability of financing; fluctuations in commodity prices; changes to and compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including environmental laws and obtaining requisite permits; political, economic and other risks; as well as other risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in our annual and quarterly Management's Discussion and Analysis and in other filings made by us with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available at www.sedar.com. Grizzly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements except as may be required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/43007 CALGARY, AB and SAN ANTONIO, TX / ACCESSWIRE / February 25, 2019 / Emerald Bay Energy Inc. (TSX Venture: EBY, OTC: EMBYF) (the "Company" or "Emerald Bay") announced today that drilling is complete and production casing has been set in the wildcat well at the Company's Bauer prospect in South Texas. About Emerald Bay Emerald Bay Energy Inc. (TSX Venture: EBY, OTC: EMBYF) is an energy company with oil producing properties in Southwest Texas as well as non-operated oil and natural gas interests in Central Alberta, Canada. EBY is the operator of the Wooden Horse and Nash Creek Projects in Guadeloupe, Texas, where the Company currently now owns a 50.00% working interest those projects. Additionally, the Company owns and operates various working interests in the HugoCellR, Cotulla, and MarPat partnerships. The Company also owns 75% of Production Resources Inc., a South Texas oil company. For all upcoming news releases, articles, comments and questions, to stay updated and speak with management about Emerald Bay Energy. Please JOIN our Investor Information Group at: http://bit.ly/8020EBY For further information, please contact: Emerald Bay President, Shelby D. Beattie, by telephone at (403) 262-6000 Email: info@ebyinc.com www.ebyinc.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. SOURCE: Emerald Bay Energy Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/536843/Emerald-Bay-Energy-Sets-Production-Casing-in-Bauer-Wildcat-Well CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / February 25, 2019 / Chicago, one of the biggest hubs of the finance industry is now getting an agile transaction service at the speed of "Lite." As long as as one has access to a digital wallet, you can access cash capital for the cryptocurrency you currently have. Bitcoin Depot, the 2nd largest Bitcoin ATM service in the world had added about three ATMs to Chicago a year ago, and now will be releasing 30 more ATMs throughout 2019 -- with the expansion to hit 50 ATMs by 2020. This will bring the company, which has currently 150 ATMs to 180 ATMs. There are some ATMs that are notable in the Chicago space that only trade in Bitcoin - however despite their company name; Bitcoin Depot also trades in Litecoin, Ethereum, and Bitcoin Cash. Nearly all of the company's Bitcoin ATM locations in the Chicago area are in 24/7 convenience stores spread throughout the city so that it can provide easy access to the nearly 10 million people in the Chicago metro area. It's been a wild year for crypto as the volatility has left users wary of the market. Many not familiar with the usages of Blockchain, and tend to see tokenization of currency as a fad that's not substantive nor backed by a specific currency -- will definitely be interested to see how these ATMs continue to grow in giving immediate cash for coins. This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Bitcoin, imagine what 10 more years will bring. Brandon Mintz, CEO of Bitcoin Depot has stated, "We want to encourage as many people as we can in Chicago to try one of our Bitcoin ATMs, so they can see for themselves how quick and simple it is to buy Bitcoin from us. By offering a zero fee promotion (for a limited time) Bitcoin Depot hopes that consumers, who have been on the fence about buying Bitcoin will now be more inclined to give it a try. To be eligible for zero fees, customers will need to sign up on our website BitcoinDepot.com with promo code "Chi Town" prior to visiting one of our Bitcoin ATMs." CONTACT: Hoang Nguyen, 240-620-9652 SOURCE: Bitcoin Depot View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/536838/US-Bitcoin-ATM-Growth-Has-Now-Expanded-to-Chicago Hello Investor: VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 25, 2019 / Belmont Resources Inc.(TSX.V: BEA; FSE: L3L1 will be exhibiting at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Convention (PDAC) - Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St. W., Toronto, Ontario - Sunday March 3, 2019 to Wednesday March 6, 2019. We would like to invite you to meet the Belmont Resources team at Booth #2819 celebrating 40+ years of being in business. Belmont Resources Inc. (TSX.V: BEA) Exhibit Hours - South Building, Level 800 Sunday, March 3 - 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday, March 4 - 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 5 - 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. PDAC is proud to be the leading voice of Canada's mineral exploration and development community since 1932. Following a hugely successful PDAC 2018 Convention which welcomed more than 25,000 attendees from 135 countries, there are big expectations for 2019. The PDAC will provide current and prospective investors an opportunity to speak with management and consultants about the Company's active Kibby Basin, Nevada Lithium project. Pick up your free copy of the latest Rockstone Research Report #20. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the office at 604-683-6648. Sincerely, Gary Musil, Corporate Secretary/CFO/Director Email: gmusil@belmontresources.com About Belmont Resources Inc. Belmont is an emerging resource company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties in Canada and Nevada, U.S.A. For further information see our Website at: www.BelmontResources.com -Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Nevadalithium/ -Twitter https://twitter.com/Belmont_Res Belmont owns the Kibby Basin Lithium project covering 2,056 hectares (5,080 acres) in Esmeralda County, Nevada, U.S.A. The Kibby Basin property is located 65 km north of Clayton Valley, Nevada the location of the only US Lithium producer. MGX Minerals Inc. (CSE: XMG) has currently earned a 25% interest in the Kibby project and has the right to increase this to 50% by expending an additional $300,000 and become the operator. In 50/50 ownership with International Montoro Resources Inc., Belmont has acquired and is exploring joint venture opportunities for its significant Uranium properties (Crackingstone -982 ha) in the Uranium City District in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "James H. Place" James (Jim) H. Place, CEO/President/Director 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. SOURCE: Belmont Resources Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/536844/Belmont-Resources-Exhibits-at-PDAC-March-3-6-2019 As of March 1 there will be an increase from 10 to 25 percent. The Chinese delegation work over the weekend weekends and cites "substantial progress" in the fields affecting the US: protection of intellectual property, technology transfer, agriculture, services, money. Washington (AsiaNews) - US President Donald Trump announced last night that he will postpone the date for the increase in duties on Chinese products, set for March 1. The reason is that talks between China and the US are making "substantial progress". A Chinese delegation, led by vice premier Liu He, is currently in Washington for another round of talks. The meetings were to end on 22 February, but continued during the weekend. They also say that there is "substantial progress". On March 1, Trump had promised that without an agreement, he would increase tariffs from 10% to 25% for more than 200 billion Chinese products. In a tweet, the US president explains that there has been "progress" in "important structural areas including the protection of intellectual property, technology transfer, agriculture, services, money". For years, the United States has accused China of stealing intellectual property from American companies and forcing technology transfer as a condition for working in China and for partnerships with Chinese companies. Xinhua also confirmed that the two nations are making substantial progress in the same fields cited by Trump: protection of intellectual property, technology transfer, services, agriculture, currency, non-tariff barriers. Trump suggested that, he could invite President Xi Jinping to Mar-a-Lago in Florida, where he owns a villa, for the signing of the agreement. Perhaps due to a possible agreement, the Asian stock markets today made gains. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Weekend Unlimited Inc. ("Weekend" or the "Company") (CSE: POT) (FSE: 0OS1)(OTCQB: WKULF) is pleased to announce that Northern Lights Supply, for which Weekend Unlimited has previously announced an arms-length agreement to acquire 49% of, has celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, February 23rd, less than three weeks after receiving one of 10 new licenses in Alberta. "The initial customer response confirmed we hit a home run with not only our store design and selection but just as important, our team's commitment to cannabis education," said Northern Lights Supply President, Derek Shields. "With very little promotion our grand opening achieved sales of $27,000 (approximately 35% margin) and our customers provided terrific feedback, mainly that they appreciated an education focused experience in the store, something we see as our number one priority," added Mr. Shields. Northern Lights Supply is situated in Nisku, Alberta , at the intersection to Canada's largest oilfield industrial park, along Alberta's busiest corridor, Highway 2 and opposite the Edmonton International Airport , at the intersection to largest oilfield industrial park, along busiest corridor, Highway 2 and opposite the International Airport The store provides 6,500 square feet of retail space, making it one of the largest approved retail cannabis stores in Alberta Northern Lights Supply was designed to take advantage of the upcoming edible and infused cannabis products schedule to be legal in the fall of 2019 "We want to thank all of the customers who braved the cold to come to Northern Lights Supply and we look forward to becoming an active member of our business community and are excited to be working with the Leduc and District Chamber of Commerce in establishing cannabis education seminars for business scheduled in early March," said Mr. Shields. The Company also announces that it has granted 18,000,000 options under its stock option plan to officer, directors, employees and consultants at an exercise price of $0.15. It also issued 1,260,000 options at $0.25 as part of its recent acquisition of its Jamaican assets. 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 Statements Certain 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. For further information, please contact: New Taoglas 5G NR KSF.410 complements the Taoglas Shift Sub-6GHz antenna to provide an integrated antenna solution for 5G fixed wireless access gateways Taoglas, a leading provider of IoT antenna and RF solutions, today announced the launch of the Taoglas 5G NR KSF.410, a new 5G millimeter wave beam-steering antenna targeting frequency bands 27.5 GHz to 28.35 GHz. The KSF.410, the industry's first antenna utilizing beam-steering chipsets from Analog Devices Inc. (ADI), is being showcased this week at Taoglas' stands at Mobile World Congress 2019 in Barcelona, Spain, and Embedded World in Nuremberg, Germany. Mobile network operators worldwide have begun buildout of 5G networks to keep pace with demand for high-throughput, low-latency connectivity for both enterprise and consumer use cases, ranging from smart transportation and connected car to smart homes, electric vehicle charging and mobile payment systems. Taoglas' beam-steering technology changes the economics of next-generation wireless networks by extending coverage and increasing throughput exponentially, while requiring less equipment. Taoglas' beam-steering technology found in the KSF.410 array and chipset combination is configured to work with an algorithm to provide dynamic beam control. This new antenna array means the solution has extremely robust amplitude and phase control with very fine beam tuning. This can help to increase the link quality and deliver the best signal propagation and reception to power the next generation of use cases that demand extreme data speeds and capacity as well as higher reliability and lower latency. The KSF.410 utilizes a new beam-steering chipset technology from Analog Devices. "Beam-steering is critical to 5G, allowing operators to extend coverage of 5G networks and achieve higher throughput without additional infrastructure investment," said Ronan Quinlan, co-CEO and co-founder of Taoglas. "Taoglas was early to market with beam-steering technology in our groundbreaking Taoglas Shift antenna for Sub-6GHz applications, and now we have beam-steering at NR mmWave with the KSF.410. The availability of production-quality beam-steering chipsets from a company like Analog Devices at production prices is a testament to just how quickly the 5G market is maturing. Now customers developing fixed wireless access gateways for 5G networks can integrate our Shift Sub-6GHz and the KSF.410 NR mmWave antennas quickly into their products to be first to market. Our engineering teams will work with the device manufacturer to get the product integrated, optimized and tested quickly." Additional capabilities of the KSF.410 include: Wide azimuth coverage; +/-60 degrees beam scan Peak Gain: 17dBi 16-element array with full amplitude and phase control at each element Compact package at 105x35x1mm For more information about the Taoglas 5G NR antenna range, visit the Taoglas website. The antennas are also being showcased at Taoglas' stand February 25-28 at Mobile World Congress 2019 (Hall 7, #7G11) in Barcelona, Spain, and February 26-28 at Embedded World (Hall 3, Stand 3-336) in Nuremberg, Germany. About Taoglas Taoglas is the world's leading provider of antenna and RF solutions, delivering high-quality, high-performance RF antenna, filter and cable solutions to innovative wireless and IoT companies around the world. With nine world-class design, support and test centers in Ireland, Germany, Taiwan, China and the US, in-house manufacturing in Taiwan and the US, and a dynamic online ordering system, Taoglas helps its customers quickly and easily find the best solution for their unique device hardware challenges. Best-in-class support, unmatched consultancy and engineering expertise, and custom design services make Taoglas a trusted adviser to companies across a range of wireless and IoT technologies, from LTE, Wi-Fi, GNSS, DSRC, NFC, LORA/LPWA, NB-IoT CAT-M and beyond to 5G. This expertise is proven across a variety of use cases in IoT, automotive, utilities and smart cities, healthcare, telematics, smart metering and more. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005879/en/ Contacts: Justine Schneider, Calysto jschneider@calysto.com 201-921-9428 Regulatory News: GenSight Biologics (Paris: SIGHT) (Euronext: SIGHT, ISIN: FR0013183985, PEA-PME eligible), a biopharma company focused on discovering and developing innovative gene therapies for retinal neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system disorders, announced today the completion of a capital increase of 8 million subscribed entirely by Sofinnova Crossover I SLP ("Sofinnova Bernard Gilly, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of GenSight, stated: "With just a few weeks to RESCUE 72-week results, we are very pleased with the trust Sofinnova is placing in us, and to welcome them among our reference shareholders. We stand convinced of the potential of GS010, and this fundraising without discount allows us to approach the last clinical and regulatory steps in the best conditions." Cedric Moreau, Partner of Sofinnova Crossover I fund, stated: "Gensight is an excellent fit for our Sofinnova Crossover I Fund, where we seek investments in companies with game-changing technologies addressing important unmet clinical needs and which are led by experienced and passionate management teams. Gensight has the potential to become a leader in gene therapies for severe inherited retinal neurodegenerative diseases. We are confident in Gensight management's ability to bring GS010 to the market and thus improve significantly the quality of life for LHON patients." Reasons for the issuance and use of the proceeds Gross proceeds from the transaction are 8 million. The purpose of this capital increase is to pursue the final stages of clinical development of GS010, and file for marketing authorization in Europe. It would improve the financial horizon for the Company and drive it from the third quarter of 2019 to the second quarter of 2020. Key characteristics of the share capital increase GenSight Biologics's Board of directors, using the delegation of powers granted by the 21st resolution of the shareholders' general meeting held on April 12, 2018 (capital increase without the exercise of preemptive subscription rights in favor of categories of persons with specific characteristics), has decided today to realise a capital increase of 8 million euros, by the issuance of 3,921,568 new shares with a nominal value of 0.025 each (the "New Shares") for a subscription price of 2.04 each (including premium) (the "Capital Increase") subscribed entirely by Sofinnova. The subscription price is equal to the volume weighted average price of the Company's shares on the regulated market of Euronext Paris over the three last trading days before pricing, ie., February 21, 22 and 25, 2019, without discount. The use of the 21st resolution related to the Capital Increase in favor of categories of persons did not require to set up a specific organization for managing conflicts of interest by the Company, Sofinnova being a new shareholder not linked to the reference shareholders of the Company. Following the settlement-delivery expected to occur on 28 February 2019, GenSight Biologics's share capital will amount 718,113.53 divided into 28,724,541 shares. The New Shares will be fungible with the existing shares of the Company and will be admitted to trading on the regulated market of Euronext Paris under ISIN FR0013183985. Impact of the offering on the share capital Sofinnova, by subscribing entirely to the transaction, will own approximately 13.65% of the share capital and voting rights of GenSight Biologics (on a non-diluted basis and taking into account the share capital and voting rights of the Company as of the date of this press release) and will in consequence become the largest shareholder of the Company. The New Shares represent 13.65% of the share capital of the Company after to the Capital Increase. On an illustrative basis, a shareholder holding 1% of the Company's share capital before the transaction will now hold a stake of 0.86% after the transaction. The following table specifies the evolution of the share capital of the Company after the Capital Increase: Before offering After offering Shareholders =5% Number of shares and voting rights (on a non-diluted basis) % of the share capital and voting rights (on a non-diluted basis) Number of shares and voting rights (on a non-diluted basis) % of the share capital and voting rights (on a non-diluted basis) Sofinnova 3,921,568 13.65% Novartis Pharma AG 3,521,774 14.20% 3,521,774 12.26% Versant (via Venture Capital IV Side Fund IV) 3,280,381 13.23% 3,280,381 11.42% Abingworth Bioventures VI 3,139,973 12.66% 3,139,973 10.93% Bpifrance Participations 2,000,000 8.06% 2,000,000 6.96% Vitavest s.a.r.l 1,339,706 5.40% 1,339,706 4.66% Total 13,281,834 53.55% 17,203,402 59.89% Managers and directors 1,191,350 4.80% 1,191,350 4.15% Employees 93,000 0.37% 93,000 0.32% Other shareholders (total) 10,236,789 41.28% 10,236,789 35.64% TOTAL 24,802,973 100% 28,724,541 100% Undertakings related to the Capital Increase Sofinnova has also expressed its intent to purchase, in one or several tranches on the market, depending on the market conditions and subject to any applicable regulatory constraints, a number of existing shares of the Company for a total amount of 2,000,000. In consideration for the subscription by Sofinnova for the Capital Increase, GenSight Biologics has undertaken to put on the agenda of its next shareholders' meeting a proposal to appoint Sofinnova Partner SAS and one independent member to be proposed by Sofinnova with the approval of GenSight Biologics, as members of the Board of directors of the Company. Information available to the public and risk factors Pursuant to Article 211-3 of the Autorite des Marches Financiers ("AMF") General Regulation, it should be noted that the above-mentioned private placement has not resulted or will not result in the drafting of a prospectus submitted to the AMF for approval. Detailed information regarding the Company, including its business, financial information, results, perspectives and related risk factors are contained (i) in the Company's 2017 Registration Document (document de reference) filed with the AMF on April 27, 2018 under number R. 18-036, and (ii) the 2018 Half-Year Financial Report published on July 25, 2018. These documents as well as other regulated information and all of the Company's press releases, can be accessed on the Company's website (www.gensight-biologics.com) and/or AMF (www.amf-france.org). Your attention is drawn to the risk factors related to the Company and its activities presented in chapter 4 of its 2017 Registration Document. This press release is not a prospectus within the meaning of the Prospectus Directive nor a public offering. About GenSight Biologics GenSight Biologics S.A. is a clinical-stage biopharma company focused on discovering and developing innovative gene therapies for retinal neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system disorders. GenSight Biologics' pipeline leverages two core technology platforms, the Mitochondrial Targeting Sequence (MTS) and optogenetics to help preserve or restore vision in patients suffering from blinding retinal diseases. GenSight Biologics' lead product candidate, GS010, is in Phase III trials in Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), a rare mitochondrial disease that leads to irreversible blindness in teens and young adults. Using its gene therapy-based approach, GenSight Biologics' product candidates are designed to be administered in a single treatment to each eye by intravitreal injection to offer patients a sustainable functional visual recovery. Disclaimer This announcement and the information contained herein do not constitute either an offer to sell or purchase, or the solicitation of an offer to sell or purchase, securities of GenSight Biologics S.A. (the "Company No communication or information in respect of the offering by the Company of its shares may be distributed to the public in any jurisdiction where registration or approval is required. No steps have been taken or will be taken in any jurisdiction where such steps would be required. The offering or subscription of shares may be subject to specific legal or regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. The Company takes no responsibility for any violation of any such restrictions by any person. This announcement does not, and shall not, in any circumstances, constitute a public offering nor an invitation to the public in connection with any offer. The distribution of this document may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Persons into whose possession this document comes are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions. This announcement is an advertisement and not a prospectus within the meaning of the Prospectus Directive (as defined below), as implemented in each member State of the European Economic Area. With respect to the Member States of the European Economic Area (including France) ("Member States"), no action has been or will be undertaken to make an offer to the public of the securities referred to herein requiring a publication of a prospectus in any Member State. As a result, the securities of the Company may not and will not be offered in any Member State except in accordance with the exemptions set forth in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, or under any other circumstances which do not require the publication by the Company of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive and/or to applicable regulations of that relevant Member State. For the purposes of the provision above, the expression "offer to the public" in relation to any shares of the Company in any Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase any securities, as the same may be varied in that Member State. The expression "Prospectus Directive" means Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Member State. This document does not constitute an offer to the public in France and the securities referred to in this document can only be offered or sold in France pursuant to Article L. 411-2-II of the French Code monetaire et financier to (i) providers of third party portfolio management investment services, (ii) qualified investors (investisseurs qualifies) acting for their own account and/or (iii) a limited group of investors (cercle restreint d'investisseurs) acting for their own account, all as defined in and in accordance with Articles L. 411-1, L. 411-2 and D. 411-1 to D. 411-4 and D. 754-1 and D. 764-1 of the French Code monetaire et financier. In addition, in accordance with the autorization granted by the general meeting of the Company's shareholders dated April 12, 2018, only the persons pertaining to the categories specified in the 21st resolution of such general meeting may subscribe to the offering. This document may not be distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States. This document does not constitute an offer of securities for sale nor the solicitation of an offer to purchase securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction where such offer may be restricted. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements thereof. The securities of the Company have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, and the Company does not intend to make a public offering of its securities in the United States. Copies of this document are not being, and should not be, distributed in or sent into the United States. The distribution of this document (which term shall include any form of communication) is restricted pursuant to Section 21 (Restrictions on financial promotion) of Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 ("FMSA"). This document is only being distributed to and directed at persons who (i) are outside the United Kingdom, (ii) have professional experience in matters relating to investments and who fall 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 "Financial Promotion Order"), (iii) are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.) of the Financial Promotion Order or (iv) are persons to whom this communication may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons referred to in (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). This document must not be acted on or relied on in the United Kingdom by persons who are not Relevant Persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to Relevant Persons, and will be engaged in only with such persons in the United Kingdom. This document may not be distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. The transaction is not subject to a prospectus approved by the Autorite des marches financiers (AMF). Detailed information regarding the Company, including on its business, financial information, results, perspectives and related risk factors are contained (i) in the Company's 2017 Registration Document (document de reference) filed with the AMF on April 27, 2018 under number R. 18-036, and (ii) the Half-Year Financial Report 2018 published on July 25, 2018. These documents as well as other regulated information and all of the Company's press releases, can be accessed on the Company's website (www.gensight-biologics.com). Your attention is drawn to the risk factors related to the Company and its activities presented in chapter 4 of its 2017 Registration Document. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005859/en/ Contacts: GenSight Biologics Thomas Gidoin Chief Financial Officer tgidoin@gensight-biologics.com +33 (0)1 76 21 72 20 RooneyPartners Media Relations Marion Janic mjanic@rooneyco.com +1-212-223-4017 The Trout Group US Investor Relations Chad Rubin crubin@troutgroup.com +1-646-378-2947 James Palmer Europe Investor Relations j.palmer@orpheonfinance.com +33 7 60 92 77 74 The European Investment Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares The European Investment Trust plc ("the Company") The Company announces that on 25 February 2019 it purchased the following number of its ordinary shares of 25 pence each on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. Ordinary Shares: Date of purchase: 25 February 2019 Number of ordinary shares purchased: 10,000 Lowest price per share 815p Highest price per share 815p The Company intends to cancel the purchased shares. Following the above transaction, the Company has 40,830,269 ordinary shares in issue. Each of the Company's shares carries one vote. Accordingly, the total number of voting rights of the Company is 40,830,269. 25 February 2019 LEI: 213800QNN9EHZ4SC1R12 Enquiries: Kenneth J Greig Edinburgh Partners AIFM Limited Tel: 0131 270 3800 The Company's registered office address is: Beaufort House 51 New North Road Exeter EX4 4EP Regulatory News: Gecina (Paris:GFC): The Registration Document for 2018 was filed with the French securities regulator (Autorite des marches financiers, AMF) on February 25, 2019. It may be consulted on or downloaded from the following internet sites: Gecina (www.gecina.fr), in the section Investors Publications and press releases Financial reports and reference document; AMF (www.amf-france.org). It is also available free of charge to the public on request: by mail: Gecina 16, rue des Capucines, 75002 Paris, France; by email: actionnaire@gecina.fr; by telephone: 0 800 800 976 (toll-free number only available in France). The following documents are included in the Registration Document: the annual financial report for 2018; the Board of Directors' report on corporate governance; the statutory auditors' reports; information on the statutory auditors' fees; the non-financial performance statement. Gecina, at the heart of urban life Gecina owns, manages and develops property holdings worth 19.3 billion euros at end-2018. As a specialist for centrality and uses, the Group is building its business around Europe's leading office portfolio, with nearly 97% located in the Paris Region, and a diversification division with residential assets and student residences. Gecina has put sustainable innovation at the heart of its strategy to create value and anticipate the expectations of around 100,000 customers and end users, thanks to the dedication and expertise of its staff, who are committed to an understated, fluid and inclusive city. To offer its customers high-quality services and support their changing needs, Gecina has launched YouFirst, its relational brand. Gecina is a French real estate investment trust (SIIC) listed on Euronext Paris, and is part of the SBF 120, CAC Next 20, CAC Large 60, Euronext 100, FTSE4Good, DJSI Europe and World, Stoxx Global ESG Leaders and Vigeo indices. In line with its commitments to the community, Gecina has created a company foundation, which is focused on protecting the environment and supporting all forms of disability. www.gecina.fr View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005847/en/ Contacts: GECINA CONTACTS Financial communications Samuel Henry-Diesbach Tel: +33 (0)1 40 40 52 22 samuelhenry-diesbach@gecina.fr Virginie Sterling Tel: +33 (0)1 40 40 62 48 virginiesterling@gecina.fr Press relations Julien Landfried Tel: +33 (0)1 40 40 65 74 julienlandfried@gecina.fr Armelle Miclo Tel: +33 (0)1 40 40 51 98 armellemiclo@gecina.fr Tech Mahindra to debut netOps.ai, a 5G Network Automation & Managed Services Framework, at Mobile World Congress 2019 BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Tech Mahindra Ltd., a leading provider of digital transformation, consulting and business reengineering services and solutions, announced netOps.ai, its Network Automation and Managed Services Framework. Tech Mahindra will conduct the first-ever live demonstration of its netOps.ai framework at Mobile World Congress 2019. Tech Mahindra's netOps.ai, Network Automation and Managed Services Framework is geared to accelerate 5G Network adoption by automating all the key network life cycle stages. The main features of netOps.ai include: Telco Cloud Automation : Automating the Telco Cloud Deployment of different personas and enabling one-click deployment of Telco Cloud. : Automating the Telco Cloud Deployment of different personas and enabling one-click deployment of Telco Cloud. VNF Lifecycle Automation : Automating VNF Onboarding and End-to-End network integration with integration accelerators in its VNF-Xchange : Automating VNF Onboarding and End-to-End network integration with integration accelerators in its VNF-Xchange NetDevOps : Implementation of complete DevOps Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipeline for 5G networks in a multi-vendor environment : Implementation of complete DevOps Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipeline for 5G networks in a multi-vendor environment Service Orchestration: Automation of Network Services with Orchestration, including closed-loop-control implementation for self-healing and auto-scaling Manish Vyas, President CME and CEO of Network Services, Tech Mahindra, said, "Tech Mahindra's netOps.ai Framework will significantly boost the speed of 5G network rollouts. Communication service providers across the globe will be able to accelerate their 5G Time-to-Market and simultaneously reduce their cost of ownership by automating every aspect of their network lifecycle. We are preparing to witness the real-world impact of 5G and are collaborating with multiple partners from different industry verticals to develop compelling, practical use cases." Gabriel Brown, Principal Analyst, Mobile Networks & 5G, Heavy Reading, "If operators can deliver at scale, at pace, and at low unit cost, 5G has great potential to contribute to business transformation across diverse industries. We believe the economic and technical case for advanced services, delivered over complex infrastructure, is underpinned by operators' ability to automate operating processes, with CI/CD models that support multi-vendor environments critical to this." Tech Mahindra is driving collaborative disruption with its 5G partners and will jointly showcase the netOps.ai framework: Access partner, expert quotes and full press release (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/826306/Tech_Mahindra_Logo.jpg) Contact: Tuhina Pandey Tuhina.Pandey@techmahindra.com media.relations@techmahindra.com Simple, Efficient, Affordable BARCELONA, SPAIN / ACCESSWIRE / February 25, 2019 / Today, Lenovo Connect releases its first smart EMM solution called ThinkUEM (Unified End-point Management) at the product launch during Mobile World Congress. Dr. Martin Wang, VP of Lenovo and the CEO of the Lenovo Connect, will be the first to launch and give a full demonstration of Think UEM during the event. "We aim to build ThinkUEM as a smart IoT platform that can provide cross-platform, cross-system, and cross-industry device management service," said Wang. "It is a secure and stable platform. It provides three major services; device management, content management and application management. It guarantees the security of data and the system." ThinkUEM is an enterprise mobile endpoint management platform, developed exclusively by Lenovo. It enables the control of multiple device models, multiple brand manufacturers and multiple operating systems through one single platform. Some of ThinkUEM functions include policy management, real-time statistics, device wipe/lock/locate, application management, secure content application containerization, reporting, logging, remote control, kiosk mode, file sync, self-service portal, automatic enrollment, import groups, message broadcasts, Wi-Fi configuration, disable/enable airplane mode, address blacklist/whitelist, geo-fence alarm, app firewalls, bulk operation, SIM card and device bonding. ThinkUEM offers a number of advantages. A few of them being flexible implementation, customized solution, strong data security, big data support, multi-platform support (Android OS and iOS) and reliable activation. Also, all data visualization on the ThinkUEM platform to allow clients to manage their business better. ThinkUEM will address all needs for Mobile Device Management. It enables everyone to centralize and streamline the management of traditional mobile devices and IoT devices through a single platform. ThinkUEM allows you to get a handle on your BYOD workforce, ensuring that you are able to enforce policies and procedures while protecting corporate data, whether On-Premise or in the cloud. In addition, ThinkUEM removes the complexity from managing a multi OS, multi-vendor, and multi-purpose mobile ecosystem. Features include silent installation, remote support, reliable activation, big data support, and location-based services. ThinkUEM is user-friendly, giving administrators access to data and security quickly and efficiently. ThinkUEM is set to become the simple and cost-effective solution for Mobile Device Management in the world. As a global product, ThinkUEM's business covers the NA, EMEA and AP right now, it has partnered with ZeroSecond Technology, Offshore Tech and Castnet. In the near future, the ThinkUEM business will reach every corner of the world. For more information about the ThinkUEM, please visit: https://www.lenovoconnect.com/en/service/UEM or connect Elena at: liuxl37@lenovo.com. SOURCE: Lenovo View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/536791/MWC19-First-Smart-EMM-Solution-ThinkUEM-Was-Released-by-Lenovo-Connect-to-Empower-the-Era-of-Smart-IoT B2B research firm Clutch.co recently featured LLT Group as part of its Global 1000 List for UX/UI agencies NAPERVILLE, IL / ACCESSWIRE / February 25, 2019 / LLT Group, a digital agency headquartered in Naperville, Illinois, was recently awarded a spot on Clutch.co's global 1000 list for UX/UI agencies. LLT Group was ranked 276. Clutch.co is a third-party B2B firm. The company's new list, known as The Clutch 1000, recognizes companies based on the quantity and quality of client reviews, clients served, portfolio of work, brand reputation, and visibility in their target markets. Since the listing, Clutch analysts have collected 50 reviews from LLT Group's clients. "The resulting feedback has helped us not only understand our strengths, but also how we can improve as a company," says LLT Group. In addition to this honor, Clutch previously named LLT Group as a leading digital marketing agency in the Chicago area. LLT Group was selected based on factors including notable clients, portfolio items, industry accolade, and case studies. The company has also been featured in Inc. 5000: Fastest Growing Companies, Inc: 30 under 30 Nominee, Inc. Magazine: Rising Stars of the 21st Century, and CSS Design Awards: Site of the Day. For more information, please visit https://www.llt-group.com/. About LLT Group LLT Group, established in 2010, is a digital agency located in Naperville, Illinois. The company offers services including research and strategy, branding, graphic design, web design and development, media, search engine marketing, and traditional marketing. LLT Group prides itself on being a full-service, in-house agency that concentrates on service, research, execution, and results. The company was established with the goal of generating better creative solutions and better results for clients. LLT Group is passionate about partnering with good people and creating experiences that innovate and empower brands. For more information, please contact: LLT Group Phone: 630-504-0720 Email: hello@llt-group.com 47 E Chicago Ave #220, Naperville, IL 60540 SOURCE: LLT Group View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/536786/LLT-Group-Ranked-276-on-The-Clutch-1000 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / February 25, 2019 / The blockchain market, which is regarded as the fifth technological revolution, is in full swing. According to industry insiders, there are two things that are critical to the global blockchain field will happen in 2019. One is the standardization of the market, and the other is the breakthrough and upgrade of blockchain technology, Korea's digital asset exchange Coinone join hands with BlackRock iShare to break through the difficulties of blockchain technology to build the world's largest large-scale quantitative match trading wallet BossToken platform. On October 18, 2018 (Seoul time), the two parties held a signing ceremony in Seoul. The two sides reached: Coinone provides technical operation team, BlackRock iShares Fund invests $100 million in cooperation plan, and both leaders signed the contract. Mr. Jack, the representative of BlackRock iShares Fund, expressed his high recognition for the development concept and future planning of the BossToken platform. The CEO of the BossToken platform delivered an important speech; shared BossToken's philosophy and future plans. After sharing, they had a photo taken to mark the occasion! (video: https://youtu.be/9VXseWHNdbw ) The founder of BossToken platform Mr. John said in a personal interview that BossToken is based on the latest blockchain technology to solve the cumbersome problems of today's manual profit arbitrage, using the latest blockchain technology and top-notch thinking to solve various pain points and problems. Linking more than 200 digital asset exchanges around the world, the Intelligent Cat help users to enable digital assets to automatically arbitrage in these exchanges, allowing the previous manual arbitrage to be transformed into automated intelligent arbitrage making the blockchain technology a giant leap. At the same time, the BossToken platform we built is not only a wallet, but also an ecosystem of wallet + payment system + trading system + flash exchange system. (video: https://youtu.be/cKoDYTuIdqA) In December 2018, BossToken has been officially opened for registration to the global users. Now it has been favored by many investment institutions. At the same time, many blockchain enthusiasts have already used BossToken wallets to carry out their own arbitrage! CONTACT: Jan@Globalnews.com SOURCE: BossToken View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/536471/BossToken-Leads-the-New-Trend-of-Blockchain-Digital-Assets NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / February 25, 2019 / Lanjiao Media USA Holding Company was inaugurated in Las Vegas, USA on Feb. 16, local time. Lanjiao Media USA Holding Company was founded on Feb. 13, 2019, headquartered in Las Vegas, the United States, which is a corporate entity registered by Lanjiao Media Co. Ltd. in America. Lanjiao Media USA Holding Company, which is an important foundation for Lanjiao Media Co. Ltd. to build a strategic development platform in North America, has offices in the states of New York, Illinois, Delaware and other places, involving in the business of investment, finance, cultural industry, etc. It is known that the company has invested $10 million to purchase an office building with supporting property management in the prime location of the central business districts in Las Vegas, which can not only meet the office needs of Lanjiao Media USA Company, but also can obtain a long-term stable return. Zeping Wen, chairman of Lanjiao Media Co. Ltd.and a former member of Forbes China charity list, said the establishment of the American company is the latest layout for Lanjiao Media to fulfill the cultural strategy of going out. The company is of great significance with regard to optimizing the asset allocation of Lanjiao Media and building the platform of the overseas development strategy. Next, Lanjiao Media, based on Lanjiao Media USA Company, will further develop the investment management platform in North America and implement the strategy of the group's overseas development. Meanwhile,in order to realize the cultural trade, multinational cooperation and mutual development,Lanjiao Media will build an overseas cultural exchange platform, through holding exhibitions and undertaking cultural exchange activities, so as to promote Chinese culture to go to North America. According to the analysis of industry professionals, this foreign investment of Lanjiao Media, as one of the important measures of the company's internationalization strategy, is conducive to the further expansion of the international market and the enhancement of the company's brand influence. At the same time, it can timely follow up the cutting-edge trends of industry, provide support and services for the company's strategic transformation, and build an important platform for promoting the company's international cooperation. CONTACT: Lily@globalnews.com SOURCE: Lanjiao Media Co. Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/536470/Lanjiao-Media-Co-Ltd-Has-Set-up-a-Wholly-Owned-Subsidiary-in-Las-Vegas-USA by Sumon Corraya Catholic students hold their 34th annual meeting in the Diocese of Barishal. The Youth Commission of the Bishops Conference calls for a "deeper relationship with God" against the negative things of life, like drug addiction. Barishal (AsiaNews) - Following "Mary, who surrendered to God, as an example of life is the hope that has guided the national meeting of young Catholics in Bangladesh. The Youth Commission of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh has encouraged Catholic youth to have a deeper relationship with God and reject negative things," said Brother Ujjal Placid Pereira, the Commissions secretary, speaking to AsiaNews. The event, which is at its 34th edition, was held from 21 to 24 February in Padrishibpur, Diocese of Barishal, and saw the participation of 400 Catholic students from all over the country. This year's theme came from the World Youth Day in Panama, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word" (Lk 1:38). The Commission proposed topics for discussion are very sensitive in the country, issues like drug addiction, the Internets downside, environmental degradation. The sessions "have helped the kids discover the true meaning of their life and understand what is right and what is wrong, Brother Ujjal Placid said. "As a youth leader, I can help other depressed kids and give advice to those involved in drug abuse, said Jude Flavian Bala, from the Archdiocese of Chattogram (ex Chittagong). We young people should be more involved in Church initiatives, so that we can avoid drug use. For Dina Mrong, a young ethnic Garo woman from the Diocese of Mymensingh, the meeting helped her understand the meaning of life. "Life is a gift from God she said, and we must take care of it, avoid bad things and realise ourselves through good and thoughtful deeds towards others. For the second time in two years, West Virginia teachers went on strike. But unlike the first timewhich set off a wave of teacher walkouts across the countryteachers werent demanding more pay. They wanted to block lawmakers from legalizing charter schools and a type of school voucher program. Lawmakers gave in to the unions demands within a few hours. Teachers unions in Oakland and Los Angeles have also recently made charter school growth a central issue in their strikes . But are the expansion of charter schools and school vouchers really an existential threat to traditional public schools? In most parts of America, its hard to argue that they are. Charter schools educate only about 3 million students, or 7 percent of all public-school students, according to federal data. Its taken charter schools more than 25 years to get to that 7 percent enrollment shareand it looks as though that growth has been slowing in recent years . Charter school enrollment grew by 5 percent between the 2016-17 and 2017-18 school years, according to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools , one of the countrys largest charter advocacy groups. Between the 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years, charter enrollment grew by 7 percent. The year before that, it was 9 percent. An even smaller share of families use vouchers and other related programstax-credit scholarships and education savings accountsto send their children to private school: only about 482,000 students, according to EdChoice , a school choice advocacy group, in 29 states. And while school choice supporters are diligently lobbying to expand the number of states that vouchers operate in, growth is still restricted to the availability of private schools and their willingness to participate . Thats the supply side of things. On the demand side, vouchers and especially charter schools have made significant inroads into some large, urban areas. But areas with less population density struggle to support robust school choice, which requires lots of schools clustered close enough together that families can reasonably get to them. Its no coincidence that its mostly rural states that still dont allow for charter schools 25 years into the movement: West Virginia, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Vermont. Another big driver of charter school expansion, philanthropists , are also focused on opening schools in urban areas serving low-income students. This is not to say that charter school expansion is not a salient issue. But it depends on where you live. In Los Angeles and Oaklandwhere teachers unions have said charter growth is hurting traditional public schoolscharter schools enroll sizable shares of public school students, according to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. In Oakland, 30 percent of students attended charter schools in the 2017-18 school year, according to the NAPCS latest data. In Los Angeles, it was 26 percent. In West Virginia, lawmakers wanted to allow up to seven charter schools to open and to create 1,000 education savings accounts, a voucher-like program, for students with disabilities. Make no mistake, this would have been an important symbolic victory for school choice advocates, especially charter school supporters who have been pressing to get charters in the state for a while. But based on the rate of charter school growth so far, and where charters have been successful in expanding, it seems unlikely West Virginia would have been overrun by charter schools anytime soon, if at all. Related stories: JUPITER, FL / ACCESSWIRE / February 25, 2019 / Dyadic International, Inc. (the 'Company') (OTCQX: DYAI), today announced that its President and Chief Executive Officer, Mark Emalfarb, will be presenting at the following two upcoming investor conferences: SVB Leerink Global Healthcare Conference New York City, NY Wednesday, February 27, 2019 3:30 p.m. ET 31st Annual ROTH Conference The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel Dana Point, CA Panel discussion titled 'Hidden Gems' Monday, March 18, 2019 9:30 a.m. Local Time Monday, March 18, 2019 9:30 a.m. Local Time Corporate overview presentation Tuesday, March 19, 2019 12:30 p.m. Local Time Tuesday, March 19, 2019 12:30 p.m. Local Time Pre-recorded webinar will be available on the company's website in the Investors section under Presentation prior to the conference A live and archived webcast of the presentation, along with the presentation material utilized during the conference, will be made accessible on the investor page of the company's website www.dyadic.com Mr. Emalfarb is scheduled to have one-on-one meetings with institutional analysts and investors throughout the day during both events. Matthew Jones, Managing Director, Business Development & Licensing of Dyadic will also be attending the Roth Conference. For more information on the conference or to schedule a one-on-one meeting with Mr. Emalfarb, please contact a conference representative. Alternatively, please contact Dyadic at (561) 743-8333. About Dyadic International, Inc. Dyadic International, Inc. is a global biotechnology company which is developing what it believes will be a potentially significant biopharmaceutical gene expression platform based on the fungus Myceliophthora thermophila, named C1. The C1 microorganism, which enables the development and large scale manufacture of low cost proteins, has the potential to be further developed into a safe and efficient expression system that may help speed up the development, lower production costs and improve the performance of biologic vaccines and drugs at flexible commercial scales. Dyadic is using the C1 technology and other technologies to conduct research, development and commercial activities for the development and manufacturing of human and animal vaccines (such as virus like particles (VLPs) and antigens), monoclonal antibodies, Fab antibody fragments, Fc-Fusion proteins, biosimilars and/or biobetters, and other therapeutic proteins. Dyadic pursues research and development collaborations, licensing arrangements and other commercial opportunities with its partners and collaborators to leverage the value and benefits of these technologies for their potential use in the development and manufacture of human and animal biopharmaceuticals. In particular, as the aging population grows in developed and undeveloped countries, Dyadic believes the C1 technology may help bring biologic drugs to market faster, in greater volumes, at lower cost, and with new properties to drug developers and manufacturers and, hopefully, improve access and cost to patients and the healthcare system, but most importantly save lives. Please visit Dyadic's website at http://www.dyadic.com for additional information, including details regarding Dyadic's plans for its biopharmaceutical business. Dyadic trades on the OTCQX tier of the OTC marketplace. Investors can find real-time quotes, market information and historical financial reports for Dyadic in the Company's annual and quarterly reports which are filed with the OTC markets. Please visit the OTC markets website at www.otcmarkets.com/stock/DYAI/quote. Safe Harbor Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, which are often indicated by terms such as 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'could,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'goal,' 'intend,' 'look forward to,' 'may,' 'plan,' 'potential,' 'predict,' 'project,' 'should,' 'will,' 'would' and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and on information available to management only as of the date of this press release. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause Dyadic's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Investors are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Dyadic expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, any changes in expectations or any change in events. Factors that could cause results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: (1) general economic, political and market conditions; (2) our ability to generate the required productivity, stability, purity, performance, cost, safety and other data necessary to carry out and implement our biopharmaceutical research and business plans and strategic initiatives; (3) our ability to retain and attract employees, consultants, directors and advisors; (4) our ability to implement and successfully carry out Dyadic's and third parties research and development efforts; (5) our ability to obtain new license and research agreements; (6) our ability to maintain our existing access to, and/or expand access to third party contract research organizations in order to carry out our research projects for ourselves and third parties; (7) competitive pressures and reliance on key customers and collaborators; (8) the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, governmental regulatory and other agencies' willingness to adopt, utilize and approve the use of the C1 gene expression platform; and (9) other factors discussed in Dyadic's publicly available filings, including information set forth under the caption 'Risk Factors' in our Form 10 filed with the SEC on February 8, 2019, our December 31, 2017 Annual Report filed with the OTC Markets on March 27, 2018, and our September 30, 2018 Quarterly Report filed with the OTC Markets on November 8, 2018, and our other filings with the SEC which are available at the SEC's internet site (http://www.sec.gov). New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect us. Contact: Dyadic International, Inc. Ping Rawson Chief Accounting Officer Phone: 561-743-8333 Email: prawson@dyadic.com SOURCE: Dyadic International, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/536799/Dyadic-to-Present-at-Two-Upcoming-Investor-Conferences CORAL SPRINGS, FL / ACCESSWIRE / February 25, 2019 / Cleveland Clinic Florida has been named as a finalist in the 2018 Healthcare Real Estate Insights Awards, which honors outstanding efforts in healthcare real estate development and leadership. The awards are in their sixth year and span several categories. The winners will be featured in the December 2018 and January 2019 issues of the HREI magazine. Rendina Healthcare Real Estate shares the nomination for a category honoring new medical facilities between 50,000 square feet up to 100,000 square feet with Cleveland Clinic Florida for developing the latter's new facility in Coral Springs, FL. The building recently opened in Coral Springs houses a variety of medical offices and services that include a 73,122-square-foot Ambulatory Surgery Center completed occupied by Cleveland Clinic Florida that cost $32 million to construct. Since its opening in July 2018, the Cleveland Clinic's Coral Springs facility has served over 14,000 patients. The facilities provide a wide range surgical and health treatment specialties set in an ultramodern environment with all of the latest equipment. The center has the following features: 40 examination rooms Six operating rooms Two endoscopy suites 24 preparation and recovery bays Surgical and imaging services Two general procedure rooms The center has a staff that includes 15-full time doctors, a staff of 20 additional rotating doctors and 95 administration and support personnel. Medical specialties available at the Coral Springs facility include: Allergy and Immunology Breast Health Colonoscopy/Endoscopy Colorectal Surgery Gastroenterology Gynecology Hand Surgery Orthopedic Surgery Otolaryngology (ENT) Pain Management Plastic and Reconstructive Procedures Podiatry Urology Vascular Surgery Rendina Healthcare Real Estate has been nominated along with Cleveland Clinic Florida as finalists in the 2018 HREI Insights Awards, which recognizes excellence in real estate development and leadership for healthcare facilities. The Coral Springs Family Health Center is the facility for which Rendina and Cleveland Clinic Florida have been nominated. Occupying more than 73,000 square feet, it includes an Ambulatory Surgery Center and medical offices completed occupied by Cleveland Clinic Florida that cost $32 million to construct. Sponsored by Healthcare Real Estate Insights, the awards are in their sixth year and span several categories. The winners will be featured in the December 2018 and January 2019 issues of the magazine. Rendina Healthcare Real Estate and Cleveland Clinic Florida were nominated in the category of Best New Medical Office Buildings and Other Outpatient Facilities with a size of 50,000 to 99,999 square feet. The facility opened in July 2018 and features specialty care and ambulatory surgical services in a state-of-the-art, modern environment that includes 40 examination rooms, six operation rooms, two endoscopy suites, 24 preparation and recovery pays and general procedure rooms. In addition to the joint nomination with Cleveland Clinic Florida, Rendina Chairman and CEO Richard M. Rendina has been nominated as a finalist for 2018 Healthcare Executive the Year. His achievement this past year have included the sale of a 10-building, 490,000-square foot facility this past August. He also oversaw the formation of his company's partnership with Cleveland Clinic Florida, which led to the development of the Coral Springs facility. CONTACT: contact@rendinafoundation.com SOURCE: Rendina Family Foundation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/536056/Cleveland-Clinic-Florida-And-Rendina-Real-Estate-Insights-Nominated-For-Insight-Awards BGH Tech Partner and Mindbreeze will begin their strategic partnership to distribute, implement, and support the Mindbreeze InSpire appliance on the Latin American market. BGH Tech Partner has many years of experience in the field of optimization of business processes tailored to different market segments. "Throughout the years, we have offered solutions related to cloud-based information search. Through this partnership, we not only cover that space but also enrich it with a sophisticated AI engine, which allows us to offer our clients greater coverage. Having already implemented this solution for several clients in Argentina, we expect continued growth in the provision of data management solutions on the Latin American market together with Mindbreeze," says Pablo Poza, VP of Cloud Professional Services at BGH Tech Partner. Optimization of business processes and understanding the meaning of information are key priorities for today's companies. Mindbreeze InSpire leverages the full power of a sophisticated AI engine to provide actionable insights and answers not just more data. It is a flexible, high-value Insight Engine at a fair and predictable price that allows companies to meet their business goals in a big data world quickly, efficiently, and without the need for long-term project plans. "Our partnership with BGH Tech Partner represents a strategically important step in our rapid global growth strategy. Our appliances enable customers to find relevant information in context and to quickly make sense of the correlations. BGH Tech Partner fits perfectly with our company and our guiding principles we want to provide our customers with a professional solution as quickly as possible," says Daniel Fallmann, founder and CEO of Mindbreeze. About BGH Tech Partner BGH Tech Partner's mission is to provide innovative technology solutions and professional services designed to meet the needs of infrastructure and the optimization of business processes tailored to different market segments. BGH Tech Partner is located in Argentina with offices in Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, and Guatemala and serves more than 300 customers in the Latin American region. About Mindbreeze Mindbreeze is a leading provider of appliances and cloud services for information insight, applied artificial intelligence, and knowledge management. The insight engine understands information and provides a consolidated view of corporate knowledge, regardless of where (data sources) and how (structured, unstructured) the data is stored. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190320005661/en/ Contacts: BGH Tech Partner Alejandra Quevedo alejandra.quevedo@bghtechpartner.com Mindbreeze Ulrike Kogler pr@mindbreeze.com Miki Hakak, CMO & Head of OEM Business comments: "Appnext empowers OEMs and Mobile operators to become an active partner in the app ecosystem by building a relationship with their customers, changing the way users interact and discover apps and services on mobile, evolving from in-app to on-device experiences. We are exceptionally pleased by the speed and significance of the adoption of our latest innovations in this field. We have seen an immediate and clear interest from our advertisers around the world who would like to seize this lucrative opportunity to get discovered via top tier OEM placements." 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. GLASGOW, Scotland, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- TC BioPharm (TCB) today announced it is collaborating with Dublin'sTrinity College to accelerate in-house production of V delta 1 gamma delta T cell banks for treatment of solid tumors. The collaboration with Dublin's School of Medicine, Trinity College, will leverage extensive experience gained by Dr Derek Doherty related to the biology and culture expansion of V delta 1 gamma delta T cells. Dr Doherty and his research group will work with TCB's in-house GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) team to develop a range of V delta 1 products with initial focus on EBV-related cancer. Over the next 12 months TCB will manufacture GMP-compliant V delta 1s which will be combined with the Company's proprietary allogeneic CAR-T platform to generate next-generation therapies to treat a wide-range of different cancer types. Initial clinical studies are planned for late 2019. TC BioPharm works with clinical centers of excellence to treat cancer patients in London, Leeds, Cardiff, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Oxford and Prague. Employing over 80 members of staff, the UK-based company has premises in Glasgow, Edinburgh, the Netherlands and Japan. Clinical-grade product is manufactured in-house from TCB's GMP-compliant cell and gene processing unit in Scotland. Commencing operations in 2014, TCB has grown rapidly due to extensive, unrivaled cell therapy experience leveraged by its two founders, Dr Michael Leek and Angela Scott. Described as a "pioneer in regenerative medicine", and active in the sector since 1989, Dr Leek has taken ten different cell therapies to the clinic including the first allogeneic cell-based therapy to undergo multinational phase 3 clinical evaluation. Angela Scott has an equally impressive pedigree as one of the pioneering scientists that created 'Dolly the Sheep' in 1996, she was also part of the team that clinically developed the world's first-in-man allogeneic stem cell treatment for stroke patients. TCB's chief operating officer, Angela Scott, said: "It's a pleasure to be working alongside Dr Doherty in Dublin - Derek and his team have provided us with an enormous opportunity to fast-track our V delta 1 research into GMP manufacture and subsequent treatment of cancer patients." Dr Derek Doherty, Associate Professor and Head of Immunology at Trinity College commented: "This collaboration with TC BioPharm gives us an opportunity to translate our basic research on V delta 1 ?gamma delta T cells into immunotherapies for cancer and infectious disease." "At TCB, we believe in the vast potential for V delta 1 T cells to significantly improve cancer patient health and quality of life," said Dr Michael Leek, TCB's Chief Executive. "This collaboration builds upon our strategy to maintain position as the leader in clinical development of therapeutic gamma delta T cells." About TC BioPharm TC BioPharm is a biotechnology company developing a platform of CAR-T immuno-oncology products which involve expansion of gamma-delta T cells to formulate treatments for a wide variety of hematological and solid tumor types. The company aims to develop and commercialize innovative cell-based products to tackle disease and improve patient quality of life. TCB is registered in Scotland (SC 453579). In January 2015, TCB's cell therapy manufacturing facility at Maxim Park, Glasgow was awarded a Manufacturer's Authorisation for Investigational Medicinal Products MIA (IMP) which permits GMP manufacture and release of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) for use in clinical trials. Further to obtaining an MHRA manufacturing license, TCB was granted a Clinical Trial Authorisation (CTA) by the MHRA in September 2015 to commence clinical evaluation of gamma-delta T cell therapies. www.tcbiopharm.com About Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin Trinity College Dublin holds a global position as one of the leading universities in the world. Established in 1592, it is consistently ranked in the top 100 world universities by the QS World University Rankings, and is the highest-ranking university in Ireland. Cutting edge research, technology and innovation places the university at the forefront of higher education in Ireland and globally. With 17,000 students, Trinity College Dublin encompasses all major academic disciplines, and is committed to world-class teaching and research across the range of disciplines in the arts, humanities, engineering, science, social and health sciences. It is Ireland's leading university across all international rankings, and is ranked 71st place worldwide and in the top 25 in Europe in the recent QS World University Rankings 2014. The Strategy for Innovation and Entrepreneurship launched in 2013 includes a new integrated approach to innovation and entrepreneurship education for the whole university that permeates the activities of Trinity's 24 academic schools, as well as integrating its flagship research institutes. www.tcd.ie Supermicro Brings AI Inferencing to the Edge to Process Large Data Volumes Demanded by 5G Workloads while enabling High Speed Streaming and Low Latency User Experiences BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI), a global leader in enterprise computing, storage, networking solutions and green computing technology, today announced that the company is launching new Edge systems designed for artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G workloads. As the amount of data generated by edge devices continues to grow at a staggering rate, organizations are facing many challenges, including bandwidth congestion, lack of scalability, processing delays, data security and integrity, including compliance and privacy issues. New Edge servers from Supermicro aim to transform enterprises and empower them with intelligent connectivity from IoT devices to the cloud. These new Edge platforms based on Supermicro servers with optional support for Intel Programmable Acceleration FPGA cards or graphics accelerators deliver local compute and AI inferencing, converging the edge and cloud into one seamless data processing platform. These platforms help eliminate complexity, accelerate deployments, and elevate developers to focus on the business logic powering IoT applications and services. "Supermicro is committed to helping companies modernize their datacenters and edge infrastructure so companies can analyze data at real-time speeds as part of their core competence and business advantage," said Charles Liang, president and CEO of Supermicro. "Leveraging our advanced platforms optimized for AI at the Edge technology, these new Edge solutions help enterprises process large data volumes, increase reliability, reduce latency, and secure connections." With high reliability, availability and serviceability (RAS) features available in an ultra-dense, low-power device, Supermicro's new 1019D-16C-FHN13TP and 1019D-FRN5TP systems are Intel Xeon D-2100 processor-based platforms that deliver balanced compute, AI, storage and networking for the Intelligent Edge. With support for up to 37 LANs including RJ45 and SFP ports, these compact 15-inch depth systems offer the best workload optimized solutions and long life availability with up to 16 processor cores, up to 512GB DDR4 four-channel memory operating at 2400MHz, up to four 10GbE LAN ports with RDMA support, and are available with integrated Intel Quick Assist Technology crypto/encrypt/decrypt acceleration engine and internal storage expansion options including mini-PCIe, M.2 and NVMe support as well as support for multiple FPGA and GPU acceleration cards for AI inferencing. In addition to introducing AI to the Edge, these new Supermicro server-based solutions provide exceptional value across a wide range of industries including manufacturing, retail, oil and gas, healthcare, and smart cities. With the tremendous growth and innovation in the Mobile and IoT devices, there are millions of smart devices and sensors being added every day. As a result there is an explosion in both mobile usage and data creation. Supermicro recognizes this opportunity to provide optimized and efficient solutions not only for the "intelligent edge," but also seamless integration from the edge to the cloud. For a first-hand look at these innovative solutions, please visit the Supermicro booth at one of the following shows: Mobile World Congress 2019 in Barcelona, Spain, February 25-28, Booth #5J70, Hall 5; Embedded World 2019 in Nuremberg, Germany, February 26-28, Booth #3A-510; RSA Conference 2019 in San Francisco, California, March 4-8, Booth #157. For more information on Supermicro's complete line of Embedded Building Block Solutions visit www.supermicro.com/Embedded or download an Embedded Solutions Brochure. Follow Supermicro on Facebook and Twitter to receive their latest news and announcements. About Super Micro Computer, Inc. Supermicro, the leading innovator in high-performance, high-efficiency server technology is a premier provider of advanced Server Building Block Solutions for Data Center, Cloud Computing, Enterprise IT, Hadoop/Big Data, HPC and Embedded Systems worldwide. Supermicro is committed to protecting the environment through its "We Keep IT Green" initiative and provides customers with the most energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly solutions available on the market. Supermicro, Server Building Block Solutions, and We Keep IT Green are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Super Micro Computer, Inc. All other brands, names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. SMCI-F Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/825352/AI_to_Edge_Systems.jpg BEIJING, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, the executives of ACWA POWER, Saudi Arabia's leading developer and operator of power and desalination water plant, visited China with HRH Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, and signed a global cooperation memorandum with Huawei in Sino-Saudi Investment Forum in Beijing on February 22. The two sides will work together to develop global PV market and apply the cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing to PV plant projects to promote industry progress with technological innovation. Executives including Mohammd Abunayyan, Chairman of ACWA POWER, Paddy Padmanathan, President and CEO of ACWA POWER, Rajit Nanda CIO of ACWA POWER, Dennis Zhang, CEO of Huawei Saudi Company, and Steven Ma, General Manager of Huawei Smart PV Solution MEA, attended the signing ceremony. In fact, ACWA POWER has cooperated with Huawei several times in 2018. On January 17, 2018, ACWA POWER, NOMAC, and Huawei signed a comprehensive procurement agreement on the smart PV management system in the World Future Energy Summit. On December 26, 2018, ACWA POWER and Huawei signed the inverter procurement agreement for the Sakaka 300 MW project in Saudi Arabia, to which the Huawei FusionSolar 1500 V Smart PV Solution is fully applied. Singing the memorandum is the further cooperation between the two sides after jointly developing the Sakaka 300 MW project, the first large ground PV plant in Saudi Arabia. It is conducive to Saudi Arabia's energy development in compliance with the energy strategic transformation requirements of the country as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 strategy. Khalid Bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Falih, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources in Saudi Arabia, said in an interview with the media that energy cooperation has played an important role in Sino-Saudi Arabia relations and that further cooperation between the two countries in the energy field is in the strategic interest of both sides. In the future, Huawei will cooperate with ACWA POWER in the forward-looking technology fields. Through advanced technologies such as smart I-V curve diagnosis, AI algorithm, and big data with AI, Huawei and ACWA POWER will build a simplified PV system, greatly improve the energy yield and O&M efficiency of PV plants, and accelerate the intelligent upgrade of PV energy in the Middle East. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/826100/HUAWEI_cooperates_with_ACWA_POWER.jpg BANGALORE, India, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The 'Global Pyrimethanil Market Outlook 2018-2023' offers detailed coverage of pyrimethanil industry and presents main market trends. The market research gives historical and forecast market size, demand, end-use details, price trends, and company shares of the leading pyrimethanil producers to provide exhaustive coverage of the market for pyrimethanil. The report segments the market and forecasts its size, by volume and value, on the basis of application, by products, and by geography. The report has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from key industry participants. The global pyrimethanil market has been segmented into five major regions, namely, North America (U.S., Canada, and others), Europe (U.K., France, Germany, Russia, and others), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Australia, and others), South America (Brazil, Argentina, and others), and Middle East & Africa (South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and others). Furthermore, the report also includes an in-depth competitive analysis of the key vendors operating in this market. The report answers following questions: Analysis of the Pyrimethanil market including revenues, future growth, market outlook. Historical data and forecast. Regional analysis including growth estimates. Analyzes the end user markets including growth estimates. Profiles on pyrimethanil vendors including products, sales/revenues, SWOT and market position, recent developments. Market structure, market drivers and restraints. Browse the 120 page report: https://reports.valuates.com/sreport/GENC-Agro-01/Global_Pyrimethanil_Market_Outlook_2018_2023 Key Regions Covered: North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa South America Key Vendors: BASF SE Bayer CropScience Ltd. Jiangsu Kuaida Agrochemical Co., Ltd. Limin Chemical Co., Ltd. Tianjin Shipule Pesticide Technological Development Co., Ltd. Yantai Keda Chemical Co., Ltd. request free sample to get a complete list of companies https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/GENC-Agro-01/Global_Pyrimethanil_Market_Outlook_2018_2023 Table of Content: Part 1. Summary Part 2. Report Methodology 2.1 Methodology 2.2 Data Source Part 3. Introduction Part 4. Industry Value Chain 4.1 Pyrimethanil Industry Value Chain Analysis 4.2 Upstream 4.3 End-uses 4.4 Distributors Part 5. Competitive Landscape 5.1 Global Pyrimethanil Sales & Share by Company (2013-2018) 5.2 Global Pyrimethanil Revenue & Share by Company (2013-2018) 5.3 Pricing Trends 5.4 Competitive Trends Part 6. Segmentation by Type 6.1 Global Pyrimethanil Sales Volume by Type (2013-2018) 6.2 Global Pyrimethanil Revenue by Type (2013-2018) 6.3 Global Pyrimethanil Price by Type (2013-2018) Part 7. Segmentation by Application 7.1 Global Pyrimethanil Sales Volume by Application (2013-2018) 7.2 Global Pyrimethanil Revenue by Application (2013-2018) 7.3 Global Pyrimethanil Price by Application (2013-2018) Part 8. Regional Perspectives 8.1 Overview 8.2 North America 8.2.1 Market Size (Volume & Value) 8.2.2 by Application 8.2.3 by Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, etc.) 8.3 Europe 8.3.1 Market Size (Volume & Value) 8.3.2 by Application 8.3.3 by Country (Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, etc.) 8.4 Asia-Pacific 8.4.1 Market Size (Volume & Value) 8.4.2 by Application 8.4.3 by Country (China, Japan, Korea, India, etc.) 8.5 Middle East & Africa 8.5.1 Market Size (Volume & Value) 8.5.2 by Application 8.5.3 by Country (Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Nigeria, Iran, South Africa, etc.) 8.6 South America 8.6.1 Market Size (Volume & Value) 8.6.2 by Application 8.6.3 by Country (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, etc.) Part 9. Company Profiles 9.1 Company Profile 9.2 Product Offered 9.3 Business Performance 9.4 Recent Developments Part 10. Market Forecast 10.1 Global Pyrimethanil Market Size Forecast (2018-2023) 10.1.1 Global Pyrimethanil Sales Forecast (2018-2023) 10.1.2 Global Pyrimethanil Revenue Forecast (2018-2023) 10.2 Forecast by Region 10.2.1 North America 10.2.2 Europe 10.2.3 Asia-Pacific 10.2.4 Middle East & Africa 10.2.5 South America 10.3 Forecast by Type 10.4 Forecast by Application Part 11. Market Drivers 11.1 Opportunities 11.2 Challenges 11.3 Economic/Political Environmental Part 12. Industry Activity 12.1 M&As, JVs and Partnership 12.2 Other Developments Part 13. Appendix Inquire for discount : https://reports.valuates.com/request/discount/GENC-Agro-01/Global_Pyrimethanil_Market_Outlook_2018_2023 Purchase the report: https://reports.valuates.com/sreport/GENC-Agro-01/Global_Pyrimethanil_Market_Outlook_2018_2023 Regulated Information Press Release Transparency Notifications from Shareholders Ghent, BELGIUM - 25 February 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 in accordance with article 14 of the Belgian Act of 2 May 2007 on disclosure of major shareholdings in issuers shares of which are admitted to trading on a regulated market and laying down miscellaneous provisions (the "Belgian Transparency Act") that it received transparency notifications from several shareholders listed below as a result of the completion of the initial public offering of new shares, with the admission of all of its shares to trading on the regulated market of Euronext Brussels under the symbol "SEQUA" (the "Offering"). The reason for each transparency notification was "holding of voting securities upon first admission to trading". NeoMed IV Extension L.P. / NeoMed Innovation V L.P. (2)..... 4,196,641 33.28 LSP Health Economics Fund Management B.V.(3)................... 1,539,407 12.21 Participatiemaatschappij Vlaanderen NV (4)........................... 1,223,906 9.70 Federale Participatie- en Investeringsmaatschappij NV (5)..... 1,105,246 8.76 Newton Biocapital I Pricav Privee SA (6).................................. 1,102,529 8.74 Venture Incubator AG / VI Partners AG (7)............................. 525,501 4.17 Capricorn Health-tech Fund NV / Quest for Growth NV (8)..... 598,978 4.75 _____________ Notes: (1) The total number of outstanding shares of the Company on 12 February 2019 amounts to 12,611,900, each share giving right to one (1) vote (being 12,611,900 voting rights in total). The trading of the Company's shares on the regulated market of Euronext Brussels started on an "if-and-when-issued-and/or-delivered" basis on 11 February 2019. (2) A parent undertaking or a controlling person of NeoMed IV Extension L.P. ("NeoMed IV") and NeoMed Innovation V L.P. ("NeoMed V"), informed the Company, by means of a notification dated 20 February 2019, that, as a result of the completion of the Offering, on 11 February 2019, their joint shareholding crossed the threshold of 30% of the outstanding voting rights of the Company. The joint notification specifies furthermore that both NeoMed IV and NeoMed V are a private limited company incorporated in Jersey and are controlled by their investment manager NeoMed Management (Jersey) Limited (a private limited company incorporated in Jersey). NeoMed Management (Jersey) Limited is controlled by Erik Amble, Claudio Nessi, Dina Chaya and Pal Jensen within the meaning of the articles 5 and 7 of the Belgian Companies Code. The notification also states that (a) NeoMed IV and NeoMed V do not own the securities of the Company but manage the funds that own the voting rights attached to the securities of the Company, and (b) as management companies, NeoMed IV and NeoMed V exercise the voting rights attached to the securities of the Company at their discretion in the absence of specific instructions. (3) A parent undertaking or a controlling person of LSP Health Economics Fund Management B.V. ("LSP"), informed the Company, by means of a notification dated 19 February 2019 that, as a result of the completion of the Offering, on 11 February 2019, LSP's shareholding crossed the threshold of 10% of the outstanding voting rights of the Company. The notification specifies furthermore that LSP is controlled by LSP Management Group BV within the meaning of the articles 5 and 7 of the Belgian Companies Code and that LSP Management Group BV is no controlled undertaking. The notification also states that (a) LSP is not an owner of the shares of the Company, but manages the funds that own the shares of the Company, (b) LSP exercises the voting rights of the funds as management company, and (c) LSP can exercise the voting rights of the funds at its own discretion at the general meeting of shareholders of the Company. (4) A parent undertaking or a controlling person of Participatiemaatschappij Vlaanderen NV ("PMV"), informed the Company, by means of a notification dated 18 February 2019 that, as a result of the completion of the Offering, on 11 February 2019, PMV's shareholding crossed the threshold of 5% of the outstanding voting rights of the Company. The notification specifies furthermore that PMV is controlled by Het Vlaams Gewest within the meaning of the articles 5 and 7 of the Belgian Companies Code and that Het Vlaams Gewest is not controlled. (5) A parent undertaking or a controlling person of Federale Participatie- en Investeringsmaatschappij NV ("SFPI-FPIM"), informed the Company, by means of a notification dated 18 February 2019 that, as a result of the completion of the Offering, on 11 February 2019, SFPI-FPIM's shareholding crossed the threshold of 5% of the outstanding voting rights of the Company. The notification specifies furthermore that SFPI-FPIM is controlled by the Belgian State within the meaning of the articles 5 and 7 of the Belgian Companies Code and that SFPI-FPIM acts in its own name, but on behalf of the Belgian State. (6) Newton Biocapital I Pricav Privee SA ("NBC"), a person that notifies alone, informed the Company, by means of a notification dated 21 February 2019 that, as a result of the completion of the Offering, on 11 February 2019, NBC's shareholding crossed the threshold of 5% of the outstanding voting rights of the Company. The notification specifies furthermore that NBC is not controlled within the meaning of the articles 5 and 7 of the Belgian Companies Code. The notification also states that (a) NBC acts as discretionary investment manager and holds voting rights attached to shares on behalf of its clients, and (b) NBC can exercise the voting rights at its own discretion without instructions of its clients. (7) VI Partners AG, a person that notifies alone, informed the Company, by means of a notification dated 21 February 2019 that, as a result of the completion of the Offering, on 11 February 2019, the joint shareholding of VI Partners AG and Venture Incubator AG crossed the threshold of 3% of the outstanding voting rights of the Company. The joint notification specifies furthermore that VI Partners AG is not a controlled entity within the meaning of article 5 and 7 of the Belgian Companies Code. The notification also states that (a) VI Partners AG is a shareholder and the management company of Venture Incubator AG, a multi-investor investment company, and (b) it is authorised to exercise the voting rights in the shares held by Venture Incubator AG at its free discretion, in the absence of specific instructions. (8) Capricorn Venture Partners ("CVP"), a person that notifies alone, informed the Company, by means of a notification dated 18 February 2019 that, as a result of the completion of the Offering, on 11 February 2019, the joint shareholding of its funds Capricorn Health-tech Fund NV and Quest for Growth NV crossed the threshold of 3% of the outstanding voting rights of the Company. The joint notification specifies furthermore that (a) CVP is in itself no owner of shares in the Company but manages two funds (Capricorn Health-tech Fund NV and Quest for Growth NV) which are owner of shares of the Company, (b) CVP exercises the voting rights of both funds as management company, and (c) CVP is not controlled within the meaning of the articles 5 and 7 of the Belgian Companies Code. The notification also states that (a) the securities giving voting rights are owned by two funds managed by CVP, and (b) CVP can exercise the voting rights of the funds at its own discretion at the general meeting of shareholders of the Company. To access copies of the aforementioned transparency notifications, reference is made to Sequana Medical's website). Pursuant to the Belgian Transparency Act and the articles of association of the Company, a notification to the Company and the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) is required by all natural and legal persons in each case where the percentage of voting rights attached to the securities held by such persons in the Company reaches, exceeds or falls below the threshold of 3%, 5%, 10%, and every subsequent multiple of 5%, of the total number of voting rights in the Company. For more information, please contact: Sequana Medical Lies Vanneste Director IR Tel: +32 Consilium Strategic Communications Alexandra Harrison, Marieke Vermeersch, Sukaina Virji Tel: +44 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. In January 2019, the FDA has granted Breakthrough Device designation for the alfapump for the treatment of liver recurrent or refractory ascites. 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 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. For further information, please visit www.sequanamedical.com . 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. Cassini Integrates 100GbE Packet Switching with Metro and Long Haul Optical Links in Open Disaggregated Platform to Reduce Costs for Data Centers and Service Providers MWC - Edgecore Networks, the leader in open networking, today announced the general availability of its Cassini open packet transponder, the industry's highest capacity and first modular whitebox packet transponder offering a flexible mix of 100 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) packet switching ports and 100/200 Gbps coherent optical interfaces for data center interconnect and service provider optical network use cases. Cassini is an open disaggregated product that reduces network operator costs and allows for choice of optical and software technology. Cassini supports coherent DSPs and optical transceivers from leading optical partners-Acacia Communications, Finisar Corporation, Fujitsu Optical Components Ltd., Lumentum, and NTT Electronics-and supports choice of commercial software from IP Infusion and open source software including SONiC and the Open Networking Foundation (ONF) Open Disaggregated Transport Network (ODTN) platform. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190224005134/en/ Edgecore Networks: Cassini open packet transponder (Photo: Business Wire) "One of our first initiatives in the TIP OOPT group was work on open optical packet transponders to enable more flexible and lower cost solutions for service provider access and backhaul networks," said Hans-Juergen Schmidtke, Co-Chair, Open Optical Packet Transport Project Group, Telecom Infra Project. "We were pleased with Edgecore's earlier contribution of the Cassini hardware design to the TIP community and the cooperative development with optical and software vendors that it generated. We now welcome Edgecore's release of Cassini as a commercial product." The ONF community has incorporated Cassini as an open packet transponder platform into the ONF's ODTN reference design, providing a set of open source software options for deploying Cassini in an optical network. In an ODTN environment, Cassini can be managed from the ONOS controller and its applications which provide a scalable open SDN infrastructure for service provider use cases, such as connections to remote central offices, cable headends, POPs, or edge computing sites. "The ONF is leading collaborative work by service providers and vendors on deployable open solutions for optical networks through the Open Disaggregated Transport Network (ODTN) reference design and open source project, with Edgecore as a significant contributor," said Guru Parulkar, Executive Director, Open Networking Foundation and Stanford Platform Lab. "The OTDN project has integrated support for the Cassini open transponder hardware, and we welcome Edgecore's release of Cassini as a commercial product as an important step toward deployments of open, disaggregated and software-controlled optical networks." Disaggregated Open Networking for Optical Systems As an open network platform, Cassini also supports commercial software offerings including OcNOSTM from IP Infusion, a leading whitebox switching NOS optimized for service provider and data center interconnect use cases. "IP Infusion sees the benefits of long distance packet optical transport with webscale performance and lower TCO to our data center and service provider customers by extending the open network, disaggregated model to the integration of packet switching and optical transport technology," said Atsushi Ogata, President and CEO, IP Infusion. "Our OcNOS network operating system already supports a rich set of switching and routing features. Now, the introduction of OcNOS on Edgecore's Cassini packet optical transponder will help network operators easily extend and migrate existing metro and long-haul Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) networks to add new 100G capacities, and extend inter-DC L2 and L3 services." The Cassini packet transponder is a fully open source hardware design, as Edgecore has contributed the full design to TIP. Cassini is a 1.5RU form factor with system throughput of 3.2Tbps. Cassini has sixteen fixed 100 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP28 ports, plus eight line card slots to incorporate a flexible mix of additional 100GbE ports or ACO/DCO optical ports based on coherent DSP and optical transceivers from leading optical technology partners. The following line cards are available, providing the network operator with a scalable pay-as-you-grow platform. 100GbE Line Card: 2 x 100GbE QSFP28 with MACsec; DCO Line Card: 1 x 100G/200G CFP2 with MACsec, supporting DCO pluggable transceivers including the Acacia AC200 CFP2-DCO Module and the Lumentum CFP2-DCO Module; ACO Line Card: 1 x 100G/200G CFP2 with NTT Electronics ExaSPEED 200 DSP, supporting CFP2-ACO Coherent Optical Transceiver modules from Finisar, Fujitsu Optical Components, and Lumentum. "Edgecore continues to broaden our set of open network solutions to address more use cases for communication service providers, through our contributions to open communities, partnerships with leading software and optical vendors, and our strong development roadmap," said Jeff Catlin, VP Technology, Edgecore Networks. "We appreciate the contributions of the open network community that have enabled us to bring Cassini to market as an open network platform to integrate the packet switching and optical technology worlds, and reduce operational costs for our data center and service provider customers." Availability The Cassini open packet transponder is available now from Edgecore resellers and integrators worldwide. Edgecore is exhibiting Cassini at MWC 2019 in Barcelona on February 25-28 at the Edgecore stand in Hall 5, along with its complete line of open network products for data center, edge computing, broadband access, mobile networking, and WiFi infrastructures. At the Facebook meeting area at MWC, TIP is demonstrating Cassini as part of a disaggregated network demonstration showing open network solutions across mobile, optical and edge computing infrastructures. The Open Networking Foundation will demonstrate their ODTN reference design featuring Cassini as the hardware platform with open source management and provisioning software at OFC in San Diego on March 5-7. Edgecore will exhibit Cassini and its open network product line at OCP Summit in San Jose on March 14-15. Supporting Quotes "Acacia believes disaggregated network infrastructures will enable network operators to more rapidly adopt new technology and improve the efficiency of their networks. Leveraging the low power, high performance and pluggability of Acacia's 100G/200G CFP2-DCO module, the open-source Edgecore Cassini packet transponder enables a high-density switch platform designed to support a flexible pay-as-you-grow commercial model." -Alan Gibbemeyer,Senior Director Business Development, Acacia Communications "Finisar continues to offer one of the broadest and most innovative optical module portfolio for our customers. We are very excited to collaborate with Edgecore Networks providing industry-leading 100G/200G CFP2-ACO Coherent Optical Transceivers for the ACO line cards in their Cassini whitebox packet transponder, enabling cost-effective metro and long-haul connections." -Christian Urricariet, Senior Director of Global Marketing, Finisar Corporation "Fujitsu Optical Components Ltd. (FOC) is pleased to see Edgecore's contribution to the open network community with its general availability announcement of the Cassini platform. FOC is excited to be an active part of this ONF community and to participate in TIP activities with demonstrations of our widely-deployed CFP2-ACO Coherent Optical Transceiver on the Cassini ACO line card. With ever increasing bandwidth demands, the Cassini open disaggregated platform promises to provide flexibility, interoperability and varied optical technology choices for its customers." -Takashi Yamane, CMO, Fujitsu Optical Components Ltd. "Lumentum has consistently shown leadership and support of open networks, Lumentum has been at the forefront of interoperability with its CFP2 ACO/DCO 100/200 Gbps coherent optical interfaces for data center interconnect and service providers. The Edgecore Cassini open packet transponder platform is a great example of industry collaboration to deliver to customers the solutions they require to support demands for higher performance, higher density, and lower cost." -Scott Swail, VP Business Development, Telecom Transmission, Lumentum About Edgecore Networks Edgecore Networks Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Accton Technology Corporation, the leading network ODM. Edgecore Networks delivers wired and wireless networking products and solutions through channel partners and system integrators worldwide for the Data Center, Service Provider, Enterprise and SMB customers. Edgecore Networks is the leader in open networking providing a full line of open WiFi access points, packet transponders, virtual PON OLTs, cell site gateways, and 1G, 10G, 25G, 40G, 100G and 400G OCP AcceptedTM switches that offer choice of commercial and open source NOS and SDN software. For more information, visit www.edge-core.com. All trademarks, service marks, registered marks, or registered service marks are the property of their respective owners. 2019 Edgecore Networks. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. Edgecore Networks shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190224005134/en/ Contacts: Mark Basham Edgecore Networks mark_basham@edge-core.com 44-(0)7595 849142 In a letter to the Filipino president, Card Tagle speaks out against death threats against Bishop David and priests. Since he took office, the president has lashed out at the bishops. Less than three months before the countrys general elections, he says Stop threatening them or you will have to face me. Manila (AsiaNews) Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte is changing his tune. Do not touch the priests, they had nothing to do with politics, he said recently, urging anyone who threatens the clergy to Lay off!!; otherwise, theyll have to face his anger. Under the current president, relations between the countrys bishops and the government of the most populous Catholic country in Asia have been troubled. Since he took office, Duterte has been repeatedly lashed out at Church leaders for criticising his administration on issues like human rights and respect for life. In his latest tirade, the president said bishops were "useless" and called on the faithful to kill them. Now, three months before the mid-term general elections of 13 May, the president used a campaign rally to change his tune. Yesterday evening, Duterte quoted part of a letter sent to him by Card Luis Antonio Tagle, archbishop of Manila. In it, the prelate mentions death threats against Bishop David and some priests from someone claiming to be working for the presidents family. Duterte did not say who Bishop David is but the latter is likely Mgr Pablo Virgilio Siongco David, bishop of Caloocan who was at the receiving end of some of Dutertes rants such as the accusation that he stole donations and that he was involved in the drug trade. Responding to the cardinals letter, the president said that there was nothing of the sort, warning Do not touch the priests, they had nothing to do with politics. Either Muslims or Christians, they had nothing to do with us, he said. Do not do it. Do not try to do it. Ang (The) religious [leaders] had nothing to do with the vagaries of life. Lay off! Stop threatening them or ako ang makakalaban ninyo (you will have to face me). Jeanette Wong and William C. Dudley to be nominated for election to the UBS Board of Directors at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. Ann F. Godbehere and Michel Demare not standing for re-election after 10 years of Board membership. Regulatory News: The UBS (NYSE:UBS) (SWX:UBSN) Board of Directors announced today that it will nominate Jeanette Wong and William C. Dudley for election to the Board of UBS Group AG at the Annual General Meeting of shareholders on 2 May 2019. Jeanette Wong (1960) was group executive responsible for the Institutional Banking business at the Singapore-based DBS Group, until March 2019. Previously, she served as chief financial officer of DBS Group between 2003 and 2008. Jeanette Wong has spent more than 30 years working in different senior management roles within the financial industry in Singapore. She started her career in 1982 with positions at Banque Paribas and Citibank, before helping to build up JP Morgan's Asia and emerging markets business over a sixteen year career with the firm. Jeanette Wong holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BA in Business Administration from the National University of Singapore. As one of the most influential voices in the Singaporean financial industry and an acknowledged female leader in APAC, Jeanette Wong has an outstanding reputation and is recognized for leading the transformation of the institutional banking business of DBS. William Dudley (1953) became chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (NY FED) in 2009, a position he held until 2018. In that capacity, he served as the vice chairman and a permanent member of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). Previously, William Dudley served as executive vice president of the Markets Group at the NY FED and Head Markets Group. Prior to joining the NY FED, William Dudley was a partner and managing director and senior economist at Goldman Sachs. In 2012, William Dudley was also appointed chairman of the Committee on the Global Financial System of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). He served as chairman of the former Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems of the BIS from 2009 to 2012 and was a member of the Board of Directors of the BIS. He brings outstanding expertise on economic, regulatory and monetary policy issues to the Board as well as first hand business experience in financial services. UBS Chairman Axel Weber said: "I'm very pleased to announce the nomination of Jeanette Wong and William C. Dudley for election to the Board of Directors. With their outstanding careers in leading financial services firms and central banks they will further strengthen the UBS Board with their excellent know-how upon their election at the upcoming AGM. It is essential for the Board that its members reflect the strategic and geographical core businesses of the Group and I am particularly happy to strengthen the Board's competences in APAC and the US, two of our key growth markets. We appreciate their willingness to serve as Board members and look forward to benefiting from their judgment and counsel." Ann F. Godbehere and Michel Demare are not standing for re-election to the Board of Directors of UBS Group AG. They have both informed the Board of their respective decisions to retire after serving since 2009 and reaching their 10-year term limit. UBS Chairman Axel Weber said: "We will miss Ann's broad experience and excellence in the Board, particularly in matters of audit and compensation. She has consistently provided important insight to the Board and to me personally. In her capacity as Chair of the Compensation Committee, she has been instrumental in defining and implementing UBS's compensation model. Michel has greatly supported UBS through challenging periods in his roles as independent Vice Chairman and member of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Governance and Nominating Committee. The Board and I strongly benefited from his broad experience across industries. We thank both Ann and Michel for their 10 years of invaluable collaboration, work and outstanding service and wish them all the best for their future endeavors." www.ubs.com/media View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190224005059/en/ Contacts: Investor contact Switzerland: +41-44-234 41 00 Media contact Switzerland: +41-44-234 85 00 UK: +44-207-567 47 14 Americas: +1-212-882 58 57 APAC: +852-297-1 82 00 Shilpa Shinde To Take Legal Action Shilpa was quoted by IWMBuzz as saying, "I am going to take legal action. It is high time the authorities stepped in and cracked down on such elements who have also attacked several women journalists like Barkha Dutt and others. I call such people terrorists as well, for their actions are as bad as the LeT and JM guys." Shilpa Supports Sidhu She asks, "What wrong did Paji say? People just want to twist his lines. Where did he support terrorism? Agreed, he might have been politically correct by not criticizing his friend, Imran Khan, but you need to understand that they have played together for years. Also, why was everyone after him to say something bad about Pakistan. He hit the nail on the head by saying that, at the end of the day, issues can only be threshed out on the peace table." The Actress Is Against Banning System! Post Sidhu's comment, he was sacked from the show and now he is even banned by the Film City people! It has to be recalled that Shilpa Shinde was also once banned from the industry due to BJGPH controversy. Regarding Sidhu's ban from the show, she said, "I am totally against the new phenomenon of banning anyone whose views you don't concur with." Bigg Boss 11 Winner Says "Sadly, CINTAA and other industry bodies are equally complicit in this. Everyone has the right to occupation; you can't deny me the right to earn my livelihood. In the same way, I also bat for the rights of Pakistani artists to work in Bollywood, purely on the basis of talent. I have been victim of this ban culture, so know what's wrong with it." Shamita Was Wild-card Entrant A source close to the actress was quoted by SpotboyE as saying, "Shamita entered Khatron Ke Khiladi as a wild card entry since she was suffering from dengue in Argentina from day one. In spite of that post joining the rest in the show, she has been a consistent performer throughout the show." The Actress Surprised Viewers With Her Strong Spirit "She braved the challenging stunts and suffered various injuries shooting for the show without emotionally breaking down or complaining before every stunt. She continued to surprise the viewers with her strong spirit." Shamita Trolled The source further added, "Surprisingly, it's learnt that the haters have been planting negative posts on Shamita's social media platform and other platforms even though Shamita has outperformed Jasmine in the tasks they did together. This included the last one they did together where Shamita put in the ball before her in the cockroach stunt." Cockroaches Are Shamita's Biggest Phobia "Everyone knows that cockroaches are Shamita's biggest phobia. Even if she has entered the show as a wild card entry she has every right to fight for the finale as long as she performs her stunts." Trolls Trying To Wrongly Manipulate Shamitas Chances Of Winning The Show! The source added, "It seems like trolls are trying to wrongly manipulate Shamita's chances of winning the show by planting hateful negative posts." Apparently, Shamita is furious with the way people have been attacking her on social media by posting negative comments. Shamita Bags Ticket To Finale Finally, Shamita has bagged the ticket to finale. She shared her achievement and expressed excitement on social media. She wrote, "Finally!!! Ticket to finale!!! this was a toughie.. Thankyou @itsrohitshetty it would not be possible without ur encouragement learnt my lesson on this one tho.. Never Give up without trying !!! Not sure if il ever go near a cockroach again.. but sooo glad I did for the show.. all my cockroach stunts proved to be lucky for me !! #kkk9 #fearfactor @colorstv #fightingfears #adventure #realityshow #challenges #instapic." - (sic) The 4:30 News email is sent out on business days at 4:30 pm. Items include links to new stories, calendar events, occasional banner ads and weather. FH Times Breaking News Breaking News alerts from The Fountain Hills Times. These emails will be delivered only when there is breaking news deemed important enough to be sent out immediately on an as-needed basis. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike. We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve. 2020 was a year marked by hardships and challenges, but the Fauquier community has proven resilient. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you for your continued support, wed like to offer all our subscribers -- new or returning -- 4 WEEKS FREE DIGITAL AND PRINT ACCESS. We understand the importance of working to keep our community strong and connected. As we move forward together into 2021, it will take commitment, communication, creativity, and a strong connection with those who are most affected by the stories we cover. We are dedicated to providing the reliable, local journalism you have come to expect. We are committed to serving you with renewed energy and growing resources. Let the Fauquier Times be your community companion throughout 2021, and for many years to come. Scotlands farmers are scunnered because the Scottish government has yet to launch post-Brexit legislation to protect farm payments, Michael Gove has said. The UK government published its Agriculture Bill last year, outlining a framework for farm support payments to replace the EU's Common Agricultural Policy. Although the administrations of Wales and Northern Ireland have asked the government to legislate on their behalf in some areas, the Scottish government has yet to bring forward their own proposals for farm payments after 2020. The Scottish government heavily criticised the Agriculture Bill, saying it 'completely fails' in meeting 'key tests' for Scottish agriculture. However, Defra Secretary Michael Gove has now said that Scottish farmers are 'scunnered', Scottish slang for annoyed, by the situation because of a lack of clarity on future proposals. His comments come in reply to questions from Gordon MP Colin Clark during a topical questions session. Mr Clark asked: Does the Secretary of State agree that the Scottish Governments disengagement with the Agriculture Bill puts at risk payments to Scottish farmers post 2020, and that it undermines the UK internal market if the Scottish Government do not adopt UK frameworks? Mr Gove replied: There is a stark contrast with the progressive approach being taken by the Labour administration in Wales, who have engaged with the Bill and ensured that we legislate to give Welsh farmers confidence and certainty for the future. Mr Clark, who sits on the Agriculture Bill committee, then accused the SNP-led government of putting their 'separatist ideology' ahead of farmers' interests. Agriculture is the responsibility of the devolved governments of the UK under the current devolution settlement, but leaders in both Scotland have accused the UK government of attempting to take back powers to Westminster as the country withdraws from the EU. Last year, legislation to protect devolved powers was passed overwhelmingly by the Scottish government in a bid to stop a Westminster 'power grab'. The Welsh red meat sector has commenced a UK marketing drive to ramp up domestic presence due to the uncertainty of export markets post-Brexit. With a no-deal Brexit still a distinct possibility, the sector is building its existing markets home and abroad, seeking out new markets while maintaining its biggest export partner, the EU. But it is the domestic UK market which is still significant for the Welsh red meat sector and one it sees as being safe even after the UK leaves the EU. Levy board Hybu Cig Cymru Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) is increasing its presence and marketing activity among consumers, retail buyers and within the foodservice and hospitality sectors in the domestic market. In late-February, the organisation will be taking PGI Welsh Lamb and PGI Welsh Beef samples to buyers and senior staff members at the headquarters of one of Britains most influential multiple retailers, in a joint venture with Welsh government. There will be Welsh Beef and Welsh Lamb in-store sampling in supermarkets and HCC will be working with Welsh food service and hospitality businesses at customer engagement events. The levy board will also be involved in a Welsh hospitality event taking place at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, highlighting how Wales food and drink offering bolsters the overall Welsh tourism sector. HCC Chief Executive, Gwyn Howells said the home market is still a 'highly significant' market for PGI Welsh Lamb and PGI Welsh Beef. It is important that we exploit the opportunity to drive growth and recognition of our quality produce on British soil, he said. Exports account for approximately 35% of all Welsh Lamb, with 90% of those exports going to the EU. Approximately 60% of all Welsh Lamb is sold in England and 5% in Wales. Of course, we hope that we will still retain access to trade freely with the EU post Brexit. However, until the current uncertainty around that is alleviated, this push allows us to connect with more UK customers, champion our product and sell our story. Welsh government and HCC are currently working together to promote the Welsh brand in supermarkets and at trade events throughout the UK. Figures reveal no reduction in sales of meat and poultry in the 12 weeks up to 27 January 2019 despite a heavy media focus on Veganuary. There has been no overall volumes for meat, fish and poultry (MFP) fall year on year according to Kantar Worldpanel's first update of 2019, which covers the 12 weeks to 27 January. Although there is a lot of positive healthy intent, figures show that there has not been a big change in purchasing trends. However, there is a rise in plant-based sales, but it isnt just taking from primary and processed meats. Health conscious shoppers are helping to drive produce sales, but not hitting the MFP markets to the level as might have been expected. 'Limited evidence' Nathan Ward, MFP spokesman for Kantar Worldpanel, said there is 'limited evidence' of the UK becoming a 'nation of vegetarians and vegans'. Christmas is still lurking in the figures, but despite the media profile of Veganuary, the impact on our market is relatively low, Mr Ward said. Processed products have seen a slightly stronger decline, with bacon the largest driver of this volume loss as we see 4.2 million fewer trips containing bacon. When we focus on the last four weeks when Veganuary was running, weve seen flat volumes for primary meat and poultry, with fish still in strong growth, so any impact is minimal on the core categories. He added: What we are seeing is the continued impact of uncertainty and retailer price wars driving down prices and causing shoppers to be more conscious of their spending. However, figures show a decline in beef volumes driven by steaks which are down 9.7%, with 420,000 fewer shoppers and 2.1 million fewer trips this year. The Organizing Committee of the Meeting today meets with the heads of the Curia to implement some proposals. Motu Proprio by Pope Francis announced to prevent and combat abuse. A task force to help episcopal conferences. Vatican City (AsiaNews) - In the aftermath of the meeting on "Protection of minors in the Church", concluded yesterday with a Mass and a speech by Pope Francis, the organizing committee met with the leaders of the Roman Curia to give substance to the ideas and proposals that have emerged in recent days. Yesterday afternoon, Fr. Federico Lombardi, moderator of the meeting, issued a "Declaration" in which he communicates some decisions. First of all, there will be "a new Motu Proprio" on the protection of minors and vulnerable persons ", to strengthen the prevention and the fight against the abuses in the Roman Curia and in the Vatican City State. It will accompany a new law of the Vatican City State and the Guidelines for the Vatican City Vicariate on the same subject ". There will also be "the publication by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of a vademecum that will help the bishops of the world to understand clearly their duties and their tasks". Finally, "in the spirit of the communion of the universal Church, the Pope has expressed his intention to favor the creation of task forces of competent people to help episcopal conferences and dioceses who find themselves in difficulty to face problems and implement initiatives for the protection of minors ". Police officers have highlighted how 'heart-breaking' it is to see some farmers suffer from extreme loneliness and isolation. The issue of loneliness in the farming community has been highlighted by Dyfed-Powys Police, who have a small team of specialist rural officers. PC Gerwyn Davies and PCSO Jude Parr are working closely with mental healthy charity the DPJ Foundation. They have referred several farmers to the charity for counselling and mental health support. PCSO Parr recalls when he checked up on one lonely farmer. When he turned up to the farm, the farmer was 'almost in tears' because he thought 'nobody would care'. One of the biggest issues farmers face is loneliness, often caused by long and often unsocial working hours. The pair said the reaction they receive is often 'heart-breaking'. We called to see one farmer because our PCSO had been told he was lonely, PCSO Parr said. He was almost in tears when we turned up at his house. He said he didnt think anyone would care. People used to look after each other, they used to see more people, and now farming can be a very lonely occupation. 'Unique challenges' The DPJ Foundation was set up in July 2016 by Emma Picton-Jones following the death of her husband Daniel. It aims to break the stigma surrounding mental ill-health, and to support people in rural communities, particularly men in the agricultural society. PC Davies said farmers often struggled to access the support they needed. A lot of mental health services are not set up for people in the rural community, who face unique challenges and will often keep their problems bottled up, he said. As rural crime officers, we come into contact with people from the agriculture industry every day. We see the signs that people need extra support people who are living in isolation, suffering from family losses, or health issues and we can now refer them to the foundation. PC Davies explained that he and PCSO Parr will be called to a property to deal with a policing issue, but while with the farmer, a bigger picture is established. There was one farmer who had lost his mother he was very lonely and not doing very well, he said. He had some health problems, but wouldnt go to the doctors because he said he was too busy working. We contacted the DPJ Foundation and they arranged for a nurse to go out and see him. They know farmers are busy, so they make arrangements for people to visit them at home, he said. Financial pressures As well as living in isolation, other factors that can impact on farmers mental health are financial pressures, legislation, and the weather. And it is common for people to feel the effect of more than one of these at a time. One of these would be difficult to deal with, but we come across farmers who are facing pressure from three or four different factors, which is too much, PC Davies said. The social side of farming isnt there any more they dont have anyone to lean on. I know from experience that farmers put their work before their own needs, so we are helping them to realise that their own health physical and mental needs to come first. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has identified stress, depression and anxiety as some the main causes of work-related ill health for farmers. Last week, a week-long campaign which aimed to highlight the importance of mental health for those who work in the farming industry was launched. JCB has been granted a preliminary injunction by a French court against Manitou which orders the company to stop producing telehandlers featuring a patented productivity device. The ruling by the Judge at Court of the First Instance in Paris means that Manitou, based near Nantes, cannot manufacture, sell or lease telescopic handlers equipped with the patented feature created by the British agri-giant. During operation of Loadall telescopic handlers fitted with JCBs patented Longitudinal Load Moment Control (LLMC) system, sensors monitor the weight being retained on the rear axle. If the sensors detect the rear axle weight is reducing past a pre-set threshold, then the system gradually locks out the hydraulics to prevent further weight being transferred from the rear axle to the front, therefore avoiding the machine tipping forward. To allow operators to drive continuously without any loss of productivity, JCB has a patented feature on its LLMC system that automatically disengages the device while the machine is moving. This feature prevents JCBs telehandlers locking out the hydraulics and giving false indications of instability when the machine is simply re-handling or travelling over rough ground. It is the use of this feature the French court has ordered Manitou to cease by March 13th. The court also ordered Manitou to pay costs in the case. JCB CEO, Graeme Macdonald said the company 'will not tolerate' copying or infringements of its intellectual property rights 'wherever in the world they occur'. We invest many millions of pounds in developing and patenting innovative and sophisticated engineering solutions which benefit our customers all over the world, he said. Farmers have described Welsh government plans to introduce a pan-Wales 'Nitrate Vulnerable Zone' (NVZ) type regulations as 'disastrous' for the livestock industry. The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) said the industry has reacted to such plans with a 'general air of disbelief' to the 'reems' of restrictions and rules planned. The regulations will come into force in January 2020 with transitional periods for some elements to allow farmers time to adapt and ensure compliance. The regulations will include measures such as nutrient management planning, sustainable fertiliser applications, protection of water from pollution and manure storage standards. However, FUW's hill farming committee chairman, Rheinallt Hughes said that farmers were only slowly becoming aware of the anti-pollution plans. He said that 'anger was rising' within the industry that such a 'draconian' approach was being brought forward at a time when figures suggest Wales agriculture industry could be the worst affected by Brexit. Mr Hughes said: The fact that such a draconian blanket approach is being planned goes against the Welsh Government's commitment in December 2017 to strike the right balance of comprehensive regulatory measures, voluntary measures and investment and ...explore further options to provide land managers with flexibility, where these would achieve the same or better outcomes than a regulatory approach. Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths announced the plans in a written statement in November last year. According to the FUW, it became apparent that the majority of the plans had simply been cut-and-pasted from the NVZ rules currently affecting just 2.3% of Wales. Mr Hughes said: The plans have, to all intents and purposes, failed to acknowledge the 114 page report and 45 recommendations aimed at tackling agricultural pollution submitted by industry and government bodies six months prior to the announcement. He said that the rules would have 'far-reaching repercussions' for livestock producers across Wales, and could result in a fall in Welsh beef production in particular due to increased costs and reductions in profitability. Tenant farmers at our joint meeting also highlighted the particular difficulties of complying with rules that would require significant investment on tenanted land, not to mention the obstacles of having to seek planning permission. If these plans go ahead we will see an increase in the number of Welsh farm holdings subject to costly and restrictive legislation from an estimated 600 to more than 24,000, he said. Committee members supported the FUWs call for the plans to be abandoned, and for a 'proportionate and targeted' approach based on 'balanced evidence' to be adopted. A new campaign has been launched by dairy farmers to promote the health benefits of milk to the public. Mission 4 Milk is a campaign which sets to raise awareness about how milk can be part of a healthy lifestyle. The campaign states: "With the rise of plant-based alternatives, the reduction of free milk in schools, and the shift away from milk marketing, the average shopper doesnt know why they should drink milk. "But cows milk is packed full of essential, naturalvitamins and nutrients many of which you wont get anywhere else. Its great for your bones, its great for your teeth, and perhaps most importantly its great for your brain." Dairy farmer Andy Venables, who is behind the campaign, recently spoke at the British Cattle Breeders Conference on the marketing of milk. He said he felt 'so strongly' that little had changed in the last decade, and decided to take matters into his own hands. He is now asking for the public, and industry, to help promote the campaign. The launch comes as farmers use the whole of February to celebrate all things dairy and the work that goes behind the humble glass of milk. The initiative sees the hashtag #FebruDairy as the main focal point, and farmers are encouraged to share tweets using the hashtag to help promote the dairy industry to a wider audience. The brainchild behind the initiative, livestock sustainability consultant Dr Jude Capper, said she's proud to work with 'many wonderful people' who care for their cows and produce milk and dairy products. Last year, dairy farmers were encouraged to 'tell it like it is' in a dairy industry initiative to help communicate the positives of milk. A court in Austria has ordered a farmer to pay out 490,000 (425,550) in damages after a German hiker was killed by one of his cows. The incident happened in July 2014, when the cow herd became irritated by the 45-year-old's dog and charged at them both. The farmer, from the Pinnistal valley in Tyrol, located in the Austrian Alps, has now been ordered to pay out compensation to the hiker's husband and son. He is to appeal against the decision. The Innsbruck court concluded on Friday (21 February) that the German woman was not to blame for the stampede. The farmer's warning signs on the pasture were insufficient, the court ruled. However, Austria's Chamber of Agriculture has raised concerns over the hefty fine, highlighting how it could trigger a mass closure of footpaths which run through farmland. The group's president, Georg Strasser, said it is 'common sense' not to bring dogs through hiking trails that contain cattle. Meanwhile, the Tyrolean Chamber of Agriculture said the court's decision is 'out of touch with reality'. President Josef Hechenberger said: The ruling is generating a great deal of anxiety and uncertainty among farmers, who are faced with the question of whether they should allow their cows to graze, or whether they should close off the pastures completely. British farmers encourage the public to follow advice from the NFU, the Ramblers Association, and the Countryside Code when it comes to walking across farmland in the UK. 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Precision Drilling Corporation, an oilfield services company, provides oil and natural gas drilling and related products and services in North America and the Middle East. The company operates in two segments, Contract Drilling Services, and Completion and Production Services. The Contract Drilling Services segment offers onshore well drilling services to exploration and production companies in the oil and natural gas industry. This segment's services include land drilling, directional drilling, and turnkey drilling; and procurement and distribution of oilfield supplies, as well as manufacture, sale, and repair of drilling equipment. As of December 31, 2020, it operated 227 land drilling rigs, including 109 in Canada; 105 in the United States; 6 in Kuwait; 4 in Saudi Arabia; 2 in the Kurdistan region of Iraq; and 1 in the country of Georgia. The Completion and Production Services segment provides service rigs for well completion, workover, abandonment, maintenance, and re-entry preparation services; wellsite accommodations; oilfield surface equipment rentals; and camp and catering services to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies. This segment operated 123 well completion and workover service rigs, including 113 in Canada and 10 in the United States. It also had approximately 1,400 oilfield rental items, including surface storage, small-flow wastewater treatment, power generation, and solids control equipment; 113 wellsite accommodation units; 966 drill camp beds; 822 base camp beds; and three kitchen diners in Canada. Precision Drilling Corporation was incorporated in 1951 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had assured India that he would act against those responsible for the Pulwama attack. This peace appeal came a day after PM Modi threw a challenge to Khan aasking him to act honourably by bringing to justice those behind the strike, if he was a 'Pathans son'. (Photo: File | PTI) Islamabad/New Delhi: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday asked PM Modi to give peace a chance and assured him that he will act immediately if India provides Pakistan with actionable intelligence on the Pulwama attack. This peace appeal came a day after PM Modi threw a challenge to Khan aasking him to act honourably by bringing to justice those behind the strike, if he was a Pathans son. According to the Dawn, Imran Khan on Sunday said, "Prime Minister Modi should give peace a chance." PM Modi recalling his conversation wit Imran Khan after he won the Pakistan elections, Modi said he told him "let us fight against poverty and illiteracy" and Khan gave his word - saying he is a "Pathan's son" who spoke and acted in truth. Pathans is an ethnic group with roots in Iran and are known for their deep sense of honour and self-respect. A few days back, Khan, in a video message, said that Pakistan has sincerely offered probe into the Pulwama incident and based on the investigation or any tangible evidence provided, Pakistan shall take action against anyone found using our soil. India said Khan's offer to investigate the attack if provided proof is a "lame excuse". "It is a well-known fact that Jaish-e-Mohammed and its leader Masood Azhar are based in Pakistan. These should be sufficient proof for Pakistan to take action," the Ministry of External Affairs said. Banco Santander-Chile, together with its subsidiaries, provides commercial and retail banking products and services in Chile. It operates through Retail Banking, Middle-Market, and Corporate Investment Banking segments. The company offers debit and credit cards, checking accounts, and savings products; consumer, automobile, commercial, mortgage, and government-guaranteed loans; and Chilean peso and foreign currency denominated loans to finance various commercial transactions, trade, foreign currency forward contracts, and credit lines. It also provides mutual funds, insurance and stock brokerage, foreign exchange, leasing, factoring, financial consulting, investment management, foreign trade and mortgage financing, treasury, and transactional services, as well as specialized services to finance projects for the real estate industry. In addition, the company offers short-term financing and fund raising, and brokerage services, as well as derivatives, securitization, and other tailor-made products. It serves individuals, small to middle-sized entities, companies, and large corporations, as well as universities, government entities, and local and regional governments. As of December 31, 2020, the company operated 358 branches, which include 220 under the Santander brand name, 19 under the Select brand name, 32 specialized branches for the middle market, and 28 as auxiliary and payment centers, as well as 1,199 ATMs. Banco Santander-Chile was incorporated in 1977 and is headquartered in Santiago, Chile. Read More Wall Street analysts have given iShares MSCI Switzerland 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 Switzerland ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. And the winner is ... Vincent Mauro, chief of staff for Senate Democrats, is this years winner in the list of salaries for legislative and non-partisan staff, coming in at $174,585. The breakdown, released to Hearst Connecticut Media under the terms of the state Freedom of Information Act, has salary information for more than 400 State Capitol employees, including about 100 who make more than $100,000 a year. Mauros pay just edges out his office mate Joel Rudikoff, the caucuss veteran analyst, checking in at $172,010. But the vast majority of the six-figure salaries will go to nonpartisan lawyers, analysts and administrators of the Capitol complex. House Republicans code HRO in the list have six workers over $100,000; House Democrats HDO have seven; Senate Democrats SDO have six; and Senate Republicans SRO have seven over the magic $100,000. Jack Shannon of Trumbull, a top adviser to Senate Republicans, makes $161,138. In the realm of nonpartisan staff, Jim Tamburro, executive director of the Office of Legislative Management, is making $161,600; and Rob Wysock, chief legislative analyst for the Office of Fiscal Analysis OFA is paid $166,862. The office codes include SEC for security; OLR for Office of Legislative Research; OLM for Office of Legislative Management; LCO for the Legislative Commissioners Office, which writes legalese for thousands of bills each year; and ITS for information technology. kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT WASHINGTON Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes on Sunday urged the public release of special counsel Robert Muellers pending report on Russian interference in the 2016 elections, saying on NBCs Meet the Press that the country needs to know what happened. Given that weve been on the edge of our seats for the last two years on this issue, everyone in this country needs to know what happened and then we decide where to take it from there, Himes told Meet the Press host Chuck Todd. Mueller is reportedly close to wrapping up his investigation that could answer whether the Trump campaign participated with Russian efforts to influence the 2016 election. His report could be handed to the Justice Department as early as this week. How much of the report is made public would be determined by newly confirmed Attorney General William Barr. Himes said it is important for the nation to see what Mueller has discovered. More than anything else the question of the Russian interference and the possibility of collusion by the president and his people has twisted our politics into something unrecognizable for the last two years, including behavior on the part of the president attacking the FBI, attacking Bob Mueller, he said. You know everything about this has become political. The way to end that, of course, is for the truth to be out there. With Democrats now holding the majority in the House, they will put pressure on the Trump administration to allow Mueller to testify before Congress and for his report to be released. California Rep. Adam Schiff, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, plans to do just that. In a Sunday interview on ABCs This Week, Schiff said he would take it to court if necessary should Barr try to bury any part of this report. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut is also pressing for release of the report. A member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he voted against Barrs confirmation earlier this month in part because Barr would not pledge to release the Mueller report in full. Speaking on the Senate floor at the time, Blumenthal said he feared Barr would put President Trumps interests ahead of the American people. The American public has a right to see the Mueller report, not the Barr report. We have a right to see not what William Barr in his discretion permits us to know, but in fact what the findings and evidence are, Blumenthal said. The Mueller report, not the Barr report. My fear is that despite his very vague references to wanting transparency, his refusal to commit to making that report public in fact reveals his state of mind: that he will abridge, edit, conceal, redact parts of the report that may be embarrassing to the President. In effect, he will act as the Presidents lawyer, not as the peoples lawyer. Pope Francis on Sunday vowed to tackle every single case of sexual abuse by priests. The scandals have hit countries around the world, with lives devastated from Australia to Chile, Germany and the US. (Photo:AP) Vatican City: Pope Francis on Sunday vowed to tackle every single case of sexual abuse by priests, comparing paedophilia to "human sacrifice", but drew an angry response from victims. As the pope promised an "all-out battle" against abusive priests at the end of the landmark Vatican summit on the issue, his critics dismissed his speech as a "stunning letdown". And when he blamed the Devil for abuse in the Church, one victim described his comments as "pastoral 'blah-blah'". In his closing address to top bishops he also insisted the Church was not the only place children were assaulted. "If in the Church there should emerge even a single case of abuse -- which already in itself represents an atrocity -- that case will be faced with the utmost seriousness," Francis promised. "I am reminded of the cruel religious practice, once widespread in certain cultures, of sacrificing human beings - frequently children - in pagan rites," he said. The sexual abuse of minors was "a widespread phenomenon in all cultures and societies", Francis said, as he denounced priests who prey on children as "tools of Satan". "I make a heartfelt appeal for an all-out battle against the abuse of minors both sexually and in other areas... for we are dealing with abominable crimes that must be erased from the face of the earth," he said. Children must be "protected from ravenous wolves", he said, adding: "We stand face to face with the mystery of evil". The scandals have hit countries around the world, with lives devastated from Australia to Chile, Germany and the US. Pope Francis had opened the four-day meeting by calling for "concrete measures" against child sex abuse and handing 114 senior bishops a roadmap to shape the debate on tackling paedophile priests. The pope will issue "a new Motu Proprio" on the "protection of minors and vulnerable persons", summit moderator Federico Lombardi said after the pope's speech. "Motu Proprios" are legal documents issued under the pope's personal authority, and this one will "strengthen prevention and the fight against abuse on the part of the Roman Curia and Vatican City State," he said. Francis also wants to create "task forces" to help local parishes fight clerical paedophilia and the Vatican will draw up guidelines for bishops on dealing with abuse cases, he added. The meeting was marked by soul-seeking and self-recrimination by the Church, and horror stories from abuse victims. But the 82-year-old pontiff had warned victims to lower their expectations, saying much of the work would be done after the summit. "Pope Francis's talk today was a stunning letdown, a catastrophic misreading of the grief and outrage of the faithful," said Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability. "If the powerful testimonies of the past week moved the needle in the right direction, the pope today moved it back," she said. Swiss victim Jean-Marie Furbringer said: "Honestly it's a pastoral 'blah-blah', saying it's the fault of the Devil". "It talks about the Devil, it talks about evil... There is no talk about permanently excluding child rapists and abusers who are employees of the Church," said Britain's Peter Saunders, a victim who resigned from a Vatican advisory commission on combating abuse. Vatican specialist Marco Politi told AFP it would be "crucial to see what happens in the coming months. "If structures are not put in place to file complaints and address the needs of victims, then the next scandal to break out will not only hit the local church but also the credibility of the pontificate," he said. In his lengthy speech, Francis said the Church would draw inspiration from the "best practices" in the Seven Strategies for Ending Violence against Children, measures developed under the guidance of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Those gathered at the Vatican heard testimonies from victims, one of whom was forced to have three abortions after being abused for years by a priest who beat her, while another said he had been molested more than 100 times. "The echo of the silent cry of the little ones who, instead of finding in them fathers and spiritual guides encountered tormentors, will shake hearts dulled by hypocrisy and by power," Francis said. "It is our duty to pay close heed to this silent, choked cry," he added. But Francesco Zanardi, survivor and head of Italian victims' association Rete Abuso, said the Vatican had "lost credibility". "We wanted to see measures, to see the bishops (guilty of protecting paedophile priests) named. Start by opening the Vatican archives, not by destroying documents. Start handing documents over to the civil authorities," he said. The Vatican has in the past refused to hand over internal documents about abuse cases to police investigating paedophilia. German Cardinal Reinhard Marx admitted Saturday that "files that could have documented the terrible deeds and named those responsible were destroyed, or not even created". BRIDGEPORT Freshman Sen. Dennis Bradley, D-Bridgeport, made a local pitch Monday for a bill aimed at compelling school districts to put more teachers of color in front of an increasingly diverse student body. The bill, which Bradley said would at least get a public hearing in the current legislative session, calls on districts to draft five-year minority teacher recruitment plans that the state would have to approve. It is a problem I have seen as a member of the (Bridgeport) Board of Education, Bradley said from the third floor community room of the citys public library. There is really something to be said about the impact a minority teacher can make, especially a male minority teacher, in the life of young people of color. With Bradley were City Council member Ernie Newtown and two teachers Ryan Brown, a seventh-grade teacher at Read School and Sheree Baldwin Muhammad, a second-grade teacher at New Beginnings Family Academy, a city-based charter school. Brown and Muhammad are both part of Educators For Excellence, a group that recently released a report outlining the need for more minority teachers. That report, and others, have called for increases in culturally responsive teacher training programs to groom future teachers of color, state-supported Grow Your Own programs that offer free college tuition in exchange for returning to the district to teach or a program to offer housing subsides for teachers in high-cost areas. Increasing the ranks of teachers of color is something the state Department of Education has also worked on, with a goal of increasing the ranks to 10 percent or by 1,000 new certified educators of color by 2021. State officials on Monday said that in the 2017-18 school year, new teaching certifications were awarded to 2,870 people in the state, of which at least 67.2 percent were identified as white, 183 were Hispanic, 63 were Asian, three were Native American and 524 were not identified by race. In the current school year, as of January, there were 2,799 new teaching certifications of which 68.7 percent were white, with 31.2 percent minority or unknown. Bradley said the state is taking steps but needs to up its game. His bill would start small, requiring districts to report as they do now on minority recruitment efforts, but also calls on them to provide a plan to boost their minority teacher count by at least 2 percent annually over the next five years. The idea is to hold (districts) accountable, Bradley said. If their goals arent met, why? At present, there would be no penalties for noncompliance. Bradley said he does not see it as an unfunded mandate. The idea is to encourage, Bradley said. Statewide, some 47 percent of students are minorities while 74 percent of their teachers are white. In Bridgeport, efforts to increase minority teacher staffing have been reported to the school board, but the percentage of minority educators has hovered around 8 or 9 percent for the past five years. The effort is stymied by the short supply of teachers of color who graduate each year from state teacher colleges, educators have said. Bradley said the fact that Bridgeport has a number of minority school administrators, including Schools Superintendent of Schools Aresta Johnson, is a good thing. Its all about leadership, he said. Newton, who started out as a teacher many years ago, said more needs to be done to encourage minority teachers to move to the state, either through incentive programs or laws that make it easier for teacher certifications from other states to transfer to Connecticut. He called the effort long overdue. The budget proposed last week by Gov. Ned Lamont would broaden certification reciprocity with other states and maintains funding levels for minority teacher recruitment efforts and existing loan forgiveness programs that assist minority students in pursing careers in education. Muhammad, who grew up in Stratford but got her teaching degree in Florida, said transferring back to the state was difficult. Having teachers of color in the classroom, she said, can help students feel comfortable and increases the chances they can see themselves as teachers. Brown agreed. I have had students who gravitate to me, Brown said. I understand the struggles they go through. My identity plays a role in that. lclambeck@ctpost.com; twitter/lclambeck STAMFORD Private equity firm First Reserve has announced in the past week a trio of planned acquisitions, including an approximately $360 million deal for a provider of engineered valves and pumps to the energy and industrial sectors. The latter transaction, to purchase Weir Flow Control from the Glasgow, Scotland-based Weir Group PLC, is expected to close in the second quarter of this year. In our view, Weir Flow Control represents an attractive growth platform in a fragmented sector, with internationally recognized brands driven by recurring high-margin aftermarket parts and services which have proven to be resilient through multiple economic environments, First Reserve managing directors Jeff Quake and Neil Hartley said in a joint statement. On Friday, First Reserve said it would create a fuel-distribution investment venture focused on the southeastern states that would launch with two new acquisitions. The platform would include Refuel Inc. , which runs a chain of gas stations in the Charleston, S.C. area, that First Reserve has agreed to buy. At the same time, First Reserve has also reached terms on its first purchase for Refuel: West Oil Inc., which operates Markette convenience stores and West Oil fuel brands, primarily in northeastern South Carolina. Financial terms of the Refuel and West Oil acquisitions were not disclosed. Those deals are scheduled to close in the first half of this year. We are pleased to partner with (Refuel CEO) Mark Jordan and (Chief Administrative Officer) Travis Smith to establish a new platform in what we believe is the highly fragmented retail fuel distribution sector, First Reserve managing directors Gary Reaves and Neil Wizel said in a joint statement. Under their leadership, we believe Refuel, in part powered by the synergies of the combination with West Oil, is well-positioned for expansion in an attractive regional market." Refuel was founded in 2008 by Jordan. West Oil started in 1964. Among other deals in the past year, First Reserve announced last August that it would sell Deep Gulf Energy Cos., a Houston-based oil-and-gas business, for approximately $1.23 billion to Dallas-based Kosmos Energy. Last July, First Reserve announced it planned to buy an equipment maker from GEs Baker Hughes oilfield services company, accounting for a majority of the $375 million sale of the latters natural gas business. First Reserve is based in the Shippan Landing office complex, in Stamfords Shippan section. The firm relocated in 2017 from Greenwich. pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; twitter: @paulschott An Oregon investment firm appears to be the winning bidder for two San Antonio office complexes mired in bankruptcy. Windmill Investments, which is based in Salem, Ore., but has staff in San Antonio, is under contract to buy Alamo Towers for $13.7 million, a Monday court filing shows. The two nine-story buildings, totaling about 195,000 square feet, are at 901 and 909 NE Loop 410. Windmill also submitted the high bid for Petroleum Towers, two office buildings located around the corner from Alamo Towers on Tesoro Drive. Daniel Carter, Windmills founder and CEO, said he believed the price is about $15.7 million. Both office complexes have been part of the late real estate James F. Cotters estate. Marcus Rogers, an independent administrator appointed to oversee Cotters estate, put each complexes ownership in bankruptcy to stop foreclosure sales after Cotters death at age 83 on Jan. 25, 2017. Cotter died without a valid will. Rogers has been selling estate assets, including office buildings, to pay Cotters creditors. On ExpressNews.com: Real estate tycoon Cotter leaves behind tangled empire, fight over assets after his death Its too bad when properties get into these situations and are allowed to get a little bit rundown, Carter said. From our perspective, we got a great price on two good assets that just need a little love. Windmill expects it will make mechanical and cosmetic upgrades to the properties. We really dont know the total amount yet, but we know that its in the millions, Carter said. Were going to bring them back to their old glory, and make them really great places to work. Windmill also is spending significant amounts in conducting its due diligence on the properties, he added. He expects to close on the sales in about 75 days. A little more than two years ago, Windmill bought the 102-unit Peanut Factory Lofts apartment complex at 939 S. Frio St. on San Antonios West Side. Windmill also owns the the 240-unit Villa Espada Apartments on the South Side, according to the companys website. Two earlier deals for Alamo Towers failed to result in a sale. Cotters son, James Val Cotter, wanted to keep the Alamo Towers in the family and submitted a high bid of $15.2 million last summer. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Craig Gargotta, though, found there were too many contingencies inherent in the (proposed) sale to James Val Cotter, according to a Sept. 26 court order. The judge ruled that it was in the best interests of the bankruptcy estate to go with a more expeditious sale that contains less contingencies. Partners Investors, a San Antonio company owned by real estate executive Charles Chuck Brown, then was selected with a bid of nearly $14.9 million. But that deal was terminated in December after Partners Investors discovered one or more issues during its inspection of the property, according to a December court filing. So Alamo Towers went back on the market. On ExpressNews.com: Deal falls through for late real estate tycoons Alamo Towers Windmills bid, while lower than the previous two offers, will still be enough to cover the liabilities of Alamo Towers-Cotter, the company that owns the buildings, a court document indicates. Alamo Towers-Cotter, which filed for bankruptcy in November 2017, listed $15.3 million in assets and almost $11.4 million in liabilities in a court filing. The real estate was valued at just under $14.8 million. Alamo Towers currently is about 60 percent leased. Petroleum Towers-Cotter filed for bankruptcy in February 2018, listing $21.4 million in assets and $17.3 million in liabilities. The real estate, at 8626 and 8700 Tesoro Drive, was valued at $20.6 million. The eight-story buildings, which total 234,000 square feet, are about 70 percent leased. H. Anthony Hervol, a lawyer for the debtors, told Gargotta earlier this month that the buyer for Alamo Towers also was the high bidder for Petroleum Towers. That bankruptcy is before Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Ronald King. One of the things theyre trying to do is ensure that they could just use the same contract in both cases, Hervol said. There is some discussion about consolidating those two cases because of that. Hervol couldnt immediately be reached for comment. On Monday, he asked Gargotta to schedule an expedited hearing on a motion to approve the sale to Windmill. 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 Bexar County officials recently swooped into The Glen for yet another trash cleanup. This time it was the Bexar County Sheriffs Office. On an overcast and chilly Saturday morning, deputies and probationers moved mounds of garbage, and collected mattresses and other dumped furniture from the alleys in this Northeast Side neighborhood in the unincorporated county just beyond San Antonio city limits and near Windcrest and Converse. The cleanup made a striking visual difference. For a day. It might even last a week or a month. But everyone knows the trash will be back in the alleys. A cleanup is not a policy solution. Eventually, the dumping will resume and trash will again blanket the neighborhood. How does this happen in a neighborhood? All it takes is a few residents to choose to not have trash service. This is, after all, a fairly low-income area. Perhaps they assume the city will provide trash service. Many residents in this part of town in unincorporated Bexar County think they live in the city. But once the trash piles up, the dumping begins, and the problem magnifies. But life does not have to be this way. We know this morally. No neighborhood in our community should be blanketed in heaping, stinking mounds of garbage. We also know Bexar County and the city of San Antonio successfully partnered on a trash service pilot program in Camelot II, which is the next neighborhood over. Camelot II had identical trash issues, but not any longer, thanks to the pilot program. The city provides trash service. Residents have paid their bills, which are folded into their CPS Energy bills. Mandate trash service and bill through a utility. Thats the magic formula. Beyond cleaning up the neighborhood, the Camelot II pilot program was supposed to create a model of success to be replicated elsewhere. Instead, county leaders have said legislation that state Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, passed last session to prevent trash issues like this has gaps. That legislation gave Bexar County the authority to mandate trash service. It included enforcement mechanisms for landlords with multiple properties who do not require trash service. It allowed for the county to contract with private or public trash haulers. Now, county officials say the legislation does not require all landlords to put trash service in lease agreements and lacks enforcement for landlords with a single property. OK, fix the law. But there is no excuse to not fix the neighborhood. What worked in Camelot II would work in The Glen. No neighborhood in Bexar County should be covered in trash. Public school teachers are overworked and underpaid. We support an across-the-board teacher pay hike as some state leaders have suggested. In a commentary recently published on these pages, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick proposed a state-funded pay raise for all Texas schoolteachers. Patrick has made several failed attempts at pay equity. This session, he is pushing Senate Bill 3, introduced by Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, which seeks to provide all teachers with a $5,000 raise. The legislation would provide the average teacher with a 9.4 percent pay hike and raise the average salary closer to the national average annual of $60,483. But such a raise for the 350,000 teachers in Texas public schools comes with a $3.7 billion price tag. The Legislature must find this money and take care that the pay raises arent eaten by cost increases in health care. The problem: Preliminary budget proposals indicate the Texas Senate and House are miles apart. The House budget proposal has an additional $9 billion in new money for public education; the Senates proposal has $4 billion. The House budget is closer to the mark, with the caveat that this funding be sustainable. There is much negotiating to be done to reach a consensus, especially if its going to include an across-the-board pay increase for teachers. But under no circumstances can this proposed teacher pay raise be shoved down to cash-strapped school districts as an unfunded mandate from the state. But teachers deserve a raise. When a journalist for the Illinois Baptist newspaper reported in 2002 on a Baptist pastor who had sexually assaulted two teenage girls in his church, one apparently just 13 years old, he received a furious reprimand. Glenn L. Akins, then running the Illinois Baptist State Association, offered a bizarre objection: that writing about one pastor who committed sex crimes was unfair because that ignores many others who have done the same thing. Akins cited several other prominent churches where the same sort of sexual misconduct has occurred recently in our state. In the end, the Baptists ousted the journalist, Michael W. Leathers, while the pastor who had committed the crimes, Leslie Mason, received a seven-year prison sentence and then, as a registered sex offender, returned to the pulpit at a series of Baptist churches nearby. So Leathers is no longer a journalist, and Mason remained a pastor. That saga was cited in a searing investigation by the San Antonio Express-News and the Houston Chronicle that found that the Southern Baptist Convention repeatedly tolerated sexual assaults by clergymen and church volunteers. The newspapers found 380 credible cases of church leaders and volunteers engaging in sexual misconduct, with the victims sometimes shunned by churches, urged to forgive abusers or advised to get abortions. Some victims as young as 3 were molested or raped inside pastors studies and Sunday school classrooms, the papers reported. Leathers told me he is glad he wrote the 2002 article, even if it cost him his career. He expressed frustration at Southern Baptist priorities: The church leadership would expel a church that appointed a woman as senior pastor, even as it accepted sexual predators. The indifference to criminal behavior is an echo of what has been unearthed in the Catholic Church over the decades. The latest sickening revelations are of priests getting away with raping nuns and assaulting deaf students. These new scandals provoke fresh nausea at the hypocrisy of religious blowhards like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson who thundered at the immorality of gay people even as their own Southern Baptist network tolerated child rape. I suspect its no accident that these crimes emerged in denominations that do not ordain women and that relegate them to second-class status. The result may be threefold: an entitled male clergy, women and girls taught to be submissive in church, and a lack of accountability and oversight. Its complicated, of course, for many of the Catholic victims were boys, but there does seem to have been an element of elevating male clergy members on a pedestal in a way that made them omnipotent and unaccountable. Underneath it all is this patriarchy that goes back millennia, Serene Jones, the president of Union Theological Seminary, told me, noting the commonality of the Catholic and Southern Baptist churches: They both have very masculine understandings of God and have a structure where men are considered the closest representatives of God. The paradox is that Jesus and the early Christian church seem to have been very open to women. The only person in the New Testament who wins an argument with Jesus is an unnamed woman who begs him to heal her daughter (Mark 7:24-30 and Matthew 15:21-28). The Gospel of Mary, a Gnostic text from the early second century, suggests that Jesus entrusted Mary Magdalene to provide religious instruction to his disciples. But then conventional hierarchies asserted themselves, and women were mostly barred from religious leadership. After the investigation, the Southern Baptists have promised greater training and more background checks, but whats needed above all is accountability and equality. Baptist women have been ready to be heard for a century. I know because my great-grandfather John Howard Shakespeare was the leader of Baptists in Britain from 1898 to 1924 and practiced his sermons on his wife. When she once insisted that she had something else to do, he locked her in an upstairs room. My great-grandmother Amy, wearing a long dress, then climbed out an upper window and onto a tree branch, and finally clambered down the tree to the ground. So much has changed for women since then, yet even today a majority of religious women still belong to denominations that do not ordain women. And as long as inequality is baked into faith, as long as men of God are unaccountable, then sexual assaults will continue. The problem is structural, an inequality and masculine conception of God that empowers rapists. And, perhaps, embarrasses God. Texas lawmakers are considering a recommendation from the Texas Commission on Public School Finance to pay for adding up to 30 school days to the 180-day school year. Lawmakers and the public should first consider the trade-offs of such an investment. It is true that increasing the school year can positively impact student achievement. For example, extending the school year can curb summer learning loss, the backward slides students have over the summer if they are not exposed to stimulating activities. Researchers have found higher-income families are able to invest more time and financial resources in their childrens education over the summer, which in turn disadvantages lower-income students who can regress or not progress at the same rate over the summer. An extended school year can also increase feelings of school-connectedness and belonging, two factors that have been found to reduce the likelihood of adolescents engaging in delinquent behaviors. But lawmakers must also consider other investments that need to be made since the amount of money the state can provide will always have a limit. Specifically, the Legislature needs to consider what economists call opportunity costs, the loss of potential gain from funding other key education-related priorities. First, the state needs to pay close attention to funding inequities between high-poverty districts and low-poverty districts. A recent study on Texas school finance found that high-poverty districts received 5.5 percent less funding than low-poverty districts in other states. This means high-poverty districts often have lower teacher salaries and fewer teachers per student than wealthier districts. Second, the state needs to invest in special education. In 2018, the Texas Education Agency was sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Education for failing to comply with the nations special education law, which contributed to the delay or denial of special education to eligible students with disabilities. Funding is necessary to ensure all educators receive appropriate professional development to adhere to federal laws and implement research-based practices that support success for students with disabilities. Third, the state must invest in student mental health. One thing Texas lawmakers can do is provide the resources to require that each school in the state employ at least one school counselor and is in compliance with the American School Counselor Associations recommendation for at least one counselor for every 250 students. Right now, some entire school districts dont have counselors, and even when schools have counselors, they are often overburdened with noncounseling duties. Fourth, we need to pay our teachers more. According to a 2017-18 estimate from the National Education Association, the average teacher salary in Texas is $53,167, which is more than $7,000 less than the national average of $60,483. Closing this gap is important, but it is also important that the state consider that teachers must be incentivized to work in schools with the highest proportion of struggling students. Fifth, and perhaps most important, the state needs to invest less in systems of accountability and more in developing a talent pipeline of teachers, principals and counselors. Educators need to be well-prepared and professionally supported throughout their careers. This includes investments in teacher and leader preparation programs as well as additional funding for in-service professional development. These pressing concerns need to be considered as the Legislature contemplates investing in an extended school year. Although extending the school year may provide a degree of benefits, it means the state will have fewer resources to address other long-standing school finance issues. Texas has the financial resources to create the finest education system in the nation, but significant and sustainable investments must be made in public education. To do so, lawmakers and their constituents must ask: Do we want to extend a school year without fixing the long-standing issues within Texas schools? Simply put, extending the school year alone fails to address root problems that currently curtail the potential of Texas schools and students. David DeMatthews is the director of the Texas Principal Leadership Academy and an associate professor of educational leadership and policy at the University of Texas at Austin. US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced extension of the March 1 deadline for increasing tariff on import of Chinese products. Trump also announced that he will be hosting his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida soon. (File Photo) Washington: US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced extension of the March 1 deadline for increasing tariff on import of Chinese products, saying there had been significant progress made in negotiations with a visiting trade delegation from the far-east nation. Trump also announced that he will be hosting his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida soon, to ink an agreement. The exact date has not been decided yet. "I am pleased to report that the US has made substantial progress in our trade talks with China on important structural issues including intellectual property protection, technology transfer, agriculture, services, currency, and many other issues," Trump said in a tweet. "As a result of these very productive talks, I will be delaying the US increase in tariffs now scheduled for March 1," said the US President. "Assuming both sides make additional progress, we will be planning a summit for President Xi and myself, at Mar-a-Lago, to conclude an agreement. A very good weekend for the US and China! he said. A high-level Chinese trade delegation led by its Vice Premier Liu He concluded its latest round of talks with a US team led by US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. Following the meeting with Trump at the Oval Office, the Chinese delegation extended its stay in Washington DC by another two days. Trump and Xi during their December 1 dinner meeting in Buenos Aires decided to pause their trade war and negotiate an agreement by March 1. In the absence of such an agreement, Trump had warned that he would impose additional tariffs on import of Chinese products. On Sunday, Trump praised Xi for his help in North Korea talks. Trump leaves for Vietnam Monday morning to have his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Hanoi on February 26 and 27. AUSTIN More than 200 major corporations and wealthy individuals gave nearly $5 million to help fund Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov Dan Patricks inaugural celebrations last month, according to figures recently made public. Nearly two-thirds of the contributions came from business groups, including AT&T, H-E-B and Midland-based Petroplex Energy Inc., according to a list of donors released last week by The 2019 Texas Inaugural Committee. WASHINGTON - Democratic Texas Rep. Lloyd Doggett, who took over a key health-care post in the new Congress, plans to meet with Trump administration officials amid signs of bipartisan momentum to address consumers desire to stem the rising costs of prescription drugs. Doggett, who represents Austin and San Antonio, has fought unsuccessfully in the past to end a rule prohibiting Medicare from negotiating with drug companies when buying tens of billions of dollars in prescription drugs for seniors annually. The Veterans Administration already negotiates prices for its drugs. What could make this year different is President Donald Trump, an industry antagonist who has accused pharmaceutical companies of getting away with murder. Trump administration officials have held initial meetings with lawmakers, suggesting willingness to sign drug-pricing bills of some variety. And in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election, both major parties are eager to claim success on a matter of overwhelming concern to voters. As chairman of the Ways and Means health subcommittee, Doggett will play a key role in health-care matters this Congress. He plans to brief members on Medicare issues Thursday and hold a hearing next week on the benefits of competitive drug pricing. His message to administration officials early next month, he said, is to follow the advice of candidate Trump - who endorsed negotiating drug prices. Well be looking for common ground, he said. Im seeing an improved awareness of the problem. The question is whether that transfers into votes. Starting Tuesday, the issue heats up on Capitol Hill when executives from seven top drug manufacturers testify in front of the Senate Finance Committee. The CEOs had sought to meet privately with senators, irritating Republicans and Democrats alike. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox Texas Sen. John Cornyn illustrated Republicans concerns when he referred in a recent hearing to kickbacks in the drug industry. Can anybody on the panel explain to me why we have a general prohibition against kickbacks call them rebates under the Social Security Act, but we nevertheless allow it for prescription drug pricing? Cornyn asked in a Finance Committee session. On Friday, the Finance panel announced a bipartisan investigation into insulin prices, citing increases as high as 585 percent in a diabetes treatment that has been on the market for nearly 100 years. Some 30 million Americans suffer from diabetes. Perhaps more than any other policy issue in Washington, the effort to slow spiraling prescription costs offers potential for bipartisan success, analysts say. Everything seems to be aligning for something to happen on drug pricing. Democrats are going to push it and Trump and (Health and Human Services Secretary Alex) Azar are very supportive of doing something on this, said Walid Gellad, director of the Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing at the University of Pittsburgh. Campaign issue for Democrats in 2020 and for Trump The issue of higher drug costs was a key part of House Democrats carefully crafted talking points in the midterms, a message that helped them flip 40 seats. Gellad predicts that Democrats seeking their partys presidential nomination will be talking non-stop about drug prices on the campaign trail and in the candidate debates, which begin in June. Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, Doggetts partner in drug-pricing legislation, hinted last week that he, too, may join the array of Democrats running for president. Doggetts plan already has one co-sponsor in the field - Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar - and likely will have more. For Trump, who prides himself on keeping campaign promises, the issue also looks to be important in his 2020 campaign. The president spoke boldly in his State of the Union message about it being unacceptable for Americans to pay more for the same drug than consumers in other countries. This is wrong, this is unfair, and together we will stop it. We will stop it fast, the president said, asking Democrats to help. For subscribers: With Democrats at the wheel, Doggetts in position to steer drug-price legislation The Trump administration has taken several steps to bring down costs, most of them voluntary for the drug companies, and he took credit in the State of the Union for success. He is planning a bigger initiative with a rule, being written now, that would tie drug prices in a Medicare program to the average costs in several developed, mostly European, countries. But that rule, if it survives, is years away from having an effect; a pilot project wouldnt begin for more than a year. An array of legislation already is pending, among them minor bills calling for more transparency about prices and more weighty measures that would cap out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors. Pay-for-delay practice targeted Doggett also intends to press for legislation that would end the industrys so-called pay for delay practice, in which brand-name drug companies pay to block or slow the arrival to the market of competitive generics. The mere fact that discussions are taking place has bred optimism. Amid rancorous dealings over the border wall and government shutdown, Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., have spoken about what might be achieved. Azar has sat down with Democrats in both the Senate and House. Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., a close Doggett ally, was invited to Camp David this month to meet with White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney on the matter, Welchs office confirmed. Last week, Welch introduced still another drug pricing bill, one that would allow diabetes patients to buy cheaper insulin in Canada and elsewhere; importing now is banned. In 2003, Doggett and Brown, then a House member, worked together to block the provision banning Medicare negotiating with drug-makers. The prohibition was nonetheless included to win support for the Medicare Part D legislation, a significant new social program for seniors and people with disabilities that George W. Bush signed into law. Allowing Medicare to launch its own effort to tamp down prices could have major consequences. Part D covers 43 million people, making it the federal governments largest drug program. All told, prescription drugs cost taxpayers more than $130 billion annually, about one fifth of all Medicare spending. In a decades time, Medicares share of the nations entire retail prescription market rose from 18 percent to 30 percent, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Yet the 16-year-old law asserts that the government may not interfere with the negotiations between drug manufacturers and pharmacies - words that Doggett and Brown seek to strike from the law. The goal, they say is a reasonable price that encourages continued innovation and research but does not impose a monopoly price. Winning the argument would require skeptics in the presidents party to accept an expanded government role in health care. New government powers would be invoked if a negotiation with a manufacturer failed. The government then could issue a license allowing other manufacturers to produce a drug - if they compensate the original license-holder. When Doggett and Brown stood together recently to introduce their legislation, Doggett referred to rampant prescription price gouging. Added Brown: The purpose of medicine is to help people, not to line the pockets of Big Pharma executives. A Republican lawmaker from Kansas has apologized and removed his name from a piece of highly contentious anti-LBGTQ legislation after his daughter wrote an open letter, publicly shaming him for sponsoring it. Christel Highland, the daughter of Republican state Rep. Ron Highland, wrote the open letter to her father on Facebook this week, asking him why he would "openly attempt at policy that elevates hate and hurts my family or friends." Soon after, the legislator admitted that endorsing the bill "was a mistake." "The bill that I should not have signed on to cosponsor contained some hateful language which I do not condone, and it is against our Lord's command to love our neighbors. I have asked for my name to be removed from the bill. The process for doing so is in motion," Ron Highland said in a statement to the Wamego Times, according to the Mercury. Highland could not be reached for comment. The recent controversy surrounds House Bill 2320 - which aims to have same-sex marriages deemed "parody marriages" and allow the state to deny them. The bill defines "parody marriages" as: " 'Parody marriage' means any form of alleged marriage that does not involve a man and a woman. The term 'parody marriage' refers to a variety of so-called marriages that do not involve a man and a woman that amount to doctrines that are inseparably linked to the religion of secular humanism. The term 'parody marriage' refers to so-called marriages between more than two people, persons of the same sex, a person and an animal, or a person and an object." It appears to be seeking to stop them: "The state shall no longer be in the parody marriage funding and endorsement business and shall disentangle itself from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) secular humanist church pursuant to this section and the establishment clause of the 1st amendment of the constitution of the United States. The state shall not, through any government action create, enforce or respect any LGBTQ or any other secular humanist policy whether directly or symbolically. The state shall maintain the separation of church and state, which includes separating itself from the non-institutionalized religions such as secular humanism, expressive individualism and postmodern western individualistic moral relativism." Christel Highland, who described herself on Facebook as "a proud member of Kansas City's LGBTQ+ community, a Mother, a Partner to the love of my life, an Artist active in my creative community, and a hard-working Businessperson," said in a post that she was "personally offended by the egregious nature of Kansas Representatives' proposed legislation, most notably, my father's." She told her father in the letter Wednesday that "this moment presents an opportunity for you to set a principled example to your colleagues and constituents." "Your most sacred job as an elected official is to serve and protect people," she wrote. "Your God did not elect you, living, breathing humans beings did. Further isolating the marginalized among the population you serve is far from your duty. "Hate has no place in public policy. I respectfully request an apology on behalf on my family and beloved friends that this cruel attempt at legislation impacts - viable or not - and I beg that you show yourself to be the honorable man I've always known you to be. Ultimately, what is right can never be something that hurts another. You taught me that." "I love you, I always will, in spite of your flaws," Christel Highland told her father. Then she added: "I cannot, however, condone your cruel actions. Shame on you." Christel Highland said in a statement Saturday to The Washington Post that she wrote the letter "because I had friends in Kansas whom I knew were reeling from yet another attempt to legislate hate." "I wrote that letter from a place of exhaustion as a result of our divisive political climate," she said. "The overwhelmingly positive response to my message shows that I am not alone in my longing for kindness, respect, and acceptance to return to our policy-making process." Following her father's public apology, she said that she was proud of him "for setting an excellent example." "It took strength to do what my Father did, and I'm proud of him for setting an excellent example to his colleagues and constituents by removing his co-sponsorship from HB 2320," she said in the statement. "I think this situation is an example of what is possible if we work together toward good with love in our hearts. I can only hope that this is a step in a positive direction where we work to make the pursuit of happiness easier for one another irrespective of birthplace, race, beliefs, or orientation." Larry Mills has been a car guy since he was a teenager working in a grocery store to pay for a brand-new 1966 Pontiac GTO, which he promptly began to modify, adding new manifolds, carburetors, long tube headers and more. My dad thought I was crazy, he said. But I just wanted to make it go faster. In the years since, Mills has restored and modified a total of nine cars, primarily American muscle cars from the 1950s and 60s, spending $75,000 to $200,000 on each. He houses five restored vehicles (plus two others and a trio of motorcycles) in the two-room, art-and-kitsch-filled garage behind his Alamo Heights home, which he and his wife, Linda, built four years ago. But these classic cars are more than just a bunch of bright and shiny toys. Mills, executive vice president of the Holt Companies, uses them, along with the extensive collection of art hes created or commissioned, to teach strategy and marketing, team building and leadership skills. Dozens of employees from the various Holt companies, as well as clients of his Mills Consulting company, have toured the garage, learning life and business lessons illustrated by the cars and the dozens of pieces of art scattered throughout. For example, one sculpture hanging from the wall, bought at a furniture store, consists of about a half-dozen 6-inch figures climbing ropes made of twisted wire. Mills, 69, uses it to illustrate the value of teamwork. If you want to accomplish lofty goals, it takes a lot of work, effort and hanging on, he explained. Youre also always working with a team, and some people work faster than others, so theyre farther up the rope. ... But forget the weaknesses. Use everybodys strengths to achieve your goals. Even the shadows the sculpture casts on the wall hold a lesson. These, Mills said, represent the people who support the achievers spouses, assistants who make copies but rarely share the glory. On ExpressNews.com: McNay Art Museum shifts gears with car-themed show American Dreams Elsewhere, Mills discourages pessimism with an illustration of a glass most people would describe as half filled with water. But, he points out, the top half isnt truly empty. Thats filled with air, so the glass is actually full, even though few people look at it that way. Rob McClure said he and a half-dozen colleagues at investment and wealth management firm Avalon Advisors have been attending consulting sessions with Mills for several years and that the lessons have brought them closer together and made them a more effective team. Larry has helped us identify and work on the values we want to practice, which for us include integrity and service, McClure said. Were growing at about 20 percent a year, and we dont want to take anything for granted. Working with Larry helps us keep that from happening. Such revelations dont come cheap. Mills charges $2,400 to $4,800 per day for his services, depending on the group its different for nonprofits and by project. Where did this desire to help people come from? Mills has a ready answer: To those given much, much is expected, he recited. Ive been very blessed in my life, and I continue to be. If you want to be happy all your life, make a difference in someone elses life. Much of Mills teachings are underpinned by his Christian faith, and theres Christian iconography throughout the garage. Almost hidden in the painted clouds of Heavens Door, for example, is an image of Jesus Christ. No one walks in and sees it, but hes here 24/7, Mills said. I have to point it out to every single person. On ExpressNews.com: Global architecture star, Army brat Craig Dykers has deep roots in San Antonio Still, Mills said his lessons have universal themes even non-Christians or the nonreligious can apply to their own lives. Were all broken and beautiful at the same time, he said. As are the cars he finds to restore. Mills has a deep appreciation for the fine lines of most automobiles. I think of cars as artwork, said Mills, who started at Holt stocking parts in the warehouse 50 years ago. Theyre just not hanging on the wall. Owning a classic car is like having a painting that you can have fun with. Mills, who drives an Audi 88L, is such a well-known car collector that when the McNay Art Museum was putting together its current exhibit American Dreams: Classic Cars and Postwar Paintings, it turned to him for help reaching out to collectors who might loan them their cars for the run. The exhibit, which runs through May 19, features 11 cars, including Mills own silver-and-black, Spurs-themed 1969 Camaro. Two of his mixed media automobile-themed art pieces are also on display in Auto Show, an exhibition of artworks relating to cars and car culture running at the McNay through May 12. Larry was exactly the right person to show us whats out there in terms of classic cars, said Kate Carey, the McNays head of education and co-curator of American Dreams. He has such respect in the classic car community. He opened a lot of doors for us. On ExpressNews.com: Lone Star Quarter Midget Association racing keeps kids on track. Mills is into whats known in the classic car world as restomod, a relatively new school of thought that involves adding new technology to an old car rather than restoring it to its original condition. The intention is to make these cars faster, more comfortable and safer. While restoring his current project, a yellow-and-black, 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback, for example, hes keeping the low-slung body pretty much the same while adding such modern touches as a fuel-injected engine (so I dont have to mess with carburetors), a larger radiator and bigger brakes with modern brake rotors. Back in the day, manufacturers were good with the go, but not the whoa, Mills said. These modifications will stop the car as quick as anything. But he does keep things real when thats the right call. The only modern feature he added to the 1950 Dodge Power Wagon he and his two sons restored to glistening red perfection over the course of six or seven years was air conditioning. Beyond the cars, authentic advertising signs and other collectibles such as vintage Coke machines, phones and fire extinguishers are scattered throughout. The mechanical gas pump, with its 5-gallon glass container at the top, was nicknamed the Mae West for is curvy silhouette. Mills makes a lot of the art that graces the space himself, but he occasionally works with other artists who help translate his ideas into reality. San Antonio artist Charles Ingram, for example, created the automotive-themed Alice in Wonderland triptych that addresses three issues most of Mills clients want to discuss: A painting of the Red Queen represents fear and includes an 800-horsepower Chevy Chevelle to show how people want to flee their fear, though theyd be better off to face it. A White Rabbit represents time, with his pocket watch updated to an iPhone with the date reading right now because, Mills said, thats all we have. Finally, a Mad Hatter represents reflection, an encouragement to clients to sit down and reflect on where theyre going in their lives. I work with a lot of art directors who tell you what they want, Ingram said. Larry pulls ideas out of the clouds and then works with you to discover ways of attaining them. Mills wanted the Mad Hatter to hold a tea cup that was a vintage Texaco grease cup, for example, so he went out and found one that is now a 3D feature on the painting. Mills is currently working on a piece that will appear to be a classic Volkswagen Beetle in a lake, with only a portion of the hood and the top of the steering wheel and driver-side seat above the surface, with a whiskey bottle and a pack of Marlboros on the bottom. The message will be, what road are you on? Some roads are beautiful and fruitful and some, man, you gotta ask yourself, is that a road you wanna go down? he explained. He also uses techniques to help people see problems more clearly, such as the Johnny Carson scale, which plays off the jokey How hot was it? setup Carson often used on The Tonight Show. But in this case, Mills asks how bad things are on a pain scale of 1 to 100, with 1 being a Band-Aid-level cut and 100 being losing all four limbs. So I ask them, is the problem so bad youd cut off your arm to make it right? he said. It puts things in perspective when they realize there are very few problems that rise above a Band-Aid cut. Richard A. Marini is a features writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | rmarini@express-news.net | Twitter: @RichardMarini Trump's comments came hours after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Pyongyang remains a nuclear threat. Washington: North Korea could become one of the world's "great economic powers" if it relinquishes its nuclear weapons, US President Donald Trump has said on the eve of his departure for Vietnam for a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Trump's comments came hours after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Pyongyang remains a nuclear threat. Trump will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for the second time on the 27-28 February in Hanoi, Vietnam. "We both expect a continuation of the progress made at first summit in Singapore," Trump tweeted, referencing the meeting between the two leaders in Singapore last June. Trump and Kim had their historic first meeting in Singapore last June, wherein they agreed on denuclearisation of North Korea. North Korea has long insisted it will not give up its nuclear arsenal unless the US removes its troops from South Korea. "I tell Chairman Kim, he has a chance to have a country that is so vibrant, economically. Maybe one of the most in the world. He's got a location that's unbelievable. As a real-estate person, I've always done very well with location. But he's right between China, Russia, and then on the other side, South Korea. So they can't touch each other unless they go through North Korea," Trump told a meeting of Governor's at the White House. "And I think it can be, really, one of the great -- one of the great financial and economic countries anywhere in the world. So I tell him that. I said, 'But you can't do that if you're going to keep nuclear. If you do nuclear, that can't ever happen'," Trump said. Trump reiterated that he is having a great relationship with Kim. Trump said he was "not in a rush" to denuclearise North Korea. "We see eye to eye, I believe. But you'll be seeing it more and more over the next couple of days, one way or the other. What's going to happen? I can't tell you. I think eventually it would, but I can't tell you. And I'm not in a rush. I don't want to rush anybody. I just don't want testing. As long as there's no testing, we're happy, he said. Trump said he has done really something, very special with respect to North Korea. A proxy battle is shaping up at Argo Group International Holdings, the Bermuda-based specialty insurer with a presence in San Antonio. In a feisty letter to Argo shareholders Monday, San Francisco investment adviser Voce Capital Management ripped Argo boss Mark E. Watson III for what it said is the companys spendthrift culture that misdirects corporate assets to support his lifestyle and hobbies at shareholders expense. Voce described Watson as an imperial CEO whose hobbies, pet projects and the cult of personality he apparently wishes to create for himself have commandeered and corrupted Argos priorities. RELATED: Could Frost Bank be a buyer or seller? Argos corporate identity and sponsorship dollars are all directed at activities that Watson has a passion for, including sailing, car racing and expensive art collecting. Exotic race cars and yachts have nothing to do with the rather humdrum business of selling insurance to small and midsize companies, Voce said in its letter. In a statement, Argos board responded that Voces letter contains misleading and inaccurate statements and personally attacks Watson while ignoring Argos track record of creating shareholder value. The companys success is the result of a business that is growing at a very favorable pace with a strong underwriting business and underwriting margins, the boards statement added. The Bermuda-based insurer employs about 200 workers in San Antonio. Through a spokesman, Voce declined to comment about its letter. Voce holds more than 1.9 million Argo shares, or 5.8 percent interest in the company making it the fourth largest shareholder. Voce has nominated four candidates to serve on Argos board, saying it believes change is needed to rein in management and eradicate (a) wasteful, spendthrift culture. Argo operates in the niche field of insuring complex or hard-to-price risks other insurers wont touch. It covers unusual professionals, places and events. In 2017, the San Antonio Express-News detailed some of the quirky risks it insures. It had to cut a check to Disney when Stars Wars actress Carrie Fisher died at age 60 following a heart attack in late 2016. Disney had taken out insurance in case she couldnt perform in the last sequel of the trilogy. On ExpressNews.com: Argo insures weird stuff Argo also has insured some of the band U2s costs in the event it has to cancel a show because Bono or The Edge is too sick to perform. It also insured almost every oil and gas operator involved in the Deepwater Horizon explosion in 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico. Voce was particularly critical of Argos return on equity (ROE), a measure of financial performance. Voce said Argos ROE was dismal last year and has trailed peers. I think Voce is on the right track, said Christopher Campbell, an analyst with Keefe, Bruyette & Woods. The clear way for Argo to add value for their shareholders is going to be increasing the return on equity, because the company is going to be valued more. Watson, on a conference call with analysts Feb. 12, indicated Argo was looking to improve ROE by 2 to 3 percent over the next two years, Campbell said. Campbell couldnt say whether Voce might seek to replace Argo senior management or push for a sale of the company. Voce officials are supposed to meet with Argo management on Wednesday in New York to discuss concerns the investment adviser has with Argos corporate governance. Argo unilaterally expanded its bloated board to 13 members by adding more hand-selected directors ahead of the meeting, Voce said in its letter. Voce described Argos directors as fossils who have had excessive tenures yet own very little stock. Voce added it has grave concerns about the boards fitness and integrity. Much of the letter focused on what Voce called Argos misuse of corporate assets, zeroing in on a fleet of three corporate jets despite being a relatively small company. Voce estimated the cost for Argo to operate one of the jets, a Gulfstream V, or G-5, is almost $3 million a year. We believe the G-5 is Mr. Watsons personal chariot, whisking him and his entourage around the world in pursuit of his kaleidoscope of hobbies and interests, which sometimes includes Argo business, but often doesnt, Voce said. For example, Voce said, the G-5 has schlepped Watson 23 times over the last three years to south Florida, where his 52-foot yacht, Spookie, is harbored and frequently races. The G-5 also has provided Watson and his family some fantastic family travel experiences, including a trip to India during the 2017 Christmas holiday, Voce said. Argo has never disclosed any reimbursement by Watson to the company for his personal use of the G-5, Voce said, hinting that the insurer may run afoul of SEC disclosure requirements. Argos charitable activities seem to dovetail with Watsons personal passions, Voce added. Voce highlighted Watsons position as a trustee of the San Antonio Museum of Art. Argos generous corporate gifts to the museum have exceeded his meager personal donations in some years by 25 to 1, Voce said. Voce also questioned the extensive art collection at Argos offices in San Antonio and elsewhere. Mr. Watson curates the Argo art collection himself and makes dedicated journeys out-of-state to acquire new pieces, Voce said. Is this how the CEO of a small public company should be spending his time or shareholder resources? Voce concluded its letter by saying it intends to make a constructive impact at Argo. Voce has been an activist investor at such other companies as medical-device provider Natus Medical Inc. and air medical-transport provider Air Methods Corp. The latter was subsequently sold. Argo earned $63.6 million, or $1.83 a share, on $1.8 billion in revenue last year. By comparison, it earned $50.3 million, or $1.42 a share, on $1.77 billion in revenue in 2017. Argos shares rose 44 cents to close at a new 52-week high of $70.37 Monday. The shares have climbed about 40 percent since closing at a 52-week low of about $50.57 March 1. 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 Diane Sanchez, the new president and CEO of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, has the polish youd expect of someone whos worked in executive suites as long as she has. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, the 64-year-old Sanchez spent much of her career in management at telecommunications and telecom infrastructure companies, including a stint as Alcatel-Lucents senior vice president of sales and operations in Latin America and the Caribbean. Thats why youre not surprised when she talks about making the Hispanic chamber more data-driven and getting more Hispanic women on corporate and nonprofit boards of directors and in senior executive positions. Like her chamber predecessor, Ramiro Cavazos, Sanchez is a native of South Texas. She grew up in Bishop, outside Kingsville. Sanchez says the town had a population of 3,369 when she left for college. The number had dropped to 3,085 by 2017, according to the Census Bureau. Under Cavazos who became head of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in October the local chamber played a more assertive part in debates over bond elections, water policy, city charter elections and other public issues. It remains to be seen whether it will do the same under Sanchez. But shes clear about this: Things dont happen because of the public sector they happen because of the private sector. We caught up with Sanchez last week at the Hispanic chambers office at the Pearl. This transcript has been edited for clarity and length. Q: Ramiro Cavazos came up mostly through politics and the citys economic development department, and he worked for a while at UTSA doing technology transfer. Your background is mostly corporate. How is the chamber going to be different under your leadership? A: I think its just the times that were living in right now. Ramiro did a great job. But Im thinking the challenges that Im going to have and the contributions that Im going to be expected to make are going to be driven by the growth and the prosperity of the businesses that are my constituents. Well be really focused on results bottom line results. Are we growing the businesses? How are we going to manage it? When you look at the businesses that are at 500 (employees) and above, are they at the point where they need advisers, they need boards, they need help? They can also fall into some of the ecosystems of some of the larger corporations the value chain. How can I help support them? What are we doing to do to give them the visibility? The access to capital is a totally different animal. Then youve got the midsize companies, and the smaller ones. Were going to be looking at each one of these groups and say, How can we help them? How do we measure success? Today, we sat in a meeting with (San Antonio Independent School District Superintendent) Pedro Martinez, and hes got numbers. Its all numbers and hes measuring it hes managing it. Q: What do you think the Hispanic chambers board was looking for in a new CEO? A: I think they wanted somebody that would be an advocate for the Hispanic business community. I would say that San Antonio is going through a transformation right now as a Hispanic community and a business community, where either were going to turn left or were going to turn right. ... Weve not done a good job as a community to make sure that its inclusive, and were consciously looking at the impact. The way I see it is, this is a public organization a nonprofit but my clients and my constituents are for-profit. So if I cant show them the benefit of helping them grow and prosper, then I havent served my purpose. Since Ive been on their side as an entrepreneur and at a corporate level and am very sensitive to their needs, I think I can help them be successful. ... How do Hispanic (businesses) become a part of that transformation and also help San Antonio? Q: As you look around, what do you see as the barriers or challenges for Hispanic-owned businesses in San Antonio? A: I think it depends on the tier. If we look at the small businesses, a lot of it is access to capital, which we talk about frequently. The other is probably the leadership skills as it relates to business acumen. And then the third would be just marketing and sales. How do we teach them how to evolve in the digital economy, and what do they need to do to be competitive and to extend themselves? Ill tell you, thats the biggest challenge we have. Then also, well work with women. How do we empower women entrepreneurs, Hispanic entrepreneurs? We think thats a big asset that we have in this community, and figuring how to rally that whole base and try to get them going to where they know that they can get things done. Q: In San Antonio, women fall pretty far behind men in median income, and Hispanic women even more so. How much of a concern is that for the Hispanic chamber, or do you see your mission as increasing the number of Hispanic women entrepreneurs and executives? A: One thing that I am convinced of because Ive been probably the first or the only woman in a lot of the positions Ive had, and of course probably the first Hispanic is the diversity of what I brought to the table and how much value that was. And now, more often than not, the corporations that were looking at here really are not yet aware of how valuable a diverse candidate is either on the board or their management team. Well figure out how to help them relate to that on the economic side. ... I think whats exciting about San Antonio is cybersecurity and biomedicine. Look at what theyve done in Boston and other communities the diversity and the mindset and you see that were going to get there, and were going to bring in people who are thinking a little differently and all. But its a real concern. It was probably a shock coming back to Texas because I didnt remember it that way when I left. In my college years, I wasnt exposed on the business side, but I didnt remember that there was that much of a gap. ... I always felt that Texas women were so strong that we were probably some of the strongest in the country. Were strong, were powerful and were very influential in our community, but we havent been compensated for that. You realize, Wow, we do have a problem here that weve got to deal with. Q: Can you give me an example from your own career where you werent compensated as you should have been because youre a woman? A: I think Ive taken positions where my predecessor probably was making a couple of hundred thousand more than I was, and I wasnt aggressive or assertive enough to say, Wait a minute my metrics are here. (She raises her hand a couple of feet above the table.) My objectives are here. His were here. (She raises her other hand to a lower level.) And pay me here. Now in my career and it has a lot to do with my age Im more confident to say, Look, Im worth this, and if you cant pay me that, Im just not going to do it. Q: What can you do to get more women and Hispanics on corporate and nonprofit boards and in senior executive positions? A: Were starting to create networks of women who are on boards or who are at high (executive) levels, or women who have the potential. ... What often happens is that when board members look (for board or CEO candidates), theyre going to go with people theyre comfortable with. If were not circulating women, and we dont give them visibility, (boards) are not going to go with them. Its like everything else youre going to choose somebody who youre comfortable with, who you know and who you resonate with. Q: As one of the citys two major chambers, the Hispanic chamber has almost always backed City Hall on bond and city charter elections. What do you think the chambers relationship should be to City Hall? A: We went through this today as a matter of fact with some of the international trade missions that were looking at. I mean, this is about relationships and getting things done. But one thing Ive always said, and I continue to say, is that things dont happen because of the public sector they happen because of the private sector. What I was very impressed with in San Antonio was SA2020 (a communitywide effort launched by then-Mayor Julian Castro in 2010 to set goals for public health, education, economic growth and other areas). Ive never seen a report card like that. Ive never seen one yet put in place the way they did it to focus on an outlook of (10) years. I also think some of the things were doing on Smart City initiatives San Antonios doing well in looking at some of these things for the future. And those are all driven by City Hall. I think the difference with us is our focus is going to be from a private-sector perspective. What do we need from the city, from the state, from the federal government to help us be more successful? And thats really what I look to them to help us with. Ive not met with Mayor Nirenberg, but were going to be sitting down soon. (Editors note: Nirenbergs wife, Erika Prosper, was chair of the Hispanic chamber throughout most of its CEO search.) Q: Keeping in mind San Antonios shortage of skilled workers, whats the chambers role in workforce development? A: Our role would be more from the educational standpoint the high schools and the colleges. Not all students are going to be college-bound. I was talking to a woman yesterday who owns a logistics company. And I said, How are you doing? She says, Well, our biggest problem right now is truck drivers. Theyre making between $65,000 and $95,000 a year. But people dont aspire to be a truck driver. So we have very basic needs. I think theres an opportunity to help our youth, and even some older people, with skills. Thats our focus right now to figure out what skills do they need to get into some of the jobs that are available and to prepare them for the future. I went to my happy place this past week, which faithful readers (both of you!) will understand means I got to build a really neat spreadsheet. I built it so that I could see under the hood of Social Security benefits calculations. This isnt something Id necessarily recommend to people who know how to relate to real, live humans. But everybody has his or her hobbies. Dont judge. Generally, if you want to know what you should know about Social Security, I strongly recommend creating a My Social Security account, and also going online to your Social Security benefits estimator. These resources are easy to use and full of insights, and they could save you the hassle of a phone call or visit to a Social Security office. But for the small percentage of you whod like to talk nerdy with me, I thought Id add a few more insights into what I found as a result of my custom-built spreadsheet and by pulling my own reports. These insights include the effects of low earnings and entrepreneurship, and a benefit of working deep into ones retirement years. Since I graduated from college, I have 22 years in which I have reported taxes between 1996 and 2017. (Taxes for 2018 are not yet filed.) In eight of those 22 years, I reported what are considered high earnings. I earned virtually no income in three of the years Ill explain that a little later on. In the other 11 years, my income was meh. I mentioned in last weeks column that having a high income for a short amount of time is not as valuable for the purpose of maximizing Social Security benefits as having a moderate income for a long period of time. Thats because every year matters out of 35 years of earning income and paying taxes. Miss out on one year of earnings, and your benefits go down, at least a little bit. As a soon-to-be 47-year-old, I have 20 more years in which to earn income and pay Social Security taxes, and therefore maximize my benefits. Full retirement age for me will be 67. Incidentally, for current Social Security retirees, the full retirement age is 66, but that age keeps creeping upward. And it should creep upward because we live way longer on average than people used to, so it only makes sense for the solvency of the Social Security program to increase the retirement age. But thats a controversial topic for another day. The point is that Ive got a mere 20 more years to maximize my benefits. And, yes, one way to increase benefits is to delay your monthly payments. But thats a well-known fact and also not todays topic, which is getting the best 35 years of earnings possible. Racking up 35 steady years can be difficult, for example, if you start or run your own business. For entrepreneurs, income varies tremendously year to year, which will affect their final Social Security benefits. I noticed from my Social Security report that in the first three years of founding my investment business in the mid-2000s, I earned essentially zero income. The losses incurred in my startup years zeroed out my taxes which was delightful at the time but that also meant I did not pay into the Social Security system. Since all 35 years of earnings count toward building Social Security benefits, entrepreneurs with volatile earnings may accrue far fewer benefits over a lifetime than longtime employees with steady earnings. Even very successful businesses have years of losses that could lower Social Security contributions and, therefore, eventually benefits. So how does somebody improve his or her benefits, even with some low-earning years? My mother, 76, presents an interesting data point on Social Security benefits, which she has been collecting for the past six years. After raising me and my siblings, she racked up some low-paying years in her career as a private-school teacher. She continues to work as a consultant now, however, making decent income well past her full retirement age. Because Social Security benefits depend on calculating your highest 35 working years, her recent income years in her mid-70s have been slowly replacing lower earning years from her 40s. As a result, her monthly Social Security check has adjusted upward a little bit each year. Katrina Bledsoe, management analyst at the regional Social Security office in Dallas, confirms this increase should happen automatically every year if you continue working. If you dont see the automatic adjustment, Bledsoe says, contact your Social Security office. Dont do so until the second quarter of the year, however, because Social Security will need to see your official IRS tax data to recalculate benefits and that generally doesnt happen before April 15. Two final Social Security thoughts. Monthly benefits generally are not enough to comfortably live on in retirement. Social Security payments should be thought of as a living supplement. On the other hand, as many as 40 percent of American households do not have appreciable retirement savings. The median net worth of Americans between ages 65 and 74 is $224,000. With that statistic, we can see that Social Security constitutes the single most important source of funds retirees have to live on. To do some simple math for which I dont even need my cool spreadsheet, I would divide annual benefits by 5 percent to get a rough value of Social Security for an individual, as if it were the equivalent of a lump sum in the bank. That would make $2,500 in monthly Social Security benefits worth $600,000. That rough estimate shows us that Social Security is the largest safety net that a majority of Americans have. And please dont @me to quibble about this last math assumption. Chill. Im creating a quick and rough estimate for comparisons sake. Thank you. michael@michaelthesmartmoney.com | twitter.com/michael_taylor From: Jeannette M. Gagan, PhD For Immediate Release: Dateline: Santa Fe , NM Monday, February 25, 2019 According to an article in Psychology Today by Stephani A. Sarkis, PhD, there are seven keys to a healthy and happy intimate relationship. In our culture today, where texting and instant gratification are the norm, it's important to remind ourselves of the important foundational work it takes to be in relationship. Mutual respectWithout respect its very difficult to maintain real relationship. You may not agree with your partner on all things, but it's important to consistently tap into the admiration and underlying love you have for him or her on a regular basis. Arguing and not fightingYes, you can argue without fighting. This technique involves stating your point of view without name-calling or raising your voice. Arguing and not fightingYes, you can argue without fighting. This technique involves stating your point of view without name-calling or raising your voice. Agreement on sexYou and your partner agree on how you have sex, where you have sex, and theres mutual participation. If there is a problem, you can talk about it openly without criticism. Agreement on parenting Styles of parenting differ, and it's important to work together with your partner so you are on the same page. Will you be more authoritative or more lenient in your parenting? Equality with moneyEven if one of you makes more money, you both have an equal say about how it is spent. There are no hidden accounts, and together you decide before making large purchases. Common goals and valuesCouples with very different interests can have healthy relationships. What really counts is that they share common goals and values. Couples of different religions and cultural backgrounds can have healthy relationshipssharing core beliefs fosters a fulfilling partnership. Common goals and valuesCouples with very different interests can have healthy relationships. What really counts is that they share common goals and values. Couples of different religions and cultural backgrounds can have healthy relationshipssharing core beliefs fosters a fulfilling partnership. FunAs the saying goes: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.." Notably there are a number of benefits from having fun: reduced stress; improved ability to cope; more energy; as well as improved memory and concentration. Being able to have fun together enhances all aspects of the relationship. As you read through these, which ones jump out at you as aspects you may need to work on in your relationship? Which ones are easy for you? All comments are welcome. Although this blog focuses on intimate partnerships, many of the above keys apply to other relationships. Forthcoming blogs will address relationships with friends, relatives, co-workers, and others. RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA February 25, 2019 RP&B CPAs, a premier CPA firm located in Riverside, California is pleased to announce the admission of Michael Zermeno, CPA as shareholder. Mr. Zermeno has been working with entrepreneurs for over 15 years helping them interpret financial results, make improvements and achieve their goals. At RP&B CPAs, Michael is an integral part of the Accounting & Audit Department where he works with privately held businesses to review, audit and prepare financial statements for compliance requirements, year-end and consulting projects. "Michael is a welcomed addition to our management team. In addition to having strong technical skills, he is well-versed in working with companies that are classified as ESOPs. He is particularly experienced in GAAP, ESOP accounting and employee benefit plan audits. He has spent the past six years working with ESOP companies assisting them before, during and after their transactions. As a result, Mr. Zermeno is routinely asked to speak to industry organizations on the topic " commented Michael Kouyoumdjian, Managing Shareholder of RP&B CPAs. ESOPs have specialized accounting needs. ESOP Accounting is a unique specialty of RP&B CPAs. "We experienced considerable growth in 2018 and are poised to continue to grow in 2019. With strong growth, you need strong leadership in order to manage the growth. Michael already takes an active leadership role in the development of our professional staff. We are thrilled that he is up for the challenge" Mr. Kouyoumdjian concluded. Mr. Zermeno becomes shareholder as the firm continues to expand in presence and reputation. RP&B CPAs moved the office location to 3550 Vine Street, Suite 110, Riverside, CA 92507 in late 2018 to accommodate for additional staff and planned growth. Bryan Ramirez, CPA, Devin Tamayo and Lindsey Garcia have recently joined the firm in the Tax & Compliance Department. RP&B CPAs is strong community partner. The firm recently participated in the Manufacturers' Council of the Inland Empire 8th Annual Manufacturers' Summit. Each year, the firm selects a local charity to collectively support and collected over $12,000 in 2018 for Leaps & Bounds Pediatric Therapy in Norco, California. this news is not available BARCELONA, Spain, February 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Enabled through a rich ecosystem of partners, design thinking philosophy, and full stack of software brought together in the '5G Living Labs [https://www.infosys.com/services/incubating-emerging-technol... ] ' Infosys [http://www.infosys.com ] , a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced the launch of new service offerings that will help enterprises imagine and create new economies with 5G technology, while simultaneously helping communication service providers accelerate and monetize their 5G network deployment. Infosys' newly established 5G Living Labs in five global locations - (Bengaluru, Richardson, Indianapolis, Frankfurt and Melbourne) will help ideate and bring these new economies to life. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/Infosys_Logo.jpg ) 5G will transform network capabilities bringing in significant opportunities for network virtualization, AI and Automation, while lowering associated costs considerably, and enhancing delivery of network-based services. More importantly, 5G will enable enterprises - IT and other business departments - to usher in a new era of innovation, create new experiences and improve operational efficiency in organizations. Having worked on enterprise applications and systems for close to four decades, Infosys brings in tremendous understanding of the opportunities and challenges enterprises face on their digital transformation journey. One significant challenge faced is the need to keep pace with innovation in their ecosystem and the ability to quickly prototype ideas.The global network of Infosys 5G Living Labs are designed to help enterprises imagine and curate game changing ideas driven by 5G, and rapidly prototype them to life. The labs combine the best of Infosys emerging technologies expertise in areas like IoT, AR, VR and AI, unique design thinking driven approaches and a diverse partner ecosystem that is deeply invested in 5G technologies. Enterprise adoption of 5G is key to monetizing networks for communication services providers and Infosys Living Labs enables that by providing an ecosystem to incubate offerings and deploy at scale. Communication Service Providers (CSPs) will also benefit from Infosys' expertise in emerging technologies to support self-organized intelligent networks, dynamic agile operations and capabilities, to build enriched experiences for enterprises together with a wide ecosystem of partners. Infosys solutions such as the Smart Network Assurance platform [https://www.infosys.com/engineering-services/service-offerin... ] will help in pivoting from break-fix operations to proactive and predictive operations using AI and ML based self-healing technologies. Infosys is also building reference solutions based on open source platforms and tools that will enable continuous delivery of software using Software-Defined Networking and Network Function Virtualization principles. Ravi Kumar S, President and Deputy Chief Operating Officer Infosys, said, "5G is opening an array of opportunities for CSPs and Enterprises in the digital era. Infosys' suite of 5G offerings are powered by our extensive experience of working with major telecom service providers and enterprises globally in transforming their business and technology landscape. Our expertise in areas such as SDN-NFV, Media OTT Platforms and IoT, together with industry collaborations among network solution providers, network OEMS and CSPs will help customers maximize their 5G potential to navigate their next." Dustin Kehoe, Service Director, GlobalData PLC, said, "5G is not just an evolution of cellular standards, it will also enable various new sets of applications, some low latency, others high on throughput to improve employee productivity or external customer engagement. However, the technology is emerging and industry collaboration across the ecosystem is required to unlock new innovation to co-create use cases. Professional services and unwavering commitment to open source solutions to drive best of breed multi-vendor environments, are some of the important considerations for being successful with 5G." Related reading: ONF welcomes Infosys as its newest partner [https://apac01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3... ] ONF to showcase new COMAC and OMEC projects at Mobile World Congress, Barcelona [https://apac01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3... ] For more information on Infosys 5G Offerings, visit 5G - The Next Wave of Network Innovation [https://www.infosys.com/engineering-services/service-offerin... ] About Infosys Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. We enable clients in 45 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over three decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer our clients through their digital journey. We do it by enabling the enterprise with an AI-powered core that helps prioritize the execution of change. We also empower the business with agile digital at scale to deliver unprecedented levels of performance and customer delight. Our always-on learning agenda drives their continuous improvement through building and transferring digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. Visit www.infosys.com [http://www.infosys.com ] to see how Infosys can help your enterprise navigate your next. Safe Harbor (CONTINUA) Plant diseases are a significant threat to our food security. Rain provides fresh water to our crops, but splashing drops may also contribute to the spread of plant disease. Raindrop impact is known to be a mechanism for dispersing microscopic spores of pathogens, which infect staple crops and devastate crop yields. Slow motion video of microscopic tornadoes of spores: https:/ / youtu. be/ 9aZ5srQA-18 Recent research in the Schmale Lab at Virginia Tech and the Jung Lab at Cornell University has illuminated how the splashing of rain droplets can transport spores of pathogens from infected plants. The team used high-speed video cameras to observe microscopic tornadoes of rust spores generated from the impact of raindrops on infected wheat leaves. Their findings, which were recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), have implications for preventing disease spread in wheat crops. "Previous studies only focused on wet-dispersed spores following raindrop impact. We are the first to demonstrate tornado-like air vortices that result from raindrop impact. These microscopic tornadoes may help transport plant pathogens over long distances," said David G. Schmale III, Professor in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and affiliated faculty member of the Fralin Life Science Institute. The researchers set up experiments using a high-speed video camera to capture images of raindrops impacting wheat plants infected with the rust fungus, Puccinia triticina. These experiments shed new light on the physics of spore dispersal during rainfall. "Interdisciplinary research is needed to bridge plant pathology and ?uid mechanics to study the mechanics of plant pathogen dispersal," said Hope Gruszewski, a Laboratory Specialist Sr. in the Schmale Lab, and a co-author on the paper. This previously unknown method of air-vortex dispersal is a swirling mechanism that can be likened to a mini-tornado of air that carries the plant pathogens off the plant and onto air currents, with the potential for transport over much longer distances. "Our lab specializes in high-speed imaging and fluid mechanics. We used a high-speed video camera to visualize rust spores being liberated from an infected wheat leaf. We observed thousands of spores being transported in air vortices following raindrop impact. That was quite surprising," said Sunghwan Jung, professor in the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University. The air-vortex dispersal mechanism could explain abrupt increases in spores in the atmosphere immediately after major rainfall events. Understanding the spread of plant pathogens during rainfall could help farmers better manage the timing of fungicide applications to their crops. "Our research has the potential to provide new strategies for minimizing disease spread in wheat, which could help us meet future wheat yield demands," said Hyunggon Park, a Ph.D. student in the Biological Transport program (BIOTRANS) at Virginia Tech, co-advised by David Schmale, and a co-author on the paper. ### This research was funded by the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA). Researchers at William & Mary's Virginia Institute of Marine Science have issued the first annual update of their sea level "report cards," marking 50 years of water-level observations from 1969 through 2018. These web-based charts--available online at vims.edu/sealevelreportcard--project sea level out to the year 2050 based on an ongoing analysis of tide-gauge records for 32 localities along the U.S. coastline from Maine to Alaska. Release of this year's cards was delayed by the 35-day government shutdown, which precluded compilation of and access to NOAA's latest tide-gauge records. The lead on the project, VIMS emeritus professor John Boon, says the report cards add value by providing sea-level projections that are updated more frequently than those issued by NOAA or other agencies. Boon and colleagues also use a statistical approach that includes evidence for recent acceleration in the rate of sea-level change at many U.S. tide-gauge stations, and stress their use of relative sea-level measurements--changes in water level relative to the land surface on which people live and work. The relative sea-level rise in Virginia and other East and Gulf coast areas is due to both rising water and sinking land. This year's report cards, updated using monthly summaries of daily tide gauge records from calendar year 2018, show that trends in sea-level change generally held steady across the 32 stations, although the processes that control sea level fluctuated slightly from region to region. Molly Mitchell, the VIMS marine scientist who compiled and analyzed this year's tide-gauge data, highlights two features of the sea-level report cards for 2018. First is the clear signal of September's Hurricane Florence as captured in the tide-gauge record for Wilmington, North Carolina. "Heavy rainfall in North Carolina contributed to high water levels at Wilmington throughout the fall," says Mitchell, "although this had only a minor impact on the long-term trend since it was a temporary increase." Florence dropped from 20 to more than 30 inches of rain across most of coastal North Carolina between September 14th and 18th. Mitchell also notes a noticeable acceleration in sea-level rise at five of the eight monitored locations along the California, Oregon, and Washington coasts. "Although sea level has been rising very slowly along the West Coast, models have been predicting that it will start to rise faster," she says. "The report cards from the past two years support this idea." Scientists suggest that the speed-up is due to a shift in wind patterns associated with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, an El Nino-like pattern of climate variability. Sea level along the Gulf Coast at Grand Isle, Louisiana and Galveston, Texas continued to rise at high rates in 2018 (7.75 millimeters per year at Grand Isle and 6.19 mm/year at Galveston), while showing no sign of significant acceleration at either location. Should the lack of acceleration continue, projected sea level through 2050 for these locations will roughly equal that for Norfolk, Virginia (about 0.49 meters [1.6 feet] above 1992 levels), even though their rise rates are presently much greater--first and third highest of the 32 monitored locations. A high rise rate (6.72 mm/year) is also found at Rockport, Texas south of Galveston but here the measured acceleration through 2018 is the highest of any location at 0.240 mm/year2, making its year 2050 projection correspondingly high at 0.78 meter (2.6 feet) above 1992 levels. Mitchell and Boon attribute the locally high rise rates and sharp contrast in acceleration among these Gulf Coast stations to their location within a sedimentary basin with a complex history of water and hydrocarbon extraction. Pumping of groundwater and oil can cause land subsidence, which contributes to relative sea-level rise. The value of an annual, localized report card Because long-term changes in sea level are typically on the order of a few millimeters per year, researchers have traditionally felt little need to issue frequent forecasts of sea-level changes. Moreover, many sea-level projections are global in scope, with a forecast horizon of 2100--far enough off to allow for readily discernible linear change. Thus the United Nation's oft-reported projection of 44 to 74 centimeters (1.4 to 2.4 feet) of absolute sea-level rise by the end of the century. The VIMS team has purposefully taken a more localized and timely approach, one designed to add maximum value for coastal residents, businesses, and governments. Says Boon, "Our report cards show what sea level has been doing recently, what's happening now at your locality. Numerous studies show that local rates of sea-level rise and acceleration differ substantially from the global rates published by the IPCC and NOAA--a key result because local rates of relative sea-level rise give a direct indication of the extent to which homes, buildings, and roads are at risk of flooding." The team's decision to use a subset of available tide-gauge data runs counter to the traditional approach taken by NOAA, the agency that operates the nation's official network of tidal stations. "NOAA should be commended for their care in ensuring the continuity, consistency, and availability of the nation's long-term tidal datasets," says Boon. "But at the same time, a longer record isn't always better, especially when there's evidence of recent non-linear changes in the rate of sea-level rise like we see along the U.S. East Coast." An earlier analysis by Boon showed that this acceleration began in 1987, at the center of a 36-year sliding window beginning in 1969--thus setting the start date for the VIMS report cards. This is decades after many U.S. tide-gauge stations began operation but within a span where many more stations now have complete or nearly complete records. Given recent evidence of ongoing warming, it makes sense in a nation-wide, comparative study of sea-level change to analyze only those observations made over the same period of time. Mitchell explains further, "If you cross a threshold in terms of something like sea-level rise, what came before--say a tide-gauge record that began in 1900--is biased in terms of seeing where you're going. We think the ice sheets are melting faster today than they ever have, and if that's true then the previous 90 years of data won't accurately predict the future." The difference between the linear rates used in NOAA's sea-level forecasts and the non-linear, accelerating rates used in VIMS' report cards can lead to sharply different forecasts of our sea-level future. Extending NOAA's linear sea-level projections to mid-century for the tide gauge in Norfolk, Virginia indicates that sea level here will be 0.3 meters (11.8 inches) higher by 2050, while the VIMS forecast--using a non-linear, accelerating rate--is 0.49 meters, or 19.3 inches. That extra 20 centimeters (8 inches) of sea-level rise would have major implications for the low-lying region. The VIMS team moreover cautions that sea level is likely to experience short-term variations in the future just as it does today. Thus, coastal residents and planners in Virginia and other areas likely to experience significant sea-level increases by 2050 must also account for storm surges and other transient forces raising sea level even higher than the projected mean rise value. The 95% confidence bands placed about the projected quadratic curve in VIMS' sea-level report cards are a further reminder that average sea level in any given month can deviate from the projected annual mean by as much as 20 centimeters (8 inches). ### The company was showing it could innovate by delivering the worlds first five-camera array system in a smartphone. The Nokia 9 PureView heads a range of smartphones announced by HMD on Sunday, including an entry-level and two mid-level handsets, all designed to work with Googles Android One, which guarantees two years of operating system upgrades. HMD Global, the Finnish company which owns the rights to use the Nokia brand for mobile phones, has launched a smartphone with an array of five camera lenses designed to appeal to camera enthusiasts. The Nokia 9 PureView heads a range of smartphones announced by HMD on Sunday, including an entry-level and two mid-level handsets, all designed to work with Googles Android One, which guarantees two years of operating system upgrades. The company was showing it could innovate by delivering the worlds first five-camera array system in a smartphone, Chief Executive Florian Seiche said in an interview. It also refreshed its devices in the mid-market, where it already has a top-five ranking in many markets, and introduced a feature phone - the Nokia 210 - able to connect to the Internet using an Opera Mini browser, priced at an average $35. Seiche said the Nokia range would serve users, particularly in emerging markets, from feature phone to mid-market devices. He said the mid-market Nokia 3.2 and Nokia 4.2 also appealed to users who wanted good value combined with the simplicity of a pure Android operating system, unencumbered with software installed by the device maker and with guaranteed upgrades. People tend to keep their smartphones longer, Seiche said. People start thinking maybe for half the price I can get an experience just as good, and even lasts for a lifetime on our phone. Analyst Frank Gillett at Forrester said the high-end photo features of the Nokia 9 PureView - including two 12 megapixel color sensors and three 12 megapixel monochrome sensors - plus a full range of phones and features at affordable prices, positioned Nokia to appeal to the hundreds of millions of smartphone buyers set to come online in India and China. The Nokia models wont contend for leadership with Apple, Huawei and Samsung - but thats not their goal, he added. The Nokia 9 PureView will be available from March at an average price of $699, and both the Nokia 3.2 and 4.2 will be available in April, from $139 and $169 respectively, he said. MADISON, Wis. -- A new study shows climate change may have contributed to the decline of Cahokia, a famed prehistoric city near present-day St. Louis. And it involves ancient human poop. Published today [Feb. 25, 2019] in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study provides a direct link between changes in Cahokia's population size as measured through a unique fecal record and environmental data showing evidence of drought and flood. "The way of building population reconstructions usually involves archaeological data, which is separate from the data studied by climate scientists," explains lead author AJ White, who completed the work as a graduate student at California State University, Long Beach. "One involves excavation and survey of archaeological remains and the other involves lake cores. We unite these two by looking at both kinds of data from the same lake cores." Last year, White and a team of collaborators -- including his former advisor Lora Stevens, professor of paleoclimatology and paleolimnology at California State University, Long Beach, and University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor of Anthropology Sissel Schroeder -- showed they could detect signatures of human poop in lake core sediments collected from Horseshoe Lake, not far from Cahokia's famous mounds. These signatures, called fecal stanols, are molecules produced in the human gut during digestion and eliminated in feces. As the people of Cahokia pooped on land, some of it would have run off into the lake. The more people who lived and defecated there, the more stanols evident in lake sediments. Because the sediments of a lake accumulate in layers, they allow scientists to capture snapshots of time throughout the history of a region through sediment cores. Deeper layers form earlier than layers found higher up, and all of the material within a layer is roughly the same age. White found that fecal stanol concentrations at Horseshoe Lake rise and fall similarly to estimates of Cahokia's population from better-established archaeological methods. Schroeder, a scholar of the Cahokia area, says that excavations of the houses in and near Cahokia show human occupation of the site intensified around A.D. 600, and by 1100, the six-square-mile city reached its peak population. At the time, tens of thousands of people called it home. Archaeological evidence also shows that by 1200, Cahokia's population was on the decline and the site was abandoned by its mound-building Mississippian inhabitants by 1400. Scientists have uncovered a number of explanations for its eventual abandonment, including social and political unrest and environmental changes. For instance, in 2015, co-author Samuel Munoz, a former UW-Madison graduate student and now a professor at Northeastern University, was actually the first to collect one of the Horseshoe Lake sediment cores White used in his study and he found evidence that the nearby Mississippi River flooded significantly around 1150. White's latest study ties the archaeological and environmental evidence together. "When we use this fecal stanol method, we can make these comparisons to environmental conditions that hither to now we haven't really been able to do," says White, now a PhD student at UC Berkeley. Using Munoz's core and another White collected on Horseshoe Lake, the research team measured the relative amount of fecal stanols from humans present in sediment layers. They compared these to stanol levels known to come from bacteria in the soil in order to establish a baseline concentration for each layer. They examined the lake cores for evidence of flooding and also looked for climate indicators that would inform them whether climate conditions were relatively wet or dry. These indicators, the ratio of a heavy form of oxygen to a light one, can show changes in evaporation and precipitation. Stevens explains that as water evaporates, the light form of oxygen goes with it, concentrating the heavy form. The lake core showed that summer precipitation likely decreased around the onset of Cahokia's decline. This could have affected the ability of people to grow their staple crop maize. A number of different changes begin to happen in the archaeological record around 1150, Schroeder explains, including the number and density of houses and the nature of craft production. These are all indicators of "some kind of socio-political or economic stressors that stimulated a reorganization of some sort," she says. "When we see correlations with climate, some archaeologists don't think climate has anything to do with it, but it's difficult to sustain that argument when the evidence of significant changes in the climate shows people are facing new challenges." This has resonance today, she adds. "Cultures can be very resilient in face of climate change but resilience doesn't necessarily mean there is no change. There can be cultural reorganization or decisions to relocate or migrate," Schroeder says. "We may see similar pressures today but fewer options to move." For White, the study highlights the nuances and complications common to so many cultures and shows how environmental change can contribute to social changes already at play. ### The study was supported by the Geological Society of America and California State University, Long Beach. Kelly April Tyrrell, kelly.tyrrell@wisc.edu, 608-262-9772 CONTACT: AJ White, 949-521-0060, ajwhitesemail@gmail.com; Lora Stevens, 562-985-4817, lora.stevens@csulb.edu; Sissel Schroeder, 608-262-0317, sissel.schroeder@wisc.edu A new way of growing cancer cells in the lab, developed at U of T Engineering, could speed up the search for therapeutics A 3D hydrogel created by researchers in U of T Engineering Professor Molly Shoichet's lab is helping University of Ottawa researchers to quickly screen hundreds of potential drugs for their ability to fight highly invasive cancers. Cell invasion is a critical hallmark of metastatic cancers, such as certain types of lung and brain cancer. Fighting these cancers requires therapies that can both kill cancer cells as well as prevent cell invasion of healthy tissue. Today, most cancer drugs are only screened for their ability to kill cancer cells. "In highly invasive diseases, there is a crucial need to screen for both of these functions," says Shoichet. "We now have a way to do this." Shoichet and her team are internationally known for their work on hydrogels, jello-like materials based on hyaluronic acid, a biocompatible substance commonly used in cosmetics. In the past, they have used hydrogels to enhance stem cells that are injected in the body to overcome disease or degeneration. In their latest research, the team used hydrogels to mimic the environment of lung cancer, selectively allowing cancer cells, and not healthy cells, to invade. In their latest research, the team used hydrogels to mimic the environment of lung cancer, selectively allowing cancer cells, and not healthy cells, to invade. This emulated environment enabled their collaborators in Professor Bill Stanford's lab at University of Ottawa to screen for both cancer-cell growth and invasion. The study, led by Roger Y. Tam, a research associate in Shochet's lab, was recently published in Advanced Materials. "We can conduct this in a 384-well plate, which is no bigger than your hand. And with image-analysis software, we can automate this method to enable quick, targeted screenings for hundreds of potential cancer treatments," says Shoichet. One example is the researchers' drug screening for lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a rare lung disease affecting women. Shoichet and her team were inspired by the work of Green Eggs and LAM, a Toronto-based organization raising awareness of the disease. Using their hydrogels, they were able to automate and screen more than 800 drugs, thereby uncovering treatments that could target disease growth and invasion. In the ongoing collaboration, the researchers plan to next screen multiple drugs at different doses to gain greater insight into new treatment methods for LAM. The strategies and insights they gain could also help identify new drugs for other invasive cancers. Shoichet, who was recently named a Distinguished Woman in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, also plans to patent the hydrogel technology. "This has, and continues to be, a great collaboration that is advancing knowledge at the intersection of engineering and biology," says Shoichet. ### New University of Sydney research has revealed the ancient Cambodian city of Angkor underwent a gradual decline in occupation rather than an abrupt collapse. Researchers have long debated the causes of Angkor's demise in the 15th century. Historical explanations have emphasised the role of aggressive neighbouring states, and the abandonment of Angkor in 1431 A.D. has been portrayed as a catastrophic demographic collapse. However, new scientific evidence shows that the intensity of land use within the economic and administrative centre of the city declined gradually more than 100 years before the supposed collapse, implying a very different end to the city. Associate Professor Dan Penny from the University of Sydney's School of Geosciences examined sediment drill-cores extracted from the moat surrounding Angkor Thom, the last and largest of Angkor's walled citadels. "Changes in land use leave tell-tale traces in sedimentary deposits that can be measured. Measuring these traces in drill-cores allows us to reconstruct what people were doing in the landscape over long periods of time," Associate Professor Penny said. In a new study published in the prestigious PNAS journal, Associate Professor Penny and co-authors show that evidence for forest disturbance, soil erosion and burning all declined in the first decades of the 14th century, suggesting a sustained decline in land-use in the commercial and administrative heart of the ancient city. By the end of the 14th century, the moat was covered in floating swamp vegetation, which indicates that it was no longer being maintained. The findings suggest Angkor's demise was not a catastrophic collapse caused by the Ayutthayan invasion or by infrastructural failure, but a gradual demographic shift by the urban elite. "Our study suggests the inhabitants didn't leave Angkor because the infrastructure failed, rather the infrastructure failed (or was not maintained or repaired) because the urban elite had already left," said Associate Professor Penny. ### The study was co-authored with Dr Tegan Hall from the University of Sydney's School of Geosciences, Dr Damian Evans from Ecole francaise d'Extreme-Orient and Dr Martin Polkinghorne from Flinders University. Media interviews: Katie Booth, +61 419 278 715, katie.booth@sydney.edu.au PHILADELPHIA - A single dose of a PD-1 inhibitor before surgery for melanoma can put patients in remission. Researchers from the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania, who documented this finding in the largest cohort of patients to be treated with anti-PD-1 drugs before surgery, also showed that immune responses brought on by this therapy can peak as early as seven days after treatment - much earlier than previous studies have shown. Patients in this study completed up to a year of anti-PD-1 therapy after surgery, and those with complete responses after the initial dose have remained cancer free for more than two years - the longest follow-up data to date for a trial evaluating this treatment approach for patients with melanoma. Further, researchers also identified patterns in the way melanoma that comes back after surgery adapts to develop resistance to PD-1 inhibitors, potentially paving the way for greater understanding of how best to help these patients. The findings appear in Nature Medicine today. "Knowing so much earlier whether or not patients are responding to PD-1 inhibitors may give us the ability to guide them to the most appropriate therapy with the greatest chance for success," said the study's lead author Alexander C. Huang, MD, an instructor of Hematology-Oncology in Penn's Perelman School of Medicine and a Parker Bridge Scholar through the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates more than 96,000 new melanomas will be diagnosed in the United States in 2019, while about 7,200 people are expected to die from the disease this year. Currently, the standard of care in resectable melanoma includes surgery followed by a year of drug treatment in select high risk patients, which can include immunotherapy like anti-PD-1 drugs. Researchers gave 27 patients one dose of the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab three weeks before surgery. Eight of the 27 (30 percent) had a complete response or a major response - meaning less than 10 percent of the cancer cells remained at the time of the surgery. All eight patients who responded continue to be disease free at a median follow up of 25 months. "It's amazing that we can have greater confidence early on, based on the way patients respond to this treatment before their cancer is surgically removed, that they will do well," said the study's co-senior author Tara C. Mitchell, MD, an assistant professor of Hematology-Oncology at Penn. Michael Farwell, MD, an assistant professor of Radiology, was also a co-senior author. The team's previous studies showed anti-PD-1 therapy had a peak immune response in the blood around three weeks, but this analysis showed tumor cells were already eliminated at that point, meaning the immune response itself must have started at an earlier time. Analysis from additional groups of patients confirmed that hypothesis, with immune responses in the blood peaking as soon as seven days. Researchers also evaluated how tumor cells in patients whose melanoma came back were able to develop resistance to the anti-PD-1 therapy. The study identified two causes: tumor mutations - such as B2M or TP53 - as well increased activity of cells that naturally suppress the immune system. "We've now identified patterns in the way the cancer can adapt to survive, meaning we may be able to guess it's next move after PD-1 treatment," Huang said. "The longer into treatment we go, the more mutations and resistance mechanisms we find, but identifying the means of resistance early after starting therapy in resected tumors means the resistance mechanisms may be more predictable, which is another benefit of giving this treatment before surgery." Researcher say future studies will focus on altering post-surgical therapies based on pre-surgical responses. ### Other Penn co-authors on this study include Giorgos C. Karakousis, MD, an associate professor of Surgery who performed the surgeries on these patients, and E. John Wherry, PhD, chair of Pharmacology, director of Institute of Immunology, and Richard and Barbara Schiffrin President's Distinguished Professor of Microbiology, and a member of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy. This study was supported by the Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Skin Cancer (P50-CA174523, P01-CA114046, T32-2T32CA009615), a National Cancer Institute Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA016520), the National Institutes of Health (AI105343, AI108545, 623 AI117950, AI082630, CA210944, AI114852), the Tara Miller Foundation, the Melanoma Research Alliance, the David and Hallee Adelman Immunotherapy Research Fund, the Heisenberg program (BE5496/2-1), and The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Bridge Scholar Award. Merck, Inc, which manufactures pembrolizumab, supplied the drug used in this study. Editor's Note: Mitchell and Wherry participate in Merck scientific advisory boards and have received honoraria for their work. Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $7.8 billion enterprise. The Perelman School of Medicine has been ranked among the top medical schools in the United States for more than 20 years, according to U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $405 million awarded in the 2017 fiscal year. The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center -- which are recognized as one of the nation's top "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report -- Chester County Hospital; Lancaster General Health; Penn Medicine Princeton Health; Penn Wissahickon Hospice; and Pennsylvania Hospital -- the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional affiliated inpatient care facilities and services throughout the Philadelphia region include Good Shepherd Penn Partners, a partnership between Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and Penn Medicine, and Princeton House Behavioral Health, a leading provider of highly skilled and compassionate behavioral healthcare. Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2017, Penn Medicine provided more than $500 million to benefit our community. LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 22, 2019) - A new University of Kentucky study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons shows a direct link between the adoption of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion and the impact of colon cancer on Kentuckians. In the study, researchers looked at statistics for screening, incidence and outcomes of colon cancer from the Kentucky Hospital Discharge Database in the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the Kentucky Cancer Registry. Pre-ACA Medicaid expansion (2011-2013) - where approximately 14 percent of Kentuckians were uninsured - was compared to post-ACA Medicaid Expansion (2014-16), where that number dropped to about six percent. Results showed a substantial increase - 230 percent - in the number of Medicaid patients who received colon cancer screening post-expansion compared to Medicaid patients who received screening prior to the expansion. This was particularly prominent in the Appalachian region of the state, where 43 percent more patients received screening post-expansion. For Medicaid patients in Appalachia, data also showed a 9.3 percent increase in early stage diagnosis of colon cancer - when the disease is more easily treated - and a 27 percent decrease in risk of death. Kentucky has one of the highest rates of both colon cancer incidence (1st) and mortality (5th) in the nation. Colon cancer screening is an effective way to reduce these numbers, as screening can actually help prevent the disease by allowing doctors to find and remove pre-cancerous lesions before they become malignant. Kentucky has historically had poor colon cancer screening rates, though the state has seen great improvement in the past two decades due to massive public health efforts. "Colorectal cancer is treatable, and it's also preventable through appropriate screening," said Dr. Avinash Bhakta, colorectal surgeon at the UK Markey Cancer Center and lead author on the study. ""The takeaway here is that screening does matter, and the expansion of Medicaid has increased usage of colon cancer screening for many Kentuckians who otherwise wouldn't have had access." ### People who believe in conspiracy theories - such as the theory that Princess Diana was murdered by the British establishment - are more likely to accept or engage in everyday criminal activity. That's the main finding from new research by psychologists at the universities of Kent and Staffordshire into the wider impact that conspiracy beliefs can have on behaviour. Professor Karen Douglas, of Kent's School of Psychology, was one of a team of four researchers to show that belief in conspiracy theories, previously associated with prejudice, political disengagement and environmental inaction, also makes people more inclined to actively engage in antisocial behaviour. In a first study, the findings indicated that people who believed in conspiracy theories were more accepting of everyday crime, such as trying to claim for replacement items, refunds or compensation from a shop when they were not entitled to do so. In a second study, exposure to conspiracy theories made people more likely to intend to engage in everyday crime in the future. The researchers found that this tendency was directly linked to an individual's feeling of a lack of social cohesion or shared values, known as 'anomie'. Professor Douglas said: 'Our research has shown for the first time the role that conspiracy theories can play in determining an individual's attitude to everyday crime. It demonstrates that people subscribing to the view that others have conspired might be more inclined toward unethical actions.' Dr Dan Jolley, of Staffordshire University, said: 'People believing in conspiracy theories are more likely to be accepting of everyday crime, while exposure to theories increases a feeling of anomie, which in turn predicts increased future everyday crime intentions.' ### The research, entitled Belief in conspiracy theories and intentions to engage in everyday crime (Daniel Jolley and Tanya Schrader, Staffordshire University; Karen Douglas and Ana Leite, University of Kent) is published in the British Journal of Social Psychology. See: https:/ / onlinelibrary. wiley. com/ doi/ abs/ 10. 1111/ bjso. 12311 For more information or interview and picture requests contact Martin Herrema at the University of Kent Press Office. Tel: 01227 816768 Email: M.J.Herrema@kent.ac.uk News releases can also be found at http://www. kent. ac. uk/ news University of Kent on Twitter: http://twitter. com/ UniKent Notes to editors Established in 1965, the University of Kent - the UK's European university - now has almost 20,000 students across campuses or study centres at Canterbury, Medway, Tonbridge, Brussels, Paris, Athens and Rome. It has been ranked 22nd in the Guardian University Guide 2018 and 25th in the Complete University Guide 2018, and in June 2017 was awarded a gold rating, the highest, in the UK Government's Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2015-16, it is in the top 10% of the world's leading universities for international outlook and 66th in its table of the most international universities in the world. The THE also ranked the University as 20th in its 'Table of Tables' 2016. Kent is ranked 17th in the UK for research intensity (REF 2014). It has world-leading research in all subjects and 97% of its research is deemed by the REF to be of international quality. In the National Student Survey 2016, Kent achieved the fourth highest score for overall student satisfaction, out of all publicly funded, multi-faculty universities. Along with the universities of East Anglia and Essex, Kent is a member of the Eastern Arc Research Consortium (http://www. kent. ac. uk/ about/ partnerships/ eastern-arc. html ). The University is worth 0.7 billion to the economy of the south east and supports more than 7,800 jobs in the region. Student off-campus spend contributes 293.3m and 2,532 full-time-equivalent jobs to those totals. Kent has received two Queen's Anniversary prizes for Higher and Further Education. Researchers from the Universities of Helsinki, Turku and Missouri as well as the Family Federation of Finland present the first results from a new, extraordinarily comprehensive population-wide dataset that details the lives of over 160,000 World War II evacuees in terms of integration. The results demonstrate that migrants' integration into a host community involves a trade-off between gaining increased social status and having fewer children. Evacuees from Karelia, a region ceded by Finland to the Soviet Union during World War II, had the unfortunate fate of having to evacuate from their home twice in the space of a few years. Evacuees fled to western Finland at the beginning of the war, but then many of them returned to their homes for 2 - 3 years when the territory was recaptured by Finland, only to have to evacuate again at the end of the war. "This exceptional historical event provides a natural experiment, which allowed us to analyse the likelihood of various social groups returning to their natal communities when offered the opportunity," explains Robert Lynch, the first author of the article from the University of Turku, Finland. The data also allowed a comparison between people who chose to return home with those that did not as they lived side by side in post-war western Finland. Evacuees who returned to their homes after initial evacuation had more children after the war than those evacuees who stayed in western Finland for the entire war. It appears that the stronger bond to their natal community and the social and familial ties that come with it had a positive effect on fertility. However, after their second evacuation they were less likely to integrate and intermarry with people in western Finland, consequently missing out on opportunities to increase their social status. On the other hand, the evacuees who stayed in western Finland for the entire war ended up having fewer children, but they intermarried with the host population in western Finland at a higher rate and thus, were more likely to increase their social status. Like many migrants and refugees today the world over, the evacuees in the study faced choices between keeping strong social bonds with their natal communities and fellow migrants and integrating to form relationships that bridge the differences between groups. The research shows that the choices made had real consequences for the migrants' future fertility and socioeconomic status. "Together, these results have important implications for understanding the migrant experience today and can be useful background knowledge for policy makers desiring to promote social cohesion," says John Loehr, senior author on the article from the University of Helsinki, Finland. More broadly, however, these results can be viewed from a cultural and evolutionary perspective that considers the importance of balancing the human predisposition for tribalism and our need to have distinctive group level identities with the need for social cohesion. In other words, the degree to which people prioritize their own ethnic group, culture, family or region vs the importance they place on building new relationships and bridges with people from different groups and backgrounds impacts their life course, the opportunities they are likely to encounter and how they interact with others. ### Spies can learn what a machine is making from the sounds it makes Lab instruments are important tools throughout research and health care. But what if those instruments are leaking valuable information? When it comes to biosecurity, this could be a very real threat, according to a group of researchers at the University of California, Irvine, and the University of California, Riverside. By simply recording the sounds of a common lab instrument, the team members could reconstruct what a researcher was doing with that instrument. "Any active machine emits a trace of some form: physical residue, electromagnetic radiation, acoustic noise, etc. The amount of information in these traces is immense, and we have only hit the tip of the iceberg in terms of what we can learn and reverse engineer about the machine that generated them," said Philip Brisk, a UC Riverside associate professor of computer science who worked on the project. In a paper presented at the Network and Distributed System Security Symposium, the group showed they could reconstruct what a researcher was doing by recording the sounds of the lab instrument used. That means academic, industrial, and government labs are potentially wide open to espionage that could destabilize research, jeopardize product development, and even put national security at risk. The researchers wondered if it was possible to determine what a DNA synthesizer was producing from the sounds its components made as it went through its manufacturing routine. DNA synthesizers are machines that allow users to build custom DNA molecules from a few basic ingredients. Researchers commonly construct segments of DNA to insert in the genome of other organisms, especially bacteria, to make new organisms. Sometimes these living systems are used to make valuable new pharmaceuticals or other products. Brisk and UC Irvine electrical and computer engineering professor Mohammad Abdullah Al Faruque and his doctoral student Sina Faezi; along with John C. Chaput, a professor of pharmaceutical sciences at UC Irvine; and William Grover, a bioengineering professor at UC Riverside, set microphones similar to those in a smartphone in several spots near a DNA synthesizer in Chaput's lab. All DNA is built from just four bases, adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T), arranged in almost infinite combinations. The specific patterns, or sequences, can be read as a clue to what kind of DNA it is. DNA synthesizers contain components that open and close to release chemicals as they manufacture each of these bases, along with the tubes and chambers through which they flow. These mechanisms make distinctive sounds as they work. After filtering out background noise and running several adjustments to the recorded sound, the researchers found the differences were too subtle for humans to notice. "But through a careful feature engineering and bespoke machine-learning algorithm written in our lab, we were able to pinpoint those differences," Faezi said. The researchers could easily distinguish each time the machine produced A, G, C, or T. When the researchers used software to analyze the AGCT patterns they acquired through the recordings, they identified the correct type of DNA with 86 percent accuracy. By running it through additional well-known DNA sequencing software, they boosted the accuracy to almost 100 percent. Using this method, a knowledgeable observer could tell if the machine was making anthrax, smallpox, or Ebola DNA, for example, or a commercially valuable DNA intended to be a trade secret. The method could help law enforcement prevent bioterrorism, but it could also be used by criminals or terrorists to intercept biological secrets. "A few years ago, we published a study on a similar method for stealing plans of objects being fabricated in 3D printers, but this DNA synthesizer attack is potentially much more serious," Al Faruque said. The researchers recommend that labs using DNA synthesizing machines institute security measures, such as strictly controlling access to the machines and removing innocuous-seeming recording devices left near the machine. They also recommend that machine manufacturers begin designing machine components to reduce the number of sounds they make, either by redesigning or repositioning the components or swaddling them in sound absorbent material. Almost all machines used in biomedical research make some kind of sound, noted Brisk and Grover, and the hack could conceivably be applied to any machine. "The take-home message for bioengineers is that we have to worry about these security issues when we're designing instruments," Grover said. ### In addition to Al Faruque, Brisk, Grover, Chaput, and Faezi, authors include UC Irvine doctoral students Sujit Rokka Chhetri and Arnav Vaibhav Malawad. The paper, Oligo-Snoop: A Non-Invasive Side Channel Attack Against DNA Synthesis Machines, will be presented at the 2019 Network and Distributed Systems Security Symposium, which takes place in San Diego between Feb. 24-27. The research was supported in part by National Science Foundation awards to Brisk and Al Faruque. In multicultural areas like San Francisco, doctors are increasingly looking to Google Translate to provide written instructions their patients can take home, so they stand a better chance of following medical advice. But is Translate trustworthy? Researchers at UC San Francisco say the answer is yes -- with some caveats. After analyzing 100 sets of emergency discharge instructions translated by Google's new machine learning algorithm, which was rolled out in 2017, the researchers concluded it was 92 percent accurate for Spanish and 81 percent accurate for Chinese. The researchers found that only a small minority of the inaccurate translations -- 2 percent in Spanish and 8 percent in Chinese -- had the potential to cause clinically significant harm. These were mostly due to grammar or typographical errors in the original written English instructions, which someone who could read English would have been able to understand correctly. "Google Translate is more accurate than a lot of clinicians believe, and I think it's definitely more useful than not providing anything at all," said Elaine Khoong, MD, MS, a UCSF primary care research fellow and first author of the study, published Feb. 25, 2019, in JAMA Internal Medicine. "We cautiously support its use." The algorithm got into trouble, however, when doctors used colloquial terms, like "skip a meal," a phrase that Google translated into Chinese as "jump over" a meal. A more troubling mistranslation occurred when the doctor told the patient to "hold the kidney medicine," meaning to stop taking it. The algorithm translated that into Spanish as, "keep the medication" and into Chinese as "keep taking" the medication, mistakes that the research team deemed "life threatening." Machine translation errors were also linked to the use of medical jargon, and long, complicated sentences, such as, "Please return to the emergency department for worsening abdominal pain, inability to eat or drink due to vomiting, bloody diarrhea, if you pass out or any other concerning symptom." Google's Chinese translation was, "If you pass, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, unable to eat or drink or any other symptoms; come back to the emergency department for treatment." The researchers deemed this a clinically significant error, although they said it was not life threatening. "It confused the machine because the sentence structure was so complicated," Khoong said. "It's certainly an argument for doctors to check themselves when they are writing instructions. We get used to communicating in these very complicated sentences." The researchers said Google Translate is best used in combination with human interpreters, even if they are not in the room, who can interpret the physician's verbal instructions for the patient, over the phone or via video, while the physician shows the patient the written translation on the computer screen or printout. That way, patients can flag errors or confusing passages as they are listening and reading. The team also recommended that clinicians give their patients the English version of the written instructions, so English-speaking family members or friends can compare them to the machine translation. Khoong said patients would be worse off with no written translation at all. She described a non-English speaking patient with a neck injury, who left the emergency department with a cervical collar but did not understand the need to put it on. The patient later showed up with the collar in one hand, and the English discharge instructions in the other, saying, "I know these are important. Can you tell me what they say?" ### Authors: Elaine Khoong, MD, MS; Eric Steinbrook; Cortlyn Brown, MD; and Alicia Fernandez, MD, all of UCSF. Funding: This study was funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (K24DK102057) and a National Research Service Award (T32HP19025). Disclosures: None. About UCSF: UC San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It includes top-ranked graduate schools of dentistry, medicine, nursing and pharmacy; a graduate division with nationally renowned programs in basic, biomedical, translational and population sciences; and a preeminent biomedical research enterprise. It also includes UCSF Health, which comprises three top-ranked hospitals - UCSF Medical Center and UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland - as well as Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital and Clinics, UCSF Benioff Children's Physicians and the UCSF Faculty Practice. UCSF Health has affiliations with hospitals and health organizations throughout the Bay Area. UCSF faculty also provide all physician care at the public Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, and the SF VA Medical Center. The UCSF Fresno Medical Education Program is a major branch of the University of California, San Francisco's School of Medicine. Please visit http://www. ucsf. edu/ news . Follow UCSF ucsf.edu | Facebook.com/ucsf | YouTube.com/ucsf Researchers observe no difference in neuronal activity after administration of the drug, even at doses that improve monkeys' attention In contrast to studies of mice and rats, new research published in eNeuro investigating the effect of methylphenidate (Ritalin) on neuronal activity in monkeys has found no effect of the drug on the prefrontal cortex. The study leaves open the question of how and why Ritalin improves attention in humans. Julio Martinez-Trujillo and colleagues refute their hypothesis the caudal prefrontal cortex-- a brain region critical for attention -- is Ritalin's main site of action in the brain. To arrive at this conclusion, the researchers recorded large populations of neurons in this brain region as two male macaque monkeys performed a demanding visual attention task. The team did not observe any differences in neuronal activity after administration of the drug compared to a placebo, even at doses that improved the monkeys' performance on the task. These negative results do not rule out other regions of the prefrontal cortex as possible sources of Ritalin's action in the brain. In addition, they highlight the difficulty of translating preclinical research from rodents to nonhuman primates and call for improved collaboration between scientists investigating common questions using different animal models. ### Article: The effects of methylphenidate (Ritalin) on the neurophysiology of the monkey caudal prefrontal cortex DOI: https:/ / www. eneuro. org/ lookup/ doi/ 10. 1523/ ENEURO. 0371-18. 2018 Corresponding author: Julio Martinez-Trujillo (Robarts Research Institute, London, Canada), julio.martinez@robarts.ca About eNeuro eNeuro, the Society for Neuroscience's open-access journal launched in 2014, publishes rigorous neuroscience research with double-blind peer review that masks the identity of both the authors and reviewers, minimizing the potential for implicit biases. eNeuro is distinguished by a broader scope and balanced perspective achieved by publishing negative results, failure to replicate or replication studies. New research, computational neuroscience, theories and methods are also published. About The Society for Neuroscience The Society for Neuroscience is the world's largest organization of scientists and physicians devoted to understanding the brain and nervous system. The nonprofit organization, founded in 1969, now has nearly 37,000 members in more than 90 countries and over 130 chapters worldwide. The Mate X would be able to download a 1GB movie in 3 seconds. The Mate X would be able to download a 1 gigabyte movie in three seconds but also be priced at 2,299 euros ($2,607) when it goes on sale later this year, setting a new upper limit for consumer smartphones. Huawei Technologies unveiled a $2,600 folding smartphone on Sunday which it said was primed for next generation 5G mobile connections, even as the United States campaigns to bar the Chinese company from such networks over security concerns. Huawei, the worlds second-largest smartphone vendor after Samsung, said it had taken the lead on developing phones for 5G - which promise super fast internet speeds for consumers and businesses - because it was also involved in developing the networks. This phone is not only for today for 5G but also for future 5G. On all the benchmarks you can see the performance, the speed is the fastest for 5G in the world, said Richard Yu, head of Huaweis consumer business group. Speaking ahead of the mobile industrys biggest global event, which kicks off on Monday in Barcelona, Yu said the Huawei Mate X will have two back-to-back screens which unfold to become an eight-inch tablet display. Yu said the Mate X would be able to download a 1 gigabyte movie in three seconds but also be priced at 2,299 euros ($2,607) when it goes on sale later this year, setting a new upper limit for consumer smartphones. Samsung Electronics Co Ltd last week unveiled its own folding smartphone, priced at nearly $2,000, in a bid to top the technology of Apple Inc and Chinese rivals and reignite consumer interest amid slumping sales. [USN] Huawei, which is also the worlds biggest producer of telecoms equipment, is under intense scrutiny in the West over US-led allegations of enabling Chinese state espionage, accusations which the company denies. Huaweis chairman said on Sunday recent comments by US President Donald Trump that the US needed to get ahead in mobile communications through competition rather than seeking to block technology was clear and correct. HOUSTON - (Feb. 25, 2019) - At work, it's healthier and more productive just to be yourself, according to a new study from Rice University, Texas A&M University, the University of Memphis, Xavier University, Portland State University and the University of California, Berkeley. The study, "Stigma Expression Outcomes and Boundary Conditions: A Meta-Analysis" will appear in an upcoming edition of the Journal of Business and Psychology. It examines 65 studies focusing on what happens after people in a workplace disclose a stigmatized identity, such as sexual orientation, mental illness, physical disability or pregnancy. Eden King, a co-author of the study and an associate professor of psychology at Rice, said the decision to express a stigmatized identity is highly complicated. "It has the potential for both positive and negative consequences," she said. However, the research overwhelmingly indicates that people with non-visible stigmas (such as sexual orientation or health problems) who live openly at work are happier with their overall lives and more productive in the workplace. King said self-disclosure is typically a positive experience because it allows people to improve connections, form relationships with others and free their minds of unwanted thoughts. Workers who expressed their non-visible stigmas experienced decreased job anxiety, decreased role ambiguity, improved job satisfaction and increased commitment to their position. Outside of work, these workers reported decreased psychological stress and increased satisfaction with their lives. But the study found that the same results did not apply to people with visible traits, such as race, gender and physical disability. "Identities that are immediately observable operate differently than those that are concealable," King said. "The same kinds of difficult decisions about whether or not to disclose the identity -- not to mention the questions of to whom, how, when and where to disclose those identities -- are probably less central to their psychological experiences." King said that because most people appreciate gaining new information about others, the expression of visible stigmas is likely to be less impactful. "Also, people react negatively to those who express or call attention to stigmas that are clearly visible to others, such as race or gender, as this may be seen as a form of advocacy or heightened pride in one's identity," she said. The researchers said more work needs to be done to understand the motivations for expressing different stigmas. They hope this meta-analysis will be used to help workplaces and policymakers protect individuals with stigmas from discrimination. ### The study's lead author was Rice alumnus Isaac Sabat '12, an assistant professor of psychological and brain sciences at Texas A&M University. Co-authors were Alex Lindsey and Kristen Jones of the University of Memphis; Carolyn Winslow of the University of California, Berkeley; Ashley Membere of Xavier University; and Nicholas Smith of Portland State University. For more information, contact Amy McCaig, senior media relations specialist at Rice, at 713-348-6777 or amym@rice.edu. This news release can be found online at http://news. rice. edu/ . Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews. Related materials: Eden King bio: https:/ / psychology. rice. edu/ eden-king Rice Department of Psychological Sciences: https:/ / psychology. rice. edu/ Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,962 undergraduates and 3,027 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 2 for quality of life by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance. To read "What they're saying about Rice," go to http://tinyurl. com/ RiceUniversityoverview . If you do not wish to receive news releases from Rice University, reply to this email and write "unsubscribe" in the subject line. Office of News and Media Relations - MS 300, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, TX 77005 David Ruth 713-348-6327 david@rice.edu Amy McCaig 713-348-6777 amym@rice.edu Suicide rates among Indian farmers remain high, accounting for more than 12,500 deaths in the country in 2015, according to a government report. While many have blamed climate change for farmers' distress, the issue is likely much more complex. After the Indian government liberalized the economy in the 1990s, the agricultural sector went through a plethora of changes; national attention shifted from rural to urban landscapes, new development programs exacerbated inequality, and the government pulled back subsidies on fertilizers, pesticides, water and seeds. Shops stocking a previously controlled market of public agricultural goods were suddenly flooded with new private brands. "Consumer scientists call this 'choice overload.' When you step into a supermarket and there are 70 types of mustard to buy, it becomes a stressful situation and people no longer want to deal with making that decision," said Andrew Flachs, an environmental anthropologist at Purdue University. "When genetically modified seeds were first introduced, there were just three seeds. Now there are more than 1,200 and figuring out which particular seed to buy has become an incredibly difficult and confusing decision." India is the world's second largest producer of cotton. The crop, which plays a dominant role in the country's industrial and agricultural economies, is extremely pesticide intensive. When genetically modified seeds were being debated in the 1990s, Indian cotton accounted for nearly half of the pesticides sprayed in the country, despite being planted on only five percent of the farmland. Genetically modified cottonseeds are now widely available, (which should, in theory, reduce pesticide use), but national yields have largely stagnated and use of pesticide sprays has increased over the last decade. Telangana, a state in southern India, is a major cotton producer where most seeds are sown by small farmers. It's also where the peak of farmer suicides in the 1990s happened, which is one reason many thought introducing genetically modified seeds would be a good idea. To figure out how farmers here decide which seeds to plant, Flachs conducted surveys while living in Indian villages from 2012 to 2018. He talked to members of farming households about their experience with genetically modified cottonseeds and asked how they rationalized their purchasing choices in a seed market that's nearly bursting at the seams. The findings were published in the journal American Anthropologist. Flachs argues that without help and expertise from government agencies, cotton farmers in Telangana rely on scripts: socially learned mental maps that reflect local rules, values and expectations. Since 2008, many farmers in the region have planted one brand of seeds en masse, with some brands being planted by more than half the cotton farmers in the area. Yet the following year, they abandon these seeds in favor of a new brand, justifying their choices in hopes of achieving "manci digubadi," or good yield. As a social scientist, Flachs saw this as a testable question. "The line that came up constantly was, 'I'm doing this to achieve a good yield,'" Flachs said. "That makes sense if you don't think about it too much, but four years in, I had data saying actually this decision has nothing to do with yield." Yields for the six most popular seeds during the study period were all within the normal range of variation for cotton as a whole, even as farmers repeatedly abandoned and adopted new seeds. This suggests that farmers don't have a reliable measure for what constitutes a good yield, or at least that they can't reach their desired potential because of the inherent variability of external factors such as weather, water and pests. What, then, drives these farmers' seed choices? Flachs argues that when they say they're pursuing a good yield, they're actually chasing a piece of India's success story. "Using genetically modified seeds they see in flashy advertisements is their way of performing their modernity. It's something they see people doing in the rich villages," he said. "They're using technology to be as successful as they can so that they can help their families. That's at the core of how people are making these agricultural decisions - it doesn't have to do with yields, or economic payoff, or agronomy - in this particular context, what's making and breaking Indian agriculture and GMOs in the developing world is people reckoning with being good farmers, good parents, good members of the community. It's entirely a social decision." The best thing Indian policy-makers could do to help these farmers, Flachs said, is to slow down or regulate the influx of new seeds each season. There needs to be a way to reduce anxiety and choice-overload associated with agricultural decisions. "But if we understand this as more of an existential question, then this isn't really about seeds at all. We need to improve the quality of life for Indian cotton farmers, whether that means better roads or more reliable irrigation, both of which are huge problems in India," Flachs said. "Cotton agriculture has grown with the introduction of genetically modified seeds, and people have put a lot of money into growing them, which has created a lot of debt. This is a social problem about justice, not just an agricultural problem about crop pests." ### ATHENS, Ohio (Feb. 25, 2019) - The damage done to America's health by the opioid epidemic is well-recognized and enormous, with drug overdose death rates helping to drive down U.S. life expectancy in recent years. Yet as the problem has worsened, American hospitals collectively have seen a loss of programs dealing with substance abuse. That's the finding of a new paper written by faculty in Ohio University's Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and College of Health Sciences and Professions, and published in the journal Health Services Research. Its authors are Cory Cronin, Ph.D., CHSP assistant professor of social and public health; Berkeley Franz, Ph.D., Heritage College assistant professor of social medicine; Daniel Skinner, Ph.D., Heritage College assistant professor of health policy; and Zelalem Haile, Ph.D., M.P.H., Heritage College assistant professor of epidemiology. The study analyzed data for 3,365 acute-care hospitals across the country, from the 2010 and 2015 installments of the American Hospital Association Annual Survey. In the time between the two surveys, it found, these hospitals showed a net loss of in-patient and out-patient opioid-related programs, even as overdose deaths continued to climb. While some hospitals added programs during this period, a greater number discontinued them. In 2010, a total of 334 hospitals surveyed offered in-patient services and 588 offered out-patient services, but by 2015 these numbers had dropped to 327 and 577, respectively. "Hospitals are actually backing away from these services even while we have this discussion of an epidemic and the need for services for that," noted author Cronin. That could spell problems for patients with drug dependency, Franz added. "Hospitals play a critical role in the substance abuse services they provide and also in their ability to connect patients with local treatment and harm reduction services," she said. "We need to better understand how to support hospitals, especially in rural areas, to participate in the local opioid service infrastructure." Why are hospitals shedding opioid programs? The paper reviews some of the more important factors that may influence a decision on whether to add, drop or continue such programs. Factors that make a hospital more likely to offer them include having more beds (larger size); being nonprofit or having a religious affiliation; being in a county with higher household income; and being in a county designated Appalachian. Hospitals are less likely to provide such substance-abuse services when their home county contains a psychiatric facility. Hospital size, the study says, may affect a hospital's perception of its ability to afford an opioid program, while the effect of county income levels could reflect that "hospitals are more likely to offer these services if they are more confident in their patients' ability to pay." Nonprofit public ownership and/or religious affiliation, the study says, may make hospitals "more likely to consider themselves safety net providers," and thus more willing to address the opioid crisis. "It is also likely that they are simply better situated to carry out the kind of collaborative team-based work that this treatment requires," it adds. That having a psychiatric facility in its county makes a hospital less likely to offer opioid services, the study argues, may indicate that "if other local entities exist, hospitals may not see offering substance abuse disorder services as their responsibility beyond stabilizing acutely ill patients in the emergency room." And the fact that Appalachian counties are less likely to have such psychiatric facilities may account for hospitals in those counties being more apt to offer drug programs. The paper calls for more research on how delivery models and payment incentives might encourage more hospitals to proactively address the opioid crisis and partner with other community-based organizations. It notes that federal law already requires nonprofit hospitals to develop programming to address needs identified through Community Health Needs Assessments, but that associated regulations are vague and often lack oversight. Reforming this process to provide more guidance and enforcement could encourage more hospital opioid programming, it suggests. ### Just as a journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step, the deformations and fractures that cause catastrophic failure in materials begin with a few molecules torn out of place. This in turn leads to a cascade of damage at increasingly larger scales, culminating in total mechanical breakdown. That process is of urgent interest to researchers studying how to build high-strength composite materials for critical components ranging from airplane wings and wind-turbine blades to artificial knee joints. Now scientists from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and their colleagues have devised a way to observe the effects of strain at the single-molecule level by measuring how an applied force changes the three-dimensional alignment of molecules in the material. The technique uses single-molecule, super-resolution optical microscopy, which can resolve objects in the range of 20 nanometers (billionths of a meter)--about one-tenth the size of what can be seen at the sharpest focus with a conventional optical microscope. The new method examines a polymer doped with fluorescent molecules that emit light of one wavelength when they are illuminated with light of another wavelength. An image of the emitted light reveals not only a molecule's location, but also its orientation horizontally and vertically. The super-resolution microscope, development of which won the 2014 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, has been widely employed for biomedical applications. "But we started wondering what you could do with it in the materials area," said NIST scientist J. Alexander Liddle. "That is, how can we see what is happening at the molecular level at the very earliest stages of deformation or damage? If those mechanisms can be understood, researchers may be able to design better composite materials that can inhibit failure." Composite materials are used throughout industry to increase strength and decrease weight. For example, half the material by weight in a Boeing 787 airframe is carbon fiber-reinforced plastic and other composites. For many such materials, it is difficult to see the early onset of damage because there are no visible markers to track its effects. To provide those markers in their experiment, the researchers used a very thin film of a polymer found in Lucite and Plexiglas that had been doped with thousands of fluorescent molecules. Initially, the polymer was unstressed, and the embedded fluorescent molecules were in completely random orientations in three dimensions. Then the scientists applied force to the polymer, deforming it in a controlled specific direction. As the polymer was strained, the embedded fluorescent molecules were carried along with the deformation, losing their random orientation and lining up with the path of the damage. That path was made visible by observing the pattern of emitted light from the embedded fluorescent molecules, which acted like a series of little flashlights pointing the way. Prior to the experiment, the scientists used a mathematical model that predicted how light would look when emitted by molecules in different 3D alignments. When they illuminated the fluorescent molecules and made images of the emitted light, the results matched the model. After about 10,000 cycles of illumination, a telltale pattern emerged showing the extent of deformation. "It's sort of like a pointillist painting, where individual dots build up to form a shape," Liddle said. In addition to the technique's clear relevance to the design of essential composite materials, there might also be applications in medicine. "Let's say you have a new bioimplant--for example, a knee replacement," said Mitchell Wang, now at Northwestern University, who worked on the experiment while at NIST. "To make it biocompatible, it will likely be made of soft polymers, but you also want the device to have excellent mechanical properties. You want it to operate easily while also being stiff and tough. This technique could help inform design so the materials used have excellent mechanical strength." There are many avenues for future research. "This technique was a post-mortem study, in that we could view the damage in a material after it already happened," Wang said. "The next step might be to learn how to perform this work in real time, to watch not only where the damage is happening, but when." Liddle's team is also developing an improved imaging technique. It involves making two simultaneous image sets--one on each side of the doped polymer. On one side, imaging is produced by the method described above. On the other, a separate lens gathers fluorescent light from the material and divides it into four different polarizations in individual channels. Because the polarization of the emitted light is affected by the orientation of the fluorescent molecules, "if you measure the ratios of the intensity in each channel, you can figure out which direction the molecule is pointing," Liddle said. "That would give us an independent measure of orientation." In addition, the scientists hope to improve resolution by a factor of about five--allowing them to image areas as small as a few nanometers. This could be accomplished by increasing the brightness of the fluorescent molecules, perhaps by reducing their exposure to oxygen, which shuts off fluorescence. Meanwhile, Liddle said, "it still amazes me that I can look at this little bright spot in a microscope and know within five or ten nanometers where it is and also know, within a few degrees, in which direction it's pointing." ### In addition to NIST scientists, researchers at the University of Maryland NanoCenter contributed to the experiment and journal article. Paper: M. Wang, J.M Marr, M. Davanco, J.W. Gilman and J.A. Liddle. Nanoscale deformation in polymers revealed by single-molecule super-resolution location - orientation microscopy. Materials Horizons. Published online January 30, 2019. DOI: 10.1039/c8mh01187g ROCKVILLE, MD - The National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) last Thursday, February 21st, launched the Salisbury Award for Entrepreneurial Translational Research, inaugurating the program in San Diego in cooperation with renowned biomedical research institute Scripps Research and its drug discovery division Calibr. Eduardo Laborda, Ph.D., associate director of immuno-oncology at Calibr, was selected as its winner and Luke Lairson, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry at Scripps Research, was recognized as runner-up. The Salisbury Award is granted to faculty or non-faculty investigators within world-class institutions with an early-stage cancer therapeutic, diagnostic or vaccine project deemed to comprise the best combination of novel, feasible, impactful and patentable technology with a clear clinical trial pathway from among a group of candidates. Presenters are evaluated by a panel of well-known professionals in the cancer research community--academic, business, clinical and otherwise. The first Salisbury Award competition featured a group of Scripps projects which were pitched by participants vying for the winner and runner-up titles, along with respective $3,000 and $1,500 honorariums. Dr. Laborda's project comprises a switchable next-generation CAR-T cell therapy which is potentially applicable to various cancers--including solid tumors--while also addressing cytokine release syndrome, a dangerous side-effect common to first generation technologies. Dr. Lairson's project represents a unique chemical genetics-based approach for the identification of new cancer-relevant mechanisms and lead candidates for drug development programs, including one for glioblastoma and one for sarcomas. "We were delighted to host NFCR's inaugural Salisbury Award presentations at Scripps" said Matt Tremblay, Ph.D., chief operating officer of Scripps Research and Calibr. "With an increased focus on translational research at Scripps, it was a great opportunity for all of the participants to learn more about NFCR's mission and explore opportunities for collaboration and research support." The awardees, along with those selected at future Salisbury Award for Entrepreneurial Translational Research competitions, will be introduced to NFCR fellows, scientific advisory board members and other affiliates most pertinent to their research, and they will also have the opportunity to participate in NFCR's biennial research symposia. In addition, they can in the future compete for multiyear Recoverable Translational Research Grants, nine of which have been awarded by NFCR over the past two years. Since its establishment in 1973, NFCR has been dedicated to providing funding and facilitation of basic cancer research. The organization supports exploratory, "blue sky" research that has long set it apart from other more traditional sources of funding. Though retaining its commitment to basic cancer research, NFCR now too proactively supports the segue phase between it and applied cancer research. This translational research space, often vastly under-resourced, is the range along the continuum of a drug or other product's lifespan where cancer findings are validated and viable candidates are put on the path toward human clinical trials and patient use. Designed to catalyze promising laboratory cancer research, the Salisbury Award for Entrepreneurial Translational Research is named in honor of the Bethesda, Maryland-based family whose three members--Franklin, Sr., Tamara and Franklin, Jr.--galvanized NFCR into a significant force for cancer research worldwide. Franklin Salisbury, Sr., co-founded NFCR along with Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, M.D., Ph.D., and served as its chief executive officer until his death in 1997. Tamara Salisbury, who passed away in 2013, served as chief operating officer until her retirement in 2003. Franklin Salisbury, Jr., retired as CEO earlier this month after 22 years in the role and now serves in an emeritus capacity. "Members of generations of cancer scientists owe a debt of gratitude to these three individuals for their steady guidance of the National Foundation for Cancer Research, despite major changes to the U.S. disease research funding landscape over nearly a half-century," stated Webster Cavenee, Ph.D., chairman of NFCR's scientific advisory board. "As someone both whose work has been funded by the organization and now who advises its science programming, I know firsthand the enormity of the contributions which the family has made." ### About the National Foundation for Cancer Research The National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides scientists in the lab the funding they need to make and apply game-changing discoveries in cancer treatments, detection, prevention and, ultimately, a cure. It has distinguished itself in the cancer sector by emphasizing long-term, transformative research often overlooked by other major funding sources. With the help of more than 5.3 million individual donors over the last 46 years, NFCR has delivered more than $380 million in funding to public education and cancer research leading to several important, life-saving discoveries. For more information, visit https:/ / www. nfcr. org . About Scripps Research Hamilton, ON (Feb. 25, 2019) - You may think you have an allergy to penicillin, but you probably don't. Nine out of 10 people who believe they're allergic to the antibiotic either aren't allergic or have only some intolerance, and eight of 10 people who had an allergic reaction to penicillin 10 or more years ago will now be fine. Two McMaster University physicians have five facts about penicillin allergy published today in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ). Derek Chu is a fellow in clinical immunology and allergy and David McCullagh is a fellow in infectious disease in the Department of Medicine. They say the five things to know about a penicillin allergy are: Penicillin allergy is commonly reported, but nine times out of 10, a patient can tolerate penicillin. About 10 per cent of people report a penicillin allergy, but 90 per cent to 95 per cent are not truly allergic. Reasons for this include mislabelling intolerances as allergies and waning of the allergy over time. About 10 per cent of people report a penicillin allergy, but 90 per cent to 95 per cent are not truly allergic. Reasons for this include mislabelling intolerances as allergies and waning of the allergy over time. Penicillin allergy is lost over time, with 50 per cent of people over five years, and 80 per cent over 10 years losing their allergy. Those who had reactions more than 10 years ago are unlikely to still be allergic and should be tested before given penicillin. If there is an strong indication for antibiotics, an allergist physician should be consulted about therapy. Those who had reactions more than 10 years ago are unlikely to still be allergic and should be tested before given penicillin. If there is an strong indication for antibiotics, an allergist physician should be consulted about therapy. A penicillin allergy label is bad for patients and the health-care system. People labelled with penicillin allergy are offered more costly and less effective second-line and broad-spectrum antibiotics which have a significantly increased risk of infections such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile (C. diff). People labelled with penicillin allergy are offered more costly and less effective second-line and broad-spectrum antibiotics which have a significantly increased risk of infections such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile (C. diff). Patients who suspect penicillin allergy can be identified to determine if they should be seen by a specialist. A side effect of penicillin such as nausea should not be noted as an allergy. As well, people without a personal history of a penicillin allergy or who have tolerated penicillin in the past, do not need to avoid penicillin. Severe allergic drug reactions causing hospitalization due to widespread skin blistering, organ failure, and/or joint swelling are rare and these patients should strictly avoid penicillin until specialist evaluation. True immediate allergic reactions cause rapid-onset hives, lip and face swelling, and anaphylaxis. Patients with these kinds of reactions, or who are unsure if this type occurred or not, should be evaluated by an allergy specialist. A side effect of penicillin such as nausea should not be noted as an allergy. As well, people without a personal history of a penicillin allergy or who have tolerated penicillin in the past, do not need to avoid penicillin. Severe allergic drug reactions causing hospitalization due to widespread skin blistering, organ failure, and/or joint swelling are rare and these patients should strictly avoid penicillin until specialist evaluation. True immediate allergic reactions cause rapid-onset hives, lip and face swelling, and anaphylaxis. Patients with these kinds of reactions, or who are unsure if this type occurred or not, should be evaluated by an allergy specialist. Allergy referral and testing is underused, but is safe, accurate, fast and cost-effective. Allergy testing over one to two hours using a combination of skin and challenge testing by trained personnel has been shown to be safe and effective for children and adults close to 100 per cent of the time. Patients with a possible penicillin allergy should talk to their doctor about whether or not they need penicillin allergy testing. ### Read the article here: http://www. cmaj. ca/ content/ 191/ 8/ E231 A CMAJ podcast of an interview with the author may be found here: https:/ / soundcloud. com/ cmajpodcasts/ 181117-five Photo attached Photo caption: Doctors Derek Chu, left, and David McCullagh of McMaster University. Photo by Tina Depko/McMaster University For more information, please contact: Veronica McGuire Media Relations Faculty of Health Sciences location: HSC-2E46 phone: 905-525-9140 x 22169 email: vmcguir@mcmaster.ca An international research team led by investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the University of Exeter Medical School has identified 57 gene regions associated with symptoms of insomnia. Their report, which also indicates a causal link between insomnia and coronary artery disease, is receiving advance online publication in Nature Genetics. "Our findings confirm a role for genetics in insomnia symptoms and expand upon the four previously found gene loci for this condition," says Jacqueline M. Lane, PhD, of the Center for Genomic Medicine) and the MGH Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine), lead author of the paper. "All of these identified regions help us understand why some people get insomnia, which pathways and systems are affected, and point to possible new therapeutic targets." Insomnia affects around 10 to 20 percent of the population, and twin and family studies have suggested that about a third of the risk of insomnia is inherited. While evidence has suggested that insomnia increases the risk of anxiety disorders, alcohol use disorder, major depression and cardiometabolic disease, little has been known about the mechanisms involved. A 2017 Nature Genetics study led by Lane and Richa Saxena, PhD, MGH Anesthesia and Center for Genomic Medicine, who is senior author of the current report, identified three gene sites associated with self-reported insomnia symptoms among more than 112,500 participants in the UK Biobank study. For the current study the team analyzed data from more than 450,000 UK Biobank participants, 29 percent of whom reported frequent insomnia symptoms. The analysis associated 57 gene sites with self-reported insomnia, associations that were not affected by known risk factors such as lifestyle, caffeine consumption, depression or recent stress. The genomic regions identified include genes involved in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis - a process by which proteins are tagged for destruction - and those expressed in several brain regions, skeletal muscles and the adrenal gland. While some of these genes imply connections between insomnia symptoms, restless leg syndrome and coronary artery disease, the identified regions did not include neurotransmission genes known to be involved in sleep regulation. To test whether the UK Biobank results generalize to other populations, the researchers analyzed data from the HUNT study - an epidemiologic study based in Norway - and from the Boston-based Partners Biobank. The comparisons of 15,000 HUNT study participants who reported insomnia symptoms with more than 47,600 controls and of 2,200 Partners Biobank participants with clinical diagnoses of insomnia with 14,240 controls confirmed the UK Biobank findings. Data from a subset of almost 85,000 UK Biobank participants who had worn motion-detecting devices called accelerometers for up to seven days suggested that the insomnia-associated gene regions lowered sleep efficiency - a measure of the quality of sleep - and the duration of sleep and increased day-to-day variations in sleep duration. Shared genetic factors associated with insomnia and restless leg syndrome support previous work from the MGH team and suggest that undiagnosed restless leg syndrome may underlie insomnia for some patients. An analysis technique called Mendelian randomization, which can reveal whether one of two traits present in individuals may cause the other, indicated that increased insomnia symptoms were causative of coronary artery disease - almost doubling the risk - symptoms of depression and a reduced sense of well-being. Co-lead author Samuel Jones, PhD, of the University of Exeter, says, "Insomnia has a really significant impact on millions of people worldwide. We've long known there's a link between insomnia and chronic disease. Now our findings suggest that depression and heart disease are actually a result of persistent insomnia." MGH investigator Lane adds, "All of these identified regions are possible new therapeutic targets for insomnia, and 16 of these regions contain known drug targets. As well, the new causal relationships indicate the potential usefulness of insomnia therapeutics as possible treatments for coronary artery disease and depression." Co-senior author Michael Weedon, PhD, University of Exeter, adds, "There are problems with current treatments for insomnia - including issues with accessibility, addiction and side effects. We hope that understanding more about the underlying processes involved in insomnia will pave the way for better and more personalized treatments, which in turn could reduce the number of people suffering from insomnia and improve the long-term health of those that do." An associate professor of Anesthesia at Harvard Medical School, senior author Saxena says, "Next comes the hard work of figuring out how we get from genetic changes to insomnia. This requires studies in human cells, mice, fruit flies, zebrafish and other model organisms. In addition, detailed studies that more precisely define the causal links of insomnia to clinical outcomes are imperative. None of this work is possible without large collaborative studies across multiple institutes and countries. The UK Biobank is a transformative study in scope and scale, and we need more studies like it, particularly in groups that are underrepresented in genetic studies." ### Support for the study includes National Institutes of Health grants R01 DK107859, R21 HL121728, F32 DK102323, R01 HL113338, R01 DK102696, R35 HL135818, R01 DK105072, T32 HL007567, and K01HL136884; U.K. Medical Research Council grant MR/M005070/1; and Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Award WT097835MF. The University of Exeter Medical School is improving the health of the South West and beyond, through the development of high-quality graduates and world-leading research that has international impact. As part of a Russell Group university, we combine this world-class research with very high levels of student satisfaction. Part of the University of Exeter's College for Medicine and Health, the University of Exeter Medical School's Medicine programme is ranked 5th in the Guardian Guide 2018, while Medical Imaging is ranked 2nd, in the Complete University Guide 2018, under Radiography. Exeter has over 19,000 students and is ranked 12th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018. In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), the University ranked 16th nationally, with 98 percent of its research rated as being of international quality. Exeter's Clinical Medicine research was ranked 3rd in the country, based on research outputs that were rated world-leading. Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care research also ranked in the top ten, in joint 9th for research outputs rated world-leading or internationally excellent. Massachusetts General Hospital, founded in 1811, is the original and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. The MGH Research Institute conducts the largest hospital-based research program in the nation, with an annual research budget of more than $925 million and major research centers in HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular research, cancer, computational and integrative biology, cutaneous biology, genomic medicine, medical imaging, neurodegenerative disorders, regenerative medicine, reproductive biology, systems biology, photomedicine and transplantation biology. The MGH topped the 2015 Nature Index list of health care organizations publishing in leading scientific journals and earned the prestigious 2015 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service. In August 2018 the MGH was once again named to the Honor Roll in the U.S. News & World Report list of "America's Best Hospitals." First study of the extent of global peatland and carbon storage over the last 130,000 years fills in key knowledge gap, affirms peatlands' effectiveness as a long-term carbon storage mechanism over a long timescale, could slow damage from climate change An international group of scientists dug deep into the past to understand how peatlands, a type of wetland formed by incompletely decomposed organic matter and water, might respond to climate changes in the future. Peatlands, found in northern and tropical climates, are considered a "carbon sink" because they absorb carbon from the atmosphere causing less carbon to be released. Carbon dioxide, created by burning fossil fuels, is understood to be a cause of Earth's warming climate. Peatlands, according to Zicheng Yu, a professor in Lehigh University's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, only comprise about 3% of the Earth's land area, but contain about one-third of the global soil carbon and thus have an outsized impact on the global carbon cycle -- and an important role to play in global climate change. It has been known that during the Holocene (11,700 years ago to the present) northern peatlands accumulated significant carbon stocks over several thousand years. However, almost nothing has been known about peatlands that existed before that time. Now, an international team of scientists, led by Claire C. Treat of the University of Eastern Finland and Thomas Kleinen of the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology in Germany, has become the first to conduct a study of global peatland extent and carbon stocks through the last interglacial-glacial cycle?130,000 years ago to the present--filling this key knowledge gap. Using a newly compiled database of 1,063 stratigraphic records of peat deposits buried by mineral sediments, as well as a global peatland model, the team discovered that northern peatland expanded across high latitudes during warm periods and were buried during periods of cooling, or glacial advance. According to the article describing the research, "Widespread global peatland establishment and persistence over the last 130,000 y," published online today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS): "These results show that northern peatlands accumulate significant C stocks during warmer times, indicating their potential for C sequestration during the warming Anthropocene." "These new results show the importance of peatlands to the global carbon cycle during and before the Holocene," said Yu, who is a co-author on the study along with two of his current Ph.D. students, Jon Stelling and Zhengyu Xia, a former Ph.D. student and postdoc, Julie Loisel, and a former postdoc, Miriam Jones. Yu was a founding chair of the international working group called Past Global Changes Carbon in Peat on Earth through Time (PAGES C-PEAT), under which the project and manuscript were developed. "It has been assumed that the loss of peatlands meant increased decomposition and release of peatland carbon to the atmosphere, but these data demonstrate otherwise," said Yu. "Our study revealed that, with burial by mineral sediments, carbon in peatlands can be incorporated into long-term carbon storage in sediment." In the conclusion of the article, the authors write: "These observations of buried peats demonstrate that peatlands have been an important C stock since the last interglacial...In particular, actively forming northern peatlands both accumulated C and emitted CH4 during warm periods. During colder periods of glacial advance, the burial of significant northern peat C stocks by mineral sediments and formation of permafrost would have all but stopped decomposition and CH4 emissions..., resulting in the long-term burial of peatland C. The widespread distribution of buried peats and the large mag- nitude of the change in peatland C stock throughout the last glacial cycle suggests that peat formation during warmer times and burial during colder periods has a significant impact on the global carbon cycle that has not been previously quantified." ### The work represented by Lehigh team in this study has been supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The physicists from ITMO University, Ioffe Institute and the Australian National University examined a new mechanism of realization of high-quality optical resonators. It is based on the mutual destructive interference of two low-quality optical states in one resonator allowing for secure "trapping" of light in various materials even at small scales. The theoretical results of the work were confirmed experimentally, laying the basis for new miniature devices: effective sensors, optical filters and nonlinear light sources. The research paper is published in SPIE Advanced Photonics. In general, Fano resonances arise due to the interaction of two waves with a certain relation between the amplitudes and phases, for example, during the electromagnetic radiation scattering. This process is actively investigated and widely used to create resonators: devices that amplify the electromagnetic signal. The main parameters of Fano resonances, determining the peak width and asymmetry, were usually considered as independent. Therefore, they were tuned separately so as to achieve the maximum quality factor (Q factor): feature, showing how well the resonator traps and enhances the radiation. However, the scientists from ITMO University showed that the resonance parameters are connected: when the resonance peak in the spectrum of the scattered radiation becomes symmetric, its width becomes minimal, leading to the maximum Q factor. This happens when t the resonator geometry changes and cause an unusual interaction of several states or modes. Physicists linked this phenomenon with the recently proposed class of resonators, which work on a subwavelength scale for a wide class of materials. "Usually, to create a high-quality resonance, one need to trap the light somewhere using good mirrors or an environment with a high refraction index, from which the light will not exit easily. But we found a new mechanism for light trapping and described it in our earlier papers. It is based on two low quality modes, each trapping the light weakly, which together can form a new state with a very high Q factor. Two minuses make an plus. In this work we conducted experiments to prove it and developed a deeper theoretical understanding," explains Kirill Koshelev. As a result, scientists for the first time showed experimentally that such unusual interaction of resonances is possible. The experiment was done in microwaves with using a cylindrical vessel. The vessel was being filled with water drop by drop, so that the pillar height was constantly changing. At the same time, using a special sensor, researchers measured the resonances quality factor and frequency. "The work began with a theory: Kirill Koshelev proved that high quality factor is always accompanied by a symmetrical form of resonance. These results were confirmed in the experiment by Polina Kapitanova and Mikhail Rybin. Now we are working on the practical application of these resonators. Recently, we proposed a nonlinear frequency converter of light based on high-quality disk resonators. Now we continue to experiment on other materials. In addition, our results are used to create sensitive compact sensors. Alexey Slobozhanyuk is currently working on them," adds Andrey Bogdanov. ### Reference: Bound states in the continuum and Fano resonances in the strong mode coupling regime Andrey A. Bogdanov et al. SPIE Advanced Photonics, 28 January 2019 The type of stars we refer to, which cannot be seen by the naked eye, officially up to now the objects which have suffered the greatest loss of mass. But the spiral structures detected by an international team show that this is not the case. Towards the end of their lives some 95% of stars evolve into red giants which lose their mass via a "stellar wind". Eventually they end up as planetary nebulae, ionized gas with a central hot star, a white dwarf. Researchers form 14 European scientific institutions, among them the IAC, have detected the existence of a binary interaction which had not been noticed by the scientific community. This new research offers an alternative explanation to the high rates of mass loss which it was thought were present towards the end of the lives of the most massive giant stars. The study, which is published today in the journal Nature Astronomy, show that these stars lose mass at a much slower rate than previously thought. The stellar wind is not stronger than usual, but it is affected by a companion star which had not been noticed until now, a second star orbiting around the red giant. The fact that this process is slower than expected has a major impact on our understanding of how stars end their lives. As a consequence of this discovery we find that the most massive giant star need a longer time to expel their chemically rich interiors into their environment, which affects the enrichment of the interstellar medium, and therefore the chemical evolution of galaxies. The only observatory which could provide detailed information about the disconcerting superwind in the last phase of the lives of the most massive stars is ALMA (Atacama Large Millimetre/Submillimetre Array), in the Atacama desert (Chile)."The data show a spiral structure which show that these stars are not individual have a binary companion" explains Anibal Garcia Hernandez, a researcher at the IAC and at the ULL, a co-author of the article. He adds "The interaction with its companion gives rise to a rather complex morphology, in the form of an incomplete spiral. Previous data lacked the spatial resolution and the sensitivity given by ALMA and did not allow astronomers to find the characteristics associated with a binary star" The interpretation of the ALMA observations has shown in a convincing way that the last evolutionary phase of these old stars is not characterized by a short-lived "extreme superwind" but rather by a "normal wind" which lasts much longer. In other words "old stars take longer to die" or as a slogan "old stars live longer". Now the scientific community will see if the existence of a binary companion could explain the behaviour of other particular red giants. "We thought that many stars lived alone, but we will probably have to change our ideas" explains Leen Decin, the first author on the article, who is a Professor at the Catholic University of Louvain. She concludes "It is probable that a star with a binary companion is more common than we had thought". ### Scientific article: L. Decin, W. Homan, T. Danilovich, A. de Koter, D. Engels, L. B. F. M. Waters, S. Muller, C. Gielen, D. A. Garcia-Hernandez, R. J. Stancliffe, M. Van de Sande, G. Molenberghs, F. Kerschbaum, A. A. Zijlstra and I. El Mellah. 'Reduction of the maximum mass-loss rate of OH/IR stars due to unnoticed binary interaction', Nature Astronomy. DOI: 10.1038/s41550-019-0703-5 The CBI has further alleged that he arranged their tickets to Pakistan to receive training in handling arms, ammunitions and explosives. Mumbai: A special TADA court on Monday framed charges against deported accused Farooque Takla an aide of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and Ahmed alias Ahmed Lamboo alias Khalid Kamal Shaikh in 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blast case. With framing of charges on these two accused the third leg of the trial in the 1993 serial Bombay blast is likely to begin in due course. In the first trial, more than 100 persons where held guilty and later in the second phase of the trial against another set of seven accused, the court convicted six accused including gangster Abu Salem, Mustafa Dossa and Tahir Merchant and acquitted Abdul Kayuum of all the charges. However, Dossa died of cardiac arrest in jail before pronouncement of quantum of punishment. The special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) court judge S.V. Yarlagadda framed charges of criminal conspiracy of the serial 1993 bomb blasts among other relevant sections of TADA, Arms Act, Explosives Act and Explosive Substance Act. Major charges against Shaikh is that he received four accused involved in the blasts at Dubai airport in January 1993 and made arrangements for their stay and also financed them to meet their expenses there. The CBI has further alleged that he arranged their tickets to Pakistan to receive training in handling arms, ammunitions and explosives. On the other hand, Shaikh has been charged with attending a conspiracy meeting with other convicted and absconding accused at underworld don Dawood Ibrahims residence known as White House in Dubai. According to CBI, plans were chalked out in this meeting for committing terrorist act in Mumbai. He is also charged for allegedly visiting Pakistan along with absconding accused and receiving training in handling arms, ammunitions, throwing of grenades and making bombs etc. The dastardly attacks had left 257 people dead, 713 seriously injured and destroyed properties worth Rs 27 crore. In recent years, electronic data processing has been evolving in one direction only: The industry has downsized its components to the nanometer range. But this process is now reaching its physical limits. Researchers at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) are therefore exploring spin waves or so-called magnons - a promising alternative for transporting information in more compact microchips. Cooperating with international partners, they have successfully generated and controlled extremely short-wavelength spin waves. The physicists achieved this feat by harnessing a natural magnetic phenomenon, as they explain in the journal Nature Nanotechnology (DOI: 10.1038/s41565-019-0383-4). For a long time, there has been one reliable rule of thumb in the world of information technology: The number of transistors on a microprocessor doubles approximately every two years. The resulting performance boost brought us the digital opportunities we now take for granted, from high speed internet to the smartphone. But as the conductors on the chip get ever more minute, we are starting to face problems, as Dr. Sebastian Wintz from HZDR's Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research explains: "The electrons that flow through our modern microprocessors heat up the chip due to electrical resistance. Beyond a certain point, the chips simply fail because the heat can no longer escape." This also prevents a further increase in the speed of the components. This is why the physicist, who is also currently working at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland, envisions a different future for information carriers. Instead of electrical currents, Wintz and his colleagues are capitalizing on a specific property of electrons called 'spin'. The tiny particles behave as if they were constantly rotating around their own axis, thus creating a magnetic moment. In certain magnetic materials, like iron or nickel, the spins are typically parallel to each other. If the orientation of these spins is changed in one place, that disruption travels to the neighboring particles, triggering a spin wave which can be used to encode and distribute information. "In this scenario, the electrons remain where they are," says Wintz, describing their advantage. "They hardly generate any heat, which means that spin-based components might require far less energy." How can we control the wave? So far, however, there have been two fundamental challenges complicating the use of spin waves: The wavelengths that can be generated are not short enough for the nanometer-sized structures on the chips, and there is no way of controlling the waves. Sebastian Wintz and his co-workers have now been able to find solutions to both problems. "Unlike the artificially made antennas that are commonly employed to excite the waves, we now use one that is naturally formed inside the material," the first author of the study Dr. Volker Sluka explains. "To this end, we fabricated micro-elements comprising two ferromagnetic disks that are coupled antiferromagnetically via a Ruthenium spacer. Furthermore, we chose the material of the disks so that the spins prefer to align along a particular axis in space, which results in the desired magnetic pattern." Within the two layers, this creates areas of different magnetization, separated by what is called a domain wall. The scientists then exposed the layers to magnetic fields alternating with a frequency of one gigahertz or higher. Using an X-ray microscope from the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems Stuttgart, which is operated at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, they were able to observe that spin waves with parallel wave fronts travel along the direction perpendicular to the domain wall. "In previous experiments, the ripples of the wave looked like the ones you get when a pebble hits a water surface," Sluka reports. "This is not optimal, because the oscillation decays quickly as the wave spreads in all directions. To stay in the same analogy, the waves now look as if they were produced by a long rod moving back and forth in the water." As the X-ray images have shown, these spin waves can travel several micrometers at wavelengths of only about 100 nanometers, without any significant loss of signal - a necessary prerequisite for using them in modern information technology. Moreover, the physicists have discovered a possible way to control this new information carrier when they set the stimulation frequency below half a gigahertz. The spin waves thus remained trapped in the domain wall: "In this scenario, the waves were even able to run in a curve," says Volker Sluka, adding: "Nevertheless we were still able to detect the signals." With their results, the researchers have laid important foundations for the further development of spin wave-based circuits. In the long run, this might facilitate a completely novel design of microprocessors, Sebastian Wintz predicts: "Using magnetic fields, we can move domain walls relatively easily. That means that chips that work with spin waves don't necessarily need a predefined architecture, but they can later be changed and adapted to fulfill new tasks." ### Publication: V. Sluka, T. Schneider, R.A. Gallardo, A. Kakay, M. Weigand, T. Warnatz, R. Mattheis, A.Roldan-Molina, P. Landeros, V. Tiberkevich, A. Slavin, G. Schutz, A. Erbe, A. Deac, J. Lindner, J. Raabe, J. Fassbender, S. Wintz: Emission and propagation of 1D and 2D spin-waves with nanoscale wavelengths in anisotropic spin textures, in Nature Nanotechnology, 2019 (DOI: 10.1038/s41565-019-0383-4) For more information contact: Dr. Sebastian Wintz Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research at the HZDR / Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland Phone: + 49 351 260-3221. Email: s.wintz@hzdr.de Dr. Volker Sluka Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research at the HZDR Email: v.sluka@hzdr.de Media contact: Simon Schmitt | Science editor Phone: +49 351 260-3400 | Mobile: +49 175 874 2865 | Mail: s.schmitt@hzdr.de Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf | Bautzner Landstr. 400 | 01328 Dresden / Germany | http://www. hzdr. de The Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) performs - as an independent German research center - research in the fields of energy, health, and matter. We focus on answering the following questions: How can energy and resources be utilized in an efficient, safe, and sustainable way? How can malignant tumors be more precisely visualized, characterized, and more effectively treated? How do matter and materials behave under the influence of strong fields and in smallest dimensions? To help answer these research questions, HZDR operates large-scale facilities, which are also used by visiting researchers: the Ion Beam Center, the High-Magnetic Field Laboratory Dresden, and the ELBE Center for High-Power Radiation Sources. HZDR is a member of the Helmholtz Association and has five sites (Dresden, Freiberg, Grenoble, Leipzig, Schenefeld near Hamburg) with almost 1,200 members of staff, of whom about 500 are scientists, including 150 Ph.D. candidates. A land of giants. This is the best definition for Lake Pebas, a mega-wetland that existed in western Amazonia during the Miocene Epoch, which lasted from 23 million to 5.3 million years ago. The Pebas Formation was the home of the largest caiman and gavialoid crocodilian ever identified, both of which were over ten meters in length, the largest turtle, whose carapace had a diameter of 3.5 meters, and rodents that were as large as present-day buffaloes. Remains of the ancient biome are scattered over an area of more than 1 million square meters in what is now Bolivia, Acre State and western Amazonas State in Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela. The oldest datings in this biome are for fossils found in Venezuela and show that Lake Pebas existed 18 million years ago. Until recently, scientists believed that the mega-swamp dried up more than 10 million years ago, before the Amazon River reversed course. During most of the Miocene, this river flowed from east to west, opposite to its present direction. The giant animals disappeared when the waters of Pebas receded. While investigating sediments associated with vertebrate fossils from two paleontological sites on the Acre and Purus Rivers, Marcos Cesar Bissaro Junior, a biologist affiliated with the University of Sao Paulo's Ribeirao Preto School of Philosophy, Science and Letters (FFCLRP-USP) in Brazil, obtained datings of 8.5 million years with a margin of error of plus or minus 500,000 million years. There is evidence that the Amazon was already running in its present direction 8.5 million years ago, draining from the Peruvian Andes into the Atlantic Ocean. By then, the Pebas system must have no longer resembled the magnificent wetlands of old. Rather, the system resembled a floodplain similar to the present-day Brazilian Pantanal. This is the view of Annie Schmaltz Hsiou, a professor in the Biology Department at FFCLRP-USP and supervisor of Bissaro Junior's research, which is described in a recently published article in the journal Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. The study was supported by Sao Paulo Research Foundation -FAPESP and Brazil's National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). The participants also included researchers from the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), the Zoobotanic Foundation's Natural Science Museum in Rio Grande do Sul, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), the Federal University of Acre, and Boise State University in Idaho (USA). The Pebas system encompasses several geological formations in western Amazonia: the Pebas and Fitzcarrald Formations in Peru and Brazil, the Solimoes Formation in Brazil, the Urumaco and Socorro Formations in Venezuela, the La Venta Formation in Colombia, and the Quebrada Honda Formation in Bolivia. "While the Solimoes Formation is one of the best-sampled Neogene fossil-bearing stratigraphic units of northern South America, assumptions regarding deposition age in Brazil have been based largely on indirect methods," Bissaro Junior said. "The absence of absolute ages hampers more refined interpretations on the paleoenvironments and paleoecology of the faunistic associations found there and does not allow us to answer some key questions, such as whether these beds were deposited after, during or before the formation of the proto-Amazon River." To answer these and other questions, Bissaro Junior's study presents the first geochronology of the Solimoes Formation, based on mineral zircon specimens collected at two of the region's best-sampled paleontological sites: Niteroi on the Acre River in the municipality of Senador Guiomar and Talisma on the Purus River in the municipality of Manuel Urbano. Since the 1980s, many Miocene fossils have been found at the Niteroi site, including crocodilians, fishes, rodents, turtles, birds, and xenarthran mammals (extinct terrestrial sloths). Miocene fossils of crocodilians, snakes, rodents, primates, sloths, and extinct South American ungulates (litopterns) have been found in the same period at the Talisma site. As a result of the datings, Bissaro Junior discovered that the rocks at the Niteroi and Talisma sites are approximately 8.5 million and 10.9 million years old (maximum depositional age), respectively. "Based on both faunal dissimilarities and maximum depositional age differences between the two localities, we suggest that Talisma is older than Niteroi. However, we stress the need for further zircon dating to test this hypothesis, as well as datings for other localities in the Solimoes Formation," he said. Drying up of Pebas Lake Pebas was formed when the land rose in the proto-Amazon basin as a result of the Andean uplift, which began accelerating 20 million years ago. At that time, western Amazonia was bathed by the Amazon (which then flowed toward the Caribbean) and the Magdalena in Colombia. The Andes uplift that occurred in what is now Peru and Colombia eventually interrupted the flow of water toward the Pacific, causing water to pool in western Amazonia and giving rise to the mega-wetland. However, the Andes continued to rise. The continuous uplifting of land in Amazonia had two effects. The proto-Amazon, previously pent up in Lake Pebas, reversed course and became the majestic river we now know. During this process, water gradually drained out of the Pebas mega-swamp. The swamp became a floodplain full of huge animals, which still existed 8.5 million years ago, according to new datings by Bissaro Junior. Unstoppable geological forces eventually drained the remains of the temporary lagoons and lakes in western Amazonia. This was the end of Pebas and its fauna. "The problem with dating Pebas has always been associating datings directly with the vertebrate fauna. There are countless datings of rocks in which invertebrate fossils have been found, but dating rocks with vertebrates in Brazil was one of our goals," Schmaltz Hsiou said. The new datings, she added, suggest that the Pebas system - i.e., the vast wetland - existed between 23 million and 10 million years ago. The Pebas system gave way to the Acre system, an immense floodplain that existed between 10 million and 7 million years ago, where reptiles such as Purussaurus and Mourasuchus still lived. "The Acre system must have been a similar biome to what was then Venezuela, consisting of lagoons surrounding the delta of a great river, the proto-Orinoco," she said. Giant rodents Rodents are a highly diversified group of mammals that inhabit all continents except for Antarctica. Amazonia is home to a large number of rodent species. "In particular, a rodent group known scientifically as Caviomorpha came to our continent about 41 million years ago from Africa," said Leonardo Kerber, a researcher at UFSM's Quarta Colonia Paleontological Research Support Center (CAPPA) and a coauthor of the article published in Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. "In this period, known as the Eocene Epoch, Africa and South America were already totally separated, with at least 1,000 kilometers between the closest points of the two continents, so there couldn't have been any biogeographical connections enabling terrestrial vertebrates to migrate between the two land masses," Kerber said. "However, the ocean currents drove dispersal by means of natural rafts of tree trunks and branches blown into rivers by storms and swept out to sea. Some of these rafts would have borne away small vertebrates. An event of this kind may have enabled small mammals such as Platyrrhini monkeys, as well as small rodents, to cross the ocean, giving rise to one of the most emblematic groups of South American mammals, the caviomorph rodents." According to Kerber, the continent's caviomorph rodents have undergone a long period of evolution since their arrival, becoming highly diversified as a result. In Brazil, the group is currently represented by the paca, agouti, guinea pig, porcupine and bristly mouse, as well as by the capybara, the world's largest rodent. "In Amazonia, above all, we now find a great diversity of bristly mice, porcupines, agoutis and pacas. In the Miocene, however, the Amazonian fauna was very different from what we can observe now," Kerber said. "In recent years, in addition to reporting the presence of many fossils of species already known to science, some of which had previously been recorded in the Solimoes Formation and others that were known from other parts of South America but recorded in Solimoes for the first time, we've described three new medium-sized rodent species (Potamarchus adamiae, Pseudopotamarchus villanuevai and Ferigolomys pacarana - Dinomyidae) that are related to the pacarana (Dinomys branickii)." Kerber said an article to be published shortly in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology will recognize Neoepiblema acreensis, an endemic Brazilian Miocene neoepiblemid rodent that weighed some 120 kg as a valid species. "The species was described in 1990 but was considered invalid at the end of the decade. These fossil records of both known and new species help us understand how life evolved in the region and how its biodiversity developed and experienced extinctions over millions of years in the past," Kerber said. ### About Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) Men with early stage testicular cancer can safely receive one course of chemotherapy or radiotherapy after surgery without it having a long-term effect on their sperm count, according to a study published in the leading cancer journal Annals of Oncology today (Monday). Although it is known already that several rounds of chemotherapy or high doses of radiotherapy given to men with more advanced testicular cancer can reduce sperm count and concentration, it has been unclear whether a single cycle of chemotherapy or radiotherapy would have a similar effect in men with stage I disease. Dr Kristina Weibring, a cancer doctor at the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, who led the study, said: "We wanted to examine in more detail if postoperative treatment, given to decrease the risk of recurrence after the removal of the tumorous testicle, would affect the sperm count and sperm concentration long term in testicular cancer patients with no spread of the disease. To our knowledge, no such study has been done before. "This is important to find out, since treatment with one course of postoperative chemotherapy has been shown to decrease the risk of relapse substantially, thereby reducing the number of patients having to be treated with several courses of chemotherapy." Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men between the ages of 15 and 40. When it is diagnosed, all patients have the testicle containing the tumour removed, a surgical procedure called orchiectomy. In this study, 182 men aged between 18 and 50, diagnosed with stage I testicular cancer and who had had an orchiectomy within the past five years, took part in the study between 2001 and 2006. They were treated either in Stockholm or Lund. After surgery, they received radiotherapy (14 fractions of 1.8 Gy each, up to a total dose of 25 Gy) or one course of chemotherapy, or were managed by surveillance, meaning there was no postoperative treatment. They provided semen samples after orchiectomy but before further treatment, and then six months, one year, two years, three years and five years thereafter. From 2006 onwards, radiotherapy was no longer used as a standard treatment in Sweden because of the risk of causing secondary cancer. "We found no clinically significant detrimental long-term effect in either total sperm number or sperm concentration, irrespective of the type of postoperative treatment received," said Dr Weibring. "Among men who received radiotherapy, there was a distinct decrease in average sperm number and concentration six months after treatment, though not in those who received chemotherapy. However, sperm number and concentration recovered in the radiotherapy group after six months, and continued to increase in all groups up to five years after treatment. "I am very excited to see these results as I wasn't expecting sperm to recover so well after postoperative treatment. I didn't expect as negative an effect as if the patient had received many courses of chemotherapy, since it is much more toxic, but I was not sure how much the sperm would be affected by one course. "With the results of this study we can give the patients more adequate information on potential side effects from postoperative treatment. Testicular cancer patients are often young men wanting to father children at some point, and we find, in many cases, that the patients are afraid of the potential risk of infertility caused by chemotherapeutic treatment. These findings should provide some reassurance to them." A well-known problem for men diagnosed with testicular cancer is an impaired ability to create sperm. A condition called testicular dysgenesis syndrome, characterised by poor semen quality among other things, may play a role in this and is also associated with a higher risk of developing testicular cancer. In addition, the orchiectomy and the cancer itself may also affect sperm quality. The removal of one testicle does not necessarily affect a man's sperm count and concentration as the remaining testicle can compensate. Dr Weibring concluded: "Our results are promising but more studies are needed, and we still recommend sperm banking before orchiectomy as a number of patients may have low sperm counts at the time of diagnosis that persists after postoperative treatment. In addition, the type of testicular cancer and whether or not it will need further treatments are unknown factors before the orchiectomy. Assisted reproductive measures may be necessary for these patients regardless of any treatment given." Editor-in-chief of Annals of Oncology, Professor Fabrice Andre, Professor in the Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France, commented: "This study, together with other research efforts, explores the paths to recovering a normal life after cancer. The finding that one course of chemotherapy has minimal impact on sperm count offers hope for thousands of patients worldwide, but we all must keep in mind that these data are preliminary and will require validation before we can use them in clinics. The next step will be to establish how to predict the toxic effects on sperm count of different chemotherapy regimens." ### Paris, France, 25 February 2019 - The proportion of early-stage drug trials tackling the biggest cancer killers has declined sharply since the early 1990s as less common tumour types receive increasing attention, according to new research to be presented during the International Congress on Targeted Anticancer Therapies (TAT) 2019, taking place from today to 27 February in Paris, France. (1) The analysis highlights the changing treatment landscape, with doctors and pharmaceutical companies evaluating an expanding range of molecularly-targeted anticancer drugs and immunotherapy. "Our study clearly shows the common cancer types are decreasing as a proportion of the patients in phase 1 studies and the uncommon types are increasing," said Dr Jun Sato of the National Cancer Center Hospital, Japan, lead author of the latest research. "The development of new treatment options means there are now multiple approaches to address an increasingly broad spectrum of different types of cancer." Sato and his colleagues pooled results from 866 oncology phase 1 trials conducted worldwide for their analysis. These trials, published between 1991 and 2015, involved more than 29,000 patients enrolled to test novel medicines in the first stage of clinical testing. They found that the proportion of phase 1 trials in which patients with either colorectal or lung cancer accounted for at least half of the enrolled group declined markedly over time, from 46.3% in 1991-95 to just 16.7% in 2011-15. The trend was consistent across North America, Europe and Asia. Importantly, the absolute number of trials involving a majority of colorectal or lung cancer patients still rose over the period, from 31 to 41, but this was far less than the increase in trials focused on rarer cancer types. Lung and colorectal cancer are the most common causes of cancer death globally, accounting for 2.6 million of an estimated 9.6 million cancer deaths in 2018, according to the World Health Organization. (2) The 1991-2015 timespan chosen for the analysis coincides with a revolution in cancer therapy, driven by the development of molecularly-targeted anticancer drugs and application of comprehensive molecular profiling techniques for patient selection in clinical trials. Initially, from 1990s to early 2000s, scientists used these advances to investigate large cancer populations with frequent genomic mutations, but over time, the focus of genomic-driven clinical trials has shifted to less common mutations and rarer tumour types. "There has been a natural evolution to infrequent tumour types, such as biliary tract cancers, due to a better understanding of the genomic drivers and altered pathways in these malignancies. Besides, common cancers like lung adenocarcinomas are now classified into multiple rarer subtypes based on genomic markers," said Dr Rodrigo Dienstmann of the Oncology Data Science unit at the Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain. Still, the new study does not tell the full story, since it fails to fully reflect a second much more recent revolution in cancer medicine - the arrival of immunotherapy. Because the data analysed comes from trials published up to 2015, when immuno-oncology was in its infancy, it does not include the rapid growth in immunotherapy clinical trials over the last few years. "This study won't have really captured the explosion in immunotherapy trials that we have seen," Dienstmann said. Lung cancer is one notable field where new immunotherapy treatments like PD-(L)1 targeting checkpoint inhibitors have proven particularly promising. As a result, Dienstmann believes there has been a bounce back in the proportion of phase 1 trials addressing lung tumours since 2015. Overall, the clinical trial landscape is increasingly biased towards immunotherapy, with more than 2,200 trials now evaluating PD-(L)1 inhibitors, according to the U.S.-based Cancer Research Institute. (3) Interestingly, both targeted therapies and immunotherapies have proven largely ineffective in colorectal cancer, except immune checkpoint inhibitors in microsatellite-unstable tumours. "We get a lot of colorectal patients who have run through standard treatments and it is very difficult to put them into phase 1 trials because there are not many new options," said Dr Markus Joerger, responsible for the phase 1 unit at the St Gallen Cancer Centre, Switzerland. Despite such challenges, the latest analysis shows there is a vibrant field of clinical research into new approaches for tackling cancer, with the picture proving particularly positive for patients with rare tumour types that have typically received limited attention in the past. "Across all cancer types, what we are seeing is more and more phase 1 trials, reflecting the latest waves of innovation," Joerger concluded. ### Notes to Editors Please make sure to use the official name of the meeting in your reports: TAT International Congress 2019 Official Congress Hashtag: #TAT19 Disclaimer This press release contains information provided by the authors of the highlighted abstracts and reflects the content of those abstracts. It does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ESMO who cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the data. Commentators quoted in the press release are required to comply with the ESMO Declaration of Interests policy and the ESMO Code of Conduct. References (1) Abstract 30P "Dynamic change in the distribution of cancer types in oncology phase I trials" will be presented by Jun Sato during the Selected Posters session on Tuesday, 26 February 2019, 17:30-18:00. Annals of Oncology, Volume 30, 2019 Supplement 1. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdz025 (2) https:/ / www. who. int/ news-room/ fact-sheets/ detail/ cancer (3) https:/ / www. cancerresearch. org/ news/ 2018/ pd-1-l1-checkpoint-inhibitor-landscape-analysis About the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) ESMO is the leading professional organisation for medical oncology. With more than 20,000 members representing oncology professionals from over 150 countries worldwide, ESMO is the society of reference for oncology education and information. ESMO is committed to offer the best care to people with cancer, through fostering integrated cancer care, supporting oncologists in their professional development, and advocating for sustainable cancer care worldwide. Visit http://www. esmo. org About the International Congress on Targeted Anticancer Therapies (TAT) The TAT Congress is a well-differentiated ESMO event focusing on early phase drug development and translational research. The TAT Congress series has been at the forefront of revolutionary transformation in early drug development and has succeeded in broadening the conversation on phase I trials to include a wide circle of stakeholders. 30P - DYNAMIC CHANGE IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF CANCER TYPES IN ONCOLOGY PHASE I TRIALS J. Sato, K. Itahashi, T. Shimizu, T. Koyama, S. Kondo, Y. Fujiwara, N. Yamamoto Developmental Therapeutics, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo/JAPAN Background: Insufficient information is available on cancer types among patients enrolled in all-comer phase I oncology trials. We evaluated the global trends in cancer types of patients in these trials, including time-dependent changes and regional differences among North America, Europe, and Asia. Methods: The PubMed database was searched to identify single-agent phase I trials published between 1991 and 2015, which enrolled patients with any type of solid tumor. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were predefined for article selection; trials recruiting from specific patient populations were excluded from the analysis. Results: We identified 866 eligible clinical trials, which enrolled a total of 29,112 patients with advanced solid tumors. The selected trials were conducted mainly in North America (55.5%), Europe (27.8%), and Asia (10.5%). The distribution of cancer types in phase I trials was considerably different from cancer-related incidence and mortality. Colorectal cancers (n = 7,510, 25.8%) were the most prevalent in phase I trials, followed by lung cancer (n = 3,212, 11.0%), sarcoma (n = 1,756, 6.0%), breast cancer (n = 1,623, 5.6%), renal cancer (1589, 5.5%), and ovarian cancer (1473, 5.1%). The proportion of patients with either colorectal or lung cancer decreased with time. The proportion of trials, in which patients with either of these two cancers accounted for greater than or equal to 50% of the total enrolled patients in each trial, had also decreased as follows: 31/67 trials (46.3%) from 1991 to 1995, 58/142 (40.8%) from 1996 to 2000, 59/223 (26.5%) from 2001 to 2005, 38/189 (20.1%) from 2006 to 2010, and 41/245 (16.7%) from 2011 to 2015. These trends were consistent across the three regions, with an increase in the proportion of various types of cancer enrolled in phase I trials. Conclusions: The distribution of cancer types among patients enrolled in all-comer phase I trials has changed dramatically. Patients with common types of cancer, with poor general condition and vital organ dysfunction after multiple lines of therapy, are likely not to participate in phase I trials. Legal entity responsible for the study: Noboru Yamamoto Funding: Has not received any funding Disclosure: T. Shimizu: consulting; Takeda Oncology; received honoraria from ONO, ONO Pharma Taiwan, Boehringer Ingelheim, Taiho and Chugai; research funding from Takeda Oncology, PharmaMar, BMS Japan, Daiichi Sankyo, SymBio, Five Prime Therapeutics, and 3D Medicine S. Kondo: received research funding from Astrazeneca, Eli Lilly, and Pfizer Y. Fujiwara: consulting for ONO and BMS Japan; participated in speakers' bureau for ONO, BMS Japan, MSD, and Taiho; research funding from AstraZeneca, Chugai, Daiichi Sankyo, Eisai, Lilly Japan, Novartis, BMS Japan, MSD, Merck Serono, Abbvie, and Incyte N. Yamamoto: consulting; Eisai, Takeda, Otsuka, OncoTherapy; speakers' bureau ; BMS, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Lilly, ONO, Chugai; funding; Chugai, Taiho, Eisai, Quintiles, Astellas, Novartis, Daiichi Sankyo, Boehringer, Takeda, Kyowa Kirin, Bayer, Pfizer, BMS, ONO All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest. Using a laser to drill through a plasma, scientists working at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the US have set a new world record for plasma accelerators: In a plasma tube only 20 centimetres long, the scientists accelerated electrons to an energy of 7.8 billion electron volts (GeV), a value for which today's most advanced conventional particle accelerators require hundreds of metres. The team led by Wim Leemans, then head of the Berkeley Lab Laser Accelerator (BELLA) Center and now Accelerator Director at DESY, presents the novel concept in the journal Physical Review Letters. A plasma is a gas in which the molecules have been stripped of their electrons, creating a mix of positively charged molecules and negatively charged electrons. "The development of stable plasma acceleration with energies near 10 GeV is a milestone on the route from the lab to first applications," said Leemans, who plans to improve the method further at DESY. "We have developed a new concept in the toolbox, and together with other concepts for acceleration, beam stability and beam control existing at DESY, this will allow for compact electron sources." Particle accelerators are indispensable tools in many areas, from science to industry and medicine. Conventional accelerators use radio waves to push bunches of electrically charged particles like electrons forward faster and faster. The technique is very advanced and produces high-quality particle beams, but high energies require a lot of space and money. Laser plasma acceleration is a completely different concept. It uses an intense, high-energy laser pulse that ploughs through a plasma. Like a speedboat on a lake, the laser pulse creates waves in its wake. The electrons can ride these plasma waves like a wakeboard surfer rides the waves in the wake of a boat. Plasma waves can accelerate particles hundreds of times stronger than the best conventional accelerators. Although numerous challenges remain to be solved, the technique promises cheaper, dramatically smaller accelerators and novel applications. The more powerful the laser pulse is, the stronger the acceleration in the plasma. The team at BELLA shot incredibly intense and short infrared laser pulses, each with a peak power of about 850 trillion watts (850 terawatts) and lasting just 35 quadrillionths of a second (35 femtoseconds), into a 0.8 millimetres wide sapphire tube filled with hydrogen. The peak power is equivalent to lighting up about 8.5 trillion 100-watt lightbulbs simultaneously, though the bulbs would be lit for only tens of femtoseconds. "Just creating large plasma waves wasn't enough," noted Berkeley Lab's Anthony Gonsalves, lead author of the study. "We also needed to create those waves over the full length of the 20-centimeter tube to accelerate the electrons to such high energy." To do this required a plasma channel, which confines a laser pulse in much the same way that a fibre-optic cable channels light. But unlike a conventional optical fiber, a plasma channel can withstand the ultra-intense laser pulses needed to accelerate electrons. In order to form such a channel, the plasma needs to be less dense in the middle. In an earlier experiment at BELLA that had set the former world record for plasma acceleration at 4.25 GeV in 2014 and was also led by Leemans, an electrical discharge was used to create the plasma channel, but to go to higher energies the researchers needed the plasma's density profile to be even deeper - so it is less dense in the middle of the channel. In previous attempts the laser lost its tight focus and damaged the sapphire tube. Gonsalves noted that even the weaker areas of the laser beam's focus - its so-called wings - were strong enough to destroy the sapphire structure with the previous technique. The solution of this problem was inspired by an idea from the 1990s to use a laser pulse to heat the plasma and form a channel. Leemans realised that such a laser could be combined with the discharge. If the laser is fed into the tube right after the discharge, it drills through the plasma to form a deeper channel that is able to confine the laser. Experiments and theoretic modelling of the process, performed by Leemans' students and co-authors of the paper, Joost Daniels and Chris Pieronek, among others, showed that a laser pulse of 8 nanoseconds (billionths of a second) duration, shot through the tube exactly 420 nanoseconds after the electric discharge could drill the optimal channel for the laser pulse driving the acceleration. The combined technique radically improved the confinement of the laser beam, preserving the intensity and the focus of the driving laser, and confining its spot size, or diameter, to just tens of millionths of a metre (micrometres) as it moved through the plasma tube. This enabled the use of a lower-density plasma and a longer capillary. The previous 4.25 GeV record had used a 9-centimeter capillary. With a 20-centimetre capillary the team now achieved an energy of 7.8 GeV. The team needed new numerical models (codes) to develop the technique. A collaboration including Berkeley Lab, the Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics in Russia, and the ELI-Beamlines Project in the Czech Republic adapted and integrated several codes. "These codes helped us to see quickly what makes the biggest difference - what are the things that allow you to achieve guiding and acceleration," said Carlo Benedetti, lead developer of one of the codes at Berkeley Lab and also a co-author of the paper. Once the codes were shown to agree with the experimental data, it became easier to interpret the experiments, he noted. "Now it's at the point where the simulations can lead and tell us what to do next," Gonsalves said. "This Berkeley Lab result, published in Physical Review Letters, is a milestone for laser plasma accelerators," commented Ralph Assmann, Leading Scientist for accelerator research and development at DESY, who was not involved in the study. "This does not only establish a new energy record, but describes an innovative method, that allows establishing in a robust setup an average accelerating gradient of 40 billion Volts per metre over 20 centimetres. This new technology opens new possibilities for our work at DESY." Leemans thinks optimisation can boost the energy of the novel plasma acceleration technique to 10 GeV and beyond, and concepts researched at DESY can stabilise the method and increase the beam quality. While plasma accelerators cannot accelerate as many particles (i.e. a high beam current) as conventional accelerators, they can enable new applications like table-top X-ray lasers. "Our method is a major step forward for future compact light sources," emphasised Leemans. "The time is here to bring laser plasma acceleration from the lab to application." ### DESY is one of the world's leading particle accelerator centres. Researchers use the large?scale facilities at DESY to explore the microcosm in all its variety - ranging from the interaction of tiny elementary particles to the behaviour of innovative nanomaterials and the vital processes that take place between biomolecules to the great mysteries of the universe. The accelerators and detectors that DESY develops and builds at its locations in Hamburg and Zeuthen are unique research tools. DESY is a member of the Helmholtz Association, and receives its funding from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (90 per cent) and the German federal states of Hamburg and Brandenburg (10 per cent). Reference: Petawatt Laser Guiding and Electron Beam Acceleration to 8 Gev in a Laser-Heated Capillary Discharge Waveguide; A. J. Gonsalves, K. Nakamura, J. Daniels, C. Benedetti, C. Pieronek, T. C. H. de Raadt, S. Steinke, J. H. Bin, S. S. Bulanov, J. van Tilborg, C. G. R. Geddes, C. B. Schroeder, Cs. Toth, E. Esarey, K. Swanson, L. Fan-Chiang, G. Bagdasarov, N. Bobrova, V. Gasilov, G. Korn, P. Sasorov, and W. P. Leemans; Physical Review Letters, 2019; DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.122.084801 'The Last-Time Buyer: housing and finance for an ageing society' A CSFI report by Professor Les Mayhew Incentives to downsize would ease the housing crisis Housing policy is too concentrated on first-time buyers and should be refocused towards 'last-time buyers' to encourage those aged 55+ to downsize, according to a new report for the Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation (CSFI). The report, by Professor Les Mayhew, of Cass Business School, also highlights the role of the financial services industry in expanding mortgage offerings and insurance policies to enable older people to monetise their housing wealth. This would not only help them fund retirement but also cover the rising cost of care. The UK's housing crisis is the result of a growing population and an inadequate supply of new homes. Demographic analysis suggests that the demand for accommodation could add the equivalent of two new towns, each with 100,000 homes, every year for 25 years. The trend has been fed by shrinking household size, linked to the ageing population. If there were still 2.48 people per dwelling, as in 1980, rather than today's 2.36, the UK would have 1.3m more homes available, according to the report supported by Cass and Aldermore, the challenger bank. But this is not just a numbers game. Professor Mayhew finds that, on paper at least, the UK is not short of housing; rather, it is short of the right sort of housing. Too many older people are stuck in houses that no longer suit them with a lack of affordable alternatives of suitable quality and size. The evidence suggests that the government should refocus policy on 'last-time buyers' to encourage downsizing, including via the planning system and tax incentives. A more efficient approach could reduce the requirement for new homes by up to quarter each year. House prices set to fall The report uses a new concept called the Dwelling Index, which combines demographics with data on household composition and housing supply to analyse past, present and future housing needs. It predicts large rises in couple households in their 60s and one-person households in their 70s and 80s. It also predicts that prices will fall in the 2020s, as the 'baby boomers' start to pass their homes to the next generations. Although this will alleviate some supply-side issues, it does not help those trying to get on the housing ladder now or who are stuck in homes that are too large. More needs to be done - for example, building suitable properties for people to downsize into and creating more social housing for young families. Financial innovation to free up housing wealth The role of the financial services is crucial to helping people monetise their housing wealth. This applies not only to the growing market for equity release mortgages - about 4bn of lending in 2018 - but also to greater flexibility in housing-backed lending to people from their 50s onwards. Another big opportunity set out in the report is for housing equity to be earmarked for insurance to cover care costs. The idea is that payment for the policies could be deferred until the home is sold. The peace of mind of knowing that care costs are covered would assist in inheritance planning and passing wealth down the generations. But housing wealth is not inexhaustible and the report cautions against reckless lending and unrealistic expectations. The report's author, Professor Les Mayhew, said: "The UK population is growing and also rapidly ageing thanks to improvements in life expectancy. By taking a long view, the research clearly shows the origins of today's housing crisis and what can be done to tackle it. A better alignment of the housing stock with housing needs, along with improved financial incentives, would significantly alleviate housing pressures to the benefit of all." Sue Hayes, Group Managing Director - Retail Finance, Aldermore, said: "People in the UK are living longer, healthier lives, providing greater opportunity for their retirement compared with previous generations. This creates new challenges for the way they manage their finances in later life and for the housing market overall, although the financial sector is moving rapidly to meet their diverse demands. Product innovation has extended to later life mortgages, financial advice is improving and specialist lenders are playing a vital role by investing time to assess individual circumstances, with high levels of customer care. "The report provides many practical and achievable recommendations on how the UK can expand the options for older homeowners and support their financial freedom. This will require changing mind-sets and a collective refocus from government and the housing industry towards helping last-time buyers. The effect could have a substantial impact in tackling the wider housing crisis." Read the report Read 'The Last-Time Buyer: housing and finance for an ageing society' here. Readers can find: a summary of the main findings and recommendations on pages 1 - 3 information on demographics and household composition in chapter 1 a comparison of housing needs with the housing stock in chapter 2 house prices and Dwelling Index predictions in chapter 3 the impact of ageing on housing policy in chapter 4 the crucial role for financial services in chapter 5 ### Media enquiries: Amy Ripley, Cass Business School, M: +44 (0) 7794 053 384 E: amy.ripley@city.ac.uk Jane Fuller, Co-director, CSFI +44 (0)20 7621 1056; +44 (0)7980 305278 Gareth Hill, Press Manager, Mortgages, Corporate Affairs, Aldermore +44 (0)7721 127514 Looking at a sample of 'ethnically diverse' cell lines, a City of Hope researcher found that most were of European ancestry, and a prostate cancer cell line was mislabeled as African-American when it was of European origin DUARTE, Calif. -- As the biomedical field races to develop therapies based on an individual's genetic makeup, a City of Hope scientist and his colleagues found that some commercial cell lines used for countless laboratory studies have mislabeled ancestry when it comes to minorities. So, it will take longer for underrepresented populations to reap the benefits of "precision medicine," an emerging approach to disease prevention and treatment that takes an individual's genes, environment and lifestyle into account. "A lack of diversity is prevalent in every level of biomedicine - from the patient population in clinical trials to the donated samples for scientific investigation," said Rick A. Kittles, Ph.D., director of the Division of Health Equities at City of Hope and senior author of the new study. "How can we expect to narrow the health equity canyon when our basic scientific resources - cell lines for laboratory study - is predominately from people of European ancestry? Minorities like myself are not the primary beneficiaries of most scientific innovations." The study, published Feb. 20 in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, looked at 15 commercial cell lines used to study prostate, breast and cervical cancers. The cell lines were categorized based on their amount of West African, Native American and European genetic ancestry. All previously classified white cell lines were accurately described with average European ancestry of 97 percent, whereas cell lines classified as African-American were not always accurately described and were of more mixed genetic ancestral background. Of note, many scientists who investigate prostate cancer health disparities have used a cell line called E006AA-hT, which is characterized as of African-American origin. Yet, Kittles and his colleagues discovered that E006AA-hT is predominately of European ancestry (91 percent) and may actually be a case of kidney cancer, not prostate cancer. That leaves the cell line MDA-PCa-2b as the only commercially available African-American prostate cancer cell line, Kittles said. "This mislabeling may elicit memories of a time in the United States when African-Americans were identified as black if they had any noticeable amount of African-American ancestry in their skin color," Kittles said. Researchers also scoured the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) website for cell lines derived from normal and malignant breast tissue. They found that 71 percent of the specimens were classified as white, while 13 percent were designated as African-American. There was only one Hispanic and one East Indian sample. "Disturbingly, entire demographics are ignored in key mechanistic studies hindered by the restraints monoethnic cellular models afford," the study stated. "This is problematic as underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, who are more likely to suffer disproportionate disease incidence and mortality, remain also underrepresented in biospecimens available for research." Genetic ancestry estimates offer more sophisticated characterization that could lead to improved disease prevention and treatment protocols. As a result, Kittles and his colleagues suggest using a standard set of 105 established ancestry informative markers to validate ancestry in order to make headway in precision medicine for all. "An important aspect of precision medicine is being able to leverage the genetic background of individuals for disease risk assessment, stratification, prognosis and outcome," Kittles said. "Here we show that what many investigators thought were classic samples from racially defined individuals wasn't the case." City of Hope and the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) formed an alliance two years ago to bring precision medicine quickly to patients. City of Hope provides a state-of-the-art clinical setting to advance genomic breakthroughs made by TGen, a leader in applying genomic analysis and bioinformatics to cancer drug development. To make precision medicine precise for people of all ethnicities, diverse biospecimens are required, Kittles said. And these biospecimens should undergo robust characterization so that their genetic ancestry are accurately reflected, he added. ### Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine, Roseman University of Health Sciences, Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago and North Carolina Central University also participated in this study, which was funded by National Institutes of Health grants: 1R01MD007105, 1T32CA186895, U01CA167234, U54MD012392 and P20MD000175. About City of Hope City of Hope is an independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as one of only 49 comprehensive cancer centers, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, City of Hope is also a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, with research and treatment protocols that advance care throughout the world. City of Hope's main campus is in Duarte, California, just northeast of Los Angeles, with additional locations throughout Southern California. It is ranked as one of "America's Best Hospitals" in cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation, diabetes and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs based on technology developed at the institution. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram. SAN FRANCISCO (February 25, 2019)--The global marine community has cause to celebrate a conservation milestone in the Philippines. The Municipality of Tingloy on Maricaban Island in Batangas Province recently designated 22.01 hectares (54.4 acres) of thriving coral reef habitat as a marine protected area (MPA), only the second MPA to be established in the municipality. Located within the most biologically diverse waters on Earth, the new MPA protects against localized threats while bolstering an emerging ecotourism industry. The new protected area was championed by the local government and community of Tingloy, under the leadership of Mayor Mark Laurence F. Alvarez, along with several collaborating institutions, including the California Academy of Sciences, De La Salle University-Manila, and the local non-profits Pusod Inc. and the SEA Institute - VIP. "The establishment of this new MPA--and its long-term monitoring--is significant because it recognizes the need to set aside areas for conservation before the reef is lost or damaged beyond its ability to come back," says Dr. Terry Gosliner, the Academy's Senior Curator of Invertebrate Zoology. "Artificial reefs will never be as diverse and healthy as natural reefs, so it's always better to protect the reefs you have than try to play Humpty Dumpty with a damaged or destroyed reef." Maricaban Island is situated in the Verde Island Passage, a treasure trove of marine life nestled between the island of Luzon to the north and Mindoro to the south. The new MPA--named Pirasan--encompasses a mature, healthy, and resilient reef ecosystem. Like all reefs, however, it faces threats from local pollution, sedimentation, coastal development, and global climate change. The municipality of Tingloy is deeply committed to monitoring the reef's ongoing health. A two-year program designed by Academy scientists Drs. Terry Gosliner and Meg Burke in collaboration with Drs. Wilfredo Y. Licuanan of De La Salle University-Manila, Kent Carpenter of Old Dominion University, and Jeff Williams of the Smithsonian Institution empowers local residents to steward the reef. Residents routinely survey marine species indicative of reef health and monitor trash along the shore. These community-driven survey results are then integrated with additional data collected by program scientists into a "reef health report card" that establishes a baseline of comparison and measures the effectiveness of the MPA over time. In addition to Pirasan, Tingloy is also finalizing plans for three other MPAs based on recommendations from Academy scientists and community input collected during earlier research expeditions in the region. During March of last year, Drs. Terry Gosliner and Meg Burke along with their program partners provided scientific justification for Pirasan's protection when recommending locations to Tingloy government officials that would benefit from MPA status. Due to the success of the only other MPA in Tingloy, which has been in place for over ten years, many local fishermen are now recognizing the positive impact conservation measures have for sustaining fish stocks: Fishermen are now harvesting more fish from the waters surrounding the MPA than they did before the MPA was established. Healthy reefs also open opportunities for earning new livelihoods from ecotourism and provide greater protection from storm surges caused by typhoons. Near Tingloy's new MPA, a sandy beach is becoming a bustling tourist destination and a launching point for visitors to witness the natural beauty of the protected area by boat and snorkeling. "Tingloy is a community like so many in the Philippines and tropical world that is trying to figure out how to feed their families in the face of climate change and diminishing resources," says Dr. Meg Burke, Academy Director of Science Integration and Operations. "It's not always easy to recognize that the short-term sacrifice of establishing a marine protected area, which limits fishing activity and may mean your family has less to eat today or tomorrow, is worth it for the long-term gain of nurturing healthy reef ecosystems. Pirasan is a symbolic step toward recognizing greater future yields, more livelihood opportunities, and a brighter future." ### About Research at the California Academy of Sciences The Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability at the California Academy of Sciences is at the forefront of efforts to understand two of the most important topics of our time: the nature and sustainability of life on Earth. Based in San Francisco, the Institute is home to more than 100 world-class scientists, state-of-the-art facilities, and nearly 46 million scientific specimens from around the world. The Institute also leverages the expertise and efforts of more than 100 international Associates and 450 distinguished Fellows. Through expeditions around the globe, investigations in the lab, and analyses of vast biological datasets, the Institute's scientists work to understand the evolution and interconnectedness of organisms and ecosystems, the threats they face around the world, and the most effective strategies for sustaining them into the future. Through innovative partnerships and public engagement initiatives, they also guide critical sustainability and conservation decisions worldwide, inspire and mentor the next generation of scientists, and foster responsible stewardship of our planet. About De La Salle University-Manila De La Salle University positions itself as a leader in molding human resources who serve the church and the nation. It is a Catholic coeducational institution founded in 1911 by the Brothers of the Christian Schools. The University is a hub for higher education training renowned for its academic excellence, prolific and relevant research, and involved community service. DLSU is one of only two Philippine universities in the Times Higher Education list of best universities in the Asia-Pacific region for 2019. About Pusod, Inc. Pusod, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect and enhance the ecosystems of the Philippines. Working with local communities and strategic partners, Pusod focuses on projects in the Taal Lake Protected Landscape, the Verde Island Passage, and Mt. Malarayat Forest Reserve in Batangas Province. Pusod was formed in Manila in March 2004 to further the work originally begun in 1995 by the Babilonia Wilner Foundation. About the SEA Institute - VIP The SEA Institute is a non-profit organization that promotes conservation in the Verde Island Passage through Science, Education and Advocacy projects. SEA-VIP hopes that recognizing the VIP's rich biodiversity and its benefits will inspire communities in the Passage to protect and conserve this valuable and unique resource. SEA-VIP works with research, academic and community partners and volunteers on sustainable livelihood enterprises, reef monitoring programs and science camps for the youth. For the first time, researchers have shown that a combination of perfluorinated substances in the mother significantly inhibits child growth. They make many everyday things easier, such as keeping children's feet dry in waterproofed boots, stopping the meat balls sticking to the frying pan and making it easier to clean the carpet. But these environmental chemicals, the perfluorinated substances, have a wide range of damaging effects, with the most recent turning out to be reduced growth in fetuses. This is shown by a new study in which researchers from Aarhus University have examined the cocktail effect of the chemicals, leading to findings which are both significant and alarming according to Professor Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Joergensen from the Department of Public Health. "The perfluorinated substances can mimic the hormone oestrogen and can therefore disrupt the body's natural hormonal processes including the development of the fetus. We can see that the complex mix of perfluorinated substances in the mother impairs fetal growth and length," she says. Researchers had previously only studied the individual impact of the substances on the fetus, and these results had not been entirely clear-cut. Eva Cecilie Bonefeld-Joergensen and her research colleagues have developed a new method for extracting and isolating the contents of the substances from the blood and then subsequently determining the combined endocrine disrupting effect of the substances - popularly called the cocktail effect - on the development of the fetus. "When it comes to the overall effect, the calculation is not 1+1=2, but rather 1+1=3. Low birth weight can lead to a number of diseases later in life, but we still lack specific knowledge about how the children who are exposed to the substances subsequently develop," says Bonefeld-Joergensen of the results which have been published in the scientific journal Environmental Health Perspectives. She is currently waiting for an answer to an application for a foundation grant to carry out the necessary follow-up studies on the ongoing development of these children. The researchers have examined blood samples from 702 pregnant Danish women who were registered in the database "Aarhus Children's Biobank". Such thorough studies of the concentration of perfluorinated substances and their biological effect in pregnant woman have not been done previously, but the study is nevertheless in line with previous research in the area. The substances have furthermore been associated with a range of issues including breast cancer, fertility problems, ADHD, the risk of asthma, a weakened immune system and the reduced effect of vaccines. The harmful environmental chemicals accumulate in the body and are not easily degradable. They are fat and water repellent and are found in our food, in the air we breathe, in dust and water and in a wide range of everyday products such as e.g. waterproof clothing, food packaging, furniture textiles and make-up. Only a few of the almost one thousand different perfluorinated substances are presently regulated by law, and there is no product labelling requirement. "As a consumer you have to ask in the store. Products with these toxic substances are popular, but we pay the price with our children's and our own health if we don't avoid these products," says the researcher. The area is regulated by the EU, but the Minister for Environment and Food, Jakob Ellemann-Jensen (the Danish Liberal Party), has recently announced that he will explore the possibility of a national ban on the substances in cardboard and paper for food packaging. The new study is part of Aarhus University's Fetotox project, which studies the impact of perfluorinated substances on women and children. The research results - more information: * The study is a cross-sectional study of pregnant women in Aarhus during the period 2011-2013. * The partners involved in the study from the Department of Public Health, Aarhus University were: Christian Bjerregaard-Olesen, Manhai Long, Maria Wielsoee, Bodil Hammer Bech and Joern Olsen. And from the Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University: Cathrine Carlsen Bach and Tine Brink Henriksen. ### 2019-02-21 Maeci The main themes on the NATO agenda, with a particular focus on dialogue with Russia and the ability of the Atlantic alliance to address the challenges from the South, were discussed at a meeting in Brussels between the Permanent Representative to NATO, Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero and some members of the Italian delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. The group of parliamentarians - which included Honorables Formentini, Bianchi, Iovino, Sodano and Senators Anastasi and Paroli, led by the President of the Italian Delegation, Honorable Luca Frusone - were visiting Brussels to take part in the institutional activities of the Parliamentary Assembly committees. The meeting was also an opportunity to promote Italian industry within NATO and discuss Italys contribution to NATO operations and missions. The fire spread quickly owing to strong wind. Mumbai: A major fire broke out at an oil factory in Raigad district of Maharashtra earlier on Sunday. At least 12 fire tenders were present at the spot who carried out the fire fighting operations. Raigad district collector, Dr Vijay Suryawanshi, said, No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident, till the time of filing this report. The fire is suspected to be caused due to short-circuit. However, the exact reason of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Mr Suryawanshi added that the investigation as well as the cooling operations was being carried out. As its a factory area and on top of that its an oil factory so we have to be very careful, he said. The fire spread quickly owing to strong wind in the area, and engulfed the plant spreading to a nearby industrial oil company, Mr Suryawanshi added. There have been no reports of any casualties, he confirmed. Around 12 fire tenders from adjoining areas were rushed to the site. Water tankers, JCBs and dumpers with mud were also deployed in order to douse the fire. The other plant and nearby factories were isolated to avoid further spread of fire. In a similar incident last month, a fire broke out at a plastic factory in Kandivali. The cause of the fire was believed to be short-circuit. Meanwhile, last year, on December 24, at least four men were killed in a fire that gutted a cloth godown in suburban Kandivli area. South Africa: SIU investigations yield arrests for medico-legal fraud A probe by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has led to the arrest of a prominent attorney in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, relating to fraudulent medico-legal claims estimated to be over R100 million. The Eastern Cape attorney has already appeared before a criminal court. Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Michael Masutha made the announcement at a media briefing on various cases of corruption in Pretoria. The arrests form part of a number of on-going investigations into allegations of corrupt activities by some officials within the Office of the State Attorney. The allegations include collusion, non-competitive outsourcing of State legal work to practitioners and experts in private practice. Masutha said the SIU, in partnership with the Department of Health, has put a hold on the payment of further claimed amounts. The SIU and the Department of Health are opposing an application by the suspect for the release of the further payments. The SIU is considering further action, including civil action, to recoup monies already paid, said the Minister. Masutha said six more criminal cases of fraud to the value of more than R90 million have been registered. More arrests are expected as the investigation unfolds in the Eastern Cape and other parts of the country. In Gauteng, the head of the Office of the State Attorney is currently under precautionary suspension. Following investigations, Masutha said his department reported the attorneys to the Legal Practice Counsel to consider the ethical implications. It is clear that our supply chain management system was undermined by specific role players in our environment exploiting gaps in the design of our governance system, said Masutha. The Minister said these incidents have undermined the departments efforts at modernising its systems and consequently eroded confidence in internal governance system. Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, said the R1 billion medico-legal bill will be significantly reduced once more arrests are made. Masutha commended the role played by the media, whistle-blowers, organised labour, NGOs and other sectors of society in complementing the work of government in the fight against corruption. In the end, we have no other option but to carry a common national obligation to build a winning nation, free of all forms of corruption including theft, fraud, bribery, extortion, nepotism and patronage. Where these are detected, we will not hesitate to act in the public interest and put an immediate end to the malfeasance, said Masutha. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-02-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. 2019-02-21 Maeci The distribution of toys, collected in Italy, to the young patients atf the Uganda Cancer Institute in Kampala concluded the initiative with which the Embassy of Italy celebrated the International Childhood Cancer Day. The event was attended by Ambassador Domenico Fornara, Deputy Health Minister Joyce Moriku Kaducu and a delegation from the Italian association AFRON - Oncology for Africa, which carried out the Smiling Toys initiative. The Ugandan government has introduced a series of measures with international partners and civil society to fight against child mortality and raise awareness on the importance of prevention. Ambassador Fornara said Italian Cooperation is committed to working with Uganda on programmes that support the national health system, and highlighted the role that Italian NGOs are playing in this struggle. In particular AFRON - Oncology for Africa, has been promoting a culture of prevention and running screening campaigns for childhood and female cancer in Uganda for nine years, and recently also in Rwanda. Italy's support of the Ugandan health sector was recognized by Minister Kaducu in his final speech. The day ended with a reception offered by the Ambassador at the Italian residence. 2019-02-22 Maeci The 75th anniversary of the Fosse Ardeatine massacre was commemorated in Chicago with a number of initiatives promoted by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Riccardo Muti, in partnership with the Italian Consulate General and Cultural Institute. On 21 February, Muti conducted Symphony N. 9 by American composer and Pulitzer prize winner William Howard Schuman, entitled Le fosse Ardeatine, followed by the Requiem by Mozart. The performance was also attended by Italian Ambassador, Armando Varricchio, and received a message from the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella: The choice [Ed. Note: of performing Schumans Symphony N. 9] is evocative and charged with meaning. It pays homage to the memory of the victims of that heinous act of terror and, at the same time, honours the personal and artistic memory of a composer with an exceptional musical and human sensitivity. The concert, that will be repeated on 22 and 23 February, was preceded by a debate on the Fosse Ardeatine moderated by Federico Rampini, correspondent of the newspaper La Repubblica, and introduced with greetings from Ambassador Varricchio. Furthermore, since 18 February, it is possible to visit the photographic exhibition at the Chicago Symphony Center titled La strage delle Fosse Ardeatine: cronaca, storia e memoria (The Fosse Ardeatine Massacre: news, history and memory) curated by the Department of History, Cultural Heritage, Training and Society at the Tor Vergata University of Rome, in partnership with the Museum of the Liberation of Rome and the Historical Records Office of the State Police. We must make sure that these terrible and tragic crimes are never forgotten. We cannot keep silent. The moving symphony by William Schuman, conducted by Maestro Muti, the history debate and the photographic exhibition are initiatives that we share in order to preserve the memory and reinforce the collective memory of the tragedy for future generations, said Ambassador Varricchio. 2019-02-24 Maeci Since Sunday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Enzo Moavero Milanesi, is in South America on an agenda full of meetings at top government level in three Countries: Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. The aim of the important mission is to reinforce, in tangible and operational terms, relations with a region of the world that is of utmost priority for Italian interests, both strictly political as well as economic and commercial. With the three States, Italy has special age-old and deep ties consolidated by the presence in those Countries of so many Italians and a numerous and optimally integrated community of Italian descent: a community that has maintained a sound cultural and affective connection with Italy. The institutional meetings are scheduled to address the main issues of bilateral interest as well as issues of common interest shared at multilateral level. A special focus shall be placed on the dramatic events under way in Venezuela, with the humanitarian emergency and the serious political crisis affecting the Country. The key points on his work agenda also include the ongoing negotiations on the trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur. In each one of the States that he is scheduled to visit during the mission, the Minister will also have structured meetings with representatives of the Italian community and of the businesses operating on site. For over a century now, the Italian community has been making a large and fruitful contribution to the culture and to the economic, social and political growth of the three Countries. 2019-02-22 Maeci The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Enzo Moavero Milanesi, today opens at the Farnesina the first annual meeting of the Committee of National Coordinators (CNC) of the EU Central European Initiative (CEI), counting 17 member States*. The meeting is convened under the Italian presidency of the CEI for 2019. With his attendance, Minister Moavero intends to underscore the high political value that Italy attributes to the Central European Initiative and to its top objective to foster stability and cooperation at regional level, also in view of the progress made by its member States in the EU accession process. In his opening remarks, Minister Moavero said: On the 30th anniversary of its foundation, the CEI continues to have a twofold role: on the one hand, as a specific forum of political debate and, on the other hand, as a functional and versatile instrument of economic, business and environmental cooperation for several Countries that feel part of this vast area of the European continent. Italy, during this years presidency, and responding to the hope expressed by the member States of the CEI, especially aims to consolidate its operational capacity with a special attention for tangible results. A special focus of the Italian Presidency will be on the Summit of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs scheduled to be held in Trieste on 10-11 June 2019. In addition to the presence of Minister Moavero today at the Farnesina, the meeting is also attended by: the representatives of the CEIs 17 members States; the top officials of the CEI Executive Secretariat headed by Roberto Antonione; and Marco Maggioni, President of the Italian Parliamentary Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the CEI. *Member Countries of the CEI: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, Moldavia, Montenegro, Poland, Czech Republic, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Hungary 2019-02-19 Maeci Minister Moavero Milanesi in Brussels to attend the EU General Affairs Council (GAC) The Council's agenda includes the EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 and preparing for the European Council of 21-22 March General Affairs Council . Fire and subsidence have been persistent occurrences in coal mines for many years. And each time a major accident occurs taking lives, an inquiry is set up. It comes as a surprise then that the Standing Committee on Energy had directed the Central Mines Planning and Design Institute (CMPDIL)some years back to carry out a detailed study on unscientific and slaughter mining which was found to be the main cause of fire and subsidence. Sadly though, only mining under Eastern Coalfields (ECL) and Bharat Coking Coal (BCCL) have been examined, which makes the implementation of any uniform policy for controlling such occurrences difficult. Two options have been proposed: one to avoid all coal extraction from these places if there were habitations on the surface, and to prevent development of new habitations on coal bearing lands. The first option, it was felt, would involve wastage of huge national assets and so evolved the policy of attempting to move these inhabitants and resettle them elsewhere. A high level committee of the government some years ago recommended the setting up of satellite towns to resettle such inhabitants and a ban on any new construction in unsafe areas in the coalfields. While there has been some progress in West Bengal, the Bihar government is yet to enact an appropriate law, as also Jharkhand. The annual report of the department of coal reveals interesting information on the progress of rehabilitation projects. Of four unstable coalfields in ECL, only in one field had alternative land for resettlement been identified and the projects are a long way from completion. Two of these sites are blocking the extraction of 71 million tonnes of good quality coking coal. Interestingly, there has been no dearth of funds. The slow progress has to do with the human dimension, and that is something resettlement schemes have consistently failed to appreciate. Moreover, given that the industry is in such bad shape, does the lack of access to 71 million tonnes of coal matter a great deal? Coal India and its subsidiaries suffered production loss of over 1 million tonnes of coal due to strikes and bandhs in 2000-01. One reason for the work stoppages has been Coal Indias inability to pay wage arrears to its employees for the period 1976 to 2000 which amount to Rs 3,425 crore! Notwithstanding this, the annual report of the department asserts that industrial relations during the year have been cordial. Saudi King calls support for Palestinian statehood Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Sunday praised European efforts to defend the Palestinian cause and stressed his own countrys support for the stateless nation. Top Egyptian and Saudi leaders focused on Palestine during a summit on Sunday between Arab and EU countries. "AN INDEPENDENT STATE WITH EAST JERUSALEM AS ITS CAPITAL" During his opening address, King Salman referred to the Palestinian issue as the first concern for Arab countries. We reaffirm our firm position towards the restoration of all the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost of which is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, he said. King Salman frequently speaks to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas for updates on the latest developments in Palestine. The resolution of the Palestinian issue is important not only for the stability of the Middle East but to the stability of the world and Europe in particular, and in this regard we appreciate the European efforts to find a just solution to this issue, he said during his speech. The statement comes as White House senior adviser Jared Kushner was heading to the region to discuss the latest on the long-awaited US proposal for peace in Palestine. King Salman said his country "permanently stands by Palestine and its people's right to an independent state with east Jerusalem as its capital" reported the official Saudi Press Agency. Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Middle East conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- occupied by Israel since 1967 -- might eventually serve as the capital of an independent Palestinian state. After getting 50,000 signatures, protesters will submit it to officials. Mumbai: The number of people opposing the Coastal Road project in Mumbai is rising by the day. Around 10,000 citizens have, till now, signed the petition opposing the design of the Coastal Road and most of them are from South Mumbai. The residents will submit the petition to several authorities in the Central and state government including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis once it has 50,000 signatures. The main demands of those opposing the project are avoiding reclamation of land and stoppage of the work until the schematic plan is explained to residents. We will reach our target of 50,000 signatures in 15 days as residents are personally going to buildings to collect them. Initially, it was started online, but later we realised that meeting people personally is more effective, said Nilesh Baxi, an activist and resident of Tardeo who is part of the group protesting the design of the project. The petition Save our coast-Develop Responsibly was mainly created by residents of Nepean Sea Road, Priyadarshini Park. Later, many talks were held on the environmental hazards posed by the reclamation of 90 hectares of land for the project and their demand for a sealink instead. The residents have complained that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) did not hold a public hearing before sanctioning the project. However, civic body claims that many presentations were made before residents and doubts were cleared. Mr Baxi added, The residents also oppose tree cutting for the project and have issues with the security for the seaside buildings where the road passes just 60 metres away. We are firm (in our belief) that the BMC can build a sealink instead of the road. It will not harm the environment and people will also benefit. However, BMCs chief engineer for the Coastal Road, Mohan Machiwal said, The design plan was published in June 2015 and now it is too late for any changes. Enid, OK (73701) Today Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low around 65F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low around 65F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Athens, AL (35611) Today A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds. Low 71F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds. Low 71F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Brexit: Government document released in case of No Deal The Manx Government has released a 'guide' for residents and businesses in the event of a No Deal Brexit. A 30-page document on the Government website covers a range of topics including overseas travel, health, food importation and business advice. The UK will leave the Europan Union on March 29th. Asuncion, Feb 25 (epa-efe).- The Paraguayan women's affairs ministry presented Monday the National Equality Plan, which aims to achieve "real equality" between men and women by 2030. Even after the implementation of three previous gender-equality initiatives, "gaps persist," Minister Nilda Romero said during an event at an Asuncion hotel with President Mario Abdo Benitez and first lady Silvana Lopez in attendance. "We are in a position to aspire to more," she said, adding that the plan, which outlines objectives and methods for implementing public policies for the next five years, aims to "eliminate obstacles." The initiative calls for eliminating discrimination against women, as well as establishing mechanisms that favor equal access and the "permanence" of women in positions of "decision-making in all branches of government." Romero also pointed out that the proposal seeks to "create conditions" that allow "the economic empowerment and autonomy of women," and to ensure women's access to the courts. The National Plan includes specific projects for economic empowerment of indigenous women and mandates creation of a body to monitor gender violence, "to achieve greater effectiveness in prevention and punishment" of offenders. On hand for the presentation was the UN Women representative in Paraguay, Florence Raes, said the plan constitutes a tool to undertake a public policy that is "not only ambitious but also very practical" because it "identifies the obstacles in each area." The plan's objectives are also consistent with the United Nations' Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, Raes said. Romero said that reducing inequality between men and women will be a "state policy" involving all public institutions, a point emphasized by the presence of the president in the presentation of the initiative, as well as numerous other senior officials and the Asuncion diplomatic corps. The event paid tribute the Paraguayan women, embodied for the occasion by the reigning Miss Paraguay - Veronica Viveros - dressed in traditional 19th-century garb in recognition of the "women who rebuilt the country" after the 1864-1870 War of the Triple Alliance. That conflict, the bloodiest between states in the history of South America, wiped out nearly 70 percent of the adult men in Paraguay. Merida, Mexico, Feb 25 (epa-efe).- A family in Sinanche, a community in the southeastern Mexican state of Yucatan, has turned to apitourism, or bee tourism, as part of an effort to protect the industrious little insects. Visitors are welcomed into the world of bees, learning about the insects' work, honey production and the important role they play in the planet's life. The family's goal is for Mexican and foreign visitors to interact with Apis Mellifera bees and the Meliponas of the Xunan kab species "so that they can have a unique experience but also preserve the species," Miriam Espinosa Pinzon, who created the Apiturismo Sinanche project with her late husband Benigno Ramirez Palma, told EFE. At the site, located about 300 meters (some 330 yards) from the town cemetery and on a path that leads to the fields, visitors find four themed cabins run by the Ramirez Espinosa family. In the first cabin, visitors learn a little about the history of Sinanche, through which the Spanish conquistadors passed. Visitors get to see a majestic church that is the pride of the region, enjoy the kindness of the people of the port of San Crisanto and encounter the tree that gave the town its name. In the other cabins, guests learn about beekeepers' tools and the way honey, bee venom, pollen and propolis (bee glue) are collected, as well as their healing properties. The exhibits also explain the differences between an Apis Miellifera bee and a Xunan kab ("royal lady bee" in Mayan), which "fascinates children because they do not imagine bees without stingers," Espinosa said. But the best always comes last, especially for those who visit Apiturismo Sinanche, since they get to enjoy a honey tasting, a one-on-one experience with the bees and the chance to create candles with beeswax, "so that they keep a nice memory," Espinosa said. The interactions with bees have been so successful that tourists from Ireland, Spain, the United States and other parts of Mexico arrive regularly and "many have had the luck to see the queen bee fly near them," Espinosa said. Espinosa does not try to hide the devotion she feels toward the Melipona bee and the European, or honey bee, a kind of Aphrodite Hymenoptera of the Apidae family, "because thanks to beekeeping, I'm able to support my children," she said. Learning how to maintain and care for a beehive, and that the best production comes from the flowers of the Dzidzilche, Jabin, Catzin, Chuukpu, Bohon and Tahonal trees "was not easy," Espinosa said. "Now we know that the bees also feed on the flowers of medicinal plants and giant trees, making honey that is unique to the region and much appreciated in Germany," the owner of the four apiaries said. Espinosa explained that the Apiturismo Sinanche project came about as a way to look at the work in a different way and promote the care of the insects. "We are beekeepers by descent and we only took honey and sold it to collectors," she said. "One day, we decided to do something different and pack our own honey, so we learned to make syrups, multivitamins, soaps and candles," she said, adding that her family organized a cooperative in 2011 and started visiting cities across Mexico. The Sinanche Apiculture project "landed" in 2013, thanks to the interest of several people who bought honey from us, Espinosa said. "They wanted to come to our community to see the way we practice beekeeping." In the family business, Espinosa's son, Benigno, comes up with the ideas, while her uncles, children and nephews participate as tour guides on walks, which are available every day of the week from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. At the site, visitors can purchase three different packages of 60, 80 and 200 pesos ($3, $4 and $10), giving them the right to a honey tasting, candle-making class and even a meal of traditional Yucatecan dishes. To interact with the bees, a visitor must put on a complete protective suit - head covering, gloves and boots - before entering the apiary. Once inside, family members remove a box from the hive and take one of the containers out to demonstrate how the worker bees, drones and queen perform their daily tasks. Visitors enjoy seeing how bees store honey, pollen, propolis and jelly, "because they learn the differences in size and postures of the drone, workers and the queen, and understand that humanity could not survive without bees, because they are in charge of pollinating the trees and without their labor there would be no food production," Espinosa said. Sao Paulo, Feb 25 (efe-epa).- Amid the recent announcement of the closure of a Ford factory, the metropolitan Sao Paulo industrial belt has been reinventing itself for over a decade and remains a jewel of the Brazilian economy. Known collectively as the Grand ABC Paulista, the manufacturing hubs outside Brazil's largest city produce more than the entire nation of Argentina. The region's golden age was in the 1970s, when it gave birth to a vibrant labor movement that proved to be a springboard to national prominence for a lathe operator and union organizer named Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who went on to be Brazil's president from 2003-2011. But the ABC auto sector has managed to survive globalization better than other places. Noting that people long spoke of the area as "the next Detroit," the president of the ABC Metalworkers Union, Wagner Santana, pointed out to EFE that so far, the ABC Paulista has avoided the fate of the center of the US auto industry, which has been in free-fall since the 1990s. Last Tuesday, Ford Motor Co. announced that it would be closing its plant in Sao Bernardo do Campo (the "B" in ABC) as part of a retrenchment in South America involving the elimination of 4,500 jobs by November. The US automaker attributed the closure to a strategic decision to halt production and sale of Ford pick-up trucks in South America. But Wagner said that Ford's withdrawal is an isolated case. "We are a base that still has 70,000 metal workers," he said, adding that the ABC Paulista accounts for up to 30 percent of Brazilian car production, half of the country's truck output and 90 percent of all buses made in Brazil. Large foreign automakers, including Ford and Volkswagen, established plants in the area in the 1960s, when a lack of competition in Brazil made it possible for the multinationals to reap "astronomical" profits, according to Santana. In that environment, he said, employers were determined to keep the factories humming and unions were able to bargain for high wages and labor rights. Thanks to favorable contracts and seniority, the median wage for an assembly worker at an auto plant in Sao Bernardo do Campo climbed to 6,300 reais (about $1,680) a month. The 1990s saw other Brazilian states offering tax incentives to lure manufacturing plants away from Sao Paulo, a practice that remains the chief threat to the ABC Paulista, Santana said. In the face of a challenging scenario, the ABC has tried to make itself a specialized center of auto-parts production while also diversifying into other areas. "There are already factories here that produce radar or equipment for oil prospecting," the union leader said. Ford's announcement last week was a blow to the region and its workers, but the union is hoping to reverse the decision to close the plant. Though they are not officially on strike, Ford employees in Sao Bernardo do Campo have not reported for work since last Tuesday. The workers plan to return to the factory on Tuesday for an assembly to decide what their next steps will be. Besides the 2,800 Ford employees, the plant is staffed by 1,700 contractors doing cleaning and maintenance, and the union estimates that the shutdown will affect 27,000 people in all, taking into account the numerous local businesses that depend on the factory and the spending by employees. Following societal and industry concerns regarding what the Department of Energys decisions will be with regard to the latest update to the countrys Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) following public consultations and the public statements made by the leaders of certain political parties and labour unions, the minister of energy, Jeff Radebe, addressed the media regarding the status of the latest IRP update at a special meeting held on Sunday 24 February 2019, at the Pretoria offices of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS). This is his speech: Energy remains the primary driver to our socio-economic development. That is why matters pertaining the global supply of oil, gas, coal, nuclear, coal and renewable energy occupies centre stage of our public socio-economic discourse. In recent times, matters of energy supply and security have come up sharply in our public discourse, particularly with regards to Eskom. Today I want to take you through a brief chronology and the rationale behind why, in the first instance, we have renewable energy as part of our energy mix as stated in the various IRPs whose implementation is spearheaded by the Department of Energy, working in conjunction with other stakeholder departments. Our country committed itself to various global obligations on the combating of climate change whose devastation is already being felt across parts of the world. The late minister of environmental affairs, Edna Molewa, led a landmark Paris Agreement (part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) in 2015 to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. South Africa continues to make a significant contribution to the global effort for a low-carbon and climate resilient developments. The basic rationale behind renewable energy is therefore arresting the high negative impact of fossil fuel sources of energy such as oil and coal. Energy policy The decision to introduce renewable energy into the electricity system can be traced back as far as December 1998 with the White Paper on Energy Policy which articulated the objective to stimulate the introduction of renewable energy sources into the energy mix. In November 2003 the ANC-led government adopted the White Paper on Renewable Energy which provided for renewable energy generation to be included in the energy mix, and set a target of 10 000 GWh to be achieved by 2013. This was against a backdrop of Eskom generation being over 90% coal-based at that time, and South Africa having acceded to the climate change-driven imperative of migrating away from being a solely fossil-based mining-energy industrial economy. The Integrated Resource Plan 2010-2030 (IRP 2010) was consequently promulgated on 6 May 2011 after an extensive public consultation process, including NEDLAC. While finalising the IRP 2010, social partners were consulted on all matters relating to the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers (REIPPP) programme. The IRP 2010 provided that by 2030, 17 800 MW of new capacity would be from renewable energy sources, 9600 MW from nuclear, and other technology options like coal were also provided for under this IRP. In this manner government would be able to achieve its 2013 goal of 10 000 GWh from renewable energy, and even exceed it. This was a prudent policy decision taken at that time, taking into consideration the projected electricity demand, our policy objectives and the regulatory framework outlined under the Electricity Regulation Act. In 2015, the National General Council of the African National Congress adopted a position which I paraphrase: The priority now is to identify and remove obstacles to increased levels of private sector investment, while sustaining the public sectors contribution. The competitive bidding system should immediately be extended to cover medium-term base load requirements, as outlined in the IRP 2010 and in the draft IRP 2014 In addition the Vision 2030 under the National Development Plan (NDP) also envisages that: South Africa must leverage its solar resource and regional hydropower opportunities as competitive advantages, in parallel with the responsible exploitation of fossil fuels and minerals. For this to happen, the country must invest in the skills, technology and institutional capacity required to support a competitive renewable energy sector. From 2011 to 2015 my predecessors published Ministerial Determinations for 14 700 MW of new renewable energy capacity, after concurrence by Nersa, the energy regulator. While finalising the IRP 2010, social partners were consulted on all matters relating to the REIPPP programme, including NEDLAC on the presentation of the IRP. Over and above these consultations, the Green Economy Accord (Accord) was negotiated with all parties involved and signed on 17 November 2011 in Parliament. This accord makes specific commitments by all stakeholders towards a greener economy in South Africa, including renewable energy with a target of 3 725 MW by 2016, one million solar water heaters and 300 000 green jobs by 2020. Present when signed, and also consulted beforehand, were 12 cabinet ministers, some of South Africas largest companies, small and medium enterprises from the Green Energy Associations, all three labour federations COSATU, FEDUSA and NACTU, and community representatives drawn from the youth, women, co-operatives, and civic formations. The National Development Plan (NDP) was adopted in 2012 which furthermore stated that South Africa needs at least 20 000 MW of renewable energy by 2030. The Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme In order to ensure a competitive, open, fair and transparent process, the Government established a procurement office, the Independent Power Producers (IPP) Office, under the direction and guidance of the Department of Energy and the National Treasury. This mechanism of procuring the Renewable Energy IPP programme is aligned with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). The Minister of Energy, acting in terms of the Electricity Regulation Act and the PFMA, and subject to the concurrence of the energy regulator Nersa, determined that the Department of Energy will procure new capacity and Eskom will be the buyer of electricity from the IPPs through a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). This is backed by the Government Support Framework Agreement (GSFA) whereby government shall make support available to Eskom in an Eskom event of default. No support is given in the event of private sector default. Since 2011 a series of competitive bid windows have been offered to the market under the REIPPP programme. To date, 6422 MW has been procured from more than 100 IPPs through seven rounds and five bid windows (bid windows 1 to 4 plus bid window 3.5 which was only for concentrated solar PV with storage technology and two bid windows of the small renewable energy programme with a combined capacity of 200 MW). Presently, a total of 3776 MW from 62 IPPs have been connected to the grid. This is less than 5% of the total energy sold to the consumer. Without their contribution by the renewable energy IPPs the current load-shedding would be much worse. It is true that the early renewable energy programmes were relatively higher in pricing however, successive bid window prices have consistently declined, especially steep falls recorded from wind and solar PV technologies. As an example, for wind technology the average price of the first Bid Window in November 2011 was 151c/kWh and has fallen to 62c/kWh in the Expedited Bid Round in 2016. The Multi-Year-Price-Determination and regulatory framework The renewable energy IPPs are cost neutral to Eskom as the cost is passed on to the consumer. Procurement through competitive bidding allows for the best available prices at the time. The calculation of the electricity price that Eskom charges to the customer or consumer, and as allowed by Nersa, is in fact a very simple process. Eskom provides Nersa the income or revenue needed to fully cover its prudently incurred annual costs which is then divided by the number of electricity units, measured in kWh, which will be sold to customers during that year, as estimated by Eskom. This process is strictly regulated by Nersa through the Multi-Year-Price-Determination (MYPD) and the annual regulatory clearing account (RCA). The prudently incurred cost includes purchases by Eskom of primary energy (coal, diesel, nuclear fuel, and water), as well as the electricity generated by the IPPs. Notably IPPs are not limited to renewable energy but include the diesel-fired generators at Avon and Dedisa plus Cahora Bassa from Mozambique. The regulatory model allows for costs related to production, for example, labour and the operations and maintenance cost of the generation facilities and lastly, supply costs, for example, the costs related to the distribution and transmission of electricity from source to customer. The electricity prices are highly regulated within the Electricity Regulation Act framework and by Nersa through the electricity pricing policy of 2008. Nersa also allows Eskom a return on assets which is market related, cost competitive and appropriate for a regulated entity. Nersa issues a licence to all IPPs based on full disclosure of information required, tariff and tariff escalation. A public participation process scrutinises the tariff before the licence is issued. Before Eskom signs the PPAs, Nersa will issue an approval for Eskom to enter into the PPAs and confirm in writing that Eskom will be allowed the full associated cost under the cost recovery mechanism. The assertion therefore that Eskom incurs losses as a result of the IPP programme is without foundation, misleading and false. Since 2013, Eskom has not incurred a cent in buying electricity from the IPPs which they have not been able to recover through the tariff allowance. This treatment of REIPPP cost applies to Cahora Bassa as well, and this is long established practice. Eskom and the impact of the REIPPP programme Let us then turn to the Eskoms annual financial statements: A peek at the financial statements of Eskom reflects that, after deduction of the cost of electricity bought from the IPPs, the EBITDA margin is positive. In other words, the earnings (income) before interest payment, taxes, the provision for depreciation and the amortisation of assets. After the first renewable energy projects came on-stream in the 2013, Eskom presented an EBITDA number of R26-billion, nearly twice the earnings of the previous year. This points to one thing: Eskoms financial problems are mostly related to the cost increases, including the increased interest during construction, associated with the delay of the new-build projects, Medupi, Kusile and Ingula. I want to emphasise: the cost of buying from the IPPs is included as an expenditure before the calculation of the EBITDA number, in other words after all operational costs have been paid, including the electricity from the IPPs, but before the payment of interest. Eskom is not borrowing money for buying the electricity generated by IPPs or for funding the construction of the IPPs. Similarly, up to 2018 Eskom had presented annual positive EBITDA margins. It is therefore clear that the financial losses of Eskom cannot be attributable to the introduction of the renewable energy programme. Does the renewable energy independent power producer programme cause a threat to Eskom and coal jobs? Coal and the Renewable Energy programme It is true that coal jobs are at risk in South Africa, but this is not as a result of the REIPPP programme. Eskom has, as early as in the IRP 2010, reported that it will be decommissioning some of the older coal-fired power stations which are reaching the end of their commercial and operational life. According to Eskom, by 2030, 13 000 MW of coal-fired capacity is scheduled for decommissioning. As South Africans, and as stipulated and agreed in the Green Economy Accord, we have to ensure a responsible just transition to a cleaner future by finding ways to mitigate and addressing the risks to coal miners and their families, as well as the communities surrounding these coal-fired power stations. One of the outcomes of the Job Summit is the establishment of a presidential task team on climate change who will oversee the development and implementation of a just transition process for South Africa. As we have seen with the procured coal IPPs, commercial banks like Standard Bank and Nedbank are no more willing to support these coal-fired power projects. This is an international phenomenon and the OECD Countries have also taken a hard line stance against the funding of coal projects, citing climate concerns. The World Bank and other international development finance institutions, as well as commercial banks have also instituted a no-coal policy. China, India, the USA and others have indicated that they are also downscaling their coal-fired fleets. This however, does not mean we shall not procure cleaner coal-fired technologies in the future. Coal is part of the energy mix and due to the abundance thereof, South Africa would be hard-pressed should we abandon coal-fired generation. Our policy will become clearer with the imminent finalisation of the IRP update. Local content in the value chain Within the REIPPPs procurement documentation local content targets have been set. In Bid Window 1 it was 25% and in subsequent bid windows it has increased to 45%. With every bid window the local content target was substantially over-achieved. Furthermore, significant capacity has been developed throughout the whole renewable energy value chain, from legal and financial services, manufacturing, design, engineering and construction skills, to the skills needed for the operations and maintenance of the renewable energy projects. The decision by Eskom, since 2015, to refuse to sign the PPAs for renewable energy resulted in the manufacturing capacity of goods and services in the value chain to close down. The manufacturing capacity has been a result of the introduction of the renewable energy programme, and was foreseen as one of the positive outcomes in the Green Economy Accord. For example, due to this delay, the Coega wind tower manufacturing plant in the Eastern Cape, owned and operated by South Africans, has been mothballed with the associated job losses. Eskoms actions contradicted the governments policy and was only corrected in 2018. Renewable energy, the programme and its benefits Let us now turn to the positives of the REIPPP programme and ask ourselves can there be collusion and interference? Although widely publicised, it is important to emphasise why the REIPPP programmes bidding approach has earned world acclaim. The tender process and the awarding of contracts are fair, open and transparent; and the security around the evaluation process mitigates the risks of corruption and interference. The evaluation is conducted in a highly secured environment with video and voice recordings and by a multi-disciplinary team of independent external advisers in respect of legal, technical, financial and economic development disciplines. The evaluation reports are thereafter reviewed by independent reviewers for consistency. In addition, each evaluation process is subject to scrutiny and monitoring by a governance and compliance review team comprised of independent audit professionals. All bidders, evaluation teams, review teams as well as governance audit specialists involved are required to complete extensive declarations of conflicts of interest. Bidders are also required to declare that no collusion took place in the preparation of their bids. If found to have taken place the bids will be disqualified. The final consideration and approval of the Preferred Bidders is conducted by the Bid Adjudication Committee of the Department of Energy (DoE). The REIPPP programme has received many awards over the years, of which the first award was from EnergyNet in 2013, as a recognition of the programme as the Best Renewable Energy Programme of the year and last was the Thompson-Reuters Project Finance International Award for the best programme on the continent in 2018. This award was received on 6 February in London this year. Worldwide, it is regarded as the Grammy for infrastructure projects, given its prestige. I want to take you now through the positive benefits of the REIPPP programme: The REIPPP programme has made significant impacts on the economy, job creation, community upliftment, economic transformation and climate change. In a short, eight-year period, it has attracted R209,4-billion in committed private sector investment, resulting in much needed alleviation of fiscal pressure. South African entities such as Old Mutual, Red Cap, Phakwe, Pele Green, and many others, including the Central Energy Fund and the PIC, account for the majority of investment into the REIPPPP. Renewable IPPs have created already 38 701 job years for youth, women and citizens from the surrounding communities. This means 38 701 people have had a full time job for one year. The reason for such a strange measurement is that during construction jobs will ramp up and down. Job years give a measurement in which you can fairly compare outcomes. Local communities have already benefited from over R1-billion spent by IPPs on education such as upskilling of teachers, extra teachers and classrooms, and 600 bursaries to students from disadvantaged communities, the provision of health facilities and medical staff, social welfare such as feeding schemes, support to old age homes and early childhood development and support to and establishment of more than a 1000 small enterprises. Black South African equity shareholding in the REIPPP programme has progressively increased with each bidding round. The South African equity shareholding across Bid Window 1 to Bid Window 4 and Smalls Bid Windows 1 and 2 equates to 52% (R31,4-billion) of total equity (R60,9-billion), which is substantially more than the 40% requirement. Black South African companies such as Thebe, Kagiso/Tiso, Royal Bafokeng, H1, Halusani, Reatile, Phakwe and others own, on average, 33% of the projects that have reached financial close. Broad-based black participation is also secured across the value chain through community participation, including in engineering, procurement, construction, operations and maintenance contractors where black ownership amounts to 21%. Local community ownership is structured through the establishment of community trusts. Qualifying communities will receive R27,1-billion net income, i.e., dividends from their shareholding over the 20-year life of these committed projects. The consumer is protected from cost overrun, poor plant performance, mismanagement etc., and in real terms, the consumer pays a fixed number escalated by CPI per annum or less for the duration of the contract. The REIPPP programmes contribution to our climate change objectives can also not be disputed with carbon emission reductions of 33,2-million tonnes carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and water savings of 39,2-million kl achieved by 31 December 2018. While I acknowledge the programme is not perfect and can be improved in specific areas, why do we not embrace a programme that has done so much for the country and has received international acknowledgement. In conclusion, I want to leave these final remarks with you: Techno-economic shifts in a fast transitioning energy sector hold exciting opportunities for growth in our economy, but require renewed impetus in intergovernmental cooperation and suitably integrated and multi-sectoral approaches to optimise benefits to the country as a whole. The energy sector is at the cusp of an exciting period, reminiscent of the huge changes brought about by rapid technological advancement in the mobile telephony industry in recent years. We need to be prepared for the disruptive times that the fourth industrial revolution will bring and adjust in a responsible way. Big centralised power generation plants will disappear and replaced by distributed generation, mini-grids and batteries. We must ensure that our youth will embrace the new technologies and move with the changing times. We should not discard the investment made in renewable energy to date. The programme has not only secured additional MW capacity, but has also opened multiple opportunities for us to advance our manufacturing capacity and industrial development, as well as to participate in the value chain of new technologies. Furthermore, it has shown how important clear and unambiguous policy and regulation is. Eskoms three-year delay in signing the PPAs created market uncertainty which South Africa cannot afford. The new political leadership has brought change that will lead to market stability and much needed investment. Energy is central to the economy and an enabler in ensuring human rights in respect of access to food and water. The inextricable linkages between energy, water and food are even more pronounced in South Africa, given the persistent drought challenges in recent years. We are at a crossroads where energy must play its fully intended enabling role. It is of great importance to the country to acknowledge the linkages and for energy to bring the different sectors together. Renewable energy generation plants, complementary hybrid technologies such as storage and the associated industrial value-chain activities will support the creation of jobs and better employment prospects, whilst at the same time manage our scarce water resources and bring down water usage and costs. As indicated, practical solutions can be further explored to preserve and increase employment in sectors affected by the just transition to environmentally sustainable energy systems, with energy taking centre stage. Pending a techno-economic feasibility study, new renewable energy capital investments could be directed to areas likely to experience job losses from the decommissioning of coal-fired power stations, such as Mpumalanga and the Limpopo province. I want to mention that I am participating in the World Bank Conference in Cape Town tomorrow, discussing the potential of storage in the energy sector. At the same time, multi-sectoral interventions by government, labour unions and the private sector can be collectively implemented to reskill affected workers in the coal sector to align their capabilities to participate in industries surrounding their existing areas of work, in order to avoid relocation, while maintaining similar or improved income levels. Energy can be the driver not only for electricity into the transmission grid, but also to supply water, by desalination, rehabilitation and harvesting initiatives, no less in current coal mining and generation areas, as a step towards creating linkages to agricultural and other productive opportunities. The rehabilitation of affected mining areas and the cleaning of water from closed mines for distribution to small farming and other end-user activities, hold significant opportunities for job creation while improving the quality of health and water in the affected areas such as Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Free State. This will not only allow for addressing those areas and communities affected by the energy transition, but will also promote the most successful and cost efficient deployment of utility scale renewable energy generation for the country as a whole. However, to achieve prosperity for all, it means that Government and all stakeholders involved have to take hands and become a driving force for transformation and change. We should not be scared to embrace this change. In the words of our icon, Nelson Mandela: Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom. Let us take up the challenge, eradicate poverty and grow the economy for our children and their children, never forgetting our responsibility towards Mother Nature. If we do not look after our future there will not be a future. Renewable energy cannot be wished away. It is part of a responsible and sustainable future. Together let us work to grow South Africa! Send your comments to energize@ee.co.za Related Articles Pope's vow to battle child sex abuse fails to appease victims, critics. Pope Francis promised an "all-out battle" against abusive priests, but blamed the devil and insisted the Church was not the only place children were assaulted. (Photo: AFP) Vatican City: Pope Francis on Sunday vowed to tackle every single case of sexual abuse by priests, comparing paedophilia to "human sacrifice", but drew an angry response from victims. As the pope promised an "all-out battle" against abusive priests at the end of the landmark Vatican summit on the issue, his critics dismissed his speech as a "stunning let-down". And when he blamed the Devil for abuse in the Church, one victim described his comments as "pastoral 'blah-blah". In his closing address to top bishops he also insisted the Church was not the only place children were assaulted. "If in the Church there should emerge even a single case of abuse, which already in itself represents an atrocity, that case will be faced with the utmost seriousness," Francis promised. "I am reminded of the cruel religious practice, once widespread in certain cultures, of sacrificing human beings, frequently children, in pagan rites," he said. The sexual abuse of minors was "a widespread phenomenon in all cultures and societies", Francis said, as he denounced priests who prey on children as "tools of Satan". Children must be "protected from ravenous wolves. We stand face to face with the mystery of evil," he said. The scandals have hit countries around the world, with lives devastated from Australia to Chile, Germany and the US. Pope Francis had opened the four-day meeting by calling for "concrete measures" against child sex abuse and handing 114 senior bishops a roadmap to shape the debate on tackling paedophile priests. The pope will issue "a new Motu Proprio" on the "protection of minors and vulnerable persons", summit moderator Federico Lombardi said after the pope's speech. "Motu Proprios" are legal documents issued under the pope's personal authority and this one will "strengthen prevention and the fight against abuse on the part of the Roman Curia and Vatican City State," he said. Pope Francis also wants to create "task forces" to help local parishes fight clerical paedophilia and the Vatican will draw up guidelines for bishops on dealing with abuse cases, he added. The meeting was marked by soul-seeking and self-recrimination by the Church and horror stories from abuse victims. But the 82-year-old pontiff had warned victims to lower their expectations, saying much of the work would be done after the summit. "Pope Francis's talk today was a stunning letdown, a catastrophic misreading of the grief and outrage of the faithful," said Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability. "If the powerful testimonies of the past week moved the needle in the right direction, the pope today moved it back," she said. Swiss victim Jean-Marie Furbringer said: "Honestly it's a pastoral 'blah-blah', saying it's the fault of the Devil". "It talks about the Devil, it talks about evil... There is no talk about permanently excluding child rapists and abusers who are employees of the Church," said Britain's Peter Saunders, a victim who resigned from a Vatican advisory commission on combating abuse. Vatican specialist Marco Politi told AFP it would be "crucial to see what happens in the coming months. If structures are not put in place to file complaints and address the needs of victims, then the next scandal to break out will not only hit the local church but also the credibility of the pontificate," he said. In his lengthy speech, Francis said the Church would draw inspiration from the "best practices" in the Seven Strategies for Ending Violence against Children, measures developed under the guidance of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Those gathered at the Vatican heard testimonies from victims, one of whom was forced to have three abortions after being abused for years by a priest who beat her, while another said he had been molested more than 100 times. Francesco Zanardi, survivor and head of Italian victims' association Rete Abuso, said the Vatican had "lost credibility". "We wanted to see measures, to see the bishops (guilty of protecting paedophile priests) named. Start by opening the Vatican archives, not by destroying documents. Start handing documents over to the civil authorities," he said. The Vatican has in the past refused to hand over internal documents about abuse cases to police investigating paedophilia. German Cardinal Reinhard Marx admitted Saturday that "files that could have documented the terrible deeds and named those responsible were destroyed, or not even created". An encounter between 15 San Francisco middle and high school students and California Senator Dianne Feinstein on Friday revealed a generational divide within the Democratic party when it comes to acting on climate change. The children arrived to ask Feinstein to support the Green New Deal resolution proposed by Democratic New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Democratic Massachusetts Senator Edward J. Markey, which calls for a 10-year plan to shift the U.S. away from fossil fuels and towards 100 percent renewable energy while providing green jobs. They were met with a refusal that the Sunrise Movement Bay Area called "condescending" in a Facebook post sharing the video. "That resolution will not pass the Senate, and you can take that back to whoever sent you here and tell them," Feinstein said at one point, The New York Times reported. "I've been in the Senate for over a quarter of a century and I know what can pass and I know what can't pass." You can watch the full video here: Feinstein countered the children's request by sharing a draft of an alternative proposal that she told them was both more affordable and more likely to pass the Senate. However, environmentalist critics like 350.org founder Bill McKibben pointed out that Feinstein's proposalwhich calls for zero carbon emissions by 2050simply does not move fast enough for scientific reality. He explained in The New Yorker: The irony is that, when Feinstein said she's been "doing this for thirty years," she described the precise time period during which we could have acted. James Hansen brought the climate question to widespread attention with his congressional testimony in 1988. If we'd moved thirty years ago, moderate steps of the kind that Feinstein proposes would have been enough to change our trajectory. But that didn't get done, in large part because oil and gas companies that have successfully gamed our political system didn't want it to get done. And the legislators didn't do anywhere near enough to fight them. The video revealed this tension between political and physical reality. One of the children referenced the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report that says greenhouse gas emissions must rapidly fall within 12 years in order for warming to stay at 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. "Some scientists have said that we have 12 years to turn this around," the child said. "Well, it's not going to get turned around in 10 years," Feinstein responded. The video also exemplifies a rift between more seasoned legislatures who are used to how Washington works and younger Americans who are afraid for what climate change could mean for their futures. "The divide in today's Democratic party is not left vs center/left, it is generational," Brian Fallon, a former aide to top Democrats Eric Holder, Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer, said in a Tweet quoted by The New York Times. Some commentators criticized the targeting of Feinstein, who is still working on the issue. when Republicans including President Donald Trump engage in out right climate denial. They also questioned whether the children were acting entirely on their own behalf. "[W]hy didn't they go after someone who's against climate change?" NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell asked on Meet the Press Sunday. "She has legislation. She's saying, 'I don't want to sign on to the Green New Deal because it's aspirational. It's not legislation. I'm working on something that's real.' Also, who are the adults who bring their kids who don't understand this stuff?" The children featured in the video have pushed back against the idea that their actions were directed by adults. "We are the young people in this video. We have heard claims that we are being used as props or prepped by the adults in the room," they wrote on their Twitter account Youth Vs. Apocalypse. "That's just not true. We write our own petitions, deliver our own speeches, and organize our own events. It's our future at stake." Young climate activists aren't just targeting Democrats. Thirty-nine young people were arrested at Republican Senator Mitch McConnell's D.C. office during a Green New Deal protest Monday, the Sunrise Movement tweeted. But that doesn't mean Fensteinn is off the hook, either. The Youth Vs. Apocalypse activists returned to her San Francisco office Monday with a letter in hopes of explaining their objections to her alternative Green New Deal proposal. Feinstein was not in her office, but no one else from her team would accept the letter, and the children had to leave the it outside the door when the office responded with a lock and extra security, according to a series of videos shared on Twitter. Correction: A previous version of this article stated that the young activists who confronted Dianne Feinstein are not affiliated with the Sunrise Movement, while they support its work. The language in this article has been clarified to reflect this. More than 150,000 pounds of Boston Market frozen meals were recalled Saturday after customers complained about finding bits of glass and hard plastic in their frozen, not-ready-to-eat boneless pork rib patties, Newsweek reported. This is a Class 1 recall, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), meaning it "is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death." The meals were distributed by Bellisio Foods in Jackson, Ohio, which recalled 173,376 pounds of the impacted meal from retailers around the country and from a Tucson, Arizona Department of Defense (DOD) facility, Food Safety News reported. "[USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)] was notified on Feb. 22, 2019," the FSIS recall notice read, according to Food Safety News. "There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions or injuries due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider." Bellisio Foods told FSIS that the meals were produced between Dec 7, 2018 and Feb. 15. Here are some details of the recalled items for customers to look out for: The dinners have best-by dates ranging from December 2019 to February 2020. They are in 14 ounce cardboard boxes with the official title "BOSTON MARKET Home Style Meals BONELESS PORK RIB SHAPED PATTY WITH BBQ SAUCE & MASHED POTATOES." All the dinners are printed with USDA establishment code "EST. 18297" "FSIS is concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers' freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase," FSIS advised, according to Food Safety News. Customers should specifically check their freezers for the following sell-by dates and lot codes, Food Safety News said: "BEST BY" date of 12/07/2019 with the lot code 8341; "BEST BY" date of 01/04/2020 with the lot code 9004; "BEST BY" date of 01/24/2020 with the lot code 9024; or "BEST BY" date of 02/15/2020 with the lot code 9046. FSIS does not yet have a list of all the stores to which the recalled products were shipped. It also does not know if the DOD facility shipped them on to other locations. Consumer affairs supervisor for Bellisio Foods Krista Cummings is fielding any questions at 855-871-9977. Last year, there were 28 food recalls in the U.S. due to foreign matter contamination, almost half of which were due to plastic, Food Safety Magazine found The Great Barrier Reef faces yet "another nail in the coffin," Dr. Simon Boxall from the National Oceanography Centre Southampton told BBC News Friday. That is because the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) has approved plans to dump one million tonnes (approximately 1.1 million U.S. tons) of sludge into the World Heritage Site. The decision comes in the same month that runoff from flooding in Queensland, Australia threatened to smother part of the reef and two years after the unique ecosystem was weakened by back-to-back coral bleaching events caused by climate change. "If they are dumping it over the coral reef itself, it will have quite a devastating effect. The sludge is basically blanketing over the coral," Boxall explained. GBRMPA issued a permit on Jan. 29 for North Queensland Bulk Ports to dump maintenance dredge sludge within the park's boundaries, The Guardian reported. In doing so, it exploited a loophole in a 2015 law meant to protect the reef. The law banned capital dredging, but said nothing about port maintenance, the process of removing sediment that builds up in shipping lanes. The permit would allow maintenance dredging and dumping over 10 years at Mackay's Hay Point port, which BBC News said was one of the world's largest coal export sites. Greens Senator Larissa Waters argued the permit should be overturned. "The last thing the reef needs is more sludge dumped on it, after being slammed by the floods recently," Waters told The Guardian. "One million tonnes of dumping dredged sludge into world heritage waters treats our reef like a rubbish tip." North Queensland Bulk Ports defended the decision in a statement reported by The Guardian: "Just like roads, shipping channels require maintenance to keep ports operating effectively," the ports authority said. "Maintenance dredging involves relocating sediment which travels along the coast and accumulates over the years where our shipping operation occurs. "Importantly, our assessment reports have found the risks to protected areas including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and sensitive habitats are predominantly low with some temporary, short-term impacts to (bottom-dwelling) habitat possible. "The permits allow for the long-term, sustainable management of maintenance dredging at the Port and will safeguard the efficient operations of one of Australia's most critical trading ports." But Waters said the initial ban showed that the government understood the risk posed to the reef, especially since 50 percent of its corals have died due to bleaching. "Government policy needs to change to ban all offshore dumping, so GBRMPA is not allowed to permit the reef's waters to be used as a cheaper alternative to treating the sludge and disposing of it safely onshore," Waters told The Guardian. Dr. Boxall told BBC News that the port could lessen the damage by dumping the sludge as far offshore as possible, but that it would still contaminate the water with dangerous materials like trace metals. "If it's put into shallow water it will smother sea life," he said. "It's important they get it right. It'll cost more money but that's not the environment's problemthat's the port authorities' problem." The "maintenance dredging" is set to begin in late March, according to The Guardian. 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 that's right for you. Learn More. Many faithful Facebook users had the rug pulled out from under them during the last year. Both Sheryl Sandberg and Mark Zuckerberg appeared before the U.S. Congress and spilled the beans on how the company had betrayed its members. I don't think the company's leaders realized that Facebook was doing the wrong thing until recently. Now they have a five-point fix-it-plan. Will it work? And will it win back users' trust? Facebook COO Shery Sandberg discussed the five-point plan at the Digital Life Design Conference in Munich last week. She said Facebook's executives understand the deep responsibilities they have, and that they need to stop the abuse more quickly. She acknowledged that they need to do a better job protecting user data. Clarity Must Come First While declaring that they now understand the issues sounds good, it really does not seem that Facebook's leaders have a full picture in their sights -- not yet anyway. Unless and until they can widen the scope of their lens and see all the real and deep problems, these issues will continue to bite them, time-and-time again going forward. Protecting user data is an important point. Protecting users from bad marketing is an important point. Protecting society from fake news and outsider influence is an important point. There are many more important points that need to be considered. The real fix will come when Facebook executives understand all the issues. They must understand what the company is evolving into, and its place in the world, before it's too late. If not, they will simply be treating the cough without curing the cold. Historical Perspective To clarify the current problems, it's necessary to pull back the camera for a longer-term, historic perspective on Facebook, social media and societal evolution. That is the perspective every social media company should seek in order to be successful going forward. Social media is growing as an industry, but for companies that fail to protect user data, the hammer will come down. They must prevent fake news, or the hammer will come down. They must exercise fairness instead of choosing political sides, or the hammer will come down. If a social media company does not clean up its own act, trust and satisfaction will evaporate, and customers will walk away. Even if that doesn't happen, the U.S. Congress will step in, set rules, and dictate the company's future -- that is something every firm wants to avoid. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has been conducting an investigation into Facebook and there has been speculation that it may consider imposing a record fine. Another hammer. This type of threat will continue to grow unless and until Facebook straightens up its act. Five-Point Fix-It Plan Facebook's five-point plan, according to Sandberg: Investing in safety and security Protecting against election interference Cracking down on fake accounts and fake news Making sure people can control their own information Increasing transparency at the company This plan is a great first step, but in order for transformation to occur, Facebook must take its place in the world seriously. It must protect all users, regardless of whether they are Democrats or Republicans, liberals or conservatives. No side is always right or wrong. Everyone's personal and private information should stay private. Everyone's posts must be treated equally -- something that apparently has not been happening. Many of Facebook's current list of problems could have been prevented. Facebook's Place Facebook must give its users the respect they deserve. Not doing so is abusive. As Facebook's leaders now see, their past behavior has led to a significant and serious backlash that they now must address. Wouldn't it have been better to have done things the right way from the start? Sandberg said Facebook is more determined than ever to keep people safe. That is good. However, that is not enough. Facebook needs to understand its place in the world before it can fix everything that has gone wrong during the years of ignoring it. Facebook created the problems it now must confront. I am happy to see that its senior executives appear to be taking this issue seriously. I want them to succeed. However, they must pull off the blinders and widen their vision. There are many different views in the world, and every one of them deserves the same level of respect, dignity and visibility. That's a tall order for individuals, but that's what it will take to right this ship. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ECT News Network. Jeff Kagan has been an ECT News Network columnist since 2010. His focus is on the wireless and telecom industries. He is an independent analyst, consultant and speaker. Email Jeff. 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 that's right for you. Learn More. President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order aimed at boosting artificial intelligence research and development in the United States. The order sets up the American AI Initiative, which instructs federal agencies to move projects involving artificial intelligence to the top of their priority lists. No funding is proposed in the order, but the initiative directs federal agencies to focus on five areas: Federal agencies are being asked to prioritize AI projects. Some agencies, like the Department of Defense and DARPA already have started doing that. Federal computing resources will be made available to AI researchers outside of government. Federal agencies, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Department of Transportation, and the Food and Drug Administration, are being asked to create standards for AI systems. Federal agencies are being asked to create fellowships and apprenticeships to help workers affected by AI and to train AI researchers and experts. The administration pledges to collaborate on AI development in a way that is consistent with American "values and interests." Show Me the Money The administration's approach to AI contrasts with those of other countries, which have been earmarking funds for their AI initiatives. Canada has a five-year US$94 million plan for investment in AI. The European Union plans to spend $1.69 billion on AI by the end of 2020. France has announced a $1.69 billion initiative to make the country a global leader in AI research and training. South Korea has a multiyear $1.95 billion plan, which includes establishing six AI-focused graduate schools by 2022, and training 5,000 AI specialists. Meanwhile, China already has created a $2.1 billion technology park in Beijing, and has a road map to grow its AI industry to $147 billion by 2030. Silicon Valley Strong "Without dedicated funding -- which I'm not suggesting is necessary -- this feels like a largely symbolic gesture, a way of saying 'Hey, other governments are doing this, and we're cutting-edge too,'" said Julian Sanchez, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, a public policy think tank in Washington, D.C. "But other governments are doing this because other countries don't have Silicon Valley," he told TechNewsWorld. "There's no real reason to think that critical advancements in this sphere are likely to come from the federal government, given that the private sector is already clearly working hard on moving the ball forward," Sanchez pointed out. "So I'd question the idea that we need to 'catch up' to other countries that are pouring government money into AI research," he added. There's an irony to the executive order, noted Sanchez. "One key to the United States' track record of pioneering computing advancements has been our openness to immigrants -- gathering the brightest minds from around the world," he explained. "This administration's rhetoric tends to focus on illegal immigrants, but it hasn't to date shown much real commitment to making legal immigration easier," Sanchez continued, "which is one of the first things you'd do if you wanted to spur technological innovation." Gaps in AI Ecosystem The executive order aims to address two deficiencies in the current AI ecosystem -- a manpower shortage and a slowdown in investment, observed Jack Vernon, an industry analyst with ABI Research, a technology advisory company headquartered in Oyster Bay, New York. "The U.S. needs to grow the size of the AI-capable workforce. There is currently a shortage of data scientists, meaning that the cost of researching and developing commercial AI systems is on the high side," he told TechNewsWorld. "If the executive order can create more resources to train and enable people to enter the profession, then the U.S. will be able to address its skills gap in this area, as it is clearly holding companies back," Vernon said. On the investment side, China passed the United States in investments in startups in 2017, $4.9 billion to $4.4 billion, he noted. "The current administration might have felt particularly disappointed to fall behind China in 2017, given the large cut in corporation tax that same year. The corporation tax was granted based on the logic that it would allow companies to increase investment and stay competitive," Vernon explained. "The plan touches on the key areas in which the U.S. needs to improve, but has little substance in terms of practically addressing them," he continued. "Without tax incentives or direct subsidies -- neither of which are included in this executive order -- it is difficult to see how the federal government could encourage further investment from corporations," Vernon added, "particularly as many of these companies already seem to be doubling down on AI." An Aspirational Plan The effectiveness of the White House's plan will depend on follow-through, said Jason Furman, an economic policy professor at the Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. "The administration's 'American AI Initiative' includes all of the right elements. The critical test will be to see if they follow through in a vigorous manner," said Furman, who was chairman of President Obama's Council of Economic Advisers and helped craft an artificial intelligence report in 2016. "The plan is aspirational with no details and is not self-executing," Furman told TechNewsWorld, "but if executed well, it will help propel America forward on this critical technology." The AAII is largely aspirational at this point, Scott Pink, special counsel in the Silicon Valley law offices of O'Melveny & Myers, also said. "A key to its success will be the level of funding and support the government provides to private industry," he told TechNewsWorld. "Also, the development of standards is likely to engender considerable debate. They need to be specific enough to be useful in AI development, but flexible enough to allow for innovation," Pink noted. "That will be a difficult balance to maintain." China's Gains The executive order is a positive step forward, said Daniel Castro, director of the Center for Data Innovation, a research and public policy organization in Washington, D.C. "It is clear the administration has been paying attention to this issue and the threat posed by China," he told TechNewsWorld. The United States has an early lead in AI, but other countries have been investing heavily to catch up, Castro said. "Without a clear plan, the U.S. lead will diminish over time, and make many industries less competitive." The Center for Data Innovation is preparing a quantitative report on AI, he said. "I don't have final details to share yet, but we do see U.S. dominance in this space declining relative to China." In the past, the United States has managed to stay ahead of other countries with a minimum of government investment, observed Phoenix, Arizona-based Jim McGregor, principal analyst at Tirias Research, a high-tech research and advisory firm. "But you've got to wonder," he told TechNewsWorld. "Would it be better for the U.S. government to fund some of that research, especially when you have countries like China funneling billions into these areas? "If we're going to maintain our leadership as an economic powerhouse, we have to be a leader in technology," McGregor said. "If we lose that, we're no longer going to be an economic leader." 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. Actor Fawad Khan, who lives in Lahore, recently allegedly resisted a move by authorities to give oral polio vaccine to his daughter. Pak actor allegedly refused vaccination for his child. The country is one of the only three countries where polio is still active. Such attitude could imperil public health. Theres many an enemy at the gates, not just militants from Pakistan. Terror apart, there is the fear of some viruses too sneaking in. Take the case of polio. India was declared polio-free on March 27, 2014. But surveillance programmes are continuing in India as Pakistan and Afghanistan still have cases of polio incidence. To make matters worse, Pakistan is not getting cooperation from its own celebrities in the fight against this disease. Actor Fawad Khan, who lives in Lahore, recently allegedly resisted a move by authorities to give oral polio vaccine to his daughter. Eight cities in Pakistan have recorded active polio transmission. A polio case was recorded in Lahore region, too, following which government officials were administering oral polio to all children aged zero to five. But instead of co-operating with the anti-polio team, Fawad and his wife Sadaf Khan insisted on getting Elayana Khan vaccinated in London. They and their driver even misbehaved with government officials. Dr Krishna M. Ella, founder and owner of Bharat Biotech International Ltd, explained. It is very disheartening to see a public figure like Fawad Khan refusing to vaccinate his child. By behaving in this manner, they have shown that they do not trust the public health system in Pakistan, which is very wrong. The programme is being carried out by government bodies but is being monitored by international agencies like the Unicef and WHO, Dr Ella said. Public celebri ties in Pakistan must come forward and support the programme, as Pakistan has to strongly deal with polio and also typhoid. Both these preventive diseases are the cause of disability and death in young children and vaccines help prevent it. There is no oral polio vaccine given in Europe as the wild polio virus has been eliminated from that region. While there are many theories around why parents do not have faith in vaccines, one of them suggests that is a way to conform the community believes. Parents who do not get their children vaccinated convince other parents to do so, resulting in a chain of beliefs against vaccination. There is no vaccine-manufacturing company in Pakistan and the vaccines to the Asian region are provided by India only. The vaccines are taken by Unicef and from there supplied to different destinations in the Asian region. Senior paediatrician Dr Hima Bindu at Niloufer Hospital said, Safety of vaccines is a guarantee as it has helped in eliminating the disease. To refuse a vaccine means there is a need to create awareness and sensitise people of its benefits to children. The vaccines in India are working now because we have a massive awareness programme along with community participation to ensure each segment is covered. To avoid these incidents, the Indian model is highly recommended in international circles to win the war against preventable diseases. Fawad and wife Sadaf are not a rare case. On a global platform, United States of America is seeing the problem of vaccine hesitation as a major health threat in 2019 to the citizens. A recent report revealed that in Arizona, US, the problem of vaccine hesitancy has brought the children on the verge of measles breaking out because parents dont wants to give the dose to their young ones. In January Washington Governor, Jay Inslee had to declare a state of emergency when 50 cases of measles occurred in southwest Washington state and northwest Oregon and run strong campaigns to influence families into getting their children vaccinated. 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! A preview of 93 rare art pieces was held in Delhi recently, ahead of a world auction in New York. Art is a pleasure to the eyes for one who lusts for heaving colours on a canvas. Irrespective of time, cast, creed, religion or sometimes even style, art has always been a treasure to those who zeal for it. Channelling the energy from the creative, ahead of Sothebys Asia Week Sale in New York, a Delhi preview was hosted from February 14 to 16, 2019 at The Leela, New Delhi to showcase how an art piece could be equally relevant to a spectator inspite of being from a different time, place, or of a whole different approach. The preview has showcased some of the key highlights of the auction this year that include unseen works by F. N. Souza, M. F. Hussain, Anish Kapur, Ram Kumar, Steve Mc Curry, Henri Cartier Bresson and several others covering key artistic movements and schools such as the Bombay Progressives and Bengal School of Art. Manjari Sihare-Sutin, head of sale, Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art, New York, feels the response from the audience in Delhi has been beyond expectation. She says, The response has been fabulous. We had two wonderful days of events - the preview on Friday evening and a family day at Sothebys on Saturday where we had renowned childrens author, Anjali Raghbeer conduct a curated workshop on MF Husain for children between 6-12 years. Both events were full houses and the works were greatly appreciated. The auction is not a matter of one or two artwork being put up for sale. Agreeing to which, the head of sales and an expert in the matter voices, A total of 93 works representing an output of 56 artists that truly spans the gamut of art production in the subcontinent over the past 100 years, starting with Abanindranath Tagore and ending with Bharti Kher. Apart from the works that were featured in the Delhi Travex, there are some specific works that she shares about to us, Sotheby's is honored to present an exquisite selection of works from the Bengal School. The collection includes Ranu and Niladri Chaki. Mr. Chaki was the secretary of Bengal Studies at the University of Toronto and together with his wife, he has amassed a collection primarily shaped by their love for Rabindranath Tagore and Santiniketan. Some of the artists represented include Nandalal Bose, Ramkinkar Baij, Asit Haldar, Mukul Dey and Jogen Chowdhury. As it is quite a gritty task to collect all these art-pieces, it takes almost a year to arrange the annual auction of Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art in New York every spring and likewise the preview is organised at different exquisite locations where appreciators gather not just to view but to enjoy an evening amid masterpieces of artists. The spectators had a splendid experience and each of them had many personal among the rare collection. But being related to the artworks for almost a year it is quite interesting to find out her personal favourite among the collection. A contemporary cork sculpture by Huma Bhabha, the Poughkeepsie (New York)-based artist whose works adorned the rooftop of the Metropolitan Museum in New York last summer. Next month, the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston will open the largest survey of the artists work to date with an emphasis on her engagement with the human figure. Another favorite of mine are two beautiful ceramic pieces by Mrinalini Mukherjee, She adds. Manjari Sihare-Sutin, head of sale, South Asian Art, New York. A yearly auction, with such a huge arrangement, needs a lot of preplanning. Especially, collecting the art pieces from different parts of the world, taking the painting around the world for preview and then again taking them back to New York for the final auction is not a childs play. It needs expertise and after every step is successful, the organisers have some level of expectation from the the auction. Manjari is quite frank and opines, We just released our catalogue, given the response we have received so far and from the highlights exhibition in Delhi, we expect the auction to do very well. The works in the sale are almost 95 per cent fresh. They are coming straight from the private collections, most never having been at the auction market before. We have also endeavoured to increase the repertoire of artists we feature in our sales. We have put in a lot of effort, and the final sale composition has been very rewarding, the art enthusiast concludes. Louth Gardai have issued a warning for parents in Louth to stay vigilant of an online cyberbullying 'game' targeting children which promotes self-harm and suicide has just spread to Ireland. The Momo challenge, in which a creepy character encourages children to contact her through WhatsApp and other social media sites and online games, has already been linked to the death of a 12-year-old girl in Argentina. Louth Gardai said: "There is a disgraceful "game" doing the rounds on social media platforms at the minute, some of you may have heard of "momo" which appears to target children, or vulnerable people. 'Momo' "The momo challenge is a form of cyberbullying where momo asks to be contacted through a social media site and then asks the person to perform a series of dangerous tasks including self-harm. "There is a disturbing image of Momo online that parents should make themselves familiar with. "Please please please always supervise your children or those that are vulnerable while online. As parents, its all too easy sometimes to hand over a device to a child for that few minutes peace but there can be devastating consequences if they are left unsupervised." Local Councillor Meave Yore urged parents to "BEWARE" and to "BE PRO-ACTIVE when it comes to your children's intranet use." CyberSafeIreland told RTE news that it has been contacted a number of times in the last few days about the disturbing challenge. A Pike County grand jury issued an indictment on Feb. 21 for a Troy man in connection with the disappearance and murder of 33-year-old Katherine Louise Davis. Bruce Earl Bogan, 50, of Troy, is charged with murder. Troy Police Chief Randall Barr said Bogan was named a suspect in the case very early in the investigation of the Sept. 26, 2018, disappearance and murder. When investigators went to make contact with Bogan after Ms. Davis body was recovered, they learned he had fled the area just before investigators arrived, Barr said. Bogan is a registered sex offender. However, the address where Bogan was living was not the address listed on his sex offender registration. The Pike County Sheriffs Department obtained a warrant for a SORNA (Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act) violation. When investigators were unable to locate Bogan, the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force was asked to assist, Barr said. Bogan was located and arrested by the Marshals at a homeless shelter in Memphis, Tennessee, on Nov. 5, 2018. Bogan was extradited back to Alabama, where he remains in the custody of the Alabama Department of Corrections since his arrest, Barr said. His parole was revoked for the SORNA violation. Just before 2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 22, officers responded to a call about shots being fired at residence on a Powell Circle just off the South Bypass in Andalusia. Two suspects, one male and one female, were located a few minutes later at a residence on River Falls Street. Both were taken into custody for questioning; Brogden was later charged with the crime. Company officials hope the expansion of Glasstream Powerboats Dothan facility mimics the speed of their boats or their sales extremely fast. We need it up quickly, said Ashley Strong, Glasstreams director of marketing and public relations, citing a long list of recent sales. Sales have tripled in the last couple of years. The big-boat market is crazy. The economy has been great. Construction crews on Monday continued installing the foundation for the 13,500 square-foot expansion that will allow the company to increase its production by 50 percent, Strong said. The expansion also allows Glasstream to use a building originally constructed when the company launched its Dothan facility in 2014 increasing the new manufacturing space to 21,700 square feet. The expanded facility will result in between 40 and 45 extra jobs as the company strives to meet demand. While increasing sales has motivated the move, so has the literal storm the company experienced in October Hurricane Michael. While the companys original plant fared better than a lot of companies in Panama City, Florida, Glasstream has moved the tasks performed there to the Dothan facility until repairs can be finished, Strong said. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Captured carbon dioxide converts into oxalic acid to process rare earth elements Until now, carbon dioxide has been dumped in oceans or buried underground as businesses have been reluctant to implement carbon dioxide scrubbers in facilities due to cost and footprint. What if we could not only capture carbon dioxide, but convert it into something useful? S Komar Kawatra and his students have tackled that challenge, and they're having some success. A team lead by Kawatra, a professor of chemical engineering at Michigan Technological University, his PhD students, Sriram Valluri and Victor Claremboux, and undergraduate Sam Root, have designed a carbon dioxide scrubber. They are working on converting the carbon dioxide that they capture into oxalic acid, a naturally occurring chemical in many foods. Root and Valluri have been invited to present their research at the Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration's annual meeting in Denver in February. Oxalic acid is used by industry to leach rare earth elements from ore bodies. The rare earths are used in electronics such as cell phones. Rare earths are not presently produced in the United States; China produces 90 per cent or more of the rare earths in the world. By producing oxalic acid domestically, it may be possible to profitably extract rare earth elements in the US, which is important for national security, Kawatra said. How a Carbon Dioxide Scrubber Works The group installed their carbon dioxide scrubber at the Michigan Tech steam plant, where they are testing with real flue gas at pilot plant scale. The steam plant produces flue gas that contains eight per cent carbon dioxide. The chemical engineers' scrubber brought the emissions down to four percent and their goal is to reduce it below two percent. "Below two percent, we are happy," Kawatra says. "Below one per cent, we will be very happy." It's a real possibility. "We've already got it down to zero per cent in the laboratory," Valluri noted. In the steam plant, they tap a sample stream of flue gas from the boiler's main exhaust line. The flue gas comes out of the burner at 300-350 degrees Fahrenheit. The sample is compressed through a filter that removes particles, then passes through a cooling unit before it enters the bottom of the scrubbing column. Soda Ash Captures Carbon Dioxide A sodium carbonate solution is pumped into the top of the 11-foot-tall scrubbing column. The flue gas is bubbled up through the column. As it moves toward the top, the sodium carbonate or soda ash removes much of the carbon dioxide from the gas. Kawatra and his students monitor the amount of carbon dioxide constantly. "The biggest challenge is a fluctuating ratio of gasses in the flue gas," Valluri says. Team member Root elaborates, "You need a cascade control system that measures the carbon dioxide and manipulates the amount of scrubbing solution accordingly." "Our next challenges are, how much can we scale the scrubber up and what can we use the carbon dioxide for," Valluri says. This ties into Valluri's and Claremboux's other research project, the conversion of carbon dioxide to useful products. They have been able to produce oxalic acid from carbon dioxide at laboratory scale. Tech Alumnus Supports Research John Simmons, a Michigan Tech alumnus in the Chemical Engineering Academy at Tech and chairman of Carbontec Energy in Bismarck, North Dakota, is supporting Kawatra's research. He says the savings to industry of this kind of carbon dioxide scrubber is enormous. The usual method of removing carbon dioxide from emissions uses amines, nitrogen-based chemical compounds that bind the carbon dioxide. But amines cost $20,000 a ton, Simmons said. Carbonates like the soda ash that Kawatra's team is using cost $200 a ton. Simmons is excited about the potential for producing a commercial product from the captured carbon dioxide. "I don't think sequestering it in the ground is a good idea," he says. "We have to find a way to utilize it commercially." The technology, trade-named the "Clearite VI Carbon Dioxide Capture/ Utilization Process," was patented (Patent No. US7,919,064B2 ) by the inventors, S. Komar Kawatra, Tim Eisele and John Simmons, and assigned to Michigan Tech. Carbontec Energy Corporation, the technology sponsor, is the exclusive world-wide licensee and plans to commercialize the technology through joint ventures and sub-licenses. Simmons is pleased that Kawatra and his students are conducting a pilot plant study of their scrubber in Michigan Tech's natural gas fired steam plant. "It was important to test the process under actual emission conditions," he explains. Israel successfully launches its first moon lander Israel on Friday successfully launched its first spacecraft designed to land on the moon, from the Kennedy Space Center in the United States, early on Friday, Israeli officials said. The dishwasher-size lander, named Beresheet, or Genesis in Hebrew, was launched at 8:45 p.m. local time on Thursday (0145 GMT Friday) aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), which has been monitoring the orbit, said it has been verified and Beresheet will start its journey to the moon. Initial data was received in the control room in Yehud, the spacecraft's legs deployed as planned and Beresheet started in-orbit tests while cruising to the moon. After all sub-systems are tests, Beresheet will start its first maneuver and circling the Earth within nine hours. "The successful launch positions Israel on the map. History has been made. We look forward to an amazing 7-week journey that will mark yet another historic even. We cross our fingers for Beresheet. Thank you to the amazing teams if SpaceIL and IAI. Israel is now on the space map," Morris Kahn, president of SpaceIL, IAIs partner in the mission, said. "We arrived at the launch with a fully tested spacecraft on its way for a highly challenging mission. I am proud of SpaceIL and IAI teams who made this accomplishment possible with professional work, perseverance and collaboration, if everything goes well, the spacecraft will enter a cruising orbit around Earth within an hour from the launch. In the next two months, Beresheet will continue its challenging journey until it lands on the moon," Ido Antebi, CEO of the SpaceIL NGO, stated. SpaceIL is an Israeli organisation, established in 2011, which is competing in the Google Lunar X Prize (GLXP) to land a spacecraft on the Moon. The Beresheet mission includes plans to measure the Moon's local magnetic field to help understand how it formed, and also carries a digital "time capsule". Beresheet would be the first Israeli spacecraft to travel beyond Earth orbit and the first private lander on the Moon. Israel would also become the fourth country, after the Soviet Union, United States, and China, to land a spacecraft on the Moon. Modi launches Rs75,000-cr PM-Kisan scheme Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched the Rs75,000-crore Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) from Gorakhpur today. The scheme, launched to address farm distress, guarantees Rs6,000 annually to each farmer with less than 2 hectares of land, in three installments. During his visit to Gorakhpur and Prayagraj on Sunday, the prime minister kicked off the implementation of the PM-Kisan scheme by directly crediting the first installment of Rs2,000 to the bank accounts of over one crore farmers across the country, The prime minister congratulated the farmers for the launch of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. He also congratulated farmer families engaged in dairy farming, and fisheries, as they now have access to Kisan Credit Cards. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that this day is etched in history, because the biggest scheme for farmers since independence, has begun today. Addressing the gathering at the launch function, the prime minister said the government is determined to make the farmers capable and empowered. He said the government is working to provide all the necessary means to the farmers, to enable them to double their income by 2022. About 120 million farmers are expected to benefit from PM-Kisan, the prime minister said, adding that through this scheme, Rs75,000 crore will be transferred to farmers accounts every year. He urged state governments to send the lists of beneficiary farmers to the union government at the earliest, so that farmers can receive the benefit of this scheme in time. Giving details of the scheme, Modi said the first installment of the cash transfer will be directly deposited to the bank accounts of farmers in the next few weeks. The state government has been assigned the role of bookkeeper here. They just have to submit the list of farmers in their states and the centre will ensure that money is transferred to their accounts. While openly attacking opposition ruled states, the prime minister issued a warning to those states haven't yet submitted their list of farmers, declaring that "if they don't submit the list then farmers in their states will destroy them." "You may be opposition parties but why do you have to play politics with farmers," he pleaded. The prime minister said that while the loan waivers announced periodically by earlier Governments, did not provide long term or comprehensive relief to the farmers, PM-Kisan will not only provide them relief, but will also mark a massive investment in the rural economy. The prime minister said the PM-Kisan depends on direct transfer, and therefore the entire amount will reach the beneficiary. He said that the Government is also investing about Rs1,00,000 crore to complete long pending irrigation projects, which will be of great and lasting help to farmers in many parts of the country. He also mentioned the 170 million soil health cards, neem coating of urea, MSP for 22 crops at 50 per cent above the cost price, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, and the e-NAM platform. The prime minister said farmers can now avail credit up to Rs1.60 lakh, through Kisan Credit Cards. He also touched upon other welfare schemes for the benefit of farmers. The Prime Minister said that the entire region of Eastern Uttar Pradesh is undergoing rapid transformation. Industry, connectivity and the health sector are all witness to this change, he added. He also said that about Rs10,000 crore worth of projects for the development of Gorakhpur and Eastern Uttar Pradesh have been either inaugurated, or foundation stone laid for. These projects, he said, will improve ease of living. He said that schemes such as PM AwaasYojana, UjjwalaYojana, Ayushman Bharat etc are symbolic of the spirit of SabkaSaath, SabkaVikas. The PM also laid the foundation stone for several development projects in Gorakhpur before flying to Prayagraj at 1:30pm. In Prayagraj, Modi took stock of arrangements at the Kumbh besides other programmes before flying back to Delhi at around 4:40pm. A retreat ceremony will be held every evening at the memorial. Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to a fallen soldier during inauguration of the National War Memorial in New Delhi on Monday. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: At the opening of the National War Memorial, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched an all-out attack on the Congress accusing it of adopting a family first approach and said national security suffered due to the criminal negligence of the previous dispensation. Without naming the Gandhi family, Mr Modi said it had made defence purchases a source of income during its rule and that investigations in all cases from Bofors to the AgustaWestland helicopter deal point towards the same first family. From Bofors to the chopper deal, all the investigations are pointing to one family, which says a lot. Now these people are making a lot of effort to ensure that Rafale aircraft dont arrive in India, the Prime Minister said. He said that in the next few months, when the first Rafale jet will flies in the Indian skies, all such conspiracies will be foiled. Claiming that national security suffered due to the criminal negligence of the previous dispensation linked to delays in military procurements, Mr Modi asked, Is it nation first or family first? In 2009, the forces demanded 1,86,000 bullet-proof jackets, but faced enemies without them. Our government in four-and-half years bought over 2,30,000 bullet-proof jackets, Mr Modi said as ex-servicemen, assembled at the memorial in the heart of Delhi, responded with slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Showcasing his governments commitment to strengthen the defence forces, Mr Modi said his government has given orders for 72,000 modern rifles and bought ammunition worth Rs 25,000 crore n mission mode. With an eye on wooing ex-servicemen ahead of Lok Sabha polls, Mr Modi said that under the One Rank One Pension scheme, the government has distributed Rs 35,000 crore. He said under his government, the pension budget had jumped from Rs 44,000 crore to Rs 1.12 lakh crore. The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation the National War Memorial by lighting its flame. It has been built in memory of the Indian soldiers who died while defending the nation after Independence. Rose petals were showered by IAF helicopters and a fly-past in Missing Manformation was also part of the event. Names of 25,942 armed forces men who died in the service of the nation after August 15, 1947, are inscribed on the walls of the memorial in golden letters. Spread over an area of approximately 40 acres, the memorial comprises four concentric circles, namely the Amar Chakra, the Veerta Chakra, the Tyag Chakra and the Rakshak Chakra on which the names have been inscribed on granite tablets. The memorial is situated adjoining the iconic India Gate complex in the heart of the capital. Now all the wreath-lying ceremonies to honour Indian soldiers will be held at the National War Memorial and not at India Gate. A retreat ceremony will be held every evening at the memorial. Built at a cost of Rs 176 crore, the memorial has at its centre a 15.5-metre tall obelisk and on its base there is an eternal flame which was lit by the Prime Minister. The eternal flame represents the soul of the fallen soldiers. Work on the memorial was commission about one year ago. Till date there was no National War Memorial in memory of Indian soldiers who died while defending the nation after 1947. India Gate was built by the British to honour the 83,000 British Indian Army soldiers who died during World War 1 and the third Anglo-Afghan War. Amar Jawan Jyoti was started in January 1972 to honour the 3,843 Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Subscriber content preview By LIZ WESTON NerdWallet Tyler Luker of Plano, Texas, is a high school junior who already knows which college he wants to attend (University of Missouri), how much it costs ($43,300 for out-of-state residents) and how much he can expect his single mother to contribute: nothing. That's protecting my retirement, says certified financial planner Sharon Luker, 64. I don't want to work when I'm 70. . . . Subscriber content preview Rendering by Nelson Track 6 apparently gets its name from the BNSF tracks immediately to the west. Fourth-generation family business Compton Lumber sold last year to a Louisiana buyer. Its home for the last 33 years, at 3847 First Ave. S., is slated for demolition. The business will move to Renton. . . . Subscriber content preview FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) The massive spending bill that Congress recently approved includes funding for a new polar icebreaker, spending that Alaska's three-member congressional delegation has been pushing for. The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports the funding includes $655 million for designing and building the icebreaker for the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as $20 million for materials to eventually build a second one. . . . Subscriber content preview SEATTLE King County Executive Dow Constantine is proposing a six-year, $738 million parks levy to replace a levy that expires at the end of the year. The levy would fund items such as new trails, upgrades to trailheads and parking areas, park maintenance and replacements for 11 ballfields. Funding also includes $36 million for Woodland Park Zoo programs and $8 million for Seattle Aquarium's new Ocean Pavilion. . . . At present, the main Opposition party is busy screening candidates from various states, sources said. New Delhi: The Congress will kick off the formal process of selecting candidates for Lok Sabha polls with the first meeting of its all-powerful central election committee (CEC), headed by party chief Rahul Gandhi, on February 27. Initial discussions on probable candidates for politically crucial Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and the seven Northeastern states are likely to be held during the meeting, party sources said. The CEC meeting will signal the Congress formally getting into election mode ahead of the expected announcement of the Lok Sabha poll schedule by the Election Commission in the first week of March. At present, the main Opposition party is busy screening candidates from various states, sources said. Till Monday, the first round of screening of candidates from Maharashtra, Delhi and Odisha had been completed, they said. Sources privy to developments said that the Congress is expected to come out with its final list of candidates for all the states after several rounds of CEC meetings. Considering the fact that the party is in alliance talks with regional parties in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and other states, the CEC is expected to reserve its final decision on the list of candidates till negotiations reach a conclusive stage. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi is also a CEC member. Some people binge watch Netflix Huluor HBO shows. And some people turn their downtime into cash. James made $2,275 in just 19 minutesall thanks to something called The 15 Minute Workday. The average trade makes 12% in just 5 days (factoring winners and losers) which is out of this world. Kodal Minerals Plc engages in the exploration and evaluation of mineral resources in the United Kingdom and West Africa. The company explores for lithium and gold deposits. Its flagship project is the Bougouni Lithium project located in southern Mali. The company holds 100% interest in the Bougouni West lithium project, which covers an area of 200 square kilometers located in southern Mali; and holds 100% interest in the Nangalasso project located in southern Mali, the SLAM Project located in Mali, the Dabakala project located in central Cote d'Ivoire, and the Korhogo project located in north central CAte d'Ivoire. Kodal Minerals Plc was incorporated in 2010 and is based in London, the United Kingdom. Read More Legend Who Bought Amazon In 1998 Says: Now Is The Time (Ad) Wall street legend Chris Rowe says theres a huge stock market event looming - and hes revealing his #1 pick for free. Click here to find out more. Oppn lashes out at Mamata Banerjee after the retired IPS officer held West Bengal CM responsible in his suicide note. According to reports, on February 19, Dutt before slitting off his wrist wrote in the letter that Mamata Banerjee had kept him on "compulsory waiting" and withheld his dues after he retired on December 31, 2018, which provoked him to commit suicide. (Photo: File) Kolkata: Retired IPS officer Gaurav Chandra Dutt, who committed suicide on February 19, held the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee responsible for his death in his suicide note. However, the state's ruling TMC dismissed the charge terming as "baseless". However, the opposition did not leave any stones unturned to slam Mamata Banerjee for the alleged suicide of the senior police officer. Former TMC leader Mukul Roy demanded Banerjee's arrest for abetment to suicide and urged for a CBI probe into the case. Roy, who is currently a BJP leader, also stated that this was the first time in the history of West Bengal that a senior IPS officer committed suicide and blamed the government or a party leader. CPI (M) politburo member and Lok Sabha MP Mohammad Salim claimed that only yes-men officers are favoured in the state presently and that Dutt could not learn this art, hence the IPS officer had to take such a drastic step just after his retirement. Congress President Somen Mitra expressed his grief towards his family and said that the political vendetta drove him to depression and then compelled him to take an extreme step. According to reports, on February 19, Dutt before slitting off his wrist wrote in the letter that Mamata Banerjee had kept him on "compulsory waiting" and withheld his dues after he retired on December 31, 2018, which provoked him to commit suicide. His wife returned home to find him in a pool of blood at his Salt Lake home. He was immediately taken to the hospital but did not survive. Retired IPS officer Gaurav Chandra Dutts wife stated that his husband sent the letter to a few close friends as well. Dutt, in February 2010, was allegedly suspended for nine months after the wife of a constable complained that Dutt had tortured her husband because he had refused the officer's sexual advances. He had again faced disciplinary action for alleged financial irregularities in 2012. 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. First Quantum Minerals Ltd. engages in the exploration, development, and production of mineral properties. It primarily explores for copper, nickel, pyrite, gold, silver, and zinc ores, as well as produces acid. The company holds 100% interests in the Ravensthorpe nickel and cobalt mine in Australia; the Sentinel copper project in North Western Province of Zambia; the Las Cruces copper mine in Spain; the Guelb Moghrein copper-gold mine in Mauritania; the PyhAsalmi copper, pyrite, zinc mine in Finland; and the Aayeli copper-zinc mine in Turkey. It also holds an 80% interest in the Kansanshi copper-gold mine and copper smelter in Zambia; and a 90% interest in the Cobre Panama project located in Panama. In addition, the company has interests in copper, gold, and molybdenum projects at various stages of development located in Argentina, Peru, and Zambia. The company was formerly known as First Quantum Ventures Ltd. and changed its name to First Quantum Minerals Ltd. in July 1996. First Quantum Minerals Ltd. was incorporated in 1983 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More Highlights: Microsoft announced HoloLens 2 at MWC HoloLens is the company's pair of mixed reality smartglasses It will sell for $3,500 (Rs 2,50,000 approx) News from this years Mobile World Congress at Barcelona, Spain continues to pour in at a steady pace. Microsoft has announced HoloLens 2, the second iteration of its mixed reality smartglasses. The press event was hosted by Julia White, Corporate Vice President for Microsoft Azure, Alex Kipman, Technical Engineer, and Satya Nadella, the companys CEO. HoloLens 2 replaces the HoloLens that was released in 2016. The new device comes with several improvements. According to a blog post published by Microsoft, immersion has improved in the new HoloLens 2. The company has more than doubled the field of view while retaining the industry-standard 47 pixels per degree of sight. The device consists of a new display thats more sophisticated technically but draws lesser power. Underpinning the device are a new time-of-flight sensor, inbuilt AI and semantic understanding logic, and eye-tracking sensors. HoloLens 2 enables direct manipulation of holograms with real-life instinctual interactions. Log-ins happen with the help of Windows Hello integration. According to Microsoft, comfort too has improved thanks to the use of light carbon-fibre material and a new mechanism for wearing it without readjusting. A new dial-in fit system maked the device more comfortable to wear for longer hours. The American software corporation believes that HoloLens 2 becomes more capable when combined with existing and new Azure services. Its also supplemented by Microsofts mixed reality applications like Dynamics 365, Remote Assist, Dynamics 365 Layout, and the new Dynamics 365 Guides applications. We are entering a new era of computing, one in which the digital world goes beyond two-dimensional screens and enters the three-dimensional world. This new collaborative computing era will empower us all to achieve more, break boundaries and work together with greater ease and immediacy in 3D, wrote White in her official blog post. The Microsoft HoloLens 2 will ship later this year at a price of $3,500 (Rs, 2,50,000) in the US, Japan, China, Germany, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Australia, and New Zealand but is available for pre-order starting now. Related Read: All the foldable smartphones announced so far at MWC 2019 Highlights: Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon X55, the company's second-gen 5G modem. The modem will be introduced in a Samsung device, Qualcomm said first devices to be expected in 2020. The Snapdragon X55 supports both 4G and 5G connetivity. Even when the Qualcomm Snapdragon X50 5G modem is seeing the light of the day for the first time among the first-generation 5G devices like the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G, Huawei Mate X, Samsung Galaxy S10 5G and the likes, Qualcomm is already thinking ahead. The chipset designer announced the Snapdragon X55 5G modem, the second-generation 5G modem that will succeed the Snapdragon X50. At the same event, Samsung announced it will be the first to implement the Snapdragon X55 modem. Qualcomm said the sampling of the modem will begin from Q2 2019 and the first devices touting the second-gen 5G modem will begin rolling out in 2020. The Snapdragon X50 modem offers both 4G and 5G in a single chip. The chip offers peak downlink of 7Gbps and also supports 5G standalone, the next-gen 5G infrastructure that will roll out in the second wave. The 5G chip supports both mmWave and sub-6GHz spectrum of 5G connectivity, same as the X50. But its theoretical speeds are bumped up from 5Gbps to 7Gbps with up to 3Gbps upload. More crucially, the Snapdragon X55 supports 5G FDD which is required in Europe and other places to make use of low-frequency spectrum for 5G connectivity. The Snapdragon X55 also offers 4G/5G spectrum sharing. The chip supports Category 22 LTE standard and offers a peak downlink of 2.5Gbps using Full Dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO) for LTE that has 3D beamforming which makes better use of the available spectrum. Its Qualcomms fastest 4G solution yet. Furthermore, the chip has better antenna tuning that improves power management. More importantly, the chip supports 5G Standalone specification. For now, all 5G infrastructure is based on 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) specification which will eventually transition to 5G Standalone. When that happens, devices sporting the modem will continue to connect to 5G networks. 5G Standalone essentially ditches the LTE backend, moving entirely to 5G infrastructure, allowing for more network flexibility and Network Slicing that offers lower latency to IoT devices. Qualcomm paid for Digit correspondent's travel and stay at MWC, Barcelona Related Reads: MWC 2019: Qualcomm announces 5G chip for PCs, Wi-Fi chip for automobiles Samsung Galaxy Fold unfolded in a 4-minute long video The SP will contest three of the 29 Lok Sabha seats in MP while the BSP contest the rest. In Uttarakhand which has 5 Lok Sabha seats, the SP will contest one seat and the BSP will fight in three. (Photo: ANI | Twitter) New Delhi: After Uttar Pradesh seat-sharing announcement, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)-Samajwadi Party (SP) alliance on Monday announced a poll pact for Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand Lok Sabha elections. The SP will contest three of the 29 Lok Sabha seats in MP while the BSP contest the rest. In Uttarakhand which has 5 Lok Sabha seats, the SP will contest one seat and the BSP will fight in three. Once a lone wolf, Nokia has been trying hard to get its moves right to capture the global mid-segment market. Since its re-launch, the Nokia brand has seen an upward spiral in terms of growth. Though it uses less powerful processors in its phones as compared to its Chinese competitors, nations like India are still going for the Nokia brand due to the proximity and the millennial population that is always on the go. Keeping this in mind, Nokia has launched its two mid-segment phones that are specifically aimed at content consumption. Both the phones have a notification light indicator on the power button. Nokia 3.2 The Nokia 3.2 combines the HD+ display with its signature two-day battery life all powered by the latest Android 9 Pie experience. The Nokia 3.2 features a 6.26-inch HD+ display and a U-shaped notch. Nokia is also playing safe by introducing features like Face Unlock that are on par with the Chinese offerings. The phone features a 4,000mAh battery that is claimed to deliver a two-day battery life. The phones come under Googles Android One programme which means that the phone will have at least two major OS updates and three years of security updates. The phone comes with a dedicated Google Assistant button to summon the virtual assistant instantaneously. It has a single lens on the rear as well as on the front. The Nokia 3.2 is powered by an entry-level Qualcomm Snapdragon 429 SoC. Nokia 4.2 The Nokia 4.2 is a minute upgrade to the Nokia 3.2 as it comes with a slightly more powerful processor, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 and a dual-camera system on the back. There is a "breathing" notification light on the power button and a dedicated Google Assistant button. It has a 13MP camera on the back paired with a depth-sensor. The Nokia 4.2 has a glass back comes with NFC for contact-less payments. Both phones come with Android 9 Pie and could prove to be a game-changer given peoples sheer love for the brand as well as the stock Android experience. Both phones are basic smartphones and are especially aimed at markets like India where buyers are price-sensitive and wish to get maximum value for money. We are expecting these phones to launch in India soon and then we can see how they fare in the crowded mid-segment smartphone market. Highlights: Google Assistant will be integrated into Google Messages in the coming months. The feature will allow users to ask a question and the answer will populate the text field. The smart assistant will also enable voice-typing in KaiOS-powered feature phones. At MWC 2019, that formally kicked off in Barcelona on Monday, Google announced that its smart assistant is going to be integrated into Android Messages over the coming months. The Google Assistant button might appear when youre using the Messages app to text someone, perhaps in the smart replies section. If you tap on the button, you can ask it a question, and the answer will be populated in the text field. The feature, for now, is limited to the English language. Google also clarified its not reading your texts while doing so. It said that the only information thats sent to the companys servers is the question you ask Google Assistant within the app. The company calls it suggestion chips and they are generated using local analysis of what you are typing. For instance, if someone asks you to go to a restaurant with them, Google will show a pizza emoji and a yes, along with a button that searches for the restaurant. Tapping on the suggestion and the Assistant box will show a card with the information about the restaurant and options and one can send the results back to the person they are chatting with. Its not clear how the Assistant Card will look to the user receiving it. The feature comes after Google formally shut down its messaging app Allo that came with Google Assistant integration. The app is slated to shut down in March and after that, Googles Android Messages will be the companys primary texting app for consumers. The Messages app supports SMS, MMS and RCS. Google also announced that voice typing will be available via Google Assistant on devices running on KaiOS, which is an operating system made for smart feature phones. Google claimed there was a 7x increase in the use of Google Assistant among feature phone users in India, Indonesia, Mexico and Brazil in 2018. The speech-to-text feature will allow feature phone users to populate a text field using nothing but their voice. You need to hold down the Assistant button to type. At the same time, Google also announced its bringing Android 9 Pie Actions to Android Go Edition as well as KaiOS. Developers will be able to offer third-party Google Assistant applets in feature phones and entry-level phones. The company even launched an entry-level phone simulator for testing. "The past year has been an amazing year for Google Assistant and it is now over two years old. It is on over a billion devices in 80 countries and 30 languages. There are some things in the markets that we need to address differently, that is, the things that you can ask to the Assistant are consistent but how we answer them is totally different. We try to answer these queries as locally as possible," Austin Chang, Group Product Manager, Google Assistant told Digit. When asked if the company is only incorporating the Google Assistant to KaiOS-powered devices, or is helping in the development of the OS, the executive told us that Google has multiple services with Kai like Search, YouTube and Maps. "Wherever they go, we follow. We work with them very closely to make their devices better but we are not working with them at the OS level," he said. "We are here to serve all different types of users, that is, whatever language they speak or whatever devices they type in. You can see KaiOS is going after feature phones which is a very different market. We are here to support any user across the world, no matter what type of device they have and no matter what language they speak." Speaking of languages, Google also announced that it is also adding support for seven new Indic languages: Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam and Urdu. It is also expanding support for dual-language speakers, which means that you can now switch seamlessly between Korean, Hindi, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish and Dutch, apart from the already available language support (English, Spanish, German, French, Japanese and Italian). When asked will Google Assistant be able to understand the different accents of the same language in different countries, and also within a multi-lingual country like India, Austin said that the company tries to be as localised as possible when it comes to accents, slangs and mannerisms. "The English, for example, is very different in the US, Canada and in India, so we try to bring that same technology and same focus of natural understanding and dialect to all (different places)," the executive added. When asked about the support for Hinglish, Chang said that currently the assistant does not have support for it, "but we are trying are best and are always evolving in more and more languages in the native dialect with the kind of mannerisms and languages that people speak." Related Reads: Here's how the Nokia 9 PureView uses five cameras in tandem to create a single shot with crazy amount of detail All the foldable smartphones announced so far at MWC 2019 Highlights: Lenovo is launching its new set of laptops and other devices at MWC 2019 It includes a Bluetooth 5-enabled headset and a portable monitor More ThinkPad models get the ThinkShutter The Mobile World Congress has kicked off in Barcelona, Spain and weve begun to witness a flurry of launches from various computer and smartphone manufacturers. Heres Lenovo with its refreshed list of laptops. Launching with the new laptops is a USB Type-C-powered mobile monitor called the ThinkVision M14. Lets start with the new ThinkPads: ThinkPad T series: T490, T490s, T590 The refreshed T series of ThinkPads replaces the T480 family. Powered by Intel's 8th Gen Core series CPUs, they come with new features seen on other high-end ThinkPads like the ThinkShutter, a physical webcam security tab and PrivacyGuard, a screen guard tool. A new HDR display equipped with Dolby Vision will be available on all new T-series models. The new T490, T490s, and T590 will be priced at $999 (Rs 71,000 approx), $1,279 (Rs 91,000 approx) and $1,029 (Rs 73,100 approx) respectively when they release in May this year. ThinkPad X series: X390, X390 Yoga A part of the ThinkPad X series has been updated. The X390 and its Yoga-capable counterpart, the X390 Yoga, comes with the latest Intel 8th Gen Core series CPUs and the latest Intel Wi-Fi 6Gig+ chipsets. The new X390 and the X390 Yoga will be priced at $1,099 (Rs 78,100 approx) and $1,359 (Rs 95,550 approx) respectively when they release in May this year. 14w, 14e Chromebook Lenovo is launching two new AMD-powered laptops too. The Lenovo 14w is powered by an AMD A6-9220c processor, while the 14e is powered by an AMD A4-9120c processor. The 14w comes bundled with Windows 10, while the 14e is a Chromebook. Both models sport a spill-proof keyboard and a 14-inch Full HD touchscreen display. The battery on both models is a 57Whr unit, designed to last an entire day. The new Lenovo 14w and the 14e Chromebook will be priced at $299 (Rs 21,200) and $279 (Rs 19,800 approx) respectively when they release in March this year. IdeaPad S540 The new IdeaPad S540 comes in 14-inch and 15-inch variants with a choice of processors: Intel 8th Gen Core series and AMD Ryzen series. Some variants ship with an NVIDIA GeForce MX250 GPU while others ship with an AMD Radeon RX Vega 10 GPU. The IdeaPad S540 series is expected to release in March this year at a starting price of 799 euros (Rs 64,500 approx). IdeaPad S340 According to Lenovo, the IdeaPad S340 is the S540s younger sibling. It is even slimmer and lighter than the IdeaPad S540 series. The IdeaPad S340 series too is available with Intels 8th Gen Core series CPUs and AMDs Ryzen series CPUs. GPU options include the NVIDIA GeForce MX250 and the Radeon RX Vega 10. The IdeaPad S340 series is expected to start shipping in March for a starting price of 549 euros (Rs 44,300 approx). IdeaPad C340 The IdeaPad C340 is a two-in-one convertible laptop available in 14-inch and 15-inch variants, which, according to Lenovo, are close cousins to the IdeaPad S540 and the IdeaPad S340. It offers up to 8 hours of runtime on a single charge and support for the Active Pen stylus. Like the other two models, the IdeaPad C340 ships with Intels 8th Gen Core series CPUs and AMDs Ryzen series CPUs. The IdeaPad C340 series is expected to ship from March for a starting price of 599 euros (Rs 48,200 approx). IdeaCentre AIO A340 Available in two colour options, the IdeaCentre AIO A340 is Lenovos take on the modern all-in-one computer. Its available in two display sizes: 22 inches and 24 inches. Both have a Full HD resolution. CPU options include Intels 8th Gen Core series and AMDs A9 9425 while Radeon R5 takes care of graphics. The IdeaCentre AIO A340 is expected to ship from March this year for a starting price of 499 euros (Rs 40,300 approx). Tab V7 The Lenovo Tab V7 is a compact tablet with a 6.9-inch IPS LCD Full HD display. Lenovo claims it has an all-day battery the physical advantages of a smartphone. It has a single camera on the front and back along with a fingerprint scanner. Its powered by Android 9 Pie. Shipments of the Lenovo Tab V7 are expected to start in April this year for a price of 249 euros (Rs 20,000 approx). ThinkVision M14 The Lenovo ThinkVision M14 is a 14-inch Full HD mobile monitor that hooks up to a computer or smartphone. It has two USB Type-C ports and a maximum brightness of 300 nits. The monitor is 4.6mm slim and weighs 595g. When it launches in May this year, the Lenovo ThinkVision M14 will sell for $249 (Rs 17,700 approx). ThinkPad X1 ANC Headset Lenovo is surprising all of us this year with a computer headset called X1 ANC. Its tuned by Dolby and has active noise cancellation. It supports Bluetooth 5.0 and uses a USB Type-C port for charging. According to Lenovo, its collapsible design makes it easy to store and transport. The ThinkPad X1 ANC Headset will be available from June this year at a price of $149 (Rs 10,500 approx). Yoga ANC Headphones The Yoga ANC Headphones are practically the same as the ThinkPad X1 ANC Headset but with a Yoga brand name. They too have support for Bluetooth 5.0 and charge using a USB Type-C port. The Lenovo Yoga ANC Headphones are expected to release in June this year at a price of 158 euros (Rs 12,800 approx). Related Read: All new smartphones expected to launch at MWC 2019 100 million devices to launch with a dedicated Google Assistant button Tanaiste Simon Coveney addresses the Human Rights Council for the first time Press release Tanaiste Simon Coveney addresses the Human Rights Council for the first time and attends the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva The Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D., is in Geneva today (Monday, February 25th) to address UN Human Rights Council and the Conference on Disarmament. Addressing the Human Rights Council for the first time this morning, the Tanaiste recalled that the first act of Dail Eireann 100 years ago was to issue a Message to the Free Nations of the World, anchoring our approach to international engagement in freedom and justice. Emphasising that a century later, Ireland stands by that commitment to freedom and justice, the Tanaiste noted: It is woven through our foreign policy, through our bilateral engagement and through our determined and committed membership of the European Union. It underpins our commitment to the United Nations and to the Sustainable Development Goals. It is the reason we are acting on our promise to meet the UN target of providing 0.7% of GNP in development assistance by 2030 and it is the cornerstone of our candidacy for a seat on the UN Security Council for 2021-22. Highlighting the importance of civil society and human rights defenders, the Tanaiste expressed concern at the continued use of the death penalty and identified a number of other human rights priorities for Ireland including equal treatment for LGBTI persons, as well as drawing attention to the serious human rights concerns in Yemen, Myanmar and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Tanaiste also addressed the high-level segment of the Conference on Disarmament, where he reiterated Irelands support for the UN Secretary Generals Agenda for Disarmament. The Tanaiste announced that Ireland will champion three of the actions identified the Agenda - facilitating dialogue on nuclear disarmament, work towards a political declaration to address the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, and building understanding on the impact of arms on conflict management. The Tanaistes progamme in Geneva includes meetings with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi. ENDS Press Office 25 February 2019 Previous Item | Next Item Although most, or 65%, of mobile Internet users visit Google, they spend most of their time on social networks Youtube and Facebook, according to Latvias mobile operator BITE. These websites also consume the largest amount of Internet capacity. BITE notes that social networks today are one of the most popular ways people consume information and choose content. For example, Facebook is the second most popular Internet site in Latvia - 62% of mobile Internet users use it daily - while Youtube is the third most popular (48%). The total amount of Internet or data consumed by the users of Youtube and Facebook is almost half, or 45%, of the total monthly data traffic on the BITE network. For example, Youtube users consume on average 2 petabytes per month, or 2,000 terabytes of internet, which is 156% more than a year ago. Converting this volume into 90-minute HD quality movies would require 87 years to watch all these videos. For comparison, the amount of Internet consumed on Google is about 2% of the total monthly data traffic on the BITE network. The popularity of digital lifestyle is growing all over the world, including in Latvia. The fact that there are social networks among the users' favourite websites confirms that it is important for people today to be in constant circulation - not only to share the most important events of their lives, but also to find out what's new in the world and in the lives of their opinion leaders and friends, express their views on current events, etc. Modern technology is the easiest and most effective way to achieve this. Therefore, the popularity of social networks in the near future is expected to remain high, but the amount of data used in them will continue to increase, observed BITE Marketing Director Diana Smite. He also reveals that Facebook has grown the fastest in popularity among mobile users last year, with a 11% increase in social networking and 172% increase in Internet usage. Social networks such as Instagram, Vkontakte and Snapchat are also among the most popular websites. Also, mobile data customers often use the WhatsApp and Viber communication sites, the Waze traffic and navigation application, and the Spotify music streaming platform. SALT LAKE CITY The Supreme Court answered a question Monday that hasn't been resolved before in the court's 230-year history: if a judge dies after voting on a case, but before the decision is announced, does that judge's vote count? The answer is no, the high court decided. "Federal judges are appointed for life, not for eternity," the Supreme Court said in an unsigned opinion with no noted dissents. The question came up in a major equal pay case in the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which is based in San Francisco, The Hill reported. On April 9, 2018, the 9th Circuit issued an opinion on the case that was written by Judge Stephen Reinhardt and spoke for a 6-5 majority. The opinion upheld an Equal Pay Act claim brought by Aileen Rizo, a California teacher. She sued the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, alleging she was paid less than her male colleagues because her starting salary was based on the compensation she received in a previous job. The Supreme Court ruled Monday to overturn the decision because Reinhardt died 11 days before the ruling was announced. Reinhardt was a liberal leader of the 9th Circuit who "voiced a certain pride in being reversed often by the more conservative Supreme Court," according to The Los Angeles Times. Reinhardt wrote an opinion for the full appeals court before his death. The school district claimed that prior salary is a factor other than sex that allows wage disparities under the Equal Pay Act. But in the majority ruling, Reinhardt wrote that the intention of the Equal Pay Act was to eliminate wage discrimination against women, and that it would be "inconceivable" for the 1963 law to allow "disparities that Congress declared are not only related to sex but caused by sex." Reinhardt went on to state that prior salary is not job-related and perpetuates the very gender-based assumptions about the value of work that the Equal Pay Act was intended to prevent. Unfortunately, over 50 years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act, the wage gap between men and women is not some inert historical relic of bygone assumptions and sex-based oppression, he wrote. Although it may have improved since the passage of the Equal Pay Act, the gap persists today: women continue to receive lower earnings than men across industries, occupations, and education levels.' According to a footnote at the beginning of the appeals court decision, Reinhart "fully participated in this case and authored this opinion" and judges completed voting before Reinhardt died. But the Supreme Court said Monday it's "generally understood that a judge may change his or her position up to the very moment when a decision is released." However, in order for a vote to count, a judge must actively be serving on the court when the ruling is released. Otherwise, this practice would "allow a deceased judge to exercise the judicial power of the United States after his death." This isn't the first time this question has come up. In February 2016, Justice Antonin Scalia died, leaving behind a number of cases in which he had cast his vote but in which the opinion was still pending at the time of his death. In some of those cases, the Supreme Court said it was split 4-4 and therefore unable to issue a ruling. Monday's ruling makes clear the votes of deceased judges cannot be used to decide cases, according to the Los Angeles Times. Reinhardt was one of the longest-serving federal judges when he died at age 87, according to Fox News. He was appointed to the federal bench in 1980 by President Jimmy Carter. The case was sent back to the 9th Circuit for reconsideration. SALT LAKE CITY After a 10-month national search for a new managing director, Pioneer Theatre Company announced Monday that Tony-nominated producer Christopher Massimine will be joining its team. Starting July 1, Massimine will help lead the company alongside PTCs artistic director, Karen Azenberg. Massimine succeeds Chris Lino, who is retiring after managing the Pioneer Theatre Company for 28 years. Theres no replacement for somebody like Chris Lino someone whos dedicated more than a quarter of a century to making Pioneer Theatre a fixture in the Utah arts community, but there is a next step, Azenberg said during the Monday press conference. In moving forward, the company has brought in Massimine, who comes to Utah with experience producing theater and concerts across the globe and has been nominated for two Tony awards one for his work on American Idiot, the musical based on Green Day's acclaimed album of the same name. Most recently, as CEO of the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, Massimine oversaw the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof, according to a news release. He's looking forward to bringing his expertise and love of theater out west. He is also a part of New York Citys Cultural Council, is the Co-Development Chair at Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York, is a member of The Broadway League and the Founder and former Chair of the Immigrant Arts Coalition. Its an extraordinary time to join the Pioneer Theatre Company family, Massimine said in the news release. Good theater is about the production; great theater is about developing community. When the work itself comes from a place of authenticity and care, its noticed and remembered. I have experienced all of those things at PTC and fallen in love with Utah. For Daniel Lofgren, PTC's board chairman, choosing a replacement for Lino seemed a near-impossible feat. But Lofgren believes Massimine's resume speaks for itself and that the producer will help take PTC to the next level. Chris Massimine has enormous shoes to fill. Chris Lino has been a remarkable steward of this precious asset. That said, I am excited about Chris coming to PTC, Lofgren said in the news release. He has demonstrated wonderful marketing savvy and an innovators approach to the business side of theater. I am quite enthused about what he and our amazing artistic director Karen Azenberg can do working together at Pioneer Theatre Company. Massimine's love and appreciation for theater was clear during the press conference, as he spoke about how children experiencing the arts is one of the most important aspects of community theater. Pioneer Theatre Company has paved the way for quality in performance this ripple effect has been seen from children who have experienced it in this theater, he said. In short, the arts make the world a better place. As PTC's artistic director, Azenberg shares an equal passion for theater and looks forward to working with Massimine to shape the company's future. (We will) continue making great theater that is recognized not just here in Salt Lake City or Utah but across the country, she said. Its a very exciting and bright future ahead of us. SALT LAKE CITY A Texas federal judge ruled Friday that the United States all-male military draft is unconstitutional, marking the biggest challenge the Selective Service System has faced since 1981, USA Today reported. The average woman could conceivably be better suited physically for some of todays combat positions than the average man, depending on which skills the position required. Combat roles no longer uniformly require sheer size or muscle, U.S. District Judge Gray Miller of the Southern District of Texas wrote in his opinion. The ruling, however, did not directly order Congress to alter the draft policy, so it may be limited in terms of the change it can effect, according to USA Today. The National Coalition for Men, a self-described civil rights organization that aims to address the ways sex discrimination affects men and boys, brought the case against the Selective Service System, arguing that an all-male draft is unfair to men. Men are currently required to register for the draft within 30 days of their 18th birthday or risk losing eligibility for student loans, job training, and government jobs, as Fox News reported. Failure to register can also result in fines and imprisonment, The New York Times reported. Women can choose to serve in the military, but they are not required to register for the draft. The draft was last invoked in 1973, toward the end of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, NBC News reported. The U.S. military is now volunteer-based, with the understanding the draft would only be invoked in the future in the case of a national emergency. Marc Angelucci, attorney for the National Coalition for Men, told USA Today, Either they need to get rid of the draft registration, or they need to require women to do the same thing that men do. However, Angelucci said the Texas decision was largely symbolic, because Miller delivered his decision in the form of a declarative judgment and not an injunction, as USA Today reported. In other words, Miller didnt order Congress to make specific changes to the draft system in order for it to be constitutional. Background The case is the latest development in an ongoing debate over whether the draft is necessary, and if it is, whether women should be included. After the House shot down a 2016 Senate bill that would have included women in the draft, Congress formed an 11-member National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service that same year to provide guidance on these two questions. The commission released an interim report in January, but didnt clarify its stance on either of the issues, according to USA Today. As USA Today reported, the issues have been hotly contested since 1945, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed drafting women into the military due to a shortage of nurses. After the U.S. pulled out of the Vietnam War in 1973, the draft was discontinued in favor of an all-volunteer military. However, President Jimmy Carter relaunched the Selective Service System in 1980 to ensure the U.S. would be prepared in the case of a military emergency. Carter also suggested that women be drafted, but Congress rejected the proposal. Either its yes, women should have to register just on the basis of equality, or no, women should not have to register because they have a different role in American society. Joe Heck, chairman of the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service The issue came up again in the 1981 case Rostker v. Goldberg, in which the Supreme Court ruled that an all-male draft was fully justified because women werent eligible for combat roles, USA Today reported. However, after the Pentagon lifted all restrictions for women in military service in 2015, that justification can no longer be used. In 2017, women made up 18.6 percent of the Department of Defenses active enlisted members, according to a report from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Personnel and Readiness. If there ever was a time to discuss the place of women in the Armed Services, that time has passed, Miller wrote in his ruling. Reaction However, this isnt a sentiment everyone shares. Joe Heck, chairman of the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service, told USA Today that many people have a visceral reaction when asked if they think women should be required to register for the draft. When we pose this question to people, its not like they say, Oh, let me stop and think for a minute. They have an answer, Heck said. Either its yes, women should have to register just on the basis of equality, or no, women should not have to register because they have a different role in American society. Although not all women support the idea of a mandatory draft, others see it as a long-overdue nod to equality and acknowledgment of women who already serve in the military, the Dayton Daily News reported. Kate Germano, a retired Marine who served for 20 years, told The New York Times that requiring women to register for the draft "would be an advantage to the country, and also for men, who have bore the preponderance of the burden since the draft was established." The Pentagon wrote in a 2017 report that the Selective Service System should be maintained and that women should be included in the draft. It would appear imprudent to exclude approximately 50 percent of the population the female half from availability for the draft in the case of a national emergency, the report reads. Still, everyone will have a chance to weigh in on the issue. The commission has already received more than 3,000 comments from the public and will continue to accept them through the end of 2019, USA Today reported. The commission is set to release its final report in March 2020, but its recommendations are advisory. Ultimately, Congress and the president will have to decide whether the draft should continue and whether women should be included. It's unclear what that decision would be. SALT LAKE CITY The Utah Senate signaled its intent Monday to allow grocery and convenience stores in the state to sell higher alcohol content beer. The Republican-controlled body gave preliminary approval to legislation to raise the alcohol content by weight from 3.2 percent to 4.8 percent for beer sold in Utah stores. The vote was 21-8. A final vote will come later this week. "I contend that responsible drinkers at 3.2 will be responsible at 4.8," said Sen. Jerry Stevenson, R-Layton, the sponsor of SB132. The state has been grappling with the issue for the past two years as national breweries phase out the production of 3.2 percent beer. Utah is one of only two states left selling the lower weight beer after laws in Oklahoma, Colorado and Kansas have or will change in the next few months. The proposed law would still leave Utah with the lowest alcohol content for beer. As state laws change, brewers have to decide whether to continue what would be a specialty item for a shrinking market. Some products from major beer makers, including Coors and Budweiser, are already disappearing from Utah shelves. "This is a detriment to our retail trade," Stevenson said during floor debate on the bill. The bill would take effect in October if it passes. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came out against the legislation earlier this month. "The church opposes SB132 in its current form. We, along with other community groups, oppose legislation which represents a 50 percent increase in alcohol content for beer sold in grocery and convenience stores," Marty Stephens, director of government relations for the church, said in a statement. Stevenson said after the floor debate that he would expect the church to oppose the measure but what makes or breaks a bill is the number of votes in the Legislature. Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, was among those voting against the measure. "I think the next step will be to put wine in grocery stores. And you say, 'Oh, that's not going to happen.' Mark my words," he said. Hillyard said allowing stronger beer in grocery and convenience stores would invite "trouble" to Utah, such as young people having access to more potent products. "I, for one, do not want to expand that into that area. I think people who want alcohol can get alcohol," he said. "I don't care what other states do." Sen. Don Ipson, R-St. George, said SB132 is a business bill not an alcohol bill, noting the increase in alcohol content in a can of beer amounts to less than a teaspoon. "The state of Utah is a business-friendly environment, supposedly," he said. "Let's not tie the hands of 3,000 retail outlets by not letting them have the products they need available in liquor sales." Beer containing 4.8 percent alcohol is legal and already sold in state-run liquor stores, Sen. Scott Sandall, R-Tremonton, said. He said the issue boils down to "not if but where it's sold and consumer choice," he said. "I think it doesnt have as much moral component to it as some would suggest," he said. Heavy beers make up about 10 percent of the sales in state liquor stores, but only half of that contains between 3.2 percent and 4.8 percent alcohol by volume, Stevenson said. The change in the law would shift about half of the beers sold in state stores to grocery and convenience stores, he said. DABC, he said, has plenty of other products to take that shelf space. Stevenson estimated that would slow the growth curve in state alcohol sales from the current 7 percent annually to about 5 percent in the first couple years. Alcohol revenue goes to the state's school lunch program, public safety and the general fund. Last month, Walmart launched a campaign urging customers to lobby Utah lawmakers to make full-strength beer available in stores. The retail giant is part of a group of retailers, beer manufacturers and distributors, and trade associations calling itself the Responsible Beer Choice Coalition that is lobbying the Utah Legislature to raise the alcohol content for beer sold in grocery and convenience stores. The group has called the proposed change "modest." Only 1.8 percent of all beer brewed in the United States is 3.2 percent beer, with Oklahoma consuming 56 percent of it, followed by Utah at 29 percent. Utahns represent less than one-half of a percent of beer drinkers in the U.S. SALT LAKE CITY A man who told police he had been partying was arrested early Sunday after he was found passed out in the hallway of a downtown Salt Lake hotel with a stolen handgun in his waistband. Jeffrey Eugene Beasley, 35, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of possession of a firearm by a restricted person, theft by receiving stolen property, two counts of drug possession and intoxication. Sunday about 6:30 a.m., security at the Radisson Hotel, 215 W. South Temple, found Beasley passed out and lying face down in the hallway on the ninth floor, according to a jail booking report. Security guards noticed a handgun was tucked in the back of Beasley's pants so they called Salt Lake City police. Officers learned the gun was reported stolen out of Murray, the report states. Beasley was also found to have heroin and 15 Clonazepam pills, according to the report. "Beasley was in a partially conscious state and at times he could not tell me where he was. He indicated that he had been partying the evening prior," the officer noted in his report. It was not immediately known if Beasley was a registered guest at the hotel. In 2013, he was sentenced to one to 15 years at the Utah State Prison for a conviction of felony drug possession, according to court records. Court records show Beasley has a lengthy history of drug-related arrests and convictions. The entire stonework of the memorial, including the obelisk, was done by Star Mercantile of Mr Kishore Kapur. The statue of a soldier is displayed at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. (Photo: Pritam Bandyopadhyay) New Delhi: The National War Memorial, built to honour Indian soldiers who fell while defending the country after Independence, will be dedicated to the nation on Monday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The names of 25,942 Armed Force men, who died in the service of the nation after 15th August 1947, are inscribed on the walls of the memorial in golden letters. The entire stonework of the memorial, including the obelisk, was done by Star Mercantile of Mr Kishore Kapur. As of now, the wreath lying ceremonies to honour the Indian soldiers will be held at the National War Memorial and not at the India Gate. A retreat ceremony will be held every evening at the memorial, which has been constructed adjacent to the India Gate complex on the Rajpath in the national capital. Till date, there was no National War Memorial in memory of the soldiers who died while defending the nation after 1947. The India Gate was built by the British to honour the 83,000 British Indian Army soldiers who died during World War I and the third Anglo-Afghan War. The National War Memorial has a 15.5 metre tall central obelisk in the centre and on its base there will be an eternal flame, which will be lit by the PM on Monday. However, the flame for the memorial will not be brought from the Amar Jawan Jyoti as was earlier anticipated. There will also be a separate Param Yodha Sthal dedicated to the nations highest gallantry award Param Vir Chakra recipients. The National War Memorial has a layout of four landscaped concentric circles spread over 40 acres. At the centre is the Amar Chakra (circle of immortality), which has an obelisk with an eternal flame. Following it is the Veer Chakra (circle of bravery), a covered gallery that exhibits six murals crafted in bronze depicting the valiant battles of the Armed Forces. SALT LAKE CITY The House Education Committee took no action Monday on a bill to limit the state education fund monies appropriated to state colleges and universities at 20 percent. The committee heard testimony on the bill Friday but ran out of time and took no action. Monday, the committee agreed to move on to the next item on the committee agenda without taking action. As originally proposed, HB248 set the limit at 15 percent. But the bill's sponsor, Rep. Marsha Judkins, R-Provo, successfully amended the cap to 20 percent. In 1996, Utahns voted to amend the Utah Constitution to permit lawmakers to fund higher education from the state education fund, which is supported by income tax. Higher education, which includes the Utah System of Technical Colleges, also receives funding from the state's general fund. "The trend for higher education is they have been getting a greater percentage of that public education fund money. I am proposing to put firm proportionality on that ratio," she said. Judkins said increasing the limit to 20 percent "was a good number. It's not arbitrary. The historical average has been about 15 percent and 20 percent gives wiggle room for the funding as it is now," she said. While the bill was supported by the Utah State Board of Education, the state System of Higher Education opposed it. "We think it will make it more difficult for future legislatures to fund higher education. We don't know what's going to happen with tax reform and if the general fund is going to be made more robust. Hopefully that will happen but that's an unknown right now," said Utah Commissioner of Higher Education David Buhler. He urged the committee to hold the bill. Judkins, who teaches at Utah Valley University and is a former local school board member, said the bill would allow funding for the state's K-12 system and higher education to grow proportionately. "I love higher ed. I don't want to harm higher education. I don't think this does that," she said. "I think it just provides a check puts a check on this upward trend." Rep. Steve Waldrip, R-Eden, said given the level of uncertainty with our tax structure right now, "I think it would be wise to study over the interim but I think this is a critical discussion. At least for me, I need to know a little more about the boundaries of the playing field that we're going to be discussing." SALT LAKE CITY A legislative panel agreed Monday that Utah should seek permission from the federal government to import lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada. HB267 would direct the Utah Department of Health to get approval from the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for an importation program. "This bill is simply to ask a question," Rep. Norm Thurston, R-Provo, told the House Business and Labor Committee. "We having nothing to lose and a lot gain." The panel voted 7-3 to move the legislation to the House floor. Thurston, the bill's sponsor, said the high cost of prescription drugs in the U.S. forces some people, especially those on fixed incomes, to skip or spread out their drugs, which is harmful to their health. The American Association for Retired Persons supports the bill, Danny Harris, director of advocacy for AARP Utah, told the committee. He said the rising cost of drugs is outpacing residents' ability to pay. Kelvyn Cullimore, president and CEO of BioUtah, said the goals of the bill are laudable, but the FDA has yet to approve an importation program for a state. The federal government has started to take the issue on its own, he said. "To think this would go through easily is fallacy," he said Cullimore, the former mayor of Cottonwood Heights, said the bill makes no provision for savings getting to consumers. Also, Canada has no "track and trace" system and there's no way of assuring the drugs are safe. Thurston said there is only one production facility for specific drugs and the FDA coordinates with countries throughout the world to ensure they're safe. Florida recently received support from the Trump administration for a state importation program and there's no reason Utah wouldn't be treated the same, Thurston said. "It seem an obvious thing to me to ask the question," he said. SALT LAKE CITY The 91st Academy Awards show aired on Sunday night, and there were plenty of moments that had Twitter sounding off. Green Book took home the award for best picture. Rami Malek took home best actor for his role as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody and Olivia Colman won best actress for her role in The Favourite," according to CNN. Twitter had a slew of reactions to what happened on Sunday night. Heres a quick roundup of the biggest moments. Queen, along with Adam Lambert, kicked off the show with a performance, which inspired numerous responses from Twitter. Cancel the Oscars and just make it a Queen concert Ben Domenech (@bdomenech) February 25, 2019 Can't wait for Adam Lambert's monologue Richard Lawson (@rilaws) February 25, 2019 2019 oscars begins with 50% of Queen playing their two most overrated songs. Gonna be a long night. Josh Visser (@joshvisser) February 25, 2019 Twitter poked fun at the fact that the Oscars didnt have a host. But some said they liked the event without one. I love Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph and Tina Fey so much. Why *couldnt* they have just been made the hosts? Lame @TheAcademy, lame. (((Rachel Sklar))) (@rachelsklar) February 25, 2019 Maya Rudolph: "Just a quick update, in case you're confused. There is no host tonight, there won't be a popular movie category, and Mexico is not paying for the wall." pic.twitter.com/gGrcav407q David Mack (@davidmackau) February 25, 2019 Maybe they'll "not host" all evening https://t.co/DvVlhQYIYU Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) February 25, 2019 The Oscars needs a host. Not working for me without . andrew dallos (@adallos) February 25, 2019 Were nearly an hour into this show and I dont miss an Oscars host whatsoever. The focus has been on the films, where it should be. Frank Pallotta (@frankpallotta) February 25, 2019 This no host thing is working Kyle Blaine (@kyletblaine) February 25, 2019 maybe hosting the oscars is, as Gore Vidal said of commercialism, to do well that which should not be done at all Alexandra Petri (@petridishes) February 25, 2019 There's never gonna be a host again is there James Hamblin (@jameshamblin) February 25, 2019 This hostless Oscars is like the part of The Office where Michael Scott left and they hadn't hired a new boss yet and it turned out everybody worked better without a boss at all. James Poniewozik (@poniewozik) February 25, 2019 Regina King won praise for winning the best supporting actress award. We're less than 20 minutes in, but this is the best moment of the #Oscars2019 so far https://t.co/fFbSuNkWNy Krystie Lee Yandoli (@KrystieLYandoli) February 25, 2019 Regina King. What a speech. What a well-earned win. Michael Wear (@MichaelRWear) February 25, 2019 Regina King is great! Good choice! Dashiell Bennett (@dashbot) February 25, 2019 regina king Deserves discourse wallah 3000 (@krutika) February 25, 2019 YEAH REGINA KING!!!! (((Rachel Sklar))) (@rachelsklar) February 25, 2019 Others praised "Aquaman" star's Jason Momoas outfit: This is the buddy cop film we need. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/IlPKdSrXka New York Comic Con (@NY_Comic_Con) February 25, 2019 I would like to talk about the scrunchie on Jason Momoa's wrist and nothing but the scrunchie on Jason Momoa's wrist #oscars pic.twitter.com/yxhcJTzUwW Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) February 25, 2019 Jason Momoa should be presenting with the Brine King David Sims (@davidlsims) February 25, 2019 Twitter celebrated the early victories for Black Panther. #BlackPanther is killing it already and this is so unusual for the #Oscars, Im in shock. Dunc (@clubjade) February 25, 2019 Your BLACK PANTHER Best Picture surprise theories start here. Sean Fennessey (@SeanFennessey) February 25, 2019 Maybe Black Panther WILL win best picture! Mike Hogan (@mike_hogan) February 25, 2019 back to back awards for black panther !!!!!!!!! #oscars kelly cohen (@ByKellyCohen) February 25, 2019 All the #Oscars to Black Panther! Kathryn Casteel (@kathryncasteel) February 25, 2019 I think Black Panther might win Best Picture. Stephen Amell (@StephenAmell) February 25, 2019 Twitter also praised Mahershala Ali for winning the Oscar for best supporting actor. One of the most talented actors of our day, Mahershala Ali. Soooo well deserved Abby Huntsman (@HuntsmanAbby) February 25, 2019 I'm just happy for Mahershala Ali for being done with this campaign and I hope he gets to take a long nap Emily Yoshida (@emilyyoshida) February 25, 2019 Well, I will never be mad that Mahershala Ali won something Mara Get Rid of the Nazis Wilson (@MaraWilson) February 25, 2019 Me being happy for Mahershala Ali while continuing to hate Green Book. pic.twitter.com/Kv0YJQVhMY R. Eric Thomas (@oureric) February 25, 2019 People praised the Oscars after Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse won for best animated film. the Oscars are good now Dylan Scott (@dylanlscott) February 25, 2019 Spider-Man was legit a great movie. Jon Ralston (@RalstonReports) February 25, 2019 YAS. SPIDER-VERSE WAS THE BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR. Katie Rayford (@katie_rayford) February 25, 2019 SPIDERVERSE Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) February 25, 2019 Yay! Alex Parker (@AlexParkerDC) February 25, 2019 Spider-verse is 100% the correct choice #oscars Benjamin Wood (@BjaminWood) February 25, 2019 Genuinely surprised that the Oscar went to Spider-Verse, the most beloved movie of the year and one thats going to be on Best Animated Movies Ever lists for forever Nathaniel Friedman (@freedarko) February 25, 2019 SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE is one of the best films of the year. Not just animated film. Not just superhero film. One of the best *films* of the year. pic.twitter.com/1OrnFlYKzM Frank Pallotta (@frankpallotta) February 25, 2019 Mike Myers and Dana Carvey from Waynes World reunited for a brief moment to introduce the Bohemian Rhapsody film. Waynes World reunited!!! This is truly the highlight of my night. Abby Huntsman (@HuntsmanAbby) February 25, 2019 WAYNE'S WORLD FOR BEST PICTURE The Big Picture (@TheBigPic) February 25, 2019 It's 27 years overdue but Wayne's World should've been nominated for an oscar Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) February 25, 2019 People praised the performance between Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, who performed Shallow from A Star Is Born together. I will never have as much chemistry with anyone as much as Actual Fake Couple Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga do. #oscars Kristin Chirico (@lolacoaster) February 25, 2019 The awkward energy channelled into the piano dividing Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper could power a rocket's circumnavigation of the sun. Sean Fennessey (@SeanFennessey) February 25, 2019 Gaga received more praise for winning best original song. everyone every time Lady Gaga wins an award #Oscars #OSCAR2019 pic.twitter.com/CNm5JMp7x2 S T E V E (@SteveKMMA) February 25, 2019 Lady Gaga is the only person in history to win a Golden Globe, a Grammy, a BAFTA, and an Oscar in a single year #Oscars Gaga Daily (@gagadaily) February 25, 2019 Rami Maleks win for best actor earned mixed reactions. they dubbed Freddie Mercurys voice into every singing sequence, please never forget this Dylan Scott (@dylanlscott) February 25, 2019 I like him as an actor, but we will look back upon Rami Malek's Oscar for BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY with extraordinary bemusement. Sean Fennessey (@SeanFennessey) February 25, 2019 Rami Malek wins. Hes really had a crazy couple of years. Emily Nussbaum (@emilynussbaum) February 25, 2019 Well look back in 10 years and say, Wait...he didnt sing? And the other guy did? How...? Robert Mays (@robertmays) February 25, 2019 I like Ramis work so much. This just feels so weird. Sigh. Chris Geidner (@chrisgeidner) February 25, 2019 There was a genuine shock when Olivia Colman won for her work in The Favourite. Can Olivia Coleman please give every #Oscar acceptance speech? One of my all time favorites: sweet, sincere, gracious, excruciatingly funny #BestActress pic.twitter.com/zBaBpD6DGU Anthony Mason (@AnthonyMasonCBS) February 25, 2019 Olivia Coleman is my favorite actress. So real and true. pic.twitter.com/SoDPbgQGSD Chris Cillizza (@CillizzaCNN) February 25, 2019 Green Book took home best picture, and Twitter had mixed reviews for that as well. its not too late to do the La La Land envelope thing! people will roll with it! Alexandra Petri (@petridishes) February 25, 2019 Green Book was fine. Roma is a masterpiece that well look back on years from now as one of the most incredible films of the decade. Robert Mays (@robertmays) February 25, 2019 SALT LAKE CITY The Governor's Office of Energy Development announced Tuesday the production of a new film series devoted to promoting energy efficiency at home and in the workplace. Part one of the four-part series debuted on Jan. 23 detailing a number of simple, affordable do-it-yourself projects for homeowners, including tips for managing a thermostat, installing a socket sealer, caulking a window, weather-stripping a door and insulating pipes, explained Shawna Cuan, series host and managing director of energy efficiency and renewable energy at the state Energy Development Office. "The whole point of the video series is to make it accessible and easy to implement energy efficiency at home," she said. "Being energy-efficient at home and work will continue to be a key priority for smart, manageable growth and a high quality of life." She noted that buildings account for nearly 40 percent of all emissions statewide, and with the projected population boom over the next few decades, "we can't afford inefficiencies." In the second video, due out next month, Cuan will visit a local hardware store to explain how consumers can efficiently operate their existing appliances, what to look for when buying new appliances, and programs available to support homeowners and renters. The video will feature industry partners Rocky Mountain Power, Dominion Energy, Home Depot and the Utah Clean Air Partnership, a news release stated. "In our efforts to clear the air there are no perfect answers, but there are practical solutions," said Thom Carter, executive director of UCAIR. "Being energy-efficient is a practical solution that helps you save money and clean our air." Energy efficiency is a big part of Utah's overall air quality strategy, he said. "We don't want people to have any wasted emissions," he said. "These short films will help educate Utahns on how to find emission savings and financial savings and put them in a position to succeed." Carter said that people generally want to be a part of the air quality solution, but don't always know where to start or think the problem is too big for them to make an impact. He said the videos will show Utahns simple and affordable ways "to pitch in and do their part." For summer, video three will address the importance of water conservation, Cuan said. Utah is the second-driest state in the nation, she noted. Topics covered in the video will include dry and smart irrigation options, fixing leaks and managing appliances, she said. The Utah Department of Environmental Quality will also highlight the latest technology available to consumers who want to monitor their water use, she added. "When we can save water, we also can save energy and save money," she said. The video will explain ways to conserve water both indoors and outdoors, she said. Lastly, as Utah's housing boom continues, the series will include ideas from local construction companies and consumers about the latest trends in the state's building industry and how they are working to help improve air quality, the release stated. Cuan said the video series offers opportunities for consumers and businesses to learn and become more informed about improving the air. "We all see some of the air quality challenges along the Wasatch Front and what some folks don't know is that often times what they are doing at home can contribute to it," she said. "If you're heating or you're cooking, you're actually producing emissions that will leave the home and contribute to poor air quality." She said getting consumers to appreciate their role in impacting the environment can help prompt the changes necessary to improve overall air quality. She also noted that business users have become more attentive to environmental emissions in recent years as a way to reduce their overall operating costs. "A lot of folks in the commercial and industrial space actually do understand the connection between efficiency, cost savings and better air quality," Cuan said. Building owners are quite proactive and committed to enhanced outcomes because "they are operating a business," she said. "There is more demand these days for higher performing buildings that are more comfortable and (highly energy-efficient)," she said. The video series will push forward an important message about advancing energy efficiency for the state's projected growth, she said. "The Governor's Office of Energy Development is dedicated to building Utah's sustainable future by advancing energy savings and air quality through energy efficiency education and programs," said Laura Nelson, executive director of the Governor's Office of Energy Development. "We're excited to release a new series that can help shed light on what we can do as individuals to help elevate the way we live, work and play for decades to come." SALT LAKE CITY So far this year, local school boards from Salt Lake County to Ogden have voted to close three Title I elementary schools and the closure of a fourth school in Salt Lake City has been recommended by a school district committee. Academic research suggest the effects of school closures are a mixed bag, but in every case the impacts are deeply personal. "Closing schools means more than barricading the doors. The big question is, what happens next and what happens to the people? Thats what education is all about, the people. What will it mean for them?" said Andrea Rorrer, associate dean of the University of Utahs College of Education. Following Granite School Board's vote in January to close Oquirrh Hills Elementary School in Kearns at the end of the school year, Linda Hansen addressed members of the State School Board about the decision. "I just want to say publicly, thats very, very difficult on a community. Its just so hard to lose your neighborhood school," said Hansen, who represents the area on the Utah State Board of Education. In each of the three instances, school administrators vowed to work closely with affected students to help them transition to different schools next fall. Following the Ogden School District board's vote to close Gramercy Elementary late last week, Superintendent Rich Nye acknowledged the closure "will undoubtedly be a source of grief for many. "I personally assure the Gramercy community that the Ogden School District stands ready to provide support to assist in a smooth transition to another learning community. Rorrer, who is also director of the U.'s Education Policy Center, said aside from assurances, school communities need specific plans as to what comes next. "Its one thing to say a students records will be transferred to a new school. Its another to say, 'Will they feel safe and comfortable at that school? Will they be welcome? How will they be integrated? What is the integration plan for students who come from another school?'" Rorrer said. In many low-income neighborhoods, schools serve as community centers. When the Davis Board of Education voted earlier this month to close Washington Elementary School in Bountiful, school community council Chairman Mitch Davis explained that many families in the neighborhood heavily rely on its school nutrition programs and food pantry. He specifically urged the school board to continue to offer a summer foods program there after the school closes in May. Shamory Kojima, whose daughter and nephew attend the school, raced to get to the school board meeting after he got off work, but he was too late for the school board vote. Kojima said he would have told the board that he has no car so he doesn't know how his children will get to their new school. They're able to walk to school now. The school board vote "changed my life," he said. According to the Urban Institute, research shows changing schools can negatively affect students, although there is also evidence that moving to a better performing school can be positive. Urban researchers Megan Gallagher and Amanda Gold analyzed school and census data to track which schools were open one fall and closed the next. They found that every year, about 2 percent of schools that close their doors for the summer never reopen, affecting more than 200,000 students annually. The majority are in suburban areas. They also found that in urban and suburban areas, closures disproportionately affect poor or black students. The big question is, what happens next and what happens to the people? Thats what education is all about, the people. What will it mean for them? Andrea Rorrer, associate dean of the University of Utahs College of Education The soon-to-be closed Utah schools Oquirrh Hills, Washington and Gramercy elementaries share some similar characteristics. Each is a Title I schools with declining enrollment. Title I schools have large concentrations of low-income students. The schools receive federal funding intended to help students meet educational goals. All are housed in older school buildings. A vast majority of students who attend the three schools are economically disadvantaged, and students of color outnumber Caucasian peers, according to the State School Board's most recent school report cards. English language learners comprise about a third of all students at Oquirrh Hills and Gramercy. Their academic performances differ somewhat. Washington Elementary's last state report card showed it was making typical progress in achievement, exemplary progress in academic growth and typical progress among English language learners. Gramercy's progress in achievement and academic growth were developing, and it was making typical progress among English language learners, according to the state report card. Oquirrh Hills had been under school turnaround for the past three years and did not make enough progress to exit the program. Turnaround schools have scored in the lowest 3 percent of student achievement statewide according to end-of-year tests. Those schools receive state grants and assistance from experts who work with the school to improve achievement. The district plans to redraw school boundaries in the surrounding area and send Oquirrh Hills students to nearby elementary schools depending on the location of their residences. Research published in the Journal of Urban Economics in 2011 examined school closures in an unnamed midsized urban school district. Researchers determined "the transition to new schools can have an adverse effect on attendance and achievement gains for students from closed schools." However, "these effects can be minimized when students move to higher-performing schools." The negative effect on attendance appears to dissipate after the first year, "but the negative effect on achievement appears to persist "unless the students are transferred to substantially higher-performing schools." For students at schools that receive an influx of students from closed schools, "the analysis shows no detectable adverse effects on either the attendance or achievement," the research states. In some respects, a school closure is "almost like a natural disaster occurring because the folks its happening to, most often, dont expect it," Rorrer said. "You might have an emergency kit in your car but really, you go day to day banking on the fact that youre not going to need it." LEHI The view from Canopy's gleaming new office in the foothills west of I-15 near Point of the Mountain affords a view of Adobe's expanding facilities, and a host of other more newly minted Utah tech headquarters that dot the near horizon. The elevated vantage point may be the perfect metaphor for the company, founded in 2014, that is working to disrupt the world of accounting with a suite of cloud-based applications aiming to raise the bar on the role of technology in a market that's been, well, a little slow to adapt. Canopy founder and CEO Kurt Avarell said the company's latest product, aimed at optimizing the tax preparation process for professional accountants, will be the first new piece of prep software for the sector that's come along in quite a while. "It's the first time in two decades that tax preparation (software) has been introduced into this market," Avarell said. "So, theres a lot of hype across the accounting community and a lot of people paying attention, because this is very unusual." People started paying attention to, and utilizing, Canopy's first foray into the tax world a few years ago when it released a tool aimed at improving and automating the niche accounting area of tax resolution. That's accounting-speak for the process of navigating tax debt issues raised by the IRS. Avarell said that first product was a "wedge" intended to allow the new company to break into the market. "We wedged in with the tax resolution product and built a good customer base," Avarell said. "It was classic Clayton Christensen (Harvard Business School pioneer in disruptive business strategy) disruption. We entered at the low end of the market with tax resolution, and we're now entering the much bigger market with tax preparation." Avarell is a tax attorney who, while a California native, studied at BYU. He said he comes from a family of entrepreneurs and had previously started, built and sold another company, but had a career segue that took him to a marquee Wall Street law firm. It was while he was at the 150-year-old firm of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy that the seeds of an idea that would lead to Canopy were sown. "It was while doing pro bono work at Milbank that I recognized a problem that needed to be addressed," Avarell said. "I was working with low-income taxpayers and the process, that should have become easier each time we did it, took just as long because of the volume of paperwork required by the IRS. "The amount of time required was startling and I realized automation would change everything." So Avarell walked away from a job that might be considered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by many in the legal community and, instead of climbing the corporate ladder, taught himself how to code and launched Canopy from a familiar location for tech startup efforts: his basement. Canopy's products are moving tax preparation from a realm that once meant, according to Avarell, "finding and assembling all your paperwork, hauling it to your accountant's office and waiting to hear something back" to one where document exchanges are digital, business data can be processed to automatically populate necessary forms and the overall experience, for both preparers and taxpayers, can be evolved from one of constant stresses to relative ease. Now Canopy has raised over $70 million in venture capital, has built its suite of tax preparation products to five categories and, this tax season, is beta testing its tax prep software. And it's winning over clients. James Faughtenberry, founder and CEO of the Kansas City, Missouri-based ATA Group, a business consulting and tax preparation firm, said Canopy's tools have helped him both streamline his business and increase revenues. "Ive utilized Canopy in such a way that allows me to direct all of my business through Canopy," Faughtenberry said. "All of my client communications and project tracking are all in one place now, and it makes a huge difference." "Switching to Canopy was a game changer. After less than three months of using the software, I had streamlined my processes so efficiently that I was able to add nearly $10,000 in monthly recurring revenue." Canopy has also earned the attention of the Governor's Office of Economic Development and qualified last summer for a postperformance tax incentive package that could earn that company as much as $1.2 million in tax rebates over a five-year span. The award is linked to Canopy's plans to add over 530 new employees in the next five years, estimated to generate some $150 million in new wages and, as a result of corporate, payroll and sales taxes, would also be contributing about $6.2 million in new state revenues over the same period. Governor's Office of Economic Development Executive Director Val Hale lauded the company when the incentive package was announced last June. "Canopy is a homegrown company that is rapidly growing and we are excited they have chosen to expand in Utah, Hale said. Its great to see our Silicon Slopes thrive and find innovative ways to grow our tech economy. While Canopy's software-as-service business model is one that could be headquartered, really, anywhere in the world, Avarell said he loves Utah, has close ties here and believes it's the perfect place to start and grow a business. "Two years after we started Canopy we were in a big hiring cycle and looking to add 150 new employees," Avarell said. "I was talking to an investor in the Bay Area and he made the comment that, 'The reality is you cant build Canopy here in California. Its not possible because its so prohibitively expensive to bring on that many people.' "We were fortunate to be in a place where you have tens of thousands of students in the local universities and colleges, a very educated workforce and where doing business is friendlier and cheaper." Avarell also noted that while the number of companies vying for top tech talent in Utah is continuing to grow, it is still a much better labor pool than in California's top tech hub in and around the Bay Area. Avarell said Canopy's potential, with an addressable market measured in the tens of billions of dollars, is enormous. In 2017 alone, individuals and businesses filed a combined 245 million tax returns, leading to nearly $31 billion spent on tax preparation services. "The total addressable market for Canopy is big, it's massive," Avarell said. "It's likely approaching $100 billion. "I think weve just scratched the surface in terms of the product suite and what we can potentially offer." To learn more about Canopy visit canopytax.com. SALT LAKE CITY The 2019 legislative session has passed the halfway mark and has already seen 132 bills pass both chambers. As lawmakers begin their fifth week Monday, the House Judiciary Committee is slated to discuss HB234, which would prohibit people under 18 from marrying. The bill from Rep. Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City, would not allow minors to wed beginning May 14, 2019. READ MORE: Should 15-year-olds be allowed to marry in Utah? Other issues discussed at the Statehouse during the day include: The Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy and Technology Committee is looking at HB101, which passed the House last week and sets up guidelines for operating autonomous vehicles in Utah. READ MORE: Driverless vehicle bill headed to full Senate The Utah Senate signaled its intent Monday to allow grocery and convenience stores in the state to sell higher alcohol content beer. READ MORE: State Senate signals intent to allow heavy beer sales in Utah convenience, grocery stores The House Transportation Committee will hear a new attempt to preserve the ban on heavy trucks on Legacy Parkway. HB339 extends the date of the automatic repeal of the truck ban on the highway into 2025. The ban currently will end in 2020. READ MORE: Utah House committee stops second attempt to extend Legacy Parkway truck ban The House Business and Labor Committee is scheduled to take up HB267, which would set up provisions to import lower-priced prescription medicines from other countries. READ MORE: Utah House panel OKs bill to seek FDA permission to import medication from Canada The House Education Committee took no action Monday on a bill to limit the state education fund monies appropriated to state colleges and universities at 20 percent. READ MORE: Bill to cap education fund monies for higher ed at 20% stalls in committee A House committee endorsed 5-3 a resolution supporting the development of "advanced" nuclear technology as a carbon free energy source and someday play a role in Utah's energy portfolio. READ MORE: Resolution supporting new nuclear technology advances Utah House committee Here's what happened on Feb. 22, the 25th day of the 2019 session: SALT LAKE CITY A venerable Utah company offers its workers a firsthand look at other jobs in their workplace. Last week, Harmons Grocery conducated Education Week at all of its 19 stores across the Beehive State. During the period, employees could choose to learn about positions in other departments outside of their normal duties. The program is a chance for employees to gain knowledge and training in a variety of jobs throughout the company after they have been there a little while, explained Veronica Fraga, director of education and development for Harmons. "We noticed that in the first year we offer a lot of training for new associates, but we noticed that there was no engagement for associates that had been on longer with the company," she said. Once a year for five days, Harmons offers over 200 classes from which associates get to select up to three, she said. "They get paid for it and they come for two or three hours to the class," she added. "This teaches them not only how other departments function, but it's kind of like being in someone else's shoes." Fraga said the experience puts a value on what the company does and how the business operates, as well as improving employee morale, product knowledge and customer service. Classes include cooking, artisan breadmaking, baking, software, administrative, and more across the spectrum of how the company operates its business, she said. "(The program) is so much fun and creates such a buzz around the stores during the week that we have these trainings," said Aimee Smith, vice president for the People (human resources) at Harmons. The classes open the associates' minds to the different positions and departments that help make the company prosperous and help them raise their level of customer service, she said. "They get exposure to different departments, and we also offer leadership classes, so someone who is not in a leadership role may sign up for a class to learn skills that could advance their career," Smith said. All associates who've been with the company for at least 18 months are required to take at least one class, Fraga said. Among the classes offered is "The Science and Evolution of Taste" lead by Chef Aaron Ballard. The class gives participants a chance to learn about how humans taste food and how that sense has evolved over the years. Senior marketing manager Andelyn "Andy" Walker said she enjoys the experience of learning more about the day-to-day operations of the stores. "I use (the knowledge gained) at work and as a consumer," she said. "I love knowing what goes into our products and being able to tell that story to the customer. But also being a customer and knowing the care that goes into every product and the ingredients." For cheese sales manager Matt Deloach, learning about taste helps him serve customers better and gives him a different perspective on food apart from his daily duties as a cheesemonger. "Taking a class on taste really helps to train my palate," he said. Later in the week, he signed up for a class on salami, which would also inform and broaden his tasting skills, he added. "What I get out of it is this newfound (knowledge) and learn more about who I am as a person," he explained. "One of the things I love is that we do so much education." Walker said each year brings another opportunity to become more informed about various aspects of the business, which is very beneficial to herself and the other employees. "Learning about other people's responsibilities and tasks makes me better at my job and helps me understand the company a little bit better," she said. "It makes me better at my job (by) just knowing and understanding our associates who are working for us and what matters to them and what their day-to-day life is like." She said having co-workers understand each other's roles helps to create greater synergy within the company. Deloach said education week helps employees realize that every item the company sells has "a story behind it." "There are so many stories about what's on our shelves that just learning those things is amazingly fun," he said. SALT LAKE CITY A proposal before Utah legislators to incentivize the purchase of battery storage systems for solar and/or wind-powered energy systems would be a boon for those who want to become energy independent while lowering their carbon footprint. But the idea could also sow the first seeds of a paradigm shift where a large network of micropower producers may fundamentally change the dynamic of the of the energy industries in the U.S. and around the world. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, R-South Jordan, told a legislative committee earlier this month that his SB111 is aimed at driving innovation but, at its heart, is a pro-environment effort. "It's a clean air bill," Fillmore said. "Under the theory that clean air is something we want to make a large investment in." Fillmore said the proposal seeks to create a $5 million grant fund from which individuals could secure up to $7,500 and business owners up to $100,000 in offsets for the purchase of a battery storage system that is fed by a renewable power source, like solar panels or a micro wind plant. While costs related to large-scale battery storage has been driven down by ongoing innovation in industries like electric vehicle manufacturing, the price for a system that could run a typical household is still, well, pricey. Jason Grimes, director of engineering for solar energy contractor Auric Energy, told members of the Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy and Technology Committee that battery storage systems can cost in the range of $13,000-$25,000 for a typical home, but the payoff for owners is a truly independent power system. "When you add storage to a solar array you are creating a full and complete system," Grimes said. "Energy can be used at any time and in any form." He also added that the grant program would bring wider benefits to the state, including improved energy resilience and job creation. Kate Bowman, Utah Clean Energy's renewable energy program manager, said her organization was in support of the bill and can see how a growing network of small-scale, clean energy power producers could fundamentally change the current one-way street of corporate energy provision. "(SB111) will create opportunity for the energy industry to get ahead of the curve on a beneficial technology and gain experience managing and integrating solar energy projects in the state," Bowman said. "Storage is going to be an integral component of our grid from utility-scale projects that are centralized to more distributed projects in homes and businesses, which is what this incentive will address. "Storage is a flexible resource with a wide range of capabilities and implications for how we will generate, transmit and manage energy going forward." One power company, United Kingdom-based Centrica, is working on integrating the power produced by tens of thousands of rooftop solar units utilizing battery storage systems, like those targeted by Fillmore's bill, in conjunction with an innovative grid managment system. A recent story published by Energy Storage Newshighlighted how significant a distributed network of tiny energy producers could be when interconnected. "(Centrica) has also suggested that co-locating domestic battery storage units alongside the countrys rooftop solar installations which number more than 800,000 could enable more than 4.5GW of flexible power capacity," the story read. That 4.5 gigawatts would be enough energy to power 1.4 million to 3.3 million homes, depending on needs. A representative of the company that enjoys a state-sanctioned monopoly on power provision for most Utah residents, Rocky Mountain Power, is in favor of the bill, with a spokesperson stating the company was "excited about the opportunity of energy storage." Bowman pointed out to the Deseret News that the development of a distributed network of very small-scale power creators in Utah could create a much different looking energy system than the one that exists today. "Whereas the Utah Public Services Commission has traditionally looked at how to serve customers with this one-way market, in a distributed two-way market you can start thinking about new benefits and configurations for power generation and backups," Bowman said. Fillmore said he envisions his proposed grant program being overseen and managed by the state's Office of Energy Development and would like to see the money divided on a basis of 60 percent to residential applicants and 40 percent to small businesses. SB111 found committee approval on a 5-2 vote and went on to earn the unanimous support of the full Senate. The bill is scheduled to be discussed Monday by the House Public Utilities, Energy and Technology Committee. SALT LAKE CITY A Senate committee enraged residents earlier this month when it rejected a bill that would extend a longstanding ban on trucks from a scenic byway in Davis County. But now there's a new push to keep the ban. Rep. Melissa Ballard, R-North Salt Lake, has a new bill this time requesting a 5-year extension instead of a 2 1/2-year extension requested in the version of the bill that failed in front of the Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy and Technology Committee nearly two weeks ago. The previous bill, sponsored by Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, failed despite more than an hour of emotional testimony from residents pleading for more time before the ban automatically lifts in less than a year. They want lawmakers to preserve the 11-mile stretch known for its quiet, meandering route near neighborhoods, wetlands and wildlife. But senators on the panel, including two with ties to the Utah Inland Port Authority, one of which also owns a trucking company, voted down the bill, blocking it from the Senate floor. Under current law, trucks of all sizes including semis will be allowed to use the highway starting Jan. 1, 2020. Ballard's HB339 was considered by the House Transportation Committee on Friday, but with only 30 minutes left of the committee's time to discuss the bill, lawmakers decided to continue the discussion until the committee's next meeting. But even if Ballard's bill clears the House, it will still need to survive the Senate, where it failed to survive its first hurdle. "The five years is important," Ballard said, urging the House committee to give Davis County cities more time to negotiate with trucking companies to figure out the Legacy Parkway's future. Angie Keeton, of North Salt Lake, pleaded House lawmakers to give the bill another chance, noting that she purchased a home three years ago near the parkway, and her son currently attends a school located less than 1,000 feet from the roadway. Keeton said she and other residents worry about what impact semitrailer traffic will have on their neighborhood's air quality and environment, and they're concerned about "preserving an amazing piece of Utah." "Right now we don't believe this 11-mile stretch is impacting anyone from really succeeding as a business in Utah," Keeton said. But Rick Clasby, executive director of the Utah Trucking Association, asked lawmakers to uphold the agreement to let the ban lift in 2020, calling the trucking industry a vital part of Utah's economy. "We would urge you to honor the commitment made 10 years ago to remove the ban and allow trucks to operate on a valuable highway," Clasby said. The ban was drafted in a settlement that ended lawsuits filed when environmental groups tried years ago to stop the freeway from being built in the first place. The House committee's discussion the bill is expected to continue next week. According to locals, school does not have teachers for major subjects. At present, the school is running with merely three teachers. Gartantra, a student said, 'I have to walk 5 miles every day for attending the school. I have a dream of becoming an engineer but there is no teacher in the school for major subjects'. (Photo: ANI) Rampur: The people of Rampur village have found an unusual way to mark their protest against the shortage of teachers in a government-run school. The villagers have decided to boycott the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in order to draw the attention of the government towards the ongoing crisis. Speaking to ANI, Gartantra, a student said: "I have to walk 5 miles every day for attending the school. I have a dream of becoming an engineer but there is no teacher in the school for major subjects. We all are worried now as we have our board examinations in March." Another student, Kritika also spoke on the same lines and said due to the paucity of teachers in the school her studies are getting affected. "I have a dream of becoming a teacher, but now I feel that I would not be able to achieve it as there is no one in school who can guide us," he said. Locals informed ANI that the school does not have teachers for major subjects such as Science and Mathematics. At present, the school is running with merely three teachers. "There are some children who walk for 10 kilometres daily to attend the school. Today, parents and other heads of the villages have gathered and will soon chalk out a plan for the next move. They will hold a discussion on the same later in the day," a protester said. SALT LAKE CITY As opioid addiction continues to hit epidemic proportions throughout Utah and the United States, treatment sites are looking to get as many hands on deck as possible to help. The latest National Health Services Corps program is offering up to $75,000 in student loan repayment for clinicians who make a full-time, three-year commitment to serve in rural and underserved parts of America. It offers $37,500 for half-time workers. "It's huge blessing for my family," said Stacy Garnica, a nurse practitioner who worked another job while putting herself through intense postgraduate studies at the University of Utah. The education, she said, required sacrifices from her family and was "definitely an investment." But she stands by her decision to help people. "I've always really liked to help people," Garnica said. "It's a good feeling to feel like you're helping people who wouldn't be able to be served without you." She's been working more than six years at the Mountainlands Community Health Center in Provo where she sees patients for a variety of reasons, some of whom need medical help getting off opioids, particularly prescription drug and heroin addiction. "We're starting to see quite a few more people needing it, and we are getting more referrals from the community," Garnica said. "It is definitely needed in this area." Medically assisted treatment for substance use disorders is needed throughout the United States, according to Israil Ali, National Health Services Corps director with the federal Health Resources and Services Administration. He said the loan repayment program is part of a series of efforts "dedicated to mobilizing the national health work force" and to specifically respond quickly to the opioid crisis. The agency reports 116 people die each day from opioid-related drug overdoses in the United States. Utah has ranked in the top 10 states where drug-related deaths are highest, though, unlike many other states, there has been a slight decrease in the number of opioid-related deaths in Utah in recent years, according to the Utah Department of Health. Still, 360 people died of an opioid-related overdose death in Utah during 2017, the latest data available. Prescription opioids were involved in 237 of these deaths, and heroin was involved in 159, the health department reports. The National Health Service Corps Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program has identified areas throughout the country that need additional help fighting drug addiction, particularly areas where there aren't enough clinicians including doctors, nurses, certified nurse midwives, physician assistants, behavioral health professionals, substance use disorder counselors and pharmacists to treat the growing numbers of patients needing the help. "These are already credentialed clinicians and we're asking them to take up employment at approved sites throughout the country," Ali told the Deseret News. He said the division will award 1,000 clinicians with help to repay their student loans. There are 64 approved sites in Utah that are eligible for the Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program, including five in Provo and nine in Salt Lake City. At least a dozen more are in surrounding areas of Utah, Uintah and Salt Lake counties, where the majority of the state's population lives, works and frequents. "We want to really make sure we are supporting the communities that need this," Ali said. "Delivering care where it is needed and especially in these most vulnerable areas." Like all approved work sites, the Mountainlands Community Health Center is able to provide a low-cost option for health care, specifically for people without health insurance or who can't afford specialty care. "I think they couldn't go anywhere else," Garnica said. The clinic has only recently started offering medically assisted treatment for drug addiction and she said it is "for sure helping people." "Anyone thinking about serving an underserved population should do it," she said. "It is really great and really rewarding." The loan repayment program is just one facet of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Five-Point Opioid Strategy to increase patient access to quality substance use disorder preventive, treatment and recovery services. It is aiming to bring together a variety of providers from different professions, who are working together more and more to combat the drug addiction crisis across the country with a variety of evidence-based clinical interventions. Of course, the agency hopes clinicians who take part in the program eventually put down roots and end up staying in the rural communities that they serve, bolstering what care is available there. The application deadline for the loan repayment program is Feb. 28 at 7 p.m., and more information can be found online, at nhsc.hrsa.org/loan-repayment. "This is a dedicated response to make sure we are on the front lines combatting this epidemic," Ali said. "We are making sure these providers are well-suited to take on this challenge." Utahs beehive symbol of hard work and motto of Industry suggest that the state should be a leader in creating simple paths to work and employment. But the state may be losing out to Arizona, its neighbor to the south, in attracting workers in the licensing industries those must-have hairdressers, cosmetologists, nurses and electricians, among others Heres why: Arizona accepts the licenses of newcomers from other states, like California. Utah does not. From its founders Utah inherited a belief that work is noble, that its a blessing to individuals and the community of which they are a part. Which is why let qualified people work here ought to be the guiding principle for creating state workforce policy. Occupational licenses, sometimes described as state permission slips to work in a particular profession, are intended for quality control or public safety. Instead, the real effect can be a hindrance to work for those who are otherwise qualified to practice their craft. According to research from the Brookings Institution, the vulnerable groups hardest hit by the negative effects of occupational licensing include immigrants, low-skilled workers, entrepreneurs and those with criminal records. This means the growing trend toward licensure (5 percent of workers were licensed in 1950 as compared to 25 percent in 2017) has serious implications for issues like income disparity, criminal recidivism and lost innovation. To avoid these problems, Arizona lawmakers recently introduced legislation to recognize other states occupational licenses. Reciprocity from other states is not a prerequisite for Arizonas acceptance. They simply hope to attract and immediately put to work qualified workers who can contribute to their states economy. A few limitations exist in the proposal in order to balance increased opportunity with public safety for example, licensees must be free from pending complaints or investigations. Arizonas thoughtful open arms approach is both prudent and compassionate policy. And its something that Utah should consider. Out of the 50 states, Utah ranked 13th highest for average burden of licensing requirements in a recent Institute of Justice study. Research from the Center for Growth and Opportunity at Utah State University reveals that Utah loses more than 19,000 jobs and $80 million annually from occupational licensing. These are incredible losses. And more is at stake than jobs and money its the opportunity for individuals to access the ennobling experience of work. Utah has taken some steps in the right direction with regard to occupational licensing. For instance, educators and spouses of active military personnel receive leniency in Utah for outside licenses. And two years ago the state Legislature eased requirements for certain contractors and plumbing and electricity apprentices. Currently, the Legislature is considering competency-based occupational licensing, which opens up the possibility of receiving a license upon the demonstration of skills rather than through a traditional time-based path. But even more progress could be made. Utah should carefully consider how its laws can better protect this sacred practice for everyone in the state and fortunately the state has the culture, compassion and work ethic necessary to do it. The interior of the majestic Media Theatre as it appeared when it opened 25 years ago. According to Subramanian, building skill is a process that takes time and there are some cultural aspects as well to be addressed. Chennai: There is no magic wand to create jobs unless issues regarding availability of skilled labour is addressed, says Krishnamurthy Subramanian, Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India. Though the government has been running several skills development programmes in collaboration with the industry, the CEA finds that it will take time for the efforts to bear fruits. Investments and credit offtake by the private sector too will take time to catch up, he beleives. When we talk about jobs, everybody asks where are the jobs and that is a supply side question. On the demand side, where are the skilled people to take those jobs? That question a lot of people are not asking. Skilling is an activity that does not happen overnight. It is a phenomenon that actually takes time. So you have to be patient, Subramanian told Financial Chronicle in an interaction. According to Subramanian, building skill is a process that takes time and there are some cultural aspects as well to be addressed. A lot of the youngsters, once they are 18, start looking for government jobs in many parts of the country. You can try getting government jobs till you are 28-29 and after 18 you are picking up Competition Success Review and memorising some facts and doing some arithmetic here and there. None of these matters for the private sector jobs. So you have a 10-12-year period when skilling is basically not happening for taking up private sector jobs or self-employment. So the question is about skilling and nobody will have a magic wand to create jobs unless the skilling aspect is taken care of, he said. When asked about the skills development programmes, he said: There is no paucity in efforts to skill people. Remember skilling starts from education itself. It takes time to manifest and nobody has a magic wand. With the advancement in technology, labour is being substituted by capital and more automation is coming in. As a result, jobs are being lost in several sectors and then there are sectors where jobs are being created. When you combine all these, net-net in the economy what you see is many jobs are being created. It is important to look at which sectors are creating jobs and which are basically not creating jobs. Therefore, net-net job creation is not the right question to ask, he said. The CEA also feels that it will take time for the pace of investment and credit offtake to catch up in the private sector. (With) the process of better governance coming in, there will be some slowdown, because we are seeing a structural change in the way in which money is lent to projects by banks and the way in which corporates invest that money, in a lot more prudent manner. Therefore, this is something that will take some more time. But I think, this is a good thing because we will have a much healthier way of capital budgeting as a result of these reforms, he said. According to him, until 2014 we saw an increase in private investments because real rate of interest was negative and as a result there was easy money available in the absence of institutional checks and balances. That is why credit flowed into projects which did not necessarily deserve it. You had stress in the corporate balance sheet as companies invested without thinking that the projects were viable or not and built up excess capacity and you had banks that were lending indiscriminately until 2014, which is why we had a dual balance sheet problem. Now both of these are getting corrected. Since 2017, the NPA (non-performing asset) scenario has started coming down, because of the recapitalisation as well. The trend has turned. Corporates now have to be very careful before taking a loan, he added. Power Home Remodelings current 140,000 square feet of office space in the Wharf at Rivertown is a marked evolution from its beginnings in a W community briefs Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County partners with Providence Animal Shelter to provide housing to pets of domestic abuse victims. power home remodeling Power's new home a long way from 1st home in apartment British rock band Queen, featuring "American Idol" star Adam Lambert as lead vocalist, opened the first hostless Oscars show in 30 years on Sunday with a rollicking performance that brought the Dolby Theatre's celebrity crowd to its feet. The two active, surviving musicians from Queen's original lineup - guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor - joined Lambert, filling in as frontman for the late Freddie Mercury, to play two of the band's greatest hits: "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions." The familiar guitar and drum riffs brought the star-studded theater audience out of its chairs, with many of the Hollywood luminaries seen singing along. Queen and Mercury are the subject of "Bohemian Rhapsody," a hit film nominated for best picture and in the running for a total of five categories at this year's Academy Awards, the 91st edition of the film industry's highest honors. Launching the ABC telecast with a live rock band was a virtually unprecedented choice that came about after comedian Kevin Hart, originally picked to host the show, bowed out after a furor over past homophobic material in his standup act and tweets. Hart's withdrawal in December left the Oscars without a master of ceremonies for the first time since 1989. That year, the broadcast opened with an 11-minute song-and-dance number, widely derided by critics, featuring Rob Lowe and an actress dressed as Snow White. In recent years, the opening monologue of the Oscar host has become a platform for gags and jokes lampooning politicians and many of the stars in attendance. But the Queen performance set the stage for a night that was expected to include a flurry of big musical moments and presentations from such recording luminaries as Bette Midler, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, and record producer Pharrell Williams. Lambert first appeared with Queen's May and Taylor in 2009 as a contestant on the hit talent show "American Idol" when he performed two of the band's hits on that program. The trio went on to collaborate occasionally in 2011 and have since toured repeatedly together as Queen + Adam Lambert. Oscar producers, anxious to boost viewership after a record low U.S. TV audience in 2018, also are under pressure to keep the telecast from running over its three-hour designated time slot. One short-lived plan to cut down on time, by handing out four of the two dozen Oscar trophies during commercial breaks, was scrapped after a backlash from movie industry heavyweights to the idea. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences also quickly abandoned an ill-fated proposal to create a new category of best "popular" movie as a way of boosting Oscar ratings. Despite the lack of an official show host, Maya Rudolph got in some jabs as she took the stage with two fellow actress- comedians - Tina Fey and Amy Poehler - to present the night's first award, to Regina King as best supporting actress for her role in "If Beale Street Could Talk." "So just a quick update for everybody in case you're confused: There is no host tonight, there won't be a popular movie category and Mexico is not paying for the wall," Rudolph deadpanned, skewering the academy as well as U.S. President Donald Trump's promise to build a southern U.S. border wall at Mexico's expense. Bangladeshi commandoes shot the passenger who had tried to enter the cockpit of a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. (Photo:Twitter) Dhaka: A Bangladeshi man who was shot dead after he tried to hijack a plane had carried a toy pistol and did not have any explosives on him, the police said on Monday. Also Read: Hijacker had issues with wife, wanted to talk to PM Sheikh Hasina: Officials "The pistol with the suspect was a toy pistol and he had no bomb attached to his body," Kusum Dewan, senior police official in the southeastern city of Chittagong, told Reuters. "He appeared to be mentally imbalanced. We heard he had a personal issue with his wife and demanded to speak to the prime minister. But we are still investigating. We don't want to come to any conclusion right now." Bangladeshi commandoes shot the passenger who had tried to enter the cockpit of a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight on Sunday after waving a gun and threatening to blow up the plane. The Dubai-bound Biman Bangladesh Airlines Flight BG-147 made an emergency landing at a coastal city in the country following the incident, officials said. It was on its way to Dubai from Dhaka via Chattogram, landed at the Chattogram airport at around 5:40 pm. The passenger, who had said he had a personal issue with his wife and told the pilot he wanted to speak to Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, died later from the injuries suffered after the commandos stormed the plane at Chittagong's Shah Amanat International Airport, officials said. A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight to Dubai from Chittagong in Bangladesh made an emergency landing back at Chittagong. (Representational Image) Chittagong: A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight to Dubai from Chittagong in Bangladesh made an emergency landing back at Chittagong on Sunday after what appeared to be an attempted hijacking, a senior official from the airline said. All 142 passengers have subsequently been allowed to leave the plane, the airline's general manager, Shakil Miraj, told Reuters. Police and army are still surrounding the aircraft, he said. "There were 142 passengers and all of them have come out from the aircraft safely," said Miraj. He said the Boeing 737 aircraft was scheduled to go from Dhaka to Dubai via Chittagong. OYO Living was conceptualised based on the feedback and demand from the customers and asset partners. OYO Life provides upgraded living experiences at affordable prices to young professionals globally, OYO said in a statement. (Photo: File) New Delhi: Hospitality firm OYO on Monday said it has re-branded its long-term fully managed housing rental solution, OYO Living, to OYO Life. OYO Life provides upgraded living experiences at affordable prices to young professionals globally, OYO said in a statement. OYO Living was conceptualised based on the feedback and demand from the customers and asset partners. "Its new identity - OYO Life - is based on the philosophy that housing is an essential product to life and influences and inspires how you live your life," said Ritesh Agarwal, CEO and founder at OYO Hotels and Homes. Launched in October 2018, OYO Life offers residents fully managed independent residential units, inclusive of contracting, furnishing, cleaning, maintenance, and in-stay services, the statement said. Currently, OYO has footprints in over 500 cities across 10 countries - India, China, Malaysia, Nepal, the UK, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan. It has more than 13,000 franchised or leased hotels in its chain and over 6,000 homes. Rohit Kapoor, who joined OYO in December 2018 as the CEO of its new real estate businesses, takes on the additional role of leading the OYO Life business. Bangladeshi commandoes shot a passenger on Sunday who had tried to enter the cockpit of a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. (Photo:AP) Dhaka: Bangladeshi commandoes shot a passenger on Sunday who had tried to enter the cockpit of a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight after waving a gun and threatening to blow up the plane, airline and aviation authority officials said. Also Read: Passengers safe in hijack attempt on Dubai-bound Bangladesh plane: Report The passenger, who had said he had a personal issue with his wife and told the pilot he wanted to speak to Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, died later from the injuries suffered after the commandos stormed the plane at Chittagong's Shah Amanat International Airport, officials said. "We tried to arrest him or get him to surrender but he refused and then we shot him," said Major General S M Motiur Rahman of the Bangladesh Army. The man's threat to blow up the plane, which was on its way to Dubai from Dhaka via Chittagong, led its pilots to make an emergency landing. Before the commandos moved in, all 142 passengers and most of the crew had been let off the aircraft unharmed. One crew member had been held hostage, the officials said. Air Vice Marshal Nayeem Hasan, chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, told reporters at a news conference that as well as holding what appeared to be a pistol the passenger said he had explosives bound to his body. With the plane close to Chittagong after leaving Dhaka, the passenger stood up from his seat and tried to go to the cockpit, according to aviation officials. When a member of the crew blocked his way, he showed his pistol. He then said he had explosives and if they didn't open the door of the cockpit he would blow up the plane, officials said. Other members of the crew alerted the pilots to the problem and they asked air traffic control for an emergency landing. It was not immediately clear if he had explosives, though the pistol was real, according to a senior aviation official. It also wasn't immediately clear if the pistol was loaded or how it got through security at the airport in Dhaka. The security questions are a matter of concern and would be the subject of an investigation, said the aviation official. The man appeared to be in his 20s, and was probably Bangladeshi as he was speaking Bangla, but his identity was not yet clear, Hasan said. This peace appeal came a day after PM Modi threw a challenge to Khan aasking him to act honourably by bringing to justice those behind the strike, if he was a 'Pathans son'. (Photo: File | PTI) Islamabad/New Delhi: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday asked PM Modi to give peace a chance and assured him that he will act immediately if India provides Pakistan with actionable intelligence on the Pulwama attack. This peace appeal came a day after PM Modi threw a challenge to Khan asking him to act honourably by bringing to justice those behind the strike, if he was a Pathans son. According to the Dawn, Imran Khan on Sunday said, "Prime Minister Modi should give peace a chance." PM Modi recalling his conversation wit Imran Khan after he won the Pakistan elections, Modi said he told him "let us fight against poverty and illiteracy" and Khan gave his word - saying he is a "Pathan's son" who spoke and acted in truth. Pathans is an ethnic group with roots in Iran and are known for their deep sense of honour and self-respect. A few days back, Khan, in a video message, said that Pakistan has sincerely offered probe into the Pulwama incident and based on the investigation or any tangible evidence provided, Pakistan shall take action against anyone found using our soil. India said Khan's offer to investigate the attack if provided proof is a "lame excuse". "It is a well-known fact that Jaish-e-Mohammed and its leader Masood Azhar are based in Pakistan. These should be sufficient proof for Pakistan to take action," the Ministry of External Affairs said. Emulating his late father and grandfather, who took epic train trips when they were leaders, Kim set off on the long journey from Pyongyang on Saturday. (Photo:AP) Beijing: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's armoured train chugged across China on Sunday as he headed to his highly anticipated second summit with US President Donald Trump in Vietnam. Emulating his late father and grandfather, who took epic train trips when they were leaders, Kim set off on the long journey from Pyongyang on Saturday, with a military honour guard seeing him off in the North Korean capital. His departure from the Pyongyang railway station was confirmed by North Korea's official KCNA news agency, with official photos showing him waving from the train for what could be a 60-hour journey to Vietnam. The train crossed the border city of Dandong later that day, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency and the specialist outlet NK News, but its route remained a tightly-held secret. The train's crossing into China follows days of speculation over Kim's travel plans, as his team gathered in Hanoi ahead of the talks expected next Wednesday and Thursday. Accompanying the North Korean leader was right-hand man and top general Kim Yong Chol, who met with Trump in the White House last month, along with several other top dignitaries, KCNA said. Security was tight before the train's arrival in Dandong, with police cordoning off the border bridge area with tape and metal barriers, and leading an AFP journalist out of the area. A hotel facing the bridge was closed for impromptu renovations on Saturday. "The train is long and crossed the bridge slower than the tourist train, but it's definitely him, there's a lot of police presence," an unidentified source told NK News. Windows on the train were blacked out, the source said, with only headlights turned on as it crossed. The train usually takes 13 hours to reach Beijing, but there were no signs of heightened security around the railway station, indicating that the train likely bypassed the Chinese capital on the nearly 4,000-kilometre (2,500-mile) journey to Vietnam. Kim has met Chinese President Xi Jinping four times in the past year, briefing his country's sole major ally before and after his historic summits with Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. The North Korean leader, who last met Xi in January, could be saving their next meeting for his trip back to Pyongyang to debrief the Chinese leader. Trump and Kim met in June in Singapore, producing a vaguely worded agreement on denuclearisation, but progress has since stalled, with the two sides disagreeing over what the agreement meant. Observers say tangible progress is needed in Hanoi to avoid the talks being dismissed as a publicity stunt. Kim travelled to Singapore last year on a plane lent by Beijing. Several sources said Kim was expected to arrive in Vietnam by train, stopping at the Dong Dang train station near the China border, then driving to Hanoi. Soldiers were deployed to Dong Dang station and along the road to the capital, according to AFP reporters at the scene. Vietnam previously announced the unprecedented move of closing that 170-kilometre stretch of road on Tuesday between 6:00 am and 2:00 pm -- suggesting Kim could travel along it between those hours. "Vietnam wants to contribute its part to world peace... at this upcoming summit. Vietnam will ensure maximum security and safety to all the distinguished guests to Vietnam," Vietnamese Prime Minister Xuan Phuc told reporters on Sunday. As Kim travelled, delegations prepared for the summit, with US National Security Council official Allison Hooker spotted at a Hanoi hotel where members of the North Korean side have been seen in recent days. Rail travel is a family tradition that was started by Kim's grandfather, the North's founder Kim Il Sung, who travelled to Eastern Europe for his longest train ride in 1984. His late father, Kim Jong Il, travelled all the way to Moscow by train in 2001. "It sends a strong message to North Koreans that Kim Jong Un has inherited his grandfather's good qualities, and the Kim Dynasty is stronger than ever," said Koh Yu-hwan, professor at Seoul's Dongguk University. Jeong Young-tae of the Institute of North Korean Studies in Seoul said the safest way to travel would be to take a plane provided by Beijing. "But by choosing to travel by their own special train over a Chinese aircraft, Pyongyang may be signalling its willingness to be independent," Jeong said. The journey from China's frozen northern border to subtropical Vietnam presents a logistical headache and complex security challenges. Zhao Jian, who studies China's railway system at Beijing Jiaotong University, said one route would take Kim straight down to southern China, before heading west into Guangxi province, which borders Vietnam. Justin Hastings, associate professor in international relations at the University of Sydney, said that would be "a pretty major operation." "They would have to clear the tracks, they would have to provide security for basically the entire length of the Chinese eastern seaboard," he told AFP. But China may view the hassle as a necessary cost to get Kim to the summit. "China wants North Korea to make some steps to denuclearise as much as anyone else," Hastings said. Trump also announced that he will be hosting his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida soon. (File Photo) Washington: US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced extension of the March 1 deadline for increasing tariff on import of Chinese products, saying there had been significant progress made in negotiations with a visiting trade delegation from the far-east nation. Trump also announced that he will be hosting his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida soon, to ink an agreement. The exact date has not been decided yet. "I am pleased to report that the US has made substantial progress in our trade talks with China on important structural issues including intellectual property protection, technology transfer, agriculture, services, currency, and many other issues," Trump said in a tweet. "As a result of these very productive talks, I will be delaying the US increase in tariffs now scheduled for March 1," said the US President. "Assuming both sides make additional progress, we will be planning a summit for President Xi and myself, at Mar-a-Lago, to conclude an agreement. A very good weekend for the US and China! he said. A high-level Chinese trade delegation led by its Vice Premier Liu He concluded its latest round of talks with a US team led by US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. Following the meeting with Trump at the Oval Office, the Chinese delegation extended its stay in Washington DC by another two days. Trump and Xi during their December 1 dinner meeting in Buenos Aires decided to pause their trade war and negotiate an agreement by March 1. In the absence of such an agreement, Trump had warned that he would impose additional tariffs on import of Chinese products. On Sunday, Trump praised Xi for his help in North Korea talks. Trump leaves for Vietnam Monday morning to have his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Hanoi on February 26 and 27. There are pledges to work toward the complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. (Photo:AP) Washington/Hanoi: US President Donald Trump has said he would be happy as long as North Korea maintains its pause on weapons testing, and he was in no rush to strike a nuclear deal with its leader, Kim Jong Un, when they hold their second summit this week. The two leaders will meet in Hanoi on Wednesday and Thursday, eight months after their historic summit in Singapore, the first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader. There they pledged to work toward the complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, but their vague agreement has produced few results. US Democratic senators and security officials have warned Trump against cutting a deal that would do little to curb North Korea's nuclear ambitions. As Kim made his way across China by train for the summit, North Korean state media warned Trump on Sunday not to listen to US critics who it said were disrupting efforts to improve ties. Trump, speaking in Washington on the eve of his departure for Vietnam, said he believed he saw eye to eye with Kim and that they had developed "a very, very good relationship". "I'm not in a rush. I don't want to rush anybody," Trump said. "I just don't want testing. As long as there's no testing, we're happy." North Korea conducted its last nuclear test, its sixth, in September 2017. It last tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in November 2017. The Trump administration has pressed the North to give up the nuclear weapons programme, which combined with its missile capabilities, pose a threat to the United States, before it can expect any concessions. But in recent days, Trump has signalled a possible softening, saying he would love to be able to remove sanctions if there was meaningful progress on denuclearisation. Trump said he and Kim expected to make further progress at the summit and again held out the promise that denuclearisation would help North Korea develop its economy. He scoffed at critics of his handling of North Korea, and added that Chinese President Xi Jinping has been supportive of US efforts. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the United States had asked Russia for advice on North Korea but there was no quick solution to tension on the peninsula, Interfax news agency reported. Trump will arrive in Vietnam on Tuesday evening, Vietnam's foreign ministry said. He will meet Vietnam President Nguyen Phu Trong, who is also general secretary of the ruling Communist Party, on Wednesday morning, the ministry said. Vietnam has released few details about arrangements for the summit including its specific venue or timing. Kim is making his way to Vietnam, through China, by train and passed through the city of Changsha at around 1.10 p.m. (0510 GMT), South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported. That would put him on track to arrive in Vietnam by early Tuesday. A South Korean presidential spokesman told reporters in Seoul the two sides might agree to declare a formal end to the 1950-1953 Korean War at the summit. The war ended in a truce, not a treaty, and the North has long called for a treaty to end it. It also wants security guarantees. South Korea's President Moon Jae-in, who supports opening up to old rival North Korea, praised both Trump and Kim in comments in Seoul, and said those opposed to better ties on the peninsula, and between North Korea and the United States, should "discard such biased perspectives". The United States has for years demanded North Korea's complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation, before any concessions will be granted. North Korea denounced that stance as unilateral and "gangster like". Trump's latest comments would appear to support speculation his administration is open to seeking a limited deal at the summit. Officials in Washington and Seoul have said possible steps forward could include allowing inspectors to observe the dismantlement of North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear reactor and opening U.S.-North Korea liaison offices. Declaring an end to a technical state of hostilities that has existed since the 1950s, and allowing some inter-Korean projects like a tourism zone in North Korea were other possibilities. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told "Fox News Sunday" he hoped for substantial progress this week but North Korea had yet to take "concrete" steps on denuclearisation and another summit might be needed after Hanoi. The New York Times reported Pompeo has conceded in private discussions he would be lucky if North Korea agreed to dismantle 60 percent of what the United States has demanded. That would still be more than any other administration had achieved, he added. The State Department declined to comment. Aside from hosting snazzy device launches and officials from more than 2,400 companies, mobile industry trade body GSMA is seeking to ward off a ban on Chinese vendors in European markets. Leading telecoms companies gather in Barcelona this weekend for their main annual trade fair under the shadow of a bitter clash between the United States and China over network security for the next generation of mobile services. Accusations from US President Donald Trumps administration that Huawei, the worlds biggest network equipment maker, has enabled Chinese state espionage have shaken the industry and raised broader fears for progress in talks to defuse a rumbling trade dispute. Aside from hosting snazzy device launches and officials from more than 2,400 companies, mobile industry trade body GSMA is seeking to ward off a ban on Chinese vendors in European markets. GSMA Marketing Director Andrew Parker said the association would lobby to protect competition in the supply chain. The more choice the industry has, the more supply, the better value everyone will get, Parker said. We are going to stick to, and encourage, that line because competition is a good thing for an industry like ours. Australia and New Zealand have stopped operators using Huawei equipment in their networks, and the European Commission is considering a de facto ban. European telecoms executives say this could set back plans to roll out advanced fifth-generation 5G technology by at least two years. Industry analysts warn that shutting out Chinese vendors could also trigger retaliation from Beijing. What it loses in the West, it will win in the East, said Bengt Nordstrom, CEO of Swedish industry consultancy Northstream. I would expect severe disruption to the telecoms ecosystem this for me is very similar to the Lehman Brothers situation in 2008, he added, referring to the Wall Street bank whose collapse triggered the global financial crisis. US DELEGATION A delegation of at least eight US officials is expected in Barcelona, two weeks after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Huawei equipment would jeopardize European allies partnerships with the worlds largest economy. Huawei, an associate member of the GSMA, denies engaging in intelligence work for any government, and its founder has taken to US and British media to emphasize this in recent days. Any further restriction could spark a race between other network equipment makers to fill the void. Swedens Ericsson and Nokia of Finland compete with Huawei, while Koreas Samsung Electronics is making a big push into the market. Some operators fret that, were Huawei to be excluded from the process, Europe would slip behind other countries, especially if firms had to rip out parts of existing networks. Another fundamental question the industry has yet to answer is whether 5G, which promises to link up everything from vehicles to household devices, will end up being profitable. The jury is still out on: is it going to be a consumer player, are there use cases that are going to demand 5G at an economic level that makes sense? said Sam Evans, a partner at TMT consultancy and investment firm Delta Partners. But enough testing should now have been done to start to see at least in the short term if its viable, Evans added. FOLDABLE SCREENS Alongside febrile politics, telecoms firms face the search for revenue growth as their bread-and-butter connectivity becomes ever less profitable. Carmakers, data analytics firms and online retailers will rub shoulders with operators and unveil partnerships in fields ranging from transport to gaming and even medical surgery. Applications for the Internet of Things attaching chips that can send and receive data to everyday objects - will include sensors to prevent leaks in municipal water systems and other ways to improve city life. After a dismal year for smartphones, with sales falling for five consecutive quarters, companies are also trying to reignite consumer interest with upgraded gadgets. Huawei, which overtook Apple to become the worlds second-biggest smartphone seller last year, will show off its latest devices at the congress. Market leader Samsung unleashed on the world on Wednesday a nearly $2,000 smartphone with 5G connection, the worlds first flexible screen and six cameras. The device answers skeptics who said that everything that could be done has been done, DJ Koh, chief executive of Samsung Electronics, told a launch event in San Francisco. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Premium handset makers like Apple and Samsung offer wireless charging pads -- but they are pricey extras. What about the rest of us? Charging phones without connecting a wire calls for a technology called Qi, pronounced "Chee" as in the original Chinese word meaning 'energy flow'. It creates an inductive wireless coupling between a coil of wire in the phone and a similar coil in the charger. Just place the phone on the Qi pad or dock and the device gets charged in a few minutes. A large pad can charge multiple phones at the same time. The only hitch: Your phone should be QI-ready, ie the makers should have put in a Qi coil. Almost all premium phones these days are. I have been trying out a wireless charging pad called Magik, from Hong Kong-based Toreto that has just come to India. It's a very light (60 gm) disk about 10 cms in diameter, with a floppy silicon rubber cover. You need to charge the charger first using the micro USB cable provided-- but once charged it works for a month or two on its own. Pressing a soft switch also changes the colour of the charger to suit your mood or double as a night light. When you place a Qi-ready phone on the pad, you can immediately see the charging symbol come up. It will stop charging once the phone is ready -- no overcharging. What if you have a cheaper or older phone which is not QI-compatible? No issues. You can buy a Qi wireless patch to make your phone Qi-ready for anything from Rs 300 to Rs 500 on Internet sites. This is a flat and flexible device that you plug into the charging port of your phone, then bend and paste on the back of the phone. It is now Qi-ready. Select carefully when buying the patch: choose the right type of micro USB connector Type C, or Type A. The Toreto Magik wireless charger is reasonably priced at Rs 1999 -- so even basic phone users without Qi phones, can enjoy wireless charging at home for under Rs 2500, after buying a Qi patch. Money well spent on saying goodbye to tangled charging cables! Wireless chargers that are supplied for premium phones can in comparison cost a bit. Google offers a Pixel Stand to charge its more recent Pixel phones. This costs Rs 6,900 -- almost a tenth of the handset cost. But it charges Pixel phones very rapidly -- and once on the stand, if you install Google Assistant, the phone will double as a useful display -- the weather, the time, your engagements.. It can also double as a screen with a Google-compatible video doorbell. --IndiaTechOnline Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Sony today unveiled its latest addition to its family of wireless noise cancelling headphones, the new WI-C600N neckband headphones. The WI-C600N comes jam-packed with superior wireless sound quality and noise cancelling features. Digital noise cancellation with One Push Artificial Intelligence Noise-Cancelling (AINC) lets you listen to nothing but your music when you're on the move. Sonys noise cancelling technology eliminates loud distractions to give you a peaceful commute. Sony states that by keeping out the clamour of the outside world, you will never miss a beat with the WI-C600N and fully indulge in your favourite music. You can also choose to let in surrounding ambient sound by activating the Ambient Sound Mode which lets in just the right amount of outside noise to keep users aware of their surroundings. Switch easily between Noise Cancelling and Ambient Sound Mode with a simple push of a button. The WI-C600N comes equipped with DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine), a technology developed by Sony which enhances the sound quality of compressed audio files by restoring high-range sound removed by the compression process. The light-weight neckband weighs approximately 34g and fits securely and is made with an elastic material to improve wearing comfort, making them ideal for all-day wear and can be stored effortlessly in a bag. The neckband offers a 6.5-hours battery with noise cancellation turned on and 7.5-hours battery with noise cancellation turned off. WI-C600N also offers compact 6mm drivers keeping the earphones small for a comfortable fit, while still delivering great overall sound. The magnetic housing also cleverly snaps the earbuds in place to keep tangled cords at bay. With the WI-C600N, users can go completely hands-free while making calls or listening to music as it comes with a built-in microphone and is compatible with Google Assistant and Siri. The WI-C600N also supports one-touch listening so users can stream their favourite music via Bluetooth with just a tap from their smartphone on the NFC logo of WI-C600N. One can set the sound for every song and tune the headphones with the free Sony Headphones Connect App for Android and iOS. WI-C600N will be available across all Sony Centers and major electronic stores in India for Rs 10,990. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. The workers have demanded Microsoft to cancel the Integrated Visual Augmented System (IVAS) contract, cease developing any weapons technologies, and appoint an external ethics review board. Microsoft engineers working on the mixed reality HoloLens project are calling on the company to give up its multi-million dollar contract with the US Army. A group of Microsoft workers have tweeted an open letter to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and President Brad Smith, titled HoloLens for Good, Not War. In the letter, the workers wrote, We are a global coalition of Microsoft workers, and we refuse to create technology for warfare and oppression, adding, We did not sign up to develop weapons, and we demand a say in how our work is used. The workers have demanded Microsoft to cancel the Integrated Visual Augmented System (IVAS) contract, cease developing any weapons technologies, and appoint an external ethics review board. Microsoft was awarded a USD 480 million contract to supply the US Army with the IVAS for use by the US soldiers to fight and train in missions by increasing lethality, the letter pointed. In response to the letter, Microsoft pointed to its earlier decision of providing technology to the US forces, Cnet reported. The company said that it is committed to providing its technological expertise to the US Department of Defense, including the US Army. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. NASA gave its final go-ahead on Friday to billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musks SpaceX company to conduct its first unmanned test flight of a newly designed crew capsule to the International Space Station on March 2. The approval cleared a key hurdle for SpaceX in its quest to help NASA revive Americas human spaceflight program, stalled since space shuttle missions came to an end in 2011. NASA has awarded SpaceX USD 2.6 billion, and aerospace rival Boeing Co USD 4.2 billion to build separate rocket and capsule launch systems to carry US astronauts to and from the space station, an orbital research laboratory that flies 250 miles (402 km) above Earth. Following a full day of briefings and discussion, NASA and SpaceX are proceeding with plans to conduct the first uncrewed test flight of the Crew Dragon on a mission to the International Space Station, NASA said in a statement announcing its decision. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. The much awaited 2019 Endeavour is finally here. With more features and better pricing, can it give the Fortuner a run for its money? Ford has updated the Endeavour with some subtle enhancements for the year 2019. The 2019 Ford Endeavour is available in a choice of three variants and two engine options. Prices start at Rs 28.19 lakh for the new base Titanium manual variant with the 2.2-litre engine and Rs 30.60 lakh for the Titanium AT variant. The top-spec Titanium+ variant costs Rs 32.97 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). 2019 Ford Endeavour gets a new base variant with a manual gearbox. Continues to be powered by same 2.2-litre and 3.2-litre diesel engines. Gets passive keyless entry, engine start/stop button and a hands-free tailgate. 2019 Endeavour is priced much lower than the previous model. The Endeavour, which was first introduced in the country back in 2003, has been among the most rugged, burly and solid SUVs that have ever graced our roads. With its boxy and muscular design and can-do-anything attitude, the Endeavour has always been a favourite among SUV enthusiasts. However, a lot has changed since its early days in the country. The mighty Endeavour has gone from being a utilitarian 4x4 to a feature loaded, modern day SUV. The second-gen model was first launched in 2016 and now Ford has given it a midlife facelift with more features and a spanking new price tag. The 2019 Endeavour has been launched in three variants with prices starting at Rs 28.19 lakh for the all-new base Titanium manual variant with a 2.2-litre diesel engine and going up to Rs 32.97 lakh (both ex-showroom) for the 3.2-litre automatic variant. Yes, the Endy now gets the option of a manual gearbox as well. Apart from this, the carmaker has also slashed the prices of the existing variants as well. Heres the detailed pricing of the 2019 Endeavour in contrast with the outgoing model. As you can see from the table above, the 2019 Endeavour not only has a lower starting price now thanks to the manual base variant, but also gets a price cut across the entire range as well. Whats New? Since this is a mid-life facelift, Ford hasnt tinkered around much with the tried-and-tested design of the Endeavour. Apart from a few minor cosmetic changes, which include a new grille and bumper, the 2019 version looks pretty similar to the model it replaces. It remains a quintessentially big, old-school SUV. It retains the HID projector headlights, front and rear fog lamps, chrome door handles and bulky skid plates. Although it continues to ride on 18-inch wheels, the design of the new alloys is different. On the inside, there isnt any major overhaul to the design either. The dashboard gets a new black finish instead of the earlier brown one. It also gets some nifty little additions such as chrome accents on the gear knob to add to the premium feel. However, we are happy to report that the Endeavour now comes with passive keyless entry and a push button start/stop feature, which was sorely missed on the outgoing model. While an 8-way power adjustable driver seat is standard, the front co-passenger seat gets the same feature in the Titanium+ variant. Standard safety features include six airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, ESP, hill-start assist, auto headlamps and wipers, along with front and rear fog lamps. It also gets TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring system), a rear camera, rear parking sensors and a volumetric burglar alarm system that can detect movement inside the car. The Titanium+ variant gets features like an airbag for the drivers knee, front parking sensors, hill descent control and an auto-dimming interior rearview mirror. Overall, the Endeavour continues to be one of the safest SUVs in the market. Performance The 2019 Endeavour continues to be powered by the same set of 2.2-litre and 3.2-litre diesel engines as before. The 2.2-litre motor is offered with a 4x2 drivetrain with both MT and AT options, while the 3.2-litre motor is exclusively offered with 4x4 and AT. The 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder unit produces 160PS of power and 385Nm of peak torque, while the 3.2-litre, 5-cylinder unit churns out 200PS and 470Nm. We were hoping Ford would have brought the new 2.0-litre Ecodiesel engine (available in the Thai-spec model) to the Endeavour in India as well, but we have to make do with the older engines for now. The Ford Endeavour has always had a sweet spot in the hearts of the SUV community in India, but it has always been playing second fiddle to the Toyota Fortuner - whose popularity just doesnt seem to diminish. With the 2019 model packing in more features, a manual gearbox and an even more competitive pricing, its become an even better value for money proposition than before. So what do you think about the new Endeavour? Would you prefer it over the Toyota Fortuner in India? Let us know in the comment section below. Source: ZigWheels.com Against the backdrop of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, convener of the Congress manifesto committee and the head of the AICC research department, Rajya Sabha MP RAJIV GOWDA, emerges as an important cog in his partys war machine. In an interview with SREEPARNA CHAKRABARTY, he talks about the novel process of holding consultations with stakeholders and people in the manifesto-making process as well as how the document will address the path-breaking poll promise of Minimum Income Guarantee announced byCongress president Rahul Gandhi recently. The Congress Party has embarked on a very unique manifesto-drafting process this time by holding widespread consultations with stakeholders. What has been your experience like? It has been a fantastic process. As convener of the manifesto committee, I have been involved in ensuring that consultations are held across the country. As a matter of fact, we are now having a two-day consultation with the NRI community in Dubai. NRIs are also Indian voters and an important group of people for whom the Congress had already once created the ministry of overseas affairs. Sam Pitroda and I will attend it. Across the country, till now we have had 173 manifesto consultations. About 120 have been public and the rest closed-door, expert consultations. The feedback, participation and response has been very heart-warming. People from various backgrounds were very happy that the Congress was doing such a sincere and committed job of listening to people. We told everyone that give us your inputs and suggestions and we will see how it can fit in with the Congress vision and the one thing we can assure you is that we are listening and were going to discuss your inputs. So that much we have done. Believe me, the material is still pouring in. Material has been sent to the Congress presidents office, which has been in turn sent to us the manifesto committee. There has been tremendous engagement with tens of thousands of inputs in multiple languages on our website. We have also received 44 petitions on change.org with about 1,60,000 signatures. There is a lot of material to digest and the AICC research department has done a fantastic job of distilling all the suggestions and ideas. Now the process of drafting the manifesto is happening under former finance minister P. Chidambarams leadership. We will see what all emerges at the end of the process. How hands-on has the Congress president been in the process? The Congress president has taken a very keen interest. In fact, the consultation process was triggered by his desire to ensure that the people of India engage with us. Even the NRI consultation is something that he announced on his last visit to the Gulf. He has agreed to come for some more manifesto consultations. Mr Gandhi has also launched a programme called Apni Baat Rahul Ke Saath where he has been meeting with youngsters and small businessmen. So these are his ways of getting inputs in different formats. Again, this is all to ensure that we are listening to the people and that the manifesto reflects that. Will you be presenting the draft at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on February 28 in Ahmedabad? We had planned to have a draft ready by February 28 and we are working towards that. Whether that draft will be presented before the CWC is not something that I am not aware of. I dont know what all agendas the CWC meeting has or whether our chairman, Mr Chidambaram, has been told to submit a draft on that day. There have been talks of the Opposition uniting against the BJP and a Common Minimum Programme (CMP) being drafted before the polls? Right now we are working on the draft of our own manifesto and then, if our party leadership responds by asking us to also draft the CMP, we will certainly take the lead in doing that. All I can tell you so far is that there have been certain neutral platforms or civil society platforms where many of us who are allies have been coming together and listening to inputs from civil society organisations and various activists. So in that sense that process of consultations has already begun. Congress president Rahul Gandhi has already announced the Minimum Income Guarantee Programme which would be part of your manifesto. Will the document also chart out the financial implications of the move? We still havent finalised the draft. Mr Chidamabaram is very experienced and strongly supportive of the Minimum Income Guarantee Programme. He believes that we have the fiscal space for it. I dont know how much of the details we can actually put out in the manifesto as it is a more succinct document. But we certainly stand committed to the path-breaking move. What are the issues which have been flagged again and again by people whom you have met in the consultation process? One has to do with the state of the economy decline in job opportunities, economic growth. People are very concerned about issues related to education and health. Rural distress and farmers troubles come out very strongly. There was a lot of discussion on how rapidly India is urbanising and how we can make cities more productive. The other two big issues are demonetisation and GST. I have personally held consultations with people belonging to the MSME sector in places like Bengaluru, Erode and Hosur and there was tremendous dissatisfaction with what the government has done for them. The Pulwama attacks have brought back the discourse on the state of affairs as far as national security is concerned. Will the manifesto address this as well? Yes. Very much. Look at the decline in the situation in Kashmir over the last few years and just compare it with the UPAs track record in Kashmir. Although New Delhi is cock-a-hoop over the invitation to Sushma Swaraj to address the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers, India would long ago have been a full-fledged OIC member if the Ahmedabad riots hadnt intervened. I dont mean the pogrom that followed the 2002 Godhra arson but the 1969 riots, called the most deadly Hindu-Muslim violence since Partition, that were probably instigated by Bharatiya Jana Sangh elements. It prompted OIC members gathered in Rabat for their first summit (of which more later) to think again about including India. Perhaps it was just as well. As a secular republic committed to liberal democracy, India can have the closest economic, military and political ties with individual OIC countries but has little in common with a sectarian organisation that calls itself the collective voice of the Muslim world and whose purpose is to safeguard and protect the interests of Muslims. The criteria for membership being either a Muslim majority population or a Muslim Head of State, India doesnt qualify. Nor can the 57 OIC members who regard India as a Hindu nation have much appreciation of the pluralistic ethos of which India is still so proud. Two factors explain Indias delight at the invitation by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates foreign secretary, to Ms Swaraj to be guest of honour at the inaugural plenary of the OICs council of foreign ministers in Abu Dhabi next month. First, the NDA government hopes the razzle-dazzle of an international Muslim conference will distract attention from the communal mess it is creating at home. Second, it sees the occasion as an opportunity to deal Pakistan one in the eye. Helped by the Jaish-e-Mohammeds boast of responsibility for the Pulwama massacre, external affairs ministry speechwriters are undoubtedly working overtime on denunciation of Pakistans terrorist role. As Lt. Gen. K.J.S. Dhillon says, the JeM is the brainchild of the Pakistan Army and it is the Pakistan Army and the ISI that controls Jaish-e-Mohammed. But even if Ms Swaraj is flattered into forgetting the Rabat fiasco, she should ask if her presence in Abu Dhabi will serve any purpose apart from exposing this country to criticism over Muslim grievances that have been building up during the last four years. She should also ponder on Vijayalakshmi Pandits experience when attacking apartheid at the United Nations. Pandit went up to South Africas Jan Smuts, who was also attending the session, and said Mahatma Gandhi had asked her to seek his Smuts blessings for the enterprise. The aging South African field marshal replied, You will win my daughter, but it will be a hollow victory. India thrives on hollow victories. Or, rather, mesmerised by publicity, Indians dont see the hollowness. Being a nation of debaters, we regard the play of words as the ultimate success. Krishna Menon no doubt thought his UN speeches on Kashmir, running into 12 and 14 hours, during which he often fainted, were outstanding achievements. A more realistic Gen. K.S. Thimayya went to the Kashmir peace talks in Switzerland carrying only a tin of cigarettes. Being a man of action, he knew the answer to the challenge lay in the Kashmir Valley, not in the files with which Pakistans delegation had armed itself. The guest of honour invitation is believed to rank even lower than the observer status India rejected in the past. It is a poor substitute for the full membership for which India has unwisely been clamouring ever since the OIC was created. No matter how eloquent Ms Swaraj is in Abu Dhabi, no matter how much sympathy she appears to gain, Islamic fundamentalist organisations will carry on exactly as before with the strength of petrodollars, Chinas acquiescence and sometimes tacit American support. What India calls the UAEs welcome recognition of the presence of 185 million Muslims in India and of Indias contribution to the Islamic world is only acknowledgement of the benefits of transactional diplomacy. The de facto exchange of Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in the Agusta Westland helicopter deal, for Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum, the Emir of Dubais runaway daughter, is an example. The OIC strongly condemned last months terrorist bombing near Al-Azhar in Cairo, which killed two policemen and injured three others. It organised a symposium on the Expansion of the Israeli Settlements in the Palestinian Occupied Territories, particularly in East Jerusalem. It has not, so far as I am able to ascertain, said a word in condemnation of the Pulwama carnage, the activities of the Jaish-e-Mohammed or Pakistans support for such anti-India terrorism. Matters came to a head in Moroccos capital, Rabat, in 1969 when, pressured and persuaded, the OIC invited India to its first plenary session. Gurbachan Singh, the ambassador to Morocco, attended and spoke at the afternoon session. News of the Ahmedabad killings had changed the atmosphere by the next morning. When Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed arrived as leader of the official Indian delegation, he was requested to accept observer status or withdraw. On his way back from Rabat, the future President of India stopped in London where I remember him saying that among those who pleaded with him on personal and political grounds not to insist on attending was his old friend from St. Catherines College, Cambridge, Malaysias Prime Minister, Tengku Abdul Rahman. India was tricked out of attending the concluding session when the conference declaration falsely described Indias delegation as representing the Muslim community of India. In his concluding speech, the host, King Hassan of Morocco, reportedly invoked Gods blessings on Indias suffering Muslims. The OIC hasnt sought India since then. India has nothing to gain and its principles to lose by continuing to court it. In 2016, British Prime Minister Theresa May derided the cosmopolitan elite as citizens of nowhere. Her government is now taking this phrase too literally in its attempts to strip Shamima Begum a teenaged UK citizen of Bangladeshi heritage who joined the militant Islamic State (IS) group of her citizenship. Shamima has never visited Bangladesh or held its nationality. But she is brown, and by turning to violent extremism, has betrayed British values. Her family has challenged the decision. If their appeal fails, Shamima risks becoming stateless, a violation of international law. While the court battle to decide her fate will be prolonged, her predicament has highlighted how vulnerable the notion of citizenship is today. London mayor Sadiq Khan has decried home secretary Sajid Javeds decision to revoke Shamimas citizenship, as it risks creating a second class of citizenship. Rather than centre the notion of citizenship on equal access to rights, justice and resources, the revocation reframes citizenship along ethnic, racial, religious, ideological and linguistic lines. In a post-colonial, multiethnic, mixed race world of migrant flows, Javed has tried to do the impossible: define here and there, us and them. Shamimas case is not unique. The family of Hoda Muthana, a young woman born in the US to Yemeni parents who also joined IS, is challenging the US governments position that she is not a US citizen and cannot return to face criminal proceedings for her actions. The reality of uneven citizenship has created a sense of precariousness and isolation among minority communities, and hardened perceptions of divisiveness and hate. Indeed, the experience of uneven citizenship likely fuelled violent extremism in the first place. Confirming it as truth will only create more Shamima Begums. But todays crisis of citizenship extends beyond including non-dominant groups in a pact with the state to provide sustenance, security and justice. The modern realities of regional groupings, trade zones and hyper-connectivity have led to the existence of supra-states that are making the vulnerability of citizenship almost universal. Brexit can be reconceived as a crisis of citizenship. Nor is the issue of uneven citizenship a uniquely Western or rich-state phenomenon. Internal migration, displacement, localised conflict, and refugee influxes have created similar tensions in the Global South. Pakistan must contend with its own versions of uneven citizenship. The government flagged this when it raised the issue of 1.5 million people of Afghan descent who have only known Pakistan as home but cannot claim citizenship of Pakistan. Similarly, the Fata merger and questions about rights and legal regimes in the post-FCR scenario are challenging the Pakistani conception of citizenship. An idea recently floated on social media that there be no requirement for arrest warrants for residents of the tribal areas is another example indicating that some Pakistanis are considered more Pakistani in the sense of accessing their basic rights than others. The unevenness can be externally imposed too. India has been seeking to amend its citizenship laws to make it easier for non-Muslims from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh to apply for Indian citizenship. The idea that religious minorities can migrate with more facility across the eastern border risks fuelling the belief within Pakistan that these communities have divided loyalties, a more diffuse relationship with the State, and are thus less Pakistani than others. Citizenship should not only be defined in terms of identity and travel documents and an individuals relationship with the civilian justice system. It extends to all forms of rights from free speech to access to resources and livelihood. Indeed, much has been written about how rapid urbanisation creates uneven citizenship, as the nature of sprawling cities results in divergent levels of access to resources, rights and protections. This is not to be confused with inequality, which is centred on economic differences, but on the fundamental level of access to rights, basic service delivery and safety as provided by the state, and the extent to which people or communities can participate in governance. However it is packaged, citizenship the world over is increasingly defined through exclusion, rather than inclusion. It has become a zero-sum conception which necessitates that for some to win, others must lose. Few can enjoy a sense of security as long as such thinking prevails. By arrangement with Dawn Thiruvananthapuram: CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said those declaring Kashmir as an integral part of the country on one hand and attacking Kashmiris on the other, are only helping the enemies of the country. He said the brothers and sisters of Kashmir are not enemies of the country. Democracy, secularism and equality cannot be safeguarded till power re-mains in the hands of people who oppose Kashmiris. Yechury was speaking at the valedictory of Student Parliament here. The CPM general secretary said A.B. Vajpayee had stated that Kashmir was integral part of the country which cannot be separated. However, the rulers of today who claim to pursue the same thought, say Kashmir is Indias part but Kashmiris are not. Yechury said after Pulwama terror attack all opposition parties stood with the Prime Minister. All were united to defend the countrys unity and integrity. However, BJP national president reacted instantly that only Modi government and not the Congress government reacted strongly against Pakistan. The CPM leader said democracy cannot be sustained without secularism and equality. Those experiencing terror and fear in north India, feel fresh air of democracy when they come to Kerala. Former KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran said the real threat to democracy was politics of murder. The ideology which advocates use of weapon cannot become an instrument of democracy. Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday charged the Congress with destroying irrigation projects in Telangana and said the government would not burden gram panchayats with the cost of Mission Bhagiratha. During the debate on the Appropriation Bill 2019, the Chief Minister exchanged heated words with Leader of Opposition Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka. Mr Vikramarka said there was a 19-20 per cent dip in revenue receipts when compared to projected estimates in the Budgets presented for the last five years. The vote-on-account Budget, too showed a variation in projected estimates and actual receipts. Intervening, Mr Rao told the Opposition leader not to mislead people, saying It appears that the Opposition leader is failing in understanding the concept of estimates and it appears that he doesnt want to project the growth rate of the state, though it is No. 1 in the country in growth. When Mr Rao tried to refer to the undivided AP performance, Mr Bhatti said the people had opted for a separate state and there was no point in referring back five years after statehood. He asked the government to place detailed project reports submitted to the banks to obtain loans for Mission Bhagiratha and the Kaleshwaram project before the House as it appeared that the government had indicated getting revenue through the sale of drinking water to gram panchayats. Mr Rao said, It is a general practice to show a stream of revenue. It doesnt mean that we would burden the villages. It is for the government to take a decision and we will give grants to the gram panchayats. He said that the previous Congress governments had designed the Rajivsagar, Indirasagar and Ambedkar Sujala Sravanthi projects in such a way that the Telangana region was deprived of water. The TRS had redesigned the projects and the state would be able to irrigate 1.20 crore acres. The state would earn Rs 1.2 lakh crore through crop production next year, Mr Rao said. He took serious exception when the Opposition leader alleged the ruling party was silencing him. He denied Mr Bhattis contention that the government had admitted to not receiving the required revenues. Mr Rao assured him about supplying Godavari water from the Seetharamasagar project to irrigate areas in Bhadradri-Khammam district in the coming monsoon season. He said he would accompany Mr Vikramarka in a copter to release the water. After a prolonged discussion and Mr Raos reply, the House approved the Appropriation Bill 2019. CM orders village survey for 2BHK Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao announced in the House that a village-wise survey would be taken up to identify the houses required in each village and urban local body and to take up the 2BHK scheme. The Chief Minister said it was the late N.T. Rama Rao who had empowered backward classes by providing political reservations to local bodies. The Congress, he said, had betrayed the community. Mr Rao said the government had asked the Election Commission to conduct Lok Sabha elections in the state during the first phase so that ZPTC and MPTCs could be after that. The leader of the Congress Legislature party also ruled out his contesting the parliamentary polls and said, he would like to continue in state politics. (Photo: File) Bengaluru: As ruling coalition partners in Karnataka began parleys on seat sharing for Lok Sabha polls, senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Monday said winnability will be the criteria. The leader of the Congress Legislature party also ruled out his contesting the parliamentary polls and said, he would like to continue in state politics. "There is hope that there will be agreement on seat sharing... no ratio, who will win from where is important," Siddaramaiah, who is also the head of Congress-JD(S) coordination committee told reporters in Hubballi. Pointing out that the first meeting on seat sharing is on between coalition partners, he said, KPCC chief Dinesh Gundu Rao and Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara from the Congress' side; JD(S) state chief H Vishwanath and PWD Minister H D Revanna from the regional party's side will be holding discussions today. "I will then call a coordination committee meeting, where we will discuss again," he added. Congress and JD(S) as per their coalition arrangement have decided to fight the Lok Sabha polls together. However, seat sharing is likely to be a major test for both parties as JD(S) banking on two-third, one-third formula adopted in ministry formation and allocation of boards and corporations, has demanded for 10 to 12 seats out of the total 28. The Congress is opposed to this, and has maintained that sharing of seats will be based on "merit". Also, there is pressure from within the Congress not to cede too many seats to JD(S), specially ten seats where the party has sitting MPs. Sharing of seats from old Mysuru region is expected to be an acid test for both parties, as JD(S) considers it as its bastion, and the Congress has its sitting members from most of the seats there. The Vokkaliga bastion of Mandya will be another bone of contention between the coalition partners as JD(S) has plans to field Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil from the seat that it currently holds, while there is growing pressure within the Congress to field Sumalatha Ambareesh, wife of late actor-turned-politician M H Ambareesh. Noting that Sumalatha had met and told him that she was under pressure from party workers in Mandya and Ambareesh's fans to contest the Lok Sabha polls from there, Siddaramaiah said, "I have told her that we are yet to discuss seat sharing, and would discuss with her after that." The Congress is hopeful of gaining the seat banking on Ambaressh's popularity in the region and sympathy wave by fielding his wife Sumalatha, who is also a popular south Indian actress. There are also talks about Sumalatha contesting independently, if the JD(S) does not give up the seat to Congress in her favour. Siddaramaiah also denied reports that he was shifting to national politics. "I won't contest from anywhere, whether it is Koppal or Dharwad or Mysuru. I won't contest from anywhere," he said in response to a question about him contesting from Koppal. Asked what his decision would be if the high command asked him to contest, he said, "The high command won't tell me (to contest)." "I am in state politics now, I will continue there," he added. Responding to a question about the delay in SIT probe into an audio clip containing purported conversation to lure a JD(S) MLA, involving state BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa, Siddaramaiah said, it is for the Chief Minister to decide, as he had announced it on the floor of the assembly. According to reports, on February 19, Dutt before slitting off his wrist wrote in the letter that Mamata Banerjee had kept him on "compulsory waiting" and withheld his dues after he retired on December 31, 2018, which provoked him to commit suicide. (Photo: File) Kolkata: Retired IPS officer Gaurav Chandra Dutt, who committed suicide on February 19, held the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee responsible for his death in his suicide note. However, the state's ruling TMC dismissed the charge terming as "baseless". However, the opposition did not leave any stone unturned to slam Mamata Banerjee for the alleged suicide of the senior police officer. Former TMC leader Mukul Roy demanded Banerjee's arrest for abetment to suicide and urged for a CBI probe into the case. Roy, who is currently a BJP leader, also stated this was the first time in the history of West Bengal that a senior IPS officer committed suicide and blamed the government or a party leader. CPI(M) politburo member and Lok Sabha MP Mohammad Salim claimed that only yes-men officers are favoured in the state presently and that Dutt could not learn this art, hence the IPS officer had to take such a drastic step just after his retirement. Congress President Somen Mitra expressed his grief towards his family and said that the political vendetta drove him to depression and then compelled him to take an extreme step. According to reports, on February 19, Dutt -- before slitting off his wrist -- wrote in the letter that Mamata Banerjee had kept him on "compulsory waiting" and withheld his dues after he retired on December 31, 2018, which provoked him to commit suicide. His wife returned home to find him in a pool of blood at his Salt Lake home. He was immediately taken to the hospital but did not survive. Retired IPS officer Gaurav Chandra Dutts wife said her husband had sent the letter to a few close friends as well. Dutt, in February 2010, was allegedly suspended for nine months after the wife of a constable complained that Dutt had tortured her husband because he had refused the officer's sexual advances. He had again faced disciplinary action for alleged financial irregularities in 2012. Bengaluru: Stating that the 2019 Lok Sabha elections were crucial for India, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the country would lose 50 years if Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not return to power. Speaking at an Informal Interaction organised by Thinkers Forum, Jayanagar here on Sunday, Ms Sitharaman said that India would be doing a disfavour to children born in the 21st century, who would be voting for the first time, if the BJP's work is not recognised. Ms Sitharaman also chided AICC President Rahul Gandhi saying he was a sub-adult child who does not understand issues, but feels that he has understood everything. Besides, the opposition allegations were not based on facts and they could stoop to any level to make allegations. A lot of noteworthy work was done during the last five years of Modi rule, but there is not even a whisper of corruption. The Congress President is worried about what to complain about? she said. There could have been truth in the allegations that India would run out of ammunition, if there was a continuous war for 10 days. But in the last five years, things have changed. The problems of the defence sector were so severe that the forces did not have bullet proof jackets, ammunition for tankers and technology upgradation for the air force. For the first two years, Mr Manohar Parrikar spent time understanding the problems of the forces. Next, Mr Arun Jaitley prepared a report on that. After I took over, I could take it forward, as the report was ready, she said. Answering a question on the Pulwama terror attack, Mrs Sitharaman said that the anger, disappointment and the hunger of the people to strike back is known to the government quite well. The Prime Minister has given a reply, saying that the sacrifice of the armed forces will not go waste. On action against Pakistan, Ms Sitharaman said that Pakistan was under tremendous pressure, since it had been economically isolated by the world community. More can be done on this front, she said. On the Rafale issue, Ms Sitharaman said that during 10 years of UPA rule, not even a single aircraft was added to the air force. In such circumstances, it would be an abuse of human intelligence to compare the prices, she said adding that due process was followed and all the details were given to the Supreme Court and CAG. CHENNAI: The state government has extended the tenure of the Justice A. Arumughasamy Commission, which is probing the circumstances leading to the death of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. Earlier, it had sought to extend its tenure by another four months. Based on the commissions request, the government has extended the tenure for the fourth time. The panel has summoned Deputy Chief Minister O Paneerselvam to appear before the Commission on February 28. On September 25, 2017, the state government had appointed Justice A Arumugasamy as the one-man commission of inquiry to look into the circumstances leading to Jayalalithaas hospitalisation and death following prolonged treatment. The government asked the commission to complete the probe in three months. Jayalalithaa, who was admitted at the Apollo Hospital, Chennai, for fever and dehydration on September 22, 2016, died in the hospital on December 5, 2016. Originally, the commission was asked to complete the probe in three months. However, on a request from the commission, the state government had extended its tenure thrice. The Commission was expected to file a report to the government before February 24. As the probe was almost nearing conclusion, the Commission faced litigation recently and was unable to file the report before February 24. Hence, it sought to extend its tenure. Considering this, the state government extended the tenure by another four months. Meanwhile, the commission on Monday summoned Deputy CM O. Paneerselvam to appear before it on February 28. The counsel for VK Sasikala is likely to cross examine doctors from Apollo Hospital on February 27. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government for a direction for protection of human rights of security force personnel, who come under attack by mobs while performing their duties. A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna issued notices after hearing senior advocate Meenakshi Arora and advocate Neela Gokhale for the petitioners Kajal Mishra and Preeti Kedar Gokhale, who are daughters of Army personnel. The petitioners submitted that they are aggr-ieved and dissatisfied by the substantial inaction of the Centre and the State government in ad-dressing the various acts of human right violations of the members of the Armed Forces, from the perpetrators of violence within the state, resulting in obstruction in the discharge of their duty as well as danger to the safety and security of these army personnel at the place of their deployment. They are further disturbed by the troops in the Indian Army, having to suffer the ire of stone-pelters, while they are discharging their duty of maintaining peace and security in the area of their deployment. More often than not, there are FIRs filed against these troops and soldiers, if they take any action in retaliation or in self-defe-nce, against the perpetrators of stone pelting. The petitioners have no grievance to any Complaint/FIR being filed, for any act done by them, which amounts to any criminal offence under the law for the time being in force. However, they are very much aggrieved by the fact that no similar action is taken against the perpetrators of violence, against the Armed Force personnel. The present petition filed in SC sought a direction to ensure protection of human rights of armed forces. Kamareddy: The lifeline of the composite Nizamabad district, the Nizamsagar project has dried up as the water level in the reservoir reached dead storage level. As a result, the ensuing yasangi (or rabi) crops and drinking water needs of the district will be adversely affected. The fate of the Singur project, a balancing reservoir to the Nizamsagar project, is in a similar condition. There is no alternative source of irrigation and drinking water under the Nizamsagar project. As against the full reservoir level of 1,405 feet, the current level in the project is 1,376.42 ft. Of total 17.803 tmc storage, the storage level on Monday was 0.832 tmc. At the beginning of the kharif season, the Nizamsagar project had 2.290 tmc water and irrigation officials released 1.1 tmc. The water-level is worrying farmers in the ayacut area of the project in Kamareddy and Nizamabad districts. Usually, water is released from the Singur project to supplement the ayacut of Nizamsagar. But the alarming storage level in Singur has affected the Nizamsagar project. K. Govind Rao, a farmer from Kotagiri mandal, told Deccan Chronicle that farmers have lost hopes of getting water from Nizamsagar. A large extent of land under the ayacut of the project is left without crops in the yasangi season, he said. Only farmers, who have borewell facility cultivated yasangi crops. We are hopeful that Kaleshwaram water will bring the previous glory to Nizamsagar in the near future, he said. Irrigation and municipal officials are reviewing the situation to cater to the drinking water needs of Nizamabad and Bodhan towns in summer. Built across the Manjira river, about 144 km north-west of Hyderabad, Nizamsagar is the oldest dam in Telangana state. Hyderabad: Private medical colleges are not holding anatomy classes as there arent sufficient cadavers. Students are forced to rely on books for learning. This is the case across private medical colleges, junior doctors alleged. They have urged the state health department to strictly look into functioning of private medical colleges where students are not getting desired training. All first-year MBBS students have to dissect human cadavers during anatomy classes. As dissection classes had not been held, a high number of students failed in the subject, Telangana state Junior Doctors Association chairman P.S. Vijayender said. With no bodies to dissect, the practical experience was not as required. Also, many have not understood the position of organs. For that, one needs to witness dissection during which different organs are cut and their insides studied. Students will not be able to understand the subject thoroughly till this procedure is carried out properly. When students demanded conduct of dissection classes, they were allegedly threatened by the college management, said the association members. Also, parents were allegedly terrorised by the management. They were told not to spread word about absence of dissection classes if they did not want their wards to fail in the exams. For every year, a college needs at least eight bodies for students to dissect and practice on it, said a senior forensic department doctor at Osmania General Hospital. The Osmania and Gandhi hospital mortuaries get more than enough bodies to provide to private colleges. Earlier, they were many instances when dead bodies were illegally sold by doctors and other staff. Many were punished for this type of corruption for which the court ordered them not to sell bodies. Subsequently, there was a shortage of dead bodies in private colleges. Though there are 3D models, where dissection can be practiced, it is a costly affair and none of the medical colleges in Telangana State have it. They are medico-legal codes in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, clearly laying guidelines about post mortem, but in TS we dont have such codes. It is high time we lay such codes. In Jeevandan also, the organs were donated at private hospitals. Actually, post-mortems should be done in private hospitals. The association members also alleged that medical colleges were not paying stipends to students. Most of the parents were not happy and stated that they would not be convinced till the classes were carried out regularly. (Representational Image) Hyderabad: A number of officials of the state healthcare department on Monday visited the Maheshwara Medical College and asked the management to start classes for the two batches of 300 students immediately. The parents and students had complained to the members that classes had not been held for 45 days and the students had lost a lot of time. Director of Medical Education Dr Ramesh Reddy, said the main issue was classes not being held and directed the management that they must start from the following day. The faculty payment will be cleared before this month end. Their dues of two months have been cleared and others will also be done immediately. The college management has been told to carry out the classes without further delay and there will also be extra classes to make up for the lost time, Dr Ramesh Reddy said. Most of the parents were not happy and stated that they would not be convinced till the classes were carried out regularly. The parents alleged that the managements attitude was not convincing despite the visit of the government officials. The parents and students are worried as they are in the middle of a semester. A detailed report of the actual state of affairs in the college will be prepared by the health department and sent to the University for consideration. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lights the eternal fire at the National War Memorial after the interfaith prayers, during its inauguration ceremony at the India Gate complex in New Delhi, on Monday. (Photo: AP) New Delhi: At the opening of the National War Memorial, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched an all-out attack on the Congress accusing it of adopting a family first approach and said national security suffered due to criminal negligence of the previous dispensation. Without naming the Gandhi family, Mr Modi said it had made defence purchases a source of income during its rule and that investigations in all cases from Bofors to AgustaWestland helicopter deal point towards the same first family. From Bofors to the chopper deal, all the investigations are pointing to one family, which says a lot. Now these people are making a lot of effort to ensure that Rafale aircraft dont arrive in India, the PM said. He said that in the next few months when the first Rafale jet will fly in the Indian skies all such conspiracies will be foiled. Claiming that national security suffered due to criminal negligence of the previous dispensation linked to delays in military procurements, Mr Modi asked, Is it the nation first or the family first? In 2009, the forces demanded 1,86,000 bullet-proof jackets, but faced enemies without them. Our government in four and half years bought over 2,30,000 bullet-proof jackets, Mr Modi said as ex-servicemen assembled at the memorial in the heart of Delhi, responded with slogans of Bharat Mata ki Jai. He said his government has given orders for 72,000 modern rifles and bought ammunition of Rs 25,000 crore in mission mode. With an eye on wooing ex-servicemen ahead of Lok Sabha polls, Mr Modi said that under the One Rank One Pension scheme the government has distributed Rs 35,000 crore. He said under his governments pension budget jumped from Rs 44,000 crore to Rs 1.12 lakh crore. Mr Modi dedicated to the nation National War Memorial by lighting its flame. It has been built in the memory of the Indian soldiers who died while defending the nation after Independence. Rose petals were showered by IAF helicopters and a fly-past in Missing Man formation was also part of the event. Names of 25,942 armed forces men who died in the service of the nation after August 15, 1947, are inscribed on the walls of the memorial in golden letters. Spread over an area of approximately 40 acres, the memorial comprises four concentric circles, namely the Amar Chakra, the Veerta Chakra, the Tyag Chakra and the Rakshak Chakra on which the names have been on granite tablets. The proposal, which was passed in November 2018 by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, seeks to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies. (Photo: File) New Delhi: The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN Women) lauded the Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha government for the women's reservation proposal. In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the UN Women said: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the support extended by your government in implementation of the joint programme between UN Women & the Panchayati Raj Department, Govt of Odisha to promote Gender Responsive Governance in the state." letter addressed to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik by the UN Women The Women's Reservation Bill has been gathering dust for several years now for want of unanimity among different parties over the issue. The proposal, which was passed in November 2018 by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, seeks to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies. It is worth mentioning that the Rajya Sabha passed the Constitution 108th Amendment Bill in 2010. However, the Bill lapsed after the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha in 2014. The Legislative Assemblies of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have already taken a lead and passed a resolution calling on the Central government to enact the Women's Reservation. Mahila Congress president Sushmita Dev had also written to all Congress-led state governments regarding Women's Reservation Bill. Rahul attached a media report alleging that before the Pulwama terror attack, the Centre had opposed salary hikes to CRPF in the Supreme Court. (Photo: File) New Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi Monday trained his guns on Narendra Modi, alleging that the prime minister's ego is not allowing him to meet his demand for granting "shaheed" (martyr) status to personnel of CRPF and other paramilitary forces killed in action. He, however, hoped that the prime minister would act on the Supreme Court's order for better pay to paramilitary forces personnel. "We must recognise the sacrifices of our paramilitary forces, like the CRPF & award their martyrs the title of 'Shaheed'. Even if the PM's ego will not allow him to act on my request, I hope he will act on the SC's order for better pay to the Paramilitary," he tweeted. We must recognise the sacrifices of our paramilitary forces, like the CRPF & award their martyrs the title of Shaheed. Even if the PMs ego will not allow him to act on my request, I hope he will act on the SCs order for better pay to the Paramilitary.https://t.co/sE2dp0K0OO Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 25, 2019 He attached a media report alleging that before the Pulwama terror attack, the Centre had opposed salary hikes to CRPF in the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, ahead of the inauguration of the National War Memorial in Delhi, senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal asked Modi what he had done to save the lives of soldiers in the past five years. Sibal said, "We stand by the war memorial. It is for the prime minister to tell us how we save the lives of our security forces." The former union minister said memorials are good and one should remember those who gave up their lives for the country. But there should be actions on the ground too, he added. He said that while 19 jawans lost their lives in the Uri terror attack and 40 were killed in Pulwama, and asked how the government plans to prevent such killings. It pays homage to over 26,000 soldiers who have sacrificed their lives since 1947. (Photo: ANI | Twitter) New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the National War Memorial in Delhi on Monday and dedicated it to soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. Speaking at the ceremony, PM Modi said, We are continuously working towards making the Army self-reliant, the decisions which were thought to be impossible earlier have now been made possible. Due to the sacrifice of many soldiers, we are among the strongest army in the world. Modi said that contribution from all parts of society is necessary for the security of the nation. The demand for a National War Memorial has been there for many decades, in the last decade there were one or two attempts but nothing concrete could happen, with the help of your blessing we started the process in 2014. At this historical place, I pay my tribute to the brave soldiers who lost their lives in Pulwama and all those bravehearts who sacrifice themselves for protection of India, PM Modi added. Taking a dig at the Congress, Modi hinted, "From Bofors to Helicopter deal, all the investigations are pointing to one family, it says a lot, now these people are putting all the efforts to make sure that Rafale aircraft don't arrive in the country." Asking people whether they wanted India first or family first, he said the armed forces and national security suffered due to criminal negligence before the BJP came to power. Modi also targeted the past government stating that in 2009, forces demanded 1,86,000 bullet-proof jackets, but faced enemies without them. On the other hand, BJP-led Modi government in 4.5 years bought over 2,30,000 bullet-proof jackets. The layout of the memorial located behind the India Gate canopy and across the National Stadium consists of four concentric circles, radially outwards, namely, the Amar Chakra or Circle of Immortality, Veerta Chakra or Circle of Bravery, Tyag Chakra or Circle of Sacrifice and Rakshak Chakra or Circle of Protection. It pays homage to over 26,000 soldiers who have sacrificed their lives since 1947. It was promised by the National Democratic Alliance in its 2014 election manifesto. Sources also revealed that Thakur read out a letter addressed to him by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey during the meeting. (Photo: Representational) New Delhi: A parliamentary panel on Monday asked micro-blogging site Twitter to address issues in real-time and engage more with the Election Commission of India (ECI) ahead of general elections and also summoned senior officials of other social media platforms Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram on March 6. This was informed by Anurag Thakur, chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology, after a nearly three-and-a-half-hour meeting with Global Vice President of Public Policy for Twitter Colin Crowell and other officials of the micro-blogging platform. Thakur said Twitter officials were asked to "engage more" with the ECI and address issues on a "real-time" basis. The Twitter officials were told that there should not be any "international interference" in the Lok Sabha polls. Sources said the social media platform was categorically asked to ensure the forthcoming elections are not undermined and influenced by foreign entities. This message to the micro-blogging site was in an apparent reference to numerous complaints of interference by social media platforms in the US elections, they said. Thakur said Twitter officials replied to most questions and would submit replies to remaining queries in writing in 10 days. The panel, which hear the views of the representatives of Twitter on 'safeguarding citizens rights on social/online news media platforms', has also summoned public policy heads of Facebook, WhatsApp and Platform, he said. Sources also revealed that Thakur read out a letter addressed to him by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey during the meeting. The court has set April 10 as the date for next hearing. New Delhi: The Patiala House court on Monday granted bail to senior journalist Priya Ramani in connection with criminal defamation complaint by former Union minister MJ Akbar. Priya was granted bail on a personal bail bond of Rs 10,000. After the hearing, Priya said, "The next date when they will frame the charges against me is April 10. After that it will be my turn to tell my story. The truth is my defense." The court has set April 10 as the date for next hearing. Journalist Priya Ramani after being granted bail by Patiala House Court in connection with criminal defamation complaint by MJ Akbar: The next date when they will frame the charges against me is April 10. After that it will be my turn to tell my story. The truth is my defence. pic.twitter.com/mxRadNVYua ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2019 On 17 October 2018, Akbar step down from the post of Minister of State for External Affairs under the Modi cabinet following a number of sexual harassment allegations leveled during the #MeToo movement. Priya accused Akbar of sexual harassment, when he was a media personality, working with a leading national newspaper. Following the allegation, Akbar slapped a private criminal defamation case against Ramani on October 16. Nearly 20 women have accused Akbar of sexual misconduct. The court also imposed certain conditions on Saxena and said that he will not tamper with evidence and join investigation as and when called. (Photo: File) New Delhi: A Delhi court Monday granted bail to Rajeev Saxena, who was arrested in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland money-laundering case. Special Judge Arvind Kumar granted the relief to Saxena on furnishing a bail bond of Rs 5 lakh and two sureties of the like amount. The court also imposed certain conditions on Saxena and said that he will not tamper with evidence and join the investigation as and when called. The court further said Saxena should not leave the country without its permission. Saxena, a director of two Dubai-based firms - UHY Saxena and Matrix Holdings, is one of the accused named in the charge sheet filed by ED in the AgustaWestland case. Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in the deal, former AgustaWestland and Finmeccanica directors Giuseppe Orsi and Bruno Spagnolini, former Air Force chief SP Tyagi and Saxena's wife Shivani have also been named by the agency in the chargesheet. On January 1, 2014, India had scrapped the contract with Finmeccanica's British subsidiary AgustaWestland for supplying 12 AW-101 VVIP choppers to the IAF over an alleged breach of contractual obligations and charges of kickbacks of Rs 423 crore paid by it to secure the deal. The smugglers were bringing the gutka from manufacturing units in Karnataka for sale in Hyderabad. (Representational Image) Hyderabad: The East Zone Task Force intercepted a mini-lorry at Amberpet on Saturday and seized gutka worth Rs 50 lakh it was carrying. A police official said the team was acting on a tip-off that gutka was being smuggled in the mini-lorry. The police intercepted the vehicle and upon searching it found the cargo of gutka. The smugglers were bringing the gutka from manufacturing units in Karnataka for sale in Hyderabad. Three people were arrested and the material worth Rs 50 lakh was seized from the vehicle, police said. The consignment and the trio along with the vehicle was handed over to the Amberpet police. New York: Lady Gaga sported the Tiffany Diamond around her neck and Glenn Close wore 40 pounds of gold dress to the Oscars. Charlize Theron rocked a bob in transformative dark brown and Jennifer Lopez was fit for battle in a head-to-toe mirror mosaic on a mighty silver dress. Hollywoods fashion show Sunday in Los Angeles went technicolor and soft, ruffly and classic. It showed off pink and red, white and black, all in plenty of tulle, chiffon, crepe and velvet. Lady Gaga looks classy in Alexander McQueen. (Photo: AP) Lady Gagas platinum locks were high in a side-swept updo. Her Alexander McQueen gown had an Old Hollywood feel, with long gloves to match. But it was the hefty yellow bauble around her neck that stole her look. Weighing in at 128.54 carats, the 142-year-old diamond from a South Africa mine is one of the worlds largest yellow diamonds and rarely worn. In fact, it was only the third time it has been worn and the first time it has appeared at a major award ceremony and on a red carpet. From Lady Gaga debuting Tiffanys most precious diamond to Charlize Theron dripping herself in Bulgari earrings, necklaces and bracelets, bling is most certainly back, said Joyann King, executive digital editor for Harpers Bazaar. Gagas diamond was previously worn in 1957 and by Audrey Hepburn in 1961 publicity photos for Breakfast at Tiffanys. Pink displayed on the red carpet came in a variety of shades, from a honeysuckle pink lace gown by Jenny Packham worn by declutter guru Marie Kondo (she has a Netflix series) to the tiered confection donned by Kacey Musgraves, by Giambattista Valli Couture. Angela Bassett stunning in pink one shoulder Reem Acra Gown. (Photo: AP) King said Gemma Chans voluminous bright pink Valentino Couture dress with a high ruffle neck stole every fashion editors heart. And, bonus, it had pockets. Julia Roberts wore a draped magenta one-shoulder silk crepe creation by Elie Saab Couture to present the best picture award. Overall, major pink gowns, including Angela Bassett in custom Reem Acra, were showstoppers. Lopez, with Alex Rodriguez at her side, was ready for battle in a long-sleeve silver Tom Ford gown that stood out for its chunky embellishment. Tom Ford famously only dresses one star every season on the red carpet. When it comes to rocking a mirrored metallic sheath, no one could possibly work the look more elegantly right than Jennifer Lopez, said Peoples Lavinthal. Emma Stone's metallic honey-comb Louis Vuitton Gown is just gorgeous. (Photo: AP) Brie Larson and Emma Stone were also fierce, Larson in silver Celine by Hedi Slimane. It was a sparkly halter look with a high neck, another trend of the evening. The Lopez look also included a high neck. Stone was in burnished Louis Vuitton with structured short sleeves that could have taken flight. Glenn Close may not have won a best actress statuette, but she won the carpet in a gold gown with long sleeves and a long cape by Wes Gordon for Carolina Herrera. Milan: Dolce & Gabbana gave the fashion world an encyclopedic review of their artisanal credentials with an expansive show of 127 looks.The multi-theme runway show flipped through a series of well-catalogued Dolce & Gabbana themes. D&G brings back the old world charm. (Photo: AP) Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana started with elegant suits topped with fedora hats or elaborate feathered fascinators worthy of a female Dasheill Hammett character then transitioned to chiffon and silk dresses or pantsuits with feather boa trim that exuded leisure. Blooming floral brocade dress highlighting the feminine grace. (Photo: AP) The designers then ran through patterns, textiles and colour: leopard, florals, houndstooth and Prince of Wales, jewel tone colourblocking and brocades. The designers, unusually, then highlighted a series of frothy bridal gowns. And the final flourish was reserved for the brands true mainstay: beautifully tailored looks in black. The looks played on classic, even stereotypical, roles of femininity, which remains at the heart of Dolce & Gabbanas appeal with its core consumer. Model in a classic polka dot gown from the D&G 'Elegance' collection. (Photo: AP Highlights included a royal purple A-line coat with cape and bow details that popped with layers of turquoise crinoline, an all-white fitted double-breasted suit topped with a soft cashmere overcoat, a modern take on the suit deconstructed into an off-shoulder look and a black-and-white polka dot dress made voluminous by underlays worn by an Asian model. The show titled Elegance opened with a video showing Dolce draping fabric on a model and hand stitching a garment that, when finished, was branded with the duos script in Italian Fatto a mano, or Made by hand. With state honchos and AIADMK cadres celebrating the 71st birth anniversary of late CM J.Jayalalithaa on Februrary 24 in garlanding her statues, cutting cakes, declaring financial schemes for the poor and performing annadhanams, Ktowns ace filmmaker Vijay, gearing up with a biopic of Amma announced the title of the film on the occasion. The movie has been titled Thalaivi. Vijay spoke to DC about his magnum opus, saying, Thalaivi is the journey of our late former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa amma who reigned supreme in a male-dominated world. In fact that was my main inspiration to make a biopic on her. I know it is a huge responsibility and I make sure that it will be an honestly portrayed amma biography. The Madarasapattinam director reveals that ace writer Vijayendra Prasad, father of SS Rajamouli of Baahubali and Mersal fame, has been brought on board for screenwriting and composer GV Prakash will join hands for the music. Nirav Shah is behind the camera. The movie will chronicle Jaya from her childhood to her entry into films in 1965 with Vennira Aadai and her meteoric rise in politics till her final days. On the research for the film, Vijay says, I want everything that we project is as authentic as possible and we did extensive research for the last nine months. After penning several drafts, the final draft of the script is ready. Most importantly, our producers Vibri Media have taken a proper No Objection Certificate to make a biopic on Jaya Amma from her nephew Deepak. The movie is likely to go on floors from April. Vijay was unwilling to be open about the lead lady who would portray JJ, but a close source revealed that talks are on with top Bollywood actresses including Vidya Balan, Kangana Ranaut and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. All three actresses are known for their power packed performers with Balan and Ranaut being part of female centric biopics like The Dirty Picture (on Silk Smitha) and Manikarnika (on the Queen of Jhansi), and Aishwarya having already played the role of Jaya in Mani Ratnam's Iruvar (1997) which was also her debut in Tamil. Vijay's earlier film Thalaivaa with Thalapathy Vijay got dragged into controversy and its release was delayed due to reported opposition from the then ruling AIADMK in 2013. Roma had its world premiere at the 75th Venice International Film Festival. It was a Viva Mexico' moment at the 91st Academy Awards as "Roma" became the first feature from the country to receive the Oscar in the best foreign language film category. The moving black-and-white masterpiece by Alfonso Cuaron was being bid as a sure-shot winner in the segment, which also saw "Cold War" (Poland), "Shoplifters" (Japan), "Never Look Away" (Germany) and "Capernaum" (Lebanon) as fitting fellow nominees. Also Read | Oscars 2019 LIVE updates Set in 1970s Mexico's Colonia Roma, the Netflix film revolves around the life of a middle-class family's live-in maid, Cleo. Played by first-time actor and best actress nominee Yalitza Aparacio, Cleo's character was based on the Cuaron's real-life nanny and maid Liboria Libo Rodriguez, to whom he has also dedicated the film. This was the eighth time a Mexican feature was nominated in the best foreign language film category. "I grew up watching foreign language films and learning so much from them. Films like 'Citizen Kane', 'Jaws', and 'Rashomon', 'The Godfather' and 'Breathless' were my inspirations," he said in his acceptance speech. "'There are no waves, there is only an ocean'. The nominees tonight have proven that we are part of the same ocean," he added quoting French new wave filmmaker Claude Chabrol. Interestingly, Cuaron's compadres and fellow Mexican filmmakers Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and Guillermo del Toro have been previously nominated in the same category. In another record, Roma is also the first Netflix film to be nominated for an Oscar and win the award. It has also received a Golden Globe, Critics' Choice Movie Award and BAFTA Award for best foreign language film. The film, which is described as Cuaron's most personal work till date, faced tough competition from another monochrome Polish filmmaker Pawel Pawlikovski's moody, post-war drama Cold War. Roma is also the fifth ever film and first Mexican film to be nominated in both Best Foreign Language and Best Picture after Amour (2012), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Life is Beautiful (1998) and Z (1969). Mumbai: Nawazuddin Siddiqui is currently shooting in Kanpur for his next film 'Raat Akeli Hai' directed by debutant director Honey Trehan. In the film, Nawaz is playing an Uttar Pradesh Police official who is investigating a murder. The film's unit was initially shooting at the Lala Lajpat Rai (LLR) Hospital in the Swaroop Nagar area till Friday. Then on Saturday, the crew along with Nawaz and the rest of the cast headed to Bithoor, to shoot some more shots. Everything went smooth till then, but, on Sunday when the team headed to Kotwali, a shocking event turned up. Nawazuddin Siddiqui at the shooting location in Kanpur. Nawaz was busy shooting for his scenes and a huge crowd turned up on the sets to witness the actor perform and click pictures with him. Amidst shoot, a crazy fan of Nawaz pulled out a scary stunt. Despite tight security, a boy managed to skirt the bouncers and the policemen surrounding the actor and ran up to Nawaz, put his arms around his neck and tried to click a selfie with him. This surely did scare the actor and everyone around him. However, the cops on duty were quick to act and they immediately rushed to Nawazuddin's rescue and nabbed the boy and took him away from the actor and the shoot location. Investments in these debt papers are classified as CBLO, Collateral Backed Loan Obligations. It is estimated that the exposure could be in the range of Rs 25,000 crore-Rs 30,000 crore in the debt portfolio of insurance companies. Mumbai: After mutual funds, domestic insurance companies are also caught in the securitised debt paper tangle. Several private sector insurers are said to have significant exposure to the securitised debt papers given by promoter companies. Investments in these debt papers are classified as CBLO, Collateral Backed Loan Obligations. It is estimated that the exposure could be in the range of Rs 25,000 crore-Rs 30,000 crore in the debt portfolio of insurance companies. Poor quality and lapses in financial credit derivative instruments CBLO had shook the Wall Street in 2008 and triggered the global financial crisis. These instruments have made deep inroads into the Indian lending space and become a threat to the retail financial savings market. According to industry sources, the insurance debt funds have exposure to the extent of about 8-10 per cent of their bonds portfolio in these credit derivative instruments which are backed by promoter shareholdings. These are effectively loan against shares that have dropped in market value and are therefore threatening to wipe out a significant amount of investors funds. SEBI is already collating data from mutual funds of their exposure in such tricky deals that is estimated in the region of Rs 1.5 lakh crore-Rs 1.75 lakh crore and do not reflect in the pledged shares data of the exchanges. Insurance funds exposure in such roundabout deals is estimated to be far more than what is conservatively pegged in the Rs 25,000 crore-Rs 30,000 crore range. The recent drop in share values is giving sleepless nights to regulatory authorities. The total mutual fund and insurance exposure in such CBLOs amount to as much as a fourth of the banking industry bad loans, or non-performing assets. These fraudulent transactions have been ingeniously structured to circumvent extant Sebi and RBI guidelines on loan against shares. They have knowingly invested in illiquid securitised debt CBLOs and failed in their fiduciary duty of protecting and enhancing investors' funds, partner with a leading consultancy firm said. Recently Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund, which has the highest exposure among asset managers, has agreed to a standstill arrangement with Anil Ambani group companies if the value of pledged shares falls below the required level. The draft also finds that the atypical nature of an e-commerce transaction necessitates a consumer protection framework specific to this sector. Chennai: The government will establish separate e-consumer courts for redressing the grievances of online customers. A legal framework will also be put in place to check unsolicited commercial messages. Mechanisms will be developed to establish e-consumer courts as part of the mission mode e-government project in order to address grievances online, the draft e-commerce policy said. The draft also finds that the atypical nature of an e-commerce transaction necessitates a consumer protection framework specific to this sector. India will move towards a system for electronic redressal of grievances, including making available compensation to the aggrieved consumer electronically. It is only rational that a transaction completed online should have an online system of grievances redressal which will, in turn, boost consumer confidence, said the draft. The industry hailed the decision. Today in e-commerce customer can make a purchase sitting anywhere and get the product delivered at the doorstep. Now justice also will be delivered at the doorstep. A change in the law was much required to go along with the new business model e-commerce has brought in, said Rahul Sethi, a veteran in the e-commerce industry. China too has established e-consumer courts which work virtually. This could be a virtual consumer court as in the case of China, where the consumers can file their grievances online and get justice also delivered online. A focussed court or a tribunal will make things faster and efficient than an offline court,' said Jidesh Kumar, managing partner, King Stubb and Kasiva, Advocates and Attorneys. In a significant move in this direction, the Supreme Court in August last year had pronounced that any person who has purchased goods or services through online channel will be allowed to initiate legal proceedings against the seller at the place from which the booking or purchase was done online, which would usually be the place where he resides. In case of offline purchases, the current law insists that a complaint must be filed where the trade or service provider is located or where the cause of action arises, regardless of where the consumer resides. The numbers do not include regional travellers from other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, who do not require a visa. (Representational image) Mumbai: India has become the the second highest source market for the Sultanate of Oman recording 12.37 percent growth in tourist arrivals with 357,147 Indian travellers visiting the country in 2018. In 2017, 317,844 Indian tourists visited Oman, Ministry of Tourism, Oman said in a release issued here. "With growing number of travellers each year, we are expecting double digit growth in 2019 as well," Oman Ministry of Tourism, India Representative, Lubaina Sheerazi said. The country received 1,484,063 international travellers in 2018 compared to 1,369,199 in 2017, which is significantly higher, showcasing a growth of over 8.39 percent. The numbers do not include regional travellers from other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, who do not require a visa, it added. "India represents a substantial and vast market for Oman, given the high percentage of travellers willing to travel abroad and experience new destinations. India has been an important market for us and it has been one of the best performing countries, reaching the status of second highest source market after GCC," Sheerazi said. Several initiatives including the electronic visa, direct flight connectivity from various cities in India and opening of the new passenger terminal at Muscat International Airport, among others, was responsible for this growth, she added. "As part of the its 2040 strategy, the Ministry of Tourism is undertaking major steps to develop and promote a series of destinations across Oman, offering visitors a broader variety of distinctive experiences, with the goal of encouraging extended visits and greater engagement with the country's culture and natural sites," Sheerazi added. Oman, she said, is not only seeing a surge in meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) travel but also a preferred wedding destination for many having good air connectivity. The national carrier Oman Air is connected via direct flights with major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Kochi, Goa, Jaipur and Thiruvananthapuram. According to the report released by think-tank Skoch Group on Monday, there is a big buoyancy in informal sector jobs under the Modi government. (Photo: File) New Delhi: India lacks good data on economy and jobs as it is majoraly an informal economy, Bibek Debroy, the head of Prime Minister's economic advisory panel, said on Monday, while a report claimed big buoyancy in employment numbers under Narendra Modi-led government. Debroy highlighted that it is difficult to draw an inference as to what is happening on labour and employment on the basis of data gathered from the enterprises for the very simple reason that very few individuals in India work under an employee-employee kind of relationship. "We don't have very good data on economy and jobs because India is majorly an informal economy. So, therefore, we don't have a very good data whether it is employment, labour or other things, quite unlike the so-called developed countries," Debroy, also a member of the NITI Aayog, said at 'Skoch Group Summit: The Inclusion Manifesto' here. "There is a large degree of self-employment, there is a large degree of informalisation in contracts. So, the only way I can get satisfactory data is through employment surveys of the kinds that the NSS undertakes," he said. According to the report released by think-tank Skoch Group on Monday, there is a big buoyancy in informal sector jobs under the Modi government. A detailed analysis and field research on MUDRA loan scheme, SHGs and infrastructure developments, especially rural roads and National Highways expansion, indicate that there is big buoyancy in informal sector jobs under Modi regime, the report said. Skoch Group Chairman Sameer Kochhar said that as many as 2 crore jobs have been created in the informal sector till date under the present dispensation. An earlier Skoch report on job linkage of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana revealed that 1.7 crore new jobs were generated in the first two years of the scheme, which was launched in April 2015. Kocchar, however, added that the job situation seems tricky in the formal sector. "Is there any increase in the formal sector jobs, we can't conclusively say, yes or no," said Kochhar. Debroy mentioned that the government can do for the inclusion agenda is to deliver physical and social infrastructure. Poverty in society shows that people are deprived of social and physical infrastructure and which any government should strive to provide for agenda of inclusive growth, he noted. "What do we want the government to do, what is the most important item from the perspective of the government in terms of driving inclusion agenda...It is my submission that the most important thing any government can do for the inclusion agenda is to deliver the physical and social infrastructure," he said. On subsidy, the Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister said the only way to define who should be subsidised can be derived through a decentralised census like the SECC (Socio-Economic Caste Census), not through surveys. -- 2 cr jobs added in informal sector under Modi regime -- Kochhar said that data gathering under Mudra Yojana and Self Help Groups (SHGs) suggested around 2 crore jobs have been created in the informal sector under the current government so far. MUDRA loans seem to have become more of the working capital loan scheme, while documentation states that it has to be 80 per cent of loan is an asset, he said. "Lack of data is a huge problem. We have faced a lot of constraints because of this. However, the saving grace for us is our ongoing studies and field research that we have been doing this for more than 20-years," he said. As per the report findings, there has been a steady increase in the number of self-help groups (SHGs). The number of SHGs has increased to 87.44 lakh in 2017-18 from 76.97 lakh in 2014-15. However, there is more impressive improvement in their bank linkages. Gross savings of SHGs with banks more than doubled to Rs 19,592.12 crore in 2017-18 from Rs 9,897.42 crore in 2013-14. Loans given to SHGs also more than doubled to Rs 47,185.88 crore during 2017-18 from Rs 24,017.36 crore in 2013-14. Non-performing assets (NPA) rate in bank loan to SHGs dropped by 38 bps to 6.12 per cent during 2017-18, it said. Around 10-20 households benefit from an SHG. In 2017-18, nearly 11 crore households got benefited from SHGs. The incremental increase of 10.47 lakh SHGs has benefited over 1 crore households. Among others, the report said road infrastructure is another sector that has witnessed a huge number of job creation in the informal sector. A total of 48,751 km of PMGSY roads, connecting 11,499 eligible habitations have been constructed in 2017-18 at an average rate of 134 km per day. The government built 47,447 km of rural roads in 2016-17, the second most in seven years. These two years compared with the 36,449 km of roads constructed in 2015-16 under PMGSY and 36,337 km in 2014-15. The pace of construction of National Highways has also more than doubled. From a construction rate of just about 12 km per day in 2014-15, the rate more than doubled to reach 27 km a day during 2017-18, while the daily award of works was 47 km. The Skoch report noted that the acceleration in the pace of road construction has led to the creation of a substantial number of new jobs, mostly in the informal sector. New Delhi: Fortis Healthcare Ltd has inquired the Security Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to instruct the arrest of its ex-promoters, chairman Ravi Rajagopal said, after they were unsuccessful in returning occupied cash as instructed by the market watchdog. On 17 October, Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) coordinated Fortiss ex-promoters Singh brothers and several promoter companies to pay the secured inter-corporate loans that had gone out of Fortis within 90 days. The loan amounted to Rs 472 crore Since they have failed to refund the due amounts in compliance of Sebi order, an application under Section 28 A of Sebi Act has been filed, praying for recovery and directions against the entities," Rajagopal said in an interview on Friday. Separated from brothers Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh, the Sebi order named RHC holdings, Shivi Holdings Pvt Ltd, Malav Holdings Pvt Ltd, Religare Finvest Ltd, Best Healthcare Pvt Ltd, Plant healthcare Pvt. Ltd and Modland Wears Pvt Ltd. In reaction to an inquiry, Shivinder Singh said he was not in a position of decision-making and authority when these loans and advances were made as he had resigned officially from all official posts in Fortis in September 2015. I have cooperated in all my interactions with Sebi and made my position clear. These decisions on ICDs were taken after my retirement and I have no role to play in its planning or execution. Even Fortis is well aware of the facts and my position on this matter. I reiterate, I will never do harm to the institution that Ive built from the first brick. Anyone who has ever worked with me in Fortis would support this position. People with vested interests are diverting the attention, misleading the regulators to deflect the heat from themselves as they have done in the past. Im confident the truth will prevail and the regulators will carefully examine the role of all decision makers individually and do justice," he said. Emails sent to Malvinder Singh remained unanswered till press time. In its 13 February appeal, Fortis inquired the controller to conjure Section 28 A, beneath which a person can be arrested and held in jail. Under the same section, properties can be attached from defaulted entities, including bank accounts of their beneficiaries, successors, lawful representatives to the extent of the total loan accounts and intrigued immediately. Rajagopal said Sebis investigations had found that the monies went to entities related to the ex-promoters. Sebi has meanwhile been doing its own investigations and they came out with their orders in October last year where they went beyond our investigation because they have the right to call for information, they have forensic capability and they trail the ultimate destination of those monies and clearly established that it was the former promoter related entities that were responsible for the monies and therefore, those monies were owed back by the former promoters and their related entities," he stated. After preliminary investigations, Sebi passed had an order on 17 October, watching Fortis gave secured inter-corporate loans to the entities specified earlier. (With agency input) Singapore leapfrogged Mauritius to become Indias largest source of Foreign Direct Investment months before the countrys double tax avoidance agreement with Singapore came into force. Singapore toppled Mauritius, as FDI in equity from Singapore crossed 41 per cent during April and December 2018 to nearly USD 13 billion, while FDI from Mauritius slipped 55 per cent from a year back to only USD 6 billion, displayed the latest official data, the Financial Express reported. Indias total equity FDI inflows rose up 23 per cent significantly during the first quarter, but slowed down subsequently, and slipped 7 per cent to USD 33.5 billion during the same period. The inflows are stated to register a drop in FY19 first annual drop in the current Modi era unless the last quarter registers a huge recovery. Intriguingly, at USD 6.06 billion, chemical FDI inflows sparring fertilizers during the first three quarters of 2018-19 toppled those into financial and other services ( USD 5.92 billion), computer software and hardware ( USD 4.75 billion), telecommunications (USD 2.29 billion), trading (USD 2.34 billion) and automobiles (USD 1.81 billion). The chemicals sector lured only USD 1.3 billion during the whole 2017-18 year, reported the Financial Express. Speaking of Indias FDI locations, India modified its 33 year tax pact with Mauritius during May 2016, and updated it with Singapore in December 2018 to close the gaps exploited by companies in tax havens to avoid legal taxes. The report states, the agreements will be applicable from April 2019 after a two year changing period during which capital gains on transfer of Indian shares procured from April 2017 are being taxed at 50 per cent of the domestic rate. Post April 1, 2019, full domestic capital gains tax will be effective. Inflows from Mauritius have slumped, after the advantages of tax haven are yet to kick off. Although, since Singapore has a strong and evenly transparent financial system with smoother access to funds at cheaper costs, several foreign companies with interest in India feel reluctant to invest through Singapore than Mauritius, stated analysts, reported the Financial Express. However Singapore had also overthrown Mauritius as the top source of FDI into India in 2015-16 (only to give away the top rank in the next year), the gap in their investments was never as huge as during 2018 and 2019. Previously, the share of Mauritius in cumulative FDI inflows into India from April 2000 has declined slowly over the years from as big as 42 per cent on March 2011 to 32 per cent on December 2018; while Singapores cumulative FDI sky rocketed to 19 from 9 per cent during the same period, the Financial Express reported. The fall in overall FDI inflows this year could add pressure on the rupee; however a decline in oil prices in recent months has brought down the pressure of trade balance, the largest part of Indias current account. Previously, current account deficit slipped to 2.9 per cent of GDP during July and September 2018-19 from 2.4 per cent during the previous quarter. (With agency inputs) The decision of Vodafone to stop using Huawei equipment and adopting Nokia solution in Germany was only a business decision and it should not be misread Vodafone Chief Executive Officer Nick Read said. (Photo: File) Barcelona: Vodafone on Monday said there are only three major telecom vendors, including Huawei, in the world and moving to block the Chinese company would not be good for the industry. Apart from Huawei, Ericsson and Nokia are the two other major telecom vendors. "This is not a Vodafone topic, it is an industry topic. Huawei plays a major role in supply chain (of telecom equipment). If you look at it from our perspective, we have resiliency and security in our networks. If we concentrate down to two players, it is not healthy," Vodafone Chief Executive Officer Nick Read said here. He was responding to queries regarding discussions going on in the industry about security issues related to Huawei. In India, Vodafone's joint venture Vodafone Idea has partnered with Huawei for 5G trials. Certain countries have blocked purchase of 5G equipment from Huawei due to security concerns. According to reports, there are attempts to block purchase of Huawei equipment due to global politics rather than security concerns. Read also indicated that there is a need for evidence-based facts for decision making with respect to choosing vendors. The decision of Vodafone to stop using Huawei equipment and adopting Nokia solution in Germany was only a business decision and it should not be misread, he said. A consortium of banks, led by the SBI, has extended loans to Jet Airways, which is looking to rejig debt and raise funds. New Delhi: Shares of Jet Airways fell 3 per cent in afternoon trade on Monday on reports that State Bank of India (SBI) is mulling moving the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) against the debt-laden airline, even as the lender said no such decision had been taken. The cash-strapped full service carrier is looking to rejig debt and raise funds, even as it has been forced to ground two more aircraft due to non-payment of dues to lessors. Jet Airways shares declined 3 per cent to Rs 229.60 apiece on BSE in afternoon trading and had touched an intra-day low of Rs 225. On Sunday, officials said SBI was mulling moving the tribunal to recover its loans. A consortium of banks, led by the SBI, has extended loans to Jet Airways, which is looking to rejig debt and raise funds. Regarding reports about SBI mulling moving NCLT against the airline, a bank spokesperson on Monday said "no such decision has been taken". Lenders can initiate proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) to recover dues from debt-laden entities. The process can commence only after approval from the NCLT. Shareholders of Jet Airways had approved conversion of loan into shares and other proposals during the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on Thursday. Officials associated with the lenders and key shareholders had said SBI was considering moving the tribunal seeking insolvency proceedings against Jet Airways since it is running out of money for operations. Financial woes have forced Jet Airways to ground some planes; and salaries for many employees, including pilots, have been delayed. "An additional two aircraft have been grounded due to non-payment of amounts outstanding to lessors under their respective lease agreements," the airline said in a filing to the stock exchanges on February 23. Jet Airways, on February 7, said it had grounded four of its aircraft on account of non-payment of lease rentals. The airline is actively engaged with all its aircraft lessors and regularly provides them with updates on the efforts undertaken by it to improve liquidity. Aircraft lessors have been supportive of the company's efforts in this regard, as per the filing made on February 23. 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. Solange LaFitte is mooching backstage at the dilapidated New York theatre. Everyone has arrived at the Weismann follies reunion party, revisiting the venue where they were once the dazzling epitome of showgirl glamour. Theyve all grabbed a drink, squealed at long lost buddies and curled a lip at long-grudged rivals. Stephen Sondheims musical Follies (directed by Dominic Cooke at Londons National Theatre) may be set in 1971, but Solange sets about networking before the term existed. The former artiste is flogging her own-label perfume Caveman by Solange for the gent who has everything, Magic for the lady who wants to hold onto what she has. She treats every encounter as a chance to make an entrance vigorously platinumed head thrown back, slinky still in turquoise. In conversation, shes always on but alone, she pokes about behind the scenes. In Vicki Mortimers design, it looks as if the wrecking crew has already moved into the theatre: the walls are semi-demolished, seats are as much dust as plush. A rubble of discarded dreams piles up beside the stage. And something sticks out of an old props basket a shabby feather boa. Solange fishes it out, sizes it up. Its grey soft-toned down or just deeply-embedded grime? Either way, she snatches it with a scavengers pragmatism. Just what she needs to give her old signature number some feathery ooh-la-la. And it does, as she sings Ah, Paree, a gazetteer of amorous possibilities (I have been to Moscow, its very gay / Well, anyway, / On the first of May). She presses her curves into service, makes with the wink and moue, chums it up with dancing matelots. The boa twirls, teases, stretches out across her shoulders. The feathers catch the powdery light and the once-gilt tassels enjoy yet one more spree. Solange in Geraldine Fitzgeralds glintingly unsentimental incarnation is one of the flintiest of the former showgirls. Most of them cheerfully share the triumphs and travails of their post-follies lives husbands found and lost, the small business graft that sees them through. Solange, however, doesnt dish: even her chat with Dmitri Weismann himself (Mitya! she purrs) is less flirtation, more winsome shtick for her fragrances. (Hey, hes a pre-MeToo monster he doesnt deserve genuine conversation.) Her appetite for nostalgia is strictly limited Fitzgerald takes the golden sash emblazoned with the year she joined the follies, grimaces and immediately turns it inside out. Who needs to know shes been working her coquette act since 1930? I wonder what backstory Fitzgerald imagines for Solange. Is she even French? Wouldnt surprise me to learn shes completely self-invented. (The part was originally created by Fifi DOrsay, who was actually Canadian but scored work in New York after singing Yes! We Have No Bananas in French, claiming to have been with the Follies Bergere in Paris. Fittingly for Solange, she took her surname from her favourite perfume.) Why pick on this slightly ratty prop, worn by a rackety supporting character? There are far sparklier creations in this visual feast of a show, and roles that hold more attention notably the central quartet of miserable marrieds, Sally and Buddy and Phyllis and Ben, who flounder in a swamp of what might have been. That boa may have seen better days but who hasnt? Most of the canny older women at the reunion have slipped off their unsustainable illusions like a pair of too-tight shoes. Theyve made it from doll to dame, through good times and bum times, and theyre still here. Nothing much surprises them, but not too much disappoints them either. Only one, Carlotta, is still a bona fide star, but the others get by. As Ron Fassler wrote about another of the musicals first cast Ethel Shutta, who sang Broadway Baby her fingernails always clung to the ledge of show business until her dying day. Solange isnt wearing the boa when we later see her leave the theatre. She declines an invitation to go on for a drink (I need my beauty sleep! she trills, prompting a derisive snort from a former colleague). The boa has served its brief purpose. She doesnt need it, certainly isnt looking for souvenirs. The past, Follies tells us, is heavy with allure. Silvered with memory, shimmering with possibility, who wouldnt want to visit? But its crucial to know when to leave. Photos: top, Alastair Muir (photos.alastairmuir.com); below, Tristram Kenton Follow David on Twitter: @mrdavidjays Categories Categories Select Category #abarare ABA Events ABA News Action Adventure Alaska AOU Apps Art Asides Attu BEX Big Year Bird Feeding Bird ID Bird of the Year Birders Guide Birdsong Blog Bites Blog Review BookReviews Building Birding Skills Commentary Conservation eBird Equipment Review Featured Gallery Festivals Field Identification Fun Gardening Gear Happening NOW HowToKnowTheBirds Human Dimensions of Birding Humor Listing Members Only Content North American Birds Obscure Hotspots Open Mic Outdoor Tips Photography podcast Point/Counterpoint Presidents Corner Publications RBA Science Science Art Social Media Sponsored Technology Top 10 Travel Young Birders Archives Archives Select Month January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 Blog Birding #397 Rob Dudley of Feathered Photography shares a neat series of photos of a Rough-legged Hawks prey who refused to go down without a fight. Soon after he turned to his left there was obviously something going on with that feisty vole. The hawk is holding the vole as gingerly as possible with only its talons exposed to and imbedded in the rodent and the rest of its foot and leg are being held at an angle with as little exposure to the vole and injury as possible. I wish I hadnt lost focus in this shot so we could see more clearly what the vole is doing but it appears to me that it might be biting, or attempting to bite, the hawks left foot. Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers are one of the classic North American ID conundrums, at The Stokes Birding Blog, Lilian Stokes offers some pointers. Wow, look at the size difference. In this photo you can see the bars on the outer tail feathers of the Downy Woodpecker. This usually occurs on most subspecies of Downy Woodpecker except the leucurus subspp (s.e. AK-. NE south to AZ-NM) may lack barring on tail. (from The Stokes Field Guide to the Birds of North America, which contains information on all subspecies of birds, no other field guide does). The Hairy Woodpecker usually has white unbarred outer tail feathers (except in a few subspecies). The song of the familiar House Finch offers a fine example of cultural transmission in birds, David Lahti shares his own research on the topic at The AOS News Blog. The reason my research collaborators and I are interested in House Finch songs today is because these songs change over time and spacewed like to know how and why they change the way they do. Most animals simply inherit the noises they make, and so the sounds dont change much from generation to generation. About half of the worlds birds, however, learn how to speak as juveniles from older members of their own species, just as we humans do. Where do Floridas Piping Plovers come from? Nick Bonomo at Shorebirder has the surprising answer. I spent a few days visiting a good friend in North Fort Myers back in late January. While shorebirding on Bunche Beach in Lee County (Gulf Coast near Fort Myers), I noticed several flagged/banded Piping Plovers. I tried to record as many as I could, which ended up being seven birds. I was surprised to hear that all three of the breeding populations were represented in that flock. History of Ornithology, Bob Montgomerie shares his AtBob Montgomerie shares his fascinating correspondence with Scottish ecologist Adam Watson , affectionately known as Mr Cairmgorns. Wynne-Edwards and Watson had, for example, taken David Lack on a walk in the Cairngorms in 1968 at a time when the two men were having a fierce debate about group selection [2]. But, as Watson wrote to me, their meeting was extremely amicable and group selection was, as far as he could remember, never mentioned. Lack impressed everyone by spotting a rare bird and a rare plant [3], and the day turned out to be a pleasant hike in the mountains with a focus on natural history. ROME - Italian Defense Minister Elisabetta Trenta on Monday travelled to Algiers where she will visit the Monument to the Martyrs of Independence and meet with local authorities ''to thank them personally for Algeria's fundamental role in the development of cooperation between all countries on the two shores of the Mediterranean'', the minister wrote in a Facebook post. She will then travel to Niger where, in Niamey, she said she will bring ''the government's greetings to our military in the mission MISIN'', the Bilateral Support Mission in Niger. The mission, the minister wrote, is ''very important for Italy because, in supporting the requests of the Nigerian government, among other things, it vies to halt and reduce the uncontrolled flow of migrants towards our country''. ''It is therefore a mission that is perfectly in line with national interest which, after months of impasse, we have succeeded in unblocking, thanks to dialogue and the sense of responsibility'', wrote Trenta. ''In this phase, Niger's support in the fight against terrorism and illegal trafficking, including that of human beings, is fundamental, as I consider crucial the humanitarian support that we are providing to the population through the donation of medicines and healthcare equipment. It is the Italian way and we must be proud''. The menace of such white-supremacist terrorism is real and growing. Debacles such as Smollett's apparent hoax do nothing but provide excuses to ignore the threat. Were the news media too credulous in their initial reporting about Smollett's claim? Not necessarily. A well-known person reported being assaulted, and Chicago police said they were taking his story seriously. Smollett had suffered some minor injuries and been treated at a hospital. I don't know what reporters were supposed to do except report the facts as far as they were known absent concrete evidence that those facts were actually fabrications. Police now say that the scratches on Smollett's face were self-inflicted and that he paid two men $3,500 to rough him up gently so he could become more famous and demand more money for his role in the Fox television series "Empire." But nobody knew that at first. When new facts gradually emerged that cast doubt on Smollett's account, those facts were reported. I also don't blame the fellow "Empire" cast members who stood by Smollett. It is only natural to want to support a friend and colleague who is in crisis. Spanberger described how broadband access was a great opportunity for bipartisanship. An appropriations bill signed Feb. 14 dedicates hundreds of millions of dollars to broadband. Some people need bridges and tunnels, she said. We need internet. The partial government shutdown the longest in history dominated Spanbergers first weeks in office, she said. She supports a measure that would require members of Congress to forfeit their own pay if they are willing to use federal employees as negotiating tools in the future. A woman in a Humanity First T-shirt kicked off the questions during the event. She described how her Huguenot ancestors came to America in search of religious freedom and asked Spanberger how she intended to ensure the humane treatment of immigrants and refugees going forward a topic raised at least twice more by constituents. Spanberger said she had co-sponsored a bill that would prohibit families from being separated at the border going forward, and there are several ongoing inquiries about the hundreds of still-missing children. The session was particularly difficult for Democrats, poised to potentially seize control of one or both legislative chambers, only to watch successive scandals engulf Northam, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, and Attorney General Mark Herring, who were elected in a Democratic sweep less than two years ago. Fairfax is now battling two accusations of sexual assault, one in 2004 and another in 2000. Herring acknowledged, after calling for Northam to resign, that he, too, once appeared in blackface at a University of Virginia fraternity party in 1980. I really tried to focus every one of the members on why were here, said House Minority Leader Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax, who became the first woman to lead a party caucus in either chamber. House Democrats, who picked up 15 seats in 2017 and narrowed the Republican edge to 51-49, forced the assembly to return for an additional day to give lawmakers more time to review a budget agreement reached Friday night, less than 24 hours before the originally scheduled adjournment. Budget questions Deeds said fixing mental health care is a complicated process, but that this bill is a step in the right direction for local correctional facilities. In recent decades, many mentally ill people have been released from institutions and have ended up in jails, Deeds said. Though it wont ever be fully possible to prevent mentally ill people from entering jails, he said steps can be taken to provide them the care and support they need while theyre imprisoned and after theyre released. If you dont discharge them to an environment where they have support, then recidivism is going to be a problem, Deeds said. Both Bell and Deeds have expressed a desire to divert mentally ill people from incarceration to programs such as the Albemarle-Charlottesville Therapeutic Docket, which aims to prevent people with serious mental health issues who commit petty crimes from going to jail, where they have fewer treatment options. Sena Magill, a member of the Region Ten Community Services Board and a Democratic candidate for Charlottesville City Council, said the bill appears to be a good step forward for mental health care in the commonwealth. SHARM EL-SHEIKH - Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte said the first topic he addressed with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during their meeting on Monday was the disappearance three years ago of Giulio Regeni, a 28-year-old Cambridge University doctoral researcher who was tortured and murdered in Egypt. "We reiterated the absolute sensitivity of the Italian government and public opinion for a solution" to the case, Conte said after the bilateral meeting. "Al-Sisi attested to his constant attention and effort to bringing this case to resolution," he said. "I believe that through constructive dialogue there can be a solution for judicial truth," he said. Conte and al-Sisi also discussed the topic of energy and diversification of sources. "We reviewed the state of cooperation with Italy and the EU. The topic of security and diversification is important, and from this point of view Italy, Egypt, Cyprus, Greece, and Israel are offering their contribution," Conte said, referring to the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum, which Jordan and Palestine also belong to. "We hope opportunities can arise; I believe the economic issue is also a factor of stability," Conte said. Conte said he was satisfied about the EU-Arab League summit that took place in Sharm El-Sheikh. "It was a very positive meeting; we heard from many leaders. Dialogue and discussion are essential and I hope this can be a regular appointment. That's what I will fight for in Europe," he said. The Virginia collaborative hopes to identify what works and find ways to bring public safety and criminal justice professionals together. At the same time, Terry said its important to identify ways to help ex-inmates become a part of the community. Its a part of exploring the best practices across the country in terms of re-integrating people into the population and how do we make it so that re-integration does not become a continuing part of the punitive process, Terry said. We want to find ways to help those coming back into society find housing and employment, and its hard when you have a conviction in your past, he said. How do we address that? How do we make sure they have the best possible chance to succeed? The assignment is fitting for Terry, who came to the Weldon Cooper Center in July from the University of North Texas in Dallas. While at North Texas, Terry helped to integrate the universitys research center with local groups to find ways to help improve the community. He also worked with the Dallas Second Chance Community Improvement Program, one of the first felony community courts in the United States, as well as with Dallas nonprofit Miles of Freedom on re-entry programming. Alleghany Corporation provides property and casualty reinsurance and insurance products in the United States and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Reinsurance, Insurance, and Alleghany Capital. The Reinsurance segment offers fire, allied lines, auto physical damage, and homeowners multiple peril reinsurance products; and casualty and other reinsurance products, such as medical malpractice, ocean marine and aviation, accident and health, mortgage, surety, and credit reinsurance products, as well as directors' and officers', errors and omissions, general, and auto liability reinsurance. It distributes its products and services through brokers, as well as directly to insurance and reinsurance companies. The Insurance segment underwrites specialty insurance coverages in the property, as well as umbrella/excess, general, directors' and officers', and professional liability lines; surety products comprising commercial and contract surety bonds; and workers' compensation insurance products. It distributes its products through independent wholesale insurance brokers, and retail and general insurance agents. The Alleghany Capital segment provides precision automated machine tool solutions; manufactures custom trailers and truck bodies for the moving and storage industry, and other markets; and operates as a toy, and entertainment and musical instrument company. It also offers various services for pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries; products and services for the funeral and cemetery industries, and precast concrete markets; and hotel management and development services, as well as operates as a structural steel fabricator and erector. The company also owns and manages improved and unimproved commercial land, and residential lots. As of December 31, 2020, it owned approximately 106 acres of property. The company was founded in 1929 and is based in New York, New York. Read More Ad Legacy Research 912 Interested This Week To Any American Who Owns a Cell Phone If you own a cell phone, then mobile service providers hope you never get to see this video that could soon go viral. His experiment could strike a bad chord with mobile phone companies. But youve got to see what this man discovered and what it means for phone users in the weeks ahead. 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) SHARM EL-SHEIKH - Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte said the case of Giulio Regeni, a 28-year-old Cambridge University doctoral researcher who was tortured and murdered in Egypt three years ago, is "still an open wound until the case is solved". Conte spoke on the sidelines of the EU-Arab League summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, where he will also have a face-to-face meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and said he will speak about the government's concerns around the case. The Regeni case is still far from a resolution, and Italian civil society and politicians are still calling for an answer. The summit agenda is a busy one and made organising the meeting between Conte and al-Sisi difficult, but Conte said the two leaders will manage to find a way to discuss not only Regeni but also the situation in Libya. "Libya is strategic for us. There need to be efforts to prevent an escalation of violence and a civil conflict, which are always just around the corner," Conte said. The prime minister of national unity government in Libya, Fayez al Sarraj, is also in attendance at the summit, which is being held at the International Congress Centre. The situation in Libya remains unstable and the Italian government is increasing its efforts to push for a UN-sponsored international conference, which is considered an essential step on the UN road map towards elections in Libya. Italy is seeking a "shared and inclusive" solution in Libya. After seeing Sarraj in Egypt, in the coming weeks Conte may meet with Libyan General Khalifa Haftar. French diplomats have gone back to focusing on working with Haftar in recent days. A meeting between Sarraj and Haftar, which France is working on, together with UN envoy Ghassam Salame, could take place in the coming days in Abu Dhabi, and another meeting could follow in Paris. At the EU-Arab League summit, Italy is trying to affirm its central role on the Mediterranean geopolitical and economic front in a context in which the participants among the 49 delegations present include German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister Theresa May, King Salman of Saudi Arabia, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The Palestinian question is one of the most-cited topics on the first day of the summit. Conte, in his speech, said there must be a "just and lasting peace", reaffirming his support for the two-state solution. Another topic is that of energy, which Conte has been working on since the beginning of his term, with a particular focus on the Middle East. The topic of energy and renewables is "crucial" for EU-Arab League dialogue, Conte said. This makes Egyptian collaboration with Italy strategic in the energy basin of the eastern coastal region of Libya. The following companies are subsidiares of Hyatt Hotels: CHANCELLOR STREET CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION INC., GLENDALE HOTEL PROPERTIES L.L.C., HT-SEATTLE HOLDINGS LLC, 1379919 ALBERTA INC., 319168 ONTARIO LIMITED, 3385434 CANADA INC., ADMINISTRACION DE PERSONAL ANDARES S. DE R.L. DE C.V., AIC HOLDING CO., AIRPORT PLAZA ASSOCIATES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, AIRPORT PLAZA HOTEL LLC, AIRPORT PLAZA OFFICE BUILDING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, AMERISUITES FRANCHISING L.L.C., ARANCIA LIMITED, ARUBA BEACHFRONT RESORTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, ARUBA BEACHFRONT RESORTS N.V., ASIA HOSPITALITY INC., ASIA HOSPITALITY INVESTORS B.V., ASIAN HOTEL N.V., ATRIUM HOTEL L.L.C., AUSTIN RESORT BEVERAGE LLC, AmeriSuites Hotel, BAKU HOTEL COMPANY - AZERI, BAKU HOTEL COMPANY - CAYMAN, BASTROP MARKETING L.L.C., BAY II INVESTOR INC., BELLEVUE ASSOCIATES, BH PLAZA LLC, BRE/AMERISUITES PROPERTIES L.L.C., BRE/AMERISUITES TXNC GP L.L.C., BRE/AMERISUITES TXNC PROPERTIES L.P., BURVAN HOTEL ASSOCIATES, CAL-HARBOR SO. PIER URBAN RENEWAL ASSOCIATES L.P., CELAYA RESORTS S. DE R.L. DE C.V., CHESAPEAKE COMMUNITIES LLC, CHESAPEAKE RESORT LLC, CIUDAD DEL CARMEN DIAMANTE RESORT S. DE R.L. DE C.V, COAST BEACH L.L.C., COMPAGNIE HOTELIERE DE LAGON BLEU, CPM SEATTLE HOTELS L.L.C., CRW INVESTMENT LLC, CTR INTEREST HOLDCO INC., DALLAS REGENCY LLC, DENVER DOWNTOWN HOTEL PARTNERS LLC, DESARROLLADORA HOTELERA ACUEDUCTO S. DE R.L. DE C.V., DH BEVERAGE LLC, DIAMANTE RESORT LA PAZ S. DE R.L. DE C.V., DISTRICT HOTEL PARTNERS LLC, EXHALE ENTERPRISES GIFT SERVICES COMPANY, EXHALE ENTERPRISES II L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES III INC., EXHALE ENTERPRISES IV L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES V L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES VIII INC., EXHALE ENTERPRISES X INC., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XII L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XIV L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XIX L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XV L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XV TCI LTD., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XVI L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XVII L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XVIII L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XX L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXI INC., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXIV L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXV L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXVI L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXVII L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXVIII L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXXI L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXXII L.L.C., EXHALE ENTERPRISES XXXIII INC., FAN PIER L.L.C., FAR EAST HOTELS INC., G.E.H. PROPERTIES LIMITED, GAINEY DRIVE ASSOCIATES, GALAXY AEROSPACE COMPANY LLC, GHE HOLDINGS LIMITED, GRAND HYATT BERLIN GMBH, GRAND HYATT DFW BEVERAGE LLC, GRAND HYATT SAN ANTONIO L.L.C., GRAND HYATT SF L.L.C., GRAND RIVERWALK BEVERAGE LLC, GRAND TORONTO CORP., GRAND TORONTO VENTURE L.P., GREENWICH HOTEL LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, H.E. ATLANTA CENTENNIAL PARK HOLDINGS L.L.C., H.E. AUSTIN L.L.C., H.E. BERMUDA L.L.C., H.E. CAP CANA L.L.C., H.E. DRISKILL LLC, H.E. GRAND CYPRESS L.L.C., H.E. IRVINE L.L.C., H.E. KANSAS CITY L.L.C., H.E. LENOX L.L.C., H.E. NASHVILLE L.L.C., H.E. NEWPORT L.L.C., H.E. ORLANDO L.L.C., H.E. PHILADELPHIA HC HOLDINGS L.L.C., H.E. PHILADELPHIA HC HOTEL L.L.C., H.E. PHILADELPHIA HC PARKING L.L.C., H.E. PHILADELPHIA HC RETAIL L.L.C., H.E. PHILADELPHIA SANSOM L.L.C., H.E. PORTLAND HC L.L.C., H.E. PORTLAND L.L.C., H.E. PROPERTIES HOLDING L.L.C., H.E. PROPERTIES L.L.C., H.E. SAN ANTONIO I L.L.C., H.E. SAN ANTONIO L.L.C., H.E. TUCSON HOLDINGS L.L.C., H.E. TUCSON JV HOLDINGS L.L.C., H.E. TUCSON JV L.L.C., H.E. TUCSON OWNER L.L.C., HAPP INVESTOR LTD., HARBORSIDE HOTEL LLC, HARBORSIDE LAND LLC, HC PORTLAND JV HOLDINGS L.L.C., HC ROYAL PALMS L.L.C., HCV CINCINNATI HOTEL L.L.C., HE ORLANDO HOTEL LLC, HGP (TRAVEL) LIMITED, HH NASHVILLE HOLDINGS L.L.C., HH NASHVILLE JV HOLDINGS L.L.C., HH PORTLAND L.L.C., HHMA BURLINGTON BEVERAGE L.L.C., HI HOLDINGS (SWITZERLAND) GMBH, HI HOLDINGS BAJA B.V., HI HOLDINGS BRAZIL S.A.R.L., HI HOLDINGS CELAYA B.V., HI HOLDINGS CIUDAD DEL CARMEN B.V., HI HOLDINGS CYPRUS LIMITED, HI HOLDINGS CYPRUS-INDIA LIMITED, HI HOLDINGS GUADALAJARA B.V., HI HOLDINGS HP CABO B.V., HI HOLDINGS HP TIJUANA HOTEL B.V., HI HOLDINGS KYOTO CO., HI HOLDINGS LA PAZ B.V., HI HOLDINGS LATIN AMERICA B.V., HI HOLDINGS NETHERLANDS B.V., HI HOLDINGS PLAYA B.V., HI HOLDINGS RIO S.A.R.L., HI HOLDINGS RIVIERA MAYA B.V., HI HOLDINGS VIENNA S.A.R.L., HI HOLDINGS ZURICH S.A.R.L., HI HOTEL ADVISORY SERVICES GMBH, HI HOTEL INVESTORS CYPRUS LIMITED, HIHCL AMSTERDAM B.V., HIHCL HP AMSTERDAM AIRPORT B.V., HIHCL HR AMSTERDAM B.V., HILP HOTEL SERVICE PROVIDER LLC, HOTEL AM BELVEDERE HOLDING GMBH, HOTEL AM BELVEDERE HOLDING GMBH & CO KG, HOTEL INVESTMENTS HOLDING CO LLC, HOTEL INVESTMENTS L.L.C., HOTEL INVESTORS I INC., HOTEL INVESTORS II INC., HOTEL PROJECT SYSTEMS PTE LTD, HOTEL SERVICES CIUDAD DEL CARMEN S. DE R.L. DE C.V., HOTELS CS CELAYA S. DE R.L. DE C.V., HP ATLANTA CENTENNIAL PARK JV LLC, HP AUSTIN L.L.C., HP BEVERAGE DALLAS DFW AIRPORT LLC, HP BEVERAGE SUGAR LAND LLC, HP BOSTON HOLDINGS L.L.C., HP GLENDALE JV HOLDINGS L.L.C., HP GLENDALE L.L.C., HP INDIA HOLDINGS LIMITED, HP LAS VEGAS BEVERAGE L.L.C., HP M STREET L.L.C., HP ROUTE 46 TEXAS LLC, HP SAN FRANCISCO L.L.C., HP SAN JUAN L.L.C., HP TEN TEXAS LLC, HPHH ATLANTA L.L.C., HPHH DENVER L.L.C., HPHH SAN JOSE JV HOLDINGS L.L.C., HPHH SAN JOSE L.L.C., HQ CHESAPEAKE LLC, HR LOST PINES RESORT LLC, HR MC HOTEL COMPANY S. DE R.L. DE C.V., HR MC SERVICES II S. DE R.L. DE C.V., HR MC SERVICES S. DE R.L. DE C.V., HRHC LLC, HT- WAILEA LLC, HT-AVENDRA GROUP HOLDINGS L.L.C., HT-AVENDRA L.L.C., HT-CHESAPEAKE COMMUNITIES INC., HT-CHESAPEAKE RESORT INC., HT-HOTEL EQUITIES INC., HT-HUNTINGTON BEACH INC., HT-JERSEY PIER INC., HT-JERSEY PIER L.P., HT-JERSEY PIER LLC, HT-LONG BEACH L.L.C., HT-MIAMI BEACH L.L.C., HT-PARK 57 INC., HT-SEATTLE LLC, HT-SIERRA L.L.C., HT-VANCOUVER INC., HTLB L.L.C., HTS - NS L.L.C., HTS - NY L.L.C., HTS-ASPEN L.L.C., HTS-BC INC., HTS-INVESTMENT L L.C., HTSF L.L.C., HTW BEVERAGE LLC, HY LONG BEACH HOTEL LLC, HYATT (BARBADOS) CORPORATION, HYATT (JAPAN) CO. LTD., HYATT (THAILAND) LIMITED, HYATT ARUBA N.V., HYATT ASIA PACIFIC HOLDINGS LIMITED, HYATT AUSTRALIA HOTEL MANAGEMENT PTY LIMITED, HYATT AUSTRIA GMBH, HYATT BEACH FRONT N.V., HYATT BORNEO MANAGEMENT SERVICES LIMITED, HYATT BRITANNIA CORPORATION LTD., HYATT CC OFFICE CORP., HYATT CHAIN SERVICES LIMITED, HYATT CRYSTAL CITY LLC., HYATT CURACAO N.V., HYATT DISASTER RELIEF FUND, HYATT DO BRASIL PARTICIPACOES LTDA, HYATT EQUITIES L.L.C., HYATT FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT SERVICES INC., HYATT FRANCHISING CANADA CORP., HYATT FRANCHISING L.L.C., HYATT FRANCHISING LATIN AMERICA L.L.C., HYATT FULFILLMENT OF MARYLAND INC., HYATT GLOBAL SERVICES INC., HYATT GTLD L.L.C., HYATT HOC INC., HYATT HOLDINGS (UK) LIMITED, HYATT HOSPITALITY SERVICES L.L.C., HYATT HOTEL MANAGEMENT LIMITED, HYATT HOTELS CONSULTANCY SERVICES ASIA PACIFIC LIMITED, HYATT HOTELS CORPORATION OF KANSAS, HYATT HOTELS CORPORATION OF MARYLAND, HYATT HOTELS FOUNDATION, HYATT HOTELS MANAGEMENT CORPORATION, HYATT HOTELS OF CANADA INC., HYATT HOTELS OF FLORIDA INC., HYATT HOTELS OF PUERTO RICO INC., HYATT HOUSE CANADA INC., HYATT HOUSE FRANCHISING L.L.C., HYATT HOUSE HOTEL HOLDING COMPANY L.L.C., HYATT INDIA CONSULTANCY PRIVATE LIMITED, HYATT INTERNATIONAL (ASIA) LIMITED, HYATT INTERNATIONAL (EUROPE AFRICA MIDDLE EAST) LLC, HYATT INTERNATIONAL - JAPAN LIMITED, HYATT INTERNATIONAL - SOUTHWEST ASIA LIMITED, HYATT INTERNATIONAL -ASIA PACIFIC LIMITED, HYATT INTERNATIONAL -SEA (PTE) LIMITED, HYATT INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, HYATT INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS CO., HYATT INTERNATIONAL HOTEL MANAGEMENT (BEIJING) CO. LTD., HYATT INTERNATIONAL MILAN L.L.C., HYATT INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT (BEIJING) CO. LTD., HYATT INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL SERVICES INC., HYATT JV HOLDINGS L.L.C., HYATT LACSA SERVICES INC., HYATT LOUISIANA L.L.C., HYATT MAINZ GMBH, HYATT MARKETING SERVICES INC., HYATT MARKETING SERVICES NIGERIA COMPANY LIMITED, HYATT MINNEAPOLIS LLC, HYATT MINORITY INVESTMENTS INC., HYATT MSS L.L.C., HYATT NORTH AMERICA MANAGEMENT SERVICES INC., HYATT OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED, HYATT OF BAJA S. DE R.L. DE C.V., HYATT OF CHINA LIMITED, HYATT OF FRANCE S.A.R.L., HYATT OF GUAM LIMITED, HYATT OF ITALY S.R.L., HYATT OF LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN L.L.C., HYATT OF LATIN AMERICA S.A. DE C.V., HYATT OF MACAU LIMITED, HYATT OF MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., HYATT OF PHILIPPINES LIMITED, HYATT PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS L.L.C., HYATT PLACE ANNE ARUNDEL BEVERAGE INC., HYATT PLACE CANADA CORPORATION, HYATT PLACE FRANCHISING L.L.C., HYATT PLACE OF MARYLAND INC., HYATT REGENCY COLOGNE GMBH, HYATT REGENCY CORPORATION PTY. LIMITED, HYATT SERVICES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED, HYATT SERVICES CANADA INC., HYATT SERVICES CARIBBEAN L.L.C., HYATT SERVICES GMBH, HYATT SERVICES INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, HYATT SHARED SERVICE CENTER L.L.C., HYATT TRINIDAD LIMITED, HYCANADA INC., HYCARD INC., HYSTAR L.L.C., Hyatt Corporation, INFORMATION SERVICES LIMITED, INTERNATIONAL RESERVATIONS LIMITED, JOINT VENTURE ITALKYR CLOSED JOINT STOCK COMPANY, JUNIPER HOTELS PRIVATE LIMITED, KSA MANAGEMENT INC., KYOTO HOLDING CO., LHR-PARTNERS LTD., LORING PARK ASSOCIATES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, LOST PINES BEVERAGE LLC, MACAE PARTNERS S.A.R.L., MAHIMA HOLDINGS PRIVATE LIMITED, MARION RESERVATION CENTER L.L.C., MEXICO CITY HOTEL INVESTMENTS B.V., MILAN HOTEL INVESTMENTS B.V., MIRAVAL ARIZONA GUARANTOR LLC, MIRAVAL GROUP LLC, MIRAVAL RESORT ARIZONA HOLDINGS LLC, MIRAVAL RESORT ARIZONA LLC, MIRAVAL RESORT ARIZONA OPERATING CO. INC., MIRAVAL RESORT TUCSON LLC, MONROE MR HOLDINGS I LLC, MONROE MR HOLDINGS II LLC, MONROE MR HOLDINGS III LLC, MONROE MR HOLDINGS LLC, MONROE MR HOLDINGS TRUST, MRG ATX BEVERAGE HOLDINGS LLC, MRG ATX HOLDINGS II LLC, MRG ATX HOLDINGS LLC, MRG ATX INVESTMENT LLC, MRG ATX MANAGEMENT I LLC, MRG ATX MANAGEMENT II LLC, MRG ATX OPERATIONS LLC, MRG CRW HOLDINGS LLC, MRG CRW MANAGEMENT I LLC, MRG CRW MANAGEMENT II LLC, MRG CRW OPERATIONS LLC, MUNICH OPCO GMBH, Miraval Resort, OASIS LUXURY RENTALS INCORPORATED, PARIS HOTEL COMPANY B.V., PARK HYATT HAMBURG GMBH, PARK HYATT HOTEL GMBH, PARK HYATT WATER TOWER ASSOCIATES L.L.C., PH NEW YORK L.L.C., PHMC RESIDENCIAS S. DE R.L. DE C.V., POLK SMITH REGENCY LLC, PT HYATT INDONESIA, PVD INVESTMENT COMPANY S.A.R.L., Peabody Hotels & Resort, RCG PROPERTIES LLC, REGENCY BEVERAGE COMPANY LLC, REGENCY RIVERWALK BEVERAGE LLC, RESERVATIONS CENTER L.L.C., RIO JV PARTNERS PARTICIPACOES LTDA., RIO PRETO PARTNERS HOTEIS LTDA., RIO PRETO PARTNERS S.A.R.L., ROSEMONT PROJECT MANAGEMENT L.L.C., ROUTE 46 MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES CORP., RUNWAY HOLDING L.L.C., RUNWAY L.L.C., SAO PAULO INVESTMENT COMPANY INC., SAO PAULO INVESTORS LIMITED, SASIH, SDI EQUITIES INVESTOR L.L.C., SDI INC., SDI SECURITIES 11 LLC, SDI SECURITIES 6 LLC, SELECT HOTELS GROUP L.L.C., SELECT JV HOLDINGS L.L.C., SEOUL MIRAMAR CORPORATION, SERVICIOS DE HOTELERIA SAN JOSE S. DE R.L. DE C.V., SERVICIOS HOTELEROS LA PAZ S. DE R.L. DE C.V., SETTLEMENT INVESTORS INC., SHG PUERTO RICO INC., SIERRA HEALTHSTYLES LLC, SJC DESARROLLOS S. DE R.L. DE C.V., SKS CORP. N.V., SMC HOTELS B.V., SOROCABA PARTNERS HOTEIS LTDA, SOROCABA PARTNERS S.A.R.L., STANHOPE L.L.C., STARHILL LORING PARK L.L.C., SUGAR LAND/HP LLC, THE GREAT EASTERN HOTEL COMPANY LIMITED, THE GREAT EASTERN HOTEL HOLDING COMPANY LIMITED, TIJUANA PARTNERS S. DE R.L. DE C.V., TR MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT LLC, TUCSON VILLAS HOLDINGS LLC, TUCSON VILLAS LLC, TWO SEAS HOLDINGS LIMITED, Two Roads Hospitality, WAILEA HOTEL & BEACH RESORT L.L.C., WAILEA HOTEL HOLDINGS L.L.C., WAILEA MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION L.L.C., WAILEA RESORT VILLAS HOLDINGS L.L.C., WAILEA RESORT VILLAS L.L.C., WEST END RESIDENCES L.L.C., XENIA ASSURANCE COMPANY INC., XENIA ASSURANCE COMPANY OF ILLINOIS, ZURICH ESCHERWIESE HOTEL GMBH, and ZURICH HOTEL INVESTMENTS B.V.. General Electric Company operates as a high-tech industrial company worldwide. The company's Power segment offers heavy-duty and aeroderivative gas turbines for utilities, independent power producers, and industrial applications; maintenance, service, and upgrade solutions to plant assets and their operational lifecycle; steam power technology for fossil and nuclear applications, including boilers, generators, steam turbines, and air quality control systems; and advanced reactor technologies solutions comprising reactors, fuels, and support services for boiling water reactors. This segment also applies the science and systems of power conversion to provide motors, generators, automation, and control equipment; and drives for energy intensive industries, such as marine, oil and gas, mining, rail, metals, test systems, and water. Its Renewable Energy segment provides various solutions for its customers through combining onshore and offshore wind, blades, hydro, storage, solar, and grid solutions, as well as hybrid renewables and digital services offerings. The company's Aviation segment designs and produces commercial and military aircraft engines, integrated engine components, electric power, and mechanical aircraft systems; and provides aftermarket services. Its Healthcare segment develops, manufactures, markets, and services magnetic resonance, computed tomography, molecular imaging, x-ray and high-frequency soundwave systems, clinical monitoring and acute care systems, enterprise digital, artificial intelligence applications, consulting and command center, and complementary software and services; and researches, manufactures, and markets imaging agents. The company's Capital segment offers aviation leasing and financing, and working capital services; financial solutions and underwriting capabilities; and insurance and reinsurance for life and health risks, as well as annuity products. The company was founded in 1878 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Read More First Horizon Corporation operates as the bank holding company for First Horizon Bank that provides various financial services. The company operates through four segments: Regional Banking, Fixed Income, Corporate, and Non-Strategic. It offers general banking services for consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments. The company also underwrites bank-eligible securities and other fixed-income securities eligible for underwriting by financial subsidiaries; sells loans and derivatives; and offers advisory services. In addition, it offers various services, such as mortgage banking; title insurance and loan-closing; brokerage; correspondent banking; nationwide check clearing and remittance processing; trust, fiduciary, and agency; equipment finance; and investment and financial advisory services. Further, the company sells mutual fund and retail insurance products; and credit cards. It operates approximately 490 banking offices in 12 states under the First Horizon Bank brand; and 29 offices in 18 states under the FHN Financial brand in the United States. The company was formerly known as First Horizon National Corporation and changed its name to First Horizon Corporation in November 2020. First Horizon Corporation was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. 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. WEC Energy Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides regulated natural gas and electricity, and renewable and nonregulated renewable energy services in the United States. The company operates through six segments: Wisconsin, Illinois, Other States, Electric Transmission, Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure, and Corporate and Other. It generates and distributes electricity from coal, natural gas, oil, hydroelectric, wind, solar, and biomass sources; provides electric transmission services; offers retail natural gas distribution services; transports natural gas; and generates, distributes, and sells steam. As of December 31, 2020, it operated approximately 36,100 miles of overhead distribution lines and 34,900 miles of underground distribution cables, as well as 450 electric distribution substations and 507,900 line transformers; 50,300 miles of natural gas distribution mains; 1,100 miles of natural gas transmission mains; 2.3 million natural gas lateral services; 500 natural gas distribution and transmission gate stations; and 68.2 billion cubic feet of working gas capacities in underground natural gas storage fields. The company was formerly known as Wisconsin Energy Corporation and changed its name to WEC Energy Group, Inc. in June 2015. WEC Energy Group, Inc. was incorporated in 1981 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Read More Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates through three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance and Wealth. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings accounts, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, credit cards, and other financial services to personal and small business customers. The Commercial Banking segment provides lending, transactional banking, working capital management, risk management, and debt capital market services to small and medium-sized entities, corporates, and financial institutions. The Insurance and Wealth segment offers life, home, and car insurance products; and pension, investment, and wealth management products and services. It also provides digital and mobile banking, and telephone services, as well as advisory services for savings, investments, and planning for retirement. The company offers its products and services under the Lloyds Bank, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, Scottish Widows, MBNA, Schroders Personal Wealth, Black Horse, Lex Autolease, Birmingham Midshires, LDC, IWeb, and Agricultural Mortgage Corporation brands. Lloyds Banking Group plc was founded in 1695 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. 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. Vapotherm, Inc., a medical technology company, focuses on the development and commercialization of proprietary high velocity therapy products used to treat patients of various ages suffering from respiratory distress in the United States and internationally. The company offers precision flow systems, such as Precision Flow Hi-VNI, Precision Flow Plus, Precision Flow Classic, and Precision Flow Heliox that deliver heated, humidified, and oxygenated air at a high velocity to patients through a small-bore nasal interface. It also provides companion products, including Vapotherm Transfer Unit, which allows patients to be transferred between care areas within the hospital or ambulate while on therapy; Q50 compressor, which provides compressed air necessary to run the precision flow systems; aerosol aeroneb adaptor to facilitate delivery of ultrasonic aerosolized medication; aerosol disposable patient circuit that is designed to streamline the provision of intermittent and continuous aerosol nebulization by limiting condensate management; and tracheostomy adaptors. In addition, Vapotherm, Inc. offers ProSoft cannula to provide gentle contact with the skin; and disposable products comprising single-use disposables and nasal interfaces, as well as Oxygen Assist Modules, which helps clinicians maintain oxygen levels within a target range. The company sells its products to hospitals. Vapotherm, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is based in Exeter, New Hampshire. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of D.R. Horton: 10700 Pecan Park Austin Inc., 11241 Slater Avenue NE LLC, 2 C Development Company LLC, 8800 Roswell Road Bldg. B LLC, 91st Avenue & Happy Valley L.L.C., ANN & 215 LLC, Austin Data Inc., BP456 Inc., C. Richard Dobson Builders Inc., CH Funding LLC, CH Investments of Texas Inc., CHI Construction Company, CHM Partners L.P., CHTEX of Texas Inc., CV Mountain View 25 Inv LLC, Cane Island LLC, Continental Homes Inc., Continental Homes of Texas L.P., Continental Residential Inc., Continental Traditions LLC, Crown Operating Company Inc., Cypress Road L.P., D.R. Horton - CHAustin LLC, D.R. Horton - Colorado LLC, D.R. Horton - Crown LLC, D.R. Horton - Emerald Ltd., D.R. Horton - Georgia LLC, D.R. Horton - Hawaii LLC, D.R. Horton - Highland LLC, D.R. Horton - Indiana LLC, D.R. Horton - Iowa LLC, D.R. Horton - MV LLC, D.R. Horton - Nebraska LLC, D.R. Horton - Permian LLC, D.R. Horton - Regent LLC, D.R. Horton - Terramor LLC, D.R. Horton - Texas Ltd., D.R. Horton - WPH LLC, D.R. Horton - Wyoming LLC, D.R. Horton BAY Inc., D.R. Horton CA2 Inc., D.R. Horton CA3 Inc., D.R. Horton CA4 LLC, D.R. Horton Commercial Inc., D.R. Horton Cruces Construction Inc., D.R. Horton Inc. - Birmingham, D.R. Horton Inc. - Chicago, D.R. Horton Inc. - Denver, D.R. Horton Inc. - Dietz-Crane, D.R. Horton Inc. - Greensboro, D.R. Horton Inc. - Gulf Coast, D.R. Horton Inc. - Huntsville, D.R. Horton Inc. - Jacksonville, D.R. Horton Inc. - Louisville, D.R. Horton Inc. - Midwest, D.R. Horton Inc. - Minnesota, D.R. Horton Inc. - NNV, D.R. Horton Inc. - New Jersey, D.R. Horton Inc. - Portland, D.R. Horton Inc. - Torrey, D.R. Horton Inc. Foundation, D.R. Horton Insurance Agency Inc., D.R. Horton LA North Inc., D.R. Horton Life Insurance Agency Inc., D.R. Horton Los Angeles Holding Company Inc., D.R. Horton Management Company Ltd., D.R. Horton Materials Inc., D.R. Horton Realty LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Atlantic County LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Central Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Delaware LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Georgia Inc., D.R. Horton Realty of Melbourne LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Northwest Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Southeast Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Southwest Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Tampa LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Virginia LLC, D.R. Horton Seabridge Marina Inc., D.R. Horton Serenity Construction LLC, D.R. Horton Urban Renewal LLC, D.R. Horton VEN Inc., D.R. Horton Corpus Christi LLC, DBC54 LLC, DHI Commercial - Lakeview LLC, DHI Commercial - Signal Butte LLC, DHI Commercial - Tamarron LLC, DHI Commercial Inc., DHI Communities Construction LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Arizona LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Colorado LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Florida LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Iowa LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Nevada LLC, DHI Communities Construction of North Carolina LLC, DHI Communities Construction of South Carolina LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Texas LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Utah LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Virginia LLC, DHI Communities II LLC, DHI Communities Inc., DHI Engineering LLC, DHI Insurance Inc., DHI Mortgage Company, DHI Mortgage Company GP Inc., DHI Mortgage Company LP Inc., DHI Mortgage Company Ltd., DHI Ranch Ltd., DHI Realty of Alabama LLC, DHI Realty of Mississippi LLC, DHI Title GP Inc., DHI Title LP Inc., DHI Title of Alabama Inc., DHI Title of Arizona Inc., DHI Title of Florida Inc., DHI Title of Minnesota Inc., DHI Title of Nevada Inc., DHI Title of Texas Ltd., DHI Title of Washington Inc., DHI Verandah South Shores Communities LLC, DHIC - 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(by Gaetana D'Amico) ROME - The trial against Jordi Cuixart will not be fair, one of his attorneys, Olivier Peter, has told ANSA. ''We are hopeful but we doubt that justice can be done'', according to Peter, who is on the defense team of Cuixart, the president of separatist Catalan organization Omium Cultural. Cuixart has been in preventive custody since October 2017 after a referendum on Catalonia's independence. On Tuesday morning, Cuixart will testify at a trial in which he is a defendant together with another 11 separatist leaders. He is charged with rebellion and sedition in connection with a pro-independence demonstration on September 20, 2017, and a referendum on independence on October 1. He risks a sentence of up to 30 years in jail. ''It is clearly a political trial'', said Peter. ''There have already been so many violations that the procedure is flawed. Moreover, the duration of hearings, the refusal to hear all the witnesses we have requested, the fact that, with the trial that has started, we still have no access to evidence, all these elements confirm that the procedure has clearly not been respected''. According to the attorney, Madrid has a ''contradictory'' attitude. He explained: ''Under Spanish legislation, the charges of rebellion and sedition imply a degree of violence that certainly did not occur in demonstrations and the referendum. Therefore, they cannot be punishable. If they implement Spanish law, they must acquit them''. If this won't happen, the lawyer said, the team will take the case to the European Court of human Rights, which the attorney believes would condemn Spain. Meanwhile, main human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Front Line Defenders, have requested to withdraw the charges against Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez, another separatist leader. ''There is clearly at an international level, and it will increase further in the upcoming future, a condemnation of this procedure by several human rights organizations'', said the lawyer. Front Line Defenders, the winner of a UN prize in 2018 as association of the year, has recognized Jordi, the only one among 12 defendants, as a human rights activist who is being persecuted for his work to defend civil rights. ''Symbolically, it is very important because it demonstrates that the role is not political. If Europe accepts that a promoter of human rights is jailed for peaceful demonstrations, this decision could have a huge impact because it would legitimize prison for people who demonstrate'', said the lawyer. 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. 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 IDEX Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an applied solutions company worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Fluid & Metering Technologies (FMT), Health & Science Technologies (HST), and Fire & Safety/Diversified Products (FSDP). The FMT segment designs, produces, and distributes positive displacement pumps, small volume provers, flow meters, injectors, and other fluid-handling pump modules and systems, as well as offers flow monitoring and other services for the food, chemical, general industrial, water and wastewater, agricultural, and energy industries. The HST segment provides precision fluidics, rotary lobe pumps, centrifugal and positive displacement pumps, roll compaction, and drying systems for use in beverage, food processing, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics; pneumatic components and sealing solutions, such as pumping solutions for analytical instrumentation, clinical diagnostics, and drug discovery; molded and extruded sealing components; custom mechanical and shaft seals; engineered hygienic mixers and valves; biocompatible medical devices and implantables; and air compressors. This segment also offers optical components and coatings for applications in the scientific research, defense, biotechnology, aerospace, telecommunications, and electronics manufacturing applications; laboratory and commercial equipment to produce micro and nano scale materials; precision photonic solutions; and precision gear and peristaltic pump technologies. The FSDP segment produces and distributes firefighting pumps, valves and controls, rescue tools, lifting bags, and other components and systems for the fire and rescue industry; engineered stainless steel banding and clamping devices for various industrial and commercial applications; and precision equipment for dispensing, metering, and mixing colorants and paints used in retail and commercial businesses. The company was incorporated in 1987 and is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois. Read More RPC, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides a range of oilfield services and equipment for the oil and gas companies involved in the exploration, production, and development of oil and gas properties. The company operates through Technical Services and Support Services segments. The Technical Services offers pressure pumping, fracturing, acidizing, cementing, downhole tools, coiled tubing, snubbing, nitrogen, well control, wireline, pump down, and fishing services that are used in the completion, production, and maintenance of oil and gas wells. The Support Services segment provides a range of rental tools, including blowout preventors, high pressure manifolds and valves, hevi-wate drill pipes, tubing products, production related rental tools, pumps, diverters, drill pipes, drill collars, handling tools, Coflexip hoses, and Wear Knot drill pipes that are used for onshore and offshore oil and gas well drilling, completion, and workover activities. This segment also offers oilfield pipe inspection, and pipe management and storage services, as well as well control training, and consulting services. It operates in the United States, Africa, Canada, Argentina, China, Mexico, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and internationally. RPC, Inc. was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Read More Robert Half International Inc. provides staffing and risk consulting services in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company operates through three segments: Temporary and Consultant Staffing, Permanent Placement Staffing, and Risk Consulting and Internal Audit Services. It places temporary services for accounting, finance, and bookkeeping; temporary and full-time office and administrative personnel consisting of executive and administrative assistants, receptionists, and customer service representatives; full-time accounting, financial, tax, and accounting operations personnel; and information technology contract consultants and full-time employees in the areas of platform systems integration to end-user technical and desktop support, including specialists in application development, networking, systems integration and deployment, database design and administration, and security and business continuity. The company also offers temporary and full-time employees in attorney, paralegal, legal administrative, and legal secretarial positions; and senior level project professionals in the accounting and finance fields for financial systems conversions, expansion into new markets, business process reengineering, business systems performance improvement, and post-merger financial consolidation. In addition, it is involved in serving professionals in the areas of interactive media, design, marketing, advertising, and public relations; and placing freelance and project consultants in various positions, such as creative directors, graphics designers, Web content developers, Web designers, media buyers, brand managers, and public relations specialists. Further, the company provides business and technology risk consulting, and internal audit services. It serves clients and employment candidates. Robert Half International Inc. was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Menlo Park, California. 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. Royal Bank of Canada operates as a diversified financial service company worldwide. The company's Personal & Commercial Banking segment offers checking and savings accounts, home equity financing, personal lending, private banking, indirect lending, mutual funds and self-directed brokerage accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, credit cards, and payment products and solutions; and lending, leasing, deposit, investment, foreign exchange, cash management, auto dealer financing, trade products, and services to small and medium-sized commercial businesses. This segment offers financial products and services through branches, automated teller machines, and mobile sales network. Its Wealth Management segment provides a suite of advice-based solutions and strategies to high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, and institutional clients. The company's Insurance segment offers life, health, home, auto, travel, wealth, annuities, and reinsurance advice and solutions; and creditor and business insurance services to individual, business, and group clients through its field sales force, advice centers, and online, as well as through independent insurance advisors and affinity relationships. Its Investor & Treasury Services segment provides asset, cash management, transaction banking, and treasury services to institutional clients; correspondent banking and trade finance services for financial institutions; and short-term funding and liquidity management services. The company's Capital Markets segment offers corporate and investment banking, as well as equity and debt origination, distribution, sale, and trading services for corporations, institutional investors, asset managers, governments, and central banks. Royal Bank of Canada has a strategic partnership with Royal College Of Physicians & Surgeons Of Canada to support the needs of Canada's medical specialists. The company was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More TUNIS - Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is in Geneva for "a brief stay for periodic medical checkups", according to a statement issued by his office, which also specified that the presidential jet, a Gulfstream IV, landed on Sunday evening at the Geneva airport. Bouteflika's most recent "medical trip" to Switzerland was in August 2018 and lasted five days. The Algerian president, 81, has been in power since 1999 and suffered a stroke in 2013. Since then, he has been confined to a wheelchair, has difficulty speaking, and is rarely seen in public. The announcement that Bouteflika intends to run for a fifth term set off protests in recent days in many cities across Algeria, particularly in the capital. 12 hours ago | June 27th | 2021 6:30 AM If You Want to Do Business on the Links, You Need to Improve Your Golf Game A lot of business is done on the golf course. Especially this summer after a year in quarantine, people will be itching to get out on the links and for some relaxation and mixing business with pleasure. If you want to close a deal out on the course, you're going to want to be more focused on the deal points than your next shot. Ormat Technologies, Inc. engages in the geothermal and recovered energy power business in the United States, Indonesia, Kenya, Turkey, Chile, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Ethiopia, New Zealand, Honduras, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Electricity, Product, and Energy Storage. The Electricity segment develops, builds, owns, and operates geothermal, solar photovoltaic, and recovered energy-based power plants; and sells electricity. The Product segment designs, manufactures, and sells equipment for geothermal, recovered energy-based electricity generation, and remote power units, such as fossil fuel powered turbo-generators and heavy duty direct-current generators. This segment also provides services relating to the engineering, procurement, construction, operation, and maintenance of geothermal and recovered energy-based power plants. The Product segment serves contractors; developers, owners, and operators of geothermal power plants; and owners and operators of interstate natural gas pipelines, gas processing plants, and cement plants, as well as companies in other energy-intensive industrial processes. The Energy Storage segment offers energy storage and related services, as well as services relating to the engineering, procurement, construction, operation, and maintenance of energy storage units. Ormat Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1965 and is based in Reno, Nevada. Read More 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. Syria: sources, trucks waiting for new ISIS evacuation (ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, FEBRUARY 25 - Over 20 trucks are ready to evacuate more civilians and ISIS militants from the area of Baghuz in south-east Syria, where the last jihadist fighters have been for days, sources on the ground said Monday. The sources said that ISIS will be considered formally ''defeated'' between Iraq and Syria when the area between the Euphrates and the Iraqi border will be without civilians and militants. The area is surrounded on three sides by Kurdish-Syrian forces backed by the US. Government forces backed by Iran and Russia are operating on the western side of the Euphrates. (ANSAmed). KAR Auction Services, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides used vehicle auctions and related vehicle remarketing services for the automotive industry in the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. The company operates through two segments, ADESA Auctions and AFC. The ADESA Auctions segment offers whole car auctions and related services to the vehicle remarketing industry through online auctions and auction facilities. It also provides value-added services, such as auction related, transportation, reconditioning, inspection, title and repossession administration and remarketing, vehicle research, and analytical services, as well as data as a service. This segment sells its products and services through vehicle manufacturers, fleet companies, rental car companies, finance companies, and others. As of December 31, 2020, this segment had a network of 74 whole car auction facilities in North America. The AFC segment offers floorplan financing, a short-term inventory-secured financing to independent used vehicle dealers; and sells vehicle service contracts. The company provides wheel repair and hail catastrophe response services. It serves vehicle manufacturers, vehicle rental companies, financial institutions, commercial fleets and fleet management companies, and dealer customers. The company was formerly known as KAR Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to KAR Auction Services, Inc. in November 2009. KAR Auction Services, Inc. was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana. Read More Gildan Activewear Inc. manufactures and sells various apparel products in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It provides various activewear products, including T-shirts, fleece tops and bottoms, and sport shirts under the Gildan, Gildan Performance, Gildan Hammer, Comfort Colors, American Apparel, Anvil by Gildan, Alstyle, Prim + Preux, and GoldToe brands. The company also offers hosiery products comprising athletic; dress; and casual, liner, therapeutic, and workwear socks, as well as sheer panty hoses, tights, and leggings under the brands of Gildan, Under Armour, GoldToe, PowerSox, GT a GoldToe Brand, Silver Toe, Signature Gold by Goldtoe, Peds, MediPeds, Kushyfoot, Therapy Plus, All Pro, Secret, Silks, Secret Silky, and American Apparel. In addition, it provides men's and boys' underwear products, and ladies panties under the Gildan and Gildan Platinum brand names; and ladies' shapewear, intimates, and accessories under the Secret and Secret Silky brands. The company sells its products to wholesale distributors, screen printers, or embellishers, as well as to retailers and consumer brand companies. The company was formerly known as Textiles Gildan Inc. and changed its name to Gildan Activewear Inc. in March 1995. Gildan Activewear Inc. was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. 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 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. Do You Trade Options? (Ad) 10 million people started trading in 2020 alone... But most people arent even aware of the five secrets to making winning trades... Get the list of all five now. Datang International Power Generation Co., Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in power generation and power plant development activities in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through Power and heat generation, Coal, and Other segments. It generates electricity through various sources, such as coal-fired, thermal, hydro, wind, nuclear, biomass, and solar. As of December 31, 2019, the company managed an installed capacity of approximately 68,278.10 MW. It also engages in heat supply; the import of power related fuel; coal mining and trading; silicon and aluminum smelting; production and sale of alumina; cargo shipping; sale of coal ash and integrated application of solid waste; power plant construction and operation; repair and testing of power equipment; research and development activities; and provision of power related technical services. The company was formerly known as Beijing Datang Power Generation Co., Ltd and changed its name to Datang International Power Generation Co, Ltd. in April 2004. The company was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People's Republic of China. Datang International Power Generation Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary of China Datang Corporation Limited. Read More 13 hours ago | June 27th | 2021 6:30 AM If You Want to Do Business on the Links, You Need to Improve Your Golf Game A lot of business is done on the golf course. Especially this summer after a year in quarantine, people will be itching to get out on the links and for some relaxation and mixing business with pleasure. If you want to close a deal out on the course, you're going to want to be more focused on the deal points than your next shot. Altice USA, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides broadband communications and video services in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. It offers broadband, video, telephony, and mobile services to approximately 5 million residential and business customers. The company's video services include delivery of broadcast stations and cable networks; over the top services; video-on-demand, high-definition channels, digital video recorder, and pay-per-view services; and platforms for video programming through mobile applications. It also provides VoIP telephone services; and mobile services, such as data, talk, and text. In addition, the company offers Ethernet, data transport, IP-based virtual private networks, Internet access, and telephony services; hosted telephony services, managed Wi-Fi, managed desktop and server backup, and managed collaboration services comprising audio and web conferencing; fiber-to-the-tower services to wireless carriers; data services, consisting of wide area networking and dedicated data access, as well as wireless mesh networks; and enterprise class telephone services that include traditional multi-line phone service. Further, it provides business e-mail, hosted private branch exchange, Web space storage, and network security monitoring; and international calling and toll free numbers. Additionally, the company offers audience-based and IP-authenticated cross-screen advertising solutions; and television and digital advertising services, as well as operates news channels under the News 12 Networks, Cheddar, and i24NEWS names. It also provides network construction and maintenance services and commercial and residential installations, disconnections, and maintenance services. The company provides communications and video services under Optimum and Suddenlink brand names. The company was incorporated in 2015 and is headquartered in Long Island City, New York. Altice USA, Inc. is a subsidiary of Next Alt. S.a.r.l. Read More ROME -Some people are already calling a Spanish study that inventories hundreds of sunken galleons "the largest treasure map" that ever existed. The study is an accurate reconstruction of the places and causes of the sinking of nearly 700 Spanish ships in the Americas between 1492 and 1898. A group of Spanish academics working with the country's culture ministry to produce the study also found that in many cases the ships were carrying pearls, emeralds, and gold. The study, titled "Inventory of Spanish Shipwrecks in America" was reported by Spanish daily El Pais and precisely reconstructs 681 sinkings. It starts with the sinking one of Christopher Columbus's three ships from 1492, the Santa Maria, off the island of Bohio, later renamed Hispaniola; and documents through to five Cuban destroyers that the US fleet sunk in the Spanish-American War of 1898. The majority of the shipwrecks, a total of 249, were identified off the coast of Cuba; 153 on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean along the US coast; 66 near Panama; and another 63 around Hispaniola, currently divided between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The others were found mainly under the waters of the Bahamas and Bermuda. Nearly 80% of the hulls remain to be explored. The Spanish culture ministry said that rather than recovering valuables that may be in the shipwrecks, which would be a time-consuming and costly operation, the current aim of the research is to protect the shipwrecks from sackings or possible incidental damage, with the cooperation of the relevant countries. The study was curated by underwater archaeologists Carlos Leon and Beatriz Domingo and by historian Genoveva Enriquez and took five years to complete. Each entry has a list of the ship type, the name of its captain, its armament, the number of crew members and passengers, as well as the cargo. In addition to gold and precious stones, which conjure up images of the most famous pirate legends, many of the ships were also laden with Ming ceramics, tobacco, sugar, vanilla and cocoa, as well as slaves, artillery, books, and alleged relics from Jerusalem. Although some of the Spanish shipwrecks were caused by naval battles with rival powers - first England, then the Netherlands, and then the US - the majority, over 90%, were caused by storms. Hundreds of people could die in just one shipwreck; there were 1,250 victims in the sinking of five ships in Bermuda in 1563. Sometimes the shipwrecks weren't caused by a disaster in and of itself but rather by other factors, such as greed. In 1605, 36 people survived the sinking of the Santisima Trinidad near Cuba, but eventually died after their rescue boat sunk because they had loaded it down with too much gold and silver. The Speaker of Uttarakhand Assembly, Prem Chand Agarwal, visited Vidhana Saudha, the seat of State legislature of Karnataka, in Bengaluru on Monday. He met the officials of the Assembly of Karnataka and sought details about the procedures and regulations of its functioning from them after he inspected the imposing building. He said that the State Assemblies of different States have different procedures and regulations based on which the Assembly proceedings are held. Agarwal added that he has learnt many new things from his visit of the Karnataka Assembly. The deputy secretary of Karnataka State Assembly M S P Murthy and section officer B S Sambhu were among those who accompanied Agarwal during his visit. Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) (PSPL) chief Shivpal Singh Yadav has announced that he is ready for an alliance with the Congress in Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The rebel Samajwadi Party leader said, Our party is ready to form an alliance with Congress for the Lok Sabha election. Top Congress leaders have contacted me. The seat-sharing formula has also been discussed but nothing has been finalised. On the Bahujan Samajwadi Party-Samajwadi Party alliance, Yadav said, The alliance will fail because it is a complete mismatch. Our party leadership held a meeting with around 50 smaller regional parties in the state for support and strengthening the PSPL. Congress MLC Deepak Singh had earlier met Shivpal for seat sharing talks days before Priyanka Gandhi, the newly-appointed general secretary in charge of east Uttar Pradesh arrived in Lucknow on a four-day visit to hold meetings with party leaders and workers of different districts. Apna Dal led by Krishna Patel has also claimed of being in touch with the Congress top leadership for alliance. PSPL general secretary Pankaj Niranjan said, We are in touch with the Congress and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for alliance. The grand old party has been strengthened after she made a political debut. However, Apna Dal is also in touch with BJP leaders and no final decision has been taken. Sources said that Apna Dal (Sonelal) leader and minister in the National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre, Anupriya Patel, had also met top Congress leaders in Delhi this week. She has already expressed dissatisfaction with the Bharatiya Janata Party and has called a meeting of her party leaders on February 28 to take a final call on whether to stay in the NDA or join some other party. Koraput BJD leader and State Commission for Women (SCW) Member Tilottama Nayak on Monday levelled misbehaviour allegations against Jajpur BJD MLA Pranab Prakash Das. As per Nayaks allegation, the Jajpur MLA abused her on Monday while she had visited Dass house for a discussion on distribution of party tickets for the 2019 polls. Bobbybabu misbehaved with me following which I had an argument with him. Several other women were also there with me; he also scolded them and used abusive language. If I am not safe myself, how can I give security to other women, alleged Tilottama. She further said she would meet Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik after he returns from his Nuapada visit and apprise him about the incident. I need time to think about my future course of action and if required, I would even resign from the membership of the SCW, she added. In reaction to Nayaks allegation, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the party that used to claim to be the saviour of girls and women in the State is now being exposed by its own women leaders. Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Niranjan Patnaik said, Everybody knows how the BJD pays respect to women. As the members of the BJD are mostly involved in such incidents, fair investigation is never done, alleged Patnaik. However, the MLA is yet to comment on the allegations levelled against him. A State Action Plan (SAP) for micronutrient supplementation was launched by the National Health Mission in Ranchi on Monday to ensure better nutrition for women, children and adolescents in the State. Launched in partnership with IPE Global and WeCan Project, the action plan aims to increase the supply and coverage of IFA (Iron Folic Acid) tablets and syrup, Calcium, Vitamin A and Albendazole for pregnant women, nursing mothers, children and adolescents. This result oriented action plan will strengthen the system at State, district and sub district levels in order to deliver an uninterrupted supply and high coverage of micronutrients among the target groups. The SAP outlines a five-step process including estimating annual requirement and micro planning based on population estimates, procurement and distribution, monitoring and reporting, performance review and capacity building. The State Action Plan will help us to reach out for last mile delivery of micronutrient drugs to cover women, children and adolescents in Jharkhand. Keeping this in mind, the Health Mission in Jharkhand has taken a leadership role in the evolving the State Action Plan for micronutrient supplementation, said health secretary, Nitin Madan Kulkarni. He added, The objective is to strengthen the missed opportunities under RMNCH+A (Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health strategy) by increasing supply and coverage of micronutrient drugs and ensuring convergence across all levels. Kulkarni pointed out that around 60 percent children in the State are not getting the proper nutrition. The finding of National Family Health Survey - 4 shows that around 69 percent women in Jharkhand get IFA tablets of which only 15 percent consume it. Also, only 6.3 percent new born babies are being given pediatric IFA. Vitamin A coverage among children up to five years of age is 53 percent. Talking on the occasion, Dinesh Kumar Saxena, director, nutrition mission said, "The field level staff will need to have a proper plan to ensure that the SAP is implemented successfully so that they can informed the people about various medicines and where to get them." Emphasizing the importance of convergence in relation to last mile delivery of micronutrients, UNICEF Jharkhand Chief, Madhulika Jonathan said, Working with partners is a unique opportunity that has been leveraged for a common cause in Jharkhand. Partners are committed to working together to enable last mile delivery of drugs. The event also featured a panel discussion on insights from different states around best practices for improving maternal infant and young child nutrition interventions. To promote transparency, the Delhi Government has planned to exercise geo-mapping of Outcome Budget of Financial year 2019-20, under which capital project included in the Outcome Budget statement of any department along with the project name, nodal department and officer, timelines for completion will be tagged. As per the Outcome Budget documents (2018-19), this initiative will promote full transparency in the Capital expenditure works of Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD). The third day of ongoing annual Budgets session-2019 witnessed about the achievements of Delhi Government works against the target set by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government in the national Capital. Addressing the legislatures, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia who also holds Finance portfolio started Budget outcome speech with education and health. Comparing the Outcome Budget Report (OBR) of 2018-19, Sisodia said, Only three States Uttarakhand , Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat released outcome Budgets, contained the outputs quantifiable at scheme level, but with limited linkage to quantifiable outcomes. Delhi has , by far the most comprehensive Outcome Budget capturing specific indicators for the output and outcomes of governance at scheme level, he said. Sisodia, who holds the portfolio of Education also, said that, in the field of education, out of total indicators, 74 per cent indicators were on track while 12 per cent were off track while 14 per cent indicators were not applicable. Notably, in Education, Directorate of Education (DoE) has set 186 indicators for 38 programmes/ schemes included in the Budget outcome for 2018-19. Echoing its achievements ahead of the General Elections, Sisodia said, 3.30 Lakh students attended new programme Mission Buniyad during summer vacations to improve reading ability and solving Mathematics problems. 556 Special Training Centers (STCs) have been setup for mainstreaming the out of schoolchildren and 17178 children have been enrolled at STCs for being mainstreamed to appropriate classes in regular school, said the Education Minister. In the field of higher education, the Government claimed that under Merit cum Means Linked Assistance Scheme, around 2,865 applications have been received upto December 2018, which are highest in India. Presenting the budget outcome , Sisodia said that under 56 programmes, 83 per cent of work in health sector has been done . 189 AAP Mohalla clinics have been established up to Dec-18 against the target of 530 clinics, Sisodia said that 276 schools were covered for screening of health / nutrition status of students under the School Health Scheme against the target of 400 schools for 2018-19. Out of total 2.81 lakh childrens screened, 1.57 lakh childrens were treated for general health issues. In PWD, under 36 programmes of Public Works Department (PWD), in one of the major project of single flyover from Munirka to Army hospital on the outer Ring Road , Delhi Government claim that 62 per cent have been done so far while remaining is likely to be completed by June 2019. The Government, facing criticism on its failure to combat air pollution claiming thousands of deaths due to inhalation of toxic air, claiming in Assembly that 444 stack samples pertaining emission of industries, power plants and hotels were tested till December 2018 against the target of 700 samples during 2018-19. 1226 DG sets , four percent DG sets failed to meet the prescribed standards, 318 RWAs were provided financial assistance for the developments of parks. in financial year 2018-19, 26 Ambinet Air Quality monitoring stations are functional, the outcome budget report quoted. To approve subsidy upto 5000 par Tandoor to restaurant to replace coal tandoor with electricity of gas based tandoors under green budget, 27.19 lakh plantation have been done while six new forest have been created under Creation and Maintenance of Urban Forest against the target of 12 city forest, Government said in an official statement. Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi for washing the feet of five sanitation workers during his Kumbh visit on Sunday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said this in true sense was uplift of weaker section of society by giving them recognition for their work, which is the true spirit of antyodaya. Can anyone even imagine the prime minister of a country washing the feet of sanitation workers with his own hands? This is in true sense serving the last man of society with true dedication, Singh said here on Monday while addressing a gathering after handing over certificates to the beneficiaries of various government schemes. No one had ever thought about these safai karmacharis who work day in and day out to keep the Kumbh Mela area clean. I read the reactions of these people... they were overwhelmed because they could not believe that th Prime Minister had washed their feet, the Union minister said. Singh said that the Modi government was, in true sense, implementing the principle of antyodaya which called for uplift of the weakest section of society by ensuring that the benefits reached the last person in society. Mahatma Gandhi always advocated this principle and talked about sarvodaya (service to all) through antyodaya, he said. Pointing out that the nation was celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Singh said, He (Gandhi) had said the government should make policies which would benefit the last strata of society. The Central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made such policies. Singhs statement came the day Bahujan Samaj Party national president Mayawati attacked Modi, saying his holy dip in the waters of Sangam would not help wash sins. She also called Modis act of washing the feet of safai karmacharis as drama. The policies framed by the Union government reflect its intent of helping poor people. This is antyodaya in true sense because we are taking care of poor people by providing them houses and basic amenities like electricity, roads and health services, said Singh, who represents Lucknow in the Lok Sabha. Elaborating the achievements of the Modi government, Singh said in 55 months of his rule 1.35 crore houses were built under PM Awas Yojana while during United Progressive Alliance regime, only 25 lakh houses were constructed for the poor. He said free electricity connections had also been provided to the poor and village roads had been linked with state highways because the BJP government was concerned for the poor. Referring to various welfare schemes of the Central government, like free health care facility, Singh said, I know that if any member of a poor family falls ill, no one musters courage to hospitalise that person. However, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana has given much relief to the poor. Singh also assured the gathering that if any eligible person was left out of the ambit of any scheme, they will be included in the list after proper review. The Bahujan Samaj Party ( BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) have entered into an alliance to contest the five Lok Sabha seats of Uttarakhand, a move that might queer the pitch of the Congress, the principal Opposition party, now gearing up to take on the ruling BJP which swept the 2014 general election in the State. As per the understanding reached between the two parties, BSP would contest four out of five Lok Sabha seats up for grab while SP would field its candidate from one. BSP would contest Tehri, Haridwar, Almora-Pithoragarh and Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar Parliamentary constituencies while SP, on the other hand, would field its candidate from Pauri Lok Sabha constituency. A declaration regarding the seat sharing has been made in a statement which was signed jointly by the national president of SP, Akhilesh Yadav and BSP Supremo Mayawati on Monday. When contacted, the president of the state unit of BSP, Kuldeep Baliyan said that the party would soon declare the list of its candidates for the four Lok Sabha seats of its quota. On the question of criteria the party would adopt to select the candidates, Baliyan evaded and said that the party supremo Mayawati would decide at the right time. It has been found in the matrix of Uttarakhand politics that BSP has been aspiring to emerge as the third political force. Though still far from challenging the bipolar system with BJP and Congress taking turns to rule the State, BSP has succeeded in creating a base for itself in the plain districts of State. Though the party is yet to register its victory in any of the Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand, it had polled 10.9 percent votes and won seven seats in the first Assembly election of the State held in 2002. In the 2007 Assembly election, the party had further increased its polling percentage and won eight seats. However, the upward graph received a setback in the 2012 elections when it had managed to win three seats. It had, however, registered its worst ever performance in the 2017 Assembly election when BJP stormed to power, riding the crest of the Modi wave. BSP had drawn a blank. Observers say that though considered a strong political force in this region during the time of undivided Uttar Pradesh, the graph of the SP had started to slide down following the formation of Uttarakhand. Though Rajendra Kumar Badi had won the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat in 2004, the partys clout has never been such so as to make it a major force in Uttarakhand politics. Meanwhile, speculation is running rife over the possibility of the Member of Parliament (MP) from Kannuaj in UP Dimple Yadav, who is also the wife of Akhilesh Yadav, trying her luck from Pauri Parliamentary seat. Dimple, daughter of an army officer, hails from Pauri district. While speaking of the electoral equations in the State in the aftermath of the alliance stitched by the two parties, senior journalist and political analyst, Jai Singh Rawat said that the SP-BSP combine would not be able to win a single seat in Uttarakhand. However, it might mar the prospects of the Congress candidate in Haridwar seat, in particular, he said. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) activists on Monday staged a demonstration in front of the office of regional chief conservator of forest (RCCF) at Sonari in protest against alleged exploitation of humble tribals living in the forest area. The protest was led by JMM legislator, Kunal Sarangi and party's East Singhbhum district president, Ramdas Soren. The activists demanded the state government to take measures for safeguarding the interest of the tribals settled on forest land immediately. The protestors, which include women threatened that if the tribals settled on the forest land have to vacate their houses, then they would resort to a massive agitation. Sarangi, who is Baharagora MLA said that about 30,000 tribals who have settled on forest land following implementation of Forest Act in 2006 are likely to be removed from their houses in the light of a Supreme Court verdict given recently. "We have gathered here to protest against the move. An NGO active in the wildlife field had filed an PIL with the apex court claiming that a huge area of forest land has been encroached and occupied by tribals and the process of forest land encroachment continues, thus threatening the wildlife across the country. But when the apex court held hearing over the PIL, legal departments of the Union government as well as the states concerned did not plead over the issue. As a result of which the apex court gave its verdict instructing that the entire forest land should be relieved of encroachment," said Sarangi. The Baharagora legislator and young leader noted that after the Forest Act-2006 was implemented 30,000 landless tribals had been given "Ban Patta" in the state. The "Ban Patta" (rights of land" had been issued to those tribals who had been residing in the forest since a long time. It is really sad that after the apex court judgement, those tribals will have to vacate their houses and hand over the land back to the forest department," said the legislator. JMM district president, Ram Das Soren said that in East Singhbhum also a large number of landless tribals have been given "Ban Patta" and due to the anti-tribal attitude of the BJP-led Raghubar Das government those tribals will have to be rendered homeless now. The Supreme Court has ordered that for the 17 states where rejection order has been passed, the chief secretary will ensure eviction will be carried out on or before the next date of hearing. The court will hear the matter on July 24. Forest Survey of India (FSI) make a satellite survey and place on record the encroachment positions and also state the positions after the eviction as far as possible, the order states. UT ACEO reviews election preparations Chandigarh: A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Electoral Officer Mandip Singh Brar with the nodal officers to review the election preparedness in the constituency of Chandigarh. The Head of the Departments were directed to undertake manpower review by getting its data filled in the software platform by February 26. Those departments, who will not be able to fill the data on time, will be issued show-cause notices under Representation of People Act. BSNL announces free voice calling Chandigarh: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has announced to offer Free Voice Calling within India for existing BSNL landline, landline broadband and mobile customers. This offer is available on BSNLs Wings service, which is a combination of voice over IP (VOIP) and landline service of BSNL. Under this service, a customer can make or receive calls using a BSNL Wings app on his or her mobile handset, and there are no charges for national roaming. Two-day national conference started at PU Chandigarh: Panjab Universitys Department of Sociology organised a two-day National North-West Indian Sociological Association (NWISA) Conference on Contemporary Issue in North West India: Challenges and Strategies. PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Raj Kumar, in his presidential address, stressed upon the need for integration of social and natural sciences. He advocated that social scientist must collaborate with all other discipline and come up with the policy level interventions. Femina Miss India Haryana 2019 finalists at INIFD Chandigarh Chandigarh: fbb Colors Femina Miss India Haryana 2019 finalists Simran Gandhi, Sonal Sharma and Nitika visited Inter National Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD) at Chandigarh and shared their experiences also interacted with the budding design students at INIFD. The design students got the opportunity to seek their seasoned experience and benefit from their guidance on fashion and lifestyle. Chandigarh gets 12 New Skill Centers Chandigarh: To make the youth skilled, Chandigarh Skill Development Mission (CSDM) launched 12 New skill centers on Monday at different locations in Chandigarh in which free of cost skill training in various NSQF aligned courses will be provided by Govt and Private Training partners under the scheme of PMKVY. Institutions like NITTTR , CCET and IndoSwiss Training Center became partner to provide free skill training on latest infrastructure. For enhancing the reach of training, 9 private training centers were also selected by CSDM. In order to tackle the challenges and barriers to water security and sustainable development, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-D) Delhi is going to partner in a 20-million-pound international collaboration to develop new approaches to provide solutions for the same. Also, a project was launched on Monday under the aegis of Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi, to bring together leading global experts from academia, industry and government to discuss upon the true value of water and address the challenge of water security for all. According to the spokesperson of IIT-D, the project is funded by United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) - which is a key component in delivering the UK AID strategy and puts UK-led research at the heart of efforts to tackle the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The water security of India is at stake because of the ever increasing demands for water, not only for irrigation but also for industrial and domestic sector. Most of the river basins in India are found to be over exploited, which is also corroborated by the alarmingly falling groundwater tables year after year. India accounts for 25% of the total groundwater extracted by the world. The conditions are expected to further acerbate in future due the impacts of climate change on water resources. Water security in India is going to undergo enhanced threat in future. Hence, this is the most opportune time to judiciously look into the reasons why the present water stress has been created so that appropriate and sustainable solutions are obtained for the present, which should also serve as good guide to adaptation options under the future conditions, said Professor AK Gosain, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Delhi. The new UKRI GCRF Water Security and Sustainable Development Hub is one of the 12 hubs being set up to tackle some of the greatest challenges facing todays society, said the official. Professor Richard Dawson, from the School of Engineering at Newcastle University and academic lead for the new Water Security and Sustainable Development Hub said, Access to clean water is essential for life and it is the stepping stone to sustainable development because it improves health, supports jobs, and enables food production. The project will start in March and GCRF Water Security Hub will run for five years. Dr Dhanya CT, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Delhi and Principal Investigator of the hub in IIT Delhi said, The hubs activities are focused to promote integrated and sustainable development and management of Indias water resources by using state-of-the-art technology. Suggested research shall engage in creation of a framework in collaboration with the Hub and the other Collaborators for planning, monitoring and assessment using an integrated approach. (ANSA) - Milan, February 25 - Hand-made elegance was the motto of Dolce & Gabbana's fall-winter 2019 women's wear collection, one of the most hyped catwalk shows of Milan's fashion week, which wrapped up on Monday. The beauty of women as portrayed by Italians artists, from Botticelli, to Leonardo, Michelangelo and Piero della Francesca, and the quality of Italy's sartorial tradition served as inspiration for a collection that was debuted nearly three months after the brand was forced to cancel a show in China due to accusations of racism and cultural appropriation. The idea was to "discover elegance today", Stefano Gabbana said on Sunday. "All fabrics are new, proportions are new". With 127 models, looks ranged from the new take on the vintage-inspired menswear silhouette, with double-breasted pantsuits and tuxedos, to feminine lace slips and skin-tight pencil dresses. There were also baroque embellishments that are so much part of the designer duo's aesthetic and full-look brocade, another symbol of the label's sophisticated woman. A section of five bridal dresses also debuted on the catwalk, ranging from short and A-line to a more classic tulle. In another key show, aesthetic pizzazz played the lead role at Gucci, where echoes of the 1980s reverberated with big shoulders and baggy pants, with spikes as a key motif. Alessandro Michele's now iconic aesthetic, a winning mix of pattern and color, paid homage to genderless fashion. Romance reigned at Prada. Prada's Anatomy of Romance was another homage seen in Milan to an iconic brand's DNA with streamlined coats, jackets and a broad-ranging color palette that embraced the house's military green seen on jackets, pants and coats. Floral appliques on dresses played for attention on the catwalk alongside military looks completed by combat boots - an ode to the dichotomy of love and war. Milan's fashion week also saw the debut of Daniel Lee at Bottega Veneta where he brought a modern vibe to the house's understated luxury. Polished leather shift dresses and streamlined coats were debuted alongside the house's iconic 'intrecciato' leather seen on coats as well as accessories. Statement ankle boots were a key accessory of the collection. Fendi meanwhile paid homage to "fashion's longest love story". It was a tribute to Karl Lagerfeld who completed what would be his final collection for the Roman fashion house where he worked for 54 years before his death last Tuesday. Starchy and pointy white collars, a trademark style the designer also wore, were on the catwalk. Ladylike tailoring capped off by deluxe accessories which Lagerfeld has made iconic both at Fendi and Chanel echoed in nearly every look. A bold palette and feminine lightness reverberated in a collection that featured among key looks a leather coat in terracotta and a double-breasted blazer worn over logo-printed tights. Silvia Venturini Fendi took the final bow to the tune of Heroes by David Bowie, whose music the iconic designer loved. Paris, the last leg of the fall-winter 2019 womenswear season, kicks off later on Monday. Eyeing youth voters of the state, the Manohar Lal Khattar Government in its fifth and final budget on Monday focused on the issue of employment and skill development. Presenting the budget in an election year, the Finance Minister Capt. Abhimanyu said, Job creation being its top priority, the Haryana Government has not only taken the skilling route to make the youth employable and provide them jobs but also pays the jobless unemployment allowance. The Employment Department plans to organize 12 mega job fairs in 2019 to provide placement to 25,000 unemployed youth, Finance Minister Capt. Abhimanyu said while presenting the Rs 1,32,165.99 crore Haryana Budget for fiscal 2019-20. He said that his government has planned to set up 21 new Government Industrial Training Institutes and upgrade 24 Government Industrial Training Institutes. For Employment Department, I propose an outlay of Rs 365.20 crore for in BE 2019-20 as compared to Rs 241.44 crore at BE 2018-19, with an increase of 51.3 per cent. Besides, an outlay of Rs 680.06 crore for the Skill Development and Industrial Training Department is proposed in BE 2019-20 against Rs 547.83 crore at RE 2018-19, with an increase of 24.1 per cent, the Finance Minister said. Capt. Abhimanyu further said that during the present government, 29 mega units with an investment of more than Rs 100 crore have been established. Employment for 14,285 persons has been generated with an investment of Rs 6,884 crore. Agriculture & allied services The outlay for Agriculture and Allied Services has been increased to Rs 3,834.33 crore in BE 2019-20, as compared to Rs 3670.29 crore in 2018-19 BE. The State Government has proposed an outlay of Rs 816.91 crore for Rural Development and Rs 4377.25 crore for Development and Panchayats Development. Health services and education sector Rs 5,040.65 crore has been allocated in BE 2019-20 for health and family welfare sector, which is an increase of 12.3 percent over the RE outlay of Rs 4,486.91 crore in 2018-19. This includes an outlay of Rs 3,126.54 crore for Health and Family Welfare, Rs. 1,358.75 crore for Medical Education and Research, Rs 337.20 crore for Ayush, Rs. 172.49 crore for Employees State Insurance Health Care and Rs. 45.67 crore for Food and Drugs Administration. Capt. Abhimanyu said that the State Government has approved a proposal for establishment of a Pharma Park at Karnal. Besides, two Mobile Food Testing Laboratories have been approved by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, which have been rolled out for survey and spreading awareness on food safety, hygiene and promoting healthy eating habits. On the other hand, Rs 12,307.46 crore has been allocated for Elementary and Secondary Education in BE 2019-20 against the revised budget provision in 2018-19 of Rs 11,256.00 crore, with an increase of 9.3 percent. Animal Husbandry and Dairy To tackle the menace of stray bulls in the state, the Government has finalized the procurement of 2 lakh sexed semen for artificial insemination of crossbred and indigenous cattle. In 2019-20, the state government will develop a rapid milk testing facility at each Government Veterinary Hospital level to detect the milk adulteration in rural areas. Pashu Sanjivni Sewa on call mobile veterinary services at the door step of farmers, would be provided initially in three districts, (Jind, Yamunanagar, Mewat) as pilot project and the same would eventually be extended in the entire State. Power sector While budget of Rs 12988.61 crore has been allocated for Power Department, Rs 475.91 crore has been allocated for Department of New and Renewable Energy. The Finance Minister said that concerted efforts have been made to reduce Aggregate Technical and Commercial losses by the Discoms. AT & C losses has been reduced by 13.12 per cent from 30.02 per cent in 2016-17 to 16.9 per cent in 2018. During 2017-18, Discoms achieved financial turnaround two years ahead of target and registered a net profit of Rs. 412.34 crore, he said. Per capita income and PSEs Earlier, the FM informed the House that the per capita income of the state at constant prices in 2017-18 was estimated at Rs 1,57,649 which is likely to further increase to Rs 1,68,209 in 2018-19 as compared to the All-India figure of Rs.91,921. To stop illegal sand mining, the state government has decided to install CCTV cameras in the river beds across the state, barely a few days after it transferred the sand mines to Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC) from panchayats. This was announced by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in the state assembly on Monday. The Congress government on Wednesday stripped panchayat bodies of the power to oversee sand-mining in the state. Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC-Jogi) legislator from Baloda Bazar Pramod Sharma raising the issue in the assembly during question hour, demanded that the interests of panchayat bodies be safeguarded after handing over the sand mines to CMDC. He also thanked the state government for its initiatives to put a check on illegal mining. Another JCC (J) legislator Dharamjeet Singh demanded stern actions against the powerful sand mafias in the state and expressed apprehension about a gang-war between the miscreants over the mining issue. Congress legislator Dhanendra Sahu complained about mechanised excavation of sand and said it hampered the employment opportunities of rural youth. The leaders of four organisations of the survivors of the Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal announced that they will be waiting on Tuesday at Neelam Park for the Minister of Bhopal Gas Relief to meet them. While talking to media persons, they expected that the Minister will speak on the issue of Rs 5 lakhs as compensation for the gas disaster to each survivor, while addressing over 1000 survivors who will await his arrival from 11 am to 5 pm at Neelam Park as part of their Intezaar-E-Insaf (Waiting for Justice) programme. Rashida Bee President of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh said, As leaders of survivors organisations we sought time from Arif Bhai to apprise him with our long standing demand on Rs 5 lakhs compensation for each survivor of the gas disaster. Before he got elected, he had supported this demand. Arif Bhai said you gather 500 survivors and then I will come myself and talk to all of you. We even have a recording of this conversation. We also have evidence of Aqeel specifically supporting our demand of minimum Rs 5 lakhs as compensation for each survivor of the gas disaster, before the election in November 2018. Now that he has been elected, we wish to know what he has done to ensure that most of the survivors who have got just Rs 25,000 as compensation so far, can get Rs 5 lakh as compensation -- their just due. said Nawab Khan of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha. Rachna Dhingra of the Bhopal Group for Information and Action said that the Minister needs to immediately issue instructions for revision of figures of deaths and injuries caused by the disaster in the Curative Petition for additional compensation for the gas disaster. Corporate HR, in association with HRDC, BHEL, Bhopal, is conducting 2 days workshop for Inquiring Authorities and Presenting Officers for Senior Executives of different units. The programme was inaugurated by DK Thakur, Executive Director (BHEL, Bhopal), M Isadore, GM(HR), K Mohan, (AGM-Corp HR & Law, Estt& CPIO), M Sethu Ramalingam, Faculty and Retired Deputy Director (ISTM-DOPT). VipinMinocha GM (MM & Logistics), Amitabh Dubey (AGM) HRD and other Sr Officials were also present on the occasion. Total 25 participants are attending the programme from various Sister Units/Sites. DK Thakur, ED (BHEL, Bhopal): He addressed to the participants that time has changed from last few decades and day by day changes are occurs wrt the positive as well as negative changes. In todays scenario communication network is much better and strong, so the control observation and operations required from all the organizations. He said that Honesty, Integrity & Loyalty these are the basic concepts of any successful organization. M Isadore, GM (HR): said in todays business environment we need to understand the importance of Enquiry procedure, policies and role of Inquiring Authorities and Presenting Officers. Each one should be a keen learner and contribute to the best towards growth of organization as well as society. He suggested getting the maximum knowledge from this classroom input. K Mohan, (AGM-Corp HR & Law, Estt and CPIO) briefed about the genesis and design of programme. Amitabh Dubey, AGM (HRD) welcomed the Chief guest DK Thakur, E D(BHEL, Bhopal) and the participants. He said this workshop provides a platform where participants get ample opportunities to learn and develop. We have lot of expectations from you. Umesh Kumar Savle, Sr Engr (HRD) compered the programme and proposed the Vote of Thanks. After ending their bitter rivalry and joining hands in Uttar Pradesh for the coming Lok Sabha polls, the Bahujan Samaj Party and Samajwadi Party have decided to fight the election together in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand. However, the BSP is likely to go it alone in Bihar. Both the regional parties of UP have kept the Congress out of their alliance in MP and Uttarakhand. The BSP will have a dominant position in MP and Uttarakhand in seat-sharing arrangement. The SP will contest three of the 29 Lok Sabha seats in MP and the BSP will contest the rest of them. The Samajwadi Party will contest Balaghat, Tikamgarh and Khajuraho seats in Madhya Pradesh. In Uttarakhand, which has five Lok Sabha seats, the SP will contest the Garhwal (Pauri) seat and the BSP will fight on four, according to a joint statement issued by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati. As in Uttar Pradesh, both the parties have decided to ignore the Congress by denying it an opportunity to contest the elections with them in these two states. With this, the BSP-SP alliance has officially spread to three states. The two parties had announced their alliance in UP on January 12 in Lucknow. The announcement of Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand seat division came a week after the two parties announced their seat-sharing arrangement in UP under which the BSP will contest 38 seats and SP 37. However, after leaving Congress out of their poll pact, Akhilesh had said earlier this month that the Congress was part of it and two seats were given to the grand old party in the alliance. While announcing their alliance, Mayawati and Akhilesh had said that they would not field any candidate from Amethi and Rae Bareli parliamentary constituencies represented by Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi respectively. Meanwhile, the BSP is likely to go it alone in Bihar on the coming Lok Sabha elections, as the partys leaders hinted that it will not be a part of the oppositions grand alliance. BSPs Bihar in-charge Lalji Medhkar said the party would contest all 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state. BSP chief Mayawati has instructed us to prepare to contest all seats in Bihar, he added. Medhkar also said the party would not join hands with the grand alliance. BSP will contest the polls on its own, he said. He said Mayawati had invited BSP leaders of Bihar to Delhi for a meeting ahead of the polls to finalise the partys strategy with them and then announce BSP candidates. The move is a political setback for the grand alliance in Bihar, which was waiting for the BSP to join it in the hope of putting up an united opposition against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav had met Mayawati in Lucknow in January when it was being speculated that the BSP would be a part of the grand alliance. The BSP has some strong pockets in Bihar, particularly in Gopalganj, Kaimur and Rohtas which are near the Uttar Pradesh border. The RJD was however not willing to concede more than two seats to the BSP. Medhkar said political scenarios were very different in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The development comes amid reports that another grand alliance constituent, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) president Jitan Ram Manjhi was unhappy over the seats offered to his party. The mahagathbandhan in Bihar comprises Congress, RJD, Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) led by former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha, HAM led by Manjhi and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) led by Mukesh Sahni. The Left parties, including CPI, CPI-M and CPI-ML, are also likely to contest polls together as part of the grand alliance The BJP on Monday took out a silent march in Satna to protest the kidnapping and killing of two twin brothers, and demanded the death sentence for the culprits besides action against those guilty of inept investigation into the case. The march in Satna, around 375km from Bhopal, was led by senior BJP leader and former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The main opposition party also staged protests in other parts of the state, including Bhopal, over the shocking abduction-killing of the six-year-old twins, whose father is an oil businessman, and criticised the Congress government. The twins - Priyansh and Shreyansh - KG students and sons of medicated oil merchant Brijesh Rawat, were kidnapped at a gunpoint by two masked persons from their school's premises in Chitrakoot in Satna district on February 12. The kidnappers later killed the minors, whose bodies were found in the Yamuna River in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, police had said Sunday. Talking to reporters after the march, Chouhan said the state government should take measures to ensure such incidents don't recur in the future. The Satna case should be tried in a fast-track court and the prosecution should ensure the death sentence for the culprits, Chouhan said. Security of school and college students should be enhanced across the state, he said. The ex-CM said those guilty of shoddy investigation should also be punished because the twins were in captivity of kidnappers for 12 days and could have been saved. On Sunday night, Chouhan had visited the residence of Rawat to express his condolence. The ruling Congress said this is not an issue related to politics. "The incident of Satna was very sad. This is not an issue of politics. But, the opposition need to see the mirror. Why BJP people were found involved in recent crimes in Mandsaur, Ratlam and Barwani. Similarly, the people of BJP were also found involved in the kidnapping incident of Chitrakoot," said state Congress Media Cell Coordinator Narendra Saluja. BJP national president Amit Shah on Monday said that no one but Narendra Modi led Central Government can give a befitting reply to Pakistan. It is important for everyone to bring BJP government in the state and at the Centre, Amit Shah said while addressing the partys workers in Haryanas Hisar on Monday. Terming the Pulwana attack in which over 40 CRPF soldiers were martyred as 'cowardly', he said that the Modi government has adopted zero tolerance against terrorist and terrorism. The Central Government is with the family members of Pulwama martyrs and it will tackle and eradicate the terrorists, he added. Exuding confidence that the BJP would win all 10 seats in Haryana in the Lok Sabha elections 2019, he also heaped praise on Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. I am here for the workers meeting of three seats of Sirsa, Hisar and Rohtak. But I am sure that every worker will work to win all the 10 seats in Haryana and work harder for the three seats which we lost during 2014 Lok Sabha elections, he said. Praising Haryana CM Khattar, Shah said, Only the BJP government led by Manohar Lal Khattar gave good governance to people of Haryana. 42 percent educated women selected as sarpanch and sex ratio was also improved in the state. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao was launched by Prime Minister in Haryana and now there are 914 girls behind 1000 youths, he said. Shah met the leaders of all 10 Lok Sabha constituencies to discuss the strategy for the upcoming elections on Monday and later held meeting with leaders and party workers of Sirsa, Hisar and Rohtakthe three seats from where the party had lost during the last Lok Sabha elections. 45 FIRs registered In January 2019, the Excise and Taxation Department has lodged 45 FIRs against bogus dealers out of which 17 FIRs pertain to dealers dealing in cotton. The input tax credit of these dealers has been blocked to the tune of Rs 49.77 crore and an amount of Rs 5.29 crore has also been recovered from them by way of ITC reversal/recovery, the State Government informed the House in a written reply. The Government of Indias GST enforcement officers have also identified 57 fake firms in the state including 11 firms dealing in cotton yarn and they have made receovery of Rs 12.72 crore from these fake firms, the government stated. Rs 48,024.09cr amount of subsidy paid From 2010-2011 to 2018-19 (upto Feb 2019), the Haryana government has spent Rs 48,024.09 crore amount as subsidy paid to the Power Department in lieu of subsidized power supply of agriculture tubewells/pump sets. In 2018-19 (upto Feb 15, 2019), the present State Government spent Rs 5398.65 cr. Rs 7600 cr was spent in 2017-18, Rs 6608.86 cr was spent in 2016-17, Rs 6323.35 in 2015-16, 5234.63 in 2014-2015, Rs 5200 in 2013-14, Rs 5129.13 in fiscal 2012-13. 16 swine flu deaths reported in Haryana During the period from January 2018 till date, a total number of Influenza A HINI (swine flu) positive cases are 844 and total number of deaths reported are 16. 5 deaths each were reported from Hisar, Jind while 2 each were reported from Kurukshetra and Sirsa, 1 death each have been reported from Rohtak and Fatehabad, the State Government informed the House in a written reply on Monday. 4330.43 MTs wheat damaged The Minister of State for Food, Civic Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Karan Dev Kamboj informed that 3799.75 MTs quantity of wheat was damaged in 2014-15 due to negligence of staff while 530.50 MTs quantity was damaged in 2016-17 due to flash flood water entering the godowns. Strict disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against the concerned officers/officials of Food Civil Supplies and Consumers Affairs Department by chargesheeting them under Rule 7 of Haryana Civil Services for negligence, he said Deputation order of 395 teachers cancelled Deputation orders of 395 assistant/associate professors have been cancelled during the last one year. The criteria adopted for deputation includes shortage of staff, medical grounds, couple cases and other administrative grounds, said Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma, in a reply tabled in the House. 117 teachers have retired from the government colleges of the state during the last two year. 1085 teachers have been given deputation in the Government colleges during the last one year, it was informed. The National Union of Journalists (India), Odisha Branch held its first executive meeting here in the presence of all its functionaries and members of all 30 districts of the State. Various resolutions were passed for welfare of journalists at the meeting, held under the chairmanship of union president Rabi Rath. Demands like creation of welfare fund for working journalists, renewal of health insurance well before imposition of election code of conduct and construction of a hostel for youth journalists in the capital city were discussed. The union demanded that the Governent fulfil the demands well before the enforcement of the election code of conduct. Union general secretary Lalit Mishra, treasurer Bijay Mishar, Pramod Samantray, Tapan Kumar Lenka, Sanatan Dalabehera, Satyanarayan Behera and Umesh Das participated in the discussion. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by organising Secretary Debashish Mishra. The Pulwama tragedy calls for a well-calibrated, multi-pronged action plan that has a fine blend of protecting Indias sovereignty, democratic norms and diplomacy with minimum use of force The situation in Kashmir has become frighteningly dangerous. The seeds of terrorism and radicalisation sown in the 1980s under the nasty craftsmanship of Gen Zia-ul Haq has started bearing fruit. Over the years, the ground situation has changed drastically from domination by foreign terrorists to home-grown ones; with the masters comfortably remote-controlling the situation from Pakistan and providing funds, arms and ammunition, alongside subversion, propaganda and political rhetoric. The very fabric of Kashmiriyat and national integration is getting mauled. On February 14, in Pulwama, a 21-year-old local Kashmiri executed the deadliest terror attack ever by ramming a 350 kg explosive-laden SUV into a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy that killed 41 soldiers and critically injured many. For India, the incident is not only painful but highly shameful. Besides the loss of valiant soldiers, the precise execution, that too by local terrorists, is a cause of concern. As in the case of a number of previous terror attacks like 26/11, Samba, Sunjwan, Parliament, Pathankot and Uri among others, there is immense outcry within all segments of society, with pledges of teaching Pakistan a lesson, surgical strikes II, air strafing and an all-out war doing the rounds. Going by past experiences, all such actions could well just be rhetoric and the pain will soon be forgotten with the passage of time. Seeing the intensity of the prevalent situation wherein even local Kashmiri women are coming out on the streets, resisting the security forces by throwing stones and chappals at them and mothers motivating and proudly complimenting their sons for martyrdom, there are distinct signs of the situation deteriorating further and Kashmir gradually slipping out of Indian sovereignty. It is time for a productive, meaningful and discernible action as India is faced with a now or never situation, else we may be viewed as a week-kneed nation. Lets put our heads together for a comprehensive, well-calibrated and multi-pronged action plan with a fine blending of protection of sovereignty, democratic norms, polity, diplomacy (including military diplomacy), use of minimum force and roll it out in the quickest time-frame. The suggested course can be dictated by the following salient aspects. First, security forces must go all out to eliminate/apprehend the planners, over ground workers, perpetrators and operators (terrorists) while keeping sensitivities of local population in mind. The Line of Control should be virtually sealed to obviate movement of terrorists, arms/ammunition and other material. Major trouble-spots need to be thoroughly sanitised and isolated in a professional manner with minimum use of force. It needs to be appreciated that while 85 per cent of the area and population of Jammu & Kashmir is by and large peaceful, it is these hotspots, comprising 15 per cent of the population, that need to be suitably addressed. No more leniency should be shown to anti-national elements who display outright treason by raising Inter-Services Intelligence or Pakistani flags, shout anti-India slogans, misguide the local youth and yet enjoy the Indian hospitality in particular the separatists, who benefit from the Indian taxpayers money and sing the song of azaadi and Pakistan. High-end security and other privileges provided to the separatists should be immediately withdrawn, notwithstanding earlier apprehensions that they may be bumped off by Pakistan and the blame may be shifted on India as it has happened in some cases earlier. The Government has already initiated action and it is welcome. It also sounds ridiculous that Pakistans Foreign Minister spoke to separatist leaders; or the latter visited the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. Rather than blaming Pakistan for all this, which always attempts such nefarious activities, why doesnt the state snap the very possibility of such communications? Nowhere in the world such anti-national activities are acceptable; democratic liberties should only be accessible to those who deserve it. Second, let professionals do their job. They must be kept in the decision-making process at all levels. Yes, the Indian Army is one of the most professional Armies in the world, which knows how to do the job and it does it well, keeping all aspects of humanity, good faith, use of minimum force and draws a fine balance between force and civic action. Rather than questioning or punishing soldiers for performance of duties in good faith, AFSPA protection must continue in letter and spirit. The time-tested SOPs and drills of the Army must not be abruptly diluted or discontinued. A case in point is the opening of Cantonment roads, which raises security concerns. In Pulwamas case, too, had the local administration/State Government not forced their way to permit plying of civilian vehicles and personnel alongside the movement of military convoys, this incident wouldnt have never occurred. The Prime Ministers announcement of giving full freedom of action to the armed forces is praiseworthy; although its late by a few years. This decision has already paid dividends wherein two masterminds of the incident, Ghazi and Kamran along with some more terrorists, are reported to have been eliminated in an operation launched by the Army on February 18. Third, as always, the major cause for this massacre was intelligence failure as acknowledged by none other than Jammu & Kashmir Governor. There were enough indications of a possible terrorist attack on the social media be it the statement Bada hona chahiye, pura Hindustan rona chahiye or the video featuring Adil Ahmad Dar, also known as Gaadi Takrane Wala. Yet, collated information could not be translated into hard intelligence. Notwithstanding the existing setup, there is a crying need for better intelligence network through integration of all resources, preferably under the executive command of the Army. Similarly, the operations being executed in the Valley by different agencies like the Army, Central Armed Police Services and Jammu & Kashmir Police need a serious review. Both these verticals of intelligence and operations should function directly under the Army Commander, Northern Command, for optimised results. Fourth, there are a lot of voices, including from politicians, for dialogue/talks with stakeholders. The present Governments argument on talk to whom? and there can be no talks with the gun pointing towards you, is highly justified. It is only if the Pakistan Army comes on the table that talks can happen. But that will never happen. In fact, they will purge those, who even attempt to do so. A case in point is of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, who were considered somewhat moderates. The present Prime Minister over there, too, is an acknowledged pawn of the Pakistani Army. Within the Valley, talking to separatists with demands of azaadi/Pakistan is an exercise in futility. Talks are, however, welcome within the overall framework of the Indian Constitution; perhaps with support of local political parties, who should garner support and confidence of the local population and become the mouthpiece of the Kashmiri public at large. Fifth, an aggressive diplomatic effort across the globe towards exposing and isolating Pakistan should be the order of the day, in particular, the P5 countries, the Islamic world and the United Nations. Notwithstanding that Pakistan calls it a local movement, it would be naive to ignore as to who is providing weapons/ammunition, explosives and other material to the terrorists? It is definitely not the Union of India. Who is protecting the likes of Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar, who openly claim responsibility of conducting terrorist attacks and spreading the wings of terrorism in India? This in itself is enough evidence to expose Pakistan, which is sitting easy under the protection of China, which has been materially supporting militants in the North-East for more than half a century. Discreet diplomatic efforts should also be addressed towards Chinas sinister designs. Denial of MFN status to Pakistan is a step in the right direction, the Government should consider other areas to hurt and choke Pakistan economically. Last but not the least, rather than centralising their actions towards gaining television rating points, the media needs to be more responsible. There is no relevance of providing excellent platforms to anti-national elements and Pakistanis as TV panellists singing pro-azaadi/Pakistan songs, brazenly shouting Hindustan murdabaad and spewing venom against India lionise them further. It provides them a shot of adrenaline and galvanises efforts towards subverting the minds of the youth in particular. Along with media, actions of human rights organisations, who are mostly indulging in security forces bashing, needs to be curtailed. While it is time for the nation to rise to the occasion and give a befitting reply to the perpetrators of this dastardly act, at the same time, calm and composure must be maintained. A well-calibrated action plan and not knee-jerk reaction should be the order of the day. (The writer is a defence analyst) (ANSA) - Rome, February 25 - The League did not get any illegal funding from Russia, the leader of the anti-migrant and Euroskeptic party, Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said Monday. "Nothing has arrived nor will arrive at the League" as concerns illegal funding," he said. "There is no money in Luxembourg, or the Caymans or in Switzerland. There are no roubles or yen or barrels of oil". News weekly L'Espresso reported Sunday that the League had received millions in funding from Russia. In the wake of the Pulwama terror attack on 14 February, an assault so brutal, it left India in shock and politicians bickering over fixing accountability, it was Pakistan that seemed to have succeeded in bringing to the fore the fault lines that divide our country. Indians fought Indians on Twitter and heated television debates ensued over who was a greater nationalist and who a true patriot. Kashmiri students came under attack in various parts of the country, forcing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remind people that Indias fight was for Kashmir and not against Kashmiris. At a time like this, it was All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who spoke in the voice of unison like no politician has since India lost 40 of its Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has given Imran Khan a lesson in India secularism. (Source: Reuters) Right after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a customary show of wily behaviour, said that he was ready to act against Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) if India provided actionable evidence against the terror outfit and its chief Maulana Masood Azhar, Owaisi called out Khans bluff without mincing any words. Owaisi gave it back to Khan point by point. In response to Imran Khans recent advice to PM Modi that India must give peace a chance, Owaisi has asked the Pakistani Prime Minister to drop his mask of innocence. We would like to tell Pakistan PM [Imran Khan] don't give that message to India which you want to by sitting before a TV camera. You started this, it wasn't a first attack. There was Pathankot, Uri and now Pulwama. We would like to tell Pakistan PM to drop his mask of innocence, Owaisi said at a rally in Mumbai. Owaisi also hit out at the JeM, which has claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack. He said that a disciple of the holy Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam, would never kill a person. I would like to tell the outfit that killed our 40 men and claimed its responsibility, you're not Jaish-e-Mohammed, you are Jaish-e-Shaitan... It is not Laskhar-e-Taiba, it is Lashkar-e-Shaitan, Owaisi said. Asaduddin Owaisi: This attack has links to Pakistan. It was done as per plan of Pakistan govt, Pakistan Army & ISI. I would like to tell the outfit that killed our 40 men & claimed its responsibility - you're not Jaish-e-Mohammed, you are Jaish-e-Shayateen. #PulwamaAttack (23.02) pic.twitter.com/IO5bkztzUC ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2019 But the most important point that Owaisi made though directed at Pakistan is a lesson that all Indians need to remind themselves of. In response to a recent remark from Imran Khan that raised questions over how minorities are treated in India, Owaisi said that Pakistan should not worry about Indian Muslims as they are here by choice after refusing Muhammad Ali Jinnahs proposition to move in 1947. Owaisi said, One of the ministers from Pakistan had said that they will stop the prayer bells from ringing in temples of India but I want to tell him that he doesn't know India. Till Muslims of this country are alive, Azaan will sound from mosques and bells will ring in temples. This is the beauty of our country which the neighbouring country sees because of jealousy. People in this country live as one and when it will come to the country we all will be together. It is this message of togetherness that needs to be reiterated loud and clear, not just to the world, but to all Indians who are actively participating in otherisation in the name of ideologies, castes and religions. The soldiers who died on February 14 and those who are guarding the borders even as this is being written are Indian soldiers they come from all regions and religions. While differences of opinions can and must exist, differences should not permanently divide us. Owaisi is often called a 'Muslim leader'. It is true that he draws his votes largely from the Muslim community, and it is also for this reason that Owaisi taking on Imran Khan directly means a great deal to Indias bruised soul in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack. The Indian Constitution is the book that binds us all. It is the book that allows both Modi and Owaisi the right to stake claim to all political posts. In contrast, as Owaisi has reminded Imran Khan that non-Muslims cannot become PMs in Pakistan such is the state of minority rights in the neighbouring country. #PMIK pic.twitter.com/4weVIRhB55 PTI (@PTIofficial) January 5, 2019 What Owaisi has indeed tried to tell Khan is that Indias internal matters will not become Pakistans scoring points. While it may seem sad to many that a Muslim leader has to speak up unequivocally for the Muslims of the country as the so-called seculars and pseudo-seculars think of votes, Owaisis remarks are not being made on behalf of Muslims they are indeed being made on behalf of Indians. Indias unity has been its strength. By showing Imran Khan the mirror of his country's reality, Owaisi has shown what Indian secularism was built on. We hope Khan will get the message. We hope all Indians will get the message too. Also read: What this attack on Karachi Bakery reveals about our new 'patriotism' In his Interim Budget 2019-20 speech, acting Finance Minister Piyush Goyal articulated the Governments vision for 2030 a key pillar of which is to work towards distress free health care and a functional and comprehensive wellness system for all. Over the past few years, the health sector has found a prominent place in Indias political agenda, leading to the implementation of a series of well-thought-out and carefully sequenced reforms. A key step has been the roll-out of Ayushman Bharat perhaps the most ambitious initiative in Indias health sector till date. Investing in preventive and primary health Health promotion and disease prevention constitute the fundamentals of an effective health system. The most important pillar of Ayushman Bharat, therefore, is to build a system that provides comprehensive primary health services to people, on the foundation of 1,50,000 health and wellness centres (HWCs). The scheme focuses on strengthening primary healthcare, so that maximum health issues can be addressed at this level. (Photo: Twitter/AyushmanNHA) Through these centres, the government aims to expand the basket of services to include screening for non-communicable diseases, like diabetes and common cancers, in addition to reproductive, maternal and child health interventions. Drugs and diagnostics will also be provided free of cost at these centres. Another important feature of the HWCs is the digitisation of health records at the community level and linking them with district hospitals. Well-functioning HWCs can eventually play the role of effective gate-keepers, thereby ensuring that only patients requiring advanced investigation or treatment proceed to the secondary and tertiary levels of the health system. While the government is primarily responsible for these centres, there is an important role for the private sector to play through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Possible avenues for private sector participation include mobilising funding and operationalising screening for non-communicable diseases. As recommended in the document Strategy for New India @ 75 released by the NITI Aayog, the teams running the HWCs will need to work in close coordination with Panchayati Raj institutions, village-level health sanitation and nutrition societies and civil society, to catalyse the participation of all stakeholders. These include those outside the health sector as well as citizens for building a swasth (healthy) India. Ongoing research will be imperative for identifying the most suitable mechanisms to scale up the delivery of comprehensive primary health care across the country. Developing urban adaptations of the comprehensive primary care model will be especially critical. Reducing catastrophic health expenditures Irrespective of how effective our primary health system is, people will continue to need secondary and tertiary care. In the absence of a scheme like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), the second pillar of the Ayushman Bharat programme, poor patients would often be left with no choice but to delay or avoid seeking treatment altogether. An estimated 600 lakh people in India fall below the poverty line due to catastrophic health expenditures. Studies have shown that Askeskin, Indonesias largest health insurance scheme which covered around 76.4 million people in 2007, had a protective effect on out-of-pocket spending. In India, an evaluation of the Vajpayee Arogyashree Scheme demonstrated that out-of-pocket expenditure for hospitalisation due to conditions covered under the scheme reduced by 60% among the insured population providing financial protection to the poor is therefore a critical responsibility of a welfare state. In that sense, there is no trade-off between investing in preventive and primary health on the one hand, and supporting curative care on the other. The PM-JAY, once implemented fully, can certainly make a significant dent in the catastrophic health expenses incurred by the poorest 40% of the population. The scheme has received a major increase in allocation from Rs 2,000 crore to Rs 6,400 crore as part of the Interim Budget, about four months after its launch. The scheme has received an increase in allocation, from Rs 2,000 crore to Rs 6,400 crore, as part of the Interim Budget. (Photo: PTI) More than 14,000 hospitals have been empanelled under the scheme and over 10 lakh patients have availed treatment. A large number of private hospitals have been included in the scheme. This is encouraging, because it was hitherto difficult for the poorest 40% of the countrys population to afford health services at private facilities even though the latter account for more than 80% of hospital beds. With considerably higher paying power on account of the PM-JAY and government incentives, the supply of quality services by private facilities in tier 2 and tier 3 cities should ramp up. Of course, PM-JAY also focuses on increasing the utilisation levels and quality of public hospitals. Since independence, we have established health facilities in the public sector on the assumption that the poor will benefit automatically however, the share of public hospitals in healthcare delivery has not shown a marked improvement. PM-JAY makes financing conditional on results i.e., the use of services by the poorest 40% of the population. Going forward, it will be important to provide greater autonomy to public hospitals for using the claims money generated under PM-JAY to upgrade their facilities, offer performance-linked incentives to personnel and procure the requisite diagnostics and other equipment. Another crucial step will be to institutionalise health technology assessment at the central and state levels, as well as develop costing frameworks for determining which services to include under PM-JAY and at what rates. The scheme seeks to help the most vulnerable. (Photo: Reuters/Picture for representation) Currently, package rates under the PM-JAY have been fixed conservatively to improve the schemes sustainability and reflect likely economies of scale. However, the costing package will need to be adjusted continuously as new evidence becomes available. Commendable outreach efforts have been made thus far to make as many eligible beneficiaries as possible aware about their entitlements under the scheme. Over 1.1 crore e-cards have been issued these efforts need to be sustained and stepped up by developing a comprehensive media and outreach strategy as suggested in NITIs Strategy for New India @ 75. Robust monitoring, evaluation and research systems also need to be put in place for guiding the strategic purchase of health services, undertaking independent audits of the scheme as well as assessing the population-level impact in terms of financial protection conferred and health outcomes achieved. Our country has a long way to go in expanding access to quality health services for all and curbing out-of-pocket spending. The path undoubtedly is riddled with challenges. However, with the health of over a billion citizens at stake, it is imperative that we stay the course and give Ayushman Bharat a chance. Also read: In times of the Citizenship Amendment Bill, what we can learn from the 'zikirs', Assam's songs of unity Which way is Afghanistan progressing? Is it towards peace and stability or a scenario of 1996 that brings back memories of Najibullah being hung at the end of a rope? Are the elections going to be held next July or will we have a new accord in place by then and perhaps, more time being given with new contestants (the Taliban) entering the arena and the electoral process. Is there going to be a semblance of an Afghan-owned, Afghan-led peace process? Will the other stakeholders be a part of the USTaliban peace process at some stage? There are many more questions that beg answering. Recently, the Americans and the Taliban met in Doha, Qatar, for a week, in the first successful dialogue between the two parties. Previous attempts at such dialogues had either failed to take off or had broken down in-between. At Doha, the two sides scripted a framework agreement that needs to be fleshed out. However, in capitals across the world, there is skepticism aplenty. Taliban and the US recently held talks. Who else was present? Not much is known. (Image for representational purposes; Photo: Reuters) An unscheduled round of talks between the US and the Taliban, due to start in Pakistan on February 18, 2019, could not take off with the insurgent group putting the blame on travel restrictions on team members on account of being blacklisted by the US and UN. This meeting was obviously intended to build on the Doha meet. However, the participants were again to be limited to the US and Taliban even the regime at Kabul wasnt intended to be a part of it. Ex-Afghan President Karzai's comments are relevant, We dont want the peace process to become hostage to competing powers for influence in Afghanistan or over the process, said Karzai. No. We have suffered because of that and we dont want that. The agreement in Qatar did promise direct dialogue of the elected government at Kabul with the Taliban. However, its doubtful whether Taliban representatives at the Doha talks were representing a singular cohesive entity to deal with or its factions will yet pull in different directions. The other major stakeholders in Afghanistan, beyond Pakistan and the US, include India, China, Russia, Iran and the Central Asian countries that have a large population of their ethnic origin as part of the Afghan populace. One of the biggest stakeholders is India, Afghanistans major development partner and as far as the Afghan populace is concerned the favoured ally. India is playing a key role in the Afghanistan story. Without a civilian Afghan govt, how long will that last? (Photo: Reuters) Having invested billions in Afghanistan, and almost exclusively on developmental projects, India will want a stable Afghanistan where it continues with its projects and enhances trade with the country. Another interest that it would share with most stakeholders is Afghans not hosting Al-Qaida or any other foreign terrorist groups. The country remaining stable needs no reiteration. Russians are, of course, major stakeholders. Beyond the inducement of watching the Americans bite the dust, they have higher stakes. The possibility of instability creeping into Central Asian countries from Afghan-based groups is a threat to them. In 2016, Russias special envoy to Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, stated that Taliban interests objectively coincide with ours. The Russians and the Taliban both do not want another contender in Afghanistan like the ISIS or its sub-regional counterpart, the ISKP (Islamic State of Khorasan Province). Beyond the terrorist groups, Russians would also like to quell the drug traffic from Afghanistan. The Chinese have developed significant stakes in Afghanistan that they would like to expand. The Uighur problem and possible aid through Afghanistan are just one of their issues. The Chinese have discussed plans to construct a base in Badakshan province that links Afghanistan through the Wakhan corridor, with the Xinziang province of China. They also have a plan of extending the China Pakistan Economic Corridor through Afghanistan. Its an area that could give the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) additional fillip and allow exploitation of a market that remains underutilised. The Chinese reach to Central Asian countries is also facilitated thereby. As far as the Iranians are concerned, they would like to see the Americans quit from their backyard. Iran has a firm relationship with the Taliban and has been providing material and moral support to them. The major reason for common ground remains ISIS Iran doesnt want the ISIS, which swears by Sunni beliefs. Afghanistans souring relationship with Pakistan is another reason. Iran has also penetrated the Afghan market substantially. Iranians will be interested in the current Afghan government retaining pre-eminence in any power-sharing agreement between them and the Taliban. Indian interests in Afghanistan are very substantial. India has been among the top donor countries and has invested hugely in the war-torn state. Indians possibly enjoy the best acceptance by the Afghan populace with most of its developmental projects oriented to benefit the populace. Indians would definitely be interested in retaining their hold and continue to remain a leading participant in Afghan development. Pakistans priority is an acquiescent Kabul Pakistan has displayed the ability to influence the Taliban quite decisively, so far. The fact that the Taliban delegation went to Doha for talks with the Americans, and both sides sat across the table for about a week, is evidence enough of it. Now that the Pakistanis have been able to get the Taliban to meet the Americans, even President Trump may be quite convinced of their utility. The Afghan govt wants to retain overall control of the country while inducting the Taliban at the peripheries. (Photo: Reuters) However, to what extent the Taliban will remain submissive to Islamabad after it obtains a foothold in Kabul is anybodys guess. If it were to find a way of retaining its fighters either as regulars in the Afghan Army or by resorting to any other model, it will want to be more independent than what the ISI would accept. Pakistan would also want to keep India at bay and remain the domineering power-broker in Kabul. A stable Afghanistan is not in the Pakistani Armys interests. The Afghan government would want to retain overall control of the country while inducting the Taliban at the peripheries. Holding the next election peacefully and under their rule would be in their interest. Afghanistan remaining a democratic country serves its purpose. The world at large, and Afghans in particular, would want peace and stability. The gains Afghanistan had made in terms of reconstruction, infrastructure, human rights and womens emancipation are issues that concern everyone. Afghanistan not veering again towards being a breeding ground of global terror or ISIS and Al-Qaida making gains is something that is important as much for Afghans as for the rest of the world. The Americans holding talks with the Taliban, without the other stakeholders being present, is a myopic approach to resolving a vexed issue that has defied a solution for decades. Khalilzads own statements indicate his understanding of the issue that the Afghan peace process needs to be essentially Afghan-led and Afghan-owned. Undoubtedly, the Americans must be keeping most stakeholders informed but a seat for them at the table is essential to give peace any real chance. Also read: Post Pulwama: What India can learn from the terrorist attack Doctors in Scotland are to be given new guidelines to support the treatment and care of patients with eating disorders. The move is part of the Scottish Governments 10-year mental health strategy, which was outlined in 2017. Having been produced by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (Sign), the guidance will focus on the unique cultural and geographical make up of Scotland. This includes remote and rural parts of the country where there may be not be specialist treatment available. It will also give clinicians more advice on supporting patients with medical complications associated with anorexia nervosa. A version of the guidance will also be included for patients and carers. In 2017/18, around 536 people across Scotland were treated for an eating disorder diagnosis. Doctors will be issued with the new guidelines to support patients (Peter Byrne/PA) Mental Health minister Clare Haughey said the guidance would help to support clinicians in their treatment of patients. It is vital that patients across Scotland have the best possible support available and I welcome the eating disorder guidance Sign is creating which will give clinicians in Scotland more specific advice, said Ms Haughey. Our ambitious 10-year Mental Health Strategy, backed by investment of 150 million over the next five years, sets out clearly how we can improve early intervention, and ensure better access to services, including specific actions to support people with eating disorders Eating disorders do not discriminate anyone can be affected by them and we are committed to raising awareness across Scotland. We will increase direct investment in mental health and take overall funding for mental health to 1.1 billion - this includes improving mental health services for young people, and providing support in schools. #ScotBudget pic.twitter.com/45Afb1uAyf Scottish Government (@scotgov) December 12, 2018 Sara Twaddle, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, welcomed the introduction of the guidelines. Ms Twaddle said: Studies tell us that eating disorders in teenage girls may be as high as 12% and that male eating disorders are increasingly being recognised. Moreover, professional and public bodies representing people with eating disorders tell us that theres a need for a guideline on diagnosis and treatment that is specific to the needs of Scotland. We believe that the guidelines will support access to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and will complement the work Healthcare Improvement Scotland is providing to support this. Our intention is that the guideline improves the care that people receive, and improves service provision and outcomes across all of Scotland. A Jewish woman who survived the Nazi occupation of Europe has said she is depressed and frightened by the extreme attitudes in British politics. Ruth Posner, 89, who came to the UK in 1945 having fled Nazi persecution, was one of only two members of her family who survived the Holocaust. Her parents died in the Treblinka concentration camp. She said: The situation now, I find it incredibly depressing. It reminds me a little bit of when I was a child, I cant stand it. The 89-year-old survived the Nazi occupation of Europe (Kirsty OConnor/PA) Referring to her experiences of communist Poland, Mrs Posner expressed concern that Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was leaning too far on the side of extreme politics. She added: I observed what happened in Poland, when it was run by a communist regime, it doesnt bloody work. The manifesto is one thing: by the people, for the people; not for the few, for the many. Its so corrupt. Im sorry, but Mr Corbyn is moving in that direction. Its frightening. Its the extreme. Extreme capitalism is the same. It doesnt work. Mrs Posner and her one surviving aunt escaped the Warsaw ghetto by adopting fake Catholic identities. Mrs Posner says she is depressed and frightened by extreme attitudes in British politics (Kirsty OConnor/PA) After arriving in the UK, she trained as an actress and a dancer and went on to work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Julliard School, but she describes living under the false name as her first big acting experience. Mrs Posner said even though she cannot understand what drove the Nazis to commit the atrocity, the anger she feels for what they did encourages her to speak out. She explained: I didnt want to talk about it, I didnt want to have anything more to do with it until recently. But [thinking about] the scientific know-how of gas chambers and working out how many people you can gas and kill in one go? It makes me livid. Im talking about something that I dont understand myself and I cant find the answer for it, Im talking about when hatred becomes an ideology. I just cant understand it. The Duchess of Sussex has called on women to challenge everywhere in the world as she met leading faces from Moroccan society. Meghans message to women across the globe came as she attended the British ambassadors reception with Harry and turned on the glamour by wearing a Moroccan inspired Dior outfit. Among the guests invited by Thomas Reilly, Britains top diplomat in Morocco, were young leaders, business representatives, the military and other influential people from girls education, sport and sustainable tourism. The duchess, who earlier had a henna tattoo painted on her left hand which had now faded, told a group of female executives and entrepreneurs: Women have to challenge everywhere in the world. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex during a reception hosted by the British Ambassador to Morocco (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA) Meghan has made womens empowerment a key part of her campaigning work and during the day she and Harry visited the NGO Education For All, which provides secondary education for girls from the remote Atlas mountains who would miss out due to cultural and economic reasons. The duchess comment was in response to Meriem Bensalah, chief executive of a finance and agricultural firm called the Holmarcom Group. She told the royal that Moroccan women had made great advances towards equality but still faced disadvantages, the business executive adding: We were discussing how there are still many boundaries all over the world. The heavily pregnant duchess had her left hand decorated by a student with a floral henna design when she visited Education For Alls teaching centre in the Atlas mountains town of Asni. The Duchess of Sussex (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA) Samira Ouaadi, 17, who is receiving secondary education thanks to the NGO, created the design which was a good luck gesture for Meghan and Harrys baby. The artwork had faded by the time the duchess appeared at the reception in the capital Rabat with only a pale pattern visible. When the duke and duchess, who are on a three-day visit to Morocco, first walked into the ambassadors official residence, they were given a traditional rosewater greeting, where the fragrant liquid was poured into their hands and they wiped them dry on a towel. On hand to greet them was the ambassadors physiotherapist wife Leah Reilly and earlier his two daughters, Orla, 12 and Elsa, eight, had presented the duchess with two bouquets. Afterwards Orla said: We were quite nervous meeting them but they were really nice. Prince Harry asked us if we lived here all the time or whether this was a temporary house and asked us if we had parties like this every week, which we dont otherwise it would be a lot of work. Celebrities including Jilly Cooper, Joanna Lumley and Mel C of the Spice Girls have backed a campaign demanding the Government strengthens animal rights laws post-Brexit. More than 20 well-known figures including Bill Oddie and Ben Fogle called for existing EU laws to be maintained and built upon in a letter to The Sunday Telegraph. Under the Lisbon Treaty, animals are recognised as sentient beings that can feel and understand pain. The Better Deal For Animals campaign, run by 36 prominent animal charities, wants the Government to keep this legislation within a new act, which also eliminates some practices currently allowed by the EU. The welfare of billions of animals is at risk if the Government does not put in place a new law to replicate current EU animal protections, the group wrote. Losing these would mean that British governments would no longer be bound to ensure good standards of animal welfare when creating laws and policies. Environment Secretary Michael Gove (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Environment Secretary Michael Gove, who is set to attend an event at Parliament hosted by the campaign group on Tuesday, insisted animal sentience would be recognised. He said: Animals are sentient beings who feel pain and suffering, so it is absolutely right that we recognise this in UK law after we leave the EU. Our plans to increase protections for animals include raising the maximum sentence for animal cruelty from six months to five years and banning third-party sales of puppies and kittens. I will continue to make sure we have the strongest legal protections in place for our animals. A record-breaking weekend for the Welsh continued on Sunday after temperatures at a west-coast beauty spot rose to unprecedented levels. About 24 hours after Cardiffs Principality Stadium was the venue for a historic 12th consecutive test win for the hosts, people visiting hilly Gogerddan in Cardiganshire basked in highs of 19.1C making it the warmest Welsh day in February since 1990. While the previous record of 18.6C set in the rural south Wales village of Velindre took 29 years to be broken, forecasters said the new high may be surpassed again before the month is out. Wow! We've had another record breaking day of weather - and some great photos too! From a misty morning to sparkling sunshine, and wonderfully warm for February #loveukweather pic.twitter.com/xo1fArnZ4b Met Office (@metoffice) February 24, 2019 Becky Mitchell, forecaster with the Met Office, said: South-easterly winds today are likely to have contributed to the temperature, as well as the natural geography of the area. But it could possibly get even warmer still. Were looking at similar temperatures over the next few days. The temperature might have been affected by a phenomenon known as the Foehn Effect, a dry and warm down-slope wind that occurs to the lee of hills or mountains. Crocuses bloom as Wales basks in its warmest February temperatures on record (Aaron Chown/PA) Temperatures across Wales reached 18C in many places on Sunday, though it is unlikely to break the UK record for February when the mercury soared to 19.7C in Greenwich in 1998. Should the temperatures rise to 20C (68F) before Friday, it will be the earliest in the calendar year that such a milestone has been reached anywhere in the UK. Prime Minister Theresa May has ruled out putting a meaningful vote on Brexit to the Commons this week, but insisted one would be held by March 12. Mrs May also said that Cabinet collective responsibility had not broken down after pro-EU ministers signalled they could support backbench moves to delay withdrawal in order to prevent a no-deal exit from the bloc. The PM said that because positive talks were ongoing with the EU, a meaningful vote would not be held this week. Speaking on her way to an EU-League of Arab States summit in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, the Prime Minister said: I was in Brussels last week. Ministers were in Brussels last week. My team will be back in Brussels again this coming week. They will be returning to Brussels on Tuesday. As a result of that we wont bring a meaningful vote to Parliament this week. But we will ensure that that happens by March 12. But it is still within our grasp to leave the European Union with a deal on March 29. Asked how the Government would treat non-binding motions expected this week which call for the ruling out of a no-deal exit, and which demand an extension of Article 50, Mrs May said: We dont know what amendments are going to be tabled. We dont know what amendments are going to be selected. You havent even seen what motion the Government is going to put down as I say, it wont be the meaningful vote. I will be making a statement to Parliament on Tuesday. And then, obviously, well be having the debate the next day. Pro-EU Cabinet ministers Business Secretary Greg Clark, Works and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd and Justice Secretary David Gauke (PA) The PM said the Government was still in talks with the EU about the Northern Ireland backstop. Mrs May said: We are still in that negotiation. We are still talking to the EU about various ways in which we can find a resolution to the issue that Parliament raised. The PM insisted collective Cabinet responsibility had not broken down after the intervention by Amber Rudd, Greg Clark and David Gauke indicating that they could back parliamentary moves to stop a no deal. The PM said: No, collective responsibility has not broken down. What we have seen around the Cabinet table, in the party, and in the country at large is strong views on the issue of Europe. That is not a surprise to anybody. We have around the Cabinet table a collective, not just responsibility, but desire, to actually ensure that we leave the European Union with a deal. Thats what were working for and thats what Im working for. (PA Graphics) Asked if the three ministers should remain in Government, Mrs May said: What we see around the Cabinet table is strong views held on the issue of Europe. Mrs May said that extending Article 50 would not deal with the issues. The PM said: Now, often people talk about the extension of Article 50 as if that will actually solve the issue. Of course it wont. It defers the point of decision. There comes a point where we need to make that decision. Extension of Article 50 doesnt solve the problem. There will always come a point where we have to decide whether we accept the deal thats been negotiated or not. And that will be a decision for every member of Parliament across the House. (PA Graphics) Every member of the Commons will have to face that decision when that point comes. The Government will be bringing back, working with the EU, and will want to put a deal to the House of Commons in a meaningful vote. Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer called Mrs Mays decision over the timing of the meaningful vote an admission of failure. He said: This decision to further delay the meaningful vote is the height of irresponsibility and an admission of failure. Theresa May is recklessly running down the clock in a desperate attempt to force MPs to choose between her deal and no deal. Parliament cannot stand by and allow this to happen. It is one of the most celebrated dog breeds in Britain, with a Monopoly piece to its name, but experts say the Scottish terrier is at risk after falling out of fashion. The number of Scotties being registered has declined by 38% in the past five years, according to new figures from The Kennel Club. Scottish Terrier Knopa, pictured with handler Rebecca Cross, won Best in Show at Crufts 2015 (Joe Giddens/PA) The dog welfare organisation has now placed it on its at watch list because the number of puppy registrations last year fell 12 below the 450 threshold. Scotties have been used to advertise Radley handbags and shortbread over the years. But it is now one of many native British breeds at risk as their popularity declines and demand increases for new breeds such as the French Bulldog now the UKs most popular dog. French Bulldogs are currently the UKs most popular breed (Kirsty OConnor/PA) Of the 57 native breeds, 29 are now deemed vulnerable, with nine more at watch, and The Kennel Club has launched a #savebritishdogbreeds campaign to reverse the decline. Those now classed as vulnerable, meaning they have fewer than 300 new registrations in a year, include the bearded collie and the Irish wolfhound. Irish Wolfhounds, like regimental mascot Domhnall, are now seen as a breed under threat (Jonathan Brady/PA) Kennel Club secretary Caroline Kisko said: There were just 24 vulnerable breeds and seven at watch a decade ago. There are now another six breeds either vulnerable or at watch and we could lose even more of our most iconic and historic native dog breeds if people dont look beyond the most obvious choices such as the increasingly popular French Bulldog and start to explore the huge diversity of breeds were lucky enough to have in this country. Til Tovey, secretary of the Scottish Terrier Club of England, added: It is so sad to see this wonderful and well-recognised breed, which is affectionate, loyal and intelligent, steadily decline in popularity as more fashionable choices take over. The Scottish Terrier is a great breed for those who want a small companion dog with plenty of character and an independent streak, and have time to train them consistently. Scotties are brimming with personality so sometimes can be a little stubborn! It would be very sad to no longer see this historic and much-loved breed in our streets and parks in a few generations time. (ANSA) - Rome, February 25 - Gianni Alemanno, the former centre-right mayor of Rome, was sentenced to six years in prison on Monday after being found guilty of corruption and illegal financing. The trial is an offshoot linked to the huge 'Mondo di Mezzo' case regarding allegations an organized-crime organisation muscled in on city of Rome contracts worth millions. "The sentence is mistaken," Alemanno said. "We will definitely appeal once we have read the explanation (of the ruling). "I'm innocent. I've always said it and I'll say it at the second tier of justice too". In Italy sentences do not usually become effective until the appeals process has been exhausted. 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 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have arrived in Moroccos high Atlas Mountain region to meet young women getting a secondary education thanks to the efforts of a British entrepreneur. Meghan is greeted by girls from the boarding house (Yui Mok/PA) In brilliant winter sunshine Harry and Meghan were welcomed to the town of Asni by pupils being taught at a boarding house run by the Moroccan NGO Education For All, founded by Michael McHugo. Holding Union and Morocco flags the teenage girls smiled as their guests arrived from the capital Rabat by helicopter. Girls at @EFAMoroccos Boarding House in the Atlas Mountains await the arrival of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex this morning. The Boarding House enables girls from rural areas to live nearer their school so they can continue their education. #RoyalVisitMorocco pic.twitter.com/M5r7Wbj7zS The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) February 24, 2019 The students are from remote communities in the mountains whose parents would normally not be able to afford to send their daughters to school after primary education. Meghan and Harry walked along a line of waiting teenagers and following local custom touched a hand to their heart each time they shook the hand of a student. The royals followed local customs (Yui Mok/PA) The duke asked one pupil Is this the best school in Morocco? and as they were taken inside the boarding house he put his hand reassuringly on the back of his heavily pregnant wife. The mother of a British tourist who went missing from a beach in Australia a week ago said she feels completely numb as she visited the spot where his belongings were found. Tanya McNab travelled to Shelly Beach on the New South Wales coast, where a vigil for Hugo Palmer and his friend Erwan Ferrieux was held on Sunday. She said her son had been living his dream by visiting Australia, but it had only just started. Im feeling numb completely numb. I have been since I heard the news, she said. A search has resumed for two men missing at Shelley Beach near Port Macquarie. https://t.co/5mlgbGdaMD NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) February 19, 2019 Mr Palmer, from East Grinstead, East Sussex, and Mr Ferrieux, a French national, arrived in Australia in November, and had been in the Port Macquarie area since February 17. A major search was launched after items belonging to the 20-year-olds were found at the beach near Port Macquarie late that night. Hugo Palmer and his friend Erwan Ferrieux have been missing since February 17 (PA) The air and sea operation was scaled back on Wednesday, although sweeps of the area were due to continue. On Sunday, locals and backpackers from Port Macquarie joined Mr Palmers mother and members of his family on the beach for a vigil. The mens belongings were arranged on the sand and flowers were laid. One of the vigils organisers, Betsey Drake, told ABC: We decided as a community we were missing them too, even though we never met them. North Korea leader Kim Jong Un is travelling to Vietnam for his second summit with US president Donald Trump, state media confirmed. Mr Kim was accompanied by Kim Yong Chol, who has been a key negotiator in talks with the US, and Kim Yo Jong, the leaders sister, the Norths official Korean Central News Agency reported. TV footage and photos distributed by the Norths state-run news agency showed Mr Kim inspecting a guard of honour at the Pyongyang station before waving from the train. The second summit between US president Donald Trump and Kim will be held in Hanoi (Lee Jin-man/AP) The Trump-Kim meeting is due to take place on Wednesday and Thursday in Hanoi. Their first summit last June in Singapore ended without substantive agreements on the Norths nuclear disarmament. It also triggered a months-long stalemate in negotiations as Washington and Pyongyang struggled with the sequencing of North Koreas nuclear disarmament and the removal of US-led sanctions against the North. Kim Jong Un salutes while reviewing troops at Pyongyang Station before leaving (Korean Central News Agency/AP) Mr Trump sought to manage expectations for the meeting. He tweeted on Sunday that he expected it to be a continuation of the progress made at first Summit in Singapore. He added: Denuclearization? Mr Trump added that Mr Kim knew that without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the World. Mr Kims overseas travel plans are routinely kept secret. It could take more than two days for the train to travel thousands of miles through China to Vietnam. Vietnams foreign ministry announced on Saturday that Mr Kim would pay an official goodwill visit to the country in the coming days in response to an invitation by president Nguyen Phu Trong, who is also the general secretary of Vietnams ruling Communist Party. People ride motorcycles past a poster featuring the upcoming second summit between the US and North Korea in Hanoi (Minh Hoang/AP) In his forthcoming meeting with Mr Trump, experts say Mr Kim will seek a US commitment for improved bilateral relations and partial sanctions relief while trying to minimise any concessions on his nuclear facilities and weapons. While Mr Kim wants to leverage his nuclear and missile programme for economic and security benefits, there continue to be doubts on whether he is ready to fully deal away an arsenal that he may see as his strongest guarantee of survival. Last year, North Korea suspended its nuclear and long-range missile tests and unilaterally dismantled its nuclear testing ground and parts of a rocket launch facility without the presence of outside experts, but none of those steps were seen as meaningful cutbacks to the Norths weapons capability. While North Korea has repeatedly demanded that the United States take corresponding measures, including sanctions relief, Washington has called for more concrete steps from Pyongyang toward denuclearisation. The relocation of a US Army base in Japan is being put to a referendum which some claim will send a message about how residents feel about housing foreign troops. People in Okinawa are casting their votes in the non-binding poll to test views on the plan to relocate Futenma air base, which is supported by the national government of prime minister Shinzo Abe. The plan has its beginnings in 1995, when outrage erupted against US service members over the rape of a 12-year-old girl. An elderly woman casts her vote in the referendum (Kyodo News/AP) Futenma was long criticised as dangerous, being in a residential area and Washington agreed to transfer some personnel to Guam. The plan is to replace the base with another on a coastal landfill in an area called Henoko. Critics say wildlife such as coral reefs and the dugong will be hurt. There are so many American troops here. Of course, 99 percent of them are good people, but then there is that 1 percent who do evil things. Its hard for us, said Tomomichi Shimabukuro, who runs a seaside inn called Churaumi-kun. I feel most people of Okinawa are going to vote in protest of the plan, he said. Japanese media surveys have suggested voters are likely to reject the Henoko plan. Nearly 1.16 million residents, 18 or older, are eligible to vote, and turnout is expected to be high. Interest has been strong, not only in the rest of Japan but among pacifists internationally. The referendum asks: On the landfill for the construction of the U.S. military base planned by the government in Henoko, Nago city, to replace Futenma air base, with the answers being: I agree, I oppose, and Neither. Although Okinawa makes up less than 1% of Japans land space, it houses about half of the 54,000 American troops stationed in Japan, and makes for 64% of the land used by the US bases, under a bilateral security treaty. Japan relies heavily on the U.S. for its defence, and the government has said it will not abide by the referendum, even if the Henoko plan is rejected. Over the years, Henoko has drawn countless protests and sit-ins. The election last year of Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki, whose father is a Marine he has never met and his mother a Japanese, has injected renewed energy to the movement. Sceptics are worried the costs for a landfill base like Henoko may keep growing, the runway may end up being too short and the government may not close Futenma, after all. Colonel John Hutcheson, a spokesman for US Forces Japan, said the Henoko agreement is a bilateral deal aimed at closing Futenma, while maintaining what he called vital capabilities for regional security. He declined to comment on the referendum, saying it was a domestic political issue. We are committed to maintaining good relations with local communities on Okinawa and do our best every day to balance their concerns with the necessity to maintain readiness in support of our treaty commitments, he said. Theresa May has vowed to Tory grassroots activists that she will not allow the referendum vote for Britain to leave the EU to be frustrated. The Prime Minister is flying to Egypt for an EU-League of Arab States summit where she is expected to hold talks with key EU figures as she battles to break the deadlock in the Brexit talks. Downing Street has played down hopes of a breakthrough during the course of the two-day gathering in the Red Sea resort, despite the presence of major players including European Council president Donald Tusk. The Prime Minister is pressing for changes to the Northern Ireland backstop which she hopes will finally convince MPs to back her Withdrawal Agreement following last months crushing Commons defeat. Theresa May will hold talks with European Council president Donald Tusk in Sharm el Sheikh (Victoria Jones/PA) Ahead of her departure, No 10 released details of her speech to a closed meeting of the National Conservative Convention (NCC) in Oxford on Saturday, when she told supporters the Governments focus on delivering Brexit must be absolute. Her comments came after three pro-EU Cabinet ministers signalled they could back moves in Parliament to delay Britains withdrawal to prevent a disastrous no-deal break. The intervention by Amber Rudd, Greg Clark and David Gauke led to calls for their resignations by furious Tory Brexiteers comments said to have been echoed in private by some Cabinet ministers. Northern Minister John Penrose warned taking no-deal off the table could undermine Mrs Mays efforts to secure concessions on the backstop. It could torpedo Brexit completely, leaving us in a Hotel California Brexit, where wed checked out but could never leave, he said in an article for The Sunday Telegraph. Wed have built an enormous elephant trap for ourselves, and thered be no way to climb out. However former prime minister Gordon Brown said extending Article 50 is now the only sensible game in town. It would let us reflect, reconsider and renegotiate Mrs Mays botched terms, he wrote in the Sunday Mirror. We have only three days to draw back from the brink. MPs are preparing for a potentially crucial series of votes on Wednesday which could see Parliament seize control of the Brexit process if Mrs May cannot secure an agreement with Brussels by mid-March. However The Sunday Times reports the votes could now be shelved in the wake of the latest Cabinet divisions. In a joint article, Work and Pensions Secretary Ms Rudd, Business Secretary Mr Clark and Justice Secretary Mr Gauke said it was clear a majority of MPs would back an extension to the Article 50 withdrawal process rather than see no deal. However in her address to the NCC, Mrs May insisted it is vital the Government maintains its focus as the negotiations reach their final stages. Our focus to deliver Brexit must be absolute. We must not, and I will not, frustrate what was the largest democratic exercise in this countrys history, she said. In the very final stages of this process, the worst thing we could do is lose our focus. With party loyalties strained to breaking point following the resignations of three Tory MPs to join a group of Labour defectors in the new Independent Group, Mrs May warned against more internal blood-letting. Amber Rudd is one of three Cabinet ministers warning Parliament will block no-deal (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Anna Soubry, Heidi Allen and Sarah Wollaston all complained they had been targeted in their constituencies because of their pro-Remain views, in some cases by former Ukip members who had switched to the Tories. However Mrs May said: We are not a party of purges and retribution. We called a referendum and let people express their views so we should not be seeking to deselect any of our MPs because of their views on Brexit. Our party is rightly a broad church on that and other issues. And we will only save our country from the threat of Jeremy Corbyn if we remain one. On Wednesday, the Commons is expected to consider an amendment tabled by Labour MP Yvette Cooper and Conservative former minister Sir Oliver Letwin enabling the House to extend the Article 50 withdrawal process if there is no deal by mid-March. A similar amendment was defeated by MPs last month, but there is speculation that enough Tory rebels, alarmed that there is still no deal in place, could be prepared to back it this time round for it to pass. Downing Street has said if there is no deal by Tuesday, the Prime Minister will at that point make another statement to the House and table an amendable motion to be debated and voted on the following day. However, it is unclear whether that will be enough to stave off a revolt by MPs alarmed at the prospect of no deal including potential ministerial resignations. A teenager has died after he was stabbed by a gang riding bikes, police said. Scotland Yard said officers were called to reports of a group of people fighting on Vincent Road, Wood Green, just before 8.10pm on Friday night. Police and ambulance crews attended the scene, on arrival two men, believed to be aged 19 and 20, were found with stab injuries and taken to hospital where the teenager was pronounced dead shortly after 3am on Saturday. A cordon has been put in place around the scene in Wood Green (Dominic Lipinski/PA) The 20-year-old had also suffered a gunshot wound. Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin of the Mets Homicide and Major Crime Command, who is leading the investigation, said a gang who were riding bikes were armed with at least one firearm, knives and a samurai sword. She said: This murder took place at a busy time of night in a heavy footfall area. I know that there are people who either witnessed the incident or who can assist with filling in the gaps in the information we already have. A forensic officer examines parked cars at the scene (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Do you know who the attackers are? Did you see what happened leading up to or immediately following the murder? If you have information or footage of any of the events surrounding this incident we need to hear from you. My team has established that the attackers were armed with at least one firearm, knives and a samurai sword. Some, or possibly all, were riding bikes. I know that people may be reluctant or afraid to speak with police, but making a single call could help to remove dangerous, violent individuals from your area and all information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence. If you dont want to call police call the independent charity Crimestoppers they wont even ask for your name, but please, if you have information, do make the call. Were you in the Wood Green area last night around 8pm? A 19 year old man was murdered on Vincent Road - any information should be shared with police via the incident room on 0208 785 8244 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 https://t.co/8qfPTF6qms pic.twitter.com/6mRaG1cpxr Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) February 23, 2019 The road was closed and a police cordon was put in place while officers investigated, a spokesman said a damaged car was found at the scene. Police said the teenagers next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem examination is due to take place in due course. The 20-year-old mans injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. LOS ANGELES (AP) - A $120 million court settlement from the nation's largest-known natural gas leak was approved by a California judge Monday despite objections from local residents and criticism from environmentalists. Judge Carolyn Kuhl in Los Angeles Superior Court signed a consent decree putting the settlement into effect after saying her role was limited in overseeing the deal between Southern California Gas Co. and the state and city of LA. "If I find, as I was supposed to find, that it didn't violate the law or public policy, that's the end of my determination," Kuhl said. The settlement was criticized by environmentalists for how it plans to mitigate the large amount of climate-changing methane that spewed for nearly four months from the 2015 blowout at the Aliso Canyon gas storage facility. Environmental groups complained the utility would get full credit for projects partly funded by state money to capture methane from a dozen dairy farms in the state's farm belt - more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) from where the blowout occurred on the edge of Los Angeles. "They get to count methane reduction that was already happening on the public dime," said attorney Nina Robertson of Earthjustice. FILE - In this Jan 7, 2016, file photo, a sign declares the boundary line of the Southern California Gas Company gas fields where a gas well leaked methane near the community Porter Ranch, Calif. A stink is being raised over a $120 million court settlement from the nation's largest-known natural gas leak and it's not about money, but cow manure. Environmental groups have criticized a plan to put more than a fifth of the settlement toward capturing climate-changing methane from dairy farms in California's San Joaquin Valley. (AP Photo/Michael Owen Baker, file) More than a fifth of the settlement will go to funding mitigation of the 109,000 metric tons of methane released after the well blowout. The incident sent a sulfurous stench over the community of Porter Ranch, where residents complained of headaches, nausea, nose bleeds and other symptoms. The company has spent more than $1 billion related to the blowout with the majority of that going to temporarily relocate 8,000 families, according to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The utility still faces more than 385 lawsuits on behalf of 48,000 people. Under the settlement, the utility agreed to pay up to $25 million to study long-term health consequences; reimburse city, county and state governments for responding to the incident; and monitor chemicals in the air near the facility for eight years. Costs of the settlement can't be passed along to ratepayers. The mitigation part of the deal calls for the utility to pay $26.5 million toward technology that captures methane from lagoons of cow manure and pipes it into the natural gas supply chain to be used to fuel trucks that run on compressed natural gas. A coalition of environmental groups criticized that decision as an inefficient way to absorb the methane and said it would lead to larger and more concentrated dairies and lead to smoggier air in the already heavily polluted San Joaquin Valley while also creating more natural gas infrastructure at a time when cleaner alternatives are needed. Hundreds of residents in the Porter Ranch area also signed a petition opposing the settlement. Several at the hearing complained about being deceived by public officials in allowing settlement funds diverted from the area where they identified other places where methane could be reduced. "We were promised that money to be given to L.A. County for use in mitigation projects down here," said resident Patty Glueck. "That's what should have happened - not given to capturing cow farts from these dairy farms. It's ridiculous. We were lied to." The California Air Resources Board said the settlement targeted dairies, which contribute 25 percent of the state's methane, and by capturing greenhouse gases on farm, it would provide energy to fuel trucks that will eliminate pollution otherwise created by diesel big-rigs. "This agreement will mitigate the methane leak itself, and will have a positive impact across California while providing long-term funding for air quality improvements in the parts of the LA basin most directly affected by what happened at Aliso Canyon," said CARB Chair Mary Nichols. Earthjustice criticized the deal because SoCalGas will receive full credit even though public funds are being used. It also said there's not enough information to determine what percentage of a project the gas company will fund. If SoCalGas contributes 10 percent of the funding to a dairy where 5,000 tons of methane is captured, it should only get credit for mitigating 500 tons - not the full amount, Robertson said. "Without such an adjustment, the mitigation agreement grossly overstates SoCalGas' contribution in achieving methane reductions and fails to constitute full mitigation for the Aliso disaster," Robertson wrote. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A jury in federal court in San Francisco will decide whether Roundup weed killer caused a California man's cancer in a trial starting Monday that plaintiffs' attorneys say could help determine the fate of hundreds of similar lawsuits. Edwin Hardeman, 70, is the second plaintiff to go to trial of thousands around the country who claim agribusiness giant Monsanto's weed killer causes cancer. Monsanto says studies have established that the active ingredient in Roundup, glyphosate, is safe. "There is a mountain of evidence," Hardeman's attorney, Brent Wisner, said outside court. "This company needs to get straight and be honest with its customers and say, listen, there is evidence it's associated with cancer and let people make a choice about whether or not they use the product." A San Francisco jury in August awarded another man $289 million after determining Roundup caused his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. A judge later slashed the award to $78 million, and Monsanto has appealed. Hardeman's trial is before a different judge and may be more significant. U.S. Judge Vince Chhabria is overseeing hundreds of Roundup lawsuits and has deemed Hardeman's case and two others "bellwether trials." Edwin Hardeman, right, leaves a federal courthouse with his wife Mary in San Francisco, Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. A jury in federal court in San Francisco will decide whether Roundup weed killer caused Hardeman's cancer in a trial that started Monday that plaintiffs' attorneys say could help determine the fate of hundreds of similar lawsuits. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) "If we are able to succeed here then it really sends a signal to Monsanto and specifically to Bayer that they have a real problem," Wisner said. The outcome of bellwether cases can help attorneys decide whether to continue fighting similar suits in court or settle them. A jury verdict in favor of Hardeman and the other test plaintiffs would give their attorneys a strong bargaining position in any settlement talks for the remaining cases before Chhabria, said David Levine, a professor at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law who has followed the Roundup litigation. Thousands of other Roundup lawsuits are pending in state courts around the country. Many government regulators have rejected a link between cancer and glyphosate. Monsanto has vehemently denied such a connection, saying hundreds of studies have established that the chemical is safe. Monsanto developed glyphosate in the 1970s, and the weed killer is now sold in more than 160 countries and widely used in the U.S. The herbicide came under increasing scrutiny after the France-based International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is part of the World Health Organization, classified it as a "probable human carcinogen" in 2015. Lawsuits against Monsanto followed. Monsanto has attacked the international research agency's opinion as an outlier. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says glyphosate is safe for people when used in accordance with label directions. Hardeman started using Roundup products to treat poison oak, overgrowth and weeds on his 56-acre Sonoma County property in the 1980s and continued using them through 2012, according to his attorneys. He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2015. In a setback for Hardeman, Chhabria issued a ruling last month breaking his trial up into two phases. Hardeman's attorneys will first have to convince jurors that his use of Roundup caused his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma before they can make arguments for punitive damages. The trial is expected to last about a month. In this Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019 photo, containers of Roundup are displayed on a store shelf in San Francisco. A jury in federal court in San Francisco will decide whether Roundup weed killer caused a California man's cancer in a trial starting Monday, Feb. 25 that plaintiffs' attorneys say could help determine the fate of hundreds of similar lawsuits. Edwin Hardeman, 70, is the second plaintiff to go to trial of thousands around the country who claim agribusiness giant Monsanto's weed killer causes cancer. (AP Photo/Haven Daley) FILE - This Jan. 26, 2017 file photo shows containers of Roundup, a weed killer made by Monsanto, on a shelf at a hardware store in Los Angeles. A jury in federal court in San Francisco will decide whether Roundup weed killer caused a California man's cancer in a trial starting Monday, Feb. 25, 2019, that plaintiffs' attorneys say could help determine the fate of hundreds of similar lawsuits. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File) FILE - This Aug. 31, 2015 file photo shows the Monsanto logo on display at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Ill. A jury in federal court in San Francisco will decide whether Roundup weed killer caused a California man's cancer in a trial starting Monday, Feb. 25, 2019, that plaintiffs' attorneys say could help determine the fate of hundreds of similar lawsuits. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File) Edwin Hardeman leaves a federal courthouse in San Francisco, Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. A jury in federal court in San Francisco will decide whether Roundup weed killer caused Hardeman's cancer in a trial that started Monday that plaintiffs' attorneys say could help determine the fate of hundreds of similar lawsuits. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Edwin Hardeman, left, adjusts his umbrella next to his wife Mary after leaving a federal courthouse in San Francisco, Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. A jury in federal court in San Francisco will decide whether Roundup weed killer caused Hardeman's cancer in a trial that started Monday that plaintiffs' attorneys say could help determine the fate of hundreds of similar lawsuits. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) BEIJING (AP) - A look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons in waters crucial for global commerce and rich in fish and potential oil and gas reserves: ___ EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a weekly look at developments in the South China Sea, the location of several territorial conflicts in the region. ___ INDONESIA ANNOUNCES PLANS TO DEVELOP ISLAND FISHERIES Indonesian reports say the country plans to develop fisheries surround the Natuna Islands it controls in a potential challenge to China's claims to resources in the South China Sea. FIEL - In this June 23, 2016, file photo released by the Indonesian Presidential Office, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, third right, accompanied by, from left to right, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Navy Chief of Staff, Adm. Ade Supandi, top Security Minister Luhut Panjaitan, Armed Forces Chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo and Riau Islands Gov. Nurdin Basirun stands on the deck of navy warship KRI Imam Bonjol, on the waters of Natuna Islands, Indonesia. Indonesian reports say the country plans to develop fisheries surround the Natuna Islands it controls in a potential challenge to China's claims to resources in the South China Sea. (AP Photo/Agus Suparto, Indonesian Presidential Office, File) The Jakarta Post and others said Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan made the announcement Friday. The plan, due for implantation by year's end, would include deploying drones, satellites and refueling tankers to aid fishermen in making catches and the construction of cold storage facilities to enable them to get freshly caught fish to market. Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago nation, is not a party to the six-government dispute over territory in the South China Sea, but has been taking measures in recent years to guard against encroachment on its resources by China and others. Ships caught operating illegally in Indonesian fishing grounds have been fired on, seized and destroyed. Most of the vessels were from Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia or Thailand. Relations with Beijing are expected to be a major issue in April's presidential election. Although the government of President Joko Widodo has pursued billions in financing for infrastructure projects, the opposition points to a trade imbalance massively in China's favor as a sign of problems to come. A section of Indonesia's exclusive economic zone that includes natural gas fields lies within China's "nine-dash line" delineating its claim to virtually the entire South China Sea. Chinese ships also regularly patrol off the island of Borneo and near James Shoal east of the Natuna islands, China's southernmost territorial claim which Malaysia says belongs to it. The South China Sea accounts for more than 10 percent of the global fish catch and surrounding states have taken increasingly extreme measures to ensure they obtain their share. Stocks have declined drastically amid overfishing and the destruction of coral reefs, to the point that they may be on the verge of collapse, according to some studies. ___ U.S. AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT SHIP PAYS CALL The Navy said its amphibious assault ship USS Ashland arrived in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, on the South China Sea to "continue working to strengthen regional partnerships." The visit that began Saturday is part of a tradition of U.S. Navy ships working to "bolster security and to advance shared goals for Malaysians and people throughout the region, dating from the first visit by an American ship, USS Bennington, to the island of Sabah in 1899," the Navy said in a news release. Although it is termed a "quality of life port visit," the stop in Kota Kinabalu is a reminder of the Navy's robust presence in the region despite China's objections. With its complement of 300 marines and sailors, the Ashland has been training in the U.S. 7th Fleet's Indo-Pacific area of operations. "Ashland, part of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, with embarked 31st MEU, is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency," the Navy said. During the visit, crew members will visit a local high school and a nonprofit facility providing care for people with disabilities. Some will also hike to Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Southeast Asia. ___ U.S., BRITISH SHIPS CONDUCT MORE JOINT TRAINING British sailors and marine commandos conducted joint training with the crew of an American replenishment ship last week, marking the third such joint exercise between the two forces in the last three months, the U.S. Navy said. The sailors and marines from the Royal Navy frigate HMS took part in maritime security and logistics training on Feb. 18, including a "visit, board, search and seizure scenario" aboard the USNS Guadalupe simulating a ship engaged in illegal trafficking. They also practiced NATO procedures for replenishment at sea, showing they could transfer fuel while underway in a manner both safe and efficient, the Navy said. "This was a valuable exercise for us, keeping our integrated Royal Navy and Royal Marines boarding team sharp and ready to deliver any mission assigned to them," Cmdr. Conor O'Neill of the HMS Montrose was quoted as saying in the Navy statement. The success of the drill was "testament to the close working relationship between the Royal and United States Navies, both in the Pacific and globally," O'Neill said. The two navies have lately stepped-up join operations amid growing concern over China's muscle-flexing in the region. The Arleigh-Burke guided missile USS McCampbell and Royal Navy frigate HMS Argyll operated together in the South China Sea in January, and a trilateral anti-submarine warfare exercise was held Dec. 21-22 among the U.S. Navy, Royal Navy and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force. A visit by British Defense Minister Gavin Williamson was reportedly scrapped earlier this month after China objected to remarks by Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson that Britain's sole aircraft carrier, the HMS Queen Elizabeth, would be deployed to the Pacific and that the U.K. was prepared to use "lethal" force to deter countries that "flout international law," in what was seen as a reference to China. The British navy has also sailed deliberately near Chinese island holdings in the South China Sea in "freedom of navigation" operations challenging Beijing's maritime claims. LOS ANGELES (AP) - Turns out Olivia Colman, not Glenn Close, was "The Favourite" at the Oscars. The British actress was a surprise winner as best actress on Sunday night for her role as Queen Anne in "The Favourite." She beat out Close, who arrived at the Dolby Theatre as the heavy favorite to win her first Oscar in seven nominations for "The Wife." Instead, a stunned Colman took the stage. She gazed at Close in the audience and said, "You've been my idol for so long and this is not how I wanted it to be." Close smiled and laughed. The 71-year-old American is 0-for-7 at the Oscars. Her nods remain the most without a win than any other living actor. Close came into the end of awards season riding a wave of momentum that included wins at the Golden Globes, SAG Awards and Independent Spirit Awards. Olivia Colman poses with the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for "The Favourite" in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Colman drew laughs throughout her speech. She blew kisses at fellow nominee Lady Gaga, who responded in kind. Colman added the Oscar to her earlier wins at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs and National Society of Film Critics for the role. "I could not tell you what I'm feeling," she said backstage. "Next year I'll be able to put it into words. I don't know what to do with myself at the moment." An emotional Colman thanked her three children - ages 13, 11 and 3 - who she said were watching from her agent's house in Los Angeles. She said, "This is not going to happen again." A cheeky Colman knows where her Oscar statue will go: "In bed with me between me and my husband. He doesn't know yet." Asked what Queen Anne would say after her win, Colman replied, "Eat some cake." The other nominees for best actress were Yalitza Aparicio for "Roma," Lady Gaga for "A Star is Born" and Melissa McCarthy of "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" ___ For full coverage of the Oscars, visit: https://apnews.com/AcademyAwards . Lady Gaga, right, congratulates Olivia Colman, winner of the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for "The Favourite" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Olivia Colman, from left, poses with the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for "The Favourite", Mahershala Ali poses with the award for best performance by an actor in a supporting role for "Green Book", and Regina King poses with the award for best performance by an actress in a supporting role for "If Beale Street Could Talk" in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Olivia Colman accepts the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for "The Favourite" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Frances McDormand, left, presents Olivia Colman with the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for "The Favourite" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Olivia Colman accepts the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for "The Favourite" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Olivia Colman reacts as she accepts the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for "The Favourite" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Samuel L. Jackson, left, and Glenn Close take a selfie prior to the start of the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (ANSA) - Rome, February 25 - An anti-vax doctor said Monday his experiment on a boy or girl with mumps had been "suspended" after an outcry. Fabio Franchi told ANSA that "I have suspended the research, I didn't expect this reaction, it's not an experiment, it's a much simpler thing, I'll give all the details in a few days, when I can". Franchi said earlier he wanted to "experiment" on a child with mumps in central Italy, according to a Facebook post. "I'm looking for a boy/girl rigorously a volunteer who has ONGOING mumps and is resident in Marche or neighbouring areas," said Franchi. "It's an experiment that respects the Oviedo Convention and does not break the Nuremberg rules". "I can't explain more at the moment. I urge 'word of mouth'. NB I don't intend to give them any injections." Franchi is the author of the book AIDS: The Great Scam. A wave of protest from pro-vaccine experts including virologist Roberto Burioni came immediately. Burioni said "something must be done". Doctor and debunker Salvo Di Grazia said "this doctor, anti-vax guru and in the past an AIDS denier, is looking for a kid to carry out experiments. "This shows how dangerous they are". Health Minister Giulia Grillo said "there is no room for experiments outside the rules". She said "I want to reassure all parents and citizens of the fact that in this country it is absolutely not allowed to carry out scientific research or experiments outside of the rules laid down by the law". ANAHUAC, Texas (AP) - The Latest on the crash of a Boeing 767 jet freighter into Trinity Bay in Texas (all times local): 9:35 p.m. An airline has identified one of the three people on board a Boeing 767 cargo plane that crashed into a coastal bay near Houston. Mesa Airlines issued a statement Sunday night confirming that Capt. Sean Archuleta was on Atlas Air flight 3591, which went down Saturday afternoon in Trinity Bay about 35 miles (55 kilometers) east of Houston. The other two people have not yet been identified. Mesa Chairman and CEO Jonathan Ornstein called the deaths "a loss for all of aviation." Archuleta had been a pilot for Mesa since 2013. Atlas Air said in a statement earlier Sunday that it had confirmed all three people died in the crash. The airline said its "primary focus is working to provide the families of those affected with care and support." This image taken from video provided by KRIV FOX 26 shows the scene of a cargo plane crash on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 in Trinity Bay, just north of Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico in Texas. Lynn Lunsford with the Federal Aviation Administration did not immediately know the status of the people aboard and the Chambers County Sheriff's Office could not immediately be reached for comment. (KRIV FOX 26 via AP) Atlas was operating the flight for Amazon when it crashed. ___ 4:30 p.m. A southeast Texas sheriff says a second body has been recovered from the site where a Boeing 767 cargo plane crashed and the search is ongoing for the third. Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne gave the update at a Sunday afternoon press conference with officials from the National Transportation Safety Board and the FBI. Hawthorne says crews remain in an active recovery mode at Trinity Bay, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) east of Houston. Atlas Air earlier said it had confirmed all three people aboard the plane died. NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt says security video from a jail about a mile away showed the plane heading toward the ground nose first. Sumwalt also says no distress call was given before the wreck. The FBI asked that anyone with debris on their property contact authorities. ___ 4 p.m. The owner of a Boeing 767 cargo plane that crashed into Trinity Bay in southeast Texas has confirmed that all three members of the aircraft crew died in the crash. In a statement issued Sunday afternoon , Atlas Air confirmed the deaths and said its "primary focus is working to provide the families of those affected with care and support." Atlas Air said it was flying flight 3591 for Amazon. The jumbo jet had departed from Miami and was likely moments from landing at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston when witnesses said it crashed nose first into the bay. The wreck happened about 12:45 p.m. Saturday, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) east of Houston. Aside from the crew members, searchers are focused on finding and recovering the black boxes that investigators hope will provide clues to the cause of the crash. ___ 9:50 a.m. Search and recovery crews have recovered one body from the site where a Boeing 767 cargo plane crashed into a coastal bay near Houston with three people aboard. The Chambers County Sheriff's Office said on Facebook that the body was recovered late Saturday night from the waters of Trinity Bay. Atlas Air said it was flying flight 3591 for Amazon. The jumbo jet had departed from Miami and was likely moments from landing at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston when witnesses said it crashed nose-first into the bay. The crash happened about 12:45 p.m. Saturday, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) east of Houston. Aside from crew members, the searchers are focused on finding and recovering the black boxes investigators hope will provide clues to the cause of the crash. Emergency personnel work at the scene of a plane crash site in Trinity Bay in Anahuac, Texas on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. The Federal Aviation Administration said a Boeing 767 cargo plane went down approximately 30 miles southeast of Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP) LOS ANGELES (AP) - Regina King's flowing gown nearly tripped her up on the way to collect her Oscar trophy, the actress' only misstep this award season. King was honored as best supporting actress for "If Beale Street Could Talk" at Sunday's ceremony, a final flourish to a run of victories including a Golden Globe trophy, Independent Spirit award and numerous honors from film critics' groups. King, who gave an impassioned acceptance speech at the January Globes calling for equal opportunity for women in Hollywood, paid tribute at the Oscars to her mother, God and the writer whose work was the basis for "If Beale Street Could Talk." "To be standing here, representing one of the greatest artists of our time, James Baldwin, it's a little surreal," an emotional King said. She lauded the late Baldwin for birthing the story and writer-director Barry Jenkins for nurturing and surrounding it with "so much love and support." "So it's appropriate for me to be standing here, because I'm an example of what it looks like support and love is poured into you," she said. King switched her attention to her beaming mother, who had accompanied her to the ceremony. "Mom, thank you for teaching me that God is leaning, has always been leaning, in my direction," King said, concluding her speech with "God is good, all the time." Regina King poses with the award for best performance by an actress in a supporting role for "If Beale Street Could Talk" in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Amy Poehler, one of the presenters of King's trophy, offered her more kudos backstage: "What an amazing speech by Regina," Poehler said. King's heels caught in her gown as she started to take the stage. Coming to her rescue: Chris Evans, aka Captain America, who helped steady her as she got untangled. The other nominees in the supporting actress category were Amy Adams for "Vice," Marina de Tavira with "Roma" and Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz for "The Favourite." ___ Associated Press writers Andrew Dalton and Lindsey Bahr contributed to this report. ___ For full coverage of the Oscars, visit: https://apnews.com/AcademyAwards . HANOI, Vietnam (AP) - Children at a kindergarten in Hanoi, some in Korean traditional "Hanbok" dress, have been practicing singing and dancing, hoping to show off their talents to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un when he comes to town this week for his second summit with President Donald Trump. Elsewhere in the Vietnam-Korea Friendship Kindergarten, students have been assembling picture montages on maps of Vietnam and the Koreas. In another classroom, children were coloring in Vietnamese and North Korean flags with which they hope to greet Kim. "We really want for Mr. Kim Jong Un, the great leader of the Korean people, to visit our school," said Ngo Thi Minh Ha, the school's rector. Apple-cheeked youngsters in traditional national garb meeting a paternal leader is a mainstay of old-style communist iconography, and North Korea is the closest thing left to an old-style communist state. But the ties that once bound Vietnam to North Korea in their fight against the U.S. have long since frayed. These days, South Korea is the Korea most Vietnamese look to, as evidenced by Vietnam's many billboards for the goods and services of companies such as Samsung, Lotte and Hyundai, and the massive amount of trade and investment coming from Seoul. The kindergarten, however, swims against the tide of history. It was built in 1978, three years after the end of the Vietnam War, a gift from the North Korean government, which also supplied it with toys, musical instruments, tables, chairs and cookware, according to Hoang Thi Thanh, the school's rector from 2002 to 2013. In this Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, photo, children in Vietnamese and Korean traditional costumes hug at each other at Vietnam-Korea Friendship Kindergarten in Hanoi, Vietnam. The children have been practicing singing and dancing, hoping to show off their talents to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un when he comes to town this week for his second summit meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh) The school initially had just four classrooms accommodating 120 children, but according to Thanh, "I was very happy and proud to be one of the first teachers of the school, because it was probably the most beautiful school in Hanoi at that time." It's now a three-story complex with a large courtyard and a student body of 470 in a busy residential neighborhood with run-down, 1970s-era apartment buildings. The students learn about North Korea, its leaders, landmarks and culture, lessons that are supplemented by a sister relationship with a kindergarten in Pyongyang with which visits are exchanged each year. According to Thanh, there was a political hiccup in 2010, when the North Korean government proposed to rename the school after Kim Il Sung, North Korea's founding father. Vietnam, whose ruling communist party has always favored collective leadership over personalized rule, demurred. A compromise was reached in which two classrooms were named after Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il - the grandfather and father, respectively, of Kim Jong Un - while a kindergarten classroom in Pyongyang was named after Vietnamese revolutionary hero Ho Chi Minh. Ha, the rector, hopes Kim and Trump can achieve an agreement, and echoes the common sentiment that maybe Vietnam has something to teach North Korea, saying she hopes "the Korean people will enjoy peace and like the Vietnamese people, the Korean nation will embark on a reform process for development and prosperity." For local parents, however, education rather than politics is the main concern. "I had checked out some kindergartens near my house, but I decided to send my son here, because this school has good facilities and good teachers," Trieu Phuong Nhung said as she took her 4-year-old son to school. In this Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, photo, children in Vietnamese and Korean traditional costumes color a banner with portraits of the late Vietnamese revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, right, and the late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung at Vietnam-Korea Friendship Kindergarten in Hanoi, Vietnam. Children at the kindergarten have been practicing singing and dancing, hoping to show off their talents to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un when he comes to town this week for his second summit meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh) In this Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, photo, children in Vietnamese and Korean traditional costumes dance at Vietnam-Korea Friendship Kindergarten in Hanoi, Vietnam. The children have been practicing singing and dancing, hoping to show off their talents to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un when he comes to town this week for his second summit meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh) In this Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, photo, children in Vietnamese and Korean traditional costumes get ready for a dance at Vietnam-Korea Friendship Kindergarten in Hanoi, Vietnam. The children have been practicing singing and dancing, hoping to show off their talents to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un when he comes to town this week for his second summit meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh) In this Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, photo, children in Vietnamese and Korean traditional costumes stick on Vietnamese and Korean maps at Vietnam-Korea Friendship Kindergarten in Hanoi, Vietnam. Children at the kindergarten have been practicing singing and dancing, hoping to show off their talents to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un when he comes to town this week for his second summit meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Portraits hang on a wall are the late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung, left, and the late Vietnamese revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh) WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump said Sunday he will extend a deadline to escalate tariffs on Chinese imports, citing "substantial progress" in weekend talks between the two countries. Trump tweeted that there had been "productive talks" on some of the difficult issues dividing the U.S. and China, adding that "I will be delaying the U.S. increase in tariffs now scheduled for March 1." Trump said that if negotiations progress, he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Florida resort to finalize an agreement. U.S. and Chinese negotiators met through the weekend as they seek to resolve a trade war that's rattled financial markets. Trump had warned he would escalate the tariffs he has imposed on $200 billion in Chinese imports, from 10 to 25 percent, if the two sides failed to reach a deal. The increase was scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. EST on March 2. Speaking to governors gathered at the White House for an annual black-tie ball Sunday, Trump said he was doing "very well" with China. FILE - In this Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, file photo, President Donald Trump listens during his meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Trump said Sunday he will extend a deadline to escalate tariffs on Chinese imports, citing "substantial progress" in weekend talks between the two countries. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) "If all works well we're going to have some very big news over the next week or two," he said, though he took care to add that "we still have a little ways to go." The reprieve is likely to be greeted with relief by financial markets. The world's two biggest economies have been locked in a conflict over U.S. allegations that China steals technology and forces foreign companies to hand over trade secrets in an aggressive push to challenge American technological dominance. The two counties have slapped import taxes on hundreds of billions of dollars of each other's goods. The conflict has unnerved investors and clouded the outlook for the global economy, putting pressure on Trump and Xi to reach a deal. "Trump clearly wants a deal and so do the Chinese, which certainly raises the probability that the two sides will come to some sort of negotiated agreement, even if it is a partial one, in the coming weeks," said Cornell University economist Eswar Prasad, former head of the International Monetary Fund's China division. On Twitter, Trump said the two sides had made headway on issues including protection of trade secrets, forced technology transfer and U.S. agricultural sales to China. But the administration did not immediately provide details. Business groups and lawmakers in Congress want to see a comprehensive deal that forces the Chinese to change their behavior and that can be enforced. The U.S. has accused China of failing to meet past commitments to reform its economic policies. "Encouraging news from @POTUS that progress is being made in a trade deal with China. Hopefully this leads to an agreement that stops China's theft of US intellectual property and avoids a full blown trade war," tweeted Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania But critics worry that the president has given up leverage. "They now have lost the advantage of a deadline," said Philip Levy, a senior fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and a White House economist under President George W. Bush, adding that "I see the odds tilting" in China's favor. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Hurting California Republicans chose a party insider Sunday to lead them forward after their party suffered stinging defeats in 2018, rejecting two candidates backed by activists who favored a stronger embrace of President Donald Trump. The California Republican Party's delegates had to decide where the party would go next with its leadership, and a majority of about 1,200 delegates chose Jessica Patterson, who previously headed a Republican candidate recruitment and training program. Trump's election fueled what was already a downward slide for California's Republicans, who have not won statewide office since 2006 and rank as third party status in voter registration behind Democrats and independents. The 2018 election pushed the party further toward the brink of extinction in the nation's most populous state, with Democrats flipping seven U.S. House seats once considered GOP strongholds and Republicans holding less than a quarter of state legislative seats. Patterson argued bringing the Republican message into new communities would be the key to success and said she would push candidates to focus on California issues rather than the president's message. Her two rivals, former state Assemblyman Travis Allen and party activist Steve Frank, said energizing the party base that loves Trump was the key to success. Both are strident backers of the president. Jessica Patterson, candidate for chair of the California Republican Party, speaks to delegates after her nomination during the party convention in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Yeater) But Patterson had the backing of most elected officials, including top Trump supporters like U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. She was viewed as the candidate better prepared to raise money and do the grunt work required of a chair. "Let's serve notice to the Democrats in California that we are back and we are ready to deliver on the Republican comeback," Patterson said after winning. "Then let's dig in and make it happen." Her opponents argued she represents more of the same leadership that led the party into decline. Both charged the state party has not advocated for strong conservative values and shied away from full-throated Trump support. Allen came in second and Frank placed third. "California Republicans are every bit as Republican as Republicans across the country," Allen said in an interview last week. "It's about time we have a Republican party that stands for our values, our ideals and supports our Republican president." After the vote, Allen said only that he hopes "the Republican party starts fighting again for the good of all Californians." Patterson said prior to the election she supports Trump. Beyond McCarthy, she had the backing of key Trump supporters such as U.S. Rep. Devin Nunes and the state's two Republican National Committee members. But some of Trump's most fervent California supporters were disappointed by the outcome. Stephanie Sporcich, a teacher, said she got involved with the state party because of Trump's election. She cast her vote for Allen, and saw the chairmanship race as a battle between the grassroots and the establishment. "We're the ones that are the strongest Trump supporters with Trump values," she said, adding she and other new activists have already successfully infiltrated the party structure and will keep working to do so. But Elizabeth Patock, another teacher, liked Patterson's focused on bringing "non-traditional Republicans" into the party. Patock did not vote for Trump and said she dislikes how ugly national politics have become. She said Patterson "has a positive message." Patterson is the first Latina to lead the state party. She did not make her personal heritage a major piece of her campaign, but said the party needs to use "new messengers." California Republicans have struggled to appeal to the state's growing Latino and Hispanic population because of the party's position on immigration, among other things. Patterson did not provide specifics Sunday on how she will deal with that issue. As a gesture of goodwill, she named Frank and Allen as co-chairs of a voter registration committee. Both had highlighted the party's outsourcing of voter registration activities as a major flaw. And she called for unity among California Republicans. "Our success will be a team effort, no egos, no personal agenda, no drama," she said. "We're going to be about one thing: Winning." ___ This version corrects that Patterson received just over half of the votes from 1,200 delegates, not support from more than 1,200 delegates. Travis Allen, candidate for chair of the California Republican Party, speaks to delegates after his nomination during the party convention in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Yeater) Travis Allen, candidate for chair of the California Republican Party, waves to delegates after his nomination during the party convention in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Yeater) Supporters of candidate for chair of the California Republican Party Jessica Patterson wave their signs during the party convention in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Yeater) Jessica Patterson, right, shares a moment with her mother Julie Millan, after being nominated for chair of California Republican Party during their convention in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Yeater) Stephen R. Frank, candidate for chair of the California Republican Party, speaks to delegates after his nomination during the party convention in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Yeater) Stephen R. Frank, candidate for chair of the California Republican Party, speaks to delegates after his nomination during the party convention in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Yeater) Tom Najaro, from San Mateo, holds a sign as he greets delegates during the California Republican Party convention in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Yeater) Tom Najaro, from San Mateo, holds a sign as he greets delegates during the California Republican Party convention in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Yeater) Travis Allen, candidate for chair of the California Republican Party, speaks to delegates after his nomination during the party convention in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Yeater) U,S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson speaks to delegates during the California Republican Party convention in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Yeater) U,S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson speaks to delegates during the California Republican Party convention in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Yeater) WASHINGTON (AP) - A top House Democrat threatened on Sunday to call special counsel Robert Mueller to Capitol Hill, subpoena documents and sue the Trump administration if the full report on Mueller's Russia investigation is not made public. Rep. Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said his committee will keep close watch on new Attorney General William Barr to see if he were "to try to bury any part of this report." Schiff, D-Calif., also pledged to "take it to court if necessary." He said anything less than complete disclosure would leave Barr, who now oversees the investigation, with "a tarnished legacy." Schiff's comments come as Democrats have made it clear that they are ready for an aggressive, public fight with the Justice Department if they are not satisfied with the level of access they have to Mueller's findings. Mueller is showing signs of wrapping up his nearly 2-year-old investigation into possible coordination between Trump associates and Russia's efforts to sway the 2016 election. The report isn't expected to be delivered to the Justice Department this coming week. Barr has said he wants to release as much information as he can. But during his confirmation hearing last month, Barr made clear that he will decide what the public sees, and that any report will be in his words, not Mueller's. FILE - In a Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019 file photo, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., speaks with reporters after his panel voted in a closed session to send more than 50 interview transcripts from its now-closed Russia investigation to special counsel Robert Mueller, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Schiff threatened Sunday, Feb. 24 to call special counsel Robert Mueller to Capitol Hill, subpoena documents and take the Trump administration to court if necessary if the full report on the Russia investigation is not made public. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) Schiff, in a television interview, suggested that anything short of Mueller's full report would not satisfy Democrats. He pointed to a public interest in seeing some of the underlying evidence, such as information gathered from searches conducted on longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone and Paul Manafort, a former Trump campaign chairman. With Democrats taking control of the House in January and Schiff now the committee chairman, he has undertaken his own investigation. That means re-examining issues covered by a now-closed GOP probe that concluded there was no evidence Trump's campaign conspired with Russia. Schiff has said the committee also will pursue new matters, including whether foreign governments have leverage over Trump, his relatives or associates. Some Democrats are pointing to documents that Justice Department officials provided to Congress in the wake of the investigation of Hillary Clinton's emails, as well as information that Republicans demanded as part of their own inquiries. Schiff said he told department officials after they released information related to the Clinton investigation that "this was a new precedent they were setting and they were going to have to live by this precedent whether it was a Congress controlled by the Democrats or Republicans." Beyond that, however, is "the intense public need to know here, which I think overrides any other consideration," he said. Democrats could use Mueller's findings as the basis of impeachment proceedings. In a letter Friday, Democrats warned against withholding information on Trump on the basis of department opinions that the president can't be indicted. "We are going to get to the bottom of this," Schiff said. "If the president is serious about all of his claims of exoneration, then he should welcome the publication of this report." Many Republicans have also argued that the full report should be released, though most have stopped short of saying it should be subpoenaed. "We need to get the facts out there, get this behind us in a way that people thought that anybody that should have been talked to was talked to any question that should have been asked, was asked," said Sen. Roy Blunt, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. But asked if he thought there could be a subpoena, Blunt, R-Mo., said, "I don't know that you can." The Senate committee also has been investigating whether Trump's campaign conspired with Russia. Blunt suggested a conclusion in that probe might wait until after Mueller's report. "We'd like to have frankly a little more access to the Mueller investigation before we come to a final conclusion," Blunt said. "His report will help us write our final report. We've given Mueller full access to all of our interviews all of our investigation. We haven't had that reciprocated and so we'll soon find out what else is out there that we might not know about." Schiff appeared on ABC's "This Week," and Blunt was on CBS' "Face the Nation." BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - China's Huawei unveiled a new folding-screen phone on Sunday, joining the latest trend for bendable devices as it challenges the global smartphone market's dominant players, Apple and Samsung. Huawei revealed its Mate X phone on the eve of MWC Barcelona, a four-day showcase of mobile devices, as the company battles U.S. allegations it is a cybersecurity risk. The device can be used on superfast next-generation mobile networks that are due to come online in the coming years. Device makers are looking to folding screens as the industry's next big thing to help them break out of an innovation malaise, although most analysts think the market is limited, at least in the early days. The Mate X is the answer to a question Huawei faced as it sought to satisfy smartphone users' demands for bigger screens and longer battery life, said Richard Yu, CEO of its consumer business group. "How can we bring the more big innovation to this smartphone industry?" Yu said at a glitzy media launch. Huawei CEO Richard Yu displays the new Huawei Mate X foldable 5G smartphone at the Mobile World Congress, in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The fair started with press conferences on Sunday, before the doors open on Monday, Feb. 25, and runs until Feb. 28. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) The Mate X will sell for 2,299 euros ($2,600) when it goes on sale by midyear. That's even more than Samsung's recently revealed Galaxy Fold, priced at nearly $2,000. The Mate X's screen wraps around the outside so users can still view it when it's closed, unlike the Galaxy Fold, which has a screen that folds shut. Unfolded, the Mate X's screen is 8 inches diagonally, making it the size of a small tablet. Yu said Huawei engineers spent three years working on the device's hinge, which doesn't leave a gap when shut. "No matter how innovative and technology-advanced the new device is, it will take a lot more time for a critical mass of consumers to experience the benefits of foldable phones and 5G technology," Forrester analyst Thomas Husson said. Huawei still "has to find its own brand voice to differentiate from Samsung and Apple and stop acting as a technology challenger." Huawei Technologies is trying to raise its profile in the fiercely competitive smartphone market. Almost everyone with a smartphone has heard of Apple and Samsung, the top device makers, and Google, the power behind Android's pervasive software. Huawei, a Chinese company with a name many people in the West don't know how to pronounce (it's "HWA-way"), wants to join the market's upper echelon. It's getting close. Samsung was the No. 1 smartphone seller for all of last year, followed by Apple, according to research firm International Data Corp. Huawei came third, though in some quarters it took second place, IDC data showed. The company stealthily became an industry star by plowing into new markets, honing its technology, and developing a line-up of phones that offer affordable options for low-income households and luxury models that are siphoning upper-crust sales from Apple and Samsung in China and Europe. But Huawei's products are few and far between in the U.S. The scarcity stems from long-running security concerns that the company could facilitate digital espionage on behalf of China's government. Washington has been lobbying European allies to keep its equipment out of new 5G networks. The cloud over Huawei also includes U.S. criminal charges filed last month against the company and its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, who U.S. prosecutors want to extradite from Canada. They accuse her of fraud and say the company stole trade secrets, including technology that mobile carrier T-Mobile used to test smartphones. Huawei is making its push at a time that both Samsung and Apple are struggling with declining smartphone sales amid a lull in industry innovation that is causing more consumers to hold on to the devices until they wear out instead of upgrading to the latest model as quickly as they once did. The company sells high-priced smartphones as well as an extensive range of cheaper models priced from $200 to $600 that offer a good camera and other features most consumers want, analysts said. But Huawei wouldn't be where it is today if it had been content focusing merely on China and other Asian markets. The company took a huge step forward several years ago when it began pouring millions into promoting its brand and building partnerships in major European markets such as Germany, France, Britain, Spain and Italy. Research firm Gartner estimates it now sells about 13 percent of its phones in Europe. As for the U.S., Huawei can only make so much headway as long as the government is casting the company as a cyber-villain, said Gartner analyst Tuong Nguyen. "Brand building is a long-term exercise, but it's going to be especially difficult in the U.S. because of the way they have branded all of China," he said. "The barriers in the U.S. are just getting more difficult." ___ Mike Liedtke in San Francisco contributed to this report. Huawei CEO Richard Yu displays the new Huawei Mate X foldable 5G smartphone at the Mobile World Congress, in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The fair started with press conferences on Sunday, before the doors open on Monday, Feb. 25, and runs until Feb. 28. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Huawei CEO Richard Yu displays the new Huawei Mate X foldable 5G smartphone at the Mobile World Congress, in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The fair started with press conferences on Sunday, before the doors open on Monday, Feb. 25, and runs until Feb. 28. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Huawei CEO Richard Yu displays the new Huawei Mate X foldable 5G smartphone at the Mobile World Congress, in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The fair started with press conferences on Sunday, before the doors open on Monday, Feb. 25, and runs until Feb. 28. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Huawei CEO Richard Yu displays the new Huawei Mate X foldable 5G smartphone at the Mobile World Congress, in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The fair started with press conferences on Sunday, before the doors open on Monday, Feb. 25, and runs until Feb. 28. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Huawei CEO Richard Yu displays the new Huawei Mate X foldable 5G smartphone at the Mobile World Congress, in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The fair started with press conferences on Sunday, before the doors open on Monday, Feb. 25, and runs until Feb. 28. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas has had its share of notable corruption cases over the years, including when the governor who succeeded Bill Clinton was convicted in a Whitewater-related probe and when a state treasurer was caught accepting bribes stashed in pie boxes. A flurry of cases in the past two years has been eye-popping, though, even for the most jaded veterans of Arkansas politics. Among those who have been charged are a nephew of the current governor, a champion of campaign finance reform and a top county official who admitted to taking bribes funneled through the church where he was a pastor. The recent cases have stirred fears that the Capitol is becoming better known as a hotbed of corruption than for any policy achievements, and legislative leaders are scrambling to repair that image and find ways of deterring future misdeeds. "Let us begin the session of the General Assembly today with a determination that the culture of greed and corruption is over," Senate President Jim Hendren told colleagues on the first day of the current legislative session. "We will not participate in it, we will not ignore it and we will not tolerate those who do." Since January 2017, seven current or former state lawmakers - none of whom are still in the Legislature - have been ensnared in corruption investigations - most in a probe that looked at state money that was going to nonprofits, including a mental health provider and a for-profit Christian college in northwestern Arkansas. At the center of that investigation was Rusty Cranford, a prolific lobbyist who admitted last year to taking part in a multimillion-dollar bribery and embezzlement scheme that involved lawmakers. FILE - In this Feb. 22, 2012, file photo, state Sen. Gilbert Baker, R-Conway, is seen at the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock. Arkansas has had its share of notable corruption scandals over the years, but a flurry of recent cases has been eye-popping for even the most jaded veterans of the state's politics. A federal grand jury in January indicted, Baker, a former state GOP chairman who served in the state Senate of conspiring to bribe an ex-judge who admitted to lowering a jury's award in a negligence case in exchange for campaign contributions. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston, File) One of the people he said he bribed was former Republican state Sen. Jon Woods, who co-sponsored a successful 2014 constitutional amendment that banned lawmakers from accepting lobbyist gifts and prohibited corporations from contributing to political candidates in the state. Woods was convicted in the bribery case and is serving an 18-year prison sentence. He is appealing his conviction. Cranford also said he bribed the governor's nephew, former Republican state Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson, who denies the allegations and hasn't been charged with taking bribes. However, Jeremy Hutchinson resigned last year after he was charged with misspending campaign funds on things including gym memberships and a Netflix subscription. He has pleaded not guilty and is trying to get the charges dismissed. Hank Wilkins, a Democrat who served in the state House and state Senate before becoming the top elected official in Jefferson County, pleaded guilty last year to accepting bribes from Cranford when he was in the Legislature. The money was funneled to Wilkins through a church where he was a pastor. The probes extend beyond the Capitol, too. A federal grand jury in January indicted a former state GOP chairman who served in the state Senate of conspiring to bribe an ex-judge who admitted to lowering a jury's award in a negligence case in exchange for campaign contributions. State Sen. Gilbert Baker, who was no longer in the Senate and serving as a lobbyist when the alleged bribery scheme occurred, has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. All of those investigations were conducted at the federal level, leaving Arkansas leaders pushing for better safeguards at the state level, even if they acknowledge that such reforms wouldn't necessarily have prevented the recent crimes alleged to have occurred. "Those are not gray areas. Those are black and white areas," Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson said last month. "You don't need new laws to prohibit it because it was a clear violation of the law. ... Those are matters of integrity and it's not a matter of legislation." The scandals prompted the state Senate to overhaul its ethics rules last year, including expanding financial disclosure requirements for state senators. The Senate also created a committee to handle complaints against its members, but the complaints can only be filed by fellow senators. The recent cases also led Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge to create a public integrity unit that she said would investigate corruption cases. "(The public) can't help but think it's a jaded process," said Democratic Sen. Keith Ingram, who is the chamber's minority leader. Legislative leaders in February unveiled a package of ethics bills aimed at cleaning up the Capitol's image, including increasing the maximum fines the state's Ethics Commission can levy and making personal use of campaign funds a felony rather than a misdemeanor. They're also backing a proposal to make elected officials convicted of certain crimes ineligible to receive their retirement benefits. "We can pass all the ethics legislation in the world, but someone who is intent on gaming the system (is) going to find a way around it," Ingram said. "But we can put some teeth in some things, point out some practices that are taking place." ___ Follow Andrew DeMillo on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ademillo FILE - In this Aug. 18, 2015 file photo, state Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson, R-Benton, speaks at a legislative subcommittee meeting at the state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark. Jeremy Hutchinson resigned after he was charged with misspending campaign funds on things like gym memberships and a Netflix subscription. He has pleaded not guilty and is seeking to have the charges dismissed. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston, File) SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (AP) - Leaders from European Union and Arab League countries pledged Sunday to boost cooperation in the fight against terrorism and to tackle unauthorized migration at a first-ever summit high in symbolism but likely to yield few concrete results. Under tight security at the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi opened two days of talks with a speech celebrating what he described as historic cooperation between the two organizations. But despite the public display of unity, just drafting a summit statement has proved difficult. EU and Arab League foreign ministers failed to agree earlier this month on a text after Hungary objected to the section on migration, and work on the document is continuing. In it, the leaders are likely to commit to addressing conflicts in Syria and Yemen or stalled Middle East peace efforts, yet paper over major differences about how to resolve them or who might be responsible. Some said that merely sitting down together at the same table for the first time is a result in itself. "The meeting is the message," European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told reporters, summing up the largely symbolic nature of the summit, while EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said "this summit is, in itself, a deliverable." Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, center, chairs a meeting at an EU-Arab summit at the Sharm El Sheikh convention center in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Leaders from European Union and Arab League countries are holding their first-ever summit, meeting in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss migration, security and business deals. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) Europe's migration challenge is at the heart of the two-day meeting, being held under the slogan "Investing in Stability." Desperate to bring migrant arrivals under control, the EU offered the summit last October as a symbolic sweetener to el-Sissi, much as they did with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2015. The EU wants el-Sissi to order the Egyptian coast guard to pick up migrants leaving Libya and take them back to the African mainland, ensuring they do not become Europe's responsibility. El-Sissi, in turn, would receive high-profile European recognition, promotion for Sharm el-Sheikh and a muting of criticism of his government's human rights record. "We must work together - countries of origin, transit and destination - in order to break the business model of smugglers and traffickers who lure people into dangerous journeys and feed modern-day slavery," said EU Council President Donald Tusk. While the number of people crossing the central Mediterranean has now dropped to a seven-year low, Europe's inability to agree on how to manage the arrivals has sparked a major political crisis, as nations bicker over who should take responsibility and whether other EU partners should help out. Some, like Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Hungary, contend that extremists are entering among the refugees. Just days before the summit, the head of the EU's border and coast guard agency praised the authorities in Cairo for preventing any migrant from setting out for Europe from the Egyptian coast since 2016. "There are no boats coming directly from Egypt to the European Union," Frontex director Fabrice Leggeri said. "The cooperation with Egypt is really encouraging and is developing." The EU - a major trading partner and investor in the Arab world - routinely trumpets an agreement it reached with Erdogan for slowing migrant arrivals to a trickle in exchange for up to 6 billion euros ($7 billion) in aid for Syrian refugees there and other incentives. It has pledged to replicate the deal in northern Africa. El-Sissi also called for a broad plan to combat terrorism that would deprive extremists of funding and "include a strict security offensive to counter the terrorist organizations and other elements of terrorism. And there should also be an effective ideological offensive against their ideological platforms." Saeed Sadek, professor of political sociology at the Canadian University in Cairo, told The Associated Press that security would be of prime concern in Sharm el-Sheikh, but he too played down expectations from the summit. "The timing is very important because it comes after eight years of instability in the Mediterranean affecting Europe and the Middle East," Sadek said. "Both sides want to know how can we stabilize the area further, produce stability, how can we deal with the consequences and prevent any further escalations." "But the imbalance of power between the two sides may not produce the concrete results that people imagine," he added. Tusk too noted: "I am aware that there are differences between us. We are not here to pretend that we agree on everything. But we face common challenges and have shared interests." ___ Associated Press video reporter Ahmed Hatem and AP writer Brian Rohan in Cairo contributed to this report. Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, center, and European Council President Donald Tusk, second left, chair a meeting of leaders at an EU-Arab summit at the Sharm El Sheikh convention center in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Leaders from European Union and Arab League countries are holding their first-ever summit, meeting in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss migration, security and business deals. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) Saudi Arabia's King Salman, center, attends a meeting of leaders at an EU-Arab summit at the Sharm El Sheikh convention center in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Leaders from European Union and Arab League countries are holding their first-ever summit, meeting in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss migration, security and business deals. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) - The city of Simi Valley, California, has reached a $21 million settlement with a man wrongly imprisoned for nearly 40 years in the killing of his girlfriend and her 4-year-old son. Craig Coley was released in 2017 after he was pardoned by then-Gov. Jerry Brown, who said DNA evidence and re-investigation proved Coley's innocence. Simi Valley officials said Saturday that the agreement would mitigate long, costly and unnecessary legal proceedings, the Los Angeles Times reported. "While no amount of money can make up for what happened to Mr. Coley, settling this case is the right thing to do for Mr. Coley and our community," City Manager Eric Levitt said in a statement. The city will pay about $4.9 million and the rest is expected to be paid by insurance and other sources. The state last year approved a separate, nearly $2 million payment for Coley. He is now 71. Coley spent 39 years behind bars after he was wrongly convicted of killing 24-year-old Rhonda Wicht of Simi Valley and her son in 1978. In this Feb. 15, 2018 file photo, Craig Coley, right, accompanied by his attorney's Ron Kaye, center, and Nick Brustin, left, talks with reporters in Sacramento, Calif. Coley spent 39 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit. The city of Simi Valley, California, has reached a $21 million settlement with Coley, who was wrongly imprisoned for nearly 40 years in the killing of his girlfriend and her 4-year-old son. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File) The city's police chief and Ventura County's district attorney asked Brown to pardon him because forensic tests showed Coley's DNA was not on the victim's bedsheet, which contained DNA from an unknown man. Coley had an alibi for the time of the slayings and investigators later disproved testimony from an eyewitness who placed him at the scene. His parents died while he was in prison after mortgaging their home to pay his legal bills. Ron Kaye, an attorney representing Coley, said the settlement offers some closure and vindication for his client, though no amount of money can compensate him for the life he missed while imprisoned. "He now can live the rest of his life, which we hope will be really well into the future, with the security he deserves," Kaye said. Soon after Coley was pardoned, a judge declared him factually innocent. Simi Valley police have not arrested anyone else in the killings. MILAN (AP) - Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala made a rare fashion week appearance, sitting in the front row of Dolce & Gabbana on Sunday. The mayor's presence had the hallmark of an institutional show of support after the designers were forced to cancel a Shanghai show following comments by one of the designers deemed as racist. The stalwart Milanese brand also faced a boycott in China, the luxury world's biggest market, and the longer term impact of the incident remains unclear. This was their first womenswear show since the controversy, which was followed by another incident involving Milan colleagues Prada and Gucci for including images that recalled blackface in their collections. Highlights from Sunday's previews for next fall and winter: ___ DOLCE & GABBANA PARADE ELEGANCE A model wears a creation as part of the Dolce & Gabbana women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) Dolce & Gabbana gave the fashion world an encyclopedic review of their artisanal credentials with an expansive show of 127 looks. The multi-theme runway show flipped through a series of well-catalogued Dolce & Gabbana themes. Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana started with elegant suits topped with fedora hats or elaborate feathered fascinators worthy of a female Dasheill Hammett character then transitioned to chiffon and silk dresses or pantsuits with feather boa trim that exuded leisure. The designers then ran through patterns, textiles and color: leopard, florals, houndstooth and Prince of Wales, jewel tone colorblocking and brocades. The designers, unusually, then highlighted a series of frothy bridal gowns. And the final flourish was reserved for the brand's true mainstay: beautifully tailored looks in black. The looks played on classic, even stereotypical, roles of femininity, which remains at the heart of Dolce & Gabbana's appeal with its core consumer. Highlights included a royal purple A-line coat with cape and bow details that popped with layers of turquoise crinoline, an all-white fitted double-breasted suit topped with a soft cashmere overcoat, a modern take on the suit deconstructed into an off-shoulder look and a black-and-white polka dot dress made voluminous by underlays worn by an Asian model. Applause emitting from a VIP front row punctuated the show. The show titled "Elegance" opened with a video showing Dolce draping fabric on a model and hand stitching a garment that, when finished, was branded with the duo's script in Italian "Fatto a mano," or "Made by hand." ___ STELLA JEAN Haitian-Italian designer Stella Jean's collection for next fall and winter took a dramatic turn with a sleeker silhouette and more urban styling. Jean said that her "bourgeois lady" is taking an updated version of a 17th-century European tour, and instead of cultural capitals, she is visiting places usually considered beach destinations - but which instead have a rich artistic tradition. By that, she referred to the naive art of French Polynesia, Haiti and the Caribbean in general. A gray, brick and camel plaid belted trench gave expression to Jean's old continent influence and European styling. A tiered, pleated red print dress worn with a turtle neck and knee-high boots projected an easy elegance. A black laser-cut top with slit-skirt and short-shorts with a sweater with a pair of cats had youthful flair. Jean maintained her colorful naive art prints, but with a long pencil skirt worn with a sleek high-neck blouse in seashell pink. The color palette was more subdued than in some seasons past, including pink, green, blue, brick red gray and white. "For the first time there is some black. I guarantee that it does not reflect any malaise. I am not having a difficult moment. I like black," Jean said backstage. ___ MARRAS'S MINERS Antonio Marras's collection exuded the freedom that he imagines would have been felt by Sardinian mine workers freed from labor, dressed in their Sunday best and ready to party. It's a feeling many new economy workers could easily relate to. The joyful looks had a deliberate rag-tag feeling that Marras achieved by taking cuttings from discarded or used clothing and other fabrics, creating a chronological history of a garment through panels and patches as it is passed from mother to daughter, father to son, adapted for occasion and season. Marras' fantasy revolves around the Italian painter Modigliani, whose father owned Sardinian mines, and painterly images appear on garments, most sweetly on the fronts of knee socks. A woman's coat was made from scraps of a man's plaid jacket and a military coat, decorated with feathers and dark sparkles that evoke the minerals within the mine. A man's jacket was recycled with sleeves from one coat and panels from another. A dress was constructed out of layers of ruffles, tiers and bows over lace. A sweater was decorated with a copper sheen, patched with a masculine plaid and the lace. It was all about improvisation: Marras was representing workers without means - but deliberately executed - they have skill and passion. ___ ODP SUSTAINABLE BAGS Model Arizona Muse brought her sustainability chops to a capsule collection of structured bags by Italian brand Officina del Poggio, or ODP for short. "We're living in a really exciting time where sustainability isn't earthy and brown anymore. It's really chic and luxury," Muse said at a presentation. Muse, who is on the board of the London-based Sustainable Angle non-profit, sourced rich ostrich skins taken from the bird's legs, which until recently would have been discarded, and fused seamlessly together with new techniques to make luxe coverings for bags designed by American Allison Hoeltzel in her Bologna workshop. Hoetzel's handbags have the simple elegance of a Shaker box, and are built around wooden forms clad in leather, offering stylish protection objects in a hard shell. The bags are secured by sleek golden closures or belt straps. The designer said she plans to incorporate elements from the capsule in the main line of her 5-year-old brand, including a sustainable micro-suede for the bags' interior and organic cotton velvet for the exterior. The sustainable collection retailed for about 20 percent higher than her main collection, she said. ___ ATSUSHI NAKASHIMA EXPLORES EROSION Japanese designer Atsushi Nakashima's seventh Milan runway collection explorex erosion, with one element gradually invading another. Nakashima employed a sophisticated use of materials to create a trench coat with sheer silvery panels alongside black-trim khaki. A military green dress was set off by a partial iridescent ruffle on the hem, puffy sleeves and transparent arm. A cropped belted trench coat with technical detailing was paired with a matching skirt, with just a peek of a white top setting the two garments apart. Textiles themselves had a distressed look, seeming to erode on the garment. His triangular logo representing the A in his first name was worked into repeating patterns on sweat shirts, smocked dresses and most luxuriously on a fur coat with a sheer overlay. ___ UJOH'S PROPORTION PLAYS Mitsuru Nishizaki's latest Ujoh collection combined western elements like fringe scarves, ribbed knitwear and quilting alongside looser Asian silhouette with elements of a kimono jacket and martial art trousers. Both the female and male silhouette played with proportions. Sleeves were elongated, trousers loos and jackets wide. A woman's double-breasted jacket was paired loose Asian style trousers. A man's jacket closed with a built-in kimono belt. A long gray tunic with kimono arms tied in the front scarf-like at the waist, creating two lengths. Knitwear wrapped around the body, but was never symmetrical. Nishizaki also played with quilting, mimicking it with laser cuts on a leather-like textile The palette was mostly black and neutrals, with flashes of color mostly left for glimpses in linings. A model wears a creation as part of the Dolce & Gabbana women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the Dolce & Gabbana women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the Dolce & Gabbana women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the Dolce & Gabbana women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the Dolce & Gabbana women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the Dolce & Gabbana women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the Dolce & Gabbana women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the Dolce & Gabbana women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the Dolce & Gabbana women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the Dolce & Gabbana women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the Dolce & Gabbana women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A models wears a creation as actors perform , part of the Antonio Marras women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb.24, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Models wear creations as actors perform on the right, part of the Antonio Marras women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb.24, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Models wear creations as actors perform, at right, part of the Antonio Marras women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb.24, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Models wear creations as actors perform, part of the Antonio Marras women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb.24, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Models wear creations as actors perform , part of the Antonio Marras women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb.24, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Models wear creations as actors perform, at right, part of the Antonio Marras women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb.24, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Creative director Antonio Marras accepts applause at the end of his Antonio Marras women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 fashion show, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb.24, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Models wear creations as actors perform , part of the Antonio Marras women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb.24, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Models wear creations as actors perform, part of the Antonio Marras women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb.24, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Model Arizona Muse, left, is flanked by designer Allison Hoeltzel Savini as they present a creation of the Officina del Poggio women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb.24, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Model Arizona Muse, left, is flanked by designer Allison Hoeltzel Savini as they present a creation of the Officina del Poggio women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb.24, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) A model wears a creation as part of the Atsushi Nakashima women's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, unveiled during the Fashion Week in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the Atsushi Nakashima women's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, unveiled during the Fashion Week in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the Atsushi Nakashima women's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, unveiled during the Fashion Week in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the Atsushi Nakashima women's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, unveiled during the Fashion Week in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) A model wears a creation as part of the Atsushi Nakashima women's Fall-Winter 2019-20 collection, unveiled during the Fashion Week in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) Models wear creations part of the Ujoh women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb.24, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) A model wears a creation part of the Ujoh women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb.24, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) A model wears a creation part of the Ujoh women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb.24, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) A model wears a creation part of the Ujoh women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb.24, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) A model wears a creation part of the Ujoh women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb.24, 2019. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) BAMAKO, Mali (AP) - The European Union training mission that is working to boost the Malian military says one of its centers has come under attack. In a tweet Sunday, the mission known as EUTM said that no members of its team were wounded in the attack on the Koulikoro training center. It did, however, make reference to "injured Malian armed forces personnel." The attack marks the latest assault on international forces in Mali, where a French-led military operation first began fighting jihadists six years ago. The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Mali has been a frequent target of attacks as well. On Saturday, the U.N. said that three Guinean peacekeepers had been killed during an attack on their vehicles in Siby near the capital of Bamako. PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Despite costly litigation embroiling pop artist Robert Indiana's estate, the foundation tasked with transforming the reclusive artist's home into an art museum is moving forward. The presumptive chairman of the Star of Hope Foundation is making plans to add board members, engage with the Vinalhaven, Maine, island community where Indiana lived until his death, evaluate the art collection and overhaul his dilapidated house, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. "We generally feel optimistic about this. This is a wonderful, incredible opportunity not just for Vinalhaven, but for the state of Maine," Larry Sterrs told The Associated Press. Indiana, whose iconic LOVE series is instantly recognizable worldwide, retreated in 1978 from New York City to Vinalhaven Island, 15 miles (24 kilometers) off the coast of Rockland. His home is known as the Star of Hope, after the former lodge of the fraternal organization Odd Fellows that used to be there. It has fallen into disrepair in recent years. When Indiana died at 89 in May, there was a hole in the roof and pigeons living inside. Board members say they are committed to fulfilling Indiana's vision for transforming the place into a museum where the public can view the artist's extensive works. But before the museum can be ready, a lawsuit filed the day before Indiana's death that needs to be settled. In this Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 photo, Larry Sterrs poses in Unity, Maine, in front of an image of Star of Hope, the home the artist Robert Indiana. Sterrs, the presumptive chairman of the Star of Hope Foundation, is leading efforts to turn the Vinalhaven island home into a museum to display the artist's work, despite a lawsuit targeting the reclusive artist's estate. Indiana died last May at age 89. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Indiana's former caretaker, Jamie Thomas, is accused in a federal lawsuit of taking advantage of the artist. It claims Thomas and an art publisher exploited Indiana in his final years by making unauthorized reproductions of his work. Thomas' lawyers have said there's more to the story and it will come out in court. A trial is scheduled for October in New York. Sterrs, who currently leads the Unity Foundation, said despite the litigation, work on the museum is continuing. The expectation is that Sterrs will serve as board chairman, alongside two current directors, Thomas and James Brannan, attorney for Indiana's estate. Under Indiana's will, Thomas was tasked with running the museum, but he'll report to the board on which he serves. "Bob directed that Jamie be involved with Star of Hope Inc. because Bob trusted Jamie to turn into reality both Bob's vision for preservation of his artistic legacy and Bob's desire to make Vinalhaven Community life more sustainable," Thomas' attorney, John Frumer, said. Sterrs said he plans to name two more independent directors soon. The board will immediately engage with the local community to discuss the Star of Hope project, he said. Phil Crossman, chairman of Historic Down Street LLC, which was formed to protect historical properties on Vinalhaven, said he's happy that progress is being made. "I'm encouraged by the prospect that it may happen sooner than later," said Crossman, who operates The Tidewater. The Star of Hope is only a shell of it what it once was. The front windows are boarded up. Clapboards are peeling. There's no electricity or heat. The foundation plans to enlist architects and engineers but reconstruction will not begin until the conclusion of the lawsuit. Nonetheless, both Indiana's caretaker and the attorney for his estate are eager to fulfill Indiana's wishes, Sterrs said. "They are anxious for the wishes and the will of Mr. Indiana to be carried out," he said. "If I can help with that, then that's great." HAVANA (AP) - Cubans voted Sunday on a new constitution that expands recognition of private property and updates a Soviet bloc-era charter for the socialist nation. The new document, which had been tweaked after a series of public consultations, maintains control by the Communist Party, but adjusts the nation's legal system to account for years of greater opening to small-scale private enterprise and closer ties to Cuban emigrants abroad. Passage of the measure was assured, despite opposition by some evangelical Christian leaders upset that the document opens the possibility for eventual legalization of gay marriage. Lines stretched from schools used as polling places on Sunday following days of heavy official promotion for a "Yes" vote and less prominent opposition sentiment expressed on social media sites recently opened to a broader range of Cubans. President Miguel Diaz-Canel took to Twitter to encourage support, writing "CubaVotesYes" and saying the document "guatantees the rights of each and every citizen of the nation." The previous constitution was adopted in 1976 at a time when Cuba depended heavily on Soviet aid and trade and tightly restricted private enterprise. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union slammed Cuba's economy in the early 1990s, the island has allowed hundreds of thousands of people to launch small private businesses, though their scale has been tightly restricted. The new constitution would allow some such businesses to legally hire a few workers. Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel talks to the press after voting in a referendum to approve or reject the new constitution in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The constitutional reforms maintain Cuba's single-party political system and centrally planned economy while recognizing private property and small businesses, which have been part of the island's economy without formal legal status for more than a decade. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) Islandwide consultations led to numerous changes in the document, notably omitting an article that would have legalized gay marriage. But evangelicals were alarmed that it seems to open the way for eventual legalization by omitting the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman. The document also would create the post of prime minister, promote cooperatives and recognize dual citizenship. ________ Andrea Rodriguez on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ARodriguezAP Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel greets a student after voting in a referendum to approve or reject the new constitution in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The constitutional reforms maintain Cuba's single-party political system and centrally planned economy while recognizing private property and small businesses, which have been part of the island's economy without formal legal status for more than a decade. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa, Pool) BOSTON (AP) - Unease is growing among surfers, fishermen and residents of touristy Cape Cod that officials are responding far too slowly after last summer's shark attacks, which included the nation's lone human fatality of 2018. A long-awaited study looking at seal culling, shark barriers and other strategies is expected to launch soon, but the exhaustive analysis won't be completed before the summer season, as hoped. Local officials say they're instead focused on stepping up their emergency response and improving beach communications ahead of this season. Wellfleet property owner Heather Doyle is among those who feel the wait is unnecessary. She and others have been pushing for the town to pilot new technology like shark-detecting sonar buoys this year. "We can find some low-hanging fruit, some small wins that make the waters safer now," Doyle said. "They may not be 100 percent effective, but I know for sure what is not 100 percent effective. And that's doing nothing." A 26-year-old Revere man became Massachusetts' first shark fatality in more than 80 years after he was killed while bodyboarding in Wellfleet in September. That attack came weeks after a New York man survived after being badly bitten off a beach in neighboring Truro. But it shouldn't have taken those two attacks for officials to investigate ways to mitigate shark attacks, said Wellfleet resident Margaret Flanagan. FILE -- In this Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 file photo Cape Cod National Seashore Park Ranger Eric Trudeau walks up to a group of visitors on Newcomb Hollow Beach telling them that the beach is closed to swimming, in Wellfleet, Mass., after a man was bitten and died from a shark bite Saturday in the waters off the beach. On Cape Cod, great white sharks are plentiful but cell phone signals are not, a troubling reality as authorities deal with Massachusetts' first fatal attack on a person since 1936. (Merrily Cassidy/The Cape Cod Times via AP, File) Officials in recent years have largely focused on public education campaigns like posting shark warnings at beaches and hosting training sessions for residents on how to make a proper tourniquet in the event of an attack. "Fishermen have been very vocal for a long time about the growing population and how the sharks would adapt and start coming into the shallows to hunt," Flanagan said. "It was only a matter of time." The study isn't expected to be complete until September, but some communities have already committed tens of thousands of dollars to new measures this season. The federally managed Cape Cod National Seashore and the town of Orleans are placing trauma kits packed with tourniquets and other lifesaving medical equipment at remote beaches and investing in additional medical training for lifeguards and beach staff. The town of Wellfleet is extending lifeguard shifts past the traditional closing of the beach season on Labor Day. Wellfleet and Orleans are also installing emergency 911 call boxes at their beaches. "I can completely understand those who think these efforts are moving too slowly," Wellfleet Town Manager Dan Hoort said. "But when it's public safety and a proposal to spend millions of dollars, the town needs to make sure it's done right." The study and this year's measures are steps in the right direction, but officials still need to bring surfers and other recreational oceangoers into the decision-making process, said Chris Zocca, a 70-year-old Harwich resident. Town officials have held public forums to hear from shark researchers and other experts, but Zocca and other local surfers and body boarders have also been hosting their own gatherings to hear about technology currently on the market. A recent gathering featured an executive from a company that makes shark-detecting sonar buoys. "We're the people in the water all the time. We're going to be very affected by any decision that's made," Zocca said. "We need to be involved." Chatham fisherman Nick Muto said he's concerned officials won't ultimately address the massive population of seals drawing great whites in the first place. Both seals and great white sharks have rebounded in recent years, thanks largely to federal protections. "If you're only dealing with the sharks, you're throwing good money at bad," he said. "But if you reduce the food source, those things are going to leave." Culling or administering contraceptives to seals are among the measures being reviewed by the Woods Hole Group, a local environmental consulting firm that has been commissioned for the study, which officials have said will cost around $50,000. The firm is also expected to assess how effective using aerial drones, spotter planes and other technology is in monitoring and tracking sharks. It will look at repellents and other protections for surfers and swimmers. And they'll weigh different barriers to prevent sharks from encroaching on popular swimming beaches, from rigid plastic enclosures to more permeable nets and even ones that mimic kelp forests. "Mitigating shark and human interactions is something officials and entrepreneurs have been trying to do for a long time," said Matt Cadwallader, the firm's business development director. "There is a massive body of research on this." ___ Follow Philip Marcelo at twitter.com/philmarcelo. FILE - in this Aug. 28, 2018 file photo, physical therapist Caitlin Geary, right, assists William Lytton, of Scarsdale, N.Y., at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston. Lytton suffered deep puncture wounds to his leg and torso after being attacked by a shark on Aug. 15, while swimming off a beach in Truro, Mass. After two Cape Cod shark attacks that summer, a long-awaited study on shark prevention strategies is in the works to analyze seal culls, shark barriers and new technologies like aerial drones. But it won't be completed in time for the summer of 2019 as hoped. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - A loud hum drones from a twisting array of machines and pipes connected to four towering metal cones that mix water from the Savannah River with oxygen filtered from the air before pumping it all back down to the river bottom at a rate of 30,000 gallons each minute. The Army Corps of Engineers has finished the first of two large oxygen-injection stations on the river. The machines are the agency's $100 million solution to help fish breathe along a 27-mile (43-kilometer) stretch linking the Port of Savannah to the Atlantic Ocean. Otherwise, the waterway is expected to lose oxygen toward the bottom as it's deepened by 5 feet (1.5 meters) to make room for larger cargo ships. If the machines fail to boost oxygen levels in the river sufficiently, it could jam up the whole $973 million harbor expansion project with dredging only halfway done. That's because a 2013 court settlement between the Army Corps, conservation groups and state officials in neighboring South Carolina hinges on proof that the injectors work as promised. Army Corps scientists began running tests on Valentine's Day and plan to keep testing until mid-May. They're trying to measure how much of the extra oxygen being shot into the river stays in the water, versus how much breaks the surface and escapes into the air. "The requirement is to put 12,000 pounds of oxygen into the water column," said Beth Williams, hydrology branch chief for the Army Corps' Savannah District. "We feel pretty good that we'll get there." Once both injection stations are finished, the river will have 12 of the cone-shaped oxygen machines that function like giant versions of the bubblers in home aquariums. The machines are intended to compensate for a small expected drop in dissolved oxygen near the river bottom that's home to blue crabs, striped bass and endangered shortnose sturgeon. In this Feb. 21, 2019 photo, Four cone-shaped machines designed to mix oxygen into river water and inject it back into the Savannah River stand on the shore of the waterway in Savannah, Ga. The Army Corps of Engineers is testing the machines to see if they boost the river's oxygen levels enough to help fish breathe. A court settlement requires the agency to show the machines work before it can proceed with deepening the shipping channel linking the Port of Savannah to the Atlantic Ocean. (AP Photo/Russ Bynum) Rivers naturally take in oxygen from the air, and their flows help mix it down below the surface. But as the water gets deeper, it's harder to push oxygen to the bottom. That's especially true in the Savannah harbor, where the land is flat and motion is slowed by pushback from the ocean tides. Decades of dredging have further stressed oxygen levels. The problem gets worse in the hot summer months, when dissolved oxygen in the river has been known to drop below minimum standards set by Georgia and South Carolina. The river forms the border between the two states. The Army Corps plans to run the oxygen injectors indefinitely, from roughly June through September each year. The agency estimates it will cost $3 million per year, said Spencer Davis, the agency's project manager for the harbor expansion. Conservation groups have questioned whether machines will truly offset the oxygen loss inflicted by further dredging. Chris DeScherer, an attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center, has compared them to placing the river on a respirator. The law center initially sued the Army Corps in federal court, arguing the deepening project would cause irreparable damage. A settlement reached in 2013 included additional environmental mitigation by the Corps. It also requires extensive tests to show the oxygen injectors work before dredging can start on the half of the project furthest upriver toward the port. If the machines fall short, any party to the lawsuit would be able to scrap the settlement and return to court. "We don't want to pre-judge the result," DeScherer said by email. "In general, we've always been concerned about the concept of using a mechanical system to re-oxygenate a large tidal river." On Thursday, scientists from the Army Corps used boats to monitor the river near the oxygen-injection station as red dye was added to the water being pumped to the bottom. Colored streaks could be seen on the surface as the scientists used instruments to measure how the dyed, oxygenated water was dispersing. Sensors in the water will be used in the coming months to measure oxygen levels through two full lunar cycles to account for changes in the tides, which can affect how much oxygen naturally gets mixed into the river. Pumping oxygen mechanically into water has been done since the 1960s, though usually in smaller bodies such as reservoirs and lakes. Still, the amount of dissolved oxygen the Corps is trying to replace is .01 milligrams per liter of water, while the average amount of oxygen in the river is at least 400 times greater, said Bryan Robinson, an Army Corps hydraulic engineer. "The amount we're mitigating for is very, very small," Robinson said. WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump is trying to manage expectations for his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, predicting a "continuation of the progress" made last time. Trump tweeted Sunday that he was leaving early the next day for the meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam, adding a tantalizing nod to "Denuclearization?" He also said Kim knows that "without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the World." Their first meeting, in Singapore in June, produced a vaguely worded commitment from North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons program. Heading into this week's summit, Trump has said that North Korea has not tested any nuclear weapons in months and that as long as that testing has ceased, he's in no rush. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on "Fox News Sunday" that he was hoping for a "substantive step forward." But, he cautioned, "it may not happen, but I hope that it will." "President Trump has also said this is going to take time. There may have to be another summit. We may not get everything done this week," Pompeo said. Sen. Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat who serves on the Senate foreign relations committee, expressed concerns about Trump's negotiating efforts Sunday on CBS, saying the president must be "careful" with what he offers. Vietnamese soldiers watch from a top of a building neighboring Government Guesthouse and the Metropole hotel next to a poster featuring upcoming summit between the U.S. and North Korea in Hanoi, Vietnam, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The second summit between U.S President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will take place in Hanoi on Feb. 27 and 28. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe) Said Markey: "Nothing is clear, and I think as a result we could run the risk that Kim is given concessions which are not accompanied by real concessions that the United States is receiving in return from Kim and his regime." Trump pushed back against his critics on Twitter Sunday, saying: "So funny to watch people who have failed for years, they got NOTHING, telling me how to negotiate with North Korea. But thanks anyway!" Pompeo said he hoped to put a "road map" in place, but would not discuss the possibility of declaring a formal end to the Korean War or pulling some American troops from South Korea, in keeping with his stand against publicly discussing issue that could arise during the negotiations. Pompeo said he believes North Korea remains a nuclear threat, though Trump tweeted after the Singapore summit that "there is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea." Pompeo told CNN's "State of the Union" that the commitment Kim made "had substantially taken down the risk to the American people." Speaking on CNN, Pompeo also said "verifiable denuclearization" remained the administration's goal, and he insisted the administration has not changed the conditions for sanctions relief. ___ Follow all of AP's summit coverage at https://apnews.com/Trump-KimSummit JOHANNESBURG (AP) - The United States military says it has killed two al-Shabab extremists in four airstrikes in Somalia. The attacks eliminated checkpoints and facilities used by al-Shabaab to collect taxes to fund their violent campaign in Somalia, said a statement Sunday from the U.S. Africa command. "In addition to creating enhanced security, airstrikes help to disrupt al-Shabaab operations and the network while preventing future attacks by this terrorist group," said Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Gregg Olson, U.S. Africa Command director of operations. According to the statement, two airstrikes on Saturday hit the Kunyow Barrow area, about 250 kilometers (155 miles) southwest of the capital, Mogadishu. Another strike was in the Awdeegle area, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) west of Mogadishu and a fourth was near Janaale, about 75 kilometers (46 miles) southwest of Mogadishu. No civilians were injured or killed in the attacks, said the statement. With these four airstrikes, the U.S. military has carried out at least 16 such airstrikes this year in Somalia against al-Shabab, the deadliest Islamic extremist group in Africa and which is linked to al-Qaida. The United States has dramatically stepped up airstrikes against al-Shabab since President Donald Trump took office. The U.S. carried out nearly 50 strikes in Somalia in 2018. Experts say it will take more than airstrikes to defeat the extremists, who continue to carry out deadly attacks in the Horn of Africa nation and neighboring Kenya. WASHINGTON (AP) - With health care a top issue for American voters, Congress may actually be moving toward doing something this year to address the high cost of prescription drugs. President Donald Trump, Democrats trying to retire him in 2020, and congressional incumbents of both parties all say they want action. Democrats and Republicans are far apart on whether to empower Medicare to negotiate prices, but there's enough overlap to allow for agreement in other areas. High on the list is capping out-of-pocket costs for participants in Medicare's popular Part D prescription drug program , which has a loophole that's left some beneficiaries with bills rivaling a mortgage payment. The effort to cap out-of-pocket costs in Medicare's prescription plan is being considered as part of broader legislation to restrain drug prices. Limits on high medical and drug bills are already part of most employer-based and private insurance. They're called "out-of-pocket maximums" and are required under the Obama-era health law for in-network services. But Medicare has remained an outlier even as prices have soared for potent new brand-name drugs, as well as older mainstays such as insulin. "The issue has my attention," said Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees Medicare. "Out-of-pocket costs are a concern of ours, particularly at the catastrophic level." His committee has summoned CEOs from seven pharmaceutical companies to a hearing Tuesday. Retired public school teacher Gail Orcutt, of Altoona, Iowa, looks over some of the prescription drugs she takes, Friday, Feb. 15, 2019, in Altoona, Iowa. Orcutt pays $2,600 the first month of the year, and then $750 every other month for a lung cancer medication. With health care a top issue for American voters, Congress may actually be moving toward doing something this year to address the high cost of prescription drugs. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) While Grassley said he hasn't settled on a specific approach, the committee's top Democrat, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, recently introduced legislation that would cap out-of-pocket costs at about $2,650 for Medicare beneficiaries taking brand-name drugs. One co-sponsor is Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democratic presidential candidate. In Des Moines, Iowa, retired special education teacher Gail Orcutt is battling advanced lung cancer due to radon exposure. Although she has Medicare prescription coverage, she paid $2,600 in January for her cancer medication and will pay about $750 monthly for the rest of the year. She said it cost more last year for a different drug - $3,200 initially and then about $820 monthly. Someday her current drug may stop working, said Orcutt, and then she'd have to go on a different medication. "What if that is two or three times what I'm paying now?" she said. "It's not sustainable. The country needs more problem-solving for the common good and not the corporate bottom line." At a recent House Ways and Means Committee hearing, three expert witnesses with varied policy views concurred on limiting drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries. "This is still the only program that does not provide that protection to its beneficiaries," testified economist Joe Antos of the business-oriented American Enterprise Institute. The House committee also oversees Medicare. Before the hearing, the committee's chairman and top Republican released a joint statement unusual in polarized times: "We agree that the time is now to take meaningful action to lower the cost of prescription drugs in the U.S. health care system," said Reps. Richard Neal, D-Mass., and Kevin Brady, R-Texas. John Rother of the National Coalition on Health Care is a longtime participant in national health care debates, and his organization represents a cross-section of interest groups. "There is a common recognition of a problem, and also a sense that they want to move something this year," he said. At issue is the Medicare prescription benefit's "catastrophic" protection. Experts say it was intended as a safeguard but isn't working that way, either for beneficiaries or taxpayers. Catastrophic protection was enacted before the advent of drugs costing $1,000 a pill. It kicks in after beneficiaries have spent about $5,100 on medications, under a complex formula. After that, the beneficiary is only responsible for 5 percent of the cost of the medication, and taxpayers' share rises to 80 percent. The patient's insurer covers the remaining 15 percent. The problem for beneficiaries is that there's no dollar limit to what they must pay. For example, 5 percent of a drug that costs $200,000 a year works out to $10,000. Numerous experts also say there's a problem for taxpayers. Generally, the Medicare prescription benefit is financed with a mix of government subsidies and beneficiary premiums. But in the catastrophic portion, most of the bill is passed directly to taxpayers. That neutralizes the incentive for insurers to negotiate lower prices with drugmakers. Catastrophic is the fastest growing cost for Medicare's Part D. The administration has supported an approach recommended by experts that would shift most of the responsibility for high-cost medications onto insurers, while capping what beneficiaries must pay. That would force insurers to seek lower prices. But it may well raise premiums. About 3.6 million Medicare beneficiaries with Part D coverage - or 9 percent - had "catastrophic" costs in 2015, according to the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation. Of those, about 1 million had to pay their share in full because they didn't qualify for financial assistance provided to low-income beneficiaries. "This affects people with serious conditions such as cancer and multiple sclerosis," said Tricia Neuman, a Medicare expert with Kaiser. "People on Medicare can still face huge expenses for their medication because the Medicare drug benefit was designed without a hard cap on out-of-pocket costs." Retired public school teacher Gail Orcutt, of Altoona, Iowa, holds some of the prescription drugs she takes, Friday, Feb. 15, 2019, in Altoona, Iowa. Orcutt pays $2,600 the first month of the year, and then $750 every other month for a lung cancer medication. With health care a top issue for American voters, Congress may actually be moving toward doing something this year to address the high cost of prescription drugs. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) LONDON (AP) - U.S. officials have honored a British man who has for decades tended a memorial for 10 U.S. World War II airmen who sacrificed their lives to save children in Sheffield, England. Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson sent a tweet Saturday thanking Tony Foulds for "remembering and honoring our Airmen." Missouri Governor Michael Parson has issued a proclamation honoring Foulds for his "profound devotion" to commemorating the crew of the B-17 nicknamed "Mi Amigo." Missouri pilot Lt. John Kriegshauser was attempting to land his damaged plane at a Sheffield park in 1944 when he pulled up to avoid a group of children and crashed into the woods. Foulds, 82, was one of those children. The U.S. and Royal Air Force honored the crew with a flypast Friday, fulfilling Foulds' lifelong dream. Tony Foulds sits next to a memorial honouring 10 U.S. airmen who died in a plane crash in Endcliffe Park, Sheffield, England, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. Foulds was just a kid running around in the park on Feb. 22, 1944 when a U.S. Air Force crew decided to crash and die rather than take the chance of hitting them. He's dreamed of honoring them for decades. Now he's 82 and about to get his wish. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira) F-15 planes seen from Endcliffe Park in Sheffield, as warplanes from Britain and the United States stage a flypast tribute to Tony Foulds, and ten dead US airmen, 75-years after Foulds witnessed the crash that killed them. Foulds was just a child playing in the park on Feb. 22, 1944, when a U.S. Air Force crew decided to crash and die rather than take the chance of hitting the playing children. For decades Foulds has tended a memorial dedicated to honouring the 10 U.S. airmen who died in the plane crash at Endcliffe Park, and today the flypast fulfils his wish for the men who saved his life. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP) Tony Foulds, 82, reacts as warplanes from Britain and the United States stage a joint flypast tribute to Foulds and ten dead US airmen Friday Feb. 22, 2019, at Endcliffe Park in Sheffield, 75-years after Foulds witnessed the crash that killed them. Foulds was just a child playing in the park on Feb. 22, 1944, when a U.S. Air Force crew decided to crash and die rather than take the chance of hitting the playing children. For decades Foulds has tended a memorial dedicated to honouring the 10 U.S. airmen who died in the plane crash at Endcliffe Park, and today the flypast fulfils his wish for the men who saved his life. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP) Tony Foulds sits next to a memorial honouring 10 U.S. airmen who died in a plane crash in Endcliffe Park, Sheffield, England, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. Foulds was just a kid running around in the park on Feb. 22, 1944 when a U.S. Air Force crew decided to crash and die rather than take the chance of hitting them. He's dreamed of honoring them for decades. Now he's 82 and about to get his wish. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira) Tony Foulds tends to a memorial honouring 10 U.S. airmen who died in a plane crash in Endcliffe Park, Sheffield, England, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. Foulds was just a kid running around in the park on Feb. 22, 1944 when a U.S. Air Force crew decided to crash and die rather than take the chance of hitting them. He's dreamed of honoring them for decades. Now he's 82 and about to get his wish. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira) A close-up taken on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019 of the memorial honouring 10 U.S. airmen who died in a plane crash on Feb. 22, 1944 in Endcliffe Park, Sheffield, England. Tony Foulds was just a kid running around in the park when a U.S. Air Force crew decided to crash and die rather than take the chance of hitting them. He's dreamed of honoring them for decades. Now he's 82 and about to get his wish. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira) ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Pakistan has "a desire to change" its ways and be removed from an American blacklist of countries that infringe on religious freedoms, a U.S. special envoy said Sunday on a tour of a Mideast long riven by faith. Sam Brownback, the U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, criticized Sudan's government amid protests against longtime President Omar al-Bashir during an interview with The Associated Press. He also lauded steps taken by the United Arab Emirates and promises made by Saudi Arabia while acknowledging far more needs to be done in those countries to promote and protect the right to choose one's faith. "No, it's not enough but it's something," Brownback said in the Emirati capital of Abu Dhabi. "They're not perfect countries by any means nor is the United States . but what I really think we need to do is to start people on a process and on an engagement moving forward." Brownback, a Republican who served in the U.S. Senate and later as the governor of Kansas for two terms, said he traveled to Pakistan to discuss the country being newly placed on the blacklist, which can lead to a nation facing economic sanctions. Pakistan, home to some 200 million people, has blasphemy laws that carry an automatic death sentence for a conviction of insulting Islam. Blasphemy allegations alone can lead to deadly mob violence. The U.S. put Pakistan on its religious freedom blacklist in December, though U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held back on imposing sanctions on the U.S.-allied nation. Brownback told the AP he met with Pakistan's foreign minister, who promised to appoint a point person to handle the U.S. concerns. "They've had a lot of difficulties as a nation on this topic on religious freedom so what I was there for was to talk about changing," Brownback said. Sam Brownback, the U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, speaks to journalists in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Pakistan has "a desire to change" its ways and be removed from an American blacklist of countries that infringe religious freedoms, Brownback said Sunday on a tour of a Mideast long riven by faith. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell) However, Brownback acknowledged there are repeat offenders on the blacklist, like U.S. ally Saudi Arabia. He praised King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, saying "the language coming out of the leadership is substantially different." However, Brownback himself brought up the assassination of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, calling it "a horrific thing that went on." "They've got a long way to go," he said. Brownback, who converted to Catholicism in 2002, praised the UAE for hosting the recent visit of Pope Francis. The pontiff's visit and his Roman Catholic papal Mass both were the first on the Arabian Peninsula, the birthplace of Islam. Brownback also praised an Emirati effort to examine school books for children. However, he acknowledged the limits of religious freedom in the UAE as proselytizing by non-Muslims remains illegal. Conversion from Islam to another religion is illegal. Blasphemy and apostasy laws also carry a possible death sentence. "Even though we're in a "Year of Tolerance" here in the UAE, and I applaud that, tolerance is too low of a bar," Brownback earlier told a group of local journalists. "We need respect between the religions. They need to respect each other as this is a legitimate search for God. Whoever it is and whatever you believe, this is this is your heart's search. And that is your right as a dignified human to do it." A member of the UAE's government-run National Media Council later criticized an AP reporter's question about religious freedom in the Emirates during a news conference with Brownback. President Donald Trump picked Brownback to serve as the U.S. ambassador-at-large for religious freedom in 2017, though he only became ambassador in 2018. He had faced criticism from Democrats and LGBT groups over rescinding an order while governor that barred discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in Kansas. Brownback opposes abortion and gay marriage. Brownback as governor also ordered state agencies not to help resettle Syrian refugees amid that country's yearslong war. As a senator, Brownback paid particular attention to the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region. Asked about the ongoing protests there, Brownback declined to say whether he personally thought al-Bashir should leave. "The government there has just been terrible on how it's let its own people not be free and has persecuted their people for years and years and years," Brownback told the AP. "They've had a genocide in Darfur, they had a genocide (in) what they did to the Southern Sudanese, they continue to be a huge violator of religious freedom and I don't think they've served that nation well at all." ___ Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellap . VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Francis may have wrapped up his clergy sex abuse prevention summit at the Vatican, but a scandal over an Argentine bishop close to him is only gaining steam. The Associated Press has reported that the Vatican knew as early as 2015 about Bishop Gustavo Zanchetta's inappropriate behavior with seminarians. Yet he was allowed to stay on as bishop of the northern Argentine diocese of Oran on until 2017, when he resigned suddenly, only to be given a top job at the Vatican by Francis, his confessor. New documents published by the Tribune of Salta newspaper show that the original 2015 complaint reported that Zanchetta had gay porn on his cellphone involving "young people" having sex, as well as naked images of Zanchetta masturbating that he sent to others. The age of the "young people" isn't clear. But Francis told his summit Sunday that Vatican legislation criminalizing possession of child porn involving children under age 14 should change to include older victims. "We now consider that this age limit should be raised in order to expand the protections of minors and to bring out the gravity of these deeds," Francis said. It wasn't clear if Francis was referring to the Zanchetta case, which is now under investigation by both the Vatican and Argentine judicial authorities after alleged victims came forward accusing Zanchetta of sexual abuse. Pope Francis attends a penitential liturgy at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. The pontiff is hosting a four-day summit on preventing clergy sexual abuse, a high-stakes meeting designed to impress on Catholic bishops around the world that the problem is global and that there are consequences if they cover it up (Vincenzo Pinto/Pool Photo Via AP) The Vatican has insisted that Zanchetta was only facing "governance" problems at the time of his 2017 resignation and appointment at the Vatican, and that the first sexual abuse allegation was made in late 2018. The documents, however, make clear that the Vatican was aware of inappropriate sexual behavior by Zanchetta two years before he resigned. They show that Oran's seminary rector was so concerned that he told the Vatican ambassador in a formal complaint in 2016 that "urgent measures" were needed to protect his first-year students, since their introductory classes were held in Zanchetta's residence. The 2016 complaint, signed by the rector and two former vicar generals, listed Zanchetta's problematic behavior with seminarians, including walking by their rooms at night, asking them for massages, going into their rooms to wake them up in the morning and sitting on their beds, inviting them to drink alcohol and having an "obsessive omnipresence" in the seminary that made the young men feel "asphyxiated." The Vatican's longtime sex crimes prosecutor, Archbishop Charles Scicluna, on Sunday noted Francis' comments about wanting to raise the age to 18 for victims of child pornography. He said the Vatican to date only considers it a "grave delict" - and therefore handled by the Vatican office that handles sex abuse - if the porn involves a child under 14. Asked if Francis had the Zanchetta case in mind in proposing the change, Scicluna said he didn't know any specifics about the case. But he said "if someone is investigating a case, that's not covering it up." ___ More AP coverage of clergy sex abuse at https://www.apnews.com/Sexualabusebyclergy COLUMBUS, Miss. (AP) - The Latest on severe weekend weather in the South (all times local): 4 p.m. The National Weather service says it's still checking out damage from the weekend's worst tornado strike in Mississippi, but now has confirmed another twister hit in the same general region as the damaging twister in Columbus. It says an EF-0 tornado with 85-mph (135-kph) winds touched down in Artesia, Mississippi, at 4:53 p.m. Saturday, uprooting and snapping several trees and tearing away roofs from a mobile home and a tin shed. Artesia is a town of about 430 people. It's about 20 miles (32 kilometers) east-southeast of Columbus, a city of 24,000 where a large area was damaged Saturday. Columbus spokesman Joe Dillon says several homes, an empty two-story school and two city community centers were destroyed, along with some businesses in a strip mall. The eastbound lanes of Interstate 24 are blocked after a landslide occurred after several days of heavy rains Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, north of Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) "There was pretty extensive damage," Dillon says. "But the streets today have been filled with workers and volunteers, all working hard to clean up the mess." ___ 3:15 p.m. The West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management says the number of power outages from high winds has risen to more than 50,000 customers in that Appalachian state. Much of the state is under a wind advisory through Sunday evening. The National Weather Service says some areas of the state are expected to have winds of 25 to 35 mph (40-55 kph) with gusts up to 65 mph (105 kph). The weather service also says the high winds are expected to knock down trees and power lines and could make travel difficult. The state is also cleaning up after heavy rains. High water has begun to recede, but officials are still clearing away mud slides in some areas. ___ 2:30 p.m. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency says early damage reports indicate that at least 300 homes, 190 roads and bridges and 30 businesses in 20 counties were damaged by weekend storms. A news release Sunday notes that another 15 counties are still surveying damage - including Lowndes County, where a tornado hit, killing a woman, injuring 12 people and causing widespread destruction. The agency says the National Weather Service has confirmed that another tornado hit Tishomingo County, damaging two homes, two bridges and 22 roads. Grenada County reports 100 homes, 22 businesses and six roads damaged; 69 homes and 12 roads were damaged in Clay County; 60 homes in Lee County, 54 homes and 20 roads in Calhoun County; and 35 homes and 29 roads in Tishomingo County. The Red Cross has shelters open in Lee, Lowndes and Tallahatchie counties. ___ 11:45 a.m. The West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management says officials have evacuated 11 families in the southern part of the state from low-lying areas due to flooding from heavy rains. A statement from the agency says Wayne County emergency management agencies are in the field Sunday assessing property impacts and shelter needs. High wind warnings remain in effect Sunday for much of the state, with gusts of 40-50 mph expected. WCHS-TV reports more than 21,000 Appalachian Power customers are without power Sunday afternoon. Officials say storms and heavy rain led to a few mudslides, many of which have already been cleared. Water is still over some roadways, but has begun to recede. ___ 10:30 a.m. Officials in some eastern Kentucky counties are declaring emergencies due to heavy flooding and mudslides. Magoffin County issued a declaration late Saturday asking residents to stay off the roads unless in an emergency and to seek higher ground if necessary. Magoffin County Judge Executive Matt Wireman told WYMT-TV that residents of Salyersville Nursing and Rehab were evacuated to a school building due to high water. The station reports Martin, Jackson and Johnson counties have also declared states of emergency due to flooding. Kentucky transportation officials are preparing to close a portion of U.S. 23 in Floyd County due to an impending mudslide. The agency says they are letting northbound vehicle pass one at a time, but they are in the process of turning one of the southbound lanes into a northbound lane. ___ 10:15 a.m. The mayor of a Mississippi city says 12 people injured when a tornado swept through. Mayor Robert Smith Sr. says he was told that the injuries don't appear major. The injuries were in addition to one fatality reported earlier. Smith says a woman and her husband were renovating a house, and when the husband went to get them something to eat, the building collapsed and killed her. She was identified as 41-year-old Ashley Glynell Pounds of Tupelo. City spokesman Joe Dillon says the tornado also seriously damaged a school and two community center buildings. Smith says warehouses and other commercial buildings were damaged. The mayor says power outages are down from 6,000 immediately after the tornado to 1,500 to 2,000. But he says it will probably take until Thursday to get power back to everyone. ___ 9:40 a.m. Authorities in Tennessee say a man has died after his vehicle became submerged in high water fed by heavy rains in a weekend storm. The Knox County Sheriff's office says emergency crews were dispatched early Sunday to the flooded roadway and several agencies worked together to get the man out of his vehicle and take him to a hospital, but he was later pronounced dead. His identity wasn't released. Jeffrey Bagwell of Rural Metro told the Knoxville News Sentinel that witnesses said they tried yelling at the man as he drove into the water, which covered most of his car. Meanwhile, the Tennessee Department of Transportation says a portion of Interstate 24 in Davidson County is closed due to a mud slide. Video from news outlets shows dirt and mud covering all eastbound lanes near Exit 42. ___ 7:30 a.m. Officials in eastern Mississippi say at least one person has died after a weekend tornado struck the community. The mayor's office in Columbus, Mississippi, confirmed the death Sunday in a statement on Facebook, citing information from Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant. The statement said 41-year-old Ashley Glynell Pounds of Tupelo was with three other people in a building that collapsed in the storm Saturday evening. It said Pounds was taken to a hospital and died in surgery. The statement gave no information on the condition of the others in the building. The tornado smashed into a commercial district in the small Mississippi city, shattering businesses as severe storms raked the South on a weekend of drenching rains and a rising flood threat. ___ 12:01 a.m. A tornado smashed into a commercial district in the small Mississippi city of Columbus, shattering businesses as severe storms raked the South on a weekend of drenching rains and a rising flood threat. The tornado that shattered businesses the east Mississippi city was confirmed on radar, said meteorologist Anna Wolverton with the National Weather Service in Jackson. She told The Associated Press that experts would be headed Sunday to the city of about 23,000 people to gauge the tornado's intensity. There were no immediate reports of any deaths or injuries. Elsewhere around the South, homes, highways, and bridges have been flooded or put out of commission by the heavy rains. News outlets report that water rescues have been performed in some Middle Tennessee counties. Flash flood warnings and watches remained in place throughout the South. Downed telephone poles on 15th Street in Columbus, Miss., Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, following Saturday's tornado. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Pastor Steve Blaylock, left, comforts his wife Pat Blaylock, amid the rubble that was once the First Pentecostal Church in Columbus, Miss., Sunday morning, Feb. 24, 2019. A tornado Saturday wrecked havoc in the community, destroying a number of businesses as well as damaging and destroying homes. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Church members watch as student pastor Craig Blaylock, left, baptizes a church member at the First Pentecostal Church in Columbus, Miss., Sunday morning, Feb. 24, 2019. The church, in the background, was destroyed by a tornado Saturday afternoon, but church members opted to go ahead with the baptisms as planned. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Pastor Steve Blaylock looks over the broken lumber, loose paneling, insulation, and destroyed pews in the First Pentecostal Church in Columbus, Miss., Sunday morning, Feb. 24, 2019 after a Saturday tornado. While no-one was injured during the storm, at least one person was killed in town among the shattered businesses and wrecked homes. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) A child plays around the podium that was virtually undamaged or moved in the tornado that destroyed First Pentecostal Church in Columbus, Miss., Sunday morning, Feb. 24, 2019. While no-one was injured during Saturday's storm, at least one person was killed in town among the shattered businesses and wrecked homes. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Tornado strewn debris and fallen trees take their toll in this Columbus, Miss., neighborhood, Sunday morning, Feb. 24, 2019. At least one person was killed among the shattered businesses and wrecked homes that dotted the South as severe storms followed a weekend of drenching rains and a rising flood threat. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Broken lumber, loose paneling, insulation, and destroyed pews are all that remains of the First Pentecostal Church Sunday morning, Feb. 24, 2019 after a tornado Saturday in Columbus, Miss. At least one person was killed during Saturday's storm that shattered businesses and wrecked homes. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Tornado strewn debris and fallen trees in this Columbus, Miss., neighborhood, Sunday morning, Feb. 24, 2019. At least one person was killed among the shattered businesses and wrecked homes that dotted the South as severe storms followed a weekend of drenching rains and a rising flood threat. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Tornado strewn debris and fallen trees in this Columbus, Miss., neighborhood, Sunday morning, Feb. 24, 2019. At least one person was killed among the shattered businesses and wrecked homes that dotted the South as severe storms followed a weekend of drenching rains and a rising flood threat. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) A backhoe is used to removes fallen tree limbs in this Columbus, Miss., neighborhood, Sunday morning, Feb. 24, 2019. At least one person was killed among the shattered businesses and wrecked homes that dotted the South as severe storms followed a weekend of drenching rains and a rising flood threat. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) A car in the parking lot of Fast Dog Printing Co. on Conway Drive in Columbus, Miss., has it's rear window smashed after a tornado struck the area Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle) Pastor Steve Blaylock looks over the broken lumber, loose paneling, insulation, and destroyed pews in the First Pentecostal Church in Columbus, Miss., Sunday morning, Feb. 24, 2019 after a Saturday tornado. While no-one was injured during the storm, at least one person was killed in town among the shattered businesses and wrecked homes. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Charles Lowery of Columbus, Miss., rescues carved stands from the remains of his home, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, following Saturday's tornado. Lowery lamented not staying at home and protecting his property as his home was looted that evening. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Thomas Aaron checks on his beagles in the foreground of the remains of his tool and work shed, in Columbus, Miss., Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Aaron was at home Saturday when his neighborhood was hit by a tornado that knocked out his front windows, blew out his back door, knocked over a tree that destroyed his tool shed, but did not disturb his dogs. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) The eastbound lanes of Interstate 24 are blocked after a landslide occurred after several days of heavy rains Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, north of Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) The eastbound lanes of Interstate 24 are blocked after a landslide occurred after several days of heavy rains Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, north of Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) The eastbound lanes of Interstate 24 are blocked after a landslide occurred after several days of heavy rains Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, north of Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) A metal pipe sticks through the exterior wall of Fast Dog Printing Co. on Conway Drive in Columbus, Miss., after a tornado struck the area Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. The owners of the business said the pipe extended about four feet inside the business. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle) The eastbound lanes of Interstate 24 are blocked after a landslide occurred after several days of heavy rains Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, north of Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (AP) - British Prime Minister Theresa May announced Sunday that she is delaying a vote on her Brexit deal in Parliament, saying it should now take place by March 12, a little more than two weeks before the U.K. is due to leave the European Union. The move has the potential to further sow discord within her Cabinet. Three senior Cabinet members already had suggested Saturday that they may break ranks with her and back amendments to delay Britain's departure unless a deal is agreed upon by Parliament over the next week. But May told reporters as she traveled to Egypt for an EU-Arab League summit and talks with European Council President Donald Tusk that her negotiating team would return to Brussels on Tuesday for negotiations aimed at wringing concessions out of her reluctant EU partners. "As a result of that we won't bring a meaningful vote to Parliament this week. But we will ensure that that happens by March 12," she said. Britain is due to leave the EU in just over a month on March 29. The U.K. would be the first country to leave the bloc and the move is full of deep economic and political consequences. But May has been unable to convince the U.K. Parliament to endorse the draft Brexit deal she agreed with the Europeans in November. Any deal must also be endorsed by the European Parliament before the deadline. "It is still within our grasp to leave the European Union with a deal on March 29," May said. European Union Council President Donald Tusk, right, speaks with British Prime Minister Theresa May during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a summit of EU and Arab leaders at the Sharm El Sheikh convention center in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. British Prime Minister Theresa May is set to hold Brexit talks with European Council President Donald Tusk ahead of a potentially pivotal week for her plans to lead her country out of the European Union. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, Pool) An EU official said there had been "no tensions" between May and Tusk during their half-hour meeting. The official, who isn't permitted to speak publicly while the negotiations are ongoing, said that May informed Tusk about the "work and timeline to find a way forward on Brexit. In particular, the prime minister's plans in relation to the meaningful vote" meant to take place by March 12. Tusk, who chairs summits of EU leaders and acts on their behalf, recalled that Britain's 27 partners insist on "clarity that a proposal for the way forward can command a majority in the U.K." before the leaders take the issue up again. British lawmakers will consider various Brexit options this week as May continues to seek concessions from her EU counterparts. No visible signs of progress have emerged in recent weeks as the 27 other member countries continue to insist that they will not renegotiate the legally-binding divorce deal. European Union Council President Donald Tusk, right, prepares to take his seat with British Prime Minister Theresa May during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a summit of EU and Arab leaders at the Sharm El Sheikh convention center in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. British Prime Minister Theresa May is set to hold Brexit talks with European Council President Donald Tusk ahead of a potentially pivotal week for her plans to lead her country out of the European Union. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, Pool) European Union Council President Donald Tusk, right, speaks with British Prime Minister Theresa May during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a summit of EU and Arab leaders at the Sharm El Sheikh convention center in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. British Prime Minister Theresa May is set to hold Brexit talks with European Council President Donald Tusk ahead of a potentially pivotal week for her plans to lead her country out of the European Union. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, Pool) British Prime Minister Theresa May attends a meeting of leaders at an EU-Arab summit at the Sharm El Sheikh convention center in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Leaders from European Union and Arab League countries are holding their first-ever summit, meeting in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss migration, security and business deals. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) British Prime Minister Theresa May attends a meeting of leaders at an EU-Arab summit at the Sharm El Sheikh convention center in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Leaders from European Union and Arab League countries are holding their first-ever summit, meeting in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss migration, security and business deals. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks with the media as she arrives for an EU-Arab summit at the Sharm El Sheikh convention center in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. British Prime Minister Theresa May is set to hold Brexit held talks with European Council President Donald Tusk ahead of a potentially pivotal week for her plans to lead her country out of the European Union. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) Security guards walk along the main hall of the Sharm El Sheikh convention centre in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Leaders from the European Union and Arab countries are holding their first-ever summit aimed at deepening ties on migration, security and trade. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) YOLA, Nigeria (AP) - The latest on Nigeria's election (all times local): 11:25 p.m. Nigerian police say 128 people have been arrested for suspected election-related offenses, including ballot box-snatching, vote-trading and impersonation, while a "cache of explosives" was found. The police statement gives no further details about the explosives but says 38 "assorted weapons" also were seized. The statement says that despite the "few unfortunate incidents" Saturday's election was generally successful, though it expresses deep concern about hate speech by some politicians and supporters. One analysis unit recorded 39 deaths in election violence, including an extremist attack in the northeast. Electoral officials compile voting results at a collation center in Yola, n Nigeria, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Vote counting continued Sunday as Nigerians awaited the outcome of a presidential poll seen as a tight race between the president and a former vice president. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) Africa's most populous country has voted for president and more than 450 National Assembly seats. Official results are expected as early as Monday, though voting continued in scattered areas on Sunday because of various delays. ___ 4:05 p.m. Nigeria's election commission says it is happy with Saturday's generally peaceful election but it reports the killing of an election worker. Chairman Mahmood Yakubu says the worker was hit by a bullet while returning from election duty: "May her soul rest in peace." The chairman also says the national vote compilation center will open in Abuja Sunday evening, with at least one state among Nigeria's 36 already on the way to the capital after completing its vote count. Yakubu says voting continued Sunday in some parts of several states after the process was extended because of various issues. He says that "Nigerians have demonstrated extraordinary resilience and abiding faith in electoral process." But he notes that some election workers faced "intimidation, abduction, hostage-taking and violence." ___ 3:15 p.m. A Nigerian analysis unit says at least 35 people have been killed in election violence this weekend. SBM Intelligence says it is monitoring security for a nationwide civil society platform watching the election. Its head of research says they are using a network of informants and comparing their information with media reports. SBM says the 35 dead include seven people killed in a shootout between Nigeria's army and political "hoodlums" in Rivers state in the south. The army reported the deaths late Saturday in a statement. SBM also says an extremist attack in the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, was deadlier than reported, with three people killed shortly before polls opened. ___ 1:55 p.m. A spokesman for Nigeria's electoral commission says voting is still taking place Sunday "in several places" across the country. Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, the commission's director for publicity, gave no details about specific states where polls are still open. But some of the states affected by delays reportedly include Plateau, Nasarawa and Jigawa. The head of the electoral commission is expected to address the nation later Sunday as Nigerians await the results of Saturday's presidential election. The election has been marred by sporadic violence and delays at some polling stations that faced problems ranging from missing stamps to malfunctioning card readers. More than 72 million people were eligible to vote. ___ 12:25 p.m. Vote counting continues as Nigerians await the outcome of a presidential poll seen as a tight race between the president and a former vice president. Although voting was peaceful in most areas on Saturday, there were a few outbreaks of violence in the vast West African country and many reports of delays at polling stations. Many polling stations stayed open after dark to allow people waiting in line to vote. More than 72 million were eligible to vote in the election. Amid the delays, it's unclear when a winner will be announced. President Muhammadu Buhari, who won election in 2015, is seeking his second term. His main rival is former vice president and businessman, Atiku Abubakar. ___ Follow AP's full coverage of the Nigeria elections here: https://www.apnews.com/Nigeria ___ Follow Africa news at https://twitter.com/AP_Africa A newspaper vendor uses rocks to stop the day's front pages from blowing in the wind, at a newspaper stand in Kano, in northern Nigeria Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Vote counting continued Sunday as Nigerians awaited the outcome of a presidential poll seen as a tight race between the president and a former vice president. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) An electoral worker checks ballot boxes at the electoral commission office in Yola, Nigeria, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Vote counting continued Sunday as Nigerians awaited the outcome of a presidential poll seen as a tight race between the president and a former vice president. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) An electoral worker carries and stacks ballot boxes at an electoral commission office in Kano, in northern Nigeria Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Vote counting continued Sunday as Nigerians awaited the outcome of a presidential poll seen as a tight race between the president and a former vice president. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) In this photo taken on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, vigilantes armed with weapons control traffic on the street in Yola, Nigeria. Thousands of civilian volunteers who identify as the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, have banded together to fight Islamic extremists and other bandits who have turned parts of Nigeria's north into a warzone. The work of the vigilantes, who work closely with local authorities, is believed to have made towns like Yola, capital of the northern state of Adamawa, safer ahead of Saturday's presidential vote and the count on Sunday. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) Electoral officials compile voting results at a collation center in Kano, northern Nigeria Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Vote counting continued Sunday as Nigerians awaited the outcome of a presidential poll seen as a tight race between the president and a former vice president. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) Electoral officials compile voting results at a collation center in Kano, northern Nigeria Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Vote counting continued Sunday as Nigerians awaited the outcome of a presidential poll seen as a tight race between the president and a former vice president. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) A man push cart past a mosque in Yola, Nigeria, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Vote counting continued Sunday as Nigerians awaited the outcome of a presidential poll seen as a tight race between the president and a former vice president. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) Police attempt to calm opposition supporters who entered a vote compilation center to allege irregularities, before being ejected, in Kano, in northern Nigeria Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Vote counting continued Sunday as Nigerians awaited the outcome of a presidential poll seen as a tight race between the president and a former vice president. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) Police attempt to calm opposition supporters who entered a vote compilation center to allege irregularities, before being ejected, in Kano, in northern Nigeria Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Vote counting continued Sunday as Nigerians awaited the outcome of a presidential poll seen as a tight race between the president and a former vice president. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) An electoral worker carries and stacks ballot boxes at an electoral commission office in Kano, in northern Nigeria Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Vote counting continued Sunday as Nigerians awaited the outcome of a presidential poll seen as a tight race between the president and a former vice president. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) YOLA, Nigeria (AP) - One by one the uniformed men carrying crude weapons and wearing traditional amulets materialized on the dark street in the northern Nigerian city of Yola. Then, after midnight, their commander issued orders and the 30 men dispersed on foot to set up roadblocks and flag down vehicles. They shone flashlights at frightened drivers who squirmed to show identification papers. When the operation was over, two hours later, at least five suspicious men were detained and later turned over to the police. These civilian volunteers - a motley crew that includes carpenters, metal workers, teachers and even some students - call themselves the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, hunters of Islamic extremists and other bandits who have turned parts of Nigeria's north into a war zone. The group, which works closely with local authorities, is believed to have made cities like Yola, capital of the northeastern state of Adamawa, more secure in the months leading up to the presidential election, including the counting taking place Sunday. "Forget about the police," said Mustapha Bashar, top commander of the Adamawa branch of the group, beaming from the back of a car. "Right now, we are doing their work. We are the only security personnel who are carrying out these patrols at night." Bashar has a network of 10,000 vigilantes across Adamawa, even including spies working undercover in markets, he said, describing a formal organization with a hierarchy of leadership. Fighters stood erect before Bashar and saluted him. Boko Haram continues to wreak havoc in a deadly campaign that has killed over 27,000 people and displaced over 1.7 million in the predominantly Muslim north. This was a major campaign issue in the election, as voters in the north demand an end to a security crisis that has traumatized millions of Nigerians. In this photo taken on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, vigilantes armed with crude weapons mount a roadblock on a dark street in Yola, Nigeria. Thousands of civilian volunteers who identify as the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, have banded together to fight Islamic extremists and other bandits who have turned parts of Nigeria's north into a warzone. The work of the vigilantes, who work closely with local authorities, is believed to have made towns like Yola, capital of the northern state of Adamawa, safer ahead of Saturday's presidential vote and the count on Sunday. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) President Muhammadu Buhari was voted into office in 2015 on a promise to defeat Boko Haram, but the extremists have continued to inflict violence and a second group has formed, calling itself the Islamic State West Africa Province. That group claimed an attack in Maiduguri shortly before voting started Saturday. The insurgency also has inspired the work of vigilantes armed with machetes, knives, sticks, and homemade guns that resemble assault rifles. In their coffee brown uniforms, complete with shoulder epaulets, these Boko Haram hunters also have "fortified themselves" with traditional charms they believe offer protection against an ambush, said Mohammed Kabir, a statistics lecturer at a federal polytechnic who commands one of several units of the group in Yola. "Most of our people are hardened," he said, feeling the tip of an arrow that he said had been smeared with poison that could kill a man instantly. "We carry out arrests the police cannot make. There are places the police are afraid to go." Patrolling the town later, Kabir and his men didn't encounter any police, and they arrested three young men believed to be under the influence of narcotics. Two others taken into custody couldn't explain why they were out so late. Another man said he was returning from treatment at a local hospital, produced documents to prove it and was escorted home. Although Boko Haram attacks are rare in Yola, hometown of the opposition candidate Abubakar, many remain wary of the danger posed by the extremist group whose guerrilla tactics have strained the armed forces. Nigeria's army has faced pointed questions over the years over its failure to end the Boko Haram scourge despite heaving defense spending. Transparency International charged in 2017 that military corruption worsened the Boko Haram conflict as defense officials sought to profit from fraudulent arms contracts. Nigeria's current vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, alleged last year that the country lost $15 billion in corrupt arms procurement deals during previous administrations. Buhari's government is not immune to similar charges. Members of the Yola vigilante group noted that although huge sums of money had been spent - the National Assembly approved a record $147 million for election security - not a single coin had entered the group's coffers. The voluntary group, which operates on donations and owns no patrol vehicles, has written many times to the Adamawa governor requesting four cars, according to commanders Bashar and Kabir. "It's like we don't exist," said Kabir, who joined the group in 2014 following a Boko Haram attack in the town of Mubi that forced his family to flee into Cameroon before relocating to Yola. "There is zero assistance from the government." Adamawa Governor Jibrilla Bindow didn't respond to questions about the vigilantes' concerns. Abubakar Aliyu, a senior officer with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps in Yola, said the self-defense group had become an important component of the security apparatus keeping Adamawa state safe for all residents. "The police can't do this work alone," he said, his colleagues nodding in agreement. "The vigilantes know the terrain well. They work hand in hand with the police." The civilian patrols have gained the trust of some in Yola, a hardscrabble city of some 400,000 whose streets are dominated by the yellow tricycles offering public transport. "We trust them because we know all of them," said student Zakiyu Abdullahi. "I feel better and I feel safe when I meet them at night. They are, one way or the other, trying to ensure that society is safe." The group has intercepted many people believed to be dangerous over the years, including a man caught outside the palace of the local emir in 2016, said Ammar Khalil, who has served in patrols since 2013. Khalil said he was proud "to suffer for (his) country," recalling that the Boko Haram suspect he helped to apprehend was handed over to the police. "We don't judge any cases in our office," he said. "We take these people to the police and it is for them to act." ___ Follow AP's full coverage of the Nigeria elections here: https://www.apnews.com/Nigeria ___ Follow Africa news at https://twitter.com/AP_Africa In this photo taken on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, a vigilante armed with a weapon stands on a street in Yola, Nigeria. Thousands of civilian volunteers who identify as the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, have banded together to fight Islamic extremists and other bandits who have turned parts of Nigeria's north into a warzone. The work of the vigilantes, who work closely with local authorities, is believed to have made towns like Yola, capital of the northern state of Adamawa, safer ahead of Saturday's presidential vote and the count on Sunday. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) In this photo taken on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, vigilantes armed with a weapons stands on a street in Yola, Nigeria. Thousands of civilian volunteers who identify as the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, have banded together to fight Islamic extremists and other bandits who have turned parts of Nigeria's north into a warzone. The work of the vigilantes, who work closely with local authorities, is believed to have made towns like Yola, capital of the northern state of Adamawa, safer ahead of Saturday's presidential vote and the count on Sunday. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) In this photo taken on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, vigilantes armed with a weapons search a vehicle on a street in Yola, Nigeria. Thousands of civilian volunteers who identify as the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, have banded together to fight Islamic extremists and other bandits who have turned parts of Nigeria's north into a warzone. The work of the vigilantes, who work closely with local authorities, is believed to have made towns like Yola, capital of the northern state of Adamawa, safer ahead of Saturday's presidential vote and the count on Sunday. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) In this photo taken on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, vigilantes armed with a weapons stands on a street in Yola, Nigeria. Thousands of civilian volunteers who identify as the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, have banded together to fight Islamic extremists and other bandits who have turned parts of Nigeria's north into a warzone. The work of the vigilantes, who work closely with local authorities, is believed to have made towns like Yola, capital of the northern state of Adamawa, safer ahead of Saturday's presidential vote and the count on Sunday. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) In this photo taken on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, vigilantes armed with a weapons stands on a street in Yola, Nigeria. Thousands of civilian volunteers who identify as the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, have banded together to fight Islamic extremists and other bandits who have turned parts of Nigeria's north into a warzone. The work of the vigilantes, who work closely with local authorities, is believed to have made towns like Yola, capital of the northern state of Adamawa, safer ahead of Saturday's presidential vote and the count on Sunday. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) In this photo taken on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, vigilantes armed with a weapons stands on a street in Yola, Nigeria. Thousands of civilian volunteers who identify as the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, have banded together to fight Islamic extremists and other bandits who have turned parts of Nigeria's north into a warzone. The work of the vigilantes, who work closely with local authorities, is believed to have made towns like Yola, capital of the northern state of Adamawa, safer ahead of Saturday's presidential vote and the count on Sunday. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) In this photo taken on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, vigilantes armed with a weapons search vehicles on a street in Yola, Nigeria. Thousands of civilian volunteers who identify as the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, have banded together to fight Islamic extremists and other bandits who have turned parts of Nigeria's north into a warzone. The work of the vigilantes, who work closely with local authorities, is believed to have made towns like Yola, capital of the northern state of Adamawa, safer ahead of Saturday's presidential vote and the count on Sunday. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) Electoral officials compile voting results at a collation center in Kano, northern Nigeria Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Vote counting continued Sunday as Nigerians awaited the outcome of a presidential poll seen as a tight race between the president and a former vice president. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) In this photo taken on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, vigilantes armed with a weapons search vehicles on a street in Yola, Nigeria. Thousands of civilian volunteers who identify as the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, have banded together to fight Islamic extremists and other bandits who have turned parts of Nigeria's north into a warzone. The work of the vigilantes, who work closely with local authorities, is believed to have made towns like Yola, capital of the northern state of Adamawa, safer ahead of Saturday's presidential vote and the count on Sunday. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) In this photo taken on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, vigilantes armed with a weapons search vehicles on a street in Yola, Nigeria. Thousands of civilian volunteers who identify as the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, have banded together to fight Islamic extremists and other bandits who have turned parts of Nigeria's north into a warzone. The work of the vigilantes, who work closely with local authorities, is believed to have made towns like Yola, capital of the northern state of Adamawa, safer ahead of Saturday's presidential vote and the count on Sunday. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) In this photo taken on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, Mohammed Kabir, a statistics teacher and a vigilante commander, supervises during a checks on a street in Yola, Nigeria. Thousands of civilian volunteers who identify as the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, have banded together to fight Islamic extremists and other bandits who have turned parts of Nigeria's north into a warzone. The work of the vigilantes, who work closely with local authorities, is believed to have made towns like Yola, capital of the northern state of Adamawa, safer ahead of Saturday's presidential vote and the count on Sunday. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (AP) - Leaders from European Union and Arab League countries are holding their first-ever summit, meeting in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss migration, security and business deals. Under tight security on the Red Sea coast, the leaders are likely Sunday to commit to addressing conflicts in Syria and Yemen or stalled Middle East peace efforts, while papering over major differences about how to resolve them or who might be responsible. Amid this public display of unity, just drafting a summit statement has proved difficult. EU and Arab League foreign ministers failed to agree earlier this month on a text after Hungary objected to the section on migration. Europe's migration challenge is at the heart of the two-day meeting, being held under the slogan "Investing in Stability." Desperate to bring migrant arrivals under control, the EU offered the summit last October as a symbolic sweetener to Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, much as they did with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2015. The EU wants el-Sissi to order the Egyptian coast guard to pick up migrants leaving Libya and take them back to the African mainland, ensuring they do not become Europe's responsibility. El-Sissi, in turn, receives high-profile European recognition, promotion for Sharm el-Sheikh, and is likely to avoid any lessons on human rights. While the number of people crossing the central Mediterranean has now dropped to a seven-year low, Europe's inability to agree on how to manage the arrivals has sparked a major political crisis, as nations bicker over who should take responsibility and whether other EU partners should help out. Some, like Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Hungary, claim that extremists are entering among the refugees. Security guards walk along the main hall of the Sharm El Sheikh convention centre in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Leaders from the European Union and Arab countries are holding their first-ever summit aimed at deepening ties on migration, security and trade. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) Just days before the summit, the head of the EU's border and coast guard agency praised the authorities in Cairo for preventing any migrant from setting out for Europe from the Egyptian coast since 2016. "There are no boats coming directly from Egypt to the European Union," Frontex director Fabrice Leggeri said. "The cooperation with Egypt is really encouraging and is developing." The EU routinely trumpets an agreement it reached with Erdogan for slowing migrant arrivals to a trickle in exchange for up to 6 billion euros ($7 billion) in aid for Syrian refugees there and other incentives. It has pledged to replicate the deal in northern Africa. Ahead of this inaugural summit, experts and European officials played down any expectation of major results. "The timing is very important because it comes after eight years of instability in the Mediterranean affecting Europe and the Middle East," Saeed Sadek, professor of political sociology at the Canadian University in Cairo told The Associated Press. "Both sides want to know how can we stabilize the area further, produce stability, how can we deal with the consequences and prevent any further escalations," said Sadek. "But the imbalance of power between the two sides may not produce the concrete results that people imagine." ___ Associated Press video reporter Ahmed Hatem contributed. BERLIN (AP) - Austrian authorities say a German man is still missing after an avalanche in Austria buried a group of backcountry skiers, killing one and injuring a second. Three other skiers were rescued unharmed. The Austrian news agency APA reported Sunday that Austrian and German rescue teams and planes were looking for the missing 43-year-old man, but their search was complicated by the threat of new avalanches. The six men had been on a backcountry tour through a forest near the Austrian town of Reutte on the German border when an avalanche buried them Saturday afternoon on a treeless stretch. The missing man, the 42-year-old who died and the 37-year-old who was injured were all from Bavaria in southern Germany. It wasn't clear where the three unharmed men came from. Emergency service helicopters work to ferry rescue search workers to the scene of an avalanche which buried a group of skiers Saturday, in Reutte, Austria, Sunday Feb. 24, 2019. Austrian authorities say a German man is still missing after an avalanche buried a group of skiers, killing one and injuring a second. (Extremwetter & News TV via AP) Rescue search workers are lowered to the ground suspended from a helicopter ferrying searchers to and from the scene of an avalanche that buried a group of skiers Saturday, in Reutte, Austria, Sunday Feb. 24, 2019. Austrian authorities say a German man is still missing after an avalanche buried a group of skiers, killing one and injuring a second. (Extremwetter & News TV via AP) ASNI, Morocco (AP) - Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, flew up to a village in Morocco's rugged Atlas Mountains on Sunday to visit a school and encourage girls to pursue an education no matter what the obstacles. Harry and the pregnant Meghan landed in the mountain town of Asni on Sunday morning on a brief official visit to Morocco. They arrived by helicopter from the capital of Rabat and were welcomed by pupils from a school run by the Moroccan foundation Education for All. The school educates girls from rural communities whose parents would not be able to afford secondary education, and houses them in a boarding house since some come from villages 50 miles (80 kilometers) away. "They made us feel like they are normal people just like us, like people we knew from before," said high school student Asmae Mennani, 17, describing how the royals inquired about her academic ambitions and encouraged her to continue studying. Girls' education in Morocco is hindered by high rates of child labor and child marriage. In rural areas, especially in the Atlas Mountains, the distance to schools presents another significant challenge to getting an education. "They know that our families live far from us. They asked me about how far my village is and if I miss my family," said 17-year-old Samira Ouaddi, whose village, which has no school, is 30 miles (48 kilometers) away. Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit the 'Education for All' boarding house in Asni Town in Morocco, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a three day visit to the country. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) She performed a traditional henna ceremony on Meghan for good luck during her pregnancy, tattooing her hand with a flower drawing and giving herself and her friends the same tattoo. "It will make my parents really proud when I tell them the story," she said. "It was so much pressure to do henna on a princess. I was shaking, but she comforted me and said that it's all okay. She gave me hope." Many of the girls said Meghan and Harry were very humble and urged them to aim high. "It's great that they have a princess to look up to. They thought that they would be lofty and arrogant but were pleasantly surprised to find out that it's the opposite," said Khaoula Aittoufkirt, who had studied at the boarding school five years ago. Hundreds of the village residents swarmed out of their homes to catch a glimpse of Meghan and Harry, who left waving at the crowd. The brief visit to Morocco is expected to be Meghan's last international trip before she gives birth to the couple's first child in April. Later Sunday the royal couple will attend a reception by the British ambassador to Morocco, where they will meet women activists, disabled athletes and entrepreneurs. They plan to return to Britain on Tuesday. Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are greeted as they arrive for a visit to an 'Education for All' boarding house in Asni Town in Morocco, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a three day visit to the country. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during a visit to an 'Education for All' boarding house in Asni Town in Morocco, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a three day visit to the country. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is greeted as she arrives with Prince Harry for a visit to an 'Education for All' boarding house in Asni Town in Morocco, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a three day visit to the country. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, with her hand displaying a henna tattoo during a visit to an 'Education for All' boarding house in Asni Town in Morocco, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a three day visit to the country. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, with her hand displaying a henna tattoo during a visit to an 'Education for All' boarding house in Asni Town in Morocco, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a three day visit to the country. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, with her hand displaying a henna tattoo during a visit to an 'Education for All' boarding house in Asni Town in Morocco, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a three day visit to the country. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Britain's Prince Harry gestures as he arrives for a visit to an 'Education for All' boarding house in Asni Town in Morocco, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a three day visit to the country. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive for a visit to an 'Education for All' boarding house in Asni Town in Morocco, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a three day visit to the country. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive for a visit to an 'Education for All' boarding house in Asni Town in Morocco, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a three day visit to the country. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrive at the Lycee Qualifiant Grand Atlas school in Asni, Morocco, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a three day visit to the country. (Facundo Arrizabalaga/Pool via AP) VATICAN CITY (AP) - The Latest on Pope Francis' summit at the Vatican on preventing clergy sex abuse (all times local): 1:55 p.m. The Vatican has announced it will soon issue a child protection policy and guidelines for preventing sexual abuse of minors for Vatican City State. The Associated Press reported last year that Vatican City, the headquarters of the global Catholic Church, had no such policy. The Rev. Federico Lombardi, the moderator of Pope Francis' summit on abuse prevention, announced at the summit's end Sunday that the Vatican in the near future would issue a new law covering the Roman Curia, or bureaucracy, and be in effect in Vatican City. The lack of a policy was significant, since the Holy See had tasked bishops conferences around the world in 2011 with creating written child protection guidelines. It had also told the United Nations in 2014 that a written child protection policy was in the works. Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Pope Francis celebrated a final Mass to conclude his extraordinary summit of Catholic leaders summoned to Rome for a tutorial on preventing clergy sexual abuse and protecting children from predator priests. The Mass was celebrated Sunday in the Sala Regia, one of the grand, frescoed reception rooms of the Apostolic Palace. (Giuseppe Lami/Pool Photo via AP) ___ 1:15 p.m. Pope Francis may have ended his clergy sex abuse prevention summit at the Vatican, but a scandal over an Argentine bishop close to him is only gaining steam. The Associated Press has reported that the Vatican knew as early as 2015 about Bishop Gustavo Zanchetta's inappropriate behavior with seminarians. Yet he was allowed to stay as bishop of Oran on until August 2017, when he resigned suddenly, only to be given a top job at the Vatican by the pope. Diocesan documents published by the Tribune of Salta newspaper show that the original 2015 complaint reported that Zanchetta had gay porn involving "young people" having sex on his phone. Their age isn't clear. Francis told his summit Sunday that Vatican laws criminalizing possession of child porn involving children under 14 should change to raise the age and expand the protections for minors. ___ 11 a.m. Pope Francis has concluded his extraordinary summit on preventing clergy sex abuse by vowing to confront abusers with "the wrath of God," end the cover-ups by their superiors and prioritize victims of this "brazen, aggressive and destructive evil." Francis delivered his remarks at the end of Mass on Sunday before 190 Catholic bishops and religious superiors summoned to Rome after a renewed explosion of the clergy abuse scandal sparked a credibility crisis in the Catholic hierarchy and in Francis' own leadership. The Jesuit pope noted that the vast majority of sexual abuse happens in the family. But he said the evil of sexual abuse of children becomes even more scandalous when it occurs in the Catholic Church "for it is utterly incompatible with her moral authority and ethical credibility." ___ 9 a.m. Pope Francis is celebrating a final Mass to conclude his extraordinary summit of Catholic leaders summoned to Rome for a tutorial on preventing clergy sexual abuse and protecting children from predator priests. The Mass was being celebrated Sunday in the Sala Regia, one of the grand, frescoed reception rooms of the Apostolic Palace. Australian Archbishop Mark Coleridge was delivering the homily; Francis was to offer final remarks at the end of Mass. Francis summoned 190 presidents of bishops conferences and religious superiors from around the world to attend the four-day meeting to impress upon them that clergy sex abuse and the cover-up of it is a global problem that threatens the very mission of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Pope Francis celebrated a final Mass to conclude his extraordinary summit of Catholic leaders summoned to Rome for a tutorial on preventing clergy sexual abuse and protecting children from predator priests. The Mass was celebrated Sunday in the Sala Regia, one of the grand, frescoed reception rooms of the Apostolic Palace. (Giuseppe Lami/Pool Photo via AP) Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Pope Francis celebrated a final Mass to conclude his extraordinary summit of Catholic leaders summoned to Rome for a tutorial on preventing clergy sexual abuse and protecting children from predator priests. The Mass was celebrated Sunday in the Sala Regia, one of the grand, frescoed reception rooms of the Apostolic Palace. (Giuseppe Lami/Pool Photo via AP) Pope Francis attends a penitential liturgy at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. The pontiff is hosting a four-day summit on preventing clergy sexual abuse, a high-stakes meeting designed to impress on Catholic bishops around the world that the problem is global and that there are consequences if they cover it up (Vincenzo Pinto/Pool Photo Via AP) A survivor of sex abuse, who wished to remain anonymous, background right, plays violin after he delivered his testimony during a penitential liturgy attended by Pope Francis at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. The pontiff is hosting a four-day summit on preventing clergy sexual abuse, a high-stakes meeting designed to impress on Catholic bishops around the world that the problem is global and that there are consequences if they cover it up. (Vincenzo Pinto/Pool Photo Via AP) Pope Francis attends a penitential liturgy at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. The pontiff is hosting a four-day summit on preventing clergy sexual abuse, a high-stakes meeting designed to impress on Catholic bishops around the world that the problem is global and that there are consequences if they cover it up. (Vincenzo Pinto/Pool Photo Via AP) Pope Francis, center, attends a penitential liturgy at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. The pontiff is hosting a four-day summit on preventing clergy sexual abuse, a high-stakes meeting designed to impress on Catholic bishops around the world that the problem is global and that there are consequences if they cover it up (Vincenzo Pinto/Pool Photo Via AP) A survivor of sex abuse, who wished to remain anonymous, background right, delivers his testimony during a penitential liturgy attended by Pope Francis at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. The pontiff is hosting a four-day summit on preventing clergy sexual abuse, a high-stakes meeting designed to impress on Catholic bishops around the world that the problem is global and that there are consequences if they cover it up. (Vincenzo Pinto/Pool Photo Via AP) A survivor of sex abuse, who wished to remain anonymous, background right, delivers his testimony during a penitential liturgy attended by Pope Francis at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. The pontiff is hosting a four-day summit on preventing clergy sexual abuse, a high-stakes meeting designed to impress on Catholic bishops around the world that the problem is global and that there are consequences if they cover it up. (Vincenzo Pinto/Pool Photo Via AP) Faithful and prelates gather in the Sala Regia during a penitential liturgy attended by Pope Francis at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. The pontiff is hosting a four-day summit on preventing clergy sexual abuse, a high-stakes meeting designed to impress on Catholic bishops around the world that the problem is global and that there are consequences if they cover it up. (Vincenzo Pinto/Pool Photo Via AP) Pope Francis attends a penitential liturgy at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. The pontiff is hosting a four-day summit on preventing clergy sexual abuse, a high-stakes meeting designed to impress on Catholic bishops around the world that the problem is global and that there are consequences if they cover it up. (Vincenzo Pinto/Pool Photo Via AP) Pope Francis, background third from left, attends a penitential liturgy at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. The pontiff is hosting a four-day summit on preventing clergy sexual abuse, a high-stakes meeting designed to impress on Catholic bishops around the world that the problem is global and that there are consequences if they cover it up. (Vincenzo Pinto/Pool Photo Via AP) Pope Francis attends a penitential liturgy at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. The pontiff is hosting a four-day summit on preventing clergy sexual abuse, a high-stakes meeting designed to impress on Catholic bishops around the world that the problem is global and that there are consequences if they cover it up. (Vincenzo Pinto/Pool Photo Via AP) Pope Francis, background third from left, attends a penitential liturgy at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. The pontiff is hosting a four-day summit on preventing clergy sexual abuse, a high-stakes meeting designed to impress on Catholic bishops around the world that the problem is global and that there are consequences if they cover it up. (Vincenzo Pinto/Pool Photo Via AP) Pope Francis, background third from left, attends a penitential liturgy at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. The pontiff is hosting a four-day summit on preventing clergy sexual abuse, a high-stakes meeting designed to impress on Catholic bishops around the world that the problem is global and that there are consequences if they cover it up. (Vincenzo Pinto/Pool Photo Via AP) Pope Francis, background center, attends a penitential liturgy at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. The pontiff is hosting a four-day summit on preventing clergy sexual abuse, a high-stakes meeting designed to impress on Catholic bishops around the world that the problem is global and that there are consequences if they cover it up. (Vincenzo Pinto/Pool Photo Via AP) Pope Francis attends a penitential liturgy at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. The pontiff is hosting a four-day summit on preventing clergy sexual abuse, a high-stakes meeting designed to impress on Catholic bishops around the world that the problem is global and that there are consequences if they cover it up. (Vincenzo Pinto/Pool Photo Via AP) Pope Francis attends a penitential liturgy at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. The pontiff is hosting a four-day summit on preventing clergy sexual abuse, a high-stakes meeting designed to impress on Catholic bishops around the world that the problem is global and that there are consequences if they cover it up. (Vincenzo Pinto/Pool Photo Via AP) SRINAGAR, India (AP) - Three rebels, a counterinsurgency police officer and an army soldier were killed Sunday during a gunbattle in Kashmir, officials said, as shops and businesses shut down to protest a sweeping and ongoing crackdown against activists seeking the end of Indian rule in the disputed region. The fighting triggered large anti-India protests and clashes as hundreds of residents thronged the village of Turigam in the southern Kulgam area and barraged troops with stones. An army officer and two other soldiers were injured in the fighting, which was still raging later Sunday. Government forces opened fire with shotguns and tear gas to quell the protesters, injuring at least half a dozen civilians, residents and emergency workers said. Police and paramilitary soldiers also patrolled streets in Srinagar, the region's main city, and enforced a security lockdown in its downtown area in anticipation of protests and clashes. Carrying automatic rifles and wearing riot gear, soldiers and police erected iron barricades and laid razor wire on roads and intersections to cut off neighborhoods. The crackdown began Friday night. Police are mainly targeting Kashmir's largest political-religious group, Jama'at-e-Islami. The group is dedicated to the right to self-determination for the Himalayan region, which is divided between India and Pakistan but claimed by both in its entirety. An Indian paramilitary soldier is seen through barbed wire as he stands guard during security lockdown in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Shops and businesses have closed in Kashmir to protest a sweeping crackdown against activists seeking the end of Indian rule in the disputed region. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin) Indian authorities have so far arrested at least 400 Kashmiri leaders and activists, escalating fears among already wary residents that a sweeping crackdown could touch off renewed anti-India protests and clashes. They are detained in police stations and jails across Kashmir. Among those arrested were Jama'at-e-Islami head Abdul Hamid Fayaz and Mohammed Yasin Malik, an influential pro-independence leader who heads the Jammu-Kashmir Liberation Front. Sunday's strike was called by the Joint Resistance Leadership, or JRL, which comprises three top Kashmiri leaders, including Malik. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, another JRL member, denounced the arrests and said India's latest crackdown would fail as "people won't give up their struggle for freedom." "India is already at war with Kashmiris. Now they're warmongering with Pakistan. We again warn (Indian authorities) to de-escalate and talk as no force can push us into submission," Farooq said. "There's a going to be serious ramification, a reaction to this (crackdown). It'll force more youngsters to armed militancy." The crackdown comes amid high tensions between India and Pakistan following the Feb. 14 suicide car bombing of a paramilitary convoy by a local Kashmiri militant. Forty Indian soldiers died in the attack. India quickly blamed the attack on Pakistan and promised a "jaw-breaking response." Pakistan warned India against linking it to the attack without an investigation, and offered dialogue to resolve all issues, including Kashmir. Residents fear the crackdown could be a prelude to a military strike by India against Pakistan or tinkering with Kashmir's special status in India's constitution. India's Supreme Court has yet to give its verdict on a petition against the special provision that it has been hearing for more than a year. Indian authorities rushed about 10,000 additional paramilitary soldiers to the already highly militarized Kashmir Valley. Indian soldiers are ubiquitous in Kashmir and local residents make little secret of their fury toward the presence of the soldiers in the Himalayan region, calling them an occupying force. State Gov. Satya Pal Malik said in a statement Sunday that the additional troops were deployed for India's general election, due in the next few months. Referring to the crackdown, he said: "This is purely related to the (Feb. 14) attack. The response of security forces is guided solely by the need to counter both the impact and any further action that may be taken by terrorist groups who are still out to disrupt our country." Rebels have been fighting since 1989 against Indian control in Kashmir. About 70,000 people have been killed in the uprising and ensuing crackdown. Most Kashmiris support the rebels' demand that the territory be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country, while also participating in civilian street protests against Indian control. A Kashmiri cyclist rides on a deserted street during security lockdown in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Shops and businesses have closed in Kashmir to protest a sweeping crackdown against activists seeking the end of Indian rule in the disputed region. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin) DAKAR, Senegal (AP) - Senegal's President Macky Sall sought re-election Sunday on his record of building roads and creating jobs, while opposition supporters maintained those efforts had not reached many in this West African country where young men often risk their lives to migrate to Europe. This year's vote also has been marked by allegations that the presidency had effectively blocked two prominent opposition politicians from taking part: Dakar's former mayor and the son of the president Sall ousted from office in 2012. Sall, 57, who cast his ballot in his hometown of Fatick, was hoping to win a second term outright Sunday without heading to a runoff vote. Opposition voters were divided between four candidates including Idrissa Seck, a former prime minister who has run for the presidency twice before. "I hope that after this election whomever is chosen will be the president of all Senegalese," Sall said at his polling station. "I hope that will be me." Sall has dubbed himself "the builder of modern Senegal," and billboards lining Dakar's highways tout the 221 kilometers (137 miles) of new roads and a high speed train in the works that will link the capital to its brand new international airport. The West African country's annual GDP growth was 7.2 percent in 2017, and Sall says some 491,000 jobs were created during his first term. He is pledging to add 1 million more if re-elected. Senegal's incumbent President Macky Sall casts his vote during the presidential election at a polling station in Fatick, Senegal, Sunday Feb. 24, 2019. Senegalese voters are choosing Sunday whether to give President Macky Sall a second term in office as critics accused the incumbent leader of having blocked the strongest opposition candidates from running against him. (AP Photo) In Dakar's Guediawaye neighborhood, voters made their way across a sand courtyard to cast ballots at the Kawsara Fall school just before 8 a.m., many clutching prayer beads and plastic cups of coffee. Mamadou Tall, 45, said that he was backing Seck, an opposition candidate, because the president's big projects had yet to improve the lives of many Senegalese. "Around here there are many young men taking the boats to Europe. Unemployment is a real problem," said Tall, who wore a long flowing white embroidered robe known as a boubou. "In many families there is one person working and he's supporting 12 to 15 relatives." While the president has touted the city's new airport, Tall pointed out that the project began under his predecessor, Abdoulaye Wade, and said it really only benefits the well-off. "Most people here in this neighborhood will never get on a plane," he said. Others, though, pointed to tangible benefits over the last seven years that they attributed to Sall's leadership. Demba Diagne, 25, says life has gotten better especially in Senegal's rural areas even if there is more work to be done. "My friend had to go on a horse-drawn cart for 7 kilometers (4 miles) while she was in labor to get to a hospital," he recounted. "Under Macky, there are ambulances now." Voters who criticize Sall's efforts need to be more patient, he insisted. "What can you do in only seven years? To finish a house, it takes longer than six months," said Diagne. "To change a country, you have to leave him time to do good work." Sall became president in 2012 after campaigning on a message of change and then beating longtime former President Abdoulaye Wade. A constitutional referendum since then has shortened the presidential term from seven years to five. Sall weathered some criticism after he still finished out his seven-year mandate following that law change. Senegal has long been a democratic example in West Africa where coups and clinging to power used to be all too common in neighboring countries. European Union election observers reported no major irregularities by mid-day Sunday. "The polls opened in a calm environment without violence or significant incidents noted at this hour by our observers," the EU mission said. Absent from Sunday's ballot were two prominent opposition figures who had sought to run but were blocked from doing so after both men were convicted of corruption charges in separate and unrelated trials. Supporters for both men maintain those charges were politically motivated and part of an effort to sideline their candidacies. Former Dakar Mayor Khalifa Sall is currently serving a five-year sentence on charges of misusing public funds. Karim Wade, son of the former president, has been in self-imposed exile in Qatar since he was released from prison in 2016 following a pardon after serving time on corruption charges. Supporters of Khalifa Sall, who is no relation to the president, have mostly rallied behind Seck. On Sunday, though, there was still a sense of injustice among the former mayor's ardent supporters. "He's a thief, Macky Sall," said Karim Ba, 37. "There's nothing fair about this election. There should be seven candidates on the ballot - not five." ___ Associated Press writers Amelia Nierenberg and Babacar Dione contributed to this report. ___ Follow Africa news at https://twitter.com/AP_Africa Senegal's incumbent President Macky Sall casts his vote during the presidential election at a polling station in Fatick, Senegal, Sunday Feb. 24, 2019. Senegalese voters are choosing Sunday whether to give President Macky Sall a second term in office as critics accused the incumbent leader of having blocked the strongest opposition candidates from running against him. (AP Photo) Senegalese voters line up to cast their ballot at a polling station in Dakar, Senegal Sunday Feb. 24, 2019. Voters are choosing whether to give President Macky Sall a second term in office as he faces four challengers.(AP Photo/Jane Hahn) A Senegalese man casts his ballot at a polling station in Dakar, Senegal Sunday Feb. 24, 2019. Voters are choosing whether to give President Macky Sall a second term in office as he faces four challengers.(AP Photo/Jane Hahn) Senegalese men post a list of presidential candidates outside a polling station in Dakar, Senegal Sunday Feb. 24, 2019. Voters are choosing whether to give President Macky Sall a second term in office as he faces four challengers.(AP Photo/Jane Hahn) Senegalese voters line up to cast their ballot at a polling station in Dakar, Senegal Sunday Feb. 24, 2019. Voters are choosing whether to give President Macky Sall a second term in office as he faces four challengers.(AP Photo/Jane Hahn) Voting cards are set on a table in a polling station in Dakar, Senegal Sunday Feb. 24, 2019. Voters are choosing whether to give President Macky Sall a second term in office as he faces four challengers.(AP Photo/Jane Hahn) People line up to cast their votes during the presidential election at a polling station in Fatick, Senegal, Sunday Feb. 24, 2019. Senegalese voters are choosing Sunday whether to give President Macky Sall a second term in office as critics accused the incumbent leader of having blocked the strongest opposition candidates from running against him. (AP Photo) A woman exits a polling booth during the presidential election at a polling station in Fatick, Senegal, Sunday Feb. 24, 2019. Senegalese voters are choosing Sunday whether to give President Macky Sall a second term in office as critics accused the incumbent leader of having blocked the strongest opposition candidates from running against him. (AP Photo) A Senegalese man waits for a polling station to open in Dakar, Senegal Sunday Feb. 24, 2019. Voters are choosing whether to give President Macky Sall a second term in office as he faces four challengers.(AP Photo/Jane Hahn) A Senegalese woman picks up voting cards before casting her ballot at a polling station in Dakar, Senegal, Sunday Feb. 24, 2019. Voters are choosing whether to give President Macky Sall a second term in office as he faces four challengers.(AP Photo/Jane Hahn) Senegalese voters line up to cast their votes at a polling station in Dakar, Senegal, Sunday Feb. 24, 2019. Voters are choosing whether to give President Macky Sall a second term in office as he faces four challengers. (AP Photo/Jane Hahn) Senegalese voters line up to cast their votes at a polling station in Dakar, Senegal, Sunday Feb. 24, 2019. Voters are choosing whether to give President Macky Sall a second term in office as he faces four challengers. (AP Photo/Jane Hahn) BRUSSELS (AP) - EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker was so stupefied after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban attacked his migration policies that he publicly muttered "I cannot believe what I read." When Orban's party later targeted him in a virulent election poster campaign, Juncker was again dumbfounded, saying "You can't really act against lies." Enemies from opposing camps? No, they belong to the same EPP Christian Democrat group, the dominant force in the European Parliament, and should in theory be close allies in May's European Union election. Instead, this political fratricide is front and center in this massive exercise of democracy, which spans 27 nations and involves close to half a billion people. The May 23-26 European Parliament vote could prove to be a tipping point in post-war European politics. Some traditional political powerhouses might start to crumble, allowing extremist, populist parties to gain more clout and throw a new wrench into the EU's political machinery. "We've never seen something like this in EU elections," said European politics Professor Hendrik Vos of Ghent University about the abrasive election climate. The EU parliamentary election is run as national ballots in 27 member states. National political parties with common ideology then unite in EU-wide groups like the center-right EPP, the center-left S&D Socialists and the liberal, pro-business ALDE. FILE - In this Feb. 19, 2019 file photo, a phone box displays a billboard showing Hungarian-American financier George Soros and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker above the caption "You have a right to know what Brussels is preparing to do!", in Budapest, Hungary. Battle lines are drawn between anti-EU populist forces and traditional parties at the beginning of a three-month election campaign that could turn into a tipping point in postwar European history. The May 2019 EU elections has already produced unprecedented abrasive campaigning. (AP Photo/Pablo Gorondi, File) Over the years, the major political groups started looking at adding unattached national parties to expand their bases. Even if these newcomers might not be as close to their core values, they still could boost their seat totals in Parliament. Some factions, however, have developed sharply contrasting agendas within their groups and can vary as widely as the geographic spread from Finland to Hungary to Portugal. Some could now splinter off - like Orban's staunchly anti-migrant, right-wing Fidesz party - weaken the center and reinforce the fringes. The EPP, for example, welcomed a populist Italian, Silvio Berlusconi, two decades ago. Orban's Fidesz party followed soon after. Other groups also face similar internal trouble - the ALDE with populist Czech leader Andrej Babis, who has been accused of misusing EU farm subsidies, and the S&D with Romania's Social Democrats, who critics say are weakening the judiciary's fight against corruption. But nowhere has it produced political fireworks like at the EPP. Orban was first embraced for his anti-Communist credentials but over the years turned into an anti-immigration populist calling for an "illiberal" society with autocratic leadership, something that increasingly jarred with EPP values. It came to a boil over the past month when Orban fired up his anti-Brussels rhetoric portraying Juncker as conniving to keep nations like Hungary under their thumb and opening EU borders to all migrants. He plastered Budapest with posters showing Juncker as a gloating force of evil. "I consider the formulations in the poster campaign in Hungary against Jean-Claude Juncker, which is meeting with incomprehension in large parts of the EPP, unacceptable," Austrian Chancellor and EPP heavyweight Sebastian Kurz said Friday. Now the EPP faces a political dilemma: should it jettison Orban over principles, whatever the consequences, or try to keep him in a chokehold so he won't unite with other anti-EU populists? "In these new dynamics there are new opportunities," noted Italian political analyst Alberto Alemanno. Since the last EU election in 2014, Britain has voted to leave the EU and Italy and Austria have government coalitions that include the far right. Over a dozen EU nations have fragile minority governments and Poland has turned as hostile toward Brussels as Hungary. "After the fall of London, Rome, Warsaw, Budapest, or Vienna into the hands of anti-European and/or xenophobic forces, we no longer speak of the 'enemy at the gate' but of the 'enemy inside the gates,'" wrote Jose Ignacio Torreblanca for the European Council on Foreign Relations. And all this comes at a time when the European Parliament now has more powers. All too long a posh retirement post for over-the-hill politicians, the parliament is now an effective decision-maker with a real say on everything from Brexit to anti-pollution regulations. The first projections for the 705-seat legislature, produced this week by the parliament itself, show the EPP Christian Democrats struggling with 183 seats, the S&D Socialists losing big to land at 135 seats and their grand coalition short of a majority for the first time. Populists would gain more clout during the upcoming five-year session. The influential VoteWatch Europe think tank said "right-wing nationalists are set to gain, although they are likely to fall short of getting over 25 percent of seats." But it said a united group of right-wing nationalists could become the second largest group in the legislature. So far, populist and extreme parties have added decibels and eyebrow-raising rhetoric to the EU plenary but have had precious little impact on parliament events. But with higher numbers and better coordination, the anti-EU forces could start weighing in more on decision-making in Europe and battle back against pro-EU French President Emmanuel Macron's vision of an ever-closer union. That would be music to Orban's ears and a massive defeat for Juncker. Since Juncker is not running for another term as Commission president, the vote in May could be the last round of their fight. That round is not over and Juncker wants to protect his pro-EU legacy. "I'm not giving in. I'm not like that. I want to be exactly the opposite of that," Juncker said. FILE - In this Jan. 8, 2019 file photo, a protestor holds a placard which reads, 'Thanks to Orban we are migrants too', during a demonstration outside EU headquarters in Brussels. Battle lines are drawn between anti-EU populist forces and traditional parties at the beginning of a three-month election campaign that could turn into a tipping point in postwar European history. The May 2019 EU elections has already produced unprecedented abrasive campaigning. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File) TOKYO (AP) - Japan's Emperor Akihito attended a ceremony on Sunday to mark the 30th year of his reign while calling for the country to embrace openness in a more globalized world. The government-sponsored ceremony at the National Theater in Tokyo was attended by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Empress Michiko. "Japan has long cultivated its own culture as an island nation," the 85-year-old emperor said. "But now the world is becoming more globalized. I think it is now required for us to be more open to the outside world, to establish our own position with wisdom and to build relationships with other countries with sincerity." Akihito's Heisei era will end when he abdicates on April 30 in favor of his elder son, 59-year-old Crown Prince Naruhito, beginning a new, as yet unnamed era. The Emperor has cited his deteriorating health as his reason for stepping aside. While his official duties have been scaled back somewhat, he still receives visiting dignitaries, attends ceremonies and makes official visits. Inside the palace, he also performs private rituals of Shintoism, the indigenous religion intertwined with Japan's imperial family. In a congratulatory speech at Sunday's ceremony, Abe said the people will "never forget" how the imperial couple have "always stood by the people for 30 years." Japanese Emperor Akihito, left, and Empress Michiko, second from left, are greeted by Crown Prince Naruhito, right, and Crown Princess Masako, second from right, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, during a ceremony celebrating the 30th anniversary of Emperor Akihito's reign, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. (Kyodo News via AP) Members of the public signed their names in registers to commemorate the emperor's 30-year reign in front of the Imperial Household Agency building on the Imperial Palace ground. Crown Prince Naruhito, second from right, and Crown Princess Masako, right, arrive to greet Japanese Emperor Akihito, left, and Empress Michiko, second from left, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, during a ceremony celebrating the 30th anniversary of Emperor Akihito's reign, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. (Kyodo News via AP) CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) - Near-final results from Sunday's parliamentary elections in Moldova showed no party secured a majority, a result that could leave the former Soviet republic in limbo between pro-Western and pro-Russia forces. With 97 percent of the votes counted early Monday, the broadly pro-Russia opposition Socialists had 31.5 percent, while the pro-European group ACUM had 25.9 percent. The incumbent Democratic Party was trailing in third place with 24.1 percent. The election comes as the Democratic Party's governing alliance has lost support over rampant corruption, falling living standards and the erosion of democracy in Moldova, a small landlocked nation between Romania and Ukraine. President Igor Dodon forecast another election in the coming months. "We have a major risk of early elections," he said after casting his ballot. An inconclusive outcome could lead to instability, and Dodon and pro-Europe leader Maia Sandu have warned of demonstrations if elections are found to be marred by fraud. If lawmakers fail to form a governing coalition within 45 days of the election result, the president will dissolve the legislature and call a new vote. A man holds a European Union flag as people stand by shoes of Moldovan citizens working abroad are placed on the pavement in Chisinau, Moldova, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Moldovans who have relatives working abroad staged a protest by blaming the corruption and poor economic situation in the country for the massive numbers of people leaving the country in search of a better life. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) More than 3 million voters were eligible to choose representatives for the next four years to the 101-seat legislature. Parties needed to win a minimum of 6 percent of the ballots to enter Parliament. Election authorities said voter turnout was just over 49 percent when polls closed. ACUM party leader Maia Sandu told The Associated Press that the election was "the most undemocratic in the history of Moldova." "A gang of thieves ... has captured the state institutions" and are "scaring ... threatening and impoverishing us," Sandu said Sunday as she urged Moldovans to vote. One voter, Svetlana Druta, said she had voted to change the judicial system. "We need to start from the top and then (change) elementary schools and kindergartens, and then we need a good health" system, she said. Last year, the European Parliament called Moldova "a state captured by oligarchic interests." The European Union also froze aid to Moldova after a local court invalidated the 2018 Chisinau mayoral election on a technicality, a move to thwart the apparent victory of a pro-Europe candidate. But Vladimir Plahotniuc, the Democratic Party chief and the country's de facto leader, insisted Sunday that the ruling party had brought "order and discipline" through its economic policies. Despite that claim, an estimated 1 million Moldovans have moved abroad to find jobs, mainly in the EU and Russia. Moldova's voting system has been changed in what critics say is a ploy to help the two main parties - the Socialists and the Democrats - carve up influence. About 340 international observers from 38 countries monitored the ballot. ___ Associated Press writers Alison Mutler in Bucharest, Romania, and Corneliu Rusnac in Chisinau, Moldova, contributed to this report. A woman casts her vote in a mobile ballot box in the village of Stolniceni, Moldova, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Moldovans voted Sunday in a parliamentary election that could deepen the split between pro-Western and pro-Russian forces in the former Soviet republic. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) A man prepares to cast his vote in a mobile ballot box in the village of Stolniceni, Moldova, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Moldovans voted Sunday in a parliamentary election that could deepen the split between pro-Western and pro-Russian forces in the former Soviet republic. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) Seen through the mesh covering an electoral advertising point of the Socialits' Party, people walk in Chisinau, Moldova, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, a day before the country holds parliamentary elections. Moldova's President Igor Dodon expressed, in an interview with the Associated Press, concern of "massive protests" in case of suspicions of fraud in the upcoming parliamentary elections. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) A man holds an European Union flag as people stand by shoes of Moldovan citizens working abroad are placed on the pavement in Chisinau, Moldova, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Moldovans who have relatives working abroad staged a protest by blaming the corruption and poor economic situation in the country for the massive numbers of people leaving the country in search of a better life. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) Supporters of Moldova's Democratic Party, led by Vladimir Plahotniuc prepare to march in Chisinau, Moldova, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, a day before the country holds parliamentary elections. More than three million Moldovans will vote in a parliamentary elections Sunday in this former Soviet republic wedged between Romania and Ukraine choosing representatives for the 101-seat legislature for a four-year term. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) Supporters of Moldova's Democratic Party, led by Vladimir Plahotniuc prepare to march in Chisinau, Moldova, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, a day before the country holds parliamentary elections. More than three million Moldovans will vote in a parliamentary elections Sunday in this former Soviet republic wedged between Romania and Ukraine choosing representatives for the 101-seat legislature for a four-year term. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) The slippers of 34 year-old Adela, a citizen of Moldova working in Sweden, are powdered with snow after her mother placed them on the pavement in Chisinau, Moldova, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Moldovans who have relatives working abroad staged a protest by blaming the corruption and poor economic situation in the country for the massive numbers of people leaving the country in search of a better life. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) Women pick up leaflets advertising the Socialits' Party, in Chisinau, Moldova, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, a day before the country holds parliamentary elections. More than three million Moldovans will vote in a parliamentary elections Sunday in this former Soviet republic wedged between Romania and Ukraine choosing representatives for the 101-seat legislature for a four-year term. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) A youngster carries a billboard advertising the Socialits' Party, which reads "I will vote for the Socialists" as people walk by in Chisinau, Moldova, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, a day before the country holds parliamentary elections. More than three million Moldovans will vote in a parliamentary elections Sunday in this former Soviet republic wedged between Romania and Ukraine choosing representatives for the 101-seat legislature for a four-year term. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) A man carrying a billboard of the Socialits' Party, which reads "I will vote for the Socialists", speaks to a woman in Chisinau, Moldova, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, a day before the country holds parliamentary elections. More than three million Moldovans will vote in a parliamentary elections Sunday in this former Soviet republic wedged between Romania and Ukraine choosing representatives for the 101-seat legislature for a four-year term. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) A poster depicting, from left, Moldova's Prime Minister Pavel Filip, President Igor Dodon and Israeli born Modovan businessman and politician Ilan Shor, which reads "Don't Vote for the Oligarchs" is placed on a light pole in Chisinau, Moldova, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, a day before the country holds parliamentary elections. More than three million Moldovans will vote in a parliamentary elections Sunday in this former Soviet republic wedged between Romania and Ukraine choosing representatives for the 101-seat legislature for a four-year term. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) A child walks by a poster depicting, from left, Moldova's Prime Minister Pavel Filip, President Igor Dodon and Israeli born Modovan businessman and politician Ilan Shor, which reads "Don't Vote for the Oligarchs" in Chisinau, Moldova, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, a day before the country holds parliamentary elections. More than three million Moldovans will vote in a parliamentary elections Sunday in this former Soviet republic wedged between Romania and Ukraine choosing representatives for the 101-seat legislature for a four-year term. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) Maia Sandu, leader of the ACUM opposition alliance, exits a voting cabin in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Moldovans voted Sunday in a parliamentary election that could deepen the split between pro-Western and pro-Russian forces in the former Soviet republic. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Moldova's President Igor Dodon speaks to the media after casting his vote in the country's parliamentary elections in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Moldovans voted Sunday in a parliamentary election that could deepen the split between pro-Western and pro-Russian forces in the former Soviet republic. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) A child peers from behind a voting stand in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Moldovans voted Sunday in a parliamentary election that could deepen the split between pro-Western and pro-Russian forces in the former Soviet republic. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) An elderly woman casts her vote in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Moldovans voted Sunday in a parliamentary election that could deepen the split between pro-Western and pro-Russian forces in the former Soviet republic. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) A woman holds a child as she casts her vote in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Moldovans voted Sunday in a parliamentary election that could deepen the split between pro-Western and pro-Russian forces in the former Soviet republic. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) An elderly woman exits a voting cabin in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Moldovans voted Sunday in a parliamentary election that could deepen the split between pro-Western and pro-Russian forces in the former Soviet republic. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) Moldova's President Igor Dodon smiles after casting his vote in the country's parliamentary elections in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Moldovans voted Sunday in a parliamentary election that could deepen the split between pro-Western and pro-Russian forces in the former Soviet republic. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) A woman holds a child as she casts her vote in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Moldovans voted Sunday in a parliamentary election that could deepen the split between pro-Western and pro-Russian forces in the former Soviet republic. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) Moldova's President Igor Dodon speaks to the media after casting his vote in the country's parliamentary elections in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Moldovans voted Sunday in a parliamentary election that could deepen the split between pro-Western and pro-Russian forces in the former Soviet republic. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) Vladimir Plahotniuc, the leader of the Democratic Party, leaves after giving a press statement in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Moldovans voted Sunday in a three-way parliamentary election, between the broadly pro-Russia socialists, the Democrats, and a pro-European group. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) Moldova's President Igor Dodon smiles after casting his vote in the country's parliamentary elections in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Moldovans voted Sunday in a three-way parliamentary election, between the broadly pro-Russia socialists, the Democrats, and a pro-European group. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) Moldova's President Igor Dodon smiles before casting his vote in the country's parliamentary elections in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Moldovans voted Sunday in a three-way parliamentary election, between the broadly pro-Russia socialists, the Democrats, and a pro-European group. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) Vladimir Plahotniuc, the leader of the Democratic Party, right, watches Moldova's Prime Minister Pavel Filip speak during a press statement in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Moldovans voted Sunday in a three-way parliamentary election, between the broadly pro-Russia socialists, the Democrats, and a pro-European group. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) Vladimir Plahotniuc, the leader of the Democratic Party, attends a press statement in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Moldovans voted Sunday in a three-way parliamentary election, between the broadly pro-Russia socialists, the Democrats, and a pro-European group. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) An elderly woman with cloth wrapped around her shoes to prevent her from slipping on ice walks after casting her vote in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Moldovans voted Sunday in a parliamentary election that could deepen the split between pro-Western and pro-Russian forces in the former Soviet republic. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Vladimir Plahotniuc, the leader of the Democratic Party, gives a press statement in Chisinau, Moldova, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Moldovans voted Sunday in a three-way parliamentary election, between the broadly pro-Russia socialists, the Democrats, and a pro-European group. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) - Glenn Close says she's still a bit surprised the motion picture academy gave a nod to her performance in "The Wife." Actor Richard E. Grant says he's certain he's going to lose and will never get this close to Oscar again. And screenwriter Barry Jenkins just wants to savor making it to the end of the awards-circuit road and enjoy being in the presence of his peers. "We've all reached the end," explained Jenkins on the arrivals line at the Film Independent Spirit Awards Saturday, where his film "If Beale Street Could Talk" was named best feature. Jenkins' adapted screenplay is up for an Oscar Sunday. The beachside show is a laid back precursor to the Academy Awards, offering one last chance to reflect on the Hollywood lengthy awards season. "You know, I think we all kind of know more or less what the results are going to be and so you really legitimately start to celebrate your peers," Jenkins said. "And I think you know you look across the room to see all these people - some of whom I've admired my entire filmmaking life - to be in the same auditorium with them, to walk the same red carpet with them, and also to hear from them, what they think of my work and to let them know what I think of theirs. To me, that's what this season ultimately ends up becoming about." Close's Academy Award-nominated performance in "The Wife," which also took home the Spirit, isn't so-called "Oscar bait" - something tailor-made to take home statuettes. Close said she's still a bit surprised The Academy took notice. "I mean, it's a very quiet performance," she noted. "It's a very internal performance. And the fact that something that's so internal had such resonance with people, I still can conjure up how I felt when we first showed it at Toronto and I was astounded by the power that this movie had with the audience. And I've never lost that feeling of astonishment." Glenn Close, left, embraces Richard E. Grant, winner of the award for best supporting male for "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" at the 34th Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) For "Minding the Gap" director Bing Liu, whose film is nominated in the feature documentary category, the recognition has repeatedly shown him the power of film. "A lot of people have reached out, a lot of kids who were like I am," Liu said, saying they've told him. "'I was in such a dark place and I watched your film, and it's given me a new hope that I can wake up and grab control of my life.' I mean it's a lot of messages like that, but they all sort of seem to be uplifting those kids that reminded me of myself when I was their age. You know, part of why I made this film is that I wanted to help the 14-year-old version of myself. And I think it's doing that, which is insane." Veteran actor Richard E. Grant has been making movies for more than 30 years, but this year garnered his first Oscar nomination, for his performance in "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" Grant said he plans on savoring every Oscar-day moment. "Fox Searchlight sends a makeup and hair groomer to paint you up and fix your hair. Then you get in a car and you go and you know that's Mahershala Ali is going to win. So, it means that the other four nominees, we can enjoy it absolutely for the ride. And that's a gift in itself. So, I'm hugely looking forward: first time ever - and last time ever I'll be there." ___ For full coverage of the Oscars, visit: https://apnews.com/AcademyAwards Glenn Close presents the award for best supporting male at the 34th Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Barry Jenkins accepts the award for best director for "If Beale Street Could Talk" at the 34th Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) DENVER (AP) - Attackers who killed a man in Colorado may have held up a store in Wyoming and a bank in Utah later the same day, authorities said. The rampage began early Friday in Denver when a man was shot multiple times, and the attackers stole his black 2015 Cadillac sedan, police said. The victim was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His name wasn't released. Two hours later, a black Cadillac was used in an armed robbery at a convenience store in Cheyenne, Wyoming, 100 miles (160 kilometers) north. Cheyenne police said two men robbed the store, and one of them fired a handgun twice. No one was injured. The men took cash and merchandise and returned to the Cadillac, where a woman was waiting, police said. Six hours after the Cheyenne robbery, the same men robbed a Wells Fargo bank in Park City, Utah, 440 miles (710 kilometers) west of Cheyenne, authorities said. One of the men was armed with a handgun, the Summit County, Utah, Sheriff's Department said. Deputies said the men drove away in a black Cadillac with the same Colorado license plate as the car stolen in Denver, and a woman may have been a passenger. Authorities said they did not know what direction the car headed. The FBI was assisting with the investigation. ___ This story has been corrected to show the robbery in Utah occurred six hours after the one in Cheyenne, not four hours. AMES, Iowa (AP) - Was it the black bean soup that drew them? If not, maybe the carrot ginger soup. Or was it the chance to mingle with not one, not two, but three Democratic presidential hopefuls in one spot? The Story County Democratic Party's annual soup supper drew an estimated 300 activists to the Collegiate United Methodist Church on Saturday. And in the best tradition of early-voting Iowa - its caucuses remain the opening round of the presidential primary battle - voters and reporters flooded the downtown Ames church to surround White House wannabes Julian Castro, Kamala Harris and John Hickenlooper. As local Democrats hunted for room at long tables, Kathy Byrnes of Des Moines held a tray of food and asked Harris, a U.S. senator from California, "How are you going to deal with the proliferation of pipelines?" At one point Harris stopped by the bustling kitchen to thank those preparing the food - and look longingly at the desserts. Not 10 feet away, Sarah Pearson of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, asked Castro, secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Obama administration, if he would support decriminalizing sex work. Nearby, Chelsea Chism-Vargas of Des Moines leaned in for a selfie with Hickenlooper and asked the former governor of Colorado his position on abortion rights. With two dozen or more potential Democratic candidates forecast to seek the nomination - so far only 10 or so have taken at least a first step toward a bid - the yearlong political invasion of Iowa is just beginning. Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary and 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful Julian Castro, center, greets Iowa State students at the Story County Democrats' annual soup supper fundraiser, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris gets a hug from Kathie Whattoff, left, at the Story County Democrats' annual soup supper fundraiser, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, center, poses for a photo with a local resident at the Story County Democrats' annual soup supper fundraiser, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, right, talks with former Housing and Urban Development Secretary and Democratic presidential candidate Julian Castro at the Story County Democrats' annual soup supper fundraiser, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris greets local residents at the Story County Democrats' annual soup supper fundraiser, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary and 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful Julian Castro talks with Lemuel Anderson, of Des Moines, Iowa, right, at the Story County Democrats' annual soup supper fundraiser, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper waits to speak at the Story County Democrats' annual soup supper fundraiser, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, left, stands with Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, right, during the Pledge of Allegiance at the Story County Democrats' annual soup supper fundraiser, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, center, waits to speak at the Story County Democrats' annual soup supper fundraiser, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, left, waits to speak at the Story County Democrats' annual soup supper fundraiser, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris talks with former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, right, at the Story County Democrats' annual soup supper fundraiser, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Students listen to Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris speak at the Story County Democrats' annual soup supper fundraiser, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris speaks at the Story County Democrats' annual soup supper fundraiser, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris speaks at the Story County Democrats' annual soup supper fundraiser, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris waits to speak at the Story County Democrats' annual soup supper fundraiser, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary and 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful Julian Castro, center, speaks to local residents at the Story County Democrats' annual soup supper fundraiser, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary and 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful Julian Castro, center, speaks to local residents at the Story County Democrats' annual soup supper fundraiser, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) HANOI, Vietnam (AP) - The nightmare scenario heading into the second summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un isn't so much "fire and fury" and millions dead. Rather, some experts fear the meeting could result in an ill-considered deal that allows North Korea to get everything it wants while giving up very little, even as the mercurial leaders trumpet a blockbuster nuclear success. There's little argument that just sitting down together again in the same room this week in Hanoi is a positive sign for two men who seemed to be flirting with a second Korean War in 2017, and there is, as the White House trumpeted ahead of the summit, "a tremendous opportunity" here to address a monumental problem that's flummoxed generations of policymakers. But with the stakes so high, a growing chorus of experts highlight a particular risk: that Trump, burned by criticism that the results of his June meeting with Kim in Singapore were vague at best and an outright failure at worst, will ignore his more cautious aides and try to strike a deal that's cobbled together on the fly with little preparatory work. Why is this potentially dangerous? Because when it comes to North Korean nuclear diplomacy, all deals are not created equal. A look at some of the anxieties that are swirling ahead of the Hanoi summit: ___ In this June 12, 2018, photo, U.S. President Donald Trump stands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a meeting on Sentosa Island, in Singapore. For some observers, the nightmare result of the second summit between Trump and Kim is an ill-considered deal that allows North Korea to get everything it wants while giving up very little, even as the mercurial leaders trumpet a blockbuster nuclear success. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) WORRY NO. 1: A PIECEMEAL DEAL South Korean papers have been filled with unidentified government sources suggesting that Trump and Kim might strike a deal that stops far short of the road map for the full denuclearization of the North that the United States has long insisted on. Instead, Kim could agree to give up only part of his arsenal - his intercontinental missiles aimed at America, for instance, or his main nuclear reactor - in return for an easing of harsh sanctions. There's also fear that Trump will eventually orchestrate some sort of drawdown of U.S. troops from South Korea or an extended halt to U.S.-South Korean military drills. For Trump, such a deal could generate a much-needed rush of "breakthrough" headlines to help distract from swirling investigations in Washington while helping assure his supporters that he's protecting the American mainland. Kim, for his part, would be taking a huge step toward cementing the North as a nuclear weapons state and, as a bonus, driving a wedge in the U.S.-South Korea alliance that the North maintains is aimed at the overthrow of the Kim family - all without addressing the North's arsenal of short- and mid-range nuclear armed missiles aimed at Seoul, Tokyo and other parts of Asia. Those in favor of this kind of piecemeal deal say it's simply a matter of accepting reality: North Korea won't give up nukes it sees as crucial to deterring what it calls U.S. hostility, so the wise move is to work to first limit or freeze the program's most worrisome aspects and then work toward total denuclearization. Skeptics say this would give the North too much in return for too little. They want instead something that first forces Pyongyang to list the particulars of its nuclear program, then allows outsiders to verify the list and see the program demolished. "Ad hoc deals or piecemeal negotiations absent an agreed-on road map would allow Pyongyang to dictate the terms, pace and duration of the diplomatic process without making a dent in North Korea's nuclear arsenal," Duyeon Kim, a Koreas expert at the Center for a New American Security, recently wrote. "There is a serious risk of Trump ad-libbing his way into a bad deal, as he did in Singapore in June 2018, by relinquishing vital bargaining chips that disadvantage U.S. interests and Asian allies' security," she added. ___ WORRY NO. 2: KIM AND TRUMP ARE TOO ALIGNED There's a joke being shared by some North Korea experts: Did you hear that Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump both want the same thing from their Hanoi summit? The United States out of South Korea. Funny or not, the dark humor gets at serious doubts churned up by Trump's repeated public expressions of a deep wariness about the U.S.-South Korea alliance that many in Seoul and Washington see as a lynchpin of Northeast Asian security. The best example may be Trump's stunning announcement in Singapore of the suspension of annual military drills by Seoul and Washington that North Korea rails against as "invasion preparation." Trump called the drills "very provocative," mirroring North Korean language. Although his lieutenants say the removal of American troops isn't on the agenda in Hanoi, Trump has said that he wants to eventually bring home the 28,500 troops stationed in the South. Just this month Trump said: "South Korea - we defend them and lose a tremendous amount of money. Billions of dollars a year defending them." ___ WORRY NO. 3: NORTH KOREA HASN'T CHANGED There's also alarm that Trump and South Korea's dovish president are misreading North Korea. "Kim is not going to unilaterally surrender his nuclear weapons," Vipin Narang, a North Korea nuclear expert at MIT, said in an interview. "It is now pretty clear that Trump doesn't care that Kim isn't going to unilaterally disarm, so long as he doesn't embarrass Trump by visibly flight testing missiles or openly testing nuclear weapons." Despite the positive spin on North Korean intentions by the liberal government in Seoul, critics say, Pyongyang, as it has since the Korean War, still claims to be the sole legitimate Korean government, and is therefore working to split South Korea from its U.S. protector and enshrine its nuclear program, even if partially, as a way to eventually coerce Seoul into doing its bidding. North Korea has famously called its nuclear arsenal a "treasured sword." And a senior North Korean official said last year that dialogue won't continue "if the U.S. is trying to drive us into a corner to force our unilateral nuclear abandonment." Asked at a recent press briefing if the North was negotiating in good faith, a senior U.S. official who refused to give his name under White House rules said: "I don't know if North Korea has made the choice yet to denuclearize. But the reason why we're engaged in this is because we believe there's a possibility that North Korea can make the choice to fully denuclearize." Trump tweeted Sunday that he and Kim "both expect a continuation of the progress made at first Summit in Singapore. Denuclearization?" Still, there are big doubts about the North's intentions. When the two leaders meet in Hanoi, Kim "will further ensnare Trump on his march toward full nuclearization, compelling Trump to make more concessions like a peace agreement and drawdown of military support for South Korea," said Sung-Yoon Lee, a Koreas expert at Tufts University. "'Peace' sounds very pleasant, even hypnotically alluring, but a peace agreement between the U.S. and North Korea and allowing Kim Jong Un to buy more time only increases the chance of war." ___ Foster Klug is the AP's bureau chief in South Korea and has covered the Koreas since 2005. Follow him at www.twitter.com/apklug FILE- In this combination of file photos, U.S. President Donald Trump, left, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on May 16, 2018, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in a meeting with South Korean leader Moon Jae-in in Panmunjom, South Korea, on April 27, 2018. For some observers, the nightmare result of the second summit between Trump and Kim is an ill-considered deal that allows North Korea to get everything it wants while giving up very little, even as the mercurial leaders trumpet a blockbuster nuclear success. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Korea Summit Press Pool via AP, File) FILE - This Aug. 29, 2017, file photo by the North Korean government shows what was said to be the test launch of a Hwasong-12 intermediate range missile in Pyongyang, North Korea. For some observers, the nightmare result of the second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is an ill-considered deal that allows North Korea to get everything it wants while giving up very little, even as the mercurial leaders trumpet a blockbuster nuclear success. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP, File) FILE- In this Sept. 11, 2017, file photo, The United Nations Security Council votes to pass a new sanctions resolution against North Korea during a meeting at U.N. headquarters. For some observers, the nightmare result of the second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is an ill-considered deal that allows North Korea to get everything it wants while giving up very little, even as the mercurial leaders trumpet a blockbuster nuclear success. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow, File) In this Feb. 8, 2019, photo, a visitor looks at a map of the Korean peninsula at the DMZ museum inside a restricted area in Goseong, South Korea. For some observers, the nightmare result of the second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is an ill-considered deal that allows North Korea to get everything it wants while giving up very little, even as the mercurial leaders trumpet a blockbuster nuclear success. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) FILE - In this June 12, 2018, file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump waves after saying goodbye to North Korea leader Kim Jong Un at the Capella resort on Sentosa Island in Singapore. For some observers, the nightmare result of the second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is an ill-considered deal that allows North Korea to get everything it wants while giving up very little, even as the mercurial leaders trumpet a blockbuster nuclear success. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, Pool, File) FILE - In this June 12, 2018 file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump answers questions about the summit with North Korea leader Kim Jong Un during a press conference at the Capella resort on Sentosa Island in Singapore. For some observers, the nightmare result of the second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is an ill-considered deal that allows North Korea to get everything it wants while giving up very little, even as the mercurial leaders trumpet a blockbuster nuclear success. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) FILE - In this Dec. 10, 2015, file photo, U.S. and South Korean army soldiers pose on a floating bridge on the Hantan river after a river crossing operation, part of an annual joint military exercise between South Korea and the United States against a possible attack from North Korea, in Yeoncheon, south of the demilitarized zone that divides the two Koreas. For some observers, the nightmare result of the second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is an ill-considered deal that allows North Korea to get everything it wants while giving up very little, even as the mercurial leaders trumpet a blockbuster nuclear success. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File) FILE - This April 21, 2017, file photo, U.S. Army soldiers conduct a military exercise in Paju, near the border with North Korea, South Korea. For some observers, the nightmare result of the second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is an ill-considered deal that allows North Korea to get everything it wants while giving up very little, even as the mercurial leaders trumpet a blockbuster nuclear success. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File) TOKYO (AP) - The people of Okinawa voted Sunday on a plan for a U.S. military base relocation in a referendum that will send a message on how they feel about housing American troops in Japan, who many see as a burden on the group of tiny southwestern islands. The referendum is technically not binding but interest is high for testing the public sentiment about the plan to relocate Futenma air base, which is pushed by the national government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The plan has its beginnings in 1995, when outrage erupted against U.S. service members over the rape of a 12-year-old girl. Futenma was long criticized as dangerous, being in a residential area. Washington also agreed to transfer some personnel to the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam. A replacement base is on a coastal landfill in an area called Henoko. Critics say wildlife such as coral reefs and the dugong will be hurt. "There are so many American troops here. Of course, 99 percent of them are good people, but then there is that 1 percent who do evil things. It's hard for us," said Tomomichi Shimabukuro, who runs a seaside inn called Churaumi-kun. "I feel most people of Okinawa are going to vote in protest of the plan," he said in a phone interview. People prepare to vote in a referendum at a polling station in Naha, Okinawa, Japan, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The people of Okinawa are voting on a plan for a U.S. military base relocation in the referendum that will send a message on how they feel about housing American troops in Japan, who many see as a burden on the group of tiny southwestern islands. (Kyodo News via AP) Japanese media surveys have shown voters are likely to reject the Henoko plan. Nearly 1.16 million residents were eligible to vote. Interest has been strong, not only in the rest of Japan but among pacifists internationally. The referendum asked: "On the landfill for the construction of the U.S. military base planned by the government in Henoko, Nago city, to replace Futenma air base," with the answers being: "I agree," ''I oppose," or "Neither." Although Okinawa makes up less than 1 percent of Japan's land space, it houses about half of the 54,000 American troops stationed in Japan, and makes for 64 percent of the land used by the U.S. bases, under a bilateral security treaty. Japan relies heavily on the U.S. for its defense, and the government has said it will not abide by the referendum, even if the Henoko plan is rejected. Over the years, Henoko has drawn countless protests and sit-ins. The election last year of Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki, the son of a Japanese woman and a U.S. Marine he has never met, has injected renewed energy to the movement. Skeptics are worried the costs for a landfill base like Henoko may keep growing, the runway may end up being too short and the government may not close Futenma, after all. Some in Okinawa are wondering why U.S. military operations can't be moved to other parts of Japan. Such plans have been repeatedly brought up with little progress, making some in Okinawa feel they are getting second-class treatment. Col. John Hutcheson, spokesman for U.S. Forces Japan, said the Henoko agreement is a bilateral deal aimed at closing Futenma, while maintaining what he called vital capabilities for regional security. He declined to comment on the referendum, saying it was a domestic political issue. "We are committed to maintaining good relations with local communities on Okinawa and do our best every day to balance their concerns with the necessity to maintain readiness in support of our treaty commitments," he said. ___ Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter at https://twitter.com/yurikageyama On Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/yurikageyama/?hl=en DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (AP) - English qualifier Daniel Evans upset second-seeded John Isner 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 on Saturday to reach the Delray Beach Open final. "I just play every match as it comes," Evans said. "I know it sounds very cliche." The semifinal victory marked the 40th tour-level match victory for Evans, who was suspended from the tour for a year in April 2017 after testing positive for cocaine. "You have to stay resilient in the sport because it's so up-and-down," Evans said. "Obviously, my downfall was by my own wrongdoing. Let's say mine was a mental issue." Evans will face Radu Albot of Moldova, a 3-6, 6-0, 6-0 winner over American Mackenzie McDonald in the night semifinal. Albot is the first Moldovan to reach an ATP Tour final. "I think this is a great achievement," Albot said. "This was my third semifinal and I was successful this time. I've been a lot of years the first player for my country to carry the flag everywhere in the world." The 148tyh-ranked Evans has beaten three seeded players this week, also topping third-seed defending champion Frances Tiafoe in the first round and sixth-seeded Andrea Seppi in the quarterfinals. In Evans' only other tour final, he lost to Gilles Muller in 2017 in Sydney. Isner also reached the Delray Beach semifinals in 2012, '13 and '14, but has never advanced to the final. The 6-foot-10 American also lost in the semifinal round last week in the New York Open. Isner held serve in all 31 service games he played this week until Evans broke him three times. "There's something about the semifinals here, good lord," Isner said. "I'm good enough to get into the semis. It's getting to me now. I just sort of did a walkabout. I think tactically I did some things poorly today and that's what cost me. He just kept hitting a lot of balls." McDonald visibly faded after taking charge in the first set, losing the final 12 games with little resistance. Albot staved off two break points on his serve in the first game of the third set, which was the last gasp McDonald had in the match. McDonald only won five points in the last five games. WASHINGTON (AP) - Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort committed crimes that cut to "the heart of the criminal justice system" and over the years deceived everyone from bookkeepers and banks to federal prosecutors and his own lawyers, according to a sentencing memo filed by special counsel Robert Mueller's office. In the memo, submitted Saturday in one of two criminal cases Manafort faces, prosecutors do not yet take a position on how much prison time he should serve or whether to stack the punishment on top of a separate sentence he will soon receive in a Virginia prosecution. But they do depict Manafort as a longtime and unrepentant criminal who committed "bold" crimes, including under the spotlight of his role as campaign chairman and later while on bail, and who does not deserve any leniency. "For over a decade, Manafort repeatedly and brazenly violated the law," prosecutors wrote. "His crimes continued up through the time he was first indicted in October 2017 and remarkably went unabated even after indictment." Citing Manafort's lies to the FBI, several government agencies and his own lawyer, prosecutors said that "upon release from jail, Manafort presents a grave risk of recidivism." The 25-page memo, filed in federal court in Washington, is likely the last major filing by prosecutors as Manafort heads into his sentencing hearings next month and as Mueller's investigation approaches a conclusion. Manafort, who has been jailed for months and turns 70 in April, will have a chance to file his own sentencing recommendation next week. He and his longtime business partner, Rick Gates, were the first two people indicted in the special counsel's investigation. Overall, Mueller has produced charges against 34 individuals, including six former Trump aides, and three companies. Manafort's case has played out in stark contrast to those of other defendants in the Russia investigation, such as former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who prosecutors praised for his cooperation and left open the possibility of no jail time. FILE - In this May 23, 2018 file photo, Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, leaves the Federal District Court after a hearing in Washington. A judge has set a March 8, 2019, sentencing date for Manafort on his Virginia conviction for hiding millions of dollars from the IRS that he earned advising Ukrainian politicians. The order issued Thursday, Feb. 21 by U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III means Manafort will face sentencing in Virginia before he does in the District of Columbia. His sentencing in the District has already been set for March 13. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) Manafort pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy arising from his Ukrainian political consulting work and his efforts to tamper with witnesses. As part of that plea, he agreed to cooperate with Mueller's team, a move that could have helped him avoid a longer prison sentence. But within weeks, prosecutors say he repeatedly lied to investigators, including about his interactions with Konstantin Kilimnik, a business associate who the U.S. says has ties to Russian intelligence. That deception voided the plea deal. The sentencing memo comes as Manafort, who led Donald Trump's 2016 campaign for several critical months, is already facing the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison in a separate tax and bank fraud case in Virginia. Mueller's team endorsed a sentence of between 19.5 and 24.5 years in prison in that case. Prosecutors note that the federal guidelines recommend a sentence of more than 17 years, but Manafort pleaded guilty last year to two felony counts that carry maximum sentences of five years each. Prosecutors originally filed a sealed sentencing memo on Friday, but the document was made public on Saturday with certain information still redacted, or blacked out. In recent weeks, court papers have revealed that Manafort shared polling data related to the Trump campaign with Kilimnik. A Mueller prosecutor also said earlier this month that an August 2016 meeting between Manafort and Kilimnik goes to the "heart" of the Russia probe. The meeting involved a discussion of a Ukrainian peace plan, but prosecutors haven't said exactly what has captured their attention and whether it factors into the Kremlin's attempts to help Trump in the 2016 election. Like other Americans close to the president charged in the Mueller probe, Manafort hasn't been accused of involvement in Russian election interference. ___ Read the sentencing memo: http://apne.ws/8MYWHdV COLUMBUS, Miss. (AP) - A tornado smashed into a commercial district in the small Mississippi city of Columbus on Saturday afternoon, shattering businesses as severe storms raked the South amid days of drenching rains and a rising flood threat. The tornado struck about 5 p.m. in the east Mississippi city and was confirmed on radar, said meteorologist Anna Wolverton with the National Weather Service in Jackson. She said by phone with The Associated Press that a team would go to the city of about 23,000 people Sunday to gauge the tornado's intensity. There were no immediate reports of any deaths or injuries. Lee Lawrence, who said he has been selling used cars for decades in Columbus, told The AP that four buildings on his car lot had been destroyed. He said trees toppled across vehicles and car windows had been blown out. And he said he had no idea about how badly his collection of antique cars fared. He said he was at home getting ready to take a bath when the storm struck. "The wind all of a sudden just got so strong and it was raining so much you could hardly see out the door, and I could hear a roaring. Evidently it came close," he said, speaking with AP in a phone interview. He said someone called him soon after about the damage to his business and he rushed over. A 1923 Studebaker, left and a 1930 Chevrolet Paddy Wagon are exposed at Lawrence Motors along highway 50 in Columbus, Miss., after a tornado struck the area Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle) "It will be a start-over deal," Lawrence said. "I can't say it will come back better or stronger, but we'll come back." A photographer working for The AP in Columbus said some antique cars on Lawrence's lot were parked among the damage and a nearby pet grooming business appeared now to be mostly twisted piles of metal. A printing shop had been speared by a pipe with great force and what seemed to be a vacant commercial building nearby appeared heavily damaged. Firefighters and law enforcement officers had cordoned off the area, making it difficult to determine the extent of the damage after nightfall. Power also was blacked out in the area. Elsewhere around the South, homes, highways, parks and bridges have been flooded or put out of commission amid the heavy rains and severe storms. News outlets report that water rescues have been performed in some Middle Tennessee counties. Flash flood warnings and watches remained in place throughout the South and one Mississippi community reported large hail. Interstate 40 near the Tennessee line with North Carolina was closed by a rockslide, one of the dozens of roads and highways shut down throughout the South region, transportation officials said. Tennessee Department of Transportation spokesman Mark Nagi said on Twitter that a "full scale detour" was in place, with traffic being diverted to Interstate 81 and Interstate 26. In Bruce, Mississippi, rivers broke flood stage and flash floods poured into homes and businesses. News outlets report that a local state of emergency was declared by officials in Grenada, Mississippi, after dozens of streets and homes flooded. A six-mile (nine-kilometer) stretch of the Natchez Trace Parkway was closed in Mississippi after water covered part of the road. The National Weather Service had issued a flash flood warning for northwestern Lafayette County in Mississippi after emergency officials reported that a local dam was at risk of failing. Meteorologist Kole Fehling says emergency officials reported the threat involved the Audubon Dam, which blocks a creek on the northside of Oxford and a subdivision. Emergency management officials were not immediately available for comment Saturday. High water also threatened property in Tennessee, which, like many other areas of the South, has been soaked by several inches of rain over the past week. Officials said a mudslide destroyed a Subway restaurant in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. No injuries were reported. Weather officials said the storm system threatened areas from eastern Arkansas across the South to Alabama. Alabama's governor declared an emergency in several counties as a measure to speed any recovery. Kentucky announced Friday that it was closing the U.S. 51 bridge over the Ohio River to Cairo, Illinois, because of flooding on the southern approach. The bridge, which carries 4,700 vehicles a day, is likely to stay closed until Thursday, and possibly longer. Near Jamestown, Kentucky, the Army Corps of Engineers said it was increasing releases from the Wolf Creek Dam on the Cumberland River. Areas located downstream of the dam, from Rowena to Burkesville, could be affected by flooding as a result, officials said. The Ohio River at Cairo is predicted to crest Sunday at its third-highest level ever recorded, and stay that high into next week. The Tennessee River near Savannah, Tennessee, also is forecast to crest at near-record levels. ___ Associated Press writers Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee and Jay Reeves in Birmingham, Alabama, contributed to this story, along with freelance photographer Jim Lytle working in Columbus, Mississippi. A metal pipe sticks through the exterior wall of Fast Dog Printing Co. on Conway Drive in Columbus, Miss., after a tornado struck the area Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. The owners of the business said the pipe extended about four feet inside the business. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle) A large tree is down into one of several buildings housing antique cars at Lawrence Motors on highway 50 in Columbus, Miss., after a tornado struck the area Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle) A destroyed business along Conway Drive in Columbus, Miss., sits in ruins after an apparent tornado struck the area on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle) A building belonging to Lawrence Motors along Highway 50 in Columbus, Miss. is destroyed by a tornado on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. The building housed several antique cars. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle) A car in the parking lot of Fast Dog Printing Co. on Conway Drive in Columbus, Miss., has it's rear window smashed after a tornado struck the area Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle) Downed power lines, trees and building debris from businesses including B.J.'s Dog Grooming liter Conway Drive in Columbus, Miss., after a tornado struck the area on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle) Tin from nearby businesses is piled up in front of Refrigeration Supply on Conway Drive in Columbus, Miss. after a tornado struck the area Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle) A vacant commercial building along highway 50 in Columbus, Miss., sits in ruins after a tornado struck the area Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Witnesses say a tornado has destroyed or heavily damaged several businesses in the city's commercial district, toppling trees and blacking out power in the local area. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle) This photo shows damage at Lawrence Motors in Columbus, Miss., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, after a tornado hit in the city's downtown area. Witnesses say a tornado has destroyed or heavily damaged several businesses in the city's commercial district, toppling trees and blacking out power in the local area. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle) A rockslide tumbles down the side of a mountain at the scene of a mudslide on I-40 eastbound in Clyde, N.C., near the Tennessee and North Carolina border on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Homes, highways, parks and bridges throughout the South have been flooded or rendered out of commission, as the toll of days of drenching rains swelled waterways and pooled over saturated lands amid the threat of severe storms. (Calvin Mattheis/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP) Lafayette County authorities oversee a break in the Audubon Dam in the North Point subdivision in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Homes, highways, parks and bridges throughout the South have been flooded or put out of commission Saturday, as the toll of days of drenching rains swelled waterways and pooled over saturated lands amid a threat of severe storms. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Workers climb along the edge of the mudslide on I-40 eastbound in Clyde, N.C., near the Tennessee and North Carolina border on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Travel east and west on I-40 will be shut down for approximately four to seven days, with the east and west bound lanes to open with only one lane for around six weeks as crews continue repairs. (Calvin Mattheis/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP) Fallen trees, rocks and mud can be seen at at the scene of a mudslide on I-40 eastbound in Clyde, N.C., near the Tennessee and North Carolina border on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Homes, highways, parks and bridges throughout the South have been flooded or rendered out of commission, as the toll of days of drenching rains swelled waterways and pooled over saturated lands amid the threat of severe storms. (Calvin Mattheis/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP) Workers pass by the scene of a mudslide on I-40 eastbound in Clyde, N.C., near the Tennessee and North Carolina border on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Travel east and west on I-40 will be shut down for approximately four to seven days, with the east and west bound lanes to open with only one lane for around six weeks as crews continue repairs. (Calvin Mattheis/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP) This photo shows damage after an overnight mudslide that destroyed a Subway restaurant on Signal Mountain Road in Chattanooga, Tenn., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Subway manager Robbie Anderson said that the restaurant had closed at about 2:00 on Friday for safety after two trees fell from the hillside. (Doug Strickland/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP) Emergency workers survey damage after an overnight mudslide destroyed a Subway restaurant on Signal Mountain Road in Chattanooga, Tenn., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Subway manager Robbie Anderson said that the restaurant had closed at about 2:00 on Friday for safety after two trees fell from the hillside. (Doug Strickland/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP) CUCUTA, Colombia (AP) - The Latest on the political crisis in Venezuela (all times local): 11:05 p.m. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is calling on Venezuelan security forces to "do the right thing" by allowing humanitarian assistance into the country. In a statement Saturday night, Pompeo also said the security forces could protect civilians against what he called the "armed gangs" of President Nicolas Maduro and support the Venezuelan constitution and the rule of law. Pompeo said, "Now is the time to act in support of democracy, and respond to the needs of the desperate Venezuelan people." He also repeated a warning from the U.S. government that those who oppose the peaceful restoration of democracy will be held accountable. Pompeo's remarks came after Venezuelan security forces fired tear gas on protesters trying to deliver humanitarian aid from Colombia and Brazil. Two died and 300 were injured. A woman carries a cross during clashes between the opposition and the Bolivarian National Guard in Urena, Venezuela, near the border with Colombia, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Venezuela's National Guard fired tear gas on residents clearing a barricaded border bridge between Venezuela and Colombia on Saturday, heightening tensions over blocked humanitarian aid that opposition leader Juan Guaido has vowed to bring into the country over objections from President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) ____ 9:45 p.m. Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido says he will ask the international community to keep "all options open" in the fight to oust President Nicolas Maduro from power. Guaido's call came after a turbulent day in which a U.S.-backed campaign to send humanitarian aid into Venezuela met strong resistance from security forces who fired tear gas on protesters, leaving two people dead and some 300 injured. Late Saturday, the opposition leader tweeted; "Today's events have obliged me to take a decision: To propose in a formal manner to the international community that we keep all options open to liberate this country which struggles and will keep on struggling." Guaido, who declared himself interim president, is recognized as so by the U.S. and some 50 nations. ___ Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said he will meet U.S. Vice President Mike Pence at a meeting Monday of regional diplomats. The emergency meeting of foreign ministers from the so-called Lima Group of mostly conservative Latin American nations was organized to discuss Venezuela's crisis. It will take place in Colombia's capital of Bogota. Guaido, who the U.S. and some 50 nations recognize as Venezuela's rightful leader, spoke from Colombian city of Cucuta alongside President Ivan Duque after a day of deadly clashes with security forces blocking the entry of humanitarian aid amassed on three of Venezuela's borders. While insisting he wouldn't give up in his fight to deliver the aid, he didn't ask supporters to continue risking their lives and make another attempt to break the barricades set up by President Nicolas Maduro's socialist government. But he did make one more appeal to troops to join the opposition's fight for power. "How many of you national guardsmen have a sick mother? How many have kids in school without food," he said, standing alongside a warehouse where some 200 tons of mostly U.S.-supplied boxes of food and medicine has been stockpiled. ___ 4 p.m. Tensions are running high in the city of Santa Elena on the Brazil-Venezuela border. Thousands remained at the Venezuelan city's international border crossing with Brazil to demand the entry of food and medicine as dusk fell. Two trucks carrying humanitarian aid are stuck at the crossing, which has been blocked by the Venezuelan National Guard. Many Venezuelans on Saturday sang their country's national anthem and demanded that President Nicolas Maduro let the aid through. Pastor Djalma Justino Alves, 52, said he had never seen such a desperate situation. "It's very tense, we're living a human catastrophe," he said. ___ 3 p.m. An emergency doctor says two protesters have been killed and another 18 have been injured during clashes between soldiers and residents of the southeastern Venezuelan town of Santa Elena de Uairen, near the border with Brazil. Earlier, a woman told The Associated Press that her brother had died after being injured in clashes with Venezuelan armed forces. However, the doctor told the AP that the woman's brother was still alive. The doctor added that the two deceased have not been identified. The clashes occurred as the Venezuelan opposition attempted to carry out a plan to bring humanitarian aid into the South American nation over the objections of President Nicolas Maduro. ___ 2:40 p.m. Democratic presidential candidate and California Sen. Kamala Harris says she doesn't "condone military action at this point" to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Venezuela. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has blocked such aid at the border and resisted calls to step aside and let opposition leader Juan Guaido take power. Harris said during a visit to Iowa on Saturday that Maduro's stand needed to be taken "very seriously." President Donald Trump has advocated "a peaceful transition of power" but also said all options are on the table. On Saturday, he tweeted: "God Bless the people of Venezuela." Two other Democratic senators in the 2020 White House race, Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, also have said they oppose U.S. military force in Venezuela. Sen. Harris spoke before Maduro announced he was breaking off diplomatic ties with neighboring Colombia. ___ 2:30 p.m. Venezuelans are rushing to rescue boxes of emergency food and medicine from burning trucks stalled on a bridge to Colombia. A large black cloud hung over the Francisco de Paula Santander bridge as protesters passed the boxes by hand and removed them from the blazing vehicles. Fernando Flores, an eyewitness who described himself as a lawmaker from Ecuador, said national guardsmen acting under orders from Nicolas Maduro had torched the trucks once they crossed into Venezuelan territory. Maduro has vowed to block any aid shipments, considering them a "Trojan horse" intended to pave the way for foreign military intervention. ___ 2:10 p.m. Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro announced he's breaking all diplomatic ties with neighboring Colombia amid deepening political turmoil. Maduro spoke Saturday as opposition leader Juan Guaido launched an effort to bring international humanitarian aid into Venezuela from across the border in Cucuta, Colombia. Maduro denies a humanitarian crisis exists, saying Guaido is a puppet of the United States which seeks to colonize Venezuela and exploit its oil. Guaido made public appearances throughout the day alongside Colombia's President Ivan Duque, an outspoken critic of Maduro and close U.S. ally. Maduro asked for the blessing of a mass of loyal supporters in Caracas. He then ordered Colombia's diplomats out of the country within the next 24 hours. ___ 2:05 p.m. President Nicolas Maduro says he'll never surrender and has vowed to defend Venezuela's independence with his life if necessary. A defiant Maduro spoke Saturday in Caracas before thousands of cheering supporters dressed in red shirts, the color of Venezuela's socialist party. He took the stage dancing with his wife. A month ago, opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido declared presidential powers and promised to overthrow Maduro, holding new elections to restore democracy. However, Maduro says he fears nothing. He called Guaido a puppet of the White House and mocked the leader, asking why he hadn't yet called an election if he truly holds power. ___ 1:40 p.m. Five Venezuelan members of the armed forces who deserted their posts Saturday have recognized Juan Guaido as their commander in chief. In a video Guaido published on Twitter, the men in army green fatigues can be seen rising in attention and offering a military salute to the opposition leader, calling him Venezuela's "constitutional president" and stating that they are ready to obey his orders. Guaido thanked the soldiers, shaking their hands and saying they had done the "right thing." He also reaffirmed his offer of amnesty to all military personnel who "protect the Venezuelan people" and align with the opposition in its bid to force President Nicolas Maduro from power. ___ 1 p.m. Two trucks carrying humanitarian aid from Brazil are stuck at the Venezuela border, contradicting earlier reports by opposition leaders that they had managed to break through a police blockade and enter the country. An Associated Press journalist at the border said the trucks remain stationed in the arid expanse separating the Brazilian city of Pacaraima from the Venezuela city of Santa Elena de Uairen. Earlier Juan Guaido on Twitter celebrated the arrival of what he said was the first truck of humanitarian aid, echoing comments from opposition lawmakers in Caracas who are monitoring the relief effort. ___ 12:55 p.m. An army major says he's rejecting President Nicolas Maduro and throwing his loyalty behind the opposition's effort to bring aid into Venezuela. Maj. Hugo Parra Martinez was the fifth member of the armed forces to abandon Maduro's socialist government on Saturday. A lieutenant and three sergeants of the National Guard surrendered earlier to officials in Colombia with raised hands. Opposition leader Juan Guaido says the military is key to restoring democracy in Venezuela, although masses of soldiers appear to remain loyal to Maduro. Images of Parra Martinez on social media and local broadcasters show him speaking through a megaphone that he's ready to join the struggle for Venezuela's freedom. ___ 12:20 p.m. Thousands are flooding the streets of Venezuela's capital in rival demonstrations as opposition leaders vow to move shipments of humanitarian aid into the country despite objections from President Nicolas Maduro. In Caracas, Maduro loyalists marched by the thousands to the city center to the sounds of brass bands, while others rode motorcycles. Opposition supporters are converging on a Caracas military base, urging soldiers to join their fight. Many were dressed in the colors of Venezuela's flag and some came in costume as Capt. America characters. Opposition leader Juan Guaido said emergency food and medicine would be delivered to Venezuela from three neighboring countries. Maduro has closed Venezuela's borders and calls the aid part of a U.S.-led coup. The opposition gathering in the capital was much smaller than that held by government supporters, but many Venezuelans who want Maduro to step down turned out en masse near the country's border crossings. ___ 11:40 a.m. Opposition leader Juan Guaido says the first shipment of humanitarian aid has crossed into Venezuela from Brazil. Guaido announced the crossing on his Twitter account Saturday. He called it a "great achievement." The AP could not independently confirm the aid had passed through. Guaido one month ago declared presidential powers, vowing to end what he calls the tyranny of President Nicolas Maduro. A defiant Maduro denies a humanitarian crisis exists and has ordered the closing of Venezuela's borders to block Guaido's effort, which he says is part of a U.S.-led coup. ___ 11 a.m. Opposition leader Juan Guaido has sent off a humanitarian aid convoy of trucks from Colombia toward the border of Venezuela at a pivotal moment in a showdown with President Nicolas Maduro. Guaido on Saturday spoke from the border town of Cucuta, Colombia where U.S. aid has been stored. Guaido says that he's standing among tons of supplies, but Maduro's government favors blocking it from entering peacefully into Venezuela, where it could save lives. Maduro has closed the country's borders and National Guard soldiers have clashed with protesters. ___ 10:30 a.m. Protesters along Venezuela's border with Colombia have stolen a red city bus and set it on fire to express outrage over thwarted humanitarian aid deliveries. Flames from the bus blaze in the border town of Urena also caused nearby power lines to spark. Protests broke out early in the day as opposition leader Juan Guaido vowed to move in emergency food and medicine from the United States over objections from President Nicolas Maduro. But Guaido and other opposition leaders showed no immediate signs of being able to get the aid from a warehouse in Cucuta, Colombia to Venezuela. ___ 10:15 a.m. The first truck with humanitarian aid from the Brazilian government has arrived in the city of Pacaraima on the border with Venezuela. The crossing has been closed on orders from Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the truck loaded with food and medicine will now wait in Brazilian territory. Brazil's Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo said he expects Maduro's government to allow the aid to pass. "It is very exciting to see people anxious to recover their freedom and have a decent life," Araujo said. ___ 8:50 a.m. Amid flaring tensions on the border, three members of Venezuela's National Guard have deserted their posts and solicited help from Colombia. Colombian migration authorities said they received the request early Saturday at the Simon Bolivar bridge connecting the two countries. There was no immediate word on the guardsmen's rank. But a video provided by Colombian authorities show the men wading through a crowd with their assault rifles and pistols held above their heads in a sign of surrender. The young soldiers were then ordered to lay face down on the ground as migration officials urge onlookers to keep a safe distance. ___ 8:40 a.m. Venezuela's National Guard has fired tear gas on residents clearing a barricaded border bridge between Venezuela and Colombia to let humanitarian aid pass through. The tensions flared at dawn Saturday at the blocked entrance of the Francisco de Paula Santander bridge on the Venezuelan border town of Urena. Opposition leader Juan Guaido has vowed to bring humanitarian aid across into Venezuela from Colombia over objections from President Nicolas Maduro. Venezuelan officials have ordered the border with Colombia closed after already shutting down crossings from Brazil and the island of Curacao, other points of entry for the aid. But the residents in Urena have defied government orders and began removing yellow metal barricades and barbed wire. ___ 8:10 a.m. Hundreds of Venezuelans have camped out overnight near a bridge in Colombia where humanitarian aid that the opposition will try to deliver inside the country is being stored. Oriana Gutierrez says she traveled 14 hours to attend Friday's concert organized by billionaire Richard Branson and wanted to stay through the following day to help bring in aid. Early Saturday some Venezuelans were singing their national anthem while others held hands in a prayer circle and asked God to protect their country. President Nicolas Maduro has refused to accept the food and medical supplies donated largely by the United States, saying it's part of a larger plot to unseat him from power. The opposition is planning to push in the aid using trucks and masses of people along border bridges connecting Colombia to Venezuela. ___ 6 a.m. Venezuelans frustrated over their nation's crippling food and medical shortages are expected to join opposition leaders Saturday in a potentially risky push to deliver international aid that Nicolas Maduro has refused to accept into the country. The opposition is calling on masses of Venezuelans to help trucks carrying the nearly 200 metric tons of humanitarian assistance delivered largely by the United States over the last two weeks across several border bridges in Colombia. Once the trucks reach the border they'll face a crucial test: Whether the military standing guard on the other side will let them through. Before daybreak Saturday, many national guards in riot gear forced people to move away from the road to the Simon Bolivar bridge connecting Venezuela and Colombia. The Venezuelan government had said that it was closing three of its bridges on the border. Demonstrators gather after clashing with the Bolivarian National Guard in Urena, Venezuela, near the border with Colombia, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Venezuela's National Guard fired tear gas on residents clearing a barricaded border bridge between Venezuela and Colombia on Saturday, heightening tensions over blocked humanitarian aid that opposition leader Juan Guaido has vowed to bring into the country over objections from President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) Venezuelans gather next to a border checkpoint in Pacaraima, Roraima state, Brazil, Saturday, Feb.23, 2019. On Friday, a member of an indigenous tribe was killed and 22 others injured in clashes with security forces who enforced President Nicolas Maduro's orders to keep the aid out at a crossing with Brazil. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia) Bolivarian National Guard troops block access to the Francisco de Paula Santander International Bridge, in Urena, Venezuela, near the border with Colombia, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Venezuela's National Guard fired tear gas on residents clearing a barricaded border bridge between Venezuela and Colombia on Saturday, heightening tensions over blocked humanitarian aid that opposition leader Juan Guaido has vowed to bring into the country over objections from President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) Colombian police reserve officers come to the aid of a Venezuelan who was overcome by the affects of tear gas launched by Venezuela's National Guard on residents clearing the barricaded Simon Bolivar international bridge, who tried to deliver humanitarian aid to Venezuela despite objections from President Nicolas Maduro, in Cucuta, Colombia, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. T (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) An opposition supporter wears a message on his forehead that reads in Spanish: "Humanitarian aid now" during a demonstration urging soldiers to allow the entry of U.S. humanitarian aid, in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Venezuela's military has served as the traditional arbiter of political disputes in the South American country, and in recent weeks, top leaders have pledged their unwavering loyalty to Maduro. However, many believe that lower-ranking troops who suffer from the same hardships as many other Venezuelans may be more inclined to now let the aid enter. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) CORRECTS PHOTOGRAPHER'S BYLINE - Opposition supporters march to La Carlota military base to urge soldiers to join their fight and allow the entry of U.S. humanitarian aid, in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Venezuela's military has served as the traditional arbiter of political disputes in the South American country, and in recent weeks, top leaders have pledged their unwavering loyalty to Maduro. However, many believe that lower-ranking troops who suffer from the same hardships as many other Venezuelans may be more inclined to now let the aid enter. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) CORRECTS PHOTOGRAPHER'S BYLINE - A woman holds up a sign with a message that reads in Spanish: "soldier listen!", as opposition supporters converge in front of La Carlota military base urging soldiers to join their fight and allow the entry of U.S. humanitarian aid, in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Venezuela's military has served as the traditional arbiter of political disputes in the South American country, and in recent weeks, top leaders have pledged their unwavering loyalty to Maduro. However, many believe that lower-ranking troops who suffer from the same hardships as many other Venezuelans may be more inclined to now let the aid enter. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) Opposition demonstrators stand at the ready during clashes with the Bolivarian National Guard in Urena, Venezuela, near the border with Colombia, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Venezuela's National Guard fired tear gas on residents clearing a barricaded border bridge between Venezuela and Colombia on Saturday, heightening tensions over blocked humanitarian aid that opposition leader Juan Guaido has vowed to bring into the country over objections from President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) A demonstrators is given first aid after he was injured in the face during clashes with the Bolivarian National Guard in Urena, Venezuela, near the border with Colombia, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Venezuela's National Guard fired tear gas on residents clearing a barricaded border bridge between Venezuela and Colombia on Saturday, heightening tensions over blocked humanitarian aid that opposition leader Juan Guaido has vowed to bring into the country over objections from President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) Opposition supporters converge in front of La Carlota military base urging soldiers to join their fight and allow the entry of U.S. humanitarian aid, in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Venezuela's military has served as the traditional arbiter of political disputes in the South American country, and in recent weeks, top leaders have pledged their unwavering loyalty to Maduro. However, many believe that lower-ranking troops who suffer from the same hardships as many other Venezuelans may be more inclined to now let the aid enter. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) Opposition supporters converge in front of La Carlota military base urging soldiers to join their fight and allow the entry of U.S. humanitarian aid, in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Venezuela's military has served as the traditional arbiter of political disputes in the South American country, and in recent weeks, top leaders have pledged their unwavering loyalty to Maduro. However, many believe that lower-ranking troops who suffer from the same hardships as many other Venezuelans may be more inclined to now let the aid enter. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) DANDONG, China (AP) - North Korea leader Kim Jong Un was on a train Sunday to Vietnam for his second summit with President Donald Trump, state media confirmed. Kim was accompanied by Kim Yong Chol, who has been a key negotiator in talks with the U.S., and Kim Yo Jong, the leader's sister, the North's official Korean Central News Agency reported. TV footage and photos distributed by the North's state-run news agency showed Kim inspecting a guard of honor at the Pyongyang station before waving from the train. Late Saturday, an Associated Press reporter saw a green-and-yellow train similar to one used in the past by Kim cross into the Chinese border city of Dandong via a bridge. The Trump-Kim meeting is slated for Wednesday and Thursday in Hanoi. Their first summit last June in Singapore ended without substantive agreements on the North's nuclear disarmament and triggered a months-long stalemate in negotiations as Washington and Pyongyang struggled with the sequencing of North Korea's nuclear disarmament and the removal of U.S.-led sanctions against the North. Kim's overseas travel plans are routinely kept secret. It could take more than two days for the train to travel thousands of kilometers (miles) through China to Vietnam. In this Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, photo provided on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un waves from a train before leaving Pyongyang Station, North Korea, for Vietnam. Kim was on a train Sunday to Vietnam for his second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, state media confirmed. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP) Vietnam's Foreign Ministry announced Saturday that Kim would pay an official goodwill visit to the country "in the coming days" in response to an invitation by President Nguyen Phu Trong, who is also the general secretary of Vietnam's ruling Communist Party. In his upcoming meeting with Trump, experts say Kim will seek a U.S. commitment for improved bilateral relations and partial sanctions relief while trying to minimize any concessions on his nuclear facilities and weapons. While Kim wants to leverage his nuclear and missile program for economic and security benefits, there continue to be doubts on whether he's ready to fully deal away an arsenal that he may see as his strongest guarantee of survival. Last year, North Korea suspended its nuclear and long-range missile tests and unilaterally dismantled its nuclear testing ground and parts of a rocket launch facility without the presence of outside experts, but none of those steps were seen as meaningful cutbacks to the North's weapons capability. While North Korea has repeatedly demanded that the United States take corresponding measures, including sanctions relief, Washington has called for more concrete steps from Pyongyang toward denuclearization. Hanoi has been gearing up for the summit with beefed-up security. Officials say the colonial-era Government Guest House in central Hanoi is expected to be the venue for the Trump-Kim meeting, with the nearby Metropole Hotel as a backup. Streets around the two places have been beautified with flowers and the flags of North Korea, the U.S and Vietnam. Workers were also putting final touches on the International Media Center. Vietnam's Foreign Ministry says some 2,600 members of the foreign press have registered for the event. Also expected to land in Vietnam on Sunday was Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Lavrov will pay an official visit ahead of a Russia-India-China ministerial conference in China, according to Interfax news agency. Meanwhile, Vietnam has announced a traffic ban along Kim's possible arrival route. The Communist Party's mouthpiece Nhan Dan newspaper quoted the Department of Roads as saying the ban will first apply to trucks 10 tons or bigger, and vehicles with nine seats or more on the 170-kilometer (105-mile) stretch of Highway One from Dong Dang, the border town with China, to Hanoi from 7 p.m. Monday to 2 p.m. Tuesday, followed by a complete ban Tuesday on all vehicles from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. The People's Committee in Lang Son province, where the Dong Dang railway station is located, issued a statement Friday instructing the road operator to clean the highway stretch and suspend road works, among other things, on Feb. 24-28 as "a political task." In this Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, photo provided on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un salutes while reviewing troops at Pyongyang Station, North Korea, before leaving for Vietnam. Kim was on a train Sunday to Vietnam for his second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, state media confirmed. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP) In this Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, photo, a train similar to ones seen during previous visits to China by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un leaves Dandong Station in northeastern China's Liaoning Province. Kim was on a train Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, to Vietnam for his second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, state media confirmed. (Madoka Ikegami/Kyodo News via AP) In this Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, photo, a train similar to ones seen during previous visits to China by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un leaves Dandong Station in northeastern China's Liaoning Province. Kim was on a train Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, to Vietnam for his second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, state media confirmed. (Madoka Ikegami/Kyodo News via AP) In this Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, photo, a train similar to ones seen during previous visits to China by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un seen after leaving Dandong Station in northeastern China's Liaoning Province. Kim was on a train Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, to Vietnam for his second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, state media confirmed. (Madoka Ikegami/Kyodo News via AP) In this image taken from video footage, a train similar to ones seen during previous visits to China by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un crosses the Friendship Bridge from North Korea into China as seen from Dandong in northeastern China's Liaoning Province, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. A train similar to one used in the past by Kim Jong Un entered China on Saturday evening, possibly carrying the North Korean leader on a journey to Vietnam's capital for his summit with President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Dake Kang) In this image taken from video footage, a train similar to ones seen during previous visits to China by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un crosses the Friendship Bridge from North Korea into China as seen from Dandong in northeastern China's Liaoning Province, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. A train similar to one used in the past by Kim Jong Un entered China on Saturday evening, possibly carrying the North Korean leader on a journey to Vietnam's capital for his summit with President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Dake Kang) GAUHATI, India (AP) - At least 150 people have died and about 200 people have been hospitalized after drinking tainted liquor in two separate incidents in India's remote northeast, authorities said Sunday. The victims of one of the most deadly bootleg liquor-related incidents in India were mostly tea plantation workers in Golaghat and Jorhat districts in Assam state, said Himanta Biswa Sharma, the state's health minister. Assam is India's largest tea-producing state, with more than 1,000 plantations producing more than 50 percent of Indian tea. The workers consumed the tainted liquor laced with methyl alcohol, a chemical that attacks the central nervous system, on Thursday and started falling unconscious. They were rushed to nearby hospitals and the death toll rose to 150 by early Sunday, police and health officials said. Sharma, the minister, said about 200 people who fell sick after drinking the toxic liquor are in hospitals, some in critical condition. Officials said 50 patients have died in the past 24 hours. A doctor attends to a victim, who had consumed bootleg liquor, at a hospital in Jorhat in northeastern state of Assam, India, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. At least 84 people have died and another 200 have been hospitalized after drinking tainted liquor in two separate incidents in India's remote northeast, authorities said on Saturday. ( AP Photo) The owner of a local brewing unit and 13 others have been arrested, said top police official Mukesh Agarwal. He said police are pursuing other people believed to be connected to the racket as part of an ongoing investigation. "We shall not spare anyone involved in manufacture and distribution of the tainted liquor," Minister Sharma said. Locals vandalized home of one of the arrested. Authorities collected samples for the medical tests. Deaths from illegally brewed alcohol are common in India because the poor cannot afford licensed brands from government-run shops. Illicit liquor is cheap and often spiked to increase potency. In India's Uttar Pradesh state earlier this month, about 80 people died from tainted bootleg liquor. The merger of Barrick and Newmont -- the world's biggest gold miners -- would create a juggernaut worth an estimated US$42 billion Canadian miner Barrick Gold on Monday launched a nearly $18 billion hostile merger offer for American rival Newmont to create a global gold juggernaut. Together the world's two biggest miners in the sector would form "the world's best gold company," according to a statement, which would be worth an estimated $42 billion, dwarfing its nearest rival. The tie-up also would top a previous record deal set only last month when Newmont made a move for another Canadian company, Goldcorp, to leapfrog Barrick as top gold miner after years of waning investor interest due to lackluster bullion prices. Newmont, however, pushed back against Barrick's offer, saying it is focused on closing its $10 billion Goldcorp acquisition in the second quarter. Barrick President and CEO Mark Bristow called the proposal "logical and long overdue." "A combination of Barrick and Newmont would represent a unique, once in a lifetime opportunity to create the unrivalled leader in the gold sector and generate significant -- and in our industry, unparalleled -- value creation for our shareholders," Bristow said in a letter to Newmont's board of directors. The companies had flirted with the idea of merging five years ago, but talks fell apart over who would lead the combined firm and where to locate its headquarters -- Toronto or Denver. Barrick last week confirmed it was considering another effort, that had long eluded its late founder and chairman Peter Munk. In a conference call with analysts, Bristow said the merger would result in $7 billion in cost savings, notably from synergies in their "highly complementary" neighboring operations in Nevada. The two companies have adjoining assets in Nevada and Newmont already has a stake in Barrick's Turquoise Ridge Mine in the western US state. The merger "would position the Nevada assets to deliver more than 20 years of profitable production," Bristow said in a statement. "Most important, it will enable us to consider our Nevada assets as one complex, which will result in better mine planning and fully realize the state's enormous geological potential for all stakeholders." The deal would, however, put Barrick on the hook for a $650 million breakup fee payable to Goldcorp for scuttling its merger with Newmont. - 'Long overdue' industry restructuring - Newmont responded to Barrick's pitch in a statement, saying its proposed merger with Goldcorp offers "superior benefits," while noting that Barrick's bid was lower than Newmont's current share value, which soared last week following reports that a takeover was coming. But Bristow shot back that "the synergies are clearly the premium." The industry has been consolidating as gold mines around the world get depleted, driving up costs and encouraging companies to come together in mergers and alliances. In January, Colorado-based Newmont announced a friendly takeover of Vancouver-based Goldcorp. That acquisition came only three months after Barrick itself agreed to buy Britain's Randgold Resources in a $5.4 billion deal. "Considered globally," Bristow said, the merger of Barrick and Newmont "represents a radical and long-overdue restructuring of the gold industry, and a transformative shift from short-term survival tactics to the long-term creation of sustainable value." If the deal goes through, the combined company would have revenues of approximately $15.6 billion, significant cash flow, and $7 billion in earnings annually. It would also be sitting atop massive gold reserves of 141 million ounces, and "an unrivalled exploration and development portfolio covering all of the world's major gold districts." This includes mines in Latin America, the United States, Africa and Australia. Barrick hopes to close the deal in the third quarter Shares in the two mining companies fell slightly in morning trading in New York after the announcement. The Instagram logo, as displayed on an Apple iPhone Iran President Hassan Rouhani on Monday brushed off attacks against his telecom minister over charges of failing to create a "safe environment" in social media and leaving Iranian data vulnerable to espionage, state television reported. According to the judiciary, 2,000 people in the southwestern city of Ahvaz and the general prosecutor's office have lodged a complaint against the minister, Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi. "Someone in the judiciary says they'll lodge a complaint against a young minister. Well, he is not at all intimidated and is doing his job," said Rouhani, without naming the minister. "Ok, then, lodge a complaint! The young minister is working for the benefit of the people and pays no heed to pointless orders," he added defiantly. A "lack of safe space" in social media has "drawn (young people) to Takfiri (jihadist) groups and eventually led to (last year's) terrorist incident at the armed forces parade," a cyberspace official at the prosecutor's office, Javad Javidnia, told semi-official news agency ISNA. Back in September 2018 in the southwestern city of Ahvaz, in Khuzestan province bordering Iraq, gunmen killed at least 24 people as they opened fire on the military parade. Javidnia said a complaint had also been lodged against the managers of Telegram and Instagram. Iran has in the past blocked access to social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and the judiciary blocked the Telegram messaging app in May. The judiciary has also accused Azari-Jahromi, at 37 the youngest member of Rouhani's cabinet, of leaving Iran's "big data" vulnerable to access by its enemies, which enables them to commit "internet espionage". "Foreigners can analyse this data and use it to disrupt the country's security and stability," Javidnia told ISNA. The judiciary has frequently clashed with the telecom minister. In January, Azari-Jahromi opposed a mulled ban on the photo- and video-sharing application Instagram, saying it would only create new problems for the Islamic republic. Despite restrictions, top Iranians officials like Rouhani and the minister himself use services such as Twitter, which are widely accessible via proxy servers. The Green Leaf Coffee Shop's 1970s-style decor is predominantly brown, and pictures of the Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia flowers named for North Korea's rulers are on show One of the closest things to an example of American culture in Pyongyang is the Green Leaf Coffee Shop -- the top burger joint in the North Korean capital. Across the road from the April 25 Culture House -- named for the day the North's founder Kim Il Sung set up anti-Japanese guerrilla forces -- it overlooks the showpiece Ryomyong Street development his grandson and current leader Kim Jong Un opened in 2017. The 1970s-style decor is predominantly brown, pictures of the Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia flowers named for the North's rulers are on show, and footage of the State Merited Chorus plays on a television. A basic beefburger costs slightly less than $2, while a cheeseburger with minced beef and bacon is around $4. In a nod to local tastes, it also offers burgers with kimchi, and some with the bun replaced by two layers of rice, among other dishes. The founders of the burger joint avoided American connotations The burgers come wrapped in paper on plastic trays, the chips in red cartons echoing McDonald's, albeit served by uniformed waitresses. But the isolated North has long seen the United States as its implacable enemy, blaming it for the division of the Korean peninsula, countless atrocities during the Korean War, and its economic struggles. In the run-up to Kim Jong Un's summit in Hanoi with US President Donald Trump, the nuclear-armed North's official media barely mentioned the meeting. The burger restaurant's founders -- it was set up by a Singaporean businessman, Patrick Soh, who operated a franchise of the US chain Waffletown in the Lion City -- avoided American connotations. A basic beefburger costs slightly less than $2, while a cheeseburger with minced beef and bacon is around $4 They called it Samtaesong, which Soh translates as "three big stars", and it has since been renamed again, with the menus now describing it as owned by the Sogwang High-Tech Corporation. The clientele is mostly small family groups and young couples, and manager Kim Yong Ae says the 300 to 500 customers a week do not think of burgers as American. "We brought it from Singapore's Waffletown, so people know it just as hamburgers, a form of layered bread, rather than McDonald's," she told AFP. "Some think of it as Singaporean food." - Rictus of hate - North Korean authorities teach their citizens from birth to despise the US, with war museums depicting white soldiers slaughtering innocent civilians, their gnarled faces twisted into rictuses of hate. The burger joint is the closest thing to an example of American culture in the North Korean capital One memorial site in Sinchon -- where US forces are said to have massacred more than 35,000 people, although foreign researchers say the toll is unclear and there is no evidence of American culpability -- features a "revenge-pledging place" where busloads of visitors can hurl abuse at the US. "People are influenced in multiple ways by those narratives, even if not everyone buys it wholesale," said Sokeel Park of Liberty In North Korea, which helps defectors travel from China to third countries. "There are some alternative sources of narrative about the US," he added. Pyongyang closely controls all media in the country, but illicit content circulates on USB sticks, watched in secret by citizens who face criminal punishment for doing so. Most of it is Korean-language rather than foreign, according to observers, but Park said some US films had entered the country -- American music less so -- and some people listened to Radio Free Asia and Voice of America broadcasts. After the vitriol of 2017, when the two countries' leaders traded personal insults and threats of war, the official KCNA news agency's tone has adapted alongside the diplomatic drive, offering few overt criticisms of the US or Trump and instead reserving its bile for former colonial overlord Japan. North Korean authorities teach their citizens from birth to despise the United States Pyongyang did nothing to shy away from covering the first summit in Singapore, portraying Kim and Trump meeting as equals. And an about-turn in the relationship would not "cause the cognitive dissonance that many people expect it would", according to Simon Cockerell, general manager of specialist travel agency Koryo Tours, who has been to the North 176 times over 17 years. The North Koreans he has spoken to, Cockerell says, are "all pretty uniformly against the US government as you might expect", but "have the nuance to not identify the entire US population as their enemy". And they were "mentally flexible and intelligent enough to understand and adapt to the message changing while still internalising the core belief: that the US is the enemy of the DPRK and will be until the most basic agreements are reached, then things may change!" President Donald Trump (R) meets with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore in June 2018 Could the United States and North Korea reach a historic accord -- or could it all fall to pieces? As President Donald Trump prepares for a historic second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, observers see a wide array of possible outcomes. Here are some scenarios that could emerge from the summit, which opens Wednesday in Hanoi: - Complete breakdown considered unlikely - The US pointman on North Korea, Stephen Biegun, and his counterpart Kim Hyok Chol are holding working-level talks in Hanoi to lay the groundwork for the leaders. A complete collapse of the summit seems "unlikely because Trump and Kim are so invested in the meeting," said Viping Narang, an associate professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. But what comes out of the talks is another story. The two leaders' first summit in Singapore ended in a statement that agreed on "complete denuclearization" -- which Pyongyang defines broadly as an end to nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula. The United States says it is seeking the "verifiable and irreversible" denuclearization of North Korea -- a formulation Pyongyang is sure to resist. - Repeat of Singapore is defeat for Trump - A Vietnamese customer tries a T-shirt with portraits of Trump and Kim at a shop in Hanoi A simple repeat of the Singapore declaration would be widely seen in the United States as a defeat for Trump. "What would be a failure is another vague statement about intentions with very little concrete action that each side is committed to take," said Jung Pak, a former CIA analyst who is now a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Narang said that a repeat of Singapore would be the favored outcome for North Korea, which would face no fresh constraints. "There's a paradox: for the summit to be useful for the North Koreans, the working-level meetings need to be as vague and drawn-out as possible," Narang said. "But for the summit to be useful for the US, the working-level meetings have to deliver something concrete." A Western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that if nothing major emerges by the US summer, hawks around Trump such as his national security adviser, John Bolton, could increasingly press to be done with talks and focus on pressure. - Or Trump yields ground - Trump speaks in the Oval Office No matter how much Trump's team prepares him, this most untraditional of US presidents could reject expert advice and, as is his wont, go with his gut. Such a scenario would be seen as a catastrophe by much of the Washington establishment, which has spent decades trying to figure out North Korea. "A failure would be that the US gives more than it receives," said Abraham Denmark, director of the Asia program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Denmark voiced fear that Trump could declare a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War -- which closed only with an armistice -- without significant action from Pyongyang. "Declaring an end to the war is a significant concession and should not be done lightly," he said, fearing an effect on the dynamics between the two Koreas. One major fear for South Korea and Japan is that Trump reaches a deal that only restricts intercontinental missiles that could hit the United States, while not taking up shorter-range weapons that threaten them. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has repeatedly spoken of the North Korea summit as a way to protect Americans, raising worries in the region. - US hopes for verifiable denuclearization - The best result for the United States would be a step-by-step, verifiable agreement in which the North Koreans commit to ending their nuclear program beyond verbal promises. South Korea's President Moon Jae-in has spearheaded the reconciliation drive between the United States and North Korea North Korean concessions over which the United States could cry victory include the suspension of all the regime's missile and nuclear sites and the destruction of some of them, Denmark said. For Narang, the destruction of the Yongbyon complex -- North Korea's main nuclear center -- would mark an important step. But the key for Washington would be inspections by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency to verify North Korea is getting rid of its nuclear weapons. In return, Washington could open a liaison office in Pyongyang -- a step toward full diplomatic relations -- or declare an end to the war. Kim's most urgent goal is the lifting of international sanctions that have held back his hopes of economic development. The United States has so far insisted that it will not provide aid until denuclearization. But Biegun recently hinted at early steps, saying, "We didn't say we won't do anything until you do everything." US President Donald Trump says the United States is delaying a planned increase of tariffs on more than $200 billion in Chinese exports after "substantial progress" made in trade talks The United States is delaying a planned increase of tariffs on more than $200 billion in Chinese exports after "substantial progress" made in trade talks, President Donald Trump said Sunday. Trump also said he planned to hold a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Florida estate Mar-a-Lago to ink a deal. "I am pleased to report that the U.S. has made substantial progress in our trade talks with China on important structural issues including intellectual property protection, technology transfer, agriculture, services, currency, and many other issues," Trump wrote on Twitter. "As a result of these very productive talks, I will be delaying the U.S. increase in tariffs now scheduled for March 1. Assuming both sides make additional progress, we will be planning a Summit for President Xi and myself, at Mar-a-Lago, to conclude an agreement. A very good weekend for U.S. & China!" Trump had already expressed optimism about the negotiations Friday after meeting with China's vice premier Liu He. The talks concluded Sunday. Xi also struck a positive tone in a letter Liu delivered to Trump, saying he hoped the negotiations would be held in a "win-win" spirit that would lead to a mutually beneficial agreement. The Chinese president expressed hope that the talks maintain "a mutually respectful, cooperative and win-win attitude" and lead to a "mutually beneficial" agreement. Trump said Friday that an agreement on currency manipulation will be included in the trade pact, but otherwise few details have been made public. The seven-month-old trade war has rattled global markets and prompted stark warnings about the risks to the world economy. Analysts say the two sides are likely to trumpet mutual agreements to resolve the easier parts of the trade dispute -- increasing purchases of American goods, more open investment in China and tougher protections for intellectual property and proprietary technology. The harder parts covering issues such as scaling back China's ambitious industrial strategy for global preeminence, meanwhile, are another question. Pope Francis reportedly joked with Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi last September that he would visit Mozambique in 2019 "if I'm still alive" A senior Mozambican priest said Sunday that Pope Francis will visit the southern African nation this year, the first papal visit to Mozambique since 1988. "I can tell you a secret... this year we will receive a very special visit. Pope Francis will be here among us this year," Giorgio Ferreti, the Maputo Cathedral priest told worshippers in the Mozambican capital. President Filipe Nyusi invited the pontiff to visit Mozambique during a trip to the Vatican last September, announcing the possible trip to reporters in a breach of Vatican protocol. The pope reportedly joked: "If I'm still alive." Mozambique, a former Portuguese colony, has around four million Catholics. Though no date has been confirmed for a papal visit to Mozambique, September has been suggested as a plausible date for a trip that may include nearby Madagascar. Pope Francis kicked off the year with a historic public mass for an estimated 170,000 Catholics at a stadium in the capital of the United Arab Emirates in February. It capped the first ever papal visit to the Gulf where Islam was born. Francis has made outreach to Muslim communities a cornerstone of his papacy. Twenty percent of Mozambique's population are Muslim and the country has been rocked by a jihadist insurgency in the nation's north since October 2017. Pope John Paul II visited Mozambique in 1988 and witnessed first-hand the devastation wrought by the country's long civil war. Demonstrators attend a protest in Gaza City demanding Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas to step down Thousands of protesters in the Gaza Strip Sunday called on Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas to resign after attempts to pressure his rival Hamas with financial cuts in the impoverished enclave. "Leave!" yelled crowds made up mainly of supporters of Hamas and Mohammed Dahlan, an Abbas rival expelled from the president's Fatah party and who now lives in exile. They called on the Palestinian Authority to pay the full salaries of public sector employees in Gaza, run by Islamist movement Hamas. Abbas, 83, has over the course of recent months reduced salaries in the Gaza Strip. Protesters demanded increased electricity supplies to the enclave, where residents receive power in around eight-hour intervals. They also demonstrated against Israel's more than decade-long blockade of the Gaza Strip. Israel says the blockade is necessary to prevent Hamas, with whom it has fought three wars since 2008, from obtaining weapons or materials that could be used to make them. Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007 in a near civil war with Abbas's Fatah. Multiple reconciliation attempts aimed at restoring the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority to power in Gaza have failed. Separately in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, around 2,500 people demonstrated in support of Abbas in the city of Hebron. Abbas was in Egypt's Sharm El Sheikh on Sunday to attend a European Union-Arab League summit. He met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi while there, according to official Palestinian news agency WAFA. Abbas's term was meant to expire in 2009, but he has remained in office in the absence of elections. The suspect was shot as special forces rushed the Bangladesh Biman flight BG147 after it landed safely in Chittagong Bangladesh commandos stormed a passenger jet in the country's southeast Sunday and shot dead an armed man who allegedly tried to hijack the Dubai-bound flight, an army official said. The suspect, described by officials as a Bangladeshi man in his mid 20s, was shot as special forces rushed the plane after it landed safely in Chittagong. The 134 passengers and 14 crew aboard the Bangladesh Biman flight BG147 were all rescued unharmed, officials said. But the suspected hijacker -- identified by the name "Mahadi" and described as being 25 or 26 years old -- was injured and died shortly after being arrested, said army spokesman Major General Motiur Rahman. "Our commando team asked the hijacker to surrender, but he rejected it by being aggressive, and was shot," Rahman told reporters. "Later on we learnt he had died... We found a pistol from him and nothing else." The 148 passengers and crew aboard the flight were all rescued unharmed and Chittagong's Shah Amanat International Airport has been sealed off, officials said The airport was sealed off by Army, Navy and elite police after landing to collect more passengers from Dhaka on its journey to Dubai. "Just ten minutes after the plane took off (from Dhaka) he fired twice," one passenger told reporters in Chittagong. Air Vice Marshall Mofid, who goes by one name, said he kept the accused man busy talking on the phone while special forces units prepared for the dramatic raid. "He demanded to speak to our Prime Minister (Sheikh Hasina)," Mofid said. "He claimed he had a pistol, but we are not sure yet whether it is an actual gun or a fake." - 'Psychologically deranged' - The operation took less than 10 minutes and the plane has been searched and declared worthy to fly again, Rahman said. The country's civil aviation chief, Nayeem Hasan, earlier said the suspect had claimed to have a bomb aboard the flight. "From the talks and dialogue we have with him, it seems he is psychologically deranged," Hasan said after the man was arrested. Another army spokesman, Abdullah Ibne Zaid, said Chittagong's Shah Amanat International Airport was "very much under control of the Bangladesh Army". "The army's special forces conducted the operation and the armed man has been neutralised," he said. Rahman said an investigation would be conducted into how the man "passed airport security details with a gun". "It will take some time," he said. Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation of 165 million, has struggled to grapple with homegrown extremism in recent years, including the murder of atheist bloggers and progressive activists by Islamist outfits. In a deadly attack claimed by the Islamic State group in 2016, militants killed 22 people including 18 foreigners at an upmarket cafe in Dhaka popular with Westerners. That attack prompted a swift crackdown by Prime Minister Hasina, with hundreds of suspected militants and their sympathisers arrested or killed in raids across the country. French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, flanked by General Frederic Blachon, commander of the Barkane force, said Paris' partners must commit to the long haul to end jihadist violence in the Sahel French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on Sunday urged partners to stand with Paris in driving back jihadist violence in the Sahel. France, with troops on the ground in the region, is backing a 5,000-man joint mission among the five-nations in the G5 Sahel force on the frontline: Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Chad. "We require everyone's commitment to progress towards durable stabilisation. Nobody can boast of being able to do that without the backing of others," Philippe said, citing a Malian proverb at his troops' headquarters in Gao. He was speaking days after the African Union's peace and security chief Smail Chergui urged member states to tackle the root causes of extremism in the Sahel region. Chergui voiced disappointment at the difficulties in financing and equipping the force at a time when the future of the UN's MINUSMA mission in Mali is uncertain. Highlighting Mali's fragile security, two Malian troops and a civilian were wounded on Sunday when suicide bombers in vehicles attacked a military base near Bamako where European military trainers are based, local authorities said. Two assailants were killed in the attack on Koulikoro Training Centre some 60 kilometres (37 miles) from the capital, where the EUTM European training mission and Mali's officer training school is located, the Malian ministry for security and civil protection said in a statement. No Western trainers were wounded. The attackers, who were travelling in two cars, first attacked a checkpoint before guards at the camp returned fire forcing the assailants to detonate their explosives at the entrance of the military training centre, the ministry said. In Burkina Faso meanwhile, the military reported Sunday that they had killed 29 militants in a land and air operation in the east of the country last week. Special forces, army and air force units hit militants between Tuesday and Wednesday, recovering an important quantity of weapons, said an army statement. - 'As long as necessary' - The Islamist revolt in the Sahel took off after chaos engulfed Libya in 2011. Jihadist attacks erupted in northern Mali as Boko Haram emerged in the north of Nigeria. Large areas of Mali remain out of control, and the jihadists have gained ground in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger, while Chad is battling unrest on its borders. France sent troops into Mali in 2013 to help drive back Islamist insurgents who took control of the north of the country. Since then its French-led Operation Barkhane anti-insurgency campaign has kept troops in the region France sent troops into Mali in 2013 to help drive back Islamist insurgents who took control of the north of the country. Since then its French-led Operation Barkhane anti-insurgency campaign has kept troops in the region. "It is the action of all, with Barkhane, alongside Malian forces, that will drive back jihadism," said Philippe, who arrived in Mali late Friday for a two-day visit. In an address to French, Malian, British and Estonian forces on Sunday, the French premier saluted their "remarkable and decisive" results, which included the recent killing of Djamel Okacha, a top jihadist leader accused of kidnapping Westerners in the Sahel. "Every day our enemies are suffering important losses, reducing their capacity to cause trouble," said Philippe, while conceding that the threat has not disappeared. On Saturday he said the 2,700 French forces in the region since 2014 "will remain as long as is necessary". While in Gao, Philippe, accompanied by French Defence Minister Florence Parly, visited a monument to 24 French soldiers who have died in Mali to date. Just a dozen companies run the booming global surveillance market At a security exhibition in Morocco tech companies pushed to convince African officials that their state-of-the-art surveillance tools are the key to stability and development. The ASEC Expo in Rabat, billed by organisers as the first of its kind on the continent, last week brought together firms from across the world looking to conquer new markets in a region marked by rapid urbanisation and economic growth. And while Europe has slapped restrictions on an industry eyed with suspicion by many due to civil liberty concerns, African countries with lax legislation make tempting partners. Chinese communications giant Huawei had a large presence at the event, hyping the success of networks already installed in the capitals of Kenya, Cameroon, Mali and the Ivory Coast. "When a crime has been committed, thanks to the cameras, we work magic," said Ghanian security minister Albert Kan-Dapaah in a promotional clip for the company. "My command centre is the envy of many of my colleagues." Huawei has already equipped more than 700 cities in 100 countries, including more than 25 in Africa, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. But the firm is in the spotlight over concerns it could give Beijing a backdoor into sensitive communications and infrastructure, with the United States and Australia to ban its equipment from their future 5G networks. Chinese communications giant Huawei has already equipped more than 700 cities in 100 countries, including more than 25 in Africa, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency Just a dozen companies run the booming global video surveillance market, a $30 billion industry as of 2017 which research firm Stratistics MRC has forecasted will have double digit growth over the next few years. A representative of South Korea's Hanwha Group said the African market was "very strong... because there is a lot of opportunity for us to supply our products". "We had a lot of sales last year and this year," particularly in Egypt and South Africa, Yoonboom Choi said. - European concerns - The new high-tech command centres of "safe cities" are capable of instantly detecting anything from everyday crimes and accidents to natural disasters and civil unrest -- and to trigger quick responses. With big data and artificial intelligence, crowds are no longer anonymous. Facial recognition algorithms coupled with troves of readily available data online can pinpoint the identity of anyone who passes by a surveillance feed. Vehicles can be identified by their number plates, and ultra-high tech software can even detect human emotions and predict behaviour. Morocco has shown a strong interest in new far-reaching technologies "We can establish anyone's identity without knowing him -- his first and last name, academic background... his family, what he prefers, where he travels," Huawei regional representative Chakib Achour said. These data sets are useful to police pursuing criminals and to companies looking for potential customers, advocates say. But the risk of mass surveillance has sparked concerns among civil liberties advocates. Authoritarian regimes across Africa are frequently accused of violating rights to stamp out opposition. In its annual report for 2019 Human Rights Watch singled out Egypt for using counterterrorism measures and security concerns "as a guise to crush all forms of dissent". Fears over surveillance spurred the European Union in 2018 into enacting a strict new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Europe now has restrictions on "technology that could be developed in the Middle East or Africa", said Francois Levy, regional director of Brazilian software company Digifort. - 'Citizen security' - Morocco, which organised the exhibition, says it needs a strong security policy to fight terrorism and has shown a strong interest in the far-reaching technologies. "Citizen security has always been the focal point" of Morocco's city planning and "underlies the great project of urban renewal that we continue to lead", said head of Rabat city council Mohamed Sadiki during a visit to the expo. Marrakesh is working on an app that would allow citizens and tourists alike to "place emergency calls" and send in tips, boasts regional security official Moulay El Hafid Zimirly in a Huawei-sponsored clip. In its commercial material, Huawei openly pushes the "example" set by China, "where all police stations have their own video surveillance unit". The company offers authorities the chance to tap into troves of images taken in taxis, airports, and stadiums, as well as images taken by ordinary citizens with their mobile phones. Marrakesh is working on an app that would allow citizens and tourists alike to "place emergency calls" and send in tips In its 2019 global report Human Rights Watch detailed how the Chinese government at home increasingly uses mass surveillance to "tighten control over society", including through the widespread collection of biometric details including DNA and voice samples. "All of these systems are being deployed without effective privacy protections in law or in practice, and often people are unaware that their data is being gathered, or how it is used or stored," the report said. For Africa, adopting the technology on offer would open up a major pool of data -- but also questions. By 2020 more than one out of every two people on the continent will have a smartphone, according to a 2018 study published by Deloitte. French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, flanked by General Frederic Blachon, commander of the Barkane force, said Paris' partners must commit to the long haul to end jihadist violence in the Sahel French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on Sunday urged partners to commit to stand with Paris in driving back jihadi violence in the Sahel. "We require everyone's commitment to progress towards durable stabilisation. Nobody can boast of being able to do without the backing of others," Philippe said, citing a Malian proverb at his troop's headquarters at Gao. He was speaking days after the African Union's peace and security chief Smail Chergui urged member states to tackle the root causes of extremism in the Sahel region. France is backing a 5,000-man joint mission among the five nation G5 Sahel force on the front line: Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Chad. But Chergui voiced disappointment in difficulties faced in financing and equipping the force at a time when the future of the current UN mission MINUSMA is uncertain. The Islamist revolt in the Sahel took off after chaos engulfed Libya in 2011. Jihadist attacks erupted in northern Mali as Boko Haram emerged in northern Nigeria. Large areas of Mail remain out of contril, and the jihadists have gained ground in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger, while Chad is battling unrest on its borders. "It is the action of all, with (French-led anti-insurgent Operation) Barkhane, alongside Malian forces, which will drive back jihadism," said Philippe, who arrived in Mali late Friday for a two-day visit. On Sunday he addressed French, Malian, British and Estonian forces saying he wanted to salute the troops' "remarkable and decisive" results to date, including the recently announced deaths of jihadists leaders Amadou Koufa and, last Thursday, Algerian Djamel Okacha, alias Yahya Abou El Hamame. "Every day our enemies are suffering important losses, reducing their capacity to cause trouble," said Philippe, though he conceded the threat has not disappeared. Saturday he said 2,700 French forces in the region since 2014 "will remain as long as is necessary". While in Gao, Philippe, accompanied by Defence Minister Florence Parly, visited a monument to 24 French soldiers who have died in Mali to date. An Algerian protester holds up a national flag as demonstrators take to the streets in the capital Algiers in protest against their ailing president's bid for a fifth term Hundreds of people demonstrated Sunday in the Algerian capital against ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's bid for a fifth term, as state radio journalists complained about a blackout imposed on coverage. Police sprayed tear gas, brought in a water cannon and rounded up several people as shopkeepers pulled down their shutters, an AFP journalist said. Turnout was much lower than on Friday when tens of thousands took to the streets including in Algiers, where demonstrations are strictly banned. State media has been silent on the protests and national radio journalists on Sunday complained that they were being prevented from reporting on the opposition to Bouteflika. In an unsigned letter to management seen by AFP they slammed the "decision by the hierarchy to ignore" the rallies and deplored the skewing of coverage in favour of the incumbent. On Saturday, a top editor at the national radio Meriem Abdou said that she had quit in protest over the restrictions being placed on journalists. Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's decision to run for a fifth term has sparked protests Security forces arrested more than 40 people after Friday's protest, which saw police fire tear gas to block a march on the presidential palace, prompting demonstrators to respond with stone-throwing. Sunday's rally came in response to a call by opposition group Mouwatana. It began when a group of 50 people gathered at the Place Audin in the centre of Algiers. Security forces, deployed from the early hours of the morning and backed by a police helicopter, evacuated the central square, prompting the demonstrators to head elsewhere. Joined by hundreds of others they rallied along Didouche Mourad, a main shopping street which was closed to traffic and blocked by police, chanting "Algeria, free and democratic". Mouwatana coordinator Soufiane Djilali said that 15 members of the group were detained along with "dozens" of other people. AFP could not independently verify these figures. Bouteflika, who uses a wheelchair and has rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013, announced on February 10 that he will run for another term in office. The president's office has said Bouteflika will travel to Switzerland on Sunday for "routine medical checks" ahead of the April 18 presidential election. He has had a long battle with illness and has frequently flown to France for treatment. Bouteflika is Algeria's longest-serving president and a veteran of its independence struggle who has clung to power since 1999 despite his ill health. Results from 120,000 polling stations in 36 states are likely to be declared in the coming days Nigeria on Sunday awaited results from its presidential election, as civil society groups warned that disorganisation and violence may have undermined the polls. Results from Saturday's vote were expected to trickle in to Abuja after being collated at the state and local levels. Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the INEC election commission, will officially declare the outcome in the coming days. But both sides have already claimed victory. An aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, seeking re-election, described the incoming results as "so overwhelming... #BuhariIsWinning!", tweeted Bashir Ahmad. The media team for Buhari's main opponent said the INEC should "immediately announce results as delivered from the polling units and declare the people's candidate, Atiku Abubakar, the winner". Yakubu, however, told reporters: "Only the Independent National Electoral Commission can tally figures, announce results and declare winners." - 'Serious deterioration' - Whoever becomes the next leader of Africa's most populous country and leading oil producer faces a daunting to-do list, from tackling widespread insecurity and endemic corruption to boosting an economy recovering from months of recession. INEC said it was "generally satisfied" with the vote, even though polling stretched into Saturday evening in areas where voter card machines failed and materials arrived late. Some affected polling units in six of Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja even saw voting on Sunday. A coalition of more than 70 civil society groups monitoring the vote reported 16 deaths from election-linked violence in eight states. Others gave a higher toll. Police officers stand guard outside an election collection centre in Port Harcourt after Nigeria's presidental election Nigeria's last election in 2015 was widely seen as the freest and fairest since the country returned to democracy in 1999 after decades of military rule. But Idayat Hassan of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in Abuja said this year's bloodshed and malfunctions were a setback. "This election was a serious deterioration from 2015," she told AFP. "What we now expect from a credible, free and fair election was not there." - Result snapshot - Despite both sides' bullishness, it was difficult to assess from unofficial results announced at individual polling stations who was in the lead. But there were snapshots of each candidate's performance: Abubakar, for example, failed to win the polling station where he voted in Yola, capital of his home state Adamawa. Nigeria's electoral commission said it was "generally satisfied" with the presidential vote, but polling was extended in areas where equipment failed to function or arrive on time and voting was not possible at 8,500 polling places Buhari personally cast a ballot in his hometown of Daura in the northwest state of Katsina, but lost the polling unit set up at the presidential villa in the capital, Abuja. The election was originally set for February 16 but the INEC announced a week-long delay just hours before voting was due to begin, angering voters who had already travelled home to participate. The delay saw the main parties accuse each other of conspiring with the INEC to rig the result, although neither has produced evidence. - Poll violence - Hours before voting began, Boko Haram's Islamic State-backed faction launched a rocket attack on the northeastern city of Maiduguri that killed one soldier. In Rivers state, in the oil-rich southern Niger Delta region, the army said soldiers killed six "hoodlums" in clashes. Yakubu said one election volunteer was killed by a stray bullet in Rivers, where some INEC staff and even police were held hostage. They were all released unharmed, he added. Other election staff were attacked in the southern state of Akwa Ibom and Kogi in the north central region. There were reports of ballot-snatching, vote-buying and violence elsewhere, including in the southwestern state of Lagos. Abiodun Baiyewu, director of Global Rights Nigeria, a civil society group monitoring the vote, said INEC and the security forces could have done more to ensure voters' safety. "INEC needed to have a communication plan with security but we found that this was lacking and security was ineffective," he added. - Campaign promises - A total of 72.7 million people with voter identity cards were eligible to vote in Saturday's polls. Parliamentary elections were held at the same time. In 2015, former military ruler Buhari became the first opposition candidate in Nigerian history to defeat a sitting president, beating Goodluck Jonathan by 2.5 million votes. Buhari has again vowed to be tough on insecurity and corruption, and wants to complete much-needed infrastructure projects. Abubakar is a pro-business free marketeer whose main pledges have been to privatise giant state-run companies and float the embattled naira currency. Nigerian elections have previously been characterised by voting along ethnic and religious lines. But with Buhari and Abubakar both Muslims from the north, that could split the northern vote, making southern states a key battleground. In order to win the presidency in the first-round poll, the winner needs not only to receive a majorty of the votes, but also at least 25 percent of the votes in two thirds of the 36 states plus the Abuja capital territory. eak-cs-ola-phz/boc Japan's Emperor Akihito will abdicate from the Chrysanthemum Throne on April 30, making way for Crown Prince Naruhito Japan's Emperor Akihito urged his country to be open to the outside world at a ceremony marking 30 years of his reign on Sunday, ahead of his abdication later this year. Akihito will abdicate from the Chrysanthemum Throne on April 30, making way for Crown Prince Naruhito to replace him the following day. "Our country has cultivated its own culture as an island nation," he said at the ceremony in Tokyo. "As the world has been globalised, I think we are now required to be more open to the outside, establish our own position with wisdom and build relations with other countries sincerely," he said. Akihito also described his difficulties defining his role as emperor in the post-war era, and said he hoped his successors would think carefully about their symbolic status. "Since I was enthroned as emperor, I have spent time pondering how I am supposed to be as a symbol," the 85-year-old emperor said, describing the process as "endlessly long". The status of the emperor is sensitive in Japan given its 20th-century history of war waged in the name of Akihito's father Hirohito, who died in 1989. Akihito has keenly embraced the more modern role as a symbol of the state -- imposed after World War II ended. Previous emperors including his father were treated as semi-divine. He also expanded his role by actively travelling across Japan, particularly to meet with victims of natural disasters and visit sites that had been affected by World War II. His son Crown Prince Naruhito has indicated he plans to follow in his father's footsteps. Marking his 59th birthday, Naruhito pledged last week to maintain the royal household's close ties to the public and "fulfil my duty as a symbol of the state." Akihito shocked the country in 2016 when he signalled his desire to take a back seat, citing his age and health problems. Suicide attacks and bombings wreaked havoc across the war-torn country in 2018 More civilians were killed in the Afghan war in 2018 than during any other year on record after nearly two decades of fighting, according to a UN report released Sunday. Civilian deaths jumped by 11 percent from 2017 with 3,804 people killed and another 7,189 wounded, according to the UN figures, as suicide attacks and bombings wreaked havoc across the war-torn country. The report's release comes a day before the US and the Taliban hold their next round of talks aimed at ending the conflict, raising tentative hopes for peace along with fears that an American withdrawal could spark an even bloodier civil war. The talks in Doha follow years of escalating violence in Afghanistan. According to the UN, at least 32,000 civilians have been killed and another 60,000 wounded in the last decade when the organisation began compiling the data. The uptick in violence in 2018 coincides with a significant increase in the number of deaths caused by the "deliberate targeting of civilians", according to the report, mostly stemming from suicide attacks by insurgents allied with the Taliban or Islamic State (IS). "It is time to put an end to this human misery and tragedy," said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the head of the UN mission in Afghanistan. "The best way to halt the killings and maiming of civilians is to stop the fighting," he said. At least 65 suicide attacks were recorded in 2018 -- the majority hitting Kabul -- with militants responsible for the death of more than 2,200 civilians across the country. An increase in air strikes by US and Afghan forces also led to more civilian deaths in 2018, with more than 500 civilians killed by "aerial operations for the first time on record", the report noted. The US intensified its air campaign against Taliban and IS fighters as Washington seeks to pile pressure on the militants, dropping twice as many munitions on insurgent positions in 2018 compared to the previous year. Yamamoto said the civilian casualties were "wholly unacceptable" and called on all parties to take "immediate and additional concrete steps to stop a further escalation in the number of civilians harmed and lives destroyed". Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has lashed out at his Egyptian counterpart over the recent execution of nine people Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sharply criticised his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi after the recent execution of nine people in Egypt, saying he refused to talk to "someone like him". "They killed nine young people recently. This is not something we can accept," Erdogan said Saturday in an interview with Turkish TV channels CNN-Turk and Kanal D, referring to the execution Wednesday of nine men sentenced for the murder of the Egyptian prosecutor general in 2015. "Of course, we are going to be told that it is a decision of the judiciary, but there, justice, elections, all that, are codswallop. There is an authoritarian system, even totalitarian," Erdogan added. "Now, I am answering those who wonder why Tayyip Erdogan does not speak to Sisi, because there are mediators who come here sometimes, but I will never talk to someone like him," he said. Relations between Turkey and Egypt have been virtually non-existent since the Egyptian military, then led by Sisi, in 2013 ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, a close ally of Erdogan. Morsi's Islamist Muslim Brotherhood is outlawed in Egypt but members of the group have sought refuge in Turkey. Erdogan, who denounced Morsi's ouster, sometimes draws a parallel with the failed coup against himself in 2016. The Turkish president also called for the release of Muslim Brotherhood prisoners in Egypt. "First of all, he should release all those imprisoned with a general amnesty. As long as these people have not been released, we will not be able to talk with Sisi," he said. Erdogan also attacked Western countries which, according to him, "roll out the red carpet" for Sisi and turn a blind eye to the latest executions in Egypt. "Where are the Westerners? Have you heard their voices?" he said. "On the other hand, when it comes to people imprisoned in our country (Turkey), they scream bloody murder." Amnesty International condemned the executions of the men, who it said were convicted in trials marred by torture allegations. Murad has been tapped to lead the majority-Catholic nation's brand new territory in the restive south where Muslims have won new powers Murad Ebrahim's life as the Philippines' top Muslim rebel led him into fierce jungle combat and to meet with Osama bin Laden, but a very different challenge now awaits him: governing. Murad has been tapped to lead the majority-Catholic nation's brand new territory in the restive south where Muslims have won new powers and an influx of cash in a push for peace. After decades as a rebel, Murad will need to become a bureaucrat and complete complex projects as chief minister of the body that will steer the new Bangsamoro region until elections in 2022. "We also see the difficult challenge we will be facing ahead. To us, the struggle is not yet over," the 70-year-old Murad told AFP. "This is only another level of the struggle." Once a feared commander, Murad is chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) which signed a landmark pact with the government in 2014 to end a separatist insurgency that killed some 150,000 people since the 1970s. It is hoped the peace deal will bring an end to a separatist insurgency that has raged since the 1970s That deal led to the creation of the Bangsamoro, which is based on the southern island of Mindanao and was overwhelmingly approved in a January vote. The MILF is the largest of several rebel groups fighting for independence or autonomy in Mindanao, the ancestral homeland of the nation's roughly six million-strong Muslim minority. Rebels and the government hope the new region, which is getting an influx of cash, will be able to bring sorely needed development to the violence-plagued area. - Dropout to commander - The son of an Islamic preacher, Murad was orphaned early on as he lost his mother when he was only one and his father at 13. He studied civil engineering at the Catholic-run Notre Dame University in southern Cotabato city, where he learned fluent English. President Duterte (front centre) gives a peace sign with Ebrahim at a ceremony to mark the new region But in his senior year, he dropped out to join an underground movement that he said defended Muslims targeted by Christian paramilitary groups and security forces under former dictator Ferdinand Marcos. He joined the armed struggle first with the rebel group Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) but internal differences led him and Cairo-trained scholar Salamat Hashim to split and form the MILF. In the 1980s Murad said he was in Afghanistan to visit Filipino rebels who joined anti-Soviet forces but he denied fighting alongside them. It was there where he met future Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden. "Osama bin Laden was very soft spoken. I did not think he would eventually be declared a world enemy because he was a very refined person," Murad told AFP. - 'Walking a tightrope' - Murad became MILF's military chief, known as a calm but sharp tactician. He led a difficult life in jungles and marshlands, with his two sons born at the height of the fighting. During his years as commander, Murad led battles not from afar but joined his men at the frontlines, said presidential peace adviser and former military chief Carlito Galvez. "We did not see him committing any abuses," Galvez told AFP. "He fought not because of an urge to kill. He saw that fighting is not between people but between ideologies, to correct an injustice." After Salamat's death in 2003, Murad took over as leader and earned the respect of colleagues for building consensus, observers said. The deal to create Bangsamoro was overwhelmingly approved in a January vote, and Murad will need to become a bureaucrat after decades as a rebel "He is the best, if not the only real choice (for Bangsamoro chief minister)," former presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles told AFP. "He has never been one to think power is all his." Security experts say Murad and the MILF will be hard-pressed to govern for the first time while facing threats from pro-Islamic State groups in Mindanao. Murad will also have to deal with resentment from families of civilians and soldiers killed or affected by previous battles, according to Julkipli Wadi, a professor of Islamic studies at the University of the Philippines. "Murad should extend a hand of reconciliation even to (non-Muslims) so he would be able to extract himself from the ghosts of the past," Wadi told AFP. "He is walking a tightrope where he has to juggle a lot of sensitive issues." But the guerrilla leader has lived through too many wars to give up. For Murad, his nine grandchildren are a reminder that there is no alternative to peace. "I never had a normal life. My dream is for them to experience and enjoy it," he said. The Futenma US military base has stoked tension with local residents over problems ranging from noise and military accidents to crime involving base residents Voters on the Japanese island of Okinawa have rejected the relocation of a controversial US military base, according to official results from a non-binding referendum Sunday. Some 72 percent voted against the move with 19 percent in favour from a 52 percent turnout, the local government said. Opponents of the relocation -- some 434,000 -- had turned out in sufficient numbers to meet the threshold required for Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki to "respect" the result of the symbolic referendum, it said. For this to happen, one quarter of the eligible electorate -- or around 290,000 people -- had to vote for one of the three options: for or against relocation or a third choice of "neither". Tamaki hailed the results as "extremely significant". "I will strongly demand that the government squarely face the resolute will of our people, review its present policy immediately and halt the construction," the anti-base governor told reporters. The vote, however, is non-binding on the central government and turnout was just above 50 percent, raising questions about what effect the referendum will have. The government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has vowed to press on with moving the base and the relocation is also backed by Washington. The relocation of the Futenma base to Nago, 50 kilometres (30 miles) away, was first agreed in 1996 as the US sought to calm local anger after US servicemen gang raped a local schoolgirl. But the plan has long been stalled in part over local opposition. The ballot asked residents whether they supported a plan to reclaim land at a remote coastal site for the relocation of Futenma from its current location in a heavily populated part of Okinawa. It was initially planned as a yes-no vote, but a "neither" option was added after several cities with close ties to the central government threatened to boycott the vote. Polls opened early on Sunday morning, with about 1.15 million Okinawans eligible to vote. Speaking after casting her ballot at a local school, voter Yuki Miyagaki said: "They are using a lot of tax money and manpower for this referendum, even though the result will not have any legal power. So we thought that we should take this opportunity and think very carefully about this issue." Polls opened early on Sunday morning, with about 1.15 million Okinawans eligible to vote "We usually shout no to the new base construction. This is a good opportunity to tell the government directly with concrete numbers: 'No'. This is an important vote," 32-year-old Narumi Haine told AFP. "The referendum has underlined once again Okinawa's strong opposition to the relocation," Yoshinobu Yamamoto, professor of politics at the University of Niigata prefecture, told AFP. "The result could be a negotiating card for the governor, but it's unlikely to have an immediate impact," he added. "The dispute is far from its resolution." - 'Far from resolution' - The base has stoked tension with local residents over problems ranging from noise and military accidents to crime involving base residents. Abe's government says the relocation will address those concerns, but many in Okinawa want the base relocated elsewhere in Japan. They argue that the region bears a disproportionate burden when it comes to hosting US military troops in the country. The vote has not stopped reclamation work starting at Nago Okinawa accounts for less than one percent of Japan's total land area, but hosts more than half of the approximately 47,000 American military personnel stationed in Japan. Anti-base rallies have been staged daily in Okinawa since campaigning for the referendum began in mid-February. But the vote has not stopped reclamation work at Nago, with construction workers continuing to shovel dirt into the ocean offshore with bulldozers. "We hope the referendum will boost the momentum of our fight," demonstrator Masaru Shiroma told AFP on Friday, as more than 100 fellow activists tried to block trucks entering the construction site. "The government is making a fool out of Okinawa." - Military alliance - Okinawa's governor is required to 'respect' the vote's outcome if at least a quarter vote for any one option An opinion poll by the Asahi daily found 80 percent of respondents want Abe's government to respect the results. But there has been little sign the administration will shift course if the vote goes against the move, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga saying there were no plans to halt the relocation regardless of the outcome. Japan's military alliance with the United States is seen as a key partnership, and Okinawa's location near Taiwan has long been viewed as having huge strategic importance for US forward positioning in Asia. Kim Jong Un departed from the Pyongyang railway station for what could be a 60-hour journey to Vietnam Donald Trump said Kim Jong Un could soon put North Korea on the fast-track to becoming a major power Sunday as his former rival chugged across China in an armoured train, heading to their highly-anticipated summit in Vietnam. After North Korea's leader began his 4,000-kilometre epic from Pyongyang to Hanoi on Saturday, the US president flies out of Washington on Monday for their second meeting. Images from North Korean state media showed citizens cheering Kim as he waved from the train at the start of what could be a 60-hour journey to the Vietnamese capital. The train crossed the border city of Dandong later Saturday, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency and the specialist outlet NK News, although the last leg of his journey could be by road. Kim set off on the long journey from Pyongyang on Saturday, with a military honour guard seeing him off The train's crossing into China follows days of speculation over Kim's travel plans ahead of the talks expected next Wednesday and Thursday. Accompanying the North Korean leader was right-hand man and top general Kim Yong Chol, who met Trump at the White House last month, his sister and close aide Kim Yo Jong, and other high-ranking officials, the official KCNA news agency said. The Vietnam summit is a follow-up to a meeting in Singapore last June which signalled a dramatic reset in relations between two leaders who had been spent previous months sabre-rattling and trading insults. Although that meeting led to little concrete progress in Trump's demands for North Korea to end its nuclear weapons program, the US leader has changed his tune towards a rival he once ridiculed as "rocket man". While his top diplomat Mike Pompeo tempered expectations about what could be achieved in Hanoi, Trump said North Korea could become one of the world's "great economic powers" if it relinquished its nuclear arsenal. "Chairman Kim realizes, perhaps better than anyone else, that without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the world," Trump wrote on Twitter. But Pompeo said North Korea remained a nuclear threat and that while internationally-backed sanctions had helped build pressure on persuading North Korea to denuclearize, it was "a complicated process" and there may have to be another summit after Vietnam. "We may not get everything done this week. We hope we'll make a substantial step along the way," he told Fox News. "I hope we can make a real substantive step forward (on denuclearization) this week. It may not happen but I hope that it will." While Singapore produced a vaguely worded agreement on denuclearisation, progress has since stalled, with the two sides disagreeing over what the agreement meant. Observers say tangible progress is needed in Hanoi to avoid the talks being dismissed as a publicity stunt. Bill Richardson, a former US ambassador to the United Nations and a veteran of negotiations with the North Koreans, feared the summit could be "a dud". "I don't believe it would be a successful summit unless you had some kind of commitment on North Korea's part on denuclearization, dismantling inspections, missiles, nuclear detonations," he told ABC television. "It seems the president is deflating expectations, and that's a concern ... I think the president deserves credit for lowering tensions in the region, but in terms of concrete accomplishments, I dont think this summit's going to produce." - Skipping Beijing - In his tweets, Trump praised Beijing for falling into line behind the US-led sanctions on Pyongyang, saying Chinese President Xi Jinping had been "very helpful in his support of my meeting" with Kim. "The last thing China wants are large scale nuclear weapons right next door," he added. Kim has met Xi four times in the past year, briefing his country's sole major ally before and after his historic summits with Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. There were no signs of heightened security around Beijing railway station on Sunday, indicating Kim's train likely bypassed the Chinese capital on the nearly 4,000-kilometre (2,500-mile) journey to Vietnam. Kim Jong Un's train arrived in the Chinese border city of Dandong on Saturday But Kim, who last met Xi in January, could be saving their next meeting for his return trip to debrief the Chinese leader. Although the exact details of Kim's route remained a tightly-held secret, several sources said Kim was expected to arrive in Vietnam at the Dong Dang station near the China border, then drive to Hanoi. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump met in 2018 in Singapore Soldiers were deployed to Dong Dang station and along the road to the capital, according to AFP reporters at the scene. Vietnam has announced that it is closing that 170-kilometre stretch of road for 10 hours on Tuesday while an AFP reporter saw military personnel sweeping for mines along the road. "Vietnam wants to contribute its part to world peace... at this upcoming summit," Vietnamese Prime Minister Xuan Phuc told reporters on Sunday. - Grandfather's footsteps - Rail travel is a family tradition that was started by Kim's grandfather, the North's founder Kim Il Sung, who travelled to Eastern Europe for his longest train ride in 1984. The journey from China's frozen northern border to subtropical Vietnam presents a logistical headache and complex security challenges. Justin Hastings, associate professor in international relations at the University of Sydney, said that would be "a pretty major operation". "They would have to clear the tracks, they would have to provide security for basically the entire length of the Chinese eastern seaboard," he told AFP. But China may view the hassle as a necessary cost to get Kim to the summit. "China wants North Korea to make some steps to denuclearise as much as anyone else," Hastings said. burs/co/jm A statewide code red has been declared in South Australia with the state in the grip of a forecast seven-day heatwave. The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast maximum temperatures in Adelaide and most regional centres to stay above 35C until at least Saturday. A cooler 29C maximum has been forecast for the city on Sunday. The bureau says it will be the longest stretch of hot days this summer. It's prompted the state government to declare the code red which triggers the release of extra funds to provide services for the homeless. "This means that homelessness agencies across South Australia will boost their services during the hot weather, including increasing outreach services, which will help people sleeping rough to keep cool and remain hydrated," Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink said. The minister has also urged everyone to keep tabs on other vulnerable people they know during the hot spell, including those who are housebound, the elderly and frail and those with a mental illness. Queensland have the upper hand at lunch on day three of their Sheffield Shield clash against competition leaders Victoria at the Junction Oval. The Vics are 5-250, still 191 runs in arrears of the Bulls' first-innings total of 441 A disciplined bowling performance from the visitors restricted Victoria to just 66 runs in the first session on Monday, for the loss of two wickets. Mark Steketee (2-51) and Michael Neser (2-43) have done the damage so far on day three, dismissing nightwatchman Scott Boland (three) and Cameron White (nine) respectively. Nic Maddinson (72 not out) looks the key for Victoria. After a lean Big Bash campaign, Maddinson has picked up where he left off in the first-class arena with a half century to back up the 162 he scored in Victoria's last match before the 11-week break began in early December. Matt Short (17) is the other unbeaten batsman. However, Maddinson is fortunate to still be not out after he was dropped on 40 by Joe Burns at first slip, off the bowling of Steketee. Despite that hiccup, Maddinson has looked settled and confident with a highlights his powerful hook shot off Cameron Gannon (0-42) into the square leg boundary for one of his three fours for the day. After surviving a big Gannon lbw shout in the second over of the day, Boland was the first man to go five overs later when he drove Steketee to Mitchell Swepson at point. Neser made an instant impact when he entered the attack halfway through the first session. He took the wicket of White with his fifth ball when the veteran sent a simple catch to Sam Heazlett at square leg. WHAT IS EMISSIONS REDUCTION FUND? * It pays Australian business for projects to slash carbon emissions. * Businesses voluntarily bid at reverse auctions, allowing the government to choose the most cost-effective projects. * The policy was the $2.55 billion centrepiece of the former Abbott coalition government's carbon emissions direct action policy, which replaced Labor's carbon price. * The Morrison government has pledged a further $2 billion for the fund, which was down to $226 million in funds in December 2018. HOW THE AUCTIONS WORK: * Businesses apply under prescribed methods created by government agencies and private entities and approved by the environment minister. * For example, a company may bid to reduce 10,000 tonnes of carbon for $15 per tonne. Another company may bid to do the same for $13.50. * Government pays for "lowest cost abatement". * The Clean Energy Regulator sets benchmark price to act as a ceiling. HOW IT'S DELIVERED SO FAR: * 19.5 per cent of 193 million tonnes of abatement has been delivered. * The most common abatement method is through vegetation methods, followed by landfill and waste practices. RESULTS OF PAST AUCTIONS: December 2018: $45 million committed, 3.27 million tonnes of contracted abatement June 2018: $90m, 6.67mt December 2017: $104m, 7.95mt April 2017: $133m, 11.25mt November 2016: $367m, 34.4mt April 2016: $516m, 50.5mt November 2015: $557m, 45mt April 2015: $660m, 47mt A man who was shot in the leg has gone to hospital shortly after police detained four people at a property in Melbourne's outer east. Officers visited Donne Court in Mooroolbark after reports that a firearm may have been discharged, where they detained four people on Sunday night. A man turned up at a hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg, shortly after the police visit, and it is still unclear how he was injured or where the initial hit happened with investigations ongoing. Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane has admitted the Catholic Church in Australia has fallen down in caring for the survivors of clerical sexual abuse. Speaking on Sunday in Rome at the end of a Vatican summit on the protection of minors, the archbishop cited the need for transparency, accountability and inclusiveness, saying the summit would lead to practical measures in dealing with abuse. He said the church in Australia had been "weak" in providing pastoral care to survivors, referring to "the need to listen to survivors but not just listen but to walk with them". "I'm talking very practical ways of accompanying all those who have been abused in whatever way they need to be accompanied," he said. The archbishop also highlighted episcopal responsibility, saying: "Whether bishops were abusers or have been derelict in dealing with abuse, there has to be an effective and practical way to deal with that." Pope Francis ended the summit on the sexual abuse of children by clergy on Sunday by calling for an "all-out battle" against a crime that should be "erased from the face of the earth". In his closing address to the almost 200 Church leaders, including Archbishop Coleridge, summoned to Rome Francis said guidelines on preventing and punishing abuse would be strengthened. Archbishop Coleridge delivered the homily at the mass celebrated by the pope that formally ended the conference. "We will not go unpunished. In abuse and its concealment, the powerful (of the Church) show themselves not men of heaven but men of earth," he said in his homily. "At times, however, we have seen victims and survivors as the enemy, but we have not loved them, we have not blessed them. In that sense, we have been our own worst enemy." Speaking to reporters afterwards, Archbishop Coleridge said there was no place in the church for abusers. "It's very clear now ... that anyone in the Catholic Church in any part of the world who thinks that he or she can get away with sexual abuse of the young and vulnerable, has absolutely nowhere to go," he said. Australia's Fiona Crombie and Tony McNamara are runaway favourites to win Oscars at the 91st Academy Awards in Hollywood. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at midday on Monday AEDT inside a star-studded Dolby Theatre. Sydney-born, Adelaide-raised production designer Crombie and Sydney screenwriter McNamara, are nominated for their work on the aptly named British historical drama/comedy, The Favourite. The film about the early 1800s love triangle between Queen Anne and two rival cousins heads into the Oscar ceremony with 10 nominations, tied with best picture frontrunner Roma for the most of any film. "It's tricky," Crombie told AAP when asked if she was comfortable with being the short-priced production design category favourite. "I think it is too close to call, to be honest." Bookmakers and most Hollywood awards pundits have picked Crombie and The Favourite's English set decorator Alice Felton to win the production design Oscar, with the biggest threat Black Panther's Hannah Beachler and Jay Hart. Favouritism has forced Crombie and her good friend Felton to at least prepare for a potential win and, if successful, ensure they make the most of the 45 seconds winners have to get on stage and deliver a speech. They plan to split their time on stage if lucky enough to win. Crombie joked with just 20 or so seconds each to thank loved ones and colleagues, she might get creative in an attempt to cover everyone. "Maybe I should get flash cards and I could flash cards while Alice is speaking so I can get double the time," Crombie said. If McNamara wins, he will share the Oscar with Britain's Deborah Davis, who wrote the first draft of her script in 1998. When director Yorgos Lanthimos signed on to the film, he hired McNamara, who performed a major rewrite and turned it into the campy, not so historically correct film that became one of the dominant players during Hollywood awards season. Olivia Colman, for her performance as Queen Anne, is nominated for best actress. Rachel Weisz, as Duchess of Marlborough and the queen's sometime lover Sarah Churchill and Emma Stone, playing Abigail Hill who begins as a maid but competes for the monarch's affections and rises through the ranks, both received supporting actress nominations. "No one really knew what happened other than Queen Anne and Sarah were friends and Abigail came in at some point," McNamara said. "The queen's favourite changed and that changed the government. "That was all we basically cared about." McNamara's biggest threat are Green Book's writers Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie and Peter Farrelly. The Favourite's 10-nomination haul includes best picture and directing for Lanthimos. Roma is front runner for best picture, the Viggo Mortensen-starring Green Book is second, The Favourite third, and the potential spoiler and popular candidate is the Marvel superhero film Black Panther. The other major category front runners are: best actor Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody); best actress Glenn Close (The Wife); supporting actor Mahershala Ali (Green Book); supporting actress Regina King (If Beale Street Could Talk); and directing Alfonso Cuaron (Roma). A man's been charged over a fatal boat crash on the Murray River in South Australia. Two boats collided on the river around on Friday night, about 10km upstream from Swan Reach, near Murray Bridge, injuring two men. A 37-year-old from Gawler died in hospital on Saturday night while a 40-year-old man from Gawler East remains in a serious but stable condition. A 39-year-old man from Williamstown was arrested on Sunday and charged with three offences including causing death by dangerous driving. He was refused bail to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday. Reducing Australia's carbon emissions will be the target of a new $2 billion fund the Morrison government has put at the centre of its climate change policy. Prime Minister Scott Morrison will announce the 10-year Climate Solutions Fund on Monday in a major speech outlining the coalition's actions to cut pollution. It will extend the Abbott government's "direct action" Emissions Reduction Fund, set up in 2014 for a range of carbon abatement programs, from vegetation management to energy efficiency and transport. The new fund will partner with farmers, local governments and businesses to deliver practical climate solutions to reduce emissions. Mr Morrison is expected to say the climate solutions package will ensure Australia meets its 2030 target of lowering emissions by 26 to 28 per cent by 2030. "Our government will take meaningful, practical action on climate change, without damaging our economy or the family budget," Mr Morrison will say. He will contrast the coalition's plan with Labor's 45 per cent emissions reduction target by 2030. "Sure you can have higher targets. But they come at a tremendous cost. A cost far worse than the carbon tax Labor said they wouldn't introduce, but they did and our government had to abolish," the prime minister will say. "That's why I say it is important to have balance in your emissions reduction policies - the cool head as well as the passionate heart. That's our approach." He said his government would continue to play its part in meeting the global challenge of climate change but "without taking a sledgehammer to our economy." Conservationists have criticised the fund as not being equipped to be Australia's central mechanism for tackling climate change. Some moderate Liberals had lobbied for $1 billion be put into the Emissions Reduction Fund, fearing the government needed to do more to tackle climate change. Climate policy has been a highly contentious issue within the coalition, with the issue playing a significant role in the campaigns of former Liberals challenging sitting MPs and the tensions which led to Malcolm Turnbull being dumped. Doctors will have to ensure Victoria's complex voluntary assisted dying laws don't prevent eligible candidates from accessing the scheme. It's one of several legal and ethical challenges doctors will face when the country's first euthanasia laws come into affect in June, experts have said. "Translating this complex law into appropriate clinical practice will be challenging," lead author Professor Ben White and colleagues said in an article published in the Australian Medical Journal on Monday. It was key the implementation of the act facilitated access but only to those who were eligible under the legislation, the authors said. Ensuring doctors didn't initiate conversations around voluntary assisted dying was another challenge, according to the article. "Clear guidance is needed on how to clinically implement this legal prohibition yet maintain meaningful end-of-life discussions with patients," Professor White and colleagues wrote. Other issues included meeting legal requirements on how the drugs used in assisted dying circumstances would be prescribed, stored and returned - as well as managing conscientious objection by health professionals while not impeding access to eligible patients. It was vital that ongoing monitoring, improvement and refinement of the system after it becomes legal was key, the authors found. "Real time, on the ground feedback about how the VAD law is working in practice; data generated within the VAD system and empirical research undertaken from outside the system," was needed. Victoria is the only state in the country to legalise voluntary euthanasia under legislation passed in November 2017. The act allow for eligible Victorian adults who have decision making capability to seek assistance to die under strict conditions. The laws will come into effect on June 19 this year. Labor has promised to establish a $640 million fund to give victims of banking misconduct a chance to fight for their rights if it wins the federal election. The Banking Fairness Fund will raise $160 million a year from the country's biggest banks to revolutionise the services available to Australians in financial difficulty. The move adopts a key recommendation of the banking royal commission and will double the number of financial counsellors across Australia from 500 to 1000 at a cost of $320 million over four years. The counsellors will provide advocacy, support and advice to an additional 125,000 Australians each year. They will be able to assist people to pursue fair compensation through the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. Labor leader Bill Shorten and frontbenchers Clare O'Neil and Jenny McAllister will announce the plan on Monday. "A stronger, larger financial counselling sector is just one part of Labor's plan to restore fairness to financial services," they said in a joint statement. Labor has also pledged to raise the threshold for compensation that banking victims negotiate through AFCA. Crossbench senators are being urged to block a push to scrap protections against so-called "double dipping" of casual worker entitlements. Labor senator Doug Cameron will attempt to disallow a regulation which stops employers from having to pay out leave and other entitlements to workers getting a casual loading. Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox has written to crossbenchers telling them it was "obviously unfair" for workers to get a 25 per cent loading and leave payouts. "It is critical that all senators reject Senator Cameron's disallowance motion," he wrote. "The disallowance of the regulations would threaten the livelihoods of thousands of small business people and those who work for them." Labor can scrap the move with the support of the Greens and four of the 12 other crossbench senators, with the motion due to come before the Senate on April 2. Industrial Relations Minister Kelly O'Dwyer announced the regulation last year in response to a Federal Court judgment which ruled in favour of truck driver Paul Skene, who was employed by labour hire firm WorkPac. The court found Mr Skene, who was a casual for two-and-a-half years, was not a casual under the Fair Work Act and therefore entitled to an annual leave payout. Unions have argued the court decision closed a loophole which allowed employers to abuse the system by making people "permanent casuals" and dodge obligations. The Australian Council of Trade Unions has said people with the same patterns of work as permanent employees should get access to sick leave, annual leave and other benefits. Mr Willox warned the costs of paying loadings and entitlements to casuals would lead to businesses folding and entitlements paid out by taxpayers. "This issue threatens thousands of jobs, including the jobs of young people who rely heavily on casual employment," he wrote. Today's Birthday, February 25: Arthur Sinodinos, Australian politician (1957 - ) It was a heartwarming display of friendship amid a tumultuous week of backstabbing between the Liberals over leadership in Canberra. For the first time in months, Arthur Sinodinos returned to parliament to walk alongside his long-term ally Malcolm Turnbull before the leadership showdown unfolded. A barely-recognisable Sinodinos had been on sick leave since October 2017 when he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma - a form of blood cancer that about 138,000 Australians are diagnosed with annually. The senator for NSW made his return to parliament on February 12, having endured at least eight rounds of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. "At first, look, I had dark thoughts," he told the Sydney Morning Herald of his diagnosis. "(But) because my haematologist said my prognosis was good, that gave me something to hold on to. It gave me something positive in my mind to reinforce positive thoughts." Sinodinos was born in Newcastle to Greek immigrant parents, who came to Australia separately from the picturesque Ionian island of Kefalonia. His father was a member of the left-aligned Seaman's Union that, during Sinodinos' early years, was campaigning against US intervention in Vietnam. Sinodinos, however, absorbed a strong anti-communist world view from his mother, who was shaped by her experiences as a farmer's daughter during the Greek Civil War in the 1940s. He graduated from the University of Newcastle in 1979 with a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours and then entered the public service as a graduate recruit, working within the Department of Finance, before moving to the Department of Treasury. In 1987, Sinodinos began working for then-opposition leader John Howard and became his chief of staff from 1997 to 2006 during Howard's time in office. As a close confidant of the prime minister, he was lauded as the "the real deputy PM" and ranked in media lists as the "most covertly powerful Australian". Sinodinos left his position to become a director with investment bank Goldman Sachs JBWere and a regional general manager at the National Australia Bank. In 2009 he was appointed a managing director at NAB. He became a director of Australian Water Holdings in 2008 and chairman in 2010. He resigned from both positions on becoming a senator in 2013, but his connection to the company haunted his rise up the ranks. In early 2014 Sinodinos stood aside from his role as assistant treasurer prior to giving evidence as a witness before the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption. During the enquiry, Sinodinos advised he was unaware of a $74,000 donation made to the Liberal Party by AWH despite his role there. At the time of the payment, Sinodinos was also treasurer of the Liberal Party. He formally resigned in December 2014 as assistant treasurer and was succeeded by Josh Frydenberg. Before taking leave to battle cancer, he was appointed as Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science. Sinodinos was 43 when he married Elizabeth Tserdanis, then 25, at St George Greek Orthodox Church in Rose Bay. They have three children. Victoria's Secret catwalker Barbara Palvin finally got a chance to meet her live-in love Dylan Sprouse's twin brother Cole at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills on Sunday night. The Italian-born, Cali-raised 26-year-old is 15 minutes older than the Riverdale heartthrob - whom was previously 'too busy' on the Vancouver set of The CW teen soap to meet the 25-year-old IMG Model. By contrast, Dylan has already flown to Hungary twice to meet his Albertirsa-born beauty's parents. At last! Barbara Palvin finally got a chance to meet her live-in love Dylan Sprouse's (M) twin brother Cole (L) at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills on Sunday night 'He's a very busy guy': The Italian-born, Cali-raised 26-year-old is 15 minutes older than the Riverdale heartthrob - whom was previously 'too busy' on the Vancouver set of The CW teen soap to meet the 25-year-old IMG Model (pictured January 28) 'The truth is that there is a language barrier, obviously,' Sprouse told W Magazine earlier this month. 'Her mother speaks a very tiny bit [of English], and I am not proficient in Hungarian. I'm trying, but learning is definitely an overstatement.' The All-Wise Meadery co-owner and Barbara first met in July - six months after 'he slid into her DMs' on Instagram - and they've since moved into a Brooklyn apartment in January. 'There is a language barrier': By contrast, Dylan has already flown to Hungary twice to meet his Albertirsa-born beauty's parents Sprouse told W Magazine: 'Her mother speaks a very tiny bit [of English], and I am not proficient in Hungarian. I'm trying, but learning is definitely an overstatement' 'Two worms officially in the big apple!' The All-Wise Meadery co-owner and Barbara first met in July - six months after 'he slid into her DMs' on Instagram - and they've since moved into a Brooklyn apartment in January (pictured January 25) Palvin explained to the mag: 'With Dylan, everything seemed so easy. We had the same interests, and jokes were hitting at the right spot' 'There's a little language barrier for me, so I was never good with texting or flirting,' Palvin explained to the mag. 'With Dylan, everything seemed so easy. We had the same interests, and jokes were hitting at the right spot, and he didn't think I was disgusting or anything.' The genetically-blessed couple will next act together as Luke and Eggzema in Kerry Mondragon's nineties-set adventure-crime flick Tyger Tyger, which is due out later this year. She may love to push the boundaries when it comes to style. But not when it comes to the Oscars. Swishing down the red carpet in frothy pink tulle, Helen Mirren who won her own Oscar in 2007 for her role as Queen Elizabeth in The Queen oozed old-fashioned Hollywood glamour. Her showstopping number in shocking pink boasted armfuls of tulle, and was made by French fashion house Schiaparelli. Fittingly, way back in the Fifties, the brands feisty Italian founder, Elsa Schiaparelli, designed the wardrobes for countless Hollywood films. Leading ladies such as man-eater Mae West relied on Schiaparelli to manage the balance of outright sexiness and femininity. One dress took 1,200 hours to make. The other was paired with 4.5million of diamonds. Helen and Olivia shared the fashion crown Maison Schiaparelli closed in 1954. But it has gone from strength to strength since it was revived in 2012 by Diego Della Valle, CEO of luxury leather goods company, Tods. Helens dress estimated to be worth a cool 90,000 was created by the brands design director, Bertrand Guyon. The plunging neckline was offset by long sleeves and the full-pleated skirt was cinched at the waist with a fabric belt. Helen, 73, added a quirky pink Tyler Ellis clutch bag estimated to be worth 3,000 and her trademark towering platform heels in Perspex. And, if there was an award for Best Bling, she would have been a shoo-in, shimmering in 237 carats of diamonds worth a jawdropping 4.59 million. Helens Harry Winston set comprised the 22-carat Winston Cluster diamond earrings, the 136-carat Winston Cluster diamond necklace and the 79-carat Winston Cluster bracelet. Theyre worth $6 million (4.59 million)! Thats more than a house, she confided to the Mails Baz Bambigoye. Make that an entire street! Olivia Colman never dreamed she would win an Oscar. But she promised herself that, if she ever made it big, she would treat herself to a Prada gown. So when the design house offered to create her Oscars dress, it seemed heaven sent. It felt like the stars had aligned, says her British stylist, Mary Fellowes niece of Lady Jane Fellowes, Princess Dianas sister. The Prada team are so bloody lovely. Its like getting ready for your wedding, says mother-of-three Olivia, 45. And Mary knows what I hate about myself and want to hide. For her part, Mary told the New York Times: Olivia has a real womans body. Shes a strong woman, a working mother and an independent thinker. These have always been major considerations when we are thinking about how she should dress. The two women came up with ideas for the Oscars gown as they sat in a car en route to the Palm Springs Film Festival in January. The A-line turtleneck creation was fashioned from emerald green silk and worn under a smoky grey silk organza cape that was gathered into a giant bow at the back and cascaded into a train covered in Swarovski crystals. A team of eight worked on the dress for 1,209 hours. The embroidery alone took more than 300 hours labour. And as a cheeky nod to her forthcoming role as another queen Queen Elizabeth in Netflix series The Crown Olivia asked Prada to weave a subtle version of the Royal Garter onto her bag. And as British beauties dazzled in colour... Olivia Colman was as shocked as anyone else when she learnt she had beaten the Hollywood favourite Glenn Close to win the Oscar for best actress. She held back tears as she went up to receive the award at the glitzy ceremony in Los Angeles, describing it as genuinely quite stressful before adding: This is hilarious Ive got an Oscar! In her moving acceptance speech, she went on to apologetically address Close, saying: This is not how I wanted it to be. And I think youre amazing and I love you very much. Voting members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had spoken of their desire to honour Close for her role in The Wife because she had never won an Oscar, while at the same time recognising Colmans superior performance in The Favourite. One expressed the hope of a rare tie, as when Katharine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand shared the best actress title in 1969 for The Lion In Winter and Funny Girl respectively. Olivia Colman held back tears as she went up to receive the award at the glitzy ceremony in Los Angeles But it was not be the big title was Colmans alone. Later, talking to the Daily Mail at the Academy Awards Governors Ball, the official after party, she revealed she was gagging for a cup of tea, saying it will calm me down, relax me a little. Sadly, tea was not on offer and the actress had to settle for champagne. I suppose this will have to do, she said as a waiter poured her a flute of chilled Piper-Heidsieck. British Best Actress winner Olivia Colman and husband Ed Sinclair on the red carpet last night - as her extraordinary acting journey took her to the very top at last Overwhelmed: Olivia could not contain her glee as she gushed to her co-stars and her fans during the speech Sitting at her table in the ballroom of the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday night, she told a friend who stopped by her that she was having an out-of-body experience. She added: I didnt expect to win and every time I open my mouth I think Im going to cry. Her husband Ed Sinclair, sitting opposite, said: Its very hard to compute. The realisation of her achievement hasnt sunk in. Of course she knows that she has won the Oscar but at the same time she cant believe it. He added: Its going to come out in little drops of realisation, one little drop at a time. Olivia Colman is embraced by her husband and Emma Stone after her Best Actress win was announced 'This is quite stressful': The first time nominee was close to tears as she delivered a charming speech Olivia's stunning speech in full 'It's genuinely quite stressful. This is hilarious, I've got an Oscar. 'I have to thank lots of people and if I forget anybody I'll find you later and give you a massive snog [this is a kiss, for our overseas readers]. 'Yorgos, my best director and my best film, and Emily and Rachel the two best women in the world to fall in love with - you can imagine it wasn't a hardship. 'To be in this category, with these extraordinary women and Glenn Close - you are my idol and this is not how I wanted it to be. I love you all. 'Lindy King my agent who took me on 20 years ago - thank you so much. 'My mum and my dad and my kids who are at home watching, well if you're not then well done, but I sort of hope you are. This is not going to happen again. 'Any little girl who's practising their speech on the telly - you never know! I used to work as a cleaner I used to love that job. 'Oh - 'please wrap up' - [she is being told to end her speech, so she then blows a raspberry]. 'Ed [her husband] you're my best friend and best supporter and he's going to cry. I'm not. Thank you so much. 'To Fox, everybody the cast the crew. Thank you, argh thank you so much. Lady Gaga I love you!" Advertisement Its a childhood dream for her. She watched the Oscars on TV when she was growing up and you start thinking about it when you are an actor. Its on your radar. Its not the reason you do it you dont act just to hope that one day you will win an Oscar. But sometimes you dream about it and she has dreamt about it. Her win was hailed as a highlight of the 91st Academy Awards. She is the queen of Hollywood in more than one sense, observed Ceci Dempsey, a lead producer of The Favourite, in which Colman plays Queen Anne. Daniel Battsek, director of Film4, one of the main financiers of the film, which also starred Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz, added: There hasnt been a win of this magnitude in decades. Colmans three children, aged 13, 11 and three, were in Los Angeles watching the broadcast at the house the actress had borrowed from her Hollywood agent. In her acceptance speech in which she blew a raspberry and flicked a small V-sign when told to hurry up and get off stage she told her children I sort of hope you are watching because this is not going to happen again. Her speech was hailed as one of the evenings most memorable, with Dame Helen Mirren hailing it as coming straight from the heart. Colman had said: Any little girl who is practising their speech on the telly, you never know. And when I used to work as a cleaner, and I loved that job, I did spend quite a lot of my time imagining this. Colman had said: Any little girl who is practising their speech on the telly, you never know' She can't believe it! Behind-the-scenes, it seemed Olivia would not let go of the golden award as she rubbed shoulders with her fellow stars in a delighted display, while also pulling a number of silly faces The comic timing she employed on the likes of Peep Show and Fleabag came in handy when a message flashed on a monitor in front of her, Oh, please wrap up. Right, okay , as she blew a raspberry that echoed around the auditorium. Once she had stopped by the Governors Ball she went and changed: I have been wanting to change out of my lovely gown. Ive been sitting in it all night, she said as I walked with her to the doors of the ballroom. Her face lit up at the prospect of going to the Vanity Fair party. WOW: Olivia was stunned after beating out Yalitza Aparicio, Glenn Close, Lady Gaga and Melissa McCarthy for the Oscar Gracious Close: She gazed at Close in the audience and said, 'You've been my idol for so long and this is not how I wanted it to be' as Close smiled and laughed Big winners: Colman had her arm around Malek while King had her arm around her as they all held their Oscars And once the parties were over, the statuette was going in bed with me, between me and my husband he doesnt know yet. They plan to stay on in Los Angeles with their three children for a few more days before returning home. They will take another family break over Easter and Colman is considering a small film project before filming the fourth series of The Crown for Netflix, where she portrays our present queen. A dream in cream: Later in the evening, Olivia transformed into a different ensemble as she toted her gong at the Vanity Fair after-party Creamy sensation: She looked nothing short of sensational for the star-studded event as she changed into a flowing cream gown with beaded adornments - with the entire outfit screaming 'winner' Shes already in high demand in the UK. Hollywood studio chiefs will know want to offer her lucrative roles. Ive never had the desire to do the empty, frothy big films. If the writing is good and the director is good, or an auteur like Yorgos Lanthimos who directed The Favourite, then you have my interest . I dont mind if rabbits wee on me like they did in The Favourite . We can always clean that up . But we cant always find the good roles. OOPS! Best actor bites the dust Rami Malek holds his Best Actor Oscar as he reacts after the show concluded Rami Malek being helped to his feet while clutching his Oscar after falling Rami Malek, recipient of the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role, speaks with medical staff after a fall at the Oscars on Sunday Bohemian Rhapsody star Rami Malek tumbled off stage while posing for photos and was checked over by paramedics before emerging unscathed clutching his best actor Oscar. Now that's a Mirren makeover Dame Helen Mirren, 73, shared a candid selfie as she got ready for the ceremony, at which she wore a Schiaparelli gown and 4.5million of Harry Winston diamonds Is the lady gaga over co-star Bradley? (don't ask his model gal) The hottest moment at the Oscars came when Bradley Cooper and (newly single) Lady Gaga performed their A Star Is Born hit song Shallow. The intense duet ended with Cooper, 44, perching beside her on the piano stool, putting a tuxedo-clad arm around her waist and tilting his head toward hers as they gazed steamily into each others eyes. Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga at the Oscars performing their hit from A Star Is Born Lady Gaga and Irina Shayk at the 91st Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles last night As one viewer tweeted wistfully: Who doesnt want someone to look at them the way Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper look at each other? And it all happened while Coopers model girlfriend and mother of his one-year-old daughter Irina Shayk watched from the front row. The performance won a standing ovation and sparked a flurry of comment on social media about actor-director Cooper and Lady Gaga, 32, who split from her talent agent fiance Christian Carino only last week. For her part 33-year-old Miss Shayk, who has been with Cooper for four years, was among the first to leap to her feet to join in the applause and later gave Lady Gaga a huge hug after she won the Oscar for best original song. She's no stranger to making a fashionable appearance after carving out a successful career as a model. So it's little wonder Jodie Kidd turned heads as she stunned in a pink sequinned gown at the star-studded Dining with the Stars event at One Whitehall Place in London on Monday. The model, 40, joined a host of other high-profile diners at the charity dinner, held in aid of Cancer Research UK's Bobby Moore Fund. Wow: Jodie Kidd, 40, turned heads in a pink sequinned gown at the star-studded Dining with the Stars event at One Whitehall Place in London on Monday Jodie looked gorgeous in a heavily sequinned baby pink wrap dress, featuring a cute velvet ribbon. She teamed her dress with a pair of embellished, pointed slingback heels. Adding to the glamour, Jodie's blonde tresses was were swept up into a chic up do while her make-up was applied flawlessly. The star accessorised her glam look with simple gold jewellery. TV personality Jodie was seen posing with Stephanie Moore - wife of the late Bobby Moore - at the event, as well as Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK Michelle Mitchell. Charitable: The model joined a host of other stars at the charity dinner, held in aid of Cancer Research UK's Bobby Moore Fund Stunning: Jodie looked gorgeous in a heavily sequinned baby pink wrap dress, featuring a cute velvet ribbon Also attending the charitable event was Baroness Michelle Mone, who is known for founding lingerie company Ultimo. The entrepreneur looked dazzling in a plunging emerald green gown, which featured sheer panels on the shoulders and an empire waistline. Her blonde locks were left to cascade over her shoulders, while she accentuated her chic ensemble with glittering diamond jewellery. Other attendees at the soiree included Zafar Rushdie and Natalie Rushdie, son and daughter-in-law of novelist Salman Rushdie. Stylish: Jodie teamed her dress with a pair of embellished, pointed slingback heels and accessorised her glam look with simple gold jewellery Glam: Adding to the glamour, Jodie's blonde tresses was were swept up into a chic up do while her make-up was applied flawlessly Support: TV personality Jodie was seen posing with Stephanie Moore - wife of the late Bobby Moore - at the event, as well as Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK Michelle Mitchell Classically trained Natalie was a headline performer at the glitzy event, entertaining everyone with renditions including Oscar winning hit Shallow, by Lady Gaga and Mark Ronson - which received a standing ovation. The Scottish born jazz singer looked dazzling in a blue embellished floral fishnet gown by Pronovias as she serenaded the crowd. Jodie's glamorous outing comes just weeks after she made a return to the catwalk after ten years. The star strutted her stuff at the VIN + OMI show during London Fashion Week earlier this month. She turned heads on the runway, donning a black, sheer top and a matching flowing dress that came complete with a detailed and multi-coloured floral embellishment. In attendance: Other attendees at the soiree included Zafar Rushdie and Natalie Rushdie, son and daughter-in-law of novelist Salman Rushdie Singing sensation: Classically trained Natalie was a headline performer at the glitzy event, entertaining everyone with renditions including Oscar winning hit Shallow Dressed to impress: Entrepreneur Baroness Michelle Mone looked dazzling in a plunging emerald green gown, which featured sheer panels on the shoulders and an empire waistline Jodie added height to her frame with a pair of golden heels with a lace detail and styled her blonde locks into loose curls for the show. The Surrey native sported a flowing black dress with long sleeves and a small slit on the leg for another of her runway ensembles. In keeping with the show's theme, it also featured a floral design. Speaking to the Daily Mail ahead of her runway appearance, Jodie recounted her experiences with anxiety ahead of her return to the catwalk for fashion week. She said: I would like to write about anxiety next, having suffered from it for so many years. I would like to talk about it a bit more, even though Im not an expert therapist. Through the years of suffering Ive explored different avenues. Style: Jodie looked nothing short of sensational as she strutted her stuff at the VIN + OMI show during London Fashion Week earlier this month Comeback: It marked Jodie's first time back on the runway in a professional capacity in ten years Fashion: For one of her looks, Jodie donned a black, sheer top and a matching flowing dress that came complete with a detailed and multi-coloured floral embellishment Jodie, who made one charity catwalk appearance in 2015, has talked of suffering from anxiety her whole life, which compelled her to stop modelling. Its not performance anxiety its full-on anxiety, she said. I had proper wobbles when I was in my late teens and there was a lot of pressure in the fashion industry, which made things worse. I had to stop. I could be backstage about to go on the catwalk, or even doing something as ordinary as the weekly shop, and Id panic. I knew I couldnt walk down another catwalk again. Honest: Speaking to the Daily Mail ahead of her runway appearance, Jodie recounted her experiences with anxiety ahead of her return to the catwalk for fashion week She is no longer allowed to fly due to hyperemesis, a pregnancy complication that involves severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss and possibly dehydration. With the last four dates on her stand-up tour in Phoenix, Houston, Dallas and Austin, Texas, cancelled on doctors orders, Amy Schumer has some time on her hands. So the comedienne spent Saturday feeding the giraffe at the Audubon Zoo in Uptown New Orleans with her chef husband Chris Fischer. She's overawed: Amy Schumer and husband Chris Fischer hand fed a giraffe carrots and 'I kind of couldn't handle it,' she captioned an Instagram video short Saturday The 37-year-old looked a bit shocked when one of the towering animals bent down and gently took a pice of carrot from her hand. And she quickly scooted back from the front of the viewing platform, pushing a pal in front of her. But Amy wasn't able to capture the moment when the giraffe snaffled the veggie that Chris, 39, was holding saying, 'Shoot I missed it.' She and the cookook author and farmer are expecting their first child. Ready for it: The hungry giraffe stuck out his long black tongue ready to take the veggie that he could see in the 37-year-old's hand Tempting snack: Thebeautiful creature gently lifted the slice of carrot out of Amy's hand But Amy is having a tough time of it and she feels very guilty about having to cancel dates. 'I wanted to push through and do my shows because I hate letting people down and I love stand up and money!' she explained on her Instagram stories. 'But more than that I have to think about my health and the baby.' Zoo star: But Amy wasn't able to capture the moment when the giraffe snaffled the veggie that Chris, 39, was holding saying, 'Shoot I missed it' The couple got married in a surprise ceremony in front of 80 guests at an outdoor ceremony in Malibu on February 13, 2018. It came just three months after they were first photographed together. Meanwhile, Amy revealed on February 12 that she's set to film her second Netflix special, Growing, due to air on March 19. Lightening usually doesn't strike twice in one family, but it sure did for the Evans brothers. On Sunday night at the 91st Academy Awards in Los Angeles, 37-year-old Captain America actor Chris Evans shows off his handsome younger brother Scott. The 35-year-old blonde is also an actor, best known for his work on the soap opera One Life To Live as well as the Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin hit Gracie And Frankie. Brothers: On Sunday night at the 91st Academy Awards in Los Angeles, 37-year-old Captain America actor Chris Evans shows off his handsome younger brother Scott It runs in the family: The 35-year-old blonde is also an actor, best known for his work on the soap opera One Life To Live as well as the Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin hit Frankie And Gracie Scott played police officer Oliver Fish on the daytime classic from 2008 until 2010. His character had a romantic relationship with another man named Kyle Lewis (played by Brett Claywell) in 2009. When cast regular Patricia Mauceri was replaced for reportedly voicing personal religious objections to her character's involvement in his storyline, a spotlight was put on the show. Both Scott and Brett were let go in 2010. Party on: Here they are seen with a friend at the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts Scott also had a guest role on the series Rubicon as an American involved in a serious terrorist attack. Since then he has worked on Law & Order: Criminal Intent, White Collar and Looking. His movies include Behaving Baldy, Close Range and Madhouse Mecca. The star's latest TV role is as Oliver on Grace And Frank. And later this year he can be seen in Sell By with Kate Walsh and Patricia Clarkson. Big gig: Scott played police officer Oliver Fish on One Life To Live from 2008 until 2010 Drama: His character had a romantic relationship with another man named Kyle Lewis (played by Brett Claywell) in 2009 Current: He is also on the Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin hit Grace And Frankie. See here with Martin Sheen, right Scott studied at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School and New York University. Chris is best known for his superhero roles as the Marvel Comics characters Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Human Torch in Fantastic Four and its 2007 sequel. At the Oscars on Sunday he stood out for helping Regina King up to the stage to receive her Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her work on If Beale Street Could Talk. They stick together: The brothers at the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at JW Marriott Los Angeles in 2013 Jamie Lee Curtis tweeted out her support of Evans, praising him for his gentlemanly ways. 'Hey @ChrisEvans you are a gentleman! #raisedwell,' Curtis wrote. Curtis followed up with another tweet complimenting Evans on his looks. 'And you look handsome AND well groomed," Curtis wrote. "I just played his mother in a movie so I feel I can say that!' The two star together in the upcoming Rian Johnson movie Knives Out. Jeremy Meeks, 35, was hoping to mix and mingle with the stars when he arrived at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles for Beyonce and Jay-Z's Oscar after-party on Sunday. But Chloe Green's other half was left disappointed after being turned away from the A-list bash because his name was reportedly not on the list. A source told MailOnline: 'Jeremy arrived to the hotel around 11:30pm. After trying one door, he was told to go up a hill because that's where the party was. Party: Jeremy Meeks, 35, was hoping to mix and mingle with the stars when he arrived at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles for Beyonce and Jay-Z's Oscar after-party on Sunday 'When Jeremy got to the right door, a woman holding a clipboard told him that he was not on the list for the party and would have to leave. 'He spent about five minutes trying to get in but they wouldn't budge. Eventually, he gave up and got back into his car and left.' MailOnline has contacted representatives for Jeremy and the Chateau Marmont for comment. While he may not have gotten to join the likes of Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Natalie Portman and Jason Momoa at the private party, Jeremy still cut a stylish figure for his brief trip to the hotel. Hard luck: But Chloe Green's other half was left disappointed after being turned away from the A-list bash because his name was not on the list Style: While he may not have gotten to join the likes of Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez, Jeremy still looked dapper for the evening Ensemble: The model, who was famously dubbed the 'hot felon' after his mugshot went viral, donned a black jacket with a monochrome flannel shirt The model, who was famously dubbed the 'Hot Felon' after his mugshot went viral, donned a black jacket with a monochrome flannel shirt and a black top. He paired it with dark slim-fitting jeans and completed his look with an eye-catching diamond necklace and a matching wristwatch. Jeremy appeared slightly bleary-eyed as he made his way toward the hotel, enjoying a quick vape before he tried to make his way inside. Fans: While he might not have gotten to enjoy the party, Jeremy was stopped for selfies with fans while outside the hotel Couple: Jeremy and Chloe marked their one-year anniversary at the end of July last year (pictured in January 2018) The 35-year-old and his other half Chloe, 27, marked their one-year anniversary at the end of July last year, with Chloe revealing the pair had headed 'back to the place it all began' while sharing a holiday snap from Turkey. Jeremy, meanwhile, gushed: 'We always have the most amazing time in Turkey love you Baby.' Jeremy has grafted a flourishing career in modelling, taking to catwalks all over the world, after his 2014 mug shot went viral on Facebook and Twitter with admirers gushing over his chiseled face. Stockton Police Department shared the unlikely stunning snap after he was arrested on weapons charges amid a gang sweep and later handed a prison sentence of 27 months in connection with the incident. Love Island bosses are said to have eyed up Vicky Pattison's boyfriend Ercan Ramadan as a potential contestant for this year's series. According to The Sun, The Only Way Is Marbs star was approached by casting producers back in January, when his relationship with Vicky was in its early stages. Producers are reportedly keen to sign on a number of singletons who have dabbled in reality TV and have a strong social media presence. Hunk: Love Island bosses are said to have eyed up Vicky Pattison's boyfriend Ercan Ramadan as a potential contestant for this year's series A source told the publication: 'Love Island casting agents are approaching people with low-level fame to take part in this years show, they told Ercan he'd be a perfect fit for the show and that they really wanted him on board. 'He knows it would be good for his career but he's with Vicky now, so he's not sure how to play it. 'This year they know exactly who they want on the show, everyone on Love Island must have a strong influence on social media - it's key to the success of the show.' Casting call: The Only Way Is Marbs star is said to have been approached by casting producers back in January, when his relationship with Vicky was in its early stages (pictured together on Sunday) Explosive series: Producers are reportedly keen to sign on a number of singletons who have dabbled in reality TV and have a strong social media presence The hunk boasts an impressive 52.4k followers on Instagram and uploads a slew of shirtless snaps and photos with his TOWIE pals. However, a show insider told MailOnline: 'No it's not true, we haven't auditioned these names.' Vicky went public with her new man, former TOWIE star Ercan earlier this month during a trip to Dubai - three months after calling off her engagement to John Noble. The TV personality recently revealed how the happy couple got together and what sparked their romance. She explained: 'We've followed each other for a long while on Instagram. It was one of those ones where you just follow good looking fellas.' Loved-up: Vicky went public with her new man, former TOWIE star Ercan earlier this month during a trip to Dubai - three months after calling off her engagement to John Noble Social media influencer: The hunk boasts an impressive 52.4k followers on Instagram and uploads a slew of shirtless snaps and photos with his TOWIE pals Vicky said nothing ever came to fruition between the pair because Ercan had a girlfriend at the time she met John, but both of them split from their respective partners in the space of a month. She added: 'He [Ercan] slid into me DMs over Christmas and it's gone from there. He's lovely and fun.' Vicky recently revealed she's taking things slow with Ercan, and won't be flat-hunting or getting engaged again any time soon. She told the Mirror: 'We are officially dating but it's not love yet. I do still believe in love, though. 'I have to or I would be very sad. I am worried about rebound, I want to make sure I'm doing things for the right reason and not just to feel better.' On Friday she flashed her $5 million engagement ring as she went solo to Barry Diller's exclusive pre-Oscar Party for the stars in Beverly Hills. And on Sunday Katy Perry and fiance Orlando Bloom were together when they arrived at Jay Z and Beyonce's Oscar bash in West Hollywood. The stylish couple were perfectly dressed for the reportedly secret A-list gathering with Orlando, 42, in a smart black tuxedo, white dress shirt and bowtie. Glitter girl: Katy Perry and fiance Orlando Bloom looked elegant as they arrived at Jay Z and Beyonce's reportedly secret Oscar bash in West Hollywood on Sunday Also at the event were Rihanna, Adele, Jennifer Lopez, Jamie Foxx, Natalie Portman, Leonardo DiCaprio and Adam Driver. Katy, 34, looked devastating in a one-shoulder silver and black gown with a deep ruffle around her neckline and a thigh-high split. Her short blonde hair was styled to add height and swept back from her face as she walked arm-in-arm with her beau. She accessorized with glittering earrings...and her fabulous ruby and diamond ring. The couple surprised their fans by announcing their engagement on February 15 on social media. The ultimate accessory: Katy, 34, arrived on the arm of British fiance Orlando, 42, flashing her $5 million ruby and diamond engagement ring Both posted instagram snaps showing one eye and Katy's stunning ring, against a back drop of red heart balloons. Orlando captioned his shot, 'Lifetimes' while Katy made a play on his name by writing 'Full bloom.' The couple first got together in January 2016 at a Golden Globes bash. But their relationship has been on-off since then. Cute snap: The couple both posted the same shot on Instagram on February 15, the day Orlando proposed, with the actor captioning his 'Lifetimes' while Katy wrote 'Full bloom' In March 2017, the stars officially took a break both of their reps told People at the time. However, they remained friends and by February 2018 they were officially back on. And now, of course, they intend to be back on for life. Coronation Street fans went wild at the return of soap favourite Maureen Lipman revealed in behind-the-scenes snaps from the set. Corrie's official Twitter account showed Maureen and her on-screen grandson Alan Halsall shooting scenes as Tyrone Dobbs and Evelyn Plummer. Looking tense as they filmed in the street, the characters were engaged in conversation with Chesney Brown (Sam Aston) as cameramen surrounded them. Comeback: Coronation Street fans went wild at the return of soap favourite Maureen Lipman revealed in behind-the-scenes snaps from the set Raunchy: Another snap saw Chesney (Sam Aston) and Gemma Winter (Dolly Rose Campbell) getting steamy on the sofa, with both characters appearing to be naked, bar Chesney's socks, as they gazed into one another's eyes after finally getting together During her last appearance in Corrie, Evelyn told Tyrone it was her and not his mother who had abandoned him by a police station as a baby. She also revealed that his mother was a drug addict. At their last meeting, Tyrone told her never to come back to Weatherfield, although changed his mind just as she left for Italy. The gritty scenes are set to be aired in March. Delight: Fans were delighted to see the return of Maureen with one writing: 'Good to see the fab Maureen Lipman back again. I so enjoy her role on the street' Fans were delighted to see the return of Maureen with one writing: 'Good to see the fab Maureen Lipman back again. I so enjoy her role on the street.' Another added: 'Evelyn is great' while one fan wrote: 'Great to see Maureen Lipman is coming back. Love her character, great actress!' Another wrote: 'Happy she's back, great actress.' Another snap saw Chesney and Gemma Winter getting steamy on the sofa, with both characters appearing to be naked, bar Chesney's socks, as they gazed into one another's eyes. The pair recently became an item after months of flirting and went away for a country weekend. Cosying up in a caravan, Gemma quickly fell asleep, with their mobile home towed away by the campsite owners. The steamy scenes come ahead of a rumoured storyline that Chesny will father quadruplets with Gemma following a night of passion. Further shots from the set saw Peter Barlow, Sarah Platt and Gary Windass engaged in tense scenes. Last year Maureen claimed she gets 'depressed' at the sight of her character. She told The Daily Star: 'There isn't much comedy in the actual storyline by the very nature of what it is. 'But the lines are dry and in a way you have to put your own personality into it, and the writers start to respond to the way it is going so I can only wait and see.' Soap producer Iain MacLeod explained they brought Maureen back to the show in August, but this time as Evelyn, to bring a 'fresh drop of northern humour' to Corrie, after she previously played Lillian Spencer in 2002. He previously said: 'I am beyond thrilled that we are introducing such a great new character, played by someone of Maureen's pedigree.' Tense: Further shots from the set saw Sarah Platt (Tina O'Brien) and Gary Windass (Mikey North) engaged in tense scenes Jennifer Lawrence looked effortlessly stylish as she headed to the Dior headquarters in Paris on Monday. The 28-year-old actress, who is celebrating her recent engagement to Cooke Maroney, 34, continued to show off her huge engagement ring as she stepped out. Taking on a Parisian sense of style, Jennifer wore a khaki coloured beret, as well as a patterned jacket over a relaxed T-shirt and Garrett Leight sunglasses. When in France: Jennifer Lawrence wore a beret and a patterned jacket for a visit to the Dior HQ in Paris on Monday - the star got engaged to Cooke Maroney earlier this month Tres belle: Taking on a Parisian sense of style, Jennifer wore a khaki coloured beret, as well as a patterned jacket over a relaxed T-shirt and a blue Dior bag Rock: Jennifer was sporting her new huge diamond ring The star wore a pair of skinny jeans with a pair of black pointed backless mules which added some extra inches to her height. After heading out for her fitting, Jennifer went to the swanky l'Avenue restaurant in Paris for some lunch with friends. Lawrence confirmed her engagement to New York art gallery director, Cooke, earlier this month, following an eight-month romance. The happy news came after the couple were spotted dining together in New York at Raoul's, with Jennifer seen showing off a 'giant rock' on her finger. A source who witnessed the scene told PageSix the two and their pals were definitely celebrating something. Happy news: Lawrence confirmed her engagement to New York art gallery director, Cooke, earlier this month, following an eight-month romance (pictured earlier in the month) Putting her best foot forwards: The star wore a pair of skinny jeans with a pair of black pointed backless mules which added some extra inches to her height Special day: After her trip to Dior, Jennifer headed to l'Avenue restaurant for a meal with her friends 'It was a giant rock. They seemed like they were celebrating and people were talking about it,' said the source. 'The ring was very noticeable. They were sitting back in a corner. She was wearing a cute black dress with white polka dots.' Cooke currently works at New York's Gladstone Gallery, which represents artists including Lena Dunham's dad, Carroll Dunham, as well as Richard Prince, Anish Kapoor, and Bjork's ex, Matthew Barney. Maroney is also known on the art party scene and previously worked at the prestigious Gagosian Gallery. Marvellous: Jennifer hid her eyes behind some vintage-style shades Friends in high places: Cooke currently works at New York's Gladstone Gallery, which represents artists including Lena Dunham's dad, Carroll Dunham, as well as Richard Prince, Anish Kapoor, and Bjork's ex, Matthew Barney Olivia Colman's Best Actress win at the Oscars prompted a host of tributes from her former co-stars with David Mitchell leading the way by praising her "brilliant speech." The 45-year-old actress took home the Academy Award for her performance as Queen Anne of Great Britain in The Favourite and her Peep Show co-star David, 44, hailed the decision as "amazing". David posted on Twitter: 'Oh my God! That's amazing! And what a brilliant speech! #OliviaColman (sic)' So proud: Olivia Colman's Best Actress win at the Oscars prompted a host of tributes from her former co-stars with David Mitchell leading the way by praising her "brilliant speech" Edgar Wright, with whom Olivia worked with on British action-comedy Hot Fuzz, insisted he was "So, so happy for Olivia" before sharing a gif of her police officer character from the movie angrily swinging a wet floor sign with the caption "Colman takes out the competish." Meanwhile fellow Oscar winner Julia Roberts shared a picture on Instagram of Olivia receiving her award and simply wrote: "I [heart emoji] Olivia". Olivia Munn also shared a message of congratulations tweeting: 'OLIVIA COLMAN was soooo amazing in The Favourite. #BestActress #Oscars2019 (sic)' Leading the way: Mitchell joined a host of stars in congratulating the actress on Sunday evening All mine: Olivia was understandably ecstatic after collecting her award for Best Actress at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles Broadchurch star Olivia was praised for her speech in which she thanked her mother, father, husband Ed Sinclair and her three kids "who are at home and watching" before quipping: 'Well, if you're not, then, well done, but I sort of hope you are. This is not going to happen again.' Elsewhere Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan tweeted about the "hilarious" speech, writing: 'Nobody gives better speeches than Olivia Colman. Hilarious. #oscars (sic)' Former One Direction member Niall Horan simply wrote: "Olivia Colman" besides a heart and loved up emoji. So pleased: Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan and One Direction star Niall Horan also congratulated the actress on her win Olivia became the new queen of Hollywood after taking home the Best Actress award at Sunday evening's 91st Academy Awards for her role as troubled Queen Anne of Great Britain in The Favourite. The British actress was overjoyed as she accepted the gong, during which she reached out to little girls everywhere in an inspiring and sweet speech. She said: 'Any little girl who's practicing your speech on the telly, you never know! I used to work as a cleaner and I spent quite a lot of my time imagining this.' Toast: Olivia became the new queen of Hollywood after taking home the Best Actress award at Sunday evening's 91st Academy Awards Haha! The overwhelmed star was urged to wrap up her speech by Academy bosses - yet hilariously blew a raspberry and made a crass gesture at the teleprompter While she grew tearful and emotional during, the overwhelmed Peep Show star was urged to wrap up her speech by Academy bosses - yet hilariously blew a raspberry and made a crass gesture at the teleprompter. Her speech was laden with emotion as she paid tribute to her many aides and supports however she tickled audiences when she made the crass gesture. The actress was up against Glenn Close for The Wife, Yalitza Aparicio for Roma, Lady Gaga for A Star is Born and Melissa McCarthy of Can You Ever Forgive Me? for the award. Referencing the stiff competition, she said: 'It's genuinely quite stressful. This is hilarious. I got an Oscar' Overwhelmed: Olivia could not contain her glee as she gushed to her co-stars and her fans during the speech 'This is quite stressful': The first time nominee was close to tears as she delivered a charming speech Over the moon: She added the Oscar to her earlier wins at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs and National Society of Film Critics for the role In her heartwarming speech, she graciously gave a nod to her colleagues, adding: 'I have to thank lots of people. Yorgos [Lanthimos], my best director and the best film with Emma [Stone] and Rachel [Weisz], the two loveliest women to fall in love with and go to work with every day. You can imagine it wasn't a hardship.' Olivia was stunned as she beat out the category favourite Glenn, who was widely expected to win her first Oscar for her role in The Wife - after a record seven unsuccessful nominations. She gazed at Close in the audience and said: 'You've been my idol for so long and this is not how I wanted it to be.' Old times: Olivia is perhaps best known by many for her breakout role as unlucky in love Sophie in Peep Show Here we go: many fans were quicko reference her former role with a series of hilarious memes on Sunday evening Olivia added the Oscar to her envious stream of earlier wins for her roles at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs and National Society of Film Critics for the role in the period drama. The emotional star also thanked her agent who took her on 20 years ago, and her children - and admitted she wasn't sure if they were watching at home. 'My kids who are at home and watching, look!' she exclaimed. 'If you're not, then, kind of well-done, but I sort of hope you are. This is not going to happen again.' Steven Spielberg took his daughter Destry to the Vanity Fair Oscar party on Sunday evening. And the 22-year-old beauty appears to not only be all grown up but also a red carpet bombshell. The Jurassic Park director, 72, had Sasha with his second wife, Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom star Kate Capshaw, 65. Proud parent: Steven Spielberg took his daughter Destry to the Vanity Fair Oscar party on Sunday evening Looker: The Jurassic Park director, 72, had Sasha with his second wife, Temple Of Doom star Kate Capshaw Parents: Spielberg (L) and Kate Capshaw attend the Ambassadors For Humanity Gala Benefiting USC Shoah Foundation Honoring Rita Wilson And Tom Hanks in 2018 Destry had on a flattering maroon Herve Leger dress that was low cut and had thin straps. It came down to the floor and covered her shoes. She added a gold necklace and wore her red hair down. Dad had on a dark three-piece suit with a tie. Nailed her look: Destry had on a flattering maroon Herve Leger dress that was low cut and had thin straps Destry is an actress who can be seen in Mass Hysteria from directors Arielle Cimino and Jeff Ryan Her siblings are Theo, 30, Sasha, 28, Mikaela, 22, and Sawyer, 26. Steven also has son Max, 33, who he had with ex-wife Amy Irving. Pal: Inside the bash, he was seen talking to Glenn Close who was expected to win an Oscar on Sunday for The Wife but lost out to Olivia Coleman for The Favourite Inside the bash, Steven was seen talking to Glenn Close who was expected to win an Oscar on Sunday for The Wife but lost out to Olivia Coleman for The Favourite. This comes after Spielberg said he thinks cinemas 'need to be around forever'. The veteran director still loves watching a movie in a cinema and although he recognises the rise of TV and streaming services, he's insisted cinemas must be safeguarded. He said: 'I hope all of us really continue to believe that the greatest contributions we can make as filmmakers is to give audiences the motion picture theatrical experience. Fam: L to R, Sasha, Destry, Kate, Steven, Daniel Day-Lewis and filmmaker Rebecca Miller at Lincoln closing night gala premiere during AFI Fest in 2012 'I'm a firm believer that movie theatres need to be around forever.' Despite this, the filmmaker - who has helmed some of the best-known films in cinema history - appreciates the talents of people working within the TV genre. He told Variety: 'I love television. I love the opportunity. Some of the greatest writing being done today is for television, some of the best directing for television, some of the best performances [are] on television today. Seven years ago: Capshaw, Spielberg and Sasha attend the 23rd Annual Producers Guild Awards at The Beverly Hilton hotel in 2012 'The sound is better in homes more than it ever has been in history but there's nothing like going to a big dark theatre with people you've never met before and having the experience wash over you. That's something we all truly believe in.' Despite his own successes, Spielberg previously admitted he never reflects on his past achievements. The director - who has helmed hits such as 'Jaws' and 'Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark' - said: 'I don't look back. I make movies and I work a lot and I look forward all the time. I don't often look back.' For the growing number of fans of the sport, you cant get enough of pickleball or pickleb She is one of the world's most in-demand models who has been lighting up catwalks all over the world during fashion week season. And Gigi Hadid looked casually chic as she arrived at the Prada Store in Paris France on the first day of PFW on Monday. The Vogue coverstar, 23, wrapped up in a slate grey, orange and cream twill coat which she paired with baggy jeans as she strolled along in the City of Lights. Catwalk: Gigi Hadid looked casually chic as she arrived at the Prada Store in Paris France on the first day of PFW on Monday The beauty layered a pinstripe waistcoat over a green patterned sweater for a splash of colour. Forgoing the heels before she takes to the catwalk, the star donned black leather boots. Her caramel flecked tresses were styled in soft waves while a light dusting of make-up accentuated her pretty features. Style: The Vogue coverstar, 23, wrapped up in a slate grey, orange and cream twill coat which she paired with baggy jeans as she strolled along in the City of Lights Parade: The beauty layered a pinstripe waistcoat over a green patterned sweater for a splash of colour Beach babe: Forgoing the heels before she takes to the catwalk, the star donned black leather boots The star shielded her sparkling peepers from the sun with a pair of futuristic shades. Last week Gigi paid her respects to 'King' Karl Lagerfeld at the preview of his final Fendi collection. Earlier in the week, Gigi had paid tribute to the 85-year-old's 'genius mind' and 'indescribable presence' after his passing in Paris on Tuesday. Gigi initially paid tribute to Karl on Instagram on Tuesday, when it was announced that the fashion icon had died, aged 85, following a short illness. Tousled: Her caramel flecked tresses were styled in soft waves while a light dusting of make-up accentuated her pretty features Shades:The star shielded her sparkling peepers from the sun with a pair of futuristic shades Star: Gigi carried a snakeskin black handbag as she walked in She wrote: 'Karl, I will miss your indescribable presence, watching your calm, quiet genius mind working, your little jokes, amazing stories, and experience the clothes, sets, and productions only you could dream up.' 'Thank you for believing in me and for the beautiful, incredible opportunities you brought to my career, but mostly thank you for giving me the honor of knowing the magic behind the myth. 'There will never be another Karl Lagerfeld. I am overwhelmed with sadness today, but also with so much love, admiration and gratitude for you. 'To all his beloved friends and colleagues, and his favourite girl Choupette, my heart is with you. Rest in Peace King Karl. I didn't want this day to come.' Game Of Thrones star Lena Headey nearly let the highly-secret ending slip while talking to Phillip Schofield on This Morning on Monday. The 45-year-old also revealed that she has accidentally told her family what happens because it's too big a secret to keep. The actress was on the show to talk about her new movie, Fighting With My Family, but conversation naturally turned to her iconic role as Cersei Lannister. Whoops! Game Of Thrones star Lena Headey nearly let the show's highly-secret ending slip on This Morning on Monday... as she revealed she accidentally told her family what happens Iconic: The actress was on the show to talk about her new movie, Fighting With My Family, but conversation naturally turned to her role as Cersei Lannister, (pictured) Looking like she was about to tell Phillip a little too much, she suddenly covered her mouth just in time. She said: 'I mean when we got the scripts, you would just flip straight through to the end and say "yes, Im still alive, Im still employed", but now its over. Its done. 'I dont have to wear that wig any more.' That's lucky: Looking like she was about to tell Phillip a little too much, she suddenly covered her mouth just in time She said: 'I mean when we got the scripts, you would just flip straight through to the end and say "yes, Im still alive, Im still employed", but now its over. Its done' Lena looked ready for spring on the day, wearing a floral shirt dress with a quirky hat. She wore a pair of contrasting polka dot platform heels, posing for snaps backstage after she had completed her interview. Game of Thrones fans have been waiting since 2017 for a new instalment of their beloved show - the biggest gap yet since the HBO drama began in 2011. The show is set to return to TV in the US on Sunday April 14, simulcasting with a UK broadcast in the early hours of Monday April 15 on Sky Atlantic. The final season will only have six episodes, but it's thought that each episode will be longer in length than those in previous seasons. Radio Times states: 'It seems likely that Cersei will recruit legendary mercenary army The Golden Company, a group who appeared in an unused storyline from George RR Martins novels and who were referenced multiple times in season seven.' His award season excitement has captured the hearts of many, with things reaching fever pitch on Sunday night's Oscars. And all Richard E. Grant's dreams seemed to come true on the big night as he not only saw his hero Barbra Streisand appear on stage but also met the woman herself - a moment he delightedly shared on social media. The 61-year-old Can You Ever Forgive Me? star had voiced his excitement over meeting the actress, who he wrote a fan letter to aged 14, before sharing a series of snaps with various fellow stars at the award show. Happy days: All Richard E. Grant's dreams seemed to come true on the big night as he not only saw his hero Barbra Streisand appear on stage but also met the woman herself - a moment he delightedly shared on social media Richard, who was up for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar, had voiced his excitement in the lead-up to the show after revealing he wrote the letter to her. Last month, he tweeted a series of selfies taken outside her house with the added caption: 'As a lifelong fan of someone youll understand what it meant for me to take this snap outside the home of Barbra Streisand... 'Asked Security for permission & he replied "Its a public road, but thanks for asking" Wrote her this letter when I was 14. My wife is very understanding!' Barbra shared the tweet and responded saying: 'Dear Richard What a wonderful letter you wrote me when u were 14 ! and look at u now! You're terrific in your latest movie with Melissa congratulations and love Barbra'. Delighted! The 61-year-old Can You Ever Forgive Me? star had voiced his excitement over meeting the actress, who he wrote a fan letter to aged 14, before sharing a series of snaps with various fellow stars at the award show OMG! Richard, who was up for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar, had voiced his excitement in the lead-up to the show after revealing he wrote the letter to her He's got the moves! He later danced the night away at the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Richard revealed some of the contents of the letter, which read: 'I read in the paper you were feeling very tired and pressurized by your fame and failed romance with Mr. Ryan ONeal. I would like to offer you a two-week holiday, or longer, at our house.' As he took to Instagram to share snaps from the Oscars he also added a caption reading: 'Being Oscar nominated was pretty amazing, but meeting with Barbra and having a proper conversation was an absolute astonishment. 40 carat Gold'. The rest of his evening was spent heavily with the A-list as he hobnobbed and snapped selfies with his fellow screen stars. In the lead up to the ceremony Richard was sharing yet more celeb-packed selfies, Richard went on to upload snaps alongside Hollywood heavyweights Rebel Wilson and Amy Adams. Snap happy: Richard also shared a shot after meeting Emilia Clarke who was beaming Happy days: Can You Ever Forgive Me? sees Melissa step into the stilettos of celebrity biographer Lee Israel who makes her living profiling A-listers in the dramatic thriller film The night before he was seen grinning ear to ear as he posed with the likes of Laura Dern, Olivia Colman and Regina King at an Oscar nominees dinner. On Thursday, he uploaded a sweet snap alongside Olivia as they got cosy on a plane to America. This came after he shared a snap of his invitation for the grand ceremony. Richard will compete against Mahershala Ali (Green Book), Sam Elliott (A Star Is Born), Sam Rockwell (Vice) and Adam Driver (BlacKkKlansman) for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Going on to talk about his preparation for the Oscars, Richard revealed to Variety he hasn't prepared a speech because he thinks that it's a 'foolish' thing to do. Happy days: He posed with his beloved co-star Melissa McCarthy Beaming: He grabbed Paul Rudd for yet another A-list snap to add to his collection Reunited, and it feels so good! Richard was reunited with Nicholas Hoult, who starred in 2006 movie Wah-Wah, which Richard directed The Star Wars: Episode IX actor said: 'The man that has to have the speech planned is the man who has had to come up with four different speeches for the four different awards that hes already won.' Can You Ever Forgive Me? sees Melissa step into the stilettos of celebrity biographer Lee Israel who makes her living profiling A-listers in the dramatic thriller film. The writer chronicles the lives of stars including Katharine Hepburn, Tallulah Bankhead, Estee Lauder and journalist Dorothy Kilgallen. Yet in a shocking twist, Lee turns her art form into deception when she falls on hard times and her work is no longer able to get published. It happens every year: the Oscars roll around and Lorraine Kelly rolls Ross King out on to the red carpet to attempt to chat with the by-passing stars. And, sadly for Ross, his time on the air on Monday went slightly wrong, as he attempted to nab director Alfonso Cuaron for a chat while broadcasting live into the Lorraine studio. The Mexican filmmaker - who scooped the gong for Best Director for his film Roma - was spotted by Ross (who had strangely already decided to undo his bowtie) as he sauntered along the red carpet behind him. Cold shoulder: Ross King's time on the air on Monday went slightly wrong, as he attempted to nab director Alfonso Cuaron for a chat while broadcasting live into the Lorraine studio Lorraine had barely got a word in when Ross was seen distractedly trying to edge backwards to get some screen time with Alfonso. 'Who have you seen?' Lorraine asked. 'Alfonso Cuaron,' muttered Ross, before shouting across at the director: 'Hi Alfa! Congratulations! You're live on British TV! Good to see you. There we are!' Alfonso shook Ross' hand without a flash of recognition in his eyes and then turned to some BBC reporters to chat. He's behind you: The Mexican filmmaker - who scooped the gong for Best Director for his film Roma - was spotted by Ross as he sauntered along the red carpet behind him On the hunt: Lorraine had barely got a word in when Ross was seen distractedly trying to edge backwards to get some screen time with Alfonso Oh... hi: 'Alfonso Cuaron,' muttered Ross, before shouting across at the director: 'Hi Alfa! Congratulations! You're live on British TV! Good to see you. There we are!' Ross then ignored Lorraine and loitered by Alfonso, microphone at the ready, as he gave a lengthy answer to the BBC. 'Hold on just one second here... there we are... look at this...' Ross then mumbled to himself as a helpless Lorraine waited around, occasionally saying: 'I think he's giving a long answer... they're having a discussion.' Ross then stuttered: 'I think he's forgotten... I think he's forgotten his Oscar!' Loitering: Ross then ignored Lorraine and loitered by Alfonso, microphone at the ready, as he gave a lengthy answer to the BBC Awks: 'Hold on just one second here... there we are... look at this...' Ross then mumbled to himself as a helpless Lorraine waited around As Alfonso eventually broke away from the BBC microphones after the long-winded wait, Ross was quick to sweep up to his face and shout at his: 'Where's your Oscar?' Indeed, the filmmaker was empty-handed, and he quickly quipped: 'Ebay!' Ross then laughed hysterically in the director's face, who looked back at him, baffled. 'Can I put in a bid for it?' Ross asked, practically hanging off Alfonso's arm. 'I've got 50 of our great British pounds. Will that take it?' Personal space? As Alfonso eventually broke away from the BBC microphones after the long-winded wait, Ross was quick to sweep up to his face and shout at his - 'Where's your Oscar?' Try hard? Indeed, the filmmaker was empty-handed, and he quickly quipped, 'Ebay!' Ross then laughed hysterically in the director's face, who looked back at him, baffled Met with silence, Ross went on: 'That's looking like a no then.' He then asked Alfonso how he was feeling before letting him step away. This exchange of course led to some Twitter reaction. '#rossking left alone on the carpet without an invite to the after-party,' one person typed. Followed by another who posted: 'Ross King's most depressing night of the year, ignored by everyone except his "old mate" Gerard Butler.' He's been dating the business psychologist Phillipa for four years. And Jude Law, 46, and Phillipa Coan, 32, were pictured looking low-key on Monday in what was the first outing since it was reported they are set to marry. Jude looked handsome as he stepped out wearing a jumper, brown trousers and walking boots, while carrying an overnight bag in hand. Love: Jude Law and Phillipa Coan were pictured for the first time since it was revealed 'they are set to marry in France' - they put on a low-key display as they headed to their car on Monday Casual: Beautiful Phillipa mirrored his style, wearing a leather jacket over jeans and wellington boots, as she carried a box of belongings into the car And beautiful Phillipa mirrored his style, wearing a leather jacket over jeans and wellington boots, as she carried a box of belongings into the car. The couple are about to take their romance to the next level as they are 'set to marry in a romantic ceremony surrounded by showbiz pals'. According to reports, the Alfie actor is set to tie the knot with his long-term girlfriend in France this spring, claims The Sun. And it's further claimed that the Sherlock Holmes star has asked his eldest son Rafferty, 22, whom he shares with ex wife Sadie Frost, to be his best man. Smitten: According to reports, the Alfie actor, 46, is set to tie the knot with his long-term girlfriend, 32, in France this spring, claims The Sun (pictured together in 2016) A source revealed to the publication: 'The wedding itself will be a good old fashioned knees up with plenty of booze and dancing. 'All his old pals are going from when he was growing up in London and just starting out in his career. 'Jude and Phillipa have been going out together for years and get on really well, so this is the next natural step.' It appears as though the nuptials will be an A-list affair with several of Jude's actor pals reported to attend including Jonny Lee Miller, Ewan McGregor, Brad Adams and Sean Pertwee. It is thought the wedding will take place in May, MailOnline has contacted Jude's representative for comment. Jude previously opened up about his romance with Phillipa in an interview with Modern Living. Sweet: And it's further claimed that the Sherlock Holmes star has asked his eldest son Rafferty, 22, whom he shares with ex wife Sadie Frost, to be his best man Loved-up: A source revealed to the publication: 'The wedding itself will be a good old fashioned knees up with plenty of booze and dancing.' (Jude and Phillipa pictured in 2016) He said: 'Shes mine and no one elses. Im very, very happy. Our relationship is a very private thing, and I think part of the fact it works so well is exactly because of that.' This will be the second time lucky for father-of-five Jude, who was previously married to designer Sadie from 1997 until their divorce in 2003. The former couple share three children together, Rafferty, 22, daughter Iris, 18 and 16-year-old Rudy. Jude also has an nine-year-old daughter Sophia with model Samantha Burke and Ada, three, with musician Catherine Harding. The star famously dated fellow A-lister Sienna Miller, with Jude famously issuing a public apology to her after having an affair with his children's nanny. Ex-wife: This will be the second time lucky for father-of-five Jude, who was previously married to designer Sadie from 1997 until their divorce in 2003 (pictured in 2018) Nicky Whelan was turning heads on Sunday night thanks to her very on-trend dress. The Australian actress got on board the recent unicorn trend in a pink, opalescent dress made by Celia Kritharioti at Elton John's AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Party in Los Angeles. The 37-year-old's incredible figure was on display thanks to the gown's low cut neckline and cinched-in waist. Rare as a unicorn! Former Neighbours star Nicky Whelan (pictured) stuns in a low-cut opalescent gown at Elton John's AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Party The satin fabric layered and swished around her feet, reaching floor length for a touch of drama. A sheet of skin-toned mesh sat across the blonde beauty's bust, adding an alluring focal point. The actress, who was styled by Joanne Black, carried a black pearl toned clutch purse in her hand. Lovely! The 37-year-old's incredible figure was on display thanks to the gown's low cut neckline and cinched-in waist A pair of drop earrings in a gold tone added a touch of retro flair to the modern look. Nicky was absolutely glowing, wearing a luminescent highlighter, as well as pink lipstick and winged eyeliner. The former soap star wore her flaxen hair back off her face, swept into a delicate up-do. Pretty: Nicky was absolutely glowing, wearing a luminescent highlighter, as well as pink lipstick and winged eyeliner Nicky's night out comes after she announced she would be starring opposite Bruce Willis in a new movie called Trauma Center. She shared the big news with her fans on Instagram, writing: 'New movie Trauma Center alongside the legend Bruce Willis! Very excited!' The former Neighbours star will play the character of Madison, opposite Willis, 63, as Lt. Wakes in the action film. Given his status as one of Hollywood's biggest stars, many fans expected Matt Damon to appear at Sunday night's Academy Awards. But the superstar eschewed the glitz and glamour of the event in favour of some bargain hunting thousands of miles away. As his famous peers prepared for the awards show, the 48-year-old was spotted shopping for discount wares in Ballina Kmart, located on Australia's Mid North Coast. Good Bargain Hunting! On Sunday, Matt Damon ditched the Oscars and instead went discount shopping near KMART in Byron Bay, New South Wales. He is pictured posing in the store with a young fan One young shopper spotted Matt perusing the aisles and asked for a photo, which was subsequently shared on Instagram. The Good Will Hunting star gave a smile and thumbs up for the camera as he posed with the boy in front of a rack of $8 shoes. Matt appeared to be in holiday mode, dressed down in a comfortable outfit and sporting scruffy facial hair. His favourite store? The Oscar winner has previously been spotted shopping in Ballina Kmart. He is pictured inside the retailer in May 2018 It's not the first time the star has been seen shopping at Ballina Kmart. In May last year, the Oscar winner was seen inside the budget retailer, where he posed for a photo with another young fan. Indeed, the actor has been spending ample time in the area over the past twelve months. Home away from home! Matt and his wife Luciana Barroso have been spending ample time in Byron Bay over the past twelve months Ballina is located a half hour drive from Byron Bay, the beachside enclave that Matt's close friend Chris Hemsworth calls home. Matt and his wife Luciana Barroso, 43, spent four months in the coastal town last year, and have returned for another holiday. The couple are currently renting an incredible five-bedroom home for a reported $24,000 a month. They are expected to stay in the home until mid-April. Lavish: The Good Will Hunting actor is currently renting an incredible five-bedroom home for a reported $24,000 a month It's his wedding day but Billy Vincent has been hit with some serious curve balls. On Monday's episode of Married at First Sight, the father of his new 'bride' Susie Bradley, 25, told Billy that he wasn't his 'wife's' type. But that was only the start - Susie's dad, Steve, dropped the bombshell that Susie has a daughter. 'That's your baby now!' The father of MAFS bride Susie Bradley's told her new 'husband' Billy Vincent (right) he had become an instant dad and warned his 'wife' will 'eat him alive' on Monday's episode Pulling Billy aside, Steve stammered: 'You know she's got a kid. You know? She's got a kid. You know now. That's your baby now'. The 28-year-old model and personal trainer was shocked by the revelation, but took it in his stride, being more concerned that he isn't Susie's type. Steve went on to tell Billy he felt he was, 'too soft for my daughter, you know? I was watching you all the time. She'll eat you alive'. Surprise! Pulling Billy aside, Steve (pictured) stammered: 'You know she's got a kid. You know? She's got a kid. You know now. That's your baby now' Warning: Steve went on to tell Billy he felt he was 'too soft for my daughter, you know? I was watching you all the time. She'll eat you alive' Billy, who was raised by a single mother, tried to laugh off the tough Hungarian-born father's insistence but Steve added: 'Trust me! She will.' Crestfallen, Billy said to camera: 'I kind of got a little bit of a heads up from my bride's dad that I wasn't the man that she expected, or wanted. 'I'm, like, full of self-doubt now. And it's a killer that she might think that I don't have those tools and I'm not equipped properly to build a life with.' Crestfallen: Billy said to camera: 'I kind of got a little bit of a heads up from my bride's dad that I wasn't the man that she expected, or wanted. I'm, like, full of self-doubt now' Trying: Despite her reservations and love of bad boys, Sunshine State-based Susie (pictured) decided to give the aspiring model and barista a go Susie, a cosmetic nurse, eventually told Billy that she has a three year old daughter, creatively named Baby, and pretends to act surprised. Despite her reservations, Sunshine State-based Susie decided to give the aspiring model and barista a go. 'I've been around bad boys previously, and I'm definitely attracted to a bit of edge, a sort of bit of naughtiness in appearance and sort of personality,' she said. She added: 'So, maybe him being, you know, different and more of a gentleman, it will work, and he will be what I need.' Love Island Australia star Erin Barnett attended Melbourne's Ultra Festival over the weekend. The former reality television star took to Instagram on Monday to reveal she 'can't wait' to attend the electronic music event again next year. 'We were lucky enough to get VVIP tickets to Ultra. I CANT WAIT TO GO NEXT YEAR!' the 23-year-old captioned a image of her posing alongside a bunch of festival revellers. Love Island Australia's Erin Barnett (second from right) donned a skimpy ensemble as she attended Melbourne's Ultra Festival over the weekend In several picture's shared to the Melbourne-based blonde's photo-sharing platform, she was seen flashing some serious flesh in a skimpy ensemble. Erin, who appeared on the Mallorca-based 9Go series last year, wore a hot pink cut-out leotard, layered underneath a pair of crotch-baring grey pants. She opted for comfort on the dance floor as she completed her outfit by slipping into bright socks and a pair of white sneakers. Festival fabulous! Erin (pictured) who appeared on the Mallorca-based 9Go series last year, wore a hot pink cut-out leotard, layered underneath a pair of crotch-baring grey pants as she attended Ultra Festival Aussie reality TV star: Erin (left) became a Love Island favourite last year thanks to her fiery personality, and was crowned runner-up with her now ex-boyfriend, Eden Dally Erin became a Love Island favourite last year thanks to her fiery personality, and was crowned runner-up with her now ex-boyfriend, Eden Dally. Meanwhile one day after the Melbourne festival, five revellers were rushed to hospital with suspected drug overdoses at the same event in Sydney. Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Erin used any illegal drugs at the Melbourne festival. Vanessa Hudgens flashed her enviably svelte legs through a shimmering gold split gown at Sunday's Vanity Fair Oscar Party. Vanity Fair threw the star-studded fete at the Wallis Annenberg Center For The Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. The 30-year-old actress posed up a storm for the shutterbugs on the arm of her 27-year-old boyfriend, Switched At Birth actor Austin Butler. Smashing: Vanessa Hudgens flashed her enviably svelte legs through a shimmering gold split gown at Sunday's Vanity Fair Oscar Party Vanessa swept her dark hair back behind her head, posing with a hand at her hips so that her dress draped advantageously over her trim figure. The High School Musical star balanced on a pair of ankle-strap heels that showed off her black nail polish, while her beauty look was created by makeup artist Allan Avendano using Buxom Cosmetics. Avendano explained that he wanted to create a 'sexy, but soft smokey eye look with gold and peach undertones', explaining that he used shades from the Buxom Cosmetics Customizable Eyeshadow Bar Palette to create a base on the lids, before adding some shimmer and shine in the form of the brand's Divine Goddess Luminizing Highlighter Palette. Allowing the eyes to remain the focus of the look, the beauty pro kept the lips neutral, using the Plumpline Lip Liner in Incognito followed by a slick of the Wanderlust Full-On Plumping Lip Cream in Seychelles Breeze to perfect Vanessa's pout. Meanwhile, Austin went for classic chic with a three-piece black suit and matching bow-tie, adding a modern touch with a glistening chain. The Oscars were an evening of upsets, with Olivia Colman of The Favourite scooping up best actress and Green Book taking home the best picture gong. Place to be: Vanity Fair threw the star-studded fete at the Wallis Annenberg Center For The Performing Arts in Beverly Hills Date night: The 30-year-old actress posed up a storm for the shutterbugs on the arm of her 27-year-old boyfriend, Switched At Birth actor Austin Butler Vanessa recently starred in Fox' televised production of Rent, the Jonathan Larson rock musical based on La Boheme that opened on Broadway in 1996. She got a rave review on Twitter from Idina Menzel, who originated Vanessa's role Maureen in the original Broadway cast and reprised the role in the flop 2005 film. Idina took the stage at the end of the Fox production with several of her old original Broadway castmates, including her ex-husband Taye Diggs. Hello, gorgeous: Vanessa swept her dark hair back behind her head, posing with a hand at her hips so that her dress draped advantageously over her trim figure Looking fab: Accentuating her features with BUXOM Cosmetics, the High School Musical star balanced on a pair of ankle-strap heels that showed off her black nail polish Jonathan Larson, who wrote Rent, died of an undiagnosed aortic dissection the morning of his show's first off-Broadway preview. For a time, Rent was the 10th longest running show in the history of Broadway - till it was knocked one spot back by Wicked, which coincidentally also starred Idina. Vanessa drew notice for her professional dedication when she performed in Fox' live production of Grease the day after her father died. Steve Jacobs and Emma Goody first sparked romance rumours after they were spotted together in Sydney's Bondi on New Years Day. And it appears the reported new couple are now mixing business with pleasure as they launched their new joint venture, Sabi Linen last week. Discussing the new line with 9Honey on Monday, the Today show weatherman revealed he's known the interior designer for at least ten years. Mixing business with pleasure? Today show's Steve Jacobs launches homewares range with rumoured new girlfriend Emma Goody (pictured) 'I have always loved home decor,' Steve, 52 said. 'In fact, I caught up with my now-business partner 10 years ago for a coffee and she reminded me last year when we reconnected and decided to start the business, that I spent the whole lunch talking about linen.' The new romance and venture comes after the dad-of-two and his ex-wife Rose split in 2018. 'I have always loved home decor!' Discussing the new line with 9Honey on Monday, the Today show weatherman revealed he's known the interior designer for at least ten years Relocating to Vanuatu with their two daughters, Isabella, seven, and Francesca, five, in mid-2017, the estranged couple are both settling back into their separate lives in Sydney following their devastating split. And on Friday, it appeared Rose is well and truly moving on as she celebrated her 40th birthday by enjoying a romantic holiday with her new boyfriend, Matt Shir. Taking to Instagram from Qantas' first-class lounge at Sydney airport, the mother-of-two wrote: 'I suddenly feel as though I'm exactly where I need to be in life.' 'I'm exactly where I need to be in life': Rose (right) went on a romantic holiday with her new partner Matt Shir (left) for her 40th birthday on Friday Rose appeared to start the party early, as the lovebirds relaxed in the lounge before their flight to Bali. 'Were kicking off my Bali celebrations with bubbles in the lounge,' she said, as she held up a glass of Champagne for the photo. It comes after the brunette purchased a $1.56million property in Sydney's affluent beachside suburb, Bronte. He's been on a emotional roller coaster on Married at First Sight and it could be argued that Bronson Norrish very much needs a holiday. And on Monday, the former stripper shared a photo taken at an unnamed airport, showing off his passport while implying he was going overseas. However, Bronson originally shared the same photo three years ago, in July 2016. Faking a holiday? Bronson Norrish has shared airport photo hinting he's heading overseas after his dramatic MAFS departure. The 'new' photo shows Bronson in fluffy bear slippers, with a beer, his passport, sunglasses and ticket sitting on the bar of an airport lounge. He captioned that post: 'Rocking the international traveler look #holidaymode #timetorelax #uggs'. The original 2016 photo, which still appears on his Instagram feed, showed the same scene, except for a glimpse of what appears to be a female companion. That looks familiar! On Monday, the former stripper shared a photo taken at an unnamed airport, showing off his passport and indicating he was going overseas Double trouble: The original 2016 photo (pictured), which still appears on his Instagram feed, showed the same scene, except for a glimpse of what appears to be a female companion The woman sitting beside him is weraing a ring, and has a phone and a glass of beer in the table in front of her. It's unclear why Bronson decided to crop out his travel companion when he posted the image for a second time. The original snap was tagged as being taken at Perth Airport, and was captioned: 'Built for comfort, not speed ;) #comfyasf**k #friskmebaby #customsgotnothingonme'. Out: The 'holiday' comes after Bronson left Married at First Sight after Sunday's commitment ceremony. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Bronson Norrish for comment. The 'holiday' comes after Bronson left Married at First Sight after Sunday's commitment ceremony. He had learned of 'wife' Innes Basic 'cheating' on him with fellow groom Sam Ball and subsequently voted to leave the experiment. Paris Hilton sizzled in a silver gown with diamond-shape cutouts Sunday at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party in West Hollywood, California. The 38-year-old socialite showed her lithe figure in the long-sleeved dress with plunging neckline and pointed shoulders. The floor-length gown featured front diamond cutouts as well as side cutouts. Silver siren: Paris Hilton showed her lithe figure in a silver gown with side cutouts Sunday at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party in West Hollywood, California Paris accessorized with sparkling stud earrings and had her blonde hair up with a few strands framing her face. The Simple Life star accentuated her natural beauty with lipstick and eye makeup. Paris recently celebrated turning age 38 earlier this month with an Anti-Valentine's Day Birthday Party on February 14 in New York City a few days ahead of her actual birthday on February 17. She shared a video clip on Instagram showing herself DJing during the party at Lavo New York. Showing support: The 38-year-old socialite attended the invite-only event supporting the Elton John AIDS Foundation Paris and actor Chris Zylka, 33, called off their engagement last November after he proposed in January 2018 after a year of dating. Sir Elton, 71, has been active in the fight against AIDS since the late 1980s and founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992. He started hosting the annual Academy Awards Viewing Party in 1993 as a fundraiser for the foundation. Birthday party: Paris is shown celebrating turning age 38 on February 14 with an Anti-Valentine's Day Birthday Party in New York City The invite-only party has raised millions of dollars for the foundation from its high-priced tickets and a celebrity auction. Paris was featured in the 2018 documentary The American Meme that was released in December on Netflix. She also walked the runway earlier this month at The Blonds show as part of New York Fashion Week. Married At First Sight star Ines Basic appeared stressed during an outing in Melbourne on Saturday afternoon. The 'villain' bride puffed on several cigarettes as she met up with co-star Martha Kalifatidis for a boozy lunch. During their outing, the 28-year-old flashed a faint smile amid backlash from her controversial TV appearance continues to grow. Putting on a brave face? Ines Basic appears stressed as she puffed on a cigarette during a boozy lunch with Martha Kalifatidis in Melbourne on Saturday Feeling the strain? The Married At First Sight 'villain' puffed on several cigarettes as she met up with co-star and good pal Martha Ines covered her svelte frame in an oversized grey cardigan, just one day before her final scenes on the reality show aired on Sunday night. She kept things casual with a pair of skinny ripped jeans, converse trainers and white Levis singlet top. Perhaps attempting to keep a low profile, Ines did not remove her large sunglasses and wore her hair slicked back in a ponytail. Covering up: Ines covered her svelte frame in an oversized grey cardigan and a white T-shirt Moving on! During their outing, Ines flashed a faint smile amid backlash from her controversial TV appearance continues to grow Over! Ines left Married At First Sight on Sunday night alongside 'husband' Bronson Norrish Meanwhile, Martha glammed up for their afternoon out. The Bondi-based makeup artist's brunette locks flowed freely and framed her flawless complexion. She slipped into a pair of stylish 'boyfriend' style jeans, and flaunted her enviable abs with a tiny white crop top. Before sitting down to dine, the girls visited a nearby salon, with Martha playfully trying on a blonde hair extension while stocking up on a beauty supplies. They were later joined by Martha's friend Theo, who is also close to Ines. Unexpected? Following her 'affair' with Sam Ball on the show, Ines has experienced a huge backlash from viewers across Australia Staying safe: On Monday, Daily Mail Australia revealed she had become the target of a sickening organised street attack following her controversial stint on the show Be careful! The shocking 'event' location was set just minutes away from where the 28-year-old was dining with Martha and her friend Theo, who later joined the girls Puffing away: During their afternoon out Martha and Ines downed drinks and smoked cigarettes Following her 'affair' with Sam Ball on the show, Ines has experienced a huge backlash from viewers across Australia. On Monday, Daily Mail Australia revealed she had become the target of a sickening organised street attack following her controversial stint on the show. Thousands of people clicked to attend a violent gathering in Melbourne, before Facebook promptly removed the 'event' listing. The shocking 'event' location was set just minutes away from where Ines was dining with Martha and Theo. Feeling the strain? It was recently claimed that Ines had lost a staggering 12KG since the show started A lot to deal with! A source also told Woman's Day that Ines had 'cut herself off' from her friends and the rest of the MAFS cast and was 'living like a recluse in her Brisbane home' She's had a good edit! Martha, who is still 'married' to Michael Brunelli on the show, appeared in high spirits while out and about What a contrast! While Ines has been slammed across the country, Martha has become the show's most followed contestant on Instagram from this series It was recently claimed that Ines had lost a staggering 12kg since the show started. A source told also told Woman's Day that Ines 'cut herself off' from her friends and the rest of the MAFS cast and was 'living like a recluse in her Brisbane home'. The insider added: 'She has lost about 12kg since filming finished - and she was tiny to begin with. Everyone's really worried about her.' However, a fan that met Ines in Melbourne over the weekend, wrote on Facebook that the beauty said she had in fact only lost 6kg. Stocking up! The girls visited a nearby salon, where Martha experimented with different looks Supporting her through it all! Ines has been spending a lot of time with Martha lately Suits you! Martha playfully tried on blonde hair extensions while stocking up on supplies The fan also claimed that Ines had said her weight loss was a result of a close friend passing away, shortly after she finished filming last year. Ines shared a heartfelt Instagram tribute to friend Tim Caraco on December 02 - shortly after she finished filming. 'Thank you for being part of all my wildest and funnest memories growing up, your laugh was infectious. See you in a new world Tim,' she wrote. Ines allegedly told the fan that 'despite all the haters out there she also said she's had lots of love as well.' Home time? It is believed Ines and Martha flew to Melbourne for a weekend of fun She was presented with a $50,000 diamond sparkler in 2015 when Bachelor star Sam Wood proposed. And on Monday, Snezana Markoski proudly showcased her brand new wedding ring after recently having it reset. Taking to Instagram to share a collection of photographs from their picturesque wedding, the Macedonian beauty, 38, gushed: 'It will be part of us forever.' 'It will be a part of us forever!' The Bachelor's Snezana Markoski flaunted her dazzling new wedding ring (pictured) after having her engagement sparkler reset The brunette beauty's initial engagement ring featured one band, encrusted with diamonds. Reset by Anton Jewellery, the new sparkler features two stunning parallel bands. Sharing pictures of her new ring, Snezana wrote: 'So many times a day I look at my hand and I pinch myself that @samjameswood is my husband.' Stunning: Reset by Anton Jewellery, the new sparkler features these two stunning parallel bands Cute couple: She was presented with a $50,000 diamond sparkler in 2015 when former Bachelor star Sam Wood proposed 'So many memories from the best day of our lives and the sparkle in his eye that is with me always,' she added. '@antonjewellery a very special thank you for looking after us, resetting my original engagement ring with your hot rocks collection and matching it perfectly to my wedding band was exactly what I wanted.' Sam was widely criticised when he gifted Snezana an unforgettable chunky gold Zamels promise ring on the finale of The Bachelor. Sparkler history: The brunette beauty's initial engagement ring featured one band (L), encrusted with diamonds. Meanwhile, Sam also gifted this iconic Cheezel ring (R) during The Bachelor finale 'Sweet: Anton Jewellery a very special thank you for looking after us, resetting my original engagement ring with your hot rocks collection and matching it perfectly to my wedding band was exactly what I wanted,' Snezana captioned an Instagram post on Sunday At the time, the buff gym owner, 35, spoke about it to Nova 100's Chrissie, Sam & Browny, admitting: 'I copped a fair bit of flak for the ring that I gave her on the show.' When asked if it was ugly, Sam brushed off the question but said fans weren't too happy with his choice. 'Well, it got called the Cheezel, Chrissie. There were a few comments on social media when I gave her the engagement ring saying "Oh, thank god she now gets to take off the Cheezel".' Growing their brood! Meanwhile, the pair confirmed on Instagram earlier this month, that they are expecting their second child - another baby girl 'I think we've got it right,' he added, speaking of the engagement rock. Meanwhile, the pair confirmed on Instagram earlier this month that they are expecting their second child - a baby girl. Snezana's daughter Eve, 13, is from a previous marriage, and the pair also share a one-year-old daughter, Willow. She's paving her own way in a family filled with stars. And Sofia Richie showed off her slender figure in a black-and-white image shared to Instagram on Sunday afternoon. The 20-year-old model donned a Victoria's Secret bra and matching underwear while boasting about her 'Pre Oscars vibe' to her more than four million followers. Star power: Sofia Richie showed off her slender figure in a black-and-white image shared to Instagram on Sunday afternoon Sofia looked every-inch the fashionista in the sultry photograph as she positioned herself in what appeared to be a bathtub. Her ample assets were on display in the padded black bra which featured white straps with the brand's name splashed vertically on her shoulders. Richie flaunted her gym-honed abs in the image and kept her shoulders covered with a silky black blouse. Up close: The daughter of Lionel Richie has been in the selfie mood as of late with a fresh-faced photo posted last week The daughter of Lionel Richie has certainly been in the selfie mood with a fresh-faced photo posted last week. Her star status is on the rise as she's been featured in a number of fashion campaigns, including Chanel, Michael Kors and Adidas. Richie's biggest role as of late has been on the arm of her boyfriend, Scott Disick. Bold: Her star status is on the rise as she's been featured in a number of fashion campaigns, including Chanel, Michael Kors and Adidas Scott and Sofia dodged relationship rumors for months before confirming their status on Instagram in September 2017. They've since been staples on each other's social media accounts and are regularly spotted on lavish holidays and at star-studded events. They've since traveled the world together and even vacationed with his ex Kourtney Kardashian, who is the mother of their three children together; son Mason, nine, daughter Penelope, six, and son Reign, four. Kylie Jenner has dumped Tammy Hembrow from her friends list. The Lip Kit entrepreneur, 21, has unfollowed the model, 24, on Instagram after a string of reports she recently 'hooked' up with her ex-boyfriend Tyga in Australia. Although Kylie has stayed noticeably silent on the rumoured hook up, the social media snub appears to make her feelings on the subject very clear. Dumped from her friends list! Kylie Jenner (R) UNFOLLOWS Tammy Hembrow (L) after the model 'hooked up' with her ex-boyfriend Tyga in Australia It is believed Tammy got intimate with Tyga during his Australian tour in January, with the model spotted on the side of the stage at several shows. 'They arrived together, were all over each other at the side of the stage and then left together,' an onlooker told Daily Mail Australia after citing Tammy and Tyga together at Rolling Loud Festival in Sydney on January 27. However, Tammy's sister and spokeswoman Amy Hembrow later claimed the pair were 'just friends' and things had been 'taken out of context'. Kylie previously dated American musician Tyga on and off for several years from 2014, before calling it off for good in 2017. At present, Tammy is still following Kyle's page on Instagram. Girl code! The Lip Kit entrepreneur, 21, has unfollowed the Instagram model, 24, after a string of reports that she recently 'hooked' up with her ex-boyfriend Tyga (pictured) in Australia No longer mates? Although Kylie has stayed noticeably silent on the rumoured romance, the social media snub appears to make her feelings on the subject very clear Despite being Australia's most famous 'Instagram model' and the owner of popular activewear brand Saski Collection, Tammy is perhaps best known for an incident involving Tyga's ex-girlfriend Kylie last year. In August 2018, Tammy was pictured being carried out of Kylie's 21st birthday party in West Hollywood face-down on a stretcher, making headlines across the world. She later claimed she was suffering from exhaustion when she collapsed on the dance floor. What really happened? Tammy's sister and spokeswoman Amy Hembrow claimed she was 'just friends' with Tyga and things had been 'taken out of context' Despite the drama, Kylie and her sisters stuck by Tammy, with her continuing to work as a model for Khloe Kardashian's clothing brand Good American. However, it appears the Aussie model may now be old news to the famous family. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Tammy for comment. She starred on the cover of her dad Offset's solo album debut, Father Of 4. And Kulture Kiari Cephus was front and center of her mom Cardi B's most recent Instagram pic too, in a rare social media appearance from the seven-month-old. The photo was taken when the tot was still only three months old. Scroll down to see video Their whole world: Kulture Kiari Cephus was front and center of her mom Cardi B's most recent Instagram pic too, in a rare social media appearance from the seven-month-old In the family snap, Kulture was flanked by her rapper parents, Cardi B and Offset. The adorable little girl wore a rainbow dress as she nestled in the crook of her father's arm. Meanwhile, her swimsuit clad mom gazed down adoringly at her baby. Twerk it baby: Earlier in the day, the mother-of-one shared a twerking video to Twitter Offset, whose real name is Kiari Kendrell Cephus, made his debut as a solo artist with the release of his new album Father of 4. The 27-year-old rapper had the full support of his on-again wife Cardi B at the party for the album release as she shared videos of the soiree on social media Thursday night. Cardi and Offset recently split for a short time amid rumors that the Migos rapper had cheated on his wife. Debut: Cardi B and Offset celebrated the debut of his solo album Thursday night as the rapper said he is sorry again to his wife for cheating rumors on a track off of Father of 4 Cardi took inspiration from old Hollywood glamour for her party look and rocked smooth coiffed girls, dramatic makeup and a sparkling red ensemble. Both the Bronx native and her husband took to social media to encourage fans to download the new album when it was released. On the track Don't Lose Me off of Father of 4, Offset begins by playing audio from a December 14 Instagram video where he apologized to the Be Careful rapper and begged for forgiveness. The audio began: 'And I apologize, you know what I'm sayin'? Breaking your heart, breaking our promise, breaking God's promise, and being a, a, selfish and messed up husband, you know what I'm sayin'? I'm, I'm tryn- I'm tryna be a better person. I wanna get this off' Support: Despite their turmoil, Offset had his on-again wife Cardi B in his corner at the party for the album release as she shared videos of the soiree on social media Style: Cardi took inspiration from old Hollywood glamour for her party look and rocked smooth coiffed girls, dramatic makeup and a sparkling red ensemble Listen up! Cardi and Offset took to social media to encourage fans to download the album Offset originally posted the video for his birthday saying that the only thing he wanted was 'to get my wife back.' The hip hop star was rumored to have had an affair with a mistress named Summer Bunni - a rumor that Offset denied, though he admitted he 'entertained it' and 'embarrassed' Cardi. Offset went on in the track to reference the seven-month-old baby girl he shares with his wife, Kulture, as well as Cardi's warnings for him to stay faithful. Personal: On the track Don't Lose Me off of Father of 4, Offset begins by playing audio from a December 14 Instagram video where he apologized to the Be Careful rapper and begged for forgiveness Rumor has it: The hip hop star was rumored to have had an affair with a mistress named Summer Bunni 'KK, all beauty / When I'm lookin' down at her, it's you and me /She told me, "Don't lose me" (Don't lose me) / She told me, "Don't lose me" (Don't lose me) She told me, "Don't lose me"' The couple recently reconciled and Cardi was proudly promoting her husband's solo work last night. Inside the party, the Grammy winner showed off the decor which was family focused and featured giant photos of Offset with his four children. Party! Hoards of friends turned out to support Offset at his release party in Atlanta Parents night out! The couple was seen partying it up while they had an adult evening away from baby Kulture Wow! A smashed lime green car as an art installation outside of the venue in reference to an accident that Offset survived last spring Offset is the father to sons Jordan, nine, and Kody, three, and daughter Kalea, three, from previous relationships as well as Kulture. The album cover features the Georgia native stylized as royalty with his four kids surrounding him on a throne. Blown up photos from the cover shoot were prominently featured as part of the decor at the release party for the rapper's very personal album. Father of 4: Offset is the father to sons Jordan, nine, and Kody, three, and daughter Kalea, three, from previous relationships as well as Kulture Personal: The album and the party were very personal for Offset Dynasty: Offset and his four children are stylized as a royal family on the cover for the album The release party was held at 595 North in Atlanta and featured a smashed lime green car as an art installation outside of the venue in reference to an accident that Offset survived last spring. Don't Lose Me wasn't the only track that was dripping with innuendo about the couple's marital problems and Offset's subsequent shame. North Star, After Dark and Clout all contained veiled and more overt references to the cheating scandal that played out in the media. Sorry: Don't Lose Me wasn't the only track that was dripping with innuendo about the couple's marital problems and Offset's subsequent shame Denials: The rapper has denied the rumors that he had an affair but admitted he entertained the idea and did things he shouldn't At home: Cardi took to Insta at the end of the night and told fans she was suffering from a migraine Oh no! While Cardi was filming the selfie video she caught her husband passing gas in the background, causing her to giggle Before heading to the party, the mother of one took to Instagram to share a rare video of daughter Kulture giggling while tracks from Father of 4 played in the background. After the couple got home and headed to bed, Cardi was filming selfie video when she caught her husband passing gas in the background, causing her to giggle. The star then complained that she was suffering from a migraine. Married At First Sight's Elizabeth Sobinoff and Sam Ball had a tumultuous relationship during their short-lived stint on the show. But according to the blonde beauty, things also got steamy between the sheets on their wedding night. Elizabeth made the surprise admission during an interview on KIIS FM's Kyle and Jackie O show on Monday. Scroll down for video 'On the wedding night he spooned me': Married At First Sight's Elizabeth Sobinoff revealed on the Kyle and Jackie O Show on Monday she almost had sex with 'husband' Sam Ball Shock jock Kyle Sandilands didn't hold back when it came to probing the reality TV star about what type of affection she may have received from Sam. 'With the sexy time there, was there any pressing up against each other in bed? Feeling any hard ons or...?' he bluntly asked. Elizabeth replied: 'Yeah! That's what I mean, on the wedding night... so he spooned me and... [makes finger waving gesture]' Getting the salacious details: Kyle Sandilands probed Elizabeth about what really happened between the sheets with her and Sam Ball (right) A different man? Elizabeth said Sam treated her much more nicely behind the scenes Elizabeth added that Sam treated her much more nicely behind the scenes than when the cameras were rolling. She said she found the difference in behaviour 'confusing' and 'confronting'. Recalling an argument they had while filming on the Gold Coast, Elizabeth said: 'I was like "but you did do that!" and he was like "it wasn't on camera Elizabeth." 'That's why you see a lot of those crazy eyes because I'm like "Jesus Christ, what's happening here?"' 'I'm like "Jesus Christ, what's happening here?"' Elizabeth explained that viewers saw so much 'crazy eyes' because she was 'confused' and 'confronted' by how differently Sam acted when the cameras were rolling Earlier in the interview, the 27-year-old revealed she felt 'bad vibes' about Sam - even before he 'cheated' on her with co-star Ines Basic. 'There was bad vibes about him from the start,' Elizabeth revealed. 'Around him I just felt nauseous a lot of the time. I couldn't pinpoint it.' Married At First Sight continues Monday 7.30pm on Channel Nine. Victoria's Secret model Georgia Fowler dazzled at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party in West Hollywood on Monday. The Kiwi beauty sparkled from head-to-toe in a white floor-length gown that featured a deep plunging neckline and a thigh-grazing side slit. Arriving at the star-studded event, Georgia shared her excitement through a snap of herself on Instagram, writing: 'I'm obsessed with this look and the glam!' White hot! Victoria's Secret model Georgia Fowler took the plunge in a VERY low-cut gown at Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party in West Hollywood Park on Sunday evening All that glitters: Georgia continued the glamorous theme by accessorising with large diamante earrings The 26-year-old emphasised her lithe physique in the figure-hugging design, which showed off plenty of the beauty's toned and tanned legs and decolletage. An elegant black tie around the model's waist added some contrast to the otherwise all-white ensemble. Georgia continued the glamorous theme by accessorising with large diamante earrings and a pair of delicate heels with a sparkling strap. Her usually long tumbling chocolate locks were slicked back into a chic up-do as she shot the camera a sultry stare with her piercing blue eyes. Flashing the flesh: The 26-year-old emphasised her lithe physique in the figure-hugging design, which showed off plenty of the beauty's toned and tanned legs and decolletage Chic: Her usually long tumbling chocolate locks were slicked back into a chic up-do as she shot the camera a sultry stare with her piercing blue eyes A natural look: The slender supermodel opted for a neutral makeup palette consisting of a dusty rose nude lipstick and lined eyes with a peachy eye-shadow The slender supermodel opted for a neutral makeup palette, consisting of a dusty rose nude lipstick and lined eyes with a peachy eye-shadow. She carried a small black clutch adorned with crystals that elegantly matched her dress. Her striking appearance comes after the Kiwi beauty revealed she was knocked back by the lingerie giant five times. View from the back: Georgia posed up a storm on the red carpet Matching accessories: She carried a small black clutch adorned with crystals that elegantly matched her dress In an interview with Vogue Australia last year, Georgia said: 'The first two years I went to an initial casting then was asked to callbacks.' 'But the third year I didn't make the callback which was a real setback.' 'I auditioned for the show five times before I got it and trained hard for it every time as it was a dream of mine before I even began modelling.' Georgia made her Victoria's Secret runway debut in 2016 in Paris. She returned for the Shanghai show the following year. Absolutely glowing! Arriving at the star-studded event, Georgia shared her excitement through a snap of herself on Instagram , writing: 'I'm obsessed with this look and the glam!' She is no stranger to putting on a glamorous sartorial display. But Susanna Reid pulled out all the stops as she prepared to host Good Morning Britain live from Los Angeles alongside her co-host Piers Morgan. The TV presenter, 48, took to Instagram to share a stunning picture of herself wearing a glitzy gem-encrusted gown in the lead up to the ceremony. Dazzling: Susanna, 48, took to Instagram to share a stunning picture of herself wearing a glitzy gem-encrusted gown in the lead up to the ceremony Her dazzling gown featured sheer mesh chest and sleeve sections, which were also decorated with dozens of glittering jewels. The main body of her plunging form-fitting dress was heavily adorned with gems, but she still added further glitz with a diamond bracelet. Susanna wore her glossy raven locks in glamorous curls, while opting for a full face of make-up, including a bold red lip. Glitz: Susanna pulled out all the stops as she prepared to host Good Morning Britain live from Los Angeles alongside her co-host Piers Morgan Speaking to The Weekend magazine about his previous experiences at the Oscars, Piers dished the dirt on his invite to the elusive Vanity Fair party. The Vanity Fair party, which happens every year after the Oscars, is the showbiz event of the year and to secure an invitation is to have secured your place at the heart of the Hollywood elite. Piers said: Its so exclusive that almost everybody there is a huge star, and they do genuinely relax. Dazzling duo! Speaking to The Weekend magazine about his previous experiences at the Oscars, Piers dished the dirt on his invite to the elusive Vanity Fair party 'I remember walking through once and in the space of five minutes Id seen Rupert Murdoch, Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez, and Buzz Aldrin, who landed on the Moon. 'Where else in the world would you see those people together? I ended up in a corner booth with Joan and Jackie Collins, who would sit in the same booth every year, and it was extraordinary. On Monday the pair will be in Los Angeles to host Good Morning Britain. Inside knowledge: Piers (pictured with Jay-Z in 2011) revealed he once sat at a table with Meryl Streep during a Vanity Fair party only to be told that he was in Oprah's seat Live! On Monday the pair will be in Los Angeles to host Good Morning Britain The show has been given a glitzy makeover and will be broadcast from a set in the Beverly Hills Hotel. Piers will be in black tie, with Susanna set to wear a gold sequin gown and diamonds from Beverly Hills jeweller Martin Katz, who in the past has lent pieces to Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Salma Hayek and Sandra Bullock. Jane Seymour will join them to talk about the films and the winners, while Mel B will comment on the fashions and showbiz expert Perez Hilton will be on hand with juicy news and gossip. Their show will be on live from 6am, just an hour after the awards finish (the ceremony begins around 1am, UK time), so the stars and winners will be speaking as they head off to after-parties, and GMBs LA correspondent Ross King will be catching them as they arrive on the Vanity Fair red carpet. She's been keeping a low-profile since sparking pregnancy reports back in January. But Kate Mara donned a form-fitting white mini dress as she stepped out with her husband Jamie Bell, 32, on Sunday, to attend the 27th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party in West Hollywood, California. The House Of Cards talent, 35, put on a dazzling display in the intricately embroidered crochet frock, which skimmed over what is rumoured to be a blossoming baby bump. Looking good: Kate Mara, 35, stepped out with her husband Jamie Bell, 32, on Sunday, to attend the 27th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party Kate carried her belongings in an angular burgundy clutch bag which she held close against her body, beneath her stomach. Miss Mara, who is the older sister of fellow actress Rooney, added height to her frame in a classic pair of pointed black stiletto heels. The Pose actress kept her hair out of her face by scarping it back into a sleek bun at the nape of her neck. Kate accessorised with a delicate smattering of jewellery and drew attention to her striking features with a smokey eye and a slick of blood-red lipstick. Pregnant? The House Of Cards talent put on a dazzling display in the intricately embroidered crochet frock, which skimmed over what is rumoured to be a blossoming baby bump Meanwhile, Jamie looked dapper in a classic black tux with shiny lapels, a crisp white shirt and a sharp bow-tie. The pair - who have yet to confirm the news - oozed confidence in their ensembles as they cosied up on the red carpet. The couple, who co-stared in 2015's Fantastic Four, began dating in late 2015 and got engaged in January 2017. If rumors are true, the couple are currently expecting their first child together. Happy couple: The couple, who co-stared in 2015's Fantastic Four and appear in 2017 above, began dating in late 2015 and got engaged in January 2017 According to Page Six , Kate let her pregnancy news slip while waiting in line for the bathroom at the Golden Globes with Emily Blunt. The insider said Mara made the admission after Blunt commented on the look of her breasts and was apparently thrilled to share. Since the January 6 award show, Kate has mostly been spotted wearing multiple layers or in all black. Bell has a child from his his first marriage to actress Evan Rachel Wood, 31. For most, beginning the working week starts with a strong coffee and a sleep-in. But not for Hugh Jackman, who opted for an early morning workout on Monday. The Wolverine and X-Men actor, 50, looked every inch the action hero as he stripped down to his boardshorts for a swim at Bondi Beach. Still fighting fit! Hugh Jackman made a splash at Bondi beach early on Monday morning On home soil: The Hollywood hunk returned from the waves looking refreshed and in high spirits as he launched into a fast sprint up the sand The Hollywood hunk returned from the waves looking refreshed and in high spirits as he launched into a fast sprint up the sand. Showcasing his rippling muscles and six-pack abs, he washed his toned body under the shower before walking off to change clothes. Bondi is a popular swimming haunt for the star, who spends his time between filming Hollywood blockbusters and his Australian homeland. Refreshing! Showcasing his rippling muscles and six-pack abs, he washed his toned body under the shower before walking off to change clothes Hugh's morning dip comes after the critically acclaimed success for his film, The Greatest Showman. He recently took home a Grammy for the musical and announced plans for a world tour. 'This is a dream come true for me,' he said on the U.S. Today show, back in November. A favourite watering hole: Bondi is a popular swimming haunt for the star, who spends his time between filming Hollywood blockbusters and his Australian homeland 'I've done it (a similar format show - Broadway To Oz in 2015) in Australia and now I'm going to go around the world. I'm going to cities all over America, we're going to Europe, we're going to the UK, we're going back to Australia and New Zealand. I'm singing, I'm dancing, I'm telling stories.' Hugh will perform tracks from The Greatest Showman, Les Miserables and more from Broadway and films, accompanied by a live orchestra. Promising an unforgettable experience, he added: 'I love going to a concert where I feel something happens that night that could only happen that night. So I try to keep it loose - I'm just gonna have a party.' Back to filming: Hugh's morning dip comes after the critically acclaimed success for his film, The Greatest Showman Advertisement Kendall Jenner put in a jaw-dropping appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Sunday. If there was an award for most outrageous dress, the catwalk beauty would have certainly won as she arrived in a slinky black gown leaving little to the imagination. The 23-year-old star put every inch of her legs on display in a dress that only just preserved her modesty as she posed on the red carpet at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. Attention grabbing look: Kendall Jenner looked fierce in a very revealing gown on Sunday as she made her entrance at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party Show-stopper: The 23-year-old star put every inch of her legs on display in a dress that only just preserved her modesty as she posed on the red carpet at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills Proud: Kendall's dad Caitlyn Jenner admired the look as she joined her daughter on the red carpet Kendall's frock was more of a bodice with long lengths fabric falling from the waistband. The top portion of her dress featured a large cut-out and silver fringing just above the hips. At the front and back Kendall's dress featured slinky panels that fell to the floor loose enough to show much of her figure. Kendall was joined on the red carpet by father Caitlyn Jenner who admired her from several feet away before joining her for some father-daughter photos. Caitlyn, 69, also flaunted her legs in a gold sparkly mini dress and some white patent pumps. Leggy ladies: The duo bonded as they prepared to pose together for a few pictures Outrageous: Kendall's frock was more of a bodice with long lengths fabric falling from the waistband Beauty in black: The catwalk beauty exposed every inch of her legs in the extreme cut-out gown Showing some skin: Actress Zoe Kravitz opted for a less is more approach in a tiny gold bralet and maxi skirt Goddess: Ciara's pastel pink and silver gown definitely turned heads Strike a pose: Adriana Lima, Freida Pinto and Samira Wiley took the plunge in beautifully cut gowns that revealed a little cleavage Dangerous curves: Sofia Vergara looked sensational in a busty black gown with gold embroidery Also flashing some serious skin was Zoe Kravitz, 30, who arrived in a skimpy gold bralet and black maxi skirt. Zoe wore her hair up in an elegant updo with diamond drop earrings and accessorized with a YSL bag. Songstress Ciara turned heads in a pastel pink and silver gown which featured a thigh-high slit. The R&B star wore her locks up in a youthful ponytail and sported heels that perfectly matched her glittery gown. The Vanity Fair party is the hottest ticket in town after the Academy Awards and attracts a very impressive number of big name stars. Leading the way with some serious va-va-voom was Sofia Vergara, 46, in a cleavage boosting black gown with feathered skirt and beautiful gold embroidery. Flawless! The Modern Family star, 46, was joined by husband Joe Manganiello, 42 Statuesque: Karolina Kurkova flaunted her endless legs in a black halterneck mini with ruffle detail Elegant chic: Renee Zellweger cute a svelte figure in a black midi dress with thigh-high slit and scoop neck Oscar-worthy look: Renee, 49, opted for a natural makeup look but showed off her toned legs in some some sexy stilettos The Modern Family star wore her thick golden brown locks in glamorous curls and sported some sexy red lipstick. The Colombian sensation was joined on the red carpet by husband Joe Manganiello who looked sharp in a black tux and his hair slicked back. Model Karolina Kurkova, 34, put her long legs on display in a black mini dress with ruffle detail. Renee Zellweger, 49, was evening chic in a mid-length black dress with sexy thigh-high slit. The Jerry Maguire beauty displayed her delicate frame with a scooped neckline and pinned her blonde locks up in a pretty updo. Her look was complete with some sky-high black stilettos with diamante ankle straps. All that glitters: Model beauty Rosie Huntington-Whiteley looked sensational in a silver gown that fit like a glove Shining stars: Mindy Kaling, Chloe Grace Moretz and Amanda Seyfried shimmered in a metallics Flawless: Jessica Alba was elegant and poised in a one-shoulder black gown with shoulder train Date night: The 37-year-old actress was joined by husband Cash Warren who she has three children with Blonde bombshell: Miley Cyrus took the plunge in a black sequin gown with silver jewelry and wet look locks Newlywed glow: Miley and husband Liam Hemsworth posed for some couple's snaps before entering the bash Understated chic: Actress Natalie Portman looked gorgeous in a strapless jumpsuit and designer Ashley Olsen opted for a v-neck long sleeved gown Party time: Gabrielle Union looked incredible in rust hued strapless Valentino gown with long train Winning look: The Bad Boys II beauty stunned in the satin number with hidden pockets Bringing some shimmer was actress Mindy Kaling who opted for a metallic long sleeved dress which hugged her curves. The 39-year-old Ocean's 8 star teamed the frock with silver heels and a gunmetal grey clutch. Jessica Alba made a graceful entrance in a simple one-shoulder black gown with shoulder train and made it a date night with husband Cash Warren, 40. The run-up to the 91st Academy Awards has been a series of missteps and backtracks by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. A new best 'popular film' category was in, and then it was out . Kevin Hart was host and then he wasn't . Some categories were removed from the live broadcast, and then they were back. Star-studded: Emily Ratajkowski highlighted her curves in a champagne hued dress with peplum top Keeping it classy: Allison Janney and Jennifer Hudson were sophisticated chic in bardot style gowns Citrus hues: Emilia Clarke, Paris Jackson and Minnie Driver didn't shy away from bold color Glowing: Chrissy Teigen looked stunning in a peach number with floral embroidery and feather detail Hot couple: The model beauty was joined by husband John Legend who wore a classic tux Magical: Leslie Mann was a vision in a cream gown with beaded panel on the back along with feather trimmed train Hollywood beauty: Isla Fisher looked fabulous in a glittering gown with thigh-high slit Keeping it unique: Selma Blair, 46, was whimsical in a multi-color gown with beaded choker and train Brave: Selma, who walked with a cane, was tearful as she made her first red carpet appearance after her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis Shades of pale: Jaime King, Kate Bosworth and Emma Roberts stunned in delicate beaded dresses Red alert: Elizabeth Banks showed off her trim tummy in a billowing two-piece gown Pretty in patterns: Halsey donned a tartan dress and red wig while Ginnifer Goodwin chose a strapless structured top over black pants Hot ticket: Dee Rees, Savannah Guthrie, Anjelica Huston and Shonda Rhimes were cocktail chic Vibrant: Tracee Ellis Ross stunned in a one-shoulder red dress with chain detailing on the waist Family affair: Tracee joined mom Diana Ross and brother Evan with his wife Ashlee Simpson Party glam: Monica Lewinsky, Ava DuVernay and Amanda Peete played it safe in black evening looks Flowing frocks: J.J. Abrams' wife Katie McGrath was on the same style page as Vanity Fair editor Radhika Jones (pictured with husband Max Petersen) Producers Donna Gigliotti and Glenn Weiss have pledged that the show will be speedier this year, even though its initial goal of a three-hour broadcast has faded. Kicking things off will be a performance by Queen, featuring Adam Lambert, to celebrate the best picture-nominee Bohemian Rhapsody. Yet this year's race has been very unpredictable, with the usual predictive awards being spread across contenders such as Peter Farrelly's Green Book, a divisive period dramedy about a black pianist (Mahershala Ali) and his white chauffer (Viggo Mortensen); the royal romp The Favourite; and Ryan Coogler's Marvel sensation Black Panther, which could become the first superhero film ever to win Hollywood's top award. Sheer magic: Marisa Tomei opted for a sexy strapless gown while Shailene Woodley stood out in tulle Golden girls: Dianna Agron, Ellie Goulding, Taraji P. Henson and Sophie Turner rocked metallic party looks Hot metal: America Ferrera glittered in a silver gown with her hair styled in glossy curls Dazzling: Sarah Murdoch wowed in tulle, Megan Mullally looked wild in leopard print and Raven Lyn was sexy in a sheer embellished gown by Amen couture Suits you: Director Jill Soloway shunned classic cocktail attire while Rashida Jones teamed a cream blazer with a sequinned frock, Sarah Silverman wore a tux-style look and Amy Poehler opted for all black He has picked up a Golden Globe and a Critics' Choice Award during awards season so far for his role as Dick Cheney in political biopic Vice. And Christian Bale was hoping for Oscars glory as he arrived on the red carpet with wife Sibi Blazic at the Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles on Sunday. The actor, 45, cut a dapper appearance in a dark black blazer and trousers, teamed with a navy blue shirt. Hopeful: Christian Bale, 45, was hoping for Oscars glory as he arrived on the red carpet with wife Sibi Blazic at the Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles on Sunday The Dark Knight star added a black tie and black, patent leather shoes to complete his suave look. He was joined by his stunning wife Sibi, 45, who looked flawless in a black, satin off the shoulder gown with white floral detailing. She had her brunette tresses tumbling over her shoulders in bouncy curls and added a touch of bling with a sparkling diamond necklace. The couple's glam appearance comes just weeks after Christian lost out on the Best Actor In A Leading Role prize at the BAFTA Awards at London's Royal Albert Hall. Suave: The actor cut a dapper appearance in a dark black blazer and trousers, teamed with a navy blue shirt Glam: The Dark Knight star added a black tie and black, patent leather shoes to complete his suave look Loved up: Christian was joined by his stunning wife Sibi, who looked flawless in a black, satin off the shoulder gown with white floral detailing Stunning: She had her brunette tresses tumbling over her shoulders in bouncy curls and added a touch of bling with a sparkling diamond necklace He faced tough competition in his category, but ultimately lost out to Rami Malek for his powerful portrayal of late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. Now they will face-off again for Best Male Actor at the 91st Annual Academy Awards. He's up against Rami once again as well as Bradley Cooper for A Star Is Born, Viggo Mortensen for Green Book and Willem Dafoe for At Eternity's Gate. It might be the gold standard of award shows, but with falling viewing figures, The Academy Of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences have made some major changes for this year's Oscars ceremony. Thumbs up: Christian made a cheery red carpet appearance as he led the Best Male Actor nominations at the 91st Annual Academy Awards Hello: The Machinist actor waves to crowds as he and wife Sibi made their way into the star-studded event Hard luck: The couple's glam appearance comes just weeks after Christian lost out on the Best Actor In A Leading Role prize at the BAFTA Awards at London's Royal Albert Hall These range from skipping a host - after Kevin Hart stepped down - to recruiting 'highly recognized talent from various walks of life' to present the eight nominees for Best Picture, a role usually reserved for actors. Those talents include anti-Trump chef and restaurateur Jose Andres, Daily Show host Trevor Noah and civil rights leader and Georgia congressman John Lewis and the woman who many consider to be the greatest athlete of all time, Serena Williams. It is not clear which of the nominated films will be presented by these new presenters, who also include: Dana Carvey, Queen Latifah, Tom Morello, and Amandla Stenberg. The final three presenters, Barbra Streisand, Diego Luna and Mike Meyers, will almost certainly be introducing the to films with which they have close ties: A Star is Born, Roma and Bohemian Rhapsody. Good show: The couple looked delighted as they got to their feet during Adam Lambert and Queen's opening performance Starring role: The actor was hoping to pick up the Best Actor Academy Award for his portrayal of Dick Cheney in political biopic Vice Competition: He's up against Rami Malek for Bohemian Rhapsody as well as Bradley Cooper for A Star Is Born, Viggo Mortensen for Green Book and Willem Dafoe for At Eternity's Gate Sam Taylor-Johnson looked the epitome of sophistication as she posed on the red carpet with her husband of six years at the Vanity Fair Oscars bash on Sunday. The director, 51, and Aaron, 28, put on a loved-up display as they joined a slew of stars at the party, held at the Wallis Annenberg Center in Beverly Hills, California. Sam dressed her slender physique in a black floor-length gown, while Aaron looked handsome in a crushed velvet suit and bow tie. Class act: Sam Taylor-Johnson looked the epitome of sophistication as she posed on the red carpet with her husband of six years at the Vanity Fair Oscars bash on Sunday The simple dress hugged the filmaker's physique perfectly and featured fluted sleeves. She showed off her dazzling gold waterfall earrings by styling her hair in an elegant chignon, while soft purple eyeshadow and a pink lip accentuated her youthful visage. Aaron, who paired his smart suit with a white shirt and pocket handkerchief, lovingly wrapped his arm around Sam as they posed for photos on the red carpet. Smitten: The director, 51, and Aaron, 28, put on a loved-up display as they joined a slew of stars at the party, held at the Wallis Annenberg Center in Beverly Hills, California Stunning: Sam showed off her dazzling gold waterfall earrings by styling her hair in an elegant chignon, while soft purple eyeshadow and a pink lip accentuated her youthful visage. Gorgeous: Sam dressed her slender physique in a black floor-length gown, while Aaron looked handsome in a crushed velvet suit and bow tie Sam tied the knot with Aaron in 2012 and the lovebirds have two young children together. Aaron first met wife Sam in 2009 as she was the director of the John Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy, in which he starred. He was 19 at the time and she over twice his age at 42, but they proved love knows no age restriction as they got engaged that year and married in 2012 at Babington House in Somerset. The lovebirds raise their two young children, seven-year-old Wylda Rae and five-year-old Romy, together at their glamorous home. Long-term love: Sam tied the knot with Aaron in 2012 and the lovebirds have two young children together Sam is also mother to 20-year-old Angelica and 12-year-old Jessie from her first marriage to Jay Jopling. The mother-of-four was married to the art dealer in 1997 but they decided to go their separate ways for good in 2008. Sam moved on from her heartache with Aaron and the filmmaker defended her choice to marry a man 23 years her junior in June 2017. 'If I gave a second thought to other people, I would be the unhappiest person, probably still in a miserable marriage,' she told The Hollywood Reporter. 'People like to talk about it. I'm like, "Yeah, but it works better than my last marriage". It's lasted longer than a lot of my friends' marriages.' Advertisement There's no bigger night in Hollywood than the Oscars. But attendees at the 27th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party threatened to upstage the elite awards show with their impeccable eye for style. Heidi Klum, 45, and Adriana Lima, 37, were among the guests at the bash, taking glamour to the next level with their incredibly lavish ensembles. Bringing the wow factor: Heidi Klum and Adriana Lima were among the ultra glamorous guests at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party in West Hollywood on Sunday, taking glamour to the next level with their incredibly lavish ensembles Catwalk queen Heidi was the very definition of glamour as she worked her magic on the red carpet in a sheer black dress with glittering gold leaf and bird designs. Not only was her dress glittering, but so were her dazzling strappy high heels. The Project Runway star wore her sandy blonde hair down in a loose, textured style, as her bangs skimmed stylishly across her eyes in thick pieces. The statuesque star could not wipe that smile off her first as she posed beside her fiance, Tom Kaulitz. Date night: The catwalk queen was joined by her sharply dressed fiance, Tom Kaulitz Pucker up! The couple put on a PDA-packed display at the bash Golden girl: Klum rocked the red carpet in her gorgeous, metallic frock Heaven sent! The Victoria's Secret Angel dazzled in a divine, all-white look Though all eyes were certain to be on his gorgeous other half, the Tokio Hotel guitarist didn't do bad himself, sharpening up in a smart black suit. While Heidi dazzled with her gorgeous, gold look, Adriana worked a heavenly look on the red carpet. The Victoria's Secret Angel looked simply divine in a strapless white dress with thigh-high slit and metallic heels. All that glitters: Jane Seymour put on a leggy display in her champagne-hued sequin frock Gorgeous in green! Rumer Willis stood out in an elegant, jade green lace dress with ornate gold buttons Night on the town! Caitlyn Jenner brought the razzle dazzle in gold while Sophia Hutchins worked a sheer number that showed off her lacy bodysuit Not ruffling any feathers! Cara Santana looked playful yet chic in a feathered pink dress while her fiance Jesse Metcalfe smartened up in a black suit Jet black tresses were styled into glamorous, old Hollywood inspired curls with a hot pink slick of lipstick giving the look a pop of color. The star exuded confidence as she posed up a storm, looking in her natural element in front of the spotlight. Now in it's 27th year, the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for HIV/AIDS prevention over the years. Work it! Josephine Skriver and Shanina Shaik exuded glamour at the star-packed bash No shrinking violet! Leona Lewis wowed in a flowing violet dress with intricate sleeves Hot metal! Busy Philipps, Pixie Lott, and Josephine stunned in their silver-hued ensembles Double trouble! Lisa Rinna kept it chic and simple in black during a night out with husband Harry Hamlin Sparkle and shine! Ashlee Simpson and her husband Evan Ross coordinated their edgy, glittering outfits So fly! Tiffany Haddish and Nicole Scherzinger stood out on the red carpet with their feathery frocks Super stylish! Paris Hilton ensured all eyes would be on her in her silver number It's become one of the hottest parties of awards season, and this year proved to be no different. Jane Seymour looked ravishing in a plunging sequin dress, sparkling heels, glittering necklace, and teardrop earrings. The Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman actress was simply radiant with a slick of lip gloss and touch of blush. Monochrome magic! Erika Christensen took the plunge in a white gown with black train Model behavior: Lais Ribeiro worked a leggy Grecian style gown while Toni Garrn rocked a sequin suit and lacy crop top Chic and sophisticated: Kristin Chenoweth, Lindsey Vonn, and Christina Ricci opted for classic all-black looks Simply glam: Writer Janet Mock looked absolutely stunning in her shimmering blue gown Beautiful in blue: Corinne Bailey Rae shimmered in a blue dress with blazer Stylin': Kate Mara rocked a lacy white mini beside her husband Jamie Bell Rumer Willis opted for a vintage inspired look, working the red carpet in a jade green lace dress that fit her like a glove. Designed with a myriad of intricate details, the stunning dress featured a myriad of ruffles and ornate gold buttons. Bringing the razzle dazzle was Caitlyn Jenner and her glittering gold dress. Legs get going! Vanderpump Rules star Lala Kent brought the va va voom in a daring black number Just the two of us: Christina Hendricks and her husband Geoffrey Arend hit up the star-studded event Flower power! Brody Jenner's wife Kaitlynn Carter stunned in a pink, floral print gown Stars in stripes! Maria Sharapova looked splendid in a sheer black dress with ruffled skirt The host with the most! Elton John and his husband David Furnish arrived in style to the big party Looking good! Chris Hardwick rocked a black and green look as he attended the bash with Lydia Hearst The star was joined by her gal pal Sophia Hutchins, who put on a head-turning display in a sheer black frock with lacy jumpsuit. Shanina Shaik turned up the wow factor in a structured black number with glittering red accent, while Josephine Skriver looked every inch the princess in a grey tulle dress with starry tiara. Leona Lewis was the picture of elegance in a romantic violet dress with flowing sleeves. Angelic: Stephanie Shepherd wowed in a silky white dress with plunging neckline and metallic heels Going strong! Terry Crews smiled from ear-to-ear with his wife Rebecca King-Crews Gorgeous in gold: Marcia Gay Harden wowed in a black dress with intricate gold detailing upon the neckline Oh la la! Petra Nemcova turned up the heat in a sexy white lace dress Sheer things! Heads turned as AnnaLynne McCord made her grand entrance in a dramatic see-through gown X Factor: Leona Lewis and Dennis Jauch looked smitten as they sweetly posed up together Wow: Busy Phillips, Josephine Skriver and Janet Mock looked sensational at the bash Glittering: Paula Roman and Thora Birch wowed in their incredible dresses Red carpet: Jeff Gum and Sophie Skelton looked cute on the red carpet Edgy: Damaris Lewis, Diana Ross and Veronica Ferres looked chic for the bash Oscars: Kristin Chenoweth and Bryan Fuller wowed on the red carpet Gorgeous: Brody Jenner, Kaitlynn Carter Jenner, and Chace Crawford posed up So in love: Nikki Reed cuddled her husband Ian Somerhalder on the red carpet Glam: Teddi Jo Mellencamp wowed in a black tulle dress alongside husband Edwin Arroyave, while Metta World Peace enjoyed a night out with Maya Ford Line-up: Evan Ross, Ashlee Simpson, Jasmine Sanders, Julissa Bermudez, Nicole Scherzinger and Chloe Flower looked incredible Rocking it! Danielle Herrington looked fantastic in a vibrant multi-color dress with thigh-high slit Inside the party: Caitlyn and Sophia mingled with the glamorous Judith Light Family affair: Diana Ross enjoyed a fun night on the town with her son and daughter-in-law Happy to see you! Elton caught up with Quincy Jones Suited up! Chace Crawford and Don Lemon looked dashing in their smart suits Leading ladies! Jasmine Sanders was a vision in a sheer dress as she mingled with Nicole That's her date! Lisa and her husband relaxed together at table nine Be our guest! Shanina and Adriana unwound over refreshments inside the bash Meanwhile, Busy Philipps put on a show-stopping display in a flowing silver dress with plunging neckline. Lisa Rinna kept it chic and simple, wowing in a sleek, off-the-shoulder black dress that hugged her slim frame. She was joined by her husband, Harry Hamlin. Ashlee Simpson and her husband Evan Ross coordinated for their night out, opting to rock edgy, glittering outfits. Tiffany Haddish hit a fashion high note in a feathered green, white, and black dress. Nicole Scherzinger turned heads in a stunning, off-white dress with an array of delicate feathers. Erika Christensen took the plunge in a white, curve-clinging gown with a black train. Cuddle time: Heidi cosied up to her husband-to-be Three's company! Amy Landecker, Bradley Whitford, and Judith shared the spotlight Taking the stage: Klum smiled from ear-to-ear as she hit the podium with Eric McCormack Commanding the crowd: Vonn appeared behind the podium with Gus Kenworthy Having a chat: Jane enjoyed a conversation on stage with Aisha Tyler and Dave Karger Let's get together! Ross mingled with Quincy and Mary Wilson Sharing a moment: Klum and Kaulitz held hands inside the bash Strike a pose: The ladies looked relaxed while sharing a snap together His and hers! Hollywood couples enjoyed a night on the town together Suits him! Zedd rocked a flashy purple suit as he enjoyed a refreshing drink Celebrate! Busy cosied up to her husband Marc Silverstein during their fun-filled night out Spot on! Anna Paquin sparkled in a semi-sheer sequin dress with colorful tie at the torso Bradley Cooper directed an Oscar-nominated film about an inspiring woman. On Sunday, the 44-year-old actor arrived at the 91st Academy Awards in Hollywood with the two real-life women who inspire him: his partner, Irina Shayk, 33, and his mother, Gloria Campano. They were there to watch the A Star Is Born actor and director perform the movie's hit song Shallow with his co-star Lady Gaga. Hollywood charm: On Sunday, Bradley Cooper, 44, arrived at the 91st Academy Awards in Hollywood with the two real-life women who inspire him: his partner, Irina Shayk, 33, and his mother, Gloria Campano Classic style: The 6ft1in actor opted for a classic look befitting his classic Hollywood tale. He wore a simple black tuxedo, which matched nicely with Irina's form-hugging black gown Elegant understatement: Irina had a golden chain and frill that hugged her midriff, accentuating her hourglass figure and giving the dark outfit a splash of color The 6ft1in actor opted for a classic look befitting his classic Hollywood tale. He wore a simple black tuxedo, which matched nicely with Irina's form-hugging black gown. Russian model Irina looked exquisite in a Burberry gown which featured a golden chain and frill that hugged her midriff, accentuating her hourglass figure and giving the dark outfit a splash of color. Meanwhile Bradley's Italian-American mother Gloria sported a lacy black dress for the prestigious award show. Looking for gold: Bradley's Oscar odds are better this year, in which A Star Is Born is nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Pictured alongside his mother Gloria and his other half irina, who dazzled in a backless Burberry gown She donned a black velvet coat over it and accessorized with a sparkling necklace and a jeweled corsage. Talking to ET on the red carpet, Bradley admitted his mother was feeling 'nervous'. 'They're all right here,' he said. 'My mom's here, Irina's here. My mother's a wreck. She's so nervous.' Luckily for Gloria's nerves, Bradley did her proud, with his sizzling duet going off without a hitch. Good company: The film is the fourth adaptation of A Star Is Born, following a 1976 version starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson, a 1954 musical starring Judy Garland and James Mason, and the 1937 original with Janet Gaynor and Fredric March Essential collaborator: Once inside the Dolby Theatre, the Silver Linings Playbook star greeted his co-stars Lady Gaga and Sam Elliott, who's nominated for Best Supporting Actor Friendly competition: He also embraced his Best Actor competitor, Bohemian Rhapsody's Rami Malek Bradley was previously nominated at the Oscars in 2015 for the Clint Eastwood-directed war film American Sniper. The biographical film became the highest-grossing war movie ever, but failed to take home either of the coveted statuettes. His odds seemed better this year, in which A Star Is Born is nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. But while Shallow took Best Song, Cooper missed out on Best Actor to Bohemian Rhapsody's Rami Malek, A Star Is Born missed out on Best Picture to Green Book, and Gaga missed out on Best Actress to Olivia Coleman. Shallow: Bradley gave a stirring performance of A Star Is Born's hit song, with Lady Gaga Magical: The two brought that big screen magic to the small screen Life imitating art? The pair play onscreen lovers, brought together by their music, in the hit movie, and fans saw their connection live on TV The film is the fourth adaptation of A Star Is Born, following a 1976 version starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson, a 1954 musical starring Judy Garland and James Mason, and the 1937 original with Janet Gaynor and Fredric March. The American Hustle star is nominated for his acclaimed lead performance as Jackson Maine, an Americana rocker struggling with addiction who discovers a brilliant new performer, played by Lady Gaga, who is also nominated for Best Actress. The film's screenplay is also nominated, which was co-written by Bradley with Eric Roth and Will Fetters. Despite the praise he received as the film's director, he was shut out of the Best Director category. Once inside the Dolby Theatre, the Silver Linings Playbook star greeted his co-stars Lady Gaga and Sam Elliott, who's nominated for Best Supporting Actor. He also embraced his Best Actor competitor, Bohemian Rhapsody's Rami Malek. He took home the best supporting actor Oscar last year for his performance in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. And on Sunday Sam Rockwell is looking to make it two in a row as he's nominated again in the same category for Vice. The actor, 50, arrived for the 91st Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood with longtime partner Leslie Bibb on his arm. Designed to match: Sam Rockwell and Leslie Bibb rocked custom Armani for the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday in Hollywood The couple were both dressed in Armani for Hollywood's biggest night. The actor, who plays George W. Bush opposite Christian Bale's Dick Cheney in the best picture nominated film, looked suave in a custom made black tuxedo. Not visible were a pair of cufflinks Rockwell was wearing, created especially for him by David Yurman. So fine: The actor, 50, who is nominated in the best supporting actor category for his role as George W. Bush in Vice, looked suave in a custom made black tuxedo For luck: Not visible were a pair of cufflinks Rockwell was wearing, created especially for him by David Yurman and engraved with an image of his German Shepherd Sadie Last year, he had worn cufflinks engraved with his actress girlfriend's name; this year, the company wanted to make him a new pair and Rockwell's tylist Michael Fisher suggested they use his German Shepherd Sadie as inspiration. 'I know how important she is to Sam and Leslie, so I thought of the idea of doing one with line art of Sadie and the other one with her name on it,' Fisher told THR.com . 'I sent some sample sketches (based on an image of Sadie that Leslie had posted on Instagram) and they were able to etch it as a black relief.' Meanwhile, Bibb, 44, looked sensational in a custom Armani blush tulle gown. The number was decorated with organza ribbon roses and crystals and had a small train. Hoping for bookends: Rockwell won an Oscar last year for his performance in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Pretty: Bibb, 44, looked sensational in a custom Armani blush tulle gown with a small train that was decorated with organza ribbon roses and crystals Loved up: The couple have been together since 2007 They tied the knot in London in March 2016, following a whirlwind five-month romance. And Jerry Hall, 62, put on a loved-up display with her husband and media mogul Rupert Murdoch, 87, as they arrived at the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscars Party at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, on Sunday. The iconic model looked chic as she exhibited her youthful-looking appearance in a sheer tulle frock at the bash. Cosy: Jerry Hall, 62 and Rupert Murdoch, 87, put on a loved-up display as they arrived at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, on Sunday Jerry gave old school Hollywood glamour a modern twist in her elegant black gown complete with midaxi length ballerina skirt. Her pretty dress featured polka dot detailing throughout, with a sheer mid-sleeve top section layered over a cami-style under-layer. Ensuring not to dwarf her husband, the model opted to wear a pair of flat black dolly shoes, and kept warm with sheer black tights. Jerry's platinum locks were perfectly coiffed and she opted for a flawless make-up base, with her Oscars look finished off with a classic red lip. Gorgeous: The iconic model looked chic as she exhibited her youthful-looking appearance in a sheer tulle frock at the bash Glamorous: Jerry gave old school Hollywood glamour a modern twist in her elegant black gown complete with midaxi length ballerina skirt Chic: Her pretty dress featured polka dot detailing throughout, with a sheer mid-sleeve top section layered over a cami-style under-layer The veteran model accessorised with a pair of dazzling diamond stud earrings and clutched onto a an oversized grab bag. Jerry looked the picture of happiness as she made her way inside the party with billionaire Rupert at her side. The Australian-born American media mogul looked dapper in a sleek black suit and tie, with a crisp white shirt. He completed his look with a pair of black-rimmed glasses and wasn't afraid to show his happiness at being at the event with his glamorous wife. Considerate: Ensuring not to dwarf her husband, the model opted to wear a pair of flat black dolly shoes, and kept warm with sheer black tights Happy: Jerry looked the picture of happiness as she made her way inside the party with billionaire Rupert at her side Smart: The Australian-born American media mogul looked dapper in a sleek black suit and tie, with a crisp white shirt Texan Jerry famously revealed back in 2014 that she has many vices and doesn't follow any particular health regime. The former supermodel admitted in an interview with Good Housekeeping magazine: 'I smoke, I drink, I like wine, I love sun tanning, I drink coffee. I am doing all sorts of things I shouldn't do.' She insisted that her good looks are natural and that her face remains untouched by Botox, saying: 'I am very against it. I think it looks silly people with mean-looking eyebrows.' The candid beauty added that she feels even less pressure about her looks as she gets older, explaining: 'I think you feel less stressed at my age. 'You are not so bothered everything is water off a duck's back. It is something that happens with age; I am not bothered about anything. What will happen will happen.' Happy man: He completed his look with a pair of black-rimmed glasses and wasn't afraid to show his happiness at being at the event with his glamorous wife Loved-up: Jerry and Rupert married in an intimate ceremony in London in March 2016, following a whirlwind five-month romance Jerry and Rupert married in an intimate ceremony in London in March 2016, following a whirlwind five-month romance. They later embarked on a honeymoon in France. The businessman has six children from three former marriages: James, 45, Lachlan, 46, Elisabeth, 49, Prudence, 60, Grace Helen, 17, and Chloe, 15. From her previous relationship with Mick Jagger, Jerry has four children: sons Gabriel, 20, and James, 32, and daughters Georgia May, 26, and Elizabeth Jagger, 44. His marriage to Jerry is the fourth for Murdoch and the first for Hall, who held an unofficial marriage-like ceremony in 1990, in Bali, Indonesia with Jagger. Brie Larson brought her friend Jessie Ennis as her date on Sunday to the 91st annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles. The 29-year-old actress looked nothing short of marvelous in a shiny silver chainmail gown upon arrival at the awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Brie showed her toned figure in the body-hugging dress that featured a high-thigh slit. Oscar winner: Brie Larson brought her friend Jessie Ennis to the 91st annual Academy Awards on Sunday in Los Angeles Jessie who also is an actress wore a sleeveless Shoshanna Midnight Vilia Dress while posing with Brie on the carpet. Brie was among the best-dressed at the annual gathering of Hollywood's finest and the Oscar-winning actress completed her outfit with open-toed silver collar heels. She accessorized with stud earrings and a thick silver bracelet. Brie had her short blonde hair swept over to one side and accentuated her natural beauty with thick lashes, eye makeup and lipstick. Family affair: The 29-year-old actress posed with her friend and fellow actress Jessie on the red carpet Captain marvelous: Brie shined in a silver chainmail gown Sunday at the awards ceremony held at the Dolby Theatre Silver siren: The Captain Marvel star showed her toned figure in the body-hugging gown It was reported in January that Brie and ex-fiance Alex Greenwald, 39, had split after getting engaged in May 2016 in Tokyo. Brie also teamed up on the Oscars red carpet with her Captain Marvel co-star Samuel L. Jackson, 70, who looked dapper in a dark grey suit with black trim. Brie will play Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel in the first female-led superhero film by Marvel Studios. Former couple: Alex Greenwald is shown with former fiancee Brie in January 2018 in Los Angeles Studio first: Brie will play Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel in the first female-led superhero film by Marvel Studios Together again: Samuel L. Jackson teamed up with his Captain Marvel co-star Brie on the red carpet Retro movie: Brie and Samuel will star in Captain Marvel, which is set in the mid-1990s Samuel will reprise his role as Nick Fury from the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the film set in 1995. Captain Marvel is scheduled for release on March 8. Brie won the Oscar for Best Actress for her work in the 2015 drama Room. Her other film credits include 21 Jump Street, Don Jon, Trainwreck and Kong: Skull Island. Coming soon: Captain Marvel will be in theaters March 8 Critically acclaimed: Brie is shown with Jacob Tremblay in a still from the 2015 drama Room that earned her the Oscar for Best Actress Traitors Rating: Trapped Rating: Listen up, gals. Headmistress Keeley has some brisk advice for dealing with those dreadful men and their wandering hands: Pull yourself together. Tears are so weak. If he grabs at you, just slap him. It would take a bold groper to pinch Keeley Hawess bottom in Traitors (C4), a Forties spy drama that sees her as queen of the Cabinet Office secretaries, Miss Priscilla Garrick. Thats Miss, not Ms. I am not married and nor do I expect to marry in the near future, she barked at a male civil servant, who scurried for cover behind a desk. Keeley Hawes in Traitors (C4), a Forties spy drama that sees her as queen of the Cabinet Office secretaries, Miss Priscilla Garrick Miss Garrick wears a double-breasted jacket and keeps a cat on her desk. Marriage in the near future is definitely off the cards. The chief flaw of this frequently delirious serial is that her character had only two real scenes. We saw her deliver a rousing speech to the ladies of the typing pool, and then blush in a teashop as our heroine, posh Feef Symonds (Emma Appleton), indulged in some manipulative flirtation. Feef, who was having affairs last week with any man who came in range, has calmed down a bit, all the better to get on with spying for the Americans. Heroine, posh Feef Symonds (Emma Appleton) indulges in some manipulative flirtation But her handler, the deranged Rowe (Michael Stuhlbarg), was just getting warmed up. Murdering fellow agents, chucking their bodies in the Thames, bribing MPs, burbling about Communism all around Westminster he could not have drawn more attention to himself if he had run naked down Pall Mall waving the Stars and Stripes while firing a machine-gun. Naturally the Brits are happy to share all their top-secret information with him. Hes on our side, doncha know? This is no more than mildly silly, compared with the wartime flashbacks. We learned that Labour MP Hugh, gamely played by Luke Treadaway, was converted to socialism while serving with the Desert Rats. After stumbling on the pyramids while out for a picnic with his best friend, brave Hugh felt inspired to change the world. But calamity his pal was chomped by a cobra. Tell my mum it was a Nazi, shell feel better that way, gasped the poor Tommy as he died. I nearly did, too, laughing. There has not been a costume drama that teetered on the brink of self-parody so wildly since the horses-and-cads romp Flambards, and that was 40 years ago. One minute its brilliant, the next its brilliantly stupid. Either way, you wont stop me watching. Deranged Rowe (Michael Stuhlbarg) murdered fellow agents, chucked their bodies in the Thames, burbled about communism and bribed MPs There is great play made of the word traitors in Icelandic police drama Trapped (BBC4), which is airing in double episodes. With so much first-rate crime on offer at weekends, it would be easy to miss this one, but fans of traditional Scandinavian murder fare should seek it out on iPlayer. We get racist farmers flying the Confederate flag, sulky teens stirring up deadly trouble after skipping school and, of course, no end of kidnappings and bodies in the barn. Meanwhile, every wooden home harbours a lifetime of secrets. Trapped stars Olafur Darri Olafsson as portly detective Andri, this time battling terrorists and earthquakes rather than people traffickers and avalanches. Fans of the superb original series in 2016 will be delighted to see Ilmur Kristjansdottir return as quirky Hinrika, the tiny but relentless small town policewoman with her needy, hippie husband still stoned out of his mind by breakfast. And heres a useful tip: if you are taken hostage in Iceland, never ask for water to wash your face. Especially if you have just had your hair done. Watch it, and find out what I mean . . . You couldn't fault Richard E Grant for enthusiasm on the red carpet this awards season. Taking selfie after selfie and flaunting that inimitable smile he's clearly been unable to contain his wide-eyed excitement. But the actor cut a more sombre figure on the eve of last night's Oscars, paying tribute to Aids sufferers as he picked up a gong at another awards ceremony. Holding back tears Grant, 61, dropped to his knees after Glenn Close announced he had won best supporting male for his part in Can You Ever Forgive Me? at the Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica. Richard E. Grant, 61, dropped to his knees after Glenn Close announced he had won best supporting male for his part in Can You Ever Forgive Me? at the Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica The actor paid tribute to Aids sufferers as he picked up a gong at the busy awards ceremony Of his role as Jack Hock, a forger's assistant, he then told the room: 'The person that most inspired my performance was an actor called Ian Charleson, who played the lead role in Chariots of Fire in 1981. 'He died of Aids at the age of 40 in 1990 and this movie is an homage to that generation of men who were wiped out by that disease.' He also dedicated the film to Sir Daniel Day-Lewis, who passed on Grant's career-making role in 1987's Withnail and I. Grant, who was also nominated for the best supporting actor Oscar, said: 'It was 33 years ago, which is why I'm here now.' Even with his powerful speech, the British-Swazi actor was almost upstaged by a four-legged guest Miss Close's Havanese dog Pip. As she walked him along the red carpet, the actress described her furry plus-one as 'the best date a girl can have'. Even with his powerful speech, the British-Swazi actor was almost upstaged by a four-legged guest Miss Close's Havanese dog Pip And when she went up to collect best female lead for her part in The Wife, Pip dutifully followed her on stage. The Dangerous Liaisons star, 71, later changed out of her crinkled pink trouser suit by Sies Marjan and into a black Armani ensemble as she took Pip to a party at the brand's boutique on Rodeo Drive. When the Mail asked her if he would be her date at the Oscars, where she was also nominated for best actress, she said: 'Probably not, no. Too many people. He'd be quite at home though and he does like people. 'It's a long day and I'd have to take his food in any case, Pip hasn't got anything to wear.' The seven-time nominee was up against Olivia Colman for best actress last night. Miss Colman, who was nominated for her performance as Queen Anne in The Favourite, had been spotted enjoying a family day out at Disneyland in California on Friday. First-time nominee Grant was also attending the Oscars ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood last night. His evident delight at the honour and slight bafflement has charmed voters in LA, New York and London. Because of this, members of the Academy have said they wanted him to win. But Grant, who has described himself as 'living the dream', told reporters at the Spirit Awards: 'When Mahershala Ali [for Green Book] wins we will all be standing and cheering because he's won everything so far and he will win everything at the Oscars. 'So for the other four nominees, it's for us to enjoy the ride and the party of it all.' Advertisement It was a night of upsets at The Oscars. Green Book earned the top honor of the night - Best Picture - with a win over heavy favorite Roma as Olivia Colman beat out Glenn Close and Lady Gaga to win Best Actress. Bohemian Rhapsody was also a big winner at the 91st annual Academy Awards as the Queen biopic won four awards including a Best Actor win for Rami Malek. Colman, 45, earned one of the highest honors for her role as Queen Anne in The Favourite as she beat out Close, 71, whom many predicted would would reign victorious for her role in The Wife. Big win: Green Book upset favorite Roma to win the top honor Best Picture at the 91st Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday Incredible: Olivia Colman upset favorite Glenn Close to win Best Actress for her role in The Favourite Sweet kiss of victory: Bohemian Rhapsody was also a big winner at the 91st annual Academy Awards as the Queen biopic won four awards including a Best Actor win for Rami Malek The British actress praised Close during her acceptance speech at the gala event held at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, California on Sunday as she said: 'You've been my idol for so long, and this is not how I wanted it to be. I think you're amazing. I love you very much.' The Norwich-native also acknowledged her competition from A Star Is Born as she as she said 'Ooh Lady Gaga!' and blew a kiss her direction. The actress - who will be portraying royalty again by playing Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown later this year - gave the Born This Way hitmaker a kiss on the cheek shortly after walking offstage. Colman also beat out Melissa McCarthy who starred in Can You Ever Forgive Me? and Roma's Yalitza Aparicio. Highest honor: Colman, 45, earned one of the highest honors in acting for her role as Queen Anne in The Favourite as she beat out Close, 71, whom many predicted would would reign victorious for her role in The Wife Mutual respect: The British actress praised Close during her acceptance speech as she said: 'You've been my idol for so long, and this is not how I wanted it to be. I think you're amazing. I love you very much' Not Shallow: The Norwich-native also acknowledged her competition from A Star Is Born as she as she said 'Ooh Lady Gaga!' and blew a kiss her direction Sweet moment: The actress - who will be portraying royalty again by playing Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown later this year - gave the Born This Way hitmaker a kiss on the cheek shortly after walking offstage What a moment: Colman had the crowd in stitches during her hilarious yet emotional speech which many regarded as the best of the night Impressive: Colman also had one of the best reactions of the night as she covered up her mouth with both hands in shock when her name was announced Sharing the love: She was then showered with kisses from husband Ed Sinclair before co-star Emma Stone gave her a big kiss on the cheek Man with the plan: Lastly director of The Favourite, Yorgos Lanthimos, grinned from ear-to-ear as he kneeled next to her and put his hands on her knees Many considered Olivia's speech the high point of the night as she hit the podium and began by saying: 'Its genuinely quite stressful. This is hilarious. I got an Oscar. 'I have to thank lots of people. Yorgos [Lanthimos], my best director and the best film with Emma [Stone] and Rachel [Weisz], the two loveliest women to fall in love with and go to work with every day. You can imagine it wasnt a hardship.' Colman also had one of the best reactions of the night as she covered up her mouth with both hands in shock when her name was announced. She was then showered with kisses from husband Ed Sinclair before co-star Emma Stone gave her a big kiss on the cheek. Masterful: Colman portrays Queen Anne in The Favourite Enchanting: Colman still had tears in her eyes as she hit the press room to pose with her shiny new trophy Golden: She happily gave The Oscar a kiss Fantastic four: Rami Malek, Olivia, Regina King, and Mahershala Ali - pictured from left to right - all posed together with their Oscars in the press room Lastly director of The Favourite, Yorgos Lanthimos, grinned from ear-to-ear as he kneeled next to her and put his hands on her knees. Green Book has been marred in controversy but that did not stop the film from earning the top honor of the night beating out favorites Roma and Black Panther. The film was centered around a pianist named Dr. Don Shirley and his unlikely friendship with his driver during a road trip in the deep south at a time when segregation was at its peak. Shirley's relatives have since condemned the film as they stated they were not contacted by studio executives after development as they claimed the movie misrepresented the musician's relationship with his family. Writer and producer of the film Nick Vallelonga also recently had to apologize for a tweet he posted in 2015 as he replied to Donald Trump corroborating a story in which Trump alleged he saw people cheering in Jersey City, New Jersey on September 11, 2001 as they watched the attacks on the Twin Towers. 'The whole story is about love': Director Peter Farrelly shook off controversy as he addressed the crowd during their big win at the end of the night Interesting: Shirley's relatives have since condemned the film as they stated they were not contacted by studio executives after development as they claimed the movie misrepresented the musician's relationship with his family Lead actor in the film Viggo Mortensen also landed in hot water for using the N-word during a Q&A back in November. Last month director Peter Farrelly apologized after articles from the 1990s were unearthed mentioning that he would show his penis during meetings including one with Cameron Diaz before she was cast in 1998's There's Something About Mary. Despite the trials and tribulations, the 62-year-old filmmaker got to address the crowd at the end of the night as during his acceptance speech he said: 'The whole story is about love.' Two-time! Mahershala Ali won Best Supporting Actor for the second time in his career his role in Green Book Legend: The film was centered around a pianist named Dr. Don Shirley and his unlikely friendship with his driver during a road trip in the deep south at a time when segregation was at its peak 'Trying to capture [his] essence pushed me to my ends': The first person the True Detective star thanked Dr. Don Shirley whom he portrayed in the film, as he is pictured being congratulated by presenters Daniel Craig (left) and Charlize Theron (right) Dynamic duo: Mahershala pictured with lead actor in the film, Viggo Mortensen, who was at the center of a controversy months ago Trials and tribulations: Before that the film's controversial writers Farrelly and Nick Vallelonga along with Brian Currie (pictured from left to right) won Best Original Screenplay The rest of the field included: A Star Is Born, BlacKkKlansman, Vice, The Favourite, and Bohemian Rhapsody. Earlier in the night Mahershala Ali proved he was no one hit wonder just two years after he won Best Supporting Actor for Moonlight back in 2017. The 45-year-old actor won the same award for the second time in his career for his role in Green Book. The first person the True Detective star thanked Dr. Don Shirley whom he portrayed in the film. He said: 'I want to thank Dr. Shirley Trying to capture [his] essence pushed me to my ends which is a reflection of the person he was and the life that he lived.' Mahershala got emotional as he dedicated the honor to his grandmother for 'telling me that if at first I dont succeed, try, try again. I can do anything I put my mind to.' He will rock you: Rami Malek won Best Actor for his portrayal of legendary frontman Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody Heart on his sleeve: Taking the stage, the Bohemian Rhapsody star, 37, professed his love for the actress, telling the world: 'Lucy, you're the heart of this film. You are beyond immensely talented. You have captured my heart' Working for love: The pair first met while working on the project and a relationship blossomed shortly after Popping bottles: Malek toasted to his success while getting his new statue engraved with his name 'We're longing for stories like this': The talented actor made sure to praise the iconic British singer/songwriter - real name Farrokh Bulsara Before that the film's controversial writers Vallelonga and Farrelly along with Brian Currie won Best Original Screenplay Just before that magical moment; Rami Malek won Best Actor for his portrayal of legendary frontman Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody which brought the film's total to four awards. The 37-year-old actor earned his first ever Academy Award and happened to have one of the most emotional speeches of the night at the event in Los Angeles on Sunday. The talented actor made sure to praise the iconic British singer/songwriter - real name Farrokh Bulsara - as he said: 'We made a film about a gay man, an immigrant who lived his life unapologetically as himself. We're longing for stories like this.' One for the mantle: Rami looked like he was more surprised than anyone by his win when he took his seat with his trophy Ouch: Rami suffered a minor mishap when he tripped and fell while making his way back to his front row seat Helping hand: The actor had to be helped by a nearby awards organizer who wore an ear piece Rushing to his side: His trip was serious enough to warrant a visit from medical staff Somebody To Love: The real-life Freddie Mercury pictured in November 1977 with his band Queen Before hitting the stage, the talented actor gave girlfriend/castmate Lucy Boynton a passionate kiss on the lips. At the end of his speech, he professed his love for the 25-year-old American and English actress as he said: 'Lucy, you're the heart of this film. You are beyond immensely talented. You have captured my heart.' Rami beat Christian Bale (Vice), Bradley Cooper (A Star is Born), Viggo Mortensen (Green Book) and Willem Dafoe (At Eternity's Gate) to take the honor. Things didn't go completely smoothly as after his win, Malek suffered a minor mishap when he tripped and fell while making his way back to his front row seat. Getting tearful: The first award of the night was presented to Regina King who earned Best Supporting Actress for her role in If Beale Street Could Talk Support system: The 48-year-old actres praised James Baldwin, director Barry Jenkins, and her family during her emotional speech 'I'm an example of what support and love look like when poured into someone': She got tearful as she addressed the crowd Welcoming committee: She was presented the award by Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler, and Tina Fey (pictured from left to right) Amazing: King plays Sharon Rivers in If Beale Street Could Talk who is the mother to a woman in Harlem (played by KiKi Layne) embraces her pregnancy while she and her family struggle to prove her fiance innocent of a crime His trip was serious enough to warrant a visit from paramedics on hand for the event, but it was unclear what the exact extent of his injury was. Bohemian Rhapsody swept the audio awards as they won Sound Editing and Sound Mixing. They kept the wins coming as the Queen biopic also earned Best Film Editing. Regina King took home the very first award of the night. The 48-year-old star earned Best Supporting Actress for her role in If Beale Street Could Talk. She praised James Baldwin, director Barry Jenkins, and her family during her emotional speech. The veteran actress tearfully said: 'I'm an example of what support and love look like when poured into someone.' Alfonso Cuaron won Best Cinematography for Roma before he accepted Best Foreign Language Film. Viva! Alfonso Cuaron won Best Cinematography for Roma before he accepted Best Foreign Language Film He does it all! The 57-year-old filmmaker made history as he became the first person to win the cinematography Oscar for a film her directed Hermanos: Later on in the evening Alfonso won Best Director as he was presented the trophy by last year's winner Guillermo del Toro. It is the fifth time in six years that a Mexican film director has earned the prize Double duty: Cuaron proudly posed with his two trophies in The Oscars press room 'Thank you very much, Mexico!' Roma paid homage to his childhood in early-1970s Mexico City The 57-year-old filmmaker made history as he became the first person to win the cinematography Oscar for a film her directed. As the film paid homage to his childhood in early-1970s Mexico City, during his acceptance speech he made sure to say: 'Thank you very much, Mexico!' Later on in the night the talented filmmaker won Best Director for the second time - he won for his work on Gravity in 2014 - making it the fifth time in six years that a Mexican film director has earned the prize as he insisted: 'Being here doesn't get old.' 'I want to thank the Academy for recognizing a film centered around an indigenous woman,' Cuaron said of the character portrayed by talented actress Yalitza Aparicio. 'One of the 70 million domestic workers in the world without work rights, she's a character that has historically been relegated in the background. As artists it is our job to look where others don't. This responsibility becomes much more important in times when we are being encouraged to look away. At last! Spike Lee jumped into the arms of friend Samuel L. Jackson after he was announced as the winner of the Best Adapted Screenplay during the Academy Awards in Hollywood on Sunday Big up: The Brooklyn-born filmmaker Lee jumps for joy while his collaborators on the film - Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott - celebrate the award Lee captured the best adapted screenplay trophy for BlacKkKlansman. He is seen above posing in the press room Epic: BlacKkKlansman - starring Adam Driver and John David Washington - was centered around an African American police officer from Colorado Springs, CO, successfully manages to infiltrate the local Ku Klux Klan branch Spike Lee finally had his Oscar moment after over 30 years as he captured the best adapted screenplay trophy for BlacKkKlansman along with Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, and Kevin Willmott. The 61-year-old filmmaker jumped into the arms of presenter, longtime collaborator and close friend Samuel L. Jackson when he took the stage Sunday to accept his award with Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott. The audience gave him a standing ovation at the time but Lees mood appeared to turn sharply later on in the evening when the trophy for best movie went to competitor Green Book. 'Im snake-bit. Every time someones driving somebody, I lose,' Lee said. Shortly after winning his award, he nearly stormed out of the theater after it was announced that Green Book won Best Picture, defeating Lee's film which was also nominated. Green Book producer Peter Farrelly accepts the award on stage during the ceremony on Sunday Seated in the audience, a visibly angry Lee (circled) waved his hands in disgust and appeared to try to walk out of the Dolby Theatre He was drawing a parallel between Green Book, about the real-life Southern journey of a white man driving African-American pianist Don Shirley, and the 1989 best-picture Oscar winner Driving Miss Daisy, about a wealthy white woman and her black chauffeur. Seated in the audience, a visibly angry Lee waved his hands in disgust and appeared to try to walk out of the Dolby Theatre. He made his way back to his seat and later backstage to answer questions. 'This is my sixth glass, and you know why,' he said, smiling and holding a champagne flute aloft when he met with reporters. He briefly touched on his reaction to the Green Book win. Born This Way: Lady Gaga won her first ever Academy Award in the Best Original Song category for hit track Shallow from A Star Is Born Her moment: The 32-year-old hitmaker was obviously overcome with emotion as she burst into tears as her name was announced Earned it: She gave a passionate speech as she said: 'I've worked hard for a long time, and it's not about, you know, it's not about winning. But what it's about is not giving up. If you have a dream, fight for it' Proud: Gaga was greeted with hugs from Bradley Cooper (left) and Sam Elliott (right) right after her name was announced Lady Gaga, 32, won her first ever Academy Award in the Best Original Song category for hit track Shallow from A Star Is Born. Gaga was obviously overcome with emotion as she burst into tears as her name was announced at the gala event on Sunday. She gave a passionate speech as she said: 'I've worked hard for a long time, and it's not about, you know, it's not about winning. But what it's about is not giving up. If you have a dream, fight for it.' The Poker Face hitmaker was obviously grateful for her Oscar moment as she said: 'Thank you so much! Thank you so much to the Academy for this wonderful honor. Thank you to every single person in this room,' Gaga had gushed. Taken aback: Gaga did not stop the waterworks as she walked backstage Her moment: Tears kept running down her face as she gripped on to her shiny new trophy Can't believe it: Gaga looked shocked as she placed her hand on her forehead In the moment: She could not keep her Poker Face as her emotion was captured by photographers Emotion: Gaga once again cried in the press room as she dropped to the floor Squad goals: Her spirit was picked up as he was joined by Andrew Wyatt, Anthony Rossomando, and Mark Ronson (pictured from left to right) In tune: The film is centered around a musician who helps a young singer find fame, even as age and alcoholism send his own career into a downward spiral 'Thank you to Mark Ronson, to Anthony Rossomando, to Andrew Wyatt, my co-writers. I love them so much. To my sister, my soulmate, I love you. My family's here. I love you, Mom and Dad,' continued the movie's leading lady. She reserved her most effusive praise for her director and co-star Bradley Cooper, who performed Shallow with her in the film and onstage at the Oscars that evening, setting online tongues wagging over their chemistry. Gaga said: 'Bradley, there is not a single person on the planet that could have sang this song with me but you. Thank you for believing in us. Thank you so much.' Chemistry: Newly single Lady Gaga gazed into Bradley Cooper's eyes as they bring electrifying chemistry to performance of Shallow at the Oscars... as his girlfriend Irina Shayk watches from the audience Electrifying: Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga gaze into one another's eyes as they perform 'Get a room' Fans were quick to comment on the relationship between the pair Magical: Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper brought that big screen magic to the small screen with their performance of Shallow at the Oscars on Sunday We did it: The two hugged warmly after hitting the high notes with their stirring performance Hollywood charm: On Sunday, Bradley, 44, arrived at the 91st Academy Awards in Hollywood with the two real-life women who inspire him: his partner, Irina Shayk, 33, and his mother, Gloria Campano Before that the 44-year-old actor made his singing debut in one of the most talked about moments of the entire night as the to actors of A Star Is Born got close while performing mega hit Shallow together. Gazing into one another's eyes, the A Star Is Born co-stars gave a hot and heavy performance, nearly kissing as they reached the climax of the track. Gaga's appearance at the Oscars was the first time she had been seen since ending her engagement to her fiance Christian Carino, 50. While the newly single Gaga walked the red carpet alone, Cooper arrived hand-in-hand with his mother Gloria, and Russian model Irina Shayk, the mother of his one-year-old daughter Lea De Seine Shayk Cooper. Black Panther won two early awards as they earned the Best Costume Design and Best Production Design trophies. Queen with Adam Lambert kicked off the show rocking the crowd with We Will Rock You before wowing the crowd with a rendition of We Are The Champions. After the opening credits, Saturday Night Live alums Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler hit the stage for a hilarious opening monologue segment as there is no actual host this year. This is the first time the show has gone without a host in 30 years as Kevin Hart famously stepped down after some of his old controversial tweets were unearthed. The three went on to present the Best Supporting Actress Award. The second award of the night - Best Documentary - was given to Free Solo which is about a professional rock climber named Alex Honnold. Dynamic duo: Adam Lambert and Brian May of Queen kicked off the show Rocking out: They began the performance with We Will Rock You before wowing the crowd with a rendition of We Are The Champions. Legend: Images of iconic frontman Freddie Mercury were projected on the screen behind them Hitting all the right notes: Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson had a powerful performance of I'll Fight which was nominated for Best Song from Ruth Bader Ginsburg documentary RBG Flower power: Bette Midler was a featured performer as she did The Place Where Lost Things Go Thank you! The track is nominated for Best Song from Mary Poppins Returns Heading west: Rawlings and Gillian Welch performed When A Cowboy Trades His Spurs For Wings from The Ballad of Buster Scruggs onstage It might be the gold standard of award shows, but with falling viewing figures, The Academy Of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences have made some major changes for this year's Oscars ceremony. These range from skipping a host - after Kevin Hart stepped down - to recruiting 'highly recognized talent from various walks of life' to present the eight nominees for Best Picture, a role usually reserved for actors. Those talents include anti-Trump chef and restaurateur Jose Andres, Daily Show host Trevor Noah and civil rights leader and Georgia congressman John Lewis and the woman who many consider to be the greatest athlete of all time, Serena Williams. Tremendous trio: After the opening credits, Saturday Night Live alums Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler (left to right) hit the stage for a hilarious opening monologue segment as there is no actual host this year It is not clear which of the nominated films will be presented by these new presenters, who also include: Dana Carvey, Queen Latifah, Tom Morello, and Amandla Stenberg. The final three presenters, Barbra Streisand, Diego Luna and Mike Meyers, will almost certainly be introducing the to films with which they have close ties: A Star is Born, Roma and Bohemian Rhapsody. This new line-up of presenters is the latest in a long list of changes made by the Academy this year - many of which have surprised. It began with the announcement that the Best Song nominees would not be featured in the telecast, a decision that was changed following public uproar. Well deserved: Legendary costume designer Ruth E. Carter won her first ever Oscar for Black Panther Real life superhero: Chadwick Boseman celebrated as the Black Panther designer was announced at the winner Wakanda forever! Black Panther kept winning early as Jay Hart and Hannah Beachler accepted the Production Design award They are the champions! Bohemian Rhapsody swept the audio awards as they won Sound Editing (John Warhurst and Nina Hartstone are pictured accepting the gong) and Sound Mixing Flying solo: Brian May of Queen was happy as he congratulated Paul Massey, Tim Cavagin and John Casali after they won the Best Sound Mixing award for Bohemian Rhapsody Going gold: Greg Cannom, Kate Biscoe, and Patricia Dehaney (left to right) accepting the Makeup And Hairstyling Award for Vice Doing whatever a spider can: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse won Best Animated Feature Next was the decision to discontinue the trend of having the actors who won in each category last year present at the ceremony. That was revealed by Allison Janney, whose appearance presenting alongside Sam Rockwell at the Golden Globes last month proved to be one of the rare highlights of the unremarkable telecast. Uproar ensued, and the Academy soon announced that the tradition would continue. Tremendous twosome: Jennifer Lopez and Chris Evans presented the Production Design award Slow Burn: Hot off winning four Grammys including Album Of The Year, Kacey Musgraves was a featured presenter Think pink: Helen Mirren and Jason Momoa joked about wearing the same color as they presented Best Documentary Is that you Daenerys? Emilia Clarke shimmered as she introduced Jennifer Hudson's performance of Best Song nominee I'll Fight from the documentary RBG James Bond and Atomic Blonde: Daniel Craig and Charlize Theron looked incredible as they presented together Hilarious: Melissa McCarthy and Brian Tyree Henry sported interesting get-ups as they presented the costume design awards Next, the Academy opted to eliminate four categories from the telecast - Cinematography, Film Editing, Live Action Short, and Makeup and Hairstyling - and present those awards during the commercial break. That managed to draw the ire of many members of the Academy, and was protested in an open letter signed by the likes of Glenn Close, Robert DeNiro, Kerry Washington, Brad Pitt, Halle Berry and hundreds more. Last week it was announced that the Academy Awards reversed their decision to cut those four categories after the furor. Audrey Hepburn inspired! Lady Gaga arrived in a black strapless dress with matching gloves, adding the iconic, cushion-cut brilliant Tiffany Diamond, weighing 128.54 carats with over 82 radiant facets - worth $30 million Wow factor: Lady Gaga's Tiffany's necklace was last worn by Audrey Hepburn for a Breakfast At Tiffany's publicity photo shoot Breathtaking: Lady Gaga had all the sparkle she needed. The A Star Is Born Best Actress nominee teamed the dazzling yellow jewel, famously worn by Audrey Hepburn in her promotional shots for Breakfast At Tiffany's, with a sculptural black gown by Alexander McQueen for the Oscars on Sunday at the Dolby Theatre Radiant: The legendary Tiffany diamond was discovered in 1877 in the Kimberley Mines of South Africa; founder Charles Lewis Tiffany purchased the gem the following year; Gaga on the left and Audrey Hepburn on the righ The glam parade was stronger than ever as a $30million 128.54 carat Tiffany diamond hung around the neck of Lady Gaga. The A Star Is Born Best Actress nominee teamed the dazzling yellow jewel, famously worn by Audrey Hepburn in her promotional shots for Breakfast At Tiffany's, with a sculptural black gown by Alexander McQueen. Joining her on the crowded red carpet were Jennifer Lopez and Brie Larson, who glittered in metallic sparkling silver dresses for Sunday's annual awards show at the Dolby Theater at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood. Incredible: Lady Gaga was joined on the carpet by the equally glamorous Jennifer Lopez (L) in Tom Ford and Brie Larson (R) in Celine with Chanel fine jewelry So beautiful: Jennifer, 49, posed alongside her handsome boyfriend Alex Rodriguez, 43 Standing out: Jennifer was a vision in her mirrored number by Tom Ford, adding a mini clutch with diamond rings and earrings Proud: The mother of two styled the shiny number with deeply parted hair, pink glossy lipstick and smoky eye makeup; diamond earrings and rings finished off her glamorous ensemble Silver stunner: Brie Larson flashed her toned legs in a silver gown with matching heels; she is wearing a Celine frock Shining star: Also in silver was actress and model Molly Sims; the statuesque blonde beauty arrived in a form-fitting cut-out metallic Zuhair Murad frock with an intricate pattern design Good looking duo: Molly, 45, posed with her husband film producer Scott Stuber; they have three children together All dressed up: Amy Adams looked beautiful in a silver and white strapless gown with an impressive diamond necklace as well as bracelets and rings; the actress is wearing Atelier Versace Impeccable: Amy styled her red tresses in soft waves, opting for a center part So in love: Amy, 44, shared a kiss with her husband Darren Le Gallo; they wed in 2015 Perfection: Glenn Close stood out in her gold long-sleeved gown with a cape detail; she is wearing Carolina Herrera Fantastic: Glenn, 71, revealed during her red carpet interview with E! that her hand-embroidered custom Carolina Herrera gown weighs 42 pounds Goddesses in gold! Danai Gurira (L) and Tessa Thompson (R) both chose gold and black gowns, although in different styles; Danai is wearing a Fall 2019 Brock Collection gold brocade strapless empire-waist dress while Tessa is in a Chanel Spring 2019 Haute Couture black bustier dress with gold bead embroidery Iconic: Serena Williams looked chic in her burgundy and black form-fitting gown with glittering diamond jewels; she wore a custom Armani Prive gown with Forevermark jewelry Stunning: Amandla Stenberg (L) chose a silver and nude fringed Miu Miu gown with pink polish and diamond and gold jewelry; Michelle Yeoh (R) donned a beautiful silver, gold and cream off-the-shoulder Michelle Yeoh gown with drop earrings Shades of red: Marina de Tavira (L) donned a J. Mendel Fall 2019 tulle tired gown while Nancy Garcia Garcia (C) chose a two-toned floral number and Danielle Macdonald (R) rocked an off-the-shoulder number Strike a pose: Emma Stone stood out in her burgundy and gold geometric patterned gown with dramatic sleeves; the movie star is wearing a custom Louis Vuitton number featuring sequins, pearls and beads embroidered all over with shoes and jewelry from the brand Glowing mom-to-be: Krysten Ritter revealed her pregnancy on the red carpet; the beautiful Jessica Jones actress, 37, highlighted her baby bump in a dark red and nude lace Fall 2019 Reem Acra gown with a envelope clutch Close: Krysten was joined by her boyfriend Adam Granduciel, the frontman for band The War On Drugs Oh what a world! Kacey Musgraves was the big winner at the Grammys two weeks ago and definitely turned heads in this pink Giambattista Valli number He first shot to fame in 2013 playing Ian Beale's son on EastEnders. And actor Ben Hardy has come a long way since his days playing Peter Beale in the BBC Soap as he walked the red carpet at the Oscars on Sunday. The actor, 28, posed for photographers as he joined his Bohemian Rhapsody co-stars at the film event of the year at the Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles. Shocked: EastEnders fans were shocked to see Peter Beale actor Ben Hardy, 28, walk the red carpet at the Oscars on Sunday Looking dashing for the glamorous night, Ben rocked a white tuxedo blazer and matching white bow tie, setting him apart from his colleagues. But despite him being a rising star in Hollywood, British viewers at home were stunned to see the ex soap star mingling with the showbiz elite at the bash. Taking to Twitter, several expressed their shock to see him on the red carpet, little realising that he's just had a starring role playing Queen drummer Roger Taylor in the Oscar nominated Freddie Mercury biopic. One person commented: Peter Beale at the #Oscars? A step up from the Soap Awards, innit?! Soap roots: Ben played Ian Beale's troubled son Peter Beale in the BBC soap between 2013 and 2015 Film star: The actor posed for photographers as he joined his Bohemian Rhapsody co-stars at the film event of the year at the Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles. Unexpected: Despite him being a rising star in Hollywood, British viewers at home were stunned to see the ex soap star mingling with the showbiz elite at the bash Surprised: Taking to Twitter, several expressed their shock to see the former EastEnders hunk on the red carpet of the showbiz bash While another remarked: peter beale at the oscars is honestly something i never thought id see #Oscars. Sorry, is Peter Beale at the Oscars? #Eastenders #Oscars, questioned a thrird watcher. With another astounded fan adding: Pure bizarre seeing #peterbeale from @bbceastenders on the red carpet #oscars. Ben has huge success in his career since saying goodbye to his Walford character to follow his Hollywood dreams, after playing him for two years. Don't Stop Me Now: Ben had a starring role playing Queen drummer Roger Taylor in the Oscar nominated Freddie Mercury biopic Scrubs up well: Looking dashing for the glamorous night, Ben rocked a white tuxedo blazer and matching white bow tie, setting him apart from his colleagues He made his film debut in X-Men: Apocalypse in 2016, playing winged mutant Archangel. The star has also made appearances in other big films including Mary Shelley, Only The Brave and The Woman In White. Meanwhile, his character Peter had a tumultuous time in Albert Square in the last couple of years, most notably with his sister Lucy being murdered by their brother Bobby. Peter left the Square for a new life in New Zealand, with his ex Lauren Branning eventually joining him with their son Louie. Big dreams: Ben has huge success in his career since saying goodbye to his Walford character to follow his Hollywood dreams, after playing him for two years Departure: Peter had a tumultuous time in Albert Square in the last couple of years, most notably with his sister Lucy being murdered by their brother Bobby She's nominated in the best supporting actress category for her role in Vice. And Amy Adams' red carpet look was most certainly Oscar-worthy at at the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday. The 44-year-old actress arrived at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles looking like an hourglass goddess in Versace alongside husband Darren Le Gallo. Sensational: Amy Adams oozed classic Hollywood glamour as she arrived at the 91st Academy Awards in Hollywood on Sunday The Nocturnal Animals star kept it classic in a strapless white fishtail gown with intricate silver embroidery which hugged her waist. Amy's makeup look was the perfect complement to her stunning gown with shimmery bronze eye-shadow and pared-down lip. Her look was finished off with eye-catching diamond jewelry and she wore her red tresses in gentle waves in a center-part. As she graced the red carpet Amy shared a kiss with her actor husband as he put his hands on her waist. Pucker up: Amy, 44, kissed husband Darren Le Gallo on the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre Darren, 44, opted for a black suit with matching shirt and tie. The run-up to the 91st Academy Awards has been a series of missteps and backtracks by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. A new best 'popular film' category was in, and then it was out . Kevin Hart was host and then he wasn't . Some categories were removed from the live broadcast, and then they were back. Producers Donna Gigliotti and Glenn Weiss have pledged that the show will be speedier this year, even though its initial goal of a three-hour broadcast has faded. Hollywood beauty: Amy was a vision in a Versace white strapless gown with diamond jewels Kicking things off will be a performance by Queen, featuring Adam Lambert, to celebrate the best picture-nominee Bohemian Rhapsody. Yet this year's race has been very unpredictable, with the usual predictive awards being spread across contenders such as Peter Farrelly's Green Book, a divisive period dramedy about a black pianist (Mahershala Ali) and his white chauffer (Viggo Mortensen); the royal romp The Favourite; and Ryan Coogler's Marvel sensation Black Panther, which could become the first superhero film ever to win Hollywood's top award. Natural beauty: Amy's makeup look was the perfect complement to her stunning gown with shimmery bronze eye-shadow and pared down lip Geri Horner has claimed she believes that former Prime Minister Winston Churchill was 'the original Spice Girl'. In an interview with The Sunday Times, the 46-year-old was asked was asked whether she thought Theresa May would make a good addition to the Spice Girls. But Ginger Spice reckons Winston Churchill, who led Britain to victory in Europe during World War II, might be a more suitably candidate. Opinion: Geri Horner has claimed she believes that former Prime Minister Winston Churchill was 'the original Spice Girl' She said: 'Anybody who is standing up, no matter what theyre rooting for, youve got to give them credit. 'Even Winston Churchill got fired. He won a war for us and he got fired. For me, Winston Churchill is the original Spice Girl.' Geri is going on tour with the Spice Girls this summer and believes the iconic group's music still has the power to bring the world together. She said: 'When the Spice Girls performed at the 2012 Olympics, we said we had 3 minutes to unite the world and you can do that with music.' She said: 'Even Winston Churchill got fired. He won a war for us and he got fired. For me, Winston Churchill is the original Spice Girl' Tour: Geri is going on tour with the Spice Girls this summer and believes the iconic group's music still has the power to bring the world together Their upcoming tour will feature three shows at London's Wembley Stadium as well as performances in Cardiff, Manchester, Coventry and Edinburgh. Geri will be joined on the reunion tour by Mel C, Mel B and Emma Bunton while Victoria Beckham has chosen to bow out. In an interview with The Guardian, the fashion designer admitted she has no regrets about choosing not to do the tour but might feel 'left out' all the same when it begins. She said: 'What I do now is my passion and a full-time job. Im excited to see it, though. 'And Im sure when Im there and they are on stage, there will be a part of me that feels a bit left out. Because even after all this, a part of me will always be a Spice Girl.' The Oscars may be without a host, but Tina Fey insisted that she, Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph will set the tone of Sunday night's ceremony. While walking the red carpet in an eye-popping blue gown, Fey, 48, shared: 'There will be laughs and there will be fun.' Rudolph, Fey and Poehler were among the early top tier stars to arrive at the red carpet outside the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and will participate in the show. Funny ladies: Tina Fey (left) shared that she, Amy Poehler (middle) and Maya Rudolph (right) will set the tone of Sunday night's Academy Awards, which have no host The three funny ladies, who all rose to TV stardom on Saturday Night Live, most recently starred together in the 2015 comedy film Sisters. Fey and Rudolph stunned in colorful gowns - though neither of their outfits were as bright as BlacKkKlansman director Spike Lee's purple suit. Rudolph opted for an eye-popping pink floral number with a cape, wearing her hair in a 1920s bob and accessorizing with an ornate pair of earrings. Fey slipped into a strapless floor-length gown that featured a small train, complementing it with a navy clutch that glinted under the lights. Ready to go: While walking the red carpet in an eye-popping blue gown, Fey, 48, shared: 'There will be laughs and there will be fun' Comedy legends: Rudolph, Poehler and Fey were among the early top tier stars to arrive at the red carpet outside the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and will participate in the show Showbiz chic: Fey and Rudolph stunned in colorful gowns - though neither of their outfits were as bright as BlacKkKlansman director Spike Lee's purple suit Radiant: Rudolph opted for an eye-popping pink floral number with a cape, wearing her hair in a 1920s bob and accessorizing with an ornate pair of earrings Meanwhile, Poehler cut a dapper figure in a black trouser suit with a ruffled sheer black blouse, adding a touch of glitz with a gleaming brooch. Although neither Fey, Poehler nor Rudolph is nominated for a prize Sunday evening, the latter's Bridesmaids co-star Melissa McCarthy is up for best actress. McCarthy earned her first Oscar nomination in 2012 for her role as the irrepressible Megan in Bridesmaids, the movie that made her a star. Hello, gorgeous: Fey slipped into a strapless floor-length gown that featured a small train, complementing it with a navy clutch that glinted under the lights Fashion forward: Meanwhile, Poehler cut a dapper figure in a black trouser suit with a ruffled sheer black blouse, adding a touch of glitz with a gleaming brooch The comic powerhouse is now up for best actress for her role as author-turned-forger Lee Israel in the dramedy Can You Ever Forgive Me?. She is facing off against Olivia Colman for The Favourite, Glenn Close for The Wife, Yalitza Aparicio for Roma and Lady Gaga for A Star Is Born. The Favourite is competing for Best Picture against BlacKkKlansman, Black Panther, A Star Is Born, Roma, Green Book, Vice and Bohemian Rhapsody. Kevin Hart was originally slated to host the show, but departed after he was branded as homophobic over resurfaced old Twitter jokes. Connections: Although neither Fey, Poehler nor Rudolph is nominated for a prize Sunday evening, the latter's Bridesmaids co-star Melissa McCarthy is up for best actress Dazzling: Fey added a bit of sparkle to her look with a glittering jeweled bracelet and a pair of drop earrings She gave her fans a hint of her new flame-haired look on Saturday morning. And Kim Kardashian debuted her new style out in the wild later that day, when the reality TV star stepped out of a photo shoot in Los Angeles. The 38-year-old matched her new hair color with a matching firetruck red PVC jumpsuit. Scroll down to see video Lady in red: Kim Kardashian debuted her new style out in the wild later that day, when the reality TV star stepped out of a photo shoot in Los Angeles The Keeping Up With The Kardashians mainstay's bright red tresses cascaded down her bare shoulders, stopping just above Kim's sizable bust. Her skimpy red PVC top put the mother-of-three's cleavage on full display. And Kim's famous derriere was barely contained by her high waist pants, which true to the color theme were also in red. The second oldest Kardashian sibling completed the look with a pair of simple yet elegant red pumps. Figure-hugging: The 38-year-old matched her new hair color with matching firetruck red PVC pants Busting out! The Keeping Up With The Kardashians mainstay's bright red tresses cascaded down her bare shoulders, stopping just above Kim's sizable bust Working overtime: Kim's famous derriere was barely contained by her high waist pants, which true to the color theme were also in red Earlier in the day, Kim put on a not-so-subtly seductive display in an Instagram video, during which the sultry diva sucked on a lollipop. The candy was also impeccably color coordinated, being of the cherry red variety. Kim kept her makeup simple for the day, with heavily stenciled eyebrows and a dab of nude lip. Subtle: Earlier in the day, Kim put on a not-so-subtly seductive display in an Instagram video, during which the sultry diva sucked on a lollipop Meanwhile, Kim called the rumors that her sister Khloe - who just broke it off with love rat Tristan Thompson - was the next Bachelorette 'fake f***ing news'. On Friday, a producer of The Bachelorette, Mike Fleiss, tweeted that Khloe was in talks to star as the next contestant on the reality dating show. 'I have already been in contact with my dear friend @KrisJenner about @khloekardashian as #TheBachelorette. Stay tuned!!!,' he stated. The devil is in the details: The candy was also impeccably color coordinated, being of the cherry red variety The day before, Fleiss tweeted 'any decision regarding @khloekardashian as the new #TheBachelorette will need to be approved by my dear friend @KrisJenner.' 'Stay tuned!!!' he added. After Kim let her thoughts be known on the subject, Khloe decided to defend herself on social media. F for Fake: Meanwhile, Kim called the rumors that her sister Khloe - who just broke it off with love rat Tristan Thompson - was the next Bachelorette 'fake f***ing news' Making trouble: The day before, Fleiss tweeted 'any decision regarding @khloekardashian as the new #TheBachelorette will need to be approved by my dear friend @KrisJenner 'Im not f***ing clickbait right now. Stop or you will be hearing from my lawyers. How insensitive!!,' the 34-year-old wrote. Shortly after, Fleiss responded to Kim: 'How would Kim Kardashian know??? This is between me and @KrisJenner and most importantly Khloe Kardashian !!! Kim clapped back with a screen shot of her texts - laden with misspellings - between momager Kris Jenner and Khloe. She stars in the Academy Award-nominated live action short film Skin. And on Sunday, Danielle Macdonald walked her first Oscars red carpet, after a year in which she starred in the critically-acclaimed Netflix film Dumplin'. The 27-year-old Australian actress showed off a eco-friendly sustainable look for Hollywood's big night at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre. Seeing red: On Sunday, Danielle Macdonald, 27, walked her first Oscars red carpet, after a year in which she starred in the critically-acclaimed Netflix film Dumplin' The 5ft5 Patti Cake$ star has a princess moment in a stunning scarlet gown by Christian Siriano for the award ceremony. The actress and rapper had her blonde tresses elegantly curled and wavy for the big night. She kept her accessories minimal, just option for a few silvery rings and some dangling earrings by Anabela Chan. Her Stella Luna shoes were completely hidden by the long dress. Making an appearance: The 5ft5in Patti Cake$ star wore a stunning scarlet gown by Christian Siriano for the award ceremony that amply showed off her cleavage Shining style: She kept her accessories minimal, just option for a few silvery rings and some dangling earrings by Anabela Chan Danielle's attended her first Oscars as an ambassador for the Red Carpet Green Dress initiative. Her outfit was made from sustainable fabrics in an effort to make the high-profile evening more eco-friendly. The campaign, founded by actress Suzy Amis Cameron, who's also married to Avatar filmmaker James Cameron, partners with designers to ensure they use ethical supply lines. Making a statement: Danielle's attended her first Oscars as an ambassador for the Red Carpet Green Dress initiative Healing fashion: Her outfit was made from sustainable fabrics in an effort to make the high-profile evening more eco-friendly Oscar snub: Her Netflix comedy Dumplin' currently boasts a strong 85 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but the film failed to garner any Oscar nominations Oscar caliber: Danielle was part of the cast for Skin, which is nominated for Best Live Action Short film. The Lady Bird actress also went on to star in a feature-length adaptation of Skin, released last year Her Netflix comedy Dumplin' currently boasts a strong 85 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but the film failed to garner any Oscar nominations. The film received nominations at other award ceremonies, including the Golden Globes, for its original Dolly Parton songs, but the tunes didn't make it into the final Best Original Song Oscar field. However, Danielle was part of the cast for Skin, which is nominated for Best Live Action Short film. The Lady Bird actress also went on to star in a feature-length adaptation of Skin, released last year. There was no missing Linda Cardellini at the 91st Academy Awards. The Green Book actress, 43, took princess style to a whole new level in an over-the-top, hot pink gown with plunging neckline and pretty bow tie. Linda's wild, leggy look got heads turning as she walked the red carpet in Los Angeles on Sunday. Pink lady! Linda Cardellini got heads turning in an over-the-top hot pink gown with plunging neckline and pretty bow tie at the 91st Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday Multiple layers of hot pink fabric cascaded down Linda's elaborate dress, giving her a playful yet quirky vibe. The actress kept her hairstyle simple and sophisticated though, scooping her brunette tresses up into a chic bun with loose tendrils dangling beside her face. She also wore a perfect coat of makeup, accenting her gorgeous features with smoky eye shadow, pink blush, and berry red lipstick. Contrasting the all-pink look were her classic black high heels. No missing her: Cardellini really ensured she would be the center of attention Where did she go? Linda was practically drowning in the fun yet wacky hot pink dress Linda stars in the Oscar nominated film Greek Book. The film about an Italian-American driver and an African-American pianist has been nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. Fans may best know Linda as Sylvia Rosen from Mad Men, Marcy 'Hot Dog Water' Fleach from Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, and Lindsay Weir in Freaks and Geeks. Linda is currently filming the comedy series Dead To Me, and will also appear in the upcoming horror film The Curse of La Llorona. Impressive resume: Fans may best know Linda as Sylvia Rosen from Mad Men, Marcy 'Hot Dog Water' Fleach from Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, and Lindsay Weir in Freaks and Geeks Stunning: The star was practically beaming on the red carpet This year's Academy Of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences have made some major changes for the 2019 Oscars ceremony. These range from skipping a host - after Kevin Hart stepped down - to recruiting 'highly recognized talent from various walks of life' to present the eight nominees for Best Picture, a role usually reserved for actors. Those talents include anti-Trump chef and restaurateur Jose Andres, Daily Show host Trevor Noah and civil rights leader and Georgia congressman John Lewis and the woman who many consider to be the greatest athlete of all time, Serena Williams . It is not clear which of the nominated films will be presented by these new presenters, who also include: Dana Carvey, Queen Latifah, Tom Morello, and Amandla Stenberg. The final three presenters, Barbra Streisand, Diego Luna and Mike Meyers, will almost certainly be introducing the to films with which they have close ties: A Star is Born, Roma and Bohemian Rhapsody. Coming soon: Linda is currently filming the comedy series Dead To Me, and will also appear in the upcoming horror film The Curse of La Llorona Anne Hathaway on Sunday reminded her fans of her panned stint hosting the 83rd Academy Awards in 2011 with James Franco. The 36-year-old actress took to Instagram poking fun at the outing, posting a shot of herself and the 40-year-old actor as they presided over the biggest night of the year in show business eight years ago. 'No matter what happens with today's show, just remember, it's already been worse,' the New York City native wrote. 'Happy Oscars!' A look back: Anne Hathaway, 36, on Sunday reminded her fans of her panned stint hosting the 83rd Academy Awards in 2011 with James Franco Hathaway spoke with People last month about the difficulty of hosting the Oscars, which will go without the traditional host after Kevin Hart in December withdrew from the gig amid blowback for a number of his homophobic tweets from 2009-2011 that resurfaced. 'It's just a no-win situation,' Hathaway said. 'You're not trained at this, how is this going to enhance your life? All of the reasons why. Even the people who do it spectacularly well - like Hugh Jackman, Jimmy Kimmel, Ellen DeGeneres - usually just get a 'meh' from everyone. It's a really hard gig to stick the landing on.' Out of sync: Anne last month said that Franco 'didn't give [her] anything' to work with The Serenity star was critical of the support she received from Franco during the show, as she said he 'didn't give [her] anything' to work with in the back-and-forth performance. 'God, I just remember the night before we're about to go up there, and me turning to everyone and going, "Am I too much? This feels really big to me,"' she said. 'And the producer just went, "No! Don't do less. Do more if you need to." And I was like, "Oh okay, I guess it's going great." And I didn't realize what was happening about that whole thing.' Oops! Hathaway told People last month that Franco cajoled her into the spot after she 'turned that gig down,' which re-instilled in her the idea of trusting her instincts Excalibur moment: Hathaway in 2013 won the Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Fantine in Les Miserables Franco in 2017 told Variety that he intentionally played it low-key to complement Hathaway's spirited persona: 'Honestly, I think the biggest criticism of me, it seemed like I was high or low energy. In my head, I was trying to be the straight man. I guess I just went too far or came across as the dead man.' Hathaway told People last month that Franco cajoled her into the spot after she 'turned that gig down,' which re-instilled in her the idea of trusting her instincts. 'Your first instinct is usually the right one,' she said. 'And all the reasons why I turned it down came true. All of them.' Hathaway went on to rebound in a big way two years later, taking home the Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Fantine in Les Miserables. The 91st Academy Awards air Sunday on ABC at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT. She is nominated for best actress for her turn as author-turned-forger Lee Israel in Can You Ever Forgive Me? And Melissa McCarthy updated Old Hollywood glamour when she arrived at the Oscars red carpet outside Los Angeles' Dolby Theatre on Sunday. The 48-year-old slipped into a plunging white blouse that featured a luxurious floor-length cape, clashing it against high-waisted black slacks. Contender: Melissa McCarthy updated Old Hollywood glamour when she arrived at the Oscars red carpet outside Los Angeles' Dolby Theatre on Sunday Adding a splash of dazzle with glistening jeweled necklace, the now two-time Oscar nominee had her dark locks swept up into a pompadour by celebrity hairstylist Richard Marin for Biolage. The hair pro revealed he used the Biolage BlowDry Glotion to prep the hair, before working with the brand's Complete Control Fast Drying Hairspray as he was styling to keep the 'do firmly in place. Finally, the updo was fixed with the Biolage Freeze Fix to ensure a long-lasting style that would hold out throughout the entire night. Melissa was joined at the awards ceremony by her husband and frequent movie collaborator Ben Falcone, who posed for a car selfie with her en route to the show. Melissa posted the selfie proudly for her 7.3 million Instagram followers, captioning: 'Hooray were on our way!!! Oscars here we come!!!!!' The comedic powerhouse was previously nominated for best supporting actress in 2012, losing out to Octavia Spencer as Minny in The Help. Date night: She was joined at the awards ceremony by her husband and frequent movie collaborator Ben Falcone, who posed for a car selfie with her en route to the show Swank: The 48-year-old slipped into a plunging white blouse that featured a luxurious floor-length cape, clashing it against high-waisted black slacks Melissa was nominated that year for her turn as the irrepressible Megan in Paul Feig's comedy Bridesmaids, the movie that made her a star. Directed by Marielle Heller, Can You Ever Forgive Me? is based on the memoir of the same name by the real Lee Israel, who died in 2014. When her career as a biographer stalled and she found herself in dire financial straits, Lee turned to forgery to pay the bills. She wrote fake old letters by such names as Dorothy Parker and Noel Coward, passed them off as real and successfully sold them to memorabilia dealers. Aglow: Adding a splash of dazzle with glistening jeweled necklace, the now two-time Oscar nominee swept her dark hair up into a pompadour Her lies eventually caught up with her and landed her under house arrest, and she lapsed into obscurity until making a literary comeback with her memoir in 2008. Melissa's co-star Richard E. Grant, who plays her co-conspirator Jack Hock, is nominated for best supporting actor at Sunday's award show. In the best actress category, Melissa is up against The Favourite's Olivia Colman, The Wife's Glenn Close, Roma's Yalitza Aparicio and A Star Is Born's Lady Gaga. Meanwhile, Richard is competing with Vice's Sam Rockwell, A Star Is Born's Sam Elliott, Green Book's Mahershala Ali and BlacKkKlansman's Adam Driver. In the running: Melissa posted the selfie proudly for her 7.3 million Instagram followers, captioning: 'Hooray were on our way!!! Oscars here we come!!!!!' She was known for her effortlessly simple style on Married At First Sight. But now that Ines Basic has officially exited the show, the legal assistant has undergone a glamorous celebrity makeover to go along with her newfound fame. Gone is her signature ponytail, with the 28-year-old now dying her hair jet black and wearing it out in voluminous waves. Bombshell bride: Married At First Sight 'villain' Ines Basic showed off her glamorous new look in a recent interview The stunner appears to have darkened her eyebrows and painted her much plumper pout a bold shade of cranberry. Her striking, heavy makeup is much different to the natural style she sported while on TV. To complete her new look, the Bosnian bride wore contact lenses that turned her icy blue eyes to a bold cobalt colour. Before and after: The 28-year-old is now virtually unrecognisable compared to her time on the reality series Ines finally exited on Married At First Sight at Sunday's commitment ceremony after her 'affair' with Sam Ball was exposed. In her official farewell interview, the brunette insisted that she had no regrets when it came to her on-screen 'husband' Bronson Norrish. 'Bronson and I come from two different worlds,' she said. 'I work as a legal assistant, he was an ex-stripper and owns a party boat charter company. It's just two totally different worlds, different lifestyles.' Natural: Ines was known for her effortlessly simple style on Married At First Sight, with the legal assistant sporting natural makeup and a basic ponytail Va-va-voom! The Bosnian beauty now has a plumper pout with heavy makeup, luscious long hair and bright blue contact lenses Ines recently flaunted her new look while out clubbing with co-star Martha Kalifatidis in Melbourne. She was also pictured on a solo outing in Melbourne over the weekend, following reports that she'd lost 12kgs from stress due to brutal backlash from MAFS viewers. However, in a Facebook post, a fan that spoke to the star on Melbourne's Chapel Street said that the weight loss was actually due to the passing of a friend. Stepping out: Ines recently flaunted her new look while out clubbing with co-star Martha Kalifatidis in Melbourne '[Her] friend passed away when show ended,' the fan claimed. She went on to claim that Ines confirmed she has lost 6kg in recent months, not the 12kg initially reported by Woman's Day. Ines allegedly told the fan that 'despite all the haters out there she also said she's had lots of love as well.' She's the Australian actress who is making waves in Hollywood. And on Sunday, fans praised Danielle Macdonald for opting for an eco-friendly gown at the 91st Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood. Taking to social media, fans delighted in 27-year-old's choice to wear a sustainable ensemble, while others simply thought she looked gorgeous. 'Perpetually here for eco-friendly dresses': Fans praised actress Danielle Macdonald (pictured) for wearing ethically-sourced crimson gown to the Academy Awards on Sunday '1. Dumplin' was so good (in large part because Danielle Macdonald is fantastic) 2. Perpetually here for eco-friendly dresses and sustainable, ethically-sourced fashion,' one fan gushed. Directing a Tweet at designer Christian Siriano, another Twitter user wrote: 'I dont know who Danielle MacDonald is but she looks fabulous in your gown.' 'Danielle MacDonald you look ravishing in red, my dear,' yet another Tweet read. One excited user penned: 'I screeched with joy when I saw Danielle Macdonald on the Oscars Red Carpet.' Loving the look: Fans on Twitter gushed over Danielle's look, praising her eco-friendly choice of attire The Dumplin' star, 27, exuded elegance and looked simply sensational in a striking red gown for the star-studded occasion. Featuring mesh off-the-shoulder sleeves, the crimson number cinched at Danielle's waist. Figure-hugging in all of the right places, Danielle's mermaid-style dress complemented her silhouette. The beauty teamed the sophisticated ensemble with a pair of glitzy statement earrings, adorned with crystals all-over. All the right places: Featuring mesh off-the-shoulder sleeves, the crimson number cinched at Danielle's waist She chose a glamorous makeup look consisting of matte foundation, winged eye liner, defined eye brows and a pop of nude lipstick. Her light coloured tresses were styled in short Hollywood waves and swept to one side of her face. The appearance comes after Danielle revealed last month to Elle Magazine the unusual way she bonded with Jennifer Aniston, 49, on the set of their new Netflix comedy Dumplin'. Bling: The beauty teamed the sophisticated ensemble with this pair of glitzy statement earrings, adorned with crystals all-over According to Danielle, the pair enjoyed bonding sessions behind the scenes to prepare for their roles as mother and daughter. 'We spent time getting to know each other, watching dog videos together,' she said. Dumplin' follows plus-size teen Willowdean (Danielle), the daughter of a former beauty queen (Jennifer), who signs up for a local beauty pageant as a protest. Visage: She opted for a glamorous makeup look consisting of matte foundation, winged eye liner, defined eye brows and a pop of nude lipstick While Danielle admitted the thought of meeting Jennifer was 'terrifying' at first, the younger actress insisted the Friends star was anything but intimidating in real life. Danielle has also appeared in another Netflix movie, Bird Box, starring Sandra Bullock. She will star in the upcoming drama series Unbelievable alongside Toni Collette and fantasy drama Paradise Hills with Emma Roberts. Michelle Yeoh looked the epitome of old school Hollywood glamour, as she walked the red carpet at the 91st Annual Academy Awards on Sunday. The 56-year-old Crazy Rich Asians star defied her years in a timeless off-the-shoulder gown, which showcased her elegant decolletage. Her outfit featured a sequinned bodice which filtered into a striking pattern on a neutral tulle skirt. Stunning: Michelle Yeoh looked the epitome of old school Hollywood glamour, as she walked the red carpet at the 91st Annual Academy Awards on Sunday The Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon actress accessorised with well-chosen jewellery, including a silver wrap bracelet and chunky watch and drop earrings. She had a compact and handy silver clutch, embellished with crystals. The former Miss Malaysia allowed the dress to do the talking, keeping her dark locks simple and straight and her make-up to a natural but camera-ready finish. Sparkles: Her outfit featured a sequinned bodice which filtered into a striking pattern on a neutral tulle skirt Yeoh was confirmed as one of the presenters at the Oscars, earlier this week. The ceremony doesn't have one main host this year, after Kevin Hart stepped down amid controversy. The Academy Of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences have made some other major changes for this year's Oscars ceremony. Finishing touches: The Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon actress accessorised with well-chosen jewellery, including a silver wrap bracelet and chunky watch and drop earrings They've recruited 'highly recognized talent from various walks of life' to present the eight nominees for Best Picture, a role usually reserved for actors. Those talents include anti-Trump chef and restaurateur Jose Andres, Daily Show host Trevor Noah and civil rights leader and Georgia congressman John Lewis and the woman who many consider to be the greatest athlete of all time, Serena Williams. It is not clear which of the nominated films will be presented by these new presenters, who also include: Dana Carvey, Queen Latifah, Tom Morello, and Amandla Stenberg. The final three presenters, Barbra Streisand, Diego Luna and Mike Meyers, will almost certainly be introducing the to films with which they have close ties: A Star is Born, Roma and Bohemian Rhapsody. This new line-up of presenters is the latest in a long list of changes made by the Academy this year. A former reality star has lifted the lid on the 'scripted' parts of Married At First Sight, amid fans' declarations that many of this year's storylines are 'fake'. Jackie Naughton, who appeared on Seven Year Switch with her partner Tim in 2016, claimed the two shows have a similar format in terms of 'experts' and 'desired outcomes' from its stars. And making comparisons between the shows, the mother-of-two alleged that producers would give SYS participants 'loose scripts', tell them to 'look sad or deep in thought' and shoot scenes multiple times. Scripts, instructions to 'look sad' and multiple re-shoots: Former reality star lifts the lid on 'fake' rumours about Married At First Sight Pictured: Married At First Sight's Elizabeth Sobinoff (left) and Melissa Lucarelli (right) 'Yes, there was a loose script. I was given pieces of paper with lines on it that I was hardcore pressured to deliver,' Jackie wrote on Instagram. 'Yes I was directed to do this, do that, sit closer to him, look sad, look deep in thought etc. And yes, we shot some scenes multiple times from different angles and with different levels of intensity,' she added. She also addressed the controversy of several MAFS contestants having had a brief taste of fame before appearing on the show. She talked about Bronson Norrish and Dino Hira knowing each other and being strippers in the past, Sam Ball being an extra on Home And Away and Dino appearing on First Dates. Hmm: Jackie, who appeared on Seven Year Switch with her partner Tim in 2016, claimed the two shows have a similar format in terms of 'experts' and 'desired outcomes' from its stars Interesting: Jackie wrote on Instagram: 'Yes there was a loose script. I was given pieces of paper with lines on it that I was hardcore pressured to deliver' Pictured: MAFS stars Elizabeth and Sam 'Oh but they were male strippers together in the past, he was an extra on home and away etc? Well, producers are going to look everywhere to find the right people to match other people,' Jackie wrote. 'A lot of the people on shows like 'First Dates' etc. are found by looking through talent agents, yes a lot of them come from agencies and have been extras in other shows. And 'dancing' etc. is sort of part of the same industry - it's all showbiz. 'So yes, a lot of the participants were probably found elsewhere and didn't necessarily apply and of course there are a lot of people there to promote themselves or their businesses.' However, Jackie insisted that while some of the cast might be given directions, their feelings were genuine. Interesting: 'Yes I was directed to do this, do that, sit closer to him, look sad, look deep in thought etc. And yes, we shot some scenes multiple times from different angles and with different levels of intensity,' she added 'But emotions and reactions on the shows are still real,' she said. Daily Mail Australia has contacted reps for MAFS and Channel Seven for comment. Jackie and Tim's relationship was put to the test in 2016 on Seven Year Switch, where they swapped partners as part of an experiment for struggling couples. However, things worked out well for the pair, who got engaged in the finale and now share two children - son Chadwick, two, and four-month-old daughter Cleo Scarlett. Showbiz past: She talked about the contestants' previous connections with fame - like Bronson Norrish and Dino Hira stripping together - and insisted many are picked out after attracting the attention of producers instead of applying Meanwhile fans of Married At First Sight have questioned the authenticity of many of the contestants on the show. Channel Nine quashed rumours that Sam, who was scandalously embroiled in an 'affair' with co-star Ines, is a 'paid actor.' 'Sam is not an actor on Married At First Sight,' an Endemol Shine Australia spokesperson said in a statement last week. 'Nothing is scripted on the show and none of the participants are actors.' The statement comes after a source close to the 26-year-old, told Daily Mail Australia: 'Sam met a group of girls on Friday and told them he was a paid actor on the show.' 'None of the participants are': It comes after Channel Nine insisted Sam Ball is not a 'paid actor' and that 'nothing is scripted' on the reality show (Pictured with his 'wife' Elizabeth Sobinoff) The insider explained that while the tradie dined at a popular Sydney restaurant, he confessed the shocking news to several fans. 'Sam was out at Criniti's for dinner on Friday night with a mate. He ended up making friends with a group of girls,' they said. 'He said he was reading a script continuously while on the show.' They also claimed that the electrician, who 'married' Elizabeth Sobinoff in the social media experiment, landed the 'acting role' because he is friends with a producer on the show. She says she wishes there was a role model like Meghan Markle when she was growing up. But The Apprentice 2018 winner Sian Gabbidon is now hoping to inspire a generation of young girls after experiencing racial abuse in her own childhood. The 26-year-old tells HELLO! magazine this week why she 'never let it hold her back,' two months after winning a 250,000 partnership deal with Lord Sugar. The future is bright: The Apprentice winner Sian Gabbidon, here with partner Clint Gordon, discusses how a tough upbringing shaped her business accumen Sian said: 'I noticed I was often the only mixed race girl in the class, or one of very few. There were times I got racially abused but it never held me back. 'Now when I look at Meghan Markle, I think if there had been someone like her back in the day, doing what she is doing, it would have been massively inspiring. 'I like to think that hopefully there are girls like me who are looking at my story, and thinking I can achieve that, and that is something very close to my heart.' Triumph: Sian won The Apprentice two months ago, and says racial abuse in her childhood has never held her back Role model: Sian talks to HELLO! about seeing Meghan Markle as a role model Posing with partner Clint Gordon, Sian also talks to HELLO! about life after winning investment in her swimwear business, saying that Lord Sugar is one of her biggest role models. She said: 'As a role model, I have always put Lord Sugar very highly. I love how he is on the show, and I have come to love him even more since becoming his partner and working more closely with him on things.' Like Lord Sugar, the Leeds-based entrepreneur previously says she 'came from nothing and worked her way to the top.' She runs a swimwear fashion brand, with clients including celebrities and celebrity stylists. Winning team: Sian was competing against Camilla Ainsworth in the December 2018 final Sian has sold only 400 'bespoke' swimsuits in just two years trading and is now anticipating a huge expansion thanks to her new partnership. The 26-year-old triumphed over 22-year-old Camilla Ainsworth, who pitched a nut milk business. Read the full interview with Sian Gabbidon in this week's HELLO! magazine. Nadine Coyle believes the Spice Girls might say 'thanks, but no thanks' to Victoria Beckham if she ever changed her mind about joining them for their 2019 tour. One-fifth of Girls Aloud - who were often hailed as the next Spice Girls in their day - Nadine admitted in a recent chat with MailOnline that she is excited about the iconic 90s group's decision to reform this year; but that it's a shame Victoria is sitting this one out. Nadine - who, herself, reformed with Girls Aloud in 2012/2013 to mark the band's ten year anniversary - said: 'I'm sure a lot of people were disappointed about Victoria not joining the reunion. And I'm sure Victoria is surprised at how well it's sold too. Girl allowed? Former-Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle believes the Spice Girls might say 'thanks, but no thanks' to Victoria Beckham if she ever changed her mind about joining them for their 2019 tour [pictured performing at The Clapham Grand on Friday] 'But, you know, there's still time. She might come back and join them. But actually, they might not let her now that they've sold out the shows without her.' She added, jokingly: 'They might be like, "no you're okay thanks, here's a ticket for you and the Beckham clan".' When asked whether Nadine - who has never been shy about her fondness for her girl group days - would take over from Victoria if ever the idea was floated, the 33-year-old said: 'No. But I will absolutely be going to see their reunion show. At least once!' She also revealed: 'The band they're using - they're actually the same band I used for Insatiable.' Disappointed: Nadine believes it's a shame Victoria is sitting the 2019 tour out - but that she could still perhaps return [pictured at the Spice Girls' Olympics 2012 performance] Nadine - who, herself, reformed with Girls Aloud in 2012/2013 to mark the band's ten year anniversary - said: 'I'm sure a lot of people were disappointed about Victoria not joining the reunion. And I'm sure Victoria is surprised at how well it's sold too' Not this time: Victoria has been vocal about not wanting to re-tread the boards in her killer stilettos and little black dress [pictured L-R in 1997 and 2007] Nadine launched solo material following Girls Aloud's split, with the aforementioned Insatiable being the name of her debut solo album and it's title single. She returned the following year, in 2011, with Sweetest High - a one off single - and then relaunched her solo efforts last year with track Go To Work. She also revealed to MailOnline that she has new music coming in 2019. 'I am bringing out more stuff this year,' she revealed. 'Last year I brought out an EP. But even though I have been doing it a long time, I am relatively new as a solo act. So it's about finding my feet. Spice Girls 2.0: Girls Aloud were often hailed as the next Spice Girls in their day [pictured 2009] An old pro: Posh's last performance with the group to date was at the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony Then and now: Victoria has, these days, ditched music for fashion [pictured L-R in 1997 and 2019] 'It's also about how far you can push yourself with the singing and dancing. It's about what you're comfortable with, what you're good at.' While Girls Aloud's track-record with solo success has had it's ups and downs, with some members of the group seemingly quitting music altogether, all five Spice Girls released solo material. And while Victoria has, these days, ditched music for fashion, she released one official solo album, recorded two further albums (which were eventually shelved) and released four top 10 singles on her own. Solo star: Nadine still belts out the band's tunes at her gigs, admitting she will always love singing their songs Sweetest high: She was seen at the weekend doing just that at The Clapham Grand's monthly pop takeover - The Grand Goes Pop - in London. March will, incidentally, feature a set from Spice Girl Mel C As they were: Nadine was in Girls Aloud with Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh and Cheryl [pictured 2003] Yet she has been vocal about not wanting to re-tread the boards in her killer stilettos and little black dress. She told Good Morning America last month: 'Ill always be a Spice Girl and Im so proud of everything I achieved. Im so proud of them. Its going to be the best show.' 'I cant wait to take the kids and see it but, you know, with my business now I just wouldnt be able to do it, but I wish them so much luck.' Victoria - whose last performance with the group to date was at the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony - met with her fellow Spice Girls Emma Bunton, Mel C, Mel B and Geri Horner - this time last year to chat about the future of the group. When five becomes four: Victoria was in the Spice Girls with Emma Bunton, Mel C, Mel B and Geri Horner Three months to go: The girls made their comeback announcement without Posh Spice Yesteryear: The ground consequently sold out their 2019 UK tour, adding more dates and teasing that it might be going global [pictured 1998] But the girls made their comeback announcement last autumn without Posh Spice, consequently selling out their UK tour, adding more dates and teasing that it might be going global. Nadine - who was in Girls Aloud with Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh and Cheryl - still belts out the band's tunes at her gigs, admitting she will always love singing their songs. She was seen at the weekend doing just that at The Clapham Grand's monthly pop takeover - The Grand Goes Pop - in London. March will, incidentally, feature a set from Spice Girl Mel C. Hollyoaks stars Rory Douglas-Speed, 26, and Nadine Mulkerrin, 25, have opened up about their engagement, with Rory admitting it was 'terrifying' to pop the question to his co-star. The pair filmed their characters' Cleo McQueen and Joel Dexter's wedding late last year, and now they are set to go through their own real ceremony. The couple took a trip to Amsterdam, with Rory getting down on one knee in Dam Square. Marriage: Rory Douglas-Speed, 26, and Nadine Mulkerrin, 25, have opened up about their engagement, with Rory admitting it was 'terrifying' to pop the question to his co-star Speaking to OK! Magazine about the proposal, he said: 'It was terrifying. I felt like I was on my knee for an eternity and I remember saying: Go on, just say something! 'I felt that she was always going to say yes because we always have a laugh about it, but in that moment when I was on my knee I thought, "shes saying no!"' The actor also revealed that they are going to having quite a large wedding as many of their Hollyoaks co-stars will in attendance. Rory said: 'When youre talking about going to a wedding, its friends for life and weve definitely got a few on the show.' Life imitating art: The filmed their characters' Cleo McQueen and Joel Dexter's wedding late last year, and now the pair are set to go through their own real ceremony Rory told OK! Magazine: 'I felt that she was always going to say yes because we always have a laugh about it, but in that moment when I was on my knee I thought, "shes saying no!"' Nadine revealed that their co-star and former X Factor contestant Rachel Adedeji has promised them she will sing on their special day. The actress added that she thinks Rory has made her 'kinder' and that her family have all noticed her become happier since they got together. Interview: Read the full story in this week's OK! Magazine - out today While moving in with your significant other for the first time can often be challenging, Rory said it was been plain sailing for the pair since they started living together last Febuary. The soap power couple's engagement news comes after they pranked their parents, pretending they had got married after filming their characters' big day. Rory previously admitted: 'It's been so strange filming a wedding as we are together. Even back when Joel and Cleo got engaged I was so nervous, I went bright red. I was terrified - genuinely I was not acting in those scenes! 'It makes it interesting and Nadine and I have a laugh about it. 'We sent my family pictures of us in our characters' wedding day costumes pretending we had eloped! We joke that it's a rehearsal for us.' Joel and Cleo - who suffers from bulimia - tied the knot in a special Hollyoaks episode to coincide with World Mental Health Day. Read the full story in this week's OK! Magazine - out today. Relationship: Nadine added that she thinks Rory has made her 'kinder' and that her family have all noticed her become happier since they got together Louise Thompson has revealed she will be getting married this Christmas. The Made In Chelsea starlet - who got engaged to personal trainer Ryan Libbey last summer - has opened up about the details of the impending nuptials, which fans hope will be televised on the long-running reality series. And it seems she's keeping things close to home and traditional. Festive frivolities: Louise Thompson has revealed she will be getting married this Christmas Talking to OK! Magazine, the 28-year-old said: 'Its definitely going to be in the UK and we want to have a religious ceremony, so it will be in a church. 'We know our guest list and weve limited it to a couple of locations. Binky [Felstead] and Rosie [Fortescue] are going to be bridesmaids. 'We will definitely be getting married this Christmas, but I have 12 of my friends weddings to get through first!' Veering away from tradition, however, she added: 'I dont know whether its really tacky to have Koji [Louise and Ryans dog] as ring-bearer on our wedding day, but either way hell be there. Louise also revealed that she's ready to start a family. Betrothed: The Made In Chelsea starlet - who got engaged to personal trainer Ryan Libbey last summer - has opened up about the details of the impending nuptials, which fans hope will be televised on the long-running reality series To hell with convention! Veering away from tradition, however, she added - 'I dont know whether its really tacky to have Koji [Louise and Ryans dog] as ring-bearer on our wedding day, but either way hell be there' She said: 'Its definitely going to be in the UK and we want to have a religious ceremony, so it will be in a church' Old pals: 'We know our guest list and weve limited it to a couple of locations. Binky [Felstead] and Rosie [Fortescue] are going to be bridesmaids,' Louise said Read the full story: This week's OK! Magazine is out today I get really broody! I want to be a young parent and have four kids so it would be good to get started now. When the pair first announced their engagement last year, Louise said: 'I'm still shell-shocked. I've been crying solidly for three days. Its the most exciting thing thats ever happened to me in my entire life. 'Ryan and I have known that we want to spend the rest of our lives together for quite a long time. I love him more and more every day, which sounds so cliched, but its the truth.' Ryan popped the question when they were on holiday in California over the summer. They will both appear on Made In Chelsea when it returns to screens in the coming weeks. Read the full story in this week's OK! Magazine - out today. Sam Faiers' relatives see her as their family's version of Kris Jenner. Talking to the latest issue of OK! Magazine, Sam and sister Billie weighed in on the fact that some consider them to be the UK's answer to the Kardashians. 'Wed take that!' Sam exclaimed. 'They are in a bit of a different league, but my family do call me Kris Jenner because I try to make sure we are keeping the family brand. Momagers: Sam Faiers' relatives see her as their family's version of Kris Jenner 'I sometimes ring Billie and ask her to tell Greg to remove things from social media.' The entire Faiers clan appear on the sisters' reality series The Mummy Dairies, which returns to screens next month. Of the upcoming new season - which will chart the lead-up to Billie's wedding to Greg Shepherd - Sam added: 'We dont hold back we show the tears, tantrums and sleepless nights. Mums and dads watch our show and laugh along.' Despite akready being mother to Paul, three, and Rosie, one, Sam admitted she'd like a bigger family. Keeping up with the Faiers: Talking to the latest issue of OK! Magazine, Sam and sister Billie weighed in on the fact that some consider them to be the UK's answer to the Kardashians Out now: The latest issue of OK! is in shops 'Id like two more. Ill start with one then see how I get on, unless I have twins. [Boyfriend] Pauls side of the family have twins!' she said. While Sam wears the momager badge with pride, she and Billie recently took to Instagram to pen heartfelt messages to their own youth-defying mother Suzanne Wells on her 50th birthday. 28-year-old Sam kicked off the tributes by posting a series of pictures to her social media page with the caption: 'Happy 50th to my beautiful Mummy. 'We all love you soo much. Kind, funny, caring & the best super nan, you dont look a day over 40 Mumma. Soo excited for this weekend to celebrate, lets do this [sic]'. Celebrating: The sisters took to Instagram on Friday to pen heartfelt messages for their mother Suzanne Wells on her 50th birthday Triplets: Billie, 29, shared a series of throwback pictures to commemorate the big day including one with Suzanne looking like she could be a third Faiers sister She shared a sensational picture of Suzanne from the family's trip to Maldives earlier this year showing off a very youthful physique in a peach and white bikini with the caption: 'How are you 50 #gilf?' And Sam later took to her Instagram Story to share an adorable picture of herself as a tot sitting on her mum's lap. She captioned the sweet picture: 'Happy 50th birthday my beautiful Mummy. I love you with all my heart'. Dressed up: Sam kicked off the tributes by posting a series of pictures to her social media page with the caption: 'Happy 50th to my beautiful Mummy' Throwback: Sam later took to her Instagram Story to share an adorable picture of herself as a tot sitting on her mum's lap as she told her how much she loves her Grandma: Suzanne is a doting nanny to her four grandchildren, (pictured with Nelly and Paul) Youthful: Billie told her mother she could pass for someone two decades younger: 'Happy 50th birthday to my beautiful mumma' Billie continued the comments about her mum's age and told her she could pass for someone two decades younger, saying: 'Happy 50th birthday to my beautiful mumma. 'Thank you for being the most amazing mum and nanny, you truly are so special to us all, you go above and beyond for all of us and I will forever be grateful for that. 'I cannot wait to celebrate with you this weekend, my beautiful mumma, I love you lots P.S you dont look a day over 30'. Family: She added: 'Thank you for being the most amazing mum and nanny, you truly are so special to us all, you go above and beyond for all of us and I will forever be grateful for that' Fun: Billie continued: 'I cannot wait to celebrate with you this weekend , my beautiful mumma , I love you lots P.S you dont look a day over 30' Wow: She posted this sensational snap of Suzie who boasts a youthful figure and toned abs belying her true age Twins: Billie posted a picture of her mum holding Nelly, four, alongside herself with fans struggling to spot an age difference between the two Adorable: Billie's daughter Nelly also showed off her playful side by holding her breakfast up to her face as her mother wrote 'eye spy it's nanny's birthday' Like her sister Billie, 29, took to Instagram to share a series of throwback pictures including one with Suzie looking like a dead ringer for a third Faiers sister as the trio donned matching silk pyjamas. She also shared a picture of herself as a baby being held by a very colourful Suzanne while looking like daughter Nelly's twin. Billie took to Instagram Stories later in the day to share an adorable video of her 23-month-old son Arthur singing Happy Birthday to his grandma while chomping down on his breakfast. And later when Suzanne entered the house the family shared a singalong to Happy Birthday by Stevie Wonder. Advertisement The legendary A-list celebrity hotel boss Tony Pike - dubbed the Hugh Hefner of Ibiza - has died at the age of 84 after a battle with cancer. The five-times married hotelier shot to fame in the 1980s after launching Pikes Hotel on the party Spanish isle, with his celebrity friends including the likes of Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss. His hotel once hosted Freddie Mercury's notorious 41st birthday in 1987, described as at the time as one of the craziest the island has ever seen, with dwarves walking around with trays of cocaine and 350 bottles of Moet and Chandon champagne quaffed by guests. Wham! used the venue as the setting for their famous Club Tropicana music video and Mr Pike once boasted of sleeping with George Michael. News of Mr Pike's death was announced via the Pikes Hotel's Facebook page late last night, with a caption accompanying a photo of him simply reading: 'Anthony John Pike (Tony). 1934-2019. RIP. Your legend will never die x.' In July 2018, Pike launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for cancer treatment, writing: 'I am 84 years old, and I have prostate cancer and skin cancer. People think I am a multimillionaire because the hotel is sold. The opposite is true.' A-list celebrity hotel boss Tony Pike - dubbed the Hugh Hefner of Ibiza - has died at the age of 84 following a battle with cancer The ramshackle old finca, which dates back to the 15th century, founded by legendary party boy and former hat maker Tony Pike in the hills behind San Antonio has played host to dozens of stars over the years. Freddie Mercury loved it so much he ended up living there The five-times married hotelier (left) shot to fame in the 1980s after launching Pikes Hotel on the party Spanish isle, with his celebrity pals including everyone from the late Freddie Mercury (right) to Kate Moss Tony Pike (left) boasted of sleeping with George Michael (right) and hosted a legendary three-day birthday party for Freddie Mercury. He has died aged 84 after cancer battle He went on to explain that he needed 'dendritic cells therapy ASAP,' a relatively new form of alternative cancer treatment. British-born Australian Mr Pike originally landed on Ibiza while backpacking. He fell in love with an English girl he met there and they settled down on the island. He opened the San Antonio hotel, which is housed within a 15th-century stone mansion, in 1978. After the venue was finished, a music industry type visited while scouting for a video location. He loved Mr Pike's property and decided to film the whole thing there. His band was an up-and-coming British duo called Wham! and the video was for their hit 1983 single Club Tropicana. In his memoirs, Mr Pike - who appears in the video as a straw-hatted barman - claimed that he and George Michael had downed drinks before making 'tender and passionate love'. He said he was 'surprised' at this turn of the events 'because I'm gay'. The hotel went on to host a string of wild parties including Freddie Mercury's infamous 41st birthday in 1987 Some 500 people were invited but 700 showed up for a party that would end up lasting three days. Speaking of the bash a few years ago, Mr Pike said: 'Money was no object. Freddie sought sanctuary in the hotel and wanted a party to remember. Mr Pike is seen in Wham!'s famous video when he appears as a straw-hatted barman serving the 'free' drinks referred to in the song Other Pikes Hotel guests have included Grace Jones - with whom Mr Pike went on to have a year-long affair. He once described her as having an 'aura like a rainbow' Location, location, location: Wham! used Pikes as the setting for their Club Tropicana music video 'When I asked him about the budget he just laughed and said there was none. We could freeze the swimming pool and have skating elephants if we wanted. He just wanted it to be wild.' Mercury loved the hotel so much that he lived there for a few years and, after the star died, Mr Pike kept his large bedroom suite intact. Other Pikes Hotel guests have included Grace Jones - with whom Mr Pike went on to have a year-long affair. He once described her as having an 'aura like a rainbow'. Mr Pike's disappointed girlfriend is reported to have chased the singer around the pool with a carving knife when she found out about the fling. Kylie Minogue, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss are also believed to have considered Mr Pike as a friend while the likes of Spandau Ballet, Led Zeppelin, Jon Bon Jovi and Boy George all visited over the years. In 2008, he sold his beloved hotel to Andy McKay and Dawn Hindle, the partnership behind the Ibiza Rocks, Ibiza Rocks Hotel and Mallorca Rocks brands. After purchasing the property, they gave it a full renovation, but made sure it didn't affect the character of the place. They even turned Mercury's suite into an in-house nightclub called 'Freddie's'. Big-name DJs love Pikes Hotel so much that they happily sign on for a whole summer at the tiny club. Pictured is Fatboy Slim wowing revellers at the hotel Everything inside the suite has been kept the same - with a space cleared for the dance floor and a DJ booth installed. According to ShortList, Mr Pike joined the Navy at the age of 12 but jumped ship in Australia after sailing under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. After making a fortune in a business venture, he ended up in Ibiza in 1978 and instantly felt 'like Id come home'. He saw an advert for a 500-year-old farmhouse and decided it 'could be the greatest place in the world' - despite having been described as uninhabitable in a Spanish advert. After years of hard work, including a pick axe and jackhammer to make a swimming pool, he had transformed the property and after Wham! used it in their video, it became a hit. He was seen as one of the main attractions, topping up drinks and taking guests out on his yacht. Last year, Pike published a memoir titled Mr Pikes: The Story Behind The Ibiza Legend. Recounting the moment he first clapped eyes on his infamous hotel he mused: 'I spotted a 500-year-old finca near San Antonio for sale in a tiny real estate office. Price on application. 'The property was set in a couple of acres and for sale at six million pesetas (around 40,000 back then). 'We drove up to see it and found an abandoned house, with an original olive mill and flour mill, but no water or electricity. I had a feeling about it, though. I felt the house had an irresistible charm to it, but I wanted to improve the look of it. I could see the potential...' News of Mr Pike's passing quickly garnered thousands of responses on Facebook, with hundreds of fans expressing their condolences. Jade Power wrote: 'I imagine you'll be partying up there with all the other legends you made friends with over the years. RIP Tony, thank you for the memories.' While Danny Rampling added: 'Very sad news to wake up to bless Tony Mr Ibiza, will miss his stories and laughs we had together over many years RIP.' Pikes hotel issued an official statement on Monday evening reading: 'Our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with his family and we are respecting their privacy at this time. 'All the team at Pikes have been been touched by the tributes we have seen from those who knew him both on the island and far beyond and we will be taking our own time to reflect and decide how we will celebrate the life of Tony and keep his wonderful memories alive at Pikes.' Advertisement 'This is a reflection of the unforeseen paradise in the future,' Father Ralph chimes as we sit on the veranda of his humble little home on Karkar island in Papua New Guinea and he gestures to the surrounding scenery. With the sound of the waves lapping towards the shore, palms rustling in the wind and birds chirping around, I can see what the 47-year-old Indian priest means. It is indeed pretty idyllic. I'd ended up on the remote island of Karkar to track down my great uncle who had moved there more than 40 years ago to set up a coconut plantation but Father Ralph - who is originally from the crowded city of Hyderabad - had landed on the off-grid volcanic outcrop as a result of his job. Father Ralph took charge of the Catholic church on the off-grid island of Karkar on May 12 last year. He is originally from the crowded city of Hyderabad in India and he spent years enrolled in religious studies. Above, he poses with members of his congregation as they take part in a traditional ceremony celebrating the inauguration of a new priest in the area The teardrop-shaped isle - which measures around 25km long and 19km wide and has an average year-round temperature of 28 degrees Celsius - is remote in the truest sense. It takes five hours to get to the island by cargo boat from the mainland, crossing the Bismarck Sea or you can take a speedboat at your peril, as the waves have been known to wash people overboard. Then there is no mains electricity or water supply on the island but some houses, including Father Ralph's, have generators and tanks to collect rain water. The infectiously-jolly preacher took charge of the Catholic church in the small village of Tabel on May 12 last year. The teardrop-shaped isle - measuring around 25km long and 19km wide - is remote in the truest sense. Above, a view of Karkar flying from Madang to Port Moresby It takes five hours to get to the island by cargo boat from the mainland, crossing the Bismarck Sea or you can take a speedboat at your peril, as the waves have been known to wash people overboard The church complex includes a church made out of breeze blocks, a parish hall, a grassy field for events, a house for the nuns and another for Father Ralph. The buildings are situated right on the coast, with Karkar's active volcano looming behind. Father Ralph told me that the last priest joked his house was ideally placed if a volcanic eruption were to occur - but not so ideal in the event of a tsunami. He told me that he'd trained as a priest for many years in India and spent 12 to 15 years enrolled in religious studies. Explaining what drew him towards the church he said: 'Around the age of 17 I started to reflect and think about my vocation in life. The church complex includes a church made out of breeze blocks, a parish hall, a grassy field for events, a house for the nuns and another for Father Ralph. Above, three nuns make their way back home after a service Father Ralph trained as a priest for many years in India and spent 12 to 15 years enrolled in religious studies. Above, the church on Karkar island which he now runs 'There were so many worries ahead and I thought about what was going to give me meaning in life. 'I shared my feelings with my aunt and she advised me to talk with the priest. He was skeptical because we were quite westernised as a family. He sent me away but I persisted. Finally, before my school exams I told my father I wanted to find meaning in life and serve the poor.' After proving his dedication to the Catholic church, Father Ralph, became a priest for the Pontifical Institute of Foreign Missions (Pime). This organisation includes a group of priests who dedicate their lives to missionary activities overseas. After completing his training, Father Ralph was allowed to choose three locations where he wanted to serve, placing these in order of choice. He picked Cambodia and the Philippines but his number one choice was Papua New Guinea. He said he was drawn to Papua New Guinea because he was inspired by a story about blessed John Mazzucconi, the very first martyr of the Pime Fathers. A view of Father Ralph's house, which sits next to a black sand beach on Karkar island Blessed John was sent to Papua New Guinea with four other priests in 1852 but he was later killed with an axe by one of the locals. While this story would send most people running the opposite direction, Father Ralph wanted to learn more about this foreign and untouched land. His deployment overseas was delayed for a number of years, and he was sent to an area of India to do work there instead. But eventually, after trying his hand at various roles within the church, he was allowed to go to the country he had always dreamed of going. Before landing on Karkar, he went to the highlands of Papua New Guinea, where he remembers a less idyllic scene. 'The people were very excited as they hadn't had a priest for three years, so that welcome was nice but the house I moved into was interesting! 'There was no crockery and it was full of stinging bees, rats, lizards and cockroaches. It was like the Jungle Book! Luckily in the end, we got the place disinfected and cleaned and it turned out to be a palace.' Father Ralph said he never wanted to live on an island, but when he was asked to go to Karkar he had no choice. Father Ralph said he never wanted to live on an island, but when he was asked to go to Karkar he had no choice. But now, after more than half a year he's warmed to the paradisaical surroundings. He mused: 'I'm really happy here and it's allowed me to be detached from town life' But now, after more than half a year he's warmed to the paradisaical surroundings. He mused: 'I'm really happy here and it's allowed me to be detached from town life. 'Here you have your provisions and you manage with what you have. I catch the boat to go to town on the main and once a month. But I'm peaceful here and I've had no trouble so far.' While it all sounds very dreamy, Father Ralph recognises that he has many challenges and not everything's perfect on Karkar. 'There is petty theft sometimes, as the concept of stealing isn't really understood. The population is also rapidly increasing here as women are having children as young as 14 years old. There is also the drug, verbal and sexual abuse which isn't talked about and covered up. 'My hope is to help educate young people here about the importance of going to school and having aspirations.' So, when it comes to 'island life', what are Father Ralph's essential possessions? He simply replies: 'I'm not worried about food. All of the trees around here are dripping with fruit and resources are aplenty. My most important things are my mass kit, containing sacred vessels and essential liturgical items, a little light and two sets of clothes are handy.' And with that, the priest bids a farewell and ventures off to start his day on this remote little island. A spot where he now feels truly blessed to be. The elderly are increasingly turning to technology to beat the throes of loneliness and isolation that often come with getting old. To find the face-to-face communication they yearn for, many are turning to apps, robots and other services. One such app, called Papa, bills itself as a service for 'grandchildren on demand' and can link senior citizens with college-age individuals who volunteer to spend quality time, according to the Wall Street Journal. Scroll down for video To find the face-to-face communication they yearn for, many senior citizens are turning to apps, robots and other services. Pictured is a user interacting with an ElliQ robot Through the Papa app, 'Papa Pals' can help the elderly by providing transportation to their destination, helping around the house, walking them through tech items and just keeping them company. 'Papa provides amazing companionship to you and your loved ones,' the Papa website explained. 'Papa Pals can help with light cleaning, laundry, cooking, organizing and taking care of your pet. Each student, or 'pal,' gets paid in a structure similar to other gig economy jobs like Uber or Postmates, the Journal noted. Senior citizens pay $17 an hour, $10 of which goes to students, and members of Humana's Medicare Advantage insurance plan can have 10 hours a week covered as part of a trial program. They can pay an extra $30 per month to choose a Pal, according to the Journal. Senior citizens pay $17/hour, $10 of which goes to students, and members of Humana's Medicare Advantage plan can have 10 hours a week covered as part of a trial program Via the Papa app, students help the elderly by providing transportation to their destination, helping around the house, walking them through tech items and just keeping them company Students typically spend about three hours with their elderly companion, but some stay as long as 10 hours, Fast Company noted. Anyone who applies to become a 'Pal' is screened beforehand and, often, applicants are majoring in social work or health care. Andrew Parker, CEO of the companionship service, founded the app after work commitments meant he could no longer spend time with his grandfather. The 30-year-old entrepreneur tried to find a helper for his grandfather with a pulic post to his Facebook. He found a college student who was able to assist his grandfather, who was diagnosed with dementia. The help allowed his grandfather's wife a bit a of a break from the demands of being a full-time caregiver. This interaction formed the basis of what became known as Papa Pals. To date, the company has around 250 members. ElliQ, a 'proactive social robot for older adults,' is essentially a tablet and a voice-equipped speaker that can gesture like it's engaging in a real conversation The ElliQ, which starts at $1,500, is currently available for pre-order and is expected to ship to buyers later this year. Users pay an additional subscription fee that's between $35 and $60 When ElliQ responds to a question or gives users a reminder, LED lights pulse in unison with her voice. There's also a camera atop the tablet that enables video chatting features But human companionship isn't the only way the elderly are fighting isolation. WHAT CAN ELLIQ DO? Answer voice commands Remind users to complete tasks Send and receive texts and photos Make video calls Play games View and take photos Show news updates Show calendar updates Advertisement ElliQ, a 'proactive social robot for older adults,' is essentially a tablet and a voice-equipped speaker that can gesture like it's engaging in a real conversation, bobbing its head like it understands, or leaning in closer to 'hear' you. When ElliQ responds to a question or gives users a reminder, LED lights pulse in unison with her voice. There's a camera atop the tablet that also enables users to video chat with their friends and family. 'ElliQ is specially designed with and for older adults to give them everything they need to stay sharp, connected and engaged,' the company noted. 'Interacting with ElliQ and the world is easy and fun, and through AI she becomes even more helpful by learning what you like and need.' ElliQ can speak to users without being prompted, but the device also uses AI to know when not to interject, according to the Journal. 'ElliQ suggests personalized activities at the right time, keeping you sharp, active and engaged,' ElliQ's website reads. 'As you start to get to know ElliQ, she gets to know you and her suggestions grow better tailored to what you might want.' The ElliQ, which starts at $1,500, is currently available for pre-order and is expected to ship to buyers later this year. Users also pay an additional $35 to $60 per month, depending on the plan they choose, which ensures software updates, additional content and phone support, among other features. Advertisement Stunning images captured by the European Space Agencys Mars Express Satellite have revealed a glimpse into the red planets warm, watery past. In the midst of innumerable impact craters that speckle the surface of Mars, the satellite images show branching systems of trenches and valleys features likely carved by flowing water that existed long ago. One particular region highlighted in the latest batch of satellite photos shows clear signs of past water activity, according to ESA, with evidence of water that flowed north to south to create valleys that extend hundreds of meters deep. Scroll down for video Stunning images captured by the European Space Agencys Mars Express Satellite have revealed a glimpse into the red planets warm, watery past. The perspective view above illustrates an ancient river valley network on Mars A region that sits just east of Mars famous Huygens impact crater in the southern highlands is carved by ancient valleys and other evidence of water that go against our current view of the Martian climate. We see Mars as a cold, dry world, but plenty of evidence suggests that this was not always the case, ESA explains. Research in past years instead increasingly indicates that the planet once had a thicker, denser atmosphere that was able to lock in far greater amounts of warmth, and therefore facilitate and support the flow of liquid water on the surface below. The southern highlands is an area estimated to be 3.5 to four billion years old, providing a glimpse at some of the oldest features on the red planet. Here, the topography suggests water once flowed from north to south to carve 2-kilometer-wide valleys as deep as 200 meters, according to ESA. In the midst of innumerable impact craters that speckle the surface of Mars, the satellite images show branching systems of trenches and valleys features likely carved by flowing water that existed long ago. A dried up network of rivers can be seen above One particular region highlighted in the latest batch of satellite photos shows clear signs of past water activity, according to ESA. The region (circled above) that sits just east of Mars famous Huygens impact crater in the southern highlands is carved by ancient valleys and other evidence of water that go against our current view of the Martian climate Despite many years of erosion, these valleys remain visible in the satellite images today, though fragmented and smoothed down in many places. The branching patterns make up whats known as a dendritic system, with numerous channels in a given system, ESA says. This kind of dendritic structure is also seen in drainage systems on Earth, ESA says. A particularly good example is that of the Yarlung Tsangpo river, which snakes its way from its source in western Tibet down through China, India, and Bangladesh. We see Mars as a cold, dry world, but plenty of evidence suggests that this was not always the case, ESA explains. River systems that have since long dried up, such as that shown above (center) are signs of flowing water that once existed on the surface In the case of this image of Mars, these branching channels were likely formed by surface water runoff from a once-strong river flow, combined with extensive rainfall. This flow is thought to have cut through existing terrain on Mars, forging new paths and carving a new landscape. Though the evidence is there for Mars ancient water, just what the source was remains a mystery. Mars flowing water may have come from rainfall, groundwater, or even melting glaciers, ESA says. All of this will be investigated by the upcoming ExoMars mission, set to launch in 2020. It seems not even next-generation 5G networks are safe from security flaws. A team of researchers have discovered three new vulnerabilities in both 4G and 5G networks that could allow anyone to intercept your phone calls, fake text messages and track your location. The study comes as carriers and phonemakers are preparing for 5G networks, which promise faster speeds, to launch around the world. Scroll down for video Researchers have discovered three new vulnerabilities in both 4G and 5G networks that could allow anyone to intercept your phone calls, fake text messages and track your location WHAT ARE THE THREE TYPES OF ATTACKS? Torpedo - Attackers can send a flurry of phone calls over a short time period, which sends a paging message without alerting the user to an incoming call. As a result, attackers are able to track the victim's location. Piercer - Attackers are able to associate a person's phone number with the device's IMSI, or its 'persistent identity.' IMSI-Cracking - Attackers can learn a device's IMSI on a 5G network, which enables them to track their location, send fake text messages and even intercept phone calls and texts. Advertisement Researchers from Purdue University and University of Iowa conducted the study and will present their findings at the Network and Distributed System Security Symposium in San Diego on Tuesday. 'Any person with a little knowledge of cellular paging protocols can carry out this attack,' Syed Rafiul Hussain, one of the paper's co-authors, told TechCrunch. The worst of the three attacks, called Torpedo, takes advantage of a flaw in a network's paging protocol. Paging protocols comprise the system that notifies phones of incoming calls and texts. The researchers discovered that if they placed and cancelled a flurry of phone calls over a short time period, it would send a paging message without alerting the phone owner to an incoming call. In doing so, the attacker is able to track the victim's location. To carry out the Torpedo attack, all it takes is a $200 device to place the calls, according to the Telegraph. All four major U.S. carriers - AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile, are reportedly affected by the Torpedo flaw. Hussain told TechCrunch that one major carrier is also affected by the second flaw, called Piercer. It's unclear if Torpedo affects mobile providers in the UK as well. The study comes as carriers and phonemakers are preparing for 5G networks, which promise faster speeds, to launch around the world. It's thought to be the first security flaw found in 5G The Piercer flaw allows the attacker to associate a victim's phone number with their international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI), or a device's 'persistent identity.' By learning their IMSI, it enables the attacker to further keep track of the user's location. The final vulnerability, called IMSI-Cracking, is achieved via a brute force attack, wherein automated software is used to decode encrypted data. It allows attackers to crack the device owner's IMSI on a 5G network and enables all kinds of snooping, including those used by 'stingrays,' or tracking devices used by police to monitor someone's real-time location. What's more, researchers said that more advanced devices can even send fake messages, listen in on phone calls and intercept text messages. The flaws were reported to the GSMA, which sets the telecom industry's cellular standards, according to TechCrunch. GSMA is able to fix the Torpedo and IMSI-Cracking vulnerabilities, while the Piercer flaw can only be fixed by carriers. A consultation on proposals to protect the site of a Swedish merchant ship which sank off Shetland around 270 years ago has been launched by heritage chiefs. The wrecked vessel is believed to be the Queen of Sweden, a merchant ship of the Swedish East India Company. It hit a rock off the headland of Knab while seeking shelter in Bressay Sound, Shetland, after running into stormy weather on January 12, 1745. Historic Environment Scotland said the wreck is of national importance as 'arguably the best preserved remains of a Swedish East Indiaman located in waters around Scotland'. A diver surveys the remnants the wrecked vessel, which is believed to be the Queen of Sweden: a merchant ship of the Swedish East India Company WHAT HAPPENED TO THE DOOMED 'QUEEN OF SWEDEN'? The Drottningen af Swerige (Queen of Sweden) was the flagship of the Swedish East India Company, and the largest vessel in the companys fleet. Built in Stockholm in 1741 for the Chinese trade, the vessel was around 45 metres long and was armed with up to 32 cannons. During the 18th century, the Swedish East India Company played an important role in growing northern European trade with China in tea and silk. The vessel left Gothenburg in Sweden on January 9, 1745, en route to Cadiz, Spain, for more supplies before heading to China but ran into difficulties a few days later as weather conditions worsened. With poor visibility and under blizzard conditions, the ship struggled to maintain course, forcing the captain to head for the safety of Lerwick where the vessel struck a rock in sight of land. All the crew made it to shore safely. The site was partly excavated after it was rediscovered in 1979 by Belgian diver Jean-Claude Joffre who recovered around 350 items including glass bottles, pieces of China porcelain, lead weights, clay pipes, wooden tableware, musket shot, cannonballs, and a variety of coins. Advertisement It has recommended that the Scottish Government designate the area as a Historic Marine Protected Area (Historic MPA) and a consultation has been launched inviting people to give their views. Historic MPAs aim to preserve marine historic assets of national importance, so they can be protected, valued and understood. Philip Robertson, Deputy Head of Designations at HES, said: 'The sinking of the Queen of Sweden was a significant event in the history of the Shetland Isles. 'The wreckage that remains is a marine heritage site of national importance that can greatly enhance our knowledge and understanding of the Swedish East India Company and its trading activity around Scotlands coasts during the 18th century. 'We believe that designating the site as a Historic MPA will promote its heritage value, and Id like to encourage as many people as possible to take this opportunity to share their views about this important piece of our nations priceless marine heritage.' It comes after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last week announced a consultation on proposals to create a Historic MPA at Scapa Flow in Orkney, where vessels from the German High Seas fleet were scuttled in 1919. The Drottningen af Swerige (Queen of Sweden) was the flagship of the Swedish East India Company, and the largest vessel in the companys fleet. Built in Stockholm in 1741 for the Chinese trade, the vessel was around 45 metres long and was armed with up to 32 cannons. The vessel left Gothenburg in Sweden on January 9, 1745, en route to Cadiz, Spain, for more supplies before heading to China but ran into weather difficulties a few days later During the 18th century, the Swedish East India Company played an important role in growing northern European trade with China in tea and silk. The vessel left Gothenburg in Sweden on January 9, 1745, en route to Cadiz, Spain, for more supplies before heading to China but ran into difficulties a few days later as weather conditions worsened. With poor visibility and under blizzard conditions, the ship struggled to maintain course, forcing the captain to head for the safety of Lerwick where the vessel struck a rock in sight of land. All the crew made it to shore safely. The site was partly excavated after it was rediscovered in 1979 by Belgian diver Jean-Claude Joffre who recovered around 350 items including glass bottles, pieces of China porcelain, lead weights, clay pipes, wooden tableware, musket shot, cannonballs, and a variety of coins. However there is said to be significant potential for further discoveries at the site. Both consultations will close on Wednesday 17 April. Advertisement English Heritage has defended its decision to spend 2.5m ($3.3m) rebuilding a bridge in Cornwall that it says existed hundreds of years ago during King Arthur's reign. The new bridge is to join two parts of Tintagel castle that were once thought to be joined by land but are now separated by a 190ft (57m) gorge. Historians have however contested the decision by saying that not only is King Arthur a legend, that there has been no crossing for thousands of years where the restoration is taking place. Scroll down for video English Heritage has defended its decision to spend 2.5m ($3.3m) rebuilding a bridge in Cornwall that it says existed hundreds of years ago during King Arthur's reign (artist's impression) The bridge is believed to have been extremely narrow, permanently guarded by three guards and have a drawbridge in the middle. During the reign of King Arthur and his father before him, the bridge at Tintagel was thought to be a key part of the fortress. But historian Nikolai Tolstoy, an author on the Arthurian legend, thinks its all fictitious assumptions. He said to The Telegraph: 'As every geologist knows, the gulf between the promontory and the mainland has existed since prehistoric times. There never was a bridge linking the two features, and the assertion that Geoffrey of Monmouth refers to one is untrue. What that notorious fabulist actually wrote was that Merlin crossed by a narrow, rocky ridge i.e., a feature very similar to the approach that exists there today.' The new bridge is to join two parts of Tintagel castle that were once thought to be joined by land but are now separated by a 190ft (57m) gorge (artist's impression) English Heritage has hit back by arguing that there are multiple sources of evidence that says that the bridge once existed. Dr Jeremy Ashbee, Head Properties Curator, English Heritage, told The Telegraph:' Archaeological, architectural and documentary evidence all concur that the site formerly extended into the present gap. Bernard Richards, an emeritus English fellow at Brasenose College, Oxford said: 'I was appalled to read of the proposal to build a bridge between the mainland and the island at Tintagel in Cornwall.' According to folklore, the castle (located here) was home to the king and the birthplace of Arthur, after the monarch enlisted the help of Merlin in crossing the gorge and bedding the wife of the Duke of Cornwall Last week, plans of the bridge were revealed in a video released by English Heritage with details of what it would look like and how it could be constructed. Tintagel Castle received a 2.5m ($3.3m) cash donation to rebuild a connection that once allowed Uther Pendragon to sire his son, Arthur. The donation came from Julia and Hans Kristian Rausing, heir to the Tetra Pak fortune, as well as smaller contributions from more than 1,000 people. The Swedish Rausing family are the philanthropists behind the current project to build a new crossing at Tintagel. Julia and Hans Rausing (pictured left) donated 2.5m ($3.3m) towards the Tintagel Castle footbridge in Cornwall which will open in summer 2019. Ruben Rausing, Han's father, made his wealth as the founder of the Tetra Pak, the biggest food packing company in the world. English Heritage is leading the project following the donation from Hans and Julia Rausing which adds to smaller contributions from more than 1,000 people. All contributors signed a piece of slate to mark their monetary donation The crossing will link the separate parts of Tintagel Castle - on the mainland and on a rocky outcrop - via a bridge 187ft (57m) above sea level. Sections of the castle are on both land masses and a medieval drawbridge once joined them together but disappeared centuries ago. According to folklore, the castle was home to the king and the birthplace of Arthur, after the monarch enlisted the help of Merlin in crossing the gorge and bedding the wife of the Duke of Cornwall. A 190 foot gap separates the two locations and they are currently only accessible by foot via a rocky path. The solution, according to English Heritage, is to build a 98 foot (30 metres) long bridge made of two separate cantilevers. The crossing will link the separate parts of Tintagel Castle - on the mainland and on a rocky outcrop - via a bridge 187ft (57m) above sea level. Sections of the castle are on both land masses and a medieval drawbridge once joined them together but English Heritage believe disappeared centuries ago. The 98 foot (30 m) long bridge will be made of two separate cantilevers. The design of two separate cantilevers will leave a 1.5 inch (4cm) gap in the middle (pictured) of the bridge. The original bridge that joined the two parts of the castle together is said to have crumbled some time between the 14th and 17th century and the modern day replacement will be built in the same location. The charity says it is simply rebuilding a historically and culturally significant site that has been lost from the Cornish coast The two-pronged design is to leave a 1.5 inch (4cm) gap in the middle to allow people to appreciate the moment they step to the other side. The original bridge that joined the two parts of the castle together crumbled some time between the 14th and 17th century and the modern day replacement will be built in the same location. The charity says it is simply rebuilding a historically and culturally significant site that has been lost from the Cornish coast. Billionaire Jeff Bezos wants to build a new community of super-humans in space. The Amazon boss, who's estimated to be worth 103billion, dreams of putting a trillion people in the solar system to create colonies populated by 1,000 Mozarts and Einsteins. The tech mogul, 55, detailed his ambitious plans during a speech about his space transport company, Blue Origin. Scroll down for video Billionaire Jeff Bezos wants to build a new community of super-humans in space. The Amazon boss, who's estimated to be worth 103billion, dreams of putting a trillion people in the solar system to create colonies populated by 1,000 Mozarts and Einsteins (file photo) 'The solar system can support a trillion humans, and then we'd have 1,000 Mozarts, and 1,000 Einsteins. Think how incredible and dynamic that civilization will be,' he told an audience at New York's Yale Club. 'But if we're going to have that, we do have to go out into the solar system. You have to capture more of the sun's output, and we have to use all of the resources that are out in space, in terms of minerals and not just energy. And that's very doable, but we have to get started.' As reported by Business Insider, he added: 'The fact of the matter is we don't have forever, and the first step I don't know all future steps but I know one of them is we need to build a low-cost, highly operable, reusable launch vehicle. No matter which path you take, it has to go through that gate. 'That's a very expensive step. That's why Blue Origin is focused on it. It's not something that two kids in a dorm room are going to do. But I really want that dynamic life and civilization for our grandchildren's grandchildren. But we've got to get started.' Bezos is currently in fierce competition with Elon Musk and Virgin's Richard Branson to launch the first-ever commercial space mission. Musk, CEO of SpaceX, said his Starship rocket would take its first trip to the red planet in 2022, carrying only cargo, followed by a manned mission in 2024. But, last year, Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo, VSS Unity, flew higher than it ever had before, surpassing what the US Air Force considers the boundary of space, and marking the first manned flight to space from US soil since 2011. The spaceship made it to a peak height of 51.4 miles (82.7 km). The US Air Force considers the space boundary to be at 50 miles. The brief, suborbital flight - with two pilots on board - was a key milestone for the company which is striving to send tourists to space at a cost of $250,000 (191,000) per seat. Neither Blue Origin or Virgin Galactic is ready to board their first paying passengers, but both are targeting the first such flights this year. The Amazon founder said he was inspired to pursue science and engineering by the 1969 moon landing, and plans to eventually build permanent settlements there GOING TO SPACE WITH BLUE ORIGIN: HOW IT WORKS Like previous Blue origin launches, the New Shepard rocket fired into orbit (one) before disconnecting from the passenger capsule (two), and then landing vertically (four and five) back on the launch pad. Shortly after this, the 'Crew Capsule 2.0' pod floated back to the ground (six) The system consists of a pressurised crew capsule atop a reusable 'New Shepard' booster rocket. The two vehicles launch together, accelerating for approximately two and a half minutes, before the engine cuts off. The capsule then separates from the booster to coast quietly into space. After a few minutes of free fall, the booster performs an autonomous rocket-powered vertical landing. The passenger capsule lands softly under parachutes, both ready to be used again. Advertisement In January, Bezos spoke about his ambitions at the 16th Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards in Beverly Hills. Exclusive video obtained by DailyMail.com shows Bezos speaking at the awards, where he explained his vision for humans to live in space in just five generations time. 'We could have a trillion humans in the solar system, we could have a thousand Mozarts and a thousand Einsteins, that's the world I want my grandchildren's grandchildren to live in,' he told the audience. 'This isn't a problem for anybody in this room. We're fine. But we have to set things up for future generations as well. And if you want them to be free, they do have to be able to leave this planet.' The Amazon founder said he was inspired to pursue science and engineering by the 1969 moon landing, and plans to eventually build permanent settlements there. 'It's time to go back to the moon. It's time to stay. We shouldn't do an expedition. When we do that, we will find it's a very useful place to build all kinds of things we will use to explore the solar system,' he said. 'We really need to figure out how to build space colonies, giant colonies. Picture rivers and lakes and so on,' Bezos added. 'We're going to do that with space resources, we're not going to lift all of that off Earth. And that's where we will house a trillion people.' Final Feasibility Work Programs Perth, Feb 25, 2019 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Australian Potash Limited ( ASX:APC ) (APC or the Company) is pleased to advise the commencement of the final field programs of work in the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) of the Lake Wells Sulphate of Potash Project (Project).Highlights:- Resource finalisationo Up to 3 further production wells to be developed to depths of between 140m and 170mo 3 monitoring bores per production well to be drilled to plot aquifer response during pump-testingo Long term pump testing of production wells confirming flow rates, which will in turn underpin the hydro-flow model for the bore-field designo Diamond drilling to recover basement rock core and test permeabilityo Down-hole geophysics across 30 of the deepest holes drilled at site to provide further confidence in the permeability of the sediment strata- Evaporation pond construction programo Trial evaporation ponds to be built on lake to assess design constructability and efficacy- Environmental monitoring program to be finalised, which will feed into the Environmental Review DocumentManaging Director and CEO, Matt Shackleton, commented: "Integral to any mineral project's success is the quality of the JORC Resource estimate underpinning it, and the Lake Wells SOP project is no different. Project developments of this nature have to demonstrate to the lowest level of risk, both longevity of production, and recoverability of minerals. A bore-field permits an easier assessment of at least the recoverability of brine, and is a well-tried and proven method for abstracting brine."Central to the final field program at Lake Wells is the push to a JORC Reserve estimate, and our focus is on building upon the more than 50,000 metres of drilling and already extensive database of testwork that comprises the existing, robust JORC Compliant SOP mineral resource estimate which contains over 12 million tonnes of gravity recoverable SOP at the Indicated level (see Note below)."Developing more production wells, test-pumping them, and collecting bed-rock core for analysis are critical factors that will feed into the calculation of an Ore Reserve estimate for Lake Wells."APC's extensive geotechnical field and test-work at the Project have revealed the existence of a uniform, flat lying layer of low permeability clay at the lake surface that can accommodate 'on-playa' evaporation ponds. Because of this, we can avoid the large scale capital expenditure required to line the pre-concentration ponds with HDPE plastic. The final geotechnical field trials will allow us to establish the optimal commercial-scale pond design, in terms of cost of construction and effectiveness of the design."We will round out the environmental surveying program that has been underway at Lake Wells for nearly two years. This final program is scheduled to conclude shortly."We look forward to providing shareholders with regular updates on these final programs of work, as the Lake Wells DFS draws to its conclusion and the Board turns its attention to development and project funding strategies over the second half of 2019."TECHNICAL DISCUSSIONResourceSubsequent to reporting the JORC 2012 compliant Indicated Mineral Resource(see Note below) in March 2017, significant additional work has been completed, enhancing APC's understanding of the resource. Drilling, passive seismic surveys, brine assays, and particle size distribution tests have been completed, adding significant confidence in the resource and indicating a potential expansion of the resource. Areas where the resource is likely to be increased include the central area (that was not held by APC at the time of the Scoping Study but has since been acquired) and further extensions in the south-west of the project area.Additional drilling has totaled 3,180m and includes two production bores completed since the calculation of the reported Resource.A further 52,600m of passive seismic data has been generated, which contributes to the understanding of the Lake Wells palaeovalley model, and has facilitated identification of drill targets for the current program.Two or three large diameter production bores will be completed along with associated monitoring bores to assess aquifer response during pumping.The level of detail in the original Resource model, combined with the additional data collected in the last two years, makes APC very confident in its Resource estimate. The Company looks forward to reporting a Resource expansion as a result of the upcoming work. Increasing resource confidence aligns with the JORC code (see Figure 2 in link below) where both geological knowledge has increased along with accuracy of the modifying factors developed through the DFS.Pump TestingSuccessful long-term pump testing was conducted at Lake Wells in 2017(see Note i below) and additional tests will be conducted at several different locations to confirm the observations recorded previously, and finalise the Reserve estimate.In groundwater analysis, aquifer response is a function of the "log of time" and not linear time.For example, a 20 year pumping project comprises 10 million minutes of pumping while a 30 day pumping test comprises approximately 40 thousand minutes. On a linear scale this pump-test time is relatively minor in comparison to the total LOM pumping time.However as aquifer response is not measured in linear time, but responds in a logarithmic fashion, a 30 day pump-test is equivalent to 65% of mine life for a 20 year LOM project, when viewed on log time.The Australian brine SOP projects and those similar style, overseas lithium brine projects that are proposing to source their brine using a bore-pumping system use the same understanding of aquifer response scales to assess their aquifer production capabilities.GeotechnicalBetween 2016 and 2017, geotechnical investigations of the Lake Wells area were completed. The work included:- More than 100 test pits and adjacent dynamic cone penetrometer tests;- 140 cone penetrometer tests with pore water pressure measurements;- Diamond drilling;- Hand augering;- Bulk and undisturbed soil sampling for laboratory testing, and;- Falling head permeabilty tests.These investigations provided the basis for the on-playa (pre-concentration) and off-playa (harvest) evaporation pond layouts. In 2018, geotechnical engineers, Knight Piesold (KP), were engaged to advance the pre-concentration pond design in conjunction with Novopro Projects (Novopro), the Montreal-based, solar salt processing experts. KP completed hydraulic models and, steady-state and transient seepage analyses which contribute to Novopro's evaporation and brine chemistry models to develop pond size and configuration. Seepage containment designs were also modelled by KP and will be analysed as part of the upcoming trial pond program.Evaporation, Precipiation and ProcessingHDPE-lined, off-playa, pilot evaporation ponds were constructed and filled with Lake Wells Paleochannel brine in late 2017. Over the course of 2018, evaporation and salt crystallisation in the pilot ponds were monitored and recorded against the Novopro models. Following adequate evaporation and crystallisation in the pilot pre-concentration pond, the concentrated brine was transfered between the pilot harvest ponds to produce the potassium (K) and sulphate (SO4) bearing salts, as predicted in the numerical models. More than 20 tonnes of salts were produced as a result of the pilot evaporation program and more than three tonnes of these salts were delivered to Bureau Veritas in December 2018 to commence the pilot processing program. The pilot process was designed by Novopro, following the process flowsheet developed for the project. The delivered salts underwent assay and XRD analysis before processing preparation; more than 250 kg of high-quality Sulphate of Potash (SOP) was produced in January 2019.The Novopro process design, including flowsheets, mass balance, specifications and data sheets, is complete and was handed over to Lycopodium Minerals Ltd (Lycopopdium). Lycopodium is now completing the DFS plant design, capital and operating costs estimates, and implementation plan. A risk assessment will be completed with participation of all technical consultants as part of the DFS.EnvironmentalThe Project was referred to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in December 2017 and it was determined that the Project would be formally assessed, through an Environmental Review Document (ERD), in February 2018. An Environmental Scoping Document was approved and published by the EPA in September 2018.To inform the development of the ERD and DFS, APC have completed several studies and baseline surveys within and adjacent to the salt lake system, including terrestrial fauna, subterranean fauna, and flora. In addition to fauna and flora assessments, the ERD will include the groundwater abstraction plan. While also substantiating the resource and reserve models, the upcoming drilling and pump testing work will also contribute significantly to validating the water management plan as part of the ERD.Note: Refer to ASX announcement 23 March 2017 'Scoping Study Confirms Exceptional Economics of APC's 100% Owned Lake Wells Potash Project In WA'. That announcement contains the relevant statements, data and consents referred to in this announcement. Apart from that which is disclosed in this document, Australian Potash Limited, its directors, officers and agents: 1. Are not aware of any new information that materially affects the information contained in the 23 March 2017 announcement, and 2. State that the material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the 23 March 2017 announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.i Refer to ASX announcement 21 November 2017 'Pumping Test Confirms Drainage from Entire Palaeochannel Sequence into Basal Production Aquifer'. That announcement contains the relevant statements, data and consents referred to in this announcement. Apart from that which is disclosed in this document, Australian Potash Limited, its directors, officers and agents: 1. Are not aware of any new information that materially affects the information contained in the 21 November 2017 announcement, and 2. State that the material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the 23 March 2017 announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.To view figures, please visit:About Australian Potash Ltd Australian Potash Limited (ASX:APC) is an ASX-listed Sulphate of Potash (SOP) developer. The Company holds a 100% interest in the Lake Wells Potash Project located approximately 500kms northeast of Kalgoorlie, in Western Australia's Eastern Goldfields. Following the release of a Scoping Study in 2017, APC has been conducting a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) into the development of the Lake Wells Potash Project. The Company is aiming to release the findings of the DFS in H2 2019. The Lake Wells Potash Project is a palaeochannel brine hosted sulphate of potash project. Palaeochannel bore fields supply large volumes of brine to many existing mining operations throughout Western Australia, and this technique is a well understood and proven method for extracting brine. APC will use this technically low-risk and commonly used brine extraction model to further develop a bore-field into the palaeochannel hosting the Lake Wells SOP resource. A Scoping Study on the Lake Wells Potash Project was completed and released on 23 March 2017. The Scoping Study exceeded expectations and confirmed that the Project's economic and technical aspects are all exceptionally strong, and highlights APC's potential to become a significant long-life, low capital and high margin sulphate of potash (SOP) producer. An ancient Japanese temple has hired the help of a 700,000 (Y100 million) robot to deliver the teachings of Buddhism. The android, dubbed Kannon, is based on the traditional Buddhist deity of mercy and is designed to attract young people. The robo-deity provided its first sermon at Kyoto's Kodaiji temple, which opened in 1619, on Saturday. Scroll down for video The Android Kannon, which is a Buddhist deity of mercy, was unveiled to the news media before it starts preaching to the public in March The android project is a collaboration between the zen temple and Hiroshi Ishiguro, professor of intelligent robotics at Osaka University The android is a the result of a collaboration between the zen temple and Hiroshi Ishiguro, professor of intelligent robotics at Osaka University. Only Kannon's head, neck shoulders and hands are covered in a skin-like material made from silicone. The robot stands at 77 inches (1.95 metres) tall and weighing 132lbs (59 kilograms). A video camera is installed in the left eye, which allows it to focus on its subject and give the appearance of making 'eye contact'. Each pre-programmed sermon comes from the Heart Sutras in Japanese, with versions translated into English and Chinese for tourists. A video camera is installed in the left eye, which allows it to focus on its subject and give the appearance of making 'eye contact' Each pre-programmed sermon comes from the Heart Sutras in Japanese, with versions translated into English and Chinese for tourists Managers at the ancient venue approached Professor Ishiguro in a bid to connect with Japan's youth. 'Buddhism spread phenomenally around the world with the emergence of Buddhist images,' Tensho Goto, a priest at the temple, told the Asahi newspaper. 'We are hoping that the Android Kannon will help Buddhist teachings reach the hearts of people today 'We want many people to come and see the robot and to think about the essence of Buddhism.' Samsung has offered a more detailed glimpse of its forthcoming 1,700 foldable smartphone in action. A new four-minute video showcases the Galaxy Fold's features, including its hinge, and how apps like Google Maps switch from a large display to a traditional smartphone set-up when closed. The phone, which is yet to be held by anyone except a Samsung executive, is due to go on sale in the UK on May 3. Samsung has offered a more detailed glimpse of its forthcoming 1,700 foldable smartphone in action. The Samsung Galaxy Fold's larger display was shown in a video released this morning GALAXY FOLD SPECS Starts at $1,980 7.3-inch main display with Infinity Flex technology 4.6-inch outer display when folded 512 gb of Universal Flash Storage 3.0 7 nanometer processor 12gb of RAM Three rear-facing cameras Two front-facing cameras on main display, one camera when folded 'App continuity' technology to run three apps at once Comes in cosmic Black, Martian Green, Astro Blue and Space Silver Advertisement The video shows the handset being easily folded and unfolded before it is tucked into the presenters pocket. It then showcases the 7.3-inch screen's quality when video-calling, gaming, movie watching and taking photos. The phone aims to provide users with a larger, more portable screen, that also has the latest gadgets. The phone can be charged wirelessly, and allows users to power other devices by laying them on the Galaxy Fold, as well as Samsung DeX, providing a more desktop-like experience when connected to a display using a USB-C cable. The Galaxy Fold uses a traditional 4.6-inch smartphone screen, with a second, larger display housed inside its body, which opens up to form a 7.3-inch AMOLED Infinity Flex display. This new large screen allows three apps to be displayed at once. Many standard smartphone features are included on the device, including a fingerprint scanner, but it also boasts six cameras in total - three on the rear, two on the inside and one on the front of the device. The battery comes in at 4380mAh - one of the largest available in a smartphone. UK pricing is yet to be officially announced for the Galaxy Fold, but in the rest of Europe it will cost 2,000 euros (1,738). The Samsung Galaxy Fold (pictured) will go on sale in the UK on May 3 this year for around 1,700, although UK prices are yet to be confirmed The phone has a 4.6-inch smartphone screen which opens up to a 7.3-inch AMOLED Infinity Flex display. DJ Koh, President and CEO of IT & Mobile Communications Division of Samsung Electronics, holds the new Samsung Galaxy Fold smartphone during the Samsung Unpacked event on February 20 (file photo) The foldable form is the newest smartphone trend for 2019, with Chinese manufacturer Huawei unveiling its own take on the idea at the annual Mobile World Congress (MWC) technology show in Barcelona on Sunday, known as the Mate X. Huawei revealed the Mate X phone on the eve of a four-day industry event in Spain to showcase new devices. Chief executive Richard Yu said it would satisfy consumers' demands for bigger screens and longer battery life when it goes on sale in the summer. But what is less clear is whether it will satisfy users' demands for privacy, with Huawei under intense suspicion by Western intelligence chiefs who fear the company works as a front for the vast Chinese spy apparatus. Nokia's brand new smartphone is triggering people with a rare phobia. The PureView's cutting-edge design, which was recently unveiled at Barcelona's Mobile World Congress 2019, boasts a penta-camera with five lenses. The photos captured by the device are said to have a resolution of up to 240 megapixels thanks to the clever combination system from the five sensors. But the function's layout is proving problematic for sufferers of trypophobia: a little-known aversion to irregular patterns or clusters of small holes. Scroll down for video The PureView's cutting-edge design, which was recently unveiled at Barcelona's Mobile World Congress 2019, boasts a penta-camera with five lenses which has triggered some people According to a report in Metro, a number of people have voiced their concerns on Twitter. Noel R. Mayer, who tweets as Noel The Walrus, wrote: Yo, @NokiaMobile! Google #trypophobia before you design your new phone, please. Its all over the tech sites, triggering panic attacks. These Nokia 9 pictures have to come with a trypophobia warning! roared games designer Ishan Manjrekar. I feel bit uneasy looking at them. This phone makes my skin crawl, wrote Deanna Williams on Twitter. Dr Geoff Cole, a senior lecturer at the University of Essexs Centre for Brain Research, told Metro he published the first academic paper on trypophobia. When a person takes a picture of you, the camera on this phone could fall roughly at a distance and alignment which could trigger a trypophobic response, he said. The camera really does have the structure to cause trypophobia. This Twitter user, from Thailand, expressed similar concern for the phone's camera function and compared it with another problematic image Dozens of people have voiced their concer ns about the smartphone device on social media, with several detailing their criticisms on Twitter The PureView uses artificial intelligence to combine data gathered from each of the five camera sensors to build images. It also includes a fingerprint sensor built into the screen and wireless charging capabilities However, despite this unexpected reaction, the overwhelming majority of the people seem impressed with the smartphone. Florian Seiche, chief executive of HMD Global, the licensee of the Nokia brand said: 'We've had a phenomenal response from consumers to our entire portfolio, thanks to our unique approach to Android, delivering a pure, secure and always up-to-date experience. 'We have delivered on this commitment, changing the smartphone ownership paradigm by offering an experience that only gets better over time. 'Today, with these new phones, we are taking a leap forward by delivering the very latest innovations from Google across our entire portfolio.' Nokia's other announced phones included a trio of new mid-range devices, the Nokia 1 Plus, Nokia 3.2 and Nokia 4.2. Florian Seiche, chief executive of HMD Global, the licensee of the Nokia brand (pictured) said: 'We've had a phenomenal response from consumers to our entire portfolio' The PureView uses artificial intelligence to combine data gathered from each of the five camera sensors to build images. It also includes a fingerprint sensor built into the screen and wireless charging capabilities. Nokia's other announced phones included a trio of new mid-range devices, the Nokia 1 Plus, Nokia 3.2 and Nokia 4.2. HMD Global chief product officer Juho Sarvikas said the company felt it was important to appeal to different types of users. 'Today we use our heritage of innovation to take a bold step, pioneering a truly innovative approach to imaging with the Nokia 9 PureView,' he said. 'And we believe great experiences should be available to everyone, which is why we are bringing cutting-edge experiences like the stunning design, the best of Google including the dedicated Google Assistant button, and great imaging and display technology, to the most accessible price points yet. 'And all this comes with all the craftsmanship and durability you'd expect from a Nokia smartphone. 'And with our Android promise delivering a pure, secure and up-to-date experience, we ensure that your phone gets better over time.' Nokia's other announced phones included a trio of new mid-range devices, the Nokia 1 Plus, Nokia 3.2 and Nokia 4.2. HMD Global chief product officer Juho Sarvikas (pictured) said the company felt it was important to appeal to different types of users Most smartphone developers are focusing on the introduction of foldable devices and 5G applications - making Nokia's pursuit of a camera-orientated handset a unique endeavour. Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi have all announced 5G compatible devices ahead of a its expected widespread roll-out next year. Huawei announced today its Mate X foldable device which comes with a staggering price tag of $2,229 (2,000). Samsung pipped its rivals to the post by revealing its latest products - including the Fold - last week. A grave digger who broke his leg after he fell into a freshly-dug pit at a cemetery in Melbourne's north-east has been lifted to safety after a tricky rescue operation. Emergency crews were called in to rescue the man, in his 40s, from the two-metre deep grave at Eltham Cemetery on Metery Road on Tuesday morning. The Metropolitan Fire Brigade fielded its trench rescue team for the operation and raced against time to free the man as the pit was considered unstable. Scroll down for video A grave digger who broke his leg after he fell into a freshly-dug pit at a cemetery in Melbourne 's north-east has been lifted to safety after a tricky rescue operation The man suffered a broken leg and was unable to climb up the ladder that had been lowered into the uncovered grave, a Country Fire Association spokesperson. 'One of the cemetery workers here fell in a grave at about eight olock this morning as he was moving some steel plating off the top of the open grave,' CFA incident controller Gavin Wright told 3AW. A trench rescue pod was requested from MFB to help in the operation. The man was eventually lifted from the newly-dug pit just before 10am. 'CFA and MFB crews have put some timber shoring around the grave ... then weve just lifted him out in the last ten minutes with some harnesses,' Mr Wright said. The cemetery worker was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital. An 18-year-old Michigan woman has been charged with drunken driving in the fatal crash which killed another driver. Morgan Coley, 18, was driving northbound on Utica Road in Clinton Township on Thursday night when police say her car veered across the center line and collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle. Morgan Coley, 18, was alleged to have been driving drunk when she collided head-on with an oncoming car in Clinton Township, Michigan on Thursday night Hans Gerhard Schwallbach, 81, of Grosse Pointe, Michigan was driving in the other car, according to the Detroit Free Press. He was rushed to Henry Ford Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on Friday. Coley has been charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death. If convicted, Coley could face up to 15 years in prison. Theresa May is ready to rule out a No Deal Brexit after an extraordinary mass revolt by ministers, the Daily Mail can reveal. A group of 23 dissidents met secretly at the Commons last night to discuss how to stop Britain leaving the EU without an agreement on March 29, with as many as 15 said to be ready to resign. In an article for the Mail today, three of the ministers involved say they are prepared to back a Commons move by rebel MPs tomorrow to force the Prime Minister to seek a Brexit delay if her deal is voted down. Industry minister Richard Harrington, digital minister Margot James and energy minister Claire Perry implore Mrs May to say that if there is no deal agreed by Parliament by March 13 then she must seek a way to extend Article 50. If she fails to do so they warn bluntly they will have no choice other than to join MPs of all parties and fellow ministers in acting in the national interest to prevent a disaster in less than five weeks that we may regret forever. A group of 23 dissidents met secretly at the Commons last night to discuss how to stop Britain leaving the EU without an agreement on March 29 Industry minister Richard Harrington (left), digital minister Margot James (right) and energy minister Claire Perry implore Mrs May to say that if there is no deal agreed by Parliament by March 13 then she must seek a way to extend Article 50 And in a dramatic development last night, it appeared the Prime Minister was preparing to bow to their demands and rule out a No Deal Brexit. It came as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was accused of cynical betrayal after performing a U-turn and backing a second referendum breaking a manifesto vow by his party. Allies of the Prime Minister revealed that the Cabinet will discuss proposals this morning that could see the UK request a short extension of Article 50 of around two months if the PMs deal is voted down by MPs again, for a second time, on March 12. If ministers back the plan Mrs May could float the idea in a statement to Parliament as early as this afternoon. The idea is a desperate bid to stave off the mass rebellion by ministers and avert a looming Commons defeat tomorrow over the motion put forward by Labours Yvette Cooper and Tory Sir Oliver Letwin that would empower Parliament to force a Brexit delay on the Government. Up to 25 Tory backbenchers are also threatening to back tomorrows revolt (left: Mrs May at the Arab-European Summit. Right: European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker) Other Tories believed to be on the brink of resigning to stop No Deal include Scottish Secretary David Mundell, left. As many as 15 ministers could resign, including anti-Brexit Cabinet minister David Gauke, right As many as 15 ministers could resign and vote for the motion unless Mrs May provides assurances on No Deal today, including anti-Brexit Cabinet ministers Amber Rudd, David Gauke and Greg Clark. Other Tories believed to be on the brink of resigning to stop No Deal include Scottish Secretary David Mundell, Defence minister Tobias Ellwood, Solicitor General Robert Buckland and Disabilities minister Sarah Newton. All are thought to have attended yesterdays Commons meeting. Up to 25 Tory backbenchers are also threatening to back tomorrows revolt. It means around 40 Tory rebels could vote against the Government which, with Opposition support, is more than enough to defeat Mrs May. Other Tories believed to be on the brink of resigning to stop No Deal include Defence minister Tobias Ellwood, left. Energy minister Claire Perry, right, implores Mrs May to say that if there is no deal agreed by Parliament by March 13 then she must seek a way to extend Article 50 As many as 15 ministers could resign and vote for the motion unless Mrs May provides assurances on No Deal, including anti-Brexit Cabinet ministers Amber Rudd, left, and Greg Clark, right The developments came on an extraordinary day when Mr Corbyn stunned Westminster by indicating he was ready to back a second referendum. In a string of other Brexit developments: Rebel amendment an assault on Government By Jack Doyle, Associate Editor for the Daily Mail Attemps by rebel MPs to delay Brexit pose a clear and present danger to the Government, leaked Whitehall papers suggest. A cross-party group led by Labours Yvette Cooper and Tory Oliver Letwin will today table proposals designed to force an extension to Britains EU membership beyond March 29. Supporters argue it will stop a disastrous No Deal Brexit. But a Government analysis of the plans written by Cabinet Office officials says they would strip huge power from ministers. The Government would lose its ability to govern, it concludes. Last night a Whitehall source said the Cooper-Letwin amendment was constitutionally dangerous and could become a Trojan Horse for a much wider assault on Brexit and the Government. If the amendment passes it would take power from the Government over what is discussed in Parliament and hand it to backbenchers. Without this (power), the analysis warns, the Government has no control over the House of Commons and the parliamentary business and legislation necessary to progress government policies. It is difficult to judge the long-term consequences of this approach for the relationship between Executive and Parliament...but clearly, if it were to become common practice it would fundamentally alter the balance of power between Parliament and the Executive, it says. In theory, the amendment could allow MPs to command civil service resources and attempt to pass Bills on other subjects not related to Brexit. Last night a senior Tory MP said: This is not just about stopping No Deal. People are being hoodwinked. But in reality it could upend the way democracy works in this country. Their ambitions go far beyond stopping Brexit. Allies of the Prime Minister are urging her to try to buy off the rebels with the promise of a vote on delaying Brexit if she cannot get her deal through on March 12. Advertisement The Labour leader was accused of a cowardly betrayal of Labours promises to honour the referendum result, with one Labour MP telling him: In the Midlands and north of England this decision today will stop you from being Prime Minister. The Mail saw leaked Whitehall papers suggesting that attempts by rebel MPs to delay Brexit posed a clear and present danger to the government. Business leaders declared a no-deal Brexit could trigger a full-blown economic crisis and food shortages. A leading medical journal warned a deal is desperately needed to avoid disastrous consequences for the NHS. Consumer experts said families face chaos and long delays at European airports - particularly in Spain - if the country leaves the EU without an agreement. Former Brexit secretary David Davis boasted that he has the credentials to be leader of the Conservative Party. Ex-deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine called for a second referendum because the almighty had intervened and many of those who voted Brexit in 2016 have died. At the weekend, Miss Rudd, Mr Clark and Mr Gauke made clear in the Mail that they opposed a No Deal departure and Brexit must be delayed unless there was a breakthrough on Mrs Mays deal this week. Tomorrows vote would empower Parliament to force a Brexit delay on the Government if Mrs May has failed to get a deal passed by March 13. The Prime Minister remains unconvinced that a delay to Brexit will help the process, warning yesterday that an extension of Article 50 doesnt deliver a decision in Parliament and it doesnt deliver a deal. Speaking at an EU summit in Egypt where she held emergency Brexit talks with fellow leaders, Mrs May said progress was being made and a deal to take the UK out on March 29 remained within our grasp. But she refused to explicitly rule out a Brexit delay. One ally of the PM said: Its either accept the possibility of a delay or face a potentially heavy defeat in parliament and have it forced on you anyway. It isnt taking No Deal off the table you still have to get a deal to do that. Another senior Tory said: If 20 ministers have to resign to force this through then they will, but it would have a catastrophic impact on the Government. One leading Remainer last night said: I dont want to resign but if I dont get the assurances I need from the PM then I will. The Government is not ready to leave without a deal next month it would be irresponsible. There are enough of us who feel that way to get the Cooper amendment through and everyone knows that. The cold-case murder of Melbourne gangland figure Willie Thompson has a fresh lead with police narrowing in on a man they hope to speak with over the incident. Victoria Police released on Tuesday a digital composite image of a man they hope to identify, almost a year after a $1 million reward was announced to crack the case. Two people shot Thompson at close range as he sat in his silver Honda Roadster convertible on Waverley Road in Malvern East on July 21, 2003. The cold-case murder of Melbourne gangland figure Willie Thompson (pictured) has a fresh lead with police narrowing in on a man they hope to speak with over the incident Victoria Police released on Tuesday a digital composite image (pictured) of a man they hope to identify, almost a year after a $1 million reward was announced to crack the case The 39-year-old gangster had left a nearby martial arts gym when he was shot several times by two men who pulled up beside his car. He died at the scene Thompson was known to police and had connections to various underworld figures including Nick Radev and Carl Williams. He was also involved in drug trafficking with particular links to Western Australia. A witness previously told police Thompson's death was allegedly organised by late crime boss Carl Williams - possibly in relation to competing drug dealing interests, the Herald Sun reported. The witness claimed crime kingpin Tony Mokbel allegedly put a contract on drug dealer Michael Marshall through Williams in retaliation - unaware of Williams' role in the Thompson hit. Williams allegedly enlisted four gunmen during his reign over Melbourne's underworld, but it remains unclear whether any were involved in the Thompson hit or fresh men were recruited. Thompson had left a nearby martial arts gym when he was shot several times by two men who pulled up beside his silver Honda Roadster convertible (pictured) Thompson was known to police and had connections to various underworld figures including Nick Radev (pictured right) and Carl Williams (pictured left) The late Andrew Veniamin was another key figure in the Melbourne underworld, who was once linked to the crime - but police now believe he isn't connected to Thompson's death, the publication reported. According to the publication, police believe at least three people were involved in the Thompson hit. Detective Acting Inspector Gerry McKenna believes the cold case is now solvable - given that circumstances have changed. 'Even though it's been almost 16 years since Thompson's death, we still believe there are people out there with information about this case,' Detective Acting Inspector McKenna said. 'People who did not feel comfortable speaking to police at the time may now be in a position to do so and this is why we are making this appeal for information again.' A 24-year-old South Carolina Army veteran with PTSD appears to have committed suicide after prison inmates pretending to be the parents of a 17-year-old girl targeted him in a 'sextortion' scam. Jared Johns, 24, of Greenville, South Carolina, killed himself on September 11, 2018 the day after exchanging text messages with people who said they were the parents of a teenage girl and claimed that Jared had asked their daughter to text him nude photos. Jared's parents, Kathy Bowling and Kevin Johns, told the Greenville News that they believe the teen and her parents were actually inmates at Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville, South Carolina. Jared Johns, 24, of Greenville, South Carolina, killed himself the day after exchanging text messages from people who said they were the parents of an underage girl and claimed that he had asked their daughter to text him nude photos Jared, a father of two who suffered from PTSD from his tour in Afghanistan, asked for proof he had requested photos as he did not recall communicating with the supposed 17-year-old girl In text messages saved on Jared's phone and shared with the newspaper, the girl's 'parents' claimed that Jared had asked for and received nude photos of their underage daughter. Jared asked for proof that he'd made the request as he said that he didn't remember communicating with their daughter. The 'parents' refused to send proof, telling him instead 'You know what you did' and saying they would go to the police about it. They also demanded $1,189 from Jared so that they could deactivate her phone number and buy her a new phone. Jared meanwhile told the 'parents' that he didn't recall talking to the girl and that if he did, he would never have asked for nude pictures of an underage girl, to which the 'parents' said that he 'plainly read where she said she wasn't of age.' Jared's parents believe that their son was caught in a sextortion scam similar to the one that five South Carolina inmates and 10 accomplices were indicted for in Fall 2018. Authorities said the accused allegedly extorted $500,000 from 442 military servicemen around the country between 2015 and early 2018. Jared's parents, mom Kathy Bowling (pictured) and father Kevin Johns believe their son was targeted in a sextortion scam run by inmates at a South Carolina prison Bowling (pictured) believes that Jared couldn't handle the sextortion threat and that his PTSD 'took over,' causing him to kill himself on September 11, 2018 Jared's PTSD was the result of his experiences while serving in the Army in Afghanistan Jared's parents say that the sextortion Jared experienced was similar to a case that five South Carolina inmates and 10 accomplices were indicted for in Fall 2018, which targeted 442 military servicemen and reaped $500,000 The inmates were said to have used contraband cellphones to pose as women on online dating sites in an effort to lure servicemen. They would then send naked pictures to the servicemen and ask for naked shots in return. Later, the servicemen would be contacted by people posing as angry fathers, claiming that the women the servicemen were sending illicit photos to were all underage. The 'fathers' would demand that the servicemen send them money in lieu of going to the police. Jared, a father of two toddlers, had signed up for the online dating service PlentyofFish.com, according to his parents, who believe that his profile on the site was what brought him to the sextortionists' attention. Kathy said that a woman Jared was dating told her that the night he received the texts from the teen's 'parents,' he had spoken with someone claiming to be a police officer, who had been contacted by the 'parents' about the nude photos the 17-year-old supposedly sent Jared. Jared's call logs reflected that he had spoken on the phone with the girl's supposed father that night, too. There did not appear to be any requests for nude photos or messages from the girl or pictures of her on his phone, though. Still, the 'parents' told Jared that they would be 'going to the police and you are going to jail.' Within minutes of their last text message exchange, Jared fatally shot himself, based on the time at which his Apple Watch noted a lack of heartbeat. Ultimately, Jared's parents said that their son's PTSD the result of a tour in Afghanistan meant that he could not handle the sextortion threat and that it resulted in his committing suicide. 'I feel like they're the ones who shot him,' Kevin Johns told the Greenville News of the people who attempted to sextort his son. Before killing himself, Jared recorded a video of himself in which he said 'I messed up, and I'm so sorry,' noting that he 'I made some stupid mistakes.' Bowling believes 'the PTSD just took over.' After her son died, Bowling started sending text messages and calling the number of the 'parents,' sending them pictures of Jared's funeral and telling them that they caused his death. 'Im sorry for your lose.. i will not have you threatening my family when plainly he should not have been texting my underage daughter.,' the 'father' responded. 'I spoke with a detective today and explained what was going on so please don't have me contact him tomorrow about your threats .. I'm sorry again for your loss.' The 'parents' then blocked Bowling's number. Jared's parents said they are working with Greenville police who are investigating the incident. Police in North Carolina say John Bocek, 23, (pictured in an undated mugshot for an unrelated crime) broke into a home, killed a man and teen girl, then committed suicide An ex-convict from North Carolina wanted for assaulting and robbing a 16-year-old girl, forced his way into her family's Charlotte home, shot dead her father and a friend, then turned the gun on himself. Charlotte-Mecklenberg police said in a statement on Monday that 23-year-old John Bocek was accused last week of assaulting a 16-year-old girl and stealing her phone. Then shortly before 4am on Sunday, police said Bocek broke into the girls home in the 11400 block of Glen Abbey Way near Charlottes Providence Country Club. Once inside he killed her father, 51-year-old Matthew Chaplin, and her 15-year-old friend, Jenna Hewitt, who was a guest for the night. The uninjured 16-year-old girl ran to a neighbors home to call 911. Police said Bocek shot himself. The accused gunman was taken to a hospital, where he later died from the self-inflicted gunshot wound. Matthew Chaplin (left and right), 51, was shot to death. His 16-year-old daughter (pictured left with her dad and older sister), was unharmed. The double murder-suicide took place inside Chaplin's home near Charlottes Providence Country Club Police say they had been searching for Bocek to serve warrants charging him with robbery and assault with a deadly weapon in the previous incident targeting Chaplin's daughter, reported Charlotte Observer. Investigators characterized the double murder as a domestic violence case, but at the press conference Monday, they would not say whether Bocek was in a relationship with Chaplin's 16-year-old daughter, or whether she was the intended target of the attack. Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office records indicate that Bocek pleaded guilty in January 2018 to charges of assault on a female and cyberstalking. Police had been searching for Bocek to serve warrants charging him with robbery and assault with a deadly weapon targeting Chaplin's teenage daughter (pictured in mugshots from 2017, left and 2019) Bocek pleaded guilty in January 2018 to charges of assault on a female and cyberstalking The 23-year-old's criminal record also included multiple arrests and convictions, including for a probation violation in 2014. At the time of his suicide on Sunday, Bocek had several criminal cases pending against him involving charges of possession of marijuana, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a firearm by a felon. Matthew Chaplin is survived by the 16-year-old girl and her older sister. The girls' mother, Donna-sue James Chaplin, passed away in August 2016 after battling an illness. Fiona Onasanya arrives at the Old Bailey Shamed MP Fiona Onasanya will walk free from prison today after less than a month behind bars. She was sentenced to three months in jail at the end of January for perverting the course of justice after lying about a speeding ticket, but it is understood she is being let out as part of an early-release scheme. Onasanya, 35, a solicitor, is expected to be released from HMP Bronzefield in Surrey early this morning after only 28 days in custody. The MP will be forced to wear an electronic tag and obey a curfew but will otherwise be at liberty. She could even come back to the House of Commons to speak and vote in the crunch Brexit debate tomorrow. Labour has kicked Onasanya out of the party, but she has continued to collect her 77,000 salary while behind bars. If she had been jailed for a year or more, she would have been forced to give up her Peterborough seat, but the three-month sentence means she will face a by-election only if 10 per cent of her constituents sign a recall petition. She is also appealing against her conviction. Calls for the sentence to be extended were dismissed yesterday after the Governments most senior law officer decided it was not unduly lenient. CCTV footage showing Fiona Onasanya speeding 41mph in a 30mph zone in the village of Thorney near Peterborough Onasanya was jailed at the Old Bailey on January 29. The following day several complaints were received by the Attorney Generals Office that the sentence was too short Onasanya was jailed at the Old Bailey on January 29. The following day several complaints were received by the Attorney Generals Office that the sentence was too short. But a spokesman for the Attorney Generals Office said: After careful consideration, the Solicitor General has concluded that he could not refer this case to the Court of Appeal. A referral under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme to the Court of Appeal can only be made if a sentence is not just lenient but unduly so, such that the sentencing judge made a gross error or imposed a sentence outside the range of sentences reasonably available in the circumstances of the offence. The threshold is a high one, and the test was not met in this case. Festus Onasanya, Fiona's 33-year-old brother If the sentence had been deemed to be unduly lenient, it would have been sent to the Court of Appeal for a decision on whether it should be increased. Jurors in Onasanyas trial heard that the MP colluded with her brother Festus, 34, after her car was clocked doing 41mph in a 30mph zone in the village of Thorney, near Peterborough, in July 2017. The court was told she was sent a Notice of Intended Prosecution to fill out, but it was sent back naming the guilty driver as Aleks Antipow, an acquaintance of her brother, who was visiting his parents in Russia at the time. Her brother received ten months in prison after he pleaded guilty to three counts of perverting the course of justice relating to speeding offences, including the July 24 incident. At the trial, Mr Justice Stuart-Smith described Onasanyas decision to deceive police as disastrous. 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 said the politician stupidly chose to become embroiled in a scam hatched by her brother. The MP has refused to confirm that she was driving at the time, despite a court ruling that she was. Mr Justice Stuart-Smith said the sentence was the shortest possible and drew attention to Onasanyas exemplary character. He added: You do not accept the correctness of the conviction; but I have to sentence on the basis that the disaster which has befallen you is self-inflicted. Between January and June last year, the number of inmates freed under home detention curfews, which allows them to be released with a tag, soared by 50 per cent from 2,196 to 3,304. The Ministry of Justice declined to comment last night. Feb 25, 2019 | By Thomas During the 3D printing process, if gas trapped inside the metal powders that feed the 3D printers, microscopic gas pockets could appear. These regions have Swiss-cheese-like structures and are less dense and weaker than their surroundings, and can lead to cracks and other failures. Argonne scientists in front of a specialty system that can simulate the Laser Powder Bed Fusion Process in a commercial 3D printer. Pictured, clockwise from top left, are Kamel Fezzaa, an APS beamline scientist; Tao Sun, an APS beamline scientist; Cang Zhao, an APS postdoc, and Niranjan Parab, an APS postdoc. CREDIT: Argonne National Laboratory Research teams from Carnegie Mellon University and the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory has identified these gas pockets and created a methodology to predict the formation of the gas pockets. These information could dramatically improve the 3D printing process. Their research is published last week in Science. The research in this paper will translate into better quality and better control in working with the machines, said Anthony Rollett, a Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University and an author on the paper. For additive manufacturing to really take off for the majority of companies, we need to improve the consistency of the finished products. This research is a major step in that direction. The scientists used the extremely bright, high-energy X-rays at Argonnes Advanced Photon Source (APS), a DOE Office of Science User Facility, to take super-fast video and images of a process called Laser Power Bed Fusion (LPBF), in which lasers are used to melt and fuse material powder together. The lasers, which scan over each layer of powder to fuse metal where necessary, literally create the finished product from the ground up. When tiny gas pockets become trapped into these layers, Defects can form. The defects can cause imperfections that could lead to cracks or other breakdowns in the final product. Until now, manufacturers did not know much about how the laser drills into the metal, creating cavities called vapor depressions. However they assumed that the fault lies in the type of metal powder or strength of laser. As a result, manufacturers have been using a trial and error approach with different types of metals and lasers to seek to reduce the defects. In fact, the research shows that these vapor depressions exist under nearly all conditions in the process, no matter the laser or metal. Even more important, the research shows how to predict when a small depression will grow into a big and unstable one that can potentially create a defect. Were drawing back the veil and revealing whats really going on, Rollett said. Most people think you shine a laser light on the surface of a metal powder, the light is absorbed by the material, and it melts the metal into a melt pool. In actuality, youre really drilling a hole into the metal. The Argonne National Labs Advanced Photon Source facility. (Image courtesy of Carnegie Mellon University.) By using one of the most powerful synchrotron facilities in the world at Argonnes APS, the researchers observed, researchers watched what happens as the laser moves across the metal powder bed to create each layer of the product. The melt pool shape, under perfect conditions, is shallow and semicircular, called the conduction mode. But during the actual printing process, the high-power laser, often moving at a low speed, can change the melt pool shape to something like a keyhole in a warded lock: round and large on top, with a narrow spike at bottom. Such keyhole mode melting can potentially lead to defects in the final product. This image, taken under the synchrotron at Argonne National Laboratory, shows a keyhole void about to be formed during the metal 3-D printing process. During laser powder bed fusion, a 3-D printer drills a hole into the metal. (Image courtesy of Carnegie Mellon University.) Based on this research, we now know that the keyhole phenomenon is more important, in many ways, than the powder being used in additive manufacturing, said Ross Cunningham, a recent graduate from Carnegie Mellon University and one of the co-first authors of this paper. Our research shows that you can predict the factors that lead to a keyhole which means you can also isolate those factors for better results. The research shows that keyholes form when a certain laser power density is reached that is sufficient to boil the metal. This, in turn, reveals the critical importance of the laser focus in the additive manufacturing process, an element that has received scant attention so far, according to the research team. The keyhole phenomenon was able to be viewed for the first time with such details because of the specialized capability developed at Argonne, said Tao Sun, an Argonne physicist and an author on the paper. Of course, the intense high-energy X-ray beam at the APS is the key. The research team believes this research could motivate makers of additive manufacturing machines to offer more flexibility when controlling the machines and that the improved use of the machines could lead to a significant improvement in the final product. "It's important because 3D printing in general is rather slow," Rollett said. "It takes hours to print a part that is a few inches high. That's OK if you can afford to pay for the technique, but we need to do better." Posted in 3D Printing Application Maybe you also like: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei today to thank him for his support during the bloody eight-year civil war in his homeland. On his first visit to the Islamic republic since the start of the Syrian conflict, the Syrian president was described a the 'hero of the Arab world' by his host. Assad has repeatedly been accused of using chemical weapons against his own people during strikes on civilian areas. During talks, Assad expressed his gratitude to Iran for all that it has done for Syria during the nearly eight years of brutal fighting, the Syrian presidency said. Efforts have so far failed to make progress towards a political settlement to end a war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced about half of Syria's pre-war population of 22 million. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei hugging Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Tehran today Smoke billows after reported strikes in the Syrian town of Khan Sheikhun in the southern countryside of the rebel-held Idlib province today The leaders 'reviewed the fraternal and strong relations between their two peoples, which have been the main factor in maintaining Syria and Iran in the face of plots by enemy countries', the presidency said. Khamenei told Assad that 'Iran considers helping the government and nation of Syria to be helping the resistance movement and is proud of it from the bottom of its heart', his website said. 'The creation of the buffer that the Americans are seeking to create in Syria is an example of these dangerous conspiracies which must be strongly denounced and resisted', Khamenei added. He called Assad 'the hero of the Arab world' and said his steadfastness made the 'resistance more powerful and respected'. The buffer zone is meant to prevent clashes between Turkey and US-backed Kurdish forces. It is also aimed at preventing Assad's forces and Iran-backed fighters from seizing more territory. Syrian and Iranian state television showed Assad and Khamenei smiling and embracing and added that the two leaders agreed 'to continue cooperation at all levels for the interests of the two friendly nations'. Khamenei was quoted as saying the two countries' military victories in Syria had dealt 'a harsh blow' to U.S plans in the region. In Assad's first visit to the Islamic Republic he was described as the 'hero of the Arab world' by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Trucks transporting people evacuated from the Islamic State group's holdout of Baghouz today during an operation by US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces to expel jihadists from the area Iran and Russia have been the key allies supporting Assad as he has battled to maintain his grip over Syria during nearly eight years of fighting that has claimed more than 360,000 lives. Tehran has repeatedly said it does not send regular troops to fight in Syria, but has only provided military advisers and militia fighters from various countries. Photographs published on the leader's website showed the commander of the Revolutionary Guards Quds Force, Major General Qassem Soleimani, was present at the meeting with Khamenei. Assad also met with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani during his trip. 'The Islamic Republic of Iran as before will be alongside the people and government of Syria,' the Iranian government's official website quoted Rouhani as saying. Assad also met Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during their meeting in the Iranian capital of Tehran today Khamenei meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Tehran today in his first visit to the Islamic Republic since the start of the Syrian conflict With the help from its allies, Assad's regime has retaken swathes of territory from rebels and jihadists since 2015 and now controls around two-thirds of Syria, including its main cities. During their meeting Rouhani assured Assad that 'Tehran will be alongside Damascus in the stabilisation, return of refugees and internal political process'. Damascus and Tehran signed a string of deals in late January, including a long-term 'economic cooperation' agreement. Iranian Foreign Minister who negotiated 2015 nuclear deal resigned Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who was the lead negotiator in the 2015 nuclear deal, announced his resignation on Instagram on Monday. There was no immediate reason offered for what prompted Zarif's resignation. The diplomat was the driving force behind Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, which is now on the verge of collapse after President Donald Trump withdrew America from the accord last year. Zarif apologised in message posted on his verified Instagram account for his 'shortcomings'. He wrote: 'I apologise for my inability to continue serving and for all the shortcomings during my term in office. I thank the Iranian nation and officials.' Advertisement At the time, Assad said the deals were meant to 'help consolidate Syrian and Iranian resilience against the economic war waged against them by some Western states'. The conflict in Syria has caused nearly $400 billion of destruction, according to the United Nations. Khamenei's website said the meeting with Assad took place on Monday morning, but gave no information on whether the Syrian leader remained in Iran. Assad's only other trips outside his homeland since the war began in March 2011 with a brutal crackdown by his forces have been to Russia. Iran's growing influence in Syria, where it has struck economic and trade deals, has also raised the prospect of a military confrontation with its arch-enemy Israel. Israel, regarding Iran as its biggest threat, has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets in Syria and those of allied militia, including Lebanon's Hezbollah. Assad was also briefed by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani about efforts by Russia, Iran and Turkey - supporters of the main sides in the Syrian civil war - to end the conflict. Syria wants Turkey, which has backed Sunni rebels and carved a sphere of influence in the northwest of the country, to remove its troops from Syrian territory and end its support for rebels. With Russian-backed Syrian government forces on one side and the US-backed Kurdish-led coalition on the other, ISIS has been swept into just two remaining strongholds of Baghouz and Shajalah. Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF surrounded the last holdout in Baghouz, a one square kilometre village on Syrian-Iraqi border beside the Euphrates River, this week. The US-backed militia said they expected to evacuate the last few civilians from the town before a final offensive to reclaim the village. Since early December, more than 38,000 people, mostly wives and children of ISIS fighters, have fled into SDF-held areas, with some receiving gunshot wounds as they fled militant controlled territory. Traces of a controversial weed killer have been detected in a number of the world's leading beer and wine brands, a new report claims. In a study by public-interest advocacy group US PIRG that tested five wines and 15 beers, including organic ones, the chemical glyphosate was found in all but one of the beverages sampled. Glyphosate - the most common herbicide in the world and an ingredient in the weed killer Roundup - is a probable human carcinogen, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization. The report acknowledged that the levels detected were below limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency, but PIRG the results warrant some degree of public concern. 'The levels of glyphosate we found are not necessarily dangerous, but are still concerning given the potential health risks,' PIRG told USA TODAY following the release of the study, which looked at popular brands including Coors Light, Miller Lite, Budweiser, Corona, Heineken and Samuel Adams. Traces of a controversial herbicide glyphosate, an ingredient in Roundup weed killer, have been detected in a number of leading beer and wine brands, a new report claims (file photo) Public-interest advocacy group US PIRG conducted a study in which it tested five wines and 15 beers, including organic ones, for glyphosate, and the herbicide was detected in all but one of the beverages sampled. The results for each of the 15 beers sampled are seen above The highest concentration of glyphosate was found in the 2018 Sutter Home merlot, which came in at 51.4 parts per billion, or ppb. For beer, Tsingtao from Hong Kong had the most with 49.7ppb, and Coors Light had the most for American beers with 31.1ppb. The study author, US PIRG Edication Fund's Kara Cook-Schultz, said of the study: 'No matter the efforts of brewers and vintners, we found that it is incredibly difficult to avoid the troubling reality that consumers will likely drink glyphosate at every happy hour and backyard barbecue around the country.' A spokesperson for the Beer Institute, a national trade organization, responded to the report by telling USA: 'Our members work with farmers who go to great lengths to raise their crops sustainably and safely....and the results of the most recent federal testing showed farmers use of glyphosate falls well below federal limits.' HERBICIDE LEVELS FOUND IN 20 POPULAR BEER AND WINE BRANDS The ranking below is based on the results of a US PIRG study published in February 2019. The products are ranked by concentration of glyphosate, measured in parts per billion (ppb). WINE Sutter Home Merlot - 51.4ppb Beringer Founders Estates Moscato - 42.6ppb Barefoot Cabernet Sauvingnon - 36.3ppb Inkarri Malbec: Certified Organic - 5.3ppb Frey Organic Natural White - 4.8ppb BEER Tsingtao Beer - 49.7ppb Coors Light - 31.1ppb Miller Lite - 29.8ppb Budweiser - 27.0ppb Corona Extra - 25.1ppb Heineken - 20.9ppb Guinness Draught - 20.3ppb Stella Artois - 18.7ppb Ace Perry Hard Cider - 14.5ppb Sierra Nevada Pale Ale - 11.8ppb New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale - 11.2ppb Sam Adams New England IPA - 11.0ppb Stella Artois Cidre - 9.1ppb Samuel Smith's Organic Lager - 5.7ppb Peak Beer Organic IPA - none detected See full report here Advertisement Another spokesperson for the Wine Institute said: 'An adult would have to drink more than 140 glasses of wine a day containing the highest glyphosate level measured just to reach the level that Californias Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has identified as "No Significant Risk Level."' When contacted about the study by USA, many of the companies whose products were tested questioned the results while others claimed that trace amounts of herbicides are beyond their control. One in particular, organic winery Frey Vineyards, said that while it doesn't use herbicides, trace amounts of glyphosate can be detected in its products because the chemical is now found in rainwater. William Reeves, a toxicologist for Bayer, which now owns Roundup manufacturer Monsanto, accused PIRG of blowing the results out of proportion. 'Assuming the greatest value reported, 51.4ppb, is correct, a 125-pound adult would have to consume 308 gallons of wine per day, every day for life to reach the US Environmental Protection Agencys glyphosate exposure limit for human,' Reeves told USA. 'To put 308 gallons into context, that would be more than a bottle of wine every minute, for life, without sleeping.' Bayer is currently facing some 9,300 lawsuits alleging that its popular glyphosate-based weed killer Roundup causes cancer. The first federal trial against the company began Monday in California, six months after Bayer's share price was rocked by a $289million verdict in California state court. 'With a federal court looking at the connection between Roundup and cancer today, we believe this is the perfect time to shine a spotlight on glyphosate,' Cook-Schultz said. 'This chemical could prove a true risk to so many Americans' health, and they should know that it is everywhere including in many of their favorite drinks.' Bayer has denied all allegations that Roundup or glyphosate cause cancer, citing decades of independent studies that have shown the world's most widely used weed killer to be safe for human use and noting that regulators around the world have approved the product. Former Vice President Al Gore issued a chilling warning after connecting the dots between droughts related to climate change in Central America and migrant caravans bound for America. 'If you want a definitive ranking of the most serious emergencies we're facing, there's no doubt in my mind that the climate crisis is number one on the list,' Gore told host Mark McKinnon on the most recent episode of the Showtime docu-series The Circus. Calling President Trump's border wall national emergency a 'political stunt,' Gore launched into evidence that migrant caravans heading to the U.S. are climate-related. He pointed to a region of Central America known as 'The Dry Corridor' spanning an area that covers parts of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua as an origin point for the migration crisis. Scroll down for video Former Vice President Al Gore sat down with Mark McKinnon of The Circle, a political docu-series on Showtime, discussing a connection between climate change and migrant caravans The Dry Corridor nations are the origin point for many of the migrants that have formed caravans in their journey north to the U.S. border. This caravan was seen on November 8, 2018, traveling through Mexico City Jiquilisco, El Salvador, in August of 2018 shows bright, dry riverbeds in the region Gore called 'The Dry Corridor,' which spans four nations: El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala 'The drought becomes unbearable, so they pick up stakes and they say, "We can't live here,"' Gore said to McKinnon. 'First of all, they leave their farms and go to these cities, and they run into these criminal gangs, and they say, 'We can't handle this,'' he continues. 'And they head on north.' Push back on the science of climate change has mainly come from Trump and the Republican party. But Gore told Yahoo News there are those in the GOP who would publicly agree were it not for the political price they might pay. He also called President Trump 's border wall national emergency a 'political stunt' Al Gore, right, also told Mark McKinnon, left, that many Republicans do agree with the scientific consensus on climate change, but are reluctant to be public over the fear that they would receive a primary opponent for a political seat 'There are a lot of Republicans who I know who understand the climate crisis,' Gore explains. 'But if they say theyre on my side of this, then they get a primary opponent, and so they keep quiet about it.' Meanwhile, Trump went back to calling Central American migrants attempting to cross into the U.S. illegally 'rough hombres' on Monday morning while speaking to a bipartisan group of state governors. Trump singled out three of The Dry Corridor nations, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, for 'not sending us their finest' and encouraging 'rough hombres' to join caravans north. As extreme weather conditions brought on by climate change intensifies, Gore makes the case that the migration of human beings will be a global catastrophe. 'The estimates are that in this century there could be as many as one billion climate refugees migrating across borders to other countries,' said Gore. 'That's a threat to political stability and peace.' 'How urgent is this?' McKinnon quietly asked the former vice president. 'There's nothing more urgent,' Gore replies. 'With the sole exception of the risk of an all out nuclear war, the climate crisis is the only one that can literally destroy human civilization.' A steel bar has impaled a truck driver after it flew off the back of a vehicle in a gruesome road accident. The woman was driving along the Warrego Highway near the Queensland town of Oakey, west of Brisbane on Monday afternoon. She was following a vehicle thought to be a truck or a ute when steel bar flew off the back, shattered her windscreen and pierced her chest. A steel bar has impaled a truck driver after it flew off the back of a vehicle in a gruesome road accident Firefighters managed to cut the rod down so the woman could be removed from her vehicle and treated by paramedics. 'The driver was conscious when he [emergency services] arrived,' Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Greg Stewart told news.com.au. 'Obviously [the driver] was in a bit of distress, but not so much pain, and she was very cooperative and able to help us out.' The woman was in a critical condition and was flown to Princess Alexandra Hospital after a stopover at Toowoomba Hospital for blood supply. Police continue to investigate the incident and have yet to locate the other driver. The highway was briefly closed with diversions via Brimblecombe Road and Oakey-Biddeston Road until emergency services cleared the scene. The woman (pictured) was left in a critical condition and was flown to Princess Alexandra Hospital after a stopover at Toowoomba Hospital for blood supply Verne Troyer, Stanley Donen, Carol Channing and Sandra Locke were among those left out of the in memoriam tribute at this year's Academy Awards. Viewers were quick to point out the talent who were omitted from the segment on Sunday night as Hollywood remembered those within the industry who have died in the last year. Among the biggest name left out of the tribute was Singin' in the Rain co-director Stanley Donen. Donen, who died last week of a heart attack at the age of 94, was also behind Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Funny Face. Singin' in the Rain co-director Stanley Donen (right) was omitted from the in memoriam tribute at this year's Academy Awards despite winning an honorary Oscar back in 1998. Verne Troyer (left), best known for his Austin Powers role of Mini-Me, was also left out after his death in April last year He worked with some of Hollywood's biggest stars, including Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. Donen won an honorary Oscar back in 1998 for his contributions to film. Verne Troyer, best known for his Austin Powers role of Mini-Me, was also left out after his death in April last year. The 49-year-old's death was ruled a suicide by alcohol intoxication. Actress Carol Channing, who was a best supporting actress nominee in 1968 for Thoroughly Modern Millie, was also excluded. Her furious publicist took to Facebook immediately after and slammed the film academy for excluding her. Actress Carol Channing (left), who was a best supporting actress nominee in 1968 for Thoroughly Modern Millie, was also excluded. Oscar-nominated actress Sondra Locke (right) died in December but also failed to receive a mention in the memoriam Channing's furious publicist Harlan Boll took to Facebook immediately after and slammed the film academy for excluding her Actors Dick Miller (left) and R. Lee Ermey (right) were also excluded from the Oscars tribute on Sunday night 'I am inconsolably heartsick that the Motion Picture Academy would ignore one of its own members and an Academy award nominee, Carol Channing, in the in memoriam,' Harlan Boll wrote. 'I texted a colleague of mine over at the Academy, to inquire how this could happen. In what may have been a miss guided (sic) attempt to soften the blow, I received the response that "Well, she really wasn't that important to our industry and no one in Hollywood really knows who she was." WTF?!?!?!?!?' Oscar-nominated actress Sondra Locke died in December but also failed to receive a mention in the memoriam. She was nominated for her role in the 1968 film The Heart is a Lonely Hunter and starred repeatedly alongside Clint Eastwood. Gary Kurtz, the producer behind Oscar nominated films American Graffiti and Star Wars, died of cancer in December aged 78. Rambo producer Andy Vajna was also missing from this year's in memoriam tribute. Arnold Schwarzenegger took to Twitter to express his disappointment about the omission. Rambo producer Andy Vajna (left) was also missing from this year's in memoriam tribute. Gary Kurtz (right), the producer behind Oscar nominated films American Graffiti and Star Wars, died of cancer in December aged 78 Arnold Schwarzenegger took to Twitter to express his disappointment about the omissions, particularly of Rambo producer Andy Vajna 'Last night was one of the best @TheAcademy Awards shows I've seen. Fantastic performances, smooth flow, and almost a perfect show. The only failure was leaving film icons like Andy Vajna, Carol Channing, R. Lee Emery, Dick Miller and others out of the In Memoriam tribute,' he tweeted. 'I'm, of course, upset about Andy's omission. He was a groundbreaking producer who showed that independent filmmakers could make blockbusters like Rambo, Tombstone, Total Recall, Terminator 2, & the list goes on. His movies created many thousands of jobs in Hollywood over decades.' Other prominent film industry folk who were left out of the tribute segment included: actor Dick Miller, Golden Globe nominee R. Lee Ermey, theater actress Kaye Ballard, voice actor David Ogden Stiers and Spongebob Squarepants creator Stephen Hillenburg. However Italian film director Bernardo Bertolucci's inclusion in the in memoriam section caused outrage among some viewers after a backlash over his infamous 1972 rape scene. Bertolucci's 1972 film Last Tango In Paris had come under heavy scrutiny in recent years after actress Maria Schneider said she had not been warned in advance about the Marlon Brando rape scene, in which the American actor 'assaulted' her with butter as an apparent lubricant. Bertolucci died in November last year. U.S. citizen Danny Burch had been detained in Yemen and was later released to the third-party country in January of 2018 President Trump said Monday, as he flew to a summit in Vietnam, that an American who had been held captive for 18 months had been released. U.S. citizen Danny Burch had been detained in Yemen and was reportedly taken to third-party country Oman in January of 2018. Trump said in several tweets that he sent from Air Force One that Burch had been 'recovered and reunited with his wife and children' with the help of the United Arab Emirates. 'Recovering American hostages is a priority of my Admin, and with Dannys release, we have now secured freedom for 20 American captives since my election victory,' Trump boasted. 'We will not rest as we continue our work to bring the remaining American hostages back home!' President Trump said Monday, as he flew to a summit in Vietnam, that an American being held in Oman for the last year has been released from custody. He's pictured here at the White House earlier in the day Trump will have access to the internet throughout the long-haul flight, meaning he could make any number of declarations while he's in the air. He will not land until Tuesday Burch had been taken captive in September 2017 by Houthi rebels in Yemen. The United States is backing Saudi Arabia in its war in the country against the Iran-supported rebels. An employee of Yemeni Safer, his wife, Nadia Forsa, told the New York Times that he was abducted in 'broad daylight' on a Saturday morning. She said he disappeared after taking their sons to a sports club. Witnesses said at the time that five plain-clothes carrying weapons took him hostage in a vehicle with no license plates. Two men ditched Burch's car afterward. At the time it was unclear who had taken him or why, although it not uncommon for Americans living in Yemen to be kidnapped by the rebel group. The U.S. does not have an embassy in the country -- it suspended operations in Yemen in 2015. Together with Forsa, a Yemen native, the couple has three children, all under the age of 18. Burch also has three children from a previous marriage. Neither a White House statement nor a State Department statement explained Burch's recovery or where he had been released to. It said the Alabama man was coming 'home' but didn't specify where that was. In a formal statement, the president said: 'It is my honor today to announce that Danny Burch, a United States citizen who has been held hostage in Yemen for 18 months, has been recovered and reunited with his wife and children. I appreciate the support of the United Arab Emirates in bringing Danny home. 'Dannys recovery reflects the best of what the United States and its partners can accomplish. We work every day to bring Americans home. We maintain constant and intensive diplomatic, intelligence, and law enforcement cooperation within the United States Government and with our foreign partners. 'Recovering American hostages is a priority of my Administration, and with Dannys release, we have now secured freedom for 20 American captives since my election victory,' he said. 'We will not rest as we continue our work to bring the remaining American hostages back home. Today, we join Danny and his family in celebrating his return.' The president is holding a nuclear summit this week in Hanoi with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. He announced Burch's release from the plane, nearly two hours into the flight. Trump will have access to the internet throughout the long-haul flight, meaning he could make any number of declarations while he's in the air. He will not land until Tuesday. The State Department in a separate statement confirmed on Monday that Burch had been 'recovered' with the help of the UAE and Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Robert OBrien. 'In 2017, U.S. citizen Danny Burch was taken hostage from Sanaa, Yemen. Today he is safe and secure, and is reunited with his wife and children,' the statement said. 'The family has asked for privacy as they recover from this ordeal. The safety and well-being of Americans remains one of the highest priorities of the Trump Administration.' The mother of a student who became the third teenager in two weeks to be stabbed to death in Birmingham arrived at the scene where he was attacked. Hazrat Umar, 17, who is the nephew of the former chief prosecutor, was knifed to death on his way to the gym in the Bordesley Green area of the city Emotional relatives, including the victim's mother, visited the scene where the teenager was stabbed at 2pm yesterday. Police have arrested a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of murder as friends and relatives paid tribute to the teenager. Emotional relatives, including the victim's mother, visited the scene in the Bordesley Green area of the city where the teenager was attacked at 2pm yesterday The mother of a student who was stabbed to death on his way to the gym arrived at the scene today where he was attacked Nazir Afzal, the former chief prosecutor of the CPS in North West England, who oversaw the Rochdale child sex abuse case, said the victim was one of his relatives. He said on Twitter: 'My family's tragedy will be repeated across the country over and over again. Until we grasp the issue. Until we fund children & youth services. Until we respect each & every life regardless.' West Midlands Police said officers were supporting the victim's family and a post-mortem examination was due to take place. The killing comes five days after 16-year-old Abdullah Muhammad was discovered fatally wounded near a park in Small Heath. Another teenager, Mohammed Sidali, also 16, died in hospital on 15 February after being attacked outside a college in Highgate. Hazrat Umar, 17, was on his way to the gym when he was attacked in the Bordesley Green area of the city at 2pm yesterday Nazir Afzal (pictured), the former chief prosecutor of the CPS in North West England, who oversaw the Rochdale child sex abuse case, said the victim was one of his relatives Floral tributes have also been left at the scene of the stabbing in Bordesley Green Police were called to the scene yesterday to find Mr Umar seriously injured in the street. He was pronounced dead before he was taken to hospital. Uncle Akbar Afzal told the BBC: 'He was a very pleasant lad and it is really shocking what has happened. 'Not just for himself, but there are other young lads getting stabbed for no apparent reason whatsoever and they are educated lads as well. 'I don't understand what is happening.' His friend Suhail Ahmed, 18, who studied with Mr Umar at South and City College said: 'He was well-known. It's a big shock. I'd see him at college - I think he was doing plumbing.' Sher Khan, who owns Section 18 gym, said the dead teenager was a popular and respected member. He said: 'He will be missed. He was a good role model for the lads. 'He was a leader and very determined. He would train up to three times a day - he did kickboxing. 'We are dragging a lot of the youngsters from around here to the gym. It gets them off the streets.' West Midlands Police have launched a murder investigation. So far no arrests have been made. Last night Mr Afzal confirmed on Twitter tan the victim was his sister-in-laws nephew. The stabbing follows the death of two more youngsters in recent weeks. Pictured on the left is Abdullah Muhammad, 16, who was killed five days ago. Pictured right is Sidali Mohamed, also 16, who died in hospital on February 15 after being attacked outside a college He said: 'Sadly, my sister-in-laws nephew, 18, was stabbed to death today in Birmingham. 'With Brexit: is anyone paying attention to double figure murders in Bham this yr London is much safer proportionately Where's the outrage? Why do our children have to die?' The latest stats show that in December alone, Birmingham saw 7,252 violent crimes where London saw 18,469 - disproportionate considering London has three times the population of the UK's second city. There were 71,850 violent crimes in Birmingham from January to December last year and 207,664 in the capital, 2.8 times as much as the Midlands city. Police on Norwood Road, Birmingham where the boy's body was found around 2pm today Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Payne, from West Midland's Police homicide team, said: 'Tragically another young life has been lost to knife crime - the third in Birmingham over the last two weeks. 'My thought are with Hazrat's family who are devastated by this senseless act and we are doing all we can to bring the person responsible to justice. 'Knife crime and violence is not an issue we can tackle on our own. We need help from partners, parents, schools and the wider community to tackle this growing issue. 'We all need to be having heart-to-heart conversations with children in an attempt to steer them away from knives and help prevent more lives from being ruined. 'The message that carrying weapons is unacceptable and won't be tolerated needs to be more firmly reinforced amongst our young people and we all have a role to play in that. West Midlands Police said in a statement that no arrests have yet been made 'We all feel the heartbreak of the loss of anyone so young - and a death at the hands of a knife is such a waste of life. 'We're doing all we can to tackle knife crime, we're using stop and search powers to target those who carry knives, seizing weapons and working with young people to talk about the dangers of carrying weapons. 'Our intensive investigations ruthlessly pursue those who wish to cause this harm among our communities. And we'll do all we can to bring offenders to justice. 'While this arrest is a significant step forward in our investigation, we still need anyone who was in the area to come forward and tell us what they saw or know.' West Midlands Police said after the killing yesterday that officers would be using Section 60 powers, giving them the ability to stop and search people without reasonable grounds 'where they believe there to be a risk of violence.' The move prompted debate online with one local mother commenting saying that her 19-year-old son got stopped and she 'didn't care' before adding: 'If you're carrying nothing you've got nothing to hide.' Pictures from the scene show a silver Volvo 4X4 covered by a tarpaulin behind a police cordon. The latest incident prompted Majid Mahmood, Councillor for the Bromford and Hodge Hill ward, to tweet: 'Is anywhere safe in Birmingham?' MP for Dudley, Ian Austin, tweeted calleing for an urgent meeting with Home Secretary Sajid Javid MP over concerns about 'violent crime'. He also said West Midlands Police 'need more to keep people safe', having 'lost over 2,000 officers.' The latest death also saw people online react in disbelief to the frequency of stabbings. Hussain Brooks said on Facebook: 'Omg not another one?' while Seth Zoubir Winter said: 'Another one. It's going crazy.' Sam Carolan said the daylight stabbings are 'just the norm now for Birmingham'. Emma Jane Bottrill asked: 'When is this going to stop?!' Anyone with information is urged to contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk, via 101, or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. The funniest moment at last nights Oscars was entirely missed by 99% of the audience. Trevor Noah, host of the Daily Show, introduced best picture candidate Black Panther by absurdly pretending to have known the movies lead character TChalla. Growing up as a young boy in Wakanda, he said, I would see TChalla flying over our village and he would remind me of a great Xhosa phrase abelungi abazi uba ndiyaxoka which means in times like these, we are stronger when we fight together than when we try to fight apart. The funniest moment at last nights not very funny Oscars was entirely missed by 99% of the audience, when Trevor Noah pretended to say a phrase in the Bantu language Xhosa The star-studded crowd roared their approval. Some punched the air. A few wiped away imaginary tears. Others hugged each other. This was exactly the kind of stirring, unifying, inclusive message everyone had been directed to crave at the most politically correct Academy Awards in history. But viewers in South Africa reacted rather differently. Because what Noah actually said in Xhosa the Bantu language related to Zulu was this: White people dont know Im lying. I burst out laughing when I found out about this, hours after the event. Which was truly ironic because I barely laughed once during the actual 3-hour ceremony. Noahs very clever subliminal prank so perfectly epitomised what Hollywood has become a place so terrified of laughing, at anything or anyone, that its incarcerated itself inside a dour tomb of virtue-signalling wokeness. Had he said what those Xhosa words really meant, the same crowd cheering him would have crunched their faces (Botox permitting) into stony disapproving silence. None of them would have wanted to be seen laughing at a joke that sounds even potentially racist. We know this because thats exactly what happened when Noah DID tell a risque race-tinged gag about Mel Gibson, notorious for unleashing a disgusting N-word tirade against his former girlfriend. Joking about how everyone says Wakanda Forever to him, as a homage to the Black Panther salute, Noah quipped: Even backstage Mel Gibson came up to me like Wakanda Forever. He said another word after that but the Wakanda was nice. The cameras cut to three professional comediennes, Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph and Amy Poehler, all of whom looked like Noah had just said hed killed all their pets. When the camera cut to Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph and Amy Poehler in the audience after Noah made an off-color Mel Gibson job, none of them even smiled (they are shown backstage earlier here) None of them was even cracking a half-smile, let alone laughing. They couldnt be seen to find it funny lest someone somewhere might be offended. What the hell has happened to Hollywood? It used to be a town where inappropriate jokes were not just encouraged they were mandatory. Bob Hope and Billy Crystal, who hosted the Oscars 27 times between them, littered their performances with near-the-knuckle jokes. But that brand of humour all came to a crashing halt after Seth MacFarlanes hosting performance in 2013. The Family Guy creator was savaged for singing a song entitled We saw your boobs about actresses whod gone topless in films, and for a series of other non-PC jokes about race, sexism, Jews, domestic violence and the Lincoln assassination. It was all very sharp and funny, as befits a comedy genius, but MacFarlanes mistake was to host an awards show in an era and town that no longer tolerates sharp and funny jokes. Since the faux-outrage that exploded, the Oscars has become ever more humourless, fuelled by the frenzied career wrecking trial-by-Twitter culture that has targeted anyone trying to be funny about anything. This dreadful trend culminated in the recent and utterly inevitable Kevin Hart debacle in which a man who would have been a perfect and hilarious Oscars host was forced to step down because of controversial tweets he posted years ago and for which he had subsequently expressed regret. The Academy reacted by announcing that this years Oscars would have no host at all, presumably because nobody can reach the clean, moral, ethical, inoffensive joke bar that has now been established, short of Mother Teresa being brought back to life. And so I watched last nights with a heavy, grim heart. I didnt hate it. In fact, I thought some of it was great notably, Olivia Colmans gloriously ebullient Best Actress speech, Rami Maleks equally endearing response to winning Best Actor for his superb portrayal of Freddie Mercury, Spike Lee behaving in the same lunatic way he does courtside at New York Knicks games, and Lady Gaga and Bradley Coopers suspiciously sizzlingly intimate performance of Shallow. Some of the show was great notably, Olivia Colmans gloriously ebullient Best Actress speech, Rami Maleks equally endearing response to winning Best Actor I loved Spike Lee behaving in the same lunatic way he does at New York Knicks games But what it didnt do was make me laugh. Instead, it dripped with insufferable identity politics, Trump-bashing, and a series of box ticking awards that smacked of Hollywood trying to make itself look as worthy and virtuous as possible. I cant believe a film about menstruation won an Oscar wept director Rayka Zehtabchi for her (powerful) film Period. End of Sentence. Really? Id have been more shocked if it hadnt. After all, the main winners last night were a film about a gay immigrant rock star, a film about a black superhero with an almost entirely black cast, a film about racial injustice in segregated U.S. South in the 1960s, a film about a black detective who goes undercover with the Ku Klux Klan and Roma, a beautifully made but almost unwatchably dull, depressing and painfully slow black-and-white film about a Mexican maid, in Spanish with subtitles. Im not disputing the individual merits of any of the winners, but its hard not to avoid the conclusion that Hollywood whose Academy voters are predominantly old white guys is now doing everything in its power to avoid more of theWhite Oscars backlashes of recent years. Even the red carpet morphed into a woke farce as Pose star Billy Porter turned up in a tuxedo-skirt, presumably to make himself the new poster person for gender fluidity. OMG! Hes magnificent! screamed Twitter. The red carpet morphed into a woke farce as Pose star Billy Porter turned up in a tuxedo-skirt, presumably to make himself the new poster person for gender fluidity. OMG! Hes ridiculous! I screamed back. In the end, the only real amusement came from watching people Id never heard of, and frankly was quite happy never to have heard of, making fools of themselves on stage during the seemingly endless tedious production categories. The hapless trio from Vice who won the make-up and hair award made collectively the worst speech in Oscars history - a bumbling, stumbling, jabbering, linguistic fiasco that became the perfect evidential argument for sliding these kind of awards into commercial breaks, as was intended this year until a massive furore from the industry forced the producers to do a U-turn. But at least they were riveting, for all the wrong reasons. When Green Book won Best Screenplay, one of the writers (and the movies director) Peter Farrelly pulled out a sheet of paper and began dementedly reciting the names of what seemed like every single human being hed ever met. I counted at least 40 people on his turgid list of mainly nonentities. When Green Book won Best Screenplay, one of the writers (and the movies director) Peter Farrelly pulled out a sheet of paper and began dementedly reciting names Important to him, Im sure but utterly irrelevant to the billion people watching around the world. Oh for a trap door that could have sucked him down into the bowels of the Kodak Theatre and spared us this orgy of self-indulgence. And what about the ridiculous woman who made Free Solo, the extraordinary documentary about climber Alex Honnold? She barely mentioned the guy who actually risked his life for her bloody film, even as he stood three feet away from her on stage! Documentary maker Chai Vasarhelyi (in gray) barely mentioned the guy who actually risked his life for her bloody film, even as he stood three feet away from her! ( second from right) But for me, the single most depressing moment came with presenting duo Awkwafina and John Mulaney, who were unfunny, boring and unctuously sycophantic. I want these people to like me to a degree that is embarrassing, gushed Mulaney, and you could see he really meant it. Wait, why are we still here? exclaimed Awkwafina, as they remained on stage to introduce a second award. The single most depressing moment came with Awkwafina and John Mulaney, who were unfunny, boring and unctuously sycophantic. Why wasnt Ricky Gervais there to rip into people instead of these fawning clowns? I asked myself the exact same question, with this supplementary: Why wasnt Ricky Gervais there to rip into people instead of these fawning clowns? Yet today, Ive read many people raving about them and saying they were so hilarious they should host the whole show next year. To which I say: Hayi! Hayi! HAYI! (Thats Xhosa for What a great idea!) Rod Rosenstein, the outgoing deputy attorney general, says he trusts new boss William Barr to make the 'right decision' on releasing the special counsel report when its ready. He said after a speech in Washington that the decision will lie with newly-confirmed Attorney General Bar, as President Trump has also said, and he will determine 'what to do with whatever information is provided to him' at the conclusion of the Russia probe. 'I think Attorney General Barr is going to make the right decision. You can trust him to do this,' Rosenstein said, according to Politico. 'I think we can count on him to do the right thing.' The man who long oversaw special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation also said Monday that it is not always appropriate for the government to be transparent about its work, however, as he cautioned against leveling public allegations against people who are not prosecuted. Rod Rosenstein, the outgoing deputy attorney general, says he trusts new boss William Barr to make the 'right decision' on releasing the special counsel report when its ready He said after a speech in Washington that the decision will lie with newly-confirmed Attorney General William Barr, as President Trump has also said, and he will determine 'what to do with whatever information is provided to him' at the conclusion of the Russia probe Rosenstein's comments at an event Monday come as Mueller's Russia probe winds down and as there is debate about what information should be made public at the end, particularly about individuals who were investigated but not charged Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein's comments at an event Monday come as Mueller's Russia probe winds down and as there is debate about what information should be made public at the end, particularly about individuals who were investigated but not charged. Rosenstein did not discuss Mueller's investigation in detail and did not suggest that his comments about transparency were about the probe. But he made several remarks that could be interpreted as trying to manage expectations that the Justice Department might not disclose as much about the investigation as Democrats in Congress and many in the public might want. 'There's a knee-jerk reaction to suggest we should be transparent about we do in government,' Rosenstein said. 'But there are a lot of reasons not to be transparent about what we do in government.' Rosenstein was responsible for Mueller's appointment in May 2017 and has overseen much of his day-to-day work since then. He took over the investigation after former Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself. Sessions resigned late last year, and Trump appointed Barr, who'd held the job of attorney general once prior, to fill the position. Despite his targeting of Rosenstein in tweets over the years, Trump has kept him on, as he fired or pushed out nearly every other leading DOJ official. Rosenstein allegedly concocted a plan to approach Cabinet members about invoking the 25th Amendment to remove Trump, although he never followed through with it, administration officials have indicated. Former Deputy Director of the FBI Andrew McCabe detailed the episode in a book tour. He also claimed that Rosenstein was so troubled by the president's relationship with the Russians that he pitched wearing a wire more than once as part of a counterintelligence investigation into President Trump. The Department of Justice has categorically denied the allegations. Trump called Rosenstein's alleged actions 'illegal and treasonous' even as he assailed McCabe for fabricating information. Rosenstein is expected to step down next month, and his speech Monday on the rule of law at the Center for Strategic and International Studies might be one of his last public appearances before his departure. The president has tapped deputy Transportation secretary Jeffrey Rosen to succeed him. At points in his speech, and in a question-and-answer session that followed, Rosenstein appeared to allude to the Justice Department's protocol of not disclosing negative information about people it does not have enough evidence to charge or that it decides against prosecuting. Democrats have pressed for the release of as much information as possible about Mueller's investigation into potential coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign, including about President Trump himself. Justice Department legal opinions argue that a sitting president cannot be indicted, suggesting prosecutors cannot pursue charges against Trump even if they uncover wrongdoing. 'The guidance I always gave my prosecutors and the agents I worked with during my tenure on the front lines of law enforcement were if we aren't prepared to prove our case beyond a reasonable doubt in court,' Rosenstein said, 'then we have no business making allegations against American citizens.' Rosenstein's comments stand in contrast to congressional Democrats who are aggressively pushing the idea that Mueller's full report, plus the underlying documents, should be made public. The Democrats are pointing to documents that Justice Department officials provided to Congress in the wake of the investigation of Hillary Clinton's emails, as well as information that Republicans demanded last year as part of their inquiries about decisions made by the department during the 2016 elections. Documents provided to Congress included sensitive, sometimes classified information that had traditionally been kept under wraps after closed investigations or during ongoing investigations. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said Sunday that he told department officials after they released information related to the Clinton investigation that 'this was a new precedent they were setting and they were going to have to live by this precedent whether it was a Congress controlled by the Democrats or Republicans.' Schiff said that he was willing to compel Mueller to testify and subpoena the report if DOJ attempts to stonewall him. Rabess 'claimed the iPads were a gift for her 'amazing' work cleaning the toilets' A school cleaner who was caught on CCTV 'trousering' thousands of pounds worth of iPads claimed they were a gift for doing a great job cleaning the toilets. Fiona Rabess, 29, swiped 25 tablets worth at least 300 each from Christ Church Primary School in Streatham, southwest London, between October 2017 and June 2018. The school initially believed youngsters were accidentally taking the iPads home but installed CCTV inside the IT suite. Fiona Rabess, 29, swiped 25 tablets from Christ Church Primary School in Streatham, southwest London (above), between October 2017 and June 2018. A CPS spokesman said Rabess initially 'claimed they were a gift for doing a great job cleaning the toilets' [File photo] Rabess was then caught on camera stuffing iPads down her trousers and some of them were recovered from a pawnbroker in Brixton, still featuring the school's logo on them. Two tablets were also found at Rabess' home address in Streatham and the pawn broker returned some of them. Rabess admitted five counts of theft by employee at Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court and was sentenced to a 12-month community order. She must also carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay back 600 for some of the iPads. Robert Short, from the CPS, said after the hearing: 'Fiona Rabess had worked at the school for more than two years and was a trusted member of cleaning staff. However, she used her access into the building to take educational tools away from schoolchildren for her own financial gain. 'Rabess initially claimed the iPads were a gift from the school's caretaker for her 'amazing' work cleaning the toilets, but the prosecution's case against Rabess was so strong that she had little choice but to plead guilty to the thefts.' Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said that it's 'legitimate' for young people to ask if it's okay to have children because of the threat of climate change. Ocasio-Cortez waxed on about the effects of climate change on young people as she made dinner in what appeared to be her apartment in an Instagram Live video over the weekend. 'There is scientific consensus that the lives of young children are going to be very difficult. And it does lead, I think, young people to have a legitimate question you know, should, is it okay to still have children?,' she said as she put a tray of chopped vegetables in the oven. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez waxed on about the effects of climate change on young people as she made dinner during an instagram live over the weekend Ocasio-Cortez said climate change is giving young people a reason to question having kids She also bemoaned the high cost of college for the current generation but said there is a 'moral obligation' to leave a healthy planet to children. 'I mean not just financially because people are graduating with 20, 30,000 dollars worth of student loan debt so they can't even afford to have kids in the house, but also just this basic moral question like what do we do? And even if you don't have kids there are still children here in the world and we have a moral obligation to them and to leave a better world for them,' she said as she chopped yams. The average college student graduates with $37,172 in student loans, according to CNBC, a $20,000 increase from 13 years ago. Ocasio-Cortez expressed concern that water-down legislation to try and counter climate change wasn't enough and would 'kill us.' 'We need a universal sense of urgency and people are trying to introduce watered-down proposals that, frankly, are going to kill us. A lack of urgency is going to kill us,' she said. The freshman Democrat is pushing the Green New Deal is a statement of goals and doesn't make specific policy proposals, nor does it specify how it would pay for its ambitious plans. The plan aims to slow climate change by ending the reliance on fossil fuels within 10 years; to upgrade power grids and existing buildings for maximum energy efficiency; to overhaul transportation systems; and to provide every American with a job and health care. Climate change was one of her signature campaign issues. She also said there is a 'moral obligation' to leave a healthy planet to children Climate change was one of Ocasio-Cortez's signature campaign issues Ocasio-Cortez poses with children The Green New Deal became the subject of mockery online as conservatives lampooned Ocasio-Cortez for a communications rollout guide, produced by her chief of staff Saikat Chakrabarti, that argued for a range of environmental remedies including phasing out all air travel and eliminating 'farting cows' from U.S. agriculture. It also proposed to guarantee economic security for Americans who are 'unwilling to work.' Ocasio-Cortez has since scrubbed the fact sheet - written in the form of a frequently asked questions - from her website. Social media users had a strong reaction to the set for the 91st Annual Academy Awards, saying it looked like the president's hair. The flowing design of the Oscars stage, built at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, was likened by many on Sunday night to the coif atop President Donald Trump's head. 'That stage looks like Donald Trumps hair,' Twitter user @ninjabels7 said, far from alone in making the observation. The set was designed by award-winning creative director and designer David Korins, who worked on the sets for Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen. Twitter user Ben Popper wondered whether it was done intentionally, writing: 'Wait, is the Oscar stage designed to look like Trumps hair?' The actual theme behind the final result was inclusivity, Korins said. The design of the 2019 Oscars stage by David Korins, built at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, was likened by many on Sunday night to the coif atop President Donald Trump's head 'That stage looks like Donald Trumps hair,' Twitter user @ninjabels7 said, and she was far from alone in making the observation Twitter user Ben Popper wondered if it was done intentionally, writing: 'Wait, is the Oscar stage designed to look like Trumps hair?' Brian Matthews from Texas apparently thought the display was worthy of taking home its own Oscar. 'The award for best actor goes to Donald Trumps Hair for its spectacular work as the Stage Facade,' Matthews tweeted. User @Matthew_T_Rader agreed, writing: 'Such beautiful presidential Oscar winning hair!' While Popper joked the resemblance between the set and the president's hairdo may have been planned, in truth, Korins was aiming for a very different statement. The stage at the Dolby Theatre during the 91st Annual Academy Awards on Sunday in shown User @Matthew_T_Rader agreed, writing: 'Such beautiful presidential Oscar winning hair!' Jokes about the likeness between the 2019 Oscars set and President Donald Trump's hair filled social media over Sunday and Monday. Trump is pictured speaking during the 2019 White House business session with governors in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC on Monday 'I took a long, hard look at the world, and regardless of where you stand [politically], its pretty clear that there are a lot of hard-lined lines in the sand,' Korins told Architectural Digest. 'Theres a lot of rectilinear and rigid thinking and theres a lot of ups and downs, and I wanted to make something that was a distinct statement about inclusion. Theres almost not a [single] straight line onstage and [in] the entire design.' Korins continued: 'We have built an installation of an incredibly soft, beautiful, sweeping, asymmetrical portal that wraps literally out into the audience, covers the opera boxes, and hugs the audience. 'It is a statement of inclusion, its a statement about community in the room and then also reaching out through the camera with the different kinds of immersive angles.' But from the very start of the show, parallels started being drawn between the sweeping motion of the set and Trump's hairline. From the very start of the show, parallels started being drawn between the sweeping motion of the set and Trump's hairline Another user with account name @elunatyk joked, 'If Hollywood is so "liberal" why is the Oscar stage Donald Trumps hair?' A Twitter user listed as Kayla who lives in Seattle said: 'Cant wait to spend the next 3 hours watching celebs standing under Trumps hair.' Another user with account name @elunatyk joked: 'If Hollywood is so "liberal" why is the Oscar stage Donald Trumps hair?' A user called Jessica teased that the president might expect royalties for the setup, which she said bore a striking resemblance to his hairstyle. A user called Jessica teased that the president might expect royalties for the setup, which she said bore a striking resemblance to his hairstyle 'Trump called...he's mad that no one asked for his permission to use the likeness of his hair for the oscars stage...' Jessica wrote. One outspoken user with the account handle @CupcakePond wrote, in all caps, '#Oscars NO ONE CAN TELL ME THAT PROSCENIUM ARCH IS NOT DONALD TRUMP'S HAIR. NO ONE.' The proscenium arch is the part of a theater stage in front of the curtain. Laughter is another great way to bring people together, so it looks like Korins accomplished his goal in multiple ways on Hollywood's big night. A fifth person has been charged over a sickening brawl which saw a police officer's head slammed onto the concrete. Mother Kayla Potts, 25, her fiance Jack Houldcroft, 27, Potts' brother Trent, 26, and her friend Phillip O'Donnell, 38, were all arrested after the fight with two officers in St Kilda, Melbourne about 3am on Sunday. A 26-year-old St Kilda man was arrested for his alleged involvement in the brawl on Monday afternoon. Police were unable to confirm if he was the man seen allegedly spitting on one of the officers as he lay injured on the ground. Senior police described the shocking group attack as 'animalistic' and 'barbaric' and the state premier slammed the footage as 'disgusting'. The group has been charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer, affray, violent disorder, and other assault charges. If convicted, all parties face a mandatory six months in jail for assaulting an emergency worker. Arrested and charged: Kayla Potts (left) 25, and fiance Jack Houldcroft, 27, (right) were allegedly involved in a brawl with two friends and two police officers in St Kilda, Melbourne early on Sunday morning Kayla's brother Trent Potts (left) 26, and friend Phillip O'Donnell (right) 38, were also arrested. The four friends were celebrating a 30th birthday party when they allegedly got into an argument upon leaving the venue Kayla Potts - a childcare worker - was released on bail from the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday. She was seen leaving the court shielding her face. The Melbourne Magistrates Court heard that Potts, her brother Trent, Houldcroft and O'Donnell had been attending a 30th birthday party in St Kilda when they allegedly got into an argument upon leaving the venue. A transgender woman intervened in the alleged dispute but Trent Potts allegedly kicked the Good Samaritan in the genitals. Police were called and arrived on the scene just as the group were about to get into a taxi. At that point, Mr Potts allegedly fled on foot and a police chase ensued. Senior Constable Darren Shepherd, however, tripped on the gutter while Senior Constable Adam McKenzie caught up with Potts. Potts allegedly tried to fight the cop before his sister showed up and lunged at him. A court heard Kayla Potts allegedly attacked an officer after her brother Trent tried to fight him. The officer then allegedly bashed her with a torch, splitting her head open Video footage captured the four friends in a brawl that saw a police officer's head slammed onto the concrete Sickening footage showed a man repeatedly slamming a police officer's head into the ground The officer allegedly hit her with a torch, splitting her head open. She then unleashed a tirade against the officer, swearing at him repeatedly. Video footage shows O'Donnell and Houldcroft stepping in and beating the officers. O'Donnell is accused of tackling Shepherd from behind, slamming his head repeatedly into the pavement. Houldcroft punched and kicked McKenzie as he lay on the ground. Shepherd was admitted to the hospital with a ruptured bicep and required surgery. The other officer suffered cuts and bruises to his face as well as a fractured cheekbone, a detective told the court. Police will allege O'Donnell smashed the officer's head into the concrete during the fracas. He is expected to seek bail on Tuesday, The Australian reported. Officers are seeking a man who was seen spitting on an injured officer and two women involved in the brawl. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the violence was a 'disgusting incident' and that police should use the 'full force' of the law. 'We've got no time for this, no tolerance for it, and I'm confident Victoria Police will be doing the work necessary to see those people face the full force of new laws that I'm very proud to have written,' he said. Childcare worker Kayla Potts was released on bail from the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday. She was seen leaving the court shielding her face Victoria Police deputy commissioner Shane Patton said the attack was 'disgusting and unprovoked'. 'The outrage - I can't explain the outrage that I felt when I saw the footage yesterday that all members of executive command saw, and how we felt,' he said. 'That type of attack, that type of barbaric behaviour, just cannot be tolerated.' Mr Patton said police were searching for three other people involved in the incident. A Tennessee woman accused of killing a rookie police officer in a hit-and-run crash that landed her on the state's Top 10 Most Wanted list has turned herself in to authorities. Police launched a manhunt for 54-year-old Janet Elaine Hinds after she allegedly struck and killed 38-year-old officer Nicholas Galinger on Saturday night in Chattanooga. Galinger, who graduated from the police academy last month, had gotten out of his patrol vehicle to inspect a manhole cover amid rainy conditions when Hinds' Honda CRV hit and fatally wounded him. Hinds, of Hixson, is facing nine charges including vehicular homicide. She appeared at a hearing on Monday morning where her bond was set at $300,000. Scroll down for video Janet Elaine Hinds has been arrested for a hit-and-run crash that killed a police officer in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Saturday. She is pictured left in her mugshot and right in a driver's license photo Hinds is facing nine criminal charges including vehicular homicide in the death of 38-year-old police officer Nicholas Galinger (above), who was struck and killed while on duty At Monday's hearing, Executive Assistant District Attorney Cameron Williams asked for a high bond amount, arguing that Hinds was a flight risk because she left the scene of the accident and didn't turn herself in until more than 24 hours later. The defendant's attorney Ben McGowan countered by saying that Hinds is not a flight risk because she was born and raised in the area, has a home and family there and is employed as a Postmaster in neighboring Soddy Daisy. McGowan also noted that his client had no prior record other than a speeding charge, which she pleaded guilty to in 1998. Court records indicate that Hinds had two separate speeding charges dismissed in 1997 and 2004. Judge Christie Sell ultimately sided with the prosecution and ruled that Hinds cannot drive and will be on house arrest if she posts her $300,000 bond. The judge said that even if Hinds was unaware that she'd hit a person, she would have known that she hit something and therefore should have stopped. Hinds has been charged with vehicular homicide, reckless driving, leaving the scene, failure to report an accident, failure to render aid, violation of traffic control device, speeding, drivers to exercise due care and failure to maintain lane. She could face additional charges pending drug and alcohol testing ordered by investigators who obtained a warrant for Hinds' blood. Hinds appeared at a hearing on Monday (above) where her bond was set at $300,000 Hinds' attorney Ben McGowan (above together) argued that his client is not a flight risk because she was born and raised in the area, has a home and family there and is employed as a Postmaster in neighboring Soddy Daisy Chattanooga Police Chief David Roddy (above) said of Galinger: 'The department, this community lost not just an officer but a son, a father, a friend and a protector' Galinger was inspecting a manhole cover overflowing with water when he was struck by a car just after 11pm on Saturday. He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Galinger, of Cincinatti, Ohio, has just graduated from the police academy last month The officer from Cincinnati, Ohio, had graduated from the police academy in January, and was with his field training officer when the crash occurred. Police offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to Hinds' arrest. Her damaged vehicle was found at her house about five miles from the crash on Sunday morning, but it appeared she was not home when officers knocked on the door. 'It is with great sadness that I inform you that Chattanooga police officer Nicholas Galinger succumbed to his injuries,' Chattanooga Police Chief David Roddy said at a news conference on Sunday. 'The department, this community lost not just an officer but a son, a father, a friend and a protector.' Galinger was the second Chattanooga Police Department death in the last week, according to the Times Free Press. Sgt John Monroe, the department's training sergeant, died unexpectedly at his home last Thursday. He had been with the department since 1998. Toneeta Beckford, 33, was convicted of racially abusing a Debenhams staff member A stalker who once left Crimewatch star Rav Wilding fearing he 'would be shot on his doorstep like Jill Dando' has been spared jail for racially abusing a Muslim shop worker in Debenhams. Toneeta Beckford, 33, grabbed Mahbuba Kamali by the wrist and told her to 'go back to your own country you f****** Muslim'. Despite a terrified Ms Kamali telling the foul-mouthed shopper that she was born in the UK, Beckford began ranting about terrorist attacks. Beckford, of New Hope Road, Smethwick, West Midlands, was returning a 45 dress to Debenhams' flagship Oxford Street store in London on July 7 last year when she launched into the tirade of abuse. Ms Kamali told Westminister Magistrates' Court: 'I had the receipt in my hand and then I moved to the side and she tried to lean over but she could not. 'I tried to write on the receipt. I moved to the other side and she grabs my wrist and pulls me towards her. 'When I gave her the receipt back that was when she said go back to your country you f****** Muslim. 'I told her I was born here. She started saying something about the London Bridge attack. 'I was terrified because I have never heard that before.' Beckford, who told the court 'she should not have gone that far', denied one charge of religiously aggravated assault but was convicted last month. Yet the woman with a history of harassment has avoided prison and instead been sentenced to a 12-month community order with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement. Scroll down for video Beckford, of Smethwick, West Midlands, grabbed Mahbuba Kamali by the wrist and told her to 'go back to your own country you f****** Muslim' The foul-mouthed rant happened in Debenhams' Oxford Street store (pictured) when Beckford was trying to return a 45 dress She was also ordered to pay costs of 300, a victim surcharge of 85 and compensation of 50. This is the third time Beckford has walked free from convictions after previously stalking a BBC Crimewatch presenter and chucking a bag of sweets at a shop worker in another racist attack. In 2010 she was convicted of harassing Rav Wilding after sending dozens of obscene messages and lewd photographs through Facebook and Twitter to the former policeman. Mr Wilding had told a court how he feared he would be killed like Jill Dando, who was shot on her doorstep in 1999. He said: 'Obviously in the nature of my work on Crimewatch and my predecessor being murdered in her job, I have to take security very, very seriously. 'I had to be careful using public transport and the BBC had to increase security for me.' Beckford was given a suspended jail sentence later reduced to 50 hours of unpaid work and a community order after an appeal. Beckford was convicted in 2010 of harrassing Crimewatch presenter Rav Wilding (right) who co-hosts the BBC show with Michelle Ackerley (left) In 2017 glamour model Nicola McLean came face-to-face with Beckford on 'Celeb Trolls: We're Coming To Get You' and claimed she had suffered three years of constant online abuse. She told how Beckford tweeted her relentlessly with disgusting comments, called her a 'prostitute' and threatened to punch her in the face. Beckford also threw a bag of sweets at a member of staff in a shop in November 2015 and said: 'You weren't even born here.' She was convicted after trial and given a community order with unpaid work. Lorraine Lewis, from the CPS, said of the latest conviction: 'This was a racial assault on a victim who was simply doing her job. 'Beckford was caught on the shop's CCTV assaulting the victim and her aggressive demeanour was also witnessed by others in the shop that day. 'Hate crime has a corrosive effect on our society and the CPS will not hesitate to prosecute those who commit these crimes.' The UK should give up its control of a remote Indian Ocean archipelago that houses a controversial US military base 'as rapidly as possible', the United Nations' highest court ruled. Britain forcibly evicted people from the Chagos Archipelago, a sovereignty in the Indian Ocean disputed by the UK and Mauritius, in the 1960s and 1970s. The island was then used by the United States as a military base. Judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in The Hague, said on Monday that the UK's detachment of the islands and their incorporation into the British Indian Ocean Territory was 'unlawful'. The ICJ also said, in a rare 'advisory opinion' on the decades-old dispute, that Britain illegally split the Chagos Islands from Mauritius in 1965 three years before it gained independence. The islands' inhabitants accuse Britain of unfairly orchestrating their expulsion from the land, referred to by Britain as part of the British Indian Ocean Territory, in order to house the American base on the largest island, Diego Garcia. Turtle Cove on Diego Garcia island. Exiled inhabitants began a challenge to a British decision to kick them off the remote island 30 years ago to make way for the US base Mauritius, which gained independence in 1968, maintains the islands are its own and Chagossians have also brought cases in British courts for the right to return The ICJ's 14-member tribunal was asked to step into the dispute after Britain was defeated in a 2017 vote by the UN General Assembly on its claim to the islands. Judges in The Hague decided by a majority of 13 to one that 'the United Kingdom is under an obligation to bring an end to its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible'. The court's view is not binding and does not mean islanders can return, but it carries a heavy symbolic importance on the world stage. Between 1968 and 1973 about 2,000 Chagos islanders or 'Chagossians', as they are known were evicted, to Britain, Mauritius and the Seychelles. The evictions were described in a British diplomatic cable at the time as the removal of 'some few Tarzans and Man Fridays'. An estimated 3,000 to 4,000 Chagossians and their descendants live in the UK. Mauritius prime minister Pravind Jugnauth said the ICJ's pronouncement was a 'historic moment for Mauritius and all its people', adding: 'Our territorial integrity will now be made complete, and when that occurs, the Chagossians and their descendants will finally be able to return home.' Chagos islanders outside the High Court in London in 2007, where they were fighting the UK government for the reinstatement of their homeland US Navy Support Facility at Diego Garcia, the largest island in the British Indian Ocean Territory. Judges at the International Court of Justice ruled the the UK's detachment was 'unlawful' Fuel tanks at the edge of a military airstrip on Diego Garcia, largest island in the Chagos archipelago and site of a major United States military base in the middle of the Indian Ocean leased from Britain in 1966 Olivier Bancoult, chairman of the Mauritius-based Chagos Refugees Group, said: 'It is a big victory against an injustice done by the British Government for many years.' But UK Chagos Support Association vice-chairman Stefan Donnelly said: 'It remains to be seen whether or not this is a win for the Chagossian people. 'We hope that... a consensus can quickly be reached that finally gives a measure of justice to Chagossians.' The sun-kissed isles with a dark history The Chagos Islands were colonised by France in the 18th century and African slaves were shipped in to cultivate coconuts. In 1814, France ceded the islands to Britain, which in 1903 merged them with Mauritius, its colony about 1,200 miles to the south-west. In 1965, Britain separated the Chagos Islands from Mauritius, paying 3 million for them. When Mauritius became independent in 1968, the islands remained under British control, and were renamed the British Indian Ocean Territory. In 1966, Britain leased the islands to the US for 50 years. Between 1968 and 1973, about 2,000 Chagos islanders were evicted. Most were shipped to Mauritius and the Seychelles. Evicted islanders enlisted the help of human rights lawyer Amal Clooney when they took their fight to the Supreme Court in 2015, but the court ruled against them. The secretive military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island, has been dubbed 'the Guantanamo of the East' amid suspicions it was a key staging post in the US rendition and torture programme. In 2016, the US lease was extended to 2036. Advertisement Last night the Foreign Office said it would look 'carefully' at the detail of the ICJ's opinion and stressed it was 'not a judgement'. A spokesman added: 'The defence facilities on the British Indian Ocean Territory help to protect people here in Britain and around the world from terrorist threats, organised crime and piracy.' Britain leased the islands to the US in 1966. Diego Garcia played a key strategic role in the Cold War before being used as a staging ground for US bombing in Afghanistan and Iraq in the 2000s. It is also suspected of being a staging post in the US rendition and torture programme. Tony Blair said during his last days in No 10 that he was 'satisfied' the US had never transferred detainees through any British territories, but human rights groups uncovered proof that military aircraft linked to rendition the transfer of alleged terrorists had landed on Diego Garcia. The judges also said that because Britain had split the islands from Mauritius before independence, the process of decolonisation was not lawfully completed. They said it was up to the General Assembly to decide how to 'ensure the completion of the decolonisation of Mauritius'. The UK's ongoing administration is a 'wrongful act', according to an advisory opinion given by the court, which is not binding. The Chagos Islands were first conceded to Britain in 1965 during Maurituis' campaign for independence - which was granted in 1968. But Mauritius claims it was forced to give up the islands and the ICJ has advised the UK to hand back control. The ICJ said: 'The court finds that the process of decolonisation of Mauritius was not lawfully completed when that country acceded to independence and that the United Kingdom is under an obligation to bring to an end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible.' A demonstrator demanding her return to the Chagos Islands in the Diego Garcia archipelago shouts during a protest outside the Houses of Parliament in October 2008 Diego Garcia coral atolls, seen from the Space Shuttle Atlantis in a satellite image taken in November 1990 The UK agreed a package including 3 million with Mauritius for the detachment of the archipelago in 1965. Mauritius, which gained independence in 1968, maintains the islands are its own and Chagossians have also brought cases in British courts for the right to return. A spokeswoman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: 'This is an advisory opinion, not a judgment. Of course, we will look at the detail of it carefully. 'The defence facilities on the British Indian Ocean Territory help to protect people here in Britain and around the world from terrorist threats, organised crime and piracy.' The ICJ said the opinion the UK should ends its administration was given with a majority of 13 votes to one. Another part of its advisory opinion which said 'member states are under an obligation to co-operate with the United Nations in order to complete the decolonisation' was given with the same majority. About 2,000 people were evicted from the islands, with many resettling in Britain, Mauritius (pictured) and Seychelles. The UK has said the islands will be returned to Mauritius when the need for military facilities ends The Peace Palace, home of the International Court of Justice, in the Hague, Netherlands, where the ruling was delivered on Monday 'After recalling the circumstances in which the colony of Mauritius agreed in principle to such a detachment, the court considers that this detachment was not based on the free and genuine expression of the will of the people concerned,' the ICJ said. The resettlement of Mauritian nationals on the islands should be 'addressed by the General Assembly' during the completion of decolonisation, it added. The UK has said the islands will be returned to Mauritius when the need for military facilities ends. Rosa Curling, a solicitor with law firm Leigh Day, who represents Solange Hoareau, a Chagossian woman fighting a legal battle to return, said: 'We are considering the judgment carefully with our client, but clearly the UK should stop breaching international law. 'The time has come to allow the islanders to return home.' A fake socialite who posed as a German billionaire heiress has appeared in a New York court looking disheveled as she prepares to face trial on charges of defrauding hotels, banks and friends out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Anna Sorokin, also known as her alias Anna Delvey, appeared briefly in Manhattan Supreme Court on Monday. The 27-year-old was dressed in her beige prison sweats and let her hair fall over her face as she sat next to her lawyer during the hearing with her hands cuffed behind her back. Her trial was scheduled to start Monday but her attorney and prosecutors spoke with the judge about upcoming dates and agreed for jury selection to occur on March 20. Anna Sorokin, 27, appeared briefly in Manhattan Supreme Court on Monday where she is charged with grand larceny in relation to her fake heiress lifestyle Sorokin rejected a plea deal in December that could have seen her released from prison within a year. Her attorney said she was not willing to take advantage of a state law that allows foreigners to serve half their minimum prison sentences before being deported back to their native country. Sorokin has been in custody at Rikers Island since her arrest a year and a half ago. She has instead pleaded not guilty to grand larceny and will face a jury. Sorokin faces 15 years in prison if convicted. Sorokin made headlines after it emerged she had been posing as Anna Delvey - the heiress daughter of a fictitious billionaire magnate. She is accused of duping elite circles in Manhattan from 2013 until 2018. Netflix signed a deal to acquire the rights to Sorokin's story last year after her case received notoriety from two lengthy articles in Vanity Fair and New York Magazine. Sorokin allegedly talked banks into lending her money to start the 'Anna Delvey Foundation' and skipped out on bills at the end of a weeks-long stays in some of New York's finest hotels. The 27-year-old was dressed in her beige prison sweats and let her hair fall over her face as she sat next to her lawyer during the hearing with her hands cuffed behind her back Her trial was scheduled to start Monday but her attorney and prosecutors spoke with the judge about upcoming dates and agreed for jury selection to occur on March 20 She also targeted individuals who she believed would serve her well and got them to pay for things with the promise that she would eventually give them the money back, it is claimed. Among them was a Vanity Fair picture researcher whom she allegedly convinced to pay $62,000 for a trip to Morocco after her own card was rejected. Sorokin denies the charges and insists she was always trying to be seen as a businesswoman. She claims the dinners at extravagant restaurants like Le Coucou were business meetings and that it was all going towards the Anna Delvey Foundation - an arts-focused members club she planned to open and still speaks about. Prosecutors say she facilitated her lifestyle by check-kiting - a practice whereby a person deposits bad checks into a bank account then withdraws a cash amount before they bounce. Among those who have previously spoken out about Sorokin are some of her alleged victims including staff at the hotels where she stayed. Sorokin made headlines after it emerged she had been posing as Anna Delvey - the heiress daughter of a fictitious billionaire magnate. She is accused of duping elite circles in Manhattan from 2013 until 2018 She also targeted individuals who she believed would serve her well and got them to pay for things with the promise that she would eventually give them the money back, it is claimed They told how she tipped with $100 bills and gave off an air of extreme wealth. One, who was the receptionist at 11 Howard where Sorokin stayed for a month, told of how she once attended a dinner she organized for a large group at Le Coucou which included MaCaulay Culkin. Others described how restaurants began calling them after seeing pictures of them with Sorokin on Instagram and asking to be put in touch with her because she had skipped out on her bills. Sorokin was born in Russia and grew up in Germany as the daughter of a truck driver. She left Germany in 2011 to move to London where she attended Central St. Martin's College as a fashion student. Her father told New York Magazine that they had supplemented her rent and schooling at first and that he was stunned by the news she had been arrested. 'We always paid for her accommodations, her rent, and other matters,' he said. 'She assured us these costs were the best investment. If ever she needed something more at one point or another, it didn't matter. The future was always bright.' Some Iranian Instagram stars have culled photos on their personal pages - leaving only pictures of themselves wearing a hijab. The stars, including mahdis_food who commands over 400,000 followers, have also declared obedience 'to the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran.' Reports in Iran suggest the actions are off the back of an effort from the Iranian Cyber Police (FATA) to exert more control over posting on Instagram which they deem 'un islamic'. Mahdis_food (pictured) decided to delete pictures where she wasn't wearing her hijab The Shahrvand daily newspaper in Iran reported that FATA had recently implemented a 'healthifying project' to enforce Islamic law on social media which has been a platform used widely for women's rights activists. However, some of the women - including the admin of mahdis_food - have claimed that they are 'more comfortable with the veil.' The admin said: 'We should all join this great project together and make our veil more complete. 'There is no particular problem. I joined the project with my heart's satisfaction, and completed my full hijab.' She went on to say that she will 'continue to work only with more coverage' and in 'accordance with the rules of my beloved country.' Another account posted a message, stating: 'Dear friends, Given that in previous photos, some Islamic clauses have not been observed. 'All the photos will be taken from the removable screen and the new format will be taken.' There has been no statement from FATA as of yet, but the have taken an active role against 'un-islamic' behaviour on Instagram in the past. Still from a video on Mahdi's Food Instagram page. She has over 400,000 followers on the site 'When the pages of social media celebrities are identified by FATA Iranian Cyber Police the admins of these pages will be referred to the judicial authorities in each provinces they live,' Toraj Kazemi, the head of FATA, told ILNA news agency in July. Other popular social media sites that have been blocked by the Ministry of Technology, including Twitter, Facebook, and the instant messaging app Telegram, leaving Instagram to become an important international arena for freedom of expression. The Iranian government has put several restrictions on the public role of women based on Islamic Sharia laws. Since the 1979 Iranian revolution women have been forced to wear the headscarf in public. The rise of social media in Iran, where there is 24 million Instagram users, has led to clashes with FATA. In July last year, the organisation arrested three young girls who became famous on Instagram after posting videos of themselves dancing. One of them, Maedeh Hojabri, recorded herself in her bedroom belly dancing without a hijab. She then appeared on national television in what was believed to be a forced confession. She said during the broadcast: 'It wasn't for attracting attention. I had some followers and these videos were for them. 'I did not have any intention to encourage others doing the same I didn't work with a team, I received no training. I only do gymnastics.' Seven young Iranians seen dancing to Pharrel William's hit song 'Happy' in a video that went viral were handed suspended sentences of jail and 91 lashes each before appearing on state television to apologise in 2014. According to Article 638 of Iran's Islamic Penal Code, dancing is considered a 'sinful act' and can be punished with two months imprisonment and 74 lashes. FATA has also said in the past that 30% of cases against Instagrammers are filed in Tehran, the country's capital. The city plays host to a popular Instagram page called the 'Rick Kids of Tehran' where the capital's wealthy youngsters flout the strict Sharia law by drinking alcohol and appearing without headscarves. The head of Tehran's cyber-police force has said he planned on continuing to track down popular Instagram accounts breaking morality laws. A monkey has been caught at a train station after escaping from Berlin zoo in Germany with its daughter. The mother monkey, aged 17, and her daughter, aged six, broke out of their enclosure at the Tierpark zoo on Thursday. The younger monkey, Philippa, aged six, was picked up near the monkey house on Saturday. Pet keeper Fabian Behnke is pictured taking the younger monkey, Philippa, back to the enclosure when mother Obi was still on the run. A veterinarian said both monkeys were 'somewhat exhausted' after their capture [File photo] The mother, Obi, escaped capture during a search by about 40 zoo employees despite several weekend sightings. The zoo said staff members caught Obi at a commuter railway station on Monday morning. Veterinarian Andreas Pauly said 'both monkeys were of course, somewhat exhausted' after their capture. The fence around the rabbit-sized animals' enclosure was being redesigned to prevent future breakouts. Fifteen Iranian migrants were found making the 21-mile journey across the English Channel today, just hours after a family of seven were picked up. At 9am and 12pm two boats carrying a total of 15 Iranian men were spotted off the Kent coast. Border Force officials transferred 11 men to immigration officials for interview, and arrested four on suspicion of facilitating illegal entry to the UK, the Home Office confirmed. Scroll down for video Men are bought ashore at Dover Marina. A week ago a group of 34 men, women and children were detained after cutters and a coastal patrol boat intercepted a dinghy While five were transferred to immigration officials for interview, the sixth man was arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal entry to the UK. The group of 15 men, were seen wearing life jackets and covered in blankets as they were brought ashore at Dover Marina from a Border Force cutter this afternoon. A Border Force spokesman said: 'Border Force have dealt with two incidents involving small boats in the Channel today. 'At approximately 9am, Border Force was alerted to a small vessel in the Channel. 'HMC Vigilant and coastal patrol vessel (CPV) Speedwell were sent to the scene and nine males were brought to Dover. 'Six males were transferred to immigration officials for interview. The remaining three males have been arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal entry to the UK. 'The investigation is being dealt with by Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigation officers. 'At approximately 1200, Border Force was alerted to a sighting of a second small vessel off the Kent coast. 'It was located and the six males on board were transferred to coastal patrol vessel (CPV) Alert and brought to Dover. Men are bought ashore at Dover Marina, following a small boat incident in the English Channel. A group of men wearing life jackets and covered in blankets were seen being brought ashore at Dover Marina from a Border Force cutter 'Five males were transferred to immigration officials for interview. 'The sixth man has been arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal entry to the UK. 'The investigation is being dealt with by Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigation officers. 'All 15 presented themselves as Iranian and were found to be medically well.' On Sunday a family of seven was found near Kingsdown after an empty dinghy was spotted in the Channel. The mother, father and five children were handed over to immigration officials. Border Force officials transferred 11 men to immigration officials for interview, and arrested four on suspicion of facilitating illegal entry to the UK, the Home Office confirmed At the time a Home Office spokesman said: 'Since the Home Secretary declared a major incident in December we have tripled the number of cutters operating in the Channel, agreed a joint action plan with France and increased activity out of the Joint Coordination and Information Centre in Calais.' The number of people attempting to cross the Channel dropped from roughly 250 in December to 90 in January, with about half of the January attempts being intercepted in France before reaching British waters, the spokesman added. A week ago a group of 34 men, women and children were detained after cutters and a coastal patrol boat intercepted a dinghy. At least 91 people have made the 21-mile journey between France and England in small boats this year. Behind me is toothpaste which CNN said does not exist in Venezuela, Blumenthal says. The remark is followed by an expert from the broadcasters reporting about US humanitarian aid which contains the precious commodity that President Nicolas Maduro has supposedly deprived his people of. We all are in peace here. Here we dont want war, a woman at the market says, adding that she doesnt want foreigners to spark war. And tell the news that we dont need anything. What we want is for the US to lift the blockade it has put on us in Venezuela. We are free. Source: Behind me is toothpaste CNN said doesnt exist in Venezuela Max Blumenthal explores markets RT World News This is the way it has been for many years. Venezuela just wants to be left alone and not constantly attacked by the US for just wanting to be happy Again all that is being told to you by the western media is 90% lies.all for agendas At least we temporarily stopped accusing Russia of meddling in democratic elections. Kinda hard to do while we are meddling in other peoples (Venezuela) democratic elections. But I am sure we will try to figure out how to blame all on Russia WtR PS: If the USA wants to sincerely help the Venezuelan people.Then why not just give the food directly to the Venezuelan government to distribute to their people?.what do you think theyre (Venezuelan government) going to do? Destroy it? Some more questions: Explain why this so called new leader (Juan Guaido) graduated from George Washington University in D.C. on a U.S Gov. scholarship? (Publicly available info) Third question: If the U.S so desperately wanted to help the Venezuelan people.why are they sanctioning them? They get hit the hardest from US economic sanctions, not Maduro And one last question: Why are there no videos of people starving to death? If they have no food like we report about Venezuela. When there are real millions dying of starvation in the U.S.A. backed bombing of Yemen! And videos to prove it A recruitment consultant has been given a suspended jail sentence after being caught lying about a speeding offence. Nitasha Sahota, 31, claimed a friend from India had been at the wheel at the time but a police investigation proved she had given a false account. Sahota, of Tanhouse Avenue, Great Barr, Birmingham, previously admitted doing an act intended to pervert the course of justice. Nitasha Sahota, 31, claimed a friend from India had been driving her BMW when it was caught on camera doing 52mph in a 40mph zone on April 26 Her BMW was caught speeding at 52mph in a 40mph zone on April 26 last year, Birmingham Crown Court heard. Sahota was sent a notice of intended prosecution but she claimed a close family friend had been the driver and had since returned to India. She claimed she had contacted the person but they had stopped returning her emails. But an officer subsequently made a computer check and could not find any evidence of someone with her friend's name having entered or left the UK in the last five years. Sahota was sent a notice of intended prosecution but she said a close family friend had been the driver and had returned to India She claimed she had been in contact with the person but they had stopped returning her emails Aimee Parkes, prosecuting, said the officer also compared the picture taken by the camera and the one on Sahota's driving licence and concluded they were the same person. She said the consultant was interviewed and, after initially maintaining her lie, admitted her guilt. In passing sentence Judge Peter Carr said: 'Offences such as this strike at the heart of the criminal justice system.' But a police officer made a computer check and could not find any evidence of someone with her friend's name having entered or left the UK in the last five years Judge Peter Carr gave Sahota a four-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered her to pay 425 costs at Birmingham Crown Court (pictured) He said there had been a recent high profile case where the circumstances had been similar involving a MP, who had been given a short prison sentence following a trial. But he said the difference in Sahota's case was that she had pleaded guilty. David Houldcroft, defending, said; 'She is of previous good character, has a very good job and works long hours. 'It got to the stage where she had nine penalty points and made a very stupid decision.' She had nominated a family friend and it was not a case of picking someone out at random. Mr Houldcroft said Sahota had also done charity work in the past. Sahota was given a four-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to pay 425 costs. A second clip then shows ice crashing against brick walls in fast moving water This is the dramatic moment huge slabs of ice were suddenly forced onto the shore of Lake Erie - missing onlookers by just a few feet. The clip, filmed near Fort Erie in Ontario, Canada, captures the massive pieces of ice as they are pushed onto land from the vast lake. A huge stack of the frozen blocks can be seen piled up around Lake Erie as even more chunks are pushed into them by fierce winds. The clip, filmed near Fort Erie in Ontario, Canada, captures the massive pieces of ice as they are pushed onto land from the vast lake At one point in the clip, a gigantic piece of ice almost crashes into a cameraman as he films the natural phenomenon by the side of the lake. An onlooker says 'OK, back up, back up' as the ice begins to shift forward in the water. He said: 'Woah! OK that happened really, really fast!' A second clip then shows ice crashing against brick walls in fast moving water. A huge stack of the frozen blocks can be seen piled up around Lake Erie as even more slabs are pushed into them from behind by the wind At one point in the clip, a gigantic piece of ice almost slides into a cameraman as he films the natural phenomenon by the side of the lake George Kourounis, who filmed the clip on Sunday, said: 'We got out of the way just in the nick of time as some of the ice crashed ashore right beside us.' The natural phenomenon is known as 'ice shove' or an 'ice tsunami' and occurs when strong winds force the frozen surface of a lake onto land. It comes as a powerful windstorm broke an ice boom in Lake Erie on Sunday and allowed blocks of ice, which were floating on the water at the mouth of the Niagara River, to spill onto the shore in upstate New York. In the town of Hamburg, a voluntary evacuation was issued for residents living on the shore of the lake as massive mounds of ice crawled right up to people's homes. Kim Jong-un forced his uncle to watch colleagues get blow apart with anti-aircraft guns before he was also killed by the same method, a defector claims in shocking new revelations. Kang Cheol-Hwan said he was told by eye witnesses that two men who worked with Kim's uncle, Jang Song-thaek, were killed by firing squad. The two men were brought in front of a barrage of eight anti-aircraft guns and had lumps of iron stuffed into their mouths. Kim's uncle was forced to watch the murder of his two colleagues as their bodies were obliterated by the powerful explosive weapons and he was covered in their blood and fainted. Defector Kang also told how a high-ranking police official was burnt alive with a flame-thrower, plus a politician along with his mistress were stripped naked and torn apart by a pack of dogs. According a new report released on the eve of Kim Jong-un's second summit with President Trump, he personally ordered a series of brutal killings involving flame-throwers and anti-aircraft guns Kang Cheol-Hwan, a North Korean dissident who was imprisoned in a concentration camp for ten years, said Kim made his own uncle watch as two colleagues were blown apart by huge guns and was splattered in their blood The revelations by Kang of these disturbing killings are part of a report into human rights abuses in North Korea. Kang told CNN: 'They let it fire against these two people and these two people instantly disappeared and all the blood, it poured into Jang Song-thaek's face, who was forced to witness them and he fainted.' Jang was killed later that same year, allegedly by the same method of execution - an anti-aircraft gun. These latest claims are part of a new report from the North Korea Strategy Center, an organisation looking at human rights issues which is lead by Kang. The group works with defectors and highlighted several human rights abuses after speaking with high-ranking North Korean officials. Kang also described the execution of a top police official who was also close to Kim's uncle . Jang Song Thaek, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's uncle, was said to have been executed by a firing squad of anti-aircraft guns after being branded a traitor Kim Jong-un (centre), Jang Song Thaek (far right), vice chairman of North Korea's National Defense Commission, and others visiting the General Satellite Control and Command Center in 2012 He said: 'Kim Jong-un especially hated him [the police official] so Kim ordered him to be executed by using a flame-thrower so he was burned alive without even using the machine guns. 'Then after he was burned alive the tanks around him kind of crushed him.' Another official and his mistress were executed by being stripped naked and mauled by a pack of dogs, Kang said. The dictator wanted to pulverise their bodies because he saw them as not being good enough to receive a proper burial on North Korean soil, according to Kang. All these gruesome killings were carried out on the personal orders of Kim, the dissident added. He told CNN that Trump should not be praising the ruthless dictator when the US president is due to meet him in Vietnam this week for the second time. US President George W. Bush welcoming Kang Cheol-Hwan to the Oval Office in June 2005 after his defection from North Korea In a statement at the time of his death, Pyongyang called Jang Song-thaek a 'traitor to the nation for all ages', 'worse than a dog' and 'despicable human scum' who planned a military coup Kang added: 'President Trump, don't take this bloody man's hands. Meeting him in Vietnam, saying good things, he's a murderer. It sends a very low signal to the world.' Kang Cheol-Hwan said he defected from North Korea after spending ten years in a concentration camp. Kim reportedly ordered the execution of his uncle in 2013 after learning that he planned to take charge of the country through a coup and replace the dictator with his half-brother, Kim Jong-nam, who he also assassinated. The 67-year-old was considered the second most powerful official in North Korea and was killed immediately after a military trial in 2013 after being accused of trying to 'destabilise the country' after a meeting with Chinese officials in 2012. Greg Scarlatoiu, executive director of The Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, said: 'These people who were executed by ZPU-4 anti-aircraft guns or flame throwers are denied this fundamental right of leaving behind a body for the family.' Kim Jong-un's nuclear missile programme was said to have remained intact despite the deal signed with Donald Trump last June, according to UN weapon's experts Kang outside the House of Commons in September 2005 where he spoke about his time in a North Korea concentration camp In 2017 at the height of his tensions with the US over missile testing, Kim was said to have executed two officials in just five days over a launch delay at a test missile site. The unnamed executive allegedly took responsibility for setbacks at the Punggye-ri nuclear base which led to the date of a rocket launch being pushed back. Five days earlier, a high ranking official once described as the 'second most powerful man in North Korea' disappeared from public life, sparking speculation he may have been executed by death squads. President Donald Trump today touted the economic benefits of denuclearisation as he prepares to jet off to Vietnam for his second summit with the North Korean dictator. After their first meeting at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island, Singapore, in June last year, Trump has repeatedly spoken of his admiration for Kim and that he was 'in love with him', even referring to him by his preferred title of 'chairman'. Kim and Trump during their first meeting in Singapore in June last year. The pair are due to meet again in Vietnam this week Trump's enthusiasm is in contrast to his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said on Sunday there may have to be a third summit as the two leaders 'may not get everything done this week'. The human rights report comes after Pompeo revealed on Saturday that Kim does not want to live with the threat of nuclear annihilation for the sake of his children. During a visit to the North Korean capital of Pyongyang in April last year, Kim was said to have told Pompeo, 'I don't want my children to carry the nuclear weapon on their back their whole life'. Following their first meeting Kim was said to have agreed to 'complete denuclearisation', but UN experts warned earlier this month that the missile weapon's programme was being hidden. North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes were said to have remained intact and Pyongyang is using airports and other facilities to shield the weapons from possible US military strikes, the UN warned. Trump and Kim are due to meet the Vietnamese capital Hanoi on Wednesday and Thursday. A university lecturer who tweeted about Islam and terrorism and said that he was fed up marking essays about the 'oppression of women' has resigned, hitting out at the 'smug little minds' who snitched on him. Michael Blackburn, who taught creative writing and English Literature at the University of Lincoln, quit following a string of student complaints for his comments about Islam and feminism. But the academic branded these students 'snitches' and even made reference to the Stasi - East Germany's secret police. Michael Blackburn has left his post as a lecturer at the University of Lincoln following backlash over past tweets. After his departure, he hit out at the 'snitches' which had complained In 2012, Mr Blackburn took to social media to say he was relieved to have finished marking assignments which bang on about feminism. He tweeted: 'Thank God all those papers going on about patriarchy and the oppression of women are out of the way for another year.' And five years later, in the wake of the 2017 terror attacks, he wrote: 'I know the media haven't told us but I suspect these terror attacks were carried out by Muslims because of Islam.' These tweets sparked a large backlash from students at the university and now it has been confirmed that Mr Blackburn has left his role. After leaving his role at the university, Mr Blackburn then posted a blog on the Fortnightly Review website talking about his feelings about the move. It said: 'It's unlikely that most of the students at our universities who are so keen to snitch on their classmates and lecturers for wrongthink, wrongspeak or wrongtweet have heard of the Stasi or the Securitate. 'That's a pity, because a brief acquaintance with those two institutions of modern totalitarianism may, just a smidgin, introduce a spark of self-awareness into their smug little minds. On the other hand they may pick up a few tips from their practices.' Mr Blackburn's twitter account now appears to have been removed, but these recently resurfaced comments about feminism and Islam and terror were seen by students A University of Lincoln spokesperson refused to confirm or deny the tweets had led to his departure. In a statement, the spokesman said: 'We cannot comment on complaints made against individual members of staff. 'As a University we have a commitment to equality and diversity, and we treat each other with dignity and respect. 'Equally, we recognise individuals' rights to hold different beliefs and views. 'We uphold the principle of free speech exercised responsibly within the law in all our activities; the right to think and speak freely and to explore ideas is fundamental to the idea of a university. 'Upholding academic freedom and respecting the views of others are joint commitments shared by all members of the university and we have a clear Code of Practice on the Freedom of Speech, which is designed to ensure that freedom of speech within the law is secured for all staff, students and visiting speakers.' Nearly 60 former senior U.S. national security officials on Monday rejected President Donald Trump's national emergency declaration, saying there was 'no factual basis' to circumvent Congress to build his long-promised border wall. In an 11-page letter, former Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and John Kerry, both Democrats, along with former Republican Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and others, said there was no documented emergency at the U.S. border with Mexico. Diverting funds to the project will 'undermine U.S. national security and foreign policy interests,' the 58 ex-officials wrote in the letter, first reported by the Washington Post. Trump moved to redirect federal funds intended for other purposes to build the border wall after Congress rejected his demand for $5.7 billion in construction money. His effort already faces numerous challenges, including multiple lawsuits. Don't do it: Almost 60 top national security officials have written to Trump - who left the U.S. Monday for his summit with Kim Jong Un - to urge him to end his declaration of a national emergency at the U.S. border Senior signatories: Democratic former secretaries of state Madeleine Albright and John Kerry are among those who have signed the letter to Trump Democrats have also launched a resolution to stop Trump's border emergency and, on Tuesday, the Democratically controlled House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the measure aimed at stopping it. The resolution's fate is less clear in the U.S. Senate, which is controlled by Trump's fellow Republicans, though some Republicans have expressed concern about his declaration. In a separate letter on Monday, 23 former Republican U.S. lawmakers also urged current members of Congress to pass the resolution, Politico reported. Even if it passes, Trump has said he would veto it, and Congress would need to muster two-thirds of lawmakers to override a veto. Trump on Monday continued to defend the declaration on Twitter and called on Republican senators to stand by him. 'Be strong and smart, don't fall into the Democrats 'trap' of Open Borders and Crime!' he wrote. The former security officials, in Monday's letter, cited U.S. government statistics showing illegal border crossings at nearly 40-year lows. Wall being built: A section of fencing at El Paso was on display on Saturday as the acting defense secretary Patrick Shanahan toured the border Barrier in place: The fence which currently exists at Nogales, Arizona They also pointed to other government data on drug trafficking that showed most opioids enter the country via legal entry points -- something they said a border wall would not stop. 'There is no factual basis for the declaration of a national emergency for the purpose of circumventing the appropriations process and reprogramming billions of dollars in funding to construct a wall at the southern border,' they wrote. While the letter included both Republicans and Democrats, as well as career civil servants who served under presidents of both parties, the bulk of its most senior signatories rose to their top positions under Democratic presidents. Among these former officials were CIA Director and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, CIA Director John Brennan, White House National Security Adviser Susan Rice, Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Deputy CIA Director David Cohen, all of whom held those posts under Democratic President Barack Obama. However, the list also included lower-level former officials such as John Bellinger, a former State Department legal adviser, and Eliot Cohen, a former State Department counselor, both of whom served under Republican President George W. Bush. Terrence Howard had a 'meltdown' on the set of Empire after Jussie Smollett was arrested and had been quizzing him about his story, it has been claimed. Howard, who plays Smollett's father on the 20th Century Fox show, reportedly locked himself in his trailer and did not speak to anyone when Smollett was taken into custody for allegedly filing a false police report. TMZ cites anonymous production sources who say Howard, 49, was beside himself and had never believed Smollett's story that he was randomly attacked in the street. They say he had been questioning Smollett about it because he did not think it added up. But something over the last few days appears to have changed his mind. Terrence Howard had a 'meltdown' on the set of Empire when Jussie Smollett was arrested on Thursday and refused to come out of his trailer, according to production sources On Sunday, he shared an Instagram video of Smollett playing with his toddler son on board a private jet and wrote: 'All your lil homies got you... We love the hell outta you.' Smollett went straight to the set of Empire on Thursday after posting $10,000 in bail money. He begged the cast to forgive him for the scandal the alleged attack has caused, and insisted he was innocent, telling them: 'I swear to God, I did not do this.' It has since emerged that the check he gave brothers Abel and Ola Osundairo for $3,500 was titled as payment for a nutrition and workout program. Police said that was the brothers' fee for staging the attack on January 29. The check was backdated to January 23 and in the memo section, Smollett wrote: '5 week nutrition/workout plan.' He was trying to lose weight for an upcoming appearance in a music video, it was claimed. The Chicago Police Department is however adamant he made the attack up. On Monday morning, Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson went on Good Morning America to insist upon Smollett's guilt. Howard shared this video of Smollett playing with his son on a private jet on Sunday on Instagram He captioned the video with a supportive message which suggests he now believes Smollett's story 'He still has the presumption of evidence and he'll get his opportunity in court if he chooses to go that route,' Johnson said, rejecting Smollett's lawyers claim that he has been unfairly vilified by the police department and prosecutor's office. 'I can tell you this, there's a lot more evidence that has not been presented yet that does not support his version of the incident. 'There is still a lot of physical evidence, video evidence and testimony that simply does not support his version. 'It's not the Chicago PD saying he did something. It's the evidence, the facts and the witnesses saying this,' he added. Johnson, who eviscerated the Empire star during a press conference last week after he was arrested, said he was careful throughout the investigation not to jump to the conclusion that Smollett was involved despite growing suspicion among detectives. Smollett plays Howard's son on the show. Taraji Henson, who is his on-screen mother, has not commented on the controversy 'I refused to let Chicago Police Department categorize him as a suspect until we had solid evidence,' he said. Johnson also said he was 'acutely aware' of the police department's reputation for being racist, which Smollett supporters have invoked in their defense of him, but that it played no role in this investigation. 'Something like this can be really damaging. We have made a lot of progress in the last three years in terms of race relations. 'We're heading in the right direction in terms but are we where we want to be? Of course not,' he said. Johnson added that he did not want Smollett's case to act as a deterrent to true victims of hate crimes, saying: 'This is just one incident...there are real victims of crimes of that nature, hate crimes, and I just hope people don't treat them with skepticism. 'This is one particular incident and it has to stand on its own merits,' he said. This is the check Jussie Smollett paid Abimbola 'Abel' Osundairo to allegedly beat him on January 29.He backdated it to January 23, according to police. Smollett labeled it '5 week nutrition/workout program' but the brothers say it was for the attack Jussie Smollett is shown in his mugshot on February 21. He maintains he is innocent 'The City of Chicago has its issues. The CPD has its issues with racism and excessive force and all of that and I am acutely aware of it. '[But] we didn't earn this incident and i refuse to let us have to take that shot if I have evidence to the contrary. 'It's my responsibility to make sure the record gets set straight.' He added that it was 'offensive' that Smollett included the claim that a noose was put around his neck by his attackers in his story, given its significance as a symbol of racism. 'I grew up in the tail end of the civil rights era... the symbolism of a noose is very offensive,' he said. After his arrest last week, the Cook County State's Attorney's office revealed some of the evidence it had against Smollett at an extraordinary press conference in court. A New Jersey man accused of killing his brother, sister-in-law and their two children may have murdered them because of money, newly unsealed court documents reveal. Paul Caneiro, 51, was charged with arson and the murder of his younger brother, Keith Caneiro, 50, his sister-in-law, Jennifer Caneiro, 45, and his nephew and niece, Jesse, 11, and Sophia, eight, after their bodies were found at their burning, $1.5million mansion in Colts Neck, New Jersey, on November 20, 2018. On Monday, authorities unsealed court documents charging Paul with the murders, detailing evidence recovered tying him to the killings including clothing and a knife both smeared with blood. Unsealed court documents reveal that missing money might've been why Paul Caneiro, 51 (in November 2018), allegedly murdered his brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew Paul was charged with murdering his brother, Keith Caneiro, 50, his sister-in-law, Jennifer Caneiro, 45, eight-year-old niece, Sophia and 11-year-old nephew, Jesse An affidavit filed by law enforcement officers in support of the criminal charges shows tensions brewing between the two brothers, who jointly owned a pair of businesses in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The night before he was killed, Keith sent an email 'to two business associates indicating that there was money missing from the business and that he, (Keith), would be discontinuing payment' to Paul's wife until the money was found, according to the affidavit. An office manager for the businesses, who was not named in court documents, told investigators that because Paul was disabled from a car accident, his salary was being paid to his wife. 'The office manager reported that in the past year, Keith has told her to stop payment to defendant's wife because of arguments with Paul over money,' the affidavit read. Keith was 90 per cent owner of Squareone Inc. a technology firm, with his brother owning the remaining 10 per cent. The brothers were equal owners of a second business, EcoStar Pest Management, both of which were operated out of a single office in Asbury Park. In their affidavit, authorities said that there was tension brewing between Paul (pictured) and Keith, who jointly owned a pair of businesses in Asbury Park, New Jersey The night before he was killed, Keith (pictured with wife, Jennifer) sent an email to business associates indicating that money was missing from the business In the email, Keith (pictured left) said he would 'discontinuing payment' to Paul's wife until the money was found. Keith was shot to death, while Jennifer (pictured right) was shot and stabbed Colts Neck, New Jersey, police were dispatched to Keith's mansion at 12:38pm on November 20, 2018, after a neighbor reported the house was on fire Officers found Keith's body on the lawn. Wife Jennifer, their son, Jesse, and daughter, Sophia were found inside the burning home. Paul is charged with arson, in addition to murder Keith Caneiro wanted to sell one of the businesses and 'was frustrated with Paul and the amount of money Paul spent from their business accounts,' according to the affidavit. The indictment charges Paul with murder, felony murder, aggravated arson and a weapons offense. He also faces counts of theft, misapplication of entrusted property and hindering his own apprehension. Paul has pleaded not guilty. His attorneys have said their client loved his family, had no reason to harm them and had been 'wrongly accused.' They said they planned to release a statement later Monday regarding the indictment. Colts Neck police were dispatched to Keith's mansion in New Jersey horse country at 12:38pm on November 20 after a neighbor reported the house was on fire. Officers found Keith's body on the lawn; he had been shot once in the lower back and four times in the head. Inside the mansion were the bodies of his wife, Jennifer, their son, Jesse, and daughter, Sophia. The children were stabbed multiple times; their mother was shot and stabbed. Officers searching Paul's house in nearby Ocean Township, New Jersey, found a plastic container in the basement containing bloody clothing and a latex glove, according to court documents. The blood was later determined to have come from Sophia, and her DNA was found on a knife recovered at the crime scene, according to law enforcement officers. It's believed that after slaying his brother and his family, Paul then set fire to his own home in an effort to destroy evidence and to make it appear someone was targeting his extended family. After his arrest, one of Paul's former co-workers, Mark Bostrom, claimed that Paul had threatened to kill him with a screwdriver and make it look like an accident, back in 1991 when Paul was installing a computer system into the bank's Chicago office. Advertisement Unrelenting winds tearing across the eastern US have created a rare 'ice tsunami' in upstate New York. A powerful windstorm Sunday broke an ice boom in Lake Erie and allowed the blocks of ice, which were floating on the water at the mouth of the Niagara River, to spill over a retaining wall and onto the shore and the roadway above. Stunning video shows the cascading blocks of ice forming a massive barrier along the Niagara River Parkway outside of Buffalo, towering some 30 feet tall. Nearby in the town of Hamburg, a voluntary evacuation was issued for residents living on the shore of Lake Erie as the massive mounds of ice crawled right up to people's homes. The clip, filmed near Fort Erie in Ontario, Canada, captures the massive pieces of ice as they are pushed onto land from the vast lake A huge stack of the frozen blocks can be seen piled up around Lake Erie as even more slabs are pushed into them from behind by the wind Fierce winds tearing across the eastern US have created a rare 'ice tsunami' on the shore of Lake Erie in upstate New York A powerful windstorm Sunday broke an ice boom in Lake Erie and allowed blocks of ice, which were floating on the water at the mouth of the Niagara River, to spill over a retaining wall and onto the shore by the US-Canada border A family walks near a massive build up of ice that was pushed onto the shore of Mather Park in Fort Erie, Ontario, on Monday Stunning video from the Niagara Parks Police Service shows large chunks off ice from Lake Erie being pushed up over a retaining wall along the Niagara River Parkway outside of Buffalo, New York on Sunday High winds howled through much of the nation's eastern half for a second day Monday, cutting power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses, closing schools, and pushing dramatic mountains of ice onto the shores of Lake Erie. Wind gusts of hurricane force - 74 mph (119 kph) - or higher were reported around the region, including West Virginia and New York. A motorist in Sandusky, Ohio, captured video of a tractor-trailer flipping over on a bridge . Toppled trees and power poles, easy targets for strong winds that uprooted them from ground saturated by rain and snowmelt, plunged homes and businesses into darkness, though in most places power was expected back quickly as winds died down by the end of Monday. Hundreds of schools were delayed or canceled in New York alone. The wind peeled off roofs in places. In Syracuse, New York, scaffolding blown off a building knocked down power lines. Wind advisories and warnings were in effect through Monday in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast up to northern New England. Giant chunks of ice spilled over the banks of the Niagara River across from Buffalo on Sunday, creating a jagged, frosty barrier known as an 'ice tsunami' between the river and a scenic road. Ice tsunamis, formally known as an 'ice shoves', occur when strong gusts of wind blow chunks of ice off a body of water and they accumulate on land, tearing down anything in their path. One man who stopped to photograph the strange sight wrote on Twitter: 'This ice tsunami is one of the craziest things I've ever witnessed. Starting to bulldoze trees and street lamps.' The Niagara Parks Police Service shared a video of the ice tsunami on Sunday and warned anyone in the area to drive carefully. Lakefront properties in Hamburg, on the eastern shore of Lake Erie, were placed under voluntary evacuation orders on Sunday as a massive wall of ice encroached on the community Hamburg emergency crews have been going door to door to check on residents of the 88 properties under threat A voluntary evacuation was issued Sunday afternoon for residents of the Hoover Beach neighborhood in Hamburg, which sits on the eastern shore of Lake Erie. 'We've had storms in the past but nothing like this,' Dave Schultz, a Hoover Beach resident of nearly 50 years, told WGRZ. 'We've never had the ice pushed up against the walls and right up onto our patios. It's in my patio, the neighbor's patio, and the patio after that.' Hamburg emergency crews have been going door to door to check on residents of the 88 properties affected by the voluntary evacuation. The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a wind advisory in effect until Monday night, warning that winds could reach up to 75 mph. 'Strong wind gusts will bring down trees and power lines and result in numerous power outages,' the agency said. 'Minor property damage is also possible, especially to roofs and siding. Travel in high profile vehicles will be very difficult at times.' Hamburg officials have asked that the public stay clear of the area affected by the ice tsunami if possible A man photographs a massive wall of ice that was blown onto the shore of Mather Park in Fort Erie, Ontario on Monday French prosecutors have dropped an investigation into claims that film mogul Luc Besson raped his former girlfriend, his lawyers have said. Actress Sand Van Roy told police in May that she was repeatedly raped by Besson, 59, during an on-off relationship with the maker of 'Nikita' and 'The Fifth Element'. She is one of nine women who have said they were assaulted or harassed by the powerful director and producer, whose 2017 space odyssey, 'Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets', was the most expensive European film ever made. A rape probe into French film mogul Luc Besson (left), 59, has been dropped after he was accused of repeatedly raping actress Sand Van Roy (right) However his lawyers said that prosecutors had closed their inquiry into the alleged rapes, which Besson had always denied. Besson 'is sad that some people - a minority happily - were too quick to condemn him', his lawyers said in a statement to AFP. They said the director 'thanks all those others whose constant support has helped him get through these difficult months'. Previously, former model Karine Isambert accused the film director of sexual harassment during an audition in his hotel Ms Van Roy, 30, a Dutch-Belgian actress who had relatively minor roles in Besson's 'Taxi 5' and 'Valerian', had said that she had been raped a total of four times but had feared for her career if she complained. In May, she accused the director of raping her at the Le Bristol hotel in Paris. French media reported that Van Roy was in a relationship with Besson, 59, for around two years - but claimed she felt pressured into sex due to her film roles. Besson had denounced the claims as 'fantasist accusations'. But her allegations prompted eight other women to complain to the police or the French media about his behaviour. One actress claimed she had to escape on 'her hands and knees' from a casting in his Paris office in 2002. Ms Van Roy is one of nine women who have said they were assaulted or harassed the French film director The woman in her forties, who now lives in the US, wrote to prosecutors 10 days ago to say she wanted to formally add her testimony to the other complaints against him. Previously Karine Isambert, a former model, also accused the French film mogul of sexual harassment during what she believed to be an audition at his hotel room. Ms Isambert said Besson grabbed her against her will during her encounter with him in 1995. Fiona Onasanya (pictured), 35, was convicted at the Old Bailey of perverting the course of justice after lying to police to avoid a speeding charge A disgraced ex-Labour MP's three-month prison sentence is not unduly lenient, the Attorney General's Office has declared. Fiona Onasanya, 35, was convicted at the Old Bailey of perverting the course of justice after lying to police to avoid a speeding charge. The Peterborough MP, who was kicked out of the Labour Party, was jailed in January but is continuing in her role despite repeated calls for her to quit. A complaint was made to the Attorney General's Office that the sentence given to Onasanya was unduly lenient, but a review found it was not. A spokesperson for the Attorney General's Office said: 'After careful consideration, the Solicitor General has concluded that he could not refer this case to the Court of Appeal.' If the sentence had been deemed to be unduly lenient, the Court of Appeal would have decided whether or not to increase it. Parliamentary rules require the removal of an MP who is jailed for 12 months or more. A lesser sentence can result in a recall petition, which can force a by-election if it is signed by more than 10 per cent of the electorate in the constituency. The Peterborough MP (right) was jailed in January, was been kicked out of the Labour Party and but is continuing in her role despite repeated calls for her to quit Onasanya, an Independent after being expelled by the Labour Party, is appealing against her conviction. Onasanya 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 Jurors at the Old Bailey heard that Onasanya colluded with her brother Festus after her car was clocked doing 41mph in a 30mph zone in the village of Thorney, near Peterborough, in July 2017. The court was 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, who was away visiting his parents in Russia. Her brother received 10 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to three counts of perverting the course of justice over speeding, including over the July 24 incident. Christian County Deputies rescued a mother and child Sunday morning, after they drove into floodwaters. PHOTO:WKDZ, courtesy Mother and Child Rescued from Flood Waters By West Kentucky Star Staff WKDZ reported that Christian County Sheriffs deputies were able to push the vehicle out of the water with the mother and child inside. The Sheriff's Department reminds everyone not to try and drive through high water. CHRISTIAN COUNTY - A water rescue had to be made Sunday morning in Christian County.A mother and child attempted to cross high water covering the roadway on Millers Mill Road when their vehicle stalled. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chinese EV battery provider Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL) announced on February 25 that it has signed a five-year agreement to deepen the cooperation with BAIC BJEV and Beijing Pride Power System Technology Limited (Pride Power). According to the announcement, CATL and Pride Power will provide BAIC BJEV with power battery systems in the next five years. Besides, Pride Power should offer the products to the EV maker at a bargain price and CATL need to supply an agreed monthly volume of battery, while BAIC BJEV is supposed to give CATL and Pride Power some procurement shares no less than a certain percentage of its annual battery procurement volume in 2019. The agreement also says if CATL satisfies BAIC BJEV's battery needs on an monthly basis, the EV maker and Pride Power agree to prepay certain amount of money to CATL during the strategic cooperation period based on some conditions approved by all three parties. This prepayment should be fully offset against the money payable by the end of December every year. Moreover, under the strengthened collaboration, CATL and BAIC BJEV will jointly build a R&D team to work on developing new types of power battery. Earlier this month, CATL claimed that it will build the world's biggest battery factory in Erfurt, Germany and planned a capacity of up to 100GWh. In addition, during the Spring Festival, the battery manufacturer announced a partnership with Honda, saying it will offer 56GWh of lithium ion power battery to the Japanese automaker by 2027. A firm of South African undertakers have said they will sue a Christian pastor who 'raised a man from the dead' in a stunt at their mortuary. Alleluia Ministries pastor Alph Lukau claimed he had brought a dead man back to life in front of a crowd of people near Johannesburg. Footage of the event showed the man lying still in the coffin before sitting up again when the pastor puts his hands on him. But Kings and Queens Funerals were not amused by the stunt, saying it had caused 'malicious damage to our image'. In the video the pastor speaks theatrically into a microphone, introducing supposed family members of the man in the coffin. He invites the crowd to follow him in prayer, calling out Jesus' name before waving his hands at the 'deceased' man. The pastor then hands over the microphone, leans over the 'dead' man, and puts his hand on his chest. Suddenly the man in the coffin sits up and acts his part, looking around as though astounded by what had happened. The funeral provider said in a statement: 'We would like to distance ourselves from the supposed resurrection of a deceased man by Alleluia Ministries who allegedly was at our mortuary. Theatrical: Pastor Alph Lukau acts as master of ceremonies in front of the man's coffin in South Africa, urging the substantial crowd to pray with him Ruse: The pastor puts his arms on the 'dead' man's chest during the ceremony in South Africa. The funeral provider has said it will take legal action against him 'We were approached by alleged family members of the deceased who informed us they had encountered a dispute with a different funeral service provider and would like to use our transport services, which we offered them. 'We did not supply the coffin neither did we store the deceased at our mortuary and no paper work was processed by Kings and Queens Funerals. 'As a funeral services provider we do not offer services without documentation neither do we repatriate bodies without any paper work. 'We are in the process of taking legal action for this malicious damage to our image.' Lukau nonetheless insisted the 'resurrection' was real, saying: 'An astounding miracle took place in the House of God this morning. 'A dead man came back to life as the church of God prayed'. Comeback? The man in the coffin plays his part in the theatrics by sitting up dramatically and appearing to gaze around in astonishment Olivia Colman's brother-in-law has spoken of his pride as he revealed the down-to-earth star would be celebrating her Oscar win by dodging A-list parties. Duncan Sinclair said his whole family was 'very proud' after the married mother-of-three scooped Best Actress at the 91th Academy Awards last night. But while the event was a whirlwind of Hollywood glamour and world press, he said his sister-in-law would be enjoying the moment out of the spotlight. Mr Sinclair said it would be out of character for his sister-in-law to throw a big party to celebrate her success. Best Actress winner Olivia Colman and husband Ed Sinclair on the red carpet (left), along with her brother-in-law Duncan Sinclair (right) 1994: Where it all began at Cambridge University pictured next to her friend Robert Webb, 46, who starred with David Mitchell and Colman in Channel 4's Peep Show 'She is typically mellow and wouldn't celebrate that kind of thing by having a party; she's won BAFTAs and stuff before,' he said. Reflecting on Colman's success, Mr Sinclair said: 'It is amazing news. We woke up to it this morning. 'I've known Olivia since Cambridge; my brother and I were there at the same time. The two of them worked together at the Bristol Old Vic theatre. 'It was pretty clear even in the beginning Olivia was outstanding. She wasn't always given the best roles in the productions but she would always shine. 'However, no one ever expected this and the whole family are very proud.' A neighbour of Olivia Colman said she was 'so happy' the actress took home an Oscar. Linda Davies, 68, who lives two doors up from the Oscar winner, said Colman and her husband moved into the street in Peckham Rye, south east London, five or six years ago with their children. The retiree said: 'I don't see Olivia a lot because I'm sure she's very busy. 'The last time I saw her was a few months ago saying 'goodbye' to a visitor - the family are very nice. 'I see her husband and the kids and he always says 'hi' - he's very polite. 'He did a really lovely thing about five years ago - I looked outside and saw he had put up a sign in the tree saying 'welcome home mummy' from the kids. 'It's great she won the Oscar, I'm so happy for her - imagine having an Oscar winner on your street!' Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said she had never met the actress but had seen The Favourite. She said: 'It was an outstanding performance, she deserved to win.' Colman lives at the quiet end of a wealthy street lined with Victorian townhouses. Her two-storey semi-detached townhouse is valued at more than 1.5 million and has two blossoming trees in the front yard. The actress worked as a cleaner and a secretary for years to make ends meet and almost quit acting to become a midwife when her big break failed to materialise. The confidence agents had in Ms Colman was clearly well placed as now 19 years later she won an Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Anne in The Favourite Olivia used her winner's speech in Hollywood last night to inspire others not to give up hope. As the cash rolls in, Olivia hands 50 per cent of all she earns to her husband Olivia Colman with Ed at the Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards 2016 Olivia met hubby Ed when both were cast in a student production of Alan Ayckbourn's Table Manners. She said: 'For me, it was thunderbolts straight away. I'm going to marry him. A bit weird I know, but yes. He was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.' They married seven years later. She said: 'I stuck with him and made him realise he could only be happy with me. I still feel I'm punching above my weight.' She added: 'We met when we had nothing and we loved each other then. So we were all right. We were 20 and he was also an actor. If you meet at that age then you are fine.' Ed, who had been reading law at Cambridge, went to study drama at the Bristol Old Vic and Olivia followed him, taking a job cleaning B&Bs before enrolling in the theatre school herself. But Ed's acting career never really got going. Olivia said: 'I've no idea why. For Ed, the work just stopped.' Ed has written short stories, short film scripts and two novels which have not been published. She said: 'He's very secretive about his process. I know now what his book's about, but for a couple of years I hadn't a clue.' Advertisement Her journey is all the more remarkable because as a young actress she needed to clean to make money and for a period was so broke she lived in a friend's attic. She once recalled how she was forced to rummage under the sofa cushions in search of coins to buy a single potato for dinner. Speaking of her early days with now husband Ed Sinclair, she said: 'We had what we call our Angela's Ashes day when we first moved to London from Bristol (in 1998). I had 1 left in my overdraft and cash machines don't dispense pounds. 'Ed didn't have any money either, so we managed to find enough pennies from the sofa to buy one potato to share.' They lived in the attic of friends who had a place in Epping, Essex, for two months. In 1999 they bought a two-bedroom flat in London's East Dulwich, using a 30,000 inheritance from Ed to help them meet the 90,000 asking price. They sold it two years later for 150,000. The couple took out a credit card in 2001 and ended up 3,000 in debt a relatively small amount but Olivia found it traumatic as neither was earning regularly. However, she was determined to pursue an acting career. 'My mum said, 'You'll probably give it a year.' And I said, 'No, I'll give it ten'.' Her career began to take off in 2003 when she was cast in Channel 4's Peep Show, with old friends David Mitchell and Robert Webb. Her career appeared to stall again, thanks to her starring role in AA's Kev and Bev adverts. However, the success of the 2004 ads proved problematic for the star, who told The Mirror: 'AA! That has become the bane of my life. I thought they were going to run that for about a week but they ran it for what felt like four times a day for a year.' As well as her continuing Peep Show appearances she appeared in another sitcom, Green Wing. She counted herself lucky to be paid 25,000 for each series, which took nine months to film, and said that it was enough for her and Ed to live on if they were frugal. As recently as 2009 she had a five-month 'dry spell' which led to her starting to look up midwifery courses. Runaway pot-bellied pig Charlotte (pictured) had to be lured back to her owner's home after escaping in Ohio on Friday A runaway pot-bellied pig was lured back home with a trail of Oreos, police in Ohio have revealed. The animal, named Charlotte, went on the loose in Middletown in southwestern Ohio on Friday. Worried local residents called police, and an officer who grew up feeding hogs on a farm took the call. The K-9 officer, who was trained in handling animals, tracked down Charlotte's owner, who laid a trail of cookies to lure the pig home. Middletown police shared pictures of the runaway animal on Facebook on Friday evening. In a tongue-in-cheek post they said: 'We had to take this pig into custody, he was involved in a disturbance... Someone was tryin' to blow his house down...' However the animal was in fact a female pig, whose owner Yvette Hoffman wrote on Facebook that Charlotte was 'excited to meet everyone'. An unknown person had let Charlotte out of her yard, Ms Hoffman said. Police explained to a commenter that 'Charlotte went home very easy with the aid of Oreos'. One user asked if they could adopt the pig but police said: 'No her owner is happy to have her back'. The officer who took the call, Dennis Jordan, told the Journal-News: 'It was my job to slop [feed] the hogs every morning before school.' Saying he had not pressed charges, he said: 'They are new to the city, so I did not cite them for pig running at large.' A 14-year-old Saudi boy fled the kingdom and his family before ending up in Thailand after claiming he suffered abuse and death threats. Ahmad Hassan Basheeri broke into his father's online travel account and granted himself permission to travel alone, before booking tickets from Saudi to Bangkok. It comes after 18-year-old Rahaf Mohammed fled the repressive country last year, saying she had also suffered abuse and feared for her life is she was sent home. Ahmad Hassan Basheeri, from Saudi Arabia (file image), used his father's online travel accounts to book himself tickets to Thailand before fleeing the country It comes after Rahaf Mohammed, 18, barricaded herself inside a hotel room in Bangkok and refused to go back to Saudi, saying she was being abused She has since been granted asylum in Canada, where she has been pictured enjoying her newfound freedoms including smoking and removing her hijab. Basheeri, who comes from Samtah in southwestern Saudi, told his classmates that he wanted to go abroad before staging his stunt. Using online accounts, he managed to book himself tickets from Jizan airport to Jeddah, then on to Kuwait, Doha and Bangkok, Al Madinah reports. A day before he was due to leave he created a Twitter account and claimed he was being abused and faced death threats. Basheeri, who owns a passport, set off for the airport and managed to make it all the way to his final destination but was denied an entry visa because he was a minor. Meanwhile his father had been alerted to the boy's travel plans by his school, and in turn had alerted authorities. Basheeri also made his way to Bangkok airport (pictured) but was denied an entry visa because he is a minor before being sent back home Rahaf was able to claim asylum in Canada, where she now lives, after being handed over to the UN refugee agency After being denied entry to Thailand Basheeri was sent back to Qatar and then to Kuwait, where he was met by his father. Relatives said they were shocked that he managed to get so far. The story emerged after another Saudi teenager, Rahaf Mohammed, captured global attention by barricading herself in an airport hotel room in Bangkok. The 18-year-old did so in a bid to avoid being sent home to her family, saying she feared for her life. Her family has denied abuse. After being handed over to the UN refugee agency, she was able to resettle to Canada. President Donald Trump returned to calling Central America migrants crossing the border illegally 'rough hombres' on Monday morning as he spoke to a bipartisan group of governors. He singled out Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras as 'not sending us their finest' to America and encouraging 'rough hombres' to relocate to America in caravans. The president heralded the wall he's building with funds secured through a national emergency declaration, that he urged Republican senators to support, as a non-violent way to keep illegal immigrants from coming to America. He said America doesn't put machine-gun toting soldiers at its borders like other nations do. 'Unlike other countries, and this is a good thing I dont want to create controversy, because I hate controversy, believe me,' he joked. 'But unlike other countries, we dont let people get shot. We dont have people standing there with the most sophisticated machine guns in the world and use them.' He insisted, 'Many countries do, many countries do. We cant do that. We cant do that. This country cant do that. But the barrier does it very simply.' President Donald Trump returned to Central America migrants crossing the border illegally 'rough hombres' on Monday morning as he spoke to a bipartisan group of governors In the extended rant on immigration, the president said he'd be deploying a new wall prototype on the border, now that he's unshackled himself from the constraints put on fencing at the border by Congress. 'Actually if we do a really good job and if we have some money left over, we might even throw them in areas that you would say we dont need them, because theyll figure a way,' he said for the first time. Trump had conceded as he was trying to get Congress to fund the wall that the border does not need to be covered in barriers from sea to shining sea, because naturally occurring environmental factors likes mountains and rivers block migrants from crossing. He said Monday that areas without walling would become 'weak spots' and attract drug cartels and human traffickers. 'That will be the area, that will become the weak spot. Its like water. It just seeks its own. But these people, they have the traffickers. Theyre vicious, theyre smart, the coyotes how about the name coyote? They have people tied up, put in the back of trucks and vans,' he contended. Trump also repeated a claim, for which the administration has provided no evidence, that countries that benefit from U.S. aid are organizing caravans of migrants and sending them to America. 'And I told these three countries -- you know, we send them $500 million a year. I said, "We're not sending it anymore." And you organize caravans, and these caravans that are coming up -- we had one -- and we've broken them up,' he said. President Trump said that he expects to have 250 to 300 miles of wall built 'in the very near future' and that construction crews have begun work on a 47-mile stretch. The new walling that he's putting up, the president said, is not an eye-sore like the old fencing that he admitted landowners would not want the government putting up. 'I've always said part of the wall was that previous administrations, when they did little walls, they built them so badly. So badly. It's so unattractive,' he said. 'I wouldnt want them in my backyard. And the new one is incredible looking. It's a piece of art, in a sense.' Importantly, he said the wall he's putting up is 'more effective' than the old fences. Congressional Democrats are trying to terminate his national emergency declaration to deprive him of the money. Trump in a Monday morning tweet encouraged senators from his own party to stay strong when the resolution gets to them. 'I hope our great Republican Senators dont get led down the path of weak and ineffective Border Security,' he tweeted. 'Without strong Borders, we dont have a Country - and the voters are on board with us. Be strong and smart, dont fall into the Democrats trap of Open Borders and Crime!' He insisted at his breakfast with governors that he was correct in declaring the situation a national emergency. 'We do have an emergency. We have an emergency of people pouring into our country that we dont want -- criminals, smugglers. We have drugs pouring into our country. We can't have it. We can't have it,' he said. 'We cannot allow this to happen to our country.' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is moving ahead to a vote on a resolution that could nullify Trump's national emergency declaration from a week ago, but only if both houses of Congress can muster two-thirds majorities to override a veto, an unlikely prospect The president has said publicly for four years that an epidemic of human trafficking and drug smuggling shows the need for a border barrier between the U.S. and Mexico House Democrats introduced a resolution to terminate the emergency last week that is expected to pass in the lower chamber, where Democrats are in the majority. It could pass in the Senate, too, where Republicans rule the roost, but several are anticipated to defect and vote with Democrats. Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham on Sunday warned fellow Republicans tempted to vote for the resolution that will not receive enough votes to overcome a promised presidential veto. 'To my Republican friends, it's clear to me they're not recognizing President Trump won. They're not having the same attitude about barriers under Trump as they did Obama. You're basically marginalizing the Trump presidency by not standing by the president, because the Democrats are not playing fair with President Trump,' he argued. He said the emergency declaration was the president's only path forward. Trump didn't hesitate on Friday to say he'd issue his first-ever presidential veto to keep the resolution from having the weight of law. 'On the wall? Will I veto it? One hundred percent. One hundred percent,' he said in the Oval Office. 'And I don't think it survives a veto. We have too many smart people that want border security. So I can't imagine if it survives a veto. But I will veto it, yes.' Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia presided over a nearly empty House chamber on Thursday in a brief session during which the resolution was introduced by one of his aides Ones to watch: Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine (left) and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee (right) could defect and vote for the resolution, sending it to Trump for a certain veto that the White House would rather not contemplate House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, had announced that a vote would come Tuesday. The move set up a potential constitutional clash. Outside groups are otherwise suing the president on similar grounds, which is that he did an end-run on Congress that went beyond his powers. A staff aide introduced the measure during a short pro forma session of the House in which Virginia Democratic Rep. Don Beyer presided over an almost empty chamber. 'What the president is attempting is an unconstitutional power grab,' said Texas Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro, the sponsor of the resolution, on a call with reporters. 'There is no emergency at the border.' Pelosi added that the measure would 'reassert our system of checks and balances.' Should the House and the Senate initially approve the measure, Congress seems unlikely to muster the two-thirds majorities in each chamber that would be needed later to override a certain Trump veto. Only moderate Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee have signaled they would cross the aisle and vote with Democrats. Tom Watson issued a direct challenge to Jeremy Corbyn today as he set up his own group of moderate MPs inside Labour and called for evidence of anti-Semitism in the party to be sent directly to him. Labour's deputy leader has become the focus of resistance to Mr Corbyn after nine MPs quit the party over anti-Semitism to set up the new Independent Group. Mr Watson has moved to create a new group inside Labour to promote the 'social democrat' tradition represented by many MPs who do not endorse Mr Corbyn's far left-wing agenda. He warned today there was a 'crisis for the soul of the Labour Party' and insisted mainstream MPs who served Tony Blair and Gordon Brown had to have a say under Mr Corbyn's leadership. In a further escalation he emailed all of the party's MPs and peers today asking to be copied into any new anti-Semitism complaints sent to Labour's general secretary Jennie Formby. Mr Watson said his office would create its own system to track complaints in parallel with official investigations. The moves - which will infuriate left-wing allies of Mr Corbyn - come as the leader of Momentum admitted Labour has 'under-estimated' anti-Semitism in its ranks. Jon Lansman, who founded the hard-left campaign group out of Mr Corbyn's first leadership campaign, said Labour had to be more proactive to find anti-Semites because it has a 'much larger' number of racist members than it thought. But he rejected claims from Labour deputy leader Tom Watson (pictured on Marr yesterday) that Mr Corbyn should take personal charge of the fight to root out abuse Labour has 'under-estimated' anti-Semitism in its ranks and has a 'much larger' number of racist members than it thought, the leader of Momentum Jon Lansman (file) admitted today Mr Watson unveiled plans for the new group on his website. He said: 'I called on Jeremy to do more to unite the party and reshuffle the Shadow Cabinet to give greater weight to MPs with social democratic rather than socialist views. 'The need to see Labour as the broad church of its tradition is the main reason why I am convening a group of MPs this week who believe in the party's social democratic tradition to develop policies. 'As I told Marr: ''We're only electorally successful if those traditions can rub up against each other. Harold Wilson had Tony Benn and Roy Jenkins in his Cabinet, and so that is our challenge''. 'There is almost a crisis for the soul of the Labour party. Everyone that cares about our future - whatever tradition they represent - has to find it within themselves to work more closely together. And that is as big a challenge for Jeremy as it is for me.' Labour sources close to Mr Corbyn played down the new group, insisting 'input of policy ideas' to develop the 2017 manifesto were 'welcome'. Meanwhile, Labour has declined to comment on reports that Mr Corbyn is to meet former justice secretary Lord Falconer of Thoroton to discuss how the party can tackle the issue of anti-Semitism. Mr Corbyn was said to be considering asking the peer, a former flatmate of Tony Blair, to be the party's anti-Semitism surveillance commissioner, with full oversight of how it handles complaints and decision-making processes. Jon Lansman, who founded the hard-left campaign group out of Jeremy Corbyn's (pictured on Saturday in Telford) first leadership campaign, said Labour had to be more proactive to find anti-Semites Mr Lansman - who is himself Jewish - told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he was 'extremely upset' by Ms Berger's departure, adding: 'I think any Jewish member of the party leaving the party because of anti-Semitism is a source of tremendous regret and sadness and some shame.' He rejected Ms Berger's claim that the party is 'institutionally anti-Semitic'. But he said: 'I do think we have a major problem and it always seems to me that we under-estimate the scale of it. I think it is a widespread problem. 'I think it is now obvious that we have a much larger number of people with hardcore anti-Semitic opinions which unfortunately is polluting the atmosphere in a lot of constituency parties and in particular online. We have to deal with these people.' Mr Lansman said he welcomed Mr Watson's decision to bring forward cases of alleged anti-Semitism, saying: 'I think it is a responsibility of everyone in the Labour Party, from the top to the bottom, to report cases ... I think we should be more proactive in going out and seeking cases, so I welcome that.' And on the deputy leader's decision to set up a group for centrist MPs, he said: 'We are a pluralist party ... I welcome that.' Mr Lansman said measures had been taken to speed up decision-making in anti-Semitism cases, but added: 'It has taken very much longer than we had hoped and it has proved larger and larger.' Mr Watson's intervention came as eight former Labour MPs formally met with their ex-Tory colleagues at the first meeting of the new Independent Group today (pictured) But he was wary of calls for Mr Corbyn to take personal charge. 'Jeremy Corbyn has been an anti-racist campaigner all his life, I have known him for decades and I do absolutely believe in his commitment to eradicate that,' he said. 'I think he is overseeing the party's battle against anti-Semitism. I'm not sure about him taking personal responsibility for cases. I think if he did that, some people might argue that that would be inappropriate.' Mr Lansman said the emergence of anti-Semitism as a major issue was in part due to the trebling of the size of Labour's membership since Mr Corbyn took the helm, with the 300,000 new members including some conspiracy theorists who are active on social media. 'There are conspiracy theorists in many parts of the political spectrum, I don't think it's exclusive to the Labour Party,' he said. But he added: 'The Tory Party is a smaller party and an elderly party and the role of social media in fomenting and spreading some of the poison is therefore more of a problem in the Labour Party.' A Chinese airline is suing a passenger who threw coins at a plane engine for good luck before takeoff in east China. The 28-year-old man, identified by his surname Lu, admitted to throwing two 1 yuan coins at a Lucky Air passenger jet after they were found by ground staff near the left engine of the plane on February 17. Flight 8L9960 from Anqing, Anhui province to Kunming, Yunnan was grounded for security reasons and eventually cancelled, affecting 162 passengers and costing the airline nearly 140,000 yuan (16,000), Lucky Air said on Friday. The 28-year-old man, surnamed Lu, admitted to throwing two 1 yuan coins at a Lucky Air passenger jet after they were found by ground staff near the left engine of the plane on Feb 17 Flight 8L9960 from Anqing, Anhui province to Kunming, Yunnan was cancelled, affecting 162 passengers and costing the airline nearly 140,000 yuan (16,000), Lucky Air said on Friday The superstitious man was travelling with his wife and one-year-old child and was hoping for a safe journey when he threw the coins while boarding on the tarmac at Anqing Tianzhushan Airport, Anqing police said in a statement. The man was detained by authorities for seven days after the coins were found on the ground near the engine during the pre-flight check. 'The incident caused a direct economic loss of nearly 140,000 yuan, and our company will press charges against the passenger in accordance with the law,' Lucky Air said in its statement. The engine of an aircraft would be severely damaged or even destroyed if a coin is sucked into it, according to a professor at Civil Aviation University of China cited by China Daily. The man was detained by authorities for seven days after the coins were found on the ground near the engine during the preflight check Luck Air urged passengers to comply with civil aviation laws and regulations and avoid behaviour that could prove detrimental to the safety of passengers (file photo) 'The engine could tremble, lose speed and even stop in mid-air if a coin were sucked into its core,' he said. 'That would put all the passengers on board at great risk.' The rest of the passengers were flown to Kunming city the next day following a full engine check. This is not the first time a passenger has attempted to toss coins into an aircraft engine for good fortune and a safe flight. In June 2017, an 80-year-old woman threw her change at a China Southern Airlines flight at Shanghai Pudong Airport to pray for a safe flight, causing a five-hour delay and one million yuan in damages. She was not charged due to her age. Several months later in the same year, a 76-year-old woman flung several coins into the engine of a Lucky Air flight, also Kunming-bound from Anqing. She was detained but not charged. Luck Air urged passengers to comply with civil aviation laws and regulations and avoid behaviour that could prove detrimental to the safety of passengers. 'Not only does tossing coins not give you good luck, it will endanger aviation safety and land you in detention. You could be fined and prosecuted,' the airline warned. A Pennsylvania woman who was raped after hotel staff gave a man access to her locked room while she was sleeping is revealing what happened to her as a warning to others. Cheri Marchionda was traveling for work and staying at the Embassy Suites hotel in Des Moines, Iowa, in April 2014 when she was raped and battered in her room for more than two hours by Christopher Lapointe, of New York. The night of the attack, Lapointe was given a key to her room by the front desk clerk, even though he didn't show ID or prove that he was a hotel guest, and then managed to convince hotel staff to disengage the door's interior security latch by telling them that he had been locked out of the room by his 'girlfriend,' police said. Cheri Marchionda spoke out about the details of her 2014 sexual assault and rape after an Iowa hotel gave a stranger the key card to her room and unlocked the security bolt while she slept In the wake of settling a civil lawsuit against the hotel's operators, Marchionda has come forward to reveal details about her attack so that 'people are aware that when you think you're gonna go into a hotel room, and that you're gonna go to sleep and close your eyes, and that you're safe, you're not,' she told CBS This Morning: Saturday. Hotel operators, she added, 'need to figure out a better system within the industry to figure out how to keep people safe.' Christopher Lapointe pleaded guilty to sexual abuse in 2014 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison Marchionda, a single mom-of-three, said that prior to her sexual assault, she traveled on average once a week while on her job as an executive at one of the largest frozen food manufacturers in the United States. On the night of April 10, 2014, she said that she returned to her Embassy Suites hotel room and secured the door's safety bolt, then went to sleep. Some time after midnight, Lapointe entered her room. 'The next thing I remember was someone touching my leg,' Marchionda told CBS This Morning, noting that the sensation 'startled me.' 'I woke up thinking I was at home,' Marchionda said. 'So at first I'm like, rubbing my eyes. I'm like, "Wait a minute. No, you're in this room, and then who is this guy?" And so, you know, in these seconds, you're trying to process, like, who is this person at the end of your bed? And that's when he said, "You're not gonna scream rape."' Marchionda said the man, who would later be identified as Lapointe, was holding something in his hand at the time, but she could not tell whether it was a gun or knife or something innocuous like the TV's remote control. Either way, she said, 'you're so scared because you don't know what's happening or what's gonna happen.' She said he tried to 'nestle his head in my neck' before pulling off her pajamas. He then sexually assaulted and raped her for more than two hours. Hotel surveillance video showed Lapointe asking for and receiving a key to Marchionda's room without showing ID. He was said to have been recognized as a regular guest The attack occurred at the Embassy Suites hotel in Des Moines, Iowa. Marchionda was staying at the hotel while on a work trip in April 2014 Marchionda is a single mom-of-three. She wants the hotel industry to come up with a better practices to keep guests safe When asked why she didn't scream out for help during that time, Marchionda said that she tried. 'Yes, you think you are, but nothing comes out,' Marchionda said. 'You think you're kicking, and your legs don't move. And the freezing part is the hardest part I think for me.' Marchionda said that as a seasoned traveler and a 'tough girl,' she thought that if she was ever being attacked she would 'kick butt.' Instead, 'all I thought about, was surviving. Because I have these three beautiful children I wanted to go home to,' she said. Marchionda said that before Lapointe left her room, all she said to him was, 'I'm gonna throw up, I'm gonna throw up, let me throw up.' His reply was 'like, "You're not gonna throw up. You'll be fine."' After Lapointe left, Marchionda said that she relocked the door and then went to scrub her body in the shower. She recalled being so tired after the assault that she sat down in the tub and cried. Marchionda said Lapointe, who was 30 at the time, had actually approached her at the hotel bar twice before attacking her on the night that she checked in and then again the next night, just hours before he entered her room and raped her. She said that the night he attacked her, Lapointe, a frequent guest at the hotel, had appeared to be visibly drunk. She tried to keep him at bay, but ultimately left the bar and returned to her room. She said that Lapointe figured out what her room number was and called her on her room phone, asking her if she wanted 'to hang out,' which she declined. When she asked how he got her room number, he just said, 'I have friends.' Marchionda said that even though Lapointe knew her room number, she assumed she'd be safe in her room because the security lock was engaged. Lapointe pleaded guilty to sexual abuse and received a 20-year prison sentence in December 2014. Marchionda then filed a civil lawsuit against the hotel's operators, Hammons Inc. and Atrium TRS III, in 2015, claiming negligence and carelessness. The Embassy Suites franchise and Hilton Worldwide had earlier been dismissed from the lawsuit. The lawsuit was recently settled for an undisclosed amount prior to Marchionda's scheduled testimony on February 13. Marchionda's lawyer said that she now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder from the attack, a fact which led to her losing her executive position, the AP reported. 'I'm on long-term disability now, which then eliminated my position at my company,' Marchionda told CBS This Morning. Atrium Hospitality told CBS This Morning that it is 'focused on industry-leading safety practices to provide' for its guests, while Hammons Inc. had no comment. Marchionda's civil lawsuit claimed that the Embassy Suite's reception desk manager authorized a clerk to give Lapointe the key to her room, without checking with Marchionda first. It also claimed that the maintenance worker didn't check with her before allowing Lapointe into the room after unlocking the security lock, either, according to the Des Moines Register. At the time of the incident, police said that hotel desk workers recognized Lapointe as being a frequent guest and a Hilton Honors Diamond member, KCCI reported. Baljinder Singh is pictured arriving at Newcastle Crown Court today before he was jailed for 28 months An Indian call centre fraudster has been jailed for helping to scam British victims out of 400,000 by pretending to fix their computers. Baljinder Singh's company Devine Technical Services was the British face for an Indian gang of fraudsters who stole hundreds of thousands of pounds from internet users by claiming they were linked to Microsoft. They targeted vulnerable people online, persuading them to allow remote access to their PCs and demanding payment to clean up the machines. The Delhi criminals would take money from victims, who believed their computers need fixing, and then install malicious software to allow them to steal more cash. The scam was uncovered by police with the help of potential victim Damian Morrison, who went along with the fraudsters while he recorded evidence. A judge at Newcastle Crown Court awarded him 250 for his public-spirited work, which involved putting a warning on YouTube about the fraud. Singh, a married father-of-two from South Shields in South Tyneside, admitted transferring criminal property and was jailed for two years and four months. James Gelsthorpe, prosecuting, said one victim was using his PC when it went blank and a voice came over the speaker telling him his account had been hacked. He was instructed to ring an 0800 number and when he did he was told there was a fault with his computer which could be fixed for 70, which he paid. When he later checked his account, he found a payment of 2,700 had been taken. Singh's role was to operate UK bank accounts and send money to India and he did not speak to victims of the con, the court heard. Singh (pictured), a married father-of-two from South Shields in South Tyneside, admitted transferring criminal property When he was arrested he told police he had been asked by the Indian firm to establish a base in the UK market to increase customer trust. In the year after November 2016, when he became aware of the YouTube video, he sent 300,000 to India and was paid 38,665, the court heard. Many of the victims were older computer users, 'vulnerable to a degree', who had a lack of IT knowledge, Mr Gelsthorpe said. Gavin Doig, defending, said: 'This defendant has been left holding the baby for others who have benefited greatly.' Recorder Ian Mullarkey said an immediate jail sentence was necessary, despite Singh's previous good character, shame and remorse. Abrahim Bakhtiar, of Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit, said: 'We'd like to reassure all users of our products that Microsoft will never cold-call you out of the blue. 'If you receive an unsolicited tech support call or pop-up from anyone claiming to be from Microsoft or representing Microsoft then it is a scam.' A majority (73 percent) of Americans believe race and ethnicity should not figure in student admissions to colleges and universities, according to a new survey. A small proportion (7 percent) believe race should be a major factor in college admissions and 19 percent say it should be weighed as a minor factor, according to a Pew Research Center survey of 6,637 Americans. The survey illustrates a broad opposition to affirmative action - and comes on the heels of closing arguments earlier this month in a federal lawsuit brought by Asian American students against Harvard University that claims the school unfairly limits how many of them are accepted each year. The survey found that people of all races tend to agree that race should not be weighed in admissions practices, but white adults are the most likely (78 percent) to feel that way, compared to 65 percent of Hispanics, 62 percent of African Americans and 59 percent of Asians. This chart illustrates how much Americans believe race should factor into college admissions decisions. Overall, a majority of Americans oppose affirmative action, though opinions vary by race and political party Opinions are even more divided by political party, with Republicans and those who lean Republican much more likely (85 percent) to say race shouldn't figure in admissions than Democrats and Democrat-leaners (63 percent). The survey asked respondents to weigh eight different admissions criteria and rank them on whether they should be a major, minor, or non-factor in getting into college. A student's grades in high school was overwhelmingly considered a major factor (67 percent), followed by standardized test scores (47 percent). Meanwhile 48 percent said community service involvement should be a minor factor in admissions and 53 percent said being the first person in a family to go to college should not be a factor at all. The lawsuit against Harvard, which could reach the U.S. Supreme Court, claims that the school discriminates against high-performing Asian-American applicants by holding down their admission rates to about 20 percent of each new class despite that population outperforming all other races, overall. This chart illustrates how much Americans believe various factors should be weighed in college admissions decisions. A majority believe high school grades should be a major factor in who gets into college, while factors like gender and race are less important to survey respondents The suit cites a 2013 report from Harvard's Office of Institutional Research, which found that 43 percent of new admissions would be Asian if the college only took academics into account. Harvard officials maintain that they do not discriminate against students based on race. 'We will continue to vigorously defend the right of Harvard, and other colleges and universities, to seek the educational benefits that come from a class that is diverse on multiple dimensions,' Harvard officials said on a website established to address the lawsuit. A group called Students for Fair Admissions filed the suit in November 2014. The organization was established by Edward Blum, a vocal opponent of affirmative action, who is white. While the suit is focused on Asian American students, some critics have argued that it could have unintended outcomes that could disproportionately affect African American applicants and lead to less diverse campuses. The trial of a former Nazi death camp guard has been stopped due to his failing health. The 95-year-old German defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was told by a court in the western city of Muenster today that he was no longer fit enough to stand trial. The former guard, who worked at the Stutthof concentration camp, east of Danzig, Poland, during the Second World War was accused of assisting in the brutal murders of hundreds of Jews. The former member of the SS was charged with being an accessory to sickening murders despite denying the charges. The trial of a former guard at the Stutthof concentration camp, Poland, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been stopped due to his failing health The former guard was accused of assisting in the brutal murders of hundreds of Jews during his time at the Stutthof concentration camp, east of Danzig. He denied the charges The Nazi guard first took to the stand on November 6 after he was accused of being complicit in the murders of hundreds of prisoners at the camp between 1942- 1944. During the trial last year court sessions lasted no longer than two hours due to his ill health. In December, the trial was put on hold due to the former guard's ill health and has now been stopped permanently following a medical report-which listed heart problems among his medical issues. During an earlier trial, the former guard, who is confined to a wheelchair, had said: 'I want to say clearly that I am not a Nazi, never was and in the little time that I still have to live, will never be.' The trial had been temporarily stopped in December due to his poor health but it has now been stopped completely Around 65,000 prisoners are believed to have been killed or have died at the the concentration camp in Poland He added that he had lived at the camp in fear. Speaking to court, chief Prosecutor Andreas Brendel, said the man was responsible for the murders of hundreds of prisoners during the Holocaust. Mr Brendel said: 'People were killed with a shot in the back of the head. People were left to starve, to freeze.' The former guard was being tried in a youth court due to his age at the time of the suspected murders. Around 65,000 prisoners are believed to have been killed or have died at the camp, which was the first concentration camp set up outside of Germany. It was first established as a camp for civilian war prisoners before it became a concentration camp in 1942. Prosecutors will now prepare to make a statement on the medical report. Flyers found throughout Iowa City earlier this month encouraging people to call Immigration and Customs Enforcement drew a rebuke from local law enforcement this week. After signs reading 'Keep Iowa nice, call ICE' were posted downtown on February 16, the Johnson County Sheriff's Office expressed its disappointment on Friday, KCRG news reports. 'When we see these kinds of things, it's concerning that people might be frightened to contact law enforcement if they think it's going to lead to ICE being contacted,' Det. Sgt. Brad Kunkel said. 'That's just not going to be the case.' Scroll down for video This flier with the number for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement blacked out by the Eastern Iowa Community Bond Project was found in Iowa City on February 16 Courtesy of KCRG The detective worried that such signs could send a message that undocumented immigrants would avoid asking law enforcement for help out of fear of being reported to the immigration authorities. Though no laws were broken, police, Det. Sgt. Kunkel says that the local community rises above such acts. 'There's no place for that behavior,' said Kunkel stated. The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), in solidarity with those against the flyers, explained to KCCI the practical necessity of immigrants to the state. The controversial signs were found in Iowa City placed on message boards and kiosks The signs did not break any laws, according to the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, despite being a concern in regards to public safety The Iowa City Democratic Socialists of America responded with their own aggressive flier that plays with the format of the original sign calling for the abolishing of ICE 'It's important to know that immigrants, they contribute to Iowa society' said Andrew Bribriesco, state legal adviser to LULAC. 'They're making sure that small towns are still thriving, contributing to the local economy, are job creators.' Other groups in Iowa have also condemned the posters peppering the city. The Eastern Iowa Community Bond Project, an organization that provides bail funds and legal support to immigrants, were initially tipped about the flyers and released a statement. 'While we believe the sentiments expressed in the posters do not represent the best of the communities of Iowa City and Johnson County, publicly disseminating this message is an act of hate that causes real and lasting harm to the immigrant community,' the EICBP wrote. Andrew Bribriesco, state legal adviser to LULAC, expressed the necessity of the immigrant population in Iowa as a matter of economic pragmatism The current flier situation is one in a series of recent poster controversies including this sticker that appeared in downtown Iowa City in 2017 stating 'It's okay to be white' 'We stand firmly against any acts that threaten our immigrant neighbors, friends, and family, and ask that all members of our community who would stand in solidarity with them do so as well.' The Iowa City Democratic Socialists of America also released their own response, playing with the format of the original poster. 'Keep Iowa Nice, Abolish ICE,' reads the new sign. 'Immigrants are welcome here.' The poster controversy is the latest in a series over the past three years in Iowa City, according to KCCI. In 2017, a sticker saying 'It's okay to be white' was found at the Pedestrian Mall, and months after that, 'Love Your Race' flyers with a URL for the white supremacist group National Alliance were found left on lawns around the city. The world has become a more peaceful place with fewer people dying in armed conflicts, scientists have claimed. Experts from Norway's Peace Research Institute Oslo examined statistics from 'all possible' wars, the countries involved, and how many people were killed. Research director Havard Mokleiv Nygard suggested the Korean War in the early 1950s may have been a 'breaking point' signalling a change in the number of people killed in battle. The world has become a more peaceful place with fewer people dying in armed conflicts, scientists have found. Research director Havard Mokleiv Nygard suggested the Korean War (file picture) in the early 1950s may have been a 'breaking point' signalling a change in the number of people killed in battle 'The wars after the Korean War (19501953) have killed a quarter as many people as the wars before the Korean War,' he said. 'The change after this breaking point is an indication that the world has become a more peaceful place,' adding Nygard, whose researchers work alongside statisticians at the University of Oslo. Nygard said 'extensive use of statistics' was used by the institute, which aims to find out why war happens, how war develops and what steps can be taken to halt conflicts. He added: 'The distribution of the number of people dying in war does not follow any normally distributed curve. There are many wars in the middle of the curve with a certain number of killed and few wars on the curves extremes, with few or many killed. The findings come despite the fact battles are still raging on a number of fronts in war-torn Syria (file picture) 'Wars can erupt that kill a great many people. An example is the Second World War. A Third World War can also occur, in principle, with 150 million killed.' The findings come despite the fact battles are still raging on a number of fronts in war-torn Syria. Last year, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based war monitor, said about 511,000 people had been killed in the Syrian war since it began in 2011. In December it was reported that more than 60,000 had been killed in two years in Yemen, another country ripped apart by war. A 23-year-old Missouri high school teacher has been charged with having sex with one of her students. Sarcoxie High School teacher Baylee Turner was arrested on February 13 on a count of sexual contact with a student by a teacher, a felony. According to court documents, both Turner and the student acknowledged that they had sexual intercourse last month inside the woman's home in Sarcoxie. Baylee Turner (pictured left in mugshot), an English teacher from Missouri, has been charged with sexual contact with a student by a teacher Turner taught 10th- and 12th-grade English at Sarcoxie High School in Missouri The records did not provide details about the students age or gender. It also remains unknown at this time when and how law enforcement officials and school administrators first learned of Turner's alleged tryst with the minor, which was said to have taken place between January 14-21. Turner, who teaches high school English, had her bond set at $10,000 and was prohibited from having contact with anyone younger than age 16, if released, reported The Joplin Globe. She is scheduled to be arraigned on March 6. If convicted of the charge against her, the 23-year-old Turner could face up to four years in prison. The 23-year-old Turner (left and right) was in her third year of teaching. She resigned two weeks ago ahead of her arrest Sarcoxie School District Superintendent Kevin Goddard said Turner is no longer employed by the district, having resigned just days before her arrest. In an emergency meeting two weeks ago, the local school board voted to ask the state to revoke Turner's teaching license. Turner taught English at the Sarcoxie middle school for two years before taking being assigned this year to teach high school sophomores and seniors, reported Springfield News-Leader. Dr. Zhao Qin (pictured), in central China, has urged the pregnant patient to keep her child A young woman in China has been told by doctors she might never be able to have babies in the future after undergoing 17 abortions in six years. It is said that the woman's womb was so badly damaged after all the procedures that her uterus lining was 'as thin as a piece of paper,' according to a doctor at the Shiyan Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital. The patient, known by a pseudonym Xiao Ju, has been in a relationship with her boyfriend for six years and the couple don't use contraception, reportedly Shiyan Evening News. The woman claimed to the doctors that she was not ready to get married and was not capable of raising a child, therefore she had decided to terminate all pregnancies, said the report. Any babies born out of wedlock in China will not be issued an ID, which means they will not be entitled to state benefits or the right to receive education. Dr. Zhao Qin, head of gynaecology at Shiyan Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital in Central China's Hubei Province, said she had urged a pregnant Xiao Ju to keep her child when she visited the hospital again this month. Xiao Ju has had abortions so often she is billed 'a regular customer' at the hospital (file photo) Dr. Zhao explained to her that it might be her last chance at motherhood. However, the 27-year-old insisted on the procedure, leaving Zhao and her colleagues no choice but to perform what was the patient's 17th abortion in just six years. It is said that Xiao Ju has visited the hospital so often that she doctors call her 'a regular customer'. Most young people in China know little about sexual health due to the lack of sex education at schools. Some 99 per cent of Chinese adults are ill-informed on the topic, according to leading Chinese sexologist Peng Xiaohui, and around 44 per cent of Chinese university students are said to have had no sex education at all. Xiao Ju and her partner reportedly haven't used any contraception throughout their relationship. In China, babies born out of wedlock won't be given an ID and cannot go to school (file photo) Doctor Zhao realised the severity of Xiao Ju's physical condition while examining her for her latest procedure. 'I found her uterus lining to be critically thin, like a piece of paper, due to the repeated abortions she had had,' Zhao said. She added: 'Her uterus was also badly scarred.' Zhao said she advised the patient to keep her child: 'If you don't have to have this abortion, then keep this baby, because it may be very, very difficult for you to get pregnant again.' However, the patient's reply was that she did not plan to get married, and did not have the ability to raise a child, insisting that the abortion take place, Zhao recalled. The medic said: 'It might've been her most precious child.' The young woman and her boyfriend of six years live in a city in Hubei Province (file photo) Generally speaking, having an abortion won't affect the patient's chances of becoming pregnant in the future, although there could be 'a small risk' of fertility problems if she develops a womb infection that isn't treated promptly, according to NHS. However, having repeated abortions can raise the risk of life-threatening problems for future pregnancies, according to a 2012 study. The study, which was carried out among women in England and Wales, found that those who had three or more abortions were up to three times more likely to have a future baby early even before 28 weeks in the womb and of a poor weight. Those who had two abortions before their first child also had a greater chance of giving birth prematurely. An Iranian woman has been sprayed in the face with tear gas after going outside without a hijab, campaigners say. Video of the altercation shows the woman arguing with a man - believed to be an undercover morality officer - about the country's oppressive religious regime. The woman can be heard calling the man 'blind' and 'ill-fated' for following the government, before he turns around to confront her. Campaigners say this is the moment an undercover morality officer sprayed tear gas in a woman's face in Iran because she refused to wear the compulsory hijab The woman filmed herself arguing with the man about the country's strict regime before he pulled a black bottle from his bag (right) and sprayed it in her face She tells him 'do whatever you want, I'm not scared' before he pulls a small black bottle from his bag. He then sprays the substance in the woman's face before the video cuts out. The footage was posted online by Masih Alinejad, founder of the White Wednesdays and My Stealthy Freedom campaigns against compulsory hijab in Iran. She wrote: 'Watch an undercover morality police agent fires tear gas on a woman who refuses to wear hijab. This is the 2nd video of violence received by the campaign this week. 'We call on international community to condemn this such brutality.' Iranian women have been staging protests against the country's strict laws which forbid women from going outside without covering their hair At least 112 women were arrested or detained for violating Iran's Islamic laws in 2018 in what has been dubbed a 'year of shame' (file image) Since Iran's Islamic Revolution 40 years ago, women have been ordered to cover their hair for the sake of modesty. Violators are publicly admonished, fined or arrested. Azam Jangravi, who drew attention to the White Wednesday campaign after removing her hijab and standing on top of an electrical transformer box in central Tehran, has told how she was sacked and sentenced to three years for the stunt. Authorities even threatened to take away her eight-year-old daughter Viani, but she managed to flee the country before she was locked up. Women have been removing their hijabs in public despite threats of arrest and have been demanding the regime give more rights to females Women have been banned from going outside without a hijab covering their hair since Iran's Islamic revolution more than 40 years ago Earlier this month she was reported to be at an undisclosed location in another country having applied for asylum. Iran arrested more than 7,000 people in 2018 after launching a wide-scale crackdown on protests during what is being called 'a year of shame' for the country. Students, journalists, environmental activists, factory workers, lawyers, womens rights activists, minority rights activists and trade unionists were all cuffed during the campaign of repression, according to Amnesty International. The human rights group has published new figures revealing the scale of Irans repressive measures during an outbreak of protests against poverty, corruption and authoritarianism. Hundreds were sentenced to prison terms or flogging - beaten with a whip - and at least 26 protesters were killed. Nine people arrested in connection with protests died in custody under suspicious circumstances, Amnesty claims. A young businessman was left gutted after his prized 125,000 gold-plated Lamborghini supercar burst into the flames on the motorway. Lak Sira, 22, said he was nearly killed after his Lamborghini Gallardo went up in smoke as he drove along the M6 with his girlfriend last Friday - just an hour after a 10,000 service. The entrepreneur had been on his way to London and pulled over on the hard shoulder near Birmingham, West Midlands after smelling petrol. Young businessman Lak Sira was left gutted after his prized 125,000 Lamborghini Gallardo burst into the flames on the motorway - just an hour after picking it up from the garage Mr Sira said: 'We heard a loud bang, it was like a firework going off, and the back of my car caught fire' The charred remains of Lak's Lamborghini Gallardo after the vehicle caught fire on the motorway The self-made businessman (pictured with his car before the incident) said he had paid 10,000 for a service and picked it up from Lamborghini Birmingham when it burst into flames just an hour later He then jumped from the gold chrome-plated supercar after hearing a loud bang and watched helplessly as the back of luxury vehicle was engulfed in flames. Shocking pictures show the flaming wreckage as well as the blackened remains of the gutted vehicle after fire crews had extinguished the blaze. The self-made businessman said he had paid 10,000 for a service and picked it up from Lamborghini Birmingham when it burst into flames just an hour later. Lak, who earns 200,000 a year running an online trading company, has blamed the garage's negligence and said he is looking at taking legal action against the dealership. Shocking pictures show the flaming wreckage as well as the blackened remains of the gutted vehicle after fire crews had extinguished the blaze A West Midlands Fire Service spokeswoman said ten firefighters were sent to the scene at 8.54pm and crews used a hose-reel jet to douse the flames. The car is seen on the back of a tow truck after the crash Lak, who lives in Birmingham city centre, said: 'I was on the way to London with my girlfriend for a night out as I just had the car back and wanted to drive it around. 'We had only gone one junction when my girlfriend smelt petrol in the car, so I called the garage's mechanic. 'He said 'the car has just been for a service and it is usual to smell a bit of fuel', so there wasn't a problem. 'So we carried on a bit further and my girlfriend asked me to open the windows, because the smell of fuel had got that strong. 'I stopped on the hard shoulder, between J5 and J6, to remove the roof but then the next thing was we heard a loud bang, it was like a firework going off, and the back of my car caught fire. 'I just had to watch helplessly as the car which I had worked so hard to buy went up in smoke. Lak, who earns 200,000 a year running an online trading company, has blamed the garage's negligence and said he is looking at taking legal action against the dealership. The car is pictured after the fire Firefighters who were called to the scene are pictured fighting the fire 'We nearly died, if I didn't pull over when I did I dread to think what happened. It was very frightening and my girlfriend is scared to get in any car with me now. 'I am meeting with my solicitor to see whether to take legal action as I can't believe its a coincidence that I'd only just had the car back from the garage.' A West Midlands Fire Service spokeswoman said ten firefighters were sent to the scene at 8.54pm and crews used a hose-reel jet to douse the flames. A celebration of Bernardo Bertolucci at last night's Oscars caused outrage among some viewers after a backlash over his infamous 1972 rape scene. The Italian film director, who died in November last year, was featured in the In Memoriam section of the Academy Awards on Sunday night. His 1972 film Last Tango In Paris had come under heavy scrutiny in recent years after actress Maria Schneider said she had not been warned in advance about the Marlon Brando rape scene, in which the American actor 'assaulted' her with butter as an apparent lubricant. Bernardo Bertolucci was honored during the Oscars ceremony last night (pictured, his face on screen during the In Memoriam sequence) despite a backlash over his film Last Tango In Paris Bertolucci was among the first names mentioned in the four-minute In Memoriam segment, as his name and portrait appeared on screen. It was followed by a brief shot from his 1987 film The Last Emperor but his prominent honor earned a backlash online. One viewer said on Twitter: 'Bernardo Bertolucci conspired with Marlon Brando to have Maria Schneider raped for 'authenticity' so f*** him, he doesn't deserve a place in the Oscars In Memoriam.' Another expressed disappointment, saying: 'So we're really honoring Bernardo Bertolucci... not surprised.' Yet another wrote: 'It's 2019 and we're really still including Bernardo Bertolucci in the In Memoriam?' Another said simply: 'Bernardo Bertolucci? Wtf, he was f****** disgusting.' In the film Last Tango, French actress Schneider, then aged 19, played a woman called Jeanne who was assaulted by Brando's character. Speaking about the scene in 2007, she said: 'That scene wasn't in the original script. The truth is it was Marlon who came up with the idea. Maria Schneider, pictured as Jeanne in the 1972 film, said she had not been warned in advance about the infamous Marlon Brando rape scene Some furious viewers took to Twitter to express their disappointment that Bertolucci had been honored at the Oscars despite the backlash to the 1972 scene 'They only told me about it before we had to film the scene and I was so angry. 'I think Bertolucci is over-rated and he never really made anything after Last Tango that had the same impact. 'He was fat and sweaty and very manipulative, both of Marlon and myself, and would do certain things to get a reaction from me. 'Some mornings on set he would be very nice and say hello and on other days, he wouldn't say anything at all.' The scene gained further notoriety in 2016 when a clip went viral of Bertolucci admitting he had added the butter element at the last moment. 'I wanted her reaction as a girl, not as an actress. I wanted her to react humiliated,' the director said in 2013. However Bertolucci insisted after the backlash that Schneider had known about the rape scene, if not about the butter. Walking casually past a helter-skelter with her grime star boyfriend, Louella Fletcher-Michie is pictured just hours before she lost her life at the Bestival music event in Dorset in 2017. They are the last pictures ever taken of the dancer and yoga teacher, taken just hours before she died from a fatal drug overdose. Rapper Ceon Broughton, 29, of Enfield, north London, is alleged to have supplied Louella with the synthetic drug 2-CP and 'bumped up' her dose. He denies manslaughter by gross negligence and supplying the drug. Images released by Dorset Police today show the pair 'circled' walking through Bestival together Another image shows Broughton and Louella as they stroll through a field, taken hours before her death Police also released a photograph of the bag of white powder later found in Broughton's mobile phone case Images of the couple walking around Bestival in Lulworth Castle, Dorset, around 4pm on September 10, 2017, were shown to jurors at the start of Broughton's trial. Prosecutor William Mousley QC showed the jury the images as he explained their movements before heading to the secluded wooded area where Louella hallucinated wildly. Broughton can be seen wearing hi-vis trousers while blonde-haired Louella can be seen wearing blue trousers and a grey top. The new images, released by Dorset police today, came as the trial was suspended this morning due to a member of the jury's illness. Police also released a photograph of the bag of white powder later found in Broughton's mobile phone case. There were gasps from the public gallery where the Louella's father, former Holby City star John Michie, 62, was watching the case as the judge, Mr Justice Goose, announced the adjournment, adding that he hoped that the defence's closing speech could be made tomorrow. Mr Minchie then shook his head in dismay, sent a number of messages from his phone and entered into animated conversation with family members. Louella died because of her 'fatal attraction' to Broughton, 29, who chose to film the dancer and yoga teacher as she lay dying from a drugs overdose, the court has heard On Thursday, the court heard that Louella died because of her 'fatal attraction' to Broughton, 29, who chose to film the dancer and yoga teacher as she lay dying from a drugs overdose instead of taking the '30 or more' footsteps to get her medical help. Giving his closing speech, prosecutor William Mousley QC said Broughton, had 'lied and lied', blaming everyone - including Mr Michie and his wife Carol - but himself for Louella's death. The prosecutor said the grime star's final 'dodging of responsibility' came when he failed to take to the witness box and explain what had happened to his girlfriend. Former Coronation Street and Taggart star Mr Michie and his family watched from the public gallery as Mr Mousley delivered his speech, leaving each time footage of their daughter's 'gradual demise' was played to jurors. Louella Fletcher-Michie (pictured), 24, started attacking herself and screeching 'like a wild animal' after reacting badly to a 2C-P overdose near the Bestival event in Dorset in 2017 Louella's mother and father, Holby City actor John Michie and his wife Carol Fletcher-Michie Mr Mousley told Winchester Crown Court Louella could have been saved if Broughton had acted like a 'reasonable person' and gone for medical help as she began to suffer a horrifying reaction to the synthetic party drug. He said: 'This case is all about reasonable steps, being a reasonable person. '[Louella's] attraction for Ceon, her feelings for him, were to prove to be a fatal attraction. 'The prosecution case, quite simply, is that any reasonable person, being prudent and careful having given Louella drugs on that evening, would have appreciated the risk and, in seeing her reaction, that her life was in danger. 'Quite simply, her life could have been saved. A few actions by him, as opposed to his inaction, and she would still be here today.' The trial continues. A militant vegan activist whose confrontation with an angry farmer turned violent has snuck into another farm to show how pigs are treated. James Warden streamed live on the Direct Action Everywhere social media page on Sunday night from inside the GD pork farm near Pinjarra, south of Perth. His latest stunt was less than two weeks after a farmer in Harvey, Western Australia, confronted him outside his property before firing a shotgun twice into the air. James Warden streamed live on the Direct Action Everywhere social media page on Sunday night from inside the GD pork farm near Pinjarra, south of Perth Dressed in white forensic gear, Mr Warden and his associate Kat complained about the cramped conditions pig were kept in at the farm. 'These are the standard conditions these animals are kept in, subjugated and enslaved,' he said to 50,000 viewers around the world in the 80-minute video. 'Kept in small cages where they're barely able to move. They'll be keep confined their entire lives until they're three to five years old and then they will be murdered.' The video showed open wounds and bruises on the pigs that were left untreated as they sat in their 1.5m by 2m pens. 'They have pressure wounds on their shoulders from where they rub against the bars for weeks. It's absolutely sad and sickening,' Mr Warden said. Dressed in white forensic gear, Mr Warden and his associate Kat complained about the cramped conditions pig were kept in at the farm 'These are the standard conditions these animals are kept in, subjugated and enslaved,' he said to 50,000 viewers around the world in the 80-minute video The video showed open wounds and bruises on the pigs that were left untreated as they sat in their 1.5m by 2m pens 'If this was done to a dog the owner would be thrown in jail and made to pay a hefty fine but because it's another species, it's fine.' Mr Warden then moved to a disturbing pile of dead piglets who he said were either crushed to death in cages or killed for being too small. Their tails and genitals were cut off and teeth pulled out so they wouldn't hurt each other in the cramped conditions. Nearby was an adult pig lying on the ground with what looked like a bullet hole in its head and its intestines hanging out. Mr Warden then moved on to another shed on the farm where pregnant pigs were kept until they gave birth. Mr Warden said the video was made to show consumers what went in to making their food in the hope it would make them join his cause 'Kept in small cages where they're barely able to move. They'll be keep confined their entire lives until they're three to five years old and then they will be murdered,' he said He said the video was made to show consumers what went in to making their food in the hope it would make them join his cause. 'We're showing people the suffering these animals are enduring. All of these beautiful sentient beings are going to be murdered for people's food,' he said. 'Animal love resides inside everyone, people don't know where their food comes from.' Western Australian Pork Producers Association president Dawson Bradford said activists like Mr Warden should be arrested. 'It's important that those engaging in this type of activity are held accountable not only for the illegal activity but also for the misleading, sensational, and selective footage that is not reflective of how the industry operates,' he said. Nearby was an adult pig lying on the ground with what looked like a bullet hole in its head and its intestines hanging out It was not clear how and why the dead animal came to be in such a state Mr Warden's Facebook feed received death threats after the video, such as: 'Come and visit my farm tomorrow ya little p***k, I dare you'. 'Only a matter for time break into the wrong farm and cop a shotgun to the face,' another declared. 'You won't be around long, enjoy what's left of your life sweetheart you'll break into the wrong farm soon enough, pigs make sort work of bodies,' a third wrote. Mr Warden said he received 4,600 abusive messages, including death threats, from farmers and others following his encounter with the farmer in Harvey. Farmer Jason Parravicini approached Mr Warden and Kat, who were parked outside the property. A violent clash between vegan activists and a farmer who fired two blasts from his shotgun into the air has been captured on video (pictured) The farmer repeatedly asked the pair to stop taking photos of his cattle and to leave his property, but the activists refused to budge and continued to film him. 'Take the camera out of my face,' Mr Parravicini said, while pointing his finger toward Kat, who was recording the conversation. Not willing to back down, the activists continued to film the farmer, who then gave the pair a fiery ultimatum. 'I'll give her one minute to get rid of that (camera) or I'll remove it from you,' Mr Parravicini said, before he yelled out 'call the cops' to someone else nearby. 'This is ridiculous, move on mate,' he said. Western Australian Pork Producers Association president Dawson Bradford said activists like Mr Warden should be arrested Mr Warden said he received 4,600 abusive messages, including death threats, from farmers and others following his encounter with the farmer in Harvey The farmer then tried to grab Mr Warden's car keys from the ignition, resulting in punches being thrown between the pair through the open car window. 'Get the f*** out of my place,' Mr Parravicini screamed at the activists. 'You two, out! You are tormenting Harvey. Get the hell out of it.' Mr Parravicini then went back inside his property and emerged with a shotgun, which Mr Warden said he fired in the air twice to 'intimidate' them. 'These farming communities are an echo chamber for this type of violence and it does not surprise me whatsoever that they are now targeting and acting in violence towards human beings,' Mr Warden said. California beekeepers are offering a $10,000 reward to find thieves who used a fork-lift truck to steal almost 200 beehives. Two apiarists in Visalia, in California's Central Valley, reported the honey-producing insects missing two weeks ago amid a shortage of bees for almond pollination. California firms Gunter Honey and SP Godlin Apiaries both reported 96 hives stolen on February 10 and 11 respectively. Detectives believe a rival beekeeper who would 'know what they are doing' and have the right equipment may have been behind the thefts. Thieves stole nearly 200 boxes of bees (pictured) from two keepers in California's Central Valley, amid fears a rival apiarist could be to blame One of the beekeepers, Steve Godlin, said 100 beehives could be worth as much as $40,000. A spate of thefts has already seen a man and woman arrested in California earlier this year for alleged felony possession of stolen property. The California Farm Bureau Federation said on its Facebook page: 'With almond bloom progressing in the Central Valley, beekeepers have placed colonies in orchards to pollinate the crop. 'But demand for bees may be close to outstripping supplyand that has contributed to thefts of bee colonies. 'Beekeepers in both the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys have reported losing Speaking to industry paper Ag Alert, Butte County sheriff's deputy Rowdy Freeman said a rival apiarist might be to blame for the large-scale thefts. 'They know what they are doing. They have beekeeping equipment,' he said. Detectives believe a rival beekeeper who would 'know what they are doing' could be responsible as they would have the right equipment to steal the boxes (pictured) 'They know how to go in and take them and have the means to do it. It could be a beekeeper who lost a lot of hives and can't fulfill his contract. 'Desperation leads to theft, so they will steal the hives from someone.' Telling the public what to look out for, he said: 'There's a lot of bees going into the orchards for pollination and this is the time of the year that you'll see an increase in hive thefts in California. 'There's already been several reports throughout the state of California regarding hives being stolen which is becoming a big problem. 'At this time of year bees are generally going into the orchards - you shouldn't see people loading bees inside the orchards and removing them right now. 'That happened down in the valley where thieves entered the orchards and removed hives from the orchards that they were already placed in for pollination.' Royal Marines lit up Arctic night sky with an eerie light display after they fired mortar rounds in the dark during winter training in Norway. The snowy mountainscape around Bardufoss, which is roughly half way between Troms and Narvik, became bathed in yellow light during the illumination mission. The men of 40 Commando's Mortar Troop, who are usually based near Taunton, in Somerset, are in the area as part of their winter deployment inside the Arctic Circle. Exercise Aquila 19 tests all of the commando's abilities in the air, on the water and on the ground so they remain ready to react should Britain need them in a crisis. Royal Marines from 40 Commando's Mortar Troop fire rounds into the sky while in Norway The light fills the mountainscape around Bardufoss while one marine watches from a distance Captain Nate Brown, 27, from Coventry said: 'It has been an excellent opportunity to fire the 81mm mortars in the Arctic. 'It is brilliant to embrace an environment where the Royal Marines are known as experts globally. 'It is a challenging place; one like no other. If we can function and excel the harshest places it maintains our ability to operate as specialists anywhere on the planet.' Video filmed in Norway shows light flickering in the dark as one marine stands some distance away and watches the sky become filled with light. The clip also shows a team of three men loading the mortars and working quickly to ensure everything runs smoothly. In mid-February there are only eight hours of daylight. This means handling and firing mortars is extremely difficult with temperatures and wind chill as low as -35C. The Commando have to deal with temperatures and wind chill as low as -35C while training The weapons are carried on trailers attached to the marines' all-terrain BV tracked vehicles The sections conducted several co-ordinated illumination fire missions, exercising the tactical ability of both the mortar section and mortar fire controls in the Arctic. Under normal circumstances a two-man mortar team can 'drop' up to 30 rounds of 81mm mortar shells on enemy positions up to three miles away every minute. The weapons are carried into action on trailers attached to the marines' all-weather, all-terrain BV tracked vehicles. During their time in the Arctic, 40 Commando usually based at Norton Manor camp near Taunton have hosted Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson. Three men, wearing kit to protect against the freezing temperatures, load mortars in the video He has said the Arctic will assume ever growing importance in coming years and explained the Ministry of Defence's forthcoming Arctic Strategy. The Duke of Sussex also spent part of Valentine's Day visiting Naval Service personnel in the region. The Royal Marines have committed to a ten-year training programme with their Norwegian counterparts, which will see around 1,000 Marines travelling each year. Alva Johnson, a former staffer on President Donald Trump's campaign, alleged in court papers Monday that the president kissed her without her consent at a 2016 Florida rally. 'I immediately felt violated because I wasn't expecting it or wanting it,' she told The Washington Post in an interview. 'I can still see his lips coming straight for my face.' Johnson, who is black, alleged in her federal lawsuit and to the newspaper that Trump grabbed her hand and leaned in to kiss her on the lips as he left an RV outside a rally in Tampa, Florida, on August 24, 2016. The 43-year-old said she turned her head and the kiss landed on the side of her mouth. She called it 'super-creepy and inappropriate.' White House press secretary Sarah Sanders dismissed the allegation as 'absurd on its face.' 'This never happened and is directly contradicted by multiple highly credible eye witness accounts,' she told The Washington Post in a statement. Ava Johnson is suing Donald Trump in federal court claiming that he kissed her without consent when she was working for his presidential campaign. Photograph courtesy of Erica Aitken Photography Claim: Alva Johnson, a 43-year-old mother of four, alleges in a federal lawsuit that Trump forcibly kissed her and that she was paid less by the campaign than white and male workers. Photograph courtesy of Erica Aitken Photography Alva Johnson, circled, is suing Trump claiming that he forced a kiss on her kips during a meeting in Florida in August 2016 Denial: Trump, seen at the White House Monday, is denying the allegation through press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders who called the allegation 'absurd on its face' Johnson, a mother of four, said she told her boyfriend, mother and stepfather about the incident later that day, which all three confirmed to The Post. 'I've tried to let it go,' Johnson told the newspaper. 'You want to move on with your life. I don't sleep. I wake up at 4 in the morning looking at the news. I feel guilty. The only thing I did was show up for work one day.' Johnson worked as the campaign's director of outreach and coalitions in Alabama but was assigned to Florida three months before the general election. Her job was to manage the RVs that traveled the state as mobile campaign offices. Her lawsuit outlines her claims as to what happen that day, a rainy August day in Tampa, Fla., after Trump had secured the GOP nomination at the party's nominating convention. When Trump arrived to the rally site, 'campaign staff ushered him inside the RV to get him out of the rain.' Johnson and Florida campaign staff followed him inside. Johnson brought volunteers into the RV to meet Trump, where he chatted with them, took photos and shook hands. He also sat at a desk and autographed campaign signs. Johnson said she noticed Trump was 'watching her and appeared to be trying to make eye contact with her.' She said when she spoke to him when he left to go the rally site to make his speech. 'I've been on the road for you since March, away from my family,' she said to him. 'You're doing an awesome job. Go in there and kick ass.' She said Trump took her hand, thanked her for her work and leaned in. 'Oh, my God, I think he's going to kiss me,' she told The Washington Post in her description on the incident. 'He's coming straight for my lips. So I turn my head, and he kisses me right on corner of my mouth, still holding my hand the entire time. Then he walks on out.' In her lawsuit, Johnson claims Trump told her 'that he would not forget about her, and that he was going to take care of her.' Johnson said Karen Giorno, director of the Florida campaign, and Pam Bondi, then the Florida attorney general, witnessed the incident but both denied seeing the alleged kiss to The Post. 'Do I recall seeing anything inappropriate? One hundred percent no,' Bondi told the newspaper. 'I'm a prosecutor, and if I saw something inappropriate, I would have said something.' Giorno said the allegation as 'ridiculous' and that it 'that absolutely did not happen.' Trump was accused by multiple women of inappropriate contact which took place before the campaign. Many came forward in the closing weeks of the campaign to make the claims. But Johnson is the first to come forward since he took office and the first to make an accusation of an incident taking place during the campaign. She filed a federal lawsuit on Monday seeking damages for emotional pain and suffering. She is also suing for discrimination. Johnson, who is black, claims the campaign paid her less than her white male counterparts. Alva Johnson in August 2018 Venue: This is the Tampa, Fla., rally in August 2016 which Alva Johnson says was where Trump forcibly kissed her Speaking: Trump at his campaign rally in Tampa, Fla., on August 24, 2016. Alva Johnson says that he forcibly kissed her but the White house denies the allegation Trump campaign spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany told The Post Johnson's claim is 'off-base and unfounded.' In the lawsuit, Johnson alleges: 'In the moment that Defendant Trump forcibly kissed her, Ms. Johnson, a highly successful and widely respected Campaign staffer, felt reduced to just another object of Defendant Trump's unwanted sexual attention. Ms. Johnson brings this lawsuit against Defendant Trump for that humiliating violation, which amounts to common law battery, and seeks assistance from the Court to put a stop to his predatory conduct.' Her suit also claims collective action on behalf of female campaign staffers who were paid less than men. 'Not only did Ms. Johnson endure forcible kissing by her boss, she experienced race and gender discrimination as one of the few females and one of only a handful of African American people on the Campaign payroll. 'Ms. Johnson was paid less than white employees, including both staff with similar duties and lower-ranked staff. 'She was also paid less than similarly situated male employees. Indeed, the Campaign's pattern of underpaying female staffers is well documented. 'For this reason, Ms. Johnson seeks to bring this case as a collective action on behalf of female Campaign employees who suffered unlawful pay discrimination,' the suit reads.' The New Yorker notes Johnson's case is at least the sixth in which Trump campaign or administration employees have defied their nondisclosure agreements. Johnson's attorney Hassan Zavareei told the magazine: 'We expect that Trump will try to use the unconscionable N.D.A. and forced arbitration agreement to silence Ms. Johnson. We will fight this strong-arm tactic.' Michael Glassner, the chief operating officer of Trump's re-election campaign, said NDA's are taken seriously. 'The campaign takes our NDA agreements very seriously, and will enforce them aggressively if they are breached,' he said. Johnson told The New Yorker the issues she is raising are big enough to merit breaching the NDA. 'I am suing because my work holds the same value as the work of my white male counterparts,' she said. 'I am suing because this predatory behavior should not be minimized, especially when committed by the most powerful man in the world.' Johnson said she quit the campaign three weeks before the election. She also said she tried to put the incident behind her and applied for jobs in the administration because she felt she earned it with her campaign work. She said being passed over for those jobs had no bearing her decision to sue Trump, which she said came about because of the #MeToo movement and her anger at the president's controversial immigration policy that separated migrant children from their parents. The Post noted it had first contacted Johnson, who's an event planner in Madison County, Ala., nearly a year ago while reporting on allegations against Trump. She declined to talk to the newspaper at the time. But, recently, her attorney offered a copy of the lawsuit and Johnson agreed to an interview. Johnson, who was a registered Democratic who voted twice for Barack Obama, said she thought Trump would use his business experience to help black communities. 'During President Obama's two terms in office, she saw the African American community in Alabama continue to experience severe economic hardship, and felt that perhaps Defendant Trump, with his background in business, could help invigorate the economy and provide jobs for her community,' the lawsuit reads. She said her stepfather, Jacob Savage, a retired microbiology professor who has been active in Republican politics, got her interested in Trump's campaign. In her suit, Johnson said Chess Bedsole, a family friend who was working for the Trump campaign, interviewed her and told her Trump would have to meet her before she could be hired. So he took her to meet Trump at a November 2015 rally in Birmingham, Ala., where, she claims, Trump looked her up and down and said: 'Oh, beautiful, beautiful, fantastic.' Wesley Weysham, 59, (pictured above) was a retired firefighter and paramedic, he was giving medical aid at the side of the road when he was struck by a car A retired firefighter and former paramedic has been killed while helping a 'drunk driver' at the scene of a car crash in Florida. Wesley Weysham, 59, was driving down Interstate 75 in Hillsborough County at around 4.40am on Sunday morning when he came across two crashed vehicles blocking lanes of the highway. Veronica Gonzalez, 31, of Ruskin, had crashed into George Edward Evans III's pick-up truck after he pulled up on the inside travel lane of southbound Interstate 75 close to the U.S. 301 exit. Cops say 32-year-old Evans, 32, of Ruskin, had been drinking. Weysham, of North Port, Sarasota County, stopped and got out of his car to help drag Evans out of his Toyota Tacoma truck and began giving him medical treatment on the hard shoulder of the highway. Tragically, as he was helping the alleged drink driver, Weysham was hit by another car, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times. A Toyota Camry driven by Samuel Maldonado Flores, 24, from Ruskin, struck Evans' truck which spun and hit Weysham, before bursting into flames. The car that struck Weysham burst into flames. The 59-year-old died at the scene Four people and three cars were involved in the crash that happened on Sunday morning The driver of the Buick LeSabre, Veronica Gonzalez, 31, has serious injuries Weysham died at the scene. Flores, Evans and Gonzalez were all taken to nearby hospitals. Gonzalez is listed as in a serious condition. Weysham was a Navy veteran who served in the Gulf War. He retired as a firefighter in 2017 and was also a licensed paramedic. Weysham (pictured above) was a Navy veteran who served in the Gulf War. He retired as a firefighter in 2017 and was also a licensed paramedic Weysham also joined Sarasota K9 Search & Rescue in 1998 as a volunteer K9 handler, and appeared in the news just over 10 years ago when his bloodhounds helped in the search for Carlie Brucia, an 11-year-old murder victim. He most recently served as a Land Navigation Instructor. 'Sarasota K9 Search & Rescue is grieving the loss of one of our own today,' the search and rescue group said in a statement. 'Wes Weysham died this morning in the truest form of selflessness; he was killed when he stopped to help a motorist on I-75 in Riverview.' Charges in the case are pending. Weysham's daughter Victoria Day, 37, said the way her father was killed was in line with the 'community-oriented' man she remembered from her childhood. A former oil worker who once posed for a picture with a 'suicide bomber' on a hijacked flight exposed himself to five women while out on a stag do and began to urinate in their direction. Benjamin Innes, 29, from Leeds, dropped his trousers and flashed his genitals at the shocked women in Edinburgh city centre after they refused to give him some of their takeaway. The drunk man, who had been drinking for 17 hours, then proceeded to urinate in the direction of the women who were sitting down in a doorway during the incident in November last year. Scroll down for video. Benjamin Innes, 29, from Leeds, gained fame in 2016 after he posed for a picture with hijacker Seif al-Din Mustafa who was wearing what turned out to be a fake suicide vest The disgusted women quickly moved away from the area and called in the police. The 'severely intoxicated' health and safety executive was soon picked up by patrol officers and he spent two nights in a cell before appearing in court. Innes hit the headlines three years ago when he was a passenger on a hijacked EgyptAir flight in March 2016. He was hailed a hero after cheekily posing for a photograph next to hijacker Seif al-Din Mustafa who was wearing a suicide vest. Innes has now pleaded guilty to exposing himself and urinating near five women in Edinburgh city centre after he had been drinking for 17 hours at a stag do The vest proved to be a fake and all the passengers were eventually rescued following a six-hour standoff on the runway of Larnaca Airport in Cyprus. At the time, Innes said he posed for the pic to get a 'close look' at the apparent explosives, adding: 'I figured if his bomb was real I'd nothing to lose anyway.' Now the 29-year-old has pleaded guilty to flashing and urinating near five women at the capital's Fredrick Street last November when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last Monday. Prosecutor Mark Keane said the women had all been out socialising together and had just left a nightclub when they encountered Innes at a chip shop in the city's Rose Street at around 2.30am. Mr Keane said: 'One of the women noticed the accused and said he had a nice coat. 'The accused did not respond. 'They got their food and sat down in a doorway and the accused sat down beside them. He tried to take some food and was asked to leave. 'He stood up, undid his belt and exposed his penis and started to urinate.' The horrified group of women then got up and moved away before calling in the police. Innes was also found guilty in 2009 but for an assault which saw him get a 12-month community order and a 12-month supervision order with a six-month electronic tag requirement Solicitor Liam Kildare, defending, said his client had started drinking with stag do pals in Newcastle at 9am the previous day. He said Innes had encountered the women after he became separated from his group in Edinburgh city centre and following his arrest had spent two nights in custody. The brief added: 'Clearly this was an unpleasant incident and the women should not have to put up with this kind of behaviour and Mr Innes accepts that.' He added that the health and safety manager is currently unemployed and 'is very ashamed of his actions' that night. Sheriff Peter McCormack ordered Innes to pay a 720 fine. Innes pleaded guilty to exposing his penis in front of five women and did urinate towards them at Fredrick Street, Edinburgh, on November 18 last year. He was also exposed to controversy after his 'suicide bomber' selfie went viral in 2016 and landed him in hot water. According to friends from York University, Innes was seen attacking a man during a university rugby club night out outside a nightclub in York in 2009. He was given a 12-month community order and a 12-month supervision order with a six-month electronic tag requirement. An ISIS commander known as the Prince of Battles because of the number of attacks he took part in has been captured in Iraq, local media reports. The terrorist was arrested on Sunday in western Mosul having fled to Iraq from Syria, where ISIS is staging its last stand. He 'was involved in several fights against security forces in Anbar province' which sits along the border with Syria, Iraq's Alghad Press agency reported. An ISIS commander known as the Prince of Battles has been arrested in Mosul after fleeing Syria where he fought against Iraqi forces as part of the group's final stand (file image) Mosul became a stronghold for ISIS after the terror group captured it in 2014 in an assault which announced the group to the world as a major security threat. It was from the minaret of Mosul's Great Mosque of al-Nuri that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed ISIS's 'caliphate' before the city was recaptured in 2017, though not before the terror group destroyed the mosque. Now, with it's so-called caliphate in ruins, many ISIS fighters have fled back into Iraq in the hopes of fighting a guerrilla war against the government. Following the Prince of Battle's capture, the Iraqi Military Intelligence Directorate said: 'The so-called Islamic States prince of battles was apprehended in Rabia district, west of Mosul. 'He has just returned from Syria, where he escaped after the liberation of Iraqi territories from the terrorist group.' At the height of its power, ISIS controlled a swathe of territory that covered much of northern Iraq stretching to the outskirts of Baghadad, across to Aleppo in Syria. But attacks by American-backed coalition forces, including the Kurds, and Russian-backed government forces, including Iran, has driven the group back. At its height ISIS controlled a swathe of territory across Iraq and Syria but has since collapsed and now controls a small enclave near the town of Baghouz, Syria, which is surrounded (file) It has now lost 99 per cent of the territory it once controlled and is staging a last holdout near Baghouz, in Syria. Every day, hundreds of fighters, their families and civilians are either fleeing or being captured by the advancing forces, including a number of foreigners. With the terror group facing ruin, President Trump has vowed to pull US troops out and hand responsibility for containing the remaining fighters to Turkey. The US has also told its allies to take any ISIS members on foreign soil back home, or risk having them turned loose. That includes British ISIS bride Shamima Begum, who fled east London to join the group in 2014, before being found in a refugee camp earlier this month. She has been stripped of her British citizenship and banned from returning to the UK after the Home Secretary deemed her a security risk, but her family has threatened a legal challenge. A man has drowned in Queensland where wild surf conditions caused by Cyclone Oma are still whipping the coast. Paramedics were called to Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island, Queensland on Monday morning to treat a 24-year-old male who was critically injured in the surf. The man, who was visiting from the Philippines, allegedly drowned after he was swet off a sand bar while swimming with his friends, the Courier Mail reports. A man aged in his 20s has drowned at Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island, Queensland (pictured) on Monday morning A surfer, who witnessed the man struggling in the surf, performed CPR on the man before paramedics arrived. It is believed the man was staying with friends a nearby camp. A Surf Life Saving Queensland spokeswoman said the tragic event was a reminder to only swim at patrolled beaches. 'Surf conditions over the past week have been exceptionally dangerous and swimmers should not be entering the water unless it is patrolled,' she told the Courier Mail. A hazardous surf warning caused by the storm remains in place for that area, and meteorologists say waters are still dangerous. Oma has weakened into a low pressure system about 1450km northeast of Brisbane late on Monday, tracking in a north-northeastly direction. Despite Oma being downgraded to a sub-tropical low, Surf Life Saving Queensland are still urging people to avoid swimming at the beaches. 'We've had eight incidents on the Gold Coast, ranging from surfers in distress, jet-ski riders, wind surfers,' Jeremy Sturges from Surf Life Saving Queensland told Nine News on Sunday. However, the warnings haven't stopped hoards of surfers flocking to the beaches to ride the unusually high swells. The Bureau of Meteorology announced on Saturday that Oma had downgraded from a tropical cyclone to a subtropical system, but severe weather warnings still remain. A woman has defended her brother's actions after he shot her boyfriend and his dad, claiming the 'Romeo and Juliet' romance they had was marred with domestic abuse. Corey George Farrell pleaded guilty to opening fire on Joshua Smart and his father at their Pyrmont home in Sydney in 2014. The double shooting came amid a long-running feud between the families which escalated when Smart assaulted Farrell's younger sister, Monique, The Daily Telegraph reported. Monique Farrell and Smart had been dating in the months leading up to the shooting, but Ms Farrell claimed she was subjected to horrific violence and repeated abuse at the hands of her lover. She claims the relationship had no resemblance to the famous Romeo and Juliet love story to which it was initially compared. Monique Farrell claims the relationship had no resemblance to the famous Romeo and Juliet love story to which it was initially compared Corey George Farrell pleaded guilty to shooting Joshua Smart (pictured) and his father at their Pyrmont home in Sydney after Smart threatened Farrell's younger sister Monique 'I was just trying to protect my sister and myself,' her brother told NSW District Court during sentencing on Monday. Smart, who was an aspiring boxer, had allegedly 'king hit' Ms Farrell and repeatedly threatened to kill her and her relatives. In text messages obtained by The Daily Telegraph, Smart swore at Ms Farrell and threatened to end her life. 'I'm gonna f**king kill you sl*t,' one message read, while in another he said: 'You ignore me good that makes me want to get you more dog'. Ms Farrell described her brothers as her protectors, and said her family would stick together through thick and thin. In text messages Smart repeatedly swore at Ms Farrell and threatened to end her life 'I feel like he had no other choice. (But) violence against women or as retribution is never acceptable,' she told the paper. The court was also told in 2013 Smart beat Ms Farrell so significantly that she was hospitalised after he suspected her of cheating on him. Smart allegedly text Ms Farrell again after her brother had shot him and his dad, claiming he had killed his father. Joshua Smart (pictured) allegedly text Ms Farrell again after her brother had shot him and his dad, claiming he had killed his father Both men made a full recovery. Judge Christopher Armitage said while Farrell's actions were appalling, he was willing to give the Indigenous man some leniency due to his circumstances and upbringing, which was impacted by domestic violence. Farrell was sentenced to a maximum seven years in jail. He must serve at least three years and six months. Smart was also jailed for three years for threatening to kill Ms Farrell and concealing an indictable offence after he refused to speak with police about the attack. Smart's barrister Charles Waterstreet previously told a court his client never followed up on his own threats. The barrister likened the family feud and Smart's relationship with Ms Farrell to the famous Shakespeare play. 'This is what happens in Romeo and Juliet,' Mr Waterstreet said in 2014. 'He doesn't act. He sends messages, yes, but he doesn't act. He is not found with any gun. He is not found with any weapon. Basically, he is all talk.' Vietnam has deported a Kim Jong-un impersonator just days before the real North Korean leader's meeting with President Trump. Howard X, from Hong Kong, and Trump impersonator Russell White, from Canada, were questioned by police in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi after they organised a fake summit last week. Vietnamese officials told Howard X that his passport was 'invalid', but the Kim Jong-un impersonator disputes this, and believes he was deported because of his 'sense of humour'. During the staged faux summit, Howard X, who was sporting an all-black suit, and fellow comedian Mr White told reporters that they were working towards 'peace' and hoping to scale down on North Korea's nuclear weapons through negotiations. Kim Jong-un impersonator, Howard X (pictured), has been deported from the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi just days before the real North Korean leader's meeting with President Trump Howard X and Canadian-born comedian Russell White had organised a fake summit in Hanoi The two were later taken in for questioning before Howard X was escorted to the airport. Mr White was told he could remain in the country but was warned against making any public appearances as the American president. Howard X later told AFP: 'The real reason is I was born with a face looking like Kim Jong-un, that's the real crime. 'Satire is a powerful weapon against any dictatorship. They are scared of a couple of guys that look like the real thing.' He added he had received no explanation from Vietnamese authorities as to why he had been deported. Before his deportation, Howard X posted a picture of himself and Mr White exchanging a kiss at the airport with the following message Yesterday Howard X posted a picture of himself and Trump impersonator Russell White with the message: 'Getting a goodbye kiss from Trump (Russell White) at my deportation of Vietnam. 'I was personally escorted from my hotel to the airport by the immigration department with 3 officials. 'When arriving at the airport I was then escorted through immigration and security check through the VIP section with a soldiers and officials from the immigration. I almost feel like a real president!' This is not the first time the comedian has found himself on the wrong side of the law. In 2018, during the Winter Olympics in South Korea, Howard X was hauled away by security after trying to talk to and dance with North Korea's cheerleading squad. The real Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un are set to arrive to Vietnam's capital on February 27. The sickening moment a racist thug glasses a black doorman after telling him to 'go back to the jungle' has been caught on camera. Philip Kenny was jailed for six years after racially abusing Sarjo Manneh and then hitting him in the face with a glass, leaving him with cuts to his cheek and ear. The footage shows Mr Manneh, a British citizen, turning his back to put down the hot drink when he is smashed in the side of the head by Kenny at Fountains bar in April. The 42-year-old, of Llandudno in north Wales, had denied the charge but was found guilty at Mold Crown Court on Friday. The court heard how Kenny was at Fountains with a friend and their wife, having been out drinking since mid-afternoon. Phillip Kenny is pictured talking with Sarjo Manneh moments before he attacks him with a glass After Mr Manneh tried to stop Kenny's friend from leaving the bar with a glass in his hand, the man told him that he could not tell him what to do and racially abused him. Kenny then joined in, saying 'f*** you', and used the N-word. He told Mr Manneh: 'You can't f***ing come to my country and tell us what to do. Go back to the jungle.' The defendant said the doorman should Google his name and that he was from Manchester. When Mr Manneh said he was not interested, the defendant's response was another torrent of racial abuse, including reference to him being a cannibal. Police officers went to the scene after CCTV operators informed them of an ongoing disturbance outside the bar. The footage shows Mr Manneh, a British citizen, turning his back to put down the hot drink when he is smashed in the side of the head (shown) by Kenny at Fountains bar in April Kenny was later arrested and taken to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, where he was said to be extremely abusive to hospital staff and police. During interview, he denied racially abusing Mr Manneh, and said he had thrown the contents of his glass at him but denied hitting him with the glass. He said his recollection was affected by the head injury he sustained after the incident, when he claimed he was assaulted by the complainant. Judge Niclas Parry told him: 'You are clearly a violent and aggressive man and a danger to the public, including males and females.' The judge added that Kenny had used 'vile racial abuse' in the cowardly attack, which could be seen 'as clear as day' on the CCTV footage. One of Mr Manneh's colleagues is shown trying to tackle Kenny shortly after he has launched his attack But he said he took into account that Kenny himself suffered serious injuries 'by way of summary justice' at the bar. Judge Parry said the sentence would have been one of five years, but an additional 12 months had been imposed to reflect the racial element of the offence. The court heard the defendant had a number of previous convictions for violence, including racially aggravated offences, and had been jailed for robbery in 2004. In 2007, he had received an indeterminate sentence for GBH on his then girlfriend, which meant that he was effectively 'on life licence' and had been recalled. A driver locked in a two-year legal battle over a 60 parking ticket says he is determined to take the city council to court - despite selling the car. Andrew Newell, 33, was slapped with the fine in February 2017 for parking on the pavement outside his home - a claim he disputes. The law lecturer, who lives in Edinburgh, lost two appeals against the ticket and he now plans to take the case to a judicial review. He has set up a crowdfunding page in an attempt to raise 15,000 to cover the legal costs for the judicial review. Andrew Newell, 33, was slapped with the fine in February 2017 for allegedly parking on the pavement outside his home Andrew claims his Vauxhall Vectra was parked on a different bit of tarmac. He said he wrote to the council challenging the charge, arguing there were no signs warning of parking time restrictions. Andrew submitted images which he said proved the area where he left his car shared the same 'brick design' as parking bays - as opposed to the 'dark tarmac' pavements. But a review by the Parking and Bus Lane Tribunal for Scotland agreed with the council and upheld the fine. Andrew said he wrote to the council challenging the charge, arguing there were no signs warning of parking time restrictions. Stock image shows traffic wardens Andrew said: 'They said I'd parked on the pavement, but there's a distinct difference between the pavement and where I parked.' 'The penalty charge notice is not based in fact and would only seem to represent the actions of an overzealous enforcement officer, presumably looking to meet his charge targets.' He was left with no option, but to fork out the 60 or have the fee passed on to debt collectors. He said: 'I'd get a 30 reduction if I paid within 14 days. 'I should still be entitled to that even if I appeal. It's about having that conversation.' The process sees a court review a decision by a public body where other means of resolution have been exhausted and where 'a recognised ground of challenge' exists. Andrew is adamant his case meets the criteria, he added: 'I'm sure there are other people in Edinburgh who've been in a similar position. 'Hopefully they'll contribute. 'Whilst this cause may not seem on par with others, I ask for help to bring clarity for the greater community of Scotland.' A spokeswoman for the city council said reductions for 14-day payments are enshrined in law and any decision to refuse an appeal is final. She said: 'We are satisfied that the parking ticket was issued correctly and two separate independent appeals have fully vindicated this.' European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker was forced to interrupted a speech at a key summit today to take a phone call - from his very insistent wife Christiane. The eccentric Luxembourger was forced to scramble for his mobile three times when it went off during a press event at a desert conference with Arab leaders in Egypt. As other speakers including the country's president Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and EU Council president Donald Tusk looked on he reached into his suit pocket a couple of times to silence the chirping. But when it went off for a third time he interrupted his speech about the Middle East peace process and trade, saying: 'I will stop here because my phone is ringing. I apologise.' European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker with his wife Christiane Frising at the G20 in Hamburg, Germany, in 2017. She was very insistent that she speak to her husband on Monday. After saying some hushed words into the handset he he prompted gasps and laughter as he revealed: 'It was the usual suspect - my wife. That was it. 'I have to stop here because she will not stop there.' His comments also provoked laughter among the official EU translators covering the press conference, translating him from his native French into English. Mr Juncker has become a key protagonist in Britain's battle to leave the EU with a Brexit deal. Mr Juncker met with Mrs May in Sharm el Sheikh on Monday, their second meeting in a week to discuss how to break the Brexit deadlock between Britain and the EU He has clashed with Theresa May and other senior British figures. Last week they met in Brussels, for a meeting which Mr Juncker sported a massive plaster on his cheek, after an apparent accident while shaving. Mr Junker was also on Theresa May;s meeting list for the event in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh, describing their discussion as 'good'. An Ohio-based food provider has recalled 173,376 pounds of Boston Market branded frozen meals that may be contaminated with pieces of glass or hard plastic. The recall is limited to frozen pork entree products manufactured by Bellisio Foods in Jackson, Ohio, and branded as Boston Market frozen meals, the US Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced on Saturday. The recalled Boston Market's frozen, not ready-to-eat (NRTE) boneless pork rib patties were produced between December 7 and February 15 and shipped to a Department of Defense facility in Tucson, Arizona, a well as retail locations nationwide. Bellisio Foods also supplies foods under the brand names of Chili's, Michelina's, Over Hill Farms, Eating Well, SoRight, Atkins and Snak Man Doo, according to the company's website. Bellisio spokesperson Tom Lindell told DailyMail.com that the cause of the hard plastic and/or glass getting into the frozen meals has not yet been confirmed and an investigation into the source of the contamination is underway. None of the other brands the company produces food for are included in the recall at this time. Bellisio Foods has recalled 173,376 pounds of frozen meals labeled with the Boston Market brand name, which may contain hard plastic or glass in pork meat. The recalled meals labeled 'Boston Market Home Style Meals boneless pork rib shaped patty with bbq sauce & mashed potatoes' (shown) were produced between December 7 and February 15 and shipped to a Department of Defense facility in Tucson, Arizona, as well as retail locations nationwide The recall is limited to frozen pork entree products manufactured by Bellisio Foods in Jackson, Ohio (logo shown), and branded as Boston Market frozen meals The Boston Market pork products subject to the recall come in 14-ounce black cardboard box packages. The products are labeled 'Boston Market Home Style Meals boneless pork rib shaped patty with bbq sauce & mashed potatoes.' The recalled packages within that group have a 'best by:' date of 12/07/2019 with lot code 8341; date 01/04/2020 with lot code 9004; date 01/24/2020 with lot code 9024, and date 02/15/2020 with lot code 9046, printed on the label. The establishment number 'Est. 18297' is also printed on the potentially affected products, which can be found on the end carton flap of the package. The problem was discovered when the establishment received consumer complaints of glass or hard plastic extraneous material in the rib shaped patty. The establishment number 'Est. 18297' is printed on the potentially affected products, which can be found on the end carton flap of the package In addition to other lot codes and 'best by:' dates, the products with date 01/24/2020 with lot code 9024 (shown here) are potentially affected Bellisio Foods also supplies foods under the brand names of Chili's, Michelina's, Over Hill Farms, Eating Well, SoRight, Atkins and Snak Man Doo, according to the company's website. None of the other brands the company produces food for are included in the recall Products labeled as Boston Market brand frozen meals that are subject to the recall 14-ounce black cardboard box packages that are labeled 'Boston Market Home Style Meals boneless pork rib shaped patty with bbq sauce & mashed potatoes' with the following 'best by:' dates, lot codes and establishment number: date of 12/7/2019 with lot code 8341 date 1/04/2020 with lot code 9004 date 1/24/2020 with lot code 9024 date 02/15/2020 with lot code 9046 Affected products will also have 'Est. 18297' printed on the packaging Source: USDA Advertisement FSIS was notified on February 22. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions or injuries due to consumption of these products. FSIS said that anyone concerned about an injury or illness related to consuming one of the recalled products should contact a healthcare provider. The agency has expressed concerned that some products which may be affected may be frozen and in consumers freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them, and rather to throw them away or return them to the place where they were purchased. Anyone with questions about the recall can contact Krista Cummings, who is the Consumer Affairs Supervisor at Bellisio Foods. Cummings can be reached by telephone at at (855) 871-9977. FSIS also offers 'Ask Karen,' a 24-hour virtual representative service, available online at AskKaren.gov or on a mobile browser at m.AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline, 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854), is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10am Eastern to 6pm Eastern, Monday through Friday. President Donald Trump on Monday jetted off to Vietnam for what he predicted will be a 'very productive summit' with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who was moving slowly to their meeting point via train. 'Heading over to Vietnam for my meeting with Kim Jong Un. Looking forward to a very productive Summit!,' Trump tweeted from Air Force One. Trump's departure came as an armored train carrying Kim and his delegation road the rails through southward through China toward Hanoi, where the two leaders will have their second sit down on Wednesday and Thursday. President Trump jetted off to Vietnam for what he predicted will be a 'very productive summit' with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un Kim Jong Un headed to their Hanoi meeting location via train The president offered an optimistic tone before his departure. 'I think we could have a very good summit,' he told the nation's governors during their meeting at the White House on Monday morning. 'I think well have a very tremendous summit. We want denuclearization, and I think hell have a country that will set a lot of records for speed in terms of an economy.' Kim's train is expected to get him to Hanoi Tuesday morning local time, Reuters reported, as Trump is expected to arrive Tuesday evening. The green train is bullet proof and travels at an average speed of 37 miles per hour, The New York Times reported of Kim's ride. The president has been promoting denuclearization - expected to be the main topic on the agenda of his sit down with Kim - as a way for North Korea to become an 'Economic Powerhouse.' 'Meeting for breakfast with our Nations Governors - then off to Vietnam for a very important Summit with Kim Jong Un. With complete Denuclearization, North Korea will rapidly become an Economic Powerhouse. Without it, just more of the same. Chairman Kim will make a wise decision!,' he tweeted. Trump will meet with Kim on Wednesday and Thursday President Trump touted the economic benefits of denuclearization as he prepares to jet off to Vietnam for his second summit with Kim Jong Un Workers make a North Korean and a US flag out of paper-flowers in Hanoi Trump and Kim at last June's summit in Singapore Trump's enthusiasm is in contrast to his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said Sunday there may have to be a third summit because Trump and Kim 'may not get everything done this week.' 'There may have to be another summit,' he said on 'Fox News Sunday. 'We may not get everything done this week. We hope we'll make a substantial step along the way.' While President Trump tweeted about the possibility of denuclearization on Sunday, his secretary of state offered a more measured set of expectations for the second meeting between the two leaders this week in Hanoi, Vietnam. 'The U.N. Security Council has demanded, not the United States, but the U.N. Security Council has demanded that Chairman Kim give up these weapons systems. It's in the best interest of his country and I hope we can make a real substantive step forward this week. It may not happen but I hope that it will,' Pompeo said. Trump teased the prospect of denuclearization in North Korea ahead of his departure and argued such a move would help make the country 'one of the great economic powers.' 'Very productive talks yesterday with China on Trade. Will continue today! I will be leaving for Hanoi, Vietnam, early tomorrow for a Summit with Kim Jong Un of North Korea, where we both expect a continuation of the progress made at first Summit in Singapore. Denuclearization?,' he tweeted Sunday. He added: 'Chairman Kim realizes, perhaps better than anyone else, that without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the World. Because of its location and people (and him), it has more potential for rapid growth than any other nation!' Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said there may have to be a third summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, seen here at their first summit in Singapore in July, will meet for a second time this week in Hanoi Trump and Kim will meet Wednesday and Thursday in Hanoi. Kim left for their summit via train while Trump flies out Monday. On the agenda is denuclearization. Washington is looking for concrete steps from North Korean that progress has been made on that front after Kim pledged to eliminate his country's nuclear weapons' program at his and Trump's first summit in Singapore last summer. Trump said last week that North Korea must do 'something that's meaningful' on denuclearization before he would consider lifting economic sanctions. North Korea has pushed for those sanctions to be reduced before it makes major changes to its nuclear program. But Pompeo cautioned real progress on denuclearization could take time. 'We have always known this would take time and it would be a step forward, and slower than the world has demanded, right? This is a U.N. Security Council resolution that we're attempting to achieve by getting North Korea fully denuclearized,' he said Sunday on CNN's 'State of the Union.' 'I'm hopeful that, when President Trump and Chairman Kim get together, they will make a big step towards realizing what Chairman Kim promised. He promised he would denuclearize. We hope he will make a big step towards that in the week ahead,' he added. He declined to get into the specifics of what the U.S. wanted from Pyongyang. 'There are many things he could do to demonstrate his commitment to denuclearization. Our negotiating team was on the ground the last three days. And they will be on the ground again today. I will be there tomorrow to continue these discussion,' Pompeo said. 'I don't want to get into the details of what's being proposed, what the offers and counteroffers may be. But a real step, a demonstrable, verifiable step is something that I know President Trump is very focused on achieving,' he added. Trump and Kim will meet Wednesday and Thursday in Hanoi CNN anchor Jake Tapper also called out Pompeo for contradicting President Trump on whether or not North Korea remains a nuclear threat CNN anchor Jake Tapper also called out Pompeo for contradicting President Trump on whether or not North Korea remains a nuclear threat. 'Do you think North Korea remains a nuclear threat?,' Tapper asked Pompeo when the secretary of state appeared on 'State of the Union. 'Yes,' Pompeo responded. 'But the president said he doesn't,' Tapper pointed out. After his first summit with Kim in Singapore, Trump claimed 'there is no longer a nuclear threat from North Korea.' 'Just landed - a long trip, but everybody can now feel much safer than the day I took office,' Trump tweeted last June. 'There is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea. Meeting with Kim Jong Un was an interesting and very positive experience. North Korea has great potential for the future!' Pompeo took issue with Tapper's characterization of Trump's remarks. 'That's not what he said,' Pompeo noted. 'He tweeted: 'There's no longer a nuclear threat from North Korea,'' Tapper said in response. 'What he said was that the efforts that had been made in Singapore, this commitment that Chairman Kim, may have substantially taken down the risk to the American people. It's the mission of the secretary of state and the president of the United States to keep the American people secure. We're aiming to achieve that,' Pompeo argued. 'OK. I mean, that's just a direct quote, but I want to move on,' Tapper said. Asdrit Kapaj (pictured) is suspected of being the Wimbledon Prowler that targeted affluent homes in a south-west London village This is the man suspected of being the Wimbledon Prowler as he stands accused of snatching 90,000 worth of jewellery from multi-million pound homes in a string of burglaries. Asdrit Kapaj is accused of burgling or attempting to burgle six homes in the affluent south-west London area of Wimbledon Village between 2012 and 2018. He is also charged with one count of going equipped for burglary. The targeted homes are worth millions of pounds, with one estimated at 6,000,000. A group of victims attended Mr Kapaj's hearing at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court yesterday. He has pleaded not guilty to all seven allegations and will next appear at Kingston Crown Court on March 22. The 41-year-old appeared before Wimbledon magistrates wearing a grey jumper, speaking only to confirm his address, age and nationality. Asdrit Kapaj today appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court (pictured) to deny all charges in relation to a spate of burglaries He identified as Yugoslavian, though he appears to be from Kosovo in the former Yugoslavia. Mr Kapaj, of Altrincham, Greater Manchester, is thought to be a refugee from Kosovo who owns a fish and chip shop and is married with two children, eight and four. The affluent village (pictured) was targeted over a six-year period and a 41-year-old has been arrested but denies involvement His wife became extremely upset when she saw him come into the court room, crying and shouting his name. She appeared to be having difficulty breathing and put her head between her legs. After the judge rose for a break she explained to a woman who was comforting her: 'It's just myself with the kids. 'My daughter is eight years old, she just wants to see her father - she's crying for him all the time.' Mr Kapaj was remanded in custody and will next appear at Kingston Crown Court on March 22.' Advertisement The funeral for Lee Radziwill was held Monday in New York City. She died on February 15, of natural causes after suffering from an 'age-related disease' Pictured: Lee in 2011 A private Requiem Mass was celebrated Monday morning for socialite and ex-princess Caroline Lee Bouvier Radziwill at St Thomas More Church on Manhattan's Upper East Side. The younger sister of the late former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis passed away on February 15 of natural causes. She was 85. Family and friends nearly filled to capacity the 250 seat, 19th-century Gothic Revival architectural style Catholic church to remember and say their good-byes to the style icon. Among the mourners at the invitation-only service were Lee's only surviving child, Anna Christina (her son Anthony predeceased her in 1999); former daughter-in-law Carole Radziwill, who arrived solo on foot; niece Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, her husband Edwin and Marta Sgubin, Jackie's longtime housekeeper and cook, all exiting the same SUV. Also attending were Sofia Coppola, sneaker wearing fashion designer Marc Jacobs - vaping as he entered the church - as well as Carolina Herrera and her husband Reinaldo. They arrived in a chauffeur driven sedan with their pooch in the front passenger seat. The hearse carrying Lee's body idled for a period on the street leading up to the church before pulling slowly up out front doors at 10.03am. Her flower bedecked wicker casket was carried inside by pallbearers from the Frank E Campbell Funeral Home, the same outfit that handled Jackie's funeral in 1994. Getting out of a car directly behind the hearse was Lee's daughter, Anna Christina. She followed her mom's casket up the steps and into the church for the service. The Reverend Kevin V. Madigan was the celebrant. Anna Christina read the E.E. Cummings poem 'Maggie and Milly and Molly and May,' and family friend Hamilton South gave he eulogy. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom 3:1-9 was read by Sofia Coppola. Toward the end of the service 'Amazing Grace' was sung by Susanna Phillips. Larger than life Andre Leon Talley, the retired Vogue fashion editor was an early arrival as was the socialite Deeda Blair. Talley told DailyMail.com that 'Lee was an extraordinary woman. This very dignified service was the perfect celebration of her extraordinary life.' He added that the 'Bouvier sisters, Lee and Jackie, were the closest this country has ever come to royalty. Lee's passing marked the end of an era.' Caroline Kennedy and husband Edwin Schlossberg are pictured entering St Thomas More Church on Manhattan's Upper East Side Monday morning for the funeral of her aunt Lee Radziwill Real Housewives of New York star Carole Radziwill, Lee's former daughter-in-law, dressed in all black as she arrived to the church service Fashion designer Marc Jacobs was spotted smoking a vape and wearing sneakers as he made his way to the church Monday morning for the service of friend Lee Radziwill, who died at her home February 15 Marc Jacobs looked emotional as he left the funeral service for his longtime friend Fashion designer Tory Burch wore pumps and a sunglasses as she walked the New York City streets alongside husband Pierre-Yves Roussel ahead of Lee Radziwill's funeral service Andre Leon Talley, former editor at large for Vogue Magazine, looked fashionable as he walked toward Monday morning's funeral service. He told DailyMail.com it was a 'very dignified service' and 'perfect celebration of her extraordinary life' Monday's funeral service was invite-only, with about 250 of the style icon and socialites closest family and friends in attendance The hearse carrying the body of Lee Radziwill is pictured arriving to Monday morning's service for the beloved socialite Lee Radziwill's wicker casket is carried out of the church after an hour-long memorial that the socialite helped plan herself The raspy-voiced three times divorced Radziwill outlived all of her husbands - her first, Michael Canfield, died in 1969. She then wed Polish aristocrat Prince Stanislas Radziwill, with whom she had her two children. He would pass on nearly two years after their 1974 divorce. Her final try at marriage, to Herbert Ross, lasted 10 years until 1999, the same year as her son Anthony's cancer death at age 40. Ross, a choreographer and award-winning director of 'Funny Girl' and 'Steel Magnolias' died two years later, in 2001. St Thomas More is a longtime favorite place of worship for the Bouvier and Kennedy families. Almost 20 years ago it was the setting for a memorial service for Lee's nephew John F Kennedy Jr and his wife Caroline, held 14 days after their tragic plane crash deaths on July 16, 1999. Jackie was also a regular parishioner. She had a Mass offered for her husband, assassinated president John F Kennedy, every November 22 on the anniversary of his death. The tradition was maintained by their daughter Caroline after Jackie's passing in 1994. An inside look of the St Thomas More Catholic Church where flowers are in place in for Monday's service and guest file in Sofia Coppola is pictured among the crowd as the hour-long funeral service lets out in New York City Fashion designer Carolina Herrera and husband Reinaldo braced the cold as they entered St Thomas More Church on Manhattan's Upper East Side Monday morning Andy Warhol protege Vincent Fremont, pictured left with his wife Shelly Dunn in the red head scarf, is pictured leaving the service. Journalist Diane Sawyer was also in attendance Lee was considered to be a style icon throughout her life. Her passion turned into a career when she worked as a PR executive for Giorgio Armani (pictured in 1976) Marc Jacob posted this photo of a younger him with Lee Radziwill after news of her passing. 'Thank you for so many wonderful memories. Rest in Peace dear Lee,' the fashion designer captioned the photo Born Caroline Lee Bouvier in New York in 1933 to Janet Norton Lee and New York stockbroker and socialite John Vernou Bouvier III, Radziwill came from a famous family but established herself as a noteworthy figure in her own right. She boasted an exclusive list of close friends, from Andy Warhol to Truman Capote, and worked briefly as an actress before turning her hand to interior design and public relations. Jackie and Lee, were two of the most glamorous women of their generation, but their closeness came with a fierce rivalry. From a young age the pair pitted themselves against one another, with Lee regarded as the 'pretty one', and Jackie the 'smart one'. The competition went on throughout their lives: 'Who's going to be more popular? Who will marry first?'' said Randy Taraborrelli, the author of 'Jackie, Janet and Lee', to People. In her book 'Happy Times', Lee remarked: 'One always looks up to older siblings for guidance. One tries to emulate them and follow their achievements. That's what I did with my sister.' Caroline Kennedy and husband Ed Schlossberg are pictured leaving the memorial for her aunt Lee Founder of Rolling Stone Magazine Jann Wenner, far right in a purple scarf, exits the church among 250 other mourners American photographer Peter Beard was assisted down the steps of the church following the service for his longtime friend and former lover. His wife Nezda trailed behind him St Thomas More Church is a longtime favorite place of worship for the Bouvier and Kennedy families Socialite Deeda Blair wore a purple coat and held her gloves and bag as she headed to the funeral of her longtime friend Marta Sgubin, longtime nanny to the Kennedy children, exits a car with Caroline Kennedy ahead of the mass for Lee Radziwill Fashion editor Candy Pratts Price and artist husband Chuck Price arrived for the service to remember an icon Caroline Kennedy, the only surviving child of JFK and Jackie O, was spotted leaving her home to head to the funeral for her aunt Monday Caroline Kennedy, pictured leaving her New York home, is an author, activist, diplomat and one of the most prominent surviving Kennedys Tatiana Schlossberg, daughter of Caroline Kennedy, inside the gates of the church ahead of her great aunt's funeral Designer and friend Jeffrey Costello walked the streets of New York as he headed to Monday's funeral Psychiatrist and socialite Samantha Boardman arrived solo to the funeral service Martine Assouline, of Assouline Publishing, was spotted Monday morning in all black and sunglasses to mourn the loss of Radziwill Jackie Kennedy's sister Lee Radziwill (pictured left in 1967, right in 2016) died age 85 at her home in New York City But the contention came to a shattering crescendo when Jackie became First Lady in 1961. 'How can I compete with that?' Radziwill reportedly said during a function at Buckingham Palace. 'It's all over for me now.' After JFK's assassination, Radziwill left a note on Jackie's pillow that read: 'Good night my darling Jacks the bravest and noblest of all. L.' As Jackie lay dying of cancer in 1994, Radziwill clambered to be at her sister's side and told her 'I love you so much. I always have, Jacks. I hope you know it.' Before her retirement, Radziwill served for many years as a Public Relations executive for Giorgio Armani. She was a stalwart attendee of New York Fashion Week, and regularly attended other fashion events around the world right up until her death. 'Regrets? I think everyone has regrets, and people who say they havent are either liars . . . or narcissists' Radziwill said to the New York Times in 2013. 'There have been many things in my life to have regrets about, in the sense I wish I could have changed them, or somehow made them not happen,' she continued. 'What I dont have is envy. Im perfectly content at this time of my life. Ive done so many fascinating things and the greatest joy is that I continue to do interesting things and meet fascinating people.' Rev. Michael Deavon Cameron, 44, was arrested early Friday morning after allegedly shooting at a car containing three of his kids An Iowa pastor has been arrested and charged after he allegedly shot at a car containing three of his children. Rev. Michael Deavon Cameron, 44, of Des Moines, Iowa, was arrested early Friday morning after police said he chased down and then fired a gun at a car containing several of his children while near an intersection. Police said that Michael, a pastor at Revival Center Church of God in Christ, told them that the incident occurred while he was attempting to protect his daughter from an abusive relationship with her boyfriend. Three of Michael's 12 children his daughter and two juvenile sons were said to have been in the car that Michael was chasing and then allegedly shot at. Michael's wife, Shawnice Cameron, 42, confirmed her husband's claim, telling the Des Moines Register that Michael went to his daughter's boyfriend's house that night 'to make sure this boy's not beating (his daughter) up and he ends up in jail.' Shawnice said that Michael's daughter, who has not been named, was staying at her boyfriend's home and that his daughter had told another family member that she was going to be assaulted, prompting Michael's late night trip. The scene of the alleged shooting early Friday night as seen in a video captured by one of Michael's relatives after police arrived Michael (pictured here with wife, Shawnice), is a pastor at Revival Center Church of God in Christ. He has 12 children, three of whom were in the car during the alleged shooting Shawnice denied that Michael shot at the car and said that he had gone out that night to protect his daughter, who was in the car, from an abusive relationship with her boyfriend Police found two legally-owned guns and a spent bullet casing inside Michael's car. His wife claimed that the bullet casing is old and that he wouldn't have fired a gun in his kids' direction One of Michael's family members, who was at the scene when police arrived, told KCCI that Michael was trying to stop his daughter from 'getting into a fight' and that 'He came to pick her up.' Police said that two legally-owned guns and a spent bullet casing were found inside Michael's car, but Shawnice claimed that the bullet casing was old and not from Friday's alleged shooting. Shawnice also denied that Michael had fired a gun that night and claimed that he wouldn't have shot in the direction of his children. She also said that neither of her sons who were in the car said that that they had heard a gun being fired at them and that the daughter has not yet made a police report. Police said Michael's daughter has not 'been interested in being a victim.' Michael was booked into Polk County Jail at about 2am Friday and released that afternoon, according to the Des Moines Register. Michael faces two counts of child endangerment - substantial risk; domestic abuse assault display or use of a weapon - first offense; and intimidation with a dangerous weapon - injury/provoke fear. He has had a no-contact order placed between himself and his three children involved in the incident and is due in court on March 4. A British airways flight had to be diverted after strong winds caused the plane to rock wildly in the air. Dramatic footage shows the aircraft lurching from side to side as it flies over the coast of Gibraltar on Monday at around midday. Passengers onboard the flight from London Heathrow had to be flown to Malaga, Spain, after heavy gales buffeted the plane. Passengers onboard the flight from London Heathrow were diverted to Malaga, Spain, after heavy gales buffeted the plane A clip shows the aircraft lurching from side to side as it flies over the coast of Gibraltar on Monday at around midday In one clip, onlookers can be heard gasping in shock as the plane tips dangerously as it flies overhead. Another video, taken from inside the aircraft, shows passengers in shouting as the plane wobbles from the turbulence. Kristis Bubnelis posted the clip on Instagram and wrote: 'When flying to Gibraltar make sure you take some extra underwear'. Adrian Worth, 33, from Devon, who was on the flight with 17 of his hockey teammates, said 'people were panicking' when the flight started to tip. He told MailOnline: We were going around looking to land and it started tipping from side to side. A few people were panicking as we were unsure what was going on. They gave us a warning it would be rough weather but no one could predict that the plane would swing from side to side. The pilot told us we would have to go around the sky for 20 minutes and then we landed in Malaga. A photo, taken from inside the plane, shows the wing of a plane as the aircraft tipped from side to side Weve only just reached Gibraltar and its taken us more than two hours in a coach to get here from Malaga. The BA492 8.24am flight from London Heathrow at landed in at Malaga Airport (AGP) at 12.20pm. A video was posted by a Rock Radio station in Gibraltar with the caption: 'This lunchtimes @BritishAirways flight from London Heathrow has diverted to Malaga due to strong winds at Gibraltar Airport'. British Airways say there were no risk to passengers and arranged transport for travellers affected. A British Airways spokesman said: 'The flight has landed safely and passengers have left the aircraft normally. 'Due to strong winds in the Gibraltar area, our pilots decided to land in Malaga as a precaution. 'The safety of our customers and crew is always our number one priority.' Despite clear weather, wind speeds reached 37mph in Gibraltar today with stronger gales expected this evening. Gibraltar Airport is notorious for having difficult weather that causes turbulence. Pilots have to undergo special training to land there. A compulsory course which teaches students 'a person's sex is not assumed by gender' has been slammed by a pupil forced to take the module. The controversial course which is obligatory for students who are club executives at the University of New South Wales, has been dubbed as the 'gender misconduct' course. If a club executive fails to complete the course, the club they represent could face being disaffiliated. The controversial course which is obligatory for students who are club executives at the University of New South Wales (pictured) One question in the mandatory course asks students to answer 'true or false' as to whether or not 'gender is assigned based on biology and sex is assumed from your gender'. According to the presentation, which was created by the university's Gendered Violence Research Network, the answer is false, according to The Australian. As part of the teaching, the course also invites students to rate the offensiveness of the well-renowned Tony Abbott speech. The former Prime Minister was accused of being 'misogynistic' and 'sexist' by his predecessor Julia Gillard because of his notorious speech. (File picture) One part of the presentation asks students to answer true or false as to whether or not 'gender is assigned based on biology and sex is assumed from your gender' It's reported that the lesson fails to show any of Mr Abbott's actual comments, only Ms Gillard's opinions of him. The divisive lesson has come under fire from a student who claims the course is 'politicised' and 'straight from the Marxist textbook'. Reanna Earl, the UNSW Liberal Club president, said that while she had previously undertaken similar classes about gender, she was surprised to see the module so 'politicised'. 'All we want is the freedom to have different points of view, and the freedom to support the prominent Liberal politicians like Tony Abbott. As part of the teaching, the course also invites students to rate the offensiveness of the notorious Tony Abbott (pictured) speech 'It's about freedom to express our ideas,' she told the publication. A University of New South Wales spokesperson said although she was 'disappointed' to hear about Ms Earl's experiences with the module, she insisted this was not the opinion of the 'majority' of students. She claimed the module had been developed in a bid to respond to the 'complaints around micro-aggressions'. She also defended the question regarding gender stating it was based on the definition from the Australian Human Rights Commission. An educational workshop is also being run at the university (pictured) on 'gendered misconduct' An educational workshop is also being run at the university on 'gendered misconduct'. The spokesperson insisted that the in-person session had been received well by students. 'Gender is broader than just women versus men. The module also asks women about views towards dominant ideas of masculinity,' she added. Arc, the organisation that operates the clubs at the university, and needs club executives to complete the gender-based course, said the module was created to help the executives. A spokesperson said the course 'assist club executives in the management of their clubs' and tackled a whole range of issues including gender misconduct. She also noted that students are given the opportunity to amend their answers should they answer incorrectly. A bodybuilder who allegedly peddled ecstasy to revellers at the Ultra music festival claims his products are safe and pill testing would stop drug deaths. Billy Ciric was one of 10 people charged with allegedly selling drugs at the event in Parramatta Park on Sunday where nine people overdosed. The singlet-wearing forklift driver showed off his muscles in a Snapchat video while bragging: 'Hi my names (sic) Billy & I live for drug fuelled festivals'. Billy Ciric was one of 10 people charged with selling drugs at the event in Parramatta Park on Sunday where nine people overdosed, earlier bragging 'Hi my names (sic) Billy & I live for drug fueled festivals' Ciric claimed his drugs weren't the problem as he spoke outside court on Monday Ciric claimed his drugs weren't the problem as he spoke outside court on Monday where he was granted bail after police allegedly found him with 33 MDMA capsules at Ultra. 'They should do pill testing because I think it's the coloured pills that kill,' he told waiting reporters. Magistrate Robyn Denes did not agree, saying drug dealing wasn't a 'victimless crime' and Ciric was 'profiting from [users'] misfortune'. Also let out on bail was 18-year-old Claire Nasr who allegedly sold 51g of MDMA at the festival - something she said she doesn't see a problem with. 'Just let them have 'em, there's no point in stopping them because everyone's just going to keep doing it,' she told 9 News. Also let out on bail was 18-year-old Claire Nasr who allegedly sold 51g of MDMA at the festival 'Just let them have 'em, there's no point in stopping them because everyone's just going to keep doing it,' Ms Nasr (pictured) said when asked about MDMA Another bodybuilder, nutrition graduate Eren Aral, was refused bail after being accused of selling MDMA and carrying $28,000 Another bodybuilder, nutrition graduate Eren Aral, was refused bail after being accused of selling MDMA and carrying $28,000. Police searched 395 people and made 98 detections of cannabis, cocaine and MDMA at Ultra. Criminal infringement notices were issued to 29 revellers, 28 for possession of MDMA and one for cocaine. There were also 13 cannabis cautions handed out. Officers laid more than 45 charges including 10 for drug supply. Several revellers at Ultra were seen being carted out of the venue on stretchers, one after lying unconscious on the grass for some time. Revellers spoke of the rampant drug use at the event - and their willingness to take illicit substances despite a spate of overdoses in recent months. Paramedics wheel away a reveller strapped to a stretcher at Parramatta Park during the Ultra music festival A pineapple shipment from Colombia proved fruitful for customs agents who discovered 1,100lbs of cocaine with a street value of more than $19million at a Georgia seaport. US Customs and Border Protection released a statement on Friday announcing the bust that took place in November. According to the press release, CBP officers at the Port of Savannah were performing a physical inspection of the fruit shipment that originated in Cartagena, Colombia, when they discovered 450 packages weighing 1,157lbs concealed in the crates. Fruitful bust: More than 1,100lbs of cocaine worth $19.1million was found hidden inside a shipment of pineapples from Colombia at the Port of Savannah, Georgia Men in black: US Customs and Border Protection officers working at the port discovered 450 packages of cocaine A subsequent field test confirmed that the packages contained cocaine. This was an outstanding interception of narcotics by our CBP officers, said Lisa Beth Brown, Savannah CBP Area port director. This seizure is a positive enforcement action against drug smuggling organizations and highlights the important work our officers do each day to stop illegal activity at our borders and ports of entry. The Savannah seizure of the drugs with an estimated value of $19.1million remains under investigation four months later. The press release stated that on a typical day nationally, CBP officers around the US seize more than 5,000 pounds of illegal narcotics. Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that back in 2016, federal agents discovered $6million worth of cocaine inside a shipment of frozen pineapples that arrived at the same port from Costa Rica. Dennis Duane Vann (pictured) was arrested last Wednesday following a four-hour standoff with local and state police in Maplewood, Minnesota Minnesota authorities discovered a pig-shaped explosive device emblazoned with the words 'f**k the police' in an RV after a four-hour stand-off with a man who described himself as a 'free citizen' after he threatened to kill multiple cops, police say. Dennis Duane Vann, 42, was arrested last Wednesday following a four-hour standoff with local and state police in Maplewood, Minnesota. He was charged with two felony counts of making threats of violence with reckless disregard for risk and fleeing police in Ramsey County District Court on Friday. According to a criminal complaint, the confrontation began when police were dispatched to a Cub Foods after managers called about removing an RV from the grocery store's parking lot. Officers ran the vehicle's license plate and learned that Vann's driver's license had been revoked and there was a warrant out for his arrest in neighboring Kanabec County for failure to pay child support. They knocked on the RV's door and there was no answer, but minutes later the RV began to pull out of the parking lot, ignoring police squad car lights. Vann then allegedly drove the RV almost two miles before stopping at a strip mall at around 5.10pm, where police approached him and spoke to him through the driver's side window. 'When told he was being stopped because his license was revoked and he had a taillight out, Vann said he didn't need a drivers license and is not required to follow the traffic laws as he is a free citizen,' officers wrote in the complaint. Members of the free or sovereign citizen movement believe they can decide which laws to obey and which to ignore. An RV similar to the one Vann was driving without a valid license is seen above in a Facebook post the suspect had shared about a month before his arrest Vann refused to exit the RV, and when officers said they would have to forcibly remove him, the suspect warned them that 'that would be a huge mistake', the complaint says. When asked why, Vann said: 'Because two people would die today thats (expletive) why.' Maplewood Police Chief Scott Nadeau told The Pioneer Press that Vann made several other dire remarks that were not detailed in the criminal complaint, including 'multiple references to having an IED'. The suspect specifically said he would kill multiple officers, according to Nadeau. Vann (above in a Facebook photo) was charged with two felony counts of making threats of violence with reckless disregard for risk and fleeing police in Ramsey County District Court on Friday Authorities from multiple agencies including State Patrol, the Ramsey County sheriff's department and a multi-jurisdictional SWAT team were called to the scene as the strip mall and surrounding area were evacuated. A bomb squad robot was brought in to tear off the RV's rear door and deploy chemical rounds inside the vehicle. More than four hours into the standoff, Vann finally surrendered at 9.30pm after the SWAT team sprayed chemical irritant through the RV's windows, prompting the suspect to crawl out a window. He was in custody at an area hospital as of Friday, according to The Pioneer Press. Nadeau said Vann could face additional charges on top of the initial two. Authorities are currently testing a device found inside RV to determine whether it qualifies as an explosive device under state law. 'The pig held an energetic powder and appears to be an explosive device,' the complaint said. Nadeau said: 'Looking at the incident after the fact, our community can be proud that our officers acted with a great deal of restraint. 'The hours that passed, the conversations the officers had with him, they really tried to give him every opportunity to cooperate.' Vann identified himself as a sovereign citizen, meaning he is an anti-government extremist who feels that laws of the government don't apply to him. The FBI says that 'Sovereign citizens are anti-government extremists who believe that even though they physically reside in this country, they are separate or sovereign from the United States. As a result, they believe they dont have to answer to any government authority, including courts, taxing entities, motor vehicle departments, or law enforcement.' Nadeau said: 'My experience with the sovereign citizens is some are very well versed in that ideology, [but] there are others who just choose to not recognize the authority of the government. That overarching theme is denial of authority.' Danis Salih, 44, above, was shot by George Adams, son of gangster Patsy Adams, Blackfriars Crown Court heard. He admitted possession of ammunition and cocaine The son of a member of a notorious crime family blasted a rival in the stomach with a handgun, a court heard. Danis Salih, 44, was shot after driving to George Adams home in Islington, north London to settle a 200,000 debt on June 18 2017. Salih managed to disarm Mr Adams - the son of Patrick Patsy Adams - without realising he had been shot. He then ran back to the car parked on Twyford Street and was driven by his friend to a cafe to clean his wounds. Scared police would find him with the gun he wrestled from Mr Adams, he chucked it out of the window but kept the 8mm bullets, Blackfriars Crown Court heard. Doctors at North Middlesex University Hospital decided it was too dangerous to remove the bullet and he still has it inside him. Salih admitted possession of ammunition without a firearms certificate and possession of cocaine and other drugs recovered by police from his home later that day. Terry 'Terrence' Adams, George's uncle, was jailed for seven years in 2007 after a 10m police surveillance operation Thomas 'Tommy' Adams (left) got seven years for money laundering and Michael 'Micky' Adams (right) was jailed for 38 months in June for tax evasion Patsy Adams, now 62, is currently serving a nine year jail term for shooting Paul Tiernan in the chest with a .45 calibre gun in December 2013. Liam Walker, defending Salih, said: Mr Salih pleads guilty on the basis that Mr Adams, whose house he visited, is a member of an organised crime group known as the A-Team. Salih had received threatening messages telling him to give Adams 200,000 or he and his family would be hurt, the court heard. Patsy Adams: the crime boss whose shooting victim said being called a 'grass' hurt more than the bullet George Adams' father, Patrick 'Patsy' Adams, 60, shot motorist Paul Tiernan in the chest in Islington, north London, in December 2013 with a .45 calibre gun. Patrick 'Patsy' Adams was jailed in 2016 Adams, believed to be second in command in the infamous crime family, admitted shooting his victim after being found hiding in Holland. But at his 2016 trial he was cleared of attempted murder, after his victim refused to cooperate with police. Tiernan said he believed 'loyalty is everything' and that being called a 'grass' hurt more than being shot. Tiernan has even reportedly said that he didn't believe Adams fired the bullet - but the crime boss admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent and was sentenced to nine years. Police who searched Adams's flat in the days after the shooting found a handwritten note from Mr Tiernan, 54, which said 'I ain't no f****** grass' and urged his former friend to 'face me'. After the shooting Adams later fled abroad with his wife Constance, 56, before the pair were extradited from the Netherlands. Mrs Adams did not face any charges. Advertisement Mr Walker added: The defendant thought he could not go to the police because of the reputation of his family. Mr Adams began arguing and verbally abusing the defendant - there was some shouting. The defendant said he was there to talk. Mr Adams was armed with a gun and a scuffle ensued. During the scuffle the defendant was able to disarm Mr Adams. The defendant heard a bang during the scuffle but did not realise he had been shot. When Salih got into the car to escape he had several cartridges, one with his blood on. Mr Walker told the court a witness to the shooting told Adams: You missed'. The barrister added: Plainly he didnt. He was bleeding in the car being driven by his friend and rather sensibly thought I dont want to have a gun on me. When police searched Salihs home, they found the ammunition, along with cocaine, opium, cannabis and Alprazolam which is used to calm anxiety. Judge Peter Clarke, QC, remarked: I dont follow why your client did not contact Patsy Adams to intervene on his behalf. Mr Walker said Patsy was in custody but the judge quipped: Well does not usually serve as a barrier. Sentencing Salih, the judge added: I am troubled by the entire atmosphere of this case. I am not sending you to prison, instead I am going to impose a suspended sentence. It will be nine months on the ammunition and one month concurrent on each of the drugs offences. That will be suspended for 21 months. Salih, of Winchmore Hill, admitted possession of ammunition without a firearms certificate. He also admitted possession of 27 tablets of Alprazolam, 26.9 grams of cannabis, 3.02 grams of cocaine and 1.83 grams of opium. He was sentenced to ninth months prison suspended for 21 months and ordered to pay prosecution costs of 500. The Crown dropped charges of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life after accepting they had no evidence. The gun was never recovered by police. Earlier this month Terry Adams, the 64-year-old former head of the Adams Family, was jailed for 12 months for failing to pay 50,000 towards a court bill. He quickly settled the order and was freed. The crime lord had been jailed for seven years in 2007 after a 10m police surveillance operation and was ordered to pay nearly 750,000 of his ill-gotten gains to the state. Tommy Adams, 57, was jailed for seven years in 2017 after he was convicted of laundering nearly 250,000. A two-year-old boy drowned and his twin brother is fighting for life after they climbed into the pool in their great-grandmother's backyard last weekend. Noah and Levi Schroeder were found unconscious in the pool in Cedar Creek, Texas, early last Saturday morning. Their great-grandmother pulled them out of the water and their mother Demi called 911. The boys were taken to Dell Children's Medical Center, where Noah passed away. Twin toddlers Noah and Levi were found unresponsive in backyard pool in Texas last weekend Noah (left) died following the incident in Cedar Creek, Texas, while Levi (right) is still fighting for his life 'I wake up Saturday morning. Early in the morning and they're not in the room,' Demi told ABC. 'All of a sudden, I hear my Nanny say they're in the pool back here and I run from the front yard to the back yard and my grandma is pulling my kids out of the pool'. Schroeder and her sons had been visiting her grandmother in Bastrop County after her grandfather died two weeks ago. She told ABC she thinks the toddlers were barely in the water for minutes, and that Noah probably went in first, followed by his brother. A GoFundMe Page has been set up to help the family cover medical bills for Levi and funeral costs for Noah Bastrop County Sheriff's deputies arrived and performed CPR on both twins. According to Demi, Levi's heart started beating first and his pulse returned back at the house. The two boys were taken to hospital, where Schroeder, her sister and her grandmother tried in vain to encourage Noah to hold on by singing his favorite song. Schroeder now has had to turn her full attention to Levi, who is breathing on his own but still in intensive care. 'He's opening his eyes and he's so groggy from medication,' Schroeder told ABC. 'Right now, we're just fighting for Levi and that's all we're worried about is him.' The twin's mother Demi recalled how she sang Noah's favorite song in hospital to try and help him pull through A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family pay for both funeral and medical costs. 'Being so young the family did not have insurance coverage,' the page says. 'This will help with the funeral cost and extra expenses they may have while [Noah's] brother is still recovering. Anything will help. Thanks for your contribution.' 'Any love and support anybody can give us is what we need and what we want right now,' Schroeder added. Noah was the fifth child to drown in Texas so far this year. His organs have been donated to five different people. A millionaire law firm boss has been accused of 'constantly groping' a junior solicitor who he 'took to a live sex show, secretly filmed and fired two hours after she refused his sexual advances'. An employment tribunal was told the 49-year-old married senior partner acted inappropriately with the newly qualified 27-year-old whom he took for expensive meals at exclusive Mayfair restaurants, to bars and famous clubs including Annabel's and the Playboy Club and a Rita Ora concert. He was also accused of using a stay in a 7* hotel in Dubai to secretly video her on a sunbed and massaged her. The young solicitor, who is engaged to marry, is claiming sex discrimination, breach of contract and holiday pay at the central London employment tribunal. Her boss who has been named only as D at the hearing denies all claims against him. The junior solicitor was on a salary of 42,000 and was promised 60,000 at her next pay review if she worked hard. The complainant told the hearing: 'I brought this claim because what he did was wrong and I don't want him to do this to other girls. 'D is extremely extremely manipulative. He's very very good at making you feel he's the good guy and you are the bad person. 'I thought he was really successful, I looked up to him, I thought he was a great lawyer, I wanted to be the same. The married millionaire also took the woman on a work trip to 7* star Burj Al Arab in Dubai 'Part of me was in denial about what was happening, part of me tried to play it down, but part of me knew what was happening.' The solicitor tearfully denied accusations she had flirted with her boss to further her career and that she made up her 'inconsistent' claims against him in an act of revenge after he fired her for falsifying work time-sheets and overcharging clients. Describing her working environment, she said: 'I did not realise at the time but given what I now know of D, I believe that he required a passport photo as part of the vetting process and he was only interested in recruiting what he considered to be attractive young women. 'He told me, 'put it this way would I have any more kids with my wife? no, but I would have another baby with another woman. I am allowed two wives after all.' She described how the pair, along with work colleagues, attended a live sex show whilst in Amsterdam, saying: 'D said we should make the most of Amsterdam. He suggested I and a few others go to a sex show. 'This was no PG rated sex show, this was full on live sex happening in front of us, which I don't think is appropriate for us to go watch with colleagues anyway.' She described another incident in Amsterdam when he allegedly took her to his hotel room for lunch and grabbed her breast. She said: 'My heart was racing very fast and I was having a panic attack. At this point all I could think of was getting out of D's room. 'Even though I was not in the right physical state I could see him staring at me. He came up to me at one point and put his hand on my chest, pretending he was checking my heartbeat but his hand was over my left breast. All I could think was if I didn't get out of his room he's going to rape me. 'I was crying because I felt as though I couldn't move. He then walked me to my room. D walked over to me and said 'lets get your clothes off so you can get into bed' and he then started to look for the zip at the back of my dress. I told him 'no please don't do that, I will sleep in my dress'. ' She broke down in tears as she said: 'I was stupid enough to think that I could manage the harassment, that I had it under control.' Whilst on a work trip to Dubai she said he secretly videoed her, gave her unwanted massages and tried to grab her bottom. She admitted she did let him take some photos of her sunbathing at the 7* star Burj Al Arab hotel saying: 'I was kind of letting him to do what he wanted. I was fed up of the constant groping and touching. He would take constant videos and photos all the time. I didn't want my photos taken but he kept insisting.' Asked why she sent him photos of herself in 'see through dresses' and a 'playsuit' while she said D was 'avoiding her' after they returned from Dubai, she said: 'I suffer from bad anxiety and that was a way for me to get confirmation from him that he was okay with me. 'The way I reacted to the sexual harassment and the touching was, I kept telling myself you have got no choice, you have to put up with this otherwise you're going to lose your job. 'All of it was inappropriate and should not have happened, including me sending the pictures of myself in the dress. Because looking back now, maybe it was enticing him.' She said that when she brought her claim, D threatened her with a 150,000 bill for his legal costs and made a complaint to police about her boyfriend. The woman said she received 'over the top' formal written warnings from D for not completing work on time and not paying the company 3 for a land registry certificate and again when she missed part of an overseas work event in Amsterdam. She claimed the reason why D gave her the first warning was because she refused his demands for her to give him swimming lessons at his mansion house months into her employment. Daphne Romney QC, D's barrister, said about the sex club in Amsterdam: 'The idea originated with your colleagues and there were about six of you who went.' Ms Romney QC also suggested Miss A was lying about her claims as she admitted she went out with him until 5am in the morning despite being repeatedly 'creeped' out by him touching her. On Monday the tribunal also heard the solicitor admitted she had 'wandering eyes' to her friend and wanted a 'millionaire' boyfriend around when she took the job - rather than her own boyfriend at the time. Ms Romney read out WhatsApp messages between them which said: 'Anyway I'm sick of him everyone wonders why I have such wandering eyes. 'I want to marry a millionaire, I bored with this lowlife, I'M BORED. 'I feel like I'm going through a really weird phase in my life when I could so easily go and have an affair. 'I'm literally fighting with myself and I don't know who will win. 'I want my boyfriend to turn up outside my house in a Range Rover and buy me a puppy.' The QC asked: 'She was looking for a bit of glamour, wasn't she? She was getting a bit itchy, wasn't she? 'She is talking about her boyfriend being in a lot of debt and saying there was no point putting money in a savings account.' The friend said: 'This is an absolutely loving relationship. I've always looked up to their relationship in a way, I think this is just a low. 'That might have been the low, as I described before, and I think that's all it was. 'It is just jokes.' The tribunal heard her probation period was extended but she was fired days after having meetings with D and his personal assistant and HR manager over timesheets after returning from Dubai. The tribunal heard she sent a message saying: 'I want to f**k up his life'. She said in her witness statement: '[In Dubai] D had really gone 'above and beyond' to try and impress me with that hotel, VIP tickets to the Formula 1 race, expensive dinners and first class tickets and he felt almost insulted that I was not agreeing to have an affair with him. I felt like he was trying to 'frame me' in order to try and justify sacking me and used the timesheet issue as a smokescreen for this. 'I admit I was struggling to fill in my timesheets but I never once overcharged a client. 'He then sacked me when he did on 21 December because two hours or so previously I had made it clear to D that I did not want to go to Dubai with him again and he finally got the message that I was never going to have sex with him. 'I feel as though I was groomed by D and that he abused his power over me and tried to manipulate me in to bed. It's very telling that within two hours of me emailing him to make it clear I was not keen on returning to Dubai with him he sacked me.' Employment Judge Tina Elliott said comparisons in the case with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein and Topshop mogul Sir Philip Green were 'valid' and that a gagging order banning the identification of the parties would be reviewed at the end of the case. Two competitive female wedding guests ended up swinging each other around on the floor during a fight over the bridal bouquet. Other people at the wedding in the Dagestan Republic, Russia, appear to cheer the women on and clap as they roll around and one even loses her heels. The rivalry is fierce right from the beginning with a man having to group together around half a dozen people who are standing behind the bride. The bride throws the bouquet at the wedding in the Dagestan Republic, Russia, left, before two women start to struggle on the floor, right, for the flowers As she teasingly pretends to throw the flowers several times the guests put their arms up and get ready to jump for the bouquet. Eventually the flowers are thrown and the scrabble starts, with a tall blonde woman leaning over a brunette to try and grab the bouquet from her hands. Petals fall onto the floor as they spin around and are knocked to their knees. The bride can be seen laughing as she watches the two women and one man claps the pair on. The women swing each other around the floor, left, before one of them eventually gives up and the brunette woman is congratulated by other guests for keeping hold of the flowers After a few more seconds fighting for the flowers the blonde woman's black heels are knocked off her feet. She then stands up and the brunette is victorious, however her prize now has significantly less petals. Men rush over to congratulate her on the win and some even shake her hand while the blonde woman walks away with a man's comforting arm around her shoulder. A man has died after he was involved in an altercation with another man in the NSW central tablelands. The 64-year-old man was found unconscious by officers at a unit block on Bonner Street in Kelso in Bathurst, New South Wales at around 5pm on Monday. NSW Ambulance paramedics performed CPR on the man at the scene for around 40 minutes before he was rushed to Bathurst Hospital where he later died. The 64-year-old man was found unconscious by officers at a unit block on Bonner Street (pictured) in Kelso in Bathurst, New South Wales at around 5pm on Monday A 35-year-old man was arrested at the scene and was taken to Bathurst Police Station where he is assisting with inquiries, a police statement read. A spokeswoman for NSW Police has revealed the altercation was in the common area of the unit complex, not inside a home, the Sydney Morning Telegraph reports. A crime scene has been established at the complex while investigations continue by officers from Chifley Police District Anyone with any information regarding the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. Dutch PM Mark Rutte delivered an extraordinary blunt warning today that the UK's is 'sleepwalking' into no-deal Brexit. Mr Rutte tore into Tory hardliners for blocking an agreement - demanding they 'wake up' and avoid an 'unacceptable' outcome. The attack - which Mr Rutte insisted came from one of the UK's 'best friends' came as Theresa May desperately struggles to find a way through the Brexit impasse. Mrs May held crisis talks with Angela Merkel earlier amid claims the EU wants to delay Brexit by two years to avoid no-deal chaos. With wrangling over the Irish border backstop intensifying and a Tory Remainer revolt threatening to spiral out of control, the PM met the German Chancellor for breakfast at a summit in Egypt. Dutch PM Mark Rutte (pictured left with Mrs May today) delivered a stark warning that the UK is 'sleepwalking' into a no-deal Brexit, urging hardline MPs to 'wake up' and approve an agreement Mrs May admitted yesterday that she has yet to secure a revised deal - and said a final vote on a package might not happen until just 17 days before the UK is due to leave the EU. She has been left pleading for Remainer ministers not to crash her strategy by joining efforts to force a Brexit delay in crunch votes on Wednesday. But there are few signs that she can hold back the rebellion, after ministers openly threatened to defy her, warning that the 'dam is breaking'. Senior EU officials are believed to be preparing for a longer extension to the Article 50 process than the few months being mooted by Remainers. The idea could see the UK stay a member for another 21 months to avoid a 'cliff edge' and give more time for a deal to be reached - or better preparations to be made for no deal. The issue of postponing Brexit came up 'fleetingly' during the discussions between Mrs May and Mrs Merkel today, according to Downing Street. But a spokesman said the PM simply repeated that she wanted the UK to leave with a deal on March 29. Mrs May had a bilateral meeting with on Monday, said the UK needed to 'wake up' about Brexit. Mr Rutte told the BBC: 'I will be straightforward. The Netherlands is one of your best friends. 'What you guys are doing - leaving EU in this time of insecurity in the world, instability in EU - is the wrong decision. 'Then having a process that might lead to no deal - it's four weeks until the end date and still the UK has not agreed a position. 'So, now we are sleepwalking into a no deal scenario. It's unacceptable and your best friends have to warn you. 'Wake up. This is real. Come to a conclusion and close the deal.' European Commission spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said that in their meeting, Mrs May and Mr Juncker 'took stock of the work done over the last days by their teams' and agreed on 'the need to conclude this work in time before the European Council on March 21'. Theresa May (left) had a breakfast meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (right) at the EU-League of Arab States Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt this morning Challenged on whether this would leave enough time for the European Parliament to ratify any final deal in time for Brexit day on March 29, Ms Andreeva told a Brussels press briefing: 'Institutions are very well capable to act swiftly and take decisions when needed.' 'Good progress' was being made on the political declaration on future relations, proposed work on finding alternative arrangements to keep the Irish border open and possible additional guarantees on the backstop, she said. Chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier will meet a UK team in Brussels on Tuesday 'to take work further in this constructive spirit'. Ms Andreeva described as 'pure speculation' reports that the EU was considering a lengthy extension of the Article 50, perhaps to the end of 2020. 'An extension first of all requires the UK to request such an extension, and secondly it requires the EU27 to agree on an extension unanimously,' she said. 'Neither of these two has happened so far which is why our working assumption remains that the UK is leaving on March 29 2019.' Viewers of ABC's Q&A have been left outraged after far-right poster boy Milo Yiannopoulos posed a question to an equally controversial psychologist on the show. Viewers complained after the show allowed a pre-recorded message from Yiannopoulos to be aired where he slammed Jordan Peterson for labelling him a racist in a separate interview. Dr Peterson is known for provocative and often hard line stances on a number of debates, including most recently refusing to refer to transgender people with their preferred pronouns. Disappointed viewers voiced their complaints after the show allowed a pre-recorded message from Yiannopoulos to be aired where he slammed Jordan Peterson (pictured) for labelling him a racist in a separate interview Yiannopoulos honed in on an interview Dr Peterson did with the New York Times where he questioned whether the outspoken speaker was a racist Yiannopoulos honed in on an interview Dr Peterson took part in with the New York Times where he suggested the outspoken speaker was a racist. 'You talk a good game about standing up for men and for boys and you've certainly amassed a big army of them, but a few of us have been wondering with your silence on (Brett) Kavanaugh and the innocent Covington boys,' Yiannopoulos asked. 'Can you explain why, although you talk a good game about standing up against social justice warriors and the chaotic feminists, when it comes down to it you always seem to either fold, stay silent or betray your allies?' Viewers of ABC's Q&A have been left outraged after the program let far-right poster boy Milo Yiannopoulos question an equally controversial psychologist on the show Dr Peterson joined the Q&A panel on Monday night. He shot to fame with his controversial opinions Mr Yiannopoulos embarked on his second tour of Australia in November 2018, supposedly to 'save glorious Australians' Dr Peterson was quick to accept fault for questioning if Yiannapoulos was a racist, but said the other accusations were completely unjustified. Viewers were quick to point out the entire situation felt as though it had been overly dramatised. One outraged viewer described it as a 'right wing UFC nightmare match' while another pointed out the eerie similarities between the episode and this season of Married At First Sight, which has been marred by scripting scandals. Miami-based Yiannopoulos has completed a number of speaking tours in Australia in the past and Dr Peterson is about to embark on a sold out tour of the country. Miami-based Yiannopoulos has completed a number of speaking tours in Australia Viewers were quick to point out the entire situation felt as though it had been overly dramatised Both men have amassed an enormous following - predominately young men - as a result of their hard line rhetoric. Mr Yiannopoulos embarked on his second tour of Australia in November 2018, supposedly to 'save glorious Australians' from 'bonkers feminists of the American culture wars and the wacky social justice warriors who want to hand Western civilization over to Muslims and race-baiters'. During his Sydney show, Mr Yiannopoulos attracted 100 protesters who chanted 'F*** off Nazi' in violent scenes that led to seven arrests. Inside the venue, an audience member threw a shoe at him during his speech. Dramatic footage has emerged of a woman fleeing in terror after she was 'slashed across the face with a pair of scissors' during a fight in a supermarket in Ireland. The unnamed woman can be seen with blood on her face, frantically scrambling across the floor of the shop in Dublin, as her daughter is heard screaming for her mother in the background. Food displays were demolished as the frightened woman battled to get away from the alleged attacker, who appears to be holding a pair of scissors. She eventually managed to get to her feet before throwing a pineapple at the assailant as she tried to escape. Dramatic footage has emerged of a woman fleeing in terror after she was 'slashed across the face with a pair of scissors' during a supermarket fight in Ireland Food displays were demolished as the frightened woman battled to get away from the alleged attacker (left, in black), who appears to be holding a pair of scissors. She eventually managed to get to her feet before throwing a pineapple (right) as she tried to escape The clip was filmed earlier this month at a Centra convenience store in the Irish capital. It opens with a woman on her back repeatedly kicking out with her legs as another woman, wearing black, stands over her. A girl then appears, repeatedly screaming for her mother. A stand full of chocolates goes crashing across the shop floor, before the alleged attacker appears to kick out at her. The girl then drags her mother by the arms to bring her to her feet, screaming 'get out of the shop, get out of the shop' before the clip ends. The manager of the store said today: 'Everything has been handed over to the police.' Escape bid: A young girl in the footage drags her mother by the arms to bring her to her feet The unnamed woman could be seen with blood on her face and frantically scrambling across the floor of the Centra store in Dublin as her daughter screamed 'mum! in the background A stand full of chocolates goes crashing across the shop before a woman wearing black appears to kick at her The manager declined to provide any more comment except to confirm that the incident happened on February 4. The video was uploaded on February 7 - three days after the incident. Paula Spain commented online: 'My blesses that's f****** terrible, her poor daughter screaming her heart out. Shocking a disrespectful in a shop.' Tia Channelle Moore said: 'What the actual f***? Have these people been arrested?' Marie Power Gallagher said: 'The poor woman looked petrified thought her life was over sin to god don't know the story behind it, but it's wrong to do that, could have fought with her hands.' The police chief in charge of the investigation into Jussie Smollett's alleged hoax attack said on Monday that there was more evidence which incriminates him on top of the mountain of proof that has already been made public. Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson appeared on Good Morning America on Monday to defend the Chicago Police Department's investigation into the attack and double down on his condemnation of Smollett. He batted away the Empire actor's claim that a check for the brothers he allegedly paid to attack him was for personal training and said there was surveillance footage. physical evidence and testimony that proves it was a hoax which is yet to be presented. 'He still has the presumption of evidence and he'll get his opportunity in court if he chooses to go that route,' Johnson said, rejecting Smollett's lawyers claim that he has been unfairly vilified by the police department and prosecutor's office. 'I can tell you this, there's a lot more evidence that has not been presented yet that does not support his version of the incident. Scroll down for video This is the check Jussie Smollett paid Abimbola 'Abel' Osundairo to allegedly beat him on January 29.He backdated it to January 23, according to police. Smollett labeled it '5 week nutrition/workout program' but the brothers say it was for the attack On Monday, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson appeared on Good Morning America to say he had more proof the actor lied Chicago police Superintendent on the Jussie Smollet investigation, I just want people to understand thats a damaging thing to do to a city. https://t.co/G4P92ohuFL pic.twitter.com/5idKkrG80f Good Morning America (@GMA) February 25, 2019 'There is still a lot of physical evidence, video evidence and testimony that simply does not support his version. 'It's not the Chicago PD saying he did something. It's the evidence, the facts and the witnesses saying this,' he added. Johnson, who eviscerated the Empire star during a press conference last week after he was arrested, said he was careful throughout the investigation not to jump to the conclusion that Smollett was involved despite growing suspicion among detectives. Jussie Smollett is shown in his mugshot on February 21. He maintains he is innocent 'I refused to let Chicago Police Department categorize him as a suspect until we had solid evidence,' he said. Johnson also said he was 'acutely aware' of the police department's reputation for being racist, which Smollett supporters have invoked in their defense of him, but that it played no role in this investigation. 'Something like this can be really damaging. We have made a lot of progress in the last three years in terms of race relations. 'We're heading in the right direction in terms but are we where we want to be? Of course not,' he said. Johnson added that he did not want Smollett's case to act as a deterrent to true victims of hate crimes, saying: 'This is just one incident...there are real victims of crimes of that nature, hate crimes, and I just hope people don't treat them with skepticism. 'This is one particular incident and it has to stand on its own merits,' he said. 'The City of Chicago has its issues. The CPD has its issues with racism and excessive force and all of that and I am acutely aware of it. '[But] we didn't earn this incident and i refuse to let us have to take that shot if I have evidence to the contrary. 'It's my responsibility to make sure the record gets set straight.' He added that it was 'offensive' that Smollett included the claim that a noose was put around his neck by his attackers in his story, given its significance as a symbol of racism. 'I grew up in the tail end of the civil rights era... the symbolism of a noose is very offensive,' he said. After his arrest last week, the Cook County State's Attorney's office revealed some of the evidence it had against Smollett at an extraordinary press conference in court. Abel and Ola Osundairo told police Smollett paid them to attack him and that he was also behind the letter he received on January 22 It included phone records which show Smollett called Abel Osundairo, one of the brothers involved, an hour before the attack, an hour afterwards and while they were in Nigeria days later. They say they also have surveillance footage of Smollett with the brothers in the days before the attack, while they were allegedly piecing it together. On February 13, Roberts sat down with Smollett to discuss the incident. At the time, he was still being treated as a victim by police but there was growing suspicion within the police department over his alleged involvement in the attack. He angrily denied making up any part of his story and cried to Roberts that he was being attacked, both on the night of the attack and afterwards, because he hates President Trump. Smollett arrived two-and-a-half hours late to that interview and offered no explanation for it, DailyMail.com revealed last week. This is the bond proffer that was made public last week which lays out the proof police say they have. According to Superintendent Johnson, there is more that they have not yet presented The actor is due back in court on March 14 to face a felony charge of filing a false police report. He is accused of paying brothers Abel and his brother Ola $3,500 to attack him at 2am on January 29. Police say Smollett orchestrated the attack because he thought it would boost his celebrity profile, which it did, and earn him a raise. The 36-year-old star's attorneys insist he is innocent. Part of his defense is that the check was for personal training. It was backdated to January 23 and on it, Smollett wrote that it was for program to help him lose weight ahead of a music video appearance, writing in the memo box '5 week nutrition workout plan.' Smollett's cast mates are split in their opinion of what happened. Some, including his on-screen father Terrence Howard, believe he is innocent whereas Gabby Sidibe, Smollett's one-time room mate, deleted a supportive Instagram post in which she said she believed him after his arrest. Footage of a farmer apparently holding a very serious meeting with his goats to 'discuss profit strategy' has become trending on social media. The farmer, known by his surname Lu, claimed he was telling the animals to have more kids in the unusual 'conference' on Saturday in western China. Mr Lu was quoted saying: 'I am a goatherd. [My] point was for them to have more [offspring] and to have better income.' Footage of the gathering, filmed by Mr Lu's daughter and released by China's Pear Video, shows the man sitting behind a table covered with a piece of red cloth. Mr Lu, from Zhenyuan in Gansu Province, is seen holding a microphone while a loudspeaker is placed on the table. In front of him in a courtyard stand dozens of black goats, adult and young. Speaking to Pear, Mr Lu confessed that he had the video taken for fun. He said he wanted to bring more laughter to other people's life. Mr Lu, a goatherd in western China, sits behind a table as he apparently holds a meeting with his animals. The farmer wants his goats to have more kids so he could have more income In the minute-long clip, Mr Lu starts the meeting by instructing his goats to concentrate. He then tells the animals that he would provide them with enough corn before scolding one particular male goat for 'having too many partners'. 'You need to be more careful. The younger goats have learned from your bad example,' the man is heard telling off the goat before ending the meeting. Online viewers have been amused by the video. On China's Twitter-like Weibo, one user thought the meeting was not well organised as 'the goats were bleating and jumping at will'; while another commentator considered Mr Lu 'a good and experienced leader'. An eight-year-old girl has been left traumatised after her foot was impaled on a rusty metal barb as she was walking on the sand of a popular beach. Abi Cook was taking part in a Nippers Surf Life Saving event in West Beach in Adelaide when the sharp object pierced her foot on Saturday afternoon. 'It hurt like a ten out of ten,' Abi told 9News. A rusty metal barb wire pierced the foot of an eight-year-old girl on the sand of a popular beach Abi Cook (pictured) was taking part in a Nippers Surf Life Saving event when she stepped on the barb and collapsed She collapsed on the beach and surf lifesaving crew rushed to her aid. Abi was given oxygen after she was taken to a nearby surfing club before an ambulance took her to the Women's & Children hospital. An x-ray showed a tiny hooked-tip caught inside her foot, which meant the barb could not be pulled out immediately at the beach. The barb was removed and she was released later at night. 'It was just awful, not the sort of thing you ever want to see your child go through,' her mother Rebecca, who was with her during the incident, said. Locals collected dozens of similar metal pegs and barbs on the same day. Environment minister David Speirs said the city of Charles Sturt needs to put up bunting and warning signs in certain areas to avoid similar injuries occurring again. City of Charles Sturt CEO Paul Sutton said staff have been checking the beach but fencing off isn't the answer. 'The high tide comes all the way up to the rock walls so any bunting or whatever would get washed away with the next high tide,' Mr Sutton said. A graphic x-ray showed a tiny hooked-tip caught inside her foot, which meant the barb could not be pulled out immediately at the beach A team of council workers will scour the beach with metal detectors on Tuesday morning. Four other injuries have been reported in the past few days, including nine-year-old nipper Carys Kemp, who also cut her foot on a barb. Fortunately, the barb didn't pierce into her foot but her mother had spent an entire day cleaning the wound, which cut the surface of her skin. Russian state TV has identified American military bases which it says Moscow could strike with hypersonic missiles in the space of five minutes if nuclear war broke out between the two countries. The Pentagon and presidential retreat near Camp David, in Maryland, topped the list along with Jim Creek, a naval communications base in Washington state. But the Vesti Nedeli television station also identified two targets - a training center at Fort Ritchie, Maryland, and McClellan Air Force base, California - which are both defunct, having been abandoned in 1998 and 2001 respectively. It comes after Vladimir Putin warned Russia is ready for a new Cuban Missile Crisis if the US wants one, after President Trump tore up a key Cold War arms treaty. Russia's Vesti Nedeli state TV station published a list of American targets it said the Kremlin could strike with hypersonic nuclear missiles within five minutes if war breaks out The Pentagon, the presidential retreat at Camp David, a training center at Fort Ritchie, Maryland, and McClellan Air Force base, California, were all identified as targets The report, which was unusual even by the typically aggressive style of Russian TV, was broadcast on Sunday evening. Russia fears the United States might deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe which were previously banned under the Intermediate Nuclear Forces treaty. Putin has said Russia would be forced to respond by placing hypersonic nuclear missiles on submarines near U.S. waters. The United States says it has no immediate plans to deploy such missiles in Europe and has dismissed Putin's warnings as disingenuous propaganda. It does not currently have ground-based intermediate-range nuclear missiles that it could place in Europe. However, its decision to quit the 1987 treaty over an alleged Russian violation, something Moscow denies, has freed it to start developing such missiles. Putin has said Russia does not want a new arms race, but has also dialled up his military rhetoric. It comes after Vladimir Putin said Russia was ready for a new Cuban Missile Crisis if America decides to station new weapons in Europe after tearing up a Cold War treaty Some analysts have seen his approach as a tactic to try to re-engage the United States in talks about the strategic balance between the two powers, something Moscow has long pushed for, with mixed results. In the Sunday evening broadcast, Dmitry Kiselyov, presenter of Russia's main weekly TV news show 'Vesti Nedeli', showed a map of the United States and identified several targets he said Moscow would want to hit in the event of a nuclear war. Kiselyov, who is close to the Kremlin, said the 'Tsirkon' ('Zircon') hypersonic missile that Russia is developing could hit the targets in less than five minutes if launched from Russian submarines. Hypersonic flight is generally taken to mean travelling through the atmosphere at more than five times the speed of sound. 'For now, we're not threatening anyone, but if such a deployment takes place, our response will be instant,' he said. Kiselyov is one of the main conduits of state televisions strongly anti-American tone, once saying Moscow could turn the United States into radioactive ash. Asked to comment on Kiselyov's report, the Kremlin said on Monday it did not interfere in state TV's editorial policy. Britain is duty-bound to let ISIS bride Shamima Begum return to the UK before deciding her punishment, her father has said. Ahmed Ali admitted his daughter made mistakes when she fled east London for Syria in 2015, but stressed she is a British citizen who has every right to return. Ali has initially told the Mail on Sunday that he agreed with Home Secretary Sajid Javid's move to strip his daughter of her citizenship, but now says he was 'misquoted'. Shamima Begum must be allowed to return to the UK, father Ahmed Ali says, after she ran away to join ISIS in Syria and married a jihadi fighter Ali said that his daughter - pictured with her week old son in Al Hawl camp for captured ISIS wives - has a right to return to this country, before being punished Ali initially told the newspaper: 'I know she is stuck there [in Syria] but thats because she has done actions that made her get stuck like this. I am on the side of the Government. I cant say whether it is right or wrong, but if the law of the land says that it is correct to cancel her citizenship, then I agree. But speaking to AFP from his village in northeastern Bangladesh, he recanted, saying: 'The British government should take her back because she is a British citizen. 'If she has committed any crime, they should bring her back to London, to her country, and punish her there.' The 60-year-old added: 'I don't think that (to revoke Begum's citizenship) was a right thing to do. 'To err is human. You and I can both can make a mistake. It is OK to commit an error, all humans do that. One feels sad if a child commits a mistake.' Begum left the UK for Syria with two schoolfriends in 2015, when she was just 15, and her case has caused political divisions in Britain. It highlights a dilemma facing many European countries, divided over whether to allow jihadists and IS sympathisers home to face prosecution or bar them as the so-called 'caliphate' crumbles. Public sentiment hardened against Begum after she showed little remorse about IS attacks in media interviews from the camp in eastern Syria, where she arrived after fleeing fighting between the terror group and US-backed forces. However, in an interview with the Daily Mail, she showed repentance and said she would like to serve as an example to other women thinking of joining a terror group. Market day in Al Hawl camp, where Shamima is being held. The camp is squalid, poorly supplied, and rife with violence Women buy basic supplies at the camp, having fled the last remaining pocket of ISIS territory as the caliphate collapsed I am hoping to be given a second chance, she says quietly. Id like to be an example of how someone can change. I want to help, encourage other young British people to think before they make life- changing decisions like this and not to make the same mistake as me. I cant do that if I am sitting here in a camp. I cant do that for you. Ali, who lives with his second wife in the village of Daorai in Sunamganj district, said he felt sorry for his daughter and believed she may have been brainwashed into joining IS. 'It was certainly a mistake to go to IS. Perhaps it was because she was a child. She may not have gone there (Syria) willingly. She may have been ill-advised by other people,' he said. Ahmed last saw his daughter in Britain just two months before she fled to Syria with Kadiza Sultana and Amira Abase in March 2015. He says she did not show any sign of having been radicalised. 'I did not see any such thing at all.' He also highlighted how the Bangladesh government has declared that Begum would not be allowed into the country. The British government reportedly believes that Begum was entitled to claim Bangladesh citizenship, though this is disputed by the South Asian country. 'She can't come to Bangladesh since she is not a citizen of this country,' he said. Tasnime Akunjee, a lawyer for Begum's family, earlier said the teenager was born in Britain and had never had a Bangladeshi passport. The homelessness crisis gripping Britain's cities has been laid bare by a map charting the deaths of people living in squalor on the nation's streets. Out of the 597 deaths of homeless people in 2017, 571 - or 95 per cent - took place in urban areas, according to figures released by the Official for National Statistics (ONS). A 'heatmap' shows that people living in parts of London and Manchester, Liverpool and Bristol suffered the most deaths. More than one in sixth deaths took place in just six of the 347 council areas in England and Wales, the figures showed. The map produced by the ONS showed that the vast majority homeless deaths took place in urban areas, where the majority of those who live on the streets are focused. Some 597 people died while homeless in 2017, the most recent years for which figures are available Of the 597 deaths of homeless people in England and Wales in 2017, 571 took place in urban areas. Just 26 took place in rural areas, showing how much the issue is focused on towns and cities In contrast just only 26 homeless people died in rural areas. Homelessness charity Shelter blasted the new statistics, with chief executive Polly Neate saying it should be 'a wake-up call' for politicians to fix the UK's housing crisis. 'There is nothing inevitable about people dying homeless, it is a direct consequence of a broken housing system,' she said. 'When more and more people have no choice but to sleep on the street, we see the absolute sharpest end of the housing emergency. Unstable and expensive private renting, welfare cuts and a severe lack of social housing are fundamentally at the root of this crisis. The ONS figures released today showed that 105 out of 597 homeless deaths in England and Wales in 2017 took place in six council areas in some of the largest cities Figures released by the Government in January showed that the number of people sleeping rough in England overall fell in 2018, the first time it had happened in eight years. But it continued to rise in London 'But we do have the power to fix this. To prevent more people being pushed into homelessness, the government must ensure housing benefit can cover rents, and urgently ramp up building social homes.' It found the highest number of estimated deaths that year was 21 in Manchester, with 18 recorded in Birmingham and 17 in Bristol and Liverpool. Lambeth in London had the highest number of estimated deaths in the capital at 17, followed by 15 in Camden, 12 in Southwark and 10 in Tower Hamlets. The ONS said that between 2013 and 2017, 480 of the 2,106 identified deaths of homeless people in England took place in the poorest 10 per cent of council areas. In contrast just 51 took part in the richest 10 per cent. The ONSs head of health and life events Ben Humberstone said the new data showed that deprivation levels had a "real impact". He added: "Every one of these deaths is a real human tragedy, and understanding where these deaths occur is particularly poignant. "While the worst affected areas change from one year to the next, the figures show that the deprivation level of an area has a real impact. "Many more people die homeless in the most deprived areas of England and Wales, and 95% of the deaths are in urban areas rather than rural areas." Homelessness was thrust into the political consciousness in December when Hungarian Gyula Remes (left) was found dead in cold weather in an underpass just yards from an entrance to parliament in Westminster used by MPs. His was the second person to die last year in the same place The issue of homelessness was brought right up to politicians' front door with two deaths within yards of Parliament last year. Gyula Remes, 43, from Hungary, who had been living rough in Westminster for three months, was found dead in an underpass MPs use to access the Tube in December. He is understood to have just got a job as a chef's assistant at a restaurant in Charing Cross. And Marcos Amaral Gourgel, a 35-year-old Portugese man, was found dead in the same spot in February last year. This is the incredibly cute moment that a tiny bunny gets rescued after being trapped by a foot of snow against the window of a US school. The footage, filmed from the inside of a school in Fargo, North Dakota, starts with the rabbit barely visible and trapped in the corner of the building by a window. Staff watching on sympathetically cry out as an employee begins the task of freeing the terrified animal. A rabbit trapped beneath a foot of snow at a school in Fargo, North Dakota, waits patiently as its rescuer digs it to freedom It sits motionless as the rescuer digs away at the snow with a metal shovel. At one point, a female member of staff says, 'tell him to be careful' as the man outside nearly touches the rabbit with the shovel. As he continues to dig away at the snow, onlookers then become worried that it could 'cave in' on the rabbit. Some snow then falls on the bunny as it gets closer to being freed and someone watching shouts, 'oh Jeez!'. A man inside the school then tries to direct the shovel rescuer by pointing at where he can dig without hurting the rabbit. After a few more seconds, the rescuer wipes away the rest of the snow with his gloved hand and picks up the still-motionless rabbit. The still-motionless rabbit only starts moving when the employee uses his hand to lift it out of its frozen prison. The little bunny then hops away to safety as onlookers cry out in delight Just when the onlookers are probably wondering whether it has survived its ordeal, they cry out in delight as the lucky rabbit springs into life and jumps out of the corner before hopping away. An employee at the school said: 'there was no school on this day and [staff] were clearing off large accumulations of snow from the roof. 'Those of us working were concerned for the bunny and were watching from inside, hoping for a happy ending.' A pensioner who unleashed a racist tirade at a black woman on a Ryanair flight will not be prosecuted. David Mesher, 70, hurled vile abuse at 77-year-old Delsie Gayle, calling her an 'ugly black b*****d' during a row on a plane in Barcelona. But Mesher later claimed he was not racist and said he lost his temper during a dispute over seats on the aircraft last October. Mesher (pictured) hurled racist abuse at Delsie Gayle in a vile tirade that went viral but lawyers say he will not face prosecution Ms Gayle (pictured with her daughter, Carol, on Good Morning Britain) said that the abuse she suffered left her feeling depressed A fellow passenger filmed him abusing the east Londoner and flight staff then reported him to Essex Police when the flight touched down at Stansted. The shocking video showed him shouting 'don't speak to me in a f****** foreign language'. Ms Gayle (pictured) offered tearful interviews following the shocking tirade and said it left her feeling depressed Mobile phone footage captured Mesher verbally abusing Ms Gayle in a racist tirade that shocked other passengers West Midlands Police interviewed Mesher at his sheltered housing complex in Birmingham. After a four-month UK police probe, Mirror Online has revealed that the investigation has been shelved because lawyers ruled the offence can only be prosecuted in Spain. Spanish police are understood to have passed a file to prosecutors in the country after Essex Police said that it sought advice from the Crown Prosecution Service. Windrush pensioner Mrs Gayle, who lives in Leyton, said in the aftermath of her ordeal that she felt 'really depressed about it', adding: 'I go to my bed and say: "What have I done?" 'I havent done anything for you to attack me. Because of the colour of my skin I was abused like that.' Mesher appeared on Good Morning Britain shortly after the row and insisted that he was not racist. Mesher (pictured) told Good Morning Britain that he is not a racist despite calling Mrs Gayle an 'ugly black b*****d' Delsie Gayle (pictured) said nobody helped her while she was being subjected to the vile racist tirade during the flight 'I'm not a racist person by any means and it was just a fit of bad temper at the time,' he said. Addressing Mrs Gayle, he said: 'I apologise for all the distress you've had there and since.' He said he lost his temper as a result of Mrs Gayle not seeming to want to get up when he needed to reach the window seat. 'I said Ive got to get to the window seat and there didnt seem to be any response,' he said. 'And then I asked her again, I said I have to get to the window seat and she didnt seem to want to get up..or she didnt seem to ...then I probably lost my temper a bit and I ordered her to get up.' Mrs Gayle (pictured with her daughter, Carol) was subjected to vile racist abuse on a plane in Barcelona in October last year Appearing on Good Morning Britain alongside her daughter, Carol, Mrs Gayle was asked if she accepted Mesher's apology and responded: 'I don't think so'. 'You must forget and forgive but it's going to take a long time,' she said. 'I was so depressed all I've been doing just crying I cant sleep.' They accused the airline of trying to 'sweep it under the carpet' and claimed to have had no contact from them and Carol says they are pursuing 'legal action'. As Mrs Gayle claimed 'nobody' helped her during the tirade, Carol added: 'More people could have intervened and especially the gentleman - the flight attendant. He (Mesher) should have been taken off the plane, or moved, something should have been done.' Ryanair said at the time that the airline only became aware of the incident the following day, when they saw the video. But in the clip a flight attendant can be seen near Mesher during the row. It also shared a letter and email addressed to Mrs Gayle apologising for the incident. Head of Communications Robin Kiely told MailOnline: 'We again extend our very sincere apologies to this passenger for the regrettable, and unacceptable remarks that were made to her by an adjacent passenger, and we believe that by reporting this matter immediately to the Essex Police and by apologising in writing to this customer early on Sunday morning, Ryanair treated it with the urgency and seriousness it warranted.' The row sparked anger when the video went viral online, with social media users slamming Mesher's apology and Ryanair's handling of the matter. A puppy has been rescued from the brink of death in South Korea, after cruel pranksters sliced open the corners of her mouth like villain The Joker in Batman: The Dark Knight. Six-month-old Golden Retriever 'Bobby' was found with her mouth tied with rope and wounds on her legs in the capital of Seoul, last Tuesday. She was unable to eat or drink and had been left for dead on wasteland. Golden Retriever 'Bobby' had her mouth cut back on both sides like Batman villain the Joker by thugs who also broke her front right foot The six-month-old puppy had been deliberately burned with a small flame-thrower gun on open leg wounds. She had an operation as well as laser surgery after being rescued. Several burned and infected wounds were found on her legs and paws. Her front leg was broken while her claws had all been smashed in, which left her struggling to walk. Rescuers believe that after having her mouth cut, the puppy had also been deliberately burned with a small flame-thrower gun, because there were open wounds on her legs. Rescue workers said the dog had been cut open on each side of her mouth, so that she looked like the Joker character from the Batman film franchise (pictured here played by Heath Ledger in 2008's The Dark Knight) Miraculously, Bobby was saved and underwent an operation and laser surgery to heal her wounds. The cuddly Retriever even shows humans the same love she would have done before - hobbling over to vets and wagging her tail affectionately. Volunteers from animal welfare group, We Love Dogs, raised money for Bobby's treatment and are now caring for her. A spokesman for the shelter said: 'We were eager to treat Bobby. There were many traces of abuse all over her body. Bobby was treated by We Love Dogs who are now caring for her. She apparently stills shows as much affection to humans as she did before being attacked. Rescuers who found Bobby on wasteland in South Korean capital Seoul said that she is 'very lucky to be alive and we will make sure she is taken care of' 'Even though she was strong enough to heal from the many injuries and illness, she will need a lot of support to be strong again. 'The wound on her mouth was likely caused by a knife but it could also have been a flame thrower. We don't know why they would do that. 'We are trying to find the person who did this to her. We have asked anybody with information to contact us anonymously. 'The puppy is very lucky to be alive and we will make sure she is taken care of.' A cat burglar from Hong Kong is under police investigation for smuggling two stolen Persian kittens through a Taiwan airport by hiding them under her clothes and pretending to be pregnant. The 35-year-old woman, identified by Taiwan media as Li Yanting, was caught on surveillance footage stealing the two cats from a breeder's apartment in Taiwan on February 5 before getting on a taxi to Taoyuan International Airport. The brazen theft prompted authorities at Taiwan's biggest airport to launch an investigation into how the woman was able to slip past security without her feline contraband being spotted, Apple Daily reported. Surveillance footage outside Chang's apartment shows the suspect leaving through a side door with a white cat under each arm (left), before bundling them into a bag (right) and leaving Cat breeder Chang Chin-yi (pictured), 46, said she noticed her two kittens - Anngi and Da Lili - had been stolen on February 5. The rare cats are worth NT$100,000 (2,487) each The newspaper said police obtained footage from the airport showing the woman, carrying a white bag, leaving a public washroom more plump than when she entered before passing through security. Cat breeder Chang Chin-yi, 46, said she noticed her two kittens - Anngi and Da Lili - had been stolen on February 5. The rare cats are worth NT$100,000 (2,487) each, according to Apple Daily. 'It was during feeding time, I went in with bowls of meat and that's when I saw that the cats were missing,' she told AFP inside her apartment in an upmarket suburb of New Taipei City where she has some 40 Persian cats that sell for as much as US$3,300 (2,522) each. Anngi the female Persian kitten was stolen by Li from Chang's apartment in Taiwan Chang said the cats were traumatised by the ordeal and couldn't open their eyes. Above, Da Lili Chang immediately suspected Li, who planned to buy Anngi and had stayed at her house the month before. Chang changed her mind on the purchase fearing the woman already had too many cats and wasn't careful enough with the them. Li had already five cats under her care, according to the report. '(She) went crazy, she was crying and screaming at me over the phone when I rejected her,' she recalled. Surveillance footage outside Chang's apartment shows the woman leaving through a side door with a white cat under each arm, before bundling them into a bag. Investigations reveal that the woman had cut the window screen of Chang's apartment with a paper cutter to gain access to the kittens. Chang suspected Li (pictured), who planned to buy Anngi and had stayed at her house a month ago. Chang changed her mind on the purchase fearing the woman already had too many cats Investigations reveal that the woman had cut the window screen of Chang's apartment with a paper cutter to gain access to the kittens. Above, Li hurrying away from the scene She confronted the woman on Facebook messenger who eventually admitted the theft, according to images of private messages Chang posted publicly on Facebook. AFP contacted the Hong Kong woman by phone on Tuesday and a man who identified himself as her husband answered. He said he had no knowledge of his wife's plan and that a friend of Chang's who lives in Hong Kong is now looking after the two cats. 'We are sorry that this incident happened,' he said. New Taipei City Police Department confirmed it was treating the incident as a burglary - although they have limited recourse given Hong Kong and Taiwan have no extradition agreement. Chang being interviewed in Hong Kong about the incident. 'The cat thief must be investigated by the police, she has to be held criminally responsible for what she has done,' Chang said Chang is a cat breeder and raises about 40 Persian cats inside her apartment in an upmarket suburb of New Taipei City. The cats sell for as much as US$3,300 (2,522) each Taoyuan airport did not respond to requests for comment. Chang arrived at Hong Kong last Tuesday to pursue legal options, according to her Facebook. 'The cat thief must be investigated by the police, she has to be held criminally responsible for what she has done,' Chang told MailOnline. Anngi and Da Lili are currently under the care of Chang's friend in Hong Kong following a check-up at the vet. She added that the kittens were very traumatised by the ordeal and had trouble opening their eyes. Cats arriving without documentation in Hong Kong must spend at least four months in quarantine or face being put down. Taiwan only accepts cats from Hong Kong that have certificate showing they are free of rabies. A police chief's son who dreamed of following in his father's footsteps only to miss out on a job because he was not from a minority group said today that he is no longer sure that he wants to become an officer. Matthew Furlong, 25, went for one of dozens of positions opening with Cheshire Police, but despite passing his test he was told he did not make the final cut. Mr Furlong, who has a degree in particle physics from Lancaster University, lodged a discrimination claim against Cheshire Police under equality legislation, and won - in what is believed to be the first successful case of its kind. However, today he told This Morning that the experience had made him doubt whether he wanted to continue with his career choice. I am totally for diversity in the police force and I accept there are under representations,' he told presenter Philip Schofield. I am not sure it is a career I still want to pursue. It has shattered my illusions of the legitimacy of the recruitment process. I dont think what happened is reflective of police as a whole. Mr Furlong was among about 675 candidates who applied to join Cheshire Police in September 2017 and was shortlisted a month later. He passed challenging tests and was invited for an interview, along with 182 others, in November. Matthew Furlong, 25, who has won an employment tribunal which found Cheshire Police had discriminated against him on the grounds of sexual orientation, race and sex Although the interview went well, with an inspector on the panel telling Mr Furlong he had been refreshingly well-prepared, he was rejected six days later. He was among 34 white male non-disabled candidates who were unsuccessful. After his test he was 'on cloud nine' after positive comments from the interviewers - who said he was well-prepared. When his father decided to investigate the family discovered some people were chosen above Mr Furlong, because they were female, gay or from an ethnic minority group. He said: There was only 85 positions available They implemented three selection principles anyone who passed who identified as female, black or ethnic minority, lgbt, was automatically given a conditional offer. If anyone speaks English as a second language. Thirdly anyone who already works for the organisation as a PCSO or something else. Mr Furlong, whose father has served for Cheshire Police for more than 20 years, said he had been on 'cloud nine' after his interview In a ruling last week a judge criticised the force for treating candidates with protected characteristics including those who were gay, transgender, disabled, black or from other ethnic minorities more favourably than Mr Furlong, who was a white, heterosexual male without disability. Schofield said Cheshire Police was one of the forces identified as not having enough BAME officers when Theresa May was Home Secretary. Changes were promised after outrage over the view some people are not represented within the force. Mr Furlongs employment tribunal in Liverpool was told that in 2015 chief officers at Cheshire Police launched an action plan to recruit more black, Asian and female officers. This followed a government review which revealed the force had no black officers, just five from Asian backgrounds and four of mixed race, compared to more than 1,400 white officers. The presenter added: You became a victim of police effort to change their image. An expert said the test level has also been set too low since of 180 applicants, 127 passed the test. A chicken delivery driver who ran over and killed a grandmother before removing evidence from his truck has avoided jail. Emmanuel Xiberras ran over 61-year-old Jo-Ann Thwaites on Old Pittwater Road in Brookvale, in the northern suburbs of Sydney, in 2015. On Monday, the 39-year-old delivery driver walked free from Sydney court after pleading not guilty to both dangerous and negligent driving. On Monday, the 39-year-old delivery driver walked free from Sydney court after pleading not guilty to both dangerous and negligent driving Emmanuel Xiberras ran over 61-year-old Jo-Ann Thwaites on Old Pittwater Road in Brookvale, in the northern suburbs of Sydney, in 2015 'I felt a little bump from the side of the truck but other than that, I didn't see anything else,' he told the court. Ms Thwaites was hit by Xiberras's truck while she was at a pedestrian crossing and was dragged under the truck. She was then struck by another truck before dying at the scene. The court saw CCTV footage of Xiberras throwing Ms Thwaites's clothing which he found under his truck, and claimed that he thought they were rags. The court saw CCTV footage of Xiberras throwing Ms Thwaites's clothing which he found under his truck, and claimed that he thought they were rags Last year, he was found not guilty of dangerous driving and on Monday faced the negligent driving charge Last year, he was found not guilty of dangerous driving and on Monday faced the negligent driving charge, Nine News reported. He was sentenced to a two-and-a-half-year corrections order which can be served out in the community. He was also banned from driving from three years but that was cut to two years on Monday. Xiberras will be able to drive again next year. This is the terrifying moment a four-year-old girl fell unconscious after her hoodie caught on a climbing frame and tightened around her neck in Russia. At first nobody noticed when Ksenia Kiryakova was left dangling on the playing apparatus at the nursery school in the city of Zlatoust, west-central Russia. The coat caught on a metal bar before her weight caused the garment to tighten around her neck, effectively strangling her. Terrifying footage captures the moment a four-year-old girl (circled) fell unconscious after her hoodie caught on a climbing frame and tightened around her neck in Russia The child is initially seen on CCTV kicking her legs and trying to draw attention to her plight, but teachers and playground supervisors did not spot the problem. But eventually a female member of staff saw the child and rushed over to rescue her The child is initially seen on CCTV kicking her legs and trying to draw attention to her plight, but teachers and playground supervisors did not spot the problem. Then she lost consciousness from the tightening around her neck. After about two minutes another child saw her hanging from the apparatus and tried to help. At this point, a female member of staff finally saw the girl was in trouble and ran to rescue her. She soon realised the child was unconscious and could not stand in the snow. She tried slapping her face but then in panic carried Ksenia into the nursery school. Finally, after being out cold for up to seven minutes, the girl was resuscitated by school staff in a corridor as an ambulance arrived. She soon realised the child was unconscious and could not stand in the snow. She tried slapping her face but then in panic carried Ksenia into the nursery school. Finally, after being out cold for up to seven minutes, the girl was resuscitated by school staff in a corridor as an ambulance arrived The girl is undergoing tests to ensure she did not suffer brain damage due to lack of oxygen. But her mother Tatiana Kiryakova, 38, claims the nursery school head tried to cover up the alarming incident. 'She told me that my daughter immediately came to her senses,' she said. 'But I got the CCTV footage and it is not like this. I was only told the truth later (by the school staff who brought her round). 'I am terrified I do not want this happen again.' Her mother Tatiana Kiryakova, 38, claims the nursery school head tried to cover up the alarming incident She thanked the teacher for rescuing Ksenia 'otherwise I would not see my daughter alive again.' The unnamed teacher resigned after being reprimanded for failing to spot that the girl had got caught and was being gradually strangled, according to Russian reports. The mother has had her daughter checked by a neurologist. Head Irina Kirzhakova said: 'This was an accident the child is alive and well.' She did not comment on the claim she had misled the mother over the seriousness of the incident. However the city's state prosecutor Yevgeny Shumikhin said legal action is being considered against Kirzhakova and the teacher for child neglect. The long-awaited inquests into the deaths of 21 people in the 1974 IRA Birmingham pub bombings have begun with a minute's silence for the victims. Coroner Sir Peter Thornton QC told jurors they would hear evidence of how the two bomb blasts ripped apart two pubs on what was a 'perfectly ordinary evening' in Birmingham. He said there would be evidence alleging British security forces may have had some forewarning about the attacks, widely thought to have been carried out by the Provisional IRA, including an 'overheard' conversation which took place in prison two weeks before the bombings. But, he said, the inquests would not deal with the issue of who planted the bombs, adding that was a 'task of police, prosecutors and the criminal courts'. Julie Hambleton, whose sister Maxine was 18 when she was killed in the Birmingham Bombing, hopes the inquest which begins today will provide some answers after 45 years Maxine Hambleton was 18 when she was killed in the Birmingham pub bombings in 1974 Last year Sir Peter won a legal appeal to prevent the inquests incorporating the question of accountability, arguing it was not his job to investigate who was responsible for the two bombs, which killed 21 and injured 220 people. He told jurors this morning that while the matter would be dealt with in a single hearing, which he anticipated would last up to six weeks, the inquests would deal with '21 separate people, 21 separate lives lost from two terrible events'. As well as those killed, 220 were injured in the blasts, which were carried out at the height of an IRA bombing campaign in the West Midlands, the jury was told. A third bomb was planted near the Barclays Bank on the Hagley Road but failed to properly detonate that night. L-R: Pamela Palmer, Desmond Reilly, James Craig, and Maralyn Nash were killed that night More than half of the victims were under 30. L-R: Stephen Whalley, 21, Jane Davies, 17, Maureen Roberts, 20, and Eugene Thomas Reilly, 23, lost their lives in the atrocity The coroner said that there had been 'over 50' incidents involving bombs and incendiaries 'in and around Birmingham' in 1973 and 1974, but that after the pub blasts 'the campaign in the West Midlands stopped'. He told the six women and five men of the jury it would be a matter for them whether the IRA called off its Midlands campaign because of the 'outrage of civilian deaths on this scale' or 'some other reason'. Sir Peter said: 'This is something that the city of Birmingham has suffered now for many years. 'While the inquests will inevitably focus on those who died we must also remember many other lives were and continue to be affected.' Jurors, sitting at Birmingham Civil Justice Centre, were told they would hear evidence from only a few eyewitnesses of those there on the evening, because some were 'no longer alive'. He added: 'They will be doing their best to recollect events accurately, but we all know memory will sometimes have gaps. 'Recollection may sometimes be distorted or inaccurate, it may be correct.' Sir Peter said 'nobody has been successfully prosecuted for the attack', and that the only men ever to stand trial, the Birmingham Six, were freed on appeal in 1991. He also said: 'Nobody is on trial here, an inquest does not decide matters of criminal or civil liability, and this is not a question of attributing blame to any individuals.' A man grips an ambulance bar in pain. The blasts injured 220 people A body is carried from the Mulberry Bush pub in Birmingham after it was wrecked by a bomb in 1974 This picture shows the Mulberry Bush pub reduced to rubble following the bombing He told jurors 'who may well be wondering, "why now?"', that the original inquests were put aside in 1975, with the start of the six men's criminal trial. The former chief coroner for England and Wales added there would be details of the so-called 'forewarning issue', and evidence the British authorities may have received information signalling there were to be bomb attacks. Families' fight for justice Relatives of the victims have been waiting for decades to find out officially what happened to their loved ones. Inquests were opened but never resumed after the 1975 conviction of the Birmingham Six. They were freed in 1991 after evidence of a botched police investigation and no-one else has been charged. In 2011, campaign group Justice4the21 was launched, calling for a public inquiry into the bombings. In 2016 coroner Louise Hunt said the inquests could resume but Sir Peter Thornton QC later said identifying the culprits would be unlawful. Bereaved families fought a legal battle against this but last September the Court of Appeal upheld his decision. Advertisement Among them, evidence of an alleged tip-off concerning a 'possible conversation in a local prison nearly two weeks before the bombings'. Jurors would also hear an account of 'evidence of a student's visit to a police station the evening of the bombings, which was cancelled'. Detailing the chain of events that night, Sir Peter said that at 8.11pm, the Birmingham Post and Mail newspaper received a coded bomb warning from a man 'with an Irish accent' accompanied with the code word 'double X'. This was the code agreed at the time between the Provisional IRA and the British security services to identify a real attack. The caller, ringing from a telephone box, spoke of a bomb in the city's landmark Rotunda, and the tax office in New Street. The newspaper's telephonist's record of the message made no mention of pubs. The two bombs detonated in 'massive explosions' between 8.15pm and 8.20pm, killing 19 on the night - eight in the Mulberry Bush at the foot of the rotunda, and two outside the nightspot. Another nine died in the Tavern In The Town, which was a large pub in the basement of the same building as the tax office, King Edward's House. Two died later of their injuries, with 12 of the victims under 25 years old. Glass from the pub's shattered windows was blown out over the pavements by the explosion The bombs destroyed the Mulberry Bush pub (left) and the Tavern in the Town (right) Hearings will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday with pen portraits of each of the victims, while on Thursday, the jurors will be taken to the former sites of the pubs - both long since gone. The inquests are the culmination of years of campaigning by relatives of the dead for a full account into the circumstances of what happened on the night of November 21, 1974. The question of identifying precisely who the bombers were will not form part of proceedings. The IRA bombing of the Mulberry Bush and Tavern in the Town pubs was the deadliest post-Second World War attack on the British mainland, until the July 7 London blasts in 2005. A botched investigation by West Midlands Police led to the convictions of the Birmingham Six, who were found guilty of the murders a year later. Their imprisonment became a cause celebre for many years and one of the country's most infamous miscarriages of justice. Their convictions were quashed by the Court of Appeal in 1991, after the men had spent 16 years behind bars. Julie Hambleton (second from left), and Michelle Sealey (left) and Paul Bridgewater (right) whose father Paul Davies was also among those killed, gathered with other relatives in the grounds of Birmingham Cathedral in Birmingham today A memorial was erected to the 21 victims of the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings in the grounds of Birmingham Cathedral in Birmingham He previously ruled that the hearings will be Article 2 inquests, examining whether the British state or its agents failed to adequately protect the victims. Julie Hambleton, whose 18-year-old sister Maxine was among those killed, will be attending the inquest. Speaking before the jury hearings, she has said all the families of the bereaved were seeking was 'truth, justice and accountability'. The Birmingham Six: what was the atrocity which led to the infamous miscarriage of justice? Until the 7/7 London bombings in 2005, the Birmingham bombings was the worst ever terrorist attack on the British mainland. The explosions at the Mulberry Bush pub, and the Tavern in the Town, on 21 November 1974 killed 21 people and injured 220 others. Under its own code of conduct during the Troubles, the Provisional IRA would give prior warning of bombings. Their campaign was intended to instill terror without claiming civilian lives which would undermine support for their cause. On the evening of 21 November 1974, a man with an Irish accent called Birmingham newspapers to say two bombs were planted in the Rotunda building and in a tax office on New Street. He signed off with the then-official code word the Provisional IRA used to authenticate a warning call. Former IRA members have since claimed the call was delayed due to damage to a nearby phonebox. The caller did not provide the specific location of the bombs. West Midland Police officers rushed to respond but were unable to locate the Mulberry Bush bomb before it went off at 8:17pm, killing 10 people. The accompanying bomb in the Tavern in the Town went off 10 minutes later killing 11 people. A third bomb that failed to detonate was found in the doorway of Barclays Bank on the Hagley Road, two miles from the pub bombings. Advertisement Last year campaigners reacted with dismay to the ruling that this inquest will not address the issue of who actually perpetrated the atrocity. Sir Peter Thornton QC, the coroner in charge, won a Court of Appeal challenge in September, successfully arguing it was not his job to investigate who was responsible for the two bombs, which killed 21 and injured 220 people. Julie Hambleton said at the time: 'We feel as though we've been punched in the stomach again. 'What we do, we do for 21 people who aren't here to do it for themselves. 'They don't have a voice, they don't have a physical presence, but we do so we are their voice.' Sir Peter Thornton QC, the coroner in charge, successfully argued last year it was not for him to investigate who was really responsible for the bombings This morning the coroner told jurors: 'It was a normal Thursday evening in Birmingham, on November 21, 1974. 'It was not a weekend, but the pubs, two in particular, were busy enough and both quite popular with young people.' He added the premises were only some 50 yards away from one another. 'At 8pm that evening, it was a perfectly ordinary evening in the two pubs, a film was showing at the Odeon cinema but just after 8.15pm, all of that changed,' Sir Peter said. 'Moments later there was an explosion at the Mulberry Bush, and just minutes later a second explosion at the Tavern In The Town. 'They were massive explosions.' He told jurors: 'After hearing the evidence you may conclude the bombs were brought and planted in such a way that extensive loss of life, injury and devastation, would have been caused. 'They were planted in enclosed spaces in busy pubs, where there were many people. 'You may be asked to determine whether those who died were unlawfully killed.' Last month it was announced that an inquest into the deaths of four soldiers and a civilian at a pub in Guildford the same year is to resume after 45 years. The murders resulted in the wrongful imprisonment of the 'Guildford Four' who were released in 1989 and whose case was often mentioned alongside the Birmingham Six. Liam Adams (pictured) was jailed for 16 years after being convicted of rape and sexual assault against his daughter Aine Dahlstrom The convicted paedophile brother of former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has died after a battle with cancer. Former IRA commander Liam Adams, 63, was jailed for 16 years in 2013 after being convicted of rape and sexual assault against his daughter Aine Dahlstrom. Ms Dahlstrom, 45, was abused from when she was just four-years-old, and waived her right to anonymity in 2009 so her father's name could be reported. She went to police in 2007 after finding out he was working in a youth club that her children attended. Adams was diagnosed with cancer three years into his sentence and had been receiving treatment while behind bars. He was moved out of Maghaberry Prison near Lisburn, Northern Ireland, earlier this month to spend his final days in a hospice. Gerry Adams visited his brother on his deathbed earlier this month. The former president of Sinn Fein - regarded as the political wing of the IRA - revealed in 2009 that their father, Gerry Snr, had physically and sexually abused members of their family. The Department of Justice said: 'The Northern Ireland Prison Service can confirm the death in custody of a 63-year-old prisoner from Maghaberry Prison. 'The prisoner died on Monday morning. His next of kin have been informed. 'As is standard procedure, the PSNI and Prisoner Ombudsman have been informed.' Gerry Adams (left) visited his brother on his deathbed earlier this month. Pictured right: Aine Dahlstrom Ronnie Armour, head of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, said: 'I would like to extend my sympathy to the family of the prisoner. 'My thoughts are with them at this difficult time.' Adams abused Ms Dalhstrom over a six-year period during the 1970s and 1980s. Adams, a former youth worker, was convicted of 10 offences - three counts of rape, four of indecent assault and three of gross indecency. In 2015, Adams lost an appeal at the High Court against his conviction and sentencing. Gerry Adams gave evidence at his brother's first trial - which collapsed in April 2013 for legal reasons. Adams, pictured outside Belfast Crown Court in April 2013 During the 2013 trial, Mr Adams told the court that in 2000, during a walk in the rain in Dundalk, his brother had admitted sexually abusing his daughter, Ms Dalhstrom. Mr Adams made his first report to police about the allegations in 2007 shortly after his party voted to accept the PSNI, but did not tell officers about the confession until 2009, when he made a second statement. Mr Adams was criticised for not informing police about the confession at an earlier date. In 2015, the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman found that police were not politically motivated when they said Gerry Adams should not be prosecuted for allegedly withholding information about his paedophile brother. The police watchdog said there was no evidence of misconduct, or that officers had been influenced by the former Sinn Fein president's status. Ms Dahlstrom first took the matter to police in the mid-1980s. This was in the midst of the Northern Ireland Troubles and a time when many people in republican communities distrusted and refused to co-operate with the security forces. She did not pursue the matter at that stage, claiming that detectives were more interested to hear information about her famous uncle than about the allegations she was levelling against her father. It would be another 20 years before she went to police again, after finding out that her father was working in a west Belfast youth club that her children attended. Adams subsequently went on the run to the Irish Republic, triggering a long extradition battle. Advertisement These haunting before-and-after pictures show how a notorious medic persuaded his patients to have a lobotomy, a horrific practice which ruined the life of John F. Kennedy's sister Rosemary. The procedure, once believed to treat mental disorders, saw medics cutting into patients' brains while they were still conscious and severing part of the prefrontal cortex. Taken by Walter Freeman, who specialized in lobotomy, the pictures were used to claim that the patients had recovered and in order to sell the now-discredited method. While some of the patients look happier after the lobotomy, the photos also show how many of them suffered permanent and damaging physical transformations as a result. This woman was described as 'the meanest woman' when she was pictured (left) in March 1942, before the lobotomy. In the second picture two weeks later she is described as 'giggling a lot' but has lost much of her hair Decline: In this image, the female patient is seen smiling (left) six months after the lobotomy operation, but five years later (right) the now-discredited procedure has taken its toll This woman was one of Walter Freeman's lobotomy patients. He claimed the woman weighed 85lbs in the left-hand picture, before the lobotomy, and 210lbs afterwards, in the right-hand picture three years later Rosemary Kennedy was one of Freeman's patients, ruining her youthful good looks, leaving her incapacitated and condemning her to live in medical institutions for the rest of her life. The third-eldest Kennedy child, Rosemary was born with cognitive disabilities in 1918, and never progressed beyond the intellectual level of a fourth grader. Rosemary Kennedy (pictured before her lobotomy) was one of Freeman's patients, ruining her youthful good looks and condemning her to live in medical institutions for the rest of her life While she was docile as an adolescent, Rosemary became prone to outbursts when she hit puberty and started worrying her parents when she started escaping from her boarding school at night. When she was 23 her father Joe Kennedy secretly took her to get a lobotomy that left her incapacitated for the rest of her life. She died in a medical institution in 2005. When asked about the family tragedy, Rose addressed her daughter's condition but refused to elaborate about the procedure. 'Rosemary's mind is gone completely,' Rose said. 'That was due to an accident, which I don't really discuss.' Rose watched four of her nine children die early deaths - her eldest Joe Jr in World War II, sons Jack and Bobby in assassinations and daughter Kathleen in a plane crash. Despite having no formal surgical training, Freeman performed over 3,400 lobotomies from the mid-1930s to the mid-1960s. He boasted that he was so good at lobotomies that he could perform the debilitating procedure in only ten minutes. The physician would take photographs of his patients before and after the lobotomy, in order to promote the notorious practice. In one of the transformation photographs, it is stated that Freeman's female patients was schizophrenic prior to the procedure and all that could be done was to turn into her a 'veritable household pet'. Despite the public awareness of the lobotomy's debilitating side effects - and its 14 per cent fatality rate - the operation continued until the 1970s. Advertising: A before-and-after shot of a 27-year-old patient who Walter Freeman said was suffering from catatonic schizophrenia before the procedure. She is pictured smiling 16 months later Another woman, aged 40, who was said to have been suffering from catatonic schizophrenia is seen smiling a year later (right) in one of Freeman's advertising pictures after undergoing a lobotomy The picture on the left was taken on May 6, 1942, before the lobotomy, when the patient was quoted as saying 'God, I'm getting ready to blow up.' On the after picture, taken in September 1946, it is written that he is 'Employed and going to night school' This patient was a 32-year-old telephone operator who had already had a lobotomy when the picture was taken, left, in February 1936 but was still suffering with illness. The picture on the right is taken three years later, with Freeman saying that 'she is no longer bothered by her fears and obsession', but the procedure also appears to have aged her In the before picture (left) this woman is described as having suffered depression of four years with a constant complaint of a painful eye. In the second picture (right) taken one year after her operation, she is described as being 'indolent and euphoric, and subject to convulsive seizures, but she made no complaints' This woman was suffering from schizophrenia when she underwent Freeman's lobotomy in 1948. In the right-hand picture she is seen apparently looking well and it is written that she continued well for six months afterwards Freeman said this patient was worried because he couldn't find a job, and couldn't find a job because he worried so much. The picture on the right is taken December 1940 and it's written that the lobotomy broke through his vicious circle and he found a job and peace of mind. Freeman stated that this woman was schizophrenic and all that could be done was to turn her into a 'veritable household pet'. Portugese doctor Antonio Egas Moniz first developed the modern lobotomy in 1935, traveling abroad to promote the method, for which he received a Nobel Prize. He inspired Walter Freeman, who was based in Washington, to take up the procedure. During the surgery a metal tool was inserted through the eye socket into the skull cavity, and wrenched around to sever the connections of the pre-frontal cortex from the rest of the brain. Almost 50,000 people received lobotomies during the 1940s and 1950s in the United States alone. Some survivors were left with no noticeable differences, but others were physically damaged for life or lived in a persistent vegetative state. Freeman's caption on this image reads: 'The change in personality suggested here is typical of that which usually follows prefrontal lobotomy. The patient is shown before the operation in the picture at the left, and seventeen months after lobotomy at the right' A before and after shot of a little boy that underwent a lobotomy at the hands of Walter Freeman. It was stated that the eight-year-old boy was suffering from schizophrenia before the operation and had to be caged in the basement The before image of this patient is dated October 1940 and she is decribed as having been 'agitated five years.' In the after picture, taken in September 1941, she is quoted as saying 'I'm hungry right after I eat.' A before and after shot of a patient, aged 49, who underwent a lobotomy at the hands of Walter Freeman, date unknown. She is shown smiling in the second picture as Freeman tried to sell his controversial procedure The pictures of this lobotomy patient are taken just one day apart and it is stated that the patient had been restrained for two years due to extreme violence A commuter who spent five hours a day on the train has built a 2.8million property empire after researching buying and selling houses on his journey to work. Father of three Ian Pattison, 46, of Loughborough, Leicestershire, turned his life around after his work life put a strain on his marriage and he didn't seen his children. He would get up at 5.15am every day to to travel into London to his job as a safety advisor and return home at 9pm. But he eventually decided to make the most of his commute to the capital by spending the hours looking into how to be a property investor. Ian Pattison (pictured with his three sons and wife Julie on a Disney holiday) said he is now able to have breakfast with the kids, go for a run during the day with his wife and go to the gym when he wants Mr Pattison (pictured with his wife Julie) was getting up at 5.15am every day and not returning home until 9pm The property investor (pictured speaking at an event) spent five hours a day looking into how he could make money from the venture As well as listening to podcasts and reading books, Mr Pattison would also look at house deals to try and make some money. He tried multiple ways at first, including buying properties and then immediately trying to sell them at a profit, as well as buying property 'off-plan'. Mr Pattison, who was also hit with the threat of redundancy and developed diabetes said: 'I didn't have any time and I was fed up with the long hours. 'I'd spend the weekends just trying to recover and sleeping. Mr Pattison and his wife Julie (left pictured together on holiday, left, and right) have both been able to give up their jobs because the business has proved so lucrative Father of three Ian Pattison (pictured) turned his life around after his work life put a strain on his marriage and he didn't seen his children 'When I was put at risk of redundancy, I realised my job was no safer than anyone else's. How did he build up a 2.8million property portfolio? Ian Pattison owns 24 properties. He spent the time on the train to learn the business, and looking into how he could make money from property. He would look at house deals, buying properties off plan at first. Mr Pattison bought three properties off plan, but because he had money tied up for too long, he looked at other ways forward. He then looked at lease option agreements and HMO's (houses of multiple occupation) Mr Pattison then went on a property investors course, to look at how he could get the best returns from them. The course was run by Samuel Leeds, who runs Property Investors. Advertisement 'No matter how much you're earning, as soon as that stops you've got nothing to rely on. I needed to do something different that I could rely on.' He added: 'No-one else has diabetes in my family, or any history of it, so it was a bit left-side. I think it was sitting down all day and not exercising that probably caused that.' He eventually went on a property investors course, run by multi-millionaire Samuel Leeds. It gave him all the tips he needed to make a successful career. He now has a property portfolio of nearly 3million and he and his wife gave up their jobs because the venture has proved so lucrative. Mr Pattison added: 'I can now have breakfast with the kids, go for a run during the day with my wife, go to the gym when I want and go to visit my mum during the week.' Samuel Leeds, chairman of Property Investors UK, said: 'What Ian has achieved for himself and his family has been incredible. A map showing Mr Pattison's five hour journey to and from Loughborough to London, which he made five days a week Mr Pattison would get up at 5.15am every day and travel to London from Loughborough station (pictured) His train would arrive at London St Pancras (pictured). He would make his way home in the evening and not return until about 9pm 'Out of the thousands of students who have attended the Property Investors Crash Course, Ian stood out as one who would go particularly far. 'He picked up the investment strategies very quickly and was highly motivated to gain a better life.' This is the moment a soldier is caught in a huge flag and lifted into the air before being dropped more than 20 feet in a freak accident. Video footage taken during the rehearsal for a flag-lifting ceremony in the Parque Central El Palomar park, in Chihuahua, Mexico, shows the man thud to the ground. Dozens of people are seen gathered at the park on Friday as the massive flag flutters in the wind and a military band plays music. The huge flag starts to open up, left, at the Parque Central El Palomar park, in Mexico, before soldier Raul Misal Flores falls, right, from it However a few seconds later when the flag has fully opened a man, identified as Raul Misal Flores, drops from from the red corner and onlookers start to scream. People cover their faces and rush to where Mr Flores has landed to try and help him. Local media report the soldier got his foot stuck in the flag and was swept up into the air with it when it was lifted. Mr Flores fell between five and seven metres (16-23 feet) and suffered injuries to his chest, hips and feet, as well as a lung contusion. He told reporters: 'I thought I was going to die and I thought of my mother.' The Mexican Army soldier was taken to the Army hospital and was visited by Javier Corral, the Governor of the state. Javier Corral, the Governor of the state, visits Mr Mr Flores in hospital after his painful fall Mr Corral said: 'I came here to thank you for everything you are doing, and especially for your help in Chihuahua. I came here to see you to cheer you up. I'm glad it was not worse.' Doctors at the hospital described Flores' condition as stable but confirmed he had broken three ribs. The Governor promised to support the soldier and help his family to visit him during his recovery process. Labour has 'under-estimated' anti-Semitism in its ranks and has a 'much larger' number of racist members than it thought, the leader of Momentum admitted today. Jon Lansman, who founded the hard-left campaign group out of Jeremy Corbyn's first leadership campaign, said Labour had to be more proactive to find anti-Semites. But he rejected claims from Labour deputy leader Tom Watson that Mr Corbyn should take personal charge of the fight to root out abuse. Mr Watson yesterday sent a dossier of 50 new complaints about anti-Semitism to Mr Corbyn. Labour's deputy leader has become the focus of resistance to Mr Corbyn after eight MPs quit the party over anti-Semitism to set up the new Independent Group. Mr Watson has moved to create a new group inside Labour to promote the 'social democrat' tradition represented by many MPs who do not endorse Mr Corbyn's far left-wing agenda. Labour has 'under-estimated' anti-Semitism in its ranks and has a 'much larger' number of racist members than it thought, the leader of Momentum Jon Lansman (file) admitted today Jon Lansman, who founded the hard-left campaign group out of Jeremy Corbyn's (pictured on Saturday in Telford) first leadership campaign, said Labour had to be more proactive to find anti-Semites Meanwhile, Labour has declined to comment on reports that Mr Corbyn is to meet former justice secretary Lord Falconer of Thoroton to discuss how the party can tackle the issue of anti-Semitism. Mr Corbyn was said to be considering asking the peer, a former flatmate of Tony Blair, to be the party's anti-Semitism surveillance commissioner, with full oversight of how it handles complaints and decision-making processes. Mr Lansman - who is himself Jewish - told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he was 'extremely upset' by Ms Berger's departure, adding: 'I think any Jewish member of the party leaving the party because of anti-Semitism is a source of tremendous regret and sadness and some shame.' He rejected Ms Berger's claim that the party is 'institutionally anti-Semitic'. But he said: 'I do think we have a major problem and it always seems to me that we under-estimate the scale of it. I think it is a widespread problem. 'I think it is now obvious that we have a much larger number of people with hardcore anti-Semitic opinions which unfortunately is polluting the atmosphere in a lot of constituency parties and in particular online. We have to deal with these people.' Mr Lansman said he welcomed Mr Watson's decision to bring forward cases of alleged anti-Semitism, saying: 'I think it is a responsibility of everyone in the Labour Party, from the top to the bottom, to report cases ... I think we should be more proactive in going out and seeking cases, so I welcome that.' And on the deputy leader's decision to set up a group for centrist MPs, he said: 'We are a pluralist party ... I welcome that.' But he rejected claims from Labour deputy leader Tom Watson (pictured on Marr yesterday) that Mr Corbyn should take personal charge of the fight to root out abuse Mr Lansman said measures had been taken to speed up decision-making in anti-Semitism cases, but added: 'It has taken very much longer than we had hoped and it has proved larger and larger.' But he was wary of calls for Mr Corbyn to take personal charge. 'Jeremy Corbyn has been an anti-racist campaigner all his life, I have known him for decades and I do absolutely believe in his commitment to eradicate that,' he said. 'I think he is overseeing the party's battle against anti-Semitism. I'm not sure about him taking personal responsibility for cases. I think if he did that, some people might argue that that would be inappropriate.' Mr Lansman said the emergence of anti-Semitism as a major issue was in part due to the trebling of the size of Labour's membership since Mr Corbyn took the helm, with the 300,000 new members including some conspiracy theorists who are active on social media. 'There are conspiracy theorists in many parts of the political spectrum, I don't think it's exclusive to the Labour Party,' he said. But he added: 'The Tory Party is a smaller party and an elderly party and the role of social media in fomenting and spreading some of the poison is therefore more of a problem in the Labour Party.' A Briton arrested over a double stabbing at a Benidorm bar may end up being accused of attempted homicide because of the injuries suffered by an alleged victim, it emerged today. One of the casualties was stabbed in the stomach in Calle Majorca - in the resort's Little England area - last night and was admitted to a hospital intensive care unit, sources said. Another was said to have been stabbed in the chest. Detectives have arrested two British men aged 20 and 21. One of the stab wound victims is Romanian and the other is from the Czech Republic. Two British men have been arrested after two workers were stabbed at a Benidorm nightspot last night (file picture) At least one of the alleged victims is a bouncer at Beachcomber where last night's incident occurred and the other is also a worker, although it was not immediately clear if he was also a doorman or PR staff. The source said: 'One of the Brits was arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide and wounding and the other for an offence of making threats. 'One of the casualties, the most seriously injured of the two, was stabbed in the abdomen and was admitted to intensive care. The other was stabbed in the chest.' No-one was available at the hospital in Villajoyosa where the two workers were taken to comment on their conditions today. It was not immediately clear if the most seriously-injured man was from Romania or the Czech Republic. Police confirmed this morning they had held two men they said came from the UK, although they were not able to confirm local reports they were Scottish and said they could not give out any info on where they were from in Britain. The initial information was that the victims' injuries were not life-threatening, although it subsequently emerged at least one of the men had been rushed to intensive care. Beachcomber is in Calle Mallorca - English for Mallorca Street - in Benidorm's famous Little England area. Calle Majorca is the street where a British holidaymaker was shot in the buttocks last July. Another two men - both of north African origin - also suffered gunshot wounds. The 42-year-old Briton was caught up in a gang war between North African drug dealers and criminals from Eastern Europe. Police said in December they had arrested the suspected gunman, describing him as a 42-year-old Serbian and the main leader of a criminal organisation allegedly involved in extortion and settling of scores. A spokesman for Spain's National Police in the area said this morning: 'Two men have been arrested over a stabbing incident in Benidorm last night around 10.30pm. 'They are both British and aged 20 and 21. 'Two people, workers at the place where the incident happened, suffered stab wounds.' Although it was initially thought the two Brit detainees may appear in court later today, authorities said any court appearance would almost certainly take place tomorrow. The hearing will take place in private as is normal in Spain where only trials take place in public. The men are expected to be placed under formal investigation as part of an ongoing probe, although formal charges would not be laid until just before any trial as is normal in Spain. The judge would be tasked with deciding whether to remand the suspects in custody or release them on bail pending the ongoing probe. It is understood a third person was also hurt in yesterday's/Sunday's incident, but did not suffer stab wounds. No-one was available for comment at Beachcomber this morning. The music bar, which has a dance floor and has guest DJs, describes itself on social media as 'the place where the party's at.' A Foreign Office spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Our staff are in contact with the Spanish authorities following the arrest of two British men in Benidorm.' A 14-year-old boy died when his father fell 18 feet off a rooftop, and landed directly onto him, in central Italy. Pasquale Persia, 14, from Monterotondo near Rome, was holding a ladder while his father Gabrielle, 55, attempted to fix a storm-damaged barn roof. A strong gust of wind knocked the 55-year-old off the side of the barn, and he fell on top of his son, who suffered fatal head injuries and reportedly died instantly. Italian teenager Pasquale Persia has died while helping his father fix the roof of a barn damaged by a storm. The 55-year-old father was blown off the building and crushed his son below The boy's father is believed to have fallen 18ft off the side of a barn on the family's wood business premises, which led to 'fatal head injuries' Horrified Mr Persia called emergency services himself and was treated for shock and cuts and bruises by paramedics. Police believe the boy may have come outside to help out his father he seeing he was struggling due to strong winds. A police spokesman said: 'This was a tragic accident and the father is very upset. It was an unfortunate combination of circumstances and it appears he fell because of the high wind. 'By an atrocious destiny he fell onto his son who suffered fatal injuries. He himself was unhurt but was obviously very shocked.' The family are believed to run this wood business on the outskirts of Monterotondo, to the north of Rome Strong winds whipping through central Italy killed at least four people on Saturday. Two men in their 70s were killed by a farm wall that collapsed on top of them near Frosinone, while a 45-year old man died when a pine tree in Guidonia near the Italian capital crushed his car, it said. Gusts from the Mediterranean were said to have reached up to 32mph. A Turkish cargo vessel which had sought shelter near the coast was driven aground by gale force winds in the southern port of Bari, the Italian coast guard said. Firefighters at work after a tree fell on a car killing a 45-year-old man from Romania. Several trees have fallen in the area because of the strong wind. Strong gusts from the Mediterranean on Saturday have killed at least four people across Italy and Croatia Advertisement These stunning pictures reveal the color and creativity of Burning Man festivals around the globe, inspired by the annual counterculture gathering in the Nevada desert. Photos show visitors at the artistic showpiece - which prides itself on 'radical self-expression' - posing nude in the desert, dressing in elaborate costumes and watching as sculptures of humans are set alight. Bizarre installations including a tottering complex of wooden towers, a collection of teapots on wheels and a giant motorized fish are also on display. Radical self-expression: A woman poses almost nude in the Nevada desert (left) while another visitor wears oversized goggles (right), during the Burning Man festival which encourages principles including 'radical self-expression' and 'radical inclusion' Visitors: A group of mainly female guests poses in front of one of the installations at the Burning Man festival, which began in the United States and has inspired similar copycat events around the world Counterculture: Two nude dancers strike a pose in the Nevada desert (left) while another man shows off his elaborate feathered costume (right) Long way from the sea: An electric motorized fish lights up the darkness in the Nevada desert as festival-goers climb aboard The burning man: A human figure inside a wheel is set alight in the desert as festival-goers watch and take pictures, in the ritual which gives the 33-year-old festival its name The first Burning Man celebration took place in 1986 in San Francisco, when artist Larry Harvey burned a 9ft wooden sculpture of a man on a beach to mark the summer solstice. In 1990 the festival moved to Nevada's Black Rock desert, where a steampunk city pops up every year, and has inspired copycat events around the world. The tribute festivals including Afrika Burn, held at Tankwa Karoo National Park in South Africa, and MidBurn in the Negev Desert in Israel. The week-long festival hosts some 70,000 people, who pay up to $1,200 for a ticket. Attendees are expected to abide by Burning Man's ten core principles, which included 'radical inclusion', 'radical self-reliance' and 'radical self-expression'. Stable? A temporary city pops up every year in Black Rock Desert in Nevada including these tottering wooden towers, as tens of thousands of guests attend the festival Creative: Festival-goers inspect one of the most bizarre installations, a set of oversized teapots on wheels and stilts Sunset: The embers of a Burning Man festival in a South African national park - another of the events inspired by the original in Nevada - burn out under the sunset Fire and flame: A man in an extravagant head-dress walks by the fire while hundreds of people gather around to watch the ceremonial burning at Afrikaburn, in South Africa Bizarre: One of the unusual vehicles at a Burning Man festival, which appears to be producing flames while people ride on it The collection of pictures was taken by Marek Musil, a Czech photographer who has traveled the globe attending radical arts festivals. 'A few years ago I was living in New York and my flatmate was a regular visitor of Burning Man,' he said. 'Since then I had a dream to see this crazy world for myself. After I came back from my first Burning Man in 2016, I found out that the burners' world is not only in the Nevada desert. 'The planet is full of burners and there are festivals everywhere. The biggest are in South Africa and in Israel. 'So I thought three different continents, three different kinds of burners but the same philosophy everywhere - that would be the basis for my Burning Man Collection.' Praising the concept of the event, he said: 'I think it could be a very simple model for a better life in today's society. 'You can see in my photos that it's a different world - dust and light, grains of sand. All mixed in with the positive atmosphere of freedom and tolerance. 'Crazy art cars and installations, lucky people from all over the world, cool costumes, dance, love, smiles, wine, breath-taking sunsets and bright early morning light. 'It is a big party where people like each other, everyone is friendly and open to new enjoyments.' Artistic: A man sits and eats food in front of an illuminated outline of a human head, with other festival-goers in tents nearby during the MidBurn event in Israel - one of the festivals inspired by Nevada's Burning Man extravaganza Representation: The LGBTQ+ community makes itself known by waving huge flags at the Burning Man festival in Nevada Elaborate: Two festival-goers show off their decorative outfits, with one guest wearing a pair of goggles which look as though they are encrusted with jewels, while another has feathers in his hat One of Australia's top policemen who targets the country's worst paedophiles has revealed the lengths they will go to lure children as young as six months old. Queensland-based Detective Inspector Jon Rouse, who has been tackling online predators for more than 18 years, says there's a new terrifying online trend that paedophiles are using to avoid detection. In one example, the policeman said a university professor was arrested after he pretended to be pop star Justin Bieber in order to lure starstruck kids. 'What this "Justin Bieber" made these children do was really quite horrendous, and that is the kind of thing that we continue to see,' Det Insp Rouse told A Current Affair on Monday night. Detective Inspector Jon Rouse (pictured) has revealed the disturbing lengths paedophiles and online predators will go to in order to lure Australian kids With online predators constantly finding new ways to trick children, Det Insp Rouse said that parents need to step in and monitor their children's social profiles. He said children should not have their own profile photo on any social media accounts and that parents must monitor security settings and even friend lists on all accounts. He recalled an investigation he was involved in last year when a child victim was abused on Snapchat. The victim had over 97,000 contacts and the offender had about 100,000 contacts. Inspector Jon Rouse is part of a task force that has rescued more than 362 children from 58 countries around the world from child abuse in the past 18 months. He revealed 'three to five per cent of a population has the potential to have a sexual interest in a child' 'Would you be happy that your child is instantly in contact, or followed by, over 100,000 people?' he said. Det Insp Rouse also added that an increasing number of children were becoming so obsessed with internet fame that they were beginning to post more provocative material. He urged children to re-think before they posted as the material could easily be used to blackmail and manipulate them. While he said it was imperative to keep a close eye on children's social habits, he urged parents not to take devices away from them. Instead he advised parents to sit down with their children and have an open and honest conversation about online safety. Det Insp Rouse said the community should be aware of the difficulty in identifying a paedophile and the fact that not all predators fit one specific profile. He added that predators come from all demographics and can be aged anywhere from 18 to 70-plus. 'There is no profile - they come from all works of life, all occupations. 'They live amongst us. They walk amongst us. You just wouldn't know, you just can't pick them,' he said. Det Insp Rouse also revealed that an alarming number of people have 'paedophilic tendencies'. 'They say three to five percent of a population has the potential to have a sexual interest in a child,' he explained. Det Insp Rouse is part of a 40-strong task force that has rescued more than 362 children from 58 countries around the world in the past 18 months. It is reported that one billion children around the world are affected by child abuse. Boastful Brits are lining up to have their unusual junk food quirks brutally slated on a new Facebook group. Kebabs, pizzas, curries and even fry-ups are being judged on Rate My Takeaway. But proud eaters are facing a fierce backlash and comical comebacks over their culinary choices. One - called Leanne L - posted a snap of her super spicy kebab which had eleven giant Jalapeno peppers on top. Leanne L's spicy chicken Kebab with a topping of eleven jalapeno peppers on a layer of barely visible chicken and chips Colin Barnes responded to Leanne's Kebab: 'Santiago called, it wants it's country back.' Steve Brown commented: 'Johnny Cash called to say that is a ring of fire.' Ryan Palmer joked: 'Nice! That's a decent ratio of kebab to peppers.' Jason Porter quipped: 'Sneaky feeling you might s**t the bed.' Proud Mike M uploaded a photo of his unappetizing takeaway Full English in a carton. Dave Bache posted a comment on the group which has quickly amassed 97,000 followers. He said: 'Breakfast to go*.in the f*****g bin. Mike M's breakfast to go which was met with disgust on 'rate my takeaway' Facebook group as people questioned the brown ooze at the bottom of the container A controversial combination: Camilla R showed off her ham and banana pizza Another John Kerr joked: 'Cut out the middleman, just flush it down the toilet.' Camila R bragged about her odd pizza topping choice of banana. But Paul Butler said: 'Who the f**k puts ham on a banana pizza?' Trev R posted a snap of his midweek lunch made up of a kebab, chips and a can of Coke. Alexandra Holloway panned him saying: 'It's 1pm on a Tuesday, everything ok at home hun?' Trev R's weekday lunch of kebab, chips and a can of coke, which led some to question his welfare and why he was eating such a meal at 1pm on a Tuesday Adam L showed of his curry which looked more like dog food. Charlotte Kelly was quick to point it out saying: 'Mmmm Winalot and rice with a naan.' The group comes hot on the heels of Rate My Plate which judging home-cooked food. It has amassed 1.9million followers. It was made famous after Carol C was slammed for her sloppy fry-up. Adam L's curry attracted some unpleasant comparisons with one user posting a 'stool chart' to help Adam identify his food. Another questioned why he was eating on the bathroom floor A man had his heel ripped open after the Lime scooter he was using to ride to work seized up and threw him off. Jordan Madigan, 26, contacted the company complaining that the incident had occurred on three separate occasions around Brisbane's CBD. On the third, the scooter threw him off so suddenly that it whipped around and struck his foot - which was enclosed in sneakers - so hard that it tore the skin right off. A man had his heel ripped open after the Lime scooter he was using to ride to work seized up and threw him off 'I had a leather work shoe on, but it was blood-soaked from the wound on the back of my heel. It had been cut open,' Mr Madigan told The Brisbane Times. Mr Madigan was forced to get stitches after the ordeal and needed antibiotics and crutches for a few days. His medical expenses totalled at about $175. He reached out to the company, who acknowledged that they were aware of similar complaints overseas. Mr Madigan was forced to get stitches after the ordeal and needed antibiotics and crutches for a few days Lime confirmed they had responded to similar accusations in New Zealand Lime confirmed they had responded to similar accusations in New Zealand. They told the Auckland Council the front wheels seizing up were caused by 'a software glitch' but didn't go into further detail. The glitch has also been reported in Switzerland. 'We recently became aware of an operational issue affecting certain scooters. While the issue is still under investigation, user safety is our first priority and affected scooters have been removed from circulation,' a statement from the company read. Lime's public liability insurance in Brisbane is currently set for over $20million, above the state's compliance standards. A 47-year-old man who tried to abduct two children from a hospital has been arrested. According to an eyewitness to the chilling attempted crimes, the man tried to take a little boy from his mother in the A&E department. When that attempt failed he snuck in to the secure unit and took a child from his father. The man was spotted and stopped in both cases by the parents of the children, police said. Officers were called to the emergency department of Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital at aorund 7.30pm on Sunday following reports that someone tried to take a child, a West Midlands Police spokesman said. New Cross Hospital where a man allegedly attempted to abduct two children yesterday One of West Midlands Police's twitter accounts released the news an arrest had been made the alleged abduction attempts took place at New Cross Hospital in the Midlands Birmingham Live reported the police were then called and the man was taken into custody. Full details have yet to emerge but the arrest was confirmed by the West Midlands Police on social media. The force said the incident had been 'traumatic for child and mother' and has launched an urgent investigation. He said: 'E-unit, Wolverhampton, have arrested a male on suspicion of child abduction from Newcross Hospital. A traumatic incident for child and mother. 'As reassurance, these incidents are very rare and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.' A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said: 'A man has been arrested after officers were called to New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton following reports of an attempted abduction at around 7:30pm last night. 'It is alleged that on two separate occasions, the 47-year-old man approached two children in the A & E department and tried to take them from the hospital. 'On both occasions, the parents intervened. The man was arrested on suspicion of attempted abduction and remains in police custody this morning. 'Incidents like this are extremely rare and were working with New Cross Hospital to provide reassurance to visitors and patients.' Last year the Express and Star newspaper revealed the hospital had the worst post-discharge death rate for patients in England. Five hundred people more than expected died within 30 days of leaving the hospital in 2017. NHS officials estimated there should have been 2,179 deaths at the hospital or within 30 days of discharge in 2017. However, 2,654 people died 22 per cent more than estimated, a higher percentage than any other hospital trust in England. In 2016, the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust again registered more deaths than expected. This was a total of 249, 11 per cent more than estimated. Bosses said they were carrying out diagnostic group reviews, focusing on pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, acute kidney injury, stokes and sepsis. Thirty five young elephants forcibly separated from their herds and crammed into small enclosures so they can be sold to China have been filmed by animal activists in Zimbabwe. The animals appear 'wide eyed', defensive, and show obvious signs of stress in the footage, according to campaign group Human Society International. The elephants are kept in enclosures after hunters using helicopters separate the youngsters from their herds, leaving them 'disoriented, exhausted and subdued'. Thirty five wild elephants were filmed inside pens at Hwange National Park, in Zimbabwe, after being separated from their herds using helicopters and tranqulised before being brought here The young are then darted and loaded on to trucks, with helicopters buzzing around to stop their mothers, who are extremely protective, trying to save them. 'It can take several attempts to successfully part the young from their mothers, who are extremely protective,' a source told The Times. Human Society International has called on Zimbabwe to stop the 'barbaric' practice of separating young elephants from their herds. Footage obtained by the group shows the elephants frantically pacing around pens inside Hwange National Park, showing signs of distress. Those signs include dark streaks down the side of their faces as they leak hormones from their temporal glands, and adopting splayed-ear defensive postures. Under Robert Mugabe's leadership, Zimbabwe regularly exported animals in order to settle debts. Campaigners say the animals, which are destined for zoos in China, show obvious signs of distress and are calling on Zimbabwe to end the 'barbaric' practice When deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa seized power in 2017 it was hoped the practice might stop, but this new video footage suggests otherwise. Audrey Delsink, Humane Society International's Africa wildlife director and an elephant biologist, said: 'The capture of baby elephants from the wild is barbaric, and captivity will be a life sentence of suffering. 'Video footage shows that these young animals are already displaying stress behaviour after being ripped away from their mothers and bonded family group, and are terrified. 'Calves normally remain closely bonded to their natal family groups; females never leave their families whilst males only leave the herd at 12 -15 years of age. 'With no adult females to look to for reassurance, guidance and learning, one can only imagine the youngsters distress. 'Zimbabwe continues to exploit its wildlife to the highest bidder with no meaningful oversight. Recognising elephants as sentient beings, South Africa has banned the capture of elephants from the wild for captivity. 'Zimbabwe must urgently follow suit to redeem itself.' A 31-year-old man accused of sexually abusing a seven-year-old girl in an Aboriginal community has asked a judge for protection in custody. Joseph Junior Gordon appeared in Darwin Local Court on Monday after he was arrested on Thursday at about 1.30pm in relation to a sexual assault at the northern suburb of Bagot, which police confirmed occurred at about 4am that morning. Gordon has pleaded for protection because he claims he has been threatened by other prisoners. A 31-year-old man was accused of sexually abusing a seven-year-old girl in the Aboriginal community of Bagot (pictured) in the northern suburbs of Darwin Joseph Junior Gordon has asked a judge for protection in custody after he claimed he was threatened by other prisoners (stock image) His lawyer Sam Emery told Judge Alan Woodcock Gordon was 'in need of protection and at risk of harm from others' because of the nature of the charges. 'Has he been threatened?' Judge Woodcock asked. 'He has indicated that to me, yes your honour,' Mr Emery said. The judge ordered prison authorities to investigate the allegations and treat Gordon accordingly. Nearby residents of Bagot said they were awoken to a girl screaming for her mother in the early hours of Thursday morning. The girl was rushed to Royal Darwin Hospital for assessment and later released. Gordon was charged with indecent dealing with a child under 16 and abduction on the day he was arrested. Gordon appeared in Darwin Local Court (pictured) on Monday after he was arrested on Thursday at about 1.30pm in relation to a sexual assault at the northern suburb of Bagot A crime scene had been set up in an empty lot at the end of a street and detectives around the community. The NT Government Territory Families department is working with police on the investigation as part of the Child Abuse Taskforce but will not confirm if the girl's family is known to them. Bagot is the oldest and largest Aboriginal closed-community in the Northern Territory, with a population of about 400 people. A community member has raised concerns around the scrutiny this alleged assault may bring on the community again. Last year the remote town of Tennant Creek was rocked by the alleged rape of a two-year-old girl. The case caused national outrage. In the last five years a total of 755 cases of reported sexual assaults of children under the age of 15 have occurred in the NT. It is reported that more than a quarter of these cases, 178 in total, involved youth offenders - 16 of which were under ten. Gordon was remanded in custody and is due to face court again in early April. Last year the remote town of Tennant Creek was rocked by the alleged rape of a two-year-old girl (stock image) Vegan activists stormed a Starbucks coffee shop yesterday, holding up images of pregnant cows and chanting at customers, in a bid to put people off having milk in their coffee. The campaigners from Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) Brighton disrupted service in the city cafe while holding up images of cows being impregnated and shouting about 'abuse' in the dairy industry. The activists were chanting 'Not your mum! Not your milk!' as they described how cows are treated on farms, while promoting what they call 'Februdairy'. Police were called in to Starbucks by stunned staff during the 'occupation'. The activists then surrounded Brighton Sausage Co. Activists 'occupied' Starbucks coffee shop in Brighton as customers looked on bemused 'It's not food, it's violence': Activists spoke of the industry practice which they say is extremely harmful to animals The cheese filled window was covered by signs reading: '97% of newborn dairy calves are forcibly removed from their mothers within the first 24hrs'. Protesters said one 'angry man tried to go for a female activist' in front of police outside the shop. 'The truth is the dairy industry is incredibly cruel and most people have no idea how much suffering and death is involved,' one of DxE Brighton's organisers said. '21,000,000 dairy calves are slaughtered for veal or cheap beef every year. 'Hopefully more people will think twice about who suffered for the milk and cheese they are buying after today.' 'Missing': Cows are being killed at a young age for human consumption Speaking in Starbucks one woman said: 'Dairy cows are continuously artificially and forcibly impregnated. Every year they go through over 9 months of pregnancy, they suffer through child birth and then have their babies stolen. 'This happens for profit. This happens so you can have milk in your coffee and cheese in your sandwich. These exhausted and abused dairy cows are typically slaughtered at just 5 years old, a fraction of their natural lifespan.' Another said: 'Nothing is sacred to the dairy industry, not motherhood, not a babies need to be with their mother, not pregnancy, not anything. The British cattle veterinary association found that roughly 150 thousand pregnant dairy cows are slaughtered every year.' DxE Brighton activists filled the cafe holding signs with messages like 'watch Dairy is Scary on YouTube' and 'you are not a baby cow'. Not every coffee drinker was impressed. One man said on Twitter: 'Just popped into Starbucks for a coffee and get accosted by vegan protestors shouting at the staff! You don't see me storming a vegan restaurant calling them all jihadis for beheading carrots! Thanks for the free coffee .' The same group has targeted other businesses, including a steak restaurant in which they played the sounds of animals being slaughtered to shocked diners in early December. Activists belonging to Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) also stormed HISBE sustainable food shop in Brighton, East Sussex, warning shoppers not to be 'gullible'. The store says it works with farms where animals are treated with care and respect, only selling locally sourced and free range produce. Its name stands for 'How It Should Be'. But protesters stormed the shop with megaphones to brand the business 'unethical', which owner Ruth Anslow said was 'completely false'. The police presence was called 'comical' by DxE. The group said in a statement: 'It was clear their loyalties sided with big buissnes and not animal lovers taking non violent direct action.' Starbucks has been asked to comment. A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: 'At 1.10pm on Sunday (24 February) police were called to the Starbucks in Jubilee Street in Brighton, where around 12 people were taking part in a vegan protest. The group left at around 2pm. There were no arrests.' The activists stood in the aisles of a sustainable food store in Brighton, calling its claim to use 'happy' animal products 'false advertising' 18 vegan activists formed a human guard in the meat aisle of a Waitrose store in Brighton in protest at killing turkeys at Christmas The group held placards saying: 'Humane murder is a lie' and 'It's not food it's violence', while one protester had a neck scarf made to look like it was covered in blood The mother of murdered toddler James Bulger has spoken of her relief after a film about his death failed to win an Oscar. Detainment, which is based on police interviews with 10-year-old killers Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, had been nominated for Best Live Action Short film. Irish filmmaker Vincent Lambe came under fire following Detainment's release last year after it was revealed that he had failed to warn the family about the film. James' mother Denis Fergus, who had called for a boycott of the film, expressed her delight after it was beaten to an award by Guy Nattiv's short Skin. Posting on Twitter, she wrote: 'I'm so made up, that short film Detainment did not win the Oscar. Denise Fergus (left) has spoken of her relief after a film about the death of her son James (shown right) failed to win an Oscar Mrs Fergus, who had called for a boycott of the film, expressed her delight after it was beaten to an award by Guy Nattiv's short Skin 'Can't tell you just how relieved I am, thanks to everyone who has agreed with me on this.' Ahead of Sunday's award ceremony, an online petition demanding Detainment's removal from the shortlist has so far attracted more than 230,000 signatures. Mrs Fergus has repeatedly called for Mr Lambe to remove the film and accused the director of being 'obsessed' with the case. However, Mr Lambe said pulling the film would defeat the object of creating it and said he had no regrets over the finished product. Mr Lambe said the controversy following the film's Oscar nod had been 'stressful' and had caused the return of asthma he suffered with during childhood. He claimed many of the criticisms levelled against the short picture are untrue, such as the claim it contains scenes of violence. Detainment, which is based on police interviews with 10-year-old killers Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, had been nominated for Best Live Action Short film During a visit to Ireland in January, Mrs Fergus said Mr Lambe had 'no right' to make the film and said he is 'obsessed' with her son's case. Mr Lambe said he regrets not consulting James' family sooner, but said he wanted to make a 'balanced' film and it could have been prejudiced by going to relatives. Venables and Thompson were both 10-years-old when they shocked Britain by abducting James, then just two-years-old. The crime made the boys the youngest killers in modern English history and public enemy number one with millions of Brits. The duo snatched Bulger from outside a butcher's shop in Bootle, Merseyside, in 1993, while his mother popped into a store for just a few seconds. The toddler's mutilated body was found on a railway line in Walton, Liverpool, two days later. Jon Venables (left) and Robert Thompson (right) were both 10-years-old when they shocked Britain by abducting James, then just two-years-old Venables and Thompson snatched Bulger from outside a butcher's shop in Bootle, Merseyside, in 1993, while his mother popped into a store for just a few seconds Venables and Thompson were found guilty of killing Bulger in November 1993 and were sentenced to custody until they reached 18. They were freed in 2001 after serving eight years behind bars, but by 2010 Venables was back in prison for violating the terms of his release by possessing child porn. It was revealed that he had downloaded and distributed more than 100 images of child abuse, some involving victims as young as two being raped. In one instance he messaged another paedophile claiming to be a married mother who abused her eight-year-old daughter, and offered to sell access to the child. He was freed from prison for the second time in 2013 after a recommendation from the Parole Board. The YMCA are battling with locals over its plans to sell a 1.5million historic country house that was built by one of Britain's greatest politicians. Richard Cobden, an iconic backbencher and regarded as the father of free trade, owned Dunford House in Midhurst, West Sussex. But the YMCA, who were gifted the magnificent Victorian mansion in 1952, have put it on the market. The YMCA are battling with locals over its plans to sell the 1.5million historic Dunford House (pictured) that was built by one on Britain's greatest politicians Richard Cobden (left), one of the greatest backbenchers of his time and regarded as the father of free trade, built Dunford House (right) in Midhurst, West Sussex Novelist Philippa Gregory, best known for The Other Boleyn Girl who once lived in Midhurst, wants to save the house form being turned into housing. She argues it should be rightfully returned to the Cobden heirs and claims selling it is 'against the original intention' of the gift, The Times reports. Many priceless possessions, including Cobden's library, historical papers, paintings and the seal used on the 1846 Corn Law repeal documents, still remain in the house. A petal Cobden picked from a rose growing outside the historic house, once visited by Gandhi, even remains on display at the British library. The great-great-grandson of the politician, Nick Cobden Wright, says there is a 'huge amount of anger' at the possibly of the politican's 'legacy being lost forever' Mr Cobden Wright claims the YMCA argued that money from the sale would be used for charity. Novelist Philippa Gregory (pictured), best known for The Other Boleyn Girl who once lived in Midhurst, wants to save the house form being turned into housing The great-great-grandson of the iconic politician, Nick Cobden Wright (pictured), says there is a 'huge amount of anger' at the house being sold and possibly converted into flats He told the newspaper: 'There's a huge amount of anger locally and nationally, but from a family perspective it's a modern world and a big property and [I understand that the charity] would expect to have something back.' He added that local people were upset at the house being sold and has since set up a GoFundMe page in an attempt to save the house. He wrote: 'It is critical we act quickly to fundraise and save Dunford from being sold to a third party, redeveloped with all the Cobden legacy lost forever.' The YMCA say they welcome the Cobden Foundation looking to make a bid and 'look forward to receiving their bid in due course for consideration', the Times reports. A school in Wyoming has set forth plans to open its derelict building once again for just one pupil. The Cozy Hollow School, that lies 60 miles north of Laramie, will open its doors for the single student about to begin kindergarten this fall. Albany County School District has decided to open a modular classroom already on site for the first time in more than ten years. This will be the second time a single student has been educated at the remote mountain region site. The Cozy Hollow School (pictured) in Wyoming, 60 miles north of Laramie, has set forth plans to open its derelict building once again for just one pupil this fall In 2004, the public school opened its doors to seventh grader Joe Kennedy, whose family owned a cattle ranch in the sparsely populated state, and his teacher Rebecca Rodgers. In an interview with the New York Times Mrs Rodgers had said 'it was awkward at the beginning' as the seventh grader would not be sure if he needed to raise his hand or simply call out the answer. However the unusual format soon fell into place. Mr Kennedy told the paper: 'Now it feels pretty good. There's nobody else to bug us.' Albany County School District will open a once derelict modular classroom at the site. (Stock image) The Cozy Hollow School is not the only one-student school currently in operation in the district but due to roads between the two sites remaining dangerous the district has decided to keep the two schools running. The law in Wyoming requires that students be provided with on-site education if they are unable to be transported to other schools. In the past the school district has also attempted to teach students via online streaming lessons but they were not successful. According to officials it will cost around $150,000 to run the two single student schools next year. A former detective who is fighting for his life after being shot in the face was once acquitted of a shooting dead an accused paedophile. Said Morgan, also known as Sid, then 31, shot an alleged paedophile six times at a home in Oakhurst home in Sydney's west in 1995. Mr Morgan was acquitted of murder after the Supreme Court found that he had acted out of fear for the future safety of the girls, Daily Telegraph reported. Two men have been arrested over the shooting of former detective Sid Morgan (pictured) Neighbours claim to have seen three men arguing out the front of a Point Cook home (pictured) before hearing a gunshot The now 53-year-old real estate agent is fighting for his life at the Royal Melbourne Hospital after he was allegedly shot in the forehead and left to bleed in the middle of the street on Friday night. Two men, both from Melbourne's southwestern suburb of Point Cook, were arrested on Saturday morning. A 30-year-old was arrested in Point Cook, the suburb where the alleged shooting took place. The second suspect, 29, was taken into custody in Nagambie, more than 150km from the crime scene. Both are assisting the Homicide Squad. Mr Morgan suffered serious head injuries after being shot in the forehead at the end of Spraypoint Drive on Friday at about 11pm. One neighbour said they saw three people arguing on the street minutes before the trigger was pulled. Mr Morgan was taken to hospital where he still remains critical with life-threatening injuries. CCTV footage captured a ute speeding erratically from the scene of the crime (pictured) Suhair Bdeiwe, another witness, heard the gun shot and ran to her balcony where she saw a white ute speeding away from the scene. She said she thought the sound of the gunshot was a car crash until she saw the body in the middle of the street. 'I saw the body in the middle on the street,' she told The Herald Sun. 'I just went inside and in less than a minute police and ambulance arrived. I was scared.' Security cameras captured the light-coloured ute heading in the same direction as the one Ms Bdeiwe had described. Charges have yet to be laid on the two suspects. This is the moment a group of terrified TV crew members were left quaking in fear as a deadly stampede of angry elephants repeatedly charged their safari truck during a trip to South Africa. What was supposed to be a relaxing chill out for the group of ten Britons and Australians became an experience of a lifetime when they ran into a herd of 40 elephants. The TV crew tourists had booked into a South African safari lodge for a holiday after filming a series of the Australian version of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! in the Kruger National Park. The stampeding herd of mainly female elephants and young calves flee from lions across a dirt road in front of the safari truck The huge herd had panicked when a pride of hungry lions were detected by the adult elephants stalking their group of vulnerable calves. The lions were looking for an easy kill but as the males elephants went on the offensive, the rest of the herd stampeded for safety and the tourists found themselves stuck right in the middle. TV producer Trent Holmes, 40, who filmed this incredible encounter said: 'Our guide Gert Kruger heard trumpeting while we were out in the bush and said a herd were nearby moving very fast. 'He took us down a dirt track to see what was going on and suddenly coming from our right trumpeting and smashing through trees and bush was this huge herd of upset elephants. 'They were moving very fast and Gert turned off the engine so as not to frighten them and let them pass but it turned out we were between this part of the herd and the rest of it. An angry elephant bringing up the rear of the first part of the herd confronts the safari truck and stares down the tourists onboard Another towering elephant, believed to be female, charges out of bush at safari truck for blocking stampede the herd's route which ironically darted straight in front of the tourists The group in their safari truck - TV producer Trent Holmes, 40, (back far right) filmed the incredible stampede at Kruger National Park 'One fronted us up with big tusks and it was so scary but we thought after that they were all gone into the bush. 'Then from the left of us one big elephant which I think was a female came bursting through the trees with its ears flaring and trumpeting and I have never been so scared ever. 'Ranger Gert was so calm and just shouted out to the elephant: "Relax, come on, move off". 'It stopped its charge and you see and hear us on video laughing and see us smiling, but trust me it was a nervous reaction as we were all so scared because the elephant was so big. 'Then it came back and charged fast again through the trees with its trunk out and one of our group begged Gert to drive away and he said: "Relax guys, we can't go now, we have to wait it out". After a quick retreats the massive female comes back through the bush on its third and most aggressive charge Showing its intentions this time, a female elephant with two babies aggressively stomps across from the right side of the side fearing its route to the rest of the herd is cut off Fed up with the safari truck, two elephants approach from behind with a third nearby and show their frustration at being disturbed A powerful elephant trunk pushes in close to the humans and could easily snatch one out 'Then we had a third charge by the same elephant and it got so close with its trunk coming out towards us and I cannot tell you how terrified we were but Gert just said: "Hey relax". 'We then saw more elephants coming from our right and realised we were caught in the middle of the herd which is why Gert said the elephants on the left were upset with us. 'Finally we had two big ones come right up to us and were eyeballing us and putting their trunks up close to us but Gert was calm and telling us just to relax and to keep quiet. 'When the full herd had crossed he felt there was a safe time to turn on the engine and we slowly moved away followed by three or four elephants who were just shepherding us off. 'Trust me the relief when there was distance between us for all was amazing. 'It was the most incredible experience and not many can say they have been in the middle of an elephant stampede but Gert was fantastic and very calmly sorted the situation. 'He said: "It happens every day" but none of us actually believed him! 'I asked him later why he didn't start the safari truck and get out and he said they were very agitated as lions were around and they may have attacked and flipped our vehicle over. 'The lions were the threat he said not us and he told us to relax and it was his experience and skill that we had to rely on but when you are in that situation you are terrified. One of the tusked mammals gets eyeball to eyeball with the terrified tourists, standing as close as a few feet away A few of the irrate elephants see off the safari truck as the driver starts its engine and retreats The terrified group later posed in front of their safari truck. Trent Holmes (centre in blue shirt) hangs from the side of the modified pickup truck Safari ranger Gert Kruger who was the guide for the TV crew tourists 'was calm and telling us just to relax and to keep quiet' 'The noise of the trumpeting and ears flaring as they charged us is with me forever' said Mr Holmes from Sydney, Australia. Mr Holmes said: 'We had an amazing safari but the next morning when Gert woke us to go out again and asked what we wanted to go and see we all said 'anything but elephants' and he laughed!'. Elephants can weigh up to 6000kg's and stand up to 11 feet tall and have been known to destroy cars and safari vehicles when angered and kill up to roughly 500 people a year worldwide. Olivia Colman, winner of Best Actress for 'The Favourite' Olivia Colman captured hearts around the world this morning as she won an Oscar for best actress at the 91st Academy Awards in Los Angeles. The British actress and former cleaner gave an emotional acceptance speech which co-stars and celebrities at the event called the highlight of the night. The 45-year-old British actress was a surprise winner, beating out the category favourite Glenn Close, who was widely expected to win her first Oscar for her role in The Wife - after a record seven unsuccessful nominations. At home, friends and fans alike took to Twitter to celebrate the former Peep Show star. Fans of the English TV series were thrilled Colman's character 'Sophie' finally made it to Hollywood even though it was for her role in The Favourite. Co-star David Mitchell led the congratulations, writing: 'Oh my God! That's amazing! And what a brilliant speech.' Peep Show fans were overjoyed with the win for the British actress. Olivia Colman played Sophie in TV series The Peep Show Mitchell's fellow star and writer, Robert Webb, followed up: 'WHOOP! Congratulations to the brilliant & glorious OliviaColman.' He added: 'Btw, any actors wondering how it feels to wake up & find an exact contemporary just won an Oscar - they'd just better bloody well be Olivia Colman. As long as they're as lovely, funny, hardworking & absurdly gifted as well as a mate for 26 years - you'll feel just fine.' Actor Hugh Laurie wrote simply: 'Olivia Colman, you beauty!!!' Doug Heye said: 'I never would have guessed Sophie from Peep Show would win an Oscar. I always figured it would have been Super Hans.' Some felt the award was recognition for Peep Show as much as it was for Colman. James Hunt added: 'SOPHIE FROM PEEP SHOW HAS WON AN OSCAR.' 'The first of what is sure to be many Oscars for the cast of Peep Show,' tweeted Alex Navarro. 'I love that Peep Show is trending because of the Oscars,' said Andrew Beasley. Olivia Colman was celebrated for her role in Peep Show 'Honest to God I would have given Olivia Colman the Oscar for the way she slid into the ball pit at the Kid Kave in Peep Show Season 9,' wrote Sarah Nicola Prickett. Colman's win for her performance as Queen Anne in The Favourite attracted acclaim unusual for a comedy film, and several on social media felt it was high time the genre got the respect it deserved. Writer Rae Earl said: 'Olivia Colman also did incredible TV work on both 'Peep Show' & 'That Mitchell & Webb look' & if you haven't watched them you should watch them now and COMEDY RARELY GETS THE RESPECT IT DESERVES. Ta. OSCARS' Comedian Rebecca Humphries echoed those sentiments, criticising a recent newspaper description of Colman as an 'actor who early in her career struggled for parts and was best known for comedy'. 'Bit of a snobby and mindlessly neggy comment there guys that undermines funny, self aware actresses (and therefore women) in favour of those who take themselves seriously. 'Olivia's speech last night proves that being funny doesn't mean you aren't serious about your job,' she said. Others pointed out that Colman might be just the person to step in and sort out the Brexit negotiations, with just over a month ago until the UK is due to leave the European Union on March 29. Rhodri Marsden tweeted: 'I believe very strongly that Olivia Colman could secure us additional guarantees over the backstop.' Others pointed out that Colman might be able to step in and sort out the Brexit negotiations Another Twitter user said: 'Am I the only one who thinks #Brexit and Britain would be fixed if #OliviaColman was PM?' And Andy Oakes tweeted: 'I think the sensible thing now would be to get Olivia Colman to handle Brexit.' In her touching speech, overwhelmed Colman, who was also up against Yalitza Aparicio for Roma, Lady Gaga for A Star is Born and Melissa McCarthy of Can You Ever Forgive Me?, said: 'It's genuinely quite stressful. This is hilarious. I got an Oscar'. She added: 'I have to thank lots of people. Yorgos [Lanthimos], my best director and the best film with Emma [Stone] and Rachel [Weisz], the two loveliest women to fall in love with and go to work with every day. You can imagine it wasn't a hardship.' The actress who also starred in Green Wing gazed at Glenn Close in the audience and said: 'You've been my idol for so long and this is not how I wanted it to be.' An emotional Colman thanked her agent who took her on 20 years ago, and her children, who she wasn't sure if they were watching at home. 'My kids who are at home and watching, look!' she exclaimed. 'If you're not, then, kind of well-done, but I sort of hope you are. This is not going to happen again.' Olivia Colman in a scene from the film 'The Favourite'. The actress said she has come a long way in her career Messages of congratulations flooded onto Twitter for Olivia Colman after she won her Oscar She continued her heartfelt speech by reaching out to little girls everywhere in an inspiring and sweet touch. Co-star Emma Stone was reportedly moved to tears by the speech while Rita Ora said it was the highlight of her night. A Scottish tourist was shocked to find she had carried a snake in her suitcase more than 9,000 miles after returning home from a summer trip to Australia. Moira Boxall found the python shedding its skin inside one of her shoes on Friday, following a 9,300-mile trip to family members in Mackay, Central Queensland. She thought her son-in-law Paul Airlie and his wife Sarah had planted a fake snake in her shoe as a joke until she touched the spotted python and it moved. 'She absolutely lost it it was her first real encounter with a snake,' Mr Airlie told the ABC. Moira Boxall found a spotted python shedding its skin inside one of her shoes (pictured), following a visit to family members in Queensland Ms Boxall stayed with her son-in-law Paul Airlie (right) with his wife Sarah (left) during her summer holiday in Mackay Ms Boxall had woken Mr Airlie at about 3am because she thought she had seen a snake in her room a few days before she left. Mr Airlie said his wife Sarah had helped Ms Boxall pack. 'Obviously she just picked the shoe up and stuck it in the bag and then it was there,' he said. 'She was not at all expecting to find the snake when she was unpacking a bag when she got back to Scotland. 'We searched the room and there was no snake. However, it turns out there was a snake, as it had gone and hidden in her shoe.' Mr Airlie had down played the fact that snakes were common in Queensland during Ms Boxall's stay. She called Mr Airlie in Australia who phoned the Scottish RSPCA to report a potentially venomous snake had travelled all the way to Scotland. Ms Boxall had put the shoe in the garden with a box over it. The python had shed its skin during the flight, in a process called Ecdysis, to get rid of parasites that may have become attached to it Ms Boxall initially thought Mr Airlie and Sarah had planted a fake python in her shoe as a joke until she touched it and it moved. The snake was non-venomous and is being kept in quarantine Fortunately, the spotted python - a common pet - was non-venomous - although they can give skin punctures that can cause severe lacerations. The python had shed its skin during the flight, in a process called Ecdysis, to get rid of parasites that may have become attached to it. Mr Airlie said he was unsure if his mother-in-law would return to Australia anytime soon after the frightening experience. The python is in quarantine and could be housed in a Glasgow Zoo. A mother has claimed she stopped the killer of six-year-old Alesha MacPhail from attacking her ten-year-old daughter when they were both aged just ten. Lyndsay Stewart, 56, told how she saw Aaron Campbell, 16, kicking and punching her daughter while screaming obscenities at his home on the Isle of Bute. The mother, who compared Campbell to the Antichrist character Damien in the 1976 horror film The Omen, managed to drag him off her daughter during the attack. Aaron Campbell (left), 16, abducted, raped and murdered Alesha MacPhail (left), six, in Bute But he told police Ms Stewart had attacked him - leading to her being arrested, put in a cell and having to clear her name of assault in a trial at Greenock Sheriff Court. She told the Sun: 'From the moment I first saw Aaron when he was just two, I thought he was evil. He was like Damien from The Omen. 'I think he was born evil his parents tried but he was always bad from the very beginning. He was a ticking timebomb and his conviction is no surprise.' Miss Stewart had become friends with Campbell's mother Janette, 54, when the family moved to Bute but the friendship ended after the attack in August 2012. It took place while she had been staying at the Campbell family home because they were moving house and their belongings were all packed up. Campbell has been compared the Antichrist character Damien in the 1976 horror film The Omen, played by Harvey Spencer Stephens Last Friday, Campbell was unmasked as the teenage killer of Alesha after a judge lifted a ban on revealing his identity. Campbell lived on the same road as Alesha's grandparents on the Isle of Bute, where he snatched the schoolgirl from her bed and raped her last July. Alesha was days into her summer holiday on the island when her body was found dumped in nearby woodland with more than 100 injuries. Campbell was a fifth year Rothesay Academy pupil, who lifted weights, played computer games and had his own YouTube channel. YouTube clips featuring the 16-year-old show him performing somersaults on a trampoline, saying to the camera: 'I'd like to welcome you guys to the channel.' In another he addresses viewers: 'Yo, it's Aaron Campbell here.' A nine-day trial at the High Court in Glasgow heard Campbell drank alcohol, used cannabis, and hosted a party of around 15 friends at the home he shared with his housekeeper mother earlier on the night he abducted Alesha. Alesha's mother Georgina Lochrane (left) and father Robert MacPhail (right) outside Glasgow High Court last week. Both of the girl's parents were present during the nine-day trial CCTV footage from his mother's own security system provided the evidence detectives needed to prove he had left the property in Rothesay at the crucial time. How Alesha's killer paid tribute on Facebook to the girl after her death The killer of six-year-old Alesha MacPhail joined in the Facebook tributes after her body was found on the Isle of Bute, it was claimed today. A close friend of the family had written 'Alesha, always in our hearts' on Facebook, prompting an outpouring of grief among neighbours and friends. But Campbell allegedly 'liked' the post, despite having murdered the schoolgirl just hours earlier. A source who saw the 'like' told the Daily Record: 'It's disgusting and disturbing that he would like the post just after Alesha was found dead.' Advertisement She had contacted police herself, hoping the footage would eliminate her son from the investigation. Campbell was captured coming and going from his home several times in the early hours of July 2, removing items of clothing and retrieving a torch. He had earlier tried to contact Alesha's father Robert MacPhail and his partner Toni McLachlan, thought to have been seeking to buy cannabis as he had done from Mr MacPhail in the past. A jury found Campbell guilty of rape and murder unanimously on Thursday. Media organisations then applied to have a ban on revealing his identity lifted. Scots law prohibits the naming of under 18s who are the subject of criminal proceedings. Lord Matthews opted to lift the ban in the case which he said had caused 'such revulsion'. Alesha's mother Georgina Lochrane was at Glasgow High Court to hear the judge's decision on Friday. Campbell will be sentenced on March 21. Lord Matthews warned the teenager, currently being held at Polmont Young Offenders Institute, that he may never be released from custody. Horrific pictures have emerged of the bloodied and bruised mother at the centre of a wild brawl which saw a police officer's head smashed against the concrete. Kayla Potts, 25, and her fiance Jack Houldcroft, both from Melbourne's south, were charged over the horrific attack on two officers in St Kilda on Sunday morning. Recently surfaced footage showed the young mother-of-one getting smacked to the ground by an officer after attempting to step in between he and her brother. The footage appeared to show Ms Potts lunging at the officer, at which point he retaliated with a Mag light torch to the side of her head. Ms Potts fell backwards and hit the ground after the impact, remaining on the pavement for a few moments. The childcare worker looked disoriented and dazed when she was picked up off the ground and supported by a male companion She then unleashed a tirade against the officer, swearing at him repeatedly. The childcare worker looked disoriented and dazed when she was picked up off the ground by a male companion, with blood pooling on her forehead and her mouth. The young mother is one of a group of friends accused of punching the policeman from behind in a sickening attack that was caught on video. Ms Potts allegedly struck the officer in the head in the seconds before she was hit with the torch. Kayla Potts was accused of striking a police officer from behind before he retaliated and hit her back Sickening footage showed a man repeatedly slamming a police officer's head into the ground Soon after Ms Potts became involved in the brawl, her 38-year-old relative Phil O'Donnell allegedly began the vicious attack on the officer that was recorded and distributed online Soon after Ms Potts became involved in the brawl, her 38-year-old relative Phil O'Donnell allegedly began the vicious attack on the officer that was recorded and distributed online. In the footage, Mr O'Donnell allegedly pummelled the officer's head into the concrete. If convicted, all parties face a mandatory six months in jail for assaulting an emergency worker. Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton previously denied claims officers had acted inappropriately or in a heavy-handed manner, 9News reported. 'I completely reject straight away any suggestion police have acted inappropriately,' Commander Patton said. Brawl accused: Kayla Potts with her boyfriend Jack Houldcroft, both from Langwarrin Jack Houldcroft (pictured) did not apply to be released from custody on Monday Previous footage allegedly showing the couple's friend Phillip O'Donnell slamming Senior Constable Darren Shepherd's head into the pavement went viral on Monday. Senior police described the shocking video as 'animalistic' and the state premier slammed the footage as 'disgusting'. The Melbourne Magistrates Court today heard that Potts, her brother Trent, Houldcroft and O'Donnell had been attending a 30th birthday party in St Kilda when they got into an argument upon leaving the venue. A transgender woman intervened in the dispute but Trent Potts allegedly booted the Good Samaritan in the testicles. Police were called and arrived on the scene just as the group were about to board a taxi. Trent Potts, who was allegedly wearing a pink shirt, was identified and questioned by Senior Constable Adam McKenzie. Detective Senior Constable Jacob Laidlaw told the court Potts then broke free and made a run for it. Senior Constable Darren Shepherd took chase but tripped on the gutter, he said. The court heard Trent Potts then allegedly shaped up to Mr McKenzie before striking him. The experienced officer took him down as his partner ran to help. It was then that police allege Kayla Potts struck Mr McKenzie from behind before the officer struck her with the Mag light torch. Police allege Houldcroft punched and kicked one police officer as he lay on the ground and 'spear tackled' another cop after he clambered to his feet The mother of a three-year-old child appeared in court sporting a bandage on her head from the blow. It was then that police claim O'Donnell attacked Mr Shepherd from behind, slamming his head repeatedly into the footpath. They further allege Houldcroft punched and kicked Mr McKenzie as he lay on the ground. He then allegedly 'spear tackled' Mr Shepherd after he got to his feet. He was hit with pepper spray, but the men fled, leaving Kayla Potts injured on the ground. She took herself to hospital and was arrested later that day. Kayla Potts was the only one of the four people charged over the brawl to walk free on bail on Monday Her brother was caught that night, with footage found on his phone allegedly identifying his co-offenders. Police continue to search for several other people they believe participated in the brawl. Senior Constable Laidlow told the court the officer sustained horrific injuries, including a ruptured bicep and suspected fractured cheekbone. 'It's quite a strong case and it's only going to get stronger,' he said. Kayla Potts was granted bail by magistrate Donna Bakos despite arguments by police she was at risk of committing further offences. She had admitted to punching the officer, the court heard. Her partner made no application for bail. Trent Potts and O'Donnell were remanded in custody and are expected to apply for bail tomorrow. The four were each charged with two counts of assault police, affray, violent disorder, intentionally cause injury and other assault related offences. A two-and-a-half-week-old baby became seriously ill and nearly died after being hugged by a family friend. Megan Cockburn, 35, gave birth to her second daughter Lyla and was recovering from childbirth at her mother's home in Perth. Several family and friends arrived to congratulate the new mother when she noticed one of the guests was sniffling and wondered whether it was a good idea to hand Lyla over. Megan Cockburn (pictured) gave birth to her second daughter Lyla and was recovering fat her mother's home in Perth when she was visited by a guest who had a sniffle Not wanting to offend the guest, Lyla was handed over and was cuddled for 'about maybe one minute or two' (Lyla's father pictured) 'There's a lot of excitement around a newborn and people desperately want to meet their new family member and they don't put into consideration what a slight sniffle can do,' Megan told Yahoo7 News. Not wanting to offend the guest, Lyla was handed over and was cuddled for 'about maybe one minute or two', which was enough to affect her drastically. Over the next few days, Lyla became lethargic, didn't want to wake up, didn't want to be fed, and had a runny nose. Lyla was rushed to hospital when her health didn't improve and she went through an extensive amount of invasive procedures. She spent five days in hospital but her symptoms worsened and she had to remain for another week. 'The second time she had so much mucus in her airways that she would cough and gag and not clear it herself. She would turn blue and stop breathing,' Mrs Cockburn told the publication. Now aged three, Lyla has fully recovered and is not suffering from any long-term issues. Mrs Cockburn has told other parents that it's OK to refuse requests to cuddle their children. 'I didn't have the courage to say no. It was that fear of offending them, and that you don't want to be judged for being overprotective,' she explained. Two drunk men who were arrested after they refused to leave a pub have been charged over a horrific sexual assault after police allegedly found footage of the attack on a mobile phone. The pair, aged 26 and 24, were arrested from the Blacktown Inn in Sydney's west on Friday at about 6.30pm. Police found footage of an alleged rape of an unconscious 33-year-old woman at a St Marys home on February 11 and charged the men, who were from Doonside and Colyton, respectively. Two drunk men were charged for the alleged sexual assault of a woman after they were arrested for refusing to leave a western Sydney pub (pictured) One of the men were arrested for allegedly assaulting an officer. The footage of the alleged sexual assault was found on the mobile phone of a man as he was questioned by Blacktown officers. Detectives identified the alleged victim following an investigation. Police will allege the woman became unconscious after she took an unknown drug when the men had non-consensual sex with her, the Blacktown Advocate reported. Officers arrested the Colyton man over the alleged assault at a Beaumont Hills home on Saturday at about 1.30am. The Doonside man was charged with aggravated sexual assault, failing to leave the pub when requested and assault/resist officer on duty. The Colyton man was also charged with aggravated sexual assault. Both men were refused bail and will appear in Penrith Local Court on Wednesday. The Oscars saw historic wins for diversity Sunday night at the the 91st Annual Academy Awards as more women and more individual black nominees won than ever before. Spike Lee took home his first competitive Oscar and, for the first time, three out of the four top acting awards were won by non-white actors as Regina King, Mahershala Ali and Rami Malek triumphed. Malek, who won the award for Best Actor for his part as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, spoke about being the son of an immigrant. He said: 'We made a film about a gay man, an immigrant who lived his life unapologetically himself. 'We're longing for stories like this. I am the son of immigrants from Egypt. I'm a first-generation American, and part of my story is being written right now.' Black Panther won for Ruth Carter's costume design, Hannah Beachler and Jay Hart's production design, and Ludwig Goransson's score. Beachler had been the first African-American to ever be nominated in the category. Beachler and Carter became just the second and third black women to win non-acting Oscars. Irene Cara, who wrote the theme to Flashdance, won in 1983. 'It just means that we've opened the door,' Carter, a veteran costume designer, said backstage. 'Finally, the door is wide open.' Rami Malek accepts the Best Actor award for his role playing Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. It's the second Oscar for Ali, who won in the same category in 2017 for Moonlight. In Green Book he plays Don Shirley, an African-American classical pianist Regina King accepts the Actress in a Supporting Role award for If Beale Street Could Talk in an emotional speech Two years after winning for his role in 'Moonlight,' Mahershala Ali won again for his supporting performance in 'Green Book' a role many said was really a lead. Ali is the second black actor to win two Oscars following Denzel Washington, who won for Glory and Training Day. Ali dedicated the award to his grandmother. Lee's win for best adapted screenplay for his white supremacist drama BlacKkKlansman, an award he shared with three co-writers, gave the ceremony its signature moment. The crowd rose in a standing ovation, Lee leapt into the arms of presenter Samuel L. Jackson and even the backstage press room burst into applause. But the awards was not without controversy. Green Book, crowned best picture at the 91st Academy Awards, has been ridiculed as an outdated inversion of Driving Miss Daisy by others. Lee, whose Do the Right Thing came out the same year that Driving Miss Daisy won best picture, was among those most visibly upset by the award handed to the segregation-era road-trip drama. After presenter Julia Roberts announced it, Lee stood up, waved his hands in disgust and appeared to try to leave the Dolby Theatre before returning. Jordan Peele, who was sitting behind Lee, also declined to applaud the winner, as did others in the room. Hailed as a tribute to racial tolerance by its makers and stars, Green Book was also widely criticized by many as an outdated, sentimentalized movie full of racial stereotypes. Ruth E. Carter with her award for costume design. Carter and Hannah Beachler became the first African-Americans to win in their respective categories Hannah Beachler won the Best Production Design award for 'Black Panther' Regina King with her Best Supporting Actress award for If Beale Street Could Talk and Spike Lee holding his Best Adapted Screenplay award for BlacKkKlansman Ruth E. Carter and Hannah Beachler became the first African-Americans to win in their respective categories. Carter was first up as she took home an Academy Award for costume design, then Beachler followed her with a win in production design at the 91st annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. 'I dreamed and prayed for this night,' said Carter, who was the lead costume designer behind the Afro-futuristic wardrobes in Ryan Coogler's 'Black Panther.' She was previously nominated for her work on 'Amistad' and 'Malcolm X.' This has been a longtime coming,' said Carter as she burst into laughter while accepting her trophy. Beachler and Carter played influential roles in helping 'Black Panther' become a cultural phenomenon. Both said they wanted to infuse the pride of the African diaspora into the film. 'Marvel may have created the first black superhero. But through costume design, we turned him into an African king,' said Carter, who drew inspiration for the film's stylish and colorful garments from her travels to Africa. Carter said she hopes their historic Oscar wins can open up more doors for other African-Americans who want to follow her and Beachler's footsteps. 'Now we won't have to wait for the first,' she said while backstage. 'We now have the first. Finally the door is wide open. I'm mentoring in hopes of raising others up and give them hope.' 'We wanted to bring the world of Africa to life,' Beachler said while backstage admitting that she was still 'freaking out' after her victory. Alfonso Cuaron won an Oscar for best director for the second time. He previously won in 2014 for Gravity. This year his film Roma, which is based on his childhood in Mexico and the woman who raised him, picked up the top gong. The writer-director dedicated his speech to domestic workers, noting that tens of millions of them work around the world with any rights. Regina King won Best Supporting Actress for 'If Beale Street Could Talk' and paid tribute to her mom in an emotional speech. 'To be standing here representing one of the greatest artist of our time, James Baldwin, is a little surreal,' said King. 'James Baldwin birthed this baby.' Alfonso Cuaron speaks on stage after accepting the Best Director award for Roma. It was his second time winning the award Mahershala Ali won the Academy Award for best supporting actor. The win comes for his performance in Green Book Alfonso Cuaron and Yalitza Aparicio react after the director was announced as winner of the cinematography award for Roma Spike Lee, left, winner of the Adapted Screenplay award for BlacKkKlansman and Mahershala Ali, right, winner for Actor in a Supporting Role for Green Book Rami Malek, winner of Best Actor for Bohemian Rhapsody; Olivia Colman, winner of Best Actress for The Favourite; Regina King, winner of Best Supporting Actress for If Beale Street Could Talk; and Mahershala Ali, winner of Best Supporting Actor for Green Book Lady Gaga joins Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt on stage for their win And it was a first win for Lady Gaga who picked up the Oscar for Shallow after an emotionally charged performance with her co-star Bradley Cooper. She became part of history made by women at the 91st annual Academy Awards. With the win of Jamie Ray Newman and Guy Nattiv for live action short film, 13 women captured Oscars on Sunday. The Academy says the previous record was set in 2007 and matched in 2015. Lady Gaga's win with Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt put the number at 14. The inclusivity of the winners Sunday stood in stark contrast to the #OscarsSoWhite backlash that marked the 2016 and 2015 Oscars. Since then, the academy has worked to diversity its largely white and male membership, adding several thousand new members and opening the academy up internationally. Still, this year's nominations were criticized for not including a female best director nominee or a best-picture nominee directed by a woman. Last year's Oscars followed the rise of the #MeToo movement, the launch of the gender equality group Time's Up and the downfall of Harvey Weinstein. A year after best-actress winner Frances McDormand urged the adoption of an inclusion rider - a contractual stipulation for the diversity of a film's cast and crew -numerous production companies, stars and one studio, Warner Brothers, have made similar pledges. Many had criticized this year's selections for lacking a female nominee in the best director category or a best picture nominee directed by a woman. Recent studies have shown that Hollywood improved on many counts in diversity and gender parity in 2018, but remains far from equitable for women and people of color. In the last few years, the academy has considerably increased its membership in an effort to diversify its ranks, which have historically been overwhelmingly white and male. In June, the academy invited a record 928 new members. Donald Trump has cooled expectations ahead of his second meeting with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un next week - insisting he's in 'no rush' to denuclearize the socialist state. The President will be flying to Hanoi this week to meet with Kim - who he once called 'Rocket man' - to discuss nuclear disarmament, and he's expected to offer partial sanction relief to North Korea in return. Speaking at the Governor's Ball at the White House on Sunday Evening, Trump remained coy on the two-and-a-half day summit's specific itinerary, but promised it would be 'interesting'. 'What's going to happen, I can't tell you,' Trump teased. 'I'm not in a rush, I don't want to rush anybody, I just don't want testing. 'As long as there's no testing, we're happy.' Scroll down for video Speaking at the Governor's Ball at the White House on Sunday Evening, Trump remained coy on the two-and-a-half day summit's specific itinerary, but promised it would be 'interesting'. He is seen above with Melania Donald Trump and Melania welcome guests at the ball at the White House Sunday The President made multiple attempts to stem any expectations ahead of his meeting with Kim Jong Un on Wednesday Trump said he and Kim do see 'eye to eye' but insisted he won't try to rush the dictator into anything Mr. Trump remained coy on the specific itinerary for the two and a half day summit, but said it was guaranteed to be 'interesting' Trump will fly to Pyongyang this week and will sit down with Kim Jong Un for the second time in less than a year, as the President tries to further develop his historic relationship with the dictator Their last meeting ended in a stalemate but Trump believes there's room for improvement this time around Trump also claimed that he and Kim have developed a 'very good' relationship since their historic meeting in Singapore last June. He said that despite their ideological differences the pair do manage to see 'eye to eye' on a number of matters. The 45th US President says he believes he can utilize that special relationship to 'have a chance' at complete denuclearization. The statement was then followed by a flip-flopping of indecision Trump is so regularly criticized for ahead of high-stakes negotiations. The President hosted the annual Governor's Ball in the White House's State Dining Room on Sunday, February 24 I'm not in a rush, I don't want to rush anybody, I just don't want testing,' Trump told the attending guests Seemingly in high spirits, despite a convoluted speech plagued by indecision, the President said there is a chance of complete nuclear disarmament in North Korea, but also 'maybe not' Should North Korea agree, Trump tipped the nation to rapidly become one of the world's economic superpowers (pictured: President Donald Trump toasts with guests at his table during the Governors' Ball in the State Dining Room) 'I think it will lead to something very good, but maybe not,' the President whimsically declared. 'I think ultimately it will - but maybe not.' Should Kim acquiesce to his demands, Trump said North Korea would have a shot at becoming one of the world's great economic powers. When the pair last met, the meeting ended without any substantive agreement, triggering a several month-long impasse between Washington and Pyongyang. In his upcoming meeting with Trump, experts say Kim will push the US to commit to improved bilateral relations and partial sanctions relief, while attempting to minimize concessions on his nuclear program. Though Kim is using his nuclear facilities and weaponry as leverage for economic and security benefits, doubts continue to persist as to whether he is actually ready to fully submit the entire program - which some argue is his greatest chance of survival. North Korea has suspended its nuclear and long-range missile testing, as well as dismantling a nuclear testing facility - but none of the motions were a seen as profound cutbacks on its nuclear progress. This led to Washington requesting more concrete steps towards denuclearization from Pyongyang, before any discussion of sanction relief could commence. President Trump and Kim will meet on Wednesday and Thursday in Hanoi, Vietnam as they sit down for the second time to discuss nuclear disarmament and the possibility of the US lifting sanctions on North Korea Because of Kim Jong Un (above), Trump said North Korea would have a shot at becoming one of the world's great economic powers 'Chairman Kim realizes, perhaps better than anyone else, that without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the world,' Trump tweeted on Sunday. 'Because of its location and people (and him), it has more potential for rapid growth than any other nation.' Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, also attempted to downplay expectations ahead of Wednesday, telling Fox: 'We may not get everything down this week, [but] we hope we'll make a substantial step along the way.' Pompeo then contradicted the President's claim that North Korea was no longer a nuclear threat, asserting that it is. FLOTUS Melania trump stunned attendees at the prestigious black-tie event in her sleeveless Armani tuxedo blouse and black pants The President personally thanked his wife during his address, crediting her for putting on a 'beautiful' evening First-Lady Melania trump stunned attendees at the prestigious black-tie event in her sleeveless Armani tuxedo blouse and black suit-pant combination. The former glamour model reflected an epitome of elegance as she accompanied her husband in the State Dining Room during the dinner for the nation's Governors. 'I want to thank our first lady for having done - this is such a beautiful job. Melania, thank you so much,' Trump said during his address. An Uber driver who was spared jail for molesting a 14-year-old boy during a ride will be deported after serving his sentence. Nitin Mittal picked up the boy in Auckland in October 2016 to take him from his home to the post office and back. The immigrant, who has children born in New Zealand, invited him to sit in the front, than asked if he wanted to touch his penis. The boy told him no twice but finally put his hand down his pants when Mittal lifted up his jeans. He told the court he only did agreed to fondle the driver because he was scared of what would happen if he continued to refuse. An Uber driver who was spared jail for molesting a 14-year-old boy during a ride will be deported after serving his sentence (stock image) Mittal pleaded guilty to doing an indecent act on a young person in March 2017 and in August 2017 was given community detention and 12 months intensive supervision. Judge Philippa Cunningham at the time noted there was a 'real risk' her sentence would lead to him being deported, but ruled it was necessary. She acknowledged Mittal's argument that the boy was 'a willing participant because he put his hand down the driver's pants'. However, she said in light of his initial refusal and testimony: 'While he did not compel [him] to do so under any direct threat of force, I am satisfied that [he] did not consent to what happened,' she said. After his conviction, he was a year ago sent a deportation notice and appealed both his conviction and the order to kick him out of New Zealand. Court of Appeal Justice Mary Peters upheld the conviction and sentence and ordered him to be deported, in a decision released on Monday. Mittal's lawyer claimed Judge Cunningham failed to appreciate that it was 'inevitable' that he would be deported if convicted, rather than it being a 'real risk'. She should then have given him a discharge without conviction as the punishment of deportation would be disproportionate to his crime, he claimed. The boy told the court he only did agreed to fondle the driver because he was scared of what would happen if he continued to refuse (stock image) Justice Peters noted that Judge Cunningham gave Mittal credit for his diligence in his studies and employment, and having a wife and children in NZ. 'The judge, however, was not satisfied that these likely consequences of conviction would be out of all proportion to the gravity of the offence, and she declined the application accordingly,' she wrote. 'This was "skin-on-skin" offending committed against a 14-year-old boy entrusted to Mr Mittal's care for a confined purpose.' Justice Peters also noted that Judge Cunningham was right to say deportation wasn't inevitable as Mittal could appeal to the High Court or write to the Immigration Minister. Two men have been filmed robbing a Camilla Franks store after ramming a stolen Ford Mondeo station wagon through the glass front doors. The two hooded men wearing black reversed the stolen car through the front door of the Camilla Franks store in Alexandria, Sydney and stole a large quantity of clothing. Once the pair of robbers stole as much as they could, they jumped back into the stolen car and drove away. Designer clothes made by Camilla Franks, 42, can sell for up to $1500 or more for a single piece. Two men reversed a stolen station wagon through the front door of Camilla Franks in Alexandria at 5.30am Police believe that the Ford Mondeo station wagon was stolen during a carjacking where the two men pulled a gun on a 40-year-old man at 5.15am on Flora Street, Erskinville. Twenty minutes after the car was stolen, police were called to Camilla Franks in Alexandria following reports a station wagon had reversed through the front doors. The two men, described as of solid build and wearing dark clothing, ran through the store and grabbed as many high-end designer clothes as they could. The men ran back to the car with their arms full of designer clothes and made their escape The pair ran back to the station wagon, arms full of expensive clothes, and made their getaway. Strike Force Xidil investigators released pictures from the stores CCTV camera of the two men in the hopes that someone may be able to identify them. Robbery and Serious Crime Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty, has told online shoppers to be cautious if they see Camilla Franks designer clothes for sale online for a cheap price. 'Strike Force Xidil detectives are urging online shoppers to be cautious. If you see this style of clothing sold on other websites and believe it may be suspicious, we want to hear from you,' Detective Superintendent Doherty said in an New South Wales press release. The clothes made by Camilla Frank (pictured), 42, can cost up to $1500 a piece He also asked that anyone who may have witnessed the robbery or may have dashcam footage to come forward and help with the investigation. 'One of our greatest assets is the community. The information you provide on a daily basis is invaluable in our pursuit to keep you safe.' Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Xidil investigations are asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 Hurting an animal's feelings could soon be illegal with pet owners also facing fines for walking too many dogs. The Australian Capital Territory's Labor-Greens government is developing new laws which aim to recognise that animals are 'sentient beings that can feel emotion and pain'. Canberra's City Services Minister Chris Steel said the proposed law was designed to make humans respect the feelings of animals. Hurting an animal's feelings could soon be illegal with pet owners also facing fines for walking too many dogs (stock image) 'It gives a new awareness that animals do feel emotions and they do feel pain, and when we're considering legislative change, we need to consider that first and foremost,' he told Triple J's Hack radio program on Friday. Mr Steel issued a media release late last year describing the proposed laws as 'recognition that animals are sentient beings that can feel emotion and pain and deserve to have an acceptable quality of life'. Walking three or more pooches would also be illegal to ensure 'control of dogs and improve safety from dog attacks'. Failing to provide adequate shelter, exercise or grooming could also see someone fined up to $3,750 under the proposed Animal Welfare Legislation Amendment Bill of 2019. The proposed Australian Capital Territory law will also make it illegal to walk three or more dogs (stock image) Canberra radio 2CC breakfast presenter Tim Shaw said the proposed law would see pets have as much power as human tenants. 'It looks like dogs and cats in the ACT will have an equal right as the tenant over the landlord,' he told Sky News on Monday. 'And they're wondering why landlords are departing investment here in Canberra.' Mr Shaw said the ACT needed to focus on delivering better roads and rubbish collection. Canberra's City Services Minister Chris Steel (pictured) said the proposed law was designed to make humans respect the feelings of animals 'Now I love a fury-faced friend as much as the next one but I think we're losing focus on delivering services,' he said. The proposed law would also proposes fines of up to $30,000 and three years jail for serious cases of animal cruelty. People who are repeatedly convicted of animal cruelty offences would also be banned from owning, caring for an living with animals. Public consultations have closed on the proposed law, with the ACT expected to pass legislation in the middle of 2019. A person has died on the first day of the new academic year at a leading Australian university. The individual was discovered at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia, at 10.30am on Monday. Police and emergency services are now at the South Street campus investigating the death, but at this stage it is not believed to be suspicious. Students returned to classes at the university on Monday, after Orientation week (O-Week) celebrations which began on February 18. Brawl accused: Kayla Potts with her boyfriend Jack Houldcroft, both from Langwarrin A young mother is one of a group of friends accused of punching a policeman from behind in a sickening attack that was caught on video. Childcare worker Kayla Potts, 25, and her fiance Jack Houldcroft, both from Melbourne's south, were charged over the horrific attack on two officers in St Kilda on Sunday morning. Footage allegedly showing the couple's friend Phillip O'Donnell slamming Senior Constable Darren Shepherd's head into the pavement went viral on Monday. Senior police described the shocking video as 'animalistic' and the state premier slammed the footage as 'disgusting'. The Melbourne Magistrates Court today heard that Potts, her brother Trent Potts, Houldcroft and O'Donnell had been attending a 30th birthday party in St Kilda when they got into an argument upon leaving the venue. A transgender woman intervened in the dispute but Trent Potts allegedly kicked her in the testicles. After she was attacked, police were called, and arrived on the scene just as the group were about to board a taxi. Potts (pictured), who is accused of striking a police officer from behind, was granted bail But her boyfriend Houldcroft (right) did not apply to be released from custody Trent Potts, who was allegedly wearing a pink shirt, was identified and questioned by Senior Constable Adam McKenzie. Detective Senior Constable Jacob Laidlaw told the court Potts then broke free and made a run for it. Senior Constable Darren Shepherd took chase but tripped on the gutter, he said. The court heard Trent Potts then allegedly shaped up to Mr McKenzie before striking him. The experienced officers took him down as his partner ran to help. It was then that police allege Kayla Potts struck Mr McKenzie from behind. He retaliated with a Mag light torch to the side of her head. Police allege Houldcroft punched and kicked one police officer as he lay on the ground and 'spear tackled' another cop after he clambered to his feet Kayla Potts (pictured left) is seen leaving the Magistrates Court in Melbourne on Monday The mother of a three-year-old child appeared in court sporting a bandage on her head from the blow. It was then that police claim O'Donnell attacked Mr Shepherd from behind, slamming his head repeatedly into the footpath. They further allege Houldcroft punched and kicked Mr McKenzie as he lay on the ground. He then allegedly 'spear tackled' Mr Shepherd after he got to his feet. He was hit with pepper spray, but the men fled, leaving Kayla Potts injured on the ground. She took herself to hospital and was arrested later that day. Sickening footage showed a man repeatedly slamming a police officer's head into the ground Police continue to search for several other people they believe participated in the brawl Her brother was caught that night, with footage found on his phone allegedly identifying his co-offenders. Police continue to search for several other people they believe participated in the brawl. Kayla Potts was the only one of the four people charged over the brawl to walk free on bail on Monday Senior Constable Laidlow told the court the officer sustained horrific injuries, including a ruptured bicep and suspected fractured cheekbone. 'It's quite a strong case and it's only going to get stronger,' he said. Kayla Potts was granted bail by magistrate Donna Bakos despite arguments by police she was at risk of committing further offences. She had admitted to punching the officer, the court heard. Her partner made no application for bail. Trent Potts and O'Donnell were remanded in custody and are expected to apply for bail tomorrow. The four were each charged with two counts of assault police, affray, violent disorder, intentionally cause injury and other assault related offences. Horror has rocked a small town after a 34-year-old man was electrocuted while working on the roof of a fire station. The tradesman was doing maintenance work on the roof of the fire station in Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory on Monday. Northern Territory police said the man was unable to be revived by paramedics at the scene or when he was taken to Tennant Creek Hospital. A 34-year-old tradesman has tragically died after being electrocuted at Tennant Creek Fire Station in the Northern Territory on Monday NT Worksafe said the incident happened at about 8am Monday morning. They said the man was performing roofing work at the station but the exact circumstances surrounding his death were unknown. Meanwhile inspectors from Alice Springs are travelling to Tennant Creek to investigate, while police are also investigating for the Northern Territory Coroner. A driver fired by BHP after the mining train he was transporting had to be manually derailed, causing the world's biggest train crash, has reached a confidential settlement with his former employer. The driver, Peter Frick, was transporting the 268-carriage mining train from Newman to Port Hedland, in Western Australia, in November, when it suddenly stopped after an electric braking system cable came loose. While Mr Frick was outside checking the carriage, the train, which was carrying 20,000 tonnes of iron ore, restarted and travelled 90 kilometres in less than an hour. Scroll down for video A driver fired by BHP after the mining train he was transporting had to be manually derailed, causing the world's biggest train crash, has reached a confidential settlement with his former employer (pictured) The driver, Peter Frick, was transporting the 268-carriage mining train from Newman to Port Hedland, in Western Australia, in November, when it suddenly stopped after an electric braking system cable came loose (file photo) BHP had to manually cause a derailment close to Turner's Siding, 120km south of Port Hedland, to stop the train, ABC News reported. Experts at the time said the damage from the derailment would have cost the company in excess of $50million. The incident left the 268-carriage wreckage strewn across more than a kilometer of desert and went down as the largest derailment by scale in Western Australian history. As a result, Mr Frisk was terminated from his position by BHP before Christmas. He then filed an unfair dismissal claim with the Fair Work Commission. During an investigation, it was revealed Mr Frisk has been asked to leave the cabin to check on the carriage when the train started to move. The derailment left the 268-carriage wreckage strewn across more than a kilometer of desert and went down as the largest derailment by scale in Western Australian history Tim Kucera, the driver's lawyer working on behalf of Turner Freeman, said BHP needed to acknowledge their role in the incident, where no one was injured. 'It is a classic case of 'have an accident, blame the worker not the system', he told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'Essentially what we will be saying is that the decision to dismiss was unfair for a raft of reasons not least of which was blaming the worker for the accident when there were significant issues with the systems, [over which he had no control].' On Monday, Mr Frisk's lawyer and BHP achieved a confidential settlement. Donald Trump Jr posted an Oscars-themed meme about 'politically motivated hate hoaxes' Donald Trump Jr took at swipe at Christine Blasey Ford, Jussie Smollett, and Nathan Phillips on Sunday night, shortlisting the trio in a spoof Oscars category for politically motivated hate hoaxes. The meme posted by presidents eldest son read: Cast your vote now. The nominees for best performance in a politically motivated hate hoax are The caption included the hashtags #oscars, #Oscars19, and #AcademyAward. The nominees in the meme are Ford, Smollett, and Phillips. Ford is the woman who accused Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her when they were in high school. The allegations surfaced during the confirmation process which followed in the weeks after President Trump nominated Kavanaugh to fill the seat vacated by retired Justice Anthony Kennedy. Ford testified before a Senate committee under oath that Kavanaugh assaulted her at an alcohol-filled party in high school more than 30 years ago. The meme posted by presidents eldest son read: Cast your vote now. The nominees for best performance in a politically motivated hate hoax are The nominees in the meme are Christine Blasey Ford, Jussie Smollett, and Nathan Phillips Ford (left) accused Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh (right) of sexually assaulting her when they were in high school. The allegations surfaced during the confirmation process which followed in the weeks after President Trump nominated Kavanaugh to the high court Kavanaugh denied the charges. Despite claims made by other women of alleged misconduct, he was confirmed by the Senate at the end of a bitter public debate. Smollett is the star of the hit Fox drama Empire who was arrested this past week for allegedly concocting a story that he was assaulted in a homophobic and racist attack. He told Chicago police that before dawn on January 29, he was beaten by two men who yelled racist and homophobic slurs at him. Smollett claimed the men tied a noose around his neck and poured bleach on him. Smollett is the star of the hit Fox drama Empire who was arrested this past week for allegedly concocting a story that he was assaulted in a homophobic and racist attack But a subsequent investigation by the Chicago Police Department found that the actor allegedly staged the attack. He has been charged with disorderly conduct, a felony that carries with it a maximum sentence of three years in prison. Initial speculation that the attackers were Trump supporters outraged supporters of the president, who feel vindicated in light of Smolletts arrest. Phillips is the Native American man who was seen on film confronting a group of Catholic school teens from Kentucky on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial last month. Initially, photos and video from the scene seemed to show a group of teens in red Make America Great Again hats smirking at and mocking the elderly Phillips while he played on a traditional Native American drum. Phillips is the Native American man (far right) who was seen on film confronting a group of Catholic school teens from Kentucky on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial last month. The photo makes it appear the teens were mocking him, but in reality Phillips approached them The initial impression ignited outrage, with many blasting the kids for being racist. But later footage added more nuance to the narrative, as it was learned that it was Phillips who approached the teens after they had gotten into an altercation with a group of Black Hebrew Israelites. Phillips had claimed that the kids were a mob who were threatening the Black Israelites, but this turned out to be false. The revelations prompted many who initially attacked the teens on social media to recant. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Huo Jing, marketing director of Borgward Group AG Sales Company and executive managing director of Borgward U.S. R&D center, has reportedly left Borgward and will join Ford China as vice president of public relations, effective on February 25, according to Chinese media outlets. Ms. Huo has rich experience in cross-culture and cross-region businesses and wealthy knowledge about Chinese and global markets as well as the information era. According to published records, she had worked at Nissan and Infiniti as director of public relations business for Chinese market. Besides, she had also taken the post of senior manager of external affairs & PR department at BYTON and served for NIO's North American supply chain and procurement department. Ford Motor suffered a year-on-year plunge of 36.9% in China sales, with 752,243 vehicles sold throughout 2018. Its joint venture Changan Ford was even halved over a year ago. Huo Jing's participation is expected to get the automaker's sales in China back on track. To raise the sales performance in the world's largest auto market, Ford Motor plans to transfer the production of 5 models to China, including a premium SUV under Lincoln brand and the company's first all-electric small-sized SUV. The global carmaker is attaching increasingly more importance to electrification. It aims to roll out 50 new models in China by the end of 2025, including 8 all-new SUV models and no less than 15 EV models. A woman who pushed a police officer twice on Australia Day has walked away with a $300 fine, but no conviction. Melissa Sheree Knapp pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer at Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Friday. Police prosecutor Sergeant Dean Burgess told the court Knapp had been out at the Club Hotel in Queensland on Australia Day, when an altercation broke out involving two men she knew. Melissa Sheree Knapp pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer, after pushing an officer twice at the Club Hotel in Bundaberg on Australia Day Melissa Sheree Knapp faced Bundaberg Magistrates court on Friday, where she was fined $300 and was let off with no conviction When police intervened, Ms Knapp pushed one of the officers twice in the chest. Ms Knapp's defence lawyer said she was 'extremely remorseful' for her actions, before telling the court 'she said she has apologised to the officer.' Magistrate Neil Lavaring fined Ms Knapp $300, but let her off with no conviction. A former top cop has been arrested and charged with bashing a female member of his own family. Terry Griffin, 73, is accused of assaulting a 22-year-old woman at a home on Mactier Street, Narrabeen, in Sydney's northern beaches, about 6pm on Saturday. Officers from the Northern Beaches Police Area Command were called to the home after they received reports of an alleged assault, 2GB reported. Radio host Chris Smith revealed the claims on his radio program on Monday, after whisteblowers allegedly contacted the radio program. A former top cop has been arrested and charged with bashing a female member of his own family Mr Smith said police spoke with the 22-year-old woman, however, she wasn't injured during the alleged incident. A 73-year-old man has since been arrested and taken into custody, the radio host said. An Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) against Terence Griffin has also allegedly been taken out by a woman. Griffin was previously the chief of the NSW Police Integrity Commission, which was established after the Royal Commission into the New South Wales Police Service took place between 1995 and 1997. The organisation was responsible for the prevention, detection and investigation of alleged serious misconduct in the Police Force. Griffin has since been granted conditional bail to appear at Manly Local Court on March 5. A Michigan mother who butchered her three young children in the woods last Monday before committing suicide outside her boyfriend's home used a fake doctor's note to get them out of school, police say. Abrianne Moore, 28, turned up at a her daughters' school in Kent County last week, telling teachers that she needed to take Alaina Rau, 2, Cassidy Rodery, 6, and Kyrie Rodery, 8, to a doctor's appointment. However Moore secretly had other plans. Instead, she drove the girls out to a wooded area behind their great-grandparents' home and lured them from the car one-by-one, and executed each of them with a hunting rifle. Aubrianne Moore, 28, (above) shot her three young daughters and herself on Monday in Cedar Rapids, Michigan, authorities have confirmed. Investigators believe she carried out the shocking triple murder-suicide because she suffered from mental illness Moore allegedly brought her three daughters, eight-year-old Kyrie Rodery (center), six-year-old Cassidy Rodery (right) and two-year-old Alaina Rau (left), out to a wooded area near Cedar Springs on Monday and shot them with a hunting rifle. She then loaded the children's bodies back into her car, drove to her boyfriend's home and shot herself She then loaded the children's lifeless bodies back into her car, drove to her boyfriend's home and shot herself. The boyfriend and father of the youngest daughter discovered the gruesome scene an hour and a half later. The note she handed to school administrators was a forgery, the Kent County Sheriff's Office revealed on Sunday. 'We don't know what was going through her head, she didn't leave a suicide note or anything like that,' Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young told MLive on Wednesday. Investigators believe Moore committed triple murder-suicide because she was suffering from mental illness. 'Mom appears to have been struggling with pretty substantial mental health issues,' LaJoye-Young said. 'She had some postings on Facebook and things like that that lead to believe she was paranoid and thought that the kids were in jeopardy somehow. We suspect that led to the events this day.' Last September, Moore's former social worker filed a petition to the Newaygo County Probate Court, suggesting she be admitted to a mental hospital. 'Aubrianne is keeping her kids home from school because the television told her there would be a school bus accident today,' the social worker wrote in her report. 'Aubrianne stays awake at night believing people will break into her home. Aubrianne is not eating believing food is being poisoned,' WYFF reported. Moore had been diagnosed with 'unspecified schizophrenia' and 'psychosis' and involuntarily hospitalized in September 2018. The 28-year-old is pictured (right) with her friend Kasey Jo The boyfriend and father of the youngest daughter, Alaina Rau (above), discovered the four bodies outside his home at around 3pm on Monday Victims Cassidy Rodery, six, (left) and Kyrie Rodery, eight, (center), are pictured above 'I believe the individual has mental illness and as a result of that mental illness the individual can reasonably be expected within the near future to intentionally or unintentionally seriously physically injure self or others.' Moore was diagnosed with 'unspecified schizophrenia' and 'psychosis' in September 2018 and was involuntarily hospitalized for 10 days, according to NewayGo County Probate Court records. LaJoye-Young said this case has been one of the most difficult that she's had to handle in her 29 years in law enforcement. 'This is one of the hardest cases I've ever heard about. This is a very difficult case,' she said on Wednesday. 'Our investigators are feeling it. It's heartbreaking that something like this happened in our community. 'I'm heartbroken for the family and for everybody involved and the community at large, because this is not something that's easy for us to not wonder what could have been done differently, what could we have done to help.' A GoFundMe campaign set up by Moore's brother, Robert Graham, has raised more than $6,300 as of Thursday morning. Graham said any money left over after funeral costs are covered will be used 'for legal purposes (trying to figure out how Aubrianne was neglected by doctors and treated to a lesser degree of help than what she needed)'. For confidential support call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255 Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young said the triple-murder suicide was one of the most difficult cases she has seen in her 29 years with law enforcement. Investigators are seen near the home where the bodies were found on Monday afternoon Darwin's Holtze prison has come under fire amid claims its failing sewage system has forced staff to limit prisoners to two toilet flushes a day. The prison has produced a foul odour for some time, defence lawyer Robert Welfare told NTNews. Inmates are also facing restrictions on their showers, he claimed. 'I've been to prisons all over Australia but this is the only jail I've heard of that limits shower time and only lets you flush twice a day... You can't control when nature calls,' Mr Welfare said. Darwin's Holtze prison has come under fire after sources claimed its failing sewage system has forced staff to limit prisoners to two toilet flushes a day (stock) 'So if you can't flush your toilet and you've used it, it's obviously going to make people sick.' A prison source told the publication water use is restricted within the prison but only for maximum security prisoners. Despite the reports, a NT Corrections spokesman denied the prison's sewage system was under pressure. He also denied that prisoners' showers or flushes were being rationed. Staff accusations were backed up by the Hamburger report from 2016, which deemed the facility's sewage system as incapable. A prison source said water use is restricted within the prison but only for maximum security prisoners (stock) After initially withholding the bulk of the scathing report into the corrections center, The Northern Territory government has revealed the findings after they were leaked to the media. The review found the $1.8billion Darwin correctional precinct was 'not fit for purpose' and subjected prisoners to 'humiliating and degrading' and 'unsuitable' lavatory conditions. Since opening in 2014, the $1.8billion Holtze prison has been lambasted for its overcapacity issues as well as structural and security issues. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez clambered to explain why neighbors at her listed Bronx address claimed they'd never seen here there. The Democrats' rising star actually lives down the road in a much larger apartment, her spokesman revealed. The New Yorker strongly denied a Saturday report in the New York Post, which claimed there was scant evidence that she lives in the Bronx condo where she is registered to vote. 'She lives there,' the freshman congresswoman's spokesman Corbin Trent told DailyMail.com, referring to a condo in the Parkchester neighborhood that was owned by Ocasio-Cortez's late father. 'That's home, period, for her. That's where she gets her energy, her drive. She not only lives there, that's where her heart's at, period,' Trent said of the condo. Through a spokesman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez strongly denied a report that she does not actually live in the Bronx apartment where she is registered to vote Ocasio-Cortez has a unit in the Bronx apartment complex, where her family lived when she was young and which remained in the family after her father passed away in 2008 But on Sunday, spokesman Corbin Trent said she actually lives 'a block and a half away' from the listed address in a two bedroom apartment with her boyfriend, having made the switch last month. Trent said the 29-year-old was relaxing at her new residence on Sunday afternoon, but he didn't identify the address. 'She is not living in the exact same condo,' but remains in the neighborhood, Trent said. He said that he had worked for Ocasio-Cortez for two years, and personally knew she had lived in the condo until recently. In July, DailyMail.com reported that Ocasio-Cortez had actually spent much of her youth living in upscale Westchester County, in seeming contrast with a hard-luck campaign biography touting her Bronx roots. After living in the Parkchester condo until she was around age five, her family moved to the suburban home for better schools, selling it when her father tragically died of cancer in 2008, but retaining ownership of the Bronx condo. The latest controversy deals with a more recent question: Where does Ocasio-Cortez live now? Since 2016, Ocasio-Cortez has listed the Parkchester condo as her residence on voter registration forms. Yet the Post claims that neighbors down the hall say they have never seen her in the building. 'I would have remembered,' one resident of 40 years told the Post, saying he'd never seen Ocasio-Cortez or her boyfriend, Riley Roberts, who also lists his residence in the unit. She not only lives there, that's where her heart's at, period,' a spokesman said of the condo where Ocasio-Cortez says she lives with her boyfriend Riley Roberts (right) Employees at a nearby grocery store and pizzaria told the newspaper that they had never heard of the now-famous congresswoman patronizing the businesses - though a server at a nearby taqueria had spotted Ocasio-Cortez once, when she came in for the purpose of being filmed by a news crew. Trent dismisses those claims, saying that while it's always possible someone might not recognize Ocasio-Cortez, she is well known in both the building and the neighborhood. 'I've watched her interact with people coming in about out of the building,' he told DailyMail.com. 'She's a frequent fixture in the neighborhood.' The mailman who has delivered to the building for a decade also told the Post that mail for her and Roberts piles up in their box for months at a time. The mailman said that no other mail was addressed to the condo, only Ocasio-Cortez and her boyfriend. Trent explained this as a fact of life for a busy candidate and then freshman congresswoman in transition, saying that Ocasio-Cortez had been gone for weeks at a time in particular during congressional orientation. Meanwhile, Ocasio-Cortez has also drawn criticism because she has yet to open a district office, something the other three freshman representatives from New York have manged to do. The congresswoman's district office will open in this building in Jackson Heights around March 4, her spokesman told DailyMail.com Ocasio-Cortez claimed that she wasn't able to take over her predecessor's district office because the landlord wanted to nearly double the rent, to $15,000 a month. 'That spike would have meant less caseworkers for our community,' she wrote on Twitter. 'Instead, we're making a new space with a family business!' Instead, she has rented an office space in Jackson Heights, Queens, which is currently under remodeling. Although the Post estimates the cost of that space at nearly $17,000 a month, Trent says the cost will be much lower, and less than the $15,000 her predecessor's space would have cost. Trent said that the new office will open around March 4. He said that until that time, constituents have a variety of ways to get in touch with the representative, through phone, by mail, and on her U.S. House website. A man involved in a plot to sail a fishing boat from northern Australia to help overthrow the Philippines government was attacked in jail after spinal surgery, a Melbourne court has heard. Shayden Jamil Thorne, 31, was held in a Saudi Arabian prison on terror charges in 2011 and deported to Australia three years later, before becoming involved in the 2016 'escapade' with five other young men, the Supreme Court plea hearing was told on Monday. Thorne, who will be sentenced on Tuesday, was attacked after surgery by a fellow inmate who hit him on his back while saying 'you got what you deserved, you dog'. A fellow inmate struck Shayden Jamil Thorne, 31, on the back after a recently having spinal surgery Influenced by Islamic preacher Robert 'Musa' Cerantonio, the four men dubbed the 'tinnie terrorists' hatched a plan to sail north so Cerantonio could encourage others to overthrow the Filipino government. Paul Dacre, 33, Antonino Granta, 28, Kadir Kaya, 24, and Murat Kaya, 28, intended to secretly sail to the Phillipines as none of them had valid Australian passports. None of the men had any boating experience either. Murat Kaya was arrested in terror raids in Melbourne in May 2016, shortly after the arrest of his younger brother Kadir Kaya, associates Paul James Dacre, Antonio Alfio Granata, Shayden Jamil Thorne and ringleader Robert 'Musa' Cerantonio. They were picked up by Australian Federal Police driving near Cairns, towing a seven-metre fishing boat they intended to sail from Cape York. Supreme Court Justice Michael Croucher predicted that this would have been a 'doomed voyage'. The four men were influenced by Islamic preacher Robert 'Musa' Cerantonio to travel to the Philippines so he could encourage others to overthrown the government Murat Kaya had originally intended to travel with them, but pulled out and was not apart of the plan the men had for their wives and children to later join them. While Dacre, Granta and Kadir Kaya were each sentenced to four years in jail with a three-year non-parole period, Murat Kaya was only given a three year and eight months jail sentence. Justice Croucher said he believed allowing their release on parole at the earliest possible opportunity would foster rehabilitation and better protect the community in the long-term. Javier Bardem criticized Donald Trump's policy on immigration during the Oscar ceremony by declaring; 'There are no borders or walls that can restrain ingenuity and talent.' The Spanish actor was presenting the award for the Best Foreign Language Film with actress Angela Bassett when he began to speak in his native language. He took a thinly-veiled swipe at Trump, whose tough stance on immigration and the building of a border wall on the U.S.-Mexico border have been a hallmark of his 2016 election campaign and his presidency. Javier Bardem (left) appeared to criticize Donald Trump (right) and his policy on immigration during the Oscars by stating, 'There are no borders or walls that can restrain ingenuity' Javier Bardem was presenting the award for the Best Foreign Language Film with actress Angela Bassett 'In any region of any country of any continent, there are always great stories that move us. 'And tonight we celebrate the excellence and importance of the cultures and languages of different countries,' said the 49-year-old James Bond actor, who is married to Penelope Cruz. 'Claro que si!' Bassett replied, which translates to 'of course!' The Spanish actor began speaking in his native language as he introduced the award The star's speech with translated with subtitles as he hailed the importance of diversity He took a swipe at President Donald Trump with his comments about borders and walls The Oscar for Best Foreign Film went to Alfonso Cuaron's "Roma," which was the director's tribute to his childhood growing up in Mexico City, Mexico. His remarks werent the only criticism of Trump's infamous wall during the Oscars telecast. Taking to the stage after a performance by Queen, Maya Rudolph joked: 'Just a quick update in case you're confused, there is no host tonight, no popular Oscar category and Mexico is not paying for the wall.' Trump said earlier this month that Mexico border wall 'will be built anyway' after lawmakers agreed a tentative agreement that only provides a quarter of the funding he has demanded. Bardem looked dapper in a patterned tuxedo as he arrives at the 91st Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood Angela Bassett and Javier Bardem walk onstage during the 91st Annual Academy Awards The actors are seen presenting an award to Alfonso Cuaron (right) for his movie "Roma," which was the director's tribute to his childhood growing up in Mexico City, Mexico The deal struck between Democrats and Republicans to ease the threat of a second crippling government shutdown includes $1.4 billion (1.09 billion) for the wall. Roma was poised for Academy Award success after securing an impressive ten nominations including nods in the Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress categories. Roma made history as the first Netflix original movie to be recognized in the Best Picture category Roma made history as the first Netflix original movie to be recognized in the Best Picture category. Earlier this month, Trump announced a national emergency to allow him to spend $8 billion building his wall after signing a bill to avoid a government shutdown after bitter standoff with Congress. On Friday Trump warned Democrats in Congress on Friday that he will issue his first legislative veto if a joint resolution to block last week's emergency declaration reaches his desk. House Democrats introduced a resolution hours earlier to block the move, which the president took as a means of funding his long-sought wall along the U.S-Mexico border. Asked during an Oval Office trade meeting with Chinese officials whether he was ready to uncap his veto pen, Trump didn't hesitate. 'On the wall? Will I veto it? One hundred per cent. One hundred per cent,' he said. Maya Rudolph, (right), seen with co-presenters Tina Fey (center) and Amy Poehler (right), also joked that 'Mexico is not paying for the wall' during Sunday night's ceremony in Los Angeles A family of Central American migrants (pictured) look through the US-Mexico border fence, as seen from Playas de Tijuana, in Baja California state on January 16 Salvadoran migrants embark on a journey in caravan towards the U.S. - Mexico border on October 31 seeking asylum A U.S. Border and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official stands next a concrete K-rail with concertina wire at Cordova-Americas bridge to enhance security efforts 'And I don't think it survives a veto. We have too many smart people that want border security. So I can't imagine if it survives a veto. But I will veto it, yes.' The upcoming battle will test Republican support for the national-emergency move, which even some of his allies view as a stretch and a slap at lawmakers' control over the power of the federal purse. Congress last week approved a vast spending bill providing nearly $1.4 billion to build 55 miles of border barriers in Texas' Rio Grande Valley while preventing a renewed government shutdown. That measure represented a rejection of Trump's demand for $5.7 billion to construct more than 200 miles. Muffin Break general manager Natalie Brennan has apologised for her controversial interview The general manager of Muffin Break has apologised for accusing millennials of being 'lazy' in the face of widespread backlash. Natalie Brennan broke her silence on Monday morning, retracting comments alluding to her disappointment in young workers being unwilling to work for free. In an interview that went viral over the weekend, Ms Brennan said she had noticed a trend of young people refusing unpaid internships within the business, citing their 'obsession' with social media. Many interpreted the comments as Ms Brennan trying to exploit workers by underpaying them, taking to social media to threaten a boycott of the cafe chain. She has now issued an apology, saying her comments were misconstrued. Ms Brennan said her comments about youths refusing to take unpaid internships at Muffin Break were misconstrued Ms Brennan says the interview published on news.com.au Saturday did not represent her views. 'The recent article does not reflect my values or those of Foodco (the chain's parent company),' she said on Monday. 'Every day for the last 25 years I've worked with young people who are motivated, passionate and hard-working. This is as true today as it was when I started my career. 'I don't expect anyone to work unpaid and Foodco Group policy is, and has always been, that all employees including interns, employed either directly or through our brands are paid according to relevant awards. 'The unpaid work I referred to was supervised programs run through schools, TAFEs or universities, which provide valuable gained experience to people before they enter the workforce full-time. 'I want to apologise for any misunderstanding or upset caused by my comments.' Social media users lambasted the general manager's comments, saying they would give the business the same treatment it gives to unpaid interns Foodco also issued a separate statement. 'Our policy is, and has always been, that all employees including interns, employed either directly or through our brands are paid according to relevant awards. 'We are proud that for almost 30 years we have provided jobs for thousands of young Australians and we will continue to do so.' The apology comes after millennials, who Ms Brennan accused of being obsessed with social media, took to the platform to voice their anger. 'Why should we work for free? Working for free won't pay our rent or feed our children!' one wrote. 'Can't work for free these days. Living costs are exceptionally high to be working for free,' wrote another. Others honed in on Ms Brennan's comment in which she said majority of her interns went on to paying work, with one writing, 'Going to muffin break tomorrow for a free breakfast and if it's satisfactory I might pay next time.' Many on social media threatened to boycott the cafe chain (pictured) after the interview Ms Brennan said the rise of Instagram celebrities making their livelihood online gave young people a false sense of self-righteousness and was resulting in a lack of people applying for unpaid work. 'I think everybody thinks social media is going to get them ahead somewhere. There's definitely that inflated view of their self-importance because they have X amount of Instagram followers or this many likes,' she said. Now, she said, instead of people knocking on her door for internships which only reward them with on-the-job experience, most were unwilling to 'put in the hard yards'. She also claimed youths she interviewed had a sense of entitlement she had never seen before, often before they had even been offered a job. She said there was now an expectation that 'you're going to come into a company and be the general manager or CEO in five years... with candidates asking, "how long before I get my promotion?" when interviewing.' The Australian Council of Trade Unions joined the affray, saying nobody should work for free The Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus hit back, saying millennials had 'had enough of being robbed'. 'Robbed of wages, robbed of ever having a job with paid leave, robbed of ever owning a house. Good on them. Those doing the robbing had better watch out.' The group's official Twitter account wrote: 'People should be paid for the hours they work. Full stop.' Ms Brennan went on to recall incidents in which constructive criticism toward employees was skewed to seem like a personal attack. 'I'm generalising, but it definitely feels like this generation of 20-somethings has to be rewarded even if it's the most mundane, boring thing, they want to be rewarded for doing their job constantly.' Online media is now a profitable market for Instagram models and is a legitimate full-time career, with some online stars making thousands of dollars for a single post. Generally, the influencers are expected to pose alongside a product and provide a review. A 62-year-old man is accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl while he was an actor working in the early 1990s. Police claim the girl was just 15 when the alleged assault occurred between May 1991 and June 1992 when he employed at a Perth theatre company. The Kalgoorlie man has been charged with aggravated sexual assault and is due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court later on Monday. A 62-year-old man is accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl while he was an actor working in the early 1990s (stock image) The investigation is ongoing. Detectives urge anyone with any information regarding this matter to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Or alternatively you can make a report online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au. Heavily-armed Vietnamese soldiers prepared for the arrival of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Monday as he travels to Hanoi where he will come face-to-face with President Donald Trump for the second time. The two leaders have much to discuss during their second summit and are faced with putting meat on the bones of the vaguely worded declaration that emerged from their historic first summit in Singapore in June 2018. That encounter - the first-ever between the leaders of the US and North Korea - left many ambiguities on the key question of denuclearization and analysts say clearer answers need to emerge in the Vietnamese capital. At the June meeting, Kim pledged to 'work towards complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula' but the lack of progress since then has drawn criticism that the leaders were only after headlines and short-term gains. Vietnamese soldiers stood guard near an entrance of the Dong Dang railway station, where Kim is expected to arrive by train ahead of the second US-North Korea summit, in Lang Son on Monday. Heavily-armed Vietnamese soldiers prepared for the arrival of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Monday as he travels to Hanoi where he will come face-to-face with President Donald Trump for the second time Vietnamese soldiers stood guard near an entrance of the Dong Dang railway station, where Kim is expected to arrive by train ahead of the second US-North Korea summit, in Lang Son on Monday Trump and Kim's first encounter in Singapore left many ambiguities on the key question of denuclearization. The two leaders have much to discuss during their second summit Trump is also scheduled to leave Washington, DC, on Monday to head to the summit. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo boarded a plane at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, Sunday night to travel to Hanoi ahead of the summit. Pompeo said Sunday there may have to be a third summit between the two leaders because they 'may not get everything done this week'. 'There may have to be another summit,' he said on Fox News Sunday. 'We may not get everything done this week. We hope we'll make a substantial step along the way.' Officials have been scrambling to prepare for the summit, with Stephen Biegun, the US Special Representative for North Korea and his North Korean counterpart Kim Hyok Chol expected to wrangle over the text of the joint statement until early morning on Wednesday. Biegun acknowledged last month that Pyongyang and Washington did not have a 'shared agreement of what denuclearization entails'. The US has repeatedly demanded the North give up its nuclear arsenal in a final, fully verifiable way. Pyongyang sees denuclearization more broadly, seeking an end to sanctions and what it sees as US threats - usually including the American military presence in the South, and sometimes in the wider region. 'The ambiguity and obscurity of the term denuclearization only exacerbates the skepticism about both the US and North Korean commitments to denuclearization,' wrote Shin Gi-wook, director of the Korea Program at Stanford University. Trump has employed both carrots and sticks to pursue North Korea's denuclearization, praising the regime's potential as a 'great economic powerhouse' but saying tough sanctions will remain until it takes a 'meaningful' step. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (pictured) boarded a plane at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, on Sunday to travel to Hanoi. Pompeo said there may have to be a third summit between the two leaders because they 'may not get everything done this week' Officials have been scrambling to prepare for the summit, with Stephen Biegun, the US Special Representative for North Korea and his North Korean counterpart Kim Hyok Chol expected to wrangle over the text of the joint statement until early morning on Wednesday A man inspects the track near Dong Dang railway station, where Kim is expected to arrive by train ahead of the second US-North Korea summit, in Lang Son Pyongyang insists it has already done so, by not testing ballistic missiles or nuclear weapons for more than a year, and blowing up the entrances to its atomic test site. But at the same time, North Korea says it has completed the development of its arsenal and the facilities are no longer needed. Diplomats in Pyongyang say authorities have emphasized Kim's demand in his New Year speech that the US must respond with 'trustworthy measures and corresponding practical actions'. The two need to take 'at least one step forward on denuclearization' in Hanoi, said Harry Kazianis of the Center for the National Interest, adding: 'Nothing would be worse than for either side to come out of the meeting as if it was a waste of time.' Some of Washington's recent rhetoric has stressed the safety of US citizens rather than the North abandoning its arsenal. That has raised questions whether Trump might be willing to accept a nuclear-armed North if it gives up the intercontinental ballistic missiles with which it can target the US. Diplomats in Pyongyang say authorities have emphasized Kim's demand in his New Year speech that the US must respond with 'trustworthy measures and corresponding practical actions' Trump said last week he had 'no pressing time schedule' to convince Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear arsenal as long as it maintained its testing freeze That would leave US allies South Korea and Japan both within range of the North's arsenal, and was described as 'the worst scenario' in an editorial by the Korea Herald. Trump said last week he had 'no pressing time schedule' to convince Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear arsenal as long as it maintained its testing freeze. Trump proclaimed that the North Korean nuclear threat was over after the Singapore summit, and Scott Seaman of the Eurasia Group said he had one eye on a Nobel Prize. 'Trump will likely focus more on reinforcing a narrative that he has secured peace than on pushing Kim to denuclearize,' he wrote. The best-case scenario, said Kim Yong-hyun of Dongguk University, would be if Trump and Kim can agree a road map for the denuclearization process. North Korea could agree to 'visible, symbolic measures' such as the shuttering of the Yongbyon nuclear complex or dismantling ICBMs. Washington could promise security guarantees in the form of a declaration of an end to the 1950-53 Korean War - which ended with an armistice instead of a full peace treaty - or opening liaison offices. That would signal the first stage of normalising US-North Korean relations, said Go Myong-hyun of the Asan Institute of Policy Studies, and would be an ideal 'politically symbolic step' rather than prematurely agreeing to sanctions relief. 'The previous expectation that this is going to be a milestone... is probably misplaced,' he told AFP. But Trump is unpredictable, and could look to deflect attention from his domestic woes. His former lawyer Michael Cohen is due to testify to Congress on February 28, and former CIA analyst Soo Kim told AFP: 'Trump could impulsively agree to give away significant concessions to Kim in Vietnam expressly for his own interests.' PM inspects preparations for DPRK-USA Summit Updated: 09:38 - 25/02/2019 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visits the Vietnam News Agency's section at the International Media Center__Photo: VNA , , Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on February 24 visited the International Media Centre (IMC) in Hanoi to inspect preparations for the upcoming DPRK-USA Hanoi Summit Vietnam.At a working session with relevant ministries and agencies, PM Phuc stressed that the summit is a prominent international event which has attracted much attention from the world and is significant to regional and global peace.He lauded efforts of ministries, sectors, agencies and companies in preparing the best conditions for the event as well as the DPRK and US delegations, while promoting the images of a friendly country as well as cultural identity and lifestyle of Vietnamese people.The PM showed his pleasure at the progress of the preparation work, stressing the need to ensure absolute safety for foreign guests to Hanoi and Vietnam during this occasion.PM Phuc asked authorized agencies to continue keeping a close watch on the progress of preparations, completing all plans and finalizing all works before the delegations arrive in Vietnam.Highlighting the significant role played by the media in popularizing the nation and Hanoi the City for Peace, the Government leader asked domestic and foreign media agencies to provide more news about Vietnams achievements after 30 years of reform and the images of a friendly, independent, self-reliant and prosperous Vietnam.The international media center, located at the Cultural Friendship Palace at No. 91 Tran Hung Dao street, the center will officially start operation on February 26. It is capable of hosting more than 3,000 reporters at the same time. It is equipped with full modern facilities serving the reporters operations.Earlier the same day, PM Phuc also checked the security control center for the DPRK-USA Hanoi Summit Vietnam.- The 21-year-old man who became infamous for tattooing the word 'Devast8' across his face has been convicted of assaulting a pregnant woman. Mark Cropp pleaded guilty of male assaults female charges in a Papakura District Court last week, The New Zealand Herald reported. The convict made international headlines in 2017 after he revealed he had been turned away by employers because of the prominent ink on his face. His public plea for a job went viral and ultimately landed him a position at scaffolding company PR Contracting, earning $22 an hour. Cropp's success, however, was short-lived and he landed back in trouble last year after he attacked a 17-week pregnant woman, who cannot be identified. Court documents obtained by the Herald reveal a tumultuous relationship between Cropp and the victim. Mark Cropp, 21, who became infamous for his tattoo of the word 'Devast8' across his face, has been convicted of assaulting a pregnant woman The convict made international headlines in 2017 after he revealed he had been struggling to get a job because of the prominent ink on his face During an incident in May, the pair had argued over the woman's mobile phone after Cropp demanded to see who she had been talking to. He told the woman: 'You better shut the f**k up b***h or I'll punch your mouth in.' To which she replied: 'Do it then, hasn't stopped you before.' Records show the assault took place five days later when the two were riding in a car and another argument ensued. The woman had asked Cropp to pull over so she can exit the car, but he refused. When she opened the door to leave, Cropp then grabbed her by the collar of her hoodie and twisted it around her neck, choking her. He also kicked her in the knee when they arrived at their destination. The Herald reports that Cropp had tried to block the outlet from reporting on the case. Although he had become a public figure, his lawyer said 'that does not automatically mean his life and reputation becomes property of the same media forever'. He added that his client has been 'repeatedly mocked and ridiculed by the media', which has put 'strain on him'. Cropp's public plea for a job went viral and ultimately landed him a position at scaffolding company PR Contracting, earning $22 an hour Cropp submitted an opposition to the media coverage stating: 'At the time I thought it was cool having my image everywhere and the attention. 'I have, however, moved on now and this media attention messes with my life.' He claimed the publicity had subjected him to death threats and also made it difficult for him to find a place to live. Cropp will be sentenced in May. Cropp had previously served a two-year jail sentence for aggravated robbery after he pulled a knife on a tourist in a fake drug deal. He said his brother did the regrettable tattoo while they were drunk on alcohol brewed behind bars in Christchurch, New Zealand. He revealed Devast8 was his nickname, but not for reasons he was proud of. 'You know there was a long time there where I would devastate everything I touched,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'I would end up devastating everyone I met or got close to. 'They would be disappointed with something I had done or said - I was always hearing "that's devastating".' The tattoo was drawn with a homemade gun which used a needle made from the spring of a pen and powered by a cassette player. Plastic knives and forks are burnt to a black plastic powder and mixed with toothpaste and water to create the ink. 'Once it was started, I thought, I can't go back on it now. I wish I had stopped while the outline was there to be quite honest,' he said. 'Before I knew it I had this on my face... It was swollen like a bloody pumpkin.' Cropp originally wanted to raise enough money to get the tattoo removed but stopped the treatment he was offered for free after the first session. Two tradesmen who became trapped four metres underground after a trench collapsed on top of them have been rescued and taken to hospital. Emergency services were called to High St, Epping in Melbourne's north, after they received reports of two men being trapped underground about 11.50am on Monday. A major rescue mission to free the men was established by Metropolitan Fire Brigade trench specialists and Ambulance Victoria. Two tradesmen who became trapped four metres underground after a trench collapsed at a work site (pictured) have been rescued and taken to hospital Emergency services were called to High St, Epping (pictured) in Melbourne 's north, after they received reports of two men being trapped underground about 11.50am on Monday An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman later revealed a man in his 20s had been rescued and taken to The Royal Melbourne Hospital just before 3pm. A short time later, 7News posted an update on their Twitter feed, which stated a second man in his 50s had also been freed and was being taken to hospital. The Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said both men were in a stable condition. The man in his 20s sustained a leg injury during the incident, while the man in his 50s sustained suspected crush injuries, the spokeswoman told the Herald Sun. Twenty-four firefighters provided assistance to MFB and Ambulance Victoria to help rescue the two men, who became trapped by dirt when the trench (pictured) collapsed An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman confirmed a man in his 20s had been rescued and taken to The Royal Melbourne Hospital just before 3pm Twenty-four firefighters provided assistance to MFB and Ambulance Victoria to help rescue the two men, who became trapped by dirt when the trench collapsed. Victoria Police was also in attendance and WorkSafe Victoria has been notified. The cause of the incident is still under investigation. The controversial weed killer Roundup will go on trial again six months after a groundskeeper won the first-ever lawsuit accusing the chemical of causing cancer. Roundup, a brand owned by German chemical and pharmaceutical giant Bayer after its purchase of US-based Monsanto last year, contains glyphosate that environmentalists and other critics have long maintained leads to cancer. Glyphosate is used in weed killers made by several companies, and is currently the most used herbicide around the world. Jurors in August unanimously found that Monsanto acted with 'malice' and that its weed killers Roundup and Ranger Pro contributed 'substantially' to Dewayne 'Lee' Johnson's terminal illness. Weed killer Roundup will go on trial again after Edwin Hardeman, from Sonoma County, north of San Francisco, accused the chemical of contributing to his cancer The weed killer is owned by German chemical and pharmaceutical giant Bayer after its purchase of US-based Monsanto last year Now another Californian, Edwin Hardeman, is accusing Roundup of contributing to his cancer, which is of the same type as Mr Johnson's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Mr Hardeman, of Sonoma County, north of San Francisco, says he used Roundup extensively to treat his property from the 1980s until 2012, according to his lawyers. He filed a complaint against Monsanto in early 2016, a year after being diagnosed with cancer. According to the complaint, the company 'knew or had reason to know that Roundup was defective and unsafe' and that exposure to the product 'could result in cancer and other severe illnesses and injuries.' The complaint went on to say Monsanto 'failed to contain adequate warnings and precautions that would have enabled Mr Hardeman, and similarly situated individuals, to utilize the product safely and with adequate protection'. Environmentalists and critics of the weed killer have argues that the glyphosate inside the chemical leads to cancer However Monsanto has continued to argue that its products are not dangerous if the conditions of use are followed Instead, the company 'disseminated information that was inaccurate, false, and misleading,' Mr Hardeman's lawyers alleged. Monsanto, which has sold Roundup worldwide for more than 40 years, is holding firm to its line of defense that the products are not dangerous if the conditions of use are followed, as proven by hundreds of scientific studies, it says. Like Mr Johnson's trial, the new case will take place in San Francisco but it will be the first heard in a federal court, where some legal technicalities differ from the state level where Mr Johnson won his case. Although not a class action lawsuit, the outcome of the Mr Hardeman's case will provide a signal for the other jurisdictions. Mr Johnson precedent will also hang over the new trial which should last four or five weeks. Mr Johnson was diagnosed in 2014 with NHL, a cancer that affects white blood cells. He said he repeatedly used Ranger Pro while working at a school in Benicia, California. Jurors in his case last August ordered Monsanto to pay $250 million in punitive damages along with compensatory damages and other costs, bringing the total award to nearly $290 million. Judge Suzanne Bolanos, who presided over the case in California State Court, later denied Monsanto's request for a new trial -- but cut the damages to $78 million to comply with a law regarding how such awards must be calculated. The ruling sent Bayer shares tumbling on fears that a wave of costly litigation could be about to break on the firm. In November, Bayer said it would slash 12,000 jobs in a restructuring after the takeover of Monsanto, which asked a US appeals court to toss out Mr Johnson verdict. In August jurors unanimously found that Monsanto's weed killers Roundup and Ranger Pro contributed 'substantially' to Dewayne 'Lee' Johnson's terminal illness Glyphosate is a controversial chemical that is currently under particular scrutiny in Europe At Bayer's request, Mr Hardeman's trial will be conducted in two stages. The first phase will seek to determine whether Roundup is responsible for the complainant's cancer. If the jury concludes that it is, the next step will be to decide whether or not Monsanto has a liability and, if so, what compensation should be paid. For the judge, the two-stage process aims to help the jury decide the possible liability of glyphosate without being influenced by the reputation of Monsanto, which has a controversial image all over the world, accused of having manipulated studies. Praised by farmers for its effectiveness and low cost, glyphosate is under particular scrutiny in Europe and especially in France, where authorities in January banned a form of the herbicide, Roundup Pro 360. But the chemical has been subject to contradictory decisions around the world. The European Union renewed its authorization of glyphosate for five years in November 2017, but President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to outlaw its use in France by 2021. A 2015 study by a World Health Organization agency concluded that glyphosate was 'probably carcinogenic.' Environmental groups including Greenpeace have called for an outright ban in Europe for glyphosate but Monsanto insisted the herbicide meets EU licensing standards. A Brisbane woman accused of murdering her mother by striking her in the face with a wooden stake says she didn't do it. Simona Zafirovska, 21, is accused of killing Radica Zafirovska at the 56-year-old's residence at The Gap, in Brisbane's northwest, on October 28, 2016. On Monday, Zafirovska, a former university student, told a Supreme Court jury she is not guilty of the murder. Simona Zafirovska, 21, appeared in court on Monday and is accused of murdering her mother with a wooden stake (pictured at her arrest in 2016) The victim, Radica Zafirovska, 56, (pictured) was found at her residence at The Gap, a north western suburb of Brisbane Radica Zafirovska's bloodied body was found after her daughter raised the alarm. Police allege a piece of wood almost one metre long and seven centimetres wide was found in the bedroom near Ms Zafirovska. More to follow. New York police are investigating swastikas and other anti-Semitic messages scrawled on a school playground in Queens, it has been reported. Dozens of swastikas and anti-Semitic messages including Hail Hitler and No Jews Allowed were discovered on Friday in Rego Park. The messages were drawn in chalk on the playground of PS 139, a local public school, WNBC-TV reported. Students were off from school this past week due to the midwinter recess, so there were no kids in the building at the time of the vandalism. 'Hail Hitler' and swastikas were scrawled in chalk on the playground of a Queens, New York public school Dozens of anti-Semitic symbols were scrawled in the playground at PS 139 in Rego Park A school employee discovered the griffiti on Friday and alerted the New York Police Department A custodian discovered the messages and contacted the New York Police Department. The NYPD is investigating the incident as a hate crime. I am horrified, disgusted and nauseated, to say the least, of what I have witnessed today, New York City Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz tweeted. Nazi imagery and anti-Semitic slurs were drawn at the PS 139 playground in Rego Park. I was on the scene today and most of the imagery has been washed away. Enough is enough! The NYPD will be aided in the investigation by New York State Police after Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered the agency to assist in the probe. I am appalled and disgusted by the Swastikas and other anti-Semitic symbols of hate that were scrawled in a Queens schoolyard, Cuomo said in a statement on Sunday. In New York, we have zero tolerance for such vile acts of anti-Semitism. The NYPD confirmed that it is investigating the incident as a hate crime I am horrified, disgusted and nauseated, to say the least, of what I have witnessed today, New York City Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz tweeted PS 139 in Rego Park is seen in the above undated stock image The incident is the latest in a series of anti-Semitic hate crimes, which have been on the rise in recent years. Hate crimes in the United States jumped 17 percent in 2017, with a huge 37 percent spike in anti-Semitic attacks, marking the third year in a row that such attacks have increased, according to FBI data released in November. The release of the data came weeks after a gunman burst into a Pittsburgh synagogue and shot dead 11 worshippers while shouting All Jews must die. According to the FBIs annual Hate Crime Statistics report, there were a total of 7,175 hate crime incidents reported last year by law enforcement agencies, up from 6,121 incidents in 2016. The agency did not offer a reason for the increase. The report showed a 37 percent jump in anti-Semitic incidents to 938 from 684 a year earlier. The Pittsburgh synagogue massacre in late October fueled a debate ahead of the Nov. 6 national elections over President Trumps inflammatory political rhetoric and his self-identification as a 'nationalist.' Critics say Trumps rhetoric has fomented a surge in right-wing extremism and may have even helped provoke the bloodshed at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburghs Squirrel Hill neighborhood, which was the worst attack on Americas Jewish community. The Trump administration has rejected any notion that he has encouraged white nationalists and neo-Nazis who have embraced him, insisting the presidents true aim is to unify America. Working class white boys struggling at school should get the same treatment as travellers children, it was claimed last night. Some white boys are so far behind their peers in their studies that the Equalities and Human Rights Commission say they should be treated similarly to traveller and disabled children at school. They are urging the government to bring in regulations so white working class boys can get the help they need if they are behind. Attainment is an issue particularly for white boys on free school meals or from disadvantaged backgrounds, whereas exclusion rates are higher for Gipsy, Roma, traveller boys and black boys, a spokesman for the commission told The Daily Telegraph. Some white boys are so far behind their peers in their studies that the Equalities and Human Rights Commission say they should be treated similarly to traveller and disabled children at school (stock image) At the start of school white boys on free school meals are 13 points behind disadvantages black pupils in key literacy skills, according to official figures At the start of school white boys on free school meals are 13 points behind disadvantaged black pupils in key literacy skills, according to official figures. The gap remains at GCSE - with the average score for eight GCSEs stands at 29.5 for white boys and 40.5 for disadvantaged Asian boys. The commission are calling for white boys to receive the same provision as traveller children who can qualify for extra teaching support as well as providing teachers with training on how to deal with social differences. Becky Francis, director of University College Londons Institute of Education, told The Daily Telegraph that social inequality had a bigger influence than gender on exam results. She added: Theres reasonably good evidence that challenging gender stereotypes in the home and school is actually effective and is the best strategy for narrowing gaps. The founder of child protection charity Bravehearts has accused the family court of 'signing off' on a six-month-old baby's death after the boy was killed while in the custody of his abusive father in a tragic suspected murder-suicide. Hetty Johnston has called for a royal inquiry into the death of baby William, who was found dead in a car alongside his 46-year-old father in the Beerwah State Forest, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, on February 6. The baby boy had been reported missing after the father failed to hand the child over to his mother days earlier as part of a custody arrangement. Police revealed William's parents had recently separated and the father had a history of domestic violence. Baby William was found dead in a car alongside his 46-year-old dad in Queensland's Sunshine Coast, on February 6. Questions have been raised over why the dad, who was facing domestic abuse charges, had custody of the child The bodies of William and his 46-year-old father were found inside a red Holden Commodore (pictured) on a remote track of the Beerwah State Forest Johnston is now questioning why a parent with such a background would have been granted visitation rights of a child in the first place. 'The court signed off on that baby's death,' Johnston said, according to the Courier Mail. Bravehearts founder Hetty Johnston has called for a royal inquiry and called on judges to conduct thorough assessments of child custody cases 'That father should never have had contact with that baby.' Johnston called on judges to conduct thorough assessments in child custody cases by checking for history of abuse. She explained that some parents often felt forced into signing consent orders in fear of losing complete custody of their children. Questions have also been raised over why an Amber Alert was never issued after the baby was reported missing. Council workers discovered the bodies while they were working in the remote forest around 8am - but police are now investigating whether they had been in the car for up to a week. Det Insp Drinnen said the baby was reported missing on Monday and that the mother and father had recently separated. The baby's father was due to hand the child over to his mother, but never arrived at the allocated time. Det Insp Drinnen also confirmed that no alert was issued, despite the fact the child was missing for more than 36 hours. The bodies of the father and son are suspected to have been in the car for several days before they were discovered Police (pictured at the scene) are investigating whether the man killed the child before taking his own life The bodies were found inside a car on Roys Road (pictured) earlier this month Police are now investigating why the alert - which urgently broadcasts a photo of a missing child to media outlets - was never issued. 'The father and the child failed to turn up as a result of some custody arrangements,' Det Insp Drinnen said. 'The mother was concerned... so [police did] welfare checks initially, before this was reported as a missing person investigation. 'This was treated as a high-risk missing person investigation ... to try and locate the missing person and child.' No weapons were found in the car and the cause of the deaths is yet to be established. Police said the bodies had been in the car for 'some time'. Daily Mail Australia understands a witness told investigators he saw a red Holden parked in the same spot on Tuesday. Lifeline - 13 11 14 A governor of the NHS trust which runs Englands only gender clinic for children has quit amid claims youngsters are being rushed into transitioning without being given enough guidance. Marcus Evans, who had worked at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust for more than 30 years, said he has serious concerns about what is going on in the gender identity world. His decision to quit followed a damning internal report which claimed that the trusts Gender Identity Development Service, an NHS service, was not fit for purpose. A letter has been signed by 25 other clinicians at the trust who are upset at how the concerns raised in the report have been handled. Marcus Evans, who had worked at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust for more than 30 years, said he has serious concerns about what is going on in the gender identity world The report by Dr David Bell concluded that childrens needs are being met in a woeful, inadequate manner and some will live on with the damaging consequences. He wrote that the service was not fully considering factors in a childs background, such as previous abuse or autism, which might influence their decision to transition. The report found some children were referred for puberty-blocking hormones after just one session. The clinic in Swiss Cottage, north west London, also allegedly bowed to pressure from highly politicised campaigners despite some children taking up a trans identity as a solution to problems such as historic child abuse in the family, bereavement... homophobia and a very significant incidence of autism spectrum disorder. Cases which raised concerns included a girl who felt guilty when her brother died suddenly, so she attempted to give her parents their son back by changing gender. Some parents also sought transition for their children because they were gay. Speaking to the Daily Mail yesterday, Mr Evans said: I have concerns about what is going on in the gender identity world. My concern is that there has been a tendency to become too quick to jump to conclusions in this particular area. There is a lot of pressure on services with people coming in with a fixed idea of what they think they need, alongside pro-trans lobby groups who have a lot of influence. Its hard for clinicians to see a kid and their family and say, we need to slow things down and think about this. Mr Evans, who stressed he is an experienced adult psychotherapist but does not specifically work with children nor specialise in gender, added: The child may feel like you are withholding from them what they see as the solution. Mr Evans quit following a damning internal report which claimed the trusts Gender Identity Development Service - an NHS service - was not fit for purpose But actually what you are doing is being a responsible clinician trying to slow things down and think things through. We are not taking a hard line against them but nor are we capitulating to their way of seeing things. Speaking about concerns raised in Dr Bells report, he said: I dont think a lot of serious things he brought up were properly addressed. It needs thorough examination before referring people for active medication treatment as we dont fully know the implications of this biologically and psychologically. The trust said all the recommendations will be discussed at a meeting next month and acted on. Responding to Mr Evans, Dr Polly Carmichael of the trust said: We carry out wide-ranging thoughtful assessments over a period of time exploring with young people many aspects of their development. In many cases we work closely with local services where young people are better supported for co-occurring problems. A recommendation at the end of the assessment can be for further time for a young person to consider their options. Two pensioners who died when a speeding van ploughed into their car during a police chase were heading home after visiting their grandchildren. Bob and Shirley Wigzell, both 71, were a mile from their home when a rented Ford Connect van, being driven 'erratically and at speed', hit their Citroen C3. Paramedics battled to save the couple after the crash at midnight on Saturday, but they died at the scene on the 30mph road in Eltham, South East London. Bob and Shirley Wigzell, both 71, were a mile from their home when a rented Ford Connect van, being driven 'erratically and at speed', hit their Citroen C3 Bouquets from their children and grandchildren have since been laid, with their son admitting the family were facing a 'tough time' following their deaths. The van had failed to stop for police, and driver Ben Ord, 41, a has been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving. Ord, a lift engineer, was today remanded in custody after appearing at Bromley Magistrates' Court via video link from Lewisham police station. Ord was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey in London on March 25 for a pre-trial preparation hearing. Wearing a grey jumper, he spoke only to confirm his name and address. Around 11 relatives of the couple sat in the public gallery to watch proceedings. Clinging to each other and fighting back tears, they let out a small cheer when the hearing ended and left the court without comment. Retired postal worker Mr Wigzell and his wife were described by their grandchildren as their 'absolute world'. The couple's grief-stricken son Gary, 45, who lives a short drive from the crash scene, said last night: 'They meant the world to us, that's all I can say. Paramedics battled to save the couple after the crash at midnight on Saturday, but they died at the scene on the road in Eltham, South East London. The scene is pictured later that day 'They mean the world to me and my sisters, their grandchildren, their great-grandchildren. They've left a big void. We're going through a tough time.' In floral tributes left at the scene of the crash, one note from their granddaughter Danielle read: 'Nan and gramps, I will miss you more than you'll ever know. 'You are both my absolute world and always will be. I am heartbroken that you were taken from us in the way you was. I will miss you for ever.' A tribute from another of the couple's grandchildren, sitting in a bouquet of red roses, said: 'Nan and Grandad, I can't believe someone's taken you both from us all. 'I am heartbroken. You both were the best grandparents I could have asked for. I will love you and miss you forever.' A gut-wrenching note was also left by a Good Samaritan who seems to have tried to help them after the crash. It said: 'I'm so sorry. I tried to help, but it was too late.' Mrs Wigzell's cousin Henry Wootten, 82, said: 'She was a lovely, terrific person. She loved her family. They'd been to visit their grandchildren before it happened.' A white Europcar hire van was seen being towed away from the 30mph road on Saturday Neighbour Mahmut Hassan, 57, was woken by a neighbour after the couple's car crashed into his Honda. The engineer said: 'My neighbour came and told me that there had been a crash. The front windscreen of the car was smashed and the airbags had gone off. 'There was a lot of people around the car but I could see the lady who was in the passenger seat had a walking stick. 'The ambulance people and police were doing all they could to try and save them. They worked on the man for at least half an hour giving him CPR.' Ord was also taken to hospital after the crash. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the incident. Deputy Commissioner Steve House said: 'While this collision and the circumstances surrounding it will be investigated, I, on behalf of the Metropolitan Police service, extend sincere condolences to the family and friends of the two people who died as a result of this incident. Our thoughts are with them at this time.' Officers have been caught allegedly making racist and homophobic comments after secret cameras and microphones were installed at a new police station. Hampshire Police Investigation Centre in Basingstoke was bugged with recording devices to catch out police staff and officers after a complaint was made. An investigation was launched a year ago after officers and civilian staff were recorded making inappropriate comments. A total of 21 employees, including 16 officers and three civilian staff are under investigation with five suspended and 11 placed on restricted duties, according to the Sun. Hampshire Police and Investigation Centre in Basingstoke where secret recording devices were set up after a complaint was made about officers A complaint was made just months after the new Northern Hampshire Police Investigation Centre was opened by the Home Secretary Amber Rudd in August 2017. A file was passed to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) that will investigate the claims made against Hampshire Police. A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said: 'Hampshire Constabulary takes any allegations of this nature very seriously.' The investigation comes a week after the 20th anniversary of the damning Macpherson Report that branded the Met Police institutionally racist. The 1999 report examined the investigation into the racist killing of black teenager, Stephen Lawrence, while waiting for a bus in Eltham, south-east London, in 1993. Then Home Secretary Amber Rudd opening the Hampshire Constabulary HQ in 2017. Just a year later a complaint was made about officers and an investigation was launched It took nearly 20 years for two of his five or six killers finally to be brought to justice, after double-jeopardy rules were amended to allow new evidence to be presented at a later trail. The inquiry into the Met's handling of the case, led by high court judge William Macpherson, accused the force of 'institutional racism'. A report into the Met Police's handling of the Stephen Lawrence case found the force was institutionally racist It made 70 recommendations including greater oversight of the police, greater powers to discipline officers, and the definition of a racist incident to be extended to 'any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person'. The Met revealed that 20 years on from the report, black and minority ethnic people are still less likely to be successful applicants to the Met Police. Commissioner Cressida Dick said she does not believe the force is institutionally racist that the Met is now 'utterly different'. Neville Lawrence, Stephen's father, called for a new body to be brought in to ensure the report's findings are implemented. Earlier this month, his mother Baroness Lawrence, said it is 'unbelievable' that inquiries into the aftermath of her son's murder are still ongoing after nearly 26 years. She insisted the Met is still 'in some respects' institutionally racist even after the comprehensive report 20 years ago. A public inquiry into undercover policing, which has been beset by delays, is looking at claims that grieving families were spied on as they campaigned for justice, including the Lawrences. On the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the commemoration of the massacre in town of Khojaly of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen has paid tribute to all those who lost their lives in the 1992 atrocity, the OIC said in a message. Al-Othaimeen stressed that the Khojaly incident was a result of the illegal occupation of Azerbaijani territory by Armenia. The OIC Secretary General stressed that the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers considered the actions perpetrated against civilian Azerbaijani population as war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. In addition, Al-Othaimeen reiterated the OICs full support to the initiatives and efforts of the Republic of Azerbaijan to put an end to the occupation of its territories and to restore its territorial integrity. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez has been compared to teen terror Danielle Bregoli who rose to fame after her appearance on Dr. Phil. Actor and republican James Woods tweeted a video of Cortez responding to critics of her Green New Deal, which was juxtaposed with footage of Bregoli, 15, when she told audience members on Dr. Phil to 'Cash me outside' in 2016. Ocasio-Cortez, 29, slammed critics who raised serious concerns about her Green New Deal, saying that people are just being critical over 'little minute thing[s].' SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (left) was compared to teen terror Danielle Bregoli (right) as the Democrat blasted critics of the Green New Deal which she unveiled last month James Woods, a Republican who previously criticized AOC, tweeted the footage with the caption, 'Doppelgangers' and sent Twitter into overdrive Speaking at a 'Girls who code' event in New York City, the Democratic Representative from New York said: 'Like I just introduced the Green New Deal two weeks ago, and it's creating all of this conversation. 'Why?' Ocasio-Cortez said. 'Because no one else has even tried. Because no one else has even tried. 'So people are like, "Oh it's unrealistic. Oh it's vague. Oh it doesn't address this little minute thing,'" Ocasio-Cortez continued. 'And I'm like, you try. You do it. Cuz you're not. Cuz you're not. So, until you do it, I'm the boss. How 'bout that?.' The clip served as a reminder to many on social media of Bregoli's infamous appearance on Dr Phil, which went viral and helped launched the teen's career as a rapper. James Woods, who has criticized Ocasio-Cortez on a number of occasions, tweeted the video with the caption: 'Doppelganger.' Social media users were quick to compare Cortez to Bregoli shen she told audience members at an event, 'I'm the boss.' How bout dat?' Danielle Bregoli, 15, gained notoriety when she told audience members on Dr. Phil to 'Cash me ousside' during an appearance on the talk-show with her mother It was shared and retweeted thousands of times, with social media users generating hilarious memes and making unlikely comparisons of the two women. The Green New Deal was put forth by freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and veteran Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts earlier this month. The nonbinding resolution calls for a '10-year national mobilization' on the scale of the original New Deal to shift the economy away from fossil fuels such as oil and coal and replace them with renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. The plan goes far beyond energy to urge national health care coverage and job guarantees, as well as high-quality education and affordable housing. Woods tweeted the footage with the caption 'Doppelgangers', which was retweeted plenty of times and generated many humorous memes Bregoli's famously contentious relationship with mother Barbara Ann, 51, is what landed her on the Dr Phil show back in 2016. The hellion of a then-13-year-old, Danielle and her mom battled it out in front of the live TV audience while they responded by openly chuckling at her attitude, accent and unique phrasing. Danielle, who is now known as Bhad Bhabie, then asked them to 'Cash Me Outside, how 'bout dah?' The rest is pop culture history. She is set to break records after her Snapchat series, Bringing Up Bhabie, got 10million unique viewers in the first 24 hours. The 15-year-old internet sensation is creating a 12-episode series which is named after her rap moniker, Bhad Bhabie and it debuted earlier this month. The video was shared and retweeted thousands of times, with social media users generating hilarious memes and making unlikely comparisons of the two women AOC previously showed off her dance moves way as she made her way into her new office in Washington, DC. It came after an anonymous Twitter account attempted to shame Ocasio-Cortez with a clip of her dancing during her time as a student at Boston University After her appearance on Dr. Phil, Bregoli launched a career as a rapper and called herself 'Bhad Bhabie' TMZ report that Danielle will take on TV and movie roles next following the success of this project and could be set to earn $10million yearly. In her new Snapchat series trailer 'Bringing Up Bhabie' which premiered on February 4, she boasted, 'I'm the bad kid my mom can't control. I went from sleeping on the floor of a trailer to having a gold record in six months. 'Now I have two managers, a bodyguard, my mom. They think I'm their baby, they don't want to let me grow up, but [expletive], it's time.' Hits like Gucci Flip Flops, Hi Bich, and These Heaux have made her millions. The pint-sized troublemaker paid off her mother's Florida home as a Christmas present in 2017. A Swiss man was charged $8000 for bringing eight bottles of his own wine to an expensive restaurant in Melbourne. The man, who works as a wine buyer, invited clients to the fancy restaurant and brought eight bottles of wine with him. After three attempts to contact the upscale restaurant to confirm if he could bring his own alcohol, the man received no response. Swiss visitor was charged a corkage fee of $8000 for bringing eight bottles of wine with him to an expensive restaurant in Melbourne (stock image) Scott, who works in the beverage and hospitality industry, was one of the individuals invited to attend. 'It left a bad taste in his mouth and we won't be going back there again,' Scott said. He told 3AW that his colleague had called, emailed and went into the restaurant personally prior to the day but did not receive a reply. Each bottle of wine was worth about $200 and the Swiss wine buyer was charged a corkage fee of $1000 per bottle. '(There was) no offer and acceptance and as far as I'm concerned there's no contract or agreement about any price,' Scott said. The Swiss visitor argued with management in German when he received the bill but was left with no choice but to pay. Julie Couvillon, 36, was walking down Bourbon Street with friends in the early hours of Sunday morning, when she was fatally struck by a bullet An innocent female bystander was fatally shot in New Orleans on Sunday after a man stole security guard's gun and opened fire outside a bustling restaurant. Louis Barnes, 37, was reportedly being ejected from the popular eatery Willie's Chicken Shack in the city's French Quarter for allegedly attempting to sell drugs on the premises. Eyewitnesses reported that Barnes, aggrieved by the situation, became entangled in a scuffle with the restaurant's security guard outside, grabbed his gun and fired off several rounds. Barnes reportedly shot the guard, himself, and a bystander - Julie Couvillon, 36 - who was walking down the street at the time of the altercation. The mother-of-one had been enjoying a 'rare' night-out with friends on Bourbon Street when the gunfire erupted in the early hours of the morning. Louis Barnes, 37, was arrested on Sunday and now faces life behind bars. Police say he shot himself, the guard and Couvillon in the altercation Julie became a registered nurse in 2005. A spokesperson from the medical center where she worked described her as a 'beloved' and 'dedicated' worker A nurse, Couvillon was hit by a stray bullet and rushed to hospital where she was later pronounced dead. 'It doesn't make any sense,' her friend Rosaleen Brown to the New Orleans Advocate. 'It just breaks my heart that her daughter doesn't have a mom anymore.' Police haven't yet publicly identified Couvillon as the victim, but her death has been confirmed by friends on social media. It's not yet clear where she was struck by the bullet. Couvillon has been a registered nurse since 2005, and had worked for the past 13 years at Ochsner Health System. 'Julie was a beloved nurse who dedicated her life to caring for others,' a spokesperson from the medical center said in a statement on Sunday. 'This is a devastating loss to the nurses, employees, physicians and staff across our system. We offer our deepest condolences to her family and the families of the other victims.' Barnes was jailed on Sunday evening and faces charges of second-degree murder and attempted murder. The mother-of-one (pictured left with a friend) was pronounced dead shortly after arriving in hospital A stampede of panic reportedly occurred as the gunfire rang out. One man was injured in the chaos Workers at Willie's Chicken shack (pictured) say the defendant was asked to leave the premises after he was allegedly caught trying to sell drugs Workers at Willie's Chicken shack say the defendant was asked to leave the premises after he was allegedly caught trying to sell drugs. Authorities say he then grabbed the security guard's gun and discharged the weapon several times, shooting himself in the shoulder, the security guard in the neck, and killing Couvillon. The guard, working on behalf of Elite Protection Solutions (EPS), had only been the job for just over a month. His condition is described as stable and EPS owner, Willie Harris, says he has movement in all of his body, except his left arm. A fourth man was said to have been hurt in the stampede of panic that followed the gunfire, but didn't suffer serious injuries. New Orleans Police Chief Shaun Ferguson said 'This will not be accepted,' during a pres conference. Barnes faces life imprisonment if convicted of Couvillon's murder. The 36-year-old has a long-history of run-ins with the police, online court records show. The guard's condition is described as stable and EPS owner, Willie Harris, says he has movement in all of his body, except his left arm Last month, Barnes appeared in court after he failed to register as a sex offender while out on a $5,000 bail bond. He was due back in court on Monday. He previously pleaded guilty to have sex with a 14-year-old girl in 2011, and received a two year sentence. In 1997 he was arrested for attempted burglary and two years later he was found guilty of the battery of a school teacher, aged 17. More charges of burglary, drugs possession, firearm possession and skipping out on bail have all followed since. He was sentenced to five years in prison in 2012, having pleaded guilty to the firearm charge. 'We take extra measures in hiring our own security detail to make sure our patrons and staff are safe at all times,' Willie's Chicken Shack said in a statement on Sunday. 'This tragedy during the Mardi Gras season should serve as a message that our community needs to be as diligent as ever to combat crime in the French Quarter.' Officials will amass cash reserves to help workers who have lost jobs, leak claims Ministers are planning a 'hardship fund' for Britons hardest hit by a no-deal Brexit, it was claimed last night. Officials will amass cash reserves to help workers who have lost their jobs, with claimants applying in their local job centre to tide them over. A leaked document said ministers had sized up 22 such policies to help ease the pain of a chaotic withdrawal from the European Union. Ministers are planning a 'hardship fund' for Britons hardest hit by a no-deal Brexit, it was claimed last night (file photo) The Cabinet was considering a 'tax and benefits policy' to redress cost-of-living increases. It also discussed protecting regions 'geographically vulnerable' to food shortages. Officials will also have to seek alternative food sources for schools, prisons and hospitals, The Times reported. The plans were sketched out this month at a meeting of the EU exit and trade (preparedness) committee. The group is chaired by Theresa May and attended by most cabinet ministers. One of the 'actions arising' shared after the meeting described how 'officials and ministers' will 'work on the detail of a possible hardship fund'. The Bank of England warned in November 2018 that a no-deal Brexit would see unemployment rise to 7.5per cent - up from 4per cent in July. This could lead to an extra 12billion on the Government's unemployment benefit bill over three years, according to The Times. The plans were sketched out this month at a meeting of the EU exit and trade (preparedness) committee, chaired by Theresa May Another idea from the committee was for both the Treasury and the Department of Work and Pensions to help soften the no-deal Brexit blow. They were told to 'mitigate consumer impacts of increases in cost of living through tax and benefits policy'. The document read: 'This work should focus on consumer groups who would be particularly vulnerable to price increases.' The impact of food shortages was also discussed in the meeting alongside talk of rises in food prices. It decided the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government would 'report on potential impacts, including any communities known to be geographically vulnerable to disruptions to food supplies.' It also urged 'all departments' to 'support devolved administrations in considering any areas of potential geographical vulnerability to food supply issues'. Meanwhile, the departments of education, health and justice were told to 'plan for the impacts of food supply disruptions to the public sector'. Ministers should focus on 'handling potential for increased costs in conjunction with Her Majesty's Treasury [and] enabling a flexible approach by suppliers, working with suppliers on menu flexibility including food substitutions working with Public Health England'. Downing Street said they did not comment on leaks. A knifeman has been tasered during a dramatic arrest on one of Melbourne's busiest inner-city streets. Tactical police were called to Kings Way, near the SeaLife Aquarium, at about 9:30am Monday with reports of a man armed with a knife. The 45-year-old was tasered by Critical Incident Response Team officers, who were coincidentally nearby. A man has been tasered during a dramatic arrest in front of the SeaLife Aquarium in Melbourne The man, whose identity remains unknown, is in police custody for questioning. A spokeswoman for Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia it was still unclear what sparked the altercation. 'The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be established,' she said. The spokeswoman said tactical police happened to be in the vicinity of the incident and were not actually dispatched. As inquiries continue, witnesses are urged to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. The decision on whether to scrap HS2 has been delayed until the end of the year, the Daily Mail understands. Treasury officials are examining the high speed rail line which is expected to cost around 56billion as part of an audit of major capital projects. It was expected to report within months and would have heaped pressure on ministers to scrap the project. Treasury officials are examining the high speed rail line which is expected to cost around 56billion as part of an audit of major capital projects (pictured: Artist's impression) But Whitehall sources said slow progress meant the review was not ready and had been pushed back by months. The revelation will dash hopes that HS2 could be killed off in short order. Billions more could be committed to the project this year as part of Chancellor Philip Hammonds spending review. But the review is unlikely to arrive in time to influence the outcome. In recent weeks, Downing Street has insisted HS2 will go ahead despite rising dissent. Opponents are said to include Treasury Chief Secretary Liz Truss, Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom and David Lidington, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Billions more could be committed to the project this year as part of Chancellor Philip Hammonds spending review Concerns mounted after an investigation revealed HS2 could cost up to 6billion a year over a decade the equivalent of the entire maintenance budget for the existing rail network. ... and its set to smash noise limits Fears are growing that living near the line could lead to sleepless nights as it was revealed HS2 is expected to breach new noise limits. Late night and early morning sound along much of the route is forecast to exceed guidelines set by the World Health Organisation. The WHO set out its first guidelines for sound limits for railways in October, in an attempt to curb the negative impact living near a line can have on health. The guidelines strongly recommend a limit of 44 decibels, equivalent to bird song. HS2s own projections show the noise at night will exceed 60 decibels for those living next to the track on some sections of the route. On other parts of the track it will range between 40 and 45 decibels affecting those living on the outskirts of villages and in many residential buildings on farms. The noise projections are outlined in maps which show coloured contours around the track. An HS2 spokesman said: These maps do not reflect the final scheme design. We will be ensuring that we take full account of the WHOs guidance on noise levels. Advertisement Launching the review of major projects last month, Miss Truss stressed the Government must be prepared to junk white elephants. She said all major investment projects across Government would be assessed to judge their contribution to future prosperity. A Channel 4 Dispatches investigation two weeks ago suggested ministers are so alarmed by the rising cost they are increasingly minded to kill off the scheme. It suggested the project could easily exceed its budget. The first leg of the line, between London and Birmingham, has been approved by Parliament. Significant works including stations and land purchases have already begun. It is due to open in 2026. But the next stage, which would extend to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds, has not yet been approved by MPs or had its budget signed off. The Bill enabling the second section will not be tabled until 2020 a year late to ensure HS2 is linked with a rail upgrade across the Pennines that is currently no more than a proposal. The Government claims this will not affect the deadline for the line, which is due to be opened in 2033. HS2 Ltd has also been criticised for delays in giving residents the compensation they are due after land is compulsorily purchased. Last month it also emerged that officials have been mulling over cost-cutting plans to lower train speeds of up to 225mph by around 30mph, and reduce the number of trains per hour from 18 to 14. Just 10million of the NHS budget is spent on veteran mental health services Veterans diagnosed with mental health problems can wait up to a year for treatment, MPs warn today. In that time, many see their condition worsen and in extreme cases some take their own lives while waiting for help, they say. A report published today calls for a new world-class centre to be set up specifically to treat troops with mental health problems. Those in the Armed Forces worry that telling superiors they are struggling with their mental health could cut short their careers, the report warned. And it said it is a scandal only 10million a year of the NHS budget is allocated to veteran-specific mental health services [File photo] The MPs behind the report said the centre should be established in the next 12 to 18 months and should be comparable to Britains leading rehabilitation centres treating those physically wounded in conflicts. How the Mail exposed the crisis British soldiers who survived the bloodiest summer in Afghanistans most dangerous battleground have been hit by a spate of suicides, a Daily Mail investigation revealed this month. The investigation featured the C Company of 2 Rifles, which saw five dead and seven wounded in a Taliban attack in Sangin in July 2009. Three more of its 80 or so servicemen have since killed themselves more than 200 times higher than the average suicide rate for men in the UK. Advertisement They said it would be wise to set it up in the newly opened Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre at Stanford Hall, near Loughborough, in Nottinghamshire, which has taken on the work of Headley Court once a world-leading facility for treating injured soldiers. The report by the Commons defence select committee concluded: It should be a national aspiration to establish a similar world-class centre for the treatment of mental injuries relating to service as well. The committee said it was deeply concerned about the lack of quality mental health care for veterans, warning some are still being completely failed by the system and forced to wait up to a year to receive treatment after diagnosis. Those in the Armed Forces worry that telling superiors they are struggling with their mental health could cut short their careers, the report warned. And it said it is a scandal only 10million a year of the NHS budget of more than 150billion is allocated to veteran-specific mental health services around 0.007 per cent. Committee member Ruth Smeeth MP said: Fundamental issues still clearly exist, with scandalously little funding allocated and it is unacceptable that veterans and their families should feel abandoned by the State as a result. The Government welcomed the report, but added: The Ministry of Defence has increased spending on mental health support for the Armed Forces to 22million a year. A woman leaving a funeral home was hit and killed by a car being chased by police in a crash that also left three officers injured. Miami Police reportedly noticed a red Hyundai alleged to have been involved in an armed carjacking from Saturday night. The Hyundai was carrying four suspects - three of them juveniles - who were allegedly armed, WSVN-TV. Officers gave chase and the Hyundai began speeding away. The vehicle then struck and killed a woman who was walking out of a funeral home. The image above shows an overturned red Hyundai that flipped over following a police chase through the streets of Miami on Sunday A female pedestrian was fatally hit by the Hyundai, according to police, who allege that the car was carrying four armed carjackers Police said the chase ended when the Hyundai flipped and came to rest on its roof near Northwest 17th Avenue and 58th Street. Authorities said that three officers were injured while trying to extricate the suspects from the overturned vehicle. The injured officers are expected to recover. Police said several guns were recovered from the scene. The four suspects were taken into police custody and then rushed to a local hospital. They are expected to recover from their injuries. An investigation is ongoing. The identity of the woman killed has not been publicized. Netflix splurged an estimated 23million on the best-picture marketing push for Roma double the cost of making the film. The streaming service paid for the most expensive Oscars advertising campaign ever, with the film plastered on billboards along Sunset Strip in Hollywood. Netflix even bought, instead of hiring, a marketing firm that masterminded four previous best-picture campaigns: for Shakespeare in Love, The King's Speech, Spotlight and Moonlight. Netflix paid for the most expensive Oscars advertising campaign ever, with the Spanish-language film Roma plastered on billboards along Sunset Strip in Hollywood Roma, a black and white Spanish-language film with no star names, was nominated for ten awards at last night's ceremony. Strategist Tony Angellotti, who was promoting rival Green Book, told business magazine Forbes: 'It's the most aggressive campaign I've ever witnessed for any film.' Netflix's campaign sparked a backlash from those who believe that a film streamed on television should not be considered for best picture. The company was also accused of releasing Roma into a small number of cinemas to qualify for the Oscars. Roma, a black and white Spanish-language film with no star names, was nominated for ten awards at last night's ceremony (Pictured, actor Jorge Antonio Guerrero at the film's premiere) Legendary director and producer Steven Spielberg told ITV News last year: 'Once you commit to a television format, you're a TV movie. 'You certainly, if it's a good show, deserve an Emmy, but not an Oscar. Netflix declined to comment. Controversial Married at First Sight star Nasser Sultan has sensationally claimed he tried to bribe a police officer after being caught driving without a licence. Sultan, 51, appeared in the Downing Centre Local Court on Monday to face a charge of driving his moped in Sydney without a licence, just prior to Christmas last year. He was pulled over by police for a routine breath test about 7:46pm on December 22 in Redfern when the officer noticed he was suspended from driving a motor vehicle. Sultan pleaded guilty to the charge and received a good behaviour bond on Monday, but outside court told reporters he initially tried to use his notoriety and $100 to get out of trouble. Controversial Married at First Sight star Nasser Sultan has sensationally claimed he offered to bribe a police officer after being caught driving without a licence last year. (Sultan is pictured at Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Monday with his lawyer) The 51-year-old was caught driving his trademark moped (pictured) without a licence through the streets of Redfern, Sydney, on December 22 last year. His licence was suspended following a string of traffic offences 'I tried to pay the cops but they didn't want the money. He said: "I can't do that, come on",' Sultan said. 'I said: "Do you know who I am?" He said: "I know who you are, but I can't". 'He told me: "My wife loved you on the show"... I said: "So what about $100?". But he said: "I can't".' The court heard that at the time Sultan was stopped for a random breath test he was unaware his licence had been suspended after a string of traffic offences. They included running a red light, mounting the pavement and entering a cycle lane. In court on Monday, Sultan's lawyer Wayne Flynn initially tried to alter his client's plea from guilty to not guilty. But Magistrate Garry Still advised against that move, lecturing the barrister that if he did so Sultan risked losing his discount for an early plea. When the lawyer decided to backflip once again, Sultan was given a good behaviour bond with no conviction recorded - but not before receiving a stern telling off from the magistrate. In court on Monday, Sultan's lawyer Wayne Flynn (left) initially tried to change his client's plea from guilty to not guilty but was advised against that by Magistrate Garry Still Despite the lecture he received in court, Sultan said he would continue to break the law if need be: 'I mean what do you do? Do you go to a great party with hot people, or do you worry about someone pulling you over?' Sultan received a stern lecture from Magistrate Garry Still who told him: 'It's the second time the court has let you off... it's not going to happen again' 'Can you stop driving suspended?' Magistrate Still told the reality TV star. 'It's the second time the court has let you off... it's not going to happen again.' Despite the lecture and threat of a stricter sentence if he re-offends, Sultan appeared bemused outside court and told reporters nothing would stop him riding his scooter. 'I should stop driving without it (a licence) but it's hard... I've got three or functions a week,' Sultan said. 'Look at my phone, I've got a Nokia 3303, it doesn't get Uber and I have to get around. After escaping without a conviction, Sultan celebrated for a waiting media pack with a series of unusual dance moves 'I tried to pay the cops but they didn't want the money. He said "I can't do that, come on",' the former MAFS star (right) told reporters outside court 'To be honest, I'm not sure if I feel sorry for what I've done... there's worse things than what I do. 'But I mean what do you do? Do you go to a great party with hot people, or do you worry about someone pulling you over?' Sultan rushed out of court after his appearance and headed off to an Oscars-themed 'red carpet' event at a Sydney movie cinema. After his licence was re-instated last week, Sultan vowed he'd be arriving in style - on his scooter. A journalist from RT's Redfish project has been injured during protests in Venezuela, Russia Today reported. The journalist, Nicole Kramm, was "nearly killed", the broadcaster said in a tweet, when members of the Venezuelan opposition rammed armoured vehicles into civilians on the border with Colombia. She sustained a leg injury but continued working. Unrest has broken out on Venezuela's border with Brazil as trucks with humanitarian aid tried to cross into the country despite a ban by the country's leader Nicolas Maduro. Similar attempts to deliver aid from Colombia prompted Caracas to sever ties with Bogota. The unrest led to 335 people being injured in clashes between law enforcement officers and protesters. Secondary school pupils will be given occasional fertility lessons to help address concerns that many are leaving it too late in life to try for a baby. Teenagers will be taught when women are at their most fertile as part of the compulsory health education classes. The lessons will highlight how a womans fertility tends to decrease after the age of 35 and will explain how lifestyle factors such as age, obesity and drink can affect fertility. Teenagers will be taught to have a baby before the age of 35 when fertility rates start to decline. Dame Sally Davies, the chief medical officer, recently expressed concern about the steady shift towards women postponing a family only to find they have left it too late. Joyce Harper, of the Fertility Education Initiative, said: The delay in starting a family increases every year. We need to be sure that young people are aware of their fertility and how to prepare to have a healthy family. Professor Geeta Nargund, of the IVF centre CREATE Fertility, said: We should focus on preventing infertility, rather than rely on treatment all the time. This is about empowering young people with knowledge. A reduction in the number of people needing treatment will ultimately reduce costs to the health service too. The lessons will be introduced from 2020 and must be age-appropriate. It is understood that schools will be allowed to deliver them as they see fit. It is not known which age groups in secondary schools will receive the lessons. More details are expected to be released today when the guidance is officially published. Scott Morrison has announced the Dawn Service will not be moved the the 'more convenient' time of 10am Prime Minister Scott Morrison has cancelled the proposed change to move the time of an Anzac Day dawn service in France. The Anzac service held on the outskirts of a French village on the Western Front was announced just days ago to be moved from dawn to 10am as it was a 'more convenient time'. 'That's not going to happen', Scott Morrison told ABC Radio. 'I've spoken to the minister this morning. The service will go ahead at dawn as usual.' The service, which is held at the Australian War Memorial, near Villers-Bretonneux, was recently proposed to be moved to 10am to appease French participants. Descendants of soldiers who fought on the French battlefields in World War One slammed the previous announcement to move the service. It comes after Australian taxpayers spent $99 million to build the Sir John Monash Centre. The annual Anzac Day dawn service held at the historical Western Front has been celebrated at Dawn since 2008 The centre, which is one of the most expensive museums to be built in France in recent decades, honours the sacrifices of the Australian troops during the war. Veterans Affairs Minister Darren Chester later confirmed his department would be holding a dawn service at the memorial near Villiers-Bretonneux on April 25. 'The decision to revert to the dawn service follows feedback from ex-service organisations and the general public in Australia. 'When it comes to sensitive matters like this which are at the heart of our entire nation, it is vital that the Department of Veterans' Affairs conducts full consultations with ex-service organisations and the general public before they make any changes. The government cancelled its decision to move the dawn service to 10am after it was hit with criticism from veteran's families 'There will be comprehensive consultation with local authorities and tour operators in France, as well as with the ex-service community in Australia, before any further changes are considered.' Thousands of Australians have previously made the journey to attend the dawn service in France, while millions of others turned to their televisions to watch the live coverage. The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) had made the move to cancel the dawn service time slot, as revealed by DVA customer service officer Diana Stevanovic. The move comes after the government announced plans to spend $99 million on the Sir John Monash Centre in France 'Following the completion of the Anzac centenary commemoration program 2014-2018 and consultation with local government representatives from the towns of Villers-Bretonneux, Corbie and Fouilloy, the Australian government has agreed to revert back to a 10am start time as a trial for the 2019 Anzac Day service,' she said in an email. 'As you may be aware, prior to 2008, the Anzac Day service was held at 10am and following an overwhelming positive response to the Armistice service held at 10.30am on November 11, 2018, from both attendees, invited guests and the relevant French authorities, the Australian government has decided to trial reverting back to a 10am service for Anzac Day 2019.' Pictured: Malcolm Turnbull attends Anzac Day dawn service at Villers-Bretonneux in 2018 Danny Duke, whose great-uncle Albert Lightfoot fought at Villers-Bretonneux, said he was disappointed and dumbfounded the government had initally changed the dawn service. 'The dawn service is an important Australian tradition and we've commemorated it since 1919,' he told The Australian. Mr Duke has attended the dawn service in France twice and went as recently as last year. Similarly, retired lieutenant colonel Paul Murphy was outraged by the decision, labelling it a 'mockery'. The bold move was been slammed by descendants of soldiers who fought on the French battlefields in World War I Mr Murphy, whose company Military History Tours has guided thousands of Australians through the Western Front, suggested the DVA didn't understand how important the history was to a number of the population. He then questioned why DVA wanted to 'devalue' Australia's largest overseas memorial. Mr Murphy took his protest to the DVA after the initial decision but was met with a response that said Anzac Day services met the demand of the community at each location. Ivanka Trump made the most of her Sunday with her children by taking them skydiving. The First Daughter, 37, uploaded video to her Instagram account showing her eldest child Arabella Rose 7, at an indoor skydiving as an instructor guides her inside a dome. It is not known if Ivanka tried her hand at the activity but other footage shows her five-year-old son Joseph jumping around in an indoor play area. They apparently visited the iFly indoor skydiving center but it is not known which location they visited. Ivanka Trump uploaded video to her Instagram account showing her eldest child Arabella Rose at an indoor skydiving as an instructor guides her inside a dome Ivanka Trump, seen here with daughter Arabella Rose, has made paid family leave one of her passion projects The President's Daughter knows the importance of family time, and is said to be working hard behind the scenes in Washington DC to implement her paid family leave initiative. She was on Capitol Hill earlier this month for an hour long meeting with Republican senators about one of her top policy issues. 'Today we had a productive conversation about paid family leave policy focused on the bipartisan desire to find a solution that supports American workers and families. 'We are seeking to build consensus around policy that can garner enough votes to be passed into law and thank the Senators on both sides of the aisle who are working together towards that goal,' she said in a statement afterward. The Republican Party has struggled on the issue of pain family leave in the past. The number of women in the workforce is at an all time high and the United States is one of the few industrialized countries with no mandatory leave law. And while woman look to be a huge influence in the 2020 election, some Republicans worry about government overreach with legislation on the issue. Ivanka Trump, however, has made paid family leave one of her passion projects. Arabella Rose (pictured) couldn't contain her excitement as she prepared to enter the dome The little girl took to indoor skydiving like a natural as an instructor showed her the ropes It is part of her 'American Working Families' portfolio, which includes items like vocational education and workforce development. She has been working with lawmakers and outside groups on a legislative solution since her father took office two years ago. She has said in the past that she is open minded to the type of program the federal government passes, and she has met with lawmakers and political groups invested in the issue on both sides of the aisle. President Trump has crystallized a paid leave policy in each of his State of the Union addresses, but his administration has not succeeded in building a coalition that's broad enough to approve any one potential program. Ivanka seen here with husband Jared Kushner and children Arabella Rose, 7, Joseph, 5, (standing) and their youngest child Theodore, 2, Ivanka unveiled an effort aimed at helping 50 million women in the developing world get ahead economically over the next six years earlier this month She unveiled an effort aimed at helping 50 million women in the developing world get ahead economically over the next six years earlier this month. The White House officially launched the Women's Global Development and Prosperity Initiative, a government-wide project led by the senior adviser to President Donald Trump, at a roundtable event, where the first daughter noted that the program aims to be in full effect by 2025. 'An ambitious goal, but we're gonna get there,' she told a group of Cabinet officials, lawmakers and business leaders. The program has three pillars that women prospering in the workforce, women succeeding as entrepreneurs and enabling women to succeed in the economy. Ivanka said at a roundtable the administration wants to 'identify and reduce the policy, legal, regulatory and social barriers that inhibit women's full and free participation in the global economy.' She noted that more than 100 countries still have laws that prohibit them from working in specific jobs. 'This is critical. It is very hard to achieve success in pillar one and two, sustained success, if we are not thinking about and contemplating change with regards' to enabling the environment for women to succeed in the economy,' she told reporters during the roundtable event. A beggar who killed his ex-lover, her new boyfriend and her teenage daughter by burning down the factory they lived in has been sentenced to 30 years behind bars. Spurred on by a love-triangle, the man burned down the factory where the three people were squatting in the outskirts of Melbourne in March 2017. Darren Patrick Clover, 52, was jealous of his ex-lover Tanya Burmeister and her new relationship with David Griffiths, when he started the old Footscray factory by dousing their only escape route with petrol before setting the room alight. On Monday the judge described his crimes as egregious, saying his victims were particularly vulnerable people. 52-year-old Darren Patrick Clover was sentenced to 30 years jail on Monday over the brutal 2017 murder of his ex-lover, her daughter, and her boyfriend Ms Burmeister, 32, her 15-year-old daughter Zoe Burmeister, and Mr Griffiths, 39, had been staying in the old rope works factory and died in the blaze. Clover was jailed for a minimum of 24 years on Monday, with Justice Jane Dixon saying his crimes were motivated by resentment that Ms Burmeister has left him for Mr Griffiths. 'Each of the victims were socially vulnerable and died in horrific circumstances,' the judge said, 'using fire as a weapon is a particularly egregious form of offending.' The attack was carried out against Tanya Burmeister, 32, David Griffiths, 39, and Zoe Burmeister, 15, in March 2017 (pictured: Tanya and Zoe Burmeister) Tanya Burmeister's boyfriend, 39-year-old David Griffiths was among the victims, murdered by Ms Burmeister's jealous ex-lover Clover denied having anything to do with the heinous murder for over a year, but finally admitted responsibility in August last year, when he pleaded guilty to three charges of murder. He had reportedly even threatened to burn Ms Burmeister to death in the weeks leading up to the murder. Witnesses who tried to put out the fierce flames with buckets of water said they heard voices inside calling for help. According to police the bodies of the trio were found huddled together after the flames were extinguished. Justice Dixon said Clover's crimes had devastating consequences for those close to the victims. Prince Harry did use his HRH title on the birth certificate of his newly born daughter Lilibet Diana, it has been revealed. The birth certificate (pictured left), uncovered by US news site TMZ , has Prince Harry's first name as 'HRH' and his second name as 'The Duke of Sussex'. Meanwhile, Meghan Markle's (pictured right with Prince Harry) name is written as her full unmarried name 'Meghan Rachel Markle'. The birth certificate is a public document in the US state of California, where the couple live in their 11million Montecito mansion. Prince Harry, 36, and wife Meghan, 39, were told they were to no longer use their HRH titles in January last year in the wake of Megxit. In a statement released at the time, Buckingham Palace said the couple could no longer use the titles because they were 'no longer working royals'. However the couple were allowed to keep their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles - which were gifted to them by the Queen on their wedding day. It comes after it was announced this week that Prince Harry will have his HRH title expunged from notices at a new royal fashion exhibition featuring his mother Princess Diana 's wedding dress. Meanwhile, the reveal of Lilibet's birth certificate threatens to spark a fresh royal row, much like the reveal of Archie's (pictured top right with Harry and Meghan) certificate following his birth in May 2019. The head of GCHQ is to warn that allowing Chinese tech firms involvement in Britains 5G telecoms network will pose a threat to national security. In a rare public speech, Jeremy Fleming will say Chinese companies represent a hugely complex technological challenge to the British telecoms sector. He will also underline the importance of Britain possessing the offensive capability to deny, disrupt or degrade in response to cyber attacks. Mr Flemings comments will add to growing concerns over Chinese tech giant Huaweis involvement in UK telecoms. Last year Alex Younger, head of MI6, expressed similar worries about the security threat posed by the firm. In a rare public speech, Jeremy Fleming (pictured) will say Chinese companies represent a hugely complex technological challenge to the British telecoms sector In his address to government, military and industry figures from across south-east Asia in Singapore, Mr Fleming will say no decisions have been taken on 5G with a Government review due in spring. However, he will say it is essential to understand the potential risks of allowing Chinese firms to get involved. Super-fast 5G fifth-generation mobile internet promises download speeds ten to 20 times faster than we have now. A high-definition film could be downloaded in less than a minute. It is hoped the technology will help create smart cities in which driverless cars, traffic lights and other infrastructure can communicate. Mr Fleming, who has headed the intelligence agency since 2017, will say: We have to understand the opportunities and threats from Chinas technological offer understand the global nature of supply chains and service provision irrespective of the flag of the supplier take a clear view on the implications of Chinas technological acquisition strategy in the West. And help our governments decide which parts of this expansion can be embraced, which need risk management, and which will always need a sovereign, or allied, solution. Its a hugely complex strategic challenge which will span the next few decades... probably our whole professional lives. Mr Fleming has headed the intelligence agency since 2017 (pictured: Jeremy Fleming and the Queen, February 14, 2019) How we deal with it will be crucial for prosperity and security way beyond 5G contracts. Mr Fleming will also stress the need for stronger cyber security provisions across the telecoms sector. He will warn: Vulnerabilities can and will be exploited. But networks should be designed in a way that cauterises the damage. Around half of the 1,100 incidents handled by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) over the last two years involved state actors. Mr Fleming will also argue for an internationally agreed code of ethics and standards for operating in cyber space. He will say: Some of the behaviour weve seen from certain states or criminals is clearly wrong. An attack on a hospitals IT, or on a countrys electoral system will always require sanction. Unchecked, were heading for an even less governed space where rights and wrongs are not automatically recognised and where acceptable behaviours are not a given. Mr Fleming will state the UK needs to ensure programmes such as the NCSCs Active Cyber Defence programme are implemented at a scale that makes a truly, nationally, and potentially internationally, transformative difference. He will add: In the right context, governed by appropriate international and domestic laws, offensive cyber is an essential part of a nations cyber tool kit. Mr Fleming will conclude that global co-operation is most integral to maintaining national security. He will say: Our future security will be guaranteed not by the quality of our coding, the design of our silicon, or the cunning of our cyber operators but by the bonds that tie us together and the relationships that give us confidence to act decisively. A man has been charged over a boat crash in South Australia that left a father-of-three dead and another man fighting for his life in hospital. Chad Gill was travelling along the River Murray when his dinghy collided with another boat near Murray Bridge about 10pm on Friday, 9News reported. The 37-year-old, from Gawler South, was airlifted by emergency services to Royal Adelaide Hospital with serious injuries but he died overnight. Chad Gill, 37 (pictured left with his wife Janelle), was travelling along the River Murray when his dinghy collided with another boat near Murray Bridge about 10pm on Friday Mr Gill (pictured right with his wife Janelle) from Gawler South was airlifted by emergency services to Royal Adelaide Hospital with serious injuries but he died overnight Another 40-year-old man from Gawler North was also rushed to hospital, where he remains in a serious condition. On Saturday, friends of Mr Gill described their mate as an 'all-round great guy' who will be remembered for his ability to make people laugh, 9News reported. Detectives have since arrested and charged a 39-year-old man from Williamstown. The man has been charged with cause death by dangerous driving, cause harm by dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice. The 39-year-old was also refused bail and is due to front the Adelaide Magistrates' Court today. Mr Gill's death is the latest tragedy to come out of The Murray River, as the community of Robe is still reeling after a ski-boat racing crash on Saturday. Mr Gill's dinghy (pictured) collided with another another boat near Murray Bridge on Friday Ski Racing Australia spokesman Cameron McConville told the publication one of the boats lost control and the boat following had nowhere to go and crashed into it. 'It's very, very rare in our sport,' McConville said, as he described the incident, which resulted in the ski-racing event being called off. Following the incident, a 30-year-old man was transferred to Royal Adelaide Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition. Another 26-year-old involved in the crash was also taken to Flinders Medical Centre in a serious but stable condition. Zaharie Ahmad Shah (pictured) was the pilot of the doomed flight DID THE PILOT HIJACK HIS OWN PLANE? Pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah planned mass murder because of personal problems, locking his co-pilot out of the cockpit, closing down all communications, depressurising the main cabin and then disabling the aircraft so that it continued flying on auto-pilot until it ran out of fuel. That was the popular theory in the weeks after the plane's disappearance. His personal problems, rumours in Kuala Lumpur said, included a split with his wife Fizah Khan, and his fury that a relative, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, had been given a five-year jail sentence for sodomy shortly before he boarded the plane for the flight to Beijing. But the pilot's wife angrily denied any personal problems and other family members and his friends said he was a devoted family man and loved his job. This theory was also the conclusion of the first independent study into the disaster by the New Zealand-based air accident investigator, Ewan Wilson. Wilson, the founder of Kiwi Airlines and a commercial pilot himself, arrived at the shocking conclusion after considering 'every conceivable alternative scenario'. However, he has not been able to provide any conclusive evidence to support his theory. The claims are made in the book 'Goodnight Malaysian 370', which Wilson co-wrote with the New Zealand broadsheet journalist, Geoff Taylor. It's also been rumoured that Zaharie used a flight simulator at his home to plot a path to a remote island. However, officials in Kuala Lumpur declared that Malaysian police and the FBI's technical experts had found nothing to suggest he was planning to hijack the flight after closely examining his flight simulator. And there are also theories that t he tragic disappearance may have been a heroic act of sacrifice by the pilot. Australian aviation enthusiast Michael Gilbert believes the doomed plane caught fire mid-flight, forcing the pilot to plot a course away from heavily populated areas. IF NOT THE PILOT, WAS THE CO-PILOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MYSTERY? Co-pilot Fariq Abdul Hamid, 27, again for personal problems, was suspected by rumour-spreaders to have overpowered the pilot and disabled the aircraft, flying it to its doom with crew and passengers unable to get through the locked cockpit door. Theorists have put forward the suggestion that he was having relationship problems and this was his dramatic way of taking his own life. But he was engaged to be married to Captain Nadira Ramli, 26, a fellow pilot from another airline, and loved his job. There are no known reasons for him to have taken any fatal action. There have been a series of outlandish theories about the disappearance of the plane Others have suggested that because he was known to have occasionally invited young women into the cockpit during a flight, he had done so this time and something had gone wrong. Young Jonti Roos said in March that she spent an entire flight in 2011 in the cockpit being entertained by Hamid, who was smoking. Interest in the co-pilot was renewed when it was revealed he was the last person to communicate from the cockpit after the communication system was cut off. DID THE RUSSIANS STEAL MH370 AND FLY THE JET TO KAZAKHSTAN An expert has claimed the missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370 was hijacked on the orders of Vladimir Putin and secretly landed in Kazakhstan. Jeff Wise, a U.S. science writer who spearheaded CNN's coverage of the Boeing 777-200E, has based his outlandish theory on pings that the plane gave off for seven hours after it went missing, that were recorded by British telecommunications company Inmarsat. Wise believes that hijackers 'spoofed' the plane's navigation data to make it seem like it went in another direction, but flew it to the Baikonur Cosmodrome, which is leased from Kazakhstan by Russia. However, Wise admits in New York Magazine that he does not know why Vladimir Putin would want to steal a plane full of people and that his idea is somewhat 'crazy'. Wise also noted there were three Russian men onboard the flight, two of them Ukrainian passport holders. Aviation disaster experts analysed satellite data and discovered - like the data recorded by Inmarsat - that the plane flew on for hours after losing contact. Careful examination of the evidence has revealed that MH370 made three turns after the last radio call, first a turn to the left, then two more, taking the plane west, then south towards Antarctica. MH370 WAS USED BY TERRORISTS FOR A SUICIDE ATTACK ON THE CHINESE NAVY This extraordinary claim came from 41-year-old British yachtsman Katherine Tee, from Liverpool, whose initial account of seeing what she thought was a burning plane in the night sky made headlines around the world. On arrival in Thailand's Phuket after sailing across the Indian Ocean from Cochin, southern India with her husband, she said: 'I could see the outline of the plane - it looked longer than planes usually do.There was what appeared to be black smoke streaming from behind.' Ms Tee's general description of the time and place was vague and she lost all credibility when she later stated on her blog that she believed MH370 was a kamikaze plane that was aimed at a flotilla of Chinese ships and it was shot down before it could smash into the vessels. Without solid proof of the satellite data, she wrote on her blog, Saucy Sailoress, the plane she saw was flying at low altitude towards the military convoy she and her husband had seen on recent nights. She added that internet research showed a Chinese flotilla was in the area at the time. While the debris proved the plane went down in the Indian Ocean, the location of the main underwater wreckage and its crucial black box data recorders remains stubbornly elusive. THE JET LANDED ON THE WATER AND WAS SEEN FLOATING ON THE ANDAMAN SEA On a flight from Jeddah to Kuala Lumpur that crossed over the Andaman Sea on March 8, Malaysian woman Raja Dalelah, 53, saw what she believed was a plane sitting on the water's surface. She didn't know about the search that had been started for MH370. She alerted a stewardess who told her to go back to sleep. 'I was shocked to see what looked like the tail and wing of an aircraft on the water,' she said. It was only when she told her friends on landing in Kuala Lumpur what she had seen that she learned of the missing jet. She had seen the object at about 2.30pm Malaysian time. She said she had been able to identify several ships and islands before noticing the silver object that she said was a plane. But her story was laughed off by pilots who said it would have been impossible to have seen part of an aircraft in the water from 35,000ft or seven miles. Ms Raja filed an official report with police the same day and has kept to her story. 'I know what I saw,' she said. THE AIRCRAFT SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC SYSTEMS FAILURE AND CRASH-LANDED ON THE OCEAN A catastrophic event such as a fire disabling much of the equipment resulted in the pilots turning the plane back towards the Malaysian peninsula in the hope of landing at the nearest airport. Satellite data, believable or not, suggests the aircraft did make a turn and theorists say there would be no reason for the pilots to change course unless confronted with an emergency. A fire in a similar Boeing 777 jet parked at Cairo airport in 2011 was found to have been caused by a problem with the first officer's oxygen mask supply tubing. Stewarts Law, which has litigated in a series of recent air disasters, believes the plane crashed after a fire - similar to the blaze on the Cairo airport runway - broke out in the cockpit. After an investigation into the Cairo blaze, Egypt's Aircraft Accident Investigation Central Directorate (EAAICD) released their final report which revealed that the fire originated near the first officer's oxygen mask supply tubing. The cause of the fire could not be conclusively determined, but investigators pinpointed a problem with the cockpit hose used to provide oxygen for the crew in the event of decompression. Following the 2011 fire, US aircraft owners were instructed to replace the system - it was estimated to cost $2,596 (1,573) per aircraft. It was not known whether Malaysia Airlines had carried out the change. If either pilot wanted to crash the plane, why turn it around? So the turn-around suggests they were trying to land as soon as possible because of an emergency. THE US SHOT DOWN THE AIRCRAFT FEARING A TERROR ATTACK ON DIEGO GARCIA The Boeing 777 was shot down by the Americans who feared the aircraft had been hijacked and was about to be used to attack the U.S. military base on Diego Garcia atoll in the Indian Ocean. So conspiracy theorists claim. And former French airline director Marc Dugain said he had been warned by British intelligence that he was taking risks by investigating this angle. There is no way of checking whether Dugain received such a warning or why he believes the Americans shot down the plane. But adding to the theory that the aircraft was flown to Diego Garcia, either by the pilot Zaharie or a hijacker, was the claim that on the pilot's home flight simulator was a 'practice' flight to the island. Professor Glees said: 'The Americans would have no interest in doing anything of the kind and not telling the world. 'In theory, they might wish to shoot down a plane they thought was attacking them but they wouldn't just fire missiles, they'd investigate it first with fighters and would quickly realise that even if it had to be shot down, the world would need to know.' Primary schools will teach pupils as young as four about mental health, ministers will announce today. Youngsters will learn how to beat depression and stay safe online amid rising concern over the effects of social media on young minds. Lessons aim to stress the importance of self care and mental wellbeing. Youngsters will be taught how to ward off stress and anxiety by getting enough sleep, spending time outdoors, exercising, eating healthily and playing with friends off-line. Primary school pupils are experiencing eating disorders, self-harming, panic attacks and even considering suicide amid an upswing in problems (stock image) Teachers will warn them not to stay up all night on their smartphones, tell youngsters what to do if they come across disturbing online content and discuss the dangers of talking to strangers on the internet. It comes after warnings that spending too much time on social media is impacting on childrens mental health and driving an epidemic of depression. Experts say sites like Instagram and Facebook expose children to bullying and graphic self-harm images while also fuelling feelings of inadequacy from being bombarded with images of perfect lives. Earlier this year, the father of 14-year-old Molly Russell, who took her own life, said she had been influenced by self-harm and suicide content on social media. Yesterday, campaigners said the fact that schools will be asked to teach such topics is a sad sign of our times. The lessons are unveiled today in new guidance for the introduction of compulsory health education in both primary and secondary schools, from 2020. Education Secretary Damian Hinds said: It will help children learn how to look after themselves, physically and mentally, and the importance of getting away from the screen and the headphones. And it can help young people be resilient as they chart a course through an ever more complex world. Growing up and adolescence are hard enough, but the internet and social media add new pressures that just werent there even one generation ago. So many things about the way people interact have changed, and this new world, seamless between online and offline, can be difficult to navigate. In tandem with the new health education curriculum, relationships education will also become mandatory for all primary and secondary school pupils. Meanwhile, secondary school students will get compulsory sex education. As part of the lessons, all youngsters will be encouraged to understand how mental and physical health are linked. This could include understanding that not eating or sleeping properly, constantly worrying or having negative thoughts are symptoms of anxiety. Earlier this year, the father of 14-year-old Molly Russell, who took her own life, said she had been influenced by self-harm and suicide content on social media Primary pupils will be taught age-appropriate online safety, including what to do if they come across uncomfortable subject matter, the importance of respecting others even when posting anonymously and the risks of talking to people online. At secondary schools, teachers will ensure that pupils can spot the signs of common mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression in themselves or others. Pupils will learn how to discuss their emotions accurately and sensitively and look at the impact of alcohol and drugs on physical and mental health. Online safety will be covered with warnings about the dangers of sexting, how to report explicit or harmful content and how the internet can sometimes promote an unhealthy view of sex and relationships. Schools can decide exactly how they teach the new content, and a 6million support package will be provided to cover training and resources. Javed Khan, head of Barnardos, welcomed the move yesterday and said: Although the internet offers incredible opportunities to learn and play, it also carries new risks from cyber-bullying to gaming addiction to online grooming. Similarly, as one in eight schoolchildren has a diagnosable mental health condition, it is particularly welcome that schools now have a clear responsibility to promote positive mental health and wellbeing. However, Chris McGovern, of the Campaign for Real Education, said: The fact that schools are being asked to do this is a sad sign of our times. Its true that some children will come across disturbing content online but I think they should be supported individually. A blanket approach risks introducing children to matters they may not otherwise have come across. It may even encourage them to seek this content out if they view it as the forbidden fruit. A survey by the NASUWT teaching union last year found that children as young as four are suffering from symptoms of depression and anxiety. Primary school pupils are experiencing eating disorders, self-harming, panic attacks and even considering suicide amid an upswing in problems. A jailed union boss described as 'parasitic' by a sentencing judge is threatening to derail Labor's bid for power in Australia's biggest state. Michael Williamson was jailed in 2014 for stealing $1million from the Health Services Union, and was on a $500,000-a-year salary when he splurged money on water view holiday homes and a six-bedroom Sydney house near the beach - with money from low-paid hospital workers. Now the former union boss and former Labor national president is threatening to derail New South Wales Labor leader Michael Daley's bid to become the state's next Premier. A jailed union boss (Michael Williamson pictured in 2013) described as 'parasitic' by a sentencing judge is threatening to derail another Labor leader's bid for power Labor's chance of returning to power on March 23, after eight years in the political wilderness, is under threat following revelations Mr Daley, as a deputy mayor, voted to approve an extension to a beachside Maroubra house, in Sydney's south-east, previously owned by Williamson. Mr Daley's vote for the first-floor extension was against the advice of Randwick City Council's planning committee, which in early 2001 recommended that development application be refused. For the first time Mr Daley has admitted he had voted to approve an extension on Williamson's beachside home at Maroubra against the advice of a council planning committee he chaired. Mr Daley told The Australian he regarded the development application in 2001 as 'relatively minor' and claimed Mah-Chut Architects and not Williamson had made the development application. As a former Randwick Council deputy mayor, NSW Labor leader Michael Daley voted to approve an extension to jailed union boss Michael Williamson's house - against council advice 'At the time, I would have known Michael Williamson as a senior member of the Labor Party and union movement,' he said. 'I had no association with him outside Labor Party functions and did not associate with him privately.' Council documents, obtained by The Australian, show the Health, Building and Planning Committee had misgivings about the plan to extend the first floor over the garage in Maroubra. This committee, which Mr Daley chaired, recommended the development application be deferred so there could be a site inspection. Mr Daley has denied he acted inappropriately. 'In my 23 years in public life, I have always acted with integrity and propriety,' Mr Daley said in a statement on Monday. Council documents show the Health, Building and Planning Committee had misgivings about the plan to end the first floor over the garage at 31 Meagher Avenue in Maroubra (pictured) 'As a Randwick councillor, I moved to strengthen rules regarding assessment of development applications, more than a decade before it became law in NSW.' Mr Daley's Labor Party is in a dead heat with Glady Berejiklian's Coalition government, opinion polls show. Both major parties had 50:50 support after preferences in a January Newspoll, which showed a 4.3 per cent swing against the ruling Liberal and National parties compared with the 2015 election. Williamson was jailed for seven-and-a-half years in March 2014, with a non-parole period of five years, for stealing close to $1million from the union he led for 15 years, by falsifying invoices when he was the Health Services Union's general secretary. Jailed union boss Michael Williamson also bought holiday homes at Lake Macquarie, north of Sydney, including this one at Brightwaters (pictured) In a damning judgement, District Court judge David Frearson said Williamson, who was also Labor's national president, oversaw a 'parasitic plundering of the union funds for pure greed' after it was revealed he had spent the plundered money on real estate and private school tuition fees. Despite his denial NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Mr Daley had some 'serious questions' to answer, with the state election less than four weeks away. 'People who aspire to hold high office in public life need to answer questions and I call on the leader of the opposition to do that today,' she told reporters. 'The Leader of the Opposition needs to answer whether he did or didn't or why he did or didn't respect the guidelines that exist.' A decade before being jailed for fraud, Michael Williamson (pictured) sought council approval to extend a first-floor room over a garage, which a council committee had misgivings about The council committee regarded the development proposal for Williamson's Maroubra house as one that would detract from the character of the existing building and the visual amenity from the street, and recommended it be refused. It was worried the development would set an 'undesirable precedent'. The development application, however, was approved on February 27, 2001 after the then Labor mayor Dominic Sullivan sent a minute recommending Mr Daley, as the planning committee chairman, inspect the site to resolve a floor space ratio discrepancy. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev appointed Askar Mamin as prime minister today after ordering the cabinet to resign last week, the presidential office said on Twitter. Kazakhstans Mazhilis, the lower house of parliament, quickly approved Mamins nomination announced earlier in the day, Reuters reported. Askar Mamin was born on October 23, 1965. He has previously served as first deputy prime minister of the oil-exporting Central Asian nation and also worked as the mayor of capital Astana and chief executive of the state railways. A 54-year-old man accused of grooming a 14-year-old boy online and trying to meet up with him for sex has been arrested at a train station in Sydney's west. Detectives from the NSW Child Abuse and Sex Crimes squad began speaking online with the man, from Albury on the border of NSW and Victoria, in December. Police will allege the man thought he was speaking with a 14-year-old boy and engaged in highly-sexualised conversations, including discussing sexual acts he wished to perform on and with the child. Police allege the Albury man tried to meet up with a teen at Casula train station (pictured) Police allege the man then made arrangements to meet the child for sex. Strike Force Trawler detectives arrested a man in the car park at Casula train station in Sydney's south-west on Sunday morning following an extensive investigation. Shortly after the arrest, investigators searched a hotel room at Casula and executed a search warrant at a home in Albury, where they seized a mobile phone, a laptop and an electronic storage device. The seized items will undergo forensic examination. The Albury man was taken to Liverpool Police Station, where he was charged with using a carriage service to procure person under 16 years of age for sexual activity. Detectives arrested the man in Sydney's south-west following an extensive investigation He was refused bail to appear in Liverpool Local Court on Monday. Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by the CEIU into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and telecommunications devices. Anyone with information about internet predators is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. As actress Jenifer Lewis walked the red carpet at the Oscars Sunday evening, she took a few moments to weigh in on the controversy surrounding Jussie Smollett. 'With Black History Month coming to a close, I want everybody to hear this. Before you lie to us, remember Rosa sat on that bus,' Lewis told People Magazine's Deputy Editor, JD Heyman. 'Before you tell your tale, remember Mandela sat in that jail. Before you do anything, remember Dr. King, and before you connive and steal, remember Emmett Till,' she added as reality TV star Shangela Laquifa Wadley stood next to her. The 'Black-ish' actress, 62, went on to say that she's one of most 'compassionate people on this planet'. 'But when we make a mistake... I mean who knows the true story. But I do know that we have to have compassion. But more than that, there has to be consequences for whatever happened. 'Because the temperament of the country right now is fragile. All I can say is let's all put one foot forward and stand with each other. We need to unite now. It doesn't matter who does what because there's going to be a lot of things going on. Our job is to stand together on the front line and say "No" when we know it's not right.' Scroll down for video As actress Jenifer Lewis walked the red carpet at the Oscars Sunday evening, she took a few moments to weigh in on the controversy surrounding Jussie Smollett 'I mean who knows the true story. But I do know that we have to have compassion. But more than that, there has to be consequences for whatever happened,' Lewis (center) said Several celebrities have weighed in on the Smollett case, including Terrence Howard. Howard, who plays Lucious Lyon on the Fox musical drama, defended his onscreen son in an Instagram post on Saturday night. In the video, Smollett is seen tickling and playing with Howard's young son Hero on a private plane, although when is unknown. 'All your lil homies got you...We love the hell outta you,' Howard wrote in the caption for the clip, which has been viewed more than 377,000 times. 'How many teeth does he have?' Smollett is heard saying in the video before tickling Hero, who bursts into laughter. Smollett then adds: 'Aw, he's such a sweet baby.' The 36-year-old actor was arrested last week and charged with filing a false police report of a hate crime. He claimed two white men wearing 'Make America Great Again' hats cornered him around 2am in Chicago on January 29. Several celebrities have weighed in on the Smollett case, including Terrence Howard (pictured with Smollett in 2018). Howard came out in support of his embattled Empire co-star Smollett in an Instagram post on Saturday night In the video, Smollett is seen tickling and playing with Howard's young son Hero on a private plane (left and right). 'How many teeth does he have?' Smollett is seen saying in the video before tickling Hero, who bursts into laughter 'All your lil homies got you...We love the hell outta you,' Howard wrote in the caption for the clip, which has been viewed more than 377,000 times Smollett said the men threw bleach on him, tied a noose around his neck and yelled 'f****t', 'n****r' and 'This is MAGA country!' However, after three weeks of investigation, Chicago police publicly announced that they believed Smollett made up the attack. Police added that they believe Smollett paid two Nigerian brothers to pretend to attack him because he was upset with his salary on Empire. According to a Variety report from 2016, Smollett made about $20,000 per episode while co-stars Howard and Taraji P Henson - who plays his mother on the show - each made about $175,000 per episode. TMZ reported that a check for a total of $3,500 written by Smollett to the two brothers states it was for a 'training fee'. The memo line on the check reads: '5 week Nutrition/Workout program Don't Go.' Sources reportedly told TMZ that Smollett paid $600 a week for a five-week workout plan and $100 a week for a five-week nutrition plan, which equals $3,500. Allegedly, 'Don't Go' is a reference to a song that Smollett was going to appear in a music video for. Smollett insists he is innocent and his attorneys say they plan to mount 'an aggressive defense'. 'Like any other citizen, Mr Smollett enjoys the presumption of innocence, particularly when there has been an investigation like this one where information, both true and false, has been repeatedly leaked,' his attorneys said in a statement. Police said they believe Smollett paid two Nigerian brothers to pretend to attack him because he was upset with his salary on Empire. Smollett reportedly made about $20,000 per episode while co-stars Howard and Taraji P Henson each made about $175,000 per episode A father has told a court he was 'very high' when he broke into a school and stole more than $5000 worth of equipment - including a dozen model dinosaurs and two designer pillow cases. Shaun Michael Colbeck, 38, pleaded guilty in the Darwin Local Court to burglarising a Nightcliff school, breaking in and causing $5400 worth of damage last October. On top of the dinosaurs and pillow cases, the man also took three laptops, two iPads and musical instruments. Father Shaun Colbeck (pictured) pleaded guilty in court to burglarising a Darwin school Colbeck was caught after police tested a DNA sample from a bottle of water he had drank from at the school. He had also taken a photo of himself from one of the stolen iPads, which was automatically uploaded to the actual owner's cloud account, NT News reported. Prosecutor David Castor told the court Colbeck had forced his way into the school through an air conditioning duct. He said Colbeck had a history of offending and previous stints behind bars had not deterred him, adding that his targeting of a school was an aggravating factor. To counter, Colbeck's lawyer Lyma Nguyen, said her client had been 'spiralling into depression' and battling a drug addiction. She said her client had been self-medicating with the drug ice after a long-term relationship ended in 2017. The father, who says he had been self-medicating with ice, pleaded guilty to Darwin Local Court (pictured) He had been left homeless for months in the lead-up to the burglary and entered the school to 'find shelter'. She said 'one thing led to another' when he was inside the school. Colbeck found himself surrounded by toys and claims he wanted to take some for his children because he felt isolated from them and was also 'very high at the time'. She says he had now reached a 'turning point' and wants to be a better father to his children. 'He says "I only get into trouble when I'm on the drugs and i want help",' she told the court. Colbeck's attorney said he had been through a rough break-up and had been left homeless Ms Nguyen said he had been offered a bed at Banyan House, a rehabilitation centre, on the condition he was released from custody by March 6. Colbeck had been in custody for nearly three months, with Judge Therese Austin saying she would consider both the rehabilitation and time spent in custody when ruling on whether to release him. He was remanded in custody and will return to court for sentencing Tuesday. Democratic presidential hopeful Kamala Harris has refused to estimate how much the Green New Deal would cost despite endorsing the plan. Harris, an attorney from California, joined Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker to co-sponsor the Green New Deal resolution earlier this month. The plan, unveiled by Alexandra Ocasio Cortez and Ed Markey, aims to transform the U.S. economy, combat climate change and create thousands of jobs in renewable energy. It could also serve as a central campaign issue in 2020 despite President Donald Trumps failure to mention climate change in his State of the Union address. Democratic Representative Kamala Harris (pictured) has refused to estimate how much the Green New Deal would cost despite endorsing the plan She declined in an interview to put a price tag on the Green New Deal and "Medicare-for-all," which forms part of the plan when asked by CNN's John King CNN's John King asked Harris for her response to conservative arguments that progressive proposals could cripple the U.S. economy even as major polluters like China continue unabated. She claimed: 'There's no question we have to be practical. But being practical also recognizes that climate change is an existential threat to us as human beings,' Harris began. 'Being practical recognizes that greenhouse gas emissions are a threat to our air, and threatening our planet. 'And that it is well within our capacity as human beings to change our behaviors in a way that we can reduce its effect. That's practical. Of course we can afford it.' She declined in an interview to put a price tag on the Green New Deal and 'Medicare-for-all,' which forms part of the plan. The Mercatus Center at George Washington University estimate that Ocasio-Cortez's plan for universal Medicare would end up costing more than $30 trillion. This is after factoring in the sweeping tax hikes that would offset the expense by only roughly $2 trillion. Charles Blahous, a senior strategist at the Mercatus Center and an author of the study, later charged that Ocasio-Cortez had wildly misinterpreted his study to try to argue that 'Medicare-for-all' would save money. When this fact was out to Harris she claimed: 'One of the things that I admire and respect is the measurement that is captured in three letters: ROI. What's the return on investment? People in the private sector understand this really well. Harris declined in an interview broadcast Sunday to put a price tag on the Green New Deal and "Medicare-for-all," which forms part of the plan Harris joined Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren (left) and Cory Booker (right) to co-sponsor the Green New Deal resolution earlier this month It's not about a cost. It's about an investment. And then the question should be, is it worth the cost in terms of the investment potential? Are we going to get back more than we put in?.' The nonbinding resolution calls for a "10-year national mobilization" on the scale of the original New Deal to shift the economy away from fossil fuels such as oil and coal and replace them with renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. The plan goes far beyond energy to urge national health care coverage and job guarantees, as well as high-quality education and affordable housing. The resolution urges elimination of fossil fuels pollution and greenhouse gas emissions as much as technologically feasible in a range of economic sectors and calls for upgrading all existing buildings in the United States to be energy-efficient. Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (left) and Democratic Senator Ed Markey (right) unveil their ambitious 'Green New Deal' plan earlier this month The Green New Deal push has seen resistance not only from Republicans, but also some key Democrats. Senator Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, wasn't convinced by plans about the plan to replace planes with high-speed rail and did not seem impressed. 'That would be pretty hard for Hawaii,' she laughed. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi similarly appeared to dismiss the plan. 'It will be one of several or maybe many suggestions that we receive,' Pelosi told Politico. 'The green dream, or whatever they call it, nobody knows what it is, but theyre for it, right?.' Demonstrators seen holding placards and a banner during the protest urging former U.S. Representative Beto ORourke to support the Green New Deal Harris said she was looking forward to hashing out the dispute with her rivals in public, during one of the 12 planned Democratic primary debates. 'I look forward to that debate on the debate stage. I look forward to it very much.' While Democrats did not specify a price tag, some Republicans predict it would cost in the trillions of dollars. GOP lawmakers denounced the plan as a radical proposal that would drive the economy off a cliff and lead to a huge tax increase. 'The Green New Deal is a raw deal for the American taxpayer,' said Senator John Barrasso, chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Barrasso called the plan 'a socialist manifesto that lays out a laundry list of government giveaways, including guaranteed food, housing, college and economic security even for those who refuse to work.' Critics fear the plan will cost trillions of dollars and will have no positive effects on infrastructure. The Green New Deal also proposes retrofitting every existing building in the U.S. One estimate finds it would cost $1.4 trillion for residential buildings alone. The National Rifle Association has sparked outrage with its March issue of the American Rifleman, with what many have described as a 'call for violence' against Nancy Pelosi and Gabrielle Giffords. Using an image of the House Speaker and Giffords during an announcement proposing new bipartisan legislation to implement universal firearms background checks, the publication's headline reads: 'Target Practice'. Written by Chris W. Cox, the NRA Chief Lobbyist goes on to describe Pelosi as an 'arch anti-gunner', and called her motion 'deceptively marketed' and a 'broadside against gun ownership in America. Huffington Post reporter Jennifer Bendery posted an image of the article to Twitter on Friday evening, sparking an onslaught of criticism against the NRA and the suggestive composition of the image and headline. Using an image of the House Speaker and Giffords during an announcement proposing new bipartisan legislation to implement universal firearms background checks, the publication's headline reads: 'Target Practice' Nancy Pelosi (left) was recently discovered to be a serious target of 'domestic terrorist', Christopher Hasson. Giffords (right) survived an assassination attempt in 2011, after she was shot in the head at a government event Leading the condemnation, Representative Eric Swalwell accused the NRA of attempting to insight violence against Pelosi and Giffords, and said those responsible should face legal action. 'This is a call for violence by the NRA who was nearly killed by Gunfire and [Nancy Pelosi], the most powerful legislator in America,' the tweet began. 'The NRA should face legal consequences. But let's put them out of business with with boycotts and ballot boxes. #EnoughIsEnough' On January 8 2011, former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords survived an attempted assassination after she was shot in the head by Jared Loughner during a government event in Casas Adobes. Narrowly escaping with her life, tweeters were quick to suggest that the magazine's editorial insensitivity was no accident. Leading the charge of outrage, Representative Eric Swalwell accused the NRA of attempting to insight violence against the public figures Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter was killed in the Parkland school shootings in Florida last year, said the page's composition was no accident Nancy Pelosi's daughter, Christine, also lambasted the NRA 'Magazine covers and titles are highly thought out. People get a lot of money on decisions like this,' said Fred Guttenberg, the father of Jaime Guttenberg who was killed in the Parkland school shootings in Florida last year. 'The decision in NRA magazine to have an article titles Target Practice next to a photo of Pelosi and Giffords is intentional. This is incitement of violence and not OK!,' he added. Written by Chris W. Cox (above), the NRA Chief Lobbyist goes on to describe Pelosi as an 'arch anti-gunner' Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw, however, jumped to the defense of the pro-gun non-profit, insisting the 'article is about legislation targeting gun owners, not the NRA targeting Democrats,' he tweeted on Sunday. 'If you goal is to ensure that 'outrage culture' is alive and well, continuing to divide us, congrats.' Pelosi's daughter, Christine, begged to differ and voiced her opinion that the article was a declaration of 'hate speech' and shouldn't get in the way of 'common sense gun violence protection'. Last month, Democrats unveiled a landmark gun safety legislation on the eight anniversary of Giffords' shooting. The bill, which is expected to stall in the Republican-controlled Senate, would expand background checks for all sales and transfers of firearms across the country. Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw jumped to the defense of the pro-gun non-profit, insisting the article's message had been misconstrued Nancy Pelosi (left) and Gabby Giffords (right) unveiled a bipartisan bill to introduce universal background checks for the purchase and transfer of firearms Lead by Wayne LaPierre, the NRA's latest magazine issue surfaced shortly after a number of high-profile government officials were revealed as targets of believed or explicit threats In a speech, Giffords - who co-founded a gun safety group with her husband Mark Kelly - said the bill was a necessary step in ending the gun-violence epidemic that killed nearly 40,000 people in 2017. '[The bill] marks a critical first step toward strengthening America's gun laws and making our country a safer place to live, work, study, worship and play,' Giffords said. 'I stand ready to do everything in my power to get this legislation across the finish line.' Pelosi called the bill on background checks a common-sense measure and cited polls showing 97 percent of Americans support background checks for all gun sales. The NRA's latest magazine issue surfaced shortly after a number of high-profile government officials were revealed as targets of believed or explicit threats. Political spin-doctor, Roger Stone - who is currently under indictment charges brought against him the the Mueller investigation - posted a photo of the judge handling his case with what resembled firearm cross-hairs, the New York Times reported. Nancy Pelosi appeared on a list with several other democrats that was put together by 'domestic terrorist' Christopher Hasson. According to the FBI, Hasson planned to assassinate all of those named. Two bodies have been recovered from the site where a Boeing 767 Atlas Air cargo plane crashed in Texas on Saturday. The hunt goes on for third victim after the jet, operating for Amazon Prime Air, plunged more than 3,000ft in 30 seconds. Pilot Sean Archuleta, 36, has been identified as one of the dead by family and friends on social media. He was father to a six-month-old son. Capt. Ricky Blakely of Indiana and First Officer Conrad Jules Aska of Antigua were also named by friends and family online, The Houston Chronicle reports. Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne gave the update at a Sunday afternoon press conference with officials from the National Transportation Safety Board and the FBI. Authorities have not confirmed the identities of those killed. Pilot Sean Archuleta has been identified as one of the dead by family and friends on social media. Capt. Ricky Blakely of Indiana was also named as a victim by friends online First Officer Conrad Jules Aska is also thought to be among the dead This image taken from video provided by KRIV FOX 26 shows the scene of a cargo plane crash Atlas Air Flight 3591 was on route to Houston's George Bush International Airport from Miami Hawthorne says crews remain in an active recovery mode at Trinity Bay, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) east of Houston. Atlas Air earlier said it had confirmed all three people aboard the plane died. In a statement issued Sunday afternoon , Atlas Air confirmed the deaths and said its 'primary focus is working to provide the families of those affected with care and support.' Tragic Archuleta's friend, Don Dalton, said his wife has been told, adding: 'She's devastated. They just had their baby. I'm not an emotional guy, but this tore me up today. 'I lost a guy that I truly looked forward to opening the door and seeing. I miss the guy. I miss him already.' Chris Smith wrote on Facebook: 'RIP Rick Blakely And the other two on board. Glad I got to meet you again. From commutair to flying heavy jets at Altas. ' Atlas Air said it was flying flight 3591 for Amazon. The jumbo jet had departed from Miami and was likely moments from landing at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston when witnesses said it crashed nose first into the bay. The incident happened about 12:45 p.m. Saturday, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) east of Houston. Aside from the crew members, searchers are focused on finding and recovering the black boxes that investigators hope will provide clues to the cause of the crash. NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt says security video from a jail about a mile away showed the plane heading toward the ground nose first. He said no distress call was given before the wreck. The plane nosedived into the bay after it made a steep descent from 6,525 feet to 3,025 feet in 30 seconds, according to tracking data from FlightAware.com There were three people on board Atlas Air Flight 3591 that was carrying Amazon Prime Air cargo. Archuleta (above left) was the pilot Officers and rescue teams flocked to the scene where broken detritus of the plane was visible in the water along with bits of floating cargo such as women's clothing and cardboard boxes. Sheriff Brian C. Hawthorne described the crash during a press conference Saturday afternoon as 'total devastation'. After losing contact, then they asked a United Airlines pilot if he had seen 'ground contact' - wreckage - to his right or behind him. 'That's a negative,' he said. They also asked a Mesa Airlines pilot: 'See if you can make ground contact. We are looking for a lost aircraft ... it's a heavy Boeing 767,' meaning it's a big, two-aisle plane. 'No ground contact from here,' the Mesa pilot said. According to FlightRadar the jet had departed Miami at 11.33 local time and was scheduled to arrive at Houston Intercontinental at 12.53 local time. Emergency personnel work at the scene of a plane crash site in Trinity Bay in Anahuac Beaches along Queensland's south coast have seen the worst erosion in 40 years after strong winds and king tides smashed against the shore over the weekend. Huge swells battered beaches along the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast beginning on Friday as ex-Cyclone Oma travelled offshore. Main Beach at Noosa and Marcoola Beach both experienced extreme erosion, with councils along the coast now inspecting the aftermath. Large sections of dunes were swallowed up by the waves, leaving what some locals have described as 'sand cliffs' in their place. Beaches along Queensland's south coast have been smashed with strong winds and king tides that in some places have caused the worst erosion for over 40 years (pictured; Narrowneck Beach Gold Coast) Huge swells battered beaches along the Sunshine and Gold Coasts (pictured) as ex-Cyclone Oma travelled offshore at the beginning of the weekend Oma, which has been downgraded to a tropical low, is sitting about 1,100km east northeast of Brisbane and moving northwards. The cyclone is expected to remain offshore, however, the Bureau of Meterology will continue to watch the massive system in case it swings back towards land. University of the Sunshine Coast coastal systems expert, Dr Javier Leon, has been measuring the massive tides caused by Oma. He said the water had risen 4.3 metres above mean sea level due to the cyclone's storm surge, with Main Beach at Noosa taking the brunt of the swell. 'Noosa is usually protected but not this time. Cyclone Oswald [in 2013] was bad, but after talking to locals, this seems to be the worst [erosion] since the late 1970s,' Dr Leon told Newscorp. He is currently conducting a study looking at sand movement at sites like Noosa to create a 'sand health index.' This could help councils plan for weather events along beaches that could impact tourism. Local councils along the coast are now inspecting the aftermath, with large sections of dunes swallowed up by the waves leaving what some locals have described as 'sand cliffs' (pictured; Main Beach Gold Coast) Beach erosion as a result of large waves generated by ex-Cyclone Oma on the weekend (pictured; Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast on Sunday) 'Fortunately, because council had been pumping sand since December, the beach was in great shape. Things could have been much worse,' he said. On the Gold Coast, Narrowneck Beach and Main Beach experienced the worst erosion with major scarping along the dunes. Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said his council's efforts to protect the beach over the last five years has offset some of the damage. He the clean-up to begin by Tuesday. A handful of beaches along the coast remain closed, with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urging people to stay away until they are cleared to re-open. 'There has been a lot of beach erosion that has happened along our coast as a result of Cyclone Oma. Can we please ask people to listen to authorities. Please don't go back on those beaches until it is deemed safe,' she warned. A handful of beaches along the coast remain closed, with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urging people to stay away until they are cleared to re-open (pictured; Noosa Main Beach) The highly anticipated Click Frenzy travel sale is hours away as travellers prepare to escape to China, Sri Lanka and Hawaii for a fraction of the normal price. Budget trips and luxury escapes are receiving the discount treatment with some deals up to 75 per cent off their original prices. The sale includes incredible deals on return flights from Melbourne to Honolulu, Hawaii, including accommodation over the eight-day period for only $699. The count down is on, the 29 hour sale is set to go live in just over 24 hours and is expected to attract over one million Australians looking for a great deal The big sale starts tomorrow on February at 7pm (AEDT) and will go for 29 hours until 11.59pm on Wednesday. Other announced deals include the luxurious Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort in Hawaii. Deals start from $2090 for the six night stay with return flights apart of the discounted package. If you are willing to spend a bit more, deals on luxury villas can be had for $5999 on a five night stay at Maldives. The trip normally retails for around $16,000. If you fancy a trip to Hawaii it can cost you as little as $699 for an eight day trip with return flights Deals include a trip to China with attractions such as the Great Wall of China and rides on the bullet train, which is capable of 350km/h. Added to all this is the inclusion of some meals throughout the 10-day holiday. The sale is expected to attract over one million Australians looking for a holiday as many seek out deals for the Christmas period. Cruises through the Galapagos Islands will set you back $2340 for the six-day package, saving well over a thousand dollars over regular prices in some cases. Click Frenzy also announced a five-night trip to Bali with return flights included will get the discount treatment for $1199, down from around $3,300. A Queensland nurse who was found in a pool of blood in her driveway with mysterious head injuries has died in hospital. Lisa Davey, 37, died at Gold Coast University Hospital on Friday, one day after neighbours discovered her unconscious body next to her car. Her death was particularly traumatic for the hospital staff, who knew her professionally and had worked to save her life, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported. Lisa Davey, 37, (Pictured centre with her aunt Janelle Brown and her mother Gail Davey) was found in a pool of blood in her driveway with mysterious head injuries on Thursday Lisa Davey, 37, (pictured) died at Gold Coast University Hospital on Friday A statement from the hospital said the popular nurse who was revered for her loving and caring attitude. 'Gold Coast Health joins with the family and friends of Lisa Davey in mourning her loss, and we offer our heartfelt sympathies to all who knew and loved her,' the statement read. Originally from Dunoon, in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Ms Davey moved to the Gold Coast from Cairns several years ago to be closer to her family. When her mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer, she dedicated her time to being her personal carer and stayed with her until she died late last year. 'She put her whole world on hold, while caring for her mum,' her aunt, Janelle Brown, told the publication. After the death of her mum, the 37-year-old had planned to move back to Cairns and was in the process of packing up her car when she was found unconscious last week. Her brother, Peter Davey, who stayed by her bedside until she died, told the publication he was still at a loss as to how her tragic death occurred. 'Our family is just in shock and we are sad that she has been taken from us like this,' Mr Davey said. Ms Davey (pictured left) moved to the Gold Coast from Cairns several years ago to be closer to her family A passerby discovered Ms Davey unresponsive on Callistemon Court (pictured) around 6pm He said his sister will be missed by all who knew her and said she always put everyone else's problems before her own. He added his sister was a 'selfless person' who took her career very seriously and was planning to become a nurse practitioner one day. Mr Davey said he was especially grateful for the dedication and support provided by her colleagues at the hospital. Her aunt, Ms Brown, said the 37-year-old was a passionate animal lover, who especially doted on her three pets: Eliza the kelpie, Charlie the chihuahua and Ace the cat. 'She is now under the rainbows with her mum and Majic her first dog and the first love her life, by her side,' she said. Investigations into the mysterious circumstances that led to Ms Davey's tragic death are still ongoing. Neighbors revealed Ms Davey's mother had recently passed away and she had been preparing for a new job at a hospital in Cairns next week Police are yet to confirm what happened prior to her being found outside of her Arundel home, with her car doors still open and her belongings on the ground. At the time, Ms Davey didn't appear to have visible injuries but her condition left authorities baffled as it was revealed she suffered 'unexplained life-threatening injuries,' The Gold Coast Bulletin previously reported. She was initially admitted into the emergency department with skull fractures and bleeding on her brain. The cause of the injuries was unknown. Pictured is the Gold Coast University Hospital where the 37-year-old worked The person who found her told the publication she had blood in her mouth and 'squinted eyes.' Ms Davey didn't respond when spoken to and there was no one else around at the time, the witness said. Police have urged anyone with dash cam or security footage that captured the moment Davey collapsed to come forward. A woman who was stung by a box jellyfish has relived the horrific moment she felt the deadly creature's tentacles wrap around her leg. Prue Davey, 22, from Nhulunbuy in the Northern Territory, was standing in murky water trying to pull in her boat when she felt a burning pain. The fisherwoman quickly realised her life was in danger. 'It starts like you've been bitten...[and] electrocuted at the same time. Sort of like a searing burn,' Ms Davey told the ABC. 'I had probably 20 tentacles all over me....I ended up with about a metre's worth of burns.' Prue Davey was pulling in her boat when she felt an excruciating pain and realised a box jellyfish had wrapped its tentacles around her legs Her husband immediately called for help, grabbed some vinegar from the boat club and began carefully removing the long purple tentacles from her leg. If untreated, the venom from a box jellyfish can kill a person in less than five minutes. Ms Davey was rushed to Gove District Hospital and spent the next six hours in excruciating pain. Ms Davey was rushed to Gove District Hospital and spent six hours in pain. She is currently in recovery She is slowly recovering from the sting, which she said has made her drowsy and her legs flare up. The keen fisher won't be giving up her life at sea, but urges people to be more aware during this season. Box jellyfish are in waters all year round but people are at higher risk of being stung from October to May. People are at higher risk of being stung by box jellyfish from October to May as they are more likely to be in waters Turkish Grand National Assemblys new speaker was elected to replace resigning Binali Yldrm, who is now running for Istanbul mayor in the upcoming March 31 local elections. The ruling Justice and Development Partys (AKP) candidate Mustafa Sentop got 336 votes out of 600 seats in parliament in the third round of the election, qualifying to be the 29th speaker of the Turkish parliament. Sentops main rival Engin Altay, deputy group chair of the main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP), received 124 votes, Hurriyet Daily reported. They were followed by the Peoples Democratic Partys (HDP) candidate Serpil Kemalbay Pekgozegu with 46 votes and the IYI (Good) Partys nominee Imam Huseyin Filiz with 33 votes. Three votes were declared invalid. Former parliament speaker Yldrm announced his resignation late Feb. 18 to submit his candidacy for Istanbul mayor. He handed over the office to interim Parliament Speaker Celal Adan of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) on February 19. Commuters were shocked on Sunday after a woman heading to a concert on a public bus suddenly pulled down her shorts and urinated. Video footage posted by Alcar Meano shows the reveller shamelessly squatting in front of the doorway while relieving herself on the way to a Six60 show in Auckland, New Zealand. She is then seen pulling up her underwear while standing in a pool of her own urine Video footage posted by Alcar Meano shows the reveller shamelessly squatting in front of the doorway while relieving herself on the way to a Six60 show in Auckland, New Zealand A witness told the NZ Herald the bus reeked of urine following the woman's mishap. Despite labelling the incident as 'disgusting', the witness said the woman did make several attempts to stop the bus. 'Yeah it's disgusting for sure, but she asked the driver several times if they would pull over to let her out and they said no because it wasn't a public service bus, it was a concert bus so they wouldn't stop for her. 'So to everyone saying "she should have pushed the button and got off" - she tried.' The urinating woman replied to commenters, saying 'I had to go...sorry everyone.' A witness reported the bus reeked of urine, NZ Herald reported. The woman might escape a $200 fine if no-one makes a formal complaint Jon Reeves, Public Transport Users Association national coordinator, criticised the incident but believed it was most likely brought on by alcohol consumption. The woman could escape a $200 fine if no one files a complaint. The fine applies to individuals who urinate or defecate in a public place other than a lavatory, according to the Summary Offences Act 1981. Six60 is a five-piece band that formed in Dunedin in 2008. Since then, the band's popularity has soared. Their debut album in 2011 went to No 1 and was the fourth biggest-selling album of any kind in New Zealand that year, and the biggest selling by any New Zealand act. Two men involved in a wild family fight which broke out in the middle of a shopping centre food court have escaped convictions. Affray charges against Bilal Deniz, 20, and Volkan Mertyurek, 23, were dismissed after the pair were found to be acting in self-defence. The fight, which magistrate Susan McGowan described as 'disgraceful', broke out near a kebab shop inside Figtree Grove Shopping Centre in Wollongong, New South Wales on April 7, 2018. Two men involved in a wild family fight which broke out in the middle of a shopping centre food court have escaped convictions. Pictured: Harun Kutup in black shirt The fight, which magistrate Susan McGowan described as 'disgraceful', broke out near a kebab shop inside Figtree Grove Shopping Centre Mr Deniz and Mr Mertyurek were approached by brothers-in-law Harun Kutup and Mete Ilter at the shopping centre, the Illawarra Mercury reported. All four men are known to each other and have an ongoing feud, according to police documents. The men started brawling after a heated discussion, with the melee caught on CCTV inside the shopping centre. Footage of the fight was played in court during Deniz and Mertyurek's hearing on Friday. Affray charges against Bilal Deniz, 20, and Volkan Mertyurek, 23, were dismissed after the pair were found to be acting in self-defence A mother and her four-year-old daughter were pushed against their table in the fracas. Security guards were forced to intervene as the four men wrestled on the ground. All four men were arrested and charged with affray. Kutup and Ilter pleaded guilty in August and were sentenced to good behaviour bonds. Embattled Virginia Lt Gov Justin Fairfax compared himself to Jim Crow-era lynching victims in a surprise speech Sunday, as he resists widespread calls to resign prompted by allegations of sexual assault. Fairfax strongly defended himself and lashed out at his critics from his rostrum in the state Senate as the 2019 legislative session was coming to a close. 'I've heard much about anti-lynching on the floor of this very Senate, where people were not given any due process whatsoever, and we rue that,' Fairfax said, referencing legislation the General Assembly passed expressing 'profound regret' for lynchings in Virginia between 1877 and 1950. 'And we talk about hundreds, at least 100 terror lynchings that have happened in the Commonwealth of Virginia under those very same auspices. And yet we stand here in a rush to judgment with nothing but accusations and no facts and we decide that we are willing to do the same thing,' Fairfax said. When he finished his five-minute impromptu speech, stunned senators sat in awkward silence. Fairfax has been accused by two women of sexual assault. Both of the alleged victims are African American. Embattled Virginia Lt Gov Justin Fairfax (pictured on Sunday) compared himself to Jim Crow-era lynching victims in a surprise speech Sunday, as he resists widespread calls to resign prompted by allegations of sexual assault Earlier this month, Vanessa Tyson (pictured) publicly accused Fairfax of forcing her to perform oral sex in his hotel room during the Democratic National Convention in Boston in 2004 Earlier this month, Vanessa Tyson publicly accused Fairfax of forcing her to perform oral sex in his hotel room during the Democratic National Convention in Boston in 2004. Her lawyer said last week that Tyson plans to meet with prosecutors in Massachusetts to detail her allegations. Meredith Watson has also publicly accused Fairfax of sexual assault. She issued a statement accusing him of raping her 19 years ago while they were students at Duke University. House Republicans announced plans Friday to hold a public hearing where Fairfax, Tyson and Watson can testify, a move that Fairfax and some Democrats have panned as a political ploy. Fairfax has indicated he won't participate in the hearing, leaving it an open question whether Republicans will try to compel him to testify. Fairfax has said the accusations should be investigated by law enforcement. Republican House Majority Leader Del Todd Gilbert said Fairfax's comments about lynchings were highly inappropriate. 'That is the worst, most disgusting type of rhetoric he could have invoked,' Gilbert said. 'It's entirely appropriate for him to talk about due process and we would intend to offer him every ounce of it, and he's welcome to take advantage of that anytime he would like.' House Republicans announced plans Friday to hold a public hearing where Fairfax (center), Tyson and Watson can testify, a move that Fairfax and some Democrats have panned as a political ploy But black lawmakers did not object to Fairfax's speech. 'He said what he needed to say,' said Sen. Mamie Locke. Virginia Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Del Lamont Bagby said he's heard similar rhetoric from his constituents, who have expressed concerns that Fairfax is being treated unfairly because of his race. Gov Ralph Northam and Attorney General Mark Herring, both Democrats and both white, are embroiled in their own scandal after acknowledging they wore blackface in the 1980s. Northam has also resisted widespread calls to resign and instead said he intends to devote his remaining years in office to addressing the state's deep and lingering racial divisions. The trio of scandals has rocked Virginia politics and exposed deep divides among Democrats. State Democrats have expressed fear that the uproar over the governor could jeopardize their chances of taking control of the GOP-dominated Virginia legislature this year. The party made big gains in 2017, in part because of a backlash against President Donald Trump, and has moved to within striking distance of a majority in both houses. At the same time, the Democrats nationally have taken a hard line against misconduct in their ranks because women and minorities are a vital part of their base and they want to be able to criticize Trump's behavior without looking hypocritical. Advertisement A collection of breathtaking photographs have revealed the pivotal role that aerial battles played in World War Two in vibrant colour. A new book, curated by the Imperial War Museums (IWM), features photographs of aircraft and pilots from a number of Allied nations as they soar through blue skies or prepare to take off. War in the Air: The Second World War in Colour includes images of planes and the lives of people who flew them - from night bombing raids over Germany to protecting Britain, desert warfare, training and squadron celebrations. Colour photography was a rarity at the time, and the images, all of which are sourced from the IWM's collections, have been carefully restored by the museums' experts. Kittyhawk IIIs of the Royal Air Force No 112 Squadron preparing to take off at a desert airstrip in Tunisia in April 1943. The unit, nicknamed the 'shark squadron', was the first Allied air force squadron to use the sharkmouth nose art on its Curtiss P-40s. The design was copied from Luftwaffe Messerschmitt Bf 110s. The squadron, which was initially formed in Throwley as a home defence unit in July 1917, flew Kittyhawk mark I, III and IV aircraft between 1941 and 1944 Sub-lieutenant Harold Salisbury prepares for a sortie - a deployment of a military unit from a strongpoint - in Supermarine Seafire Mk Ib NX942 'AC-E' of No 736 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton, in September 1943. The Supermarine Seafire was a naval adaptation of the Supermarine Spitfire. It was created to serve as an interim naval fighter before the arrival of a purpose-built model. The model entered service for a short time from June 1942 Martin B-26 Marauders of the No 441 Squadron, 320 Bombardment Group in 1945. The plane, nicknamed the 'widow maker' or the 'Flying Torpedo', was a twin-engine medium bomber built by the Glenn L. Martin Company in Middle River, Maryland between 1941 and 1945. The 5,288 aircraft were flown by the Royal Air Force, the South African Air Force, the United States Army Air Corps and the Free French Air Forces They are grouped into themes such as 'fighter boys', 'Mediterranean air war' and 'training and transport' to illustrate the range of British, Commonwealth and US air force operations in Europe and the Mediterranean. The new volume follows The Second World War in Colour, published by the IWM in 2017, which brought to life a range of aspects of the conflict with colour images from the archives. Ian Carter, author of War in the Air and senior curator at IWM, said: 'Colour photography was a rarity during the Second World War; film was scarcely available and images were expensive to print. A unit of Hurricane MK IIDs preparing for take-off from Gabes in Tunisia in April 1943. Hawker Hurricanes were a ground attack, single-seat aircraft. The MK IID was an anti-tank model fitted with a Vickers S 40mm cannon under each wing. This particular aircraft was largely used throughout the North African campaign which took place between 1940 and 1943. The tank buster model was used by the No 6 squadron in the Battle of Bir Hakeim in Libya in May and June 1942 Three Avro Lancasters of the 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron in September 1942. The Avro Lancaster was a four-engined heavy bomber designed by British aircraft manufacturer Avro. The plane was adopted for operational service in February 1942 and used by the Royal Air Force, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force throughout the Second World War. The 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron, which employed 24 per cent of its air and ground crew from Southern Rhodesia, used the aircraft in 4,362 sorties. The bomber squadron lost 149 of the planes in combat and a further 22 were destroyed in flying accidents Instructors and pupils of the No 20 Service Flying Training School posing with their North American Harvard Mk IIAs at Cranbourne, Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia in 1943. The school was one of more than a dozen South Rhodesian facilities which formed part of the Commonwealth Joint Air Training Plan. The facilities prepared pilots for the South African Air Force, the Royal Air Force and Allied air crews during World War Two. The No 20 school, which opened in July 1940 and closed its doors in September 1945, operated with North American Harvard I, II, IIA, III and Airspeed Oxford training aircraft Wellington GR Mk XIII JA412 'S' of No 221 Squadron over the Aegean in March 1945. The Royal Air Force unit was formed in April 1918 and saw service in both the First and Second World Wars. The squadron initially engaged in anti-submarine warfare in the Aegean before being sent to Russia in December 1918 to support the White Army against the Bolsheviks. The unit was reformed at RAF Bircham Newton as a maritime reconnaissance unit in November 1940 'The subjects covered in this book are presented in a vivid clarity not typically associated with imagery of the war. 'Each photograph has been carefully optimised by IWM's team of expert restorers to bring back colour accuracy and detail which over the years have faded from both paper and memory.' Surviving photographs from the very small number taken by official photographers during the Second World War were passed to IWM for preservation in 1949, where they form part of an archive of 11 million images of conflict from the First World War to the present day. The collection features a stunning photograph of three ferocious Kittyhawks preparing to take off at a desert airstrip in Medenine, Tunisia in April 1943. Other images capture the Royal Australian Air Force squadron 467 as they gather in celebration of a Lancaster R5868 (S-Sugar) aircraft reaching 100 missions with the unit in May 1944. British airmen training with the Embry-Riddle Company at Carlstrom Field near Arcadia in Florida in 1941. Embry-Riddle was one of the first five air training schools in the US to be certified under the Department of Commerce's newly-minted Air Commerce Act in 1929. During the war, the company expanded to train World War Two pilots and mechanics from the Army Air Corps and the Royal Air Force across four sites. Five hundred cadets could be trained at once during a nine-week course in which they clocked 60 flight hours Captain Edwin 'Bill' Fisher of the No 377 Fighter Squadron, 362 Fighter Group, atop his P-47D Thunderbolt Shirley Jane III at a landing ground in France in summer 1944. The unit was a United States Air Force active duty unit stationed at Montgomery Air National Guard Base in Alabama from February 1943 to August 1946 Tennessee police are hunting a 54-year-old woman after an officer was killed in a hit-and-run collision just weeks after graduating from the police academy. Nicholas Galinger, 38, was hit and killed in Hixson, Chattanooga on Saturday night when an SUV hit him while he was on a call with his training officer. Galinger had climbed out of his patrol vehicle to inspect a manhole cover when the Honda CRV hit and fatally wounded him. Today the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced it was searching for Janet Elaine Hinds, 54, who is wanted for vehicular homicide. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced it was searching for Janet Elaine Hinds (left), 54, who is wanted for vehicular homicide after the death of Nicholas Galinger (right) Galinger was taken to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries. 'The Chattanooga Police Department and this community lost not just an officer,' said police chief David Roddy. 'We lost a son, a father, a friend, and a protector.' Detectives today released a picture of Hinds, a 5'7' woman who has been added to the TBI's top 10 most wanted list. A reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for information leading to her arrest, police said. The vehicle involved in the fatal crash is described as a 2017/2018 Honda CRV with front end damage. Anyone with information on the driver or vehicle is urged to call police. China's counter-terror and de-radicalisation efforts in its far western region of Xinjiang should be applauded for creating a new method of tackling the problem, a senior diplomat told foreign envoys last week. China is stepping up its diplomatic outreach over controversial camps in the heavily Muslim region, inviting more foreign diplomats to visit as it seeks to head off criticism from Muslim-majority nations and at the United Nations. The government says the camps are re-education and training facilities, and have been highly successful in stopping attacks previously blamed on Islamist militants and separatists, but rights groups say they are internment camps. A perimeter fence is constructed around what is officially known as a vocational skills education centre in Dabancheng in China's far-west Xinjiang region. China is stepping up its diplomatic outreach over controversial camps in the heavily Muslim region of Xinjiang Muslim trainees work in a garment factory at the Hotan Vocational Education and Training Center in Xinjiang. China says the camps are re-education and training facilities, but rights groups say they are internment camps Chinese officials briefed diplomats from more than 80 countries and international organisations in Beijing on Friday about Xinjiang, the foreign ministry said on Sunday, confirming a Reuters report. Xinjiang Deputy Governor Erkin Tuniyaz and Deputy Foreign Minister Zhang Hanhui explained Xinjiang's 'development achievements' and their 'preventive counter-terrorism and de-extremism work' to the gathering, the ministry said. 'Xinjiang's counter-terrorism and de-extremism efforts have created a new way to solve the symptoms and root cause of the difficult global issue of counter-terrorism, and are worthy of praise,' the statement paraphrased Zhang as saying. 'China will continue to make its due contribution towards the global fight against terrorism.' China's Uighur ethnic minority has been subjected to heavy police surveillance in recent years China's counter-terror and de-radicalisation efforts in its far western region of Xinjiang should be applauded for creating a new method of tackling the problem, a senior diplomat said The diplomats said China's explanation had helped them understand Xinjiang, that what China was doing there was important for the rest of the world in combating terror, and that the 'successful experience in Xinjiang was worth studying and drawing on,' the ministry added. It did not say which countries' representatives had made the comments, or which countries' envoys had attended. Diplomatic sources told Reuters last week that Western diplomats would attend, as well as those from countries close to China and which traditionally do not criticise its rights record. China is also lobbying hard to thwart scrutiny of the Xinjiang camps at the U.N. Human Rights Council's main annual session, which opens on Monday. China has rejected all accusations of mistreatment in the camps. A spiritual healer accused of carrying out a black magic exorcism on a non-consenting man has told a Sydney jury he's done the procedure on thousands of people in many countries. Riza Morinaj got in the witness box on Monday, after the jury watched his recorded police interview in which he denied claims the man was held down, told him to stop and said the suction cups were hurting. Morinaj, a French citizen who has lived in Australia since 2006, has pleaded not guilty to detaining the man in company, occasioning him actual bodily harm, in November 2016 at a Sydney home. Riza Morinaj (pictured) says that he's performed a black magic exorcism, involving slashing a man with a blade, on thousands of people The man, who cannot be identified, has testified he was held down on a bed when suction cups were placed on him and he was cut with a small blade after his relatives believed he had been a victim of black magic. Giving evidence to the District Court jury, Morinaj said he was a therapist in Hijama, which he said was incision therapy called wet cupping done in the Islamic tradition. 'Hijama was a practice recommended by an Islam prophet, especially as a remedy against black magic,' the 39-year-old Melbourne Muslim said. He received a diploma qualification 'from a well-known British institute' in 2013 and had treated 10,000 to 15,000 people in countries including 'almost every nation' in Europe, Asia and all Australian states. The practice involved placing suction cups over the body and making small incisions so the toxins could be removed, he said. Morinaj said he first contacted the man's grandfather after a mutual acquaintance told him of problems with the grandson. '(The grandfather) told me since his grandson got married, things were not going well and he suspected he was under the influence of black magic due to his wife.' A man did not consent to an exorcism involving a blade, a Sydney court was told (Pictured: Riza Morinaj, who has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and assault) In his police interview, Morinaj denied he told the grandson he was drawing out black blood which was 'the evil' when he placed the cups on him and read out the Koran. He told the officer it was 'completely absurd' to say he forced the man to stay in the bedroom and forced the cupping procedure on him. 'How could I force him?' he asked. 'It's impossible to force anybody.' He did not discuss the grandfather's black magic belief with the man and he did not discuss what he was going to do or how he would do it. Police asked if he had explained to the grandfather that he would be using the cupping. 'Why are you making such a big deal about the suction cups?' he replied. The officer again asked if he specifically told the grandfather he would be using suction cups. Morinaj said he probably did but he could not recall it. The trial is continuing before Judge Helen Syme. The widow of a slain gangster has posted a cryptic Facebook comment, just a day after two men faced court charged with his murder. Mahmoud 'Mick' Hawi, 37, died after being sprayed with bullets outside a Sydney Fitness First gym in February, leaving behind wife Carolina Gonzales and two young children. On Sunday night, Ms Gonzales posted on her Facebook page: 'Saabi...where's your best mate Yui?'. She then removed the comment a few hours later. Two men were charged with the Comancheros' former national president murder and faced court on Saturday. According to police, Bikie Yusuf Nazlioglu, 37, allegedly pulled the trigger in the assassination he is accused of planning with Ahmad 'Adam' Doudar, 38. Mahmoud 'Mick' Hawi's widow Carolina Gonzalez has penned a cryptic Facebook post, days after three men were charged in relation to his shooting death Ms Gonzalez took to Facebook on Sunday night, asking friends a cryptic question, in an apparent reference to Yusuf Nazlioglu who was last week charged with her husband's murder Both men are believed by police to be Lone Wolf gang members. While the two have been charged with murder, tow truck driver Moustafa Salami, 36, has been charged with being an accessory after the fact for allegedly moving one of the getaway cars used in the shooting. Mick Hawi was shot multiple times in his Mercedes 4WD while he sat in the parked vehicle outside a gym at Rockdale, in Sydney's south, in February. Following his death, Hawi's grief-stricken widow Ms Gonzalez made headlines when she attempted to extract her dead husband's sperm from his corpse. Former Comancheros president Mick Hawi (left) was shot multiple times in his Mercedes 4WD while he sat in the parked vehicle outside a gym at Rockdale, in Sydney's south, in February The process was kick-started by an urgent court application in the hours after the shooting to the NSW Supreme Court, on the basis that Ms Gonzales would have another of Hawi's children following his death. Justice Peter Johnson then ordered the sperm be extracted and stored at an IVF facility until he ruled on her application, however Ms Gonzales ultimately opted not to go ahead with the procedure. Hawi had served a prison sentence over the death of Hells Angels bikie associate Anthony Zervas during a brawl at Sydney Airport in 2009. He was initially convicted of murdering Zervas, who was bashed with a metal bollard during the brawl, but his conviction and 28-year sentence was overturned on appeal. Last week, two men were charged with Hawi's murder - police alleged both men are Lone Wolf gang members, Yusuf Nazlioglu and Ahmad 'Adam' Doudar Police have launched a desperate appeal to find Australia's ten most wanted criminals, still on the run years after their heinous crimes. Images of the men - accused or convicted of crimes in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia - have been released in the hopes people recognise them and turn them over to the police. The list includes Graham Gene Potter, 60, charged with two counts of conspiracy to murder, Jonathon Edward Dick, wanted over the murder of his brother, and Paul Steadman, 50, wanted over the alleged sexual assault of a 13-year-old boy. Police believe some of the dangerous offenders have likely assumed new identities to avoid capture. Graham Potter, who also goes by the names Josh Lawson and Peter Anderson has been on the run since he was charged with conspiracy to murder in Brunswick, Melbourne, in 2008 Jonathon Dick (left) is charged with murdering his brother, and Paul Brent Steadman (right) was charged with sexually assaulting a child Graham Potter, who also goes by the names Josh Lawson and Peter Anderson has been on the run since he was charged with conspiracy to murder in Brunswick, Melbourne, in 2008. The suspected killer and hitman went on the run while on bail in 2010 for a gangland execution plot. Potter was allegedly contracted to kill gangland members but was unable to carry the killings out when his car allegedly broke down. There have been suspected sightings of Potter since, including last year in Griffith, New South Wales. Police believe he could be using a number of different names including Josh Lawson, John Page, Jim Henderson and Peter Adams. Police said he might be 'innocently harboured by farmers'. 'These criminals may appear to be leading a normal life; they may be your work colleague, neighbour, or a new person that has moved to your area, hiding in plain sight,' the police said. Paul Paterson (AKA Paul James, Jason Anthony Taylor): Convicted in 1996 for assaulting a child at Wauchope in NSW. Believed to be in the Darwin area Jonathon Dick, charged with murdering his brother, is believed to be living on the streets after changing his appearance. Dick disappeared after his brother was murdered in broad daylight. Paul Brent Steadman, a former Bathurst karate instructor, was charged in 2015 with sexually assaulting a child under the age of 16. Steadman's car was later found in bushland. It's believed he may have died but the authorities do not know. Keith John Porter: Failed to attend 2006 Brisbane Supreme Court sentencing hearing over a cocaine and cannabis trafficking syndicate In Queensland, Keith John Porter hasn't been seen since he failed to attend a 2006 sentencing hearing over a cocaine and cannabis syndicate. Wanted NSW man, Harley Bennett, is thought to have fled interstate in a breach of parole after being jailed over a 2003 sexual assault in Newcastle. 'These criminals may appear to be leading a normal life; they may be your work colleague, neighbour or a new person that has moved to your area, hiding in plain sight,' Crime Stoppers Australia chairman, Trevor O'Hara, said on Monday. Anyone with information is urged to make a confidential report via 1800 333 000 or online, and may be eligible for a cash reward. Arron Michael Blenkinsop (AKA Andrew Ross Bailey): Convicted in Queensland in 2015 for drug trafficking Arron Michael Blenkinsop, from Cairns, was sentenced to a five-year sentence and a three-year sentence in 2015 for two offences surrounding the dealing of MDMA, cocaine and steroids. However his failure to comply with parole conditions has put the body builder, who also goes by Andrew Ross Bailey, on the Crime Stoppers' Rogue Radar. The 36-year-old is on dating site HePays, according to The Courier Mail. His profile, according to the publication, said he was looking for 'wealthy women who will look after me. 'I will fulfil her every fantasy and every desire.' He is also listed on talent site Star Now as a model, actor, and intermediate disco dancer. Johnathan Robert Simmons (AKA John Robert Griffiths, Tristian Simmons, John Simmons): Allegedly obtained more than $50,000 from a fraudulent punters website in Adelaide WHO ARE AUSTRALIA'S TEN MOST WANTED CRIMINALS? * Arron Michael Blenkinsop (AKA Andrew Ross Bailey): Convicted in Queensland in 2015 for drug trafficking. Failed to comply with conditions after being granted parole. * Cody Allan Coppock (AKA Cody Gallegos, David Morris): Wanted over an aggravated break and enter at Armatree in NSW in February. Has 'Gallegos' tattooed on his forearm. * Graham Gene Potter (AKA Josh Lawson, Peter Anderson): Charged with two counts of conspiracy to murder at Brunswick in Melbourne in 2008. * Harley Bennett: Sentenced over a 2003 aggravated sexual assault in Newcastle. Believed to have fled interstate after being granted parole. * Johnathan Robert Simmons (AKA John Robert Griffiths, Tristian Simmons, John Simmons): Allegedly obtained more than $50,000 from a fraudulent punters website in Adelaide. * Jonathon Edward Dick: Fled after the murder of his brother, David Dick, at Doncaster in Melbourne in February 2017. * Keith John Porter: Failed to attend 2006 Brisbane Supreme Court sentencing hearing over a cocaine and cannabis trafficking syndicate. * Paul Paterson (AKA Paul James, Jason Anthony Taylor): Convicted in 1996 for assaulting a child at Wauchope in NSW. Believed to be in the Darwin area. * Pham Nguyen: Wanted for conduct endangering life after allegedly getting into a woman's car and splashing her with petrol in Victoria last year. * Paul Brent Steadman: Former Bathurst karate instructor charged in 2015 with sexually assaulting child under the age of 16. Steadman's car was later found in bushland. He may have died. Advertisement Harley Bennett (left), is thought to have fled interstate in a breach of parole after being jailed over a 2003 sexual assault in Newcastle and Cody Allan Coppock (right) is wanted over an aggravated break and enter Heartless thugs have viciously attacked four pensioners in seven days of savagery seen across the streets of 'Wild West Britain'. In another crime-ridden week plaguing the country, detectives launched a manhunt for a callous yob who 'sickeningly' battered a 92-year-old man as he walked home in Blackburn, Lancashire. The attacker, riding a motorbike displaying 'L' plates and wearing a black helmet, followed his frail victim before 'seriously assaulting' the pensioner, between 8pm and 8.20pm, on Wednesday night. Police have released CCTV images of the suspects in the bus stop attack in Chadderton, Oldham on Thursday, which left a 93-year-old lady with injuries to her head, knees and hands Police said there was no motive as yet for the mindless assault and are appealing for witnesses to the 'unwarranted attack', while the elderly man recovers from his injuries at home. They added: 'If anyone has any information that could assist in identifying the offender or if anyone has any CCTV footage that would cover the route the gentleman walked home, they should come forward.' Meanwhile, an 88-year-old pensioner was left with a swollen face and black eye after smashing his head on the pavement, following a daylight mugging in Norbury, South London. Albert Wright had just picked up his pension when he was thrown to the ground on Oakland Avenue at around 10.50am on Monday, August 13. He was left laying defenceless on the ground by the thug, who stole his bag, phone and 300 in cash, before fleeing the scene in a waiting black Mercedes driven by another man. Both are described as black males. The victim's daughter, Josephine, 53, who lives close to where her father was attacked, was alerted to the incident by a neighbour. The Oldham attack took place hours before a gang assaulted a 95-year-old woman in her home She said: 'I ran over the road with my daughter and he said he got off the bus from Norbury, because he went to Barclays Bank. 'He heard a loud bang and the next thing he knew he was thrown to the floor, his bag was grabbed and he banged his face on the pavement. 'He started screaming for help, but there was nobody in the road.' His daughter added: 'It's upsetting as he is a vulnerable old man. 'He walks very slowly as he gets out of breath and you just think how can someone look at him like that, push him to the ground and rob him? 'He is now scared to walk down my road.' Family friend Nigel Hackett, 52, has set up a fundraising page, with so far 1,200 donated by well-wishers. 'It's shocking that someone could do something like that as you couldn't meet a nicer gentleman - he is always smiling.' Metropolitan Police has confirmed they are investigating the robbery. No arrests have yet been made. Both attacks came ahead of two savage attacks on pensioners, which happened just miles apart, on Thursday. In the first incident, two men attempted to wrestle a handbag from the hands of a 93-year-old lady at a bus stop in the Chadderton area of Oldham, leaving her suffering injuries to her head, knees and hands, after she was dragged to the ground, just before midday. Following publication of CCTV images of the suspects, a 17-year-old handed himself in to police. The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with attempted robbery and is due to appear at Tameside Youth Court on September 4. Detective Sergeant Alex Wilkinson said: 'This was a violent, cowardly attack. It is hard to imagine what kind of individual would target a vulnerable member of the community and leave them with multiple injuries. 'This attack could have had much graver consequences. It is only due to the remarkable strength of the victim that she has been able to leave hospital and continue her recovery at home.' An 80-year-old man has been left fighting for his life after he was stabbed at a mosque in Whalley Range, Manchester, on Friday In the second incident on Thursday, a gang beat up a 95-year-old woman during a violent break-in at her home in Northenden, Manchester. Five male suspects, believed to be aged 15 and 16 and dressed in dark clothing, climbed into the victim's home on Thursday night. The pensioner described by police as a 'tough cookie' struggled with the burglars and was shoved to the floor. They smashed their way out of the pensioner's home through a kitchen window and fled. Detective Constable Rachel Wood, of Greater Manchester Police, said: 'Although this lady is a tough cookie, she has been left distraught and injured. 'The comfort of a person's own home is where they should feel safest but these animals smashed their way into the property without a second thought for the woman living there. 'We cannot allow this kind of thing to happen to those most vulnerable in our society. This could have been anybody's grandmother.' In a separate incident on Friday, an 80-year-old man is fighting for his life after he was stabbed at the Zakariya Masjid and Madrassah mosque in Whalley Range. Police were called to reports of a stabbing on Clarendon Road at around 1.50pm on Friday. After arriving at the scene, officers found the 80-year-old man with stab wounds and was taken to hospital, where he received treatment for serious injuries. A man in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of section 20 assault and is being questioned. Greater Manchester Police say enquiries into the full circumstances of the incident are ongoing, but it is understood the incident happened inside the mosque and both people involved are worshippers. It is not being treated as a hate crime at this time. Chief Inspector Faz Zaman of GMP's City of Manchester Division, said: 'People will understandably be concerned that an elderly man has been stabbed in a place of worship, but we believe there is an isolated incident.' Anyone with information can call 0161 856 6151 or make an anonymous report through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. The development of generally established rules for regulating the Internet is hardly possible in the near future, and the Western countries are blocking Russias initiatives, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. "There have been negotiations in the International Telecommunication Union for years, if not decades, on how to operate the Internet so that not to offend anyone," Lavrov said, speaking at the conference 'International Cooperation in a Troubled Word,' organized by the Valdai Discussion Club in partnership with the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam. "There is no result, and there wont be any - Im sure about it - in the near future, for obvious reasons," the Russian top diplomat reiterated that earlier Russias initiatives approved by the UN General Assembly were not supported by almost all Western countries. Casually sauntering along the road, these are the suspects in the savage attack on a 93-year-old woman who was mugged in broad daylight. Just seconds before they were caught on CCTV, the two men are alleged to have tried to wrestle a handbag from the hands of the frail lady at a bus stop, leaving her battered and bruised after she was dragged to the ground. In one of the most shocking days in this crime-ridden year of Wild West Britain, the monstrous assault in Oldham happened just hours before a gang beat up a 95-year-old woman in her home less than ten miles away. The monstrous assault in Oldham happened just hours before a gang beat up a 95-year-old woman in her home less than ten miles away The bus stop victim bravely held on to her handbag and her two attackers eventually gave up and walked away empty-handed, leaving her suffering multiple injuries. In the other sickening attack, the 95-year-old woman was left injured and in shock following a violent break-in by a gang of teenagers at her home in Northenden, Manchester. The five suspects dressed in dark clothing climbed into the victims home on Thursday night. The pensioner described by police as a tough cookie struggled with the burglars and was shoved to the floor. The group, believed to be boys aged 15 and 16, smashed their way out through a kitchen window with a typewriter and fled. Detectives yesterday released the CCTV images of the suspects in the bus stop attack on Turf Lane in the Chadderton area of Oldham, Greater Manchester, that took place just before midday on Thursday. It was later confirmed that a 17-year-old had handed himself in following publication of the pictures. The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with attempted robbery. He is due to appear at Tameside Youth Court on September 4. Greater Manchester Police said the 93-year-old bus stop victim suffered injuries to her head, knees and hands. Detectives yesterday released the CCTV images of the suspects in the bus stop attack on Turf Lane in the Chadderton area of Oldham, Greater Manchester, that took place just before midday on Thursday Detective Sergeant Alex Wilkinson said: This was a violent, cowardly attack. It is hard to imagine what kind of individual would target a vulnerable member of the community and leave them with multiple injuries. This attack could have had much graver consequences. It is only due to the remarkable strength of the victim that she has been able to leave hospital and continue her recovery at home. The 95-year-old burglary victim was also said to be recovering. Detective Constable Rachel Wood, of Greater Manchester Police, said: Although this lady is a tough cookie, she has been left distraught and injured. The comfort of a persons own home is where they should feel safest but these animals smashed their way into the property without a second thought for the woman living there. We cannot allow this kind of thing to happen to those most vulnerable in our society. This could have been anybodys grandmother. Police said three of the suspects were white and two were black. Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161 856 3971 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. A 29-year-old man has been charged with attempting to murder members of the public and police officers after allegedly driving a car through crowds in Westminster. Salih Khater, from Birmingham, will appear in court facing two counts of attempted murder, following the incident outside the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday. The Sudanese-born suspect, who is a British citizen, allegedly drove his vehicle into pedestrians before deliberately swerving towards police officers. Salih Khater, 29, from Birmingham, will appear in court facing two counts of attempted murder following the incident outside the Houses of Parliament A picture of the car that crashed into security barriers outside the Houses of Parliament A police officer guarding after the area around the Houses of Parliament after a man allegedly targeted cyclists and police officers Crowds of people were held back by police while they assessed the situation. Police guarding the area. One injured person was treated at the scene and two were taken to local hospitals, where they were treated and released Forensics officers in front of the vehicle that crashed outside the Houses of Parliament Emergency services rushed to the scene and quickly closed off the area before arresting a man He then allegedly crashed into barriers outside the Palace of Westminster. Within minutes of Tuesday's morning rush-hour crash, police flooded the streets around Parliament and cordoned off an area of the city that is home to government buildings and tourist attractions including Westminster Abbey- he was then arrested. Dramatic footage showed armed police pointing their guns inside the silver car after it crashed. The 29-year-old was arrested by police on Tuesday and questioned by police for days. A man collects his bike from the crime scene outside Parliament, after a car crashed into the security barriers One injured person was treated at the scene and two were taken to local hospitals, where they were treated and released. Police tonight confirmed they are treating the case as terrorism. Metropolitan Police said in a statement, 'Due to the methodology, iconic location and the alleged targeting of civilians and police officers, the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) are treating this case as terrorism.' The defendant is due before Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday charged with the attempted murder of members of the public and the attempted murder of police officers. Security measures have been tightened in the area following the Westminster terror attack in 2017. A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of a 42-year-old man in Chingford, north-east London in the early hours of Friday morning. The victim was today named as Joseph Cullimore. A 35-year-old woman who was arrested has now been released pending further enquiries. A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of a 42-year-old man in Chingford, north-east London in the early hours of Friday morning Emergency services were called to a home in the early hours of yesterday morning where the victim was found with stab wounds and pronounced dead 42 minutes later. Detectives have appealed for witnesses but said they were not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the killing. A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: 'A murder investigation has been launched in Waltham Forest after a man was fatally stabbed. 'Police were called on Friday at around 4.40am to an address in Flaxen Road to a report of a stabbing. 'Officers attended and found a 42-year-old man suffering from stab injuries.. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 5.22am. 'His next of kin have been informed. Emergency services were called to a home in Waltham Forest in the early hours of the morning where the victim was found with stab wounds and pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives have appealed for witnesses but say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the crime The stabbing comes hours after a boy was knifed in Camberwell, south London. The youngster was one of four stabbed as gang violence erupted on a housing estate echoing with screams of help, help yesterday evening. Residents of the Elmington Estate told how they saw a group of boys running minutes before police arrived on the scene at around 5.30pm Witnesses described how the most seriously hurt teenager fell to the floor clutching his stomach. One witness said: 'I saw the youth come running from the block. He came to the corner and dropped' and described seeing a boy with their 'intestines falling on the ground'. A young boy is in a critical condition in hospital after being struck by a van that police believe failed to stop at a red light. The 10-year-old was with two friends when they crossed a pedestrian crossing on a green light in Blackburn in Melbourne's east, about 6.30pm on Saturday. Behind the wheel of the van - a white Toyota Hi-Ace - was a 45-year-old male from Blackburn North who came to a stop 20metres after striking the child. The 10-year-old was with two friends when they crossed a pedestrian crossing near Blackburn High School (pictured) in Melbourne's east, about 6.30pm on Saturday He was arrested by police and is currently assisting them in their inquiries. The boy, from Croydon, was rushed to the Royal Children's Hospital where he remains being treated for life-threatening injuries. Detective Sergeant Darren Williams said the boy's friends ran ahead, narrowly avoiding the vehicle, which was traveling through a 60km/h zone on Springfield Road. 'The indication at the moment is that they had a green light, that's been confirmed by an independent witness,' he told the Sunday Herald Sun. Behind the wheel of the van - a white Toyota Hi-Ace (stock pictured) - was a 45-year-old male from Blackburn North who came to a stop 20 metres after striking the child 'Something attracted one of the children's attention, they bolted off the crossing. 'Unfortunately the boy was a bit slow to react and has been hit.' Officers were spotted photographing the child's shoe at the scene following the incident. Springfield Road between Primrose Street and Blackburn High School was closed to traffic after the collision. Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A pensioner has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 63-year-old man was stabbed to death in London. Police were called to an address in Walworth in the south east of the capital on Friday afternoon. Officers found the victim injured and he was pronounced dead at the scene in Madron Street at 2.14pm. A 67-year-old man was arrested later in the Denmark Hill area and remains in custody. A pensioner has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 63-year-old man was stabbed to death in Walworth, south east London Scotland Yard said formal identification is yet to take place but the victim's next-of-kin have been informed. A post-mortem examination will be held in due course, the Met added. The force said they are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to the investigation. A 15-year-old schoolboy has been charged by detectives probing a mass fight in which two teenagers were disembowelled and a further two were stabbed. The youth, one of six teenagers arrested in connection with the shocking violence in Camberwell, south east London, on Thursday has also been charged with a drugs offence. Police say the most seriously injured of the victims, all believed to be 15 or 16, has now been taken off the 'critical' list. But he remains in a 'serious but stable' condition in hospital, along with one of the other victims who is said to be 'stable'. This is the scene as a boy was left fighting for his life after he was stabbed in the stomach following a knife fight in Camberwell The teenager, who has not been named, can be seen surrounded by police and paramedics after the vicious street fight which involved up to 30 youths The boy was one of four aged 15 or 16 stabbed as violence erupted at around 5.30pm yesterday evening The other two victims have been discharged after treatment. All four were stabbed in broad daylight during a mass brawl. Detective Inspector Luke Williams, of Southwark Police, said: 'A youth has been charged in connection with an incident in which four males sustained stab wounds following an altercation in Camberwell. 'The 15-year-old was charged with possession of a bladed article and possession of cannabis and has been bailed to appear at Camberwell Youth Court on September 5th. 'The remaining five who were arrested, all aged between 15 and 16, were bailed to return to a south London police station in mid-September. DI Williams, who said the investigation was ongoing, added: 'This incident saw another act of serious violence on our streets and is unacceptable. A huge knife was found at the scene of the stabbing attack on Elmington Estate (pictured) Forensics officers photograph the crime scene today where the street is covered in clothes, shoes and medical supplies 'I appeal to anybody who saw what happened or has any information about the events which took place in Camberwell on Thursday to contact us; we need the support of the local community in order to bring those responsible to justice. 'There is a Section 60 and a number of dispersal zone in place across Southwark and some parts of Lambeth. 'We have additional officers on patrol from the Violent Crime Taskforce and the Territorial Support Group in order to reassure that we continue to treat this incident with the utmost seriousness.' A dramatic video from the scene shows police battling to save one of the teenagers' lives after he was attacked with a machete in the brawl over a belt. The latest knife attack was minutes from where drill rapper Sidique 'Incognito' Kamara was stabbed to death this month and there have been four murders within a few Camberwell streets since May. The officer, who has been identified by media as Senior Constable Branko Markovic (pictured), was stabbed multiple times The wife of an off-duty police officer that stepped in during a fight at a community hall thought she was watching her husband die. The officer, who has been identified by The Daily Telegraph as Senior Constable Branko Markovic, was stabbed multiple times in the stomach after a group of teenagers attempted to crash a 16-year-old's birthday party in Sydney's south-west overnight. A 17-year-old boy has been charged with grievous bodily harm and intimidation over the incident after being detained at the scene. The Senior Constable's wife was one of the first to be by her husband's side after the Bonnyrigg Heights attack. Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell told the publication: '[It's a situation where] your husband is potentially going to die in front of you. 'The first notification I got was that things were grim. So she is there thinking that things are grim.' The Assistant Commissioner said there was initial belief that an artery had been hit because of the amount of blood. He went on to praise the officer, who works in the domestic violence team. 'It was a very brave and for him to put him self in danger when off duty, but after he was stabbed, he also maintained hold of the offender,' Ass. Comm. Thurtell said. Mr Thurtell said that what happened shows the dangers of policing and the 24/7 nature of the job. Emergency services were called to the scene at Chopin Close in Bonnyrigg Heights at 11pm, where they found the 36-year-old man with the stomach wounds. The Senior Constable's wife was one of the first to be by her husband's side after the attack The Assistant Commissioner said there was initial belief that an artery had been hit because of the amount of blood. He went on to praise the 36-year-old Mr Markovic was a guest at the 16th birthday party when a group of teenagers attempted to gatecrash at 10.45pm. It is believed that a teenager allegedly attempted to punch another partygoer in the face. The teenager and three other males immediately fled from the scene where the officer pursued them on foot. The officer then got in an altercation with one of the teenagers as he tried to arrest him, before they both fell to the ground. During the struggle, he was then stabbed several times in the stomach. Mr Markovic was a guest at the 16th birthday party when a group of teenagers attempted to gatecrash at 10.45pm (pictured is the scene of the incident) Investigations are ongoing after an off-duty police officer got stabbed multiple times in the stomach after he intervened during a fight Although he was wounded, he was able to hold the teenager until emergency services arrived. He was rushed to Liverpool hospital for surgery in a critical condition, as the three other teenagers fled the scene. The 17-year-old male was taken into custody and has been charged with two counts of grievous bodily harm, intimidation. The teenager was refused bail to appear at a children's court tomorrow. Police are still looking for the other teenagers believed to be involved in the incident. A ten-centimetre knife was found at the crime scene and is currently undergoing testing. The off-duty police officer was rushed to Liverpool hospital for surgery in a critical condition Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell said the uninvited guests tried to enter the hall, resulting in the violent incident. 'Some of the people in the hall attempted to speak to the people, and an off-duty police officer was stabbed several times in the stomach,' he said. 'We are looking for two other males who we believe were involved in the incident,' Assistant Commissioner Thurtell said. 'Once again, this act of bravery confirms that police officers are never off-duty, and will up-hold their oath of office to protect life and property at all times,' he said. Investigations are still underway and police urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers. The 49-year-old was not the driver facing the drink-driving charges in court A restaurant owner has been accused of committing perjury while discussing a drink-driving charge to save $975. Max Paganoni, from Max's Restaurant in the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, has been accused of lying under oath and charged with committing wilful and corrupt perjury, according to The Herald Sun. Mr Paganoni allegedly misled Frankston Court on April 23 by claiming he was not present inside a car driven by a drunk driver on Mornington-Tyabb Road. He allegedly lied to the magistrate in order to have the car allegedly involved in the incident taken out of impound free of charge. Max Paganoni (pictured), from Max's Restaurant in the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, has been accused of lying under oath and charged with committing wilful and corrupt perjury It is alleged that the 49-year-old was the passenger in the company car, according to the publication (Pictured: Frankston Magistrates Court where Mr Paganoni attended yesterday) It is alleged that the 49-year-old chef was a passenger in a company car, but Mr Paganoni allegedly told the court he wasn't in the vehicle when the offence was allegedly committed. The driver, not Paganoni, allegedly blew 0.149 after being pulled over on Mornington-Tyabb Road. Mr Paganoni appeared at Frankston Magistrates Court yesterday. The restaurateur has also been charged with evading car impound costs by lying to police prosecutors. It will be alleged that the supposed deception led to Mr Paganoni saving a $975 fee as police and the magistrate did not oppose the removal of the car from the impound lot. The restaurateur has also been charged with evading car impound costs by lying to police prosecutors Mr Paganoni is disputing the charges. He declined to comment when Daily Mail Australia contacted him. Magistrate Julian Ayres, who heard the original impound case, said he would be unable to hear the case due to a conflict of interest. Mr Paganoni's restaurant has won awards such as the Qantas Tourism Award and been inducted into the Victorian Tourism Hall of Fame. The vineyard has been described as having the 'best views of any vineyard'. Boxer Billy Joe Saunders sparked chaos at a Belfast Nando's last night after he launched a half-chicken at American heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. Both men were in the Northern Ireland capital ahead of Tyson Fury's clash at Windsor Park tonight, with the brash US star expected to commentate from ringside. Footage filmed in the restaurant captures the aftermath as middleweight champion Saunders flees while Wilder - who slips as he makes for the door - gives chase. Scroll down for video Cannot believe what I'm reading. Video of Deontay Wilder (in the red) chasing Billy Joe Saunders (grey and black camo shirt) out of Nando's Belfast tonight after Saunders is said to have thrown chicken at him?! [ Hugh O'Halloran] pic.twitter.com/NEzqy0ZnzX Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) August 17, 2018 A second clip also shows Saunders dashing between tables as a furious Wilder storms down a flight of stairs behind him. Earlier in the day, as Fury weighed in for his bout against the Italian Francesco Pianeta, he and Wilder almost came to blows in a heated exchange. Saunders, a close friend of Fury and a fellow traveller, is said to have gone to the restaurant to confront Wilder, before hurling the Peri Peri chicken in Wilder's face and then making a quick exit. Video emerged on social media shortly after the incident showing a man wearing a camouflage design t-shirt identical to the one Saunders was wearing on Instagram that day. Billy Joe Saunders (said to be on the right of the screen) inside the Nando's restaurant Footage filmed in the restaurant captures the aftermath as WBO middleweight champion Saunders flees while Wilder - who slips as he makes for the door - gives chase The man soon got back to his feet and sprinted outside the restaurant when the footage ends Wilder was in Belfast to commentate on Fury's fight against Italian Francesco Pianeta at Windsor Park this evening. The pair resumed a long running feud after bumping into each other at the Europa Hotel, where Fury was set to weight in ahead of the bout Popular British champion Tyson Fury was cheered to the rafters as he argued with Wilder Witnesses were left stunned as tables and chairs were knocked out of the way as the fight kicked of. Wilder, who is 6ft 7ins, weighs 227lbs and remains unbeaten in 40 fights, took a tumble in haste as the much lighter Saunders, who is also unbeaten, rounded the corner and made off. Saunders has been a vocal defender of Fury in the past and supported the former champion through a series of mental health struggles over the past two years. Saunders has been a vocal defender of Fury in the past and supported the former champion through a series of mental health struggles over the past two years. He was pictured on Instagram earlier in the day wearing the distinctive camouflage design t-shirt Wilder and Fury have reportedly already put pen to paper for their next bout - thought to be a megabucks showdown in Las Vegas. Wilder said of Fury yesterday: 'As soon as he gets this guy out of the way, it's done. That's how simple it is.' The unbeaten American is set to announce the Fury fight on Monday in London - some reports suggest they could meet as early as November. The British tourist found dead at her holiday apartment in Ibiza was a mother-of-one and survivor of the Manchester Arena terror attack. Tributes have poured in for Jodie Leigh Priest following her sudden death just over a year after the bombing that claimed 23 lives during an Ariana Grande concert. Ms Priest, 34, was found dead in her room at the Ses Savines apartments in the party town of San Antonio at around 9am yesterday. Tributes have poured in for Jodie Leigh Priest following her sudden death just over a year after the bombing that claimed 23 lives during an Ariana Grande concert. Ms Priest, 34, was found dead in her room at the Ses Savines apartments in the party town of San Antonio yesterday Police are awaiting results of a post-mortem, though initial reports suggest she died of natural causes. Her best friend Matthew Hewitt said in a Facebook post that he and Jodie had been left with PTSD after getting caught in the attack as they left the concert. Saying she died just days away from her doting son's seventh birthday, he wrote: 'She's left her little boy Jake who's seven on Tuesday. He was her angel. 'She loved that boy to bits and always will. I just want to know Jodie is ok up there because right now it breaks my heart to even write this post. 'I have tears down my face writing this. I never thought I would be writing anything like this. RIP Jodie I love you so much and always will,' the Mirror say. Several British tourists have already lost their lives in San Antonio this summer. A British 40-year-old died after plunging from an apartment block in San Antonio late on Sunday night. The incident happened at the Tanit building, the same building a 26-year-old Brit named as Callum Marriott, from Clipstone, Notts, died at in August last year after plunging onto the floor of an inside patio from the fourth-floor. Callum had just enjoyed his last night out on the holiday island with friends and was due to catch a plane home later the same day. Police are awaiting results of a post-mortem, though initial reports suggest she died of natural causes. Several British tourists have already lost their lives in San Antonio this summer As well as a head wound, the latest plunge victim is believed to have suffered multiple body injuries. Earlier the same day Conor Lee Spraggs, 23, from Stevenage, Herts died after a fight with a group of Brits on the resort seafront. Last month a 22-year-old Brit died after collapsing in the street in San Antonio and being rushed to a health centre. He was later named as Jack McDonnell, from the West Midlands market town of Salford. Two days before he died on July 20 a British seasonal worker named as Birmingham-born Harry Kingsland, 21, was killed in an altercation at a flat in the party resort. A British tourist has reportedly been found dead in her apartment at a holiday resort in Ibiza. Newspapers said the 34-year-old woman was discovered on Friday in San Antonio It reported the unnamed woman is thought to have died of natural causes, while police local police are said to be investigating. A post-mortem today is expected to to confirm the cause of death The man suspected of delivering the punch linked to his death - Mitchell Loveridge, also 21 and from Llwynypia in the Rhondda, Wales, was arrested after trying to flee the scene by jumping out of the second-floor apartment window. He was remanded in custody after appearing in court. Ses Savines Apartments and Hotel is a two-star complex overlooking the sea. Moody's Investors Service has released a comprehensive report on the Russian economy, analyzing its capabilities and key risks in the medium term. The Agency's analysts estimate the share of the public sector in the Russian economy at 40-50%, taking into account partially privatized companies. "The dominance of the public sector and monopolization hinder the growth of investment and productivity," the agency said. "The high proportion of state ownership creates unequal conditions for business activity, exacerbating other factors that inhibit entrepreneurship, such as weak property rights and the relative lack of the rule of law," the analysts wrote. The demographic situation in Russia also constrains the potential for economic growth. Another factor, according to the agency, is the possible U.S. sanctions against Russian state-owned banks and Russia's sovereign debt. The main external risk is capital outflow, the agency stressed, RBC reported. Nevertheless, Moody's experts believe that socio-economic instability and military conflicts near the borders of Russia will contribute to the flow of population from the affected regions and Russia is likely to remain the beneficiary of such geopolitical tensions. Thus, a steady influx of able-bodied migrants from Central Asia and Ukraine will alleviate the labor shortage. James Packer's superyacht could be all yours if you have a spare $65.7million floating around. The Australian billionaire has put his brand new 55-metre luxury yacht EJI, on which he has spent the recent European summer on the market, just four months he took delivery of it. Mr Packer's friends said the four-decked yacht is simply 'too small', Fairfax Media reported. The news comes just five weeks Mr Packer and girlfriend New York socialite Kylie Lim entertained Channel 9 host Karl Stefanovic and fiancee Jasmine Yarbrough on the vessel off Capri last month. Scroll down for video Channel 9 host Karl Stefanovic (pictured) and fiancee Jasmine Yarbrough spent time with James Packer and his socialite girlfriend on superyacht EJI last month James Packer's luxury yacht EJI (pictured) come an asking price of $42 million Euros ($65.7 million Australia dollars) Built in Netherlands by Amels, EJI is named after Packer's three children Emmanuelle, Jackson and Indigo to ex-wife Erica Packer. Currently based in the south of France, EJI comes with an asking price of $42 million Euros. Styled to create an 'airy, restful and positive ambiance', six cabins on board accommodate up to 12 people with 12 crew members. 'This remarkable yacht has been designed to take the 'outside-in' concept to another level,' the vessel's advertisement on international superyacht brokerage Burgess Yachts states. 'She has huge windows in all the living spaces and three folding balconies on the main deck......allowing guests to withdraw with a digestif and enjoy the sunset without breaking up the party.' The 'owner's suite' has a study, en suite bathroom complete with walk-in wardrobe/dressing room and its own private folding balcony. Currently based south of France, the superyacht (pictured inside) is an entertainer's dream The superyacht is an entertainer's dream with a bright and spacious bridge deck saloon that opens up to a sky saloon with an al fresco dining area. Guests will be impressed by the bar and teppanyaki grill, while the 3000-litre jacuzzi doubles as a helipad. Mr Packer stepped down as chairman of Crown Resorts earlier this year, citing mental health issues before he checked into a private psychiatric clinic in Boston. He stepped on board EJI in the Mediterranean just one week after its delivery in May, ahead of schedule. 'I have to say, after building several yachts, I've never been able to deliver a yacht a week early,' vessel captain Christian Power told boatinternational.com last month. 'And that's all down to Amels' organisation and skills and it's just amazing that we've got there a week early.' A body language expert has analyzed the television interview a Colorado dad gave pleading for his family's safe return, one day before he allegedly confessed to the murders. Christopher Lee Watts, 33, showed subtle signs of lying in the nationally televised interview, including a defensive posture, conflicting statements, and a lack of emotion, former FBI profiler Mary Ellen O'Toole told CBS News. On Tuesday, Watts gave the interview to Denver 7, lamenting the disappearance of pregnant wife Shanann and their two daughters, four-year-old Bella and three-year-old Celeste, who disappeared on Monday from their home in Frederick, on the northern outskirts of Denver. 'This house isn't the same. Last night was traumatic. Last night - I can't really stay in this house again like, with nobody here,' Watts said in the interview. 'I wanted that knock on the door. I wanted to see those kids running, just barrel rush me and give me a hug and just knock me on the ground, but that didn't happen.' Scroll down for videos Christopher Lee Watts, 33, gave the above interview on Tuesday, pleading for the safe return of his wife and daughters. Police say he confessed to their murders the following day The bodies of pregnant wife Shanann and daughters Celeste and Bella were found stuffed into oil tanks on Thursday. Court filings indicate that the two young girls were strangled O'Toole noted that one sign of guilt in the interview was that Watts talked about himself in a self-centered way, rather than the missing children and wife, using lots of 'I' statements. At the same time, O'Toole said, there was a distinct lack of both emotional affect and emotional language. 'There is a noticeable absence of emotional behavior or words of emotion like, 'I'm so scared,' 'I'm so worried about them,'' O'Toole said. 'He talks about the house being empty, but that's not the same as expressions of empathy. There is an absence of that.' Another telltale sign were the apparent contradictions, O'Toole said. Watts said in the interview: 'I have no idea like, where they went... It's just earth-shattering. I don't feel like this is real right now. This is like a nightmare I can't wake up from.' O'Toole said he had contradicted himself by calling the situation a 'nightmare,' while at the same time maintaining he didn't know what happened. Celeste, three, and Bella, four are seen together in May. Police say the girls were killed in their house along with their mother, and the bodies were moved to an oil field Christopher worked for oil drilling company Anadarko, while Shanann sold weight-loss patches for the multi-level marketing firm Le-Vel Christopher is seen mowing the grass behind the couple's suburban home in Frederick The ex-FBI profiler also pointed out that Watts' body language was defensive over the course of the interview, with his arms crossed across his chest. O'Toole marveled at Watts' 'arrogance' in giving the interview, saying he must have believed highly in his own abilities to persuade. 'When somebody kills their own family and then they go on TV to say 'But I didn't have anything to do with it,' that ability to be so very sure of your own interpersonal skills that you can attempt to fool a national and international audience is very unusual,' she said. 'That's a lot of arrogance and confidence that you could pull this off, and that's not typical.' In the interview, Watts maintained that his wife had arrived home from a work trip between 1am and 2am on Monday, August 13. He said they stayed up having an 'emotional conversation' before he left for work at around 5.15am. A friend came by the house around noon and found Shanann missing, and called Watts. That's when the search began. Shanann (left on August 8) shared an ultrasound (right) in June, calling Watts 'the best dad us girls could ask for'. She worked for a company that sold weight-loss patches A heartbreaking new court filing suggests that Celeste and Bella (above) were killed by strangulation, as it requests DNA swabs to be taken from the girls' necks On Tuesday night, after giving the TV interview, Watts went to stay at the home of close family friends Nick and Amanda Thayer - sleeping just across the hallway from the couple's own five-year-old daughter. 'In the 48 to 72 hours we were with him... he was his normal self,' Amanda Thayer told ABC News. 'He never once cried.' The couple were devastated when police said that Watts had confessed late Wednesday to murdering his wife and children. He was arrested early Thursday, minutes after midnight. 'He fooled us. And I'm so sorry. We just thought we were doing the right thing by being a good friend,' Nick Thayer said, choking back tears. 'We were duped.' Police recovered the bodies of Shanann, Bella and Celeste on Thursday, finding them stuffed inside oil tanks on the property of the drilling company where Watts worked. A court filing on Friday suggested that the cause of death of the two girls was strangulation. The new filing by court-appointed defense lawyer Megan Ring asks for DNA to be taken from the necks of the little girls' bodies, strongly suggesting that they were strangled. Watts is being held without bail and faces three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of evidence tampering. Christopher Watts glances back at a Weld County Sheriff's Deputy as he is escorted out of the courtroom at the Weld County Courthouse on Thursday in Greeley, Colorado The couple's home, where police say the murders were committed, is seen on Saturday Instead of a gender reveal party, the home is now a somber site of mourning, with even strangers visiting to pay tribute to the slain mother and children Formal charges are expected to be filed on Monday, and prosecutors are believed to be weighing the death penalty - a rarity in Colorado, which has executed only one offender since capital punishment was reinstated in 1977. Investigators have not revealed a motive in the case. While some friends of the couple have said that the relationship was under strain and there may have been infidelity, others said the marriage was strong and there were no signs of trouble. Shanann and the girls had recently returned to Colorado on August 7, after spending six weeks with her family in North Carolina. Christopher returned to Colorado after the first week of the trip as previously planned, according to social media posts. The couple declared bankruptcy in 2015, and despite Shanann's frequent Facebook posts boasting of the Lexus and frequent paid trips she was awarded for selling health supplements, the couple was facing a $1,500 civil suit from their homeowners' association. They purchased their five-bed, four-bath home for $400,000 in 2013, and their mortgage payment was about $3,000 a month, according to bankruptcy records. A candlelight vigil for the slain mom and girls was held outside of the home on Friday evening. Watts is next due in court on Tuesday. Prosecutors may take several weeks to consider whether to pursue a death penalty case against him. Donald Trump reportedly used his presidential veto power on furniture first lady Melania Trump had selected for their White House living quarters. According to a New York Times report Friday, Melania had picked out furnishings for their home at 1600 Penn just before she moved in last June, after having spent the first six months of Trump's presidency in New York City to be with their son Barron, who was finishing school. However, Trump is said to have replaced several of the clean, modern pieces with ones that reflected his much more ostentatious aesthetic. Donald Trump reportedly overrode first lady Melania Trump's decisions on White House decor, replacing several of the furniture items she'd selected with his own picks before she moved in The president is known for his ostentatious style, which is a far cry from Melania's more understated and classic taste. The pair are pictured in his Manhattan apartment in 2003 'In her absence, President Trump whose tastes veer toward the gilded, triumphal style of Louis XIV replaced her choices with several pieces he liked better,' the Times reported. 'One of two people familiar with the episode cited it as an example of Mr. Trump's tendency not to relent on even the smallest requests from his wife.' Melania's communications director Stephanie Grisham responded to the allegations by saying that the couple made decisions about the furniture together, telling The Times: 'They both chose the decor.' '[Melania] is staying true to the independent woman that she is by doing things her own way,' Grisham wrote in an email. 'This should be celebrated, not criticized. Her priorities remain her family, her personal health and her role as first lady.' An old friend of the president told The Times that Melania is the 'strongest voice' in her husband's orbit. 'He listens to her more intently than anyone and respects her advice and counsel not only because she is his wife, but because her loyalty, grace, trust, elegance under fire, intellect and instincts are time-tested and proven,' Thomas J Barrack Jr said of the couple who have been married since 2005. A monster dad strangled his two young children before hiding their bodies along with that of their pregnant mother in oil tanks, new court papers suggest on the eve of what would have been the mother's party to reveal her baby's gender. Lawyers for Christopher Lee Watts, 33, filed a motion on Friday in Weld County, Colorado, asking for DNA to be taken from the necks of the little girls bodies, and it strongly suggested they were strangled. There has been no official cause of death announced in the case, after the bodies of Shanann Watts, 34, and the couple's two daughters, four-year-old Bella and three-year-old Celeste, were recovered on Thursday from the oil field where Christopher worked. Christopher, 33, is being held without bail and faces three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of evidence tampering. Formal charges are expected to be filed on Monday, and prosecutors are believed to be weighing the death penalty - a rarity in Colorado, which has executed only one offender since capital punishment was reinstated in 1977. Christopher Lee Watts, 33, faces charges in the murders of his wife Shanann and their daughters, four-year-old Bella and three-year-old Celeste. The family is seen above A heartbreaking new court filing suggests that Celeste and Bella (above) were killed by strangulation, as it requests DNA swabs to be taken from the girls' necks Watts is seen in court on Thursday. He is being held without bail, and prosecutors are believed to be weighing whether to pursue the death penalty in the case - a rarity in Colorado Christopher Watts' public defender filed this motion on Friday morning, indicating autopsies for the girls were imminent and requesting DNA swabs from their necks The new filing by court-appointed defense lawyer Megan Ring asks the judge to allow a DNA expert to be called to examine the bodies of the two young girls, and noted that autopsies were scheduled to be performed on Friday. The lawyer said she wants to make sure DNA from the little girls bodies is maintained and she has not been able to ascertain whether the prosecution is taking steps to do so. It does not seem clear that the coroner, pathologist, or anyone working on behalf of the prosecution team in autopsy plan to take swabs of the necks of the two decedent children, she said in a two-page filing to a court in Weld County, Colorado. She specifically asked for several swabs of the neck to be taken, along with control swabs on other parts of the girls bodies. She said without a defense expert taking the swabs that evidence could be lost forever. Ring asked that DNA expert Richard Eikelenboom be allowed to do the testing, saying that he believed that DNA would remain on the necks of the girls in spite of the fact that the remains were in oil for four days - revealing for the first time that the bodies were hidden on Monday. Christopher worked for oil drilling company Anadarko, while Shanann sold weight-loss patches for the multi-level marketing firm Le-Vel Christopher is seen mowing the grass behind the couple's suburban home in Frederick The filing does not suggest taking any swabs from the neck of Shanann, and sheds no light on the pregnant mother's cause of death. The gruesome revelation of the girls' likely cause of death comes as Shanann's friends lament on what would have been the eve of the gender reveal party for her unborn baby. Shanann's brother Frankie Rzucek said in a heartbreaking Facebook post on Thursday that the unborn child was a boy, and the couple planned to name him Niko. Colorado is one of 12 states that does not bring murder charges for the homicide of an unborn child, and Christopher faces only three murder counts. Ashley Bell, a tanning salon owner who became close friends with Shanann after she began coming in as a customer, told KDVR that the baby's gender reveal party had been planned for Saturday in the Watts' suburban home in Frederick, on the northern outskirts of Denver. Instead, the home has become a somber memorial, with a small mountain of stuffed animals piling up outside. On Friday, even people who did not know the couple were passing the home and leaving teddy bears, flowers and candles in the front yard. Shanann is seen showing off her baby bump. She had planned to have a party announcing the gender of her third child, a boy that the couple had decided to name Niko The couple's home, where police say the murders were committed, is seen on Friday Instead of a gender reveal party, the home is now a somber site of mourning, with even strangers visiting to pay tribute to the slain mother and children Police say that the children and their mother were killed inside the home before their bodies were hidden in the oil field. Investigators have not said when the murders were committed, but the new court filing indicated the bodies were hidden on Monday. Shanann was on a work trip to Arizona from August 10 to August 12. She sold weight-loss patches for a multi-level marketing firm, while Christopher was an operator for oil drilling company Anadarko. Christopher claimed in a televised interview that Shanann returned home between 1am and 2am on Monday August 13, and that they stayed up having an 'emotional conversation' until he left for work at 5.15am. He continued to maintain his innocence for several days, making public appeals for his family's safe return, until police said he confessed to the murders on Wednesday. Investigators have not revealed a motive in the case. While some friends of the couple have said that the relationship was under strain and there may have been infidelity, others said the marriage was strong and there were no signs of trouble. The family is seen leaving Colorado for a trip to North Carolina in late June. Shanann and the girls stayed for six weeks visiting her family, while Christopher returned after one week Shanann and the girls had recently returned to Colorado on August 7, after spending six weeks with her family in North Carolina. Christopher returned to Colorado after the first week of the trip as previously planned, according to social media posts. The couple declared bankruptcy in 2015, and despite Shanann's frequent Facebook posts boasting of the Lexus and frequent paid trips she was awarded for selling health supplements, the couple was facing a $1,500 civil suit from their homeowners' association. They purchased their five-bed, four-bath home for $400,000 in 2013, and their mortgage payment was about $3,000 a month, according to bankruptcy records. A candlelight vigil for the slain mom and girls was held outside of the home on Friday evening. Christopher Watts is next due in court on Tuesday. Prosecutors may take several weeks to consider whether to pursue a death penalty case against him. At a minimum, he will receive life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted. Elon Musk has now admitted he did see Azealia Banks after denying the rapper's claims that she spent a bizarre weekend at his LA home watching him have a meltdown over his 'drug-induced' tweets. The Tesla CEO admitted to the New York Times that he came across the rapper early in the morning on Friday after working out. He insisted it is the 'only time he's ever laid eyes on her'. Musk initially said he had never met Banks after she said she saw him freaking out about his tweet claiming he'd already secured funding to take his firm private. 'I saw him in the kitchen tucking his tail in between his legs scrounging for investors to cover his ass after that tweet,' Banks said of Musk last weekend. 'He was stressed and red in the face. I waited around all weekend while Grimes coddled her boyfriend for being too stupid to know not to go on Twitter while on acid.' A rep for Musk's dismissed Banks' claims as 'absolute nonsense' and denied that Musk had ever met the rapper. 'Elon has never even met Ms. Banks or communicated with her in any way,' they told the Business Insider. Elon Musk (right) has now admitted he did see Azealia Banks (left) after denying the rapper's claims that she spent a bizarre weekend at his LA home But, on Friday, Musk issued an about-face and admitted that some of Banks' claims were true. 'I saw her on Friday morning, for two seconds at about a 30-foot distance as she was leaving the house,' he told the New York Times. 'I'd just finished working out. She was not within hearing range. I didn't even realize who it was. That's literally the only time I've ever laid eyes on her.' Banks had apparently been invited to Musk's home by his girlfriend Grimes, who was planning to collaborate with Banks. But Grimes' rep said there was a miscommunication as Grimes and Musk had made arrangements to go out of town. Banks was left alone in the house, hanging on for Grimes to return. She said she arrived at one of Musk's homes in Los Angeles early on Friday, August 10, but said she was left alone for days while Grimes comforted her boyfriend. Banks finally left on Sunday night. Elon Musk's tweet saying he was considering taking Tesla private has sparked controversy Elon Musk, pictured with his musician girlfriend Grimes last month, has since revealed he was suffering the 'most difficult and painful year of his career' in an emotional interview Tesla shares dropped sharply in early trading, wiping billions off the value of the company 'Staying in Elon musks house has been like a real like episode of 'Get Out', she wrote. 'They bring me out there on the premise that we would hang and make music,' Banks she said. 'But his dumb**s kept tweeting and tucked his d**k in between his a** cheeks once s**t hit the fan.' In subsequent posts, Banks even suggested that the couple may have invited her to their home for 'some weird threesome sex s**t to begin with.' She also went on a vicious rant about Grimes, who she branded an 'idiot, Musk who she called a 'beta male' and branded them both 'crackhead' in a rambling attack. Meanwhile, Tesla's share price plummeted on Friday after Musk, who is facing mounting pressure and an SEC investigation over the tweet he sent claiming to have 'secured funding' to take Tesla private, broke down crying in an extraordinary interview with the New York Times. Tesla shares ended the day down nine percent to $306 after a series of falls in the wake of the tweet and ensuing controversy, wiping around $5.5bn off the value of the company. The controversial rapper Musk was freaking out about having claimed in a tweet last week that he'd already secured funding to take Tesla private. She also claimed that the 47-year-old had taken acid before he sent that tweet Musk described the past year as 'excruciating' and the 'most difficult and most painful year of his career'. The interview also raises concerned about Musk's drug use. It claimed the board is aware that he has occasionally used 'recreational drugs' and Musk himself admits to frequently relying on Ambien to sleep. The paper also claims that Tesla's board is concerned about his posts on Twitter while under the influence of Ambien and have urged him to quit social media. Additionally Musk denied he was 'on weed' or 'stoned' when he sent the tweet claiming to be taking Tesla private for a $420 share, although he acknowledged the value could be taken as a reference to marijuana. He said: 'It seemed like better karma at $420 than at $419. But I was not on weed, to be clear.' The newspaper reported that Musk had 'alternated between laughter and tears' in the interview and said he had not taken more than a week off work since 2001. He admitted he relied on medication to help him sleep, saying: 'It is often a choice of no sleep or Ambien.' According to the New York Times article, board members have noticed that Ambien 'contributes' to his late-night Twitter posts. It says they are also 'aware' that he has occasionally used recreational drugs. Friends are also worried about his health. The entrepreneur said: 'It's not been great, actually. I've had friends come by who are really concerned.' He admitted he had rounded up from $419 to set the possible price, offering an approximate 20 per cent premium over the market value, but said: 'Weed is not helpful for productivity. There's a reason for the word 'stoned.' You just sit there like a stone on weed.' The surprise tweets caught the eye of the Securities and Exchange Commission, with regulators looking into whether the statements were truthful and why Musk announced them via Twitter. Additionally, Musk and Tesla are being sued by investors who claim the plan to go private was part of a 'fraudulent scheme' to punish short-sellers, or investors who borrow stock in a company with the hope shares will fall. The plaintiffs also allege that Musk's announcements artificially inflated Tesla's stock price and violated securities laws. Shares of Tesla were sliding more than 1 percent to $351.80 on Monday morning. Musk attempted to clear up his tweets in the blog post Monday. 'Going back almost two years, the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund has approached me multiple times about taking Tesla private,' Musk wrote in the blog post. Musk added that investor support was 'confirmed' and that the Tesla board had already met 'several times' in the past few weeks to discuss the proposal to take the firm private 'They first met with me at the beginning of 2017 to express this interest because of the important need to diversify away from oil. 'They then held several additional meetings with me over the next year to reiterate this interest and to try to move forward with a going private transaction,' Musk added. Musk's extra-curricular activities have previously hit the headlines when, earlier this year, he admitted attending a now infamous drug-fueled sex soiree in Silicon Valley in June 2017. He said he didn't know it was a sex party. 'Elon was at the party for a couple hours and left around 1am after talking with several DFJ-funded entrepreneurs about technology and building companies', said his reps. 'His impression was that it was a corporate party with a costume theme, not a ''sex party,'' and there was no indication that it would become one after he left,' the statement concluded. The 'sex party' was held at former DFJ investor Steve Jurvetson's home. New powers to crack down on McMafia-style crime lords have only been used three times since they were first launched six months ago, it has been revealed. The 'unexplained wealth order' was introduced earlier this year to help officials identify and seize British property suspected of being bought by dirty money laundered by corrupt foreign criminals. All three UWOs have so far been used by the National Crime Agency against properties owned by the big-spending wife of a fat-cat banker. Ministers vowed to use 'unexplained wealth orders' to crack down on McMafia-style gangs in cities like London by seizing property, but the new powers have barely been used (file) But campaigners have complained that the orders have been used on too few occasions and lack transparency - adding that officials who promised to 'go after' corrupt crime lords and politicians have failed to fulfil their promise, the Times reported. The four other government agencies allowed to use the seizure powers include HM Revenue & Customs, the Serious Fraud Office, the Financial Conduct Authority and the Crown Prosecution Service. But not a single one has deployed them. Ben Wallace, the security minister, said earlier this year that he wanted to use the 'full force of the government' against people suspected of money laundering. He said: 'When we get to you we will come for you, for your assets and we will make the environment that you live in difficult.' He added that he would exert pressure on law enforcement agencies to start used the orders. Boris Johnson, at the time the foreign secretary, said that the use of the orders 'would be intensified' in response to the novichok attack in Salisbury. Transparency International, an NGO which fights corruptions, claims to have identified British properties worth 4.4billion linked to criminals or 'politically exposed persons' and demanded an increase in the use of the orders. Rachel Davies Teka, of Transparency International, said: 'Asset recovery rates have been woefully low compared with the scale of the problem. Boris Johnson vowed to 'intensify' the use of such orders in response to the Salisbury poisoning, but they have so far been used just three times 'While we understand the need to test the new power, there is no shortage of cases and the government should ensure a notable increase in the use of UWOs. 'Failure to do so would damage the credibility of the UK's rhetoric on providing a hostile environment to dirty money.' Corruption Watch hit out at the 'veil of secrecy' surrounding economic crime cases in the courts, adding that the 'the privacy safeguards around UWOs are too strict, preventing any meaningful scrutiny from the public'. It is understood that the National Crime Agency is examining using the order against more than 120 wealthy foreign citizens. Some senior law enforcement officials have been concerned at what they felt were overpromises by government officials and emphasised that UWOs are 'not a silver bullet'. They say that the orders face tough challenges in the courts where investigators are required to prove that a suspect's wealth was acquired illegally. In the case of countries such as Russia, with which Britain has no legal cooperation, it might be impossible to obtain that proof. The first UWO was used this year against the wife of a 'fat cat banker' who splashed over 16million in luxury department store Harrods and is now fighting to keep ownership of her London mansion. The National Crime Agency demanded the fugitive, known only as 'Mrs A', faces losing her British properties unless she reveals the source of her wealth. Jonathan Hall QC, for the NCA, told the court that Mrs A, who is also wanted for trial, had spent a whopping 16m in Harrods over a 10 year span - and would make weekly trips to high-end department stores where she'd splash thousands of pounds each week on a range of luxury goods. But Mrs A claimed in court papers that she gets her money from her husband's successful overseas enterprises. Police in London have accepted equipment donated by the public in their bid to crack down on knife crime, it emerged last night. Mark Webb, 49, who lives near the scene of the attacks in Camberwell, told the Telegraph he has raised almost 1,000 in donations and cash to buy kit for his local police teams. The equipment was being used to search for caches of weapons hidden locally by gang members, Mr Webb said. Police in London have accepted equipment donated by the public in their bid to crack down on knife crime, it emerged last night (file photo) I was doing weapons sweeps with the police and they didnt have any metal detectors or equipment that would be helpful, such as powerful torches and inspection mirrors, he said. I created a package explaining what was going on in the local area, what was needed and that the police didnt have the money for it. Mr kemp approached local businesses, including the local Co-op which gave almost 330 to the cause. I bought equipment off Amazon and gave it to the police, he said. Shopkeeper Heinnie Hayes also contributed powerful torches to be used by police during weapons searches. Chief Inspector Anne-Marie Cowley from the Metropolitan Police said: 'Responding to the needs and priorities of local neighbourhoods is the top priority for police in Southwark. 'Our neighbourhood policing set-up is committed to local communities, with two dedicated ward officers and a dedicated PCSO in each Southwark ward. 'The rollout of mobile technology will also allow them to spend more time on their ward, increasing their capacity for engagement activity, including community contact sessions and via social media. 'Officers from the Territorial Support Group and Violent Crime Task Force are also available to assist with major incidents such as the awful series of stabbings which occurred in Camberwell on Thursday night.' When Katie Stubblefield's boyfriend broke up with her, in a moment of madness and despair, the pretty teenager snatched her brother Robert's hunting rifle, locked herself in the bathroom and shot herself in the head. When Robert kicked down the door, he discovered his sister with her face 'gone'. The bullet, which was fired upwards as she rested the gun barrel under her chin, had destroyed almost everything in an upwards and inwards triangle, from her chin to between her eyebrows. Katie Stubblefield, 21, is the youngest person to get a full face transplant (right), three years after she shot herself in the head aged 18 (left) The 18-year-old's nose and sinuses, her mouth (apart from the corners of her lips), part of her forehead, and most of her jaw and facial bones were destroyed. Her eyes were so badly damaged she was left with limited vision. Astonishingly, Katie survived. Perhaps even more astonishingly, doctors have been able to give her a new face and the opportunity of a life with some semblance of normality. Three years and 22 operations later, Katie became, at the age of 21, the youngest person ever to receive a full face transplant. She is one of 40 people worldwide to have undergone the procedure, but surgeons who treated her believe she had the worst injuries of any patient to date, requiring one of the most extensive transplants yet undertaken. It culminated in an epic, 31-hour procedure at the world-famous Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, during which a team of doctors effectively replaced 100 per cent of her facial tissue with that of a 31-year-old female donor. Katie's incredible story, documented by a team from National Geographic magazine, was published this week. The bullet destroyed almost everything in an upwards and inwards triangle, from her chin to between her eyebrows Even now, her ordeal is not over. She is, in effect, a human guinea pig in an immensely complicated specialism still in its infancy. Her progress indeed, her survival is fraught with the risk of her body rejecting the transplanted face, so she must remain on high doses of powerful immuno-suppressive drugs and be constantly monitored by doctors. There is also, sadly, a risk of Katie herself 'rejecting' her new identity. At least one other face transplant recipient has committed suicide. What emerges from her story is Katie's determination to embrace this second chance she's been given, whatever the challenges. Raised in a devoutly Christian family in Lakeland, Florida, Katie was 'fearless and a lot of fun' as a child, and shared a sardonic wit with her older brother, Robert, according to their sister, Olivia. As she matured, she became immensely competitive at school and in sport. But after the family moved to Oxford, Mississippi, she suffered a succession of setbacks, including medical problems and her mother losing her job as a teacher at Katie's school. Three years and 22 operations later, Katie became, at the age of 21, the youngest person ever to receive a full face transplant Then, in March 2014, Katie discovered her boyfriend was sending text messages to another girl, and he ended their relationship. Distraught, she went to her brother's home and attempted suicide. In the aftermath, she was taken to a local hospital and then transferred to another in Memphis, Tennessee, where surgeons managed to keep her alive but failed in their attempt to cover the huge wound in her face with a tissue graft from her abdomen. Five weeks later, she was moved to the Cleveland Clinic, where surgeons looked at her tiny, 7 st 7 lb frame and wondered whether they could find enough tissue for the reconstructive work she required. Katie's brain was partially exposed and had suffered traumatic injury. Some on her team of 15 specialists feared she might die, but in a string of operations, they stabilised her condition and patched up her face. Brian Gastman, a plastic surgeon and one of the team leaders, created a rudimentary nose and upper lip using tissue from her thighs, while a piece of her Achilles tendon was used to rebuild her chin and lower lip. Using a three-dimensional model made from a scan of Olivia's jaw, the team built a new lower jawbone from titanium and a piece of her calf bone. It culminated in an epic, 31-hour procedure at the world-famous Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, during which a team of doctors effectively replaced 100 per cent of her facial tissue with that of a 31-year-old female donor Her eyes had been displaced by the force of the bullet, and so they moved them closer together. Katie got to know her embryonic new face by touch, but it was a long way from her dream of an appearance that wouldn't automatically make her stand out in a crowd. Most noticeably, it featured a crooked sausage of flesh in the centre and a bulbous chin below. Katie called it her 'Shrek face', a reference to the pudding-faced film character. A face transplant was the only option. Her parents, who had left Mississippi to live in a house near the clinic (owned by a charity for parents of hospitalised young patients), hadn't realised such surgery was possible until a doctor in Memphis mentioned it. Katie's father, Robb, a former church minister, has said: 'There was an older trauma surgeon who told us: 'It's the worst wound I've ever seen of its kind.' He added: 'The only thing I can think of that would give her functional life again is a face transplant.' Adrea Schneider, 31, (left) was the donor face after she died of a cocaine overdose. Her facial tissue and bones were used to construct Katie's new face (right) Katie said she, too, was dumbfounded when told about the revolutionary procedure. 'I had no clue what a face transplant was. When my parents helped explain everything, I was very excited to get a face again,' she said. She says she cannot remember anything about the day she shot herself or, indeed, the operations that followed, and that she had never thought of suicide before. She 'felt so guilty that I had put my family through such pain'. It proved crucial that psychiatrists were persuaded her suicide attempt was, as her family insisted, an impulsive act that wasn't reflective of her normal personality. One of the earliest transplant patients, a man who had also shot himself, was given a new face by doctors in Paris. It was judged a success, but he killed himself three years later. The team who had worked so hard to repair him were devastated, and their leader urged others in the field not to operate on other 'survivors' of suicide. Katie underwent an extensive psychological evaluation before the operation to ensure she was mentally stable, aware of the risks, and could be trusted to stick to an exacting medical regimen. Katie with her parents, who live with her near the clinic, after the operation She learned that she would be a beneficiary of some 14 years of experience in the field, with much of the expertise developed at the Cleveland Clinic. Until 2004, the best a patient in her position could have hoped for was a 'Shrek face'. Then, in 2005, French surgeons performed the world's first partial facial transplant. The first full face transplant was carried out in Spain in 2010 on a man injured in a shooting accident. Maria Siemionow, a scientist at the Cleveland Clinic, radically advanced what was possible after working with animals. But it wasn't until last year that a suitable donor was found for Katie. In May 2017, Sandra Bennington agreed to donate her granddaughter Adrea Schneider's face, after she died from a cocaine overdose. Katie's surgery was financed through the U.S. Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine, which researches the treatment of injured servicemen. Her age and injuries provided the institute with a close equivalent of a typical battlefield victim. The 31-hour operation began on May 4 three days after Adrea had died. It involved 11 surgeons and several other specialists who had been practising for months on cadavers, one team removing the face of the donor and the other attaching it to the recipient. The new face was transferred to the adjacent theatre where surgeons placed it on Katie and immediately started to connect up arteries and veins Adrea's body on a ventilator to keep her organs and tissues supplied with oxygen and blood was in an adjoining operating room. (Her liver, kidneys, lungs and heart were also being donated.) Dr Gastman made the first incision on the donor's face and, over the course of 16 hours, three to four surgeons bent close over Adrea for their painstaking work. After removing her eyes so the corneas could be donated to another recipient, the surgeons delicately dissected the main nerves controlling the muscles governing facial expression, and the sensory fibres that provide taste to the tongue and to glands allowing salivation and tears. Next, they cut into bone the upper and lower jaw, most of the cheekbones and bones near the eye sockets. All of these would be transferred to Katie. The blood vessels were removed last, to reduce the time the face was without a blood supply, and 'tagged' so they could be matched to what remained of Katie's vessels. Shortly after midnight on the second day of the operation, Adrea's face was finally removed and placed on a surgical tray, floating in preserving solution. Its eye sockets empty, mouth open and the skin turning pale as it was deprived of blood, it resembled a rubber Halloween mask. Katie walks down the hospital hallway days after the surgery as she endures a long recovery It was transferred to the adjacent theatre where surgeons placed it on Katie and immediately started to connect up arteries and veins. As soon as they unclamped Katie's veins and arteries, the blood rushed in and the face 'blushed'. 'There was a very large internal sigh of relief by almost all of us surgeons,' said Dr Gastman. The team reversed the steps they had taken to remove the face, working from the neck up. Its bones were connected to Katie's bones with special plates. Some nerves were left to regenerate, others were connected by micro- surgeons with stitches no thicker than a strand of hair. The eyes were sewn shut to protect them. Then, the team encountered a problem. The original plan had been to do only a partial face transplant, replacing the missing central triangle of Katie's face. They would leave alone the surrounding areas cheeks, forehead, eyelids and the sides of her face to preserve the features that made her recognisably Katie, and reduce the risk of her body rejecting the transplanted skin. The team reversed the steps they had taken to remove the face, working from the neck up. Its bones were connected to Katie's bones with special plates However, they discovered the donor's face was too big and its skin tone noticeably darker than Katie's. A full transplant would look much better, but was riskier. After recalling how Katie just wanted to be 'a face in the crowd that no one looks at', her parents made the agonising decision for the surgery to continue. Katie was discharged from hospital in August 2017 to continue convalescence and therapy. She takes 'a two-and-a-half-page list' of drugs each day, works with a speech therapist because her tongue isn't functioning properly, studies Braille because of her limited vision and has physical and occupational therapy. She's had three major 'clean-up' operations since the transplant to fine-tune the transformation, including one to help her speak more clearly. There will be more operations to come, and Katie and her parents are still living near the clinic. One possibility is 'whole eye' transplants which scientists say will be possible within a decade to improve her sight. The psychological adjustments for all concerned have proved a challenge. Katie's mother says she saw nothing of her daughter in her new face, and even wonders if she might have inherited a new personality. There will be more operations to come, and Katie and her parents are still living near the clinic. One possibility is 'whole eye' transplants which scientists say will be possible within a decade to improve her sight For the surgeons who gave her that second chance, she remains a testament to many things to the terrible consequences of a single, rash decision, to strength in adversity and, above all, to the indomitable human spirit to live Katie's future is uncertain; her body could reject the transplanted face and the immunosuppressant drugs she must take to reduce the risk make her vulnerable to infection and cancer. However, her doctors deem the surgery a success, not least because her body hasn't rejected her transplant so far. But they had hoped her vision would be better. Katie herself describes her rehabilitation process as 'many, many daily steps', adding: 'I am able to touch my face now, and it feels amazing.' She is busy planning for the future and hopes to take an online university course and become a counsellor and motivational speaker, steering teenagers away from suicide. 'Life is an amazing gift and I am thankful to have a second chance to live my life,' she says. 'So many people have helped me; now I want to help other people.' For the surgeons who gave her that second chance, she remains a testament to many things to the terrible consequences of a single, rash decision, to strength in adversity and, above all, to the indomitable human spirit to live. Survivors of tragedies such as this weeks Genoa bridge collapse are filled with a toxic mixture of utter relief (sometimes disbelief) that theyre alive, and an overwhelming sense of guilt that others perished. This, combined with the terror theyve experienced and the horror theyve witnessed, can put them at a high risk of mental health problems. Studies show that around 7 per cent of soldiers who served on the front line in Afghanistan or Iraq display signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following their return. But these are individuals specially selected and trained to cope in high- pressure environments: rates of PTSD are far higher in the civilian population following trauma. So what can be done to help the survivors in the aftermath of such a disaster? Well, it isnt what you might think. A woman is comforted as she mourns a victim of a collapsed highway bridge, Genoa, Italy My heart sank a little when I read about the hordes of psychologists descending on hospitals in Genoa to support survivors and witnesses. I hope to God they are providing comfort and reassurance and avoiding therapeutic intervention. It may sound strange, but thats the last thing traumatised people need. The belief that its helpful for people to share the horrific experiences theyve just endured is a myth. Indeed, it could be disastrous for them. Sometimes, it really isnt good to talk. What we have learned from studies of military personnel in recent years is that the brain is actually rather good at processing terrible events but quietly and at its own pace. Problems develop when, in the hours after the event, people are encouraged to recount what happened to them and what they saw. Its no protection at all against related mental health issues in the future. Indeed, it actually raises the risk of mental illness such as PTSD. We know, for example, that soldiers who attend de-briefing sessions after witnessing traumatic incidents actually do worse in the longer term than those who missed the session. Going over the experience so soon after it has occurred links it with the powerful, still-raw emotions felt at the time fear, revulsion, anger, helplessness, despair etc. The survivors memories are consolidated and a pathway is created in the brain that allows the mind to run through them again and again, as though it is stuck in a groove. Of course, Im not saying that people might not need therapy down the line. But that is very different to giving therapy prophylactically before symptoms have developed. On July 7, 2005, I was working at a London hospital that had taken in survivors from the terrorist bombings in the capital. As the psychiatrist on call, my job was to go round the wards to ensure that none of the staff was asking patients about what happened. People mourn a victim of a collapsed highway bridge, at the Fiera di Genova exhibition center You can hold someones hand and reassure them if theyre distressed, I explained, but dont ask anything that might force them to relive what they went through. I also made sure that every patient had night sedation written on their charts as an option if they needed it. Sleep is the best medicine in situations like this a chance for the brain to get on and do what it does well: process traumatic experiences and render them safe so that the mind can cope. If sleep wont come naturally, then tranquillisers or even a stiff drink may help. When my partners sister rang from the Manchester Arena last summer shed been just a few feet from the foyer where the bomb went off and saw some truly horrific sights thats exactly what I advised. Your brain can do the rest, I told her, if you just give it a chance. Theres no such thing as a shopping disorder Shoppers walk past a Debenhams shop in Oxford Street, central London Do you love to shop? Do you dread your credit card bill each month, with proof of just how your purchases stack up? Well, fear not: youre probably suffering from a new condition, Compulsive Shopping Disorder. Unbelievably, there are calls to make this an official diagnosis because of the growing number of people who say that because they just cant stop buying, they must be ill and so seek help. What a relief that would be for profligate shoppers! Once something is deemed an illness, the only proper response is sympathy: That 300 pair of shoes isnt my fault, darling, its my CSD playing up. You cant chastise someone who has a disorder. I despair of what I see as the creeping medicalisation of everyday life: it removes any sense of personal responsibility for our behaviour and its consequences, and any need for self-discipline. Its the same with sex addiction, now a formally recognised condition: No, Im not a sleazy character who cant keep his hands to himself. Im ill. Similar attitudes are rife in schools. Children are labelled with terms such as school refusal disorder (not wanting to go to school) and oppositional defiant syndrome (hostile behaviour to figures in authority). Its simply an excuse not to think about, and address, the underlying cause social or environmental factors or to discipline the child, while determining what needs to change to improve the situation. Advertisement Rescuers had to saw off a bear's head after it latched onto a man's leg in a horrific attack. Bridger Petrini was out walking his dogs in Raton, New Mexico, last month when he came face-to-face with a 400-lb bear. The bear charged at Petrini, knocking him over the edge of the hill and sending both of them rolling down the slope as the animal mauled him. Petrini managed to pull out a pistol and shoot the bear dead, but its jaw remained clamped around the 36-year-old's leg until rescue crews sawed the head off so they could free him. Rescue crews had to saw off the head of a 400-lb bear after it latched onto a man's leg during a horrific and unusual attack in New Mexico last month Bridger Petrini, a rancher and big-game hunter from Raton, described how the bear charged at him while he was out for a walk with his dogs a few weeks ago. The bear knocked Petrini, pictured, over a hill and mauled him as they tumbled down the slope before Petrini shot it Petrini detailed the shocking experience this week, admitting that he has gotten 'way too close' to the 'overly aggressive' bear. 'When he saw me, he pinned his ears down and immediately made a big charge at me,' the rancher and big-game hunter told local TV station KRQE. 'Down the hill, we went again rolling and he had bit me a time or two but he was never able to get on my upper body, so my legs took most of it.' Petrini shot and killed the bear while he was being mauled, but that didn't manage to free him from the animal's clutches. 'Somehow or another, he had bitten down on my calf muscle it had basically twisted it over his bottom jaw so he died with his teeth locked and so I wasn't able to get away from him,' he said. Before they could release Petrini's leg from the massive bear's jaw, rescuers with the Raton Fire Department and the state department of Game and Fish had to saw off the animal's head Petrini is pictured shortly after emergency crews freed his leg from the bear's brutal bite The task of moving the massive bear proved to be quite a challenge for emergency responders from Raton Fire Department and the state department of Game and Fish. They were ultimately forced to saw off the bear's head, leaving it attached to Petrini's leg before they could maneuver it off of him. Petrini was transported to University of New Mexico Hospital, where he received more than 200 stitches. Resident physician at UNM Steve McLaughlin said the hospital treats bear attack injuries every so often, but that this this one was 'extremely unusual'. 'I've never seen this before,' he said. 'Bears are huge so you can see all kinds of different injuries from bites to scratch marks from the claws to blunt force trauma.' Petrini was released after a week of recovery but has been left with extensive nerve and tissue damage in his right leg. The seminar on the 27th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide was held in Islamabad with the support of Azerbaijans Embassy in Pakistan and the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) of Pakistan. The seminar was attended by Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Fehmida Mirza, NUST rector, retied Lieutenant-General Naweed Zaman, director of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, chairman of the Azerbaijan-Pakistan Friendship Association, former Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, ambassadors of several countries, other high-ranking diplomats, media representatives, students, researchers, etc. The seminar was widely covered by leading Pakistani TV channels and media. Pakistan has always supported Azerbaijans position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "Pakistan will continue to support the position of Azerbaijan in the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Fehmida Mirza said. She also noted that Pakistan doesnt recognize Armenia as a state, condemns it for the genocide and shares with Azerbaijan and Turkey the same values and goals for restoring peace and stability in the region. A documentary about the Khojaly genocide, filmed with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, was shown at the event. The lobby of the hall featured stands with photos reflecting atrocities of Armenians in Khojaly. Azerbaijani Ambassador to Pakistan Ali Alizade stressed that a number of countries have already recognized the Khojaly genocide. Two men were forced off the road and arrested following a high speed five mile chase across central London in front of shocked lunchtime shoppers. The drama saw two 'black-clad men' speed across London Bridge as they desperately tried to dodge police. A member of the public called police just after 12 noon today after two people on a moped tried to rob someone in Hackney, east London. The rider and his accomplice sped towards Bethnal Green, tailed by patrol cars - while a police helicopter watched from above. Officers arrested the men in Denmark Hill, south London, and took them away in separate police cars before closing the road off Officers arrested the men in Denmark Hill and took them away in separate police cars before closing the road off A Scotland Yard spokesman said: 'Two males have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to rob following a lengthy moped pursuit through east and south London.' When the men arrived in Southwark, south London, police rolled out a spiked 'stinger' device which burst the wheels of the moped. During the chase, a driver had his van damaged when the moped sped through the side streets of the capital. After hitting the van, the two men came off the moped - before police swooped on the pair and arrested them. Officers arrested the men in Denmark Hill and took them away in separate police cars before closing the road off. During the chase, police used a liquid solution to forensically tag the duo The van driver said: 'I'm p****d off, it's going to cost me - police told me they have been chasing these blokes all over the town.' A Scotland Yard spokesman said: 'Two males have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to rob following a lengthy moped pursuit through east and south London. 'Officers began an authorised pursuit of the males in Bethnal Green at 12.48pm, while colleagues from the National Police Air Service provided support. 'The suspect vehicle was driven at speed through east London; the males made their way from Bethnal Green, onto East India Dock Road, then to Tower Hill, where they crossed over Tower Bridge.' During the chase, police used a liquid solution to forensically tag the duo so they could be linked to the incident. The men were taken to a south London police station on conspiracy to rob and driving offences The spokesman added: 'Following a minor collision with a van, the males came off their vehicle and attempted to make off on foot, they were pursued and arrested by police.' The men were taken to a south London police station on conspiracy to rob and driving offences. Chief Superintendent Dave Stringer, Head of the Met's Community Engagement, added: 'We are working hard to keep the public safe and make the streets hostile territory for criminals who use scooters, mopeds and motorbikes for theft and robbery offences. 'Thanks to the professionalism of our officers, and the support of our colleagues in the National Police Air Service, we have safely arrested two people for a number of offences. 'This incident shows the Met's determination to stop offenders who think they can use vehicles to commit crimes with impunity.' BBC presenter Evan Davis has been forced to dismiss 'ridiculous' claims that he campaigned with Britain First after a selfie surfaced of him with far-Right activists. The Newsnight star is seen in the photo with Britain First leaders Jayda Fransen and Paul Golding, both of whom were jailed this year for hate crimes against Muslims. The image was seized by pro-Corbyn supporters this week as 'proof' of his political bias following his grilling of Labour MP Chris Williamson on Tuesday. It was originally published online in 2016 by Golding with the caption 'campaigning today with Evan Davis, Britain First supporter and News Night [sic] presenter!' The Newsnight star is seen in the photo with Britain First leaders Jayda Fransen and Paul Golding, both of whom were jailed this year for hate crimes against Muslims Mr Davis (left) revealed on Twitter that he had no idea who Fransen and Golding (right) were when the pair 'jumped out of a van' and asked for an 'innocent' selfie However Mr Davis revealed on Twitter that he had no idea who Fransen and Golding were when the pair 'jumped out of a van' and asked for an 'innocent' selfie. The 56-year-old said the accusations made against him were 'so ridiculous' he had been reluctant to 'dignify it' with a thorough explanation, but felt obliged to. He said: 'Over two years ago, I was walking in Kennington when two people who I didn't know jumped out of a van and said "can we have a selfie?" 'So I said yes and smiled with them as I ordinarily would. An hour later, I'm at the local flower show and I got a call from my editor "we have a W1A situation". 'It was explained to me who was in the photo and how it was used. So I clarified in a tweet (or thought I had clarified) that I had merely posed for an innocent selfie. 'But to be clear: the photo isn't a fake; it's the attempt to read my politics into it that's wrong. Overall, I think if I was a happy clappy far right racist, I'd avoid posing for photos with racists.' The 56-year-old said the accusations made against him were 'so ridiculous' he had been reluctant to 'dignify it' with a thorough explanation, but felt obliged to Paul Golding (second right) and Jayda Fransen, leader and deputy leader of far-right group Britain First, with supporters upon arrival at Folkestone Magistrates' Court in March Britain First leader Paul Golding was found guilty of religiously-aggravated harassment in March following an incident in Kent. Jayda Fransen was convicted of three counts of the same offence after the pair were arrested in 2017 as part of a probe into the distribution of leaflets and online videos. Judge Justin Barron said the duo's words and actions 'demonstrated hostility' towards Muslims and the faith of Islam. Fransen shot into the international media spotlight last November when US president Donald Trump retweeted anti-Islamic posts from her Twitter page. Golding and Fransen, of Penge, South East London, stood trial in January charged with three and four counts respectively of the hate crime. Malcolm Turnbull's backflip on plans to legislate the Paris emissions reduction target could cost Australia billions. Faced with the prospect of ten rebel MPs crossing the floor to vote against his National Energy Guarantee and a possible leadership challenge from Peter Dutton, Mr Turnbull capitulated in an attempt to secure his own political future. But the move could spell the end of a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between Australia and the European Union. Malcolm Turnbull's backflip on plans to legislate the Paris emissions reduction target could cost Australia billions The lucrative deal is set to benefit between Australia and the EU, with current two-way trade worth $101 billion. The EU is Australia's second largest trade partner, third largest in export market and second largest services market, and the FTA stands to add $6.4billion to Australia's GDP. According to Trade Minister Steven Ciobo, a failure to meet Paris climate targets could have devastating consequences for the agreement. 'I can tell you one of the very first consequences if we were to adopt that approach (to pull out) is we could kiss goodbye on a trade agreement with Europe,' Mr Ciobo told Sky News earlier this week. A collapse in FTA talks threatens to hurt farmers, and cost consumers who stand to benefit from cheaper imports. Wine and designer goods from Europe would no longer fall in price, and the current five per cent vehicle tariff and luxury car tax would remain. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton confirmed to Nine News that he is considering all his options, including resigning his ministry and leading a mass exodus of Coalition Australia's pursuit of a free trade agreement between the two 'like-minded' partners was made on June 18 in response to a successful 2017 when the EU was Australia's largest source of foreign investment. The agreement is intended to open up the market for any Australian purveyor or business person. Greater access to the EU market would enable Australian farmers to avoid EU tariff quotas on beef, sheep meat, sugar, cheese and rice. Access to Europe's 510 million consumers through an FTA could deliver a substantial payout between $4.1 and 6.4billion in GDP for Australia by 2030, according to a European Union study published last year. On Friday Mr Turnbull put the deal at risk by dropping the government's plans to legislate the 26 per cent Paris emissions reduction target. The prime minister instead proposed setting emissions targets by regulation, The Australian reported. The plan will formally go to Cabinet on Monday night and will be discussed by the coalition party room on Tuesday. Advice from the competition regulator that power prices would not increase as a result of the commitment will also be required. The backflip comes after a group of right-wing MPs - led by Tony Abbott - told Mr Turnbull they would vote against his energy policy. What is the National Energy Guarantee? The National Energy Guarantee (NEG) has been designed to offer cheaper and more reliable power. The objective is to do this while lowering carbon emissions. NEG is in response to the county's involvement with the Paris Agreement, which is a push to reduce carbon emissions and action on climate change by 2020. The heart of the policy was the controversial target to cut emissions by 26 per cent by 2030. The Liberal and Nationals MPs who are against NEG and appear willing to cross the floor include Mr Abbott, Andrew Gee, Andrew Hastie, Barnaby Joyce, Craig Kelly, Kevin Andrews, George Christensen as well as Keith Pitt. Advertisement Since then the group have urged Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton to mount a leadership challenge following his 38th consecutive Newspoll loss to Bill Shorten's Labor Party. While Mr Turnbull has the support of Simon Birmingham and Christopher Pyne, Mr Dutton is backed by Barnaby Joyce and Tony Abbott. Benefits of the Free Trade Deal to Australians A strong European Union is vital to Australian interests in protecting and promoting a rules-based international order. A Free Trade Agreement with the European Union has the potential to open up a market for Australian goods and services of half a billion people. It would provide Australian exporters with a competitive edge, and would give Australian businesses access to a larger export market in the EU. Key Benefits: Significantly improved market access for Australian exports Guaranteed access for Australian services providers Expansion of two-way investment flows A more predictable and seamless business environment Rules to support the digital economy and innovation Reduced costs and red tape, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises Greater consumer choice High standards, including on sustainable development Advertisement Mr Joyce said he had not heard rumours of a challenge, but said leaders should know when it was time to step down. 'I've always said openly that if a person gets to a point where they think they can't win an election then they should consult with their colleagues about what happens next,' Mr Joyce told The Australian. 'My opinion is that you have a responsibility to make sure the nation has the best government.' Mr Dutton confirmed on Friday he is considering all his options, including resigning his ministry and leading a mass exodus of Coalition MPs across the floor, Nine News reported. Another Minister told Nine News: 'If the only way this thing gets up is with Labor's support then there is no way it will fly'. 'There are only two good outcomes here - either the energy policy is dead and we can go to the election fighting Labor on it, or Malcolm goes,' an unnamed MP told The Daily Telegraph. The PM has promised Australia's power bills will be cut by $550 a year with the National Energy Guarantee (NEG). Beginning in 2020 the agreement is designed to bring down the yearly price and requires retailers to source electricity that meets reliability and Paris Agreement emissions reduction targets. Akbar Siddiqi, 29, was today jailed for a year at Kingston Crown Court A former stockbroker who stole 7,500 that had been raised to help sick children while he was in charge of a charity's fundraising events has been jailed for a year. Akbar Siddiqi, 29, offered to organise a skydive and dinner for the Tooting Rotary Club in south London, but he spent the donated cash on shopping, meals out and hotel stays. The fundraising drive was in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital, and he even went on the radio to promote the events. Kingston Crown Court heard he secretly obtained a cash card and made 65 withdrawals totalling 4,105. He then used the card to buy alcohol, clothes, pay restaurant and hotel bills, paid 638 to an internet dating site bill and topped up his Oyster card. Two members even gifted him 250 awards they each received for services to the Rotary Club to cover his admin and time organising the events. Immediately after the events Siddiqi stopped attending the club and constantly made excuses for not paying the money. Siddiqi, of Thornton Heath, south London, admitted the fraud in January, and was given a chance to get a job and start paying back money. But the court was told this week that he had failed. Jailing him for a year, Judge Judith Coello told Siddiqi: 'It has been very damaging to the reputation of the Rotary Club and very embarrassing. 'It was a mean, despicable and devious offence. The fundraising drive was in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital (pictured) 'You persuaded other members of the club to fundraise for charity, but unbeknownst to the other signatories and members you obtained a cash card for that account and took money destined for charitable purposes.' Judge Coello said Siddiqi had made a 'half hearted attempt' to return the money he stole between April 2014 and August 2015. He had been made the signatory of the club's charity fundraising bank account. The skydive and the dinner, which was held at the Connaught Rooms in Holborn, central London, raised a total of 15,725 for the hospital. Club president Len Saker told the court that members felt 'cheated' He said they had suffered a 'great deal of distress' when they realised the money was missing. He added: 'My initial reaction was amazement and confusion. 'I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Akbar had been a trusted member of the club.' Siddiqi's lawyer Gudrun Fama told the court: 'He's a troubled young man and solved his problems with alcohol. Once he started drinking he couldn't stop. 'He is aware how what he did was wrong. He was an alcoholic and did take the money during a difficult time in his private life, but he no longer drinks. He is able to redeem himself.' A three-year-old girl needed emergency surgery after a man and a woman allegedly carried out a botched female genital mutilation at their home in east London. The man, 42 and woman, 36, each face five charges - also including possession of extreme pornographic images of people having sex with animals. The pair, who are not being named at this stage for legal reasons, appeared at Thames Magistrates' Court today. Both are accused of FGM and failing to protect a girl from risk of genital mutilation on August 28 last year. The girl is understood to have been rushed to hospital soon after the alleged incident. The couple are then thought to have blamed the wounds on a household accident. A man, 42, and woman, 36, appeared at Thames Magistrates' Court (pictured) today accused of carrying out a botched female genital mutilation on a three-year-old girl at their home in east London The woman, a Ugandan national, is further accused of possessing an extreme pornographic image showing a person having sex with dogs, and of publishing videos of sexual activity with a dog and a snake. The man, from Ghana, faces a charge of possessing an extreme pornographic image showing a person having sex with a horse and a snake, and of publishing videos of sexual activity with dogs. He is also accused of possessing indecent videos of a child, while the woman is accused of distributing an indecent video of children. They were remanded in custody and are next due to appear at the Old Bailey on August 31. The case is only the third brought to trial involving FGM charges, despite FGM being illegal in the UK since 1985. A study from earlier this year found just 61 confirmed instances of FGM and all but four were before the girls came to live in this country. When the study began, the investigators said there could be as many as 137,000 victims in England and Wales. This is the dramatic moment a woman is rescued from drowning by a lifeguard drone after she was swept out to sea. The woman and six other swimmers were left fearing for their lives when they were pulled away from the beach at the Spanish town of Sagunto. An operator on the shore then steered a drone to the struggling swimmers and dropped a life jacket to the women who seemed most threatened. The jacket was designed to inflate automatically and kept the woman afloat before lifeguards arrived to bring her back to the shore, according to New Atlas. The woman in the pink cap was struggling against the current after being swept out to sea After the orange life jacket was dropped from the drone a man helped the woman put it on The footage was filmed from the drone and was shared online by the device's Spanish manufacturers. At the start of the clip a life jacket is seen being hoisted down to the water on the end of a tether. With strong waves coming in and swimmers gesturing furiously at the drone the jacket is dropped by the side of the woman who is wearing a pink cap. Another man helps her to take the jacket off the rope and put it over her head to keep her afloat. Other swimmers who can see what is happening hurry over to help the woman as her companion holds her up under the water. She is pulled to safety when a jet-ski pulls up beside her with a lifeboat in tow and pulls her on board with the help of two others, before taking her back to a packed beach. The drone, which is called the Auxdron, was made by Spanish firm GeneralDrones and has four arms and eight motors. The woman was pulled to safety when a jet-ski appeared on the scene towing a lifeboat Sean Diamond, 24, was cleared of rape at Edinburgh High Court in October after allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in a Dundee flat while she slept. He has been ordered to pay the alleged victim 100,000 A soldier cleared of rape has been ordered to pay his alleged victim 100,000 in damages following a landmark civil case. Sean Diamond, 24, who was cleared of rape at Edinburgh High Court in October after allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in a Dundee flat while she slept. The case against Diamond was found not proven under the Scottish legal system that offers jurors three possible verdicts in criminal cases - including guilty and not guilty. But for the first time in almost a century, the alleged victim has been awarded damages when the civil claim she filed was not defended by Diamond. Last night, the alleged victim said she felt the civil case had brought her justice. She said: 'I feel I've finally got justice. The trial coming out with the verdict of not proven was one of the most heartbreaking things I've experienced. The alleged victim filed the civil action but Diamond didn't defend it and a sheriff, without hearing any evidence, issued a decree for payment of 100,000 plus interest in July The 24-year-old denies the attack on July 15, 2015, during which time he was a serving soldier based at Leuchars in Fife Not proven: The third verdict open to juries in Scotland Scotland's legal system has three possible verdicts in criminal cases: 'guilty', 'not guilty' and 'not proven'. It is generally perceived to be used when a sheriff or jury is not convinced of the accused's innocence, but lacks sufficient evidence to convict 'beyond reasonable doubt'. Historically, the two verdicts available to Scots juries were that the case had been 'proven' or 'not proven'. However, in a 1728 murder trial, the jury asserted 'its ancient right' to declare a defendant 'not guilty'. Over time the 'not guilty' verdict became the more common among juries however the non proven option was never removed from law. In the eyes of the law, those handed not proven verdicts are the same as those with not guilty verdicts and are therefore acquitted. Advertisement 'I took the oath. I told the truth and I was belittled by his counsel but this result has been a massive relief. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted.' Diamond stood trial in October continued the alleged rape after the alleged victim woke up and tried to resist him before falling unconscious in the struggle. The 24-year-old denies the attack on July 15, 2015, during which time he was a serving soldier based at Leuchars in Fife. When the civil case was launched in June this year, Diamond was serving with the Queen's Dragoon Guards based at Robertson Barracks, Dereham, in Norfolk. She filed the civil action but Diamond didn't defend it and a sheriff, without hearing any evidence, issued a decree for payment of 100,000 plus interest in July. The woman said: 'This was never about money. It was always about justice.' She claimed to be so devastated following the ordeal that she was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and tried to take her own life in March 2016. The second-biggest street-party in the world is just around the corner. With two million people going to West London for Notting Hill Carnival to celebrate Caribbean culture, diversity and togetherness, only Brazil's Rio Carnival is bigger than the London street-party. Notting Hill Carnival first took place in 1966 and over the next five decades became an influential, community-led event featuring all day parades, Family Days, live music, sound stages and parties. Here is all you need to know about Notting Hill Carnival 2018 including when is it, what time does it start, what happens during the Bank Holiday Weekend and how best to get to it. Notting Hill Carnival 2018 will see millions of people descend upon the West London area Notting Hill Carnival 2018 dates The Notting Hill Carnival takes place over three days on the August Bank Holiday Weekend: Saturday August 25, Sunday August 26 and Monday August 27. However, most of the events will take place on the Sunday and Monday. What time does the Carnival start? The Carnival will start as early as 6am on Sunday, August 26 and run until 7pm, while on the Bank Holiday Monday the day will start at midday and end at 7pm. On the Saturday, the Carnival begins at 6pm and carries on until 11pm. Where is the Carnival? The Carnival covers W2/W9/W10/W11 postcodes in West London in the Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Park and Maida Vale neighbourhoods. The top end of the area starts at where Kensal Road meets Ladbroke Grove, running across Westway, covering the whole triangular area between Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Park and Notting Hill Gate Underground Stations. The Carnival covers W2/W9/W10/W11 postcodes in West London in the Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Park and Maida Vale neighbourhoods What will happen at the Carnival? Saturday August 25 On the Saturday there will be the UK National Panorama Steelband Competition, which will see six steelbands play ten-minute pieces from memory. The competition was started in 1978 and Ebony Steelband are the current champions. Tickets cost 5 for adults, 1 for under-18s and free for under-5s. They can be purchased here. Sunday August 26 Sunday August 26 is officially the Notting Hill Carnival Family Day. The day kicks off at 6am with JOuvert, which is a contraction of the French term Jour Ouvert, which means opening of the day. The Carnival starts so early on the Sunday because it is a Caribbean tradition to start it just before sunrise and carrying on all the way until daybreak. Many people go this early to revel in the bacchanal spirit of the opening. The official opening ceremony, which is traditionally conducted by local residents and local government officials, starts at 10am with music and childrens performances, before the mas bands start the parade. Since August 26 is Family Day, there is a Childrens Day Parade, which encourages children and parents to take part in family-based activities, centred around the main event of childrens mas. For those preferring something a bit more chaotic, there is the Dutty/Fun Mas all day parade, which will most certainly feature colourful paints and powders being thrown around everywhere. Not one to attend in your nicest gear. The Sound Systems get the music pumping from midday and runs until 7pm. There will also be live stages including the Red Bull Music Stage a the Emsie Hornimans Pleasance Park and Casa Bacardi in Powis Square. Notting Hill Carnival will see over 35 sound systems play until 7pm on Sunday and Monday Monday August 27 Bank Holiday Monday is when the Carnival reaches its climax, featuring an all day parade, sound systems and more performances on the Casa Bacardi Stage and the Wilk Walker Community Stage. Getting to Notting Hill Carnival During the Carnival Kensal Road and many roads going north from Notting Hill Gate to Harrow road will be closed, as will most roads from Latimer Road, St. Marks Road and Clarendon Road in the east to Porchester Road, and Queensway in the West. The roads will reopen early Tuesday morning. Notting Hill Gate, Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Park tube stations will be incredibly busy during the Carnival, so it is advisable to avoid them during peak hours of the Carnival and instead going to stations slightly further out like High Street Kensington and Lancaster Gate. The nearest Overground stops to the Carnival are Willesden Junction, Kensal Rise, Kensal Green, Queens Park and Shepherds Bush. What to wear to the Carnival People normally wear bright colours, feathers and clothes they dont mind getting messy. Although, as the sun sets its advisable to have an extra layer when it gets cold. What to bring to the Carnival Depending on the weather, the Carnival organisers recommend bring plenty of water and an umbrella. Food and drink at the Carnival There will be plenty of food and drink stalls selling staple Caribbean dishes such as jerk chicken, Roti, rice n peas and corn on the cob. A tree frog has stowed away in fresh produce packaging and travelled almost the entire length of Australia's east coast. Tasmanian woman Rebecca Saunders discovered the frog in her fridge as she went to collect the last of the bananas she had bought from her local Coles in Tasmania. The bananas had been imported from Queensland, where they are subject to strict bio-security laws. Tasmanian woman Rebecca Saunders discovered the frog in her fridge as she went to collect the last of the bananas she had bought from her local Coles in Tasmania 'So we get our groceries from Coles of a Wednesday night. Just got the last of the bananas from the back of the fridge to be greeted by a green FROG!' she posted to her Facebook profile. 'Its still alive. So my question is, do i need to call anyone about that? Presuming they weren't grown in tassie...' Mrs Saunders was with her two sons when she discovered the frog, which was named Franklin by her kids. She immediately contacted Coles and said she had never been apologised to more n her life. 'I've called Coles - Franklin is in a container and back in the fridge. They are investigating - never been apologised to so much in my life,' she wrote. 'They said someone from bio-security will call me tomorrow once they have spoken to them and let them know the details that they have.' Mrs Saunders confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that Biosecuirty Tasmania collected the frog on Tuesday Mrs Saunders confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that Biosecuirty Tasmania collected the frog on Tuesday. 'She (bio-security officer) was very appreciative that we had kept him inside. If we had of let him go he would have been a huge threat to the local frogs and other wild life,' she said. 'They often carry diseases that our wild life don't have.' 'She was shocked he was still alive - who know when the bananas where picked.' Queensland Tree Frogs pose a risk to the native frogs of Tasmania and stringent restrictions are in place for the transport of Queensland fruit into the state. Bananas are transported from Queensland to Tasmania while still unripened, to prevent the bio-security risks posed by fruit flies. Unripened bananas are unable to host fruit flies. Bananas are transported from Queensland to Tasmania while still unripened, to prevent the bio-security risks posed by fruit flies, unripened bananas are unable to host fruit flies A report by the Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania outlined the risks of introduced tree frogs. 'The most effective and humane solution is to prevent the frogs entering the banana containers in the first place,' the report reads. 'That is only achievable by altering procedures at the source. Efforts will be made to provide practical solutions to stop the frogs from being kidnapped in the first place.' Tasmania experienced a fruit fly incident in early 2018 which caused the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment Tasmania to reissue warnings regarding the pest. 'Queensland fruit fly was detected in Tasmania in mid-January 2018,' a report read. 'Its a serious pest of valuable fruit industries including cherries, vines, apples, pears, berries and many other fruits. To help stop the spread of fruit fly, Control Areas have been set up to manage the movement of fruit around Tasmania.' Hosts fruits for fruit flies include apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, capsicums, cherries, figs, grapes, grapefruit, mangoes, mulberries, nashis, nectarines, oranges, peaches, pears, plums, raspberries, strawberries and tomatoes. They must be transported in 'fully enclosed units or pallets in shrink wrapped plastic so there are no holes', shipping containers with sealed doors and fully enclosed trucks. Their are 14 species of fruit fly on the Australian mainland with the two that pose the most risk to Tasmania being the Queensland fruit fly and the Mediterranean fruit fly. Advertisement Thousands of students around the UK hit the town last night to celebrate - or commiserate - A-level results day. Huge queues stretching back for 200 yards saw hundreds standing in line to gain entry to nightclubs in Leeds, which was awash with young revellers who wasted no time in toasting their success with two-for-one cocktails. The throng of teenagers were in high spirits as they were photographed hugging one another and whooping with joy. The need to let off steam after two years of studying was evident with pupils dancing the night away. For many, last night would be one of the last chances they would have to party with their college and school friends before heading off to university - or other pastures new - next month. More than one in four A-levels were awarded an A or A* this year - the highest proportion for six years, national figures showed. But the proportion handed the very top result has fallen to its lowest level since 2013. In total, 26.4 per cent of UK entries were given one of the two top grades - up 0.1 percentage points on 2017, according to data published by the Joint Council for Qualifications. This is the highest percentage since 2012. A group of students pose for a group photo in Cardiff last night as thjey celebrate after receiving their A-level results One young woman was held by a young man in Cardiff (left), while a girl put a reassuring arm around another in the city (right) A group of girls in Cardiff make the most of the night out following the release of A-level results across Britain yesterday One reveller looked slightly worse for wear in Cardiff last night (left), while another woman was doing cartwheels (right) A group of five friends were in a good mood as they partied in Cardiff last night, with one holding an Amstel-branded glass These friends laugh as they enjoy a night out in Cardiff yesterday as they celebrate the release of A-level results A young woman is helped by two friends through the streets of Cardiff as students have a night out to celebrate their results Three girls smile for the camera as they celebrate after receiving their A-level results earlier in the day One girl is helped by two friends as she struggles during the night out in Cardiff that saw students hit the city centre One young woman takes a photo of another as they enjoy a night out in Cardiff to celebrate their exam results Time to celebrate! A group of friends in Leeds hugged one another and cheered with joy as they celebrated their A-levels Party time: Students braved the mild temperatures in Leeds with skirts and trainers as they took to the streets to celebrate Results day: A group of friends were among the hundreds waiting in line to gain entry to Pryzm nightclub in Leeds last night Happy days: These teenagers couldn't keep the smiles of satisfaction from their faces as they celebrated their results in Leeds Strike a pose: Whether they were drowning their sorrows or toasting their success, students were celebrating in Leeds Smiles all round: This group of young men posed for a photograph as they descended on Leeds to toast to their success Making memories: Many students were partying with their college school friends before heading off to university in Leeds Standing in line: Fresh-faced revellers in Newcastle patiently waited outside Bijoux nightclub - a Geordie Shore favourite Dressed to impress: A pair of stylish partygoers shared a bottle of beer as they hit Newcastle to celebrate their exam results Busy: Huge queues stretching back for 200 yards saw students standing in line to gain entry to nightclubs in Leeds Smiles all round: A cheerful trio in Newcastle joined the thousands of students who marked the end to their A-levels in style Strike a pose: Young partygoers were in high spirits as they took to the town for a night of well-earned fun in Leeds Celebration: This year's cohort of A-level students (pictured in Newcastle) got the highest proportion of As and A*s since 2012 Popular: Gigantic queues stretching back for hundreds of yards saw dozens of youngsters queue to gain entry in Leeds 'A-OK': This gaggle of friends included one cheeky chappy who couldn't help but to make the 'A-OK' signal in Leeds Taking a break: The festivities appeared all too much for one young man, who appeared to take some time out in Newcastle Having a rest: The partying looked too much for one reveller who was helped by friends on the pavement in Newcastle Night out: Three young women talk as they enjoy partying in Newcastle city centre on the day A-Level results were announced Crossing the road: One young woman stands with her hands on her hips as young people enjoy a night out in Newcastle Party central: Two women walk along the street in Newcastle as another woman pets a man's dog on the pavement Brexit could be delayed until 2021 under plans being explored by the EUs most senior officials, the Guardian reported. A lengthy extension of the negotiating period is gaining traction as the EUs default position should the Commons continue to reject British Prime Minister Theresa Mays deal, and a request emerge. Replacing the 21-month transition period with extra time as a member state would allow the UK and the EU to develop their plans for the future relationship with the aim of making the contentious Irish backstop redundant, the newspaper writes. Brussels is determined to avoid offering a short extension only to have to revisit the issue in the summer when the government again fails to win round parliament. Informed sources say there is dismay that senior government figures are focused on seeking domestic political advantage and appear wilfully blind to the opposition to reopening the withdrawal agreement. One insider said there was concern that there was no domestic consensus over the withdrawal agreement but also over the UKs position on what kind of trading relationship it wanted when the transition period elapsed. Concerns emerged as May confirmed she would not be putting a revised Brexit deal to the Commons this week. Even so she insisted that it "within our our grasp to leave the EU by March 29 and that is what we are planning to do." May said she would instead put the deal to parliament on March 12 and brushed off the calls by three cabinet ministers Amber Rudd, David Gauke and Greg Clark for a no-deal scenario to be ruled out. Director of the Institute of Strategic Planning and Forecasting, Professor Alexander Gusev, speaking to Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that the main reason for the possible delay of Brexit is due to the fact that the majority of Britons oppose it at the moment. "The British people insist on holding a regular referendum. Britain is not ready to exit from the European Union, they should recognize it," the expert noted. "The Irish are 100% against the UKs withdrawal from the European Union, as it frees them from duties and creates a free trade zone, Gusev continued. At the same time, he noted that Brexit was supported by only 52% following the referendum. "Teresa May was against Brexit, but complied with the results of the referendum. But as it turned out, they did not calculate all the risks and challenges facing the country as a result of the exit. The British considered that 11 billion euros, which they send to the EU budget was too much for them. But when they figured out the consequences, it turned out that the Brexit damage only in the coming year could amount to about 65 billion euros," the expert emphasized. In addition, British goods will be charged an additional 9.8% in duty as a result of withdrawal from the EU. "It's an absolute loss in economic terms. In political - either, because Britain loses the possibility of positive contracts. In this regard, I believe that the UK and the EU will agree to impose a moratorium for two years. During these two years, Britain will hold a referendum in which British citizens will not support the withdrawal of Britain from the European Union," the expert believes. At the same time, the UKs exit from the EU, according to the expert, will in no way affect the Moscow-Brussels relations. Gusev stressed that Russia maintains relations with every European country, including with states that are not members of the European Union. A man is dead after the water helicopter he was flying hit a tree killing him instantly. Emergency services have confirmed the pilot, the only person on board, died in the crash which happened on the NSW South Coast. The aircraft was flying in the Woodstock area, when the accident happened just before 3pm on Friday. A pilot has died after a water-bombing helicopter crashed into a tree (stock image) Pictured are emergency crews on the scene of the crash near Ulladulla Police, ambulance and fire crews are on the scene at a property off Kingiman Road, Woodburn, just west of Ulladulla. The wreckage of the aircraft was found on the property and when police arrived they found the pilot deceased. The helicopter had been contracted by the the Rural Fire Service to help fight the Kingiman fire when it crashed. 'The NSW Rural Fire Service can confirm a serious incident involving one of its contracted waterbombing helicopters working on a bush fire in the Shoalhaven area,' a RFS statement said. 'The incident occurred a short time ago on the Kingiman fire, burning west of Ulladulla.' Premier of NSW, Gladys Berejiklian, tweeted her sympathies for the pilot's family late Friday afternoon. The helicopter had been contracted to help fight the fires on the South Coast (pictured) The fire at Kingiman (pictured) has threatened lives and homes in the last few days 'I am deeply saddened by the death of a helicopter pilot while fighting fires near Ulladulla today,' she wrote 'My thoughts and prayers are with the pilots family and our brave emergency service personnel.' Just before the crash the water-bombing aircraft had been seen flying over the region by residents in the dairy farming region of Woodstock, just west of Ulladulla. The helicopter is a 1994 Kawasaki BK117 and is registered to Sydney Helicopters. A spokesman for the company said they were working to gather details of the crash. 'Significant resources' from emergency services including a rescue helicopter have been dispatched to the area, a NSW Police spokesman said. It's understood nearby naval base HMAS Albatross is also providing assistance. Residents in Hobbs Lane and nearby Evans Lane had been evacuated in recent days by fire crews working to control a 1600 hectare fire at Kingiman. A spokesperson for NSW Police said 'significant resources' has been dispatched to the area It's one of three major bushfires on the state's South Coast At the height of the fire danger on Wednesday, Woodstock residents were told to seek shelter in solid structures as it was too late for them to safely evacuate. It's one of three major bushfires on the state's South Coast that have destroyed and threatened properties in the past few days. The RFS said the fire is currently under control, after crews had 'taken advantage of favourable conditions overnight to establish containment lines around the fire ahead of deteriorating conditions into the weekend.' A crime scene has been established which will be forensically examined. NSW Police Force will prepare a report for the Coroner. Australia's ice epidemic is turning public housing into anti-social wastelands, fuelling a surge in assaults and drug dealing amid reports of tenants passed out in flowerbeds and on footpaths. An alarming new report into public housing in New South Wales found that drug dealing at NSW public housing had nearly doubled in a year. The spike in drug deals, from 69 to 122, is just one of the issues of antisocial behaviour in public housing that staff are attempting to manage, the report said. Methamphetamine (ice) was the most commonly consumed drug across the state from 2013 to 2017. Jason Vorva told the Daily Mail Australia he has lived a block away from the Waterloo, Sydney, public housing towers for four years and has seen behaviour deteriorate in the area. Drug dealing at public housing in New South Wales has almost doubled from 2016 to 2017 - rising from 69 to 122 reports Mr Vorva said over the past year the conduct of public housing residents had become much worse. 'I have seen people passed out in flowerbeds and footpaths. Public drinking and loitering, which really affects quality of life. 'More fights in the middle of the night and in broad daylight. 'While there has been new construction and some gentrification I feel like over the last year the amount of public intoxication and disturbances from people that are clearly high has gotten worse.' Jason Vorva lives a block away from the Waterloo public housing towers. He says he has seen people passed out in flowerbeds When asked if he would consider moving, he said it was 'easier said than done in Sydney'. 'And to be honest, as taxpayers, I don't think it's too much to ask for clean and safe neighborhoods.' Family and Community Services (FACS) staff have not been provided with the support or resources needed to manage antisocial behaviour in public housing, according to the report. Methamphetamine (ice) was the most commonly consumed drug across the state from 2013 to 2017 Two illegal brothels were found to be operating from a public housing property in the last two years. More than 20 cats were found at another property. The most common complaint of antisocial behaviour was for disruptive noise, with 6,755 incidents reported. There were two cases where illegal brothels found to be operating from a public housing property (stock image) The report said frontline staff had not been sufficiently trained in the skills necessary to apply FACS' antisocial behaviour policy. Deputy Auditor-General for New South Wales Ian Goodwin, who wrote the report, recommended improvements to staff training and the data collection systems used to manage and record antisocial behaviour in public housing. He also recommended a more coordinated approach to case managing tenants with complex needs including those requiring mental health services and support. Sick and tired of inaccurate weather forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology, some farmers have resorted to viewing overseas data as the drought continues to cripple rural areas of Australia. The unrelenting situation has also seen a dramatic spike in people suffering mental health issues. 'It (weather forecasts) just break your spirit,' sheep farmer Chris Blunt from Emu Swamp told AAP. A dead sheep amongst a mob of sheep grazing on a failed crop near Parkes in NSW A herd of cattle in Parkes eating hay urgently transported from Victoria earlier this week Grain feed is left for sheep grazing on a failed crop west of Parkes in NSW A mob of sheep graze on the dry and dusty fields on a crop just outside of Parkes A failed barley crop at Gunningbland, which has been declared 100% drought affected 'You have to consider the anxiety and stress you're putting blokes under - bringing their hopes up and then dashing them. 'I'm almost getting to the point now where whatever the bureau says you think it's going to be the opposite.' Niall Blair, the NSW Water Minister, admitted he feels for the fed up farmers. 'Absolutely we are disappointed (to be continually getting the forecasts wrong),' he said. 'When I travel around and speak to farmers, they point out how frustrated they are. 'The fact we have farmers relying on modelling and forecasts coming from other parts of the world....you have got to question how we are missing the mark so much here in Australia.' Some farmers have even joked they may begin watching the behavioural patterns of animals in a bid to prepare for much needed rain. Bull ants are believed to build high nests before heavy rain while galahs tend to dangle from power lines pre-deluge. Bureau of Meteorology State Manager for NSW Ann Farrell said: 'Like the rest of the Australian community, staff at the Bureau of Meteorology hope drought-impacted communities get the rainfall they need soon. 'While weather elements like temperature and wind can be similar across large areas, rainfall can vary greatly. 'Farms located next to each other might experience significant rainfall differences as weather systems move across the landscape, raining on some areas and missing others. 'Because of this, our forecasts include information about the chance of any rainfall, along with a possible expected rainfall range. 'The Bureau of Meteorology is open about our forecast accuracy and reports each year on their reliability and accuracy. 'The Bureau's rainfall forecast methods use world leading models, including the Australian and European models, to produce forecasts which are proven, on average, to be more accurate than using a single model. 'The Bureau's growing number of rain radars and satellite based technologies also allows our expert forecasters, as well as members of the public, to track potential rainfall in near real-time.' A successful interior designer who generously took her neighbour's dog for a walk has been fined $550 after the boxer 'attacked' a golden retriever in a popular harbour park. Emilie Delalande, who has worked with hospitality barons Justin Hemmes and Matt Moran, was found guilty of being in charge of a dog that attacked another animal despite the pet not even being hers. Ms Delalande, who has also designed the interiors of the exclusive Lexus pavilion for the past two Melbourne Cups, is distressed about having the fine against her name. The 32-year-old had offered to take her restaurateur neighbour Adam 'Bear' Marshall's boxer Obi for a walk at Rushcutters Bay Park in Sydney's eastern suburbs on December 18 last year. Emilie Delalande has completed interior design projects for hospitality barons Justin Hemmes and Matt Moran. She was fined $550 because her neighbour's dog attacked another pet Adam Marshall's boxer Obi (pictured) rushed at a golden retriever in Rushcutters Bay Park, however it was his neighbour Emilie Delalande who was fined for not controlling the dog Adam Marshall runs popular eateries including Foys and The Flying Bear at Kirribilli's Sydney Flying Squadron and Sandy Bear at Clontarf Marina, and owns four-year-old boxer Obi The polo-playing Mr Marshall runs three popular eateries on the north side of the Harbour Bridge: Foys and Flying Bear at Kirribilli and Sandy Bear at Clontarf Marina. He is supporting Ms Delalande's bid to clear her name and does not believe she or four-year-old Obi are to blame for what happened on the day of the 'attack'. Also in the park that afternoon was lawyer David Wilkie, along with his three elderly golden retrievers, including 13-year-old Barney, who is arthritic. According to a statement of facts tendered to Downing Centre Local Court, Barney and Obi were lawfully off their leashes about 5pm. 'Within a short distance into the park, Obi... came from behind Mr Wilkie, rushed past him and without provocation Obi grabbed Barney by the neck,' the statement said. Mr Wilkie later told a ranger: 'I immediately grabbed the attacking dog by its collar but initially it refused to release Barney, so I gave it a hefty kick.' After checking Barney for injuries, Mr Wilkie then saw Obi approximately 15m away. She was leashed and in the control of Ms Delalande, who was also with her own rescue dog, Slick. Emilie Delalande pictured in Rushcutters Bay Park with Obi (left) and her own dog Slick. This photograph was taken by David Wilkie after Obi rushed at his golden retriever Barney Barney the golden retriever pictured two days after he was attacked by Obi the boxer. Barney did not require veterinary treatment. Obi's owner's neighbour was fined $550 'Mr Wilkie approached the defendant and took a photo of her standing with Barney and Slick,' the statement of facts said. 'He then proceeded to have a short conversation with her about the incident and the responsibilities of controlling her dogs.' Barney did not require any veterinary treatment but three days later a City of Sydney ranger arrived at Ms Delalande's Elizabeth Bay home, then interviewed her at the council's offices. Ms Delalande told the ranger she had released Obi into the park and soon heard several dogs barking but could not see what was going on. She whistled and called for Obi to return. 'Whilst I was calling and whistling for Obi I was running into the park,' she said. 'As I made it into the park I observed Obi sitting and waiting for me.' Ms Delalande then saw Mr Wilkie standing with three golden retrievers. She asked him what Obie had done. Adam Marshall (pictured with wife Emma) says his dog Obi is a playful, harmless pet. He is considering appealing against a fine leveled on his dog-walking neighbour Emilie Delalande Adam 'Bear' Marshall (pictured on horseback) is the president of Kurri Burri Polo Club as well as running popular Sydney waterfront eateries on the north side of the Harbour Bridge 'The bitch attacked my dog,' he said. Ms Delalande told the ranger Mr Wilkie was 'standing facing me, screaming profanities in my direction.' She was issued with a penalty infringement notice under the Companion Animals Act for being 'in charge of a dog which rushes at/attacks/harasses/charges any person or animal', which carries a maximum penalty of $11,000. Mr Marshall took the matter to court on Ms Delalande's behalf, concerned Obi would be declared a dangerous dog because she had been involved in another incident with a canine at Kirribilli in 2015. 'I went to court because the ranger said your dog could go on the dangerous dog list now,' Mr Marshall told Daily Mail Australia. 'There was no injury to the other dog. We're not even sure our dog touched the other dog.' A council ranger took this picture of Obi three days after she attacked a golden retriever Mr Marshall said Obi had been traumatised by the earlier Kirribilli incident and was generally wary of other dogs. He gathered 20 references on Obi's behalf and tendered five to the court. 'She's a playful dog,' Mr Marshall said. 'She's not aggressive. She's such a friendly, family dog.' Mr Marshall said the finding against Ms Delalande was unfair. 'It's not her fault,' he said. 'It's not even her dog, it's not her case. It's Obi's case. It's my dog, it's my responsibility.' Mr Marshall will cover the $550 fine and $1188 in council's professional costs awarded against Ms Delalande and may fund an appeal against the decision. Ms Delalande's company Etic has worked closely with Justin Hemmes on Merivale projects including Manly restaurant Papi Chulo, Coogee Pavilion, The Paddington and the Newport Arms, and Matt Moran's new Barangaroo House. Emilie Delalmande designed the interiors of Barangaroo House for restaurateur Matt Moran A row erupted last night over a hugely controversial call by MPs to relax rules surrounding e-cigarettes. They said ministers should conduct an urgent review to make it easier to get the devices on prescription. And they said bans on vaping in public places such as in hospitals, restaurants or on buses should be reconsidered. However, leading scientists called the report by the Commons science and technology committee one-sided. They accused the MPs of largely taking evidence from researchers who had published studies positive to e-cigarettes and of ignoring evidence highlighting health risks. The MPs also want the tobacco industry to be given greater freedom to advertise the devices as a less harmful option for smokers. Earlier this year, a panel of lung experts described vaping as a one-way bridge to smoking tobacco E-cigarette makers are currently banned from making any health claims for their products in advertising. The report claimed that widespread concerns that e-cigarettes acted as a gateway to conventional smoking, particularly for the young, had not materialised. It comes despite a string of reports including one this week from British scientists warning that e-cigarette vapour can cause lung damage. Earlier this year, a panel of lung experts described vaping as a one-way bridge to smoking tobacco and said it could spark a health crisis in decades to come. Scientists last night claimed the committee had been swayed by the vaping industry. Simon Capewell, professor in public health and policy at Liverpool University said: The committee has concentrated solely on experts who are e-cig champions. More balanced reviews of the evidence by the World Health Organisation, [US] Food and Drug Administration have concluded that e-cigs are no better for quitting smoking than things like nicotine gum, patches or tablets. E-cigs in teens are a gateway to subsequent smoking lit cigarettes and e-cig vapour contains a large number of toxins which in time will obviously harm users, and bystanders. Martin McKee, professor of European public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, added: It is simply impossible to know how safe a product is when it has only been used widely for a relatively short time. British scientists are warning that e-cigarette vapour can cause lung damage like tobacco E-cigarettes, which first went on sale in the UK in 2007, have been at the centre of controversy over whether they really are a safe alternative to smoking. Around 2.9million in the UK are currently using the devices, with around 470,000 using them to stop smoking. Last month, anti-tobacco campaigners called on the Government to act to prevent a new kind of e-cigarette from taking off among children, as it has done already in America. The Juul vape pens offer flavours such as mango and glacier mint. In March this year, NICE said the long-term health impact of e-cigarettes was still developing and there was little evidence of their effectiveness or safety as medicinal products. A series of reports have highlighted how e-cigarettes still have many negative health effects. These include increasing the risk of the lung condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung damage and infection. Nicotine which is contained in e-cigarettes is itself an addictive substance that increases heart rate and blood pressure. The World Health Organisation is among bodies to call for stiff regulation of e-cigarettes and bans on their indoor use. However, Public Health England claimed recently that e-cigarettes are 95 per cent safer than conventional smoking. That claim is repeated in todays report which said: Regulations should be relaxed relating to e-cigarettes licensing, prescribing and advertising of their health benefits. Chairman Norman Lamb added: If used correctly, e-cigarettes could be a key weapon in the NHS stop-smoking arsenal. The committee said that while uncertainties remained about the long-term health impact of the devices, they presented an opportunity to significantly accelerate already declining smoking rates. Scientists are warning that e-cigarette vapour as well as tobacco can cause lung damage The MPs also called for wider debate on vaping in public spaces. While vaping is not illegal inside pubs or restaurants, many major pub and restaurant chains such as Wetherspoons have imposed bans indoors as it is difficult from a distance to tell whether someone is smoking or vaping. The MPs urged that a tobacco product called snus which is taken in the mouth is made legal in the UK, despite the fact it has previously been linked to oral cancer. Cancer Research UK said any changes to current e-cigarette regulations should be aimed at helping smokers to quit while preventing young people from starting to use e-cigarettes. The science and technology committee said it has considered evidence from more than 90 organisations including a range of academics, NHS professionals, NICE, and Government departments to inform its recommendations. John Dunne, for the UK Vaping Industry Association said the report was a ringing endorsement of vapings public health potential. Peter Dutton (back) is poised to challenge Malcolm Turnbull (front) in coming weeks, reports say As Peter Dutton eyes off a possible challenge to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull within weeks, self-preservation is possibly weighing heavily on his mind. A group of right-wing Coalition MPs, angry at the government's energy policy, have urged the Home Affairs Minister to knife Mr Turnbull, following his 38th consecutive Newspoll loss to Bill Shorten's Labor Party. 'There are only two good outcomes here - either the energy policy is dead and we can go to the election fighting Labor on it, or Malcolm goes,' an unnamed MP told The Daily Telegraph. The leadership rumbling roared louder on Friday as top-rating Sydney radio 2GB broadcaster Ray Hadley said the leadership challenge was 'happening for sure and certain ... 100 per cent'. Perhaps Mr Dutton's possible leadership assault has more to do with saving his own political skin than the National Energy Guarantee. Mr Dutton, a former police officer, holds Dickson in Brisbane's outer north-west by the barest of margins - just 1.6 per cent. Labor is well placed to win back the seat for the first time in 17 years with the help of the Greens - who have enlisted human rights lawyer Benedict Coyne to run against him - and left-wing activist group GetUp!, which has been heavily targeting his hard-line stance on immigration. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton (pictured with his wife Kirrilly) could launch a leadership challenge to help him save his own marginal seat in Brisbane's outer north-west 'It will only take a few thousand votes to ditch Dutton from Dickson,' Mr Coyne said. In the neighbouring electorate of Longman, the Liberal National Party's primary vote fell to an all-time low of 29.6 per cent at last month's by-election, in a seat which Labor had only previously won twice since it was created in 1996. While Mr Dutton has survived close calls before, holding his own marginal seat by just 217 votes in 2007, he might not be so lucky at next year's federal election. Griffith University election analyst Paul Williams said Mr Dutton's seat was vulnerable as long as Mr Turnbull was prime minister. A group of right-leaning Coalition MPs have urged the Home Affairs Minister to roll the Prime Minister following his 38th consecutive Newspoll loss 'In [Brisbane's] outer suburbs, where Malcolm Turnbull becomes less popular, the swings will be greater... Peter Dutton has a real problem on his hands,' he told The Sydney Morning Herald last month. Unlike former prime minister John Howard, whose hardline border protection policies resonated with voters, Mr Turnbull has proven to be a political liability in the outer suburbs of Sydney and Brisbane. The Turnbull Government was re-elected with a bare one-seat majority at the 2016 double-dissolution election, losing battler electorates to Labor, from Lindsay in Sydney's far west to Longman, in Brisbane's outer north-west and Dobell on the New South Wales Central Coast. With the clock ticking down to the next election, due early next year, time is running out for Mr Dutton to strike. So what do we know about the polarising figure who could soon topple the Prime Minister and take the top job in a dramatic leadership coup? POLITICAL AMBITION: Mr Dutton was appointed to John Howard's ministry just three years later following the 2004 election. He is seen during question time in 2006 with then-Treasurer Peter Costello Born in Brisbane to builder Bruce Dutton and childcare worker Ailsa Leitch on November 18, 1970, Peter Dutton joined the Young Liberals at the age of 18. A year later, in December 1989, he unsuccessfully ran as the Liberal candidate for the state seat of Lytton at the Queensland election, losing to former state Labor leader Tom Burns. He rose through the ranks of the Young Liberals and was elected to Federal Parliament in 2001, when he defeated former Australian Democrats leader Cheryl Kernot, who had defected to Labor. He was appointed to John Howard's ministry just three years later following the 2004 election. He held his electorate so narrowly in 2007, by a 0.1 per cent margin, he tried to shift to a safe seat on the Gold Coast for the 2010 election, only to be thwarted by his own party. CAREER COP: Mr Dutton worked in the National Crime Authority as a detective in the Drug and Sex Offenders Squads in Brisbane during his nearly decade long career with Queensland Police Mr Dutton joined the Queensland Police Force in 1990, where he served for almost a decade. He worked in the National Crime Authority as a detective in the Drug and Sex Offenders Squads in the suburbs of Brisbane. In his maiden speech in parliament, he said he'd witnessed 'the best and the worst that society has to offer' during his time in the force. 'I have seen the wonderful, kind nature of people willing to offer any assistance to those in their worst hour, and I have seen the sickening behaviour displayed by people who, frankly, barely justify their existence,' he said. He left the force in 1999 to study a Bachelor of Business at the Queensland University of Technology. Should he succeed Mr Turnbull as Prime Minister, he would be the first former Queensland police officer to lead a major party in Australia since Bill Hayden led Labor, from 1977 to 1983. Mr Dutton and his father previously bought derelict buildings before transforming them into childcare centres. He is pictured after being elected to parliament in 2001 BUSINESSMAN: Mr Dutton was a small businessman who employed a staff of 40. He and his father founded Dutton Holdings and bought derelict buildings before transforming them into childcare centres. Mr Dutton bought his first property at the age of 18. CONTROVERSIAL OPINIONS AND EMBARRASSING GAFFES: Mr Dutton was caught on camera joking about Papua New Guinea disappearing under rising seas while standing alongside Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison Mr Dutton openly opposed same-sex marriage legislation, but ultimately voted 'yes' in parliament in line with his electorate. 'THESE PEOPLE WOULD BE TAKING OUR JOBS': DUTTON ON REFUGEES In May 2016, Mr Dutton responded to pledges by Labor and the Greens to increase Australia's refugee intake. 'They won't be numerate or literate in their own language, let alone English. These people would be taking Australian jobs, there's no question about that,' he told Sky News. 'For many of them that would be unemployed, they would languish in unemployment queues and on Medicare and the rest of it so there would be huge cost and there's no sense in sugar-coating that, that's the scenario.' In responding to Mr Dutton's comments, Malcolm Turnbull described his colleague as 'an outstanding Immigration Minister'. Advertisement He was the only Coalition frontbencher who refused to applaud former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's apology to the indigenous Stolen Generations in parliament in 2008 and even offered to resign from Brendan Nelson's Opposition frontbench to make a point. Mr Dutton's uncompromising stance on immigration has been a source of controversy. He once claimed allowing Lebanese Muslim refugees into Australia in the 1970s was a 'mistake', blaming a former Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser for crime rates in western Sydney. As the minister in charge of border protection, Mr Dutton has unapologetically deported 1,300 New Zealanders since the start of 2015. On law and order, Mr Dutton declared in January that Melburnians were 'scared to go out to restaurants' because of 'African gang violence'. During his year-long stint as Health Minister, he unsuccessfully tried to introduce an added fee of $7 for GP visits. An Australian Doctor magazine poll voted Mr Dutton as the worst Health Minister in history. Mr Dutton openly opposed same-sex marriage legislation, but ultimately voted 'yes' in parliament in line with his electorate. He was caught on camera joking about Papua New Guinea disappearing under rising seas during a meeting to discuss Syrian refugees in 2015. The climate change sceptic later offered a grovelling apology for his 'vulgar' remark. Mr Dutton called a female journalist a 'mad f***ing witch' in a text meant for a colleague, but which he accidentally sent to the journalist. He famously manhandled former Greens senator Kerry Nettle in 2003 as she heckled then American president George W. Bush's speech to the Australian parliament. If he politically manhandled Malcolm Turnbull out of The Lodge, he would become Australia's first prime minister born in the 1970s. If he acted by November, he would become PM at age 47, the same age Paul Keating was when he successfully challenged his Labor rival Bob Hawke in December 1991. In the aftermath of a recession, Mr Keating helped Labor win an unlikely fifth consecutive term in March 1993. Mr Dutton, too, could help the embattled Liberal-National Coalition snatch an unlikely victory from the jaws of defeat, considering that right-wing MPs have abandoned former prime minister Tony Abbott. Mr Dutton famously manhandled former Greens senator Kerry Nettle (pictured) in 2003 as she heckled then American president George W. Bush ISIS brides and their radical children pose a significant threat to Britain, it has been warned, as authorities are accused of underestimating their potential to attack. A startling new report has revealed 145 women and 50 minors were among the estimated 850 people who travelled from the UK to support IS in Iraq and Syria. Of the 425 returnees recorded, only two women and four minors were listed. A report, From Daesh to Diaspora, found 13% of the 41,490 foreign citizens who became affiliated with the terror group in Iraq and Syria between 2013 and 2018 were women and another 12% were minors. Scroll down for video Women of ISIS: Terrorists who joined the failed caliphate in Iraq and Syria could reignite the drive to join Islamic State, a report has found Now, it is they who may attempt to keep the failed Caliphate alive across Europe. The report, from King's College London's International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation discovered some of those women had been involved in terror plots. It is feared there could now be a rise of women-only terror cells and family cells. Safaa Boular, now 18, became Britain's youngest convicted female terror plotter when she was found guilty of preparing an attack on London with the first all-women IS cell, earlier this year. Boular first began planning a grenade and gun attack on the British Museum when she was thwarted from joining her IS husband in Syria. When Boular was detained over an attempt to become a jihadi bride in Syria, her sister Rizlaine Boular picked up the baton and planned to stab random members of the public around the Palace of Westminster, the Old Bailey heard. When Boular was arrested police shot her four times, but survived. She was thought to have been unarmed when officers smashed into Barghouthis home in Willesden Green, London. The pair of sisters were encouraged by their mother Mina Dich, 44. Dich and Boular were jailed over plotting a knife attack in central London that the female terror cell dubbed the Mad Hatters Tea Party. Rizlaine Boular, 22, took over her sister's terror plot after she was arrested and charged Mad Hatter's Tea Party Plot: Mina Dich, 44, was jailed for six years and nine months over knife plot The ICSR researchers Joana Cook and Gina Vale said due to an absence of official government data the nation may well be posed with a deadly threat. Ms Cook said: 'The British citizens that have now been confirmed as returning to the UK have not been differentiated by gender, or age delineation, though women and minors accounted for 23% of British IS [Isis] affiliates in Syria and Iraq. 'We believe some women may now pose a particular security threat based on several factors. These include the physical security roles and related training that some women have undertaken in IS-held territory, and the potential to transfer or apply these skills in other locations, or to their children. 'The narratives within IS itself related to women's roles in combat have also evolved, broadening the circumstances under which women may be asked to take up arms. We have also seen women active in IS-linked plots (directed or inspired by the group) in countries such as France, Morocco, Kenya, Indonesia and the US, suggesting that women are indeed important to consider as potential threats.' The paper said that while IS is associated with images of 'masked men... fighting on the battlefield, or in more brutal scenes carrying out executions', it was the 'presence and support' of women and minors which helped legitimise the vision of a 'state', as well as the 'roles they played in this state-building process'. ISIS women in court: Female terror cells could pose problems to the UK after authorities 'underestimated' their role in ISIS The report warned authorities must go beyond seeing women as only passive jihadi brides because they often played a role in the caliphate including spreading propaganda. The report also warned rehabilitation is needed for minors. Many left because they felt they did not belong in the UK, leading to calls for better integration work. In 2015 three schoolgirls from Bethnal Green travelled to Syria to marry Isis fighters. Amira Abase and Shamima Begum, along with friend Kadiza Sultana. It is not currently known whether they are dead or alive however, the families of Abase and Sultana have said they believe their daughters were killed. Shiraz Maher, the director of the ICSR, added: 'These findings are significant as considerations of foreign IS-affiliates in Syria and Iraq have largely focused on the status and activities of its male members. 'Women and minors are poised to play a significant role in carrying on the ideology and organisation of IS now that the caliphate has fallen, so it is essential that governments recognise these affiliates as two distinct groups who need their own unique responses.' President Donald Trump declared victory Friday in a brief chapter of the Russia-collusion saga, boasting he had 'won' a lawsuit that a judge tossed out of court Tuesday on a technicality. A former Democratic National Committee employee and two party donors sued Trump's campaign and his former adviser Roger Stone in July 2017 for invasion of privacy. They claimed Stone and the campaign organization conspired with the anti-privacy group WikiLeaks and the Russian government to steal and publish DNC emails that exposed their social security numbers and other sensitive information. 'Just won lawsuit filed by the DNC and a bunch of Democrat crazies trying to claim the Trump Campaign (and others), colluded with Russia. They havent figured out that this was an excuse for them losing the election!' Trump tweeted Friday. Donald Trump boasted Friday that he had 'won' a Russia-collusion lawsuit that a judge tossed out of court Tuesday on a technicality The president framed a federal judge's ruling as a vindication of his claim that his campaign never conspired with the Kremlin to tilt the 2016 election in his favor U.S. District Court Judge Ellen Huvelle ruled that the three Democrats who sued Trump brought their legal action in the wrong place not that their arguments were meritless Despite the president spinning the result as a vindication, U.S. District Court Judge Ellen Huvelle didn't render a decision about the lawsuit's merits. She only ruled that the Protect Democracy Project, an anti-Trump group that filed the lawsuit, submitted it to the wrong court. The lawsuit claimed longtime former Trump adviser Roger Stone had funneled hacked Democratic National Committee emails to WikiLeaks during the 2016 elcetion season 'Washington, D.C., is not the proper venue for plaintiffs suit,' Huvelle wrote in her decision. 'It bears emphasizing that this courts ruling is not based on a finding that there was no collusion between the defendants and Russia during the 2016 presidential election.' The judge had asked attorneys for the Protect Democracy Project in a May 2018 hearing to explain why she should hear the case at all noting that none of the plaintiffs lived in D.C. and the Trump campaign was headquartered in New York City. She also expressed doubts about whether the suit would survive anywhere because the Democrats hadn't shown that they suffered any actual harm from the exposure of their private information. 'They can conspire until doomsday, but the guy has to have injuries,' Huvelle said of one plaintiff. Protect Democracy Executive Director Ian Bassin said after Tuesday's ruling that 'the evidence that the Trump Campaign conspired with Russia grows by the day, and the Courts decision does nothing to call that into question.' Central to the Russia 'collusion' narrative is the belief that President Vladimir Putin (center) was so dead-set against Hillary Clinton winning the election that he deployed his intelligence services to sow Trump-favoring chaos WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has insisted that the DNC emails he published did not come to him from anyone in the Russian government Stone said in a statement to media that even though the judge dismissed the case without examining its central claims, the plaintiffs 'provided no evidence or proof whatsoever of their central left-wing conspiracy theory: that I somehow worked with the Russian state to hack the DNC email servers and shared the fruits of this alleged hacking with Wikileaks or the Trump campaign.' 'This is false and can therefore never be proven in any jurisdiction,' Stone claimed. The longtime former aide to President Richard Nixon, who doubles as 'men's fashion editor' at the conservative Daily caller news website, acknowledged last year that he had contacts with WikiLeaks, but has insisted nothing nefarious changed hands. Stone was also in touch with a nameless social media entity called 'Guccifer 2.0,' which U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded was a front for their Russian counterparts. The Kremlin is suspected of handing the hacked DNC emails to WikiLeaks, something the group's founder Julian Assange has strenuously denied. Labour will not rule out a referendum on the final deal with the EU, the shadow Brexit secretary has said. Sir Keir Starmer told business leaders he believed leaving the EU would mean things will get worse in the short-term. He said Labour was not explicitly calling for a public vote on the final deal and respected the result of the 2016 referendum. Sir Keir Starmer told business leaders he believed leaving the EU would mean things will get worse in the short-term But he suggested if Parliament voted to reject a deal between the Government and Brussels then MPs could push the decision to a Peoples Vote. At a meeting on Thursday night organised by the Labour Business group, Sir Keir believed Britain would suffer in the short-term but added: We have a duty to make Brexit work. Sir Keir suggested if Parliament voted to reject a deal between the Government and Brussels then MPs could push the decision to a Peoples Vote Asked what would happen if the final deal was rejected, Sir Keir said: It is Parliament that should decide what happens next. 'It should have the power to decide the options and this might involve a general election or a Peoples Vote. 'Were not calling for it. We respect the result of the referendum. But were not ruling out a second referendum. His position mirrors that of the Unite union, Labours biggest financial backer. A store called 'Team Deplorable Community Activity Center' specializing in pro-Trump merchandise closed its doors for good within 48 hours of its grand opening, but not before sparking a protest. The now-defunct business in the Village of Webster, New York, was the brainchild of Bruce Ben-Dov, a US Army Corps of Engineers veteran who had come up with an idea to create 'peaceful' place where like-minded supporters of President Donald Trump could congregate and openly voice their views. The store had no official affiliation with the Trump administration or his 2020 campaign. Scroll down for video Gone in a New York minute: A store called 'Team Deplorable Community Activity Center' specializing in pro-Trump merchandise closed its doors in Webster, New York, two days after opening Owner Bruce Ben-Dov (left and right), 51, said he had run out of money and could not afford to keep the store afloat. Earlier, he said had taken out a two-year lease on the storefront Ben-Dov wanted to create a cross between a gift shop carrying patriotic attire and trinkets, and a cafe featuring a speakers' corner Ben-Dov wanted to create a cross between a shop carrying patriotic attire and a cafe featuring a speakers' corner where pro-Trump congressional and Senate candidates could address their potential voters. The entrepreneur told the Democrat and Chronicle that he had taken out a two-year lease on the storefront situated on Main Street in Webster, and that he planned 'to be here a long time.' But he was forced to close up shop on Thursday because he 'ran out of money and lacked the means to meet some unspecified 'regulatory requirements.' Ben-Dov, a self-described former 'multimillionaire' who was sued by American Express for a $11,000 credit card debt in June, told the station WROC he did not want to open himself up to any further legal liabilities. On Independence Day, a small group of protesters gathered outside the floundering Team Deplorable shop, carrying signs The 51-year-old Operation Desert Storm veteran, who once called himself in an interview the CEO of Team Deplorable, had launched a GoFundMe campaign seeking to raise $150,000 to keep the store afloat, but he managed to draw only $240 in donations. On Independence Day, a small crowd of protesters gathered outside the floundering pro-Trump shop, carrying signs that read, 'Hate has no home here, 'Love is love is love' and Humanity needs to do better than Trump,' reported 13 WHAM. The store's name was inspired by Hillary Clinton's controversial comment uttered at a fundraiser during the 2016 campaign that half of Trump supporters could be put in the basket of deplorables. Russia's private equity firm Baring Vostok has appealed to President Vladimir Putin to intervene in a criminal investigation into its U.S. founder Michael Calvey and other executives. "Recently, Russian courts and law enforcement have not sought pre-trial detention in bail hearings against suspects and defendants in business-related criminal cases. This approach to the law excludes the possibility that business partners can face pressure in corporate disputes. Despite the demands of the law, these citizens were sentenced to pre-trial detention by the court," Baring Vostok said in an open letter published on its website today. Baring Vostok asked Putin "to take the criminal case under your personal control to ensure a full, independent, and objective investigation" against Calvey, three other Baring employees, and two other defendants. Prosecutors accuse them of defrauding Vostochny Bank, a top 30 lender in which Baring Vostok has a majority stake, of 2.5bn rubles in a related-party transaction. Calvey denies the charges, which he says are a salvo in a struggle for control of the bank with Vostochny minority shareholders Artem Avetisyan and Sherzod Yusupov, the Financial Times reported. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- The joint venture between Germany's Volkswagen and China's ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing has reportedly settled in Jiading District, Shanghai, according to Chinese media outlets. Dubbed Shanghai Juzhong Automotive Technologies Co.,Ltd, the joint venture was founded in December 2018 with a registered capital of RMB64 million. According to the record on qichacha.com, a Chinese company information searching platform, Volkswagen (China) Investment Co., Ltd holds 40% stake in the joint venture, while the other 60% stake belongs to Didi's affiliate Huidi (Tianjin) Business Service Co. Ltd. In accordance to relevant agreement, Volkswagen can buy another 10% stake based on the business development presence and make the joint venture 50/50 controlled by two parent companies. Although Volkswagen will be the only shareholder of Shanghai Juzhong in addition to Didi Chuxing, both parties agree that there could be more resources to purchase cars aside from the German auto giant. Volkswagen stated that it builds the joint venture with Didi is to explore and develop fleet operation business. The joint venture will focuse on fleet operation, fleet sales, fleet management, repair and maintenance services. Besides, it is going to explore fleet leasing business and conduct extensive discussion with industry leading companies in smart mobility field. It is previously reported that the joint venture is going to build a massive car-sharing fleet with around 100,000 vehicles, among which 60,000 NEVs would come from Volkswagen. Besides, the new company will get involved in DiDi's deployment and services for globalization, while won't work on the ride-hailing giant's current businesses. A substance found at an Illinois strip club has made six people sick including two police officers. Officials believe that the substance was the powerful opioid fentanyl which affected those who may have breathed or touched it when they arrived to help evacuate the club. Roxy's, on Madison Street in Brooklyn, Illinois was evacuated by 4am Friday and has been shut down while a hazardous-materials team and a drug unit investigate. A hazmat situation occurred in a Brooklyn, Illinois strip club. Several people were sent to hospital after coming in contact with a mystery substance thought to be fentanyl The six people who became ill were treated in hospital on Friday morning for non-life threatening illnesses. All of the victims were stable and are expected to recover. An emergency medical technician fell ill as did one of the officers who passed out after coming into contact with the substance while performing CPR on a male patron of the club. After the officer was revived, he was treated at the hospital and was back at the scene just hours later helping with the investigation once again. Police are now studying surveillance video from inside the venue to see if that offers any clues. After the paramedics arrived, two Brooklyn officers went inside the building to assist in performing CPR on the patrons but then the officers also became ill (file photo) One of the paramedics and both officers soon became overcome with the chemical fumes; one of the officers passed out inside the club (file photo) Investigators wearing protective gear are also examining a police car to see if the substance possibly had contaminated the car after one of the Brooklyn officers confiscated what he thought was the substance, and put it in his patrol car to take back as evidence. The drug fentanyl has long been a concern of first responders as even the smallest amount can lead to an accidental overdose according to KMOV. Last year, a police officer in eastern Ohio suffered an overdose while making a drug arrest after simply touching powder on his shirt that he didn't realize was fentanyl. Barry Cofield, 34, was arrested after he rammed into a police car and was found with heroin on Tuesday in Lake Mary, Florida, deputies say Super Bowl champion Barry Cofield has been arrested after he reportedly passed out behind the wheel, rammed into a police car, and was later found with heroin in his vehicle. The former Giants defensive lineman, 34, was arrested on Tuesday in Lake Mary, Florida after police found him asleep in his Cadillac Escalade around 2.30am. He was discovered stopped at a traffic light with his foot on the brake. After he awoke and saw deputies around his vehicle he sped off, running through a red light and launching a wild police chase swerving in and out of traffic lanes and sideswiping a stopped vehicle along the way. His car 'did not stop, but did not take evasive maneuvers to avoid me,' a deputy reported. Eventually police cornered him by placing a deputy's car in front of him, and Cofield rammed into it. When deputies asked him to exit the vehicle, he refused, leading them to shatter the driver's side window and arrest him, according to ClickOrlando.com. Cofield rose to fame playing for New York Giants, helping the team win 2008 Super Bowl He stopped playing for the team in 2015 and is listed as a free agent athlete. He was booked into Seminole County jail following his Tuesday arrest and released on bond Police said he smelled of alcohol and his eyes were bloodshot and watery. He was found with two small plastic bags filled with red powder later announced to be heroin, according to the police report. He refused to take any sobriety tests or give a breath sample to measure his blood alcohol content. Cofield was charged with fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer, driving under the influence, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting a law enforcement officer without violence and possession of heroin. He was taken to Seminole County Jail and has since posted bond, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Cofield - who is listed as a free agent player - rose to fame as a star on the New York Giants in 2008, helping lead the team to their Super Bowl win. He stopped playing for the Giants in 2015. A couple have been arrested in Louisiana after the mans 15-year-old escaped from the familys home and went to the authorities, claiming that he had been hog-tied, whipped and burned. Calcasieu Parish Sheriffs Office deputies on Tuesday night responded to a home in Sulphur and arrested Thomas Wininger, 40, and his girlfriend, 34-year-old Desirae Tomcanin on charges of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile and false imprisonment. Winingers teenage son told the authorities that his father would punish him by hog-tying and handcuffing him, sometimes for up to 12 hours a day, according to a press release from the sheriffs office. Arrested: Thomas Wininger (left), 40, and his girlfriend, 34-year-old Desirae Tomcanin (right), have been arrested in Louisiana on counts of cruelty to a juvenile and false imprisonment The victim also claimed that Wininger would also place shock collars on him, which left burn marks, and whip him with a belt. Investigators said they have observed injuries on the boys face and belt marks on his back, allegedly inflicted by his father. . Wininger traveled from state to state with Tomcanin and his son in tow, looking for work. The boy was not enrolled in school and has not been for some time, according to the sheriffs office. On Tuesday night, the 15-year-old managed to escape after being uncuffed to use the bathroom. He then ran through the woods to a nearby home and asked for help, leading to Wininger and Tomcanins arrests. The pair were cooked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center without bond. After being rescued, Winingers son has been taken into the custody of the state. A fundraising page launched to raise 5,000 for the devastated family of six-year-old Alesha MacPhail has smashed its target in just two days. The campaign was launched by members of the public on the Isle of Bute where she lived and the money will go towards supporting Alesha's 'hurting' family. Her body was found in Rothesay on Monday morning, less than three hours after she was reported missing from her grandparent's home in Port Bannatyne. A fundraising page for the family of murdered Alesha MacPhail has raised more than 5,000 in just two days Police launched a massive investigation and a 16-year-old boy has appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court today after being arrested and charged with her rape and murder. A target of 5,000 had been set but in just 48 hours hundreds of donations saw the total soar to 5,606. The GoFundMe page says: 'A suffering family, her friends and the people of the Isle of Bute have just lost a young child. 'She is Alesha MacPhail, and because the loss of a child is a grief that never ends, the island of Bute, as well as her remaining family and close friends, will forever endure this hardship. The body of Alesha MacPhail was found in woodland in the grounds of a former hotel 'To assist this hurting family, we ask that you assist with costs to take just a small part of their burden away, and that you might serve as a source of strength for her immediate and extended family. 'All donations will be forwarded to assist this family during this delicate and painful period.' Heartfelt tributes have also been left by well-wishers on the fundraising page. Amanda McCann posted: 'Heartbreaking. Scotland has lost a beautiful wee lassie. Rest in peace Alesha. All my love to the family xxx.' Sandra Murdoch wrote: 'RIP sweet angel, fly high beautiful you were such a delight. Miss your happy wee smile xx.' While Alison Carstairs said: 'Fly high sweet angel. Bute and it's many friends will never forget you.' Earlier, Detective Superintendent Stuart Houston said: 'I'd like to take this opportunity to personally thank Alesha's family who have shown incredible bravery through what has been an unimaginable ordeal during these past few days. 'I'd also like to thank local people for all their support and assistance during this major investigation on the island. 'The response to our appeals was significant both from those living here and the wider community of Scotland. 'The people of the Isle of Bute have rallied together since Alesha was first reported missing on Monday morning and I would stress that social media speculation relating to members of the community is both misleading and inaccurate. Police search streets and houses on the Isle of Bute yesterday as part of the investigation The teenager was arrested on suspicion of murder before being charged yesterday 'The family has also received considerable support from Alesha's home town of Airdrie which was reflected in the memorial service held at her school. 'Officers and staff from across Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority have been involved in what has been a difficult and challenging investigation during which they have worked tirelessly to bring us to where we are.' The campaign page can be found by logging on to https://www.gofundme.com/love-for-alesha American Airlines employee Elvira Thomas, 62, was arrested Tuesday after she tried to bring a stolen gun through airport security An American Airlines employee has been arrested after she tried to take a stolen gun through security. Elvira Thomas, 62, was on personal travel when she passed through the Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Tuesday, where she works at the American Airlines ticket counter. TSA found the gun among her belongings as it passed through the X-ray scanner, police say. However the gun wasn't hers and investigators say the firearm was stolen from elsewhere in the state, according to WSOCTV. Thomas was arrested and charged with possession of a gun on city property, and possession of a stolen gun. This is the 37th time a gun was found at Charlotte Douglas Airport. Last year that number was nearly double at 68. In a statement to DailyMail.com, American Airlines said: 'At American Airlines, we have an unwavering commitment to the safety and security of our customers and team members. We take this matter very seriously and are cooperating with law enforcement during their investigation.' Thomas is an American Airlines employee and typically works at the ticket counter. She was on person travel on Tuesday when she tried to bring the gun through security She was arrested shortly after the gun was found at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, pictured above, and was charged with possession of a gun on city property The airline added that all airport employees undergo a criminal background check prior to employment and Thomas was not working at the time of her arrest. She has been placed on administrative suspension pending the outcome of the investigation. Several travelers were shocked to hear of the employee's arrest. 'I absolutely find that alarming. I think we assume a certain level of safety from the people who work here,' passenger Carlaina Bell said to WSOCTV. It is not clear why she tried to bring the gun through. In order to transport a firearm it must be unloaded, locked in a hard container, and checked as baggage only. It must also be declared at the ticket counter. Australia's most wanted ISIS terrorist fathered three children with two wives while he was fighting in Syria and Iraq. Neil Prakash, 27, was apprehended in 2016 when he crossed the border of Syria into Turkey and made the claims to Turkish officials. Turkish officials revealed the information to News Corp and said they believed his story is consistent and likely true despite not being able to locate his two jihadi brides and three children. Two of the children would be 20 and 21 months old now and all three of his alleged children would also be eligible for Australian citizenship. Australia's most wanted ISIS terrorist fathered three children with two wives while he was fighting in Syria and Iraq Neil Prakash, 27, was apprehended in 2016 when he crossed the border of Syria into Turkey and made the claims to Turkish officials Efforts to have Prakash extradited to Australia to face charges of being a member of a terrorist organisation and 'incursions into a foreign state with the intention of engaging in hostile activity have been stalled. His case was adjourned for a third time when the Kilis Criminal Court delayed his next hearing until July 19, and with Turkish elections coming up further delays are expected. Prakash is awaiting sentencing in Turkey on charges of being part of a terrorist organisation and Turkish authorities need to establish his whether he committed any crimes against Turkey while fighting with ISIS. If he is convicted for his actions he will face a lengthy prison sentence in a Turkish prison which would delay any extradition to Australia even further. Neil Prakash, 27, was apprehended in 2016 when he crossed the border of Syria into Turkey and made the claims to Turkish officials (pictured during a recent hearing in Turkey) Prakash has openly admitted openly and several times to being an active member of Islamic State and when questioned during the 15 minute hearing in Turkey he again made the admission. 'On the first charge of being a member of ISIS, that is true, but the second charge (committing a crime against the state in Turkey), I had nothing to do with,' he said. He challenged the court to continue its investigations because 'I had nothing to do with that charge'. Prakashs court-appointed lawyer Mehmet Alper Unver attempted another application of parole for his client which was denied. He will continue to be detained in the Gaziantep prison where he has remained since his arrest in October of 2016. Prakash is the most senior Australian member of ISIS to be captured alive after appearing in a number of Islamic State propaganda videos in which he encouraged other followers to launch deadly attacks. If or when he is extradited back to Australia he would be the first senior figure to be both extradited and charged under legislation which was introduced in 2015. A 30-year-old elephant was found shot dead with its trunk and tusks removed in Malaysia. Authorities said the male elephant was believed to have been killed a week ago, the Star Online reports. Its carcass was found around 15km from a main road in Perak. At a press conference at the Gerik police station on Tuesday, a police spokesman said the elephant had been shot three times twice in the head and once in it rear. A 30-year-old elephant was found shot dead with its trunk and tusks removed in Malaysia A bullet was found in the elephants right buttock, he said. Police followed a tip-off and officers along with General Operation Forces and the Department of Wildlife arrested four men on Sunday. One of the men led police to a house in Kampung Padang Jeri where they seized two rifles, two homemade shotguns, 225 bullets, wire traps, machetes, a chainsaw and RM10,500 in cash. We also seized a deer horn and seven bone fragments, believed to be from a tiger, the spokesman added, according to the Star. The four suspects, aged between 40 and 49, will be remanded in custody until March 18. They will be investigated on charges of possessing illegal firearms, unlicensed weapons or ammunitions and carrying weapons in public. The canteen food at a school in Malaysia was so irresistible that a passing elephant wandered in to have a sniff around in hunt of a delicious snack. Pupils and staff at the SMK Telupid school in the north-eastern Malaysian state of Sabah cowered behind their dinner tables as the gigantic beast roamed the halls. In the clip the mammal can be seen leaving the canteen before it is heard walking down the corridor. The hungry elephant was filmed in the school canteen in the north-eastern Malaysian state of Sabah by students cowering behind a table The huge beast is seen leaving the canteen before being heard walking down the corridor outside It is not known if the hungry animal managed to find anything to eat within the school. Police chief V. Shivananthan confirmed the incident and said the day before around ten pachyderms got into the grounds of his police station in the neighbouring district of Beluran. Nobody was injured in either incident. Wildlife Rescue Unit vet Diana Ramirez said that a small herd of elephants are currently misbehaving near human settlements, and that four of the most aggressive elephants have been caught. Once captured they will be held before being relocated away from humans. She added: 'We are still trying to capture more and get the herd away from humans.' Do you often drive your own car abroad for holidays or work? If so, there's a lot changing around the rules you'll need to know and documentation you have to carry once the UK's divorce from the EU is finalised. Here are the four main changes that impact Britons driving in Europe after March 29. Are you ready for post-Brexit driving in Europe? We've teamed up with Hagerty classic car insurance to help all drivers - not just vintage vehicle owners - to understand documentation they'll need after March 29 The list of changes has been collated by Hagerty classic car insurance, which wants customers to be aware of the new rules ahead of any European road trips they have planned for the summer. Given the success of events such as the Le Mans Classic in France, Essen Techo Classica in Germany and Spa Classics in Belgium, many vintage car owners will want to continue taking their pride and job across the channel. Of course, the changes impact not just classic cars - it will effect anyone with a UK-registered motor driving on the continent. Here's everything you need to be prepared for: 1. Green Cards Cost: Nil (though admin fees could be incurred) Where do you get them? Your insurer Green Cards will be available from insurers. While they are free, providers may charge administration fees to issue them From 29th March regardless of whether there is a deal or no deal, it is expected that any travel into Europe by car or bike will require a Green Card. This will replace the European Certificates of Insurance that have traditionally been issued from UK insurance companies who have an agreement with the EU to allow UK citizens to travel under one simple certificate of insurance. The certificate will now be replaced by a European Green Card. Essentially, this will be a letter of confirmation that the bearer of the paper has an insurance policy in place with a UK insurance company, although the actual language for these new Green Cards is still unknown. If you want to know more, read our full guide to Green Cards. 2. International Driving Permits Cost: 5.50 each What youll need: A valid driving licence or a valid passport if presenting an older paper version licence Where do you get them? 2,500 post offices across the country A recent change to the rules means you can only get an International Driving Permit - or IDP - from main Post Offices In addition to your UK driving licence, motorists may be required to purchase an International Driving Permit to be able to legally drive on European roads post-Brexit. This is likely in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Two different types of IDP are used in the EU, depending on which countries you plan to visit. These are: 1949 IDP. Malta, Spain, Cyprus and Ireland. This is valid for 12 months. Please note that in January 2019, the UK Government advised that an IDP would not be required to drive in Ireland post-Brexit. 1968 IDP. Travel through other EU countries. Valid for three years, or until the expiry of your driving licence (whichever is sooner). Previously you were able to download an IDP application online, however new rules mean you can only get them from main Post Office branches. Anyone driving abroad can apply for one three months before they travel. According to recent data, requests for IDPs have increased by a fifth in recent weeks as motorists planning to drive abroad in April to July prepare for a no-deal Brexit. 3. Environmental/ Low Emission Zones Cost: Around 5 - 10 (including postage) More information: Green-Zones.eu Motorists need to be aware of an emissions zones they may encounter on their travels abroad, such as the Crit-Air scheme in France Hundreds of towns and cities in Europe now have environmental or Low Emission Zones. These prevent all but the newest and least-polluting vehicles from entering them, which in some countries are required to display a sticker that can be purchased from official local outlets. The Crit-Air system in France, for example, requires drivers to purchase an emissions sticker that relates to their vehicle's pollution levels. As well as France, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany and Spain all have their own unique sticker system, so it's worth checking the Green-Zones.eu site well before driving in any of these countries. Although regulations vary from country-to-country, most offer exemptions for classic cars which are those defined as being over 30-years-old and registered in an EU or European Economic Area country. It is possible that this exemption could cease for British-registered classic cars after Brexit. If this is the case, the only option is to plan a journey that avoids the LEZ areas. 4. Passports & Visas Cost: TBC If there's a no-deal Brexit, anyone planning to travel to the EU (apart from Ireland) will need to a 6-month buffer before their passport expires If theres a no-deal Brexit, it is likely that you will not be allowed entry to the EU (except Ireland) if your passport is within six months of its expiry date (as is the case with the rest of the world). If you previously renewed your passport before its expiry, the time left may have been added, which doesnt count. Check the HM Passport Office guide for more information. Under the Brexit deal drafted at the end of 2018, visa-free travel should continue as it currently stands until the end of the transition period, but in the event of a no-deal, confirm the arrangements before you travel. It is likely that visa requirements will be waived by reciprocal agreement. Sally Fear is living proof that you can have all the technical training and fancy camera kit in the world, but when it comes to taking stunning photographs, the most important piece of equipment is your eye. Certainly, Sally didnt follow a conventional route to becoming one of the UKs most distinguished photographers. Growing up in Bristol, she wanted to go to art college but her parents wouldnt hear of it. Citing David Hockney and John Lennon, they were convinced Id be sucked into a world of sex and drugs, she laughs. Instead, she got a secretarial job at J Walter Thompson advertising agency in London. Sally Fear won the first ever Royal Photographic Society and Nikon Awards in 1974. She shared advice for capturing wildlife ahead of judging this year's Weekend Great British Wildlife Photography Challenge. Pictured: A snap taken by Sally in the New Forest A friend lent me his camera and at weekends Id take black-and-white studies of Londoners at leisure. She submitted a few rolls of film to the first ever Royal Photographic Society and Nikon Awards in 1974 and won first prize: 1,000 and a top-of-the-range camera. Nikon sponsored her first exhibition, which hung in the Lyttelton Theatre at Londons South Bank. I then got commissions from colour supplements and US magazines, such as Time and Newsweek. This year, Sally is one of the expert judges in Weekends Great British Wildlife Photography Challenge. Entries have been flooding in since we launched the 2018 competition, but you still have until 31 August to email us your spectacular shots of UK animals, birds, reptiles, insects and fish. As Sally points out, you dont need state-of-the-art equipment. Everyone can take a great picture these days, often on their mobile phone. Wildlife is all around us, she adds. I see foxes walking bold as brass down the streets of London. 'Graveyards are good habitats for wildlife; theres a lot of deer in Highgate Cemetery. Sally (pictured) who fell in love with the New Forest through her photography claims caring about your subject is important as a photographer 'And the parakeets in Acton would make wonderful pictures. I live in the New Forest, and theres so much wildlife on my doorstep Ive never been interested in going on safari. Sally lives with her second husband, Richard, a doctor. Her first husband, Hugh, died in 1992 from a brain tumour. He was 43. Nothing can be as bad again. I gave up photography completely for a while, she says. Four years after Hughs death, Sally sat next to Richard at a wedding. Five years later, in 2001, they married on the Isle of Skye. Along the way, she also fell in love with the New Forest. I adore ponies and the countryside. Its why I put together my third book, Crown Keepers Of The New Forest. Season after season, Sally has captured on film the essence of forest life. The great British wildlife photography challenge Sally captured a round-up of ponies (pictured) whilst visiting the New Forest Pony express This is a pony round-up or drift in the New Forest being driven through the water by the Agisters, as theyre known, who look after the stock there: the ponies, cattle and donkeys that are allowed to graze on the common land, all of which need to be checked regularly, says Sally. Sally who claims to love raw beauty photographed this goshawk chick (pictured) Living in harmony Its quite unusual to see a pony and buck together [left], but the buck had just emerged from the rutting season and I think he was exhausted, poor thing, so he wasnt really bothered about another animal being near him. Baby monitor This goshawk chick would only have been a few weeks old, but its already being ringed to track its movements in and out of the forest. Advertisement Much of it is breathtaking in its raw beauty, but she doesnt shy away from harsh realities the way injured animals must be culled, the vital part played by hunting through the ages. So what does she think makes a good photographer? You have to care about your subject. Animals dont obey any rules, so be prepared for the unexpected. 'It helps to wear muted colours, so they arent aware of your presence. You need to be patient, too. 'I once spent four weeks trying to get the pictures I wanted of Giant, a red stag. And once shes taken the perfect photo, nothing is left to chance. I download all my pictures from my camera onto my computer three times just in case anything goes wrong and they get lost in the system! Crown Keepers Of The New Forest, with a foreword by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, priced 35 plus p&p, is available from sallyfear.com. Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry and the Military Prosecutors Office issued a joint statement in regard to the 27th anniversary of the Khojaly Genocide. The statement was read out by spokesperson of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Leyla Abdullayeva at the press conference. As a result of Armenia's aggressive war against Azerbaijan, about one-fifth of the territory of Azerbaijan has been occupied; more than one million Azerbaijanis have been subjected to ethnic cleansing in occupied lands and Armenia itself, the statement says. "In the course of the war, the capture of Khojaly was particularly tragic. Before the conflict, 7,000 people lived in this town of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. From October 1991, the town was entirely surrounded by the armed forces of Armenia. Over the night of the 25 to 26 February 1992, following massive artillery bombardment of Khojaly, the armed forces of Armenia, with the help of the infantry guards regiment No. 366 of the former USSR, implemented the seizure of Khojaly. Invaders destroyed Khojaly and with particular brutality implemented carnage over its peaceful population," the statement stresses. "As a result of the Khojaly genocide 5379 inhabitants of the city were deported, 613 people, including 63 children, 106 women brutally murdered, 8 families were completely destroyed, 487 were injured, 1275 were captured and taken hostage. The fate of 150 people, including 68 women and 26 children, remains unknown to date. By the occupation of Khojaly damage exceeding $170 million has been inflicted to the Government of Azerbaijan and individual nationals," the document says. "The overall assessment of the causes and consequences of the war unleashed by the Republic of Armenia against the Republic of Azerbaijan and all existing facts of the tragic events in Khojaly make it absolutely clear that the crimes committed in that town of Azerbaijan were not an isolated or sporadic act, but a part of Armenias widespread and systematic policy and practice of atrocities. The intentional slaughter of the civilians in Khojaly was directed at their mass extermination only because they were Azerbaijanis," the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry and the Military Prosecutors Office stressed. "The Khojaly massacre and other war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed by Armenia in the course of the ongoing aggression against Azerbaijan constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, in particular the 1949 Geneva Conventions, Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms," the statement says. The investigation conducted by the Military Prosecutors Office of Azerbaijan has fully proved involvement of a number of military servicemen and other persons in the perpetration of the Khojaly genocide. "The investigation made decisions on their accusation according to the articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan on genocide, torture, deportation of the population, violation of international humanitarian law during the armed conflict and other criminal offenses. As a result of the investigation into the Khojaly genocide episode, around 7,000 investigative actions were conducted regarding a total of 4,470 persons, including 1,771 witnesses and 2699 victims, over 800 different examinations and other investigations were carried out," the document says. "The international community, in the UN Security Councils Resolutions 822, 853, 874, 884 of 1993 and numerous decisions of various international organizations, has strongly condemned Armenias use of military force against Azerbaijan and serious human rights violations during the aggression. In its judgment of 22 April 2010, the European Court of Human Rights arrived at an important conclusion with respect to the crime committed in Khojaly, qualifying the behavior of those carrying out the incursion as acts of particular gravity which may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity. The national legislative bodies of 16 States, as well as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation adopted a number of resolutions and declarations on condemning in strongest terms the massacre of civilian population in Khojaly and recognizing the tragedy of Khojaly as an act of genocide," the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry and the Military Prosecutors Office recalled. "In total disregard of the position of the international community, demands of the UN Security Council Resolutions on immediate, unconditional and full withdrawal of occupying forces from the seized lands of Azerbaijan, Armenia continues flagrant violation of international law. It continues to undertake efforts aimed at further consolidating the current status quo of the occupation, strengthening its military build-up in the seized territories, changing their demographic, cultural and physical character and preventing the hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijani forcibly displaced persons from returning to their homes and properties in those areas," the statement says. "Alongside the Republic of Armenias responsibility as a state for internationally wrongful acts, under the customary and treaty norms of international criminal law, certain acts perpetrated in the context of an armed conflict, including those in the town of Khojaly, are viewed as international criminal offences and responsibility for them is borne on an individual basis by those who participated in the said acts, their accomplices and accessories," the documents notes. "It is well known that some representatives of the previous leadership of Armenia, who were removed from power by the mass protests of the countys population last year, together with many other high-ranking political and military officials of that State and leaders of the separatist regime set up by Armenia in the occupied territory of Azerbaijan, personally participated in seizing Azerbaijani lands and in the reprisals against Azerbaijani civilians and militaries, including in Khojaly," the statement reads. "In his cynical admission of culpability, Armenias then-Defense Minister and ex-President Serzh Sargsyan was quoted by the British journalist Thomas de Waal as saying, "before Khojali, the Azerbaijanis thought that the Armenians were people who could not raise their hand against the civilian population. We were able to break that [stereotype]." "It is incontrovertible today that no official or political status cloaks the person concerned with immunity for the most serious international crimes, such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and ethnic cleansing," according to Azerbaijan the Foreign Ministry and the Military Prosecutors Office. "Alongside the ongoing prosecution of persons charged with committing various crimes against their own people in Armenia, the trial over the crimes committed by them against the Azerbaijani people is also crucial for the establishment of international justice and can contribute to the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict by peaceful means. If so, it will increase the possibility to make real progress in the process of preparing the Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples to peace and creating of a mutual trust atmosphere between them that had been supported by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs and the world community as a whole," the statement says. "Azerbaijan is confident that the consistent measures being taken at the national level, as well as the existing international legal framework, will serve to bring to justice those responsible for the grave offenses committed against the civilian population of Azerbaijan during the conflict," the joint statement of Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry and Military Prosecutors Office says. Head of the Special Investigations Department at the Military Prosecutors Office of Azerbaijan Emil Taghiyev said that work is underway to bring to justice 305 people, who participated in the crimes in Nagorno-Karabakh. Of these, 39 participated in the Khojaly Genocide, he said. "Relevant documents were sent to Interpol, but to date none of these persons has been extradited to Azerbaijan," Taghiyev said, adding that the investigation into the Khojaly Genocide is conducted in five directions: genocide, torture, terror, financial damage and serious crimes. Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev, speaking at the presentation of the report 'The Illegal Activities in the Territories of Azerbaijan under Armenia's occupation: Evidence from Satellite Imagery' in ADA University, said that Armenia's illegal activity in the occupied Azerbaijani territories continues today as well. He stressed that after Armenia occupied Azerbaijani lands, it started illegal activity in these territories. "The Armenian side has further expanded illegal activity in the occupied territories, it exploits the natural and mineral resources of Azerbaijan, supplying them to global markets," Hikmet Hajiyev pointed out. The head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration recalled that in accordance with international law, illegal activity in the occupied territories is prohibited. "However, the Armenian side doesnt comply with international laws. Based on the appeal of the Azerbaijani side, the OSCE fact-finding mission conducted monitoring in the occupied Azerbaijani territories and the illegal activity of Armenia was confirmed," he noted. Hikmet Hajiyev pointed out that this illegal activity of Armenia impedes the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "Azerbaijan appeals to international organizations and other states to ban their legal entities and individuals from carrying out activities in the occupied Azerbaijani territories. As part of international and domestic laws, Azerbaijan will continue legal steps against illegal activities in its occupied territories. The issue of illegal activities in the occupied Azerbaijani territories will be constantly raised in front of international organizations. By using national resources, the national satellite, Azerbaijan collected facts confirming this illegal activity," he said. Julian Trevelyan: The Artist And His World Pallant House Gallery, Chichester Until Feb 10 Rating: Credit to the Pallant House Gallery in Chichester for its fine policy of giving retrospectives to forgotten figures of British 20th-century art. John Minton and Victor Pasmore were recent examples; Julian Trevelyan is the latest. Born in 1910, Trevelyan would become a key member of this countrys surrealist movement. The latest artist to feature at Pallant House Gallery is surrealist Julian Trevelyan who took part in Mass Observation contributing works such as The Potteries from 1938 (above) Later, he took on a role in Mass Observation: the social-research project launched in 1937 to record what life in Britain was really like (in contrast to the way it was presented in the media). Many observers took photos, others carried out interviews, but Trevelyan made perhaps the most creative contribution: with paintings such as The Potteries, in which dark smoke from factory chimneys blackens not just the Staffordshire sky but the faces and clothes of people on the street. Alas, a whole room of this show is dedicated to highly forgettable paintings Trevelyan did on trips abroad. Manhattan, from 1982, for instance, looks more like a Legoland model of New York than the great city itself. While his British works impress, sadly a whole room at the show is dedicated to the highly forgettable paintings Trevelyan did on trips abroad such as Manhattan from 1982 (above) The artist arguably did his finest work at home, in his London house on a stretch of the Thames between Hammersmith and Chiswick. Over the decades he painted the spot repeatedly, but never repetitively. At times theres a riot of colours, seagulls and riverboats on choppy waters; yet in The Punt, everything is calm and the sole boatman recalls Charon, from Greek mythology, solemnly crossing the rivers of the underworld. Trevelyan, in short, was a hit-and-miss artist. His bad days explain why he has been somewhat forgotten, but he had more than enough good days to deserve being remembered by an exhibition such as this. ALSO WORTH SEEING By Sarah-Claire Picton The RA @ Portsmouth Portsmouth Museum Until Feb 24 Rating: The year is 1768 and history is in the making. James Cook embarks on his first voyage of discovery, the Encyclopaedia Britannica is first published and, on a winters day in December in London, the Royal Academy of Arts (RA) is founded. Joining the nationwide celebration of the RAs 250th anniversary year, Portsmouth Museum has an exhibition of Royal Academicians work more than 90 prints, drawings and sculptures, many of which havent been on display for some years. A personal highlight is Allen Joness The Magician Suite lithographs series, from 1976, which brings to life British Pop Art. The works bright green and red pops show the movements influence on pop-culture icons fashion greats such as the late Alexander McQueen, for example. As a contrast there is shiny resilience in Sir Alfred Gilberts Faith And Hope bronze sculpture, from 1896. Other artists include Dominic Serres, Gertrude Hermes, Eduardo Paolozzi, Lynn Chadwick and David Hockney. This is a humble exhibition when compared with the two-and-a-half centuries it commemorates. Nonetheless, it packs in some punches and ultimately delivers on novelty and quality. Madness O2 Arena, London Rating: Someone has taken a look at the O2 Arena, decided its not quite weird enough and added a cut-price shopping mall. This could come in handy next time you need to pick up a scented candle on the way into a gig. The place seems to want to be as alienating as possible, to present more of a challenge to the bands that play there. If so, Madness are equal to it. You know the evening will go with a swing when you see a family of eight gathering at the door, with Dad handing everyone a scarlet fez. Led by a bowler-hatted Suggs (above), Madness light up the O2 Arena with tunes that exude familiarity, warmth and laughter. On TV tomorrow, they should make New Years Eve their own Inside, the singalong begins before the show, when the PA plays A Town Called Malice by The Jam and Everything I Own by Ken Boothe. The urgency of post-punk meeting the mellowness of reggae: this is the crossroads where Suggs and co struck their deal with the devil. When they arrived in 1979, six months after Margaret Thatcher, Madness were just what Britain needed. The music, mostly ska, was borrowed from Jamaica if they came along now, theyd be accused of cultural appropriation. Everything else was from north London: the voice, the tone, the house, the car, the cheek with a hint of depth. On stage, Suggs wears a bowler. Bolstered by horns and strings, Madness open with the early hits, please themselves in the middle and close with the classics. Theyve never released a Christmas song, but then they havent had to. Tunes like Our House and Baggy Trousers glow like fairy lights, exuding familiarity, warmth and laughter. Never mind the Hootenanny: on the telly tomorrow, Madness should make New Years Eve their own. Madness play Westminster Central Hall, London, tomorrow and are touring from May 17 to August 30 HISTORY The back cover of The Prison Letters Of Nelson Mandela is adorned with several quotes from the book, all expressing the kind of noble sentiments you might expect from one of the Great Men of History. In fact, though, this is a bit misleading because, taken as a whole, the book itself gives us a far more rounded, interesting and, above all, human portrait of Mandela than that. For his first few years on Robben Island, conditions were especially harsh. Mandela was allowed only one visitor and to write and receive only one 500-word letter every six months. The book reveals the letters that Nelson Mandela wrote while locked in prison on Robben Island for 27 years By day, he worked for more than seven hours breaking rocks into gravel. By night, he slept on a cold, concrete floor. Even so, his early letters are full of defiant optimism. I feel on top of the world, he writes to one friend, and am looking forward to the day when I will again see you. After a while, however, the tone darkens. When he was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964, as Prisoner 46664, which he is still remembered as today, Mandela had five children including two daughters under six who wouldnt be allowed to visit him until they were 16. And as the years go by, he becomes increasingly aware of the suffering that his absence is causing them. He also begins to doubt his long-held conviction that his political duty must come first. Is one justified in neglecting his family on the ground of involvement in larger issues? he wonders in 1971. Is the public welfare not something remote and secondary to that of ones family? These are questions that torment me daily. The letters reveal Mandela's anguish at being unable to be with his family - as well as his increasing alarm over wife Winnie's actions (pictured) Mandela increasingly realises, too, how much hes lost himself. In the same letter, he laments: I have watched many of my childhood friends and college mates develop protruding tummies and ample bottoms, living well and enjoying many of the pleasures I should like to have for myself. Or as he puts it more starkly years later: Sometimes I feel like one who has missed life itself. His resolve was particularly tested during one terrible 11-month period in the late Sixties. In September 1968, his mother died and his request to attend her funeral was denied. The following May, his wife Winnie was arrested, leaving him not just distressed on her account, but also desperate to find out what was happening to the children (and to their education, which was always a central concern for him). Then in July his eldest son Thembi was killed in a car crash aged 24. This time the authorities didnt refuse his request to go the funeral, they merely ignored it. In the letters, you can see how his initial optimism and fire was replaced by feelings of regret and doubt As Mandela acknowledges, his sons death left him shaken from top to bottom and when Thembis grief-stricken widow visits Robben Island, he again wonders whether political theories are quite enough. This was one of those occasions which emphasise just how little we know about real life and its problems in spite of all the literature we read, he says. And yet, of course, in the end Mandela made his choice. He stuck it out for another 21 years, and refused the authorities repeated offers of freedom in return for essentially going away and leaving apartheid in peace. Meanwhile, there was also the tricky business of Winnie. His initial letters to her sent with tons and tons of love and a million kisses tend to be straightforward declarations of his continuing devotion. But gradually a mild note of alarm at her behaviour creeps in (Do enjoy yourself but beware of sprees if you can). This becomes rather less mild when he sends her a little parable about an imprisoned man and his adulterous wife. A particularly trying time for Mandela came when his eldest son was killed in a car crash - with prison authorities refusing to let him attend the funeral Clearly, Winnie never lost her physical appeal to Mandela: The unforgettable hours in the bedroom made life taste like honey. Yet, by the mid-Seventies, his feelings appear badly conflicted. Concern and adoration frequently intermingle, he tells her, and at times Im not at all certain which is dominant. But, needless to say, theres more to this extraordinary book and this extraordinary man than just family troubles. There are, for example, plenty of letters demanding better conditions for him and his fellow prisoners. Theres also his extended campaign to sit for a law degree something the authorities obstructed so effectively that, having started studying for it in 1964 (working in his cell after all those hours breaking rocks), he eventually got it shortly before his release in 1990. Some of the most affecting letters are simply memories of happier times including his country childhood. Although I lived for two decades as a townsman, he writes to one old friend. I never succeeded in shaking off my peasant background. The book gives a fascinating insight into Mandela's relationship with his wife Winnie and reveal how the former President became increasingly concerned by her And, given how long he was in jail, there were an awful lot of condolence letters to write which he did assiduously, together with other proofs of his old-world courtesy, such as thank-you letters to the nurses who looked after him when he had TB. Less than six months before his release, he even found time to commiserate with the owners of a once-favourite Indian restaurant that was closing down: There are many palates and tummies which will be justifiably outraged by the disastrous news. Despite its bulk, this book is still an edited version of Mandelas correspondence, so I suppose its possible that in some of the letters we havent seen he says something mean, completely wrong-headed or just impolite. Yet I have to say that, having read what were given here, Id be extremely surprised. Indeed, about the only time he puts a foot wrong is in some of his gallantries to Winnie not all of which perhaps quite hit the target. I hope to outlive Methuselah, he tells her in one of his smitten phases, and be with you long after youve reached the menopause, when all the gloss you now have will be gone and your body, your lovely face included, will be all wrinkles, skin as tough as that of a rhinoceros. What woman could resist that? Beginning in 1839, the British and the Chinese faced one another in what became known as the Opium War. It was a one-sided affair: the Royal Navy was the most powerful in the world, while the Chinese possessed weaponry that was centuries out of date. The Chinese were reduced to desperate measures. One commander hatched a plan to strap fireworks to the backs of monkeys and catapult the poor creatures onto the British ships in the hope that they would blow up their powder magazines. In the event, nobody could get close enough to launch the monkey bombs at the enemy. The war was the end result of a decades-long, often fractious relationship between China and Britain, characterised by misunderstandings and ignorance on both sides. The British and the Chinese started a war in 1839 that would go on to become the Opium War Eighty years earlier, in 1759, there was only one Englishman, James Flint, who knew how to speak and write in Chinese. His attempt to present a petition to the Chinese emperor on behalf of the East India Company ended with Flint imprisoned for three years and the man who had taught him Chinese decapitated. In 1793, Lord Macartney arrived in Beijing, bearing gifts from King George III including telescopes, a planetarium and a hot air balloon. The Emperor announced that they were good enough to amuse children. Macartney left Beijing having achieved little. It was trade that finally brought the two nations together, but there were, unfortunately, two kinds. One consisted of legal commodities such as cotton, silks and tea. The other was in opium, which the East India Company smuggled from India into China, where demand was high. The two countries had very different attitudes to opium. In Britain, the drug was legal and sold by apothecaries and tobacconists. There was even a tonic for teething babies called Mother Baileys Quieting Syrup. One reason why the war came about was because of differing attitudes towards opium in both countries But Chinas growing addiction problem was devastating its cities. Opium was illegal and punishments for using it grew ever harsher. The war was precipitated by the imperial commissioner Lin Zexu, who confiscated vast amounts of the drug and threw it in the sea. (He wrote a prayer to the god of the sea apologising for his defilement of the waters.) Charles Elliot, the chief superintendent of the British in Canton, sent a furious despatch to the British Foreign Secretary, Lord Palmerston, demanding military action. Some months later Elliot got what he wanted. The Opium War was not the British Empires finest hour. The Times described it as nothing less than an attempt, by open violence, to force upon a foreign country the purchase of a deadly poison. But the twilight of Stephen Platts title was not that of Britains empire. It was China that was in decline and worse was to come. Now that China is once again one of the worlds great powers, knowing the history of its relationship with the West becomes ever more important. Platts book makes a scholarly, but enjoyable, contribution to that knowledge. THE PATIENT Having been through the menopause only a year before, I was really surprised when I started bleeding again last year. It wasnt painful or heavy, so I wasnt worried, but I spoke to my GP about it when I had my smear test in March. Although I felt well, the GP arranged an urgent hospital referral and, two weeks later, an ultrasound and biopsy showed the lining of my womb was thin, something that can happen with age. I was put on a drug called norethisterone, a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone, which stopped the bleeding. New treatment: Karen Corrigan, 55, a mother-of-four from Colchester, tried brachytherapy But eight weeks after the smear test, I received a letter saying abnormal cells had been found. A week later, I had a small sample of cervical cells removed for analysis. I then went to see the consultant with my husband, Dennis. The doctor told me I had stage 2 cervical cancer, which meant the cancer had spread to the tissue just outside the cervix. In some ways, I wasnt at all surprised by the diagnosis from the moment Id been called back, Id been expecting it, and I was willing to do whatever it took to get the cancer out. After my diagnosis, I met with Dr Rana Mahmood, a consultant clinical oncologist at Colchester University Hospital. A hysterectomy was one option, but Dr Mahmood said an equally effective but less invasive treatment would be external radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy to shrink the tumour, followed by a treatment called brachytherapy. Sometimes also called internal radiotherapy, the cancer is treated with a radioactive material inside your body, rather than from rays projected by a machine from outside. I had five weeks of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, before beginning brachytherapy. They performed my brachytherapy using needles, along with the standard mode of delivery, which involves plastic tubes or applicators. This two-in-one approach would help them reach the cancer that had spread outside my cervix I was only the second patient at Colchester to have both modes. Fact: Cervical cancer is typically caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), which is picked up by most people at some time in their life, but it usually clears up on its own The three sessions were more invasive and drawn out than the usual radiotherapy, which had only taken five minutes per session and didnt hurt, although it did leave me exhausted. In contrast, the brachytherapy took up to six hours per session, involved a general anaesthetic and I needed gas and air and painkillers afterwards. I had it over two weeks, with a break of a couple of days between each of the sessions. After my final session in September, the tears started to flow. It really hit me what I had been through since first speaking to my GP last year. Dr Mahmood gave me the all-clear at an appointment a couple of weeks ago. He was as pleased as I was! I am due to see him again in three months. I still get quite tired and have an upset stomach, which could take months to clear up. Ive not yet gone back to work even going for a stroll around the shops can wear me out. Ive always been very active so I hope I can return to my regular walks with Dennis soon. THE SPECIALIST Dr. Rana Mahmood is a consultant clinical oncologist at Colchester University Hospital. Cervical cancer is very curable when its caught early. Its typically caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), which is picked up by most people at some time in their life, but it usually clears up on its own. Adolescent girls are now vaccinated against HPV. But, in some women who havent been vaccinated, the virus causes changes to the cells lining the cervix, which can eventually become cancerous. Symptoms, which include discharge, abnormal vaginal bleeding and discomfort during intercourse, are not easy to spot, which is why women aged between 25 and 64 are invited for regular smear tests. WHAT IS HPV? THE INFECTION LINKED TO 99% OF CERVICAL CANCER AND 91% OF ANAL CANCER CASES Up to eight out of 10 people will be infected with HPV in their lives Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the name for a group of viruses that affect your skin and the moist membranes lining your body. Spread through vaginal, anal and oral sex and skin-to-skin contact between genitals, it is extremely common. Up to eight out of 10 people will be infected with the virus at some point in their lives. There are more than 100 types of HPV. Around 30 of which can affect the genital area. Genital HPV infections are common and highly contagious. Many people never show symptoms, as they can arise years after infection, and the majority of cases go away without treatment. It can lead to genital warts, and is also known to cause cervical cancer by creating an abnormal tissue growth. Annually, an average of 38,000 cases of HPV-related cancers are diagnosed in the US, 3,100 cases of cervical cancer in the UK and around 2,000 other cancers in men. HPV can also cause cancers of the throat, neck, tongue, tonsils, vulva, vagina, penis or anus. It can take years for cancer to develop. Advertisement If cancer is discovered, options include surgery to remove the cervix and, quite often, some of the surrounding tissue, or a hysterectomy, which involves removing the whole womb. External radiotherapy is another alternative for treating cervical cancer. Combined with internal brachytherapy, results are equivalent to surgery. In brachytherapy, a radioactive source is put close to, or even inside, the cancer. By targeting the radiation in this way, it allows higher doses to be used and reduces damage to the surrounding organs. Research shows that this improves survival rates compared to radiation on its own. In cervical cancer, intracavitary brachytherapy is normally used. Three plastic tubes called applicators are placed in the cervix via the vagina. The applicators are then connected to the radiotherapy machine. But in the 50 per cent or so of patients in which the cancer has spread as in Karens case applicators are not as effective. This is where interstitial brachytherapy comes in, with hollow needles up to one foot long inserted into the tissue where the cancer has spread. On the morning of her procedure, Karen was given a general anaesthetic. Applicators were placed in her uterus and ten needles just outside it. Once these are in position, the patient is woken up as there is no need for them to be sedated during the rest of the procedure. They simply have to lie very still. Then an MRI and a CT scan are done to ensure they are in the correct place. A two-hour simulation of the treatment is carried out before the radiotherapy machine is connected. I draw targets and mark the sensitive organs shown on the MRI/CT scans. Then, with a physicist, I use the computer-assisted model to deliver a high enough dose to the target and lowest possible dose to sensitive organs nearby. The patient lies still for the 30 minutes of radiotherapy. In total, the whole process takes about six hours. Treatment with needles and applicators is normally only done at larger regional hospitals. As travelling far is not ideal for patients, we have invested in resources so we can offer it too. We are one of 27 centres around the world participating in the EMBRACE-II trial, which is looking at how effective this combination of external radiotherapy and brachytherapy is. Interestingly, data already shows a 10 per cent higher chance of a cure for patients treated in centres with access to interstitial needles. Brachytherapy is also very successful treating prostate cancer in men, when combined with external radiotherapy. We have put in a bid with NHS England to do that here, too. The treatment costs the NHS about 1,800. Actress Anna Carteret still gets stopped in the street by those who remember her fondly from the Eighties police drama Juliet Bravo. It was a groundbreaking series, one of the first to feature a female police chief. Anna had the lead role, as the no-nonsense inspector Kate Longton. But while she presented a tough, take-charge exterior on-screen, she was often in mental and emotional turmoil off-screen, due to the bipolar disorder that has plagued her since she was a teenager. For Anna it means that her mood swings between dizzying highs and crashing lows. At my worst if I was on a high, Id do anything strip naked at a party, jump into a swimming pool with my clothes on, and get into car crashes because I was driving too fast, says Anna, 76, who has never publicly spoken about her condition before. Star: Actress Anna Carteret still gets stopped in the street by fans who remember Juliet Bravo When youre on a high, it doesnt matter what other people think. Yet the lows have been so intense that for a period in her 20s, she contemplated suicide. I would barely want to get out of bed, says Anna. The courage to make a decision, even what to wear, was too much. Its that thing of wanting to disappear from life. You just feel embarrassed and hopeless and as if you dont contribute anything. Her career which included stage appearances alongside Laurence Olivier and more recently TV roles in Casualty, Lewis, Doctors and Holby City became her salvation. Acting saved my life, in a way, says Anna, who has two children with her late husband, the TV director Christopher Morahan, who died in 2017. When I was in a down phase I would drag myself out of bed to get to the set, but I never told anyone, she says. I felt shame, because admitting to a mental illness made people view you with suspicion. I was scared of telling a director, worried Id be thought incapable. Around 1.3 million people in the UK have bipolar disorder. The condition brings mood swings that can vary from despairing lows that may lead to feelings of hopelessness, guilt, sleeping excessively and having little interest in anything, to manic highs when those affected may, for example, appear overexcited, have little need for sleep or food, overspend, or indulge in other risky behaviour as they often have feelings of being invincible, too. Then and now: Anna pictured in an episode of The Saint from 1969 (L) and as she is today Success: Anna had the lead role, as the no-nonsense inspector Kate Longton. But while she presented a tough, take-charge exterior on-screen, she was often in mental and emotional turmoil off-screen, due to the bipolar disorder that has plagued her since she was a teenager There are two main types of bipolar disorder: type 1, which causes more manic phases; and type 2, which causes more pronounced periods of depression. Anna is unsure which she has, but finds the highs easier to cope with than the lows. When Im in my high phase, I have so much energy and I never stop talking, she says. You just dont need the sleep. My brain is very sharp. Now I take sleeping pills during this phase but before I did Id often be awake the whole night. During the lows, however, Anna says: I become this whole other person. She struggles to eat, lacks energy and avoids social engagements, although Anna forces herself to go for twice-daily countryside walks near her home on the Hampshire-Surrey border. It makes me feel Ive achieved something, she says. Otherwise you feel a failure. Quite why people develop bipolar disorder is not clear cut. In some cases, it is thought brain chemistry may be to blame, while traumatic life events such as losing a parent can act as the trigger. However, the strongest causal factor is genetic: a child of one parent with bipolar disorder has a 15 to 30 per cent chance of having it. Anna believes hers was inherited from her mother who also had it. She spent most of her childhood in boarding school her parents were largely abroad due to her fathers Army career so she has little memory of her mothers mood swings. I didnt live with my mother enough to be aware of her condition, although obviously I noticed when she wasnt as bubbly as she normally was, she says. When Anna started to experience bipolar symptoms as a teenager, she had no idea what it was. She struggles to eat, lacks energy and avoids social engagements, although Anna forces herself to go for twice-daily countryside walks near her home on the Hampshire-Surrey border In those days it wasnt so known about and I didnt realise thats what was affecting me, she says. I didnt go to the doctor until my sister suggested I see a psychiatrist and he diagnosed me right away. I was in my early-30s at the time and I was a bit shocked. Many with bipolar disorder experience a delay in diagnosis the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) says a time lag of six years between the onset of symptoms and treatment is typical, although charities such as Bipolar UK say a delay of a decade or more is not uncommon. Part of the problem is that often symptoms begin during the teen years when youngsters may undergo mood swings anyway. The first symptoms may emerge when a teenager becomes depressed or anxious, which are not symptoms specific to bipolar disorder, says Guy Goodwin, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Oxford. When they experience manic episodes and engage in what youd call risky behaviour sex, drugs, alcohol or spending money it is often just attributed to the growing-up process. Treatment may involve talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy, but most people with bipolar need medication, too. The ideal combination of medicines stops the ups and downs, what we call mood stabilisation, says Professor Goodwin. Lithium remains one of the most widely used and most effective medicines in treating bipolar disorder and new understanding of the cause of the illness is helping to explain how it may help. Its an area of cutting-edge science and its probably fundamentally to do with the transport of calcium in the brain, says Professor Goodwin. Calcium is the key element in how neurons [nerve cells] work and it seems that lithium changes how neurons work. Anna takes a combination of mood stabilisers Priadel, which contains lithium; quetiapine, an antipsychotic; and the anti-depressant mirtazapine. She also takes a thyroid medication, levothyroxine a side-effect of lithium is that it affects thyroid function and so patients require a hormone replacement medication, says Professor Goodwin. Taking medications ensures the lows are not as low and the highs not as high, which is great, but you do feel a bit dumbed down sometimes but Ive never struggled to remember lines, says Anna. Taking medications ensures the lows are not as low and the highs not as high, which is great, but you do feel a bit dumbed-down sometimes but Ive never struggled to remember lines. She also takes irbesartan for hypertension, because people with bipolar disorder have higher rates of heart disease, although Professor Goodwin says the link is not clearly understood. Anna is relieved that her daughters, Rebecca, who works for Fairtrade, and Hattie, an actress show no signs of having inherited their mothers condition both are in their 40s, beyond the age that symptoms normally begin. Anna took great steps to try to ensure their childhood was unaffected by her illness. I would force myself out of bed to do things with them, says Anna. When they were old enough, I told them about having bipolar disorder and what it meant and they were very understanding and would try to cheer me up. Now, Annas daughters ring her daily from London and visit frequently, bringing with them Annas two young grandchildren. Annas husband too was very understanding but she avoided discussing her illness even with many friends. However she did discuss it with one the actor Stephen Fry, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder aged 37. Anna credits his openness about the diagnosis with helping to remove much of the stigma attached to the condition. The fact that hes so funny is wonderful, she says. People realise you can be funny as well as have that condition, that mental illness is not all horrible. When Christopher died, Stephen flew over from Canada, where he was working, to speak at the memorial service. It meant so much to me, says Anna. Anna is a textbook example of how with the right help those with bipolar disorder can lead lives of relative normality she had a long and happy marriage, brought up a family and forged a successful career. She hopes she can inspire others in her position. Mental illness is not something you have to be ashamed of, she says. I hope that by talking about it other people who have bipolar disorder wont feel alone and disregarded and realise that this illness doesnt need to hold them back. nbipolaruk.org Arizona is set to expand exemptions for vaccines as other states work to tighten them in an attempt to crack down on a nationwide measles outbreak. Last week, a state legislative panel approved three bills that would broaden vaccine exemption categories despite warnings from public health officials, reported the Arizona Republic. The committee, led by Republicans, voted to create a religious exemption for schoolchildren, adding to the personal beliefs exemption Arizona already has. The measure would also get rid of a requirement for parents to sign a form from the state health department listing the risks of declining vaccines. Meanwhile, more than 150 measles cases across the country have been identified in 10 states and critics say, if the three bills pass into law, Arizona could be next. An Arizona legislative panel approved three bills that would expand vaccine exemptions. Among other things, the bill would get rid of a requirement for parents to sign a form listing the risks of declining vaccines (file image) To obtain a religious exemption, a person must in their own words to defend their religious or spiritual belief that opposes vaccination. 'My first impression is that [the legislation] is incredibly tone deaf,' Dr Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, told DailyMail.com. 'We have measles breaking out across the US because of these exemptions. What you're doing is deliberately placing children at risk for potentially deadly diseases.' Two other measures were passed by the committee. One would require Arizona doctors to provide lengthy information about all the ingredients in immunizations. 'It's meant to scare parents, like if you read the package insert of any food item,' Dr Hotez said. 'All the ingredients are tested for safety. The FDA has the most rigorous testing in the world. The vaccines go through decades of clinical trials and testings. The other would require them to tell patients about an antibody test that may help determine if someone is already immune to a disease. 'It's not even useful information for most diseases because we have no idea what amount of antibodies will protect someone,' said Dr Hotez. 'But this is what the anti-vaccine movement does, they're trying to erode confidence in vaccines. This is anti-child and anti-family legislation.' State Rep Nancy Barto (R - Phoenix), who introduced the three bills, says she doesn't see the legislation as 'anti-vaccination bills', but rather as 'discussions about fundamental individual rights.' But family physician Dr Steven Brown, from Phoenix, told lawmakers that these bills will make vaccine skepticism more acceptable. 'Voting in favor of any of these bills and encouraging more exemptions for vaccinations is dangerous to our citizens and sends the wrong message to Arizonans,' Dr Brown said. 'Let's send the message that Arizona cares deeply about public health, children and science.' If the bills, pass in the state legislature, experts says this will lead to a rise in unvaccinated children. STATES THAT ALLOW PARENTS TO OPT OUT OF VACCINES BASED ON PHILOSOPHICAL BELIEFS Arkansas Arizona Colorado Idaho Louisiana ( except no religious exemptions ) Maine Michigan Minnesota ( except no religious exemptions ) Missouri ( only for daycare, not public school ) North Dakota Ohio Oklahoka Oregon Pennsylvania Texas Utah Washington Wisconsin STATES THAT RECENTLY REVOKED THIS ALLOWANCE: Vermont California Missouri West Virginia Advertisement What's more, a 2015 report found the rate in Arizona for the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine to be the lowest in the nation at 84.1 percent, reported Cronkite News Service. The Arizona Department of Health Services has warned that more than 5,000 kindergarten students would be at risk for measles if an outbreak hit the state due to poor 'herd immunity', according to the Arizona Republic. This is when the vast majority of a community - between 80 and 95 percent - becomes immune so that, if a disease is introduced, it is unable to spread. Therefore, those who are unable to be vaccinated, including the ill, very young and very old, are protected. Meanwhile, Washington has been working to increase its vaccination rates as the measles outbreak continues, affecting 159 people across the country. Last month, officials in the Evergreen State declared a public health emergency as 65 people in Clark County and one person in King County have fallen ill with measles. State epidemiologists revealed that staffing and supplies have cost the state more than $1million in taxpayer money. Two bills have been presented in Washington state's Congress to limit the number of vaccine exemptions, reported KGW 8. One would ban personal or philosophical exemptions for the MMR vaccine and the other would ban personal or philosophical exemptions for all vaccines required for school. A third, stricter bill has been presented in Oregon's Congress. This bill would ban all non-medical exemptions for vaccine, including religious reasons. Before the measles vaccine was available, more than 500,000 cases were diagnosed in the US every year, with about 500 annual deaths. In 2018, 372 cases of measles were confirmed in 26 states and the District of Columbia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. It is the second-greatest number since measles was considered eliminated in the US in 2000. A report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) last month said measles has seen a 30 percent increase in cases around the world. Between September 2017 and August 2018, WHO reported more than 41,000 cases with 40 deaths in EU member states. A 41-year-old man needed hospital treatment for an erection that had lasted 22 hours after he injected a tanning supplement. The man, who lives in Scotland, bought melanotan, which is illegal to sell in the UK, at a bodybuilding shop. He injected it into his abdomen. The synthetic hormone, also known as the 'Barbie drug', triggered the unidentified man's case of priapism, the medical term for a prolonged erection, which usually lasts four to six hours. The patient had to endure a barrage of injections into his sore penis to relieve the erection, narrowly avoiding surgery. But four weeks later, the man was suffering with erectile dysfunction - a permanent side effect in severe cases of priapism. Doctors said they had never seen a case like it, and said it served as a warning about dodgy tanning products on the market. A 41-year-old man needed hospital treatment for an erection that had lasted 22 hours after he injected an illegal tanning supplement that he bought in a bodybuilding shop The team at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, led by Dr Barend Albert Dreyer reported the story in BMJ Case Reports. Melanotan is a synthetic hormone used for tanning that works by increasing the levels of melanin, a natural dark pigment in the skin. The doctors revealed the man had been purchasing the melanotan solution over the counter for several months and he usually had a very good tan response. Products such as melanotan, steroids and image enhancing drugs such as clenbuterol to lose weight, are common among the bodybuilding scene and increasingly in the general population, too. But melanotan is not legal in the UK because no-one is sure of its dangers. WHAT IS MELANOTAN? Melanotan is a synthetic hormone used for tanning that works by increasing the levels of melanin, a natural dark pigment in the skin. This pigment is part of the bodys natural response to the sun, and increasing levels of melanin results in skin darkening or tanning. There are 2 types of Melanotan Melanotan I and Melanotan II. It is currently illegal to sell tan injections such as Melanotan, as this product is unlicensed. Melanotan is illegal in the UK because it has not been tested for safety, quality or effectiveness and no one knows what the possible side effects are or how serious they could be. The MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) tests medical products in the UK. They are warning people not to use Melanotan and they say that the product is being 'advertised and sold illegally'. The drug is sold online or under the counter at gyms and beauty salons and because the drug is self-injected, there are fears that users are putting themselves at risk of infections such as hepatitis or HIV. Source: Cancer Research UK and NHS. Advertisement The man said that the label or seller didn't give any indications of major side effects, and dosage was in 'number of phials', so it was unclear how much medication was in each injection. He had suffered with two-hour erections after using it previously. But this time, after injecting a phial into his stomach, his penis was painful and 'unable to be used' within an hour. He arrived at A&E after 22 hours, after attempting to soothe the pain with ice at his home. Tests confirmed that the man had low-flow priapism, which is the result of blood being trapped in the erection chambers. It can occur without a known reason in men who are otherwise healthy, but it also affects men with sickle-cell disease. After injections every five minutes by doctors for around half an hour, the man finally saw his erection subside. The International Society of Sexual Medicine recommends that penile shunting procedures be considered when first line treatment has not worked or as a first option for priapism episodes lasting more than 72 hours. The doctors said the man avoided a surgical shunt, which is a passageway that is surgically inserted into the penis to divert the blood flow and allow circulation to return to normal. The report said: 'Although this patient claimed he did not take any other drugs, concomitant substance misuse was not definitively ruled out as he self-discharged before a toxicology screen could be performed. 'It may be possible that he also misused other drugs from the body-building store and these may have contributed to his erectile dysfunction.' The patient had approximately two weeks of swelling after returning home and initially no erections whatsoever. 'In the last week, however, he had started to have some spontaneous erections though they were shortlived and unable to be sustained for use,' the report said. Dr Dreyer added: 'Priapism is an uncommon presentation to the accident and emergency department, and in my one year of urology in Glasgow this is the only case that I have seen. 'We chose to write this case up as it presented a rare/unheard of cause of an uncommon disease.' Forms of melanotan has been suggested as a possible therapeutic for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, but the doctor's said cases such as this unfortunate man's needed to be taken into account. Dr Dreyer said: 'Our patient said that if he had known about priapism as a potential side-effect he would never have considered using Melanotan. 'More widespread knowledge around this side effect may help decrease Melanotan misuse. He will avoid melanotan use in future and stick to sun-beds.' A mother claims she took her eight-year-old daughter to the GP five times with crippling back pain before she was diagnosed with cancer. Sharon Mcalister, 35, alleges she took her daughter Kaiann to three separate GPs before the youngster was told she had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The mother-of-three, of Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, knew something was wrong when Kaiann developed yellow skin, became irritable and started complaining of severe back pain in early December last year. Mrs Mcalister claims she was 'fobbed off' by doctors who dismissed it as everything from muscular pain to a viral infection. By the time she was diagnosed on February 12, Kaiann required morphine for her pain, and was even told her spine was fractured and crumbling. Kaiann is now undergoing chemotherapy at the Royal Hospital for Children in Yorkhill, Glasgow, with doctors being optimistic she will beat the disease. Kaiann Mcalister (pictured in hospital) was allegedly taken to her GP five times before she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The youngster began battling severe back pain, along with yellow skin, at the end of last year. She is now undergoing chemotherapy Pictured before she was diagnosed, Kaiann's mother Sharon Mcalister claims she felt 'fobbed off' by doctors who dismissed her symptoms as muscular pain or a virus. She decided 'enough was enough' when Kaiann came out of school one day sobbing and bent over Doctors are optimistic Kaiann will beat the disease, however, her mother says 'no child should be going through this'. The youngster is pictured with her mother and father Mark Mcalister, along with her brother Kalin (left) at her 20-month-old brother Karsson's christening Speaking of her daughter's condition, Mrs Mcalister, a make-up artist, said: 'If I could take the pain away from Kaiann I would. 'No child should be going through this.' Kaiann started developing her symptoms at the end of last year, with Mrs Mcalister also noticing a change in her daughter's personality. 'She had started to be distant, snappy and scared with the pain,' she said. Mrs Mcalister declined to name the GP practices Kaiann was taken to but claims the youngster was seen by one GP three times, a second doctor once and then a third medic, who referred her for a hospital appointment. 'I felt as if I was getting fobbed off. It was put down to muscular pain or a virus,' she said. 'Kaiann was getting really scared because she couldn't walk properly and she was getting spasms in her back that were leaving her in agony. 'She came out of school one day, sobbing and bent over and I thought "enough is enough".' Mrs Mcalister - who also is mother to her two sons 17-year-old Kalin and Karsson, 20 months - did not wait for that hospital appointment and immediately rushed her daughter to A&E. A consultant at the children's hospital initially thought Kaiann had osteoporosis, which weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. 'She had fractures and her spine was crumbling,' Mrs Mcalister said. After being referred for a hospital appointment, Mrs Mcalister decided to rush Kaiann (pictured with her younger brother before she was diagnosed) to A&E. Doctors thought she may have osteoporosis, until the youngster collapsed and a scan revealed it was cancer WHAT IS ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKAEMIA? Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is a type of blood cancer that starts from young white blood cells in the bone marrow. There are around 810 new cases in the UK every year. In the US, ALL affects approximately 1.7 adults per 100,000. Anyone can develop ALL, however, it mainly affects younger people. Many ALL symptoms are vague and flu-like, such as: General weakness Fatigue Fever Frequent infections Bruising or bleeding easily, including nosebleeds, heavy periods and blood in the urine or faeces Unexplained weight loss Bone or joint pain Breathlessness Swollen lymph nodes Feeling full Paler skin than normal Risks for developing ALL include exposure to radiation, smoking, being overweight and having a weak immune system. Research suggests being breastfed and exposed to childhood infections may reduce a person's risk. The main ALL treatment is chemotherapy. Patients may also have radiotherapy, steroids or bone marrow transplants. Source: Cancer Research UK Advertisement Kaiann was sent home with plans to send her for an MRI scan in March to confirm her 'osteoporosis'. But the youngster collapsed that day and was admitted back to the children's hospital, where a scan revealed she had leukaemia. 'I just collapsed when I heard it but I knew they were going to tell me it as cancer,' Mrs Mcalister said. The youngster - who is losing her hair to chemo - plans to donate her locks to the Little Princess Trust, which provides wigs to people under 24 who have lost their hair to illnesses like cancer. 'It's been so hard but we will get there and my girl will fight and get better,' Mrs Mcalister said. 'From the day she was born, we've been inseparable, stuck to each other like glue. 'She's such a mummy's girl and the most caring loving wee girl ever.' Mrs Mcalister is speaking out to encourage other parents to trust their instincts if they know something is not right. 'Not every child has the same symptoms but please if you feel the doctors aren't listening to you and deep down you feel something isn't right then keep pestering them until they listen,' she said. 'Maybe it's mothers instinct but us mum's are usually right so don't stop fighting to be seen.' Mrs Mcalister - who is married to Mark, 33, a cable joiner and electrician - has temporarily taken time off work to look after Kaiann. They are fundraising to 'take a bit off financial stress away from the family at this time'. Donate here. A mother was forced to have her eye removed to save her life after a rare tumour spread across her face. Toni Crews, 29, of Deal, Kent, began battling blurred vision and headaches in July 2016. She was later diagnosed with adenocarcinoma - a type of cancer that developed in the gland of her right eye - and told her only option was to have her eye removed. After enduring the surgery, Ms Crews was fitted with a false eye and slowly started to accept her new appearance. But things took a turn for the worse when the stay-at-home mother-of-two discovered the cancer had returned last November. Forced to have the new mass removed, Ms Crews - who is single - woke to 34 staples across her head, as well as a 12-inch scar. Far from the ordeal being over, she begins radiotherapy in a few weeks' time. Toni Crews was forced to have her eye removed to save her life after a rare tumour spread across her face. She is pictured left after the operation and right wearing an eye patch, which she customises to match her outfits. She was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in July 2016 Ms Crews is determined to keep fighting for her children Charlie seven, and Faith, six (all pictured). After having her right eye removed in September 2016, she discovered the cancer had returned in November 2018 and needed further surgery to combat a mass across her face Ms Crews was referred for a scan after a routine trip to the opticians revealed she had stripes at the back of her eye. Although the scan revealed a tumour, doctors told Ms Crews the growth was in her lacrimal gland, which secretes tears. This is rarely associated with cancer, with medics reassuring the mother there was just a 95 per cent chance the growth was benign. However, a biopsy soon revealed the tumour was malignant. 'I was shocked when scans revealed the cause of my blurred vision and headaches was due to a tumour behind my eye,' Ms Crews said. 'It was aggressive and chemo resistant - my only option was to have the eye removed.' Ms Crews had the drastic surgery in September 2016. 'The first time round, I was able to have a false eye, and was taught I knew it would mean having a false eye wouldn't be possible and my appearance would drastically change,' she said. 'But I knew I had to keep fighting for my kids, Charlie (seven), and Faith (six), as they needed me.' Pictured left before the surgery, Ms Crews was diagnosed following a check-up at the opticians, where they discovered 'stripes' behind her eye, with a biopsy then confirming it was cancer. She is pictured right in hospital after having her eye removed was her 'only option' Ms Crews' ordeal has inspired her son to become a doctor so he can help those in need WHAT IS ADENOCARCINOMA? Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that affects the mucus-secreting glands found throughout the body. It can occur anywhere in the body, with is prevalence varying depending on where it affects. The disease is most common in the: Lung - adenocarcinoma is the most common type of non-small cell lung cancer, which makes up 80 per cent of lung cancers Prostate - adenocarcinoma accounts for 99 per cent of all prostate cancers Pancreas Oesophagus - adenocarcinoma is the most common type Colorectal - adenocarcinoma accounts for 95 per cent of colon and rectal cancers Cervix - adenocarcinoma is responsible in more than one in 10 cases Adenocarcinoma affects around one in every 100 people diagnosed with cancer of the nose and nasal sinuses. Treatment varies on where the cancer grows in the body. It may include surgery to remove the cancerous tissue. Radiation and chemotherapy may also be used in combination with surgery. Source: Cancer Treatment Centers of America Advertisement The ordeal was far from over when Ms Crews discovered the tumour had returned in November 2018 and she needed to go under the knife again. 'I knew the cancer was back at the end of last year when I started to get pain in the back of my eye,' she said. 'After the new mass was removed, I woke up to 34 staples across my head, as well as stitches and I have a 12 inch scar,' she said. 'I now need radiotherapy treatment in a bid to save my life. I won't give up.' While she continues to fight the disease, Ms Crews has decided to 'own' her new look. 'I decided to own my scars as I was becoming self conscious of the staple scars across my head and after losing my eye,' she said. 'I thought "why should I hide them?" 'Everyone goes through things and this has made me strong. 'They're like a trophy - these are the war wounds of my battle.' Her ordeal has had an impact on all those around her and has even inspired her son to pursue a career in medicine. 'My son wants to be a doctor now, to help people like me and it makes me so proud that I've been able to inspire him on my journey,' Ms Crews said. 'I'm so grateful to the NHS - I'll fight this, and be closely monitored for the next ten years. 'But this has had a positive impact on me, I've created my own business and become strong.' Ms Crews even dresses up her eye patches and uses them as accessories. 'For the sake of my kids, I have remained confident, I even began creating eye patches, with crystals and ones that matched my outfit,' she said. Ms Crews has even created her own business creating eye patches for others. Pictured left with her children before she was diagnosed, Ms Crews never imagined her headaches and blurred vision would be due to cancer. After initially being self conscious of her new appearance, Ms Crews (pictured right after surgery) decided to 'own her war wounds' Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit accused Iran and Turkey of meddling in the Middle East conflicts. "We [together with the European Union] are sharing concerns over the ongoing military conflicts in Yemen, Libya and Syria as well as foreign interference in them, both Iranian and Turkish ones," he said on the sidelines of the first EU-Arab League summit in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh. Gheit pointed out that there is no military solution to the conflicts in Yemen, Libya and Syria as well as pointed out the need for preserving territorial integrity of these states, Sputnik reported. The EU-Arab League summit welcomes nearly 50 countries, with almost all of them represented at the highest level. The agenda of the meeting includes multilateralism, trade and investment, migration, security and the situation in the region. A former Amazon employee in Kentucky is suing the company, claiming he was not allowed to take bathroom breaks despite suffering from Crohn's disease, a severe inflammatory bowel condition. Nicholas Stover said the company was aware of his medical history when he was hired to work at the call center in Winchester in November 2016. However, he says he was not informed of their break or schedule policies until after he was hired. When he asked for more frequent bathroom breaks, he was either reprimanded and, in some cases, denied. Just a year later, in December 2017, Stover received an 'involuntary termination' letter. Amazon did not give a reason for him being fired, but he says a supervisor told him it was 'time theft' due to his unscheduled restroom breaks. Nicholas Stover, who has Crohn's disease, was fired from his job at an Amazon call center in Winchester, Kentucky (pictured), in December 2017 due to what a supervisor said was 'time theft' because of unscheduled restroom breaks Employees at the call center were given two 15-minute breaks and an hour for lunch, along with 20 minutes a week of personal time, according to the lawsuit. Despite requests, Stover's supervisors did not give him any options for unscheduled bathroom breaks and they did not offer to move his work station closer to a bathroom, the lawsuit says. His desk was a one- to two-minute walk to the bathroom. Crohn's disease is a chronic bowel disease that inflames the digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhea, fatigue, blood in the stool, and weight loss. The symptoms often occur without warning and requires sufferers to find the nearest restroom as soon as possible. Doctors are unsure of what causes Crohn's, but believe it may be hereditary or triggered in the immune system by a virus or bacterium, according to the Mayo Clinic. There is no known cure and treatment currently works to reduce inflammation. Sufferers may be prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs or immune system suppressors, which reduce inflammation but work by targeting the immune system. According to The Seattle Times, Amazon denied Stover's request for a change to his schedule - one day off every 56 days - so he could receive intravenous treatment for his condition. In the lawsuit, Stover claims his supervisor wrote to him that he was using 'too much personal time' and later told him he was engaging in 'time theft' due to his bathroom breaks. Stover and his attorneys say Amazon is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) because of its 'unyielding and inhuman policies regarding bathroom access'. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against those with disabilities in areas such as employment, state and local government, and transportation. An Amazon spokesman told the Associated Press that the company doesn't comment on pending lawsuits. Stover sad he lost his medical coverage after he was fired, meaning he could no longer get the medication he needed, and his health worsened. The suit, which was filed on February 15, seeks a minimum of $3 million in damages for lost past and future wages and a 'significant amplification of the symptoms' of Stover's disease. Last year, LinkedIn.com ranked Amazon at the top of its list of the best places to work in the US, and the company has about a half-million employees worldwide. However, this is not the first time Amazon has come under fire for its work condition. In the UK, in April 2017, an undercover reporter revealed workers were forced to pee in bottles or forego bathroom breaks due to fear of being reprimanded. Crispy potatoes and burnt toast could cause cancer and should be avoided, is what we have been told in recent years. But whether the claims were true left food-lovers confused and experts in fierce debate ever since. In the fourth series of BBC's Food: Truth or Scare, Gloria Hunniford and Chris Bavin aim to get to the bottom of the conflicting messages. Testing some of the nation's favourite foods in a lab setting, they found that some foods do contain high levels of acrylamide - formed when starchy foods are cooked for long periods at a high temperature. But for it to have any worrying effect - in line with animal studies on mice - you would need to eat 160 slices of burnt toast a day. In the second series of BBC's Food: Truth or Scare, Gloria Hunniford and Chris Bavin aim to get to the bottom of the conflicting messages, including whether burnt foods including toast and potatoes cause cancer due to a chemical called acrylamide Acrylamide is currently defined by the World Health Organization as 'probably carcinogenic to humans'. This means that, while no definitive proof has been found that acrylamide is carcinogenic, we should limit our intake as a precaution. An official warning from the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) that burnt toast and roast potatoes could cause cancer left people panic-stricken in January 2017. Their views left experts debating the truth, considering studies on the chemical have only been conducted on mice. In the BBC show shown this morning, Hunniford sends off her own roast potatoes to be tested in a lab, alongside burnt toast and meat. The findings are that acrylamide levels do rise dramatically the more food is cooked particularly in starchy foods such as bread and potatoes. Jonathan Griffin, lead scientist at Kent Scientific Services, revealed lightly toasted bread had levels of 72 micrograms of acrylamide per 2.2lbs (1kg) of food. Mr Griffin said lightly toasted bread is not high, and even medium toasted bread, where acrylamide levels had increased by 25 per cent or so to 93mg, were not of a concern. The burnt toast had 112mg, which is double the FSA benchmarl for wheat-based bread of 50 micrograms. Sausages, which are often burnt from a BBQ in the summer, contained 132mg. In general, meat is fine. But some cheaper cut processed meats will contain starchy cereal-based fillers which can cause acrylamide levels to rise. Normal potatoes dont contain worrying levels, Mr Griffin said. But the number accelerate very quickly the longer you cook them. The burnt roast potatoes contained a whopping 2,500mg, which Mr Griffin described as concerning. In the fourth series of BBC's Food: Truth or Scare, Gloria Hunniford and Chris Bavin aim to get to the bottom of the conflicting messages Sir David Spiegelhalter, a Cambridge University statistician, said you would need to eat 160 slices of toast to get to a dose that has shown to be dangerous in mice studies Sir David Spiegelhalter shows how much burnt toast is recommended by the FSA Sir David Spiegelhalter, a Cambridge University statistician, said even adults who consume the greatest amount of acrylamide are nowhere near risk. 'I dont believe acrylamide is causing measurable harm to people,' he said. 'Someone who eats a lot of acrylamide every day might eat one slice of burnt toast. 'But in order to get to a dose that might be dangerous for mice, they would have to have 160 slices of toast like this. The amount we would have to eat is incredibly high. 'What is dangerous are other aspects of our behaviours such as drinking, smoking and not exercising.' Also investigated on the programme was whether fresh fruit and vegetables are nutritionally better than tinned or frozen. Nearly 1,500 products come in cans, with favourites including beans, tuna and tomatoes. But despite being seen as the less beneficial counterpart, alongside frozen foods, the programmes research found some surprising results. Fresh raspberries and peas had lower levels in vitamin C compared to the frozen variety. Whereas carrots had barely any changes in vitamin levels whether frozen or fresh, but are higher than tinned. Often fresh produce has been transported long distances and left sitting around in warehouses and on supermarket shelves for long periods. By the time some foods, such as apples and potatoes, are on supermarket shelves, they may have been stored in low--oxygen fridges to halt the ripening process for up to a year in the cold - not quite as 'fresh' as we believe. Food: Truth or Scare is on BBC One every morning this week at 9.15am. Popular U.S. chain In-N-Out Burger has launched a Sydney pop up stall for one day only. Fans of the famous cheese fries and the iconic cheeseburgers can get their hands on a tasty meal at Wood and Smoke, 77 Stanley St in Darlinghurst from 11am on Tuesday. Hundreds of burger aficionados are spending their lunch hour in a queue stretching down the road, excited to get their hands on the famous burgers and fries. Scroll down for video Hundreds of burger aficionados are spending their lunch hour in a queue stretching down the road, excited to get their hands on the famous snacks Excited! The queue stretches right down Stanley Street in Darlinghurst (pictured) So what's on the menu at In-N-Out? Wood and Smoke posted an image of what their menu will be to Instagram: * Double-double cheeseburger $5 * Animal style fries $2 * Hamburger $3 * Cheeseburger $4 * Drink (Coke or Diet Coke) $1 * T-shirt $4 There will also be a $7, $6 and $5 meal deal for those wanting a burger and fries Advertisement In 2017, the Los Angeles-based chain set up a temporary a store at L'il Darlin, also in Darlinghurst. The year before, in 2016, they sold their burgers at Surry Hills' Dead Ringer. Last year In-N-Out suddenly appeared in Melbourne and the burgers sold-out within 30 minutes. Those pop ups sold double-double (double meat and double cheese) hamburgers, a chain speciality, as well as shakes and cheese fries - so burger fans can expect the same thing on the menu on Tuesday. But there will likely be a one-burger-per-person policy to avoid too many people missing out - and a wristband for each person entering the store. There will likely be a one-burger-per-person policy to avoid too many people missing out (pictured at the previous L'il Darlin pop up) The previous venues sold double-double hamburgers, a speciality at the store, shakes and cheese fries, so fans can only hope they'll replicate the menu today (pictured left at today's pop up and right from a previous pop up) Popular American food chain In-N-Out Burger has launched a Sydney pop up stall But as anyone who visited previous pop up stores will know, the burgers have cult-like status and there were queues forming well before 11am. They're expected to finish selling at 3pm - but it's unlikely the burgers will last that long. There is no word on whether any other Australian cities will be hosting burger pop-ups. Wood and Smoke is fielding dozens of fans who are leaving work for a spot in the line outside the establishment. An In-N-Out spokesperson told news.com.au the company had flown out a dozen staff members as well as their manager Eric to greet eager fans in the queue. Fans of the famous cheese fries and the iconic cheeseburgers can get their hands on a tasty treat at Wood and Smoke, 77 Stanley St in Darlinghurst from 11am on Tuesday Selma Blair has penned an emotional message about her first red carpet appearance since she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), after breaking down in tears while posing for photos at Vanity Fair's Oscars party on Sunday evening. The 46-year-old actress took to Instagram the day after the star-studded event to share a photo of her manager Troy Nankin holding her hand as she walked the red carpet with the help of a cane. 'There are moments that define us. This is one of those indelibly watermarked in my heart. This is #troynankin; my former publicist turned manager, best friend, and fake husband. We joke,' she began her post. Scroll down for video Support: Selma Blair, 46, shared a photo of her manager Troy Nankin holding her hand as she walked the red carpet with the help of a cane at the Vanity Fair Oscars party on Sunday Emotional: The actress broke down in tears at the event, which marked her first red carpet appearance since she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) 'I have become a different woman in the last few years, through struggles and the intense pride of motherhood. @vanityfair has always been a champion of mine, like Troy. And yet, I have not fully realized my capabilities as an actress.' Selma said she wanted to make an appearance at the red carpet event to remember the first time she attended the Vanity Fair Oscars party in 2000 with her 'not yet famous friend' Jake Gyllenhaal. 'I believed in him and his career and wanted him there,' she explained. 'And this dinner always symbolizes so much. And I kept going because it was always a night in Hollywood that was full of Hollywood dreams with all the talent present in their glory. I loved to watch.' The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story star, who appears in the March issue of Vanity Fair, explained she was invited to the magazine's annual Oscars party this year but was concerned about attending because she has been experiencing a flare-up of MS symptoms. Selma Blair's Instagram post in full There are moments that define us. This is one of those indelibly watermarked in my heart. This is Troy Nankin; my former publicist turned manager, best friend , and fake husband. We joke. I have become a different woman in the last few years, through struggles and the intense pride of motherhood. Vanity Fair has always been a champion of mine, like Troy. And yet, I have not fully realized my capabilities as an actress. I wanted to be at this red carpet to remember my first time attending with a not yet famous friend, Jake Gyllenhaal. I believed in him and his career and wanted him there. And I kept going because it was always a night in Hollywood that was full of Hollywood dreams with all the talent present in their glory. I loved to watch. I was invited this year. I am featured in March issue . Thank you @radhikajones @kristasmith @samiranasr #juliemiller @cassblackbird. So this was a streak of light. To say I am here. I am still in an exacerbation so there was some nervousness. I dont do anything the way I was once able. I will though. I can regain much. Mommas gotta work. And I will be able to do so much more on my own, But this man. Until that comes ...This man and a host of others light the way and hold the moon. @thetexastroya was a hero. Wanting me to shine brightly in a time that can be so challenging. He knew I wanted to be able to stand proudly as the woman I have become and hope to be. To be a part of something so special when my body wont move clearly yet. And then I felt the love from the photographers who have watched me goof around on red carpets since I was in my twenties. I felt the warmth of the bulbs. The strength of my gown. His attentive touch. And still I hoped my brain could send signals for the remainder of my time there. And I sobbed. And I appreciated every single second. Every surprising tear, he was there. As he has always been. And that is the reason I could. Thank you Troy. We got me just where I wanted to be. For a night. And I later pushed my way into a family photo with Diana Ross (omg) . So much to post but not before this one. True love. Right here. Forever. Advertisement 'So this was a streak of light. To say I am here. I am still in an exacerbation so there was some nervousness,' she wrote. 'I dont do anything the way I was once able. I will though. I can regain much. Momma's gotta work. And I will be able to do so much more on my own. 'But this man,' she said of Troy. 'Until that comes ... This man and a host of others light the way and hold the moon. '@thetexastroya was a hero. Wanting me to shine brightly in a time that can be so challenging. He knew I wanted to be able to stand proudly as the woman I have become and hope to be.' Selma looked stunning in a multi-colored dress by Ralph and Russo and a thick choker featuring an attached floor-length cape. She completed her ensemble with a large ring on her left finger and a black cane that she has been walking with since her MS diagnosis. Throwback: The actress said she wanted to make an appearance at the event to remember the first time she attended the Vanity Fair Oscars party with Jake Gyllenhaal in 2000 Beautiful: Selma looked stunning in a multi-colored dress by Ralph and Russo and a thick choker featuring an attached floor-length cape Memorable moment: In her post, Selma said she 'sobbed' and 'appreciated every single second' at the event At one point, she was overcome by emotion and broke down in tears, saying, 'It took so much to come out here,' as the crowd cheered her on. After wiping the tears away, she continued to walk the red carpet with the help of a cane before entering the party. The actress opened up about the emotional moment, writing: 'To be a part of something so special when my body wont move clearly yet. And then I felt the love from the photographers who have watched me goof around on red carpets since I was in my twenties. 'I felt the warmth of the bulbs. The strength of my gown. His attentive touch,' she continued. 'And still I hoped my brain could send signals for the remainder of my time there. And I sobbed. And I appreciated every single second. Every surprising tear, he was there. As he has always been. And that is the reason I could.' Look of love: Selma called her manager a 'hero' for being by her side, saying his support was the reason why she was able to attend the event Fun times: The actress joked that she later 'pushed' her way into a family photo with Diana Ross, her children Tracee Ellis Ross and Evan Ross, and her daughter-in-law Ashlee Simpson Selma ended her post by once again thanking Troy for being there for her when she needed him. 'We got me just where I wanted to be. For a night. And I later pushed my way into a family photo with @dianaross (omg),' she said. 'So much to post but not before this one. True love. Right here. Forever.' While enjoying the bash, she happily shared a photo of herself with Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes. 'I have arrived,' she began. '@shondarhimes @VanityFair Oscar dinner. Congratulations to all the amazing talent.' When she returned home after her night out, she took to Instagram Stories to make a plea for her 867,000 followers to support the Leuser Ecosystem in Indonesia. Mingling: Selma was seen catching up with Mindy Kaling, who attended the party with her former Office co-star B.J. Novak Selma and Shonda: Selma shared an Instagram photo of herself with Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes Custom: Ahead of the event, Selma revealed a 'monogram and a real pink diamond' were placed on her cane In the series of videos, she explained that her friend Pink nominated her to join designer Stella McCartney's #ThereSheGrows campaign by dedicating a tree to help save the endangered forest. Selma, who dedicated a tree to her seven-year-old son, Arthur, asked her friends Sarah Michelle Gellar and Kris Jenner to do the same while raising awareness for the Leuser Ecosystem. 'The Leuser Ecosystem is an endangered forest in Indonesia and it is home to the endangered Sumatran orangutan and it desperately needs our help and attention,' the actress explained. 'You can join with us by dedicating your own tree on Instagram and nominate your own friends with the hashtag #ThereSheGrows.' Ahead of her appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscars party, Selma posted an Instagram photo that showed some of the work that went into customizing her cane for the evening. Doing good: When she returned home after her night out, she took to Instagram Stories to make a plea for her 867,000 followers to support the Leuser Ecosystem in Indonesia Mother and son: Selma, who dedicated a tree to her seven-year-old son, Arthur, asked her friends Sarah Michelle Gellar and Kris Jenner to do the same Opening up: Selma revealed in October that she had been diagnosed with MS a few months before, after living with symptoms for years 'This is love. @tombachik customizing my cane with my monogram and a real pink diamond,' she began. 'How did I get so lucky? I wanted a special cane for #vanityfair dinner. So... @lyonhearted went out and found patent leather and @bic_owen and he stitched it on. 'Hours of love put in. And then #tombachik made it especially magical. I burst into tears. These gifts to get me through. #subtle #chic #love. I cant thank these three enough. There are angels.' Selma revealed in October that she had been diagnosed with MS a few months before, after living with symptoms for years. Her diagnosis has not stopped her from working, and she was recently cast in the upcoming Netflix series Another Life. She also has appeared in two movies that are in post-production, After with Meadow Williams and Jessica Beals and The Great Illusion with Ireland Baldwin. Sofia Richie may be on her way to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show some time in the future. Though the casting process for the annual lingerie spectacular is famously exclusive, the 20-year-old managed to nab a sponsorship with the brand a prime stepping stone to stepping on that runway. On Sunday night, Sofia shared her first sponsored post for Victoria's Secret, modeling the brand's lingerie in a very sexy shot on Instagram. Audition time? Sofia Richie posted a sexy lingerie snap on Instagram on Sunday Getting paid: She tagged it with the hashtag 'ad' to denote a sponsored post for the brand Up next? The post could mean the 20-year-old has a shot at walking the runway for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show this year (pictured with boyfriend Scott Disick) The photo appears to have been taken in a large empty bathrub. Sofia lays on her back, wearing nothing but a pair of dark, high-waisted undies and a matching push-up bra, with an open shawl over her shoulders. She's also rocking a bit of jewelry: a delicate cross necklaces and two beaded bracelets on her left wrist. Though Sofia's never officially posed in an underwear campaign before, it appears she's practiced a bit. In the shot, she poses languorously with one arm over her head and the other on her shoulder, arching her back to make her chest stick out. 'Pre Oscars vibe in @victoriassecret #ad' she captioned the image. Used to it: She is certainly comfortable posing in underwear and skimpy outfits Showing off: The young model also shares plenty of bikini pictures on social media Stripping down: Though she's yet to book a campaign or runway show for VS, she has walked for high fashion brands like Jeremy Scott, Philipp Plein, Dolce & Gabbana, and Chanel Sofia may be hoping to score an audition for this year's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which isn't happening until November. The star-studded catwalk would be a big break for her, and she'd get to join Kendall Jenner her boyfriend Scott Disick's ex-girlfriend Kourtney Kardashian's younger sister. Not to mention, the rest of the Kardashian-Jenner clan did their own Victoria's Secret Angels-inspired shoot last year, dressing up in lingerie looks. The costumes which they wore for Halloween included different bras and undies, and Kim, Kourtney, Khloe, Kendall, and Kylie all wore white feathery wings gifted to them by Victoria's Secret for the occasion. They also all posed together in a series of very sexy shots. Like them: In October, Kourtney, Kim, Kylie, Kendall, and Khloe dressed up as Victoria's Secret Angels for Halloween Sexy: They each wore white lingerie and sexy stilettos for the occasion Thanks! Victoria's Secret generously gifted them the white wings they wore Sofia, thought, has already walked for Jeremy Scott, Philipp Plein, Dolce & Gabbana, and Chanel. Recently, she compared the audition process for Chanel like the one for Victoria's Secret. 'I think I almost fainted when I went to the fitting it literally looked like I was walking into a Victorias Secret casting. No one said a word to me, I just stood in a line and watched all these girls come out and they all looked terrified,' she told Grazia. Casting for the big show is known to be quite tough in fact, Bella Hadid didn't make the cut the first time she auditioned. Aspiring: She may be hoping to walk the runway like her boyfriend Scott Disick's ex-girlfriend Kourtney Kardashian's sister, Kendall Jenner A pro: Kendall, 23, has already walked for the show multiple times According to Insider, in past years casting directors have given each model the same black bra and matching underwear to audition in. Hundreds of beautiful women audition, and are narrowed down not just by looks but also whether or not they have the 'It' factor. Last year, Winnie Harlow admitted to freaking out just before her audition. 'I had a break down before i walked into the most nerve wrecking casting of my life,' she wrote on Instagram. 'I asked my driver to go around the block twice before i could walk into the @VictoriasSecret offices so i could re coup, and remember (while my trainer @bodybymato reminded me on the phone through sobs - thank you lol) how hard Ive been working!' The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are heading back to London tomorrow as their action-packed Morocco tour comes to an end. But amid the roster of high-profile engagements, it was the country's British Ambassador who stole the show with his tongue-in-cheek musings on the visit via social media. Thomas Reilly, who has around 1,700 followers on Instagram and is also active on Twitter, has been keeping fans up-to-date with his daily wardrobe dilemmas, including which pair of novelty Union Jack socks to wear. Mr. Reilly was the first to welcome Harry and Meghan to the north African country on Saturday evening as they stepped off the plane at Casablanca airport. Scroll down for video British Ambassador to Morocco Thomas Reilly, pictured, who has around 1,700 followers on Instagram, has been keeping fans up-to-date with his daily wardrobe dilemmas In this Instagram pic showing his extensive haul of patriotic socks, Mr. Reilly wrote: 'Arghhhhhh.... the agony of choice! Which #chaussettes [socks]?' Mr. Reilly, far right, was the first to welcome Harry and Meghan, left, to the north African country on Saturday evening as they stepped off the plane at Casablanca airport He also joined the royal couple in Asni on Sunday where they visited a boarding house for young girls and an investiture ceremony for British philanthropist Michael McHugo. Before the day got underway, he shared a picture of his extensive sock collection, writing: 'Oh dear, Les #Chausettes [the socks] have come to blows over who will be chosen today for the first full day of the #RoyalVisitMorocco. It's going to take me ages to restore peace and calm!' In another pic showing his extensive haul of patriotic socks, he wrote: 'Arghhhhhh.... the agony of choice! Which #chaussettes [socks]?' It wasn't just his footwear that was causing consternation, however; the dignitary also struggled to pick a suit for last night's reception. On Sunday evening, Mr. Reilly hosted Harry and Meghan at his official residence in the capital of Rabat, alongside 130 influential Moroccans. The dignitary also struggled to pick a suit for last night's reception, joking that his blazers were 'having a fight on the floor over who would go out to the reception' The ambassador couldn't resist sharing a snap of the party preparations inside his sprawling home ahead of their arrival, writing: 'La Residence est prete pour la reception' Mr. Reilly appears to own countless pairs of Union Jack socks and has been keeping his fans up to date with the daily struggle to choose the perfect pair for his royal engagements 'The winning socks!' Writing in French, Mr. Reilly said these bright red and blue socks were 'really happy to have been chosen' on Sunday and would be 'on their best behaviour' Mr. Reilly shows off one of his countess pairs of patriotic socks. It wasn't just his footwear that was causing consternation, however; he also struggled to pick a suit for last night's reception And the ambassador couldn't resist sharing a snap of the party preparations inside his palatial home ahead of their arrival, writing: 'La Residence est prete pour la reception [the Residence is ready for the reception]. 'I love the sense of anticipation and excitement that builds before a party. Bring it on!' Speaking ahead of the royal couple's arrival in Morocco, Mr. Reilly said: 'It's hugely exciting to have Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Sussex here for the next few days and I'm really excited to showcase the vital roles that girls' education and youth employment are playing in shaping modern Morocco. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (pictured in Rabat on Monday) are heading back to London this afternoon as their action-packed Morocco tour comes to an end Mr. Reilly joined the royal couple in Asni on Sunday, pictured, where they visited a boarding house for young girls and an investiture ceremony for British philanthropist Michael McHugo 'When we began planning for this visit, I had a very clear view in my mind of the story we wanted this visit to tell. It's the same story we've been telling consistently at this embassy for the last 20 months since my arrival here. 'This official visit by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will highlight Morocco's focus on women's empowerment, girls' education, inclusivity and the encouragement of social entrepreneurship. 'From a girls' education project in the High Atlas Mountains, to programmes working with children with disabilities and young people with mental health challenges, to meeting with young social entrepreneurs, their royal highnesses will be shown first-hand the transformational impact of community-based programmes and Morocco's changing social attitudes towards women.' Advertisement A mother-of-two documented her baby's first year of life by photographing him beside slices of pizza each month. Danielle Leigh Giannandrea, a wedding and family photographer from Frederick, Maryland, snapped a series of photos that show her baby, Lorenzo, lying on one side of an open pizza box with pizza slices that document his age, on the other side. The 34-year-old mother was keen to document her son's age in photos, and decided to do 'something Italian' in order to pay tribute to his name. Adorable! Danielle Leigh Giannandrea, 34, decided to document her son Lorenzo's first year of monthly milestones using pizza slices to show his age Cute! The adorable series of photos begins with Lorenzo (pictured) posing beside just one slice of pizza as he lies on one side of a pizza box Gorgeous: For each month that Lorenzo grew older, Danielle placed more slices into a pizza box, showing that he was growing older Pizza baby! The idea was decided upon by Danielle who, after speaking with her own mother, decided that she should pick an Italian theme to go with Lorenzo's Italian name Say cheese! The cute photos see Lorenzo forming from a tiny baby into an adorable toddler, as his hair turns blonde and his face begins to show more expression The adorable pictures show the baby on one side of a pizza box with pizza slices on the other side. As Lorenzo grows in size the pizza slices also grow in number until they form a full pizza when Lorenzo turned one. Family fun: The mother-of-two said she had help from her husband, Frank (pictured) and three-year-old son, Charlie (pictured left) for each photo shoot Other cute images show Lorenzo enjoying a huge birthday cake and posing with his mom, dad Frank and three-year-old brother Charlie. Danielle said that she was keen to do a monthly milestone photo project for her second son. After talking with her mother, the Maryland-native the pair decided to do something with an Italian theme. Danielle said: 'I knew I wanted to do a monthly milestone photo project for my second son. 'I sort of abandoned the project with my older son that we had started - it was him in a vintage suitcase, we used to travel all the time, so the travel theme came naturally - and I had some mom guilt over not following through. 'When brainstorming with my mom, Lorenzo's Granny, she said that I really should do something Italian as an ode to his name. 'I had tossed around a few ideas but ultimately decided if we were going to do this right, we may as well also get dinner out of it each month, so pizza was what we decided on. 'What you see in these images is a monthly progression of my son Lorenzo from one month old - still a squishy, little newborn - to 12 months -a nearly 20lb baby who wants to be done with this photo project so badly. Getting older: Danielle explained that during each shoot, she would place Lorenzo on the pizza box, before climbing up onto a step ladder to get a perfect bird's eye shot Distracted: While Danielle got into position to take the photos, Frank and Charlie would jump around and try to entertain Lorenzo Happy! The 34-year-old photographer said one of the biggest challenges with the photo shoots was trying to stop Lorenzo from crawling away from the pizza Charming: Danielle said that they asked their local pizza shop for a new pizza box every three months, and that the shop gladly obliged Precious: One benefit of choosing the pizza-theme for the shoot, according to the mother-of-two, was that the family got to eat pizza for dinner once a month Celebration: Danielle said each photo shoot took less than three minutes, because 'that is the attention span of a kid next to pizza', she said 'He is laying on one side of an open pizza box with slices of pizza next to him based on his age in months he was at the time. 'One slice for one month, two slices for two months, and so on from there,' she added. Danielle, who runs Dani Leigh Photography, explained how she managed to take the heart-warming photographs and the problems she ran into along the way. She explained: 'We did all of these photos in my kitchen, we would lay out a few yards of white seamless paper after picking up our pizza from our local pizza place, and basically mutilating it with a steak knife because no one cuts a pizza into 12 slices and our pizza cutter is terrible and could hardly ever get the job done. 'We would place the pizza box on the floor - we actually got a new pizza box from the pizza place every three months. 'I'm sure they thought we were crazy, but they obliged,' she said. Danielle added that she would place Lorenzo on top of the left side of the open box, while she climbed to the top of a step ladder. Meanwhile, Frank and the couple's youngest son would jump around and act 'super goofy' in order to get Lorenzo to smile and laugh. However, it wasn't all easy. Danielle explained that she ran into a few minor issues in the process of taking the photos. Special day: When Lorenzo turned one, Danielle organized a special shoot that saw him tucking into a colorful birthday cake Special: The creative mother and photographer told the Today show that she is currently working on a photo project for each of her children, which will be unveiled when they turn 18 She said: 'There were definitely some problems to overcome during the shoot. Mainly, that the older he got, the harder it was to keep him in one spot. 'These shoots all took less than three minutes of actual shooting time because that is the attention span of a kid next to pizza. 'We also have lighting issues - we had a rule that it had to be within a few days of the tenth - either before or after and since we were doing these all in natural light, we had to find the best day for it. 'Sometimes we had cloudy days endlessly and I thought those photos would be doomed and not look cohesive when I put them all together,' she added. Danielle told the Today show that she felt guilty when she started a photo project for her now three-year-old son Charlie. She explained: 'I had mom regret over not finishing Charlies project, so when we named my son Lorenzo, my mom said we had to do something for his monthly milestones related to his Italian name.' The mother-of-two added that she is secretly working on a photo project for each of her children, both of which will be unveiled when the kids turn 18. Emma Stone looked glowing last night as she walked down the red carpet at the Oscars, and now her makeup artist has revealed how she kept her face looking perfect all night long. Rachel Goodwin, who also works with celebrities such as Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz, revealed her handy trick for helping her famous clients easily touch up their makeup during big events. She told Vogue 'I give my clients Q-tips (cotton buds) dipped in a little foundation and wrapped in tissue to put in their bags, just in case they need to do any touch-ups, or if the lipstick has moved or something. It's like my version of a magic eraser.' Rachel added that rather most people assume a long-lasting look means lots of makeup, but that she tries to use as little as possible and then uses powder at the center of the face. Emma Stone looked stunning last night as she walked down the red carpet at the Oscars, and now her makeup artist has revealed how she kept her face looking perfect all night long Emma paired her Louis Vuitton gold and brown gown with a copper eye, a soft highlighted face and glossed lips Last night, best supporting actress nominee Emma, 30, paired her Louis Vuitton gold and brown gown with a copper eye, a softly highlighted face and glossy lips. 'I did a really deep copper look on her eyes, and I kept it really graphic sort of clean and simple,' Rachel explained to Allure, adding that she used the Sisley Paris Phyto-Eye Twist ($50/34) in two colors on both the lid and the waterline, before blending it out with the brand's Phyto-Kohl Star Waterproof Eyeliner ($55/37). To add all the more intensity to the copper color, Rachel finished the eye look with the Phyto-Ombre Glow ($54/36) in a shimmering golden color as the final touch to the eye look. The makeup pro went on to explain that she kept the rest of the face almost entirely free from color, noting that everything else was 'very neutral', save for the 'gold flecks' in her pale pink lip color, and the 'soft peach' shade used on her cheeks - the Phyto-Blush Eclat ($88/57). 'I wanted to keep it fresh and cool,' Rachel said. 'Its a fun night. I wanted her to be able to enjoy the champagne, enjoy the celebration with her friends, and not be thinking about a lip all evening.' That same natural approach also applied when it came to Emma's complexion, which Rachel said was given just a hint of foundation so as not to cover up the actress's freckles. Selfie! Rachel and Emma both apply a statement lipstick for a picture together on the way to an event Rachel Goodwin (left) making up Emma Stone for her premiere of the film MANIAC in New York Using a $130 (88) cushion foundation from Sisley Paris, Rachel then chose to rely on a primer - instead of a highlighter - in order to give Emma's skin some added radiance, crediting the Instant Eclat ($90/62) with creating a beautiful 'dewiness' on the skin. Makeup artist Rachel has been working with Emma for years and is responsible for her looks including her full red lip at the SAG awards and her natural look at the Golden Globes this year. Rachel also works with other actresses including Julia Roberts, Alicia Vikander and Mad Men's January Jones. She regularly shares selfies of her with Emma, while her Instagram also shows her making up the star and working on cover shoots with celebrities such as Cameron Diaz. Meanwhile, Emma's hair was coiffed into an incredibly chic low bun by hairstylist Mara Roszak, who explained that the look was all about allowing the star's dazzling Louis Vuitton dress to take center stage. 'Emmas Louis Vuitton dress is so striking with these strong elements, and I really didnt want to compete with that,' Mara said. 'Its elegant, sleek and high-shine, and I wanted the hair to match.' Unlucky: Stone, 30, missed out on the Best Supporting Actress award for her role as Baroness Masham in historical black comedy The Favourite, a category won by Regina King Delight: Emma Stone's hugely supportive reaction after The Favourite co-star Olivia Colman was named Best Actress at the 91st annual Academy Awards warmed hearts on Sunday evening The hairstylist used products from Leonor Greyl in order to ensure a sleek and chic style, revealing that she used the Condition Naturelle ($38/23) on the roots to 'add volume and a bit of hold', before using the Serum de Soie Sublimateur ($46/27) to smooth the ends and add shine. Her favorite product pick of the evening however was the Eclat Naturel ($46/27), a nourishing styling cream that Mara admits she wishes ''came in a tub that's the size of a person because I'm constantly using it'. Oscar nominee Emma missed out on the Best Supporting Actress award for her role as Baroness Masham in historical black comedy The Favourite, a category won by Regina King for her starring role in If Beale Street Could Talk. But her disappointment didnt dampen her very obvious delight as Colman, 45, claimed one of the nights most coveted prizes for her portrayal of introverted, unwell Queen Anne of Great Britain. Evidently speechless on Olivia's behalf, she was seen joining her stunned co-star's husband Ed Sinclair in showering her with kisses as she prepared to accept her award. As the British actress rose from her seat to a unanimous round of applause, an incredulous Stone grabbed her arm to congratulate her one more time before sinking to her knees. Rachel also works with other actresses including Julia Roberts, Alicia Vikander and Mad Men's January Jones. Pictured Rachel (left) with Julia Roberts at the Late Late show Tidying expert Marie Kondo was the surprise style star of the 2019 Oscars when she brought a very welcome spark of joy to the red carpet by stepped out at the glittering event in an equally dazzling Jenny Packham gown. The 34-year-old, whose star has skyrocketed since the release of her Netflix series at the start of this year, looked every inch the A-list celebrity as she made an appearance at the 91st Academy Awards, showcasing her slender figure in the beaded floor-length gown. Marie, who is from Tokyo, Japan, was accompanied on the red carpet by her husband of seven years, Takumi Kawahara, who looked just as dapper in a classic black tuxedo. Sparking joy: Tidying expert Marie Kondo made a surprise appearance at the 2019 Oscars Dazzling: The 34-year-old, who is from Tokyo, looked every inch the A-list star in her floor-length Jenny Packham gown Say cheese! Marie, who first rose to fame in 2011 with the publication of her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, looked thrilled to be in attendance at the Oscars Romance: The mother-of-two was joined on the red carpet by her husband of seven years, Takumi Kawahara, who looked dapper in a classic black tuxedo The tidying expert, who first rose to global popularity with the publication of her 2011 book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, looked thrilled to be at the star-studded event, and was pictured smiling widely for the cameras as she took her place on the red carpet. Marie also couldn't resist waving to the photographers - and perhaps a few onlookers - at times holding up two hands to wave at as many people around her. For some of her red carpet appearance, the mother-of-two had a fairly stunned expression on her face, her mouth wide open in surprise as she took in the incredible scenes around her. Ever keen to streamline and rid herself of items that do not 'spark joy' - one of the key principals of her phenomenally popular KonMari tidying method - Marie chose to go without a handbag on the red carpet, and she kept her accessories to a minimum. However, her dazzling Jenny Packham featured more than enough bling to help her stand out against the crowds as she made her way down the red carpet and into the awards show. The Netflix star's chic floor-length dress - which is worth a staggering $6,475 - featured short lace sleeves, a lacy skirt, and a gathered waistline that helped to accentuate Marie's trim figure. But the piece de resistance on the gown was the dazzling pink sequin flower embellishments that were dotted across the design from top to bottom, adding some glitz and glamour to her overall look. Marie also kept her makeup to a minimum, allowing her incredible complexion to shine through with just a light base layer, and some peachy pink blush. Happy! Marie couldn't resist waving at the photographers, at time holding up both hands in an elated gesture Leading by example: Ever determined to only keep items that spark joy in her life, Marie chose to go without a handbag, and she wore minimal accessories to the event Flawless: The decluttering pro showed off a flawless complexion on the red carpet, with just a hint of blush to accentuate her natural glow A-lister: Since the debut of her Netflix series Tidying Up With Marie Kondo at the start of this year, the tidying expert has seen her star skyrocket Earlier this month, the tidying expert's makeup artist shared the secrets behind Marie's flawless skin, explaining that she uses the Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Oil to remove her cosmetics and cleanse her skin, before following up with the THREE Balancing Emulsion to moisturize the skin. The final steps include a spray of rose water, and a dab of the Herbivore Coco Rose Lip Conditioner. The Los Angeles based expert told The Cut: 'In make-up, Japanese beauty emphasizes translucent-looking skin. This can only be achieved by staying away from the sun and following a daily routine of applying a toner and lotion at the end of the day. The 'six basic rules of tidying' according to Marie Kondo Commit yourself to tidying up Imagine your ideal lifestyle Finish discarding first Tidy by category, not location Follow the right order Ask yourself it it sparks joy Advertisement 'Marie religiously practices this basic approach to skin care every day and thats why she maintains such beautiful skin.' The KonMari creator's effortless natural glow was clear for all to see as she made her red carpet appearance at what is thought to be her first ever Oscars - a major event that comes just a few months after her Netflix series, Tidying Up With Marie Kondo, premiered, causing the Tokyo native to skyrocket to global fame. Marie's show sees her visiting different American families in order to help them declutter their homes - and their lives - using her incredibly popular tidying method. Following the premiere of the show on January 1, hundreds of social media users began sharing before and after images of their own tidying efforts, with people very quickly putting Marie's KonMari Method to use in their own homes. According to the KonMari Method website, the six 'basic rules' of tidying begin with a commitment to tidying up, and end with deciding whether or not an item 'sparks joy'. If the answer is no, you have to rid yourself of it once and for all - thereby clearing space for the things that help to add happiness to your life. Monica Lewisnky looked almost every inch the glamorous celebrity at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party - save for her rather unkempt hair that was piled into a messy half-up 'do that was very much at odds with her otherwise chic ensemble. The 45-year-old, who has kept a fairly low profile since speaking out about her affair with then-President Bill Clinton for a documentary series at the end of last year, was beaming from ear-to-ear as she posed for the cameras at the glamorous event on Sunday night, which was held in conjunction with the glittering award ceremony. Monica, who has been a regular guest at the star-studded party for the past few years, arrived at the party in a simple, but chic, one-shoulder dress that had a mullet-style hem and layered ruffles along the bottom. Shining moment: Monica Lewinsky made a stylish appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party in Beverly Hills on Sunday evening Glamorous: The 45-year-old, who famously had an affair with Bill Clinton when he was president and she was a White House intern, wore a chic black dress for the soiree No time for a brush? Monica looked incredibly glamorous for the most part, but she appeared to have run out of prep time before she was able to comb through her locks She then paired the elegant number with a pair of glittering metallic pumps, diamond-encrusted hoop earrings, and a simple black box clutch. But while her ensemble was incredibly put together, Monica's hair made it look as though she had just clambered out of bed and made her way straight to the event without so much as running a comb through her tresses. Monica appears to have spent a bit more time on her makeup look for the evening, modeling dark eyeliner, long lashes, rosy blusher, and a shiny peach lipstick. The former White House intern, who has spent the last few years campaigning against online bullying, looked delighted to be in attendance at the soiree, and couldn't seem to wipe the smile from her face the entire time she stood in front of the cameras. It is one of only a few public appearances that Monica has made since the end of last year, when she shared intimate new details about her affair with Clinton, which began in 1995, and would continue for almost two years after that, before their relationship was thrust into the public eye. In The Clinton Affair, a docuseries that premiered on A&E, Monica opened up about her first kiss with the then-president, admitting that she exposed her thong to Clinton in order to get his attention, shortly before they shared their first intimate moment. Messy hair, don't care: Monica modeled a rather unkempt half-up do, which was somewhat at odds with her otherwise very glamorous look Connections: The former White House intern was named as a contributing editor for Vanity Fair in 2014 after writing an essay for the magazine about her affair with Clinton Opening up: Monica recently spoke out about the affair in a new docuseries, revealing intimate details about their first kiss and how their relationship began Back in the day: Monica (pictured with Clinton in 1997) sat down for several interviews for the A&E docuseries The Clinton Affair in which she opened up about their romance ' I don't talk about this very often and I still don't feel comfortable talking about it. It's one of those things where it's not as if it didn't register with me that he was the president. Obviously it did,' Lewinsky explained in the show. 'But I think in one way the moment we were actually in the back office for the first time the truth is I think it meant more to me the someone who other people desired, desired me.' 'However wrong it was, however misguided, for who I was at that time, at 22 years old, it was how I felt.' After the documentary series debuted, Monica made just a few public appearances towards the end of the year, and has maintained a relatively low profile throughout the start of 2019. However Monica has been a regular fixture at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party for at least the last four years, and never fails to take her turn on the red carpet at the event. And while some might not see an immediate connection between Monica and the glittering Hollywood affair, she was actually named as a contributing editor for the publication back in 2014, after penning an essay for Vanity Fair about her affair with Clinton, and the subsequent scrutiny and public criticism she then faced. The story, titled Shame and Survival, later became a contender in the National Magazine Awards. A favorable atmosphere has been formed in Azerbaijan for all peoples who have lived on this Earth for many years in peace, mutual respect and friendship. One of these is the Jewish people, who have lived side by side with the Azerbaijanis for more than 2,500 years, Jerusalem Post writes in an article "World's first museam of Mountain Jews to open in Azerbaijan". Representatives of three Jewish communities live in Azerbaijan: Mountain Jews (concentrated mainly in the village of Krasnaya Sloboda in the Guba region); European Jews or Ashkenazi (in Baku and Sumgait); and Georgian Jews, living mainly in Baku. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Mountain Jews became the dominant group of the Jewish population. Since ancient times, Jews have always been surrounded by the love, care and friendship of Azerbaijanis while in other countries, Jews were subjected to discrimination and persecution. In Azerbaijan, by contrast, the state provided Jews with all-around support. After national leader Heydar Aliyev came to power in the 1990s, Jews also started to receive the full support of the state. Today, Jews feel this support under the authority of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The construction of a synagogue for the community of Mountain Jews in March 2011 is a good example. I think it is needless to say that with Jewish schools operating in Baku and Guba, all the necessary conditions for self-realization have been created. Jews have been successfully integrated into the countrys public and political life, along with other segments of social life. To get a clearer picture of how Jewish citizens of Azerbaijan are surrounded by care and love, and live in peace and harmony, it is enough to go to the village of Krasnaya Sloboda in the Guba region of Azerbaijan. There, the architectural basis of the village is made up of synagogue buildings. Krasnaya Sloboda is a modern settlement consisting mainly of stylish two- and three-story cottages, shops and households among clean and tidy streets. But in order to fully restore the picture of the distant past, a museum was needed. Steps have already been taken in this direction. Soon, a museum of Mountain Jews will appear on the site of the old Karkhogi Synagogue in the village. The museum will be created on the initiative of a Russian businessmen from Krasnaya Sloboda, Qod Nisanov, Zarakh Iliev, and German Zakharyaev. Construction of the museum is intensive. In Soviet times, there was a warehouse of agricultural products in the old synagogue, where the museum is currently located. After the collapse of the USSR, the synagogue building was abandoned. The creation of the museum will also contribute to the restoration of the house of prayer. A conference room, a small library and a reserve section of the museum will be created in the basement. The synagogue building is in the shape of a square. It was decided to create two tiers to accommodate as many exhibits as possible. The height of the room is more than five meters. The idea of creating a museum in the synagogue building implied that the number-one exhibit would be the old synagogue building itself. Visitors could see how the synagogue looked before, and what kind of synagogue there once was in Azerbaijan. The purpose of creating the museum is not only to preserve the heritage of the community of Mountain Jews in Krasnaya Sloboda, but of the entire Jewish community in Azerbaijan. The museum collects exhibits from throughout the Caucasus, especially dictionaries. It was proposed to create in the museum the worlds largest library in the Dzhuri language, which should spur linguistic studies of this unique dialect that is spoken by no more than 100,000 people worldwide. In the last days of 2018, the village of Krasnaya Sloboda was visited by the Israeli playwright and brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Iddo Netanyahu. He said that he was struck by how anxiously and with what care Azerbaijanis relate to the heritage of the Mountain Jews. He particularly emphasized his satisfaction with the fact that in Azerbaijan, there is such an understanding, as well as friendship between Azerbaijanis and Mountain Jews. During his visit, Iddo Netanyahu also visited two local synagogues. Currently, the village of Krasnaya Sloboda is a place visited by tourists from Israel, the United States, Russia and many other countries. Interest of tourists in the village is growing from year to year. The Museum of Mountain Jews will be a catalyst for attracting more tourists to Krasnaya Sloboda. If some Jewish tourists visit the village in order to see a mini-Jerusalem, then from now on, the Jewish guests of our country will have an additional incentive to visit. After all, a museum will be created there, completely dedicated to life, culture, customs and traditions and the history of the settlement and life of Mountain Jews in Azerbaijan. Travellers looking to escape the Australian winter for a tropical getaway can get their hands on flights and accommodations for a fraction of the price. With Click Frenzy's biggest travel sale set to launch online on Tuesday, February 26 at 7pm for 29 hours, a host of companies have put their best deals forward to take you to the Maldives, Vietnam, China, Sri Lanka, Bali and Paris. Eager shoppers can expect big savings on airfares, holiday packages, accommodation, cruises, exotic tours, travel essentials, private villas in tropical locations, and more. Webjet, Flight Centre, Air New Zealand, Qatar Airways, STA Travel, Hilton, Mantra, Luxury Escapes and Intrepid Travel are among the big brands participating in the bargain bonanza. 'February is also widely recognised as the most popular time to book a holiday with flight bookings open for the Christmas period, so it's the perfect time for a sale,' managing director of Click Frenzy Grant Arnott said. Travellers looking to escape the Australian winter for a tropical getaway can get their hands on flights and accommodations for a fraction of the price (stock image) Webjet will offer exclusive deals including a 10-day China tour and flights from $699, and a 10-day Singapore and Maldive package from $2,999 including flights. Travellers can get up to 75 per cent off holiday packages from Luxury Escapes, which includes 63 per cent off a five-night Maldives holiday. Intrepid Travel will slash up to 35 per cent off select trips at multiple destinations include Galapagos Islands, North Vietnam and Northern Territory - while Xiamen Air will launch a 20 per cent off international flights. Holidaymakers looking to escape Australia's cooler weather can snap up to 64 per cent off deals from Flight Centre, including a five-night Bali getaway with flights from $1,199. You can also find up to 78 per cent off accommodation packages from The Bali Bible, including a five-star Bali resort stay at tropical Equilibria Seminyak. Those looking to travel to France can get their hands on Paris return flights from $955 via Trip.com - while Accor Hotels Apartments & Leases is set to slash up to 50 per cent off holiday packages. Holidaymakers looking to escape Australia's cooler weather can snap up to 64 per cent off deals from Flight Centre, including five-night Bali getaway with flights from $1,199 (file image) 'The popularity for our travel sales continue to increase each year and we're expecting a staggering 1.2 million visitors during the bonanza,' Mr Arnott said. 'We have a variety of renowned international and local brands participating, with the majority of the deals exclusive to our sale.' For insider tips, Webjet Exclusive general manager Brendan Sawyers offered his advice for shoppers wanting to take advantage of the mega sale. 'Some deals tend to offer greater discounts by travelling in shoulder and low seasons away from school holiday periods where hoteliers become somewhat more reliant on value to drive bookings,' he said. 'For example, the tropics are frequently on sale during wet seasons so if you can stand some humidity and a tropical shower or two then it's great value, but you just need to think about what experience you want and what's worth your dollars.' Webjet will offer cheap deals including a 10-day China tour and flights from $699 (file image) He encouraged shoppers to know how much money they are willing to spend and try working their budget back to a cost-per-day before diving in Click Frenzy. 'Also, consider what payment options are available. For most Webjet Exclusives' tours, you just need to pay a low deposit to confirm your spot so you can snatch a great bargain today and finalise payments at a later date.' Mr Sawyers said flights to destinations such as Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam will have the biggest sales. 'The biggest sales are usually seen in destinations that have increased competition,' he explained. 'Also, destinations that rely on Australian tourism like Bali are likely to have great deals to keep the regular year-round flow of Aussies.' This year's event will be the first to extend beyond the typical 24 hours - running from 7pm Tuesday, February 26 (AEDT) to midnight Wednesday, February 27. Advertisement It wouldn't be an award show if the red carpet wasn't littered with a host of stunning gowns and dapper suits - and of course the very worst in horrendous fashion flops. And the stars arriving at this year's Academy Awards certainly didn't disappoint when it came to both the style highs and lows, with an impressive number of attendees making disastrous fashion faux pas. From ridiculously-large bow embellishments to a seemingly never-ending number of trashy waist-high slits, there were no shortage of sartorial nightmares to balance out the fashion dreams on the carpet at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. Goodness: Rachel Weisz led the worst-dressed stars at the 2019 Oscars, wearing a bizarre red dress that featured a rubber top, and a very unflattering waistline Accessories: The 48-year-old, who is nominated for The Favourite, also added a tacky hairpiece to her look Puffed up: Sarah Paulson made a very rare red carpet faux pas in her cut-out pink dress, which seemed to have a strange string tied around the mid section Over-the-top: The 44-year-old often tops the best-dressed lists at award shows, but on this occasion suffered a rare fashion flop in her vibrant pink gown Not the one: British actress Olivia Colman wore a rather unflattering dark green dress with a bizarre beaded tulle over layer that featured sleeves and a long train Even from the back... The dress did little to impress thanks to the tacky-looking bow that spanned across Olivia's shoulders It was not the best night for The Favourite - fashion-wise at least - with both Rachel Weisz and Olivia Colman landing themselves on the worst-dressed list thanks to their very peculiar choice of ensembles. Rachel, 48, who is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the movie, which is also up for the Big Picture award, donned an incredibly quirky red dress that came complete with glittering floral embellishments - and what appeared to be a T-shirt made out of rubber. Her hair was then pulled back with a rather tacky-looking crystal headband that only served to add a rather low-res look to the overall ensemble. Landing a spot on the worst-dressed list beside her was her Favourite co-star Olivia, 45, who wore what might have been a tasteful forest-green gown had it not been for the supremely tacky tulle and crystal overlay that she donned on top of it. The tulle piece featured sleeves, a long train, and a huge bow on her back, making it look as though Olivia had been attacked in the gift wrap section of a department store before making her way to the ceremony. Pink proved to be a rather unlucky color for the stars at this year's Oscars - with several of the stars who wore the hue ending up on the worst-dressed list. Poofy in pink: While large pink gowns seemed to be one of the most popular trends on the red carpet this year, Kacey Musgraves took the look to far by adding a trashy embellished bow and bizarre tutu bracelets to her look Saucy: When Kacey turned to the side she flashed a hint of her underwear beneath the sheer tulle number, which was far too sickly sweet to pass for stylish What the frock: Maya Rudolph's pink floral dress was incredibly over-the-top. Not only did the excessive amount of material swamp her body, but the vibrant pattern also did little to please the eyes Color catastrophe: As if the garish neon colors of former Disney star Laura Marano's dress weren't over-the-top enough, it also featured an incredibly large, attention-grabbing bow on the back Woah: Actress Meagan Good's dress looked as though it had been ripped up a seam in order to create the split, which left a serious expanse of leg on show - perhaps too much when paired with the other cut-out sections First up was Sarah Paulson who made a very rare fashion faux pas in her poofy fuchsia number, which totally swamped her slender figure, despite two large cut-outs at the waist, that made it look as though she was actually wearing a crop top and skirt. To make matters worse, two bright pink strings could be seen hanging down below the end of the top so that they peeked out through the cut-outs, an unsightly addition that left it looking as if the dress had just been put together. The 44-year-old was certainly not the only one to pick a less-than-stylish pink number for the night however. Grammy Award-winning singer Kacey Musgraves, 30, arrived on the red carpet in a very saccharine ensemble that made her look like she had wrapped herself in cotton candy before making her appearance. Puffed-up pink gowns were certainly one of the biggest trends at this year's Academy Awards, however there was a very thin line between the perfectly-balanced designs and the very peculiar-looking creations. Unfortunately for Kacey, her dress fell into the latter category, thanks in large part to the multiple layers of tulle, as well as the tacky bedazzled bow at the waist, and the odd tutu-esque cuffs that she wore on each wrist in place of traditional bracelets. Ready for some sun? Zoey Deschanel looked as though she was wearing a beach dress on the top, while the billowing red skirt of the gown did little to flatter or impress Oh dear: Not only was aspiring actress Blanca Blanco's dress incredibly unflattering - she also appears to have tripped on it while walking up the stairs Boxy: Marianne Farley was another star who fell prey to the extreme split, which left her rather blunt-hemmed dress looking more trashy than terrific Frock horror: Singer SZA's dress featured a very rough seam around the hem that, along with the asymmetrical hemline, made it look as though it had been cut into with scissors All wrong in all white: Lebanese director Nadine Labaki (left) hit a bum note in her dress, which looked as though it was bright white before being washed too many times, while Diane Warren's suit featured far too much bling, and not enough tailoring Maya Rudolph's pale pink number was another dress that suffered from an excess of material, with the long, high-necked frock serving only to swamp the 46-year-old's figure, while the garish pattern was almost too aggressive to look at for too long. Then there was former Disney star Laura Marano, 23, who chose a very bright neon pink-and-yellow dress that was garish enough by itself - but was made all the more over-the-top by the addition of an enormous bow that was stuck on the back and flared out like a pair of wings behind her. While the issue with Laura's dress was far too much material, actress Meagan Good suffered quite the opposite issue. The 37-year-old's pale pink dress not only featured several lace-covered cut-outs, it also had an incredibly high slit that went all the way up past the actress's hip bone, and made for a rather tacky overall look - a far cry from the classy, sophisticated style most stars opt to model on the red carpet at such a prestigious ceremony. But she was not the only attendee to opt for such a sky-high dress slit. Both singer SZA and TV host Lilliana Vazquez wore dresses with incredibly risque splits up the front, with SZA choosing a white design that looked as though it had been personalized with a pair of scissors, thanks to the asymmetrical hem - which finished at a high point on her thigh - and the frayed finish that ran around the edge. Feeling blue... TV host Tanika Ray's bright blue gown was beautiful in terms of the color, but the cheap-looking material and the bizarrely-long sleeves stole all focus from the positive elements of the design Couple catastrophes: Tommy Hilfiger (left with his wife Dee) looked very over-the-top in a multi-print tartan suit, while Pharrell's shorts suit made the rapper (right with his wife Helen) look as though he was preparing for his first day of school Queen Elizabeth called... Costume designer Ruth E. Carter appeared to have borrowed a costume from the set of Margot Robbie's movie Mary Queen of Scots Garish: Producer Hannah Beachler wore an incredibly bright dress with a bizarrely-large corsage-style embellishment Risque business: TV host Lilliana Vazquez flashed just a little too much flesh in her saucy orange dress, which featured a split that went all the way up past her hip bone Sub-par purple: Singer Leona Lewis attended the Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscars viewing party in a very bizarre-looking lilac dress that looked as though it was about to fall off Glitter bomb: She was joined at the party by author Candace Bushnell (left) and heiress Lydia Hearst (right), both of whom wore incredibly garish, tacky sequin-encrusted outfits Ready to boogie? Elizabeth Banks looked not unlike the red dress-wearing dancing emoji when she appeared at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party in a scarlet crop top and flowing skirt A 21-year-old man was left red-faced after being forced to call his mother to ask where his missing testicle might be. The Irish man - known only as Ayo - was getting a sexual health check up in tonight's episode of E4 show The Sex Clinic when Dr Naomi discovered he only had one. Ayo visited to get an STI test and check his testicles for lumps, but what alarmed Dr Naomi was the fact that one of his testicles was missing, while Ayo didn't seem too concerned, asking: 'Should I be worried?' She explained that if the testicle was still within the body cavity, it could later become cancerous and asked Ayo if he could find out more about his clinical history. He then phoned his mother to ask if he had been born with only one testicle, or if he'd ever had surgery in early childhood. Ayo, 21, from Dublin was filmed for E4's The Sex Clinic but was concerned to find out his missing testicle could still be inside him Doctor Naomi tried to assure Ayo that there was little to worry about, but that he should try to find out why he only has one testicle Naomi, clearly a little baffled by Ayo's casual attitude, told him : If you've got one testicle, then the question is where's the other one.' Ayo replied: 'I'm not too sure. I thought it was a less common thing. I've been aware of it, I just didn't think much about it.' Naomi was keen to establish whether Ayo has had a testicle removed or whether there could still inside his body. The doctor said: 'I find it interesting that this hasn't come up in a conversation with your mum before.' Undescended testicles It's estimated about 1 in every 25 boys are born with undescended testicles. In most cases no treatment is necessary, as the testicles will usually move down into the scrotum naturally during the first 3 to 6 months of life. If the testicles haven't descended by 6 months, they're very unlikely to do so and treatment will usually be recommended. This is because boys with untreated undescended testicles can have fertility problems in later life and an increased risk of developing testicular cancer. Treatment will usually involve an operation called an orchidopexy to move the testicles into the correct position inside the scrotum. This is a relatively straightforward operation with a good success rate. Source: NHS Advertisement She explained:'The danger is if you have an undescended testicle that is somewhere in a body cavity, the risk is if that becomes malignant, we're not going to pick it up. 'And there's a higher risk of becoming malignant if it's in a body cavity because it's hotter.' Ayo struggled to remember if he had an operation to remove the testicle as a baby, or whether his parents have ever mentioned the removal in the past. The patient was born in Nigeria but has lived in Dublin since he was a toddler. He said he didn't remember much of the early years of his life, which may explain why he wasn't sure whether he had ever had a testicle removed. Naomi went on to ask him if he could phone his mum to see if she was able to shed any light on the situation. But Ayo's mum also seemed unsure about whether his testicle was removed or if he was just born with one. At first she suggested that the testicle may have been taken away in a hernia operation when he was a toddler, but later she decided he was just born that way. Other patients were shocked to hear Ayo's story, with one girl saying: 'Oh my god' As Ayo explained it was unclear whether his testicle had been removed or was lost, another said: 'Oh, wow'. Doctor Naomi suggested Ayo speak to his GP about what the hernia operation might have been, and whether it could have been a removal of a testicle. The doctor asked him to phone his mum to ask if she know whether he was born with one testes or whether one had been removed in a surgery Doctor Naomi questioned Ayo about his missing testicle, warning him that he was at an increased risk of cancer 'If it's not clear, I'd suggest having an ultrasound to find out if there is an undescended testicle somewhere along the tracks,' she said. Though a little embarrassed, Ayo is pleased to hear that only having one testes would not affect his ability to have children or his sexual performance. At the end of the programme he said: 'It doesn't change anything about my sexual health or my performance in the bedroom.' 'Just live with your one testicle only. Just be yourself.' Ar the end of the programme Doctor Naomi asked Ayo to speak to his GP about getting a possible ultrasound to locate his testes Kurt Geiger is warning customers that the popular Rita boot is set to become a sell-out as shoppers scramble to get their hands on them. The 199 mod style footwear- which has a lace up row of eyelets and hooks as well as the infamously divisive kitten heel. 'The Rita' was reportedly by far the most popular shoe at London Fashion Week, and since it's introduction, Kurt Geiger reports that it's been flying out of stores. The Rita boot, with it's cool mod style and kitten heel, is proving a hit for Kurt Geiger, with sales booming since London Fashion Week Fashion blogger Susie Lau aka Susie Bubble was pictured earlier this week wearing the statement shoe in pink Fashion bloggers Susie Lau, Linda Tol and Jamie QQ have all managed to grab a pair, but the shoe brand is warning that some stores are already close to selling out in some sizes. While sizes 2-8 are still listed as available on the website, Kurt Geiger also said that online sales have increased by 675 per cent in the last week. The cult boot is proving a popular way update winter outfits with a spring like twist, coming in trendy white and bright pink shades. Model and fashion blogger Doina Ciobanu wore her bright pink pair with an all black outfit and choker at a LFW event Fashion editor Jess Cartner Morley was snapped in a stylish white pair of the shoe The black pair is a more understated look, and could be dressed for day or night Fashionistas Linda Tol and Jamie QQ Wu were also snapped at the Kurt Geiger event in identical white shoes, although they dressed them different. They also come in a more classic black, for those looking for a more understated look. The eyelet lace up is purely decorative, as the boots have a concealed zip on the inside, making them easy to slip on and off. And the comfortable kitten heel means they're a versatile piece which can be easily dressed from day to night. At 199, they're an affordable investment piece for the average shopper, but the price point will also ensure that not everyone will have the stylish shoe. The lace up style of the boot adds a grungey style to the lighter colours of spring, and is a popular trend this season with many fashionistas stepping out in similar styles across fashion weeks. Model Adut Akech was spotted at Victoria Beckham's London Fashion Week after party in a gorgeous black pair with gold tipped toes, while Pixie Geldof wore a metallic style several times during the week. Model Adut Akech was pictured in a stylish gold toed version of the lace up boot at Victoria Beckham's London Fashion Week after party Pixie Geldof wore a bold version of the trend several times across the week, donning silver lace up boots up to her mid calf Maria Bernad was pictured in New York wearing a more comfortable version of the boot, with squared off toes A model was seen stepping out in the snow in an every day pair of lace up black boots during New York Fashion Week Launched in 2017, the rainbow coloured Kensington Bag sold out instantly in stores before being relaunched in September 2018 Featuring a quirky bird head clasp has been a hit with celebrities and fashion bloggers too and counts Made In Chelsea's Rosie Fortescue as a fan This is not the first time that Kurt Geiger has caused a fashion frenzy on the high street. Launched in 2017, the rainbow coloured Kensington Bag sold out instantly in stores before being relaunched in September 2018. Featuring a quirky bird head clasp has been a hit with celebrities and fashion bloggers too and counts model Abbey Clancy, Made In Chelsea's Rosie Fortescue and Love Island's Dani Dyer among its fans. The 199 price tag meant it was much more accessible than a designer piece, but was expensive enough to ensure it had a level of desirability. A pair of twins who have been deaf since the age of seven have revealed the secret to happiness as they star in a bold new fashion campaign. Model sisters Hermon and Heroda Berhane, 36, who are based in London, star in River Island's #LoveFromMe project which aims to highlight the importance of self-love. The twins, whose family fled civil war-torn Eritrea in the 1980s, star in the campaign alongside people who've struggled with rejection due to disabilities, bullying, and a cancer survivor. Sharing a candid insight into their personal stories, each individual has bravely penned an open 'love letter' to themselves. Hermon and Heroda, who speak in sign language and also work as actresses, spoke to FEMAIL about how they refuse to let their disability define them and why they see it as an advantage. Starring in River Island's #LoveFromMe campaign, London twins Hermon and Heroda, 36, (pictured) who are both deaf share inspiration for loving yourself on their Instagram accoun Hermon and Heroda (pictured) told Femail how their interest in fashion begun at a young age and they decided to start blogging as a way of breaking through barriers The twin sisters who were born in Eritrea began their fashion and lifestyle blog 'Being_Her' in 2015 to show the possibilities of overcoming adversity and the importance of learning to love their own skin. Speaking about the lack of diversity within the fashion industry, the twins said: 'We started Being Her to make sure our voices had a platform. We wanted to share with our audience the barriers we go through every day. 'We want to encourage and inspire our followers to believe in themselves. There are many misconceptions about disabilities generally and not enough focus on talent and skills. 'This mindset is outdated, especially in the world we live in today where being different is much more accepted and appreciated. 'Being deaf may be difficult but being scared is the real barrier. We love using our diversity (deaf, black women) to break barriers and further understanding of cultural differences. Hermon and Heroda believes the mindset associated with disabilities is outdated and their blog is useful for challenging perceptions The twins revealed their childhood in Eritrea was as happy as any other child but they often had to run to protect themselves from gun shots and explosions Hermon and Heroda say before they came deaf they recall hearing church bells, chickens in addition to the sounds of civial war Hermon and Heroda admitted that it took a while to accept that they were deaf as their early childhood was so unremarkable. 'We were having a happy childhood like any other children,' they said. 'Before we became deaf, we remember the sound of church bells, chickens clucking, adult conversations but sadly, we also remember the sounds of civil war in Eritrea.' 'We remember gun shots and explosions, they were so loud it felt like it was in the next room. Many times, we had to hide in the bathroom to protect ourselves and it was terrifying. 'We remember our mother was talking to her neighbour by the gates, we saw gun fire in the sky like a star shooting and we all ran inside to hide. Hermon and Heroda believe being deaf separates them from other bloggers, they were able to gain a following on their blog within six months of starting meanwhile many others have to spend four to five years growing their reach The twins revealed they gave up everything to follow their dreams of working in fashion as they felt without blogging their ambitions were being diluted by their hearing Hermon and Heroda revealed their other senses have heightened since becoming deaf, they moved to the USA for treatment before settling in the UK 'When you are young it was a part of life, we were scared but its only when you look bad you realise how different life could have been.' The cause of Hermon and Heroda's deafness remains unknown, and they admit it was naturally difficult to adjust. 'It took us a while to accept that we were deaf, as children we didnt know if we were coming or going after several hearing tests in different places, different countries. We felt overwhelmed and anxious. 'We know what it was like to be hearing before the age of seven and it was difficult to accept that this would be our life from now on. Once we accepted it, we learned to accept ourselves. 'That was the day we learned to rejoice in the journey and celebrate the new path that opened up to us, a path in the deaf and hearing worlds. With culture and the beauty of British Sign Language. 'We happen to be deaf, we say happen, because we dont see it as a disability as, others do. We see it as an advantage. The twins say they don't see being deaf as a disability in the same way that other people do, but rather as an advantage Hermon and Heroda compare getting use to wearing a hearing aid to getting new shoes, they embraces British sign language and the deaf community after moving to the UK Revealing the positive aspects to deafness, the sisters added: 'With our hearing diminished our other senses become heightened, therefore our touch, taste and vision can appreciate different aspects maybe a hearing person wouldnt. 'We moved to USA when we were seven because we became profoundly deaf and has babbled speech at the same time, due to unknown causes. They could not provide the treatment that was needed in Eritrea and Ethiopia. 'We were at an audiology clinic in USA, where my mum found out the result that we were both deaf. 'They put our hearing aids in our ears which is disconcerting because we didnt know what the hearing aids were for. We were confused at first then got used to it after few weeks, just like new shoes. 'When the doctor in America confirmed that we were deaf, Mum gave up everything and spent a year teaching us how to communicate in English. 'Then we moved to UK for a better education and we embraced the deaf community and British Sign Language.' Hermon and Heroda hope taking part in River Island's campaign will encourage other brands to make themselves accessible to the deaf community The twins have aspirations to collaborate with more brands, launch their own fashion range and do motivational speaking to encourage others The twins revealed why they chose to take part in River Island's campaign which features influencers including Felicity Hawyward and Niall Aslam. 'Its huge opportunity for us to take part in the RI Campaign, and RI deserve credit for choosing such an important message to send, self-love. 'We wanted our message to be heard, its powerful message to those people who struggle in life. There is not enough self-love in the world today. 'I think theres a lot of rejection, self-loathing in life and we want to encourage people, Its OK to be yourself, its OK to look like you look. 'Its beautiful to be involved with our British Sign Language messages and we want to educate people what sign language is and how beautiful it can be. 'Our identity is so important to us because if we werent deaf, we would simply not be the way we are now. We are proud of who we are, and our deafness is a part of that. 'Our self-love letter is one of the greatest gifts we can give to the deaf community especially. 'The River Island campaign with our inclusion made it accessible to the deaf communities, we hope more brands will take notice and make their brands more accessible in the future.' When the robot overlords of the future look back on the dying days of the human race, one key factor will surely stand out as the moment it all began to go down the pan: the rise of the gender-neutral lavatory. Few things encapsulate quite so succinctly the madness infecting Western society as the unisex toilet. It stands for all the navel-gazing, minority-obsessed, virtue-signalling idiocy of our time. And, frankly, it stinks. The latest example is a set of new gender-neutral toilets at the Home Office. Five male and five female loos have been converted at a cost to the taxpayer of 36,000. Signs with the words Gender Neutral Toilets were apparently 8,000 alone. Few things encapsulate quite so succinctly the madness infecting Western society as the unisex toilet Yet this criminally expensive gesture towards gender equality has gone down very badly with the Home Office staff who have to use the new facility. Beneath those 8,000 signs another message has appeared. On a piece of paper with the heading Polite Notice someone has written: Could men using these toilets please use them with the doors shut. Women are finding use of the toilets quite distressing and are not using these toilets as a result. Thank you. So terribly British, that final thank you. Because, in reality, what this notice means is: Youve ruined our existence with your idiotic virtue-signalling. Now, instead of being able quietly to go to the loo unperturbed, we ladies have to put up with the sight of blokes doing their business. And we CANNOT BEAR IT! What the gender-equality warriors cant or wont understand but this polite notice so plaintively expresses is how deeply misogynist their relentless obsession with gender neutrality has become. How it strips women of not only their right to privacy, but their right to behave as they wish. I dont know how many women work in the Home Office, but I very much doubt they number fewer than transgender male staff. And yet the sensibilities of the latter are being prioritised over the very real needs of the former by some susceptible mandarin whose only priority is to comply with an absurd vision of political correctness. Whitehall is not the only culprit. Everywhere you look in schools, prisons, universities, local authorities and businesses you will find people in authority too cowardly to push back against this relentless drive to enforce the whims of the few at the expense of the many. Only this week, the comic Jack Whitehall was subject to virulent criticism because Disney cast him as its first ever gay character in a new film, Jungle Cruise. Despite the fact the public overwhelmingly supports the idea possibly because Whitehall is an accomplished actor and his job is to, well, act a strident minority in the LGBT community are demanding the role should be played by a gay person. Yet this criminally expensive gesture towards gender equality has gone down very badly with the Home Office staff who have to use the new facility So far, Jack Whitehall and Disney are standing firm, but actors in the past have buckled under such pressure. Earlier this year, West End star Sierra Boggess, who is white, withdrew from a BBC Proms performance of West Side Story because of objections to her playing the role of Maria, who is Puerto Rican. Not only is it fundamentally undemocratic to allow a small number of minority-interest campaigners to dictate how we should live our lives, it can also be deeply impractical especially in the case of loos. Lets face it, men and women have very different requirements when it comes to lavatories. Not to mention different standards. And yes, it is all to do with the differences between our male and female bodies. What could possibly be wrong about acknowledging and respecting that? Everything, it would seem. Because in the twisted logic of the modern world, a woman has more rights if she has elected to become one via hormone therapy and surgery than if she were born one. And that is madness. Its not just that female-only toilets provide safe, private spaces where women can tend to their needs without stepping in a puddle of dubious origin. It is also that the ladies loo in any workspace has for decades served as a vital refuge and recharging station for the millions of us who have had to put up daily with the testosterone-charged atmosphere of the office. In the bad old days when chauvinism was rife and todays young women have no idea just how tough things were before previous generations cleared the path for them a trip to the Ladies could mean the difference between survival and being carried out feet-first, just another woman who couldnt cut the mustard in a mans world. Even today, the Ladies is the one place at work where, as a woman, you can let your guard down. Where no man can follow you, harass or harangue you. Where you can let yourself have a bit of a cry. I have counselled countless distraught female colleagues between the hand-dryer and the sink, listened to innumerable tales of fury and frustration, taken millions of deep breaths myself, looking deep into the mirror and telling myself to just get back out there and show them what Im made of. As for the gossip, no better place exists than the Ladies to catch up on all the latest. Not just whos dating whom, whos up and whos down the number for this or that shrink, hairdresser, manicurist, expert on childbirth or the menopause. When I returned to work after having my children, it was where I went to express breast milk in peace and at my own pace. Why should any new mother have to do that in a gender equal space? That is the tragedy of the gender-neutral toilet. Why it is such a grotesque act of stupidity. And the great irony is that it is being introduced in the name of equality for it discriminates against women, the sex that has suffered so disproportionally from discrimination over the centuries. To dismiss those of us who oppose these so-called gender-neutral spaces as non-inclusive bigots is one of the biggest collective acts of sexual aggression towards women we have seen in recent years. In seeking to uphold the rights of men to re-cast themselves as female, we are invading precious and vital women-only spaces in a manner that is offensive and even intimidating towards women. The Home Office is one thing. I dont imagine many of the men who work there are anything other than nice, middle-class civil servants. But as this insanity spreads to schools, colleges, even prisons, the opportunities it provides for male aggressors are chilling. Women are patient creatures. We dont like the thought of upsetting people, especially some perfectly innocent transgender person who just wants to feel more accepted by society. But the fact is that gender-neutral toilets mean our rights are fundamentally under threat. So, no more polite notices, ladies. Its time to flush out this insanity. Bobby Evans stands by his new 2019 Caravan that he purchased from Jeff D'Ambrosio in Downingtown. West Chester University Political Science Professor John Kennedy will oversee student and the public suggestions on how to draw congressional boundaries. Tredyffrin Firefighters battle 3-alarm fire The building was under construction with plans to become a retirement community The United States has imposed tough sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry to put pressure on President Nicolas Maduro to step down. As BBC reports, oil dominates Venezuela's economy, accounting for almost all of its export earnings. Its biggest customers have been the US, followed by India and China. But over the past decade, oil production has collapsed and the country is in a deep economic crisis. So what effect are the sanctions having and who is buying its oil now? What are the sanctions? The sanctions block US companies doing business with Venezuela's state oil company, the PDVSA, and freeze the company's assets in the United States. These measures do not cut off imports entirely, but they do require payments to be made into accounts that Venezuela's state oil company cannot access. Sanctions have also had an impact on access to the chemicals required to process the oil. Venezuela's heavy crude is almost solid when it comes out of the ground, so it cannot flow through pipelines. It needs chemicals, diluting agents such as naphtha, to turn into a lighter substance that can eventually be exported. Sanctions include a ban on US firms exporting these agents. Venezuela must import these, and in recent years they have come from the US, said Shannon O'Neil, senior fellow for Latin America Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. The Russian firm Rosneft is reportedly helping to fill this particular gap. Where is Venezuela's oil now going? Currently sitting off the Venezuelan coast are tankers holding in the region of 10 million barrels of oil, according to Kpler, which tracks commodities. They were originally destined for the United States, but are stranded as a result of the sanctions. Venezuela's government has been looking for new buyers for its oil and says it wants to double shipments to India. But although there has been a recent increase in exports to India, it is not a substantial one, says Samah Ahmed, a crude oil analyst at Kpler. Exports to China are also not encouraging and have in fact been dropping in line with a general decline in Venezuela's total production. Selling more oil to markets in Asia would increase transport costs, because ports in Venezuela are not well-equipped to load tankers for travelling long distances. Exports to India may be heavily discounted "because of quality issues and to compete with Middle Eastern grades", says Paola Rodriguez-Masiu, an analyst at Rystad Energy. But there is certainly a demand for heavy crude oil such as that found in Venezuela. There is a global shortage because of sanctions on Iranian oil, while lower levels of production in Canada, Mexico and Opec member countries has also had an impact. US importers will need to find new suppliers of heavy crude, which it uses to produce diesel and jet fuel. "The Venezuelan crisis has made heavy crude more expensive for the US," says Ms Rodriguez-Masiu. But this will not help Venezuela, desperate to find new markets for its oil at a time of deepening economic and political crisis. @ChescoCourtNews on Twitter Michael P. Rellahan has been a staff reporter and editor at the Daily Local News since 1982. He has covered all kinds of news over the years but is now assigned to report on court and legal news, as well as Chester County government news and politics. Rowan County authorities are seeking the public's help in locating Amber Lewis. Anyone with information about Amber is asked to call the Bath County Sheriff at (606) 674-2006, the Kentucky State Police at (606) 784-4127 or Mary Lewis at home at (606) 691-4543 or on her cell at (606) 356-8620. Another view Loving your country enough to criticize it The following items are based on information provided by officials in law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Diane Pineiro-Zucker has been a reporter at the Daily Freeman since April 2013. Pineiro-Zucker worked as a reporter in the Freemans Rhinebeck bureau in the early 1980s, left to become executive editor at Taconic Newspapers in Dutchess County. Since 1990, Patricia R. Doxsey has been a reporter for the Freeman, covering politics, crime, and government affairs. Kayleigh Peterman, Vice President for member communications of GTFF, talks to passersby about the GTFF's bargaining with the University of Oregon on Nov. 9, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald) TCN News Akhil Bhartiya Urdu Shikshak Sangh (ABUSS), an association of Urdu teachers came together at Azad Maidan, Mumbai to protest against the negligence of Urdu medium schools on 17th February 2019. The association claimed that there have been no recruitments from 2013 in either schools or colleges despite a lot of candidates qualifying in the required eligibility tests such TET (Teachers eligibility test), NET (National eligibility test), SET ( State eligibility test) CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test) and other tests. Support TwoCircles Sajid Nisar, the secretary of the association along with 147 representatives of the Sangh from other districts of Maharashtra submitted the memorandum of demands to fill up the vacancies in Urdu Medium schools and colleges; provide grants to the non-grant private and Urdu and Marathi medium schools; pensions for the teachers who have retired. The memorandum addressed to the Education Minister and Chief Minister of Maharashtra also demanded for the implementation of the Sachar Committee commissioned by former Prime Minister ManMohan Singh and Mahmudur Rahman Committee report which was commissioned by the Late Chief Minister of Maharshtra Vilasrao Deshmukh in 2008. In their press release the ABUSS also expressed disappointment over the closure of several Urdu and Marathi media schools in many places in the state. And requested for recruitment of the teachers in primary, high schools and junior colleges to solve the problem of unemployment in the state. The memorandum was handed to the Vice secretary, Education department, Mumbai. The ABUSS also paid tribute to the soldiers martyred at the blast in Pulwama at the conclusion of the meet. With inputs from S N Ansari Ethos is a nationally recognized, award-winning independent student publication. Our mission is to elevate the voices of marginalized people who are underrepresented in the media landscape, and to write in-depth, human-focused stories about the issues affecting them. We also strive to support our diverse student staff and to help them find future success. Ethos produces a quarterly free print magazine full of well-reported and powerful feature stories, innovative photography, creative illustrations and eye-catching design. On our website, we also produce compelling written and multimedia stories. Ethos is part of Emerald Media Group, a non-profit organization thats fully independent of the University of Oregon. Students maintain complete editorial control over Ethos, and work tirelessly to produce the magazine. Since our inception as Korean Ducks Magazine in 2005, weve worked hard to share a multicultural spirit with our readership. We embrace diversity in our stories, in our student staff and in our readers. We want every part of the magazine to reflect the diversity of our world. DAILY AMERICAN The Daily American Gov. Tom Wolf is asking Pennsylvania residents to honor Sgt. Mark Basermans memory by observing a moment of silence on Tuesday. Baserman, 60, of Johnstown, died on Feb. 26, 2018, 11 days after allegedly being assaulted by an inmate at the State Correctional Institution at Somerset. Tuesday marks the one-year anniversary of the death of State Correctional Institution at Somerset Sergeant Mark Baserman. He died of injuries suffered from an assault by an inmate. One assault on an officer is one too many, Wolf said in a press release. While there are not enough words to honor his life, his sacrifice, and his service to his fellow citizens, I am asking all Pennsylvanians to honor his memory by observing a one-minute moment of silence at 12:47 p.m. Tuesday in memory of Sgt. Baserman and his ultimate sacrifice. Corrections officers, like first responders and our soldiers, serve quietly and behind the scenes. The act of willingly going to work every day to protect the safety of others is an act of heroism. These men and women in uniform are joined today by hundreds more, everyday citizens, who appreciate the unwavering service of public servants such as Sgt. Baserman. Employees at SCI-Somerset have created a Baserman Memorial Scholarship fund with $25,000 raised so far toward endowing a $50,000 scholarship for a student to attend the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. Paul Kendrick, 23, of Pittsburgh, is awaiting trial on homicide and related charges in connection with Basermans death. He is being held at SCI-Huntingdon in Huntingdon County. Dubai-based Jumeirah Group has announced the opening of a new luxury residences property in Guangzhou, China. Just minutes from Canton Tower and the Guangzhou Opera House, Jumeirah Living Guangzhou, is in the heart of Zhujiang New Town Central Business District (CBD), and marks a defining moment in luxury hospitality for the capital of Guangdong province. Surrounded by shimmering skyscrapers, the hotel is set near iconic attractions including Guangdong Museum and Guangzhou International Finance Centre. Guangzhous new luxury statement address From its longstanding legacy as one of the most significant trading hubs in the region, Guangzhou has long been touted as a cultural and culinary metropolis, ripe for exploration. The city is also known as the City of Flowers, with beautiful perennials blooming all year round. As the birthplace of Cantonese cuisine, Guangzhou is a well-established culinary wonderland, boasting the greatest number of restaurants when compared with other Chinese cities. Nestled between the commercial and executive sides of this vibrant city is the new Jumeirah Living Guangzhou. The hotel curates the perfect balance of private home comfort coupled with the legendary Jumeirah service, offering 169 luxurious residences. The two sophisticated skyscrapers stand impressively among the cosmopolitan skyline, giving discerning guests and residents of Guangzhou a quick and convenient escape from the inner city to what feels like a whole new world of abundance and luxury. Dual design, beauty in two ways The north tower is designed with a more traditional sense of luxury and indulgence. The hall and main entrance exude neoclassical architecture, with spacious rooms, double-height ceilings and marble surfaces. The lines of symmetry reflect the layout of a grand palatial residence. This aesthetic continues into the residential accommodation, with traditional carvings occupying every surface of the room, from the doors and architraves to the cornices. Flowers have also been incorporated into the design, referencing Guangzhous colourful history and the English rose. The south tower offers a slick approach to luxury, designed to be chic, sleek and polished. Not only does this contemporary aesthetic employ a sense of simplicity and elegance, it also seamlessly integrates elements of East meets West in every detail, catering to the needs of Guangzhous growing young executive population. The city is the third largest in China, and is regarded to be a prominent business hub, welcoming visitors from all business tiers and backgrounds. Elevated residential experience Inside Jumeirah Living Guangzhou, guests and residents can discover the finest hospitality presented by Jumeirah, the world-renowned luxury hospitality expert. In each room, guests have access to an Illy coffee machine and selections of tea. To help provide a home away from home apartments are equipped with appliances including cookers, microwaves, washing machines and dishwashers. The hotel's health club leisure offerings include a gym and swimming pools, as well as an outdoor poolside patio space and bar for events. Also found on the property is Winter Mall, the go-to destination to find some of the worlds most illustrious luxury brands, offering guests unrivalled retail therapy and relaxation, as well as a much-coveted VIP personal shopper experience. Dining and culinary experiences Ting Restaurant and Lounge located on the seventh floor, a warm and inviting restaurant and lounge that is equally suited for business entertainment or relaxing over personalise dining, wines, coffee, tea, cocktail and desserts, its a unique and intimate venues for receptions and breaks. Jumeirah Living Guangzhou has announced an opening offer - for bookings made before June 30, guests receive a 10 per cent discount. - TradeArabia News Service Kankakee, IL (60901) Today Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 69F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 69F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. STORY LINK GBP to AUD Exchange Rate Sheds Half a Cent amid Risk-On Rally GBP Exchange Rate Losses Limited on Rumours UK Government May Delay Brexit I expect GBP appreciation if May loses the ability to put pressure on MPs (Members of Parliament) by threatening a no-deal scenario, AUD Exchange Rates Advance as US-China Trade Talks See Extension Even as we wait for details of the agreement, the anxiety is likely to ease and encourage bullish risk exposure in general, GBP/AUD Exchange Rate Forecast: Risk-Sentiment Could Push GBP/AUD Lower Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues: The latest developments in US-China trade negotiations, combined with market uncertainty regarding how the Brexit process will unfold, made the British Pound to Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) exchange rate tumble today. The Pounds losses were limited though, by rumours that the Brexit process could be delayed for as long as two years.Due to poor Australian news, GBP/AUD spent most of last week climbing and surged from the weeks opening level of 1.8050 to close at the level of 1.8311. GBP/AUD briefly touched on a February high of 1.8443 on Thursday but was unable to hold near those best levels.Today, a rise in market demand for riskier trade-correlated currencies left GBP/AUD tumbling further from those highs. GBP/AUD was trending over -0.40% lower at the time of writing and was on track to lose over half a cent throughout the day. At the time of writing, GBP/AUD trended close to the level of 1.8218.GBP/AUDs losses today were largely due to higher risk-sentiment, driving trade-correlated currencies like the Australian Dollar higher.After Pound demand was hit over the weekend by news that the UK government had delayed its meaningful Parliament Brexit vote until the 12th of March, the British currency found some support on the back of fresh speculation today.As the Brexit process comes down to the wire and there are no signs of an outcome being reached, the UK government is under deeper and deeper pressure to formally delay the official Brexit date.The Brexit date is still set for the 29th of March, but speculation has risen that the UK government is considering a delay.Fresh reports also indicated that the EU was prepared to offer a two year delay to the formal Brexit date. This delay would essentially replace the tentative Brexit transition period and run through until 2021 to allow for complete negotiations.This outcome would come as a relief to Pound investors fearing a No-deal Brexit, so the Pound advanced today.According to Ulrich Leuchtmann, Head of FX Research at Commerzbank, the possibility of Brexit amendments in Parliament are also supporting Sterling:An ongoing freeze on US-China trade tariffs was on track to end on the 1st of March, but due to progress in US-China trade negotiations investors had been hoping that the freeze could be extended.UK President Donald Trump announced over the weekend that the freeze on tariffs would indeed be extended. It is unclear how long the delay will be, but the news indicated to investors that a US-China trade deal of sorts was in sight.With hopes rising that a US-China trade deal is in sight, global market jitters lightened further as has been a common trend in recent weeks. This made investors even more willing to take risks, and the relatively risky trade-correlated Australian Dollar climbed.According to analysts from Citi:The Australian Dollar continued its rebound from last weeks lows, but there may still be further gains ahead for the risky trade-correlated Aussie.If US-China trade negotiations continue to go well, or if there are other developments that make investors more willing to take risks, the Pound to Australian Dollar exchange rate could shed more of last weeks gains.The tone that Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell takes in testimonies to US Congress this week could also influence risk-sentiment.Investors would find the Australian Dollar even more appealing if upcoming Australian data impresses markets and offers fresh support.Australian construction work data from Q4 will be published during Wednesdays Asian session, with housing data and private sector credit stats due later in the week.The Pound is unlikely to be influenced much by upcoming UK ecostats, and Brexit developments are more likely to remain in focus particularly with rumours of delays to the Brexit process hitting headlines today. 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 Australian Dollar Forecasts Here at NAFCU, we have been monitoring the Financial Accounting Standards Boards (FASB) efforts to address implementation issues related to the current expected credit loss (CECL) standard. Here are some recent developments the credit union industry should be aware of. CECLs impact The CECL standard will affect credit union capital and reserves for expected losses, necessitate development of new forecasts, and ultimately lead to increased compliance costs both in dollars and staff time that many credit unions cannot afford. We maintain that credit unions should not be subject to CECL because they were not part of the poor lending practices that precipitated the financial crisis. Policymakers must consider the impact of the CECL standard on credit unions and their members. Regulatory updates There are currently several proposals to provide credit unions and banks with more flexibility in the implementation of the CECL standard. We are evaluating the various options and working with the NCUA and FASB to determine whether these alternatives could, in fact, help alleviate some of the negative impacts of the CECL standard. Furthermore, the banking regulators have finalized a rule to phase in over a three-year period the day-one effects of the CECL standard on regulatory capital. FASB is also considering a proposal outlining an alternative to the income statement impact of the CECL standard put forward by a group of banks; it is expected to formally vote on the proposal in March. In addition, the board is also expected to make a final determination regarding the reporting of gross write-offs and recoveries by origination year at that time. Our efforts We have devoted considerable time and resources to educate credit unions on CECL requirements, and to share the industrys concerns with FASB. The association has also shared concerns with lawmakers, the NCUA and Federal Reserve, and has worked to obtain certain changes and more guidance on the standard. Last month, our Senior Counsel for Research and Policy Andrew Morris attended a roundtable discussion that covered the banks alternative proposal related to the income statement impact along with the FASBs consideration of charge-offs and recoveries and other transition issues. NAFCUs January Economic & CU Monitor report revealed that CECL is one of the issues credit unions are most concerned about this year; the association has a new resource page to help credit unions stay informed on the issue. In addition, the NAFCU CFO Network an exclusive member-only online community for credit union CFOs has ongoing discussions about how credit unions are addressing CECL issues. We also have several resources including a CECL FAQ document available that further discusses CECL and its impact, compliance blog posts and an on-demand webinar that highlights credit union guidance for implementation. In addition to our recent efforts, NAFCU, along with Deep Future Analytics, Allied Solutions and OnApproach, released an in-depth study in 2017 on the possible alternatives and impacts the CECL standard poses to the credit union industry. While we await possible rulemakings to provide more relief under the standard, we have seen some positive changes in regards to CECL clarification. As a result of our efforts, some flexibility in the standard has been achieved: FASB issued a final update in November to clarify the effective date for its CECL standard, making clear that credit unions would not need to begin reporting data on call reports until the beginning of 2022. The update also clarified that operating lease receivables are not covered within the scope of CECL a clarification welcomed by NAFCU. We will continue to work to obtain certain changes and more guidance on the CECL standard to the benefit of credit unions. Following an initial announcement in May 2018, Apple and Goldman Sachs confirmed their intention to launch a jointly-branded credit card. According to the Wall Street Journal: Apple and Goldman Sachs plan to start issuing this spring a joint credit card paired with new iPhone features that will help users manage their money. Cardholders will earn cash back of about 2% on most purchases and potentially more on Apple gadgets and services. This isnt Apples first foray into the credit card business, as it currently offers a Barclaycards-issued card. How will the new card fare in the market? This last month, Ive heard from hundreds of constituents who are concerned about school regionalization. Im passionate about it, too. Theres nothing more important than making sure we provide students with a high-quality education that prepares them to succeed in the 21st century. As a state senator, Im eager to equip every community in Connecticut with the tools they need to invest in students success. The schools in our district are some of the highest performing in the state. We make sure were efficient in having the right services and staff to suit our students, with little funding from state government. As a proud graduate of our public schools, let me be clear: I will continue to actively oppose any measure that would force schools in the 26th District to regionalize. When I disagree with members of my own party, Im never afraid to say so and I didnt hesitate to speak out against a broad-brush regionalism proposal introduced by a leader of my own party. I share my constituents concerns about the fiscal mess that plagues Connecticut. Due to decades of irresponsibility, were facing a difficult budget. The towns in the 26th Senate District paid $752.1 million to Hartford in 2017 thats almost 10 percent of all income tax revenue collected that year. We invest in the state of Connecticut and we deserve to know our money is spent wisely. Thats why Im frustrated about very small districts, scattered throughout the state, that spend too much money outside of the classroom. Taxpayers in the 26th District cannot afford to subsidize towns that operate inefficiently and spend on back-office administration. Some districts less than one-tenth the size of Wiltons student population receive millions more from the state in education cost-sharing grants. If small districts want to maintain local autonomy, I support their freedom to do so. Connecticut taxpayers shouldnt subsidize them. On March 1, the Education Committee will hear public testimony concerning school regionalization bills. Ill be testifying against forced regionalization, instead proposing incentives for very small school districts to build economies of scale. Its crucial that no matter where you stand on the issue, you understand no ones proposing closing school buildings or asking parents to send children to different school communities. This conversation is about sharing superintendents and administrative staff something that many communities have already decided to do. I hope youll join me in Hartford to share your perspective on this crucial issue. Weve built wonderful schools that benefit students, families and every resident. The high property values in our area are the result of smart investments in education. The state should focus on improving the classroom experience of every student, not altering efficient and effective districts like ours. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that we keep our schools safe without compromising state education. Im grateful for the opportunity to represent you in Hartford. State Sen. Will Haskell represents District 26, which includes Redding, Ridgefield, Wilton and parts of Weston, Westport and New Canaan. Saudi-based Acwa Power has signed deals with Chinese entities, Silk Road Fund and Huawei, to lay the ground for collaboration in further investments and technological advancements of power generation and water desalination plants being developed and operated by the Saudi group. This MoU comes as part of the official visit of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, to China. Acwa Power already has well-established relationships with several Chinese companies. It had rolled out a centralised control and monitoring pilot project that implemented Huaweis Fusion Solar solution for enhanced plant management, monitoring and control, last January. The company's growing relationships with major Chinese entities is a reflection of the strong and friendly ties between the two countries, said Acwa Power Chairman Mohammad Abdullah Abunayyan after signing the MoU with Silk Road Fund CEO Wang Yanzhi in the presence of Prince Mohammed and Vice Premier of State Council of China Han Zheng. "As a leading developer of power and water assets in the region committed to reducing cost and investing in several countries within the Belt and Road initiative corridor, we have the unique position of being able to support the economic transformation envisioned by both; the ambitious and collaborative Belt and Road initiative as well as Saudi Arabias forward-looking and iconic Vision 2030," he noted. "We look forward to playing a vital role in both these national agendas which complement each other," he added. Under the agreement, the Silk Road Fund will partner with the company to invest in Acwa Power Renewable Energy Holding Ltd in Belt and Road countries including South Africa, UAE, Jordan and Egypt. Following the first signing, at the Saudi China Investment and Cooperation Forum (Future Forward Partnerships), ACWA Power also entered into an agreement with Huawei, a leading global ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and energy network solutions provider. The two companies will be collaborating on utilising ICT to increase efficiency and improve performance of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy projects owned and operated by ACWA Power including the Sakaka PV IPP, the first utility scale solar plant in Saudi Arabia. The collaboration also extends to digitalisation of power plant management. Acwa Power President Paddy Padmanathan said: "Over the last few years we have been privileged to work with an increasing number of Chinese investors, financial service providers, technology providers and EPC contractors on our rapidly expanding portfolio and we are eager to nurture and expand these very successful collaborations." "The synergies created through these agreements will allow us to maintain our cost leadership reputation creating immense value to the ultimate beneficiaries of the electricity and desalinated water we provide - the people of the countries we invest in," he added.-TradeArabia News Service SAN CRISTOBAL, Venezuela - The Trump administration is preparing to make a more forceful push this week to unseat Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, after a weekend plan to coax his military to abandon him and allow in hundreds of tons of humanitarian aid ended in deadly violence and with little clarity about what comes next. Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Colombia on Monday to meet with regional leaders - including the head of the Venezuelan opposition, Juan Guaido - and discuss potential options for a more muscular front against Maduro. While the White House originally cast Saturday's aid push on the Venezuelan border as a potential tipping point for ousting Maduro, administration officials said Sunday that the weekend's violence had frustrated those plans, making new action necessary. Pence plans to announce "clear actions" to respond to the weekend's clashes, though he is not likely to address whether the U.S. military would get involved, a senior administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the plans, told reporters Sunday. Asked whether President Donald Trump would deploy the military to intervene, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday that "every option is on the table." "We'll continue to build out the global coalition to put force behind the voice of the Venezuelan people," he said in an interview on "Fox News Sunday." Guaido suggested Saturday that he would entertain more radical solutions to try to oust Maduro, whom opposition figures blame for the deaths of at least eight people as a result of Saturday's border violence. "Today's events force me to make a decision: to pose to the international community in a formal way that we must have all options open to achieve the liberation of this country that is fighting and will continue to fight," Guaido tweeted. The opposition leader - who had secretly crossed the border into Colombia to lead the aid effort, running the risk of being barred from re-entry or arrested upon return - will have an opportunity to make his case directly to Pence during their face-to-face meeting Monday. Guaido's comments suggested the opposition's limitations after a plan they had hoped would cause deep fissures in Venezuela's military instead produced only modest cracks. In the face of Maduro's military blockade of aid, the opposition largely failed to bring in the assistance they hoped to deliver to the neediest Venezuelans. Pence will have "concrete steps" for addressing the weekend's violence when he talks to regional diplomatic gathering in the Colombian capital, Bogota, a Trump administration official said. The official, one of two who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity, would not describe any specific proposals or U.S. actions Pence may announce. "What we saw yesterday with the burning of aid trucks, with the use of tear gas and bullets against unarmed civilians whose only purpose was to receive that aid, we understand that what we are dealing with is not the institution of a state but a bunch of hoodlums and thugs," a second senior Trump administration official said. Maduro celebrated the retreat of the aid trucks; he had called the aid a pretext for a U.S. invasion. But the U.S. official called that a "tactical victory" at best, and one that is "perishable." Last week, Trump delivered an ultimatum to members of the Venezuelan military, warning that they would "lose everything" if they stood with Maduro and harmed innocent civilians. The opposition's strongest U.S. backers, including Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., sharply criticized Maduro and suggested repercussions. "After discussions tonight with several regional leaders it is now clear that the grave crimes committed today by the Maduro regime have opened the door to various potential multilateral actions not on the table just 24 hours ago," Rubio tweeted late Saturday. In a provocative move Sunday, Rubio tweeted out two photos - one of former Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi sitting in a gold chair while in power and the other of his bloodied face and body as he was surrounded by a crowd of rebel fighters shortly before his death in 2011. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres issued a statement Sunday saying he was "shocked and saddened" by the deaths of civilians on Saturday. He denounced the use of lethal force and appealed for calm, urging "all actors to lower tensions and pursue every effort to prevent further escalation." Yet as Guaido and other opposition leaders prepared for Monday's meeting in Bogota, they appeared to be running out of options. Last month, the United States imposed sweeping sanctions that effectively cut off Maduro's biggest source of hard currency - oil sales to the United States. Having done that, the United States has pulled the most powerful economic lever it had. The sanctions risk worsening Venezuela's humanitarian crisis, since the nearly bankrupt government - now even more cash-strapped - is the chief importer of food and medicines. The U.S. calculation is that the sanctions will make Maduro's rule untenable. But there are still no guarantees that they will do anything more than make a bad situation worse on the ground. After an aid operation that failed to achieve its goals, the opposition is also in danger of losing its greatest ally: momentum. The opposition and its U.S. and regional allies will continue trying to court military officials by promoting the promise of amnesty if they turn against Maduro. But observers say that dangerous scenarios loomed larger "than ever." "There is no question that a military intervention to resolve the Venezuela crisis is more plausible than ever," said Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington-based think tank. "Guaido's insistence that 'all options are on the table' echoes President Trump's words, first uttered in August 2017 and widely interpreted as serious consideration of military action." No military option would be clean or easy, and critics say its threat potentially helps Maduro - an autocratic leader who has used repression against his own people - portray himself globally as a leftist martyr persecuted by the Trump administration. U.S. forces, experts say, could take out Venezuela's air defenses within hours, but an outright U.S. invasion would be unprecedented in South America. It also risks deep divisions in the region and could potentially spark a guerrilla war by leftists while leaving Washington with the burden of rebuilding a failed state. More-surgical strikes - like the U.S. operation that nabbed Panama's Manuel Antonio Noriega in 1989 - remain potentially more likely, but they also present massive problems. "When Noriega left, the regime collapsed, and there wasn't much behind him," said Eric Farnsworth, vice president of the Council of the Americas and the Americas Society. "In Venezuela, you can decapitate the regime, but there will still be (leftists) and armed goon squads who may be spoiling to fight." Colombian officials said more than a 100 members of the Venezuelan armed forces and other security services abandoned their posts Saturday and Sunday, but the power structure of Maduro's armed forces, at least for the moment, appeared to be intact. The meeting of Latin American leaders is expected to yield a new condemnation of Maduro by his neighbors, a relatively new development that the Trump administration counts as a diplomatic coup. Maduro retains backing from Russia, China and other nations, as well as control of the military and security services. The meeting of the "Lima Group" was planned before the weekend showdown over aid delivery. In a televised news conference in Caracas, Maduro's communications minister, Jorge Rodriguez, insisted that Saturday's effort by the opposition was a ruse to encourage a foreign invasion. "There was no humanitarian intention," Rodriguez said. "The intention was to encourage aggression by a foreign country, an armed aggression against a country." He added: "Guaido, a pathetic character, can no longer explain this coup attempt based on the constitution." Guaido is the head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, a body stripped of its power in 2017. Last month, Guaido declared that Maduro's election to a new term in 2018 was fraudulent, and he claimed a constitutional right as Venezuela's legitimate leader. In doing so, Guaido electrified a moribund opposition and positioned himself as a national hero. But after leaving the country to lead the aid effort, he faces a crucial hurdle. His exit violated a standing travel ban imposed on him by Maduro's supreme court, meaning Guaido is at risk of detention or potential exile. His calculation is that international pressure might prevent both. "All the scenarios left for the opposition are terrible scenarios," said Dimitris Pantoulas, a Caracas-based political analyst. Colombian President Ivan Duque went Sunday to the Simon Bolivar International Bridge - site of intense exchanges of tear gas and rubber bullets the day before - with a convoy of white SUVs and armored vehicles from the Colombian armed forces. Police said U.S. officials were among the large delegation seen touring the bridge. Pence plans to meet with Duque while he is in Colombia. With tensions still high on the border, Colombian authorities announced Sunday that Duque had ordered the closure of his country's three main bridge crossings to Venezuela in the North Santander region through Monday night. Aid trucks had sought to cross there on Saturday before confrontations began between pro-government troops and operatives and the Venezuelan opposition. The opposition, meanwhile, said one of its leaders, Freddy Superlano, had been poisoned with a drug called burundanga in the Colombian border city of Cucuta and remained hospitalized. Superlano's assistant had died of the same poison. The opposition called for an investigation into the poisonings, while making no claims of who might be behind them. The bloodiest clashes took place on the border with Brazil, where pro-government paramilitary groups killed eight people and injured 34 with gunfire, according to the nonprofit legal group Foro Penal, opposition leaders and witnesses at the hospital in Santa Elena de Uairen that received the victims. Patients and their families panicked as buses and motorbikes with armed men swarmed outside the hospital. "Too many people shot by bullets kept coming in. It's terrifying," said Yolderi Garcia, a 62-year-old volunteer at the Hospital Rosario Vera Surita. "It's a horrible day. We are very worried because this is a small town." - - - Rachelle Krygier and Mariana Zuniga in San Cristobal, Dylan Baddour in Cucuta, Colombia, and Carol Morello in Washington contributed to this report. Saudi Customs at King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah recently blocked four attempts to smuggle a total of more than 26,000 pills of tramadol and amphetamine into the country. Bandar Al-Rahili, general manager of KAIA Customs, said:First, 1000 tramadol pills were caught hidden inside food items wrapped in aluminium foil and placed among a passengers luggage, another 1989 pills (of the same drug) were found hidden in two parcels labelled Red Pepper. He added that Customs officers also confiscated 22,900 pills of amphetamine hidden in food containers and another 665 pills found inside the handbag of an arriving passenger. TradeArabia News Service A young boy who received CPR for more than an hour is recovering. In December, Owen Coulter's heart was attacked by a virus that almost killed him, KTBC-TV reported. Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media STRATFORD Officials will review plans for a splash pad in Juliette Low Park and receive input from residents during a meeting scheduled for Thursday. The meeting of the Community Development Subcommittee of the Economic and Community Development Commission is scheduled for 6 p.m. in council chambers at Town Hall. Contributed / Brenda Kupchick FAIRFIELD State Rep. Brenda Kupchick (R-132) announced Sunday that she will run for the office of First Selectman in the November election, opposing incumbent First Selectman Michael Tetreau. Kupchick also announced that Board of Finance Chairman Tom Flynn has filed to run for selectman. Town Clerk Betsy Browne, who said she would seek another four-year term, rounds out the team. Smart Dubai will be the City Host for Gartner Symposium/ITxpo, the worlds most important gathering of CIOs and senior IT executives, taking place next month, Gartner, Inc has announced. Gartner Symposium/ ITxpo will be held from March 4 to 6, at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. Leaders will discuss strategic trends and technologies that are driving digital transformation and shaping the future of IT and business. Through a mix of Gartner analysts, industry experts, and cutting-edge solution providers, attendees will uncover innovative ways to approach challenges, make decisions with confidence and become an even more effective leader. Dr Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr, director general of the Smart Dubai Office and member of advisory board for Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2019 in Dubai, will give the City Host welcome address at the event. Smart Dubai will also demonstrate the success achieved so far in digitizing government services towards a 100 percent paperless experience by 21.12.2021, the challenges learned along the way, and how the future will look being the first city globally to achieve such a transformation. Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, Smart Dubai is on a mission to embrace disruptive, avant-garde technologies, tailor them to the needs of our residents, and transform Dubai into the smartest and happiest city on earth, said Dr Aisha. We always look forward to prospects of presenting at likeminded organizations to explore the opportunities that advanced technologies can bring us. Gartners gathering of experts offers advanced insight into the emerging trends shaping IT and business, and being the City Host for the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo in Dubai makes it all the more important to us. The UAEs ambitious and path-breaking Vision 2021 has placed significant weight on embracing advanced technologies and on the ICT sector, in particular, Dr Aisha added. This symposium offers global perspectives on universal ICT issues, allowing us all to explore the challenges that lie ahead. We hope that through this Symposium, we can learn how to propose bold solutions to address these challenges, and we can develop advanced services, establish robust ICT ecosystems, improve peoples lives and promote happiness among them. We are delighted to have Smart Dubai as the host city for Gartner Symposium/ITxpo, said Miriam Burt, managing vice president at Gartner and Conference Chair for Gartner Symposium/ITxpo in Dubai. The transition to digital is undeniable and accelerating, disrupting both government and business models. Smart Dubai is an example of a government driving this transformation. Smart Dubai is anchored in the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the happiest city on Earth. Collaborating with private sector and government partners, Smart Dubai is the government office charged with facilitating Dubais citywide smart transformation, to empower, deliver and promote an efficient, seamless, safe and impactful city experience for residents and visitors. Smart Dubai is committed to a collaborative and agile approach to Dubais smart city transformation, empowering strategic partnerships with the public and private sector and academia to design and implement services and elevate citywide thought leadership, in line with its mission to make Dubai the happiest city on earth through technology innovation. - TradeArabia News Service The Airbus Foundation, together with its partners The Little Engineer and Dare to Dream has launched the Airbus Little Engineer robotics programme in Botswana. The goal of the initiative is to encourage learners to understand and embrace technology, and ignite passion that could grow into an exciting career in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). During its first year, the programme aims to reach at least 1,080 ten to sixteen-year olds from urban and rural areas across the southern African country. Botswana-based Dare to Dream, organisation has become synonymous with advancement of women and girls in STEM, aviation and aerospace business leadership skills. The organisation was founded by Captain Kgomotso Phatsima, Botswana Defence Forces first women pilots. Captain Kgomotso uses the power of flight to ignite dreams and help other young women to follow in her footsteps. The Airbus Little Engineer programme, which is for girls and boys, began with two days seminars for Dare to Dreams trainers, familiarising them with the Airbus Little Engineer programme. These were followed by a workshop at the Botswana Innovaion Hub, involving 30 learners from Gaborone, Ramotswa and Bobirwa. During this workshop the 30 learners were introduced to the world of aviation, robotics and coding. The students were tasked to assemble an aircraft model, program it with their own algorithm so it is able to manoeuvre on the tarmac, ready for take-off. The inherent and extensive nature of science, innovation, engineering and aerospace technology offers boundless possibilities and opportunities for Botswana and its socio-economic development. They are essential to the realisation of Botswana Vision 2036 of achieving a knowledge based economy, the African Union Agenda 2063 of The Africa We Want and the UN sustainable development goals, said Captain Kgomoto Phatisma. Programmes like the Airbus Little Engineer are designed to support these goals by helping to equip and prepare the future generation of talent needed to take societies and economies forward. Dare to Dream aspires to be the leading social entrepreneur advancing the next generation of aviation and space leaders as well as business aviation leaders of tomorrow not only in Botswana but across the African Continent. (africanaerospace, photo: Airbus Foundation) GREENWICH Marina Levine is betting things will look up if more people look down. At her shoes, that is. The Greenwich mom of two, who is one of the co-founders of Indivisible Greenwich, has launched a line of conversation-starting footwear aimed at helping her customers stay au courant while supporting women running for office and championing the causes they hold dear. Were trying to promote progressive values, said Levine, who is married to environmental consultant Leon Levine of EcoThinkGroup. IamMoi is a direct-to-consumer shoe line featuring sleek, leather slides and loafers bearing resistance slogans, such as Resist, We Rise and Vote. Made by the fourth generation of an artisanal shoe-making family in Spain, each pair retails for between $135 and $150. A portion of the profits benefits female candidates who are advocates for social justice, civil liberties and the environment. The line is a marriage of two of its creators passions fashion and politics. Marina Levine is the daughter of Russian immigrants who escaped anti-Semitism in the former Soviet Union, gaining asylum in the United States. Born in Saint Petersburg, she was just 2 when they settled in Queens, N.Y., and later Great Neck, Long Island. I always wanted to work in fashion, but my parents, being immigrants, thought, You need a real job, Levine said. Heading off to Cornell University, she completed the hotel and business management program and started her career at a boutique hotel line. Since she worked nights, Levine had time during the day to tag along to classes with a friend studying at the Parsons School of Design. A shoe design course sparked her interest, and Levine started creating footwear in her East Village apartment. A Parsons professor thought she and her friend showed promise, and they began selling their designs in department stores until the economy hit the skids in 2008. Then Levine got a real job in the shoe industry, putting her dream of owning her own company aside for a time. Enter Donald Trump. When the future 45th president of the United States started gaining ground in the primaries, Levine looked for ways to combat what she called a dangerous trend in politics. She found the national Indivisible movement, which, according to its mission, works to resist the GOPs agenda, elect local champions and fight for progressive policies. Indivisible Greenwich was founded just after Trump was nominated. We did not skip a beat, Levine said. While IamMoi logged brisk sales around the midterm elections last year, she envisions the line broadening and continuing to support progressive groups, such as Emilys List and She Should Run. Eventually, we want go beyond statement footwear, said Levine, who has also sold the shoes in pop-up shops. She believes the political beliefs she espouses through Indivisible Greenwich and IamMoi stem from her background as an immigrant. She takes personally attacks on those trying to enter the U.S. now. Levine wonders whether her parents would have attempted to enter the country illegally if they hadnt been granted asylum through a lottery system. I experienced what its like on the other side, she said. My parents viewed immigration here as a means of survival. If nothing else, Levine knows her shoes provoke a reaction. Shes had interesting conversations with supporters and detractors since the brand debuted and once had a New York City bus driver pull up beside her and swing open her door. The sun shining on Levines signature shoes had caught the womans eye. She said, Where did you get those shoes?! Levine said, laughing. IamMoi shoes are available online at https://iammoi.com/. GREENWICH One of the states top officials will be making a visit to Greenwich as part of a planned speaker series put together by local Democrats. Secretary of the State Denise Merrill is expected to discuss voting rights as both a state and national issue in an event at 7 p.m. Thursday at Town Hall. The event is organized by the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee, but it is not just for the party faithful. DTC Chair Tony Turner said the event is open to the public, regardless of political affiliation We think people are very interested in this (topic), and there are obviously people on different sides of this issue, Turner said of early voting. We think that will generate a lot of participation and this is open for everyone. Unaffiliated voters are the largest constituency in Greenwich from a party registration standpoint so were expecting good attendance from that group. Merrill will make a presentation about the move in Connecticut toward early voting, which many states have implemented to increase participation and make voting easier, Turner said. Under early voting, polling places in town would be open during specific times for voters to cast ballots before Election Day. Early voting offers more opportunities for voting and can also potentially shorten lines on Election Day. Connecticut does not currently offer early voting, but Merrill has been making a push for it over the past month. Adding early voting in Connecticut would require a state constitutional amendment. Noting the convenience factor and the potential for higher turnout, Turner said there are many, many benefits that have already been proven in early voting. The questions to settle, according to Turner, are how and when it would happen. The Greenwich DTC has not taken a formal position on early voting in Connecticut, Turner said, but he expected the party would do so. Merrill will also speak about voting rights in general and take questions from the audience, he said. Early voting is one of Merrills 2019 legislative proposals along with allowing 16-year-olds to preregister to vote so it would become effective immediately on their 18th birthday. Merrill is also proposing that Connecticut residents who are on parole after a prison sentence be allowed to vote, as citizens who are on probation already are allowed. Merrill was re-elected last fall to her third term as secretary of the state. Her talk is the first in a series of speakers that the DTC is bringing to Greenwich. Transportation Commissioner Joseph Giuletti is the next speaker scheduled for April, with more coming throughout the year. Part of our strategic communications plan in the DTC is to have this lecture series in 2019 on a variety of topics, Turner said. Primarily we want state and local officials to be the speakers. The event is free, but seating is limited. The DTC is urging residents to RSVP online at https://bit.ly/2Tejkxb to register for free tickets for the event. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com Sadly, It has become so commonplace to see ethical missteps from top companies that you can be forgiven for starting to turn a deaf ear. But two high-profile incidents from two of the biggest names in the tech business Google and Facebook should cause us to really sit up, take notice. And demand of CISOs and CPOs of companies of all sizes to rethink their role and responsibilities. Before delving further, lets quickly recap the two exposes. The first from Nest (part of Google) was the sheepish admission that they had slipped in a somewhat important feature a microphone into the Nest Guard (part of the Nest Secure home security and alarm system) without any obvious intimation to its customers in its tech specs. The second is even more invasive and broad-reaching: Several high-profile applications on smartphones have been sending sensitive user data to Facebook regardless of whether the user has a Facebook account or not. And the user has no control, even if he or she was tech savvy and privacy intentioned, to stop this. As expected, both in Europe and in privacy-minded states in the US led by California and New York, the regulators are not letting this one slip by. What does this have to do with the redefinition of the CISO and CPO role? Before the smartphone, IoT and yes, AI invasion, there was a clear demarcation between tech and non-tech companies. Not anymore. Every company is a tech company. And that implies that every company has to deal with troves of digital data that needs to be secured and treated with respect when it comes to privacy. The traditional definition of CISO and CPO was all about ensuring business continuity, lowering business risk and keeping compliant. But now, as these high-profile events are showing us, this is clearly not enough. Not by a long stretch. So, what does the new-age CISO and CPO have to do? Embed yourself in the product definition and execution phase To traditionalists, this may sound outlandish. Product definition and development is the onus of the lines of businesses and as long as they comply with secure coding practices and use tools like vulnerability scanning the organization is safe. Not true anymore. Why? Because by using third-party SDKs (as in the case of the Facebook example), the new lines of communication are established with partners. This should also fall under the purview of the CISO. Ask the right questions. For the CPO, if your R&D teams are developing these SDKs that are being distributed, are you now the recipient of a lot of intimate customer (not yours but your SDK customers) information that these unsuspecting souls may not be aware of? Should you be getting this in the first place? And if so, are you letting your partners and potentially the end users know in a language they can understand? Understand and advocate for transparency and control for your end customers Leaving this to the product managers, engineers or even customer success teams is no longer good enough. As a CISO and CPO, your understanding of how to interpret EULA and T&C is far superior to anyone else in the organization as it relates to what the end user is bartering, and you need to become your customers CAO Chief Advocacy Officer. Is it going to be easy? Absolutely not. But is it the right thing to do for by the business, your customers and ultimately for the broader industry? Undoubtedly so. And as in the case of Alex Stamos (ex-CISO of Facebook), it may even lead to the parting of ways on differences as to what he stood for versus what Facebook had become. Become the interpreter of the laws of the tech land for your organization Yes, GDPR may be the one (still) getting a lot of attention, and yes there is still a lot of work to do to both interpret it correctly and implement it, but that is just the beginning. The CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) and NY Senate Bill S224 (under committee review) show how a few progressive states getting into the act as well. And while (expensive) GDPR consultants may help with the initial implementation, the onus to keep up with expanding legislations and its impact on the business needs today and tomorrow is the burden of the organization. And security and privacy will lead the focus of most of these legislations. And who better to interpret, advocate and recommend options to the product organizations? You guessed it. We are entering unchartered territories in this hyper-connected, hyper-social and hyper-distracted world. And the CISO and CPO can bring an ounce of sanity and calm to their organization by expanding their role and influence for the greater good of both the organization its customers and the community overall. Is that asking for too much? John Delaney, president of Windstar Cruises, will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Marine Hotel Association (MHA) conference and trade show in Naples, Florida, March 31-April 2. Delaney will take the stage during the conferences Monday breakfast on the morning of April 1, which will then be followed by the opening of the MHAs 34th annual event. The annual event will also feature a new Culinary Showcase that the MHA recently announced, featuring some of the top chefs in the cruise industry. Delaney was named Windstar president by parent company Xanterra Parks & Resorts in July 2016. Since then, the company has been on a tear in the small-ship world, reinventing deployment, expanding sourcing, moving bookings further out and now moving into bigger plans, with the news that Windstar will stretch its trio of Star-class ships. Starting later this year, each Star-class vessel will get a new midsection with 50 new staterooms, part of a $250 million investment by Windstar. Delaney was formerly senior vice president of Global Marketing and Sales for Seabourn Cruise Line (a Carnival Corporation brand), from 2011 through 2016. Prior to that, he held a number of positions at Holland America Line, including vice president of revenue marketing, director of special projects at corporate audit services and manager of management advisory services. Before working for Carnival Corporation, Delaney spent six years at The Walt Disney Company starting as a financial analyst in food operations at The Disneyland Resort and working his way up and through various departments including senior business planner for theme park operations revenue and manager of marketing finance. After a brief stint with Gateway Business, he returned to The Walt Disney Company at Disneyland Resort culminating as director, financial planning and analysis. Delaney earned his BS in Business Administration and Accounting from California State University in Long Beach, California, and resides in Seattle, Washington. He is a member of the board of directors of the Pike Place Market Foundation and past vice-chairman of the Seattle Symphony board of directors. The Port of Galveston and Royal Caribbean Cruises signed a memorandum of agreement in December to build a third cruise terminal. Royal Caribbean is presently operating two ships from Terminal 2, but the new terminal will be designed to accommodate Oasis-class ships. While specific designs and costs have not been revealed, the port said that the new terminal will be about 200,000 square feet on 10 acres of land. The new cruise terminal to be built by Royal Caribbean allows the port to continue investing in our infrastructure while growing our cruise business exponentially, said Rodger Rees, CEO and port director in a prepared statement. This partnership will bring both a larger class of ships as well as more visitors to Galveston. With Terminal 3 expected to be ready in 2021 and Terminal 2 being freed up for other ships, Disney Cruise Line signed a 10 year contract to double their seasonal sailings from Galveston. Also sailing from Galveston year-round is Carnival with three ships. The ships here are going out at 110 percent capacity, Rees told Cruise Industry News. For 2018, Galvestons passenger count came in just 10,000 passengers short of 2 million. Projections for 2019 call for the growth trend to continue. We have a good location, Rees said. We are in close proximity of Houston and some 20 million people live within a days drive. Seventy percent of our passengers drive to the port. We have 2,900 parking spots that belong to us and have just invited bids to build a new parking deck with 2,000 more spots by Terminal 1 and 2. With our plans for the new terminal, we will probably double our parking capacity. Already, the port spent $4 million to accommodate the recent arrival of the Carnival Vista. Rees said that Carnival entered into a 10-year agreement with the port two years ago, and that the negotiations with Royal Caribbean could lead to a 60-year transaction: a 20-year initial term and four 10-year options. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Please review our list of best credit cards , or use our CardMatch tool to find cards matched to your needs. Dear Your Business Credit, We run a small private preschool within a church facility in the state of Oklahoma. We have been using credit cards for years but have noticed that the transaction fees are hurting our budget. We want to add a convenience charge of $5.00 to each credit card transaction. Is this legal in Oklahoma? April Dear April, It does not appear that you can add a convenience charge. States that have no-surcharge laws include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Texas and Oklahoma. However, the state of Oklahoma allows sellers to offer a discount to people who pay by cash or check. This is what Oklahoma Statute 14A, 2-211 (1982) says about discounts: With respect to all sales transactions, a discount which a seller offers, allows or otherwise makes available for the purpose of inducing payment by cash, check or similar means rather than by use of an open-end credit card account shall not constitute a credit service charge as determined under Section 2-109 of this title if the discount is offered to all prospective buyers clearly and conspicuously in accordance with regulations of the administrator of Consumer Affairs. See related: Surcharges grow more common, even in states where theyre banned Credit card surcharges not allowed in Oklahoma As the statute above explains, surcharges are not allowed. No seller in any sales transaction may impose a surcharge on a cardholder who elects an open-end credit card or debit card account instead of paying by cash, check or similar means, the statute says. There is no limit on the discount which may be offered by the seller. Charging convenience fees in Oklahoma As for convenience fees which are sometimes allowed in industries where credit card payments are not the norm they are permitted for some educational institutions in Oklahoma, but I could not find any indicator that they are allowed for preschools. A private educational institution may charge a convenience fee, under the state statute 14A-2-417, provided it meets the definition of a private educational institution under paragraph (e) of 73102 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The convenience fee shall be limited to bank processing fees and financial transaction fees, the cost of providing for secure transaction, portal fees, and fees necessary to compensate for increased bandwidth incurred as a result of providing for an online transaction, the law says. Tip: Convenience fees are charges levied for the privilege of paying for a product or service using an alternative payment, or a payment method that is not standard for the merchant. When it comes to convenience fees, different card processing networks have different policies. Read Convenience fees: When is it OK to charge extra to use a credit card? to learn more. Charging convenience fees as an educational institution However, these educational institutions must meet the definition set out in title 70. According to Title 70, state educational institution refers to any institution supported wholly or in part by direct legislative appropriations and offering courses of education of any kind beyond or in addition to the twelfth grade, or its equivalent, as such grade is generally understood and accepted in the public school system of Oklahoma, whether called a university, college, junior college, school or academy. Private educational institution means any private, denominational or other institution of the same type as a state educational institution except that it is not supported wholly or in part by direct legislative appropriations. Seek legal advice before charging fees Resolution Legal Group published an article that looks further at the situation for merchants in Oklahoma. It notes that many sellers in the state are charging fees illegally. Its worth checking out. The laws related to credit card processing are in flux in many states so if you are making changes to how you process credit cards, Id highly recommend making a call to a local attorney who works with credit-related issues to make sure you handle every detail properly. See related:Card surcharge ban laws take another blow in California court Readers in other states may want to review a previous article I wrote about private schools and convenience fees, as card issuers rules may come into play, even if a states laws allow them. Good luck, April. Running a pre-school is important work. Sometimes, distracting issues like credit card processing fees can get in the way, but perhaps a discount program for those paying via cash or checks will ease the strain on your budget. Xiaomi, a global technology leader, has announced its first 5G-ready smartphone, Mi MIX 3 5G. To be available in May, Mi MIX 3 5G brings 5G wireless technology to Mi MIX 3, using the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 mobile platform with the Snapdragon X50 modem, said a company statement. Following shortly after the announcement in Chinese Mainland, Mi 9 has also been announced for other global markets. Mi 9 is Xiaomi's latest flagship, featuring an AI triple camera, class-leading 20W wireless charging and unimaginable performance powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platform. Mi 9 will first be available in Western Europe starting from 449 ($509.23). Xiaomi set its sights on a 5G solution as early as in May 2016 by establishing a team to deep dive on 5G standards and to start exploratory research. As a major participant of 5G trials organised by China Mobile, Xiaomi successfully tested n78 signal connection in September 2018, and completed mmWave (millimeter wave) signal test one month later. By that time, only a handful of smartphone manufacturers in the world had successfully conducted such testings. With a mission to innovate, Xiaomi first developed numerous strategic 5G partnerships with key service providers across the globe, such as 3, Sunrise, TIM, Vodafone and many more. The next step was to make 5G devices available to consumers, and to achieve that Xiaomi had been working tirelessly with some of these carriers since the early stages of Mi MIX 3 5G development. With the official announcement of Mi MIX 3 5G, Xiaomi is now one of the first smartphone manufacturers to produce a 5G phone for commercial use. At the launch event, Xiaomi demonstrated the readiness of Mi MIX 3 5G with a live demo, made possible using the 5G network provided by Orange Spain. Wang Xiang, senior vice president of Xiaomi, said: We have spent tremendous efforts developing a 5G smartphone solution and Mi MIX 3 5G represents our quest to create innovative products for everyone. We are also delighted and honoured to be working with our partners to make 5G a reality for even more users all over the world, he added. Integrating the Qualcomm Snapdragon X50 5G modem, Mi MIX 3 5G can connect to sub-6GHz signal that has gigabit-class download speed, which is tens of times faster than 4G network. Besides, the phone is one of the earliest adopters of the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 SoC, sustaining a long, stable peak performance thanks to a newly designed hybrid cooling system. Inside Mi MIX 3 the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platform, built using the latest 7nm process. The Qualcomm Kryo 485 CPU incorporates eight cores for a great balance between performance and power efficiency. Single core performance is up to 45 per cent faster, a great leap from the previous generation. The Qualcomm Adreno 640 GPU see increased performance by 20 per cent compared to the previous generation, and the fourth-generation Qualcomm AI Engine provides up to three times faster AI performance. Cristiano Amon, president, Qualcomm Incorporated, said: We are thrilled to continue our long-standing collaboration with Xiaomi to help bring deliver unprecedented 5G speeds and transformative user experiences to consumers through their latest flagship smartphone, Mi MIX 3 5G. Powering the new Mi MIX 3 5G and Mi 9, the Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platform features the 4th generation Qualcomm AI Engine to make your phone the ultimate personal assistant, the worlds first announced Qualcomm Spectra Computer Vision ISP to capture cinema-grade photography, and Snapdragon elite gaming to transform your premium smartphone into a powerful gaming machine, he added. TradeArabia News Service Corsicana, TX (75110) Today Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 73F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 73F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. 100% Website silverboxx.com uses latest and advanced technologies. It supports HTTPS. The main html page has a size of 97964 bytes (95.67 kb uncompressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2020-10-23, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 100% Website funcionpublica.gob.mx 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 182790 by Alexa. It supports HTTPS. The main html page has a size of 67 bytes (0.07 kb uncompressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-04-11, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 100% Website com250.com uses latest and advanced technologies like: JQuery. It is very popular on the web, it's within the 1 million most visited websites of the world at position 228004 by Alexa. It supports HTTPS. The main html page has a size of 47045 bytes (45.94 kb uncompressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2019-10-11, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 100% Website allbanaadir.com uses latest and advanced technologies like: JQuery. It is very popular on the web, it's within the 1 million most visited websites of the world at position 77651 by Alexa. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 310334 bytes (303.06 kb uncompressed) and 41053 bytes (40.09 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2020-11-24, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. Universal Rolling (Unirol), Bahrains high-quality reinforcement steel plant, will showcase the range of products being produced by its recently upgraded and fully automated facility, at the Gulf Construction Expo 2019, to be held in the kingdom in April. The event, a leading construction and building expo in the Northern Gulf region, will run from April 23 to 25, at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre. The event is being held under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, said the event organiser Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE). Ali Der, operations director of Universal Rolling, said: Our company is established as a leading supplier of construction steel in Bahrain and the GCC. We will be taking the opportunity at the expo to showcase our range of products which are being produced by our upgraded facility. All our products are manufactured to the exacting quality assurance set by UK Cares, he said. Jubran Abdulrahman, managing director, HCE, said: Unirol is one of the first producers of high-quality reinforcement bars of its kind in Bahrain. Rebars are an essential part of the construction process. Unirols presence at Gulf Construction will add an extra dimension for visitors to the expo from the construction sector through a trusted and reputed brand that is proudly made in the kingdom, he added. Gulf Construction Expo also carries the strategic sponsorship of Haji Hassan Group and Tamkeen with sector sponsors Amna Politerm Blu covering Green Technology. Gulf Construction Expo is held annually in conjunction with two other major events - the Gulf Property Show and Interiors Expo - thus providing the biggest integrated business-to-business showcase for the construction, interiors and property sectors ever to be staged in the Northern Gulf. TradeArabia News Service Natasha Hausdorff is a barrister and a Conservative activist. She was recently a Pegasus Scholar and Fellow in the National Security Law Programme at Columbia Law School in New York. The Home Secretarys decision today to proscribe the whole of the Lebanon based Hezbollah terrorist organisation is significant and long-overdue, not least because of the organisations antisemitic ideology and targeting of Israeli civilians. Once affirmed by Parliament, the UKs approach to Hezbollah will be brought into line with that of the United States, Canada, Japan, Israel and the Netherlands. Since July 2008, the so-called military wing of Hezbollah has been on the list of proscribed organisations that are concerned in terrorism, pursuant to Section 3 and Schedule 2 of the Terrorism Act 2000. It is a criminal offence for a person to belong to, support or otherwise invite support for a proscribed organisation. However, until now, an arbitrary distinction between supposed political and military wings left certain support for the group lawful in the UK. Hezbollah has perpetrated atrocities around the world, from Buenos Aires to Bulgaria. Its terror activity has included hostage taking, airline hijacking, and bombing, including blowing up a US Marine barracks killing more than 300 US and French servicemen in Lebanon. The group has also assassinated diplomats and policy makers in the Middle East, the US and Asia. The original proscription in the UK coincided with the discovery that Hezbollah had been targeting British soldiers in Iraq. Acting as an Iranian proxy, it has killed thousands of innocents and continues its butchery in Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, promoting Irans regime of terror in the region. While some terror organisations feign non-violence, Hezbollah itself has never gone in for such a masquerade. The organisation makes no such distinction between its military and political affairs, because terror is its fundamental ideology and raison detre. Naim Qassem, Hezbollahs Deputy Secretary General, explained in clear terms: We dont have a military wing and a political one; we dont have Hezbollah on one hand and the resistance party on the otherevery element of Hezbollah, from commanders to members as well as our various capabilities, is in the service of the resistance, and we have nothing but the resistance as a priority. This sentiment has been echoed by other top officials, including Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, the groups current Secretary General, and Ibrahim Mussawi, its spokesman. And this unity of purpose is considered to be an essential component of the groups perceived success; Qassem stressed to a Lebanese paper in 2000 the importance of one leadership, with one administration. It is bizarre that we in the UK have sought to maintain a distinction which is at odds with the pretty straightforward position articulated by Hezbollah leaders. The artificial division between wings has also been a dangerous one. Exploitation of the loophole created by this approach has allowed Hezbollah flags to be flown with impunity on the streets of London. The organisation has one flag, which displays an image of a Kalachnikov rifle, combined with a Heckler & Koch G3 assault rifle, clenched in a raised fist. Individuals displaying the Hezbollah flag at the annual Al Quds Day march in London have been shielded from prosecution under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act, under which it is an offence to carry or display an article in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion [of being] a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation. That the current legislation allows open support for this terrorist organisation on our streets has been raised repeatedly with the police and the Home Office by concerned community organisations. It would seem that these efforts have finally paid off. Undoubtably, full proscription ought also to affect the future approach of the police and the Crown Prosecution Service. This move sends a clear message that we will no longer tolerate incitement and celebration of terror on the streets of the UK. The news of full proscription is also to be welcomed as an indication of a toughened stance towards Iran, Hezbollahs patron and financier. The Foreign Secretary seems to be taking a stronger line on Iran due to the continued imprisonment of British Iranian dual national, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. In light of Iranian support for terror organisations across the Middle East, tougher action on Iran is to be supported and encouraged. Rejection of the untenable distinction between wings of Hezbollah will also enable law enforcement agencies to crack down on financial support for one of the best funded terror organisations in the world. Concerns have been mooted over full proscription in view of Hezbollahs participation in the Lebanese government. It has been argued that the UKs relationship with Lebanon may be unduly complicated by such a determination. That argument remains unconvincing in light of the relationship which the US, Canada and the Arab League maintain with Lebanon while being clear in their own acknowledgment that Hezbollah is a terrorist organisation in its entirety. Indeed, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Tom Tugendhat, has further indicated that proscription of the political wing would not conflict with the UKs duty to speak to ministers in the Lebanese government. Notably, such MPs as Joan Ryan, Mike Gapes and Ian Austin, all of whom left Labour last week, have also previously called for the group to be banned in its entirety. The Government and the Home Secretary should be congratulated on the decision to finally end the charade and proscribe Hezbollah in full. With Parliaments approval, this will be a significant step forward in the proper approach to combatting terrorism and to keeping this heinous organisation from inciting hatred on the streets of the United Kingdom. This the full text of a speech delivered by Tom Tugendhat MP to the Conservative Party Spring Forum at the weekend. Tom Tugendhat is Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, and is MP for Tonbridge and Malling. first became interested in foreign policy for the very obvious reason that if you have a name like mine you ask yourself who you are and where you are from. Now for me the answers were always pretty clear on one level. Im from Kent, Im English, Im British, but Im also of European origin. Ive got deep links across the continent and like everybody here, like everybody who is truly Conservative, Im really proud of my family, Im really proud of where Im from. And Im also really proud of where we are today. That answer where were from is not the question were looking to answer today. Were looking to answer where were going. What it means to be British in a globalised world. What does it mean to be Global Britain? I didnt learn much of that here. I learnt it in the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan. I learnt it in the heat of combat serving alongside some of the finest men and women this country has ever produced. I learned it as we lay in ditches and told each other those stories you tell in the quiet hours before battle or as we were tidying ourselves up afterwards. And I learnt then about their lives. What had brought them, what had brought us, together. I learned through them about our country and our society. I learnt that our country is an extraordinary country. I learned that we have managed to produce, have managed to bring together, have managed to channel the best and bravest, and indeed the funniest people who Ive ever had the privilege to serve with. Im not alone in thinking this. The extraordinary thing when I hear the national debate going on at the moment is this obsessive self-doubt. This absurd though that somehow all of that history, all of that thought, will come to naught. Thats just rubbish. And Im not alone in thinking that. In fact, Im not alone in thinking that in Europe and Im not alone in thinking that in the world. One of the great things about this job, one of the great things about chairing this committee, is that Ive been around the world and Ive spoken to people and Ive heard what people want from us. What they want, we offer. We offer values, that commitment to freedom, to prosperity, to the rule of law. We offer skills, we offer the strength of our extraordinary people through imagination and creativity. And we offer that extraordinary thing that so few others do we offer the ability to back it up. Thats military might, true, but also thats diplomatic might. That continuum that is foreign policy strategy, true strategy, that takes you from aid, through trade to defence and links all together. Thats what we offer. In the past year and a half since Ive been chairing this committee Ive had the privilege to sit down with many from Communists in Beijing and Ive had the great privilege of laying a wreath on behalf of our own Queen in Delhi on 11 November last year. And Ive noticed the same thing everywhere. They respect our position in the world. They may challenge it, they may question it, but in their hearts they know it matters because they know the rules matter. And thats why we need to do three things, and thats what Ive been working on. First, we need to reengage with Europe. I know this is a strange thing to say today but we do need to reengage in Europe. Not in Brussels, but in national capitals. We need to reinforce that Europe of nation states that so many of us believe in of partnership, of cooperation, and of alliance. Second we need to renew our old alliances from the Five Eyes community to the Commonwealth we need to work with friends, with friends who weve grown up with, who weve fought alongside, who we understand and who understand us. And third, we need to confront the effects of other peoples foreign policy, at home, here, in the UK. Because were not alone in facing that. We know foreign dictators, foreign autocrats, are spreading poison. We know that they are corrupting our institutions and we know that we are doing too little to push back. Those themes, bringing them together, will empower our nation and ensure that our people are able to choose their own path to a prosperous and free future. That is exactly where we are headed. Ignore the naysayers, ignore the doom-mongers. Ignore those who keep talking us down. They are wrong. Yes there are risks and there are challenges, so of course we are going to have to face those risks but this is a moment for imaginative thinking, for free thinking. We can leverage the past and we can write a new chapter. As we determine our path more clearly, we will need to change the way we work at home. Because the first thing that we must remember about foreign policy is that it is about our people about how we see our place and how we wish to shape our future. Now were Conservatives and we understand something absolutely fundamental. You cannot build your own, independent foreign policy with other peoples money. It doesnt work. So we must make sure that everyone in our country is ready to play their part in reshaping our nation and that means building our country at home. There are various areas we can look at and there are a few we have got to think hard about and they are about valuing individuals, valuing communities and valuing our skills. Too often, we have underrated real skills, engineering, and practical knowledge. Real jobs. And we have pretended that the only path to success is academic knowledge. Tony Blair demonstrated that misguided metropolitan mindset when he said that fifty percent of people had to go to university. That was always wrong. What it said was that a skill, that ability to make something or do something was second class and second rate. Its not. Its first class and a first rate opportunity to build a first rate country. That real knowledge, not bluff and bluster that you hear from so many sadly today, is the kind of deep education that builds our country and continues to enrich the manufacturing heart of our nation. Too often it has been overlooked. Not today, and not by this government. Because as Conservatives there is something we have done that Im really proud of. The new T-Levels that are coming in are the equivalent of, the equal to, the A-Level show that we are bringing equality into education. But we need to go further. We need to address the stigma that has tainted the practical side of knowledge. And for this we need to look abroad for lessons. If you do an apprenticeship in Germany, and you do well and get to the highest level, you get the respect of the title meister. Its an honorific and rightly so. If you become an engineer in an Arabic speaking country you will get the respect of the title mohendis, again, an honorific showing value. Thats because those cultures understand and respect the effort that individuals have put in to practical genuine knowledge. We need to do the same. We need to put the respect back into real knowledge and real work. We havent forgotten it everywhere in the UK. If you call a sergeant sir, youll get the answer: Dont call me sir, I work for a living. Because he is reflecting that knowledge that hands on work, not just management, is a matter of dignity and pride and something to be respected. We need to welcome those who are empowering our new economy. Visit Manchester or Newcastle, visit Belfast or Bristol, and you will find cities that have a greater understanding of artificial intelligence and biotechnology than whole countries. You will find individuals that have sat down to chart new futures not just for themselves, not just for their communities but for the whole world basing themselves out of some of our most important cities. We know that we can transform the world, but we also now that relies on harnessing the industries that are revolutionising technology. We can only do that if we are the best, and we can only be the best, if we are open. I was really struck when in India recently when I heard time and again that some of the best students werent coming to Britain. They were going to Australia and New Zealand, to the United States and Canada to study there. Now why was that? Because their countries are open. More engaged, more willing to accept students from around the world. Those countries benefited from those students too. You just have to look at the names working for some of the largest tech companies in the world to see what immigration can do. Now Im not going to back them on everything but Amazon, Google and Facebook have demonstrated that immigration can really drive economies. But instead of looking open, too often we have been closed. If we are going to play our part in the world, we need to change that. I want to see a reform. I want to see our top universities to those students I met in India who deserve them, getting round the bureaucracy and straight to the empowered economy that would generate. That simple change would promote competition at home amongst universities. But also amongst those who are the best in the world who want to come and share that opportunity. An most importantly, it would show that we are still at the heart of an open, engaged world and we are at the heart of the network that ties it together. Now, we know that universities bring huge prosperity to communities but new student buildings and improved rail links can distract us from those areas that have not benefited and missed out on attention and investment. And this is a story that we see across our towns and cities. And the truth is that too many of our communities have been disempowered. Now years of centralisation under Labour have left us looking too often at Westminster and not at ourselves and we know this is wrong, because we know what makes the strength of our own party. We know that the strength of our own party is our local associations, our constituencies and not, Im afraid, Central Office and central power. Very soon, there will be thousands of Conservative councillors standing for election this May ready to empower communities and citizens. We need to focus on their ability to deliver because that is the localism that we have often spoken about but too often failed to see through. The lesson is clear. Well run Conservative councils deliver strong public services despite very real challenges to their finances. And they should be applauded but they should also be supported. Because we must recognise that they are taking the tough decisions at the local level that enable them to deliver for the people who chose them, who elect them, and who want them to be making local decisions in an accountable and local way. Because thats how accountability works. That local accountability applies to all of us. Thats why as chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Ive been doing something a bit differently. Weve been taking the committee around the country not just around the world. Weve been listening to find out what people want from a global Britain. Weve been hearing what people say about our place in the world and trying to understand different perspectives. And seeing what we can do to deliver them. Unless Britains policies can be viewed through the eyes of those who have asked us to deliver, how can we know if theyre working? As Conservatives were not afraid of government. We know government has its place. We know it builds on the essential building blocks of society: on families; on communities; on businesses. So thats exactly who we listen to on these trips. And we hear from them their perspectives. On travel, on trade and on engagement. Were not afraid of international organisations either. We know they have a place and a role. But just as the country is built on associations and on families, international organisations are accountable to nation states. The nation is the accountable unit. Not the multinational body. And thats why even though we are leaving the EU we are not leaving the community of Europe and our values and aspirations will continue to be shared across Europe. Working together we will make sure that we contribute to each others prosperity. Today, this will be through bilateral agreements and organisations like NATO, where we already play an outsized role. But I would like to see that grow. Id like to see our defence spending increase, so that were able to show the leadership that is so essential today: in challenging our enemies and in supporting our allies. We want to be want be what former US Defence SecretaryJim Mattis calls the US Marine Corps: no better friend, no worse enemy. We understand the importance of those alliances. And we understand the importance of those international organisations and the rule of law. But those alliances do demand investment, and they do demand the effort we need to maintain those things we truly value: free speech, free trade, free markets and, of course, what underpins all of them: a free democracy. Today, again these ideals are being threatened. The age of the strong man leader is back. Its on the rise. From Venezuela to Russia were seeing autocrats repressing their people. Sadly we are also seeing too many in our own country drawn in. Now I dont just mean those who have spent decades providing cover for demagogues and dictators, like todays Labour leadership. But also their fellow travellers who believe in top down centrally planned, nightmarish government. There is no worse sickness than socialism. It comes back. And we know the result. You dont just run out of other peoples money. You run out of freedom too. Its our job as Conservatives to call it out and to stop it taking root. Now thats not just for ourselves, and in fact its not even for our country. Its because Britains place in the world is to guard those values and to guard those freedoms. I know we can do it. And I know we will do it. Because as an island of liberty and opportunity we are still looked to by people from around the world. And building on real skills, building on an open culture, building on competitive markets, we can be a partner to our friends and a prosperous home to our people. These are not just our values, not just Conservative values. I think these are fundamentally British values. They empower us at home and abroad and they bind our communities together. And thats why Im proud to be a Conservative. And Im proud to be with you this morning. Id like to finish by thanking you for everything that you do: not just for your associations, not just for our party, but for our country and for the efforts that we are all making to guard that flame of liberty and democracy in the world. Thank you. May delays second vote until 17 days before exit Might the Prime Minister actually need Cooper? The Times Malthouse is the way forward Marcus Fysh, The Times Mundell accuses the SNP of cynically pursuing party interests before Scotlands Daily Telegraph The IoD says businesses have lost all faith in the political process The Times Gove warns that food prices could go up under No Deal Daily Mail She is filmed playing pool with the Italian President Daily Telegraph Theresa May was told last night to rule out no-deal or face ministerial resignations after it emerged that she would make MPs wait until 17 days before Brexit for the crucial vote on her revised exit plan. The prime minister revealed yesterday that she would not ask the Commons to ratify an amended divorce agreement this week, setting a new deadline of March 12. The latest delay means that Downing Street will now spend the start of this week desperately attempting to head off cabinet resignations before MPs are given the opportunity to vote on Wednesday on a motion forcing Mrs May to delay Brexit if she cannot get her deal through by March 13. Some ministers are now privately pressing Mrs May to rule out a no-deal break with the EU in tomorrows Commons statement or face the likely success of an amendment put forward by the Labour MP Yvette Cooper. The Times Opinion and editorials >Today: Nicky Morgans column: Downing Street needs to tell us clearly this week what it wants from the EU >Yesterday Downing Street considers postponing Brexit Day for two months Brexit will be delayed for up to two months under plans being considered by Theresa May to extend Article 50, The Telegraph has learned. Downing Street officials have drawn up a series of options in a bid to avoid resignations by ministers determined to support a backbench bid to take no deal off the table this week. The Prime Minister said she will delay a meaningful vote on her deal by up to two weeks The Telegraph understands that the plans drawn up by Downing Street officials, which were circulated at the weekend, include making a formal request to Brussels to delay Brexit if she cannot secure a deal by then. It came as the Prime Minister failed to secure a breakthrough deal in the desert during talks with European leaders at an EU-Arab summit in Brussels. She said that leaving by March 29 is still within our grasp, a far more downbeat assessment than her previous insistence that Britain will leave the EU on Brexit day. While the Downing Street plans do not specify the length of the extension, ministers believe it will be no longer than two months. Daily Telegraph >Today: ToryDiary: The motion backing Brexit that every Conservative Association should pass during this AGM season >Yesterday: WATCH: Gove It is Government policy to leave on the 29th of March Ministers prepare a No Deal hardship fund Banks are divided on the scale of possible defaults FT Taxpayers bill for redundancies rises Daily Mail The rise in paupers funerals should shame us Clare Foges, The Times City of London police receive 29 million from banks and insurers The Times Frankfurts art scene eagerly awaits an influx of bankers FT The American shale gas revolution has proved more sustainable than its critics expected Nick Butler, FT A leaked document from the cabinet committee dedicated to preparing for a chaotic rupture with the European Union reveals the extraordinary scenarios being prepared for in Whitehall. Other measures under consideration include using tax and benefits policy to offset rises in the cost of living, protection for parts of the country geographically vulnerable to food shortages and sourcing alternative food for schools, prisons and hospitals. The plans were drawn up at a meeting this month of the EU exit and trade (preparedness) committee, which is chaired by Theresa May and attended by almost every cabinet minister. One of the actions arising circulated after the meeting says that officials and ministers in several government departments, including the Department for Work and Pensions and the Treasury, will work on the detail of a possible hardship fund. Projections of a no-deal Brexit have forecast surges in unemployment. In the Bank of Englands modelling of a no-deal Brexit last November unemployment would rise to 7.5 per cent. The Times Today: Stephen Booth on Comment: Brexit and the economy. There are ups, there are downs. But whatever happens, our fundamentals remain strong. 200 million of UK aid for Yemen Theresa May has handed over another 200 milion in aid to help the worlds worst humanitarian crisis in Yemen. Nearly 10 million people are facing starvation in the poor Arab country as the four year-long civil war continues to rage. A total of 24 million need humanitarian assistance, such as clean drinking water. Britains fresh aid handout came as the PM arrived at the first summit of EU and Arab leaders yesterday, in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El-Sheikh. Mrs May also uses the meeting to heap pressure on Saudi Arabia to end the bitter conflict, after its jets joined the Yemeni regimes war against Houthi rebels. Mrs May said: The situation in Yemen cannot go on. The Sun Bright Blue calculates that debt, pension liabilities and spending promises now total 6,600 billion The Sun Saudi Arabia appoints first female ambassador The Times King Salman tries to win back international standing after Khashoggi murder scandal Daily Mail EHRC identifies under-achieving white working class boys as a group needing special attention May talks up her domestic equality agenda Belfast Telegraph Does she want to stay on? The Sun Scheme to lure back former teachers is failing The Times Littlewood: Gender pay data fuels outrage but fails to inform us Some white working class boys are so far behind classmates they should get special treatment like traveller children and the disabled, says the equalities and human rights commission In education it cites attainment gaps and high exclusion rates among children sharing certain protected characteristics including boys, disabled children and gypsy and traveller children. A commission spokeswoman said: Attainment is an issue particularly for white boys on free school meals or from disadvantaged backgrounds whereas exclusion rates are higher for Gypsy, Roma, Traveller boys and black boys. Official data shows white boys on free school meals are 13 points behind disadvantaged black pupils in key phonic literacy skills when they start school. By 16, the average GCSE score for white boys on free school meals is just 29.5, compared to 40.5 for Asian disadvantaged boys, based on their score for eight GCSEs. Daily Telegraph Last week there was this years first batch of gender pay gap statistics released by big British companies. This is yet another area of our economic life where we seem to believe that the precise measurement of something has real merit. The underlying idea is that the collection and processing of data will effectively and accurately expose the level of sexism that exists in the labour market. Initially, those companies with bad or worsening data can be named and shamed across the media. But be in no doubt that it will not be long before there are suggestions of legal sanctions for employers whose statistics do not match up to the sort of society which central planners believe they should design. The concerning feature of the debate about gender pay is that the data falls well short of imparting the actual information we would need if we wanted properly to analyse where sexism or misogyny exists and how we can tackle it. Mark Littlewood, The Times Stonewall founder condemns the organisations extreme position on self-identification The Times Chief Executive of the pressure group resigns Daily Mail NHS Trust director quits amid serious concerns about gender clinic that treats children Daily Mail Petition to debate new sex education curriculum passes threshold for Parliamentary debate The Times One in four men says they are failing in life Daily Mail Bullying and harassment endemic in NHS hospitals A mild winter aids the health service but systemic issues are all-too visible FT Veterans are made to wait up to a year for mental health treatment Daily Mail One GP covers out of hours visits for half a million people in Shropshire Daily Mail Female barristers urged to stand up to bullying judges The Times Consider the security threat posed by Huawei, GCHQ urges Hundreds of doctors have been accused of bullying and sexually harassing colleagues in the past five years, prompting concern that a culture of intimidation is thriving in the NHS. Data shows that reports of bullying and harassment in England rose from 420 in 2013-14 to 585 in 2017-18. The figures, obtained by the Guardian using a freedom of information request, showed that only a fraction of these cases led to dismissal or disciplinary action. Leading doctors were troubled by the findings. Speaking anonymously, one surgeon from London said he had experienced racism in his job. He said bullying was endemic in some hospitals Dr Anthea Mowat, British Medical Association representative body chair, said: This is further evidence of the scale of bullying taking place in the NHS and it is essential that solutions are put in place immediately to eradicate unacceptable behaviour. The Guardian Britain must consider the threat posed by Chinese telecoms such as Huawei before deciding whether to bar them from providing our next generation mobile network, the head of GCHQ will warn today. Earlier this month intelligence chiefs concluded that the security risk around Huawei supplying critical infrastructure for the 5G network is manageable. The US, Australia and New Zealand have all barred Huawei from involvement in building their telecoms infrastructure amid concerns that it could be used by Beijing for spying or mounting cyber attacks. However in a speech in Singapore today Jeremy Fleming, the director of GCHQ, will emphasise that a final decision about Huaweis involvement has yet to be made. Daily Telegraph Rushdie fatwa came about due to request from British Muslim activist The Times Watson directly challenges Corbyn over antisemitism Crisis for the soul of the Labour Party, Deputy Leader warns CityAM Only he can save his Party Jane Merrick, The Times The last sensible Labour MPs should just quit The Sun Says Corbyns leadership is a haven for extremists The Times Leader Venezuelan troops block aid from entering the country Tom Watson has directly challenged Jeremy Corbyn over his partys anti-Semitism crisis, as he revealed he has handed the Labour leader a dossier of 50 complaints made by parliamentary colleagues. Laying down a test of Mr Corbyns sincerity on eradicating anti-Jewish hatred, Labours deputy leader said he would now be required to stage a personal intervention if he was to have any chance of becoming prime minister. His stark warning comes less than a week after eight MPs quit the party to found the breakaway Independent Group, citing institutional anti-Semitism as one of the main factors behind their defection. They were followed out of Labour by Ian Austin, the son of a Holocaust survivor and personal friend of Mr Watson, who said he would have been unable to look my dad in the eyes if he had chosen to stay in the party under Mr Corbyn. With Dame Louise Ellman last night on the brink of joining them, Mr Watson said the situation was so grave now that Mr Corbyn had to take a personal lead or risk an exodus of more MPs, peers, councillors and activists. Daily Telegraph The Maduro regime has been branded criminal and may face outside military intervention after troops blocked humanitarian aid in violent stand-offs at the countrys borders in which four people were killed and hundreds injured. At least 100 members of the Venezuelan armed forces and police defected at the weekend, according to Colombian officials. On Saturday, as the attempt to deliver aid was beginning, two armoured vehicles from the national guard were driven across the Simon Bolivar Bridge near the city of Cucuta towards Colombia. Three men emerged with their hands in the air and declared that they were deserting. A priest who took one of the defectors to meet Juan Guaido, 35, the internationally recognised interim president, told The Times that they had crossed with nothing but their uniform and the Colombians were struggling to find them safe places to sleep. During chaotic scenes at the countrys frontiers with Brazil and Colombia thousands of protesters tried to deliver at least 600 tonnes of aid on Saturday. They were blocked by Venezuelan security forces, backed by heavily armed pro-government paramilitaries. The Times Defectors fear their families may be targeted Daily Mail Before the country can heal, the tyrant must go The Times Leader The military might be about to unseat him Daily Telegraph Leader Charles and Camilla urged to cancel Cuba trip as the dictatorship is aiding Maduro Daily Telegraph How Putin drove his country off the path to democracy FT TIG MPs think about keeping the name once they become a party The 11 breakaway MPs could keep the name the Independent Group for their new party, after a surge in public support. The eight former Labour MPs and three former Tories are due to meet today for their first formal discussions since quitting their parties last week. They are due to focus on dividing responsibilities and whether there should be a leader when it becomes an official political party. It was expected that the new party would have a new name and logo but the response to their unusually straightforward temporary name has prompted a rethink. Insiders have also been struck that the shortening of the name to TIG, with members dubbed Tiggers, has also chimed with voters. One member of the group said: I have been struck by the number of people who, unprompted, have said they like the name. We have been surprised by the warm response to that. Maybe we should keep it? The Times >Yesterday: News in Brief Columbia, MO (65201) Today Showers this evening becoming a steady rain overnight. Low around 70F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Showers this evening becoming a steady rain overnight. Low around 70F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Trade ministers and top-level decision makers from 120 countries will feature prominently among global food industry delegations at the upcoming Gulfood 2019 to be held next week, in Dubai, UAE. The event, the worlds largest annual food and beverage trade show, will be held from February 17 to 21, at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Gulfood will see international food producers aim to cater for soaring food demands across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, said a statement from the organisers. Amongst the 5,000 local, regional and international exhibitors displaying innovative, new-to-market products and solutions to service the regions rapidly evolving food industry landscape, national zones from West to Far-East will shine a light on how established and emerging food producing markets are adapting to meet the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) regions food and beverage needs, where food and beverage sales are estimated to reach USD130 billion in value by 2021, according to Gulfood Global Industry Outlook Report 2018. A Welsh Government delegation will lead the countrys Gulfood presence as part of its mission to grow the Welsh food and drink industry by 30 per cent by 2020. The Welsh will display hundreds of products from companies renowned for high-quality beverages, dairy and meat. The GCC continues to be a key priority market for Welsh food and drink exports, which recorded 41.6 per cent growth between 2014 and 2018, with 19.3 per cent growth in the UAE alone, said Lesley Griffiths AM, Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs for the Welsh Government. With the UAE building up to Expo 2020 Dubai, our confidence in this sector underpins the importance of the UAE market to Wales. Traditional food industry powerhouse France will highlight the countrys multifaceted export potential with a beefed-up Gulfood presence at this years show. Led by Business France, the national agency which supports the international development of the countrys economy, French companies will span four of eight Gulfood segments: dairy; meat and poultry; beverages and world food. France exported more than $1.4 billion worth of products to the GCC in 2017, with Saudi Arabia now ranked as the European nations 17th biggest export market and the UAE sitting 24th. French food exports to the UAE have grown by more than 213 per cent since 2010 and reached $446 million in 2017. The F&B export industry is vital for our sustainability and it is something we work on and produce with passion, said Marc Cagnard, managing director at Business France Middle East. We have been strong supporters of Gulfood since 1987 and France is bringing this passion to the show again in 2019. France is now the second largest European supplier to the UAEs F&B industry and we are committed to fostering continued F&B business between France and the wider region. Fellow industry heavyweight Germany is participating for a 10th straight year and its presence at Gulfood 2019 will be the countrys largest to date. Some 70 German companies will be represented across four halls, displaying an array of culinary specialities and new and innovative products featuring the renowned Made in Germany trademark. We are delighted to be at Gulfood for the 10th time. Come and meet the German exhibitors at Gulfood 2019, find out about German foods and taste some light refreshments from Germany offered by our show-kitchen or on-site at the company booths, said Hans-Joachim Fuchtel, Vice-Minister for Food and Agriculture. Enterprise Singapore, the government agency championing trade and enterprise development, heads to Gulfood amid a burgeoning food trade relationship with the UAE. The Emirates are one of the city states top destinations for food exports, with trade standing at $70.2 million in 2018. At Gulfood, the Tasty Singapore area - a supermarket meets technology concept will see 46 Singapore food companies, including 14 first-time participants, display new ingredients, products and technological developments in food manufacturing, packaging and retailing. Singapore companies are set to launch a range of new-to-region products, including traditional bite-sized satay (meat skewers) snacks, as well as exotic Southeast Asian-flavoured delicacies such as soursop, dragon fruit jams, and yuzu and mango cheesecakes. Making its Gulfood debut this year, the European Union (EU) will highlight the diversity and quality of food products from across the 28-country bloc led by Agriculture and Rural Development commissioner Phil Hogan. The UAE ranks as the EU's 13th biggest export market for agri-food products, the value of which reached $3.3 billion in 2017. The EUs presence will complement its member states' individual stands at Gulfood by focusing on live cooking shows and masterclasses in Gulfoods Tastes of the World area. Chef Charles Soussin, from France and Celebrity Chef Mona Mosly from Saudi Arabia (jury of Top Chef Arabia) will demonstrate the quality and adaptability of EU products through exclusive recipes mixing European and Arabic flavours. The high level of interest from national trade agencies and organisations reinforces Gulfoods position as a global food trade power brand, say show organiser. Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president, Exhibitions & Events, DWTC, said: The Middle East and Africa are poised for robust F&B growth between now and 2021, which puts Gulfood top of the agenda for existing exporters and market newcomers. Dubais strategic position as a re-export hub and gateway to growth markets underpins why Gulfood remains such a vitally important event for trade delegations worldwide, she added. TradeArabia News Service The Student Fee Board passed all eleven proposed allocations for the upcoming year which included approving allocation increases for the LGBTQA Resource Center and Student Legal Services. Shortly after the meeting was called at 8:15 a.m. Monday, the board quickly got to work. The LGBTQA Student Resource Center's allocation request was approved for a $65,000 increase. A large portion of the funding will go to wages, while another major portion will be utilized for the program budget. In addition, a $20,000 increase allocation request by Student Legal Services passed unanimously, totaling the budget to approximately $490,000. Further, the board also recommended funding for other projects that are anticipated to begin in the summer. Funding for the summer projects will come from the student-initiated fee account. Of the student-initiated fee account, $565,000 is expected to be granted for the Robeson Gallery renovation, as the LGBTQA Student Resource Center will move into that space. The Gender Equity Center, Center for Performing Arts, Campus Recreation and Bryce Jordan Center all received the approval for flat funding, and no further summer allocation funds. The OmniCharge system funding recommendation was also approved. According to its website, OmniCharge systems are now available at over 50 universities, including Penn State. Funding for the expansion is approximately $47,000. RELATED Penn State Robeson Gallery may soon close | What it means The HUB will likely close the Robeson Center so the LGBTQA Student Resource Center can move into that space. Central Pennsylvania gets hit hard every winter with snowy, cold weather, which has worked out for Penn State students with recent class cancelations but not so much for student recruitment organizations on campus. Penn State has canceled seven days of classes because of winter weather so far this academic year, causing campus tours for transferring and prospective students to be canceled, as well. Lion Ambassadors, Lion Scouts and S.M.A.R.T. (the Student Minority Advisory and Recruitment Team) are all organizations responsible for hosting tours around the University Park campus. TaKhari Thompson, secretary of S.M.A.R.T., said that S.M.A.R.T. gives more private tours than general tours to high schools or church groups. [Tour groups] will request a day and will request that S.M.A.R.T. tour guides specifically give a tour, Thompson (junior-geography) said. Then we come in and theres a snowstorm, if the university isnt open then we cant give them a tour. Thompson said this sets the tour groups back, so prospective students may not get another opportunity to visit Penn State. As long as the university is open, we will tour in anything rain, sleet and snow, Thompson said. Thompson said the university supplies resources for students to be warm and comfortable in the uncontrollable weather conditions, like warm jackets, hand warmers and foot warmers. The hardest part [about giving tours] is trying to keep the morale of the tour group up because no one wants to tour in inclement weather, but at the same time, they drove all the way to State College, theyre not about to turn around and miss their tour, Thompson said. Tara Bunce, director of communications of Lion Ambassadors, said because of the required uniforms Lion Ambassadors must wear, they are a bit limited when it comes to dressing warmly, but they have learned to power through the winter weather. It might be a bad day, but it could be a day for someone to fall in love with Penn State, too, Bunce (senior-advertising and new media art) said. President of Lion Ambassadors, Nick Pazuchanics, said he still had a memorable experience when he toured Penn State in a blizzard and remembers how excited his tour guides were, despite the bad weather. Seeing students walking around through the blizzard indicated that [Penn State] has the pride that powers everyone to do the things theyre supposed to be doing, Pazuchanics (senior-labor and employment relations) said. The ability to influence someones decision to come to Penn State supersedes going through and snow and ice. There are a couple of times [on tours] when you get to pop inside too, which is always nice. There are places you can go to get a break from the snow, Pazuchanics said. But then you have to talk over everyones sneaky shoes as theyre walking through the hallways. As president, he said hes impressed watching the tour guides go through the wintery weather. Yes, they complain, and we all do sometimes, but people are still willing to go out there and I think that speaks to the quality of the organization, Pazuchanics said. Bunce said she tries to use sarcasm and humor during inclement tours, and has received many compliments from families and alumni who appreciate her trying to make the best out of an unideal experience. If you see tour guides that are willing to go through the snow, rain, whatever it may be to show you their school, thats really cool, Bunce said. That says a lot about the university itself. Whether theyre vacationing outside of the country or going home outside of Philly, many Penn State students wont be on campus for spring break. Some are used to migrating. I love traveling. Im used to it from my dads job. We have lived in like more than ten countries, Cami Baldivieso, a Bolivian native, said. Its normal for my family. I dont like saying it because I feel like I sound cocky or something, but I live on airplanes. Baldivieso (sophomore-biology) is going to take her roommate to Spain. Her plans to stay with a friend from high school, go to restaurants and walk around a museum sounded like an average day on campus. However, Baldivieso will likely be going to Museo Nacional del Prado not the Palmer Museum of Art. Kruti Kakkad, an international student from India, finds herself in a similar situation this break. Kakkad (graduate-economics) is visiting another major United States city as she travels to Boston this break. Ive been to New York, Florida, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Kakkad said. However, some students may not be as comfortable with travelling. Ashley Ju will be spending her break with her family in Cancun. This is like the first time in a while, Ju (junior-hospitality management) said. It was like kind of an impromptu thing. She usually goes home to New York City for spring break, but is excited to try new things and get a tan this year. Jordan Tenerowicz is a little more nervous. I am going to Florida with my friend to visit her family, Tenerowicz (senior-animal science) said. It might be weird, but its fine. She has never been to Tampa before but hopes to have a relaxing break on the beach. Traveling is not something shes used to, but she is trying to keep an open mind. Many Penn State students are content staying in their comfort zone, however, and will heading home to see family and friends next week. Mahkaelah Wearing is going home to West Philadelphia to spend time with her family and girlfriend. Not one for homesickness, Wearing (sophomore-photojournalism) is still very excited to spend time at home, like many students. Danny McVaney, like many, will miss being on campus. Hes glad to be performing around Florida with his choir he will still miss Penn State, though. Penn State is a college where everything around it is college, the town was built around it, McVaney (sophomore-electrical engineering) said. It's a place for college students, where everyone is like you, and you can always find someone to be friends with, where everyone has something in common. The 91st Oscars awards ceremony on Feb. 24 was the fifth hostless awards show since 1939. Without a guide for the show, viewers were hesitant on what the outcome of the show would be. The opening act, featuring 2009 American Idol winner Adam Lambert and Queen, had the crowd pumping fists. But without the late Freddie Mercury, it certainly was not the same. However, the show managed to display a screen wide shot of Mercury in his honor. Mr. @adamlambert. He will, he will, rock you. Twitter Movies (@TwitterMovies) February 25, 2019 To fill open gaps, the Oscars had a montage of featured films of the year, outstanding performances and stunning presenters. Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph opened by joking about how by the end of the night, they would be remembered as the hosts. They continued to joke about the well-known Netflix documentary about the failed Fyre Festival. Everybody look under your seats, youre all getting a cheese sandwich from the Fyre Festival, Poehler said. Outstanding supporting actress went to Regina King for her role in "If Beale Street Could Talk." This film represented a woman who took on the challenges of her family while her husband had been wrongfully imprisoned. Melissa McCarthy quickly moved on the stage in a full costume with a train of rabbits to award the best costume design. This award went to "Black Panther," by costume designer Ruth Carter. Wakanda is known for its abundance of "vibranium," to create weapons and suits, something Carter joked about. Adding vibranium to costumes is very expensive, Carter said. 'Black Panther' Designer Becomes First Black Woman To Win Costume Design Oscar https://t.co/XMmiq9KVgd raquelsouzas (@raquelsouzas87) February 25, 2019 Captain America, aka Chris Evans, soon took the stage with Jennifer Lopez to award production design of a film. This award went to Hannah Beachler for "Black Panther." She is the first African American to be nominated for this award. I stand here stronger than I was yesterday, Beachler said. Along with all of the love "Black Panther" received, the CIA joined in on tweeting about the movie's futuristic technology. The magic metal from #Wakanda might not exist, but there are real-life materials that possess some similar qualities to those of the fictional Wakandan isotope, #vibranium.To learn more, see: https://t.co/B0iV7cufqA#ReelvsRealCIA #BlackPanther CIA (@CIA) February 25, 2019 Micheal B. Jordan had the opportunity to award best original score to Ludwig Goransson for "Black Panther," a movie that Jordan had stared in last year. The award for Sound Editing went to Bohemian Rhapsody and had been nominated in 5 categories. The award for sound editing also went to Bohemian Rhapsody. This film had also won best film editing. Keegan Micheal Key also made a grand appearance from above by umbrella, introducing performance by Bette Midler singing "Where the Lost Things Go" from nominated film "Mary Poppins." Keegan-Michael Key came in like: pic.twitter.com/ncWxElAteb John Paul (@JohnSLPaul) February 25, 2019 Best supporting actor role went to Mahershala Ali for his role as Dr. Donald Shirley in "Green Book." He also won this award at the Golden Globes this year. Best animated feature film went to "Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse," over Incredibles 2. Jennifer Hudson performed her song "Ill Fight" from "On the Basis of Sex," in front of a set of the Supreme Court building. The award for documentary short subject went to Period End of Sentence. This Netflix documentary told a story about women in India fighting for equality of feminine products and to acknowledge that menstruation is perfectly normal, despite the negative stigma around the subject. First Man was awarded best visual effects, which surprised many. In the same category was Avengers Infinity War, and Christopher Robin, two major films last year. Avengers Infinity War should have been nominated for way more #Oscars than it was, it was easily one of the best movies of the year. pic.twitter.com/MQYcSGI7nj lex (@lexihhayes) February 25, 2019 Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper then left their place in the audience for their roles of Ally and Jackson to perform their nominated song "Shallow" from "A Star is Born." They were later awarded best original song for it. Give Jackson Maine every Oscar.Thank you. pic.twitter.com/DC7PrWcMLt Hank Green (@hank_green5) February 25, 2019 Original screenplay was awarded to "Green Book," by Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie and Peter Farrelly. Best adapted screenplay was awarded to "BlacKkKlansman" directed by Spike Lee. The 2020 election is right around the corner, make the moral choice between love and hate, Lee said. After highlighting 400 years of US racism Spike Lee says:"The 2020 presidential election is around the corner. Let's all mobilize. Let's all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love vs. hate. Let's do the right thing!"#Oscars pic.twitter.com/sTBJluPwe2 Rantt Media (@RanttMedia) February 25, 2019 Barbara Streisand later spoke about "BlacKkKlansman" and how real it truly was. After a lifetime of game changing work, here is Spike Lees masterpiece, Streisand said. Best performance of an actor in a leading role was awarded to Rami Malek for his role of Freddie Mercury. This was his second award for this role. Best actress in a leading role was awarded to Olivia Colman for her role as Queen Anne in "The Favourite." Finally, the moment everyone waited three hours for, the best picture. Julia Roberts presented this award to "Green Book," directed by Jim Burke, Charles B. Wessler, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly and Nick Vallelonga. 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. Billionaire investor Warren Buffett told CNBC on Monday that Berkshire Hathaway investment managers Ted Weschler and Todd Combs have trailed the by a "tiny bit" since each joined the company. However, the Berkshire chairman and CEO points out that they've done better in the market than he has over the same time period. He said it's a tough time to beat the S&P 500. "Overall, they are a tiny bit behind the S&P, each, by almost the same margin," Buffett told Becky Quick on "Squawk Box" from Omaha, Nebraska where Berkshire is located. "They've done better than I have." Weschler and Combs, both former headge fund managers, now manage about $13 billion each. Combs, in his late 40s, came to Berkshire in 2010 after a three-year search for someone to help manage the company's massive portfolio of stocks. Weschler, in his late 50s, joined Berkshire two years later, after paying a combined $5.3 million to win the 2011 and 2010 auctions for an annual charity lunch with Buffett. "The first few years, ... they got well ahead of the index and they got paid," Buffett said, noting their compensation is dependent on performance. "It came in thirds. So it could be clawed back, two-thirds of it, if they missed the second year and so on." "Both of them have done an incredible amount of work in terms of acquisitions; Todd, in particular, on our medical venture," said Buffett, referring to the Berkshire-Amazon-J.P. Morgan venture aimed at figuring out how to reduce health-care costs for their employees and how that may possibly help cut health-care costs in the United States. Seen as a must-read for investors, Buffett covered many topics in his weekend investor letter, including Berkshire's $112 billion cash pile and what he wants to do with it, his first stock purchase, the dangers of too much debt, and what he sees as the biggest risks. Berkshire's portfolio of stocks, including top holdings American Express, Apple and Bank of America, was valued at nearly $173 billion at the end of 2018. Monday's interview with Buffett, 88, was conducted at Berkshire-owned Nebraska Furniture Mart. Berkshire Hathaway Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett told CNBC on Monday that he would support fellow billionaire and former three-term New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg for president. "If Mike Bloomberg announced tomorrow that he was a candidate, I would say I'm for him," Buffett told Becky Quick in a "Squawk Box" Interview from Omaha, Nebraska. "I think he would be a very good president." Buffett said he's never been a card-carrying Democrat, pointing out that he's voted for Democratic candidates and Republican candidates over the years. He said neither party has an edge on virtue. Without elaborating, Buffett said he and Bloomberg disagree on some things. However, he added, "I think that he knows how to run things. I think he's got the right goals for America. He understands people. He understands the market system. And he understands the problems of people" not in the market. Bloomberg, 77, is seen as a possible 2020 candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. Bloomberg ran as an independent during his last successful campaign, when was re-elected mayor for a third term in 2009. He was a Republican in his first two terms. Bloomberg switched his party affiliation from independent to Democrat in October. In a recent email to CNBC, top Bloomberg advisor Howard Wolfson hinted at how much his boss would look to invest into his own potential campaign. "Mike spent more than $100 million in his last mayor's race. Last time I looked, NYC is a fraction of the size of the country as a whole," Wolfson said. For years, Bloomberg had flirted with an independent run for president. But he now believes it would be a mistake. In a January statement, after former Starbucks chief Howard Schultz floated a possible third-party run, Bloomberg said, "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." In Monday's interview, Buffett said he agrees with Bloomberg that a Schultz third-party would take votes away from any Democrat. Making no evaluation of Schultz as a potential candidate, Buffett added, "I think generally [that] third-party candidates, they're going to hurt one side or the other, and they're more likely to hurt the side that they actually favor, because they're closer to that view, and so they pull more people away that would otherwise go with the second-best with that view." "So I hope no third-party candidate runs," he added. "I think third-party candidates can thwart, actually, the will of the people." Buffett was interviewed from the floor of the Berkshire-owned Nebraska Furniture Mart, following Saturday's release of his widely read annual shareholder letter. Correction: This story was revised to correct when Bloomberg registered as a Democrat. It was last year. CNBC's Brian Schwartz contributed to this report. Vodafone Chief Executive Officer Nick Read speaks at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona on February 25, 2019. Lluis Gene | AFP | Getty Images The CEO of the world's second-largest mobile operator warned excluding Huawei from Europe's 5G networks could be "hugely disruptive" to national infrastructure and consumers, comments that will likely be welcomed by the Chinese company as it faces possible equipment bans around the world. Speaking at a press conference at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona Monday, Vodafone CEO Nick Read said banning Huawei from providing 5G infrastructure in Europe would hamper competition in the supply chain. China's Huawei, Finland's Nokia and Sweden's Ericsson are the three biggest providers of telecommunications equipment in the world, accounting for more than half of revenues in the market, according to research firm Dell'Oro Group. "If we concentrate it down to two players I think that's an unhealthy position not just for us as an industry but also for national infrastructure in the country," Read said. On Monday in Barcelona, Huawei and Vodafone touted their commercial partnership with a 5G demonstration at the event. The British firm relies on the Chinese company's equipment to run many of its networks. Read added that it would be "very very expensive" for operators and consumers if companies were forced to swap their Huawei equipment in favor of competitors', adding it would delay Europe's 5G rollout by "probably two years." "It structurally disadvantages Europe," he said "Of course the U.S. don't have that problem because they don't put Huawei equipment in." Huawei is the world's largest telecommunications equipment provider and has captured key markets by offering high-tech gear at a lower cost than its rivals. But the company has effectively been left out of the U.S. market with officials citing concerns that its technology could enable spying from the Chinese government, accusations Huawei denies. In addition to the U.S., the U.K. and Germany are weighing possible bans on Huawei's 5G equipment citing security risks. In January, Vodafone announced it would "pause" deploying Huawei equipment in its European core networks, but Read said the company has continued to roll out Huawei's 5G radio equipment at pace across Europe. He said governments need to take a "fact-based" approach to assessing security concerns with Huawei, adding he will not be meeting with any U.S. officials in Barcelona this week. "I would at this stage prefer to be working with governments and securities on a national basis and making sure we have a fact-based conversation," he said. Earlier on Monday, Ericsson CEO Borje Ekholm told CNBC's Jon Fortt Huawei security concerns are creating uncertainty among operators. "It's very speculative, we have no idea what's going to happen," he said. Meanwhile, Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri told CNBC's Karen Tso Sunday he is watching Huawei developments "closely." Vodafone's Read said there is "high competition" among the three equipment providers but added Huawei has had "leading technology." In a roundtable with media on Sunday in Barcelona, Huawei's rotating chairman Guo Ping claimed the company is 12 months ahead of its competitors when it comes to 5G technology. Superfast 5G mobile internet is expected to revolutionize the digital economy by enabling new technologies such as self-driving cars and the internet of things. The Vodafone Group is the world's second-largest mobile operator by subscribers, with around 700 million globally. The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) showcased its Cognitive Early Warning and Response System (Cognitive EWARS) during UAE Innovation Month in a bid to monitor and prevent disease outbreaks in Dubai, UAE. The month-long event aims to contribute to strengthening the country's position as a global hub for innovation and enhancing the development of innovative ideas and capabilities, to name a few. During Innovation Month, the authority is displaying a number of innovative projects and initiatives at City Walk from February 22 to 28. Among them is Cognitive EWARS, which is designed to alert the population and relevant authorities in advance about possible adverse conditions that could lead to a disease outbreak and to implement effective measures to reduce adverse health outcomes. Mai Al Dossari, head of DHAs Innovation Centre explained that through Cognitive EWARS, DHA can view aggregated real-time data from multiple government and non-government sources to help predict, simulate and act on potential communicable disease outbreaks to maintain the highest standards in public health across Dubai. Cognitive EWARS is part of Dubai 10X 2.0 and the authority is partnering with Dubai Municipality, Dubai Airports and Port, Customs and Free Zone Cooperation as well as other stakeholders to implement the project. In addition to preventing and reducing the occurrence of epidemics or potential harm and ensuring rapid response to prevent outbreaks of communicable diseases among community members, Cognitive EWARS will also provide stakeholders with sufficient information to enable technical decisions to be taken and improve the response of all stakeholders at a national level, added Al Dossari. She said that among the outcomes expected from implementing Cognitive EWARS is minimizing the direct financial impact of epidemics on Dubais economy through early detection. It will also increase the efficiency of DHAs Preventive services by redirecting the current capacity and human capital towards planning and prediction while automating data collection. The Cognitive EWARS will be powered by AI, which will help stimulate and provide response management scenarios such as identifying potential animal and food borne risks, using weather data to predict behaviour of certain diseases and monitor social media and news to identify risks, to name a few, she added. Al Dossari concluded by adding that Cognitive EWARS will connect DHA in real time to the rest of Dubais government agencies and points of entry to create an iron shield for detection prevention and intervention against the threat of communicable diseases and improve coordination and response across all entities at a national level. In addition to Cognitive EWARS the DHA will be showcasing other innovations during Innovation Month, among them are: Medical Emergency Management System The Medical Emergency Management System is a live platform, which aims to assist the country during any emergency or disease. The platform gives a citywide view of all hospitals in Dubai, revealing the bed occupancy level of each hospital, specialties available, proximity etc IMS Doctor Is a full functioning mobile clinic, which offers consultation and prescription services via telemedicine. Medical examination such as ultrasound and blood test, to name a few, can also be conducted in the travelling clinic, which can be assembled within an hour. Masaaed Masaaed is an AI Robot that works 24/7 to process invoices submitted by suppliers through the I-Supplier system and audits them. Masaaed reduces the auditing process time as regular employees take 15 to 20 minutes to finish the process, while the AI Robot takes two minutes. TradeArabia News Service Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro meets with UN chief Ban Ki-moon at the United Nations headquarters in New York on July 28, 2015. The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on four state governors in Venezuela as it ramped up pressure on President Nicholas Maduro for blocking humanitarian aid convoys. The action coincides with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence attending a meeting of the regional Lima Group of nations in Bogota, where he said the United States was readying an additional $56 million in humanitarian aid. He called on Latin American allies to increase pressure on Maduro's government. "We call on all Lima Group nations to immediately freeze the assets of PDVSA. Secondly, transfer ownership of Venezuelan assets in your country from Maduro's henchmen to President Guaido's government," Pence said, according to prepared remarks. He also called on the countries to restrict visas for officials close to Maduro and to vote to recognize the representative of Juan Guaido, Venezuela's self-declared interim president, at the Inter-American Development Bank. The violence that erupted during the attempted delivery of much-needed food and medicine to economically devastated Venezuela has steeled the United States' resolve to support opposition leader Guaido, Pence said. Violent clashes with security forces over the opposition's U.S.-backed attempt on Saturday to take aid into Venezuela left almost 300 wounded and at least three protesters dead near the Brazilian border. The U.S. Treasury said it was imposing sanctions on Omar Jose Prieto, governor of the northwestern state of Zulia that borders Colombia; Ramon Alonso Carrizalez, governor of the state of Apure and a former defense minister; Jorge Luis Garcia, governor of Vargas state and former head of the army; and Rafael Alejandro Lacava, governor of Carabobo state and ally of Maduro. "The illegitimate Maduro regime's attempts to blockade international aid intended for the Venezuelan people are shameful, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. "Treasury is targeting four state governors aligned with former President Maduro for standing in the way of severely needed humanitarian assistance and prolonging the suffering of the Venezuelan people," he added. Governor Lacava in 2018 visited Washington as part of talks that paved the way for the release of Joshua Holt -- an American man who was imprisoned in Venezuela for nearly two years. Lacava goes by the nickname "Dracula" in reference to his habit of doing late-night patrols and is known for off-the-cuff social media videos. "We are going to show the world and Maduro that the United States stands with the people of Venezuela and that the United States stands with Guaido," the official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity to preview the speech in Bogota. "And we are going to continue to stand with him until democracy is restored and humanitarian aid gets to where it needs to go." A senior administration official said Pence is expected to announce "clear actions" as he speaks to members of the Lima Group, a coalition of more than a dozen nations organized to address the crisis in Venezuela. Vice President Mike Pence travels Monday to the Colombian capital to meet with members of a regional coalition and Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido to discuss the next steps aimed at ousting Maduro. The United States is planning new ways to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to give up power and other means to provide assistance to the people of the economically devastated South American nation after a weekend effort failed to deliver aid. Pence's appearance before the Lima Group comes two days after a U.S.-backed effort to deliver humanitarian across the border from Colombia ended in violence, with forces loyal to Maduro firing tear gas and buckshot on activists accompanying the supplies and setting the material on fire. Two people were killed and at least 300 wounded. For weeks, the U.S. and regional allies had been amassing emergency food and medical kits on Venezuela's borders in anticipation of carrying out a "humanitarian avalanche" by land and sea to undermine Maduro's rule. Guaido, who has been recognized as interim president by the U.S. and 50 other governments who say Maduro's re-election last year was illegitimate, has called on the international community to consider "all options" to resolve Venezuela's crisis. A close ally, Julio Borges, the opposition ambassador to the Lima Group, was more explicit Sunday, urging the use of force against Maduro's government. But U.S. officials have avoided talk of military action. The administration official said the U.S. plans to bring "the full measure of its economic and diplomatic weight to bear on this issue." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in interviews on "Fox News Sunday" and CNN's "State of the Union," did not rule out U.S. military force but said "there are more sanctions to be had." But any additional sanctions will increase the suffering of the Venezuelan people and may lead to more political violence, said Mark Weisbrot, the co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, who advocates a negotiated end to the political crisis. "The 'humanitarian aid' this weekend was a public relations stunt, since the aid was just a tiny fraction of the food and medicine that they are depriving Venezuelans of with the sanctions," Weisbrot said. "As the Trump administration admitted, it was an attempt to get the Venezuelan military to disobey Maduro. It was a farce, and it failed." Britain's Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn and Labour Party's Shadow Secretary of State for Departing the European Union Keir Starmer leave a meeting with European Union Chief Brexit Negotiator Michel Barnier (not pictured) at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, February 21, 2019. Britain's opposition Labour Party said on Monday it would back calls for a second referendum on Brexit if parliament rejects its alternative plan for leaving the European Union. With just over a month until Britain is due to leave the bloc on March 29, Prime Minister Theresa May is seeking changes to her exit deal in order to break an impasse in parliament. Labour's decision could damage her hopes of winning support for a revised deal in a vote she has promised by March 12, by attracting those who would have backed her agreement to avoid a no-deal exit but who prefer a second referendum. Parliament is due to debate and vote on Wednesday on the next steps in Britain's tortuous departure from the EU, and lawmakers are set to put down proposals, or amendments, which could include demanding the exit deal is put to a public vote. Labour said it would put forward an amendment calling on the government to adopt its Brexit proposals, which include a permanent customs union with the EU and close alignment with the bloc's single market. "If Parliament rejects our plan, then Labour will deliver on the promise we made at our annual conference and support a public vote," Labour's Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said on Twitter. Parliament is not expected to back Labour's Brexit plan. Labour said it would support a bid by its lawmaker Yvette Cooper to give parliament the legal power to force May to delay Brexit by seeking an extension to the Article 50 negotiating period. "We are committed to also putting forward or supporting an amendment in favour of a public vote to prevent a damaging Tory (Conservative) Brexit being forced on the country," Labour leader Corbyn was due to tell a meeting of his lawmakers on Monday, his office said. "One way or another, we will do everything in our power to prevent no deal." The campus of Columbia University in New York City Getty Images As President Donald Trump rails against illegal immigration, his administration has taken measures to restrict the ability of recently graduated and skilled foreign nationals to work legally in the U.S. As a result, many students and skilled immigrants looking for a backup plan are heading to Canada, where it's much easier to stay and work, according to immigration lawyers. The student visa process in the U.S. has become "a nightmare," said Shah Peerally, president and managing attorney of Shah Peerally Law Group in the San Francisco Bay Area, whose work focuses on employment-based immigration for students and recent graduates. That could be one reason that international student applications and enrollment to U.S. institutions declined in 2018, for the second year in a row, a recent report has found. "It's kind of across the board these days [for] clients to be asking if they would have better luck in Canada," said Sarah Pitney, an associate attorney at Benach Collopy, a practice in Washington, D.C., that takes immigration cases of all kinds. Pitney also said she gets a number of requests for referrals to Canadian immigration lawyers. Peerally noted another reason why Canada is so attractive to these students. "Canada has an express entry. Within a few weeks they get not only their work permits, but also their residency," he added. Many of the recent anti-immigrant policies in the United States are the direct result of Trump's "Buy American, Hire American" executive order, said Henry Chang, a Canadian immigration lawyer at Blaney McMurtry in Toronto. "This is making it more difficult for students and foreign workers," he said. He said recent roadblocks for immigrants are dovetailing with a longer-term problem: "The inability of their foreign workers to obtain an H-1B case number in the annual 'H-1B lottery.' Even applicants who receive H-1B numbers are more likely to receive requests for additional evidence or even denials when they file." Declines in international students For the second consecutive year, there have been declines in international student applications and enrollment, marking the only two years in which numbers of international students have gone down since 2003, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. There was a 4 percent decline in the final application count for graduate students in fall 2018. This follows a 2 percent decline in 2017. The overall decline is primarily driven by a 6 percent decrease in applications and 2 percent decrease in first-time enrollment in master's and certificate programs, according to a report conducted by the Council of Graduate Schools, which surveyed 240 institutions in 2017 and 2018. "This is the first time we've seen declines across two consecutive years, and while we think it's too soon to consider this a trend, it is troubling," said CGS President Suzanne Ortega, in a press release. "We continue to monitor issues, including changes in immigration and visa policy, with growing concern over the possible negative impact to the U.S.'s image as a welcoming destination for international students and scholars," she added. The majority of foreign students come from China and India, yet there was a 12 percent decrease in the number of final applications sent by students from India. China's numbers remained relatively steady, according to the report. Graduate student applications from the Middle East and North Africa fell by 14 percent in the fall 2017 and 2018 cycles. Graduate applications from Iran decreased by 27 percent over those two years, while decreasing by 28 percent for sub-Saharan African graduate students. First-time enrollment of Saudi students decreased by 21 percent. New immigration services policy Of the three different visas that international students can apply for when coming to the U.S., the F-1 visa is by far the most popular. One of the two visas that allow students to work while they study here, F-1 also provides holders the opportunity to work in the U.S. after their studies. Students holding degrees in a STEM field can extend this period for an additional 24 months. A policy memorandum issued in July 2018, however, gave U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, adjudicators "full discretion to deny applications, petitions, or requests" without seeking additional information, striking down 2013 legislation that required USCIS to reach out to applicants for clarification. Now, minor visa violations that might have even resulted from officials incorrectly filling out forms can end in the loss of immigration status, Peerally said. Once an applicant loses their status, they must leave within 180 days or they will not be allowed back into the U.S. again for at least three years. The catch is that USCIS no longer has to inform people if they have committed a violation. So countless immigrants who have lost their status are unaware that they are no longer allowed to live or work in the U.S. These foreign nationals often discover their loss of status when they are trying to apply for another visa status, possibly an H-1B for graduating students, or other immigration service. "Before the memo, even when there was a violation, they didn't fall out of status; they were informed by USCIS and [their] unlawful presence would have started from the date they were informed [of this violation] by Homeland Security," said Peerally. Many of these violations can be subjective, making it difficult to argue against or refute them. "Under Obama they were strict but the difference is we had a fair way to fight," Peerally said. A USCIS representative said that the agency is "committed to rule-of-law and merit-based immigration reforms" that benefit American workers and U.S. society at large. "USCIS will continue to adjudicate all petitions, applications, and requests fairly, efficiently, and effectively on a case-by-case basis to determine if they meet all standards required under applicable laws and regulations," the representative said. Delays in the H-1B visa program US President Donald Trump (R) gestures as he meets with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (L) at the start of their historic US-North Korea summit, at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore on June 12, 2018. President Donald Trump told U.S. state governors at the White House on Sunday he was happy so long as North Korea continues its pause in weapons testing. Trump, who was speaking on the eve of his departure for his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Vietnam, also said that he believed he saw eye to eye with Kim and that they had developed "a very, very good relationship." The two leaders will meet in Hanoi on Wednesday and Thursday, eight months after their historic summit in Singapore, the first between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader, where they pledged to work toward the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. But their vaguely worded agreement has produced few results and U.S. Democratic senators and security officials have warned Trump against cutting a deal that would do little to curb North Korea's nuclear ambitions. "I'm not in a rush. I don't want to rush anybody," Trump said. "I just don't want testing. As long as there's no testing, we're happy." The Trump administration has pressed the North to give up its nuclear weapons program, which combined with its missile capabilities, pose a threat to the United States, before it can expect any concessions. But in recent days, Trump has signaled a possible softening, saying he would love to be able to remove sanctions if there is meaningful progress on denuclearization. While there's been a big outcry to make the rich pay more in taxes, there is one thing in particular in the U.S. tax code that stands out as unfair, Democratic former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp told CNBC on Monday. "One of the great discrepancies and inequities in our tax system is earned income is taxed at a higher rate than unearned income," she said on "The Exchange." Earned income is what a person makes at their place of employment, while unearned income can mean things such as stocks and dividends. That means that the person who works on an assembly line is taxed at a higher rate than someone sitting on a huge trust fund, said Heitkamp, a CNBC contributor. "Is that the value that we have in this country? Are we people who believe that if you make money from your money that you should be taxed less than if you make money from your labor?" The wealthy like to invest in stocks, in part, because of the lower tax rate on capital gains. For assets held for more than a year, the rates are zero, 15 percent and 20 percent for 2018. Meanwhile, the federal tax brackets on wages go from 10 percent for the lowest earner to 37 percent for the highest. Short-term capital gains taxes for assets held for less than a year are tied to the individual's federal tax bracket. Qualified dividends, which are held for a certain period of time, are also taxed at the lower capital gains rate. "There's been this discrepancy and this idea that if you tax unearned income higher, people won't save as much and that it won't grow and allow for investment," Heitkamp said. However, she said that isn't necessarily the case for those who have under $200,000 adjusted gross income, because their investments are already in something like a 401(k) or IRA, which are tax-deferred. Therefore, people are only taxed once they start taking out money, usually after retirement. "It might create an even greater incentive to shelter that income in a provision like a 401(k) or an IRA because you know that it's not going to be taxed," she argued. Heitkamp isn't jumping on board any specific Democratic proposal to make the rich pay more, yet. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who represents Massachusetts and launched her campaign for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination earlier this month, has proposed a 2 percent tax every year on households with assets over $50 million and 3 percent on households with assets over $1 billion. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., wants to slap a 70 percent marginal tax rate on income above $10 million. And independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, of Vermont, is looking at an estate-tax hike. Even billionaire Warren Buffett has weighed in. He told CNBC on Monday he believes wealthy Americans aren't paying enough taxes. "The wealthy are definitely undertaxed relative to the general population," Buffett told CNBC's Becky Quick during a "Squawk Box" interview. "As we get more specialized, the rich will get richer. The question is: How do you take care of a guy who is a wonderful citizen whose father died in Normandy and just doesn't have market skills? I think the income tax credit is the best way to address that." "That probably means more taxes for guys like me, and I'm fine with it," he said. CNBC's Fred Imbert contributed to this report. Sony launched a series of new smartphones on Monday with super-tall screens and cinema-quality features in the hope that video creators and movie buffs can help boost its struggling mobile unit. Sony's Xperia 10, 10 Plus and 1 smartphones come with a 21:9 aspect ratio screen, which the company said would allow users to watch videos in the same format as a movie theater. Most smartphones from companies like Apple or Samsung come with 16:9 or 18:9 aspect ratios. A 21:9 device would allow you to watch many films without any black bars on the sides, top or bottom. However, most non-cinema content would not be readily available in the format. The new Xperia lineup was revealed Monday at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The premium Xperia 1 measures 6.5 inches tall, making it one of the taller smartphones on the market. Other key features of the Xperia 1 include: 4K HDR OLED screens. Triple-lens camera system. Pricing starting at 799 ($1,043) The ultra-wide screens are Sony's latest attempt to lure in an audience consuming, producing and editing more videos on mobile phones. Last year, research firm e-Marketer estimated 78 percent of worldwide video viewing is on mobile. Sony has struggled to keep up with competition from Apple and Samsung in the premium smartphone market, as well as Chinese players like Huawei, OnePlus and Oppo. Counterpoint Research estimates Sony's market share fell from 0.9 percent of total smartphone shipments in 2017 to 0.5 percent in 2018. "Sony has been relegated to niche player," said Neil Shah, partner and research director at Counterpoint, in an email to CNBC. Sony isn't the first company to use screen size ratios to try to offer higher-quality video. A growing number of device makers have fiddled with screen size and resolution to try to offer a better viewing experience. Sony said that in addition to its Sony Pictures films, brands including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube are increasingly providing content in 21:9. The Japanese tech giant also said it's working with the makers of "Fortnite" and other firms to offer video gaming experiences in the new format. (L-R) U.S. Supreme Court associate justices Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, Stephen Breyer, attend a memorial ceremony for former U.S. President George H.W. Bush in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda December 03, 2018 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images The justices of the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday heard arguments in a First Amendment case that experts have said could have ramifications for how the nation's largest social media companies are permitted to moderate the content on their platforms. But the justices' questions during oral argument revealed a reluctance to enter into that fraught arena. This suggests the future ruling on the matter will hew narrowly to questions specific to the facts of the case, which involved not social media but public-access television channels in New York. In particular, Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Stephen Breyer, who sit on opposite ends of the ideological spectrum, expressed unease with the notion that the First Amendment could apply to private companies operating private property, such as Twitter and YouTube. And the other justices, led by Chief Justice John Roberts, largely homed in on extremely narrow questions of fact that suggested the court was not gearing up for a large revision of its existing precedent. "Nothing about today's hearing suggested that Twitter is in danger of being found to be a state actor any time soon," said Jeffrey Robbins, a partner at Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr and a former assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Massachusetts. That's potentially good news for the social media companies, which under the current interpretation of the First Amendment have broad discretion to remove content from their platforms or prevent people from using their services. At stake for those companies are decisions such as the removal in August of content from right-wing conspiracy theorist and provocateur Alex Jones, whom Facebook, YouTube and others accused of violating their terms of service. If Jones had been entitled to First Amendment protections against social media companies, that removal would have been legally dicey or impossible. "I think that the court sees this as a narrow case," said Paul Hughes, who represented the respondents, in an interview with CNBC following oral arguments. "I don't anticipate a broad ruling coming out of this case that would affect social media or internet companies." Regarding the primary issue being disputed in the case, which is broadly whether public-access television can constitute a public forum, it was not clear at the end of an hour of argument how the justices would rule. A decision in the matter is expected by late June. WATCH: RBG's famous cases centered around money Suit brought by two producers The case arose after two television producers in New York brought a suit against the Manhattan Neighborhood Network, a private company that operates public-access television channels in the borough. The producers, DeeDee Halleck and Jesus Melendez, claim that they were unlawfully suspended from airing programs on the channels after they published a video that was critical of the network. While most private companies are not subject to First Amendment liability, there are certain exceptions in cases where the private company is serving a public function or is closely intertwined with the government. Halleck and Melendez argued that MNN was effectively an agent of the government, and the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with them. While MNN is private, two members of its 13-person board are appointed by the borough president, who also awarded MNN jurisdiction over the public-access channels. The ruling from the 2nd Circuit sparked alarm among internet-rights groups and others, who worry that a Supreme Court ruling could extend the defining features of a "state actor" and by doing so potentially jeopardize the constitutional status quo among the major technology companies. In a brief filed with the top court, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, an internet civil rights group, urged the justices to "rule narrowly, and with an eye toward application of its ruling in other contexts." GFH Financial Group (GFH) said it has signed a $100 million real estate divestment deal with a special purpose vehicle owned by Terra Real Estate Investments as part of its previously announced $1 billion in exits from its existing real estate portfolio. As per the deal, Terra will acquire 72 per cent stake in GFHs landmark Harbour Row Residence in Bahrain for $40 million and $60 million of the groups real estate development project in Morocco, said the Bahrain-based company in a statement. This comes as part of a planned exit from GFHs legacy real estate portfolio to be undertaken over the next five years, with proceeds of the deals expected to support profit distribution and the growth strategy of the group. This transaction, which had an instrumental support from leading Abu Dhabi investment group ADFG, is expected to positively impact the groups first quarter 2019 results. Lauding ADFG for its instrumental support, CEO Hisham Alrayes said: "We are pleased to announce this transaction in line with GFHs focus and strategy to achieve strategic exits that can continue to enhance and support our ability to deliver strong returns to shareholders in our real estate investments." "We are committed to achieving a series of further exits from our real estate portfolio to allow the Group to minimize and reduce our overall real estate exposure," he noted. "Such planned exits are aimed to realign all assets classes to have a balanced contributions to GFHs operations and income generation," he added. Mustafa Kheriba, the chief operating officer of ADFG, said: "ADFG is pleased to make this acquisition of high quality real estate assets from GFH in the regional markets of the GCC and North Africa." "We are building sound and diverse real estate portfolio, both in the region and internationally, and will continue to seek out other opportunities to acquire quality assets of this nature," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Theresa May, U.K. prime minister, left, and Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, stand for a photo opportunity ahead of talks in Brussels, Belgium, on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images British lawmakers were meant to be given a vote this week on British Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal but May has delayed it and it will now take place just 17 days before the U.K. is meant to leave the European Union (EU). Still, May said on Sunday that her government is making progress in talks with the EU and that a deal is still "within our grasp." She said that members of parliament (MPs) will have a fresh "meaningful vote" on the Brexit deal on March 12, just over two weeks before the March 29 departure date. Opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn was among those who criticized the move to delay a parliamentary vote on the Brexit deal, saying May was "recklessly running down the clock" near to the departure date. Tweet: Many MPs wanted a vote on the Brexit deal as soon as possible, concerned that a second rejection of May's deal could lead to a "no-deal" scenario whereby Britain leaves the EU abruptly with no transitional period nor trade deal in place. British businesses continue to complain that they have not been given enough clarity and reassurance over the U.K.'s future relationship with the EU. European officials showed their displeasure at May's decision not to put forward her Brexit deal to a vote in the parliament this week, as originally planned. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker last week complained of "Brexit fatigue." Tweet: British MPs had already been given a vote on May's deal with the EU in January but they rejected it by 432 votes to 202. Possible delays Speculation is mounting that the U.K.'s departure will end up being delayed although keen Brexiteers in the British parliament would likely be angered at such a move. British newspaper The Telegraph and the BBC have reported that May is considering a plan that would see the U.K.'s departure delayed for two months, however. The paper and broadcasting network said government officials had drawn up a "series of options" to avoid resignations by ministers who want to ensure that Britain leaves with a deal. The BBC cited two unnamed government ministers as saying that the believe that May will "this week grant some kind of concession to allow for a possible delay." Meanwhile, left-leaning newspaper The Guardian reported on Sunday that Brexit could be delayed until 2021 under plans being explored by the EU's most senior officials, the paper said citing unnamed EU sources. MPs are due to vote on a series of amendments to the Brexit deal on Wednesday, one of which would essentially try to rule out a "no-deal" departure, demanding that Theresa May requests an extension to the departure deadline if parliament fails to approve her Brexit deal. A majority of MPs are believed to back the amendment. Backstop Theresa May is attending the EU-Arab League summit in Egypt on Monday and is expected to use it as an opportunity to press fellow EU leaders, including German leader Angela Merkel, for more guarantees on the thorny Irish "backstop" issue. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is among those attending the summit in Sharm El-Sheikh. He told CNBC Monday that he had spoken briefly to May on Sunday and would do so again Monday. Like other European leaders, Rutte reiterated that "the clock is ticking." "On the European side we are all extremely anxious to get to a conclusion and we hope to avoid a 'no-deal' situation," he told CNBC Europe's "Squawk Box." "We are approaching the Brexit date in only four weeks and still the deal is not in sight." If the U.K. requested an extension the EU would likely ask what the U.K. thought it could achieve if it was given more time, he added. "How (can we) avoid that we just go around in the same circles?" he said. Attendees walk by the Qualcomm booth during CES 2019 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 9, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Qualcomm Inc on Monday announced 5G networking chips for a range of applications beyond smart phones, aiming to bolster a business that has lost Apple Inc as a major customer and faces unprecedented levels of competition. San Diego-based Qualcomm is the world's biggest supplier of mobile phone chips and has told investors it expects a big boost from 5G networks, which will start rolling out this year and feature higher speeds than current 4G networks. Qualcomm chips will supply the 5G connectivity in devices such as Samsung Electronics Co Ltd's Galaxy Fold smart phone. But Qualcomm faces challenges in its mobile chip business, with Apple selecting Intel Corp alone to connect its iPhones released last year to mobile data networks. And MediaTek Inc, Samsung and Huawei Technologies Co Ltd have all announced plans to make 5G chips, with Samsung and Huawei both planning to use the chips in some models of their own phones, eating into potential business for Qualcomm. At the Mobile World Congress event in Spain on Monday, Qualcomm announced its plans to get its 5G chips into other markets beyond phones. Qualcomm said it working with Japanese e-commerce retailer Rakuten Inc's mobile division to supply 5G chips for networking gear the retailer is rolling out in Japan. Michael Calvey, co-managing partner of Baring Vostok Capital Partners, gestures during an interview at the company's headquarters in Moscow, Russia, on Tuesday, April 4, 2011. A Moscow-based private equity group has written an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to intervene in the arrest of a U.S. citizen. On February 15, the co-founder of Baring Vostok Michael Calvey, was detained along with five others in relation to the alleged theft of 2.5 billion Russian rubles ($38.3 million). Now Baring has publicly beseeched Putin to "take personal control of the criminal case" against all six men who remain imprisoned, awaiting trial. Addressing "Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich," the letter said Putin's involvement was needed "to ensure a comprehensive, independent and objective investigation of this criminal case." The online letter further explained that the arrests follow a dispute between Baring Vostok funds and Russian businessmen who are shareholders of Vostochny Bank. Under the letter on the Baring Vostok website, there is an option for people to co-sign the appeal addressed to the Russian leader. Skybound Capital, a global wealth management business in Mauritius, is in the process of launching a Sharia-compliant trade finance fund and has assigned Shariyah Review Bureau (SRB) as the Sharia Advisor for its Islamic trade finance fund. The agreement will see SRB provide technical Sharia consultation, certification and operation monitoring through Sharia audit. The new Fund is expected to facilitate trade in various jurisdictions and penetrate new markets while attracting Sharia-compliant investors from the Middle East. The Fund facility will comply with the regulatory standards of Mauritius. Skybound has over 30 years of experience in providing a diverse and unique range of investment products for family offices, private clients, advisors and institutions. "We are very pleased to be offering our investors Sharia-complaint financing opportunities while helping to provide more affordable and reliable opportunities to trading business in the Asian countries," said Lee Dalley, director of Skybound. The Fund will be co-managed by Saudi Arabia based Derayah Financial, and will be supported by dedicated analysts of 12-strong trade finance team run by South Africa based experts of Skybound. Lee added Given the strategic importance of the Middle East, we are delighted to be working with SRB which has an extensive geographic footprint and over a decade of heritage in providing Sharia advisory services to institutions in the region. With the right Sharia Advisory institute, we feel very confident about our long term Sharia-compliant business development perspectives. Shariyah Review Bureau is a Middle East based Sharia advisory firm specializing in providing Sharia supervisory solutions and support services that investment companies, banks and fintech entities can leverage to get their offerings certified and tap Islamic financial markets. Yasser S Dahlawi, CEO and founder of SRB added: Shariyah Review Bureau has successfully certified hundreds of products and funds and supervised thousands of transactions to establish itself as a key player in the Sharia Advisory landscape, while at the same time growing its scholarly capabilities for investors, whether institutional or wholesale. I am excited about the future and the role our services will play in helping Sharia-complaint offerings like Skybound Capitals move from strength to strength and keenly look forward to further building upon recent successes, he added. TradeArabia News Service Oil prices tumbled more than 3 percent on Monday after President Donald Trump publicly urged OPEC to lower the cost of crude, putting pressure on the Saudi-led group to soften its price-boosting output cuts. "Oil prices getting too high. OPEC, please relax and take it easy. World cannot take a price hike - fragile!" the president said in an early morning tweet. Tweet The message comes two months into a fresh round of production cuts from OPEC and other nations. The producers meet in mid-April to review the deal, which is scheduled to last through the first six months of 2019. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures ended Monday's session down $1.78, or 3.1 percent, at $55.48 a barrel. On Friday, WTI hit a more than three-month intraday high at $57.81 a barrel. International benchmark Brent crude futures fell $2.36, or 3.5 percent, at $64.76 a barrel. Brent hit $67.73 a barrel on Friday, its highest intraday level since mid-November. Monday's tweet marks the return of Trump's criticism of OPEC, a staple of his second year in office and his early political messaging before running for president. Trump has not tweeted about OPEC since early December, right before the producer group and 10 allied nations led by Russia defied his calls to keep pumping at high volumes. The group instead agreed to cut 1.2 million barrels per day from the market. The so-called OPEC+ alliance reached the deal after oil prices sank more than 40 percent in the final quarter of 2018. The group first began curbing output in 2017 to end a punishing downturn, but lifted the caps last June as oil prices hit 3-year highs ahead of Trump's sanctions on Iran, OPEC's third biggest producer at the time. Under pressure from Trump, the producers and Saudi Arabia in particular hiked output through November. That month, Washington surprised them by allowing some of Iran's biggest customers to continue importing its oil as U.S. sanctions snapped back into place. The move contributed to the pullback in prices. Saudi Arabia has now sharply reversed course. After its output surged to a record 11.1 million barrels per day in November, it has throttled back production to 10.2 million bpd. Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih says the Saudis will cut even further, pumping at 9.8 million bpd next month. People pass by the International Media Center for the second summit between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Feb. 24, 2019. The North Korean teams wanted to know how Hanoi prepared and carried out reforms, as well as the political implications that such changes brought about, Doanh told CNBC's Chery Kang on Monday. Delegations from the reclusive nation have been visiting Vietnam over the last three years and they are "very interested" in the economic transition of the Southeast Asian country, said Le Dang Doanh, a former advisor to the Vietnamese prime minister. North Korea has been closely studying market reforms in Vietnam and their impact on political stability, a former Vietnamese government advisor said on Monday. Reform is a difficult process some gain or benefit, (others) will lose power. U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are due to meet in Hanoi on Wednesday and Thursday. It will be their second summit following last June's meeting in Singapore. The key issues on the table will be the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, as well as sanctions on Pyongyang, which have taken a toll on the North's economy. The North Korean delegations also studied how Vietnam managed to normalize political and economic relations with Washington, said Doanh, who is now senior fellow at the economic college of Hanoi National University. A series of reforms undertaken in the 1980s and 1990s paved the way for communist-controlled Vietnam to re-enter the global market and become one the region's fastest growing economies. Even in the midst of reforms, the Southeast Asia nation has managed to retain tight control over its people and economy, and is widely touted as a potential model for Pyongyang to follow. Vietnam's economic transition has managed to "mobilize the whole dynamism, the creativity and deliver the determination of the Vietnamese people to come to develop," said Doanh. "I think it is a very good experience for North Korea." However, he cautioned: "Reform is a difficult process some gain or benefit, (others) will lose power." North Korea's Kim has allowed some markets in his country to develop, introduced more Special Economic Zones and called for factories to expand their product ranges to cater for diverse consumer tastes. Reuters contributed to this report. Correction: This article has been updated to reflect the correct spelling of Kim Jong Un. Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri warned that the implementation of next-generation 5G networks in Europe will be delayed due to spectrum issues and regulation. "I think 5G will be delayed in Europe," Suri told CNBC's Karen Tso on Monday. He made the comments at the 2019 Mobile World Congress, the biggest industry trade show of the year, where the advancement toward 5G standards has become one of the dominant topics. Suri suggested Europe's execution of the new technology would lag behind peers like the U.S. and China, which are making major strides in the development of 5G. Nokia's boss said the main reason European telecommunications players would fall behind was a lack of spectrum the radio waves required for high-speed wireless networks across the continent, as well as regulatory hurdles. "Spectrum is available in some countries, not all," he said, adding that the market was "overregulated" and that "consolidation is not permitted." European firms have been bidding for their share of high-speed airwaves for 5G, with Italy's government hauling a record $7.6 billion in a spectrum auction in October. Suri's comments came as Nokia and fellow European telecom firm Telenor announced a deal to trial 5G capabilities in Denmark. A number of other companies have been conducting their own pilots, including Orange, BT and Deutsche Telekom. Ren Zhengfei, founder and chief executive officer of Huawei Technologies, left, speaks during an interview at the company's headquarters in Shenzhen, China, in January. Qilai Shen | Bloomberg | Getty Images The brewing technology battle between the U.S. and China isn't just about 5G telecom equipment Chinese companies want to bring to the U.S. It's already starting to bleed into other tech categories, as shown in a new letter posted Monday from 11 senators and top officials from the departments of Energy and Homeland Security that called for a ban of Huawei-made solar technology. The letter sets the U.S. up to not only block smartphones and telecom equipment from Chinese companies such as Huawei, but nearly all tech it sees as a potential security threat. The authors of the letter, including DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and Energy Secretary Rick Perry, say Huawei's "smart" solar grid products, which include control systems called "inverters" that are capable of connecting to the wider electrical grid, present a danger to "critical U.S. electrical systems and infrastructure." The energy-grid worries are a new strand in the increasingly tangled web of technology disputes between China and the U.S., and one that will only further complicate trade talks. In just the past few months, the two countries have sparred over technology theft, knowledge-transfer laws in China, purported violations of U.S. sanctions against Iran, trade-secrets theft of tech from companies such as T-Mobile, allegations of Chinese spying using exported equipment in U.S. networks and more. The letter shows that U.S. officials will continue to fight against a full range of China-manufactured equipment, not just network equipment that would enable 5G connectivity. The issue will likely heighten the debate between U.S. officials, who say China's tech companies work hand-in-hand with the Chinese government to create tech equipment that can be used offensively against the U.S., and Chinese officials and business leaders, who have said these accusations are mere protectionism by the U.S. Huawei's inverters are used by residential, commercial and public utility customers. Huawei offers a full range of solar panel products in addition to the control systems, including the control systems and software to run and monitor power plants that process solar energy. Huawei's equipment has been adopted on a large scale by installations across Europe and, most recently, in Saudi Arabia. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, the urbane, U.S.-educated architect of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, announced his resignation unexpectedly on Monday on Instagram. "Many thanks for the generosity of the dear and brave people of Iran and its authorities over the past 67 months. I sincerely apologise for the inability to continue serving and for all the shortcomings during my service. Be happy and worthy," he wrote on his Instagram page jzariftir. He gave no specific reasons for his decision. Zarif played the lead role in striking the deal under which Iran agreed to curbs on its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of international financial sanctions. He came under attack from anti-Western hardliners in Iran after the United States pulled out of the agreement last May and reimposed sanctions. A spokesman for the Iranian mission to the United Nations, Alireza Miryousefi, confirmed the announcement of the resignation. However there was no immediate word on whether President Hassan Rouhani would accept it. Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said "some sources have confirmed Zarif's resignation". Born in 1960, Zarif lived in the United States from the age of 17 as a student in San Francisco and Denver, and subsequently as a diplomat to the United Nations in New York, where he served as Iranian ambassador from 2002 to 2007. He was appointed minister of foreign affairs in August 2013 after Rouhani won the presidency in a landslide on a promise to open up Iran to the outside world. Since taking charge of Iran's nuclear talks with major powers in late 2013, Zarif has been summoned to the parliament several times by hardline lawmakers to explain about the negotiations. In February 2014 he caused an uproar with public comments condemning the Holocaust and was subsequently summoned to parliament. Holocaust denial has been a staple of public speeches in Iran for decades. Some hardliners even threatened Zarif with bodily harm after the nuclear deal was signed. Iran's top authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, guardedly backed the deal. U.S. President Donald Trump, and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on Nov. 9, 2017. "A partial deal is increasingly priced into the equity market amid recent positive rhetoric out of the White House. In the event of a real deal, we would expect 5-10% upside for US stocks , with direct and indirect benefits to EPS (unleashed spending) could benefit global cyclicals." wrote Bank of America equity strategists. "Under a partial deal, we would expect a 'sell the news' knee-jerk reaction, and under a full-blown trade war could erase most, if not all, of its YTD gains." But some strategists say Trump could eventually move forward on a deal that does not satisfy all U.S. concerns including Chinese subsidies to its businesses and how it treats intellectual property. Stocks surged Monday after the weekend announcement, with the Dow up about a half percent in afternoon trading and Chinese shares up more than 5 percent overnight. President Donald Trump indefinitely dropped his threat to raise tariffs to 25 percent from 10 percent on $200 billion in Chinese goods, ahead of the March 1 deadline for trade progress. The president said talks were productive and he looks forward to signing an agreement with China's President Xi Jinping. A trade agreement between the U.S. and China could result in a "sell the news" market reaction, if the deal comes up short or does not remove existing tariffs, traders said. The strategists note a partial deal could include some changes around intellectual property but no change in the 2018 tariffs put on Chinese goods, and those would be kept in place as an enforcement measure. China would increase its purchase of U.S. goods. A real deal would include bigger changes on intellectual property regulations and enforcement. The Bank of America strategists said a survey of fixed income fund managers show a majority expect that type of narrow trade deal that ends some existing tariffs. Just 13 percent said they expect a deal to address broader issues, including intellectual property. "It's the tariffs that have the most impact on the economy," said Peter Boockvar, chief investment strategist at Bleakley Financial. "I think it depends on what happens to the existing tariffs. Do the existing tariffs come off or do they remain as an enforcing measure. The market wants the tariffs gone...if you have an agreement and those tariffs are still there, that would not make people happy." The Bank of America analysts estimate that one-third of the three percent decline in earnings forecasts for 2019 are the result of tariffs. "A 'real deal' scenario could reverse the direct impact from 2018 tariffs and potentially could boost sales in China, adding back the estimated 1% negative impact to S&P EPS,"" the strategists wrote. "A partial deal scenario (existing tariffs remain, no increase in tariff rate) would have no direct impact to S&P EPS." Evercore ISI strategists point out there is no talk yet of removing existing tariffs. "We believe this coming 'deal' will fall far short of satisfying most structural complaints on how China behaves economically. And, 'enforcement' in the case of non-compliance remains out of reach. So, global companies will remain doubtful about new plans on investing, producing, hiring and sourcing," noted the Evercore ISI analysts. Strategas Research's Dan Clifton said the existing tariffs may be the price China pays if it doesn't change its ways. "We are having a harder time seeing a path to removing existing tariffs, which will be largely dependent on the Chinese making significant structural reforms. If a final deal is reached, we would not be surprised if the commentary downplays the changes made. Still, China tariff rates have fallen in one year and companies are being granted more access to the Chinese market. While a delay in tariffs is welcome news, a final deal needs to be completed soon for capex to move higher," he wrote, in a note. Source: Strategas Research Clifton said the U.S. has made some gains as it pressured China on trade. "A back-of-the-envelope calculation suggests that the average tariff rate for goods coming into China fell from 9.8 percent in 2017 to 7.5 percent in 2018," Clifton noted adding more companies are being allowed into China without joint venture requirements. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer testifies on trade before Congress Wednesday, and he may provide more details on what is under discussion. "Trump's trade hawks say privately that several issues aren't resolved yet including how to enforce a deal but if The Boss wants a late March celebration with President Xi at Mar-a-Lago, he'll get one. And that prospect is very bullish for investors," noted Greg Valliere, chief global strategist at Horizon Investments. Fundstrat's Tom Block said both Trump and Xi have a lot at stake, with Trump focusing on the 2020 election and Xi concerned about China's economy. "They both have a stake in having something that works. I don't know what the teeth are but it's going to be meaningful for both sides. The Chinese are going to commit to buying a lot of agricultural stuff and they're going to be more forthcoming," Block said. Block expects the agreement to include intellectual property. "The intellectual property issue is very important...It could be weak and I think enforcement will be an issue. Lighthizer is clearly not a wimp on these issues," said Block. A big part of an agreement will boost China's agriculture spending. "The fact is that both sides need an agreement. President Xi has seen a weakening of China's growth, and President Trump needs to assure farm state voters that he is on their side," he noted. Powell packed in 98 personal phone calls and meetings with lawmakers last year nearly four times as many as his predecessor, Janet Yellen, over the same period during her first year on the job. He slips in phone calls while prepping for the central bank's policy-setting meetings. He attends early breakfasts and late dinners. His record is six meetings with lawmakers in one day. "He's much more direct in answering questions, much more regularly engaged in the Hill conversations with policymakers than what I've seen over the last decade and a half that I've been involved in Fed oversight," said Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., the ranking member on the Financial Services Committee. A spokeswoman for the Fed declined to comment for this story. But the outreach to Capitol Hill comes as the Fed could use a few friends in Washington. Since Powell began his campaign, the central bank has entered the crosshair of the Trump White House, and his job has been in jeopardy. Building relationships with Congress can help blunt those attacks and provide a potential insurance policy if President Donald Trump attempts to get rid of Powell, experts said. Trump lashed out as the central bank raised its benchmark interest rate four times last year, pulling the reins on the economy just as the president and the Republican-controlled Congress were trying to supercharge growth with their hard-won tax cut during a crucial midterm election year. Trump criticized the rate hikes as "too aggressive" to Reuters and told The Washington Post the Fed was a bigger problem than China. In that interview, Trump declared he was "not even a little bit happy" with the choice of Powell for chairman. By December, Trump reportedly asked his advisors whether he had the authority to fire the Fed chairman. In January, amid mounting public pressure, volatile financial markets and an uncertain global outlook, the central bank paused the stairstep rate hikes. Now, the central bank says, it is practicing patience. "The Fed certainly can't count on the administration to have its back," said Michael Feroli, chief economist at J.P. Morgan. "So it makes sense to find allies on the Hill." Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Marlene Awaad | Bloomberg | Getty Images Facebook content reviewers in the U.S. have resorted to extreme measures to cope with the stress of repeatedly viewing graphic and offensive material, according to a new report from The Verge. In a wide-ranging exploration of working conditions at Facebook's content moderation facility in Arizona, which is operated by a vendor called Cognizant, The Verge described an office where employees cope with intense stress by using drugs and having sex at work. One employee told The Verge he brought a gun to work because he feared retaliation from former employees. The moderators are reportedly paid $15 per hour to work through a queue of content that could range from offensive jokes to potential threats to videos depicting murder. In a statement, a Facebook spokesperson said: "We value the hard work of content reviewers and have certain standards around their well-being and support. We work with only highly reputable global partners that have standards for their workforce, and we jointly enforce these standards with regular touch points to ensure the work environment is safe and supportive, and that the most appropriate resources are in place." The company later posted a longer blog post about its work with its partners like Cognizant and steps it is taking to ensure a healthy working environment for content reviewers. According to a statement sent by Facebook, a Cognizant spokesperson said the company has investigated the issues raised by The Verge and "previously taken action where necessary and have steps in place to continue to address these concerns and any others raised by our employees. In addition to offering a comprehensive wellness program at Cognizant, including a safe and supportive work culture, 24x7 phone support and onsite counselor support to employees, Cognizant has partnered with leading HR and Wellness consultants to develop the next generation of wellness practices." Cognizant did not directly respond to CNBC's request for comment. Contracted moderators get two 15-minute breaks, one 30-minute lunch and nine minutes of "wellness time" per day, The Verge reported, but much of that time is spent waiting on long lines for the bathroom where three stalls per restroom serve hundreds of employees. Some use these stalls as places to have sex at work to cope with the stress, The Verge said. Others have resorted to lactation rooms, which became such a problem last year that management removed locks from the doors, it reported. There's a lot happening behind the scenes to ensure the U.S. and the European Union reach a trade deal, the Dutch prime minister told CNBC Monday. Both sides of the Atlantic have been at odds regarding international trade ever since President Trump took power in January, 2016. In particular, Trump threatened last year to impose tariffs of up to 25 percent on European cars a highly sensitive topic for European officials. The EU is the largest exporter of motor vehicles in the world, whereas the United States is the largest importer of motor vehicles in the world. Car tariffs could be a massive risk to the European economy. In an attempt to calm down the trade tensions, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker agreed with President Trump in July last year to put new tariffs aside and to work towards lowering ongoing duties. Earlier last year, the U.S. had raised taxes on steel and aluminium from Europe. "I am convinced we can get a settlement on this because it is strategically in both our interests," Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, told CNBC. "Things are happeningI can assure a lot is happening behind the scenes and there is a lot of common trust, common goals on the table because we have to settle this as soon as possible, we don't want to have a full out fight between the U.S. and the EU," he said. Their deal to work towards reducing taxes to zero brought some relief to the table last year. However, more than six months since their meeting in Washington, it is still unclear what's the way forward. EU's trade chief Cecilia Malmstrom said Friday: "We do have concerns about certain aspects of the trade policy pursued by the current U.S. administration but there is also a strong unanimity that we should have a positive agenda with the U.S., building on the decisions and joint statement that was made when the two presidentsmet." A report published by the European Commission last month showed that there have been a number of meetings between both countries. The same report showed that the EU wants the current talks to be focused on ongoing regulatory cooperation activities, as a starting point. The same report says that if the U.S. were to impose new tariffs on European cars in the meantime, there would be a huge disruption to their ongoing negotiations. Rutte also told CNBC that it is in the interest of both countries to bridge their differences. "I absolutely believe that a transatlantic bond between the U.S. and the EU collectively working on our relationship with China and other world powers is in both of our interests." There are signs showing that investors can make more money on this market rebound even with a trade deal still pending between the two world's largest economies, CNBC's Jim Cramer said Monday. In fact, there's a chance that stocks can continue this rally even without an agreement between the United States and China, the "Mad Money" host said. "If we can advance without a trade ceasefire, just imagine how high we could go if the White House and the Chinese Communist Party can reach some kind of accommodation?" he said. "Today, we got some solid evidence that there's enough good happening away from China to justify sticking with this market in order to enjoy what Warren Buffett called the 'tailwind of American greatness' in his annual Berkshire-Hathaway letter that came out this weekend." Stocks are expected to spike whether or not a prospective trade deal drops tariffs currently in place. President Donald Trump said over the weekend that he will delay increasing tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Chinese imports originally scheduled to begin on March 1, citing progress in trade talks with Beijing. Whether trade officials can deliver on a deal or not, Cramer ran through a number of reasons that stock traders can keep winning by way of mergers and acquisitions, future earnings and tech stocks. On the M&A front, Cramer noted that a number of potential mergers could reveal that companies can sell for more than they are worth on the market. Barrick Gold, the host's favorite gold miner, is making a hostile $17.8 billion bid for Newmont Mining. European drug giant Roche made a $4 billion deal which Cramer pointed out is a 120 percent premiumfor U.S.-based gene therapy specialist Spark Therapeutics. Additionally, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, and Novartis have made multi-billion dollar moves in the biotech sector, he said. Most notably, Cramer pointed out that shares of General Electric, which has had a list of troubles as of late, surged more than 6 percent Monday after health sciences conglomerate Danaher announced it would buy the company's biopharma unit for $21.4 billion. Danaher gained more than 8 percent and reached a new 52-week high. "Sure, there are still serious problemsthe bedraggled power division, the expensive long-term care insurance policies that they're on the hook forbut $21 billion goes a long way toward curing those woes," said Cramer, who acknowledged that GE will hold on to its their health care division. "This deal tells me when you put China to the side, many companies may be worth a lot more than their stocks are currently selling for." When it comes to earnings, results this quarterly report season have not been the best but there have been some upside surprises that tend to have legs, the host said. Wayfair, which has yet to make profit, continued last week's $32 rise off of a revenue beat by adding another $10 to its stock price Monday. Cramer highlighted that child and baby apparel company Carter's and heavy equipment maker Terex had some good action after reporting before he bell Monday: the stocks rose more than 8 percent and nearly 2 percent, respectively. "By themselves I know they don't mean much, but consider the implications: Carter's can't sell a lot of children's sleepwear without department stores doing better. And Terex can't sell a lot of heavy equipment without construction doing better.," he said. "In that sense, you know what, those two represent some real good pin action." Cramer said the tech sector also got a boost Monday off of trade deal developments and praises from Buffett, who said that he would buy more Apple if the stock were to fall. He also pointed out that so-called FANG stocks are beginning to show life, but semiconductors and cloud companies have been leading the charge. "The really good news? Both of the cloud kings and the semis were able to advance again solidifying their status as market leaders," Cramer said. "They've really powered this rally." "The bottom line: We've got a heck of a lot of ways to win even without a trade deal, and if we get some kind of arrangement with the Chinese, I think we could have way more upside than most people expect or suspect," he said. Chinese Vice Premier and lead trade negotiator Liu He, right, reaches to shake hands with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer before the opening session of trade negotiations at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Mark Schiefelbein | Pool | Reuters However, a delay of punitive measures isn't the same as an agreement. Much of the foreign business community has been frustrated by Beijing's slowness to act on commitments made when the country joined the World Trade Organization in 2001. Last year, Trump also abruptly changed the tone on trade negotiations when both sides thought they were nearing an agreement. What's important, analysts said, will be a timeline for implementation on any trade deal, and specific consequences if commitments are not enacted. Even Xinhua pointed out in a Chinese-language article on Monday that, according to a CNBC translation, "negotiations become more difficult the closer they get to the end. The chance this causes greater uncertainty cannot be ruled out." The American Chamber of Commerce in China said in a statement Monday that it's pleased with the latest developments on trade, but "what is common among all of our members is the desire to progress on the fundamental underlying issues, which will be necessary if a long-term solution is to be found." The chamber cited a survey of its members last week that showed they "most valued greater market access for their industries; guarantees that antitrust, environmental protection, product safety, and other measures will be enforced equally against Chinese and foreign enterprises and individuals; improvements in intellectual property protection and elimination of pressure to transfer technology; and participation by foreign companies in standard setting." China is likely to agree (to) some sort of deal and just run the clock down on the Trump administration. Chris Rogers research analyst at Panjiva China has made some progress in reducing the requirement for joint ventures, analysts said. Beijing is also increasing its efforts to improve intellectual property protection, especially as the country tries to move into its own production of higher-value technologies. Still, the Chinese government's preferred pace of action may not be fast enough for the U.S., or businesses affected by tariffs. Warren Buffett told CNBC on Monday that Berkshire Hathaway paid too much for Kraft, noting he might have misjudged certain aspects about the company. "I was wrong in a couple of ways about Kraft Heinz," Buffett told CNBC's Becky Quick on "Squawk Box." "We overpaid for Kraft." "It's still a wonderful business in that it uses about $7 billion of tangible assets and earns $6 billion pretax on that," Buffett said. "But we, and certain predecessors, we paid $100 billion in tangible assets. So for us, it has to earn $107 billion, not just the $7 billion that the business employs." Warren Buffett remains bullish on index fund investing. After all, his own company can't beat them. The billionaire investor told CNBC on Monday that Berkshire Hathaway's chief stock pickers, Ted Weschler and Todd Combs, have failed to beat the . "Overall, they are a tiny bit behind the S&P, each, by almost the same margin," Buffett told Becky Quick on "Squawk Box" from Omaha, Nebraska. Buffett has long championed low-cost index funds. "I think it's the thing that makes the most sense practically all of the time," he recently told CNBC's On The Money. Index funds are a form of passive investing, and they hold every stock in an index. The S&P 500, for example, owns big-name companies, including Apple, Microsoft and Google. Buffett told CNBC's Squawk Box recently that if someone invested $10,000 in an index fund back in 1942, it would be worth $51 million today. A dump truck hauls soil away from a pit at the Yanacocha gold mine in Cajamarca, Peru. "Newmont has previously determined that Barrick's risk and return profile is inferior on many fronts, including factoring Barrick's comparatively ineffective operating model, poor track record on delivering shareholder returns and unfavorable jurisdictional risk," Newmont said in a statement. Newmont said it has already reviewed and rejected potential tie-ups with Barrick and Randgold Resources. Barrick completed its purchase of Randgold last month. Newmont said it would consider Barrick's overture, but claimed its plan announced last month to buy Goldcorp for $10 billion represents the "best opportunity to create optimal value" for shareholders. It notes that Barrick is proposing to purchase Newmont's shares at a discount to last week's closing price. Barrick Gold on Monday announced an unsolicited plan to merge with Newmont Mining in an all-share transaction, prompting Newmont to criticize Barrick's performance and potentially setting up a hostile bid. Barrick CEO Mark Bristow said the merger would unlock more than $7 billion net present value of real synergies, a major portion of which is generated by combining the two companies' assets in Nevada. "The combination of Barrick and Newmont will create what is clearly the world's best gold company, with the largest portfolio of Tier One gold assets and the highest level of free cash flow to drive future growth and support sustainable shareholder returns, run by a management team with an unparalleled record of delivering value," he said in a statement. "Most important, it will enable us to consider our Nevada assets as one complex, which will result in better mine planning and fully realize the state's enormous geological potential for all stakeholders." Newmont countered that the Nevada synergies could be achieved by entering a joint venture with Barrick. That path would allow Newmont to reap the benefits without "exposing Newmont's shareholders to Barrick's riskier portfolio, integration risks and transaction costs," the company said. Barrick's announcement said the deal would be "long overdue," and "far superior to Newmont's proposed acquisition of Goldcorp Inc." The merger would offer each Newmont shareholder 2.5694 Barrick shares. Barrick shareholders would own approximately 55.9 percent of the merged company and Newmont shareholders would own the rest. The combined company intends to match Newmont's annual dividend of 56 cents per share. Credit Suisse said the nil-premium that Barrick is offering may not appeal to Newmont shareholders, although the synergies with Barrick are more obvious than those with Goldcorp. "It is possible this is simply the first step in the negotiation process, and we note that hostile takeovers tend to pose challenges," Credit Suisse analysts wrote in a research note on Monday. The merger, if approved, would come after years of relatively stagnant gold prices, with futures trapped in a range between $1,000 and $1,400 per ounce since 2013. Gold closed above the key $1,300 per troy ounce last month after falling into a slump last summer, a trend some have attributed to a weaker dollar and buying by global central bankers. "Considered globally, the merger represents a radical and long-overdue restructuring of the gold industry, and a transformative shift from short-term survival tactics to the long-term creation of sustainable value," Bristow said. Barrick said the merger would result in an estimated 14 percent rise in Newmont's current net asset value per share and offer the company's shareholders a compelling investment in a company of much higher quality. Barrick, which spent $6.1 billion on buying rival Randgold Resources last month, has formed new management teams and doubled down on administrative cost cuts as part of Bristow's plan to best rivals. Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper reported last week that Barrick was considering a hostile bid for Newmont for about $19 billion in stock. The Bank of America Merrill Lynch offices in the financial district, also known as the Square Mile, on January 24, 2017 in London, England. Two of the most vaunted names in banking are fading into retirement. Bank of America said Monday it will gradually retire the U.S. Trust brand to become the Bank of America Private Bank. The move is part of CEO Brian Moynihan's "one-company" strategy to more closely align the bank's various businesses and branding. The company will also no longer use the Merrill Lynch brand for its investment banking, global markets and capital markets group. Bank of America purchased U.S. Trust from Charles Schwab in 2006 for $3.3 billion, calling it "one of the largest and most respected" wealth management firms. U. S. Trust, founded in 1853 in New York, is the first and oldest trust company in the United States and became synonymous with America's moneyed elite. Its founders included Marshall Field, Erastus Corning and Joseph Lawrence, then mayor of New York, while its early clients included Gilded Age tycoons such as William Waldorf Astor and Oliver Harriman. A wide body aircraft emblazoned with Amazon's Prime logo lands at Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S. December 20, 2016. Picture taken December 20, 2016. To match Insight AMAZON.COM-SHIPPING/ REUTERS/Mark Makela Federal investigators on Sunday combed through wreckage of a cargo plane flying for Amazon that crashed into a bay outside Houston, killing all three people on board. The Boeing 767-300, flying from Miami by Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings for the online shopping giant, was nearing Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Saturday when it nose-dived into a muddy and marshy area of a bay near the city, authorities said. Three people on board were killed in the crash, Atlas Air said. The remains of two people have been found at the site. One of the victims was Captain Sean Archuleta, a pilot for Mesa Air Group. Archuleta was riding in a jump seat on the plane, the regional airline said. Archuleta had recently been hired by United Airlines, but hadn't started working there, United said. "This is a sad day for the entire Mesa Family as we mourn the loss of Captain Sean Archuleta," said Jonathan Ornstein, Mesa's CEO and chairman. "Our thoughts are with Sean's family, the families of the two Atlas Air pilots, and the whole Atlas Air organization. This is a loss for all of aviation." A group of investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board's known as the "go team" arrived in Texas Saturday evening to begin the probe. Investigators are scrambling to recover the so-called black boxes that contain cockpit voice recordings and flight data to determine the cause of the crash, NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt told a news conference Sunday afternoon. "Obviously, recovering those is critical to this investigation," he said. "It is a painstaking process but it is a high priority for the NTSB." The black boxes send out signals so they can be located, but the thick mud of the area may complicate that effort. "The situation that we may be facing here is that those pingers may be embedded so much into mud that their effectiveness may be reduced," Sumwalt said. Divers may be sent to look for the black boxes or areas of the bay may be dredged. The plane appeared for five seconds in video captured from the Chambers County jail, about a mile and a half away, showing the aircraft in a "steep, nose-down" descent, Sumwalt said, adding that there was no distress call from the plane and it had no declared hazardous materials on board. The plane's crew was informed by air traffic control of light to heavy rain ahead but Sumwalt said it was too soon to know the cause of the crash. "Our entire purpose of being here is finding out what happened so we don't have to go through this again," he said. The investigators will review the employment and training records of the people on board and of the plane's maintenance records. The investigation, which will be led by NTSB, will also include the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Aviation Administration, Atlas Air and its pilots' union, as well as Boeing and General Electric, which made the airplane's engines. Amazon is not a part of the investigation, a spokesman for the NTSB said. tweet Atlas Air Flight 3591 was traveling from Miami to Houston when it crashed into Trinity Bay. Video taken at the crash site by local news outlets showed debris in the bay, including a piece of material that appeared to feature a part of Amazon's logo. Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthrorne said that law enforcement spotted items including bed sheets, women's clothing and cardboard boxes in the bay. Atlas Air is one of the cargo airlines that Amazon contracted to operate the Amazon-branded fleet, called Amazon Air, along with Air Transport Services Group. Each operates 20 Amazon-branded planes for the air freight service, which was previously called Prime Air. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the flight crew, their families and friends along with the entire team at Atlas Air during this terrible tragedy," Dave Clark, Amazon's senior vice president of worldwide operations, said in a statement on Saturday. "We appreciate the first responders who worked urgently to provide support." Mizuno sneakers and some other brands may soon be using Target.com to sell their products directly to you. Target is beginning to work with more third-party sellers, but it's taking a much different approach than its bigger rivals Walmart and Amazon in doing so. Target is actively reaching out to brands both national and specialty brands on an invitation-only basis to ask them to sell on its website. It says it's planning to partner with companies in certain categories, like sporting goods and toys, where it's seeing high shopper demand. For comparison, the barriers to entry to become a third-party seller are much lower on Walmart.com and Amazon: brands fill out an application requesting approval to sell there. The pivot for Target comes as many bricks-and-mortar retailers are trying to figure out how to make their e-commerce businesses more profitable. Typically, hefty shipping fees, returns and other expenses make it more costly to add customers on the internet than in stores. But working with more third-party sellers is one approach companies are taking to pass on some of those costs. In the case of Target's new initiative, called "Target +," its third-party sellers will be responsible for shipping and other costs. "We see this as a long-term opportunity to drive profitable growth," said Rick Gomez, Target chief marketing officer and chief digital officer. "This is intended to be a very curated and select group of products and brands. ... We are reaching out to the brands we want." This invitation-only approach could also help Target avoid some of the PR blunders that Walmart and Amazon have faced over controversial merchandise ending up on their websites. Walmart last year, for example, sparked outrage on social media when a third-party seller sold a shirt that read "Impeach 45," referring to President Donald Trump. Walmart eventually pulled the merchandise. Because of the size of their platforms, it's been harder for Walmart, Amazon and even eBay to monitor all of their third-party sellers and what they're selling online. Clinton, IA (52732) Today Showers this evening becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Showers this evening becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Culinary Kids Camp will be held every morning from 9 a.m. to noon. July 5 through July 9 at StoneWater in Highland Heights. Betty Buns and the StoneWater staff will teach lessons in cooking and baking. ROCKY RIVER, Ohio - If there is any police chief more content with his years in a police department than Rocky River's Chief Kelly Stillman, it would be surprising. Next year he will have served in the Rocky River police department for 35 years. Stillman's law enforcement career began with one year's service in Cleveland Heights, 1980-81, after being discharged from the military. Then there were three years in the City of Cleveland, 1981-84. In 1985, he was able to snag a position in the Rocky River police department--his hometown. For his first 13 years in Rocky River he was a patrolman, a job he says he loved. He was then promoted to sergeant in 1998 after scoring first place in the sergeant exam, a day he calls a "banner day" for him. He then skipped lieutenant and was promoted to chief of police in 2010. Stillman spoke to many things in his history as chief. First and foremost, he praised his officers. He spoke of a tight, cohesive group of highly qualified officers. "I am so proud of them," he said. "Every day is that way. They do their work in an exemplary way. They put in the time and energy for the community. I am blessed with really good people." Lieutenant George Lichman has been with the Rocky River police for 21 years. He heads up the Citizen Police Academy. He commented on how it has been to work with Chief Stillman. "He was very active with traffic enforcement," said Lichman. "As chief, though, he really championed community engagement, even when we were small. He implemented programs for community engagement. One was the Citizen Police Academy. Another was the bike patrol. He has been a huge proponent of the bike patrol." Lichman said he enjoys all of the programs and can see their worth. "They are very valuable and have built a lot of relationships in the community." "Chief Stillman has been a leader who brought people together," said Lichman. "And he is very open to hearing what other people have to say. He has his trusted advisors, but he doesn't turn people away if they want to discuss something with him. What I really appreciate about him is when he assigns something to me, then he lets me run with it. There is accountability, but he doesn't micro-manage." Stillman spoke to the challenges the officers face on a daily basis. "They are always in harm's way," he said. He marks somewhat of a shift, though, beginning with the highly controversial events in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014, noting an increase, that continues today, of police officers being injured and killed. When asked about the most challenging issue the department has to deal with today, Stillman answered immediately: opioids. And he also ties it to Ferguson. "The opioid epidemic is so far reaching and so taxing," he said. "What police are expected to do today started back in Ferguson. We reacted to Ferguson in a kind of technology way, (that includes) public records, data, body cams, what people want and what the courts require today. So, we video everything. Everything is done on video. It is because of all that started back in Ferguson." Rocky River has had body cameras for the officers for the past three years, said Stillman, and he fully supports the move. "I jumped on the technology right away," he said. "I am all about the technology." He added there are very few citizens complaints now due to the body cameras and they are also used effectively for training and review purposes. Stillman also saluted Mayor Pam Bobst for her cooperation with the police department. "She's great," he said. "She gives me as much latitude and resources as I need." The department has a budget that totals about $5.3 million. Stillman says it increases every year. He also had good words for the residents of Rocky River. "Most of the people out there really appreciate what we do. The (vast majority) of citizens in RR back us one hundred percent." With 34 total officers, Stillman said he would still like to see the roster increased by four to six new officers. In addition to the new police station that is anticipated to open in 2020, in which he has had a hand in designing, he also would like to see all schools, including elementary schools, have a School Resource Officer (SRO). An SRO, by Federal definition, "is a career law enforcement officer...in a community-oriented policing assignment to work in collaboration with one or more schools." SROs are usually armed and are commissioned, sworn law enforcement officers, not "security guards," according to The National Association of School Resource Officers. The definition of the three main roles of school resource officers are to be an educator, an informal counselor/mentor, and law enforcement officer. The problem of declining applications in most police departments was discussed as well. "Twenty years ago," said Stillman, "we had to cap the number of civil service applicants at 200." In the past two to three years, he said, the number of applications coming in are in the 60-80 range. "Even though there has been a steady decline," he said, "our numbers are pretty good by today's standards." But challenges aside, Stillman said his years "...have been a great run. I wish I could do it for another 35 years. I love working for the city, the mayor and everybody who works here. There hasn't been one day that I don't enjoy getting up, putting on my uniform and coming to work. I can't wait to get to work in the morning." Lichman said, "He is a policeman's policeman. I don't think he would want to be doing anything else." As a self-described optimist, and with a small turnover of officers that reflects on the quality of his leadership skills, Stillman clearly will leave a legacy for the next police chief to build upon, but also to emulate. NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio - A part of history leaves the North Ridgeville branch library as manager Karen Sigsworth retires. Since 1977 Sigsworth has worked every branch in the Lorain County Public Library (LCPL) System. But in 1981 she became the North Ridgeville branch manager and stayed put. After 42 years with the LCPL system, she said she will miss the people coming and going at the library as she and her husband begin their new lives as retirees. No one doubts the energetic Sigsworth will stay busy. In December, Sigsworth highlighted the following accomplishments of her last full year at the library: Library staff offered 10 sessions per week of story times for babies and preschoolers, as well as four monthly adult book discussion groups. Issued up to 100 new library cards each month, as new people kept moving into the community; getting a library card is frequently a first community visit after moving in. Added new PlayAway audio books that can be listened to independently without a player of any type and can be used in your car with a simple cable adapter. Issued over 120 passports and are happy to be another location for this service in the community. Public meeting room use was steady all year, as numerous nonprofit clubs and organizations held their monthly meetings at the library. 2018 also marked 60 years since the branch library first opened in North Ridgeville in a simple storefront location. Sigsworth asks all library patrons to welcome the new manager, Jennifer Winkler, who begins her job on March 4. Winkler worked as Youth Services Librarian at the branch a few years ago. "She has recently been working with the Cuyahoga County Library System, mostly at the Berea Branch," said Sigsworth, "and is looking forward to coming back to North Ridgeville now that she lives in the city. Jennifer is eager to meet library patrons and will continue the great programming offered at the North Ridgeville Branch as well as bringing new ideas for library service." Ever the library's biggest supporter, Sigsworth couldn't leave without reminding citizens about the upcoming levy renewal for the library. "Be sure to circle May 7 on your calendar," she said. "That is when the renewal issue for the North Ridgeville Branch Library operating levy will be on the ballot. I cannot believe how fast five years has gone by since our last levy request in 2014. The renewal levy is not a tax increase and provides most of our operating expenses, allowing the library to be open daytime, evening and weekend hours. All levy money stays in North Ridgeville. The library continues to remain relevant in our current times by offering materials and programs for all ages as well as meeting space for community groups. Thank you for your continued support over the years." For more information about the library and upcoming programs throughout 2019, visit https://www.lorainpubliclibrary.org/locations-hours/north-ridgeville-branch or call 440-327-9326. CLEVELAND, Ohio - A public forum to be held Tuesday night at Case Western Reserve University will deal with ways to curb gun violence that dont necessarily involve changing gun laws. Reform advocates have tried for years to convince Ohios largely conservative state legislature to embrace gun reform, but to no avail. Those efforts havent ceased, but the focus at this public forum will instead be on what individuals, community groups, health-care providers, justice officials and others can do to keep people from shooting each other, or themselves. The forum will seek viewpoints from a police chief, a judge, a suicide-prevention expert and a physician. It is scheduled for 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Tinkham Veale University Center at 11038 Bellflower Road on the Case campus. Panelists for the forum will be: Andres Gonzalez, chief of police, Cleveland Metro Housing Authority Dr. Lolita McDavid, medical director of Child Advocacy and Protection, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children Judge Joan Synenberg, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Jane Timmons-Mitchell, senior research associate, CWRU Begun Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education Peter Krouse, public interest and public advocacy reporter at cleveland.com will be the moderator. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Some FirstEnergy customers could be without power for days after strong winds caused thousands of outages in Northeast Ohio, the utility company says. More than 8,000 customers were still without power just after 1 p.m. Monday in Cuyahoga County. Some of those customers may not have their power restored until Thursday afternoon, according to estimates on FirstEnergys website. Some communities -- such as North Royalton and Solon -- are estimated to have power again on Friday. We may have the bulk of them done before that, and a handful that [get restored] after, FirstEnergy spokesman Christopher Eck said Monday afternoon. Its difficult to say right now. FirstEnergy crews needed to wait until the winds died down before they could fully assess the damage and begin the repairs, Eck said. Other counties are also experiencing widespread outages that may not be fully addressed for days, according to the current estimates. More than 3,000 customers in Lake County and nearly 2,900 customers in Geauga County are also estimated to have power fully restored by Thursday and Friday. In Summit County, where more than 4,300 customers were without power, FirstEnergy is estimating that all of the outages will be addressed by Friday afternoon. The National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning on Sunday, with winds coming from the southwest at 25 to 35 mph and gusts up to 65 mph. The warning remains in effect until 1 p.m. Monday. The strong winds caused damage and widespread power outages throughout Northeast Ohio. Cleveland, Ohio Filmmaker Nick Cavalier brought the topic of mental illness in the music and art world to the big screen at the 2015 Cleveland International Film Festival. His movie, Forced Perspective, about famed artist Derek Hess experience of mental illness, earned the Local Heroes Award and was one of the fests most popular films. Cavalier further delves into the topic is his new short film (27 minutes), Down Again. Its a powerful exploration of the connection between mental illness and creativity, told through the experienced of the frontman of popular metal band Chimaira, Mark Hunter. Hunter, like many men, originally thought he was just moody. But as he got older he came to realize that bipolar disorder is not just moodiness, nor is it something to hide. Cavalier explores his acceptance of his diagnosis and the therapeutic role music has played in his life and that of his fans in his film that mixes personal interviews with stellar concert footage. Down Again is one of 118 films playing, all under 30 minutes, playing this weekend at the eight annual The Short. Sweet. Film Fest. at the Alex Theatre at The 9 (2017 E 9th Street). More than 50 percent of the films were made by Cleveland filmmakers. Films run Friday through Sunday. For a full schedule and tickets see http://shortsweetfilmfest.com/about/ No tickets will be sold at the door. Down Again will be playing as part Local Filmmakers Night, 6:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. Friday. CLEVELAND, Ohio A suspect is in custody after a man died from multiple gunshot wounds Sunday afternoon following an apparent argument, police say. Police responded to an apartment complex on the 4500 block Woodland Avenue in the Central neighborhood on the East Side at about 3 p.m., police spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia says. The 50-year-old victim, identified by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiners Office as Louis Dixon of Cleveland, was taken to MetroHealth Medical Center by ambulance but he died of his wounds, Ciaccia says. The suspect, also a 50-year-old male, was taken into custody by Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority police officers. Ciaccia says the shooting remains under investigation. To comment on this story, go to the cleveland.com crime and courts comments section. CLEVELAND, Ohio A Cuyahoga County Jail inmate was found unconscious Saturday after having an apparent reaction to drugs about six hours after he was booked into the jail. Alexander Foster, 30, was taken to MetroHealth in critical condition about 6 a.m. Saturday, county spokeswoman Mary Louise Madigan said. He remains at MetroHealth, Madigan said. A MetroHealth spokeswoman said she was unable to give an updated condition. Foster is on life support and in critical condition at the hospital as of Monday, his mother, Ida Foster said in an interview Monday. Madigan said Foster was booked into the county jail shortly after midnight after his arrest Friday evening on drug trafficking charges, court records say. He remained in the jail about six hours. Foster was one of nine people in an apartment raided about 7:30 p.m. Friday by police on West 9th Street apartment in downtown Clevelands Warehouse District. Investigators seized cocaine, heroin, marijuana, digital scales, $2,037, drug-packaging materials and cellphones, court records say. A corrections officer made rounds about 6:05 a.m. and noticed the inmate was not looking right, Madigan said. The inmate was unconscious. Jail staff gave the man emergency medical care, including the opiate-overdose antidote Narcan before an ambulance took him to the hospital. Ida Foster said her son called her about 3 a.m. Saturday and said he had been vomiting and passed out several times. He said that jail officials were going to take him to the hospital soon, she said. A few hours later, she got a call from the sheriffs office saying she needed to go to the hospital because her son was dying. She said that doctors told her that her son swallowed heroin and that he had his stomach pumped. He has since been on a ventilator, unable to breathe on his own. Foster said sheriff deputies at the hospital told her she wasnt allowed to visit her son while he was still in county custody at the hospital. She said she spoke with an associate warden on Monday and was allowed a brief visit. She said doctors were going to try and remove the breathing tube to see if he could breathe on his own. Foster said her son regained consciousness briefly and said: They tried to kill me, Ida Foster said. Her son lost consciousness again. A sheriffs deputy told her to leave the hospital and she hasnt been back. His heart is real messed up, she said. He cant breathe on his own. Eight inmates died in county custody in 2018, four from suicides, three from drug overdoses and one from cancer. Another Cuyahoga County inmate died about three weeks after he was transferred from the jail to Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare, a state-run psychiatric hospital. Cuyahoga County officials said last month that drugs were found inside the jail after another inmate survived an overdose after a corrections officer spotted the inmate unconscious and a nurse administered the opiate-overdose antidote Narcan. How conditions at the jail deteriorated is the matter of intense scrutiny after the inmate deaths. The worsening conditions were caused in part by a lack of corrections officers and a drive by Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish to increase county revenue by packing the already-overpopulated jail with inmates from other cities, including Cleveland, according to a cleveland.com investigation. The move was all part of Budishs plan to regionalize county municipalities jail operations. Budish asked the U.S. Marshals to review county jail operations after the seventh death. The marshals found inhumane conditions in the jail, including inmates who were denied food, water, medical and mental health care. An Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections report issued last week found substantial issues inside the jail, including many of what the marshals investigators found. The ODRC had for years in annual and special inspections found little or no violations of state standards. A civil-rights investigation led by the FBI is underway at the jail. A criminal investigation led by the Ohio Attorney General and Cuyahoga County prosecutors led to the indictment of former jail director Ken Mills and two other county employees who have nothing to do with the jail. Mills faces two felonies and six misdemeanor charges. He is accused of lying during a May 22 Cuyahoga County committee meeting about his role in blocking the hiring of nurses at the countys three jails the main one in downtown Cleveland and two satellite jails in Bedford Heights and Euclid. He later lied to investigators about his interactions with a high-level Cuyahoga County official, according to prosecutors. Two recent lawsuits over jail conditions one by seven inmates seeking class action status and an independent monitor at the jail and another by the family of an inmate who died in 2017 have been filed against the county. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Strong winds that moved into Northeast Ohio on Sunday resulted in more than 100 reports of downed trees and more than 3,500 customers losing power in Cleveland, city officials said. Crews are still working to remove downed trees and power lines, and to restore power to all Cleveland Public Power customers, the city of Cleveland said Monday in a news release. The National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning on Sunday, with winds coming from the southwest at 25 to 35 mph and gusts up to 65 mph. The warning remains in effect until 1 p.m. Monday. The strong winds caused damage and widespread power outages throughout Northeast Ohio. Cleveland police officers, firefighters and EMS also responded to calls related to the winds, such as for downed trees and power lines, city officials said. City officials provided an update Monday on the work that crews are doing to address various issues. Downed trees: The city has received more than 100 service calls to remove fallen trees. Crews began working Sunday and continued through the night. Eight crews are working Monday to clear trees that are blocking traffic, sidewalks or driveways. To report a downed city-owned tree, call Urban Forestry at 216-664-3104. Disabled traffic lights: Drivers should treat all disabled traffic lights at intersections as four-way stops, police said. If you see a traffic light that is out or not working properly, call 216-420-8273. Power outages: Cleveland Public Power is still addressing outages related to the high winds, which impacted approximately 3,500 customers during the storm. All major outages had been repaired by Monday afternoon, city officials said. All other customers who are still without power should see it restored sometime Monday. Anyone who is still experience a power outage can contact CPP at 216-664-3156. Downed power lines: Do not touch a downed power line or a damaged utility pole, city officials said. Call CPP at 216-664-3156 or file an online report at www.CPP.org. SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio - You've heard the adage: "In like a lion, out like a lamb." Well, February in our Hillcrest area seems to be leaving like a lion. Hold on to your hats, and be a good neighbor to those who are alone or elderly when the winds are brusque. The reward of connection and community will be compensated in gratitude and joy. Make a friend, be a friend. Speak up! Don't assume all is well. You never know when the favor may be returned. As my mom and dad chose Mayfield Heights to move to when I was in my teens, we enjoyed something new - neighbors who sat out on one woman's generous front porch and chatted after dinner. I would often go to listen. A former minister I knew felt that something was lost in American life when the front porch was replaced by the back porch or deck. Those have their charms, but they are most likely to be used for entertaining those we know. And there is a courteous distance between back porches - one does not shout out "hey" to one's neighbor most of the time. I agree with the minister. Since gathering points - like a neighborhood pub - are not necessarily a U.S. tradition, we must foster our own. It is great to have a house of worship and a coffee hour or reception; in addition, perhaps there are ways to broaden the circle. Or to at least make our neighborhood decks and back porches used to their full potential! If you are feeling isolated and have ideas, let me know. I'm happy to offer Hillcrest area tips to the collective wisdom of our readers. Out there may be likeminded people who want to connect, and not just electronically. We should not need a phone to talk! There is plenty of conversation built more readily face to face. And don't forget the power of listening, too. Eloquence. Lena DiPuccio '20, of Gates Mills, was awarded the G. Robert Santo Speaker Excellence Award at the district speech and debate tournament held on February 2 in Berea. The award is presented each year to the top competitor in the Cleveland district. This is the first time a Gilmour student has been selected! She has qualified for the state tournament on March 1-2 at Jackson Local Schools buildings; she will compete in the Original Oratory category. Gilmour Academy is a Catholic, independent, coeducational, college-preparatory school sponsored by the Congregation of Holy Cross, Notre Dame, Ind., and offering a Montessori program starting at 18-months-old and a Lower School, Middle School and Upper School. A boarding program for students in Grades 7 through 12 is also available. Gilmour is at 34001 CedarRoad in Gates Mills. For more information visit www.gilmour.org and follow Gilmour on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Applause! "Saluting Service & All That Jazz" is the annual recognition of remarkable community leaders hosted by the Alpha Omega Foundation, Inc. on March 9 at Executive Caterers in Mayfield Heights. The honorees are Greater Clevelanders whose service spreads far and wide the Foundation's 2019 target programs. The first target is "HBCUs for Life." Honoree Lester Holmes is devoted to promoting historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). As an official in the Cleveland Council of Black Colleges Alumni Association, Mr. Holmes coordinates each year the HBCU College Fair for high school students and their parents or guardians. Dr. Linda Bradley is a renowned Cleveland Clinic obstetrician and gynecologist. Her professional life reflects the Foundation's second target on "Women's Healthcare and Wellness." Dr. Bradley will have a 4-year term as the Medical Director of American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgeons. She is a past president of this association dedicated to female wellness and minimally invasive gynecology. Claude Booker embodies the Foundation's third target to "Build Your Economic Legacy." Formerly a corporate chef and sales executive, Booker with his wife Crystal launched their "Simply Southern Sides" business almost 10 years ago. The company has national visibility and Booker mentors small business owners, too. For its fourth target "The Arts!" the Foundation honors Tony Sias, President and C.E.O. of Karamu House. Bringing a stellar background in theater production and administration, Mr. Sias is leading Karamu House and emerging amateur and professional performers. The Foundation's final target is "Global Impact." Tim Tramble, Executive Director Of Burten, Bell, and Carr Development, Inc. has an unparalleled commitment to non-profit organization management. He inspires residents and works to invigorate blighted and underserved communities in Cleveland's Central and Kinsman neighborhoods. Radio station WOVU 95.9 FM-LP was launched one year ago, an enterprise of Burten, Bell, and Carr Development Inc., connecting people in the community to valuable information and resources. The Alpha Omega Foundation, Inc, established in 1983 is a 501 (C)(3) philanthropic arm of Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., an international service organization founded at Howard University in 1908. It has a membership of one-quarter million college-educated women. The local Alpha Omega Chapter was chartered in 1917 at Western Reserve University, now Case Western Reserve University. The Foundation raises funds for scholarships for academically talented college-bound high school seniors and other programs and services. For more information contact Tia McGrady at 216-210-7201 or tiamcgrady@aol.com And now, a toast! Local members of Toastmasters clubs impressed the crowd at the Area 20 International speech contest. The contest was held in Chardon on Thursday, Jan. 31 at the Western Reserve Land Conservancy office. Toastmasters, in my opinion, offers a creative venue not only for polishing speaking skills but for creative thinking and camaraderie. And apparently, we have some toast-worthy winners in our midst. Molly Ketcham of Mayfield Village, a member of the Parker SpeakEasies Toastmasters Club in Mayfield, earned first place in the International speech contest with her innovative talk "Try Everything Once." She offered a few memorable experiences - including sky diving - and how following her mother's advice can enrich anyone's life. Congratulations! Tell me more. Send your Sun Messages to mariashinestewart@gmail.com CLEVELAND, Ohio Moes Tavern, a tiny bar operating in the first floor of a rooming house in Cleveland, has been brought to life, its history being preserved by its 28-year-old owner. And to call that history 'rich' doesn't do it justice. It harkens rough times in the city, the lore of a gangster, and reportedly has a tie to the iconic animated television show, "The Simpsons." Now Raphael Gobidas has added "brewery" to Moe's name. Gobidas has done more than just refurbish a neighborhood hangout that was never trendy, never pretentious, and definitely never high-brow. Moe's is a vestige of the past with ties to another era - actually, multiple eras. The idea you would find craft beer in a place like this at one time would seem as out of place as Homer Simpson in a vegetarian restaurant. Gobidas, 28, bought the bar in 2016. With full beard, jeans and casual top, he hustles between kitchen and front of the bar while dealing with keg deliveries on a regular basis. But he's an old soul, raised in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood before trendy restaurants began populating the area. An appreciation of history isnt lost on him. Raphael Gobidas owns Moe's Tavern. More than an old bar Built in 1890, the building where Moe's is now was a rooming house when such a thing was common in cities. "It was all weekly rentals," he said. "Guys would leave farming towns and rent rooms for a couple of months. This is one of the last few rooming houses in all of Cleveland." It has about 30 tenants. If the building were a person, it would have a multiple-personality complex. Over the years it was a punk hangout, a gay bar, a Baptist church, a wannabe-cocktail bar. But its bones have always been a neighborhood joint. "You talk to people years ago who came in here, it was a dump," he said. "But it had its charm." That charm actually started in University Circle near Euclid Avenue and Mayfield Road. Phillip Assad ran the bar 1956 to 1960. Assad's brother Albert bought it around 1961. It moved to 1714 E. 17th St. before shifting in 1979 to its current address, 1740 E. 17th. (Albert and his son Jimmy actually closed early on a Saturday and had the bar established in its new address ready to open at 7 a.m. Sunday. Jimmy jokes his back still hurts from the move.) The bar is at E. 17th Street and Walnut Avenue. Jimmy - a former teacher - began running it in 1976. Then came a litany of owners since 2005 before Gobidas bought it. Jimmy Assad, 70, still owns the building. "It's fun to see what was on the block," said Gobidas, citing a movie house, a skyscraper, the building of the Greyhound terminal and hotel. A city was taking shape all around Moe's. "There was a six-story hotel, shops - now it's a parking lot," he said. The lot has stayed through the years, as has the bar's name. Moe was Phillip Assad's nickname. "My father (Albert) had bought a Model A (car) or Model something way back in the day," Jimmy said. "He told him, 'Take your feet off the mohair,' and somehow this turned into 'Moe.' When the bar moved to its current location, the clinging sign - a massive throwback about 12 feet tall - went along. Gobidas delved into the past, researching the bar's origins. The area might have had some life, but it was rough around the edges. A Plain Dealer story in 1933 said a 35-year old man was sentenced to four years in prison for "selling dope to girls." Gobidas has a clipping referring to a 1940 police report of a drug bust at the location. A Plain Dealer story in the 1950s said Phillip Assad had his car broken into as it was parked nearby; $2,000 in a cigar box in the glove compartment was taken. And in 1968 a fire caused $10,000 in damage. "I remember that vividly," Jimmy Assad said. "He (Albert) was joking 'Fire-brewed Stroh's' (referring to the slogan of the old Detroit brewery's beer-making process.) He was trying to make light of it. I forgot how that happened." Three years later, Moe's received its Sunday liquor license. A 1984 column by Thomas Andrzejewski in The Plain Dealer described the area: "Its a vanishing, overlooked and forgotten downtown community, passing time." Not all of that time was passed by regulars drinking at the bar. Gobidas said it served as a front for Danny Greene, Cleveland's infamous gangster whose life was chronicled in the 2011 movie "Kill the Irishman." While he never owned the bar, Greene reportedly used part of the building as a speakeasy for a few years in the 1970s, with gambling in the back and prostitutes upstairs. Assad said a customer once looked around and told him, "I lost a lot of money over there." Assad replied: "What are you talking about?" The customer described how Greene - who was killed in 1977 - had a "gambling thing going on right there, guards outside, the whole ball of wax" with dice and poker for about two years. "A lot of these older buildings had a lot of history behind them," Gobidas said. "Until someone refurbishes it, then it's 'Oh, this happened here.' " The bar actually is near many downtown landmarks. It's close enough to Progressive Field to walk yet far enough to be outside the $30 lots. It's near Playhouse Square, whose many workers often come in to unwind, Gobidas said. Even occasional performers will stop by after shows. As a matter of fact, he said, trucks bringing in stage equipment will cruise down 17th, see the bar, Google the spot on their phone, then return. Cleveland State graduate students frequent Moe's, he added, as do tourists. "It's amazing how many people vacation in Cleveland," he said. Moe's in 1984. Plain Dealer photo by Mitchael J. Zaremba. Restoring the past It took an epiphany for Gobidas to get into the bar business. He had been attending Miami University and returned for a visit. "I came home and saw Cleveland changing in 2016," he said. "That summer, - the RNC, the Cavs. I felt like Cleveland was starting to change, like Tremont. I just left." With an impatient rush to be part of revitalization in his home city, he put aside his business-pre-med studies and jumped into real estate. "I felt like my education was getting in the way of my learning," he said. What he inherited in the bar - 1,400 square feet without the kitchen - was a space that demanded immediate attention. There were holes in the floor. A drop ceiling caught bits of crumbling rock falling from where sinks had been put in the rooming house. "It was so dilapidated," said Gobidas, who bought Moe's when he was 25. The bar's appearance now is drastically different from its first 50 years, Assad said. "It was pretty much 'roll up your sleeves and have a shot and a beer,' he said. "It needed a face lift." That required an owner willing to restore it. Gobidas read books, researched online, and learned what not to do. He peeled layer after layer from the walls, revealing eras of time. " 'Oh, there's the '80s panel, there's the '70s panel, there's the '60s panel,' " he said he would recall. He reclaimed pallets that were going to be thrown away. He found wood from a North Carolina barn on etsy; it was an exact match to original windows in the space. He laid in a finished wooden floor over worn tile. He created wooden beam-like vertical posts to cover pipes. He built the chilling room for kegs in the basement. Like many bars, purse hooks are hung along the bar's underside. But few are as sturdy as these: They are drapery fixtures. His parents own a drapery business. Gobidas grew up in the building where Dante's is now in Tremont before his family moved to Shaker Heights, where he went to high school. There are no phone chargers, though, and a pull-down television screen is available but not always used. He converted the wall bar to a u-shaped one, so people face each other and can chat. "We want people to have a conversation," he said. It was early conversations Gobidas had at the bar that would spur him to research the building's past. This "newspaper page" was flashed in the 1991 episode of "The Simpsons" about the Flaming Moe drink. Ties to The Simpsons Gobidas initially wanted to open a "nostalgic, '90s theme bar," he said. "You can't get more '90s than 'The Simpsons.' " That show, of course, has a Moe's Bar. Moe's in Cleveland already had a bit of pop-culture history, having been shown in scenes from at least two movies, "Telling Lies in America," a 1997 film starring Kevin Bacon, and the 2012 movie "Tomorrow You're Gone" with Willem Dafoe. If you have ever bellied up to a bar and an old-timer is prattling on, you're constantly on guard to dice facts from fiction. And one day, Gobidas found himself in that position. Someone who wrote for "The Simpsons" "used to hang out here," the fellow told Gobidas, who at first figured it was typical "bar B.S." But the guy talking was former owner Jimmy Assad, recalling that a regular had told him a former writer supposedly "lived in Shaker Heights and the theory is he went to the bar." Assad also said some stagehands who work at Playhouse Square had told him similar stories "but no one knows for sure." The show has used about 150 writers, according to the International Movie Data Base. Some wrote for one episode; others wrote for dozens. Some you have never heard of. Others are well-known - Conan O'Brien, Seth Rogan, Judd Apatow, Ricky Gervais. Prank calls started coming into the bar, too. Assad figured he might capitalize on the bar sharing the same name as the one in the show. He even began serving a drink called the "Flaming Moe," Gobidas said. "But he didnt want to go overboard with it," Gobidas said. "It was Bacardi 151 (rum) being lit on fire. They would hand it to the person. It wasnt safe. They stopped doing it." Assad confirmed the story: "My cook's arm caught fire, and we had to stop doing it. That ended that. One of my servers was walking with it. You light it at the table; dont walk with a lighted drink." A friend's coat burned up, and it cost Assad $300. That drink was made famous in season 3, episode 10, of the classic show, which aired Nov. 22, 1991. (More than 15 people received writing credits for episodes that year.) Curmudgeonly bar owner Moe Szyslak - voiced by Hank Azaria - begins taking credit for a trendy new drink with that name. The prank calls are a reference to Bart Simpson calling and asking for the likes of "I.P. Freely," "Jacques - last name - Strap" and others. Moe falls for the gag every time. To this day, Gobidas said he gets a prank call about once a month. Gobidas also said he started noticing subtle references on the show. A small window is located where the women's room was, similar to the show. Barney Gumble, a simple, pathetic lumpy drunk voiced by Dan Castellaneta, lives above the fictitious bar. "There were a lot of Barneys down here," Gobidas said. Creator Matt Groening has said Springfield - the city whose state is not mentioned in the show - is based on the city outside of Eugene, Oregon. That Springfield has a Moe's Tavern, but it opened in 2013, long after the show was created and after Oregon native Groening revealed the setting's origin. Springfield, Oregon, does have a Mohawk Tavern that was established in 1953. But Groening didn't write the Flaming Moe's episode and writers, as they come and go, are free to draw on their own experiences. But here's the odd connection to Moe's in Cleveland: During the episode, the Springfield Shopper is shown with the banner headline referring to Mo as the 'Wizard of Walnut Street'. Remember the Cleveland bar's cross street, Walnut? Whether a writer stumbled a la Barney into the bar on a trip through Cleveland, whether a friend mentioned it and then tucked it in their creative memory bank, or whether it is a coincidence remains, for now, bar talk. Unlike the show's tavern, Moe's in Cleveland does not have a jar of pickled eggs on the bar. Moe's, a tiny bar downtown, has undergone a major renovation and has begun brewing beer. On tap Decades ago you wouldn't find craft beer in corner bars. You had your Pabst, your Bud, your Miller. In the 1980s craft breweries took hold, and soon it wasn't just brewpubs serving good beer. Corner bars began adding craft options. Gobidas recognized how neighborhood bars were changing. But what prompted him to make beer wasnt a longtime goal to brew. Occasionally, he would get a keg of bad beer. The process of returning a keg is arduous and bureaucratic, laden with paperwork and appointments, he said. So he thought: Why not brew my own? Gobidas is a willing subject, eager to soak up advice from experienced people and glean what he can. He met Matt Vann, owner of The Jolly Scholar, and soon started to learn how to brew beer. "Matt took me under his wing," he said. "I learned to listen." He brews at the Scholar and offers 10 of his beers including four different India Pale Ales, a light lager and Russian Imperial Stout. He wants to brew Duff, the beer made famous on "The Simpsons." And he recognizes something many bars, unfortunately, are not paying enough attention to: Having clean tap lines. His are cleaned weekly. (Dirty tap lines wont kill you, but they can alter the taste of beer. Breweries have no jurisdiction over a bar owner's lack of interest in having clean lines.) He also started emphasizing food. "You have to do food, and it's got to be good," he said, citing an industry study that says people on average "spend 52 minutes less" in bars that don't serve food. In the beginning, Gobidas was cook and bartender. It started with scratch-made sour-dough pizza and chicken wings cooked in clay. Now, his menu covers 16 offerings with bites, salads and wraps. And "Simpsons" fans will enjoy the reference to names like Krusty Dogs and Cowabunga, one of the pizzas. Its a far cry from the time when the bar offered everything from "lobster and filet to peanut butter and jelly and soup," Assad said. "He (Gobidas) spent tons of money," Assad said. "He's done a great job." Moe's is on E. 17th Street in downtown Cleveland. Moving forward Gobidas has increased the bar's presence on social media, which actually has led to more callers asking about reservations. "I get a call every other day - 'Do you have room for a table in one hour?' " " 'Yeah,' " he replies as seriously as he can as he stands amid the old-time video games " 'I can fit you in.' " He's welcoming the community now although he admits the front door, with its crossed iron-bar gates, isn't the most inviting. "Back in the day you didn't want people looking into the windows," said Gobidas, who recently added a vestibule to soften the look of the entrance. One thing he will keep is the massive sign, which has gone through its own historic incarnations. It's been painted over. Neon has been changed out. A plastic covering was attached. "When I got it," he said, "it was a charcoaled piece of t-boned steak. They spray-painted primer over it. I want to one day do the full restoration." He said a sign that size would not be allowed today, that it's grandfathered to stay - as long as it's not taken down and replaced. Through it all, Gobidas respects the history of Moe's, despite some of the rough moments associated with the bar. "To keep the name was not good for business," he said, "but I had to keep it for the history." (He did change it from Moe's Bar to Moe's Tavern.) Sometimes, he added, people come in remembering how they had wound up at the bar decades earlier and stand stunned: "This was Moe's?" they'll say, looking around. One time, he said, a woman at the bar texted her boyfriend: "I'm a bar called Moe's." The reply: "What are you doing there? Get the hell out of there." Times have changed. We are like a neighborhood bar, Gobidas said, and the neighborhood is growing. CLEVELAND, Ohio Tucked away off West 25th Street, just blocks from the hustle and bustle of Ohio City restaurants and bars, Stella Maris treatment center is quietly taking care of those who are dealing with drug and alcohol addiction. Now in its 71st year of operation, Stella Maris cant keep up with the demand for services as the opioid epidemic continues to keep Ohio tightly in its grasp. The publicly- and privately-funded center is in the midst of a $5 million capital campaign to expand its services and add more room. The need is just really there. People are dying on the streets, said Carole Negus, director of nursing for Stella Maris. While the number of overdose deaths in the county decreased last year for the first time in nearly a decade, fatalities still remain well above the annual average before the crisis began. In 2018, 560 people in the county died from drug overdoses, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiners Office. "We are by no means back to where we were before this crisis started and these numbers, while encouraging, really indicate we need to strenuously continue our efforts, said Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas Gilson. At Stella Maris, the detox waiting list alone is hovering above 100 people. And thats after the center added a temporary structure in a parking lot this past October to house administrative functions and make room for more detox beds in the other buildings. Stella Maris plans to break ground on a new roughly 12,000-square-foot structure in June that is scheduled to open in February 2020. The new facility, built on an existing parking lot, will allow Stella Maris to add 20 more detox beds, expand its group therapy program and open a 30-day residential treatment center. When its finished, Stella Maris expects to serve 2,000 more people per year. If it wasnt for StellaI dont know, said Kyle Johnston, who was homeless before he came to Stella Maris in late 2017 and now works there as a detox tech. The detox unit in particular needs more resources because withdrawal symptoms are more complex. In the past six months especially, Stella Maris has seen more people come in who have taken drugs that were cut with other drugs, said Negus. She noted that Stella Maris administers drug tests when clients come through the doors. That makes opiate withdrawal that much more difficult, said Negus. Some are having seizures, which is more typical of Benzodiazepines withdrawal, she said. Now people dont even know what theyre on, said Terry Luria, clinical director for Stella Maris. The center is able to get people into detox within three to 10 days, but loses people who are seeking help when there arent beds available immediately, Negus said. Many of its clients are people who are homeless or who are transferred from drug court. A lot of us, our family doesnt talk to us. A lot of us are outcasts or cast aside as losers. Its life or death out there, said David Sheets, who came to Stella Maris in November 2017 and now works as a kitchen assistant there. In the past eight years, Stella Maris has more than doubled its staff to keep up with the demand and plans to add more employees with the expansion. It just speaks to the whole opioid epidemic, said Carol Martin, director of finance for Stella Maris. The capital campaign already has raised about $2 million, most of which has come from the State of Ohio and Stellas financial reserves. Contributions to the Stella Maris capital campaign can be made online. Cleburne, TX (76033) Today Partly to mostly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms. Low 72F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms. Low 72F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%. A Florida man is suing a consumer products company after he says he suffered permanent scarring and discoloration on his face from using a mens hair dye. David Colliers lawsuit says the company Combe didnt properly warn consumers that they could have allergic reactions to its Just For Men hair dye. Combe didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the lawsuit, which was filed in late January. Collier claims his batch of Just for Men was defective. The lawsuit also says African-American consumers such as Collier face a much higher risk of allergic reactions to an ingredient in the hair dye than white customers do. The company advises consumers to perform a skin-test on themselves before using the product. Colliers suit says thats not enough. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Connecticut lawmakers are considering whether to require motorcycle drivers to wear helmets, as in previous legislative sessions. But this year, the concept is among a host of recommendations from a public safety transition group thats been advising newly elected Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont. The Public Health Committee has scheduled a public hearing on Monday regarding two bills that would impose mandatory helmet use. One proposal would require helmets be worn by motorcycle operators and passengers under age 21. The other bill would require all motorcycle operators and passengers to wear protective headgear. Currently, anyone 17 and younger must wear a helmet. The scientific evidence of the protective impact of motorcycle helmets is consistent and convincing, said Garry Lapidus, director of the Injury Prevention Center of Connecticut Childrens Medical, in written testimony submitted to the committee in advance of Mondays hearing. Lapidus is a member of Lamonts advisory group. Besides instituting a universal helmet law, the second bill would also require anyone riding in the back seat of a vehicle to wear a seatbelt. Its a concept that was also recommended for Lamont to consider. Julie Peters, executive director of the Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut, said helmet laws save both lives and money. In written testimony, she said the annual cost related to motorcycle crashes in Connecticut is estimated at $157.2 million annually. Riders without helmets have higher health care costs as a result of their crash injuries, she wrote. So the financial burden for the treatment and care of those who survive a motorcycle crash is then placed on the government and taxpayers. But motorcycle enthusiasts are already registering their opposition to the legislation. Darryl Steding of Stafford wrote to the committee ahead of the public hearing. While he said he wears a helmet, he doesnt believe protective headgear should be required. There are many different helmets that provide different levels of protection and I would like to make my own choice of what to wear or not to wear, he wrote. Until 1976, Connecticut had required anyone riding on a motorcycle, including passengers, to wear an approved protective helmet. After that law was repealed, there were no helmet requirements from 1976 until 1989, when the General Assembly enacted a partial helmet law that requires anyone under age 18 to wear an approved helmet, according to the Office of Legislative Research. The law also requires applicants seeking a motorcycle license to wear a helmet while on a training permit. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. In January 2018, Los Angeles Times Houston bureau chief Molly Hennessy-Fiske proposed that she and a photojournalist move close to the US-Mexico border. Hennessy-Fiske, who has lived in the Lone Star State for eight years, suggested the project because she wanted to hone in on the Rio Grande Valleyan area in south Texas where the river serves as the most distinct demarcation between the two countries. Border cities like those in the Rio Grande Valley have been the subject of increased national coverage since Donald Trumps election, especially as outlets document the continued fallout from the administrations family separation policy and its intent to fund a proposed border wall through a recently issued national emergency declaration. From the new issue of CJR: Getting over ourselves By renting a house for a few months, preferably on the riverfront, Hennessy-Fiske argued that LA Times journalists might better learn what its like to live in an area where residents, Border Patrol agents and migrants frequently cross paths. She got the go-ahead, and immediately started auditioning cities on the Texas border. We knew we wanted to be in an area that was what Border Patrol refers to as high traffic, where we would be seeing people coming across and experiencing that, Hennessy-Fiske says. But we also wanted to be somewhere where people were living. She asked journalists, community groups, Border Patrol agents, and other sources for suggestions. She considered Brownsville, a Gulf Coast town nestled at the southernmost tip of the state, and McAllen, a metropolitan area neighboring Reynosa, Mexico. But she kept circling back to Roma, a city in the Rio Grande Valley known for its scorching summers and frequent migrant crossings. Hennessy-Fiske had initially rejected the city as an option at first because its often chosen by Border Patrol officials when reporters submit ride along requestssomething Hennessy-Fiske has previously participated in herself. Ultimately, she says, What we found was not what I or anybody else had gotten from ride alongs. She and photojournalist Robert Gauthier discovered a community much like many others in the US, filled with old men wearing T-shirts with ironic messages and toddlers chasing doting grandparents up and down the streets, Hennessy-Fiske wrote in a December column about the project. Soon after their arrival, they covered canicula, a period of intense summer temperatures that keep residents inside and increase the chances of migrants dying from heat exhaustion. And they shadowed Border Patrol agents who daily try to chase migrants who enter Roma by crossing over the river. Americas attention has really been hyperfocused on this 1,900-some-mile region that most Americans will never set eyes on. Gauthier and Hennessy-Fiske lived continuously in the town for a month, but continued staying at the house part-time for the next three. Hennessy-Fiske says she still travels to Roma; both journalists keep in touch with friends and contacts forged in the area. Sign up for weekly emails from the United States Project Ive specifically come back to Roma a lot, to see people, to have meals with them, to go over to their houses, to make sure they got copies of the stories, Hennessy-Fiske says. Some of them have received offers from the government for their lands. In the past year, both the LA Times and The New York Times have sent reporters to live in border cities, in hopes they might better learn about, and from, the people who make their homes there. Since the start of the year, The New York Times has assigned several reporters to live near the border in both Texas and California. National correspondent Jose A. Del Real and freelance photojournalist Emily Kask recently reported on the sewage and industrial waste polluting Calexico, California neighborhoods. New York Times Houston bureau chief Manny Fernandez, who has made numerous trips to Texas border cities in the past, will now be focusing on McAllen, Texas. Freelance visual journalist Ilana Panich-Linsman will be living and working there for The New York Times as well. And while he wont be moving there full time, correspondent Simon Romero has spent much of his time recently in El Paso, Texas, says New York Times deputy national editor Kim Murphy, who is in charge of border and immigration coverage. Our view was not to really focus on any one place, but to have eyes and ears on the border 24/7, so that we can start seeing the stories that you only get when you live, work, eat and breathe in a place, Murphy says. Its not going to be a full-time thing forever, but for now, at a time when you almost cant pitch me a border story that I dont want, it worked out well for us. This month, the The New York Times also launched a new pop up newsletter Crossing the Border. That newsletter will feature the papers immigration coverage, as well as reporting from other outlets that New York Times editors have been following. Americas attention has really been hyperfocused on this 1,900-some-mile region that most Americans will never set eyes on, Murphy says. Peoples understanding of life on the border, she adds, is often informed by movies that feature exciting shootouts and cartel violence and all kinds of things that dont really reflect the day-to-day life of people who live there. Panich-Linsman, whos normally based in Austin, Texas, says she arrived in McAllen in early February. While working in a local coffee shop recently, she was able to meet a source for a long-term project shes working on. Its not that these opportunities dont present themselves at all when you visit for shorter periods, but being here for this long allows me to relax a bit and let sourcing happen organically, she says. Spending extended time in McAllen also gives her a chance to take in her surroundings, rather than simply looking for photo opportunities. The increased focus on the border also gives national outlets the chance to recognize the ongoing work of local and state reporters, and to look for writers and photojournalists in border cities who can guide and collaborate on projects. Hennessy-Fiske and Gauthier partnered with freelance journalist Veronica G. Cardenas while living in Roma. Cardenas, who lives in McAllen, shot video footage and photos for the LA Times. She also helped Hennessy-Fiske and Gauthier connect with the neighborhood. In the beginning, the LA Times team often drew suspicion; neighbors werent sure why they were there and whether they were safe to talk to. Sometimes the people would ask me, wondering if Rob and Molly were trustworthy because theyre white people, Cardenas says. It was because of the location of the coloniathe neighborhoodbeing so close to the river, right? Nobody trusts each other. As the year continues, Hennessy-Fiske intends to keep following developing stories in Roma and other border cities. I always encourage other reporters, even at our paper, to come to the border but also to do immigration coverage, she says. Im happy to help anyone else who wants to do it or get started. Im not a native Texan, Im not from out West, but I think its really important. ICYMI: The immigration syllabus: 10 essential stories Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Tiffany Stevens is an independent journalist living in Seattle, Washington. Their work focuses on the media, the LGBT community, and the triumphs and trials facing marginalized communities throughout the US. Follow them on Twitter at @tiffanymstevens. You will receive 5-day a week delivery of the Citizen Tribune newspaper to your home or business, plus full, ad-free access to CitizenTribune.com as well as full access to the Electronic Edition of the newspaper. ONLY $13.99 per month for the first 3 months! Only $16.00 per month after promotional period. Or ONLY $169.99 for a full year Only $198.95 per year after promotional period. By sharing Cisco's own IT experience, Cisco on Cisco can help customers and partners use technology to achieve business outcomes. Get an inside look at the inner workings of Cisco IT. Learn how we help organizations transform through technology. 28140 The advent of technological advancements has introduced a dramatic shift to the global education market providing a better and cost-effective education. The off-campus courses and edtech apps have facilitated the whole process of learning from home. This widely accepted model of education has enabled the U.S. to implement an online learning platform in 48 states and the District of Columbia. The introduction of online and virtual schools like The Florida Virtual School, Utah Electronic High School, and North California Virtual High School has revolutionized the whole process of education. Research and Markets has predicted that global edtech market will grow by 15.4 percent by 2024. But, digital transformation paves the way for digital distraction which often, becomes a hindrance to the whole process of education. Check this out: Top K12 Companies Except for digital distraction, there are some major threats that the K-12 schools have to address firmly. AI plays an important role to make the K-12 schools more efficient by offering the chance to act in an automated way, and this enhanced efficiency and automated work process attract cybercriminals. They focus on receiving Bitcoin ransoms or stealing sensitive information which, according to the Miami Herald, is more expensive on the dark web than the social security numbers. To deal with this problem, the schools need to focus more on email gateways and endpoint protection. Security of the data stored in the cloud has always been a concern to every sector. McAfee points out that 21 percent of the cloud data can be marked as sensitive, and undoubtedly, it becomes a center of attraction to the hackers. The native security traits are not enough to deal with advanced attacks. Digital schools need proper solutions to enjoy improved visibility, control, and protection. Campus safety management is another major concern of digital schools. As per Experian, almost one million children were victimized due to fraudulent identities, and this lead to a massive loss of wealth. Gartners research has made an interesting announcement that the total expense to secure IoT devices will become $1.5 billion. In K-12 schools, IoT devices play a vital role in enhancing student engagement by providing the students with the opportunity to interact. These IoT devices demand protection for themselves and shared data. Infected IoT devices can lead to DDoS attacks which are harmful to digital schools. Few K12 companies : ABM , American Reading Company , Horizon Software , Learning.com A federal judge in Texas has ruled that an all-male draft is unconstitutional. The ruling by Judge Gray Miller was made public late Friday. The case, which was brought forward by the National Coalition for Men, argued that both men and women should be draft-eligible, saying the current system was unfair. Read the full ruling here. Currently, under the Military Selective Service Act, men who do not register with the Selective Service System upon their 18th birthday, can be denied student loans or benefits from the federal government. "Forcing only males to register is an aspect of socially institutionalized male disposability and helps reinforce the stereotypes that support discrimination against men in other areas, Marc Angelucci, attorney for the Coalition, said in a statement to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Only on HoustonChronicle.com: Pelosi visits South Texas to block Trump border emergency The government had asked the court to either dismiss the case or delay the decision until a congressional commission dedicated to study the possibility of admitting women to the draft. The government pointed out a 1981 Supreme Court ruling that placed combat ineligibility on women in the military. But in 2015, the Pentagon lifted all past restrictions placed on women in military service, allowing female soldiers to be placed in combat roles. Congress has been debating the male-only registration requirement since at least 1980, Miller wrote, denying the governments request. If there was ever a time to discuss the place of women in the Armed Services, that time has passed. At this point, its unclear how the SSS will go about making the change to add women to the system. The Miller ruling did not include direction at how the government should go about making the change. Read the full premium version of this story on HoustonChronicle.com. TEXAS TAKE: Catch the political news you need every weekday at HoustonChronicle.com. UPDATE: The woman yelling in the video, whose name remains unknown, has been fired from her teaching job at The Awty International School. Here are two excerpts from the west Houston private school's statement to parents and staff, which was emailed to Chron.com. "While the video only captures a portion of the exchange and we do not have all of the facts, it is clear that the teacher's words and behaviors are counter to our school's values. While the language and behavior is clearly inappropriate, it is important for me to share with you that we had not previously observed any conduct even remotely similar to that depicted on the recording. Nonetheless, as a result of this behavior, the teacher's employment at the school has been terminated, effective immediately." A Westchase neighborhood Kroger was the site of a racially-charged verbal assault on Sunday. Mai Mohamed, who lives near the store, said she was standing by the water jugs outside the store (located at 9919 Westheimer Road near the Sam Houston Tollway), when she claims another customer began verbally attacking her. Earlier this week, Mohamed told Chron.com that she walked back to her car to collect her phone and returned to the scene. The unidentified woman also returned, and is seen on the video directing a string of expletive-laden insults at Mohamed. She said that she did not know what triggered the verbal attack. In addition the obscenities, the woman can be heard telling Mohamed to "go back to your country." "I felt hate when she looked at me. I don't know why," Mohamed told Chron.com. Mohamed said she returned to the store to speak with the manager about filing a complaint about the incident. Seydou Oued lives a less than a block away from the store. He said he was at Kroger that day, and told Chron.com that he witnessed the incident seen in Mohamed's video. He also confirmed that she went to speak with the store manager about the incident, and the possibility of filing a complaint. Sparkle Anderson, a Kroger corporate affairs manager, said that the incident was disrupting other customers and that the store manager was trying to work with those two customers to resolve it. She also said that the company does not know what caused the incident. Arsalan Safiullah, a civil rights attorney for the Houston office of the Council of American-Islamic relations, is advising Mohamed. He told Chron.com that Mohamed has not yet filed a formal complaint to Kroger. However, he did say that she is currently in the process of exploring potential legal options. *Safiullah also said that the Houston branch of the Council of American-Islamic Relations is asking members of the local community and nearby areas to come forth and report if they've experienced similar instances of prejudiced behavior.* Mohamed said she is a Muslim woman who was born Egypt. After obtaining a green card, she immigrated to the Houston area in Feb. of 2017. RELATED: Kroger to give grants for innovative ideas on preventing food waste Peter Dawson is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | Peter.Dawson@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. About two weeks before President Donald Trump signed a spending bill without funding for his long-promised border wall, U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw was standing along a stretch of fencing in downtown Brownsville, pitching his case for more physical barriers. Far fewer illegal crossings occur in Brownsville, Crenshaw noted, than in nearby McAllen, which is largely unfenced and where data suggests most of the Rio Grande Valley sectors illegal crossings occur. It doesnt take a whole lot of analysis here to figure out why this is working, said Crenshaw, a Houston-area Republican. Crenshaw and U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, a fellow Republican who represents a district running from Austin to San Antonio, have emerged as arguably the loudest advocates for a wall among their freshman class. They have sparred with Democrats on social media, made the rounds on national TV and toured the border, where Crenshaw produced a documentary-style video of his findings. Amid Trumps stream-of-consciousness and sometimes factually erroneous pro-wall arguments, Crenshaw and Roy have sought to present a more sophisticated case, contending that a wall is just one part of the solution to improve border security. Unlike Trump, they have focused not on the violent crime rate in border towns, which are safer than most cities their size, but on the rate at which people are apprehended for illegally crossing the border. Since Trump signed the $333 billion spending bill that provides only 55 miles of pedestrian fencing, however, congressional Republicans, stuck in the House minority, are all but relegated to the sidelines raising a question for immigration hardliners such as Crenshaw and Roy, who voted against the legislation: Now what? Though House Republicans still may propose piecemeal border-focused legislation, Democrats are unlikely to take up such proposals. The Democrats contend that walls are ineffective because most illegal drugs flow through ports of entry, and that Trump and Republicans have manufactured an immigration crisis amid historically low levels of arrests along the border. Some Republicans agree: U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, a Helotes Republican who represents a bigger chunk of the border than any House member, has called Trumps border crisis a myth. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox Hurd also has said he does not support Trumps national emergency declaration that will allow the White House to tap other wall funding sources especially if the president seeks to build the wall with military construction funds, one of the money pots he could dip into. Our government was designed for the most ultimate power, the power of the purse, to reside within Congress, Hurd said on Face the Nation. And we shouldn't have an executive I don't care if it's Republican or Democrat that tries to get around Congress with this national emergency declaration. Roy, unsure about the legality of Trumps national emergency declaration, is now working with like-minded Republicans, including Florida Rep. Mark Green, to designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. Doing so would enhance penalties for people who support cartels and allow the government to freeze cartel-linked assets. More broadly, Roy hopes to tighten asylum laws and amend a 1997 consent decree that bars the government from detaining minors accompanied by parents for more than 20 days. Roy argues those factors incentivize migrant families to illegally cross the border. "Right now, it's just a free-for-all, Roy said. And now you've got this flow coming across, and the cartels know it. They're exploiting that free-for-all, profiting on the back of it, endangering migrants. Wrestling with Trumps emergency declaration Roys policy objectives appear unlikely to gain much traction under a Democratic-majority House, though the Trump administration has recently begun forcing asylum seekers at the San Diego port of entry to wait in Mexico - a practice that officials intend to expand to Texas. Crenshaw, meanwhile, said he reluctantly voted against the spending bill, despite its many examples of good-faith compromises, saying it would not adequately stem the tide of illegal border crossings. Border Patrol caught about 397,000 migrants illegally crossing the border in the 2018 fiscal year more than in 2017, generally in line with recent totals and far lower than historic levels. Migrant families are requesting asylum at a record rate, however, with many fleeing gang violence in Central America. As for Trumps emergency declaration, Crenshaw told the Independent Review Journal, a conservative news site, that he is wary of the precedent it sets, though he appeared broadly supportive, expressing hope that Trumps move would start to address the problems at our border. Roy, a critic of former president Barack Obamas immigration policies, played a key role as Attorney General Ken Paxtons top assistant in securing a 2015 injunction on a program that granted deferred action status to undocumented parents of legal residents. Four years later, Roy said he is weighing as objectively as is humanly possible whether Trumps action is constitutional and legal. I am wrestling with it every bit as much as I did as an antagonist to the policy in Obama's world and despite my desire to have a strong border, Roy said. He added, I very much want to ensure that the president is not overreaching. On Friday, House Democrats led by U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, filed a resolution aiming to block Trumps emergency declaration. The House has drawn the support of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who said Friday the House will vote on the measure Tuesday. Instead of a physical wall, Republican Rep. Hurd has proposed to install sensors, radar, fiber optics, drones and other mechanisms to enforce a smart wall, which he says would cost far less. Asked on Twitter about Hurds opposition to a border wall opposition, Crenshaw said his colleagues district covers sectors of the border with natural barricades and very little traffic. I would urge Will to think of the border in holistic terms instead of just his district, Crenshaw said. The Presidents plan only calls for fencing where [border patrol] has identified a need. Not the whole border. Hurd, whose district spans more than 800 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, has continued in recent interviews to oppose the idea of physical barriers, though his call for a mix of solutions echoes those of Crenshaw and Roy. Even Congress most vociferous border wall backers reserve praise for Hurd, perhaps understanding that support for a wall would have surely cost him re-election last year. Roy said he speaks with Hurd frequently and has enormous respect for his perspective on border matters. Reasonable people can come to different conclusions, and Will and I will continue to have debate and discussion about that, Roy said. I think there's a lot more agreement than disagreement. For now, all three Republicans appear likely to remain prominent figures in the ongoing border debate as Trumps emergency declaration is litigated in court. The names "Bonnie and Clyde" ring a bell, but what about the Texas lawmen who stopped them? Former Texas Rangers Frank Hamer and Manny Gault are credited for halting notorious 1930s-era gangsters Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, known for a two-year spree of robberies and law enforcement killings throughout the Central United States. In 1934, Hamer and Gault set up an ambush on a rural Louisiana road and, with the help of local authorities, killed the criminal duo in a hail of gunfire, according to an account on the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum website. RELATED: Original Bonnie and Clyde indictments uncovered in old Tarrant County court records A new Netflix movie spotlights the two lawmen, with Woody Harrelson playing Gault and Kevin Costner playing Hamer. The official trailer was published last week, and the movie is set to release March 15. "When the full force of the FBI and the latest forensic technology aren't enough to capture the nation's most notorious criminals, two former Texas Rangers must rely on their gut instincts and old school skills to get the job done," according to the full movie synopsis. In the trailer, the lawmen refer to themselves as Texas Rangers, but they weren't Rangers during the Bonnie and Clyde investigation. They reportedly left in 1932 after Governor Miriam "Ma" Ferguson was re-elected. Hamer and several other Rangers resigned because of the corruption and "softness" on crime during her previous term, according to the Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum website. Ferguson fired the entire Texas Ranger force anyway on her second day and replaced them with political appointees, the website said. Gault and Hamer were commissioned as special investigators to end the Bonnie and Clyde crime spree in 1934. Hamer was able to recognize a pattern to Clyde Barrow's travels and started anticipating the gang's move, the website said. Eventually, in May of that year, Hamer and Gault set up the ambush with the help of Louisiana's Bienville Parrish Sheriff Henderson Jordan. Click through the gallery above to see a more complete history of Bonnie and Clyde. 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. An 18-year-old man has been arrested in the death of two brothers shot during a rooftop ambush in east Houston last week, according to authorities. Marlon Valdez was arrested Saturday and charged with capital murder, court records show. He was held without bond. He is accused of killing two teens identified by the medical examiner as Josue and Maximo Aguilar, on Thursday. Houston police Chief Art Acevedo called the attack an ambush and said the gunman opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle from the roof of a flooded-out home in the 12700 block of Eastbrook Drive. The two victims were in a car full of people who had agreed to meet there to settle a feud. Josue was killed at the scene, while Maximo died at a hospital. Valdez was arrested at a home in the 600 block of Maxey Road on Saturday. A warrant was issued for his arrest last July after he led a San Jacinto Police Department officer on a high-speed chase in his mother's car. Valdez allegedly crashed into another car and aimed a gun at a motorist who tried to block his escape route, court documents show. He fled on foot. The officer spoke to Valdezs mother, who said it was her car that he was driving at the time of the chase. Records do not show if Valdez was ever arrested on charges of evading arrest. Several robbery suspects are in custody after a daytime jewelry store heist, pursuit and manhunt in north Houston. The suspects held up the Zales jewelry store inside Willowbrook Mall around 12:30 p.m., breaking display cases and making off with an undisclosed amount of jewelry, according to the Houston Police Department. Shay Khan works at a nearby store in the mall and described a chaotic scene as the suspects starting smashing the jewelry cases. "We heard what sounded like gunshots," Khan said. "It was actually the sound of glass breaking. When we heard that, all the stores that were around us ... shut their doors right away." Since the store he works at had a lot of customers and music playing, he wasn't sure what was going on right away. He said he turned to the entrance of the store and saw a sea of shoppers and employees running away from the sounds. HPD officers rushed to the scene and began pursuing the suspects, who led police on a chase to a neighborhood near the North Freeway and West Gulf Bank Road. That's where officers, assisted by several K9 officers and a police helicopter, took all the suspects into custody. The exact number of suspects who were taken into custody was not clear as of Monday afternoon. 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 Federal safety officials renewed calls Monday for the publics help piecing together the cause of a deadly cargo plane crash east of Houston that claimed three lives Saturday and warned of consequences for those who hindered the probe by scavenging the wreckage. Meanwhile, lighting halted an intensive water search for the remains of a third crew member who died when the wide-bodied cargo plane plunged into Trinty Bay early Saturday afternoon. There was too much lightning. Rain, we dont mind, the drizzle we dont mind, said Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne. Aluminum-bottom airboats dont do well in lightning. In a tweet, officials with the National Transportation Safety Board called on residents with video or photos from the crash to contact the FBI, the same day a U.S. Attorney warned that federal prosecutors would seek to charge anyone who interfered with the investigation by failing to turn over parts of the aircraft that crashed. It should be obvious to everyone, but do not pick up or remove pieces of the wreckage. It can interfere with the investigation and could lead to criminal charges, said Ryan Patrick, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, in a news release Monday afternoon. If you do come across debris on your property, please contact the FBI. Additionally, the NTSB and FBI have asked that area residents and businesses check security cameras for possible video of the crash. Saturday's crash occurred around 12:45 p.m., just minutes before Atlas Air flight 3591 was set to arrive at Bush Intercontinental Airport from Miami, Fla. Instead, it crashed into the shallow water of Trinity Bay, killing Capt. Sean Archuleta of Houston, Capt. Ricky Blakely of Indiana and First Officer Conrad Jules Aska of Antigua. Investigators found pieces of the wings and landing gear in a debris field spanning 200 yards by 100 yards, authorities said. Real-time flight data published by FlightAware.com shows the aircraft departed Miami International Airport at 10:33 a.m. Central Time. At 12:38 p.m., the aircraft descended 11,750 feet in about 30 seconds. The Federal Aviation Administration lost radar and radio contact with the plane when it was about 30 miles southeast of the Houston airport, the agency said. Some witnesses reported hearing the aircraft's engines sputtering, while others reported hearing a sound resembling a thunderclap, Sheriff Hawthorne said. Investigators have recovered two bodies and were waiting for medical examiners to confirm their identities via DNA testing or fingerprints, Hawthorne said. On Monday, they were still searching for a third, but had to call off the search for several hours due to thunderstorms in the area. The National Transportation Safety Board will handle the investigation, which is expected to take more than a year. The crash Saturday was the seventh fatal crash involving a 767 since its debut in 1981, according to research compiled by the Flight Safety Foundation. st.john.smith@chron.com twitter.com/stjbs A Houston Republican congressman had no patience for a California Democratic colleague who claimed a headline on an opinion piece in an NRA magazine advocated for gunning down Congressional Democrats. The article's headline, "Target Practice," appears in a large font next to a photo of House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-California, and others including former Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in an assassination attempt outside Tuscon in 2011. Six others died that day. Penned by the NRA Institute for Legislative Action's Executive Director Chris W. Cox, the piece outlines Pelosi's and other Democrat's attempts to implement universal background checks and other measures deemed "gun control" by the article. It appears in the March edition of American Rifleman, an NRA magazine. NEVER COFFEE: Rep slammed for refusing coffee at Trump Tower On Saturday, Rep. Eric Swalwell, DCalifornia, took to Twitter almost immediately to call for "legal consequences" for the NRA. "This is a call for violence by the @NRA against @GabbyGiffords, who was nearly killed by gunfire and @SpeakerPelosi, the most powerful legislator in America," Swalwell tweeted from his official account. "The NRA should face legal consequences. But let's put them out of business with boycotts and ballot boxes. #EnoughIsEnough" Later that day, Rep. Dan Crenshaw, RTexas, quote-tweeted Swalwell's tweet, alleging that Swalwell is perpetuating "outrage culture." "How can you claim this? Are you deliberately lying or did you just not read it? The article is about legislation targeting gun owners, not the NRA targeting Democrats," Crenshaw tweeted. "If your goal is to ensure that "outrage culture" is alive and well, continuing to divide us, congrats." Swalwell has been in Congress since 2013, while Crenshaw is a freshman representative from Houston. 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 Paris, TX (75460) Today Thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight. Low 72F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight. Low 72F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%. ExxonMobil teaches area middle school girls about engineering In celebration of National Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, also known as Girl Day, more than 400 middle school girls from Conroe, Spring and Magnolia Independent School Districts attended a festival on Feb. 22 at the Lone Star Convention and Expo Center. The festival is hosted by ExxonMobil. The companys environmental engineer manager, Shawn Simmons, kicked off the festival and encouraged the girls to engage their curiosities about engineering. If these girls dont know what an engineer is and does, or looks like, they dont know they have a choice (to be one), Simmons said. Throughout the morning, the girls had the chance to make marshmallow-launching catapults and marble roller coasters, working in teams to solve problems. Thats exactly what an engineer does, Simmons said. Its an opportunity for ExxonMobil to do our part in making sure that young girls get a hands-on, fun experience to introduce them to engineering, Simmons said. Conroe ISD honors all-state musicians At the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday night, 36 band, orchestra and choir students were honored for being named 2019 Texas Music Educators Association all-state musicians. Robert Horton, the districts coordinator of fine arts, said that the process begins with more than 71,000 students and is narrowed down to about 1,700 students. These students are in the top 2.5 percent of all students who initially enter the audition process, Horton said. Trustee Scott Moore praised the students for how theyve excelled. The world needs more beauty, and the music helps us find beauty in the midst of chaos. I hope that you will share that talent with the world, Moore said. Lone Star College brings University of St. Thomas student advisers on-site Although the Lone Star College System has a partnership with University of St. Thomas so students can transfer there to complete their bachelors degrees, that transition may get easier. In a signing ceremony Feb. 14 at LSC-University Center in The Woodlands, the colleges formalized a partnership that brings University of St. Thomas advisers on-site to meet with students, in addition to five new program agreements that help students chart their paths. These are called program-to-program articulation agreements and include degrees like nursing, math and chemistry. More than 2,200 LSC students have transferred to the University of St. Thomas in the last 18 years. Texas Autism Academy continues to grow Cary Mollinedo, one of the co-founders of the specialized private school along Pruitt Road in The Woodlands, said their enrollment has tripled since they opened in September 2017. They started with two students on the autism spectrum and now serve 14 students. Because of that growth, theyve implemented new programs like a twice-per-month art experience and a weekly music therapy class in collaboration with Sam Houston State Universitys music therapy department. Theyre also working to start a scholarship fund for families who wish to send their child to the academy but may not be able to afford it. This is where fundraisers come in: theyll have a food and wine pairing event April 30 at Pallottas Italian Grill as well as a volleyball tournament May 11 to contribute to the scholarship fund and schools expenses. In addition, theyre one of the organizations that will benefit from Market Streets Change for Charity program this year. jane.stueckemann@chron.com Ruben Campos eats, sleeps and breathes the sleek, modern interior of Jaspers in Market Street. As head chef and general manager of Jaspers, Campos has all of his fingers in all of the pies, so to speak. The key to running both the business and creative sides of a popular eatery? Delegation, Campos said. The day is not long enough, Campos said. The challenge is having people work with me that are talented enough to where I dont have to have my hands in everything. If ever there was an industry where time and experience are the only way to advance, it would be the restaurant industry. For many, waiting tables and low-level prep roles lay the groundwork for a future farther up the ladder of responsibility in the culinary world. The profession is flexible, Campos said, and draws students and others in transitional roles but if you want a future in it, you have to work your way up. Campos, a Katy native, said he began his career as a dishwasher at age 14. After a stint at Ruths Chris Steak House, Campos left the company in 1998, around the same time as then-CEO and current Jaspers owner, Bill Hyde. Campos then spent 11 years in Dallas working for Hydes restaurant group, H2R Restaurant Holdings, L.L.C., before eventually opening a Cajun-inspired concept in Plano called Zeas in 2005. Then, in 2012, Campos began to search for a way to come back home. His fathers health was failing and he said he needed to be close to his family Hyde and Campos arranged for him to become head chef and general manager of Jaspers in The Woodlands. Adapting to a new market presented its own challenges, Campos said diners in Dallas are looking to revel in the dining scene, but in Houston, by contrast, its more likely that theyre out to experience the food, Campos said. Tastes are different, too, he said seafood, for example, is more popular closer to the coast. Even within Houston, there are subtle differences a customer dining out in the Inner Loop is looking for a slightly different experience that someone eating in Market Street. I can do what inside the loop can do, but their needs are different, Campos said. Thats proving true as Jaspers seeks to expand and model its menu and services to reflect modern tastes the restaurant recently revamped its brunch menu with unique offerings, like chicken and waffles and crab cake Benedict, rather than twists on the core dinner menu. Although its a high-end restaurant, Campos said, Jaspers location in The Woodlands also lends itself to draw a lot more families than a similar restaurant in the Inner Loop, and catering to all members of the family remains a high priority. If we can get more kids in, its easier for mom and dad to come to brunch, Campos said. Also unusual for similar restaurants, Jaspers is working on a take-out menu with a system to ensure the best quality results when the food finally makes it home. Its a sign of the times, Campos said, and the restaurants owners and culinary team are eager to please. If you eat out 14 times a week, its easier to pick it up and go home, Campos said. We want to make sure the food is just like it is in the restaurant. As for the menu, Campos likes to play around a little bit, like any chef, he said, but while also maintaining a core menu wood-grilled pork tenderloin, smoked salmon and Parmigiano Reggiano-crusted trout aids in building relationships with regulars. Expansion is on the horizon, Campos said, with a potential new location in Houston and another in Dallas joining the 11 concepts in H2R family of eateries. I like that were in the area, he said. I dont want us to become a chain. Jaspers, and the restaurant industry, remains a family affair for the father-of-six, both at home and at work. One of his sons is a sous chef in Arizona and his stepson works at Jaspers, but even without being related, Campos said, the staff is a family. The restaurant has lower turnover rate on average and the company is still small enough to where the culture remains familiar. This is family, Campos said. Thats the atmosphere we try to have here. mrincon@chron.com A second felony drug case involving an embattled Houston police narcotics officer already under investigation was dismissed Monday, this time in the "interest of justice." The move comes less than a week after the Harris County District Attorney's Office announced plans to review more than 1,400 cases connected to Officer Gerald Goines, the case agent accused of lying about the undercover heroin buy used to justify a no-knock raid that left two people dead. Of the hundreds of Goines' cases slated for review, 27 were active at the time of last week's announcement - including one that's already been dismissed. Since then, prosecutors have agreed to bond in two other cases and on Monday morning moved to toss a case against Treveon Cornett. The 24-year-old was arrested last year after police allegedly caught him with less than a gram of narcotics. From the start, Cornett said the drugs - a small amount of crack cocaine - weren't his, according to defense attorney Deborah Keyser. "I believe the right thing happened here," Keyser told the Chronicle hours after the court tossed the case. "I think he was truly innocent." Aside from finally netting what Keyser viewed as a positive outcome, Cornett's case also shed more light on the investigation into the events leading up to the deadly no-knock raid that landed Goines in hot water. Both Goines and fellow narcotics Officer Steven Bryant have since been relieved of duty, and court filings earlier this month identified them as subjects of an internal police investigation. Now, a motion filed in Cornett's case notes that Officer Oscar Pardo is "being investigated by the HCDA's Office Civil Rights Division" for a Jan. 28 shooting. It's not clear what his involvement may have been in the botched bust that ended in gunfire, whether he fired a shot, or ever went in the Pecan Park home. A Houston police spokesman confirmed that he works in narcotics, and union lawyers declined to comment. *** Cornett's now-dismissed case started in mid-July, after an undercover buy and a drug raid at home on Dorchester. But the operation was never targeting Cornett; instead, it centered on a man named Ivory Duncan. Two officers - Goines and Bryant - met with a confidential informant and watched from outside as the CI went in and allegedly bought a crack rock. The warrant doesn't specify how many drug deals the alleged informant was involved in previously, but the affidavit relies on that purchase to ask for a no-knock warrant. Even though the informant apparently didn't report seeing any guns in the house, Duncan had two prior gun charges so, Bryant wrote, "knocking and announcing would be dangerous, futile, or would inhibit the effective investigation of the offense described." Just like in the Pecan Park case, a city municipal judge greenlit the request for the risky no-knock entry. Days later, eight narcotics officers - including Goines and Bryant - burst into Duncan's small home, looking for drugs. In the process, police spotted Cornett sleeping in a broken-down car, where he'd gone to get away from the noise, his lawyer said. He didn't own the vehicle and didn't know about the trace amount of drugs inside, he maintained, but still police charged him. Officers also arrested another man who was standing across the street with some crack cocaine, according to Keyser. Duncan was arrested for being a felon in possession of a firearm, but the raid didn't net any drug charges against the primary target, records show. Earlier this month, Duncan's case was dismissed after prosecutors said they couldn't prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. ONLY ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: FBI opens civil rights investigation into botched Houston drug bust, police chief says The case dismissal comes on the heels of a controversial Jan. 28 raid that set off a gun battle ending in the deaths of 58-year-old Rhogena Nicholas, her 59-year-old husband Dennis Tuttle and their pit bull dog. Five officers were hurt, including Goines. The bust only netted 18 grams of marijuana, about a gram of cocaine, and none of the heroin police said they were looking for. In the days after the shooting, Goines underwent at least six surgeries and at one point was on a feeding tube with his jaw wired shut. But, even as he fought to recover in the hospital, questions began swirling about his actions leading up the deadly raid. Within weeks, investigators filed a warrant for access to Bryant's cell phone and other electronic data. In the affidavit explaining their need for the search, police revealed that an internal investigation showed Goines may have lied about the controlled buy used to justify the raid. Police questioned all of Goines' informants, and they all said they didn't do any undercover deals with the Tuttles. Bryant, meanwhile, told investigators he had retrieved the two bags of heroin from the center console of Goines' police car at the instruction of another officer - a claim apparently inconsistent with the affidavit used to justify the raid. Bryant eventually admitted he'd never seen the narcotics in question before retrieving them from the car. As news of the allegations emerged, the FBI got involved, launching a civil rights investigation into the event leading up to the raid. Also last week, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced the massive case review. 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. Conroe council members approved a $1.3 million contract with Huffman Triple B Services for a project to extend Camelot Street south to Sgt. Ed Holcomb Boulevard Monday. According to Director of Capital Projects and Transportation for Conroe Tommy Woolley said the project includes the new road, a new water line, sidewalk and rehab to the existing street. However, several council members questioned the companys bid to complete the project within 140 days, which was half of what other bidders noted on their construction timeline. Its very concerning, Councilman Raymond McDonald said. Woolley agrees four months is a quick turnaround for such a project but noted the majority of work will be through undeveloped land resulting in no traffic control. But we will discuss that with them when we award the contract and make sure they can meet those dates, Woolley said. Councilman Duane Ham echoed McDonald noting the company has done other projects with the city but there had been some concerns. We have had some issues with Wilson Road, Ham said. I know there have been some rain delays but these guys need to come with their A game. Let them know we are watching. Woolley assured the council staff would address all the concern with the company. cdominguez@hcnonline.com Sandra Shenkir, 78, can still remember the first computer used at Bear Creek Elementary, where the former principal spent 18 years of her education career. The Black Apple, as it came to be known by faculty at Bear Creek Elementary, came to school in 1981and teachers quickly learned how to use it. We called it the Black Apple because it was an Apple computer that was designed specifically for schools, and it was in a black case, Shenkir said while sitting inside her Memorial area home. As teachers took classes, they were the first ones to get a computer for their class. That was an incentive to stay up-to-date. From there, technology exploded within the Katy Independent School District, with more and more teachers receiving the computers and students taking keyboarding classes, as the district switched from Apple to personal computers. As Katy ISD celebrates it 100 year anniversary this month, Shenkir, who was on a district Century of Legacy history committee last year, recently sat down with the Katy Rancher to reflect on the history of not only Bear Creek Elementary, but the districts as well. Shenkir was 37 years old when she came to the Katy ISD in 1978 to open Bear Creek Elementary an elementary school within the former Addicks community, which was once zoned to the Addicks Independent School District before it was incorporated by the district in 1961 adding Addicks Elementary School and 55 square miles to the district for a total of 181 square miles. By 1970, the district had completely desegregated its schools having started in the 1960s with Katy High School. Girls were allowed to wear pants, but not jeans and by 1973, Katy ISD had crowned its first African American homecoming queen, Ms. Ola Kinlaw, according to the district. Bear Creek Elementary opened with just under 500 students in January 1979, Shenkir said. The district, under Superintendent James E. Taylor, had roughly 7,300 students at the time, according to the Katy ISD. Today, the elementary school has about 600 students, while the district reached its 80,000 student last year. There is nothing like opening your own school, Shenkir said, smiling. We worked really hard to develop expectations for children, teachers, ourselves and for the principal. As the years went on, we developed traditions things we always did every year. Traditions such as creating a student pledge, which students still use to this day; and creating a talent show and fun run at Bear Creek Elementary School. The superintendent had given Shenkir clear instructions to think of something in the cat family when she asked for suggestions on a mascot. With at least a dozen schools already opened in the district, Shenkir said she worried there were more schools than there were cats. Bear Creek students became known as Cougars, as a lot of our kids parents had gone to the University of Houston, Shenkir said. On a wall in the west wing of Bear Creek Elementary, students who attended the school during its inaugural year painted a giant mural of kids having fun on a playground. Every child that was there the very first year we opened painted that piece of art, Shenkir recalled. It is a picture of childrens silhouettes in color. Its like a child riding a bicycle, a child bouncing a ball. Traditional kind of things that children did.. The painting still hangs in the school to this day, she added. Just 10 years after the school opened, it was the first in the district to receive the National Blue Ribbon Schools program award from the U.S. Department of Education, a feat Shenkir said she was extremely proud of. Shes also proud that even though shes retired, she still manages to maintain relationships with former students, their children and their parents. She often sees them at church or at the grocery store. Once a week, Shenkir visits Katy ISD campuses to mentor students who are struggling with their workload. Its just one way the former principal gives back to the district that she loves. In November, Bear Creek Elementary celebrated its 40th year as a campus in the district. michelle.iracheta@chron.com Farmers Market The Farmers Market at LaCenterra will be open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 24. It is open the fourth Sunday of every month at 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy. The market features local vendors and artisans selling honey, cheese, fresh eggs, seasonable vegetables and more. Visit yourneighborhoodfarmersmarket.com if youre interested in becoming a vendor. Church to launch GoChurch, a Bible-based church, will launch at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, at Katy Junior High, 5350 Franz Road in Katy. Visit gochurchtx.org or call 346-257-3408. Fulshear House Concerts Fulshear House Concerts will host Fallon Franklin and award-winning songwriter Grace Pettis with Calloway Ritch on Feb. 24. Doors open at 4 p.m. The show will begin at 4:30 p.m. Visit www.fulshearhouseconcerts.org for details. Email info@fulshearhouseconcerts.org to request an invitation and for details. Concerts are by invitation only. Feb. 26 Pages by the Pint No Label Brewery, 5351 1st St., in Katy, will host the Pages by the Pint Book Club at 8 p.m. Feb. 26. The group will discuss The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. Pick up a copy of the book at the front desk of the Katy Library, 5414 Franz Road. Call the library for more information at 281-391-3509. Law librarian On Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m., the Maud Marks Library, 1815 Westgreen Blvd., will host the Harris County Law Librarian to learn more about the services offered there. Learn the type of information you can find at the law library as well as other services and resources they offer to assist you with your legal issues. Pre-registration is required. Call the library at 281-492-8592 for more information. Barker Flood Prevention A representative of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be featured at the Feb. 26 meeting of Barker Flood Prevention. The meeting will be from 6-8 p.m. in The Loft at Kingsland Baptist Church, 20555 Kingsland Blvd., Katy. Sheri Willey, deputy chief of project management, will discuss current Corps projects related to area reservoirs and watersheds. Visit www.barkerfloodprevention.org or www.facebook.com/barkerfloodprevention for information. Feb. 28 Listening tour The Fort Bend County Listening Tour travels to Precinct 3 on Thursday, Feb. 28, from 6:15-8:15 p.m. at Parkway Fellowship, 27043 FM 1093 Road in Richmond. Fort Bend County Judge K.P. George will be joined by Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers, Constable Wayne Thompson and Justice of the Peace Kelly Crow. County department heads have been invited to present what services they provide and to listen to concerns. Healthy Living series Fort Bend County Libraries Cinco Ranch Branch Library, 2620 Commercial Center Blvd., Katy, will present a free five-part series of healthy-lifestyle programs in February and March. The Balanced Living series will take place on Thursdays, Feb. 28, and March 7 and 14, from 6-7 p.m. Courtney Bryant, family and community health Extension Agent with Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension, will present the series. The schedule is: Feb 28 - Feed Your Body, March 7 - Move Your Body and March 14 - Rest Your Body. People may attend one session or the series. For more information, call the 281-395-1311. Feb. 28-March 2 Feed the Hunger Packathon Merrell Center, 6301 S. Stadium Lane, will host the Feed the Hunger Packathon Feb. 28-March 2. Visit www.feedthehunger.org for details. March 1 Casino Royal Gala The Katy Area Chamber of Commerce is organizing a March 1 Casino Royal Gala at Embassy Suites by Hilton Houston West-Katy, 16435 Katy Freeway, Houston. The event will benefit the Katy ISD Education Foundation. Tickets are $125 per person. Tables and sponsorships are available. Visit www.katychamber.com or call 281-391-5289 for information. March 1-2 Quilt show The West Houston Quilters Guild is having its bi-annual quilt show, "The Magic of Quilts" March 1-2 at the Richard E Berry Educational Support Center in Cypress. The show is open Friday, March 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, March 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 per person; Children under 5 are free. Ticket price includes entrance for both days of the show, door prize chances, gifts, and more. Go to www.whqg.org/quilt-show or email themagicofquilts@gmail.com for more information about the show. March 1-3 Disneys Lion King Jr. National Youth Theater will present seven shows of Disneys Lion King Jr March 1-3 at World Theater, 1012 S. Mason Road in Katy. Visit www.worldtheater.us or call 832-552-5115 for details. March 2 Mais Cher, Mardi Gras Join Central Green for a family celebration of Mardi Gras from 2-5 p.m. March 2. The park is located at 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd. Picnic and law chairs are welcome. Coffee talk Interested in volunteering at Katy Christian Ministries are just want to learn more about the nonprofit? RSVP for the next Coffee Talk from 10-11:30 a.m. March 2 at 1818 Katyland Drive. Visit http://tinyurl.com/yycx7td3 to sign up. March 3 Shoes for Orphan Souls Second Baptist Church-West, 19449 Katy Freeway, is conducting a new shoe and sock drive for orphans and vulnerable children in the United States and throughout the world through March 3. Drop off new shoes and socks in marked locations in the lobby. Email ltucker@second.org or call 713-365-2338 for information. March 5 Pancake Supper Join United Methodist Men and United Methodist Women for a Pancake Supper on Fat Tuesday, March 5, from 5-7 p.m. in the Family Life Center. All-you-can-eat pancakes for a love offering. Visit www.katyfirst.org for information. The church is located at 5601 Fifth St., in Katy. Jason Fochtman, Staff photographer / Houston Chronicle The Conroe City Council approved a four-year tax abatement agreement Monday with Ohio-based Pipeline Packaging Corporation for the construction of a new warehouse in the Conroe Park North Industrial Park. The company, which recently acquired Sooner Container, is proposing a 89,040-square-foot warehouse on 10 acres of land. The $7 million project is expected to create about 10 full time jobs with a payroll of about $875,000 annually. A former Harris County deputy finds himself on the wrong-side of the law after his probation was revoked in the 253rd District Court in Liberty on Friday. He could spend the next 12 years in a Texas prison. Deshon Jay Foster-Smith, who at one time lived in the Hardin area, is an eight-year veteran with the Harris County Sheriffs Office and was assigned to the jail. Foster-Smith violated the honor of his badge and his pulpit and will spend at least six years in prison as a result, District Attorney Logan Pickett said in a statement. In 2011, Foster-Smith was working as a HCSO deputy and minister. He offered to help a 14-years-old girl from his church purchase school clothes and had previously counseled the child regarding issues in her life, law enforcement officials said. The girl attended Hardin Junior High School. NEW DETAILS: Judge denies bond for capital murder suspect accused of ambushing brothers with rifle Prosecutors say he crossed the line when he requested her to repay his supposed generosity with an illicit act. She reluctantly complied. Not knowing what to do, she told no one, Pickett said. Pickett said the act was eventually exposed when family members, checking the young girls phone, found suspicious text message conversations that she was having with Foster-Smith and they confronted her. Law enforcement was contacted and a Bridgehaven forensic interview was conducted. The evidence gathered in the investigation was presented to a Liberty County Grand Jury, who indicted Foster-Smith, the statement read. After discussions with the victim and her family, a plea deal was struck placing the defendant on deferred adjudication probation. Though probation is never the preferred manner of disposing of a case involving the abuse of a child, Pickett said, it does have advantages. 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. He explained a plea bargain provides a certain, known result and avoids a jury trial where the outcome is far from given. Should a defendant be found not guilty at a jury trial, he or she can never be tried for that offense again. Second, a plea bargain allows the child to avoid the rigors of cross-examination by a skilled defense attorney and the fear of being disbelieved by a jury who is sworn to give the defendant the presumption of innocence, he said. Lastly, should the defendant violate the terms and conditions of deferred probation, they are subject to the entire range of punishment, are not entitled to a jury, and the standard of proof for revocation is a preponderance of the evidence instead of beyond a reasonable doubt. Preponderance of the evidence can be described as more likely than not, whereas beyond a reasonable doubt is the highest burden in law and the standard required in all jury trials, Pickett said. In addition, the defendant is required to enter a plea of guilty to receive deferred adjudication to admit to the crime charged, just as Foster-Smith admitted here. HOUSTON POLICE: Man was assaulting girlfriend before witness shot him at north Houston apartment complex Sex offender probationers are required to comply with the strictest of terms available, he said. Foster-Smith had numerous conditions to comply with, including being required to attend weekly sex-offender counseling, have no contact with any minor, pay fines and fees, have no cable television without prior approval, and have all electronic devices, cars, and residences subject to search at any time, Pickett said. Lacy Teran, the Probation Officer assigned to monitor Foster-Smith, discovered several violations and notified Pickett. Pickett then filed a motion to revoke Foster-Smiths probation and a hearing was held before Judge Chap Cain. The DA, thru Teran and other witnesses, said Foster-Smith failed to attend sex-offender counseling, had access to unapproved cable television, and had contact with minors, all in violation of the terms and conditions ordered by Cain. THE LATEST: 3 confirmed dead after Boeing 767 cargo plane's nose dive into Trinity Bay Though no new offense was committed, after hearing the victim recount that life-altering day with the defendant, Cain revoked his probation and sentenced Foster-Smith to 12 years in the Texas Department of Corrections out of a possible 20-year sentence. The DA described the tight reins held on a defendant on probation. A sex offender granted probation has no margin for error. They are watched more closely than other probationers by their Probation Officers, the District Attorneys Office, and Judges Cain and Mark Morefield, he said. When they violate the terms ordered by the judges, we move swiftly and decisively to present these allegations to the court, he said. dtaylor@hcnonline.com Chevall Pryce As a part of their series of community engagement meetings, Harris County Flood Control District and Harris County Engineering District are inviting the community to the Cypress Exhibit Center to trade information for future flood mitigation projects. Updates on the Ravensway and Ravensway South Westgate projects as well as work on the White Oak Bayou and Cypress Creek watershed will be discussed during the latest meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 26. Staff photo/Marcus Gutierrez There will be no election for three chairs on Clevelands City Council on May 4. Applications were taken for mayor in addition to city council positions one and two none were unopposed after the filing period closed. U.S. President Donald Trump resumed his attacks on OPEC, saying the world is too fragile to handle a price hike and urging the cartel to relax and take it easy. Trumps war of words with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries punctuated big price swings in 2018, as he pressured the group to keep the taps open to help consumers. His latest foray was no exception and crude erased gains in New York, sinking 1.6 percent to $56.33 a barrel. The presidents intervention follows a price rally of about 25 percent this year due to production cuts from OPEC and its allies, diminishing fears about the economic impact of the U.S.-China trade war and Washingtons imposition of sanctions on Venezuelan oil shipments. Now pressure from Trump once again puts Saudi Arabia and the rest of OPEC in a bind. GOING UP: Goldman Sachs sees oil taking a fleeting trip to $70-$75 a barrel We might see a less aggressive stance on supply cuts from the Saudis -- this might stop them from cutting deeper, said Giovanni Staunovo, an analyst at UBS Group AG in Zurich. But I still think Saudi Arabia has the incentive to see higher oil prices, and deliver the cuts agreed in December, when OPEC and its partners agreed to remove 1.2 million barrels a day. NOPEC Risk The risk to OPEC comes in the form of the so-called No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act, or NOPEC, an act resurrected by U.S. lawmakers that proposes making the organization subject to the Sherman antitrust law, used more than a century ago to break up the oil empire of John Rockefeller. Congressional support for the bill intensified last year as oil prices neared a four-year high, and Trump publicly blamed OPEC for high pump prices in the U.S. In the past, the White House has opposed the NOPEC legislation -- both George W. Bush and Barack Obama threatened to use their veto. OPECs concern now is that Trump may break with his predecessors, and angering him by not going easy, as he requested in his tweet, raises the stakes. Trump, before becoming president, didnt just support the NOPEC bill, he was a cheerleader for it. We can start by suing OPEC for violating antitrust laws, he wrote in his 2011 book Time to Get Tough: Making America #1 Again. AT THE PUMP: Gasoline prices have biggest jump of the year Whether by coincidence or design, Trumps latest tweet comes on the eve of International Petroleum Week, which opens in London on Tuesday. The annual event gathers the whos who of the oil market and industry for several days of conferences, deal-making and cocktail parties. Defying Trump The president last tweeted about OPEC on Dec. 5 -- the day before the organization met in Vienna -- calling on it to keep oil flowing as is rather than reduce output. However, the group defied his exhortation, announcing a production cut that was deeper than expected. Saudi Arabia itself has slashed oil shipments to the U.S. to a four-week average of just 515,000 barrels a day, down almost 30 percent from a year ago and approaching the lowest level in a decade. Riyadh is targeting the American market in particular since U.S. weekly data has the power to move prices more strongly than that from other nations. 2019 Bloomberg L.P. With all of the new restaurants sprouting up over the city, Houston foodies seem to have their work cut out for them. While areas like downtown and central Houston offer tons of great new spots to check out, the 'burbs are growing their own foodie scenes, too, and boast new restaurants worth the drive out of town. Danny Steiner, who's part of the wine team at The Post Oak Hotel, won the first "Houston's Best Sommelier" competition held in conjunction with the Taste of Italy event this weekend at the Hilton Post Oak. The 26-year-old Steiner, a graduate of Ohio State University, has been in the city for only two years, having originally come down to work for Camerata to begin his pursuit of Master Sommelier status. His first prize paid $1,200 toward future wine education. On HoustonChronicle.com: Alison Cook spends 72 hours in Tilmanland The two runners-up, Caracol sommelier Andres Blanco, and Morgan Gray, a floor sommelier at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, received $300 apiece. They were among 10 contestants who were tested on wine theory, tasting and table service, fashioned after the grueling Master Sommelier exam. Blanco, who has been at Caracol since it opened, won the 2017 Iron Sommelier competition, sponsored by the Periwinkle Foundation. Gray, 25, came from St. Louis, where she had run hotel wine programs, about a year ago. Both she and Steiner said the reputation of Houston's food and wine culture influenced their decisions to move here. "I was here for three days doing a 'stage' at Camerata and I absolutely fell in love with Houston," Steiner said, admitting he took a flyer by sending his resume to Chris Poldoian, Camerata's GM and wine director. "I didn't know what to expect. I think this one of the most underrated cities for food and wine. It needs to be more on the map for that." Gray, who first met some of her now-colleagues while attending the TEXSOM sommelier conference in Dallas a couple summers ago, called the city "truly a melting pot for all of the best cuisines." On HoustonChronicle.com: The scandal that shocked the wine world This is the fifth year that the Houston chapter of the Italy American Chamber of Commerce has played host to visiting Italian food and wine producers but the first time it added the sommelier competition to the mix. James (Jaime) DeLeon, the adult beverages sales manager for Kroger's Houston division, and Houston-based wine educator/blogger Jeremy Parzen, who has a consulting role with the Chamber, put the program together. sportywineguy@outlook.com Twitter: @sportywineguy Gasoline prices had their biggest weekly increase to the year, climbing an average of 9 cents a gallon in Houston since last Sunday, according to a website that tracks gas prices nationwide. The average price of a gallon of gasoline rose to $2.10 a gallon, according to GasBuddy, which surveys more than 2,500 stations in the region. Local prices are 14 cents higher than month ago but 12 cent lower than a year ago. A former Citgo Petroleum executive has sued the Houston refiner, claiming she was fired after refusing orders from superiors including one now held in a Venezuelan detention center to commit fraud. The case, filed in Harris County state district court, could shed new light on a troubled period at Citgo Petroleum, which has been caught in the crosshairs of a political tug-a-war over the future Venezuela. Citgo is the U.S. subsidiary of Venezuelan state-owned oil company PDVSA The case could expose Citgo to new legal and financial challenges at a time when PDVSAs creditors are already trying to snatch Citgos assets. If the former employee, Marisol Gomez, is successful in showing that Citgo executives engaged in fraud and theft, she could be eligible for an award of millions of dollars, according to her attorney. Related: Board named by Venezuelan opposition takes control of Citgo And if the case goes to court it could complicate legal matters for two former Citgo executives from Houston stuck in a Venezuelan detention center for more than year under poor living conditions and no due process, according to family members of the detained executives. An illegal scheme Marisol Gomez filed her lawsuit in mid-February, accusing Citgo of wrongfully terminating her in March 2017, allegedly after she refused to engage in fraud and theft at the request of her bosses. Gomez, who is now a Christian pastor and living in the Houston suburb Katy, had worked for Citgos parent company, state-owned oil company PDVSA for 25 years in Venezuela before moving to Houston in 2014 to work for Citgo as vice president of human resources. The lawsuit alleges that Gomezs former boss, the late Citgo CEO Nelson Martinez, asked her to make fraudulent payments to a company called GFC Consultores LLC. The Florida corporation - which, according to court documents, was owned by Martinezs son with one of his friends acting as a registered agent ostensibly was hired to perform public relations and human resources services for Citgo. The lawsuit alleges that millions of dollars of payments were made to GFC for expenses that had nothing to do with Citgos underlying business or didnt add value to the company, said Mark Oberti, a Houston employment attorney representing Gomez. Gomez said in the lawsuit that GFCs invoices totaled $6.1 million over a three-year period, including $4.5 million paid by PDV USA and $1.6 million paid by Citgo between October 2014 through November 2017. Invoices included banquets, gifts, events, meals, improvements and repairs for employees personal homes at the expense of Citgo and PDVSA, the lawsuit alleges. The lawsuit says Gomez objected to these payments, but that the payments still were authorized by Martinez. Later, the lawsuit said, the payments were authorized by former president Jose Pereira, acting as Martinezs puppet,and former vice president Gustavo Cardenas. On HoustonChronicle.com: Venezuelan crisis shows energy security is better than energy independence Gomez was abruptly fired after refusing to participate in Martinezs illegal scheme, the lawsuit alleged. Citgo has until March 19 to respond to Gomezs claims with its own filing. The company did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the case. Family members speaking on behalf of the now detained Pereira and Cardenas broadly denied her allegations. Gomez - whos total compensation was $1 million in 2016 - could be eligible for back pay if her case prevails. Because the case could take 18 months to three years to go to trial, its possible the back pay alone could be well over $3 million, Oberti said. Plus, she could be eligible for compensation for other punitive damages, mental anguish and whats known as front pay, or lost earnings in the event Gomez cant be rehired, Oberti said. Gomezs case could be complicated if PDVSAs creditors are successful in their efforts to seize Citgos assets to recoup their own losses. Citgo, in a Feb.1 letter to business partners, said that 2018 was one of its best years financially for the company. Citgo 6 A few months after Gomez left Citgo, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros regime arrested three of the senior Citgo officials named in Gomezs suit - Martinez, Pereira, Cardenas, along with four other Citgo executives - on allegations of corruption stemming from a failed deal to refinance Citgos debt. Family members say the men have been unjustly swept into a political battle for control over Citgo and PDVSA. Martinez died in December in a military hospital in Venezuela. Meanwhile, Pereira, Cardenas and four other Citgo executives from Texas and Louisiana have been locked in a Venezuelan detention center awaiting a pre-trial hearing. Their pre-trial hearing was delayed for the 13th time this week after the courts claimed it couldnt proceed without a death certificate on file for Martinez, according to the families of the detained executive. In a joint statement the Pereira and Cardenas families broadly denied Gomezs allegations: While the false allegations of Ms. Gomez against the Citgo name our husbands and fathers, the men have no ability to defend themselves because they are being unjustly detained. Though we regret that Ms. Gomez has lost her million-dollar income from Citgo, her inconvenience pales in comparison to what these men have suffered: malnourishment, at times no consistent source of water, and only able to breathe clean air outside for as little as 20 minutes a month. We remain focused on a humanitarian emergency and their unjust imprisonment and refuse to be sidetracked by false allegations. Sanchez Energy was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange last week, but is nonetheless planning to drill nine new horizontal wells in the Eagle Ford Shale of South Texas. The Houston company, according to applications filed with the Railroad Commission, plans to target the Briscoe Ranch field in the western section of the Eagle Ford to a total depth of 8,400 feet in nine separate horizontal drilling projects split between its Briscoe Fisher Unit and Briscoe Catarina North leases in Dimmit County. Founded in 2011, Sanchez was the third most prolific driller of the Eagle Ford last year. The company filed for 188 drilling permits last year and produced more than 6.4 million barrels of crude oil and more than 181.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas during the first 10 months of 2018. Despite those numbers, Sanchez has not made a profit since the third quarter of 2017 amid large interest payments and obligations to preferred stockholders. The company has contracted Chapter 11 bankruptcy advisory firm Moelis & Co. in December to act as a financial adviser. Permian Basin Midland oil company Colgate Operating is off to a strong start in 2019. The company filed six drilling permit applications for a series of horizontal wells split between two leases in Reeves County. All six projects target the Phantom field of the Wolfcamp geological layer down to a total depth of 11,500 feet. Founded in 2015 and mostly focused on Reeves County, Colgate filed for 10 drilling permits last year. The companys 13 leases produced more than 279,000 barrels of crude oil and 1.4 billion cubic feet of natural gas during the first 10 months of 2018. Eagle Ford Shale Top 10 Drillers in Texas (Feb. 13th through Feb. 19th) Exxon Mobil 13 SM Energy 12 ConocoPhillips 11 Hunt Oil Company 9 Apache Corporation 9 Sanchez Energy 9 Laredo Petroleum 7 Diamondback Energy 7 WPX Energy 7 Occidental Petroleum 7 Source: Railroad Commission of Texas See More Collapse Houston oil company Treadstone Energy Partners continues to focus on the eastern end of the South Texas shale play. The company is seeking permission to drill a horizontal well on its James lease in Milam County. The project targets the Giddings field of the Austin Chalk geological layer down to a total depth of 6,500 feet. Haynesville Shale Longview exploration and production company R. Lacy Services Ltd. is seeking permission to build a saltwater disposal well on its Turner SWD lease in Panola County. The injection well targets the Beckville North field of the Pettet geological layer down to a depth of 6,400 feet. Barnett Shale Mexican oil company PetroBal is recompleting a horizontal well on its McClure Hart lease in Palo Pinto County. Previously drilled by Veritas Energy, PetroBal is returning to the well to target the Palo Pinto County Regular field down to a total depth of 5,000 feet. Conventionals Houston-based White Oak Energy is preparing to drill a pair of vertical wells in Wharton County. The oil wells planned on the companys Cockburn H.C. lease near the town of Magnet target the Magnet Wethers field down to a depth of 5,750 feet. sergio.chapa@chron.com twitter.com/sergiochapa South Africa: Landers to UN High-Level Segment on Human Rights International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers will this week attend the United Nations High-Level Segment of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, in Switzerland. The segment will start on Monday. The HRC meets against the backdrop of numerous challenges in the world that impact on human rights, peace and security and development. The Council presents an opportunity for developing countries, including South Africa, to ensure that human rights and development issues are made central to any future discussions in the United Nations system, the department said in a statement. The High-Level Segment will be attended by numerous Heads of States, Foreign Ministers, Deputy Foreign Ministers and other dignitaries, including the United Nations Secretary General and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. Deputy Minister Landers attendance of this session will amplify the importance South Africa places on human rights, in particular the Human Rights Council. [The year] 2019 marks the last year of South Africas back-to-back membership on the Council. The Deputy Minister will deliver South Africas national statement at the High Level Segment and during High Level Panel debates, emphasising South Africas commitment toward the strengthening and deepening of the multilateral system of global governance and the rule of law, despite increasing unilateralism and the growth of populist and ultra-nationalist forces in the world, the Department said in a statement. On the margins of the 40th Session, Deputy Minister Landers is expected to have bilateral meetings with leaders of various delegations. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-02-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. There's no gospel without God's justice I was recently reminded of a sermon Dr Martin Luther King Jr delivered at a church in Brooklyn, New York, in 1966. The sermon's title was Guidelines for the Constructive Church, and Dr King's text was Luke 4:18-19: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour. 'This is the role of the church: to free people,' Dr King said. When we set people free from spiritual, emotional, physical, social or economic bondage we proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, as the KJV translation says. 'The acceptable year of the Lord is that year that is acceptable to God, because it fulfills the demands of his kingdom,' King said. 'The year of the Lord is not some distant tomorrow, which is beyond history, but the year of the Lord is any year that men decide to do right.' If asked to find a verse that summarizes the gospel, I suspect most Christians would make a beeline to John 3:16. Yet Luke 4:18-19 which Jesus read out of Isaiah in the synagogue of his hometown Nazareth is as much a gospel proclamation as the most famous verse in the Bible. In fact, this passage might be the first time Jesus preached the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Now, at this point someone might say, that's not the gospel what about Jesus' death, burial and resurrection? What about sin and forgiveness, heaven and hell? Without a doubt the gospel story is incomplete without them. But I would venture to ask: what exactly is the gospel, this good news? If we take a long look at the narrative of the New Testament (and Old Testament), we quickly find one unavoidable assertion: Jesus is King and Lord of all, and he has come to put all things right in Creation. That is the scandalous message of the gospel. It's the claim that got him crucified. Jesus is greater than Caesar or any other ruler on Earth; he is the promised Messiah of Israel; he is God made flesh. His life, death and resurrection, the miracles he performed, the prophecies that spoke of his coming, all give witness to his kingship, lordship and saviourhood. The coming of the rightful King is indeed good news for the poor, the captive, the blind and the oppressed because it signifies the coming of justice and reconciliation. Jesus' kingdom doesn't look like the ones here on earth, which are too often built upon the backs of the weakest members of society. In his kingdom, the power structures of the world are upside-down: the poor are rich, the captive are free, the blind can see and the oppressed are strong. So, when Jesus healed the sick, welcomed the outcasts, blessed the poor and forgave sinners, he wasn't simply performing signs. He was showing us what life in God's Kingdom looks like, including what it means to have our Imago-Dei (God-image) restored. We know from Scripture that though it's not fully here yet, God's Kingdom is already in our midst (Luke 17:21). We live in the in-between: praying, 'Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven' (Matt 6:10) and living as if 'our citizenship is in heaven' (Phil 3:20). This is the full vision of the gospel of Jesus, but over time many Christians have forgotten it. Today in many churches in the West, the gospel has been reduced to a formula to get to heaven (or to avoid going to hell). We forget the Protestant Reformation occurred within a specific context. It was imperative for Martin Luther to debunk the false doctrine of works-based salvation the sale of indulgences to the poor masses was in itself a case of spiritual injustice and to recover the doctrine of salvation by grace, through faith alone. But this truth is only one of the dynamic pieces of the gospel, not the whole picture. Jesus died on the cross to redeem not just our souls but our entire humanity: mind, body and soul. His bodily resurrection shows us that God's justice and compassion work not exclusively in the spiritual realm but in every sphere of existence. When we give preeminence to the spiritual aspect of the gospel alone we not only miss out on the fullness of God's kingdom, but we also inadvertently damage our witness for Jesus. Why should present-day oppression and injustice matter if our goal is to get souls to heaven? Reasoning like this has allowed the church to ignore and even participate in some of the most egregious miscarriages of justice in history. We would be remiss if we forget that the apartheid in South Africa, the segregation of blacks in America and the Holocaust all took place in nations with Christian majorities. This isn't a problem exclusive to the Western church. In India, my home country, the church has struggled to overcome casteism India's version of racial discrimination. Though outlawed, the caste system and its dehumanizing view of a person's value based on the purity of their birth still permeate Indian society. In its failure to fully repudiate casteism, the church has greatly damaged its witness to the millions of Indians from low castes who have been brainwashed to believe they are not created equal. I am the first to admit this is a hard pill to swallow. But we cannot continue turning a blind eye to issues of injustice if we are going to be effective in witnessing to the transformative power of the gospel of Jesus the messenger has to be credible if the message is to be believed. We also need to realise we can cannot pave over our checkered history with charity. Our acts of kindness, no matter how generous, ring hollow if we have not learned to speak against all forms of injustice. And we must remember that when Jesus tells us to seek first God's Kingdom and his righteousness, he is calling us to live in justice (the Greek root word dikaiosune has both meanings). Only then can we become the constructive church Dr King envisioned a church that can preach the full gospel of the Kingdom of God to a world yearning for good news. Most Rev Joseph D'Souza is an internationally renowned human and civil rights activist. He is the founder of Dignity Freedom Network, an organization that advocates for and delivers humanitarian aid to the marginalised and outcastes of South Asia. He is archbishop of the Anglican Good Shepherd Church of India and serves as the president of the All India Christian Council. Fresh eyes on Jesus' parables: 'Hello, Turkey' Before there were iPads the closest thing we had to an attention-grabbing flat screen instrument was an Etch A Sketch. Remember? Turn two white knobs that moved an inner stylus against the backside of a gray screen, leaving a black line? Then erase the screen how? Turn it upside down and shake it vigorously. This is similar to what we often must do with our minds in order to see something new or even better in a familiar Scripture passage. Case in point: 'The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field' (Matthew 13:44). One common interpretation has been Etch A Sketched into our minds by preachers dialing in this point: the kingdom of heaven is such a precious treasure that we, like the man, should give up everything to lay hold of it. Of course, that's absolutely true but probably not what Jesus was talking about. So let's flip our minds upside down, shake out the old teaching, and ask the Holy Spirit to help us discover something new. The first thing you must do whenever you approach a parable that begins 'the kingdom of heaven (or God) is like...' is to put the parable's elements inside a parenthesis, so that the phrase 'kingdom of heaven' applies to everything that follows. The kingdom of God is not like any one element in the parable, such as the treasure. Rather, the whole picture shows what the kingdom of God is like: The man finds treasure, hides it, joyfully sells everything, and buys the field. Given that basic rule of interpretation, we cannot interpret this parable the common way, ie the kingdom of God should be like a treasure to us. You might then be tempted to ask: 'So what is this parable telling us to value so highly that we would give up everything to obtain it?' Here's the bad news. If you ask the question that way, you'll never arrive at the answer, because you would be making an unwarranted assumption. Let me explain by telling you a story. For more than 30 years I have asked groups to solve the following '20-questions mystery'. Mary lies dead on the floor. Tom is asleep on the couch. A colorless, odorless liquid surrounds Mary's body and broken pieces of glass are also scattered around her. The windows and doors are all locked from the inside. What happened? The groups always start out with the same kinds of questions. Someone asks, for example, 'Has Mary been dead a long time?' And voila their fate is sealed with the very first question. Why? Because from the beginning they are assuming Mary is a woman, due to the name Mary. Once I get them to question that assumption the solution comes quickly: Tom is a cat. Mary is a goldfish. Tom knocked the fishbowl off the table, it broke, and Mary died. In the same way, our unwarranted assumption about 'the man' in this parable keeps us from understanding what Jesus was teaching about God's kingdom. Here's your hint: Who are you assuming the main character to be? What if it's not about us giving up everything to obtain the treasure? What if Jesus is the man who finds the treasure? What if we human beings are the treasure? What if the field is this world that belonged to Satan, the former prince of the world? And what if it is Jesus who gives up everything He owns to purchase (redeem) this world and reclaim us as His possession? What if that's what the kingdom of God is like! This one sentence parable with its three verb phrases seems to condense several verses about Jesus' death found in Hebrews and Paul's letters and supports this interpretation: ... then in his joy went 'For the joy set before Him He endured the cross...' (Hebrews 12:2). ... and sold all he had '[He] did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing ...' (Philippians 2:6-7). ... and bought that field 'You are not your own; you were bought at a price' (1 Corinthians 6:1920). True, we should treasure God's kingdom enough to give up everything to obtain it, but this parable reveals something better: it tells of the lengths to which Jesus will go to make a person, any person, his. One Sunday after church a tattooed young mom came up to me and asked, 'Why did you look at me during your sermon and say, "Hello, Turkey"?' I had no clue what she was talking about. 'Why do you ask?' She went on to talk about her troubled, drug-addicted life, but how she had been very close to her recently deceased grandmother. 'Before she died I said, "Gramma, if I ever get back on the right track and you can see me from heaven making good choices, will you somehow tell me, "Hello, Turkey"?' (Apparently, her grandma's pet name for her.) 'This morning I clearly heard you say, "Hello Turkey". So I'm thinking I must be on the right track.' 'I didn't say that, but Jesus knew you needed to hear those words.' She was dumbfounded. And I was able to introduce her to this Jesus who does miraculous things to seek and save the lost the buried treasures of this world. That's what this parable is about. Our Lord looks at each of us as a treasure, and He will stop at nothing pay whatever price is necessary to help you become his possession! Once you belong to him, it turns out you are like an Etch A- Sketch. He lovingly turns your life upside down to erase sin, shame, and every mark left by the devil in your life, leaving you with a clean slate and heart that he writes on by His Spirit. 'Fresh Eyes on Jesus' Parables' by Doug Newton is published by David C Cook. Doug Newton is the cofounder and director of the National Prayer Ministry of the Free Methodist Church-USA. The author of nine books, he served for 30 years as a senior pastor and for 15 years as editor of Light & Life magazine. 'Don't take my Bible' says street preacher as police arrest him A video shared on Twitter showing a street preacher being arrested on Saturday by police at Southgate station in London has been viewed more than 1.8 million times. In the video, the unidentified man is confronted by two police officers who say that if he refuses to leave the area he will be arrested for a breach of the peace. One of them says, 'You're disturbing people, you're causing problems and you're breaching their peace.' The man says he will not leave because 'I need to tell people Jesus is the only way, the truth and the life,' to which the officer says 'I appreciate that but nobody wants to listen to that, they want you to go away.' As the man raises his voice he is handcuffed and another officer takes his Bible. The preacher says, 'No, no, no, don't take my Bible away,' to which the officer says, 'You should have thought of that before being racist.' It is unclear what the preacher said that triggered the incident. The video was uploaded by EyeOnAntisemitism, who said: ' I was there I can say this man was preaching and did nothing wrong had a hostile person near him . He was a bit loud.. but.' The man was later released. Christian campaigners accuse Government of downgrading marriage and sidelining parents The Coalition for Marriage has accused the Government of sidelining parents over what their children learn about marriage and relationships in school. Education secretary Damian Hinds said today that new mandatory relationship and sex education (RSE) classes coming to schools in 2020 would equip children for life in the 'complex' modern world and teach them how to stay safe online. 'Growing up and adolescence are hard enough, but the internet and social media add new pressures that just weren't there even one generation ago,' he said. 'So many things about the way people interact have changed, and this new world, seamless between online and offline, can be difficult to navigate. 'Almost twenty years on from the last time guidance on sex education was updated, there is a lot to catch up on.' But changes to the way RSE is taught are being challenged because they include new restrictions on when and how children can be opt outed out by their parents. Although parents are free to withdraw their children from sex education lessons at the primary school level, certain conditions come into effect for secondary school students. Head teachers of secondary schools can accept a request from parents to withdraw their children from RSE up to the age of 15 'unless there are exceptional circumstances', after which time students can choose to opt in. However, there is no right to withdraw children at primary or secondary school age from relationship education lessons, which will cover gay and transgender issues. Colin Hart, chairman of the Coalition for Marriage, said the lessons were 'not age-appropriate'. 'No one objects to the Government trying to make children safer online by teaching them about internet trolls and about the dangers of social media, however, the plan to downgrade marriage and sideline parents whilst doing it is completely unacceptable,' he said. 'The Department for Education is sidelining traditional marriage, the most stable form of relationship for raising children and forcing them to learn about every other form of relationship under the sun, even when it is not age-appropriate. The law should encourage traditional marriage, not undermine it.' Parliament debated the changes on Monday after over 100,000 people signed a petition demanding that the Government protect the 'fundamental right' of parents to withdraw their children from RSE. During the debate, Mr Hinds defended the plans, saying that they were balanced and still protected the right of faith schools to teach their values. 'There is a parental right to request the withdrawal of their child from sex education, but we have carefully balanced that with the right of the child as they get older and become competent to make their own decisions. I think that we have struck the right balance there,' he said. 'More broadly, we encourage schools to work with parents, and there is an obligation to consult parents on the content of these subjects and to publish that consultation on the internet,' he said, adding that it was 'correct to say that in the guidance we set out that the core content must be covered, but beyond that faith-based schools can reflect the teachings and traditions of their faith to help to build on that'. The new guidance is being rolled out despite weeks of protests at Parkfield Community School in Birmingham by Muslim and Christian parents angry over lessons teaching about gay relationships. The lessons were defended by head of Ofsted Amanda Spielman. Mr Hart continued: 'Unfortunately the Department for Education and Ofsted seem to believe that traditional marriage no longer matters. 'Their favoured curricula deliberately marginalises those who do not support political correctness for religious reasons, like the Muslim mothers in Birmingham. 'But even those keen to promote other forms of family life have been unable to deny that evidence shows that children do best when they are raised by their mother and father. 'It also ignores that marriage, the life long union between one man and one woman, despite all the rhetoric and spin is the most stable form of relationship. This is why rather than downgrading marriage we should doing more to celebrate its many societal and personal benefits.' The Coalition for Marriage has accused the Government of sidelining parents over what their children learn about marriage and relationships in school. Education secretary Damian Hinds said today that new mandatory relationship and sex education (RSE) classes coming to schools in 2020 would equip children for life in the 'complex' modern world and teach them how to stay safe online. 'Growing up and adolescence are hard enough, but the internet and social media add new pressures that just weren't there even one generation ago,' he said. 'So many things about the way people interact have changed, and this new world, seamless between online and offline, can be difficult to navigate. 'Almost twenty years on from the last time guidance on sex education was updated, there is a lot to catch up on.' But changes to the way RSE is taught are being challenged because they include new restrictions on when and how children can be opt outed out by their parents. Although parents are free to withdraw their children from sex education lessons at the primary school level, certain conditions come into effect for secondary school students. Head teachers of secondary schools can accept a request from parents to withdraw their children from RSE up to the age of 15 'unless there are exceptional circumstances', after which age students can choose to opt in. However, there is no right to withdraw children at primary or secondary school age from relationship education lessons, which will cover gay and transgender issues. Colin Hart, chairman of the Coalition for Marriage said the lessons were 'not age-appropriate'. 'No one objects to the Government trying to make children safer online by teaching them about internet trolls and about the dangers of social media, however, the plan to downgrade marriage and sideline parents whilst doing it is completely unacceptable,' he said. 'The Department for Education is sidelining traditional marriage, the most stable form of relationship for raising children and forcing them to learn about every other form of relationship under the sun, even when it is not age-appropriate. The law should encourage traditional marriage, not undermine it.' Parliament debated the changes on Monday after over 100,000 people signed a petition demanding that the Government protect the 'fundamental right' of parents to withdraw their children from RSE. During the debate, Mr Hinds defended the plans, saying that the Government they were balanced and still protected the right of faith schools to teach their values. 'There is a parental right to request the withdrawal of their child from sex education, but we have carefully balanced that with the right of the child as they get older and become competent to make their own decisions. I think that we have struck the right balance there,' he said. 'More broadly, we encourage schools to work with parents, and there is an obligation to consult parents on the content of these subjects and to publish that consultation on the internet,' he said, adding that it was 'correct to say that in the guidance we set out that the core content must be covered, but beyond that faith-based schools can reflect the teachings and traditions of their faith to help to build on that'. The new guidance is being rolled out despite weeks of protests at Parkfield Community School in Birmingham by Muslim and Christian parents angry over lessons teaching about gay relationships. The lessons were defended by head of Ofsted Amanda Spielman. Mr Hart continued: 'Unfortunately the Department for Education and Ofsted seem to believe that traditional marriage no longer matters. 'Their favoured curricula deliberately marginalises those who do not support political correctness for religious reasons, like the Muslim mothers in Birmingham. 'But even those keen to promote other forms of family life have been unable to deny that evidence shows that children do best when they are raised by their mother and father. 'It also ignores that marriage, the life long union between one man and one woman, despite all the rhetoric and spin is the most stable form of relationship. This is why rather than downgrading marriage we should doing more to celebrate its many societal and personal benefits.' Buying sex should be illegal, says CARE Christian social policy charity CARE has launched a new campaign aimed at changing Britain's laws on prostitution. The charity's 'not for sale' campaign argues that a way of protecting people in prostitution is to criminalise the purchase of sex, shifting the burden of blame onto the buyer rather than the seller. At present in England, Wales and Scotland there is currently no law that says it is illegal to buy sex, though Northern Ireland made it a criminal offence in 2015. Buying sex is now illegal in Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Canada, France, the Republic of Ireland and Israel. According to CARE, evidence from Sweden shows that the law has been effective at reducing the demand for paid sex which in turn means the country is now a more hostile place for human traffickers. CARE says many of the women who find themselves in prostitution were abused as children, had difficult or traumatic childhoods, or suffered from some other vulnerabilities such as substance abuse, or were destitute or homeless. It says it is vital to reduce the demand for prostitution as well as providing clear exit pathways and support for those wishing to leave. CARE's senior policy officer for human trafficking, Louise Gleich, said: 'It's time for Westminster and Holyrood to change our outdated laws on prostitution by following the evidence and Northern Ireland's lead by criminalising the purchase of sex. 'This is why CARE is launching the 'not for sale' campaign to highlight the need for new laws to protect some of society's most vulnerable people. 'There's really great work being done by organisations to support and care for victims but if we don't change the surrounding environment to help prevent people from being exploited then more and more people will be going through the same cycle. 'For too long people trapped in prostitution have been largely ignored by our policy makers: this must change.' A prayer for Brexit: Church of England spiritual leader to plead for unity The spiritual leader of the Church of England may lead five days of prayer with other churches after Britain's March 29 exit from the European Union, The Sunday Times reported. The 2016 Brexit referendum showed a United Kingdom divided about much more than the European Union, and has fueled soul-searching about everything from secession and immigration to capitalism, empire and modern Britishness. Under plans discussed by the Church of England, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby wants to pray in public with the leaders of the Catholic, Methodist, Baptist and United Reformed churches on the day after Britain leaves. 'I would hope that it will resonate with the wider nation, that this is the time for turning to something deeper in the human spirit than legal arguments and philosophical discussions, and to seek wisdom from God,' a senior Church of England source was quoted as telling the newspaper. With the clock ticking down to March 29, the date set in law for Britain to leave the EU, 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. The Sunday Times said Prime Minister Theresa May, an Anglican, and Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn are being sounded out to join them. Queen Elizabeth in January sent a delicately coded message to Britain's factious political class over Brexit, urging lawmakers to seek common ground and grasp the big picture to resolve the crisis. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment In September 2017, Bruce Rauner, then governor of Illinois, generated a firestorm when he signed a bill, HB 40, mandating taxpayer funding of abortion for low-income women through the states Medicaid program. He was the first governor to mandate taxpayer funding for elective abortions; in other states where elective abortions are funded through Medicaid, the policy came about either through a court order or an administrative ruling. During his election campaign, Rauner had said he was pro-choice but also had promised not to change abortion policy. Pro-life constituents were justifiably outraged by his betrayal, and they believed that HB 40 would contribute to a rise the number of abortions paid for with taxpayer dollars. New data from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services show that those concerns were well founded. A Freedom of Information Act request filed by NewsChannel 20 in Springfield, Ill., found that in the first six months of 2018, there was a sharp increase in the number of taxpayer-funded abortions in the state. In the first half of 2017, only 84 abortions were publicly funded, but in the first half of 2018 after HB 40 had taken effect 1,561 abortions were paid for by Illinois taxpayers. This is an increase of 1,758 percent. It appears that approximately 10 percent of all abortions performed in Illinois are paid for with taxpayer dollars. This is fairly unsurprising. There is a broad, research-based consensus that funding abortion through Medicaid increases the incidence of abortion. In 2009, the Guttmacher Institute published a literature review on the impact of restrictions on Medicaid funding for abortions, noting that most peer-reviewed studies found that Medicaid funding for abortion increases abortion rates. A 2010 analysis by the Center for Reproductive Rights found that the Hyde amendment, which prohibits direct federal funding of abortion, has prevented more than 1 million abortions since 1976. My 2016 analysis of the Hyde amendment, published by the Charlotte Lozier Institute, found that the Hyde amendment has prevented more than 2 million abortions. This should serve as a warning to pro-lifers. Until recently, relatively few elected officials aggressively pushed for taxpayer-funded abortion. Both President Clinton and President Obama signed appropriations bills that included the Hyde amendment. That has changed. At their 2016 convention, Democrats adopted a party platform that explicitly called for the repeal of the Hyde amendment. According to ThinkProgress, 183 Democratic members of Congress support repealing the Hyde amendment. Congressional Democrats recently commissioned a report from the General Accounting Office, which argues that some state Medicaid plans do not sufficiently cover abortion services. Pro-lifers should focus their energy on opposing these efforts to expand Medicaid coverage of abortion both at the federal and state level. Originally posted at nationalreview.com Michael J. New is a Visiting Associate Professor at Ave Maria University and an associate scholar at the Charlotte Lozier Institute. Follow him on Twitter @Michael_J_New Texas prophet followers call Jesus in the flesh shown in sex tape with multiple women Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Self-styled Texas prophet and internet preacher Joshua Holmes, who went viral in recent months for his ministry theatrics that led many of his female followers to start calling him Jesus in the flesh," has been captured in leaked video recordings indulging in explicit sexual activity with two women who are not his wife. Media personality Larry Reid, first reported on his show last Wednesday that he was sent the explicit recordings. The recordings have also been shared on Twitter and YouTube and with The Christian Post. This is a sex tape. This is a sexual escapade captured on the phone, Reid told his audience about the recordings. Holmes, a flamboyant young minister, whom many critics have dismissed as a dangerous departure from orthodox Christianity, has been defended by his followers as Jesus in the flesh as he professes healings and "money miracles." The Christian Post previously reported on a 1-minute video promotion for his ministry showing women and men swooning with a wave of his jacket or what appeared to be a mere breath from his mouth. For all you haters if you don't know Prophet Joshua Holmes you ain't got the Holy Spirit. That's all I gotta say," a young woman noted in a viral video on Facebook dismissing critics of the preacher. "He is changing lives every day. He is Jesus in the flesh. He is very tangible. He's got the power of God on him." Holmes was also featured on the Word Network's "Greg Davis Live" show last fall and declared that the Lord had been leading him to focus on "wealth in the body of Christ." Last month he was a featured guest of Bishop George G. Bloomer on the network where he delivered a vague prophesy about what 2019 would look like. Former members of Holmes flock like Yasir Wright however, have stated on social media that the preacher is a fraud and accused him, prior to the release of these videos, of sleeping with several women in his church even though he is a married father. Holmes did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CP on the explicit videos on Monday. David Sheffield, the Word Networks general manager was also not immediately available to discuss the propriety of Holmes' continued appearance on shows on the network that caters to a predominantly black Christian audience. Despite his apparent infidelity, Holmes doled out teachings in a recent video he posted on Periscope he says will keep his followers out of poverty and help them never commit another sin. Im talking about entertaining God, the prophet and the angels. If you understand these three realms, youll never be broke, youll never have another sin that you commit in your life. Youll never commit another sin if you learn this, he said. Over 95 percent of what Jesus would tell you to do is not for you ... everything that the Holy Spirit is speaking to you is for someone else. He not talking to you about you and when you get into you thats why you invite the demon of depression. Thats why you invite the demon of self-centeredness. Thats why you become wicked. Thats why you become evil. Whenever you start speaking or you start focusing on you. Thats when you fall into error. Thats when you fall into deception because it becomes about you and God dont want it in that vein, he said. Information on Holmes and where he came from remains vague and limited even on his now defunct ministry website, where he peddled a book about prophetic mysteries for more than $100 per copy. He previously shared a tale of how he moved into a mansion 48 hours after sowing thousands of dollars into the ministry of televangelist Mike Murdock. "I have a miracle ministry and a lot of people have been getting healed but I've been seeing that a lot of women and men are ignorant of the wealth anointing in Deuteronomy Chapter 8 verse 18. Earlier this year I was challenged by God to sow a major seed. I had a place where I was living inside of. I now live in a mansion off this major seed that I sowed. In 48 hours I moved into the mansion," Holmes told Davis. Non-Christians want to talk faith, but don't see Christians as good listeners, Barna finds Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment When Christians attempt to engage in conversation with non-believing friends and family, they should not rush the effort to evangelize, says a study by the Barna Group. The study found that for non-Christians who are willing to talk about faith with their Christian peers, their preferences for dialogue often fall short of their experiences. Barna posted a sample of their report Reviving Evangelism on their website on Feb. 19, which included a survey of what non-Christians prefer to have in their conversations with their Christian friends. The survey found that while 62 percent of non-Christian and lapsed Christian respondents wanted to talk with a practicing Christian friend or family member who listens without judgment, only 34 percent said that this practice was found among practicing Christians they know personally. Likewise, 50 percent of non-Christian and lapsed Christian respondents said they wanted to dialogue with someone who does not force a conclusion, however only 26 percent said that applied to practicing Christians they knew. The data came from a nationally representative study that interviewed 1,001 U.S. adults who met Barnas criteria for being either a lapsed Christian (someone who has not attended church in more than a month) and a non-Christian (someone who identifies as not being Christian), with a margin of error of 3 percentage points. Brooke Hempell, senior vice president of research at the Barna Group, told The Christian Post that the findings showed that as we find popular culture increasingly distanced from Christianity, non-Christians may need a lot more time to digest and come to terms with what the Gospel proposes or offers them. Not everyone may be ready to go from A to Z in a single conversation, and pressing the topic forward may feel forced to the non-Christian to the point of turning them away, said Hempell. Allowing the other person to draw their own conclusions leaves open the possibility that they may leave the conversation without making a decision for Christ by some evangelistic measures, that conversation would be a failure. Hempell cited her own personal experience, explaining to CP that before she became a Christian, she required a listening ear and many conversations. Ultimately it landed me with an incredibly solid commitment to my faith I believe stronger for having taken the time to wrestle with certain points, noted Hempell. We have to go slow! Take the time to build familiarity and appreciation of the non-believer's context first, then build trust, then discuss not just lecture. Earlier this month, Barna released research which found that nearly half of millennial-aged Christians, born between 1984 and 1998, feel that it is wrong to evangelize. "Almost half of Millennials (47%) agree at least somewhat that it is wrong to share ones personal beliefs with someone of a different faith in hopes that they will one day share the same faith. This is compared to a little over one-quarter of Gen X (27%), and one in five Boomers (19%) and Elders (20%)," read the report. "Younger Christians tend to be more personally aware of the cultural temperature around spiritual conversations. Among practicing Christians, Millennials report an average (median) of four close friends or family members who practice a faith other than Christianity; most of their Boomer parents and grandparents, by comparison, have just one." New poll finds drastic increase in Democrats identifying as 'pro-life' in just 1 month Equal share of Americans identify as 'pro-life' as those who are 'pro-choice' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The percentage of Americans who call themselves pro-life is now the same as those who consider themselves pro-choice as a new poll has found that the number of Democrats who call themselves pro-life has drastically increased in the last month. The new poll conducted by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion on behalf of the Catholic fraternal organization Knights of Columbus interviewed 1,008 adults across the U.S. over the phone between Feb. 12 and Feb. 17, with a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points. The survey marked the first time since 2009 that Marist has found an equal number of respondents saying theyre pro-life (47 percent) as are those who say theyre pro-choice. In January, a previous Marist survey found that Americans were more likely to identify as pro-choice than they are to identify as pro-life by a 55 percent to 38 percent margin. While that same poll from January found that only 20 percent of Democrats proclaimed themselves to be pro-life, 34 percent of Democrats identified as pro-life in the February polling. Meanwhile, the number of Democrats identifying as pro-choice dropped from 75 percent in January to 61 percent in February. As a result, the gap between pro-life and pro-choice Democrats was cut in half from 55 percent to 27 percent. The shift in this poll was across the board but most pronounced among two groups: adults under 45 years of age and Democrats, Marist poll director Barbara Carvalho told The Christian Post. Given that younger Americans are more likely to identify as Democrat than older adults, this makes sense. The public debate on abortion in the past month has focused on late-term abortion, a policy that many Americans have serious concerns about. The new poll found an increase in younger Americans (under 45) claiming to be pro-life. Forty-seven percent of them are using the pro-life label to describe themselves while 48 percent saying theyre pro-choice. In January, only 28 percent of younger Americans identified as pro-life while 65 percent identified as pro-choice. The Democrats have a dilemma as they head into the primary season for 2020, Carvalho contends. On the one hand, they will need to appeal to the activists in the party in order to be successful in the primaries. Yet on the other hand, by so doing, they will be moving farther away from an acceptable position on abortion for most Americans. What is especially interesting in these survey results is that it is younger voters, millennials and others under 45, who were more likely to describe themselves as pro-life after the late-term abortion debate. This is exactly the group of voters Democrats hope to energize to be successful after the primary season. Carvalho explained that the polls results display the fact that the discussion in the past month about late-term abortion did not go unnoticed by the public. Many have spoken out about a bill passed in the state of New York that would allow a child to be aborted up until the point of birth. Additionally, a Virginia abortion bill has stirred outrage because it would allow abortion up to 40 weeks of pregnancy. During his State of the Union address this month, President Donald Trump criticized the New York bill, called for Congress to pass a late-term abortion ban and also slammed Virginia governor Ralph Northam for comments that Republicans say promoted infanticide. The February Marist polling finds that 71 percent of respondents believe that abortion should generally be illegal during the third trimester of pregnancy, including 60 percent of Democrats, 72 percent independents and 85 percent of Republicans. Current proposals that promote late-term abortion have redefined the debate and these results show this is not where the consensus of American opinion is on the issue, Carvalho stressed. Marist has partnered with the Knights of Columbus to track questions about Americans beliefs on the abortion issue since 2008. The results from this poll, and others have consistently shown a consensus for restrictions that allow abortion to at most the first three months except to save the life of the mother, Carvalho explained. Last months Marist poll also found that most Americans want the Supreme Courts landmark abortion ruling Roe v. Wade overturned in a way that allows certain abortion restrictions. Community Bible Church pastor pissed after worker confesses inappropriate behavior with multiple children Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Lead Pastor Ed Newton of Community Bible Church, which draws some 27,000 worshipers each week in San Antonio, Texas, said Sunday that he was pissed after learning that a youth ministry worker who has already been fired and reported to authorities, confessed to inappropriate behavior with multiple minor children. In his third weekend message to the church on Sunday, Newton explained that the news of the former employees behavior is not something he wanted to share with the church but he believed he needed to be transparent to ensure that the victims would be heard. I was angry and disappointed and heartbroken when I received this news. Im still angry, disappointed and heartbroken now, but to take it a step further, Im going to go off my notes for just a second, Im pissed. Im absolutely pissed. And that would be an understatement, Newton, who first began telling his church of the firing of the unidentified employee on Saturday. In an abbreviated statement on the situation posted to the churchs website, Newton said the fired part-time employee, who was not named due to an ongoing police investigation, confessed to Executive Pastor Scott Kindig. Newton told the church that he was informed of the confession on Feb. 17. We believe that this was limited to less than 10 victims, but clearly, even one victim is too many. Our thoughts and prayers are with all involved in this tragedy. We immediately notified law enforcement authorities, and the detectives limited what we can say at this time due to their ongoing investigation, Newton said. However, what I can share is that the acts involving all but one of the reported victims involved inappropriate electronic communication on electronic devices through social media platforms. One victim who was identified in the employees confession involved more than electronic communication. But whether it is inappropriate electronic communication or inappropriate physical contact, it is wrong and illegal and will not be tolerated at all! Newton noted. Let there be no misunderstanding, this part-time employee was immediately fired from our staff upon learning of this information; this person has been issued a trespassing warrant, so as to prevent access onto our campus or attend any CBC related event." While the fired employee was not named in the statement, both Newton and Kindig said the individual had gone through a thorough background check prior to being added to their team. The perpetrator has to remain nameless due to the ongoing investigation at this time. But, as I said, this person was a part-time employee. Prior to hiring this person, our church conducted a full background investigation, references were interviewed and numerous interviews of the potential employee were conducted. There was absolutely no reason to believe that this person posed a risk, Newton said. The pastor urged prayers for both the victims and the fired staff member and assured congregants that he will continue to be transparent about issues at the church good or bad. Truth and transparency is something I believe in wholeheartedly on and off this stage we dont choose to operate in transparency by measuring potential fallout. We operate in transparency because every person in this church matters to us and me and you deserve honesty from this pulpit, he said. Personally, Ive shared the darkest parts of my soul from this stage. In light of my depression, my anxieties, my battles, my insecurities. Ive shared our CBC financial struggles, our force reduction I will not ever change my leadership style from this stage or off this stage, just because the news got bad, he said to cheers and a standing ovation from some. If youre standing for anything right now, you are standing for victims. They will be heard. They will have a voice. It will not be tolerated in this house." Christian radio personality 'Uncle Charlie' dies: 'Knowing Jesus is the most important thing' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Charlie VanderMeer, beloved Christian radio personality known as Uncle Charlie to young listeners around the world, has died at 84. VanderMeer, who hosted the Childrens Bible Hour radio ministry for decades, died Friday afternoon, Feb. 22, at his West Michigan home, surrounded by family and friends, according to Keys for Kids Ministries. It is with deep sadness, but great hopefulness, that Keys for Kids Ministries (formerly Childrens Bible Hour) announces the passing of Charlie VanderMeer (a.k.a. Uncle Charlie). He passed away quietly at his home on Friday, February 22, 2019, following a recent fall, reads the statement. Its not what you know, its who you know, were the final words Charlie uttered to Keys for Kids President Greg Yoder, who spent time with him just before he was promoted to Glory, it continues. Though it was hard for Charlie to breathe, in his final moments he wanted everyone to know the 'who' he was talking about was Jesus Christ. He said, I trust Him today just like I did when I was six years old. Knowing Jesus as your personal Savior is the most important thing. VanderMeer was a pillar of Childrens Bible Hour radio ministry now known as Keys for Kids since he was 9 years old, when the host picked him out of a studio audience to participate in a live broadcast in 1943, according to his Keys for Kids Ministries biography page. After finishing college, he joined the organization full-time. As the host of The Childrens Bible Hour, he would add voices to a script, read poems, lessons, and Scripture to listeners worldwide. He would also visit churches across the world, ministering through magic tricks, ventriloquism, balloon animals, and stories. In March 1999, VanderMeer stepped down as Executive Director of the program but continued as the voice for the daily Keys for Kids 4 minute six-day-a-week program, and the daily/weekly program called Storytime, as well as re-runs of the classic Childrens Bible Hour broadcasts until the beginning of 2016, airing on more than 200 outlets. In 2017, VanderMeer received the Impact Award from the National Religious Broadcasters. In a 2006 Grand Rapids Press story, VanderMeer said the focus of his messages were always the same: To point young listeners to Jesus Christ. I hope (listeners) get the message that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven, he said, according to MLive. And also (that they) learn principles from the word of God in a fun and interesting way. Yoder told Michigan news channel WOODTV that he was one of many children who grew up listening to Uncle Charlie. "I looked to him for guidance in some ways," Yoder said. "Everybody did. He was good at what he did." Yoder hopes now Keys For Kids Ministries can carry on VanderMeers legacy. I feel like I'm a pebble, kind of a pebble in his shoe," Yoder said. "Cause he had such big shoes to fill. But to know I had his endorsement, in mutual respect, that just meant the world to me and to, I think, this organization." We praise the Lord for the decades of ministry he had on BBN encouraging children through Childrens Bible Hour and Storytime, the Bible Broadcasting Network stated on Facebook Friday. Can pro-life state constitutional amendments help end abortion? Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Last November, voters in Alabama and West Virginia passed state constitutional amendments that denied that there existed a right to an abortion. The Alabama State Abortion Policy Amendment, also known as Amendment 2, passed with the support of nearly 60 percent of voters. "... it is the public policy of this state to recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, most importantly the right to life in all manners and measures appropriate and lawful; and to provide that the constitution of this state does not protect the right to abortion or require the funding of abortion," read Amendment 2. West Virginias Amendment 1 passed with about 52 percent of voters in favor. The amendment added a section to the state constitution that read, "Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of abortion." Mallory Quigley of the national pro-life group the Susan B. Anthony List hailed the results of the two states' referenda, telling The Christian Post that they represented a tremendous victory. Victories in West Virginia and Alabama show that putting life right on the ballot and letting voters decide can be a valuable means of achieving greater protections for the unborn, said Quigley. Alabama and West Virginia joined Arkansas, Colorado, Rhode Island, and Tennessee in having state constitutional amendments that deny a right to an abortion. Nothing in this section shall be construed to grant or secure any right relating to abortion or the funding thereof, reads Article I, Section 2 of Rhode Islands constitution. With mounting speculation that the U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade is close to being overturned, several states are considering legislation either to expand or restrict abortion access. Amid the strategies by pro-life groups and politicians, could more states look toward passing pro-life constitutional amendments in the near future? Different states will pose different opportunities, replied Quigley. The Christian Post interviewed pro-life activists and leaders at both the state and national level to get their opinion on the potential future of anti-abortion state constitutional amendments. Possible guidance after Roe Paul Linton, an attorney who formerly served as general counsel for Americans United for Life, told CP that he found the Alabama and West Virginia amendment vote results very encouraging. Other states will likely consider similar measures, particularly Iowa, where a one-sentence neutrality amendment has already been introduced, and Kansas, in the event the state supreme court recognizes a right to abortion, Linton said. When asked how effective pro-life state amendments could be in banning abortion, Linton responded that he believed it would depend upon the precise language of the amendment. I do not think that state constitutional amendments are typically used to define and punish criminal conduct, which is more a matter for the legislatures to decide, he explained. On the other hand, a strong statement of pro-life principle in a state constitution may act as a restraint on a legislature enacting a liberalized abortion law. Linton referenced neutrality amendments as an example, which state that the constitution does not protect the right to an abortion, noting that they would enable states to enforce pre-Roe laws prohibiting abortions or possibly to enact new laws prohibiting abortion. Elizabeth Slattery, legal fellow with the Heritage Foundation, explained that such amendments could provide guidance if the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and eliminated a federally recognized right to abortion. The U.S. Constitution provides the floor for rights, and the Supreme Court has interpreted the Constitution to protect a right to abortion. States can provide more, but not less, protection for a federally-recognized constitutional right due to the Supremacy Clause, explained Slattery. Thus, these state constitutional amendments are preemptive and would only take effect if the Supreme Court eliminated the federally recognized right to abortion. Slattery warned that this may take a while, as the Supreme Court cant pluck an issue, like whether abortion should be legal, out of the news and decide to rule on it. The Supreme Court only decides cases that are brought to it and oftentimes wont tackle a major constitutional issue until numerous lower courts have had the opportunity to rule on it." Measured, prudent steps Wanda Franz, Ph.D. of West Virginians for Life, which campaigned for Amendment 1, attributed last Novembers success to several factors. Primarily, I believe we have a state with people who are primarily religious and are strongly pro-life. Our amendment affected the issue of funding and, therefore, we could ask the public to support something that has the highest level of support by the public in general. In WV, it is more than 60 percent against tax-payer funding of abortion, explained Franz. Weve also had an impact in the state because we have passed many pro-life pieces of legislation, including the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and the Dismemberment Abortion Ban. Most of the leaders in the state are pro-life, and many of them talked about the importance of passing the amendment during their election campaigns. Franz also acknowledged the aid they received from the national group the SBA List, which launched a $500,000 campaign in support of Amendment 1. Some measures are not as successful. In 2014, for example, North Dakota voters considered but ultimately rejected a personhood amendment known as Measure 1 that would have amended the state constitution to provide for the inalienable right to life at all stages of human development. Opponents claimed that the amendment was attempting to add fetal development as a stage of life. They also argued that the measure was poorly written, too vague and too broad, therefore the amendment could have affected access to birth control, IVF and abortion, recalled Medora Nagle, executive director at North Dakota Right to Life. I think that if it wouldve been written with more detail, it may have had a chance, but its still unlikely in my opinion that it wouldve passed due to the fact that so many people have a different opinion of when life begins. Nagle explained that her organization works with legislators to advance pro-life legislation. Nagle is part of a pro-life caucus that meets about every two weeks to discuss any proposed pro-life legislation. We, NDRL, would definitely support any and all pro-life legislation that would be brought, whether that is in the form of an amendment to the constitution or as a bill going through the House and the Senate, Nagle said. I do believe that passing pro-life amendments to state constitutions are very important to helping our country to become abortion-free. Unfortunately, we are now seeing more and more states passing extreme laws allowing abortion to happen until birth and even during labor. Im not sure there is a lot of hope for these pro-abortion states like New York. Mary Kay Culp, executive director of Kansans for Life, told CP that past success in the state legislature meant that they had not initially seen an amendment as part of our strategy. However, because of current litigation before the state Supreme Court over whether abortion is a right, they may need to pass such an amendment soon. Culp explained that the potential amendment would contrast with other pro-life state amendments in that it would be more centered on making sure courts cannot control the issue. Were just going to be asking the public, asking them we want your elected representatives to be able to regulate this issue, not the courts, not our state supreme court,' said Culp. Other state-level pro-life groups have likewise focused on legislative efforts rather than constitutional amendments. For example, Texas Right to Life Director Elizabeth Graham explained that her organization has the strategy of taking measured, prudent steps to extend legal protection to as many innocent human lives as possible. Graham spoke of incremental legislation that must include three fundamental aspects: that the proposed legislation must actually save lives, center the debate on the humanity of the preborn child and the barbarism of abortion, and must undermine the faulty logic upon which Roe v. Wade was established. Prudent incrementalism is the most realistic mechanism to end abortion in Texas, Graham stated, citing the Preborn NonDiscrimination Act (PreNDA) as an example of their gradual process. Listed as a priority by Texas Right to Life for the current legislative session, the PreNDA would, among other things, ban abortion on the basis of race, sex, or suspected disability. "Justice and equality are values that both Republicans and Democrats can rally behind in PreNDA, noted Graham. The measure has wide grassroots support; 91 percent of delegates voted to add the policy to the 2018 Republican Party of Texas Platform. A repeat of history? From 1998 to 2012, voters in 30 states approved state constitutional amendments that defined marriage as only being between one man and one woman. Despite the broad support among the electorate for these bans, a series of court decisions struck down most of these constitutional amendments, with the United States Supreme Court striking the final blow with a 5-4 ruling in 2015. When asked if she thought a similar fate could meet the pro-life state constitutional amendments, Quigley of SBA List believed that they were safe due to the rising trend of support for the pro-life cause as well as the changes to the Supreme Court roster since the Obergefell decision. We are hopeful that the new majority on the Supreme Court will respect the consensus views of the American people and leave policymaking to the voters and their representatives, which is good news for the pro-life movement, stated Quigley. Linton noted that while state constitutional amendments barring the public funding of abortion have run afoul of the courts due to federal measures like the Hyde Amendment, amendments rejecting a right to abortion are not subject to federal constitutional challenge. A state constitution need not protect a right to abortion merely because the federal constitution does. So neutrality language is entirely permissible, said Linton. And the pro-life language in two state amendments Arkansas and Alabama do not, by their own terms, prohibit abortion, so they are not subject to challenge either. Alabama Supreme Court Upholds Personhood of Unborn Babies; Calls for End of Roe v. Wade Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Alabama's highest court has recently released a decision that recognizes the personhood of unborn babies, and includes a concurrent opinion that calls for the overturning of Roe v. Wade. In the case of Jessie Livell Phillips v. State of Alabama, the Alabama Supreme Court upheld a murder conviction for a man who in 2009 killed his pregnant wife and their unborn child in a ruling released last week. Justice Michael Bolin, author of the court opinion, said in the ruling that since one of the victims of the 2009 homicide was an unborn baby, he felt an obligation to "expound" on why the court considered an unborn baby a "person." "... under the criminal laws of the state of Alabama, the value of the life of an unborn child is no less than the value of the lives of other persons. The trial court's additional commentary that this country is founded upon equal protection and due process for all of its persons is also based upon constitutional law," wrote Bolin. "Thus, this court concludes that the trial court's explanation indicating that it would not assign the aggravating circumstance less weight because Baby Doe was an unborn person at the time of the murder was not erroneous." In a concurrent opinion, Justice Tom Parker denounced Roe as a "legal anomaly and logical fallacy," and then urged the United States Supreme Court to "overrule this increasingly isolated exception to the rights of unborn children." "As states like Alabama continue to provide greater and more consistent protection for the dignity of the lives of unborn children, the Roe exception is a stark legal and logical contrast that grows ever more alienated from and adverse to the legal fabric of America," wrote Parker. "The United States Supreme Court's declaration in Roe that, in the abortion context, unborn children are not 'persons' within the meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution stands in stark contrast to numerous determinations by the states that unborn children are, in fact, 'persons' in virtually all other contexts." James Dobson, former head of Focus on the Family and current host of Family Talk radio, released a statement Thursday calling the Alabama Supreme Court's decision "historic." "I am truly encouraged by the Alabama Supreme Court's opinion, which powerfully affirms the humanity of the unborn in the eyes of the law," said Dobson. "Justice Parker has given voice to so many of us who are devoted to defending the lives of the unborn by making a declarative legal argument for why the scourge of Roe v. Wade must, once and for all, be repealed by the U.S. Supreme Court." Image: Pixabay/skeeze Will the church in North America face an increasing spirit of hostility to its accustomed status of cultural privilege? Absolutely. The question is not, if, but, when? And my suspicion is that its coming much sooner than most would expect. The coming cultural backlash to our unrestrained ties to political power will become a threat to the status quo that no religious PAC can foil. We have declared and unleashed our preferred weapons of battle, and it is likely that they will be used against us in full measure (Matt 26:52). In many ways, it will be a bed of our own making and we have only our pride to blame. But will this be a bad thing? Not entirely. The church of Jesus Christ has always resembled her King best when she was in a place, not of dominance, but of yielded weakness. A quick glance through our history unmistakably reveals that when we become powerful, we behave in counter-kingdom ways. We baptize the worlds operating systems and use its muscle to advance our own comfort, security, and prominence with precious little thought given to the mission of our Founder. Rare indeed are historys examples of the Church in power becoming a kingdom advancing enterprise. The power of Gods kingdom flows exclusively through yielded human weakness. It is constricted by the vanity of human might. So, how can the coming opposition be an advantage to the mission of Jesus Christ in North America? Here are seven ways that we can anticipate finding a kingdom blessing in the loss of our earthly status: 1. Opposition Reminds Us of What Matters So long as life is copasetic, we are tempted to believe that tertiary aims are worthy pursuit. Being liked. Fitting in. Having a voice. These lesser goals are forced out in the face of opposition and kingdom citizens awaken to the singular aim of gospel saturation. 2. Opposition Weeds Out the Frauds It is a biblical and historical fact that God purifies His people through persecution and pain. The days are over where fish bumper stickers on corporate logos lure increase revenues. Authentic Christianity becomes costly when confronted with a cultural majority that has little appreciation for the principles we claim to represent. But again, this isnt all bad. This opposition will assist in distinguishing between broad-sweeping evangelical labels that range from a bland belief in an ill-defined deity to those who genuinely walk with Jesus in his mission. Persecution downgrades any selfish appeal for pseudo-saints advantage in brand association. Over time, this will help our neighbors see past the murky religious smog to directly witness the magnificence of their Savior. 3. Opposition Raises Up Prophetic Voices Seasons of opposition tend to elevate new prophetic voices from the wilderness, ushering Gods people into a new day. Our day of hostility is likely to elevate biblically principled voices from the fringes to gain an essential hearing leading many into a missionally effective future. The dominant voices of the past who have perpetuated the spiritual status quo will have little compelling insight into the churchs future. 4. Opposition Moves People to the Margins The power of Gods kingdom flows exclusively through yielded human weakness. It is constricted by the vanity of human might. The compulsion of fallen humanity is to gather rather than scatter. As long as the gathering is warm and safe, theres little motive to move out. But when God allows pain and persecution to afflict our sheltered gatherings, it forces his people to own their faith in the pockets of lostness in which they live, work, and play. It is this very proclivity to needlessly dabble in ecclesiastical minutia that requires an external opposition in order to prioritize Christs mission over selfish trivial pursuits. Again, both scripture and history are witnesses to the fact that when we fail to voluntarily practice Acts 1:8 (sending), God permits Acts 8:1 (scattering) to assist in our missional compliance. 5. Opposition Enhances the Need for Genuine Discipleship Often the term discipleship is a veiled, spiritualized way of referring to the equipping of churchmen to keep the ecclesiastical machinery lubricated and in motion. We disciple people to care for kids, lead in music, facilitate small groups, and manage teams. But too often this leadership development is the sum extent of our efforts in forming faith-walking Jesus followers. Were not actually helping people develop the disciplines and spiritual rhythms that will allow them to thrive outside of the sanctuary. Opposition compels Christian communities to develop robust discipleship patterns that prioritize kingdom-living in our scattering. 6. Opposition Unites Believers The luxury of majority thinking is the dark extravagance of a thinly sliced sectarianism. In our pietistic self-fascination, we often find more organizational passion in majoring on our sacred distinctions than we do in fulfilling our shared mission. Competition with contending brands replaces our rivalry against darkness. But opposition has an effective way of deflating spiritual hubris. When we awaken to our mission and to the actuality of our true competition, we find estranged kingdom allies living in close proximity. And in this kingdom realignment, we discover the spiritual punch that Jesus prayed for in his longing appeal for our oneness (John 17:21). The world finally will see that we are his. 7. Ultimately, Opposition Increases, not Diminishes, the number of Jesus Disciples Movements emerge from the elimination of the extraneous and the disciplined execution of the fundamental. The unexpected blessing of opposition is that it brings clarity to both the nature of our mission and the reality of who is, and who is not, on the team. This decontaminating clarity is the very fuel that propels gospel movements. It is difficult for me to envision a future movement in North America without the missional clarity that opposition brings. As we pray expectantly in the manner that Jesus taught us, that, his kingdom comes, and his will is done, we might want to prepare for an answer that includes an uncomfortable recalibration of his church back to his mission. Jeff Christopherson is an author and Chief Missiologist of the North American Mission Board (NAMB). He also serves as Co-Executive Director of the Send Institute, a partnership of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College and the North American Mission Board. Mama Maggie - and Christianity: Are Still Good for the World Share Tweet Is Christianity STILL good for the world? Thats the theme of our Wilberforce Weekend this year. We have an incredible lineup of speakers who will seek to answer that question from a variety of angles. But the most definitive answer may very well come from the 2019 winner of the William Wilberforce Award, a Coptic Christian known around the world as Mama Maggie. Thirty years ago, Mama Maggie was a well-to-do Egyptian woman who loved traveling from Cairo to Europe with her husband for parties and shopping. But in her mid-thirties, she and a group of friends from church decided to visit one of Cairos garbage slums. Some 60,000 people live there, most of them Christians who gather and sort garbage in the most appalling conditions for just a few coins a daybarely enough to live on. As she spoke with the parents and hugged the children in the garbage dumps, Maggies life was transformed. As Ellen Vaughn wrote in her biography of Mama Maggie, Maggie fell in love with the privilege of being a part of their lives. She began visiting the slums every day, and founded a ministry called Stephens Children, named for the first Christian martyr. Three decades later, Stephens Children now helps 33,000 children through home visits, camps, vocational training, schools, and medical care. The stories that arise from this womans work are amazing. For example, a few years ago, Mama Maggie hugged a little boy named Karim. As she placed her hand over his heart, she knew at once something was wrong. Mama Maggie asked a Stephens Children leader to take Karim to her brother, who is a cardiologist. He discovered Karim had a hole in his heart. He needed surgery to correct the problem, but his desperately poor family couldnt possibly afford to pay for it. Thats where Stephens Children stepped in; they paid for the entire cost of the operation. And once Karim recovered, ministry volunteers visited him regularly, brought the family food, and invited Karim to take part in a Stephens Children camp. Then theres the story of Sharif, another boy who attended a Stephens Children camp. Just before Mothers Day one year, Stephens Children volunteers visited his home to give him a little money so that he could buy his mother a gift. But nobody was home. The leaders went back several times, although they normally didnt do this. On their fifth visit, they saw Sharif arriving with a baby girl in his arms. The baby was sick, but her father had no money to pay for the medicine she needed. Stephens Children volunteers gave Sharif the money, who immediately handed it over to his father. Buy Baby Sarah whatever she needs, he told him. When Sharifs father discovered how many times the leaders had come back to his house, he began to cry. For ten years, he said, I have never set foot in a church. I believed that God had forgotten me. But because of what happened today, I will go back to church. There are thousands upon thousands of other stories like this. In fact, I want you to know seven of them. Back in 2015, the world was shocked when 21 Coptic Christians were beheaded by ISIS terrorist. Each refused to renounce their faith. At least seven of those martyrs had attended Mama Maggies schools. For her thirty years of serving others in the Cairo slums, the Colson Center is awarding the 2019 Wilberforce Award to Mama Maggie. Each year we seek to honor someone whose life and work echo that of the great British parliamentarian William Wilberforce, who labored for 40 years to banish the slave trade in Britain and reform a broken society. Mama Maggie will be honored at our Wilberforce Weekend, May 17 through May 19, near Washington D. C. Its the annual family reunion of the Colson Center. It will be a packed house of over 800 people. I hope you will be one of them. For more information about the weekend and the incredible work of Mama Maggie, visit www.wilberforceweekend.com. Her loving work demonstrates, like only a life lived in service to Christ can, that Christianity indeed is still good for the world. BreakPoint is a Christian worldview ministry that seeks to build and resource a movement of Christians committed to living and defending Christian worldview in all areas of life. Begun by Chuck Colson in 1991 as a daily radio broadcast, BreakPoint provides a Christian perspective on todays news and trends via radio, interactive media, and print. Today BreakPoint commentaries, co-hosted by Eric Metaxas and John Stonestreet, air daily on more than 1,200 outlets with an estimated weekly listening audience of eight million people. Feel free to contact us at BreakPoint.org where you can read and search answers to common questions. John Stonestreet, the host of The Point, a daily national radio program, provides thought-provoking commentaries on current events and life issues from a biblical worldview. John holds degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (IL) and Bryan College (TN), and is the co-author of Making Sense of Your World: A Biblical Worldview. Publication date: February 25, 2019 On the last day of a historic summit on sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, the Pope has denounced predatory clergy as 'tools of Satan'. Pope Francis told senior bishops gathered at the Vatican that sexual abuse was akin to human sacrifice as he promised to wage an 'all-out battle' to rid the Catholic Church of the scourge. 'If in the Church there should emerge even a single case of abuse a which already in itself represents an atrocity a that case will be faced with the utmost seriousness,' he said. 'I am reminded of the cruel religious practice, once widespread in certain cultures, of sacrificing human beings a frequently children a in pagan rites.' The summit was convened by Pope Francis to address the sexual abuse scandals that have affected numerous countries, including Australia, the US, Germany, and Chile. The Pope Francis said the Church was standing 'face to face with the mystery of evil' and that children needed to be 'protected from ravenous wolves'. 'I make a heartfelt appeal for an all-out battle against the abuse of minors both sexually and in other areas ... for we are dealing with abominable crimes that must be erased from the face of the earth,' he said. He made the comments after leading bishops in a penitential service in which they were told to examine their consciences and confess their sins. 'We must say, like the prodigal son: 'Father, I have sinned',' he said. But some victims were left disappointed by the summit. Swiss victim Jean-Marie Furbringer told AFP, 'Honestly it's a pastoral 'blabla', saying it's the fault of the devil.' Another victim, Peter Saunders, from Britain, told the news agency he wanted more concrete action to be taken against abusive priests. 'It talks about the devil, it talks about evil... There is no talk about permanently excluding child rapists and abusers who are employees of the Church,' he said. '"From a child protection point of view it's been a waste of time. From keeping the world's eyes on this institution and its failure to protect children, it's been a great success.' Courtesy of Christian Today Did Joy-Anna Forsyth forget her sons first birthday? Absolutely not, insists big sister Jessa Duggar. Joy-Anna started some Instagram drama when she posted a photo that suggested she and her husband, Austin were out of town. The couples only child, Gideons birthday happened to fall over the weekend, and fans were disgruntled that the pair would skip town, leaving Gideon on his own for his big day. While Joy-Anna may have been shamed for her decision to hit the town solo, her big sister Jessa had her back. Jessa Seewald clapped back at the haters for Joy-Anna. The pregnant mother of 2 is no stranger to internet drama herself. Seewald has been shamed multiple times since becoming a mother to Spurgeon, 3 and Henry, 2. Why did fans mom-shame Joy-Anna Forsyth? Joy and husband Austin Forsyth may be married now, but they are still young adults who are in love and want to spend time together. Fans of Counting On, however, dogpiled on Joy-Anna when she mentioned that she and Forsyth were out of town for the weekend without Gideon in tow. Gideon, who turned one on February 23rd, stayed back in Arkansas with Austins parents while Joy and Austin reconnected at a couples retreat. The photo, which merely showed the pair smiling together, prompted a litany of fan reactions. Several fans freaked out when they realized the couples child-free getaway happened to fall on Gideons birthday weekend. Where did Joy and Austin go? Joy and Austin attended the Living United Couples Retreat. According to the ministrys website, the retreat, which took place on February 22nd and 23rd, intends to help couples communicate more effectively. There were a variety of seminars offered, including workshops on how to fight effectively, and how to prepare to homeschool children. The retreat was held by Living United Ministries, a Baptist group. The ministrys headquarters are in Springfield, Missouri, but they host conferences and retreats in several locations. The Adventure Awaits Retreat, the specific retreat that Joy and Austin attended, was held in Branson, Missouri. Branson, Missouri is just an hour and a half from the couples home in Springdale, Arkansas. Joy noted on her Instagram page that they had every intention of celebrating Gideons birthday when they arrived home on the afternoon of February 23. Jessa jumped to Joys defense After fans jumped on Joy and mom-shamed her for failing to spend the weekend with her birthday boy, older sister Jessa jumped to her defense. Jessa called out the Instagram haters and assured her little sister that all was well. Jessa commented that Gideon wasnt going to know if they celebrated late and called out Instagram haters for suggesting Joy-Anna somehow forgot her son was turning one. Joy-Anna, however, did make it home in time to say happy birthday on Gideons actual birthday. On February 23, she posted a picture of the newly-minted one-year-old wearing with his parents. Jessa has been shamed in the past Jessa was quick to jump to Joys defense because shes been mom-shamed in the past, too. In November 2017 Jessa was shamed for giving her son Henry, 8-months at the time, the last sips of her Starbucks drink. Fans were disturbed that Henry was pictured without a car seat with the Starbucks cup in hand, according to OK! Magazine. Just a year later, fans were furious when Jessa cut Henrys hair for the first time. According to In Touch, Jessa dealt with Instagram fans who thought her cutting procedure was dangerous to the young child. Other fans suggested that maybe taking Henry to a professional stylist would have been a good option. Jessa, however, doesnt seem to mind the haters. The reality star regularly responds to comments and has no problem putting nay-sayers in their place. She was apparently happy to help her little sister shut down the fans, too. While Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their children have enjoyed ski vacations during their February holidays in the past, this year they took a decidedly quieter vacation that allowed plenty of quality family time. Prince William and Kate Middleton | NEIL HANNA/AFP/Getty Images Prince William and Kate Middleton took a break from official engagements Prince William and Kate Middleton tend to have a calendar full of official engagements, but last week they didnt have anything booked because their children had a half term holiday from school. The lack of events and appearances meant they could dedicate their attention to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, so they reportedly left the capital and spent some time at their country home, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk. The kids had special time with their mum While few details are known about the week of downtime, Kate was said to have taken the two older children to a nearby luxury hotel so the kids could swim at the pool. A source told the Daily Mail: Both the children swam unaided and were super confident. They went under the quite forceful jets in the water. Kate politely asked us if it was ok for them to switch it on. It was all a pretty regular mother and children scene, as the eyewitness noted: They were doing little jumps off the side into her arms. Kate did not move from their sides. George did ask to go outside to use the hot tub but she said No. Charlotte reportedly did little duck dives off the side of the pool and shouted, Look mummy Im diving in. Middleton also assisted George with a little swim race, as the source shared: She said ready, steady go and did a downward chopping action in the water to indicate the start of the race. Middleton and the children then used the sauna and steam room. Its believed that Prince Louis likely spent the day at home with Prince William or their nanny. Why did the family opt for the country home vacation? Its unclear why the royal family didnt escape to a more fun-packed vacation destination, but the couple often spends time at their country home, splitting their time between the sprawling Anmer Hall and their apartment at Kensington Palace. PEOPLE noted that this lifestyle is typical for members of the royal family, with Prince Charles splitting his time between Clarence house in London and his country home in Tetbury, Gloucestershire. Queen Elizabeth also travels between Windsor Castle and Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. According to a report from The Week, Prince William and Kate Middleton see Anmer Hall as their family home. Renovations to the mansion helped with improving privacy, likely making the country estate a nice change of scenery from the everyday attention they typically receive. A source told The Telegraph that the area is certainly not a social hotbed and that the family has security on duty, with all visitors closely monitored. After the birth of Princess Charlotte, police in a Norfolk village near Anmer Hall gave letters to the media asking them to respect the familys privacy. The royal family has a portfolio of impressive palaces, castles, and estate homes they call home. But, none quite compare to Buckingham Palace. Considered the royal headquarters, Buckingham Palace has been home to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly all her life. But, with Prince Philip spending more time in the country at Sandringham Estate and Windsor Castle, many royal fans wonder: Does Queen Elizabeth still live at Buckingham Palace? Queen Elizabeths life at Buckingham Palace The queen calls several places home. | Cathal McNaughton Pool /Getty Images Queen Elizabeth has spent many years at Buckingham Palace first, as a young girl visiting her grandfather, King George V, and then as the daughter of King George VI and heir to the British throne. When they first married, the queen and Prince Philip continued to live at Buckingham Palace. However, they had to move to Clarence House in 1949 while the palace underwent renovations to fix damage caused during World War II. They moved back four years later, in 1953 the same year Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne. The queen didnt just live at Buckingham Palace, she gave birth to her babies (with the exception of Princess Anne, who was born in 1950 at Clarence House) and raised her family in the massive manor. But, while the royal headquarters holds a special place in Her Majestys heart, shes never actually lived there full time and still doesnt today. Does Queen Elizabeth still live at Buckingham Palace? Buckingham Palace serves as the queens London home, so she lives there only when she has to tend to her official work which includes royal engagements and meetings with diplomats in the city. When shes not in London, she typically resides at Windsor Castle, Sandringham Estate, or at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where she spends her summer holiday every year. In her old age, Her Majesty spends less and less time at Buckingham Palace, especially now that Prince Philip is rarely ever at the London headquarters. Queen Elizabeth still spends a majority of her days in her life-long home, but she often goes up to Windsor Castle her weekend home to spend time with Prince Philip and relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city. However, Windsor Castle isnt Prince Philips full-time home. In his retirement, Prince Philip mostly lives at Wood Farm Cottage, located on Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England. The queen likely makes frequent trips to spend quality time with her husband of over 70 years. With the current renovations at Buckingham Palace, many other royal residents have had to vacate the abode. However, the queens living quarters wont undergo updates until the mid-2020s. If the monarch is still alive during that time, she would have to move out and call a different royal residence in London (perhaps St. Jamess Palace?) her temporary home. What will happen to Buckingham Palace when Queen Elizabeth dies? As it stands, Queen Elizabeth is the last monarch to call Buckingham Palace home at least as far as Prince Charles is concerned. The future king intends to stay at Clarence House when he ascends the throne. However, he will still conduct business at the palace. I know he is no fan of the big house, as he calls the palace, a source told Hello! Magazine. He doesnt see it as a viable future home or a house thats fit for purpose in the modern world. He feels its upkeep, both from a cost and environmental perspective, is not sustainable, they added. Prince Charles intends to open the palace to the public for longer periods of time (right now, its open for tours between July and October while the family is away at Balmoral Castle). He also wants to curate an exhibit in honor of his mothers historical reign. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Meghan Markle and Prince Harry just wrapped up their final royal tour before welcoming Baby Sussex. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent three days in Morocco meeting Moroccos ruler King Mohammed VI, the countrys prime minister Saad-Eddine El Othmani, taking to the people of Morocco, and engaging in several tourist attractions. The royal couple traveled to the North African country on behalf of the British government. A Kensington Palace spokesperson spoke to People about the tour saying, It will build on the close relationship between the U.K. and Morocco. The Duke and Duchess are looking forward to the visit which will highlight the vital roles that girls education and youth empowerment are playing in, and shaping, modern Morocco. It looks like the royals also had the chance to sample some local dishes during their trip. Did Meghan Markle eat pigeon during her royal tour to Morocco? During their Moroccan adventure, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited the Villa des Ambassadeurs hotel in Rabat. During their visit, Chef Moha Fedal, who runs the Moroccan version of Masterchef, presented the parents-to-be with a meat pie thats traditionally made using pigeon meat. Though the prince had tried the dish previously, it was Markles first time sampling it. After taking a bite, the duchess noted that it was, very good before she passed it to her hubby. Markle also gifted the chef with a copy of her Together cookbook. She signed it saying, Chef Mohar. Wishing you continued success and congratulating you on your incredible work in engaging the community in cooking. All the best. Meghan Is it safe for pregnant women to eat pigeon? Since pigeon is a type of poultry like chicken or turkey it should be pretty harmless for anyone to consume as long as its cooked properl, even pregnant women like Markle. After all, the meat pie filled with pigeon is a staple of Morocco, so were certain pregnant women eat it all the time. Also, the duchess and the prince traveled with a doctor during this quick royal tour, so were sure they got the OK before Markle tried anything she was unsure about. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a cooking demonstration | Stephen Lock/Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage Why was going to Morocco so important to Meghan Markle? The Duchess of Sussex has never been to Morocco however, considering how close it is to her due date, many people were shocked she wanted to squeeze in one last royal tour. Markle wanted to make sure she was at Prince Harrys side on this trip because the cause is near and dear to her heart. In 2016, former First Lady Michelle Obama wrote about the state of womens education in Morocco. In a piece for CNN, she said, While Morocco has made huge strides in education, and nearly all girls there attend elementary school many of them drop out of school by the time they turn twelve. Right now, only 14 percent of girls in rural Morocco attend high school. Markle is an avid feminist and has been outspoken about education for women and girls across the globe. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle are two very different women from different backgrounds. However, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex have one very important thing in common they are fashion icons. Though they have very different taste, Middleton and Markle always look regal, stylish, and put together. From their stunning hairstyles to their perfectly paired footwear neither one of these ladies has ever missed a beat when it comes to looking their best. Being royal has its own set of rules and traditions even when it comes to picking out an appropriate wardrobe even when it seems old fashioned. In fact, you might have noticed that both Middleton and Markle often keep their coats on even when they are indoors. The real reason Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle always keep their coats on indoors Recently while speaking at the V&A Dundee the first design museum in Scotland Kate Middleton kept on her checkered green and black coat. Several days later, during a visit to the City University London Markle also kept on her black coat allowing only her baby bump to peak through. According to royal protocol, high ranking royal women are not allowed to take off their coats in public settings. Traditionally, the royals feel that the act of removing an outermost layer of clothing in public would be considered unladylike. Of course, weve seen both Markle and Middleton in public during the winter months without their coats. However, they have to step out of the view of the camera to remove their outerwear. While the cameras are around they simply have to deal with being too warm or stuffy. Royal wardrobe rules When it comes to the royal dress code ladies not been allowed to remove their coats certainly isnt the most bizarre of the royal wardrobe rules. From nail polish to the perfect hat here are some royal clothing rules both Middleton and Markle must abide by. Hats must be worn at all formal events There is a reason massive royal events bring out an eclectic array of hats. Women in the royal family must wear a hat or fascinator to daytime royal events. If the event is after 6 p.m., married royal women must swap out their hats for tiaras. No colorful nail polish Ladies must keep their nails short and painted with either clear polish or a neutral color. The Duchess of Sussex has already broken this rule. She wore a gorgeous black polish on her nails when she attended the 2018 British Fashion awards. Pantyhose are prefered Queen Elizabeth II very much prefers when royal women wear pantyhose but they can certainly be a nuisance when they run or they dont match your skin tone perfectly. Meghan Markle hasnt always worn nylons in fact, she was bare-legged during her Nov. 2017 engagement announcement to Prince Harry. Weigh down those skirts Both Markle and Middleton typically wear skirts and dresses instead of pants. However, they have to weigh down the hemlines of their dresses, so they dont accidentally fly up and show their underpants in public. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! During the 1990s, Lindsay Lohan was a fresh-faced child star with a shock of bright red hair and adorable freckles. Most of those who grew up in that era remember her as the singular actress portraying the role of long-lost twins in The Parent Trap remake of 1998. From her childhood, it was a seamless switch to teen acting which is where most of her best known films come from. Freaky Friday, Herbie: Fully Loaded, and (of course) Mean Girlsare just a few of the films Lohan tackled in the early to mid-2000s. Lindsay Lohan looks ready for a comeback | Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images Then, as it often does, trouble struck. The lives of many child stars, who were unable to have normal childhoods, often turn into shambles upon reaching adulthood. Not only are child stars not allowed a normal childhood, but they are often exploited, hurt, and have their innocence ripped from them much too early by the movie business. Such was the case for Lindsay Lohan who, upon reaching adulthood, began acting out both in her personal life and publicly. Lohan was arrested on DUI charges multiple times, and had several very public fails at rehab. Then, out of nowhere, Lindsay Lohan seemed to just disappear. Fans of Lohan will be pleased to know that she is now well, happy, and acting once more. In fact, shes trying to make a Hollywood comeback with her first feature film since 2013. Lindsay Lohans Beach Club helped put her back in the spotlight Lohan most recently resurfaced to star in the MTV reality television series Beach Club. The series focuses on Lohans life as she runs a beach club based in Mykonos, Greece, where the star is reported to currently live. The show has been quite successful, and helped place her back in Hollywoods spotlight for a time. Her upcoming movie promises to grant her at least a few more years of being on everyones celebrity radar. Linday Lohans new film: Among the Shadows Lohans newest film is called Among the Shadows, and the part she plays could potentially cement her place in the world of adult acting much as The Parent Trap made her a child star, and Freaky Friday cemented her in the world of teen acting. Due to release on March 5th of this year, Among the Shadows is the story of a private detective who just so happens to come from a long line of werewolves. She must, of course, keep this a secret because who would want a werewolf hunting down their loved ones for them? Lindsay Lohan plays the role of Patricia, the wife of a European president. Lohan seeks out the help of Detective Kristy Wolfe (portrayed by Charlotte Beckett) to figure out who is trying to assassinate her husband. Wolfe must help Lohan while also figuring out who murdered her uncle. Lohan is looking much better and ready for a comeback In the previews released thus far, it is a very different Lohan we see. Remembered most recently as gaunt and sickly looking after a difficult ongoing battle with both hardcore drugs and alcohol. It appears that, at long last, Lindsay Lohan is clean and looking better than ever and also, significantly more adult than when we last saw her around six years ago. While still thin, Lohan is certainly not gaunt. Her facial features would be described more as angular than sickly. She is, of course, still sporting her trademark red hair and freckles a dead giveaway, even if fans didnt already know shed be starring in Among the Shadows. The 2019 Oscars were a pivotal moment for actress Regina King. She took home the first Oscar of the night for Best Supporting Actress for her role in If Beale Street Could Talk. Though this was Kings first Oscar win, she has been a powerhouse in the acting industry for decades. Lets take a look back at her rise to fame. The beginning Kings first major role was as Brenda Jenkins on NBCs show 227 back in 1985 when she was just 13. She continued acting on the show for years and eventually dropped out of college to focus on acting. Once I was in college, about maybe the end of my first semester of my sophomore year, I realized that college just was not my jam and that I felt like I was learning more on set, she told NPR in 2016. And I think a lot of that had to do with I was working while I was in college. I was on 227, so I didnt get a chance to really be immersed in the culture of my school. From there, her career gained traction and she was able to break into film as well. She then landed the role of Craigs sister Dana Jones in the comedy Friday alongside Chris Tucker and Ice Cube. King continued to make her mark on the acting world, appearing in Jerry Maguire, Enemy of the State, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Mighty Joe Young, Down to Earth, Daddy Day Care, Legally Blond 2: Red, White & Blonde, A Cinderella Story, Ray, Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous, and many more. Most recently, King has starred in the television shows, Southland, American Crime, and the movie If Beale Street Could Talk. King has credited her wide range of roles to her team refusing to allow her to be put in a box. The good news for me is that I have an amazing team behind me, and theyve been with me for 20 years now almost 20 years, she told NPR. And they have seen me as an actress, not necessarily just a black actress. So I have been lucky enough for them to see me that way. Her team went after roles that may not have been traditionally cast with people who look like King. And they have pursued things that were written white, and I ended up getting them, she continued. Southland was not written for a black woman. Legally Blonde 2 wasnt written specifically for a black woman. Year Of The Dog was not written for a black woman, but they read those scripts and they approached those writers and those producers and, cut to, I was doing those films. I think Ive been lucky in the regard to have a team that sees me as an artist. Awards Despite winning her first Oscar in 2019, King is no stranger to coming out on top. She has won three Primetime Emmys, an African American Film Critics Association Award, a BET award, a Golden Globe award, and many others. When King won her Oscar, she was quick to thank her mom. Mom, I love you so much, she said on the stage. Thank you for teaching me that God has always been leaning in my direction. She also thanked the people behind the scenes, including James Baldwin who wrote the novel that If Beale Street Could Talk was based on. To be standing here representing one of the greatest artists of all time James Baldwin. she continued. James Baldwin birthed this baby and Barry [Jenkins] nurtured her, surrounding her with so much love and support. So its appropriate to be standing here because I am an example of what it looks like when support and love is poured into someone. God is good, all the time. Read more: How Much is If Beale Street Could Talk Actress Regina King Worth? Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Rhylee Gerber from Below Deck made quite a splash on the yachting reality show this season. The fierce deckhand was often the odd woman out among her male-dominated exterior crew. Gerber always spoke her mind, which sometimes got her into trouble and rubbed fans the wrong way. But Gerbers combative approach was born from frustration and the desire to learn, she recently told The Cheat Sheet. She is still a fishing boat captain in Alaska but her adventuresome spirit brought her to Florida to work with a friend who is an artist. Gerber teased that viewers shouldnt count her out for another Below Deck season either. We may (hopefully) get to see more of Gerber in the near future. Rhylee Gerber |Getty Images While she may have come off as being frustrated and even argumentative on the show, Gerber isnt exactly the hot-headed deckhand that viewers saw. So what does Gerber think about her time on the show? Plus, what does she say about sexism in the industry, especially about an op-ed for The Hollywood Reporter about Captain Lee Rosbach? Gerber is actually pretty funny She appeared on Below Deck to do a job but often found herself in the middle of a verbal smackdown with coworkers. But when The Cheat Sheet spoke with Gerber, she was personable and downright funny. Her infectious laugh and easygoing personality were definitely gems that may have sometimes been missed on the show. She laughed at a lot of the moments she had on the boat, fully able to poke fun at herself. Sometimes my mouth gets me into trouble, she laughed. But I was 100% authentic. And any emotion I had in life I had on the show. She adds that although the cameras often caught the arguments, the crew had plenty of times where they were laughing and joking too. Gerber doesnt take herself seriously, but she is very serious about work. I was there to learn, she says. Sure Im a fishing boat captain but yachting is different. And I ask a lot of questions, but thats because I want to learn how to do everything the right way and get better at my job. She says that lack of communication created more drama Bottom line is there was a total lack of communication from the bosuns on the show. It was never a matter of disrespecting the rank, it was more about being totally incompetent in their rank position, she says about why she questioned her boss. And then treating me like dirt. Plus, We all saw the incompetence with Chandler in managing the team, Gerber recalls. But when it came down to me and Ross, it was 100% his inability to communicate effectively. She adds she had requested a number of times to be shifted from working late nights to mornings so she could drop anchor. But neither bosun Chandler Brooks nor Ross Inia made that happen for her. Meanwhile, when deckhand Tyler Rowland joined the team, he was given the opportunity, Gerber adds. After deckhand Ashton Pienaar was yanked off the swim deck by a rope, Rosbach told Inia that no one should be on the swim deck. However, when Gerber was working on the swim deck, instead of relaying to Gerber the specific instructions, Inia kept telling her to just move to a different location. Then when Im am in the wheelhouse getting my ass reamed by Captain for Ross not communicating, I was totally expecting Ross to step up and take the blame for not informing me of the new protocol. He never did that so I was very pissed at him. Does she find the industry to be sexist? Did Gerber find the environment to be sexist while on Below Deck? My immediate thoughts during filming wasnt that they are treating me differently because Im a woman, she remarks. But afterward I did notice that after Tyler came on, maybe there was something to this. I have muscles, Im strong. I mean, I lift bigger fish than these jackasses and theyre not really utilizing me. Most recently, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wrote an op-ed in The Hollywood Reporter about sexism and racism in the public eye. Abdul-Jabaar called out Rosbachs comments to the male deckhands about working like girls. He also likened the comment to the gender-bias equivalent of wearing blackface without realizing that its offensive. Since Gerber was also on deck, did she find Rosbachs comments to be sexist? When it came to Captain, I didnt have a lot of interaction with him during filming, she recalls. But regarding any comments like hey ladies get off your ass, I never took offense to it because I knew it was in jest. Captain gets a lot of attention for his one-liners and a lot of people find them funny. Its not like I cracked up at it but I didnt find it offensive. To call someone a girl, in my opinion, they should be lucky to be as badass as me. In fact, she likened the girls comment to one of many Captain Lee-isms, which she pointed out were also male-based too. Along the same lines, no one said a word when he said there were no swinging dicks on board too, she laughs. I mean, that totally excludes me, right? Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! It was headline news when Meghan Markle, wife of Prince Harry, traveled to New York City for a baby shower thrown by her friends. Photographers were around to capture every move, from Meghans arrival at the hotel to the delivery of the flowers. Guests were photographed as they stepped out of cars, and some of Meghans friends gave glimpses into the lavish suite where the baby shower was held. Although no members of the royal family were in attendance, fans cant help but wonder what the typically private, low-key Queen Elizabeth would have to say about Meghans over-the-top baby shower. Royal family members typically dont have such events, and when they do, they are much more low-key. Did Harrys grandmother have mixed feelings about Meghans baby shower? Meghan Markle in NYC for her baby shower | Raymond Hall/GC Images Why was Meghan Markles baby shower so fancy? Hosted by her close friend, Serena Williams, Meghan Markles baby shower seemed to be more of a Hollywood event that an intimate gathering with friends. The shower is rumored to have cost over $200,000, with no expense spared. Fans were lined up in the streets to catch a glimpse of the pregnant Duchess of Sussex, and the event was filled with glitz and glamour. This is the atmosphere that a Hollywood starlet would certainly expect for a baby shower. H owever , across the pond in England, such gatherings are much more private, especially for a member of the royal family. Perhaps it was an opportunity for Meghan to spend quality time with her friends one last time before she enters the exciting journey of motherhood. Who attended Meghan Markles baby shower? In addition to Serena Williams, Meghans guests included her best friend and stylist Jessica Mulroney, Amal Clooney, and Gayle King. Other guests included some of Meghans former Suits co-stars, as well as her friend Taryn Toomey. Many people were surprised at the fact that sister-in-law Kate Middleton was not at the baby shower, but as it turns out, the Duchess of Cambridge was busy at home attending to her three small children. What happened at the royal baby shower? Meghan Markle | Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images While not every detail is known about exactly what went on at the baby shower, we do know that it was one spectacular party! In addition to a harpist, guests were treated to a cotton candy machine, amazing party favors, and decadent sweet treats prepared especially for them. An impressive display of flowers was delivered to the hotel where the shower was held and later were generously donated to charity. Queen Elizabeth most likely would have preferred that Meghan had a private, intimate gathering at Kensington Palace instead. Why would Queen Elizabeth have mixed feelings about Meghans baby shower? Many royal fans speculated Queen Elizabeth would have preferred that Meghan have a much quieter gathering that was not so high-profile. Queen Elizabeth herself did not make a statement regarding her feelings about the shower, but typically, its well-known that baby showers are an American tradition that British mothers-to-be often do not take part in. In England, if an expectant mother did choose to have a baby shower, it would be a small and informal gathering, unlike the showers that American women prefer. Its worth noting that Kate Middleton didnt have a baby shower for any of her three children. Fans feel that Meghan deserved a baby shower As we sat on the porch a while back basking in an early February shot of global warming here at Yonder Mountain, Elvis and me chilling as we watched Priscilla lead the rest of the pack chasing mice and other critters in the field that is our front yard, I waxed philosophical in regard to some of the lessons learned over the years. Raised a Christian, required by Martin Luthers gang to give up every Saturday morning at the age of 11 and 12, I always considered myself fortunate in regard to religious training. When one of the other kids asked Pastor Hardig how God could have built our universe in only six days, he responded by asking how we can know a days length before there were people thereby teaching us science and religion arent mutually exclusive as some would pontificate. But he was wont to say weird stuff like that to make us think. Religion, the theology of our familial circle, was taught in church, and at home. In school we learned about religion as well, but it was most often limited to general familiarization with the worlds major religions and their affect on the interaction between people of different belief systems. Those of us fortunate enough to have lived in diverse neighborhoods, perhaps later the opportunity to dittybop around the world doing Uncle Sams gig, or on our own, may have been exposed to devotees of those other religions. From my experience and observation it really doesnt matter much what religious philosophy one follows be it Christian, Jew, Hindu, Buddhist, Tao, Shinto, Sikh, Zoroastrian, Catholic, or any number of those followed by indigenous people around the world, they all follow the same simple, basic principles: Dont murder Dont hurt others Dont lie Dont mess with anyone elses stuff Help those who cannot help themselves Protect the weak Mind your own business But even these can be simplified to three little one syllable words, Do No Harm. Three one syllable words gosh, even elected officials of this, the greatest nation ever to grace the face of Planet Terra, these United States of America, and their appointed bureaucrats ought to be able to understand those. As we study the writings of the worlds great philosophers, it doesnt matter what era from whence they hail, their beliefs may all be simplified as well. Socrates, Plato, Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, Voltaire, Confucius, Pascal, Rand, Willie, Waylon and The Boys all of them Do No Harm. In a civil society many of us are called upon to make sacrifices for the greater good of all. Military, police, firefighters, public servants, true public servants, of all flavors, even Joe and DebbieJean ThelmaLiz Schmuckatelli are often called upon to sacrifice for the rest, sometimes the ultimate sacrifice in the case of our military and first responders. Some pledge an oath, others are forced by circumstance, but when the time comes to stand up it often appears to be harmful to the individual and his or her family. Its a price we pay to commune with others, to be a member of society. But therein lies the rub, everyone must agree to do no harm to one another unless absolutely necessary, or the culture cannot stand. Unless absolutely necessary Ive watched with interest the travails of Mr. Greg Vital... the Tennessee Valley Authority demanding a right to chop up his property, property he bought with his own money, money he earned, that wasnt given to him by some government entity as others such as Solyndra or Tesla Motors. Mr. Vital earned his through hard work and luck, if we adhere to Thomas Edisons definition of luck; preparedness meeting opportunity. But we must also set aside the fact Mr. Vital is one of those evil rich dudes of pasty white Anglo-European ancestry who didnt build that business hes so lucky to own solely due to his white privilege and wears glasses and probably drives an el spiffo vehicle. I think I got all the digs in there, most of them anyway the ones that give the Gimme Gang an assumed right to take what they have not earned. Looking at the map of the proposed TVA security site, theres a 500,000 volt transmission line that runs adjacent to the property. Why not drop a substation on the TVAs property, right at those adjacent supply lines and be done with it? If we consider 50 percent of all power generated in this, the greatest nation ever to grace the face of Planet Terra, these United States of America, is wasted in transmission and distribution, one might suppose shorter lines to be the order of any day instead of running them for miles. How much power will this facility use anyway? More than Northgate Mall or Erlanger Hospital? The transmission losses would decrease immensely for this facility, as would transmission line construction costs, power lines would be more secure, and private property owners wouldnt have their property chopped up. Do no harm... One might also wonder why a brand spanky new facility must be built with all of the coal-fired plant retirements recently announced. I mean, like, there are already facilities and security in place, power and communications routed and in place, add some spiffy landscaping and... yeeha baby! Theres a brand spanky new facility. In industry, out here in the real world where we must pay attention to profits and losses and returns on investment, we call this repurposing of assets. Its a method of cutting costs and conserving resources when we dont have taxpayers or ratepayers to pick up the tab for extravagance. Considering the TVA no longer receives congressionally appropriated funds (think Federal Acquisition Register), all expenditures fall to the ratepayer for funding. What is the TVAs present debt load? Can they justify these expenditures? To be sure, the TVA is a corporation, but a federally owned corporation id est, owned by the tax payers and sometimes voters of this, the greatest nation ever to grace the face of Planet Terra, these United States of America. Where are our elected leaders when these situations arise? Are they paying attention? Are they demanding efficiency of use and accountability for funds expended? Are they demanding the process be slowed, everyone take a few deep breaths, so all options might be analyzed? Is this a situation in which someone made a decision and they refuse to be questioned, perhaps Mr. Vital being a Republican when he should have been a Democrat, or should have stayed out of political arenas into which he wasnt invited? Unless absolutely necessary It would appear Mr. Vital might do well to hire a retired power industry construction consultant, or several, who wouldnt be dependent upon the industry for future income, to have an analysis done. How often do we see government, the hired help of We The Peeps, the tax paying and sometimes voting citizens of this, the greatest nation ever to grace the face of Planet Terra, these United States of America, do irreparable harm, either intentionally or unintentionally, to the very people who pay their salaries? I-I-I-I-I'm not your steppin' stone I-I-I-I-I'm not your steppin' stone Goodnight Peter. You were a relic of kinder and gentler days days when we could understand words to music and every other word wasnt lewd, crude, and socially unacceptable. Were surrounded. Outnumbered 29 to 1. That simplifies the problem. Now we dont have to hunt em. They cant get away from us now! Goodnight Chesty, wherever you are. You were a relic of a time when men were men, women were women, and people generally settled their differences face to face, not slithering around in the shadows like snakes. Royce Burrage, Jr. Royce@Officially Chapped.org An update on the status of chronic wasting disease (CWD) was presented during the first meeting of 2019 which concluded Friday at the Duck Unlimited national headquarters. Chuck Yoest, CWD coordinator for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, made a presentation on the agencys chronic wasting disease response. Yoest informed the commission the agency has sampled more than 4,800 deer this season in Tennessee. Also, he shared that 62 samples from Hardeman and Fayette counties have been confirmed CWD positive. The agency anticipates more positive CWD results from these areas since it is placing a heavy emphasis on sampling there according to its response plan. Yoest also said that public meeting held in Bolivar earlier in January in regard to CWD, had an attendance of about 400. Jamie Feddersen, TWRA migratory gamebird program leader, gave a preview of the 2019-20 season. Changes in the federal framework require the TWRA to update its proclamation each year. The changes presented at the meeting were based mainly on hunter input. Anticipated federal rules will now allow states to have Jan. 31 as the last day of duck season. Previously federal rules prevented states from having duck season any later than the last Sunday in January. Hunter input indicates the desire to end the duck season Jan. 31. The agency recommends the Reelfoot Foot Zone phase 1 season be Nov. 16-19 and the statewide phase 1 season Nov. 29-Dec. 2. The Reelfoot and statewide zone phase 2 season would be Dec. 7-Jan. 31. For woodcock season, there was support to provide more hunting days in January so the agency is proposing a split season. For crow, there was support for more hunting days in cooler weather, The agency is also proposing a split season for crow. There was a presentation from Ducks Unlimited representative DUs Dave Kostersky. On his annual visit from DU Canada, he reported that there was another dry fall and again officials were hoping for a wet spring in the habitat corridor. He annually makes the visit to provide an update on the partnership and conditions in Canada. Frank Fiss, TWRA Fisheries Division chief, presented an overview of the fish dealer license to address TFWC questions about license requirements. A fish dealer license is required for bait dealers, fish farmers and operators of pay lakes. In Tennessee, anglers who fish at a licensed pay lake are not required to have a fishing license. This exemption is common among most surrounding states. Dale Hall, Ducks Unlimited chief executive officer, was honored by the TFWC with a resolution. He has been DUs top official since 2010 and previously served the U.S. Fish and Wildlife for 31 years, the four as its director. The commission will consider four rulemaking changes. The TWRA is establishing rules regarding public record requests and will consider changes to the fees associated with motorized boat registrations. The commissions established a permanent Tennessees Native Son license. When initially created, the Native Son license had an expiration date of Feb. 28, 2019. The change allows the TWRA to continue selling the Native Son license into the future. The commission passed an amended rule in regard to permit and access fees for non-motorized vessels the rule creates a permit for outfitters that establishes minimum operating standards and associated fees. Your sins will find you out! This ancient adage rings as true today as ever. Newspaper headlines and daily news broadcasts have affirmed this in recent days. Racist comments made decades ago; similarly insensitive costumes that were worn in years past; instances of sexual harassment and, worse yet, sexual assault. All have risen out of the ashes of personal history to haunt elected officials, candidates for public office, business executives, Hollywood celebrities, and even some religious leaders. Misdeeds of the past have a disconcerting way of re-emerging to disrupt the dreams and ambitions of people seeking to gain positions of public trust. This sobering warning actually originated with Moses, speaking to the Reubenites and Gadites, two of the tribes of Israel. They wanted to settle on one side of the Jordan River with their families and livestock while the rest of the Israelites prepared to cross the Jordan, where they intended to establish their new homes. According to the Old Testament, the soldiers of Reuben and Gad vowed to first join their fellow Israelites in taking the land God had promised to them, before returning to the other side of the river. After being persuaded the Reubenites and Gadites were sincere, not seeking to escape their obligations, Moses warned, "But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out (Numbers 32:23). Thinking about this, Im reminded we cant undo the past, no matter how much wed like to do so. Not one of us would want our lifetime collection of warts, flaws and poor choices openly displayed for public review. Poor or unwise judgment and behavior in the past are like getting tattoos. They seemed like a good idea at the time, but in retrospect we cant help but wonder, What was I thinking? King Solomon wisely observed, There is not a righteous man on earth, who does right and never sins (Ecclesiastes 7:20). The apostle Paul, once notorious as a zealous enemy of Christians, piggybacked on Solomons declaration, then elaborated when he wrote, There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless, there is no one who does good, not even one (Romans 3:10-12). After Paul continued his harsh appraisal of the natural state of humankind, he finally asserted, For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). If we as imperfect, fallible people find ourselves shocked, even incensed by others words and deeds, imagine how our holy, all-righteous God must feel not only about theirs, but also ours? This is why Jesus Christ admonished against our fondness for judging and assessing others. However, it wasnt simply to condemn those who come across as judgmental and holier than thou. He said, Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Matthew 7:1-2). Sometimes when I watch or listen to the 24/7 media ranting relentlessly about someones failures, I wonder how many of those same commentators, if we peered into their personal lives and histories would be found guilty of the same or similar misdeeds, or perhaps worse? As Paul wrote elsewhere in his letter to the church in Rome, You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things (Romans 2:1). He remembered well, even citing some of his own past sins. Are we as willing to openly acknowledge our own? Writing to another group of believers in the Greek city of Corinth, the apostle also warned, Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall, also recognizing, No temptation has seized you except what is common to man (1 Corinthians 10:12-13). To put this into todays vernacular, when we point fingers at someone elses wrongdoing, the remaining fingers are pointing back at ourselves. Thankfully, the God who revealed Himself in the Bible is far more forgiving than the court of public opinion and the ever-accusing media. Despite being perfect and holy, He offers forgiveness, cleansing and a literal new start through Jesus. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Referring to His impending death on the cross while serving the Passover meal to His followers, Jesus explained, This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28). So while past sins could possibly be brought to the public consciousness, especially if were in the public eye (not a good place to be these days, it seems), once weve confessed them and received forgiveness from God, Hell never revisit them again. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12). And thats why its called, Good News! - - - - Robert J. Tamasy is a veteran journalist, former newspaper editor and magazine editor. Bob has written hundreds of magazine articles, and authored, co-authored and edited more than 15 books. These include the newly re-published, Business At Its Best, Tufting Legacies, The Heart of Mentoring, and Pursuing Life With a Shepherds Heart. He edits a weekly business meditation, Monday Manna, which is translated into more than 20 languages and distributed via email around the world by CBMC International. To read more of Bob Tamasys writings, you can visit his blog, www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com, or his website (now being completed), www.bobtamasy-readywriterink.com. He can be emailed at btamasy@comcast.net. A 21-year-old woman was killed in a single-vehicle traffic crash on Broad Street early Sunday morning. The victim was Lexus Chambers. At approximately 1:43 a.m., Chattanooga Police were notified of a crash in the 2200 block of Broad Street. CPD's Traffic/DUI Division responded to the scene. ehicle left the roadway to the right. It then struck the column holding the bridge. It then struck the column holding the bridge. It was found that a Ford Crown Victoria was traveling south on Broad Street when the v Ms. Chambers, passenger in the vehicle, was fatally injured in the collision and was pronounced dead at the scene by Hamilton County EMS. The driver, 23-year-old Brian Eagle, was transported by EMS to a local hospital with serious injuries. Members of the Col. Jonathan Return Meigs Society, Children of the American Revolution presented a 50th Anniversary Vietnam pin to Rodger Poteet Members of the Col. Jonathan Return Meigs Society, Children of the American Revolution presented a 50th Anniversary Vietnam pin to Rodger Poteet Members of the Col. Jonathan Return Meigs Society, Children of the American Revolution presented a 50th Anniversary Vietnam pin to Rodger Poteet Members of the Col. Jonathan Return Meigs Society, Children of the American Revolution, gathered together Saturday evening to present a 50th Anniversary Vietnam pin to a local veteran. Rodger Poteet served in the 4th Infantry division during combat operations in the Republic of Vietnam. He served in The United States Army from July 21, 1966 to July 12, 1967. Mr. Poteet was eating dinner with his wife when he was unexpectedly greeted by the members of the C.A.R. The C.A.R members presented Mr. Poteet with a pin, a certificate and some homemade goodies. With handshakes and hugs, Mr. Poteet was properly welcomed home and thanked for his service. More information on the 50th Anniversary Vietnam pin can be found https://www.vietnamwar50th.com/ Raysut Cement of Oman to acquire Sohar Cement 25 February 2019 Raysut Cement Co SAOG has informed Muscat Securities Market (MSM) that it has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with the shareholders of Sohar Cement Factory LLC of Oman, with respect to the purchase of all its shares. According to Ghose Jotirmoy Pratul Krishina, CEO of Raysut Cement, the parties are currently discussing the terms of the proposed acquisition and company will keep its shareholders informed of any significant future developments as and when they happen. With a 240tph grinding unit, Sohar Cement is the Omans third cement plant after Oman Cement and Raysut Cement. The facility was developed by a partnership between Sohar Cement, holding 70 per cent of the equity and UAE-based Fujairah Cement Co, owning the remaining 30 per cent of the equity at Phase 7 of Suhar Industrial Estate, one of the several industrial parks administered by the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) around Oman. The Raysut Group has produced 2.967Mt of clinker and 2.913Mt of cement in 2017 against 3.308Mt of clinker and 3.759Mt of cement, respectively in 2018. The overall production of clinker went down by 10 per cent and cement by 22 per cent. Published under Bangladesh reports fall in cement export for 7MFY19 25 February 2019 Bangladesh's cement industry recorded a fall of 15.27 per cent in export revenue to US$6.55m during the first seven months of FY18-19 (July-January, 2019) compared to US$7.73m, earned in the same months last year, according to the Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau. The export figure also includes a minor amount of salt, stone and related products. The seven months export is also short of target by 18.54 per cent set by the government for the 7MFY19, ie US$8.04m. Bangladesh's government has set an export target of US$14m for cement industry for the FY18-19 (July 2018-June 2018), against US$12.59m from last fiscal year. The target was based on anticipation of 11.2 per cent growth in export of cement. Presently, cement is reportedly being exported to India, Myanmar, Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka. Published under Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription, or activate your access, to continue reading. Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte added to his long list of criticisms of the Catholic Church, saying that the religion will disappear completely in 25 years due to the clergy's sexual abuse scandals. Richwood, TX (77531) Today Isolated thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low 77F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Isolated thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low 77F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. You are our people. You Care. We Care2. 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. 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. news, latest-news It was another so-so week for police public relations. As usual, it was trying to straitjacket any news into its own public relations construct of itself. But the image is fraying. We have had a year of record police and Border Force seizures of serious illegal drugs, including cocaine, ice, ecstasy and heroin and another record year for exuberant media conferences at which senior police bureaucrats take credit for the successes of their underlings. And then the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission has to come out this week with the results of testing for drug residues in the national sewage systems. It showed that there have never been so many dangerous drugs available. The net value of illegal drugs sold has never been so high, and that there was not the faintest bit of evidence that police activity has had the slightest effect on drug demand or supply, whether in local or national markets. The PR impression that slowly the cops are making an impression is wrong. Even if some cops believe otherwise. There were some minor changes in patterns of drug consumption. Heroin is mildly less popular than it was, ecstasy consumption is steady, cocaine consumption increased by about 33 per cent to 4.1 tonnes. The consumption of methylamphetamines, including ice, increased by about 15 per cent and is now nearly 10 tonnes a year. Ironically, the odd police seizure, at times of up to a tonne, may have helped prop up the prices and the profits obtained by distributors, particularly the dreaded members of outlaw motorcycle gangs. Meanwhile, in a senate estimates committee the last one for this parliament other AFP forensic triumphs were on display. Such as the mysterious case of who tipped off the reptiles of the media to an imminent AFP raid on offices of the Australian Workers Union last year resulting in news crews and TV cameramen setting up their cameras even before the police arrived, to the bemusement of those about to be raided. The AFP believes it knows who leaked the information, but the DPP doesnt think the cops can prove it. The DPP thought it had no such problems with the prosecution of former Deputy Tax Commissioner, Michael Cranston. But it was wrong. He was acquitted by a Supreme Court jury of using his position to influence an ATO investigation of his son, accused, along with an array of others of a major fraud on taxpayers by rorting the payroll tax system. He was probably acquitted because jurors believed him, rather than because they had a reasonable doubt about his guilt. Cranston, and the others yet to face trial, had been swept up in coordinated dawn raids. They had been timed to suit a media strategy, not the other way around. The AFP wanted to make a big bang and get glory for the detectives. That doing so blackguarded the names and reputations of all of those who were to be charged, treating them as though they had already been convicted, was a coincidence, apparently. Normally, under what is called the sub judice rule police and the media are heavily restricted in what they can say about a defendant after he, or she, has been charged. At a press conference, a mass of detail about the investigation, including flow charts of how it was said that the fraud worked, was given to the press and broadcast to the world. All day long, AFP media officers helped media outlets with photos, footage of the press conference and copies of the flow charts. It was only after all this had occurred, and thorough prejudice done to all of the defendants, but particularly to Mike Cranston, that formal charges were laid and people brought before the courts. The timing of the charging was no coincidence; it had been planned that way. On trial last week, Cranston was frank about the interventions he had made, but insistent that he had made inquiries through others, to whom he had disclosed his interest, so as not to interfere with the investigation. No one was surprised at his acquittal, but his career is over. The AFP cant make omelettes without breaking eggs. Meanwhile, the AFP Commissioner, Andie Colvin confiding to senators that he is cogitating about what to do with a request from Mike Pezzullo, secretary of the department of home affairs, that the AFP investigate a leak, to the Australian, of a classified home affairs submission attacking the Labor Party position on medical evacuations from Manus and Nauru. The headline suggested that ASIO was playing party politics, and damning Labor boat people policy for running the risk of opening the floodgates. ASIO had said no such thing. It had merely indicated, at a gathering of agencies in Home Affairs, that it would be next to impossible to prepare security assessments in 24 hours, as some draft legislation has suggested the floodgates argument being used by the government in the home of a boat-people election is the (entirely consistent and predictable) view of Pezzullo. Last weekend, I was very critical of Duncan Lewis, for his failure to immediately disassociate himself from The Australians report, saying his failure to do so had seriously damaged the organisation. We may not know who actually leaked the home affairs submission, that incorporated some ASIO technical comments. But Home Affairs minister Peter Dutton was entirely unembarrassed about associating ASIO and the governments security advisers generally with Pezzullos view. He was verballing them. On Monday too late but better late than never Lewis did what he should have done the week before. The publicity given to his distancing ASIO from the Pezzullo document undid some of the earlier damage to the organisation. Meanwhile Pezzullo, himself angry about the leak, and fairly sure it had come from his ministers office, referred the leak to the AFP for investigation. He did it without consulting the minister. But the AFP commissioner has yet to decide whether to start such an investigation. Hes 'evaluating' the request. On form, its hard to understand his caution about fingering the minister or his office. One can be sure, based on history, that the investigation will last until well after the next election, and, most likely end up without result, or unwillingness to prosecute from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. On the cui bono principle, Blind Freddy could solve this crime in a minute. But AFP officers do not seem to know Blind Freddy, and have failed in cases where the culprit has seemed even more obvious. It might be unfair to suggest timorousness, or desire either to ingratiate or at the least not offend, the government of the day. Suffice in the 40 years we have had the AFP I have not known the AFP to solve a single crime or leak inquiry if the result has had the potential to embarrass the government of the day. It is not a partisan matter; the AFP is just as obsequious and attentive when Labor in power, one of the reasons Labor tends to exempt it from criticism, on the 'dog dont eat dog' rule. The idea of asking questions of Dutton and his office we can take it they individually and severally deny leaking, even if after, they had the document declassified so that it could be quoted is under evaluation, Colvin told estimates. For every matter like this we receive we evaluate what avenues of inquiry are open to us, what the prospects of a successful investigation will be, he said. We are going through that. Whether an offence has been committed, what the nature and the context of the document that has been leaked, what its protection and classification is - we are going through that process at the moment ... we need to satisfy ourselves that the alleged activity matches the elements of the crimes that are available to us. That, apparently, is before one finds out what evidence there is of such a crime. I doubt that Duttons office is losing much sleep over the prospect of being fanged by the AFP tiger. Licked to death more likely. Consider the ignominious end of its nine-month intensive investigation into a tip-off of journalists about the AFP raid on AWU offices. We know, inter alia from evidence in an associated Federal Court case, that among those who tipped off journalists was a minder in the office of Michael Keenan, then the minister for justice and the minister with responsibility for the AFP. No doubt by complete coincidence, the AFP had given Keenans office earlier a heads up about the impending raid. This minder, apparently, talked with folk in Michaelia Cashs office. Someone there had already been tipped off via a press officer in the Registered Organisations Commission, a person about to shift in Cashs office. After the news also came in from Keenans office, the PR people in both Cashs office and Keenans offices divided among themselves the job of tipping off the media. Keenan and Cash indignantly deny any knowledge of this leaking, or the authorisation of it. The ROC investigation, which she had urged on the independent ROC but not directed, was to provide an occasion to attack Bill Shorten for authorising an AWU donation to Get Up. Among Liberals and people who worked in the trade union royal commission (including the present DPP) it seems to be settled doctrine that such a donation was not properly authorised and was in breach of some law or other. But the case is far from convincing and even the royal commissioner, suggestible on anything reflecting ill on trade unions, ended up being unimpressed with the case, gathered, mostly by AFP investigators, that Shorten was an ogre. A more convincing case was made out that Shorten was a pussycat who talked tough, but put his own interests, and the interests of the union bureaucracy, ahead of members. The senate committee was told that neither Keenan nor Cash had been very cooperative with the police investigation into the leak. Six others, of about 60 questioned, had also refused to answer questions. When police asked that Cash cooperate in preparing a statement, she contented herself with supplying the police with a copy of what she had said in Hansard. She doesnt seem to have answered questions. Cash has continually sought to avoid scrutiny of what she did, if anything, the fact of one inquiry or court case or privilege to claim that she is inhibited in what she can say. It may look does not evasive and fishy, but the mere appearance is not evidence, whether of guilty acts, or guilty intentions. In estimates, Assistant Commissioner Leanne Close made generous allowance for Cashs 'right', along with the others who did not cooperate, to stay mum. Strictly any suspect has that right. But should a still serving minister be allowed to avoid public accountability behind such a right? Can a serving politician 'claim the Fifth' as the Americans might say and survive politically? If there is to be a principle involved, it should be something like a claim of diplomatic immunity in a serious matter: one can invoke the immunity once, and immunity will be granted. But the price is that one exit the jurisdiction in the case of a minister or ministerial staffer, resign. I should have thought that a bold investigator would have pursued questions, and cajoled some answers, not least with a threat of going to the prime minister or going public. Close said there was evidence of the destruction of emails and other documents dare one say incriminating ones in both ministerial offices. I imagine that this might be able to be framed as an attempt to pervert the course of justice something one might not expect a minister for justice to have said about his office. Or Cash, herself a lawyer after all. But the supreme irony is that the AFP leapt into the Australian Workers' Union raid affair, all guns blazing with warrants and squadrons of police, because of a suspicion said to abide in a ROC heart - that destruction of evidence might occur in the Australian Workers' Union office. We do not know how much basis there was for this suspicion - it is never very hard to get a warrant from an ACT magistrate, and some, as a recent case demonstrated, do not even seem to know about parliamentary privilege. But leaking confidential government information is regarded, perhaps wrongly, as a quite serious crime. So is the destruction of documents relevant to a criminal inquiry. By contrast document destruction by the AWU if it happened would be of evidence that might have been relevant to an administrative not a criminal - offence, and might not be an offence at all. The AFP has inverted the seriousness of the offences. They did the same in rating the ROC request as important in its usual prioritisation process, and by responding in the usual over the top when it performs raids on alleged terrorists. The leak investigation was long. But it seems to have been timorous, tentative and scared to offend. Certainly, an AFP which did not hesitate to get a warrant to secure Australian Workers' Union documents does not seem to have thought of doing the same thing for ministerial office documents. One might imagine as well that the resources of the AFP include the capacity to retrieve deleted material from government computers. Sadly, it seems that investigators were too polite to press any points, perhaps for fear that ministers might get angry at them. But despite these self-inflicted handicaps, the AFP investigators were apparently able to prepare a brief identifying at least some of those involved in the leaking. The investigators and the AFP legal chaps were confident that it went beyond a prima facie case, and that convictions were likely. But the DPP disagreed. Because two ministers and six minders or public servants had not cooperated, there were gaps in the evidence and conviction was not virtually certain. Message: when theres a leak inquiry, refuse to talk. If the police wont walk away, the DPP will. The AFP has accepted the verdict gracefully, and dropped everything. The beauty of this, moreover, is that the public will never know anything about the processes by which the matter leaked, including about the role, if any, of the AFP media team. They will of course piously blame the DPP rather than a less than wholehearted investigation, even as they gleefully deny access to the brief and any sort of public accountability. On matters such as this, the DPP will say complacently: dont blame me, I am just the messenger telling you your case is not good enough. Perhaps, but it is remarkable how ready prosecutors have been to prosecute some weak cases, such as the case against Cranston, or, during the days of Dr Haneef and DPP Budd, an entirely misconceived case luckily aborted by other, more sensible folk. I am surprised that regulatory agencies that copped a flogging from the Hayne commission for failure to prosecute crooked banks and financial advisers did not answer that it was the chronic incapacity of the DPP to get convictions that made them look for other pathways. Its a sorry story, and from a sorry and poorly led police force. It is an organisation given more and more resources and powers of surveillance and evidence gathering, even as its outcomes, whether in drugs, in leak inquiries and other matters in the public eye, are, in the modern managerialist phrase less than optimal. It is time the AFP, and its culture, was subject to searching external review. The public, and government, deserves a whole lot better. Jack Waterford is a former editor of The Canberra Times. jwaterfordcanberra@gmail.com /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/21dc2fbf-df7e-4371-9738-ea59851b664b/r0_35_2000_1165_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news Dennis Maddock never realised the damage that 19 years in the military was wreaking inside his mind until it was too late. As an officer, he took part in some of the fiercest fighting in East Timor. Each traumatic incident built up inside him until the cumulative distress broke his psyche and he went down with severe depression. Ive been shot at. Ive run into fires where we dont know whats going to happen when were inside the fire," he said. But the mental pain was tougher than the physical. "Its the hardest thing Ive ever faced." He had no way of knowing how the repeated incidents of violence were affecting him. He didn't have the right tools. But now he does and he is teaching others a new way of monitoring mental health. It's called the "Road to Mental Readiness" - R2MR - and it's a method used in Canada by the military and fire, ambulance and police staff. It's being imported by Lifeline Canberra, which helps people in danger of taking their own lives. "It's a totally new concept for Australia," Lifeline Canberra chief executive Carrie Leeson said. At the core is a way of monitoring small changes in behaviour that are warning signs of bigger, on-coming mental problems. People who work in potentially traumatic occupations are taught to think of their mental state in colours from green (healthy) through yellow and orange to red (very ill). Each stage lists a whole set of symptoms like irritability, alcohol over-use or sleeplessness right up to suicidal thoughts in the worst, red zone. All employees in vulnerable professions are trained to spot their own and their colleagues' symptoms. Mr Maddock said that if the system had been there as his mental condition deteriorated, he would have been able to spot the early warning signs. "It would have prevented me going down," he said. "I would have been able to understand what was happening." The method has already been used in Canada and assessed rigorously by academics who have pronounced it effective. In the city of Mississauga on Lake Ontario, for example, fire-fighters use it. Fire Chief Tim Beckett said one of the benefits was that it reduced the stigma attached to mental illness, particularly among men in macho jobs where toughness is at a premium. He said that under the scheme, problems became more easily shared. A colleague might say, "Are you OK mate? Want to talk?" When people come back from a horrific incident, they discuss their own feelings. Managers are trained to spot bad signs. Apart from the way of identifying mental issues that are building up, another part of the R2MR program involves teaching people how to breathe deeply and lower tension in frightening situations, either on the battlefield or in civilian emergencies like road crashes or fires. It's called "tactical breathing". Police might use these techniques to lower stress before bursting into a house with hostages, for example. Soldiers and emergency workers also learn techniques to boost their confidence to counter the self-doubt that trauma and fear induces, sometimes during an operation. First responders sometimes have feelings of guilt if they have not been able to save a life, even where the situation was so bad that no life could have been saved by even the best of people. The program helps the responders talk through that situation, sometimes with each other and sometimes just internally, inside their own minds. In Canada, one of the fire fighters in Mississauga endorsed the system. Allan Mills barely escaped with his life in two big explosions, once where a warehouse caught fire and a wall collapsed on him and two comrades, and the other where an Air France jet crashed at Toronto airport in 2005. He told The Canberra Times that in the first explosion, "I was thrown 20 feet through the air and was buried under a collapsed concrete block wall. I was uncovered from the rubble and dragged four hundred feet through concrete debris by my crew mate to escape the inferno." And in the second traumatic event when the Airbus A340 crashed, Mr Mills said, "We carried the last passenger suffering from a broken femur to safety just before the aircraft fuel tanks exploded in flames. My crew mate and I were beside the tail section and had to run to escape the fire and debris raining down on us." He has suffered mentally and physically ever since. He said one of the benefits of the program coming from Canada to Australia is that it brings mental stress into the open. "When I came into the job, older firefighters were struggling. You had to be the tough guy. That was me. I was the officer of the crew and after so many years of it, it was wearing me down," he said. "If I'd had this program in the early days, I could have recognised my own drop in resilience." It has already been endorsed by an Australian hero who has been to Canada and seen the program in operation. In 1996, police officer Allan Sparkes rescued an 11-year-old boy from a flooded storm water drain despite being repeatedly swept away by the torrent. He's been awarded Australia's highest decoration for bravery, the Cross of Valour. But the trauma damaged him mentally: "There was just this sense of hopelessness with my situation that I believed I could never ever recover from." He wished the Road to Mental Readiness program had been there for him. It helps by "giving people hope that they can get back to health again". /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/c6bb3684-3c53-4a50-b338-329bf4a009a9/r0_228_4039_2510_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. A Newport lawyer accused of committing lewd acts around two female employees and violating conflict of interest rules by engaging in a sexual relationship with a divorce client had his license to practice law suspended for two years in April by the states professional responsibility board. We accept many different kinds of announcements. Just click on the button below and submit a form. Submit By Olivia Rose THE TCI and other British overseas territories will simultaneously leave the European Unions Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA) this March. The move will occur in line with the United Kingdoms exit from the EU, Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinsons revealed at a press conference on Tuesday (February 19). The premier informed the media that she will soon be attending the final European Union - Overseas Countries and Territories (EU-OCT) Forum for British overseas territories. She said: "Next week I will travel to French Polynesia to attend the final EU-OCT forum for nine of us British overseas territories countries. "This will be the final forum for British overseas territories as we too will be exiting the OCTA where we have served as members and on two occasions as chairman from 2003, she said. The purpose of the OCTA is to improve economic development in overseas countries and territories and cooperation with the European Union. Most of OCTAs current members are British overseas territories. Their exit will prompt an array of operational and strategic constraints for the association. In preparation for the ministerial conference in early 2019, the executive committee decided to commission a legal consultant to advise on the various options available for the continued partnership with the British overseas territories. OCTA has already informed member states that in early August it will publish its position on the new Overseas Association Decision - the legislative framework that outlines the OCTs relationship with the EU. A follow-up meeting between the three member states and OCTs is scheduled for mid-September. The United Kingdom has assured leaders of the UK overseas territories that all ongoing projects will continue to receive funding until 2020, one year after Brexit takes effect. This was announced at the recently concluded Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) meeting in London. UK overseas territories benefit significantly from projects and initiatives funded under existing EU agreements, including funding for the education sector, infrastructure, marine biodiversity and security. On June 23, 2016, the people of Britain voted for a British exit, or Brexit, from the European Union in a historic referendum. The announcement prompted jubilant celebrations among Eurosceptics around Europe and sent shockwaves through the global economy. China Has Achieved Goals of Deleveraging Campaign, Financial Watchdog Says By Wu Hongyuran, Wu Xiaomeng and Lin Jinbing / Feb 25, 2019 07:44 PM / Economy China has achieved the desired goals for its structural deleveraging campaign, the countrys top banking and insurance regulator said Monday, marking the official assessment of the nationwide debt-cutting campaign that aims to contain economic risks. Chinas macro-leverage ratio, or the ratio of its total debt to its gross domestic product, has stabilized since last year, reversing the trend of previous years in which the ratio rose by an average of more than 10 percentage points, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) said in a statement. China launched the deleveraging campaign in late 2015 to curb the excessive borrowing of local governments, financial institutions, businesses and individuals. Yet the campaigns one-size-fits-all methodology has faced criticism especially from the small and private businesses that suffered the most and is widely believed to have led to the countrys economic slowdown. In mid-2018, China adjusted the pace and strength of the campaign. Over two years of hard work, several kinds of financial misconduct have been effectively curbed, Wang Zhaoxing, a vice chairman of the CBIRC, said at a Monday press briefing. Illegal financial businesses, shadow banking activities and overheated real-estate financing have all been effectively regulated, he said. China has also flouted the predictions of some in the international community who said that the countrys huge growth in shadow banking and the overheating of real-estate financing would trigger systemic financial risks or even a financial crisis, Wang added. Related: Ling Huawei: How to Fix the Deleveraging Campaign A group of community volunteers measured the feet of all the Lake City Elementary School students for the new brand-named shoes that will be coming in March or April. photo by Mike Dunn Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. University College Dublin (UCD) today announced the results of its latest survey of companies supported through NovaUCD, the Universitys Centre for New Ventures and Entrepreneurs, since it opened 15 years ago. UCD has supported over 360 companies and early-stage ventures through the services and supports provided by NovaUCD. The combined annual turnover of the companies surveyed amounted to over 113 million in 2018 and collectively they currently employ over 1,040 people directly, more than 950 of whom are based in Ireland. The supported companies which operate in sectors include AgTech, CleanTech, FinTech, ICT, MedTech and Life Sciences. The companies have raised over 760 million in equity funding. At NovaUCD, new high-tech and knowledge-intensive start-up companies are nurtured and supported to enable them to develop, scale and create jobs. Early-stage ventures have additionally completed programmes run by NovaUCD, such as the UCD VentureLaunch Accelerator Programme (and its predecessor the Campus Company Development Programme) and the UCD Start-Up Stars Programme. Since 2003, 45 new UCD spin-out companies have been incorporated and over 825 inventions have been disclosed by UCD researchers. Additionally, over 280 priority patent applications have been filed and more than 200 licensing deals have been concluded with a range of indigenous and international businesses such as Amdocs, Amryt and Glanbia. Speaking today, UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact, Professor Orla Feely said, "University College Dublin is committed to playing a key role in Irelands innovation ecosystem as an enabler of economic growth and as a contributor to economic and social development. At UCD NovaUCD is responsible for the commercialisation of our research outputs, supporting start-ups and more established companies to scale globally and create jobs, and todays results clearly demonstrate its success and impact over the last 15 years." Source: www.businessworld.ie The promoter group of Reliance Infrastructure, Reliance Power and Reliance Capital, led by Anil Ambani's family and his companies, earned a total dividend of Rs 517.74 crore since Ericsson took the company to court over unpaid dues. Anil Ambani's Reliance Communications has to pay Ericsson Rs 550 crore. Including interest, the total dues stand at Rs 571 crores. A part of the due money will be paid from the income tax refund of Rs 118 crore which the Reliance Communications deposited to the Supreme Court on January 9, 2019. The apex court has already directed the court registry to pay this money to Ericsson within a week. Meanwhile, Reliance Communications Group has requested urgent approval from its lenders to release close to Rs 260 crore received as income tax refunds, lying in the lenders' bank account, directly to Ericsson. The above two sources of funds add up to Rs 378 crore. Anil Ambani would still have to pay a remaining amount of Rs 193 crore to Ericsson in the next four weeks. It remains to be seen if the dividend earnings is tapped to pay the remaining amount. In the last three financial years, the promoter group of Reliance Power, Reliance Infrastructure and Reliance Capital has earned a total dividend of Rs 967.57 crore. In fact, Reliance Capital, through an exchange filing, has hinted there's a roadmap to repay Ericsson, without referring to the dividend. "RCOM is confident of raising the balance approx. Rs. 200 crore for payment to Ericsson, in order that the entire Rs 550 crore plus interest thereon stands paid to Ericsson well within the time of 4 weeks allowed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court," Reliance Communication spokesperson said earlier this week after the SC verdict. There's also been another interesting development related to a Reliance Group company that occurred on the same day the Supreme Court ordered Anil Ambani to pay up. Reliance Capital in a stock exchange filing offered its entire stake of up to 42.88 per cent in Reliance Nippon Life Management (RNAM) to its partner Nippon Life Asset Management. Nippon Life Insurance already holds 42.88 percent stake in RNAM. What share of the offered stake will Nippon Life Asset Management buy from Reliance Capital is not yet decided. But importantly, if Nippon Life Asset Management takes up the proposal, Reliance Capital will lose control of RNAM, which is its most valuable company by market capitalisation. RNAM has a market cap of Rs 11,447.46 crore. The apex court had come down heavily on Anil Ambani for his 'cavalier attitude' towards the court's previous orders. Rejecting the RCom's and Ambani's unconditional apology, the court directed Ambani, and two directors of his telecom arm, to pay a separate Rs 1 crore fine. "The court has directed RCom group to purge the contempt of this court by payment to Ericsson the sum of INR 453 crore within a period of for weeks starting today," the court said. The apex court also ruled that, "In default of such payment, the Chairmen who have given undertakings to this Court will suffer three months' imprisonment". The Manduadih railway station in Varanasi has been revamped into a world-class station. Equipped with the latest amenities, the Manduadih railway station is nothing short of an airport. Its stunning station building along with the new passenger-friendly amenities have made this station a class apart. The railway station is now equipped with facilities like air-condition waiting lounge, stainless steel lounges, LED lights. The Indian Railways has also added fountains to beautify the premises. The station also has cafeteria, food court, booking and reservation office, waiting rooms and more. The Manduadih railway station will also offer employment to Varanasi citizens. Sharing a video of the station, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said: "Manduadih Station of Varanasi is providing a new experience for travellers with its cleanliness and beautification, world-class facilities. This station, which revives the ancient glory of Kashi, is going to be one of the most beautiful stations in the country." Visuals of Manduadih railway station in Manduadih area of Varanasi. pic.twitter.com/nBMW1IbqaZ - ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 23, 2019 In a series of revamp, the Indian Railways is planning to make over railway stations across the country. The Piyush Goyal-helmed ministry is also looking to revamp two prominent railway stations, Habibganj and Gandhi Nagar. New Delhi railway station, Jaipur, Mathura, and Haridwar junctions have been renovated recently too. The Indian Railway Station Development Corporation (IRSDC) is set to invest an amount of Rs 7,500 crore in 2019 to develop as many as 50 railway stations and revamp existing ones. Also read: Train 18: Vande Bharat Express to soon run on three new routes; check out details Also read: National War Memorial: PM Modi to inaugurate structure remembering martyrs today Though the Jet Airways shareholders have approved a debt rejig plan for the Naresh Goyal-led airline, pilots are yet to receive a part of their November salary. Frustrated over the inordinate delay in disbursement of salaries, pilots have now issued a stern warning to the airline authorities. In a communication, pilots warned of "non-cooperation" from March 1 if the airline authorities fail to disburse their salaries. The Jet Airways Pilots Union is expected to get an update on the matter by Monday. "(Around) 25 per cent of November salary will be paid on 26 February. Discussions for further payout to continue. Expect an update on 25 February. In case of unsatisfactory outcome, non-cooperation will begin from 1 March," National Aviator's Guild (NAG), which comprises over 1,135 pilots as its members, said in a statement, reported Mint. Grappling with acute financial woes, the full service carrier is looking to restructure debt and raise funds. Jet Airways has been making salary payments to many of its employees, including pilots, in a staggered manner, amid financial crunch. Reports suggest that the state-run lender SBI is also mulling moving the National Company Law Tribunal as it feels the airline is running out of funds for operations. Shareholders of Jet Airways had approved conversion of loan into shares and other proposals during the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on Thursday. A consortium of banks, led by the SBI, has extended loans to Jet Airways, which is looking to rejig debt and raise funds. Officials associated with the lenders and key shareholders said the SBI was considering moving the NCLT seeking insolvency proceedings against Jet Airways since it was running out of money for operations. Lenders can initiate proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) to recover dues from debt-laden entities. The process can commence only after approval from the NCLT. The officials said that Gulf carrier Etihad, the strategic partner with 24 per cent stake in Jet Airways, abstained from voting on various proposals during the EGM held on February 21. Etihad was waiting for clarity on the overall funding that the SBI and National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) would provide for Jet Airways in terms of equity, suggest reports. Edited by Manoj Sharma with agency inputs ALSO READ: Jet Airways expects funds over Rs 3,000 crore post debt rejig, Etihad investment ALSO READ: Jet Airways share price falls over 2% after HSBC cuts target price citing operational concerns ALSO READ: Lessors doubt Jet Airways rescue plan, pull out more planes: sources Bangladeshi commandoes shot a passenger on Sunday who had tried to enter the cockpit of a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight after waving a gun and threatening to blow up the plane, airline and aviation authority officials said. The passenger, who had said he had a personal issue with his wife and told the pilot he wanted to speak to Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, died later from the injuries suffered after the commandos stormed the plane at Chittagong's Shah Amanat International Airport, officials said. "We tried to arrest him or get him to surrender but he refused and then we shot him," said Major General S M Motiur Rahman of the Bangladesh Army. The man's threat to blow up the plane, which was on its way to Dubai from Dhaka via Chittagong, led its pilots to make an emergency landing. Before the commandos moved in, all 142 passengers and most of the crew had been let off the aircraft unharmed. One crew member had been held hostage, the officials said. Air Vice Marshal Nayeem Hasan, chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, told reporters at a news conference that as well as holding what appeared to be a pistol the passenger said he had explosives bound to his body. With the plane close to Chittagong after leaving Dhaka, the passenger stood up from his seat and tried to go to the cockpit, according to aviation officials. When a member of the crew blocked his way, he showed his pistol. He then said he had explosives and if they didn't open the door of the cockpit he would blow up the plane, officials said. Other members of the crew alerted the pilots to the problem and they asked air traffic control for an emergency landing. It was not immediately clear if he had explosives, though the pistol was real, according to a senior aviation official. It also wasn't immediately clear if the pistol was loaded or how it got through security at the airport in Dhaka. The security questions are a matter of concern and would be the subject of an investigation, said the aviation official. The man appeared to be in his 20s, and was probably Bangladeshi as he was speaking Bangla, but his identity was not yet clear, Hasan said. Also read: Reliance Retail may launch IPO by June as Mukesh Ambani bets big on consumer businesses: report Jet Airways' financial woes: Pilots warn of 'non-cooperation' over non-payment of salaries Making its first major move into the airport business, the Adani group pipped up to seven contenders to emerge the highest bidder for five Airports Authority of India (AAI)-run airports put for privatisation by the government last year. In November, the Centre had cleared a proposal for carrying out operations, management and development of six airports on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis for 50 years. This is part of an initiative to provide world-class infrastructure and services to stakeholders. The Adanis were the highest bidder for the Ahmedabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Lucknow, Mangaluru and Jaipur airports, a senior AAI official told PTI today. The five airports would be handed over to the billionaire Gautam Adani-led conglomerate after the completion of formalities. The source added that the bids for the sixth one, Guwahati airport, will be opened on Tuesday. The delay is reportedly on account of a legal tangle but the buzz is that the Adanis will bag this airport too. Citing experts, The Business Standard reported that the entry of a conglomerate like Adani into the airport sector will mark a new era of competition into the sector, which so far was dominated by two companies, GMR and GVK group. To break the duopoly, the government had allowed companies without any prior experience to bid for the projects. The "entry of a private player with deep pockets to manage these operational assets augurs well for the sector and in the days ahead we should see good competition amongst the players," Jagannarayan Padmanabhan, Director and Practice lead - Transport and Logistics at CRISIL, told the daily. The AAI had received 32 technical bids from total 10 companies for the above six airports. While Ahmedabad and Jaipur airports received seven bids each, both Lucknow and Guwahati received six bids, and Mangaluru and Thiruvananthapuram had three contenders each. The Adani group's interest in the aviation space is underscored by its aggressive bidding. For instance, for the Ahmedabad airport, Adani reportedly outbid the GMR group by quoting Rs 177 per passenger against the former's Rs 85. For Lucknow airport, Adani bid Rs 171 per passenger beating AMP capital's quote of Rs 139. The AAI chose the highest bidders on the basis of the "monthly per-passenger fee". Also read: Baba Ramdev likely to head India's first Vedic board; Patanjali promises fund of Rs 21 crore The Adani group, which has a large presence in the infrastructure space, has long been eyeing the airport segment given the boom in civil aviation. Besides, this business fits in with their investment pattern - the Group prefers to bet on verticals that need high capex and boast a significant government policy thrust. But it had not had much luck in the segment, till now. According to reports its moves to pick up a stake in the Mumbai international airport was recently thwarted by GVK. Meanwhile, the Air Operators Permit it holds in the name of Karnavati Aviation and the airstrip it owns in Mundra (Gujarat) have primarily been utilised for the Group's internal logistical need. Hence, bagging the five airports could script a new success story for the Adanis. (Edited by Sushmita Choudhury Agarwal; with PTI inputs) Also read: Nasscom's Debjani Ghosh on changing role of the association in the era of digital transformation Motilal Oswal Financial Services and IIFL Holdings share prices tanked in trade today after market regulator Sebi ruled that they were not "fit and proper" to act as commodity derivative brokers in connection with the Rs 5,600-crore scam at the now defunct NSEL. While Motilal Oswal Financial Services share price tanked 5.06% to 581 level compare to its previous close of 612.30, IIFL Holdings stock fell up to 9.04 % to 332 level against its Friday close of 365 on the BSE. Motilal Oswal Financial Services share price opened at 585 level and hit an intra day high of 608 on BSE. NSEL Scam: SEBI declares Motilal Oswal, IIFL 'not fit and proper' as commodity derivative brokers IIFL Holdings stock also hit an intra day high of 372.70 compared to the opening price of 354.05 in trade today. IIFL Holdings stock logged a turnover of Rs 99.37 lakh with 28,000 shares changing hands on the BSE. Motilal Oswal Financial Services recorded a turnover of Rs 1.27 crore with 21,000 shares changing hands on the BSE. In a regulatory filing last week, Motilal Oswal Financial Services said Motilal Oswal Commodities Brokers is aggrieved by the order and consulting lawyers to explore legal options before it. Noting that reputation is an important factor for consideration of "fit and proper" criteria, Sebi said the reputation of the two entities has been seriously eroded. Reliance Retail may launch IPO by June as Mukesh Ambani bets big on consumer businesses: report The rulings have come against the backdrop of the payment scam at the National Spot Exchange (NSEL) that came to light in 2013; and subsequently, many entities, including brokers, have come under the scanner of Sebi and other probe agencies. Motilal Oswal Commodities and India Infoline Commodities are not "fit and proper" entities to be granted registration to operate as commodity derivatives brokers, according to two separate orders passed by Sebi on February 22. The regulator has rejected the applications dated December 11 and December 16, 2015, filed by Motilal Oswal for registration as commodity derivatives broker. In the case of India Infoline Commodities, its application dated December 23, 2015 has been rejected. Both entities would cease to "act, directly or indirectly, as commodity derivatives brokers", as per the orders. According to Sebi, the allegations against the Motilal Oswal and India Infoline that they are not fit and proper rests on twin basis. One is the alleged violation of various laws and circulars with respect to the NSEL matter, and the second is the existence of various adverse observations by various courts/ authorities regarding the transactions in paired contracts on NSEL and the association of the two entities with such transactions and with the spot exchange, it noted. "Both sets of allegation lead to serious questions about the reputation, integrity, character and competence" of the two entities, Sebi said in the orders. JBM Auto share price rises over 8% on buying majority shareholding in German firm Edited by Aseem Thapliyal By Olivia Rose PREMIER Sharlene Cartwright Robinson has stated that the Dutch blacklisting of the Turks and Caicos Islands was an independent decision. Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday (February 19) at her office in Providenciales, Cartwright Robinson said the status received earlier this year is not a global standard. In January, the Dutch government added the Turks and Caicos Islands and 15 other countries to a tax haven blacklist. A press release from the government of the Netherlands stated that several jurisdictions including the TCI have no corporation tax or a corporation tax rate of less than nine percent. According to the Dutch, the list will be used in relation to three measures to combat tax avoidance. Cartwright Robinson said the blacklisting by the Dutch has caused "concern. "The headlines a few weeks ago stated we were blacklisted by the Dutch. I wish to explain as it has caused some concern. "That is that of one single country that looked at our countrys low tax base and made their decision unilaterally. "This is not a global system or standard, this is a simply a single countrys government that decided, as I said unilaterally, that it will blacklist countries in an attempt to dissuade its people from investing here. She further explained that there is no substantial Dutch investment in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The leader reaffirmed the Governments commitment to satisfying international transparency on financial and tax requirements. She said: "Our countrys focus remains on complying with global standards and we will continue to comply with all global standards sometimes at great cost to our resources but we realise and recognise the important need to avoid reputational damage. "Yesterdays core amendment in the House of Assembly was as a result of ongoing dialogue with the code of conduct group who felt that section eight in the original ordinance passed in December relating to outsourcing needed to strengthened. "I wish to thank the Exchange of Information Unit and the Ministry of Finance, the AGs Chambers, the Financial Services Commission, the private sector who continue to work along with us in ensuring we continue to comply within our tight deadlines. "The bill passed yesterday was given effect retroactively to January 1 and we will now reach out to the EU again to ensure that we are fully compliant to avoid being blacklisted. "Since coming to office we have dodged several blacklistings and we have no reason to believe that we will not do so following this dialogue again. Last year, the territory narrowly avoided being placed on the European Unions tax haven blacklist. Although the territory was on the anti-corruption watchdogs grey list in 2017, prudent financial measures including tax transparency and compliance prevented international sanctions. The EUs grey list consists of jurisdictions from all over the world which do not respect EU anti-tax avoidance standards but have committed to altering their practices. Those countries on the grey list are usually moved to the black list if they do not honour their commitments. The blacklisted jurisdictions face reputational damage and stricter controls on their financial transactions with the EU. Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson in June 2018, credited the territorys tax transparency, fair taxation and anti-base erosion, and profit shifting measures for preventing the blacklisting. She said that although the TCI is a small developing territory with its many challenges, it has to meet all the international transparency and compliance standards in the area of international taxation and reporting in the same manner applicable to developed jurisdictions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil a giant Bhagavad Gita, running into 670 pages and weighing 800 kg, at the ISKCON temple here on February 26, officials said Sunday. Dubbed the 'Astounding Bhagavad Gita', and measuring 2.8 m by 2 m, it is billed as the "world's largest sacred book", according to ISCKON. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), known colloquially as the Hare Krishna movement, is a worldwide confederation of more than 400 temples and runs 100 vegetarian restaurants and a wide variety of community-serving projects. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to unveil the 'Astounding Bhagavad Gita' on February 26 at the ISKCON Temple and Cultural Centre in East of Kailash in New Delhi," ISKCON said in a statement. The Prime Minister's Office said the prime minister will be attending the event on Tuesday. He will also address a gathering comprising spiritual leaders, diplomats, social leaders, scholars along with devotees and members of ISKCON from around the world, the statement said. The ISKCON temple in south Delhi, endowed with unique latticed towers having a fusion of traditional design and modern sensibilities, is an iconic landmark and visited by a large number of devotees every day. Also Read: Huawei launches Mate X; 5G phone with a foldable screen Social networking service Twitter has been given 10 days to reply to Parliamentary Committee on Information Technology's questions in a written format. The panel meet will take place on 6th March now. Twitter's Head of Public Policy, Colin Crowell today appeared before the panel chaired by BJP MP Anurag Thakur who asked him to ensure that the upcoming Indian elections are not undermined and influenced by foreign entities and asked it to synergise with the Election Commission to address important concerns. Also Reaed: Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey won't face Indian parliamentary panel on Feb 25 Crowell appeared on behalf of Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey before the Parliamentary Committee on IT. The Panel had sent the first notice to Twitter on February 1st followed by a second intimation on February 11th specifically asking Dorsey to appear before it. But, instead Crowell presented Twitter's case before the committee today. The 31-member panel raised concerns about the citizens' data privacy and role of social media during elections. The committee may call executives of Twitter before it again to ensure that the upcoming elections are safeguarded against any foreign entities and the social media channel works in tandem with the Election Commission to address issues of misinformation, and lies getting viral. The house panel will also hear the views of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram representatives on the subject of safeguarding citizens on social media on 6th March, according to sources. The Indian Parliamentary committee is the fourth panel after US Congress, Singapore & European Union in the world that has asked the social media giant to present its case in front of the law makers. Twitter's conduct is under watch globally with regards to fake and bias news being propagated from its platform. Close on the heels of his wife entering active politics, businessman Robert Vadra, the husband of Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra yesterday indicated in his facebook post that he was open to "larger role in serving the people" inviting ridicule from the BJP. Vadra took to the social media site to express his desire to enter active politics following the footsteps of his wife. In a facebook post, he said, "The years n months that I spent campaigning n working in different parts of the country, but mainly in UP, gave me a feeling to do more for the people n make smaller changes possible by me, in their areas n when they got to know me, the genuine love, affection n respect I earned was humbling." Vadra added, "All these years of experience n learning cannot be just wasted and should be put to better use. Once all these accusations n allegations are over, I feel I should dedicate a larger role in serving the people." He at present is being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for alleged money laundering charges on him. The agency has leveled charges against Vadra in connection with 9 properties he owns in London which are worth around 12 million pounds. The ED has alleged that these assets were amassed by Vadra during the UPA regime between the year 2005-10. Also Read: Who is Robert Vadra, the man embroiled in controversies? The businessman in his facebook post also highlighted all the social work and disaster relief work he has done with various organisations. "I sustained n kept strong by learning from the children I helped. From the blind school, to mother Teresa's missions, to serving at orphanages n when visiting different faiths n places of worship, n feeding hungry ppl outside hospitals, temples. Disaster managements n sending help to Kerala, Nepal and other places too, were a satisfying n learning experience." Reacting sharply to his facebook post, BJP took to Twitter to post claims that Vadra will be Congress's Prime Ministerial candidate in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Presenting Congress's Prime Ministerial candidate for Lok Sabha elections. #RobertIsReady https://t.co/WqM7qi1vCR - BJP (@BJP4India) February 24, 2019 The party has often times blamed the Congress led UPA government of playing dynastic politics and shielded Vadra's 'illegal' businesses from the legal axe during its regime. Vadra has refuted all allegations against him saying the charges are fabricated by the BJP-led Modi government to malign his public image. In his facebook post recently, Vadra had dismissed the accusations against him and blamed the government for being "vindictive" and harassing him and his mother. Vadra also questioned the government's intentions of targeting him before the general elections. "Since I have already been interrogated for 3 days in Delhi' headquarters, of the Enforcement Directorate. If there was any issue or any illegality, which was found by government, why did it take them 4 years n 8 months, to call me a month before campaigning begins for the General elections. Do they think people in India do not view it as an election gimmick ?!" he asserted. Also Read: Interim bail to Robert Vadra in money laundering case extended till March 2 Pulwama terror attack: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan seems to have softened his diplomatic stance considering the Modi government's continuous push to sideline the country on the global level after the Pulwama attack. Days after warning of "retaliation" if India attacks Pakistan, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has now said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should give "peace a chance". Ignoring the Pak-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad's claim of taking responsibility for the attack, Imran Khan said he would "immediately act" if India would provide "actionable evidence" on the Pulwama attack. Khan's latest comments came after PM Modi, in his Rajasthan rally, said Imran Khan backtracked on his earlier promise of fighting together against terrorism, poverty and illiteracy. Khan in his January 19 press briefing had outrightly denied his country's involvement in the terrorist attack that left 40 CRPF jawans dead. He even asked India to introspect and stop pointing fingers on Pakistan. Imran Khan alleged India had been targeting Pakistan without a shred of evidence. "If you think you will attack us and we will not think of retaliating, we will retaliate," he threatened. PM Modi had said after the dastardly attack in Pulwama that time for the talk with Pakistan was now over, and that it was time for action as people across the nation were demanding to avenge the killing of the jawans. Also read: 'You pick up a gun, you are dead': Indian Army says terrorists will be killed, blames Pakistan's ISI for Pulwama attack In his Rajasthan rally on Sunday, PM Modi reiterated his claim that India would no longer tolerate the pain of terrorism. "There is a consensus in the entire world against terrorism. We are moving ahead with the strength to punish the perpetrators of terrorism...The scores will be settled this time, settled for good...This is a changed India, this pain will not be tolerated...We know how to crush terrorism," said PM Modi. He also recalled his conversation with Imran Khan during a congratulatory call after he became Pakistan's premier. PM Modi said he told him "let us fight against poverty and illiteracy". Khan gave his word saying he was a Pathan's son but went back on it, added the PM. The Pakistan Prime Minister's Office later issued a statement saying "PM Imran Khan stand by his words that if India gives us actionable intelligence, we will immediately act." It added that PM Modi should "give peace a chance". The Pakistani premier was referring to India calling off the foreign minister-level talks with Pakistan in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September last year after following the "brutal" killing of three BSF jawans by Pakistani soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the release of postal stamps "glorifying" Kashmiri militant Burhan Wani by the Pakistan government. Also read: Pulwama terror attack: Donald Trump says he understands India's desire for 'very strong' action Pulwama terror attack: Protestors pin Pakistan flag on road; make vehicles, Delhi-Lahore bus run over Manoj Sharma with agency inputs Amid growing animosity between India and Pakistan following the recent Pulwama attack in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), the Supreme Court is expected to hear petitions challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35A of the Constitution in J&K this week. The speculations are rife that the article might be revoked by the government as it may bring an ordinance to abrogate it. But what is Article 35A? Can it be repealed? What will be the legal ramifications, let's understand. Also Read: Modi govt to state its stand on Article 35A before Supreme Court: report What is Article 35A? Incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential order, Article 35A confers special rights and privileges upon the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and prohibits people from outside the state from buying/purchasing any immovable property in the state. The article authorises the state's legislature to define "permanent residents" of J&K and provide them with notable benefits exclusive only to them. Meanwhile, Article 35A proscribes non-permanent residents from permanently settling in the state, buying immovable property, acquiring land, applying for government jobs, any kind of scholarships and aids and other public welfare projects. The article also referred to as the Permanent Residents Law also bars a woman (belonging to the state) from any property rights if she marries a person from outside the state. The provision also extends to the children of such women as they do not have any succession rights over the property. A full bench of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court in 2002 ruled that Jammu and Kashmir women who marry non-permanent residents will not lose their rights in their ancestral properties, be devoid of their right to work, education, inheritance or even adoption. Many have lambasted Article 35A to be discriminatory towards Jammu and Kashmir women. Also Read: Pulwama attack: Give peace a chance, says Imran Khan after Modi's remarks that he backtracked on his promise Can Article 35A be nullified? In case the Article 35A is repealed, it will allow people from rest of the Indian states to acquire property in Jammu and Kashmir, settle there just like any other state in the country with equal rights. However, legal experts are of the view that the article cannot be revoked as Article 35A was issued in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 370 (1) of the constitution, basis which the state enjoys its autonomy. These two articles are the constitutional connection between Jammu and Kashmir and the Central government and any tinkering with them will render the Treaty of Accession null and void. The ruler of Jammu and Kashmir Maharaja Hari Singh signed this treaty in October 1947 agreeing to accede to the Dominion of India. The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir had in October 2015 ruled that the Article 370 cannot be annulled as the clause (3) of the article bestows the power to rescind the article upon the state constituent assembly. But, as the constituent assembly, was dissolved in 1957, it did not take any such move to revoke the article; and the article acquired a permanent status irrespective of being designated as a temporary provision of the Constitution. The Supreme Court in 2018 had opined on the similar lines and said that since the state constituent assembly has been discontinued, the President of India would not be able to implement or execute the obligatory provisions required for its withdrawal. Hence, if the Article 35A has to be abrogated again, it cannot realise the compulsory provisions which are indispensable under Article 370 as the article is a part of a series of presidential orders implemented under Article 370 of the Constitution. Also Read: Kulgam encounter: Senior police official, army soldier, 3 JeM terrorists killed After Uttar Pradesh, the Mayawati-led BSP and Akhilesh Yadav's SP on Monday announced a pre-poll alliance for the states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand before the General Elections 2019. While SP will contest 3 Lok Sabha seats in MP, the BSP will fight elections in rest of the 26 seats. The three seats from where Samajwadi Party will field its candidates include Balaghat, Thikri and Khajuraho. In Uttarakhand, SP will contest on one seat, while the BSP has decided to contest on three seats. Revealing information on their seat-sharing pact in these two states, the SP and BSP, in a joint statement, said the decision to jointly contest the parliamentary elections was taken by the party chiefs. Both the SP and the BSP have already stitched ties in Uttar Pradesh while keeping the Congress out of the alliance. While SP will fight elections on 37 seats in UP, the BSP will contest on 38 Parliamentary constituencies. Their alliance partner RLD (Rashtriya Lok Dal) will contest on three seats. Both the parties have decided not to field any candidate against Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Amethi and former party chief Sonia Gandhi in Raebareli. UP has a total of 80 Lok Sabha constituencies. Both the parties will contest elections together after a gap of 26 years against the BJP, which swept the state in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. With the 2019 General Elections just a few months away, opposition parties are forgetting political rivalries to form formidable alliances in order to beat the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP. Earlier, putting his weight behind the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said that only SP-BSP alliance in UP, Mamata Banerjee-led TMC in West Bengal, the DMK in Tamil Nadu could defeat the BJP in their respective states in the Lok Sabha election. Also read: This gas cylinder is very different from the one at your home! Train 18: Vande Bharat Express to soon run on three new routes; check out details Yoga guru Baba Ramdev is likely to head the country's first government-recognised board on Vedic education. The trust Patanjali Yogpeeth's bid to set up the proposed Bharatiya Shiksha Board (BSB) was judged the best by a selection committee on Saturday. The governing council of the Maharshi Sandipani Rashtriya Vedavidya Pratishthan (MSRVP) will consider the five-member panel's recommendation this week. The MSRVP, headed by HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar, has been given the responsibility of appointing a private sponsoring body to see that the BSB is set up. The MSRVP has also been working on the promotion of 'Ved vidya'. Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Yogpeeth was among the three private players that responded to the Expression of Interest (EOI) released by the MSRVP to set up the board. The other two private contenders were Ritnand Balved Education Foundation and Pune-based Maharashtra Institute of Technology. Patanjali Yogpeeth was represented by Acharya Balkrishna during the presentation to the selection committee. Balkrishna said that Patanjali Yogpeeth is willing to commit Rs 21 crore for the development of the board and has the necessary infrastructure ready for the headquarters. Additionally, Balkrishna informed the panel that they intend to house the headquarters in Haridwar as well as appoint Baba Ramdev as its chairperson, as mentioned in a report in The Indian Express. Also read: Fortis asks SEBI to order arrest of Singh brothers for failure to return diverted money According to the daily, Balkrishna's promise to fund the board with Rs 21 crore, which was the highest among the three applicants, is believed to be the key factor that worked in its favour. Acharya Balkrishna told the daily that education is not only about learning the alphabet and that students should also learn Indian "morals, culture and values". The BSB will standardise Vedic education, Sanskrit, Shastras and Darsanas and more. To that end it will draft syllabus, conduct exams, issue certificates and recognise gurukulas, pathshalas and schools offering Vedic as well as modern education. The board will also charge an affiliation and examination fee from the schools. The states that the agency selected to establish the board will receive a formal order by the MSRVP with due approval of the government. (Edited by Anwesha Madhukalya) Also read: Anil Ambani and promoter group earned Rs 517 crore in dividends since Ericsson case began The latest offering in Microsoft's mixed-reality initiative took center stage as the company formally unveiled the HoloLens 2 during the 2019 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. Touted as a way for businesses to more easily harness the high-tech visor's capabilities, officials said the device will boast more powerful features while sporting a slimmer price tag. Credit: Microsoft Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Technical Fellow Alex Kipman and Microsoft Azure Corporate Vice President Julia White took the stage Sunday to address the new device's place in today's growing digital workplace. Speaking on the company's "worldview for the intelligent cloud and intelligent edge," White said the HoloLens 2 marked "an important milestone for Microsoft." Mixed-reality devices display 3D imagery over what a person naturally sees in their surroundings. Commonly referred to as "augmented reality," headsets like the HoloLens 2 differ from conventional virtual reality (VR) headsets because of their ability to keep the user engaged with their surroundings. Nadella told the MWC crowd that HoloLens 2 and mixed reality was "just the beginning of experiencing what's possible when you connect the digital world to the physical world, to transform how we work, learn and play." The device can be preordered on the company's HoloLens 2 page. The HoloLens 2 headset comes with a $3,500 price tag. There is also an optional $125 per month subscription to the Dynamics 365 Remote Assist service. It will initially be available in the United States, Japan, China, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Australia and New Zealand. Becoming more business friendly When Microsoft introduced the HoloLens, it was designed to help businesses work more effectively. In its promotional material, Microsoft envisions a world where engineers use the HoloLens 2 to overlay blueprints over worksites, surgeons consult a patient's medical records in real time, and employees working miles apart can seamlessly collaborate with one another without sacrificing productivity. Credit: Microsoft It's an almost science fiction-like vision of the workplace, but White said the HoloLens 2 and the Azure subscription services that support it are currently in use. "This is because those Edge devices sit within the physical world while being enlightened by the cloud," she said. "This means that a camera running at a construction site doesn't just record video, but it actually understands the environment, people and things. It's with this understanding that it unlocks new solutions that can improve safety on the job site or enable greater efficiency." Like its 2014 predecessor, the HoloLens 2 allows users to view 2D and 3D content without having to sit in front of a computer. Since the device is worn like a visor, it can be taken from workplace to workplace, allowing workers to view its interactive imagery wherever the work needs to be done. To better facilitate the device's ease of use, Microsoft announced that the latest iteration features real-time eye-tracking technology, see-through holographic lenses and a speedier Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 processor. Officials said the headset was also designed to be worn for hours at a time, with a more ergonomic headband and the capability to flip the device's visor up from its user's eyes. "We are entering a new era of computing, one in which the digital world goes beyond two-dimensional screens and enters the three-dimensional world," White said. "This new collaborative computing era will empower us all to achieve more, break boundaries, and work together with greater ease and immediacy in 3D." To White's latter point about collaboration, Microsoft teamed up with augmented reality company Spatial to give users the ability to show up as 3D avatars, generated with a photo of the user, in a virtual meeting room during conference calls. This technology allows its users to interact with the augmented reality meeting room using touch and voice commands. Real-world uses During Microsoft's presentation Sunday, two companies and their use of HoloLens technology were showcased as real-world examples of its application. Representatives from toy manufacturer Mattel and construction firm Trimble shared how they regularly use Microsoft's augmented reality tech. "Our classic brands like Barbie and Hot Wheels have diverse teams of designers, engineers, marketers and manufacturers that are spread all over the world," said Sven Gerjets, chief technology officer at Mattel. "They can now come together in a Spatial project room, reducing the need to travel to get everyone on the same page." In their stage demonstration, a Mattel designer demonstrated how manipulating a 3D model of a toy truck allowed him to identify design flaws earlier in the production cycle. For Trimble, the HoloLens allows its workers to see a project before it's completed. Utilizing the device's 3D modeling capabilities, workers found that planned plumbing schematics were incompatible with other fixtures. Since the discovery was made before any work had been done on site, the problem was addressed well before costly changes needed to be made. Both instances, officials said, saved the respective companies time and money. HoloLens hurdles While major, multinational companies like Mattel and Trimble have been able to leverage the technology, it still may be a while before smaller businesses can afford to do so. Although Microsoft's HoloLens 2 is $1,500 cheaper than its predecessor, it is still an expensive piece of hardware. By contrast, the Quest virtual reality headset Facebook released last fall costs $399. Microsoft faces competition from other major players in the tech industry for the business market as VR and AR technology become more readily available. VR devices like the HTC Vive and the Oculus Rift, while largely associated with video games, have already managed to make their way into the business world. Warren Buffett said on Monday his Berkshire Hathaway Inc overpaid in the 2015 merger that created Kraft Heinz Co, but he had no plans to flee the struggling packaged foods company. Buffett spoke four days after Kraft Heinz took a $15.4 billion writedown for its Kraft and Oscar Mayer brands and other assets, slashed its dividend, and said the US Securities and Exchange Commission was probing its accounting. Kraft Heinz's share price sank 27.5 per cent on Friday, wiping out more than $16 billion of market value, and causing Berkshire to lose $4.3 billion on its stake. Berkshire ... Britain's World War II spy Noor Inayat Khan was on Monday confirmed as the first Indian-origin woman to be honoured with a Blue Plaque at her former London home. The Blue Plaque scheme run by English Heritage honours notable people who lived or worked in particular buildings across London. Khan's plaque is set to go up at 4 Taviton Street in Bloomsbury, where she lived as a secret agent during the war. Khan, the daughter of Indian Sufi saint Hazrat Inayat Khan, was an agent for Britain's Special Operations Executive (SOE) during World War II and was captured and killed by the Nazis in 1944 at just 30 years of age. "It is from this house that she left on her final and fatal mission. Noor gave her life in the fight against fascism and her message of peace and tolerance of all religions is even more relevant today," said Shrabani Basu, Chair of the Noor Inayat Khan Memorial Trust (NIKMT). "The blue plaque will be a wonderful addition to the area that has a special association with Noor. It will be the first Blue Plaque for a woman of Indian-origin in Britain and is a real honour," said Basu, who has been campaigning for the plaque since 2006 as the author of 'Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan'. Taviton Street is close to Gordon Square, which the NIKMT chose for the installation of a memorial bust in 2012 of the spy, a descendant of the 18th century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan. The Blue Plaque at her home is expected to be installed following building approval within the next few years. "The Blue Plaques Panel have agreed that Noor Inayat Khan should be commemorated with a plaque. Once a nomination has been approved, it can take a further two or three years for a plaque to be unveiled," an English Heritage spokesperson said. "Noor Inayat Khan has deserved recognition for years. A hero who joined Britain's effort to fight tyranny," said Tom Tugendhat, Chair of the UK Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee. Born in September 1914 in Moscow to an Indian father and American mother, Khan was raised in both Paris and Britain. As a Sufi, she believed in non-violence and also supported the Indian Independence movement but she felt compelled to join the British war effort against fascism. She went on to become the first female radio operator to be infiltrated into occupied France, where she was tortured and killed at Dachau concentration camp. The SOE was an underground force established in Britain in 1940 by war-time Prime Minister Winston Churchill to "set Europe ablaze". It recruited men and women to launch guerilla war against Adolf Hitler's forces. Historial records show that despite being repeatedly tortured and interrogated, Khan revealed nothing and was executed by a German SS officer and her last word was recorded as "Liberte" or freedom. She was later awarded the George Cross, the highest civilian decoration in the UK, in recognition of her bravery. In recent months, Khan was also a frontrunner of a campaign for an ethnic minority personality to be honoured as the face of a redesigned GBP 50 note until the Bank of England announced that the note would feature a scientific figure. Major Indian figures to be honoured with Blue Plaques in London include Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and B R Ambedkar, who spent time in the city during the Indian national movement against Britain's colonial rule. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Slamming Pakistan over cross-border terrorism, Union minister Nitin Gadkari Monday asked what is the point of continuing the Indus Water Treaty if its spirit of mutual love, harmony and cordial relations is not being honoured by the neighbouring country. Addressing a public meeting here, Gadkari said Pakistan should stop sponsoring terrorists, supporting terror outfits and sending terrorists into India, otherwise it would have to reel under shortage of water. Following the February 14 Pulwama terror attack, the Union minister had said India had decided to "stop" the flow of its share of river water to Pakistan under the Indus Water Treaty. Under the Indus Water Treaty signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, all the waters of the three rivers, namely Ravi, Sutlej and Beas (eastern Rivers) averaging around 33 million acre feet (MAF), were allocated to India for exclusive use. The waters of western rivers -- Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab -- averaging to around 135 MAF were allocated to Pakistan except for specified domestic, non-consumptive and agricultural use permitted to India as provided in the treaty. Gadkari said the spirit behind the water treaty was "mutual love, harmony and cordial relations". "There is a limit to our restraint. If cross-border terrorism and the support to terror outfits and terrorists by Pakistan is not stopped, what is the point of the treaty and of giving water to Pakistan," he said. Gadkari said that India will divert its share of water to Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan by stopping its flow to Pakistan. On February 14, a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into a bus carrying CRPF personnel in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 40 of them. The Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohhammed terror outfit claimed responsibility for the attack. Gadkari laid the foundation stone of a 2.5-km elevated bridge on the national highway 1 here. The bridge will be constructed at a cost of Rs 165 crore. The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation claimed that road and irrigation projects worth Rs one lakh crore were being implemented in Punjab. These included road projects worth Rs 60,000 crore and irrigation schemes worth Rs 40,000 crore, he said. He said Punjab had 1,739 km of national highways when the NDA government assumed office at the Centre in 2014 and the network has doubled since then. Earlier, he laid foundation stones of some road projects in Sri Anandpur Sahib. Addressing a public meeting in Sri Anandpur Sahib, Gadkari said that the six-lane national highway from Delhi to Beas would be extended up to Amritsar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Donald Trump is trying to manage expectations for his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, predicting a "continuation of the progress" made last time. Trump tweeted Sunday that he was leaving early the next day for the meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam, adding a tantalising nod to "Denuclearization?" He also said Kim knows that "without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the World." Their first meeting, in Singapore in June, produced a vaguely worded commitment from North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons program. Heading into this week's summit, Trump has said that North Korea has not tested any nuclear weapons in months and that as long as that testing has ceased, he's in no rush. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on "Fox Sunday" that he was hoping for a "substantive step forward." But, he cautioned, "it may not happen, but I hope that it will." "President Trump has also said this is going to take time. There may have to be another summit. We may not get everything done this week," Pompeo said. Sen. Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat who serves on the Senate foreign relations committee, expressed concerns about Trump's negotiating efforts Sunday on CBS, saying the president must be "careful" with what he offers. Said Markey: "Nothing is clear, and I think as a result we could run the risk that Kim is given concessions which are not accompanied by real concessions that the United States is receiving in return from Kim and his regime." Trump pushed back against his critics on Twitter Sunday, saying: "So funny to watch people who have failed for years, they got NOTHING, telling me how to negotiate with North Korea. But thanks anyway!" Pompeo said he hoped to put a "road map" in place, but would not discuss the possibility of declaring a formal end to the Korean War or pulling some American troops from South Korea, in keeping with his stand against publicly discussing issue that could arise during the negotiations. Pompeo said he believes North Korea remains a nuclear threat, though Trump tweeted after the Singapore summit that "there is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea." Pompeo told CNN's "State of the Union" that the commitment Kim made "had substantially taken down the risk to the American people." Speaking on CNN, Pompeo also said "verifiable denuclearisation" remained the administration's goal, and he insisted the administration has not changed the conditions for sanctions relief. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rajeev Saxena, who was arrested in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland money laundering case, was on Monday granted bail by a Delhi court on medical grounds. Special Judge Arvind Kumar said that it was clear from the medical record submitted by AIIMS that Saxena is suffering from a number of serious ailments including blood cancer and needs constant medical checkups. "Considering the overall facts and circumstances and the serious medical condition of accused, the applicant/accused is admitted to bail on his furnishing personal bond in the sum of Rs 5 lakh with two sureties of the like amount", the court said. The court also imposed certain conditions on Saxena and said he will not tamper with evidence and join investigation as and when called. The court said Saxena should not leave the country without its permission. While granting the bail, the court also noted that the other co-accused in the case, including SP Tyagi and Gautam Khaitan, have already been released on bail. Saxena, who is in custody since January 31 after his deportation from Dubai, said in his bail plea that when all the other accused in the case, including Khaitan, Ritu Khaitan and S P Tyagi were out on bail, there could be "no justification" to deny him the same relief. Saxena, a director of two Dubai-based firms - UHY Saxena and Matrix Holdings, is one of the accused named in the charge sheet filed by ED in the AgustaWestland case. Christian Michel, former AgustaWestland and Finmeccanica directors Giuseppe Orsi and Bruno Spagnolini, former Air Force chief SP Tyagi and Saxena's wife Shivani have also been named by the agency in the chargesheet. The ED had alleged that in connivance with Khaitan, Saxena provided a global corporate structure for laundering illegal proceeds of the crime for payment to various political persons, bureaucrats and Air Force officials to influence the contract to supply 12 VVIP helicopters in favour of AgustaWestland. Saxena was residing in Palm Jumeriah, Dubai and has been living in the UAE for last 26 years. Maintaining that AgustaWestland had paid Euro 58 million as kickbacks through two Tunisia-based firms, the ED has alleged that "these companies further siphoned off the said money in the name of consultancy contracts to M/s Interstellar Technologies Limited, Mauritius and others which were further transferred to M/s UHY Saxena and M/s Matrix Holdings Ltd, Dubai and others". It was alleged by the probe agency that the two Dubai-based firms were the entities "through which the proceeds of crime have been routed and further layered and integrated in buying the immovable properties/ shares, among others" in this case. On January 1, 2014, India had scrapped the contract with Finmeccanica's British subsidiary AgustaWestland for supplying 12 AW-101 VVIP choppers to the IAF over alleged breach of contractual obligations and charges of kickbacks of Rs 423 crore paid by it to secure the deal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A boat carrying aid from the United States docked at the island of Curacao on Sunday after officials said the Venezuelan military had stopped it reaching the crisis-hit country. The shipment was part of a broader drive to take food and medicine into Venezuela in defiance of its President Nicolas Maduro. The Midnight Stone supply ship, loaded with nine cargo containers, entered the harbor on the Caribbean island 40 miles (65 kilometers) from Venezuela's coast, AFP reporters saw. Supporters of Venezuela's self-declared president Juan Guaido said it had sailed from Puerto Rico on Wednesday bound for Venezuela with 250 tons of aid. Puerto Rico's governor Ricardo Rossello on Saturday said a Venezuelan navy vessel had threatened to fire at the boat as it approached Venezuela. He said he had ordered the aid vessel to "leave the area temporarily." The sea shipments coincided with opposition efforts to truck aid into Venezuela by land. Those bids led to bloody confrontations at the borders with Colombia and Brazil on Saturday. Maduro has branded Guaido's aid effort a "show" and a smokescreen for a US invasion. He has ordered Venezuela's sea border with Curacao to be closed. The opposition and foreign powers backing Guaido say Maduro must let aid in to Venezuela to relieve people suffering from shortages caused by an economic crisis. Maduro blames US policies and sanctions for Venezuela's economic woes. Venezuelans in Curacao have also loaded a further 50 tons of aid onto a separate ship there, the Seven Seas. Its captain told AFP on Sunday he would not sail for Venezuela with the shipment until authorities there opened the border. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Donald Trump's decision to extend a deadline to escalate tariffs on Chinese imports has raised cautious optimism in China and boosted share prices across Asia. The Shanghai Composite index jumped 4.9 per cent on Monday to its highest level since May 2018 after Trump said "substantial progress" was made in weekend talks between the two countries regarding their dispute over China's technology policies. Trump said, "I will be delaying the U.S. increase in tariffs now scheduled for March 1." He also said that if negotiations progress, he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Florida resort to finalize an agreement. The vice president of the US-China Business Council, Jake Parker, said Trump's announcement was a "positive signal." Others in Beijing had mixed feelings, but welcomed the (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States military said that its latest airstrike in Somalia killed 35 fighters with the al-Shabab extremist group not far from the Ethiopian border. The US military command for the African continent said Sunday's airstrike targeted the al-Qaida-linked fighters as they were travelling in a rural area about 23 miles (37 kilometers) east of Beledweyne in central Hiran region. The US has dramatically increased airstrikes against al-Shabab since President Donald Trump took office. The military has carried out 16 such strikes this year, including four on Saturday that eliminated checkpoints used by al-Shabab to collect taxes to fund its violent campaign to establish an Islamic state in the long-chaotic Horn of Africa nation. The US carried out nearly 50 strikes in Somalia in 2018. A small number of strikes have also targeted fighters pledging allegiance to the Islamic State, who have been warring with al-Shabab in recent months. Authorities and experts acknowledge that it will take more than airstrikes to defeat al-Shabab, which continues to hold large parts of rural central and southern Somalia and carry out deadly attacks in the capital, Mogadishu. The group, which claimed the deadly attack on a luxury hotel complex earlier this year in the capital of neighbouring Kenya, was also behind the deadliest attack in Somalia's history, a massive truck bombing that killed well over 500 people in Mogadishu in October 2017. The US military is just one of several security actors in Somalia, along with a multinational African Union mission and troops from Kenya and Ethiopia. The US says it acts in coordination with Somalia's government, whose military is expected to take over primary responsibility for the country's security over the next few years. As the AU mission has begun a step-by-step withdrawal of forces, some in the US military and elsewhere have warned that Somali forces are not yet prepared. A United Nations panel of experts monitoring sanctions on Somalia has described troops as largely poorly equipped and underpaid, sometimes selling their weapons or uniforms for a little cash. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Punjab Assembly witnessed unruly scenes on Monday between members of ruling Congress and the Akali-BJP over the Amritsar train accident last year where 60 people died. On the last day of the budget session, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) legislator Bikram Singh Majithia sought to draw the attention of the revenue minister towards non-payment of the compensation to the victims of the accident that occurred on Dusshera. Majithia accused the state government of cheating with families of the victims by not providing them government jobs that were promised to them. Intervening in the matter, Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Sidhu, in whose constituency the accident had occurred, took on Majithia and claimed that he had been supporting eight families of victims by giving each of them Rs 8,000 per month from his own pocket. Sidhu asked the Akalis whether they had ever given compensation to any victim out of their own pockets. SAD chief Sukhbir Badal asked the government whether there had been any arrest in the Amritsar train accident so far, leading to heated exchanges between members of the Congress with the SAD and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Replying to the SAD president, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said it was the government's job to take care of the families of the victims. "It was your (Sukhbir) question was anybody arrested? Let me ask you one thing... there have been so many incidents wherein several people died involving Orbit (owned by Badal family) buses. Anybody was arrested?" Singh asked. Badal said all the drivers of those buses were arrested. Then, the Akalis rushed to the well of the House and raised slogans against the government, following which they staged a walkout. Taking a dig at Badal, state minister Sukhjinder Randhawa demanded that the owners of such buses should also be arrested. Meanwhile, the chief minister assured the House of all possible measures to check noise pollution, including strict action against the violators. Reiterating his government's commitment to provide students with a congenial environment to study, Singh promised strict action against those who violate pollution norms by using of loudspeakers, DJ and other musical instruments, especially before and during examination days of the students. Meanwhile, the assembly passed the Punjab Appropriation Bill, Punjab One-Time Voluntary Disclosure and Settlement of Violations of the Buildings Constructed in Violation of the Building Bye-laws Bill; Amritsar Walled City (Recognition of Usage) Amendment Bill, Punjab Legislative Assembly (Salaries and Allowances of Members) Amendment Bill and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2019. When the bill regarding the salaries and allowances was presented, the Aam Aadmi Party members stormed to the well of the House, seeking inclusion of movable properties in the bill. The bill will make all the members to declare their immovable properties in the month of January of every calendar year. Earlier, the AAP members staged a walkout protest against not being allowed to speak on demands for grants relating to budget estimates. Later, the House was adjourned sine die. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister Giriraj Singh Monday alleged Congress leader Saifuddin Soz does not aspire for an undivided India given his warning over any repealing of Article 370 that accords special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Soz, a former Union Minister who hails from the militancy-affected state, had Sunday warned that Kashmir's ties with India will get severed if Article 370 of the Constitution is scrapped. Singh, a BJP leader, said anyone who believes in a united India will not say such a thing. "Jiske dil mein bharat ke prati, akhanda bharat ke prati, Soz ke dil mein nahi hai, wahi aisa shabd keh sakta hai jiske zuban mein akhanda bharat ki kalpana hai woh aise shabda ka prayog nahi kar sakta (Soz does not aspire for an undivided India that's why he can say so)," he said. Singh was talking to reporters on the sidelines of a government event to promote entrepreneurship among women here. Singh, who holds the portfolio for micro, small and medium enterprises, asked the Congress to clarify its stance on abolition of Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution, which give special treatment to Jammu and Kashmir. The two Articles relate to special status of Jammu and Kashmir and certain rights and privileges of its residents. Refusing to spell out the government's thinking on the matter amid concerns whether the Centre is mulling to take the ordinance route for scrapping the two articles, which has led to tensions in the Kashmir Valley over the weekend, Singh said the BJP has already made its stance clear on this. "Another Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar meets and greets the separatists in Kashmir. They abuse the military there. What are we supposed to understand from such acts of theirs. "Congress needs to first clarify its stand on this issue first," he said, adding the BJP has already stated its views on the subject. It can be noted that the BJP has a stated policy of opposing the special status granted to the north Indian state, and has also mentioned it in its manifesto. Jammu and Kashmir is presently under Governor's rule. The Governor's office had Sunday clarified it will ask for a deferral of the hearing in the Supreme Court on the matter, saying only an elected government should take a stand on it. Singh Monday dared those who don't want the Articles to be abolished to publicly air their views. Reacting to criticism by a few Congress leaders on the National War memorial, the minister said, "Those who abuse the Army can only make such comments. The memorial is in the memory of the martyrs. Their comments shows that they don't have such feelings for them." On the comments made by Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "royal" dip at Sangam during Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Singh said, "Those who want to politicise everything, they can make out of anything. "If Modi takes a dip, if he washes feet of the poor, they want to politicise everything." Criticising Modi's dip, Mayawati had, earlier in the day tweeted, "Will a SHAHI dip in Sangam by PM Modi be able to wash sins of reneging poll promises,treachery & other state wrongs?"Not possible for people to forgive BJP easily for making their life miserable through deeds of Notebandi, GST, vengeance, casteism, communal and authoritarian rule. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The International Court of Justice on Monday dismissed the UK's right to govern the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean and called on its government to withdraw from the archipelago, a verdict viewed as a big setback to Britain's standing in the UN. Mauritius had filed a claim in the top UN court demanding its right over the islands, an assertion which was backed by India during the legal proceedings in September last year. In its advisory opinion, which is not legally binding, the The International Court of Justice (ICJ) concluded that the archipelago had not been lawfully separated from Mauritius, a former British colony which gained independence in 1968. The Chagos Islands, which includes the strategic US airbase of Diego Garcia, has been operated as a British Indian Ocean Territory. "The UK has an obligation to bring to an end its administration of Chagos archipelago as rapidly as possible," ICJ President Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf said in a ruling in The Hague. The ICJ ruled that the process of separating the Chagos Islands from Mauritius during decolonisation in the 1960s constituted an "unlawful detachment" and was a "wrongful act". In its submission to the ICJ last year, Mauritius argued it was coerced into giving up the Chagos Islands, while the UK government had told the court it did not have jurisdiction to hear the case. In its submissions to the hearing last year, Indian Ambassador Venu Rajamony said the historical survey indicated that the Chagos Archipelago throughout the pre and post-colonial era had been a part of the Mauritian territory. The ICJ ruling is expected to be referred back to the UN General Assembly, where it will be debated. The dispute involves around 1,500 native islanders being deported so the largest island could be leased to the US for the airbase in 1971. Many of the evicted islanders were sent to Mauritius and the Seychelles but eventually resettled in the UK. They have fought in British courts for years to win the right to return to their homes. Welcoming the ruling, the Mauritian government said it was a "historic moment in efforts to bring colonialism to an end, and to promote human rights, self-determination and the international rule of law". The UK Foreign Office is yet to comment on the development, which is being viewed as a big setback to Britain's standing in the UN. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is denouncing a "groundswell of xenophobia, racism and intolerance" and says human rights are losing ground in the world. The UN chief kicked off the high-level segment of the Human Rights Council by expressing alarm at "shrinking civic space," with journalists and activists targeted. Guterres said more than 1,000 journalists and human rights defenders have been killed over the past three year. Four environmental activists, mostly indigenous people, were killed on average every week last year, he said. "We must do more to defend defenders and end reprisals against those who share their human rights stories," Guterres said. Broadening the message, he also expressed concerns about economic inequality and warned that "big data" and facial-recognition technologies are being misused. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two Pakistani nationals, who were top commanders of the Jaish-e-Mohammad and wanted for a "series of terror crimes", were among the three militants killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, police said Monday. The militants have been identified as Raqib Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Shiganpora in Kulgam, and Pakistani nationals Waleed and Numan, a police spokesman said. On Sunday, a deputy superintendent of police, an army jawan and the three Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militants were killed during the encounter in the district's Turigam area. "The three terrorists killed have been identified as Raqib Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Shiganpora in Kulgam, and incriminating material was recovered from the site of the encounter, the other two terrorists have been identified as Waleed and Numan, foreigners from Pakistan, the spokesman said. He said, according to police records, the three slain militants were affiliated to proscribed terror outfit JeM. "The two killed Pakistani terrorists, Waleed and Numan, as per police records, were top commanders of proscribed terror outfit JeM and were active in the southern parts of the Kashmir Valley. "As per the police records, they were involved in conspiring and executing several terrorist attacks, and were wanted by the law for their complicity in a series of terror crimes, including attacks on security establishments and civilian atrocities. Several terror crime cases were registered against them for their terrorist activities, he said. The spokesman said arms and ammunition, including rifles, were recovered from the encounter site. These materials have been taken in the case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other terror cases, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Goa Police have arrested two persons in Delhi last week for allegedly extorting Rs 5.60 lakh from a businessman at Calangute beach village in the coastal state earlier this month by "intoxicating" him, an officer said Monday. The accused Parveen Dhankar (24) and Iqbaal Singh (26) were picked up by Calangute police with the help of their Delhi counterparts on February 20 at Ramesh Enclave in the national capital, said police inspector Jivba Dalvi. Dhankar and Singh were brought to Goa Monday on a five-day transit remand from a Delhi court. The businessman, identified as Ravi Reddy Madduri (38), had alleged that three persons had restrained and confined him in a private apartment on February 5. The complainant claimed that he was intoxicated by the accused who induced him to transfer Rs 5.60 lakh, Dalvi said. Police tracked down the accused through CCTV footages and a car used by them for travelling to Dabolim airport, from where they boarded a flight for Delhi, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump has announced that he would be delaying an increase in tariffs against China after the recent talks between the two nations made "substantial progress", and plans to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to reach a final deal to end a trade war. The US and China have been locked in an escalating trade spat since early 2018, raising import tariffs on each other's goods. Last year, Trump imposed tariff hikes of up to 25 per cent on USD 250 billion of Chinese goods. The move prompted China to increase tariffs on USD 110 billion of US goods. Trump and Xi agreed to halt any further tariff increases for 90 days beginning January 1. Tariffs on a wide range of Chinese imports into the US were set to rise from 10 per cent to 25 per cent this Friday. Trump cited progress made during trade talks in Washington DC last week as a reason to delay the tariff increase. "I am pleased to report that the US has made substantial progress in our trade talks with China on important structural issues including intellectual property protection, technology transfer, agriculture, services, currency, and many other issues," Trump said in a tweet. "As a result of these very productive talks, I will be delaying the US increase in tariffs now scheduled for March 1," announced the US president. The remarks follow several days of meetings between teams led by Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He. Trump met with Liu in the Oval Office on Friday, and both men expressed optimism that a deal to end the trade war could be reached. China's official Xinhua agency also said the two sides made "substantial progress" on thorny issues in the talks. The delegations "came a step closer to realising the important consensus reached" by Trump and Xi late last year, Xinhua said. The report said the parties also agreed to "carry out follow-ups in accordance with the instructions of the two heads of state". "Assuming both sides make additional progress, we will be planning a summit for President Xi and myself, at Mar-a-Lago, to conclude an agreement. A very good weekend for US & China!" Trump said. Following its meeting with Trump in his Oval Office, the Chinese delegation extended its stay in Washington DC by another two days, to negotiate so as to meet the March 1 deadline. "If we can do a great economic deal, it will be the largest trade deal ever made by far if you look at it, our deal with China, and we truly are very close," Trump said as he hosted the nation's governors for dinner at the White House Sunday night. "We want to make a deal that's great for both countries," he said. Currency manipulation is one of a number of issues that have been on the table as part of the ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries. A high-level delegation of Chinese trade officials, headed by Liu, arrived in Washington last week for the latest round of talks. Trump and his advisers have accused the Chinese of unfair trade practices, from government subsidies to intellectual property theft, claims the Chinese have consistently denied all issues that are the subject of ongoing negotiations. Sunday's decision marks the second time Trump has extended the deadline for China, since the tariff hike was originally scheduled to take place at the end of last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three people were killed and six wounded in a shoot-out at an apartment block near Durban's High Court on Monday, South African police and medics said. "There was shooting and three persons are deceased, one of them is a Metro policeman," police spokeswoman Thembeka Mbele, told AFP. The other fatalities were two women who have yet to be identified. Garrith Jamieson, operations director with Rescue Care emergency services said five of the six wounded required hospital treatment. When the medics arrived at the scene, they saw a "bloodbath, it was apparently a mess," said Jamieson. The shooting occurred on the first floor of a block of apartments situated near the city's High Court. Last November an off-duty policeman opened fire inside a divorce court in the same city, killing his estranged wife and her brother during a break in legal proceedings. That incident occurred on the eighth floor of the regional magistrates building as the court heard a petition to annul the couple's marriage. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid patriotic fervour, thousands of mourners bid a tearful adieu on Monday to Deputy Superintendent of Police Aman Thakur, whose last rites were performed with full state honours in a village in the Marh area, near the Indo-Pak border, on the outskirts of Jammu. The officer, who gave up two government jobs to don the uniform to fulfil his dream to serve the country, was killed while fighting a group of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists in Kulgam district of south Kashmir on Sunday. Three terrorists, including two Pakistani nationals, were eliminated in the encounter that also claimed the life of an Army jawan and left two security personnel, including a major, injured. The body of Thakur, hailing from Gagla village in Doda district, was flown to Jammu from Srinagar on Monday morning and a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the police lines here. Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik and Union minister Jitendra Singh joined senior politicians and officers of the police, Army, CRPF and civil administration to pay rich tributes to Thakur. Later, the tricolour-wrapped coffin carrying the mortal remains of the officer was taken in a specially-decorated vehicle to the residence of his brother at Marh, near the international border, 35 km from Jammu city, where people from all walks of life received the body amid chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Shaheed Aman Amar Rahe". The people jostled to come closer to the body as wails of relatives and close friends of the slain police officer charged the atmosphere with angry mourners demanding stern action against Pakistan for supporting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. As the body was being taken to the cremation ground, people lined up on both sides of the three-km road and showered flowers as a mark of respect for the son of the soil for his supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation. Almost all senior police officers of the state, led by the Director General of Police, attended the last rites of the slain officer, which were performed with full state honours. A 2011-batch Jammu and Kashmir Police Service officer, Thakur was in his late 30s. He is survived by aged parents, wife Sarla Devi and six-year-old son Arya, who lit the pyre. Thakur had first got a job in the social welfare department and was later appointed as a lecturer in a government college in view of his master's degree in Zoology. But he preferred to join the police force for his passion to wear the uniform. DGP Dilbagh Singh lauded Thakur for his courage, saying, "We have lost a brave colleague and we are proud of his martyrdom." "On a specific information that JeM terrorists were hiding in a village in Kulgam, an operation was jointly launched by the police, Army and the CRPF on Sunday. "The officer killed two terrorists, who are believed to be Pakistanis, and had gone to help his colleague who had received a bullet injury," he said. In the process, Thakur was hit by a bullet and succumbed to the injuries while being shifted to a hospital, the DGP added. "The brave officer was working in the counter-insurgency operations group in Kulgam for the last two years. Some months ago, he had received the DG commendation medal. "Last year, he had also received the Sher-e-Kashmir police medal for gallantry and his name was recommended for a bigger award, but before that, he sacrificed his life for the nation," he said. The owner of the house at Reshamgarh in Jammu city, where Thakur was staying as a tenant, and the neighbours were left shell-shocked on hearing about the officer's killing in the encounter with terrorists. "How long will we continue to lose our sons to this senseless violence? We want decisive action against Pakistan," one of the wailing relatives of Thakur said. Anti-Pakistan rallies were taken out in various parts of Jammu city as thousands thronged the slain police officer's house. Carrying the tricolour, hundreds of people took to the streets in the Canal road, Jewel chowk and Krishnanagar areas, raising slogans and demanding decisive action against Pakistan, terrorists and the Kashmiri separatists. The Dogra Front and the Shiv Sena also staged protests in Jammu city. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Singapore-based hospitality firm The Ascott Ltd Monday said it has bagged a contract to manage 90 serviced apartments developed by realty firm Paras Buildtech in Gurugram, Haryana. The Ascott is a leading international serviced residence owner-operators. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore based realty firm CapitaLand Ltd. These serviced apartments under Ascott's Citadines brand will be operational in second quarter of 2020. "We are associating with Paras Group to bring our second serviced apartment project in Gurugram," The Ascott Country Head India B V Bharadwaja told reporters. The Ascott had earlier tied up with IREO to manage their serviced apartments in Gurugram which is expected to be operational this year. "India is key market for us. There is a strong demand for international class serviced residences in India. We have already tied up for 1,500 serviced apartments," he said. Paras Buildtech Director Amit Nagar said this is the company's second hospitality project. The first one is coming up under Ginger brand in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The property -- Citadines Paras Square Gurugram -- is located within Paras Square, which is a mixed use development project. The Ascott has more than one lakh serviced apartments spread over 660 properties in 172 cities across 33 countries. In India, Ascott has two operational serviced apartment projects in Chennai comprising about 450 keys. It has tied up for seven more such projects in India, which will take its number of total keys to around 1,500. These seven projects, located at Goa, Gurugram, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai, are expected to be operational by 2022. Besides real estate and hospitality, the Paras Group is into dairy, healthcare and education. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP chief Amit Shah on Monday said terrorism in the country will not be tolerated at any cost and only the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi can give a befitting reply to Pakistan. Strongly condemning the February 14 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, Shah said here that no one but only the Modi government can give a befitting reply to Pakistan. While addressing the booth level workers of Rohtak, Hisar and Sirsa Lok Sabha constituencies here, Shah described the Pulwama incident as a cowardly act. He paid homage to the personnel who lost their lives in the attack and said such incidents have no place in the country. "Terrorism in the country will not be tolerated at any cost," he said, adding that to protect the country is the first priority of the government. He said the people can never forget martyrs who are sacrificing their lives for the country. He appreciated the leadership of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, saying under the government led by him, the state has witnessed all-round development. He praised the state's hard working farmers, its soldiers and players, saying entire country is proud of them. Describing the workers as backbone of the party, Shah asked them to work harder to ensure that the BJP wins all 10 Lok Sabha seats from Haryana. Hitting out at the previous Congress government over corruption issue, Shah said the Khattar government has provided clean, transparent and corruption-free government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A three-year-old girl was allegedly raped Monday by a 15-year-old youth at Barondha village in Madhya Pradesh's Satna district, police said. The incident occurred this morning when the accused, a student of class 8, allegedly lured the victim under some pretext to an agriculture field and raped her, a police officer said. The girl later narrated the incident to her mother, said Barondha police station sub-inspector Anandilal Shukla. He said efforts were made by the local panchayat to settle the matter between the families of the accused and the victim. However, police were informed, following which the girl was admitted in a government hospital, he said. The accused teenager was detained on the charges of rape and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from the Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), the official said, adding that he will be produced before a competent court Tuesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) PDP president Mehbooba Mufti Monday warned that any tampering with Jammu and Kashmir's special status would "undermine and nullify" the state's accession to the Union, saying the consequences of such a decision would be something the country had not witnessed since 1947. The former chief minister expressed hope that the Supreme Court, which is likely to hear petitions on Article 35A this week, will consider that the provision is a bridge between the state and country. She also asked the Centre "not to play with fire by tampering" with the Article 35A, saying if it is done "the consequences would be such that the people who bear the flag of India would perhaps not be able to do so". "JK is a Muslim majority state which acceded to India under certain conditions and that condition is Article 370...Unfortunately, whenever there are elections, JK becomes a part of electioneering. Before the 2014 polls, Afzal Guru (Parliament attack convict) was sent to the gallows. "Now, it is the test of the Supreme Court. We have very high regard for the SC and I hope that before taking a decision on Article 35A, the SC would think that Article 370 - whose part is Article 35A is a bridge in our relation with the country and any unnecessary fiddling or tampering with it will undermine and nullify the very contract that legitimizes the JK accession to India," Mehbooba told reporters. "It is my humble submission to the powers in our country, do not play with fire. Its consequences would be grave and something which you have not witnessed since 1947," she said. The PDP president appealed to all political parties in the state to devise a joint strategy to save Jammu and Kashmir's special status and said she was in touch with National Conference leader Omar Abdullah over the issue. "...we have to get united and sit together to chalk out a strategy to save Article 35A because if there is any tampering with it, then there will be no question of saving Article 35 A, but about saving J-K," she said. She added, "If there is an attack (on Article 35A), then I do not know which flag, other than the tricolour, would the people of Kashmir bear in hand. And if they do so, then do not tell us that we had not warned you (Centre). Do not push the people of JK to the wall," she said. Mehbooba said people of the state would have to resist any tampering with its special status and all parties, irrespective of their ideologies, would have to come together to defend it. "We will have to resist it ourselves. Irrespective of our ideologies, we all - whether separatists or mainstream - will have to resist it and even if we have to come out on roads, the PDP is ready for that," she said. The former chief minister termed as "revenge and vengeance" the crackdown on Jammat-e-Islami leaders. "Just four days after the attack (February 14 Pulwama attack), you start arresting people without any proof or reason. It means vengeance, revenge. The arrests are vindictive action just to show to the country, where many elements want that Kashmiris be taught a lesson," she said. She said such crackdown and arrest of Jamaat and other leaders "suit the BJP's election process". Referring to the withdrawal of security to the separatists and some mainstream political leaders, Mehbooba said it was "vindictiveness" by the BJP-led Centre. "The security of only the separatists and PDP leaders has been withdrawn. If this is not vindictiveness, then what is it? They fear PDP might do something if something happens," she said. Asked about the tension in the valley and the issuance of advisories by various departments, she said the government was creating chaos. "This is creating chaos, tension and uncertainty because the way they are asking people to stock ration and medicines is an indicator to something else," she said. On Omar Abdullah's poll pitch, the PDP president said her priority was not polls but safeguarding the identity of the state. "I think our biggest priority right now should be saving our identity. Let them hold elections whenever they want, my priority and the priority of people of JK is not elections," she said. Abdullah Monday said holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be a test of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's handling of Kashmir over the last five years. "Will the Modi government bow before those forces of separatism & terror that have always sought to disrupt/delay polls in J&K or will polls take place on schedule? The moment of truth for PM Modi's handling of Kashmir over the last 5 years," Abdullah wrote on his Twitter handle. The former chief minister was reacting to media reports that Election Commission of India will take a call on holding Assembly polls together with Lok Sabha polls after a visit to the state this week. Abdullah said except for an odd by-election, all elections in Jammu and Kashmir since 1995-96 have been held as per schedule. "Will PM Modi be able to keep to this schedule or will he accept he's totally mishandled J&K? The next few days will give us the answer," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Delana Isles LEADER of the Opposition, Charles Washington Misick has officially welcomed second all island member Josephine Connolly into the Progressive National Party (PNP). The welcome was communicated on Monday (February 18) during a sitting of the House of Assembly in Grand Turk and on behalf of the executive members of the party. "As the leader of the PNP and that of Her Majestys loyal Opposition it is my pleasure on the behalf of the PNP executive and members, many of whom voted for her in the 2016 general election, to welcome her. "The honourable member is an ambitious and hardworking servant of the people and is loved by many. "Her contribution to the debate of this House has been invaluable, and I have no doubt that having settled certain matters in her own mind she is at peace with her decision and is resolute in continuing her focus of empowerment of our people, Misick said during his personal statement. He added: "George Bernard Shaw famously said that, Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. "So, to those who would criticise her for changing her mind and crossing the floor, may I remind them that Reagan was also originally a Democrat and a New Deal supporter, to whom the following quote is accredited, I didnt leave the Democratic Party. The party left me. He noted that former US presidential hopeful, Hillary Clinton was a supporter of the Republican Party switching to Democrat in the late 1960s and Elizabeth Warren the current liberal icon started political life as a conservative - she switched to the Democratic Party in the mid-1990s. He further elucidated his point, stating: "Britains wartime prime minister Sir Winston Churchill was a member of the Liberal Party for 20 years before he became a Conservative. "Michael Foot was an Independent before he became a Labourite and ended up leading the party between 80-83. "Cecil Wallace-Whitfield left the PLP and started the Free National Movement. "Both Hubert Ingram and Perry Christie were independents before going on to lead the two major parties in the Bahamas. "Bustamante left the PNP to form the JLP; and Bruce Golding another former prime minister of Jamaica broke ranks with the JLP in 1997, only to return to the party in 2002, and as its leader from 2005 to 2011. Misick stated that when political parties no longer represent the ideals of its adherents, thoughtful politicians have changed parties. In that regard, he added, the honourable member is in good company and if history is any indication her future in politics is bright. The Greek Philosopher Socrates opined: "Let him that would move the world first move himself. "So we in the opposition wish to congratulate the second all-island elected member for her courageous move in joining the PNP where creative friction is seen as an asset, he concluded. A Delhi court Monday allowed Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, accused in a case related to death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar, to travel to Saudi Arabia from February 28 to March 4 for attending a seminar. Special CBI Judge Arun Bhardwaj permitted Tharoor noting that he was given permission to travel abroad earlier and had abided by the terms and conditions of the court. It also noted that another court had already given him permission to travel to UAE, Qatar and Bahrain. "Considering the fact that earlier the applicant/ accused was given permission to travel abroad and he has abided by the terms and conditions of the court, now the applicant/accused is further permitted to visit Saudi Arabia from February 28 to March 4 in addition to permission already granted to him to travel to UAE, Qatar and Bahrain," the court said. Tharoor had sought the court nod to travel abroad saying that he has been invited by Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre, Saudi National Committee for a UDF National Seminar to be conducted from March 1-3, and to attend conference on the invitation from Zahrani Group, Saudi Arabia on 'Indo-Arab trade in ancient India'. He told the court that he has always abided by the terms and conditions and has never violated them in any manner. Delhi Police opposed his plea saying that invites are to be cross-checked for their veracity by communicating with the organisers. It said the trial in Pushkar's death case is in the initial stage and Tharoor has property and other interests abroad and may settle there to evade the trial. "Granting travel permission for abroad at this early stage of proceedings may hamper course of trial and consequently delay delivery of justice in this matter," it said. The court had earlier adjourned to March 7 the hearing in the case against Tharoor. The court had on February 4 sent the case to Sessions Court for further proceedings since the offence under Section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was triable by a sessions judge. Tharoor, former Union minister and Pushkar's husband, has been charged under sections 498-A (husband or his relative subjecting a woman to cruelty) and 306 of the IPC, but has not been arrested in the case. Pushkar was found dead in a suite of a luxury hotel in the city on the night of January 17, 2014. The couple were staying in the hotel as the official bungalow of Tharoor was being renovated at that time. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal Governor K N Tripathi Monday criticised a section of agitating students of the Jadavpur University for heckling Vice-Chancellor Prof Suranjan Das, saying they should not have pushed him. Das had fallen down in front of the administrative building of the University on February 19 during a scuffle between two groups of students. He was hospitalised for two days following the incident. "The students should not have pushed the VC under any circumstances. The students should not ever hit their teacher, their VC," Tripathi told reporters on the sidelines of the convocation of the West Bengal State University in Barasat near here. Asked to comment on the heckling of Das, the governor said the students "should not be involved in any conduct which will go against the spirit of their respective institute". Tripathi, however, said he had nothing against the student community unitedly agitating to press for their demands on academic matters. The incident involving the JU VC took place during a scuffle between members of unions of the faculties of arts, science, and engineering and technology on one side and those belonging to the Trinamool Chhatro Parishad (TMCP), the students' wing of the ruling party, on the other. The AFSU, SFSU and FETSU were demanding tripartite talks with the government to facilitate students' union polls, the TMCP called for steps to halt "illegal activities in the campus after dusk," and installation of CCTV cameras. Both sides went near Das as he came out of an Executive Committee meeting, and in the melee, the VC tripped. The VC had said he felt "insulted after being heckled by the students," but refused to identify those behind the incident and take action against them as asked by Minister Partha Chatterjee who visited him at hospital. Apparently miffed over this refusal, Chatterjee told reporters Monday, "What can the minister do if the VC doesn't listen to his advice? The minister is helpless. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Filmmaker Spike Lee won the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar at the 91st Academy Awards for undercover drama "BlackKklansman" and used the platform to urge people to be on "the right side of the history" in next year's presidential elections. It was Lee's first non-honorary Oscar award as the filmmaker was conferred with an Academy Honorary Award for his contribution to cinema. The filmmaker, who dropped an expletive right at the beginning of his speech, made a reference to Black History Month and his enslaved ancestors, who rose to prominence despite hardships. "Four hundred years (ago), our ancestors were stolen from Mother Africa and brought to Jamestown, Virginia, enslaved. Our ancestors worked the land from can't see in the morning to can't see at night," he said in the speech. Lee remembered to his grandmother, Zimmie Shelton Reatha for giving education a priority despite racial oppression that she and her ancestors faced. "Before the world tonight, I give praise for our ancestors who helped build this country and today along with the genocide of its native people. If we all connect with our ancestors, we will have love, wisdom, we will regain our humanity. It will be a powerful moment. He also urged people to make a moral choice between "love and hate" in the 2020 presidential elections. "The 2020 presidential election is around the corner. Let's all mobilize. Let's all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Let's do the right thing! You know I had to get that in there!" he said, hinting at President Donald Trump's controversial term. "BlackKklansman" follows the real-life story of Ron Stallworth (played by John David Washington), a detective in Colorado Springs, who infiltrates the local chapter of a hate group and becomes the head of the chapter. In the Best Adapted Screenplay category, the 61-year-old director was nominated alongside his collaborators Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, and Kevin Willmott. Other nominees in the category were "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs", Can You Ever Forgive Me?", "If Beale Street Could Talk" and "A Star is Born". He was presented the award by "Captain Marvel" stars Brie Larson and Samuel L Jackson. Jackson, who has collaborated with Lee in the past in films such as Do the Right Thing and "School Daze", looked visibly elated as he read the names on the envelop, saying "Boom!". Lee reciprocated the love by jumping straight into Jackson's lap and giving him a bear hug as he arrived on the stage. The director praised his family before moving the focus on to the coming US presidential election. "The 2020 presidential election is around the corner. Let's all mobilize. Let's all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love vs. hate. Let's do the right thing! You Know I had to get that in there," he said. Lee is up for another two Oscars -- Best Picture and Best Director. At the red carpet, the filmmaker honoured his 1989 cult classic film "Do the Right Thing" by wearing four-fingered LOVE and HATE rings. Lee paid tribute to the late music legend Prince with an all-purple suit and custom-made necklace donning the symbol Prince adopted as his name. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Several leaders of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) Monday joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here. BSP leaders including former ministers Mukul Upadhyay (Hathras), Ramhet Bharti (Sitapur) and zonal coordinator Dhruv Parashan (Agra) along with former SP MLA Bina Bharadwaj joined the saffron party in the presence of Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey, the party said in a statement. Welcoming the new members, Pandey said, "The welfare measures initiated by the Narendra Modi government and the Yogi Adityanath government in the state, have increased the faith of the people in the BJP." Pandey also claimed that the opposition parties were fearing defeat and therefore, forging alliances. "Eyeing a possible defeat in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the opposition parties are forging alliances," the state BJP chief said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior Taliban leaders, including one of the group's founders, were to hold another round of talks Monday in Qatar with Washington's special peace envoy as U.S. efforts intensify to find a negotiated solution to Afghanistan's 17-year war, America's longest. The Taliban, some of whom arrived in Doha, Qatar's capital, from Pakistan the previous night, raised expectations ahead of talks with U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad. "Yes, there is a possibility we will reach some results," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told The Associated Press. Leading the Taliban delegation in Doha was Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a co-founder of the movement who was released last year from a Pakistani jail where he had languished since his arrest in a joint Pakistani-CIA operation in 2010. Past rounds have focused on U.S. withdrawal of troops, which has been a standing Taliban demand, and guarantees that Afghanistan will not be used again as a staging area for terror attacks on the United States. Khalilzad is expected to pressure the Taliban to hold direct talks with the government in Kabul, something the insurgents have so far refused to do. The Taliban, who had harbored al-Qaida and its leader Osama bin Laden, ruled Afghanistan before U.S. forces invaded in October 2001 following the 9/11 terrorist attack. The Taliban today have resurged, carrying out deadly near-daily attacks on Afghan army and police forces and holding sway over almost half the country. They view the US-backed government in Kabul as a dysfunctional Western puppet and have refused repeated offers to negotiate with it. However, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai recently told the AP that the Taliban would talk with Afghan government officials on condition they are part of a larger group of prominent Afghan figures meeting with the Taliban similar to the gathering held earlier this month in Moscow. Karzai attended the meeting in Russia, as did Afghan opposition figures, but no one from the Kabul government was there. Baradar's presence in Doha and his lead role in the talks with Khalilzad is considered significant because of his stature within the Taliban movement. The Taliban maintain a political office in Doha. Following his release, Baradar had circulated a Pashtu-language audio tape promising Taliban fighters he would have a greater presence within the movement. Since his appointment as Washington's peace envoy, Khalilzad has crisscrossed the region, meeting the Taliban on several occasions, as well as differing powerbrokers in Kabul, including Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. He has also been to Pakistan, India, Russia and China and held meetings with NATO and EU officials. Last week, he was in Turkey for talks with government officials as well as Zamir Kabulov, Russia's envoy to Afghanistan. Ghani has also called a Loya Jirga, a traditional gathering of political and tribal leaders, for next month to draw up the government's negotiating position for talks with the Taliban, though he has yet to put together a negotiating team that would have wide support of Afghan political and tribal leaders. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Tuesday the politically sensitive Ayodhya's Ram-Janmabhoomi Babri Masjid land dispute matter. It will be heard by a five-judge constitution bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S A Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer. The apex court had on January 27 cancelled the scheduled hearing for January 29 as Justice Bobde was not available that day. 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 in Ayodhya be partitioned equally among the three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla. The five-judge bench was re-constituted on January 25 as Justice U U Lalit, who was a member of the earlier bench, had recused himself from hearing the matter. When the new bench was constituted, Justice N V Ramana was excluded from the re-constituted bench. Justices Bhushan and Nazeer, who were included in the newly constituted bench, were part of an earlier bench headed by then Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra (now retired) which had heard the Ayodhya land dispute matter. The three-judge bench had on September 27, 2018 refused to refer to a five-judge constitution bench the issue related to reconsideration of the observation in the apex court's 1994 judgment that a mosque was not integral to Islam. While then CJI Misra and Justice Bhushan had said it has to find out the context in which the five-judge bench had delivered the 1994 judgment, Justice Nazeer had given a minority verdict disagreeing with the two judges. Justice Nazeer had said whether a mosque is integral to Islam has to be decided considering religious belief which requires detailed consideration. On January 10, Justice Lalit had recused himself after expressing disinclination to participate in the hearing any further as he had appeared as a lawyer for former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh in a related matter "sometime in the year 1997". Along with the main matters, the constitution bench will also hear the connected issues raised in separate petitions. The Centre had on January 29 moved the apex court seeking its nod to return the 67-acre undisputed acquired land around the disputed site to original owners. The 0.313 acre plot, on which the disputed structure stood before it was demolished by 'kar sevaks' on December 6, 1992, was within the 2.77-acre disputed premises, the plea filed by the government had said. The government had then acquired 67.703 acres, including the 2.77-acre plot, through a legislation in 1993. The Ram Janambhoomi Nyas (RJN) is the owner of as much as 42 acres of the acquired non-disputed land. The Centre's plea has said that the RJN (a trust to promote construction of Ram Temple) had also sought return of excess land acquired to original owners. The Centre has claimed that only 0.313 acre of land was disputed on which the structure stood before it was demolished by 'kar sevaks' on December 6, 1992. It has sought modification in its 2003 order and permission to return to original owners the 67 acres "non-disputed" land around the disputed structure in Ayodhya. A week after, another petition was filed challenging the constitutional validity of a 1993 central law by which the government acquired 67.703 acres of land, including the disputed premises of Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid, in Ayodhya. The petition, filed by seven individuals, including two Lucknow-based lawyers claiming to be devotees of Ram Lalla, has contended that Parliament had no legislative competence to acquire land belonging to the state. Moreover, it said, the state legislature has the exclusive power to make provisions relating to the management of affairs of religious institutions inside its territory. The petitioners, including lawyers Shishir Chaturvedi and Sanjay Mishra, submitted that the Acquisition of Certain Areas of Ayodhya Act, 1993 infringes upon the right to religion of Hindus guaranteed and protected under Article 25 (freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion) of the Constitution. The plea has sought the court's direction restraining the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government from interfering in "Puja, Darshan and performance of rituals at the places of worship situated within the land admeasuring 67.703 acres acquired under the Act particularly at the land belonging to Shri Ram Janam Bhoomi Nyas, Manas Bhavan, Sankat Mochan Mandir, Ram Janmasthan Temple, Janki Mahal and Katha Mandap". It also said that the law, by which the entire disputed and adjoining undisputed land was acquired, violated the freedom of the Hindus to practise their fundamental religious rights under Article 25 of the Constitution. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea seeking a probe into possible larger conspiracies behind the February 14 Pulwama terrorist attack in which 40 CRPF soldiers were killed. The PIL, filed by lawyer Vineet Dhanda, had claimed that nearly 370 kg RDX explosive was used by the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) suicide bomber who rammed his vehicle into the bus carrying the soldiers and hence required a thorough probe. A bench of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna dismissed the plea. The plea had also sought directions to the Centre to constitute a committee headed by a retired judge of the apex court to inquire the role of Indian citizens in the Uri and Pulwama terrorist attacks. It alleged that though the investigations by the Centre and the Army found procedural lapses in the 2016 Uri attack in which 17 jawans died, they did not carry out any detailed investigation because of which the people behind it were not punished. It further claimed that the role of locals in Kashmir, who had allegedly given support to Pakistani terrorists were also not investigated, which gave confidence to JeM to carry out the Pulwama attack. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a batch of pleas challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35A, which provides special rights and privileges to natives of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, this week. The crucial hearing, which could be listed from February 26 to February 28, assumes significance in view of the toughening stand of the state-based political parties on the sensitive issue. The Supreme Court website, in its weekly list, has listed as many as six petitions including the lead plea of NGO 'We The Citizens' for hearing during the week. The state administration recently requested the top court to adjourn the hearing on the pleas on various grounds, including that there was no "elected government" in the state. "The present matter involves a sensitive issue regarding a challenge to Article 35A of the Constitution of India. A short reply has been filed by the state of Jammu and Kashmir in the lead matter 'We the Citizens' and notices have not been issued on the other petitions. It will, therefore, be requesting that the matter may kindly be heard when an elected government is in place," the state administration has said in its letter. The apex court had deferred till January this year the hearing on the pleas after the Centre and the state said local bodies polls there would go on till December. The Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration had said the issue of Article 35A was "very sensitive" and keeping in mind the law and order aspect, the hearing be held in January or March 2019. "Let these matters be listed in the second week of January 2019. All interlocutory applications shall be taken up along with the main matter," the bench had said then. Article 35A, which was incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, accords special rights and privileges to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and bars people from outside the state from acquiring any immovable property in the state. It denies property rights to a woman who marries a person from outside the state. The provision, which leads to such women from the state forfeiting their right over property, also applies to their heirs. The bench is hearing several petitions including the one filed by NGO 'We the Citizens' through lawyer Barun Kumar Sinha. On August 6 last year, the apex court had said a three-judge bench would decide whether the pleas challenging Article 35A should be referred to a five-judge constitution bench for examining the larger issue of alleged violation of the doctrine of basic structure of the Constitution. Several applications, including by political parties such as the National Conference and the CPI-M, were also filed in the Supreme Court in support of Article 35A, which also empowers the state assembly to define "permanent residents" to bestow special rights and privileges to them. Besides the NGO, the other petitioners on the matter are West Pakistan Refugees Action Committee Cell 1947, Dr Charu Wali Khanna, Kali Dass, Radhika Gill and Major Ramesh Upadhyay. The state government, while defending the article, had cited two verdicts of the constitution benches of the Supreme Court in 1961 and 1969, which had upheld the powers of the President under Article 370(1)(d) of the Constitution to pass constitutional orders. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court Monday sought response of the Meghalaya High Court Registry on a plea seeking expunction of controversial remarks by Justice Sudip Ranjan Sen that India should have been declared a Hindu country at the time of partition in 1947. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Sanjiv Khanna issued notice to the high court registrar on the plea filed by Sona Khan and others. The plea contended that the judgment authored by Meghalaya High Court judge Justice Sen is "legally flawed and historically misleading". The apex court had earlier refused to consider the prayer that the judicial work from Justice Sen be withdrawn and had rather asked the petitioner to amend her plea by seeking expunction of alleged controversial remarks in the judgment. Justice Sen had written in his judgement, "Pakistan declared themselves as an Islamic country and India since was divided on the basis of religion should have also been declared as a Hindu country but it remained as a secular country. "Even today, in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, the Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Christians, Parsis, Khasis, Jaintias and Garos are tortured and they have no place to go and those Hindus who entered India during partition are still considered as foreigners, which in my understanding is highly illogical, illegal and against the principle of natural justice," he had said. The observations made by the judge violate the citizenship law and makes a case for India as a country of and for Hindus, the petition said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court Monday agreed to examine a plea seeking protection of human rights of security force personnel, who are being attacked by mobs while performing duties. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna also issued notices to the Union of India, Ministry of Defence, Jammu and Kashmir and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on a plea, filed by 19-year-old Preeti Kedar Gokhale and 20-year-old Kajal Mishra. The plea sought formulation of a policy to curb human rights violations of security force personnel, who are being attacked by mobs while performing duties. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Long-awaited Foreign Affairs Commission report also says Belongership rights are wrong and slams voter discrimination By Gemma Handy SAME-SEX marriage could soon be legal in the TCI and other British territories if London adopts advice from its Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) and forces a legislative change. The long-awaited report from the FAC, which has been scrutinising the UKs governance of its OTs, urged the British government to "step in as it did in 2001 when it decriminalised homosexuality in resistant territories. Among the 48 pages of findings and recommendations released on Thursday (February 21) there is also a demand for speedy implementation of public registers of beneficial ownership. And a condemnation of Belongership status as "wrong because it denies legally-resident OT and UK citizens "the right to vote and hold elected office. "The government should set a date by which it expects all OTs to have legalised same-sex marriage. "If that deadline is not met, the government should intervene through legislation or an Order in Council, the report stated. Discrimination based on sexual orientation is constitutionally banned in the TCI but many Islanders remain vehemently opposed to allowing same-sex couples to wed or jointly adopt. Some believe homosexuality to be in contravention of Biblical teachings. "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act. When did a woman become a husband? said one resident. Others praised the stance. "The times are changing and the TCI would probably like to be seen as leading the world on the subject of equality, rather than dragging behind, remarked reform campaigner and long-term resident Patricia Duff. When quizzed about updating marriage laws by the committee last year, Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson responded: "We consult our people when we make major changes. The controversial topic threatens to once again put the TCI and Britain at loggerheads. Same-sex marriage has been legal in the UK since March 2014 and London has long maintained that OTs wishing to remain under the British umbrella embrace British principles. Still, the report acknowledges it to be a "notable point of divergence and friction across the region where it remains illegal in all five of the British OTs. In addition to being barred from tying the knot, OT citizens who legally marry a same-sex partner elsewhere face obstacles in bringing their spouse to live with them. In the Cayman Islands, which is currently awaiting a landmark court ruling brought by a female couple, residents are deeply divided. LGBTQ rights group Colours Cayman claims the status quo is in breach of international law. And Cayman-based British lawyer Dr James Reeve outlined in a written submission the distress caused him after his husband, by way of a 2003 civil partnership in Germany, was denied the right to move with him to the territory. The experience had "a profound impact and "potentially put at risk my employment prospects and our long-term future in Cayman, Dr Reeve wrote. Other regional leaders have reiterated the need for consultation with the populace. Montserrats Premier Donaldson Romeo said it was important for the UK to recognise that "as separate territories, with ethnic diversity from your territory and cultural differences, we ought to be allowed to make decisions on matters such as same-sex marriages. BVI chiefs say its constitution defines marriage as between a man and a woman. The FAC investigation, announced last July, was the first of its kind in 11 years and has been largely seen as carving a future path for OTs level of autonomy. The matter of Belongership bestowal was a major focus during the 2008-2009 Commission of Inquiry and ensuing constitutional changes. Now the FAC advises phasing out Belongerships "discriminatory elements. In the TCI, a Belonger is defined as "an individual who is free from immigration restrictions in relation to the amount of time they may remain in the Islands. Only Belongers have all the rights normally associated with citizenship, such as voting. But that "elevates one group of British people over another and risks undermining the ties that bind the UK and the OTs together in one global British family, the report maintains. It recommends consultations between London and OT leaders to forge a pathway for all resident UK and OT citizens to be able to vote and hold elected office in the territory. The introduction in 2023 of public registers laying bare the identity of owners of companies sheltering assets has also been a bone of contention. OTs fear it will asphyxiate lucrative offshore financial services industries and pave the way for an exodus of businesses to other, more secretive, jurisdictions. But the FAC praises the impending move, saying: "It is vital that this information can be accessed by the public, both in the UK and in countries where public money has been stolen by kleptocrats whose actions harm the UK and its allies. Other advice in the report includes extending communication between OTs and London to other British government departments beyond the FCO; offering clarity on replacing lost EU funding after Brexit; and allowing individual territories to lay a wreath on Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in Whitehall to commemorate their fallen war heroes. Visit www.parliament.uk to view the report in its entirety. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says the United States has asked Moscow's advice in dealing with North Korea before a summit between President Donald Trump and the North Korean leader. Trump and Kim Jong Un are expected to meet on Wednesday and Thursday in Vietnam's capital. Their first meeting last summer ended without substantive agreements on North Korea's nuclear disarmament. Lavrov, who is also visiting Vietnam this week, said in comments carried by Russian agencies on Monday that Russia believes that the US ought to offer Pyongyang "security guarantees" for the disarmament deal to succeed. He also mentioned that "the U.S. is even asking our advice, our views on this or that scenario of" how the summit in Hanoi could pan out. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Moldova held a parliamentary poll on Sunday, with both pro-Russian and pro-EU forces accusing the ruling party of massive election fraud. They said the Democratic Party, led by powerful oligarch Vlad Plahotniuc, had bussed in people from the former Soviet state's breakaway region of Transnistria and told them how to vote. Moldova's pro-Moscow President Igor Dodon and pro-Brussels opposition leader Andrei Nastase both alleged the party had conspired with Transnistrian separatist authorities to organise the fraud. Dodon urged people not to be tempted by bribes. "Don't be afraid or let people buy you off. Don't be afraid of losing your job," Dodon said after voting in the capital Chisinau. "I know people are encouraging you to vote for certain parties." Nastase alleged that "they (the ruling party) are bussing in vulnerable people ripe for corruption," he said. But Democratic Party deputy chairman Vladimir Chebotar said he had information that it was Socialist Party leaders who were offering bribes to residents of Transnistria to back its candidates. Authorities in Transnistria -- which broke away from Moldova after the fall of the USSR but is not recognised internationally -- did not allow polling stations to be opened in the region. But around 220,000 people living in the narrow stretch of land hold Moldovan citizenship and are eligible to vote on the opposite side of the Dniester River that separates the rebel republic from government-controlled territory. Chebotar on Sunday acknowledged that there had been "violations" during the election but shrugged them off, saying they would "not affect the voting process." Polling stations closed at 9:00 pm local time (1900 GMT), with voter participation at 49.08 per cent, according to electoral authorities. Results are expected on Monday. No party is likely to gain the majority needed to form a government in the country of 3.5 million people, and analysts are concerned the vote will be followed by a period of instability. While many want to maintain close ties with Moscow, others are looking towards the European Union, seeking to follow the example of Romania, with which Moldova shares a language and long history. Victoria Chetrean, 40, told AFP she voted for the pro-European alliance that favours joining the EU and NATO. "My husband has worked in Italy for over 10 years for us to have a bare minimum standard of living," she said. "We should work towards European living standards." Moldova's economy is propped up by remittances from workers abroad, which has caused the working-age population to fall sharply. "People are disillusioned with the state, a million people have left," said Ion Vasilache, a 42-year-old university lecturer who supports Moldova joining the EU. "I am ready to leave tomorrow. If the same corrupt authorities stay in power after the election, I will leave for Romania," he said. Dodon's pro-Moscow Socialist Party was leading in recent opinion polls, advocating for Moldova to join Russia's Eurasian Economic Union. Russia has rallied around Dodon, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin. Vasilii Ianioglo, a 57-year-old driver from the Gagauz minority -- a Turkish-speaking people who are traditionally Russian-leaning -- praised Dodon's frequent Kremlin visits. He voted for the Socialists, describing it as "the only party that looks after national minorities". As well as seeking to keep Moldova in its sphere of influence, Moscow has long backed separatists in Russian-speaking Transnistria. Fuelling tensions ahead of the vote, Russian authorities had on Friday accused ruling party leader Plahotniuc of running a vast money-laundering scheme in 2013-14. But on Sunday, parliamentary speaker Andrian Candu said it was merely a Russian ploy to influence the election. "It is all manipulation and disinformation," he said after voting in Chisinau. "It's not the first time that Russia tries to influence Moldova's election." The Democratic Party has sought a balanced approach between Moscow and the EU. But relations with the EU have deteriorated. Last November, Brussels reduced aid citing a "deterioration of the rule of law" -- a reference mainly to corruption. Moldova last year ranked 117 out of 180 nations in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index. A businessman convicted in a billion-dollar fraud case -- Israeli-born Ilan Shor -- is likely to make it to parliament, a case analysts say exposes widespread graft. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union minister Kiren Rijiju Monday ruled out the imposition of President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh, which witnessed widespread violence in the past four days, and said the state government could not communicate properly to the people on the contentious PRC issue, leading to the unrest. Rijiju also said the Pema Khandu-led BJP government in the state should take all possible steps, including initiating dialogue with the civil society, to bring normalcy as early as possible, as there was confusion on the issue of granting Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) to six communities. "There is no question of imposition of President's rule. The state government should immediately work for restoring peace and bringing back normalcy. The protests took place as the state government could not communicate properly to the people on the issue of PRC," he told reporters here. Rijiju also denied that there was any move to replace Chief Minister Pema Khandu by the ruling BJP. The Congress has demanded the chief minister's resignation and the imposition of President's rule in the state. At least three people lost their lives during violent protests over granting the PRC to six non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APSTs) communities living in Namsai and Changlang districts -- Deoris, Sonowal-Kacharis, Morans, Adivasis and Mishings -- and to the Gorkhas living in Vijaynagar. Most of these communities are recognised as Scheduled Tribes in neighbouring Assam. Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, said the state government should give compensation to those who were killed and those who received injuries. "The Home Minister (Rajnath Singh) and I have spoken to the Governor and the Chief Minister and told them that peace must be prevailed and adequate compensation should be given to the victims of police firing," he said. The union minister of state for home also blamed the Congress for "politicising" the PRC issue and said the Narendra Modi-led central government has done tremendous work for the development of Arunachal Pradesh as well for the entire Northeastern region and all such initiatives should not go in vain due to protests and violence. "Arunachal Pradesh is a peaceful state and its people are peace loving. The state government should talk to all concerned people and organisations so that peace and harmony come back. I am told the situation is now under fully control," he said. Army patrolled the streets of Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar Monday as people gathered on streets defying curfew despite the chief minister's assurance that grant of PRC to six non-native communities in the state was a "closed issue". Curfew that was clamped in Itanagar and adjoining Naharlagun town on Saturday, but it did not deter protesters from venturing into the troubled streets that were scene of pitched battles with security forces over the last three days that left three people dead, including two in police firing on Sunday. No major incident of violence has been reported from anywhere since Monday morning as Arunachal Scouts, an infantry regiment of the Army trained in mountain warfare, marched through the streets of the two towns to instill confidence among people and ward off possible violence, officials said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Monday directed chief secretaries of all the states and Union Territories to hold a meeting in four weeks with the Union health secretary to chalk out a road map for setting up rehabilitation homes for people who have recovered from mental illness and are fit to go home but are languishing in hospitals. A bench of justices D Y Chandrachud and Hemant Gupta directed the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to appoint a nodal officer to conduct the meeting. The court, while was hearing a petition filed by advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, directed all the states and UTs to provide full data to the Ministry of Home Affairs on the status of mentally ill patients who are now fit to go home but are unable to do so. It said that the data provided by the states must include roadmap regarding setting up for rehabilitation homes and based on it the Union ministry will prepare a report to be submitted in apex court before the next date of hearing. The court warned that non compliance of the order will be treated as contempt of court and posted the matter for further hearing on May 1. Bansal in his plea has said that around 10,000 persons, who are fit to be discharged, are forced to live in different mental hospitals and institutes due to social stigma. On October 3, last year, the apex court had sought reports from all the states and Union Territories on the status of setting up rehabilitation homes for people with mental illness. Several states and UTs have filed their response on the compliance of the Centre's guidelines for setting up of rehabilitation homes for persons living with mental illness (who have been cured, or who do not need further hospitalization, or who are homeless or are not accepted by their families). Bansal had earlier said that except for few, many states and UTs have not complied with the order of July 10, 2017, in which they were asked to implement the guidelines prepared by Centre within one year period. States and UTs which have filed their response include Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, Punjab, Nagaland, West Bengal, Telangana, Tripura, Delhi, Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. On July 10 last year, the apex court had taken on record the affidavit filed by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities of Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment by which it had highlighted the guidelines for the state governments for setting up rehabilitation homes for persons living with mental illness. The apex court had asked the Union Ministry to circulate the guidelines to all the state governments and UTs, with a direction to implement them within one year. It had also directed the state governments to comply with the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and file a status report most definitely before August 1, 2018. On February 14, the apex court had favoured framing of a uniform national policy to deal with those suffering from mental illness and their release from hospitals after being cured. It had said that the issue concerned figured in the concurrent list of the Constitution and hence the Centre also has the authority to frame norms. The PIL filed by Bansal has raised the issue of release of about 300 persons from various mental hospitals in Uttar Pradesh, alleging they were still languishing there despite being cured of their ailments and most of them belonged to poorer sections. It has alleged that many underprivileged persons were still staying in mental hospitals despite being cured and there was no policy in place to ensure their well-being after release. The plea also referred to responses received underI with regard to the release of persons living in mental hospitals in Bareilly, Varanasi and Agra in Uttar Pradesh even after being cured. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Some farmer organisations and experts have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the proposed mega-trade deal RCEP should not place any obligation on India with respect to intellectual property (IP) on seed and planting materials. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a free-trade agreement (FTA) being negotiated by 16 countries, including 10-member Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) bloc and India, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea. It aims to cover goods, services, investments, economic and technical cooperation, competition and intellectual property rights (IPR). In a letter to the prime minister, 41 farmer organisations and 12 experts said certain RCEP members are demanding a tighter IPR regime in the form of insistence on provisions on rights in plant varieties. "It is demanded by some RCEP-participating countries that such plant variety protection (PVP) shall provide for the IP protection of all plant genera and species by an effective PVP system, which is consistent with the 1991 Act of the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants," the letter said. A mega FTA that undermines farmers' seed freedoms in a diverse country is unacceptable, it added. "Countries have complete freedom to adopt a system suitable to their agricultural condition and needs. Nothing in the RCEP negotiations should affect and limit this freedom," it added. India wants to have a balanced RECP trade agreement as it would cover 40 per cent of the global GDP and over 42 per cent of the world's population. India already has an FTA with ASEAN, Japan and South Korea. It is also negotiating a similar agreement with Australia and New Zealand but has no such plans for China. The organisations that have signed the letter include All India Coordination Committee of Farmers Movement, All India Farmers Association, All India Kisan Sabha, All India Kisan Mazdoor Sabha, Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture, and Annadana Soil and Seed Savers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chinese handset maker Xiaomi Monday said it has signed up Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh to endorse its range of smartphones in India. The financial details of the partnership and the tenure were not disclosed. "Since majority of India's consumers are still heavily offline based, it's necessary for a brand to be able to establish a meaningful bond with these consumers, in order to gain relevant visibility and create a stronger impact," Xiaomi India Chief Marketing Officer Anuj Sharma told PTI. Therefore, having Ranveer Singh as Xiaomi's brand ambassador for smartphones makes for an incredible partnership, he added. "Although this may seem a rather traditional marketing association, Xiaomi as a brand is known for its unconventional marketing approach, and has created a similar offbeat and quirky campaign with Ranveer, which evidently stands out with Indian consumers," he said. According to Counterpoint, Xiaomi led the smartphone market in India in 2018 with 28 per cent share, followed by Samsung (24 per cent). The hyper-competitive Indian smartphone market witnessed the fastest growth among major markets, expanding by 10 per cent in 2018 over the previous year to over 145 million units, it added. The Chinese player had entered the Indian market through online channel, and has been focussed on aggressively expanding its offline presence over the last many months. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The People's Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) sent a letter to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday, urging it to monitor the presence of large number of the Indian Army and the central armed police forces (CAPF) along the Mizoram-Myanmar border. The letter said that the presence of large number of armed soldiers in the areas is creating panic among the civilians along the Myanmar border, a statement issued by the party said. Restricting civilian movement by the troops has created serious problems for the people, the statement quoted the PRISM's letter as saying. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) British Prime Minister Theresa May has come under increasing pressure to delay the March 29 deadline for Britain's exit from the European Union as the prospect of a withdrawal agreement being passed by the UK Parliament continues to hang in the balance. From an Arab-EU summit in Egypt on Monday, prime minister May insisted the UK was on course to acquire the legally binding assurances that the House of Commons needs in relation to the controversial Irish backstop clause to pass such a deal. However, she sought more time to put it to a so-called "meaningful vote" in Parliament, which will now take place on March 12 instead of this week as previously announced. "There is still more work to do, and my team will be in Brussels tomorrow (Tuesday) working on the legally binding assurances that the UK Parliament needs in relation to the backstop," she said in a statement from the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh. "But what I have sensed in all of my conversations with my fellow leaders, both here in Sharm el-Sheikh and in recent days, there is a real determination to find a way through which allows the UK to leave the EU in a smooth and orderly way with a deal," she said. But with another delay of the vote to next week, just 17 days before the March 29 deadline, MPs from within her own Conservative Party are beginning to speak out in favour of postponing the timeline at least by a few months. It is being suggested as an alternative to cross-party proposals which would see MPs take control of the process, with British MPs set to table a series of amendments on the future course of Brexit on Wednesday. One, drawn up by Labour's Yvette Cooper and Conservative Oliver Letwin, would, if passed, give MPs the power to demand a delay to Brexit if a deal cannot be agreed by March 13. There is also a proposal for a new amendment from a group of Tory backbenchers, led by Andrew Percy and Simon Hart, which calls for a "strictly time limited" delay to Brexit if there is no formal deal by March 13. Three Cabinet ministers - Greg Clark, Amber Rudd and David Gauke - have indicated plans to defy the government whip and vote in favour of one such amendment in favour of a delay unless there is a major breakthrough in ongoing talks with the EU to avert a chaotic no-deal. May has refused to comment on whether she would be forced to sack ministers from her Cabinet in such a scenario. Meanwhile, the President of the European Council Donald Tusk said he had also discussed a "potential extension" to Article 50 when he met prime minister May on Monday and that the EU side was open to that option as opposed to crashing out with no deal. "We will face an alternative, chaotic Brexit or an extension. The less time there is until 29 March, the greater the likelihood of an extension, and this is an objective fact - not our intention, not our plan, but an objective fact," Tusk said. He said an extension would be a "rational solution" but that May told him "she still believes she is able to avoid this scenario". The British Prime Mnister has long resisted any suggestion that the UK's departure could be postponed beyond March 29, the two-year timeline under the Article 50 process set for a country's departure from the EU. Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has been criticising her government for "running down the clock" until a time when MPs were forced "to choose between her bad deal and a disastrous no deal". His party is likely to table an amendment on Wednesday, putting its own Brexit plan one which backs a permanent Customs Union with the EU and a close relationship with its single market to MPs. That move could take the party a step closer to supporting a second EU referendum, calls for which has been growing since nine members of the party quit openly backing another referendum. There will be further talks in Brussels on Tuesday on the Northern Ireland backstop the number one sticking point for many when it comes to a Brexit deal clearing Parliament. The clause is intended as an insurance policy to ensure an open border between EU member-state Ireland and the UK after Brexit but hard-Brexiteers fear it could be used by the economic bloc to keep Britain tied to EU rules indefinitely. The same group is also against any delay in the exit deadline next month. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pope Francis on Sunday vowed to tackle every single case of sexual abuse by priests, comparing paedophilia to "human sacrifice", but drew an angry response from victims. As the pope promised an "all-out battle" against abusive priests at the end of the landmark Vatican summit on the issue, his critics dismissed his speech as a "stunning letdown". And when he blamed the Devil for abuse in the Church, one victim described his comments as "pastoral 'blah-blah'". In his closing address to top bishops he also insisted the Church was not the only place children were assaulted. "If in the Church there should emerge even a single case of abuse -- which already in itself represents an atrocity -- that case will be faced with the utmost seriousness," Francis promised. "I am reminded of the cruel religious practice, once widespread in certain cultures, of sacrificing human beings - frequently children - in pagan rites," he said. The sexual abuse of minors was "a widespread phenomenon in all cultures and societies", Francis said, as he denounced priests who prey on children as "tools of Satan". "I make a heartfelt appeal for an all-out battle against the abuse of minors both sexually and in other areas... for we are dealing with abominable crimes that must be erased from the face of the earth," he said. Children must be "protected from ravenous wolves", he said, adding: "We stand face to face with the mystery of evil". The scandals have hit countries around the world, with lives devastated from Australia to Chile, Germany and the US. Pope Francis had opened the four-day meeting by calling for "concrete measures" against child sex abuse and handing 114 senior bishops a roadmap to shape the debate on tackling paedophile priests. The pope will issue "a new Motu Proprio" on the "protection of minors and vulnerable persons", summit moderator Federico Lombardi said after the pope's speech. "Motu Proprios" are legal documents issued under the pope's personal authority, and this one will "strengthen prevention and the fight against abuse on the part of the Roman Curia and Vatican City State," he said. Francis also wants to create "task forces" to help local parishes fight clerical paedophilia and the Vatican will draw up guidelines for bishops on dealing with abuse cases, he added. The meeting was marked by soul-seeking and self-recrimination by the Church, and horror stories from abuse victims. But the 82-year-old pontiff had warned victims to lower their expectations, saying much of the work would be done after the summit. "Pope Francis's talk today was a stunning letdown, a catastrophic misreading of the grief and outrage of the faithful," said Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability. "If the powerful testimonies of the past week moved the needle in the right direction, the pope today moved it back," she said. Swiss victim Jean-Marie Furbringer said: "Honestly it's a pastoral 'blah-blah', saying it's the fault of the Devil". "It talks about the Devil, it talks about evil... There is no talk about permanently excluding child rapists and abusers who are employees of the Church," said Britain's Peter Saunders, a victim who resigned from a Vatican advisory commission on combating abuse. Vatican specialist Marco Politi told AFP it would be "crucial to see what happens in the coming months. "If structures are not put in place to file complaints and address the needs of victims, then the next scandal to break out will not only hit the local church but also the credibility of the pontificate," he said. In his lengthy speech, Francis said the Church would draw inspiration from the "best practices" in the Seven Strategies for Ending Violence against Children, measures developed under the guidance of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Those gathered at the Vatican heard testimonies from victims, one of whom was forced to have three abortions after being abused for years by a priest who beat her, while another said he had been molested more than 100 times. "The echo of the silent cry of the little ones who, instead of finding in them fathers and spiritual guides encountered tormentors, will shake hearts dulled by hypocrisy and by power," Francis said. "It is our duty to pay close heed to this silent, choked cry," he added. But Francesco Zanardi, survivor and head of Italian victims' association Rete Abuso, said the Vatican had "lost credibility". "We wanted to see measures, to see the bishops (guilty of protecting paedophile priests) named. Start by opening the Vatican archives, not by destroying documents. Start handing documents over to the civil authorities," he said. The Vatican has in the past refused to hand over internal documents about abuse cases to police investigating paedophilia. German Cardinal Reinhard Marx admitted Saturday that "files that could have documented the terrible deeds and named those responsible were destroyed, or not even created". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi police has registered a case after the Election Commission (EC) asked it to track down those who were spreading "fake news" that NRI's can cast their vote online during the forthcoming Lok Sabha, officials said Monday. "Based on the complaint of the EC, a case was registered on Friday," Madhur Verma, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) said adding that the matter will be probed by its Cyber cell. The EC had filed the complaint on Friday. Asking the police to investigate the matter, the EC had said its logo was being used on social media to "mislead" people. The Commission said the "fake news" violated IPC's section 505 which pertains to rumour mongering and attempts to spread alarm among people. On January 31, a 21-year-old man was arrested by the Cyber cell for allegedly publishing fake about the 2019 Lok Sabha polls on his website. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A drunk man claiming to be a terrorist, who had made a call to the control room threatening to blow up the prime minister after getting into a fight with his landlord, was detained by the police, officials said Monday. The call was received at 10.30 pm on Sunday from the man, who was a labourer. During the call, the man said "I am a terrorist. PM Modi will be blown up and Delhi will be bombed." The caller was traced and detained on the basis of the call and he was jointly interrogated by Delhi Police's Special Cell, the Intelligence Bureau and the local police, police said, adding that he was let off. The call was found to be a hoax. He had liquor following a fight with his landlord and had made the call because he was angry, police added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid criticism of its allilance with the ruling AIADMK by various quarters, PMK Monday said the pact for the coming Lok Sabha elections was forged with an intention to 'retrieve' and uphold Tamil Nadu's rights on various issues. Pattali Makkal Katchi Youth Wing leader Anbumani Ramadoss also asserted the party would support any anti-graft action against state Ministers if corruption charges against them were proved. "Our intention is to retrieve and uphold the rights of Tamil Nadu and its people," he told a press conference here. On the PMK's stand now on corruption charges against the AIADMK over which it had earlier petitioned the state Governor seeking action, Anbumani Ramadoss insisted his party remained firm on its stated position. "Regarding the petition we had submitted to the Governor, action should be taken if the charges are proved.... I will be the first person to seek the resignation (of Ministers concerned)," he said. The AIADMK had last Tuesday struck poll-pacts with BJP and PMK, allotting five and seven seats to them respectively out of the total 39 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state. PMK has come under sharp attack from DMK and several other opposition political parties and a section of the civil society for aligning with the AIADMK after being a vocal critic of the AIADMK on issues, including corruption. Defending the tie-up, Ramadoss, Lok Sabha member from Dharmapuri, pointed to the ten-point charter of demands PMK had presented to the AIADMK prior to confirming the alliance. The demands included ensuring release of seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case and implementation of prohibition, he said adding Chief Minister K Palaniswami, also the AIADMK Joint Coordinator, has agreed to 'consider' most of them. The AIADMK was on the same page on the release of Murugan, Santhan, AG Perarivalan, Robert Payas, Ravichandran, S Jayakumar and Nalini, all life convicts, he said. The state cabinet had last September recommended to Governor Banwarilal Purohit for their premature release, saying they were in prison for about 27 years. Ramadoss said the alliance decision was also taken factoring in the "majority view" in his party. His father and PMK founder leader S Ramadoss had held discussions with a large number of workers, functionaries and office-bearers, he added. Admitting that the party had in the past decided not to align with either DMK or AIADMK, the PMK youth wing leader said the situation has, however, changed, following the demise of AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa and former chief minister M Karunanidhi of DMK. "We stuck to that (position of not aligning with the two Dravidian parties) for eight years (since 2011). Today the situation is different. Today our rights have to be retrieved," he said. He also pointed to the prevailing national political scene and said leaders like Mamata Banerjee (TMC), Sharad Pawar (NCP) and TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu were now with Congress though they had been very critical of it in the past. Once arch-rivals, the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party had come together in Uttar Pradesh, he said adding even Shiv Sena, which had been attacking BJP, has confirmed its alliance with the saffron party in Maharashtra. Hitting back at DMK president M K Stalin for his criticism of PMK, Anbumani Ramadoss said he was perhaps afraid of the AIADMK-led alliance's victory prospects. To a qeustion, he said even the DMK had approached the PMK for a possible alliance. Claiming that the AIADMK-led alliance which also has the BJP, will sweep the coming polls, Anbumani Ramadoss said it will be easier for ensuring Tamil Nadu's welfare by being part of the NDA if it forms the next government at the centre. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress President Rahul Gandhi Monday trained his guns on Narendra Modi, alleging that the prime minister's ego is not allowing him to meet his demand for granting "shaheed" (martyr) status to personnel of CRPF and other paramilitary forces killed in action. He, however, hoped that the prime minister would act on the Supreme Court's order for better pay to paramilitary forces personnel. "We must recognise the sacrifices of our paramilitary forces, like the CRPF & award their martyrs the title of 'Shaheed'. Even if the PM's ego will not allow him to act on my request, I hope he will act on the SC's order for better pay to the Paramilitary," he tweeted. He attached a media report alleging that before the Pulwama terror attack, the Centre had opposed salary hikes to CRPF in the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, ahead of the inauguration of the National War Memorial in Delhi, senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal asked Modi what he had done to save the lives of soldiers in the past five years. Sibal said, "We stand by the war memorial. It is for the prime minister to tell us how we save the lives of our security forces." The former union minister said memorials are good and one should remember those who gave up their lives for the country. But there should be actions on the ground too, he added. He said that while 19 jawans lost their lives in the Uri terror attack and 40 were killed in Pulwama, and asked how the government plans to prevent such killings. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public meeting in Churu district of Rajasthan on Tuesday, a BJP spokesperson said. Preparations for the rally to be held on February 26 are being done at party and administration level, he said. It will be Prime Minister Modi's second public meeting in Rajasthan within four days. He had visited Tonk on February 23. State Chief Secretary D B Gupta held a high-level meeting to review the preparations for the Tuesday's rally. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public meeting in North Goa on March 7, the BJP announced here Monday. The meeting is a part of the party's preparations for upcoming Lok Sabha polls, state BJP president Vinay Tendulkar said. Earlier this month, BJP president Amit Shah had addressed the Atal Booth Karyakarta Sammelan here on February 9. Both South Goa and North Goa constituencies in the coastal state are currently represented by the BJP. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister on Monday inaugurated the country's War Memorial (NWM) adjoining the iconic India Gate complex in the heart of the capital, nearly 60 years after it was mooted to honour the fallen soldiers after Independence. Spread over an area of approximately 40 acres, the memorial comprises four concentric circles, namely-- the 'Amar Chakra, the Veerta Chakra, the 'Tyag Chakra' and the 'Rakshak Chakra' with names of 25,942 soldiers inscribed in golden letters on granite tablets. It also includes a central obelisk, an eternal flame and six bronze murals depicting famous battles fought by Indian Army, Air Force and Navy in a covered gallery (Veerta Chakra). The PM dedicated the memorial, built at a cost of Rs 176 crore, by lighting the flame positioned at the bottom of the stone-made obelisk. Rose petals were showered by IAF helicopters and a fly-past in 'Missing Man' formation was also part of the event. There was no memorial to commemorate the sacrifice of fallen soldiers after independence. The NWM pays tribute to soldiers who laid down their lives defending the nation during India-China war in 1962, Indo-Pak wars in 1947, 1965 and 1971, Indian Peace Keeping Force Operations in Srilanka and in the Kargil conflict of 1999. The sanction for the project was issued on December 18, 2015 and actual work on it started in February 2018. In the complex, 16 walls have been constructed in the Tyag Chakra for paying homage to the 25,942 battle casualties and their names have been inscribed on granite tablets arranged in a circular pattern, symbolizing the ancient Indian war formation 'Chakravyuh'. The outermost circle -- the Rakshak Chakra comprises of rows of more than 600 trees with each tree representing many soldiers who guard the territorial integrity of the nation round the clock. The memorial complex also comprises graphic panels and stone murals. Busts of the 21 awardees of Param Veer Chakra have been installed at Param Yoddha Sthal which includes three living awardees Sub Maj (Hony Capt) Bana Singh (Retd), Sub Major Yogendra Singh Yadav and Sub Sanjay Kumar. Officials said the Amar Jawan Jyoti, built in 1972 underneath the India Gate arch in memory of the fallen soldiers of the 1971 war, will remain there but the NWM will be the place to pay tributes to soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country. Six murals, made by noted sculptor Ram Sutar, depicting famous battles fought by the Army, Air Force and Navy have been put up in a gallery in the Veerta Chakra zone, he added. The India Gate itself is a war memorial built during the British Raj as the All India War Memorial Arch to honour the soldiers who died in the First World War (1914-1918) and the Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919). The landmark has the names of soldiers inscribed on its surface. The proposal to set up a War Memorial had been under consideration since early 1970s. A Group of Ministers (GoM) in August 2012 recommended "C" Hexagon of India Gate as the appropriate location for the memorial. Prime Minister on Monday launched an all out attack on the Congress accusing it of adopting a "family first" approach and said security suffered due to "criminal negligence" of the previous dispensation, in remarks which came shortly before he inaugurated the War Memorial here. In his hard-hitting speech at a gathering of ex-servicemen, the Prime Minister referred to the Bofors scam, AgustaWestland chopper scam, Rafale issue and inordinate delays in procurement of critical military platforms and ammunition by previous government. Modi also listed steps taken by his government in enhancing India's military might, ensuring welfare of security personnel and ex-servicemen as well as in honouring the fallen heroes. "Why injustice was meted out to our martyrs? What was the reason why attention was not drawn to build a memorial for the martyrs? Was it India first or family first. The answer to this lies in the difference between family first and India first," Modi said, in a clear reference to the Gandhi family. He also trained his guns on the Congress on the Bofors and AgustaWestland helicopter scam. "From Bofors to helicopter, all investigations point at the same family and it says a lot. These people are putting all their might to ensure that Rafale jets do not come to India. When India's first Rafale will fly over the country, then it will demolish their conspiracies," said the PM. Paying his respects to the CRPF soldiers killed in the Pulwama attack, he said due to the sacrifice of many soldiers India is among the strongest armies in the world. Speaking on the occasion, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the ex-servicemen, "What we need today is your trust, and trust in the Prime Minister," seen as seeking their support for BJP's return to power. Saying that for him it was India first, Modi asserted that "this pradhan sewak", a term he uses often for himself, will take every decision keeping the interest supreme. "The decisions which were pending compromising national interests were being cleared one by one on priority basis," he said. Noting that the proposal for the memorial was mooted almost 25 years back, he said it saw some progress during the previous BJP-led NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee but got stuck when the Congress-led UPA came to power in 2004. "In 2014 we started the process of building it and it has been completed before time. Friends, this memorial also signifies how a resolution can be fulfilled," he said. He asserted that his government cleared long-pending crucial defence projects and demands of soughtity forces on a priority basis as he sough to put the Congress in a dock on the issue of The armed forces had sought 1.83 lakh bullet proof jackets in 2009 but it was only after his government came to power that over 2.30 lakh of them were bought. "Who is to blame for this sin and blot/" he asked, calling it criminal negligence with armed forces and His government has also bought 72,000 modern rifles and spent Rs 25,000 crore on purchasing ammunition, he added. The reason for delay in the previous government and the decision taken by his dispensation is due to the difference between "family first" and "India first" mindset, he asserted. Addressing the ex-servicemen, he said the government will set up three super-specialty hospitals for them. The prime minister said "Modi is not important" and what is paramount are the nation's history, culture and civilisation. His government has implemented one-rank-one-pension (OROP) scheme for ex-servicemen and disbursed Rs 35,000 crore under it, he said, adding that their pension budget is now over Rs 1,12,000 crore and salaries of soldiers are up by 55 per cent. "A new India is marching forward with new vigour and energy," said Modi. The PM later inaugurated the country's National War Memorial (NWM) adjoining the iconic India Gate complex in the heart of the capital. The Delhi High Court on Monday sought the response of the Centre, the AAP government and the DMRC on a PIL seeking installation of screen-doors at all metro station platforms to prevent incidents of commuters falling on the tracks. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao issued notice to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Delhi government and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and sought their replies to the plea by July 25. The petition filed by Hussain Mueen Farooq, who claims to be a social activist, has also contended that since the beginning of operations in 2002, the Delhi Metro did not have a single Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) as required under the Delhi Metro Railway (Operation And Maintenance) Act. According to the Act, the primary function of the CMRS is to inspect the metro railway with a view to determine whether it is fit to be opened for carrying passengers. Farooq, in his plea, has sought directions to the Centre to appoint someone to the post of CMRS and that screen-doors be set up at all station platforms to ensure that people do not fall on the tracks, either by accident or deliberately to commit suicide. The petitioner has said that time and again people have died by falling on the tracks as a train was approaching and contended that installing screen-doors will prevent such incidents that "add to the travelling woes of commuters". A screen-door is a continuous connected barrier preventing passengers from moving close to the edge of the platform. It opens only after the doors of the train open or simultaneously. The petition says that screen-doors on platforms are a feature of stations on the Airport Express line and some select stations on other lines. It claims that in some stations, the screen-doors are present but are non-functional. Apart from installation of screen-doors and appointment of a CMRS, the plea has also sought that the DMRC submit a separate and detailed annual report about its operations before Parliament. Farooq has contended that presently, the DMRC annual report is a brief document annexed along with that of the Railways and this practice has been going on since the initiation of its operations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The condition of ailing is stable, his office said Monday after a senior doctor from the in New Delhi conducted his health check-up at a state-run hospital here. Parrikar, 63, was admitted to the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on Saturday. Two doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, had arrived here Sunday afternoon to examine the senior BJP leader. "Dr Pramod Garg from who is heading the treatment of Honble Chief Minister @manoharparrikar has conducted a thorough check up of the CM. The doctors are happy with his progress and the chief minister continues to be stable," the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said in a tweet. Goa Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant also said the chief minister's condition was "stable" and his "internal bleeding had stopped". Parrikar has been suffering from a pancreatic ailment for the last one year and has undergone treatment in the US as well as at Delhi and a private hospital in Mumbai. Several leaders, including Sawant, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and former chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar, arrived at GMCH on Monday morning to enquire about Parrikar's health. Sawant later told reporters that Parrikar's health condition was stable and, as per the doctors, treating him, the "internal bleeding which was happening had stopped". "All his health parameters are stable now," he added. Rane on Sunday had said MLAs and other leaders were not being allowed to meet Parrikar to avoid the risk of infection from outsiders. He also appealed to people not to believe rumours. Parrikar had fallen ill on February 14, 2018 and was shifted to GMCH, from where he was taken to the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai the next day. He had later undergone treatment in the US. The was shifted to the AIIMS in New Delhi on September 15 last year and returned to Goa on October 14 for recuperating at his private residence at Dona Paula near here. He also attended the Budget Session on January 29 and presented the state budget the next day. On the last day of the session on January 31, he was taken for treatment to AIIMS in Delhi and he returned to Goa on February 5. A parliamentary panel Monday asked micro-blogging site to engage more with the of India (ECI) ahead of general elections and also summoned senior officials of other social media platforms Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram on March 6. This was informed by Anurag Thakur, chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology, after a nearly three-and-a-half-hour meeting with Global Vice President of Public Policy for Colin Crowell and other officials of the micro-blogging platform. Thakur said officials were asked to "engage more" with the ECI and address issues on a "real-time" basis. The Twitter officials were told that there should not be any "international interference" in the Sources said the social media platform was categorically asked to ensure the forthcoming elections are not undermined and influenced by foreign entities. This message to the micro-blogging site was in an apparent reference to numerous complaints of interference by social media platforms in the US elections, they said. Thakur said Twitter officials replied to most questions and would submit replies to remaining queries in writing in 10 days. The panel, which hear the views of the representatives of Twitter on 'safeguarding citizens rights on social/online news media platforms', has also summoned public policy heads of Facebook, WhatsApp and Platform, he said. Sources also revealed that Thakur read out a letter addressed to him by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey during the meeting. POLICE and fire officials in the capital are investigating the origins of an early morning fire at the Cactus Corral Bar and Disco. The fire was reported to the Grand Turk Police Station at 3.01am last week Friday, February 15. Emergency personnel responded to the fire located off Waterloo Road, where they found a wooden structure engulfed in flames. No injuries were reported. The fire was later extinguished by the Airport Fire Service and investigations into its cause are continuing. Pakistan's Senate or upper house of the parliament on Monday unanimously passed a resolution condemning "threats" by India in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack. The move comes amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan after the February 14 suicide attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group that killed 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. The resolution - moved by Raja Zafar-ul-Haq of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz - appreciated the Imran Khan-led government's stance of offering assistance to India in investigations of the attack and to take action on actionable intelligence or evidence, Radio Pakistan reported. The resolution reiterated that no one should underestimate Pakistan's ability and commitment to defend its borders against any external aggression. (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 has postponed his scheduled visit to Japan, amid tensions with India following the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers. Qureshi telephoned his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono and apprised him about the reason behind the postponement of his official visit to Tokyo. He said the situation in South Asian region, including Kashmir, is tense following the Pulwama attack. He said in such a sensitive situation, it was important and inevitable for him to stay in the country, Radio Pakistan reported. "I have written to the UN secretary general to play his role in easing tensions and also request Japan to play an active role to do the same," he said. Both the foreign ministers agreed to reschedule the visit at the earliest. Last week, the Foreign Office announced that Qureshi will visit Japan from February 24-27 and meet his counterpart as well as the prime minister. Forty Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed on February 14 when a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into their bus in Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former minister and TRS MLA T Padma Rao was unanimously elected deputy speaker of Telangana Assembly on Monday. Speaker Pocharam Srinivasa Reddy announced the unanimous election of Padma Rao as deputy speaker as no other nomination was received (on Saturday last when the nominations were accepted) for the post. With the ruling TRS having reached out to opposition parties to make the election of deputy speaker a unanimous affair, they had agreed to support his candidature. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, Leader of Oppositison M Bhatti Vikramarka and members of other parties conducted Padma Rao, MLA from Secunderabad, to the Chair after the Speaker made the announcement. Congratulating Padma Rao, the Chief Minister recalled that he had been a dedicated activist for the separate Telangana agitation and described him as a simple and down-to-earth leader. He had fought against the closure of toddy shops (a source of livelihood for about one lakh workers) in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy district in undivided Andhra Pradesh and got them reopened when he became excise minister in 2014, the chief minister said. The credit for bringing back livelihood to workers goes to Padma Rao, he added. Assuring his party's cooperation, Vikramarka (Congress) expressed confidence that Padma Rao would be successful in running the House, upholding the highest standards of ethics and democracy. BJP MLA T Raja Singh, AIMIM's Kausar Mohiuddin and a number of other MLAs from all parties congratulated Padma Rao on being elected to the office of deputy speaker. State Home Minister Mohd Mehmood Ali said Padma Rao maintained cordial relations with all sections of society in the spirit of "Ganga-Jamuna Tehzeeb" (pluralistic culture) that Hyderabad is famous for. 64-year old Padma Rao entered in 1973 as a Youth Congress activist and was elected as a Corporator in Hyderabad in 1986. He joined the TRS in 2001 when the party was formed. He was elected to the Assembly in 2004 and again in 2014 and had served as excise minister during the previous TRS government during 2014 to 2018. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Peter Farrelly's "Green Book" may have ended up with the Best Picture trophy at the 91st Academy Awards but it's win has not gone down well with many on social media calling it out for its "sanitised look" at racial problems in America. The film, about the story of an unlikely friendship between a Black musician and his white driver, upstaged front-runners Alfonso Cuaron's "Roma", "Black Panther", "The Favourite" and "BlacKkKlansman" to bag Best Picture Oscar. Many on Twitter equated the film's surprise win with "Crash", Paul Haggis' 2005 film that had controversially bagged the coveted honour despite the presence of films like "Brokeback Mountain" and "Munich" in the category. "'Crash' watching 'Green Book' take its place as the worst Oscar winner," wrote a person on Twitter. Another person wrote, "'The Green Book' was 'Crash II: Crash In The Past'." Spike Lee, who ended his own long enduring wait for Oscar glory with his Best Adapted Screenplay win for "BlacKkKlansman", was also visibly upset with "Green Book" winning Best Picture honour. According to Deadline, Lee, whose film "BlacKkKlansman" was also nominated in the category, attempted to storm out of the Dolby Theatre after it was announced that "Green Book" has won the award. The director "walked towards the back of the auditorium in a huff." During the winners' speech, Lee had turned his back to the stage. He was later seen engaged in an "intense conversation with Jordan Peele, who was behind him." Backstage, Lee referenced to his 1989 film "Do the Right Thing", which was denied a nomination in the Best Picture award, which ultimately went to "Driving Miss Daisy", another controversial Best Picture choice. "I'm snake bitten. I mean, every time somebody is driving somebody, I lose. But, they changed the seating arrangement. But, in '89 I didn't get nominated, so this one we did," he said. When asked for his reaction to "Green Book" win, Lee said "the ref made a bad call". A photo of "Black Panther" star Chadwick Boseman exchanging bemused look with his co-star Michael B Jordan after "Green Book" was announced Best Picture winner has also gone viral. "Doctor Strange" director Scott Derrickson tweeted, "This year reinforces my long-held belief that the only thing interesting about the Oscars is their astonishing consistency in getting s**t so horribly wrong." Social media users were scathing in their criticism of the Academy's choice. "No disrespect to Green Book at the #Oscars, but many of us in the black community would like to see greater recognition for movies about the black experience and not just for movies that make the black experience comfortable for white audiences," a social media user wrote on Twitter. "I don't 'hate' 'Green Book'. It wasn't my least my favourite and Mahershala is automatic. But it's hollow. It serves to satiate instead of challenging viewers & fails to make a bold choice, from execution to POV. In a year in which so many films had something real to say, that's a shame," another user responded. "'Green Book' is a perfectly good film, the weird bits about a white man teaching a black man how to be black notwithstanding," read a tweet. A viewer noted that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) is full of "old white men" and they thought voting for the film would send the message of diversity. "'Green Book' winning really proves that the academy is still full of old white men that enjoy a pat on the back for being so Not Racist but also still want the focus completely about them... this is the dullest and most disappointing nomination that could have won," the tweet read. "Look, I haven't seen 'Green Book'. That said, I think when you have 2 films about race directed by POC that are well loved in the same category, choosing the controversial film about race directed by a white guy shows how out of touch with the cultural conversation the academy is," added another social media user. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Leaders of a number of Opposition parties will meet in Parliament on February 27 to chalk out a 'Common Minimum Programme' for fighting the general elections, sources said. The leaders have been invited to the meeting in Parliament House library where a collective strategy will be evolved to take on the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections, they said. The opposition leaders may also work out an electoral strategy to oust the BJP from power. The opposition strategy on the Pulwana terror attack may also come up for discussion, they said. The decision to formulate a common minimum programme was mooted at the February 13 meeting of opposition leaders that included the Congress. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had earlier proposed that there be a Common Minimum Programme of opposition parties and their primary aim should be to forge state-level alliances to defeat the BJP. The last meeting was attended by Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and National Conference's Farooq Abdullah, among others. While leaders of a number of parties are likely to attend the February 27 meeting, sources say the Left is yet to decide on its participation. The left parties are of the view that forging a national-level tie-up should be taken up after elections and so should be the common minimum programme, they said. They feel that the priority should be to forge state-level alliances and the primary objective of the opposition parties should be at the national level to defeat the BJP. "The Common minimum programme and other agenda can be worked out after the elections and the electoral seat sharing arrangement should be done now at state level," a senior left leader said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday hinted that he will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections if his party, the BJP, is keen on it, but made it clear he will not feature in the 2021 assembly polls. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting here in Lakhimpur district, Sarma said, "As I have stated earlier, I want to leave state and I don't want to contest the 2021 assembly elections. I have conveyed my decision to my party." On the prospect of contesting the general elections, he said: "I cannot take the decision... They (the BJP) can nominate me to contest for the Lok Sabha if they wish, and I will contest." Asked which parliamentary constituency would the minister prefer, Sarma said he was "okay" to contest from any of the 14 seats in Assam. Sarma, who is also convenor of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), exuded confidence that the BJP would win 19 of the 25 Lok Sabha seats from the Northeast at the upcoming hustings. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah Monday said he was "disappointed" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "politicising" the opening ceremony of the National War Memorial. "Credit to the PM Modi for building a national war memorial after 70 years. Disappointed with politician Modi for politicising the occasion by making a blatantly political speech at the inauguration," Abdullah tweeted. "Today's speech should have been made in a BJP election rally not at an event with serving armed service officers, veterans & families in the audience," the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister added. Modi inaugurated the memorial adjoining the iconic India Gate complex in the heart of the capital, nearly 60 years after it was mooted to honour the fallen soldiers after Independence. The PM dedicated the memorial, built at a cost of Rs 176 crore, by lighting the flame positioned at the bottom of the stone-made obelisk. Speaking at the event, he attacked the previous Congress-led UPA regime of orchestrating defence scams prioritising family over country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) British actor Olivia Colman, as temperamental Queen Anne in "The Favourite", bested Hollywood veteran Glenn Close to win her maiden Best Actress Oscar at the 91st Academy Awards here. Colman and Close, nominated for her role of a bitter wife to a literary giant in "The Wife, were in a neck-and-neck fight for the coveted golden knight. Colman gave a nod to fellow nominee Close, who was a favourite in the category, and said she did not want to win an Oscar while her "idol" lost. "It is genuinely quite stressful. This is hilarious, I have got an Oscar! To be in this category with these extraordinary women. Glenn Close, you have been my idol for so long. This is not how I wanted it to be. I love you all," she said in her acceptance. The actor also thanked film's director Yorgos Lanthimos and co-stars Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone. "I have to thank a lot of people. If I forgot you I will find you later and give you a massive snog. Yorgos, my best director and the best film. Emma and Rachel the two women to fall in love with and to go to work with everyday. Her maiden Oscar win follows her winning streak at this awards season - she bagged the BAFTA Award, the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress in a Comedy and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress Motion Picture Comedy or Musical. Colman brought a certain pathos to the eccentric British royal absurdist period comedy drama. The actor shines despite being surrounded by two Oscar-winners and Hollywood stars -- Weisz and Stone. Colman's Anne emerges a lonely figure, plagued by gout and the loss of her 17 children. In her quest for love, she is often left emotionally abused by the two women seeking power through her. The British actor, who started her journey as a comedienne, has emerged as one of the best dramatic stars of this generation with critically-lauded turns in "Broadchurch" and "The Night Manager". She has been a favourite of Lanthimos, who first worked with her in 2015 film "The Lobster", where she played the manager of a facility which turns single people into animals if they fail to pair up. Co-star Weisz was also a part of that film. The other nominees in the category were Lady Gaga for "A Star is Born", Yalitza Aparicio for "Roma" and Melissa McCarthy for "Can You Ever Forgive Me?". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after hinting at "a larger role in serving the people", Robert Vadra Monday said he was not in a hurry to take the political plunge. His comments came on a day when posters were put up in his hometown Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, welcoming him to contest elections. Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, had Sunday put put a Facebook post announcing that he might play "a larger role in serving the people" after the ongoing cases against him were over, sparking speculation over his joining active politics. "I need to absolve from baseless accusations and allegations...I will start working on it. There is no hurry. People need to feel that I can make a change," he said when asked about his joining active politics. Vadra is being probed by the Enforcement Directorate in money laundering cases related to purchase of alleged illegal assets abroad and an alleged land scam in Bikaner, Rajasthan. In a Facebook post, Vadra wrote about years and months he had spent campaigning and working in different parts of the country, mainly in Uttar Pradesh, and claimed that it gave him a feeling to do more for the people. "All these years of experience and learning cannot be just wasted and should be put to better use...Once all these accusations and allegations are over, I feel I should dedicate a larger role in serving the people," Vadra, who is Congress general secretary for Uttar Pradesh (East) Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's husband, said. The comments have come weeks after Priyanka jointed active politics and was appointed as the All India Congress Committee general secretary in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) HMD Global, which sells brand of mobile phones, is looking to be among top three players in over the next three-five years, a top company official said Monday. The company said it is developing product-based on market feedback and demand from consumers. "Our ambition is to be among top three players in next three to five years. We will doing it in a systematic manner. We will deliver consumers experience that they seek," Country head for Ajey Mehta told "We now have product with difference of Rs 2000-3000 in the range of Rs 5,000 to Rs 30,000 to cater wide range of consumers demand," he added. The company on Sunday launched five including its premium segment 9 PureView with five cameras in the price range estimated to be around Rs 50,000 a unit as per global price shared by the company. "We are very seriously focussing on image which is one the experience that we want to deliver to consumers. This is the reason we have launched PureView our flagship imaging device," Mehta said. The company unveiled Nokia 4.2 expected to be priced in range of Rs 12,000- Rs 15,000, Nokia 3.2 for Rs 10,000-12000 a unit and Nokia 1 plus for around Rs 7,000 a unit. HMD also unveiled a feature phone Nokia 210 that will be priced around Rs 3,500 a unit. Mehta said that specific timing of launch of these phones will be decided in sometime but all of them are expected to start selling in in the second quarter. Nokia brand phones dominated India market for about 7-8 years when mobile telephony started in the country but lost its spot to South Korean major and was adversely impacted by sale of low-costChinese phones. Talking about competition with Chinese brands that still dominate India market with their low cost pricing strategy, Mehta said that pricing is one strategy to sell product but HMD will focus on experience of customers. "We know we are not disruptor on pricing but we will deliver value at the price point we sell them product," Mehta said. now sells Nokia phones in partnership with Nokia and Mehta said that almost all the phones that HMD sells in India are manufactured in the country and evaluating business proposition for making it's high end phone Nokia PureView also locally. ATTORNEY General Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles and attorney Jonathan Katan are the two newest Queens Counsel to be appointed in the jurisdiction of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The appointments were made upon the recommendation of Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale, and authorised by Jeremy Hunt, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. In announcing the news on Monday (February 18), Governor John Freeman said the following: "It is with great pleasure that I am announcing the appointment of the Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles, the Attorney General of TCI, and of Mr Jonathan Katan, as Queens Counsel in this jurisdiction. "Their appointments are a tribute to their distinguished service as members of the TCI Bar and their well-deserved advancement will add further lustre to the legal community of these Islands. I offer them my sincere congratulations. The new Queens Counsel will be formally admitted to the Inner Bar by the Chief Justice at a ceremony to be held sometime next month. Braithwaite-Knowles began working for the Government on August 4, 2000, in the post of Crown Counsel. She later on moved to Senior Crown Counsel in 2005-2006, commercial/civil department of the Chambers. On April 1, 2006, she became Principal Crown Counsel, Commercial in the Attorney Generals Chambers, where she headed the commercial/civil division up until April 1, 2008, when she took up the post of Deputy Attorney General, becoming the first Islander to ever hold that post. In October 2013, Braithwaite-Knowles received an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) award from Her Majesty the Queen for her services to the development and reform of the public service of the TCI. On March 6, 2014, history was made again in the TCI when she was sworn in at the House of Assembly as the first local, youngest and first female attorney general. Katan, who is originally from England, was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1990. For the next 11 years he practiced from Barristers Chambers in Temple, London. Katan then moved to the TCI in late 2001 and was called to the Turks and Caicos Islands Bar in early 2002. He remains a door tenant at Goldsmith Chambers, Temple, London, and is a member of Grays Inn. Katan is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and the International Compliance Association. He is also a former president of the Turks and Caicos Financial Industry Association and former vice president of the TCI Bar Council. He currently works at Miller Simons OSullivan. There was no report of any violence from anywhere in Arunachal Pradesh on Monday even as the indefinite curfew imposed in Itanagar and Naharlagun and the suspension of internet services remained in force, police said. Arunachal Pradesh witnessed massive violence for three days from Friday over the Joint High Power Committee (JHPC) recommendation granting permanent resident certificates (PRC) to six communities who are not natives of the state but have been living in Namsai and Changlang districts for decades. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Satya Gopal issued a statement on Sunday, saying: "Considering the present situation pertaining to grant of PRCs to non-APST (Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes) of Namsai and Changlang districts, the state government has decided that no further action will be taken in grant of PRCs." There was no report of violence from anywhere in the state on Monday but shops and market establishments in Itanagar and Naharlagun were closed, police said, adding that central paramilitary forces sent to help the state administration in maintaining law and order have reached Itanagar. Union minister Kiren Rijiju Sunday said the state government has decided to not accept the recommendations of a high-level committee to grant permanent resident certificates to six communities, and blamed the Congress for "instigating" a section of the people. In separate tweets, Rijiju said the Arunachal Pradesh government has passed an order to not accept the recommendations of the Joint High-Powered Committee to grant PRC to six communities living in Namsai and Changlang districts. On Sunday, two people were killed and three injured when protesters tried to attack the private residence of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu at the ESS sector here in the afternoon. Khandu had called an all-party meeting Sunday to take stock of the situation and decide on the future course of action, but none of the parties, including the opposition Congress, NPP and the PPA, turned up. Sources in the chief minister's office said the meeting has been rescheduled on Monday. The agitators have been demanding a permanent resolution to the PRC issue, immediate resignation of the chief minister, unconditional release of protesters (numbering around 40) and immediate transfer of the chief secretary, among others. Protesters allegedly set ablaze the private residence of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and ransacked the office of the deputy commissioner here on Sunday, police said. An indefinite curfew was clamped in Itanagar and Naharlagun on Saturday and internet services suspended as protesters resorted to stone pelting in which 35 people, including 24 police personnel, were injured. The Army had also conducted flag marches in Itanagar and Naharlagun on Saturday. Over 150 vehicles have been damaged by the protesters since Friday, they said. On Saturday, the agitators damaged the stage of the Itanagar International Film Festival at the Indira Gandhi Park here. The organisers later called off the film festival. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vikas Yadav, undergoing 25-year jail term for killing business executive Nitish Katara in 2002, moved the Supreme Court Monday challenging a Constitution Bench verdict which held that courts can specify the length jail of term for murder convicts. The move prompted the top court to ask Yadav whether he can challenge through a fresh plea the validity of a verdict which has already attained finality. On October 3, 2016 the Supreme Court had awarded 25-year jail term without any benefit of remission to Yadav and his cousin Vishal for their role in the sensational kidnapping and killing of Katara. Another co-convict Sukhdev Pehalwan was also handed down 20- year jail term. A bench headed by Chief Justice Rajan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna was hearing the fresh plea by Yadav alleging that "no special category of sentence in substitution to the life sentence or the death penalty could be imposed upon the persons guilty of offence of murder under section 302 of the IPC". It said: "Tell us how can we re-open this issue by entertaining your writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution in view of the Constitution Bench judgement which had said that the courts are empowered to award sentence for a fixed period without any benefit of remission (to a convict)." It further said that Yadav was seeking review of the judgement by filing a fresh plea and questioned his move. "Your grievance seemed to be against the Constitution bench judgement and can you do this by filing a fresh writ petition". The bench, which did not issue any notice to the parties including the Union ministries of home affairs and law and justice as also Neelam Katara, mother of the victim, adjourned the hearing and ordered listing of the plea after three months. Yadav has sought striking down of section 53 (punishment of life and death and to which offenders are liable under the provision of the code) and section 45 (life) of the IPC on the ground that they are violative of Articles 14 (equality before law) and 21 (protection of life and personal liberty) of Constitution. He alleged that punishment provided in the IPC for the offence of murder was either the life term or the death penalty and any specification of the fixed jail term that too without any remission by carving out a special category was violative of his fundamental rights. The Delhi High Court, while upholding the life imprisonment awarded to Vikas and Vishal Yadav by the trial court, had specified the jail term and had awarded 30 year sentence, without any remission, to both of them. It had awarded 25 year jail term to third convict Pehalwan. The apex court, however, had modified the award of 30 year jail term, saying that the 25 year imprisonment for the offence of murder and five year jail term for causing destruction of evidence, would run concurrently and not consecutively. It had also scaled down the jail term of 25 years to 20 years to be awarded to third co-convict Sukhdev Pehalwan in the case by holding that the imprisonment for separate offences would not run consecutively but concurrently. The bench had already dismissed the appeals against their convictions in the case for kidnapping Katara from a marriage party on the intervening night of February 16-17, 2002 before killing him for his alleged affair with Bharti Yadav, sister of Vikas, because they belonged to different castes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Civil society groups monitoring Nigeria's presidential and parliamentary election said on Monday that 39 people have been killed in violence linked to the vote. The Situation Room, an umbrella group of more than 70 organisations, said "election-related violence... led to the death of at least 39 Nigerians" in the last two days. The body, which previously gave a death toll of 16, had more than 8,000 observers on the ground for Saturday's vote, at which President Muhammadu Buhari is seeking a second term. "Situation Room reiterates that no election in Nigeria should cost the life of any citizen and condemns in the strongest terms the lack of empathy, concern and sensitivity by the police class regarding these events," it said in a statement. A total of 16 people were killed in the southern state of Rivers, which has long been a flashpoint for political violence. Bayelsa, which neighbours Rivers to the west, saw four deaths, and Delta, the next state along, had two fatalities. Eight other states around the country saw people killed. Clement Nwankwo, the executive director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, who is also convenor of the Situation Room, said the violence should be "thoroughly investigated". The group highlighted reports that just over a quarter of the nearly 120,000 polling units were under-policed, and there were "shortfalls and gaps" in security elsewhere. At least six states saw disruption in polling. In the Okoto area of the country's biggest city, Lagos, voters were chased away and ballot boxes were destroyed, Nwankwo said. In Osun state, also in the southwest, ballot papers and boxes were destroyed at the local office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he added. There were also reports of some "partisan" security officials, "compromised" INEC staff and incidents involving the military, including blocking some voters. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi Monday said the NDA government needs to act rationally on Article 35 A of the Constitution as it is a sensitive issue. He dismissed the talk that it was a matter concerning Muslims, saying even the Hindus of Jammu would not like any tinkering with 35A (which gives certain powers to Jammu and Kashmir). "You repeatedly say that this is Muslim (issue). Even the Hindu of Jammu would not like it. A BJP MLA himself has given a statement against it. (Article) 35 A applies to the entire state, not just the Valley. That is why, we hope that the Modi government works rationally. Elections come and go.But, it is necessary to work rationally and not vigour.. This is a very sensitive matter," Owaisi told reporters here. If the government tinkers with Article 35 A, it would send a wrong message to Naga separatists with whom the government is holding talks, he claimed. "You are talking about 35 A and the Modi government itself is talking to Naga separatists. Under 371 A , we have given special provision to Nagas. When you are talking to Naga separatists and if you tinker with 35 A, what message you are giving to Nagas who are not satisfied with special provisions they got under 371 A," he said. The AIMIM chief said when Article 370 came into the Constitution, Sardar Patel, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Jawaharlal Nehru were members of the constituent assembly. "So, 370 has a permanent position in Constitution of India," Owaisi, Lok Sabha member from Hyderabad, said. Article 370 of the constitution guarantees a special status to Jammu and Kashmir. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif was sent back to jail on Monday after his 10-day stay in Jinnah Hospital Lahore in connection with his treatment. Sharif, who is serving a seven-year imprisonment in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case, was shifted to hospital on February 15 from Kot Lakhpat jail for cardiac treatment. According to a Punjab government official, the three-time prime minister asked the doctors to shift him back to jail after his bail petition on medical grounds was rejected. A two-member Islamabad High Court bench on Monday "dismissed" his bail application, saying Sharif could not be given bail on health grounds as he was already being treated at a hospital. "The doctors advised angiography of Sharif but he refused to have the procedure in the Jinnah Hospital," the official told PTI. "We have shifted Sharif to jail primarily on his request," he said and added that the Sharif family was interested to get his angiography done from London after bail. The home department spokesman also confirmed that Sharif was sent back to jail on his "wish". The five-member special medical board of the Jinnah Hospital that examined Sharif said the patient needs cardiac catherterization, for further management, in view of his symptoms of angina. Shahbaz Sharif, younger brother of Nawaz Sharif said: "We are consulting our lawyers to challenge the high court verdict to reject his bail in the Supreme Court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The inauguration of the sprawling National War Memorial is a "landmark event" and the county now has "one more pilgrimage place" where citizens can come to pay homage to our brave soldiers, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Monday. Addressing a gathering of ex-servicemen at the National Stadium, she also said that there was "always an inexorable requirement to have our own war memorial" to pay tribute to soldiers who have laid down their lives since Independence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the memorial on Monday, spread over 40 acres in the India Gate complex here, by lighting the flame positioned at the bottom of the stone-made obelisk. Modi also addressed the ex-servicemen at the event. "It has been wonderfully designed such that it homogenously merges with the surrounding, giving an impression that it existed ever since long. We can proudly say there is one more pilgrimage place for we Indians. We expect every citizen will pay a visit to this memorial to pay homage to our brave soldiers," she said. The memorial pays tribute to soldiers who laid down their lives defending the nation during the Indo-China War in 1962, Indo-Pak Wars in 1947, 1965 and 1971, Indian Peace Keeping Force Operations in Srilanka and in the Kargil Conflict in 1999. "After World War I and the conflict in Aghanistan-Waziristan, a memorial was built in the pre-Independence era in the form of the India Gate. In 1972, the Amar Jwan Jyoti was built underneath it to commemorate the Indo-Pak conflict of 1971," Sitharaman said. Post-Independence, more than 25,000 soldiers have laid their lives in our national interest, defending the sovereignty and integrity of the nation, she said. "There was always an inexorable requirement of having our own war memorial to pay tribute to our soldiers killed in the Indo-China War in 1962, Indo-Pak Wars in 1947, 1965 and 1971, Indian Peace Keeping Force Operations in Sri Lanka and in the Kargil Conflict in 1999," she said. It also commemorates the soldiers who participated and made supreme sacrifice in the UN Peace Keeping Missions, during Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Operations, counter-insurgency operations and Low Intensity Capital Operation (LICO), the minister said. During the Joint Session of Parliament in 2014, the president had made a commitment of building a national war memorial to honour the gallantry of the soldiers. "Today, our government under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi has fulfilled that commitment," she said. Addressing the ex-servicemen she said, "We have fulfilled some of the expectations of our veterans and are committed to many more in coming years." "What we need today is your trust in us, trust in the prime minister. And welfare of veterans is always on top of our priority," the defence minister said. A sum of Rs 10,795.4 crore has been disbursed to family pensioners as arrears pension on account of the implementation of the OROP, she said. As many as 70,000 wards of ex-servicemen have benefitted from the PM scholarship scheme and Rs 150 crore has been disbursed since 2014-15, she added. Drawing inspiration from the 'Chakravyuh' formation, the iconic National War Memorial boasts of four thematic concentric circles with a tall ceremonial obelisk at its centre that bears the eternal flame. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Institute of Design (NID) here has signed an MoU with the University of Limerick, Ireland to develop current research and teaching activities, and to facilitate the exchange and mobility of staff members, researchers and students. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed at the residence of the Irish ambassador here. "Our interests in design are very similar but are social and cultural contexts are each distinctly different. This provides us with a unique opportunity to collaborate with our NID partners, to learn from each other and develop new design approaches to positively influence our fast changing world," said Adam de Eyto, Head of School of Design, University of Limerick. The MoU is aimed at providing a study pathway for undergraduate design students to further their studies while learning from each other's socio-cultural contexts in India and in Ireland. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress in Maharashtra Monday accused the BJP government of "compromising" the safety of citizens by "hurriedly" securing a crucial certificate for the Nagpur metro rail project, with an eye on elections. Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant questioned the "hurry" by the government in securing a "special permission" certificate from the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) for the metro rail. He alleged the government was not concerned with the safety of people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the first commercial run of the Nagpur Metro in coming days. The crucial RDSO certificate was issued recently after inspection of the project, and conducting oscillation trials. With RDSO certificate under its belt, the Metro Nagpur now awaits permission from the Commissioner of the Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) team. "The most important thing is safety of the public. All this is being done in view of upcoming elections before the model code kicks in," alleged Sawant. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Different Naga organisations on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the decades-old insurgency issue in Nagaland before the general election, saying it was getting delayed due to the "adamant" position of the Centre. "During the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign, the prime minister had promised to solve the Naga political problem within 18 months if the BJP formed the government at the Centre. Now, it's almost 60 months since then and the Nagas are yet to see the formidable leadership of Delhi fulfilling the promise made. We want a solution before the Lok Sabha polls," Yaronsho Ngalung, chairman of the Autonomous District Council, Ukhrul (Manipur), said at a press conference here. Representatives of the Naga Mothers' Association, Naga Students' Union, Delhi, and a host of civil society organisations said they had submitted a memorandum to Modi over their demands. The Naga organisations had held a protest march on Saturday demanding immediate political solution to the issue. "The Naga masses are well informed that the search of model for solution is being dragged due to the adamant position of India (government) in recognising the distinct political identity of the Nagas -- such as, flag, constitution, passport, etc," the memorandum to the prime minister said. The memorandum pointed out to the demands by the Naga people, led by civil societies, for a political solution before the assembly election in Nagaland last year. Ram Madhav, the in-charge of the BJP in the Northeast, and R N Ravi, the interlocutor for the Naga peace talks, had promised "election for solution". Although, the party has managed to form governments in Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and joined the coalition government in Nagaland, the promises have amounted to nothing, it added. A framework agreement was signed on August 3, 2015, by NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and the government interlocutor in the presence of Modi. The agreement came after over 80 rounds of negotiations spanning 18 years, with the first breakthrough made in 1997 when the ceasefire agreement was sealed after decades of insurgency in Nagaland, which started soon after India's independence in 1947. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A special court here on Monday framed charges against two alleged associates of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim in connection with the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts case. The two accused, Yasin Mansoor Mohammed Farooq alias Farooq Takla, and Ahmed Kamal Sheikh alias Lambu, have been charged under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, also known as TADA, as well as various sections of the Indian Penal Code for criminal conspiracy and murder. According to the prosecution, the duo were close aides of prime accused Dawood Ibrahim and had attended meetings where the conspiracy to carry out the blasts was hatched. The special TADA court has posted the matter for further hearing next Thursday. Farooq was arrested in Dubai last March and deported, while Sheikh was arrested in Ahmedabad last June. On March 12, 1993, 12 bombs went off at different locations in Mumbai, killing 257 persons and injuring over 700. Charge sheets were filed against 123 people, of which 100 were convicted by a special TADA court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dozens of residents joined the festivities, which started with a meet-and-greet at Bottle Inn Hermosa and a walk to a ribbon cutting at the lifeguard tower with friends, family and LGBTQ allies, as well as city and county officials. Three men were arrested Monday in Madhya Pradesh for allegedly committing a series of crimes, including rape, over the last eight days in Jabalpur and Katni districts, police said. The trio, identified as Mahendra Patel (23), Suraj Dumar (21) and Raju Thapa (25) were picked up from Khamaria area of Jabalpur, said district superintendent of police Amit Singh. He said the trio are habitual offenders. "On the night of February 14, they burgled into a locked house of a retired Army officer in Priyadarshani Colony in Jabalpur and decamped with an LCD television set, three cooking gas cylinders and jewellery," he said, adding that they fled in the car of the officer. The car was found abandoned in Pan Umaria in Katni in a forest area on February 21. On February 20, they abducted and gangraped a woman at knife point in Barela area, after waylaying a motorcycle on which the woman was riding pillion with a villager, the SP said. On the same day, they stole a truck jack, a mobile phone handset and Rs 2500 from a truck in Pan Umaria area in Katni district, he said. On February 21, the trio robbed a woman of her mangal sutra (necklace) at knife point in Baghraji area in Jabalpur, the officer said. A car, an LCD television set, jewellery, a gas cylinder, a mobile phone, a motorcycle, Rs 2000 cash and two knives were recovered from them, the SP said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Madhya Pradesh High Court Monday issued notices to the state election office, district returning officer and others in connection with two petitions challenging the election of Health Minister Tulsiram Silawat. Congress leader Silawat had won the 2018 Assembly polls from Sanver constituency in Indore by defeating sitting BJP MLA Rajesh Sonkar by 2,945 votes. Sonkar and an Independent candidate, Rahul Silawat, filed petitions in the MP HC under the Representation of the People Act seeking that the minister's victory be declared null and void. The petitioners' counsel, Pushyamitra Bhargava, told reporters that Tulsiram Silawat filled the nomination form erroneously and concealed information about his social media account. Bhargava also claimed that the minister did not affix his photo on the affidavit filed along with the nomination papers. In addition, the counsel said, at one place, Silwata's stated his educational qualification as "MA, LLB Part-1", and in another place as "MA, LLB". Justice Shailendra Shukla Monday sought replies from the state's Election Office, District Returning Officer and other defendants on the pleas. The next hearing of the case is scheduled on March 28. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on translocating lions from Gujarat to MP against the backdrop of deaths of several big cats there recently. Nath, in his letter, said the Kuno National Park in MP was developed as a second home for lions and asked the PM to issue suitable directions to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and to the Gujarat government for smooth translocation. "All recommendations made by the Wildlife Institute of India and expert committee formed to oversee the translocation of Asiatic lions to Kuno, like habitat improvement, prey base augmentation, relocation of 24 villages (1543 families) etc have been completed by the state government," Nath's letter stated. "Substantial amount of money has been incurred in these activities and the Kuno National Park is ready to receive the Asiatic lion," the letter claimed. Nath's letter also informed that, as per the recommendations made by committee, the area of Kuno Sanctuary has been extended by adding 404 square kilometres of forest area and has been declared as a national park. The letter said Kuno Sanctuary was found to be the best habitat for the Asiatic lion and the Supreme Court had, in its order dated April 15, 2013, directed that they be translocated from Gujarat to Kuno Sanctuary within six months. On Friday, the Gujarat Assembly was told that 204 lions had died in the state's Gir Forest region in the past two years. Gujarat Forest Minister Ganpat Vasava told the House that 110 lions and 94 cubs died in 2017 and 2018. Of the 110 adult lions, 43 died in 2017 and 67 in 2018. Thirty-eight cubs died in 2017 and 56 in 2018, the reply said. Of the 204 deaths, 27 (21 lions and six cubs) were because of "unnatural causes" such as falling into a well or being run over by a train, the minister had said on February 22. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The main accused in the murder of a businessman in Indore over a Rs 19 crore dispute in a cable TV firm has been arrested in Uttarakhand capital Dehradun, police said Monday. Businessman Sandeep Agarwal (42) was shot dead in Vijay Nagar area of Indore on January 16 this year. Speaking to reporters Monday, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ruchi Vardhan Mishra said main accused Rohit Sethi was held by Uttarakhand police with 112 grams of charas (hashish/cannabis) from a park in the northern state's capital. An official said Sethi used to run SR cable television network in MP in which the deceased had invested Rs 19 crore. Agarwal wanted his money back after a dispute with Sethi and the latter then conspired to kill him using gangster Sudhakarrao Maratha and three sharpshooters, the official said. Maratha and the three shooters were arrested on January 23, the official said. SSP Mishra said legal formalities were underway to get Sethi to MP from the custody of Uttarakhand police. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kashmiri Pandits will flourish as individuals wherever they go but there may be no KP community as such in a decade or two, People's Democratic Party MP Muzaffar Hussain Baig has said while highlighting their plight. He was speaking at a recent conclave -- The Kashmiri Pandits: Right the Wrong in Kashmir -- which was also attended by former Jammu and Kashmir finance minister and senior National Conference leader Abdul Rahim Rather, among other panelists. The Kashmiri Pandit community faced an exodus in 1990 from the state after facing atrocities. The community has been demanding a peaceful return to their homeland. "The year of 1990 will go down in the history of Kashmir and perhaps the rest of India as the one of the darkest days of our history," Baig said. "It was in this year that the mass exodus of the KP community who were the original inhabitants of Kashmir took place in the wake of a mass uprising." The community was made to feel so insecure that some of them left only with the "clothes they were wearing", he was quoted as saying in a statement on Monday by the Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (GKPD), an organisation of KPs. "As individuals they will flourish wherever they go, but I am afraid in a decade or two or three there will be no KP race as such," Baig claimed. Rather said, "I have immense love and respect for the KP community and KPs are an important and integral part of our society and culture." He pointed out challenges faced by the Kashmiri Pandit community. "The best thing I like about this community is that even in the most difficult conditions, this community never compromised on the education of its children," Rather said. "The issues being faced by KP community is not their issue alone, it is our composite issue, considering this community is an inalienable part of the larger composite society and this community has immensely contributed to the entire society of Kashmir," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will confer the National Youth Parliament Festival awards to the winners at the Vigyan Bhawan here on Wednesday. Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had launched the National Youth Parliament Festival on January 12 this year on the occasion of National Youth Day in order to encourage the youth in the age group of 18-25 years to engage with public issues and understand the common man's point of view. According to a statement from the Ministry, Prime Minister in his Mann Ki Baat address on December 3, 2017 had shared his idea of organising Youth Parliaments for young people in every district of the country. It is to provide a chance to the youth to brainstorm about new India and to find ways and chalk out plans to realise the country's resolves before 2022, the release added. The Prime Minister reiterated his idea to capture the voice of the youth in his address to the youth during the 22nd National Youth Festival on January 12, 2018. National Youth Parliament Festival 2019 has been jointly organised by National Service Scheme (NSS) and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) under the aegis of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, on the theme of "Be the Voice of New India" and "Find solutions and contribute to policy". Youth in the age bracket of 18-25 years were invited to participate in the district, state and national level Youth Parliaments. Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Rathore will inaugurate the National Level Finals of National Youth Parliament Festival on Tuesday at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre here. The best three speakers at the National Youth Parliament will be awarded Rs 2 lakhs, Rs 1.50 lakhs and Rs 1 lakh respectively in order of merit along with a certificate by the Prime Minister Modi. Rest 53 speakers will be given certification of participation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury Monday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reportedly shooting "PR films", saying such photo shoots only "rubbed salt into the wounds of those suffering". In an apparent reference to Modi allegedly shooting a "propaganda and publicity" film till the evening of February 14, the day of the Pulwama terror attacks, and photographs of him washing the feet of sanitation workers on Sunday, the Left leader said the PM should make his priorities clear. "105 deaths in sewers and septic tanks in 2018 & 11 in 2019 alone. Nothing done to redress the grave situation despite Court Orders. PR photoshoots with multiple cameras only rub salt into the wounds of those suffering historical injustices," he said in a tweet. "It is just not Kashmir. The North-East is in immense turmoil. But Modi is busy shooting PR films in a Forest resort or mouthing inane film dialogues, irrespective of whether soldiers die or civilians. That makes clear what his real priorities are," Yechury said. Modi Sunday took a holy dip at the Sangam in Allahabad and interacted with sanitation workers, who have ensured cleanliness during the ongoing Kumbh Mela, describing them as "real karma-yogis" whose contributions were being lauded all over. He also performed the Ganga aarti and conducted Charan Vandana' (washing the feet) of select sanitation workers, as a mark of respect to their efforts in ensuring a clean Kumbh. (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 Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao of hatching a "Rs 1,000 crore conspiracy" in concert with YSR Congress president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy against the state. He alleged that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi was supplying "money bags" to the YSRC for the coming elections in the state. Addressing a teleconference with the Telugu Desam Party cadre, Naidu said "Telangana Chief Minister KCR hates AP but loves Jaganmohan Reddy. TRS wants its authority to run in AP. They are supplying cash bags to YSRC. KCR, Jagan and Modi are hatching a Rs 1000 crore conspiracy," the TDP chief said. BJP MP GVL Narasimha Rao slammed Naidu for his remarks and said "The TDP is resorting to fictitious campaigns which the people will never believe." YSR Congress general secretary V Vijaysai Reddy said his party has no connection with the TRS. "If at all, we have any link, we will declare it openly and not indulge in murky like the TDP," he added. Targeting political strategist and JD(U) leader Prasant Kishor, Naidu alleged the former was seeking to do 'Bihar politics' in AP. "There is a conspiracy to turn AP into a 'Bimar' state. BJP is doing communal in the country and the YSRC caste in the state. In my 40-year political career, there has never been a caste stamp on me," Naidu said. He asked the TDP cadre to take the "KCR-Jagan relationship" to the people. "A lesson has to be taught to the YSRC that's singing chorus to the TRS. We have to repulse the TRS-YSRC combines venomous propaganda," Naidu added. Stepping up his attack ahead of Modi's visit to Andhra Pradesh on March 1, Naidu had on Saturday said the prime minister should set foot in the state only after fulfilling all the promises he had made. "Modi is coming to Visakhapatnam on March 1. He should set foot in the state only after fulfilling all the promises made to us," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Activists of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) burned packets of spices they claimed to have been manufactured in Pakistan and being sold to customers, in Sanpada area of neighbouring Navi Mumbai on Sunday. A MNS leader Monday said the party activists had got a tip-off that a shop in Sanpada node was selling packets of spices that are made in Karachi. "Our activists first visited the shop concerned and purchased packets of spices which were found to be manufactured in Pakistan and being sold in Maharashtra," said Navi Mumbai MNS secretary Shrikant Mane. Mane said the activists took out the packets of spices from the shop and set them on fire. "We warned the owner of the shop against selling Pakistani spices," he said. After the protest, the party activists raised slogans against Pakistan while condemning the Pulwama terror attack of February 14 in which 40 troopers of CRPF were killed in a suicide bomb strike. "We are submitting letters to the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) here asking it not to allow any local merchant to sell Pakistani spices," added Mane. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed the Assam Rifles to shift the battalion headquarters of the force from the state capital Aizawl to Zokhawsang area by May 31, an official said here Monday. An official order issued by the MHA also directed the Assam Rifles authorities to submit action taken report to the ministry on the shifting of the battalion headquarters, the official said. Assam Rifles battalion headquarters is at present located in Treasury and Zodin square in Aizawl city. Zokhawsang area is about 15 km from Aizawl. In the wake of the killing of 12 civilians by the Assam Rifles personnel in 1988, the Mizo National Front (MNF) government headed by then chief minister Laldenga had demanded shifting of the Assam Rifles battalion headquarters from the heart of Aizawl city. Basic infrastructure for the Assam Rifles battalion headquarters have been constructed at Zokhawsang area and the central paramilitary force has been directed to shift from the heart of the Aizawl city to Zokhawsang, officials added. Mizoram now has a MNF government headed by Chief Minister Zoramthanga. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Washington, February 25, 2019 (SPS) - UN envoy for Western Sahara Horst Kohler and the Polisario Front are expected to meet in Berlin in early March in preparation for the second roundtable to be held in Switzerland next month, sources close to the case said Monday. The meeting, scheduled for the first week of March, is part of the bilateral consultations that the former German president intends to hold with the parties to the conflict (the Polisario Front and Morocco) and neighboring countries to prepare the second round table. But the agenda has not been defined, added the same sources. Last December, Kohler organized a first round table after six years of stalemate. The last time the Polisario Front and Morocco sit at the same negotiating table was in March 2012 in Manhasset (near New York). Since then, the peace process has stalled. The UN envoy was very optimistic after the Geneva meeting, assuring that a peaceful solution to Western Sahara was "possible". (SPS) 062/SPS/APS A Delhi court Monday granted bail to journalist Priya Ramani, summoned as an accused in a defamation case filed by former Union minister M J Akbar after she levelled allegations of sexual misconduct against him when he was a scribe. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal granted her bail on a personal bond of Rs 10,000, with a surety of a like amount. Senior advocate Rebecca John, appearing for Ramani, told the court that her client was entitled to bail as defamation is a bailable offence. Ramani also moved an application seeking exemption from personal appearance in the case. The application was opposed by lawyers appearing for Akbar. The court directed Akbar to file reply on her application before April 10, the next date of hearing. "My next court date is April 10...it will now be my turn to tell my story. The truth is my defence," Ramani told the media after the hearing. The court had earlier directed Ramani to appear before it after noting that the allegations made against Akbar were "prima facie defamatory" and he denied all the accusations as "false and imaginary". Ramani accused Akbar of sexual misconduct around 20 years ago when he was a journalist. He has denied the accusations. His name cropped up on the social media as the #MeToo campaign raged on in India last year. Akbar, who resigned from the Union Council of Ministers on October 17, was in Nigeria when his name came up. He has filed a private defamation complaint against Ramani. Senior advocate Geeta Luthra and advocate Sandeep Kapoor, both appearing for Akbar, had earlier 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 counsel had submitted that the subsequent publications based on the respondent's allegations further aggravated defamation. 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 has termed the allegations "false, fabricated and deeply distressing" and said he was taking appropriate legal action against them. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Maruti Eeco minivan was used in the terror attack and it was bought by a Jaish-e-Mohammed operative just 10 days before the February 14 strike that claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel, the Investigation Agency (NIA) said Monday. The JeM operative, identified as Sajjad Bhat, a resident of Bijbehara in south Kashmir, has since been on the run and is believed to have become an active militant now, an spokesman said. The spokesman termed this as a "significant breakthrough" in the investigation into the terror attack. Piecing together remnants of the vehicle recovered from the scene of the blast, the investigators, with the support of forensic and automobile experts, have been able to identify the vehicle as a Maruti Eeco having chassis number MA3ERLF1SOO183735 and engine number G12BN164140, the spokesman said. The vehicle was sold to Mohammed Jaleel Ahmed Haqani, a resident of Heaven Colony in Anantnag in 2011, and subsequently it changed hands seven times and finally reached Sajjad Bhat, a student of Siraj-ul-Uloom, Shopian. The vehicle was purchased by Sajjad Bhat on February 4, the spokesman said. Raids were conducted by a team of and police at his house on Saturday but Sajjad was not present. He has reportedly joined Jaish-e-Mohammed and his photograph also appeared on where he is seen holding weapons. The NIA, a central agency established by the government to combat terror, took over the probe into the attack from the and Police on February 20 and re-registered the case. NIA Director General Y C Modi, accompanied by senior officers of the agency, has visited the site of the attack, 33 km from Srinagar, where he was briefed by the police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The state police had registered a case at the Awantipora police station on February 14 after a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus, which was part of a 78-vehicle convoy carrying over 2,500 personnel from to The NIA has already gathered crucial material from the blast site in Lethpora in district of south and has been involved in the questioning of around a dozen people detained by the police following the blast, officials said. The NIA is probing planning and execution of the terror attack, the second such strike in three decades of militancy in the state. In 2000, a 17-year-old Kashmiri boy had blown himself outside the Srinagar-based army cantonment, killing two Army men. West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee Monday cautioned party workers against infighting and asked them to work hard as there was "no place for complacency". Addressing the party's extended core committee meeting here, Banerjee vowed to oust the "dictatorial Narendra Modi government" from the Centre and win all the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state. "We all have to work hard to ensure that this Modi government is defeated. We have to ensure that we will win all the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state. When I say we have to win all the 42 Lok Sabha seats, I mean it. We should not be afraid of any form of threat and intimidation," Banerjee said. "We should remember that the party can provide ticket to only one person per constituency. The rest of the leaders and workers will have to work to ensure that the party candidate wins," she added. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo further said that there was no place for complacency or grudges against the party's official candidates. When the party has given a specific person, the symbol and the ticket, we all have to work for his/her victory, she said, adding, you can't say you don't like him/her. "We have to work unitedly," Banerjee said. Banerjee, time and again, has cautioned TMC workers against infighting as the party suffered due to internal conflicts during last year's panchayat polls when it lost several of its seats to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Junglemahal area of the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior Vishva Hindu Parishad leader Surendra Jain Monday alleged that the TMC is the "biggest communal force" in the country and its chief Mamata Banerjee is trying to "convert West Bengal into Bangladesh". His comments came in the backdrop of West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee accusing the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the BJP of trying to "communalise" the atmosphere in the state. "The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is the biggest communal force in the country. The TMC is engaged in persecuting Hindus of the state just for the sake of appeasing the minority community. It is trying to convert Bengal into Bangladesh," Jain, who is the VHP's international joint general secretary, told PTI. During a Trinamool Congress extended core committee meeting here on Monday, Banerjee alleged that in the last over four-and-a-half years, the BJP, along with forces like the VHP and the RSS, has tried to divide the country on religious lines by injecting the "poison of hatred and communalism among the masses". "We have not communalised the atmosphere in the state. Rather it is the TMC which is doing that," Jain said. "The TMC government is giving protection to anti-nationals and attacking those who are patriots. If we wave the national flag and raise slogans in favour of Mother India, is it a crime in Bengal?" he asked. The chief minister has criticised right-wing organisations for taking out motorcycle rallies with national flags at the middle of the night and beating up people in the name of nationalism, stating that action will be taken against such bike rallies as only "criminals and dacoits" take bike rides at midnight. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maharashtra government on Monday tabled supplementary demands worth Rs 4,284.65 crore in both Houses of the state legislature, including funds for pension of freedom fighters and to help milk producers. Of this, Rs 3,146.43 crore is the demand for additional expenditure till the next session while the rest of the amount pertains to expenses already incurred by the government. "Rest of the amount has already been spent and we want to make a provision for it," Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said. The supplementary demand figure jumped because of the state's government's decision to allot Rs 2,000 crore in its contingency fund, he said. "An additional burden came following the Supreme Court's decision to issue pension to some freedom fighters who were earlier denied it due to technical reasons by the earlier government in 2004," Mungantiwar said. "We had to make some financial arrangement to make extra payment to these pensioners, which is as high as Rs 482 crore," he said. The state government also made a financial allocation of Rs 305 crore for milk procurement. The dairies have been asked to shell out extra money to milk suppliers, for which budget allocation was not made in March last year. Hence, Rs 305 crore has been sought under the supplementary demands, the minister said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maharashtra government's farm loan waiver scheme is unprecedented in its beneficiary coverage, particularly among farmers in Marathwada and Vidarbha regions, Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao said Monday. He was addressing the joint sitting of the state legislature, on the opening day of the budget session here. The opposition Congress-NCP boycotted Rao's address to protest against his recent remarks about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. As part of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Shetkari Sanman Yojana, Rs 24,000 crore were sanctioned for 51 lakh farmers accounts and of this, Rs 18,036 crore have already been transferred to over 43 lakh farmers, he said. The state government is working on a new piped distribution network for irrigation which would cover an area of 6.15 lakh hectare, he said. On the BJP-Shiv Sena led state government's commitment for better farm produce prices, Rao said the government procured 40.10 lakh quintals of pulses, 2.62 lakh quintals of soyabean and 19.47 lakh quintals of 'chana' during the Kharif season 2017-18. The state government paid Rs 3,121 crore to over five lakh farmers as Minimum Support Price (MSP), he said. To give relief to onion producing farmers affected by a steep fall in market prices in 2018-19, the government has decided to grant subsidy of Rs 200 per quintal to those who sold their crop through Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) during November 2018 and January 31, 2019, Rao said. The Marketing Federation and the Tribal Development Corporation procured paddy/coarse grain through an online process and renumeration of Rs 486 crore was transferred into the bank accounts of over one lakh farmers, he said. The governor said over 1.5 lakh irrigation wells have been built in the last four years and another 50,000 wells were under construction. Around 1.30 lakh ponds were dug under the state government's 'farm ponds on demand' scheme, he said, adding that 22,000 villages will be made drought-proof by May this year under the Jalyukt Shivar water conservation programme. Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, the state government has been able to provide over six crore man-days of work and spent over Rs 1,800 crore in the current fiscal, he said. Rao informed the legislature that 46 of 102 irrigation projects have been completed in Vidarbha to remove the development backlog of the region. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maharashtra Assembly on Monday condoled the killing of 40 CRPF personnel in the Pulwama terror attack and paid homage to former Legislative Council chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh who died recently. On the first day of the state legislature's budget session, Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagade read out the condolence motion to express grief over the February 14 terror attack in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao in his address to the joint sitting of the legislature said the state government strongly condemns cross-border terrorism and pays homage to the martyred soldiers and paramilitary personnel who laid down their lives at Pulwama and across the country. "My government is committed to assist the Government of India in combating terrorism," Rao said. The House also paid homage to former Legislative Council chairman and ex-minister Shivajirao Deshmukh, who died on January 14. The condolence motion was introduced in the House by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Later, Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar told the House that a discussion on motion of governor's address to the legislaturewould be taken up in the next session. To this, NCP member Chhagan Bhujbal said this amounted to "insult" of the governor and demandeda debate in the ongoing session itself. Rejecting Bhujbal's charge, Mungantiwar said there had been a similar practice in 2009 and 2014 and that the government was following the precedent. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five persons have been booked in Maharashtra's Palghar district for kidnapping a newly-married woman, holding her captive for almost two weeks and repeatedly raping her, police said Monday. An official said the 21-year-old victim's ordeal began on February 6 when a man posing as a policeman came to her house in Pragati Nagar in Nalasopara and asked her to accompany him to the police station. "The fake policeman told the victim that her husband had been arrested and she should come to the police station with some documents," he said. She was first taken in an accused's autorickshaw to Malad in Mumbai and held captive for eight days and then to Mira Road where she was locked up in an under-construction building till February 18, the official said. "She was raped by two of the accused at both places. Three others, including a woman, abetted the crime. The victim was released from captivity on February 18," he said. The woman filed a complaint on February 23 and the five were booked on Sunday under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for rape and criminal intimidation, the official said. He said no arrests had been made so far and further probe was underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Election Commission team from New Delhi will visit Jammu and Kashmir on March 4 and 5 to meet political parties and top security and civilian officials to review preparedness for the Lok Sabha polls, officials said Monday. The ECI team will arrive in Srinagar around 11.45 am on March 4 and hold meeting with the heads or representatives of 10 political parties, including 7 national and 3 state-level parties the same day, they said. Later that day, they will meet with district electoral officers (DEOs), senior superintendents of police (SSPs), divisional commissioners and inspectors general (IG) of 12 districts including Leh and Kargil, they said. The team will fly to Jammu in the evening of March 4. On March 5 in Jammu, they will again meet representatives of political parties, the DEOs, the SPPs, the divisional commissioners and the IG of 10 districts and discuss poll preparedness and required security setup. Chief electoral officer (CEO) Shalinder Kumar will make a presentation before the ECI panel on the preparedness, officials said. The election commission team will also hold meetings with nodal officer, the Chief Secretary and the DGP of Jammu and Kashmir, they said. The ECI will hold a press conference before flying back to New Delhi. Keeping in view the upcoming general elections, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has already ordered cancellation of leaves of government officers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A lion was found dead in a farmland in Junagadh district of Gujarat Monday, with initial observation indicating infighting as the cause, a forest department official said. The carcass of the big cat, aged 4-5 years, was found in the agricultural land of a farmer, Kalu Rathod, said Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Circle, Junagadh, D T Vasavada. The farmland is located under Jasadhar range of Gir East division of forest in Junagadh district, he said. The farm owner informed the forest department after which officials rushed to the spot, Vasavada said. "As per primary observation by staff, the reason of death seems to be infighting," he said. Over 200 lions have died in the Gir forest region in Gujarat in the last two years, the Gujarat government told the legislative assembly Friday last week. To a query by Congress MLA Bhagabhai Barad, Forest Minister Ganpat Vasava, in a written reply, said 110 lions and 94 cubs had died in 2017 and 2018. The government said only 27 deaths were reported to be due to unnatural causes. As per the 2015 census, there were 523 lions in and around the Gir sanctuary, the last abode of Asiatic lions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Captured on 3 September 2018 by the Copernicus Sentinel-2A satellite, this image shows part of western Sicily in Italy and two of the main Aegadian Islands: Favignana and Levanzo. This false-colour image included the near-infrared channel and was processed in a way, that makes vegetation appear in bright red. The bright turquoise colours, near the port city of Trapani, at the top of the image, and the Isola Grande in the middle of the image, depict salt marshes. Both the Saline di Trapani e Paceco Nature Reserve and the Stagnone Nature Reserve with their shallow sea waters, windy coast and abundant sunshine, make the area between Marsala, at the bottom of the image, and Trapani an ideal place for salt production. The reserve consists of more than 1000 hectares of landscape dotted with windmills, migratory birds such as flamingos and light-red lagoons visible in summer. This greenish-blue colour is heavily contrasted with the black of the open Mediterranean Sea. The islands, off the coast, are rich in history, both boasting Paleolithic and Neolithic cave paintings. The most famous being the Grotta del Genovese on the picturesque island of Levanzo, at the top left of the image. The cave was discovered only in 1949 and is estimated to be between 6000 and 10 000 years old. Below, the butterfly-shaped island of Favignana, known for its tuna fisheries and a type of limestone known as tufa rock, is the largest of the Aegadian islands. In 241 BC, one of the Punic Wars' naval battles was fought at the Cala Rossa (Red Cove), named after the bloodshed. Copernicus Sentinel-2 is a two-satellite mission. Each satellite carries a high-resolution camera that images Earth's surface in 13 spectral bands. The mission is mostly used to track changes in the way land is being used and to monitor the health of our vegetation. This image is also featured on the Earth from Space video programme. - Download the full high-resolution image. Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Monday accused Lt Governor Anil Baijal of running a "circus" of transfer-postings as a "ringmaster" and shuffling officials like playing cards. Sisodia made the comments while tabling an outcome report on the office of the lieutenant governor in the Assembly. The Aam Aadmi Party leader also hit out at the Modi government, saying it was also an outcome report of the central government that claims control over the Services Department through the lieutenant governor. The deputy chief minister said the "circus" had been going on since August 4, 2016, when the LG office started it is the sole incharge of services. "The way he has shuffled senior officers of the level of secretaries like playing cards in a pack, and acted like a ring master of transfer postings... it has crippled the governance by the Delhi government. He must be doing it at the instance of the Modi government which claims control over the services matter," Sisodia said in the House. In the past 30 months, Delhi had seen four chief secretaries, Sisodia said, adding that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had got to know about the appointment of chief secretary through the media.. There are a huge numbers of vacancies in different arms of the Delhi government and there is no word on when would the vacancies be filled, Sisodia said. Senior officers, including principal secretaries, are allowed by the LG to go on leave without consulting or informing the ministers concerned, the AAP leader alleged. The deputy chief minister cited instances of how the functioning of various departments got affected in the past two-and-a-half years due to the "circus" of transfer-postings. The Department of Environment has seen seven principal secretaries, with the longest tenure of principal secretary environment since August 4, 2016, being eight months, Sisodia said. The Department of Urban Development -- which is the nodal department for municipal corporations, Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, and developmental work in all unauthorised colonies -- has seen eight principal secretaries during the same period, the report said. The Department of Health and Family Welfare has seen five principal secretaries. At a time when the government was making efforts to procure 3,000 buses and 1,000 electric buses for strengthening public transport in Delhi, the Transport Department has seen four principal secretaries, the minister said. The Department of Training and Technical Education has seen five principal secretaries and five directors during the same time frame, while the Department of Higher Education has seen five directors, he said. Delhi has the highest level of vacancies of teachers, doctors, engineers, clerks and other staff due to perennial mismanagement of the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB), which has seen five principal secretaries, the AAP leader said. Sisodia said 988 posts of postgraduate teachers, 3,197 posts of trained graduate teachers, 1,124 posts of teachers of different subject were lying vacant in the education department. He said a total number of 5,309 posts of teachers were lying vacant in the Delhi government schools, but there was no word from the LG or the DSSSB when they would be filled. As many as 1,144 posts of lecturers are lying vacant in colleges of the Delhi University, where the government contributes five-per cent funds. Another 386 posts of lecturers are lying vacant in DU colleges that are fully-funded by the Delhi government, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) RJD national president Lalu Prasad Monday alleged that the state-funded shelter homes in Bihar are in "inhuman and horrifying" conditions and the girls lodged there were "continuously being abused" despite warnings to the Nitish Kumar government by the Supreme Court. The girls who escaped from a Mokama shelter home actually exited through the gate and not by cutting a window grill as was initially reported, preliminary investigation suggested. "In spite of the Supreme Court's directive, whatever is happening in Bihar's shelter homes is totally inhuman and horrifying. Poor and innocent girls are continuously being abused, harassed, assaulted and raped. If the Nitish Kumar government is not listening to the SC, whom they will listen to and how," Prasad tweeted. The former Bihar chief minister also tweeted a newspaper report about poor maintenance and services provided at a shelter home in Mokama town, about 100 kms from here, which was in following the escape of seven girls on Saturday, six of whom were traced within 24 hours. Among the girls who had gone missing, five including the one who is still traceless were earlier said to have been at the Muzaffarpur shelter home which got embroiled in the infamous sex scandal. The Supreme Court is monitoring the CBI investigation into the scandal. The agency has also been asked to take over the probe into allegations of sexual abuse at all such shelter homes across the state. Meanwhile, Bihar DGP Gupteshwar Pandey told reporters here that initial reports which had stated that the girls had escaped from the Mokama shelter home by cutting through the grill of a window appear to be false. "It now appears that all the girls had made their exit through the gate and some people at the shelter home had assisted them. We are conducting further investigations and action will be taken accordingly," Pandey added. "We can say this on the basis of feedback received from forensic experts and senior officials including the IG of Patna Zone who had visited the spot and conducted investigations," he said. Seven minor girls escaped from a care unit at Mokama town in rural Patna in the early hours of Saturday and six of them were found in Darbhanga district. Opposition parties flayed the NDA government in Bihar, alleging that five of the girls were "witnesses" in the sex scandal being probed by the CBI under the supervision of the Supreme Court, and claimed their escape was a "conspiracy" hatched by the ruling dispensation to protect "big shots". Whether these girls were in the Muzaffarpur shelter home has not yet been confirmed by the government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hopes that Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un will formally declare an end to the 1950-53 Korean War at the Hanoi summit rose Monday, after South Korea said the two leaders could reach an agreement. The devastating conflict between communist North Korea, backed by China, and the capitalist South, aided by the United States, ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty, leaving Pyongyang and Washington still technically at war. "I believe that the possibility is there," the South's presidential Blue House spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom told reporters about a formal declaration. "There is no way of knowing what kind of declaration it might be, but I believe the US and North Korea may reach an agreement." President Moon Jae-in said in October "it was only a matter of time" before Washington and Pyongyang declared an end to the war. The US has also struck an upbeat tone. Stephen Biegun, the US special envoy for North Korea, said earlier this month that Trump was "ready to end this war", fuelling speculation that the formal end of the conflict may be near. Kim, the leader of North Korea, is due to meet the US president in the Vietnamese capital on Wednesday and Thursday, where it is hoped the pair will make progress in talks on denuclearisation, and a possible peace treaty. But Blue House spokesman Kim said even if the US and North Korean leaders declare the end of the Korean War, a formal peace treaty will likely be signed at the "last stage of the denuclearisation process" of the Korean peninsula -- and may take a long time to materialise. "A peace treaty and a declaration of end of war are different," he said, adding that the treaty must be a "multilateral effort" involving South Korea and China. North Korea, the US-led United Nations Command and China were all signatories to the armistice. The Hanoi summit comes after Trump and Kim met in June in Singapore, producing a vaguely worded agreement on denuclearisation, but progress has since stalled, with the two sides disagreeing over what the agreement meant. Observers say tangible progress is needed in Hanoi to avoid the talks being dismissed as a publicity stunt. Meanwhile the respected US-based website 38 North reported on Monday there is no indication Pyongyang is operating its nuclear reactors at the Yongbyon complex. The dismantling of the complex is expected to be among the key denuclearisation steps that the US and North Korean leaders will likely discuss in Hanoi. "There is no steam venting from the generator hall, nor is there any hot water effluent at the cooling water outfall pipe," the website said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Madras High Court on Monday reserved its verdict on a plea by two key accused in the Kodanad heist case, seeking quashing of a lower court's order cancelling their bail. Justice G K Ilanthiraiyan reserved order after hearing arguments. Nilgiris District Judge P Vadamalai, on February 8, cancelled the bail of the two prime accused - K V Sayan and K C Manoj - after the prosecution petitioned that the duo made public statements about the case and were hampering investigation and intimidating witnesses. Aggrieved, the two men moved the high court seeking quashing of the strict judge's order. At the Kodanad estate in Nilgiris district, which was used by former chief minister J Jayalalithaa for both official and residential purposes, a guard was found dead on April 23, 2017 in an alleged robbery attempt. Later, police arrested 10 people, including Sayan and Manoj. In January this year, Manoj and Sayan alleged the involvement of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami in the heist case in a video released by a journalist Mathew Samuel in Delhi. Palaniswami had rejected the charges, dismissing it as a "lie". He had also filed a defamation suit in the high court which had restrained Samuel and six others, including Sayan and Manoj, from making any statement linking Palaniswami to the Kodanad case. Opposing the quash plea, public prosecutor, A Natarajan submitted that the duo -- by a media interview to journalist Samuel -- were attempting to interfere in the administration of justice, misusing their bail. Two witnesses lodged police complaints that they were being threatened by the accused and they have been provided police protection. Citing the duo's interview, the prosecutor said it was scripted and hearsay in nature and hence an inadmissible evidence as per the Indian Evidence Act. Natarajan also highlighted the "bad antecedents" of the petitioners and argued that the allegations made by such persons against the chief minister "is totally unreliable." Denying the allegations, senior counsel N R Elango for the petitioners submitted that the antecedents of the accused were not admissible under the Evidence Act. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said Monday certain "forces" were behind the violent protests in the state over the granting of permanent residency to six non-native communities. Stating that the situation was limping back to normal and efforts were on to expedite it, Khandu said he sought additional forces from the Centre, which had already sent 1,000 paramilitary personnel to assist the state government in restoring peace. "I believe that there are forces behind these incidents as Arunachal is a peaceful state, particularly Itanagar," Khandu said in a statement earlier in the day. Addressing a press conference here after attending a cabinet meeting in the evening, the chief minister dismissed the Congress' demand for his resignation. "The violent protests could be politically-backed. Why should I resign?" Khandu asked. Protests broke out in Itanagar and Naharlagun town on Saturday after the ruling BJP government announced that it was considering issuing permanent residence certificate (PRC) to six communities who are not natives of Arunachal Pradesh, but are living in the state for decades. The six communities are Deoris, Sonowal Kacharis, Morans, Gorkhas, Adivasis and Mishings. The chief minister appealed to the people to end the protests and cooperate with the government in maintaining peace, saying the administration had already cleared its stand on the PRC. Stating that the issue "is closed", the chief minister hinted at a communication gap for which the latest government stand on the PRC had not reached the people and led to violence. He also talked over phone to leaders of various communities who were protesting the PRC issue. Khandu announced Rs 20 lakh as ex gratia for the next of kin of the three persons killed during the protests and Rs 10 lakh each for the seriously-injured. He said a loss-assessment committee had been set up to compensate those people whose properties were damaged during the protests since Saturday. Meanwhile, bodies of the two youths killed in police firing on Sunday were taken to North Lakhimpur in neighbouring Assam for post-mortem. The mortal remains would be sent to their homes from there, a senior police official told PTI. The police had opened fire when a mob was proceeding towards the chief minister's residence after setting fire to the private residence of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein. The Northeast Frontier Railway announced that the New Delhi-Naharlagun Arunachal Express would be short-terminated at Harmuti in Assam, about 35 km from here, till the situation normalises. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A delegation of Kashmir Pandits visited the family of Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal, who was killed in an encounter with terrorists in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir earlier this month, and expressed condolences. The joint delegation of the All India Kashmiri Samaj and the Kashmir Sevak Samaj visited the parental home of the widow of the Major in Faridabad on Monday, according to a statement. Major Dhoundiyal was married to a Kashmiri Pandit. The Major was among five security forces personnel killed in the February 18 encounter in which three JeM terrorists, including two top commanders believed to be behind the Pulwama terror attack, were gunned down. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Auto component major JBM Group Monday said it has acquired majority stake in Germany's Linde-Wiemann GmbH KG, a manufacturer of complex structural components and assemblies supplying to global automobile manufacturers. The acquisition is being done through one of the group's flagship companies, Neel Metal Products, and it will give access to global platforms and German technology inheritance to Indian operations, JBM said in a statement. The company, however, did not disclose the value of the deal. Linde-Wiemann (L+W), which has revenue of USD 700 million, has 17 plants in eight countries -- Germany, US, China, Spain, Turkey, Czech Republic, Hungary and South Africa, employing over 2,300 people. JBM Group Executive Director Nishant Arya said, "This business activity is a strategic fit perfectly in sync with our existing scope of operations and solutions and will also further consolidate our global footprint." He further said JBM is looking forward to leverage L+W's experience in Europe coupled with the group's expertise in the auto component domain. The combination will focus on developing new products that contribute towards improving safety and performance of vehicles through light-weighting and minimising the time to market for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), offering an integrated one-stop solution, Arya added. Through the acquisition, JBM will also have access to L+W's strengths in domains such as electric vehicle components and systems, and battery structure and systems. Linde-Wiemann CEO Ulrich Schoof said, through the new business model, L+W will be able to unlock substantial growth by the adaption of product competencies in the area of chassis and suspension. "Furthermore, L+W will extend its holistic system understanding in the field of e-mobility through the exchange with JBM's electrical bus division," Schoof added. Headquartered in Dillenburg, Germany, Linde-Wiemann specialises in areas such as hot forming, tubular assemblies and usage of alternate materials such as aluminium resulting in lighweighting in auto systems. It supplies parts to global auto OEMs such as BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Porsche, Daimler, Ford and PSA. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A US-backed force pushing to take the Islamic State group's last speck of territory in eastern Syria on Sunday extradited 280 Iraqi jihadists, Iraq authorities said. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have detained "a large number" of IS fighters "of multiple nationalities, including more than 500 Iraqis", the security media office said in a statement. "So far 280 (Iraqis) have been delivered," it added. Iraqi security forces on Thursday received a first batch of 130 Iraqi IS members, a military spokesman said, although a spokesman for the US-backed force denied the claims. The transfers were set to "continue until they are completed", the statement added. Iraqi security forces had received a list of names to be checked against a database in coordination with the judiciary, which has issued warrants against jihadists. Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi said at his weekly press conference Tuesday that the country was monitoring the situation in eastern Syria with caution, as security forces fear IS remnants could sneak across the nearby Iraqi border. Iraq declared victory against IS in December 2017 after ousting the jihadists from the swathes of Iraq they took in 2014. Backed by air strikes from a US-led coalition, the SDF have trapped the jihadists in less than half a square kilometre (a fifth of a square mile) in a hamlet in the Syrian desert. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A retired IPS officer, who allegedly committed suicide last week, blamed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for taking the extreme step of ending his life, a charge dismissed by the state's ruling TMC as "baseless". In a 6-page letter to the chief minister, Gaurav Chandra Dutt, who retired earlier this year, accused her of abetting his suicide by keeping him "compulsory waiting" for posting. The 1986 batch IPS officer also alleged he was "harassed and tortured in devious ways" by various state institutions at the behest of the chief minister. "Thus a self imposed death sentence by me should give you peace of mind, happiness and contentment and may this act result in sinful reactions which will cleanse you and awaken in other senior police officers some compassion and empathy which is sadly lacking today," Dutt's letter to Banerjee read. "This act is a symbolic protest against the dirty games of ruling government meant to pick and choose honest, hardworking officers like me and Nazrul Islam IPS and destroy them systematically and make an example for others who are not servile/ subservient enough," it said. Copies of the letter were also sent to some senior government officials, and have been accessed by PTI. Though Banerjee could not be immediately reached for comments, Jyotipriya Mallick, the state's food and civil supplies minister, trashed the accusations. "This is nonsense. There is no substance in it. We are not interested in the matter," Mallick told PTI. State BJP president Dilip Ghosh, however, smelt a conspiracy behind Dutt's death and sought a speedy probe to "unravel" the truth. "I think there is a conspiracy behind this (Dutt's death). He has targeted the chief minister. A neutral probe must be initiated. I am sceptical about how much the state police will be able to do because they are under tremendous pressure from the top level. I demand a neutral agency conduct the enquiry," he said. Mukul Roy, once a close Banerjee aide who quit the party and joined the BJP, sought a CBI probe into Dutt's death. "This is a very sensitive matter. A very senior IPS officer has accused the chief minister of abetting his suicide. I am not very confident that the state police will be holding a fair probe. I want a CBI investigation," Roy told PTI by phone from New Delhi. The officer had a chequered past. He was suspended for nine months in 2010 for "conduct unbecoming of an officer" after a constable's wife accused him of torturing her husband as he spurned his "sexual advances". He also faced disciplinary action in 2012 over alleged financial irregularities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court Monday directed that high-powered pumps of Kirloskar company be airlifted and installed immediately for de-watering of an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya where 15 people have been trapped for over two months. The apex court also issued show cause notice to the owner of the mine saying it would consider granting compensation to the family members of the victim as prime facie responsibility and liability of the mishap is of the mine owner. The illegal mine is located at Ksan in East Jaintia Hills district, about 3.7 km deep inside a forest and can be accessed after crossing three streams. It was flooded in December last year trapping 15 miners when water from the nearby Letein river gushed into it. The apex court was hearing a petition which had sought urgent steps for rescuing the miners trapped in the rat-hole mine since December 13 last year. A bench of Justices A K Sikri and S Abdul Nazeer Monday said it is an accepted fact that illegal mining was going on there due to which several lives have been lost and asked the Meghlaya government to serve the show cause notice issued to mine owner Jrin Chullet alias Krip Chullet. During the hearing, the bench observed that there was no point in having 100 horsepower capacity pumps stalled at the site for de-watering the mine as it was not going to bring the desired result due to passage of time of over two months. "Let us give it a quietus. Other proceedings related to illegal mines is pending. Two months have gone by. Nothing will be there at this point of time," the bench told senior advocate Anand Grover, appearing for petitioner Aditya N Prasad. "It is not going to bring out anything now. The other issue can be looked into in the other pending proceedings," the bench said. Grover said that on February 8, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, had assured the court that high powered 100 horsepower pumps of Kirloskar will be airlifted and installed at the site for de-watering the mine but it was not done yet. Mehta said that 11 crore litre of water was pumped out from the mine between February 8 and 16 but water was getting replenished from the nearby river due to the topography there. He said remotely operated underwater vehicle (RoVs) have detected three bodies so far in the mine. On January 28, the apex court was informed that body of a person, among the 15 miners trapped was retrieved while another body was spotted by the Indian Navy. Grover, however, told the court that high powered pump of Kirolskar was available and the authorities should install them at the site. "Let us make a last effort. Let us have those 100 horsepower pumps for de-watering the mine," he said, adding Kirloskar was giving these pumps without charging anything. Mehta, while terming the incident as a "human tragedy", said this issue was discussed and the state government is of the view that even if these pumps were used, nothing can be done now. Grover said that bodies have to be retrieved from the mine and the third body has been spotted recently. While referring to its February 8 order, the bench said, "We again direct that these pumps should be airlifted as early as possible and installed for de-watering the mine". The court noted Grover's submissions that installation of these 100 horse power pumps will be done as the last resort. The bench has posted the matter for further hearing on March 12. On February 8, the top court had issued notice to owner of the coal mine saying he was responsible for the illegal mining due to which the mishap took place. Rat-hole mining involves digging of narrow tunnels, usually three-four feet high, for workers to enter and extract coal. The horizontal tunnels are often termed "rat holes" as each just about fits one person. Earlier, the Centre had told the court that it has to "believe in miracles" for the 15 miners to come out alive. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (WB) Kenyas High Court has delayed a ruling on whether the countrys colonial-era sodomy law is unconstitutional. The highly anticipated decision was expected to be announced on Friday, but the court said it will now issue it on May 24. Voice of America reported Justice Chacha Mwita said the court needs more time because of the voluminous paperwork submitted in the case. The judges on the bench also sit in other courts we need more time, said Mwita. My file alone put together is above my height standing, so we are still working. The National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, a Kenyan advocacy group that is challenging the sodomy law, in a tweet criticized courts decision to delay its ruling. To say we are disappointed would be an understatement, it said. Kenya is among the more than 70 countries in which consensual same-sex sexual relations remain criminalized. The India Supreme Court last September in a landmark ruling struck down the countrys colonial-era sodomy law known as Section 377. Judges in Trinidad and Tobago and Belize which are also former British colonies in recent years have also struck down similar statutes. The Botswana High Court next month is scheduled to hear a case that seeks to decriminalize consensual same-sex sexual relations in the country. Discriminatory laws made many years ago continue to affect the lives of many people, criminalizing same-sex relations and failing to protect women and girls, said British Prime Minister Theresa May in a speech she delivered at the Commonwealth summit in London last April. I am all too aware that these laws were often put in place by my own country, she added. They were wrong then, and they are wrong now. As the U.K.s prime minister, I deeply regret both the fact that such laws were introduced and the legacy of discrimination, violence and even death that persists today. The ruling of #repeal162 has been postponed . The bench has not finalized making their decision. To say we are disappointed would be an understatement The Commission (@NGLHRC) February 22, 2019 The Refugee Coalition of East Africa, which includes Kenya-based groups that advocate on behalf of LGBTI refugees, in a statement said it remains hopeful that justice will prevail in May. We applaud the work of the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya and so many others who are fighting to change the law and to change all of our lives, said the organization. We continue to ask the international community to put pressure on Kenya and to take advantage of this unfortunate postponement to make your voices heard in support of our right to exist, to live, and to be free in Kenya. -FirstCall/ -- Enabled through a rich ecosystem of partners, design thinking philosophy, and full stack of software brought together in the '5G Living Labs' Infosys (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced the launch of new service offerings that will help enterprises imagine and create new economies with 5G technology, while simultaneously helping communication service providers accelerate and monetize their 5G network deployment. Infosys' newly established 5G Living Labs in five global locations - (Bengaluru, Richardson, Indianapolis, Frankfurt and Melbourne) will help ideate and bring these new economies to life. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/Infosys_Logo.jpg ) 5G will transform network capabilities bringing in significant opportunities for network virtualization, AI and Automation, while lowering associated costs considerably, and enhancing delivery of network-based services. More importantly, 5G will enable enterprises - IT and other business departments - to usher in a new era of innovation, create new experiences and improve operational efficiency in organizations. Having worked on enterprise applications and systems for close to four decades, Infosys brings in tremendous understanding of the opportunities and challenges enterprises face on their digital transformation journey. One significant challenge faced is the need to keep pace with innovation in their ecosystem and the ability to quickly prototype ideas. The global network of Infosys 5G Living Labs are designed to help enterprises imagine and curate game changing ideas driven by 5G, and rapidly prototype them to life. The labs combine the best of Infosys emerging technologies expertise in areas like IoT, AR, VR and AI, unique design thinking driven approaches and a diverse partner ecosystem that is deeply invested in 5G technologies. Enterprise adoption of 5G is key to monetizing networks for communication services providers and Infosys Living Labs enables that by providing an ecosystem to incubate offerings and deploy at scale. Communication Service Providers (CSPs) will also benefit from Infosys' expertise in emerging technologies to support self-organized intelligent networks, dynamic agile operations and capabilities, to build enriched experiences for enterprises together with a wide ecosystem of partners. Infosys solutions such as the Smart Network Assurance platform will help in pivoting from break-fix operations to proactive and predictive operations using AI and ML based self-healing technologies. Infosys is also building reference solutions based on open source platforms and tools that will enable continuous delivery of software using Software-Defined Networking and Network Function Virtualization principles. Ravi Kumar S, President and Deputy Chief Operating Officer Infosys, said, "5G is opening an array of opportunities for CSPs and Enterprises in the digital era. Infosys' suite of 5G offerings are powered by our extensive experience of working with major telecom service providers and enterprises globally in transforming their business and technology landscape. Our expertise in areas such as SDN-NFV, Media OTT Platforms and IoT, together with industry collaborations among network solution providers, network OEMS and CSPs will help customers maximize their 5G potential to navigate their next." Dustin Kehoe, Service Director, GlobalData PLC, said, "5G is not just an evolution of cellular standards, it will also enable various new sets of applications, some low latency, others high on throughput to improve employee productivity or external customer engagement. However, the technology is emerging and industry collaboration across the ecosystem is required to unlock new innovation to co-create use cases. Professional services and unwavering commitment to open source solutions to drive best of breed multi-vendor environments, are some of the important considerations for being successful with 5G." Related reading: ONF welcomes Infosys as its newest partner ONF to showcase new COMAC and OMEC projects at Mobile World Congress, Barcelona For more information on Infosys 5G Offerings, visit 5G - The Next Wave of Network Innovation About Infosys Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. We enable clients in 45 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over three decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer our clients through their digital journey. We do it by enabling the enterprise with an AI-powered core that helps prioritize the execution of change. We also empower the business with agile digital at scale to deliver unprecedented levels of performance and customer delight. Our always-on learning agenda drives their continuous improvement through building and transferring digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next. Safe Harbor Certain statements mentioned in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements regarding our future business expectations intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, and unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the company unless it is required by law. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian values together with modern science and technology can benefit humanity, President Ram Nath Kovind said Monday. The president was addressing the students of DAV College, Kanpur after inaugurating the institution's centenary celebrations. Before beginning his speech, Kovind paid tributes to slain CRPF jawan Shyam Babu from Kanpur Dehat along with the other 39 personnel who died in the Pulwama terror attack. He also paid tributes to social reformer Swami Dayanand Saraswati, who had played a leading role in the cultural awakening of the masses in the 19th century. Today is an era of technology and the future will be of artificial intelligence, Kovind noted. "You have to face new challenges. We have to utilise the new instruments of technology for development and move ahead," he said. Noting that he too had studied at the college, Kovind said: "I still remember how difficult it was at that time (1960) to get admission in this college." "For a poor student like me, it was not easy to pursue studies and stay in Kanpur. But, the guidance and assistance of teachers and the government scholarship helped me to move ahead in life," he added. Kovind said that his father too had studied at the same college and was a classmate of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In a separate event, he addressed the alumni association conference and annual day function of the BNSD Inter College and Shiksha Niketan, Kanpur. The President had studied at both the institutions. Earlier in the day, he visited the Balaji Mandir, Kanpur and the Dhamma Kalyana Kanpur International Vipassana Meditation Centre. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UK government Monday announced the completion of the latest round of a training and mentorship programme by a group of Indian social innovators aimed at supporting budding entrepreneurs in marketing their innovations. The two-week UK-based Leaders in Innovation Fellowships (LIF) programme at the UK Royal Academy of Engineering in London is jointly funded by the UK and partner countries. "Leaders in Innovation Fellowship has been a hugely successfully scheme under our flagship Newton-Bhabha programme. For the last five years, we have been working with the most talented Indian researchers to address real world issues around commercialisation of innovation, and to build links between academia and industry," said Sarah Mooney, Head of Science and Innovation, British High Commission in India. The LIF is delivered by the UK's Royal Academy of Engineering and supported by the Newton-Bhabha partnership with the Indian government's Department of Science and Technology (DST) and IIM Ahmedabad's Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE). "Over the past five years LIF has provided commercialisation support to over 80 outstanding engineering entrepreneurs from India, all of whom share a drive to help make the world a better place," said Hayaatun Sillem, CEO of the Royal Academy of Engineering. "Commercialisation of research remains a challenge world over and as a result fruits of research are not harvested in the potential quantum. The Leaders in Innovation Fellowships programme has been able to address this by providing capacity building of Indian innovators and researchers," said Harkesh Mittal, Head of DST's National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board. This year's cohort of Indian innovators marked the fifth set to take up the programme, which involves entrepreneurs interacting from a panel of mentors, comprising Royal Academy Fellows, business leaders and academia. They receive feedback on their innovations and tips on effective business proposals. On their return to India, they are further supported through six months of remote mentoring and given access to bespoke events as well as the Academy's global community of over 900 entrepreneurs. Since its launch in 2014, LIF has provided support and training to 83 engineering researchers from India, helping them build and expand their entrepreneurial skills which are needed to make their businesses a success. It has also helped alumni raise additional funds, expand their teams and operations, and build successful collaborations with LIF fellows from both India and beyond, the British High Commission in India said. Over 800 LIF fellows across 16 countries, including India, have benefited from commercialisation training, one-to-one mentoring and bespoke remote support. The alumni of the programme have raised over 52-million pound in additional funding for the commercialisation of their innovations and to contribute to the sustainable development of their countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Social media platforms are welcome to do business in India, which celebrates freedom of ideas, but New Delhi will not tolerate any abuse of data to influence elections nor allow data imperialism, IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said Monday. The comments come at a time when the social media platforms have come under government scrutiny over privacy concerns and potential for their misuse ahead of general elections slated to be held by May. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology has summoned Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram officials on March 6, even as it held a three-and-a half-hour long meeting with Global Vice President of Public Policy for Twitter on Monday on the issue of safeguarding citizen rights on social/online media platforms. Refusing to be drawn into a discussion on parliamentary panel's ongoing deliberations with social media companies, Prasad said, "All social media platforms are welcome to do business in India because India offers a big, digital and commercial opportunity...India appreciates, acknowledges and respects freedom of ideas on social media but any abuse of data of Indians to influence elections will not be accepted." Prasad was speaking at Rising India Summit. The minister noted that social media platform like Facebook and Twitter have large presence in India, and asserted that the government had been "tough" on companies like Facebook and Cambridge Analytica in specific instances in the past. "Any kind of data imperialism will not be acceptable...We believe in equality...If you go like that, a proper norm will come. Election Commission is equally aware of that...and in no manner whatsoever the data of Indians will be allowed to be abused to influence elections," he said. On the issue of draft Data Protection Bill, the minister said that most of the consultations, including those with state governments and other ministries, were complete and now the "nuts and bolts" have to be tightened before it is taken to the Cabinet. "The whole world is awaiting India's data protection law," Prasad said. The minister exuded confidence that the Modi government will return to power as "aspirational India" wants a leader who can take decisions. Hitting out at the opposition alliance against the BJP, the minister said, "If I don't talk about 'milawat' part you have a combination which is leaderless, ruderless and programme less...and India on the rising mood ...is a mismatch... people of India know who to vote for in municipality, gram panchayat, state and who to vote to run India". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Anti-microbial resistance (AMR) poses a "really dangerous" challenge globally, and India and Sweden intend to boost cooperation to tackle it, Swedish Health Minister Lena Hallengren said Monday. After a meeting with Union Health Minister J P Nadda, Hallengren told reporters, "We were discussing specifically this AMR work because there has been a cooperation but we intend to really increase (it) because it is a global and really dangerous situation we are facing." When anti-microbial drugs are overused, AMR develops as microorganisms such as bacteria, virus and fungi that become resistant to drugs. Stating that AMR work is an "ongoing cooperation" between India and Sweden, Hallengren hoped that India would join the "Alliance of Champions, which is a creation between many countries globally to face and to fight AMR". At the 2015 World Health Assembly, the then Swedish Health Minister Gabriel Wikstrom launched the "Alliance of Champions", which consisted of health ministers of 14 countries, to promote "political awareness, engagement and leadership" on AMR. Niclas Jacobson, Deputy Director-General, Ministry of Health and Social Affairs told PTI, "The Swedish Public Health Agency is also the WHO collaborating centre on AMR. We are specifically targeting the surveillance to see how is the situation in the countries. And there, the authority (agency) is offering support on how to go about in establishing this surveillance. So that is one part of the cooperation." On February 24, 2009, India and Sweden signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate in the field of various issues, including AMR, communicable diseases and public health. In response to a question on whether Sweden is thinking of assisting the Indian government or any state government in India on any health programme directly, the Swedish health minister replied in the negative. "We are thinking of different kind of bilateral cooperation between companies, between agencies, between universities, institutions, that is what I am seeing when I am here, when I am listening to different partners," Hallengren told PTI. She stated that she has come to India leading a delegation of total 30 people from different sectors - academia, health agencies, etc. "Each of them is trying to find partners, a way to make sure that you get a win-win situation," the minister said. Discussing the areas where India and Sweden can focus more in future, the minister said, "It won't be possible for us to just expand healthcare of hospitals. I think we also have to work in preventive healthcare, which is a very important work for us in Sweden. And that is of course very important for India when you are expanding the healthcare and really working towards the universal health coverage." She added that it is important to "make sure that as few as possible need the hospital care". Another area, according to the minister, where India and Sweden can focus would be fighting infections in hospitals. "They (India) are trying to find a good way to help and exchange knowledge on how to have a system to avoid infections in hospitals," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A co-production film by India and South Africa on the life of teenage social activist Valliamma Munuswami Mudliar will be made soon. The announcement was made during the annual Valiamma awards ceremony, hosted by the Tamil Federation of Gauteng at the Indian township of Lenasia on Saturday. On the occasion, activists Shanthie Naidoo and the late Viramma Thandray were honoured. Valliamma is remembered for her non-violent methods to fight the apartheid regime in South Africa. She famously marched alongside Mahatma Gandhi during his Satyagraha campaigns in the country. She refused to be released early from jail after she and other women, including her mother, resisted laws which were discriminatory against Indians. She died soon after serving her sentence. Largely forgotten in the apartheid era, Valliamma's grave was rediscovered after Nelson Mandela became president. Gopal Krishna Gandhi, grandson of the Mahatma and India's first High Commissioner to South Africa after diplomatic relations were resumed after a break of nearly four decades, played a vital role along with the local Tamil community to recognise the works of Valliamma. Valliamma has been earlier honoured with memorials in Chennai and Malaysia, but never in South Africa except for a hall in a Lenasia community centre being named after her. After her grave was restored, a bust was also installed at a public park in Lenasia. Award-winning Indian documentary filmmaker Sharada Ramanathan explained that she was intrigued to find a building named after Valliamma in Chennai, sparking her search to discover who the person was. Several trips to South Africa over a year to meet community leaders and descendants of Valliamma led to the decision to make the film. "Script writing is at an advanced stage and funding negotiations are being finalised," Ramanathan said at a media conference hosted by Consul General K J Srinivasa. Srinivasa said a Memorandum of Understanding between India and South Africa regarding film production would soon be concluded. "Indian film production in South Africa was very popular in the first decade of democracy, but has gone down due to high costs which have driven producers to other parts of the world with incentives there. We are confident that this situation will be addressed in the MoU," Srinivasa said. Ramanathan confirmed that the film would feature Indian and South African actors and crew. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Monday that India's "dream" of isolating Pakistan will never be fulfilled, amidst simmering tensions between the two countries following the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers. Forty Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed on February 14 in Jammu and Kashmir when a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into their bus in Pulwama district, sparking outrage in the country. Addressing a conference on Kashmir in Islamabad, Qureshi said a number of foreign dignitaries were scheduled to visit Pakistan in near future. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Muhammad will be the chief guest on Pakistan Day Parade on March 23, he said. He said German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas will pay the visit on March 12 and the EU High Representative will also visit Islamabad soon. Qureshi said India's "dream" of isolating Pakistan will never be fulfilled. India launched a major diplomatic offensive against Islamabad after the Pulwama attack and highlighted Pakistan's role in using terrorism as an instrument of state policy. The international community led by the US pressed Pakistan to deny safe haven to terror groups operating form its soil and bring the perpetrators of the Pulwama attack to justice. Qureshi said Pakistan was not in favour any conflict with India. Talking about the heightened tensions after the Pulwama attack, he said India's response was predictable. "It behaved in the same manner as it did after Mumbai attacks," he said. The Foreign Minister said Prime Minister Imran Khan offered help in probe the sucide attack and also announced that Pakistan would not allow its soil to be used against any country. He said Prime Minister Pakistan has made it clear that Islamabad would retaliate to any action by New Delhi. Qureshi said action was being taken against extremists in the light of National Action Plan, a 20-point agenda to eliminate militancy. India has asked Pakistan to take immediate and verifiable action against terrorists and terror groups operating from territories under its control. New Delhi also announced the withdrawal of the Most Favoured Nation status for Pakistan and hiked the customs duty by 200 per cent on goods originating from Pakistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India lacks good data on economy and jobs as it is majoraly an informal economy, Bibek Debroy, the head of Prime Minister's economic advisory panel, said Monday, while a report claimed big buoyancy in employment numbers under Narendra Modi-led government. Debroy highlighted that it is difficult to draw an inference as to what is happening on labour and employment on the basis of data gathered from the enterprises for the very simple reason that very few individuals in India work under an employee-employee kind of relationship. "We don't have very good data on economy and jobs because India is majorly an informal economy. So, therefore, we don't have a very good data whether it is employment, labour or other things, quite unlike the so-called developed countries," Debroy, also a member of the NITI Aayog, said at 'Skoch Group Summit: The Inclusion Manifesto' here. "There is a large degree of self-employment, there is a large degree of informalisation in contracts. So, the only way I can get satisfactory data is through employment surveys of the kinds that the NSS undertakes," he said. According to the report released by think-tank Skoch Group Monday, there is a big buoyancy in informal sector jobs under the Modi government. A detailed analysis and field research on MUDRA loan scheme, SHGs and infrastructure developments, especially rural roads and National Highways expansion, indicate that there is big buoyancy in informal sector jobs under Modi regime, the report said. Skoch Group Chairman Sameer Kochhar said that as many as 2 crore jobs have been created in the informal sector till date under the present dispensation. An earlier Skoch report on job linkage of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana revealed that 1.7 crore new jobs were generated in the first two years of the scheme, which was launched in April 2015. Kocchar, however, added that the job situation seems tricky in the formal sector. "Is there any increase in the formal sector jobs, we can't conclusively say, yes or no," said Kochhar. Debroy mentioned that the government can do for the inclusion agenda is to deliver physical and social infrastructure. Poverty in society shows that people are deprived of social and physical infrastructure and which any government should strive to provide for agenda of inclusive growth, he noted. "What do we want the government to do, what is the most important item from the perspective of the government in terms of driving inclusion agenda...It is my submission that the most important thing any government can do for the inclusion agenda is to deliver the physical and social infrastructure," he said. On subsidy, the Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister said the only way to define who should be subsidised can be derived through a decentralised census like the SECC (Socio-Economic Caste Census), not through surveys. -- 2 cr jobs added in informal sector under Modi regime -- Kochhar said that data gathering under Mudra Yojana and Self Help Groups (SHGs) suggested around 2 crore jobs have been created in the informal sector under the current government so far. MUDRA loans seem to have become more of the working capital loan scheme, while documentation states that it has to be 80 per cent of loan is an asset, he said. "Lack of data is a huge problem. We have faced a lot of constraints because of this. However, the saving grace for us is our ongoing studies and field research that we have been doing this for more than 20-years," he said. As per the report findings, there has been a steady increase in the number of self-help groups (SHGs). The number of SHGs has increased to 87.44 lakh in 2017-18 from 76.97 lakh in 2014-15. However, there is more impressive improvement in their bank linkages. Gross savings of SHGs with banks more than doubled to Rs 19,592.12 crore in 2017-18 from Rs 9,897.42 crore in 2013-14. Loans given to SHGs also more than doubled to Rs 47,185.88 crore during 2017-18 from Rs 24,017.36 crore in 2013-14. Non-performing assets (NPA) rate in bank loan to SHGs dropped by 38 bps to 6.12 per cent during 2017-18, it said. Around 10-20 households benefit from an SHG. In 2017-18, nearly 11 crore households got benefited from SHGs. The incremental increase of 10.47 lakh SHGs has benefited over 1 crore households. Among others, the report said road infrastructure is another sector that has witnessed a huge number of job creation in the informal sector. A total of 48,751 km of PMGSY roads, connecting 11,499 eligible habitations have been constructed in 2017-18 at an average rate of 134 km per day. The government built 47,447 km of rural roads in 2016-17, the second most in seven years. These two years compared with the 36,449 km of roads constructed in 2015-16 under PMGSY and 36,337 km in 2014-15. The pace of construction of National Highways has also more than doubled. From a construction rate of just about 12 km per day in 2014-15, the rate more than doubled to reach 27 km a day during 2017-18, while the daily award of works was 47 km. The Skoch report noted that the acceleration in the pace of road construction has led to the creation of a substantial number of new jobs, mostly in the informal sector. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will sit on indefinite hunger strike from March 1 to garner support for his demand of full statehood for Delhi, party convenor Gopal Rai said Monday. Rai said he will write letters to Delhi Congress president Sheila Dikshit and Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari asking them about their stand on the issue. The BJP and Congress have questioned Kejriwal's decision to go on fast, saying it is a move targeted to gain political mileage weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. "Kejriwal has no demand from the government and his fast is being held to organise people on the issue of full statehood. He will decide when people are organised over the issue. Till then the hunger strike will go on," Rai told reporters. He said the venue of Kejriwal's hunger strike is yet to be decided. Speaking at Delhi Assembly's ongoing budget session, Kejriwal on Saturday had announced to go on indefinite hunger strike from March 1. Rai said it is surprising that Delhi Congress president Sheila Dikshit, who had earlier supported the demand for full statehood of Delhi, is now speaking BJP's language. "I am going to write letters to Sheila Dikshit and Manoj Tiwari asking them about their stand on full statehood issue which was supported earlier by their parties," he said. The letters will ask them whether they think the earlier support to the issue by their leaders was wrong and whether they feel it will be beneficial for people of Delhi, the AAP leader said. Rai said AAP wanted the upcoming Lok Sabha polls to be fought on the issue of full statehood to Delhi and he would ask BJP and Congress to join in. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday asked authorities to allow legally registered Afghan refugees to open bank accounts and become part of the country's formal economy. Around three million Afghan refugees are living in Pakistan and about half of them are registered as refugees and allowed legally to live and work while others are unregistered and considered illegal foreigners. "I have issued instructions today that Afghan refugees who are registered can open bank accounts and from now onwards they can participate in the formal economy of the country," Khan tweeted. He said this should have been done a long time ago. Majority of Afghan refugees fled to Pakistan in 1980s after the Soviet invasion of their country. Pakistan has been working with UNHCR for their repatriation but the plan to resettle them is slow as the refugees are not willing to go back due to security reasons. Khan started debate about giving citizenship to these refugees after he came to power last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's former military dictator Gen (retd.) Pervez Musharraf has termed talk of any nuclear war with India as rubbish, saying if Pakistan would attack India with one atomic bomb, then New Delhi could "finish us by attacking with 20 bombs". "It is not so simple. Do not talk like this. There is always a military strategy," Musharraf, who is on self-exile in Dubai, said in response to a question at a conference in Dubai on Friday evening. His statement came amid heightened tension between the two nuclear-armed countries after the February 14 suicide attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad that killed at least 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, termed talk of any nuclear war as rubbish, Dawn newspaper reported. "If Pakistan would attack India with one atomic bomb, then the neighbouring country could finish us by attacking with 20 bombs," he was quoted as saying by the paper. "The only solution is that we should first attack them with 50 atom bombs so that they cannot hit us with 20 bombs. Are you ready to first launch an attack with 50 bombs?" he asked. Musharraf, who was the army chief of Pakistan during the Kargil War in 1999, said India had advantage in some areas in Kashmir and it could launch a surgical strike, but Pakistan also had advantage in many other areas. He suggested to Pakistan Army to keep a plan prepared before time to deal with any possible Indian move, the paper said. The former general has been declared a fugitive in the Benazir Bhutto assassination case and the Red Mosque cleric killing case. He is facing several cases including a treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007. He left for the UAE in 2016 for medical treatment and has not returned since. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indian Air Force is set to join the operations to contain the forest fire raging in Bandipur Tiger Reserve area in Karnataka for the past five days, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said Monday. The state government has sought the help of the Indian Air Force (IAF), which responded positively, he said. In a tweet, the chief minister said, "Decided to use Air Force's help to contain the fire. The Air Force Chief was contacted and a request was placed for immediate help. The Air Force Chief has responded positively and preparations are on for the operation." "The Chief Secretary will personally monitor rescue operations," he said in another tweet. The forest fire for the past five days has gutted thousands of acres of land and is feared to have killed hundreds of wild animals, reptiles and insects. It has also endangered the lives of tigers. The chief minister held a review meeting with Chief Secretary T M Vijay Bhaskar, senior police officers, secretaries of the forest and officials of the fire department to combat the forest fire. He has requested the public to stay away from the affected areas in Bandipur until the situation is brought under control. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet has given its approval to increase the monthly honorarium of teachers appointed through the School Management Committee (SMC) by 20 per cent, an official spokesperson said Monday. In a meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, the cabinet decided to increase the monthly honorarium of SMC teachers from April 1. The decision would benefit 2,635 teachers. It has decided to increase the monthly honorarium of part time water carriers working in Elementary and Higher Education Departments to Rs 2,400 from Rs 2,200, the spokesman said. At least 2,268 part time workers working on contract basis would be benefitted from this decision, he said. The cabinet gave its nod to increase the monthly honorarium of cook-cum-helpers engaged under the Mid Day Meal Scheme in the schools to Rs 2,000 from Rs 1,800. It has decided to provide essential commodities like wheat, flour and rice at low rates to the above poverty line (APL) families living in Lahaul valley of tribal Lahaul and Spiti district from April to September, the spokesperson said. The cabinet has also planned to open new divisions of Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (HPPWD) at Kotla Behar. In the meeting, it was also decided to upgrade several hospitals located in various parts of the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Holding elections in will be a test of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's handling of Kashmir over the last five years, Conference leader said Monday. "Will the Modi government bow before those forces of separatism & terror that have always sought to disrupt/delay polls in J&K or will polls take place on schedule? The moment of truth for PM Modi's handling of Kashmir over the last 5 years," Abdullah wrote on his Twitter handle. The former chief minister of was reacting to media reports that the Election Commission of India will take a call on holding Assembly polls together with the Lok Sabha election after a visit to the state this week. Abdullah said except for an odd by-election, all elections in since 1995-96 have been held as per schedule. "Will PM Modi be able to keep to this schedule or will he accept he's totally mishandled J&K? The next few days will give us the answer," he added. Will the Modi government bow before those forces of separatism & terror that have always sought to disrupt/delay polls in J&K or will polls take place on schedule? The moment of truth for PM Modis handling of Kashmir over the last 5 years. https://t.co/2fEDpjOoBp (@OmarAbdullah) February 25, 2019 Pritam believes a well-recreated song is not a problem but it is unhealthy when the industry follows a "herd mentality" as it degrades the quality of the music produced. Off late, Bollywood has churned out several remixes, with every film having one recreated track. "Anything done well is good. But if one recreation works, one thousand more follow. If anything becomes a hit, then everyone will blindly follow it. Herd mentality isn't healthy because then a lot of trash comes out. That's the problem. "One or two recreations done well is nice but the tendency of following the herd doesn't really help the industry," Pritam told PTI. The composer recently collaborated with international DJ, Marshmello, to create the track "Biba", for his three-city tour in India. Pritam said the team was clear on what kind of track they wanted, which was more of an "India original". "I was leaning towards a song which was romantic-trance, the kind which generally Marshmello does. But they wanted a fun track which also feels Indian. The entire process happened really fast, in a span of one month," he added. Pritam, who previously worked with Diplo for 'Phurr' from "Jab Harry Met Sejal", said "collaboration is a learning process" but believes it would be better if musicians could jam together instead of coordinating over the Internet. "What becomes easier is if the artistes get to chat with each other. There should be a window of free collaboration. We didn't have the time to meet up and work together. Such collaborations should happen over meeting because then it's a lot of fun." On the film front, Pritam will be composing the music for Anurag Basu's "Ludo", Shonali Bose's "The Sky is Pink", Kabir Khan's "83" and Imtiaz Ali's next among others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bombay High Court Monday approved the Maharashtra Maritime Board's (MMB) request to construct three ferry jetties in the western suburbs of Mumbai and the neighbouring Thane district. A division bench of Justices B R Gavai and N J Jamadar was hearing a petition filed by the board seeking permission to carry out work on three of its projects pertaining to proposed ferry jetty services between Borivali and Gorai in Mumbai, a passenger jetty at Ghodbunder in Thane and roll-on and roll-off jetty services at Manori in the metropolis. The bench, while granting permission, observed that the projects were in public interest as they proposed to decongest the city's traffic in the western suburbs and also connect the eastern and western suburbs. The MMB is entrusted with the task of planned development of minor ports, port infrastructure and maritime facilities. The petition said the projects were being developed for a sustainable water transportation system for Mumbai city and its suburbs. The board approached the high court seeking permission as the proposed jetties would be located on mangrove buffer zones and as per previous court orders, any authority proposing to destroy mangroves as part of a public project has to seek HC's nod first. MMB's lawyer Saket Mone told the court that it had already got Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) for the three projects. Mone said none of the projects would cause any destruction to mangroves, but since the proposed jetties were in the mangroves buffer zone, permission was sought from the court. "The proposed projects are founded on the principles of public utility, sustainable development and eco-friendly transportation systems, aimed at benefiting the citizens and not premised on private or commercial gain," the petition said. They are public utility projects and should be allowed to be implemented, more so since the statutory authorities concerned have granted requisite permissions in accordance with law and there is no contemplation of any destruction of mangroves, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the Centre to submit the records, if any, related to alleged tapping of phones of some YSR Congress party leaders and their associates who have filed a plea claiming that they have been placed under "illegal technical surveillance". Justice Najmi Waziri, who was hearing a plea by the party's former MP Y V Subba Reddy and five others including party chief Jaganmohan Reddy's personal and political assistants, granted time to the Centre to submit the relevant records and listed the matter for further hearing on March 19. The court made it clear that it was not issuing notice on the petition at this stage. It said if somebody is under surveillance, the reasons for it have to be covered under the provision of the Telegraph Act. During the hearing, central government standing counsel Ajay Digpaul submitted that he would like to assist the court with reference to the relevant records. He also said the petitioners had given a representation to the central government which has been forwarded to the state government as the grievance is against the Andhra Pradesh government. In the plea, Reddy sought the court's direction to authorities, including Ministries of Telecommunication and Home Affairs, Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Home) of Andhra Pradesh, and mobile service providers to explain under what circumstances they have been put under technical surveillance. It sought "necessary action under relevant provisions of law against the authorities, responsible for unauthorisedly intercepting their telephone". The petition also sought direction to the authorities to forthwith suspend the action of placing them under surveillance. It said secretly listening or recording a communication in order to get information about other activities is morally wrong and it constitutes a serious invasion of an individual's privacy. The plea said that a representation was made to the Ministry of Home Affairs in December last year with a request to direct the organisations to forthwith remove the petitioners' numbers from the unauthorised surveillance and also sought an impartial and independent probe into the incident. The authorities have neither replied nor have taken any action against those involved in the activities, it claimed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court Monday directed the CBI to inform it whether a businessman against whom a look out circular (LOC) was issued in connection with a corruption case, involving meat exporter Moin Qureshi and the agency's ex-director A P Singh, was required for further investigation. Justice Najmi Waziri also asked the CBI the purpose of issuing LOC against Satish Babu Sana while observing that there cannot be an open LOC like this and the agency has to disclose what it wants to do. "You seek instructions as to what you want. Find out whether he is required for any further investigation," the court told CBI's counsel Sanjeev Bhandari. The court was hearing a plea by Sana seeking the quashing of an LOC issued against him despite the fact that he was appearing before the CBI every time he was summoned for questioning in the case. Senior advocates Salman Khurshid and Mohit Mathur, representing Sana, submitted that he has appeared before CBI in response to the notices a number of times and he has not been called for questioning for last one year. They said there was no complaint that the businessman was not cooperating in the investigation, and he was not an accused in the case. Bhandari contended that Sana's role has come up in the case and the purpose of issuing LOC against him was that he should not leave the country. He claimed that Sana was required for further investigation and urged the court to direct him to give details of his assets and properties as he wanted to go abroad where he has business. The court listed the matter for further hearing on February 28, asking Sana to place on record the details of his unencumbered assets. The court had earlier sought the CBI stand on Sana's plea seeking quashing of the LOC on the ground that he has not been named in the FIR. He had earlier contended that despite appearing before the CBI each time he was summoned for questioning in the case, an LOC has been issued against him preventing him from leaving the country. His counsel had said that his client was not named in the FIR, yet an LOC was issued against him. Sana said he came to know about the bar on his foreign travel on September 25 last year when he was going to France for his son's university admission. In his petition, Sana has said that the FIR was lodged on February 17, 2017 and since then he has travelled abroad 15-16 times and returned to India each time. He has alleged that the LOC issued against him is "unfounded, illegal, malafide, arbitrary and violates his fundamental rights under the Constitution". He has also contended that according to a Ministry of Home Affairs office memorandum of 2010 and a high court judgement of the same year, an LOC can be issued only when a cognisable offence under the IPC or other penal laws has been alleged against an accused. It can also be issued if an accused was "deliberately evading arrest", not appearing before trial court despite issuance of non-bailable warrants or if there is a likelihood that he may evade trial by leaving the country, the petition has said. The FIR, for which Sana was being questioned, was lodged in 2017 by the CBI after the ED and Income Tax department's probe into money laundering and black money allegations against Qureshi allegedly revealed involvement of senior public servants. The ED had written a letter to the CBI in this regard and it had in 2017 lodged an FIR against the meat exporter as well as its former director A P Singh and several others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Haryana government Monday announced new schemes to provide financial and social security cover to families of farmers and those of workers in the unorganised sector ahead of the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha polls. Presenting a Rs 1.32 lakh crore budget for 2019-20, State Finance Minister Captain Abhimanyu said the government has not only tried to give impetus to economic growth but also tried to stabilise and strengthen the financial structure of the state. The budget, which did not propose any new tax, has a total outlay of Rs 1,32,165.99 crore, 14.73 per cent more than the budget for 2018-19. The major thrust of the budget for next fiscal is on sectors like education, health, rural development, skill development and industrial training, agriculture and allied activities. The minister said the BJP government in the state proposes new schemes to provide financial and social security cover to families of farmers in possession of land of up to five acres and for the families of workers in unorganised sector with family income of less than Rs 15,000 per month. He said in case of farmers, this will be in addition to the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme announced by the Centre. An outlay of Rs 1,500 crore has been provided in the budget for these schemes, whose names and other modalities were being worked out, he told reporters later. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As Hannah Beachler received the best production design Oscar for bringing the fictional nation of Wakanda to the silver screen in "Black Panther", she created a history by becoming the first African-American to win the Academy Award in the category. Beachler, the Marvel film's production designer, was honoured with set decorator Jay Hart. Hart received his first Oscar after two previous nominations, for "Pleasantville" and "LA Confidential". "When you think its impossible remember to say this... I did my best, and my best is good enough," said Beachler while accepting the honour. Other nominees in the category were "The Favourite", "First Man", "Mary Poppins Returns" and "Roma". Beachler's collaboration with "Black Panther" director Ryan Coogler goes back to his first feature, "Fruitvale Station" (2013). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gunmen in Somalia opened fire on Monday on a team of roadside workers, killing eight and wounding several others, witnesses said. The workers, who included both men and women, were clearing scrubland alongside a road in the Hawa-Abdi area, some 18 kilometres (11 miles) north outside the capital Mogadishu. "Several gunmen attacked innocent civilians, who were clearing bushes along the road," said Mohamed Adan, a local security official, saying eight people had been killed. Witnesses confirmed the incident, adding that several others were wounded by the gunfire. "It was a horrible attack," said Fadumo Kulow, who passed by the site of the killing soon after. "Eight people were killed, and six others were wounded." Ahmed Moalim, another witness, said the wounded were rushed to hospital in Mogadishu. No group has claimed responsibility for the killings, nor was it immediately clear why the workers were attacked. Somalia's Al-Shabaab insurgents have carried out a string of attacks against those supporting the government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao told the state legislature on Monday that the state government was committed to address the demands of under-privileged communities "in due course of time". The six-day budget session of the Maharashtra legislature began here on Monday. The governor said, according to the recommendations of the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission, a law had been enacted to provide 16 per cent reservation to the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs) in educational institutions and for direct recruitment in public services in the state. He added that the law fulfilled the government's commitment for the welfare of the SEBC communities. "The government is also committed to address the demands of under-privileged communities like Dhangar, Vadar, Parit, Kumbhar and Kolis in due course of time," Rao said. The state government had decided to fill the vacant posts in 14 administrative departments, he pointed out. These include Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Health, Rural Development, School Education, Water Resources and Public Works departments among others. Rao said the recruitment process was in progress according to the state's reservation policy, which includes a 16-per cent quota for SEBCs. "My government is committed to implement the 10 per cent reservation for the Economically Backward Classes (EBCs) as notified by the Union government," he said. Referring to the February 14 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district that killed 40 CRPF jawans, Rao said the state government strongly condemned cross-corder terrorism and was committed to help the Centre in combating terrorism and secessionist activities. Speaking on the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute, he said the state government was sensitive to the constitutional rights and privileges of the Marathi-speaking people residing in 865 villages, which the state had laid claim to. "My government is continuing to take a firm stand on the matter which is pending in the Supreme Court," he told the House. Rao said the work order for the Chhatrapati Shivaji memorial was issued in September, 2018 and all legal issues pertaining to its construction were being addressed to ensure scheduled completion. The state received 76 per cent of the normal average rainfall during the last monsoon, though it got only 28 per cent rains in September, the lowest in the last 17 years, the governor said during his address. Subsequent to this, the state government had declared drought in 151 talukas and 268 revenue circles, he said, adding that a drought-like situation was declared in 931 villages in 50 revenue circles. The government was providing financial assistance to farmers to tide over the drought and had granted exemption in land revenue, restructuring of cooperative loans, stay on recovery of crop loans and a 33.5-per cent subsidy in current electricity bills for agricultural pumps, Rao said. In this connection, he added that the government was also providing exemption in examination fees for school and college students, relaxation in norms of works under the Employment Guarantee Scheme, deploying water tankers and stopping disconnection of electricity supply to agricultural pumps. To address the issue of fodder scarcity, the state government had sanctioned funds for fodder seeds and fertilisers to farmers on a 100-per cent subsidy basis and also planned to start fodder camps, the governor said. He said the state government was planning to restart the water supply schemes in the drought-affected areas by paying the pending and current bills between November last year and June this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday alleged that though the Modi government had intelligence inputs about the Pulwama attack, it did not take any step as it was more keen on "playing over the dead bodies of jawans". Banerjee, while addressing the Trinamool Congress's extended core committee meeting here, vowed to oust the "dictatorial Narendra Modi government" from power in the upcoming general election. She claimed that her party Trinamool Congress(TMC) will win all the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal in the polls. "The central government was aware that such an attack can take place, there were intelligence inputs. Then why didn't the government take action to protect our jawans. The government allowed them to die so that they can do over the dead body of jawans in the elections," Banerjee said. They want to create a "war hysteria" ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the TMC president alleged. The central government is functioning in a peculiar way and union ministers are not aware of important decisions, Banerjee claimed. "This government is being run by two brothers (Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah), who have blood of innocents on their hands," she said. "Our party workers and cadre should be cautious as efforts are on to tamper EVMs (electronic voting machines) during the Lok Sabha polls. You all have to thwart those efforts," she said. On February 14, 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed in Jammu and Kashmir after a Jaish-e-Mohammad militant rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into their bus in Pulwama district. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday targeted the Modi government, alleging that though the Centre had intelligence inputs about the Pulwama attack, it did not take any step as it was more keen on "playing over the dead bodies of jawans". The BJP-led Union government wants to create a "war hysteria" ahead of the Lok Sabha polls to draw political mileage, Banerjee claimed. Addressing the Trinamool Congress's (TMC) extended core committee meeting here, she alleged that in the last over four-and-a-half years, the BJP, along with forces like the VHP and the RSS, has tried to divide the country on religious lines by injecting the "poison of hatred and communalism among the masses". She vowed to oust the "dictatorial Narendra Modi government" from power in the upcoming general election. The TMC supremo, who had organised a conclave of over two dozen anti-BJP parties at the Brigade ground here on January 19, is all set to attend a crucial meeting of the opposition parties in Delhi on February 27. She claimed that the TMC will win all the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal. "What were you doing Modi babu when the Pulwama attack took place? The central government was aware that such an attack can take place, there were intelligence inputs. Then why didn't the government take action to protect our jawans. The government allowed them to die so that they can do over the dead bodies of jawans in the elections," the chief minister said. "Why did they not sanitise the road taken by the CRPF jawans," she asked. "They want to create a war hysteria ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. They want to create an atmosphere of war and gain politically," she said condemning the attacks. On February 14, 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed in Jammu and Kashmir after a Jaish-e-Mohammed militant rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into their bus in Pulwama district. Criticising those who have been taking out bike rallies with national flags in the middle of the night over the Pulwama attack and beating up people in the name of nationalism, Banerjee said action will be taken against such elements as only "criminals and dacoits" take out their bikes at midnight. "The VHP, RSS and the BJP are such forces which have not only tried to divide the country on religious lines but has also infused the poison of communalism and hatred among the masses. We have to remove this dictator Narendra Modi and Amit Shah from power to save the country," she said. The central government is functioning in a peculiar way and Union ministers are not aware of important decisions, Banerjee claimed, adding that the government is being run by two brothers (Modi and Amit Shah), who have the blood of innocents on their hands. Accusing the Modi government of pursuing vendetta politics, she said whenever any opposition party tried to speak up against the Modi government, central agencies such as the CBI and the ED have been used to harass them. Banerjee had sat on a dharna for three days recently over a CBI action against outgoing Kolkata Police commissioner Rajeev Kumar in the Saradha chit fund scam. A prime mover of the opposition coalition against the Modi government, she supported the collective leadership of the anti-BJP alliance. "Those who claim to be leader on their own are not leaders. A person who is respected, loved and appointed as leader by others is the real leader," Banerjee said, taking a veiled dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah for frequently alleging that the opposition alliance doesn't have a leader. Taking a dig at Shah's claim that the BJP will win more than 23 seats in Bengal, Banerjee alleged that the saffron party will try to tamper with the EVMs to reach its target and hence, is making such claims. "We have to be cautious and thwart those efforts," she added. Setting a target of winning all 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state, Banerjee asked party workers to not pay heed to the proposed alliance between the CPI(M) and the Congress in the state, and said both parties are likely to have a covert understanding with the BJP to fight the TMC in Bengal. "Don't get bothered with what the Congress is doing at the state level or the CPI(M) is doing here. We have earlier also seen them forging alliances. In some places, they might also join hands with the BJP to stop us, but be rest assured that people are with us and we will win all the 42 seats," she said. The CPI(M) and Congress had forged an alliance in the 2016 assembly polls against the TMC in the state. The alliance had failed to have an impact as the TMC won 211 seats in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP in Goa held a crucial meeting of his MLAs, MPs and office-bearers here on Monday which comes in the backdrop of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's hospitalisation. However, some senior BJP leaders who attended the meeting said there was no discussion on the ailing chief minister's health or change in leadership and that they deliberated on the party's preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Parrikar, 63, who is suffering from a pancreatic ailment, is admitted at the state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) since Saturday. BJP national general secretary and Goa desk in-charge B L Santhosh chaired the party meeting held in Panaji. While Santhosh refused to talk to media persons, some other leaders who participated in the meeting said there was no discussion on Parrikar's health or change in leadership. Emerging from the meeting, Union AYUSH Minister and Lok Sabha member from North Goa Shripad Naik said they held discussions on implementation of various programmes listed by the party in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. "Our leaders took stock of the preparations to implement these programmes," he said, adding that the party will reach out to every household. Responding to a question, he said there was no discussion on the chief minister's health. "He is recovering and we wish him a speedy recovery," Naik added. BJP Goa unit president Vinay Tendulkar also said the party was gearing up for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Denying any discussion during the meeting on Parrikar's health or change of leadership in the state, the Rajya Sabha member said, "The chief minister is recovering. He will be kept under observation for 48 hours before being discharged. Earlier, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) here said a senior doctor from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi had conducted a health check-up of Parrikar at GMCH and that his condition was stable. Two doctors from AIIMS had arrived here on Sunday afternoon to examine the senior BJP leader. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) French warplanes struck a group of jihadists in central Mali over the weekend, killing or wounding 15 of them, the defence ministry in Paris said Monday. The raid -- the second in 48 hours -- took place north of Mopti on Saturday evening, as French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and Defence Minister Florence Parly were visiting Mali. Two Mirage 2000 jets, aided by a Reaper drone, took off from Niamey in neighbouring Niger to carry out the strike, which targeted forces from the Macina rebel group in the Dialoube region. The defence ministry did not specify how many jihadists were killed and how many wounded, saying only they were "put out of action". France has around 2,700 troops stationed in Mali as part of its Barkhane anti-insurgency campaign in the region, which comprises a total of some 4,500 soldiers. In addition to French troops, around 15,000 peacekeepers have been deployed in the country as part of the United Nations' stabilisation mission, known as MINUSMA. But the Malian authorities have struggled to improve security since France intervened in 2013 to drive back Islamic insurgents in the north, and large swathes of the country remain out of the government's control. In January, UN chief Antonio Guterres said more than half of the attacks by armed groups targeted Malian security forces in the central Mopti region, and around Timbuktu and Gao in the north. The strike Saturday came a day after France announced that it had killed a top jihadist leader and 10 of his men in Mali. Djamel Okacha, an Algerian commander with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), was killed Thursday after French commandos, helicopters and a drone hit a column of vehicles he was travelling in north of Timbuktu, French officials said. Okacha, a jihadist veteran known also as Yahya Abou El Hamame, was "the mastermind and financier of several attacks," the defence ministry said. US officials had accused him of kidnapping a number of Westerners in North and West Africa. Philippe and Parly were in Mali at the weekend to beef up support for the country in its fight against jihadism and officialise around 85 million euros ($97 million) of development aid. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United Arab Emirates announced Monday that the first astronaut from the Gulf country will blast off on a mission to the International Space Station on September 25. The oil-rich state has two astronauts in training, selected from more than 4,000 applicants, as it looks to get an ambitious space programme aimed at exploring Mars off the ground. The authorities said a decision on which of the two astronauts would take off on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft for the eight-day mission will be made in May. Both candidates -- Hazza al-Mansouri, 35, and Sultan al-Neyadi, 37 -- said they would be happy to see the UAE represented in space, no matter who makes the journey. "Our flag will go, our dreams, our passion [for] this country to be the lead in this sector," Mansouri said at a press conference. "Our objective is higher... it is for the beliefs of this country and its objectives to reach space." Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed al-Maktoum, the UAE's vice president and prime minister, vowed in 2017 to send four Emirati astronauts to the space station within five years. The astronaut programme would make the UAE one of only a handful of states in the Middle East to have sent a person into space, as it looks to make good on a pledge to become a global leader in space exploration. The first Arab in outer space was Saudi Arabia's Sultan bin Salman Al-Saud, who flew on a US shuttle mission in 1985. Two years later, Syrian air force pilot Muhammed Faris spent a week aboard the Soviet Union's Mir space station. As part of its space plans, the UAE has also announced its aim to become the first Arab country to send an unmanned probe to orbit Mars by 2021, naming it "Hope". In the long-term, it says it is planning to build a "Science City" to replicate life on Mars and aims to create the first human settlement on the red planet by 2117. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on Article 35A, National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah on Monday said any fiddling with Jammu and Kashmir's special status would have serious and far-reaching consequences in the state. Addressing party functionaries, workers and delegates at the NC headquarters here, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister warned that the situation in the state would become much worse than the one in Arunachal Pradesh if the rights under Article 35A and Article 370 of the Constitution were fiddled with. "They threaten us every day with (Article) 35A. I want to tell the Centre that see the situation in Arunachal Pradesh, where there is no militancy, no stone-pelting. A peaceful state like Arunachal Pradesh is also up in flames. The people there have hit the roads in order to save their permanent resident status. "That I believe should act as an eye-opener for those who are inimical to Article 370, Article 35A. Any misadventure in fiddling with the state's special status will unarguably have serious and far-reaching consequences in Jammu and Kashmir. The situation will be worse than what it is in Arunachal Pradesh," Abdullah said. He added that it was his duty to warn New Delhi about the consequences of any tampering with the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. "I am not threatening, it is my duty to warn you, the rest is your will. As a responsible citizen, it is my duty to tell Delhi that your thinking is not right," the NC leader said. He added that the Centre and the Governor S P Malik-led administration in the state should leave the defence of Article 370 and Article 35A to a new, popular government elected after the Assembly polls. "Leave it to us. Whether the Centre or the governor's administration, their only responsibility now is to create a conducive atmosphere and conduct the (Assembly) election. After the polls, whatever the decision of the people of the state, it should be left to them to tackle (Article) 35A. We know the situation here better, so please do not get into this. Conduct the polls and the new government will work towards saving Article 35A itself," Abdullah said. Referring to the reports of emergence of a third front in Kashmir, he said it was being "manufactured to split up" the people's mandate in the valley. "A third front is being contrived to ensure that a single party with a strong mandate does not emerge from Kashmir valley. The idea behind forging a third front is to ensure that the mandate of the people of Kashmir is split. However, this trend is not seen in the Ladakh or Jammu regions of our state. Why is it that such trends only emerge in the valley? "The forces that are hell bent to destroy the special status of our state have been contriving to prop up leaders in every street of Kashmir. However, by forging unity and rallying round the flag of the NC, we can trounce such forces," Abdullah said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) More products like jewellery and auto-components should be included the list of items that enjoy export incentives through e-commerce with a view to boosting outbound shipments, exporters body FIEO said Monday. Commenting on the draft national e-commerce policy, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President Ganesh Kumar Gupta said currently only few items such as handicraft, handloom, books, leather footwear, and toys avail exports incentives under Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS). The list requires immediate expansion as many MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) units exporting auto-components, are deprived of MEIS. Under MEIS, the government provides duty benefits depending on product and country. The proposed policy should bring uniform definition of e-commerce as various acts and policies define the world differently, Gupta further said. The limitation of Rs 25,000 for e-commerce exports or imports through courier, should be either removed or enhanced to Rs 5 lakh so that high value shipments can be exported through courier mode availing fast track facility. It is ironical that e-commerce retail exports is still in the manual mode and the need of the hour is that the entire e-commerce transaction should be carried out through electronic module, he added. This is the most timely initiative of bringing this draft as e-commerce is a thriving market and, is a rapidly booming business around the globe, he further said. "The need to promote cross-border e-commerce is, therefore, most logical, considering the increasing digitization and IT access," he said adding such policy will help MSMEs explore new markets. On February 23, the commerce and industry ministry released the draft proposing setting up a legal and technological framework for restrictions on cross-border data flow and, also laid out conditions for businesses regarding collection or processing of sensitive data locally and storing it abroad. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The European Union is ready to strenghten its collaboration with the Nepal Army, the 28-member bloc's Ambassador to Nepal Veronica Cody has said. Ambassador Cody met with Nepal's Army chief Gen Purnachandra Thapa at the Army Headquarters on Monday and they discussed matters of mutual interest, including promotion of bilateral cooperation in different sectors, a statement said. During the meeting, Cody appreciated the Nepal Army's "valuable contributions" in natural disaster relief, it said. She said the EU was ready to strengthen its collaboration with the Nepal Army and help in capacity building of the armed forces, the army said in the statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (AP) A federal judge in California ruled Thursday that a twin son of a gay married couple has been an American citizen since birth, handing a defeat to the U.S. government, which had only granted the status to his brother. The State Department was wrong to deny citizenship to 2-year-old Ethan Dvash-Banks because U.S. law does not require a child to show a biological relationship with their parents if their parents were married at the time of their birth, District Judge John F. Walter found. A lawsuit filed by the boys' parents, Andrew and Elad Dvash-Banks, sought the same rights for Ethan that his brother, Aiden, has as a citizen. Each boy was conceived with donor eggs and the sperm from a different father one an American, the other an Israeli citizen but born by the same surrogate mother minutes apart. The government had only granted citizenship to Aiden, who DNA tests showed was the biological son of Andrew, a U.S. citizen. Ethan was conceived from the sperm of Elad Dvash-Banks, an Israeli citizen. The suit was one of two filed last year by an LGBTQ immigrant rights group that said the State Department is discriminating against same-sex binational couples by denying their children citizenship at birth. The cases filed in Los Angeles and Washington by Immigration Equality said the children of a U.S. citizen who marries abroad are entitled to U.S. citizenship at birth no matter where they are born, even if the other parent is a foreigner. Only the Los Angeles case was decided Thursday. The State Department did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the ruling. Previously the department pointed to guidance on its website that said there must be a biological connection to a U.S. citizen to become a citizen at birth. "This family was shocked and appalled and angry when they were told their family wasn't legal," said Aaron Morris, executive director of Immigration Equality. "They wanted their twin boys to be treated exactly the same." Morris said the government wrongly applied a policy for children born out of wedlock to married same-sex couples. Walter agreed, writing that the State Department statute does not contain language "requiring a 'blood relationship between the person and the father' in order for citizenship to be acquired at birth." "This is justice! We are hopeful that no other family will ever have to go through this again. It's like a giant rock has been removed from our hearts," Andrew and Elad Dvash-Banks said in a statement provided by Immigration Equality. Andrew Dvash-Banks was studying in Israel when he met his future husband, Elad, an Israeli citizen. Because they couldn't marry at the time in the U.S. or in Israel, they moved to Canada, where they wed in 2010. The children were born by a surrogate in September 2016. Everything seemed fine until the couple brought their cranky infants to the American consulate in Toronto a few months later to apply for citizenship and the woman at the counter began asking probing questions they found shocking and humiliating. The consular official told them she had discretion to require a DNA test to show who the biological father was of each boy and without those tests neither son would get citizenship. The men knew that Andrew was Aiden's biological father and Elad was Ethan's but they had kept it a secret and hadn't planned on telling anyone. After submitting the DNA test results that proved who fathered each boy, the couple received a large and small envelope from the U.S. on March 2. The big one included Aiden's passport. The other was a letter notifying Andrew that Ethan's application had been denied. The family has since moved to Los Angeles to be closer to Andrew Dvash-Banks' family. The other case involves two women, one from the U.S., and one from Italy, who met in New York, wed in London and each gave birth to a son. The State Department didn't recognize the couple's marriage, the lawsuit said, and only granted citizenship to the boy whose biological mother was born and raised in the U.S. The European Union on Monday urged countries to avoid any military intervention in Venezuela. "We must avoid a military intervention," Maja Kocijancic, the spokeswoman for diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini, told reporters. "What is explicitly quite clear, from our point of view, is that we need a peaceful political and democratic and Venezuelan-owned resolution of this crisis," she added. "This obvisouly excludes the use of force." Venezuela's opposition leader and self-declared president Juan Guaido is in Bogota for talks with allies in the regional Lima Group of countries on measures to compel President Nicolas Maduro to leave office. The EU reached its position at a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels last Monday. On Sunday, Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borell told the Efe agency: "We have warned quite clearly that we wil not support and we will firmly condemn any foreign military intervention. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) European Union official Donald Tusk added pressure on British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday to delay the country's departure from the bloc, saying it would be a "rational solution." Tusk said that "all the 27 (member states) will show maximum understanding and goodwill" to make such a postponement possible after two days of talks between May and several European leaders at the EU-Arab League summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh failed to produce a breakthrough in the negotiations. May met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker early Monday as she sought elusive changes to the UK-EU divorce agreement. Britain's Parliament has rejected the deal once, and May has just over a month to get it approved by lawmakers before the UK's scheduled departure day of March 29. May says a new vote won't be held this week and could come as late as March 12. Tusk, the European Council president, said that such a timeframe might get too tight to avoid a chaotic and costly cliff-edge departure. "I believe that in the situation we are in, an extension would be a rational solution," Tusk told reporters. At the moment though, and after his talks with her on Sunday, Tusk said that "Prime Minister May still believes that she is able to avoid this scenario" of extending the departure beyond March 29. Tusk refused to say how long such an extension should be as rumors swirled it should go to anything from two months to almost two years. UK lawmakers' objections to the Brexit deal center on a provision for the border between the UK's Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland. The mechanism, known as the backstop, is a safeguard that would keep the UK in a customs union with the EU to remove the need for checks along the Irish border until a permanent new trading relationship is in place. May wants to change the deal to reassure British lawmakers that the backstop would only apply temporarily. But EU leaders insist that the legally Brexit binding withdrawal agreement, which took a year and a half to negotiate, can't be reopened. A group of British lawmakers will try this week to force the government to delay Brexit rather than see the country crash out of the bloc without a deal. They want Parliament to vote Wednesday to extend the negotiating process. Labour lawmaker Yvette Cooper, one of those behind the move, said it was irresponsible of the government that just a few weeks before Brexit "we still don't know what kind of Brexit we are going to have and we're not even going to have a vote on it until two weeks before that final deadline." "I don't see how businesses can plan, I don't see how public services can plan and I think it's just deeply damaging," Cooper told the BBC. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Top Election Commission of India officials Monday reviewed preparations for Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra. Election Commissioners Ashok Lavasa, Sushil Chandra and state chief electoral officer Ashwani Kumar were present at a meeting held here in this connection, a senior official said. The ECI team, on a two-day visit to Maharashtra, met senior stateadministrationand election officials and also sought inputs from registered political parties. NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik, who participated in the deliberations, said his party demanded that if voting is held through EVMs, then 20 per cent VVPAT slips should be counted and if there was a mismatch, then 100 percent slips should be counted. The party also demanded hikein the limit of election expenditure. Malik said 30 to 40 per cent of voter rolls are without photographs of voters. He also demanded stoppage of election campaign on social media 48 hours beforepolling, but did not elaborate how that will be achieved. The Congress delegation claimed there are 44 lakh bogus voters in the state electoral rolls. The party demanded revision of the electoral rolls to remove bogus and duplicate voters. "At Monday's review meeting, officials discussed preparation of the voters list, distribution of voter IDs, expenditure schedule and requirement as well as security measures such as requirement of CRPF columns," the official said. "The poll officials expressed their satisfaction with overall preparations in Maharashtra," the official said. The ECI team is expected to meet divisional commissioners, district collectors and SPs Tuesday and also address media. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NCP president Sharad Pawar Monday said attempts are still on to forge a "grand alliance" against the BJP in Maharashtra for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Talking to reporters here, Pawar said his party and the Congress are against the ideology of the RSS and they will continue their fight against the ideological fountainhead of the ruling BJP. "We will continue to fight the RSS ideology. Our stand regarding RSS is very clear. We don't agree with the ideology. "What more commitment can one ask for," the former Union minister said when asked about Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar's pre-condition on joining the proposed Congress-led grand alliance in the state. Ambedkar, who heads the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh, had early this month said the Congress will have to come up with an "agenda" to "rein in the RSS" before seat-sharing talks could take place between the two parties. Asked about the contours of an anti-BJP front, Pawar said attempts are still on to forge a "grand alliance" against the saffron outfit in the state, which has the second highest number of Lok Sabha seats (48) in the country. "How to free the society from forces propagating RSS ideology should be everyone's responsibility," he said. All like-minded parties should get together to fight the RSS ideology, the veteran parliamentarian said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) formed a human chain on Monday in an act of protest against the alleged misgovernance of the varsity administration. Several teachers and students assembled to form the human chain as a precursor to the strike to be observed on February 27, 28 and March 1 against various policies of the administration and the HRD Ministry, the DUTA said. Teachers who participated in the human chain alleged there is a nexus between the university administration and the HRD Ministry to ensure that the issues remain unresolved as part of the government's agenda to withdraw funding from higher education, it said. They said the government has not responded on bringing an ordinance on the roster issue and a one-time regulation to regularise and absorb temporary and ad-hoc teachers despite several representations, it added. The teachers also accused the vice-chancellor of being "apathetic" towards various issues. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Concentrations of pharmaceuticals have increased in freshwater sources all over the world over the past 20 years, with levels of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin having potentially damaging ecological effects, scientists say. The research by environmental experts at Radboud University in the Netherlands is the first to examine the risks of two particular medicines in global freshwater sources. "Getting an accurate picture of the environmental risks of pharmaceuticals around the world depends on the availability of data, which is limited," said Rik Oldenkamp, lead author of the study published in the journal Environmental Research Letters. "It's true that there are models, such as the ePiE model, which can give detailed predictions of pharmaceutical concentrations in the environment, but these are often only applicable to places where we already have a lot of information, such as rivers in Europe," Oldenkamp said. The new model developed by the researchers, which builds on an existing model with a lower resolution, makes it possible to come up with worldwide predictions for individual ecoregions. For the two pharmaceuticals investigated in the study -- carbamazepine, an anti-epileptic drug, and ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic -- the environmental risks were found to be 10 to 20 times higher in 2015 than in 1995. The increased human use of ciprofloxacin was found to have a particularly high impact globally. "The concentrations of this antibiotic can be harmful for bacteria in the water, and these bacteria in turn play an important role in various nutrient cycles," said Oldenkamp. "Antibiotics can also have a negative impact on the effectiveness of bacteria colonies used in wastewater treatment," he said. Antibiotic resistance has been on the agenda of the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations General Assembly for a few years now. "Generally, it's seen as a problem for the health sector, as resistant bacteria can be spread within hospitals or through livestock," said Oldenkamp. "But there's little awareness of the role of the environment in this problem, even though it becomes increasingly clear that the environment functions as a source of resistance for various pathogens," he said. "Our model predicts a relatively high environmental risk for ecoregions in densely populated and dry areas such as the Middle East, yet those are precisely the areas where there is little data on pharmaceutical use and concentrations in surface waters," said Oldenkamp. The researchers predicted human pharmaceutical consumption in these areas using regression models based on consumption in other countries, along with socio-economic and demographic information, and linked this to information related to other factors such as water sources and the number of people with access to wastewater treatment. "Our model shows a particular need for new data in these types of areas," said Oldenkamp. "The model is really a starting point for creating an insight into the environmental risks posed by pharmaceuticals all over the world," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government will provide budgetary support to rubber sector to enhance research, promote exports and reduce dependence on import, according to the draft national rubber policy. The proposed policy will also provide support for skill development; incentives for smallholders, workers and entrepreneurs; and enforcement of regulations on quality and standards. For all these measures, proportionate budgetary provisions would be made, the draft said. As per the draft policy, possibility would be explored for treating natural rubber as an agricultural product for all practical and legal purposes, it said. The policy will also explore the possibility of treating income from rubber production as agricultural income, in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. The draft said the budgetary support from the central government would focus on new plantation and replanting. "Appropriate convergence and dovetailing of funds with other programmes of departments/ministries of the central and state governments such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment (MGNREGA), would be attempted," it added. The 27-page draft said financial assistance is vital in motivating growers to take up rubber cultivation. "Adequate planting subsidy would be given for incentivising rubber plantation. Priority would be given to marginal and small growers belonging to the resource poor communities," it added. The commerce ministry has come up with this draft policy seeking views of stakeholders. The objectives of the policy include promoting overall sustainability of the rubber lndustry with respect to economic, social and environmental dimensions, development of entire value chain from upstream production to downstream manufacturing activities. Besides, the policy aims to increase the area under natural rubber by new plantation without causing any adverse impact on forests. The draft has also suggested several policy interventions such as providing insurance cover for the growth of the sector. It said the import policy for natural rubber would be accorded special focus as imports have impact on both growers and end-user industries. Natural rubber is not a traditional export-oriented commodity and export may be promoted only to adjust temporary demand-supply imbalances in the domestic market, it added. The draft said "the price volatility in rubber crop directly impacts livelihood of lakhs of small and marginal growers and efforts would be made to ensure the livelihood protection by way of insurance/price support in consonance with the prevailing norms and policies". It also said the possibility of extending exclusive financial assistance schemes for grower forums for processing and trading in rubber would be explored in consultation with NABARD. "Introducing auction for rubber trading in the country would be attempted for fair price discovery," it said. Most of the rubber products, including tyres, require blends of natural rubber and synthetic rubber. India is currently the sixth largest producer of natural rubber in the world with one of the highest productivity (6,94,000 tonne in 2017-18). Kerala and Tamil Nadu account for 81 per cent of the total natural rubber production in India. The other states include Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra and West Bengal. India is the second largest consumer of natural rubber globally with current consumption of around 1.1 million tonne. Of this, 68 per cent is consumed in the automotive tyre sector. There are around 1.3 million rubber growers and 0.6 million workers in rubber plantation sector in India. Around 40 per cent of the domestic consumption is met from imports. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh Monday alleged BJP, RSS and Bajrang Dal workers were involved in the recent murders in Madhya Pradesh, including the killing of six-year-old twin brothers in Chitrakoot. Singh cited several murder cases which took place across the state in the recent past and alleged members of saffron outfits were involved in them. The opposition BJP hit back at the Congress, saying the crime graph has gone up after the party took charge in December and accused Singh of covering up the government's "failure" on the law and order front. Talking to reporters here, Singh said, "Main Kuchh Udaharan Aapko De Raha Hoon, Indore Me Ek Bahut Bade Vyapari Ki Hatya Hui, Supari Li Sudhakar Maratha Ne, Wo BJP Ka Sakriya Sadasy Raha Hai, Kam Se Kam 25 Hatyayen Usne Paise Lekar Supari Lekar Karwai Hai, Shivraj Singh Se Puchhiye, Usse Sambandh The Ki Nahi. (I am giving some examples. A big businessman was murdered in Indore. Sudhakar Maratha took supari. He was an active member of BJP. He carried at least 25 supari killings. Ask Shivraj Singh Chouhan (former BJP CM) whether he had relations with him or not)." He continued, "Mandsaur me Nagar Palika Adhyaksh Ki Hatya Hui, Kisne Ki, BJP Ke Neta Ne. (Mandsaur's Municipality president was killed, who did this? killer was a BJP leader)." The former Chief Minister said, "An RSS office-bearer in Ratlam killed a Dalit labourer to claim the insurance money. These are the deeds of (RSS). After this, a BJP leader was murdered by his party colleague in Barwani."Talking about the kidnapping and murder of twin sons of an oil businessman at Chitrakoot, Satna district, Singh, "Who did this, Bajrang Dal, VHP and BJP leaders did it. There was BJP symbol on their motorcycles. "And where they were studying? In Chitrakoot University, which an institution of Sangh. This university should be inquired into." Reacting to Singh's statements, the BJP said he is trying to hide the government's failure to arrest the rising crime graph in the state. "Digvijay Singh, who is the Super CM of the state, has been trying to cover up feeble police administration. Congress regime of the state is involved in transfer and postings in lieu of money," said state BJP vice-president Vijesh Lunawat. "It is a Congress government... entire system is run by them, they run the investigating agencies, they should stop the crime and inquire into them. They should do justice with the family of victims, including children," he said. The Congress administration has failed to control the rising crime rate, Lunawat said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Digital interventions have a huge potential for supporting universal health coverage, to which the government is committed, Union Health Minister J P Nadda said Monday. Speaking at the inauguration of the 4th Global Digital Health Partnership Summit here, Nadda said the entire healthcare system in India and the world was undergoing a rapid transformation. "The way we know of healthcare being delivered and accessed is poised to change for better. Digital health interventions are accelerating this transformation. It has a huge potential for supporting universal health coverage (UHC) for which the Government of India is committed," he said. Union Minister of Law and Justice and Electronics and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad and health ministers from several countries attended the event. Prasad spoke about the use of technological innovations in transforming healthcare and highlighted various initiatives of the government towards digital healthcare. He said that India is committed to reaching the last man in the line through digital health interventions and digital inclusion. "Digital governance is good governance and bridging a digital divide must be achieved through technology that is low cost," he added. Nadda said India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was committed to securing universal health coverage with the twin pillars of health and well-ness centres at primary and secondary levels of healthcare and Ayushman Bharat Yojana or PM-Jan Aarogya Yojana (PMJAY) at the tertiary level. "I am happy to share that after the roll-out of 'Modicare' (Ayushman Bharat), in merely 155 days, nearly 1.3 million people have availed the benefits of more than Rs 16 billion under this scheme," he said. Nadda said Ayushman Bharat is primarily dependent on maximising the use of digital tools for effective implementation and monitoring. The scheme is completely digital wherein all the processes from beneficiary identification to hospital empanelment and settlement of claims are done electronically. Hence all the benefits of the scheme are delivered in a mode that is cashless, paperless and completely transparent for all stakeholders, he said. He said India took the world stage at the 71st World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland by successfully introducing and unanimous adoption of the Resolution on Digital Health. This resolution highlighted global attention to the potential, challenges and opportunities of digital health interventions and the need for closer collaboration on the issue globally for countries achieving health-related Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets as well as the World Health Organization's implementation of 13th General Program of Work. He said that the Health Ministry is in the process of establishing an Integrated Health Information Platform for inter-operability amongst various health IT systems and a pan-India exchange of electronic health records of citizens ensuring privacy, security, and confidentiality of data. The same is to be supplemented by a pan-Indian network of disease surveillance, tele-medicine and tele-radiology and tele-education, he said. The global intergovernmental meeting on digital health is being hosted by the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the WHO and the Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP). The Ministerial Conclave discussed the implication of digital health interventions to health services accessibility, quality and affordability and explored ways of leveraging digital health technologies to strengthen the healthcare delivery systems globally. The Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP) is an international collaboration of governments, government agencies and multinational organisations dedicated to improving the health and well-being of their citizens through the best use of evidence-based digital technologies. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dialogue is the only way to resolve tensions between India and Pakistan, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said Monday, asserting that Islamabad should make strong efforts to end militancy on its soil. "There are attempts to create war hysteria. You should pray to God to save us from war. There have been four wars, but nothing was achieved except loss of lives," Abdullah said while addressing party functionaries, workers and delegates at the NC headquarters here. "The only way out is through dialogue and Pakistan should try to end the militancy and it should do so strongly," the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said. "If it does not do so, then that country will be labelled as a terror state which will bring miseries to its people." The Srinagar parliamentarian expressed happiness over Pakistan MP Rajesh Kumar Vankwani meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. "I am happy that (Pakistan Prime Minister) Imran Khan had sent his representative who met the Prime Minister of India and Sushma Swaraj. I am hopeful that the war hysteria which was being built would have lessened. Please pray to God so that the clouds of war make way for peace," the NC chief said. Welcoming former IAS officer Farooq Ahmad Shah into the party fold, Abdullah said the NC would benefit from Shah's experience in public life. "His (Shah's) acumen for administration will benefit the party. I am hopeful that Shah will make the party stronger at grass roots." Shah has served in key positions in the state and was posted as commissioner secretary of the Irrigation and Flood Control when he opted for an early retirement recently. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SMART Ride 16 takes place on Nov. 15 and 16. Fundraising efforts for this years ride begin on Thursday, February 28. A Night Of Stars is sure to entertain. The evening, hosted by Nicolette and featuring a performance by Michael Dean as Cher, takes place at Lips. A Night of Stars promises to put the fun in fundraising. Several guest servers will be on hand to help out, among them Tony Beall, Mark Byrd, Bryan Carstensen, Kevin Daft, Louis Pedraza, and Andy Perrott. General admission tickets cost $50. General admission includes: Three-course dinner Choice of 4 entrees Soda, Iced Tea Show Cover LIPS team gratuity VIP tickets cost $75 and include all of the above with preferred seating and adult beverages. Doors open at 7 p.m. and dinner begins at 7:30 p.m. SMART Ride is a 2-day, 165-Mile bicycle Ride from Miami to Key West. Since 2003, it has raised more than $10 million. That money has been distributed throughout Florida, making SMART Ride the 2nd largest AIDS bicycle ride in the country and the only one of its size to give back 100 percent. Participants in the ride come from throughout Florida and locations all over the world to take part in the event. People participate for many reasons including: Having HIV Knowing someone with HIV Losing a loved one to HIV Doing the right thing Lips is located at 1431 E Oakland Park Boulevard in Oakland Park. For more information, visit https://thesmartride.org/event/lips-celebrity-server-a-night-of-the-stars/. Related Story: Smart Ride Celebrates 15 Years Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the three service chiefs Monday interacted with India's defence attaches in 42 countries during which the Pulwama terror attack and the overall security challenges facing the country figured, official sources said. The two-day conclave of the defence attaches is taking place in the backdrop of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the dastardly terror attack carried out by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed. Days after the attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the armed forces have been given free hand to respond to the strike. Islamabad said it will adequately respond to any action by New Delhi. The sources said a range of issues, including the situation along the border with Pakistan, were discussed at the meeting. India's defence attache to Pakistan and Afghanistan were among those who attended the conclave. The sources said the situation along India's border with China as well as geo-strategic issues relating to India's neighbourhood as well as situation in the West Asia will be discussed on Tuesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Development Authority will soon launch a housing scheme offering 10,300 newly-built flats across different categories in various localities, officials said Monday. The scheme, however, will be an online one so application and other processes will be done online, they said. The decision was taken during authority meeting of the DDA, held under the chairmanship of the Lt Governor at Raj Niwas. A draft policy on "enhancing walkability" in Delhi on the line of that in Chennai was also approved in the meeting. "The drafty policy will now be placed in public domain for three weeks for inviting comments," a senior official said. As per the new housing scheme, these 10,300 flats are under-construction and only the work of water supply and other works is likely to be completed by July next year. The details of the flats are -- 960 EWS flats at Narela; 8,383 LIG flats at Narela and Vasant Kunj; 579 MIG flats at Vasant Kunj; and 448 HIG flats at Vasant Kunj, the DDA said in a statement. The DDA's budget for the year 2019-20 was presented during the event. The expenditure has been set at nearly Rs 6,968 crores, projecting a growth of 23.30 per cent over revised Budget Estimate for 2018-19 at Rs 5,651 crores. Key activities to be taken under the budget include, transforming Delhi into a world-class city, and request for proposal (RFP) for developing vacant area available at Dwarka (200 ha) is being prepared, it said. Other activities include, construction of socio-cultural centres in Rohini, CBD Shahdara and Mayur Vihar; retrofitting of Nehru Place, Bhikaji Cama Place and Basant Lok Community Centres; promotion of sports; beautification of Delhi and heritage preservation, the statement said. On the draft policy for "enhancing walkability" in the city, the DDA said, it was felt that on the basis of 'Walkability Plan for city of Chennai', Delhi should also take steps in this direction by the way of policy intervention and initiatives. This will have features like removal of encroachments from footpath, identifications of vending zones, shaded tree plantation, walkable distances, installation of street furnitures and signages. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Cubans began voting in a referendum on a new constitution Sunday with the backdrop of mounting pressure from the United States and continued support for Venezuela's socialist regime. "We Cubans are voting for our new constitution, we're voting for Latin America and the Caribbean," President Miguel Diaz-Canel said when placing his vote. "We're also voting for Venezuela, we're defending Venezuela because in Venezuela the continent's dignity is in play." More than eight million Cubans are registered to vote in a referendum the government has turned into a plebiscite on the "irrevocable" role of socialism in the island nation. Some 25,000 electoral colleges opened their doors at 7:00 am (1200 GMT) on a calm day. Results are expected late Monday. Diaz-Canel hit out at the presidents of Chile, Colombia and Paraguay for joining Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido on Saturday in his attempt to force humanitarian aid across the Colombian border into Venezuela. "A group of presidents on the Colombian border, they look like clowns," said Diaz-Canel. Cuba has been trying to galvanise international support for its ally and against American "military aggression." Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro claims the humanitarian aid, mostly supplied by Washington, is a smokescreen for a US invasion. "Today we're going to have a victory that is ours, that is Latin America's and the Caribbean's and also a victory for Venezuela, an important support for Venezuela," said Diaz-Canel. Cuba's vote comes after the latest attack on socialism by US President Donald Trump, who last week said socialist ideology is "dying." But analyst Carlos Alzugaray told AFP that Trump's words served only to boost those voting in favour of the new constitution, which reiterates the central role of socialism and communism in the country. "Many people, seeing his quotes, will vote yes because they want to defend their independence against the US threat," said Alzugaray. US Senator Marco Rubio, whose parents are Cuban, hit out at the Havana regime on Twitter. "The so-called 'referendum' in #Cuba is another maneuver by the Cuban dictatorship to hold its grip on power," he wrote. "Today's plebiscite is nothing more than a farce and a fraud of the communist party. #IllegalConstitution." The new constitution, replacing the 1976 version, recognises a limited role for the free market and private investment, but only under the control of the Communist Party. It enshrines socialism as the country's only ideology, a move criticised by the Catholic Church. Cuba's banned opposition, which normally calls for abstention at elections or spoiling ballot sheets, has this time campaigned for a no vote. "It is obvious that this goes beyond a no to a constitution, it's a no to a regime that aims to perpetuate itself in power," dissident Jose Daniel Ferrer told AFP. The referendum contains only two options: yes or no to the new constitution. "Two options, one that favors the regime and the other that represents the only opportunity the people have had in years to say no," added Ferrer. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid the ongoing impasse with the Congress over seat sharing deal for the Lok Sabha polls, the West Bengal CPI(M) Monday manged to bring along two of its allies - the RSP and the CPI - on board on the issue. It has been decided at a Left Front meeting that the Congress needs to leave it's claim over Raiganj and Murshidabad Lok Sabha seats presently held by the CPI(M), in order to take forward the seat sharing discussions. At the meeting here, the CPI(M) convinced the RSP and the CPI that seat-adjustment with the Congress was a necessity, a senior CPI(M) leader said. The meeting was convened to decide on the number of seats its allies such as the RSP, the Forward Bloc and the CPI will contest. Till date, the CPI(M) used to contest 32 seats, the RSP four and the CPI and the Forward Bloc three seats each. "With two Left allies on board, only the Foward Bloc is left. The party is not keen on alliance with the Congress. May be they are afraid that they might have to share with their seats. Now the ball is in court of the Congress to move things forward. But it has to leave its claim of Raiganj and Murshidabad," the senior CPI(M) leader said. It has also been decided that the Congress has to clearly spell out whether it wants a seat sharing adjustment with the Left Front. Two seats - Raiganj and Murshidabad- cannot be a bone of contention in an alliance, he said. It has been decided that Left allies RSP, CPI and Forward Bloc will contest in three seats each. The number of seats CPI(M) would contest depends on the terms and conditions of seat adjustment with Congress. Meanwhile, the Left Front is keeping a close watch on the opposition meet scheduled to be held in New Delhi on February 27. Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to attend the meet. "A lot will depend on what will happen at that meet. If Congress is seen cozying up with TMC nationally, it might have an adverse impact on seat adjustment in the state," a CPI(M) central committee member said. When contacted a senior Congress, who is privy to the developments, said, "Nothing has been officially communicated to us by the Left or CPI(M). But let me make it very clear that we are prepared for any eventuality including fighting alone." The Raiganj and Murshidabad are the only two Lok Sabha seats that the Left has in West Bengal, its erstwhile stronghold. These two places, however, are known as pockets of the Congress in the state. Congress leader Pardip Bhattacharya and Abdul Mannan last week held a few round of talks with CPI(M) leaders Sujan Chakraborty and Rabin Deb for seat sharing. According to Congress sources, state unit president Somen Mitra and CPI(M) state secretary Surya Kanta Mishra will meet on this matter soon. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury is also likely to discuss the matter with senior AICC leaders to end the impasse. The Congress, sources said, wants to contest around 20 of the state's 42 Lok Sabha seats, and the Left Front, which has to distribute seats among its constituents, is keen on fielding candidates in at least 31-32 seats. The Congress had won four seats in 2014. Mausam Benazir Noor, the Congress MP from Malda, defected to the TMC in January. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Telangana Home Minister Mohd Mehmood Ali and other TRS nominees Seri Subhash Reddy, Satyawati Rathod and E Mallesham Monday filed their nominations as the ruling party's candidates for the Legislative Council elections. The TRShas decided to field four of its candidates and leave the fifth seat to ally AIMIM for the biennial election to the Council by the members of the Legislative Assembly to be held on March 12. The election is being held in view of the expiry of the term of five members in the Council on March 29. AIMIM has fielded Mirza Riyaz Ul Hasan Effendi as its MLC candidate. The AIMIM nominee, who is presently the partys Corporator in Hyderabad from Dabeerpura division, has also filed his nomination, AIMIM sources said. The TRS has 88 MLAs in the 119-member House. An independent and a member of AIFB have also pledged their support to the ruling party. The AIMIMs strength in the Assembly is seven. Meanwhile, the main opposition Congress is staring at the possibility of having no representation in the Council as the term of its two of its members P Sudhakar Reddy and Mohd Ali Shabbir is coming to an end on March 29. The Congress' strength is 19 in the Assembly and it requires the support of the two-member TDP to ensure a smooth win. The stance of the two TDP members has not been made public. State Congress president N Uttam Kumar Reddy has constituted a committee of party MLAs for finalising the party's MLC candidate and to submit recommendations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Noting that Delhi has the best air quality monitoring network in India, the Outcome Budget of the government said coordinated action has resulted in a substantial reduction in emission of particulate matters in the past four years. The Outcome Budget was tabled by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the Assembly on Monday. The budget document said that 26 monitoring stations and 12 hotspots in Delhi have been identified to specifically monitor parameter-wise pollutants and with constant monitoring and enforcement, there has been a steady decrease in PM 10 (fine particulate matters in the air with a diameter of less than 10 micrometers) and PM 2.5 (fine particulate matters in the air with a diameter of less than 10 micrometers) concentrations. It also noted that Delhi has recorded the best air quality monitoring network in India. The report also said Delhi's green cover has increased by 0.37 per cent. Delhi's green cover has increased from around 20.2 per cent in 2015 to 20.6 per cent in 2017. "The increase has been attributed to plantation and conservation activities undertaken by the government," the report said. Out of the target of planting 32.5 lakh trees in 2018-19, five lakh saplings were planted in a single day in September, the report said. Twenty programmes were included in the department in 2018-19 and seven schemes were added by the forest department, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister Kiren Rijiju Monday accused the Congress of politicising the inauguration of the National War Memorial here, saying the opposition party is devoid of any issue and trying to create a controversy over the national monument. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the country's National War Memorial adjoining the iconic India Gate complex, nearly 60 years after it was mooted to honour the fallen soldiers after Independence. Rijiju also slammed Rahul Gandhi for his comments on "shaheed (martyr) status" to personnel of the CRPF and other paramilitary forces killed in action, saying the Congress president does not know the definition of "shaheed". "The Congress is devoid of any issue and that is why it has raked up the war memorial issue. The Congress is politicising it. Where is the place for in a war memorial. But the Congress even does over a war memorial. The whole country is watching," he told reporters here. The union minister of state for home said for the first time, the country got a war memorial within a year of having a police memorial. "It is a matter of pride for all citizens of the country. Both the memorials are a matter of honour for the country. This is dedicated to the people who laid down their lives and for those people who are serving the nation," he said. On October 21 last year, Modi had inaugurated the National Police Memorial at the national capital's Chankyapuri area where a 'Wall of Valour' was erected with the names of all 35,000 police personnel who laid down their lives since the country's independence. Referring to Rahul Gandhi's demand for "martyr status" to paramilitary jawans, who were killed in action, Rijiju said the government considers anyone, who sacrifices life in the service of the nation as a "martyr". "Rahul Gandhi does not know the definition of martyr. We consider anyone who sacrificed the life for the nation as martyr. Rahul does not have any knowledge on rules and regulations," he said. The Congress chief on Monday trained his guns on Modi, alleging that the prime minister's ego is not allowing him to meet the demand for granting "shaheed" status to personnel of the CRPF and other paramilitary forces killed in the line of duty. Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal has asked Modi what he had done to save the lives of soldiers in the past five years. "We stand by the war memorial. It is for the prime minister to tell us how we save the lives of our security forces," he said. The former union minister said memorials are good and one should remember those who gave up their lives for the country. But there should be actions on the ground too, Sibal added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress MLAs led by Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Monday targeted SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia's great-grandfather, even as the former minister said he did not need any certificate on his family's credentials. Addressing media in the press gallery of the Punjab Assembly on the last day of the budget session, Congress MLAs, Sidhu, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Kuljeet Singh Nagra attacked Majithia's great-grandfather Sunder Singh Majithia, alleging that he supported British Army officer Reginald Dyer, who had ordered firing on innocent people on April 13, 1919, at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. All the MLAs quoted some references from books in order to corroborate the claims. However, reacting to the allegations, Majithia said he did not need any certification from Sidhu on his family's credentials. Majithia alleged they launched personal attacks against him in order to silence his voice in the assembly. He said his great-grandfather had started various institutions and recalled his work for the Sikh community. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) legislator alleged that the Congress party, during its two years, had not even kept a single promise and yet is has the audacity to shout that no questions should be asked. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The first edition of the three-day ASEAN Chambers of Commerce and Industry Business Meet began here Monday with Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy laying emphasis on his government's pro-business approach and its stability. "In the eight months since our coalition government came into existence, I can assure you all, our government is stable andstrong," he said during the event at the Banquet Hall of the Vidhana Soudha (state secretariat). In an attempt to woo global investors, Kumarawamy said his government has focused on a pro-business approach besides ensuring its benefits percolate down to the poor to provide employment opportunities. The chief minister said several corrective steps have been taken in last few months to bring in economicreforms in the state. "Karnataka is now ready for business as never before. We have made doing business easier and smarter by ensuring 98 per cent compliance to provisions of business reforms action plan," Kumaraswamy said. He said the state has a powerful combination of thriving ecosystem, skilled and talented workforce, technical expertise, innovation and business friendly policies. Speaking on the occasion, Governor Vajubhai Vala emphasised that Karnataka was the best destination for investment. "I am here for the past five years and I have observed that the government very well supports business and industries to thrive," he said. "I assure you that there will not be any problem for you here. If there is any shortcoming in the facilities, tell the minister and the chief minister. It is our duty to address your grievances.You are not doing business just foryourselves. You are doing it for the state and the nation. If the business thrives, the state flourishes," Vala told the gathering. The event has been organised by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) to bring together ASEAN, ASEAN Plus countries and other invitee countries. According to the FKCCI, the summit aims to explore the scope for business opportunities in Karnataka with focus on automobileand auto components, aerospace and defence, engineering andfabrication, agriculture, food processing, health andpharmaceuticals, startups, textile and garments, fintech,logistics and information technology. The event will see the participation of UAE, Hong Kong, UK, Germany, France, USA, India, China, Republic of Korea, Japan, Russia, Australia, New Zealand,Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar and Malaysia. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP Monday took out a silent march in the Satna city of Madhya Pradesh to protest the kidnapping and killing of two twin brothers, and demanded the death sentence for the culprits besides action against those guilty of inept investigation into the case. The march in Satna, around 375km from Bhopal, was led by senior BJP leader and former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The main opposition party also staged protests in other parts of the state, including Bhopal, over the shocking abduction-killing of the six-year-old twins, whose father is an oil businessman, and criticised the Congress government. The twins - Priyansh and Shreyansh - KG students and sons of medicated oil merchant Brijesh Rawat, were kidnapped at a gunpoint by two masked persons from their school's premises in Chitrakoot in Satna district on February 12. The kidnappers later killed the minors, whose bodies were found in the Yamuna River in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, police had said Sunday. Talking to reporters after the march, Chouhan said the state government should take measures to ensure such incidents don't recur in the future. The Satna case should be tried in a fast-track court and the prosecution should ensure the death sentence for the culprits, Chouhan said. Security of school and college students should be enhanced across the state, he said. The ex-CM said those guilty of shoddy investigation should also be punished because the twins were in captivity of kidnappers for 12 days and could have been saved. On Sunday night, Chouhan had visited the residence of Rawat to express his condolence. The ruling Congress said this is not an issue related to politics. "The incident of Satna was very sad. This is not an issue of politics. But, the opposition need to see the mirror. "Why BJP people were found involved in recent crimes in Mandsaur, Ratlam and Barwani. "Similarly, the people of BJP were also found involved in the kidnapping incident of Chitrakoot," said state Congress Media Cell Coordinator Narendra Saluja. Rajnish Agrawal, state BJP spokesman, rejected the Congress charge and said there should be a proper probe into the crime instead of engaging in levelling allegations. He claimed 250 incidents of murder and 400 of rape have taken place in Madhya Pradesh after the Congress came to power in December last year. On Sunday, Inspector General (Rewa Zone) Chanchal Shekhar had said of the six accused, five hailed from Uttar Pradesh. The victims' bodies were recovered from the river near Baberu village in Banda district late Saturday night, he had said. The accused killed the twins on February 21 after getting a ransom of Rs 20 lakh, the officer said. The children were residents of Ramghat in Chitrakoot Dham (Karwi) district of Uttar Pradesh. They used to travel 4 km across the border to reach their school, police had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three South Florida cities have now passed resolutions urging the Florida Legislature to support a bill that will protect LGBT people from workplace discrimination. But Floridas gayest city, Wilton Manors, wasnt able to muster enough support for a similar resolution at its last commission meeting. Lake Worth, North Bay Village and Miami Beach all unanimously passed their resolutions. But Wilton Manors had to tableits resolution since one commissioner recused himself from the vote, another was absent, and a third opposed it leaving only two yes votes. Wilton Manors City Commissioner Julie Carson refused to support the resolution because the Florida Inclusive Workforce Act doesnt address discrimination in hotels, restaurants, and other public accommodations. Oakland Park resident Jen Laws, a public policy consultant and trans man attended the meeting to lend his support to the resolution. Im glad it will be a continuing conversation. I really wish it had passed, he said. At the end of the day, workplace protections provide an avenue in which we can achieve other metrics of equality. Heres what commissioners from the other cities had to say: Andy Amoroso, the gay Vice Mayor of Lake Worth: We embrace all people We need to support every bill going forward that can protect our rights. Julianna Strout, commissioner from North Bay Village: Being a champion for workplace protections is extremely important to me. We need to create a ripple effect to ensure change in Tallahassee no matter how large or small your city is - you have power in creating change. John Elizabeth Aleman, commissioner from Miami Beach: The most fulfilling thing for a person is to achieve independence and to be able to provide for themselves and their family. Every person deserves the opportunity to contribute at their fullest potential. SAVE Florida, a coalition of local groups including SAVE and the Palm Beach Human Rights Council, is the main group advocating for FIWA. The Chair of the Republican Party of Florida, State Senator Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota), though is the person who filed FIWA, giving LGBT activists hope it would have a chance at passing in the Republican dominated Florida legislature. So far five democratic state senators have co-sponsored the bill including Lori Berman, Boynton Beach; Jason Pizzo, North Miami Beach; Annette Taddeo, Miami; Kevin Rader, Boca Raton; and Bobby Powell, West Palm Beach. Some LGBT activists have come out in opposition to the bill because it only covers discrimination in the workplace, leaving the fight over housing and public accommodations for another day. We are trying to protect as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time, said Tony Lima, executive director of SAVE. There also appears to be confusion over whether FIWA protects the transgender community. But FIWA is clear in that it adds both sexual orientation and gender identity to Floridas Civil Rights Act. Additionally, a coalition of local trans groups came together releasing a statement of support. See page XXXfor more information on the Wilton Manors vote.Visit SFGN.com/FIWAfor in-depth coverage of FIWA. Chinese censors raced to scrub online discussions about North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's whereabouts Monday as his armoured train trundled southward to Vietnam for his summit with US President Donald Trump. The secretive itinerary fuelled speculation on Twitter-like Weibo, as people posted about delayed trains, traffic congestion and road closures in Chinese cities through which Kim's iconic olive green train is expected to pass. Some seemed genuinely confused by the sudden shutdown of roads, while others referenced Kim's epic train ride through China -- many choosing to use nicknames for the North Korean leader, such as "Boss Kim" or "Little brother Kim", potentially to avoid censorship. The train, which has a top speed of 60 kilometres (38 miles) per hour, set off from Pyongyang on Saturday for a 4,000-kilometre (2,500-mile) journey that is expected to total 60 hours -- the great majority of it across China. "Those watching Leader Kim's Changsha road situation, has he made it to Changsha yet?" wrote one user, referring to the capital city of central Hunan province. "Changsha friends, are you ready?" "This train is so slow," commented another. "Yesterday it arrived in Zhengzhou -- it's only now made it to Wuhan." Already, censors have started to erase or limit the visibility of Weibo posts on road closures, as Kim's train route remains swathed in secrecy. Some posts hashtagged "Zhengzhou road closures", for instance, have been blocked by the social media site, according to FreeWeibo, which tracks censored and deleted Weibo posts. Other hashtags, such as "Changsha road closures", are not searchable, despite their use in Weibo posts. The sighting of Kim's armoured train, which has tinted black windows and a yellow stripe, has set off a flurry of train spotting. According to South Korea's Yonhap agency, the train passed through the northern coast city of Tianjin on Sunday -- an indication that Kim bypassed Beijing, a destination he could visit on his way back home to debrief President Xi Jinping about the summit. A video posted via Chinese-language portal Ifeng's Weibo account showed Kim's train passing through Wuhan in central Hubei province early on Monday. AFP could not verify the contents of the video. Meanwhile, railway stops south of Wuhan have started to show signs of tightening security. The train station on the Vietnam-China border where Kim is expected to arrive by rail was closed to the public and surrounded by armed guards on Monday, as the Southeast Asian country prepares for the North Korean leader's second summit on denuclearisation with Trump. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By supporting terrorism, Pakistan is not fulfilling its commitment to the Indus Water Treaty, which was based on mutual love and good relations, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said Monday. The government will not allow India's share of water from the Eastern rivers to flow to Pakistan, the Water Resources, Shipping, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation minister said at a public rally at Phagwara in Punjab. Referring to stopping of India's share of water of Ravi, Sutlej, Beas from flowing to Pakistan, Gadkari said that the treaty in this regard between the two countries was based on mutual understanding, love and good relations. "By supporting terrorism, Pakistan is not fulfilling this commitment," a statement by the Road Transport and Highways Ministry quoted the minister as saying. "Work is on to divert this water to Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan," he said. Under the Indus Water Treaty signed in 1960, the waters of the western rivers -- the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab -- was given to Pakistan and those of the eastern rivers -- the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej -- to India. India's share of water from Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers came to 33 million acres feet (MAF). While about 95 per cent of the water was being used in the country after the construction of three main dams across the rivers, close to 5 per cent water or 1.6 MAF would flow to Pakistan. The reiteration to stop the flow of Indus water to Pakistan came amid mounting Indo-Pak tension over the Pulwama terror strike on February 14 that has triggered demands for action against the neighbouring country. India has revoked the Most Favoured Nation status to Pakistan and mounted a diplomatic offensive to isolate it in the international community. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The budget for 2019-20 aims to put Haryana in high growth trajectory, state Finance Minister Abhimanyu said. Speaking to reporters after presenting the budget in the Assembly here on Monday, the minister said that no fresh taxes have been proposed and the existing rates of taxes have been left untouched. Abhimanyu presented the budget with a total outlay of Rs1,32,165.99 crore (2019-20), an increase of 14.73 per cent over Rs 1,15,198.28 crore outlay for 2018-19. Unfolding the proposals contained in the budget, he said the present government aims to put the state in high growth trajectory and fulfilling the aspirations of the people. "Transparency and accountability has been priority of our government," he said. Replying to a question, he did not elaborate on the two new schemes to provide financial and social security cover to families of farmers and those of workers in unorganised sectors, saying modalities were being worked out and details will be shared soon. An outlay of Rs 1,500 crore has been provided in the budget for these schemes. He, however, said that "the state for the first time has made such a historic provision, which never before any government had made". The budget seeks to combine fiscal prudence with sagacious utilisation of resources and idle funds to optimise their use and effect, he said. Riding the crest of better realization of both tax and non-tax receipts, Abhimanyu said he has not allowed himself to cross the fiscal barriers. While fiscal deficit and debt-to-GSDP ratio have been kept within limits, the pace of reversal of the trend of rising financial deficit has been hastened. He said that the economy of Haryana is growing at a fast clip. Abhimanyu said during 2018-19, as per Advance Estimates, the GSDP of Haryana was expected to achieve a growth of 8.2 per cent, against 7.2 per cent recorded at the national level. According to advance estimates, GSDP of Haryana for 2018-19 at current prices has been estimated at Rs.7.07 lakh crore, contributing 3.75 per cent to the all- India GDP of Rs 188.41 lakh crore. The GSDP of Haryana at constant prices has been estimated as Rs.5.26 lakh crore, which is 3.77 per cent of the estimated All-India GDP of Rs.139.52 lakh crore in 2018-19. The Finance Minister said since 2014-15, the per capita income of the state is estimated to have increased by over 34 per cent at constant prices. The per capita income of the state at constant prices in 2017-18 was estimated at Rs.1,57,649 which is likely to further increase to Rs.1,68,209 in 2018-19 as compared to the all-India figure of Rs.91,921. He said that Haryana had emerged as one of the best financially administered states in the country. This is clearly manifested by the fact that all the fiscal parameters, except revenue deficit, are well within the limits prescribed by the Fourteenth Finance Commission and the FRBM Act. Moreover, the government has been able to reverse the increasing trend of revenue deficit, he said. Abhimanyu said that by following prudent fiscal management policies, fiscal deficit had been kept within the limit of 3 per cent prescribed by the 14th Finance Commission though the demand for funds for development activities had increased manifold over the years. Abhimanyu said the outlay for Agriculture and Allied Services has gone up to Rs.3,834.33 crore in budgetary estimates (BE) 2019-20, as compared to Rs. 3670.29 crore in 2018-19 BE. He said the state government plans to transform the agriculture sector completely by diversification of crops. The minister said that along with providing quality education, the State Government is focusing on provision of inclusive, equitable and employable education to develop students as vital resources of the nation. He said that Rs 12,307.46 crore has been allocated for Elementary and Secondary Education against the revised budget provision in 2018-19 of Rs 11,256.00 crore. He said the state has lived up to the credentials of a welfare state wedded to the welfare of women and children, Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Backward Classes (BCs) and ex-servicemen and has raised the outlay on all three counts in the budget. The Haryana government has taken a unique initiative by negotiating with banks to provide several benefits to government employees under corporate salary package, he said. Under this scheme, four banks, SBI, HDFC, PNB and HARCO Bank, have been selected for providing benefits such as - natural death cover of Rs. 2 lakh, medical facility of Rs. 50,000 and accidental insurance to employees, up to Rs 30 lakh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In what may be seen as a blow to the disjointed anti-NDA front in Bihar, the Bahujan Samaj Party has decided to contest all the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state, a senior party functionary said on Monday. According to BSP state in-charge Lalji Medhkar, party supremo Mayawati has convened a meeting of all potential candidates and other office-bearers in the national capital later this week. Behenji has instructed us to start preparations for all the Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. Detailed instructions are expected at the meeting in New Delhi on February 28, Medhkar told PTI. The development comes at a time when the Mahagathbandhan, comprising RJD, Congress and an assortment of smaller parties is yet to finalize a seat-sharing formula more than two months after NDA did the same. Although Medhkar did not elaborate much on the instructions received from Mayawati and any reasoning offered for the same, her decision could be seen as a snub to the Congress which she has been cross with since the partys refusal to enter into an alliance in the Madhya Pradesh assembly polls. It is widely believed that it was because of the BSP supremos insistence that the Congress was kept out of the formidable alliance her party has stitched with the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, even though Akhilesh Yadav was reportedly not as averse to having its old ally on board. The development also comes as a setback to the RJDs attempts to get closer to the BSP, which would have helped Lalu Prasads party to improve its standing among the dalits in the state. Notably, Prasad had come out with an offer of getting Mayawati elected to the Rajya Sabha from Bihar, since she did not have the requisite number of MLAs in the assembly of her own state where the BJP stormed to power in the 2017 polls with a brute majority. Yet another attempt was made by the RJD to win her over when, soon after Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav announced their tie-up, Prasads son and political heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav made a dash to Lucknow, tweeted pictures of his meeting with the BSP supremo whom he greeted by touching her feet and, weeks later, rejoiced at her advent on twitter, claiming that it was he who had requested her to become active on social media. Although not a force to reckon with in Bihar, where it polled a meagre 2.07 per cent of the total votes in the 2015 assembly polls and forfeited its deposit in all but three of the 228 constituencies it had fielded candidates from, the BSP could tilt the scale against the Mahagathbandhan in places where there is a tight contest and margins are likely to be small. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Britain on Monday said it will ban the political wing of Hezbollah, making membership of the movement or inviting support for it a crime. The decision follows outrage over the display of the Hezbollah flag, which features a Kalashnikov assault rifle, at pro-Palestinian demonstrations in London. "Hezbollah is continuing in its attempts to destabilise the fragile situation in the Middle East," Home Secretary Sajid Javid said in a statement. "We are no longer able to distinguish between their already banned military wing and the political party. Because of this, I have taken the decision to proscribe the group in its entirety," he said. The ban is subject to a vote in parliament this week. Hezbollah is a Shiite militant movement established in 1982 during the Lebanese civil war. Its capture of two Israeli soldiers in 2006 sparked a 34-day war in which 1,200 people were killed. The movement, now a major political party in Lebanon, holds three cabinet posts. "It is clear the distinction between Hezbollah's military and political wings does not exist," Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said in Monday's statement. "This does not change our ongoing commitment to Lebanon, with whom we have a broad and strong relationship," he said. The government is also banning Ansarul Islam, a jihadist group which emerged near the border between Mali and Burkina Faso in 2016, and the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (JNIM), which has sworn allegiance to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Britain currently has 74 international terrorist organisations proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Several hearing-impaired youth who were staging a demonstration here for their pending demands were injured when police allegedly used baton-charge, some of the protesters said. Police said "mild force" was used to restrain the protesters, who had broken through barricades. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sought a report from police on the incident, after opposition leaders targeted the BJP-led government over the alleged baton-charge. "When the government has no response on education opportunities and job creation for questions raised by The differently abled, the answer is a lathi charge? And that too during a peaceful march? CM who is the home minister must answer....is this the arrogance of power," NCP leader Supriya Sule said. The youth were demanding right to quality education, provision of trained interpreters for deaf students and preventing fraudulent distribution of disability certificates to able-bodied individuals among others. Over 11,000 hearing-impaired youth had assembled at the Social Welfare Commissionerate here when the incident happened, Pradip More, secretary, State Level Association of the Deaf, told reporters using an interpreter. More said over 18 lakh hearing-impaired youth in the state have decided not to vote in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections till they get an assurance from authorities that their demands would be met. Fadnavis Monday night sought a report from Pune police commissioner, an official said in Mumbai. "Fadnavis has sought a detailed report from the Pune commissioner of police about the alleged baton-charge on the divyang march," the official said, adding the CM also asked his cabinet colleague Dilip Kamble to look into the issue. Kamble, who hails from Pune, is the Minister of State for Social Justice. A police official said the youth tried to take out a rally and block the road despite having permission only for a sit-in protest. "We used mild force on them to bring the situation under control," he added. Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil of the Congress slammed the police action and said the BJP-led government should apologise to the protesters and accept all their demands. Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde demanded the chief minister's resignation over the alleged baton-charge incident. MNS chief Raj Thackeray said the government will have to bear the "curse" of the protesters. Meanwhile, the protesters continued their agitation and refused to budge till their demands are met. "As the agitators blocked roads and disrupted traffic, police used a little force to bring the situation under control. However, the allegations of a 'full' baton-charge are not correct," the police officer said. The protesters said issuance of disability certificates to persons without disabilities be stopped immediately, and those who secured government jobs under deaf quota through fraudulent means be asked to appear for re- examination. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab minister Manpreet Singh Badal and his estranged cousin and SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal engaged in war of words in Punjab Assembly on Monday on the financial condition of the state under Congress rule, leading to a brief adjournment of the House. Ruling Congress members and SAD-BJP legislators stood up in support of their respective leaders, pointed fingers and shouted slogans against each other, resulting in acrimonious scenes on the concluding day of the budget session. Winding up the discussion on budget estimates, Manpreet Badal slammed the previous Akali-BJP dispensation for pushing the state into a "debt trap" and rebutted Akali's charges of "exaggerating income and suppressing expenditure" and "fudged figures" in budget proposals with relevant data. However, Sukhbir Badal hit out at Manpreet Badal for trying to show "improvement" in the fiscal situation and said he is not "fit" to be finance minister as he had "no knowledge" of the subject. "My brother (Manpreet) has been given the wrong department. He has done his MA (History) and as per his qualification, he should have been allotted tourism portfolio. He does not know about finance," alleged the former state deputy chief minister. Manpreet Badal responded saying the previous government did nothing except "looting" Punjab. "(Partap Singh) Kairon Sahib served Punjab as CM for about eight years and he was still remembered for his work. (Parkash Singh) Badal Sahib remained CM for almost 19 years and nobody remembers him. They did nothing except looting Punjab," he alleged. To this, Sukhbir Badal reminded his cousin that he became an MLA because of Parkash Singh Badal, a claim denied by the finance minister. "I would not have been sitting here, had he had his way," Manpreet Badal said. As the cousins continued, Congress members led by minister Navjot Singh Sidhu came out in support of Manpreet Badal, while SAD-BJP legislators rose on their feet and shouted slogans against the FM. The Speaker's pleas for calm went unheard by both political parties. The Speaker then adjourned the proceedings for 15 minutes. Earlier, Manpreet Badal dismissed the Akali Dal charge that the budget was a "bundle of lies". Instead of calling Sukhbir Badal by name, Manpreet Badal called him "MLA Jalalabad". "They (SAD-BJP government) used mandi board, PIDB funds on Sangat Darshan programme and they were out of purview of auditor general," he alleged. Manpreet Badal also charged the previous government with monopolizing liquor trade. Sukhbir Badal described the budget proposals as "fabricated" and claimed they did not talk about outstanding payment of power subsidy bill, unfunded gap of Rs 4,323 crore. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bangladesh's top civil aviation officials on Monday said that they are probing how a "hijacker" was able to bypass airport security with a "toy pistol" and board a Dubai-bound plane. "We are still trying to understand the situation," State Minister for Civil Aviation Mahbub Ali told reporters. The minister also said that authorities are yet to ascertain whether the suspected hijacker was carrying a "toy gun". "We have checked all our airport security scanning system. We didn't find any flaw in the security system there," he said. The flight, en route Dubai from Dhaka via Chattogram, with 148 passengers and crews on board was hijacked soon after it left Dhaka Sunday. The pilot contacted Chattogram's Shah Amanat International Airport and made an emergency landing. Passengers were then evacuated safely from the plane. After two tense hours, a commando operation put an end to the hijacking in about eight minutes. Army and air force officials said a suspect holding a pistol had been killed. Asked how the weapon had gotten on board the plane, Civil Aviation Secretary Mohibul Haque said: "We do not know whether it was a weapon. We do not know if it was a toy pistol. The full details will be available in the investigation report." Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal Naim Hassan said sounds of gunshots were heard in the midair while its crew reported they saw the pistol emitting smokes. "But it doesn't prove that it was a real pistol because, we are yet to find out bullet mark or shell inside the airplane...There are some toy guns which look like a real one that can make sound and even create smoke," he said. He said that they cannot make any sweeping comment about the incident before getting the investigation committee report. Officials said a five-member committee has started investigating the incident as it was asked to submit report to the ministry within five days. The officials confirmed that the "hijacker" was a domestic passenger. In a separate press briefing, the Rapid Action Battalion identified the 25-year-old suspected hijacker as Polash Ahmed, who had married a film actress. Earlier, the officials said the "hijacker" appeared to have been "mentally imbalanced" and that he wanted to speak to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Army patrolled the streets of Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar Monday as people spilled out into the streets defying curfew despite Chief Minister Pema Khandu's assurance that grant of permanant residence to six non-native communities in the state was a "closed issue", officials said. Curfew that was clamped in Itanagar and adjoining Naharlagun town on Saturday was in force but it did not deter protesters from venturing into the troubled streets that were scene of pitched battles with security forces over the last three days that left three people dead, including two in police firing on Sunday. Internet services were also off since Saturday. No major incident of violence has been reported from anywhere since morning as Arunachal Scouts, an infantry regiment of the Army trained in mountain warfare, marched through the streets of the two towns to instill confidence among people and ward off possible violence, officials said. "Never again will we take up the issue of PRC. The issue is closed," Khandu told national TV, as he attempted to smooth ruffled feathers of various community groups up in arms against his government over the proposed grant of Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) to six communities that are not natives of Arunachal Pradesh but are living there for decades. The six communities are Deoris, Sonowal Kacharis, Morans, Gorkhas, Adivasis and Mishings. The BJP government of the state had decided to implement the recommendation of a Joint High Power Committee for granting PRC to these communities living in Namsai and Changlang districts for decades. The JHPC's recommendation was to be tabled in the state assembly on Saturday but the house was adjourned sine die amid spiralling violence. "For the peace & tranquility of our state, Government has already dropped the PRC matter of Namsai & Changlang districts," Khandu had tweeted on Sunday, seeking to calm the frayed tempers as mobs rampaged through the streets of the two towns, clashing with security forces, setting ablaze hundreds of buses and damaging public and private property. Even the private residence of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein was not spared by arsonists. The office of Itanagar deputy commissioner was also ransacked. It was when mobs proceeded towards the chief minister's residence that police opened fire, killing two protesters on Sunday. Scores of people, including security personnel, were injured in clashes. Amid violent protests, Khandu expressed sorrow at the loss of lives. "Deeply pained & saddened at the loss of three lives and I pray to almighty that their soul rest in peace," he tweeted. The Centre has rushed in 1,000 personnel of Central Paramilitary Forces to assist the state administration in restoring peace. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said Monday certain "forces" were behind the violent protests in the state over the granting of permanent residency to six non-native communities. In a statement, Khandu appealed to the people to end the protests and cooperate with the government in maintaining peace, saying the administration had already cleared its stand on the permanent residence certificate (PRC). "I believe that there are forces behind these incidents as Arunachal is a peaceful state, particularly Itanagar," Khandu said. Stating that the issue "is closed", the chief minister hinted at a communication gap for which the latest government stand on the PRC had not reached the people and led to violence. Khandu said a commissioner-level inquiry had been ordered into the incidents and damage caused by the protests. He announced an ex-gratia for the next of the kin of the deceased. The chief minister also talked over phone to leaders of various communities who were protesting the PRC issue. Protests broke out in Itanagar and Naharlagun town on Saturday after the ruling BJP government announced that it was considering issuing PRC to six communities who are not natives of Arunachal Pradesh, but are living in the state for decades. The six communities are Deoris, Sonowal Kacharis, Morans, Gorkhas, Adivasis and Mishings. The violence have left three people dead, including two in police firing, as mobs rampaged through the streets clashing with security forces, setting ablaze hundreds of buses and damaging public and private properties. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Openly gay actor and model Ronnie Kroell, one-time Playgirl feature and a pit crew member in Season 5 of RuPauls Drag Race, announced at the Pump gay club in West Hollywood he would be running as an independent candidate in the 2020 U.S. Presidential election. Donald Trump wouldnt know how to handle a candidate like me, its not in his wheelhouse, Kroell told Towleroad. Kroell, 36, joins out Democratic Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg in the 2020 race for the White House. The former actor in the gay indie comedy Eating Out 4: Drama Camp has set up a website and campaign donation tab with a $150,000 goal. It has made $5,401 at the time of writing. Under Issues the website proclaims Ronnie is taking a page from George Washingtons book and looking to YOU, The People, for guidance in developing his platform. After moving to LA from NYC in 2012, Kroell was a part of "The New F-Word Giving Bullying The Bird, a campaign that aimed to encourage friendship and bystanders to bullying. Kroell and fellow campaigners visited schools, businesses, and organizations to talk about bullying and suicide. The group committed to a 921-mile walk while visiting these establishments. Vulnerability and empathy are key to opening up and reducing stigma around mental health, but for this work to be truly successful we must shift the conversation from anti-bully to pro-friendship, Kroell went on to tell Towleroad. My wanting to be president is rooted in a passion for the people, a desire to remind ourselves that the power belongs to US, and a deep inner calling that I cannot ignore that wants me to find a way to help heal our Nations wounds, Kroell went on to say. Porn Pulse is a weekly column featuring news and tidbits on the gay porn industry. Have a tip? Send Hunter Houston an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . A mosque in Durban was set ablaze on Monday, in the latest assault on an Islamic building in South Africa, a Muslim leader has said. Images of the charred mosque, located in the suburb of Effingham, showed forensics officers on site and community members inspecting the damage. "The attack happened in the early hours of the morning at around 1:30 a.m. (2330 GMT)," Islamic elder Mohammed Tariq told AFP, adding that no-one was injured because of the early hour. "The mosque itself has been burnt extremely badly and emergency personnel have been on the scene. A case of arson has been opened," he said. Police could not be reached for comment. The attack comes amid tensions between Muslim factions in South Africa, a country that prides itself on its religious tolerance. In a separate case, 11 men are on trial for allegedly attacking Imam Hussain Mosque in the city last May and planting explosive devices in and around Durban malls. They allegedly stabbed worshippers at the mosque near Durban. Police said the attackers' motive was unknown but "elements of extremism" were involved. At the time one Muslim leader said the mosque was targeted because it was a Shia place of worship that had received previous threats, exposing deep tensions between the Shia and Sunni population. In June, two worshippers were stabbed and killed at a mosque in Malmesbury, 70 kilometres (45 miles) northeast of Cape Town. In November, a 30-year-old man was shot dead and an imam was injured in an attack on a mosque in Cape Town. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Around 20,000 litres of free water per month have been provided across the national capital by utilising nearly Rs 400 crore, the Outcome Budget of the Delhi government, tabled in the Delhi Assembly on Monday said. The Outcome Budget was tabled by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. The budget report said various works are in progress to connect all unauthorised colonies in Delhi to the main water pipeline. It said there is a 44 per cent increase in the total number of unauthorised colonies connected to water pipeline in Delhi. In 2014-15, a total of 926 unauthorised colonies were connected to water pipeline which increased to 1,337 in 2018-19 (achieved till December 2018). The targets is to connect all unauthorised colonies in Delhi to the main water pipeline, the report said. The report also said in comparison to 2015, there has been an increase in the number of consumers in 2018 and 71 per cent increase in functional water meters while 52 per cent decrease in un-metered connections. It also said nearly Rs 400 crore has been used to provide 20,000 litres free water per month benefitting 5.3 lakh consumers through the water subsidy scheme. The scheme also led to an increase in water conservation as consumers reduced consumption to avail benefit of the scheme and also led to increase in number of functional water meters. The Outcome Budget mentioned that 67 per cent of the 45 critical indicators under the Delhi Jal Board were "on track" while 8 per cent of the five critical indicators under it were "off track". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Army has provided food supplies 3,000 Kashmiri passengers who were stranded here following the law and order situation and the frequent closure of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, a defence spokesman said Monday. "In the past one week, the Army had helped a large number of stranded passengers in Jammu city. They helped them by providing food and place to stay for night with support of locals and coordinated transport for movement to Srinagar," he said. The Army provided them food supplies for three days. The spokesman said the transients thanked the Army for timely assistance and ensuring their safety. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nearly two years after the Chinese government began to detain members of Muslim minority groups in western China, a growing number of family members abroad are refusing to remain silent. About three dozen relatives of some of the estimated 1 million Uighurs, Kazakhs and others being held without charge spoke out Sunday about the mass detentions at an event in Washington, DC, hoping to raise awareness of what many are calling a human rights travesty but which Beijing defends as necessary to counter violent religious extremism. The western region of Xinjiang has been subject to a severe security crackdown in recent years that has made surveillance cameras and police checkpoints ubiquitous. The internment camps are a relatively recent phenomenon, but have expanded rapidly as a primary means of intimidation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Adani group has won the bid to operate for 50 years five out of six airports that were put for privatisation by the central government, a senior Airports Authority of India (AAI) official said Monday. The Adanis were the highest bidder for the Ahmedabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Lucknow, Mangaluru and Jaipur airports, the official said, adding the bid for the Guwahati airport will be opened on Tuesday. The AAI chose the winner on the basis of "per-passenger fee" offered by the bidders. The five airports would be handed over to the Adani group after completion of formalities, the AAI official said. The official said the bids put by the Adani group were "very aggressive" as compared to others. The AAI said in a press statement that, as per passenger fee, the Adani group put in a bid of Rs 177, Rs 174, Rs 171, Rs 168 and Rs 115 for airports at Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram and Mangaluru, respectively. The per passenger fee would be paid by the Adani group to the AAI. The GMR Airports Limited -- which operates the Delhi and the Hyderabad airports -- put in a bid of Rs 85, Rs 69, Rs 63, Rs 63 and Rs 18 for the five airports, as per AAI statement. For the Ahmedabad and the Jaipur airports, the second highest bid was put jointly by the 'National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) and Zurich Airport International Ag" at Rs 146 and Rs 155, respectively, according to the AAI statement. For the Lucknow airport, "AMP Capital (GIF II Lux Holdco) 5 LP" was the second highest bidder at Rs 139. For the Thiruvananthapuram airport, the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) was the second highest bidder as it quoted Rs 135. For Mangaluru airport, the Cochin International Airport Limited was the second highest bidder at Rs 45, according to the AAI statement. The other companies that had put in the bid for the six airports were Autostrade Indian Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, PNC Infratech Ltd and I-investment Ltd. A total of 32 technical bids were received from 10 companies to operate six airports that are currently under AAI's management. In November last year, the government had cleared a proposal for managing six AAI-run airports on public-private partnership (PPP) basis. The Ahmedabad and the Jaipur airports received seven bids each while the Lucknow and the Guwahati received six bids each. Mangaluru and Thiruvananthapuram received three bids each. The move to manage the six airports on the PPP basis, according to the AAI, is part of an initiative to provide world-class infrastructure and services to stakeholders. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : Competition Commission of India (CCI) Chairman Ashok Kumar Gupta Monday said that for achieving long-term growth trajectory, achieving level playing field, characterised by healthy competition is central. Addressing a conference organised as part of the Roadshow on Competition Law here by the Competition Commission of India with a thematic focus on Public Procurement, Trade Associations, Cartels and Leniency, he said all stakeholders stand to gain from a healthy market competition, according to an official release. He said the evolving regime of cartel mitigation will bear significant fruits in times to come. He also mentioned that the recently launched online guidance system of CCI is helping the industry in determining the notifiability of mergers and acquisitions. Touching upon recent developments in online markets, the CCI Chairman stated that the Commission intends to study the e-commerce sector in India to understand the role of algorithms and artificial intelligence in collusion, it said. He underscored that competition has been the single most important agent of the transformation, India has undergone, in the post-reforms period. He mentioned that the Competition Act 2002 casts upon the Commission a duty to eliminate anti-competitive practices and promote competition in the country. In the last nine years, since CCI got its enforcement power, the CCI has so far received a total of 644 combination filings, reviewed 1,001 anti-trust cases and conducted more than 650 advocacy events, he added. Outlining the Commission's priorities, Gupta said it was busting cartels. He further said approximately 100 leniency applications have been so far submitted to CCI to avail lesser penalty benefits. Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana ESL Narasimhan, in his inaugural address said with decreasing role of state in non-sovereign functions, market's role in achieving optimal public welfare is pivotal. He also released Competition Advocacy Booklet in Telugu. Narasimhan further said erosion of moral values and integrity have emerged as root causes of multiple problems including anti-competitive conducts such as cartels. Telangana Chief Secretary Shailendra Kumar Joshi lauded the CCI's initiative to reach out to states to generate awareness about competition law and its impact on economic policy. He said deliberations on public procurement and competition law will help in mitigating the loss of public money on account of anti-competitive practices. Trade and industry which are major actors in the state economy stand to gain immensely by complying with the competition law, Joshi added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The ruling AAP in its outcome budget presented in the Delhi Assembly, on Monday, showcased the performance of various government departments and launched a tirade against the lt governor, accusing him of running a "circus" of transfer-postings and crippling governance. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia presented the outcome budget of the government. In a separate "outcome budget" on the office of the lt governor, Sisodia justified assessing the incumbent Anil Baijal's role in governance, saying his office was paid salary from Delhi government. Sisodia also hit out at the Modi government, saying it was an outcome budget of the Centre, too, which, he added, has claimed control over the services department through the LG office. "The way he (Baijal) has shuffled senior officers like playing cards in a pack, acted like a ring master of transfer-postings...it has crippled governance by Delhi government. "He must be doing it at the instance of Modi government which claims control over the services matter," Sisodia alleged. The "circus", the Delhi deputy chief minister said, has been going on since August 4, 2016, when the LG office stated it is the sole in-charge of services. However, the 2018-19 outcome budget Sisodia tabled in the House did not specify the exact nature of performance which was quantified as indicators of various departments. The percentage of "on track" and "off track" indicators for the departments were calculated based on critical indicators, not total indicators. "The prime objective of this exercise it to significantly enhance transparency in the use of public money, predictability and ease of understanding of schemes being implemented by various departments," Sisodia said. The performance of Higher Education department was the best with 86 per cent critical indicators "on track" till December 31, 2018. The Transport department fared worst with 57 per cent "on track" critical indicators. Social Welfare department (85 per cent), Health department (83 per cent) and Urban Development (81 per cent) were best performing departments. The performance of PWD (60 per cent), Environment department (62 per cent), Power (65 per cent) and Delhi Jal Board (67 per cent) was also lower as compared to many other departments. Progress of each department, assessed on the basis of the performance on outcome indicators, has been graded as "on track" if they have made about 70 per cent of the progress expected by December 2018 and "off track" if its below 70 per cent. In case of some indicators, the performance was graded "not applicable" where the due date of implementation either fell in the last quarter of the year or could not materialise. Sisodia said the outcome budget was a "rare feature" of AAP government in Delhi which has been trying to nurture an open, accountable, pro-active and purposeful way of governance. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five Army jawans missing since Wednesday's avalanche near Shipki La along the India-China border in Himachal Pradesh still remain untraced, officials said Monday. Six jawans of the Army's 7 JAK Rifles -- four from Himachal Pradesh, one each from Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir -- were buried under the avalanche that occurred near the Shipki La border outpost in Kinnaur district around 11 am on Wednesday. The body of Havaldar Rakesh Kumar was recovered the same day, while the others are still missing. An operation to trace the personnel was underway, a district official said. The weather is clear in Pooh town but it is cloudy near the spot of the incident, Kinnaur district public relations officer Mamta Negi said, adding that the rescue operation was restarted at 7 am on Monday. The search and rescue operation is being closely monitored by the Western Command of the Army, a defence spokesperson said. The last rites of Havaldar Rakesh Kumar were performed with full military honours at his native Ghumarpur village in Bilaspur district on Friday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Supreme Court judge Justice Sanjiv Khanna on Monday recused himself from hearing the appeal of former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar challenging the Delhi High Court verdict sentencing him to life term in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. The matter came up for hearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. The 73-year-old Kumar had surrendered before a trial court here on December 31, 2018 to serve the sentence in pursuance of the high court's December 17 judgment awarding him life imprisonment for the "remainder of his natural life". The case in which Kumar was convicted and sentenced relates to the killing of five Sikhs in Delhi Cantonment's Raj Nagar Part-I area of southwest Delhi on November 1-2, 1984 and burning down of a gurudwara in Raj Nagar Part-II. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kathmandu, Nepal: Visiting American Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for South and Southeast Asia, Joseph Felter, expressed his concerns over Nepals latest development of the country including the governments policy on foreign affairs. Felter expressed such a concern during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Defence Ishwor Pokhrel on Monday. During the meeting held at the Ministry of Defence at Singha Durbar, Felter also expressed concerns over the recent statements from the government and its head Nepal Communist Party (NCP) over Venezuela. Likewise, Felter also pledged for continuing American governments support to Nepal in its development. We discussed on the issues related to the bilateral relationship between the two countries and committed for further consolidate Nepal-US ties in days to ahead, DPM Pokhrel said while briefing about the meeting to the media persons. According to DPM Pokhrel, the issues related to the new national security policy, streamlining the security agencies and further strengthening the security forces in Nepal were also discussed during the meeting. American Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for South and Southeast Asia, Felters recent visit to Nepal is taken importantly as it is the first high level meeting from the US side after government and its head NCP had issues separate statement concerning over Americas role in Venezuela. As the government and the NCP had spoken against of the Americas role in Venezuela through the separate statement, US officials had expressed serious concerns over the Nepals foreign policy and the official view over the issue of Venezuela. The last few weeks have been harrowing for Indian fliers. On the one hand, Jet Airways gasping for life has withdrawn from many domestic routes and cancelled as many flights as it liked. Adding fuel to fire, IndiGo, the market leader, started cancelling flights all of a sudden. Together, this led to chaos, frayed tempers and haywire schedules at many airports across India. While Jets troubles are well known, IndiGo seems to have partly created its own problems and is bearing the brunt of it. The airline grew at breakneck pace and operates a fleet of 208 aircraft ... The works of two of India's most-collected modernist artists, Sayed Haider Raza and Krishen Khanna, have come together in an exhibition here, coupled with snippets from their exchanged letters that express a solidarity beyond borders. The ongoing 'Yugma II' displays Raza's and his contemporary Krishen Khanna's works having different artistic styles but connected by their written correspondence. The art exhibition is part of the ongoing Raza Utsav, presented by the Raza Foundation at the Vadehra Art Gallery here and will run till March 22. Raza, who moved to France in 1950 and lived there for the next 60 years, frequently exchanged letters with Khanna. "At that time, these artists were close to each other, they discussed their work, and they needed each other. These letters are good examples of their relationship and state of mind," gallery director Sonia Ballaney told IANS. "I am sitting under my beloved olive trees, in front of a small red canvas, and paints and brushes that are calling to me irresistibly. I have chosen to concentrate on this blank sheet of paper...I would like to give you news from here, my impressions of the Geneva show and my plans for the months to come," Raza had written to Khanna in a letter dated August 9, 1987, from Gorbio, France. It was printed in the Raza Foundation's series of letters "My Dear", published by Vadehra Art Gallery. "Janine (Mongillat, Raza's wife) and I are working hard. For me, it's a period where every painting is taking a lot of time. I can hardly say why. Besides, I have taken to fairly large canvases, but not too big really when one thinks of the eight and ten yards that Husain or Akbar cover with such facility. "Anyway, size is not important. My eternal problem is of the 'image', which seems to escape with an overgrowing obsession of form," a snippet from another of Raza's letters in 1960 read. A glimpse into their personal artistic development, the letters also revealed their deep personal connect. A letter from Khanna in 1985, right after his father's death, said: "I am completely overwhelmed by your letter which arrived yesterday. You cannot imagine how close I felt, it was as if you had put your arms around me at a moment of great personal desolation." A walk through the exhibition can lead one to trace the developments that were recorded so intimately in these letters, whether it's Raza's large canvasses or Khanna's personal reflections. --IANS sj/pg/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Apple does not want to be known as an elitist company any more owing to the high iPhones costs and wants to become a brand accessible to all, company COO Jeff Williams has said. Apple has already begun reducing the price of the iPhone for third-party distributors in China and may follow the same in India where the iPhone is considered very expensive. Delivering a speech at Elon University in North Carolina, Williams said he is "aware of iPhone, Mac price concerns". "It's something we're very aware of. We do not want to be an elitist company. That's not -- we want to be an egalitarian company and we've got a lot of work going on in developing markets," Williams was quoted as saying in a Burlington Times News report late on Sunday. During his speech, Williams discussed several topics, including the rising cost of the Apple products and inaccuracy of analyst cost estimates. "The stories that come out about the cost of our products (have been) the bane of my existence from the beginning of time, including our early days. "Analysts don't really understand the cost of what we do and how much care we put into making our products," he told students. Citing Apple Watch as an example, the tech giant COO said the company "built an entire physiology lab with 40 licensed nurses and enlisted the help of 10,000 participants to further study how calories are burned in various fitness exercises". According to Apple CEO Tim Cook, there are several factors why iPhone sales are not picking up in the emerging markets. "The customers are holding on to their older iPhones a bit longer than in the past. When you pair this with the macroeconomic factors, particularly in emerging markets, it resulted in iPhone revenue that was down 15 per cent from last year," Cook told analysts recently. Analysts say they expect some kind of price correction going forward as Apple has given indications that they will look at pricing outside the US closely now. --IANS na/pg/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An impersonator of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un on Monday said Vietnamese authorities were deporting him from the country, just 24 hours before Pyongyang's leader was expected to arrive here ahead of his summit with US President Donald Trump. In a Facebook post, the comedian known as Howard X said three officers had escorted him to the airport in the capital, where he boarded a Singapore-bound Vietnam Airlines flight, reports Efe news. The comedian, who is a resident of Hong Kong, was detained on Friday, where authorities told him that his visa was "invalid". "My real crime was looking like the President of North Korea," the comedian said, who also published a photograph of him bidding farewell to Russell White, a Trump impersonator, whom the local authorities have allowed to remain in the country for several more days but have barred him from any public performances. The pair kissed and hugged as they said their goodbyes at a hotel in Hanoi on Monday before Howard X was escorted to the airport. Kim is expected to arrive on Monday or Tuesday for a state visit before the summit with Trump on Wednesday and Thursday. In the first visit by a North Korean leader to Vietnam since the reunification of the Southeast Asian country in 1975, Kim will meet President and General Secretary of the Communist Party, Nguyen Phu Trong. Howard X and White also made headlines in the run-up to the first summit in Singapore last June. The comedian had said that Singaporean authorities had briefly detained him at the airport upon his arrival, but he was allowed to remain for the duration of the summit. --IANS ksk/ab (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US and North Korea might agree on how to declare an end to the Korean War at the upcoming meeting of their leaders this week in Vietnam, an official from Seoul's presidential office said on Monday. "I believe the possibility is open. There is no way of knowing what kind of a declaration it might be, but I believe the US and North Korea may reach an agreement on the declaration of war's end at any degree," presidential office spokesman, Kim Eui-kyeom said. US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are set to hold their second meeting in Hanoi on Wednesday and Thursday. The two first met in Singapore in June 2018, reported Yonhap news agency. The 1950-53 Korean War ended only with an armistice. Seoul earlier insisted that declaring a formal end to the war should at least involve the divided Koreas and the US. Kim Eui-kyeom claimed the two Koreas may have already made a de facto declaration of the war's end when their militaries signed an agreement to forgo all hostile acts shortly after South Korean President Moon Jae-in visited Pyongyang for his third and latest summit with the North Korean leader in September. He insisted that Seoul and Beijing may have already done so when they established their diplomatic ties, adding that the US and China normalised their bilateral relations in 1979. China fought on the North's side in the Korean War. "Therefore, the only countries left are the North and the US," he said. "Should the North and the US declare the war's end, it (the war's end) would be achieved in the practical sense." The spokesman said replacing the Korean armistice with a peace treaty would take some time and that it must be a multilateral effort involving both Koreas and China. --IANS pg/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 71-year-old US man will be awarded $21 million for his almost four decades of wrongful incarceration for two murders that took place in 1978, the media reported. Authorities in Simi Valley city, California, announced on Saturday that it would settle a federal lawsuit, giving Craig Coley, a Navy veteran, $21 million for his wrongful incarceration in the 1978 murders of Rhonda Wicht and her four-year-old son, reports CNN. Thirty-nine years is the longest prison term overturned in California, according to the authorities. "While no amount of money can make up for what happened to Coley, settling this case is the right thing to do for Coley and our community," City Manager Eric Levitt said in a statement. Often, the wrongfully convicted face lengthy battles over how they should be compensated for their imprisonment as localities blame previous administrations and squabble over what monetary sum amounts to atonement. In 2017, former Governor Jerry Brown pardoned Coley, making him a free man, and the California Victim Compensation Board last year awarded him almost $2 million in compensation -- $140 for each of the 13,991 days Coley was held "illegally behind bars". Months later, Coley filed a federal civil rights lawsuit, and now the city is handing over millions more. The city will pay about $4.9 million, with the rest coming from insurance and other sources, according to a news release. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Reacting to US President Donald Trump's decision to delay the date for American tariff hike on Chinese goods, US ratings agency Moody's on Monday said although the compromise reached had become increasingly likely, the US-China relationship would continue to be contentious, "swinging between compromise and conflict". Reporting substantial progress in the US-China trade talks, Trump on Sunday announced that he would delay the March 1 deadline to increase American tariffs on Chinese goods. Trump said he would like to have a summit with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at his Florida resort to finalise a trade agreement. "An extension of the March 1 deadline had become increasingly likely in recent weeks and is part of our baseline assumptions," Moody's Investors Service MD (Sovereign Risk Group) Marie Diron said in a note. "While some compromise may be reached between the US and China on certain trade matters, the process is unlikely to be smooth and the US-China relationship should remain contentious, swinging between compromise and conflict, and involving frictions not only on trade, but also on technology, investment and geopolitics," she said. The Trump administration had set March 1 deadline for a trade deal in the US-China talks or else Washington would hike tariffs from 10 per cent to 25 per cent on yearly imports of Chinese goods worth $200 billion. The announcement comes as Trump prepares to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for the two-day second summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, starting Wednesday. Earlier on Sunday, Trump tweeted about the role China is playing ahead of talks with the North Korean leader. "President Xi of China has been very helpful in his support of my meeting with Kim Jong-un. The last thing China wants are large-scale nuclear weapons right next door," he wrote on Twitter. He also tweeted it had been "a good weekend for US and China" in trade talks. The President's announcement followed days of negotiations in which American and Chinese officials met last week near the White House to work line-by-line through a handful of documents covering intellectual property, services and subsidies, according to the New York Times. An American delegation is expected to travel to Beijing soon to resolve the remaining differences. The trade war between the world's two biggest economies was sparked by Trump's aggressive protectionist stance and has generated uncertainty and volatility in international financial markets for months. --IANS bc-ksk/rtp/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United Democratic Party, a key partner in the National People's Party-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government, here on Monday demanded ouster of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the coalition following controversies and violence over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. "We are firm that the BJP should no longer be part of the MDA government. We are just waiting for the time to see its ouster from the coalition," UDP Vice-President, Allantry Franklin Dkhar, told journalists. The UDP, which has nine legislators, including two associate members, in the 60-member Assembly, had snapped ties with the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) over the issue. "We will officially take up the issue at the upcoming MDA meeting, slated after the election results of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council on March 2," Dkhar said. Asked if the UDP would break ties with the MDA, if the National People's Party (NPP) did not accept the demand, he refused to comment. "I cannot comment on that at this juncture. We will cross the bridge when we reach there," he said. Over the option to align with the Congress since the UDP will be the "kingmaker" in any new government formation, Dkhar said: "We made him (Conrad Sangma) king. It is his prerogative to take a call (on dropping the BJP from the alliance)." He reminded that the UDP had pulled out of the BJP-led NEDA due to the controversial Bill, besides the BJP leadership's insensitivity towards indigenous Meghalayans, in particular, and in the Northeast as a whole. "It is pointless to have an association with an alliance whose member is bringing legislation like Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which is a threat to the identity of the indigenous population in the state. We are upset with Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has no respect for sentiments of the people of the region on the Bill," Dkhar said. The six-party MDA coalition government comprises the NPP (20), the UDP (9), the People's Democratic Front (4), the BJP and the Hill State People's Democratic Party (2 each) and the Nationalist Congress Party (1) besides an Independent. The opposition Congress has 19 members besides lone Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement member. --IANS rrk/rs/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Associated Press WASHINGTON: The United States is planning new ways to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to give up power and other means to provide assistance to the people of the economically devastated South American nation after a weekend effort failed to deliver aid. Vice President Mike Pence travels Monday to the Colombian capital to meet with members of a regional coalition and Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido to discuss the next steps aimed at ousting Maduro. A senior administration official said Pence is expected to announce clear actions as he speaks to members of the Lima Group, a coalition of more than a dozen nations organized to address the crisis in Venezuela. We are going to show the world and Maduro that the United States stands with the people of Venezuela and that the United States stands with Guaido, the official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity to preview the speech in Bogota. And we are going to continue to stand with him until democracy is restored and humanitarian aid gets to where it needs to go. Pences appearance before the Lima Group comes two days after a U.S.-backed effort to deliver humanitarian across the border from Colombia ended in violence, with forces loyal to Maduro firing tear gas and buckshot on activists accompanying the supplies and setting the material on fire. Two people were killed and at least 300 wounded. For weeks, the U.S. and regional allies had been amassing emergency food and medical kits on Venezuelas borders in anticipation of carrying out a humanitarian avalanche by land and sea to undermine Maduros rule. Guaido, who has been recognized as interim president by the U.S. and 50 other governments who say Maduros re-election last year was illegitimate, has called on the international community to consider all options to resolve Venezuelas crisis. A close ally, Julio Borges, the opposition ambassador to the Lima Group, was more explicit Sunday, urging the use of force against Maduros government. But U.S. officials have avoided talk of military action. The administration official said the U.S. plans to bring the full measure of its economic and diplomatic weight to bear on this issue. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in interviews on Fox News Sunday and CNNs State of the Union, did not rule out U.S. military force but said there are more sanctions to be had. But any additional sanctions will increase the suffering of the Venezuelan people and may lead to more political violence, said Mark Weisbrot, the co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, who advocates a negotiated end to the political crisis. The humanitarian aid this weekend was a public relations stunt, since the aid was just a tiny fraction of the food and medicine that they are depriving Venezuelans of with the sanctions, Weisbrot said. As the Trump administration admitted, it was an attempt to get the Venezuelan military to disobey Maduro. It was a farce, and it failed. US President Donald Trump has delayed the March 1 deadline to increase American tariffs on Chinese goods and said that he would be planning a summit with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at his Florida resort to finalise a trade agreement. "I am pleased to report that the US has made substantial progress in our trade talks with China on important structural issues including intellectual property protection, technology transfer, agriculture, services, currency, and many other issues," Trump said on Sunday in a series of tweets. "As a result of these very productive talks, I will be delaying the US increase in tariffs now scheduled for March 1. Assuming both sides make additional progress, we will be planning a summit for President Xi and myself, at Mar-a-Lago, to conclude an agreement. A very good weekend for US and China." The Trump administration had set March 1 as the deadline whereby a trade deal had to be reached in the US-China talks or else Washington would hike tariffs from 10 to 25 per cent on some $200 billion in yearly imports of Chinese goods. The announcement comes as Trump prepares to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for their second summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Wednesday and Thursday. Earlier on Sunday, Trump tweeted about the important role China is playing ahead of the talks with Kim, saying: "President Xi of China has been very helpful in his support of my meeting with Kim Jong-un. The last thing China wants are large scale nuclear weapons right next door. "Sanctions placed on the border by China and Russia have been very helpful. Great relationship with Chairman Kim." In the Oval Office on Friday, Trump expressed similar optimism about trade negotiations with China, predicting there was a "very good chance" that the US and China would reach a trade agreement. Trump also suggested that if substantial progress was made, he "would be inclined" to allow up to a month longer for negotiations. The President's announcement followed days of negotiations in which American and Chinese officials met last week near the White House to work line-by-line through a handful of documents covering intellectual property, services and subsidies, The New York Times reported. The Chinese were ready to commit to billions of dollars of purchases of American soybeans, beef, natural gas and other products, though they have resisted more structural changes to their economy. An American delegation is expected to travel to Beijing soon to continue to work out the remaining differences. The trade war between the world's two biggest economies was sparked by Trump's aggressive protectionist stance and has generated uncertainty and volatility in international financial markets for months. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Trinamool Congress youth leader was shot dead in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Monday, police said. Nazimul Sheikh, a resident of Behrampur area, was allegedly shot dead by bike-borne assailants at around 10 a.m. "Sheikh was shot twice by the miscreants near his residence. He was rushed to the Murshidabad Medical College where he was declared dead," an officer from Behrampur Police Station said. The police said that the deceased had a number of criminal cases registered against him. "Sheikh was charged in a number of criminal cases and imprisoned for a few months. He was associated with the Trinamool Congress. A probe is going on," the officer added. The local Trinamool Congress leaders, however, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-backed miscreants for the killing, but the charge has been strongly refuted by the saffron outfit. Trinamool Congress Secretary General Partha Chatterjee said he would take up the matter with party's youth wing president Abhishek Banerjee and unite the party against such mischief. "A number of Trinamool Congress leaders and activists have been killed in recent months and every time their party has tried to put the blame on BJP. But, the reality is something else. These deaths are a result of the factional fighting within the Trinamool," state BJP President Dilip Ghosh said. "The fact is that all hooligans and miscreants in Bengal have taken shelter under the flag of Bengal's ruling party. They are freely conducting loot and violence as they are protected by the party. Trinamool government should stop blaming others and take action against these miscreants," he added. The incident comes after Trinamool MLA Satyajit Biswas's murder in Nadia on February 9 after he was shot multiple times. --IANS mgr/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Trinamool Congress youth leader was shot dead in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Monday, police said. Nazimul Sheikh, a resident of Behrampur area, was allegedly shot dead by bike-borne assailants at around 10 a.m. "Sheikh was shot twice by the miscreants near his residence. He was rushed to the Murshidabad Medical College where he was declared brought dead," an officer from Behrampur police station said. The police said that the victim had a number of criminal cases against him. "Sheikh was charged with a number of criminal cases and was imprisoned for a few months. He was associated with the Trinamool Congress. A probe in ongoing," the officer added. The incident comes after Trinamool MLA Satyajit Biswas's murder in Nadia on February 9 who was also shot multiple times. --IANS mgr/ksk/ab (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three people were killed and five injured when their vehicle fell into a rivulet in Pauri district of Uttarakhand early on Monday, a police official said. The victims were returning from Delhi. According to police, the incident occurred in the Bhadalikhal area when the driver lost control of the vehicle which fell 200 feet into the rivulet. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital where the condition of two persons was stated to be serious. --IANS sp/rs/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Syria's President Bashar al-Assad arrived in the Iranian capital Tehran on an official visit, state news agency SANA reported. In this rare visit, Assad met with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, according to SANA. The report said Assad's visit is a "working one," adding that both sides expressed satisfaction over the level of cooperation between the countries. --IANS vin/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The NIA, which is probing the Pulwama terror attack on February 14, on Monday said that the Maruti Eeco used by the suicide bomber to ram the CRPF convoy was bought 10 days before the attack by a resident of Kashmir's Anantnag district who has now reportedly joined Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). A National Investigation Agency (NIA) spokesperson said that details of the Maruti Eeco were obtained with assistance of forensic and automobile experts after piecing together remnants of the vehicle used by suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar from the attack site. At least 40 Central Reserve Police Force troopers were killed in the worst attack on the security forces since the militancy erupted in the Kashmir valley in 1989. The Pakistan-based JeM had claimed responsibility. A day after the attack, an NIA team with forensic and explosive experts had visited the attack site and collected material for investigation. Even before the NIA took over the probe from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, NIA chief Y.C. Modi, accompanied by senior agency officials, had visited the attack site. The NIA spokesperson said that the Maruti Eeco was sold over seven times since 2011 when it was first registered in the name of Mohammad Jaleel Ahmed Haqani, a resident of Anantnag. "But it was sold to Sajjd Bhat on February 4, just 10 days before the attack," he said. According to NIA officials, Bhat was a student of Siraj-ul-Uloom in Shopian. An official said that a raid was conducted on his house by an NIA team with the help of state police on February 23. "However, he was not found at his house and thereafter has been evading arrest," he said, adding that Bhat has reportedly joined the JeM now. "A photograph to this effect has also appeared in social media where Bhat is seen holding weapons," the official added. --IANS aks/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Monday sought the Meghalaya High Court's response on a PIL seeking expunction of remarks made by Justice Sudip Ranjan Sen on "Hindu Rashtra". The Division Bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna issued a notice to the Registrar of the Meghalaya High Court on a petition by Sona Khan and others seeking expunction of Justice Sen's remarks that India should have been declared a Hindu Rashtra as the country's partition in 1947 was on religious lines and Pakistan became an Islamic nation. The petitioner described the High Court judgment as "legally flawed and historically misleading." Justice Sen made the remarks on December 12 while delivering the verdict in a case related to refusal of domicile certificate to an army recruit. In the verdict he had said, "Pakistan declared itself an Islamic country and India since was divided on the basis of religion should have also been declared as a Hindu country but it remained a secular country." "India achieved independence through bloodshed and the worst sufferers were Hindus and Sikhs who had to leave their forefather's property, birth place with tear and fear and we will never forget that. However, I will not be wrong to mention that when Sikhs came, they got the rehabilitation from the government but the same was not given to Hindus," his judgment said. It further said, "Therefore, it is not correct that Indian independence is by non-violence, but it is through violence wherein Hindus and Sikhs in terms of lakhs, sacrificed their lives, property, land and livelihood." The judgment had also expressed faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi to protect India from becoming another Islamic country. It said, "I make it clear that nobody should try to make India another Islamic country, otherwise it will be doomsday for India and the world. I am confident only this government under Shri Narendra Modiji will understand the gravity, and will do the needful as requested above." The CPI-M had on December 14 condemned Justice Sen for making what it termed communal observations and said he had lost the moral right to be a judge. "The CPI-M condemns in unequivocal terms the recent utterances of Justice Sen, in the form of a judgement, which is against the basic structure of our Constitution. The Supreme Court had earlier given a verdict that secularism, amongst others, is a fundamental feature of our Constitution," it said in a statement. --IANS pk/rtp/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Blaming the ruling BJP of trying to turn Arunchal Pradesh into "another Kashmir", the Congress on Monday sought the dismissal of Pema Khandu-led state government for violence over the controversial permanent residence certificate (PRC) issue and demanded a judicial probe into the police firing on protestors killing three. A Congress delegation led by party General Secretary Luizinho Faleiro submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) seeking immediate sacking of Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju for their failure to discharge their constitutional obligations. It also demanded a probe into the police firing on unarmed protestors that led to the killing of three persons by a high court judge or a retired Chief Justice. Addressing the media later, Faleiro said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government through the PRC and Citizenship Amendment Bill has "let loose hell" in Arunachal and turning it into another Kashmir. "Don't try to make Arunachal into another Jammu and Kashmir. We have got enough problems in the country and under this regime the problems are only multiplying. Be it industries and the economy or agriculture, problems are only growing under the BJP. "Whatever the Congress has done steadfastly over the years to maintain the identity and culture of North East, this government has undone all. This government through the National Register of Citizens (NRC), through the Citizenship Amendment Bill and now the PRC has destabilised the North East. This government is destroying the North East and palying with sentiments of the people," said Faleiro. "Through the PRC the present BJP government has let hell lose in Arunachal," said Felerio, adding that the Centre must immediately sack Khandu, Rijiju and Chowna Mein for "plunging the peaceful state into anarchy". "There is no government machinery whatsoever in Arunachal and the Chief minister, his deputy and Rijiju in whose constituency three innocent people were killed and many others injured in police firing have disappeared into thin air. They must be immediately sacked," he added. Countering Rijiju's allegation of the Congress instigating violence in the state, Arunachal Congress President Takom Sanjoy said a judicial inquiry into the police action is essential to find out the real culprits. "Let there be a judicial probe to find as to who instigated the violence. If we are found to be guilty, then arrest us and put us in jail. But for that a judical probe is a must," said Sanjoy. In the memorandum to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, the Congress blamed the Khandu government's "gross mismanagement" in handling the peaceful protest against the issue of PRC and claimed that law and order machinery in the state has "completely collapsed". --IANS and/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Even by Kashmir's standards, where rumours always travel ahead of news, what happened in the Valley over the weekend was quite unexpected as a run on petrol pumps, grocery stores and chemists was sparked by the panic, fear and uncertainty that gripped the Valley as nobody had an inkling about what was really going on. It all started with the airlifting of 100 additional companies of central armed police forces (CAPF) those were airlifted to the Valley on Saturday morning. Interestingly, the state government took two days to re-assure people that the deployment was nothing unusual as it pertained to the conduct of forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state. The official clarification came too late. Kashmiris had already panicked by then. "India and Pakistan are going to war and J&K would be the worst sufferer as it always has been in the past". This was the standard rumour doing the rounds in the Valley on Saturday morning. As if the first rumour wasn't bad enough, it was immediately supplemented by another one: "They are going to abrogate article 35A and additional forces have been rushed to enforce curfew across the Valley." There were elements of credibility to both these rumours. In nocturnal raids across the Valley all senior leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) in the Valley had been arrested late on Friday and early Saturday. Instead of a statement that would scotch the rumours, what followed only gave credibility to the rumour mill. Instructions were officially issued to Chief Medical Officers to lift all necessary stocks of medicines and surgical items from Srinagar stores on Sunday. This was followed by a directive from the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department to keep stores open on Sunday so that the people could stock up on foodgrain and other essentials. Personnel of the state armed police were told to be in readiness for any law and order exigency. Did the rumour mongers need more grist for the mill? The Valley started running helter skelter as locals pounced on petrol pumps, medicine shops and provision stores. Nobody believed anything except that there was going to curfew or war and people needed to store enough. Petrol pumps across the Valley had exhausted 80 per cent of their supplies by the time the state administration stepped in to order the rationing of petrol and diesel. Provision stores were emptied in hours before anybody knew what was happening. "I had not done such sales during the last one month as I did in just a few hours on Saturday evening," said a provision store owner in Srinagar. A medicine shop owner said: "It looked as if everybody had suddenly taken ill in the city. People were buying anti-pyretics, antacids, blood pressure, diabetes drugs and what not", said the owner of a medical shop in Srinagar's Khayam area. Any rational voice was quickly brushed aside. "I told my friend why he was topping the petrol tank of his car when nobody would be going anywhere if there was curfew or war. He was too worked up to listen," said Suhail Mir who waited patiently in his friend's car near a petrol pump in Ganderbal town for hours. Governor Satya Pal Malik spoke to some media persons on Saturday evening to dispel the people's fears. By then, the Valley's petrol pumps, medicine shops and provision stores were all sold out as those still indoors remained glued to TV sets waiting with consternation for the worst news - which, fortunately, did not come from anywhere. The bushfire was extinguished - but only just. (Sheikh Qayoom can be reached at sheikh.abdul@ians.in) --IANS sq/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After winning an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading role, actor Rami Malek fell off the 2019 Academy Awards stage. He was treated by medics after the fall, reports ew.com. The 37-year-old was photographed as he tumbled off the stage into the audience area after the ceremony had concluded on Sunday. The star did his best to hold on his Best Actor statuette. Hitting the ground, Malek looked surprised and was helped up by those around him. Paramedics were then called to treat the actor, who was moved into a chair in the front row. Malek did not suffer any serious injury in the incident. The actor had just received the award for his portrayal of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in the biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody". After his name was announced, Malek passionately kissed his co-star and girlfriend Lucy Boynton. --IANS sug/nn/ab (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Guwahati: Senior Afghan radio journalist Abdul Mujeeb Khalvatgar will interact with member-journalists of Guwahati Press Club on 3 March at 3.30 pm. An MA in international relations, Khalvatgar is scheduled to address the city based scribes through video-conferencing from the capital city of Kabul. Khalvatgar, who has pursued journalism studies in the Europe and USA along with Turkey, Sri Lanka and India, is expected to discuss about India-Afghanistan relationship, present trend of media in Afghanistan and the impact of alternate media on mainstream journalism. Author of Islam and Globalization, Provincial Councils and National Cooperation and Ethics on Social Media, Khalvatgar has been an active member of Media Law Working Group (Afghanistan), Journalists Ethics Codes, Access to Information Act etc and he can speak Persian, Pashto and English languages. A Supreme Court recent order on the time-bound eviction of tribals and other households living in forests, whose claims have been rejected by the authorities under the Forest Rights Act, has triggered a huge furore in Rajasthan's tribal belt. Over 5,000 workers of the Bheel Tribal Party (BTP) that has just debuted in the Rajasthan assembly, along with tribals from Udaipur and other surrounding aeas, have decided to march to parliament on March 2 to register their protest against the eviction oder, Amit Kharadi Girva, a BTP leader from Udaipur, said on Monday. Ramprasad Dindore from Sangwada, one of the two BTP MLAs in the assembly, also strongly criticised the Supreme Court decision and said that tribals will fight for their rights till the end, no matter what the consequences are. The decision would affect lakhs of families residing in the country's forest areas, he added. The Supreme Court has directed 16 state governments to evict around one million Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers (OTFD) as their claims for the right to live in forests have been rejected under the Forest Rights Act. The court has directed that the evictions be carried out by July 12. In Rajasthan, 13,49,586 families will be affected by the order, Girva pointed out. He said BTP workers called a meeting in Udaipur on Sunday and decided to court arrest in the national capital after gheraoing (picketing) parliament. The protesters will leave Udaipur for New Delhi on March 1, he said. In fact, the number may swell beyond 5,000 "as we are getting confirmation by youths from other zones as well including Bali tehsil, Sirohi and other parts", he added. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Forest Minister Sukhram Vishnoi expressed his "total unawareness" of the court order as he was travelling and had not been updated. "I shall study the developments and then will be able to reply on them," he added. Another BTP leader, B.L. Chhaanwal lambasted at the ruling Congress government for sitting silent on the development. "Yeh log keval raaz karne ke like aate hain. (They come to rule). And when the time comes to prove their promises to the tribals, they express their ignorance on all major developments," he added. Proclaiming that the tribals are quite aggrieved, he said: "We can't leave our forest land just for the sake of this order. As the authorities concerned can't force us at knifepoint to evade our jal, zameen and jungle (water, land, jungle), they are threatening us by saying that we will be deprived of MNREGA benefits, medical benefits and so on." --IANS arc/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress President Rahul Gandhi has asked Chief Ministers of party-ruled states to file petitions seeking review of an apex court order asking state governments to evict tribals whose claims to forest land under the Forest Rights Act had been rejected. In letters to Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Punjab, Gandhi sought their "urgent intervention" to the Supreme Court's February 13 order directing Chief Secretaries of 21 states to evict those whose claims to be forest dwellers have been rejected. The court also said the eviction should be carried out on or before July 24, the next date of hearing. "In order to pre-empt large scale evictions, it would be expedient to file a review petition and take any other action you may deem fit," said Gandhi in the letter. "For millions of adivasis and other forest dwellers, Jal, Jangal and Zameen (water, forest, land) is integral to their Right to Life guaranteed by our Constitution. It is time for us to work towards deepening the promise of India for everyone," he said. Gandhi also referred to a status report of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs on the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, which highlighted that less than 45 per cent of the Individual Forest Rights and 50 per cent of the Community Forest Rights claims were approved in 2018. "Further, MoTA had pointed out that forest staff often raised 'frivolous' objections leading to rejection. In this backdrop, eviction based on rejected claims alone, without a proper review and appeal process violates the due process of law," he said Gandhi has also written to the Congress chief ministers asking them to revoke amendments made to the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, in order to stop exploitation of farmers. With not much time left for the Election Commission to announce the schedule of the Lok Sabha polls, the Congress-led state governments are in the process of approaching the top court over the matter. --IANS and/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the National War Memorial here by lighting the "eternal flame" at the monument and chose the occasion to accuse the previous Congress governments of playing with national interest, saying there was a concept of "family first" instead of "nation first." The monument consists of an obelisk centered inside four concentric circles, built to commemorate soldiers who were martyred in the line of duty since Independence. Addressing a gathering of ex-servicemen during the inauguration of the war museum at the National Stadium here, Modi also slammed the Gandhi family, stating that the probe into all the major defence scams leading to one family said a lot. "Those who called themselves the deciders of the country's fate had done injustice to the forces and also played with the national security," Modi said. "They had made the Army and the national security a means to earning for themselves. They wanted to forget the martyrs," Modi said. Targeting the Gandhi family, the Prime Minister said, "From Bofors to helicopters (AgustaWestland VVIP chopper), all the probe leads to the doors of one family. And it says a lot." Hitting out at Congress President Rahul Gandhi for criticising the 36 Rafale fighter jets deal with France, he said: "Now they are using all their tactics so that the modern jet does not come to India." "But in the next few months, when the first Rafale soars into the sky, all their conspiracies will end," he said. Attacking the Congress, Modi said, "Some people think their family interests come before the interest of the nation." "Today the National War Memorial (NWM) is being inaugurated. The National Police Memorial also had similar story. Two-and-a-half decades ago, the memorial file was introduced. It moved a bit during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government, but after the government changed, the condition remained the same. People are asking why such injustice was done to the heroes and martyrs? What were the reasons that no one focused on the martyrs. India first or 'family first,'" Modi asked. Modi said his government was bringing in modern weaponry to strengthen the armed forces. "Major defence decisions in the national interest, which were earlier ignored or halted, are now being taken without any delay. The government has given its nod to purchase 72,000 assault rifles and 25,000 crore ammunition, Modi said. After lighting the "eternal flame, the Prime Minister said: "This memorial is inscribed with the names of thousands of martyrs who will keep inspiring future generations for years to come to contribute in the service of the nation," he said. Before him, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also addressed the gathering and said that building of the monument was long time due. Since Independence, more than 25,000 personnel have been martyred during the India-China War in 1962, the Indo-Pakistan wars in 1947, 1965 and 1971, the Indian Peace Keeping Force operations in Sri Lanka and the conflict in Kargil in 1999. The National War Memorial also commemorates the soldiers who participated and made supreme sacrifices in United Nations peace-keeping missions, Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, counter insurgency operations and Low Intensity Conflict Operations (LICO). The four concentric circles are named: "Amar Chakra" or Circle of Immortality, the "Veerta Chakra" or Circle of Bravery, the "Tyag Chakra" or Circle of Sacrifice and the "Rakshak Chakra" or Circle of Protection. The outermost circle, the Rakshak Chakra, comprises rows of more than 600 trees, representing the soldiers who guard the territorial integrity of the nation. --IANS aks/arm/bg/vn/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has postponed his trip to Japan due to the "sensitive situation in the region" following the February 14 attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama that killed 40 CRPF troopers, his office announced on Monday. According to a Foreign Office statement, Qureshi in a telephone call with his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono on Saturday explained that it was "imperative" that he remains in Pakistan due to the "extremely grave" situation which emerged in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack, reports Dawn news. The Pulwama attack has been claimed by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror outfit. The Minister told Kono that he wrote to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to help stabilise the security situation. He also requested his Japanese counterpart to brief Prime Minister Shinzo Abe about the situation due to which the tour had to be postponed, the statement said. Meanwhile, both foreign ministers have agreed to set a new date for Qureshi's tour, it added. --IANS ksk/ab (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indian and Pakistani armies again traded fire at the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Monday. Defence ministry spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Devender Anand said, "At about 6.30 p.m. today (Monday), Pakistan army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing small arms along the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district." "Indian army is retaliating effectively," he added. The two armies had traded heavy fire on the LoC in Poonch district yesterday. --IANS sq/rs/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Jammu and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday urged the central government to look at the situation in Arunachal Pradesh before trying to tinker with Article 35A. Article 35A of the Constitution empowers the J&K legislature to define "permanent residents" of the state and provide special rights and privileges to them. Addressing party workers here, Omar said, "It is my duty to caution people about the situation in the state." "There is no militancy in Arunachal Pradesh but during the present unrest there, people didn't even spare the house of the Deputy Chief Minister. "I am not threatening the Centre. Please don't hashtag me in television debates in the evening saying 'Omar threatens India'. I only want to voice my understanding of the situation here, which is surcharged," Abdullah said. "Please leave the contentious issues for the elected government in the state that would have representation from Jammu, and Ladakh. Your duty is to hold elections in the state and please address that issue as top priority," he said. Arunachal Pradesh witnessed widespread violence for three days, starting Friday, over the Joint High Power Committee's (JHPC) recommendation granting permanent resident certificates (PRCs) to six communities, not natives of the state but living in Namsai and Changlang districts for decades. The Arunachal Pradesh government on Sunday had to freeze its decision on PRCs that triggered the violence. --IANS sq/arm/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The exercise of deleting names of electors from their electoral roll pertaining to assembly constituencies of Delhi was done by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) without any influence by any political party or private agency, an Election Officer told a Delhi Court on Monday. Testifying as a complainant witness, Election Officer Manoj Kumar told the court that the exercise of deletion was done by ERO on instruction of Election Commission. Around four lakh names were deleted from the electoral roll between January 2018 and January 2019. Nearly two lakh new voters were added in the list in the last one year, Kumar told Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal. Kumar submitted that, according to the final list published on January 18, there are 1,36,95,291 voters in the Delhi Assembly constituencies. He also told the court that there is no data of caste and community of the deleted voters. Kumar's submission came while deposing as a witness in the defamation complaint against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal filed by BJP leader Rajeev Babbar. Babbar has sought proceeding against Kejriwal, Rajya Sabha member Sushil Kumar Gupta, MLA Manoj Kumar and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson Atishi Malena for harming the reputation of BJP by blaming the party (BJP) for the deletion of the names of "voters" from the electoral rolls. "All the accused made accusations against BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) in a calculated manner with the sole intention to portray a negative image of BJP in relation to the voters belonging to certain sections of society viz., Bania, Poorvanchalis, Muslims etc. The reputation of the complainant has been damaged beyond repair," Babbar said. The court has listed the matter for further hearing on February 28. --IANS akk/rs/ab (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thanks to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)'s proposed "Sankalp Rally" at Patna on March 3, the Indian Railways has bagged a big business opportunity, as the Alliance has hired 17 trains to ferry its supporters to the state capital, a senior JD-U leader said on Monday. Janata Dal-United (JD-U) General Secretary and party's Rajya Sabha member R.C.P. Singh, who is considered close to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, told the media here that the NDA has already hired 17 trains and is in the process of hiring another 13 for the Sankalp Rally. "NDA leaders, workers and supporters will come in 30 trains for the rally. We had booked 17 trains and 13 more trains will be booked for the purpose," Singh said. The trains would originate from different parts of the state for Patna. Since early this month, leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies JD-U and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) have been busy touring different parts of the state to mobilise support for the rally. Several buses have also been hired for the rally. A senior state BJP leader Devesh Kumar said party's district units would also ferry people in buses and other smaller vehicles. "Sankalp Rally is going to be the biggest-ever rally in Bihar. We expect that the number of people attending the rally would break all previous records," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah will address the NDA rally here, which is envisioned to be a show of strength for the alliance and a reply to the Congress' Jan Aakansha Rally, which according to the Congress leaders had the largest-ever political gathering in Patna. The Sankalp Rally will be the first joint rally of Narendra Modi-Nitish Kumar and their first big show since Nitish Kumar joined hands with the BJP in July 2017 after dumping the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress. --IANS ik/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NASA has honoured Katherine Johnson, who defied racism at the US space agency and became a legendary mathematician, by renaming its Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) facility in West Virginia in her name. Johnson, who turned 100 in August last year, is an African-American woman who led a distinguished career at the agency during a time when race tensions were high and when important roles with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, a precursor to NASA, were dominated mainly by men. "I am thrilled we are honouring Katherine Johnson in this way as she is a true American icon who overcame incredible obstacles and inspired so many," Jim Bridenstine, NASA Administrator, tweeted late on Sunday. According to NASA, US President Donald Trump signed into law in December an act of Congress calling for the redesignation. The facility's programme contributes to the safety and success of NASA's highest-profile missions by assuring that mission software performs correctly. "It's a fitting tribute to name the facility that carries on her legacy of mission-critical computations in her honour," added Bridenstine. According to NASA, Johnson, whose journey was showcased in the 2016 film "Hidden Figures", calculated the trajectory for Alan Shepard's Freedom 7 mission in 1961 who was the first American to enter space. In 1962, Johnson performed the work for which she would become best known when she was asked to verify the results made by electronic computers to calculate the orbit for John Glenn's Friendship 7 mission. Later, Johnson provided calculations for NASA throughout her career, including for several Apollo missions. Johnson was awarded the Medal of Freedom in 2015 by former President Barack Obama, the nation's highest civilian honour. "It's an honour the NASA IV&V Programme's primary facility now carries Katherine Johnson's name," said Gregory Blaney, the programme's director. "It's a way for us to recognise Katherine's career and contributions not just during Black History Month, but every day, every year," said Blaney. --IANS pb/na/ab (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that North Korea still remained a threat, a reversal to President Donald Trump's remark that Pyongyang was no longer a nuclear threat to Washington. When asked during a CNN interview on Sunday night if North Korea still remained a nuclear threat, Pompeo replied "yes". "What he (Trump) said was that the efforts that had been made in Singapore -- this commitment that Chairman Kim (Jong-un) made -- have substantially taken down the risk to the American people. It's the mission of the Secretary of State and the President of the US to keep American people secure. We're aiming to achieve that," he added. In June, Trump, having just returned to Washington from the first historic summit with Kim in Singapore, tweeted: "There is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea." Trump is set to meet Kim for a second summit on Wednesday and Thursday in Hanoi, Vietnam. Pompeo told CNN that Trump is focused on getting "a demonstrable, verifiable" step toward denuclearization during the summit. "There are many things he could do to demonstrate his commitment to denuclearization," Pompeo said. The Secretary of State also said that core sanctions from the UN Security Council resolution on North Korea will be removed only after it fully denuclearizes, adding that the administration's standard for removing sanctions has always been "full, verified denuclearization". --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Probe into ex-penitentiary official Korshunov completed - investigators RIA Novosti, Vitaly Belousov 17:46 25/02/2019 MOSCOW, February 25 (RAPSI) The Investigative Committee of Russia has completed a probe into ex-Deputy chief of the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) Oleg Korshunov and his alleged accomplices, the authoritys website reads on Monday. According to the Committee, investigation has been completed as concerns Korshunov and two other FSIN officials, Svetlana Alekseyeva and Alexey Danilov. The respective criminal case is ready to be submitted to a court for examination on merits, the statement reads. Currently, Korshunov is a defendant in several criminal cases where he stands charged with embezzlement of 160 million rubles (about $2.5 million), abuse of office and bribery. Investigators claim that in 2015 through 2016 Korshunov and Alekseyva conspired with businesswoman Marina Dyukova to steal budget money allocated for centralized purchase of sugar and fuel for penitentiary facilities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the previous Congress governments of playing with national interest by following the concept of"family first" instead of "nation first." "Few people think their family interests come before the interests of the nation," he said. Modi also slammed the Gandhi family saying the probe into all the major defence scams leading to one family says a lot. "From Bofors to helicopters (AgustaWestland VVIP chopper), all the probe leads to the doors of one family. And it says a lot," he said. Addressing ex-servicemen at the inauguration of the National War Museum (NWM) at the National Stadium here, Modi said, "Those who called themselves deciders of the country's fate had done injustice to the forces and also played with the national security." "They had made the army and the national security means of earning for themselves. They wanted to forget the martyrs," Modi said. Hitting out at Congress President Rahul Gandhi for criticising the 36 Rafale jets deal with France, Modi said, "Now these people are using all their tactics so that the modern jet does not come to India. But in the next few months, when the first Rafale soars into the sky, all their conspiracies will end." "Today the National War Memorial (NWM) is being inaugurated. The National Police Memorial also had similar story. Two-and-a-half decades ago, the memorial file was introduced. It moved a bit during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government, but after the government changed, the condition remained the same. "Today people are asking why such injustice was done with heroes and martyrs. What were the reasons that no one focused on the martyrs. India first or 'family first,'" Modi asked. "Earlier, from schools to hospitals, highways to airports and awards, there was just the name of one family," he said. The Prime Minister said with the inauguration of the National War Memorial, decades long wait was over. "This memorial is inscribed with the names of thousands of martyrs who will keep inspiring future generations for years to come to contribute towards the service of the nation," he said. Paying homage to the fallen soldiers, Modi said they were the first to brave the disasters, whether they were contrived by the enemy or the nature. "Our soldiers have always taken the responsibility to face the danger, man-made or natural. "Friends, at this historic monument, I pay my respect to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in Pulwama for the safety of the nation," he said. Modi also said his government was bringing in modern weaponry to strengthen the armed forces in the country. "Major defence decisions in the national interest, which were earlier ignored or halted, are now being taken without any delay." The government has given nod to purchase of 72,000 assault rifles and 25,000 crore ammunition, Modi said. -- IANS vn/arm/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dashing hopes of Indian consumers willing to acquire the just-released foldable phone from Huawei any time soon, the company says it is not planning to bring a 4G version of the Mate X shortly and that its availability will depend on the 5G network in the country. Although India is targeting 2020 for 5G roll-out, the country is yet to allocate 5G spectrum to operators even for 5G trial of use cases. Expensive at 2,299 euros (about Rs 1,85,000), the foldable Mate X is a 5G phone and as the US has been raising security concerns over use of Huawei 5G equipment, the European market could be the first to see the release of the phone. Huawei showcased the foldable phone at Mobile World Congress (MWC), Barcelona, on Sunday, but did not allow the visiting journalists to touch the device. "We expect to start shipping the device form the middle of this year through the carrier channel. Making the device available in the open market may take some time," Kevin Ho, President of the Handset Business, Huawei Consumer Business Group, told IANS here. Replying to a question about producing foldable phone for the 4G network, he said that although the company was not focusing on bringing a 4G to suit markets like India, it could consider such a proposal at a later stage. Powered by the company's Kirin 980 processor, the Huawei Mate X comes with a 6.6-inch dual display panel and offers a FullView display. It houses massive 4,500 mAH dual battery and several industry-first features, including a new superfast charging capability that can reach 85 per cent battery in just 30 minutes. The phone features a flexible OLED panel and a falcon wing mechanical hinge. "Creating the foldable phone's hinge is the most challenging part for our engineers," Ho said. "We had to design the hinge to avoid layers like formation that one gets when one folds a book or a notebook. This was a big challenge and they had to use a sophisticated technology," he added. While Ho asserted that the phone was ready for mass production, he acknowledged that the company was still doing several tests and was also in talks with app developers so that apps can be optimised for a foldable device. The 8GB + 512 GB phone, which can be easily unfolded at the click of a button, now has only one colour, Interstellar Blue, and comes with a full protection case. Huawei said it might introduce new colours for the device at a later stage. When unfolded, the 6.6-inch dual display panel transforms into an 8-inch tablet only 5.4mm thick. While unveiling the device on Sunday at a packed hall here, Huawei Consumer Business Group CEO Richard Yu claimed that the phone offers best selfie camera. But the company did not reveal the camera specifications. "The phone will provide users more privacy and security protection," he said. "Today, many carriers are using NSA (non-standalone) architecture, working together with 4G. But the future of 5G is SA (standalone) architecture. "Mate X is the only phone now with the capability to work in both the architecture. So this phone is not only for today, but also for future 5G," Yu noted. Ho parried questions on security concerns raised by countries like the US which accuse Huawei of passing on data to the Chinese government. "We don't want to talk about it today. We want to focus on technology and our new products today," he said. (V.S. Chandrasekar can be reached at chandru.v@ians.in) --IANS vsc/na/ab (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maharashtra Opposition has labelled Governor C.V. Rao as an "RSS man" and boycotted his customary address to the joint sitting of the state legislature on the first day of the Budget Session here on Monday. Opposition members squatted on the steps of the Vidhan Bhavan (legislature building), raised anti-government slogans like "Gandhi hum sharminda hai, tere qatil zinda hai" (Gandhi we are ashamed, your killers are still alive). Earlier this month, Governor Rao had stated publicly that he was "proud" to be a part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which he described as one of the most inclusive and secular organisations in the country. In a series of tweets on Monday, Leader of Opposition in Council Dhananjay Munde said to protest the recent (January 30) insult to Gandhi by the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti in Uttar Pradesh, the state Opposition parties carried out a silent protest and boycotted the Governor's address. Munde also sought to know that after admitting to RSS links despite holding a constitutional post, "will the Hon. Governor work in the interest of the people of the state or push the RSS's agenda as its worker? Hence we have decided to boycott his address to the legislature". Former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said that persons occupying constitutional positions like the Governor making such remarks was "highly condemnable". This is the first time the Maharashtra Opposition has boycotted the Governor's address in the past five years of the Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena rule. Setting the mood for the week-long budget session, the entire Opposition on Sunday boycotted the Chief Minister's customary session-eve tea party. --IANS qn/ksk/ab (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Left out in the Lok Sabha race with the Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena alliance dividing Maharashtra's 48 parliamentary constituencies among themselves, the National Democratic Alliance's smaller constituents in the state on Monday also demanded they also be given seats to contest. The Republican Party of India-A, the Rashtriya Samaj Paksha and the Shiv Sangram leaders held a separate meeting to discuss the political strategy after being ignored by the BJP-Sena leaders who announced a tie-up last Monday. In a veiled warning, RPI-A President and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale revealed that they are being wooed by the opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party to join their grand alliance. "However, we have decided to stand firmly behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi. That does not mean we should be taken for granted and ignored in the seat-sharing formula," he said. For starters, the RPI-A has demanded at least one Lok Sabha seat in Mumbai, either Mumbai South or Mumbai North-East, and one elsewhere in the state, either Latur, Ramtek or Solapur to contest, besides 8-10 seats in the Assembly elections due later this year. The RSP's Mahadev Jankar, who is a minister in the state government, and Shiv Sangram chief Vinayak Mete, who holds a ministerial rank post, have also demanded that they should be suitably included in the alliance. Athawale said that the two bigger parties should have taken the smaller parties into confidence and included them in their alliance talks instead of arriving at their own independent seat-sharing agreement. "If needed, I shall meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray, with whom I enjoy good rapport, and also BJP President Amit Shah and the PM for our legitimate demands," he said. After weeks of dilly-dallying, the BJP-Sena suddenly announced their alliance for the Lok Sabha in which they will share 25-23 seats respectively, and also in the Assembly elections where they will contest an equal number of seats after accounting for the smaller partners. However, the smaller parties - who have their own pockets of influence - are clearly not amused and want the BJP and Shiv Sena to accommodate them by allotting Lok Sabha seats from their respective quotas. Athawale is currently a member of the Rajya Sabha, while Jankar and Mete are also members of the state Legislative Council. As per current indications, the BJP-Sena appear to be in no mood to oblige the smaller parties as far as Lok Sabha seats are concerned though they may give them a share in the assembly polls. In a bid to pressurize the bigger parties, the smaller parties are likely to stay away from events organized by the BJP-Sena until their demands are met. --IANS qn/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A train purportedly carrying North Korea's Kim Jong-un passed through the Chinese city of Changsha on Monday on its way to Vietnam, where he is expected to arrive on Tuesday for a state visit, followed by a summit with US President Donald Trump. With two days to go for the start of the two-day summit here, Kim's convoy is continuing on its journey of over 4,000 km to Hanoi amid tight security and secrecy, as is typical of the highest ranking officials within the Pyongyang regime, reports Efe news. The North Korean leader's armoured convoy, which departed from Pyongyang on Saturday, passed through Changsha, capital of the central Chinese province of Hunan, at around 1.10 p.m. on Monday, a source told South Korean news agency Yonhap. The train halted for around half an hour at the station in Changsha, before resuming its journey southward, according to the source. The convoy was later expected to pass the southern Chinese city of Nanning before heading to Pingxiang, close to the border with Vietnam. Some experts have said that the train could also take a detour southeast to cross Guangzhou before heading towards the border, although there has been no official confirmation of the convoy's itinerary. Kim, who will also make a state visit to Vietnam, the first by a North Korean leader in nearly 55 years, is expected to arrive in the country on Tuesday through the border town of Dong Dang and travel from there to Hanoi by car (the armoured train is believed to be carrying his limousine). The railway station at Dong Dang, 170 km northeast of Hanoi, has been closed to public since Sunday and will remain shut until March 2. --IANS ksk/ab (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Kerala High Court on Monday accepted the plea for a woman judge to try the infamous actress abduction case in which superstar Dileep is an accused. Ruling in favour of the actress's petition seeking a woman judge, the court picked Honey Varghese, presently a judge in the special court for Central Bureau of Investigation cases, for conducting the trial. It directed that the trial should be completed in nine months time. The court on Monday dismissed Dileep's petition seeking to be made party in the hearing on the actress's petition and also dismissed prime accused Pulsar Suni's petition against a woman judge. The young actress was allegedly abducted on February 17, 2017 while she was on way to Kochi from Thrissur. Suni drove her around for two hours around Kochi before she was dropped near the home of director-actor Lal, who informed the police. Dileep was arrested after two rounds of questioning on July 10, 2017, for his alleged role in the conspiracy hatched for the abduction. He secured bail after being in jail for 85 days. His former wife Manju Warrier is one of the witnesses in the case. --IANS sg/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday made a surprise visit to the residence of Vellapally Natesan, General Secretary of the powerful Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, the socio-cultural body of the Hindu Ezhava community. Incidentally, this is the first time that Vijayan, as Chief Minister, has gone to Natesan's house near here. The Chief Minister, who was accompanied by Finance Minister Thomas Issac, Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran, PWD Minister G.Sudhakaran, and Civil Supplies Minister P. Thilothaman, spent about 20 minutes there. Such visits are more commonly seen during rule of the Congress-led United Democratic Front, when the Chief Minister and other ministers visit Natesan at his house. After calling on Natesan, Vijayan and his Ministers took part in the inauguration of the first phase of the facilitation centre at the temple headed by Natesan. On the occasion, Vijayan promised that funds for the second phase would also be given. When the Centre failed to give any grant for the temple, Vijayan's government had extended a grant of Rs 3 crore. Approached by media to divulge the reason for the visit, both Vijayan and Natesan did not say anything. Of late, Natesan and Vijayan have had the best of relations and the former had extended full support to the government on the Sabarimala issue after the apex court's verdict allowing entry of women of all ages to the hilltop shrine. It was on this issue the relationship between the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist and the Nair Service Society, the body of the Hindu Nair community, worsened, after the latter wanted the Vijayan government to take a stand against entry of all women as it was "against the tradition and culture of the Sabarimala temple". After the NSS took a tough stand on the issue, Natesan came out in full strength to participate in the Women's Wall, organised by the Vijayan government, formed across the state with the twin objective of creating consensus of opening Sabarimala to all women and also to promote gender equality. Reacting to Vijayan's visit to Natesan, state Congress President Mullapally Ramachandran told the media that the CPI-M and Vijayan have the habit of criticizing social group leaders in public speeches and then suddenly turning up at their houses. "With elections round the corner, everyone understands the real reason behind this sudden house visit," he said. --IANS sg/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) All mainstream politicians in Jammu and Kashmir have come out in defence of Article 35A that gives the state legislature powers to define the residents of the state and their privileges. Amid intense speculation that the central government might favour abrogation of Article 35A when the petition challenging its constitutional validity comes up for hearing in the Supreme Court later this week, Kashmiri politicians say any tinkering with the Article would be "playing with fire". The state government has said its stand on Article 35A remains unchanged as it would seek an adjournment in the apex court when the matter comes up for hearing. Rohit Kansal, state government's spokesman said on Sunday the state had sought adjournment of the hearing on February 11 and it would do the same when the petition comes up for hearing later this week. Reacting to speculations, former Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah said, "We owe it to our future generations to safeguard our political identity and special status that our ancestors and our founding leaders fought for. "The forces that are sponsoring these elaborate assaults on the state's special status have been inimical to its interests and political identity from the very first day, but we fought them then and will fight them now." Another former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti tweeted, "Article 370 is the constitutional connection between J&K & the Indian Union. Instrument of accession is contingent on Article 370, which is inextricably linked to Article 35A. Any tampering will render the Treaty of Accession null & void." State Congress chief G.A. Mir told IANS, "Special status granted to J&K is a settled issue and any misadventure with regard to Article 35A would further deepen the alienation among the people, the fires of which will engulf the entire J&K state." Former CPI-M legislator Yusuf Tarigami has filed an interventional application in the apex court thereby becoming a party to the legal proceedings regarding Article 35A. "The special status guaranteed to the state of J&K under the Constitution of India, which has assumed the permanent feature of the Constitution, requires protection as any alteration would be against the policy of federalism envisaged by the framers of the Constitution," Tarigami's application in the Supreme Court has said in defence of the Article. However, the strongest views have come from former Minister and Peoples Conference (PC) president Sajad Lone. "Any tampering with the special constitutional character of J&K would mean the death of mainstream thought in the state. If the Centre wants to slaughter the mainstream thought they are most welcome, and that is what they will be doing by tinkering with Article 35A," Lone said. Lone's party is an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and he was inducted into the PDP-BJP cabinet as a minister from the BJP quota. The alliance, however, collapsed in June last year when the BJP withdrew from the ruling coalition. He also took strong exception to the recent arrests of Jamaat-e-Islami cadres in the Valley. Arresting people with dissenting voices would only create another generation of separatists in Kashmir as jails had been training schools for separatists in the past, he said. "The first, second, third and fourth line of separatist leadership evolved from those who were jailed. Now they are aged. This crackdown would give rise to a new generation of separatist leadership in the Valley for the next 30 years," he said. Article 35A empowers the J&K legislature to define permanent residents of the state and give them special rights and privileges. It was added to the Constitution through a Presidential order on May 14, 1954. --IANS sq/rtp/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Sonu Sood, who met some of the family members of martyrs of the terror attack in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, feels that India's real heroes are our brave soldiers. Sonu and actor Mukesh Rishi met the families at Guru Nanak Mission High School here on Monday. "I feel that our country's real heroes are our brave soldiers who leave their families to protect our land. They know that they are going to spend really less time with their families...despite that, they leave their families at their homes and they protect us," Sonu said. "When incidents like Pulwama terror attack happens, then we always feel guilty by thinking that they (soldiers) are doing so much for us but are we doing enough for them and their families... so, I feel this is the time when we have to gather here and make sure that their families are well looked after so that our brave soldiers feel satisfied in heaven." About 40 CRPF personnel were killed in the Pulwama terror attack. "I feel as a citizen of this country, it is our duty to take a break from our busy work schedules and do something for the families of our brave soldiers," said Sonu. Earlier this month, over 30 Indian film and TV industry actors/artistes agreed to spread the propaganda of political parties through their social media accounts for money, which they asked to be paid in cash, in other words in untaxed black money, it has been revealed in a sting operation. Sonu was one of those caught on camera accepting the deal for toeing the agenda of a political party or endorsing it for money. Reacting to it, Sonu said: "I will definitely give my answer on this entire issue but right now, I cannot answer to that question because there is really an emotional atmosphere over here so, I think we shouldn't discuss that matter and take away the importance of this event." --IANS iv/nn/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Federica Mogherini, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, spoke to Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, stressing on the "urgency to de-escalate" the ongoing tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad following the February 14 Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF troopers. Mogherini, who is also the Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, had a telephonic conversation with Shah on Sunday. "The High Representative stressed the urgency to de-escalate the situation and confirmed that the European Union is also in contact with Indian counterparts," an official statement said here. "The European Union's policy has always been to promote a dialogue between India and Pakistan to sort out differences." While appreciating Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's "early commitment to reach out to India", Mogherini also "highlighted the need to continue addressing terrorism, including clear and sustained actions targeting not only all UN-listed transnational terrorist groups but also individuals claiming responsibility for such attacks", the statement added. The development comes after Khan on Sunday assured his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi that he stood by his words, saying that if New Delhi provided Islamabad with "actionable intelligence" regarding the Pulwama attack, "we will immediately act". Khan said Modi should "give peace a chance". His remark was in response to Modi saying on Saturday that the time had come to test if the Pakistan Prime Minister was a man of his word. The Pulwama attack was claimed by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad. --IANS ksk/ab (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Moskalkova requests to check up on observance of human rights of 69 Russians in Ukraine RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 16:44 25/02/2019 MOSCOW, February 25 (RAPSI) Tatiana Moskalkova, Russias Rights Commissioner, has requested the Russian Foreign Ministry and the Ukrainian Ombudsman Lyudmila Denisova to check up on the information that human rights of 69 Russian citizens detained in Ukraine are being violated, the Rights Commissioners website reads on Monday. According to the statement, the detainees, some of which are military servicepersons, but the majority are civilians prosecuted for their activism and public stand, are in great need of medical care. Among them is also Kirill Vyshinsky, a journalist charged with treason in Ukraine. Moskalkova says she hopes for humane treatment of the Russian detainees and will try to help all those seeking her assistance. With the 'Make in India' plan for mobile phone manufacturing revolving only around assembling, India had to import $13 billion worth of mobile components in 2018, Counterpoint Research said on Monday. According to Tarun Pathak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, not many high-value components are being sourced from India. "As a result, local value addition in India was at 17 per cent during 2018. This helped the country save $2.5 billion in forex but increased assembly operations in India led to imports of mobile phone components going up to $13 billion," he added in a statement. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) is running behind schedule as the implementation of customs duties under Phase III, which targets Display Assembly, Touch Panel/Cover Glass Assembly and Vibrator/Motor Ringer has been delayed, said the report. According to Pathak, the possibility of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), like Reliance Jio and several Chinese brands, to source chips locally is still nearly four to five years away. "Sourcing of chips locally will happen only once the component ecosystem for low-value components is strengthened and export incentives are brought into force," he added. Reliance Jio was still catching up on the PMP and imported 40 per cent of Jio Phones in 2018. In fact, Chinese players like Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo had transitioned better from semi-knocked down (SKDs) to completely knocked down units (CKDs). These companies also have plans to scale up their local manufacturing operations, albeit limited to assembling only. Half of the handsets sold in India in 2018 were imported as SKDs while only 34 per cent were imported as CKDs. However, by the end of this year, handsets imported as CKDs are forecast to reach 75 per cent while 25 per cent will be in the form of SKDs. "We think that the government will first push to localize the components or sub-components under PMP to drive value addition. This can lead a transition from SKDs to CKDs quickly over the next two years," Pathak added. While there has been a delay in the implementation of the PMP, India has made significant strides in developing its mobile manufacturing ecosystem. Local value addition has risen from a meagre 6 per cent level in 2016 to 17 per cent in 2018 and there are now 120 assembling plants in the country as compared to just two in 2014. "While China and Vietnam seem to be way ahead in terms of local value addition, India has surpassed Vietnam to become the second largest mobile phone manufacturer by volume," said Hanish Bhatia, Senior Analyst at Counterpoint Research. --IANS na/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the previous Congress governments of playing with national interest, saying that there was a concept of "family first" instead of "nation first." Modi also slammed the Gandhi family, stating that the probe into all the major defence scams leading to one family says a lot. Addressing a gathering of ex-servicemen during the inauguration of the National War Museum (NWM) at the National Stadium here, Modi said, "Those who called themselves the deciders of the country's fate had done injustice to the forces and also played with the national security." "They had made the army and the national security means of earning for themselves. They wanted to forget the martyrs," Modi said. Targeting the Gandhi family, the Prime Minister said, "From Bofors to helicopters (AgustaWestland VVIP chopper), all the probe leads to the doors of one family. And it says a lot." Hitting out at Congress President Rahul Gandhi for criticising the 36 Rafale fighter jets deal with France, he said "now these people are using all their tactics so that the modern jet does not come to India." "But in the next few months, when the first Rafale soars into the sky, all their conspiracies will end," he said. Attacking the Congress, Modi said, "Few people think their family interests come before the interest of the nation." "Today the National War Memorial (NWM) is being inaugurated. The National Police Memorial also had similar story. Two-and-a-half decades ago, the memorial file was introduced. It moved a bit during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government, but after the government changed, the condition remained the same. "Today people are asking why such injustice was done with the heroes and martyrs? What were the reasons that no one focused on the martyrs. India first or 'family first,'" Modi asked. "Earlier, from schools to hospitals, highways to airports and awards, there was just the name of one family," he said. Modi also said his government was bringing in modern weaponry to strengthen the armed forces in the country. "Major defence decisions in the national interest, which were earlier ignored or halted, are now being taken without any delay. The government has given its nod to purchase 72,000 assault rifles and 25,000 crore ammunition, Modi said. --IANS aks/arm/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said holding timely elections in Jammu and Kashmir would be Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "biggest challenge". "Will the Modi government bow before those forces of separatism and terror that have always sought to disrupt/delay polls in J&K (Jammu and Kashmir) or will polls take place on schedule? The moment of truth for PM Modi's handling of Kashmir over the last 5 years", he wrote on Twitter. "Barring the odd by-election, all elections after 1995-96 have taken place on schedule. Will PM Modi be able to keep to this schedule or will he accept he's totally mishandled J&K? The next few days will give us the answer," he added. --IANS sq/pg/ab (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) French President Emmanuel Macron said he would visit Iraq in the coming months, reiterating France's support for the reconstruction and eventual sustainable development of the OPEC member state after the defeat of the Islamic State (IS). "The old friendship (between France and Iraq) has served as a barrier against terrorism; we must now nourish it with concrete projects to build long-lasting peace together," Macron said. "That will be my message when I visit Iraq in a few months," he added. During a joint press conference with his visiting Iraqi counterpart Barham Salih, the French president warned that "the threats remain considerable" ahead of Iraq, where Islamist fighters had seized the third of country's territory before being ousted by a US-led international military coalition. In this context, Macron stressed that "France will remain alongside the Iraqis politically and militarily," and pledged "to develop cooperation in all fields". Macron also announced that France would provide one billion euros (1.134 billion US dollars) in reconstruction funds for Iraq's transport, health, water and energy sectors. France was one of the first European countries to join the international coalition against the IS. Its fighter jets bombed the group in Iraq in 2014 at the request of Iraqi authorities. --IANS vin/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A bipartisan group of 58 former national security officials will issue a declaration on Monday saying that "there is no factual basis" for President Donald Trump's proclamation of a national emergency to build a wall on the US-Mexico border. The 11-page declaration, whose signatories include former secretary of states John Kerry and Madeleine Albright along with former defence secretary Chuck Hagel, will come a day before the House is expected to vote on a resolution to block Trump's February 15 declaration, The Washington Post reported on Sunday. "Under no plausible assessment of the evidence is there a national emergency today that entitles the president to tap into funds appropriated for other purposes to build a wall at the southern border," the group said. The former officials' declaration, which will be entered into the Congressional Record, is intended to support lawsuits and other actions challenging the national emergency proclamation. Trump's national emergency declaration followed a 35-day partial government shutdown and it came after Congress did not approve the $5.7 billion he sought to build the wall. In the declaration, the group said that illegal border crossings were at nearly 40-year lows. Undetected unlawful entries at the US-Mexico border decreased from 851,000 to nearly 62,000 between 2006 and 2016, they said citing Department of Homeland Security statistics. Contrary to the President's assertion, there is no documented emergency at the southern border related to terrorism or violent crime, the former officials added. They also argueed that redirecting money pursuant to the national emergency declaration "will undermine US national security and foreign policy interests, adding that "a wall is unnecessary to support the use of the armed forces". The announcement of the declaration comes after 16 US states -- California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Virginia -- on February 18 filed a lawsuit challenging the national emergency declaration. Civil society groups including the Centre for Biological Diversity, Border Network for Human Rights and the American Civil Liberties Union have also announced lawsuits. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Doctors are happy with the progress of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and his health condition is stable, his office said on Monday. "(Doctor) Pramod Garg from AIIMS who is heading the treatment of Honourable Chief Minister @manoharparrikar has conducted a thorough check up... The doctors are happy with his progress and the Chief Minister continues to be stable," the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said in a tweet. Parrikar, who is suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer, was admitted to the Goa Medical College on Saturday, where he is now being treated by Garg, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Associate Dean (Research) and renowned gastroenterologist. While, state Health Minsiter Vishwajit Rane on Sunday evening said that Parrikar would be discharged within a day, Goa Bharatiya Janata Party President Vinay Tendulkar said that the decision to shift the Chief Minister to AIIMS would be taken by the team of doctors attending to him. "Doctors will decide whether he should be taken to AIIMS to he will stay here. The AIIMS team will decide whether he should be shifted or he will be treated here," Tendulkar said. Parrikar was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer in February 2018 and has been in and out of hospitals in Goa, Mumbai, Delhi and New York since. --IANS maya/ksk/ab (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CPI-M leader A. Peethamabaran, who is accused of murdering two Youth Congress workers in Kerala's Kasargode district last week, on Monday denied committing the crime when he was produced in a court here. Soon after his arrest after the murders, Peethamabaran reportedly admitted to the police that he committed the crime when he was on a high after smoking ganja. However, produced before the Hosdurg court after his police custody ended, the Communist Party of India-Marxist leader told the judge that he has no role in the murder but was forced to admit his involvement after he was threatened by police. The judge asked him if he was beaten up by police and he said "no" . Later, he was sent to two weeks judicial custody by the court. Youth Congress workers Krupesh, 19, and Joshy, 24, were attacked on February 17 by a three men. While Krupesh died at the Kasaragod district hospital, Joshy succumbed to injuries on his way to a medical facility in Karnataka's Mangaluru. Police have so far arrested five people in the case. Meanwhile on Monday ,angry Youth Congress workers marched to the office of the Superintendent of Police here, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the twin murder. The families of both victims on Monday wrote to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan demanding a CBI probe, a demand that has already been raised by the Congress. The murder case has been handed over the Kerala Police's Crime Branch. --IANS sg/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After almost six decades, a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party's highest decision-making body, will be held in Mahatma Gandhi's Gujarat. All the top party leaders will attend the meet here on February 28. Briefing the media here on Monday, Congress's Gujarat unit President Amit Chavda said that they had requested party President Rahul Gandhi to convene the CWC meet in Gujarat and he had agreed. Gandhi, his mother and United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and newly-inducted General Secretary for East Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi will be present at the CWC meet as well as the Jan Sankalp Rally to be held later in the day. Top party leaders, besides Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states will arrive at the Sardar Patel International Airport around 9 a.m. on February 28. They will visit the Gandhi Ashram at Sabarmati and thereafter pay their homage to the CRPF troopers killed in the Pulwama attack at the Martyrs Monument at the Shahi Baug, said Chavda. "The CWC meeting is likely to start around 10.30 am and is expected to continue for two hours. After this a massive rally will be held at the Trimandir at Adalaj around 3 p.m.," he added. A special committee has been formed for the CWC meeting, which will see economic, foreign, and social policies being discussed. "All the Congress workers are eagerly awaiting this meeting with enthusiasm. A resolution to strengthen the Panchayati Raj Institutions as well as the democratic institutions will be passed in the CWC meet," Chavda said. Question pertaining to handing over management of airports to private players like the Adani group would also be taken up for discussion. In a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of Opposition Paresh Dhanani said, "Sadly the BJP government is hurting the democratic institutions and the Constitution of the country. In this situation, when private players are being handed over public institutions like airports, the public is asking the 'Chowkidar' that who is benefiting out of such privatisation?" --IANS desai/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi court on Monday directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to provide Robert Vadra within five days hard copies of documents recovered in raids at his properties in connection with a money laundering case. The case relates to ownership of overseas assets worth 1.9 million pounds by Vadra. On December 7 last year, the ED had searched several of Vadra's properties in Delhi-NCR and Bengaluru. Vadra, who was slated to appear before the ED at its Jamnagar office here on Monday for his sixth round of questioning, has moved a separate plea before the court seeking a stay on his interrogation. Special Judge Arvind Kumar will hear the plea post lunch. Vadra, husband of Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi, is on interim bail till March 2. --IANS kk/rtp/ab (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Odisha unit of the Congress on Monday demanded the resignation of School and Mass Minister Badri Narayan Patra for the repeated incidents of question paper leaks during the annual High School Certificate (HSC) examination in the state. Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Niranjan Patnaik said that repeated question paper leaks have exposed the incapability and inefficiency of the School and Mass department as well as the Board of Secondary authority. "They have seriously failed in conducting the annual HSC examination smoothly and this has made the future of lakhs of meritorious students uncertain. Therefore, the School and Mass Education Minister should take moral responsibility and resign," demanded Patnaik. He said while the state government was promoting privatisation of education in Odisha, the students from general and economically backward classes were deprived of affordable quality education. "The government has made a mess out of the HSC examination. On day one, the Odia language question paper was leaked and went viral on social media. On Monday, the same thing happened with the English question paper," Patnaik said. "This has put enormous mental pressure on the students which might adversely affect their careers in the future. Therefore, strong action must be taken against the persons concerned," said the PCC President. The Mass Education Minister, on the other hand, rubbished the allegations. "No question paper was leaked and made viral on social media on Monday. We are taking adequate steps to ensure that the HSC examination is conducted smoothly," said Patra. --IANS cd/arm/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russian court dismisses Rub 2.3 bln claim of Mutual Success Corp against ex-banker Motylev RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 13:38 25/02/2019 MOSCOW, February 25 (RAPSI) The Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals has upheld the dismissal of Mutual Success Corporation Ltd. claim seeking to include a 2,3 billion rubles ($35 million) debt of ex-head of the banking group Anatoly Motylev in the creditors list, the court documents read on Monday. Mutual Success was challenging in appellation a decision of the Moscow Commercial Court of December 28, 2018. This January the court dismissed some other claims of the company demanding to include in the Motylevs creditors list 6.7 billion rubles (about $102 million at the current exchange rate). In February 2018, the Moscow Commercial Court declared Motylev bankrupt. In January 2018, the court granted claims filed by two companies and a number of persons asking to include 15 billion rubles (about $229 million) in creditors demands list against Motylev. On February 6, 2017, the court initiated debt restructuring process against Motylev on the request of Flowery Development Limited. The businessman owes the company 974 million rubles ($15 million). On July 22, 2016, Flowery Development filed the bankruptcy claim against Motylev but it was not reviewed by the court because of lack of provided evidence. The court accepted the claim after all violations were lifted. Motylev is the former owner of several Russian banks including Russian credit, M-Bank and Tulsky Industrialist. In the summer of 2015, the Central Bank of Russia withdrew the licenses of those banks. All four banks were declared bankrupt. According to business media, Motylev is a defendant in a large-scale fraud case reportedly related to alleged embezzlement at M-Bank. In May 2016, the Basmanny District Court of Moscow seized Motylevs property including land plots and apartments in the Moscow Region. A WhatsApp political group formed and administered by the Congress has five 'Pakis' as members who also deride Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said BJP national spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi on Monday. Hasiba Amin, the national convenor of the social media department of Congress, runs the group called 'India Political Network'. At a press conference here, Lekhi said that both Amin as well as the Congress President, Rahul Gandhi, should answer, as to why Pakistani nationals are a part of the group in which national political issues are discussed. "Rahul Gandhi needs to explain what are 'Pakis' doing in the Whatsapp group, which is run by a Congress office-bearer," Lekhi said, adding that at least five persons on the group are Pakistanis. Quoting some discussions by the group, Lekhi said that members of the group were discussing developments linked to the Pulwama tragedy and the aftermath, which included references to the Prime Minister. "Then there is a video which has been posted by Pakistanis and these are the kind of things which Congress party is indulging in. Should that (Whatsapp group) have Pakistanis who deride your Prime Minister? You may have political opposition to that man (Modi), which is one part of the story, but will you allow others to speak the same language?" she said. --IANS maya/oeb/ab (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The opposition Congress on Monday demanded the resignation of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and the imposition of President's Rule in the state following violence over the controversial permanent residence certificate (PRC) issue. "The Chief Minister (Pema Khandu) and his council of ministers have no more right to continue in office as the people of the state have lost faith in them when they decided to grant the PRC to six non-Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes communities," state Congress President Takam Sanjoy told IANS on the phone from New Delhi. "Four people were killed in firing triggered by the state police and the Army on Sunday. Isn't this a breakdown of law and order in the state?" he asked demanding imposition of President's Rule in the state. The state government is yet to provide an official figure on the number of casualties in Sunday's firing that took place in the Arunachal capital, Itanagar. Security forces resorted to firing to prevent protesters from marching towards Khandu's residence after they burned down the Deputy Chief Minister's bungalow. Dismissing the government's allegation that the Congress was instigating the protestors, Sanjoy said: "We (Congress) have nothing to do with the unrest. Despite knowing that the indigenous people are against granting PRC to these six communities, the Chief Minister provoked the people by boldly announcing that PRC would be a New Year gift to the six communities." The six communities - Adivasi, Moran, Deori, Mising, Kachari, Ahom - inhabit the hill state mainly in Changlang and Namsai districts adjoining Assam. "The Congress party is with the people and understands the voice of the people. Therefore, we had made it clear that we strongly opposed with the government's move to grant PRC to them," he added. Besides Khandu, the Congress has also demanded the sacking of Union Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju, who is also an MP from West Arunachal parliamentary constituency. An indefinite curfew which was imposed Itanagar and Naharlagun following the urest, continued on Monday. Also on Sunday, the Arunachal Pradesh government froze its decision on the controversial PRC. Internet has remained suspended since the protests broke out on Friday evening. --IANS rrk/ksk/ab (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Deputy Cheif Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia here on Monday slammed Lt. Governor Anil Baijal and the central government for crippling the Delhi government by running a "circus" of transfer-postings. Sisodia made the comment while tabling an outcome report on the office of the Lieutenant Governor (LG) in the Assembly. He said the circus was going on since August 2016 "when the LG office stated that it was the sole in-charge of services." "In the last 30 months, Delhi has seen four Chief Secretaries. The Chief Minister got to know about the appointments through the media," he said. Sisodia also said senior officers, including Principal Secretaries, were allowed by the LG to go on leave "without consulting/informing the Ministers concerned." Citing examples from various departments, he said the Department of Environment has seen seven Principal Secretaries in the last two-and-a-half years with the longest tenure since August 4, 2016 being 8 months. The Department of Urban Development -- the nodal department for municipal corporations, Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and development work in all unauthorised colonies -- has seen 8 Principal Secretaries in the last two-and-a-half years, the outcome report said. The Transport Department too has seen four Principal Secretaries in the same period "at a time when the elected government is making all possible efforts to procure 3,000 buses and 1,000 electric buses for the people of Delhi," Sisodia said. "The Department of Social Welfare has seen 7 Directors, while the Department of Women and Child Development six Principal Secretaries in the same period," he said. Sisodia also attacked the central government for the huge vacancies in Delhi, saying "this is not just the report card of the LG, but also Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he is heading the central government, which is responsible for the transfer and posting of officers." He said Delhi has the highest level of vacancies of teachers, doctors, engineers, clerks and other staff due to the "perennial mismanagement" in these departments. The Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) has seen five Principal Secretaries in the last two-and-a-half years, Sisodia said. "There is no word on when the vacancies would be filled," Sisodia said. Pointing at the numbers, Sisodia said 4,000 posts were vacant in the Delhi Administrative Subordinate Services (DASS) cadre of the Delhi government. "In the Revenue Department, 157 sanctioned posts of patwaris and 36 posts of kanungos are vacant. Over 5,300 posts of teachers are vacant, 386 posts of lecturers in Delhi University colleges, which are fully funded by the Delhi government. A total of 1,144 lecturers' posts are vacant in DU colleges to which the Delhi government contributes 5 per cent funds," Sisodia said. --IANS nks/arm/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Monday sought responses from the Centre, the Jammu and Kashmir government and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on a PIL seeking a policy to safeguard the rights of armed forces personnel in insurgency-hit areas. The public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Preeti Kedar Gokhale, daughter of serving Lt. Col. Kedar Gokhale, and Kajal Mishra, daughter of retired Naik Subedar Anuj Kumar Mishra, has sought the formulation of a policy to put in place a mechanism to safeguard the armed forces personnel's rights during the discharge of their bonafide military duties when unruly mobs resort to stone pelting. The matter was argued by lawyer Neela Gakhale who rued that the NHRC, without giving the petitioners an opportunity to present their views, cited the lack of jurisdiction and transferred their complaints to the J&K Human Rights Commission. The NHRC had transferred the complaints of rights violation of armed forces personnel, after J&K cited the lack of jurisdiction for the NHRC to deal with the complaints as it was a State subject. "Depriving the armed forces personnel of their rights to prosecute a person, who has committed an offence against him, is a violation of his fundamental right to life and liberty, including the right to legal recourse," the PIL said. A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna issued the notice as the petitioners said they were "aggrieved and dissatisfied" by the "substantial inaction" by the Centre on the violation of the human rights of armed forces personnel during their bonafide duties in the counter-insurgency operations in the trouble-torn state, including incidents in Shopian. "More often than not, there are FIRs filed against the troopers and soldiers, if they take any action in retaliation or in self-defence, against the perpetrators of stone pelting," the petitioners contended. They also said that no such action was taken against the perpetrators of violence targeted against the armed forces personnel. The petitioners have also expressed shock at the statement by the State government that said 9,760 FIRs against stone pelters were supposed to be withdrawn as they were first-time offenders. The petition contended that FIRs could not be withdrawn without following due process of law under the code of criminal procedure. --IANS pk/oeb/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.) The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is likely to contest alone in Bihar for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, as party leaders hinted it will not be a part of the opposition's Grand Alliance. BSP's Bihar in-charge Lalji Medhkar said the BSP would contest all 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state. "BSP chief Mayawati has instructed us to prepare to contest from all seats in Bihar," he added. He also said the party would not join hands with the Grand Alliance. "BSP will contest the polls on its own," he said. According to him, Mayawati has invited BSP leaders of Bihar to Delhi for a meeting ahead of the polls. She will finalise the party's strategy with them and then announce its candidates. The move is a political setback for the Grand Alliance in Bihar, which was waiting for the BSP to join, in hope of putting up an united opposition against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav had even met Mayawati in Luckhnow in January, when it was being speculated that the BSP will be a part of the Grand Alliance. The BSP has some strong pockets in Bihar, particularly in Gopalganj, Kaimur and Rohtas which are near the Uttar Pradesh border. Ironically however, Tejashwi planned to give the BSP just one or two seats. Medhkar said political scenarios are very different in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. An RJD leader admitted that the BSP's social support base was well known with a particular Dalit caste. It also enjoys support in over half-a-dozen Lok Sabha seats. The development comes amid reports of another Grand Alliance component, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) president Jitan Ram Manjhi being unhappy over the seats offered to his party. "My party should get respectable number of seats. We have a large vote bank," Manjhi, another Dalit leader, has been repeatedly saying. And after Manjhi's seat-sharing talks with RJD chief Lalu Prasad in Ranchi failed, there are growing rumours that he may join the NDA as the BJP has offered him full respect and honour. The 'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar comprises the Congress, the RJD, the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) led by former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha, the HAM led by Manjhi and the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) led by Mukesh Sahni. The Left parties, including CPI, CPI-M and CPI-ML, too are likely to contest polls together as part of the Grand Alliance. --IANS ik/in/rtp/ab (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) State-run Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has won Rs 234 crore export order from Elbit Systems Electro-Optics Elop Ltd, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd in Israel, to make components for airborne applications. "We received the export order from Elbit arm at the Aero India air show, held here from February 20-24, to make electro opto infra red (EOIF) payloads for airborne applications," the company said in a statement, here on Monday. Elbit Chief Executive B. Machilis gave the export order to BEL Chairman Gowtama in the presence of BEL Director (marketing) Anandi Ramalingam. "As part of the 'make in India' initiative, we entered into an agreement with Elbit's arm for technology transfer to make EOIR payloads and provide lifetime maintenance support at its facility in Chennai," it said . BEL has the infrastructure to supply payloads to domestic as well as foreign clients. "We are augmenting facilities to meet the growing need for variants of EOIR payloads for domestic and export markets," it said. BEL is also global supply chain partner of Elbit arm. --IANS fb/rs/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron won the Best Director honour for his black-and-white semi-autobiographical film "Roma". It is the second Best Directing Award for Cuaron who had earlier won it for space drama "Gravity" in 2014. "I thank the Academy for recognising a film centred on an indigenous woman, one of the 70 million domestic workers without workers' rights," Cuaron said at the gala on Sunday night. He described "Roma" as a film that brings to the fore the sort of character more often relegated to the background in films, "at a time when we are being encouraged to look away". Cuaron also thanked his actors Yalitza Aparicio and Marina de Tavira, saying "they are the film". "Gracias, Gracias, Gracias," he ended his speech in Mexican style. The Best Director award rounded off his total win at Oscars 2019 at three trophies -- first for the Best Cinematography and then for Best Foreign Language Film. Cuaron received four nominations in four different award categories for the same film this time. He is only the fourth person with the feat. He missed out on the Best Picture Award, which went to "Green Book". --IANS rb/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi court on Monday granted bail to journalist Priya Ramani in a defamation case filed by former Union Minister M.J. Akbar. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal granted bail to Ramani asking her to furnish a personal bond and surety of Rs 10,000 each. The court has listed the matter for further hearing on April 10. Ramani appeared before the court in pursuance of summons issued against her in the defamation case filed by the former Minister of State for External Affairs after Ramani named him in a case of misconduct. She was the first in a long list of women journalists to accuse the former Minister and journalist-turned-politician of sexual harassment. The allegations against Akbar, 68, dated back to his former career in journalism. Ramani revealed in October 2018 that an article she wrote in 2017 about an unnamed editor's predatory behaviour was in fact about M.J. Akbar. She said he was as "talented a predator" as he was a writer. Several other women since have come forward with stories about him. Akbar has denied the allegations made against him and said they were "false and imaginary". The statements of seven witnesses, including that of Akbar, who is now with the Bharatiya Janata Party, have been recorded in the defamation case. --IANS akk/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Aam Aadmi Party on Monday wrote to Delhi Congress President Sheila Dikshit and Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari asking for their stand on full statehood to Delhi, the party said. Informing the media about the party's full statehood mass movement, starting March 1 during which Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will go on an indefinite hunger strike, AAP leader Gopal Rai said the aim of the movement is only to organise the people. "Kejriwal has no demand from the Central government and his fast is being held to organise people on the full statehood issue," Rai said. He said the venue for the hunger strike is yet to be decided. Rai said it was "surprising" that Dikshit who had earlier supported full statehood for Delhi, is now speaking the language of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). --IANS nks/rs/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tata Steel Ltd is quoting at Rs 503, up 0.14% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The stock is down 26.05% in last one year as compared to a 2.26% gain in NIFTY and a 30.08% gain in the Nifty Metal. Tata Steel Ltd rose for a fifth straight session today. The stock is quoting at Rs 503, up 0.14% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is up around 0.28% on the day, quoting at 10822.1. The Sensex is at 36014.94, up 0.4%. Tata Steel Ltd has added around 12.86% in last one month. Meanwhile, Nifty Metal index of which Tata Steel Ltd is a constituent, has added around 0.71% in last one month and is currently quoting at 2842.2, up 0.17% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 63.16 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 98.07 lakh shares in last one month. The benchmark February futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 503, up 0.05% on the day. Tata Steel Ltd is down 26.05% in last one year as compared to a 2.26% gain in NIFTY and a 30.08% gain in the Nifty Metal index. The PE of the stock is 5.63 based on TTM earnings ending December 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.) Russian Intellectual Property Court is back on Tupolev trademark case RIA Novosti, Dmitry Korobeinikov 10:50 25/02/2019 MOSCOW, February 25 (RAPSI) The Presidium of the Russian Intellectual Property Court (IP Court) has ruled a new review of an application filed by Tupolev aircraft company, seeking to recognize Tupolev name as a commonly known trademark in Russia, and to find unlawful Rospatents refusal to do so, the court documents read. The IP Court has quashed all previously made respective judgements and remanded the case to the first-instance court. Earlier the company had challenged a move of Rospatent, Russias patent agency, which on January 29, 2018, refused to comply with Tupolevs demands. At that time, Rospatent stated that the documents provided by Tupolev did not contain information on intensive use of Tupolev name in the marking of aircraft. Back then, Rospatent noted that from all photos provided by the company, only three planes had Tupolev marking and there was no way to tell how many planes with that marking were produced and utilized by the applicant. Stocks extended gains and hit fresh intraday high in mid-afternoon trade. At 14:28 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 272.54 points or 0.76% at 36,144.02. The Nifty 50 index was up 67.45 points or 0.63% at 10,859.10. Telecom stocks saw mixed trend. Positive global stocks boosted sentiment on the domestic bourses. The Sensex was currently trading above the psychological 36,000 mark after moving above and below that level in intraday trade. Trading for the day began on a positive note as the key benchmark indices drifted higher in early trade on positive Asian stocks. Stocks trimmed gains in morning trade after an initial upmove. Stocks regained strength in mid-morning trade. Key indices hovered in positive zone in early afternoon trade. The market further extended gains in afternoon trade. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index was up 0.45%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index was up 0.72%. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex. The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was positive. On the BSE, 1479 shares rose and 1017 shares fell. A total of 152 shares were unchanged. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone fell 8.03%. Adani Logistics, a 100% subsidiary of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, announced its intent to acquire Adani Agri Logistics from Adani Enterprises (AEL). The acquisition will be an all cash deal and is expected to be completed by March 2019. The transaction is proposed at an enterprise value of Rs 1662 crore. Adani Agri Logistics (AALL) is the pioneer in providing efficient storage through silos and transportation by rail. The company has 1.58 MMT fully contracted capacity with modern agri infrastructure of 7 trains, 28 storage / handling infrastructure facilities across 10 states. AALL has long term (20-30 year) guaranteed offtake contracts on use or pay basis with 70%+ EBITDA margins. AALL targets to double infrastructure capacity in the next 3 years and tap the new 12.5 MMT infrastructure market as well as opportunities such as conventional storage conversion, among others. Combined business would also benefit from leveraging significant opportunity for handling multiple commodities and transportation, the company said in a statement. Telecom stocks saw mixed trend. Bharti Airtel (up 1.1%) and Vodafone Idea (up 0.33%) and Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) (up 1.16%) rose. Reliance Communications (down 8.56%) and MTNL (down 2.84%) fell. Shares of Bharti Infratel fell 3.06%. Bharti Infratel is a provider of tower and related infrastructure and is a unit of Bharti Airtel. Bharat Electronics rose 1.78%. Bharat Electronics received export orders valued about $33 million from Elbit Systems ElectroOptics Elop (ELOP), a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, Israel, on 21 February 2019, at Aero India 2019, Bengaluru, for the manufacture and supply of EOIR payloads (CoMPASS Rev III, Trade Mark of ELOP) and another variant of EOIR payload (CoMPASS III, Trade Mark of ELOP) for Airborne applications. The announcement was made after market hours on Friday, 22 February 2019. Overseas, European and Asian stocks moved higher Monday as investors monitored the ongoing China-U.S. trade talks. US stocks closed higher Friday, thanks to optimism over U.S.-China trade talks. In Europe, British Prime Minister Theresa May reportedly announced Sunday that she is delaying a vote on her Brexit deal in Parliament, saying it should now take place by March 12, a little more than two weeks before the U.K. is due to leave the European Union. British lawmakers will consider various Brexit options this week as May continues to seek concessions from her EU counterparts. Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29. U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly announced Sunday evening that America is planning to delay a set of additional tariffs on Chinese goods that were due to kick in on March 1. Trump cited substantial progress in bilateral talks between the world's two largest economies, including intellectual property protection and technology transfer issues. As a result, the president said he would suspend the new levies, however he did not state a new deadline. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Headline indices of the Hong Kong share market closed higher on Monday, 25 February 2019, with the market mood buoyed by Wall Street's rise late last week and upbeat trade tweeting from the US President. At closing bell, the Hang Seng Index rose 143 points or 0.5% to 28,959.30. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index added 203.74 points or 1.78% to 11,631.03. Turnover soared to HK$168.8 billion, the highest since 2 November 2018, from HK$109 billion on Friday. US President Donald Trump said via his Twitter feed that he would be delaying the tariff increase initially planned for 1 March 2019 deadline, thanks to 'very productive' trade talks between the two countries. According to wire reports he also said that a summit with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping could be on the cards if more progress is made. There have been positive steps on intellectual property, technology, agriculture and currency policy, the US President said. Trump had planned to raise tariffs to 25% from 10% on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports if a deal between the world's two largest economies was not reached by March 1. Mr. Trump said progress had been made on a host of divisive areas including intellectual property protection, technology transfers, agriculture, services and currency. Blue chips were mixed. HSBC (00005) edged down 0.3% to HK$64.2. HKEX (00388) jumped 2.6% to HK$273.8. Tencent (00700) nudged down 0.1% to HK$343.8. China Mobile (00941) dipped 2.8% to HK$82.65. AIA (01299) edged up 0.1% to HK$76.6. China Resources Power (00836), which will be removed from the blue-chip index, slid 5% to HK$14.88. It was the worst blue-chip loser. Meanwhile, HSI newcomer Techtronic Industries (00669) soared 6.6% to HK$50.75. China Chairman Xi Jinping presided over a group study session of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau on Friday. He said the country should keep a fine balance between maintaining growth and forestalling risks and deal with risks in key areas in a targeted and effective manner, adding that China should deepen opening-up of the financial sector. Chinese brokerages soared across the board. Central China Securities (01375) surged 25.5% to HK$2.95. CITIC Securities (06030) gained 4.2% to HK$20.4. China Securities (06066) shot up 6.9% to HK$7.9. Everbright Securities (06178) gained 10% to HK$9.36. China Galaxy Securities (06881) also mounted 10% to HK$5.94. Haitong Securities (06837) bounced 5% to HK$11.26. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Aurionpro Solutions announced that the company's subsidiaries in Singapore and Thailand has won two prestigious projects in the Banking Fintech space. Both the order wins are pertaining to the iCashpro+; Transaction Banking product of the Company. Aurionpro Solutions (a wholly owned subsidiary of Aurionpro Solutions) has been awarded a contract by Ahlibank S. A.0. G., Oman to develop and implement a B2B portal which will cater to the diverse banking requirements of its corporate customers. In another win, Integro Technologies Co. (a subsidiary company of Aurionpro Solutions) has been awarded a contract, to provide the licenses and implementation of Aurionpro's financial e-supply chain software solution to enable TMB Bank, Thailand to facilitate the financial activities between the customers of the Bank. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With toll touching 127 in one of the deadliest hooch tragedies having ever hit Assam, and nearly 200 affected people still under treatment, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday vowed to act against the guilty. "The guilty will not be spared at any cost," he said, while assuring all help to the dependents of those who lost their lives after consuming illicit liquor. "These deaths were unfortunate. We have made elaborate arrangements to tackle the crisis," he told ANI. "We have started an inquiry into the case. Director General of Police (DGP) Kuladhar Saikia and Upper Assam Commissioner Julie Sonowal are conducting parallel investigations into the matter. Those responsible for the tragedy will not be spared," he said. They have been asked to submit the report within a month. Excise Minister Parimal Suklavaidya on Sunday had visited the victims of hooch tragedy undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital here and inquired about their health. Terming the tragedy as unfortunate, he said the BJP government has made stricter provisions to check the sale of illicit liquor in the state. "Now there is a fine of Rs 5 lakh for selling spurious liquor and lifetime imprisonment after the amendments in the state Excise Act," he said. The incident had triggered protests and outrage among the locals. Several residents in Guwahati demanded that the government should completely ban the sale of liquor. Chief Minister Sonowal, who had visited the affected people at Jorhat Medical College Hospital (JMCH) on Saturday, has already announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those who have fallen ill for treatment. Golaghat Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Parthopratim Saikia said: "Police have launched a massive crackdown to nab those responsible for the distribution for illicit liquor in the area." Meanwhile, Congress party has questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence over the hooch tragedy. "Prime Minister Modi keeps giving speeches from dawn to dusk but he neither mentioned about the tragedy nor scolded his own party's government in the state for the tragedy," said Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera in New Delhi, while talking to media persons recently. Accusing the state government of not taking enough steps to check the sale of spurious liquor, Assam's Congress unit has demanded the resignation of Excise Minister Suklavaidya. Former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has demanded a judicial inquiry into the tragedies. Most of the victims of Assam hooch tragedy are poor labourers, working in the tea estates of Golaghat and Jorhat districts. A large number of them had fallen ill after consuming spurious liquor on Thursday night and 12 of them were declared dead when they were rushed to the hospital for treatment after falling ill. In order to ensure that there is no shortage of doctors in attending to the patients, medical professionals have been rushed to Jorhat and Golaghat from Assam Medical College Hospital, Dibrugarh, Gauhati Medical College Hospital, and Tezpur Medical College Hospital, Sonitpur. Assam hooch tragedy comes close on the heels of the death of nearly 70 people recently in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand after consuming spurious liquor. These deaths were reported from Saharanpur, and Kushinagar districts in Uttar Pradesh, and Haridwar in Uttarakhand. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The weekly cross-LoC bus service 'Karvan-e-Aman' from Poonch in Srinagar to Rawalakot in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) resumed on Monday, a week after its suspension, an official said. The bus service was discontinued after the Pulwama terror attack, in which as many as 40 CRPF personnel were killed on February 14. "Eight passengers from PoK and two from Poonch region boarded the bus in the morning," said the official. The bus service, officially launched in 2006, covers a distance of 170-km from Srinagar to Muzaffarabad, the capital of PoK. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump on Sunday (local time) announced that he would be delaying the increase of tariffs on Chinese imports, originally scheduled to come into effect from March 1. He also announced that "assuming both sides make additional progress," a summit with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping would be held at Mar-a-Lago to conclude an agreement which would bring the trade imbalance between the nations to an end. The US President hailed the recently-concluded trade talks between Washington and Beijing and outlined that "substantial progress" had been made on a variety of issues. "I am pleased to report that the US has made substantial progress in our trade talks with China on important structural issues including intellectual property protection, technology transfer, agriculture, services, currency, and many other issues," Trump tweeted on February 24 (local time). "As a result of these very productive talks, I will be delaying the US increase in tariffs now scheduled for March 1. Assuming both sides make additional progress, we will be planning a Summit for President Xi and myself, at Mar-a-Lago, to conclude an agreement. A very good weekend for U.S. & China!" he highlighted. China and the United States have temporarily halted the trade war between the sides in order to hold talks to alleviate the situation. A 90-day truce period was decided upon by Trump and Xi when they met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina last year. The US President had earlier threatened to raise tariffs on the USD 200 billion of Chinese products from 10 per cent to 25 per cent at the end of the period of truce on March 1. Upon "successful" trade talks between the two nations, he later indicated that he might extend the March 1 deadline to work out a deal. He met with the Chinese delegation, led by Vice-Premier Liu He, in Washington on February 23, where China agreed to purchase an additional 10 million metric tons of US soybeans. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Security has been beefed up at Udai Pratap Autonomous College in Varanasi after a post-graduate student was shot dead on Sunday night, police said. The deceased, identified as Vivek Singh, was shot eight times by unidentified men inside the premises of the college, they said. He was in the final year of B.Com course. The police rushed to the spot after receiving a complaint from the college administration. The police suspect that the murder could have been carried out by people with whom Singh recently had a tussle. The family members of Singh have been informed and they will be reaching Varanasi, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United Nations on Sunday expressed concern over the escalation of tensions in Venezuela and has appealed "all parties" to avoid violence "at any cost". "The Secretary-General appeals for violence to be avoided at any cost and for the lethal force not to be used in any circumstances. He appeals for calm and urges all actors to lower tensions and pursue every effort to prevent further escalation," Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said in a statement. The UN statement comes in the wake of Saturday's violence that broke out between locals and Venezuela's security forces along the Columbian borders. Five people were killed in clashes with the security forces. At least 285 people were hurt after the Venezuelan National Guard fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protestors, reported CNN. The global body has also expressed grief over the loss following the violence. "He (Antonio Guterres) was shocked and saddened to learn that a number of civilians lost their lives in the context of yesterday's events," the statement further read. The South American nation is crippled with a political and economic crisis since January. The political crisis began in Venezuela on January 23 when opposition leader Juan Guaido marched against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and announced himself as interim president. The economic crisis in the nation, coupled with a food shortage, has strengthened an anti-Maduro sentiment across the South American nation, with the opposition accusing Maduro of "usurping power." A defiant Maduro, who is backed by the country's powerful military, claimed that the opposition protests are an attempt by the US to stage a coup and overthrow him. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Parliamentary Committee on Information Technology head Anurag Thakur on Monday allowed Colin Crowell, Vice President and Global Policy Head of Twitter to appear before the committee today and directed the micro-blogging site to ensure no interference of foreign entities in Indian elections. Speaking to ANI after the meeting, Thakur said, "Committee members have explained their point of view in detail. These are all new platforms and ministry is working to frame new guidelines. I am happy that all members raised very valid questions and Twitter also showed seriousness and sent their global public policy head, Colin Corwell. The meeting was conducted in very conducive environment; they gave many answers and rest they will be responding within 10 days." "Twitter has been given 10 days to reply in writing to questions that remained unanswered and they may be called again before the Parliamentary Committee," Thakur added. On being asked about directives issues for ensuring free and fair elections, he said, "In some countries, there were allegations that free and fair elections were hampered and there was foreign interference. Many members were concerned about it and all member were of opinion that there must be completely impartial elections. "Committee members have expressed that it is necessary to ensure free and fair elections. It is imperative that these social media companies must meet with election commission from time to time to ensure better coordination," he said. Thakur also informed that there will be another meeting with other social media platforms and said, "On March 6 Facebook, Whatsapp and Instagram officials will present themselves before the committee." Earlier on February, 11, the Parliamentary Committee on Information Technology had passed a resolution unanimously stating that they would not meet any junior Twitter officials and asked senior members or CEO Jack Dorsey to appear before it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) United States President Donald Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong-un are expected to address a joint press conference after the much-anticipated second summit between Washington and Pyongyang, reports Yonhap News Agency. Notably, during the first summit in Singapore, the two leaders avoided the joint press conference instead Trump held a solo press conference. Meanwhile, Kim, who is heading toward Hanoi on a train, has passed the Chinese central town of Wuhan. "Signs were detected that Kim's special train was passing (Wuhan) early in the morning, such as the blocking of the Wuhan Changjiang Bridge," YNA quoted an anonymous source as saying. The route that Kim will take is still unclear, however, as per the agency, it will be the shortest way of moving from Pyongyang to Vietnam. The North Korean leader is accompanied by several senior officials including his sister Kim Yo-jong and aide Kim Yong-chol, Yonhap News Agency quoted North Korea's state media as saying. The second summit, slated to be held in Hanoi on February 27 and 28, comes after the first landmark US-North Korea summit was held in Singapore in June last year. North Korea had agreed to completely denuclearise during the first meeting - a move which was hailed as a major stride by the international community. However, ties between the United States and Pyongyang hit a roadblock over ease of sanctions, where North Korea sought relief in economic sanctions as recognition of the steps taken towards denuclearisation. The United States has, until now, reinforced that relief in sanctions would only be given after North Korea carries out complete denuclearisation. Both the sides aim at working towards the concretisation of steps for a peaceful Korean Peninsula, including complete denuclearisation, when Kim sits down with Trump in Hanoi this week. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On February 5, the day before he was officially sworn in as the commissioner of the Maine Department of Corrections, Randall Liberty visited Washington County to gather information for the possible reopening of the Downeast Correctional Facility (DCF). Liberty, who was appointed by Governor Janet Mills and served as acting commissioner since January 4, says he and the new governor are committed to opening a correctional facility in Washington County. In fact, he said, the subject came up when he interviewed for the position. "The first thing [Mills] said to me is, 'We're opening something in Washington County,'" Liberty says in an interview. "It's very important to her. It's important to me." Former Governor Paul LePage closed DCF abruptly in the early morning hours of February 9, 2018, relocating 63 inmates and laying off 39 staff. Since then, former employees, area residents, state and local officials and legislators have been fighting to get the facility reopened. Mills' proposed twoyear state budget includes $3.8 million to be used toward the opening of a correctional center in Washington County, says Liberty, who toured the existing building during his February 5 visit and then held separate meetings with former employees and the public. "I'm going to be informed before I make any decisions," he says. Although the state is committed to reopening DCF, the details of how or when this will be done have not been established, Liberty says. Two options include refurbishing the existing facility or building a new one. "The old facility is a 1950sera Air Force base," Liberty says. "There may be some changes [needed] with that space." The Maine Department of Corrections must consider standards set by the American Correctional Association regarding items such as square footage and the number of showers available, he says. In order to determine the costs of upgrading the existing facility versus building a new one, Liberty commissioned SMRT Architects and Engineers Inc. to provide an estimate by mid-March. SMRT has designed most of the correctional facility projects in Maine over the past 30 years. "We're exploring the options and seeing what makes sense," Liberty says. Former employees, especially those who remain unemployed, want to see the existing facility used because they believe it will be cheaper and quicker, says Liberty, adding that this is an important consideration. "I want to do right by the people of Washington County and the employees," he says. Strong support for original facility Former prison employee Kevin Millay of Northfield says officials have proposed opening a facility that would house only 50 inmates. At its peak, the DCF housed as many as 150 people. He says he told Liberty that not opening something comparable to what previously existed would be "screwing [former employees] again because you're shutting them out." Millay was able to retire a year before the closure after more than 30 years of service, so he has nothing to gain personally by the prison reopening. "I'm self-employed," he says. "I wouldn't go back anyway, but there are lots of people who would." In addition to providing good jobs locally, the prison served the community in other ways. For example, because of labor shortages, many local companies hired inmates, especially for seasonal work, and are eager to hire them again, says Millay. "Fifty beds doesn't even touch the need," he says. Inmates on work release paid 20% of their income for room and board, and this money went back into the state's general fund. "That doesn't count the 30,000 hours in community service the inmates were doing every year," Millay says. Former employees say they favor reopening the prison in the existing building rather than constructing a new one. For one thing, Millay says, there isn't any suitable land in the area on which to build a prison. In addition, the kitchen and heating system at the former DCF building were upgraded before the closure. Inmates had also installed new windows. Any required additional repairs and upgrades would be minimal, he says, adding that using the existing building would also mean getting a facility open more quickly. Former employee JJ Tibbetts of Machiasport agrees. "I'm hoping, I'm hoping," says the former correctional trades instructor who had worked at the prison since 1994. "I don't really trust much of the [corrections] department," he says, but "it sounded like they definitely want a facility, and they're leaning to the old facility." Tibbetts' longtime girlfriend, Melissa Hinerman, also wants to see the existing building used. "For me, it only makes sense to reopen DCF and get our people back to work," she says. "Why spend an unforeseeable about of money on a new prison when a perfectly good state facility is being underutilized? At the time of its illegal closure, DCF was in the later stages of being fully updated. Why invest so much and not use it?" Local officials such as state Rep. Will Tuell of East Machias reacted positively to Liberty's visit. Tuell says the legislature's Downeast delegation is "very pleased that the government is committed to having the facility in Washington County." Machias Town Manager Christina Therrien concurs, saying Liberty listened to ideas and concerns brought up by those attending the public meeting. "I really, truly appreciate the fact that [Liberty] came down," she says. While she doesn't favor one plan over the other, Therrien says she sees merit in the arguments for constructing a new prison because using the existing one will likely give opponents fuel to lobby for shutting it down again, citing its age. "We should really be considering long term what's best," she says. Millay says he believes Mills will make good on her promise to reopen the facility and that officials will scrap plans for only 50 beds. Still, he is cautious because he's been wrong before. "I said a year ago, [the state] would never close it," he quips. Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) senior leader T Padma Rao Goud will take charge as the Deputy Speaker of the newly-elected Telangana State Assembly on Monday. Goud's name was recommended by the TRS working president and MLA K Taraka Rama Rao. This development came to light after Goud filed his nomination for the post Deputy Speaker on Saturday. Rao will be elected unanimously as the Opposition political quarters such as Congress, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have already announced their support for him by not fielding their own candidates. In the previous Assembly, Padma Devender Goud was the Deputy Speaker. As she refused to take either Speaker or the Deputy Speaker post, the Chief Minister selected Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and Padma Rao Goud as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively. Notably, Rao is the close aide of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. He was elected as MLA thrice from the Secunderabad Assembly constituency. In addition, he was also one of the founder-member of the TRS floated by KCR in 2001 and fought for the separate state. He was Excise and Prohibition minister in the KCR's previous regime. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former chief minister and Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah on Monday said Jammu and Kashmir might find itself in a situation that is worse than what Arunachal Pradesh is presently facing, if the Centre interferes with Article 35 A of the Constitution, which gives special rights and privileges to people in Jammu and Kashmir. Abdullah said, "You keep threatening us with article 35 A. Look at what is happening in Arunachal Pradesh now where there is no militancy. They have interfered with their Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) as we have. See what is now happening there. If you interfere with 35 A in Jammu and Kashmir, the situation here might be worse than Arunachal Pradesh. " "I am telling you this is a reality. The Centre and the Governor have only one responsibility right now that is to hold elections. So, hold elections, let people take the decision, the new government will itself work towards safeguarding Article 35A," he said. A bunch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35A is listed in the Supreme Court's cause list for hearing between February 26 and February 28. The state, however, had sought postponement of the case citing the absence of elected government there. Article 35A disallows people from residing in Jammu and Kashmir, buying or owning immovable property in the state, settle permanently, or get state government jobs. Violence broke out Arunachal Pradesh's capital city Itanagar on Friday during a 48-hour strike against the state's decision to grant permanent resident certificates (PRC) to non-Arunachali citizens. Speaking about the attacks against Kashmiris, Abdullah said, "We get news of people from Jammu and Kashmir being attacked every day in different parts of the country after the Pulwama attack. We waited for PM Modi to speak about us." "We all respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement. These words do not matter if you do not act. Our people are being attacked every day. The scale has gone down a bit. PM Modi should ask Bajrang Dal and others to stop these attacks against Kashmiris," he said. Addressing a rally in Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said, "Our fight is against terrorism, against enemies of humanity, not against Kashmiris... Our fight is for Kashmir, not against Kashmir, not against the Kashmiris." Batting for a dialogue between India and Pakistan, he said, "We don't raise voices for war since the solution is through dialogue. A statement was released by India and Saudi Arabia called for a dialogue between India and Pakistan. When you say then this is for the country's right. When we say it then we are labeled as anti- " Earlier NC President Farooq Abdullah said, "Many are trying to create an environment of war here. We should pray to God to keep us away from war. Till today four wars have been fought but nothing happened. If there is a way between these two countries, it will through dialogue. Pakistan must try hard to eliminate terrorism. If they did not do it, it will be declared by the world as 'Terrorist state'." "Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has sent a representative who talked with PM Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. I think this will reduce chances of war," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Supreme Court Judge Sanjiv Khanna on Monday recused himself from hearing the bail application of convict Sajjan Kumar, a former Congress leader, in 1984 anti-Sikh riot case. Now the matter will be listed before another bench of the Supreme Court for a detailed hearing in the case. In January 2019, the three times MP had moved Supreme Court challenging his conviction. The apex court had issued a notice to CBI seeking its response on the plea. On December 17 last year, the Delhi High Court convicted Kumar in the killing of five members of a family in Raj Nagar and the torching of a gurdwara in Delhi on November 1, 1984. Two weeks after Kumar was awarded life sentence by the court in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, the Congress leader surrendered at the Karkardooma District Court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Monday urged his advisors to resume economic cooperation with North Korea, underlining the need to take the lead in developing sanctions-ridden North Korea. "Should North Korea's economy be opened, neighbouring countries, international organisations and global funds will take part. In the process, we must not lose our leadership. We are the masters of our own fate on the Korean Peninsula," Yonhap News Agency quoted Moon as saying in a weekly cabinet meeting at the 'Cheong Wa Dae' or the South Korean presidential office. Welcoming the upcoming summit between North Korea and the US slated to be held in Vietnam on February 27-28, Moon remarked, "The two leaders of the North and the US have come this far after walking the path that no one else walked before." Last week, the South Korean president spoke to his US counterpart Donald Trump and insisted on resuming inter-Korean economic cooperation as part of Washington's corresponding measures it could offer to Pyongyang in exchange for the latter's progress of denuclearisation. Underlining South Korea's active support and cooperation in the upcoming meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Moon said, "Should President Trump succeed in dismantling the last remaining Cold War regime on earth, it would be another great achievement that will clearly go down in the history of the " The South Korean president heaped praises on the North Korean leader for putting economic development on the forefront over nuclear weapons. "We will actively prepare for the new Korean Peninsula regime that will move from war and confrontation to peace and coexistence, from factionalism and ideology to economy and prosperity, while standing not in the periphery but at the centre of history," Moon said. Trump and Kim had met for the first time at Sentosa Island in Singapore last June, wherein the two leaders agreed to work towards achieving "fully verifiable" denuclearisation. North Korea's commitment to dismantle its nuclear weapons programmes was hailed as a major stride by the international community. However, ties between the US and North Korea hit a roadblock over the ease of sanctions, where Pyongyang sought relief in economic sanctions as recognition of the steps taken towards denuclearisation. Washington has, until now, reinforced that relief in sanctions would only be given after the communist country carries out complete denuclearisation. Both the sides will be hoping to work towards the concretisation of steps for a peaceful Korean Peninsula, including complete denuclearisation, when Kim sits down with Trump in Hanoi this week. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Unveiling the War Memorial here, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday targeted the Congress, saying it had made defence purchases a "source of income" during its rule and that investigations in all cases from Bofors to AgustaWestland helicopter deal pointed towards the "first family", a reference to the Gandhi family. He alleged that the previous Congress governments had committed the "sin" of neglecting the security and the armed forces and was now using its full force to stall the Rafale fighter procurement. Addressing a gathering of ex-servicemen at the event, the Prime Minister said his "strong government" had taken steps towards strengthening the security and enhancing the country's prestige and that "more such steps will be taken in that direction in the coming days". "We have shown how impossible can be made possible. For the prestige of the country, this 'pradhan sevak' (chief servant) will take decisions in the country's interests," he said. Listing various decisions taken by his government, like implementation of 'One rank, one pension' (OROP) and procurement of weapons and other requirements for the armed forces, he said these were aimed at strengthening armed forces and the national security. "But for some people, a family is bigger than the nation," Modi said, in an apparent reference to the Congress and the Gandhi family. "From schools to hospitals, from highways to airports, from stadiums to awards, we saw that only one family's name was attached. Its implication was that India's greatness and traditions were never given a priority," he said. "They spared no effort in playing with the security of the country," the Prime Minister said, targeting the Congress. He said that in 2009, the Army sought 1.75 lakh bullet proof vests as the soldiers were combating heavily-armed terrorists without such protection but in 5 years (till 2014), the required bullet proof vests were not bought. "Our government procured more than 2.3 lakh bullet proof vests. Was a sin committed or not? On whose face is this blot? Similar criminal lapses were made in the area of security. They used defence purchases as a source of income. From Bofors to (AgustaWestland VVIP) helicopter deal, all investigations are pointing towards only one family, which says a lot," Modi said. "Now, the same people are using their full force to see that Rafale fighter does not come to the country. But when, in some months, the first Rafale jet flies in the Indian skies, their efforts will fail," he said. Although he did not name anyone, he was apparently referring to Congress President Rahul Gandhi who is alleging corruption in the Rafale deal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Islamabad High Court on Monday rejected a petition filed by former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is serving seven years of the prison sentence on graft charges, seeking bail on medical grounds. The bench comprising on Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani ordered that the bail could not be given on medical ground, the Dawn reported. According to the Dawn, the senior leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League [Nawaz] was present in the court during the hearing. Terming the court verdict disappointing, former Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said, "We have always respected court orders; we respect this one as well. Will take all legal routes that are available [to challenge]," said Abbasi. "The treatment required [for Sharif] cannot be provided in jail; it is important that he is released [from jail]," he added. Earlier in the month, after complaining about high fever, headache and severe body pain, Sharif was shifted to Jinnah Hospital from Kot Lakhpat Jail. On December 24, the accountability court convicted Sharif in Al Azizia Steel Mills Company and Hill Metal Establishment (HME) reference cases. He was directed to pay Rs 1.5 billion and USD 25 million in fines, besides being barred from holding a public office for 10 years after the completion of his sentence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Islamabad [Pakistan], Feb 25 (ANI): Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Monday spoke to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi over the phone on the "evolving regional situation" after the Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14. During the telephonic conversation, Qureshi "underscored Pakistan's desire for peace and stability in the region and resolution of all issues through negotiations and dialogue with India," according to a statement by Pakistan's Foreign Office. Wang Yi, on his part, said that the unfolding situation was "serious" with "implications for peace and security in the entire region," the statement added. In one of the worst assaults on security forces in Kashmir, about 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives in a suicide bomb attack in Awantipora area of Pulwama district on February 14. Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a Pakistan-based and backed terror outfit had claimed responsibility for the ghastly attack. In response, India revoked the 'Most Favoured Nation' status accorded to Pakistan and asserted that a "befitting reply" will be given. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday paid a visit to the Headquarters Rawalpindi Corps where he was briefed on the operational situation along the Line of Actual Contact (LAC), Line of Control and Working Boundary (WB), amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of Pulwama terror attack. "COAS visited Headquarters Rawalpindi Corps. Commander Rawalpindi Corps updated COAS on operational situation & state of readiness along Line of Actual Contact (LAC), Line of Control and Working Boundary (WB). COAS expressed satisfaction on the state of preparations & readiness," tweeted Pakistan's Army spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor. On February 22, Bajwa had visited Pakistani troops deployed at the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir and instructed the troops "to be ready to face any eventuality." The recent visits came in the backdrop of the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, where 40 CRPF personnel died in a suicide bomb attack. It was the deadliest attack on security forces in Kashmir in the last three decades. Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a Pakistan-based terror outfit, later claimed responsibility for the attack. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had promised "action" if "actionable intelligence" was provided by India about its links to Pulwama terror attack but warned of "retaliation, without even thinking, if any kind of military action is launched by India." In response, India dubbed Khan's statement as "a lame excuse" that he would take action if "actionable intelligence" is provided about links of Pulwama attack to his country and asked him to stop misleading the international community. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The civil society in Nepal on Monday staged a silent protest in front of the Pakistan embassy here condemning the deadly terror attack in Pulwama in south Kashmir that took place on February 14. The members of the civil society held banners and pamphlets condemning the attack. "We held the silent protest because silence speaks louder than the words. It's an inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi and silence is the one which wins overall," one of the participants wanting to remain unidentified told ANI. Around 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives after a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into the convoy of the security forces. The Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a terror outfit based in Pakistan, claimed the responsibility of orchestrating the attack. The ghastly attack was widely condemned by the international community. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NASA has renamed its Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) Facility in Fairmont, West Virginia to honour "trailblazer" Katherine Johnson, who successfully calculated the trajectory for Alan Shepard's Freedom 7 mission in 1961 amongst other feats. The facility will now be known as the Katherine Johnson Independent Verification and Validation Facility to commemorate the mathematician's achievements. "It's an honour the NASA IV&V Program's primary facility now carries Katherine Johnson's name. It's a way for us to recognize Katherine's career and contributions not just during Black History Month, but every day, every year," NASA quoted its IV&V Program Director Gregory Blaney as saying. US President Donald Trump had signed into law an act of Congress calling for the redesignation in December last year. Johnson, whose path-breaking achievements inspired the Hollywood hit 'Hidden Figures', broke through racial barriers to achieve success at NASA at a time when racial segregation was prevalent. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015 from former US President Barack Obama. In 2017, NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, dedicated the new Katherine Johnson Computational Research Facility in the 100-year-old's honour. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Madhya Pradesh 's former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan called for a CBI probe into the abduction and murder of twins here. "I would like to tell the chief minister (Kamal Nath) to give this case to CBI. Attempts are being made to twist the incident. Why didn't the investigating team find success in the case? Culprits must be hanged," Shivraj, who met the kin of the deceased, told reporters here on Sunday. The bodies of the deceased - Devansh and Priyansh - were found lying near a river in Uttar Pradesh's Banda district on Sunday. The five-year-old twins were abducted at gunpoint from their school bus within their campus in Chitrakoot on February 12. Police said the abductors killed the boys even after receiving ransom. In the wake of the tragedy, protests erupted in Chitrakoot, following which prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC had to be imposed in the area. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "give peace a chance" and assured that Islamabad will take action in Pulwama terror attack if India provides with "actionable intelligence". Khan remarks come in the wake of Prime Minister Modi remarks in which he has asked the Pakistani prime minister to keep his word as a Pathan and to fight poverty and illiteracy together rather than fighting each other. According to the Dawn, Imran Khan on Sunday said, "Prime Minister Modi should give peace a chance." Recalling the 2015 meeting with Prime Minister Modi, Khan said, "In my meeting with PM Modi in December 2015, we had agreed that since poverty alleviation is a priority for our region, we would not allow any terrorist incident to derail peace efforts, however long before Pulwama, these efforts were derailed in September 2018." Khan's remarks come on the heels of Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. A few days back, Khan, in a video message, said that Pakistan has "sincerely offered" probe into the Pulwama "incident" and based on the investigation or "any tangible evidence" provided, Pakistan "shall take action against anyone found using our soil. Meanwhile, Pakistan Foreign Office has expressed concern over the hearings of petitions in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35 A of the constitution. "Pakistan condemns any such attempts as these are clearly aimed at bringing about demographic changes in the Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IoK)," read the statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of doing 'vote when jawans die.' Referring to Pulwama terror attack on February 14 in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed, she said: "We condemn this incident and sympathise with the families of the deceased." "You (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) were aware that such an incident would take place. You had information about this. The government had intelligence inputs," she said further. "The Central government was aware that such an attack can take place. There were intelligence inputs. Then why didn't they take preventive measures to protect our jawans," she said, while addressing the extended Core Committee meeting of the Trinmool Congress. Questioning that why jawans were not airlifted despite the fact that "government had instructions," Chief Minister Banerjee asked: "Why weren't 'nakas' checked? Why were the roads not sanitised?" "These jawans were pushed towards death. Elections are coming. Hence you want to do Vote You can't do 'vote politics' when jawans die," she said. As many as 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives in the dastardly attack carried out by Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Pulwama on February 14. The attack was carried out by a JeM suicide bomber. Intensifying her attack on the Central government, Banerjee said: "This government is being run by two brothers, who have blood of innocents on their hands. Both the leaders want to create war hysteria ahead of the Lok Sabha polls." Banerjee vowed to oust the "dictatorial Narendra Modi government" from power in the coming Lok Sabha polls, while alleging the country has witnessed its worst phase under the regime of Prime Minister Modi." She claimed that her party-Trinamool Congress-will win all 42 Lok Sabha seats at stake in West Bengal in the coming polls. She also cautioned her party workers against infighting and asked them to work hard as there was 'no place for complacency.' "Our party workers should be cautious as efforts are on to tamper EVMs during the Lok Sabha polls. You all have to thwart these efforts," she said. "We all have to work hard to ensure the BJP government is defeated. We should not be afraid of any form of threat and intimidation," said Chief Minister Banerjee. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) will be contesting Lok Sabha elections in alliance in Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand, it was announced on Monday. The two parties have also announced a seat-sharing arrangement. Out of 27 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh, SP will contest on three seats and BSP will field its candidates in rest of the constituencies, according to a joint press statement of the two parties. Incidentally, BSP is an alliance partner in the Congress-led Madhya Pradesh government with its two MLAs extending their support to the state government. Out of five Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand, SP will contest only on one seat, Pauri Garhwal, and BSP will be contesting on all other seats. Last month, SP and BSP had announced their alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the coming Lok Sabha polls by agreeing to contest 38 seats each out of 80 Lok Sabha constituencies. Two seats had been left for other parties which later went up to three with SP sacrificing one more seat. The two parties have also agreed not to put up candidates from Rai Bareli and Amethi, currently represented by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi respectively. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Family members of the victims of Jhola Phatak train tragedy protested against alleged betrayal by the Punjab government here on Monday. They were protesting against unfulfilment of the promises made by the state government such as jobs for the victims' families. The demonstrators shouted slogans against Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu. The protesters were also seen carrying banners against the Minister and his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu. "The government had promised to give jobs to the next of kin of those killed in the tragedy and bear all the expenses for treatment of the injured. However, it washed its hand off after giving Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased," alleged one of the protestors. He further complained that the treatment for the injured has cost lakhs of rupees. "The government said that it would take care of the children of the victims but it didn't do so," said another protester. The accident took place in Choura Bazar near Jhoda Phatak area of Amritsar on October 19 after a train ran over the crowd, standing along railway tracks, to watch an effigy of Ravan being burnt. At least 60 people died while over 50 sustained injuries in the tragedy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had approved an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed in the train tragedy, along with Rs 50,000 for the injured. The Punjab Chief Minister had also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased. He had also ordered a judicial inquiry into the matter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik and Union minister Jitendra Singh on Monday attended the wreath-laying ceremony to pay homage to Deputy Superintendant of Police P Aman Thakur, who was killed in an encounter with terrorists on Sunday. In the wake of the tragedy, locals raised slogans of "Pakistan murdabad" and "Bharat mata ki jai" during the ceremony. Family members of the killed DSP expressed their grief at the ceremony. Thakur, a 2011-batch Kashmir Police Service Officer, who led from the front in the operation, received critical bullet injuries in his head during the encounter. He was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him brought dead. The encounter broke out after the troops of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 34 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Jammu and Kashmir Police carried out cordon and search operations in Tarigam area of the district Kulgam. Two other Army personnel, including a Major, were also injured in the encounter. Three terrorists of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) were also killed in the encounter. Aman Thakur was heading the counter-terrorism wing of Jammu and Kashmir Police in Kulgam for the last one-and-half years and had played a key role in the killing of terrorists in the area. A resident of Gogla in Doda district of Jammu region, he is survived by his parents, wife Sarla Devi and a six-year-old son Arya. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki on Monday demanded a high-level probe, under the guidance of a sitting Judge of the High Court or Supreme Court, into the violence in the state over the Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) issue. As part of a Congress delegation, Tuki today met Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs. "It is a very serious problem. It is getting difficult to live in Arunachal Pradesh. The people have come out on the streets. Three people have died and many others are severely injured. It is a total failure of administration and governance. Businessmen are not safe in the state," Tuki told ANI. Asked about Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu's decision to order an inquiry into the matter, Tuki said: "An inquiry should be conducted into the matter. I agree with him on this. However, we are demanding that an investigation should be done under the guidance of a sitting Judge of the High Court or Supreme Court." He added, "The government is responsible for this as they announced it as a New Year gift, but the youth of Arunachal Pradesh realised the fact that this is unfair to them." Earlier today, Khandu told media that the state government will never take up the matter of PRC even in future. He said that he has clarified the same through the social media and media platforms on the night of February 22. "I want to assure the people of Arunachal Pradesh that government will never take up the PRC matter even in future also. PRC matter has ended now and I request people not to protest and sit on 'dharna'. Order of the government by its Chief Secretary clearly states that we will not take up PRC matter," said Khandu. On incidents of violence in the state over the issue, Khandu said: "We feel that there is somebody's hands behind these incidents. Arunachal Pradesh is otherwise a peaceful state. I've given directives that a detailed investigation is essential. Government stand over PRC is clear, in spite of that there were incidents of violence. I've formed a commissioner level investigating committee. It is necessary for the truth to come before the public." Violence broke out in the capital city Itanagar on Friday during a 48-hour strike against the issue of granting PRC to non-Arunachali citizens. The protesters, who stood against the issue of PRC to Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes (APST) of Namsai and Chanaglang, burnt government vehicles and bus stops at Itanagar. On Sunday, the protesters went on a rampage. They set on fire the private house of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, burnt various vehicles and vandalised even police and fire stations in the capital. Locals are protesting after the state government appointed Joint High Power Committee (JHPC) had recommended granting PRC to six communities, who have been living in Namsai and Changlang districts of the state for decades. The decision to grant PRC to them will allow them to benefit from various welfare and other schemes. JHPC recommended PRC to six communities after having a detailed discussion with all stakeholders, but nearly 18 students and civil society organisations are protesting against the move. They are against giving PRC to non-Arunachalees. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Monday asserted that he did not know in what capacity did Deputy Chief Minister G Paramaeshwara made the statement that he was "denied the chief Minister's post because he was a Dalit" "It is the Congress party which is taking care of Dalits and other neglected sections of society. I do not know in what context he (G Paramaeshwara)made a statement like that. It is better you ask him," he said while to ANI. Parameshwara on Monday said he was denied the chief minister's post thrice as he belonged to the Dalit community. "PK Basavalingappa and KH Ranganath missed the chief ministerial post. Mallikarjun Kharge also couldn't become the CM. I missed it thrice. Somehow, I was made the deputy CM," Parameshwara said at an event in Davangere on Sunday," he said. "Dalits are being discriminated at the government level too. Even though the reservation is facilitated, there has been injustice in promotions," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hemant M Shah, Executive Director of Global Sales - Winnipeg Aviation Ltd., Canada, has urged Canadian companies to be patient and adaptable to the culture and process of India for doing in the country. Sharing his experience and wisdom for doing with Canada, he said Canadian businesses looking to do in India should have patient and success is not going to happen overnight. On establishing solid business relationships in India through joint venture partners, potential customers or others, Mr Shah advises Canadian companies to think of the process like dating. "They must have patience, they have to have time. They should go with a time frame of one or two years, not a couple of trips. You have to be committed to the market. The big companies like Sun Life, Bombardier many others, they were there when I was first going there," said Mr Shah. Born in Mumbai in Kutchi Jain family, Mr Shah has spent more than 35 years with a Canadian family-owned company called Cubex, which, among other things, made drilling equipment for the mining industry. The company sold its first equipment to India in the early 1980s. As the company's director of international marketing for West Asia, Mr Shah has gained insight into what it's like for a Canadian company breaking into the Indian market. He knows the ins and outs of India's business climate as well as any Indian Businessman. "I'm a Bombay boy, born in a Kutchi Jain family," he said. "Kutchis are mostly business people, the traders. I came straight from plus-30 degrees to minus-30 degrees - that is Winnipeg - in 1977," said Mr Shah. Mr Shah's grandfather and father were known in parts of India for the gum exporting business, the family had run for more than 100 years. Mr Shah, however, wound up taking odd jobs when he settled in Winnipeg. India's economy was largely closed to foreigners at that time, he noted. But Mr Shah was certain that he could navigate the system and establish trade relationships between his new home and the bustling climate that had reared him. "An Indian diplomat in Canada told me, 'Hemant, your role is like Lord Krishna,'" he recalled. "Lord Krishna had two mothers. So, one mother is your motherland, India, and the other is your adopted home, Canada. You have both cultures and business practices for both countries, and you are promoting that", recalled Mr Shah. The Canadian trade commissioner was a big help to Mr Shah in his early days, supplying him with reports and data that helped him land deals. It was also the federal government's trade commissioner who first referred Mr Shah to Cubex in the early 1980s. "I was proud of the federal government's trade commissioner services, foreign affairs", said Mr Shah. "They gave me moral support, they helped me, told me how to contact companies. Few Canadian exporters will admit the Canadian government played a role in their business, but I am proud to say they played a very large role in my career of 42 years. Nobody, in 1977, was thinking that India could be a good partner for Canada." He was Promoting Canada /India trade, India was Very Close Economy Called Import Licenses Raj in the 1980s. "You cannot be rushed and think you'll get on a flight and come back with the order. You need to earn the trust of your partners in India. I explain it as if you're dating someone. I go on one, two, three dates with someone. Then on the fourth date, maybe I say, 'Okay, we're going to get engaged.' So, I give an engagement ring. And then after the fifth or sixth date, there's a wedding. That's how you can look at it," he explained. "On the first or second trip to your joint-venture partner or a private corporation, they're not going to invite you into their home. On the third trip, when you've got into their good books, earned trust, shown your credibility, they will invite you home with the family for dinner. And that's your first success. It's a process, and Canadian businesses have to understand it." Be adaptable and learn the culture "India is a very open market now, but you have to follow the culture and process", said Mr Shah. "Yes, there is pollution in India, yes, there is traffic in India". "But do I go and complain about traffic?", he explained. "If you want to do business, be adaptable and don't complain. Canadian companies, when they leave the airport in Toronto or Winnipeg to go to India, they should leave their Canadian hats behind. If you adopt the culture and business practices of India, you will be more successful", he suggested. That also means concealing any frustration that arises over government red tape. "Government bureaucracy is there, I'm not going to say it's not", said Mr Shah. "But bureaucracy is there in Canada also. I sell lots of equipment to Africa, I sell to Russia, I recently sold to Saudi Arabia, and there is bureaucracy there, too. You have to figure it out, follow what they want, it's a different culture. It takes time, but you need to understand there are more than 1 billion people", he stated New Journey /New Sector: AVIATION 1990 was a big turnaround point for Mr Shah. Because that very year, he received the first Manitoba Export award. And he was the first Asian to receive this award. In 1990 Mr Shah was also introduced to few industrialists by High Power Business Contacts and he sold the corporate jet to an industrialist in India. Mr Shah became a one-stop shop to provide maintenance and parts. Hemant M Shah states that he is proud to inform that he belonged to Kutch. In 1990, when he sold corporate jets to the industrialists of India, the people appreciated saying that a Kutchi boy can sell 'Aeroplane'. Gradually, new horizons opened before him. Then the idea emerged in his mind as to why not prepare commercial pilots. When he became the executive director of Winnipeg Aviation, he held a 'roadshow' in India. That fetched the first batch of 10 students, all of whom were Gujarati. Like this, he got 180 students. he brought those youth from India to Canada and made them pilots. Today those children are working as commercial pilots with major airlines, not only in India but in Europe and other countries. He does not know how to express the pleasure he experienced last year when he was travelling with his wife Hina from Canada to India. They sat behind the cockpit. The plane was ready to take off. Suddenly, one commander came and touched the feet of his wife and that of mine and said - Sir, hoon Captain Kalpesh Parmar! Tamaaro student! (Sir, I am Captain Kalpesh Parmar, your student). That crowning moment is still alive, which moistened their eyes with a sense of Indian pride! This story is provided by BusinessWireIndia. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Haryana is expected to achieve a growth of 8.2 per cent as against 7.2 per cent recorded at the level, during 2018-19, said Finance Minister Captain Abhimanyu while presenting the state's Budget for 2019-20 in the Vidhan Sabha here on Monday. "During 2018-19, as per Advance Estimates, the gross state domestic product (GSDP) of Haryana is expected to achieve a growth of 8.2 per cent, as against 7.2 per cent, recorded at the level," he said. "According to advance estimates, GSDP of Haryana for 2018-19 at current prices has been estimated at Rs 7.07 lakh crore, contributing 3.75 per cent to the all India GDP of Rs 188.41 lakh crore," he said. "The GSDP of Haryana at constant prices has been estimated as Rs 5.26 lakh crore, which is 3.77 per cent of the estimated all India GDP of Rs 139.52 lakh crore in 2018-19," said Finance Minister Abhimanyu. "The growth of gross state value added (GSVA) in the primary sector has been estimated at 5.5 per cent, 8.6 per cent in the secondary sector and 8.2 per cent in the tertiary sector at constant prices in 2018-19," he said. Lauding the growth of Indian economy under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said: "From being the 11th largest economy in the world in 2013-14, India is today the 6th largest and is projected to become the second largest by 2030." Talking about Haryana's development in the past over four years, he said: "As a result of the state government's initiatives to diversify source of income for persons employed in the primary sector, the highest growth rate is estimated to be in livestock at 11.1 per cent, followed by pisciculture and aquaculture at 7.4 per cent." "In the secondary sector, electricity, gas, water supply and other utility services are likely to register a growth of 17.5 per cent and manufacturing 9.2 per cent in 2018-19. In the tertiary sector, trade and repair services are expected to achieve growth rate of 9.6 per cent, financial services 9.2 per cent and public administration 10.5 per cent," he said. "The composition of GSVA signifies a structural transformation towards services sector, a sign of developing and mature economy. Since 2014-15, share of tertiary sector has increased by 1.62 per cent to an estimated 50.2 per cent of GSVA and the share of secondary sector has increased by 1.27 per cent to an estimated 32 per cent of GSVA at constant prices in 2018-19," he said. "The share of primary sector is estimated at 17.8 per cent in 2018-19. Since 2014-15, the per capita income of the state is estimated to have increased by over 34 per cent at constant prices. The per capita income of the state at constant prices in 2017-18 was estimated at Rs 1,57,649, which is likely to further increase to Rs 1,68,209 in 2018-19 as compared to the All India figure of Rs 91,921," he said. "The per capita income of the State at current prices in 2014-15 was 1,47,382. In 2017-18, it was estimated at Rs 2,03,340 which is likely to further increase to Rs 2,26,644 in 2018-19, as compared to the all India figure of Rs 1,25,397 in 2018-19, making Haryana one of the leading States with the highest per capita income among the major States in the country," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ghanaian movie, Keteke, directed by filmmaker, Peter Sedufia, is one of two movies opening this years edition of the Pan-African Film and Television Festival (FESPACO), taking place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from today, February 23 to March 3. Ghana is making a return to FESPACO after a decades hiatus and it is doing so in grand style as Keteke has been nominated for the Gold standard of Yennenga, which is the overall best film category at the festival. Keteke is competing with 20 other films from 16 African countries for the $20,000 prize money. Peter Sedufia becomes the second Ghanaian director after the legendary Kwaw Ansah of Heritage Africa fame to be nominated in that category in the 50-year history of FESPACO. FESPACO, an annual event, attracts movie industry professionals and offers them the chance to establish working relationships, exchange ideas and promote their work. It is also aimed at contributing to the expansion and development of African cinema. While Ghana has in the past had some good representation at the festival, a lack of policy direction and support for the sector has led to the countrys absence at the festival for more than a decade. Ideally, Ghana should be heavily represented because it's going to be a festival of cultures and film investment among others. Interestingly, the Creative Arts Council which they say is supposed to coordinate some of these activities knows nothing about FESPACO, an industry source told the Daily Graphic. The Daily Graphic understands that the French Embassy in Ghana is facilitating sponsorship for the Keteke team to attend the festival. Keteke, shot in 2017 and focused on Ghanas rail system in the 1980s, tells a story of a couple, Boi (Adjetey Anang) and Atswei (Lydia Forson), living in Puna, who are bent on delivering their first baby in their home town Akete. When Atswei gets close to delivery, the couple head to Akete but unfortunately, they miss the train which is the only means of transport to the town. They compound their situation by taking a wrong turn and find themselves in the middle of nowhere and how they deal with the situation is what makes the movie interesting. Since its release, Keteke has won awards at various film events in Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Burundi and Nigeria. The director, Peter Sedufia, told the Daily Graphic he was humbled by the nomination and more proud that it was opening the festival. I remain grateful to my team for believing in the vision. Keteke has reinforced my dream to see Ghanaian film go beyond its borders and I will continue to work hard to achieve this dream, Peter stated. The producer of the movie, Laurene Manaa Abdallah, who is also a lecturer at the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI), told the Daily Graphic that having the movie of her student open such a huge festival was a dream come true. As lecturer to most of the crew members, I saw it as an opportunity to support with my resources and fulfill what film training is all about, not just train, but support; and today here we are,. To this end, we hope the Ghana Association of Film and Television Arts (GAFTA) will continue to work towards a better atmosphere for filmmakers and the passage of the National Film Authority law to make the industry worth every effort and sacrifice, Laurene stated. The lead actress of the movie, Lydia Forson, expressed satisfaction at how far the production had traveled. It is every actors dream to be part of a production that has traveled as much as this has, and I still cant believe that after two years, this movie continues to make Ghana proud across the world. More than anything, I hope this movie and its achievements gives the industry the boost it needs and investors the confidence to invest in it, Lydia said. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma on Monday threw an open challenge to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, asking him to "hang" and "shoot in full public view" the culprits connected with the case of abduction and murder of twins in Chitrakoot. "Kamal Nath, catch the culprits and hang them. Shoot them in full public view. The BJP is with you, we cannot see the killings of these innocent children," Sharma told reporters. Hitting out at Nath for accusing the BJP for being behind the incident, Sharma accused the state government of saving the culprits. Earlier, former state chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan called for a CBI probe into the abduction and murder of twins in Chitrakoot. He accused the Kamal Nath-led Congress government of its sheer laxity in rescuing the children. "I would like to tell the chief minister (Kamal Nath) to give this case to CBI. Attempts are being made to twist the incident. Why didn't the investigating team find success in the case? Culprits must be hanged," Shivraj, who met the kin of the deceased, told reporters in Chitrakoot on Sunday. Hitting back at the comments made by Chauhan, Nath had said: "Opposition (BJP) is scared because their people are involved." The five-year-old twins were abducted at gunpoint from their school bus within their campus in Chitrakoot on February 12. The bodies of the deceased - Devansh and Priyansh - were found lying near a river in Uttar Pradesh's Banda district on Sunday. Police said the abductors killed the boys even after receiving the ransom. In the wake of the tragedy, protests erupted in Chitrakoot, following which prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC had to be imposed in the area. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president MK Stalin on Monday said that Assembly by-polls in the state should be held along with the coming Lok Sabha elections. In a statement issued, Stalin said: "In order to have an alliance with the AIADMK, BJP has given assurances for not conducting by-elections in 21 assembly constituencies along with LS elections." "I would ask the Election Commission of India to use its Constitutional freedom to conduct by-elections for 21 assembly constituencies along with the Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu," he said. "If the Election Commission of India collides with the BJP, it will be a historic error and a black chapter in the election history of India," warned Stalin. BJP and AIADMK on Tuesday stitched a deal to fight the coming Lok Sabha polls together in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, a day after the BJP reached a seat-sharing pact with the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra for the General Elections. Under the agreement, the BJP will contest five out of the 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and put up its candidate for the lone lower House seat in Puducherry. The AIADMK is also holding alliance talks with the DMDK led by Vijayakanth. In the 235-member Assembly, the AIADMK has 115 members followed by DMK with 88 and the Congress eight, besides others. 21 seats are vacant. The Supreme Court has refused to take up the matter of disqualification of 11 AIADMK MLAs on an urgent basis and posted it for hearing later. The Court had also stated "we have tried to take up the matter early but we couldn't do so. We will hear the matter soon. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi's Patiala House Court on Monday approved AgustaWestland case accused middleman Christian Michel's application to seek a meeting with his counsel. The court approving Michel's application seeking a meeting with his counsel for the handover of summer clothes, directed the Tihar Jail authorities to facilitate for the same as per the jail manual. On February 16, the Patiala House Court had dismissed the bail plea filed by him. Special CBI Judge Arvind Kumar had contended that the court found no strong ground to grant him bail in this case. In its reply to the bail plea filed by Michel, the Central Bureau of Investigation had said, " This court has taken cognizance of both ED and CBI chargesheet. Once the cognizance has taken then accused cannot ask for statutory bail." It was stated before Delhi's Patiala House Court that since the chargesheet was not filed against Michel within the stipulated 60-day period under Section 167(2), there is no basis keeping him in judicial custody Michel who was extradited from the UAE in December last year is currently lodged in capital's Tihar Jail in connection with the CBI and ED case against him in connection with the AgustaWestland Deal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Colombian President Ivan Duque visited the Simon Bolivar international bridge at the Colombia-Venezuela border on Sunday (local time) to assess the state of affairs following violent clashes. He was accompanied by Vice President Martha Lucia Ramirez, Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo and representatives from the healthcare ministry during the visit. "We visited the Simon Bolivar International Bridge with @mluciaramirez @CarlosHolmesTru @MinSaludCol to review the state of the structures, dialogue with the community and share our message of encouragement to the Venezuelan brothers who seek the freedom of the neighbouring country," Duque tweeted. This comes after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro severed relations with Colombia over the issue of international aid on Saturday, giving Colombian diplomats 24 hours to leave Venezuela. Maduro has dismissed claims of a humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, which is currently in the throes of a political crisis. He has rejected all foreign humanitarian aid and had blocked major highways near Venezuela's borders to stop aid from trickling in. On January 23, opposition leader Juan Guaido proclaimed himself as the new President of Venezuela, dismissing Maduro's leadership amidst cheering protesters. The self-proclaimed President's bid was immediately supported by the USA, who recognised him as the interim President of the South American nation and rallied for other countries to support Guaido. Mobilised by Guaido, a group of protesters tried to usher foreign aid into Venezuela on Saturday, leading to violent clashes with Venezuelan law enforcement. In fact, Guaido has announced that foreign aid has reached Venezuelan territory, outlining the people's rejection of Maduro's leadership on Saturday. Maduro has held on to his post despite calls for fresh elections by the international community, reinforcing that he would continue being the President of Venezuela. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government of 'playing over the bodies of CRPF jawans.' "The Central government was aware that such an attack can take place. There were intelligence inputs. Then why didn't they take preventive measures to protect our jawans," said Banerjee here while addressing the extended Core Committee meeting of Trinmool Congress. "The Central government allowed them to die so that they can do over the bodies of jawans in the elections," she said. As many as 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives in the dastardly attack carried out by Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Pulwama on February 14. The attack was carried out by a JeM suicide bomber. Intensifying her attack on the Central government, Banerjee said: "This government is being run by two brothers, who have blood of innocents on their hands. Both the leaders want to create war hysteria ahead of the Lok Sabha polls." Banerjee vowed to oust the "dictatorial Narendra Modi government" from power in the coming Lok Sabha polls, while alleging the country has witnessed its worst phase under the regime of Prime Minister Modi." She claimed that her party-Trinamool Congress-will win all 42 Lok Sabha seats at stake in West Bengal in the coming polls. She also cautioned her party workers against infighting and asked them to work hard as there was 'no place for complacency.' "Our party workers should be cautious as efforts are on to tamper EVMs during the Lok Sabha polls. You all have to thwart these efforts," she said. "We all have to work hard to ensure the BJP government is defeated. We should not be afraid of any form of threat and intimidation," said Chief Minister Banerjee. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Terming the three-day violence in Arunachal Pradesh as "unfortunate", Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Monday requested the state government to ensure full support and compensation to the next of kin of the deceased. "The three-day violence that took place in Arunachal Pradesh, especially in the capital region, is very unfortunate. We have been informed that three people have lost their lives," said Rijiju while speaking to reporters. The state government had sought for more force to bring the situation under control, said the Minister of State adding, "the problem occurred because the state government was not able to communicate the right thing to the people". "People began to think that government was going to issue Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) to non-tribal people living in the state", he said. "The Arunachal Pradesh government has already decided that the Joint High Power Committee report on PRC will not be accepted. Now the state government must secure the confidence of the people", emphasised Rijiju. In Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu also underlined that the state government will never take up the PRC matter in future. Violence broke out in the capital city on Friday during a 48-hour strike against reports of the state's decision to grant PRC to non-Arunachali citizens. The protesters, who stood against the issue of PRC to Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes (APST) of Namsai and Chanaglang, burnt government vehicles and bus stops at Itanagar. On Sunday, protesters went on a rampage. They set on fire the private house of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, burnt vehicles and vandalised even police and fire stations in the capital city. Locals were protesting after the state government appointed Joint High Power Committee (JHPC) recommendation granting PRC to six communities who have been living in Namsai and Changlang districts of the state for decades. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The state government will pay Rs 250 crore to the Agri Gold depositors. A proposal to this effect was cleared in the Cabinet meeting held here on Monday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. "The government would pay all the depositors Rs 10,000. So far, the officials have completed the scrutiny of 8,732 depositors including 593 in East Godavari, 2,376 in Kurnool, 410 in Vizianagaram, 1,228 in Anantapuram, 2,972 in Guntur and 138 in Chittoor districts," said an official press statement issued after the Cabinet meeting. The Cabinet also decided to set up AP Mudiraj, Mutrasi, Tenugolla Finance Corporation, AP Toddy Tappers Cooperative Finance Corporation, and AP Nagarala and Nagavamsa Co-operative Finance Corporations. The Cabinet also gave nod to set up an apex body to provide justice to 54 backward castes which will not come under different corporations. The Cabinet also decided to solve Simhachalam lands issue and asked the Yanamala Ramakrishnudu Committee to study the issue to finalise the regularisation of lands in different categories. It was also decided that the regularisation of land to poor would be free of cost. The meeting also decided to provide subsidies to Adani Enterprises for setting up a data centre in Visakhapatnam, which will benefit the state in a big way. The Cabinet in principle approved to issue comfort letter to KSPL regarding setting up of LNG receiving and regasification terminal at Kakinada deep water port by Visakhapatnam Concessions Pvt Limited, Mumbai, subject to certain conditions. The Cabinet further approved to update to give promotion to the employees of the Excise Department and to fill 411 site engineers through outsourcing in Panchayat Raj Department of the state. The Cabinet also decided to approve e-Pragati HR policy for enabling e-Pragati authority to establish mission based digital transformation PMU teams and recruitment of highly qualified and competent 72 resources on contract basis through a competitive open advertisement procedure, duly following the rules and regulations of state govt. The meeting further decided to set up Ravaana (transport) Sadhikara Samsta with a capital of Rs 10 crore in Amaravati to promote welfare and driving skills of auto drivers and other vehicles. The government has also decided to create 52 posts under contract and outsourcing in agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, groundwater, water audit department, chief engineer, minor irrigation and water resources departments under the AP Integrated Irrigation and Agriculture Transformation Project (APIIATP). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Vice President Mike Pence is on his way to Colombia to meet Venezuela's self-declared interim president Juan Guaido, amidst the violent clashes along the borders of the South American nation over aid supplies to its citizens. During the visit, Pence is slated to address a meeting of the Lima Group -- a diplomatic body created by leaders mostly from Latin American countries to help mitigate the Venezuelan crisis, CNN reported. In a statement, the White House said that the US Vice President would "voice the US' unwavering support for interim President Juan Guaido and highlight the Venezuelan people's fight for democracy over dictatorship." The Lima Group - formed in 2017 to oppose Maduro's government - have rejected Maduro's victory in the last year's presidential elections and have been working alongside the US and the opposition to topple the Venezuelan leader. Guaido, who arrived in Bogota, Colombia's capital on Sunday, is currently at loggerheads with incumbent President Nicolas Maduro for control of Venezuela. Guaido has urged other countries to pump in relief supplies to the beleaguered nation in response to worsening food and medical shortages. However, a defiant Maduro, who is backed by the country's powerful military, claimed that the opposition protests are an attempt by the US to stage a coup and overthrow him. The controversy led to the Venezuelan military, on Maduro's order to block relief convoys at the Colombia-Venezuela border over the weekend. During the protests, nearly 300 people sustained injuries after the Venezuelan troops fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the protestors. Protestors also claimed that the trucks were also burnt down by the security forces. Meanwhile, the US announced that it was preparing to bring in aid supplies into Venezuela through a different route. The political turmoil began on January 24 in Venezuela when Guaido revolted against Maduro and announced himself as the country's interim president. The economic crisis in the nation, coupled with a food shortage, has strengthened an anti-Maduro sentiment across the South American nation, with the Opposition parties accusing Maduro of "usurping power." Amidst the unrest in his country, Maduro has severed diplomatic ties with Columbia and shut down Venezuela's border with Brazil. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday slammed the Central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not making efforts to uplift the poor, farmers, and other deprived sections of the society after coming to power in 2014. "People are waiting for the announcement of the dates of the election so that they can remove the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from power. It has done nothing for farmers, poor and unemployed youths," "At present, farmers are not even getting the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The poor are not getting the benefits of the schemes of the government," he said while addressing media persons in Lucknow. Yadav further alleged that the Central government failed to educate the people about the benefits of using toilets and have not made adequate arrangements for making 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' a success. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On the recommendation of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Dubai based businessman and accused in the AgustaWestland case Rajeev Saxena was provided with round the clock security cover here on Monday. Saxena has been provided with three armed personnel. ANI had earlier reported that Saxena had shown his willingness to turn approver in the case. As per sources, ED and Saxena's counsel have given their consent for this move and they may move the court for approval in coming days. Saxena, who is already out on interim bail, was granted regular bail by the Patiala House Court after furnishing a personal bail bond of Rs. 5 lakh and two sureties of like amount. While granting regular bail, Special Judge Arvind Kumar directed that Saxena cannot leave the country without the permission of the court In his bail plea, Saxena had stated that he had been cooperative with the investigative agency and has been providing all necessary information to the investigation agency and therefore, he is not required for further custodial interrogation. Saxena's counsel senior advocate Geeta Luthra argued that he is seeking bail on medical grounds. The bail plea stated that he is an extremely sick person with advanced terminal diseases. The applicant has coronary heart disease with four stents in his heart and hypertension. "The applicant (Rajiv Saxena) also has advanced stage leukaemia (blood cancer) and is terminally ill. The applicant is suffering radiating back pain, numbness and heaviness in legs, neck pain and muscle spasms," the bail plea stated. According to the government dossier, he was allegedly operating a number of bank accounts in Switzerland in which huge amounts of money were deposited The Dubai-based businessman was extradited to India in the wee hours of January 31 in connection with alleged scam in the Rs 3600 crore deal for the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Deputy Minister of Information, Pius Enam Hadzide has described the election of former President John Mahama as Flagbearer for NDC in the 2020 general elections as a 'cool chop' for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming elections. He explained that Ghanaians are not prepared to bring back former President John Dramani Mahama who excessively borrowed and highly inflated cost of projects he embarked on under his leadership. Speaking on Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning Show, Pius Enam Hadzide said the people who worked for former President John Mahama took advantage of the inflated cost of projects to enrich themselves. Now, due to John Mahama, interest on our loans is Ghc16 billion and this is what they are saying we should bring back to power? And so for me, it is cool chop as someone said cool chop election in 2020. This is not frightening at all. We are still faced with paying huge interest on our loans due to excessive borrowing and highly inflated projects like the circle and Kasoa interchanges as well as other projects in the country, he mentioned. 262, 942 delegates had to decide between seven candidates, namely: Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumani K. Bagbin, businessman Alhaji Nurideen Iddrisu, former President John Dramani Mahama, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Mr Sylvester Adinam Mensah (Sly); former Trade Minister, Ekwow Mr Spio-Garbrah; Mr Augustus Goosie Tanoh and former Vice-Chancellor of University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Prof. Joshua Alabi At the end of the day, John Dramani Mahama grabbed 213,487 votes representing 95.24% out of the total valid vote cast of 225,521. He was followed by Prof. Joshua Alabi who managed only 3,404 votes representing 1.52% while Alban Sumani Kingsford Bagbin placed third with 2,301 representing 1.033%. Goosie Tanoh, the founder of the defunct National Reformed Party, came fourth with 2,091 votes respectively representing 0.93%. The former Trade and Industry Minister in the Mahama government, Ekwow Spio Garbrah received 1,447 votes which represent 0.65% of the total votes. Mr. Sylvester Mensah and Nurudeen Iddrisu secured a paltry 934 of valid votes cast representing 0.42% and 520 votes representing 0.23% respectively. 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 Ending the four-day summit on "The Protection of Minors in the Church" here, Pope Francis called clergymen who perpetrated sexual abuse as "tools of Satan," on Sunday (local time). "Every abuse is an atrocity. In people's justified anger, the Church sees the reflection of the wrath of God. It is our duty to listen attentively to this silent cry," the Pope tweeted. "Consecrated persons chosen by God to guide souls to salvation, let themselves be dominated by their human frailty or sickness and thus become tools of Satan," he added during his closing remarks on February 24. "The brutality of this worldwide phenomenon becomes all the more grave and scandalous in the church, for it is utterly incompatible with (its) moral authority and ethical credibility," CNN further quoted the pontiff as saying. He tried contextualising sexual abuse towards minors by labelling it as a "widespread phenomenon in all cultures and societies" historically while calling for an "all-out battle" against the sexual abuse of minors. Survivors of clerical sexual abuse, however, expressed their disappointment in the outcome of the summit, adding that very few concrete proposals to stop the menace in churches had been put forth. "I was very angry because I see just nice words over here, no concrete framework for implementation," Virginia Saldanha, a member of the Ending Clergy Abuse group told CNN. "He says a change of mentality is needed to combat a defensive and reactive approach. You mean all these years when survivors were pleading with the church, they didn't know it was wrong?" Saldanha, who is from India, added. The Pope delivered his speech at the end of Mass at Sala Regia in the Apostolic Palace, where 190 Catholic leaders from around the had congregated for the summit. The meeting came after shocking revelations about the sexual abuse of minors at the hands of clergymen rattled the last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A database of every pigs face. Voice scans that detect hogs with a cough. Robots that dispense just the right amount of feed. This could be Chinas pig farm of the future. Chinese companies are pushing facial and voice recognition and other advanced technologies as ways to protect the countrys pigs. In this Year of the Pig, many Chinese hogs are dying from a deadly swine disease, threatening the countrys supply of pork, a staple of Chinese dinner tables. So Chinas ebullient technology sector is applying the same techniques it has used to ... The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed inserting a clause in compensation packages of private bank chief executive officers (CEO) that would allow for a penalty if the bank concerned underreports bad debt or provision beyond the central banks tolerance. Wherever the assessed divergence in the banks asset classification or provisioning from the RBI norms exceeds the prescribed threshold for public disclosure, the bank shall not pay the unvested portion of the variable compensation for the assessment year Further, in such situations, no proposal for ... 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 Total shut down in IHK Shops and businesses were closed in Held Kashmir on Sunday to protest a sweeping crackdown against activists seeking the end of Indian occupation in the disputed region. Police and paramilitary soldiers patrolled streets in the main city of Srinagar and enforced a security lockdown in its downtown area in anticipation of protests and clashes. Carrying automatic rifles and wearing riot gear, soldiers and police erected iron barricades and laid razor wire on roads and intersections to cut off neighbourhoods. The crackdown began Friday night. Police are mainly targeting Kashmirs largest political-religious group, Jamaat-e-Islami. The group espouses the right to self-determination for the Himalayan region. Indian authorities have so far arrested at least 400 Kashmiri leaders and activists, escalating fears among already wary residents that a sweeping crackdown could touch off renewed anti-India protests and clashes. Theyve been lodged in police stations and jails across valley. Among those arrested are Jamaat-e-Islami head Abdul Hamid Fayaz and Yasin Malik, an influential pro-independence leader who heads the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front. Police say they are rounding up Kashmiri leaders to head off trouble ahead of a general election that must be held by May. Authorities overnight detained 60 more people from the Jamaat-e-Islami, besides more than 100 held the previous night, said a senior police officer who asked not to be identified. Since JI has a wider network across Kashmir and they are mobilising anti-India protests, their arrest could help in curbing such protests ahead of elections, he said. The authorities have also been detaining JeM militants, sympathizers and relatives since the attack. In response to the strike call, many shops, petrol stations, and businesses remained closed, with fewer people and vehicles on streets in sensitive areas, except for troop patrols. In some areas of the main city of Srinagar, the government clamped down on the movement of people and vehicles. The restrictions have been imposed as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident, police said in a statement. Indian paramilitary troops in riot gear have arrived in strength at first light, said Shakeel Ahmad, a resident of Nowhatta in the Srinagar district. At places, they have blocked the main roads with steel barricades and concertina wire, he said. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who chairs the Hurriyat Conference, said arbitrary arrests and jailing of leaders, activists and young people for their political beliefs has happened across Kashmir for 30 years. Intimidating activists and leadership will not deter them from their path, nor will it stop people from demanding the resolution of the Kashmir dispute through self-determination, he said. Indian authorities rushed about 10,000 additional paramilitary soldiers to the already highly militarized valley. Indian soldiers are ubiquitous in Kashmir and local residents make little secret of their fury toward their presence in the Himalayan region, calling them an occupying force. Meanwhile, Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism Sunday martyred three youths in Kulgam district. According to the Kashmir Media Service, the youths were killed during a cordon-and-search operation launched by Indian army, Central Reserve Police Force and Special Operations Group of police in Tarigam area of the district. The EPFO has written to 1,374 companies managing the employees provident fund (EPF) accounts of their employees on their own, known as exempted firms, asking them about the exposure towards IL&FS, a top EPFO official said on Monday. In any case, employees will not bear any loss. The law says that exempted firms will have to bear the loss due to its bad investments to ... 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 The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Monday ruled that accounts of Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) and its subsidiaries could not be classified as non-performing assets (NPAs) without approval from the tribunal. Without going into the rival contention of the parties, we make it clear that due to non-payment of dues by the IL&FS or its entities including the amber companies, no financial institution will declare the accounts as an NPA without prior permission of this appellate tribunal, a two-judge Bench led by Chairperson ... 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 The Union government should either come out with an ordinance or appeal before the Supreme Court to stay its order on evictions of more than 10 million tribals and other forestdwellers, the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (VKA) said on February 25. The organisation said in its statement that two weeks after the Supreme Court order was passed the Union government has remained silent leading to anger and concern in the tribal societies. The Supreme Court order, it said would only add to the decades of injustice that tribal and other forest-dwelling communities had faced. VKA is an affiliate ... Indian govt-leaders should avoid war mongering mantra: Shah Mahmood Qureshi Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Sunday advised the Indian government and leaders to avoid war mongering mantra and de-escalate the tensions created in the aftermath of Pulwama incident, besides halting the continuing atrocities against the Kashmiri people in the occupied valley. Addressing media following a consultative meeting held at the Foreign Office in view of the worsening situation in Indian-held Kashmir after the Pulwama attack, the foreign minister warned the Indian government against even thinking of a misadventure and reminded that the whole Pakistani nation, leadership, political parties and armed forces are united. Pakistan is a peaceful country. But, I have a clear message for India: if you think we can be pressured, then stop thinking this, he said. Drawing attention to the plight of the Kashmiris, who have faced a violent backlash from Indian troops in the occupied valley in the aftermath of the attack, Qureshi said the youth of occupied Kashmir will not be subdued. The Kashmiri youth will not be subdued or suppressed, the foreign minister said, as he reminded India of the words said by former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, you can put them in prison but you cannot imprison their thoughts. Qureshi regretted the recent deployment of an additional 10,000 Indian soldiers in the valley and the dozens of arrests carried out in the wake of the attack. Hurriyat leadership is being arrested, there is fear in the valley, dozens of people are being detained, he lamented, as he called on India to end its war-mongering tactics. Pakistan is taking steps to ease the tensions. I urge the Indian leadership to exercise restraint and to ends its irresponsible attitude, he said. The foreign minister also called on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) government to stop fueling hatred for the purpose of furthering its agenda ahead of the general elections, while condemning the killing of a Pakistani prisoner in India and threats to a bakery in Bangalore named after Karachi. On January 31, the Jammu and Kashmir police arrested two local peddlers in Kupwara with almost 19 kilograms of brown sugar worth Rs 80 million in the international market. The narco-smuggling network in regions like Kupwara is so intricate that every month, we confiscate twice or thrice such consignments, and each consignment consists of a kilogram of narcotics, at least, said Ambarkar Shriram Dinkar, SSP Kupwara. We intercepted a Tata Sumo vehicle and recovered 19 kilograms of narcotics substance from the possession of two men, namely Zameer Raina and Riyaz ... 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 Sachin Bansal, the poster boy of Indian e-commerce and co-founder of Flipkart, will possibly have a role beyond that of an investor in Bhavish Aggarwal-led Ola. Bansal, who had to step down from the company he had founded last year when Walmart acquired a majority stake in Flipkart, is likely to be a mentor at the cab aggregating platform as it enters the next phase of expansion. Industry watchers believe Bansal, who has already invested Rs 650 crore ($92 million) in Ola, would be able to help the company in its fierce fight with American rival Uber. In an emailed ... Give peace a chance: Imran Khan Prime Minister Imran Khan Sunday reiterated his earlier stance regarding the Pulwama incident that if India gives actionable intelligence, Pakistan will immediately act. The prime minister, in response to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modis comments during a public meeting in Tonk, Rajasthan, on Saturday, urged him to give peace a chance. Prime Minister Imran Khan stands by his words, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. In my meeting with PM Modi in December 2015, we had agreed that since poverty alleviation is a priority for our region, we would not allow any terrorist incident to derail peace efforts, however long before Pulwama, these efforts were derailed in September 2018. Sadly, now peace remains elusive due to elections in India, the press release quoted the prime minister as saying. On Saturday, Modi had asked Prime Minister Khan to keep his word as a Pathan and fight poverty and illiteracy together with India instead of fighting each other. Tensions between Pakistan and India grew after a suicide attack on a convoy of vehicles carrying paramilitaries in Indian-held Kashmir which killed more than 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel earlier this month. Responsibility of the attack in Pulwama district was claimed by militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which India alleges is based in Pakistan. Islamabad has strongly denied the charges. In a televised address following the attack, Prime Minister Imran Khan had warned India against any misadventure, saying Pakistan will not think but immediately retaliate to any aggression. If Indians believe that they can launch an attack on Pakistan, they should understand that Pakistan will not think to retaliate it will retaliate immediately, as there is no other option, he had said. The prime minister had also reminded India to give new thinking and introspection to the grave situation in the occupied valley and ponder as to why Kashmiri youths had gone to such an extent by completely discarding fears of death. Later at a meeting of the National Security Committee, Prime Minister Imran Khan had authorised the armed forces of Pakistan to respond decisively and comprehensively to any aggression or misadventure by India. The forum noted that Pakistan is not involved in any way, means or form in the said incident. The incident was conceived, planned and executed indigenously, a press release issued by the PM Office after the meeting had said. 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 Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC Mind the arch! The area beneath Grand Army Plazas Soldiers and Sailors Arch will be off limits to locals until after a massive restoration of the monument wraps sometime in 2021, due to risk of falling debris, according to stewards of Brooklyns Backyard. At this point, the barricades are expected to remain in place until the restoration of the arch is completed, said Deborah Kirschner, a spokeswoman for meadow conservancy the Prospect Park Alliance. Alliance workers cordoned off the area beneath the 126-year-old arch after a small piece of mortar roughly two-inches long fell from the monument last December, Kirschner said. The rubble did not hit anyone, but park keepers still chose to restrict access to the arch out of an abundance of caution, according to the spokeswoman, who said nothing has fallen since the first piece of mortar. Alliance leaders plan to kick off a their year-long, $9-million restoration of the Civil War memorial in 2020, which includes repairing stonework throughout the ancient arch, as well as replacing its rooftop observation deck and fixing the iron staircase leading to it. Following the city-funded repairs, locals will be able to enter the arch for the first time since leaders of the Puppet Museum that formerly occupied space inside it moved their institution to Brooklyn College in 2010. The restoration project also calls for sprucing up the pavement around the arch, and installing landscaping and lights around the plazas Bailey Fountain. Workers last repaired the arch, which turns 127-years-old on Oct. 21, in 1980, seven years after the city designated the structure a landmark, and roughly four years after the statue of Columbia a goddess-like figure symbolizing the United States fell from its sculpted chariot atop the monument in 1976. Armed forces are fully prepared to defend their motherland: Air Chief COAS The military leadership on Sunday reiterated that the armed forces of Pakistan were fully prepared to defend their motherland against any misadventure or aggression. Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Bajwa said that there is nothing more sacred than defending the motherland, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Twitter. The army chief visited troops deployed along the Working Boundary near Sialkot. During the visit, he appreciated the morale of the troops and their operational readiness. There isnt anything more sacred than defending the motherland. I take pride in leading an army which is ever ready to perform this duty, the COAS stated. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan also visited Forward Operating Air Bases of the Pakistan Air Force on Sunday. While interacting with the combat crew, the air chief said, We are peace loving nation but if the war is imposed on us, we will defend the aerial frontiers of our motherland at any cost. The PAF alongside other defence forces is ever ready to take on all kinds of challenges with operational preparedness and immaculate synergy, he added. Pakistan Air Force will thwart any misadventure by the enemy and is ready to respond with full force as per the aspirations of the nation, the air chief said, according to a statement issued by the PAF media department. Latest News Small Business Ombudsman celebrates female entrepreneurs on World MSME Day The Small Business Ombudsman has offered advice on helping women access finance 3 things SMEs need to know as EOFY looms An expert says owners need to ensure that they understand the exact cash needs of their businesses A non-bank residential mortgage lender has posted a 13% increase in net profit in its half year financial results, with its CEO highlighting the role brokers played in the figures. Resimac Group announced a normalised net profit of $14.5m for the latter six months of 2018, up 13% from the previous corresponding half. The organisation attributes its success to both growing its loan portfolio as well as its ongoing improvements centered on bettering customer experience. In the same statement, CEO Scott McWilliam made clear his support of mortgage brokers in light of the ongoing effects being felt from the royal commission. We will continue to be an active supporter of the broker channel via the MFAA campaign and other avenues, he said, stressing his commitment to work with the industry to ensure that consumer choice remains a priority. Expenses remained broadly flat as profit swelled in the second half of 2018, greatly reducing the cost-to-income ratio. McWilliam said, The recent automation of workflow management will also help to achieve further efficiencies but most importantly, enhance our customer proposition. Despite national trends, the groups arrears continually come in well below the S&P prime delinquency index. Investments in the future of the group included new warehouse lines of credit established with Asian banks UOB (Singapore) and MUFG (Japan). These partnerships serve to supplement Resimacs short-term funding capability and set the stage for further Asian bond distribution. Washington: President Donald Trump says he will extend a deadline to escalate tariffs on Chinese imports, citing "substantial progress" in weekend talks between the two countries. Trump tweeted on Sunday that there had been "productive talks," adding that "I will be delaying the US increase in tariffs now scheduled for March 1." US President Donald Trump listens during a trade meeting with Liu He, China's Vice Premier. Credit:Bloomberg Trump says that if negotiations progress, he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Florida resort to finalise an agreement. US and Chinese negotiators met through the weekend as they seek to resolve a trade war that's rattled financial markets. The Hague: In a victory for a group of displaced Indian Ocean islanders, the United Nations' highest court says Britain must end its administration of the Chagos islands "as rapidly as possible". The International Court of Justice ruled in an advisory opinion that is non-binding that Britain had unlawfully carved up Mauritius, which the Chagos were a part of, when it agreed to end colonial rule in the late 1960s. The court's opinion, however, carries weight since it came from the top UN court and could put significant pressure on Britain to act. An aerial view of Diego Garcia island, one of the Chagos in the Indian Ocean. Credit:Alamy The islands are currently known as the British Indian Ocean Territory. Britain has in the past paid compensation to islanders, but the court says that the country now needs to go further. NSW Labor leader Michael Daley will hit the "wealthiest in society" with a new tax on luxury cars to pay for his signature health promise to fund more nurses and midwives. Mr Daley said it was only fair that the "big end of town" contributed to Labor's nurse to patient ratio commitment, with the tax on luxury cars worth more than $100,000 and yachts worth more than $200,000 to raise $240 million. NSW Labor Leader Michael Daley. Credit:AAP "Labor will fund these nurse patient ratios and additional health workers by asking those who can most afford it to contribute," Mr Daley told party faithful at the North Coast Country Labor launch. The state's peak motoring group, the NRMA, said Labor's commitment was another tax on drivers. Deputy opposition leader Tanya Plibersek says the former Labor government would have been better off cutting funding for "over-funded" private schools rather than guaranteeing no school would be worse off. The concession from Ms Plibersek, Labor's education spokeswoman, is a shift from her previous stance that the dollar value of the funding was insignificant and that former prime minister Julia Gillard was right to promise "no school will lose a dollar" from the Gonski reforms. Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek at The Sydney Morning Herald Schools Summit on Monday. Credit:Steven Siewert At The Sydney Morning Herald Schools Summit on Monday, she said: "I think at that time, if we had cut the couple of dozen, very over-funded schools, I think it would have been the better thing to do." However, she said the more pressing issue now was the government restoring funding cuts for Catholic and independent schools after they ran a campaign against the Coalition's policies while treating public schools differently. Attorney-General Christian Porter has appointed one of his own ex-staffers to a plum job on the Administrative Appeals Tribunal just two months after the former adviser left his office. Mr Porter last week appointed William Frost, a lawyer and his former senior adviser, to a seven-year, full-time position on the review tribunal, a position that pays up to $244,520 a year. Attorney-General Christian Porter. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Among the other 34 new appointments to the tribunal were several former Liberal MPs such as Bob Baldwin, former Senate president Stephen Parry and Joseph Francis, formerly a Liberal minister in Mr Porter's home state of Western Australia. The West Australian revealed on Monday that Mr Francis' Australian Transit Group lent Mr Porter a campaign bus - nicknamed the "Porter Transporter" - on a "complimentary" basis, though Mr Porter said he had nothing to do with those commercial arrangements. Recruiting 250 more ambulance officers will help reduce ambulance ramping at southeast Queensland hospitals, the ambulance officers union says. United Voice, which represents paramedics, has called for the Queensland government to fund the positions after the latest Queensland Health data showed ramping was increasing. A patient is considered ramped when they have to wait on a stretcher for more than 30 minutes before they are admitted to hospital. The data for December 2018 showed Robina Hospital recorded 35 per cent of its patients ramped, an increase of 10 per cent on the previous year. United Voice is calling for 250 more ambulance officers to help ease the problem of ramping in Queensland hospitals Credit:Robert Shakespeare The Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital also ramped 35 per cent of its patients in December 2018, an increase of seven per cent. Logan Hospital remained steady at 40 per cent, the worst in the state. The death of an 89-year-old woman who was assaulted by another resident with a history of violence in a Cairns aged-care facility could have been prevented, a Queensland coroner has found. Betty Quayle died in hospital on May 31, 2013, the day after a 74-year-old man assaulted her in the middle of the night in her bed at the Glenmead Village in Cairns. The woman died a day later from blunt force head injuries. In findings handed down earlier this month, northern coroner Nerida Wilson criticised the response of the national aged-care accreditation agency, which in an audit conducted a month after Mrs Quayle's death "essentially concluded that there were no systemic issues". The womans death was not investigated, examined or analysed by the agency, and the facilitys owners did not acknowledge any systems or procedural failures, she said in her non-inquest findings. Policies to lift education standards at rural and remote schools have just been "tinkering at the edges", rather than real reform, former education minister Adrian Piccoli said. "We have made policy mistakes and I made plenty when I was the education minister," he told the Herald's Schools Summit on Monday. "Much of the policy is tinkering at the edges." "In many of these schools, we need much more profound thinking": Professor Adrian Piccoli at the Herald's Schools Summit. Credit:Nick Moir There is a gap in the education performance of students at regional and remote schools compared to those in metropolitan schools. Teachers have been offered more opportunities to get training scholarships and extra money to work in rural and remote schools. While these policies have been successful, more needed to be done to make teacher jobs in rural and remote schools more attractive. Thieves have used a bobcat to break into a shopping centre in southern NSW and steal an ATM, police say. The bobcat was driven through the front doors of the shopping centre at Moama and used to push over a freestanding ATM, before removing it from the building. A bobcat was used to steal an ATM from a shopping centre in southern NSW on Monday morning. Credit:NSW Police Another freestanding ATM was extensively damaged and remained inside the centre. The bobcat was abandoned outside. Police were called to the shopping centre on Perricoota Road about 4.30am on Monday following the incident. Mr Husic confirmed he and Ms Husar had dated in the past, that the relationship had ended, and that they remained friends. "I'm not a party to the proceedings," Mr Husic said. I havent assisted either party through the course of this litigation, nor do I intend to ... I have no interest in responding to claims raised. Ms Husar said BuzzFeed's defence "has some glaring omissions and baffling inclusions. I will, as my lawyers informed the court on Friday, meet these allegations head on." In its defence filed in court, BuzzFeed says its publications did not suggest Ms Husar was a "slut" but in the event the court finds the imputation was conveyed it will rely on a defence of truth. In support of its truth defence, it pleaded a range of particulars including an allegation that in about May 2017 Ms Husar told Labor Penrith city councillor Robin Cook, who worked in her electorate office, that "she had been sexually harassed by Senator Derryn Hinch in that he had come right up close to [Ms Husar], and touched her all over her body". BuzzFeed says Ms Husar, without Ms Cook's consent, proceeded to "[touch] Cooks body all over to demonstrate what Senator Hinch had done to allegedly sexually harass her". "In the circumstances, [Ms Husar's] ... sexualised behaviour toward the staff was inappropriate," the defence says. Labor MP Ed Husic. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Mr Hinch said on Monday: "I shouldn't deign to even answer this, but I have met Ms Husar two, maybe three times over the past two-and-a-half years. Always in the company of staff, to discuss domestic violence and the need for a Family Court royal commission." The defence also alleges Ms Husar pressed "her right breast against [a male staffer's] left shoulder and arm" on two occasions in 2017. In paragraphs that have since been struck out of its defence, BuzzFeed also said Ms Husar told a staff member in about August 2016 that she was "in a sexual relationship with [Mr Husic and] ... that she enjoyed it and that she did not want the fact that she had been elected to Parliament to complicate that sexual relationship". Loading The defence says Ms Husar also told the staff member between August and December that year that she had been "been out late the previous night" with Andrew Thomas, then chief of staff to Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, and later told a different staffer in January 2017 that she had been out with Mr Thomas on what she believed was a date. Ms Husar's barrister, Sandy Dawson, SC, told the court on Friday that he understood the relationship with the Labor MP now revealed to be Mr Husic had ended in 2015. On Friday Justice Steven Rares struck out the particulars relating to Mr Husic and Mr Thomas, saying they didn't "get anywhere near proving the substantial truth" of the imputations. He urged the parties to consider mediation, saying if the "complicated" and "expensive" case goes to trial, "a lot of collateral damage might be done to a whole lot of people". A spokesperson for BuzzFeed said: "Last August BuzzFeed published details of the internal Labor party investigation into Emma Husar's treatment of employees. "The decision to publish was not taken lightly. We believed at the time, and still do, that the public had a right to know about this investigation into one of their elected representatives. Husar sued BuzzFeed and we have now filed our defence to the claim. "As part of her claim, Husar says BuzzFeed has portrayed her as 'a slut'. This is her word. It is not a word that BuzzFeed ever used or implied. It is on this territory that BuzzFeed has had to defend its reporting. BuzzFeed has no interest in who Husar has had sex with our interest was in her workplace conduct. Victorian Liberal Communications manager Matt Kelly sent out a statement on behalf of Ashmor, saying she was incredibly honoured to be part of a group of strong female Liberal Party candidates. A lawyer and former consultant to the state government, Ashmor is Liberal's great white hope in the inner Melbourne seat of Macnamara, formerly known as Melbourne Ports, which outgoing Labor MP Michael Danby has held since 1998. It's been a big year for Ashmor, who has aligned with Anti Defamation Commission head Dvir Abramovich to quietly lobby Immigration Minister David Coleman to block UK holocaust denier David Icke's entry to the country for a March speaking tour. Problem is, Labor man in a hurry and her rival in Macnamara Josh Burns was also lobbying on the same issue, and sent an open letter in January urging Coleman to cancel Icke's visa. FOR WHOM THE ROAD TOLLS Silver fox chief executive Scott Charlton and his toll road operator Transurban must be pleased. What with the company on track to trouser at least $45 billion over the next two decades from motorists across two Victorian toll roads, and the company results last week showing a near 10 per cent leap in earnings, its fair to say a Victorian monopoly really is Transurbans gain. No wonder directors including Sam Mostyn, Neil Chatfield, Peter Scott and Christine OReilly upped their shareholdings in the past few days. There are, however, some clouds on the horizon. Victorian Opposition leader Michael OBrien is planning to oppose legislation that would enable Transurban to collect tolls from CityLink for an extra 10 years in the states lower house on the basis that its a really bad deal for motorists. Some Spring Street operatives with long memories say the Coalitions less-than-easy relationship with Charltons mob goes back a long way. Senior advisors still wince remembering a particularly frosty meeting in 2015 with then-leader Matthew Guy and then-Roads spokesman David Hodgett. The Coalition brains trust was keen to meet with Charlton but wary about his corporate affairs boss - former Steve Bracks media chief Alison Crosweller. Guys aides say they contacted Transurban minders ahead of time to let them know the boss was welcome, but Crosweller was not. Undeterred, the pair arrived at Spring Street to meet with Guy. Those present in the room say Guy was less than impressed, and chose to up and leave within minutes. Sources close to Transurban dont remember it being that frosty. Coalition opposition to Transurban in Victoria is a moot point in the lower house. It doesnt have the numbers there. The interesting part will be the upper house where the government still needs four votes from the crossbench. CHAMPION ON THE ROPES We reckon Herald Sun editor Damon Johnston, freshly returned from meeting higher-ups in New York, might be feeling the glare of his fellow Male Champions of Change after high-profile columnist Rita Panahi dumped on the program from prime position on the paper's editorial page. Her latest missive caned the champions' Pathway to Pay Equality report for arguing professional sportsmen and women should receive equal pay, and called convener Elizabeth Brodericks calls ridiculous. Of course I understand there are people not in that position, for whatever reason, but a lot of people out there are. I don't feel my age, people who have grown up and are old don't feel it, they just get on with life, and have fun. Occasionally when I do say how old I am out loud, I think 'Am I really that old? Well fancy that', says the woman best known for her 30-year stint on the beloved Play School. Age is something we should celebrate. Which is just what Collings and other Australian television legends John Wood, Max Gillies and musical maestro Geoff Harvey are doing in Senior Moments, a fun night of music and laughter that looks at older people and the younger people they have to deal with. Theres a take on many senior moments: Gillies does a rendition of I Am the Very Model of a Modern Age Retiree, with apologies to Pirates of Penzance, about how his diary is even busier now he is retired; Collings revisits a familiar place with an Old School skit where she has to convince Bill the Dinosaur to change his unprogressive ways and sings some nursery rhymes with a twist such as Star light, star bright, I hope I make it through the night and Jack not nimble, Jack not quick, Jack now needs a walking stick. I love the Old School piece, she says. The set has a fairly strong resemblance to a place we might know, and me being me, as soon as I come on the audience shrieks because they put the whole thing together and realise it's me. Some farmers paid to preserve vegetation on their land appear to be clearing other parts of their properties, undermining the benefits claimed by the Morrison government's climate policy. About two-thirds, or $1.5 billion, of the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) has gone to vegetation projects, and a similar share is expected to to benefit the sector in the government's proposed $2 billion announced on Monday. Land clearing in Queensland. Credit:Wilderness Society However, analysis of satellite data by the Wilderness Society suggests some Queensland farmers receiving funding to sequester carbon are clearing other parts of their land. They have called on Melissa Price, Environment Minister, to review outlays before approving more. "Our analysis shows that 13,317 hectares of forest and bushland clearing has occurred across 19 properties in the same year or years subsequent to winning ERF contracts for funding under vegetation methodologies," Glenn Walker, climate campaign manager for the group, said in a letter to Minister Price. The Federal Circuit Court has fined the national construction union and its officials $35,700 after they instructed workers to down tools during a building watchdog's inspection of a Queensland construction site. Hutchison Builders was also fined $1200 for paying 10 workers who took part in the unlawful industrial action. The penalties follow an incident on December 9, 2013, when two Queensland building inspectors visited the $53 million Arena Apartments site in South Brisbane to conduct an audit. The CFMMEU and its officials have been fined for stopping work during a building site audit. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui The Building Construction Compliance Branch of the Queensland Government conducted the routine audit to ensure compliance with its building project code. When the inspectors arrived, union officials instructed workers to stop work during the audit, saying: This is what we do if these kind of people are on the job ... Our boys in the shed until they leave ... End of story. Judge Michael Jarrett said the Construction Forestry Mining Maritime and Energy Union's (CFMMEU) conduct was deliberate and "aimed at preventing or hindering" the building inspectors from doing their job. He said the industrial dispute "did not arise out of any misplaced sense that there was some safety issue that needed to be investigated or other industrial issue that existed between the employer and its employees. Australian Building and Construction Commissioner Stephen McBurney said the decision showed that the obstruction of government officers would not be tolerated. The unlawful industrial action organised by the CFMMEU was motivated by a deliberate attempt to hinder State Government officers from undertaking their duties, Mr McBurney said. 'A very good weekend!" was the president's assessment, and owners of Chinese stocks would have to agree. The main index in Shanghai jumped 5.6 per cent yesterday after Donald Trump announced that he would be delaying a nasty rise in US tariffs on Chinese goods due on March 1. Sino-American trade negotiations are going so well, Trump tweeted, that he wanted to give them more time. So the trade war is over... right? There will probably be more twists and turns in the trade squabble with China. Credit:AP Not quite. Even if this president has had enough of wrangling with China for now, the issues driving the dispute aren't going away. The general expectation is that, in the next few weeks, Beijing and Washington will strike a deal that nominally promises to address the major issues, from China's widespread public subsidies to its rampant intellectual property theft. When Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping meet later this year, this "deal" will be turned into several memorandums of understanding. Markets are naturally delighted. The reality, though, is that any short-term deal struck in the coming months will contain little substantive progress, and competitive tensions between the world's biggest economies will soon resurface. The amount Melbourne Airport made from car parking last year slipped as it lowered some fees and invested more in new parking facilities, while also charging airlines less for access to its runways and other infrastructure. But the consumer watchdog says the profitability of Australia's largest airports as a whole continues to grow out of control, and renewed calls for firmer regulation of their monopoly operations. That consumer watchdog says passengers should shop around when parking at Melbourne Airport. Credit:Paul Jeffers The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's annual report into the nation's four largest airports, released on Monday, found that Melbourne Airport's parking revenue revenue grew 1.3 per cent to $149.9 million last financial year, with total vehicle numbers remaining flat. Melbourne Airport cut its drive-up terminal parking charges by up to 20 percent last year, and increased investment in new parking facilities by 9.4 per. Labour will back an attempt to block a no-deal Brexit and put forward or support an amendment in favour of a public vote to prevent a damaging Tory Brexit, Jeremy Corbyn will announce. The leader is set to tell a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party that he will do everything in his power to prevent Britain crashing out of the European Union without a deal, and will back the Cooper-Letwin amendment to take the option off the table. And he will say Labour is committed to also putting forward or supporting an amendment in favour of a public vote to prevent a damaging Tory Brexit being forced on the country. This week Labour will put its alternative plan for a vote in the House of Commons. If Parliament rejects our plan, then Labour will deliver on the promise we made at our annual conference and support a public vote. https://t.co/EjCifYCDJP Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) February 25, 2019 The party will seek to enshrine Labours five Brexit demands in law by tabling an amendment to the Governments Brexit motion which is set to be debated on Wednesday. The demands include a permanent and comprehensive customs union with the EU and close alignment with the single market, as well as a dynamic alignment on rights and protections and commitments on participation in EU agencies and funding programmes. If the plan is rejected, Labour will then support a second referendum. Mr Corbyn is expected to tell his MPs on Monday night: The Prime Minister is recklessly running down the clock, in an attempt to force MPs to choose between her botched deal and a disastrous No Deal. We cannot and will not accept. Last week, after our visit to talk to EU officials and leaders in Brussels and Madrid, no one can be in any doubt Labours alternative Brexit plan is serious and credible. We are convinced our alternative, which puts jobs and living standards first, could command support in the House of Commons, bring people who voted Leave and Remain together, and be negotiated with the EU. Thats why we will be putting down an amendment in Parliament this week setting out Labours plan: for a comprehensive customs union with a UK say; close alignment with the single market; guarantees on rights and standards; protection for Britains role in EU agencies; and a security agreement which guarantees access to the European arrest warrant and vital shared databases. The UK is due to leave the European Union next month (Jonathan Brady/PA) We will also be backing the Cooper-Letwin amendment to rule out a No Deal outcome. One way or another, we will do everything in our power to prevent No Deal and oppose a damaging Tory Brexit based on Theresa Mays overwhelmingly rejected deal. Thats why, in line with our conference policy, we are committed to also putting forward or supporting an amendment in favour of a public vote to prevent a damaging Tory Brexit being forced on the country. Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said: This week Labour will put its alternative plan for a vote in the House of Commons. If Parliament rejects our plan, then Labour will deliver on the promise we made at our annual conference and support a public vote. - Press Association A woman who made her landlords lives an utter misery has had her five year sentence for forgery and criminal damage cut to two years by the Court of Appeal. Rosemary Jones (49), with an address at Ballygraigue, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, pleaded guilty to forgery and criminal damage to the property of her landlords, the Egans, in Nenagh, after difficulties developed in the landlord - tenant relationship in 2014. She was given a two-year sentence for forgery and a consecutive three year sentence for criminal damage by Judge Thomas Teehan at Nenagh Circuit Criminal Court on March 15, 2018. The sentencing judge had indicated a willingness to suspend the final year of Jones sentence if she was prepared to enter into a bond on certain terms but Jones was not so prepared, the Court of Appeal heard. She successfully appealed the severity of her sentence today/yesterday(MONDAY) and was accordingly resentenced to two years imprisonment with the final six months suspended Giving judgment, President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham said Jones had rented a three bedroom house in Nenagh from the injured party in 2010. In 2014, he said difficulties developed in the landlord - tenant relationship. Jones had not paid any rent whatever for a very prolonged period. She had been in receipt of Rent Supplement and the stage was reached where the landlord declined to sign forms with a view to securing vacant possession, the judge said. He said the forgery related to a signature on a Rent Supplement Review Form, although it didnt appear she achieved any financial benefit from this. He said criminal damage was caused to kitchen furniture, a door, household property, a shower, walls and skirting boards. Mr Justice Birmingham said Jones initial reluctance to plead guilty to criminal damage was on the basis that she wasnt prepared to accept she deliberately set out to damage property. He said the landlords estimated the cost of repairing the damage to be somewhere in the region of 10,000. They had since acquired possession of the property and had sold it on at a loss. There was no doubt, he said, that the price achieved reflected the condition the premises was in. Mr Justice Birmingham said the sentencing judge clearly took a very serious view of the case. The sentencing judge may well have been influenced by the victim impact report prepared by Jones former landlords. Its clear they were tormented by Jones and their lives had been made an utter misery, the judge said. Overall, he said the aggregate sentence of five years imprisonment was excessive and required intervention by the Court of Appeal. Furthermore, he said concurrent sentences, rather than consecutive sentences, given the close link between the separate offences, would not have been inappropriate. Mr Justice Birmingham, who sat with Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, resentenced Jones to two years imprisonment with the final six months suspended. She was given a concurrent 12 month sentence for forgery. Jones was required to enter into a good behaviour bond for the suspended period and for two years post release. She undertook to be so bound. More than 150 trade unions have joined together to start thinking about how a united Ireland would look for workers. They are calling for a debate on what the practicalities of a border poll would be before any vote is held. A 48-year-old man has been charged in connection with a money-laundering operation during which over 360,000 was stolen from Maynooth University. Abiodun Adewolowo with an address at Cappahard, Ennis, Co. Clare was remanded in custody after appearing before Judge David McHugh at Dublin District Court today. He will face a bail hearing tomorrow. Detective Garda Michael Kilfeather from the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement told the court he was objecting to bail on the grounds that Mr Adewolowo was a flight risk. He told the court that the defendant was arrested in Clondalkin, in Dublin on Sunday and was made no reply when charged. He faces a single count under Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 for having 16,000 in crime proceeds in a bank account in Ennis on August 25, 2015. Detective Garda Kilfeather said it was alleged there was a series of emailed invoices which resulted in a fraud of 362,000. The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed the accused is to face trial on indictment, he said. Defence solicitor Niall Walsh said his client was seeking bail and wished to propose an address where can live. Judge McHugh told the solicitor to liaise with the Garda and remanded the defendant in custody overnight for a bail hearing. He is also seeking legal aid however the court has not yet ruled on whether it will be granted. Two other men are already before the courts in connection with the fraud. The Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC) has used events around its 50th anniversary to call on the government to extend the areas in which legal aid can be granted, including employment appeals cases. FLACs new office at 85/86 Dorset Street Upper in Dublin 1 will be officially opened this afternoon by President Michael D Higgins, who will unveil a ceremonial plaque in what is the first in a series of events this year to mark FLACs 50th anniversary. That run makes FLAC one of the country's oldest civil society organisations, but its chief executive, Eilis Barry, said there were still sections in society who arguably do not have the required access to legal advice, referring to people with disabilities, the Travelling Community and those from the Roma community. "I would see more targetted services [needed] for people with particular disadvantages," Ms Barry said. One area where free legal aid cannot be provided is in employment cases, with FLAC having made a submission to government with an amendment that would change a situation described by Ms Barry as one where "the interim has become permanent". She said the Minister responsible could create a statutory instrument which would mean bodies such as the Workplace Relations Commission would be deemed designated bodies, permitting free legal advice services to be granted. Ms Barry also said that anyone facing eviction from a family home should also get free legal advice if required, while FLAC has been running pilot schemes targeting the Travelling and Roma communities. Approximately 25,000 people contact FLAC each year for free basic legal advice and among them are people who, Ms Barry said, were struggling to stay in their homes because of the current housing crisis. "In our experience you may have someone in with a family law or debt problem, but if you add homelessness to the mix it creates far more problems," she said. She added that if such cases were dealt with "in a holistic way", it could mean that ensuring adequate accommodation would in turn help the person to stay in work and thereby address their debt issues. She also said some of the calls either to its Dublin office or via the FLAC phoneline were from people struggling to navigate the courts system - something that is currently being scrutinised under a review of the administration of civil justice. Another developing area is that of data, with FLAC playing a role in a current case involving the Data Protection Commissioner relating to the transfer of data to the United States of America by Facebook. FLAC operates around the country thanks to the efforts of around 600 people, while Ms Barry said there had been a recent growth in the number of law firms engaging in pro bono work under FLAC's Public Interest Law Alliance (PILA) network. As for FLAC's work over the past half-century, Ms Barry said: "It is using the law over time to bring about change." The new office has been secured with funding from Atlantic Philanthropies, but Ms Barry said FLAC did face financial challenges in relation to its core funding and would need to talk to government and other funders to ensure it can continue to provide the full range of services to those who need them. Update 1pm: European Council president Donald Tusk and British prime minister Theresa May have for the first time held direct talks about potentially delaying Brexit past the March 29 divorce deadline. Mr Tusk confirmed the development to reporters on Monday afternoon, saying due to "the situation we are in, it is a rational solution". Speaking to reporters at a press conference alongside European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and Egyptian president Abdel al-Sisi at the end of the first ever EU-Arab League summit, Mr Tusk was asked about speculation over a Brexit deadline extension. In a detailed answer, he confirmed Ms May raised the prospect of "a potential extension" with him during a private one-to-one meeting yesterday. "I believe in the situation we are in it is a rational solution," he said. Mr Tusk gave no position on whether the extension discussion involved a short delay for a number of months or a longer two year delay rumoured in British media. However, he said it is important to "bring an end to speculation" over the issue. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar had earlier today told Irish reporters in Egypt he believes there will either be a Brexit deal or an extension by March 29. However, Ms May has so far publicly rejected the merits of any extension, and is understood to have downplayed the possibility of any extension request at a private one-to-one meeting with German chancellor Angela Merkel today. Earlier: Taoiseach on Brexit: 'We will either have a deal or we will have an extension' Update 12.02pm: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has thrown down the gauntlet to hard-line Brexiteers by saying they will have to choose between agreeing a deal or delaying Brexit - insisting "no one" wants Britain to crash out of the EU with no agreement. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the first ever EU-Arab League summit in Sharm el-Sheikh before a one-to-one meeting with British prime minister Theresa May later this afternoon, Mr Varadkar said he is "confident" one of the two options will be chosen. Speculation has grown over the past 24 hours that Ms May will either seek a short two-month extension to the March 29 EU-UK divorce date or that EU officials may suggest a two year delay - neither of which will be palatable to Brexiteers. However, asked for his views on the rumours on Monday morning, Mr Varadkar said he believes within a month London will be forced to choose between accepting the existing deal or delay Brexit itself. "Brexit isn't officially on the agenda, but obviously there have been a lot of meetings on the sidelines about it. What is evident to me is that absolutely nobody wants the UK to crash out of the EU without a deal," he said. That is a lose-lose-lose scenario for everyone and it gives me confidence, or at least a sense, that the UK will not crash out of the EU without a deal on March 29. We will either have a deal or we will have an extension. Talking #Brexit with Prime Minister @theresa_may at the end of the #EULASSummit. Its evident to me that no one wants the UK to crash out of the EU without a deal. Thats a lose lose. Focus remains on ratifying the withdrawal agreement. pic.twitter.com/zC2PQrMg9f Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) February 25, 2019 Asked if, should an extension be sought, he has a preference for either a short delay or a two year delay - both of which have been rumoured in the British media - Mr Varadkar said: "I don't really. The way it works is that if an extension is being mooted the UK has to request it and the EU considers it. From my point of view and from Ireland's point of view, I would certainly rather see an extension than the UK leaving without a deal. "A long extension does create a complication of course, in terms of the European elections and so on, but that's a small complication relative to the impact on our economy and Northern Ireland if there is a no deal Brexit. There are different views. The EU cant really consider any requests for an extension until that comes in and it hasnt as yet. "A lot of people, a lot of colleagues feel that if there is an extension, it should be an extension with a plan rather than an extension just to continue negotiations which have already gone on for almost two years. "But my own view is that nobody wants a no deal exit by the UK on March. It doesnt benefit the UK, it doesnt benefit Ireland, it doesnt benefit the European Union. And that is why I feel the chances are that wont happen." Mr Varadkar was also asked if he has any opinion on the speculation that Ms May only decided to delay the "meaningful" vote on the withdrawal deal due in the House of Commons on Wednesday until March 12 - just 17 days before the Brexit deadline - in the hope either Brexiteers or the EU will crack. He said: I have heard that speculation and I have heard that analysis. To be honest, I dont know whether that is a correct assessment or not. Prime Minister May knows her parliament, knows her countrys politics better than I do. I imagine whatever strategy she has is one that is well informed and it is not really for me to get involved in that. "I will have an opportunity to meet her in the next couple of hours. It will be a chance for me really to listen, to hear about her plans for the next couple of weeks. "How she intends to get the withdrawal agreement ratified and how we might be able to assist in that but always bearing in mind that anything that is offered by the EU cant contradict the letter or spirit of what has already been agreed. Asked if he knows yet what Ms May could want as part of potential "mechanisms" to give her fresh assurances on the backstop, Mr Varadkar said: "I dont actually. I havent seen any formal proposal from the UK side. "Our position and our objectives are the same as they have been from the very start - to secure the common travel area and then all the rights and freedoms and privileges for British and Irish citizens that comes with that. "That has been secured. We have a deal done on that. Its in the withdrawal agreement, were passing the legislation at the moment. "Obviously in the medium term, in the future relationship we want to continue to have as close a trading relationship as possible with the UK, thats really important for exporters, for businesses and farmers. "And then there is the overriding objective which is the protection of the peace process and the Good Friday agreement and ensuring that a hard border doesnt emerge on our island. "Theyve been our objectives since day one and weve never demurred from them, were not going to now. Ian Bailey has said that it is "inevitable" that he will be found guilty of the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier - however he has reaffirmed his insistence that he is an innocent man. Ms Toscan du Plantier was killed in December 1996 and Mr Bailey, a British citizen who lives in Co Cork has denied any involvement. Speaking to Virgin Media News in an interview to be aired this evening, Mr Bailey said that he expects to be convicted at his French trial in May. "I'm greatly imperiled here," he said. "I know that I had nothing to do with this and I'm going to finish up a convicted murderer. "I'm actually an innocent man and what will happen in France is that they will probably celebrate the fact that I've been convicted," he claimed, adding: "All they'll have succeeded in doing is convicting an innocent man." Mr Bailey, who says he will not attend the trial, believes he will need a "miracle" to escape a conviction. "I know there are people here in Ireland, in Bantry and even very close by to the hotel we're in (for the interview), know that I have nothing to do with this and short of a miracle or an intervention or some new information coming out, it would appear inevitable that at a point later this year, I'll become a convicted murderer in France." The case was recently the subject of a podcast West Cork, hosted by British journalists Jennifer Forde and Sam Bungey which has increased the international attention surrounding the case. In 2012, the Irish Supreme Court stopped a French bid to have him extradited. Under French law, Mr Bailey can be tried in absentia meaning the court can try him for the murder of a French citizen - even if the crime did not take place in France. No one was ever charged with the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier in Ireland. - The full interview airs on Virgin Media News today at 5:30pm and 8pm on Virgin Media One The High Court will tomorrow hear a challenge to An Bord Pleanalas decision to grant planning permission for 220m works that would upgrade a national road in Cork to motorway status. The 12.5km M28 development links the Bloomfield Interchange on the existing N28 junction with the N40 South Ring road junction and the Port of Cork to the east of the village of Ringaskiddy. An Bord Pleanala gave the development the green-light last June following a lengthy oral hearing at which a number of objections were raised. Tomorrow Mr Justice Michael McGrath will hear the objections of the M28 Steering Group, an umbrella organisation of residents' associations representing some of the households living in areas close to the route of the proposed motorway. It is expected to cite issues such as a lack of notice and consultation, failure to comply with relevant EU directives, and project-splitting as reasons why the planning authoritys decision should be overturned. Those in favour of the route enhancement say it will improve safety standards and is necessary to service the Port of Corks relocation to Ringaskiddy. Proponents say the motorway is necessary for freight transport to access the new port location, and that the infrastructure will play a key economic role in the region. Among the concerns expressed by objectors is the proposed motorways proximity to homes in Douglas, Rochestown, and Maryborough Hill. Residents fear the noise levels coming from the road combined with the pollution from passing traffic will have a severely detrimental impact on their quality of life. The Steering Group has previously said its preliminary legal advice is that there are strong grounds for seeking a judicial review of the decision. The planned M28 route from Cork city to Ringaskiddy. Source: Cork National Roads Office: www.corkrdo.ie. Last September at the High Court Mr Justice David Barniville, who is the designated judge to hear challenges against decisions concerning strategic infrastructure developments, said the case was one which was suitable for inclusion in the fast track list designed to speed up hearings concerning strategic infrastructure. The M28 Steering Group claimed the planning boards decision is flawed because the application for permission was premature, incomplete and does not meet the requirements of national and European law. It also submitted that there was a failure to consider the whole project or the cumulative effects of the proposed development. The group claimed that it is proposed that material is to be extracted from a disused quarry, known as Raffeen Quarry, located along the route. It said the quarry has become of significance ecologically and is home to an array of protected flora and fauna. No proper assessment of the proposed roadworks on the quarry has been carried out, it claimed. Counsel said it is the groups case the material is to be extracted from the quarry to construct the roadway at a rate that is between 10 and 30 times greater than what is permitted. In its proceedings the group sought an order quashing the planning authoritys decision of June 29 last approving the project. It also sought declarations including that the council failed to assess the environmental impacts of the proposal as a whole and that it failed to carry out an environmental impact assessment. Gardai have renewed their appeal for the public's assistance in locating an Icelandic man who is missing in Dublin. 41-year-old Jon Jonsson was last seen in Whitehall on January 9 at approximately 11am. The investigation by An Garda Siochana was highlighted on tonights Crimecall programme on RTE. CCTV footage aired on the programme showed Mr Jonsson leaving his hotel and walking up the Swords Road, past McGettigan's pub heading north. Mr Jonsson, who is six foot tall, of medium build and with short brown hair is seen wearing a black padded jacket. He had arrived in Dublin the previous day with his fiancee to participate in a poker tournament. On the day he was last seen, he had left his phone, wallet and passport in his room at the Bonnington Hotel where he was staying. He was reported missing by his fiancee the following day. 12 members of his family have travelled from Iceland to assist in the search, and the news has generated a lot of media attention in his home nation. Jon Jonsson At a session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva today, Tanaiste Simon Coveney met Iceland's Foreign Minister Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson who said that he appreciated the efforts of Irish authorities in searching for Mr Jonsson. Gardai are appealing in particular to taxi drivers and people working in casinos, given that Mr Jonsson was in Dublin to attend a poker tournament. Anyone who has seen Mr Jonsson or who can assist in locating him is asked to contact Ballymun Garda Station on 01 6664400, the Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station. Cork County Council is planning to borrow 130m from two European banks for infrastructure projects which will represent one of the largest loan ever sought outside the State by a local authority. The council has been in discussion with officials from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Council of Europe Bank (CEB) since the mid-2018 about borrowing the money, which will go towards a total of 244m of projects it wants to progress within the next 10 years. A couple have resolved their dispute with Dublin City Council over being removed from its social housing list following the womans purchase of a 2,000 apartment in her native Latvia for her mother to live in. The couple are to be placed on the list under a resolution of their High Court case. Miroslav Kuznecova came here in 2005 and worked for several years as a cleaner but is currently on Jobseekers Allowance. In 2013, she successfully applied to be put on the council's social housing list. Sergeys Kuznecova, a maintenance worker, came here in 2011 and the couple married in 2016. They live together in Ms Kuznecova's apartment on Fairview Strand, Dublin 3, which they rent for 500 monthly. In their judicial review proceedings, it was claimed Ms Kuznecova bought an apartment for 2,000 in Latvia in 2015 in which her 65-year-old mother lives. After communication from the council in 2016, she disclosed that property to it. The couple were informed in letters from the council in October 2016 and August 2018 that, because Ms Kuznecova was the owner of property, they were not eligible to remain on the list for social housing support. In its letters, the council stated applications are considered from persons who are in need of housing and unable to provide accommodation from their own resources. It said the relevant Housing Regulations 2011 direct that applicants shall not be eligible for social housing support "where there is available to them alternative accommodation that they own and that would meet their housing need either by occupying it or selling it and using the proceeds of the sale to secure other suitable accommodation". In its 2018 letter, the council said Ms Kuznecova, as a property owner, is not eligible to be put on the council's list for social housing support. The couple then provided the council with documents stating the Latvian apartment had been transferred to Ms Kuznecova's brother and the siblings had agreed their mother would reside there. The council responded it did not accept an applicant can claim a housing need while donating to a family member a property that could be used to reside in, or sold, to fund the purchase of alternative more suitable accommodation. Represented by Feichin McDonagh SC, with Brendan Hennessy BL, instructed by solicitor Eileen McCabe, the couple argued the council failed to properly consider their application for social housing support in accordance with the relevant legislation and regulations. They claimed the council took into account irrelevant factors, including Ms Kuznecova had bought an apartment in Latvia for her mother to reside in. It was claimed the council's refusal was based on an error of fact, namely the Latvian apartment constituted alternative accommodation but, when that error was expressly made known to the council, it failed or refused to take the issue into account. The council also failed to take into account the apartment is worth just 2,000 and is in Latvia when the couple live in Dublin, it was argued. The council had not shown how selling it would enable the couple to buy alternative accommodation here, the couple said. The counsel's actions breached the couples rights under the Constitution and European Convention on Human Rights, it was claimed. After the couple secured leave for judicial review earlier this month, the matter was resolved on the basis of the couple being placed on the social housing support list. A firm which lost out on the tender to set up an online marking system for the 1.5 million scripts generated each summer by the Leaving Cert and Junior Cert exams is seeking its legal costs of a case it brought against the State Examinations Commission. Last April, Ballinasloe, Co Galway-based KPW Business Forms Ltd, trading as KPW Print brought judicial review proceedings challenging the State Examination Commission's decision to award a tender to a rival UK RM results firm for 5m. In its action, KPW which had operated an online marking pilot scheme for the SEC between 2014 and 2017, claimed the decision to award the UK company was flawed and should be quashed on grounds including alleged bias. A month after KPW secured permission from a judge to bring its action the SEC decided to withdraw the tender, rending the proceedings moot. In correspondence, the SEC had denied KPW's claims and denied any wrongdoing. At the High Court today, lawyers for KPW applied for the legal costs of bringing the proceedings against the SEC. James Doherty SC for the company said KPW is entitled to its legal costs on grounds including that the tender was cancelled because of the action taken by his client. No formal reason had been given by the SEC why it had decided to withdraw the tender, counsel added. The application was opposed by the SEC. Its' counsel Eileen Barrington SC said the appropriate order was that there be no order for costs. That would mean that both sides pay their own legal costs. Following the conclusion of submissions from counsel Mr Justice Max Barrett said he was reserving his decision. The Judge said he would rule on the costs application in two weeks time. A senator wants yoga to be taught in schools. Jerry Buttimer (pictured below) believes it could lead to better well-being and help children develop good mental health. Senator Buttimer says young people need new tools to cope with the strain of technology and boost their self-esteem. He added there are "more and more demands on young children in terms of education but also in terms of pressures". "I believe the impact and the strain of technology and the increased pressure on young people will be able to be overcome by having yoga and mindfulness taught in our schools," he said. Personal yoga and meditation therapist Michael Ryan thinks it is a good idea "I suppose we need it because the world is a pretty challenging place to be and we see it with a lot of statistics in terms of mental health and mental health issues," Mr Ryan said. PM-KISAN scheme launched with over 1 cr farmers getting Rs 2,000 Loading the player... GST Council meeting: Tax rate for under-construction properties reduced to 5% Coming as a major relief to homebuyers and the real estate sector, the GST Council has slashed tax rates for houses in both affordable and non-affordable segments. In its meeting on Sunday, the council took note of the recommendations from the ministerial group on real estate to approve tax cuts for the sector PM-KISAN scheme launched; over 1 crore farmers get first tranche of Rs 2,000 Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday launched the ambitious Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme transferring the first instalment of Rs 2,000 each to over one crore farmers, as he slammed the opposition alleging they "remember farmers once in 10 years -- just before elections". Bharti Airtel to conduct trial of Nokia's 5G-ready telecom gear Finnish telecom gear maker Nokia on Sunday said Bharti Airtel will conduct trial of the former's homogeneous fronthaul solution which can support 4G and 5G services. This trial is part of Bharti Airtel's strategy to make its network future ready to meet the growing demand for high speed data in India, it added. PM Modi to inaugurate National War Memorial today Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the National War Memorial near India Gate today. The memorial will honour soldiers who have laid down their lives for the country since Independence. TRAI urges distributors to ensure a channel appears only at one place, warns against non-compliance Acting on complaints, sector regulator TRAI has directed distributors of TV channels to make sure that channels belonging to the same genre are placed together and one channel appears only at one place as prescribed under its rules, failing which it will take action against the erring distributor. 347 infrastructure projects show cost overruns worth over Rs 3.2 lakh crore As many as 347 infrastructure projects, each worth Rs 150 crore or more, have shown cost overruns to the tune of over Rs 3.2 lakh crore owing to delays and other reasons, a Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation report said. The ministry monitors infrastructure projects worth Rs 150 crore and above. Huawei set to launch 5G phone with folding screen China's Huawei is set to take the wraps off a new folding-screen phone, joining the latest trend for bendable devices as it challenges the global smartphone market's dominant players, Apple and Samsung. Device makers are looking to folding screens as the industry's next big thing to help them break out of an innovation malaise, although most analysts think the market is limited, at least in the early days. A retired surgeon who groped seven boys in his care over a period of three decades has been jailed for four years. Michael Shine (86) of Ballsbridge, Dublin, had pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 12 charges of indecent assault and one charge of sexual assault committed during medical examinations at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth, and at two private clinics in Drogheda on dates between 1971 to 1992. On day 17 of the trial, a jury of two women and eight men returned guilty verdicts, having deliberated for after just over six hours. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Shine to four years imprisonment for one count of indecent assault. He sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment for all other counts and ordered that each sentence run concurrently. Judge Nolan said that the appropriate headline sentence in the absence of mitigation was one of seven years imprisonment. He described the offending as a serious pattern of misbehaviour. At an earlier sentence hearing, Detective Garda Seamus Nolan told Cathleen Noctor SC, prosecuting, that Shine indecently assaulted six boys aged between 11 and 15 on dates ranging from 1971 to 1988. He said the sole count of sexual assault related to an incident in 1992 when the injured party was aged 16. Det Gda Nolan said that during the trial a medical expert gave evidence that there was no medical basis for the behaviour described by the seven men. Shine has three previous convictions for indecent assault relating to two complainants who were both aged 15 in 1975 and he was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment in late 2017. These convictions are currently under appeal. Speaking outside the court after Shine was sentenced, Patrick Cusack (56), one of the injured parties in the case who has waived his right to anonymity, said it was a good day for me and for all victims of abuse, but particularly the victims of abuse of Michael Shine. Mr Cusack encouraged others who have been the victims of abuse to come forward and seek help. He said he was delighted with the sentence and that it was most appropriate, but said that the conviction had been more important. He (Shine) will never say sorry. Paedophiles don't say sorry, it's their chemical make-up, Mr Cusack said. He went on to say he expects that Shine will never acknowledge himself or any of his victims. He will self gratify in his abuse, but that's as far as it goes. You are just a toy in his world. Judge Nolan said the aggravating factors in the case were the number of assaults and that as a doctor Shine was in a position of trust. Further aggravating factors were that the victims were at the time vulnerable boys, that there was no expression of remorse and that Shine has previous convictions for offences of this type. He said the mitigating factors were Shine's age, his health challenges, his good work record, his being held in high regard by his family and that there was a possibility of him dying while imprisoned. Judge Nolan said it had been well decided by precedent that age is no barrier to prison sentences. An Irish registered pharma company has launched a High Court challenge aimed at overturning a 1.6 billion corporation tax demand by the Revenue Commissioners. The action has been taken by Perrigo Pharma International Designated Activity Company (DAC) arising out of a Notice of Amended Assessment for the year 2013, which altered the amount of tax the Revenue claims is due from the company. The firm's proceedings are against Inspector of Taxes, The Revenue Commissioners, the Minister for Finance and Ireland and the Attorney General. The company at the time of the issue in dispute between the parties was known as Elan Pharma International Ltd. The amended assessment related to the the sale in 2013 by Elan of its interest in the intellectual property for the MS drug Tysabri. That deal was initially taxed as trading income at 12.5%, but Revenue after reassessing the transaction said it have been treated as a chargeable gain, which is subject to a higher tax rate. Perrigo bought Elan eight months after it had sold the Tysabri Intellectual Property. At the High Court today, Paul Sreenan SC for Perrigo said his client strongly disputes the amended assessment, which was issued late last November. Counsel said the company had conducted its business in Ireland for many years on foot of a certificate from the Minister in Fianance, under the 1997 Taxes Consolidation Act, entitling it to a 10% rate of Corporation Tax. That tax rate was increased from 10% to 12.5% in 2005. Counsel said his client had a legitimate expectation that the sale of intellectual property would attract the same corporate tax it had been paying for almost 20 years. However Revenue in October said the IP sales transactions, including the sale of Tysabri was not part of Perrigo's trade and should have been treated as chargeable gains subject to an effective 33% tax rate rather than the 12.5% rate. As a result, the firm seeks an order quashing the amended assessment issued by the Inspector of Taxes on the company for the period January 1 2013 to December 31, 2013. The firm also seeks declarations from the court including that the amended assessment is so unfair that it amounts to an abuse of power, is in breach of Perrigo's legitimate expectation and constitutes an unjust attack on and an interference with the firm's constitutional rights to property. The application for judicial review came before Mr Justice Seamus Noonan. The judge said he was satisfied, on an ex parte basis, to grant the firm permission to bring its challenge. The Judge adjourned the case to a date in April and put a stay on the company's appeal against the assessment which is pending before the Tax Appeals Commission until the High Court case has been determined. Over 4,000 were lost to strikes during 2018. That's a lot fewer than previous years, according to official figures. Ryanair pilots, Lloyds Pharmacy workers and Tesco staff were some of those who walked off the job last year. A total of 10 industrial disputes were in progress during 2018 - involving over 1,800 workers. They were in areas from finance and real estate to transport and storage. New CSO figures show it cost the state 4,050 days - the lowest level of disruption in 7 years. In 2017, over 50,000 days were lost because of strike action. Vat is an invisible tax for most of us. Its built into the price of almost everything we pay for clothing, fuel, and some foodstuffs along with many services, writes Brian Keegan Its a tax that is full of inconsistencies and anomalies. Vat is charged on a can of iced tea at 23%. Have a cup of tea in a cafe and the Vat rate is 13.5%. But when you buy tea bags in the supermarket, no Vat is included in the price. The Vat rates which apply are based on classification whether something is processed or unprocessed, served hot or cold, or even whether something is a biscuit or a cake. Vat is an important source of revenue for the exchequer and amounts to about a quarter of all tax collected in this country. Its also a policing device a way of ensuring that goods and services bought within the EU are treated more favourably than goods and services coming from outside the EU. Several problems began to emerge after the Brexit referendum as the penny dropped on just how much had to change. It began to dawn on people that they might not be able to travel between Britain and the rest of Europe as easily as before. People began to worry about licenses for pharmaceuticals and there have been reports of stockpiling in the UK in recent months. Many of these concerns are still not fully resolved as the clock runs down to the March 29 exit date. Vat also came more into focus after the Brexit referendum because of its role in protecting the European single market. Normally, businesses have to account for the Vat they charge their customers when a product is sold. However, for goods coming in from outside the EU, Vat has to be accounted for as the item is imported rather than when it is sold. That up-front cost to Irish business importing goods from the UK could be as much as 600m every two months. Granted, this 600m could ultimately be charged to customers and recovered, but that squeeze on business cash flow would push many importers out of their current markets. Cash flow problems kill businesses much faster than losses. Both the UK government and the Irish government have now clarified that they will waive this upfront Vat cost on importation in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal. The Irish Government included the move in last weeks Brexit Omnibus Bill. While this is good news, the oncession may only mask a deeper concern. How will Brexit affect the actual transport of goods into the EU from Britain after March 29? Briefings from the UK revenue authority HMRC in recent weeks suggest that there could be far more problems on goods moving between the UK and the EU than just accounting for Vat. That includes Irish exports using the UK as a landbridge to continental Europe. It is a clear priority of the UK authorities to keep the roll-on, roll-off movement of goods through key ports such as Holyhead, Dover and the Channel Tunnel flowing freely. However, this aspiration is entirely dependent on the accurate completion by exporters of all the necessary customs and Vat paperwork and other permissions, before their lorries present themselves at UK ports. Furthermore, the HMRC plans do not deal with cross border trade on the island of Ireland at all. Quite frankly, the UK is not ready for a hard Brexit on March 29 and if there is indeed no deal by then, imports and exports to and from the UK will grind to a halt. Whether this reality has landed with all politicians in Westminster is still unclear, but the threat to UK industry is very real. Taxes like Vat are used to police the EU borders. And as any ordinary taxpayer knows, its very hard to get around tax rules, no matter what the reason. - Brian Keegan is director of public policy and taxation at Chartered Accountants Ireland International hotel firm Best Western said it is planning to operate 10 hotels across the Republic and the North in the next five years. The hotel operator said it is targeting existing properties and new builds with at least 75 rooms in Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Galway and Limerick among other locations. It said it wanted to "demonstrate to hotel owners, developers and potential investors how much the brand has changed and emerged significantly over the past number of years", and that it was looking to establish the Best Western Plus, Best Western Signature and Best Western Premier brands. It was also looking to build new brands, Sadie and Aiden, for hotel conversion opportunities or new builds, it said. There are currently two Best Western hotels in Ireland, but the firm's "objective is to motivate more Irish hotel owners and investors to take a look at the new brand image and talk to us to show what we can offer them, international development director Vivienne Nyhan said. The firm has more than 4,200 hotels worldwide, including 2,000 in the US, 250 in the UK, 156 in Germany and is the biggest hotel operator in Sweden. Ms Nyhan said it hoped to incentivise would-be Irish hoteliers through access to Best Western's $4bn (3.52bn) global reservation system, as well as participation in its rewards programme, which has more than 38 million members. Best Western said it would offer interested Irish parties short-term contracts and flexible contract terms, including a five-year initial contract and one-year rolling, which it said was unlike other brands that require a commitment of up to 15 years. Ms Nyhan said: "Our team is currently out around the country meeting hoteliers, investors and indeed those in the construction and property sectors, showcasing our various and suitable brands, so, we hope to have some good news with hotel announcements and launches to talk about soon. OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould will be permitted to speak publicly about some of the details of the SNC-Lavalin affair. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/2/2019 (853 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stands during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould will be permitted to speak publicly about some of the details of the SNC-Lavalin affair. Trudeau is telling the House of Commons that the government will waive some of the solicitor-client privilege and cabinet confidences that have so far kept Wilson-Raybould silent. Trudeau says she would be able to address "relevant matters" when questioned by members of the Commons justice committee while also ensuring two active court cases involving Quebec-based engineering firm SNC-Lavalin are not jeopardized. Wilson-Raybould sent a letter to the chair of the committee today saying she is anxious to appear, but wants to hold off scheduling an appearance until clarity has been reached about what she is legally allowed to share. She says once she has that clarity, she will appear at the first available opportunity. Wilson-Raybould also asked that she be allowed to make an extended opening statement lasting about 30 minutes when she does appear so she can offer her best recollections of all relevant communications she had on the SNC-Lavalin affair. OTTAWA - The upcoming federal budget must include more money to stabilize the disastrous Phoenix pay system for government employees, and to launch its replacement, the country's biggest civil service unions demanded Monday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/2/2019 (853 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada President Debi Daviau speaks with the media about the Phoenix pay system during a news conference in West Block, Monday February 25, 2019, in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld OTTAWA - The upcoming federal budget must include more money to stabilize the disastrous Phoenix pay system for government employees, and to launch its replacement, the country's biggest civil service unions demanded Monday. Unless cash is earmarked this spring for a new system to pay federal employees, the tens of thousands of workers affected by the current system's problems could be left in limbo for month, or even years, the head of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada warned. "You need the money to test and implement and maintain a new system," said PIPSC national president Debi Daviau. "I don't know how it will be possible to replace the system if there isn't adequate funding in the upcoming budget." Civil servants this month are marking three years since the initial roll-out of Phoenix, which resulted in more than half of federal employees being overpaid, underpaid or not paid at all. The government has slowly whittled away at the massive backlog of pay issues that resulted from Phoenix, but it was still dealing with at least 275,000 unresolved transactions as of Jan. 23, according to the public service pay centre's most recent information dashboard. Internal documents suggest it could take a decade or more to fully stabilize Phoenix. Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada President Debi Daviau speaks with the media about the Phoenix pay system during a news conference in West Block, Monday February 25, 2019, in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld "Internal projections put clearing the backlog at least 3-5 years away and overall stability and pay reconciliation towards a 10 year horizon," said a briefing note prepared in August 2018 for a deputy minister with Employment and Social Development Canada. The document was obtained by The Canadian Press through the Access to Information Act. Daviau said the government appears to be on a "fast track" toward finding a new system to replace Phoenix, having trimmed the list of prospective vendors down to three. A working group led by the government's chief information officer, Alex Benay, is expected to provide the government with new pay system options by spring. Earlier this month, public servants were invited to test run three of those software options provided by Ceridian, Workday and SAP. But with the House of Commons set to rise before summer, and voters heading to the polls in October, civil servants will be confronted with a new delay a government stalled by campaigning. "Phoenix's replacement must be guaranteed the adequate funding now before the upcoming election," Daviau told a news conference Monday. The Public Service Alliance of Canada, the biggest union representing federal employees, was skeptical about whether the government can launch a new pay system as it slowly works to stabilize the old one. A big problem standing in the way is the data much of it inaccurate used to determine how civil servants should be paid, not to mention the ongoing slowness of entering new pay information into the system, said PSAC national president Chris Aylward. "You can't go out and implement a new pay system when the system that you currently have has garbage information in it," said Aylward. "(There is) garbage in the old system. You put the same garbage in the new system and you're going to get the same garbage output." The unions said data from Phoenix must be stabilized so it can be easily transferred to a new system that recognizes the complexity of the federal pay structure. Daviau said progress has been made in talks aimed at compensating government employees for hardships endured as a result of the pay problems, although Aylward said the government has not moved fast enough for his members' liking. PSAC and PIPSC said they expect all of their members to be compensated and indicated they were open to different forms of restitution depending on how directly or indirectly government employees have been impacted. The Phoenix system was launched three years ago across a limited number of government departments with the goal of streamlining what had become a cumbersome, out-of-date structure. It was also supposed to save taxpayers $70 million annually by eliminating the jobs of thousands of pay advisers. However, the combined cost of implementing the system and subsequently trying to stabilize it is now estimated to exceed $1 billion. The unions are holding events this week to pressure the government to take more concrete action to reduce the Phoenix pay backlog. PSAC plans to hold a rally Thursday in the National Capital region to kick off a series of escalating actions across the country. Finance Minister Bill Morneau will unveil the government's pre-election fiscal blueprint on March 19. OTTAWA - Ukraine is asking Canada to send a "strong signal" to Russia by extending and expanding the Canadian military's training mission there. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/2/2019 (853 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA - Ukraine is asking Canada to send a "strong signal" to Russia by extending and expanding the Canadian military's training mission there. In an interview with The Canadian Press on Monday, Ukrainian Ambassador Andriy Shevchenko expressed confidence that Canada would renew the military mission, whose mandate is up at the end of March. Ukrainian ambassador to Canada Andriy Shevchenko appears at a House of Commons defence committee on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. Ukraine is asking the federal government to send a message to Russia by extending and expanding the Canadian Forces' training mission sooner rather than later. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick But the sooner an extension and expansion to Operation Unifier, as the mission is known, is announced, the better, he said. "One of the ideas behind this Operation Unifier from the very beginning was to send a very strong signal to Russia to deter them and to make sure that they understand that Ukraine has very strong support at the international level," Shevchenko said. "So the earlier we send this signal and the louder we say this, the stronger the signal should be. That is why we have always encouraged our Canadian partners to go ahead with the announcement of the renewal as quickly as possible." The Canadian Forces have had about 200 service members in Ukraine since September 2015 to help train the country's military, which is battling Russian-backed separatist forces. The U.S., Britain, Poland, Lithuania, Sweden and Denmark are also helping train the Ukrainians. The Canadians have trained more than 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers over more than three years, according to the Department of National Defence. While Canada's mission initially focused on teaching Ukrainian troops the basics of soldiering, including how to use their weapons and move in units, it has since expanded to focus on more specific skills such as first aid as well as training some commanders. Kyiv is now hoping Canada will widen the mission even further by working with larger units and higher-level officers, Shevchenko said, "which means the training that we get can provide much greater impact on the ground." "Canada's support for Ukraine is unwavering. We will always look at what type of support is needed and we are currently reviewing our support to Ukraine through Operation Unifier," said National Defence spokesperson Renee Filiatrault. "We stand with the people of Ukraine." The request for more assistance comes as Ukraine and Russia remained in a deadly standoff over the Donbass, a region in eastern Ukraine that is claimed by separatist rebels backed by Moscow. The conflict has killed an estimated 13,000 people since April 2014, wounded tens of thousands and forced many more to flee their homes. Ukraine and Russia are also at odds over the latter's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula nearly five years ago. Last week, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko renewed his country's calls for a UN mission to the Donbass, which would include deploying peacekeepers across the region and along Ukraine's border with Russia. While Russia has said it is open to a UN mission, it has opposed putting peacekeepers along the border and instead suggested they protect observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, who are monitoring ceasefire violations. Shevchenko praised both the Trudeau government and the official Opposition Conservatives for supporting his country's bid for a peacekeeping mission, adding that Canadian and Ukrainian officials "are on the same page." "We feel we understand each other," he said. "And we hope that Canada will use its international authority to work with other countries to make sure that we consolidate support." Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said in November 2017 that Canada was leading a diplomatic push for a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine. Spokesman Adam Austen said Freeland and others have since raised it with a variety of countries. Conservative defence critic James Bezan last week said the Tories are also in favour of a UN mission. Shevchenko, meanwhile, predicted Canada, the U.S. and the European Union will announce fresh sanctions against Russia very soon, after Russian forces seized three Ukrainian naval vessels and 24 sailors in November. "My understanding is that the decision is in the pipeline, and we are very soon to get some news on this," he said. "We hope to see this co-ordinated decision and announcement from our western friends in the near future." Follow @leeberthiaume on Twitter. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's senior economic adviser gave Canada and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a symbolic pat on the back Sunday for how the federal government has been "hanging tough" on the diplomatically delicate extradition case of senior Huawei Technologies executive Meng Wanzhou. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 24/2/2019 (854 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's senior economic adviser gave Canada and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a symbolic pat on the back Sunday for how the federal government has been "hanging tough" on the diplomatically delicate extradition case of senior Huawei Technologies executive Meng Wanzhou. Larry Kudlow said he's "proud" of how Canada has handled the Meng matter a tacit acknowledgment of the diplomatic bind the U.S. Justice Department created for the federal Liberals in December when they asked that the chief financial officer and telecom scion be arrested and held in Vancouver, pending extradition. Meng, the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, is at the centre of a sprawling U.S. indictment unsealed last month that accuses the growing tech juggernaut of misrepresenting its ownership of a Hong Kong-based subsidiary between 2007 and 2017 to circumvent U.S. sanctions against Iran. She and the company are facing 13 counts of conspiracy, fraud and obstruction of justice. "I'll just say how proud I am of Prime Minister Trudeau, and Canada, for hanging tough on Huawei," said Kudlow, director of the U.S. National Economic Council. He acknowledged the grief the case has caused Canada since Meng, who remains under house arrest in Vancouver pending an extradition hearing, was detained at the city's airport in early December: two Canadians have since been detained in China, ostensibly for national security reasons, while a third convicted by a Chinese court of drug trafficking is facing the death penalty. "That's why I'm so I'm so proud of Prime Minister Trudeau for staying with the rule of law and assisting the United States. I'm very proud of him." Kudlow made the comments following an appearance on a free-trade panel at the winter meeting of the National Governors Association in Washington alongside federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau. And it wasn't the only instance that he dropped the prime minister's name. As world leaders were gathering last year in Argentina, where Trump, Trudeau and former Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto signed the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the prime minister approached Kudlow in an effort to move past the animosity that had erupted six months earlier at the G7 meetings in June in Quebec. Trump, apparently piqued by Trudeau's hard-line rhetoric on tariffs and trade, unleashed a Twitter tirade that denounced the prime minister as "dishonest" and "weak," refusing in the end to sign on to the agreed-upon end-of-summit communique. Kudlow called Trudeau's comments a "betrayal," while U.S. trade adviser Peter Navarro suggested he deserved a "special place in hell." The dust-up left Canada-U.S. relations, already strained over the ongoing NAFTA talks and a burgeoning cross-border tariff war, at their lowest point in recent memory until Trudeau crossed the corridor to reach out to Kudlow. "He came up to me this is a true story after the USMCA ceremony, he walked across the hall to come up and grab my hand and give me a hug," Kudlow said. "I asked him if we could please turn the page on any of that stuff that occurred last spring, and he said, 'Absolutely,' and then we started having some policy discussions. "Justin just grabbed my hand and gave me a bear hug, and I was thrilled." Asked whether the animosity has similarly diminished between the two leaders, Kudlow said: "I think it's partly happened." On Friday, Trump himself floated the possibility again that the U.S. could drop criminal charges against Huawei, as the president wrapped up two days of negotiations at the White House aimed at resolving America's own ongoing trade dispute with China. "We're going to be discussing all of that during the course of the next couple of weeks," Trump said at the White House during an Oval Office meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy, Vice Premier Liu He. "We'll be talking to the U.S. attorneys. We'll be talking to the attorney general. We'll be making that decision. Right now, it's not something we've discussed." Late Sunday, Trump announced he would hold off on a dramatic spike in tariffs on Chinese exports, originally scheduled for Friday, pending the outcome of U.S.-China trade talks that he said on Twitter have "made substantial progress." "Assuming both sides make additional progress, we will be planning a Summit for President Xi and myself at Mar-a-Lago to conclude an agreement." The country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) Monday said it has expanded its pre-owned sales network to 200 outlets in 132 cities across the country. The company had relaunched upgraded True Value network with new brand and retail identity 19 months ago. "The pre-owned car market is rapidly growing, and customers are putting their trust in organised players for their needs," MSI Senior Executive Director Marketing and Sales R S Kalsi said in a statement. With the upgrade of Maruti Suzuki True Value showrooms, customers can avail a better experience, better products and a hassle-free journey of car buying, he added. The auto major sells all its pre-owned models from True Value outlets. Also Read: Mahindra and Mahindra launches e-mobility service in Mumbai HALIFAX - Family members were expected to arrive in Halifax Monday to support the grieving mother of seven children who died in a fast-moving house fire. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/2/2019 (853 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Caskets of the seven Barho siblings rest on a stage behind Halifax Fire and Police honour guard during the funeral for the Syrian refugees in Halifax on Saturday, February 23, 2019. The siblings, who died in a house fire earlier in the week, are survived by their parents. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese HALIFAX - Family members were expected to arrive in Halifax Monday to support the grieving mother of seven children who died in a fast-moving house fire. "In difficult times, it is family that brings the greatest comfort," Halifax MP Andy Fillmore said in a news release. The family members are entering Halifax with visitors' visas to assist Kawthar Barho and her severely burned spouse, Ebraheim Barho. The Syrian refugee couple has no other family in Canada, and Kawthar had asked federal officials last week to assist her in bringing over overseas relatives. Fillmore said the arrangements for the families began when he heard the grieving woman's request as he sat by her bedside following last week's tragedy. "She explained that while she's grateful for her mosque and the wider Halifax community, she needed the support of her family," he said. The MP said he worked with the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia and Immigration Canada to move the visas through the usual steps more quickly to help five to 10 family members come to Canada. "It's great news that we have movement on this, and the first group is arriving today, which is wonderful," he said, adding more relatives will arrive in days to come. Fillmore said the immigrant association is working with his office and federal immigration authorities to "find the best way to receive the very generous offer of some community members to provide lodging in Halifax" for the Barho family members. He said he has an "impromptu task force working on that in my office and in Halifax right now." A spokeswoman for the private sponsorship group assisting the family said the names of the family members and their relationship to the mother wouldn't be released at this time. Simon Sherry, director of clinical training at Dalhousie University's department of psychology, said severe trauma like that being experienced by the Barho couple may require a long time to treat. Providing support through family and friends is one aspect of the care, he said, adding, "social support is enormously important in the face of trauma." "Trauma ... doesn't follow one particular timeline or course, and it's important to let people deal with loss, grief and trauma in their own way rather than pushing a particular approach on them," he said in an interview. "We should step back and respectfully let people respond in their own way." The news of the family members' arrival comes after a massive turnout at Saturday's funeral for the seven children. More than 2,000 people attended the service at a waterfront hall held in memory of the Barho children, who died in the early hours of Feb. 19 when the blaze moved rapidly through their home. The Barhos arrived in Nova Scotia in September 2017 as refugees from war-torn Syria, among 1,795 Syrian refugees who have come to Nova Scotia in recent years. On Saturday, as the seven small caskets were brought on stage, their mother could be heard sobbing. Many others also cried as the children's names were read: teenager Ahmad; Rola, 12; Mohamad, 9; Ola, 8; Hala, 3; Rana, 2; and Abdullah, who was born in Canada on Nov. 9. A local imam said the service was made public so the children's mother could see firsthand that the community is standing behind her. The father continues to recover from extensive burns. He underwent an operation on Monday but the family and the private support group has decided not to share information about how he fared. When they first arrived in Nova Scotia, the Barho family lived in Elmsdale, a 30-minute drive north of Halifax, where they were embraced by the local community. They later moved to the Halifax suburb of Spryfield to take advantage of language training and other immigrant services, but had planned to return to Elmsdale next month. The cause of the blaze in their Spryfield home remains unclear. The response to the tragedy has been swift and impassioned: several businesses have donated their profits to the Barho family, and hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised to assist the couple. Follow (at)mtuttoncporg on Twitter. OTTAWA - Two policy moves that could help beleaguered SNC-Lavalin came out of public consultations on federal anti-corruption measures that a newly disclosed memo says were ordered by the Prime Minister's Office. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/2/2019 (853 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The SNC-Lavalin headquarters is seen in Montreal on February 12, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson OTTAWA - Two policy moves that could help beleaguered SNC-Lavalin came out of public consultations on federal anti-corruption measures that a newly disclosed memo says were ordered by the Prime Minister's Office. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's staff directed Public Service and Procurement Canada to consult in 2017 on both its overall integrity regime and the possibility of introducing formal alternatives to prosecuting financial crimes, says the internal briefing note, released under the Access to Information Act. The document was intended to prepare the department's deputy minister for an early 2018 meeting on the outcome of the process. Last year, following the consultations, the government passed legislation to create what is known as a remediation agreement a means of having a corporation accused of wrongdoing make amends without facing the potentially devastating consequences of a criminal conviction. As a result of a second thread of that 2017 consultation, the government is also proposing to soften the penalty scheme for companies involved in wrongdoing by changing the process for determining how long an offending firm should be barred from getting federal contracts. SNC-Lavalin, the Montreal-based engineering and construction giant, faces corruption and fraud charges over allegations it resorted to bribery while pursuing business in Libya. The company pushed for a remediation agreement but the federal director of public prosecutions ruled late last year that the case was ill-suited for an agreement. The Trudeau government has been plunged into controversy over anonymous accusations that Trudeau's aides improperly pressured former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould to overrule the public prosecutor which she had authority to do and make an agreement happen. Wilson-Raybould did not overturn the prosecutor's decision and was shuffled in January to a new cabinet portfolio. SNC-Lavalin, meanwhile, faces the prospect of a criminal trial on the outstanding corruption charges. Under the existing integrity regime, a conviction could effectively bar the company from receiving federal contracts for 10 years. That could be devastating for a company whose business is civil engineering and construction. However, SNC-Lavalin could be dealt with less harshly if the government proceeds with proposed changes to the ineligibility provisions that flowed from the federal review of the integrity regime. A summary of the consultations says most participants felt a disqualification period of 10 years, though sometimes reducible to five, was too long. "The principal view was to favour full discretion in the determination of a period of ineligibility, including the ability to reduce the period to zero," the summary says. The federal government came forward with a proposed new scheme last fall that includes no minimum ineligibility period. The proposal, which triggered another round of public consultations, was intended to take effect in early 2019, but the government has not yet indicated whether or when it will proceed. Jennifer Quaid, an assistant law professor at the University of Ottawa, said she understands that the government needs "some wiggle room" in cases like SNC-Lavalin's. But she added the government can't use the integrity regime as a cover for industrial policy of preserving certain companies and jobs. "They'll have to be careful about how they do it," Quaid said in an interview. "Once you've acknowledged that sometimes you need to bend the rules, I guess it's a question of how far you can bend them." The measure, if adopted, would represent just the latest federal effort to build flexibility into the process of punishing corporate wrongdoers. Summer 2015 changes to the integrity regime allowed SNC-Lavalin to sign an administrative agreement with the government that has allowed it to continue to receive federal business. The company stressed at the time that it had made significant improvements in ethics and compliance. Follow @JimBronskill and @AndyBlatchford on Twitter VANCOUVER - Two new cases of measles were reported in British Columbia on Sunday, with one of them prompting officials in Alberta and the Northwest Territories to warn the person may have exposed others to the infection as they travelled. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 24/2/2019 (854 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is seen on a countertop at a pediatrics clinic in Greenbrae, Calif. on Feb. 6, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Eric Risberg VANCOUVER - Two new cases of measles were reported in British Columbia on Sunday, with one of them prompting officials in Alberta and the Northwest Territories to warn the person may have exposed others to the infection as they travelled. A spokesman with the Vancouver International Airport said the first case arrived on a Philippine Airlines flight from Manila on Feb. 11, and another person with measles departed Vancouver on an Air Canada flight to Edmonton the following day. Chris Devauld did not know whether the passenger on the Philippine Airlines flight left Vancouver on another flight or stayed, nor did he know whether the Edmonton-bound passenger had arrived in Vancouver from another destination. Meantime, officials in Alberta and the Northwest Territories both issued warnings to people who may have been in contact with the passenger who flew to Edmonton. Alberta Health Services said in a news release that an individual with a lab-confirmed case of measles who arrived on the Air Canada flight then rode in an airport shuttle to a hotel in nearby Leduc. The health agency said that person visited a Walmart in Leduc later that day, and left Edmonton on a Canadian North flight for Inuvik, N.W.T., on Feb. 13. Officials in the Northwest Territories also issued a statement, warning that a person flew to Inuvik from an "international destination" on Feb. 13, and that the person's travels also took them through Yellowknife and Norman Wells, N.W.T., the same day. Damien Healy, a spokesman for N.W.T. Health and Social Services, confirmed in an email that it was the same person who flew from Vancouver to Edmonton. Vancouver Coastal Health said in a news release that the passenger who arrived on the flight from the Philippines and the passenger who departed for Edmonton both acquired measles while travelling abroad. The agency said one of the people lives in the Vancouver Coastal Health area, while the other was passing through Vancouver's airport on the way to Edmonton and later to the N.W.T. It said earlier in the day on Twitter the two news cases were not related to others connected to schools in the region. Health officials in B.C. have been investigating nearly a dozen measles cases in the Vancouver area. Many of them have been at two French-language schools in Vancouver, a cluster that began after an unvaccinated B.C. child contracted the disease during a family trip to Vietnam. "Frankly, people shouldn't be getting measles in the 21st century in British Columbia and we have the means to deal with that," B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix said at a news conference Sunday where he stressed the need for people to be immunized. "I don't think, in my view anyway, enough people are immunized in B.C." Health officials in both Alberta and the Northwest Territories advised people who aren't vaccinated for measles and who may have been on board flights, in shuttles, at stores or hotels where the affected person was present to monitor themselves for symptoms. Measles at first presents with flu-like symptoms, but then a fever develops followed by the distinctive rash. "Measles is an extremely contagious disease, spread easily through the air. There is no treatment for measles; however, it can be prevented through immunization," the AHS news release said. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/2/2019 (853 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, centre, campaigns for the federal byelection, in the food court at an Asian mall in Burnaby, B.C., on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. Byelections will be held Monday in three vacant ridings - Burnaby South, where Singh is hoping to win a seat in the House of Commons, the Ontario riding of York-Simcoe and Montreal's Outremont. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Five stories in the news for Monday, Feb. 25 SINGH'S FATE IN HANDS OF BYELECTION VOTERS Jagmeet Singh's political fate, and the fortunes of the New Democratic Party as a whole, are in the hands of voters today in a B.C. riding. The NDP leader is running for a seat in the House of Commons in Burnaby South, one of three federal byelections today. Many New Democrats believe it's a do-or-die contest that Singh cannot lead his party in this fall's general election if he can't get himself a seat in Parliament. Singh is hoping a victory will put to rest grumbling within the NDP about his underwhelming performance since being chosen leader almost 18 months ago. CANADIANS DOMEE SHI, PAUL MASSEY WIN OSCARS Toronto-raised director Domee Shi won her first Oscar for her animated short film "Bao." Shi wrote and directed the Pixar production, about a Chinese-Canadian woman and her adorable little dumpling that miraculously comes to life. The eight-minute film is set in Toronto and features many of the city's landmarks. Canadian sound engineer Paul Massey also won his first Oscar for his work on "Bohemian Rhapsody." He won the trophy alongside Tim Cavagin and John Casali in the best sound mixing category. REGULATING WILD FOOD SUGGESTED FOR NORTH A federal advisory group says northerners could get relief from sky-high grocery bills if Ottawa helped regulate and encourage the sale of food harvested from the land. In a report released today, the National Indigenous Economic Development Board recommends sweeping changes to how so-called country food is exchanged. It suggests everything from regulations on buying and selling to safety standards, and even marketing boards to explore potential sales outside the North. Inflated food prices have long been an issue across Canada's far northern reaches. INJURED HUMBOLDT BRONCO PLANNING ON THAILAND SURGERY Injured Humboldt Broncos player Ryan Straschnitzki has focused entirely on his recovery since he was paralyzed in last April's deadly bus crash in Saskatchewan. Now his quest to heal is expected to take him to Thailand. Straschnitzki plans to undergo a surgical procedure on his spine that could restore some movement. The surgery, tentatively planned for April or May, would involve placing an epidural stimulation implant on his spine. Straschnitzki says he isn't looking at it as a cure but says any improvement in his mobility would make his life better. ABRUPT TRANSITION TO SPRING IN THE FORECAST The Weather Network is predicting winter will continue to grip the country heading into March, but Canadians can expect an abrupt transition to spring. It says winter weather will persist for most of the country over the next three weeks, followed by a sudden turn to mild temperatures. But the network's chief meteorologist says the sharp change in conditions doesn't mean some colder days won't briefly interrupt the spring weather. Chris Scott says B.C. will be the first province to get an extended taste of spring, and the Atlantic provinces will be the last. ALSO IN THE NEWS: Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer speaks to reporters ahead of debate on a motion to call Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to testify at the Commons justice committee. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation releases a report on foreign buyers in the condo market. Alberta Anti-Racism Advisory Council to be named in Edmonton. TORONTO - A former pastor accused in the drowning death of his pregnant wife did not mean to kill her but wanted her incapacitated so he could carry on with his double life, prosecutors argued Monday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/2/2019 (853 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. TORONTO - A former pastor accused in the drowning death of his pregnant wife did not mean to kill her but wanted her incapacitated so he could carry on with his double life, prosecutors argued Monday. Crown lawyers allege Philip Grandine either secretly administered the sedative lorazepam to his wife or offered it to her so she would be less attentive while he continued a clandestine affair. In her closing arguments, prosecutor Donna Kellway said Grandine then failed to prevent his wife from getting in a bathtub in her drugged state one evening, putting her "directly into harm's way." "He was playing Russian roulette with her chances of having some kind of so-called accident," Kellway said. "Knowing everything that he knew, he should never have allowed her to get into that tub." Grandine has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter. His lawyer did not bring any evidence in the trial but is expected to lay out an alternate narrative in his closing arguments Tuesday. Anna Karissa Grandine, 29, was 20 weeks pregnant when she was found in the bathtub of the couple's bungalow on Oct. 17, 2011. Court has heard she was not prescribed lorazepam, also known under the brand name Ativan, but the drug was found in blood samples taken at her autopsy and three days before her death, when she went to the hospital after feeling sleepy, confused and disoriented. Lorazepam is a sedative that can cause drowsiness, reduced muscle control and impaired memory, among other things, court has heard. The Crown said while no one saw Philip Grandine give his wife the drug, there is "an abundance of circumstantial evidence" that he did so. Anna Grandine was cautious about her pregnancy and would not knowingly have taken anything that could endanger her baby, Kellway said. She was prescribed anti-nausea medication but did not like to take it because it made her sleepy, the prosecutor said. Her sister testified that Anna Grandine was scared when she first experienced symptoms a few days before her death, because she did not know what was causing them, the Crown said. The effects were so strong that Anna Grandine was taken to hospital, she said, noting Philip Grandine would have witnessed his wife's reaction to the drug. Anna Grandine's mother told the court her daughter also asked whether her husband had given her a pill, Kellway said. "(Anna) Karissa never had a reason to take lorazepam ... but Philip had reasons to give it to her," the prosecutor said. He also had access to the drug through his job at a seniors' home where he distributed medication and disposed of the excess, she said. Court heard Philip Grandine had been forced to step down as pastor at a Baptist church in northwest Toronto as a result of his affair with a parishioner, who was also his wife's friend. He agreed to marriage counselling, which included conditions that he give up the affair and pornography, but Kellway said he sought to secretly continue with both. In fact, the affair ramped up, and a filtering program meant to block pornography sites was uninstalled shortly before Grandine called 911 to report his wife's drowning, Kellway said. "He wanted to have his cake and eat it too," she said. Police examining the couple's computer found searches related to lorazepam, and while it was a shared computer, jurors should find it was Grandine who conducted them since searches for female escorts were conducted at the same time, Kellway said. There were also occasions in which Grandine appeared indifferent towards his wife, Kellway said. He mentioned the possibility of getting remarried hours after her death, the Crown said. Days later, in between having sex with his mistress, Grandine discussed with her whether she should attend his wife's funeral, Kellway added. Kellway stressed Grandine is not on trial for cheating on his wife or for enjoying pornography, noting those are not illegal acts. But she argued those things form an "important backdrop" that illustrates his motive for ensuring his wife was sedated. Jurors have been told this is Grandine's second trial in connection with his wife's death but were instructed not to speculate why. OTTAWA - Global Affairs Canada says it met Monday with one of two Canadians detained in China since December. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/2/2019 (853 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. In this file image made from a video taken on March 28, 2018, Michael Kovrig, an adviser with the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based non-governmental organization, speaks during an interview in Hong Kong. Global Affairs Canada says it met today with one of two Canadians being detained in China. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, File OTTAWA - Global Affairs Canada says it met Monday with one of two Canadians detained in China since December. An update from the department said consular officials in China had their fourth visit with Michael Kovrig since his arrest, but aren't saying much else about the visit. Global Affairs Canada said visits generally include assessing the well-being of a Canadian citizen, seeking medical attention where required, and acting as a link between the Canadian and their loved ones. The department's statement says the government remains concerned by China's "arbitrary detention" of Kovrig and fellow Canadian Michael Spavor. Canadian officials continue to call for their immediate release. Kovrig and Spavor haven't been formally charged with anything, have been denied access to lawyers, and are allowed only monthly access by Canadian diplomats. Canadian officials have complained the two are being held in retaliation for the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou under an extradition request from the United States. The OECD Observer online archive takes you on a journey through half a century of public policy and world progress. Since November 1962, the OECDs experts and leading guests offer insights on the questions facing our member countries with concise and authoritative analysis, and provide our audiences with an excellent opportunity to understand policy debates and consider solutions. Each edition of the OECD Observer reports on a core theme of the OECDs on-going work, from economics and society through governance, finance, and the environment, and articles are bolstered by tables and graphs. Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size Article body As bee and other pollinator populations and habitats continue to decline throughout the world, markets for pollination services have been growing in importance. Studying the complexities of these markets is one area of research for Brittney Goodrich, assistant professor and extension economist with the College of Agricultures Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology. In a study recently published in the journal Food Policy, Goodrichwho received her Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis, in 2017focuses specifically on pollination fees in California, where 80 percent of the worlds almonds are produced. This research is important because almond pollination is a major source of income for beekeepers in the U.S. she said. I found that increases in honey bee colony winter mortality rates decrease beekeeping income by lowering the number of colonies they have available for almond pollination and lowering the per-colony fee they collect. Goodrich estimates that a 10 percent increase in a beekeepers winter mortality rate leads to an average decrease of 16 percent in total revenues from almond pollination, a substantial overall loss given that almond pollination is a primary source of U.S. commercial beekeepers revenues. Additionally, I estimate that when colony strength is accounted for, payments from the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey bees and Farm-Raised Fish Program in 2016 would have compensated many beekeepers for less than half of their total revenue losses in almond pollination from the corresponding 10 percentage point increase in winter mortality rates, she said. This compensation rate is likely much lower than previously thought. Pollinatorsincluding bees, butterflies, moths, bats, birds, beetles and other insectscontribute approximately $500 billion a year to global food production, with honey bees alone providing pollination services valued at $15 billion to $20 billion annually in the U.S. The honey bee, Goodrich said, is one of the most important pollinator species to food security and ecosystems worldwide. I dont see native bee health improving anytime soon, she said. A lot of this has to do with bee-friendly habitats disappearing. Native bees are declining not only in the United States but all over the world, so well likely become more and more dependent on honey bee colonies for pollination services. Most of the honey bee colonies in the U.S. are managed as livestock, with commercial beekeepers often having 4,000 or more colonies and trucking them all over the country, she said. There are more than 1 million acres of almond orchards in California, and every acre of almonds requires two honey bee colonies for proper pollination, Goodrich said. Almonds are 100-percent dependent on insects for pollination. Californias Central Valley consists entirely of farmland, so theres little habitat to support native pollinators. Theres a mass migration of the U.S. honey bee colonies to California to complete this almond pollination each year, and this occurs around February, she said. California almonds use more than three-fourths of the honey bee colonies in the U.S., and they use them for a very small period of time. In comparison, all of the other spring-blooming pollinated crops in the United States use only about 35 percent of the colonies that almonds use for pollination, Goodrich said. So there is a great demand for these pollination services, she said. The pollination fees that beekeepers are paid for almonds are about $200 per colony. Whereas, for a crop that blooms a month later, like apples, fees will be around $30 per colony. Growers contract with beekeepers for these pollination services, Goodrich said. A California almond grower usually contracts out in advance because often these honey bee colonies are coming from New York, Florida and other far-away places. Beekeepers transport colonies by semi-truckseach holding around 400 colonies. Pollination fees range from about $165 per colony to about $240 per colony depending on the number of bees in a hive. This wide range in pollination fees is due to some growers requiring more bees per colony for pollination than other growers. Higher pollination fees are paid for colonies with a larger number of bees per colony. When health issues impact a bee-keeping operation, typically during the winter when there are high mortality rates, it often means surviving colonies are going to be weakened or smaller. There are contracts where growers are paying a base fee of $180 per colony for a certain number of bees, she said. If colonies have fewer bees than contracted, money will be subtracted from that base fee. There are varying levels of these contract arrangements. There are two types of pollination, Goodrich said, including managed pollination that is honey bee colonies managed by beekeepers and brought in for pollination services. There are also native pollinators that provide pollination services naturally4,000 or more bee species are native to the U.S., while honey bees are not native. Most of the literature says that our native bee populations are decreasing. Honey bee colony populations have remained relatively stable, even during the years when we had Colony Collapse Disorder back in the early 2000s, Goodrich said. These colonies are managed by beekeepers, who can react to large losses by splitting colonies to make more. Because of the combination of many bee health issues, it is more expensive now for beekeepers to keep their colonies alive or to maintain a given number because more inputs are required, she said. As native pollinators decrease, it becomes more necessary to have honey bee colonies come in and pollinate our fruit and vegetable crops, Goodrich said. But honey bee colonies also can sometimes disrupt the native bees and pass diseases and pests on to them. In future research, Goodrich wants to explore colony strength issues from the beekeeping cost side. No one has studied if its economical for beekeepers to try and get these higher pollination fees or to use fewer inputs and take a lower fee, she said. Also, there are many crops in Alabama that require pollination services, and there are a lot of beekeepers in Alabama. Ive heard from producers in the state who say they cant get enough bees from within Alabama to pollinate their crops. Im interested in looking at how we can facilitate some of those contractual relationships between the beekeepers in Alabama and the crop producers who need them. Goodrich is also looking at the transportation of bee colonies from all U.S. states to California. There could be some colony strength issues as they relate to transportation, she said. If there are more bees per colony, itll mean heavier loads coming from the states supplying the colonies. Men and women should have to register for the draft, a federal judge said Friday. Photo: Shah Marai/AFP/Getty Images U.S. District judge Gray Miller ruled Friday that the law requiring all men to register for a military draft, while excluding women, is unconstitutional. The ruling comes 38 years after the Supreme Court found that excluding women from the draft is fully justified since they were not allowed to serve in combat roles. But that changed four years ago, when then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter opened up all combat roles to women. In his decision, Miller wrote that the previous prohibition against women in combat may have justified past discrimination. But times have changed. If there ever was a time to discuss the place of women in the Armed Services, that time has passed, Miller wrote. Though there hasnt been a military draft since 1973, men in the U.S. are required to register for the Selective Service System when they turn 18, just in case. If they dont, they can face fines and the denial of federal student loans, among other punishments. The case challenging that rule was brought by two men who argued it was unfair to require men, and not women, to register. The men were joined in the suit by the National Coalition for Men, a San Diegobased group that says its dedicated to ending harmful discrimination and stereotypes against boys, men, their families and the women who love them. Women are now allowed in combat, so this decision is long overdue, said Marc Angelucci, who represented the mens-rights group. After decades of sex discrimination against men in the Selective Service, the courts have finally found it unconstitutional to force only men to register. The government asked Miller for a stay while the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service reviews the question of whether women should be required to register. In ruling against the government, Miller gave those seeking a change to the law a victory, albeit a symbolic one. Women are still not required to register for the draft, but clearly that may soon change. Spike Lee accepts Best Screenplay award for BlacKkKlansman. Photo: Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images Last night, Spike Lee delivered a short, powerful, and relatively nonpartisan acceptance speech for his Best Adapted Screenplay award. President Trump nonetheless took offense: Be nice if Spike Lee could read his notes, or better yet not have to use notes at all, when doing his racist hit on your President, who has done more for African Americans (Criminal Justice Reform, Lowest Unemployment numbers in History, Tax Cuts,etc.) than almost any other Pres! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2019 This brief outburst contains a few notable elements. First, there is Trumps familiar habit of calling African-Americans racist. Lees speech did not contain any generalizations about white people, nor any calls for violence or retribution. The closest thing to a broad claim about white people in his remarks was a statement noting and denouncing slavery: Trump has previously complained that Django Unchained is the most racist movie I have ever seen, so possibly he is triggered by references to slavery. Second, Trump counterpunches typically include ad hominem attacks on their targets for being ugly, short, dumb, losers, and so on. This one fixated on Lees briefly stumbling in reading from what appeared to be handwritten notes, and mocking him for needing notes at all. Here was a revival of a classic Republican dog-whistle charge against President Obama. While the teleprompter has been a standard tool for presidential speeches for decades, Republicans seized on Obamas use of it to suggest he was shallow and uninformed, incapable of understanding the words that were written for him. A 2011 Washington Post article on the Republican obsession with Obamas use of a teleprompter contained a couple party operatives sort-of explaining the joke. Its sort of a soft joke that the president needs a teleprompter because he doesnt have a sound command of the issues and doesnt know what hes doing, conservative strategist Greg Mueller said. Its a sign that you cant speak on your own two feet, said Fred Davis. Republicans have indignantly insisted that the teleprompter criticism was not some kind of coded racism. But Trump, who has turned a lot of his partys subtext into text, has performed a usefully clarifying service. By reviving a version of the teleprompter attack on Spike Lee, he has made clear that cant speak without notes is a joke about black people being unintelligent. Finally, and most amusingly, Trumps anger and offense was directed against a speech that is (by recent standards) notably nonpartisan. Lee did not mention Trumps name. He did not endorse any candidates or parties. The 2020 election is right around the corner, he said. Lets all mobilize, lets all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Lets do the right thing. In theory, a president could listen to a call for making the moral choice of love against hate and doing the right thing and interpret it as an endorsement or, at minimum, a nonpartisan statement. Trump processed it as a personal attack. 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 Members of the Venezuelan National Guard clash with protesters Sunday. Photo: Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido met Monday with Vice-President Mike Pence in Colombia, and he was expected to ask that the U.S. military consider ousting Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro. Guaido signaled his intention Saturday, after a failed attempt to bring aid into Venezuela. Trucks filled with food and medicine, held up across the countrys borders with Colombia and Brazil, were turned back by Venezuelan forces, who fired buckshot and tear gas at activists. Two people were killed and hundreds more injured in the clashes Saturday. If the goal of the attempted humanitarian avalanche was to bring aid to suffering Venezuelans, it failed. But if the goal was to increase the likelihood of foreign intervention to topple Maduro, then the opposition likely considers it a success. On Saturday night, Guaido called for the international community to consider all options, echoing President Trumps language on the issue. While Guaido hasnt explicitly said hed call for a U.S. military intervention, Julio Borges, an opposition politician and Guaido ally, has. We are going to demand an escalation of diplomatic pressure and the use of force against Nicolas Maduros dictatorship, Borges said Sunday, previewing the requests to be made of Pence. Appearing on CNNs State of the Union, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo seemed to signal a willingness to grant Borgess request, saying Maduros days are numbered. Also Sunday, Florida senator Marco Rubio, one of the loudest Maduro critics in Washington, tweeted pictures of leaders deposed by the U.S. The implication was clear, especially considering Rubios claim just hours before that crimes committed Saturday by the Maduro regime have opened the door to various potential multilateral actions not on the table just 24 hours ago. Also on Sunday, exiled Venezuelan lawmaker Sonia Miranda called for a use of force against Maduro. Yesterday that road of reconciliation was exhausted, she said. The military option is the one we should appeal to at the moment. The U.S. doesnt seem quite ready to send in the troops though, despite Pompeos bombast. A senior administration official who previewed Pences remarks Monday said the VP will announce clear actions in response to the weekends events, but he is not likely to address whether the U.S. military would get involved, the Washington Post reports. Pence may announce more sanctions on Venezuela, a move that could further devastate the already suffering people of the country. The idea behind the new sanctions would be the same as one behind the sanctions against the state-owned oil company last month to further destabilize Maduro. But new sanctions could also worsen the suffering for the millions of Venezuelans who are sick and hungry. Pushing for military intervention could create another problem for the Venezuelan opposition: Its allies in the region have no interest in participating. As Eric Farnsworth, vice president of the Council of the Americas and Americas Society, told the Wall Street Journal: Military action is not the right course at this point. It would be a step too far that would break up the international coalition against Maduro. PR Newswire CHICAGO, Feb. 25, 2019 CHICAGO, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report "India HCM Market in SMB Sector, by Vertical (IT & ITES, Manufacturing, Professional Services, Retail & Wholesale, Automobile, Healthcare, Textile, Hospitality), & City (Bengaluru, Mumbai, NCR, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Rest of India) - Forecast to 2022", published by MarketsandMarkets, the India HCM Market size is expected to grow from USD 133 million in 2018 to USD 214 million by 2022, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.5% during the forecast period. The major factors fueling the market growth are the reduction of business costs in all departments, simplified core Human Resource (HR) operations, recruitment requirements for SMEs, and user interface and advanced security features. Growth in millennial/ GenY workforce, the growing preference for transparent performance management system, the hiring and onboarding processes evolving for SMEs, and the development of leadership programs (training modules) could provide growth opportunities for the vendors in the market. Browse in-depth TOC on "India HCM Market" 12 Tables 8 Figures 81 Pages Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=118473988 IT and ITES vertical to hold the largest market size during the forecast period IT and ITES is one of the most attractive verticals among the Small and Medium-sized Business (SMBs) for hardware adoption. IT and ITES companies ensure that employees undergo rigorous training and learning to understand the working of the current technical environment. Therefore, advanced technologies and various software and solutions can push this vertical to prioritize its actions and manage its workforce smoothly. Bengaluru to have the largest market size during the forecast period Bengaluru emerges as the biggest city in terms of adopting HCM software among the SMBs. The reason behind the highest adoption in Bangalore can be contributed to the number of startups in India, and Bengaluru is called the IT hub of India. These companies are focusing on automation of processes, such as new hires, and are therefore, focusing on integrating HCM software into operations to streamline various business processes. Hospitality, and healthcare and life sciences are fastest growing verticals Hospitality, and healthcare and life sciences are expected to be fastest growing verticals in the India HCM Market. Various vendors in the market are trying to find opportunities across these verticals. Hospitality and healthcare would grow at fast rate, as players in the market are focusing on targeting various hospitals to get untapped opportunities. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=118473988 Ahmedabad and Pune are the fastest growing cities Ahmedabad and Pune are expected to be the fastest growing cities in the India HCM Market. The increasing focus of vendors, the increasing number of initiatives toward the adoption of HCM software would act as a growth driver for the adoption of HCM software across these cities. Major vendors in the India HCM Market include Keka (Hyderabad), Darwinbox (Hyderabad), greytHR (Bengaluru), ZingHR (Mumbai), People Works (Bengaluru), and Zoho (Chennai). These vendors have adopted various growth strategies in the India HCM Market. Browse Adjacent Markets: Software and Services Market Research Reports & Consulting 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 SinghMarketsandMarkets INC.630 Dundee RoadSuite 430Northbrook, IL 60062USA: +1-888-600-6441Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/india-hcm-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com Reporter Aubrey Wieber: aubrey@salemreporter.com or 503-575-1251. Wieber is a reporter for Salem Reporter who works for the Oregon Capital Bureau, a collaboration of EO Media Group, the Pamplin Media Group, and Salem Reporter. In Trump they distrust. Photo: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post/Getty Images In late January, 100 conservative megadonors assembled at the Trump International Hotel for a presentation on the Republican presidents strategy for winning reelection. Many did not like what they heard. But its hard to blame Trumps team for disappointing the GOPs top shareholders, when the latters expectations were wildly unrealistic. As Politico reports: [GOP donors] are chiefly worried about how [the president] intends to prevail again in the Rust Belt states that voted for Trump in 2016, but where Democrats performed strongly in last years midterms. But there are also concerns about whether the presidents fundraising apparatus is up to the task, and whether Trump will trample on any strategy or message the campaign does develop, as he frequently does The problem is the president cant and wont stay on message, push an issue in any kind of sustained way, stay out of trouble for more than 5 minutes, said another Republican donor who attended the retreat at the Trump hotel. According to two attendees, campaign officials acknowledged that Trump is under-performing in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, though they said he is holding steady in Florida and trending upward in Ohio. But they offered no details on what theyre doing to regain ground in the Midwest, the attendees said. Donors are asking for the plan and they have no plan, said an outside adviser close to the campaign. Theres not a strategy. In the abstract, the reactionary plutocrats complaints are perfectly understandable. When your average presidential campaign admits it is on track to lose the Electoral College, said campaign will typically hasten to assure donors that it has a plan for improving its margins in tipping-point states. Trumps, by contrast, ostensibly told their bankrollers not to worry about Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan or the 2018 midterm results because the presidents numbers still look great in a different midwestern state that he won by 8 points the last time around. And of course, as a general matter, it is reasonable for high-dollar donors to demand a modicum of message discipline from the candidates they invest in. And yet, by the time the Republican Partys patrons gathered at the presidents property last month, Donald Trump had been the central figure in American politics for three and a half years. At that point, what could Brad Parscale Trumps former digital marketing consultant and current campaign manager possibly say to persuade GOP donors that Trump isnt going to staff his 2020 reelection effort with underqualified loyalists, whose campaign strategy will consist primarily of post-hoc rationalizations for whatever their boss feels like tweeting on any given day? Asking this president not to surround himself with yes-men and nepotism hires is to demand he abandon his entire philosophy of governance; asking a senescent narcissist with an addiction to livetweeting Fox News to stay on message is to demand the impossible. Parscale could have told donors that Trump had learned a lot from his partys defeats in 2018. He could have offered a coherent account of how the president aims to beat back the blue wave in 2020. To give this narrative some plausibility, Parscale could even have pointed to the myriad moderate gestures in the presidents last State of the Union address: among them, his celebration of criminal-justice reform, appeals to Lean In feminism, and calls for lower drug prices and higher infrastructure spending. But the nervous oligarchs would have no reason to believe any of this. Mere days after Trumps called for redressing racial disparities in Americas carceral system on national TV, he was tweeting jokes about the Trail of Tears. All available data might indicate that Trumps base is unshakably loyal, while his approval with suburban social moderates is shaky at best. But Sean Hannity insisted that Trump needed to declare a (profoundly unpopular) national emergency so as to fund his (mildly unpopular) border wall. And since the president cares more about how hes portrayed on his favorite television shows than he does about virtually everything else, Hannitys wish was Trumps command. Finally, its unreasonable to expect Trump to learn from his partys 2018 woes, as that would require him to accept some responsibility for a past failure (an endeavor that ranks just below jogging on the moguls list of favorite activities). By all accounts, the president has concluded that his decision to center the midterm campaign on a fictional invasion by Central American migrants was a smashing success, and might well have saved the GOPs House majority if Democrats hadnt logged millions of illegal votes in Texas and California. Meanwhile, instead of seeking ways to adjust Trumps message to new polling data, his campaign team appears hell-bent on adjusting polling data to affirm whatever the president decides to say or do. As Politico reported last month: Trump has been buoyed by polling commissioned by his 2020 campaign manager, Brad Parscale, suggesting that the government shutdown wasnt as damaging to him as several other public polls had shown. He immediately demanded an Oval Office briefing on the poll numbers, which indicated that while a plurality of voters in ten congressional districts blamed Trump for the shutdown, they also supported his push for a border wall. The polling in question covered ten historically Republican congressional districts that Democrats won last November. In 2016, Trump won these ten districts by an average of 12 percentage points. In the survey that buoyed the president, his approval rating among voters in these ten districts is only one percentage point higher than his disapproval rating. Which is to say: The survey (that purportedly vindicated Trumps shutdown strategy) suggested that he had lost significant support among swing voters since 2016, an election in which he barely eked out an Electoral College majority on the strength of fewer than 80,000 votes. Now, none of this means Trump cant win reelection, or that the GOP donor class would be unwise to invest in him. In 2016, the moguls campaign proved to be the little garbage fire that could. But the rights entitled plutocrats should make peace with the fact that their partys fate rests in the hands of an incompetent con man. They might prefer to invest in a more professional enterprise. But, as Trump has incessantly reminded them in recent days, the choice before GOP megadonors is buffoonish barbarism or democratic socialism (a.k.a. a slightly more progressive tax code). And they know damn well which one they prefer. SIGN UP TO GET BLACKLISTED NEWS DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Enter your email address: Toni Preckwinkle and Bill Daley are the favorites to win runoff spots, but not by much. Photo: Ralf-Finn Hestoft/Corbis via Getty Images; Teresa Crawford/AP Chicago is a city with famously turbulent politics often disguised by stability in the mayors office, which has been occupied since 1989 by two white men with a reputation as icons of the local and national Democratic Establishment, Richard M. Daley and Rahm Emanuel. All that ended when Emanuel surprised most observers by announcing last summer that he would not run for reelection. Sign Up for the Intelligencer Newsletter Daily news about the politics, business, and technology shaping our world. 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. As voters prepare to go to the polls tomorrow in the first round of an election to choose Emanuels successor, there are 14 candidates running, including five who, according to a recent poll, are viable candidates for one of the two spots in an April runoff (assuming no one stuns the world by winning over 50 percent in the first round). The two narrow front-runners, according to most accounts, are both arguably Establishment figures as well, and have certainly been familiar parts of the local political landscape for many years: Bill Daley, former U.S. Commerce secretary and White House chief of staff (and also brother of the aforementioned Richard M. Daley, and son of the family patriarch, former mayor Richard J. Daley) and Toni Preckwinkle, the Cook County board president. These two septuagenarians (Daley is 70, Preckwinkle is 71) have the money and the name ID to win what is likely to be a very low-turnout election. But neither has performed strongly enough to preclude an upset. Daley is, to put it mildly, dealing with perceptions that he represents the citys past and its long-dominant business interests at a time when their power is being questioned intensively. Preckwinkle, who is African-American, was the early front-runner, but her progressive-reformer persona has been significantly damaged by her ties to Chicago alderman Edward Burke, the target of a major federal corruption investigation. Preckwinkle is also associated with an unpopular soda tax proposal. But she did snag two very important union endorsements, from the Chicago Teachers Union and three major SEIU locals. Her perceived problems have created a possible opening for other self-identified progressives, particularly given a political atmosphere dominated by the closely related issues of gun violence, police corruption, and police racism. The most prominent is probably former prosecutor Lori Lightfoot, an openly gay African-American given a major role by Emanuel in examining police issues. She eventually broke with Emanuel over his unwillingness to go as far as she wanted in pursuing corruption and reversing racism, and got into the mayoral race even before he got out. But coming up on an outside track is another African-American woman, community activist Amara Enyia, who has received endorsements and major financial backing from Chance the Rapper and Kanye West. The large field has some other possible top-two finishers as well. State comptroller Susana Mendoza was damaged by links to figures in the Burke scandal nearly as much as Preckwinkle, but has high name recognition, status as one of the two viable Latinos in the race, and an endorsement from the United Auto Workers. The other Latino contender is long-time Chicago finance director Gery Chico, who was once Richard Daleys chief of staff and who lost to Emanuel in 2011. And Daley could lose some white moderate-to-conservative votes to former police superintendent Garry McCarthy, who was fired by Emanuel in the wake of the highly corrosive controversy over the 2014 Chicago police killing of Laquan McDonald, an African-American teenager. Though turnout in the first round will by all accounts be terrible, participation in the runoff may well be significantly higher, as it was in the 2015 race won by Emanuel. Issue differentiation should rise in the runoff as well, particularly if Daley is one of the top-two finishers. At this point, given the Zeitgeist in the city, Anyone Other Than Daley will probably be the runoff favorite, unless he fails to make the cut, which could produce an entirely different dynamic. The odds are that Chicago will move to the left once its all said and done, which will, of course, be overinterpreted as an omen for 2020. Its a city whose problems are so pronounced that it deserves to be taken seriously as something other than a mirror of national trends. South Africa is celebrating a quarter century of democracy and in recognition of this milestone Topco Media is publishing a once-off tribute publication, 25 Years of Success in South African Government and Business. An accolade to the success stories our country, our citizens and our companies have to tell, thefully endorses this project which showcases the individuals and partnerships that have kept the wheels of the economy turning for the last 25 years.Not only does this publication provide a platform for South African business and government to share their stories of tenacity, best practice, innovation and endeavour - it provides inspiration for the future.The SACCI membership comprises approximately 20,000 small, medium and large enterprises across the breadth of the nation and across all economic sectors. Large enterprises are generally direct members of SACCI while small and medium enterprises are members through more than 50 local and regional chambers and 20 national associations. SACCI is delighted to endorse Topcos publication that reviews entrepreneurial endeavour during our first 25 years of democracy.To showcase the continued strength and economic viability of our country, thepublication and online project will feature South Africa's greatest organisations. Are you part of South African history and would you like to tell your story?For marketing and sales enquiries, please contact az.oc.ocpot@gnitekram or call 082 458 7178. NAIROBI, Kenya - This year's Africa Shared Value Summit will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, 23-24 May 2019, at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Among the keynote speakers this year is American co-author of the seminal Harvard Business Review article 'Creating Shared Value', co-founder and managing director of FSG, and a director of the US-based Shared Value Initiative, Mark Kramer. Kramer is an economist by training and a Shared Value pioneer who has authored various influential publications on collective impact, impact investing, and more, including co-authorship of several foundational Shared Value articles.Sponsored by Safaricom, Old Mutual and the World Food Programme, the annual Africa Shared Value Summit is a meeting of minds, where business leaders, entrepreneurs from both the private and public sectors, and representatives from governments, academia and civil society, discuss ways in which businesses can use their power and influence to affect real change, without sacrificing profit."Purpose has to become central to a business's core strategy in order to create true change. In order to position yourself as a market leader and gain true growth, specialisation of a new kind is required, such as finding new ways of doing things that will be more ethical and less harmful to the environment, as well as reaching underserved populations while ensuring that current and future employees are able to deliver at their best," says Tiekie Barnard, CEO and co-founder of the Shared Value Africa Initiative (SVAI).The Africa Shared Value Summit raises awareness and advocates for the success of the strategic implementation of the Shared Value business model profit with purpose in Africa. Over two days, discussions at the 2019 Summit will be focused on the importance of Shared Value ecosystems in driving Africa's business growth. The first day will focus on Shared Value in healthcare and food security, and the second will feature speakers and panel discussions exploring Shared Value in the energy and manufacturing industries."Businesses do not operate in a vacuum, and as entrepreneurs and human beings, we have a moral obligation to take on the challenges facing our continent and its population. Embracing Shared Value is the key to long-term sustainability, enabling businesses to survive and thrive in a changing business climate," says Cindy Langeveld, co-founder and director of the Shared Value Africa Initiative.Other speakers will include members of the SVAI Africa Council of 8, Safaricom CEO Robert Bob Collymore and managing director for the Rockefeller Foundation Africa Regional Office, Mamadou Biteye. The changing disease patterns in the country are giving rise to greater cases to non-communicable or lifestyle ailments The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the Apollomedics Super Speciality Hospital in Lucknow on February 24, 2019. Speaking on the occasion, the President emphasised the importance of quality and affordable healthcare in the country, and particularly in Uttar Pradesh. He pointed to the successes in meeting the challenges of traditional infectious and communicable diseases, and also to the changing disease patterns in the country that are giving rise to greater cases to non-communicable or lifestyle ailments. In this context, the President said, the Ayushman Bharat programme, launched in 2018, will go a long way in providing medical cover, especially to underprivileged citizens. Others who were present and spoke on the occasion included Rajnath Singh, Union Minister for Home Affairs, Suneetha Reddy, Chairperson, Apollomedics Super Speciality Hospital and Dr Prathap C. Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group. The President said, quality health for everybody was a shared goal. As such, he was happy the government, civil society, private and charitable institutions and other stakeholders were working together. The Apollomedics Super Speciality Hospital would provide state-of-the-art medical care to the people of the state and the region at a reasonable cost. Speaking at the inauguration, Ram Naik, Governor of Uttar Pradesh welcomed Apollomedics Super Specialty Hospital in Lucknow and expressed happiness that this hospital is now ready to serve the people of Uttar Pradesh. He lauded the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi for his contributions to the development of the country. He said that, The hospital is set to cater to lakhs of patients in Lucknow and cities which border the region. The people of Uttar Pradesh, over many decades, have been seeking Apollos services in Delhi and other states. Their continued faith and trust in the high quality of care is greatly valued and it is expected that they will expand their footprints in the region with medical services in the state. Rajnath Singh said, Apollomedics Super Speciality Hospital will prove to be a model for other hospitals in the city. The healthcare facility is open to all patients not only for Lucknow, but also from across Uttar Pradesh, and from other countries as well. With Apollomedics in the city, Lucknow is set to become an important centre for quality treatment and cancer related ailments. Talking about the medical tourism Rajnath Singh said, India has become one of the major destination, and private hospitals have played an important role to promote medical tourism. He said the Government is also constantly working to make healthcare affordable and available to all the people of the country with Ayushman Bharat scheme where Rs.5 lakhs cover has been provided to each family for the medical treatment. Speaking on the occasion Dr. Prathap C Reddy said, In our endeavour to bring the finest healthcare services to the people of India, we at Apollo have always relentlessly pursued going closer to our patients, which is the reason why we established 71 hospitals across the country. Over the decades many patients of Uttar Pradesh treated at Apollo Hospitals in other cities expressed their wish that we bring our service to the heartland of India, i.e. Uttar Pradesh. With the launch of Apollomedics Super Speciality Hospital in Lucknow, our 72nd hospital, I am happy that we are now able to go even closer to the people of the state with the best in class health care services they can look forward to. Suneetha Reddy said, In modern times, Uttar Pradesh has become a bellwether of the mood of the nation. The development of Uttar Pradesh, and its social and economic prosperity, is in the interest of every citizen of this country, because when Uttar Pradesh does well, India does well. That is why we are excited to inaugurate Apollomedics Super Speciality Hospital in Lucknow, in partnership with some of the finest clinicians in this part of the country. It will serve patients across 30 specialities, and is equipped with cutting-edge technology and treatment protocols. Dr. Sushil Gattani, Founder & Co-Chairman, Apollomedics Super Speciality Hospital said, This will be one of the largest hospitals in the city, and also one of the most advanced healthcare providers. Apollomedics has a dynamic team of highly experienced Doctors, Nurses and Paramedical technicians in place to ensure seamless delivery of medical excellence at every level of patient care. We hope to make quality healthcare more accessible in this part of the country so that people of Lucknow and nearby places do not need to travel to long distant cities for quality treatment. The Apollomedics Super Speciality Hospital will provide diagnostic, curative, preventive and rehabilitative care across specialities through Centres of Excellence in Cardiac Sciences, Oncology, Neuro Sciences, Gastro Sciences, Renal Sciences, Orthopaedics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Critical Care and 24X7 Trauma Care. Apollo Hospitals will utilise its expertise to introduce new services and offerings built on its deep domain expertise. For Immediate Release, February 25, 2019 Contact: Stephanie Kurose, (202) 849-8395, skurose@biologicaldiversity.org Tiny Oregon Fish Recovered by Endangered Species Act PORTLAND, Ore. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed removing Endangered Species Act protections from the Borax Lake chub, a 2-inch fish found only in Borax Lake in southeast Oregon. The chub was threatened because geothermal projects and other development caused the loss of freshwater streams that flow into Borax Lake. The fish gained Endangered Species Act safeguards in 1980. That spurred the protection of more than 300 acres of habitat, including the lake itself. Those safeguards also secured conservation agreements to limit damage to the streams around the lake. The Borax Lake chub has a bright future thanks to the Endangered Species Act, and Im happy this unique little fish will continue to thrive in the wild, said Stephanie Kurose, endangered species policy specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity. The Act is the worlds most successful wildlife conservation law, and the chubs recovery is another powerful testament to its effectiveness. The chub is the only species of fish that inhabits the 10-acre Borax Lake, which can reach temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit because of thermal hot springs. The fish survives by staying in cooler waters at the edge of the lake, away from the hot springs at its center. In 2000, Congress passed the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act, which designated the area around the lake as off limits to geothermal exploration and mining. The Borax Lake chub joins a growing list of species that have recently recovered with protection under the Endangered Species Act. Since 2016, at least 14 species have been recovered. These include four subspecies of island foxes from Californias Channel Islands, two humpback whale populations and the Kirtlands warbler in Michigan and Wisconsin. Listing a plant or animal as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act leads to science-based measures tailored to prevent its extinction. The Act has been successful in saving more than 99 percent of species placed under its care, despite significant underfunding of the laws vital measures and repeated political attacks against the Act itself. President Trump will be landing in Vietnam and Little Rocket Man will be traveling via train to meet for a second summit. Even though President Trump is the first sitting American president to meet with a North Korean leader, the Democrats are still being heavily critical, no surprise there. No matter what is or is not accomplished at this summit, the Democrats will be critical and downplay the success of President Trump. What I will remember most are the connections I made there, not only with the students and teachers we interacted with but with the people of Asturias and the BGSU students that came with me, she said I love Spain and am so happy this Winter Session trip brought me there! With seven countries Australia, China, Curacao, France, New Zealand, Peru, and Spain and eight different BGSU affiliated trips to choose from, 116 students from a wide variety of disciplines studied abroad during the three-week January term while others perused exciting non-academic opportunities available a little closer to home. Numerous campus departments and offices including the Career Center, Center for Community and Civic Engagement, Center for Leadership, Center for Undergraduate Research and Graduate College presented students with unique and engaging experiential learning opportunities on and off campus. Career Center The Career Center hosted Backpack to Briefcase Boot Camp, an intensive, skill building workshop that featured presentations on a variety of career-related topics including how to write a strong cover letter and resume, enhancing social media presence and negotiating job offers. Those who attended this four-day boot camp also had the opportunity to participate in mock interviews and attend an etiquette luncheon with potential employers. One boot camp attendee, senior Max Seeley said As someone who is preparing to graduate in May and plans on entering a full-time position after graduation, I found the workshop as a whole extremely beneficial. In particular, I believe the Preparing for Your Job Search presentation was especially helpful. As spring commencement quickly approaches, the time has come for many graduating falcons to leverage an education from BGSU into a career. Programs such as Backpack to Briefcase provide students with resources and tools they need to navigate the job market and jump start their careers. Seeley hopes that in the future, there is more emphasis on workshops like Backpack to Briefcase Boot Camp in order to teach students valuable professional skills that are not always covered in the classroom. Center for Community and Civic Engagement Each year, students and community members look forward to participating in MLK Day of Service organized by the Center for Community and Civic Engagement (CCCE) to honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and commemorate his legacy through service. Because of Winter Session however, MLK Day of Service 2019 looked different than years past due to most students being absent from campus on January 21. However, that didnt stop community members and the students who remained in Bowling Green from coming together for a day on, not a day off to commemorate Dr. Kings legacy. CCCE partnered with the Brown Bag Food Project to collect and distribute canned food donations to food pantries in Bowling Green and Wood County. With values rooted in community-based learning and civic development, CCCE is also home to Bowling Green Alternative Breaks (bGAB), a program that empowers students to become active global citizens and strives to address community-identified needs. Over Winter Session, three week-long bGAB trips took place in Illinois, Virginia, and Louisiana and included the first-ever graduate student trip as well as the first-ever flying trip. A group of 10 graduate students journeyed to the Back of the Yards neighborhood in Chicago to complete service with Su Casa Catholic Worker, which included helping prepare and serve breakfast at a local soup kitchen. The participants also had the opportunity to network with other graduate students across programs and make progress on academic goals. In spite of the mammoth winter storm that buried Bowling Green along with most of the Midwest in snow, two bGAB trips traveled south to Richmond, Virginia, and New Orleans to work with International Rescue Committee and St. Bernard Project, respectively. The Richmond trip focused on refugee resettlement and also enjoyed the opportunity to meet and have dinner with BGSU alumni hosted by alumna Shelly Poole 80 in her Richmond home. The other group of undergraduate students flew to New Orleans to help rebuild homes in communities still recovering from the destruction of Hurricane Katrina. While serving throughout the week, the group learned about a variety of social issues that contributed to the lasting physical, social and environmental devastation of the 2005 hurricane. The students also met with alumnus Joe Peiffer 96 at a local New Orleans restaurant and spent some time exploring the city. Megan Faulkner, a graduate student who works in CCCE as bGAB Coordinator and was on the New Orleans trip, expressed her excitement about the future of bGAB and the opportunity to grow student participation. Winter session enabled bGAB the opportunity to provide more week-long service opportunities, Faulkner said. These trips allow students to learn about a social issue in a new community while connecting with students across programs and networking with alumni from across the country. In total, bGAB sent 38 students on winter trips completing more than 960 hours of community service during Winter Session. Center for Leadership The Center for Leadership seized the opportunity to host LeaderShape Institute, an intensive and energizing leadership development experience. Students had to apply to be part of the six-day program that was held at Heartland Retreat Center during the final week of Winter Session. The participants came from a wide range of majors and many were in their sophomore or junior year at BGSU. The LeaderShape experience is designed to cultivate student leaders and help them build their vision for how to improve BGSU and the larger campus community. LeaderShape is a truly eye-opening experience no matter where you are on the leadership spectrum, said LeaderShape participant Liz Massien, a sophomore biochemistry major. Initially, I thought that I knew a lot about leadership, so I was skeptical about how much more I was going to get out of it," Massien said. "In the end, I was honestly blown away with how much I took away from that experience. Overall, participants agreed that because of LeaderShape, they made lasting connections with other student leaders and were excited to learn how to put their vision and passion into action in order to create positive change at BGSU. Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship With a drive to encourage students from all disciplines to engage in meaningful research and a desire to foster the research culture amongst students, faculty, administrators, alumni, and members of the greater BGSU community, the Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (CURS) provided students the opportunity to apply for Winter CURS Grants to help fund research projects. During late fall semester, my research team completed one of the 16 research project proposals that were submitted to CURS be considered for a Winter CURS Grant. As a CURS Winter Grant Recipient, I was afforded the opportunity to continue to work on a larger research project that began during fall semester 2018 and will continue through spring semester 2019. My research team is comprised of faculty and fellow undergraduate students and we used the three-week session to code newspaper articles. After our team has finished collecting qualitative data, we will test our hypotheses to determine if the female gubernatorial candidates, received disproportionate coverage compared to their male counterparts leading up to the 2018 election. Thanks to the additional time we dedicated to the research project during Winter Session, we aim to finish this project and present our research at the spring Center for Undergraduate Research Symposium. If our team uncovers statistically significant findings about the prevalence of disproportionate media coverage of female candidates in the 2018 gubernatorial election in Ohio, we will be contributing to a robust body of existing literature and research that has documented the transformation of political media coverage towards women over the last half a century. Graduate College The Graduate College and Learning Commons teamed up to sponsor a Dissertation Boot Camp that provided students with access to writing consultants from around campus, including two current Ph.D students from the Rhetoric and Writing program, to work on different aspects of the dissertation. The six students who participated in the Boot Camp found the experience beneficial and provided positive feedback to Graduate Outreach and Student Success Coordinator, Dr. Jennifer Sayre. One of the participants, Andrea Hauser, enjoyed having two days over winter session to completely dedicate to working on her dissertation and hopes that a similar event is offered again next year. The Heads of State and Government of the Sahel Climate Commission have commended the pioneering role of King Mohammed VI and his vision for a strong and resilient Africa. In the final communique issued at the end of the first Summit Conference of the Climate Commission for the Sahel, held Monday in Niamey, Niger, the Heads of State and Government hailed the pioneering role played by King Mohammed VI and his vision for a strong and resilient Africa as well as the leadership and availability of Morocco, a founding partner of the three climate commissions in Africa. Morocco has always worked for ambitious South-South cooperation to guarantee the harmonious and sustainable development of Africa, the communique added. The Heads of State and Government also hailed the Sovereigns initiative to prompt the creation of the three Climate Commissions in Africa and his commitment to ensure their operationalization. These commissions that were set up at the African Summit of Action, held at the initiative of King Mohammed VI on the sidelines of the COP22, in November 2016 in Marrakech, are The Congo Basin Commission, chaired by Congo; The Sahel Region Commission, chaired by Niger; and The Island States Commission, chaired by Seychelles. King Mohammed VI announced at the opening of the first Summit Conference of the Climate Commission for the Sahel that Morocco will finance the feasibility studies to finalize the Climate Investment Plan for the Sahel region. The Sovereign underlined, in a message he addressed to the summit, the importance of the Climate Investment Plan for the Sahel region and its Priority Regional Program, which will complete the vital projects underway, that were announced on the sidelines of the COP22. The Climate Commission for the Sahel Region can count on the Climate Change Competence Center of Morocco (4C Maroc), particularly in terms of capacity building for its members, the monarch pointed out in his message. The center, set up in 2014, is a national and continental platform of excellence for the development and dissemination of knowledge and best practices on climate change. Moncks Corner, SC (29461) Today A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Slight chance of a shower late. Low 68F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Slight chance of a shower late. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. A Bangladeshi minister on Monday identified a suspected hijacker who was killed by commandoes the day before, but did not release information about a motive nor confirm reports that the man on the plane had a fake gun. The Bangladeshi suspect had studied at a local madrassa, or Islamic boarding school, said Mahbub Ali, the state minister for civil aviation. However, Ali and other officials did not confirm or rule out whether the man who allegedly hijacked Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight on Sunday had terrorist links. What we have come to know is that the so-called hijackers name was Md Polash Ahmed. He hailed from Sonargaon in Narayanganj, Ali told a press conference at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. We have been investigating the incident. Unless we finish it, we cannot determine what motivated him, Ali told BenarNews. Ahmeds father, Piyar Jahan Sardar, said he refused to claim his dead sons body, telling Benar that the 28-year-old Ahmed had been undisciplined since childhood but recently started praying five times a day. I thought he changed positively, but on Friday he told us that he was going to Dubai to work as a migrant worker. This is really frustrating for us all, Sardar said. The Biman Boeing 737-800, which carried 148 passengers and crew, was traveling from Dhaka to Dubai via Chittagong, where Ahmed was shot dead during a standoff with security forces, after the airliner landed in the southern Bangladeshi city and most of those on board evacuated the plane. No one else was reported killed or injured. Details A civil aviation official who was not authorized to discuss the hijacking, said flight BG147 took off from Dhaka after 5 p.m. Sunday. Ahmed, who identified himself as Mahadi, rushed to the front of the plane and tried to pry open the cockpit door. Ahmed threatened to blow up the plane unless he was allowed to talk to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and to his wife, the anonymous official said. The pilot did not open the cockpit door, but passed an urgent message about the hijacking to air traffic control. The flight made its scheduled landing at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong at 5:41 p.m. There, the other passengers fled the plane through the emergency exits, the source said. The hijacker held one crew member hostage who was freed before commandos began their operation, according to the source. Shortly after the hijacking was declared over on Sunday, Maj. Gen. S.M. Matiur Rahman, the army commander in Chittagong, told reporters that the hijacker had a pistol and refused to surrender. After about two hours, commandos stormed the plane, shooting and injuring the hijacker who died while being dragged out. But the gun used by the suspect was fake, Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mahbubur Rahman told reporters later on Sunday. Ali, the state minister for civil aviation, could not confirm Mahbubur Rahmans statement. I do not want to make any comment on the police statement that he carried a fake gun. But what I can assert is that, given the airport security in place, it is not possible for a passenger to take a pistol inside an aircraft, he said Monday. The passengers had two destinations. Some were headed for Chittagong and some for Dubai. So, some passengers boarded through the international gate and some through the domestic terminal, Ali told BenarNews. He boarded the flight as a domestic passenger. Speaking to BenarNews on the condition of anonymity, an official in charge of security at the Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka said international passengers would be required to pass through a three-stage security check before boarding the flight. The domestic passengers, on the other hand, would go through a two-layer security system. All international passengers are confined to the gate through which they either board the flight or they are carried to the plane by specially protected buses. But for the domestic passengers, they enjoy some freedom, the official said. After the second security screening, the passengers are not strictly confined to the terminal. So, the hijacker could have exploited the relaxed security. Meanwhile in Dhaka on Monday, an opposition MP questioned Ali about the airport security system. We have to undergo security checks four times before get on board the plane. How can a person enter an aircraft with a pistol? We cannot take this issue lightly, said Rustum Ali Faraji, a lawmaker from the opposition Jatiya Party. He said the government should form an all-party committee to investigate the hijacking incident. We have constituted a five-member probe body headed by an additional secretary, Ali told the MPs. A serious crime Piyar Sardar, Ahmeds father, said his son had completed his secondary education in 2011 and enrolled at the Sonargaon Degree College in Narayanganj, in central Bangladesh, but dropped out before finishing. Ahmed went to Dhaka and got involved in the film industry, where he married an actress, his second wife, in 2017, the father said. He did not maintain connections with us. On Feb. 1, he came to our house and stayed with us. I saw some changes in his attitude. He started praying five times a day, Sardar told BenarNews. My son has committed a serious crime. I do not want to take his body. Floral tributes placed at the scene where father-of-two Ian Ogle was murdered by UVF thugs last week Funeral of murder victim Ian Ogle at Covenant Love Church on the Albertbridge Road in east Belfast. Vera and Toni Ogle as The funeral of Ian Ogle takes place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) The funeral of Ian Ogle takes place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) The funeral of Ian Ogle takes place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) The funeral of Ian Ogle takes place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Vera and Ryan Ogle as The funeral of Ian Ogle takes place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Vera, Toni and Ryan Ogle as The funeral of Ian Ogle takes place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Vera, Toni and Ryan Ogle as The funeral of Ian Ogle takes place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) The funeral of Ian Ogle takes place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Toni Ogle as The funeral of Ian Ogle takes place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) The funeral of Ian Ogle takes place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Toni Ogle as The funeral of Ian Ogle takes place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Toni Ogle as The funeral of Ian Ogle takes place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) The funeral of Ian Ogle takes place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Toni Ogle as The funeral of Ian Ogle takes place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) MP Gavin Robinson as The funeral of Ian Ogle takes place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) The funeral of Ian Ogle takes place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) The funeral of Ian Ogle takes place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) The funeral of Ian Ogle takes place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) The funeral of Ian Ogle takes place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) The funeral of Ian Ogle takes place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Funeral of murder victim Ian Ogle at Covenant Love Church on the Albertbridge Road in east Belfast. The 45-year-old died after being assaulted by several people at Cluan Place area of east Belfast last week. Funeral of murder victim Ian Ogle at Covenant Love Church on the Albertbridge Road in east Belfast. The 45-year-old died after being assaulted by several people at Cluan Place area of east Belfast last week. Funeral in east Belfast for murdered loyalist Ian Ogle. Mr Ogle was murdered by a loyalist gang close to his house in Cluan Place last Sunday night. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Funeral in east Belfast for murdered loyalist Ian Ogle. Mr Ogle was murdered by a loyalist gang close to his house in Cluan Place last Sunday night. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Funeral in east Belfast for murdered loyalist Ian Ogle. Mr Ogle was murdered by a loyalist gang close to his house in Cluan Place last Sunday night. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Funeral in east Belfast for murdered loyalist Ian Ogle. Mr Ogle was murdered by a loyalist gang close to his house in Cluan Place last Sunday night. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Funeral in east Belfast for murdered loyalist Ian Ogle. Mr Ogle was murdered by a loyalist gang close to his house in Cluan Place last Sunday night. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Funeral in east Belfast for murdered loyalist Ian Ogle. Mr Ogle was murdered by a loyalist gang close to his house in Cluan Place last Sunday night. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Ian Ogle's daughter Toni during the Funeral in east Belfast for murdered loyalist Ian Ogle. Mr Ogle was murdered by a loyalist gang close to his house in Cluan Place last Sunday night. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Funeral in east Belfast for murdered loyalist Ian Ogle. Mr Ogle was murdered by a loyalist gang close to his house in Cluan Place last Sunday night. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Ian Ogle's children Ryan and Toni during the Funeral in east Belfast for murdered loyalist Ian Ogle. Mr Ogle was murdered by a loyalist gang close to his house in Cluan Place last Sunday night. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Funeral in east Belfast for murdered loyalist Ian Ogle. Mr Ogle was murdered by a loyalist gang close to his house in Cluan Place last Sunday night. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Funeral in east Belfast for murdered loyalist Ian Ogle. Mr Ogle was murdered by a loyalist gang close to his house in Cluan Place last Sunday night. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press Funeral of murder victim Ian Ogle at Covenant Love Church on the Albertbridge Road in east Belfast. The 45-year-old died after being assaulted by several people at Cluan Place area of east Belfast last week. Funeral of murder victim Ian Ogle at Covenant Love Church on the Albertbridge Road in east Belfast. The 45-year-old died after being assaulted by several people at Cluan Place area of east Belfast last week. Funeral of murder victim Ian Ogle at Covenant Love Church on the Albertbridge Road in east Belfast. The 45-year-old died after being assaulted by several people at Cluan Place area of east Belfast last week. Ian Olge's family including his son Ryan and daughter Toni pictured at the funeral. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye The funeral of Ian Ogle take place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Vera, Ryan and Toni Ogle as The funeral of Ian Ogle take place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) The funeral of Ian Ogle take place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) The funeral of Ian Ogle take place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) The funeral of Ian Ogle take place in east Belfast on February 4th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Funeral of murder victim Ian Ogle at Covenant Love Church on the Albertbridge Road in east Belfast. The 45-year-old died after being assaulted by several people at Cluan Place area of east Belfast last week. Cops probing the murder of Ian Ogle have recovered a knife from a river that may have been used in the attack. The blade was among several items dredged by a specialist PSNI underwater search team from the bottom of the Connswater River that flows through inner-east Belfast. Read More It is now being forensically tested to see if it matches the 11 stab wounds inflicted on Ogle by a UVF gang last month. A PSNI insider said: "It is too early to say whether it was the actual knife used to kill Ian Ogle, but it's a significant enough development. "What we don't want is the public to assume this was the murder weapon and to maybe see another knife lying somewhere and not to report it." Referring to the Connswater River knife find, Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said: "Detectives have recovered a number of items, including a knife, following searches in relation to the murder of Ian Ogle. Enquiries are ongoing to determine if any of these items are connected to this murder." The river flows through the Sydenham and the Newtownards Road areas into the sea. It is close to Pitt Place, where Ian Ogle's killers fled in a car after stabbing and beating the leading loyalist outside his Cluan Place home on January 27. Although five people were involved in the horrific attack on the dad-of-two, only one man has been charged with his murder. Johnny Brown (33) was remanded in custody two weeks ago after returning to Northern Ireland from Thailand, which he had flown out to the day after the killing. He denies any involvement. Joining him on the trip, but remaining abroad, was close friend Glenn Rainey, who is being treated by police as a suspect who they want to question. Another leading loyalist who cops want to speak to, Mark Sewell (below), has so far evaded detectives amid unconfirmed reports that he is in Spain. The Ogle family have accused UVF members of being involved in the murder, a view shared by the PSNI, which says it is a major line of inquiry. The terror gang has admitted that some of its men were involved. However, it insists that the killing was unsanctioned at a leadership level and the Newtownards Road commander who okayed it at a local level has been stood down. This individual was the gunman who murdered Jameson Lockhart in 2005 during a UVF/LVF feud. PSNI sources told Sunday Life that although they accept the UVF leadership did not give the order for Ogle to be murdered, senior figures have since been involved in aiding his killers. One insider said: "Within hours of the murder, a number of suspects fled Northern Ireland, at least two of them remain outside the jurisdiction. "That required a good deal of planning." Security sources doubt if the Ogle suspects will remain outside Northern Ireland indefinitely. Another added: "We expect them to come home at some point, probably when their cashflow runs dry." Ogle (45) was a low-level UVF member who fell out with the gang's Newtownards Road unit after his children, Ryan and Toni, were assaulted during a bar room brawl. He was forced to pay for the damage to the premises and told that both he and son Ryan were to be victims of a pre-arranged punishment attack. They refused to attend the meeting at which their arms and legs were to be broken, leading to further threats. In the hours before his murder, Ian Ogle and Ryan were involved in a clash with a UVF relative on the Beersbridge Road. The paramilitary later summoned a UVF gang who had spent the day drinking and taking drugs in an east Belfast pub. They showed up at the Ogle family home in Cluan Place and attacked Ian, who was praying with his local pastor in the street, stabbing him 11 times and fracturing his skull. The cop leading the murder inquiry, DS Murphy, added: "It is important that anyone with information contacts the investigation team." Lisa (25) was last seen at a caravan on a site at Ballyhalbert, Co Down, in February 2005 The body of missing murder victim Lisa Dorrian was secretly buried by a father and son. That is now the major line of inquiry for detectives and why they believe that 14 years after her disappearance, the killer and his accomplice have not given each other up. Lisa (25) was last seen at a caravan on a site at Ballyhalbert, Co Down, in February 2005 - her anniversary occurs on Wednesday. Touching on the killer and his colleague's close "bond", the top cop leading the murder inquiry, Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy, said: "I firmly believe that the answers to Lisa's disappearance lie with a small number of people. "They may believe that they are bound by a common bond and have maintained their silence as a result. That silence will be a heavy and lifelong burden. We can help to unlock that burden, but we cannot do so whilst they remain silent." Expand Close Detectives are still investigating the disappearance of Lisa Dorrian. Picture: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Detectives are still investigating the disappearance of Lisa Dorrian. Picture: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Security sources told Sunday Life that they believe how after the Bangor shop worker was murdered her panicked killer, who did not drive and did not have access to a car, contacted his father to help dispose of her body. This individual, a member of the Red Hand Commando terror gang, travelled from his Co Antrim home to the caravan site at Ballyhalbert in north Down where she was last seen alive. The father and son are understood to have placed Lisa's body in the boot of his vehicle and secretly buried her nearby. One theory is that she may have been disappeared on land at the rear of the caravan park that was being developed for new houses - the foundations were being dug at the time. The killer and his accomplice were later able to remove all forensic traces from the car because the initial police investigation centred on a group of criminals who Lisa was in debt to as suspects. Expand Close Lisa Dorrian / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lisa Dorrian A security insider with detailed knowledge of the case, said: "Lisa's murder was not pre-planned, and her disappearance was hurried. "The major line of inquiry is that she was killed by 'A', and then realising what he had did he summoned his father 'B' to help hide her body." PSNI insiders suspect the killer and his colleague were able to remove DNA traces from the car used to transport Lisa's body because the murder inquiry initially focused on a crime gang to which she was linked. Members of this group, her ex-boyfriend Stevie Thompson (40), Marty Peacock (35) and Mark Smyth (36), have since been ruled out of police inquiries. Sunday Life can also reveal that Red Hand Commando leaders have accepted that one of its veteran members helped his killer son bury Lisa's body. Despite this the terror gang - which is petitioning the government to be decriminalised - is refusing to put pressure on him to reveal where her body is hidden. Cops investigating Lisa's killing and secret burial have so far questioned more than 400 people, taken 1,100 statements, arrested 10 individuals, carried out 306 searches and forensically examined 371 items. DS Murphy is convinced she was murdered by someone she knew, saying: "They hold the key to the Dorrian family being able to finally put Lisa to rest. I do not believe that Lisa was killed by a stranger, and that leads me to the very solemn conclusion that Lisa was killed by someone that she knew and trusted." Vowing to continue attempts to recover her body, DS Murphy added: "We have not given up on our pursuit of justice. We have not given up on our search for Lisa's body. "Those who choose to withhold what they know should expect us to rigorously investigate them." In the hours before Lisa disappeared she was partying in a Ballyhalbert caravan, which was closed for the winter with few people on site. The last person to see Lisa alive, teenager Mark Lovett, told police how he and Lisa fled the caravan when they heard noises and saw flashing lights outside. In a second anonymous account given to BBC Spotlight in 2005, the then 17-year-old explained how they lost each other in the dark at 5am. Lovett said he searched for Lisa and rang her mobile, which was answered by her ex-boyfriend Stevie Thompson, who is not a police suspect. Thompson later told this newspaper he had bought the phone for Lisa, which she had given back to him after they ended their relationship a few days before her disappearance. Anyone with information about the murder of Lisa Dorrian should contact police on the non-emergency 101 number or the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111. I was a guest speaker last Saturday week at a reunion in the Clogher Valley for ex-members of the Ulster Defence Regiment. It is an area I have known well since the mid-1990s, when I came to know ex-members of the UDR as well as an ex-member of the IRA, who had murdered one of their colleagues in 1974. I developed a great respect for the stoicism and courage of the vast majority of the UDR who, despite the ever-present risk to life and limb, successfully fought terrorism in their backyard to protect their families, neighbours, communities and country. Sean O'Callaghan was one of the IRA gang that murdered Greenfinch Eva Martin. By the time he died in 2017 he had turned against the IRA; had saved many lives as an unpaid agent of the Garda; had confessed to his crimes and served a prison term, had written The Informer, which caused the IRA and Sinn Fein no end of embarrassment, and had among his friends serving and retired ex-members of the security forces. At his memorial service there were joint prayers for him, Eva Martin and RUC Inspector Peter Flanagan, his other murder victim. The UDR, like the RUC, was one of the four beneficiaries of the collection. Organised by William Robinson, who had been at that service, the Clogher reunion was rich in music and spectacle for the 400 guests or so at the 33 tables. I was delighted to meet that great musician Willie Drennan - a long-time director of the Ulster-Scots Folk Orchestra - who gave me a CD with many of the tunes (like Garryowen and Killaloe) which were played that night. Because I see Tyrone as my patch, and had several friends at the event, I saw my main role as warm-up woman to Kevin Myers, the other guest speaker, who had been an intrepid war correspondent at home and abroad. Kevin and I are long-time friends, allies, uncompromising opponents of both loyalist and republican terrorism and defenders of underdogs. We also share a great respect for all the ordinary, decent people who faced vicious enemies and never lost their humanity. As I mentioned in my speech, I loathe the way in which cynical republican propagandists have set out to demonise the fine people they murdered and mutilated, as well as anyone who doesn't fit their pro-IRA narrative. In Kevin's case this caused him to champion the cause of those heroes and victims airbrushed out of Irish history after Irish independence. It was he, more than anyone, who campaigned to remind the Irish of their countrymen's sacrifice in two World Wars; a major success was the restoration of the Islandbridge Great War Memorial that had become a Dublin Corporation dump. In talking about that, I expressed my personal gratitude to him that people like my Grandfather O'Sullivan, who lost an eye and was gassed, are among those who have latterly been honoured after almost a century of indifference or hostility. Kevin's speech was a powerful and moving tribute to those he said were the true heroes of the United Kingdom, who had had to live day and night with threats for more than 27 years. With forbearance and stoicism and quiet courage, hundreds of nights, year after year, he said, they had defended people's civil right to go to work, school and look after their families. At every one of the tables were people with stories of survival and witness to terrible events and great suffering. Without the heroism of the locally recruited security forces there could have been a civil war across Ireland. The collusion, Kevin pointed out, such as it was, as the casualty figures show, was infinitesimal compared to the faithful adherence to the rule of law of the vast majority of the men and women of the UDR. Not merely did the UK owe a debt to these brave people, he said, but so too did the people of Ireland. There was a very emotional standing ovation to Kevin from a group who are rarely given their due. It was a wonderful event that went on half the night. We were both honoured to be there and will never forget it. In an age where equality is so widely extolled, private education is thriving and most private schools in the Dublin area are over-subscribed. With the return of economic prosperity (apparently), parents don't baulk at paying 6,000 or 7,000 annually for their cherished offspring to attend Alexandra or Gonzaga College. Boarding schools are more expensive. The sprog sent to St Columba's costs 22,800 annually, while Clongowes charges 19,890 and Glenstal Abbey 19,300. There's no shortage of customers willing to stump up these fees from taxed income - probably a bargain compared to British school fees, where it's 34,302 to send a lad to Eton and 32,490 to send a lass or lad to Marlborough - Kate Middleton's old school. The unspoken truth is that a private education is still one of the assured routes to success. Boarding school has been described as a form of child abandonment, and the 'misery memoir' of boarding-school life is an entire genre of literature, from Antonia White's Frost in May to Louis MacNeice's The Strings are False. Ghastly experiences are described: boys subjected to "mass caning", sexual humiliation and rule by oligarchy; girls scapegoated, manipulated and repressed by sadistic nuns or spiteful, embittered lay teachers. Yet there's another genre of boarding-school literature, depicting its glamour and friendship. This was more prevalent among girls, and stories by Angela Brazil, Elinor Brent-Dyer (the Chalet School series) and Enid Blyton (Malory Towers) burnished the image of boarding school life. These narratives depicted a closed society in which the girls more or less ruled, and where happiness was achieved when a new girl could finally say "I belong", after she has served her time deferring to the in-group of more dominant seniors. A study of English girls' boarding schools between 1939 and 1979 (Terms and Conditions by Ysenda Maxtone Graham) describes fairly accurately my own experience of a convent boarding school in Dublin, and my elder sister's in Wicklow. Corridors were walked in single file and silence. Letters home were censored - girls were told it would cause their parents pain if they said they were unhappy. Unsuitable books were confiscated. Deportment and elocution were vital - the parents expected their offspring to be equipped with the 'right' accent. Boarding school girls on the promenade had to walk two by two, and acquiring a walking partner was a big deal. At Cheltenham Ladies College, those who didn't have a walking partner had to 'tag' - be the third girl alongside a pair, who often shunned her (one poor girl had very bad acne and always had to tag). Letters and parcels from home were important, and those who didn't get mail lost status. Until the late 1950s, parental visits were discouraged. My sister complained our parents scarcely visited her at Dominican, Wicklow. There was always bullying, bitchiness and scapegoating, well before social media, but pupils were expected to stand up for themselves, and if they were distressed (by the loss of a parent, or even a pet), they were told "don't bore others with your emotions". The women who founded girls' schools - including pioneering nuns like Mary Ward, Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat and Mother Cornelia Connelly - believed that girls' education should fit them to be intellectual equals with boys - thus schools had to be harsh to fit women to compete in a man's world. "Chin up, Doreen!" was the catchword if a pupil seemed depressed. Boarding schools today are totally different. Websites emphasise child protection, policies about bullying, sensitive attitudes to sexuality and relationships and care and concern for the young person's wellbeing. King's Hospital school in Dublin (Leo Varadkar's alma mater) accommodates boarders full-time, or on a five-day basis (16,795 seven-day boarding, 14,890 for five-day). Having been investigated for bullying and intimidation, and a charge of sexual assault by a group of boys, the school has doubled up on its child protection policies. Its headmaster, Mark Ronan, puts special emphasis on mental health and supporting students with anxiety. This would have been called coddling in previous boarding school lore. Anyone inclined to 'blub' at Malory Towers would be told, "Don't be a goose, Felicity!". However, the new, caring approach is working well, if judged by market success. And parents today are customers who want value for money: they don't necessarily defer to the authority of an institution. The revival of the boarding school is ascribed to a number of developments, including families moving around more because of their jobs, and modern communications softening the effect of separation. My grandchildren think boarding school must be wonderful, but that is down to one factor only: Hogwarts. Maybe Harry Potter has, single-handedly, re-branded boarding school for a new generation. Pope Francis has said priests and members of religious congregations who abuse children are the "tools of Satan". He concluded the Catholic Church's four-day global summit on child protection in the Vatican with a heartfelt appeal for an "all-out battle against the abuse of minors" warning that such "abominable crimes" must be "erased from the face of the Earth". The leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics told 190 cardinals, bishops and religious superiors that the worldwide "plague" of child abuse was all the more grave and scandalous in the Church because it was "utterly incompatible" with the Church's moral authority and ethical credibility. On the issue of abuse, he said: "We see the hand of the evil that does not spare even the innocence of children", adding that priests and members of religious congregations who abused children had "become tools of Satan". He said the Church had now "become increasingly aware of the need not only to curb the gravest cases of abuse by disciplinary measures and civil and canonical processes, but also to decisively confront the phenomenon both inside and outside the Church". However, survivors of clerical abuse expressed disappointment over the Pope's address and the summit's pledges, which they said amounted to micro-reform. Amnesty Ireland executive director Colm O'Gorman, who was abused by notorious paedophile Fr Sean Fortune, criticised the "vague commitment" to the development of new policies and procedures and new laws. He said the Church had "routinely rolled out such commitments, has occasionally rolled out new policies, guidelines and rules" for over three decades "and then has gone on to completely ignore them or refuse to implement them because they weren't mandated or required by canon law". He urged the Vatican to "offer itself up to proper accountability" for covering up child abuse. "We need to see the Vatican open up its records and files to a proper independent investigation of exactly what it has done going back many decades by an appropriate authority, for instance the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child," he said. Mr O'Gorman criticised the amount of space given in the Pope's speech to putting the Church's failures on child abuse within a wider societal context. "Francis quite rightly pointed out that abuse most commonly happens within families, but I am not sure what the relevance of that fact is to the particular problem of the cover-up of child abuse within the Roman Catholic church directed by the Vatican." He added: "It smacks of the kind of language that we have seen going back a number of decades from the Vatican, which sought to minimise the nature of the problem and to suggest that this problem was located somewhere outside of the Vatican." Dublin abuse survivor Marie Collins said: "There was very strong talk about what needs to be done and admissions that the Church has covered up and handled abuse badly but nothing on solid initiatives to deal with abusers or their protectors." But she said the Pope had condemned abusers in the Church in "very vivid terms and made it clear that the actions of those who cover up are equally egregious. This latter was important". The First summit between the League of Arab States and the European Union held in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, February 24-25, has reiterated the two sides commitment to reaching a two-state solution, and to achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace between Israelis and Palestinians. In a declaration adopted by the summit Monday, the two sides reaffirmed their common positions on the Middle East Peace Process, saying they reiterated their commitment to reaching a two-state solution on the basis of all relevant UN resolutions, as the only realistic way to end the occupation that began in 1967, including of East Jerusalem, and to achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace between Israelis and Palestinians through direct negotiations between the parties that addresses all final status issues. They also reaffirmed their common positions on the status of Jerusalem, and on the illegality under international law of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. We recalled the importance of upholding the historic status quo for the holy sites in Jerusalem, including with regard to the Custodianship of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Declaration states. We reaffirmed the indispensable role of UNRWA and the need to support it politically and financially in order to allow it to continue fulfilling its UN mandate, the text reads. We expressed our concern about the humanitarian, political, security and economic situation in the Gaza Strip, and called for all parties to take immediate steps to produce a fundamental change to the better in full respect of international law, including human rights and humanitarian law, especially with respect to the protection of civilians. The Declaration points out that participants had constructive, serious and thorough discussions on recent developments in Syria, Libya and Yemen, and on ways to make progress towards reconciliation and sustainable and peaceful political solutions, in line with relevant UN resolutions. We affirmed the need to preserve the unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of these countries. We reaffirmed our commitment to the UN-led processes and our full support to the UN Special Envoys for Syria and Yemen and to the UN Special Representative for Libya, the text states. The summit, which debated a number of common challenges, including the phenomenon of migration, vowed in this connection to protect and support refugees in accordance with international law and international human rights principles, and to condemn all forms of incitement to hatred, xenophobia and intolerance. It also pledged to strengthen the fight against irregular migration and to scale up joint efforts in preventing and fighting migrants smuggling, eradicating trafficking in human beings and combating those who exploit vulnerable people. Among other serious challenges that endanger international and regional peace and security, the summit discussed terrorism, radicalization, destabilizing actions, proliferation, illegal arms trafficking and organized crime, deeming that these threats require concerted efforts. To this end, Arab and European countries agreed in particular to further enhance cooperation and coordination aimed at addressing the root causes of terrorism, and stressed the need to continue efforts to combat the movement of foreign terrorist fighters across their borders. They affirmed that successfully combating these challenges requires a comprehensive approach including, inter alia, cutting-off all methods of support to those terrorists including financial, political, logistical and military support. They agreed to hold the Arab League-EU Summits regularly, alternating between Arab and European states. The next summit will take place in Brussels in 2022. Just got released after being interrogated by the Vietnamese security officials Yesterday I made my first public appearance with a new Donald Trump impersonator Russell White and hit the streets of Hanoi Vietnam at 2pm. After our story blew up on both the international and local press we were invited to VT1 building at 23 Lac Trung street, Hai Ba Trung district at around 5pm and arrived at around 5:40pm. All the 50 or so staff at the news section were extremely excited to see us and we taped an interview that was supposed to air nationally with local journalist Hoang Duy last night. Right after we shot the piece and was being in the process of subtitled and translated, about 15 police or immigration officers came to the 6th floor of the TV station and demanded a mandatory interview with us. We told them that we were in no mood for an interview as we were headed out for dinner but the officer said that it was mandatory that we sit down with them as it is the law of the land that we must be interviewed when the police asks for one. That is despite although we were not charged with breaking any laws of the country. We were taken to different parts of the room where we were interviewed separately and were asked to present our passports in regards to our visas, how we managed to obtain them, who we obtained them from and what our plans were for the duration of our stay. They then said that this was a very sensitive time in the city due to the Trump/Kim summit and that our impersonation was causing a disturbance and he suggested that we do not do the impersonation in public for the duration of our stay as these presidents have many enemies and that it was for our own safety. I then told him that first of all everyone loved the act and treated us like rock stars and second we did not break any laws of the country. I told him that being a professional impersonator is not a crime and that these were our natural good looks and that even if we were not wearing a suit, we still get recognised in public and asked for photos. So I asked him if it was a crime for simply looking like a famous political figure. The officer did not seem pleased with my answer. After checking my passport he then proceeded to tell me because I got my visa through a travel agency, I was breaking immigration laws as the agency is not a recognised agency and that all visas issued through a travel agency must provide an itinerary and personally accompany all their clients 24/7 everywhere they go. Because the company had failed to do so they have the right to deport me. In addition he said that it was illegal for me to be giving interviews to the press without offical permission for the government of Vietnam although we were officially invited by the government TV channel VTC. My reply to this ridiculous threat to deport me for giving interviews and breaking immigration law for not having the right papers was that they were just looking for an excuse to threaten me for doing my impersonation in public. After all I known thousands of tourists go through this company, which means if the law was applied as it was written, all of them would be deported. For reference the visa was applied through https://vietnamvisacenter.org, a very reputable company for visas to Vietnam as listed on the Lonely Planet travel guides. So I said so what you are going to deport me now to the airport? He then said that as he is a low ranking officer, he will have to send this information to the people higher up the chain to make a decision whether I would be deported later on. They are willing to temporarily release us given the conditions I had to sign a statement that they had written up in Vietnamese, that I must not move from my hotel to another one, not give anymore interviews and not to do any more impersonations in public. So of course I reluctantly said yes and signed the statement they had written up for me, as if I had a choice. So after being interrogated by these officers for around 2.5 hours, we were released and driven back to the hotel in an unmarked police van. However before we left the TV building, all of the police and security wanted to take a photo with us, after all that grieve they gave us over our impersonation! When we arrived back at our hotel there were a bunch of uniformed police officers already in the lobby waiting for us. Apparently according to the guests and staff from the hotel that I spoke to, they were waiting for us since 4pm. After speaking to Russell White the Trump impersonator, he recognised that one of the security officers who were integrating us in the room were following us around the whole day. Although we never told anyone that we were at the TV station, this guy followed us to the building before informing the rest his crew to come and harass us. Because of this whole incident, the interview that we recorded at VT1 was not aired last night. Although I am not surprised that I got detained for doing my impersonation in Vietnam, its still pretty annoying. What it shows is that Vietnam has a long way to to go before they will be a developed country and I wonder if they ever will under these conditions. If the Vietnamese authorities are willing to give this kind of harassment over something as trivial as an impersonation to a high profile foreigner, imagine what all the Vietnamese artists, musicians, film producers and all the political activists have to endure for simply wanting to release a controversial film, songs or for simply speaking up about real injustices in this country. If the Vietnamese authorities are reading this, let me just say to you that this kind of harassment is making your country look backwards and stupid to the rest of the civilised world. We did not break any laws. If we do indeed get deported or jailed simply for looking like a famous political figure, you will not only make your country an international laughing stock but affect people wanting to invest in your country and tourists coming to spend their money here. After all if we get punished over something so trivial, it shows that your country has no rule of law and that any tourist, entertainer investor could simply be punished at the whim of some over zealous government official. Also I would like to add that by having such high profile impersonators in your country, we are creating good satire and giving your country an extra week of positive free press around the world before the real summit. You should be paying us and rolling out the red carpet instead! Just look at the media footage in how excited your fellow country men gets when they see us, we are approachable, the real presidents are not! As I am writing this entry, there is police officer stationed right outside my hotel to track our movements. Come on really? Are we living in 2019 or 1984? Stay tuned to this site for updates but if I suddenly fall silent, Ive probably been disappeared by the Vietnamese government. *Attached is the video the moment the police whisked us into the room for integration before being asked to stop shooting. #Hanoi #HanoiSummit #VietnamSummit #Vietnam #SingaporeSummit #SingaporeMeeting # # #KimJongUn # #A #NorthKorea #DPRK # # # # # #DennisRodman # # #A #Pyongyang #SupremeLeader #DearLeader #Trump #impersonator #lookalike #interview #Interrogation A top Democrat has threatened to call special counsel Robert Mueller to Capitol Hill, subpoena documents and sue the Trump administration if the full Russia probe report is not made public. Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said his committee will keep close watch on new attorney general William Barr to see if he were to try to bury any part of this report. Mr Schiff also pledged to take it to court if necessary. When Muelleras investigation is complete, the report must be made public. If Attorney General Barr tries to hide it, weall subpoena the report, insist on the underlying evidence, have Mueller testify, and take it to court, if needed. The American people deserve the facts. pic.twitter.com/vZAb5zsgUU Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) February 24, 2019 He said anything less than complete disclosure would leave Barr, who now oversees the investigation, with a tarnished legacy. Mr Schiffs comments come as Democrats have made it clear that they are ready for an aggressive, public fight with the Justice Department if they are not satisfied with the level of access they have to Mr Muellers findings. Mr Mueller is showing signs of wrapping up his nearly two-year-old investigation into possible co-ordination between Trump associates and Russias efforts to sway the 2016 election. The report is not expected to be delivered to the Justice Department this coming week. Mr Barr has said he wants to release as much information as he can. But during his confirmation hearing last month, Mr Barr made clear that he will decide what the public sees, and that any report will be in his words, not Mr Muellers. Mr Schiff, in a television interview, suggested that anything short of Mr Muellers full report would not satisfy Democrats. He pointed to a public interest in seeing some of the underlying evidence, such as information gathered from searches conducted on long-time adviser to US President Donald Trump Roger Stone and Paul Manafort, a former Trump campaign chairman. With Democrats taking control of the House in January and Mr Schiff now the committee chairman, he has undertaken his own investigation. That means re-examining issues covered by a now-closed Republican probe that concluded there was no evidence Mr Trumps campaign conspired with Russia. Mr Schiff has said the committee also will pursue new matters, including whether foreign governments have leverage over Mr Trump, his relatives or associates. Some Democrats are pointing to documents that Justice Department officials provided to Congress in the wake of the investigation of Hillary Clintons emails, as well as information that Republicans demanded as part of their own inquiries. Mr Schiff said he told department officials after they released information related to the Clinton investigation that this was a new precedent they were setting and they were going to have to live by this precedent whether it was a Congress controlled by the Democrats or Republicans. Beyond that, however, is the intense public need to know here, which I think overrides any other consideration, he said. Supporters of the Chagos Islanders in Westminster in 2008 (PA) The United Kingdom must end its administration of the Chagos Islands as rapidly as possible, the United Nations highest court has said. Britain forcibly evicted people from the Chagos Archipelago, a sovereignty in the Indian Ocean disputed by the UK and Mauritius, in the 1960s and 1970s so the United States could build a military base. Judges at the International Court of Justice, in The Hague, said on Monday that the UKs detachment of the islands and their incorporation into the British Indian Ocean Territory was unlawful. The UKs ongoing administration is a wrongful act, according to an advisory opinion given by the court, which is not binding. The ICJ said: The court finds that the process of decolonisation of Mauritius was not lawfully completed when that country acceded to independence and that the United Kingdom is under an obligation to bring to an end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible. The UK agreed a package including 3 million with Mauritius for the detachment of the archipelago in 1965. Chagossians were forcibly removed between 1967 and 1973 to make way for a US military facility on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the group. Expand Close Louis Olivier Bancoult, leader of the Chagos Refugee Group at court in London in 2015 (PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Louis Olivier Bancoult, leader of the Chagos Refugee Group at court in London in 2015 (PA) Mauritius, which gained independence in 1968, maintains the islands are its own and Chagossians have also brought cases in British courts for the right to return. A spokeswoman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: This is an advisory opinion, not a judgment. Of course, we will look at the detail of it carefully. The defence facilities on the British Indian Ocean Territory help to protect people here in Britain and around the world from terrorist threats, organised crime and piracy. The ICJ said the opinion the UK should ends its administration was given with a majority of 13 votes to one. READ HERE: summary of the #ICJ Advisory Opinion on the Legal Consequences of the Separation of the #Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965 https://t.co/S4IAVRFhyG pic.twitter.com/ZpuNn6qWhN CIJ_ICJ (@CIJ_ICJ) February 25, 2019 Another part of its advisory opinion which said member states are under an obligation to co-operate with the United Nations in order to complete the decolonisation was given with the same majority. After recalling the circumstances in which the colony of Mauritius agreed in principle to such a detachment, the court considers that this detachment was not based on the free and genuine expression of the will of the people concerned, the ICJ said. The resettlement of Mauritian nationals on the islands should be addressed by the General Assembly during the completion of decolonisation, it added. About 2,000 people were evicted from the islands, with many resettling in Britain, Mauritius and Seychelles. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) The UK has said the islands will be returned to Mauritius when the need for military facilities ends. Rosa Curling, a solicitor with law firm Leigh Day, who represents Solange Hoareau, a Chagossian woman fighting a legal battle to return, said: We are considering the judgment carefully with our client, but clearly the UK should stop breaching international law. The time has come to allow the islanders to return home. Shamima Begum, 19, in a Syrian refugee camp, being shown a copy of the Home Office letter which stripped her of her British citizenship Islamic State bride Shamima Begums father has said she belongs to England and urged the Government to restore her citizenship. Ahmed Ali said his 19-year-old daughter should face justice in Britain despite previously appearing to back the removal of her citizenship. His comments, speaking to ITV News at his home in Bangladesh, contradict an earlier interview with The Mail On Sunday in which he reportedly said he does not have a problem with the Governments handling of the case. Expand Close Shamima Begum, then 15, who fled the UK to join the Islamic State terror group in Syria aged 15, and has been stripped of her British citizenship by the Home Office (PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Shamima Begum, then 15, who fled the UK to join the Islamic State terror group in Syria aged 15, and has been stripped of her British citizenship by the Home Office (PA) Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, stripped Ms Begum of her citizenship on advice she qualified for Bangladeshi citizenship through her mother. Mr Ali told ITV News: I dont think hes (Sajid Javid) done the right thing because she is a British citizen, and if it turns out she has committed any crimes, then she should face justice in the UK. She belongs to this country, she belongs to England. My daughter was a little child, she made a mistake, she didnt properly understand. I would like to make a plea to the British Government not to strip her of her citizenship. If she has made any mistakes, bring her back to London, and let them do whatever they think is necessary, but I think taking her back to London, I think is necessary. I see my daughter as British and I am hoping she will return, and whatever needs to be done, I and my family will do to support this. We will all fight to bring my daughter back to Britain. My wife is trying, and I will support my wife in her effort to bring our child back to the UK. Expand Close Home Secretary Sajid Javid stripped Ms Begum of her citizenship on advice she was eligible for Bangladeshi citizenship (Dominic Lipinski/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Home Secretary Sajid Javid stripped Ms Begum of her citizenship on advice she was eligible for Bangladeshi citizenship (Dominic Lipinski/PA) I dont believe shell be given Bangladeshi citizenship. And Shamima has never been to Bangladesh, I think the best thing will be if Britain takes her. Ms Begum has given several media interviews since she surfaced in a Syrian refugee camp, where she recently gave birth. Her father added: My message to Shamima is, if any reporters come to you, acknowledge your mistake, she was a child, and she was a child and didnt understand what she was doing. Id tell her to also apologise to the British Government. Former glamour model Katie Price was found slumped in a very drunken state in the back of her vomit-covered pink Range Rover after police saw the vehicle collide with a grass verge, a court has heard. The 40-year-old was allegedly almost twice the legal limit when she was arrested in the early hours of October 10 in Shooters Hill, Greenwich, south-east London. Price denied an additional charge of drink-driving when she appeared at Bexley Magistrates Court, having already entered a not-guilty plea to being in charge of a vehicle while over the limit. Expand Close Katie Price arrives at court for her drink-driving case (Rick Findler/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Katie Price arrives at court for her drink-driving case (Rick Findler/PA) Police Constables Benjamin Jones and Balvinder Mann first saw her car veer off the road and hit a grass verge at 12.40am before seeing it stationary about 15 minutes later. Pc Jones told the court that he approached the car to find Price in the back of the vehicle with her friend, Kris Boyson, in the passenger seat. Her eyes were blurred and her speech was a bit slurred. Although she was sitting, it was in a slumped position, Pc Jones said. I could smell alcohol. In my opinion she was drunk. Prosecutor Sonya Saul asked how drunk, to which the officer replied: I would say very. The car, he added, showed signs of a collision, with the bumper hanging off and pieces of shrubbery attached to its exterior. Pc Jones went on: I also noticed what appeared to be sick on the outside of the car. Both Price and Mr Boyson said a third person had been driving and that they ran off after the trio had an argument, the court heard. Mr Boyson told Price to shut up when she was asked who was driving and he refused to give officers the alleged drivers name while insisting he was not a grass, the court heard. They both said the unnamed person who fled the car had the key, but the cars engine later turned on, Pc Jones told the court. Expand Close Katie Price is on trial at Bexley Magistrates Court (Gareth Fuller/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Katie Price is on trial at Bexley Magistrates Court (Gareth Fuller/PA) Price was arrested in a shoeless state and taken to Plumstead police station for a breathalyser test, having allegedly refused one at the side of the road. She told officers she had been at a friends birthday celebration for the evening, during which she was drinking pornstar martini cocktails, the prosecutor said. Ms Saul concluded: The Crown says that Katie Price was clearly in charge of the car while drunk and also had been driving the car before it was stopped while over the limit. Under cross-examination by Prices lawyer, Paul McCauley, both officers said they were unable to ascertain who was driving the car at the time. Price, who lives in Horsham, West Sussex, was met by a mass of photographers as she arrived at the court in a black Mercedes. It is alleged Price had 69 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes. The trial continues. Theresa May has insisted to EU leaders that she is against extending Article 50 to allow more time for talks on a withdrawal deal. Despite facing pressure from pro-Europe Tories on the issue, the Prime Minister told German Chancellor Angela Merkel that she still believes an agreement can be sorted out by the scheduled exit date of March 29. The issue of extending Article 50, which would keep the UK in the EU beyond the planned withdrawal date, came up in a meeting between the two leaders on the fringes of the EU-League of Arab States summit they are both attending in Egypt. A senior UK Government official said Article 50 was mentioned briefly in the 45-minute talks and the PM remained with the view that such a move would only delay decisions. The official added: They did discuss Brexit, they discussed UK Parliament, things that have been happening in UK Parliament, things that are happening this week. Mrs May is also holding talks with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and Irish premier Leo Varadkar on Monday. The meetings come after the PM admitted she will not get a Brexit deal in time for MPs to hold a Meaningful Vote this week. Mrs May said she will put her deal to Parliament by March 12 at the latest just 17 days before Britain is due to leave the EU. The PM now faces the prospect of another potentially damaging Commons revolt on Wednesday when MPs are expected to mount a fresh attempt to block a no-deal break and extend Article 50. Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood suggested there was a possibility of Mrs May herself announcing an extension of the two-year Article 50 negotiation process beyond March 29. The Government doesn't feel to me to be behaving like a responsible government at all at the momentYvette Cooper He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: The Prime Minister is listening and is recognising the fact that we have tried very, very hard in order to secure a deal. Asked if she could announce an Article 50 extension after her return from talks with other EU leaders in Egypt, he said: You need to wait and hear what she has to say when she gets back. That, I dont know. Im encouraging that to happen because its not in anybodys interest to see no deal. Mr Ellwood called on Eurosceptic MPs in the European Research Group (ERG) to fall in line to help Mrs May secure a deal. Mrs Mays acknowledgement that she cannot get a deal to put to MPs this week means there will now be a further series of votes in the Commons on an amendable Government motion on Wednesday. A cross-party group of MPs seeking to block a no-deal break immediately confirmed they would be tabling an amendment giving the House the power to demand a delay to Brexit if an agreement is not in place by March 13. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) In recent days three pro-EU Cabinet ministers Amber Rudd, David Gauke and Greg Clark signalled they could be prepared to vote for it if there was no breakthrough in the negotiations. There was speculation that up to 100 Tory MPs including as many as 20 ministers could be prepared to join them as patience among MPs opposed to no deal is stretched to breaking point. Labour MP Yvette Cooper, who drew up the amendment with Conservative former minister Sir Oliver Letwin, said it would now become the real meaningful vote on the Brexit deal. She told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: The Government doesnt feel to me to be behaving like a responsible government at all at the moment. The idea that we could be only a few weeks from Brexit and we still dont know what kind of Brexit we are going to have and were not even going to have a vote on it until two weeks before that final deadline. I dont see how businesses can plan, I dont see how public services can plan and I think its just deeply damaging. Wake up. This is real. Come to a conclusion and close the deal.Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who Mrs May had a bilateral meeting with on Monday, said the UK needed to wake up about Brexit. Mr Rutte told the BBC: I will be straightforward. The Netherlands is one of your best friends. What you guys are doing leaving EU in this time of insecurity in the world, instability in EU is the wrong decision. Then having a process that might lead to no deal its four weeks until the end date and still the UK has not agreed a position. So, now we are sleepwalking into a no deal scenario. Its unacceptable and your best friends have to warn you. Wake up. This is real. Come to a conclusion and close the deal. European Commission spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said that in their meeting, Mrs May and Mr Juncker took stock of the work done over the last days by their teams and agreed on the need to conclude this work in time before the European Council on March 21. Challenged on whether this would leave enough time for the European Parliament to ratify any final deal in time for Brexit day on March 29, Ms Andreeva told a Brussels press briefing: Institutions are very well capable to act swiftly and take decisions when needed. Good progress was being made on the political declaration on future relations, proposed work on finding alternative arrangements to keep the Irish border open and possible additional guarantees on the backstop, she said. Chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier will meet a UK team in Brussels on Tuesday to take work further in this constructive spirit. Ms Andreeva described as pure speculation reports that the EU was considering a lengthy extension of the Article 50, perhaps to the end of 2020. An extension first of all requires the UK to request such an extension, and secondly it requires the EU27 to agree on an extension unanimously, she said. Neither of these two has happened so far which is why our working assumption remains that the UK is leaving on March 29 2019. Prime Minister Theresa May leaving a press conference as she attends the EU-League of Arab States Summit in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Theresa May has suggested she could try to take her EU Withdrawal Agreement through Parliament before it has been formally approved by the other 27 member states. Amid growing pressure to delay Brexit with just 32 days left on the clock, the Prime Minister insisted it is within our grasp for Britain to leave the EU with a deal on March 29. European Council president Donald Tusk revealed that he had discussed the legal and procedural process for extending the two-year Article 50 withdrawal negotiations with Mrs May when he met her on Sunday in Egypt. Mr Tusk said he believes delaying the UKs withdrawal beyond March 29 is now a rational solution, warning that the only alternative, if MPs cannot agree a deal, is a chaotic Brexit. And Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who had talks with Mrs May in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh on Monday, said the UK needed to wake up. Expand Close Theresa May met Mark Rutte of the Netherlands on the margin of the Sharm El-Sheikh summit (Stefan Rousseau/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Theresa May met Mark Rutte of the Netherlands on the margin of the Sharm El-Sheikh summit (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Mr Rutte told the BBC: The Netherlands is one of your best friends. What you guys are doing leaving EU in this time of insecurity in the world, instability in EU is the wrong decision. Its four weeks until the end date and still the UK has not agreed a position. So, now we are sleepwalking into a no-deal scenario. Its unacceptable and your best friends have to warn you. Wake up. This is real. Come to a conclusion and close the deal. Despite also facing pressure from pro-Europe Tories for a delay, the Prime Minister insisted in a press conference at the end of a summit of EU and Arab nations that she was sticking to her timetable. Its within our grasp to leave with a deal on March 29 and thats where all of my energies are going to be focused, she said. Challenged over whether MPs would be able to vote on any additional assurances she secures from Brussels before they have been formally signed off by the EU27, Mrs May told reporters: It is possible to do it either way. Expand Close Prime Minister Theresa May (left) had breakfast with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (right) (Stefan Rousseau/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Prime Minister Theresa May (left) had breakfast with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (right) (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Rejecting calls for a delay, the Prime Minister said: An extension to Article 50, a delay in this process, doesnt deliver a decision in Parliament, it doesnt deliver a deal. All it does is precisely what the word delay says. Any extension of Article 50 isnt addressing the issues. We have it within our grasp. Ive had a real sense from the meetings Ive had here and the conversations Ive had in recent days that we can achieve that deal. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) Mr Tusk said it was absolutely clear that if there was no majority in the House of Commons to approve a deal, Britain faces the two alternatives of chaotic Brexit or extension. The less time there is until March 29, the greater the likelihood of an extension, said Mr Tusk. This is an objective fact, not our intention, not our plan, but an objective fact. I believe that, in the situation we are in, an extension would be a rational solution, but Prime Minister May still believes she is able to avoid this scenario. Expand Close Theresa May held talks with Donald Tusk in Sharm El-Sheikh (Francisco Seco AP Pool) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Theresa May held talks with Donald Tusk in Sharm El-Sheikh (Francisco Seco AP Pool) Mrs May said she had good meetings in Egypt with EU leaders Mr Tusk, Mr Rutte, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Italys Giuseppe Conte. What I sense in all my conversations with my fellow leaders, both here in Sharm El-Sheikh and in recent days, is a real determination to find a way through which allows the UK to leave the EU in a smooth and orderly way with a deal, she said. The meetings came after the PM admitted she will not get a Brexit deal in time for MPs to hold a meaningful vote this week. Mrs May said she will put her deal to Parliament by March 12 at the latest just 17 days before Britain is due to leave the EU. The PM now faces the prospect of another potentially damaging Commons revolt on Wednesday, when MPs are expected to mount a fresh attempt to block a no-deal break and extend Article 50. A cross-party group of MPs immediately confirmed they will table an amendment giving the House the power to demand a delay to Brexit if an agreement is not in place by March 13. In recent days three pro-EU Cabinet ministers Amber Rudd, David Gauke and Greg Clark signalled they could be prepared to back the amendment if there is no breakthrough in the negotiations. There was speculation that up to 100 Tory MPs including as many as 20 ministers could be prepared to join them as patience among MPs opposed to no-deal is stretched to breaking point. Labour MP Yvette Cooper, who drew up the amendment with Conservative former minister Sir Oliver Letwin, said it would now become the real meaningful vote on the Brexit deal. She told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: The Government doesnt feel to me to be behaving like a responsible government at all at the moment the idea that we could be only a few weeks from Brexit and we still dont know what kind of Brexit we are going to have and were not even going to have a vote on it until two weeks before that final deadline. I dont see how businesses can plan, I dont see how public services can plan, and I think its just deeply damaging. Mrs May confirmed that Brexit negotiators will return to Brussels on Tuesday for further talks with the EUs Michel Barnier. The head of the GCHQ has issued a new warning about the potential threat to Britains national security of allowing Chinese tech firms to become involved in Britain telecoms network. In a rare public speech, Jeremy Fleming will say the drive by Chinese companies to become involved in the Western telecoms sector represents a hugely complex technological challenge. In a wide-ranging address, he will emphasise the importance of the UK possessing the offensive capability to project cyber power to deny, disrupt or degrade in the event of hostile action. His comments come after MI6 chief Alex Younger last year expressed concern about the potential involvement of the Chinese tech giant Huawei in the UKs 5G mobile network. Expand Close Jeremy Fleming says the risks of Chinese involvement in UK telecoms must be properly understood (Owen Humphreys/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jeremy Fleming says the risks of Chinese involvement in UK telecoms must be properly understood (Owen Humphreys/PA) In his address to government, military and industry figures from across South East Asia, Mr Fleming will say no decisions have been taken on 5G, with a Government review due to report in the spring. However he will say it is essential the potential risks of allowing Chinese firms to become involved need to be properly understood. He will say: We have to understand the opportunities and threats from Chinas technological offer. Understand the global nature of supply chains and service provision irrespective of the flag of the supplier. Take a clear view on the implications of Chinas technological acquisition strategy in the West. And help our Governments decide which parts of this expansion can be embraced, which need risk management, and which will always need a sovereign, or allied, solution. Its a hugely complex strategic challenge which will span the next few decades.probably our whole professional lives. How we deal with it will be crucial for prosperity and security way beyond 5G contracts. The ability, in extremis, to be able to use cyber tools to disrupt, deny or degrade is an essential part of a nations cyber tool kit.Jeremy Fleming, GCHQ He will stress the need for stronger cyber security across the telecoms sector in a market which does not incentivise good cyber security practices. Vulnerabilities can and will be exploited. But networks should be designed in a way that cauterises the damage, he will say. With around half the 1,100 incidents handled by the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) over the last two years involving state actors, Mr Fleming will say there is a need for an internationally agreed system of ethics and standards for operating in cyberspace. Some of the behaviour weve seen from certain states or criminals is clearly wrong in any circumstance. An attack on a hospitals IT, or on a countrys electoral system will always require sanction, he will say. Unchecked, were heading for an even less governed space where rights and wrongs are not automatically recognised and where acceptable behaviours are not a given. At the same time he will say the UK needs to ensure programmes such as the NCSCs Active Cyber Defence programme are implemented at a scale that makes a truly, nationally, and potentially internationally, transformative difference. The ability, in extremis, to be able to use cyber tools to disrupt, deny or degrade is the most contentious and least well understood aspect of cyber power, he will say. But in the right context, governed by appropriate international and domestic laws, offensive cyber is an essential part of a nations cyber tool kit. Ultimately, he will say that Britain continuing national security in cyberspace will depend on its ability to act in concert with international allies. Our future security will be guaranteed not by the quality of our coding, the design of our silicon, or the cunning of our cyber operators but by the bonds that tie us together and the relationships that give us confidence to act decisively against common threats, he will say. Former glamour model Katie Price has been given another driving ban after she was convicted of being nearly twice the limit while in charge of her pink Range Rover. Police found the 40-year-old slurring her words and slumped in the back of her car in a very drunken state in Greenwich, south-east London, in the early hours of October 10. She told Bexley Magistrates Court on Monday that a mystery man had earlier driven her car, but Judge Nigel Dean found she was not a plausible or credible witness. He found her guilty of being in charge of the vehicle while over the legal limit, but ordered a charge of drink-driving to be dropped because prosecutors offered insufficient evidence. Judge Dean banned her from driving for three months, adding to the ban from earlier this year for driving while disqualified. Price acted triumphantly outside the court, telling reporters: It adds on to my disqualification Im already on, which means I get my driving licence back on the 24th of May, which means I can go car shopping lets ban the pink car. Police Constables Benjamin Jones and Balvinder Mann saw her car veer off Shooters Hill and hit a grass verge at 12.40am before seeing it stationary about 15 minutes later. Expand Close Katie Price has been convicted of being drunk while in charge of a vehicle (Rick Findler/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Katie Price has been convicted of being drunk while in charge of a vehicle (Rick Findler/PA) She was in the back of the Range Rover, which police noted had damage to the bumper, shrubbery attached to it, as well as vomit. Price, of Horsham, West Sussex, blamed her fellow passenger and friend Kris Boyson for not revealing the identity of the person who was supposedly driving her 130,000 car. As she clashed with the prosecutor, Price told the court: No, hes not helping me at all. Thats why Im in this trouble. But the judge found she had been in possession of the key fob at the time of the arrest, during which police saw the engine, lights and heating come on. Judge Dean said: I did not find her to be a plausible or credible witness. I was really drunk. Im such a lightweightKatie Price Price told the court she had drunk between three and four pornstar martini cocktails at Mr Boysons 30th birthday party in a restaurant. She said she allowed a stranger, who was friends with Mr Boyson, to drive the car back towards Mr Boysons house near Bluewater and did not remember any crash. I was really drunk. Im such a lightweight, she said. Pc Jones told the court that he approached the car to find Price in the back of the vehicle with her friend, Kris Boyson, in the passenger seat. Her eyes were blurred and her speech was a bit slurred. Although she was sitting, it was in a slumped position, Pc Jones said. Both Price and Mr Boyson said the third person ran off with the keys after an argument. But the cars engine later turned on and Price also handed a fob key over to another officer, Pc Jones told the court. Price had 69 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes. Along with a 1,500 fine, she was ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge to bring her total bill to 2,425. King Mohammed VI announced, Monday, that Morocco will finance the feasibility studies to finalize the Climate Investment Plan for the Sahel region. The announcement came in a message he addressed to the 1st Conference of the Climate Commission for the Sahel Region, which opened Monday in Nigers capital city, Niamey. The Sovereign underlined the importance of the Climate Investment Plan for the Sahel region and its Priority Regional Program, which will complete the vital projects underway, that were announced on the sidelines of the COP22, held in Marrakech in November 2016. These ambitious, concrete transnational projects are led by three Commissions, where Morocco is a founding partner, namely The Congo Basin Commission, chaired by Congo; The Sahel Region Commission, chaired by Niger; and The Island States Commission, chaired by Seychelles. These are the bases for future actions that will bring hope and practical solutions for local and regional populations, the Monarch said, adding that the Niamey meeting is meant to strengthen our actions and enhance their coherence through new proposals. The Climate Commission for the Sahel Region can count on the Climate Change Competence Center of Morocco (4C Maroc), particularly in terms of capacity building for its members, the monarch pointed out in his message, which was read out by Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. Set up in 2014, the Center is a national and continental platform of excellence for the development and dissemination of knowledge and best practices on climate change. Today, the Sahel, a link between the North and the South of Africa, is confronted with the tremendous impacts of climate disruption, the monarch said, pointing out that the major challenge is to tackle the climate issue in an efficient manner while seeking to achieve socioeconomic development objectives and respond to security imperatives. British Transport Police have issued an appeal for information (Aaron Chown/PA) A teenager has been sexually assaulted on a morning train. The young woman was on a service between Lockerbie and Glasgow when she was attacked at around 9.30am on Friday February 8. British Transport Police (BTP), who issued an appeal for information about the incident on Monday, said a man reportedly made repeated inappropriate comments to the woman before assaulting her. The suspect, who got off the train at Glasgow Central station, is white and around 50-years-old with what was described as a Glasgow accent. He has a medium build, light brown and grey hair, and was wearing a grey t-shirt and jeans. BTP officers say they would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident. In particular, they want to speak to a woman who comforted the victim after the assault and alerted train staff. Transport police can be contacted by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 185 of 08/02/19. Prime Minister Theresa May and Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar hold bilateral talks during the first Arab-European Summit on February 25, 2019 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Leaders from European and Arab nations are meeting for the two-day summit to discuss topics including security, trade and migration. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) The UK will either leave the European Union with a deal on March 29 or seek an extension to Article 50, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has confidently predicted. Ahead of a one-to-one meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May in Egypt, Mr Varadkar sounded much more positive than in recent weeks. There is a growing expectation in the UK that Brexit will be delayed by anywhere between two months and two years. Whats evident to me is that absolutely nobody wants the United Kingdom to crash out without a deal. It is a lose, lose, lose scenario for everyone, Mr Varadkar said. Read More That gives me confidence, or a sense at least, that the UK will not crash out without a deal on March 29. Well either have a deal or have an extension. The possibility of extending Article 50 was raised at a meeting between Mrs May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the fringes of an EU-Arab summit on Monday morning. It is understood Mrs Merkel brought up the issue and UK officials briefed afterwards that the discussion was not substantive. "It wasn't something the PM raised," the official told reporters. Also in Sharm El-Sheikh, Denmark's prime minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said his country will not stand in the way of a possible postponement. I believe everyone will be flexible, no one wants the UK to leave the EU in a disorderly way," he said. When asked what type of extension might be granted, Mr Varadkar said there are different views. The European Union cant really consider any requests for an extension until that comes in and it hasnt as yet. A lot of people, a lot of colleagues feel that if there is an extension, it should be an extension with plan rather than an extension just to continue negotiations which have already gone on for almost two years but my own view is that nobody wants a no deal exit by the UK on March 29. It doesnt benefit the UK, it doesnt benefit Ireland, it doesnt benefit the European Union. And that is why I feel the chances are that wont happen, he said. Business Minister Heather Humphreys has called on businesses that plan to trade with the UK post-Brexit to register for a customs number (Brian Lawless/PA Wire) Businesses that trade with the UK are being urged to register for a Revenue customs number as Brexit looms. Business Minister Heather Humphreys asked people to take a few minutes to register for a number if they want to continue to trade with the UK post-Brexit. Ms Humphreys made the call as she announced a series of free customs training workshops for businesses, which are being rolled out through the 31 Local Enterprise Offices. Businesses that intend to import or export to the UK post Brexit will only be able to do so with an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number. The Revenue Commissioners has written to more than 70,000 businesses alterting them of the requirement. An EORI number is already used by any business trading with a non-European Union (EU) country. Ms Humphreys said: So far around one in four businesses in Ireland that trade with the UK have registered with Revenue. With just five weeks to go to Brexit, I am strongly urging the remaining three-quarters or so of firms to sign up for the EORI number. It only takes a few minutes to do so online through Revenues Online Service, ROS. Be they a local retailer who buys their fresh and frozen goods from a UK supplier or a restaurant owner who sources key ingredients from the UK, they will need their number to protect their business from delays and other Brexit impacts. Businesses are also being called on to give consideration as to whether they intend to carry out customs procedures themselves or whether theyll use a customs agents to act on their behalf. Prime Minister Theresa May during a bilateral meeting with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar as they attend the EU-League of Arab States Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Irish premier Leo Varadkar said the UK will either delay Brexit or leave the EU with a deal at the end of March. Amid growing pressure on Theresa May to delay Brexit with just 32 days left to go, Mr Varadkar said he is confident the UK will not crash out of the EU at the end of next month. Speaking to reporters before a meeting with the British Prime Minister in Egypt, Mr Varadkar said a no-deal Brexit is a lose-lose-lose scenario for everyone. The Taoiseach travelled to Egypt to take part in the first ever EU-Arab League summit in Sharm El-Sheikh. Talking #Brexit with Prime Minister @theresa_may at the end of the #EULASSummit. Itas evident to me that no one wants the UK to crash out of the EU without a deal. Thatas a lose lose. Focus remains on ratifying the withdrawal agreement. pic.twitter.com/zC2PQrMg9f Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) February 25, 2019 Brexit isnt officially on the agenda, but given that there are over 20 EU heads of state and government here, there will be lots of meetings on the sideline about it, he said. Whats evident to me is that absolutely no-one wants the United Kingdom to crash out of the EU without a deal. That gives me confidence, or at least a sense that the UK will not crash out of the EU without a deal on 29 March. We will either have a deal or have an extension. Addressing rumours that Mrs May will seek an extension to Article 50, Mr Varadkar said that the EU cannot consider an extension until a request is made. He added: From my point of view and from Irelands point of view, I would certainly rather see an extension than the UK leaving without a deal. A long extension does create a complication in terms of the European elections and so on, but thats a small complication relative to the impact on our economy and Northern Ireland if there is a no-deal Brexit. Police at the scene of a mans death in Ballymena The Simon Community has said it is saddened and working with the authorities after the death of a man in one of its hostels. A resident of the charity's Mill House hostel in Ballymena was found dead inside the property on Sunday morning after a suspected drugs overdose. Ambulance crews responded to a 999 call made at 6.20am but paramedics were unable to resuscitate the victim, who died at the scene. It is understood the incident was preceded by a knife attack outside the shelter on the Harryville Bridge, which was closed off on Sunday afternoon while a police search and rescue operation was carried out. Officers recovered a knife from the River Braid next to the homeless facility on Henry Street. The PSNI has refused to comment on the circumstances surrounding the "sudden death" until a post-mortem examination has been carried out. In a statement the Simon Community said it was "deeply saddened at the passing of a client". "The cause of death remains unknown and the charity is working with authorities on the matter. Until clarification is received from the PSNI, it would not be possible to make further comment," the statement added. "Our thoughts are with the clients wider friend and family circle at this difficult time." Meanwhile a 27-year-old arrested on suspicion of assault and robbery on Sunday evening by detectives investigating the death was released on police bail pending further investigation. DUP MLA William Irwin has spoken of his shock and sadness after the death of a nine-year-old girl in a car crash in Armagh. She was a rear seat passenger in a Peugeot 407 which crashed on the Hamiltonsbawn Road around 9am on Monday morning. Police confirmed that nine-year-old Patrycja from the Richill area died at the scene following the crash. A man in his 60s who was the driver of the car, has been taken to hospital for treatment to injuries which are not believed to be lifethreatening. Newry and Armagh MLA Mr Irwin said said that Patrycja was in the same class as his grandaughter at Hardy Memorial Primary School. This is a truly awful tragedy and my thoughts and prayers are with the family of the little girl who has passed away. Once again a family has been plunged in to grief and there is much shock and sadness throughout the wider community," Mr Irwin said. "My granddaughter was in the same class as the little girl at Hardy Memorial Primary School Richhill and I know many people in the community will be thinking and praying for the family involved. They will need much support and prayer in the days, weeks and months ahead. I just cant comprehend that a young girl in her prime of life has been taken in this tragic accident. My thoughts are also with the driver of the vehicle who I understand is recovering after this accident. Local teacher and Alliance Armagh representative Jackie Coade said her thoughts are with the girl's family and school community. As a teacher myself, my thoughts are also with the girls teacher, her classmates and the wider school community, who will be heartbroken on hearing this news. I hope they are receiving the care they need too after this tragedy, she said. Expand Close DUP MLA William Irwin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp DUP MLA William Irwin The Hamiltonsbawn Road has now reopened after police conducted their enquiries. They have appealed for anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have dash cam footage to come forward. An 85-year-old man living at a Runwood Homes facility was not given pain relief for three days after a fall, it can be revealed. An official probe has identified a series of failings in the care of the man, who suffered unnecessarily during a six-week period he was a resident of Ard Mhacha Nursing Home in Armagh. The disgraced care home provider has been ordered to pay 500 compensation to the family of the man as a result of the failings at the now renamed Orchard Lodge Care Home. It is the latest damning indictment of the care delivered by Runwood Homes, which is at the centre of a police probe into allegations of neglect and abuse at another of its homes on the outskirts of west Belfast. Aidan Hanna from NI Patient Voice said: "Once again an official probe has found the care provided by Runwood Homes has been found wanting. "How many times do we have to hear examples of neglect and abuse at their care homes before officials act to ensure the safety of the vulnerable people in their care?" The Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman carried out an investigation after the son of the Ard Mhacha resident made a complaint. He raised a number of concerns, including his father's pain management after a fall out of his bed, the provision of laxatives and apparent weight loss. According to the Ombudsman report, the man was admitted to Ard Mhacha from his home on December 2, 2016. He had Parkinson's disease, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, reflux, skin cancer and recurrent chest infections. The resident fell from bed on January 1, 2017, and was complaining of pain and discomfort. He also had a small bruise on his left hip, but he was not taken to hospital until January 5. An X-ray revealed he had not suffered any broken bones and he was returned to Ard Mhacha. On January 14 the man was again taken by ambulance to Craigavon Area Hospital where X-rays showed he was suffering from chronic constipation. He stayed in hospital for seven weeks before being discharged and moved to a different care home. In her subsequent report into the man's care, Ombudsman Marie Anderson said his blood pressure should have been monitored to reduce the risk of him falling. "I consider the failure to carry out this monitoring to represent a failure in the care and treatment provided to the resident," she said. "I consider it to have caused him the injustice of not having a known falls risk factor included in his falls risk assessment. "I also consider it to have caused the complainant the injustice of upset and uncertainty regarding the consequences to his father of the care and treatment which he received at this time." She also said staff at Ard Mhacha had failed to identify the extent of the resident's risk of falling. The report also showed that on January 3 - two days after the fall - he was awaiting pain relief. His daily observations notes the following day indicated he was not given any pain relief despite the fact he was "exhibiting discomfort". By 6pm that day the GP requested that he be sent to hospital for an X-ray. Ms Anderson concluded that the man's pain "was not assessed or managed appropriately by the care home nurses during the period prior to him attending A&E" on January 4. She also revealed that the Southern Trust carried out a separate investigation and found his pain was not appropriately managed. She said: "It is evident from the records that the resident was not provided with pain relief during this time. "I consider this to constitute a failure in his care and treatment. "I consider it to have caused him the injustice of suffering an unnecessary level of pain between January 1, 2017 and January 4, 2017." Ms Anderson also concluded that it was unlikely the resident began to experience sudden pain on January 14 due to constipation, as he also had a possible chest infection and was subsequently diagnosed with mesothelioma and an associated rib fracture. However, she said the constipation might have contributed to his pain. She said: "The resident's bowel movements and underlying constipation was managed reactively rather than proactively to prevent this. "I consider this to be a failing of care and treatment which caused the resident the injustice of suffering an increased constipation and faecal impaction during his stay in Ard Mhacha." Ms Anderson said a complaint raised by the man's son regarding his father's weight loss while at Ard Mhacha had not been substantiated, which she said was down to a faulty set of scales. In response Runwood Homes said: We do not comment on individual cases however give absolute assurance on our open and transparent involvement in the ombudsman review. "As an organisation resident wellbeing is our number one priority and as such we continue to monitor all services very closely. Orchard Lodge Care Home is now under new Nurse Management with an unannounced regulatory care inspection on January 15 highlighting zero care concerns demonstrative of the high standards of care expected and realised at the home. The mother of a baby boy has praised a "brilliant nurse" who intervened after she had been told to give him a bottle and go home. Colleen McGirr (23) from Armagh said her son would otherwise have died, and urged other mums to stand their ground if their instincts tell them to. Colleen took seven-month-old Tyler to Craigavon Area Hospital on February 1. The mother-of-one said she was initially told he "just needed a bottle" and should take him home - just hours before the tot was put into a coma. But the mental health worker also praised the medical staff who "saved my baby", and slammed the powers-that-be for allowing the "NHS to become too stretched" and without enough resources. "I'm speaking out to warn other new mums to trust their instincts if they think there is something seriously wrong with their child," Colleen said. "Thankfully Tyler is safe, but we had a traumatic experience. At one point I was asked if I wanted a priest to bless him. "I was terrified. I thought he was going to die. Nobody should have to go through that. "He's finally home after two weeks in hospital. "Three weeks before that he was in hospital for six days. "It has been an awful ordeal, but we're just glad he's OK now." She said that she and Tyler's dad David Gillespie have constantly struggled with their son's health. The little boy has been diagnosed with chronic constipation and lazy bowel syndrome, and he's having tests to determine other possible health issues. "Once I took him to the doctor because he'd not gone to the toilet for 14 days, but I've never been taken seriously, and Tyler has never been well," she said. Colleen explained that their most terrifying scare started on February 1 when a doctor advised her to take the youngster to the children's A&E at Craigavon. After a five-hour wait, Colleen said she was forced to sit in a chair and watch her tiny son, who has severe asthma, "struggle to breathe and in pain with his bowels". "We finally got taken into a side room and they said Tyler just needed to take a bottle and then we should go home," she explained. "By this stage he was working really hard to breathe and he was coughing. "I went to the toilet and my mum told me he'd vomited while I was away and he seemed to be working even harder to breathe. "I caused a bit of a fuss and demanded to speak to the top person at the hospital, because I was so cross this had been going on all day." Colleen, who first told her story to the Armaghi website, said Tyler was "getting worse by the minute" until he was finally put on high flow oxygen. At one point he became so ill the hospital offered to send for a priest. "By then we were waiting to go to the Royal because I'd been told he needed to be sedated and put in a coma and sent to Belfast in an ambulance, so that was a really scary thing to hear." Colleen spoke of the gruelling journey to the Royal by car with her mum Valerie and dad Patrick and their desperate wait outside intensive care "not knowing if he was alive or not". "There were machines everywhere, but the medical team was amazing," she said. "He was incubated from February 2 until February 7 and then spent five days on the ward; he came home on February 12. "They saved his life, but if I had taken him home when they said he just needed a bottle, Tyler wouldn't be here today. He would have died." "It was a traumatic experience. "I was so frightened. But I wanted to speak out in order to warn parents to trust their instincts and speak out if something isn't right. "It's only because I'm so strong-minded and because I work in care that I didn't take Tyler home. "One brilliant nurse in Craigavon saved Tyler's life, because she knew he was dying in my arms and she intervened." A spokesman for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust said they were unable to discuss any individual patient due to patient confidentiality. We always urge people with concerns about their care and treatment to make a complaint by calling our complaints team (phone 028 3756 4600 or email: complaints@southerntrust.hscni.net ), he said. Each complaint is fully investigated before we send a comprehensive response back to the person making the complaint. King Mohammed VI has stressed the importance of the 1st ever Arab-European summit, which opened Sunday in Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt), at a juncture marked by crucial geostrategic developments with a direct bearing on the two regions. In a message addressed to the summiteers, the Moroccan King said the event marks a pivotal moment in the Arab-European dialogue and history. It reflects a common desire to take our relationship to a higher level. That would certainly have a tangible impact on security and stability in our regions, said the Sovereign in his message that was read out by Head of Govt Saad Eddine El Otmani. The summit would also open up promising prospects for peaceful coexistence between our peoples and contribute to the economic and social well-being they yearn for, added the Monarch, noting that the event sets the stage for a dialogue, which has special significance as far as the Arab worlds relationship with its various partners. This relationship reflects a common conviction and is the result of human, intellectual and cultural efforts rooted in constant interaction and mutual enrichment between Arab and European civilizations, said King Mohammed VI, underlining the special and fruitful relationship Morocco has for decades with its European partner, especially through its Advanced Status with the EU. My country looks forward to even closer relations with the EU based on partnership. Morocco is indeed ready to help turn Arab-European cooperation into an innovative partnership that builds upon the cultural heritage of each party, making Arab-European interaction a lever for the emergence of a solid, balanced relationship rooted in shared values, common interests, mutual esteem and constructive dialogue, said the King. This summit is an opportunity () to turn Euro-Arab dialogue into genuine cooperation based on a clear vision and realistic action plans serving common interests, underlined the Monarch, calling for a cool-headed assessment of the Euro-Arab cooperation in a bid to determine its strategic short and long-term priorities, and develop work methods to deliver better results. He also called for an integrated holistic vision of the Euro-Arab future, saying that such an endeavor calls for a rational classification of priorities, the definition of realistic objectives, the adoption of a proactive, participatory approach and the use of sophisticated, flexible work mechanisms. To achieve these goals, the Moroccan King stressed the need to ensure Arab national security, and to respect the principles of neighborliness, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity of states, urging Europe to help its Arab neighbors to achieve economic, scientific and technological development that helps reduce economic and social divides between partners. This can be done through tangible development projects that re-fashion the movement of investment and people and help bring about more balanced production systems that take into account common security, economic and social concerns, explained the Monarch. King Mohammed VI also said that future partnerships should pave the way for the emergence of a sound intellectual, cultural and information environment, conducive to coexistence between the peoples of the two regions and allowing for the integration of generations and the promotion of the values of tolerance and acceptance. The Sovereign seized this opportunity to call on regional Arab groupings including the Arab Maghreb Union to play their part in boosting relations with European partners and to overcome political obstacles and bilateral disagreements, which hinder the achievement of progress and development. The Sharm El Sheikh summit aims to enhance cooperation ties between Arab countries and the EU and to address a wide range of shared strategic priorities and common challenges, such as multilateralism, trade and investment, migration, security, and climate change. The summit also provides an opportunity to discuss the latest developments in the region, such as the Middle East Peace Process and the situation in Yemen, in Libya and in Syria. A man was left with serious face injuries after a fight in Ballymena. Police said they had no idea as to the number involved in the altercation in the Lanntara area of Ballymena in the early hours of Monday morning. They said they received a report just after midnight of the assault. Sergeant Adams said: It was reported that there was an altercation outside a house in the area. It is not known how many people were involved. One man in his 30s was taken to hospital with facial injuries which are described as serious. Enquiries are continuing and we would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 6 25/2/19. Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime. Police and the emergency services attended the scene. A man has died after he was hit by a car in Coleraine. The man, a pedestrian aged in his 30s, died following the collision on Quilly Road. He was struck by a car at around 6.45pm on Sunday 24 February. The Quilly Road was closed for a time but has since reopened. Police investigating the collision are appealing for witnesses. Please call 101, quoting reference 1165 24/02/19. Liam Adams, brother of fomer Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams, died in a hospice from cancer. Liam Adams, the paedophile brother of former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, has died. Adams had been receiving care for terminal cancer at a Belfast hospice after being moved from Maghaberry Prison. The 63-year-old was found guilty in 2013 of raping and abusing his daughter, Aine Dahlstrom, and was jailed for 16 years. Expand Close Aine Dahlstrom waived her right to anonymity (Paul Faith/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Aine Dahlstrom waived her right to anonymity (Paul Faith/PA) He was moved to the medical facility earlier this year for end-of-life care. The Northern Ireland Prison Service confirmed the death of an inmate from Maghaberry. In a statement, it said: The prisoner died on Monday morning, 25 February. His next of kin have been informed. As with standard procedure, the PSNI and Prisoner Ombudsman have been informed. Ronnie Armour, head of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, said: I would like to extend my sympathy to the family of the prisoner. My thoughts are with them at this difficult time. Adams began to abuse Ms Dalhstrom, who waived her right to anonymity, when she was just four years old and continued over a six-year period during the 1970s and 1980s. Adams, a former youth worker, was convicted of 10 offences three counts of rape, four of indecent assault and three of gross indecency. In 2015, Adams lost an appeal at the High Court against his conviction and sentencing. Expand Close Then Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams speaking to the media at Leinster House the day after his brother Liam was found guilty of of a string of child sex abuse charges (Niall Carson/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Then Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams speaking to the media at Leinster House the day after his brother Liam was found guilty of of a string of child sex abuse charges (Niall Carson/PA) Gerry Adams, a Louth TD, gave evidence at his brothers first trial which collapsed in April 2013 for legal reasons. During the 2013 trial, Mr Adams told the court that in 2000, during a walk in the rain in Dundalk, his brother had admitted sexually abusing his daughter, Ms Dalhstrom. Mr Adams made his first report to police about the allegations in 2007 shortly after his party voted to accept the PSNI, but did not tell officers about the confession until 2009, when he made a second statement. Mr Adams was criticised for not informing police about the confession at an earlier date. In 2015, the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman found that police were not politically motivated when they said Gerry Adams should not be prosecuted for allegedly withholding information about his paedophile brother. The police watchdog said there was no evidence of misconduct, or that officers had been influenced by the former Sinn Fein presidents status. Ms Dahlstrom first took the matter to police in the mid-1980s. This was in the midst of the Northern Ireland Troubles and a time when many people in republican communities distrusted and refused to co-operate with the security forces. Expand Close Aine Dahlstrom first brought the matter to police attention in the mid-1980s (Paul Faith/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Aine Dahlstrom first brought the matter to police attention in the mid-1980s (Paul Faith/PA) She did not pursue the matter at that stage, claiming that detectives were more interested to hear information about her famous uncle than about the allegations she was levelling against her father. It would be another 20 years before she went to police again, after finding out that her father was working in a west Belfast youth club that her children attended. Adams subsequently went on the run to the Irish Republic, triggering a long extradition battle. Liam Adams was found guilty of a string of attacks on his daughter Aine Dahlstrom when she was aged between four and nine When Liam Adams was convicted of the rape and sexual assault of his daughter in 2013, the case raised several serious questions for his brother, former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams. Liam Adams was convicted of abusing Aine Dahlstrom for a six-year period between 1977 and 1983, starting when she was just four. Read More During his trial, it was revealed that Ms Dahlstrom had told Gerry Adams about the abuse she suffered in 1987, the same time she told police about the crimes. It was not until 2000, however, that Gerry Adams confronted his brother about the abuse, which he subsequently admitted. Despite this Liam would go on to work in youth clubs in Dundalk and in west Belfast, which Gerry was MP for at the time. After her father's conviction, Aine referenced this, stating: "I was very concerned that Liam was seeking jobs working with children. "Gerry told me that was Liams way of trying to make up to the community for what he done to me. "I kept telling Gerry to get Liam out of the youth groups." In 2015, the Police Ombudsman was asked to investigate a complaint that the police had failed to fully probe Gerry Adams for withholding information about the sexual abuse and that a recommendation not to prosecute him was allegedly politically motivated. The Police Ombudsman said that the Sinn Fein leader provided a statement to police detailing that he had been made aware of the abuse by his niece and her mother, He also provided a further statement that his brother admitted his crimes during a meeting between the pair. "It is clear that Mr Adams did not report either conversation immediately to the police. It is also clear that at one stage police considered whether or not this delay could be regarded as withholding information, Dr Maguire said. The Ombudsman ruled that the act of not immediately passing the information on to police did not meet the legal definition of withholding information. Investigators also found no evidence that the recommendation by police not to prosecute Gerry Adams was politically motivated. After her father was sentenced, Aine Dahlstrom, in a statement through her solicitor, expressed her "absolute relief that this nightmare seems at last to be coming to an end". "This has put herself and her family and friends under the most enormous strain, the statement added. "She welcomes the jurys findings of guilt, the sentence as imposed by the learned judge and has asked us to emphasise that all she ever sought was an acknowledgement of the many wrongs done against her. "It is still much too little, too late." Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys and Minister for Finance Pascal Donohoe looking a Gin bottling facility, during a visit to the Shed Distillery in Drumshambo Co Leitrim. Irish businesses are responding to the challenges posed by Brexit by tapping into markets beyond the UK, the countrys finance minister has said. As the government continues to urge firms to be prepared for the UK leaving the European Union, Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Business Heather Humphreys visited businesses in the border region. New regional enterprise plans have been launched to support growth and job creation in border counties, which are considered to be most vulnerable to Brexit. Mr Donohoe, who visited Drumshanbo Food Hub in Co Leitrim, said: Seeing businesses like this fills me with optimism about the ability of Irish businesses to respond back to all of the different challenges that Brexit will bring. On now to the Drumshambo Food Hub with @Paschald - home to the famous @SHEDDISTILLERY Gunpowder Gin pic.twitter.com/q5OVkgLmi2 Heather Humphreys (@HHumphreysFG) February 25, 2019 We have seen a business that is now a global leader, that has diversified its markets beyond the UK and businesses like this, there are thousands of them all over Ireland, have already responded to the challenges that our domestic economy has had and because of that are really well positioned to deal with future challenges. In response to reports that Brexit could be delayed for up to two years, Mr Donohoe said that more time would allow Irish businesses and the economy to plan for the future. He added: It will be in the long term interests to get clarity regarding what the future relationship will be like between the UK and the EU. A transitional period that gives more time to plan for that future would be of benefit to all but we will be looking to move all of this forward as members of the EU and through the task force led by Michel Barnier. The north-west regional plan has a total of six objectives which aims to enhance the visibility of skills and maximise the potential of the Wild Atlantic Way and tourism. Minister Humphreys said companies like Drumshanbo Food Hub is already prepared for Brexit. There are a wide range of supports available through Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) and I would particularly encourage companies to register online with Revenue, she added. Later today I am launching an online customs training programme and also one-to-one mentoring and we already have an Enterprise Ireland website that gives training for customs and we want people to engage in that. There are lots of other supports out there we have been providing to businesses. We have been encouraging businesses to prepare for the worst case scenario while we continue to negotiate for the best possible outcome. We still have some time to go but I am saying to businesses, be ready. The north-west plan is one of nine regional enterprise plans. Minister Humphreys said there are 8,200 more people working in the border region than at the beginning of 2015, and the unemployment rate has reduced from 8.6% down to 3.8%. Notwithstanding this huge success, it is clear that there are new challenges emerging for enterprises in the external environment, she added. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pledged never to encounter President Fattah al-Sisi if the latter does not free prisoners, including ousted President Mohamed Morsi among other top figures of the Muslim Brotherhood organization. In an interview Saturday Erdogan branded the regime of al-Sisi an authoritarian and totalitarian power, insisting that he can never meet with the Egyptian leader. I will never meet with such a person. First of all, he [al-Sisi] needs to release all prisoners with a general amnesty. As long as he does not release those people, we cannot meet with al-Sisi, he said. I am responding to those who are asking me why I am not meeting with al-Sisi, he added. Relations between the two countries cooled in 2013 in the wake of a military coup led by the Egyptian leader against first democratically elected President Mohamed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Turkish strong man criticized the silence of western countries in front of repression in Egypt, claiming that the West supports al-Sisi. Egypt hanged last week nine people reportedly members of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. Rights groups condemned the executions while western countries remained mum. Amnesty International called for stopping executions. But did they get any result? They did not, he added. Nine young people were executed. Where is the West? Do you hear the voice of the West? Erdogan questioned. A former professional poker player who allegedly headed up a cannabis growing operation worth in excess of 600,000 has been granted High Court bail. Luong Bui is accused of running factories across Northern Ireland - including one discovered at a warehouse with living quarters for those growing plants. A judge ruled today that the 42-year-old should be released from custody after being told he could spend two years behind bars before any trial. Bui, originally from Vietnam but now a British citizen, faces charges of conspiracy to supply and produce Class B drugs, being concerned in their production, possessing criminal property, dishonestly using electricity, and assisting unlawful immigration. The alleged offences were committed between April and December 2017, when police raided an industrial unit on the Glen Road in Comber, Co Down. A previous court heard the warehouse had been divided into 10 rooms split over two floors. Officers seized up to 1,200 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of 600,000. Another man detained at the premises told police he had travelled with others in the back of a lorry from Vietnam to the United Kingdom. The man said he had been at the warehouse for about a month and a half, receiving instructions on how to care for the plants and residing in living quarters within the factory, according to the prosecution. Other smaller-scale cannabis-growing facilities were uncovered at residential properties in the Four Winds area of Belfast and Coalisland, Co Tyrone. Bui, of Dunvegan Street in Belfast, is allegedly linked to the factories by CCTV surveillance evidence and fingerprints found on a tenancy agreement. It was claimed that he tried to dump three mobile phones in a toilet cistern as police entered his home. Prosecutors have contended that Bui heads an organisation linked to a high-end crime gang operating on both sides of the Irish border. However, defence counsel Martin Morgan disputed the evidence against his client. "It's not good enough to say 'we think he has connections to some Vietnamese crime family'," Mr Morgan insisted. He also argued that cash found at Bui's home on a previous occasion was due to his past successes as a professional gambler. "He played high-stakes poker in London and Vegas, and won vast sums of money," the barrister said. A fresh bid for bail was mounted due to delay in the case, with Bui having already spent more than a year in custody and predictions that a trail may not start until 2020. Granting the application, Mr Justice McAlinden imposed strict terms to minimise any risk of flight. Bui must surrender any travel documents held by him or his children, and report to police daily. Banning him from any industrial estate or warehouses in Northern Ireland, the judge also requested a 1,000 cash surety. He added: "I presume there's still some funds available from betting or gambling." Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has hit out at the DUP and Sinn Fein over the Stormont deadlock that has left Northern Ireland without power-sharing for more than two years. Speaking at his party's national conference in Dublin at the weekend, the first after it established a formal partnership with the SDLP, Mr Martin blamed the two for the political impasse. "Everyone knows that the core issue has been with the DUP and Sinn Fein, who ran the Executive like a closed cartel looking after their own," he said. "Brexit has been devastating to politics in Northern Ireland, but the problems started long before Brexit, and they still have to be dealt with no matter what happens with Brexit." Mr Martin added that "no one is leading the fight against sectarianism and for reconciliation". He said that the SDLP and Fianna Fail working together could "help provide the new agenda which is so desperately needed, both North and South". He criticised Sinn Fein for "jumping up and down" every day calling for "everything to be collapsed". Mr Martin said: "They collapsed the Assembly and government in Northern Ireland over two years ago, causing huge damage and leaving the anti-Brexit majority at the mercy of anti-Europe parties." Sinn Fein brought down the Assembly in a row over the DUP's handling of the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme. DUP MLA Christopher Stalford rejected Mr Martin's criticism of his party. "Micheal Martin correctly identifies that Sinn Fein collapsed the Assembly and Executive two years ago. They continue to veto the restoration of devolution today," he said. He added that the DUP was ready to return to Stormont straight away. "Mr Martin may be unaware that over 18 months ago Arlene Foster made an offer where the outstanding issues could be resolved in a time-limited process alongside a working Executive. That offer was rejected by not just Sinn Fein, but by the SDLP also," he said. "The DUP is prepared to restore devolution immediately and wants to see all parties playing their part in delivering on the issues of health, education, infrastructure and the economy which matter most to the community we serve," Mr Stalford added. The Fianna Fail conference, held at the Citywest Hotel outside Dublin, also heard from SDLP leader Colum Eastwood. He called on Sinn Fein to "do their duty" and restore power-sharing. He added that there was a "special place reserved in Hell" for those calling for a border poll with no plan as to how a united Ireland would work. The Foyle MLA told the conference that nationalists should not be seduced into thinking the Assembly was a "convenience, but not a necessity". He added that Stormont was crucial to the future. "There is no hope of delivering integrated economic and social progress across this island without an Assembly at Stormont," he said. "There is no way of fully protecting our people against the devastating consequences of Brexit without an Assembly in Stormont. "And for any real republican, there is no pathway towards a New Ireland without an Assembly in Stormont." Mr Eastwood's remarks sparked criticism and accusations of hypocrisy from some republicans. Critics pointed out that the SDLP leader had himself called in 2017 for a border poll to be conducted after the UK/EU Brexit negotiations were concluded. Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty tweeted: "So we're all going to Hell then?" The Donegal politician added: "Two years ago Colum Eastwood calls for a post-Brexit border poll. "Today he tells Fianna Fail ard fheis that he and others who call for a poll should go to Hell. "This alliance is going to be fun to watch as Fianna Fail further destroy the SDLP," Mr Doherty claimed. A Lisburn mother who took three months unpaid maternity leave to care for her son has backed calls to improve conditions for parents of sick or premature babies. Lynette McIlroy (38) had her son Ollie 13 weeks early in September 2013. He weighed just 2lb 4oz and was in hospital for six months. At one point his parents were told he may not survive. Over five years on Ollie is thriving, but Lynette says giving him the extra time he needed at home meant tough choices for the family. A survey of 737 parents across the UK by the charity Bliss found that one in 10 parents with sick or premature babies had to quit their jobs, and three-quarters felt they didn't have enough time off. Over a third of fathers also resorted to being signed off sick to spend time with their babies in neonatal care. Backed by the charity Tiny Life, Bliss is calling for extended periods of maternity pay and paternity leave. "It was a very bumpy ride for Ollie and a very tough journey for us," said Mrs McIlroy. The initial expense came from daily travel between Lisburn to the neonatal unit in Belfast. "My husband had to work as there was only one wage coming in." She made the journey to hospital again each evening with her husband, with food increasing the cost. When Ollie returned home, Mrs McIlroy had only three months of maternity pay left. "I felt I didn't have as much time to bond with Ollie so I took an extra three months unpaid," she said. "My husband's employer was quite good - his paternity had lapsed by the time Ollie came home but they still honoured his two weeks of leave. That definitely wouldn't be the case for most fathers. "Thankfully Ollie is thriving now, I think it's because of the quality time we have been able to give him by me taking that extra three months at my own expense." Alison McNulty, chief executive of Tiny Life, said: "Many of our parents here would be experiencing problems at a time when maternity pay goes down to the statutory maternity allowance of 140 a week. But the average cost of living when you have a baby in a neonatal unit is around 234 a week. So you can see how quickly parents struggle financially. There's also the issues of attachment and bonding which are crucial to both the child's development and the parents' mental health." Ms McNulty said a motion by Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong to increase statutory maternity pay is "ready for our Executive - but that's not going anywhere until Stormont returns". She added: "Paternity pay is a matter for the Treasury, so we're asking parents to write letters to their MPs to become involved in the campaign." For information visit www.tinylife.org.uk or www.bliss.org.uk Parker with his mum Louise McCrory at the Resolution Run A two-year-old boy who suffered multiple strokes at birth was celebrated for his bravery in front of hundreds of runners in Belfast yesterday. Parker McGreevy from the north of the city had the honour of being official starter for the Stroke Association's Resolution Run at the Dub. His mum Louise McCrory (31) and dad Simon McGreevy (28) were among the 420 participants in the 5k/10k run. Among those in the event were 25 stroke sufferers, along with carers, health care professionals and family members, with all the money raised going towards supporting local stroke survivors. Many people think the condition only affects older people, so Parker's diagnosis came as a big shock to his family. Recalling his traumatic start in life, Louise said: "Unfortunately Parker had multiple strokes when he was born. "An MRI scan revealed bleeds on his brain when he was just three days old. "When you're pregnant, you just think you're going to have a baby, go home from hospital and everything's rosy, but in my case it didn't work out like that. "It was really terrifying, because I didn't realise that a baby could have a stroke." Parker spent nine days in the neonatal unit and medical staff told his family that he would need lots of rehabilitation and support. Louise added: "We didn't know what the future held for Parker, whether he would be able to walk or talk. "He was discharged from hospital and over the last two years has attended rounds of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and lots of appointments, as doctors measured his growth and monitored his development. "From being told that the professionals were 'pessimistic' about Parker's future at seven months old to watching our beautiful, happy boy now, we couldn't be prouder of how far he has come. "It's been tough, but Parker is made of strong stuff. Yes, he does have life-long issues, but it's all about taking each day as it comes as anything could change at any time. "He has just started attending a day care centre three days a week for two hours, which is a step forward." In December the youngster was recognised for his courage at the Stroke Association's Life After Stroke Awards Northern Ireland celebration. Louise said: "Over the past two years the Stroke Association team have been wonderful and have never forgotten about us. "We felt so alone when Parker took ill, but now we have great support." A woman who lashed out a paramedic treating her and tried to interfere with ambulance equipment has avoided jail. Alana Lewis, 26, was given a five-month suspended prison sentence for a drunken outburst of violence her lawyer described as "deranged". Lewis, of Central Avenue in Bangor, Co Down, admitted disorderly behaviour, criminal damage, assault an ambulance worker and assault on police. Belfast Magistrates' Court heard she was discovered on the Donaghadee Road in Newtownards on November 10 last year, claiming to have been hit on the head with a bat. Police could see no apparent injuries but called an ambulance to assess her. Prosecutor Mark O'Connor said Lewis was shouting and swearing, ignoring requests to calm down. "Once in the ambulance she lashed out and struck a female ambulance member," he told the court. She then starting pulling at wires, tried to interfere with equipment and spat repeatedly inside the vehicle. Lewis was handcuffed but continued to struggle violently in a bid to remove the restraints from a trolley. Her aggression continued when she reached a hospital accident and emergency department, striking a police officer on the legs. Defence barrister Michael Boyd acknowledged: "The type of behaviour described is appalling. "It can only be a result of a mixture of drink and drugs, his deranged behaviour and inexplicable aggression to people who were helping her." In mitigation Mr Boyd set out Lewis's troubled background and suggested she may have a personality disorder. "We are dealing with someone who is clearly a damaged individual," he added. Imposing the five-month prison sentence, District Judge Fiona Bagnall suspended the term for 18 months. She pointed out: "Assaults on ambulance staff are really concerning; it was a fairly unpleasant sequence of events." A parade and service of remembrance to mark the murders of two UDR men who were also members of the Orange Order took place in Belfast on Saturday. More than 1,000 people took part in the march through the city centre organised by Ulster Defenders of the Realm LOL 710. Frederick Starrett and James Cummings, both 22, were killed by an IRA bomb as they closed security gates at the North Street junction of Royal Avenue on February 24, 1988. The traditional route, however, had to be altered due to the safety cordon around the Primark building following last summer's fire at Bank Buildings. Mr Starrett and Mr Cummings belonged to Ballymacarrett No 6 District's Banner of the Cross LOL 1310 and Johnston's Golden Star 1934 respectively. Prime Minister Theresa May meets with EU Council President Donald Tusk during the first Arab-European Summit on February 24, 2019 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. (Photo by Stefan Rousseau - Pool/Getty Images) Formal talks on the implications of a delaying Brexit have taken place between British Prime Minister Theresa May and EU Council President Donald Tusk. Although Mrs May publicly insists she will take her country out of the EU on March 29, the idea of an extension to Article 50 is now firmly in play. Mr Tusk said he wanted to end the speculation by confirming that he met Mrs May yesterday and teased out the legal implications of a delay. He said both sides want to avoid a disorderly Brexit, meaning an extension would be a rational solution. He noted that the Prime Minister still believes she can get the Withdrawal Agreement through the House of Commons. At her press conference before leaving Sharm El-Sheikh, Mrs May said she remains focused on getting changes to the backstop so that the UK Parliament can have a new meaningful vote before March 12. She said she will update the House of Commons in a statement on Tuesday. A delay in this process doesnt make a decision in parliament, it doesnt do a deal. It just delays the point at which we come to that decision. And I think an extension to article 50 in that sense isnt addressing the issue, she said. Earlier, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar predicted that Britain will either leave the European Union with a deal on March 29 or seek an extension to Article 50. Ahead of a one-to-one meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May in Egypt, Mr Varadkar sounded much more positive than in recent weeks. Tracey Concrete saw turnover rise 54% to 19.5m in the 12 months to March 31, 2018 Fermanagh manufacturer Tracey Concrete has posted a 63% surge in pre-tax profits. Amid a difficult climate within the precast concrete industry, the Enniskillen company has reported significant growth for the year to March 31, 2018. Over the past year the firm has expanded its factory on the Old Rossorry Road and acquired a quarry in Co Fermanagh. According to the latest financial report released by the firm, turnover increased by almost 7m (54%) over the year to 19.5m, with profit before tax rising from 1.9m to 3.2m. Tracey Concrete, headed by Patsy Tracey, has enjoyed a rising profile in recent years, partly due to its strong association with Fermanagh GAA through sponsorship. And like the fortunes of Fermanagh's senior men's team in recent years, Tracey Concrete is on an upward trajectory. Its workforce had increased to 127 at the end of March 2018, with 18 people recruited over the 12 months. That's almost double the staff the company had at the end of 2013. Tracey Concrete now describes itself as one of the largest precast concrete manufacturers in the UK and Ireland, specialising in precast drainage, tunnelling and building products. But 2018 has been a difficult period in some sectors of the concrete industry. Last year saw Acheson and Glover close its precast plant in Magherafelt, before shutting a second site in Ballygawley in November and placing the entire division in administration. Around 162 were employed by the subsidiary firm before the closures. Acheson and Glover initially blamed uncertainty in the marketplace caused by Brexit for its losses, with demand for its precast products falling by between 35% and 40% throughout the year. The report accompanying the financial results confirmed that Tracey Concrete purchased a quarry at Gardrum Road in Belcoo. It's understood the quarry was bought from Acheson and Glover. In a statement attached to the results, director Patsy Tracey said: "The economic environment in which the company operates continues to be challenging. "However, the ongoing strategy of the business is to continue to target profitable contracts, maintain turnover and increase profit margins through cost containment. "Performance in the sector is affected by general economic conditions including the impact of Brexit which is yet unclear. "As the likely outcome of Brexit negotiations becomes clearer, the directors will consider it as part of their ongoing strategic review process." King Salman of Saudi Arabia has pardoned and ordered release of a number of Egyptian citizens jailed in the kingdom as he headed to Egypt to attend the joint European Union-Arab League summit. The prisoners to be released failed to pay legally prescribed fines for violating residency rules, state-run news agency SPA reports. The agency however did not disclose the number of inmates to be released and sent back home. The gesture came on the eve of Salmans trip to Egypt where he attended the EU-Arab two-day Summit held in Sharm El-Sheikh Feb.24-25. Leaders from both sides met in a bid to strengthen Arab-European ties and address a wide range of shared strategic priorities and common challenges, such as multilateralism, trade and investment, migration, security, and climate change. The summit was also an opportunity to discuss the latest developments in the region, such as the Middle East Peace Process and the situation in Yemen, in Libya and in Syria. Relations between Egypt and Saudi Arabia have been strong under al-Sisi who took power via a military coup in 2013 that toppled Muslim Brotherhood member Mohamed Morsi. The drive-thru could be built next to The Boulevard shopping outlet. A new drive-through restaurant is being planned next to The Boulevard shopping complex. The site earmarked for the scheme is just off the main A1 Belfast to Newry road, on a green field area of land between the Banbridge shopping hub and the nearby Tesco fuel station. The Boulevard was bought by the Lotus Group just under three years ago in a deal thought to be worth around 40m that also included The Junction in Antrim. The Co Down retail centre has been undergoing a 7m revamp in recent months, adding a series of new brands and outlets. A spokesperson for Lotus said the company was not behind the drive-through plan. However, a number of the directors of Cappard Ltd, which has submitted the planning application to Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, have strong links to the group. They include the managing director of Lotus Property, Alastair Coulson, and two members of the Murdock family, which set up the Lotus Group. As the prospect of a no-deal Brexit looms "every warehouse" in the UK is full, the chief executive of Irish insulation giant Kingspan has warned. Gene Murtagh said that many companies have been stockpiling ingredients, raw materials and other goods in efforts to prepare for the UK crashing out of the European Union next month. He made the comments as the Co Cavan-based firm, a global maker of insulation and other products used across the construction sector, revealed it generated 21% of its 4.4bn (3.8bn) revenue last year in the UK. "There's a lot of pressure around warehouses - on the positive," said Mr Murtagh in relation to the UK. "Pretty much every warehouse in the country is full, so that side of the business actually has been reasonably stable and the pipeline is looking positive. "A lot of that will depend on what the outcome of the on-going negotiations are." The chief executive has also suggested that an orderly Brexit could unleash pent-up projects across the UK's construction sector: "There's no question about that," he said. "I think that every job that's been postponed at the moment has only been postponed because of the lack of clarity. "If the outcome is a sensibly negotiated solution, there's pent up requirement for building that for sure is going to get kick-started. "But that clearly depends on it being a sensible exit." Mr Murtagh said that the number of UK office-starts will tumble 10% this year and by a deeper level in 2020, but that the decline is cyclical rather than Brexit-related. Tougher action is needed to deal with livestock worrying, the Ulster Farmers' Union has said Tougher action is needed to deal with livestock worrying, the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) has said. It comes as new figures reveal attacks by dogs cost the local industry nearly 40,000 last year. The number of incidents is at a record high, although experts believe the problem is under-reported. UFU deputy president Victor Chestnutt called for legislation around livestock worrying to be strengthened. "It is a harrowing sight to see ewes and lambs that have been seriously injured or killed by dogs and no farmer should have to go through this," he said. "In Northern Ireland there is little legislation to protect farmers and their livestock. "Back in October we called on local politicians to back livestock worrying proposals recommended by the National Police Chiefs' Council. "However, in the absence of an Executive this has made it more challenging to progress." A report published today by insurer NFU Mutual estimates that livestock worrying cost the agricultural industry here 37,000 in 2018. Across the UK the bill was estimated at 1.2m. In Wales it surged by 113% year on year. Although the UK-wide cost of claims fell by 17% in 2018, attacks remain at historically high levels. The majority of dog owners say they would support measures to crack down on livestock worrying with 75% supporting heavy fines. Some 66% back a ban on dogs in livestock fields during lambing season; 57% support laws enabling DNA testing of dogs suspected of attacking livestock, while 42% want owners whose pets worried livestock to be banned from keeping dogs. Tim Price, rural affairs specialist at NFU Mutual, said: "While we've seen a very welcome fall in the costs of dog attacks on farm animals, the level of attacks is still very high, and we are very concerned by the huge surge in claims we have seen in Wales. "The national fall may be in part due to higher public awareness of the damage that livestock worrying can cause following the efforts of the police, NFU Mutual, the National Farmers' Union and other rural organisations. "We are still seeing thousands of sheep being killed and horribly mutilated by dogs and will be redoubling our efforts to raise awareness of the issue, and helping police to bring owners of dogs which attack livestock to justice. "The vast majority of dog owners act responsibly when exercising their pets in the countryside. But while more people may be putting their dog on the lead when farm animals are nearby we think a significant proportion of attacks are caused by owners who let them roam from homes adjoining countryside and either don't know or don't care that they are attacking farm animals." Mr Price said livestock worrying is particularly devastating for small farmers, because it has a huge impact on their businesses. He added: "While insurance can cover the cost of replacing stock killed and the treatment of injured animals, there is still a knock-on effect on breeding programmes that can take years to overcome." The UFU has previously raised livestock worrying concerns with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, and says firmer action needs to be taken here similar to elsewhere in the UK. Mr Chestnutt added: "Farmers must treat livestock worrying as they would an incident of rural crime. Report it to the PSNI and your local dog warden for investigation." A series of high-profile livestock attacks have been reported in recent months. In November two large dogs went on a killing rampage near Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, resulting in thousands of pounds in dead animals. And in December Keady farmer Alan Faloon had 12 sheep killed by three vicious dogs. Nine of the animals were pregnant. Farmington, N.M.-based San Juan Regional Medical Center has an opening for a neurosurgeon, according to the Albuquerque Journal. Three things to know: 1. The position has been open for at least 18 months. The hospital is offering a base salary of up to $750,000 and benefits including student loan repayment. 2. The 194-bed San Juan Regional Medical Center sought to hire three neurosurgeons. Two have been hired to date. 3. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-N.M., told the Albuquerque Journal she wants to address the state's physician shortage from a "variety of angles," like by raising the state's Medicaid reimbursement rate. Gov. Grisham also aims to use Medicaid funds to support more residency slots in New Mexico. Sylvain Palmer, MD, a neurosurgeon at St. Joseph Health Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, Calif., discusses the key technology advancements to watch for in the next few years. Question: What emerging technology or technique do you think will have the biggest impact on the spine field five years from now? Dr. Sylvain Palmer: There are two emerging technologies which will have an impact on spine surgery over the next five years. The first is endoscopic spine surgery to expand the reach of minimally invasive techniques in spine surgery and move more of spine surgery to the ambulatory surgery centers. The second is robotics to improve the accuracy of implant placement. Q: What do you think will fade or disappear from the spine field over the next few years? SP: Maximally invasive open spinal procedures will only be performed when absolutely necessary in the future to decrease the cost burden and functional burden of spinal surgery. Q: Where do you see the biggest room for innovation in spine? What do you need to provide better care that doesn't currently exist? SP: The future of spine will be in biologics such as stem cells, growth factors and genetic interventions to more effectively treat or possibly even reverse the genetic cascade. To participate in future Becker's Q&As, contact Laura Dyrda at ldyrda@beckershealthcare.com. For a deeper dive into the future of spine, 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. A former nurse at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., being criminally prosecuted for a fatal medication error was also investigated by state health officials who said there was no reason to discipline her or take any action against her nursing license, according to The Tennessean. RaDonda Vaught was indicted on charges of reckless homicide and impaired adult abuse earlier in February, according to a Feb. 1 announcement from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The indictment is the result a Vanderbilt patient's 2017 death. The patient was left brain dead after being accidentally given a lethal dose of a powerful, paralyzing medicine. Ms. Vaught admitted she made "a mistake" at the hospital, but pleaded not guilty to all charges. Peter Strianse, Ms. Vaught's attorney, said it was revealing that although his client was being criminally prosecuted, the Tennessee Department of Health, which oversees medical discipline proceedings, had not taken action against her. Mr. Strianse later gave The Tennessean a government letter confirming the department's decision. The letter, sent in October 2018, is signed by Antoinette Welch, the director of the Tennessee Health Department's office of investigations. It thanks Ms. Vaught for cooperating with the investigation. "After a review by the boards consultant and a staff attorney for the Tennessee Department of Health, a decision was made that this matter did not merit further action," the letter said, adding later: "This is not a disciplinary action, and no record of it will appear in your licensure file." The Tennessee Health Department declined to comment to The Tennessean on the investigation of Ms. Vaught. More articles on clinical leadership and infection control: ANA on nurse's reckless homicide charge: Criminalizing medical errors may deter future reporting Former Vanderbilt nurse pleads not guilty to reckless homicide in fatal medication error Most new nurses work 12-hour shifts, some have second jobs The Senate Finance Committee has launched an investigation into steeply rising U.S. insulin prices, according to Reuters. Committee Chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., sent letters to the three leading manufacturers of insulin Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi seeking answers to why the 100-year-old lifesaving drug is increasing in price. In the letter, the senators pointed to sharp insulin price increases at all three companies. In one instance, the letter asks why Eli Lilly's Humalog rose 585 percent between 2001 and 2015. Senators are asking the companies to discuss their pricing strategies, their research and development costs and revenue from insulin sales. "We are concerned that the substantial increases in the price of insulin over the past several years will continue their upward drive and pose increasingly severe hardships, not only on patients that require access to the drug in order to stay alive, but also on the taxpayer," the senators wrote, according to Reuters. Gabons President Ali Bongo has landed home Sunday evening coming from Morocco where has been receiving medical treatment after he suffered a stroke while attending an investment summit in Saudi Arabia in October last year. This is the second comeback of the 59-year old President. The Gabonese leader spent less than 24 hours in Libreville last month to attend the inauguration of a new cabinet. Bongo has been staying in Morocco since December where he had been receiving medical treatment at the invitation of King Mohammed VI. The military hospital in Rabat where had been treated discharged him in December 6 but the African leader has remained in the kingdom for recuperation. Bongo is expected to chair a cabinet meeting shortly after coming back home. Bongo, 59, came to power in Gabon in elections held following the death of his father, Omar Bongo, in 2009, who had ruled the country for 41 years. He won another term in office in 2016 in controversial elections with the European Union (UE) saying the results were cooked. Seven Big Pharma executives are set to testify before the Senate Finance Committee in a hearing Feb. 26. What you need to know: 1. Who is testifying? The committee asked top leaders from AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Pfizer and Sanofi to testify. AbbVie CEO Richard Gonzalez; AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot; Bristol-Myers CEO Giovanni Caforio; J&J Executive Vice President Jennifer Taubert; Merck CEO Kenneth Frazier; Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla; and Sanofi CEO Olivier Brandicourt are scheduled to represent their companies. 2. Key members of the Senate Finance Committee. The committee is chaired by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who previously held a hearing on drug pricing Jan. 29. During that meeting, Mr. Grassley denounced drug executives' lack of attendance. Since taking on the chairman role in January, Mr. Grassley has vowed to tackle the problem of rising drug costs. The committee's top Democrat, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, has told colleagues that no topic is off limits during the hearing, according to STAT. Another member, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., is expected to grill drugmakers for delaying cheaper generic competition by abusing the patent system, according to Politico. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, is expected to call out companies for charging more for prescription drugs in America than other countries. 3. How Big Pharma is preparing. In an effort to mitigate any financial consequences, public embarrassment or a blunt hit to their reputations, executives have likely been preparing for the hearing for weeks. Sanofi hired the law firm Arnold & Porter to help prepare its CEO. Another pharmaceutical company used WilmerHale, a law firm seen as an expert in helping executives navigate congressional hearings, according to STAT. Typically, the law firm begins by profiling each lawmaker involved in the hearing, what issues they stand for and what they will likely ask in the hearing. Drug companies will also develop "island statements," which are generic, philosophical and often apologetic phrases that corporate executives can use if they feel overwhelmed by the lawmakers' questions. 4. How Big Pharma will likely respond. Big Pharma is likely to deflect the blame onto pharmacy benefit managers or insurers. A drug policy expert told Politico that executives will likely attack the rebate system, arguing that pharmacy benefit managers are to blame. Additionally, executives may argue that drug costs represent just 15 percent of health spending in the U.S. They also may attempt to divert attention to rising healthcare costs in other areas, including surprise medical bills, which recently have been gaining the attention of lawmakers. 5. Sanofi's tactic. Sanofi agreed to speak with Politico about its tactics for surviving the grilling ahead of the Feb. 26 hearing. Mr. Brandicourt said he plans to discuss the opaque rebate system controlled by PBMs and how that system pushes up the price of drugs. He also plans to discuss the coupons Sanofi offers to patients to pay for insulin and other drugs. 6. What this hearing signals. The hearing is reminiscent of previous hearings with Wall Street banks, tobacco companies and the health insurance industries, all of which led to massive reforms. The hearing is seen by many as an ominous signal for the drug industry that major legislative reform is on the horizon. A former Insys Therapeutics manager testified Feb. 22 that the pharmaceutical company duped insurers into paying for its addictive fentanyl spray, according to The Boston Globe. Four things to know: 1. Elizabeth Gurrieri, who was a manager of reimbursement services for Insys, testified in Boston federal court that Insys employees learned how to swindle insurers into authorizing Subsys, a fentanyl spray, for patients. 2. Workers in the reimbursement center, which was dedicated to persuading insurers to pay for Subsys, used various tactics to trick payers, according to the report. For example, some workers told insurers that a patient had found other pain medications ineffective, despite having no knowledge of the patient's prescription history. 3. Employees also told insurers that patients had difficulty swallowing even if it wasn't true, as they knew payers would then be more likely to approve Subsys, Ms. Gurrieri testified. "We were misleading the insurance companies," she said, adding that Insys executives knew about the tactics. 4. Several Insys executives, including company founder John Kapoor and senior marketing executives, have been accused of bribing practitioners to prescribe Subsys to patients with millions of dollars in kickbacks, according to The Boston Globe. For the full article from The Boston Globe, click here. Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association, cautioned against "Medicare for All" proposals in a Feb. 22 blog post, writing that such legislation "could do more harm than good to patient care." Four things to know: 1. About a third of Americans share Mr. Pollack's concerns about Medicare for All proposals. According to a recent survey from NORC at the University of Chicago, 30 percent of respondents said they think care quality would worsen under Medicare for All, while 28 percent said care quality would improve and 39 percent said it would stay the same. 2. In Mr. Pollack's post, he argued that patient access "could be impacted because physicians and other providers may limit the number of Medicare or Medicaid patients they see because of chronic government underpayment." He continued: "Hospitals are already paid far less than the cost of caring for Medicare patients, and more patients with Medicare would strain hospitals even more, and could threaten hospitals' survival." 3. In his post, Mr. Pollack warned that a "one-size-fits-all approach" to health insurance could upend coverage for more than 180 million Americans who receive insurance through their employer. He added policymakers should prioritize fixing "what's broken instead of ripping apart our entire healthcare system and starting from scratch." This includes Medicaid expansion in nonexpansion states, strengthening individual marketplaces and implementing insurance mandates. 4. Mr. Pollack's remarks come on the heels of several Medicare for All proposals that 2020 presidential candidates have brought to the campaign trail. Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., said in January she supports Medicare for All policies during a CNN town hall Jan. 28, and would consider ending private health insurance. More articles on payers: BCBS of Michigan accused of charging hidden fees UnityPoint back in network with Humana, Molina Anthem study: Employers are increasingly bundling health benefits A former San Antonio pharmaceutical representative has pleaded guilty to her role in an $8.8 million healthcare fraud scheme, according to news website My San Antonio. Holly Blakely, 45, initially was charged in a 30-count indictment alleging she paid more than $400,000 in kickbacks and bribes to clinicians for prescribing compounded medications for pain to people that did not need the medication. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, healthcare fraud, bribery and paying kickbacks. Ms. Blakely admitted that she conspired with two compounding pharmacies to push prescriptions for compounded drugs and that the pharmacies would submit claims to health plans, including Tricare . In exchange, the two compounding pharmacies paid Ms. Blakely $1.15 million. Ms. Blakely faces sentencing June 13. An estimated 100 rural hospitals have shuttered since 2010, and the situation is likely to get worse, according to Dave Mosley, managing director of global professional services firm Navigant. Mr. Mosley cited a recent Navigant study concerning the fate of rural hospitals for a Feb. 21 op-ed for STAT News. The study states 21 percent of rural hospitals nationwide are at high risk of imminent closure, and more than double that percentage for rural hospitals in states like Alabama, Mississippi and Alaska. However, Mr. Mosley argued that federal lawmakers could step in to help prevent more hospitals from closing. A bipartisan bill introduced in 2017, called the Rural Emergency Acute Care Hospital Act, aimed to help rural hospitals by allowing them to sidestep a regulation that mandates they maintain a certain number of inpatient beds and an emergency room in order to be classified as critical access hospitals. Under the new classification, rural hospitals would not be forced to maintain a certain number of beds and instead would have the operational flexibility to move patients to larger hospitals while focusing on outpatient services. "The REACH Act doesn't solve all problems for rural hospitals. Nor does it offer the only workable solution better reimbursement around telehealth could help promote partnerships between rural hospitals and their closest academic health systems. But what does distinguish this piece of legislation is the simple fact of its existence," Mr. Mosley wrote. "The REACH Act acknowledges the train wreck that could and should have been avoided years ago, and now can no longer be ignored." To access the full op-ed, click here. Microsoft and Philips developed an augmented reality platform for image-guided minimally invasive surgeries. Five things to know: 1. Microsoft released details on the HoloLens 2, an upgraded version of its mixed-reality headset, at an event in Barcelona, Spain, Feb. 24, CNBC reports. The device features augmented reality capabilities as well as real-time eye tracking and translucent holographic lenses, which allow the wearer to see what they would normally see. 2. Built for HoloLens 2, the Microsoft and Philips augmented reality concept brings live imaging and other sources of data a 3D holographic environment under the physician's control. 3. Partnering with Microsoft allows Philips to expand its Azurion image-guided therapy platform to provide physicians with a tailored, augmented reality environment, Atul Gupta, MD, CMO for Philips' image guided therapy, said in a news release. "This concept allows me to see the real world superimposed with the live data and 3D medical imagery needed to guide our precision therapy, and importantly also lets me control Azurion with voice recognition, eye tracking and advanced gestures," Dr. Gupta said. "It's all about keeping our focus on the patient." 4. Aimed to allow hands-free interaction with 3D digital objects, HoloLens 2 features built-in artificial intelligence and Microsoft Azure cloud services. 5. Other healthcare technology companies that have integrated Microsoft's previous version of HoloLens into their platforms include Novarad's augmented reality system and Exelus' telemedicine application. General Electric sold its biopharmaceutical business to Danaher Corp. for $21.4 billion, the company announced Feb. 25. GE's biopharma business, which provides tools to support biopharmaceutical research and development, brought in roughly $3 billion in revenue in 2018. The company divested this unit to "reduce leverage and strengthen [its] balance sheet," Lawrence Culp Jr., GE chairman and CEO, said in a press release. "We are retaining full flexibility for growth and strategic optionality with one of the worlds leading healthcare companies," he said. Mr. Culp told CNBC the Danaher sale means GE will re-evaluate the planned spinoff of its healthcare business. "We are focused on completing the carve out [of the biopharma business] which is 15 percent of the $20 billion healthcare segment and focused on managing the remaining core business," he said. "An IPO [for GE Healthcare] in 2019 looks unlikely at this point." GE confidentially filed an IPO in December to make its healthcare unit a standalone enterprise in June 2019. It had planned to spin off its healthcare unit to focus on aviation, power and renewable energy. The healthcare unit brought in $19 billion in revenue in 2018 and $3.4 billion in profit, according to CNBC. Read more here. More articles on health IT: Trump calls for 5G, wants US to lead in wireless networks Children's Hospital Los Angeles partners with HIMSS to tackle social determinants of health in Latino population How EHR vendors fared in 2018: Earnings from Allscripts, Cerner & Meditech Pipeline Health, a Los Angeles-based privately held hospital ownership and management company, plans to invest $2.5 million or more in outpatient care in Melrose Park, Ill., after the closure of a hospital there, according to Crain's Chicago Business. The plans were revealed in Pipeline Health's state application to close Melrose Park-based Westlake Hospital. The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board reportedly has planned a public hearing in March and is expected to decide on Pipeline Health's closure request on April 30. Pipeline Health purchased Westlake Hospital, Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago and West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, Ill., in January from Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare. Earlier this month, the company confirmed it is requesting state approval to close Westlake Hospital by July. In its application requesting the closure, Pipeline Health cites the hospital's financial struggles, as well as declining inpatient admissions and fewer outpatient visits. The application states that the facility "is not economically feasible, and continuing operations will impair Pipeline's ability to be successful in the greater Chicago market," according to Crain's. Pipeline Health's application also reportedly says it plans to invest at least $2.5 million over five years to enhance outpatient care at clinics such as PCC Melrose Park Family Health Center, which is in Westlake Hospital's professional office building in Melrose Park near the hospital. Crain's reported that grant money would go toward services such as primary care, behavioral health, substance abuse treatment, prenatal care, diabetes treatment support and dental care. Pipeline Health said it also would provide shuttle service from the Westlake campus to West Suburban for two years or more after the closure. Pipeline Health said it would put the hospital campus up for sale and that "some or all of the improvements on the campus will be demolished in connection with such a sale," according to Crain's. Additionally, the company has indicated plans to consolidate some services now offered at Westlake Hospital with West Suburban Medical Center if the closure is approved. Chicagoan Eric Whitaker, MD, a part-owner of Pipeline Health, previously told the Chicago Tribune the closure will help keep Weiss Memorial Hospital and West Suburban Medical Center sustainable. But Illinois Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch, D-Westchester, along with community members, have spoken out against the closing Westlake, citing its crucial role in serving a largely minority community. Mr. Welch did not immediately respond to a request from Crain's to comment on Pipeline Health's decision to invest in outpatient care in Melrose Park. More articles on healthcare finance: Navigant Managing Director Tim Kinney on navigating revenue cycle technology challenges Upgraded digital payment tools not a priority for most healthcare providers, survey finds Zuckerberg hospital considers cost cap for privately insured patients amid billing uproar Wasilla, Alaska-based Mat-Su Regional Medical Center is scrapping its plan for a 36-bed behavioral health unit in favor of a smaller unit to open this summer, according to the Anchorage Daily News. The original facility was expected to cost over $19 million and be completed in December 2020, but the new wing will cost only $4.5 million. Hospital officials said the community it serves could not wait over a year for dedicated mental health services. "We strongly felt we had to do something much more quickly than that," said Hope Allison, the hospital's behavioral health director. After leaving more than 300 patients without access to their medical records, two closed Arizona hospitals were ordered by a judge to temporarily reactivate their record systems and allow patient access, according to the Miami Herald. Florence (Ariz.) Hospital at Anthem and Gilbert (Ariz.) Hospital, both bankrupt, were in a dispute with creditors about maintaining the EHRs. New York investment company Indigo-DLI Holdings was the hospitals' senior creditor, and Medhost oversaw the EHRs. Somerset Capital Group provided computer servers to host the EHRs. The disagreement between the organizations and Resolute Commercial Services, appointed to manage the hospitals' affairs, left the patients without access to their records. Resolute and Medhost proposed an agreement to reopen the EHRs for 90 days, partially financed by Indigo and Resolute. A Maricopa County judge OK'd the plan and ordered that $92,000 be taken from the hospitals' assets to pay for the reactivation of patient records which will be accessible for 90 days, roughly between March and May. Indigo may appeal to stop the order. "This is a very important issue," Indigo attorney Kyle Hirsch told the judge, according to the Herald. "If the patients want their records, they should pay a reasonable fee. But imposing the entire expense on Indigo doesn't seem fair." Patients are expected to gain access to their records in the next few weeks. Vice President of the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development, Alain Pilloux, starts this Monday a three-day working visit to Morocco for meetings with government officials and businesses. The visit confirms the EBRDs commitment to boost Moroccos economic potential through investment projects and policy engagement. It shows our continued support for the Moroccan economy, through a continuous dialogue with the authorities, investment in public projects, the private and financial sectors as well as providing advisory to small businesses, said Mr. Pilloux. We intend to remain a key long-term partner to the public and private stakeholders and contribute to an inclusive and sustainable growth that promotes job creation, green economy and better regional integration. I look forward to the discussions on how we can work together even more closely and effectively, added the European banks official. Accompanied by Marie-Alexandra Veilleux-Laborie, EBRD Director for Morocco, Mr Pilloux will meet Head of Govt Saad Eddine El Othmani, Minister of Economy & Finance Mohamed Benchaaboun, and Minister of Energy, Aziz Rabbah. He will also meet a number of business leaders and decision-makers. Morocco is a founding member of the EBRD and became a country of operations in 2012. To date, the Bank has invested over 1.7 billion in 50 projects in the country. The Bank has also supported more than 550 Moroccan SMEs by providing business advisory services. WASHINGTON A Republican group opposed to President Donald Trump's emergency declaration to fund a wall along the U.S. Mexico border is running a new ad on "Fox and Friends" Tuesday using sound bites from Texas Republicans Ted Cruz and John Cornyn opposing former President Barack Obama's 2014 order protecting eligible illegal immigrants from deportation. The ad, funded by the group Republicans for the Rule of Law, will run as the Democratic-led U.S. House is scheduled to vote on a resolution introduced by San Antonio Democrat Joaquin Castro opposing Trump's executive order. The 30-second ad features Cruz calling Obama "an unaccountable monarch" in November, 2014, after his administration expanded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to cover additional illegal immigrants. "If this president can impose his own immigration laws unilaterally, we stop having a constitutional system of checks and balances," Cruz said in a snippet retrieved by the Republican group. "It's the power of a monarch or an emperor." Only on HoustonChronicle.com: Federal officials say delayed $4B in Harvey aid will be tied up until May The ad also makes use of a 2014 Cornyn sound bite accusing Obama of "abusing executive authority." Cruz and Cornyn's Senate offices had no immediate comment Monday. But Cornyn told a Politico reporter Monday that he "probably" won't support disapproval resolution of national emergency declaration. Cornyn has expressed misgivings about an emergency declaration, but has not broken from the White House, suggesting that the president is "using existing authorities that Congress has given him to get access to reprogram other funds." Cruz, a strong backer of Trump's wall proposal, has made no explicit statement about Trump's declaration, saying only that he wants to see the underlying legal justifications. The Republicans for the Rule of Law ad follows an earlier campaign by a coalition of conservatives who sought to block congressional interference in the special counsel investigation of alleged Trump campaign collusion with Russia. The group has now turned its attention to Trump's emergency declaration, which could come up for a Senate vote in the coming weeks. "Declaring an emergency in the absence of one is an affront to the rule of law," said Chris Truax, a spokesman for the group. "No president should ever be allowed to invoke 'emergency' powers simply because he can't get what he wants through the normal political process. That is a gross abuse of the Office of the Presidency and sets a dangerous precedent for future presidential administrations." More on Texas politics: Four reasons Beto shouldn't run for president, and four reasons he should Democrats have accused the administration of manufacturing a sense of crisis on the border. "He is taking duly appropriated funding intended for the military, law enforcement, and many other priority areas in order to follow through on his campaign promise," said U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, who has identified nearly $520 million worth of military projects in Texas that he says are at risk. Cuellar, who represents the border city of Laredo, was among the lawmakers who negotiated a $1.37 billion border security package, which helped avert another partial government shutdown. Trump, who has sought more than $5.7 billion for the wall, has indicated he will redirect funds from the military and other parts of the government. Castro, rallying Democrats on the eve of Tuesday's House vote, made a plea for bipartisan support. "We are asking all members of Congress to respect the Constitution with us," he said. "I hope that they will vote their conscience." Some Republicans have argued that Democrats are forcing Trump's hands by holding back on wall funding. "The question about our nation's border security is not whether there is a crisis; there is," Texas Republican Roger Williams wrote in an essay in the Austin American-Statesman. "The question is, do we have the political courage to do something about it?" At least 16 states have sued to block Trump's move. Meanwhile, dozens of former senior national security officials and 26 Republican former lawmakers have written separate letters rejecting the president's national emergency declaration. TEXAS TAKE: Catch the political news you need every weekday at HoustonChronicle.com. San Antonio police confirmed Monday that detectives have opened an investigation into a former part-time Community Bible Church employee after church officials said he admitted to inappropriate behavior with juveniles. According to a preliminary police report, the former employee contacted up to eight underage boys using Snapchat. Church officials said the employee may have had physical contact with one teenager, but that it did not occur at the church or during a church event. Photo provided by National Weather Service Lake Charles Southeast Texas could experience showers of hail over the next two days, some of which could be severe, according to the National Weather Service in Lake Charles. Roger Erickson, warning coordination meteorologist with NWS Lake Charles, said radar and analysis showed a slight chance of small hail for southeast Texas and western Louisiana on Monday. Bluefield, WV (24701) Today Scattered thunderstorms early, then becoming clear after midnight. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then becoming clear after midnight. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Anna Smith writes a weekly column about Bakersfield. She can be reached at anna@sagebakersfield.com The opinions expressed are her own. (Meredith) -- Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte added to his long list of criticisms of the Catholic Church, saying that the religion will disappear completely in 25 years due to the clergy's sexual abuse scandals. (Translated to English) "This Catholic will disappear. In almost 25 years, it will disappear. No more, people will forget it," Duterte said in a speech Sunday. The president went on to discuss the reasons behind his theory, saying the alleged ongoing sexual abuse and its cover-ups within the Church will ultimately push its followers to flee the religion. Pope calls abusive clergy 'tools of Satan' Pope Francis, speaking on the final day of a historic summit on clergy sexual abuse, called priests and other Catholics who abuse children "tools of Satan," but offered no concrete steps to address the church's massive and morally damning abuse crisis. (Translated to English) "When they [clergy members] are aroused, they abuse nuns. If they're gay, they go to children. Who needs a religion like that?" Duterte said during his speech. According to CNN Philippines, Duterte and the Catholic Church have been at odds over his ongoing criticisms of the clergy. CNN Philippines reports that Duterte previously referred to God as "stupid" and said all Catholic priests should die of venereal (sexually transmitted) disease. Duterte's statements came on the last day of the Catholic Church's historic, unprecedented four-day summit. The summit gathered 190 Catholic leaders, including 114 bishops from around the world, to address the clergy sexual abuse scandal that stretches across several continents. On Monday, the trial starts in the case of Christine Mustafa. Her body was never was found after going missing two years ago. But her boyfriend Robert Interval is behind bars charged with her death. By Leman Mammadova Mesmerizing nature of Azerbaijan, delicious cuisine, hospitality of the people, capital's most modern sky-scrapers and at the same time old places saturated with the history attract more tourists with each coming year. The beautiful nature of Azerbaijan, hospitality of its people, the country's capital with its super modern and ancient buildings draws the attention of all tourists visiting this South Caucasian country. The number of tourists who arrived in Azerbaijan from Egypt, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, India, China, Georgia and South Korea increased and the number of tourists from the Gulf countries decreased in January 2019, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee on February 25. In January 2019, 191,600 foreigners and stateless people from 143 countries visited Azerbaijan (a 2.9 percent increase compared to January 2018). Thus, 29.4 percent accounted for the Russians, 29.1 percent Georgian citizens, 11.2 percent Turkish citizens, 5.4 percent Iranian citizens, 4.5 percent UAE citizens, 1.7 percent Ukrainian citizens, 1.3 percent Iraqi citizens, 17.3 percent - citizens of other countries, 0.1 percent - stateless people. Among those who arrived in Azerbaijan in January 2019 the number of tourists from Egypt increased by 4.5 times, tourists from Pakistan by twofold, tourists from Turkmenistan by 1.7 times, tourists from India by 1.4 times, tourists from China by 26.5 percent, tourists from Georgia by 21.9 percent, tourists from South Korea by 15.2 percent. The number of tourists from the Gulf countries decreased by 13.3 percent and reached 28,500 people in January 2019 compared to January 2018. In January 2019, the number of tourists from the EU countries increased by 0.9 percent and reached 5,800 people, the number of tourists from the CIS countries - decreased by 0.2 percent and reached 67,200 people. Meanwhile, 63.8 percent of tourists arrived by trains or vehicles, 35.4 percent - by planes, 0.8 percent - by ships. In 2018, 2,849,600 tourists from 196 countries arrived in Azerbaijan, showing a 5.7 percent increase compared to 2017, according to the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan. 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 recent years, the creation of a diversified tourism infrastructure in Azerbaijan has increased the interest of foreign tourists to the country. There are many opportunities for tourism in our country, including rural, health, environmental, cultural, social, commercial, sport and etc. 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. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov From the first years of independence, Uzbekistan declared cooperation with Europe as one of the priorities of its foreign policy. During the visit of the French business community, the Uzbek-French Business Forum was held at the International Business Center. The Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan together with the Franco-Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry were organizers of the meeting. The business forum was held with the participation of French Ambassador to Uzbekistan Violen de Vilmore and heads of relevant ministries and departments, national agencies and hokimiyat of the city of Tashkent. The French delegation included representatives of 14 major companies, such as VRO, Russian Railways Logistics, Nawinia, Urus Advisory, Assystem, Leroy Merlin, Armo Group, Great Silk Way and others. The purpose of organizing a business forum was to discuss potential cooperation and study project proposals in industries such as energy and nuclear energy, engineering services and civil engineering, logistics, transportation of construction materials, electrical products, cosmetics. During the event, it was noted that a number of important agreements are in force between France and Uzbekistan, forming a legal platform for bilateral relations. In particular, in accordance with the Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU, the most favored regime has been established in mutual trade between the countries, since 1996, the Convention on the avoidance of double taxation of income and prevention of tax evasion on income and capital has been in effect. Since 2001, the Uzbek-French Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation has been active, the last meeting of which was held in July 2018. The visit at the highest level of the Uzbek leadership in October 2018 raised the development of Uzbek-French relations to a new level, as the parties signed agreements on the implementation of projects totaling about $ 5 billion. One of the projects in the electric power industry is the construction of a photopower plant in the Samarkand area with the French company Total EREN. The initiative to abolish an entry visa for French citizens was a significant factor in attracting the flow of French tourists and potential investors, opening the territory of Central Asia as a potential market for the realization of proposals. Within the framework of the forum, the sides held presentations where representatives of the company demonstrated their activities to the Uzbek side and outlined the areas in demand for the implementation of joint projects. For the French delegation, study tours to the Navoi, Samarkand and Bukhara regions were also organized, where meetings with the leadership of the local administration and visits to the free economic zones, new industrial facilities and housing complexes and NMMC will be held. Diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and France were established on March 1, 1992. The trade turnover between the two countries was $164.1 million. French export totaled to $98.2 million, the rest accounted for Uzbekistan. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The Cabinet of Ministers of Kazakhstan is now headed by Askar Mamin, who has previously been appointed Acting Prime Minister of the country, Trend reports via RIA Novosti. The relevant decree was signed by President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev on Monday. "The head of state signed a decree on the appointment of Askar Mamin as Prime Minister of Kazakhstan," the presidential press service informed. Mamin, 53, has earlier served as the Minister of Transport and Communications, mayor of Astana, and head of the Kazakhstan Railways national company. Since September 2016, Mamin was the First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan. After the governments resignation on February 21, 2019, he replaced the former Prime Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev and was appointed the Acting Prime Minister of Kazakhstan. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend European trends in natural gas demand will require development of new import routes, Trend reports citing Italian Snam company. In the coming years there will be a significant increase in demand in the global gas market, driven by the Americas and by China, where an increase in energy requirements will be accompanied by the growing role of renewable energy, more efficient technology and the gradual transition from other fossil sources to natural gas, according to the companys report. Snam believes that gas will continue to play a central role in the process of decarbonisation in Europe as well, in line with the objectives defined (2020 Climate & Energy Package) or in the process of definition at EU level (Clean Energy Package) specifically making an important contribution to the transport and thermoelectric sector, in view of coal gradually being phased out of production and the increase in intermittent renewable sources. "The use of the latter, which is hardly foreseeable, will require greater support from natural gas, a source which, can be programmed," said the Italian company. "Volumes in Italy remain essentially stable. European trends in natural gas demand, supported in particular by the reduction in the use of coal, together with the decline in domestic production, will require the development of new import routes," reads the report. In this context, Snam anticipates an acceleration in the investment plan (5.7 billion euros in the five-year period 2018-2022), with a continued focus on replacement and maintenance in order to guarantee the maximum resilience, flexibility and efficiency of existing infrastructure. Snam is Europes leading gas utility. It has been building and managing sustainable and technologically advanced infrastructure guaranteeing energy security for over 75 years. Snam operates in Italy and, through subsidiaries, Austria (TAG and GCA), France (Terega) and the United Kingdom (Interconnector UK). It is one of the main shareholders of TAP (Trans Adriatic Pipeline) and is the company most involved in projects for the creation of the Energy Union. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Azerbaijan and Bulgaria could make joint gas supplies for Southeast Europe, Bulgarian Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova said in an exclusive interview with Trend. She recalled that the state gas company Bulgargaz EAD has concluded a delivery contract of 1 bcm /year with the Consortium Shah Deniz from the second phase of Azerbaijan gas field. In practice after 2020, the Azerbaijan natural gas from Shah Deniz 2 will meet about 25-30 percent of the consumption of natural gas in Bulgaria, which is a serious share and will significantly increase Bulgarias energy security and promote competition on the Bulgarian gas market, added the minister. "In the future, in the presence of additional volumes of natural gas at competitive prices in Azerbaijan, Bulgaria would be interested in supplying additional volumes of Azerbaijan natural gas. Our countries could also make joint gas supplies for the countries of Southeast Europe using the well-developed Bulgarian gas network and the infrastructure of the future regional "Balkan" gas hub," said Petkova. The minister went on to add that taking into account the significant capacity of the Bulgarian gas transmission system, the country's multi-annual experience as a major gas transporter in the region and the strategic geographical location, Bulgaria, together with the European Commission, has developed a project for regional gas hub "Balkan", which would have a crucial importance for Southeast European countries. "The feasibility study, co-financed by the EC, has shown that this project is extremely important and economically advantageous for Bulgaria, SEE, the EU and the supplier countries. Taking into account the positive results of the feasibility study, we expect Azerbaijan to be one of the natural gas suppliers for the regional "Balkan" gas hub. The gas hub concept consists of two parts, the construction of an infrastructure and an operating gas exchange. In this connection, Bulgartransgaz registered at the beginning of the year a subsidiary "Balkan gas hub" EAD. The company will operate trading platforms for the needs of natural gas markets within "Balkan" gas hub," said Petkova. She noted that in synergy with the physical infrastructure of the hub, the necessary prerequisites for the construction of the first liquid physical and commercial gas hub in the region of Southeast Europe based in Bulgaria will be provided. "We estimate in the future, up to 49% of the shares of "Balkan gas hub" EAD to be provided to other legal entities and individuals, such as gas distribution and gas network operators, licensed gas exchange operators and trade platform operators, employers' organizations, natural gas consumers, companies engaged in extraction and/or trade of gas, etc," she said. This would contribute to the implementation of the Balkan gas hub concept and increase in the liquidity of the natural gas market in Bulgaria and Southeastern Europe, according to Petkova. "I believe that the implementation of these key gas projects will further increase the capacity of the Bulgarian gas transmission system, thereby helping Bulgaria to maintain and expand its position on Europe's gas map. Accordingly, our strategic energy partnership and our joint projects will turn Azerbaijan into one of the main and reliable suppliers of natural gas, not only for the SEE, but also for the EU," she added. Bulgaria expects to receive Azerbaijani gas through IGB, a gas pipeline that will be connected to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). IGB is a gas pipeline, which will allow Bulgaria to receive Azerbaijani gas, in particular, the gas produced from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz 2 gas and condensate field. IGB is expected to be connected to TAP via which gas from the Shah Deniz field will be delivered to the European markets. The initial capacity of IGB will be 3 billion cubic meters of gas. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Leman Mammadova Azerbaijan exported apples totaling $ 34.7 million to Russia in 2018. This is 6.7 percent of the total Russian imports of apples, Report informs citing Russian media. In total, Russia imported 844,000 tons of apples amounted to $ 517.4 million, while it exported 11,700 tons of $ 4.11 million. The main countries exporting fresh apples to Russia are Serbia (20.7 percent) and Moldova (20.5 percent). China ranks third with 16.5 percent. Russia also imported fresh apples from Iran (7.3 percent), Turkey (7.2 percent), Chile (5 percent), Belarus (3.4 percent), South Africa (3.4 percent), Argentina (3 percent), Brazil (2 percent), New Zealand (2.8 percent), Macedonia (1.2 percent) and other countries. Azerbaijan is one of the main economic partners of Russia among the CIS countries and Russia remains one of Azerbaijans main foreign trade partners. Interregional cooperation plays an important role in the development of Russian-Azerbaijani trade and economic relations and the increase in trade turnover. Russia ranks first in terms of export of non-oil products from Azerbaijan. The trade turnover between two countries amounted to $2.14 billion in 2017. According to the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Russia amounted to almost $2.27 billion in January-November 2018. So far, Azerbaijan invested more than $1 billion in the Russian economy, and Russia invested more than $4.2 billion in Azerbaijans economy. About 760 companies with Russian capital operate in Azerbaijan. Russia is a strategic partner of Azerbaijan. The legal framework between the countries includes over 180 documents, including about 50 in the economic sphere. --- Leman Mammadova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @leman_888 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Armenia must renounce claims against Turkey regarding the 1915 events and answer for the acts of the ASALA terrorist group, as well as for the crime against humanity committed in Azerbaijans Khojaly town, said Yalcin Topcu, Turkish presidential adviser, in an exclusive interview with Trend Feb. 25. He noted that in 1992, the biggest crime of the century against humanity was committed in Khojaly. In 1915, Armenians, with the support of the Russian Empire, were exterminating civilians in Anatolia and, in particular, in such Turkish cities as Kars, Erzurum and Ardahan, said Topcu, adding that the archives contain a lot of evidence of numerous murders of the Turkic population by Armenian band formations. He noted that Armenia, on the one hand, refuses to recognize the crimes committed in Khojaly, and on the other hand, makes claims against Turkey regarding the events of 1915, which is unacceptable. Regarding the prospects for repairing relations between Armenia and Turkey, the presidential adviser noted that Ankara doesnt believe in the sincerity of Yerevan. It is possible that by virtue of necessity Armenia take certain steps, but believing in the sincerity of Armenia would be too great optimism, said Topcu. Unfortunately, our historical experience forces us to come to this conclusion. He noted that the position of Turkey regarding Armenia is very clear. Armenia must withdraw its forces from the occupied Azerbaijani territories and apologize for the crimes committed, and after that, Turkey, in consultation with Azerbaijan, will assess this step, he added. Topcu stressed that Armenia is an occupier state. 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. During the Karabakh war, on Feb. 25-26, 1992, the Armenian armed forces, together with the 366th infantry regiment of Soviet troops, stationed in Khankendi, committed an act of genocide against the population of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly. As many as 613 people, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old people were killed in the massacre. Eight families were totally exterminated, 130 children lost one parent and 25 children lost both. Some 1,275 innocent residents were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 people still remains unknown. 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 Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend On the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the commemoration of the massacre in town of Khojaly of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen, has paid tribute to all those who lost their lives in the 1992 atrocity, the OIC said in a message. The Secretary General reiterated that the Khojaly incident was a result of the illegal occupation of Azerbaijani territory by Armenia. He referred to the Cairo Final Communique of the 12th Session of the Islamic Summit and resolutions adopted by previous sessions of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, which considered the actions perpetrated against civilian Azerbaijani population in the occupied Azerbaijani territories as war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. The Secretary General further reiterated the OICs full support to the initiatives and efforts of the Republic of Azerbaijan to put an end to the occupation of its territories and to restore its territorial integrity. During the Karabakh war, on Feb. 25-26, 1992, the Armenian armed forces, together with the 366th infantry regiment of Soviet troops, stationed in Khankendi, committed an act of genocide against the population of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly. As many as 613 people, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old people were killed in the massacre. Eight families were totally exterminated, 130 children lost one parent and 25 children lost both. Some 1,275 innocent residents were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 people still remains unknown. 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 Khojaly International Paintings Exhibition, dedicated to the Khojaly genocide, is being held in Tehran, Iran, Deputy Chairman of Basij Mostazafin Organization Mohammad Ali Mominiha, Trend reports referring to the organization. Mominiha noted that the exhibition is held at the initiative of several international public organizations and with the support of Basij Mostazafin Organization and the Culture and Art Organization of Tehran Mayor's Office. Mominiha said that the aim of the exhibition is to condole with the Azerbaijani people. The exhibition started on February 23 and will last until February 27. During the Karabakh war, on Feb. 25-26, 1992, the Armenian armed forces, together with the 366th infantry regiment of Soviet troops, stationed in Khankendi, committed an act of genocide against the population of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly. As many as 613 people, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old people were killed in the massacre. Eight families were totally exterminated, 130 children lost one parent and 25 children lost both. Some 1,275 innocent residents were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 people still remains unknown. By Abdul Kerimkhanov Exactly 27 years ago, the Armenian military units carried out an act of genocide in the Khojaly city with a population of 7,000 on February 26, 1992. During the Khojaly genocide, 613 people were killed, 1,000 civilians of various ages became disabled as a result of the bullet wounds received. As many as 106 women, 63 young children, 70 old men were killed, eight families were completely destroyed, 25 children lost both parents, 130 - one of the parents. On the night of the tragedy, 1,275 civilians were captured, and the fate of 150 of them is still unknown. This genocide of ethnic Azerbaijanis was carried out by the Armenian military with particular ruthlessness and unthinkable brutality. The second Battalion of the 366th Regiment of the Soviet Army under the command of Major Seyran Ohanyan, the 3rd Battalion under the command of Evgeny Nabokikhin, the Chief of Staff of the first Battalion Valery Chitchyan and over 50 Armenian officers and warrant officers participated in the attack on the city. Some of the residents who tried to flee were killed in pre-arranged ambushes. In four days only 200 corpses were delivered from Khojaly to Agdam, facts of abuse of dozens of corpses were recorded. In Aghdam, a forensic medical examination of 181 corpses was carried out. During the examination, it was established that the cause of 151 peoples death was bullet wounds, 20 died of shrapnel wounds, 10 people died of blows with blunt objects. The human rights center also noted the fact of scalping living people. The Khojaly genocide entered the history of Azerbaijan as one of the most terrible and tragic pages. Over 250,000 Azerbaijanis living on their historical lands were expelled from Armenia in 1988, and thus Armenia became a mono-ethnic state. The events that have unfolded around Nagorno-Karabakh since 1988 led to the destruction of villages, cities, the death of tens of thousands of innocent people, the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis from their historical lands. Armenia, in spite of all international norms, is trying to annex Nagorno-Karabakh to itself, while demonstrating readiness for crimes and atrocities. The Khojaly genocide, which is the tragedy of the 20th century, was the result of this aggressive and criminal policy of the Armenians. This tragedy is one of the most serious crimes directed not only against the Azerbaijani people but also against all mankind. Khojaly genocide ranks with such horrific tragedies of the century as Khatyn, Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Songmi. The Khojaly genocide, committed with extreme cruelty, horrified Russian, Georgian, English, French, German, American journalists, as well as journalists and publicists from other countries. This crime should not go unpunished. The military-political aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan must be condemned by the world community. International organizations, parliaments of the world should give a political and legal assessment of the Khojaly genocide, committed by Armenia on the territory of Azerbaijan, as a true genocide. Today, the Khojaly genocide has been recognized and condemned by 17 countries of the world: Mexico, Pakistan, Colombia, Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jordan, Panama, Peru, Honduras, Guatemala, Sudan, Slovenia, Romania, Indonesia, Paraguay, Djibouti and Scotland. Moreover, 24 states of the United States such as Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin recognize the Khojaly genocide. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Farma Shah LLC, a producer of medicinal plants in Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (NAR), plans to export its products to Russia, a source at the company told Trend. The company is currently negotiating with potential buyers in the Russian market, the source said. "We produce over 70 varieties of medicinal plants. In the future, we plan to bring our products to new foreign markets, mainly to the countries of the former Soviet Union," the source added. The source noted that the NAR Ministry of Economy substantially supports the promotion of the company's products in foreign markets. The manufactured products have a certificate of conformity issued by the State Committee for Standardization, Metrology and Patents of the NAR. The company uses modern equipment manufactured in Iran and China. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Laman Ismayilova An exhibition of medieval torture devices opened at the Palace of Shirvanshahs on February 23. The project was implemented by the Icherisheher State Historical and Architectural Reserve and ART Accademia s.r.l. (Italy-Russia). About 70 torture devices were showcased, Trend Life reported. It was a very common practice during the medieval Inquisition, which lasted about 500 years. In her speech, director of the Icherisheher Museum Center stressed that the venue was chosen not by chance. The Shirvanshahs' residence is a place that brings visitors to the thoughts about the uneasy life of ancestors. The content of the exhibition is quite dramatic and full of details of the harsh reality of the Middle Ages. Among the creepy death tools are "Nuremberg Maiden", "Prayer Cross", "Fork of a Heretic", "Stretching Bed", "Spanish Horse, "Witch's Chair", "Interrogation Chair", "Kneeing" rack, various masks, tools, shirts of repentance, and so on. The methods used by the Catholic Church against heretics are depicted on lithographs. The victims of the Inquisition were thinkers and scientists - Galileo Galilei, Giordano Bruno, Jan Hus, Nicolaus Copernicus and others. Pier Luigi Canovi, the creator of the collection, noted that the idea of the exhibition is purely humanistic - to denounce any violence, regardless of the ideological justification for its use. The project for the reconstruction and demonstration of medieval torture instruments began in 1983. Since then, the collection, whose permanent location is in Milan, has traveled around dozens of European cities. About 30 people participated in the work on the exhibits. Some conducted a scientific search and restored the appearance of guns, others embodied the findings in wood and iron. The exhibition will run until the end of August 2019. Working hours: from 10:00 to 18:00 without days off. The Shirvanshahs Palace is one of the most prominent example of Azerbaijan architecture. Construction of the palace, which was held in the period of 13th-16th centuries, has been associated with the transfer of Shirvanshahs' capital from Shamakhi to Baku, famous for its harbor. It forms a complex, consisting of the residential building of Shirvanshahs, the second residential building (for servants), Divankhana, tomb, palace mosque built in 1441, the remains of the destroyed Key Gubad mosque, Murad's gates, hamam (bath) and mausoleum of famous scientist Seyid Yahya Bakuvi. The palace complex was declared a museum in 1964, and taken under state protection. A unique architectural and cultural ensemble along with the Old City and the Maiden Tower, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Azerbaijan will take part in the discussions on the Caspian Sea - Black Sea International Transport Corridor project. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov will take part in the ministerial meeting on the Caspian Sea - Black Sea International Transport Corridor project (ITC-CSBS), Leyla Abdullayeva, head of the press service of the Foreign Ministry, said at a press conference on Monday, Trend reports. According to her, the meeting will take place on March 4 in Bucharest, Romania. "Mammadyarov will participate in a meeting of Azerbaijani, Georgian, Turkmen and Romanian foreign ministers, during which this transport project will be discussed," she said. Abdullayeva further noted that Mammadyarov will also make an official visit to Tehran in March and hold talks with the Iranian foreign minister. The new transport route is being formed on the basis of the Trans-Caspian and Lapis Lazuli corridors. Romania and Turkmenistan were the initiators of the creation of the new transport route. Ashgabat has long been exploring the possibility of transporting goods, including liquefied gas to Constanta. The supply route involves the use of special containers and runs through the Caspian Sea to Baku in Azerbaijan, then by rail to Batumi or Poti on Georgias Black Sea coast, and from there via maritime roads to Romania. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Mirsaid Ibrahimzade The growth of the welfare of Azerbaijani people and the development of the non-oil sector led to a sharp increase in imports of cars, trucks and buses into the country. The automobile import boom that began in Azerbaijan last year continued this year too, despite a noticeable increase in excise taxes imposed on the imported vehicles. Thus, in January 2019, 2,512 vehicles were imported into the country, which is 1,526 units, or 2.5 times more than in January 2018, according to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan. From January 1, 2019, with the corresponding amendments to the Tax Code of Azerbaijan excise taxes on the import of cars were raised, depending on the engine size. Thus, the excise tax on the import of cars with an engine capacity up to 2,000 cubic centimeters is 0.3 manats for each cubic centimeter, against previous 0.2 manats. For vehicles with a large engine capacity, new excise taxes come as follows: up to 3000 cubic centimeters - 600 manats (previously 400 manats) plus five manats (previously three manats) for each cubic centimeter of engine (from 2001 to 3000) cubic centimeters of engine size and so on. That is, on average, excise rates imposed on imported cars increased by 50 percent. But despite this, a noticeable increase in the income of a certain part of the population allowed to increase imports of passenger cars into the country in January this year by 1,359 units, or 2.5 times, thus reaching the amount of 2,267 units. Also, the active development of the national economy and the opening of large factories in the non-oil sector led to a rise in truck demand. In January of this year, 215 trucks were supplied to Azerbaijan, which is three times more than in the same period of last year. Improvement of the financial performance of the country also allowed begining actively update the bus fleet. In January alone, 18 buses were imported, which is 4.5 times more than in the same period of 2018. And it is not surprising that, against this background, the expenses of entrepreneurs on the import of vehicles and spare parts for them have noticeably risen. According to the results of 2018, 28,876 vehicles were imported from abroad. For imports of vehicles and spare parts $641.7 million were spent in 2018, which is $219.6 million, or 52 percent more compared to 2017. Over the past years, the minimum import of passenger cars was observed in 2016 4,991 units. The maximum volume of imports of cars fell down in 2013. Despite the high rate of car imports, Azerbaijan still takes steps to establish a car assembly to prevent currency outflows and meet the needs of the population and entrepreneurs in vehicles by establishing local plants. Cars, trailers and semi-trailers were produced in the country worth 106.6 million manats according to the results of 2018, which is 31 times more compared to 2017, according to the State Statistics Committee. As many as 969 cars were produced in 2018, which is 32.4 times more than in 2017. Such a sharp increase in the production of cars in the country was achieved by a joint Azerbaijani-Iranian Khazar plant in the Neftchala industrial park. By the way, starting from the current year, Khazar cars are expected to be exported, first of all to the Russian market. In addition, the Nakhchivan facility opened in 2010 assembles eight models of Lifan passenger cars designed by Chinas Lifan Group, which provides all the necessary spare parts for cars to the plant so they may be assembled in Azerbaijan under the direct supervision of the Chinese automotive specialists. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Mirsaid Ibrahimzade Heydar Aliyev Center hosted a presentation of AzerGold CJSCs bars and coins made of gold and silver mined in Azerbaijan on February 2, the company said. Chairman of the board of AzerGold Zakir Ibrahimov made a speech at the event. During his speech, he noted that the foundation for the comprehensive development of Azerbaijan was laid after the return to power of national leader Heydar Aliyev. Further, Ibrahimov stressed that thanks to the support provided to the development of local business by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, modern, high-quality services and products of the country embracing various business segments enjoy success in world markets. In this regard, the head of the company emphasized that the coins and bars manufactured by AzerGold CJSC will make a significant contribution to the strengthening and development of the Made in Azerbaijan brand, as well as provide citizens with a choice of premium-quality products. After the speech, a video was shown at the event, demonstrating the process of producing gold bars and coins. Speaking at the presentation, Deputy Chairman of the Board of AzerGold CJSC Oktay Mammadov provided the attendees with detailed information of the products manufactured. It was noted that at the initial stage, the coins were made in three different designs, which reflect the Heydar Aliyev Center, the Gobustan rock paintings and the Chelebi Karabakh carpet pattern. In the future, it is planned to produce coins, reflecting various historical events, samples of national art, monuments of architecture and history. AzerGold Closed Joint-Stock Company was established according to the Decree of the President dated February 11, 2015. The main objective of the company is the study, research, exploration, management, as well as extraction, processing and sale of precious and non-ferrous metal ore deposits, implementation of new technologies in this field, modernization and efficient use of material and technical base, performance of other activities related to the development of the industry. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 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. By Trend Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 25 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Feb. 25, Trend reports. 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 The three words to watch at President Trump's pair of summits over the next month: verifiable, measurable and enforceable. Driving the news: Trump is on his way to Vietnam, where he'll meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. He'll then host Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago sometime in March. On Monday, he teased a "signing summit" with Xi, saying negotiators are "getting very, very close." The big picture: Its hard to find anyone in government who believes North Korea or China are willing to make the dramatic shifts Trump believes he can bring about complete denuclearization for North Korea and immense structural changes for China. Chinas leaders are masters at playing the Americans. Theyve done so over multiple administrations and they dont even acknowledge that they steal U.S. intellectual property on a vast, state-sponsored scale. Xi remains committed to his "Made in China 2025" advanced manufacturing strategy to give Chinese high-tech companies advantages over American ones and would, if successful, prevent Trump from achieving his trade goals. A source close to the negotiations described the debate with the Chinese over the important "structural" issues as a "death march." North Koreas leaders are even craftier than the Chinese negotiators. "No one has played [a hand of] two 2s better than they have," said a former senior U.S. official with extensive experience negotiating with North Korea. The Trump team hopes to get a roadmap to denuclearization from this week's Hanoi summit, but Kim doesn't appear to have even made the basic decision to denuclearize. The bottom line: Whatever wins Trump may tout in his post-summit rhetoric, check the fine print. Thailand's forthcoming elections in March, the first since the country was taken over by a military junta in May 2014, are unlikely to bring much peace or stability to the kingdom, which has been in turmoil for more than a decade. The big picture: Instead, undemocratic actors are likely to become only more powerful. While the junta is not popular recent polling shows that the main pro-junta party is likely to get only a tiny fraction of the vote the army will likely take tough actions if the anti-junta parties win. Polls show that non-junta parties, including those linked to the populist politician Thaksin Shinawatra, will do well if the vote is free. But the electoral environment is already unfair: The junta limited the period of campaigning, Thailand's top court might dissolve one major pro-Thaksin party, and Thai police could prosecute another top opposition leader. Still, it's very possible that a coalition of anti-junta, pro-democracy parties, including several who have vowed to cut the military's budget, could take a majority of seats in the lower house of parliament. Yes, but: The military is keeping all its options open, in one of the few wealthy or middle-income countries on earth where coups are still common. In a recent, rare, interview with Singapore's Straits Times, hardline army commander Apirat Kongsompong refused to rule out a coup in the future and offered veiled threats against anyone who disrespects the armed forces. Thailands king, too, is hardly a democrat. As the army prepares to hold on to power, he has grown increasingly powerful, and appears to want to push Thailand back in the direction of an almost absolute monarchy. Although he does not technically have the right to determine who can and cannot run in elections, he effectively prevented his sister, Princess Ubolratana (who had renounced her title and is technically a private citizen) from running for prime minister at the head of one of the pro-Thaksin parties. What to watch: Even without a coup, the armed forces could try to prevent an anti-junta coalition from wielding power by using the judiciary, widely seen as allied with the army and the crown, to start disqualifying politicians on dubious charges, a tactic used in Thailand many times in the past. Joshua Kurlantzick is senior fellow for Southeast Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations. North Carolina Republican congressional candidate Mark Harris testified before a state panel Thursday that he had no knowledge of any election fraud, and that he didn't take warnings from his son seriously, the Charlotte Observer reports. The big picture: An investigation into North Carolina's 9th congressional district election found evidence in two counties of a "coordinated, unlawful and substantially resourced absentee ballot scheme" carried out by a political operative Harris had hired. Harris testified that the operative advised him they were not breaking the law. On Wednesday, Harris' son testified that he had warned his father about illegal tactics by the operative, a convicted felon. The North Carolina State Board of Elections on Thursday voted to call a new election for the state's 9th congressional district amid evidence of ballot-tampering. Why it matters: This comes days after the board said its investigation found evidence that a political operative working on behalf of Republican candidate Mark Harris had coordinated an "unlawful and substantially resourced absentee ballot scheme," including efforts of a cover-up. The backdrop: Harris told the board moments before its unanimous ruling to order a new election to settle the countrys last unresolved midterm House race a sharp reversal from his previous calls and a failed court challenge last month for election officials to certify him. It did not immediately set a date. Harris holds an unofficial 905-vote lead over his Democratic opponent, but the board had declined to certify him as a winner last year due to claims of "numerous" absentee voting irregularities and later launched a probe. Also on Thursday, the board's fourth day of hearings into voting irregularities, Harris told the five-member panel he had no knowledge of any election fraud. But he did acknowledge that he ignored warnings from his son about the Republican operative, Leslie McCrae Dowless. John Harris, an assistant U.S. attorney in Raleigh, said under oath Wednesday that he had expressed misgivings about Dowless to his father in 2017 after analyzing absentee-ballot returns in 9th district in 2016. The elder Harris had narrowly lost the GOP primary and Dowless worked for the another Republican candidate. The younger Harris' testimony contradicted his father's claim last month that he never heard any red flags about Dowless before hiring him. Go deeper: Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer and fixer, is set to testify for three consecutive days on Capitol Hill this week. The backdrop ... Cohen's interview before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, his first and only planned public Congressional hearing, will produce a striking split-screen: He testifies while Trump meets in Hanoi with Kim Jong-un. While some Democrats hope it'll be a blockbuster hearing Rep. Jackie Speier, who serves on both the House Oversight and Intelligence committees, told Axios she thinks Michael Cohen could be "the John Dean of the Watergate crime" some Democratic members privately acknowledge they don't expect Cohen to offer any new, substantially damaging information on Trump. "We can't go into Russia stuff, because we can't in any way say something that hampers an ongoing investigation," said a Democratic aide on the House Oversight Committee. "Because of those parameters it's not going to be any more damaging than what you've already seen." (House Oversight Chairman Elijah Cummings laid out 10 areas of focus for the hearing in a letter last week, and noted Russia was off-limits.) Instead, Cohen will talk about Trump's character, and is expected to describe the "dirty deeds" he claims Trump directed him to carry out some of which made him a felon. "What Michael Cohen has to say will confirm what people already know about Donald Trump," Lanny Davis, Cohen's attorney, told Axios. "The question is, some people care about Michael's experience with repetitive lies and misconduct that in the private sector seem less surprising, but as president may seem very frightening." "This is his chance to tell America in some comprehensive way what his involvement with Trump did to his life and what Trump is doing to our country," said Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin, who serves on the Oversight committee. Cohen's closed-door hearings before the Senate and House Intelligence committees (Tuesday and Thursday) may be more fruitful than the public Oversight hearing given both committees plan to focus on ties between Trump's 2016 campaign and the Kremlin, as well as whether foreign entities have any leverage over Trump, his family, and his businesses, according to sources on both committees. "We will be conducting a closed-door interview with Mr. Cohen to fully explore his previous testimony before our committee, allow him to correct the record, and answer questions related to our probe," said Rep. Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. "We are particularly interested in hearing from Mr. Cohen about the Trump Tower Moscow project and any other foreign financial entanglement..." A Democratic staffer on the Senate Intelligence Committee indicated their questioning will be similar, but said they'll also ask about allegations in the Steele Dossier that Cohen met with Kremlin officials in the Czech Republic in 2016, as well as whether any foreign payments were made to Trump's inaugural committee. Go deeper: How the Mueller probe closed in on Michael Cohen Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who led the 2015 Iran nuclear deal negotiations, resigned Monday via Instagram, Irans Foreign Ministry confirmed. Per NBC News, it is unclear if Iranian President Hassan Rouhani or Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will accept the resignation. Why it matters: Zarif's resignation comes eight months after President Trump announced that the U.S. would withdraw from the nuclear deal and less than a week after the UN's nuclear watchdog assessed that Iran is still in compliance with the terms of the deal. The other parties to the 2015 agreement which include the U.S.' European allies, China and Russia have remained committed to salvaging the deal, despite the Trump administration's re-introduction of sanctions against the Iranian regime. Were now 5 years on from the mass protests on the Maidan, Kievs central square, where Ukrainians with widely diverging values and visions of their countrys future braved bullets to oust then-President Viktor Yanukovych, Moscows man in Kiev. Flashback: During weeks of demonstrations, more than 100 were killed and 2,500 injured in clashes with police. Yanukovych then fled to Moscow under cover of darkness, and Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Crimea. A continuing Kremlin-backed insurrection in two of Ukraine's eastern provinces has killed more than 10,000 people. Five years later, what is the lasting impact of Maidan, known widely in Ukraine as the "Revolution of Dignity?" Putin's military response to the demonstrations prevented an imminent move by Ukraine to more deeply integrate with European institutions. But Russian military aggression also made enemies of millions of Ukrainians, many of whom were ambivalent about their country's centuries-old relationship with Russia before Putin's land-grab in Crimea and the Russian-fueled separatist uprisings in the East. Yet, despite European sympathy with the country's isolation, Ukraine's many internal problems have allowed little progress toward possible membership in the EU. Where things stand: With an election approaching next month, political infighting, corruption, and public cynicism run deep. The low-level conflict with Russia continues. A poll conducted in December suggests a sharp division of opinion on what the Maidan protests were all about. 52% of respondents said they have a positive view of the protests. Some 47% said demonstrators were angered by Yanukovych's bid to block Ukraine's integration into Europe, and 35% called it an opposition-led coup. Finally, according to Amnesty International, justice for those killed in the Maidan by police and government snipers has not come. The rights group says 288 individuals have been charged and gone to court. Just 52 cases have produced a verdict. Of 48 convictions, just nine people have been sentenced and not one of those imprisoned is a former police officer. What to watch: This is an election year in Ukraine, and voters will be looking for presidential and parliamentary candidates who can move the country beyond its chronic problems and current stalemate with Russia. Each candidate will face the question of how best to explain the lessons of Maidan and their importance for Ukraines future. Sign up for Signal, a thrice-weekly newsletter from GZERO Media, a Eurasia Group company. A dozen current and former employees who moderated disturbing and traumatic content for Facebook at a third-party contractor in Arizona told The Verge that their experiences caused PTSD-like symptoms amid difficult working conditions. Why it matters per Axios' David McCabe: Facebook has spent over a year promising regulators, media and the public that it will address the flood of malicious content on its platform. Workers in Phoenix and at other content moderation sites are a key part of that effort and both Facebook and its contractor, Cognizant, told The Verge that adequate support for employees was provided at the site but their struggles are far less visible than the lives of executives and engineers at Facebook's Silicon Valley HQ. Facebook VP of Global Operations Justin Osofsky posted a memo Monday he shared with employees over the weekend that explained the process of content reviewing at Facebook. "A lot of the recent questions are focused on ensuring the people working in these roles are treated fairly and with respect. We want to continue to hear from our content reviewers, our partners and even the media who hold us accountable and give us the opportunity to improve." Go deeper, via Wired: The laborers who keep beheadings out of your Facebook feed With Venezuela's political and humanitarian catastrophe back on the international radar, the crisis in Nicaragua continues to fester, largely unnoticed. Why it matters: In December, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights accused the Nicaraguan government of committing crimes against humanity when it crushed protests demanding the ouster of President Daniel Ortega. In absolute terms, the repression's 2018 death toll at least 300 is comparable to that of Venezuela, but relative to Nicaragua's much smaller population, it ranks as one of the worst human rights crises Latin America has seen in decades. Background: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro counts Ortega among his closest allies, and the Ortega regime's troubles stemmed partially from the recent end of Venezuelan aid and oil subsidies. For over a decade, economic growth had compelled Nicaraguans, especially the countrys business elite, to accept Ortega's democratic erosion and consolidation of his family dynasty. However, the regime's marriage of political authoritarianism with economic liberalism Ortega was more an IMF darling than a 21st-century socialist proved unsustainable. In April 2018, anger over corruption and rigged elections exploded into street protests. Where it stands: Repression, widespread terror and inchoate economic collapse threaten to create a refugee crisis and further destabilize a region already plagued by weak institutions and transnational organized crime, especially in the so-called Northern Triangle. Yes, but: Nicaragua mostly evades the spotlight. It lacks the geopolitical stakes of the imbroglio in Venezuela, which possesses the worlds largest oil reserves. Unlike Maduro, who benefits from leftist nostalgia for the late Hugo Chavez, Ortega long ago abandoned the socialist politics of the 1980s Sandinista Revolution that once garnered sympathy from global progressives. Finally, Nicaragua is largely irrelevant to U.S. electoral politics: Nicaraguans account for less than 1% of the U.S. Hispanic population, about one-fifth the share of Cubans. The EU and most Latin American countries see early elections as the solution. But early talks between opposition groups and the government have stalled for months. In a bid to force democratic concessions from Ortega, the U.S. government sanctioned several individuals in his ruling circle, while Congress passed wide-ranging economic sanctions with broad bipartisan support. What to watch: It's unclear if such pressure will succeed in bringing Ortega, still backed by the country's security forces, to the negotiating table. Only one thing is certain: The Nicaraguan people, already among the hemisphere's poorest, will increasingly suffer the consequences of a prolonged crisis. Mateo Jarquin is a doctoral candidate in the department of history at Harvard University. American citizen Danny Lavone Burch, who was abducted by the rebel Houthi group in 2017 while working as an engineer at a Yemeni oil company, has been reunited with his family, President Trump announced via Twitter and the State Department confirmed. Between the lines: A State Department official told Axios that assistance from the United Arab Emirates was "crucial" to securing his release. At the time of Burch's abduction, the U.S. had warned U.S. citizens against traveling to Yemen, as it had limited ability to help Americans since embassy operations were suspended in 2015. A 25-year-old hijacker was shot by commandos and later died after the aircraft landed in Chattogram, Bangladesh, on Sunday. Bangladesh media reports Biman Bangladesh Airlines Flight BG147 was on a flight from Dhaka to Dubai when the man, who identified himself only as Mehedi, reportedly tried to get into the cockpit. He was armed with a pistol and some reports said he claimed to have a bomb. Its not clear if he actually got into the flight deck. Once on the ground at Chattogram, the 148 passengers and most of the crew evacuated through an overwing emergency exit and stairs pushed up to the leading edge. Two crew members remained aboard. At some point a team of para commandos entered the aircraft. Maj. Gen. Motiur Rahman, the militarys Chattogram commander, said the commandos called for the man to surrender. But he rejected, and tried to retaliate, which led to the exchange of fire, Rahman said. The suspect was apprehended with gunshot injuries, but we have learned that he died later. 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. A relatively new co-worker who moved to Mississippi from outside the Bible Belt recently told me that he's Catholic. The context of this disclosure was a conversation about adjusting to life in the South and how I didn't think I'd ever do so. He said that he was warned before moving here that the Southern Baptist-dominated South is not particularly fond of Catholics. He said that he found this to be fairly accurate. He did not share tales of religious persecution or anything quite so dramatic. Instead, he described what he perceived as a culture of intolerance built on a simplistic and often hostile sort of fundamentalist Christianity. After initially being as shocked as I was that "What church do you go to?" often passes as a greeting among strangers here, he described the surprised and disappointed look he sees when he identifies himself as Catholic. He was very aware of an all-or-none sort of thought process among the Southern Baptists: either you are one of us, or you are the enemy. He said that he feels fortunate not to have children because he worries about what they would go through. Other Catholic and Jewish co-workers with children have provided me with many tales of cruelty inflicted on their kids by the local children with Southern Baptist parents (e.g., forced prayer circles, threats of hell, attempted exorcisms, etc.). When one is taught religiously-based hatred and intolerance from birth, I suppose the consequences should not be surprising. Still, it always catches me off guard when I hear about some of what the local children do to those they perceive as outsiders. Even though I really should know better by now, I couldn't help being at least a little surprised that the local Southern Baptists would treat a fellow Christian this way. At least, my co-worker certainly considers himself to be Christian. This sort of religious intolerance seems to be woven into the cultural fabric here. Identifying oneself as a Christian is not worth much unless one is the right kind of Christian. They are rewarded with instant social acceptance. Others are rewarded with social rejection, attempts at conversion, or outright condemnation. What my co-worker probably doesn't know is that he at least has it better than the atheists do. Many of the local Southern Baptists are quick to tell you that they'll take a "fake Christian" over someone who doesn't believe in their preferred god. I have had some conversations over the years in which I have asked about this. What I have been told is that there is still hope for someone who at least believes in a god (even if it is the wrong one). They feel like they can connect with such a person and convert them. Opinions vary when it comes to atheists but some view us as lost causes. Personally, I'd take that if it meant the proselytizing would end. An early version of this post appeared on Atheist Revolution in 2006. It was revised and expanded in 2019. Local Magazine is here! The summer 2021 issue of Local Magazine is out. Pick up a copy of your favorite local magazine around town or peruse our e-edition below. Because the best things in life are local. Oscars 2019 Red Carpet: Billy Porter Wears a Tuxedo Gown to Academy Awards Billy Porter Shows Up Ready to Pose in a Tuxedo Gown on the Oscars Red Carpet Pose star Billy Porter set a high bar for the Oscars as he was one of the first to arrive on the red carpet Sunday, February 24. He stunned in a custom Christian Siriano velvet tuxedo gown at the 91st Annual Academy Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. RELATED: Oscars 2019 Red Carpet: Boldest and Best Dressed Men His stunning outfit comes after the actor made a fashion moment in a custom Randi Rahm embroidered suit and satin cape at the Golden Globes on January 6. GettyImages As a grandfather to the voguing posers on the hit FX series, Porter, who also appeared on American Horror Story: Apocalypse, has quickly become a familiar name known for his bold sense of confidence and willingness to bring attention to the LGBTQ community. Its not a surprise that after winning the 2013 Tony for Best Actor in a Musical as Lola in Kinky Boots in 2013 and a grammy for Best Musical Theater Album for the same role in 2014, that the 49-year-old actors shining so brightly this awards season. Why is Porter showing up in a tuxedo gown so important? Because he is confidently answering the question, Why cant a man wear a dress? They can, and they do very well. See what people are saying: Anddddd flip!! @theebillyporter at the #oscars in Siriano and what an honor it was to create this moment! @TheAcademy pic.twitter.com/cSZR9D5NA3 Christian Siriano (@CSiriano) February 24, 2019 Billy Porter showed up as the glamorous dowager with a dangerous secret AND her suave butler with mysterious designs of his own. pic.twitter.com/3clcmVSljG R. Eric Thomas (@oureric) February 24, 2019 The night is still young, but Billy Porter is already winning. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/jSJc9ehI1V E! News (@enews) February 24, 2019 Billy Porter single-handedly breaking through the snoozefest that is male fashion on red carpets. Who's doing it like him? pic.twitter.com/38JCDWSWAD Lepreas (@lepreas) February 24, 2019 An ode to @theebillyporter's red carpet looks this awards season https://t.co/TUydjZXQAA #Oscars Entertainment Weekly (@EW) February 25, 2019 You Might Also Dig: Lucky Charms-Flavored Beer Is Coming Trending News: This Magically Ridiculous IPA Tastes Like Kids Cereal Soon, youll finally be able to say, Theyre always after me Lucky Charms-flavored beer! Norfolk, Virginias Smartmouth Brewing Co. is launching a new India Pale Ale that apparently tastes like a bowl of Lucky Charms. According to the brewery, Saturday Morning IPA is made with raw and toasted marshmallows, as well as Calypso hops, which give the beer a tropical fruity flavor akin to the breakfast cereal. The result is magically ridiculous! Smartmouth says on its website. RELATED: It's Time to Broaden Your Brew Horizons With These Unexpected Beers Unlike the magically delicious cereal, Smartmouths beer will pack a punch. Saturday Morning IPA launches on March 2 in 16 oz. cans, and will contain 6.6 percent alcohol by volume. Unfortunately for anyone outside of Virginia, the Lucky Charms beer will only be sold in bars, restaurants, and licensed vendors in the state. Virginians will also get to celebrate at Smartmouths release party on the 2nd. These days, beer flavored like breakfast cereal isnt completely out of the norm. There are plenty of craft breweries offering flavors that may excite or revolt your tastebuds. Dogfish Head Craft Brewery released a spacey ale in 2013 flavored with lunar meteorite dust, Porterhouse Brewing Co. has an Irish stout made with freshly shucked oysters, and Icelands Stedji Brewery made beer using a single whale testicle. Perhaps the most questionable of them all? A Danish brewery recycled human pee from a festival and turned it into beer. What kind of craft beer will they dream up next? You Might Also Dig: 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 Send to Email Address Your Name Your Email Address Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Email check failed, please try again Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. follow following unfollow 381 k-studio After completing their architectural educations at the Bartlett, UCL in London and having spent a year working for Will Alsop, Dimitris and Konstantinos returned to Athens and set up K-Studio. K-studio have developed a reputation for their fresh, dynamic approach to architectural interventions. Since 2002 they have built up a portfolio of projects in and outside of Greece; from shops, bars and restaurants to hotel rooms, apartments and new build houses. Current work includes proposals for a development of 4 chalets in the Swiss Alps; concept design of a new and extensive hotel in the Greek Peloponnese; the design and construction of a new-build house in southern Greece; the design and construction of 2 apartments in London and 2 more in Athens and 2 new restaurants in Athens. k-studio was shortlisted for the 2012 Young Greek Architects Award, part of the Athens Architecture Biennale, and took part in the corresponding exhibition at the Bennaki Museum in Athens. Their recent projects Barbouni and Capanna were shortlisted for the 2012 Bar and Restaurant Design Awards and the office was 1 of 20 up-coming practices chosen from around the world to form Wallpaper* Magazines 2012 Architects Directory. Their projects Barbouni and Plane House were also nominated for the 2013 Mies Van der Rohe Award. Qatar Airways Cargo is pleased to announce that it has been named Global Air Cargo Airline of the Year by STAT Trade Times. The award was given at this years Air Cargo Africa air freight industry trade exhibition and conference, held in Johannesburg, South Africa from 1921 February 2019. The cargo carrier was also runner-up for the Global Air Cargo Brand of the Year and International Cargo Airline of the Year in Africa awards. Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: It gives us great honour and joy to receive these awards. Qatar Airways Cargo has come a long way to be ranked as one of the leading air cargo carriers globally. Being voted by the air freight community means a lot to us. It is for our global customers and employees that we strive to build our success upon the foundation of service excellence, always ensuring that our customers needs are of primary importance. Our business partners and dedicated team at Qatar Airways Cargo are the ones who have made this achievement possible, and we extend our special thanks to them. Qatar Airways Cargo had a successful 2018, with positive growth in both tonnage and revenue. The carriers cargo volumes increased by 10 per cent in 2018 over 2017. Future plans include the construction of the carriers Cargo Terminal 2, which is already underway. Once complete, the terminal will increase annual cargo capacity at Qatar Airways hub in Doha to 3.2 million tonnes annually. The cargo carrier continues to seek new opportunities to invest and grow the business, benefitting not only its customers but the entire air cargo community. Al Ain International Airport (AAN), owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Airports, received Pakistan International Airlines inaugural flight from Peshawar International Airport on Friday 22 February. Pakistan International Airlines commenced bi-weekly flights on Fridays and Sundays connecting Al Ain with Peshawar, Pakistan. Al Ain International Airport, Abu Dhabi Airports second largest airport, welcomed the first flight from Peshawar with an honoury guard salute, in celebration of the new route to Pakistan from Al Ain, a major city in the UAE. Maarten De Groof, chief commercial officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: Pakistan has always been one of our largest and most significant areas of operations, and we are pleased to welcome these new bi-weekly flights carrying passengers to and from Al Ain and Peshawar. This new addition further expands the network of Al Ain International Airport, providing our passengers with enhanced services and connectivity. We look forward to continuing to build new partnerships to meet the markets growing demand, added De Groof. PIA's President & chief executive officer Air Marshal Arshad Malik said: PIA is in process of transformation and is striving to provide best in class services to its patron customers. The service elements also include providing convenient connectivity to its passengers and direct flights to cities in Gulf and KSA to all major destinations in Pakistan. Al-Ain is a strong market and there was a persistent demand by the local Pakistani diaspora to start direct flights between Al-Ain and Peshawar. PIA is expanding its network and very soon new exciting destinations and additional frequencies on existing routes would be introduced further consolidating our network, added Malik. Alpha Aviation Academy (AAA), the Middle Easts leading pilot training providers, and the second largest provider of the Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) in the world, is celebrating the inauguration of its milestone 50th cadet batch. The 50th batch comprises of 14 cadets, aged between 17 and 28 years old, from 12 different countries: ten cadets from Asia, two from Africa, one from South America, and one from North America. The newly joined cadets come from a variety of professional and academic backgrounds. This includes from China, Yongle Song, whose love for aviation throughout his cabin crew career with a major GCC airline, has prompted him to pursue a pilot career with Alpha Aviation Academy. Joining him will be a number of other international cadets including Abdullah Hamdan, a Jordanian previous employee of a major UAE airport who, having heard about AAAs MPL program from current AAA cadets and graduated pilots, has decided to ambitiously pursue a career in aviation. Both cadets will be joined by the Lebanese Biology-Chemistry university major student Hady Haidar, and by Julio Calderon from Colombia, who wants to follow in his pilot fathers footsteps as a successful aviator; and by Muhammad Ibrahim Lodhi from Pakistan, whose search for the best MPL program providers in the world lead him to Alpha Aviation Academy in UAE to launch his awaited pilot career journey. The international nature of the group is a result of Alpha Aviations ongoing diversity campaign, which aims to get more international cadets and women trained as pilots in the UAE. The diversity campaign itself comes as the UAE celebrates 2019 as the Year of Tolerance, which aims to highlight the UAE as a global capital for tolerance, and as a bridge between people of different cultures. Commenting on AAAs 50th batch, Captain Nadhem AlHamad, Alpha Aviation Academys general manager, said: On the occasion of AAAs 10th anniversary, we are delighted to welcome our intake of Batch 50 cadets. "The batchs diversity is testament to our commitment to engage with cadets of all nationalities and cultures, and we look forward to helping these ambitious young cadets fulfil their dreams as an airline pilot. Abu Dhabi Airports has participated in the celebration of Kuwait National Day, which falls on February 25. Travelers from Kuwait passing through Abu Dhabi International Airport were welcomed with Kuwaiti flags, an assortment of sweets and other activities. The special Kuwait National Day activities come as part of Abu Dhabi Airports focus on ensuring a seamless passenger experience and customer happiness. In addition to the flags and sweets, Kuwaiti music was played across Abu Dhabi International Airport and lucky passengers were greeted by Abu Dhabi Duty Frees famous Dhabian camel mascot, who handed out an assortment of prizes and vouchers. Bryan Thompson, chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: We are proud to welcome our Kuwaiti neighbors to Abu Dhabi International Airport and share with them our unique brand of Arabian hospitality during their National Day. Our celebration of Kuwait National Day is a manifestation of the deep ties and close connections between the United Arab Emirates and the State of Kuwait, and we look forward to continuing to build upon the profound sentiments that bring the two countries people together, concluded Thompson. Fast-rising Kenyan songbird Virginia Maina a.k.a Gin Ideal quit the troubled Grandpa Records last year and signed up with Taurus Musik, a move that seems to be working out for her. The Rede hitmaker is back with a hot new track My Way. During her media tour, Gin Ideal spoke about the song and everything relationships. Your new song My Way, in which you feature Beenie Gunter, suggests you are in a good place. Are we in for a good love story? What love story? I know the song has a good love and romantic vibe and that comes from the chemistry I developed with Beenie Gunter when we met during my Ugandan tour late last year. It brings out the real new Gin Ideal, so expect more of such feel-good love stories. But this comes hot on the heels of Shuga and Balance last year, which were also good vibe songs Yes. I am a girlie type and so I have taken the direction of making happy songs that basically bring out my character, good flow and connection with my audience. Love is a universal language. It is a human interest talk. So, are you dating? (Laughs) I saw that coming. But no, I am not. I am so single. Last time we checked you were in a romantic relationship of many years. We even thought you are about to tie the knot Stuff happens. I ended the affair about a year ago. Right now, I am keeping it on the down-low, taking time to reorganise my emotions and see the way forward. Is that euphemism for you were heartbroken? Every break-up has a potential heart-breaking situation and one has simply got to deal with that. I ended the relationship myself as at some point it wasnt really working. It was a long distance relationship and I would find myself having to travel with him to different countries during a time I should have put more focus on my music. My music comes first and I felt that there was a conflict and so I called it quits. This guy was close to you. You had even introduced him to your family I always introduce my boyfriends, the two I have had, to my family as I am always that open. That does not mean I should keep them forever if its not working. Second boyfriend? What happened to the first one? I started dating when I turned 19 so you can imagine how innocent I was at high school. Coming into that first relationship was quite an anxious experience and I guess I was learning these things. You can imagine a girl getting her first kiss and being told all those sweet-nothings. The first boyfriend is always like an experiment. You lie to yourself its going to be forever when we all now know it is the starter on the menu. You said you are reorganising your emotions I dont want to jump into another affair with the wounds fresh from the previous one. I mean, with all those suitors calling, I ended up spending my Valentines shopping with my girlfriend so you can conclude that I am really trying to keep off men for now. That does not mean no one is trying to get me but as you know, relationships can be exhausting. Who is trying to get you? That is crazy to reveal. Men hit on me; of course this beautiful girl is lovable. From politicians to sponsors and beautiful people. These calls keep on coming like it was traffic on a free highway. Politicians? That I cant reveal. However, having a sponsor is a very bad idea and I would ask girls to keep off. You can see how many cases of girls dying mysteriously we have right now. I always shy off those calls by strangers and stalkers telling you how they can buy you cars and houses. Hard work pays. Maybe thats because you are a bit reserved, right? Girls are going for the big boys I agree that I am reserved but also, it is mature that one should keep integrity. Most of the time I am indoors with my sister, Terry, either cooking or just having a girl moment. I would rather stay indoors cooking and eating as opposed to be on a bad date. Maybe you are just choosy? When I love I can fall so deep. I love my man clean, smelling good and understanding. I like a man who is honest and who has a clear direction on what he wants in life. I am open and straight-forward. What is your most awkward experience with a boyfriend? I once told this guy that I was relaxing at home preparing for bed yet I had gone to a friends house for a sleep-over. He proceeded from the airport to my house only to call and ask me to open the door. You can imagine what happened next. Pressure! I can handle pressure. When I get into such anxious moments, I can scream my lungs outI actually do a lot of that when I am about to go on stage. Sometimes, I suppress the thoughts, remain quiet and wait to deal with the issue when I am a bit relaxed. 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: February 25, 2019 3:23 PM The Primate of Burundi, Archbishop Martin Nyaboho, has joined local civic leaders in appealing for support after the main market in Matana was burned down. The Natana Commune, in the southern Burundian province of Bururi, is considered the birthplace of Anglicanism in the country. Archbishop Martin visited the scene of the fire with local diocesan Bishop Seth Ndayirukiye last month and met the commune administrator to express his solidarity. Most of the people who are making trades here are members of the Anglican Church in Burundi, Archbishop Martin said in a video for the Anglican Church of Burundi. It is expected that over 4,000 families who are living from the income from this local market. Speaking in the video, the commune administrator said that people have lost much. Thats why we ask for support to those who can support us, including the Anglican Church, she said. We normally work together in many ways so youre among those well call for support. Archbishop Martin added: I want to join my voice to hers, appealing to any generous givers for support so that we can at least support these families, these people who have lost their properties, their businesses, so that in the near future they can recover again and be able to support their families on a daily basis like before. Posted on: February 25, 2019 6:31 PM Thieves have stolen the head from an 800-year-old mummified body, known as The Crusader from the crypt of a church in the Irish capital Dublin. The vandals responsible also damaged other human remains in the attack on St Michans Church in Church Street, Dublin. The church is a popular tourist destination attracting visitors who come to see the mummified remains in the crypt. The vandalism was discovered shortly before lunchtime today (Monday) as volunteers were preparing to open the crypt for visitors. In a statement, the Church of Ireland said that the body of The Crusader was overturned and its head taken. They say that the crypt was badly damaged and other remains, including the 400-year-old remains of a nun, were desecrated in the attack. I am shocked that someone would target this ancient burial place and desecrate the remains of those lying within it, the Archbishop of Dublin, Michael Jackson, said. Not only have these individuals desecrated the sacred crypt but they have destroyed these historic mummies which have been preserved in St Michans for hundreds of years. I would appeal to those responsible to examine their consciences and return the head of The Crusader to its rightful place. The crypt of St Michans was last vandalised in 1996. Archdeacon David Pierpoint, the Vicar of the Christ Church Cathedral Group of Parishes, which includes St Michans, said he was saddened by todays attack. The actions of these people are devastating and sacrilegious, he said. We are upset at the amount of damage that has been caused. But also the crypt will have to close so tourists will not be able to visit. It is very frustrating. The Irish police - An Garda Siochana is investigating the attack. I would appeal to anyone with information to contact the Gardai, Archdeacon Pierpoint said. Energous Corporation, the company behind the remote wireless charging solution WattUp, has announced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that it has partnered with Vivo Global for the development of smartphones capable of recharging wirelessly and over-the-air. Energous Corporation believes that Vivo can be the key to introduce WattUp recharging technologies to the mobile market and contribute to driving the technology forward in a significant way. Energous Corporation has been working on the WattUp solution for many years, and it was at the end of 2017 when its remote charging technology was approved by the FCC. The company also demonstrated truly remote wireless charging at last years Mobile World Congress, but this year in Barcelona, Energous Corporation went one step further towards commercializing its product to the masses. Chinese smartphone manufacturer Vivo has gained an interest in WattUp and this new partnership could lead to the development of smartphones capable of recharging their batteries wirelessly, over-the-air, without having to make physical contact with wireless charging pads. Advertisement WattUp receivers have a small enough footprint and can be integrated with a wide variety of devices, some even smaller than smartphones, and offer orientation freedom as well as 90-degree angle support. The technology uses radio frequency to recharge devices over-the-air and takes advantage of foreign object detection technologies to avoid thermal issues with metal and other materials that may interfere with the wireless recharging process. At Mobile World Congress, Energous Corporation demonstrated two wireless charging solutions, namely the WattUp Mid Field and WatUp Near Field transmitters. As the names suggest, WattUp Mid Field is the companys solution providing remote wireless charging over-the-air. It allows compatible devices to be recharged at a distance of up to 15 feet, and the closer the device is to the transmitter, the faster it will recharge. On the other hand, the WattUp Near Field transmitter is more similar to standard wireless charging and requires direct contact. Nevertheless, the WattUp fast charging transmitter-receiver solution delivers 20 watts of power and can be scaled higher. Energous Corporation claims that WattUp Near Field is faster than conventional wireless charging solutions, and is referring to it as Wireless Charging 2.0. Advertisement By combining both WattUp Mid Field and Near Field, OEMs such as Vivo could technically offer both remote wireless charging and faster conventional wireless charging in a single device. The video embedded below demonstrates how these technologies could work together in the real world. As yet theres no word on what Vivo smartphone series might be the first to adopt Energous Corporations wireless charging technologies. Vivos latest phone was introduced last week as the V15 Pro. It doesnt use wireless charging technologies but does take advantage of a 3,700mAh battery with fast charging capabilities, and is capable of recharging up to 24-percent capacity in just 15 minutes. It should be noted that the model is not a flagship phone and instead it fits in the upper mid-range market. Its powered by the Snapdragon 675 chipset from Qualcomm coupled with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and features a notch-less 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display while boasting in-display fingerprint sensor technology. Sony has introduced a new series of smartphones at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, including the affordable Sony Xperia L3, as a direct sequel to the Xperia L2 introduced in January 2018. The latest model makes the jump from a 16:9 image format to the more popular 18:9 aspect ratio, and among other upgrades it also features a secondary camera for bokeh effects. The new Sony Xperia L3 represents quite a departure from last years model, in that it has a refreshed design with a taller display as well as two main cameras instead of a single sensor. The new 18:9 display has a 5.7-inch diagonal and 720p resolution while being protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The new model carries a 13-megapixel main camera on the back panel, but this year its been paired with a secondary 2-megapixel sensor, allowing photographers to create images with bokeh effects. The front-facing sensor has a resolution of 8-megapixel and features a variety of modes for selfie enthusiasts, including Soft Skin, Sharp Face, Skin Brightness, and bokeh effects of its own. Advertisement The series continues to be powered by one of MediaTeks chipset solutions, namely the newer Helio P22 octa-core chipset manufactured on 12nm technology. The package includes a PowerVR GE8320 graphics chip and is coupled with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage expandable via microSD. Much like last years Xperia L2, the new Xperia L3 has a fingerprint sensor but unlike its predecessor, the latest model embeds the module in a side-mounted physical button as opposed to carrying it on the back panel. This is somewhat of an odd choice given that Sonys smartphones originally had a side-mounted sensor but the OEM made the switch to a rear-mounted solution, only to now go back to its previous design. Other features include a 3,300mAh battery with Xperia Adaptive Charging and a USB Type-C connector (same as last year). But despite the new design and various upgraded components, the Sony Xperia L3 continues to be one OS generation behind Google and other smartphone OEMs. Advertisement Instead of Android 9 Pie, the Xperia L3 will launch with Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box, and normally, users could expect a new software version to be introduced as an OTA update later down the line. But with Sony, you never know, particularly given the OEMs poor software support over the past few years. The Sony Xperia L2 was also introduced with Android 7.1.1 Nougat last year, and it has yet to be upgraded to Android Oreo or Pie. Only time will tell if the latest Xperia L3 will follow in its predecessors footsteps. The smartphone should become available for purchase today in select markets, but Sony has yet to confirm exactly which regions will be the first to receive it. The device will be available in single SIM and dual SIM variants, and prospective buyers will be able to choose between three color options including Silver, Black, and Gold. The caveat is that not every color options might become available in every region. Along with the new smartphone, Sony is also introducing a new open-ear Bluetooth stereo headset called the SBH82D, which will become available for purchase in May in the colors Black, Grey, and Blue. It is worth saying that the Xperia 1 flagship also launched at MWC 2019, click here if youd like to know more. When two famous names worked on a car together with less than stirring results. by Wallace Wyss With the Sixties Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, being one of the most beautiful cars of the Sixties, ya think that any Aston done by Zagato would be something to look forward to. Uh, no. No guarantee. Just look at this one from 1986. It was announced a year previously at the 1985 Geneva Motor Show with actual cars available a year later and every damn one of the fifty sold in advance to customers plunking down a 115,000 Pounds Sterling deposit for the 187,000 Pounds Sterling car. The idea of the car was that, though the standard Vantage was already one of the fastest four seaters in the world; shortening the wheelbase, dumping the rear seats, hyping up the engine and going for a more aerodynamic body (where even the side glass was mounted flush would make for the ultimate car. Right? Wrong. It was a real world class bow-wow in looks. The front end was exceedingly bland, more like a Toyota Celica. They had to have a power bulge to clear the airbox for the side draught Weber 48 IDA carbs but that rounded bulge, taller at one end than the other, didnt fit the flat surfaces looking like it was from other car. The designer of record was Giuseppe Mittino, who was appointed to be chief of Zagato design in 1970. I researched the name and found out he is a minor celebrity among Italian car designers, having done some other one-offs and some limited production cars bearing the Zagato Z including the 72 Fiat 132 Asta, the 75 Zeta 80, two Ferraris, one a 330 and the other a 250GT SWB Spyder. There was first a coupe version of the Aston presented at the Geneva motor show in 1986, and then, a few months later, a convertible. In all there were 52 coupes and 37 cabriolets, at a heady price, nearly 450,000. The car had mixed reviews as far as styling. Thank you for supporting My Car Quest The engine was a V8 displacing 5341 cc With Webers it cranked out 430 horsepower, which could get it up to 300 km/h (186 mph). Two gearboxes were available, a 6-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic (another source says it had a 3-speed Chrysler automatic), but with the automatic, your top end was a notch slower, at 295 km/h. Aston tried to experiment with electric power steering and the device was unreliable which delayed production of the car. It was a car rarely seen in the U.S. only 15 were Left Hand drive. DESIGN CRITIQUE FRONT: From the front view, this has to qualify as one of the worst Italian designs ever, squared off, no Italian flavor, looks like an 80s Toyota Celica. Hood bulge is seriously out of whack with flat surfaces throughout the car, looking like a wound that has swollen up from infection. The double bubble of the roof, meant to recall early 60s designs, is so small that you hardly notice it. SIDE: Coupe has airy (i.e. lots of glass) cabin but side profile of the roofline reminds one of many economy cars of the time. The fact only part of the side door windows retracts could induce claustrophobia for some riders. Didnt I see those same style windows in a Subaru? REAR: Spoiler looks (and is) tacked on as afterthought. At least horizontal taillights match other Astons of the period. IN SUM: Usually you go to Italy for a new cutting-edge design, one that your company can run with not only on one model but which could spread to the other models but this was one time Aston made a mistake dialing Italy. One wag suggested it copied the French Matra Murena, a car that was a mere fraction of the cost. Still, despite all the brickbats Ive thrown at it, when they come up for auction they bid over 200,000 Pounds so there must be some Brits who fancy them, remembering when they were momentarily the fastest British car and the most expensive British car on the market, but Id say it would be a nostalgia buy; not one driven by the beauty of the car. Only its mother could love it. Let us know what you think in the Comments. With the announcement of the Xperia 1, Xperia 10 and Xperia 10 Plus at Mobile World Congress this week, it was only natural to ask, wheres the 5G model? And Sony doesnt have one. Though it does have a good reason. Sony only wants to show products that are working and those that customers can actually use. Arguing the fact that 5G is not something that most people are even going to be able to use in 2019. Which is absolutely true. In the US, only a handful of cities are going to get 5G in 2019, and that list will vary by carrier. So instead of announcing a product that a very small percentage of the country (and world) can buy and actually use, it is opting not to show off a 5G prototype at the biggest mobile trade show of the year. Thats not to say that Sony is not working on 5G and investing in that area. The company would have to be pretty dumb not to be investing in 5G. Which it is. Sony is just not ready to announce a 5G smartphone like a few other companies are doing at this show. Thats a pretty interesting thing for Sony, since other companies in Barcelona with a 5G smartphone are going to get a lot more attention for that reason. But Sony does have a pretty competitive premium smartphone it is showing off this week in Barcelona. Advertisement US wireless carriers are rolling out 5G, though there are a lot of caveats right now. With Verizon, its a fixed 5G network, so that you are really only going to get 5G in your home. As soon as you walk out of your home, no more 5G, youre back to 4G LTE. With AT&T, there is also 5G available in some areas and it is a mobile 5G network, but it is only in some neighborhoods, not even blanketing an entire market. Which is rather misleading, but it means that no one should really be buying a 5G smartphone for AT&T in 2019. Meanwhile Sprint and T-Mobile have not even launched their 5G networks, officially. Sony is being the bigger man here, by not showing off a 5G prototype to get attention, and also throwing some shade at its competitors who are looking to get some attention with their 5G smartphones. On the other hand, Sony also doesnt sell their phones on carriers, so this may not be a huge surprise for many. Since there is not a Verizon version of any of its smartphones, it makes little sense for them to make a Verizon-compatible 5G smartphone right now. 5G is the future no doubt. It will unlock all sorts of possibilities. But in 2019, it is still very early and not anywhere near ready yet. As much as we would love to see a 5G capable smartphone from Sony this year, the company is arguably doing the right thing. Instead of spending money putting together a 5G smartphone for Mobile World Congress, it is focusing on a phone people can actually buy and use. For a mobile division that has struggled for years, that is a really smart decision. Once upon a time, the latest generation of processors focused entirely on processing power and energy efficiency. Nowadays, most phones have plenty of processing power for the everyday needs of users and, as such, chipset makers like Qualcomm are focusing on making tech thats smarter. The Snapdragon 855 marks the launch of Qualcomms 4th generation dedicated Artifical Intelligence (AI) Engine, a new generation thats 3x more powerful than the previous generation included in 2018s Snapdragon 845, and Qualcomm says, 2x as powerful as the leading competitors chipset. While the processing power and energy efficiency of the Snapdragon 855 is impressive enough, Qualcomms AI Engine is certainly the most important new part of the puzzle. What exactly does an AI Engine do? Aside from some fun buzzwords, the AI Engine powers seamless experiences throughout the user interface, starting with the camera. The LG G8 ThinQ and LG V50 ThinQ both utilize this new platform for Google Lens within the camera, helping these phones recognize text and objects four times faster than if it were done solely on the CPU. LG and other OEMs like Sony, Samsung, Xiaomi, and OPPO have all announced brand new phones at MWC this year that utilize this same hardware platform for a myriad computational photography enhancements including portrait mode-style bokeh for one or two cameras, scene detection, super-resolution, and even secure 3D face authentication. The rise of AI-focused dedicated processors within a System on a Chip (SoC), like the Snapdragon 855, means the CPU and other dedicated processors are free to perform their tasks without needing to pause and take on these other types of tasks, making the user experience faster and free from pauses or interruptions like slow loading. It also enables manufacturers to push the boundaries of what mobile devices were thought to be able to provide since these dedicated processors are far better at their specific tasks than a general-purpose CPU. Specifically new on the hardware side is the inclusion of the Hexagon Tensor Accelerator (HTA) and the addition of four new Hexagon Vector Extensions (HVX), which brings about a doubling of vector processing power from the Snapdragon 845s AI Engine. Advertisement Qualcomm continues to make partnerships with several vendors that help bring about the inclusion of AI-powered experiences through daily use. Eight total partners for camera technology include AnyVision, ArcSoft, Face++, Loom.ai, Nalbi, Polarr, Inc., Thundercomm, and Uncanny Vision. All of these companies help contribute to and provide technologies for vendors to use in their products, and were seeing a lot of this work make appearances in the devices announced at MWC 2019. Many of these technologies include pre-optimized algorithms that vendors can build upon, creating a base of features and settings that better the industry as a whole. Just as competition pushes industry players to develop better and more useful technologies, Qualcomms collaborative approach is helping bring about more efficient ways of developing exciting new technologies by providing hardware platforms that enable easier development of specific tasks. Most premium-tier smartphones in 2019 will be packing this hardware inside, meaning these experiences are just an upgrade away in the coming months. Nokia announced today, that it has partnered with Facebook, as part of its Express WiFi platform. This is yet another partner being added to the platform, which is going to allow Facebook to bring Internet to even more people. Nokia was already partnering with Facebook Connectivitys initiatives, and now it is expanding that partnership. There are currently around 3.8 billion people around the world that do not have access to the Internet. That is roughly about half of the worlds population. Now it shows why Facebook is so adamant about bringing Internet to more uses. Getting more users online means, more people using Facebook. And that in-turn means more people seeing Facebook ads and interacting with Facebook posts and such. Nokia says that it will be providing its carrier-grade AirScale WiFi platform, along with a cloud-based WiFi controller and multiple plug-n-play WiFi access point products to Facebook Connectivity in this partnership. This is going to make it easier for Facebook to roll out Express WiFi. This will make it simpler to rollout gigabit WiFi and enables service providers without licensed spectrum to deliver a mobile-like customer experience. Advertisement While Express WiFi is primarily targeted at getting the next billion connected, it is also a platform that service providers and mobile network operators can use to build, operate, grow and monetize Internet access over WiFi in a scalable way. Not only allowing Internet access to expand, but allowing local communities and local entrepreneurs to get access to fast, affordable and reliable internet. As of today, Facebooks Express WiFi program covers India, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Philippines, South Africa, Tanzania and Indonesia. The president of Nokia Enterprise, Kathrin Buvac stated that we share Facebooks commitment to bring connectivity to the many people of our world who, for reasons of affordability or lack of infrastructure, have no access to Internet services. Also stating that Nokia is please to add our AirScale WiFi platform to the Express WiFi technology partner program. Nokia is also looking forward to working with Facebook in the future. Advertisement Nokia, this is the network division of Nokia not the division that makes smartphones, that is now part of HMD Global which is headquartered across the street from Nokia, literally. Its not a huge surprise to see Nokia here partnering with Facebook. While many people are going to scuff at Facebook offering up its Express WiFi, especially given the data leaks in the past year or so, gaining access to the Internet in low-income areas is still a big deal. Facebook is not alone in trying to open up the Internet for all. Google has also been trying to bring the Internet to more low-income and remote areas of the world, through its Project Loon service. Both of these companies have a stake in more people getting access to the Internet, as it means more people will use their products and thus bring in even more revenue. But with a whopping 3.8 billion people still not having access to the Internet, theres still a lot of work that needs to be done. Cybersecurity company McAfee shed light on the increasing challenges that will come with IoT, 5G, and AI during its Mobile World Congress press event today. The company also announced that its strengthening its partnership with the South Korean behemoth Samsung to step up security on the recently released Galaxy S10 smartphones, and with Turk Telekom to ensure a safe online experience for families. The security expert has also revealed its latest Mobile Threat Report which details how cybercriminals are adapting their tactics according to the changing landscape. With the proliferation of technology, consumers are increasingly dependent on their electronic device. Smart technology is now being utilized by many, which means various devices such as security cameras, smart TVs, and voice assistants are interconnected. Although this translates into convenience for users, it also makes them more vulnerable to cyber threats as nefarious actors can gain access to various devices by breaking into just one. McAfee says that cybercriminals are on a lookout to maximize their profit by accessing commonly used IoT devices such as voice assistants. Moreover, malicious actors are also taking advantage of peoples dependency on smartphones to mine cryptocurrency. Advertisement McAfees Global Threat Intelligence was able to detect 65,000 fake apps in December 2018, up 55,000 from June 2018. Apart from fake apps, backdoors and banking Trojans all increased substantially last year and this year the problem is expected to exacerbate, as malware would presumably extend across all devices. Since app stores have upped their security levels, cybercriminals are trying to bypass them and target customers directly. Needless to say, consumers need to be diligent when installing apps and following links. Per McAfee Mobile Threat Report 2019, fake apps are a threat to look out for this year. Apart from that, backdoors would also be a prominent threat as cybercriminals would look for ways to gain access to a multitude of smart devices. Cryptomining heists would continue and Android devices would be particularly vulnerable because of their increasing popularity. Spyware attacks are also expected to remain rampant as cybercriminals try to gather intel on power users. McAfee has reasserted its resolve to help consumers take the required precautions to stay safe online. The company will continue its partnership with Samsung and extend its support to the Galaxy S10 to help users combat cyber threats. Moreover, the company is also going to provide support for Samsung Secure Wi-Fi service by offering backend infrastructure. This will safeguard users from phony Wi-Fi. Additionally, the security of other Samsung devices, such as PCs, notebooks, and smart TVs would also be increased under this partnership. Advertisement McAfee will also strengthen its partnership with Turkeys largest fixed broadband ISP, Turk Telekom. In addition to providing cross-device security protection, the security company would offer its Safe Family solutions to Turk Telekom that come with robust parental controls to help parents ensure that their children are safe online. From malvertising to botnets, cyberthreats show no sign of slowing down this year and with the increasing interconnectivity between various IoT devices, the stakes are higher than ever. Thats why its paramount that companies try to build digital trust and abide by cybersecurity practices to ensure consumer security is not compromised in any way. And of course, consumers must also do their bit such as staying updated with the latest software upgrades and investing in a router with embedded security features. Leading wireless carriers in the United Kingdom are already embracing the Mate X, Huaweis latest Android flagship announced in the form of its first foldable handset. Vodafone UK and EE both announced their intentions to pick up the device as soon as it becomes available so as to provide their subscribers with an opportunity to glimpse at what the future of mobile computing has to offer. And while everyone keeps insisting the foldable form factors are here to stay, their first steps across the consumer space suggest they certainly wont be drawing mainstream adoption anytime soon. With a seemingly ludicrous price of some $2,600, the Mate X even managed to do the impossible and overshadow a product from Samsung during what is not only a major industry happening but on the largest such stage of its kind Mobile World Congress. At the same time, it absolutely terrified casual perusers of tech news who knew something was in the making but didnt expect to be asked to part with multiple paychecks in order to enjoy the experience. The Barcelona, Spain-based trade show is officially not openings its doors to the general public until tomorrow, but the actual body of the even is a vehicle for various industry voices to grow their influence, network, and indulge a broad range of activities consumers arent too interested in following. Advertisement That isnt to say foldable phones are the only defining feature of this years MWC but theyre by far the loudest one; after all, its the wireless segments own fault 5Gs launch has been touted as basically imminent for several years now. Today, many of the worlds most developed countries are truly close to beginning large-scale 5G deployment but those rollouts may easily end up being long and cumbersome. Even the pre-deployment thats been ongoing for several years has been painful, between Huawei fighting political pressure in one part of the world and Sprint fighting tribal nations in another. In other words, being able to spend hours talking about small screens that bend but dont break appears to be the industrys preferable alternative to spending MWC talking about how much dirty battles have already been fought in the name of an unprecedented wireless revolution that the fifth generation of mobile networks is promising to bring. The massive price tags weighing down the likes of the Mate X and Galaxy Fold are a strong indication of how early this technology is Samsung and Huaweis yield rates are likely horrible that theyre forced to charge around twice the price of their previous most expensive flagships ever in order to walk away with something after making a sale. In practice, expect prices to completely disappear from the most premium ad placements in your vicinity; while no single company expects to turn a $2,500 handset into a 2019 success and primarily sees the current state of these gadgets as an apt marketing opportunity than anything else, its still likely to be extremely careful about associating its brand with prices that flirt with the excessive, let alone those that seem like a direct warning against buying the products theyre shielding. Advertisement As for the Mate X in particular, the curious flagship is launching with 5G support which will be rolled out to select areas of London, Belfast, Cardiff, and Edinburgh on EEs network, the carrier said this week. The telecom giant is also planning to start selling the 5G CPE Pro, Huaweis 5G home router designed to provide a fixed-wireless alternative to broadband. The router will be debuting in 16 cities while the smartphone launches in four, after which Huaweis phablet will also be coming to Manchester and Birmingham, the next two areas EE is targeting with its experimental 5G network this spring. Across the Pond, the company is facing new issues in the financial fraud department and might now reportedly be ready to plead guilty to at least some of the minor charges leveraged against it by U.S. prosecutors earlier this winter. Doing so would provide Huawei with an ample opportunity to streamline the proceedings that are shaping up to be one of the most scandal-ridden legal clashes in modern tech history. There is essentially no chance Huawei ever admits to stealing U.S. trade secrets in any manner, most industry watchers agree. Advertisement All of that weighs heavily on the companys ability to do business in the West even if its far away from the U.S. itself in a country like, say, the UK. The very notion of providing Huawei with large-scale access and management of such critical systems would be irresponsible on the part of any government not working directly to promote Beijings interests, according to previous criticism Huaweis British operations came under question after the companys CFO Meng Wanzhou was arrested on bank fraud charges in December, having been apprehended in Canada. While the 46-year-old is still fighting her extradition request, its understood some of the banks supposedly defrauded orr those that came close to being defrauded by her are juggernauts from the UK financial sector, which adds more weight to Huaweis efforts to distance the current ordeal in Canada away from its other lucrative foreign units. Update [February 26]: The scenario described above has been essentially confirmed by a new report from Reuters which emerged mere hours following the high-profile debut of Huaweis Mate X. Insiders claim the U.S. investigation leading to the eventual arrest of Ms. Meng was largely officially started based on evidence collected by HSBC, a financial giant from London that first suspected the industry veteran of wrongdoing in 2016. Advertisement The crux of the issue comes down to the fact that a lack of respect for a countrys laws exhibited on the part of any senior, let alone C-Suite executive should be a clear signal a company cannot be trusted with critical infrastructure that 5G networks will certainly become. In this particular instance, Ms. Meng is accused of misrepresenting Huaweis relations with two Middle Earners companies which were effectively its satellites, all with the goal of violating the Commerce Departments trade sanctions imposed on Iran. More businesses will soon take advantage of the features of Rich Communication Services (RCS), as RCS Business Messaging becomes more widely available. RCS offers many improvements over the more widely used SMS including the ability to send images and compose longer messages. This messaging protocol also has features that companies may utilize to provide faster and more interactive branded experiences to their consumers. Google brands these functionalities as RCS Business Messaging and several companies are already taking advantage of these features to deliver better customer experiences. For example, businesses may use RCS to notify users of package deliveries and account balances, and consumers may also utilize RCS to re-schedule appointments and provide feedback to companies. According to the official website of the communication protocol, companies may use RCS Business Messaging to create fully branded experiences that show the name and a brief description of the business, and users may also verify a company by looking for a shield icon typically found beside the name of the business. As consumers interact with the company, the business may guide customers to the next steps of the transaction using suggested replies that appear near the bottom of the display. Tapping the suggested replies will often show rich media cards that includes images that better illustrate the different options available to the customer. RCS also allows users to pay for purchased items directly within the messaging application through its support of payment solutions like Google Pay. The search giant expects that more businesses, especially in Europe, will take advantage of the features offered by RCS within the next few months. Aside from RCS, Google also improved Test My Site, a tool that helps companies measure how much time it takes for websites or specific webpages to load. While it has been available since 2016, Google recently changed its testing service to adjust to the changes in mobile web browsing, which is currently the most commonly used platform of consumers. The tech giant noted that one-second delay in loading a mobile website may result in a 20-percent reduction in the conversion rates, which could negatively affect the revenues of online businesses. This tool not only measures the speed of the website at a given moment, but it also compares the data with measurements gathered from the previous month as well as the speed of other websites. It also details how slow website loading speeds may impact the revenue of a business and it includes suggestions on how to improve the mobile experience of businesses websites. Advertisement Background: Google, alongside its partners, have been working for years to improve communication between businesses and consumers with the help of the RCS messaging protocol. The company launched a pilot program in 2017 that tested how features of RCS could impact the way businesses reach out to consumers, and the lessons learned from this pilot group allowed the search giant to refine RCS to make it more appealing to businesses. Impact: Google expects that more smartphones will support RCS within the next few years. By taking advantage of the features offered by RCS now, businesses are better prepared to deal with customers who prefer to transact using the communication protocol. However, Google still recognizes the importance of mobile web browsing despite the emergence of modern technologies, and the improved Test My Site tool should help smaller businesses improve their revenue by enhancing the performance of their websites. At Sprints press conference this morning at Mobile World Congress, the nations fourth largest carrier and Google announced that the two are expanding their MVNO agreement to include 5G. What this means for Google Fi subscribers is that, as soon as Sprint flips the switch to turn on 5G, Google Fi users will also get 5G. This of course depends on a few things, like whether your phone is a 5G phone and whether 5G is available in your area yet. T-Mobile and US Cellular the other two carriers that Google Fi runs on are likely to announce similar things, but nothing has been announced just yet. Spring is going to be turning on 5G in about nine markets, as soon as May. These include cities like Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth and Los Angeles. Many carriers are aiming for the larger cities first, over the smaller ones. Even though smaller ones would be easier to launch in, seeing as theres less space to cover and less users to connect. But Sprint and other carriers are focusing on these larger markets so they can get as many people connected as possible. Advertisement For 5G, Sprint is using a few different technologies that are different from its competitors. It will be using 2.5GHz spectrum, as well as Massive MIMO radio technology, which is going to give the carrier a huge increase in network capacity and density. This is going to provide much faster speeds, and also give users a dramatic drop in latency. 5G is a big marketing thing for carriers right now, as they are still building out these 5G networks. These networks are expensive to build, especially in larger countries like the US. However, 5G is going to allow users to get faster data speeds, and lower latency speeds which will allow them to do a whole lot more on their smartphone. Early speed tests have not shown the full capability of 5G just yet, with speeds just topping out over 100Mbps. 5G is actually going to give us gigabit speeds, but we may not see these speeds until 5G is fully rolled out across the country. Sprint says that Google Fi users that have a Sprint 5G compatible device and are in a 5G coverage area, should automatically connect to Sprints 5G network. This means that customers wouldnt have to do anything to get even faster speeds from Sprint, over Google Fi. So far, Google Fi has not announced any price increases for 5G, though that may not happen for a couple of years, when there are actually people using its 5G service. This will also depend on the agreement that Google has with its carriers for Fi. Advertisement Google Fi is a wireless network that runs off of three networks: Sprint, T-Mobile and US Cellular. It also runs off of WiFi hotspots. What makes Google Fi unique is the fact that it will intelligently switch between these networks, depending on which network has the better coverage in your area. It will also intelligently switch to a WiFi hotspot (and turn on a VPN) to save you data. Google Assistant is getting its own button and buyers of a number of Android smartphones in 2019 and beyond can expect that button to be included on their phones. Technically, the Google Assistant button is already in effect as the LG G7 ThinQ launched with one last year. That feature has expanded with LG phones over the year with the latest Google Assistant button-touting phone announced only today during MWC 2019 when the LG G8 ThinQ (alongside the V50 ThinQ) were announced. However, Google today made its own announcement detailing that the dedicated button is stretching far beyond LG in general as it is now being embraced by a number of Android device partners. Advertisement As part of todays announcement, Google confirmed that the full portfolio of Android devices from LG will now come equipped with the Google Assistant button. The company also said the same wide adoption will be in use with Nokia phones including the Nokia 3.2 and the Nokia 4.2. Like the G8 ThinQ, the Nokia 3.2 and 4.2 were also announced today and so it was already confirmed that both of those phones now feature a dedicated Google Assistant button. Beyond LG and Nokia, Google states that some phones from the likes of Xiaomi, TCL and Vivo will also now arrive to market equipped with a dedicated Google Assistant button in 2019. The list of these devices include Xiaomis Mi MIX 3 5G and Mi 9 smartphones, as well as the Vivo V15 Pro. All of which, Google says, will result in more than 100 million devices coming to market with a dedicated Google Assistant button. Advertisement As to be expected with a feature like this, the general idea of a dedicated button is to make it even easier for users to access and engage with the AI-driven Assistant. Any phone featuring Google Assistant already allows users to interact with the Assistant by holding down the home button. However, it would seem Google is keen on the hardware button solution and this is likely evidence enough that people tend to use the feature more often if the button is included. In addition, a wider use of a physical button on more devices will likely lead to newer button-related features in the future This approach is not totally new, or one that has only been adopted by Google and its partners as Samsung has been including a dedicate Bixby button on its devices for some time. Therefore todays announcement further highlights the point in general that more phones are now coming to market intentionally equipped with a dedicated AI button. During the same announcement, Google also did take a moment to talk on foldable phones and 5G, among other things. Although those points were more discussed in relation to how Android has expanded (especially since the start of MWC 2019) with devices that feature either a foldable display or 5G support, and how those features were put in place at the Android system level, at a much earlier time. Advertisement For example, Google was quick to point out that Android is enabling the worlds first 5G smartphones. Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema are two of the worlds leading causes of preventable blindness in adults, and now Google has outed an ongoing clinical study, handled by Verily, that seeks to use AI to help screen for those eye diseases faster and more efficiently than ever before. Specifically, Google has announced that the study is now considered a clinical trial thanks to its first official clinical venue; Madurai, Indias Avarind Eye Hospital. The study involves an algorithm thats been developed over the past three years or so, and is aimed at using standard footage of eyes, captured during routine eye doctor visits on perfectly normal equipment, to screen patients for the diseases in question. The way it all works is by sending captured eye footage off to Googles servers to be run through the machine learning process of the algorithm. Screening results are then delivered back to the doctor immediately, facilitating quicker and easier screening, diagnosis, and most importantly, earlier treatment when cases are found. The study is currently taking place globally, though in a limited capacity. The focus right now is of course India, where some 66 million diabetes patients go without diagnostic screening for associated eye diseases each year due to a shortage of qualified eye doctors. Under those conditions, this study will mean doctors spend less time waiting for results, less time setting up screenings, which sometimes involve separate appointments, and less diagnostic time and lab resources checking through the massive amount of screening data. Advertisement Verilys system, it should be noted, is for screening, not diagnosis. Its not so accurate as to be able to flag patients it knows for sure do have one of the listed conditions. Rather, it can tell patients who have signs of the conditions versus patients who show no signs and almost certainly dont have one of the eye diseases it screens for. While this doesnt eliminate the doctors role in the screening process entirely, it does eliminate a vast swath of would-be screening data. Google formed Verily as a part of Google X way back in 2015, and began research into the intersection between Googles technological wheelhouse and the medical world. One example is its acquisition of Lift Labs, a startup that created Liftware, utensils that use AI to compensate for shaky hands and avoid food spillage. While all of this would be enough news to get excited under any circumstances, this algorithm has received a CE mark from the European Union, meaning that its considered to be on par with medical equipment designed for the same purpose. What this means is that Google and Verily have the vetting of the EU behind them as they spread the study and the algorithm out, making it quicker and easier to foster wide adoption. Advertisement The kicker here is that this is a machine learning AI, and it does just what its name says it does; it learns. The more eyes this machine looks at, the better its going to be at its job. Its also going to be getting a better picture of what the human eye is like on a grander scale, and the implications of that in the wider fields of optometry and opthalmology are nearly endless. So long as nothing goes wrong, its only a matter of time before this algorithm expands its suite of use cases and sees wide adoption throughout a wide spectrum of eye-related medical use cases. Late in the spring of 1991, Soviet cosmonauts Sergei Krikalev and Anatoli Artsebarski, along with Britain's first astronaut, Helen Sharman, blasted off into space towards Mir, the Soviet space station. Sergei Krikalevs and Anatoli Artsebarskis mission was to relieve the existing crew of the space station, while Helen Sharman was onboard as part of the British Juno program to conduct experiments on life sciences. Sharman returned back to earth together with the crew of the previous mission eight days later, leaving Krikalev and Artsebarski circling around the earth conducting repairs on the ailing space station. Five months later, Anatoli Artsebarski went home too, but Krikalev didnt mindhe was trained for long-duration flights. Two years earlier, Krikalev had spent 152 days aboard Mir. He did not know then, that this mission was going to be his longest. While Sergei Krikalev was busy conducting space walks and putting things in order 300 kilometers up in the sky, back on earth, his nation was going through incredible political turmoil. In August 1991, a failed coup against President Mikhail Gorbachev rocked the Soviet Union, setting in motion events which eventually lead to the breakup of the Union. Over the next few months, Soviet states began to secede away from the Union one at a time, declaring themselves independent nations. By December 26, 1991, the dissolution was complete. Mikhail Gorbachev stepped down as the president of the Soviet Union to make way for a new president of a new country, Russia. The breakup of the Soviet Union put the future of the space program at stake. The Baikonur Cosmodrome, from which the Soviets launched their rockets, now went to the newly independent Kazakhstan, who began to demand huge fees for the use of the facility from Moscow. But Russias economy was collapsing. The nation tried to raise funds by selling off space station trips to Western governmentsAustria paid $7 million for a seat on the Soyuz and a Japanese TV network paid $12 million to send one of its reporters on the spacecraft. Moscow negotiated a deal with Kazakhstan and agreed to fly the first-ever Kazakh cosmonaut in return for launch permission from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. But the new astronautsthe Kazakh and the Austrianwere not qualified to replace Krikalev. Krikalev reluctantly agreed to stay behind to man the space station while his partner flew back home. Russian newspapers were full of sympathy for Sergei Krikalev. A human race sent its son off to the stars to fulfill a concrete set of tasks, reported the Komsomolskaya Pravda. But hardly had he left Earth than it lost interest in those tasks, for worldly and completely explicable reasons. And it started to forget about its cosmonaut. It did not even fetch him back at the appointed time, again for completely worldly reasons. Cosmonauts Aleksandr Volkov and Krikalev work in the Mir space station Krikalev kept in touch with his wife, Elena, who worked in mission control, talking to her over radio once a week. The political turmoil at home had caused the value of the Soviet Ruble to fall dramatically causing prices to skyrocket. Krikalevs monthly salary of 500 rubles was barely enough for his family to survive. The space agency also struggled to send supply crafts loaded with essential supplies to the stranded cosmonauts. At one point, the Russians even considered selling Mir to the Americans, but NASA showed little interest. Finally on March 25, 1992, after spending 311 days in orbit, Krikalev returned back to earth and to a nation that was very different to what it was when he had left. The once communist superpower had fractured into 15 nations. Presidents had changed, even his hometown of Leningrad had become St. Petersburg. Krikalev had to be helped out of the Soyuz capsule. He was pale as flour and sweaty, like a lump of wet dough, writes Discover Magazine. The cosmonauts were wrapped in fur-lined coats and placed on chairs. Someone handed them hot broth to drink. Years later, Krikalev recalled, It was very pleasant in spite of the gravity we had to face, but psychologically, the load was lifted. There was a moment. You couldnt call it euphoria, but it was very good. Krikalev emerges from a Soyuz capsule in March 1992. Krikalev went back to space less than two years later, this time onboard the US Space Shuttle Discovery. It was the first time a Russian cosmonaut was flying together with US astronauts on a US spacecraft. Krikalev retired from spaceflight in 2007. He clocked more than 800 days in orbit, placing him third on the list of the highest number of days spent in space. His unscheduled stay of 311 days during the breakup of the Soviet Union is the sixth longest spaceflight in the history space travel. King Mohammed VI announced, Monday, that Morocco will pay for the feasibility studies to finalize the Climate Investment Plan for the Sahel region. Addressing the 1st Conference of the Climate Commission for the Sahel region, convened in Niamey, the capital of Niger, the Sovereign underlined the importance of the Climate Investment Plan for the Sahel region and its Priority Regional Program, which will complete the vital projects underway. The Commission can count on the Climate Change Competence Center of Morocco (4C Maroc), particularly in terms of capacity building for its members, the monarch pointed out in his message read out by Foreign minister Nasser Bourita. Set up in 2014, the Center is a national and continental platform of excellence for the development and dissemination of knowledge and best practices on climate change, said the King, underlining the adverse impacts of climate changes on the Sahels socioeconomic development and regional stability. Expressing concern over the impact of climate change on the continent, he explained that Food shortages, dwindling water supplies and desertification caused by global warming will continue to push our youth into exile, depriving our Continent of part of its crucial human resources. For Africans, the fight for climate justice is a fight for access to a better, dignified life and to a bright future, said the King, noting that climate justice should not be a mere slogan but rather a requirement for all of us: a requirement to give our populations access to basic resources. It is in this way that we shall prevent our youth from succumbing to despair, stopping them, at the same time, from falling prey to criminal and terrorist organizations, underlined the Sovereign. African youth expects us to open up the wide range of possibilities available and to set our Continent on a course of action that creates opportunities, said the King. He insisted that Africas future depends on our capacity to imagine new solidarity-based answers, building on a genuine commitment that respects all partners, in the South as well as in the North. The Sahel region can become a model of advanced regional integration in economic, environmental, political and human terms, affirmed the Sovereign, describing the Climate Commission for the Sahel Region as one of the levers that will enable it to achieve this objective. This is where history began, and this is where the regions future will be decided. Coming generations are, indeed, entitled to a political commitment backed by concerted, solidarity-based action to address climate-related challenges, stressed the Monarch. He recalled in this regard the launching by the African Heads of State, at the Africa Action Summit, held in Nov.2016, in Marrakech, on the sidelines of COP22, a dynamic process around ambitious, concrete transnational projects led by three Commissions, of which Morocco is a founding partner. Heads of state of 17 countries met on Monday in Niamey to approve a climate investment plan, focusing on six projects meant to limit greenhouse gas emissions and to help people adapt to climate change. The Sahel region, which includes East, Central and West African countries, and which is home to more than 500 million people, is considered especially vulnerable to climate change. Greenland is actually quite white and blue, due to all the glaciers that cover the worlds largest island like frosting on a cake. But near the southern end, sheltered within narrow fjords, there is still some greenery left. South of Tasersuag Lake and east of Tasiusaq Fjord, oriented north-south, is a valley about 15 kilometers long that contains the only natural forest in Greenland. Qinngua Valley is protected on either side by tall mountains nearly 5,000 feet high that shields the valley from cold winds coming off the interior. The sea itself is 50 kilometers away. This creates a warm climate favorable to trees such as the downy birch and gray-leaf willow. The lack of strong winds allow the trees to stand up straight. Some of the trees here grows up to 20-25 feet tall. Altogether, over three hundred species of plants grow in Qinngua Valley. Photo credit: Svickova/Wikimedia In earlier times, Greenland had a much warmer climate, and trees and plants were much more widespread than they are today. Scientists have drilled holes into Greenlands two-kilometers-thick glacier and have found plant DNA as well as remains of spiders, insects and butterflies beneath the ice, suggesting that certain regions in southern Greenland was a veritable paradise half a million years ago. Due to its mild climate, the area around Qinngua Valley was also the first to be settled by the Norse in the 10th century. There are ruins of a large Norse farm near the coast which some claim is Brattahli, the estate of Erik the Red, who founded the first Norse settlement on Greenland. It was Erik who named the island Greenland as a marketing ployErik believed that calling this icy wasteland green would encourage others to follow. The similarly deceptively named Iceland is another one of Norses doing. Icelands Viking settlers thought that a morose-sounding name would keep out other settlers looking to settle in new lands. They wanted to keep all of Iceland for themselves. Photo credit: University of Copenhagen The settlement at Brattahli survived for 500 years, and was abandoned in the 15th century most likely due to the cooling of Greenland. The Norse settlers contributed to the degradation of Greenlands environment as well, stripping the island bare of its natural forests for building homes and ships. Overgrazing and the removal of turf for construction caused rapid erosion of what was once pasture areas. Today, Greenland has one of the lowest biodiversity in the world. There are only 700 species of insects in Greenland against one million found in the rest of the world. Although the sea around Greenland is rich with marine life, land mammals of Greenland are restricted to only a handful of resilient species such as the polar bear, reindeer, arctic fox, arctic hare, artic wolf and musk ox. There are no native or free-living reptiles or amphibians on the island. Plant diversity is lesser stillonly about 500. The only flora the island is rich in are lichens, fungi, mosses and algae, with several hundreds species of each. Senator Rubio has reported in the last 48 hours that Cuban troops are involved: Over the last year, we've written about Cuba's presence in Venezuela. We are receiving intercepted transmissions of Cuban agents present & directing repressive actions in Urena. This is very interesting. What happens if Cuban troops are ordered to defend Maduro at a time when Venezuelan troops are walking away? Raul Castro has to be very careful, because he could end up with Maduro in a Florida prison like Noriega back in 1989. In 2015, Fidel Castro's bodyguard wrote about Cuba's role in the drug business: As the Cocaine Cowboys era exploded into a yeyo-fueled crime wave of excess in South Florida and across the nation in the 1980s, Fidel Castro quietly helped Cuban smugglers get the drugs from Colombia to American shores. Why? "For him, drug trafficking was, above all, a weapon of revolutionary struggle more than a means of making money," writes Juan Reinaldo Sanchez, a former Castro bodyguard. "It served his revolutionary objectives in the sense that it corrupted and destabilized American society[.] ... Icing on the cake: It was a means of bringing in cash to finance subversion." If Fidel was the cocaine king, then Raul was his right hand man! Two birds with one stone? Castro and Maduro in a Florida court to face drug charges? Unlikely, but it could happen if Raul Castro orders Cuban agents to kill Venezuelans to protect Maduro. PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter. Virginia's Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax lashed out at his critics during a speech in the state Senate that had senators stunned into silence. Fairfax, accused by two black women of sexual assault, compared himself to Jim Crowera lynching victims as he maintained his innocence. "I've heard much about anti-lynching on the floor of this very Senate, where people were not given any due process whatsoever, and we rue that," Fairfax said, referencing legislation the General Assembly passed expressing "profound regret" for lynchings in Virginia between 1877 and 1950. "And we talk about hundreds, at least 100 terror lynchings that have happened in the Commonwealth of Virginia under those very same auspices. And yet we stand here in a rush to judgment with nothing but accusations and no facts and we decide that we are willing to do the same thing," Fairfax said. When he finished his five-minute impromptu speech, stunned senators sat in awkward silence. Fairfax, who is black, has been accused by two women of sexual assault. Both of the alleged victims are African American. Cue the world's smallest violin. Those who live by the smear die by the smear, and Democrats, who have been quick to rush to judgment against Republicans for a variety of transgressions, appear not able to take it when it's dished out. Fairfax's political opponents took a dim view of his analogy to lynching: Republican House Majority Leader Del. Todd Gilbert said Fairfax's comments about lynchings were highly inappropriate. "That is the worst, most disgusting type of rhetoric he could have invoked," Gilbert said. "It's entirely appropriate for him to talk about due process and we would intend to offer him every ounce of it, and he's welcome to take advantage of that anytime he would like." It's not surprising that Fairfax would play the race card. It creates a feeling of solidarity with other black politicians. It worked: But black lawmakers did not object to Fairfax's speech. "He said what he needed to say," said Sen. Mamie Locke. Virginia Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Del. Lamont Bagby said he's heard similar rhetoric from his constituents, who have expressed concerns that Fairfax is being treated unfairly because of his race. So now we have to treat accusations against white males differently from those made against black males? Sheesh. Both Governor Ralph Northam, accused of wearing blackface 30 years ago, and Fairfax are holding on. Calls for their resignations have fallen on deaf ears. The original furor over the allegations has died down. But at least one of his female accusers is talking to prosecutors in Massachusetts, where the alleged assault took place in 2004. The lt. governor isn't ready to skate yet. It's doubtful that the Virginia Legislature will take any action against either of them, although Republicans will hold a hearing and have invited Fairfax's two accusers to testify. But the GOP holds slim majorities in both chambers not enough to successfully impeach either man. As for Fairfax, it takes a lot of moxie to compare yourself to lynching victims. Those unfortunates were murdered through no fault of their own. Fairfax got himself in this mess because he couldn't keep it zipped. That's a huge difference. Kamala Harris blunders into a fatal justification for Green New Deal The danger of throwing around terminology that she doesn't understand has not yet occurred to Kamala Harris. The junior senator from California clearly isn't ready for the rigor of a presidential campaign. Having entered politics with the advantage of being Willie Brown's mistress, and having made her climb up the electoral ladder in the leftist hothouse environment of San Francisco and then the one-party state of California, she has never been seriously challenged to explain her policies. Platitudes such as even her campaign slogan, "Kamala Harris for the People," don't work very well, considering that it derives from her appearances in court as a prosecutor, where she imprisoned many people for the same sort of marijuana usage she now boasts of herself. In an era of progressive discontent over "mass incarceration," drawing attention to her role in incarcerating masses of Californians is not too smart. Photo credit: kamalaharris.org. Yesterday, in an interview with CNN's John King, she blundered into a position much worse, at least for people able to deal with ideas and faintly knowledgeable of economics or finance. (I realize that this excludes most Democrats and especially Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, but the sort of deep-pocket campaign donors she needs understand the problem. She is just too stupid to be trusted in the presidency.) CNN screen grab via Grabien. The key part: One of the things I admire and respect is the measurement that is captured in three letters, roi. What's the return on the investment. People in the private sector understand this. It's not about a cost. It's about an investment. And the question should be, is it worth the cost in terms of the investment potential? We are going to get back more than we put in? If she had the faintest clue, she would realize that investment money flows toward high ROI projects without any government help. That is the logic of a market economy (which she clearly does not understand). The only reason that justifies government intervention in energy generation is the problem that "green energy" generally has a miserable return on investment. Does she remember Solyndra? It was in her own state of California that taxpayers took a bath of hundreds of millions of dollars on that project. Writing on these pages, and in his book Dumb Energy, Norman Rogers explains and documents exactly this phenomenon. Kamala Harris has gotten away with this sort of facile throwing around of concepts she doesn't understand because first she was Willie Brown's girlfriend (nobody in Bay Area with any judgment needlessly makes an enemy of Willie Brown), and then, once in office, she was a mixed-race identity-politics twofer with plenty of people seeing her ending up in higher office. Her current status as a perceived leader among the Democrats' presidential field is entirely based on these factors, not on any merit as a visionary thinker and leader. But the dictatorship's vicious burning of humanitarian aid trucks full of food and medicine, as hungry Venezuelans ran into the burning trucks to try to claw it back, and dictator Nicolas Maduro's grotesque crowing about the whole spectacle, has left even the legitimate government of President Juan Guaido declaring "all options are on the table." Up until now, I've been pretty happy with the U.S. approach to Venezuela. The Venezuelans call the shots, setting up the legal infrastructure for transition rule (based on Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez's own constitution, no less), the international community supports them, the Citgo oil earnings are transferred to the legitimate leaders, the sanctions flow on the remaining dictatorship, the pressure is quite open for the Venezuelan military to defect, and the humanitarian aid for the starving flows. Venezuelans themselves (in their millions, as the street protests show) are in the driver's seat. The picture is one of them taking back their country, their once great democracy, and it's a great example for all nations under detestable socialist dictatorships to follow. Maybe the aid can get in through air drops. Maybe it can get in through in smaller batches less likely to be noticed by the border goons determined to make sure Venezuelans stay hungry. But Guaido seems more open to cutting to the chase and just getting the dictatorship out of there. He's meeting with Vice President Mike Pence in Colombia today, and Pence says there will be some "concrete actions." In other words, there won't be "stern warnings." Maybe that means more sanctions, maybe air drops, or, the hot one, U.S. military intervention. This raises the point that it might just be Noreiga Time for Maduro. Would the U.S. yank him out of there, as it did the former Panamanian dictator, back in 1989? Well, if you remember the story, Noriega was taken out by U.S. Marines precisely because he was a drug-dealer. Panamanians whom I spoke with a few years later on a trip there and these were people from the leftist party there said they were happy it happened, even though there had been local casualties, which they said numbered more than a hundred deaths. That was because Noriega was running a reign of terror on Panamanian activists in the neighborhoods, killing many of them, as well as using drug-dealing during the crack epidemic as his money stream. He got extricated by the U.S. Marines, and Panamanians said they were better off for it. Today, Panama is one of Latin America's leading success stories, with the highest (or one of the highest, depending on the data) per capita incomes in the hemisphere. You never hear about Panamanian illegal aliens in the U.S. Scroll over to Venezuela, and look at the drug-dealing details there: Former head of Venezuela's intelligence services Hugo Carvajal revealed powerful ties between the administration of President Nicolas Maduro and the Hezbollah terrorist group, as well as wide-spread corruption and drug activity, the New York Times reported on Thursday. The nefarious activities were directed by Maduro himself as well as Interior Minister Nestor Reverol and former vice-president Tareck El Aissami. Allegedly, those who were meant to combat drugs were engaged in trafficking them, Carvajal said. El Aissami was not only a drug kingpin, said Carvajal, but also had connections to Hezbollah, and attempted to arrange Hezbollah terrorists to work with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia [FARC] through Venezuela. In a meeting that took place in 2009 Hezbollah terrorists met El Aissami and Carvajal in Syria and gave the two Venezuelan state representatives three assault rifles as gifts. Whatever this is, it's a helluva lot more than what we took Noriega out for. Noriega was a threat. Maduro? He sounds like a mega-threat. And don't forget that Maduro's wife also has two household relatives sitting in a U.S. prison for actual drug-dealing, picked up by the DEA in Haiti in the act of transporting actual drugs. The drug involvement is thick with the Maduros. And surprise, surprise: The guy who designed the take-out-Noreiga plan just happens to be the same guy who's serving as special representative for Venezuela at the State Department these days none other than Elliott Abrams. Whether we take out Maduro in the Noriega-style or not, one thing is for sure: we have a guy at the helm who knows exactly how to do it. What's interesting is that Abrams is a neo-con, and in the collective mind of the left, this story of Venezuelan government drug-dealing and Hezb'allah-allying is now coming out in the Jerusalem Post. The left insists that neo-cons are all in bed with Israel, and the story picked up is a couple days old, which raises the possibility that it was put there, maybe by an Abrams ally, just to make Maduro more paranoid. If so, very clever to play on their prejudices. But one also hopes it's a warning to Maduro to just get the heck out and save us the trip. Mexico or Cuba should be glad to take him. That said, the freakish Maduro may just get his Noriega time anyway if the Venezuelans want it. If he does, the justification and timing are more than perfect. Image credit: Camera screen shot from NBC News. The Hill: "I went down there kind of undecided," Kinzinger said on "Face the Nation" on CBS. "I think if this was just an issue of immigration it wouldn't constitute a national emergency," he added. "But what I saw was really disturbing." He recounted witnessing a woman "hunkered down in the desert" after the individuals who brought her across the border abandoned her, as well as another instance where his unit found 70 pounds of methamphetamine being transported into the country. Kinzinger acknowledged that government statistics show border apprehensions are at the lowest levels in decades, but said what he saw firsthand showed drugs and human trafficking pose a significant problem. As a result, Kinzinger said he won't vote to block President Trump's national emergency declaration to secure funds that have not been congressionally appropriated for his long-desired wall along the southern border. "I wish this would've happened a different way," he said, but added that he believes Trump has the authority to declare an emergency. "If this was just about immigration I would disagree," he said. "I do think this is a security threat. It's a security threat with the amount of drugs coming over the border and the human trafficking that I've seen." A woman called the Rush Limbaugh radio show to ask why New York legislators shockingly gave legislation authorizing killing babies a standing ovation. Rush said the main reason is leftists hate Christians and traditional Americans. Rush said, They love stickin' it to us. The Democratic Party has become extremely leftist. They hate America's Christian founding and all things wholesome and good. Their hatred comes from a spirit which is anti-Jesus Christ. Here Lloyd goes again suggesting spiritual forces are at work in the political discord. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Before writing me off as a Christian nut, please hear me out. Democrat lawmakers in various states are pushing to legalize murdering babies on their day of birth and even after they are born. This is unquestionably, spiritual wickedness in high places. Leftist love stickin' it to Christianity because they hate Jesus proclaiming himself to be the only path to heaven. In the late 1960s, my college buddies and I loved gathering for lunch to watch the original Star Trek TV series. One theme of the show was man could someday evolve to perfection. The Bible says it is impossible for man to achieve perfection which is required to enter heaven. This is why God sent Jesus to pay the price for man's sin. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) I imagine Jesus's shed blood as a pair of red sunglasses. Because God looks at me through his Jesus sunglasses, he sees me as perfect; ready to enter heaven. Praise God! Here's another example of leftists stickin' it to Christianity. The rainbow is a Christian symbol. I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. (Genesis 9:13) It is not a coincidence that leftists hijacked God's symbol to represent a behavior which God deems an abomination. You shall not lie with a male as with a woman: it is an abomination. (Leviticus 20:13) Leftist activists on the Supreme Court redefining marriage was really about stickin' it to Christianity. Civil unions provide same sex couples the same legal benefits of marriage. So why was it necessary to destroy marriage as defined by God? That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24) Leftists claim to be advocates for women and homosexuals. The Quran suppresses women and even condones raping women in certain situations. (Qur'an 4:24) Some Muslims are advocating beheading homosexuals. Therefore, leftists praising Islam while promoting their lie that Christians are the greatest threat to women and homosexuals has to be about stickin' it to Jesus. Several Hollywood celebrities are cheerleaders for Islam. If Sharia Law took over America, these celebs' lifestyles would become illegal. Clearly, these celebs' love affair with Islam is not rooted in logic. It is rooted in denouncing the deity of Jesus. Leftist President Obama, routinely stuck it to Christianity while praising Islam as a religion of peace. Unlike Islam, Christianity does not advocate killing non-believers. (Qur'an 9:5) The Bible says, Therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee. (Jeremiah 31:3) Obama's AG, Loretta Lynch, outrageously threatened to prosecute anyone caught speaking badly of Islam. Take that, you Christians. Leftists deem themselves too smart and sophisticated to embrace Christianity. A leftist friend was always excited about the latest reincarnated guru. At one time, she worshiped sacred stones. She believes my faith in Jesus is naive. Stickin' it to Christianity, the Department of Education is funding indoctrinating our kids to embrace Islam. Meanwhile, prayer and reading the Bible is banned in public school. Even the song, God Bless the USA has been banned in some public schools. To stick it to Christians and pro-lifers, vile comedian Michelle Wolf ended her show with a musical salute to abortion. What kind of evil mind thinks killing babies is something to sing and dance about? Wolf's sick audience cheered. Wolf said fathers should not be allowed input regarding a woman's choice to kill her baby. YouTube screen grab Stickin' it to Christianity, New York Governor Cuomo ordered the One World Trade Center and other landmarks be lit in pink to celebrate the passing of New York's new law to murder babies on their date of birth. Folks, something has gone terribly wrong in the hearts and minds of Democrat politicians. Similar to a school playground bully, leftists will continue stickin' it to us as long as we allow them to get away with it. We must ask God for his wisdom and strength; stand up and push back in a Godly and legal manner. Democrats know that the 2020 Census citizenship question likely passes constitutional muster; like everything else constitutional, that's why they fiercely object to it, citing "privacy" concerns a concern a federal judge, earlier this month, rejected . Later this year, the U.S. Supreme Court is going to decide on the constitutionality of President Trump's request that a citizenship question be placed in the 2020 U.S. Census. So what's the real reason they're opposed to a citizenship question? Democrats know that states are blue or purple; they want to pad the stat sheet in the swing states. States' electoral votes, as well as future federal funding, are determined by their population totals. Having illegals and non-citizens counted in our Census means that swing states' electoral votes will increase, as they did for several swing states between the 2000 and 2010 Censuses. The Issue Is Never the Issue "The issue is never the issue," as Rules for Radicals author Saul Alinsky once remarked, and the Census, illegal immigration, and non-citizen unholy trinity is not at all different. After the 2010 Census, Texas gained four U.S. House of Representatives seats. It's worth noting that Texas has had gains after every Census since it joined the Union in 1845. Florida, after the 2010 Census, gained two seats; like Texas, Florida was admitted into the Union in 1845 and has also seen its electoral votes increase after every Census. Reliably Democrat states such as Illinois, Massachusetts, and New Jersey each lost a seat following the 2010 Census, and New York lost two. Undoubtedly, Democrats, usually guaranteed those states' electoral votes, would like to see gains there after the 2020 Census. Electoral vote allocations from the 2010 Census expire after the 2020 elections; 2020 data will determine electoral votes from 2022 to 2032. Do Democrats want the question included because they care about illegal aliens and legal non-citizens having representation or because they care about counting bodies in swing and purple states, including historically red states that are trending purple, such as Texas and Florida? Democrats' Options Are Limited Give the Democrats credit: even after over 1,000 losses in national and state elections during President Obama's two terms, they never stopped playing the long game. They understand that the cyclical nature of politics means that more electoral votes in swing states and guaranteed Democrat states puts them possibly in a strong position long-term especially considering the U.S.'s projected population demographics, which potentially remarkably benefit Democrats. The Democrats have three plays: 1. While the Democrats would happily abolish our Electoral College, if given the opportunity, they know that's not going to happen. 2. Democrats are fervently obstructing the confirmation hearings for 68 of President Trump's federal judicial nominees because they know they've lost ground in the Judiciary. Making matters worse for the Democrats, Trump not only saw both his U.S. Supreme Court nominees confirmed, but also set a record for most appellate judges confirmed in a president's first two years. Why has the Judiciary been so crucial to past Democrat success? Because of Trump's and Trump-supporters' 2016 presidential win, Democrats' ability to legislate from the bench, via activist federal judges and SCOTUS justices, has been greatly hindered. Democrats know that the majority of people in the majority of states don't want the Democrats' political product. In the past, they could rely on sycophantic judges to force freedom-infringing laws upon Americans who didn't democratically choose them. It's not that our federal courts still don't contain a surfeit of activist judges (the GOP rarely opposed, en masse, Obama's federal judicial nominees), but their stranglehold is being challenged. 3. Keep flooding the country with bodies, and make sure to account for the ones who are already here. (Open-borders Tessio Republicans, named after Sal Tessio, from The Godfather, who intentionally betrays the Corleone family, have never put up much of a fight.) Are there "only" 11 million illegal aliens in the U.S.? Doubtful. Those academic bastions of "right-wing thought," Yale University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, tab the illegal population at 22 million. Combine them with the 13 million non-citizen green cardholders, and that's an overnight 10-percent population increase that would influence the next apportioning of electoral votes. Even using the 80-20 rule, that's still 7 million in our population. Do we really think those tens of millions of illegal aliens and non-citizens are living in rural Nebraska, Alabama, or Kentucky? Of course not; they're residing in hopelessly Democrat states and big cities in red states thereby rendering those red states purple. And guess what two swing states are home to the largest illegal alien populations. Yup, you guessed it: Texas and Florida, with 1.6 million and 775,000, respectively. Remember: those are the ones we know about. If Texas Republicans don't like the swing state label, then they need to up their game and stop producing one of the lowest turnout rates among all states. Turning Texas blue is the Democrats' Electoral College raison d'etre. Textually, the Constitution is somewhat ambiguous regarding the citizenship question. The question that will likely sway a majority of justices is this: did our Founders want illegals and non-citizens determining electoral votes, federal funding, and congressional apportioning? The slow creep, by the way, of allowing illegals to vote in local and school board elections is underway. The Democrats have utterly and abjectly lost the illegal immigration argument. Their zealous remonstrance to the citizenship question is just another exhibit of evidence. Rich Logis is host of The Rich Logis Show, at TheRichLogisShow.com, and author of the upcoming book 10 Warning Signs Your Child Is Becoming a Democrat. He can be found on Twitter at @RichLogis. Stinking Bit Players in a Corrupt Narrative Are we proud citizens of a republic or are we poor players -- stinking bit players -- as William Shakespeares Macbeth claimed, in a tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury signifying nothing? Following more than two years of the most defamatory reporting ever seen in American political history about Pres. Donald Trump, the Senate Intelligence Committee, after reviewing more than 300,000 documents has, on a bipartisan basis, said there was no evidence of collusion. NBC, reporting on this, still chose to emphasize that members of the Trump campaign actually met with or talked to numerous Russians during the campaign as though meeting with foreign nationals were itself suspect or even borderline illegal. Nevertheless, NBCs article is still looking forward to some accusations of wrongdoing, although not of illegality, coming out of the Senate Committees final report. The mass hysteria (Shakespeares sound and fury) about this matter has brought incessant, daily cries for impeachment of Trump since even before his inauguration. The outrage at Trumps impeachable conduct for this length of time is parallel to the outrage at the alleged "hate crime mistreatment" of Jussie Smollett, two false narratives that were promoted by the media to get higher ratings and promote social and political disruption on an unparalleled scale. All attempts at impartial reporting and discriminating sorting through of the facts or having a wait-and-see attitude were thrown out the window by most of our Fourth Estate. Todays newsrooms are filled with newscasters seeking and finding celebrity status by being glamorous, articulate troublemakers. Truth be told, this manipulation of the public cannot be laid entirely at the feet of the egregiously partisan and unprofessional media moguls and their lackeys who appear so polished and beautified on air. And let me add that the term fake news is actually a somewhat lighthearted way of accusing a lot of major media outlets of doing something much more egregious than mere fake news. This term has a slightly comic or jocular dimension as if the President were saying the reporting cannot be trusted, but is, at the same time, in the category of mere self-serving mischief or sleight-of-hand. In truth, these incessant accusations are a betrayal of every standard of journalistic ethics. In the Preamble of the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics, it is stated, An ethical journalist acts with integrity. Integrity involves a judicious attempt to assess the facts and not draw conclusions that are more hyperbole than they are circumspect. If one then goes on to read the listed planks of the Code of Ethics, one will see that coverage by major leftwing media print and TV outlets are failing to apply each and every item. When do you see or hear opinion pieces on major leftwing outlets that even begin to discuss or adjudicate between competing narratives? Nonstop accusations are also egregious violations of the 3500-year-old Ten Commandments which says Thou shall not bear false witness. Don Wilton, writing for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association says, There are several ways in which false witness can be borne. A person can help spread a rumor and thus join hands with a perpetrator. One can indulge false witness by turning a blind eye when truth is known. Someone can determine to bear false witness and therefore be guilty of premeditation. A person can simply fail to come forward with the truth or insinuate falsehood without actually saying it is so. And, perhaps worst of all, a person can spread gossip about another, thus engaging in some of the worst forms of character assassination. Every single one of these deviations can be found in the reportage about Trump collusion by the MSM for the past two plus years. But, despite their violations of the Journalist Code of Ethics and, even worse, their ignorant contempt for the Ten Commandments, our foul Fourth Estate is being encouraged by the sinister cabal that has led our Justice Department, and by the traitorous, hateful rhetoric of the Democratic Party which has, striven to undermine the unity of our country. It is incredible to this writer that Andrew McCabe can go on national TV and calmly claim -- seemingly without regret -- that he participated in discussions about leading an effort to remove from office a duly elected President of the United States, and not be arrested and/or immediately be interrogated at length by federal law enforcement. Those conversations are unlawful since the Justice Department has no legal authority to participate in, let alone initiate, a takeout of the President. YouTube screen grab Despite the fact that a real assassination with a real knife was not used, those conversations in the American Department of Injustice are a replay of the conspiracy against Julius Caesar depicted in Shakespeares play by that name. When Caesar at the moment when his close associate Brutus stabs and kills him cries out Et tu Brute?! he is uttering a cry of betrayal that has stood through the centuries. This phrase expresses the utter psychological torment of the victim of egregious betrayal. Our entire country, as if one person, should be crying out Et tu Brute?! But no. There are only polite discussions of the pros and cons of McCabes revelations, and the royalties for his book keeping pouring in. And we are the stinking bit players or props in this pathetic scenario. But we cannot leave this story of ignorance and betrayal without looking for a moment at the fetid collection of leaders amassed by the Democrats in their persistent intrigues against the President. Adam Schiff, Gerald Nadler, Maxine Walters, Nancy Pelosi, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Charles Schumer, Dick Durbin, Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren are continuing the feeding frenzy about Trump, and hope to drive him out of office. If they cannot get him out with Russian collusion, they will try to get him for obstruction of justice. If they cannot get him for obstruction, they will try to get him for tax evasion. If they cannot get him for tax evasion they will try to get him for mental health issues. If they cannot get him for mental health issues, they will try to get him for violating the emoluments clause. Every single day for the remainder of his terms, they will blast, belittle, and besmirch President Trump. They will never once say they support this or that action undertaken by the President. They will never once express gratitude for even one executive decision or legislative initiative. They will never once compliment any members of the first family. They will never once deride opposition to the President or call for greater national unity. Thus, they become a coven of witches -- male witches as well as female -- who are stirring a cauldron. The cauldron is not the melting pot of unity, but a real witches brew of pig snouts and rats tails intended to cast a spell and a pall over this administration and the USA. The Hundred Years War was going badly for France. In 1420, French King Charles VI signed the Treaty of Troyes, which made King Henry V of England his successor. In 1422, Charles VI died. This led to a conflict. Is the King of France Henry V (analogous to Hillary Clinton) or Charles VII (analogous to Donald Trump)? The war continued. To understand Special Counsel Robert Mueller's motives in his investigation, consider another story in which a tyrannical government grilled an innocent to make her confess whatever they wanted to hear. This is the story of Joan of Arc. Under the cloud of royal uncertainty and possible French defeat, a coronation for Charles VII would have been laughable. Then Joan of Arc came on the scene. She correctly predicted the French defeat at the Battle of Rouvray. She then asked to see Charles. She convinced Charles to let her lead his army. Joan led the French Army in the Battle of Orleans. Between Joan's leadership and English bad luck, the French won on 8 May 1429. This encouraged the French to crown King Charles VII on 17 July 1429. Buoyed by victory, Joan felt that she could win in any situation. She fought to retake Paris but failed. She fought again at nearby Compiegne and was captured. She then stood trial for being a witch. It was important to prove that Joan was a witch. With such a revelation, one could say that Charles' coronation was a sanction by the devil, not God. The English could then say that Henry VI (Hillary) was the rightful ruler of France. Initially, Joan denied that she was a witch. The trial went on for months. The English threatened to kill Joan unless she renounced her alleged sins. Joan renounced them. A few days later, she had a change of heart and said that she did nothing wrong. The English concluded that Joan was incorrigible and deserved to die. She was burned at the stake. With the loss of Joan of Arc, the war continued until 1453 with the French victory at Castillon. The most important conclusion of this story is that the English tried to coerce a false confession, since there are no witches, that would unseat a king. Six hundred years later, in a supposedly more advanced century, Robert Mueller was given a task similar to that of the English. In the letter giving Mueller Special Counsel powers, Mueller was ordered to seek a link between the Russian government and anyone associated with Trump's campaign. Apparently, such a link must be illegal if the Justice Department looks into it. This is clearly not meant to jail associates of Trump. This is to jail Trump. This is quite similar to trying to depose King Charles VII. The associates of Trump who are getting the Special Counsel's focus are General Michael Flynn and Paul Manafort. The main accusation against Flynn is that he allegedly lied to the FBI on 24 January 2017. This is in spite of the fact that the FBI reported that Flynn was "relaxed and jocular" and that one of the agents, Peter Strzok, concluded that Flynn was truthful. The next step was to get Flynn to confess to this crime. The Special Counsel threatened to investigate Flynn's son if he did not confess. He confessed. The Special Counsel is now interrogating Flynn and is asking the judge to delay sentencing. As long as there is no sentence, Flynn is forced to answer questions. I assume that the topic is dirt on Trump. The fact that the questioning continues means that years of questioning have not been sufficient to find the dirt. Paul Manafort was accused of tax fraud that occurred long before Trump started his presidential campaign. Manafort defiantly decided to go to trial. He lost. Faced with a sentence that would exceed his lifespan, Manafort chose to cooperate. Manafort is being interrogated, just as Flynn is. On 26 November 2018, Mueller said that Manafort violated his plea agreement by lying. His alleged lie is not known publicly. I assume that Manafort's interrogators are not as patient as Flynn's. As long as Manafort and Flynn provide no dirt on Trump, they will have their sentences delayed. As soon as one of them remembers (or makes up) some dirt, he will be given a lighter sentence and the investigation will turn to Trump. If he later recants his remembrance, he will not be burned at the stake, but he will be punished. Defendants are being accused of alleged crimes that occurred either before or after Trump's presidential campaign. These crimes are not in the scope of the investigation and there was no probable cause to investigate these people for them. Their crime is that, like Joan of Arc, they know the head of state and an accusation of wrongdoing from one of them would be believed. The long-awaited Baraki modernized Sidi Rcine oil refinery has been officially inaugurated, local media reported. The rehabilitation and extension work on the pre-existing refinery had been awarded to French company, TechnipFMC in 2010, but in 2015 the contract was broken due to considerable delays. China Petroleum Engineering and Construction has been selected to complete the rehabilitation work in 2016 for almost $380 million. The inauguration of Sidi Rcine refinery is a huge achievement for Algeria insomuch as it will no more import refined products but will be able to export them by 2021, according to state-run oil company, Sontarchs Chief Executive Officer Abdelmoumen Ould Kaddour. The facility will cover the countrys petroleum needs for 18 provinces, over a third of Algerias 48 provinces. The rehabilitation would increase the capacity of the unit from 2.8 million tons to 3.7 million tons per year. The project is also aimed at bringing the refined products up to international standards. The plant now fits European Union standards in terms of consumption and environmental and industrial safety. Algerias domestic consumption of petroleum products averages around 15 million tons per year. Its refineries produce 11.5 million tons annually, leaving a deficit that is covered by $2 billion worth of imports a year, government data show. Algerias demand for petroleum products increased by an average 7% each year since 2007, the Energy Ministry said. Futile Dreams of Primarying Trump out of Office A recent column by Matt Lewis in the Daily Beast takes (almost) seriously the chances of a successful primary challenge to President Trump. Lewis, the author of a book on the dumbing down of the Republican Party during 2016, is no fan of the President. Hes an admitted Never Trumper, who, like his fellow partisans of the Never-Trump stripe, still envisions himself as part of Nocks remnant, holding true to Republican Party platform of 1983. Once considered a preposterous idea (Its Trumps party! The takeover is complete!!), it looks like Donald Trump will face a primary challenge, Lewis begins his exposition. Just as wishful thinking usually has some element of truth to it, the dreamy Lewis is right about one thing: Trump does have a primary challenge. Former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld has launched a Republican challenge to the President. Political talk shows may be taking Welds bid semi-seriously, but lets just put it to bed right now: a former blue-state governor who endorsed both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton is campaigning for publicity, not caucus wins. Weld is not the hero Lewis is looking for. And he knows that. Hes not looking for a savior to rise from these streets but rather a constellation of factors that would somehow tilt the field just enough to provide an opening for a Reaganite insurgent to seriously challenge Trump. But first, what evidence does Lewis cite to back up his claim that an intraparty Trump challenge is no longer preposterous? In all-too-typical Washington fashion, Lewis calls on a potpourri of failed prognosticators. Alumni of the defunct Weekly Standard like Bill Kristol and Jonathan Last believe a GOP challenge is already baked into the primary crust. Jonah Goldberg thinks theres ample demand for an upstart Republican to challenge the President for the Partys mantle. Oh, pray tell, Mr. Goldberg! Within which fish or flesh does this enjoining dwell? Its hard to say, other than in the imaginations of Loudoun and Fairfax County denizens. Or, in the invidious pages The Bulwark. Outside of those sparsely populated areas of right-wing dissent, the President is doing just fine. Trump commands a near 90% approval rating from Republicans writ large. Even his emergency declaration over the border wall -- an unprecedented move according to anyone who skipped their middle-school lesson on the Louisiana Purchase -- is backed by 85% of the GOP voters. The only conservatives wringing their hands over the decree are Evan McMullin supporters. If Lewis thinks the laid-off high-school grad who finally got another manufacturing job gives a toss about the dubious constitutionality of the U.S. President using powers delegated to him by Congress securing the border, he may need to trade in his Buckley Legacy Conservative Cruise tickets for bus fare to Grand Rapids. Despite the dearth of evidence that Trump faces any kind of resistance within his own party, Lewis sketches out his moonshot scenario where the President is knocked from his horse and a new conservative champion takes the reins. It may be best to wear a heaume and chainmail while envisioning this larping fantasy. First, and this is key, somebody actually has to get in, Lewis says, stating the painfully obvious. His choice is respectable Republican governor Larry Hogan of Maryland. Popular in a deep-blue state, Hogan can, as Lewis muddily reasons, soften up Trump by picking off Mid-Atlantic suburbanites who voted for the guy on the Access Hollywood tape but who think his tariffs on soybeans are a bridge too far. Larry Hogan (photo credit: Maryland GovPics) Then, Lewis writes, something magical happens. No, seriously, Lewis counts on a deus ex machina, either in the form of a big Mueller nab or a severe economic downturn to really turn the heat up on Trump. But cataclysm alone does not defeat him; no, even more is required. Trump needs not one primary challenger but two: a real immigration hardliner. Lewis names Ann Coulter, who, to be fair, has been vocal about the Presidents failings at making a dent in illegal immigration. With two primary challengers flanking him, and a recession to boot, only then can Lewiss true white knight appear. And he chooses -- predictable paradiddle please -- Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina Governor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Why Nikki Haley? Lewis neglects to explain why she, or anyone else, could be the baster to stitch together the rent fabric of the GOP coalition. Then again, he doesnt have to: his fantasy appeals to the kind of sniffy Republicans who sneer at Trumps social media habits at dinner parties. In the inner ring of establishment Republicans, deeper explanation of why President Trump should face a primary opponent is unnecessary. He simply should, for no other reason than he isnt a respected member of the Acela-corridor class. For a certain sect of media-friendly Republicans, preferred candidates need nothing other than to command respectability in the Georgetown cocktail circuit; better yet if they check a few boxes on the affirmative-action checklist, if only to ward off charges of racism. Lewis exemplifies this cherished tradition, with his long-time, relentless backing of Marco Rubio. The Florida senator, Lewis averred in 2015, was a shoo-in to be president for no other reason than he spoke Spanish well. I think Rubio has the charisma, sort of freshness...hes Hispanic, he speaks fluent Spanish. Thats not nothing, he told TV host Bill Maher, trying to explain why Rubio was set to wipe the floor with Hillary, coming off as the C-level pitch man at a cheap consultant agency. Oh, surely, the fine people of Lordstown, Ohio, can be comforted by the thought of having bilingual chief executive as General Motors cuts their jobs. Perhaps these put-upon toilers can feel a warm sense of irony knowing their livelihoods will now be transferred to people who speak the same language as their president! Trump took the Republican establishment by surprise because the latter wades only in the shallow pools of politics. It never addresses the deep-seated issues that actually animate voters. Trump tapped into the vast reservoir of angry alienation felt in many neglected pockets of America. Lewis and his ilk would be happy to toss Trump in the Potomac and return the GOP to the party of elite cloying Bushism. So, they do what other captives do in their situation: think up alternatives to the current reality. But they know as well as anyone else their schemes will never be instantiated. All of Trumps potential primary challengers wont amount to a hill of beans. Louder with Crowder is absolutely hilarious, but it's also very informative and provides a brilliant contrast of the approach of liberals and conservatives to public discourse. Steven Crowder is able to communicate conservative ideas with humor and respect that is a marvel to behold. Just check out this video . Steven Crowder might be my favorite internet personality. He's hilarious, intelligent, extremely articulate, and expresses a conservative point of view in a very entertaining fashion. In this particular episode, Crowder is conducting an open interview in public where he knows people with opposing opinions are likely to be found. He invites them onto the show to participate in civil debate of the topic. This particular segment addressing the transgender issue is titled: "There are only two genders. Change my mind." I marvel at how young Mr. Crowder is able to maintain his composure no matter how angry and intolerant his opposition might get. However, the above video led people upset by the question to make terroristic threats and inciting violence on social media, creating all new material for a "Crowder Confronts" video in the process. That's the "tolerant" left for you... it's like a gift that keeps on giving. You might think liberals would figure out that it's better for them to hope that Crowder would never notice them rather than drawing his attention, but you would be wrong. Some people never learn. After the more recent video aired, "journalist" (by her own definition) Jessi Cape wrote "JuiceLand Employee Harassed By Right Wing Comedian." The first sentence reads, "We are intentionally not embedding or linking to the video." In other words, Ms. Cape censored her own story so that her distorted perspective couldn't be easily refuted by the evidence. But the second sentence I've quoted was even more important to note. In the video, Crowder says as he is leaving the restaurant: Now is the point where we peacefully leave and go home and sit on our footage and wait for leftists to do what leftists do: Lie. Did you see what just happened there? Crowder had warned Cape that he was expecting someone like her lie and misrepresent the facts of the incident, and she was simply too stupid or too arrogant to realize she was stepping into it. She took the bait and published her article. Then, as if she hadn't made enough stupid mistakes, she returned Crowder's call when he complained about the veracity of her article, and he promptly had her for breakfast. That made for another great "Crowder Confronts" video, too. I wonder if somewhere in the back of her mind a voice was shouting "Danger, danger Will Robinson!" as she heard the words "single party consent state." Nah. Ms. Cape doesn't seem to be smart enough to understand that she was about to become famous, and not in a good way. Mainstream journalism might be dead, but Steven Crowder didn't kill it. In all fairness, Jessi Cape didn't kill it, either. She couldn't have. To be brutally honest, she's a nobody reporter for a small newspaper with a circulation of 65,000 readers. Frankly, she isn't important enough to make that big a dent in the reputation of mainstream journalism. No, mainstream journalism was already dead. Dan Rather murdered it. His accomplice was Mary Mapes. Together they launched the era of fake news and killed mainstream journalism on September 8, 2004, when he presented her horribly biased, poorly researched, utterly false story to a national audience that might have changed the outcome of a presidential election, only two months before election day. Rather and Mapes achieved infamy (and lost their jobs) after accepting and publicizing false documents asserting that George W. Bush had attempted to wiggle out of his Texas Air National Guard service. It was a devastating, self-inflicted wound from which mainstream journalism may never recover. The problem has only gotten worse over time. The Brian Williams scandal delivered yet another crushing blow to the credibility of what Limbaugh calls the "drive-by" media. And Don Lemon still has a job after this infamous moment in media history. If you can't trust 60 Minutes, who can you trust to fairly and accurately report the news? Certainly not reporters like Jessi Cape. Not Don Lemon, or Anderson Cooper. I don't even bother watching ABC, CBS, or NBC for news anymore. In fact, I rarely watch the major networks for any reason. I do trust Steven Crowder, though. I have a dream. One day, the head of one of the major networks will realize there are no David Brinkleys today and nobody knows who any of the anchors are at the three major networks anymore. How many people do you think would recognize Lester Holt on the street? Or David Muir? I can't even think of the name of the third major network's current news anchor. Crowder would be such a vast improvement over the current alternatives that the comparisons would be night and day. He's incredibly bright, and an excellent communicator and interviewer who asks terrific questions. He could develop a massive audience in practically no time at all, because there isn't a nickel's worth of difference between his competition. Fan favorite producer "Not Gay" Jared might even be tempted to return to the show as Crowder's equivalent of Mary Mapes, especially if he received her salary. It might be the perfect scenario to renew interest in mainstream media. Too bad it will never happen. Remember, Steven Crowder is a conservative. Lake Charles, Louisiana (70615) Today Scattered thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low 74F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low 74F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Trading in so-called meme stocks took off this week, with chatter abuzz on the potential for short squeezes. About the show A weekly programme that examines and dissects the worlds media, how they operate and the stories they cover. Watch The Listening Post every Saturday at 0830GMT The Government of Chad last weekend sealed an agreement with Amea Power for the construction of a 120 megawatts (MW) solar power plant in the Central African nation. The agreement signed by Chads Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Mahamat Hamid Koua, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Amea Power, Hussein Al-Nowais, aims at tripling the countrys energy production capacity. The country consumes around 200 million kilowatt hours per year. Chad has one of the lowest rates of access to power worldwide, with approximately 90 percent of citizens not connected to the grid. The solar power plant is scheduled to be delivered in 2020 by the United Arab Emirates-based company. Chads Minister of Petroleum and Energy has also signed agreements for two other power production projects, with Almaden Emirates Fortune Power LLC, another United Arab Emirates-based company, to develop a solar park of 200 MW capacity. A third project will bring together NewSolar Invest, Arborescence Capital and Monaco-based engineering company, CIEC Engineering, to build a 32 MW plant. After Chad, Al-Nowais visited Freetown in Sierra Leone to meet President Julius Maada Bio. Like Chad, Sierra Leone is looking to increase electricity coverage through solar power generation, among others. In Sierra Leone, studies revealed that only 13 percent of the population has access to electricity. Sierra Leone already has a net power deficit of 300 500 MW. A 10 20 percent annual increase in power demand is foreseen in the next 10 years. The United Nations has identified universal energy access as global imperative. Energy experts predict it will cost $ 700 billion and take nearly a quarter of a century to achieve that goal. Stil Dreamn Dairy owners Brett and Jessica Dixon of Conway received the Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder Award. Their pasture-based dairy has earned recognition for low somatic cell count and has set high standards in fat and protein. They emphasize herd genetics and have received numerous awards from Ayrshire and Guernsey associations. 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. Kim Jong Un badly needs the sanctions on North Korea relaxed but in exchange he will have to make big concessions. When North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un and the US President Donald Trump meet for the second time later this week in Vietnam, they will have to talk business. Their first summit last year in nearby Singapore was largely an icebreaker, an historic event that was undoubtedly an enormous achievement in itself. However, it failed to produce any concrete plan of action or commitments from either side. Since then, the Trump administration has only agreed to draw down its most provocative military exercises in the Korean Peninsula, and reluctantly supported expanding infrastructure connectivity between the two Koreas. The US president has suggested he was under no pressing time schedule and no rush to finalise a denuclearisation deal with North Korea, but he is also desperate to secure maximum publicity and diplomatic capital before launching his reelection campaign. This time around, however, there is a growing demand for concrete concessions, especially from the North Korean leader, who has yet to secure sanctions relief. Kim will have to get concrete results from this summit if he is to realise his grand plan for North Korea, but he will have to also offer something in exchange. Kims dream Nothing captures the supreme leaders desperation for rapid economic modernisation more than the Ryomyong New Town, a new luxury residential and business district that was built within few months in 2016, just before the latest sanctions kicked in. When Kim came to power, he embarked on an ambitious economic modernisation programme, which included the construction of a Sci-Tech Complex, the Natural History Museum, Peoples Outdoor Ice Rink, and a number of new streets and industrial complexes. Most of these projects, however, represent the golden shimmering ambitions of a young despot who has found himself besieged by one of the toughest economic embargoes in human history. The first Kim-Trump summit relaxed North Koreas international diplomatic isolation, enhanced bilateral relations with South Korea and other East Asian nations, but it failed to convince Washington to relax the ongoing economic siege and ease its compliance mechanisms. As recent reports have indicated, the increased policing of the East China Sea by a coalition of regional and Western forces has made the smuggling of fuel and other necessities increasingly costly for North Korea. The North Korean economy is still surviving, but barely. Its now humiliatingly dependent on a single foreign power, namely China for the bulk of its imports and foreign exchange earnings. Such a state of overdependence defeats the whole purpose of the countrys Juche doctrine of self-reliance. In his New Years address, Kim was explicit about the need to revitalise, reinforce, and re-energise the national economy and the urgency of hitting the targets of the five-year strategy for national economic development. He extended an olive branch to Washington, stating if the US responds to our proactive, prior 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 epochal measures. At the summit, Kim will likely ask for Washington to began relaxing international sanctions, open direct diplomatic channels, and sign a final peace agreement, which would officially end the Korean War (1950-1953). Eventually, Pyongyang wants the United States to withdraw its troops and weapons from the Korean Peninsula. Kims predicament But while making big demands, the North Korean leader will also have to make concessions of his own. Washington demands a significant and sustained rollback in the North Korean nuclear weapons programme, a cessation in ballistic missile tests, and an end to military provocations in the surrounding waters or at the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). So far, Kim has offered to dismantle the main nuclear and missile launching sites in exchange for sanctions relief and a permanent peace agreement with the US. But the US still demands complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearisation (CVID) before it takes any steps to loosen the worlds toughest sanctions regime yet. Pyongyang will not give up its nuclear weapons, its ultimate leverage and insurance policy unless it gets security guarantees, a measure of diplomatic recognition, and relief from sanctions from Washington. Thus the fundamental problem here is the issue of sequencing namely who makes which concessions in what order. The most sensible approach is a step-by-step, reciprocal set of concessions, whereby the US gradually loosens sanctions in exchange for North Koreas nuclear rollback. The culmination of this peace regime would be the complete normalisation of bilateral ties and denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. On both sides, especially in Pyongyang which is still under heavy sanctions, patience is running thin, and if the two leaders end up with another purely symbolic outcome, drenched in declaratory statements rather than tangible results, there is a high chance that the whole gambit will fall apart. Thus, its important for both sides to, at the very least, negotiate the blueprint of a final peace agreement, which will officially end the decades-long inter-Korean war. Fortunately, however, there are indications that the summit will likely culminate in a final peace agreement, which will formally end the war in the peninsula. Hopefully, this could create the much-needed momentum for a phased, long-term peace regime that will entail both denuclearisation and sanctions relief. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Maduros government might be partly to blame for the current crisis, but it is still no dictatorship. Despite what many well-meaning (and some less so) liberals claim, Nicolas Maduro, the current president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is not Bashar al-Assad, nor is Venezuela Syria, Libya or Iraq. In fact, applying the lens of Middle Eastern politics to the ongoing situation in Venezuela is absurd if not extremely dangerous. As tensions along Venezuelas borders with Colombia and Brazil are at an all-time high, the US war machine, its allies and their liberal media cheerleaders are beating the drums of war. The US-backed coup is in now in full swing and a Washington-sponsored military invasion of Venezuela is on the horizon, so we can no longer indulge in lazy and damaging analyses and false equivalences. The historical record shows that coups and military interventions have brought only disaster, and people of conscience should resist and reject them at all cost. From the overthrow of Salvador Allende and rise of Augusto Pinochet in Chile in 1973 to the kidnapping of Manuel Zelaya in Honduras in 2009, US-backed coups against leftist and centre-left governments have caused massive and long-lasting damage to Latin American states, institutions and their people. There is little to suggest that such actions undertaken in Venezuela would result in anything different. In recent years, a narrative based on falsehoods, deliberate omissions and senseless hysteria has come to dominate the international debate on Venezuela and the Bolivarian revolution making it far too easy for many to simply shrug at the prospect of Maduros removal. Venezuela is clearly not a socialist paradise and it is undeniable that Maduros government is at least partly to blame for many of Venezuelas current troubles: from the devastating economic crisis and subsequent mass migration to the ever-increasing crime rate and rampant corruption. As Amnesty International has pointed out, both Maduro and his predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez, have had a history of authoritarian tendencies, abuses of human rights and meddling in the judiciary. In recent years, there have also been incidents of political violence involving the state security apparatus which have resulted in the deaths and imprisonment of protesters. Furthermore, the Bolivarian government has maintained close relations with some autocratic states and voiced support for the regimes in Syria and Libya after the eruption of the popular uprisings there in 2011. While all of these problems should be exposed and criticised, they dont make Maduro a dictator comparable to Assad, Muammar Gaddafi or Saddam Hussein. Maduro did not come to power in the same way that any of these dictators did. He did not lead a military coup, nor did he inherit a country run like a family estate from his father. He was democratically elected twice. There is little similarity between the Bolivarian Revolutionary Movement, which Chavez founded and Maduro now represents, and the forces that backed and maintained these Arab tyrants in power. Chavismo is a democratic, left-wing, popular movement that has sought to invest the riches of the state to empower and uplift the poor. It emerged in the context of historic marginalisation and exploitation of Venezuelas impoverished, black and indigenous populations by the white Venezuelan elite of Spanish descent, the continuing malignant effects of US intervention and the disastrous economic policies that Washington has sought to impose on Latin America. Since the early 2000s, successive Chavista governments have made huge strides in improving healthcare, education, employment, income, food security and social support and services for millions of marginalised Venezuelans. Meanwhile, outside of the country, they have also assisted states in Central America and the Caribbean with subsided oil, embraced long-isolated Cuba, promoted political and economic independence in Latin America and offered strong and unwavering solidarity and support to the Palestinian people. To push forward these policies, Chavismo relied on the ballot box. Chavez himself was hugely popular and was elected four times, his government also winning various referendums. Before passing away, he selected Maduro as his successor who won his first election albeit by a small margin. The 2018 presidential vote for all its problems and complexities (none of which have been covered by mainstream media outlets) was not run uncontested, with roughly 30 percent of the vote going to the other two specifically anti-Chavista candidates. Throughout these two decades, the Venezuelan opposition continued to organise politically and was represented in parliament, in the media and in the streets. Its anti-government rallies and activities today have nothing to do with the 2011 popular uprisings that swept through Middle Eastern countries, where, for decades, there had been no political space for opposition whatsoever. Admittedly, many of the advances of the Bolivarian revolution have been greatly set back with the ongoing economic crisis, yet despite this, supporters of Maduro know that they still have too much to lose should the revolution be defeated. This is one of the reasons why the Venezuelan opposition will never be able to vanquish the Bolivarian movement through democratic means. Unable to stop these revolutionary processes, opposition leaders have sought to delegitimise the Bolivarian government from the start through failed coup attempts, waging economic war, and calling for election boycotts. In the past, all of these have failed. However, the oppositions use of economic warfare, combined with mismanagement by the Maduro administration and the drop in oil prices, is now giving it the perfect opportunity to accomplish what has thus far been impossible. While the economic crisis has pushed Venezuelans to the brink, Washingtons use of aid as a political tool (something condemned by both the United Nations and the Red Cross) is hypocritical and shameful, especially as US sanctions have greatly worsened an already dire situation. The US foreign policy objectives in Venezuela have nothing to do with human rights, democracy promotion or fighting corruption. A cursory glance at its regional partners Brazil, led by fascist Jair Bolsonaro and Colombia, led by Ivan Duque, the young protege of warmonger Alvaro Uribe, attests to this. Indeed, Maduros government has its faults, but it is no dictatorial regime and Chavismo is not Baathism. Chavismo still has popular support in the country and has helped many marginalised Venezuelans. We should show solidarity with its supporters and reject US interventionism. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. There are times when one tragedy tells us how a whole system works behind its democratic facade and helps us understand how much of the world is run for the benefit of the powerful and how governments often justify their actions with lies. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the British government of Harold Wilson expelled the population of the Chagos Islands, a British colony in the Indian Ocean, to make way for an American military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island. In high secrecy, the Americans offered the British payment for the islands in the form of a discount on the Polaris nuclear submarine system. The truth of this conspiracy did not emerge for another 20 years when secret official files were unearthed at the Public Record Office in London by lawyers acting for the former inhabitants of the coral archipelago. Historian Mark Curtis described the enforced depopulation in Web of Deceit, his 2003 book about Britains post-war foreign policy. The British media all but ignored it; the Washington Post called it a mass kidnapping. I first heard of the plight of the Chagossians in 1982, during the Falklands War. Britain had sent a fleet to the aid of 2,000 Falkland Islanders at the other end of the world while another 2,000 British citizens from islands in the Indian Ocean had been expelled by British governments and hardly anyone knew. The difference was that the Falkland Islanders were white and the Chagossians were black and, crucially, the United States wanted the Chagos Islands especially Diego Garcia as a major military base from which to command the Indian Ocean. The Chagos was a natural paradise. The 1,500 islanders were self-sufficient with an abundance of natural produce, and there was no extreme weather. There were thriving villages, a school, a hospital, a church, a railway and an undisturbed way of life until the secret 1961 Anglo-American survey of Diego Garcia led to the expulsion of the entire population. 180912074522547 The expulsions began in 1965. People were herded into the hold of a rusting ship, the women and children forced to sleep on a cargo of bird fertiliser. They were dumped in the Seychelles, where they were held in prison cells, and then shipped onto Mauritius, where they were taken to a derelict housing estate with no water or electricity. Twenty-six families died there in brutal poverty, nine individuals committed suicide, and girls were forced into prostitution to survive. I interviewed many of them. One woman recalled how she and her husband took their baby to Mauritius for medical treatment and were told they could not return to their island. The shock was so great that her husband suffered a stroke and died. Others described how the British and Americans gassed their dogs beloved pets to the islanders as an inducement to pack up and leave. Lizette Talate told me how her children had died of sadness. She herself has since died. The depopulation of the archipelago was completed within 10 years and Diego Garcia became home to one of the biggest US bases, with more than 2,000 troops, two bomber runways, 30 warships, facilities for nuclear-armed submarines and a satellite spy station. Iraq and Afghanistan were bombed from the former paradise. Following 9/11, people were rendered there and tortured. After demonstrating on the streets of Mauritius in 1982, the exiles were given the derisory compensation of less than 3,000 British pounds each by the British government. When declassified British Foreign Office files were discovered, the full sordid story was laid bare. One file was titled Maintaining the Fiction and instructed British officials to lie that the islanders were itinerant workers, not a stable indigenous population. Secretly, revealed the files, British officials recognised they were open to charges of dishonesty because they were planning to cook the books lie. In 2000, the High Court in London ruled the expulsions illegal. In response, the Labour government of Tony Blair invoked the Royal Prerogative, an archaic power invested in the Queens Privy Council that allows the government to bypass parliament and the courts. In this way, the government hoped, the islanders could be prevented from ever returning home. The High Court finally ruled that the Chagossians were entitled to return. In 2008, the Foreign Office appealed to the Supreme Court. Although based on no new evidence, the appeal was successful. I was in the House of Lords where the court then sat on the day of the judgement. I have never seen such shame-faced judges in what was clearly a political decision. In 2010, the British government sought to reinforce this by establishing a marine nature reserve around the Chagos Islands. The ruse was exposed by WikiLeaks, which published a US embassy diplomatic cable from 2009 that read, Establishing a marine reserve might indeed, as the FCOs [Colin] Roberts stated, be the most effective long-term way to prevent any of the Chagos Islands former inhabitants or descendants from resettling. Whether or not the ICC delivers justice that is long overdue, an indefatigable campaign of islanders and their supporters shows no sign of giving up. A group of refugees from the Indian Ocean island of Chagos gather outside the High Court in London on October 31, 2002. They are seeking compensation from the British government for forcibly removing them to make way for the Diego Garcia US military base 30 years ago [Reuters/Michael Crabtree] The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Kiev, Ukraine Square and simple. Red bricks. Five flights of stairs. No elevator. Branches and dry leaves climb along the facades, between balconies. The structures are drab, dreary, bleak, dilapidated. They all look the same. The bulk of the Ukrainian capitals housing stock dates from the times of Soviet leaders Joseph Stalin, Nikita Khrushchev, and Leonid Brezhnev. These housing blocks containing dozens of apartments with four to six square-metre kitchens, thin brick walls, midget hallways and one to three rooms are known as Khrushchyovkas and represent a big percentage of total housing in Kiev today: 3,055 buildings that include some 211,512 apartments. 181109155359559 The grim residential buildings embody Nikita Khrushchevs logic and politics and helped solve the USSRs housing crisis after World War II. They were designed for one purpose: to put a roof over the heads of as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. During the 1950s, in addition to starting the thaw policy and the process of de-Stalinisation, Khrushchev to meet the needs of overcrowded cities ordered the elimination of anything that was considered excessive. He proposed to build low-cost, low-rise and temporary housing for people who were supposed to move to better places once true communism was achieved. However, life played out differently and people continued to live there for years. We meet one such family, The Vyschnyaks. Nikolaij and Tamara Nikolaij and Tamara have learned to live humbly with their legs half-bent at the foot of the kitchen table, which Tamara often uses to iron her familys clothes. Both retired, they live on the fourth floor of a red-brick five-story Soviet-era building in the Darnytsya area, 20km from the centre of Kiev. In their 60sq metres apartment, theres not much room for comfort. It is Saturday morning. Nikolaij, sleepy eyes and kettle in hand, pours hot water into the coffee cup while Tamara, shoulder-to-shoulder with her husband, prepares lunch for the five people living here: Nikolaij, herself, her daughter Anna, her grandson Bogdan, and Nikolaijs mother Irina. I dont know where to place the dishes, she says. We can not have lunch here in the kitchen, there is no space. For the Vischnyak family to have a meal on an old cart made of wood and brass sitting on the sofa bed and improvised chairs in the living room has become the norm. The rigid Soviet conformism, firm in structure and form, still finds its way into everyday life. The spaces, at first sight, separate and well defined doors to close, walls to divide have altered, merged, transformed. The living room became a bedroom; the balcony a bed; the bedroom a mini apartment; the kitchen a laundry, the window a showcase. There is no longer an inside and an outside; the near or the far. Space is liminal. For Nikolaij and Tamara, still together after 43 years of marriage, their morning chores, walks and refreshments in the afternoon the private, the trust, the neighbourhood is part of their everyday life. Everything is there. Irina Irinas 15sq metres room has become a self-contained apartment, combining living room, bedroom, and kitchen. In her eyes lives the fatigue of a woman born and raised under the intense rigours of various communist regimes. He [Stalin] was a dictator, he wanted to change our way of thinking, our way of life, says the 96-year-old nicknamed Babushka Ira, flipping through old family photos. He aimed at the capillary control of society. 181108111743171 She stops for a moment to look at the portrait of her father, Gavriil, a farmer overwhelmed by the collectivisation of agriculture starting in the late 1920s, who was forced to work in a kolkhoz. The work also consumed Irinas days between picking up cucumbers and wheat harvesting every day, without any break. Swallowed up there, 12 to 15 hours a day, under the careful control of a party official. If you resisted, you would be put in prison, she says, recalling the tiredness, all the effort for little food, and frustration during the mid-30s, the period of Stalins reign, of purges. Irina Vyschnyaks 15square-metre room has become a self-contained apartment which combines a living room, bedroom and kitchen. [Erik Messori/CAPTA/Al Jazeera] Anna Anna sits on the balcony, her intimate space, barefoot, wearing a bathrobe and holding mascara in her hand. Every morning, the 43-year-old who works as a hairdresser, gets ready between pillows and woollen blankets piled on the floor, because a single toilet, for five people, cannot suffice. But to her, their apartment is more than enough. Its an integral part of her childhood, her adolescence and her motherhood. Its the place she calls home. She grew up in the 1980s, the era of Michail Gorbachevs glasnost and perestroika when the Communist Party of the Soviet Union reformed the political system and society: greater transparency, less control, more freedom. People began to talk and dress as they wished, information circulated freely, Anna remembers as she looks out of the window, a cup of coffee in her hands. But life in Ukraine changed again when the external empire of the USSR began to crumble. Nobody understood well what was happening, says Anna, 17 years old at the time, about the period of transition that culminated in Ukraines independence from the Soviet Union in August 1991. Criminals were going around the streets. The shops were empty, only preserves and vodka on the shelves. It took the Orange Revolution in the aftermath of the November 2004 presidential elections for Anna to identify with the yellow and blue national flag. Protesting alongside thousands of people in Maidan Nazalezhnosti, Anna finally felt Ukrainian. We were demonstrating peacefully against the corrupt government of Viktor Janukovych, against those who saw Ukraine as an appendage of Russia, and to demand new elections. At that moment I felt part of a nation, of a country, of Ukraine, she says. We are not Russians. We are Ukrainians. And we are different. Bogdan Fifteen-year-old Bogdan is the face of the fourth Vyschnyak generation living in the Khrushchyovka. Every day, carrying a backpack and smartphone in his hand, he walks through the streets of Darnytsya area to get to school. Like his mother Anna, Bogdan was born in that neighbourhood. But as Ukraine is fighting a bitter war with Russia, that area, so visibly Soviet, begins to screech with his nationalist spirit. Almost five years have passed since the Donetsk and Lugansk regions in Donbass were illegally annexed by Russian forces. If I was 20, I would go to the front, he says, pointing at the word defend and the Kalashnikov printed on his black sweatshirt. I would go there to fight without thinking, without hesitation, without fear. Its my nation. I cannot allow anyone to invade my country. "Always and ever a blessing from the Lifegiver" The current campaign is proving once again how the extremes on both sides of the political divide can always find common ground in their shared looniness. Come now two Otso Deretso candidatesNeri Colmenares from the far left of the CPP-NPA-NDF, and Gary Alejano from the far right of the Magdalo recidivist mutineerswho, for lack of anything better to say, are beating the deadest of dead horses by trying to resurrect the old GMA bogeyman. At the ABS-CBN senatorial debate, Alejano said the former president should be jailed for destroying the countrys institutions. Colmenares chimed in that Mrs. Arroyo had been the most corrupt president. Thankfully, the ABS-CBN news piece included some helpful reminders of how the various charges against Mrs. Arroyo have actually fared in the courts: One, the Supreme Court in July 2016 voted 11-4 to junk the PCSO-related plunder case that had allowed her successor, the autist PNoy, to jail her for five years. Two, she was cleared in December 2018 of electoral sabotage charges in connection with the 2007 senatorial elections. Three, the Hello Garci case in connection with the 2004 elections simply lapsed in 2009. Colmenares and Alejano should talk to their team-mate Romy Macalintal, an election lawyer, who asserts that there was no proof Mrs. Arroyo cheated in 2004. Four, the office of former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Moralesno friend of Arroyocleared her in all of the major cases filed against her: OWWA/PhilHealth; fertilizer fund scandal; and NBN/ZTE. These were all, by the Ombudsmans own reckoning, very, very complicated casesthus, easily milked for all their yellow propaganda value by the godfathers of Otso Deretso. Should it matter that due process has repeatedly vindicated Mrs. Arroyo? Of course it should, at least to us law-abiding citizens. But obviously not to Colmenares and Alejano, whose very DNA seems to be imprinted with an abiding disregard for the law. Should these two now be voted into the Senate? Any repercussions from that will be squarely on those among you who choose to do so.Im among those on either side of the political divide who share in what must be the unalloyed happiness of senatorial aspirant Mar Roxas and his news-media star wife Korina over the birth of their twins. With Korina well north of 50 years old, the birth was obviously technology-assisted, using the services of a surrogate mother. But the process of creating new life in vitro is long, risky, expensive and often painful, and whenever the results are successful, nothing short of unqualified applause is called for. The problem, of course, is that there is no nine-month buildup to the blessed event, if the couple chooses to keep it quiet. Which is why the most virulent of Mars critics are calling him out for timing the twins arrival so fortuitously at the start of his campaign. The candidate may rightfully be excoriated fora criticism that has never had trouble sticking to him. But that is certainly no excuse for his critics to drag his new babies into the messy picture. The process of creating those babies would have been too complicated to include any additional considerations of political expediency. Mar may also rightfully be criticized for a wide range of performance shortcomings, from the multiple increase in drugs, smuggling, and other major crimes during his watch at DILG, to the MRT corruption scandals during his earlier tenure at the Department of Transportation, to all the skeletons he must have buried in his closet during his years as a key factotum of the autist PNoy. Unfortunately for his critics, between the storied Roxas name, the star power of his TV celebrity wife, the name recall left over from two failed presidential bids, and a campaign war chest that must be bulging from six years of LP ascendancy, Mar now finds himself very much within the Magic 12. His new babies can only solidify his position there. But that shouldnt be laid on the babies. No matter what the political fall-out, at the end of the day they are nothing more, nothing less than the latest additions to a family like any otherdevoutly to be wished for, always and ever a blessing from the Lifegiver.Id like to close this column by asking the readers prayers for my aunt, the late Dalisay Bocobo-Balunsat, who passed away over the week-end in San Francisco. Tita Daly made her way to the United States a long time ago, before I was even born, where she became a fixture in the cultural, literary, journalistic, and educational circles of the Fil-Am community in San Francisco. She was the last to go of the Bocobo siblingschildren of Jorge and Felisa Bocobowhose very different names betrayed the principal influences on the thinking and character of their father: the classics (Elvira, Florante, my mother Celia, Ariel), the Protestant tradition (Israel), and Filipino culture and history (Dalisay, Malaya). Today shes back in their company, together with her husband Uncle Tony who left year earlier to prepare her welcome mat. Its the passage of an entire generation. May the eternal light illuminate them, may they rest in peace. Imagine spending months preparing for the arrival of a new little daughter. Gleefully, you share the good news with your friends and family. The nursery is decorated, a name is carefully selected, and the anticipation builds over the months. Then, there are complications with the pregnancy and your child is born a month before her due date. Thankfully a team of qualified medical professionals gives your little girl the highest level of care. Although her entrance into the world is a little more adventurous than you planned, all is well thanks to the care of her doctors. Now, imagine another baby girl is born a month before her due date, just like the other child in this story. But instead of a team of doctors ready to ensure quality care, this child is not guaranteed to receive any medical attention at all. The reason, because this second precious baby girl was born-alive after a failed abortion procedure. Current federal law does not offer equal and full legal protection to both of these babies even though both children would come into our world, born as living, breathing human beings. What is the difference between a baby born premature and a baby born surviving an abortion? Though they are physically in the same vulnerable state in need of medical care, the legal protection extends only to the first. Thankfully, the U.S. Senate is considering legislation to right this wrong to protect every child. Senator Ben Sasse (RNeb.) authored the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act to ensure that any infant born-alive after a failed abortion receives the same degree of professional medical care to preserve the life and health of the child as a reasonably diligent and conscientious health care practitioner would render to any other child at the same gestational age. The Born-Alive bill also requires that a child born in such a situation is also immediately transported and admitted to a hospital and that her life is reported in medical records. At the beginning of February, Sen. Sasse asked for the unanimous consent of his fellow Senators to pass the Born-Alive bill. Unfortunately, Senator Patty Murray (DWash.) objected, stating the abortion lobbys line that infanticide was already illegal in the United States. Sen. Murray is blurring the facts of this particular bill. Infanticide is illegal for most children, but the legal requirements for medical professionals faced with a child who survives an abortion are unspecified. This gap in the law means that when a child is born-alive following an abortion attempt, that child is unprotected. Any action that results in ending that born-alive childs life, at a hospital or an abortion clinic, is infanticide. The abortion lobbys unwillingness to call fourth-trimester abortions infanticide is both morally reprehensible and revealing of their profit-driven motivation above caring for the vulnerable. Following Sen. Murrays objection, Sen. Sasse admonished his Senate colleagues, A lot of Senators spend a lot of time telling people how they fight for the little guy. Well, heres the chance for them to prove it. Ensuring that a living, breathing baby receives medical care should not be a partisan issue. It should be unimaginable that a child born-alive would be neglected and left to die just because the child came into the world after an attempted abortion. Defending the willful neglect of a vulnerable newborn is barbaric. Americans deserve to know where their elected officials stand on this form of infanticide. The idea that just one child would not receive proper medical care should be of grave concern for all of us. But there are many little ones whose lives end this way as we learned of the horrors of Kermit Gosnells atrocities. Gosnell is currently serving a life sentence in federal prison because he murdered three infants who were born-alive during attempted abortions. He was also convicted of involuntary manslaughter of one woman. The American public was rightly horrified when they heard the stories of Gosnells so-called clinic. Now is the time, as Governor Ralph Northam in Virginia defends the same basic practice of fourth-trimester abortion, for our lawmakers to outlaw infanticide in every form. We must not remain silent when the lives of innocent, newborn girls and boys are at stake. Our laws must protect the vulnerable. We are grateful that Senator Richard Shelby (RAla.) supports this bill as a co-sponsor and we call on Senator Doug Jones (DAla.) to stand with the vulnerable and vote for the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. Chelsea Patterson Sobolik is a Policy Director of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. The U.S. Navy destroyer USS James E. Williams and the Coast Guard cutter Manowar are scheduled to dock in Mobile on Friday as part of the citys Mardi Gras celebrations. The USS James E. Williams' visit, as previously reported, is part of a full slate of Navy Week activities that start Wednesday. A schedule of events appears below. The ship, designated DDG 95, is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer built by Ingalls in Pascagoula. It is named in honor of a South Carolina native who served during the Korean and Vietnam wars, becoming the most highly decorated enlisted man in the history of the U.S. Navy, according to the ships official website. He received the Medal of Honor in 1968 and went on to serve as a U.S. Marshal. According to information released Monday by the Alabama State Port Authority, the destroyer is expected to arrive at Pier 2 late Friday morning, with a welcoming ceremony scheduled for 11 a.m. Pier 2 is just to the north of the Arthur R Outlaw Mobile Convention Center; gates will open at 9:30 a.m. Public tours will be offered 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday through Tuesday, March 2-5. Also on Friday the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Manowar will dock at the GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico. It will be open to public tours from 8 a.m. to p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 2-3. Planned Navy Week activities include a wide range of school appearances, speaking visits and other functions not open to the general public. The following highlights emphasize events that are open to general interest. More information can be found at https://www.outreach.navy.mil/Navy-Weeks/Mobile/. Wednesday, February 27 8 a.m.: Rear Admiral Ronald Fritzemeier meeting and proclamation with Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson. 8 a.m. 4 p.m.: Navy Community Service Project with MLK Avenue Redevelopment Corp. 9 a.m. 2 p.m.: Activities at GulfQuest Maritime Museum including: USS Constitution Sailors, Navy Meteorology/Oceanography, Navy History and Heritage Command Thursday, February 28 4 p.m. 8:30 p.m.: Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal team members will conduct a diving demonstration at Mardi Gras Park. Friday, March 1 9 a.m. 4 p.m.: U.S. Navy at Gulf Coast Exploreum various events, including: Navy Oceanography and Meteorology 4 p.m. 8:30 p.m.: Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal team members will conduct a diving demonstration at Mardi Gras Park. 5:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m.: Navy Band Southeasts brass band will perform a concert at Mardi Gras Park. 6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m.: Navy Band Southeasts rock band will perform as part of the Crewe of Columbus Parade. Saturday, March 2 8 a.m. 11 a.m.: USS James E. Williams will be open for public tours at Pier 2, adjacent to the Convention Center. Additional displays on the pier include Navy Meteorology/Oceanography and Navy History and Heritage Command. 11 a.m. 6:30 p.m.: Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal team members will conduct a diving demonstration at Mardi Gras Park. 12 p.m. 2 p.m.: USS Constitution Color Guard and other U.S. Navy Sailors to participate in Saraland Mardi Gras Parade. 12 p.m. 2 p.m.: USS James E. Williams crew and other U.S. Navy Sailors to participate in the Floral Parade. 1 p.m. 4 p.m.: USS James E. Williams will be open for public tours at Pier 2, adjacent to the Convention Center. Additional displays on the pier include Navy Meteorology/Oceanography and Navy History and Heritage Command. 6 p.m. 8 p.m.: Navy Band Southeasts parade band and other U.S. Navy Sailors will participate in the Mystics of Time Parade. Sunday, March 3 8 a.m. 11 a.m.: USS James E. Williams will be open for public tours at Pier 2, adjacent to the Convention Center. Additional displays on the pier include Navy Meteorology/Oceanography and Navy History and Heritage Command. 12 p.m. 7 p.m.: Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal team members will conduct a diving demonstration at Mardi Gras Park. 12 p.m. 2 p.m.: USS James E. Williams crew and other U.S. Navy Sailors to participate in the Floral Parade. 1 p.m. 4 p.m.: USS James E. Williams will be open for public tours at Pier 2, adjacent to the Convention Center. Additional displays on the pier include Navy Meteorology/Oceanography and Navy History and Heritage Command. 1 p.m. 6 p.m.: Navy Band Southeasts brass band will perform concerts throughout the afternoon at Mardi Gras Park. 2:30 p.m. 6 p.m.: USS Constitution Color Guard and other U.S. Navy Sailors will participate in the Joe Cain Parade. 5 p.m. 7 p.m.: Navy Band Southeasts rock band and other U.S. Navy Sailors will participate in the Le Krewe of Bienville Parade. Monday, March 4 8 a.m. 11 a.m.: USS James E. Williams will be open for public tours at Pier 2, adjacent to the Convention Center. Additional displays on the pier include Navy Meteorology/Oceanography and Navy History and Heritage Command. 8:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m.: U.S. Navy Sailors will conduct a community service project at Feeding the Gulf Coast Food Bank. 10 p.m. 5 p.m.: Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal team members will conduct a diving demonstration at Mardi Gras Park. 12 p.m. 2 p.m.: USS James E. Williams crew and other U.S. Navy Sailors to participate in the King Felix III Parade. 12 p.m. 2 p.m.: Navy Band Southeasts parade band and other U.S. Navy Sailors will participate in the Floral Parade. 1 p.m. 4 p.m.: USS James E. Williams will be open for public tours at Pier 2, adjacent to the Convention Center. Additional displays on the pier include Navy Meteorology/Oceanography and Navy History and Heritage Command. 7:30 p.m. 9 p.m. USS Constitution Color Guard and other U.S. Navy Sailors will participate in the Order of Doves Parade. Tuesday, March 5 A 27-year-old inmate has escaped from a Decatur work release center. Dyron Rashad Primus escaped the North Alabama Community Based Facility/Community Work Center in Decatur around 3:45 a.m. Monday, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections. Primus is described as a black male with black hair and brown eyes. He weighs about 135 pounds and is 5' 7". The inmate was last seen wearing his state-issued white jacket, white pants, and white toboggan. Primus is serving a 15-year sentence in the ADOC for a first-degree possession of marijuana conviction in Morgan County. He was sentenced in May. Anyone with information on Primus whereabouts should call the ADOC at (800) 831-8825. "The spirit of EDSA is but a shadow of its glorious past." Thirty-three years ago today, a series of events led to the EDSA Revolution and precipitated the ouster of the more than two decades of Marcos dictatorship. It was a glorious, peaceful, four-day revolution that showcased the best of the Filipino. It was an extravaganza of selflessness, patriotism, generosity, piety and love where people opted for non-violence over violent means to oust a dictatorship; to give out love instead of selfishness in order to effect change. This spirit has been immortalized as the spirit of EDSA. The Marcos era was a very dark chapter of our history. Human rights violations were rampant, dissent was suppressed, the tyrant controlled government institutions, the military and security forces were used as instruments of State repression, and handful cronies who enabled the Marcoses to plunder state coffers controlled the economy. Despite the platitudes by State apologists, people were reeling in poverty and the economy was moribund. Except for the Communists and a handful of activists and dissidents, the largest portion of the populace was mostly compliant and cowed by the repressive regime. Surely, when Ferdinand Marcos was booted out of the Palace to spend his last days in exile in Hawaii, and President Cory Aquino took over the reins of government, it was a cause for celebration. The newfound democratic space was a breath of fresh air after decades of overbearing control by the dictatorial regime. There was overwhelming euphoria and unbounded hope that finally the country could move forward and be forever free from the stranglehold of tyranny and abuse. But as time goes by, the spirit of EDSA, if there ever was one, has begun to wane and recede. Thirty-three years hence, the Marcoses are back in power as if they never left, as if they were not unceremoniously booted out of the country. The Marcos remains are now buried in the hallowed grounds of the Libingan ng mga Bayani and Marcos himself is being hailed by historical revisionists as a hero and that his days in power the halcyon days of Philippine nationhood. Human rights violations perpetrated under the guise of cleaning up the streets of drug trade are back with a vengeance. Democratic institutions, like the Supreme Court and Congress, are being intimidated into submission and compliance. Even the Catholic Church has not been spared. The few who choose not to toe the line are pilloried, threatened, ousted from office and imprisoned. Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Senators Antonio Trillanes and Leila de Lima, the Commission on Human Rights and some in the media including Maria Ressa of Rappler, are the few dissenting voices that dared. In particular, De Lima, because, as then chairperson of the Human Rights, investigated extrajudicial killings allegedly carried out by the Davao Death Squad in Davao City under the then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, is now in detention due to highly questionable drug charges. An implacable critic of the President, she, as elected senator, filed a resolution to investigate extrajudicial killings under the Duterte administration.As I have written in the past two columns, the United Nations has chronicled how the rights of De Lima, as a detainee and accused, were and are being violated, particularly her rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. According to the UN Working Group, the evidence and charges against Ms. De Lima were manufactured and fabricated upon the orders from the highest official of the land. Worse, according to the UN Working Group opinion following the Presidents orders, the Secretary of Justice pronounced the guilt of Ms. De Lima in public even before any formal government investigation had been conducted against her. But despite strong evidence that the rights of De Lima for a fair trial have been violated, and the calls by local and international organizations for her release, the Duterte administration refuses to budge and release her from detention. So many things are presently happening which reminds us back to the dark days of Marcos era with some expressing their fear that we are sliding, rightly or wrongly, inexorably toward a one-man rule. The suppression of dissent, the violation of human rights, the corruption of state institutions, the peddling of lies and half-truths, these are some of the more undesirable features of a dictatorial rule. Arguably, the spirit of EDSA is but a shadow of its glorious past. In the midst of present-day realities, many have chosen to consign the memory of EDSA into the dustbin of history. But then again, De Lima and other hardy souls who refuse to accept misrule sitting down rekindle the spirit of EDSA. It is they who, by their actions, keep on reminding us that when everything seem to be lost, never to lose hope because we, as a people, are not only resilient but can redeem ourselves and choose to do what is right. Six years ago, I wrote in this column that we should speak not so much of the unfulfilled promise of EDSA, as that is undisputed, but that we make as citizens a promise to the legacy of EDSA. I said then and I repeat that with urgency today: We have to rebuild that sense of citizenship, of civic pride and participation, that we often see in extraordinary political times, but rarely in normal times. We should see as equally heroic the prosaic tasks of citizenship, in political, economic, social, environmental terms. Not only are we called to elect leaders of integrity and capability, but also to engage them with our interest and concerns; to call them to account (not in the adversarial, accusatory fashion we are too familiar with, if they havent broken the law or faith with the electorate, but in a constructive, forward-looking attitude) and work with them to solve the small challenges of democracy in our own barangay or municipality. And as we linked arms in EDSA, can we not link arms in ordinary times, to face tests like global warming, or social accountability, or inclusive development that lifts the poorest with the rest of us? In these times, the most urgent task is to link arms to defend human rights and democracy. And that includes linking arms with Leila de Lima, democracy and human rights heroine of the Duterte era. Update: 2:30 p.m. - Crews have suspended their search for the woman. Cahaba Valley Fire Department Officer Grant Wilkinson said crews have searched the river three times and all the river banks three times, but found no evidence she was there, except for her vehicle being found at the boat launch near Interstate 459. Wilkinson said the investigation has been turned over to the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office. Original story: Several agencies will resume their search for a missing woman on Monday morning. The ordeal started Sunday, Cahaba Valley Fire Department Officer Grant Wilkinson said, when Birmingham police got a call around 3:30 p.m. about a woman who had had gone missing near the Lake Purdy boat launch. Cahaba Valley firefighters responded to assist Birmingham police with the search. Shortly after arriving, Wilkinson said officers received information that the woman, a 35-year-old whose name has not been released, actually went missing near the Cahaba River canoe launch off Grants Mill Road. The womans car was found at that location near Interstate 459. Fire departments with Leeds, Vestavia Hills, Birmingham, Cahaba Valley, and Rocky Ridge assisted in the search along with law enforcement from Birmingham, Jefferson County, and Irondale. Around 7:50 p.m. Sunday, Wilkinson said the search was called off for the night. As of 7 a.m. Monday, several agencies are back on the scene resuming the land and water search. This post will be updated as more information is available. Updated at 2:38 p.m. to include new information from Cahaba Valley Fire Department Officer Grant Wilkinson. Ashley Kimbel of Huntsville, Ala., went on NBCs TODAY show to explain how she built a new, improved prosthetic foot for an Alabama Marine wounded in Afghanistan. Ashley and Marine Kendall Bane were interviewed by NBC hosts Craig Melvin, Al Roker and Dylan Dreyer. How a high schooler helped an injured veteran get moving again Ashley Kimbel, a 17-year-old high school senior from Alabama with a knack for engineering, put her skills to good use when she met Kendall Bane, a Marine and leg amputee. The two join TODAY to share their stories. Bane lost his foot after a 2012 attack on his camp in Afghanistans Helmand province. He later opted to voluntarily have his leg removed at the knee after his wounds wouldnt heal completely. Banes brother is an adviser to Grissom High Schools Green Power race car team and asked 17-year-old Kimbel if she wanted to help make a better prosthetic foot. She did and created a lighter, more versatile foot using engineering design software developed by the technology company Siemens. Bane and Ashley told their story first last week to young students in Huntsville who peppered the pair with questions. Siemens is working to develop new versions of the Solid Edge program making it more like a video game so young people like those can use it instinctively to design and build things. With the new, lighter foot, Bane expects to be able to pursue his two favorite pastimes - snowboarding in winter and mountain biking in summer - longer and with less strain. Thats a big win from a high school project. Helicopter and drone searches have been unsuccessful today as emergency crews continue trying to recover a teenager believed to have been lost in floodwaters. After a vehicle was swept off a road in Bucks Pocket State Park Friday night, two teenagers were rescued, and a third was declared missing. Search and rescue efforts for the missing teen have since turned into an attempt at recovery, Jackson County authorities said today. Because of strong rapids, Chief Deputy Rocky Harnen said, crews had to suspended water searches Sunday and today. Instead, crews searched from the air and along the creek bank. Our fear is that hes in the water somewhere, Harnen said of the missing teen. As of now, we plan to resume tomorrow and go back in the water. Citing family members, AL.com news partner WHNT News 19 identified the missing teen as 18-year-old Koy Spears. Further details werent immediately available. A Prattville man was killed in a two-vehicle wreck in Chilton County on Sunday afternoon, Alabama State Troopers said. Walter Jefferson Marshall, 80, was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado when his vehicle was struck by a 2003 Ford F-250 pickup on Chilton County 23 at the intersection of Chilton County 530. Marshall died at the scene. Troopers said he was not wearing a seatbelt. The driver of the Ford was not injured. Troopers did not release additional information about the wreck because it is still under investigation. The Vicious KKK Attack Against Nat King Cole null The Smithsonian Channel will be highlighting renowned jazz vocalists Nat King Cole during a show honoring the "Green Book." Cole was born in Montgomery, but his parents moved to Chicago to escape the discrimination they faced in the South. His velvet smooth voice may have led Cole to fame, but it wasn't enough to overcome racism. Cole was attacked by white supremacists during the first racially-mixed performance in Birmingham in April 1956 at what is now called the Boutwell Auditorium. Cole was knocked down with a club. Police officers, who were able to detain the attackers, later found rifles, a blackjack, and brass knuckles in a car. Coles story is part of a show called The Green Book: Guide to Freedom. The show is named after The Negro Motorist Green Book, which was a travel guide that told African American travelers where they could eat and sleep safely during the Jim Crow area. The show premiers on Monday on the Smithsonian Channel at 8 p.m. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont has been confirmed as a speaker at this Sundays King Unity Breakfast in Selma, which honors former presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and looks like it will be a gathering spot for 2020 presidential hopefuls. Clinton will attend the breakfast. Sanders was her biggest challenger in 2016 before she clinched the Democratic nomination and then lost to President Donald Trump. For Sanders, it will be one of first few campaign stops on his new presidential campaign, which he announced Feb. 19. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders is a unique figure in the American electoral landscape, Selma event organizer and former state Sen. Hank Sanders said in a prepared statement. He will join other presidential candidates, some of whom have already been announced. We look forward to each and every candidate sharing their visions with people from all over the nation and beyond. Two other presidential candidates, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and former U.S. Secretary of HUD Julian Castro, plan to be at the King Unity Breakfast on the campus of Wallace Community College on Sunday, March 3, at 7:30 a.m. In addition, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, another Democratic presidential candidate, is expected to speak at Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma that Sunday. The breakfast is one of a number of events commemorating the Bloody Sunday civil rights march in 1965. On Sunday afternoon, there will be a re-enactment of Bloody Sunday with a crossing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Sanders took part in the re-enactment march in 2015. Some fans of Sanders distributed a photo in 2016 claiming that he had taken part in the 1965 marches in Selma. Sanders has never claimed that, although he has said he was in the crowd at the March on Washington in 1963, and earlier took part in some civil rights activities in Chicago when he became a student at the University of Chicago in 1961. Sanders joined the campus chapter of CORE, the Congress of Racial Equality, and took part in protests against off-campus buildings owned by the University of Chicago that were refusing to rent to black students, in violation of the schools policies, according to an article by Mother Jones magazine. CORE organized a 15-day sit-in at the administration building, which Sanders helped lead. The protest ended when George Beadle, the universitys president, agreed to form a commission to study the schools housing policies. An Alabama woman faces 17 counts of animal cruelty after Sheriffs officers said she left pets outside to die in flood waters. Dana Marie Head, age 59, of Gaylesville in Cherokee County, was arrested Saturday after deputies received reports of animals in cages near the Chattooga River. The cages contained rabbits, ducks, birds and cats in danger of drowning from the swollen river. Two animals had already died, the sheriffs office said. Cherokee County has been dealing with widespread flooding following days of heavy rain. In such cases, animals can be left without care, Sheriff Jeff Shaver said. Anytime you have an event like this, you have animals that need to be kept safe, Shaver said. Head was not at home when law enforcement arrived and deputies cut the cage locks to rescue the animals. Head was taken into custody when she returned home. She was taken to Cherokee County Detention Center on $8,500 bond. Gov. Kay Ivey will announce a plan to increase funding for roads, bridges and other infrastructure on Wednesday. Iveys press office said the announcement will come at a press conference on County Road 17 in Maplesville. Deficiencies in county roads and bridges have been one of the main problems cited by supporters of an increase in the state gasoline tax, which hasnt changed since 1992. A bill on the gas tax and funding for infrastructure is expected to be a key issue during the legislative session that starts March 5. Ivey and the Republican leaders of the Legislature support an increase in the tax, which at 18 cents per gallon is lower than in most states. They say the state has to invest more in infrastructure to handle todays traffic load and promote the economy and business growth. The total gas tax in Alabama, including federal and state tax and a volume-weighted average of city and county taxes, equates to 39.5 cents a gallon, according to the American Petroleum Institute. That is lower than in all but 10 states and below the national average of 52.2 cents. On Saturday, the Alabama Republican Partys executive committee passed a resolution opposing any increase in the gasoline tax that is not offset by a decrease in another tax. Rep. Bill Poole, R-Tuscaloosa, is expected to be the sponsor of the bill, which has not been released. Poole said this morning he is working closely with the governors office and the leadership of the House and Senate to finalize the bill. Were very, very close, Poole said. He said he would leave it to the governors office to release specifics. Asked whether the bill would include any tax decrease to offset an increase in the gas tax, Poole said at least a partial offset is one of many issues and possibilities under consideration. Updated at 10:40 a.m. with comments from Rep. Poole. Updated at 11 a.m. to add gas tax comparisons from the American Petroleum Institute. Alabama could lose almost $7 million under President Trumps emergency declaration to build a wall at the U.S./Mexico border. Collectively, the 50 states, the District of Columbia and two U.S. territories have more than $6 billion in federal funding that could be diverted to fund the wall, the analysis by Governing shows. President Trumps emergency declaration would redirect $3.6 billion in military construction funding; $2.5 billion from the Pentagons drug interdiction program; and $600 million from the Treasury Departments asset forfeiture fund. Alabamas portion of the money the lowest total of any state are cuts of some $5.2 million to military construction projects and $1.76 million in funding for National Guard anti-drug trafficking efforts. The total amount of cuts in Alabama would be more than $6.94 million. California, Hawaii and Maryland stand to lose the most funding. The three states are among 16 that are suing the president over his emergency declaration. You can see the full study here. What better way to recapture the wonder of childhood than peering through an over-sized kaleidoscope? A huge, working scope was recently erected as an art piece in Snow Hinton Park in Tuscaloosa where anyone can enjoy taking a peek. The kaleidoscope is a sculpture created by University of Alabama art school alumnus Eric Nubbe. The 7-foot high kaleidoscope is whimsical and impressive in size. An article on the University of Alabama website explains, The kaleidoscope looks northwest into the sky over Tuscaloosa and the mirrors inside the kaleidoscope reflect whatever the skies look like on that day. In many kaleidoscopes, loose pieces of colored glass inside the tube are mirrored into symmetrical and colorful patterns as you turn the scope. Nubbe decided to add something similar to his When visitors look into the viewer, they rotate a disk just to the right of the scope, and the disk turns the blue gears inside, creating beautiful blue patterns across the sky. The instrument itself is a work of art. Because a typical kaleidoscope would have been a fairly simple tube shape, Nubbe decided to make the massive optical instrument more interesting, so he chose the shape of a sextant another viewing instrument which sailors have used to navigate the seas for hundreds of years, the UA article said. To see the kaleidoscope, visit Snow Hinton Park at 1000 Hargrove Road East, Tuscaloosa, AL. For more information, call the parks department at 205-562-3220. "It depends on one's ideological moorings and political inclinations." Momentous events such as the People Power Revolt that took place in February 1986 and put an end to the Marcos regimes more than two decades years in power have tended to be viewed from differing perspectives, depending on ones ideological moorings and political inclinations. One point of view looks at the event as the culmination of a long struggle against tyranny and corruption. But there are also those who are convinced that the end of the Marcos era cannot simply be ascribed to people and events that we Filipinos have been told were responsible for the four-day popular uprising that marked a watershed in contemporary Philippine history. Of those who belong to the latter category, theres a colleague in journalism and among the top officials during the Arroyo administration, Rigoberto Tiglao, who now writes a column for another daily broadsheet and has sought to shatter what he considers the myths surrounding People Power. I distinctly remember that last year, he wrote a column on Edsa 1 thats been included in a collection of his essays entitled Debunked. Let me quote at length what he said in this particular column, to make sure that the reader would know exactly what he said: 1) Cory Aquino had little to do with EDSA I. Ironically, it was Marcos legal and military pillar, his longtime defense minister Juan Ponce Enrile whoin a last stand to defend himself and his RAM boys from certain doomwas mainly responsible for EDSA I. The events that led to it were triggered by the botched coup attempt by the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) cabal of colonels under Enriles aegis. It was to have been a classic coup by colonels as happened in Latin America and other parts of the world... As revealed more recently in Juan Ponce Enriles biography published last year and articles written by the colonels since 1986, the conspirators after months of planning, decided to attackboldly or foolishlyMalacanan Palace at 2 a.m. of February 23, 1986, and capture Marcos and his family, for its coup detat to take over government. 2) Only a small faction of the military supported the mutineers. Enriles RAM boys consisted mostly of the colonels he had taken under his wing as defense minister. Air Force Commander Vicente Piccio, Army Commander Josephus Ramas and Marine Commandant Tadiar were all loyal to the chain of command. The Philippine Constabulary, surprisingly though, as it was headed for more than a decade by Ramos who was succeeded by his protege Renato de Villa, was divided in its loyalties. The Marcos military succumbed to the EDSA forces because they realized that they were helpless facing the huge crowds in EDSA: Marcos had given them the categorical order which was impossible to implement: Disperse the crowds but do not shoot them.3) Marcos had negotiated with the US to evacuate him and his family by helicopter from Malacanang to Laoag City, the capital of his home province of Ilocos Norte. Well never know what Marcoswho even his archenemies concede was a brilliant strategistintended to do in the North: To rally his army to defend him and re-take Malacanang, or to negotiate a peaceful retirement? 4) Under both the 1935 and 1973 Constitution, Corazon Aquino was not qualified to run for president in the 1986 snap elections. Both the 1935 and 1973 constitutions specified that a president must be a resident of the Philippines for at least 10 years immediately preceding the election. Cory had left the Philippines together with her husbandvoluntarilyto live in Boston in 1980... So why didnt Marcos, a lawyer, and his stable of the countrys brightest legal minds raise this objection to Corys candidacy? Perhaps he was confident that there was no way for Cory to win the snap elections. Or perhaps the Americans demanded that he prove his legitimacy in an electoral contest with Aquinos widow. 5) Corys 1986 electoral campaign was a PR job. Sawyer Miller, an American public-relations and political-strategist firm that would be in the 1980s and 1990s the most expensive and most sought-after outfit in the world after EDSA 1, handled almost in its entirety Cory Aquinos public performance in the 1986 snap elections. This is confirmed by US documents that Sawyer Miller submitted in compliance with the Foreign Agents Registration Act. At a time when facts and alternative facts compete for public attention, its not easy to tell which is which. But things are getting more interesting from where we sit. Vice President Leni Robredo pointed out during the commemoration of the People Power Revolt in Naga City last Saturday (February 23) that it was not the Yellows that made Edsa 1 happen but the unity and the will of the people:celebration(They always mark with color the) Edsa People Power Revolution, but we know this celebration is not about the Yellows and other groups but to remember the Filipinos who sacrificed during that time for the freedom that we are enjoying now. What do you think? Alabama State Sen. Del Marsh said today hes seriously considering at run for the U.S. Senate. Marsh, speaking to the Birmingham Business Alliance, said he is looking very strongly at the race" and is forming a group" to discuss that. Marsh, a Republican from Anniston, currently serves as president pro tem of the Alabama Senate, a position he has held since Republicans won the majority in 2010. The comments were similar to others Marsh made last week in other media outlets, and suggest a crowded field next year for the seat. U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, a Republican, last week announced his candidacy. Also weighing a run is Alabama Auditor Jim Zeigler, who has formed an exploratory committee. I truly want to do what I think is my best role for the state of Alabama, Marsh said. I think Ive done a pretty good job as pro tem. I think Id make a good U.S. Senator. But Ive got to ask myself is that the best place for me. Right now, Marsh said, he is focused on the beginning of the legislative session and Gov. Kay Iveys infrastructure program. I realize theres a clock ticking, and I will have to make a decision on that very soon, he said. I will make a decision within a reasonable amount of time. State Sen. Del Marsh said he expects the new legislative session to be dominated by the states infrastructure needs and paying for them through a possible gas tax increase. Marsh, the senate Pro Tem, spoke to the Birmingham Business Alliance today, and also commented on his possibly running for the U.S. Senate. Gov. Kay Ivey this week is expected to debut her plan to increase funding for roads, bridges and other infrastructure. A proposal to raise the gasoline tax is expected to be a main issue during the 2019 legislative session, which starts March 5. Marsh said hes happy to say its Iveys plan, since polling shows the issue performs 10 points higher when its identified with her. He expects a gas tax to be tied to an index, possibly the consumer price index, as a safety measure, instead of being a flat rate. He said the increase could be anywhere from 6 to 12 cents, possibly phased in over several years. The gas tax by law has to go to roads and bridges as it always has, not to the general fund, he said. And thats what were going to continue to do. To pave the way for consideration, he said, legislators have been in several meetings, laying the ground work. Along with roads and bridges, Marsh said the state plans to address improvements to the Port of Mobile to double its capacity and give it the ability to accommodate larger ships. Another possibility for infrastructure is increasing access to high speed Internet statewide, which Marsh said could be a spur toward rural economic development. Over the weekend, the Alabama Republican Party adopted a resolution opposing an increase in the state gasoline tax without an offsetting tax decrease. Former Republican state Sen. Trip Pittman of Montrose at the meeting suggested a proposal by the Alabama Policy Institute, which would allow a gas tax increase along with several reforms, including a reduction in the state sales tax on groceries. Marsh said the problem with that proposal is that grocery tax revenue goes into the states education trust fund. We want to keep the tax burden low, but at the same time, I dont want to solve one problem and create another, he said. Marsh said he feels that Alabama already has considerable bona fides as a pro-business state, but that government still needs to have a reasonable amount of revenue in which to pay for needed services. There are a lot worse things than paying taxes, he said. Marsh also said he also expects the Legislature to take up education issues, including an education component in the governors prison plan. About 60 to 65 percent of people in prison do not have a high school diploma, and about 80 percent of the prison population is slated for eventual parole. Having parolees trained to take jobs would reduce the risk of them sliding back into crime. RAMALLAH, West Bank The PLO's Palestinian Expatriate Affairs Department (PEAD) is gearing up for the first-ever census of Palestinian expatriates in the world. The census is expected to launch at the beginning of April, director general of PEAD Nihad Abu Ghosh told Al-Monitor. The PLO had announced that it was conducting the largest census in its history. The census includes comprehensive documentation of Palestinian expatriates, said Nabil Shaath, President Mahmoud Abbas adviser for international relations and head of the PLOs Refugee Affairs Department, in an interview with Palestinian al-Ayyam newspaper on Jan. 27. The newspaper reported that Abbas had issued a presidential decree to form the higher committee for the census of expatriates to be headed by Shaath. The committee includes the minister of foreign affairs, the head of the PLO Refugee Affairs Department, the head of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PBCS), and the head of the Palestinian Academy for Science and Technology (PALAST). This committee will be in charge of conducting the census. According to Shaath, the census will complement the data provided by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Shaath, who took office five months ago, told al-Ayyam that comprehensive census will cover Europe, North America, South America, Australia, the former Soviet Union countries, Egypt, North Africa, the Gulf, Iraq and other regions of the world. According to the head of the PCBS, Ola Awad, the PLO will allocate funds from its budget to finance this census, in addition to financial support from the group of financiers funding the PCBS. Abu Ghosh, who is following up on the census execution plan, told Al-Monitor, PEAD and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will handle coordination and communication for the implementation of this census, while the PCBS will carry out the technical and operational steps with the help of PALAST. The PLO Refugee Affairs Department will provide the records of Palestinian refugees in the world. He noted that within the scope of the current preparations that started since the announcement of the census on Jan. 27, frequent meetings are being held between the partners to allocate the required steps and procedures. The meetings aim to set a starting date and timeline for the completion of the census and determine the method of publication of the obtained information. The census will include all Palestinians wherever they are and document their social, economic and educational status. This census will not only be quantitative; it will also mention where the expatriates originally hail from and how they immigrated," Abu Ghosh said, adding, "The objective is to have a database to be relied on for drawing the required expatriate policies and interventions of the PLO and the PA presidency. This will define the relation to Palestinian communities abroad. Large and powerful Palestinian communities, such as the one in South America, play an important role in supporting the Palestinian cause. He also noted that there are duties that the PLO and the Palestinian Authority (PA) must assume toward Palestinian communities in difficult situations, such as the Palestinian community in Libya. He continued, The idea of a census for expatriates is not new, but it has become necessary in light of the large discrepancy of the number of Palestinian communities abroad. Some of these communities have doubled in number following the flow of migrations from Syria and Lebanon and the wars in Gaza. This is the case of the Palestinian community in Italy and Europe in general. In addition to the importance of the census data for the implementation of cooperation projects aimed to introduce Palestinian communities abroad to their homeland, PEAD is currently engaged in two projects. Abu Ghosh explained that the first is hosting youth camps for the children of expatriates in Palestine in cooperation with local organizations to introduce them to Palestine. The second is offering educational programs for expatriate students in Palestinian universities. The data provided by the census can facilitate communication and coordination in all of these projects. Abu Ghosh is aware of the difficulty of the work required for conducting this census. Many refugees and expatriates left the Palestinian territories with non-Palestinian passports, mainly the Jordanian passport. Most of the Palestinian expatriates in the Gulf countries carry a Jordanian passport. Other refugees and expatriates used Syrian or Egyptian travel documents. He noted that some Palestinians abroad, particularly those who emigrated from the refugee camps in Syria from 2011 to 2017, hide their Palestinian identity since aid was mainly limited to Syrian refugees. Add to this the difficulty of counting expatriates who emigrated during the Ottoman Empire, Abu Ghosh said. Awad and her team in charge of the technical steps for the execution of this census are seeking to overcome these difficulties. She said the team is currently identifying preliminary indicators to be used to obtain information, most notably the UNRWA record, which is the only available source. This record, however, does not include all expatriates and is not updated. Awad spoke to Al-Monitor about a roadmap for the execution of the census and the design of the necessary tools that take into consideration the sensitivity of obtaining personal data from expatriates. She also highlighted the role of Palestinian embassies and their activities and relations with Palestinian communities. A pilot experience is now being envisaged, most probably in Peru, where the Palestinian community is organized and can understand the importance of this census. This pilot will allow testing the tools designed for this census, Awad said, adding, The obtained results will determine whether these tools are valid for this census or should be replaced or changed. This pilot will also help to detect the possible obstacles and challenges and find relevant solutions. She said the PCBS looks forward to introducing in this census the artificial intelligence technique for the first time in Palestine by designing a research program based on Palestinian family names as an indicator. Awad said, Family names are known and cannot be changed. The program will count Facebook accounts of persons holding Palestinian family names. The numbers obtained, however, are not accurate, but will serve as indicators. While admitting the magnitude of efforts required for this census, Awad asserted that it could be completed within five years at the latest. This, of course, requires a commitment by all partners, she added. In turn, former Palestinian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Rafat Badran and current head of the Expatriates and Refugees Sector at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that relying on Palestinian embassies to conduct this census will not be easy. He told Al-Monitor, Palestinian embassies do not have an accurate database. Some Palestinians hold Syrian identity documents and do not require any services from the Palestinian Embassy. Meanwhile, the Palestinians who hold a Jordanian passport or Egyptian identity documents have to resort to Palestinian embassies when they need to renew their residency permit application. Badran highlighted the central role of Palestinian embassies in strengthening the federations of Palestinian communities and building trust with these communities abroad to get Palestinian expatriates to disclose their personal information. He said. Embassies ought to provide logistical support and allocate offices for the technical teams conducting the census. Just like Badran, all partners involved in this census aspire to see federations of Palestinian communities abroad united. In this context, Abu Ghosh affirmed that the PEAD is trying to achieve this unity through the global conference for Palestinian diaspora expected to be held before the end of 2019. Head of the Union of Palestinian Communities and Organizations - Europe Ali al-Qadi asserted that the unification of the Palestinian unions of communities abroad is the means to obtain an accurate result of this census. This will only be done by encouraging these unions and activating the work of their branches in all cities where Palestinians are located around the world, so as to fully engage all of the members of Palestinian communities, Qadi said. He told Al-Monitor that this requires great effort and assistance by the communities and embassies. The Union of Palestinian Communities and Organizations in Europe established in 2013 is still unable to give an exact number of the Palestinian population in Europe in light of financial and logistic difficulties, he said, adding, After the Syrian crisis, our estimates of Palestinians in Europe range between 1.1 million and 1.4 million. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is irreplaceable. That is the main, and to a large extent, the only message conveyed by the Likud party and Netanyahu at its head. He, the supposedly experienced leader, is the best-known person in Israel. He meets with world leaders and counts some as friends; he maneuvers between East and West, thereby guaranteeing Israels interests. He is also shaping the new Middle East of which the late President Shimon Peres dreamed without paying the price of territorial concessions in the West Bank and on the Golan Heights that his predecessors were willing to pay. The implicit message is that if he is indicted on charges of bribery and breach of trust, and even if the lengthy legal proceedings against him get underway, Netanyahu is still preferable to all those presuming to replace him. However, ahead of the April 9 elections, Netanyahu actually appears to be struggling as he seeks to preserve this image. One of his primary stated goals in recent years is an Iranian withdrawal from Syria not an Iranian troop reduction and not a pullback from areas along Israels borders, but a total departure. It is unclear whether he thought he could achieve his goal with the help of his so-called friend, Russian President Vladimir Putin, or of American pressure. In December 2018, he reportedly rejected a deal that was supposed to result in an American and Iranian troop withdrawal from Syria as a package deal. If the reports are true, his motive is hard to understand. In any case, he failed to avert the announcement by President Donald Trump of a US pullout from Syria, he has been unable to get the Iranians out of there, either, and he has failed to scuttle Russias transfer to the Syrian army of anti-aircraft S-300 rockets, which are of great concern to Israel. In light of these severe failures, Netanyahu is having to make do with pathetic leaks about Israeli bombings in Syria, much to the chagrin of Israels security agencies that prefer ambiguity about such operations. Netanyahu had hoped that Trumps Mideast peace plan would consist of broad autonomy for the Palestinians and generous economic terms without territorial concessions by Israel, the discussion of which would be postponed to a time in the far future. When he realized that the Arab Quartet (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the UAE) was unwilling to accept the Likuds peace platform (so to say) and that the Trump teams peace plan would be rather similar to previous proposals for Israeli-Palestinian peace, he sought to prevent its presentation to the sides. He was unsuccessful in that too. If, as reported here, the blueprint is indeed unveiled after the elections but before the formation of Israels next coalition government, and if Netanyahu is re-elected, the American peace plan could preclude a coalition with his preferred right-wing partners. Netanyahu will have a hard time categorically rejecting Trumps plan, while his potential right-wing partners wont accept any positive response to it. Netanyahu has been preparing for the past 18 months to host a summit of the Visegrad States the Central European members of the European Union that are distancing themselves from Western-style democracy even though Israel is not a member of the forum. Netanyahu was eager for the leaders of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to meet and adopt a decision in Israel. However, on Feb. 14 he told reporters during a visit to Warsaw that Poles collaborated with the Nazis. Three days later, his newly appointed, bull-in-a-China shop, acting Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz said the Poles were suckled on anti-Semitism at their mothers breasts. The ensuing firestorm led Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki to cancel his participation in the summit, which was then scrapped. However, Netanyahu was successful on another front, creating one of the most severe crises in relations between Israel and American Jewry despite the fact that he is supposed to know better given his lengthy stay in the United States, of which he was even a citizen at one time. The rift stemmed from Netanyahus decision to renege on an arrangement that would have enabled women to pray as equals at Judaisms holiest site, the Western Wall. It was exacerbated by other events, including the governments refusal to recognize marriages conducted by Conservative or Reform rabbis, and not even by liberal-Orthodox ones. Netanyahu appears to prefer the support of Christian Evangelists and is willing to risk not just the Democrats support of Israel but also that of American Jews. Worst of all is his attempt to prove that he can make regional peace while bypassing resolution of Israels conflict with the Palestinians. Not only because this is a gross misrepresentation of the truth, but also because even if it were possible, Netanyahu knows full well that at issue is not just Israels need for peace with its neighbors. He knows that absent an agreed-upon border between Israel and the Palestinians, the demographic imbalance will shift in the Palestinians favor and result in a Jewish minority ruling over a Palestinian majority west of the Jordan, and that will be the end of the Jewish democratic state. Netanyahu is not Naftali Bennett, the head of the New Right party who advocates annexation of Palestinian territory. Netanyahu understands what is at stake. That is why he keeps reiterating his determined rejection of a bi-national state, and that was one of the reasons for his famous 2009 Bar-Ilan speech a decade ago, where he announced support for a two-state solution. Netanyahu subsequently disavowed this changed perception and has instead focused on showcasing his good ties with Arab states, facilitated by their enmity toward Iran. The way he tells it, every meeting is a precedent, every conversation is a historical event, every handshake or photo op or seat next to an Arab leader are unique Netanyahu achievements. This, too, is smoke and mirrors. Israels opening to the Arab world, beyond long-standing intelligence and defense links, began with the 1991 Madrid Conference on Middle East peace. Then Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir felt compelled to participate under pressure from the George H.W. Bush administration. The conference led to multilateral talks on economic and other issues between Israel and 13 Arab states. The talks were slow getting started, but after the signing of the Oslo Accord in 1993 and the peace treaty with Jordan a year later, negotiations flowed more freely and regional economic negotiations were added to the mix. The talks were covered widely, generating a sense that a new chapter had begun in the annals of the region. Many Arab states set up offices in Israel, Israel opened a quasi-embassy under the guise of an economic affairs office in the Gulf States and North Africa, and Israeli leaders conducted official visits to those countries. This all came to a screeching halt when Netanyahu first took office in 1996 and halted implementation of the Interim Agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. Soon after taking office, he also decided to open the Western Wall tunnels, a controversial move that set off riots in which some 100 Palestinians and Israelis were killed. Not one of Netanyahus actions today is by way of setting a precedent. Anyone who thinks Netanyahu has achieved his goal of regional peace without a deal with the Palestinians should have been disabused of this notion by the former head of Saudi intelligence, Prince Turki al-Faisal. In an important Feb. 13 interview with Israels Channel 13 Television, he kept repeating that there would never be normal ties between Israel and the Arab world without Israeli-Palestinian peace. Netanyahu, after all, is no magician. The next Israeli prime minister will be the first in the states history to have a personal plane, a remodeled Boeing 767. Six years after a decision was made on the matter, the plane will finally take off, but with considerable turbulence. In a country rife with scandals, the story of the Israeli Air Force One deserves a place of honor. The state comptroller has already ordered his office to look into the matter. Until 2001 Israeli heads of state flew abroad on an air force Boeing 707. Over the years, the plane aged and the prime ministers office started to lease civilian planes on a public tender (El Al usually won) according to a predetermined budget. In December 2013 a committee headed by former High Court justice and former state comptroller Eliezer Goldberg examined dedicating a plane to the prime minister and the president. In April 2014, the committee recommended that a plane be purchased for reasons of security and National Security Council head Yossi Cohen recommended that the state spend 175 million shekels ($48 million) to purchase a used plane. But since then, the price of such an aircraft has skyrocketed. In summer 2016, it rose to 220 million shekels ($60 million). Later, at Netanyahus request and in a decision not released to the public, the cabinet authorized 360 million shekels ($99 million) for the project. In November 2018, a representative of the prime ministers office admitted to the Knessets finance committee that the real price was actually 580 million shekels ($160 million). In December, Calcalist published an official document that showed that already in 2015, the cabinet, whose meetings are confidential, had authorized a sum of 729 million shekels ($201 million) for the project. The problems don't stop there. The plane landed in Israel in 2016 and was supposed to be ready within a year. According to informed sources, it will finally take off in the second part of 2019, almost three years after work started to remodel and refit it for the needs of the prime minister. The delay itself has heavy financial ramifications that are not included in the sums above. The committee had pointed to two serious problems in flying prime ministers abroad: the lack of an encrypted wireless system on the plane, preventing continuous telephone communication, and compromised security. Dov Weissglass, who was once the chief of staff of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, rejects these claims completely. No prime minister conducts a war from a plane, he said in a conversation with Al-Monitor. Government procedures are built such that theres a hierarchy that can function well even with a short absence of the leader. When an emergency situation starts happening, the leader usually doesnt leave the country. In the Sharon era we made do with a satellite phone and we managed fine. Same for security. What works for Israeli citizens also works for their prime minister. Shmulik Filosof, who once headed the dignitary protection unit at the Shin Bet and is now a security consultant for companies around the world, told Al-Monitor about the challenges of securing a leased plane. I remember quite a few times that due to the use of leased planes, we had to work under time pressure, he says. In general, in order to prepare a plane, we need two days of work. But sometimes the timeline was too short and we had to work harder. Still, we increased our staff and we did it. Filosof rejected security needs as justification for a dedicated plane. Its certainly easier to secure a private plane thats under our supervision than a random plane, and theres no need to install security systems every time, he explains. But what a private plane contributes is not so significant that it justifies such significant additional costs. If they asked me and told me that this was the difference in cost, I would immediately say that its not worth the money. Weve done it for years and theres an orderly system of how to do it right. There are bigger security challenges. One defender of the decision is former Shin Bet head and current Knesset member Avi Dichter, who as a member of the foreign affairs and defense committee had led the push to finance the plane. He told Al-Monitor, This issue has three aspects: Security, national pride and finances. From a security standpoint, the situation is unbearable today. The financial aspect is also a consideration, and theres also an aspect of the nations image. The plane is a national symbol and it cant be that prime ministers and president have to hitch a ride every time in the planes of other countries presidents. Weissglass scoffed at the idea of national honor. Netanyahu has adopted imperial manners. What are we, Russia? Are we the United States, India? Were not a world power. Were hardly a middle-sized city in European terms. We were once a country whose leaders were modest people who made do with little. Unfortunately, today we cant manage with any less than a private plane. The financial questions should worry every citizen. The former head of the Civil Aviation Authority, attorney Avner Yarkoni, smells corruption. My intuition is that someone has profited from this, he told Al-Monitor. I have no other explanation for a jump from 175 million to 750 million shekels. Theres no doubt that everyone has had a party here. Civil aviation, Rafael [a military aerospace company], the air force. Everyone has put up a nice price and reaped enormous sums. Such a deviation in the budget requires a thorough investigation. My concern is that everything will be classified as secret and theyll hide information from the public. The prime ministers flights have provided quite a few scandals in recent years. Stories about beds Netanyahu demanded that cost a million dollars per flight and preferences for certain planes at three times the cost of alternatives have led to sharp public criticism of his and his familys hedonism. President Reuven Rivlin has already announced that he doesnt need it, and future prime ministers might not want to use the plane at all for fear of public criticism. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad made an unannounced visit to Iran Monday for the first time since the start of the civil war eight years ago. The trip allows Tehran to reaffirm its alliance with Damascus at a time when Assad is under increasing pressure to distance Syria from Iran in order to reduce tensions with neighboring countries. Why it matters: Assad received a warm embrace from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani that was widely displayed across Iranian media. The show of unity comes as Iran and its two negotiating partners, Russia and Turkey, face tensions over the future of Syria. By hosting the Syrian leader, Iran sent a message to both the United States and Turkey that Tehran won't retreat and give up in the face of new developments and "threats" in Syria. During his meeting with Assad, Rouhani hailed the recent trilateral meeting with Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey in Sochi for "maintaining the territorial integrity of Syria. But Khamenei took an apparent swipe at Ankara for its attempts to establish a "safe zone" at Syrias northeastern border, which he denounced as an American plot that must be firmly rejected and opposed. Iran also doesnt see eye to eye with Russia over the latters efforts to minimize tensions with Israel in Syria. Putin is set to host Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Moscow on Wednesday for talks on reducing the potential for accidental confrontation between the two countries as Netanyahu vows to keep cracking down on Iran and its proxy forces in Syria ahead of April elections in Israel. What's next: The Donald Trump administration recently announced plans to keep up to 400 US troops in Syria, including at the US military base at al-Tanf along the Syria-Iraq border, which could make it difficult for Tehran to maintain a strong connection with Damascus and Baghdad. Khamenei pointedly mentioned the base during his comments today. Know more: In our Feb. 17 Week in Review, we explored the transactional nature of Syrias relationship with Iran and its other creditors. Anton Mardasov recently wrote about the Russia- Iran tug of war over Syria. And Amberin Zaman tackled the thorny geopolitics of Turkeys proposed safe zone in Syria. Iran and Iraq have quite different views of their relationship status, with Tehran claiming it's been jilted and Baghdad declaring it's being faithful. Iranian Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh surprised Iraqi officials Feb. 7 when he very publicly expressed dissatisfaction with Iraq reversing some oil agreements, and refusing to invest in the border oil fields and to pay Iran its [$2 billion in] debts. He indicated that Baghdad's commitment to the US sanctions has prompted [Iraq] to revoke minor agreements, such as the Kirkuk deal, under which we traded 11,000 barrels of oil a day." Iraq ended that deal in November under US pressure. The United States has imposed sanctions on Tehran and countries that defy those sanctions by continuing to do business with Iran. Zangeneh's remarks contradict the outcome of his meeting in Baghdad with Iraqi Oil Minister Thamir Ghadhban last month, when they agreed that Iraq would import gas from Iran and develop some border fields. There were no obvious political developments during the three weeks that separated the meetings. Also, the Iraqi government made no apparent decision that would back Zangenehs allegations. Shortly after Zangenehs statement, Iraqs Ministry of Electricity said Feb. 11 that it had renewed for a year a contract to import electricity via Tavanir, an Iranian company that transports and distributes electric power. Furthermore, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi told an Iranian delegation Feb. 6, Iraq is not going to be a party to the system of sanctions against Iran. Nevertheless, Iran seems to doubt that Iraq will maintain that position. This is true particularly since Iraqi parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbusi spoke Feb. 13 with Kuwait's emir about possibly bringing in electricity from Kuwait, which would certainly affect electricity imports from Iran. Hamza al-Jawahiri, an oil expert and consulting engineer for the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, said Iraq only has so much control over circumstances. Even though Iraq insists on promoting cooperation with Iran in the oil sector, US-controlled Iraqi oil sale and purchase mechanisms will be an obstruction, he told Al-Monitor. There also may be a misunderstanding, he said. The truth is that Iraq, in the first place, doesn't aim to develop the joint oil fields that Zangeneh spoke of. This is because they aren't a priority for Baghdad at present, Jawahiri said, adding that an agreement was reached on two joint fields that are already developed. Even so, "The US sanctions will impede any work there," he said. "Iraq and Iran developed the joint large Badra field, which now requires a global company to embark on production activities there and give each party its share." Iraq imports almost 1.5 billion cubic feet of gas per day from Iran via pipelines in the south and east to operate turbines to generate electricity, Jawahiri said. "Yet Washington insists on Iraq halting cooperation in the gas and electricity sectors with Iran, which is a major problem that Iraq is required to resolve. Zangenehs remarks don't align with those of Iraqi officials regarding continued cooperation with Iran and noncompliance with the US sanctions. Mohammad Zaki Ibrahim, another expert for the Iraqi Oil Ministry, told Al-Monitor, Zangenehs remarks stem from [his misinterpretation] of Iraq's oil policy in the first place, away from the impact of the US sanctions on Iran, which Iraq hasn't been complying with, as it renewed for another year the contract to bring in gas from Iran. Ibrahim said, It's hard [for Iraq] to dispense with Iranian oil supplies at least before 2022. This is a reason behind the continuation of bilateral ties. The possibility that such a thing would occur presently would mean a shortage of 2,500 to 3,000 megawatts in Basra alone. Baghdad's actions contradict Zangenehs conclusions and aim at fortifying the countries bilateral relations. On Feb. 11, Iraqi Minister of Industry and Minerals Saleh Abdullah al-Jubouri affirmed Baghdad's willingness to take advantage of Iranian companies expertise in developing the industrial sector. On the same day, the current governor of Basra, Asaad al-Eidani, released a significant statement, saying, Basra will not be a party in the US sanctions on Iran. Kathem al-Haj, a political analyst at Al-Hadaf Network for Political and Media Analysis who focuses on Iranian affairs, said Tehran appears to have opted to consolidate its ties with Iraq in fields other than petroleum and to be delivering to Washington the message that Iran's presence in Iraq had deep roots. He told Al-Monitor, The US will fail to achieve its desired impact [anyway], because the Iranian budget is not oil-dependent." Sources within Iraqs ministries of oil and planning refused to delve into the topic, saying they can only answer technical questions and that it's not their job to comment on political matters, particularly on Zangenehs remarks. Iran-Iraq energy relations are obviously going through tough times, with the US pressure for these ties to be severed and Washington's apparent ability to pursue this goal, particularly when it comes to financial transactions. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif suddenly resigned Monday in a post on Instagram where he expressed gratitude to the dear and honorable Iranian people for the last 67 months while apologizing for all the shortcomings during my service. Zarif was the face of Iranian diplomacy throughout the nuclear talks and their aftermath and has faced relentless criticism from hard-liners over his outreach to the West. Why it matters: The timing of Zarifs resignation, which has so far not been accepted by President Hassan Rouhani, coincides with a visit from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad at which the foreign minister was noticeably absent. That has fueled speculation that Zarif quit after losing influence. Well-informed sources told Al-Monitor that Zarif expressed indignation that his ministry had not been informed of Assads visit and at having been left out of Rouhanis meeting with the Syrian leader. The apparent rupture appears driven by disagreements with the Iranian president. Entekhab news site quoted Zarif as saying he had no credibility in the world after he was left out of a meeting with Assad that was heavily publicized, and thereby missing from official photographs. "The main reason behind Zarifs resignation is clear: He was upset that he wasnt at the meeting with Assad alongside Rouhani," a source familiar with the matter told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. Assad also met with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani. The larger context of Zarifs resignation may signal several potential scenarios, including dissatisfaction with Irans regional policies. Some sources even speculate it could be a protest against an impending Iranian decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal. Nuclear deal: Zarif led the nuclear negotiations with six world powers for more than two years, resulting in the July 2015 nuclear deal. Following the US withdrawal under President Donald Trump, Zarif and the European signatories namely the European Union as well as Britain, France and Germany have sought to save the deal by launching a mechanism to uphold trade benefits promised to Iran. In this vein, the Europeans recently launched their so-called Special Purpose Vehicle after many months of delay. But the fledgling mechanism will require close cooperation between Iran and Europe to become operational. Zarif has been the man entrusted with salvaging the nuclear deal by both Khamenei and Rouhani, making his departure at this juncture a devastating blow to cooperation between Iran and Europe all while Rouhanis policy of constructive engagement may come under more pressure from hard-liners. Whats next: It is still unclear whether Rouhani will accept Zarifs resignation. Unconfirmed rumors circulated on social media shortly after the Instagram post went up suggested he had tried to resign on multiple occasions and that Rouhani had finally accepted this time. However, the presidential chief of staff, Mahmoud Vaezi, has in a tweet strongly denied any rumors that Rouhani has accepted Zarifs resignation. Nonetheless, it is not clear if Zarif is prepared to stay on. There is also the prospect that the current situation in Iran may lead high-ranking officials to urge him to take back his resignation letter. Vaezi, who served as minister of information and communications technology during Rouhanis first term, is among the possible candidates to replace Zarif and has long been described as having a strong desire to take the job. Know more: Read our coverage of Zarifs defiance of US sanctions and of Iranian hard-liners' attempts to impeach him, and our exclusive interview with Zarif on the margins of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York in September. GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip As Hamas seeks to bolster trade between the Gaza Strip and Egypt through the Rafah border crossing to improve returns for its treasury, Gazan traders seem reluctant to import Egyptian merchandise. Hamas treasury has been weighed down by an ongoing economic crisis since 2015, in part due to Egypts destruction of underground tunnels between Gaza and Sinai that began in 2013. This means goods are no longer smuggled through such tunnels. Gaza traders are instead importing Egyptian goods through an informal gate near the Rafah border crossing run by Hamas. A high-ranking source in the Hamas-run Ministry of National Economy in Gaza told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, Gaza traders are increasingly reluctant to import Egyptian merchandise. As a result, revenues that Hamas makes through taxes on merchandise have dwindled. Hamas Ministry of Finance would collect about $6.5 million monthly from taxes imposed on goods entering Gaza through the Saladin gate. But the source said this amount has significantly dropped due to the dwindling imports from Egypt. In January, Hamas collected only $2.15 million, the source said. He said Hamas imposed a 16% value added tax (VAT) on imported goods. But in early February, the Ministry of National Economy reduced the tax to 10% in order to encourage imports from Egypt, the source added (Hamas does not make such decisions public). The source said Gaza traders reluctance to import from Egypt stems from the fees imposed by Egypt on Gaza traders for transferring Egyptian merchandise and ensuring their arrival to Gaza through Sinai, where security conditions are volatile. Trade relations between Gaza and Egypt witnessed an improvement in June 2017 in the wake of understandings between Hamas and Egyptian officials. The understandings aimed at opening a trade line between Gaza and Egypt through the Saladin gate next to the standard Rafah crossing used for the movement of people only. The Saladin gate is non-official and controlled by the Hamas security services. The Saladin gate was built in 1982 before the PAs establishment, as per understandings between Egypt and Israel. The gate would serve as a gateway for Palestinians to take care of their lands in Rafah on the borders between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, which was then under Israeli military administration. Israel would give Palestinians daily permits to cross into Rafah. After the PA took over governance of Gaza in 1994, the gate was closed, until Hamas reopened it in 2017 under the agreement with Egypt. According to the source, imports from Egypt include foodstuffs and raw materials such as wheat, cooking oil, construction materials, natural gas and vehicle fuel. Mohammad Abu Jiyab, the editor-in-chief of Al-Eqtesadia newspaper in Gaza, told Al-Monitor, Trade relations between Gaza and Egypt come with strings attached for Gaza traders. No trader can buy merchandise from Egyptian companies and factories directly and transport them to Gaza freely. According to the [2017] understandings, imports from Egypt to Gaza take place through a single Egyptian broker, which is the Sons of Sinai Company. The latter handles transporting merchandise from Egypt to Gaza through Sinai and imposes high fees on Gaza traders under the description 'insurance and transportation procedures.' Sons of Sinai Company is a private shipping company, and it is the only company tasked by the Egyptian authorities with moving merchandise from Egypt to the Saladin gate. The fees imposed by the Egyptian company vary and depend on the weight and nature of the merchandise being exported to Gaza. Fares al-Wadie, a Gaza trader importing cooking oil from Egypt, told Al-Monitor, Last month, I imported a shipment of Egyptian cooking oil worth $30,000. The shipment can be sold in Gazan market for $40,000. With that, I could have made $10,000 in profit. But the Egyptian brokering company that ships the merchandise to Gaza imposes additional fees under the insurance and transportation category worth $5,000. As a result, the total profit when selling shipments in Gaza dropped to $5,000. Wadie said the VAT imposed by Hamas when the oil enters through the Saladin gate further reduces his profits. Kamel al-Shaer, a trader from Gaza who imports and sells rice, told Al-Monitor that he stopped importing rice from Egypt about a month and a half ago due to the increasing import costs and lack of profit. He said dozens of other traders stopped importing from Egypt as a result. He added, I now import rice from other countries such as Israel through the Kerem Abu Salem crossing, and I make a better profit than importing Egyptian rice. He said Hamas tax reduction from 16% to 10% on imported goods in the Saladin gate did not help much in encouraging trade with Egypt due to the high costs of moving and supplying Egyptian merchandise. Hamas has repeatedly asked Egypt to open the Rafah crossing permanently and turn it into an official trade crossing. Hamas financial crisis worsened after it handed over the Israeli-run Kerem Abu Salem crossing to the Palestinian Authority (PA) in November 2017, as per the reconciliation agreement. But on Feb. 19, Hamas regained control of the crossing after PA employees abruptly withdrew in protest of security checks Hamas imposed on them. The PA workers also accused Hamas of interfering in their work by inspecting trucks coming into Gaza through the crossing. Moueen Rajab, a professor of economics at Al-Azhar University in Gaza, told Al-Monitor, Hamas regaining control of the Kerem Abu Salem crossing will help ease its financial crisis. This is because Hamas will collect around $20 million monthly through the 16% VAT imposed on the goods entering Gaza through this crossing. Rajab added, Hamas still prefers to boost trade with Egypt through the Saladin gate, instead of depending on trade with Israel through the Kerem Abu Salem crossing, which explains why it reduced the VAT on goods entering through the Saladin gate, and not on those entering through the Kerem Abu Salem crossing. Hamas politburo member Mahmoud Al-Zahhar told Al-Jazeera channel Jan. 11 that Egypt is planning on opening an official trade crossing with Gaza. He said this step will be profitable for Gaza and Egypt alike, adding, We do not need trade with Israel or another country, and we do not want any trade crossing with Israel. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is back to playing his countrys NATO ally the United States against its Syrian Kurdish partners and Ankaras tactical ally, Russia, claiming that he and President Donald Trump had carried the issue of a planned safe zone in northern Syria to a certain point. He implied that there was progress on this front. But is there? In a lengthy interview with CNNTurk, Erdogan did not provide any details about what, if anything, had been decided during his Feb. 21 telephone call with Trump, saying simply that the subject of Syria was at the fore. He insisted, however, that any safe zone would need to be under Turkeys control because it was Turkeys own security that was at risk because it's my border. Erdogan claimed Trump understood Turkeys concerns, saying, We have a positive relationship with Mr. Trump. Direct contact between them was helping attain instant results, Erdogan said, but he failed to offer specifics. Russia insists that a safe zone would require the approval of the Syrian government and that territory vacated by the United States needs to be returned to regime control. It has put a damper on Erdogans recent enthusiasm for Moscow. While Erdogan casts the safe zone in security terms, it's also where he would like to park over 3.5 million Syrian refugees who are a huge burden on Turkeys lagging economy. But many are unlikely to return if the same regime forces they fled are in control. Erdogans comments came a day after the White House announced that the United States would keep several hundred of its 2,000-plus troops currently stationed in northern and southern Syria. Half would be deployed along the Turkish border, ostensibly to deconflict Turkey and its foes from the Syrian Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG), the US-led coalitions primary partner force in the fight against the Islamic State. Pentagon spokesman Sean Robertson said the US soldiers would be part of a multinational force and that the establishment of a safe zone had been originally proposed by Erdogan. The reminder suggested that the safe zone may be set up on Turkeys terms. But neither Turkey nor the YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces will be permitted to enter the safe zone, according to Pentagon officials quoted by the state-run Anadolu news agency. Even so, projecting alignment with Washington may prod Russia into softening its stance. Erdogan brought up the 1998 Adana agreement struck with former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad that allows Turkish troops to pursue Kurdish militants inside Syria. Erdogan noted that Damascus had not unilaterally scrapped the deal even after relations between the two countries soured following the outbreak of the Syrian conflict in 2011. He appeared to suggest that Turkeys invasion of YPG-controlled Afrin last year was covered by the accord, saying, The Adana agreement allows us to conduct our current operations. Erdogan insisted, however, that none of this meant that Turkey was conferring undeserved legitimacy to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Russian President Vladimir Putin was the first to mention the agreement when he hosted Erdogan in January. The message was clear: Turkey did not need the US-monitored safe zone to address its security concerns. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke of his governments plans for a buffer zone yesterday and said one of the ideas being floated was the deployment of Russian military police. The zone would be created on the basis of the Adana agreement and include the possibility for the Turkish side to act on certain parts of the border on Syrian territory. In other words, Russia would decide if and when Turkey could act. Confusion about the safe zone has not abated. Trump denied that the decision represented a reversal of his previous position that all US troops would be withdrawn by the end of April and well-informed sources familiar with the administrations thinking predicted Trump would pull the plug yet again. Britain, which has forces on the ground, has said nothing about committing further troops to the effort, although the administration is widely believed to be keeping troops in Syria to persuade them to do just that. With Brexit looming, Britain is desperate to hang on to its close friendship with Turkey and is unlikely to cross Erdogan. France's President Emmanuel Macron broke his silence today calling the US decision "a good thing." Macron added, "We will continue to operate in the region within the coalition." He did not however mention committing further troops to any safe zone. A senior SDF official contacted by telephone in northeastern Syria said the United States had not offered his group any solid information about the proposed safe zone. Nothing has been decided yet as far as I know, he told Al-Monitor. Either way, it's out of the question that we would accept any formula that foresees Turkish participation. In the meantime, the official added, Whatever happens, the announcement that some US troops are staying has bought us more time and increased our leverage in talks with the regime. SeoulFrom mutual threats and insults to a second summit in Hanoi, US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have had a turbulent relationship. Here is a look back at the two-year diplomatic roller coaster: Weeks before taking office, Trump vows on January 2, 2017 that North Korea will never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon capable of reaching US territory. But Pyongyang in July conducts two intercontinental ballistic missile tests that Kim says confirmed all the US mainland is within our striking range. Trump warns of fire and fury like the world has never seen if Pyongyang threatens America. Undeterred, Pyongyang in September carries out its sixth nuclear test. In his maiden speech to the UN General Assembly in September 2017, Trump nicknames Kim a Rocket Man on a suicide mission. He warns that if threatened, the United States will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea. Kim brands Trump mentally deranged. Pyongyang conducts a new intercontinental ballistic missile test in November, with Trump later calling Kim a sick puppy. Three days into 2018, Trump retorts that his nuclear button is much bigger and more powerful than Kims. In September 2017 Trump accuses Pyongyang of having tortured American student Otto Warmbier, who was detained in North Korea for 18 months and died after being repatriated. Washington issues a travel ban, since eased, and puts Pyongyang back on its list of state sponsors of terrorism. In December 2018 a US judge orders North Korea to pay $501 million over Warmbiers death. At the Winter Olympics in South Korea in February 2018, the two Koreas -- technically still at war after a 1953 armistice -- march together for the opening ceremony.The Souths President Moon Jae-in and Kims sister Kim Yo Jong shake hands, ushering in a spectacular Korean detente that sees three inter-Korean summits in five months. Trumps daughter Ivanka attends events with officials from both sides. In March 2018 Trump accepts, to general surprise, an invitation transmitted by South Korea to meet Kim. CIA chief Mike Pompeo travels secretly to Pyongyang to meet Kim and lay the groundwork for a summit. In May, as secretary of state, he makes a second trip, returning with three US citizens detained by Pyongyang. The summit is set for June 12, but three weeks before it is cancelled by Trump who cites open hostility from the North. After days of intense diplomatic activity, it is back on. When the two leaders finally meet, their handshake is broadcast live around the world. Kim speaks of an historic summit, while Trump says it was a fantastic meeting. In the summit statement, Kim agrees to work towards complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. Trump pledges security guarantees. But the statement is vaguely worded and progress soon stalls amid disagreement over what it means. North Korea takes few concrete steps to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. After Washington imposes sanctions on three North Korean officials over rights abuses in December 2018, Pyongyang says the move could block the path to denuclearisation on the Korean peninsula forever. Expectations of a second summit start building in January when Kim visits Beijing, his main diplomatic ally. It is confirmed on January 19, following a meeting between a North Korean general and Trump, who later announces the venue as Hanoi and the dates as February 27 and 28. I look forward to seeing Chairman Kim and advancing the cause of peace! Trump says. CAIRO Egypt's State Council, the judicial body charged with examining the constitutionality of bills that are preliminarily approved by parliament, will finalize the review of a new bill on public shops by March 2 at the latest, and will send its report to parliament by the following day, according to a council source speaking to Al-Monitor. After the report is issued a final vote on the law will be held in parliament. The new bill does not prohibit alcohol supply and consumption. The Egyptian parliament had initially approved the new bill during its plenary session Jan. 13. The majority of parliamentarians, however, voted in favor of removing Article 28, which prohibits the supply and consumption of alcohol in public shops; it also bans gambling and engaging in any acts that are immoral or violate public ethics. Upon this initial approval by a majority vote of members of parliament, parliament Speaker Ali Abdel Aal referred during the same session the bill to the State Council in order to obtain its legal and constitutional opinion. The council examines bills before their ratification by parliament, but its opinion remains advisory and not binding. The removal of Article 28 sparked a storm of criticism on social media against the parliament. For many Egyptian social media activists, striking this article goes against the piousness of Egyptians. In accordance with the 2014 Egyptian Constitution, Islamic law is the main source of legislation. Some activists even described lifting this prohibition as encouragement by the parliament to consume alcohol. Gambling and immoral acts are already banned under other laws, most notably Egyptian Penal Code Article 325 and Article 278. Abdel Aal rebuked the criticisms leveled against the bill of encouraging alcohol consumption at the opening of the parliamentary plenary session on Jan. 14. He justified the removal of the ban on alcohol by noting that the sale of alcohol in shops and consumption are regulated by other laws. Egypt is a civil state that believes in the concept of citizenship and recognizes the principle of freedom of religion. This is expressly provided for in the constitution, he said. Many Egyptian social activists interpreted his position as a suggestion that citizens should not be angry about allowing the sale of alcohol in shops, as long as it is within the boundaries of the law. Parliamentarian Mohamed Attia el-Fayoumi told Al-Monitor that there is a set of laws that prohibit the sale and consumption of liquor in public shops, except in tourist shops determined by a decision of the Ministry of Tourism. The implementation of these laws is overseen by the Ministry of Tourism. These laws confer to the Ministry of Tourism the right to issue a license for public shops allowing them to sell liquor in their capacity as tourist shops, he explained. The laws of the Ministry of Tourism impose a severe penalty on those selling alcoholic beverages without a license or permission, even for tourists. Ali Riyad is a lawyer specializing in permits for construction, shops and various activities. He told Al-Monitor that the Ministry of Tourism prevents the sale of liquor in public shops under law No. 63 of 1976. Article 2 of this law states, It is prohibited to supply or consume spirits or alcohol in public places or shops. It adds that this provision does not apply to hotels and tourist facilities determined in accordance with law No. 1 of 1973. Riyad pointed out that Article 5 of the same law sanctions the contravening owner of the public shop with imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months and a fine not exceeding 200 Egyptian pounds [$11.40], or one of these two penalties. The article adds, In all cases, the shop shall be closed for not less than one week and not more than six months. A member of parliament for the Nour Party, the political arm of the Salafist Dawa Party, told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that parliamentarians allegations that alcohol is prohibited in public shops according to the Ministry of Tourism laws are not true. Obtaining a license from the Ministry of Tourism to allow the trade of alcohol is no longer limited to hotels only, he said. He explained that many cafes and restaurants are deemed touristic facilities in accordance with law No. 1 of 1973, noting, Many owners of cafes and restaurants exploited this law to obtain licenses from the Ministry of Tourism to sell alcohol, especially in Zamalek district. He added, We are an Islamic state. The constitution recognizes that Islamic law is the main source of legislation. All these laws must be amended, including the laws of the Ministry of Tourism and the law on public shops. Mohamed Salah, another parliamentarian for the Nour Party, said in a speech at the parliamentary briefing session Feb. 5 that the law on public shops is not in line with the constitution. Jurisprudential views differ about liquor trade in Egypt. The Dawa Party forbids the sale of alcohol in Muslim countries, even to non-Muslims, whether by Muslims or others. Al-Azhar has never forbidden the sale of alcohol by non-Muslims to non-Muslims. In 2005, the Grand Mufti of Egypt at the time, Sheikh Ali Gomaa, issued a fatwa allowing the sale of alcohol to non-Muslims. Numerous Al-Azhar scholars objected to the fatwa. However, in 2016, Al-Azhar Observatory and the Fatwa Global Center in Cairo issued another fatwa allowing the sale of alcohol to non-Muslims. Mohsen Mansour, an attorney before the Constitutional Court, told Al-Monitor, Not only Al-Azhar does not prohibit the sale of alcohol to non-Muslims, but the Egyptian Constitution was drafted for all Egyptians not only Muslims even if the Islamic law is the main source of legislation. The constitution recognizes the civil character of the country, which means that all citizens are equal in rights and duties regardless of their religion. He noted, A law cannot prohibit Muslim owners of shops from selling alcohol while allowing non-Muslims to do so, or allowing public shops to sell alcohol to non-Muslims only. Mansour ruled out the unconstitutionality of tourism and public shops laws allowing the sale of alcohol. Laws are man-made and may not be able to fully apply all of the Sharia principles. Each individual should apply Sharia for himself, he said. Egypt is home to more than 100,000 mosques built in a variety of architectural styles, but now, all new mosques is the country will be built in a single style approved by the Egyptian Ministry of Endowments. The Ministry announced on Feb. 7 that it will prepare an Egyptian Code for the design of mosques in a unique and distinctive architectural style nationwide. The architectural model is to be the product of a competition whose date has yet to be determined. The decision comes as part of a series of measures by the government to modernize the look of the Egyptian cities. On Jan. 19 the Egyptian governorates, headed by Cairo governorate, started painting building facades in a uniform color for a more modern look. This design code for mosques comes as part of the governments efforts to give mosques in Egypt a special character that emanates from Islamic history and civilization, Gaber Taye, head of the Religious Department at the Ministry of Endowments, which is supervising the project, told Al-Monitor. Taye added that according to the project dubbed The Egyptian Code only mosques that are designed in accordance with the guidelines will be granted construction permits. Taye has said that the new mosques will have places for people to attend Friday sermons as well as to gather or enjoy solitude. The mosques built both by the government or [private entities] will have to follow the standards, he said, adding that the code will also be applied when existing mosques are restored and renovated. Taye did not reveal the funds allocated for this project. Sheikh Shawki Abdel-Latif, undersecretary of the Ministry of Endowments, described the decision as a breakthrough in urban design, particularly in the new cities. Al-Fattah Al-Aleem Mosque in the new administrative capital, which is an architectural masterpiece, demonstrates what the new mosques would look like, Abdel-Latif told Al-Monitor. The large complex, which houses both the Cathedral of the Nativity and Al-Fattah Al-Aleem, the largest mosque in the country, was opened by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Jan. 6, right before the Coptic Christmas. Abdel-Latif said that the plan to unify mosque design will be difficult to implement and cost the government billions of Egyptian pounds. He believes that the government prioritize restoring existing mosques instead of spending billions of Egyptian pounds on creating a new design for future mosques. It is more logical to focus on what is now existing than to spend money on future mosques, he said. According to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, there were about 102,000 mosques in Egypt at the end of 2017. Hossam Akawy, a member of the Tourism Investors Association in the Red Sea, maintains that the new mosques will provide an additional attraction to tourists. Egypt has a long history of distinguished Islamic architecture and should maintain [its role in] architecture in modern times. This will add to the countrys image and preserve its heritage, Akawy told Al-Monitor. Since the Islamic conquest of Egypt, many different styles of mosques have been built from 14th century Mamluk-style Mustafa Hassan Mosque to the Ottoman-style Muhammed Ali Mosque built between 1830 and 1857. The country is also home to one of the oldest mosques of Islamic history, the Amr Ibn El-As Mosque, whose construction dates from 641 CE. Destroyed and rebuilt several times, the present mosque was mostly recently renovated in the 19th century. 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. Note: We are a non-profit organization and will never endorse a candidate. Nor tell you how to vote. We will begin to cover the candidates for 2020 as they come out of the woodwork. This fundraiser costs less than a month of Pfizer's breast cancer drug which runs a cool $9,850 per month. Do any of you remember that David Kirby wrote a HuffPo post that Gillibrand as a newly minted Senator was calling for funding into vaccine safety? How quaint. Senator Gillibrand: Supporter of Vaccine-Autism ResearchSenator Gillibrand: Supporter of Vaccine-Autism Research If media accounts about Kirsten Gillibrand of New York are correct, then I am pleased to be the first to report that my new Senator is a supporter of research into possible connections between vaccines and autism. The presumptive Senator, a moderate Democrat from the Hudson Valley, is sure to join the growing chorus of voices in the US Senate and well beyond in calling for more Federal funding for scientific studies into vaccines and autism, including Senators Kennedy, Dodd, McCain, Lieberman and Enzi, among others, and former Senators Clinton and Obama. KIM CNBC Pfizer executive Sally Susman to host 2020 presidential fundraiser for Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand The leading destination management company (DMC), Travel Book Online is looking to expanding its base in India with new offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai after its successful ventures in London, Bali, and Dhaka. The Destination Management Company is also working to start exclusive services in Dubai. Travel Book Online, headquartered in Bangalore is an industry leader that facilitates travel agents by promptly creating itineraries allowing agents to serve their customers well. Since the inception in 2016, the company has been growing at a phenomenal pace and recorded an increase of 350% in sales from the last year. The company is already providing travel services in exotic nations like Bali, Seychelles, Bhutan, and Indian travel destinations of Sikkim, Southern Indian states, and North Bengal. With its unique service portfolio, the company expects an increase in incoming/inbound India business, becoming a leading DMC for India and expects the Indian inbound business to grow by 100%. The company expects to reach 2 million USD in revenues in the current financial year. Excited about the expansion plan, Mr. Sayan Guha - Business Head & Co-Founder says, We have carved a niche for ourselves in the destination management and travel industry in the last 3 years. We have also succeeded in opening new offices in London and Dhaka in the last financial year. Now our focus is on expanding our reach in India and Dubai in the coming year, with which we expect to double our sales and become a leading DMC in India. After managing famous Asian travel destinations and travel paradises in India, Dubai and Vietnam are our focus destinations in the next two quarters. With our extravagant tour packages in competitive pricing, we have earned wide clientele and our world-class advanced services will ensure our exemplary growth in the future as well. adds Mr. Guha. Following the concerns raised by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle that priests have been receiving death threats from people claiming to be working for the presidential family, President Rodrigo Duterte warned impostors to stop it or face him. He made the statement remark during the campaign rally of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan in Cebu City on Sunday night. Either Muslims or Christians, they have nothing to do with us. Do not do it. Do not try to do it. Religious [leaders] have nothing to do with the vagaries of life. Lay off! Stop threatening them or youll have to face me, Duterte said. Meanwhile, Duterte on Sunday also said Catholic priests, even those who are gay, should be allowed to marry. Priests should be allowed to marry. Thats the only solution there, Duterte said during the distribution of cash grants in Cebu. Even the gay ones, allow them to marry, same-sex marriage. I am in favor of that so the problem will end. Duterte cautioned the impostors using his name and urged them to leave the religious leaders alone since they had nothing to do with politics. The moment you touch nuns, priests or Imamdont touch them. Those are religious people, he said. Duterte read to the public the message he received from Tagle about some priests receiving death threats.Good day po, greetings from Rome, Tagle said in his message. I was informed that Bishop David and some priests got death threats from someone claiming to be working for the Presidents family. Just to let you know. Perhaps someone is trying to damage the Presidents reputation. Thanks, we pray. Tagle is in Rome to attend the recently-concluded four-day Vatican summit on sex abuse by priests. Duterte said former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Bong Go had also assured Tagle that the administration had no hand in sending those death threats. There is no such thing, Cardinal. Thank you. Just to let you know that there are persons using the name of the President and his family, Duterte said. Meanwhile, Duterte reiterated his accomplishments halfway through his term, including a harsher drug war. He also thanked the Cebuanos for helping him garner more than a million votes in the 2016 presidential election and urged them to support PDP-Labans candidates in the midterm elections. The prestigious IAA Golden Compass Awards were presented to Marc Pritchard, Chief Brand Officer, Proctor & Gamble, and Andrew Robertson, President & CEO, BBDO, at the recently concluded 44th IAA World Congress. The award pays homage to a supreme navigator in marketing communications who has performed outstandingly on the world stage. The IAA Golden Compass Awards was inaugurated in 2018 to commemorate the 80th anniversary a milestone achievement and the launch of refreshed IAA branding and value proposition, IAA - The global compass of marketing communication. Speaking on the occasion, Srinivasan Swamy, Chairman and World President, International Advertising Association, said, Weve set a very high bar for our prestigious Global Compass Award. And I am delighted that the Awards Committee has once again selected two global leaders who have contributed to the industry, enriched the fabric of society and made us all proud. The IAA Golden Compass Award honours a visionary leader in the international marketing communications industry who has inspired by example with innovative creative ideas, excellent achievements of global impact and outstanding services committed to advance professional quality standards and best practices in marketing communications worldwide. The honorees of the 2019 Golden Compass Awards: Marc Pritchard, Chief Brand Officer, Proctor & Gamble, is a veteran of P&G for more than four decades and is responsible for P&Gs brand building disciplines worldwide. He sets the companys multi-billion dollar media, marketing and advertising strategies, and leads marketing innovations that guide communication and brand building for P&Gs portfolio of trusted, quality brands. Pritchard believes in the power of brands to serve people with the best-performing products, while also being a force for good through ethics and responsibility, community impact, diversity and inclusion, gender equality and environmental sustainability. To the veteran who truly believes Brands need to align themselves with a purpose. Andrew Robertson, President & CEO, BBDO, has a slew of achievements that is richly deserved firmly grounded by his work philosophy and the mantra of The Work The Work The Work that drives the whole BBDO association forward worldwide. Robertson believes on the vital needs of networking and the human connect that is ideally the driving force for strong and positive marketing. Stories that had a wider, cross-market impact and that connected with the advertiser featured high on Robertsons priority. WARC has released the results of the WARC Creative 100, an independent global index of creative excellence in advertising, and successor of the Gunn Report. The rankings feature the most awarded campaigns, agencies, networks, holding companies, brands, advertisers and countries, based on an analysis of the results of the most important global and regional creative awards shows in the world in 2018, as determined by the advertising industry. Palau Pledge by Host/Havas Sydney is the most creatively celebrated campaign of 2018. In order to tackle mass tourism, the Palau Legacy Project, a sustainable tourism body, created a visa policy for the island of Palau to protect the nation from environmental damage. Seamus Higgins, Executive Creative Director, Host/Havas Sydney, said, The fact that such a human solution, created with the absolute dedication and passion to improve the world that our children will inherit has been ranked the number one campaign in the world, says something really good about what our industry values and has the power to achieve. Im infinitely grateful to the incredible team, clients and country who made this happen. Ranked second is #Bloodnormal by AMV BBDO London for feminine hygiene brand Bodyform/Libresse. The campaign centred around an online video to break taboos by showing period blood in a positive light. In third place, Project Revoice by BWM Dentsu, Sydney, for The ALS Association, a non-profit organisation tackling motor neurone disease, developed innovative technology which enabled ALS patients to speak again. BBDO agencies have had an impressive performance around the world with nine agencies ranked in the top 100, three of which are in the top 10. BBDO New York moves up from their second position last year in the Gunn Report, to be crowned best creative agency in the world. AMV BBDO London climb to second place having been ranked #20 last year and adam&eve DDB London follow closely in third position up from fourth. BBDO Worldwide heads the networks table for an impressive 13th consecutive year 12 under Gunn Report and now under WARC Creative 100 with 22 different offices contributing to their total. DDB Worldwide is in second place and McCann Worldgroup third. David Lubars, Chief Creative Officer, BBDO Worldwide, commented on their success, What makes me most proud of topping the WARC Creative 100 is that its not just one agency or campaign. Its multiple agencies delivering work for multiple clients across multiple forms and platforms. There are no changes to the top half of the Holding Companies league table compared to last year, as Omnicom takes pole position followed by WPP in second and Interpublic Group in third. Global fast-food chain Burger King, having dropped to 7th position last year, has bounced back to take top place in the brands table for the very first time. Nike is down from first place to second, with Pedigree in third. On his companys achievement, Fernando Machado, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Burger King, said, At Burger King, we believe creativity can be a competitive advantage. Doing things differently, standing out, and becoming part of pop culture definitely help strengthen our brand and our business. Our marketing teams and agency partners are honoured to receive this recognition from WARC. Mars, the global manufacturer of confectionery, pet food, and other food products, is the most creative advertiser with campaigns for Pedigree, Skittles and Snickers ranked high. USA retains its place as the most creatively awarded country in the world by far. United Kingdom and Australia follow. The most highly ranked campaigns and companies in the WARC Creative 100 are: Top 10 worlds most creatively awarded campaigns Rank Campaign title Brand Agency Points 1 Palau Pledge Palau Legacy Project Host/Havas Sydney 250.3 2 #Bloodnormal Bodyform/Libresse AMV BBDO London 199.5 3 Project Revoice The ALS Association BWM Dentsu Sydney 189.5 4 Exclusive the Rainbow case study Skittles DDB Chicago 175.6 5 It's a Tide Ad Tide Saatchi & Saatchi New York 154.8 6 Scary Clown Night Burger King LOLA MullenLowe Madrid 154.4 7 The Gene Project Marmite adam&eveDDB London 139.1 8 The Talk Procter & Gamble BBDO New York 133.1 9 No Conditions Apply - Sindoor Khela The Times of India FCB Ulka Mumbai 128.9 10 Go With The Fake Diesel Publicis New York / Publicis Milan 125.9 Top 10 world's best creative agencies Rank Agency Location Points 1 BBDO New York 403.2 2 AMV BBDO London 295.9 3 adam&eveDDB London 291.0 4 LOLA MullenLowe Madrid 280.3 5 McCann New York 258.6 6 Host/Havas Sydney 204.9 7 McCann London 193.6 8 Colenso BBDO Auckland 190.9 9 BWM Dentsu Sydney 189.5 10 Saatchi & Saatchi New York 185.5 Top 10 world's best creative agency networks Rank Network Points 1 BBDO Worldwide 1700.5 2 DDB Worldwide 1028.7 3 McCann Worldgroup 1027.9 4 Ogilvy 991.0 5 TBWA Worldwide 590.8 6 MullenLowe Group 452.5 7 Dentsu Aegis Network 392.0 8 VMLY&R 365.5 9 FCB 337.2 10 Grey Group 336.0 Top 10 world's best creative holding companies Rank Holding company Points 1 Omnicom Group 3494.1 2 WPP 2206.1 3 Interpublic Group 2009.7 4 Publicis Groupe 832.9 5 Dentsu 468.6 6 Havas Group 314.4 7 Hakuhodo DY Group 214.9 8 Accenture 126.6 9 MDC Partners 83.5 10 BlueFocus 82.2 Top 10 world's best creative brands U.K. recording industrys flagship awards ceremony, the BRIT AWARDS is recognized as a global music institution that annually celebrates UK chart and commercial successes. Celebrating the 39th edition since its debut year in 1977, BRIT Awards 2019 was held at The O2 Arena in London. The Brit Awards 2019 saw Jack Whitehall returning as host for the second year running and the performances line-up is unlike any before, with an all-star roster of 2019 nominees setting the stage on fire. Heres why the Brit Awards 2019 on Vh1 India is a must-watch event; The Greatest Showman Hugh Jackman kicked-off the show with a spectacular performance or as some may say The Greatest Show Multi-million record selling producer and DJ Calvin Harris makes his debut BRITs performance in a unique collaboration with 2018 British Female and British Breakthrough winner Dua Lipa and 3x BRIT winners Sam Smith and RagnBone Man Calvin Harris not only set the stage blazing with his performance but also grabbed two honors British Single of the Year & Producer of the Year awards for the hit track One Kiss 2018 Critics Choice winner Jorja Smith returned for her first solo performance, while no. 1 selling British artist George Ezra & UKs biggest pop group and BRIT winners Little Mix left the audience spellbound George Erza won Best British Male Solo Artist while Jorja Smith was conferred the Best British Female Solo Artist title, while Ed Sheeran was conferred the award of Global Success. Winning the accolade of Best British Group & Album of the Year for their album A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships, The 1975 came up atop at the 2019 BRIT Awards And after a dominant reign at the Grammys, it comes as no surprise that Drake won the International Male Solo Artist with Ariana Grande clinching the International Female Solo Artist awards In a celebration of musical brilliance, Beyonce and Jay-Z picked up the award for the Best International Group, with the power-couple recreating their Apseshit music video with a surprise, as the Mona Lisa portrait was replaced with one of Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle Becoming the first-ever international artist to be honored with the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Music Award, global pop icon P!NK closed the show with an explosive (literally) four-song medley performance Music aficionados are in for a real treat with the 39th BRIT AWARDS on Monday, February 25 at 9PM exclusively on Vh1 India ABC Celebrity The Captain America depicter earns praise at the award-giving event for helping walk King, who won Best Supporting Actress, to the stage after she nearly tripped in her dress. Feb 25, 2019 AceShowbiz - Chris Evans won the internet tonight. The "Avengers: Infinity War" actor may not be portraying Captain America any longer after "Avengers: Endgame", but he proves himself that he's still worth the title with his recent action at the 91st Annual Academy Awards. The hunk earned praise after he was seen helping winner Regina King. King, who was among the early winners at the award-giving event, came out as the winner of Best Supporting Actress category for her stunning performance in "If Beale Street Could Talk". She appeared to struggle making her way to the stage due to her dress as she nearly tripped. Evans later came to the rescue, walking her up the stairs while letting the actress hold his arm for balancing. King then thanked the actor for his kind gesture before taking the mic to deliver her speech. "Chris Evans wins Best at Supporting Actress," one Twitter user wrote. Another fan praised him, "Captain America making sure Regina King had a flawless walk on stage to accept her Oscar. #Oscars." Chris Evans wins Best at Supporting Actress pic.twitter.com/88fkS0c3Jr Dana Schwartz (@DanaSchwartzzz) February 25, 2019 One other fan decided to name Evans as the "best Chris" among the other Chrises in the Hollywood industry including Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pine. "Of course @ChrisEvans saves the day by making sure Regina King doesnt fall. I knew you were deserving of the title of best Chris. #Oscars," the fan tweeted of the 37-year-old actor. Of course @ChrisEvans saves the day by making sure Regina King doesnt fall. I knew you were deserving of the title of best Chris. #Oscarspic.twitter.com/OpGdWbfcBY Gabriela Valentin (@GabyPValentin) February 25, 2019 "Green Book 2 about the inspiring story behind Chris Evans helping Regina King to the stage at this year's #Oscars is already nominated for next year's Best Picture," another praise read. Apparently, this was not the first time for Evans to do the sweet gesture. Back in January 2015, he lent a hand to escort Betty White to the stage. During that time, White won Favorite TV Icon at the 2015 People's Choice Awards. Captain America is ALWAYS on duty to help a lady in need! @ChrisEvans is a true gentleman! pic.twitter.com/41V7P8RfSC Danielle (@r2d2grrl) February 25, 2019 "Captain America is ALWAYS on duty to help a lady in need! @ChrisEvans is a true gentleman!" a fan wrote alongside a GIF of the heartwarming moment. Instagram Celebrity The instruction comes almost two years after the former 'Sex and the City' star was accused of 'total lack of respect' by relatives for replacing the headstone in her family plot. Feb 25, 2019 AceShowbiz - Kim Cattrall has lost a long-running dispute with relatives in Liverpool over a family gravestone. The "Sex and the City", star, 62, was accused of a "total lack of respect" after replacing the stone in her family plot, according to the Daily Mail. Cattrall had a stone specially commissioned and inscribed with her own name and that of her father's, who died in 2012 in the expectation that she would one day be buried there. The star was born in Liverpool but her parents took her to Canada when she was three months old. She later moved to the U.S. when she was 16 to pursue her acting career. The inscription on the stone referred to her as "the Liverpool Cleopatra" a nod to her return to the city in a production of Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra" in 2010. After almost two years of wrangling in an ecclesiastical court, Cattrall has now been ordered that her name and the Cleopatra reference be removed from the headstone. Instagram/WENN Celebrity When asked if she was with then-boyfriend Michael Kopech, the 21-year-old social media star says, 'No, I'm not saying who.' Feb 25, 2019 AceShowbiz - Brielle Biermann appeared to be revealing a huge bombshell in season premiere of "Don't Be Tardy". The daughter of Kim Zolciak and younger sister Ariana discussed how "strict" their step-father Kroy Biermann with Ariana before the former claimed that Kroy once caught her in a compromising position. "At least Kroy has never walked in on you," the 20-year-old social media star told Ariana. Unfortunately, Brielle didn't provide further details on what actually happened. However, the revelation had already got people talking on Internet. "Brielle admitting Kroy walking in on her having sex. That's embarrassing. I would have not admit that on Camras [sic]," one person tweeted. Brielle agreed though, telling TooFab that she was shocked after learning that the part made it to air. "Oh, my God! They aired that?!" she said. "F**k! Oh, my God. I'm so embarrassed right now, I'm gonna cry!" Kroy allegedly told Brielle, "I don't give a f**k what you do, just not in my house." Brielle went on saying, "But he was so strict in high school! Even after I turned 18, I couldn't do anything. I had a curfew at like 6 p.m. on school nights. I get out of school at 4, which means I can go to Chick-fil-A and come home." "I had a boyfriend, and he -- I don't know. We were stupid. We were being stupid," she added. When asked if that was her then-boyfriend Michael Kopech, Brielle said, "No, I'm not saying who -- but I'm sure you can figure it out." Her mom Kim Zolciak, however, didn't think it was such a big deal, calling it a "lighthearted" situation. "Brielle's an adult," the 40-year-old revealed. "[Kroy] was unaware that she was around, so it was a sheer accident. It was a very lighthearted situation that happened; although, he will kind of bust her chops here and there about it." Universal Pictures/ABC Movie 'Green Book' beats out award-season favorite 'Roma' for the coveted prize, while Colman defeats Lady GaGa and her 'idol' Glenn Close for her first Academy Award. Feb 25, 2019 AceShowbiz - The 91st Academy Awards was officially wrapped up with the Best Picture announcement. The top prize surprisingly went to "Green Book", defeating clear favorite "Roma" which led the nominations with nine. To say it a surprise win is perhaps an understatement as the movie drew some criticism for its perceived historical inaccuracies. Seemingly defending the film, producer Jim Burke said in his speech, "We made this film with love and with tenderness and with respect." Director Peter Farrelly added, "The whole story is about love, and about loving our differences, , and finding out the truth about who we are. We're the same people." The filmmaker, who earlier won Best Original Screenplay for the film, once again credited lead actor Viggo Mortensen as well as Mahershala Ali for the prize. Mortensen lost out the best actor gong to Rami Malek, while Ali nabbed the Best Actor in a Supporting Role, bringing "Green Book" total win to three. It was Ali's second Oscar, making him the first black actor and Muslim to win the best supporting actor twice. For Malek who won the Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody", it marks his first Oscar win. The musical film nabbed a total of four awards that night, the other three of which were for Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing. Olivia Colman was another first winner at the Sunday night, February 24 ceremony. The actress, who won BAFTA Award and Golden Globe Award earlier this year for her role as Queen Anne in "The Favourite", won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for the same role. Looking flabbergasted, the British actress began her acceptance speech, "This is hilarious. I got an Oscar." Calling her fellow nominees "extraordinary women," she singled out her "idol" Glenn Close as saying, "You've been my idol for so long, and this is not how I wanted it to be. I think you're amazing. I love you very much." She went on using her speech to encourage aspiring actresses to pursue their dreams, adding, "Any little girl who's practicing their speech on the telly... you never know!" Olivia Colman is blown away as she accepts her Best Actress Award for her performance in @the_favourite. #Oscarspic.twitter.com/4oQAUUv19Y The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 25, 2019 Alfonso Cuaron was named Best Director for "Roma". It was his second Oscar in the category after winning the same prize for "Gravity" (2013). Cuaron also took the stage to accept Best Cinematography and Best Foreign Language Film awards earlier that night. "Being up here doesn't get old," he said while collecting the third prize for the Spanish-language film. "I want to thank the Academy for recognizing a movie about an indigenous woman." Best Director winner @alfonsocuaron thanks the #Oscars "for recognizing a film centered around an indigenous woman...As artists, our job is to look where others don't." https://t.co/WrVFTT3sYSpic.twitter.com/WlX9v4NQhM Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 25, 2019 "Black Panther" was another multiple winner at the ceremony, taking home Best Original Score, Best Costume Design and Best Production Design. Regina King was dubbed Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her role in "If Beale Street Could Talk", while Lady GaGa won her first Oscar for Best Original Song for "Shallow" from "A Star Is Born". "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" won Best Animated Feature Film. "First Man" and "Vice (2018)" also took home one each, for Best Visual Effects and Best Makeup and Hairstyling respectively. Full Winner List of the 2019 Academy Awards: ABC Movie GaGa tearfully praises Bradley Cooper when collecting Best Original Song for 'Shallow', while Lee gets political onstage as he accepts his first Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Feb 25, 2019 AceShowbiz - Lady GaGa, Rami Malek and Spike Lee have just nabbed an Oscar each in different categories, marking their first Academy Award win in their careers. The former won Best Original Song for "Shallow" from "A Star Is Born". Sharing the win with Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt, the Best Actress nominee was in tears as she thanked director and co-star Bradley Cooper. "There is not a single person on the planet that could sing this song but you," she said onstage, before noting that "It's not about winning, but what it's about is not giving up. If you have a dream, fight for it." An #oscars winner is born. @LadyGaga thanks Bradley Cooper in her Best Original Song speech: "There is not a single person on the planet that could sing this song but you." https://t.co/s33NYiYKqypic.twitter.com/CMz3MOzbgR Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 25, 2019 Malek edged out GaGa's co-stars Cooper as well as Christian Bale ("Vice (2018)"), Willem Dafoe ("At Eternity's Gate") and Viggo Mortensen ("Green Book") for the Best Actor in a Leading Role, thanks to his performance as Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody". Seemingly acknowledging his surprise win, the Emmy-winning actor said, "I may not have been the obvious choice, but I guess it worked out." He also dedicated his win to LGBTQ community as saying, "To anyone struggling (with their identity), we made a film about a gay man, an immigrant, who lived his life just unapologetically himself. And the fact I'm celebrating him and this story with you tonight is proof that we're longing for stories like this." Lee won Best Adapted Screenplay for "BlacKkKlansman". It's his first Oscar after having been nominated four times before. He got political in his speech as he called on America to mobilize for the 2020 election. "Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Let's do the right thing!" he told the audience. Spike Lee calls on America to mobilize for the 2020 election: "Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Lets do the right thing!" https://t.co/WFxDborr1n#oscarspic.twitter.com/TntC0f3kYm Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 25, 2019 Original Screenplay went to "Green Book". Peter Farrelly who directed and co-wrote the film said, "If you want to go somewhere fast, go alone, if you wanna go far, go together." He mentioned the lead cast, Viggo [Mortensen], Mahershala [Ali] and Linda [Cardellini], saying, "We have nothing without you, guys." He also thanked his family. Best Original Screenplay goes to #GreenBook: If you want to go somewhere fast, go alone, if you wanna go far, go together https://t.co/IjB6PoSqfp#oscarspic.twitter.com/U1v7l0DxJs Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 25, 2019 "Black Panther" nabbed Best Original Score, marking its third win that night. The Marvel superhero film has also won Best Production Design and Best Costume Design. "A Star Is Born", "BlacKkKlansman", "Green Book" and "Black Panther" are also up for Best Picture which will be announced later. WENN/Adriana M. Barraza Celebrity Up for Best Actress and Best Original Song at the 91st Academy Awards, the leading lady of 'A Star is Born' pairs her jaw-dropping Tiffany jewelry with a strapless black Alexander McQueen gown. Feb 25, 2019 AceShowbiz - Lady GaGa stunned at the Academy Awards on Sunday, February 24, by dazzling in a $30 million (22 million) Tiffany necklace. The "A Star Is Born" actress arrived at the Los Angeles ceremony wearing the jaw-dropping yellow diamond around her neck, which she paired with a strapless black Alexander McQueen gown with matching opera gloves. The necklace from the iconic jewellery retailer was originally worn by legendary screen actress Audrey Hepburn in 1961 while she was promoting her film "Breakfast at Tiffany's". "Lady Gaga is the ultimate creator, innovator and rule breaker, and I'm thrilled that she will be wearing the legendary Tiffany Diamond on the awards show red carpet for the first time since it was discovered 141 years ago," Reed Krakoff, Tiffany & Co. Chief Artistic Officer, said in a statement. The 128 karat Tiffanys yellow diamond necklace that Lady Gaga is wearing is worth $30 MILLION and was last worn by none other than Audrey Hepburn at her Breakfast At Tiffanys press tour in 1961. #Oscarspic.twitter.com/aNmmgGylpe Lady Gaga Source (@MisterBroRo) 25 February 2019 The stone is comprised of 128.54 carats and was first discovered in South Africa by Tiffany & Co. founder Charles Lewis Tiffany. The "Born This Way" hitmaker is up for Best Actress for "A Star Is Born", and Best Original Song for the track "Shallow", which she is set to perform at the event. WENN/Joseph Marzullo Celebrity After it was announced that the 'Singin' in the Rain' director has passed away at 94, Guillermo del Toro, Edgar Wright and Christopher McQuarrie also take to social media to pay their respects. Feb 25, 2019 AceShowbiz - Steven Spielberg has paid a touching tribute to "Singin' in the Rain" director Stanley Donen following his recent passing. The filmmaker and choreographer, who was famed for classic movie musicals like "Two For the Road", "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", and "Funny Face", died on Thursday, February 21, but the news of his loss only emerged on Saturday. A number of directors have since saluted Donen's memory, with Spielberg releasing a statement about the man he considered a "friend and early mentor". "His generosity in giving over so many of his weekends in the late 60's to film students like me to learn about telling stories and placing lenses and directing actors is a time I will never forget," Spielberg wrote, naming "Charade", "Bedazzled", and "Two For the Road" his "favorites" of Donen's work. RIP the great Stanley Donen, some feat to have multiple classics in both musicals, but also comedies, thrillers, dramas. To have made On The Town, Singin In The Rain, 7 Brides For 7 Brothers, Its Always Fair Weather, Funny Face, Charade, Two For the Road, Bedazzled....just wow. pic.twitter.com/MeArtLTaZE edgarwright (@edgarwright) 23 February 2019 "When visiting New York I will miss not bumping into him on his daily walks and hear him talking about life and film which for Stanley were inseparable," he added. Meanwhile, Spielberg's peers took to social media to pay their respects. "A brilliant storyteller- elegant, exuberant, a master of color and top crane choreographer. We are indebted to him for as long as there is Cinema," tweeted Guillermo del Toro. Stanley Donen. A brilliant storyteller- elegant, exuberant, a master of color and top crane choreographer. He had so much style and so much joy in him... We are indebted to him for as long s there is Cinema. pic.twitter.com/WSyLw6BOHL Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) 23 February 2019 "RIP the great Stanley Donen, some feat to have multiple classics in both musicals, but also comedies, thrillers, dramas," director Edgar Wright wrote, while "Mission: Impossible - Fallout" filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie posted: "Stanley Donen understood when to move and when to let others do the moving." Singin In the Rain Funny Face Charade The Little Prince Stanley Donen understood when to move and when to let others do the moving. Christopher McQuarrie (@chrismcquarrie) 23 February 2019 Donen was 94. President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday claimed that his son, Sebastian Baste Duterte, was harassed by gay New Peoples Army rebelssomething that Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison immediately rejected. In his speech in Binan, Laguna, over the weekend, Duterte said his son was abused by gay NPA rebels during the turnover of the two captured soldiers and six militiamen in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur. He said Sebastian was kissed by four NPA rebels during their stay in the rebel groups hideout last Tuesday. With nothing to back his claim but his sons narrative, Duterte surmised that 40 percent of NPA soldiers were gay. Did you know that 40 percent of NPA fighters are gay? He told the attendees of the PDP-Laban campaign sortie in Laguna last Saturday. Sebastian, together with former presidential top aide Christopher Bong Go, went into the wilds of San Juan village to conduct a formal ceremony for the turnover of the prisoners. Asked how the turnover went, the presidential son told his father that he was smooched on the cheeks by the communist rebels. Four NPA rebels brought me to an area filled with coconut trees. All of them kissed me, the President quoted his son as saying. So, you were abused? He said, Yes, everyone kissed me. Thats okay. You now know how it feels to be kissed by gays. It feels better. That flirt! Duterte said. According to Duterte, he was really wondering why the communist rebels wanted Baste to lead the turnover of the captured soldiers. I was wondering why they wanted to turn over the captured soldiers to Baste... It turned out, those fools were after Baste, he said without providing any details about the release.Sison, however, found the Presidents narrative difficult to believe. In making a joke, Duterte has obviously invented the story that gays in the NPA brought his son Baste to the woods to be subjected to kissing, mashing and other acts amounting to molestation, Sison said in a statement. He said the NPA observes a strict rule of discipline against sexual molestation and taking sexual liberties against the will of others. He, however, noted that if the armed rebels had indeed molested or took liberties with Duterte son, then they would face disciplinary action. It is up to the NPA command concerned to inform us how Baste was treated, he said. Sison also slammed Duterte for claiming that four out of 10 communist rebels were gay, emphasizing that it was the most unbelievable part of the joke. How can he make such a survey finding when his military and police minions cannot locate the thousands of Red commanders and fighters in more than 110 guerrilla fronts? These armed revolutionaries reveal their momentary location only when they are already ambushing or raiding his armed minions, Sison said. At any rate, Duterte is again exposing his misogynist and anti-gay character with his macho kind of joke. Sison then admitted that the revolutionary forces accept LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgenders) into their ranks. The position of the CPP and the revolutionary movement has always been not to discriminate against women and the LGBT in the recruitment of fighters by the NPA, he said. Instagram Celebrity The 'Girls Trip' actress teams up with GonSosa Development to provide better life to the community with affordable homes in her hometown in New Jersey. Feb 25, 2019 AceShowbiz - Queen Latifah is returning to her hometown of Newark, New Jersey to develop a $14 million (10.75 million) townhome community. The rapper, actress, and TV personality, who is a co-president of BlueSugar Corporation, is teaming up with bosses at GonSosa Development to invest in the area, which will feature a mix of market-rate homes, affordable units, a fitness centre, and offices for nonprofit organisations. The project is expected to break ground in the summer and open by December, 2020, according to NJ.com. "(Queen Latifah and her partners) understand how difficult it is to make ends meet for many residents (in Newark) and want to be part of the solution," spokeswoman Cristina Pinzon says. "They remain dedicated to making life better in communities like Newark." WENN/Macguyver Celebrity Six months after putting an end to their one-year relationship, the 'Justice League' actor is spotted enjoying dinner together with his ex-girlfriend at a top restaurant in Los Angeles. Feb 25, 2019 AceShowbiz - Ben Affleck has fuelled rumours suggesting he has rekindled his romance with TV producer Lindsay Shookus after enjoying a dinner date together in Los Angeles. The "Justice League" star and his ex were spotted arriving separately at top restaurant Katsuya on Saturday, February 24, when he wore a suit, while Lindsay kept her look casual in jeans, a blue shirt, and booties. The outing occurred hours after they were seen stopping at a Starbucks coffee shop together, suggesting Ben and the "Saturday Night Live" producer are giving their relationship another go. They had previously called it quits in August (18) following a year of dating. Ben quickly rebounded and went on to have a fling with Playboy model Shauna Sexton, who he whisked off to Montana for a weekend getaway in early October, shortly after completing a rehabilitation programme for alcohol issues. They ended up splitting days later as the actor/director continued to work on his sobriety. Ben, 46, also spent part of his weekend with another ex, Jennifer Garner. The stars reunited to attend a Los Angeles wedding together, along with two of their three children, according to the Daily Mail. The former couple finalised its divorce in late 2018, more than three years after announcing its split following 10 years of marriage. As part of their divorce deal, the actors, who have remained close since their separation, agreed to share joint physical and legal custody of daughters Violet, 13, and Seraphina, 10, and six-year-old son Samuel. They also committed to attending monthly sessions with a co-parenting therapist for at least six months, and promised to refrain from badmouthing one another. Meanwhile, Affleck isn't the only one to move on from the failed marriage - in October, Jennifer was reported to have found love again with businessman John Miller. Instagram Celebrity Aryn Drake-Lee, who split from the 'Grey's Anatomy' actor in 2017, additionally claims that he owes her over $250,000 in spousal support and takes issues with the current custody plan of their two kids. Feb 25, 2019 AceShowbiz - Actor Jesse Williams is facing a new court battle with his estranged wife over custody and child support issues. The "Grey's Anatomy" star has been engaged in a bitter legal dispute with Aryn Drake-Lee ever since they separated in 2017 after five years of marriage. After a nasty back-and-forth, he was granted joint custody of daughter Sadie and son Maceo last year (18), but was ordered to pay his ex the increased sum of $50,000 (38,300) a month in June (18), in addition to another $50,700 (38,800) a month in spousal support. He tried and failed to challenge the child support ruling, and now Aryn is heading back to court to seek back payment for cheques she claims she is owed. According to paperwork obtained by The Blast, she wants more than $637,000 (488,000) in retroactive child support, although she is happy for the monthly fees going forward to remain the same. As for spousal support, she alleges Jesse owes her over $250,000 (191,500) from previous months. However, she is willing to give him a slight reprieve and have the future recurring payments reduced to just under $30,000 (23,000) each time, which will be paid until at least 2020. The former realtor has also taken issue with Jesse's approach to their flexible physical custody plan, which is based on his shooting schedule for "Grey's Anatomy". Aryn is asking the judge overseeing the case to set up a regular plan for custody, because his work commitments are constantly changing, which often leaves her unsure of when Jesse will "be exercising time". She also accuses the actor of frequently cancelling scheduled pick ups for his time with the kids, only to later demand make-up time, reports the outlet. As a result, she wants Jesse to be ordered to hand over a copy of his filming schedule. In addition, Aryn requests both parties be banned from introducing their young children to any new partners until at least six months into the relationship, and she is seeking to ban any photos of their kids from being posted on social media. It's not known when the issues will be addressed in court, but a hearing to determine a trial date for their divorce is scheduled for later this month. Jesse has yet to respond to her latest demands. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE Democrats in the state House are moving forward with a complex proposal to overhaul New Mexicos tax system and raise about $323 million a year for government operations and road projects. The legislation, House Bill 6, would raise taxes on cigarettes and motor vehicle sales, reshape the personal income tax system so higher earners would pay more, and impose taxes on all online retailers that sell to New Mexico residents. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The bill would also reduce some taxes doubling a tax credit for working families and creating deductions aimed at offsetting unintended state tax increases caused by the 2017 federal tax overhaul. The net effect, however, would be about $286 million in new revenue for the states general fund and $37 million for state and local roads, according to a legislative analysis of the bill. Rep. Javier Martinez, an Albuquerque Democrat and co-sponsor of the bill, said the goal is to modernize New Mexicos tax system and create a sustainable source of new funding for public schools. This is the first step of a process thats going to take several years, I believe, to get there, he said, but this is a very important first step. The bill a reworked version of earlier legislation was unveiled Monday to mixed reviews. Business groups and energy companies said the proposal could damage the state economy, discourage investment in New Mexico and exacerbate the challenge of recruiting physicians or other high earners to the state. They also said the timing doesnt make sense. Its very concerning, Jack Bent of the New Mexico Business Coalition told lawmakers. In talking with our neighbors and fellow taxpayers, how do we explain when we have a tax surplus that were going to actually raise taxes? The proposal comes as New Mexico enjoys a revenue boom driven largely by oil production in the southeastern part of the state. The state House sent a $7 billion budget proposal nearly an 11 percent increase over current spending levels to the Senate for consideration last week. State economists have warned that oil and gas revenue is likely to fluctuate substantially in future years. Much of the proposed spending increase is for public schools after a landmark court ruling that found New Mexico is violating the rights of some students by failing to provide a sufficient education. Republican lawmakers on Monday raised a variety of technical questions about the bill. They said the proposal failed to call for a reduction of New Mexicos gross receipts tax rate a longtime goal of efforts to overhaul the state tax code. Rep. Jason Harper, a Rio Rancho Republican who has pushed to simplify the tax code without raising revenue overall, said more analysis is needed. Some of the bills provisions appear to raise income taxes on families, while other parts would give them a break, making it difficult to project what the net change would be, he said. Were potentially raising taxes on teachers and middle-income families, Harper said. But the bill drew support from cities and counties, left-leaning advocacy groups and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams administration. They described it as a sensible way to stabilize government revenue and reduce New Mexicos dependence on the oil and gas industry. The bill goes a long way to diversify our revenue sources in a way that will provide stability to the general fund, said Stephanie Schardin Clarke, secretary of the state Taxation and Revenue Department. Supporters said the proposal would help ensure the state could cover increased education spending in coming years, even if the oil boom doesnt last. Lawmakers accepted testimony from both sides Monday and plan to consider proposed amendments and perhaps vote on the bill Wednesday. The proposal is now in the House Taxation and Revenue Committee, potentially its last stop before moving to the House floor. The proposal would: Revise the tax systems for hospitals, with the goal of creating a level playing field for not-for-profit, government and for-profit hospitals. Not-for-profit hospitals currently are exempt from paying state taxes. Its expected to raise $92 million in general fund revenue in the next fiscal year. Impose gross receipts taxes on sales made by online retailers to New Mexicans, including the imposition of the city and local parts of the tax. Its expected to raise $42 million in general-fund revenue next fiscal year. Overhaul the states income tax brackets to make the system more progressive rather than flat. People would face a higher tax rate, for example, as their income climbs. The top tax bracket for the highest earners, for example, would climb from 4.9 percent now to 6.5 percent under the proposal. For a married couple filing jointly, the top tax bracket would kick in for families with income of $300,000 or more. Its expected to raise about $132 million. In effect, the proposal would partly undo a 2003 personal income tax cut that was pushed by then-Gov. Bill Richardson and delivered the largest reductions to high-income state residents. Double the working families tax credit allowed for low- and moderate-income workers. The credit is for people who are eligible for the federal earned income tax credit. Instead of being able to claim 10 percent of their federal credit, they could claim 20 percent. Its expected to cost about $53 million in revenue. Establish an income tax deduction for taxpayers who have more than one dependent as part of an effort to offset an unintended state tax increase caused by the 2017 federal tax overhaul. Its expected to cost about $48 million in revenue. Repeal parts of the capital gains deduction allowed for personal income taxes, which would raise about $62 million. Increase the excise tax on motor vehicle purchases from 3 percent to 4.2 percent, which would raise about $65 million. The money would largely go to the general fund, though some lawmakers broached the idea of changing the bill to send the revenue to the road fund instead. Raise taxes on tobacco and impose taxes on vaping products, which would generate $20 million for the state general fund. Change how corporate income taxes are calculated as a way to keep multistate corporations from shifting their income to another state to avoid New Mexico taxes. It would help some companies and hurt others, legislative analysts said, so the overall impact on state revenue is unclear, but likely positive. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal New Mexico's limit of 450 medical cannabis plants per producer will expire Friday after a district judge denied the state's bid to extend the limitation. At least one licensed nonprofit producer on Monday cheered the ruling last week by 1st District Judge Sarah Singleton. Singleton denied the New Mexico Department of Health's request to stay a judgment that gave it 120 days to create new rules regarding the state's limitation on medical marijuana plants for licensed nonprofit producers. The 120-day period ends Friday. Barring further legal action, the per-producer limit will expire then, according to Ultra Health LLC President and CEO Duke Rodriguez. Ultra Health is a licensed producer in New Mexico and one of the plaintiffs in the case. The case stems from a 2016 lawsuit filed by former Bernalillo County resident Nicole Sena, who argued she couldn't find sufficient CBD oil a product derived from cannabis to treat her daughter's medical condition in New Mexico and subsequently had to move to a neighboring state. Ultra Health later joined the lawsuit as a plaintiff. New Mexico's medical marijuana program has long been plagued by complaints from producers and patients that the plant count is too restrictive. The plaintiffs argued in the complaint that the production limits have created a dire situation for certain patients, who simply cannot find the products they need and/or cannot obtain the adequate supply of products they are lawfully entitled to access and maintain under the (Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act). The act created the state's medical marijuana program in 2007. On Nov. 1, Judge David Thomson ruled the 450-plant count was arbitrary and capricious and said the Health Department had 120 days to create new rules. Thomson became a state Supreme Court justice in January and was replaced on the case by Singleton. In a statement, Health Department spokesman David Morgan said the agency is assessing next steps as it pertains to plant count. Safe access to quality medicine is a top priority of the New Mexico Department of Health's Medical Cannabis Program, Morgan said. New Mexico House Speaker Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, who is an attorney for the plaintiffs, said he and his clients are talking to the Health Department about an interim rule that would be amenable to both parties. Our clients do not wish to engage in any further litigation, Egolf said. This is a legacy lawsuit from the last administration. If we can find a way to satisfy our clients without litigation, we want to find that way. I don't know if that's going to be possible or not. Egolf declined to comment on what sort of plant count might satisfy his clients, or other details of the conversations between the parties. Rodriguez said that he was very excited by the development and that Ultra Health has invested around $1 million in preparing to ramp up its operations. We've probably hired more than 50 people in the last 90 days alone, Rodriguez said. Meanwhile, the Legislature is considering a bill that would legalize recreational use of marijuana throughout New Mexico. On Saturday, House Bill 356 passed its second committee and is headed to the full House. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ROSEBURG, Ore. Two men suspected in crimes across three states, including a deadly Colorado carjacking, have been arrested, authorities said Monday. Oregon State Police Capt. Timothy Fox said Jose Lopez-Jovel, 31, and Matthew Anthony Fanelli, 30, were being held in separate county jails on multiple charges. Fanelli, who is being detained for first-degree murder, is suspected of fatally shooting a man in Denver, according to local police. Both men are suspected of committing armed robberies in Utah and Wyoming, authorities said. The two men set off a police pursuit in Roseburg on Saturday when they attempted to steal a car outside a Red Robin restaurant, according to police. They failed in their effort and tried to flee but Lopez-Jovel was left behind and was quickly arrested ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Fanelli went onto an interstate, igniting a police chase. Investigators say he opened fire several times. At least one bullet disabled a state police vehicle and another hit an occupied child car seat in a passenger vehicle. But nobody was injured, Fox said. Fanelli then tried to carjack another vehicle from a couple. Police say he shot the man, critically injuring him, and assaulted the woman. Police did not immediately respond to inquiries about the mans condition. The suspect was unable to take the car. His own car then became disabled and he was subsequently taken into custody. Denver police said a man was found with multiple gunshot wounds last Friday and his black 2015 Cadillac was missing. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital. About two hours before the Denver shooting, Fanelli is suspected of firing a gun at a strip club near Colorado Springs after becoming upset when he was asked to leave. The El Paso County Sheriffs office said Fanelli, who was accompanied by an unidentified Hispanic man, fired at the club manager and two bouncers before getting away but no one was hurt. It also said Fanelli physically assaulted a woman inside. Police say the Cadillac sedan was used later in the day in an armed robbery at a convenience store in Cheyenne, Wyoming, 100 miles (160 kilometers) north. Nobody was injured, according to Cheyenne police. But Fanelli and Lopez-Jovel allegedly stole cash and merchandise and returned to the Cadillac, where a woman was waiting. Six hours after the Cheyenne robbery, the same men robbed a Wells Fargo bank in Park City, Utah, 440 miles (710 kilometers) west of Cheyenne, authorities said. Summit County sheriffs deputies said the suspects drove away in a black Cadillac with the same Colorado license plate as the car stolen in Denver. It was not immediately known Monday if Lopez-Jovel, who is from El Salvador, and Fanelli, of New Mexico, had attorneys. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. The woman suspected of crashing into a stopped police cruiser on Interstate 40 early Sunday morning, injuring an officer, told police she was driving home from a club downtown. Kyla Martinez, 21, is charged with great bodily injury by vehicle and aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. She was booked into the county jail. Officer Nathan Sweeten was taken to the hospital for back pain. He later said he was extremely sore but will be returning to work once he heals. Sweeten had been stopped on the interstate near Louisiana NE after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and killed on the freeway, according to officer Simon Drobik, a spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department. Drobik did not identify the pedestrian. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ According to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court, Sweeten was sitting in his police cruiser on the perimeter of the investigation when a car didnt slow down and crashed into him, severely damaging the passenger side of his car. Officers talked with the driver, Martinez, and she appeared to be highly intoxicated, according to the complaint. Police say she would not open her eyes or respond to questions and she smelled of alcohol. Martinez was taken to the hospital and her blood was drawn to be tested for alcohol content. She told officers she had been downtown at a club and had two mixed drinks and one shot. Sweeten has been with APD since January 2016 after serving in the United States Army for five years. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... KANO, Nigeria Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari surged to an early lead in election returns Monday, winning seven of 36 states in Africas largest democracy, while the main opposition rejected the count, alleging manipulation. Election observers said the last-minute postponement of the vote until Saturday discouraged some Nigerians from going to the polls as Buhari seeks a second term heading a country troubled by corruption, insecurity and a weak economy. Buhari, a former military dictator from the north, faced a strong challenge from top opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president and businessman, in a race many saw as too close to call. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ As of midnight, Abubakar had won three southern states and the territory that includes the capital, Abuja. Buhari led by more than 450,000 votes overall. Abubakars party chairman, Uche Secondus, accused ruling party agents of hacking into the electoral commissions computer server and manipulating results. He rejected the count as incorrect, thus unacceptable. The ruling party dismissed the claim and accused Abubakars party of trying to discredit the election. Spokesman Festus Keyamo urged the opposition not to derail us to the dark past with its childish antics. Final results are expected on Tuesday or Wednesday. African Union observers called the political climate largely peaceful and conducive for the conducting of credible elections but urged the country of some 190 million people to remain calm. A Nigerian civil society platform, the Situation Room, noted major logistic lapses in the vote. The election was a step back from 2015, praised as one of Nigerias most transparent and efficient votes, the group said. At least 39 people were killed in voting-related violence over the weekend. Election observers organized by the Commonwealth, of which Nigeria is a member, called that deeply troubling, saying Africas largest democracy can do better. The peaceful achievement of millions was overshadowed by the violence of a few, U.S. Ambassador Stuart Symington said. Nigerias election was originally scheduled for Feb. 16 but the electoral commission postponed it just hours before polls were to open, citing logistical issues. The late arrival of election officials and materials, as well as malfunctions and harassment, caused voting to continue in parts of the country into Sunday. The delays risk undermining citizen confidence in elections and disenfranchising voters, the U.S.-based International Republican Institute and National Democratic Institute observers said. European Union observers said many people were discouraged from voting. It was not yet clear how many of Nigerias estimated 73 million eligible voters turned out. The YIAGA Africa project, which deployed more than 3,900 observers, put it at between 36 percent and 40 percent, down from 44 percent in 2015. It projected that no runoff election will be needed. Widespread concerns continued about possible incitement to violence by the major political parties, the U.S.-based observers said, while noting that Nigerians have showed resilience and patience. Supporters of Buhari and Abubakar briefly confronted each other in the northern city of Kano, pulling knives and machetes. The overall mood was celebratory, however, as the ruling party anticipated victory in Nigerias largest city and the heart of the largely Muslim north. The president is widely seen as being relatively upright in a country riddled with corruption. But some voters said he has not delivered on his promises. I believe we need a change, said 34-year-old Cosmos Eze in Kano, as a television in his auto parts shop broadcast election results. Shops along his street are sprinkled with names like Blessed, Success and Godswill, but workers grumbled. Nigerias economy dipped into a rare recession in 2016 when global oil prices crashed, and unemployment shot up to 23 percent. Recovery from the recession has been slow. A bag of rice that was 7,500 naira ($20) before Buhari took office is now twice that, said Nasir Auwal, a 35-year-old bank worker. He supported the president, however, saying the threat from the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram has essentially disappeared in the city that once saw scores of people killed. Before, when I left my house, my wife would cry because she was afraid I would not come back, Auwal said. The extremists were largely pushed out of communities under Buhari but have made a deadly resurgence in recent months, attacking military bases in the northeast. Waiting for the announcement of a winner, 48-year-old shop worker Innocent Akannam repeated the wishes of many Nigerians. What Im expecting after the final results is, let there be peace, he said. ___ Associated Press writer Cara Anna reported in Kano, Nigeria, and AP writer Jerome Delay reported from Abuja, Nigeria. AP photographer Ben Curtis in Kano contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs full coverage of the Nigeria elections here: https://www.apnews.com/Nigeria ___ Follow Africa news at https://twitter.com/AP_Africa .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... EL PASO Several priests who were part of a delegation that traveled from the border to Guatemala to meet with families of two migrant children who died in Border Patrol custody said last week they felt an obligation to connect with the people there. We felt there was an ethical imperative for our communities to be in solidarity with their communities at this time of tragedy, said Dylan Corbett, executive director of the Hope Border Institute. The grass-roots, faith-based organization working in El Paso, Las Cruces and Ciudad Juarez organized the visit learn more about the conditions driving migration from Guatemala and to personally offer condolences in the villages where the children lived. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ While visiting with the families we would express to them that a lot of people here on the border through us were praying for them said Rev. Msgr. Arturo Banuelos, one of three Catholic priests who were part of the delegation. The four-day trip included traveling by helicopter to remote rural areas of Alta Verapaz, Huehuetenango that is the source of much of the migration from Guatemala. There were dirt floors. There were no beds. There was a pit for cooking, thatched roofs, very marginalized communities far from services, said Corbett. The delegation met with the mother of Jakelin Caal Maquin, the 7-year-old girl who died after crossing the border at Antelope Wells with her father in a large group. They used a translator to communicate with Caal Maquins mother since the woman spoke an indigenous language. They also went to see the mother of Felipe Gomez Alonzo, the 8-year-old boy who became deathly ill at a Border Patrol checkpoint in Lordsburg. The families are living in uncertainly and they dont have a clear sense of where things are going with the cases, said Camilo Perez-Bustillo, director of research and advocacy for the Hope Border Institute. Their cry is for justice and their cry is for accountability and transparency, Bustillo said. Border Patrol is conducting an internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the childrens deaths in December. Autopsy reports with the cause of death from the medical examiners offices in Albuquerque and El Paso are not yet available. The delegation also made a stop in Guatemalan City to meet with government officials, human rights workers and church agencies helping at migrant shelters in country. On the Guatemala-Mexico border they saw front line of the new caravan beginning to arrive, from Honduras according to Corbett. During the news conference Thursday he showed a photo of a sign posted on the border in Mexico notifying migrants that that countrys humanitarian visa program was over. The delegation returned from Guatemala at the end of last week and plans to share their findings with federal lawmakers including U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, D-NM, and other members of the Congressional oversight committee on the Department of Homeland Security. Corbett blamed the policy of turnbacks of asylum seekers at official ports of entry at the U.S. border for pushing migrants from Guatemala to cross in dangerous remote areas of the border including Antelope Wells. The criminalization of migrants, the militarization of the border by this administration, these are border games to them but theyre lethal realities for us, he said. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal Legislation that would allow New Mexico to continue taxing national laboratory operators even when they have nonprofit status quickly made its way through the House on Sunday. A fiscal analysis of the bill found that if the prime contractor of Los Alamos National Laboratory had tax-exempt status, the state could lose $25 million to $30 million in gross receipts tax revenue. Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, said Senate Bill 11 ensures revenue stability for local governments, too. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The bill seeks to amend the section of state statute that exempts nonprofit organizations from paying GRT. It would create an exception permitting the state to tax nonprofits that have been contracted to operate a national laboratory. Gov. Susana Martinez vetoed similar legislation last year. The House passed the bill with a minor amendment that broadened the exception to include contractors running state-owned research facilities as well, though that does not currently exist in New Mexico. Rep. Jason Harper, R-Rio Rancho, said the change would not capture anyone but it would also stop the bill from singling out federal facilities. The bill now returns to the Senate for consideration. Triad National Security LLC, which the analysis said is organized as a non-profit and could seek to become tax exempt, ultimately took over management of LANL. Triad is made up of the University of California, Texas A&M University and the scientific non-profit Battelle Memorial Institute and is a non-profit itself. The bill is not likely to affect New Mexicos other national laboratory anytime soon. A subsidiary of Honeywell International took over management of Sandia National Laboratories in 2017. According to the fiscal analysis, Sandia paid $95 million in GRT in 2018. Also on Sunday, the House: Passed a package of legislation that would make numerous changes to the states criminal justice system. House Bills 342 and 564 include a range of ideas that, supporters say, have previously seen broad support or were created with experts at the Council of State Governments. Approved House Bill 284, which would give New Mexico residents free admission to state parks on Sundays. Amended and approved House Bill 141, to stop state employees from disclosing sensitive personal information acquired through their jobs. Passed House Bill 234, a measure to add public service officers to the list of people who can commit a person to a detoxification facility. CLARIFICATION. In this file photo, MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari (left) and President Rodrigo Duterte (right) embrace each other before the formation of the Bangsamoro Transition Authoritywith presidential peace adviser on Monday dismissing claims by what he describes as poseurs passing themselves off as MNLF representatives. Presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez on Monday dismissed claims by persons passing themselves off as representatives of the Moro National Liberation Front that the group was left out in the formation of theThere are many people who want to be part of the BTA because it is very historic. They [Emmanuel Fontanilla and Montaha Babao] also applied but were not included. I believe they are making these statements for selfish and personal reasons. More importantly, they are not authorized to speak for the MNLF, Galvez told Manila Standard. Galvez was reacting to a claim by Fontanilla, reported by CNN Philippines, that the MNLF would not recognize the BTA because it was not a part of it. But Galvez told the Manila Standard that 14 members of the 80-man BTA represent the MNLF, of which nine were nominated by the group headed by Nur Misuari. The government also named three people who have worked very closely with the MNLF. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front also allotted two out of its 41 seats in theto the MNLF. It is incorrect to say that the MNLF was left out. Originally, they wanted 19 seats, but we had a meeting with Yusoph Jikiri [an MNLF leader under Misuari] in January before the start of the plebiscite and explained to them that it is very unfair to ask for parity because it was really the MILF that worked hard for this agreement. There is a great difference between parity and equity, he said. Galvez said President Rodrigo Duterte has already given the green light to start talks with Misuari. Undersecretary Nabil Tan spoke with Misuari today [Monday] and he was receptive to the suggestion. We just have to schedule a date for the dialogue, he said. On Friday, the President formalized the creation of the BTA, composed of 80 members, which will serve as the interim government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao until elections are held in 2022. Babao, speaker of the Bangsamoro Peoples National Congress of the MNLF, had also expressed dissatisfaction with the apportioning of seats, saying the MNLF expected more of the 39 positions that remained after 41 were allotted to the MILF. He said while the MNLF nominated 22 members, only five were chosena far different number than the 14 that Galvez mentioned on Monday. Babao then called on the government to provide a bigger representation of MNLF in the BTA, saying that those who had prepared the food were not allowed to eat.Galvez said MNLF members will have equitable representation in the BTA. READ: UN chief hails establishment of Bangsamoro transition body As I have always emphasized, bringing about necessary reforms to the BARMM depends not on the number of representatives per sector or grouping but on the effectiveness, efficiency, and sincerity of each member of the BTA, Galvez said in a statement. He said the BTA faces the gargantuan task of establishing the formal structure of the new Bangsamoro region. He also emphasized the need to have lawyers, technocrats, professionals, and other specialists in the interim government. These experts are then expected to craft the regions electoral, local government, education, administrative, revenue, and civil service codes as well as the new Bangsamoro Development Plan. The BTA represents not just the MILF and MNLF but the entirety of the Moro and non-Moro people. The 80-member transition body will see to it that by 2022, a strong institution shall have been lain down and the people of BARMM will be ready to exercise their right of suffrage and install their government officials, he said. READ: Murad heads Bangsamoro transition body We recognize that there are many more who want to serve the Bangsamoro through the BTA, but let us not forget that there is a multitude of ways to render our service for the people, he added. Last month, the President noted that he needs to hear the suggestions raised by Misuari on the peace process in Mindanao and consider the sentiment of the people of Sulu who rejected the Bangsamoro Organic Law. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal New Mexicos historically troubled state prison system is no stranger to controversy, and neither is the woman tabbed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to serve as the states new Corrections secretary. Julie Jones, who is scheduled to start work here on March 1, has dealt with budget challenges and resolved three class-action lawsuits filed against her involving inmate medical care during her four years running Floridas 100,000-inmate prison system. Jones, 62, was appointed to head the troubled 100,000-bed Florida corrections system in December 2014 by then-Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican. It was her first job in corrections and she was the fourth person to lead the prison system in the first four years of Scotts administration. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The Florida Corrections Department has more than 70 private and state-run prisons and a budget topping $2 billion a year. At the time of Jones appointment, the department was under state and federal investigations for inmate abuse, corruption, retaliation against whistle-blowers and struggling with a shortage of corrections officers. Some of those issues are ongoing but Lujan Grisham said she was more than satisfied with Jones candor in the interview process. Jones work history and related litigation that came about as a result of her position in Florida were reviewed as part of the vetting process, the governor said in written responses Journal questions. Her willingness to speak frankly about the challenges the Florida system has long faced, and the steps she took to address them, were part of the rationale behind thinking she would be a good fit in New Mexico, Lujan Grisham said. The three class action cases involved: Serious deficiencies in mental health care, in some cases leading to the deaths of inmates. Failure to provide Hepatitis-C treatment for inmates. Failure to provide hernia repair surgeries for inmates. Another case involved having prisons comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act so inmates in wheelchairs could move through the prisons instead of being stuck in the cells. Some of these entrenched issues as identified in the suits are long-standing and at least partly a result of the dire (budget) cuts foisted on her department both before and during her term, Lujan Grisham said. Julie was able to find a middle ground with the court in these various issues that acknowledged problems but also created solutions. Jones was one of several names that came to the administrations attention from inside and outside the state, according to the governors staff. Because of the change in the governors office in Florida, officials in the Lujan Grisham administration were told Jones might be interested in the New Mexico job, and that led to a series of conversations. Officer raises In the years before Jones took over the Florida Corrections Department, the Legislature there had cut hundreds of corrections officer positions and privatized inmate medical care. Union officials in Florida told the Journal that Jones was able to convince lawmakers there to give corrections officers their first raise in six years and to approve additional funding for more officers. She also overhauled the internal affairs procedures for investigating prison employees and introduced drug rehabilitation and mental health programs for inmates. Budget cuts in 2018 led to cutbacks in the rehabilitation and mental health programs. But in 2018, Jones was instrumental in reaching an agreement with Disability Rights Florida, which was representing thousands of mentally ill inmates in a class action lawsuit. Under terms of the agreement, the department agreed make widespread changes in its psychiatric treatment system. Many of Disability Rights Floridas complaints concerned the isolation of inmates with mental illness and the department agreed to increase the amount of time inmates spent out of their cells in treatment. The agreement also called for extensive training for medical staff and security officers working with inmates with mental illnesses. In 2016, Jones and the departments former medical contractor reached an agreement with attorneys representing more than 2,000 past and current inmates when the department agreed that inmates would be promptly referred to surgeons to determine if surgery was required to repair their hernias. Jones, in written response to Journal questions, said she was able to convince a Republican dominated Florida legislature that continuing investment in these areas was necessary to settle the lawsuits. In 2017, inmates with Hepatitis C filed a lawsuit claiming they were denied medical treatment for the disease. The case led to a series of court-ordered injunctions and the department responded by filing a plan for treatment of inmates with the disease that was approved by the court. The Hepatitis C case continues with a key issue involving which inmates get the costly treatments first. The current estimated treatment cost per inmate is around $60,000 down from about $80,000. Corrections departments across the country are all experiencing the need to respond to an evolving standard of care for inmates, Jones in her written responses to questions from the Journal. My experience in a large system is that it is hard to get consistent funding to do privatized health care correctly, she said. In small systems it is more manageable. The governor expects a full evaluation of our (corrections) healthcare system from me. Work experience For a relatively small prison system about 6,400 men and 800 women inmates New Mexico has a long history of prison problems. Some, like too few corrections officers and entrenched prison gangs, have been persistent. Morale, staffing, resources to benefit inmates and offenders are universal problems facing prisons around the country, Jones said. Other issues include handling the budget process, accounting for capital improvement funds and enforcing contracts with private companies handling food service, health care and the states private prison contractors. When she was chosen to run the Florida prison system she was a newcomer to the field. Then-Gov. Scott said one of the reasons Jones was chosen was her administrative abilities. She had just retired after five years as chief of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Prior to that, Jones served more than two decades at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, where she worked her way up to director of law enforcement before taking the highway-safety position in 2009. Asked why she chose to take a job running a much smaller prison system, Jones said, I believe I have more to give to others in the corrections field. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... As the county manager for Bernalillo County government, I am fortunate to be able to lead an effort that is a game changer for the citizens of Bernalillo County. On Tuesday the Bernalillo County Commission will vote whether to award a $49 million contract to HB Construction for the renovation and expansion of Alvarado Square, the future home of the Bernalillo County Government Center, located Downtown at 415 Silver Avenue SW in Albuquerque. The move will be remarkably beneficial to the community. The new Bernalillo County Government Center will provide a one-stop-shop customer experience with nearby public parking. Bernalillo County Government Center will be better designed to provide easy access to necessary services in one location, so the public no longer has to go to multiple office buildings to conduct business with the county. A lot of public money is invested in this project. Keeping the public trust and confidence is critical; therefore, I respectfully understand and appreciate public scrutiny of such an important project. Im confident the new Bernalillo County Government Center is a wise financial investment. The county currently owns and occupies aging facilities that require ongoing maintenance. Relocating to a new flagship office building will avoid $22 million in renovations, and selling five facilities will raise $18 million. The efficiency of moving 900 employees into one office building will save $50 million in utility costs each year. The Bernalillo County Commission approved the purchase of the new office building for $2.7 million in March 2017. Since 2017, more in-depth evaluations for the new Bernalillo County Government Center helped finalize many aspects of the project. To ensure a 30-year lifespan of the building, careful, thoughtful decisions were made to better invest in new infrastructure. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Updated IT infrastructure will bring the new Bernalillo County Government Center into the 21st Century. Mechanical items previously intended to be repaired, such as plumbing, HVAC and electrical systems, will instead be replaced. These choices ensure critical systems will not need constant repair in the near future, at greater costs. Security enhancements are also part of the renovation. A comprehensive evaluation of security needs led to deciding to construct new chambers for the County Commission. The new chambers will be adjacent to the main building and will provide a safe meeting facility while maintaining current seating capacity for the public. When not in use, the chambers will be available space for community events and activities. Last but not least, I want to thank county staff for their strategic and committed due diligence to ensuring taxpayers money is invested wisely, as Bernalillo County seeks to move forward in providing a modern, convenient home for county services that will better serve all members of the community for years to come. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... On Feb. 6 the Albuquerque Journal published an opinion piece by Paige McKenzie of the Rio Grande Foundation that characterized the group as being distinctly non-partisan. A review of their website reveals the group is an extremely partisan, hard-right conservative/libertarian organization founded by Hal Stratton, a former Republican N.M. attorney general for. The group denigrates the Democratic Legislature of our state and warns about the perils of a Blue Tsunami. The piece, Plastic bag bans hurt more than they help, railed against the proposed ordinance to ban the use of many plastic goods in Albuquerque. First of all, the author incorrectly cited a study by the Environmental Protection Agency downplaying the environmental impacts of plastic waste, because the EPA on its website merely provided a link to a Danish study that has nothing to do with our country. She conveniently forgot to mention the EPAs own statistics that we use 380 billion plastic bags and wraps each year in the U.S. at the cost of 12 million barrels of oil to produce, while very little of this is recycled. On the same day the Farmington Daily Times posted a letter, Shift to renewables shouldnt cost rate payers, in which Paul Gessing of the Rio Grande Foundation warns about the dangers of following the advice of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, environmental groups and PNM to raise the renewable energy portfolio. He claims New Mexicans will have to pay an additional $2.3 billion dollars in energy bills. However, he does not reference an independent analysis of these economic effects, but instead cites figures by his own foundation. I appreciate the Albuquerque Journal and the Farmington Daily Times giving New Mexicans a forum to express their concerns. However, a person writing an opinion piece should tell the truth about the nature of the organization they are representing. I will be honest about my identity. I am Steve Clarke, Ward 4 leader for the San Juan Democratic Party. I am also one of the leaders for Indivisible San Juan, which is a Progressive advocacy group. In other capacities I have helped lead the non-partisan effort to create the Four Corners Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, and Americans Together which brought Democrats, Republicans and Independents together to dialogue in a civil manner at San Juan College in Farmington. Hopefully we can make build on that positive spirit to create a New Mexico Americans Together. The partisanship of our times is corrosive to the good of our country. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal I wish there was a quick easy answer, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham lamented last week. Nevertheless, New Mexicos new governor is offering a multi-pronged prescription intended to help alleviate the shortage of physicians and other health care professionals in New Mexico. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Theres a price tag and legislative approval is needed for some proposed remedies. Other initiatives rely on political will and cooperation the governor hopes will change the dynamic. For starters: Lujan Grisham wants to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for medical providers, who have seen cuts in Medicaid payments over the past eight years due to poor state budget conditions. The federal government funds most of Medicaid in New Mexico, but the states portion will approach $1 billion in the coming budget year. Raising those reimbursements to providers would increase patient access, she said. Those who are non-Medicaid or privately insured also would benefit because the higher rates could help expand physician practices, allowing them to take on more patients. When you raise rates, then you have more folks accepting new patients because they get their costs covered. They can build their practices, said Lujan Grisham. If I get my Medicaid rates up and I have more nurses who are screening patients before I get in, I can see more patients without minimizing quality. All of that changes when we put more money into the system. We cant ask physicians and other practitioners to stay or come to New Mexico if they lose money in the practice, she said. The Legislature, which is now in session, would have to sign off on the additional money. The state Human Services Departments legislative Medicaid budget request includes about $6.4 million to rebuild New Mexicos provider network, said HSD Secretary Dr. David Scrase. That money would be matched nearly 4-1 by the federal government for up to $30 million to try to make these strategic investments in our network and grow and incentivize providers. Editors note: Today is the final part of a Journal investigative series examining the shortage of doctors in New Mexico, and whether there are possible solutions. If the state can make up to $30 million of Medicaid provider improvements, that will take the pressure off commercial insurers in New Mexico, Scrase said last week. Private health insurance, which has become increasingly expensive, has had to offset the lower government reimbursements. Medicaid and Medicare insure well over half of the states population, he said, leaving about 41 percent private-pay patients. There is help, Scrase said. All of the legislation has been focused on the demand side getting people coverage. But now were trying to focus on the supply side. More homegrown The governor also supports leveraging Medicaid dollars to fund more graduate medical residency slots which are typically three years or longer for primary care physicians. You have to use Medicaid as a great tool and equalizer, Lujan Grisham told the Journal. Paying for graduate medical residencies with Medicaid, combined with loan repayment or forgiveness, theyll stay here. Our doctors are all 60 years of age and older. We need to deal with that and thats how we get younger folks to come and move here. Congress has capped federal residency funding at 1997 levels. So states are finding their own ways to add residency slots, said Kurt Mosley, vice president of Strategic Alliances at the national physician recruiter firm, Merritt Hawkins. Weve found when a doctor is either born, trained or licensed in that state, they tend to stay there, Mosley said. Currently, fewer than 40 percent of graduate medical residents in New Mexico end up staying to work as new doctors, according to the most recent data from the American Association of Medical Colleges. States like Colorado, Arizona and Texas do far better at retaining medical residents, according to the 2017 AAMC rankings. New Mexico ranked 39th, while every state in the western United States excluding Wyoming had greater retention. We have to train and recruit, said Jerry Harrison, executive director of New Mexico Health Resources, which recruits health professionals to come here. Unfortunately we train a lot of people for export. I dont care what the discipline is. From nursing through physicians, we train for export to other states, primarily adjoining states and California. The latest AAMC ranking did show that nearly 66 percent of those who completed both medical school and residency training in New Mexico opted to practice here. Thats the case of newly minted Dr. Nathan Prapasiri, who came to Las Cruces from Thailand when he was 9 years old. At age 38, he is finishing up his residency in internal medicine at the University of New Mexico and has a panel of primary care patients at UNMs Westside Clinic. Im like the golden child, Prapasiri said of his choice to go into primary care in an outpatient setting in Albuquerque when other internists are following a national trend of working inside hospitals, where they can make more money and have easier one-week-on, one-week-off schedules. Having been raised in New Mexico and having obtained my medical education here, my first thing is that I want to give back to our community, and to the underserved population who cannot afford medical care or are marginalized, he said. Prapasiri embodies what experts say is New Mexicos best hope for alleviating the physician shortage: Hes a New Mexican with family in both Santa Fe and Las Cruces who obtained his medical education and residency at the University of New Mexico. And, so far, he has no plans to leave. Dr. Michael Bay, a gastroenterologist in Albuquerque, said the state also needs to foster a better climate in which to practice medicine. I will make the argument that in order to attract physicians to New Mexico, we need to make New Mexico a more attractive environment for the practice of medicine, Bay told the Journal. When a young doctor finishes his/her training, we need to make sure New Mexico is an appealing, gratifying and rewarding place to practice medicine. Recruiting partners The governor also wants the state and private sector to combine forces to alleviate the shortage, which is only predicted to get worse in the coming years as New Mexicos baby boomers age and its supply of 60-plus physicians retires. One thing thats not happening enough is a partnership to get out there and universally recruit, said Lujan Grisham. Its got to be a collective. The governor recalled how she dealt with agency physician shortages when she served as secretary of the New Mexico Department of Health from 2004 to 2007. From tapping visa programs for nonresident physicians to offering medical education loan forgiveness incentives, we were very, very aggressive and we got 30 physicians into rural New Mexico in just over a year because we made it a priority. It could take more self-promotion. Dr. Steve Jenkusky, a psychiatrist and chairman of the New Mexico Medical Board, said the state could launch a New Mexico True-like advertising campaign to show off its strengths to prospective medical students. He recalls what sold him on locating in New Mexico for his residency as he was finishing medical school in southern Illinois: a vacation guide someone included along with the application he requested from the University of New Mexico. Arizona didnt do that. I looked at that (brochure) and I love the outdoors, I birdwatch, fish and hike. I was like, this was intriguing. I came here and fell in love with the state. Using our assets The state should continue expanding the scope of practice for health professionals, Lujan Grisham told the Journal, without minimizing quality or safety. We want to continue to give New Mexicans more opportunities. For instance, weve got pretty darn good nurse practitioner and physician assistant programs. Currently, there is proposed legislation that would permit New Mexico to license and establish dental therapists as a new type of dental practitioner. Back in 1993, New Mexico anticipated the coming physician shortage and permitted the licensing of a new type of health care provider, an advance practice pharmacist. Working as part of a team with a physician and others, such pharmacists receive additional training and are especially helpful managing patients who have diabetes, hypertension and other chronic diseases managed through medication, said Joe Anderson, PharmD, PhC, assistant dean for curricular affairs at the UNM College of Pharmacy. Once patients receive a diagnosis from a physician, the advanced practice pharmacists can be called in to conduct follow-up physical assessments, ensure patients are receiving the proper medication for their condition and avoid adverse drug events, said Melanie Dodd, PharmD, PhC, associate dean for clinical affairs at the UNM College of Pharmacy who also works at the UNM Senior Health Clinic. Were a ready workforce, but we are under-utilized, Anderson added. Advanced practice pharmacists arent recognized as health care providers under Medicare so such services arent reimbursed. But a bill pending in the New Mexico Legislature, HB 578, would require group health plans and Medicaid and its contractors to reimburse advanced practice pharmacists for their services. In the meantime, some medical providers, like Presbyterian Healthcare Services, already are using advanced practice pharmacists as part of a team approach to ease the burden on their physicians. Presbyterian is also teaming with University of New Mexico so pediatric superspecialists can all be together and well have a more stable pediatric workforce, said Dr. Jason Mitchell, chief medical and clinical transformation officer for Presbyterian. And Presbyterian, which cares for one in three New Mexicans, is trying to combat a shortage of dermatologists by providing additional training in dermatology and equipment for primary care physicians. It feels like it takes forever to see a dermatologist. So lets only send them stuff they really need to do and dont send them stuff they dont need them to do, Mitchell said. State Rep. Elizabeth Liz Thomson, D-Albuquerque, said New Mexicos health care shortage has been a long time coming and it will take awhile to fix it. Theres health care shortages throughout the country, but we are in dire straits. Though not classified as a health care initiative per se, Thomson said the current legislative emphasis on the educational moonshot for public education could help. Our high levels of poverty and low levels of educational performance might put off health care providers thinking about moving to New Mexico, she said. So I think if we improve our education system that will hopefully take that out of the equation. New Mexico has so many good things, Thomson added, but we also have some black eyes. So its going to be all of the above kind of approach. Legislation There are a number of other health provider legislative proposals intended to help ease the shortage, but at least one that physician groups say would hurt. That bill, HB 629 by Rep. Damon Ely, D-Corrales, raises the medical malpractice award caps on damages victims could collect from $600,000 to $2 million. Opponents of the bill say the current caps help keep liability insurance costs affordable and policies available; and that helps recruit and retain quality physicians in New Mexico Other health provider legislative bills that are pending include: SB 138, sponsored by Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque, appropriates $1.2 million for nine additional residency slots for physicians SB 296, also sponsored by Ortiz y Pino, offers tax credits for New Mexico health care practitioners who help provide clinical learning experiences for physician, nursing or pharmacy students. SB 21, sponsored by Sen. Gay K. Kernan, R-Hobbs, establishes a new Osteopathic Physician Excellence Fund for educational loan repayments. This would be in addition to existing loan repayment programs for health professionals. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal As a border state New Mexico is ground zero when it comes to illegal drugs, said Kyle Williamson, the special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administrations El Paso Division, which encompasses New Mexico. But, he said, most drugs coming into the country and fueling the national opioid epidemic are hidden in vehicles, not smuggled across vast swaths of remote borderlands. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Most of the drugs that do come into our region come concealed in commercial cargo, Williamson said. They come through a legal port of entry, for example. And while he said the Department of Homeland Security would be better suited to comment on the effectiveness of a physical border wall, he believes technology and proactive investigations can combat drug trafficking. For Customs and Border Protection at the ports of entry, obviously theres a need for technology to help protect and detect the illegal importation of drugs, Williamson said. And manpower down there to get the job done, the human and the technical resources necessary to do that. Williamson joined Uttam Dhillon, the acting administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and local law enforcement officials in Albuquerque late last week to speak about the exhibit Drugs: Costs & Consequences at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. The exhibit opened Saturday and will run through September. In an interview with the Journal, Dhillon and Williamson discussed an increase in drugs being trafficked across the border and into New Mexico and the rest of the United States. Former attorney general Jeff Sessions appointed Dhillon as the DEAs acting administrator in July. The vast majority of illegal drugs coming into the United States come through the southwest border, Dhillon said. Thats heroin, fentanyl, marijuana. The southwest port is critical to our fight against drug traffickers and drugs in the United States. Williamson said agents are increasingly seizing large quantities of methamphetamine and, even more worrying, fentanyl a synthetic opioid that is 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Last year in New Mexico alone, here in Albuquerque, we seized enough fentanyl to kill 6.6 million people, he said. Thats enough to wipe out the entire state of New Mexico, El Paso, and the entire Mexican state of Chihuahua combined. In 2017, almost 500 people died of an overdose in New Mexico. But the state is quickly falling from having one of the highest rates of overdose deaths in the country to being in the middle. Unfortunately, Williamson said New Mexico isnt experiencing fewer drug overdoses than prior years, other states are just seeing more. In Albuquerque, fentanyl is starting to replace heroin as the drug of choice, Williamson said. And Albuquerque has generational heroin use and abuse going back years and years and years. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... SANTA FE, N.M. Receiving the Churchill Scholarship is an honor bestowed upon a very select cohort of college students from across the U.S. The University of New Mexicos Esteban Abeyta, a senior biochemistry major and honors minor, can now count himself as one of the scholarships elite. The Churchill Scholarship was awarded to Abeyta for one year of masters study at Churchill College at the University of Cambridge. The award covers full tuition, a stipend, travel costs and the chance to apply for a $2,000 special research grant. The scholarship was set up at the request of Sir Winston Churchill in order to fulfil his vision of U.S.-U.K. scientific exchange with the goal of advancing science and technology on both sides of the Atlantic. The award is extremely competitive and has been called the most academically rigorous of the prestigious scholarships. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Im extremely humbled and thrilled to be selected as part of the new class of Churchill Scholars, and Im proud to represent The University of New Mexico in this rare opportunity, said Abeyta. My interests in biochemistry, genetics and research have helped me acquire the skills I will need to succeed at the University of Cambridge. I attribute many of these successes to the experiences I have had working with phenomenal mentors from Los Alamos National Laboratory, The University of New Mexico, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. I also would like to recognize my mentors from the UNM Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) Program for their research training, guidance and support over the years, he said. One of Abeytas mentors, Regents Professor Emeritus Maggie Werner-Washburne, is thrilled, but not surprised, at his success. Esteban is not only incredibly bright, he is gracious, proactive in his communication and has an incredibly optimistic attitude. In many respects, he is already a colleague, said Werner-Washburne. Abeyta was born and raised in Espanola. While at UNM on a Regents Scholarship, he became a member of PBK the nations oldest academic honor society and was honored as a 2018 Goldwater Scholarship recipient. He also conducted research at MIT and Harvard, LANL, Veteran Affairs, UNM College of Pharmacy and UNM School of Medicine Molecular & Microbiology. At Cambridge, I plan to pursue an M.Phil. in Biochemistry focusing on the relationship between human genetics and diseases, he said. Specifically, I will be investigating how defects in DNA damage repair mechanisms can determine the severity of neurological diseases. UNM student to study at Cambridge as Churchill Scholar .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... NEW YORK As Nick Haschka bought four small horticultural businesses over the past two years, he had to help his new employees navigate almost constant change. Theyve had to get used to a new owner, new management style, and many new processes and tools, says Haschka, owner of The Wright Gardner in South San Francisco, Calif. Small-business owners who recognize the impact that change can have on employees can limit the fallout by helping staffers with the transition. Mishandling change whether its a new boss, office or procedures, or a turn in the companys finances can prompt staffers to leave or hurt their productivity. Change can also be more than a one-time event. It can be continuous, or, as in the case of Haschkas business, periodic. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Haschka has taken several steps to help his new employees weather the changes. Hes worked with the previous owners to prepare staffers, many of whom drew some comfort from the fact that their former bosses felt secure about handing their businesses over to Haschka. And hes sat down and talked to his new team members. Theres usually a lot of shock at the beginning when employees find out their owner is leaving and passing the torch to us, Haschka says. But we try to make it easy on them by listening and being responsive to their needs. He also asks his current employees to help. The employees from the previous acquisitions are in a good place to represent and be a sounding board for the new employees theyve all been in that place before, and recently, he says. Human resources consultants say business owners need to plan well and do a lot talking with staffers. People, no matter whether change is good or bad, fear change, says Jay Starkman, CEO of Engage PEO, an HR provider based in Hollywood, Fla. The only way to get through that fear is communicate, communicate, communicate. And when you think youve communicated enough, communicate again. Even a move to a new location requires change management. A year ago, Dave Cyphers bought a building in Crofton, Md., 10 miles away from the office he had rented for his marketing company. Cyphers, who has 18 staffers, made them part of the planning process. He took longtime senior employees to see the building before he bought it, and discussed with each worker how the move would affect their commutes. He discussed the new seating plan with them, and gave each money to decorate individual work areas. You work hard to put a team together. The last thing you want to do is blow it all up by saying, were moving, let the chips fall where they may,' says Cyphers, owner of The Cyphers Agency. Startups can go through significant changes, and while staffers expect their companies to evolve, sometimes the direction is unexpected. When Brad Weisberg started his insurance claims technology company, consumers were his target market. After about a year, he realized there were few chances for people using his service to be repeat customers, and that he needed to pivot his company and cater to businesses instead. The change wasnt so simple for one thing, he had to convince investors that it was the right thing to do. And Weisbergs 12 staffers, who understood the world of tech startups, worried about the companys future. They were very anxious, says Weisberg, whose company, Snapsheet, is based in Chicago. They had taken a chance on me. They had left jobs to come with me. Weisberg helped his staffers by showing them his analysis of the companys situation. They were all startup and tech savvy, and after Weisberg explained the situation to them, they were on board. Helping staffers through uncertain political or economic times is difficult because an owner cant provide answers. Soon after British voters decided in June 2016 that their country should leave the European Union, many companies lost business because no one knew how Brexit would affect trade and the economy. We had six live projects that, while they didnt fire us, simply wanted to pause. Pausing is death to a small business, says Monica Parker, who with her husband Julian Pollitt owns Hatch Analytics, a London-based company that helps businesses analyze employees behavior. They didnt know whether the firm would survive and had to prepare their staff for all possibilities. We felt being honest and transparent was better that carrying the stress ourselves and more ethical than possibly dropping very bad news on the team at the last minute, Parker recalls. Staffers were empowered by having heard the truth, and responded by asking what they could do to help. A few months later, when business returned to normal, they were grateful to share in that success, Parker says. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Dear J.T. & Dale: My superior doesnt like to approve leave (whether short or long) until the day before the leave itself. The reason given is that he would not know what will happen in the future and at the point when I take leave, the company might be in need of me. This makes it almost impossible to plan a holiday, especially to book cheap flights. Omar DALE: Such a policy, if rigidly enforced, is simply unacceptable. There are occasions where you see it for instance, a startup where everyone is working furiously toward a launch date or in retail during the holiday season but only for specified periods of time. However, in general, employees with a life would leave such a company, and so should you. My only hesitation is the word like in your first sentence does he whine about it but still make exceptions? J.T.: Thats why I would set a meeting with him and let him know about a trip you are hoping to plan and the need for you to book the flights early enough to make them affordable. Ask him what you can put in place or do in advance to go on this trip since you will not be able to cancel. Hopefully he will give you assurances. If not, you can go to HR or to upper management and tell them what is happening and see what advice they offer. However, please know your boss will likely be upset that you went around him and may take it out on you. DALE: Id only do that if you have a good job lined up, and, if so, why bother? J.T.: Thats where I was headed to suggest you look for a new job and leave. Any vacation policy that doesnt let you plan a vacation isnt a fair policy. There are other companies out there that will understand your desire to book in advance and want you to go on your vacation because they know it will create a happier, more loyal employee! Dear J.T. & Dale: I just graduated culinary school and I want to start a business helping people shop for food and make healthy meals. However, I need a full-time job to support myself. That leaves no time for the business. What should I do? Carli J.T.: You arent alone. Most people who have business ideas lack the time they want to work on them. My advice is to dedicate a certain amount of hours of your free time each week to developing the business. You might want to take a course on starting a small service business. Id also suggest finding a mentor. There are also some great free resources like SCORE, which connects you with retired business owners for mentoring. Simply put, you need to see the path to getting this business going on limited time and resources. The answer is in talking to people who can say been there, done that as a way to remove your own mental roadblocks and get you on the path to success! DALE: All good advice, but heres something even better: The undertaking youre describing would make an ideal business to evolve into. Heres an IBP, an Important Business Principle: Youre not in business when you have a company name; youre not in business when you have a spreadsheet, or even when you have an office or shop with your name on it. No, youre in business when you have a customer. Said another way, just start. Sign up a friend or relative and begin. That drives you straight up the learning curve. Youll eventually cut back on your current job in order to accommodate the new customers youre attracting, and then if all goes well, the new business simply replaces your old career. Some people would be frightened of such an evolution, knowing that theyd be working two jobs for a while. But thats your startup capital youre financing the new business with your effort, rather than your savings or your parents savings. And the new business will be healthier for it. Jeanine J.T. Tanner ODonnell is a career coach and the founder of the leading career site www.workitdaily.com. Dale Dauten is founder of The Innovators Lab. Please visit them at jtanddale.com, where you can send questions via email, or write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St, 15th Fl, New York, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803. (c) 2019 by King Features Syndicate, Inc. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Motherland, socialism or death, was changed in 2012 to Motherland and socialism. We will live, and we will come out victorious. The tweaking in this political slogan in 2012 was one of the final acts of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in attempting to restamp his Bolivarian Revolution (named after 19th century Venezuelan revolutionary Simon Bolivar) before he succumbed to cancer the following year. Its been nearly 20 years since I traveled and did business in Venezuela, but I remember the country and the people well, both having been seared into my brain. As I traveled to the country, I didnt know what to expect. I landed in Caracas, hailed a taxi and was off for the long ride to the luxurious Hotel Tamanaco Intercontinental. What I saw was disturbing. We passed some of the most abject poverty I had seen anywhere in the world, with people living in cardboard shacks and shirtless children playing in trash by the side of the road. This hellish scene changed as we approached the hotel and the citys modern financial/commercial district at the base of Avila Mountain. It seemed that we had entered another country. Upon checking in, I was warned that as a foreigner, I should probably stay on the hotel premises and that everything I needed would be provided to me. This struck me as odd, and being headstrong, I promptly arranged for a taxi to take me and my business partner to an Italian restaurant a couple of miles from the hotel. Big mistake. On the way back from the meal, the taxi driver, who had an uncanny resemblance to Italian fascist Benito Mussolini, talked to us about how hard life was in Venezuela and how society has stratified into the haves and have-nots. He was so focused on getting his point across to us that he took his eyes off the road, and we T-boned a bus, whose driver quickly exited with a crowbar, threatening to kill the taxi driver. As we stood in the street watching this scene, the taxi driver excitedly told us to leave before the police came. We promptly obliged, and off we were in a strange country in which we were told not to wander from the hotel. We eventually managed to walk back to the hotel, after going through some very sketchy neighborhoods with some horrible blight. The next day, we went to the U.S. Embassy to meet with the commercial officer to seek advice on our project. This was the only commercial officer I have ever met who asked why we were in Venezuela, and strongly told us that we should not risk ourselves by trying to do business there. The feeling of tension and despair among the Venezuelans we met was real, and this was before the economic crisis that has been sweeping the nation since the end of Chavezs reign. And now, six years later, Chavez is still affecting Venezuelan citizens from the grave. As a populist, he believed in a strong central government that, through his Bolivarian Revolution, would get rid of poverty in the country and produce a more egalitarian citizenry. Regarded by many as an outright dictatorship, the Chavez regime proceeded to nationalize industry, launch social programs to attack poverty and to promote the equitable distribution of land. Chavez went so far as to propose utopian communes and cities. With an estimated 303 billion barrels, this country has the largest oil reserves in the world. Because oil prices were high and Venezuela is reliant on this abundant resource, Chavez had a lot of money to play with. But as is the case with countries with non-diversified economies reliant on one major commodity, oil prices came down, the country started experiencing distortions in its economy and the cracks started to appear at the time of Chavezs death. Replacing him was Nicolas Maduro, one of his longtime administrators. Maduro continued Chavezs policies, and today millions are struggling to find basic foodstuffs and rudimentary supplies. Educated Venezuelans, including engineers and doctors, are fleeing the country in search of work elsewhere, further exacerbating the crisis. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ In addition to the economic crisis, a constitutional crisis surrounding Maduros powers ensued in 2017, further spreading instability in the country. As the owner of both crises, Maduro was strongly urged to resign after his term expired on Jan. 10, 2019. He did not, and the countrys National Assembly elected Juan Gauido as the nations interim president. Several nations, including the U.S., rushed to recognize him as the legitimate president. At present, the struggle and uncertainty continue as to who is in control and who is legitimately in power. When I read stories on Venezuelan stores with their shelves empty and people not having enough money to buy food even if it were abundantly available, I think of my short time in that country. I wonder about our kind taxi driver who got us into a wreck and who was struggling back then to make ends meet. If he is still alive, what financial condition is he in? Does he have enough money to buy gas to operate his taxi? Time and time again, centralized governments attempting to run socialized economies in Latin America and throughout the world have failed. No government is more capable than a free market in the allocation of resources throughout the economy. Venezuela is a stark lesson in this reality. The We will live part of Chavezs changed slogan can now be changed to, We will live if we are lucky enough to survive the motherland and socialism. Jerry Pacheco is the executive director of the International Business Accelerator, a nonprofit trade counseling program of the New Mexico Small Business Development Centers Network. He can be reached at 575-589-2200 or at jerry@nmiba.com. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... New Mexico attracts more visitors every year, but the state wants to further boost tourism and related revenue by expanding on successful programs like New Mexico True and the Cooperative Marketing Program. New Mexico True is a brand that businesses, governments and nonprofit organizations can use by partnering with the New Mexico Tourism Department. That involves demonstrating how the organization expresses or evokes the states distinctive landscapes, cultures, food, art or history. The co-op program gives local nonprofits, municipalities and tribal governments a financial incentive to market whats uniquely New Mexican about their event or location and even participate in existing advertising campaigns. Through the co-op program, state money is leveraged with money from other public entities to amplify media buying power for all involved parties. (Private businesses can contribute up to 50 percent of a public entitys total co-op investment.) The Tourism Department awards co-op funds every year, and the application cycle for fiscal year 2020 is scheduled to open this spring. Applicants must participate in a March 5 webinar that outlines the rules and provides tips for a successful application. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The two funding tracks are the Media Menu Program, which lets participants piggyback on the departments existing marketing relationships, and flex grants, which cover complementary marketing efforts. An organization can apply for both at once, but all marketing must conform to the New Mexico True Brand, and ads must be approved before release. Successful applicants to the Media Menu Program may advertise on indoor and outdoor billboards, digital venues and publications including some where the department already advertises and split the cost 50-50 with the state. Members of the co-op team collaborate with successful Media Menu applicants to create high-quality advertisements, videos and marketing collateral that is consistent with the New Mexico True brand. They negotiate with and pay vendors and place all orders. Flex grants cover advertising or other costs for independent though complementary marketing. For example, a grant might cover website development or exhibit fees and booth rental at a trade show not part of the Media Menu Program. Successful applicants pay all costs, provide proof of placement, report ad performance and apply for reimbursement. In fiscal year 2018, co-op partner governments, event organizers, MainStreet entities and industry associations contributed $379,945 to a total $760,000 Media Menu Program expenditure. Their ads ran in the departments annual adventure guide; in magazines like Texas Monthly, Outside Magazine, and New Mexico Magazine; in digital ads on platforms like TripAdvisor and Expedia; and on billboards in New Mexico and Texas. New Mexico Wine, the nonprofit winegrowers association, has participated in the co-op program for several years. One year it spent flex grant money to purchase wine glasses embossed with the New Mexico True logo. We have leveraged their matching funds to help propel our brands into the consumers hands with specialty glassware that has shelf life in consumers homes, said Chris Goblet, the associations executive director. The association also leveraged funds to produce videos that showcase the countrys oldest wine growing region in the country. The Tourism Department is available for one-on-one consultations throughout the year. For more information and a list of past awards, visit https://www.newmexico.org/industry/work-together/grants/co-op-marketing/overview/. Send questions to coop.marketing@state.nm.us. Finance New Mexico connects individuals and businesses with skills and funding resources for their business or idea. To learn more, go to www.FinanceNewMexico.org. of most Filipinos READ: backs Rodys harsher drug war Tom Lawrence Special to the American News He tried to teach me to play the guitar. Which was a futile gesture. I have no musical ability. None. Not a bit. But Bob Swinson knew how much I loved music. We listened to it, talked about it, exchanged albums and books, and were passionate about good music. It was a foundational part of our friendship for four decades. Unlike me, Bob could play and sing. He did so, in groups, and at home, where he would pick up one of his guitars and play a tune. His dark eyes were closed as he expertly selected the next string and his high voice matching the song perfectly. That was just one of his talents. He also was a good photographer who had an extensive camera collection. He read voraciously, and we shared magazines, books and newspapers, discussing and debating politics, science, religion and so many other topics for hours and hours. We laughed a lot. Life was absurd and the flow of events proved that on a daily basis. Over drinks downtown, in his home when I visited, and on the phone when I was living in another state, we talked, laughed and shared ideas. Im going to miss all that so much. Bob was a dear friend for four decades. The Brookings resident, who came here from his native East Coast with his beloved Cindy, another precious friend, wasnt a South Dakota native. But he came to adore her native state and never wanted to leave. Now, he never will. Bob died at a Sioux Falls hospice care facility on Feb. 10, six days after he and Cindy had celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary. He had beaten back lung cancer, but chronic obstructive pulmonary disease seized hold of him and his departure was sudden and unexpected, putting scores of friends in shock. I met Bob at South Dakota State University and we became close quickly, as happens in college. A small group of friends spent a tremendous amount of time together, and four of us, Jim, Bob, Pat and myself, graduated together in 1982. All three of them were slightly older than me and had served in the military before coming to SDSU, so they were often amused by my naivete and youthful enthusiasm. I moved away after college, but returned on a regular basis to visit family and friends. I often stayed with Bob and Cindy, and we had hours of talks and laughs, as I detailed my wandering adventures and he and Cindy settled in Brookings. Bob was a man of diverse interests and talents. He worked for South Dakota Public Radio, doing a jazz show at night and recording great live music that he played on his show. Bob traveled the state, almost always with Cindy, preserving the sound of South Dakotas best performers. He also played in groups, and I was fortunate enough to see them take the stage at private shows around Brookings. He was modest about his abilities, but he shined and the other musicians both liked and respected him. His thirst for knowledge was bottomless. Bob loved to learn and to discuss it with others. Brookings is filled with bright, thoughtful people, and Bob engaged in numerous discussions with his friends, many of whom looked up to him and respected his dedication to facts and logic. He and Cindy and their friend Fedora Sutton started a program, Science at the Pub, at Jims Tap in downtown Brookings. It offered in-depth, intelligent programs on a weekly basis. It was a perfect project for him. He was always great with my family. Bob came to our farm to hunt back in 1980-81 and met my parents and siblings, who were delighted by his wry humor and good manners. He got to know dad better after mom died and would talk with him when they ran into each other in Brookings. Bob liked people. He had a quick smile and a good heart. I will miss both. I have had to get used to missing people, losing close, close friends like Roger, Jim and Ted in the last decade or so. I never imagined them gone from my life, not so suddenly. Cindy said Bob knew his time was fleeting. Theyd left their home and moved to an apartment. Bob had also given away most of his cameras and turned over Science at the Pub to someone else. I last saw him at another friends memorial service in September. There was a tube in his nose providing him oxygen, but he seemed largely unchanged. We talked and laughed and sipped a drink before I headed home, not realizing I should have lingered that night. Life passes quickly. Thats why it is so important to find people you want to be with, who bring you joy and make you happy, who try to teach you to place your stiff, untalented fingers on the elegant neck of a guitar to evoke music, even when you both know its a fruitless effort. I will miss Bob, but I sure will remember him. Always. George F. Will Washington Post Writers Group ANNAPOLIS, Md. Americas most improbably popular governor, a Republican beginning his second term in perhaps the bluest state, resembles a beer keg with an attitude. Stocky and blunt, Larry Hogan, whose job approval is in the high 70s, has won twice in the state with the highest percentage of African-Americans of any state outside the Deep South. In 2016, Maryland voted more emphatically for Hillary Clinton by 26 percentage points than all but three other states. In 2018, Hogan was re-elected, receiving a majority of womens votes, and 28 percent of the African-American vote while running against a former head of the NAACP. Hogan won while almost 50 percent of Marylanders were saying they would vote against all Republicans in order to express contempt for Donald Trump. So, he won against a huge blue wave in a deep blue state. But, then, Hogan had ended the rain tax, which was known as a storm water remediation fee until he rebranded it. It forced certain counties to tax everyone, sometimes based on the amount of impervious surfaces on their property. All the great and good in Maryland defended this as environmentally virtuous (supposedly helping the Chesapeake Bay). However, all but one member of the Legislature, which had veto-proof Democratic majorities in both houses, voted not to terminate their political careers by continuing to tax rain. Because in 2016 Hogan was early in saying that he would neither endorse Trump nor attend the convention that nominated him nor vote for him. And because Hogan has voiced barely disguised disgust about the presidents comportment. And because Hogans father set an example of principled insubordination. And because he, Hogan, is term limited and hence has little to lose other than sleep, happiness and friends. For all these reasons, he is being importuned to challenge the president in Republican primaries. He says he is listening and has not said no. He does, however, have a day job he is reluctant to neglect. And he soon will become chair of the National Governors Association. So, he clearly is not eager to mount a losing challenge which it surely would be just to unfurl the tattered flag of recognizable Republicanism. Opposing any incumbent president is not a day at the beach, and campaigning against todays uniquely smarmy incumbent would be especially disagreeable. Hogan has, however, undergone, while governor, six rounds of chemotherapy (24 hours a day, five days a week, times six, spanning 18 weeks) to defeat an advanced and aggressive cancer (non-Hodgkins lymphoma), and so has endured something almost as unpleasant as Donald Trump. Furthermore, his father, a former FBI agent and a Maryland congressman on the House Judiciary Committee in 1974, was the only Republican to vote for all three articles of impeachment against Richard Nixon. Probably for this reason he lost the 1974 Republican nomination for governor. It is unlikely that Hogan will gratify those who are offering to hold his coat while he brawls with Trump. Still, this town on the Chesapeake Bay will remain known as the incubator of something else germane to todays discontents. In 1786, in response to a dispute between Virginia and Maryland over rights of navigation and commerce on the bay, Virginias Legislature asked all the states to send delegates here to a convention to consider how conflicts about interstate commerce could be handled under the Articles of Confederation. Only 12 men from five states attended, but two of them were prodigiously talented, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. The meeting decided that there should be (in the words of Hamiltons report to Congress) a conclave at Philadelphia on the second Monday in May next to consider measures to make the Articles adequate to the exigencies of the Union. The result was the Constitution. Today, in the U.S. Capitol, 28.3 miles west of where the Annapolis meeting occurred (in a tavern, long gone), a majority of congressional Republicans seem poised to support Trumps evisceration of the Constitutions architecture of checks and balances. By opposing a binding resolution disapproving the presidents declaration of an emergency, they would approve Congress acquiescence in the loss of its core power, that of controlling spending. These Republicans raise two questions: Why is there a Congress? And why are such Republicans receiving salaries? Every Republican who supports the president in this trashing of the Constitution whose creation began here thereby violates his or her sworn oath to defend it and to bear true faith and allegiance to it. Voters should expel all of them from public life. Weather Alert ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TUESDAY TO 9 PM MDT FRIDAY... * WHAT...Tuesday high temperatures range from the mid to upper 90s, with highs reaching into the low 100s for some areas through the rest of the week. Widespread overnight lows in the 60s are forecast. Near record to record temperatures are expected. * WHERE...Portions of central, north central, and west central Montana. * WHEN...From Noon Tuesday to 9 PM MDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses. 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. Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. 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. && Weather Alert ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TUESDAY TO 8 PM MDT THURSDAY... * WHAT...Temperatures up to 105 degrees expected for multiple days. * WHERE...Bitterroot Valley, Missoula, Highway 93 Sula to Lost Trail Pass, Lolo Pass, Highway 200 Bonner to Greenough, Highway 83 Seeley Lake to Condon, and I-90 East Missoula to Bearmouth. * WHEN...From noon Tuesday to 8 PM MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur. 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. && READ: Chinese workers must follow PH rules Senate allies of President Rodrigo Duterte, as well as opposition senators on Monday, rejected his view that theas a way of protecting hundreds of thousands of undocumented Filipino workers in China. Senators Panfilo Lacson and Joel Villanueva said that even though there are many Filipinos working illegally in China and other countries, Philippine laws must be strictly enforced.First of all, we have immigration laws to obey and adhere to. No exception pleaseChinese, Japanese, Americans, even from planet Mars, Lacson said. Whatever the President says, I would rather that we give premium to Filipino workers by deporting foreign nationals illegally working here, and worse, taking away scarce job opportunities from our own countrymen, he added. Villanueva, also a member of the majority bloc in the Senate, said If you are illegal, you have no right and you are not protected by laws. So the bottom line is enforcement of laws to protect workers rights and our Filipino first policy. This is a matter of enforcing our own rules and regulations, not just for the protection of jobs for Filipinos but also the protection of the rights of the workers regardless of nationality, he added. Instead of turning a blind eye to illegal workers here, the government should help Filipino workers abroad become legal workers, he said. Senate President Vicente Sotto III said, deportation is a consequence if laws are violated by foreigners. Opposition Senator Francis Pangilinan said Labor and Immigration officials who allowed the entry of 40,000 illegal Chinese workers should be fired and charged criminally. Uphold the rule of law and without fanfare deport these illegals, he said. He said the administration should not be afraid of China. What it should fear is the anger of millions of our people who remain jobless while we give special treatment to these Chinese illegals, he said. The senator also pointed out that the government has been silent about the smuggling of illegal drugs from China, and the illegal invasion of our seas.Earlier, President Duterte said he would tolerate the influx of Chinese workers amid criticism that they were taking jobs from Filipinos.. The Philippine consulate-general in Hong Kong estimated that there are 200,000 Filipinos who have been working as domestics in China since 2016. Sulong Dignidad party-list took strong exception to the Presidents statement. The pronouncements made by the president are not only demeaning but also an affront to the dignity of Filipino workers, said Sulong Dignidad president Rico Paolo Quicho. Quicho said rather than worrying about the welfare of Chinese workers, the President should instead worry about providing decent jobs for Filipinos. The labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines on Monday said they welcome Chinese workers in the country but maintained that jobs must be kept to Filipinos. READ: BI agents arrest 30 illegal Chinese workers TUCP president Raymond Mendoza said they are not against the entry of foreign workers in the country but of the adverse impact on Filipino workers who are being deprived of potential employment and livelihood opportunities. Our laws and regulations policies are clear: all jobs including skills and professions must be given to Filipino workers and professionals. However, If there are specialization and skills unavailable in the labor market, these should be given to foreign workers who must apply for Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and work permits from the Bureau of Immigration (BI), he said. The TUCP said the AEP and work permit issued by DOLE and BI must be enforced with routine coordination, monitoring and implemented free from corruption. There is no coordination between the DOLE and BI. And this is where the problem thrives. Each agency issues permits allowing foreigners to stay and work here using different criteria, Mendoza said. "That's how we were raised," said Chambers-Kersh, assistant professor of family and community medicine at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. "When I was 15, my mom took me and my sister to spend time at an Indian Health Service hospital on the Navajo Nation. She told them she would come and volunteer for two weeks if we could come, too. I really loved it." Chambers-Kersh helped triage patients, took vitals on the wards, spent time in the ER and worked in the sterilization room. She also experienced a culture far different from the one she knew in suburban Ohio. "I got to really see what a small-town hospital is like," said Chambers-Kersh, whose father also is a physician. "It also was my first time in a place where we were the obvious minority, the ones who looked different from everyone else at the grocery store. That was the experience that made me start thinking about being a doctor and helping the underserved." When I sat down to write this post on mentoring, I was uncertain how to begin. I had a serious case of writer's block, and my usual remedy for that ailment is to walk away from the computer and do something unrelated to the task. So, I went to my mailbox, and there among the usual junk mail was a large manila envelope addressed to me from my niece Ashley. In it was a magazine she had found while cleaning her room. The magazine, Pro Health (Vol. 18; 2; 1998), was published by Miami Valley Hospital, where I did my residency training. On the cover was a picture of a much younger me standing beside my mentor Junius Cromartie, M.D. The lead article was titled "Mentoring: The Artful Side of Medicine." I immediately felt my writer's block thawed by a flood of memories. Not unlike random pieces of mail, mentors can appear in our lives without notice in the form of a family member, trusted friend, teacher, professional acquaintance, or even someone you would never suspect. The magazine article highlighted this fact: "In Dr. Cromartie, Gary LeRoy had found an exceptional role model. The tall, soft-spoken, North Carolina native was only the second African-American surgeon in Dayton when he opened his practice in 1957." News flash, folks: The individual who launched my pursuit of a career in medicine was not a family physician. Dr. Cromartie was an iconic professional figure in Dayton, Ohio. Seeing that I was desperate and confused about how to navigate the application process for medical school, a friend suggested I contact Dr. Cromartie for assistance. Reluctantly, I did so, expecting him to either decline my request or only grant me 10 to 15 minutes of his precious time before ushering me out the door. As I left our first meeting, I was stunned to realize that we had talked for two hours. This began a two-decade-long mentoring relationship. Had Dr. Cromartie not taken the time to provide me with words of encouragement and instruction on that fateful evening, the trajectory of my professional life may have detoured in a drastically different direction. Dr. Cromartie later supported my decision to pursue family medicine. Survey results recently published in Family Medicine(journals.stfm.org) indicate that having mentors outside family medicine who were supportive of students' interest in the specialty was a positive predictor of choice. Finding the appropriate mentor is not always a straightforward journey. The mentoring process involves respecting time commitments and meeting each other halfway. I was quoted in the Pro Health article as saying, "If it's a good fit, it's less labor and more of a labor of love. I get personal satisfaction from passing on the knowledge and skills that were given to me unselfishly. That's part of the Hippocratic Oath, to share the information and knowledge I gain with others." Those who mentor receive an unparalleled, life-fulfilling benefit that keeps repaying itself forward to future generations. Mentorship is the secret ingredient to securing the next generation of family physicians. Our students need positive family physician role models in their communities who will enthusiastically welcome them into their offices. Medical school departments of family medicine and community preceptors need to meet each other halfway to create coordinated teams dedicated to engaging students early in their career paths. During these formative years of training, students are formulating their initial thoughts about medical specialties. This is precisely what the chair of the Department of Family Practice (it was not called family medicine in 1984), John Gillen, M.D., helped me do when I was a freshman medical student at Wright State University. Dr. Cromartie led me to the front door of the House of Medicine, but it was Dr. Gillen and his faculty who gave me the security code to the penthouse suite where the artful secrets of family medicine reside. Where did you find your mentors? In an October 2017 post to this blog, our (then) new physician Board member Benjamin "Frankie" Simmons III, M.D., shared how his AAFP leadership journey began at the National Conference of Constituency Leaders (NCCL). There he discovered a vast array of new mentors. He encouraged others to attend NCCL to dialogue, make connections and share ideas. If that story sounds familiar, it's because NCCL is where many family physicians -- including this year's convener, Kisha Davis, M.D., M.P.H., -- find their footing on the leadership path. The 2019 AAFP Leadership Conference will be held in April 25-27 in Kansas City, Mo. It is divided into two dynamic leadership tracks -- NCCL and the Annual Chapter Leader Forum (ACLF). Both events give attendees the intellectual tools to redefine, reimagine and rethink their leadership potential. The ACLF portion of the conference is a great orientation for emerging chapter leaders, professional staff and current chapter officers. The AAFP also continues its commitment to expanding diversity and inclusion within the leadership ranks of our membership by hosting NCCL, which is a leadership and policy development event for underrepresented constituencies (women; minorities; new physicians; international medical graduates; and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender [LGBT] physicians or physician allies). It also provides an opportunity for AAFP leadership to hear diverse perspectives and member concerns. (If you plan to join us in Kansas City, note that registering by March 25 will save you $50.) Finally, allow me to tell you about a lesson I learned during a journey to the United Kingdom several years ago. On my arrival, I decided to take a walk and see some local sights. Just outside the hotel I came to a crosswalk. Before stepping into the street, I happened to look down at the curb where I saw the words "Look Right" painted on the pavement. Puzzled, I looked up just as a bus came from my right side and sped past within a few feet of my face. I was shocked, but I instantly realized the message was for foreign guests like me who are accustomed to looking to their left for vehicles before they step into the street. Sometimes the search for mentors is like walking in a foreign land: It might be risky if you don't know what you are looking for. Finding a trusted mentor can seem like a serendipitous odyssey of fate, but it is always a journey worth taking. The most treasured mentors do not always come from the direction in which you are looking. And mentors aren't always as obvious as we would wish them to be. Who would have thought a surgeon would have helped launch my career as a family physician? Place yourself in the vicinity of those you wish to influence or emulate. If you are a practicing family physician, take the time to mentor students at your clinical practice just as others did for you. If you are a new physician (out of residency seven years or less), you are not far removed from the generation of learners behind you. That makes you an ideal role model students and residents can relate to. Reach one by teaching one. Dedicate yourself to actively participating in medical education. If you are a student considering your medical specialty options, acquaint yourself with as many potential mentors as possible. Your approaching future may be larger and closer than what you see in your life's mirror. Take the necessary time to look in all directions for the right mentor(s) for you. Gary LeRoy, M.D., is president-elect of the AAFP. ABSENT: PRESENT, FORMER. Confetti rain on participants in the 33rd anniversary of the Catholic Church-backed EDSA Revolution at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City that led to the ouster of then President Ferdinand Marcos. Conspicuously absent are incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte, who issued a statement asking Filipinos to remember how the revolution restored our power to collectively chart our future, and former President Fidel Ramos who stayed away for health reasons. 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Joseph, 56, appeared before a magistrate in Wimbledon for harassment of their neighbor, Samantha Ginsburg. The two claim Ginsburg and her daughter are witches and that Ginsburg put a spell on Leonora that paralyzed her and required her to be hospitalized. During their appearance before the magistrate, Ms Joseph in addition to quoting the bible verse, thou shall not suffer a witch to live added, It is witchcraft, in past times they were burned at the stake. Witches have been in this country with people unaware of it. Reported by Metro, Ms. Joseph complained that witches are able to cast spells in secret while Christians have to pray aloud and are accused of harassment, claiming we pray openly. But in witchcraft they dont because the devil is the deceiver, so he does everything in secret. Mumbling and muttering is all part of witchcraft. Ginsburg told the court the two defendants chanted death threats at her such as Death by fire, death to Samantha in addition to playing their television too loudly. The district judge admonished the Josephs that the law was what mattered in a court of secular laws and they would be required to face a summary trial scheduled for March 28, 2019. There is no evidence that Ginsburg is an actual Witch or practitioner of Witchcraft. * * * BOLTON, Lancashire, United Kingdom Since 2016 there have been 31 possible cases of child abuse recorded by social services where the children were abused because they were believed to be witches or possessed by demons. The possible causes of children being targeted reads like a list from the middle ages: Belief in evil spirits by their guardians, being seen as the source of misfortune that has occurred within the family, misbehaving or being rebellious, having some type of disability, or even being unusually gifted in some way. Dr Samantha Spence, who is based at the University of Bolton and specializes in human rights, joined with a number of organizations and groups that are working to get the UN to pass a Human Rights Special Resolution. In 2017, the first UN Expert Workshop on Witchcraft and Human Rights was held at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The workshop was organized by Witchcraft and Human Rights Information Network (WHRIN), the UN Independent Expert on Albinism, and Lancaster University. In addition to attending the workshop, Dr. Spence helped organize Witchcraft and Human Rights: Past, Present, Future a conference held in Lancaster. She also a 2018 winner of one of the Jenkinson Awards in the category of law for her research project, Witchcraft and Human Rights: From Horror to Hope. The goal of these various groups and individuals working together is to achieve the special resolution the UN within the next 12 months to help end the deaths and abuse of children related to antiquated claims of witchcraft. * * * In other news: The Chicago Tribune printed a lifestyles story titled, 5 ways to transform your home inspired by witchcraft. The article features Erica Feldmann, a Chicago native who runs the HausWitch Home + Healing shop in Salem, Mass., and promotes her new book HausMagick: Transform Your Home With Witchcraft, which came out earlier this month. While the practices recommended in the article might be better described as New Age, it is another example of the cultural impact Witches and Witchcraft in the mainstream. Heritage Daily reported that Finn-Kirsten Iversdatterl, a Sami woman, was the last person to be accused, tried, and executed for being a witch in Central Norway in 1677. Ellen Alm, researcher and librarian at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), reportedly uncovered the details of Iverdatterls trial. Iversdatterl had been forgotten in Norwegian history. According to Alm, it was a common belief that the Sami were great witch masters, and infamous in their deeds. Alm released a book The Last Burning of a Witch in Trondheim: The Witch-Trial Against Finn-Kirsten detailing the case in 2014. Images of Sheela na gig appear on may churches throughout the United Kingdom. Most Pagans and Witches would recognize her image as a goddess associated with fertility, and childbirth. In article reportedly containing graphic imagery, the BBC reported the work of an investigator who is exploring the many possible reasons for the images being provocatively placed on so many churches. Over 60 exist in Ireland, and many more all over Britain. Wendy Rules latest release Persephone was launched on February 23, at the Thornberry Threatre in Melborne, Australia. The new album while still having some her signature sound it is said to be unlike anything she has recorded to date and is the culmination of over 12 years of work, as reported by Neos Kosmos. Tarot of the week by Star Bustamonte Deck: Rackham Tarot by Arthur Rackham, published by Lo Scarabeo Card: Ace of Cups The week ahead may hold opportunities for feeding the spiritual aspect of ourselves, in addition to offerings for other, more physical, and emotional needs. A wise reminder: just because the cup is full, it does not mean you must consume its entirety in one gulp. Decks generously provided by Asheville Raven & Crone. On the day the race was joined by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, the self-described Democratic socialist who turbocharged the 2016 Democratic primary before losing to Hillary Clinton, Delaney doubled down on his pragmatic pitch. Increasingly, I do think the race is being framed between people who actually have real solutions and a track record of actually building coalitions to get things done and people who are proposing things that are either unrealistic or really do ring of socialism in our country. And I dont think thats what the voters are looking for, Delaney said. Delaney has been campaigning across Iowa since 2017. He has already visited all 99 counties and has been advertising on television. And a new round of Delaney ads is going up this week, according to a website that tracks campaign ad spending. I want to do big things. A lot of the goals Im working toward are similar to what the other candidates are, Delaney said. But I actually have real plans for how to make them happen and build the kinds of coalitions you need to build. WATERLOO The city is helping property owners buy trees to replace those devastated by the emerald ash borer infestation. The Plant Waterloo spring tree program encourages property owners to buy up to two trees per household to plant on their private property or adjacent city-owned right-of-way. A permit from the city forester is required before planting in the right-of-way. There are 250 trees available. The $20-per-tree is made possible by a donation from the Young Family Foundation. Advance purchase is required now through the April 25 distribution day. The order form can be obtained at the Waterloo Leisure Services office, 1101 Campbell Ave, or online at www.waterlooleisureservices.org. Trees must be picked up from 4 to 5:30 p.m. April 25 at Waterloo Leisure Services. Trees not picked up will be considered donations to Waterloo Leisure Services. If additional trees are available on distribution day, they will be released for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis. Cole said he is saddened by Randalls death, and recalls the Holly-Randall hand-over as a pretty cool moment. At a 2015 fundraising event with Clark at Electric Park Ballroom for the Iowa Rock n roll Music, Randall re-created the moment with Buddy Holly impersonator Richie Lee. It was his last stage appearance with Clark. Randall and Clark also performed at a fundraiser in 2012 for the Mid-America Music Association. It was sold-out our biggest fundraiser ever because of Eddie Randall, Cole said. Randall and the Downbeats released their first 45rpm single, Downbeat Rock/Fools Paradise in 1957 on the QT label. Their later release, The Story of Rock and Roll/Diana Lee, was recorded at Chicagos fabled Chess Studios and issued by ABC-Paramount. They performed with such stars as Jerry Lee Lewis, Danny and the Juniors, Del Shannon, Conway Twitty and the Everly Brothers, as well as Holly. When Holly was killed in the plane crash near Clear Lake on Feb. 3, 1959, the Downbeats were called to fill in at a show with Frankie Avalon and Dion and the Belmonts. In an earlier interview, Clark said The Courier reviewed the show and said Eddie Randalls group stole the show. TRAER At least two Northeast Iowa communities took in stranded motorists during Sundays perilous winter weather, feeding them and letting them sleep in fire stations and churches. Up to 50 people were stranded in New Hampton Sunday night when U.S. Highway 63 and other roadways closed during to heavy drifting. Trinity Lutheran Church opened its doors to them. In Traer, about a dozen travelers found refuge from the cold at the Traer Fire Department on Sunday night. We had snow and we had wind, and as the day progressed the roads deteriorated until we had to finally close down the roads, said New Hampton Mayor Deb Larsen. New Hampton initially sent people to its hotels until they filled up. Jeff Bernatz, Chickasaw County Emergency Management director, called the Rev. Kevin Frey of Trinity Lutheran Church, 223 W. Water Ave., about taking in stranded motorists. I said, sure, Frey said. I think it was about 5 p.m. when we opened the church doors. The last person came in around 3 a.m. Monday, Frey said. Earlier in the day church services were canceled due to the weather. They noted motorists hadn't listened to them over the weekend. "We have had many four wheel drive trucks stuck over the last 24 hrs and have had to use snowmobiles to get to some stranded motorists," the department said in a post Sunday. A video posted by the Hardin County Sheriff's Facebook page showed white-out conditions along Iowa Highway 65 near Iowa Falls. "There is zero visibility in numerous areas throughout the county," the post Sunday morning said. "Please stay where you are!!!" The Floyd County Sheriff's Office said Sunday there was "a real chance" they wouldn't be able to help stranded drivers until Monday morning. "For your safety, and the safety of all emergency responders, please stay off the roads until the weather clears," the department pleaded. The Fayette County Sheriff's Office simply posted photos Sunday of accidents to warn would-be drivers, including drifted-in trucks and SUVs, as well as a tractor-trailer tipped over and drifted in by snow. "The roads are still in terrible shape and the drifts are deep," the department said in a post Sunday night. The Chickasaw County Sheriff was doing the same on their Facebook page Sunday. Senator Win Gatchalian wants to dig deeper into the operations of underperforming distribution utilities in the country amid persistent complaints of rolling brownouts in several areas in the country. Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, recently filed Senate Resolution No. 1022, which directs the conduct of an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the operations of underperforming DUs in the country and the remedies to hold them accountable. Gatchalian said it is high time for Congress to assess whether or not non-performing DUs should continue operating using their franchise by looking at their respective performances. Various hearings of the Senate Committee on Energy has brought to light the issues surrounding DUs, such as non-compliance with the system loss caps, System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI), System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI), financial liabilities, in the case of electric cooperatives; and failure to electrify areas within their respective franchisesthereby resulting in the prejudice of consumers, Gatchalian said in the resolution. Given the foregoing shortcomings of DUs, there has been no policy or procedure for DOE [Department of Energy] or ERC [Energy Regulatory Commission] to determine underperforming DUs, whose franchise will be recommended for revocation, he added. Gatchalian said he received numerous complaints with regards to the reported underperformance of several DUs across the country. Palawan, for example, had experienced an average of 126 power interruptions in 2017, which, according to the lawmaker, was beyond the NEA standard of 25 interruptions per consumer per year.Citing data from the DOE, Gatchalian also said that 72.6 percent or 449,410 out of 618,600 households in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao remain without power as of Dec. 31, 2017, making it the top unelectrified region in the country. The DOE and ECs locked horns last month after the former submitted a letter to Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo recommending the cancellation of the legislative franchises of at least 17 ECs. In its December 2018 report, the National Electrification Administration revealed at least 10 of the underperforming ECs are in Luzon while seven others are in Mindanao. However, the Energy department backpedaled on Jan. 30 after it received reports from these electric cooperatives that they had already addressed the issues against them. Gatchalian said that while he fully supports holding distribution utilities accountable in their services to consumers by reviewing their technical and financial performance, he stressed the need to have a clear policy and procedure on the recommendation for revocation before actually submitting the recommendation to Congress. The situation above highlights the necessity for a clear policy and procedure on how DUs can be held accountable for their duties and responsibilities under the EPIRA (Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001), through the recommendation of DOE or ERC for the revocation of their franchise, all towards the promotion and protection of consumers interest, Gatchalian said. Woman to be on Price is Right WATERLOO A Waterloo woman will appear on an upcoming episode of television game show The Price is Right. Dixie Kehoe was a contestant on the taped show, which is scheduled to air at 10 a.m. March 5 on CBS, according to a press release. Art sale at Allen Hospital WATERLOO The UnityPoint Health-Allen Foundation will host an art sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at Allen Hospital. The sale will feature a limited selection of signed and numbered prints from wildlife artist Maynard Reece. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the For Allen For You campaign. Reece was born in Arnolds Park, near the shores of Lake Okoboji in northwest Iowa, and is among the countrys foremost wildlife painters. For more information about the artwork or the sale, contact Joyce Coil at Joyce.Coil@unitypoint.org or 274-6714. Church will now offer child care HUDSON Beginning in August, St. Timothy Lutheran Church will offer full-time child care services. MASON CITY A Mason City firefighter and long-time sheep farmer suffered the devastating loss of his flock due to a barn collapse Saturday night. Im at a loss, Carl Ginapp said. Farmers really care about their animals. Ginapps barn is located near North Iowa Area Community College just outside of Mason City. It wasnt the volume of snow but high drifts and winds that caused the collapse. About one-quarter of the flock survived, Ginapp said. That could change as some animals are injured. He is working with his veterinarian. It started with terrible winds and snow overnight Saturday. No one heard the collapse of the first half of the barn. The wind was howling all night, Ginapp said. Ginapp went out to assess the damage and realized he lost half of his flock. He took video of the damage. I got on my loader to clear some (snow), but the wind was filling it in faster than I could move it, Ginapp said. He went inside of his house to warm up and the rest of the barn collapsed. She also addressed what she considers too little talk about climate change and foreign policy conversations she said are overshadowed at times by talk about her fashion choices. Wars classically have been fought over oil, she said. In a hot minute they will be fought over water. We have to have leadership around foreign policy that understands that among our priorities climate change must be one of our highest. Harris said she takes seriously her role as an African-American woman running for president, as well as making sure we leave the door open and provide a path to follow to generations after her. When you break barriers, its not like you just start on one side of the barrier and just show up on the other. Theres breaking involved, and when you break things, its painful, she said. You might get hurt. You might get cut, and it will be worth it it will be worth it but its not without struggle and sacrifice and sometimes pain. Larissa Alire, a 20-year-old Coe College student, sat in the venues second row with other politically minded friends. A woman of color herself, she asked Harris how to carry on when no one in the room looks like you. Heres what I want you to know when youre in those rooms, and youve got to know it in your head and your heart: Were all in that room with you, Harris said. Were all in that room with you cheering you on and expecting you, shoulders back, chin up. And that you will speak, and you will speak up, and you will know that your voice is an important voice to be spoken, and it must be heard. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 INDEPENDENCE --- A Waterloo woman has been arrested for allegedly pepper spraying an Independence Walmart employee during a shoplifting in January. Kaila Marie Johnson, 19, was arrested Thursday on a warrant for second-degree robbery. Her bond was set at $10,000. According to court records, Johnson and others entered the Walmart store around 6 p.m. on Jan. 21 and gathered a cart full of items and began pushing it toward the exit without paying. When an employee began to follow them, Johnson allegedly sprayed the worker and fled to the parking lot. The acquaintance continued to push the cart until the worker stopped her, and she left the cart and ran off. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 2 CEDAR RAPIDS -- A Waterloo man was arrested after he allegedly led authorities on a high-speed chase through two counties on Monday morning. He was arrested on an outstanding warrant for leading authorities on pursuit in 2017. According to court records, Cedar Rapids officers attempted to stop Rhamond Rodney Bolden, 25, of 1147 Ravenwood Road, for an equipment violation while he was traveling south on Interstate 380 in Linn County on Monday. He continued on with speeds reaching 100 mph before officers used Stop Sticks, and his Buick Century came to a stop in Johnson County. He showed signs of impairment and declined testing, according to court records. Bolden was arrested for felony eluding and operating while intoxicated and cited for several traffic violations. He was also arrested on a 2017 warrant for misdemeanor eluding and interference for allegedly leading police on a chase in Cedar Rapids on Sept. 25, 2017. After crashing, Bolden ran from the scene and remained at large, according to court records. Love 1 Funny 10 Wow 3 Sad 0 Angry 8 Earlier this year, I was invited by Creative Assembly and Sega to get a hands-on impression on the 12th main installment in the "Total War series," "Three Kingdoms." During the demo, I had the opportunity to play a couple of hours of the upcoming real-time strategy title to get a glimpse of what the "Three Kingdoms" will deliver for gamers. Classic mode option 'Romance' The build of "Total War: Three Kingdoms" I played was one of the titles two modes Classic mode, which is deemed the more historically accurate version of retelling the decline of the Han dynastys rule. The mode I played was Romance mode, which is based on the historical novel "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" by Lou Guanzhong. One significant gameplay difference, which separates both modes is every general in Romance mode is bestowed with supernatural strength throughout the playthrough. Circling back to my personal experience with Romance mode, the build only allowed me to play as warlord Liu Bei. Liu Bei starts off with nothing to his name; he was not given an entire empire because of his namesake. Nevertheless, his ambition is to strive to better the people, and his tenacity allowed him to climb up the ranks. But the most exciting mechanic is that Beis army does not require a lot of upkeeping or micromanaging to maintain the peace. 'Total War' means critical thinking Now, that does not mean you can neglect your soldiers but maintaining a reasonable supply of food and resources will keep them fighting for your cause. What I found intriguing is that soldier-satisfaction provides a lot of critical thinking and strategy. So, if you are not building up your militia, then you need to ensure your influence and negotiation skills refined consistently; otherwise, your empire can, and will, collapse. So, unlike its predecessors, "Three Kingdoms" romance mode is exceptionally distinct in so many aspects. What I mean by this is explicitly how the entire game design is rebranded. Instead of being provided with a map of your in-game setting, Creative Assembly instead provides you with snippets on where each of the leading generals is located. It forces you to look at whats in front of you, instead of the bigger picture. Youll slowly see the progress and influence you are making as the map increases, which to me gave me a sense of pride knowing I was a making a difference. Romance mode makes some positive steps for the series but also takes a few steps backward when it comes to leadership and management. Taking a second to address its flaws, albeit minor issues, is the amount of micromanagement Romance mode demands from you. That's aside from overseeing and keeping the peace for your warriors as you also need to ensure the villages and towns you control are satisfied with your leadership. The amount of detail can be frustrating for some, but its something you will need to keep a close eye on if you want to unify China. Nevertheless, its easy to overlook that component when you take into consideration how Creative Assembly has made it easier to make negotiations with other generals. In previous installments, the system had a level of complexity that it felt like built up tension would lead to bloodshed. So, for those looking to play it morally, they will have more ease, as they will not feel entirely obligated to commit violence. Improved battle system for 'Three Kingdoms' The battle system has also seen some improvements. The build provided me with your standard units of soldiers from a group of men equipped with bows, to those wielding swords and each had unique formations that made them stand out. More importantly, Romance mode permits players to conduct duels with the opposing generals. There are pros and cons to this on the one hand, you can win the battle a lot easier when you wipe out their leader, of course, if you are going in with a disadvantage or into a 50/50 outcome it is a lot to gamble on. It is quite amusing going into the duel head on, facing your enemy, and then zooming the camera to watch them duke it out. Of course, it was also mentioned that there would be interconnected relationships with generals, unfortunately, because I was playing a demo build, I was unable to see how much it impacted your influence. "Total War: Three Kingdoms" was slated to launch on March 7, 2019, exclusively on PC. However, according to a report by Eurogamer, it may be delayed until May. ROBBERY GROUP. Crime scene investigators inspect the belongings of seven suspected members of a robbery group who were killed in an alleged shootout with police in Agoncillo, Batangas, on Monday, Feb. 25. Also in photo is the bullet-riddled van used by the suspects. Norman Cruz Police operatives gunned down seven armed members of a suspected robbery-gangs in a shootout in Batangas early dawn Monday.Sr. Supt. Edwin Quilates, Batangas police director, said the robbery suspects, who have yet to be identified, were killed after they exchanged gunfire with police operatives in Barangay Banyaga, in Agoncillo town at about 4:45 a.m. Quilates said the suspects had earlier pulled a heist at a commercial establishment in Batangas province, which alerted authorities who subsequently monitored the movements of the group. Quilates added that the suspects were involved in several robbery activities in the province. Last Feb. 23, the group reportedly burglarized a feeds mill/grocery by dismantling its roof. The robbery, however, was monitored through the CCTV. In its latest heist, the robbery gang used a white Toyota Hi-Ace Van with license plate TIH 344 with blue LED lights on both side mirrors. The suspects were monitored to be travelling along the boundary of Talisay town and Tagaytay City, prompting police operatives along the said roads to try to intercept the suspects.Quilates said policemen posted in Laurel town spotted the white Toyota van approaching its checkpoint in Barangay Berinayan, but instead of stopping, the van carrying the suspects rammed the checkpoint barriers and tried to escape. The policemen chased the suspects for 45 minutes. The van passed another checkpoint in Barangay Banyaga, and this time the suspects fired at the authorities. The police retaliated, which resulted in the killing of all seven robbery suspects, and the recovery of at least five firearms. Quilates said the group had been involved in a series of robberies, victimizing a total of eight establishments since 2017, carting away more than P2 million. Based on the profiles, the suspects were not natives of Batangas province but originated from other provinces. 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. Three Great Live Reported Hands: Negreanu's Near Miss and a Chino Moment February 25 2019 Mo Nuwwarah This is Volume 8 of an ongoing series in which PokerNews will look back on some of the most memorable hands recorded in the long history of live reporting on this site. To read more about the concept and which hands make the cut, check out Volume 1. Three-Way Ship in Vienna Original title: Luca Cainelli Eliminated in 5th Place (140,000) Date: 10-31-2010 Reporter: Lee Davy Tournament 2010 PokerStars EPT Vienna Main Event Players involved: Daniel Negreanu, Luca Cainelli, Martin Hruby Back in the 2010 PokerStars European Poker Tour Vienna Main Event, PokerStars' own Daniel Negreanu looked to be a massive favorite to capture his first EPT crown. Five-handed, he held the chip lead with double the stack of second-place Luca Cainelli. However, they'd be the next two players out, as fate would have it, with a massive pot spoiling both players' chances. Blinds and antes were 60,000/120,000/15,000, with Negreanu around 6 million and both Cainelli and Martin Hruby around 3 million. Cainelli opened for 280,000 under the gun and received calls from Negreanu and Hruby then also on Team PokerStars on his left. The flop came and Cainelli continued big for 725,000. Everyone stuck around for the turn. At this, Cainelli jammed, with Negreanu quickly getting his stack in as well. Perhaps out of surprise, or perhaps just savoring the moment, Hruby needed a moment before committing as well, turning up for the nuts. Negreanu held , having turned two pair, while Cainelli was stone dead and quite unlucky with . The river paired the board but preserved Hruby's straight as a winner. He raked in the monstrous pot to take a huge chip lead, which he'd eventually ride to a second-place finish for 470,000, losing out to Michael Eiler heads up. As for Negreanu, he'd bust in fourth and it remains the closest he's come to winning an EPT Main Event title. Cainelli got his aces cracked in two spots. Robert Scott Shows His Hands Original title: A Double-Up Nearly Turns Violent Date: 05-10-2011 Reporter: Eric Ramsey Tournament 2011 WSOPC Harrah's Cherokee Main Event Players involved: Robert Scott, Michael Rocco Everyone who has played poker for some reasonable amount of hours has seen a game get heated, but it's rare for things to come to blows. That didn't quite happen in the 2011 WSOP Circuit Harrah's Cherokee Main Event, but a misunderstanding did leave one player putting his dukes up late in the tournament thinking he might have to defend himself. It was late on Day 2 of the event, with just 11 players remaining, and Robert Scott raised on the button to 29,000 at 6,000/12,000/2,000. Michael Rocco was in the big blind and opted to shove all in with a covering stack, setting Scott at risk for 293,000. Scott thought Rocco was coming after him. Scott didn't need long before calling with and had to be pleased when Rocco rolled over . A board of meant a double for Scott, and he began walking to the rail to celebrate with his friends. He walked past Rocco on the way, and Rocco stood to congratulate him, offering a chest bump. Scott, thinking the man walking towards him with chest out had ill intentions, raised his fists and prepared to defend himself. "Don't make me f*** you up!" he yelled. Rocco found himself in an awkward spot, but the situation was resolved in short order as he explained the situation and the two players squashed things over a few handshakes. Rocco still had a solid 40 big blinds after the hand but would bubble the official final table, while Scott navigated to a second-place finish for $58,639. Chino Rheem Keeps it Light at the Final Table Original title: Ector Takes First Pot, Chino Gets All the Laughs Date: 09-06-2016 Reporter: Paul Oresteen Tournament 2016 WinStar River Poker Series $2,500 Main Event Players involved: Chino Rheem Chino Rheem has been the talk of the tournament poker world lately as he's absolutely on fire after taking down the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Main Event and then getting third in the Aussie Millions $25K Challenge. However, Rheem is well-known in the community for the incredible highs and dreadful lows he experiences, having found himself in need of some stakes in his time despite some fantastic results. At the same time, those very results mean more than a few have been willing to back Rheem. When he made the final table of the 2016 WinStar River Poker Series $2,500 Main Event, Rheem was able to poke a little fun at his own history. During one of the first hands of the final table, with the winner scheduled to claim a cool $1 million, some of the players joked about how sparse the rail was. Some Layne Flack fans ribbed the competitors, asking whether they had any family or friends. "Don't worry," Rheem quipped. "If I win this thing, I'll have friends showing up, lining out the door." Alas, Rheem would only muster a seventh-place finish for $54,288, while the final five chopped for over $200,000 apiece. Rheem isn't above chuckling at his own expense. 88,000 Guaranteed 888LIVE Local London Event Heads to Aspers February 25 2019 Matthew Pitt Aspers Casino Westfield Stratford in London will be packed to the rafters between Feb. 28 and Mar. 3 when 888poker rolls into town, bringing with it the latest instalment of the 888LIVE Local London event. This 220 buy-in no-limit holdem tournament features four starting flights, one of which has a turbo blind structure, and an 88,000 guaranteed prize pool. Two re-entries per flight are permitted should you bust while the late registration period is open; late registration is open for eight levels on each Day 1. Each level is 30-minutes long, giving plenty of opportunity to play poker and allowing for the cream to rise to the top. 888LIVE Local London Schedule Date Time Tournament Clock Thu 28 Feb 6:00 p.m. 888 Live Local Day 1A 30-mins Fri 1 Mar 6:00 p.m. 888 Live Local Day 1B 30-mins Sat 2 Mar 1:00 p.m. 888 Live Local Day 1C 30-mins 7:00 p.m. 888 Live Local Day 1D Turbo 15-mins Sun 3 Mar 1:00 p.m. 888 Live Local Final 30-mins The 888LIVE Local London tournament has always been well-supported with the 88,000 guarantees being smashed out of the park. Christopher Vernon is the reigning champion having taken down the tournament in Dec. 2018, topping a field of 787 to get his hands on 19,670 after a five-handed deal. Previously, Richard Hayes and Charles Kavanagh chopped an 888LIVE Local London event in Jul. 2017 for scores of 18,295 and 17,000 respectively. Other big winners in this tournament include Paul Bahbout who banked 21,870, Irelands Ralph Baylor who netted 22,500 and Jerome Bradpiece who turned his 220 into 22,500. Claim Your 888poker Bonus Today Satellites for the 88,000 guaranteed 888LIVE Local London event are no longer available online at 888poker, although it is still worthwhile creating an 888poker account via UK & Ireland PokerNews. Download 888poker via UK & Ireland PokerNews, create your free account and youll receive 20 worth of cash and tournament tickets for free just for creating an account. 888Poker will then match your initial deposit 100 percent up to a massive $888 in the form of a bonus. There are several major live events you can qualify for at 888poker, including the 2019 World Series of Poker Main Event. The United Kingdom must end its administration of the Chagos Islands as rapidly as possible, the United Nations highest court has said. Britain forcibly evicted people from the Chagos Archipelago, a sovereignty in the Indian Ocean disputed by the UK and Mauritius, in the 1960s and 1970s so the United States could build a military base. Judges at the International Court of Justice, in The Hague, said on Monday that the UKs detachment of the islands and their incorporation into the British Indian Ocean Territory was unlawful. The UKs ongoing administration is a wrongful act, according to an advisory opinion given by the court, which is not binding. The ICJ said: The court finds that the process of decolonisation of Mauritius was not lawfully completed when that country acceded to independence and that the United Kingdom is under an obligation to bring to an end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible. The UK agreed a package including 3 million with Mauritius for the detachment of the archipelago in 1965. Chagossians were forcibly removed between 1967 and 1973 to make way for a US military facility on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the group. Louis Olivier Bancoult, leader of the Chagos Refugee Group at court in London in 2015 (PA) Mauritius, which gained independence in 1968, maintains the islands are its own and Chagossians have also brought cases in British courts for the right to return. A spokeswoman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: This is an advisory opinion, not a judgment. Of course, we will look at the detail of it carefully. The defence facilities on the British Indian Ocean Territory help to protect people here in Britain and around the world from terrorist threats, organised crime and piracy. The ICJ said the opinion the UK should ends its administration was given with a majority of 13 votes to one. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so. Another part of its advisory opinion which said member states are under an obligation to co-operate with the United Nations in order to complete the decolonisation was given with the same majority. Story continues After recalling the circumstances in which the colony of Mauritius agreed in principle to such a detachment, the court considers that this detachment was not based on the free and genuine expression of the will of the people concerned, the ICJ said. The resettlement of Mauritian nationals on the islands should be addressed by the General Assembly during the completion of decolonisation, it added. About 2,000 people were evicted from the islands, with many resettling in Britain, Mauritius and Seychelles. (PA Graphics) The UK has said the islands will be returned to Mauritius when the need for military facilities ends. Rosa Curling, a solicitor with law firm Leigh Day, who represents Solange Hoareau, a Chagossian woman fighting a legal battle to return, said: We are considering the judgment carefully with our client, but clearly the UK should stop breaching international law. The time has come to allow the islanders to return home. The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority welcomes the adoption of the Bicameral Conference Committee Report of both chambers of Congress which seeks to extend the grant of fiscal incentives for tourism enterprises zones until Dec. 31, 2029 or equivalent to additional 10 more years. RA 9593 or Tourism Act of 2009 stipulates that the incentive schemes for the tourism enterprises shall be in effect for a period of 10 years from the effectivity of the said law. The Act specifies that these incentives include income tax holidays, gross income taxation of five percent, 100 percent exemption on all taxes and customs duties on the importation of capital equipment, as well as the exemption of transportation and spare parts from tariffs and duties. After the adoption of the bicameral committee report on Feb. 6, 2019, the proposed measure will be transmitted to the President for signature. Senator Richard Gordon was the sponsor of the bill in the Senate and Davao Oriental Representative Corazon Nunez-Manlayaon sponsored the bill in the House of Representatives. The sponsors of the bill asserted the need to extend the sunset clause in order to give life to the intent of the law that the incentive scheme should be implemented for 10 years. During the deliberations, there was a consensus that the tourism enterprise zone development has a major impact in the economic development of the province where the tourist destination is located and in the growth of the tourist industry in general. TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Pocholo Paragas noted that the extension of the fiscal incentives until 2029 will help encourage more tourism-related investments into the country which are expected to create more jobs and stimulate growth in the tourist destinations. The approved measure of the bicameral conference committee sought to end the confusion and apprehension among prospective investors in flagship TEZs and private tourism enterprise zones, he added. The Tourism Act of 2009 provided full government assistance by way of competitive investment incentives, long-term development fund and other financing schemes extended to tourism-related investments. However, it took seven years before the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to issue the regulations to enable TIEZA to grant the incentive schemes.During the deliberations of the Senate and House of Representatives, the sponsors raised the lost opportunities in terms of investments and employment in the tourism sector in the past seven years but asserted that the extension for additional 10 years will be a big boost for the tourism industry. Rep. Malanyaon, chairperson of the House Committee on Tourism, said the extension seeks to rectify the time lost for the TIEZA to implement these incentive schemes. On the other hand, Gordon in his sponsorship speech cited that this measure would be a major contributor towards the countrys socio-economic growth which will help the economy and alleviate poverty through creation of more jobs and business opportunities. Gordon also noted that the amendment to the Tourism Act was part of the recommendations of Committee Report 169, filed on November 29, 2017, as a product of the investigation due to the BIRs non-issuance of the required revenue regulations which led to the continuous delay in the implementation of the Tourism Act. As of December 31, 2018, TIEZA had designated five flagship TEZs which is projected to generate one million jobs in a span of 10 years while ten private TEZs with tourism enterprises will create 52,000 jobs during the construction and operation stage. The projected investments for the flagship TEZs and private TEZs are estimated to reach P106 billion. TIEZA has also awarded the certificates of registration to the Magikland inside the Aton Land and Leisure TEZ, Kingdom Stadium inside Kingdom Global City TEZ in Davao, Lazuli Resort and Kabote Beach Resort in San Vicente, and the Signature Suites in Boracay. This measure will open more opportunities for growth in the tourism industry which contributes significantly to the countrys domestic product, Paragas underscored. In 2017, the tourism direct gross value added (TDGVA) stood at 12.2% which was the highest since 2000. The TDGVA amounted to P1.9 trillion, up by 24.2% from the previous P1.554 trillion. GENEVA (Reuters) - South Korea is looking forward to "tangible and substantial" results from this week's summit in Hanoi between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said in Geneva on Monday. She declined to comment on whether the meeting could include a formal declaration on ending the 1950-1953 Korean War, but said: "We are hopeful of a substantial outcome, both on the side of the denuclearisation as well as on the side of the corresponding measures from the United States." (Reporting by Tom Miles) A pilot was killed when a small plane crashed into a Florida home on Saturday, but his trainee and a family of six somehow survived. The twin-engine aircraft crashed into a home shortly after taking off from a nearby airport, according to local police. Pilot James Wagner, 64, was killed, but trainee Timothy Sheehy and the six family members who were inside and outside the residence survived. "This was a day of miracles", the sheriff said during a press conference. "Well, James Wagner's family wouldn't think so because he died in the crash. But it was a day of miracles because Timothy Sheehy, the trainee pilot, actually walked out of the crash, if you can believe that. Walked out of the crash and was wandering around when Winter Haven firefighters arrived." Carmele Ngalamulume, 17, survived despite the fact that the plane crashed into her room. She was temporarily pinned and trapped in the bedroom, and her brother could not reach her. Their mother was in the shower, according to Judd, and three children were playing outside when the plane crashed into the home. Sheehy and Ngalamulume were hospitalised but only suffered minor injuries, according to Judd. No one else was hurt. "It was a blessing today that we didn't have an entire family wiped out," the sheriff said. The cause of the crash was not immediately known, and Judd said that the NTSB and FAA will conduct a thorough investigation. By Roberta Rampton and Luis Jaime Acosta BOGOTA (Reuters) - The United States targeted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government with a fresh round of sanctions on Monday after violence blocked the delivery of food and medicine to the economically devastated country during the weekend. The Treasury Department said it was sanctioning four pro-Maduro state governors, blocking any assets they control in the United States as Vice President Mike Pence said the aid blockage had steeled the United States' resolve to support opposition leader Juan Guaido. Speaking at the beginning of a meeting with Latin American allies expected to bring new measures against embattled, Pence said the United States would stand by Guaido until freedom was restored to the oil-rich nation. The new sanctions announcement came as Pence and Guaido met with members of the Lima Group, a bloc of nations from Argentina to Canada dedicated to peaceful resolution of the Venezuelan crisis, in Bogota. "We are with you 100 percent," Pence ahead of the start of the meeting. "I want to assure you, President Guaido, the tragic events of this past weekend have only steeled the resolve of the United States to stand with you ... We will keep standing until your libertad is restored." While it will look for ways to increase pressure on Maduro, the group is likely to reiterate its opposition to the use of force at the meeting in Bogota, attendees and diplomatic sources said. At least three people were killed and almost 300 wounded during protests and clashes on Saturday as U.S.-backed aid convoys attempted to enter Venezuela to deliver food and medicine. Guaido, sitting next to Pence at the meeting, asked for a moment of silence for those killed in what he called the massacre of the weekend. Guaido, recognised by most Western nations as Venezuela's legitimate leader, has urged the bloc to consider "all options" in ousting Maduro. Story continues Unlike the Lima Group, of which the United States is not a member, the Trump administration has so far declined to rule out the use of military force. But Peruvian Deputy Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela Martinez denied there was any division in the group over the use of force. "We have the responsibility to redouble and intensify our support," Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo said as the meeting began. "Venezuelans have never advanced so much towards the recovery of their democracy." The convoy of trucks with food and medicines was blocked during the weekend by soldiers and armed groups loyal to Maduro, who retains the backing of China and Russia, which have major energy sector investments in Venezuela. Maduro says the aid efforts are part of a U.S.-orchestrated coup against the OPEC member. Trucks were met with tear gas and rubber bullets. Two went up in flames, which the opposition blamed on security forces and the Venezuelan government on "drugged-up protesters." The opposition had hoped Venezuelan troops would balk at turning back supplies so desperately needed by a population increasingly suffering malnutrition and diseases. The Trump administration last month put sanctions on state-owned oil company Petroleos de Venezuela, known as PDVSA, to cut Maduro off from his government's main source of revenues. The group has previously asked the U.S. to impose an oil embargo on Venezuela, a Peruvian diplomatic source said. The Chilean delegation is expected to push to maintain dialogue with Maduro but also to back commercial sanctions and further blocking of Venezuela's participation in international groups, Chilean media reported. Brazil's vice president has previously insisted that there is no military solution to the crisis. (Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta, Roberta Rampton, Helen Murphy and Julia Symmes Cobb; Additional reporting by Mitra Taj in Lima, Aislinn Laing in Santiago and Lisandra Paraguassu in Brasilia; Writing by Helen Murphy and Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Bill Trott) By Camillus Eboh and Felix Onuah ABUJA (Reuters) - President Muhammadu Buhari took an early lead on Monday in initial official results from Nigeria's presidential election but the party of his main challenger quickly rejected the tallies as "incorrect and unacceptable". Saturday's election, which U.S. observers said had lost some credibility after being abruptly delayed by a week by officials citing organisational glitches, was expected to be Nigeria's tightest since the end of military rule two decades ago. At stake is control of Africa's top oil producer and biggest economy. Northeast Nigeria has also been wracked a decade-long battle with Islamist militants has spilled into neighbouring countries and led to the deployment of a regional task force. Buhari, 76, is a former military ruler seeking a second term on an anti-corruption platform, while Atiku, 72, a businessman and ex-vice president, has pledged above all to expand the role of the private sector. Initial results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday put Buhari in the lead, having won in seven of Nigeria's 36 states, the commission said. Atiku prevailed in two states and the capital Abuja, which is not a state but treated as a separate district in elections. In provisional results announced in state capitals but not yet confirmed by the commission, Buhari and Atiku each won in two states. Asked about the early results, Buhari told reporters: "I don't want to depend on rumours...We will rather wait for INEC to announce the (full) results." But the chairman of Atiku's People's Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, said the election tallies announced so far were "incorrect and unacceptable". "The results are being manipulated and cancelled for APC to retain power," he told reporters, referring to Buhari's party. Buhari's All Progressives Congress (APC) said in a statement that the PDP had "embarked on a cynical plan to discredit INEC as a backup plan in the likely event of them losing the election". Story continues The outcome, not expected until later in the week, appears to hinge on which man voters trust most to revamp an economy still struggling from a 2016 recession. A credible and relatively calm vote would open a new chapter in the chequered political history of Nigeria, where nearly six decades of independence have been tarnished by military coups, endemic corruption and secessionist movements. But doubts rose when the election was postponed on Feb. 16, just hours before it was due to begin, with authorities citing problems in delivering ballot papers and results sheets. "NEGATIVE EFFECTS" The week-long delay in holding Nigeria's presidential election damaged public trust in the process and probably reduced Saturday's voter turnout, U.S. observers said. The civil society group YIAGA AFRICA, which monitored the election, projected turnout at 36-40 percent. Situation Room, a monitoring mission comprising over 70 civic groups, said on Sunday that as many as 39 people had been killed in election-related violence, and more than 260 in all since the start of the campaign in October. Voting, however, took place "in a generally peaceful environment", said Hailemariam Desalegn, head of the African Union observer mission and a former premier of Ethiopia. "There were scattered incidents of violence but it was not seen as pervasive on Election Day," said Derek Mitchell, president of the U.S. observer mission. Previous Nigerian elections have been marred by violence among supporters of different political parties that at times sparked conflict between Christians and Muslims. Security forces are currently stretched by the Islamist insurgency as well as by communal violence and banditry in other areas. Hours before polls opened, explosions rocked Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, epicentre of the insurgency. In neighbouring Yobe, residents of the town of Geidam fled a militant attack around the same time. Scattered violence and problems with smart card readers that authenticate voters' fingerprints meant voting in a small number of precincts was put off to Sunday, Mitchell said. "Serious operational shortcomings put an undue burden on voters," Maria Arena, the EU's chief observer and member of the European parliament, told reporters. (Additional reporting by Alexis Akwagyiram and Paul Carsten; Writing by James Macharia; Editing by Mark Heinrich) By Michael Georgy DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who used his charm and knowledge of the West to help strike the landmark 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, announced his resignation unexpectedly on Monday on Instagram. "Many thanks for the generosity of the dear and brave people of Iran and its authorities over the past 67 months. I sincerely apologise for the inability to continue serving and for all the shortcomings during my service. Be happy and worthy," he wrote on his Instagram page jzarif_ir. Zarif's engaging personality was never enough to neutralise conservative clerics at home, who accused Zarif of selling out his country. Hardliners threatened him with bodily harm when the agreement was signed after years of arduous negotiations. When President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the pact in 2018 and reimposed sanctions to cripple Iran's oil industry, Zarif faced a storm of criticism in parliament. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on the other hand, was restrained in his approach to the masterful diplomat with a long record of handling Tehran's Western foes. SMILING DIPLOMAT "You should always smile in diplomacy," Zarif wrote in his 2013 memoir "Mr. Ambassador". "But you should never forget you are talking to an enemy." Zarif's familiarity with Western culture helped him forge close working relationships with American officials, who have long memories of the occupation of the U.S. embassy in Tehran, in which hardline students held diplomats hostage for 444 days during the Islamic Revolution that toppled the Shah. Zarif lived in the United States, from the age of 17 as a student of international relations in San Francisco and Denver, and subsequently as a diplomat at the United Nations in New York, where he was Iranian ambassador from 2002 to 2007. Zarif developed contacts with U.S. officials which served him well in the 1990s, when he was involved in talks to free U.S. hostages held by the pro-Iranian Hezbollah group in Lebanon. Story continues The bespectacled diplomat was born in Tehran to a conservative merchant family. Mastery of English helped him build a rapport with then U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, with whom he was on first-name terms during the intensive nuclear talks. Zarif's email exchanges with Kerry at critical moments, including during the arrest of 10 U.S. marines in Iranian waters in 2016, defused tensions between the two countries that have had no political ties since 1980. NEED FOR COMPROMISE Managing expectations was critical for Zarif as Western powers and Iran squared off during heated talks that ended with an agreement announced in Lausanne, Switzerland. "No deal can be perfect. Perfect for one side of the deal would be disaster for the other side," he once said in an interview with U.S. talk show host Charlie Rose, describing the nuclear pact. Zarif's direct line between Tehran and Washington was lost when Trump entered the White House. Zarif showed his tough side. "Trump's ignorant hate speech belongs in medieval times - not the 21st Century UN - unworthy of a reply," Zarif tweeted a few hours after Trump's first speech at the UN General Assembly in which he called the nuclear deal an "embarrassment" and "one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into". Ridiculing a meeting between Trump and his ally Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and their discussion on Saudi purchases of U.S. military hardware, Zarif tweeted: "Some are exuberant to milk, and others even happier about being milked." HEATED PARLIAMENT SESSION Zarif's seeming ease with Western ways made him a divisive figure in Iran, and conservatives lined up to criticise him for speaking so directly to Tehran's enemies. Secretly filmed footage emerged in May 2015 of Zarif arguing furiously in a closed session of parliament with a lawmaker. "Zarif has spent almost all his diplomatic life outside Iran and has a good grip of international affairs - but this is his weak point, too," said Hossein Rassam, former Iran adviser to Britain's Foreign Office. While the U.S. decision to abandon the nuclear deal tarnished Zarif, Iran still managed to gain deep influence through proxies in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen and Syria, to the dismay of its Middle East rival Saudi Arabia. Zarif recalled how he had once sent a conciliatory message to Saud al-Faisal, the late Saudi foreign minister. "He told me the Arab world is none of your business," Zarif told a U.S. interviewer. "I am telling him the Arab world is our business." ATTACKED BY BOTH SIDES Some hardliners called Zarif a coward for studying in the United States, rather than defending his country in the 1980-88 war with Iraq which claimed a total of one million lives. U.S. Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican who opposed the nuclear deal, tweeted at Zarif in 2015: "you hid in U.S. during Iran-Iraq war while peasants & kids were marched to die." Zarif responded by congratulating him on the birth of his son, adding: "Serious diplomacy, not macho personal smear, is what we need." (Editing by Giles Elgood and James Dalgleish) The groups military wing is already outlawed, but the proscription will now be extended to its political arm. Hezbollah is to be subject to a blanket ban under anti-terror laws, Home Secretary Sajid Javid has announced. The Lebanon-based groups military wing is already outlawed, but the proscription will now be extended to its political arm. If approved by Parliament, the step will bring Britain in line with countries including the US in regarding the whole of Hezbollah as a terrorist group. From Friday, membership will be a criminal offence carrying a maximum sentence of up to 10 years. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so. Mr Javid said: Hezbollah is continuing in its attempts to destabilise the fragile situation in the Middle East and we are no longer able to distinguish between their already banned military wing and the political party. Because of this, I have taken the decision to proscribe the group in its entirety. Until now, UK governments have resisted proscribing the organisation in its entirety on the basis that it provides social and political functions in Lebanon and has formed part of the countrys government. But MPs and Jewish groups argue that it is a single entity, and have called on ministers to close the loophole, which allows Hezbollahs flag to be flown legally on Britains streets during marches. Hezbollah or the Party of God is a Shia Muslim movement which emerged during the early 1980s with financial backing from Iran. In 2001, ministers banned its external security organisation. Seven years later, the proscription was extended to Hezbollahs military wing. A listing in the official register of banned groups says Hezbollah is committed to armed resistance to the state of Israel, and aims to seize all Palestinian territories and Jerusalem from Israel, adding: Its military wing supports terrorism in Iraq and the Palestinian territories. Announcing the latest move, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: We are staunch supporters of a stable and prosperous Lebanon. Story continues We cannot however be complacent when it comes to terrorism it is clear the distinction between Hezbollahs military and political wings does not exist, and by proscribing Hezbollah in all its forms, the government is sending a clear signal that its destabilising activities in the region are totally unacceptable and detrimental to the UKs national security. This does not change our ongoing commitment to Lebanon, with whom we have a broad and strong relationship. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the move to ban Hezbollahs political wing was long overdue. He said: I have been clear that anti-Semitism and hate crime has no place whatsoever in our city or in our society. I wrote to both the previous home secretary Amber Rudd and current Home Secretary Sajid Javid to raise my deep concerns about the support shown for Hezbollah at the annual Al Quds march in London. Under the Terrorism Act 2000, the Home Secretary has the power to proscribe an organisation if he believes it is concerned in terrorism. As a result, being a member of, or inviting support for, the group is illegal. It is also an offence to wear clothing or carry or display an article in public in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that an individual is a member or supporter of the proscribed organisation. Anyone convicted of such an offence could face up to six months in prison. Mr Javid is also seeking the proscription of two other groups, Ansaroul Islam and Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam Wal-Muslimin (JNIM). The Home Office said: Ansaroul Islam seeks to impose its own strict Salafist Sharia law in northern Burkina Faso and are known to target other ethnic groups in the region leading to substantial internal displacement of people. JNIM was established in March 2017 as a federation of al Qaeda-aligned groups in Mali and aims to impose a strict Salafist interpretation of Sharia law in the Sahel region and has claimed responsibility for several attacks in the region in which people were killed. Mr Javid said protecting British people is his priority. As part of this, we identify and ban any terrorist organisation which threatens our safety and security, whatever their motivations or ideology which is why I am taking action against several organisations today, he added. Iraqi courts will prosecute 13 French citizens captured while fighting for the Islamic State jihadist group in Syria, Iraq's President Barham Saleh said Monday. "Those who have engaged in crimes against Iraq and Iraqi installations and personnel, we are definitely seeking them and seeking their trial in Iraqi courts," he said.France has long maintained that any of its nationals caught in Syria or Iraq should be tried locally, a stance which critics say could leave them facing the death penalty, which is outlawed in France.Iraqi courts have already meted out hefty sentences to hundreds of foreigners detained on its soil, often after lightning-quick trials.But Macron reiterated France's position Monday, saying that "it is up to the authorities of these countries to decide, sovereignly, if they will be tried there." "These people are entitled to benefit from our consular protection, and our diplomatic service will be mobilised," he added.Macron also said he would visit Iraq in the coming months, after France announced in January that it would provide one billion euros in reconstruction funds for the war-ravaged country."Iraq needs to recover its leading role in the region," Macron said, while urging its government to ensure an inclusive political system in order to avoid the sectarian violence that has beset the country for years.Saleh lauded France and the EU for its "model relationship" in assisting Iraq, telling Macron: "We hope to welcome you in Baghdad soon."Earlier Monday, Saleh met with UNESCO officials at the agency's Paris headquarters to discuss efforts to rebuild Mosul, which was left in ruins by the months-long fight to oust IS in 2017. 'Good news' The French president also welcomed last week's announcement by US President Donald Trump that around 200 American soldiers will remain in northwest Syria, after previously saying all US forces would be pulled from the country.That had raised fears the US-backed Kurdish forces who have captured dozens of foreign fighters in Syria would no longer have the resources to guard them."The American decision is good news... It corresponds with the need to remain alongside the Syrian Democratic Forces" led by the Kurds in Syria, Macron said. "We will back up this decision politically... and we will continue to work in the region as part of the coalition" that has retaken nearly all the territory once held by IS as its so-called "caliphate", Macron said, without elaborating.France has appeared to soften its stance on its foreign fighters in Syria after Trump's decision to withdraw 2,000 troops from Syria, in particular with regard to women and children.Government sources in recent weeks have said around 50 adults and 80 children could be brought back to France, although authorities have not confirmed any planned transfer.Trump himself has called on European nations to repatriate the more than 800 fighters from France, Britain, Germany and elsewhere captured in the fight against IS.But the decision is a delicate one for French officials wary of seeing former fighters staging attacks at home once they have purged any prison terms, following a wave of deadly jihadist terror attacks since 2015.The fighters, who were turned over to Iraq by Syrian Kurdish forces, "will be judged according to Iraqi law," Saleh told a news conference after talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. Iraqi courts will prosecute 13 French citizens captured while fighting for the Islamic State jihadist group in Syria, Iraq's President Barham Saleh said Monday. "Those who have engaged in crimes against Iraq and Iraqi installations and personnel, we are definitely seeking them and seeking their trial in Iraqi courts," he said. France has long maintained that any of its nationals caught in Syria or Iraq should be tried locally, a stance which critics say could leave them facing the death penalty, which is outlawed in France. Iraqi courts have already meted out hefty sentences to hundreds of foreigners detained on its soil, often after lightning-quick trials. But Macron reiterated France's position Monday, saying that "it is up to the authorities of these countries to decide, sovereignly, if they will be tried there." "These people are entitled to benefit from our consular protection, and our diplomatic service will be mobilised," he added. Macron also said he would visit Iraq in the coming months, after France announced in January that it would provide one billion euros in reconstruction funds for the war-ravaged country. "Iraq needs to recover its leading role in the region," Macron said, while urging its government to ensure an inclusive political system in order to avoid the sectarian violence that has beset the country for years. Saleh lauded France and the EU for its "model relationship" in assisting Iraq, telling Macron: "We hope to welcome you in Baghdad soon." Earlier Monday, Saleh met with UNESCO officials at the agency's Paris headquarters to discuss efforts to rebuild Mosul, which was left in ruins by the months-long fight to oust IS in 2017. 'Good news' The French president also welcomed last week's announcement by US President Donald Trump that around 200 American soldiers will remain in northwest Syria, after previously saying all US forces would be pulled from the country. Story continues That had raised fears the US-backed Kurdish forces who have captured dozens of foreign fighters in Syria would no longer have the resources to guard them. "The American decision is good news... It corresponds with the need to remain alongside the Syrian Democratic Forces" led by the Kurds in Syria, Macron said. "We will back up this decision politically... and we will continue to work in the region as part of the coalition" that has retaken nearly all the territory once held by IS as its so-called "caliphate", Macron said, without elaborating. France has appeared to soften its stance on its foreign fighters in Syria after Trump's decision to withdraw 2,000 troops from Syria, in particular with regard to women and children. Government sources in recent weeks have said around 50 adults and 80 children could be brought back to France, although authorities have not confirmed any planned transfer. Trump himself has called on European nations to repatriate the more than 800 fighters from France, Britain, Germany and elsewhere captured in the fight against IS. But the decision is a delicate one for French officials wary of seeing former fighters staging attacks at home once they have purged any prison terms, following a wave of deadly jihadist terror attacks since 2015. The fighters, who were turned over to Iraq by Syrian Kurdish forces, "will be judged according to Iraqi law," Saleh told a news conference after talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. In what can only be viewed as a shocking move, the Australian government has agreed to allow the dumping of one million tonnes of sludge waste onto the Great Barrier Reef. There are strict laws in place to protect one of the seven natural wonders of the world, however, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) have given the go-ahead, the BBC reported. Take a moment of silence for the Bramble Cay melomys the 1st mammal to have been made extinct due to human-induced climate change. The mosaic-tailed rat, which is endemic to the tiny Bramble Cay off the tip of Queensland in the Great Barrier Reef, hasn't been sighted since 2009 pic.twitter.com/ElUvE6aYeP ShanghaiEye (@ShanghaiEye) February 22, 2019 Loop-Hole in the law allows for dumping The waste sludge will come from industrial sites at Hay Point Port, after being dredged from the local area in the state of Queensland. As you can imagine Australia has a wide-ranging set of laws in place to protect the biodiverse coral reefs of its east coast. Nevertheless, the port authorities have managed to find a loophole, whereby these laws don't apply to materials created from port maintenance work. This has meant that the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) has had to allow the dumping of the waste. The North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation, which looks after Hay Point, has moved to reassure the public and environmental groups by stating that dumping the sludge will have a minor environmental impact. However, scientists seem to be in agreement that this is most likely not going to be the case. Many people in the marine conservation community have already come out and stated that this will have a detrimental and lasting impact on the coral Environment and the many species of coral and fish that inhabit it. The dumping of the sludge will blanket over the coral, limiting its exposure to light and algae of which it needs to feed and grow. Nevertheless, there is some hope as scientists believe that the negative impacts from the dumping could be reduced if the sludge is dumped in deep water. If the waste is released into shallow water the impacts are predicted to be catastrophic. Of all the terrible crimes against nature committed in Australia during the last two centuries, the deliberate killing of the Great Barrier Reef, happening right now before our eyes, for profit, might be the worst. https://t.co/PLjv2JIXRl Ben Goldsmith (@BenGoldsmith) February 23, 2019 Threats to Barrier Reef health build up This news comes as a great detriment to the Great Barrier Reef after just having suffered another environmental disaster when floods in the country last week caused dirty water to run into the reef. This led to the reef experiencing further stress with run-off from one river having blanketed some reef areas more than 60km (37 miles) from shore. The Great Barrier Reef has already lost over 30 per cent of its living reef as a result of climate change and global warming leading to coral bleaching and eventual death. Last year, the Australian government pledged 275m towards saving the reef, with it already having a restoration and protection policy in place. However, this recent news will have surely put a dent in the goal to save the natural wonder. Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez on Monday said there were some 1,200 hectares of idle government lands that could be used for mass housing. Benitez, chairman of the House of Representatives committee on housing and urban development, said that instead of developing low-cost housing in places far from the livelihood of the people intended to live there, they might be relocated to near their places of work. Benitez made the statement following criticisms the creation of the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development would result in the loss of jobs of government workers now employed in various agencies involved in mass housing, like the National Housing Authority, the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and others. The agencies involved in the mass housing now will not be downgraded, and instead their functions will be enhanced, he said. The law clearly states that no employee in any of the government housing agencies will be dismissed, Benitez, principal author of the measure, said.Benitez noted that after then President Ferdinand Marcos left office, mass housing was considered mere squatter relocation and no support was given to the relocatees. When President Corazon Aquino assumed office, the implementation of various housing projects started during the Marcos administration was stopped. As a result, Quezon City among others was overrun by squatters and with the acquiescence of some Cory Aquino local officials who expected the squatters to vote for them. However, when elections came the squatters in Quezon City instead voted for Ismael Mathay, Jr. who was identified with then-first lady Imelda Marcos. A British Overseas Territory on the tip of Spains southern coast, Gibraltar is dominated by the soaring Rock of Gibraltar, a ridge of limestone 426 metres in height. Like Spain itself, the territory was settled by the Moors during the Middle Ages, but Spain took it back when they defeated the Moors in later battles. In 1713, Gibraltar was ceded to the British. In recent years, Spain has been trying to take Gibraltar back, but without success. While it has up until now been easy to cross the border from Spain into Gibraltar by showing your passport, this could change when Brexit comes into effect, as Spain is saying visas costing 52 will be necessary to Travel between the two. Of interest to note, to enter Gibraltar, you actually cross the short runway of the territory's airport! As it is now, a visit to Gibraltar is like a little piece of England, with its fish and chip shops and 1970s hotels. You will even see red pillar boxes as you stroll around and head down High Street and there is also a Morrisons supermarket. There are a number of historic attractions in Gibraltar, a sample of which are listed below. 1 The Rock of Gibraltar Take a cable car ride up to the top of the Rock of Gibraltar for amazing views across the Strait to Morocco and over Spain. There is a cafe up there, but beware if you take food away. I personally was robbed of a double-chocolate muffin by the wily Macaque monkeys that live on the rock a serious crime indeed for a chocaholic! At the same time, a man who had removed his t-shirt due to the heat had that article of clothing stolen by a monkey. 2 Explore the British World War II tunnels in Gibraltar Gibraltar was of strategic importance during WW2 and storage space was needed for food and equipment and accommodation of troops. A tunnel system was built to not only give protection during air attacks, but also to store the huge quantities of ammunition, food and other items. The tunnels became almost an underground city, with space for 16,000 troops. There was a telephone exchange, bakery, hospital, power generating station and water distillation plant in the 34-mile tunnels. 3 Gibraltar National Museum and Moorish Baths 4 Great East-side Sand Slopes 5 The Moorish Castle of Gibraltar ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:18) Cookies op Tweakers Tweakers is onderdeel van DPG Media en maakt gebruik van cookies, JavaScript en vergelijkbare technologie om je onder andere een optimale gebruikerservaring te bieden. Ook kan Tweakers hierdoor het gedrag van bezoekers vastleggen en analyseren. Door gebruik te maken van deze website, of door op 'Cookies accepteren' te klikken, geef je toestemming voor het gebruik van cookies. Wil je meer informatie over cookies en hoe ze worden gebruikt? Bekijk dan ons cookiebeleid. Leigh Sales has signed for another three years as host of ABCs 7:30. Sales has been presenting since 2011, and is now regarded as one the TVs most-grilling interviewers, but she balances it with side projects such as her podcast, Chat 10, Looks 3 with pal Annabel Crabb. Ratings for the show continue to hold against competition reality offerings on commercial networks, sometimes defeating those up against it. Not a day goes by without someone coming up to me and thanking me, because I think they see the value in people in power being questioned and held to account, she told The Australian. The variety in the role can include interviewing lifelong idols, such as Paul McCartney but also carries punishing scrutiny and social media criticism, invariably accusing her of media bias. News Corp today says of her interview with PM Scott Morrison, Leigh Sales has come under fire for her disappointing interview with PM Scott Morrison who viewers said shouted and walked all over her.' What and give up show business? The case of Lawyer X is set to become an 8 part drama for Foxtel. Lawyer X - also known as informer 3838 acted as a Victorian Police informant from 1995 until 2009, calling into question potentially hundreds of criminal convictions. Her name is due to be revealed on Friday. Such is the scale of the scandal that News Corp, Foxtel, SKY News and Harper Collins are joining forces for print and screen content, based on the expose by Herald Sun journalists Anthony Dowsley and Patrick Carlyon. While Foxtel has confirmed an 8 part drama, with a documentary for SKY News, a book or Harper Collins and crime articles for the Herald Sun. Its a story thats got it all. Cops, crims, corruption. It takes what we saw on Underbelly to a complete new level. Her story in particular will be explosive, Executive Director of Television Brian Walsh told TV Tonight. It was an exhaustive expose of how the police in Victoria recruited a lawyer to dob on her clients during the Melbourne gangland war. All these years its been covered up but these two journalists have been front and centre of the story, following the exploits between Lawyer X and the Victorian Police. Victoria Police have had a suppression order in place which will be lifted. She will be named this week and that will be the start of a Royal Commission which is expected to run for 6 months. Theres a lot of speculation as to what that will mean, with some people suggesting some of the most hardened prisoners in Victoria will be released from prison on the basis that the evidence submitted was corrupt because of the double dealing. There is also a suggestion that members of the Victorian Police force could be facing criminal charges. So its a very explosive story. Foxtel is currently discussing the project with both local and international production companies. Both Anthony Dowsley and Patrick Carlyon will act as story consultants. We believe its a story that will travel and its the sort of story that requires the investment level of international players, Walsh explained. I think it will be a significant and substantial series for television and Im very confident we will be attracting some very big international names both on and behind the camera. This week, Insight explores the extraordinary stories of those who, moments from death, are saved by the generosity of a perfect stranger. Host Jenny Brockie is moved to tears on episode exploring when a woman meets the recipient of her sisters lungs for the first time. Tham Lu, 51, was initially reluctant to donate her sister Aileen Nguyens organs after Aileen took her own life in March 2014. Ms Lu meets the recipient of her sisters lungs, 51 year old Tracey Slatter, for the first time on this weeks episode. I hope you get comfort knowing that what you did has saved my life, made such a difference to my family, Mrs Slatter tells Ms Lu in a meeting that even moved host Jenny Brockie to tears. My kids have their mum back. My grandson has got a grandma, and its all because of you. Dan Price, 33, tells Insight he would have jumped from the Sydney Harbour Bridge at dawn one morning in December 2014, but for the instant rapport he felt with Constable Arun Trevitt, a general duties police officer who persuaded him to live. I asked him if we could share a cigarette, and then if we shared a cigarette, Id step over the fence, Mr Price explains to Brockie. I had to see whether he really cared, whether he was prepared to do something out of the norm He was the right guy to be there that morning. Marcel Latupeirissa, 43, and Genna Haines-Monaghan, 31, also meet on the show, for the first time since 2009 when Mr Latupeirissas leg was ripped off in a motorbike crash on a mountain road on New Zealands North Island. Ms Haines-Monaghan saved Mr Latupeirissa from bleeding to death by applying a makeshift tourniquet to the stump. Shes my angel I always knew I would see her [again] I wanted it to be face-to-face, and today was the day, Mr Latupeirissa tells Insight. Holocaust survivor, Ernie Friedlander wont ever get that opportunity to meet the stranger who saved his life. Mr Friedlander, then 9 years old, and his mother were saved in 1944 in Hungary by a German soldier who told them how to escape and then looked the other way while they did. He would have been shot if they [the Nazis] would have found [out]. Maybe he was, I dont know, Mr Friedlander reflects on the stranger of whom he still thinks all the time. I could never thank him enough, never. This week on Insight: When thank you is never enough. Tuesday 26 February at 8.30pm on SBS. ABC has appointed ABC News Deputy Director and Executive Editor Craig McMurtrie as Editorial Director of the ABC. He succeeds Alan Sunderland who is retiring after a long career. Acting ABC Managing Director said, Weve been incredibly fortunate to have a person of the calibre of Alan Sunderland holding this position at the ABC in recent years. Im delighted to announce as his successor Craig McMurtrie, a distinguished journalist and one of the ABCs most respected editorial leaders. McMurtrie said: The ABCs role as Australias trusted national voice is more vital than ever, and its an honour and also humbling to be given such a responsibility. My most important task is to support and defend fearless, independent public interest journalism and conversations, and freedom of expression, as well as ensuring all ABC output is consistent with our high editorial standards. Craig McMurtrie, has been a journalist for almost four decades, joining ABC in 1991. His roles have included daily news and current affairs reporting based in Sydney and two stints in the Canberra Press Gallery, with more than five years as Parliament House Bureau Chief. He spent almost a decade as the ABCs US correspondent and Washington Bureau Chief, with major assignments including reporting from New York in the aftermath of the September 11 terror attacks and in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake. This is the most important show since The Mavis Bramston Show, Mark Gable of The Choirboys joked with Dr. Chris Brown & Julia Morris. While Brown conceded that most of the audience would have no idea about the show he was referring to, I couldnt help but think Mavis Bramston was bitingly-scripted and clearly still remembers some 50 years later. In the current climate youre doing well if you are remembered 50 weeks later. 10s latest Live TV pitch, Chris & Julias Sunday Night Takeaway, is based on Ant & Decs Saturday Night Takeaway which is now 15 seasons old. The UK duo, who are practically a religion in their own right, are ringmasters of pranks, games and variety giveaways. Various international adaptations have been staged, some of which ran for 4 years. Dr. Chris Brown & Julia Morris, first paired together at a Logie event, host the Aussie version from 10. Fresh from the African jungle, the energy between these two always delivers. Try and stop Julia Morris from a format where she gets to host, do gags and maybe even sing a number or two. The surprise package continues to be the TV vet-turned-comedy-straight-man, whose knack at Live hosting has come a long way in a short space of time. The opening episode featured guest announcer Shane Warne -a good get even if he is pops all his Ps- and Beau Ryan as a kind of supporting host. Across two hours (it ran 25 minutes overtime) it served up a range of Live studio and pre-recorded segments: Couch Watch, Singalong Live, The Happiest Minute, Win the Ads and more. There were flashes of Dont Forget Your Toothbrush, Candid Camera, even 1960s daytime game shows such as It Could Be You. To its credit, big prizes walked out the door on night 1, including a car, holidays, cash and more. Thanks to behind-the-scenes plans there was a cheeky video involving a viewer in Dancing with the Stars and The Bachelor, resulting in a Live marriage proposal. Lucky she said yes. But a Karaoke singalong with crosses to home viewers was messy, with clunky timing. Beau Ryan handled his segment with all the finesse of a Footy Show segment. The show needs to avoid too much shouting. With celebrity interviews handled by pint-sized Chris & Julia the show is pitching at family audiences -not a bad move when reality shows in the same slot are high on drama and jeopardy. But there is also a sense of the show wanting to appear loose and spontaneous, framed by a big-budget, shiny floor set. Are the two compatible or has it overshot the mark? I guess 15 seasons in the UK shows whats possible. For me thats the key to this exercise. Having a Live TV alternative, with moments of the unpredictable, has to be welcomed in a landscape where much is constructed and sometimes bordering on abuse. Chris & Julias Sunday Night Takeaway needs to be trimmed in length, especially where concepts are especially variations on a theme. The point is, there is not just room for improvement, there is potential. Mavis Bramston knew it was important to take risks in Television, otherwise we will be perpetually stuck with repeats. 10 is starting out 2019 doing just that. Chris & Julias Sunday Night Takeaway airs 7:30pm Sundays on 10. This week on Catalyst Professor Tamara Davis meets the scientists on a quest to hunt down black holes. With humble beginnings in outback Australia, their journey has brought us to the cusp of an unprecedented milestone in human achievement the very first picture of a black hole. What it might reveal could overturn the laws of physics. Tuesday 26th February, 8.30pm on ABC. The Bureau of Immigration ordered the deportation of a Korean fugitive wanted by authorities in Seoul for the murder of a compatriot in the Philippines 15 years ago. The Korean, Sim Sang Bum, is now detained at the BI Detention Center in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City following his arrest in Gonzaga, Cagayan by operatives from the bureaus fugitive search unit (FSU). Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said Sim, who has not left the country since 2002, will be sent home after the Korean embassy informed the BI about his pending case in his homeland. It was learned that Sim went into hiding after his Korean victim, identified as Jeong Gachoon, was killed in Santiago City, Isabela on Jan. 12, 2003. Sim reportedly had a heated argument with Jeong before passing a caliber .45 pistol to a Filipino accomplice who then fatally shot Jeong.It was learned that the Koreans, who were business partners, furiously quarreled over the financial proceeds of their car business before the shooting took place. According to BI-FSU chief Bobby Raquepo, a warrant for Sims arrest was issued by a district court in Seoul on Sept. 29, 2003. Raquepo said the fugitive is already an undocumented alien due to the cancellation of his passport by the Korean government. His name was also placed in the immigration blacklist of undesirable aliens to make sure that he does not return to the Philippines. TV history fans may be keen to catch this weeks episode of Australian Crime Stories as Adam Shand details the unsolved theft of $5.4 million in gold bars from Kerry Packers own office in Park Street, Sydney. On Thursday, February 28 at 8.30pm on Nine and 9Now, Australian Crime Stories uncovers the true story of the audacious thief who broke into Kerry Packers office and cracked his personal safe. This is much more than a tale about a fortune in stolen gold its a story about loyalty, betrayal and revenge. In Australian Crime Stories, investigative journalist, researcher and co-writer Adam Shand drops viewers into the scene of the crime, revealing the secret desires, mysterious appetites and hidden hatreds that shaped the most notorious cases in Australian criminal history. Australian Crime Stories is produced by The Full Box for the Nine Network. 8:30pm Thursday on Nine. A senior administration official told reporters on Friday that the 400 troops to be left in Syria would be split between a group of about 200 to set up and maintain a safe zone currently being negotiated for northeast Syria, and 200 at the U.S. military base at al-Tanf. The 200 troops based at al-Tanf, near the Syrian border with Iraq and Jordan, will stay for the foreseeable future, while the U.S. troops in the safe zone will be part of an expected 800 to 1,500 troops committed by European allies. Robertson would not confirm Friday whether any European countries had committed troops to the safe zone. Asked Friday if he was confident that allies would step up in such a role, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford simply replied, I am. Trump later on Friday described his newest vision for a military presence in Syria. We can leave a small force, along with others in the force, whether it's NATO troops or whoever it might be, so that [ISIS] doesn't start up again, he said. And I'm OK, it's a very small, tiny fraction of the people we have. And a lot of people like that idea. He also hinted that the 1,600 troops to withdraw may be sent to other countries in the region, including Iraq, where we have a very powerful base. The Hill ----------- A few thoughts about all that: The 200 soldiers left in the north as part of an international contingent will be there to act as a tripwire to keep the Turks with their armored army and strong air force from simply butchering the SDF Kurds whom the Turks regard as the enemies of their blood. The 200 at al-Tanf will remain in place for the purpose of blocking the shortest Damascus-Baghdad-Iran land route. This reflects the continuing policy of the US government of seeking regime change in Syria. This policy's effect is clear in the utterances of the Borg (foreign policy establishment) concerning the defeat of the IS caliphate and the other rebel; riff-raff around the country. How? Simple! If you listen to the Borg, you will easily be led to believe that the forces of the Syrian government have done very little to liberate their country. In fact the opposite is true. "A lot of people like that idea." I am sure that they do. Lindsay Graham has said and done a lot of good things since his office wife died but in the matter of Middle East policy he remains as goofy and conditioned by the Israelis as he and John John ever were. Do the Borgists think that they will slowly ratchet up the number of soldiers engaged in the "Syria Problem?" Yes, the Borgists and the generals are sure they can pull that off. One little problem for the Borgists and generals is the hard surface road that runs through Palmyra to Deir al-Zor to Abu Kamil to Baghdad and thence to Iran. Will the Iraqi government and militias allow the US to block that road as well? pl https://thehill.com/policy/defense/431289-trump-backs-off-total-syria-withdrawal Vietnam has deployed hundreds of soldiers, police officers, and militiamen to block a railway station on the border with China, where North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is expected to arrive by train later this week before going to Hanoi for a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. Dong Dang Railway Station put on a new face on Monday morning as repair work, painting, and floral arrangements had been completed. The station, located in Lang Son Province, which borders Chinas Guangxi, is ready to welcome Kim, who is scheduled to come on Tuesday. The North Korean leader is on a train leaving Pyongyang, traveling through China before arriving at Dong Dang, where he will embark on a 170km journey in a car to the Vietnamese capital to attend the second North Korea-U.S. Summit on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the Korean Central News Agency and Vietnamese media. Soldiers and security officers are stationed along many roads leading to the railway station. Police dogs and walk-through metal detectors have also been sent to the site to guarantee absolute safety for the North Korean leaders arrival. The Vietnamese military has dispatched soldiers to the Dong Dang fortress, many hills, and a lot of buildings around the station for surveillance purposes. A resident told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that locals had been told to clear sidewalks, stalls, and eateries in the vicinity of the station in order to welcome Kim. Railway officials have already banned all domestic train traffic at Dong Dang, effective from February 24 to March 2, with exception given to trains running between Vietnam and China. Lang Son administrators, police officials, and military cadres came to the station for a check on safety work on Monday morning. The chair of the Lang Son Peoples Committee on Sunday ordered his personnel to clean the roads, moderate traffic, and ensure complete security and safety in the area from February 24 to 28. Along the road from Hanoi to Lang Son, guard stations have been erected to monitor all activities throughout March 3. Last week, Vietnam announced Kim Jong Un would also pay an official visit to the country in the coming days, without specifying the date. Workers clean Dong Dang Railway Station in Lang Son Province, located in northern Vietnam, February 25, 2019. Photo: Viet Dung / Tuoi Tre Soldiers patrol outside Dong Dang Railway Station in Lang Son Province, northern Vietnam, February 25, 2019. Photo: Viet Dung / Tuoi Tre Soldiers observe from atop a building near Dong Dang Railway Station in Lang Son Province, northern Vietnam, February 25, 2019. Photo: Viet Dung / Tuoi Tre A soldier patrols on an overpass leading to Dong Dang Railway Station in Lang Son Province, northern Vietnam, February 25, 2019. Photo: Viet Dung / Tuoi Tre A walk-through metal detector is brought to Dong Dang Railway Station in Lang Son Province, northern Vietnam, February 25, 2019. Photo: Chi Tue / Tuoi Tre Officials and military leaders check Dong Dang Railway Station in Lang Son Province, northern Vietnam, February 25, 2019. Photo: Chi Tue / Tuoi Tre Soldiers and militiamen stand guard along a road leading to Dong Dang Railway Station in Lang Son Province, northern Vietnam, February 25, 2019. Photo: Viet Dung / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Check out whats in the news today, February 25! Politics -- U.S. President Donal Trump wrote in a Twitter post on February 24 that he will be leaving early Monday morning, February 25, for Hanoi, to attend a second round of U.S.-North Korea summit scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in the Vietnamese capital. -- Party chief and State President Nguyen Phu Trong and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam arrived in Vientiane on Sunday morning, beginning an official friendly visit to Laos. Society -- Nguyen Duc Chung, chairman of Hanoi Peoples Committee, called for promotion of elegance and hospitality from all people of the Vietnamese capital city ahead of the upcoming summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on February 27-28. -- A ticket attendant and some other employees at the Mien Dong (Eastern) Bus Station in Ho Chi Minh Citys Binh Thanh District successfully helped a 34-year-old woman deliver a baby boy weighing about three kilograms right in the facility's restroom at around 11:39 am on Sunday. -- A 38-year-old man and his five-year-old daughter died, while his seven-year-old son remained under emergency treatment after their motorbike suddenly crashed into a truck parked near the curb in Thach Ha District, the north-central province of Ha Tinh. -- Two female students were stopping their motorbike along the Highway 21 passing through Thach That District, Hanoi, on Sunday when they were hit by a trailer truck moving backward. One of them died on the spot while the other was hospitalized for emergency treatment. -- A 23-year-old man was arrested by police in Chau Doc City in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang on Sunday for beating his father to death when the drunk elder went home and made loud noise on the night of February 20. Business -- A glass bridge with a '5D effect' is scheduled for opening at Dai Yem Water Fall, a tourism area in the northern province of Son La in April, the head of management of the venue has recently told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. Sports -- Vietnam were defeated 0-1 by Indonesia, while the defending champions Thailand won 5-3 in penalty shootout over hosts Cambodia in the semifinals of the 2019 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) U-22 Youth Championship in Cambodia on Sunday afternoon. This means Indonesia will take on Thailand in the tournament decider, while Vietnam will clash Cambodia for the third spot on Tuesday afternoon. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Another doppelganger of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appeared in Ho Chi Minh Citys backpacker area on Sunday night and was quickly surrounded by excited residents and tourists. The Kim Jong Un impersonator was spotted strolling along Bui Vien Walking Street in District 1 in the evening. Many people tried to take photos with him, while some even live-streamed the moment on Facebook. The man dressed up and acted as if he were the real North Korean leader, but there were times when he was just being himself, singing and dancing to the crowd. During a brief interview with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, the man said he is Dragon Kim, a South Korean national who has lived in Vietnam for four months. Kim currently manages an English center in the southern metropolis. The Kim Jong Un doppelganger is surrounded by the crowd. Photo: Ngoc Hien / Tuoi Tre He has been impersonating the North Korean leader over the past seven years as he traveled to the United States, mainland China, and Hong Kong, among other places. It is all just for fun and to entertain people, Kim stated, adding he does not get paid for cosplaying the North Korean leader. Kim apparently decided to entertain people at Bui Vien with his impersonating, at a time when the real Kim Jong Un is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Hanoi later this week. People take selfies with Dragon Kim. Photo: Ngoc Hien / Tuoi Tre On this occasion, a pair of doppelgangers of the two high-profile leaders were seen in the Vietnamese capital last week, capturing both media and public attention. On Friday, Howard X, the professional and famous impersonator of Kim Jong Un from Australia, and with Russell White, a Canadian lookalike of U.S. President Donald Trump, shook hands in front of the press in Hanoi on Friday. The two, donning typical costumes of the leaders, hired their own bodyguards. A visitor live-streams the moment on social media. Photo: Ngoc Hien / Tuoi Tre Howard X became internationally popular after appearing at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, dressing up as the North Korean leader. He also arrived in Singapore in June 2018 ahead of the first Trump-Kim Summit in the city-state. The second North Korea-U.S. Summit is scheduled to take place in Hanoi on February 27 and 28. Trump and Kim met for their first summit in Singapore last June. Dragon Kim sings to people on Bui Vien Walking Street. Photo: Ngoc Hien / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnam and Laos have agreed to boost their comprehensive cooperation, focusing on equality and mutual benefits. Vietnamese Party chief and State President Nguyen Phu Trong joined talks with his Laotian counterpart Bounnhang Vorachith in Vientiane on Sunday, as part of the formers official friendly visit from February 24 to 25, the Vietnam News Agency reported. This is Trongs first overseas trip in his new position as the top leader of the Vietnamese Party and State. General Secretary and President Vorachith considered that the visit reflected the special friendship, solidarity, close relations, mutual trust, and comprehensive cooperation between the Parties, states and people of both nations. The leaders agreed to step up the Vietnam-Laos comprehensive cooperation on the principles of equality and mutual benefits. The two sides vowed to continue strengthening political collaboration, maintaining high-level meetings, expanding exchanges between agencies, organizations and localities, especially those along the two countries borderline. Both sides will continue exchanging their experience in education, cyber security, improvement of the Partys supervision and inspection capacity, and socio-economic development. Focus will also be directed to cementing ties in tourism, culture, science and technology, and healthcare, as well as creating a more favorable legal framework for cooperation across multiple spheres. Both leaders highlighted the significance of maintaining peace, stability, security and safety in the East Vietnam Sea and agreed to promote the settlement of disputes via peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Vietnam and Laos will join hands with relevant sides to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) and soon reach a practical and effective Code of Conduct (COC) for the maritime area. Following their talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of nine cooperation documents in such fields as energy, finance, construction, and transport. General Secretary Trong also met Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and Chairwoman of the National Assembly Pany Yathotou on the same day. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! More than 168,000 discarded plastic drinking straws have been given a second life in Benjamin Von Wongs latest art installation in Ho Chi Minh City. The artwork, titled The Parting of The Plastic Sea," features two huge, 8m long and 3.3m tall waves. It recently earned a Guinness record as the largest drinking straw sculpture (supported), meaning it was made from not only straws but with supported materials like wooden structures, lights, and plastic bags, as explained by Wong. The work, made from 168,037 straws, has been on public display since late January 2019 at Estella Place in District 2, where it will stay for two months. A promo photo of The Parting of The Plastic Sea taken by Benjamin Von Wong 'Parting' the sea to see an ocean of plastic trash My hope was to create the parting of the sea to reveal whats hiding within, the Canadian photographer shared. His 106,000 followers have also been encouraged to label the project #strawpocalypse. What is hidden inside is neither fish nor sea creatures, but plastic waste. According to an Ellen MacArthur Foundation report launched at the World Economic Forum in 2016, there could be more plastic than fish in the sea by the year 2050. Only nine percent of plastic is recycled around the world. Every day plastic waste from the ground is washed into the drain, flows into the rivers, into the seas, and then fish and birds eat the plastic, which eventually become human food. It's kind of a real brutal cycle, Wong told Tuoi Tre News. People think plastic disappears into the ocean, but it never disappears. According to Wong, global plastic pollution sounds overwhelming, but every individual has the power to make a change. Straws are virtually impossible to recycle in most places around the world because of how light and small they are, Wong explained. It's not that straws are the biggest problem, or that straws are going to save the world, or if we get rid of straws, the problems are going to go away, he added. The problem is our way of thinking. Instead of focusing on what we cant do, lets focus more on what we can do, starting from our daily habits. It could be the first step because if every time you order a drink, you remember to ask for no straw, then this will also go down in other behaviors when you may go to the supermarket to buy something without plastic bags, and other habits on single-use plastic." Benjamin Von Wong speaks to guests at the launch ceremony of The Parting of The Plastic Sea in Ho Chi Minh City on January 25, 2019. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre Attending the installations launch ceremony on January 25, Canadian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Kyle Nunas shared that sometimes people do not think that one piece of plastic they use is a problem, but when they see how it comes together like this, they may think more about their actions. I see people taking pictures and I know that they're posting them on social media, and I hope that it will raise awareness in Vietnam and all over the world, he said. Meanwhile, British Consul General Ian Gibbons emphasized that we can all make a difference, from yourself, your family, your town, your country and ultimately make the world a better place." A video depicts the process of making The Parting of The Plastic Sea by Von Wong's team 'The magic of Vietnam' In a video promoting the work, Wong called The Parting of The Plastic Sea an art installation built by volunteers in Vietnam to fight Strawpocalypse. The magic of Vietnam is someone that knows someone that knows someone who can help you do whatever you want to do," the Canadian artist said with a smile. He received great support in the Southeast Asian country where hundreds of people spent six months collecting old straws for one shared reason: to raise awareness of an environmental disaster. Things got started when Julia Mesner, co-founder of Zero Waste Saigon, a Ho Chi Minh City-based eneterprise dedicated to eco-solutions, reached out to Wong. Benjamin Von Wong and Julia Mesner, co-founder of Zero Waste Saigon, pose with The Parting of The Plastic Sea. Photo: Anna Tenne Following Wongs environmental projects for years, in mid-2018, Mesner decided to invite Von Wong to Saigon to do something. Without hesitation, the photographer accepted the offer. I told her that I would need a lot of materials to do something,' anything like one hundred thousand straws, and she said 'OK,' Wong recalled. Six months later, Mesner stunned Wong with more than 160,000 discarded straws which Zero Waste Saigon in collaboration with organizations collected from across Vietnam. The effort drew the attention of young Vietnamese volunteers, many aged 14 to 25, who enthusiastically joined cleanups to collect discarded straws on the street, and campaigns to ask for used straws from cafes and restaurants as well as from people who decided to give up using plastic straws. Nguyen Thi Cam Tu, coordinator of the Hanoi branch of the global organization Lets Do It!, said within nearly two weeks of November 2018, the environmental organization collected over 11,000 straws. The same way, the organizations branch in the southern city of Vung Tau collected more than 7,000 straws, with nearly 100 high school students participating in their cleanup event in early December 2018. All were used straws we collected and asked for from cafes and restaurants, Lets Do It! Vung Taus representative Tran Thi Cam Tu confirmed. Volunteers join to collect discarded straws for The Parting of The Plastic Sea at a cleanup event in the southern city of Vung Tau in late 2018. Photo provided by Let's Do It! Vung Tau Starbucks Vietnam, one of the projects partners, also set up collecting points for used straws at their shops. According to Zero Waste Saigon, straws from Starbucks accounted for around ten percent of the straws used in the installation. When materials were ready, the questions of how to actually proceed with the project started. Wong and arrived in Saigon with a doodle depicting his installation and a bunch of ideas waiting to get aligned. The initial idea for The Parting of The Sea by Benjamin Von Wong Fortunately, he received helping hands from local volunteers, complete strangers who were willing to help him translate, lend him ladders, buckets, or even stay up all night with him to build the works structure. Within two weeks, the photographer took his idea from a doodle to reality, with people supporting him in making 3D graphics, finding builders, and sorting and gluing straws together to shape the work. The first morning of the 2-day straw sorting and washing event on January 13 attracted around 30 young Vietnamese volunteers. Nhu Quynh, 18, said she came because she found the activity environmentally helpful and because she supports the zero-waste lifestyle. Volunteers join Benjamin Von Wong to sort the straws before washing them for The Parting of The Sea. Photo: Anna Tenne On the morning of January 17, Dai Huynh, 26, and her friend took the earliest bus from the southern city of Can Tho to Saigon to help with gluing the straws. An environmental enthusiast, Huynh had followed to project since the early days. Each person has their own way of expressing their concerns about the environment, Huynh said. I support using art to talk about the problem. Every day, dozens of new volunteers streamed in to give thousands of discarded straws a second life, older volunteers would teach newer volunteers, thats wonderful, Wong expressed. Volunteers help with gluing the straws. Photo: Anna Tenne/Supplied by Von Wong Meanwhile, Nguyen Quoc Dung had actively contributed to the project since the first days. The habit of using single-use plastic in Vietnam is alarming, the volunteer commented. Since I participated in this project, I started to care more about plastic and what Id found out was everything was contained in plastic, from a water bottle at a grocery shop to a cup of coffee on the street, he said. The 27-year-old also insisted that we can make a change, starting from helping people learn about the issue. Singaporean Leanne Lim, 20, agreed that the fact that she and other volunteers were helping the project for free showed that young people are really aware of the problem and truly care about the environment. Were hurting this planet. Trees are being cut down, animals are being poached everywhere, and there is a ton of plastic waste, Don Le, a project volunteer said. We can do better to protect our world and make it a lot stronger, he added. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! OPINION: "It helps employers now by allowing more parents and caregivers to participate in the workforce, and it benefits vulnerable children into the future by giving them a launching pad," write business leaders Amber Smith and Shelley Watson. 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. Dr. Gia Sison, a mental health and cancer patient advocate In going through cancer, it is important to take it slowone day at a time, said Gia Sison, a doctor specializing in Occupational Medicine, a TV host, and a breast cancer survivor.She has been cancer-free since 2013 and according to her, having a positive mindset and support group helped her win against the disease.Be grateful for the small things. Ive learned to be thankful if I dont vomit after a session of chemotherapy or if I get appetite at all that would push me to eat. Its about being grateful of the small things that you tend to overlook, said Dr. Sison, whos also a mental health advocate. She also underscored the value of family in helping her go through the challenging period. She stressed, You cant fight this alone. You need a strong support system and you usually get this from your family. Dr. Sison may have developed the right values and mindset and have had steady support from loved ones, but she admitted to having difficulty accepting her condition. Dr. Sisons experience proves that good social support from family, loved ones, and even doctors helps ease the emotional pain brought by cancer. I discovered the lump on my left breast incidentally. I knew right away that the lump was breast cancer. It had the characteristics of breast cancer: it was fixed, it had no definite shape, and it was big. I wanted to have mastectomy right away, before even having a biopsy, she recalled. At first, she was in denial, ignored her symptoms. There have been many times that I wanted to deny that I was sick, or sad, or that I had to rest, she shared. It took me humility and courage to be myself, to admit that I was sick, that I had to set aside my knowledge as a doctor and deal with cancer as a patient. Fortunately her friend, whos also a doctor, convinced her to go through the whole process, from diagnosis to treatment. I had the biopsy and found out that I had stage 2 breast cancer. My diagnosis made me realize first-hand the importance of early testing. The earlier the cancer stage, the easier it is to treat. Early detection really saves lives. Im scared myself, until now, because I undergo testing every year to ensure that my disease hasnt recurred. But it really takes courage to face your fears, she emphasized.Dr. Sison underwent six cycles of chemotherapy with the faith that her journey would soon be over and that she would live. Faith kept me going. Faith will help a lot in making the journey better, that there is something greater than us thats in control. I want to emphasize that there is hope after diagnosis. At third chemo cycle, I wanted to stop and discontinue my treatment. But before I knew it, I was already at my sixth and final cycle. Dont let a diagnosis define you because the brain, your mindset, can be powerful against cancer.Her experience with cancer strengthened her compassion as a doctor especially in her dealings with patients. It also pushed her to advocate patients and to form a support group for those suffering from not just cancer, but chronic illnesses in general. Dr. Sison is a cancer patient advocate fighting with the Hope From Within: Cancer Game Plan PH which espouses early detection, access to treatment, and improved patient navigation system in the Philippines.Our goal is that no patient dies because they dont have financial support and access to treatment. Everyone should get the chance to live and fight. We need funding, that is a given, and also increase access to clinical trials, to doctors and specialists, and to diagnosis and treatment facilities even in far-flung areas in the Philippines, she said. She added that the group needs more volunteers to help care for cancer patients and to create a more centralized hub that will assist them throughout their journey. The recently launched Hope From Within: Cancer Game Plan PH is a campaign that aims to put the patients at the heart of the fight against the dreaded disease. Using powerful voices from leaders, advocates, policymakers, survivors, support groups, and patients, it boosts awareness of proper cancer care, sparks conversations and actions on how to reduce the burden of cancer-related mortalities and other challenges, and spreads information and increases access to new scientifically proven treatment options such as immunotherapy and targeted therapies. Pinal County farmers would take the biggest hit because they are at the bottom of the pecking order. Arizona is seeking to make up for some of that with various deals to acquire more water from other sources as well as allowing the irrigation districts that supply the farmers to drill new wells. But the plan also was contingent on the tribe providing 500,000 acre-feet of water between next year and 2026 in exchange for $60 million in payments. That all came into doubt when tribal officials said they would pull out of the deal if Bowers pursued his legislation, which they said would undermine their claims to water from the upper Gila River. Lewis now says hes convinced the bill is dead and the tribe is ready to finish its part of the deal. The tribes action clears a crucial hurdle to the federal Bureau of Reclamation approving the plan crafted by the seven Colorado River Basin states to decide who takes what cuts once Lake Mead reaches 1,075 feet above sea level. That is the point at which the first shortages are declared; the cuts are designed to keep the lake from going any lower and triggering further reductions. But it still leaves in doubt whether the full plan can be ratified by the March 4 deadline set by Brenda Burman, the bureaus commissioner. An idea born in Tombstone should not be able to be vetoed by Tempe or Tucson, he said. In essence, the lines are being drawn between those who push ballot measures and dont want the proposed change, and those who oppose the changes. The former category includes Living United for Change in Arizona, or LUCHA, which was behind the 2016 measure to boost the states minimum wage from $8.05 and hour to the current $11, a figure that will go to $12 an hour next year. Conversely, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which fought that initiative unsuccessfully, is in support of the new restrictions that SCR 1023 would impose. This isnt the only example. Sandy Bahr, lobbyist for the Sierra Club, said people take to the streets with their petitions when lawmakers refuse to consider certain issues. That is not new, she noted, citing the fact that it took an initiative in 1912 to grant women the right to vote in Arizona, eight years before the U.S. Constitution was amended. The Legislature would not deal with that, so it was referred to the ballot, Bahr told lawmakers. 40 school districts seeking employees at March 2 job fair Over 40 public school districts and charters will be recruiting for open teaching and support positions at the Arizona Department of Educations Southern Arizona Education Job Fair on Saturday, March 2. Eight local school districts TUSD, Amphitheater, Tanque Verde, Marana, Vail, Catalina Foothills, Flowing Wells and Sunnyside have confirmed they will be interviewing potential candidates at the fair. The districts are looking for teachers of all grade levels, paraprofessionals, administrative assistants, administrators and bus drivers, according to a press release. Register before the day of the fair at tucne.ws/adejobfair online. The event is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tucson at Reid Park, 445 S. Alvernon Way. Tucson Country Day School has open houses this week Tucson Country Day School has open houses scheduled for the coming week. The events are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26, and Thursday, Feb. 28, and from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 1. A Tucson man who shot three people, killing one, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of release on Monday. Isaac Cisco, 24, was convicted of first-degree murder and aggravated assault last month in connection with the 2017 shooting. On April 23, 2017, Cisco shot three people sitting in a car after he followed them from a McDonald's near 22nd Street and Kolb Road to a nearby apartment complex, according to an interim complaint filed by the Tucson Police Department in Pima County Superior Court. The court document says he shot into the vehicle multiple times and struck all three people in the car. Angel Valenzuela, 28, died from his injuries. The other two victims, ages 16 and 17 at the time, were shot multiple times but survived. The Pima County Attorney's Office says Cisco was angry because someone beat up his brother. Thinking one of the men in the car was responsible, he followed the car to the apartment complex where he began shooting. Police hadnt yet arrested Cisco in connection to that case when they came into contact with him about three weeks later during an unrelated traffic stop. Elgin winemaker Kief Manning had hoped that the statewide Arizona Winegrowers Association would at some point recognize the states oldest wine-growing region with a full-blown festival. But when that looked like it was never going to happen, Manning took matters into his own hands and launched his own version of a regional wine festival. This weekend, his Elgin winery Kief-Joshua Vineyards will host the eighth annual Southeast Arizona Wine Growers Festival to celebrate all things vino. This is the only wine festival in Arizona thats held on a vineyard, Manning said, noting that other events around the state, including last weekends sixth annual Off the Vine Arizona Wine Festival in Oro Valley the closest the Phoenix-based Arizona Winegrowers Association has come to Southeast Arizonas verdant wine-growing region are held in parks. In fact, some two-thirds of the states wine grapes are grown in the Sonoita-Elgin and Willcox regions. The festival also celebrates the 35th anniversary of the Sonoita-Elgin American Viticulture Area designation, the first in the state. The designation recognizes the region as a unique wine-growing area based on its topography, soil makeup, geography and other factors. Check out celebrity arrivals at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Ive been seeing a lot more no votes on the overall budget each time, said Dockstader, a newspaper publisher who, in his media business, reinvented his companys budgeting process and revenue streams as the industry changed, working to live within their means as they did it. And on the capital construction bill, its not impossible to grab a 30-0 vote, because people are weary of spending. Outnumbered on the Appropriations Committee and with the House willing to spend more, the Senate now feels like it is currently in a position where it is forced to be on the offensive, said Driskill. Youve got the House and the Senate, which are supposedly both equal, said Driskill. But when you create a 7-5, what youve done is create an ability for one side to enforce their will on another body in a committee. So when it goes to the floor, that will is no longer there, and it leads to built-in conflict. You can call it a cram down, where the Senate disagrees with the House during the budget process, but the House prevails because theyve got two more votes. You can disagree fundamentally on the budget, he added. Yet the House will always prevail. The meningitis case discovered in a Carbon County child last week that temporarily closed four schools there is not contagious, officials said Monday. Testing completed recently confirmed that the students case is streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Out of precaution, Carbon County School District No. 2 closed four schools late last week. A spokeswoman for the Health Department said health officials would normally not recommend closure for this specific type of meningitis. Carbon 2 Superintendent Jim Copeland said in an email Monday that he was notified of the case Wednesday. The fifth-grade student was flown to a Denver hospital and began receiving treatment. We decided to close the schools to allow for a deep cleaning until Monday, Copeland wrote, adding that parents, schools and local media were all notified. Friday was not scheduled as a student school day anywayso the schools were closed for 1 official school day, which will be made up later this year. In a statement sent Friday, the department stressed that the students having meningitis did not pose a broader public health concern. It also added that testing to confirm the infection had not been completed and a specific diagnosis had not been verified. Echols, in a followup interview late last month, said the source of the mischaracterization was Thompson, who she said was embarrassed and apologetic. She defended him as an educator of integrity and called the messages and photos unacceptable and inappropriate. Asked Friday if the latest revelations changed Thompsons situation, Echols declined to comment. According to the parents of the student depicted in the photo, Thompson came to their house in mid-January, after the Star-Tribune began its inquiry, and told them that a former employee had dug up a photo of their daughter. He allegedly did not discuss the exact contents of the photo or the text exchanges. The parents of the student in the video say they, too, were told in mid-January that a former staff member was trying to cause trouble and that this staff member had provided the video to the newspaper. Echols said she went back to Thompson in late January after it was apparent parents were not fully aware of the situation and told him to be crystal clear. Wilcon Depot Inc., a leading home improvement and construction material supplier, plans to open 100 stores over the next few years. Wilcon president and chief executive Lorraine Belo-Cincochan said in a recent interview the company was launching new stores in line with the target to open 100 outlets. We are thinking that we could have 100 stores. But we have yet to plot as what year we will be able to achieve that, Belo-Cincochan said. Wilcon is expected to open eight stores this year and five to six stores annually after that. Belo-Cincochan said to achieve the target of 100 stores, the group began identifying areas suitable for expansion and next growth. She said for this year, the company was aiming to hit a double-digit growth in revenues and net income. We are still pushing for thatdouble-digit growth in net income and revenues. We are bullish this year because we want to open eight stores this year, Belo-Cincochan said.The company also expects to maintain its same-store sales growth of 5 percent. Wilcon was listed with the Philippine Stock Exchange in 2017. It unveiled a target in that year to have 65 stores by 2021. The company said it was now ahead of the target and expected to hit 65 stores between 2019 to 2020. The company ended 2018 with 51 stores after opening 11 new outlets. It opened its newest store in Palawan in January. Wilcon recorded a net income of P1.39 billion in the first three quarters of 2018, up 24.3 percent from a year ago, driven by the opening and ramp-up of new stores and strong comparable sales growth. Net sales reached P15.359 billion in the nine-month period, up 17.9 percent from a year earlier. The share price of Wilcon recently hit a 52-week high of P15 amid the favorable outlook. The price went up 12.16 percent since the start of the year to P14.20 as of Friday. And tell us about the purpose of the event. There are three purposes. One is to support Seton House. All of the money from the admission tickets goes straight to Seton House. Two, we will have some raffle items and the proceeds from the raffle go to the Soroptimist Live Your Dream Scholarship Award. This scholarship goes to a local woman who is head of household, typically going back to school so she can have a better income for her family. It is the signature project of Soroptimist. Because of the size of our chapter, the local scholarship is only $500, but that person is then put up to be considered for a larger reward at the region level. A couple of years ago, we had a nursing student at Casper College living at Seton House who placed third at the region level and got a $3,000 scholarship, so even though our local amount is small, its still a very worthwhile thing. The scholarship can be used for whatever they need, it doesnt have to be books or tuition; it can be child care or rent or whatever helps them be successful in school. And then the third purpose of the evening is public awareness, to learn about Soroptimist and see if it is something they might be interested in. Caspers leaders are planning to focus on educational efforts not punishments to reduce alcohol-related crimes. Thats awesome, said Jason Ford, the acting manager of the Fort Saloon N Eatery in Casper. I actually think thats how it should be. A new alcohol ordinance which requires three rounds of voting to take effect passed its first vote last month. The measure initially would have made it unlawful to serve alcohol to someone who is already clearly intoxicated. But at Tuesdays meeting prior to the ordinances second vote the Council nixed that provision, replacing it with a statement declaring that all liquor license holders in Casper must have their employees complete an alcohol-serving training program within 90 days of being hired. Ford said Friday that he believes training programs are very beneficial. The acting manager said hes relieved that the city wont be targeting servers who are sometimes faced with tricky situations. There are times when you get people who come in here and theyre already wasted but you cant really tell, he explained. Then I give them one drink and they become very obviously intoxicated. I dont want to be responsible for other people being irresponsible. Blackjewel has run into a number of challenges since it stepped into Wyoming. The mines leases were initially held up because Hoops operations in states like Kentucky and West Virginia had serious violations on record. Hoops said at the time that the violations were due to a clerical oversight that he remedied. He also noted that his Appalachian operations underground mines are under more scrutiny than Wyoming mines. Where Hoops Wyoming company had just two mine permits to oversee, his companies have an additional 720 in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia, Hoops wrote in a January email to the Star-Tribune. We also have at least one inspector on site everyday here versus a couple of days per quarter in Wyoming, he said. No comparison in the level of scrutiny. Hoops compliance record back east has drawn the attention of local landowners in Wyoming as well. The Powder River Basin Resource Council has contested the transfer of the permits of Eagle Butte and Belle Ayr mines from Contura Energy to Blackjewel, citing issues with a ranch property Blackejewel has proffered as collateral against reclamation. The group has also raised concerns with state land regulators about Hoops environmental record. The 4 million ton per year mine is poised to pass to new ownership as the Westmoreland Coal Company bankruptcy limps ahead. A newcomer to Wyoming coal, Virginia businessman Tom Clarke put in the sole bid for the mine, killing a scheduled auction. Pending conditions in a purchase agreement, Clarke will take over Kemmerer for $7.5 million in cash at closing, a $112.5 million senior secured promissory note and a $95 million junior secured promissory note. In 2011, the mine was sold to Westmoreland by Chevron Mining Inc for $74 million in cash and $118 in liabilities. The Westmoreland bankruptcy has shaken the mining community in western Wyoming. The mine and the power plant it feeds face uncertainty that could significantly impact the towns of Kemmerer and Diamondville. Monday support meetings Mended Hearts meets Mended Hearts Chapter 244 will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. in the Old Board Room located off the west wing of the Wyoming Medical Center. When entering from the west parking garage, move toward the lobby. Take the first right just before entering the lobby, pass through the double doors, and take the first left which leads into the meeting room. The speaker for February is Dr. Adrian Fluture, a cardiologist with Cardiopulmonary Services in Casper. Dr. Flutures presentation is titled A Ticking Time Bomb, Undiagnosed Aortic Stenosis. New Delhi: Oman is expecting a double-digit growth in the number of tourist arrivals from India, its second-highest source market, in 2019 as it hard-sells the country as preferred destination here. The Sultanate of Oman recorded a 12.37 per cent growth in Indian tourist arrivals in 2018 with 3,57,147 travellers, against 3,17,844 in 2017, making India the second-highest source market for the country, Oman's Ministry of Tourism said in a statement. "Our plans are to achieve double-digit growth in the number of Indian tourist arrivals during the year 2019," Lubaina Sheerazi, India representative of Oman's Ministry of Tourism, said. India has been an important market for Oman and it has been one of the best-performing countries, reaching the status of second-highest source market after the Gulf Cooperation Council, she added. About the initiatives the country has taken and is taking to promote itself as a preferred destination here, Sheerazi said: "Several initiatives have contributed to this success, such as launch of the electronic visa, direct flight connectivity from various cities in India and opening of the new passenger terminal at Muscat International Airport, among others." With growing number of travellers each year, the Oman Tourism Strategy, developed by the Ministry of Tourism, foresees at least 11.7 million international and domestic tourists by 2040, she added. "As part of its 2040 strategy, the Ministry of Tourism is undertaking major steps to develop and promote a series of destinations across Oman, offering visitors a broader variety of distinctive experiences, with the goal of encouraging extended visits and greater engagement with the country's culture and natural sites," Sheerazi said. The significant increase in incoming tourism has been the result of the economic diversification strategy adopted by the government of Oman, she added. The Ministry of Tourism is fully committed to enhancing the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) component and to help Oman achieve its potential to be a first-class destination for the business tourism segment, Sheerazi said. A trip to Phuket in Thailand along with chums offers a thrilling experience. This destination is termed a paradise by many travellers. Visa formalities can be completed quickly at Phuket airport before heading to the resorts which are always crowded with tourists. The first programme at Phuket can be a walk to Bangla Street at Patong. The scenes here are amazing. Even though Bangla Street is not as thrilling as the Walking Street in Pattaya, the place is alive with a variety of bars, entertaining street shows and great music. Visitors can spend time easily in Bangla Street. If a member of the tour party wants a tattoo of his favourite deity, including a Hindu god like Ganapathy on the arm, it can be done at Bangla Street. Others can visit one of the several massage parlours lining the path. A tour agent can arrange a vehicle for tourists for sightseeing. From the resorts near Patong, it takes a one-hour travel to reach the starting point of the sightseeing tour by boat. Ideally, a '5-in-1' package can be availed which includes visits to Panak Island, JB Island, Panyee Island, Hong Island and Lawa Island. The breakfast will be served in the boat. Most tourists move to the front side of the boat from where they can have the best views of the scenery. After the boat is anchored off Panak Island, the visitors are taken to Bat Caves in a canoe. The guide accompanying them gives a commentary on the lagoons and marine life, including fish, seen inside the cave. After returning from the cave, the travellers set out for Panyee, a village of Muslim fishermen. The houses and shops here are built above water and rest on wooden stumps. Visitors can watch the everyday life in this unique village over water by wandering along a walkway. The goods sold at the shops include several food stuff and other items. The next stop is Hong Island, from where another trip in a canoe leads to a mangrove forest. The path is between rocks and tree stumps jutting out of the water. Rowing some distance, a huge rock with several trees is reached. The mangroves, while sucking the saline water, let out the salt through their leaves. These plants also breathe under water similar to fish. The water in this area is not deep and sometime later, the boat is reached, rowing along another path. The lunch will be ready in the boat, which soon moves to Khao Phong Kan, also called JB (James Bond) Island. It was the shooting location of the James Bond movie 'The Man with the Golden Gun.' There is a rock referred to as 'Ko Ta Pu' here which has a unique shape it is long, vertically placed and has a height of around 20 m. The green-coloured and clear water along with the views of the cliffside are visually much pleasing. The boat later sails to the Lawa Island, where too the scenery is breathtaking. The beauty of the raging waves and the roaring sound they create leave the visitors spell-bound. After spending some time on the beach, everyone can return to the resort. An oil massage eases all the fatigued muscles in the body and it will be a refreshing experience for the travellers. No visitor would want to leave Phuket, but one cannot stay there forever. A return to the daily grind is unavoidable. However, tasty food from the airport lounge in Phuket and a Thai massage make the flight back home refreshing. While most of us have rejoiced at the warmer weather, those afflicted by hay fever will not be so pleased. With good reason, as the Ministry of Health's aerobiology station has recorded a significant amount of hazel and alder pollen in Luxembourg. The warmer weather has led to an explosion in hazel and alder pollen concentration in both Luxembourg and the Greater Region. The Ministry of Health's pollen.lu website has issued an alert to hay fever sufferers, warning them of significantly elevated levels of pollen. The high point occurred on 18 February, with a hazel pollen count of 473. Since then, the concentration of hazel pollen has dropped slightly. As for alder pollen, the high point occurred on 21 February with a count of 180. The ministry has advised those allergic to pollen to ensure that they take their allergy medication. What to do if you have the sniffles Anti-histamines unfortunately have their limits, which is why there are tips for hay fever sufferers to try and limit their exposure to pollen. Recommendations include: On 1 March, Luxembourg will take over the presidency of the intergovernmental alliance which focuses on promoting Holocaust education and remembrance. The key aim of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) is to ensure that the Nazis' murder of six million European Jews must not be forgotten. Luxembourgish diplomat George Santer will be in charge of the IHRA during Luxembourg's presidency and met with the parliamentary commission on foreign affairs to provide some insight on Monday. In order to sustainably keep the memory of the victims alive, the alliance is setting up a dynamic cultural programme with many partners involved. LSAP MP Marc Angel, president of the parliamentary commission, confirmed that the programme was full. Santer explained that the IHRA wants to raise awareness of Portuguese diplomat Aristides de Sousa Mendes in particular. During the Second World War de Sousa Mendes saved thousands from the Nazi regime, including members of the Grand Ducal family. According to Santer, studies show that young people are less aware of the atrocities committed in the 20th century. He stressed that young people must be taught that some tendencies should not be replicated. Finally, Santer concluded that Luxembourg is taking up the mantel of presidency during a time of growing antisemitism, which in turn makes the alliance's challenges considerable. Following the session, the consensus was that antisemitism must continue to be condemned alongside a continued education and information that prevents anything nearing the Holocaust from occurring again. The presidency has a further important internal goal, which is to rework its declaration. The Stockholm declaration is 20 years old and requires updating to reflect contemporary society. The bypass was originally budgeted at 33 million but this figure has since more than doubled. The project is now expected to come in at about 73 million. Talks about the construction of a bypass in Clervaux have been going on for what seems like an eternity. The construction project is important for the north of the country and especially the Clervaux area as it would alleviate traffic and improve Clervaux residents' quality of life. is important is out of the question. However, the transformation comes with a hefty price tag: Instead of the 33 million initially set aside for the project, the final bill is expected to be closer to 73 million. The Minister for Mobility Francois Bausch explained this cost explosion with the fact that fewer lanes were planned in the beginning. In addition to the expansion of the initial plans, the ground beneath the construction site was found not to be as stable as initially thought. On top of that, the construction zone lies in a protected Natura-2000 zone, which also adds to the costs. The construction of the bypass was launched 12 years ago. Once it's finished, the quality of life for Clervaux residents will be improved and heavy transport will be taken out of the town centre. In order to avoid similar high costs in the future, minister Francois Bausch wants the methods of funding for large-scale projects to be revised by Ponts et Chaussees roads and bridges department. Clervaux bypass is expected to open in summer 2022. Christophe Hochard Christophe Hochard How far along is the construction? The "Irbich" viaduct is 265 meters long, stands on 6 pillars and is as good as finished. In February, the lanes across the viaduct were being surfaced. Luxembourg - and its northern region in particular- is a popular vacation destination, attracting many visitors. Town of Clervaux needs to be relieved of the bus and lorry-traffic, to give the residents a certain quality of life back. At the same time, the bypass is expected to make the town more attractive to tourists. Once completed, the bypass will be 4 kilometres long and connect Marnach with Echternach. About 10.000 vehicles per day are expected benefit from this new road. The Department of Transportation said it turned down the proposal of Solar Groups All-Asia Resources and Reclamation Corp. to develop an international airport in Sangley Point, Cavite. We have rejected that [Solar Groups unsolicited proposal] because the provincial government came to us that they would like to implement it. We already sent a notice to Solar, Transportation Undersecretary for Planning Reuben Reinoso said. Sangley Airport Infrastructure Group Inc., a consortium led by Solar Groups All-Asia Resources and Reclamation Corp., submitted an unsolicited proposal to build the Philippine Sangley International Airport for $12 billion. Another crucial portion of the ARRC development plan is the rehabilitation of Danilo Atienza Air Base which will be later used as a general aviation airport to decongest Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals during the project development phase. The rehabilitation of Danilo Atienza Air Base will complement the Naia, which is also subject of a proposed rehabilitation and expansion by Naia Consortium which is composed of Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., AEDC, Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. ARRC proposed a concession period of 50 years for the Sangley International Airport. Under the proposal, the project will start with the reclamation of about 2,500 hectares of land north of the Sangley peninsula which will be used for the development of airport infrastructure and a commercial establishment to complement the project. Under the ARRC proposal, Sangley airport would be designed with two parallel independent runways and sufficient airside and terminal capacity to accommodate future demand for the domestic and the international traffic, not only for the Philippines but also for Southeast Asia.Reinoso said the National Economic and Development Authority returned to the provincial government of Cavite its unsolicited proposal to build a new international airport in Sangley, Cavite because of an unclear implementing arrangement for the project. They submitted to Neda, but the Neda returned it to the Cavite government last January. Neda is asking the Cavite government whats their legal basis, Reinoso said. Neda wants to clarify whats the implementing arrangement and whats the legal basis? Is it a joint venture or is it a BOT [build-operate-transfer] law? They said government to government. Whats the meaning of the government to government? Is it the provincial government and the government of China? They need to clarify it to Neda, Reinoso said. The Cavite provincial government submitted to Neda the full feasibility study for the project on Dec. 17, 2018. Sangley International Airport is expected to cost more than P500 billion. The legal department of DOTr earlier issued a memorandum on June 15 last year, asking the department to refrain from signing an agreement with the Cavite provincial government on the proposed international airport. The legal department cited the lack of technical and financial capability of the Cavite provincial government to implement an international airport development project. On Sunday, the Luxembourg angling association met for their general assembly in Mertert. The federation has about 2,300 member in 62 different clubs. The angling association is still relatively active along the Sure river. Along the Moselle river, however, it's a different story. Because of the construction of a new bicycle lane along the Route du Vin, access to the river will become increasingly difficult for fishermen and fisherwomen. Jos Scheuer, the president of the Luxembourg angling association, explained how the federation's request for incorporating access points to the river for fishing fell on deaf ears with the government. Scheuer has yet to receive an answer and expressed his disappointment at the state of affairs and the government's willingness to listen to their requests. He stated that it would not have been difficult to put in a couple of gates on the fence along the Moselle river and said that it seemed as though anglers simply aren't welcome at the Moselle river any longer. Today Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 69F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 69F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Tomorrow Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 88F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. 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) Much of the education focus in South Carolina and elsewhere is preparing students for the workforce. The emphasis is often on math and science as integral to the work world of the 21st century. Teaching particular skills is again a priority. Though there is a need to teach so many things to students, there are only so many hours in the school day. We have consistently lamented the lack of knowledge among students (and adults) of history and civics, which should be prioritized. But there is an equally good case to be made that the arts are to be forgotten. The S.C. Arts Commission and Palmetto State Arts Education partnered with internationally recognized analytics firm Gallup to participate in the annual Gallup Student Poll, which found the levels of engagement and hope among students in arts-rich South Carolina schools are higher than the national mean. The poll measures student engagement, hope, entrepreneurial aspirations, and career and financial literacy. In South Carolina last year, Gallup surveyed 8,287 students at 30 arts-rich schools. Yes, Democrats want to start a new investigation into already-under-investigation Trump-Russia allegations. And yes, they want to investigate Trump associates like Michael Cohen, Roger Stone and others. But by far the biggest thing Democrats want, now that they have the majority in the House, is to get their hands on the president's tax returns. House Democrats want to use a 1924 law that allows any one of three entities -- the House Ways and Means Committee, the Senate Finance Committee or the Joint Committee on Taxation -- to demand that the Treasury Department turn over the returns of any individual. The law has almost never been used. For the first 50 years of its existence, no one tried to get a president's returns -- although the law played a role in the fight over Richard Nixon's finances -- and in the years since Gerald Ford took office, presidents have voluntarily made their returns public. Until Donald Trump. So now, Democrats propose that the entity they fully control -- the Ways and Means Committee -- force Treasury, parent agency of the Internal Revenue Service, to turn over the president's returns. What do they hope to find? What is remarkable is that even the most aggressive Democrats don't seem to have a clear idea what they will find in the returns. They're just sure there must be something bad in there. Skubal said it took combined efforts of members of the Part-Time Players and members of the community to get the theater in shape so it could open. There was no stage, so they had to build a stage. They had to take out seats in order to build a stage. But we did keep the seats, the original seats that were in there. They had wooden armrests, so we took off the wooden armrests and we cleaned them up, she said. The bottom and the backseat cushions were recovered. That was one of the main things that we kept that was original, she said. Skubal noted that the original balcony held a couple hundred seats, but all of them were taken out. She said that the balcony was redone and is now the location of the lighting and sound booth and storage. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Probably 99 percent of whats done in there was done by people in the community, she said. We spent hours and hours in there until it reopened, she said. It was a really major effort." Skubal noted that a gala held at the theater in May 1998 marked its opening. It was amazing. The theater was packed. We invited politicians, everybody who contributed in some way, she said. The commission discussed the provisional ballots at the certification meeting on Feb. 15. Patsy Blume of the commission said one provisional ballot was from a citizen who for five years listed his address as outside of Denmarks city limits and who lives in the city limits of Denmark now but never changed his address. You have up to 30 days to notify the election commission if you change from a town or to another precinct, she said. Blume said, after reading from the provisional ballot envelope, that the citizen did not come to the provisional ballot hearing (no one answered to the name listed when called at the meeting) and his provisional ballot would not be counted. Blume said another provisional ballot from the East Denmark precinct offered no explanation on the form provided as to why the voter needed special provisions. That individual also was not present at the certification and did not answer when called. That provisional ballot was not counted. Claflin University awarded $5,000 to the grand prize winner of its annual Business Plan Competition on Feb. 11. Of the five competing teams that presented their business proposals, STEMtopia won first place. Chelsey Williams and Winter Grant were the members of the winning team. It was kind of intense, but it was great to see all of our hard work turn into a serious accomplishment, Williams said in an interview after the event. Motivated to eliminate the disparity in the number of women and minority people working in STEM fields, the seniors proposed STEMtopia as an experiential learning app that would aim to prompt students in low-income areas to pursue careers in STEM. Williams, who is an English education major, and Grant, a sociology major, said the preparation for the competition was daunting, especially when it came to the financials. Winter and I stayed up many a night trying to do more research, finding out what goes where, and it was a lot of studying. It was new for us, Williams said. Associate professor of management Robin Davis said she worked alongside the competitors for over six months to help them with preparing their business plans. Today's my birthdayI'm three years away from being old. (The DSM now defines "middle age" as the years from age 45 to 65, and I'm clinging to that.) I've had better Februaries. First, the State of New York put my car under house arrest for the whole month and then some (long storyI stupidly let my insurance lapse late last Winter, and the penalty in my case is that your plates and registration are confiscated for an equal amount of time). Second, I've got a case of gastroenteritis that won't go awayI'm supposed to journey to Geneva (New York, not Switzerland) later this morning for an appointment with a specialist. A obdurate case of the trots is not the worst thing that can happen to a man, but it's pestiferous, I'll say that. Fans of wordplay will appreciate that I just managed to get obdurate and pestiferous into the same sentence. And third...well. This morning I heard the propane truck pull up in front of my house at its usual hour of 5:30 a.m. I don't schedule the deliveriesthey do. And I'm in the process of switching providersI found a better price, and I've been trying to moderate my expensesso I hopped out of bed and bolted to the window to call the guy off. The last thing I wanted was another load of propane at the old price, which is very high. It was twenty minutes before sunrise, and from the bedroom window I could make out the hose against the new snow that fell during the nightthe guy was already by the tanks in back. So I hurried into my bathrobe and slippers and raced downstairs. I rushed outside shouting "Wait! I don't need a delivery this morning! I'm switching providers!" Whenbang. My feet went right out from under me. I slipped on the ice and fell backwardshard. The back of my head slammed against the ice-covered ground. I lay there groaning from the pain. Everything hurt. My head was splitting. The propane guy checked my head for bloodnoneand took my hand to help me up. "You might have gotten a concussion," he said. "What's today's date?" "It's my birthday," I said weakly. "February 25th." "And who's president?" he continued. "Donald Trump," I said. "Donald Trump!" he said, startled. "He didn't make it through the first stage of the primaries! The only reason he ran at all is because NBC was about the cancel 'The Apprentice' and he didn't want to see all those headlines saying 'NBC to The Donald: You're Fired!' No. Jeb Bush is the president. Don't you remember?" "So the American people aren't divided into two warring camps, each listening only to the propaganda of its own side?" I asked. "What? No! Why would we do that? Sir, I'm afraid you've really hurt yourself! You're talking nonsense. Maybe I'd better call an ambulance." "Wait! What about...Brexit? Are the British really deliberately weakening the European Union and simultaneously ceding leadership of it to the Germans, voluntarily, unilaterally, and unnecessarily?" I asked. "Huh? Oh, that," he said. "Don't you remember? That happened a couple of years ago. As soon as David Cameron resigned, the British Parliament voided the referendum, rightly calling it nothing but a political stunt, and declared that it was a policy issue that should be decided by legislators who knew a thing or two about the consequences and not something that should be put to a public vote anyway. The new PM, Theresa May, quoted the great Roman orator Cicero: 'Change of mind is not inconsistency.'" "I see," I said, lying on my back on the snow in my robe and slippers with my eyes tight shut. "What about the climate change crisis?" "Climate change?" he said, looking very concerned. "Well, President Gore started emergency measures back in 2001, and we're currently reducing carbon dioxide and chlorofluorocarbon emissions by four percent a year, heading toward five. It's a big problem, but at least the whole world is united like never before. You know this, right?" "Thank God," I mumbled. Soon I was able to sit up. "Are you sure you're okay, sir?" the propane guy asked. "Bokeh," I said weakly. "What?" he said. "Japanese word. It means fuzzy. One of its meanings is fuzzy in the head. I'm just a little fuzzy in the head is all. I'll be all right." It's been an hour or two now, and boy do I feel banged up. To be honest, though, I'm still feeling a little confused. I just don't remember certain things right. Jeb Bush? What is this anyway, some kind of hereditary monarchy? Letting a president's kid be president makes about as much sense as letting a president's spouse be president. Could've been worse, I guesscould have been Jeb's brother. Mike [Note: It really is my birthday, and I really did take that bad fall on the ice at 5:30 this morning. I've got abrasions on my hands and arm, my back is killing me, and I've got a big bump on my head for the first time since I was little. I'm hobbling around the house like I'm turning a hundred today. But I admit I embellished other parts of this story just a little: for example, I'm pretty sure the propane guy doesn't go around quoting Cicero! At least I don't have to pay for any more propane at the old price. A Pyrrhic victory, but there you go. Signed, Your Aging Ed.] Original contents copyright 2019 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. Heres the situation (To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.) Featured Comments from: Andrew Beard: "Love it! I think I'll go outside and bang my head to see if it stops this awful Brexit headache that just gets worse and worse. Happy Birthday, Mike. I hope your day gets better as it goes on." Ramon Acosta (partial comment): "Penguin steps on slippery ground is my suggestion." 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. Username: Password: or Register Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread Thread Rating: 2 Vote(s) - 3 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Kamalas Father Boasts About Familys History of Slave Ownership in Jamaica BLAME TRUMP lop guest User ID: 453356 02-25-2019 11:15 PM Post: #1 Kamalas Father Boasts About Familys History of Slave Ownership in Jamaica Advertisement We have to be honest that people in this country do not start from the same place or have access to the same opportunities, she said in an interview with The Breakfast Club. Harris doesnt owe anyone in America, but does she have some mea culpas to make in Jamaica? Her father, Donald J. Harris, wrote an extensive essay about the familys heritage in Jamaica at Jamaican Global Online in January, claiming to be the descendant of a famed slave owner. My roots go back, within my lifetime, to my paternal grandmother Miss Chrishy (nee Christiana Brown, descendant of Hamilton Brown who is on record as plantation and slave owner and founder of Browns Town) and to my maternal grandmother Miss Iris (nee Iris Finegan, farmer and educator, from Aenon Town and Inverness, ancestry unknown to me). The Harris name comes from my paternal grandfather Joseph Alexander Harris, land-owner and agricultural "produce" exporter (mostly pimento or all-spice), who died in 1939 one year after I was born and is buried in the church yard of the magnificent Anglican Church which Hamilton Brown built in Browns Town (and where, as a child, I learned the catechism, was baptized and confirmed, and served as an acolyte). My roots go back, within my lifetime, to my paternal grandmother Miss Chrishy (nee Christiana Brown, descendant of Hamilton Brown who is on record as plantation and slave owner and founder of Browns Town) and to my maternal grandmother Miss Iris (nee Iris Finegan, farmer and educator, from Aenon Town and Inverness, ancestry unknown to me). The Harris name comes from my paternal grandfather Joseph Alexander Harris, land-owner and agricultural "produce" exporter (mostly pimento or all-spice), who died in 1939 one year after I was born and is buried in the church yard of the magnificent Anglican Church which Hamilton Brown built in Browns Town (and where, as a child, I learned the catechism, was baptized and confirmed, and served as an acolyte). My roots go back, within my lifetime, to my paternal grandmother Miss Chrishy (nee Christiana Brown, descendant of Hamilton Brown who is on record as plantation and slave owner and founder of Browns Town) and to my maternal grandmother Miss Iris (nee Iris Finegan, farmer and educator, from Aenon Town and Inverness, ancestry unknown to me). The Harris name comes from my paternal grandfather Joseph Alexander Harris, land-owner and agricultural "produce" exporter (mostly pimento or all-spice), who died in 1939 one year after I was born and is buried in the church yard of the magnificent Anglican Church which Hamilton Brown built in Browns Town (and where, as a child, I learned the catechism, was baptized and confirmed, and served as an acolyte). https://pjmedia.com/trending/kamala-harr...ons-check/ Sen Kamala Harris (D-Calif) is on the record as backing some form of reparations for slavery. In a recent interview, Harris agreed with the hosts suggestion that government reparations for black Americans were necessary to address past discrimination. The 2020 presidential hopeful later affirmed that support in a statement to The New York Times.We have to be honest that people in this country do not start from the same place or have access to the same opportunities, she said in an interview with The Breakfast Club.Harris doesnt owe anyone in America, but does she have some mea culpas to make in Jamaica?My roots go back, within my lifetime, to my paternal grandmother Miss Chrishy (nee Christiana Brown, descendant of Hamilton Brown who is on record as plantation and slave owner and founder of Browns Town) and to my maternal grandmother Miss Iris (nee Iris Finegan, farmer and educator, from Aenon Town and Inverness, ancestry unknown to me). The Harris name comes from my paternal grandfather Joseph Alexander Harris, land-owner and agricultural "produce" exporter (mostly pimento or all-spice), who died in 1939 one year after I was born and is buried in the church yard of the magnificent Anglican Church which Hamilton Brown built in Browns Town (and where, as a child, I learned the catechism, was baptized and confirmed, and served as an acolyte).My roots go back, within my lifetime, to my paternal grandmother Miss Chrishy (nee Christiana Brown, descendant of Hamilton Brown who is on record as plantation and slave owner and founder of Browns Town) and to my maternal grandmother Miss Iris (nee Iris Finegan, farmer and educator, from Aenon Town and Inverness, ancestry unknown to me). The Harris name comes from my paternal grandfather Joseph Alexander Harris, land-owner and agricultural "produce" exporter (mostly pimento or all-spice), who died in 1939 one year after I was born and is buried in the church yard of the magnificent Anglican Church which Hamilton Brown built in Browns Town (and where, as a child, I learned the catechism, was baptized and confirmed, and served as an acolyte).My roots go back, within my lifetime, to my paternal grandmother Miss Chrishy (nee Christiana Brown, descendant of Hamilton Brown who is on record as plantation and slave owner and founder of Browns Town) and to my maternal grandmother Miss Iris (nee Iris Finegan, farmer and educator, from Aenon Town and Inverness, ancestry unknown to me). The Harris name comes from my paternal grandfather Joseph Alexander Harris, land-owner and agricultural "produce" exporter (mostly pimento or all-spice), who died in 1939 one year after I was born and is buried in the church yard of the magnificent Anglican Church which Hamilton Brown built in Browns Town (and where, as a child, I learned the catechism, was baptized and confirmed, and served as an acolyte). PioneerSpirit Registered User User ID: 441578 02-25-2019 11:19 PM Posts: 15,195 Post: #2 RE: Kamalas Father Boasts About Familys History of Slave Ownership in Jamaica So if a black family had ancestors who owned slaves ... do they pay themselves? Seriously though .. reparations is an idiotic idea. Very few people owned slaves, and those families had their fortunes wiped out during the civil war. And with all the black/white interbreeding .... And all the white families who lost people fighting against slavery (like mine did). Pffft. So if a black family had ancestors who owned slaves ... do they pay themselves?Seriously though .. reparations is an idiotic idea.Very few people owned slaves, and those families had their fortunes wiped out during the civil war.And with all the black/white interbreeding ....And all the white families who lost people fighting against slavery (like mine did).Pffft. "They notice that you notice" - Mothman Prophecies A tradition cannot make an historical claim and then refuse to have it evaluated by history BLAME TRUMP lop guest User ID: 453356 02-26-2019 02:21 AM Post: #3 RE: Kamalas Father Boasts About Familys History of Slave Ownership in Jamaica Isabella Registered User User ID: 421592 02-26-2019 02:31 AM Posts: 25,669 Post: #4 RE: Kamalas Father Boasts About Familys History of Slave Ownership in Jamaica BLAME TRUMP Wrote: (02-25-2019 11:15 PM) Sen Kamala Harris (D-Calif) is on the record as backing some form of reparations for slavery. In a recent interview, Harris agreed with the hosts suggestion that government reparations for black Americans were necessary to address past discrimination. The 2020 presidential hopeful later affirmed that support in a statement to The New York Times. We have to be honest that people in this country do not start from the same place or have access to the same opportunities, she said in an interview with The Breakfast Club. Harris doesnt owe anyone in America, but does she have some mea culpas to make in Jamaica? Her father, Donald J. Harris, wrote an extensive essay about the familys heritage in Jamaica at Jamaican Global Online in January, claiming to be the descendant of a famed slave owner. My roots go back, within my lifetime, to my paternal grandmother Miss Chrishy (nee Christiana Brown, descendant of Hamilton Brown who is on record as plantation and slave owner and founder of Browns Town) and to my maternal grandmother Miss Iris (nee Iris Finegan, farmer and educator, from Aenon Town and Inverness, ancestry unknown to me). The Harris name comes from my paternal grandfather Joseph Alexander Harris, land-owner and agricultural "produce" exporter (mostly pimento or all-spice), who died in 1939 one year after I was born and is buried in the church yard of the magnificent Anglican Church which Hamilton Brown built in Browns Town (and where, as a child, I learned the catechism, was baptized and confirmed, and served as an acolyte). My roots go back, within my lifetime, to my paternal grandmother Miss Chrishy (nee Christiana Brown, descendant of Hamilton Brown who is on record as plantation and slave owner and founder of Browns Town) and to my maternal grandmother Miss Iris (nee Iris Finegan, farmer and educator, from Aenon Town and Inverness, ancestry unknown to me). The Harris name comes from my paternal grandfather Joseph Alexander Harris, land-owner and agricultural "produce" exporter (mostly pimento or all-spice), who died in 1939 one year after I was born and is buried in the church yard of the magnificent Anglican Church which Hamilton Brown built in Browns Town (and where, as a child, I learned the catechism, was baptized and confirmed, and served as an acolyte). My roots go back, within my lifetime, to my paternal grandmother Miss Chrishy (nee Christiana Brown, descendant of Hamilton Brown who is on record as plantation and slave owner and founder of Browns Town) and to my maternal grandmother Miss Iris (nee Iris Finegan, farmer and educator, from Aenon Town and Inverness, ancestry unknown to me). The Harris name comes from my paternal grandfather Joseph Alexander Harris, land-owner and agricultural "produce" exporter (mostly pimento or all-spice), who died in 1939 one year after I was born and is buried in the church yard of the magnificent Anglican Church which Hamilton Brown built in Browns Town (and where, as a child, I learned the catechism, was baptized and confirmed, and served as an acolyte). https://pjmedia.com/trending/kamala-harr...ons-check/ "Hamilton Brown (1776 - 18 September 1843) was an Irish sugar planter and slave owner in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, which he represented in the House of Assembly of Jamaica for 22 years. He gave his name to Hamilton Town in Saint Ann Parish, now Brown's Town, which he founded. " "Hamilton Brown (1776 - 18 September 1843) was an Irish sugar planter and slave owner in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, which he represented in the House of Assembly of Jamaica for 22 years. He gave his name to Hamilton Town in Saint Ann Parish, now Brown's Town, which he founded. " If you want to influence Trump, you got to be the last guy he talks to." Steve Bannon LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 236898 02-26-2019 02:47 AM Post: #5 RE: Kamalas Father Boasts About Familys History of Slave Ownership in Jamaica Isabella Wrote: (02-26-2019 02:31 AM) BLAME TRUMP Wrote: (02-25-2019 11:15 PM) Sen Kamala Harris (D-Calif) is on the record as backing some form of reparations for slavery. In a recent interview, Harris agreed with the hosts suggestion that government reparations for black Americans were necessary to address past discrimination. The 2020 presidential hopeful later affirmed that support in a statement to The New York Times. We have to be honest that people in this country do not start from the same place or have access to the same opportunities, she said in an interview with The Breakfast Club. Harris doesnt owe anyone in America, but does she have some mea culpas to make in Jamaica? Her father, Donald J. Harris, wrote an extensive essay about the familys heritage in Jamaica at Jamaican Global Online in January, claiming to be the descendant of a famed slave owner. My roots go back, within my lifetime, to my paternal grandmother Miss Chrishy (nee Christiana Brown, descendant of Hamilton Brown who is on record as plantation and slave owner and founder of Browns Town) and to my maternal grandmother Miss Iris (nee Iris Finegan, farmer and educator, from Aenon Town and Inverness, ancestry unknown to me). The Harris name comes from my paternal grandfather Joseph Alexander Harris, land-owner and agricultural "produce" exporter (mostly pimento or all-spice), who died in 1939 one year after I was born and is buried in the church yard of the magnificent Anglican Church which Hamilton Brown built in Browns Town (and where, as a child, I learned the catechism, was baptized and confirmed, and served as an acolyte). My roots go back, within my lifetime, to my paternal grandmother Miss Chrishy (nee Christiana Brown, descendant of Hamilton Brown who is on record as plantation and slave owner and founder of Browns Town) and to my maternal grandmother Miss Iris (nee Iris Finegan, farmer and educator, from Aenon Town and Inverness, ancestry unknown to me). The Harris name comes from my paternal grandfather Joseph Alexander Harris, land-owner and agricultural "produce" exporter (mostly pimento or all-spice), who died in 1939 one year after I was born and is buried in the church yard of the magnificent Anglican Church which Hamilton Brown built in Browns Town (and where, as a child, I learned the catechism, was baptized and confirmed, and served as an acolyte). My roots go back, within my lifetime, to my paternal grandmother Miss Chrishy (nee Christiana Brown, descendant of Hamilton Brown who is on record as plantation and slave owner and founder of Browns Town) and to my maternal grandmother Miss Iris (nee Iris Finegan, farmer and educator, from Aenon Town and Inverness, ancestry unknown to me). The Harris name comes from my paternal grandfather Joseph Alexander Harris, land-owner and agricultural "produce" exporter (mostly pimento or all-spice), who died in 1939 one year after I was born and is buried in the church yard of the magnificent Anglican Church which Hamilton Brown built in Browns Town (and where, as a child, I learned the catechism, was baptized and confirmed, and served as an acolyte). https://pjmedia.com/trending/kamala-harr...ons-check/ "Hamilton Brown (1776 - 18 September 1843) was an Irish sugar planter and slave owner in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, which he represented in the House of Assembly of Jamaica for 22 years. He gave his name to Hamilton Town in Saint Ann Parish, now Brown's Town, which he founded. " I've been there, pretty poor people. I've been there, pretty poor people. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 490593 02-26-2019 02:48 AM Post: #6 RE: Kamalas Father Boasts About Familys History of Slave Ownership in Jamaica PioneerSpirit Wrote: (02-25-2019 11:19 PM) So if a black family had ancestors who owned slaves ... do they pay themselves? Seriously though .. reparations is an idiotic idea. Very few people owned slaves, and those families had their fortunes wiped out during the civil war. And with all the black/white interbreeding .... And all the white families who lost people fighting against slavery (like mine did). Pffft. The first slave owner is US was black. The first slave owner is US was black. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 490768 02-26-2019 03:20 AM Post: #7 RE: Kamalas Father Boasts About Familys History of Slave Ownership in Jamaica No one should EVER be ashamed of their family's history. You prefer NOT having had them to cause your existence?? LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 441756 02-26-2019 03:49 AM Post: #8 RE: Kamalas Father Boasts About Familys History of Slave Ownership in Jamaica LoP Guest Wrote: (02-26-2019 02:48 AM) So if a black family had ancestors who owned slaves ... do they pay themselves? You do realize one can be descended from both a slave and slave owner? Many slave owners had children with their slaves. Not sure why you find this funny? You do realize one can be descended from both a slave and slave owner?Many slave owners had children with their slaves. Not sure why you find this funny? Member Banned User ID: 446580 02-26-2019 03:52 AM Posts: 68 Post: #9 RE: Kamalas Father Boasts About Familys History of Slave Ownership in Jamaica Isabella Registered User User ID: 421592 02-26-2019 06:30 PM Posts: 25,669 Post: #10 RE: Kamalas Father Boasts About Familys History of Slave Ownership in Jamaica LoP Guest Wrote: (02-26-2019 03:49 AM) LoP Guest Wrote: (02-26-2019 02:48 AM) So if a black family had ancestors who owned slaves ... do they pay themselves? You do realize one can be descended from both a slave and slave owner? Many slave owners had children with their slaves. Not sure why you find this funny? Exactly, Hamilton Brown was a white Irish plantation owner and local politician for years,people are gloating over the false assumption that she is descended from a black plantation slave owner. Exactly,Hamilton Brown was a white Irish plantation owner and local politician for years,people are gloating over the false assumption that she is descended from a black plantation slave owner. If you want to influence Trump, you got to be the last guy he talks to." Steve Bannon BLAME TRUMP lop guest User ID: 453356 02-26-2019 06:36 PM Post: #11 RE: Kamalas Father Boasts About Familys History of Slave Ownership in Jamaica Who was the first Black slave owner? Around 1629 after he worked for his freedom. PioneerSpirit Registered User User ID: 441578 02-26-2019 06:38 PM Posts: 15,195 Post: #12 RE: Kamalas Father Boasts About Familys History of Slave Ownership in Jamaica LoP Guest Wrote: (02-26-2019 03:49 AM) You do realize one can be descended from both a slave and slave owner? Of course I do. Why would you think I didn't think that? Quote: Many slave owners had children with their slaves. Not sure why you find this funny? Slave owners having children with slaves isn't what I was laughing at. I'm laughing at the notion of figuring out who is 'black enough' to get money. People intermarry all the time now. And many people didn't have families come here until AFTER the civil war. And many people had family members die fighting slavery (like mine did). I find it ridiculous to even suggest 'reparations'. Again, very few people owned slaves. And those who did lost all their wealth in the civil war. It's been 150 years since slavery ended here. No one alive owned slaves, nor their parents, nor their grandparents. And no one alive was a slave, nor their parents, nor their grandparents. At least not pre-civil war black slaves owned by white people in the usa. Tax payers pay for all sorts of benefits and entitlements. And minorities get special consideration in this country in certain areas. Even though slavery has been gone for more than 150 years. So no to 'reparations'. Of course I do. Why would you think I didn't think that?Slave owners having children with slaves isn't what I was laughing at.I'm laughing at the notion of figuring out who is 'black enough' to get money.People intermarry all the time now.And many people didn't have families come here until AFTER the civil war.And many people had family members die fighting slavery (like mine did).I find it ridiculous to even suggest 'reparations'.Again, very few people owned slaves.And those who did lost all their wealth in the civil war.It's been 150 years since slavery ended here.No one alive owned slaves, nor their parents, nor their grandparents.And no one alive was a slave, nor their parents, nor their grandparents.At least not pre-civil war black slaves owned by white people in the usa.Tax payers pay for all sorts of benefits and entitlements.And minorities get special consideration in this country in certain areas.Even though slavery has been gone for more than 150 years.So no to 'reparations'. "They notice that you notice" - Mothman Prophecies A tradition cannot make an historical claim and then refuse to have it evaluated by history RiskyRob ( Lop V.I.P.) User ID: 446882 02-26-2019 06:49 PM Posts: 8,141 Post: #13 RE: Kamalas Father Boasts About Familys History of Slave Ownership in Jamaica Almost all African Americans have white blood. Many are descended from white slave owners raping slaves. Ascended Master Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread 11 hours ago | June 27th | 2021 6:30 AM If You Want to Do Business on the Links, You Need to Improve Your Golf Game A lot of business is done on the golf course. Especially this summer after a year in quarantine, people will be itching to get out on the links and for some relaxation and mixing business with pleasure. If you want to close a deal out on the course, you're going to want to be more focused on the deal points than your next shot. The Undead Archives I have finally salvaged my pre-Blogger TDR archives and added them into Blogger. They are almost totally in the form of one giant post for each month. And the formatting strayed from the originals. Sorry. But historians everywhere can rejoice that this treasure trove of my thoughts is restored to the world. Zoe Herrington, owner of Noble House Jewelers on St. Simons Island, and coming soon to downtown Brunswick, believes in investing in two kinds of jewels those of the precious stone variety and those people who are treasured, esteemed or indispensable, but may fly under the radar. Multimedia Reporter Staff writer Harry Funk, a professional journalist for three-plus decades, has been on the staff of The Almanac since 2015. He has a bachelors degree in journalism and master of business administration, both from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. A platinum-like metal only five atomic layers thick is "just right" for optimizing the performance of a fuel cell electrode. Credit: Johns Hopkins University image/Lei Wang) The 2019 Toyota Mirai electric vehicle touts zero emissions, thanks to a fuel cell that runs on hydrogen instead of gasoline. But the Mirai has barely left California, partly because today's fuel cell electrodes are made of super expensive platinum. Cutting down on the platinum would also cut costs, allowing more electric cars to hit the market. A new method borrows some thinking from "Goldilocks" just the right amount for evaluating how much metal would be required for fuel cell electrodes. The technique uses the forces on a metal's surface to identify the ideal electrode thickness. "There is exactly the right amount of metal that will give fuel cell electrodes the best properties," said Jeffrey Greeley, professor of chemical engineering at Purdue. "If they are too thick or too thin, the main reaction for deploying a fuel cell doesn't work as well, so there's sort of a Goldilocks principle here." The study, to be published in the Feb. 22 issue of the journal Science, was a collaborative effort between Johns Hopkins University, Purdue University and the University of California at Irvine. The researchers tested their theory on palladium, a metal very similar to platinum. "We're essentially using force to tune the properties of thin metal sheets that make up electrocatalysts, which are part of the electrodes of fuel cells," Greeley said. "The ultimate goal is to test this method on a variety of metals." Fuel cells convert hydrogen, combined with some oxygen, into electricity through a so-called oxygen-reduction reaction that an electrocatalyst starts. Finding exactly the right thickness stresses the surface of the electrocatalyst and enhances how well it performs this reaction. Researchers in the past have tried using outside forces to expand or compress an electrocatalyst's surface, but doing so risked making the electrocatalyst less stable. Instead, Greeley's group predicted through computer simulations that the inherent force on the surface of a palladium electrocatalyst could be manipulated for the best possible properties. According to the simulations, an electrocatalyst five layers thick, each layer as thin as an atom, would be enough to optimize performance. "Don't fight forces, use them," said Zhenhua Zeng, a Purdue postdoctoral researcher in chemical engineering, and co-first and co-corresponding author on this paper. "This is kind of like how some structures in architecture don't need external beams or columns because tensional and compressive forces are distributed and balanced." Experiments in Chao Wang's lab at Johns Hopkins confirmed the simulation predictions, finding that the method can increase catalyst activity by 10 to 50 times, using 90 percent less of the metal than what is currently used in fuel cell electrodes. This is because the surface force on the atomically thin electrodes tunes the strain, or distance between atoms, of the metal sheets, altering their catalytic properties. "By tuning the material's thickness, we were able to create more strain. This means you have more freedom to accelerate the reaction you want on the material's surface," Wang said. Explore further More flexible nanomaterials can make fuel cell cars cheaper More information: Lei Wang et al. Tunable intrinsic strain in two-dimensional transition metal electrocatalysts, Science (2019). Journal information: Science Lei Wang et al. Tunable intrinsic strain in two-dimensional transition metal electrocatalysts,(2019). DOI: 10.1126/science.aat8051 Today, Nokia is proud to present their new 2019 smartphone lineup, this includes the revamped classic Nokia 210, Nokia 3.2, Nokia 4.2, Nokia 1 Plus and finally (LIKE FINALLY), the Nokia flagship that we all have been waiting for, the world's first five-camera smartphone Nokia 9 PureView. With this, we will be focusing on the flagship because it has five cameras. The rest can wait, hehe. The Nokia 9 PureView seems to squash all the previous rumours. During the presentation, it's said that all five cameras will work simultaneously instead of just one-by-one, producing into a 60MP photo with a combination of two colour sensors and three monochromatic (black and white) sensors. Each sensor is 12MP (F/1.8) and with five of them at the user's disposal, it can collect up to 10x the amount of light than a single colour sensor. Nokia intended this for mobile photographer enthusiasts, as it also has the ability to capture images in RAW "DNG" format on the phone and an Adobe Lightroom app available. Google Photos will be able to adjust the focal points on the RAW formats as well. Oh, the front camera is 20MP (F/1.8). Quite a nice looking smartphone, no headphone jack on board, though, and there's a hidden ToF (time of flight) sensor there too as the sixth one Photo sample taken from the Nokia 9 PureView Breathtaking details! Low light photography is stunning In the tech specs corner, the 5.99-inch OLED PureDisplay (Gorilla Glass 5) can go up to 2K resolution. It's running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, 6GB of RAM, 128GB storage, a 3320mAh battery pack, that supports up to 28 hours in 4G network calls and runs on Android 9.0 Pie (Android One) out of the box. In addition to that, it also supports Qi Wireless Charging, an in-display fingerprint sensor and an IP67 water and dust rating. Nokia 9 Pureview has already started shipping and will be ready in March 2019 for $699 (~RM2848). It's not known if Malaysia is part of this but we can't wait to look forward to it! Stay tuned for more Nokia news only at TechNave.com. Lunaticoutpost.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program , anaffiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.Amazon, the Amazon logo, MYHABIT, and the MYHABIT logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.Don't be a pest to the forum.No profanity in thread-titles or usernamesNo excessive profanity in postsNo Racism, Antisemitism + HateNo calls for violence against anyone..This website exists for fun and discussion only. The reader is responsible for discerning the validity, factuality or implications of information posted here, be it fictional or based on real events. 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Our Black Industrialists Programme is deliberate in the advocacy of black participation in the mainstream economy. Through this, the Black Industrialists incentive supports companies pursuing productive sectors of the economy. As we contest for liberty and economic empowerment, the South African government has channelled its mandate towards developing black pioneers engaged in industrial sectors, said Magwanishe. The Black Industrialists Programme is one of governments instruments to encourage inclusive growth across all spectrums. Magwanishe said through the programme, government is actively engaging in partnerships that empower black entities. I therefore urge minority groups, women and youth, to leverage on the opportunities available, he said. During the course of the four-day summit, the Deputy Minister highlighted trade and investment opportunities in South Africa, including instruments to facilitate investments. Invest SA, a one-stop shop service, is geared towards providing investors with services to fast-track projects, further assisting them with information, facilitation and aftercare. Thus, through the One Stop Shop, government aims to reduce red tape in areas concerning business registration, taxation, licences, visa and permit applications and other applicable services. Globally, the US accounts for 7% of South Africas total exports to the world and was ranked second as an export destination for South African export products in 2018. South Africa will welcome a US international trade mission in August. The South African government is ready to provide assistance in making the mission a success, as it [did] 25 years ago, when President Mandela and Senator Ted Kennedy coordinated the same mission, he said. The mission will foster strong relations and partnerships between entrepreneurs in both countries. The US remains one of the key sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) for South Africa, with bilateral investments at approximately R2.2 trillion in 2016. Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Labour, iNkosi Phatekile Holomisa, who also attended the summit, said government is working hard to finalise reforms in key sectors across the South African economy. As part of this plan, we are taking immediate steps to finalise reforms in key sectors like mining, oil and gas, tourism and telecommunications all of which are sectors that have great potential for growth and employment creation, said Holomisa. The summit was held under the theme 400 Years Later: Closing the Wealth Gap, Expanding Opportunity. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-02-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. By Linnea Frazier With this blog I am so happy to introduce Ian Consoli, our new Marketing Assistant. I will be leaving for a cellar position in New Zealand in March, but Ian has already begun transitioning into my marketing role from the tasting room and we couldn't think of a better way to familiarize the face behind the future emails than with a blog! If you've visited our tasting room over the last year, it's likely that you tasted with this man. His knowledge and impish personality will speak for itself. Where were you born and raised? The township of Roblar, 8.6 miles south of Tablas Creek. What drew you to Central California? I wanted to come home. How did you first hear about Tablas Creek? I used to manage business and marketing objectives for a small non-profit in Los Angeles. We were coming up on a big fundraiser and I was trying to put together a big item package. One of my childhood friends (Jake Miller) worked in the tasting room at Tablas so I asked if he thought he could help. He more than helped by putting the whole package together himself with the first donation being wine and a tour from Tablas Creek. You've been working in the tasting room until now. What will your new role here at the winery entail? As the new marketing assistant I will be doing a lot of listening and a fair amount of talking. If you hashtag #tablascreek or tag us on your posts, I will be the voice answering any questions you have or adding context. Same if you comment on our social media content. If we have news to share, or we're coming to your neck of the woods, you'll see my name at the end of the email. I'll be working on blogs like these so you get to know our team better. Less visibly, I'll be working behind the scenes on the digital backend to help more people find Tablas Creek if they come to Paso Robles, and our content when they're searching for topics that we've researched. I'll also be coordinating our participation in events locally and around the country. To that note hopefully you'll see me at an event near you! What are you most excited for in your transition from Hospitality into Marketing? Learning. Its what hooked me on wine in the first place and marketing, like wine, is always developing. The challenge of keeping at and ahead of trends is an exciting position to be in. Which are your other favorite wines or wineries locally or around the world? Tablas is my favorite winery. I think if you drink the same winerys wines every day for a year and you still love them its hard to argue. After that Im pretty true to my millennial status in my obsession with organic and biodynamic wine. Ambyth in Templeton is awesome, Lo-Fi Wines in Los Alamos is exciting, Solminer in Los Olivos is intriguing. Regionally the Loire Valley has my curiosity at the moment. If you had to pick one red and one white to drink for the next month which would you choose? Tablas Grenache 2016 Esprit de Tablas Blanc 2012 What is one of your favorite memories here? The first time Neil Collins talked to me. What would people be surprised to know about you? I sew. How do you like to spend your days off? I like surfing so if I can I get in the water. I own an aussie named Rasta (after Dave Rastovich) and enjoying every day I can with him is a priority. I really like organizing things so as lame as it sounds I spend a lot of time going to my parents house and organizing their garage. Im also taking wine business classes on the side so I donate a day to that typically. And of course going wine tasting. How do you define success? Success is the measurement of smiles one sees in a lifetime. Russia embarrasses President Assad, the United Arab Emirates send financial support to Syria, the US suspends citizenship of ISIS women and Russia accuses the US of blocking aid. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend. 1. Russia has leaked a photo from a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Hemeimeem military base in western Syria at the end of 2017, which ridiculed Bashar al-Assad. The picture showed Bashar al-Assad standing behind Putin and a number of officers looking at the ground, while Putin speaks to his Russian cousins, which Assad considered embarrassing and humiliating. Syrian and Arab media and commentators said that the timing of the publication is surprising, especially since it comes about 15 months after the visit. But some social media activists, observed by The Syrian Observer, said that Putin was not happy with the arrogance of Assads latest speech, in which he announced victory without thanking the Russians enough. Activists believe that the leak of this picture may be a Russian warning to Syria to not make fateful decisions without Moscows approval. Others claim that Russia no longer clings to Assad, and may reach an agreement with Western countries forcing the head of the Syrian regime to step down from office. 2. The United Arab Emirates has agreed with pro-Assad businessmen to pump two billion dollars in Syria, including the financing of wheat shipments, fuel and foodstuffs, on the condition that Syria combat Turkish influence and not Iran, a well-informed source told Iqtissad. Last month, Abu Dhabi hosted a Syrian delegation, led by prominent businessman Mohammad Hamsho, to discuss potential cooperation in trade, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, logistics and renewable energy, state media reported. Iqtissad sources said that UAE officials had demanded that the regime confront Turkey and apply economic pressure by confiscating smuggled goods and punish traders who deal with Turkey. 3. On Friday, US-backed fighters transported civilians from the last pocket of the Islamic States (ISIS) dying caliphate in Syria, eager to press on with the battle to crush the extremists. According to Al-Araby al-Jadeed, more than four years after ISIS overran large parts of Syria and neighboring Iraq, and declared a caliphate, they have lost all of it but a tiny patch in the village of Baghouz near the Iraqi border. Around 40 trucks carrying men, women and children left the enclave on Friday. A Syrian Democratic Forces spokesman, Adnan Afrin, said that more than 2,000 people were estimated to still be inside the pocket, and more trucks were expected to evacuate civilian. 4. The father of an Alabama woman who joined the Islamic State in Syria has filed an emergency lawsuit after the Trump administration took the extraordinary step of declaring that she was no longer a US citizen. Asharq al-Awsat reported that Hoda Muthana, 24, says that she regrets joining the extremists and is willing to face prosecution in the United States over her incendiary propaganda on behalf of the ruthless but dwindling group. A day after President Donald Trump declared on Twitter that he had issued orders to bar her, Muthanas father filed an emergency lawsuit asking a federal court to affirm that his daughter is a US citizen and let her return along with her toddler son, whose father, a Tunisian extremist, was killed in battle. 5. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said that the United States is blocking the exit of displaced Syrians from the al-Rukban camp in the al-Tanf area through the humanitarian corridors that were opened for this purpose. The United States is violating international humanitarian law by preventing civilians from leaving through the humanitarian corridors, Zakharova was quoted as saying by SANA during her weekly briefing in Moscow on Friday. She noted that the majority of the camps residents wish to leave and return to their villages and towns that have been cleared of terrorism. Two humanitarian corridors were opened on Feb. 19, 2019, in order to evacuate the displaced Syrians besieged by US forces and their mercenary terrorists in the al-Rukban Camp. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. After he was denied entry to the building and a meeting with a UN official in Tripoli, the Syrian refugee set himself on fire in protest reports Alsouria Net. A Syrian refugee set himself on fire in front of the United Nations building in Tripoli, Lebanon, after a dispute between him and the staff of the organization. The incident took place on Friday and went viral after it was published on the I am a Syrian in Lebanon Facebook page, but was not mentioned by local media. A Narrow Escape An eye witness, who himself is a Syrian refugee and did not wish to be named, told Alsouria Net that the incident took place on Friday morning. The young man, whose name I do not know, set himself on fire after an argument with the staff there, who refused him entry to meet an officer in charge. However, security personnel hurried to extinguish the fire quickly and save the man. After the fire was extinguished, the Red Cross team arrived and gave the young man medical treatment. They told us that the young mans condition was good and that there was no danger to his life, he said. In social media comments on the incident, Syrians said that the regrettable incident is similar to those of the Syrian refugee in Tripoli and have recently become commonplace, indicating the poor living conditions of refugees in Lebanon. Lebanese authorities have been tightening their grip on Syrian refugees in the country. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. The landmine, which killed over 20 people, was left by the Islamic State, and is an incident that has been experienced in other parts of the country reports SANA. On Sunday, more than 20 civilians were martyred when a landmine exploded in the Wadi al-Azib area in Salamyiah countryside, Hama. A source at Hama Police Command told SANA that the landmine, which was left behind by the Islamic State (ISIS), when a car carrying workers ran over the ordnance. The source added that the bodies of the martyrs were admitted to Salamyiah and Hama hospitals. On Feb. 8, 2019, seven civilians were martyred and others were injured in a similar incident near Rasm Ahmar village in Salamyiah eastern countryside, in Hama province. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Since the buffer zone agreement was implemented, infractions have been frequent and deadly reports Zaman Al Wasl. On Friday, six children were killed in Maarrat al-Numan when the regime forces hit the northern town with cluster bombs, the Idleb Media Center reported. An array of towns in Idleb province came under regime artillery fire in latest regime escalation against the buffer zone area. The artillery fire targeted the towns of Maarrat al-Numan, Sarmin, Saraqeb and al-Khawin. During the week, 19 civilians were killed following two separate regime airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun. Idleb has been hit by sporadic regime shelling for weeks, despite the buffer zone deal between Russia and Turkey. Turkey, which backs moderate Syrian rebels, and Russia, the regimes principal foreign ally, agreed in September to create a demilitarised zone in the northwestern Idleb region that would be evacuated of all heavy weapons and hardline fighters. Since the Syrian revolution erupted in 2011, more than 560,000 people have been killed, and more than six million people have been displaced. In 2018 tribal and Islamic terrorist violence left about 1,200 dead in Mali and 58 percent of those fatalities were civilians. Seven percent were Mali soldiers and police. The rest were Islamic terrorists or tribal militia. Life is not safe for the 16,000 UN peacekeepers (and support staff) service in Mali, which continues to be the most dangerous assignment the UN handles. Since 2013 this UN force has suffered 160 dead. So far in 2019 fifteen have died. Most of the peacekeepers in Mali are from African countries. Despite, or perhaps because of those heavy losses senior French officials recently visited the Mali capital and assured Mali leaders that France would maintain its counter-terror force in Mali and the region for as long as it takes. The French visitors also announced over $100 million of additional aid and investment. The tribal violence is largely started by the Fulani herders of central Mali. Fulani tribesmen, in general, are also the biggest supporters of the JNIM (Jamaah Nusrah al Islam wal Muslimin, or Group for the support of Islam and Moslems) coalition. This organization was formed in early 2017 to consolidate the many separate Islamic terror groups in Mali. In part this was a reaction to the growing threat from ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) which is hostile to everyone who is not ISIL and will attack or recruit from the JNIM members like AQIM (Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb), Ansar Dine, FLM and al Mourabitoun (an al Qaeda splinter group). Another reason for the merger was to make it easier to pool resources (including information and advice) and coordinate with other Islamic terror groups in the region. This reduces friction and destructive feuding. Making a coalition like this work is always difficult, especially considering the importance of ethnic differences. The FLM is Fulani while the other groups are largely Tuareg, Arab and some have a lot of foreigners. Note that JNIM did not absorb all of AQIM or al Mourabitoun, just local groups that had long been identified with al Qaeda. Al Mourabitoun is believed to have largely rejoined al Qaeda but some small Al Mourabitoun factions remain independent. Internal politics for Islamic terror groups is a lot messier than these religious zealots like to admit. Thats mainly because each group believes they are uniquely qualified to be the supreme leader of all Islam. Coping with this aspect of Islamic radicalism has proved burdensome and ultimately becomes a major reason for Islamic terror movements failing and fading away (via desertion and other forms of self-destruction). The new JNIM is more heavily influenced by its Fulani component and that is another reason for more attacks in central Mali, which has long been the scene of conflict with Fulanis. Largely because of the Fulani and JNIM there has been more Islamic terrorist activity since 2017 and that has impeded reconstruction and foreign aid efforts. Add to that the existing culture of corruption, especially in southern Mali and you have an atmosphere that is hostile to good government, national unity or economic growth. The French support is important because the government is still crippled by corruption and the growing popularity of conservative Islam by the Mali Moslem majority (90 percent). The senior Islamic clerics in Mali are opposed to Islamic terrorism but are heavily influenced by the conservative Saudi Arabian Wahhabi form of Islam. Mali, like most African nations with large Moslem populations, has accepted Saudi offers of cash to build mosques and religious schools. The Saudis also offer Islamic clerics and teachers trained in Saudi Arabia. A growing number of these Saudi trained clerics and teachers received scholarships to study in Saudi Arabia. Sub-Saharan Moslems have not been very receptive to the idea of living according to Sharia (Islamic) law, which is what Wahhabism demands. But Islamic clerics who regularly criticize corrupt behavior is respected. Corruption Corrosion Continues Not surprisingly corruption has gotten worse in Mali. On a global scale (Transparency International survey) Mali is 120 out of 180 countries for 2018 compared to 122 in 2017 when it came dealing with corruption. Progress, or lack thereof, can be seen in the annual Transparency International Corruption Perception Index where countries are measured on a 1 (most corrupt) to 100 (not corrupt) scale. The most corrupt nations (usually North Korea/14, Yemen/14, 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 Mali score is 32 (up from 31 in 2017) compared to 17 (17) for Libya, 35 (33) for Algeria, 43 (40) for Morocco, 43 (42) for Tunisia, 19 (20) for Chad, 34 (33) for Niger, 35 (32) for Egypt, 70 (71) for the UAE (United Arab Emirates), 62 (64) for Israel, 19 (19) for Angola, 26 (23) for CAR, 26 (26) for Uganda, 56 (55) for Rwanda, 17 (22) for Burundi, 36 (36) for Tanzania and 35 (37) for Zambia, 34 (35) for Ethiopia, 27 (28) for Kenya, 24 (20) for Eritrea, 14 (16) for Yemen, 13 (12) for South Sudan, 16 (16) for Sudan, 61 (61) for Botswana, 72 (75) for the United States, 25 (25) for Cameroon, 40 (39) for Benin, 41 (40) for Ghana, 43 (43) for South Africa, 45 (45) for Senegal, 41 (40) for India, 72 (73) for Japan, 38 (37) for Indonesia, 57 (54) for South Korea, 18 (18) for Iraq, 41 (40) for Turkey, 49 (49) for Saudi Arabia, 28 (28) for Lebanon, 28 (30) for Iran, 16 (15) for Afghanistan, 33 (32) for Pakistan, 28 (29) for Russia and 39 (41) for China. A lower corruption score is common with nations in economic trouble and problems dealing with Islamic terrorism and crime in general. Malis corruption score has not made much progress lately as it was 34 back in 2012. African nations are the most corrupt, followed by Middle Eastern ones. Fixing an existing culture of corruption has proved a most difficult challenge. Somalia was rated the most corrupt nation in the world and has held that dubious distinction for a decade. But in Africa, there are exceptions, like Botswana (a landlocked nation north of South Africa). In the Middle East Israel and the UAE are the exceptions. February 23, 2019: In the north (north of Kidal near the Algerian border), Islamic terrorists in several vehicles attacked a peacekeeper base and killed eight peacekeepers and wounded several others. The attack was repulsed. In the south (near the capital), an EU (European Union) training center came under fire from unidentified gunmen. Two Mali soldiers were wounded and the attackers fled. February 22, 2019: In the south, outside the capital (Bamako) unidentified gunmen fired on a peacekeeper convoy, killing three peacekeepers and wounding another. February 21, 2019: In the north (outside Timbuktu), French air and ground forces attacked Islamic terrorists traveling on a road and killed several JNIM members. One of them was identified as the second-in-command of JNIM. February 18, 2019: In central Mali (Mopti), police raided a location where a senior government official was being held by JNIM and rescued the prisoner. The official had been taken in May 2018 and was being held for ransom. February 16, 2019: In the north (outside of Gao), in what was apparently a friendly fire incident, a Mali soldier was wounded by German peacekeepers at night as the Germans were returning to base in the dark. The Mali soldier opened fire and the Germans fired back. February 3, 2019: In central Mali, just across the border in Burkina Faso, Islamic terrorists attacked a village near the border and killed 14 civilians. Over the next few days, Burkina Faso carried out raids in the region in which 146 Islamic terrorists were killed. The military had already located the probable location of Islamic terrorist camps in the area because of several similar raids on villages in the past month. The G5 and French counter-terrorism forces assisted in this operation. The part of Burkina Faso, adjacent to Mali, has seen an increasing amount of Islamic terrorist activity since 2015 and in that time at least 300 Burkina Faso civilians and security forces personnel have died, as well as an even larger number of Islamic terrorists. February 2, 2019: In central Mali over 5,000 former members of armed groups signed up for the DDR (Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration) amnesty program. About twelve percent of those accepting the amnesty surrendered their weapons as well. January 29, 2019: In the north (140 kilometers north of Gao), a JNIM suicide car bomb and gunmen were used for an attack on an army base, which left two soldiers dead and ten wounded. January 28, 2019: In central Mali (Segou), a JNIM roadside bomb killed one policeman and wounded two others. Elsewhere in the area, just across the border in Burkina Faso, four soldiers were killed and four wounded when local Islamic terrorists attacked a base. Later a French fighter-bomber and several French helicopters were seen in the area, assisting Burkina Faso forces in locating the area the attackers came from. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Username: Password: or Register Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread Thread Rating: 5 Vote(s) - 1.8 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Page: 1 2 The seven Republican super-donors who keep money in tax havens spo snouou Vocem sine nomine audivit! User ID: 350320 02-25-2019 03:15 AM Posts: 66,867 Post: #1 The seven Republican super-donors who keep money in tax havens Advertisement The Guardian reached out for comment to Koch Industries and Georgia-Pacific but they did not respond. Seven Republican super-donors helped bankroll the conservative push for power in the 2016 election cycle, between them pumping more than $350m (264m) into federal and state races. The Paradise Papers illuminate another aspect of these vastly wealthy men their propensity to nurture offshore some of their combined fortunes, estimated by Forbes at $142bn, largely beyond the reach of public scrutiny and tax authorities. The seven have their divisions, especially over Donald Trump. Warren Stephens was a major backer of the Stop Trump movement last year, while Geoff Palmer was among the then Republican nominees biggest financial backers. But they share a presence in tax havens. In turn, they face a legitimate question as they wield influence by investing in Super Pacs with names including Rebuilding America now, Right to rise USA and American unity: are their political principles undermined by their offshore practices? more: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/no...ise-papers "Its entirely possible that two and a half years from now, there will be a Democratic president and a Democratic Congress, ready and willing to aim their sights on the Kochs and other plutocrats. So theyll do everything they can to forestall that..." https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plu...-by-trump/ more:"Its entirely possible that two and a half years from now, there will be a Democratic president and a Democratic Congress, ready and willing to aim their sights on the Kochs and other plutocrats. So theyll do everything they can to forestall that..." Garfield lop guest User ID: 490373 02-25-2019 03:32 AM Post: #2 RE: The seven Republican super-donors who keep money in tax havens Tax havens are perfectly legal. And Im PRETTY sure big democrats use them too... Uppity Me Registered User User ID: 490588 02-25-2019 03:32 AM Posts: 33,908 Post: #3 RE: The seven Republican super-donors who keep money in tax havens Barack Obama was well funded - had almost a billion - he had 700 million or something like that. he had so much he wasn't accepting any more - remember that? Quote: Les pauvres n'ont-ils des Euros ? Alors laissez les pauvres 'sh*t' dans les rues spo snouou Vocem sine nomine audivit! User ID: 350320 02-25-2019 03:33 AM Posts: 66,867 Post: #4 RE: The seven Republican super-donors who keep money in tax havens Fortune 500 Companies Hold a Record $2.6 Trillion Offshore ts been well documented that major U.S. multinational corporations are stockpiling profits offshore to avoid U.S. taxes. Congressional hearings over the past few years have raised awareness of tax avoidance strategies of major technology corporations such as Apple and Microsoft, but, as this report shows, a diverse array of companies are using offshore tax havens, including the pharmaceutical giant Amgen; apparel manufacturers Levi Strauss and Nike; the financial firm American Express; banking giants Bank of America and Wells Fargo, and lesser known companies such as Oracle and Symantec. All told, Fortune 500 corporations are avoiding up to $767 billion in U.S. federal income taxes by holding more than $2.6 trillion of permanently reinvested profits offshore. In their latest annual financial reports, 29 of these corporations reveal that they have paid an income tax rate of 10 percent or less in countries where these profits are officially held, indicating that most of these profits are likely in offshore tax havens. How We Know When Multinationals Offshore Cash is Largely in Tax Havens Offshore profits that an American corporation repatriates (officially brings back to the United States) are subject to the U.S. tax rate of 35 percent minus a tax credit equal to whatever taxes the company paid to foreign governments. Thus, if an American corporation reports it would pay a U.S. tax rate of 25 percent or more on its offshore profits, this indicates it has paid foreign governments a tax rate of 10 percent or less. 29 American corporations have indirectly acknowledged paying 10 percent or less in foreign taxes on the $639 billion they collectively hold offshore. The table on the following page shows the disclosures made by these 29 corporations in their most recent annual financial reports. Overall, the 59 companies that disclose how much they would pay upon repatriation show that they would owe an average tax rate of 28.7 percent upon repatriation, which means they have paid an average tax rate on their offshore earnings of only 6.3 percent so far. It is almost always the case that profits reported by American corporations to the IRS as earned in tax havens were actually earned in the United States or another country with a tax system similar to ours. Most economically developed countries (places where there are real business opportunities for American corporations) have a corporate income tax rate of at least 20 percent, and typically tax rates are higher. Countries that have no corporate income tax or a very low corporate tax countries such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and the Bahamas provide very little in the way of real business opportunities for American corporations like Qualcomm, Citigroup, and Microsoft. But large Americans corporations use accounting gimmicks (most of which are, unfortunately, allowed under current law) to make profits appear to be earned in tax haven countries. In fact, a 2016 Citizens for Tax Justice (CTJ) examination of IRS data found U.S. corporations collectively report earning profits in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands that are more than 15 times the gross domestic products of those countries, which is clearly impossible. more: https://itep.org/fortune-500-companies-h...-offshore/ ts been well documented that major U.S. multinational corporations are stockpiling profits offshore to avoid U.S. taxes. Congressional hearings over the past few years have raised awareness of tax avoidance strategies of major technology corporations such as Apple and Microsoft, but, as this report shows, a diverse array of companies are using offshore tax havens, including the pharmaceutical giant Amgen; apparel manufacturers Levi Strauss and Nike; the financial firm American Express; banking giants Bank of America and Wells Fargo, and lesser known companies such as Oracle and Symantec.All told, Fortune 500 corporations are avoiding up to $767 billion in U.S. federal income taxes by holding more than $2.6 trillion of permanently reinvested profits offshore. In their latest annual financial reports, 29 of these corporations reveal that they have paid an income tax rate of 10 percent or less in countries where these profits are officially held, indicating that most of these profits are likely in offshore tax havens.How We Know When Multinationals Offshore Cash is Largely in Tax HavensOffshore profits that an American corporation repatriates (officially brings back to the United States) are subject to the U.S. tax rate of 35 percent minus a tax credit equal to whatever taxes the company paid to foreign governments. Thus, if an American corporation reports it would pay a U.S. tax rate of 25 percent or more on its offshore profits, this indicates it has paid foreign governments a tax rate of 10 percent or less.29 American corporations have indirectly acknowledged paying 10 percent or less in foreign taxes on the $639 billion they collectively hold offshore. The table on the following page shows the disclosures made by these 29 corporations in their most recent annual financial reports.Overall, the 59 companies that disclose how much they would pay upon repatriation show that they would owe an average tax rate of 28.7 percent upon repatriation, which means they have paid an average tax rate on their offshore earnings of only 6.3 percent so far.It is almost always the case that profits reported by American corporations to the IRS as earned in tax havens were actually earned in the United States or another country with a tax system similar to ours. Most economically developed countries (places where there are real business opportunities for American corporations) have a corporate income tax rate of at least 20 percent, and typically tax rates are higher.Countries that have no corporate income tax or a very low corporate tax countries such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and the Bahamas provide very little in the way of real business opportunities for American corporations like Qualcomm, Citigroup, and Microsoft. But large Americans corporations use accounting gimmicks (most of which are, unfortunately, allowed under current law) to make profits appear to be earned in tax haven countries. In fact, a 2016 Citizens for Tax Justice (CTJ) examination of IRS data found U.S. corporations collectively report earning profits in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands that are more than 15 times the gross domestic products of those countries, which is clearly impossible.more: Damnrod Pull my finger User ID: 473681 02-25-2019 03:34 AM Posts: 7,591 Post: #5 RE: The seven Republican super-donors who keep money in tax havens So? I would offshore my money if I had that much too Better to do that than have it stolen from you by greedy, corrupt bureaucrats...at the end of a scary rifle btw "I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery"...Thomas Jefferson "I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it"...Thomas Jefferson spo snouou Vocem sine nomine audivit! User ID: 350320 02-25-2019 03:36 AM Posts: 66,867 Post: #6 RE: The seven Republican super-donors who keep money in tax havens Uppity Me Wrote: (02-25-2019 03:32 AM) Barack Obama was well funded - had almost a billion - he had 700 million or something like that. he had so much he wasn't accepting any more - remember that? what's with the desperate looking salami slicing whataboutism ,dickhead? what's with the desperate looking salami slicing whataboutism ,dickhead? LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 429525 02-25-2019 03:46 AM Post: #7 RE: The seven Republican super-donors who keep money in tax havens spo snouou Wrote: (02-25-2019 03:33 AM) Fortune 500 Companies Hold a Record $2.6 Trillion Offshore ts been well documented that major U.S. multinational corporations are stockpiling profits offshore to avoid U.S. taxes. Congressional hearings over the past few years have raised awareness of tax avoidance strategies of major technology corporations such as Apple and Microsoft, but, as this report shows, a diverse array of companies are using offshore tax havens, including the pharmaceutical giant Amgen; apparel manufacturers Levi Strauss and Nike; the financial firm American Express; banking giants Bank of America and Wells Fargo, and lesser known companies such as Oracle and Symantec. All told, Fortune 500 corporations are avoiding up to $767 billion in U.S. federal income taxes by holding more than $2.6 trillion of permanently reinvested profits offshore. In their latest annual financial reports, 29 of these corporations reveal that they have paid an income tax rate of 10 percent or less in countries where these profits are officially held, indicating that most of these profits are likely in offshore tax havens. How We Know When Multinationals Offshore Cash is Largely in Tax Havens Offshore profits that an American corporation repatriates (officially brings back to the United States) are subject to the U.S. tax rate of 35 percent minus a tax credit equal to whatever taxes the company paid to foreign governments. Thus, if an American corporation reports it would pay a U.S. tax rate of 25 percent or more on its offshore profits, this indicates it has paid foreign governments a tax rate of 10 percent or less. 29 American corporations have indirectly acknowledged paying 10 percent or less in foreign taxes on the $639 billion they collectively hold offshore. The table on the following page shows the disclosures made by these 29 corporations in their most recent annual financial reports. Overall, the 59 companies that disclose how much they would pay upon repatriation show that they would owe an average tax rate of 28.7 percent upon repatriation, which means they have paid an average tax rate on their offshore earnings of only 6.3 percent so far. It is almost always the case that profits reported by American corporations to the IRS as earned in tax havens were actually earned in the United States or another country with a tax system similar to ours. Most economically developed countries (places where there are real business opportunities for American corporations) have a corporate income tax rate of at least 20 percent, and typically tax rates are higher. Countries that have no corporate income tax or a very low corporate tax countries such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and the Bahamas provide very little in the way of real business opportunities for American corporations like Qualcomm, Citigroup, and Microsoft. But large Americans corporations use accounting gimmicks (most of which are, unfortunately, allowed under current law) to make profits appear to be earned in tax haven countries. In fact, a 2016 Citizens for Tax Justice (CTJ) examination of IRS data found U.S. corporations collectively report earning profits in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands that are more than 15 times the gross domestic products of those countries, which is clearly impossible. [img=300x600]https://itep.org/wp-content/uploads/pre2017chart3.jpg more: https://itep.org/fortune-500-companies-h...-offshore/ Ooh ooh ooh, do it since the Trump tax cuts after corporations weren't being robbed blind by US tax rates compared to other industrialised countries. https://tradingeconomics.com/country-lis...e-tax-rate https://taxfoundation.org/corporate-inco...orld-2016/ 2016 Quote: Key Findings: The United States has the third highest general top marginal corporate income tax rate in the world, at 38.92 percent. Due to the recent reduction in Chads corporate tax rate, the U.S. rate is exceeded only by the United Arab Emirates and Puerto Rico. The worldwide average top corporate income tax rate, across 188 countries and tax jurisdictions, is 22.5 percent. After weighting by each jurisdictions GDP, the average rate is 29.5 percent. By region, Europe has the lowest average corporate tax rate, at 18.88 percent (26.22 percent, weighted by GDP). The G7 has the highest simple average, at 30.21 percent. Larger, more industrialized countries tend to have higher corporate income tax rates than developing countries. The worldwide average corporate tax rate has declined since 2003 from 30 percent to 22.5 percent. Every region in the world has seen a decline in its average corporate tax rate in the past thirteen years. https://taxfoundation.org/us-corporate-i...mpetitive/ Quote: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) reduced the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. However, corporations operating in the United States face another layer of corporate income tax levied by states. As such, the statutory corporate income tax rate in the United States, including an average of state corporate income taxes, is 25.7 percent. This rate puts the United States in line with the average among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member nations. Ooh ooh ooh, do it since the Trump tax cuts after corporations weren't being robbed blind by US tax rates compared to other industrialised countries.2016 LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 429525 02-25-2019 04:12 AM Post: #8 RE: The seven Republican super-donors who keep money in tax havens spo snouou Wrote: (02-25-2019 03:36 AM) Uppity Me Wrote: (02-25-2019 03:32 AM) Barack Obama was well funded - had almost a billion - he had 700 million or something like that. he had so much he wasn't accepting any more - remember that? what's with the desperate looking salami slicing whataboutism ,dickhead? link to image: https://i.imgur.com/VNp9gkt.jpg [img=500x600]https://i.imgur.com/2R4Gi6B.jpg link to image: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jMYsGIHREWY/UJ...-29-12.jpg link to image: https://i.imgur.com/FFT6qmo.jpg [img=500x500]http://ohioaflcio.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/d6414b00ed58e9202645f9ca7adb3622.jpg Desperation is bitching about something Trump did that the President you are ok with did too. At least pick something the last administration didn't do as well to complain about. Desperation is bitching about something Trump did that the President you are ok with did too.At least pick something the last administration didn't do as well to complain about. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 487409 02-25-2019 05:11 AM Post: #9 RE: The seven Republican super-donors who keep money in tax havens Manosteel Wrote: (02-25-2019 03:34 AM) So? I would offshore my money if I had that much too Better to do that than have it stolen from you by greedy, corrupt bureaucrats...at the end of a scary rifle btw yeah but you don't have that much. and the point is these are the people who then have the favor of the asshat who appears to be in charge. they put him/her/it there, and so they set the real policy. and the money they made is only possible from the infrastructure you/me/we paid for. so in the briefest terms possible... they got you to build the infrastructure, with your tax. they got you to pay for their private army, with your tax. then you get fuckall, and they get everything. and you're OK with that!? FTR. i don't play with this partisan bullshit that AC does. but that doesn't mean it's not true. but of course this applies to both sides of the fictional divide. yeah but you don't have that much.and the point is these are the people who then have the favor of the asshat who appears to be in charge. they put him/her/it there, and so they set thepolicy.and the money they made is only possible from the infrastructure you/me/we paid for. so in the briefest terms possible... they got you to build the infrastructure, with your tax. they got you to pay for their private army, with your tax. then you get fuckall, and they get everything. and you're OK with that!?FTR. i don't play with this partisan bullshit that AC does. but that doesn't mean it's not true. but of course this applies to both sides of the fictional divide. Damnrod Pull my finger User ID: 463129 02-25-2019 05:15 AM Posts: 7,591 Post: #10 RE: The seven Republican super-donors who keep money in tax havens LoP Guest Wrote: (02-25-2019 05:11 AM) Manosteel Wrote: (02-25-2019 03:34 AM) So? I would offshore my money if I had that much too Better to do that than have it stolen from you by greedy, corrupt bureaucrats...at the end of a scary rifle btw yeah but you don't have that much. and the point is these are the people who then have the favor of the asshat who appears to be in charge. they put him/her/it there, and so they set the real policy. and the money they made is only possible from the infrastructure you/me/we paid for. so in the briefest terms possible... they got you to build the infrastructure, with your tax. they got you to pay for their private army, with your tax. then you get fuckall, and they get everything. and you're OK with that!? FTR. i don't play with this partisan bullshit that AC does. but that doesn't mean it's not true. but of course this applies to both sides of the fictional divide. I get your point but in the end, it doesn't really matter. The bureaucrats are corrupt. They'll steal the money and use it for their own benefit....they do that now. The super wealthy, have already got the deck stacked in their favor and there is no amount of voting going to fix that. We are basically f**ked and about all you can do is look for a way to grab a slice of the pie for yourself or keep yourself distracted from reality till you take the dirt nap There is no fixing this mess unless something catastrophic happens and completely resets the board back to square one... when I say catastrophic, I mean cataclysmic I get your point but in the end, it doesn't really matter.The bureaucrats are corrupt.They'll steal the money and use it for their own benefit....they do that now.The super wealthy, have already got the deck stacked in their favor and there is no amount of voting going to fix that.We are basically f**ked and about all you can do is look for a way to grab a slice of the pie for yourself or keep yourself distracted from reality till you take the dirt napThere is no fixing this mess unless something catastrophic happens and completely resets the board back to square one...when I say catastrophic, I mean cataclysmic "I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery"...Thomas Jefferson "I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it"...Thomas Jefferson spo snouou Vocem sine nomine audivit! User ID: 350320 02-25-2019 05:38 AM Posts: 66,867 Post: #11 RE: The seven Republican super-donors who keep money in tax havens LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 373471 02-25-2019 08:15 AM Post: #12 RE: The seven Republican super-donors who keep money in tax havens ED BUCK https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...orker.html Les Moonves http://americanactionnews.com/articles/a...al-assault democrat donors just f*#k people in the ass and murder them with meth overdosesED BUCKLes Moonves LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 373471 02-25-2019 08:16 AM Post: #13 RE: The seven Republican super-donors who keep money in tax havens Hollywood producer, Democratic mega donor, activist Accused of rape, sexual assault, harassment LoP Guest Wrote: (02-25-2019 08:15 AM) democrat donors just f*#k people in the ass and murder them with meth overdoses ED BUCK https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...orker.html Les Moonves http://americanactionnews.com/articles/a...al-assault Harvey WeinsteinHollywood producer, Democratic mega donor, activistAccused of rape, sexual assault, harassment LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 373471 02-25-2019 08:17 AM Post: #14 RE: The seven Republican super-donors who keep money in tax havens Louis C.K. Comedian, Democratic activist Accused of sexual misconduct Brett Ratner Hollywood director, Democratic donor Accused of rape, sexual assault, harassment Andrew Kreisburg Hollywood producer, Democratic donor Alleged sexual harassment Steve Jurvetson Co-founder of a venture capital firm, SpaceX board member, Democratic donor Accused of sexual misconduct Andy Dick Comedian, actor, Democratic donor Alleged groping, sexual harassment Hamilton Fish Publisher of the New Republic, liberal media figure Accused of sexual harassment Al Franken Former comedian, current Democratic senator Accused of multiple instances of sexual misconduct, groping Kevin Spacey Actor, Democratic mega-donor and activist Accused of attempted sexual assault of a teenage boy Rick Najera Director of CBS's "Diversity Showcase," Democratic donor Alleged sexual harassment Knight Landesman Publisher of Artforum, Democratic donor Accused of groping, sexual harassment Leon Wieseltier Editor at The New Republic, liberal media icon Accused of rampant sexual harassment John Besh Chief executive or Besh Restaurant Group, Democratic donor Alleged sexual harassment Lockhart Steele Vox Media editorial director, Democratic donor Accused of sexual harassment, misconduct Anthony Weiner Former Democratic Congressman In federal prison for sexting underage girls Bill Clinton Former Democratic President of the United States Accused of rape, sexual misconduct, impeached for perjury for lying about sexual misconduct Eric Massa Former Democratic New York State Representative Accused of sexual misconduct David Wu Former Democratic Congressman Alleged sexual harassment Eliot Spitzer Former Democratic Governor of New York Admitted to patronizing prostitutes John Edwards Democratic Senator, Vice Presidential candidate Encouraged his mistress to abort their love child to avoid a larger scandal Neil Goldschmidt Former Democratic Governor Admitted to sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl Paul E. Patton Former Democratic Governor After his mistress broke off an affair, Kentucky filed numerous violations against her business Mel Reynolds Former Democratic Congressman Convicted of raping a 16-year-old girl Brock Adams Former Democratic Congressman Accused sexual harassment, abuse, rape Robert Menendez Democratic Senator Allegedly had sex with underage prostitute(s) Al Gore Former Democratic Vice President, Presidential candidate Accused of sexual assault John Conyers Democratic Congressman Allegedly fired staffer who refused to sleep with him then paid $27,000 settlement to keep it quiet Charlie Rose Liberal journalist Fired for sexual harassment, groping, indecent exposure Glenn Thrush Liberal New York Times reporter Suspended for alleged sexual misconduct spo snouou Vocem sine nomine audivit! User ID: 350320 02-25-2019 09:49 AM Posts: 66,867 Post: #15 RE: The seven Republican super-donors who keep money in tax havens wow you pukes are as desperate as fcuk.. Advertisement Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread It takes a special type of feline to play the role of 'barn cat.' Some of our furry little friends would much rather lounge and be adored than keep a shed row free of mice, moles and vermin. If youre in Ontario and need a driven fuzzball to retake control of your operation, youve come to the right place. The Ontario SPCA recently announced a new pilot project that finds homes for community cats that dont thrive in a traditional house environment. One of the goals of the Ontario SPCA when rehoming animals is to find the right home for each animal in its care. Community cats, which some people refer to as feral cats, require alternative homes due to their lack of socialization. The Ontario SPCA is giving these cats jobs as working cats. As former street cats who are used to outdoor life, working cats are not typical indoor pets and have no desire to be lap cats. However, what they lack in social skills they make up for when it comes to keeping vermin problems under control. For the small cost of a bowl of cat food and water daily, veterinary care and shelter, theyre ready to go to work. (Image courtesy galleryhip.com) (Image courtesy galleryhip.com) If you are a barn owner, operate a winery or brewery, or perhaps manage a warehouse, a natural mouser and working cat could be perfect for you, says Dave Wilson, Senior Director, Shelter Health & Wellness, Ontario SPCA. Were not only hoping to help find these cats a place where they can be safe and receive the necessary care they need, but also help those who could benefit from having a working cat. The working cat program is currently being piloted at the Ontario SPCA Provincial Education & Animal Centre in Stouffville, just outside Newmarket. The cats are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, treated for worms and fleas, microchipped, and are available with no adoption fee. For more information, including how you can get involved, contact [email protected] or visit the adoption page at peac.ontariospca.ca. (With files from the Ontario SPCA) Two calendar years have passed since a serious barn fire ripped through Goshen Historic Track in New York State and reduced time-tested structures to rubble. Now, after the extended period of time, Goshen is ready to rebuild. The fire had spread quickly on August 23, 2017. Miraculously, due to the brave response from horsepeople, Good Samaritans and fire response units, no horses were injured during the ordeal. The three-alarm blaze drew 75 firefighters from a total of 16 platoons. Luckily, all 10 of the horses stabled in the barn were led to safety. The horses may have walked away from the ordeal unscathed, but the same could not be said about the affected structures. The national historic landmark which began hosting racing in 1838 and is the oldest active trotting track in the world was faced with the tall task of rebuilding the burnt barns. Members of the harness racing industry and local community did what they could to help the process, as roughly $25,000 was generously donated to help Goshen rebound from the catastrophe. A Standardbred pictured jogging in front of one of the structures that was affected by the 2017 barn fire George Casale is the vice president of Goshen Historic Track and is also counsel to the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame, which is located just next door. He recently explained to the Times Herald-Record that a plan has been greenlit that will preserve the original character of the stables and barns that were destroyed in the fire, and reallocate space for better use in the future, according to the article. One aspect of the plan calls for the rebuilding of classic structures that were burnt, while another calls for former stable footage to be reallocated in order to provide a new interior for the Harness Racing Museum. The plan, according to Casale, will allow the museum to increase its ability to archive and present the history of the sport. The museum opened in 1951. Its current collection has grown to include some 70,000 items, which range from photos, documents and books, to racing equipment, paintings and sculptures. An artists rendering of the rebuilt barns appears below. An artists rendering of a rebuilt barn at Goshen Historic Track (With files from the Times Herald-Record) We are sorry, but, the blog or user you are looking for can not be found. Checkout some of the blogs in our showcase. NAKA has charged two managers of the central bank If they are found guilty, they could be imprisoned for 10 to 20 years. The National Criminal Agency (NAKA) has charged two managers of the National Bank of Slovakia (NBS), the countrys central bank, for abusing their powers. They committed an especially serious crime when they unlawfully decided to implement the receivership of an insurance company, the police informed on their Facebook page. As a result, the performance of the insurers statutory body was suspended. It was replaced by a receiver appointed by the NBS who was permitted by the managers to declare bankruptcy on behalf of the insurer, the police continued. The managers were identified as Ivan B. and Monika I., who, if found guilty, will spend between 10 to 20 years in prison. They will not be held in custody during the prosecution. The NBS hasnt received any official information about the charges from the investigator yet, said Jana Kovacova of the NBSs press department, as quoted by the Sme daily. As they only learned of the charges from the media, they cannot properly comment on them. Infamous Rapid Life The charges are connected with the Rapid Life insurer. The NBS introduced the receivership concerning the company in the summer of 2017. Read also: Rapid Life insurance company has gone bankrupt Read more The position of the insurer is still very vague. The Police charged Ivan B. last year, claiming that he allegedly took 4,000 from Rapid Life in 2015 and 2016, to ensure that the NBS would be less strict when checking and fining the insurer. He is said to have asked for another 10,000. Now, the police say that the officers of the bank have caused damages to the insurer, Sme wrote. At the same time, the whole bankruptcy proceeding seems to be stuck. Receiver Irena Sopkova discovered that the insurers debts amount to millions of euros. However, it has no property and owes money to about 15,000 clients. As a result, Sopkova submitted a proposal to declare bankruptcy in 2017. Since then, the insurer has several trustees in bankruptcy, which means that the whole process is essentially still at the start of the process where the trustees evaluates the debt claims, Sme wrote. Lawsuit against the state Moreover, Rapid Life has sued the state. The court already decided that the NBS violated the law when it issued a licence for the insurer. However, the compensation is part of a separate trial that has not yet been concluded. The NBS claims that it has not violated the law, Sme wrote. Read also: Central bank in a legal battle with insurance company Read more Former owners and managers of the insurers argue that if they receive compensation from the NBS, they would be able to pay off their debts to their clients. However, they are also being investigated by the police under the suspicion that they caused the bankruptcy by inexpert leadership of the company and suspicious transfers of property. 25. Feb 2019 at 23:13 | Compiled by Spectator staff Slovakia introduces emergency measures for Polish meat Meat imported from Poland will have to undergo laboratory tests until further notice. The import of beef from Poland will have to follow special measures. Starting on February 22, every consignment has to undergo laboratory tests and only if it passes can it continue to the Slovak market. This precaution will remain in force until further notice, the Agriculture Ministry announced. I wont let the failures of the Polish authorities repeatedly threaten Slovak consumers, Agriculture Minister Gabriela Matecna (SNS) said, as quoted in a press release. Read also: Half of the reported Polish meat was Slovak Read more As a result, the State Veterinary and Food Administration (SVPS) will check all Polish meat deliveries before they are distributed to the restaurants and cafeterias. Matecna wants to re-evaluate this precaution only after the European Commissions inspectors publish the results of their inspections in Polish slaughterhouses and the Polish system of checking the quality of meat. Salmonella found too Stricter measures come as a response to the second scandal concerning the Polish meat that has occurred recently. The Czech authorities found salmonella bacteria in the 700-kilogram consignment of Polish beef. About 40 kilograms of meat from this consignment was sent to Slovakia. However, SVPS comptrollers stopped the delivery, so thankfully, it did not make it to the consumers, the Agriculture Ministry informed. Inspections still underway As for the new measures concerning the imports of Polish meat to Slovakia, food inspectors will check whether there is any bacteria or the remains of veterinary medicine in the meat or the meat was not refrozen. They will also focus on facilities from which the meat came. If there are any suspicions of falsifying the meat, they will carry out sensory tests and quality detection of the meat. Read also: How does fresh meat get to the butcher's shop in Slovakia? Read more Every receiver of Polish beef has to report the delivery to SVPSs electronic system at least 24 hours before the delivery, said SVPS head, Jozef Bires, as quoted in the press release. The comptrollers will take a sample, and the receivers will have to wait for the test results. Only then will the beef be offered to consumers, he explained. Since the scandal with Polish meat from sick cows has occurred earlier this year, Slovak food inspectors have carried out more than 550 targeted controls in storehouses, retail shops, pack-houses, processing plants and on the roads. 25. Feb 2019 at 13:48 | Compiled by Spectator staff Should Kiska remain in politics? Support for incumbent President Andrej Kiska has been dropping, polls suggest. Mostly the voters of newly-established parties Progresivne Slovensko (Progressive Slovakia) and Spolu (Together) want to see President Andrej Kiska remain in politics after he leaves the presidential post later this year. More than 60 percent of Progressive Slovakia voters and nearly 70 percent of Spolu voters support him, according to a poll carried out by the Focus agency for private broadcaster TV Markiza on 1,013 respondents. On the other hand, the voters of ruling parties Smer and the Slovak National Party (SNS) want Kiska to leave. The poll also suggests that about one-fifth of far-right Kotleba Peoples Party Our Slovakia (LSNS) would not stand Kiska in politics. Read also: Kiska is not ruling out that he might found a party after all Read more More than 13.6 percent of respondents absolutely support Kiska, while more than 21 percent somewhat agree he should stay in politics. On the other hand, 24 percent of respondents support Kiskas departure from politics and nearly 35 percent clearly said they want him to leave. Trust is dropping The polls results reflect the trend of the previous polls measuring the trustworthiness of politicians, political analyst Pavol Babos told the Sme daily. While in January 2018, 53 percent of respondents trusted Kiska, in September 2018 it was only 41.3 percent. Kiskas trustworthiness in the polls has been gradually falling, with the biggest drop being observed after [Jan] Kuciaks murder, Babos said, as quoted by Sme. This is why it is not surprising that 35 percent of people want him to continue in his political career. The results cannot be considered as a percentage he would gain in the elections, the analyst continued, explaining that even in the case of Smer politicians, trustworthiness numbers do not translate to real election results. At the same time, Babos admitted that the support of Progressive Slovakia and Spolus voters is lower than he would expect. Since both Ivan Stefunko of Progressive Slovakia and Miroslav Beblavy of Spolu have been profiling themselves as having opinions close to Kiska, he would expect the support to be between 60 and 70 percent, he added for Sme. Their support may be affected by the long-term criticism of the president, particularly by Smers representatives. 25. Feb 2019 at 13:42 | Compiled by Spectator staff Farmers said goodbye to Bratislava with manure But they plan to organise a general strike across Slovakia. The farmers who came to Bratislava to protest against the current situation in the sector suspended their strike and went home on February 22. Before they left, they spread manure in front of the Agriculture Ministry and the Agricultural Paying Agency (PPA) buildings. Both institutions are trying to cover subsidy frauds and do not observe the laws, said the representatives of farmers, geodesists and foresters. PPA has not allocated subsidies to some protesting farmers, even though they have received rulings from the district, regional courts, and even the Constitutional Court, said one of the protesting farmers, Frantisek Oravec, as quoted by the SITA newswire. Read also: Farmers blocked the traffic in Bratislava Read more Farmers also claim that the Agriculture Ministry does not protect small farmers. Weve been oppressed and weve been losing our land, said Patrik Magdosko of the Initiative of Farmers, as quoted by SITA, explaining that spreading the manure should symbolise how the ministry is treating them. Strike will be prepared The departure from Bratislava does not mean that the farmers will stop in their efforts. They plan to organise a general strike across Slovakia in about a month, with the support of the Slovak Union of Motor Carriers (UNAS). If the government accepts our conditions, well cancel the general strike, he added, as quoted by SITA. 25. Feb 2019 at 13:34 | Compiled by Spectator staff Smer chair Robert Fico allegedly threatened "a war" if the president refused to appoint him as Constitutional Court president. Robert Fico hands in the resignation of his government to President Andrej Kiska in March 2018. (Source: SME) Font size: A - | A + Smer chair and ex-prime minister Robert Fico allegedly demanded President Andrej Kiska appoint him the president of the Constitutional Court in mid-January. If he refused, Fico threatened to start a war. Since Fico later withdrew from the fight for the free post at the Constitutional Court, partly due to Kiskas attitude, the fight really began, the Sme daily reported. It pointed to the charges brought by the National Criminal Agency (NAKA) against the authorised representative of Kiskas company KTAG, Eduard Kuckovsky. The charges concern the unauthorised VAT refund worth 146,000, which the company claimed from the state for expenses on Kiskas presidential campaign. Fico has said that Kiska committed fraud. Read also: Police again investigate President Kiska's company Read more The president now suggests that the charges are linked to his refusal to appoint Fico a Constitutional Court judge. He didnt present it as a fact, but rather a threat, adding that either I will appoint him or the war against me will start again, the president told the press on February 22, as quoted by Sme. Responding to the statement, Fico also organised a press conference, pointing to the financing of Kiskas presidential campaign. He also called him a fraudster again. However, he did not explain the suspicions of blackmailing. I reject his ridiculous accusations, Fico said, as quoted by Sme. If he has any suspicions, he should turn to the law enforcement bodies. Bugar allegedly acted as a mediator Kiska met with Fico on January 2, 2019 to discuss the election of Constitutional Court judges. At the time, Fico did not mention his intention to run. Only two days later, Most-Hid chair Bela Bugar called Kiska and said that Fico had asked him to deliver a message: either he will become the president of the Constitutional Court or the war will begin, Sme reported. Read also: Kiska: People demand decency and justice to believe state again Read more Kiska reportedly rejected this and told Bugar that he would not allow himself to be blackmailed. At the same time, he informed PM Peter Pellegrini (Smer) about the threats. Bugar did not want to comment on the statement, explaining that he has discussed various topics with Kiska, and the details are confidential for him, Sme wrote. Kiska met with Fico again on January 14, where other threats were voiced. This time, the meeting was allegedly also attended by Pellegrini. The prime minister did not want to comment on the meeting, either. However, he has denied the claims that Kiska would have been blackmailed, his spokesperson Patricia Macikova told Sme. Pellegrini commented on the situation on February 23 during Saturday Dialogues, a political talk show broadcast by the public-service RTVS. Kiska should not have cast doubt on the actions of police and the prosecutors office, he said. Meanwhile, Kuckovsky has submitted a complaint against the charges. It will be checked by the prosecutor of the regional prosecutors office in Presov, the TASR newswire reported. Police to investigate suspicions The National Criminal Agency (NAKA) meanwhile informed that it will investigate the blackmail suspicions, the Police Corps Presidium confirmed, as reported by the Dennik N daily. It originally seemed that the law enforcement bodies would not act on their own initiative and called on Kiska to submit a criminal complaint. Since there are some efforts to politicise the whole affair and an obviously antagonistic relationship between the two constitutional officials, the General Prosecutors Office will not be dragged into the personal political disputes, the General Prosecutors Office informed, as quoted by Dennik N. They added that they would launch proceedings only if a motion containing well-founded suspicions that a crime had been committed was submitted. Such a motion was filed by Ondrej Dostal, an MP of Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), on February 25, Dennik N wrote. Kiska publishes reasons for prosecuting KTAG representative Kiska disclosed on February 25 the reasons why NAKA is bringing charges against the authorised representative of KTAG. Investigator Robert Hrusovsky wrote in the document that though it is true that KTAG had an agreement with Kiska to promote his name, the contract does not include the presidential campaign. As a result, the finances allocated for the campaign should not have been added to the companys business expenses, Sme reported. Hrusovsky is the third investigator to deal with the case. His two predecessors did not see a reason to bring charges against Kuckovsky. 25. Feb 2019 at 13:31 (modified at 25. Feb 2019 at 23:45) | Compiled by Spectator staff 2019: The peak is over, tension on the market will ease The slowdown of economic growth is expected to partially resolve the problem with the scarce labour force. Font size: A - | A + The downward revision of economic growth predictions disrupted the flow of news about Slovakias booming economy in early 2019, with some consolidation of the automotive industry following suit. The slashed forecast is mostly due to external factors, like lower interest in diesel cars, the upcoming Brexit and its impacts, and looming trade wars. Nevertheless, real salaries and the employment rate are expected to further increase, while the unemployment rate should go further down in the coming years. It seems that 2018 was the peak of the economic cycle in Slovakia, said Finance Minister Peter Kazimir. Slovakias economy is showing signals of overheating, he added. Slovakias GDP grew by 4.3 percent in 2018. In February, FinMin analysts estimated 2019s growth at 4 percent, down by 0.5 percentage points compared to the previous prognosis. Real wages are expected to grow by 4 percent, while the unemployment rate should decrease to 6 percent. This should reduce the pressure posed by the lack of a labour force, the most frequently cited problem employers faced in 2018, along with legislative changes that increased costs and red tape. The hike in the minimum wage and payments for night and other work caused the greatest problems for employers, along with GDPR implementation, said Silvia Slusna, HR manager at Direct Parcel Distribution SK. It has cost companies a lot of time, paperwork, and money, Slusna told The Slovak Spectator. The Peter Pellegrini cabinet heeded the calls of businesses and eased the rules for employing people from countries outside the European Union last year. But there is still quite a large group of long-term unemployed people in Slovakia, Igor Sulik, managing Leadership Partner at Amrop, told The Slovak Spectator. Some companies have focused their attention on Roma, while others hope that some Slovaks will return due to Brexit. The number of working pensioners is on the rise. The labour market will face a number of other challenges in the following years, including a skill gap due to the mismatch of specific skills employers demand and jobseekers offer, the troubled education system, automation, and the increase of wage costs by laws adopted ad hoc. Work surcharges and holiday vouchers Since May 2018, companies have been obliged to pay their employees new work surcharges and a further increase in these is due later in 2019. Businesses say these not only increase their wage costs but also reduce their space to increase salaries and other benefits. Surcharges may result in the higher prices of some products and services. In the end, we will all pay for each pro-employee change, said Slusna. Moreover, as of January 1, 2019, companies with more than 49 employees must Read also: Read also: Slovakia needs to increase labour productivity to match wages in western Europe Read more provide their employees with recreational vouchers worth up to 500, for holidays spent in Slovakia. The employer covers 55 percent, i.e. up to 275, of the voucher. The employee covers the rest. Businesses view this as an ad hoc measure that brings an unplanned increase in their wage costs. Some employers may reduce other benefits for employees, said Miriam Spanikova, spokesperson for the Federation of Employers Associations (AZZZ). Employers calculate personal and social expenditures, which can be planned only within acceptable limits, she noted. Jobless rate hit all-time low in 2018 Slovakias average unemployment rate fell to a record 5.04 percent in December 2018, a year-on-year decrease by 0.9 percentage points, data from the Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (UPSVaR) show. 25. Feb 2019 at 11:49 | Jana Liptakova Angela Bajnokova: Every day I feared they would come for me The story of the daughter of a Greek Catholic priest shows how consistent and evil the Communist regime was towards the people it labelled its enemies. Angela Bajnokova was born on October 29, 1928 in Valaskovce, a village in the Humenne district in eastern Slovakia. Her father, Roman Jankevic, hailed from the family of a railway engineer from Vilnius, Lithuania. During his childhood, his family, which he described to his daughter as wealthy, moved to Charbin in Manchuria, a region in China where he spent his youth. He later moved back to Europe. Become part of the roving exhibition in Slovakia's squares. We do not have a cent to spend on the exhibition and keeping it in storage is a sad affair. Thanks to you, we will be able to update it and send it around Slovakia. We have been bringing Stories of the 20th Century to the squares since 2015. We have documented hundreds of stories of real heroes who didn't forget their humanity even in the hardest of times. At Post Bellum, we try to make them visible to thousands of people. That is why we want to continue travelling the towns and villages with Stories of the 20th Century. You can help us to prevent the nation's memory from fading away. Support our project on Startlab.sk Romans life then derailed from the family traditions and he decided to embark on the vocation of a Greek Catholic priest. Angela does not know what motivated him, but says that he would hardly come to Slovakia if he did not study theology. During his studies he travelled to Rome where he got sick with malaria. When he recovered from malaria, they sent him to Presov, saying that the climate is similar to what he had been used to, Angela says. Roman met his wife Helena Maria while ice-skating with his classmates. She was the eighth child of a high-ranking Presov-based official, Karol Peky. They got married shortly before his consecration in Presov in August 1927. Angela was born one year later. In 1937, her native village of Valaskovce gave way to an eponymous military district, and its inhabitants were forced to resettle. Her family moved to Humenne in 1933, and later went on to Kobylnice, half-way from Presov to Stropkov. Here, her two younger brothers Roland and Alojz were born. To be able to attend high school, Angela walked some 5 km every day to Giraltovce, through the forest. She made her way to school every day with four schoolmates, both in winter and rain. She blames her permanent problems with her feet on those walks in poor quality shoes. Angela Bajnokova with her parents and grandmother. (Source: Post Bellum archive) Wartime years of fear During the war, older people used to listen to the radio in Kobylince and passed the news on to others. The biggest threats were expected mainly from the east. She still remembers the great fear of that time. As a schoolgirl, she was very sensitive about the threat that her relatives and other people could die. She also had four Jewish classmates in Giraltovce whom she remembers as smart students. As their friend, the cruelty of the Holocaust hit her personally. It was terrible. I dont know how a person can do that to another person. Angelas father was moved to Turciansky Svaty Martin (today Martin) during the war, to serve the Greek Catholics who were moved there. Angela Bajnokova (Source: Post Bellum archive) For some time, Angela was divided from her family when she left for Presov to study at the secondary boarding school there. She had just escaped the memorable bombing of the city shortly before Christmas 1944. She remembers that if her father had not come to take her away, she might not have survived the raid. As a young student, she couldnt grasp the reason why war is waged: How can people do such things, why are they fighting? I couldnt understand that. She never returned to Presov, and joined her family in Pribovce, in central Slovakia. In the end she finished her studies in Klastor pod Znievom and in 1947, along with her mother, brothers, and grandmother, she moved to the town. They rarely saw their father, as he served in distant places, from 1950 in Vysna Jadlova, north of Svidnik. Angela Bajnokova and her beloved pianino (Source: Post Bellum archive) Communist Coup and violent death of father The February 1948 events dramatically changed the life of Angela and her family. After the coup, the authorities took strict steps against the Greek Catholic Church. The "Action P" put an end to the church in the state, and the priests were offered to convert to the Orthodox Christian religion. Read also: Read also: Historian: After 1948, Czechoslovakia was paralysed with fear Read more Like most Greek Catholics, Roman Jankevic refused to convert and decided to take another job. He knew he was giving up the conflict-free relationship with the state and he was ready for repression. He trained as a tractor driver and in 1950 he got a job at a collective farm. His only daughter Angela remembers that after her father was stripped of his priestly robes, hard work was supposed to transform him into an obedient member of socialist society. The whole family also dropped in social rank, living in a small rented flat. Angela seemingly escaped a bitter fate. She graduated from secondary school and started working at the education ministry in Bratislava. I did not even expect them to take me. They had many people like me there. I only filled out the application, and they took me immediately. Read also: How did Communism happen in Czechoslovakia? Read more At school she met the son of the school administrator, Jozef Bajnok. They lived in Bratislava, where Angela worked and Jozef studied chemistry. Unexpectedly, the persecution of her father in Turiec reached them in Bratislava. Jozef was one of the most gifted students in his class, but one of his classmates reported to the faculty that he was going out with a priests daughter. At first it seemed nobody would care. But after the summer holidays, the university refused to enrol him for the third year. He was forced to leave his studies and go to work. Angela Bajnokova and her husband Jozef on their wedding day (Source: Post Bellum archive) The young couple returned to Turiec and married in September 1950 in Zilina. Angela found a job at the regional office in Zilina and Jozef was employed in Martin. They lived together in Martin. In the meantime, the persecution of the tractor driver, Angelas father, escalated. Just like when he was priest, again he could not spend much time with his family. As a driver he used to go to southern Slovakia for harvest in summer 1951. On August 24, 1951, his superior forced him to go into inaccessible terrain in Vricek on his tractor. The hill that he was to climb with the vehicle was hard to manage also for an experienced driver. Angela says that when he was in a dangerous spot, his superior threw a stone in his back. Roman Jankevics tractor rolled over and he suffered serious injuries. He was taken home. He knew he wouldnt make it to the hospital, and in great pain he died surrounded by his closest family. Angela remembers that her mother went to the place where the alleged accident took place. She saw the place, it was a terrible hill. Angela never learned more details about the incident. At the time she was three months after the birth of her son Marian, and she couldnt be close to her father. She remembers I didnt know what was going on, they didnt tell me anything. Somewhat naturally, the authorities didnt even insist on investigating the death of the enemy of socialist society: Nobody interfered with it. The question remains why the man did what he did. Even though Angela saw him later, she never took courage to address him or find out what happened on the day. She feared for her own life and her family: I waited for when they would come for me and take me away. That never happened, and her life continued. Angela Bajnokova (Source: Post Bellum) Regime continued pushing The Bajnoks remained living in Martin. After a first son, they also had a daughter, Ingrid. Angela named her after the famous Swedish actress, Ingrid Bergman. After her maternal leave, Angela got a job as an accountant in Martin. In the mid-1960s the family moved to Banska Bystrica. The normalisation years after 1968 were cruel, and agile comrades did not need too much motivation to do their job. That was why Angela feared for herself and her family in Bystrica, too. I expected them to come for me any day. Read also: Read also: Timeline: From the Prague Spring to occupation and normalisation Read more Banska Bystrica was a town where socialism found its place easily: When I came to work in Bystrica, it made me very angry. What I saw here, I had not seen in Bratislava or anywhere else. Whoever was a party member was right. The red party membership books decided everything. Angelas young colleague reported that she did not have a reliable origin and that she was from a priests family. The superior however did not act against Angela, she only called her and told her to add some details in her CV that would silence her colleagues. Angela thus made it to retirement age in the 1980s. Her husband died in 2000. Despite the wrongdoings she experienced, she has forgiven everyone. Post Bellum SK is an independent civic initiative financed predominantly by small donors. You can also help! Become a member of the Club of Friends of the Stories of the 20th Century or donate directly to our bank account SK12 0200 0000 0029 3529 9756. Join us! The more people who join, the greater the heritage of memories we can preserve for our children. Your donation will allow us to contact more people to tell their stories. Stories of the 20th Century is a project of the non-profit organisation Post Bellum SK. It gathers together many people, mostly the young, who collect memories. They record interviews, digitalise photos, diaries, archive materials, and deposit them in the international archive Memory of Nations. If you know someone with an interesting story, write to us at pamatnici@postbellum.sk. 25. Feb 2019 at 20:01 | Post Bellum 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 enjoy "Solomon's words for the wise", we invite you to become a regular subscriber. We will never charge you to read our website, but if you would like to send a donation for your subscription, you can click on the PAY PAL Button below and enter the amount you would like to send. If you don't have a Pay Pal account, you can use the credit cards below or make checks to Solomon's words, PO Box 250, Roulette, PA 16746. It was 1923, and Francesco Ruffini was going to rescue science. The Italian senators plan was simple: Give scientists an ownership stake in their discoveriesa sort of patent on the laws of nature they discovered. He had written a compelling and widely praised report and proposal, he had the backing of the newly formed League of Nations, and he had the support of prominent scientific and legal experts. But it took only a few years for Ruffinis grand plan to fall apart. Scientists around the world rejected the plan, and lawmakers shelved it. Ruffinis committee on the League of Nations, the Committee on Intellectual Cooperation, would come to be remembered as the most ineffectual enterprise. Advertisement But Ruffini may have the last laugh. Right now, legislators are contemplating changes to the rules for patenting laws of natureSens. Thom Tillis and Chris Coons held roundtables on the subject in January and again in mid-February. The proposals are remarkably similar to what Ruffini proposed nearly a century ago. Scientists decided it was a bad idea then, and it is just as bad an idea today. Advertisement Advertisement The League of Nations Committee on Intellectual Cooperation, the predecessor to todays UNESCO, was a star-studded affairmembers included Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, H.A. Lorentz, and Robert Millikan. Its mission was to improve the state of science in the wake of the European economic devastation of the First World War. The committee would contemplate several major ideas throughout its tenure, such as creation of an international university, academic exchange programs, and even the adoption of Esperanto. Advertisement Ruffini, as a member of the committee, had a different idea for how to increase scientific research. He argued that a scientist who made a breakthrough discovery should own the discovery, receiving scientific property in the same way that artists hold copyrights in their art and inventors get patents on their inventions. For example, Ruffinis report noted that the discovery of Hertzian waves (i.e., radio waves) led to hundreds of useful products. Under his scientific property proposal, the discoverer would get a cut of the profits. This represented a big change from existing law, which had always said that rights like patents could be given for inventionsartificial things like machines that are made by humansbut not for discoveries of the natural world. Advertisement Advertisement At first, Ruffinis idea seemed to have a real shot at success. The committee gave his proposal the nod in 1923, and the full League of Nations Assembly approved the report to be sent to member countries for comment. (The history of the proposal is detailed in a 2003 paper.) John Wigmore, a Chicago law professor working with Ruffini, became the stateside promoter of the idea: He praised it in an academic article co-authored with Ruffini and arranged for a $1,000 prize (worth more than $14,500 today) to procure an essay on a speedy solution of the problem. The prize went to one C.J. Hamson, whose 1930 book Patent Rights for Scientific Discoveries greatly raised the profile of the issue in the United States. Advertisement Patent lawyers, too, were intrigued by the concept of scientific property. The American Patent Law Association formed a Committee of Scientific Property, choosing prominent Chicago lawyer Edward S. Rogers as the committee head in 1924. Rogers was optimistic about the idea, writing in a 1925 article that scientific property was the natural next step from patents and copyrights. The American Bar Associations Patent, Trademark, and Copyright Committee was apparently inspired by Hamsons book to investigate the subject and was convinced the effort would succeed to the great benefit of scientists: When the practical interest of so many is at stake, the protection of that interest is generally capable of accomplishment. Advertisement Fast-forward a century, and history is repeating itself, even with some of the same organizational players. The American Patent Law Association has become the American Intellectual Property Law Association, and the Patent Committee of ABA had become the Intellectual Property Section. In 2017, AIPLA and ABAs IP section both produced proposals to change the patent laws to allow for patents on scientific discoveries, by amending a part of the patent law called Section 101. Those two proposals are the leading ones that have been the focus of the American senators inquiry so far. Advertisement Who discovered electricityFranklin? Ampere? Ohm? The chap that made the Leyden jar? The current proposals share much in common with Ruffinis 1920s idea. Ruffini was clear that scientific property would not prevent all uses of a natural law but only practical commercial applications. AIPLAs proposal similarly would permit patents on anything up to the line of nature independent of and prior to any human activity. Ruffini was motivated in part by his desire to undo the famous Morton v. New York Eye Infirmary case that rejected a patent on using ether as an anesthetic. The AIPLA and ABA proposals are motivated by their disagreement with the recent Supreme Court decisions Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics and Mayo Collaborative Services v. Prometheus Laboratories, which similarly rejected patents on medical techniques, respectively the BRCA gene for detecting breast cancer and a diagnostic blood test for adjusting treatment of autoimmune diseases. Advertisement Advertisement If Tillis and Coons hope to turn the AIPLA or ABA proposals into law, they might want first to learn why Ruffinis plan quickly turned from optimism to failure. Rogers, who praised the idea in 1925, ended up advising against it in 1931, saying that the plan sounds awfully good but ultimately the whole scheme seems impractical. The ABA Patent Committee would also shelve its plan, after receiving a strongly negative report from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The member nation replies to the League of Nations were mixed but included disapprovals from the United Kingdom and United States. Ruffini and the Committee on Intellectual Cooperation attempted to rejigger the proposed language but continued to meet failure. Advertisement What caused the demise of Ruffinis idea? It turned out to be devils in the details: Deep thinkers on the subject, even those in favor of scientific property in principle, couldnt figure out the implementation. Rogers, for example, wondered how scientific property would deal with multiple contributors to one discovery. Who, for example, discovered electricityBenjamin Franklin? Andre-Marie Ampere? George Simon Ohm? The chap that made the Leyden jar? Industries worried about unexpected liability and demanded creation of a scientific property insurance scheme. The American Association for the Advancement of Science report found concerns that the expansive scope of some scientific discoveries could lead to unbounded, tortuous litigation. A U.S. Patent Office official wondered how scientific property patents could be written without being too vague and speculative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These concerns remain relevant today. Lots of new technologies already involve multiple contributors, leading to heavily disputed thickets of hundreds of patents. Unexpected liability, costly litigation, and vagueness of descriptions are also problems that the patent system faces today. Expansive patents on natural discoveries could make these issues worse. Lawmakers thinking of rewriting Section 101 today would thus do well to study the many arguments made in the 1920s and 30s, to learn what difficulties they may face, what studies to conduct, what economic effects to consider, and what populations may be affected. In his 1931 letter, Rogers wrote with worry about the experts and academics who wanted to push forward with scientific property without minding the details, the experts like Ruffini who might say, Adopt the principle and the difficulties will take care of themselves. Rogers countered that the patent and copyright laws themselves took hundreds of years to develop, and anticipated that to get scientific property right, it is going to take a hundred years or more to do it. Well, were now 96 out of 100 years in, but I havent seen any evidence that were much closer to getting it right. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. This piece was originally published on High Country News and has been republished here with permission from Climate Desk. Every Friday since the beginning of this year, bundled in a burnt-orange puffy jacket, 12-year-old Haven Coleman has protested climate change in front of government buildings and business storefronts in Denver. The reactions are mixed. Last week, a man flipped her off through his rolled-down window; other times, people shout words of encouragement or give a thumbs-up. At one of her strikes this month, I find her sitting cross-legged on the cold, hard cement steps leading to the entrance of the Denver City Council building, two posters propped up next to her. One sign has four hashtagged words: #ClimateBreakdown #FridaysforFuture, #ClimateStrike, and #GreenNewDeal written in large skinny black letters. The other proclaims School Strike for Climate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After about half an hour, an older gentleman in a neon-yellow T-shirt and worn blue jeans pauses to read Colemans signs. He doesnt like what they say. Thats to your disadvantage, he tells her matter-of-factly. You need school. Coleman, a seventh-grader with long brown hair and expressive hand gestures, tries to come up with a quick response, but by the time shes pulled her thoughts together, hes already gone up the City Hall steps. Around the country, other young climate activists have gone on similar solo strikes, cheering each other on from afar through Instagram and Twitter. They find encouragement from teens in other countries, like England and Belgium, where the youth climate movement has inspired a vast wave of students to ditch class on Fridays and flood into the streets to protest. Like many adults, they are energized by the eloquent, powerful, and at times frightening speeches of Swedish 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, who has been protesting in front of the Swedish Parliament since August. Advertisement With a future that looks increasingly perilousa recent U.N. climate report gave world leaders just 12 years to act to avoid the worst effects of climate changeColeman and her peers feel a sense of urgency. Us kids, we are the only ones who are doing anything recognizing that our future is at stake, Coleman said, with a hint of exasperation in her voice. The reason why we are climate striking is to try and get the attention of the adults, because we cant votebut we can influence senators. The reason why we are climate striking is to try and get the attention of the adults, because we cant votebut we can influence senators. Haven Coleman And grabbing the attention of adults is Colemans strong suit. She made headlines over a year ago, when she spoke at a town hall hosted in August 2017 by Republican Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner, who has received more than $1.2 million dollars in campaign funding from oil and gas industries. The senator listened to Colemans heartfelt speech that day from the stage. Through tears, she pleaded with him to take action against climate change. She even offered to help. If the carbon polluters money is holding you back, I can organize kids, adults, and money, and we can use social media and do grassroots, she told him, as people in the crowd flashed green cards and cheered. Advertisement Gardner didnt take her up on her offer, but the videos that surfaced of Colemans speeches to Republican Rep. Doug Lamborn, a known climate change denier, garnered the attention of another prominent figure: Al Gore. She had met him briefly once before at a training event. But months later, after hearing about her climate activism in Colorado, he invited her to be a part of his 24 Hours of Reality project, a day of television programming centered on climate change. Coleman says her activism has been going up from there. Advertisement These days, all of her energy is going into planning the U.S. Youth Climate Strike, a national event organized by Coleman and two other young climate activists, Alexandria Villasenor and Isra Hirsi. It will take place in solidarity with a global school strike for climate action on the same day, in which students plan to urge U.S. politicians to adopt the Green New Deal and to stem the effects of the climate crisis. Over 300 people have already signed on to lead strikes in their cities. With less than a month to go, events have been confirmed in 28 states. Coleman is confident that the movement will reach every part of the country. Advertisement Balancing school and planning a national strike can be challenging, to say the least, for a seventh-grader. She caught some flak from a teacher when she missed a math-tutoring session; shed gotten stranded on a planning phone call with her climate strike co-leaders. When she tried to explain that she had just started the U.S. version of a European climate action movement, her teacher responded by telling her, You better get your priorities together. Coleman has missed several days of school to attend rallies in D.C. and speak at climate change events, but for the most part, she tries to balance school with her activism. On her Friday strikes, she squeezes in her protests early in the mornings or during lunch, though sometimes she ends up a little late for her classes. Advertisement Advertisement School and activism have never harmonized for Coleman, anyway. When she lived in politically conservative Colorado Springs, she says the other kids hated my guts and shoved her into lockers. It got pretty intense, and I ended up doing home school. At her current school in Denver, she says her classmates dont really get this climate activism thing, so she tries not to bring it up too often. It is just hard because when people dont really understand it is sort of like Im hunting for dragons or something, she says. Its difficult not having people her age to turn to when she feels overwhelmed by climate change, Coleman said. When you are dealing with such a heavy issue at such a young age, sometimes it just brings you down, she says. In those moments, her parents help her through itespecially because you dont see a lot of kids being activists. The strike on March 15 just might change that. I hope that a ton of kids will flood into the streets, Coleman says. At one point, I ask Coleman what motivates her to turn her feelings about climate change into real action, something many adults have failed to do. I feel like I need to do something, she says, because why wouldnt you want to save your future? We can stop the worst effects, so why shouldnt I try and save all you adults? Until recently in Israeli politics, the extremist Otzma Yehudit party served as a useful foil, allowing other right-wing parties to look reasonable by contrast. Now, the party and its hateful, violent ideology could be entering the political mainstream thanks to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a move that even some of his staunchest backers wont defend. The leaders of Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) are disciples of U.S.-born rabbi Meir Kahane, whose original party, Kach, was banned from the Knesset in the 1980s and later listed as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government. Kahane advocated the annexation of the Palestinian territoriesinvolving the mass expulsion of Arabs and limiting the rights of those who remainedbanning intermarriage between Jews and Arabs, and replacing Israels democratic government with a Jewish theocracy. He was assassinated in 1990. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The modern incarnation of the party has undergone an alt rightstyle rebranding but hasnt strayed too far from its Kahanist roots. It still supports the annexation of the Palestinian territories, canceling the Oslo Accords, and taking over the Temple Mount, and it calls, vaguely, for expelling enemies of Israel. Some of its leaders hold regular celebrations in honor of Baruch Goldstein, the Kahanist who massacred 29 Palestinians at a mosque in Hebron in 1994. Three of the partys four leaders have been arrested for incitements to violence, including posting photos of Arab politicians with nooses around their necks. The party currently holds no seats in the Knesset, having failed to pass the 3.25 percent threshold in 2015. Advertisement Last week, Netanyahu orchestrated a merger between Otzma Yehudit and Bayit Yehudi (Jewish Home), another small pro-settlement party, potentially bringing them into the Knesset as part of his right-wing government coalition after Aprils elections. Why is Netanyahu doing this? Wracked by personal scandals and a seemingly endless corruption investigation, hes probably getting nervous about the election. Polls show that a new centrist alliance led by former IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz and journalist-turned-politician Yair Lapid is poised to win more votes than Netanyahus Likud. That doesnt mean Netanyahu himself will loseIsraeli prime ministers always govern by coalitionbut he cant afford to have too many right-wing votes spread out among lots of tiny parties that might not clear the threshold to enter the Knesset. It also wouldnt be the first time he appealed to racism in the final days of a campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Still, a move this controversial is risky. One Bayit Yehudi candidate resigned from the party in protest after the merger. One prominent Orthodox rabbi condemned the alliance, comparing Otzma Yehudits policies to the Nazi Nuremberg laws. Netanyahus new partners were criticized in the U.S. as well, and not just by his usual critics. The American Jewish Committee issued a statement calling Otzma Yehudits views reprehensible, adding that they do not reflect the core values that are the very foundation of the State of Israel. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee endorsed that statement, saying it has a longstanding policy not to meet with members of this racist and reprehensible party. While AJCs statement noted that mainstream Israeli parties have rejected the Kahanists in the past, it notably did not explicitly criticize Netanyahu, who is scheduled to speak at AIPACs annual conference in March. Still, it is rare for these organizations, which normally dont comment on internal Israeli politics, to distance themselves from a decision by the prime minister. At a time when open criticism of Israel is becoming increasingly mainstream in American politics, Netanyahu is responding by lurching ever further toward the far right. Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax surprised Virginia state lawmakers Sunday when he gave a surprise speech shortly before the state Senate adjourned its 2019 session in which he compared himself to Jim Crow-era lynching victims. Fairfax has pushed back against repeated calls to resign following allegations of sexual assault. And on Sunday he strongly criticized those who have called him to step down while he defended himself with a reference to Virginias history of slavery and lynchings of African-Americans. Advertisement Ive heard much about anti-lynching on the floor of this very Senate, where people were not given any due process whatsoever, and we rue that, Fairfax said, in a reference to legislation in which the General Assembly expressed profound regret for lynchings in Virginia between 1877 and 1950. And we talk about hundreds, at least 100 terror lynchings that have happened in the Commonwealth of Virginia under those very same auspices. And yet we stand here in a rush to judgment with nothing but accusations and no facts and we decide that we are willing to do the same thing. Advertisement Advertisement Fairfax also warned that if we go backwards in a rush to judgment, and we allow for political lynchings without any due process, any facts, any evidence being heard, then I think we do a disservice to this very body in which we all serve, he said. The use of the phrase political lynchings immediately brought to mind the way Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said he had suffered a high-tech lynching during his confirmation hearing. Advertisement When he finished his five-minute impromptu speech, stunned senators sat in awkward silence, reports the Associated Press. The surprising comments by Fairfax came shortly after Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment praised Fairfax for his professionalism during a difficult time. I would have to say that everyone in this body understands the stress that you have been under throughout these weeks, Norment said. I just want to personally thank you for your professionalism and the manner in which you have presided over the Senate during these times that were stressful for you and your family. Fairfax immediately came under fire from Republican House Majority Leader Del. Todd Gilbert. That is the worst, most disgusting type of rhetoric he could have invoked, Gilbert said. Its entirely appropriate for him to talk about due process and we would intend to offer him every ounce of it, and hes welcome to take advantage of that anytime he would like. But some black state lawmakers refused to criticize Fairfax with some saying that theyve heard similar language from their constituents. Two women have publicly accused Fairfax of sexual assault. Vanessa Tyson has claimed that Fairfax forced her to perform oral sex during the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Meredith Watson has accused Fairfax of raping her 19 years ago when they were both students at Duke University. Fairfax has vehemently denied the allegations. Spring bloomed early at the Oscars Sunday night, with bright, feminine tones and airy textiles replacing the darker palette and heavier fabrics of recent years past. Pink was the overwhelming color of choice for gowns, with lavender placing a close second. Tiered skirts, tufted tulle, and gentle pleats floated comfortably down the red carpetor, at least, they looked comfortable. Glenn Closes gown weighed more than 50 pounds, and Emilia Clarke posted on Instagram that she couldnt pee in hers. Worth it! Advertisement Clarkes lilac Balmain dress, an architectural number typical of the fashion house, was covered in meticulous rows of jewels that looked, from afar, like shimmering thread woven into the fabric. (When she got onstage to introduce a musical performance, shining like a piece of jewelry, the audience looked starstruck.) Crazy Rich Asians Awkwafina went for a monochromatic look in a slightly more silvery shadea sparkly Dsquared2 suit with an iridescent pussy bow underneath. Jason Momoa won the mauve accessory game with a velvet scrunchie to match his suit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michelle Yeoh and Emma Stone looked luxe in mixed metalsthe former in Elie Saabs structured bustles, the latter in bronze and gold Louis Vuitton with high shoulders that mark a welcome departure from the more classic silhouettes Stone usually prefers. Advertisement The best strapless gowns on the night were sculpted and well-structured. Regina King, who won the Best Supporting Actress award for If Beale Street Could Talk, told Ryan Seacrest that it was a film about the fabric of Americaso she felt it appropriate to wear an American designer, Oscar de la Renta. Amy Adams looked poured into her chevron-embellished Versace gown. And Lady Gaga threw together a few of her favorite red-carpet elementship enhancements, sumptuous taffeta, over-the-elbow glovesfor a classic Gaga look. Advertisement Advertisement Sweetheart necklines and candy colors looked romantic on Constance Wu, in gauzy mini-pleated Versace, and BlacKkKlansmans Laura Harrier, in a Louis Vuitton gown with a bejeweled botanical print. Advertisement Melissa McCarthy and Glenn Close brought out the high glamour in capes made from lavish fabrics, which they flapped about for the cameras. Advertisement Advertisement A few stars gave the classic black tux a revamp with added theatricality and thoughtful details. Billy Porter got the most attention for his custom Christian Siriano getup, a corseted princess gown worn with a tuxedo shirt tucked in and a jacket on top, which savvy viewers clocked as a likely homage to recently passed ballroom legend Hector Xtravaganza. Allison Janney, known for the sleek lines of her awards-show wardrobe, wore a gorgeous suit jacket that wrapped around her waist as it morphed into a dress on the way down. Eighth Grades Elsie Fisher was far hipper than any middle schooler in square-toed boots and a cropped-all-around Thom Browne suit. Also: She knows barrettes are back! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was hard not to notice the pink takeover at this years Oscars, with shades from ballet slipper to deep fuchsia clashing magnificently with the red carpet. Gemma Chan mostly kept her hands in the pockets of an easygoing shirred Valentino gown that billowed behind her like a designer circus tent. Angela Bassett and Sarah Paulson both know from dramatic silhouettes, and both came to play on Sunday in well-constructed shapes. Advertisement On the flouncier end of the pink spectrum were Kacey Musgraves in extravagantly tufted Giambattista Valli (she loves her some tiered tulle), Linda Cardellini in a ball of magenta floof, and Dame Helen Mirren, who flung around her pleated layers of bubblegum, coral, and melon tulle with joy. Advertisement Alongside so much color, it was hard to stand out in basic black. Those who succeeded did so with texture: Chadwick Boseman in an exaggerated tie and spangled tails; Queen Latifah in sequins arranged in a mesmerizing pattern that looked like giant fish scales; and Cicely Tyson in opulent ostrich feathers. Advertisement Advertisement Velvet jackets in jewel tones continue to be the big thing for men who want to do something fun within the bounds of a classic look. David Oyelowo and If Beale Street Could Talks Stephan James both wore Etro suits with unexpected detailsa chain closure on the former and a double-breasted vest on the latter. Chris Evans distinguished himself from the other Hollywood Chrises in steel blue velvet jacket that, wouldnt you know, perfectly matched his eyes. Advertisement Three of the nights sexiest dresses were remarkably covered-up. Jennifer Lopez was hypnotizing in a Tom Ford mosaic dressthe love child of a disco ball and a pythonthat changed color with her surroundings. The darted shoulders on Charlize Therons cornflower blue Dior were my favorite detail of the night. And Rachel Weisz wore a hot Givenchy number topped with what looked like latexa material usually reserved for more adventurous affairs. A lot can happen in four years. For example, children born four years ago already have started preschool. Students entering college in 2015 now have diplomas. In four years, presidents can come and go. But, when it comes to prosecuting an alleged crime against Howard County taxpayers, little has happened in that time span. More than four years ago, on Jan. 30, 2015, the Howard County Sheriffs Department launched an investigation concerning illegal over-billing by a former Howard Superior II court reporter. That investigation centered on Rachael Roberts, whose employment with the court ended after the investigation began. She is alleged to have garnered nearly $10,000 in taxpayer funding from illegal over-billing practices for court transcription work. The case has been delayed time and time again, languishing within the justice system for a period of time thats unusual given that the charges Roberts faces are all misdemeanors. In total, Roberts faces three charges of theft, a class A misdemeanor. Those charges were filed in May 2017 by a Carroll County prosecutor who had been assigned to the case in April 2015 after Howard County Prosecutor Mark McCann requested a special prosecutor due to him knowing Roberts personally. Further proceeding the filing was a two-year investigation that began with the Howard County Sheriffs Department, which was transferred to the Indiana State Police, and then given back to the local department where it was completed in January 2017. When a probable cause affidavit finally was issued in May 2017, little new information had surfaced from when the alleged wrongdoing originally was reported two years prior. According to court documents, the investigation into the alleged theft began after Howard Superior I Judge William Menges and Howard County Auditor Martha Lake contacted the sheriffs department concerning suspicious billing statements submitted by Roberts. They met with HCSD Capt. Greg Hargrove. The records provided to Hargrove indicated that Roberts, who prior to working under Howard Superior II Judge Brant Perry worked for the judges private practice, submitted several claims for payment in the case of State of Indiana v. McNally. The vouchers for payment allegedly revealed a pattern of partial payments made to Roberts for transcription work. Between Sept. 26, 2014, and Feb. 6, 2015, Roberts was paid $7,974 for the transcriptions. Menges agreed with Lake that the amount was an unusually large payment for an average appeal transcription. After meeting with Hargrove, Lake provided records of all payments made to Roberts for transcriptions from 2013 to the present. On Feb. 5, 2015, an administrator for the Indiana Court of Appeals provided information concerning seven transcripts completed by Roberts for the court. Hargrove found that three of those transcripts allegedly were over-billed for payment. Another two cases are being reviewed. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Contribute On Feb. 11, 2015, Hargrove and Howard County Sheriffs Det. Ernie Shirey interviewed Lynn Weil-Maynard, a Superior Court II clerk who had been assigned to assist Roberts in transcribing the McNally case. She explained that the procedures used in Howard Superior Court II are not consistent with her training and experience. She further claimed that she typically submitted a certificate of completion for the transcription but was not requested by Roberts to do so in the McNally case. Investigators determined that the McNally case totaled 812 transcribed pages, worth a maximum of $3,248 under court rules. Roberts allegedly was overpaid by $4,726. Further, Weil-Maynard was confirmed to have transcribed 413 of the pages and was paid $1,652 for the work, over and above what Roberts billed for her services. As a result of the investigation, Hargrove requested a search warrant, which Menges signed. The warrant was served on Roberts home and on Superior Court II. Multiple thumb drives, CDs, hand-written notes and records, and Roberts computer were seized. The case is unusual when compared to other similar cases that have unfolded locally within the last few years. Take, for example, the criminal case that unfolded in relation to alleged ghost employment by Howard County Highway Department where mechanics were accused of repairing non-county vehicles during scheduled work hours. That case, which resulted in Brian Nation and Christopher Hawkins both receiving a class A misdemeanor charge of conversion, began when suspected ghost employment was reported to the Indiana State Police on Nov. 3, 2016. Just six days later surveillance equipment was installed in the departments garage, and then on Feb. 6, 2017, charges officially were filed. By July Nation agreed to pretrial diversion, receiving sentences of probation, and the charge was dismissed by August. For Hawkins, the process was even more rapid, with a pretrial diversion agreement reached in May 2017, and the charge was dismissed in June. Between the start of these investigations and their dismissals, less than a year had passed, a much shorter time frame than with the Roberts case. It appears the Roberts case will go to trial, but its not clear that the current trial date of April 24, 2019, will stand. To date, after the appointment of special prosecutors and a change of venue to Boone County, the case has been continued five times: three times by the defense, once by the state, and once by the court. Court records do not indicate the Carroll County Prosecutors Office objected to any of the defenses requests for continuation. Their office did not respond to a request for comment inquiring if they intended to oppose further continuation requests or accept a plea deal on the matter. Three years after the launch of #OscarsSoWhite, the 2019 Academy Awards simultaneously gave us inspirational new firsts in representation and reminded us how bad the diversity picture in the film industry still looks. Yes, the instant-fossil Green Book won Best Picture, putting an abrupt dampener on the ceremony. But this years Oscars also gave us winners like costume designer Ruth E. Carter and production designer Hannah Beachler, both for Black Panther, making them the first black victors in each category. Combined with Regina Kings trophy for her supporting performance in If Beale Street Could Talk, Mahershala Alis best supporting win for Green Book, Spike Lees award for BlacKkKlansmans script, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse co-director Peter Ramsey for Best Animated Feature, it was a great night for recognizing black talent and black projects. (And Green Book.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the racial progress at the 2019 Oscars felt slightly different from previous years. This time, the academys idea of inclusion finally seemed to go beyond the black-white binary that tends to dominate racial discussions in American culture. In addition to the many presenters of color, racial representation at the awards ceremony included multiple Oscar-winner Roma, a film that is not only centered on Latino and Latina characters of both European and indigenous heritages but also showcases the complexity of Mexican history and society. It might have been nice to see more Latino winners than Roma writer-director-cinematographer Alfonso Cuaronand more homegrown Latino talent alongside international luminaries. But its hard to overstate the meaningfulness of these triumphs for a foreign-language film set and shot in the country thats the subject of our presidents border-wall obsession. Advertisement Also onstage were a quartet of Asian winners: Bao director Domee Shi, who won for Best Animated Short; Period. End of Sentence. helmer Rayka Zehtabchi, for Best Live-Action Short; and Free Solo filmmakers Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, for Best Documentary Feature. And during his turn at the mic, Bohemian Rhapsodys Best Actor winner Rami Malek movingly thanked his Egyptian immigrant parents. In short, the actual diversity of America was on display Sunday night. It was also heartwarming that so many of the winners of colorlike the people behind Roma, BlacKkKlansman, If Beale Street Could Talk, Bao, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Versewon for telling resonant stories about their own cultures, histories, and peoples. Advertisement Advertisement Its important to remember that Oscar-nominated and -winning films capture just a sliver of the film industrys output. The awards for the winners of color Sunday night are likely the result of changes in the industry at large as much as the influx of new members to the academy. The greater inclusion is surely due in part to many more creatives of color getting opportunities to tell the stories that they believe in. Yes, dreck like Green Book somehow still gets lauded. In fact, when it comes to diversity and representation, this might be the perfect Oscars for our timesa hundred signs of progress that end in a giant step backward. But when Hollywood isnt pissing on itself on a world stage like Jackson Maine, its provided us with plenty of smaller reasons for optimism, too. Subscribe to Slates Culture newsletter for the best of movies, TV, books, music, and more, delivered twice a week. The 2019 Academy Awards started off breaking records and defying expectations. Barely an hour in, the academy had already given out a record number of Oscars to black women, including Ruth Carter and Hannah Beachler, for the costume and production design of Black Panther, and while many of the other winners fell into line with advance predictions, there were at least a few pleasant surprises. With Roma winning for Best Foreign-Language Film, Best Director, and Best Cinematography, it seemed as if all Julia Roberts had to do was hand Alfonso Cuaron his fourth statue of the night and throw to the closing credits. Advertisement LOL. In retrospect, perhaps we should have seen Green Books Best Picture win coming. Awarding Roma in the foreign category allowed the academy to say that the black-and-white, Spanish-language movie about an indigenous Mexican woman had at least won a best picture, if not the best picture. And Green Book was just progressive enough, on a superficial level, for voters to feel like they were making a statement about racial equality, while they were actually endorsing a story whose moral is that if only black people were exceptional enough, even the most diehard white racist would eventually come around. Advertisement Advertisement The academy has vastly increased its numbers over the past few years, with a particular eye to adding female, nonwhite, and foreign voters, and it seemed as if that increased diversity might have put an end to truly cringeworthy Best Picture winners. There were years when the movie that won Best Picture was actually the best picture! Arriving exactly 30 years after the faceoff between Driving Miss Daisy and Do the Right Thing, Green Books triumph is a throwback to the days when the academy chose comforting fables about racial tolerance over movies that challenged its white members to question themselvesor over a movie like Moonlight, which left white people out of the story altogether. And though brutally honest accounts from individual Oscar voters are difficult to generalize from, theres certainly anecdotal evidence that some of the pro-Green Book vote was driven by resentment at the criticisms lodged against it. Its a movie that preaches tolerance, but its win also served the function of warning its critics to remember their place. Advertisement None of this is even to mention the fact that Green Books road to victory started with its white star uttering the N-word, plowed through backlash from its subjects family, cruised along with the revelation that its director used to flash his co-workers as a joke, and then still somehow picked up speed after, later that same day, Twitter users unearthed its screenwriters old pro-Trump, anti-Muslim tweets. In retrospect, perhaps we should have seen Green Books Best Picture win coming. The day before the Oscars, Barry Jenkins If Beale Street Could Talk won best film at the Independent Spirit Awards. With the academy trending in recent years toward art-house fare, the Spirits had become something of a warmup for the big show, to the extent that they began to seem slightly redundant: If the Oscars top prize is going to the same movies as the Spiritsas it did five times between 2011 and 2016why even bother with two separate shows? But this year, for the first time in years, not a single one of the Spirits Best Film nominees was nominated for Best Picture. Adapted from a James Baldwin novel, Beale Street is a story of black indomitability, a protest against police injustice and mass incarceration that is also deeply sensual, flooded with the heady rush of young love and the pain of those lovers separation. It was nominated for three Oscars, and won one, for Regina Kings portrayal of a mother grieving the unjust jailing of her grandchilds father. But Beale Street was missing from the Oscars top categories, and Green Books win makes its absence seem more acute. Spike Lees BlacKkKlansman, a less sugar-coated movie about a black man and a white man working together, was at least nominated for Best Picture, and won for Adapted Screenplay (beating out Beale Street). But Lee, who reportedly attempted to storm out of the theater the moment Green Books win was announced, couldnt help but observe that history seemed to be repeating itself. Every time somebodys driving somebody, Lee said, I lose. Beale Street is set in the past, but Jenkins makes it clear that the systemic injustices that existed then are still very much with us. Green Book tells us that racism was bad, but only in a region circumscribed in time and space. Drive a few hours north, or wait a few decades, and those problems will all melt away. Subscribe to Slates Culture newsletter for the best of movies, TV, books, music, and more, delivered twice a week. Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and accounts for half of the total increase in U.S. emissions since 1990. So you would think that progressive cities and states, with leaders nominally committed to reducing emissions and fighting climate change, would be doing their best to reduce dependence on cars and trucks, which account for 80 percent of transportation emissions. Not exactly. In Portland, Oregon, city and state officials are pushing a plan to spend a half-billion dollars widening Interstate 5 as it passes north of the citys downtown. The project entered its period of public comment earlier this month. In a nod to the ugly history of urban renewal, the widening would take a chunk out of the backyard of Harriet Tubman Middle School. But it would also, the Oregon Department of Transportation says, dramatically improve highway travel times in the year 2045. The agency even says the newer, bigger highway would be better for the environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not everyone is buying the argument. Aaron Brown, an organizer with the Portland group No More Freeway Expansions, sees the I-5 dispute as a microcosm of the larger, national struggle to slow the highway-industrial complex. Weve got 11 years to stop climate change, and if were making investments in intergenerational infrastructure, how can half-a-billion dollars be spent on freeway widening? he asked. Brown says the Oregon DOTlike other state transportation agencies whose interest and budget is committed primarily to road projectshas put its fingers on the scale to make the wider highway look like a no-brainer. For example, the state says the corridor has some of the highest vehicle crash rates in Oregon and that the expansion would make the road safer. But Kristin Eberhard at the Sightline Institute notes that both recent fatal accidents on that stretch involved collisions with men walking on the highwaynot a problem that would be solved by smoother traffic flows. Advertisement Most brazenly, in an environmental assessment, the state claims a wider highway would actually result in lower emissions in the neighborhood by 2045, thanks to faster-moving cars. (Angie Schmitt calls it the greenwashing of a Portland highway expansion.) But it doesnt address the possibility that the expanded roadlike so many highway expansionsmight draw in more drivers, making more trips, and creating more emissions. Advertisement In fact, researchers from Portland State University conclude that reduced congestion leads to more driving, and that induced and suppressed demand are critical considerations when assessing the emissions effects of capacity-based congestion mitigation strategies. Capacity expansions that reduce marginal emissions rates by increasing travel speeds are likely to increase total emissions in the long run through induced demand. In other words, traffic is more like a gas than a liquid, expanding to fill whatever space is created for it. Bigger highways invite more trips. Advertisement The estimates theyve given us are entirely a black box, says Joe Cortright, a Portland consultant at Impresa (and the founder of City Observatory, where he has written about the I-5 project).* There are no average daily traffic numbers, the most fundamental number youd use to describe the volume of traffic. (It wouldnt be the first time the Oregon DOT miscalculated the environmental benefits of building new roads.) More fundamentally, the projectan enormous investment in expanding a highway in one of the countrys most environmentally conscious regionsdemonstrates the difficulty of slowing the road-friendly bias that permeates state transportation departments. Not only do new roads encourage environmentally destructive transportation and land use; theyre also a bad deal that has led the country into a road maintenance crisis. Existing road miles outnumber new ones 99 to 1, but states spend more money making those incremental additions than taking care of the rest. As Alex Baca wrote in Slate a few weeks ago, any attempt to address Americas carbon emissions has to reckon with emissions from transportation (and highway-dependent land use). Building bigger highways through cities has been our approach for nearly a century. Is it still? Get More Who Runs That? Slate Plus members get extended, ad-free versions of our podcastsand much more. Sign up today. Join Slate Plus Subscribe to Who Runs That? Copy this link and add it in your podcast app. copy link copied! For detailed instructions, see our Slate Plus podcasts page. Listen to Who Runs That? via Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Play. Coffee Meets Bagel CEO Dawoon Kang talks to Seth Stevenson about founding the company with her sisters, turning down $30 million from Mark Cuban, and her effort to make online dating less overwhelming. You can email us at whorunsthat@slate.com. Podcast production by Cameron Drews For example, Destygo can build a chatbot for an airport that answers questions about what gate a passenger's flight is leaving from, and whether it's delayed. Its bot has already been put to use by airports in Paris and Lyon, as well as operations for Disneyland Paris, Accor Hotels and Carlson Wagonlit Travel. Dave Harris, vice president of digital strategy at Carnival Cruise Line, said the best idea he saw came from another French company, Adrenaline Hunter, a web portal that allows travelers to find and book adventure activities worldwide in advance. Harris said that, for years, companies have attempted to find ways to aggregate micro-businesses - think the guy on the beach who runs a parasailing outfit - onto a single platform. Adrenaline Hunter, he said, appears to be the one to do it. "It's hard to go to a source you trust for that type of thing," he said. "If they can take that power as a collective and provide something like Yelp, they will succeed." After a wild spring break last year, Miami Beach has a new public service campaign that warns college students, "Enjoy your vacation. Don't leave on probation!" It's part of the city's $33,000 messaging campaign that some might interpret as an effort to discourage young people from visiting the urban island city during spring break. In a letter to mayor Dan Gelber and commissioners, Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy Morales detailed the campaign that will roll out through a mix of local, national and global media outlets and social media channels. "This new plan is to reach out in advance to as many college students as possible who might be considering Miami Beach as their Spring Break destination to advise them that the MBPD will be rigorously enforcing traffic and quality-of-life laws and ordinances during the spring break period," Morales wrote in the letter. The plan includes ads with links to a new website MBspringbreak.com to educate visitors on what not to do during spring break. Among the activities that are illegal in Miami Beach: drinking in public, smoking pot, driving a scooter in and out of traffic or sidewalks and riding on top of cars. The latter has become a common sight on social media during spring break. I like to go to Disney World a lot. My son, depending on the day, likes it or loves it. But I never got to go as a child, so when I go there, I'm relentless. I do everything all day long. Q: What do you always pack? A: So many things. Q: Pepto-Bismol? A: No. I don't do anything prophylactic that way. Hot foods hot, cold foods cold, and you won't have any problem. I hear a lot of people give travel tips that are quite frankly such B.S. No human being packs the way we all pretend to. No human being puts everything into, you know, just overhead luggage when they go away for a trip of longer than three or four days. What mystery. If I go away for a weekend, I have three bags. I enjoy traveling, and I enjoy traveling with the things that I like: everything from my backgammon-chessboard to enough different kinds of shoes, to making sure I have clothes for every occasion because you never know when you're going to get invited to dinner somewhere and you wish you had a blazer. So I am one of those people who believes that more is more. "Mom and dad don't have to take quite as many days off as they do when they travel to another city. They don't have to worry about what they'll do for child care with any remaining siblings who may be at home," said Holmes, who said a second pediatric hospitalist will join the program in May. "When you can have that care in your own backyard with physicians that you can establish relationships with for years to come, it creates a much better bonding experience for the family and the patient." Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Before Granger came on board, some young patients with lung and respiratory tract infections, like Mia, were transferred from St. Luke's to hospitals in Omaha or Sioux Falls in anticipation that their conditions would worsen, only to be discharged from those facilities the very next day. Other times, when pediatricians were unable to get to the hospital until they had finished seeing patients in clinic, Granger said the safest and easiest thing to do was transfer those sick children out of Sioux City to a hospital that could provide a higher level of pediatric care. By Juliet Nalwooga. Human Rights activists have condemned the attack on a female traffic officer by two army soldiers. The Foundation for Human Rights Initiative Executive Director Livingstone Ssewanyana says the impunity by high profiled personnel in the country is worrying. His remarks follow a trending picture and video on social media of rtd Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza who is the Ugandan Ambassador to Burundi and his security guards manhandling a female traffic police officer. Ssewanayana has now called upon called for respect of human rights and for the security operatives to take the lead in championing this. SIOUX CITY -- Aiming to "shine a light" on its own "shameful history," the Diocese of Sioux City made public Monday the names of 28 priests credibly accused of sexually abusing more than 100 children while serving the Northwest Iowa diocese. Unlike some other Catholic dioceses, Sioux City has never before released such a list of priests, despite repeated calls from victims and advocacy groups to do so. "For some, today's release will be an important milestone in our healing," Bishop R. Walker Nickless said at a news conference at the diocese's offices in Sioux City. "For others, it will reopen deep wounds, reviving their disturbing memories or those of their loved ones. However, I believe the Lord compels us to shine a light on this subject so we can together heal and send a clear message to victims: We believe you, we care about you." For months, a Diocesan Review Board and the diocese's law firm reviewed priest files dating to the diocese's founding in 1902. The first accusation deemed credible occurred in 1948, and the most recent in 1995, said Mark Prosser, a Review Board member who is also police chief in Storm Lake. SIOUX CITY -- The Sioux City Council will decide Monday whether to approve a site plan for a cell tower on the city's west side. U.S. Cellular plans to build a 130-foot cell tower at 2015 W. Sixth St., the location of the former Roosevelt School. The property is currently owned by Apostolic Faith Tabernacle. According to documents filed with the city, city staff are requesting that the council deny the site plan because it doesn't meet setback requirements of 200 feet from residentially zoned and used properties. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Eleven residents have voiced opposition to the tower, according to the documents, citing concerns about negative health effects, decreased home values and neighborhood aesthetics, as well as children potentially climbing on an 8-foot privacy fence surrounding the base of the tower or the tower itself. According to Planning and Zoning Commission meeting minutes from Feb. 12, Joshua Watson of U.S. Cellular stated that expanding in the area has been a desire of the telecommunications company for some time. He said the site is one component of a large project to bring new service to customers. Speaking of Scholten's loss to King, Castro recounted an encounter he had Thursday with Congressman King at a Des Moines television station. "I had a pleasant conversation for two minutes with him, but it reminded me that he does not represent the people of Iowa," Castro said of King. Castro pitched ideas including affordable healthcare and college, a $15 minimum wage, support for labor unions, addressing climate change and affordable housing, criminal justice reform, universal pre-K education and immigration reform. He told the story of his grandmother, who immigrated to the U.S. in the early 1920s at age 7, an orphan of the Mexican Revolution. In her later years, she suffered diabetes and lost a foot. "Thank God that Medicare was there for her," Castro said of his grandmother. "I believe that Medicare should be strengthened, and it should be there for everybody." In 2014, more than 90 years after his grandmother arrived in Texas, President Obama called Castro to offer him a position as HUD secretary, a position he held for two and a half years. SIOUX CITY -- A South Sioux City man was arrested twice last week in Sioux City parking lots after officers found him huffing vapors in his vehicle. According to a criminal complaint, at around 7 p.m. Feb. 19, 25-year-old Zachary Nole of South Sioux City was found in the parking lot of Calvary Lutheran Church, 4400 Central St., lying in the back seat of his Volkswagen Passat taking a breath of canned air. Nole exhibited slurred speech and vomited on the passenger side of the car, and did not notice a shoe he was looking for was directly in front of his face. He admitted to officers he had been huffing air and was charged with being under the influence of toxic vapors. Just after noon two days later, an officer at the Wal-Mart at 3101 Floyd Blvd. observed Nole again in the Volkswagen huffing. Despite an order by the officer to stay inside the vehicle, Nole got out of the car and tried to grab the officer. Even after he was handcuffed, he continued to try to grab the officer. He was charged with interference with official acts. SIOUX CITY -- A New Mexico man was sentenced Friday to more than 21 years in federal prison for delivering large quantities of methamphetamine for sale in Sioux City. William Hill, 41, of Bloomfield, New Mexico, was found guilty in September by a jury in U.S. District Court in Sioux City of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 262 months in prison. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, trial evidence showed that Hill recruited others to bring meth from California to Sioux City and that he and others arranged deliveries of large quantities of the drug to Sioux City at least three times in the fall of 2017. Hill and another man were arrested on Nov. 8, 2017, in possession of 2 pounds of meth while arranging to transfer the drug to a Sioux City man. Copyright 2019 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 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. BY PAUL TAJUBA. Works on the proposed New Kampala Port at Bukasa, Kira in Wakiso District are scheduled to start in June this year. This was revealed by a senior environment assessment officer at National Environment Management Authority Nema Leilah Akello, during an inspection of the project area last week. The project will take 465 hectares of land and dredging Lake Victoria. However the affected residents have petitioned court to compel government to compensate them for their properties. Planners of the port envisage that it will connect Kampala to Dar es Salaam by water and cut transport costs between the two destinations incurred mainly by business people. In 2013, government put the cost of the port at $180m and it is estimated that at least 200 land owners will be affected. SIOUX CITY -- Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC) is hosting its 13th annual Lewis and Clark Jazz Festival from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the Sioux City campus, 4647 Stone Ave. The free, public event provides Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota middle and high school students with the opportunity to experience jazz music through spirited competitions. Vocal jazz competitions will be held at L416/417, and instrumental jazz competitions will be held in the Rocklin Conference Center. Trophies will be awarded for the first through third place in each class. Awards will also be given for outstanding soloists. WITCC audio engineers will provide sound and recording services for the festival while the school's concert choir will offer assistance for directors, ensembles and audience members. 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. Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India led the Series A investment in Thailand-based startup for on-demand and personalised digital insurance Thailand-based insurtech firm Sunday has announced today that it has secured US$10 million funding in a round led by Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India. Aside from the funding, Sunday also provided equity with an unnamed insurance group that in return contributes its general insurance license for the company. Sunday describes itself as an integrated sales and services platform designed to shift the insurance value chain towards the digital economy. The company argues that incumbent insurers currently act only as risk aggregators with limited understanding of capabilities to meet customers needs. Also Read: Gaming giant Razer begins building Southeast Asia headquarters in Singapore In bridging this gap, Sunday uses data and technology to try to reboot insurance to meet these demands, so that insurance is always affordable and available anytime anywhere The companys approach is driven by its AI-based and machine learning risk-prediction model, where it currently has an accurate risk-pricing product. Using multiple dimensions of an individual risk profile, the company is able to offer more personalised and affordable coverages for every customer segment. Personalised insurance by the insurtech has covered over a hundred variations of products and platforms, ranging from niche risks such as extended warranty and flight delay to more complex coverages such as auto and health insurance. The company offers its personalised products and claims services via its partnership ecosystems comprising leading players from the auto, telecommunications, retail, and travel industries. Other products by Sunday include its personalised employee health benefits and real-time claims management solutions, which seek to penetrate the three million local SMEs with over 10 million workforces, generating over 36 per cent of Thailands GDP. Story continues Cindy Kua, co-founder, and CEO of Sunday gave her thoughts on how the insurance industry has gaps that need to be solved to eliminate pain points in customer journey and to meet customers on-demand needs. We believe the only way to solve it is to own and simplify the entire value chain using data and technology. We want to create a platform where people are able to find any insurance for themselves and their businesses at any time and anywhere. There is more than one way to reach customers now and in the future which is why we Sunday also integrates our solutions into various businesses and ecosystems, said Kua. Moreover, the representative from Vertex Venture Southeast Asia and India highlighted the e-commerce nature of dynamic pricing that can also be applied in digital insurance. A digital insurer like Sunday can provide personalized premium pricing depending on insights into consumers behavior and needs. As part of the insurance journey revolves around claims experience, we believe Sundays integrated technology platform will enable a more seamless claims experience, where pay-out will be carried out efficiently, said Chua Kee Lock, Managing Partner at Vertex Ventures SEA and India. Also Read: Philippines Revolution Precrafted wins Startup of the Year title in ASEAN Rice Bowl Startup Awards The plan for the company after the funding would be expanding operations to other markets such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, as well as raising significant funding round for its expansion towards the end of this year. The post Vertex Ventures SE Asia, India led US$10M funding for insurtech startup Sunday appeared first on e27. The seaside resort of Bibione in Venice is set to become the first smoke-free beach in Italy this summer. Popular among locals and European tourists from Germany and Austria in particular, Bibione will become the first beach in Italy to ban smoking all along its eight-kilometer coastline. It's the final phase of Bibione's "Breathe the sea air" campaign which launched back in 2011, in the aim of cleaning up the environment and the air. Previously, smoking was banned between the shoreline and the first row of sun umbrellas. The ban will be extended to the whole beach as of this summer. A 2015 study carried out by the Italian National Tumour Institute in Milan on the Bibione beach area found that secondhand smoke from a distance of 10 meters away was equal to two times the amount of air pollution found at roundabouts near the resort entrance produced from car exhaust. Between 2014 and 2018, 550,000 cigarette butts were collected from the beach. For perspective, it can take up to a decade for cigarettes to decompose due to the type of plastic used in filters. Contained, designated smoking areas will be made available for smokers. The smoking ban in Italy follows similar measures already implemented in parts of France, the US, Australia and the UK. British and EU flags flutter outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, January 15, 2019. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh/File Photo SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (Reuters) - Britain's government is considering different options, including possibly delaying Brexit, if parliament fails to approve Prime Minister Theresa May's deal by March 12. With only 32 days until Britain is due to leave the European Union, May's decision to push back a vote on her deal has upped the ante with parliament, which is deeply split over how, or even whether, the country should leave the bloc. Before a vote on Wednesday on May's next steps, lawmakers are stepping up ways to try to prevent the prime minister from taking Britain out of the EU without a deal, a scenario many businesses say could damage the world's fifth largest economy. Several of their plans would involve extending Article 50, which triggered the two-year Brexit negotiating period, delaying Britain's departure Brexit beyond March 29 - something May has said would only delay a decision. The government is "considering what to do if parliament makes that decision (does not pass the deal)", a UK official said when asked about a possible extension. The Telegraph newspaper reported that May was considering a plan to delay Britain's for up to two months. Britain's plan to leave the EU was thrown into crisis after parliament resoundingly rejected May's deal last month with the biggest government defeat in modern British history. That forced May to seek changes to her deal, which was agreed in November, but so far, her talks with the EU have yet to settle on a clear path that can win her the support of parliament, which is deeply divided over Brexit. On Sunday, May said a so-called "meaningful vote" would not take place this week and instead would happen by March 12 - a move some lawmakers underlined that the prime minister had all but lost control of Brexit. (Writing by Elizabeth Piper; editing by Guy Faulconbridge) By Hyonhee Shin and David Brunnstrom HANOI/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump headed for Vietnam on Monday for a second summit with Kim Jong Un, having stressed the benefits to Pyongyang if the North Korean leader gives up his nuclear weapons, but saying there was no rush. Trump and Kim are due to meet in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, on Wednesday and Thursday, eight months after their historic summit in Singapore, the first between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader. While there is no real expectation that the second meeting will bring a final deal on ridding North Korea of nuclear weapons that threaten the United States, there are some hopes it could bring a declaration that the 1950-53 Korean War is at last formally over. In Singapore, Kim pledged to work toward complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, but the vague agreement struck there has produced few concrete results. U.S. Democratic senators and security officials have warned Trump against cutting a deal that would do little to curb North Korea's nuclear ambitions. Trump left for Vietnam aboard Air Force One from Joint Base Andrews just outside Washington shortly after 12:30 p.m. EST (1730 GMT) on Monday. He is due to arrive in Hanoi on Tuesday evening, local time. Speaking in Washington on Sunday, Trump said he believed he saw eye-to-eye with Kim and that they had developed "a very, very good relationship." Tweeting on Monday, he stressed the benefits to North Korea if it gave up its nuclear weapons. "With complete Denuclearisation, North Korea will rapidly become an Economic Powerhouse. Without it, just more of the same. Chairman Kim will make a wise decision!" Trump said. Trump told reporters he and Kim would have "a very tremendous summit." However, in a speech on Sunday night, Trump appeared to play down any hope of a major breakthrough at the Hanoi summit, saying he would be happy as long as North Korea maintained its pause on weapons testing. Story continues "I'm not in a rush. I don't want to rush anybody," he said. "I just don't want testing. As long as there's no testing, we're happy." North Korea conducted its last nuclear test in September 2017 and last tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in November 2017. DOMESTIC PRESSURE Trump's departure from Washington comes at a time of increased pressure at home. Anticipation has been rising about the impending release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections, although a senior U.S. Justice Department official said on Friday it would not come this week. Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen is due to testify in a public hearing before a U.S. congressional committee on Wednesday, and the panel's chairman said Trump's business practices would be a focus of the testimony. A South Korean presidential spokesman told reporters in Seoul the two sides might be able to agree to a formal end of the Korean War, which ended in an armistice not a peace treaty, a move North Korea has long sought. While a formal peace treaty may be a long way off, the two sides have discussed the possibility of a political declaration stating that the war over. "The possibility is there," the spokesman, Kim Eui-kyeom told a briefing in Seoul. Before its testing halt, the North conducted a series of tests that it says has given it the capability of reaching the U.S. mainland with nuclear weapons. The United States has for years demanded North Korea's complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation before any concessions will be granted. North Korea denounced that stance as unilateral and "gangster like." In recent days, Trump has signalled a possible softening, saying he would love to be able to remove tough sanctions if there was meaningful progress on denuclearisation. Easing of punishing sanctions is a top priority for North Korea. It warned Trump on Sunday not to listen to U.S. critics who it said were disrupting efforts to improve ties. Trump has scoffed at those questioning his handling of North Korea, and added that Chinese President Xi Jinping has been supportive of U.S. efforts. SANCTIONS TO REMAIN IN PLACE In return for a declaration that the war is over, North Korea could allow international inspectors to observe the dismantlement of its nuclear reactor at Yongbyon, analysts say. The United States could also agree to opening U.S.-North Korea liaison offices and allow some inter-Korean projects, provided the North takes steps toward denuclearisation. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CNN on Sunday that core economic sanctions "that prevent countries from conducting trade, creating wealth for North Korea ... are definitely going to remain in place" until complete denuclearisation. However, he suggested there could be other concessions toward North Korea, such as "exchanges of people, lots of other ways ... if we get a substantial step and move forward." In Geneva, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he hoped the summit would produce "concrete steps for sustainable, peaceful and complete and verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula." South Koreas President Moon Jae-in, who supports opening up North Korea, praised Trump and Kim, saying those opposed to better ties on the peninsula, and between North Korea and the United States, should "discard such biased perspectives". Vietnam has released few details about arrangements for the summit including its specific venue or timing. Kim is making his way to Vietnam by train through China and is expected to arrive in Vietnam early on Tuesday. (Additional reporting by Mai Nguyen and Josh Smith in HANOI and David Brunnstrom, Steve Holland and Matt Spetalnick in WASHINGTON and Tom Miles in Geneva; writing by Robert Birsel and David Brunnstrom; editing by Lincoln Feast and Bill Berkrot) Monday was filled with funding announcements, from Singaporean fintech companies to Hong Kong app developers 90 Seconds raises US$20 million Series B [e27] 90 Seconds, an online platform to help companies manage the video production process, announced today it has raised a US$20 million Series B. Notable investors include SIG, Airtree Ventures, Sequoia India, Qualgro Venture Capital, Atami Capital and Right Click Capital. The money will be used to improve its automation technology and scale its network of professionals on the platform. The company claims to have over 12,000 creators in 160 countries on the platform. These include people who are videographers, directors, editors, animators, drone operators and photographers. Validus raises US$15.2 million Series B [e27] Validus, a startup that pairs institutional and accredited lenders to SMEs, announced today it has closed a US$15.2 million Series B. The fund was led by FMO, a dutch development bank, and this investment marks its first foray into Asia. The other investors are a whos who of brand name VCs and include Singapores Openspace Ventures (previously NSI Ventures), Temasek investment arm Vertex Ventures, Thailands AddVentures by SCG and Vietnams VinaCapital Ventures. Insurtech startup Sunday raises US$10 million from Vertex [e27] Thailand-based insurtech firm Sunday has announced today that it has secured US$10 million funding in a round led by Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India. Aside from the funding, Sunday also provided equity with an unnamed insurance group that in return contributes its general insurance license for the company. Sunday describes itself as an integrated sales and services platform designed to shift the insurance value chain towards the digital economy. The company argues that incumbent insurers currently act only as risk aggregators with limited understanding of capabilities to meet customers needs. The companys approach is driven by its AI-based and machine learning risk-prediction model, where it currently has an accurate risk-pricing product. Using multiple dimensions of an individual risk profile, the company is able to offer more personalised and affordable coverages for every customer segment. Story continues Snaphunt raises US$1 million from Beenext [Tech in Asia] Snaphunt, an HR-related jobs marketplace, has raised US$1 million from Beenext, according to Tech In Asia. One of the neat quirks of Snaphunt is how they handle the personal profile. Basically, it is set up as a means to more accurately match you with jobs. The twist is the profile remains private until the user actually applies for the job. This helps create a lot of control over how someone uses their online job profile. For employers, Snaphunt has an algorithmic matching engine to help filter the best results to the top and make the follow-up process more seamless. Hong Kong fitness app publisher raises US$1 million [e27] Animoca Brands Corporation Limited announced today that its Hong Kong-based subsidiary, OliveX Limited, has secured US$1 million funding from Alabaster and Antanas Guoga, whos also known as Tony G. The company said it will use the funding to advance OliveXs body motion AI initiatives and potentially do app acquisitions. The investors are Alabaster, which is a startup investor focused on companies that it believes will have a global impact, and Antanas Guoga, a Lithuanian businessman and a member of the E.U. parliament, whos also the co-founder of Lympo. Along with the investment, Alabaster founder Sonny Vu will also be a chairman of OliveX. The post Todays top tech news, February 25: Funding, funding, funding galore appeared first on e27. The digital advertising boom thats taken place over the past decade has triggered a catch-22 situation Media spend has grown exponentially especially so in the Asia Pacific, where digital ad expenditure constituted 46 per cent of total expenses in 2018 and is set to rise to 55.1 per cent by 2022, according to eMarketer. On the flip side, the lucrativeness of the industry, coupled with the relative ease in which nefarious players can get away scot-free, has unfortunately made adland very arable for fraudsters. To put it in perspective: the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) predicted that ad fraud would grow to become the second biggest organised crime enterprise within the next decade, pipped to the top spot only by the global drugs trade. More recently, the industry has been left reeling by the dismantling of 3ve a massive botnet operation that infected at least 1.7 million computers with malware, generating high volumes of fake traffic. As many as 60,000 fake accounts were created to swindle money from marketing campaigns. The fraudsters also hijacked IP addresses at corporations, redirecting them to their own servers. Over four years, 3ve is thought to have collectively defrauded brands and businesses out of millions in advertising dollars through various fraud networks, with the biggest among these costing businesses US$29 million in ad spend. These are staggering numbers, but relative to the US$34 billion lost to ad fraud globally in 2018, and US$17 million lost to ad fraud in APAC on a daily basis, its a drop in the ocean. And as fraudulent practices become increasingly sophisticated to evade detection, were likely to uncover many more 3ves, while more sophisticated operations continue to go under the radar. The vulnerabilities of Southeast Asias startups The digital behaviours of Southeast Asian people put it especially at risk. According to eMarketer, all markets in the region saw the mobile ad spend grow by at least 50 per cent in 2018. Story continues This, along with high mobile penetration growth rates in the Philippines (33 per cent growth, 2018-2022), Malaysia (14 per cent) and Thailand (10 per cent) would mean that fraudsters have even more avenues to target and infect devices. Meanwhile, more mature smartphone markets such as Singapore arent spared either. Unlike the regions emerging markets, however, its the high amounts of advertising dollars going through the nation that make the country a target. That puts small businesses and startups in the region in a tricky situation because to achieve scale, these younger organisations are typically more reliant on digital advertising than anyone else, standing to lose the most from ad fraud. Shifting perceptions Needless to say, the growth of ad fraud globally, combined with the regions vulnerabilities, have been a major wake-up call. The speed and dynamism of said operations has cast a spotlight on the shortcomings of the prevailing industry attitude towards ad fraud one which prioritises reactive detection when it really should be preventive and proactive. If we compare ad fraudsters to bank robbers by preventing fraud, you stop the robber from stealing the money. However, an approach that focuses on detecting fraud to reclaim ad spend is akin to watching the robber flee with the cash and wait for the insurance policy to kick in. The fraudster makes a clean getaway with their pockets lined and as long as they can make money, they will come back for more. Also Read: First set of Echelon Asia Summit 2019 speakersrevealed! As such, every effort, and every decision made in dealing with ad fraud, across all levels of the industry, should be focused on stopping the flow of media spend to fraudsters, and removing the incentive for fraud not waiting to fight among ourselves when the funds are gone. With that in mind, lets go into the specifics of what a prevention-focused approach looks like. The ideal solution will be driven by AI Fraud evolves at a startling pace. In 3ve, for instance, evasion tactics were found to be constantly mutating detection of one tactic or blacklisting of IPs resulted in only temporary interruptions before the agile operation adapted and resumed in full force. The unrelenting nature of the vice makes it tricky to envision the types of fraud well face in the future. And if we dont know what fraud is going to look like tomorrow, how can we stop it? The right antidote leverages on big data to inform decisions. Relative to traditional advertising, online advertising has a higher degree of accountability, due to the swathes of data available. We get to see what ad led someone to a website or app download page, the location they accessed the ad from, the type of device used, and even the duration between the initial click of the ad and eventual purchase. However, the problem is theres a lot of data the scale of the data and need for real-time insights puts this job beyond human analysis. This is where machine learning comes in to play it makes sense of data, removes noise and, by analysing the data to note patterns and correlations, determines what normal human behaviour looks like versus what fraud looks like. In doing this, its possible to invalidate traffic not by what the fraud tactic is (as this changes), but by comparing it to what normal traffic is. By not relying on any single method of detection, which a sophisticated fraudster could easily reverse engineer to evade the next time, and instead, by utilising a complex array of hundreds of behavioural, device, and network indicators, we can effectively prevent fraud even as it mutates and evolves. A strategic alliance Of course, while tools of the trade are important, theres only so much a young business or startup can do by itself and the ecosystem is only as strong as its weakest link. Remember our focus should be on prevention. That means we must share information so that upstream intermediaries dont pay for fraud either. The rise of other more sophisticated, and savvier ad fraud operations is inevitable and it has never been more important for businesses, brands and ad intermediaries to show a united front. In-house fraud defences of media suppliers are just one line of defence. Transparency within the ecosystem of advertising is crucial. Third-party verification, for instance, ensures that suppliers of media are accountable for the quality of their supply. When media suppliers and verification solutions work together, ad campaigns benefit from the specialist skills and tech of the verification vendor who specialises in ad fraud mitigation and faster optimisation for better campaign performance, offered by an informed media supplier. Also Read: Meet 9 of the fantastic judges for TOP100 2019 By subsequently sharing this intelligence with the ecosystem such as its partner ad networks and agencies the different players can all work together to optimise fraud out of the equation, meaning the fraudsters dont get paid. It doesnt stop there. A culture of openness wouldnt be complete without continuity and consistency between partners. The current, broken modus operandi is to drop an ad network when fraud is detected and find a new one. Real-time fraud prevention and shared fraud intelligence can actually help traffic sources optimise fraud out of their supply. This means that every campaign benefits from the optimisation and insight of working with an experienced partner as opposed to cold-starting with new traffic sources. Ultimately, the prevailing attitude of dealing with ad fraud reactively is one which is complacent and does close to nothing to deter fraudsters. Through a concerted industry effort to tackle the challenge, powered by technology, we can pull the carpet from underneath fraudsters feet and stem the flow of money to fraud. That means brands and traffic sources need to have access to the same set of data and analysis in real-time, not just at the time an invoice is raised. The industry has to tackle the problem from its roots and begin by significantly eradicating vulnerabilities throughout the ad lifecycle thus making ad fraud as risky and unappealing a business as it can be. TrafficGuard/Juniper Researchs assessment of ad fraud risks in various APAC markets, according to 5 main indicators Image Credits: deviyanthi79 e27 publishes relevant guest contributions from the community. Share your honest opinions and expert knowledge by submitting your content here. The post Heres how Southeast Asian businesses can survive in the hotbed of ad fraud appeared first on e27. By Moses Kyeyune. Speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga wants manhandled traffic officer promoted. This follows a video that has gone viral on social media showing retired Maj Gen. Kyalogoza alongside his UPDF escorts attacking and assaulting a female traffic officer identified as Sgt Esther Namaganda . This was after she attempted to stop them from making a U turn in the middle of the road at Seeta in Mukono Kadaga says Namaganda was serving her nation as a responsible officer on duty. Kadaga who has been meeting a delegation of women rights activists from Uganda Women Network led by Ritah Aciro says that she is so far impressed with the military for taking immediate action. Related Stories.. FDC calls for resignation of Kyaligoza Validus Capital marked the Dutch development banks first investment in Asia Singapore-based fintech startup focussing on peer-to-peer (P2P) lending service Validus announced that it has raised over S$20.5 million (US$15.2 million) in an oversubscribed Series B funding. The funding was led by Netherlands-based development bank FMO, joined by Taiwans Cathay Financial Holdings, Singapores Openspace Ventures (previously NSI Ventures), Temasek investment arm Vertex Ventures, Thailands AddVentures by SCG and Vietnams VinaCapital Ventures. This would be FMOs first ever investment in Asia. Also Read: Vertex Ventures SE Asia, India led US$10M funding for insurtech startup Sunday With the funding, the company said it will focus on product development including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. It also plans to expand to Indonesia in Q2 2019 followed by Vietnam.. Southeast Asia is one of the fastest growing economic regions globally, where there is a clear need for alternative financing platforms such as Validus to complement the traditional banking and financial infrastructures. Our mission is to become a digital bank-like fintech for underserved SMEs, to build better business communities in emerging markets while promoting inclusive growth among the regions SMEs using AI complemented with accessible and affordable business finance to SMEs, said Ajit Raikar, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Validus Capital. Validus was founded in Singapore in 2015, and it facilitates the pairings of accredited individual and institutional leaders with SMEs. The company seeks to solve the problem of the lack of access to credit for Southeast Asian SMEs. McKinsey Global Institute reported that 39 million Southeast Asian SMEs (or 51 per cent) lack access to credit despite the fact that SMEs contribute around 40 per cent of Southeast Asias gross domestic product (GDP) and employ 70 per cent of the regions workforce, as told in a report by Deloitte. Story continues Validus works by building cluster communities through its Corporate Partnership model which delivers financial inclusion to SME vendors as well as enables small businesses to execute projects, grows their business and manpower with sustainable capital. Validus comprises of SME lending team that cultivates financial data into behavioural patterns. Also Read: Gaming giant Razer begins building Southeast Asia headquarters in Singapore To date, Validus has introduced two new products called Working Capital Financing and Purchase Order Financing. The company said almost 2,000 loans were disbursed in 2018, and it has driven S$180 million (US$133.3 million) in business funding domestically. The post P2P lending fintech Validus closes over US$15.2M Series B funding led by Dutch bank FMO appeared first on e27. Moldova held a parliamentary poll on Sunday, with both pro-Russian and pro-EU forces accusing the ruling party of massive election fraud. They said the Democratic Party, led by powerful oligarch Vlad Plahotniuc, had bussed in people from the former Soviet state's breakaway region of Transnistria and told them how to vote. Moldova's pro-Moscow President Igor Dodon and pro-Brussels opposition leader Andrei Nastase both alleged the party had conspired with Transnistrian separatist authorities to organise the fraud. Dodon urged people not to be tempted by bribes. "Don't be afraid or let people buy you off. Don't be afraid of losing your job," Dodon said after voting in the capital Chisinau. "I know people are encouraging you to vote for certain parties." Nastase alleged that "they (the ruling party) are bussing in vulnerable people ripe for corruption". But Democratic Party deputy chairman Vladimir Chebotar said he had information that it was Socialist Party leaders who were offering bribes to residents of Transnistria to back its candidates. Authorities in Transnistria -- which broke away from Moldova after the fall of the USSR but is not recognised internationally -- did not allow polling stations to be opened in the region. But around 220,000 people living in the narrow stretch of land hold Moldovan citizenship and are eligible to vote on the other side of the Dniester River that separates the rebel republic from government-controlled territory. "These elections were neither free, nor fair, nor democratic," said Maia Sandu, one of the leaders of the pro-European ACUM bloc. "These were the least democratic elections in the history of Moldova." Chebotar on Sunday acknowledged "violations" during the election but shrugged them off, saying they would "not affect the voting process". - 'People are disillusioned' - Polling stations closed at 9:00 pm local time (1900 GMT), with voter participation at a little over 49 percent, according to electoral authorities. Results are expected on Monday. No party is likely to gain the majority needed to form a government in the country of 3.5 million people, and analysts are concerned the vote will be followed by a period of instability. While many want to maintain close ties with Moscow, others are looking towards the European Union, seeking to follow the example of Romania, with which Moldova shares a language and a long history. Victoria Chetrean, 40, told AFP she voted for the pro-European alliance that favours joining the EU and NATO. "My husband has worked in Italy for over 10 years for us to have a bare minimum standard of living," she said. "We should work towards European living standards." Moldova's economy is propped up by remittances from workers abroad, and the working-age population has shrunk. "People are disillusioned with the state, a million people have left," said Ion Vasilache, a 42-year-old university lecturer who supports Moldova joining the EU. "If the same corrupt authorities stay in power after the election, I will leave for Romania," he said. - 'Looking after minorities' - Dodon's pro-Moscow Socialist Party was leading in recent opinion polls, arguing for Moldova to join Russia's Eurasian Economic Union. Russia has rallied around Dodon, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin. Vasilii Ianioglo, a 57-year-old driver from the Gagauz minority -- a Turkish-speaking people who are traditionally Russian-leaning -- praised Dodon's frequent Kremlin visits. He voted for the Socialists, describing theirs as "the only party that looks after national minorities". As well as seeking to keep Moldova in its sphere of influence, Moscow has long backed separatists in Russian-speaking Transnistria. - 'Manipulation, disinformation' - Fuelling tensions ahead of the vote, Russian authorities on Friday accused ruling party leader Plahotniuc of running a vast money-laundering scheme in 2013-14. But on Sunday, parliamentary speaker Andrian Candu said it was merely a Russian ploy to influence the election. "It is all manipulation and disinformation," he said after voting in Chisinau. "It's not the first time that Russia tries to influence Moldova's election." The Democratic Party has sought a balanced approach between Moscow and the EU. But relations with the EU have deteriorated. Last November, Brussels reduced aid citing a "deterioration of the rule of law" -- a reference mainly to corruption. Moldova last year ranked 117 out of 180 nations in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index. A businessman convicted in a billion-dollar fraud case -- Israeli-born Ilan Shor -- is likely to make it to parliament, a case analysts say exposes widespread graft. Ford is a car brand that has a wide selection of vehicles, ranging from hatchbacks to SUVs. One of the most popular cars of this American brand is the Mustang, which is regarded by most as an iconic car. Through the Mustangs popularity, Ford became a household car brand in the United States and has managed to expand its market reach globally. In the Philippines, the Ranger, Everest, and EcoSport are among the brands top sellers. This explains why Ford Philippines made it a point to launch the 2018 versions of the said vehicles. The updated Ecosport was launched last August 30 and the new Ranger last September. Debuting alongside the Ranger was the Ranger Raptor, which is arguably one of the anticipated car launches in the Philippines and in the ASEAN region. As such, here is an overview of brand-new 2018 Ford vehicles available in the Philippine market. The post INFOGRAPHIC: Brand-New Ford 2019 Models appeared first on Carmudi Philippines. Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan wowed Morocco Monday, visiting stables where horses provide therapy for disabled youngsters, sampling local cooking with underprivileged children, and taking tea with the king. The royal couple, on their last official foreign tour before becoming parents, petted horses and strolled hand in hand through the equestrian club in Sale in the outskirts of Rabat. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as they are formally known, met disabled young people grooming horses, and heard how spending time with the animals helps them face their challenges. Meghan chatted with Zakaria, a 20-year-old with mobility issues who become an IT instructor with the help of equine therapy, 24-year-old Driss, who has speech difficulties, and Ikram, a 19-year-old with Down syndrome. The royal couple, who married last year, appeared relaxed as they stroked horses poking their heads out of the stable doors in the morning sunshine. A joking Harry asked if anyone had carrots to feed them, and confided that he missed his own horses. - Dressing down - A heavily pregnant Meghan, wearing her hair in a pony tail, came dressed in casual black jeans, a Breton striped shirt, green jacket and ankle boots. Harry also opted for a casual look with grey jeans, a light blue shirt and a black, padded jacket for the visit to the Moroccan Royal Federation of Equestrian Sports. At a later event the couple sampled Moroccan cuisine -- which Meghan declared "delicious" -- and heard how cooking is used to help disadvantaged children. They met renowned Moroccan chef Moha and tasted harira -- a traditional Moroccan soup -- as well as tajines, salads, and couscous. The children made Moroccan pancakes using a recipe from a cookbook launched by Meghan last year in her first solo charity project to support families affected by the Grenfell Tower fire disaster in London. Meghan then changed into a black pleated dress and white jacket while Harry donned a grey suit to visit the Kasbah of the Udayas, a fortress at the mouth of the Bou Regreg river. Later, the pair met King Mohammed VI for what was the first British royal visit to Morocco since Prince Charles and Camilla in 2011. Harry and Meghan were received at the palace by Crown Prince Moulay Hassan -- the former actress resplendent in a long, blue, flowered dress, and her husband bearing letters from his grandmother, the Queen. The couple's trip focuses on initiatives to promote girl's education, women's empowerment, and bringing disabled people into the mainstream. British Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday called for still more time to renegotiate her Brexit deal, and drew outrage by suggesting parliament may not be able to vote on the text until just 17 days before Britain leaves the EU. Business leaders and MPs reacted with anger and dismay at the news, which also prompted fresh calls to delay Brexit to avoid a damaging "no deal" exit on March 29. Three of May's ministers had earlier warned that the House of Commons would seek a delay if there was no breakthrough this week. May had raised the possibility of a vote on her deal in the coming days, but said on Sunday she was still negotiating with the European Union. "As we're continuing with those talks, we won't bring a meaningful vote to parliament this week," she said at a summit of European and Arab leaders in Egypt. "But that will happen by March 12. And we still have it within our grasp to leave the European Union with a deal on March 29." Lawmakers last month rejected her withdrawal deal, and since then, May has sought to address their concerns about its so-called "backstop" plan for the border between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland. She met with European Council chief Donald Tusk in Sharm el-Sheikh and will also hold talks at the summit with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, while her team will return to Brussels on Tuesday. But Labour's Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said her move was "the height of irresponsibility and an admission of failure". "Theresa May is recklessly running down the clock in a desperate attempt to force MPs to choose between her deal and no deal," he said. Business leaders also expressed dismay. "This is the latest signal to businesses that no-deal is hurtling closer. It must be averted," said Josh Hardie, deputy director general of the CBI lobby group. Adam Marshall of the British Chambers of Commerce added: "These endless political manoeuvres aren't helping the businesses, communities or people of the UK to prepare for the changes that lie ahead." - Calls to delay Brexit - May says she does not want Britain to leave the EU without a deal, which experts warn could cause major economic disruption on both sides of the Channel, but she argues this requires MPs to back her plan. Growing numbers of lawmakers, however, believe that Brexit may need to be delayed. Business minister Greg Clark, work and pensions minister Amber Rudd and justice minister David Gauke on Saturday warned that if there was no breakthrough this week, parliament would seek the delay option. "Beyond the next few days, there simply will not be time to agree a deal and complete all the necessary legislation before March 29," they wrote in an article in the Daily Mail. May will address the Commons on Tuesday. then on Wednesday MPs will have the chance to debate their own ideas for the way forward. A member of May's Conservative Party, Nick Boles, urged fellow lawmakers to back a cross-party plan to delay Brexit on Wednesday. "MPs need to insert some rigour into this process," he said. - EU wary - After rejecting the withdrawal deal that May spent almost two years negotiating with Brussels, MPs voted by a slim majority to request she seek changes to the Irish backstop. This arrangement would keep Britain in a customs union with the EU after Brexit if and until another way -- for example, a free trade deal -- were found to keep the border with Ireland free flowing. The EU has said it will not reopen the text, but is looking at what "guarantees" could be given to reassure MPs that the backstop would be temporary. But Tusk emphasised during his talks with May that the other 27 member states would not sign off on anything until they were confident the Commons supported it. "Tusk recalled the need for EU27 to have clarity that a proposal for the way forward can command a majority in the UK, before the issue is tackled by the European Council," an EU source said. Earlier, Environment Secretary Michael Gove said the government was still looking at a time limit or unilateral exit mechanism for the backstop as a way to assuage MPs' concerns. Alternatively, "it could be another legally powerful protocol or addition to the treaty that makes it clear that we would not be bound in the backstop indefinitely against our will". Singapores Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan is currently warded in hospital after breaking his arm last week, according to the Prime Ministers Office (PMO). Details werent provided about Minister Khaws injury (highly unlikely to be a skateboarding accident), but PMO states that he fractured his left arm in a fall, and is currently receiving treatment in hospital. His injuries appear to be severe enough to get him out of action for several weeks in an extended medical leave. Unfortunate timing of course, especially during the midst of heightened tensions with Malaysia over territorial waters and airspace borders. The man to take over Khaws duties is none other than Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, who has been appointed as Acting Minister for Transport. This ensures that the ongoing discussions with Malaysia on several transport matters will continue to be well coordinated, wrote PMO in a statement. Dr. Balakrishnan is well-acquainted with the situation, having met his Malaysian counterpart last month to reaffirm their commitment to improve bilateral ties between both their countries. Both foreign ministers have pushed for their officials to discuss and settle the issues that caused strained relations between the countries, arguably after Mahathir Mohamad returned to the premiership in Malaysia. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Last November, Kuala Lumpur protested Singapores plans to implement new landing procedures at Seletar Airport, saying the flight path used by the system would encroach on its airspace over Johor. The maritime disputes erupted last December when Singapore accused Malaysia of provocative intrusions by sending vessels into its waters. While Dr. Balakrishnan takes over the bilateral talks, other high-ranking members of the government will assist. Senior Minister of State Dr. Lam Pin Min, Senior Minister of State Dr. Janil Puthucheary and Senior Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Baey Yam Keng will assist Minister Balakrishnan on other transport matters and in the Committee of Supply debate. Minister Khaw will resume his post as soon as he is able to do so. This article, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan to take over talks with Malaysia after Transport Minister Khaw breaks arm, originally appeared on Coconuts, Asia's leading alternative media company. Want more Coconuts? Sign up for our newsletters! By Damali mukhaye. Opposition forum for democratic change has demanded for the immediate resignation of Ugandas ambassador to Burundi maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza following yesterdays Incident. This follows a video that has gone viral on social media showing retired Maj Gen. Kyalogonza alongside his UPDF escorts attacking and assaulting a female traffic officer who attempted to stop them from making a U turn in the middle of the road at Seeta in Mukono. Addressing journalists at their headquarters in najjakumbi, the party spokesperson Ibrahim ssemuju Nganda says that there is increasing impunity subjected to citizens publically by big government officials who go untouched. He says that Kayaligoza should be sacked immediately or he resigns because he cannot be the countrys ambassador when he is seen in public insulting people and disobeying the laws arguing that this puts the countrys reputation at stake. Meanwhile, the UPDF spokesperson brig Richard Karemire yesterday said that the investigation into the matter had kicked off with the 2 army officers apprehended. Related Stories.. Security personnel urged to uphold human Rights A would-be hijacker shot and killed by Bangladesh commandos was carrying a fake gun and told negotiators he wanted to commandeer a Dubai-bound flight because he had troubles with his wife, officials said Monday. The 25-year-old was shot and later died of his wounds after taking a crew member hostage on the Biman Airlines jet, forcing it to make an emergency landing at Chittagong airport late Sunday. Some 134 passengers and 14 crew were released unharmed after an operation that lasted barely 10 minutes. Airport manager Wing Commander Sarwar-e-Jaman said the hijacker was "psychologically imbalanced". "The reason he gave for the hijack was that he had troubles with his wife and he wanted to talk to the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina," Sarwar told AFP. Flight BG 147 was going from Dhaka to Dubai via Chittagong when the hijacking started. The man reportedly wielded a gun in the cabin and tried to storm the cockpit, forcing an emergency landing. One passenger told reporters he may have fired the weapon twice, but civil aviation authority chairman Air Vice Marshall Nayeem Hasan said the gun he was carrying was not real. "According to those who have seen it, it appears that the gun was fake," Hasan said. Bangladesh's elite police unit, the Rapid Action Battalion, meanwhile identified the suspect as Mohammad Polash Ahmed from Narayanganj, just outside the capital Dhaka. "His details matched a criminal on our database," the RAB said in a statement, without going into details of his prior alleged offences. Ahmed's father told Bangladeshi media that his son was reportedly having an affair with a local film star. Intimate images purportedly of the pair have gone viral on social media since the hijacking late Sunday. Amid multiple investigations, authorities are focusing on how he managed to smuggle even a fake gun past security at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. "An inquiry is underway," the civil aviation chief said. "It is virtually impossible to breach this security as the system is designed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation," he added. Hasan said Bangladesh security was in line with global standards and the country's airports were regularly checked by top international firms. Pictures of the plane on the runway at Sha Amanat international airport in the dark dominated local newspapers on Monday. Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation of 165 million, has struggled with radical groups in recent years, including the murder of atheist bloggers and progressive activists by Islamist outfits. In a deadly attack claimed by the Islamic State group in 2016, militants killed 22 people including 18 foreigners at an upmarket cafe in Dhaka popular with Westerners. That attack prompted a swift crackdown by Prime Minister Hasina, with hundreds of suspected militants and their sympathisers arrested or killed in raids across the country. SINGAPORE (Feb 25): Validus Capital, a Singapore-based SME financing platform, has raised $20.5 million in its oversubscribed Series B funding round. See: Temasek-backed Validus Capital raises over $120 mil in business funding The Series B funding round was led by FMO, Netherlands public-private development bank. Other participating investors include Taiwans Cathay Financial Holdings, Singapores Openspace Ventures (previously NSI Ventures), Temasek investment arm Vertex Ventures, Thailands AddVentures by SCG and Vietnams VinaCapital Ventures. Validus intends to invest the funding received in technology innovation, particularly around artificial intelligence and machine learning to help make business financing even more convenient and safe for SMEs. It will also fund their Southeast Asia expansion, starting with Indonesia in 2Q19. Ajit Raikar, CEO and co-founder of Validus Capital, says, Having a strong team, technology and data science capabilities has allowed us to partner with strategic global investors for our next growth stage. This reaffirms that we are well on track to deliver on our strong growth forecasts, and our ambition to become a digital bank-like fintech for underserved SMEs is well supported with two leading sovereign funds investing into Validus. SINGAPORE (Feb 25): DBS Group Research is keeping its buy recommendation on United Overseas Bank (UOB) with a lower target price of $29.20 from $29.50 previously. In a Monday report, analyst Lim Rui Wen says, Entering FY19, we believe UOB will continue to leverage on its strong capital position to capture loan growth opportunities, though to a lesser extent than in FY18 when it delivered about 11% y-o-y loan growth. UOB on Feb 23 announced that its FY18 earnings have reached a record high of $4.01 billion, 18% higher than the previous year, with total income recoding a 6% y-o-y rise to $9.12 billion. For 4Q18, earnings was 7% higher y-o-y at $916 million, but was 12% lower q-o-q. The bank also declared final and special dividends totalling 70 cents. See: UOB reports record earnings of $4.01 bil for FY18; declares final and special dividends totalling 70 cents Loan growth for 4Q18 was 3% higher q-o-q and 11% higher y-o-y, while NIM came in at 1.80%, 1 basis point (bp) lower q-o-q. In an analyst briefing, UOB has lowered its loan growth guidance from mid-to-high to mid-single digit, in view of macroeconomic conditions. Meanwhile, cost-to-income ratio is expected to remain stable at 44% in the near term as it continues to drive cost-to-income ratio lower on digitalisation and cost efficiencies. The bank continues to see some upward bias for NIM in FY19 amid challenging markets as regional markets margins continue to face pressure from higher cost of funds. Lim believes that a bright spot could come from mortgages where there may be room to price up further. Despite the slower growth environment, UOB expects higher credit costs of 20-25 bps. In particular, the higher credit costs seen in 4Q18 was due to some chunky cases in Singapore and Malaysia across various sectors including Coastal Oils exposure (which has been fully provided for). The bank has also written off some older oil and gas loans during the quarter. UOB also said that regulators are still investigating Evergrowing books, and its management team has also changed. UOB believes that the progressive changes are in the right direction. UOB had mentioned in previous quarters that it does not expect significant impact on its books as the bank took a significant discount to Evergrowings net tangible assets when valuing the investment on its books. As at 12.10pm, shares in UOB are trading at $25.39 or 1.1 times FY19 book with a dividend yield of 4.9%. SINGAPORE (Feb 25): Shares in Best World International have plunged as much as 58 cents, or 21.4%, to $2.13 upon opening this morning on news that the group would be conducting an independent review on its business and accounting practices. The counter resumed trading this morning from an extended trading halt which it called for on Feb 18, prompted by an article published by The Business Times on the same date. Titled Sales of DRs Secret in China: Best Worlds best-kept secret?, the article implied, among other issues, secrecy over Best Worlds 28 franchisees as it claimed the companys director and chief operating officer Huang Ban Chin had denied to disclose the franchisees names and exact store locations, which were then not listed on its website. In its response on Saturday, Best World says Huangs refusal to disclose franchisee-related information at the time was to avoid selective disclosure of information ahead of the companys release of its FY18 results. The group adds that it has since listed the address of its BWL Lifestyle Centres operated by franchisees on its website, adding that the company has engaged its internal controls consultant to conduct physical inspections of all 10 of these BWL Lifestyle Centres operated by franchisees. BT also raised concerns over Best Worlds direct selling license in China, which the paper claimed to cover only six health supplements under the Aurigen brand and no skincare products, contrary to information provided in analyst reports. On this note, Best World clarified that its direct selling license covers only certain health supplement products over a limited geographical space in China, and not its Drs Secret skincare line of products, which is distributed under its franchise model. A chart illustrating Best World's distribution channels in its Feb 23 clarification announcement filed to the SGX The group also adds that it has confirmed with its legal counsel that the operation of its franchise model is lawful as it has obtained all material licenses for conducting its operations in China, and that its businesses under the export and franchise models do not constitute direct selling activities in China. Story continues In its Feb 18 article, BT said a spokesperson from market research firm Euromonitor expressed surprise when shown Best Worlds league table from its latest corporate presentation, which cited Euromonitor data to back the groups claims of being the 13th largest company in Chinas premium skincare market. Best World says in its response that its ranking was ascertained after conducting additional market information and industry data obtained by the firm through customised research which it engaged Euromonitor to perform including primary and secondary research, as well as a review of the companys audited financials and operating data. It adds that Euromonitor has confirmed the validity of this statement with Best World, and intends to do the same with BT. The company would like to assure its shareholders that it has conducted all areas of its business ethically and in compliance with applicable laws and accounting standards, and is confident that the business and accounting practices of the group will stand up to scrutiny, says Best World. Upon completion of the independent review, the company intends to publish and report its findings to its audit committee as well as to SGX RegCo. Click here to view the full statement by Best World. Excited for "The Prohibition Era and Policing" at Ohio State on March 4 | Main | Will Haymond argument generate any haymaker questions as SCOTUS takes up supervised release? Keith Humphreys has this notable new Washington Post piece headlined "The new criminal justice law will modestly shrink prison populations. Should we go further?". The piece has an important little chart that speaks interestingly to the reality of federal prison populations,and I recommend this piece in full. Here are excerpts: The recently enacted First Step Act reduces criminal sentences and promotes rehabilitative programs within the federal justice system. Combined with earlier reforms implemented during the Obama administration, the law should return the federal imprisonment rate back to what it was a generation ago. But that would still leave the federal prison system with about seven times as many inmates as it had in 1980. Could the United States ever return to a federal prison population that small, or would that unleash a horrific crime wave? Questions about how big or small the federal prison system should be are part of the ongoing debate about mass incarceration. But they also have a unique dimension because even though the Constitution assigns most law enforcement powers to states, the federal role in prosecution and incarceration expanded in recent decades (e.g., to include many white-collar crimes, carjacking, DVD piracy, street-corner drug dealing). As a result, the federal prison system went from accounting for only 7.4 percent of all imprisonment in 1980 to 12.6 percent of all imprisonment in 2016. Even a decade before the federal prison system reached its peak size, a bipartisan American Bar Association task force argued that the expansion of federal law enforcement and corrections were inconsistent with the traditional notion that prevention of crime and law enforcement in this country are basically state functions. Sometimes it is helpful in public policy to ask questions about first principles: Why should the federal government ever imprison anyone at all? A common fear which some opponents of the First Step Act stoked is that the United States would be overwhelmed with violent crime if not for federal law enforcement and incarceration. In reality, virtually every murder, rape, assault and battery is charged under state law and results in imprisonment at the state or local level. The federal prison system holds only 1.8 percent of U.S. inmates serving time for violent crimes. Federal law enforcement and imprisonment thus do not serve as the nations primary bulwark against violence. But they are important in three defined contexts. Combating state and local corruption.... Battling criminal organizations that overwhelm state and local law enforcement.... Punishing crimes specifically against the federal government.... All of the above types of crimes are destructive, and those who commit them and are sent to federal prison do not deserve our sympathy. But it is implausible that the number of and deserved sentence length for such offenses are seven times greater than they were before the federal prison population exploded. That reality, combined with the fact that the generational cutback in the size of the federal prison system has caused no evident problems, suggest the First Step Act should be considered just that a first step. The extremely broad coalition that supported the First Step Act can reasonably aim higher in its next round of proposed reform, returning the federal prison system to its traditional role as an important but small part of the U.S. correctional system. After swift cert denial in Rivera-Ruperto, should I just give up hoping for an improved Eighth Amendment to check extreme non-capital sentences? | Main | Making the conceptual and statistical case for going well beyond the FIRST STEP Act February 25, 2019 Excited for "The Prohibition Era and Policing" at Ohio State on March 4 As detailed at this link (where folks can register), the Drug Enforcement & Policy Center at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law has a very exciting event scheduled for next Monday afternoon (March 4, 2019). The event is titled "The Prohibition Era and Policing" and here are the basics: The legal precedents created during Prohibition have lingered, leaving search-and-seizure law much better defined than limits on police use of force, interrogation practices, or eyewitness identification protocols. Please join us as Professor Wesley M. Oliver discusses his latest book, The Prohibition Era and Policing: A Legacy of Misregulation, followed by a discussion with: Honorable Maureen O'Connor, the Chief Justice of the State of Ohio Honorable Jeffrey S. Sutton, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit Dr. Andrea Headley, John Glenn College of Public Affairs, The Ohio State University February 25, 2019 at 02:36 PM | Permalink Comments Post a comment Fappening case Federal prosecutors requested a 3-year prison sentence for a former Virginia high school teacher convicted of hacking into private digital accounts of celebrities and others. Federal prosecutors requested a 3-year prison sentence for Christopher Brannan(31), a former Virginia high school teacher, that was convicted of hacking into private digital accounts of celebrities and others. In October 2018, Brannan pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and unauthorized access to a protected computer. According to court documents, Christopher Brannan, 31, a former teacher at Lee-Davis High School, intentionally accessed without authorization internet and email accounts, including Apple iCloud, Yahoo!, and Facebook accounts, and thereby obtained complete iCloud backups, photographs, and other private information belonging to more than 200 victims, including both celebrities and noncelebrities. reported the DoJ. He hacked email accounts by answering security questions that he could easily research by reviewing victims Facebook accounts. Brannan also gained access to victims accounts by using phishing email accounts to send fraudulent email addresses designed to look like legitimate security accounts from Apple, misrepresenting to the victims that the emails had come from Apple in order to obtain username and password information for the victims internet accounts. Brannan along with another four people was charged in the 2014 Fappening scandal in which hackers obtained private and nude photos from hundreds of individuals. As part of the Fappening case, nude pictures of many celebrities were leaked online, the list of victims is long and includes Kim Kardashian, Kate Upton, and Jennifer Lawrence. Brannon is a former teacher at Lee-Davis High School in Mechanicsville. reported the Associated Press. Federal prosecutors are recommending a prison term of 34 months for a former Lee-Davis High School teacher convicted of hacking the private digital accounts of celebrities and others. reports The Richmond Times-Dispatch. Christopher Brannan, 31, pleaded guilty in October to unauthorized access of a protected computer and to aggravated identity theft before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson who will sentence him March 1. Federal sentencing guidelines, not binding on the judge, call for a term of 34 to 40 months. Sentencing is scheduled for March 1 in U.S. District Court in Richmond. In January 2018, George Garofano (26), of North Branford, has been charged with hacking into over 250 Apple iCloud accounts belonging to celebrities. Garofano is the fourth man charged in connection with the Fappening saga, in past months Emilio Herrera, Edward Majerczyk, Ryan Collins, pleaded guilty to being involved in the attacks on the celebrities iCloud accounts. Collins was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, Majerczyk to nine months and Herrera is waiting for sentencing next month. Pierluigi Paganini MAYA - Mia Hansen-Lve Mia Hansen-Lve's new film starts with French war journalist Gabriel (Roman Kolinka) being released from captivity with a fellow journalist Frederic (Alex Descas) by the ISIS in Syria. He gets a hero's welcome in Paris. The year is 2012. Even though he was beaten and tortured, he refuses to be treated by psychologists or take pills for his trauma. The only thing he feels is guilt because the third journalist is still not released. He decides to take off to Goa, India, just to get away from everything for a while. He realizes that the only thing he knows is being a war journalist and will need to go back. But for now, he will take some time off and travel through India. Goa is where he spent his childhood with his mom (Johanna ter Steege), who now lives in Mumbai. In Goa, Gabriel meets Maya (Aarshi Banerjee) a young woman who is a daughter of his Indian godfather, Monty (Pathy Aiyar), who runs a hotel business. But touristy Goa is in transformation and people are being forced out by land developers and Monty doesn't see the future for Maya to stay in Goa forever. Gabriel is an intense, brooding man and the news of the fellow captive's beheading doesn't help the matter. At first, Gabriel refuses Maya's advances, waving her off as still too young. But they hook up and she is left heart-broken. Gabriel can't reciprocate her love and he will go back to the war zone. The film could easily be called Gabriel since it's mostly about him. We get his back story, his family and love life and Maya is just a young girl who falls in love with a hunky, intense French guy. She is just starting out her life. So this is why the film is an interesting narrative departure for Hansen-Lve, who's been making thoughtful observations on people in transitional periods. Maya is not unlike the Camile character in her Goodbye First Love, except she is not the main character. Or is she? Maya is a movie about that special person who had made a big impact on your life. He or she pretty much made what kind of a person you are now. Again, beautifully scripted and ambitious in its scale, Hansen-Lve keeps expanding her territories while not losing sight on where her priorities are: portraying the melancholy of growing up and acknowledging that there is a price to pay for following your passions. Kolinka's hunkiness almost derails the film. But what can you do? He's French. Students must first apply directly to the academy of their choosing, and if they meet the requirements of the academy, they can contact my office, or Sen. Thunes and Rep. Johnsons, for a nomination. Our nomination advisory committee will review applications and interview prospective nominees before I make a final decision on who to nominate. I have a set number of nominations I can make each year to each academy, depending on how many openings they have available. After the nominations are made, the admissions office at each academy make the ultimate decision about who will receive an offer of appointment. Our office is available to assist students and their parents who are looking into the academy application process. Each year, we hold Academy Day events in different towns across the state so students and their families can hear firsthand from academy representatives and meet with our team to help answer questions. This year, we will hold Academy Day events in Rapid City on April 6 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, and in Sioux Falls on April 13 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Prairie West Branch Library. For more information on these Academy Days, or for other questions related to the academy process, please call my Sioux Falls office at (605) 336-0486 or visit the academy page on my website, www.rounds.senate.gov. Mike Rounds represents South Dakota in the U.S. Senate. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 As Semmler drifted in and out of consciousness in the Parkston hospital, his family conferred with Sioux Falls specialist and learned the odds, risks and potential benefits of the medication. Semmlers family decided to go ahead with the clot-busting drug, and Semmler quickly improved during a flight to Sioux Falls. Once there, surgeons who were briefed via the remote connection were ready to operate and repair what was determined to be a hole in Semmlers heart. Semmler, now 48, made a full recovery and is back at work in the feed division of Farmers Alliance in Mitchell. He looks back on the ability of doctors in Parkston to link up with those in Sioux Falls as a life-saver. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Im not saying Dr. Wickersham couldnt havent figured it out, but it connected him with a bigger system where all of a sudden you have a bunch of doctors talking it through, Semmler said. Anytime you can connect Parkston, a town of 1,500 people, with doctors in Sioux Falls or at the Mayo Clinic or a hospital of that size, its just like being there with that technology and experts. She also helped coordinate making cards for My Golden Valentine, dyeing Easter eggs with WellFully, and helped with the YFS Monster Bash and Scare in the Square. Kelli works tirelessly to find opportunities to get Young Professionals in Rapid City connected to volunteering. While there are some organizations the group partners with annually, she does not stop there, Shiloh Francis, with the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce, said in the news release. She finds needs and uses the YPG resources to fill them in the community. It is through her leadership and a dynamic group of involved committee members the YPG has gained a reputation of volunteers who show up and do great work. Helpline Center and Black Hills Urgent Care presented Kabrud with a framed certificate and Helpline Center T-shirt, gifts from Black Hills Urgent Care and a letter of appreciation from Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender. The Helpline Center will also recognize her at the Spirit of Volunteerism Awards banquet on May 21 at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center. Rapid City nurse wins national award A nurse at Regional Health Rapid City Regional Hospital has received a national award for her care. Using a similar method, Wetenkamp also stole fentanyl "for his personal use" in 2002 while working as a nurse at the emergency department of University Hospital in Cincinnati, according to a consent agreement between him and the Ohio Board of Nursing. After he was caught stealing the drugs from a dispensing machine, the document says, Wetenkamp entered a drug-addiction program. But in 2003 he relapsed and began using cocaine, and in 2004, he gave narcotics to patients even though he wasn't allowed to. Wetenkamp had his Ohio nursing license suspended in 2005 but moved to Florida before he could try to regain it, the document says. State and federal court records in Ohio show no criminal charges against Wetenkamp. Fentanyl is an opioid that is prescribed to treat extreme pain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The drug is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, another opioid painkiller. Both can be addictive and abused for non-medical purposes. AB Staffing Solutions immediately fired Wetenkamp after it learned he was being investigated for stealing drugs and the company cooperated with the investigation, company spokeswoman Meredith Donoho said. It's unclear if Wetenkamp still has a nursing license. Contact Arielle Zionts at arielle.zionts@rapidcityjournal.com. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 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. There still is time to register to attend the Scott County Economic Development Summit on Thursday. Area experts and business owners will discuss a variety of topics focused on growing the Quad-Cities economy, including a look at the agricultural industry and emerging craft beverage industry. The summit and workshops will be from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center, Bettendorf. The keynote luncheon presentation will be by Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, who will discuss "Economic Development Opportunities in Iowa." The summit is sponsored by Scott County, Bi-State Regional Commission and Quad-Cities Chamber. It is open to economic development leaders, elected officials and city and business leaders from across bi-state region. The program's two tracks will focus on economic development models on Value-Added Agriculture and the Local Craft Beverage Industry as well as economic development funding opportunities and workforce issues. The cost is $45 for the full workshop or $25 for the luncheon only. Pre-registrations are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. To register, visit the events page at quadcitieschamber.com. For more information, contact Tim Huey at the Scott County Planning and Development Department at 563-326-8643 or timothy.huey@scottcountyiowa.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The primary goals of the Beaver Island project are the restoration of year round aquatic habitat within the interior lakes, diversification of the forest community, and improving habitat for fish and mussels. The project includes 1,678 acres within the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge and are federally-owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Project completion will take two years and all public access is restricted within 200 yards of workers and equipment. The first stage of construction is under way with the clearing of trees along the interior shoreline. Tree cutting must be completed by March 31 to bat conservation guidelines. Excavated material will subsequently be placed in these areas. The higher land topography will allow for the planting of several species of mast producing hardwood trees. A critical part of the project is to protect Beaver Islands interior lakes from future sedimentation. A primary source of silt comes from the Upper Cut inlet in Beaver Slough. A rock structure will close off the Upper Cut entrance to ensure long term benefits within the islands interior. Seven trees have to be cut for the rock placement. A good Tuesday to all. With only a couple of days before the start of March, Old Man Winter continues to keep his frosty grip on the Quad-Cities. After a speech that brought the crowd to its feet several times, Harris took questions from the audience on subjects that included medical care for low-income citizens, her Middle-East foreign policy positions and the U.S. criminal justice system. One audience member was more blunt, saying: I want to know what youre going to do to win. Her answer? Im gonna hang out in Iowa a lot, she said, pausing and laughing as the crowd cheered her on. And work very hard and were gonna have to be smart. Ultimately, Harris predicted voters would choose a leader whos shown demonstration of good leadership and appreciates the nobility of public service. She also pointed to someone wholl stand tall on policy issues Americans care about. I think that the winning candidate will have a demonstrated history of being a fighter, Harris added, before referencing her two terms as Californias attorney general. And I know how to fight. I know how to fight. After the event ended, scores of people clamored to the roped-off area near the stage for a chance to get a photo or shake hands with the senator. Among the town-hall goers who hung back was Dante Turner, a Maryland native whos lived in the Quad-Cities for the last 10 years. UPDATE: Illinois State Police Lt. Dyan Talbot has confirmed that the suspect whom police were hunting has been captured. Frank Marquan Scott, 25, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is being charged with numerous criminal and traffic offenses. The investigation is ongoing and more specifics as to charges will be released later. Scott has been hospitalized because he was injured in the crash, according to the state police. The release did not provide more information about the extent of his injuries. Scott is currently on probation in Iowa after pleading guilty in Linn County District Court in January to a charge of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor under Iowa law for which he could have been sentenced to two years in prison. Breaking any law is a violation of his probation for which Iowa authorities could ask a judge to revoke his probation and sentence him to prison. In that case, Scott was arrested Oct. 4 for allegedly threatening a woman with a knife. The woman was sitting in a van and Scott broke out the back window of a vehicle with a hammer, according to the arrest affidavit filed in Linn County District Court. - - - As TV actor Jussie Smollett told the tale, he was the victim of a politically motivated hate crime on a downtown Chicago street at 2 a.m. on a January morning. Thats the story the Chicago Police Department investigated for more than three weeks. Now authorities dispute that version of events. The Cook County states attorneys office charged Smollett with felony disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false report that described an attack with racist and homophobic elements. If thats true, it would mean Smollett manufactured an elaborate, irresponsible hoax. It would mean he created a sympathetic role for himself as the target of an ugly, bigoted attack. It would mean the two men he identified as his assailants didnt perpetrate any such assault. It would mean Smollett, who appears on the Chicago-filmed show Empire, invented this incidence of evil and then stuck to his story, even as suspicions arose that he was responsible. Smolletts story about a hate crime riveted America. Smollett said he was attacked by two men who hit him and yelled slurs. They wrapped a rope around his neck, he said, splashed a chemical akin to bleach on him and shouted This is MAGA country! as if to connect their deed to President Donald Trump via his Make America Great Again campaign catchphrase. Based on what I hear from atop my perch in rural central Illinois, I worry that my farmer friends may become but serfs to Big Agriculture. That is, farmers provide the labor, soils and risk in service to a very few global chemical and other ag companies. The farmers must buy their inputs from these few companies, yet the companies call most of the shots, it seems, and reap most of the rewards. The following is what I observe and also hear from my farmer friends at the back table at Connies Country Kitchen in my town. The farmers buy seeds, but dont own them; they cannot plant with seed they have harvested. They used to own and work on their equipment; now farmers often lease, because its too expensive to buy. Well, you say, at least farmers can decide what crops they want to plant. Yes, to paraphrase Henry Ford, they may plant any crops they want so long as they are corn and beans. That is because nothing much else is protected by subsidized government crop insurance, which includes some price protection. Thus, the bankers who hold the loans on land and for spring planting needs insist that the farmers buy this insurance, which also indirectly protects Big Ag. Today is Monday, Feb. 25, the 56th day of 2019. There are 309 days left in the year. 1869 150 years ago: ANDALUSIA TELEGRAPH OFFICE This office, which was closed last fall, is now to be opened again, with our young friend James F. Renfro as operator. Jimmy has been messenger in the Western Union office here for some time and has been taking lessons of Mr. Fleming, the manager of the office. Andalusia will be his first effort in charge of an office, and we hope he will make it a success. Of course it will require care and close attention, but he can succeed if he tries hard. 1894 125 years ago: The Minneapolis Lumberman has the following relative to the damage to the B mill of the Rock Island Lumber and Manufacturing company a week ago yesterday: "Another sawmill is added to the list of those destroyed by fire. It is the mill of Weyerhauser & Denkmann, at Rock Island, Ill., which burned Sunday of this week. The visit of several gentlemen connected with the Weyehauser syndicate in Minneapolis Tuesday gave to the rumor that they were looking over the Northern Mill company with the intention of locating here. In 1972, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals began requiring sterilization for all adopted animals. Now the euthanasia rate has decreased to about 12.5 dogs and cats per 1,000 people, a drop of nearly 90 percent compared to numbers recorded 50 years ago. It's not just the physiology that makes spaying animals as rabbits and guinea pigs different from dogs and cats. Bunnies have more of a fight or flight reaction if in pain or discomfort and are more susceptible to panic. "We give them special medication prior to surgery to lessen that risk, Hughes said. The surgery itself is similar; surgeons enter the abdomen pretty much the same way as with a dog or cat. Hughes uses a surgical laser that cauterizes blood vessels while it cuts. The linea alba, also known as the white line, goes down and connects the two layers of muscle together on the abdomen. I like to enter through there because there is minimal blood supply, Hughes said. When you suture it back together, it creates more of a permanent seal and less painful seal. After cutting into the rabbits abdomen, Hughes extends the incision both ways, cranially and caudally. Once the GI tract is out of the way, she pulls out the uterus. 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 Hall agreed, and after discussion with the Warren County District Attorneys Office, the parties agreed that District Attorney Jason Carusones office could resume prosecuting the matter. In the years that have passed since the arrest, the possible conflict of interest in Carusons office has been resolved, as Gentner is not a witness in any pending cases. The prosecutor who handled the main case where he was a witness has left the office. The conflict we had with the case has come to a conclusion, Carusone said. The development comes weeks after Gentner had to hire a new lawyer, as the lawyer who represented him for years could no longer do so because of health issues. Gentner has hired Karl Sleight, and after a conference with lawyers last week, Hall has scheduled a retrial to start June 17. The case had gone to trial last fall, but a mistrial was declared after Gentners then-lawyer became ill. Gentner, 50, of Lake George, is free, pending further court action. FORT ANN A woman from Vermont was jailed Sunday after police seized cocaine and marijuana during a traffic stop on Route 4, according to State Police. Kari-Sue A. Smith, 34, of Center Rutland, was arrested after troopers stopped a vehicle she was in near Kelsey Pond Lane, police records show. Troopers smelled marijuana, and a search led to the discovery of cocaine and more than 2 ounces of marijuana, police said. Police believed they picked up drugs in New York to sell in the Rutland, Vermont, area. Smith was charged with two felony counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor count of criminal possession of marijuana, records show. Smith was arraigned and sent to Washington County Jail for lack of bail. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 2 The Boston Globe published an article over the weekend that delved into the prostitution-related charges against New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and that article reported that a man from Pawlet, Vermont, just over the state line from Granville, was among those charged as well. Lee McChesney, 84, was among 100 or so people charged in the prostitution sting in Vero Beach, near Palm Beach on the state's Atlantic coast. That was not the same town where Kraft was charged, but the case against McChesney was part of the same investigation that targeted spas. The mugshot issued by police in Florida appears to show the Lee McChesney of Pawlet who operates Lee McChesney Real Estate, a company that does extensive business in western Vermont and eastern New York, including Washington County. A message left at the real estate company's office Monday morning was not immediately returned. Love 0 Funny 6 Wow 4 Sad 4 Angry 8 KINGSBURY An online comment that some perceived as a possible threat has led to a police investigation and more officers at Hudson Falls Middle School. Washington County Sheriff Jeff Murphy said a comment made during a private chat among children in their early teens on Instagram over the weekend was brought to the attention of police and school officials Sunday. He said it was unclear what was said and no specific school was said to be targeted, but sheriffs officers worked with school officials overnight Sunday, and believe the comment was a joke and there were no plans for any violence. The investigation was continuing, and one of the children who was taking part in the chat lives in Minnesota, while students from other districts were involved as well, the sheriffs office said. We are trying to figure out who said what, Murphy said. Even if youre joking around on social media, not everyone is in on the joke. The school is aware of who the kids involved were, and the districts resource officer and the investigating officers were on hand at the school as of Monday morning. Michael Goot reporter - Warren County, crime, education and politics Follow Michael Goot Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Fresh off his meeting with President Donald Trump, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is continuing his push to repeal the $10,000 cap on the amount of state and local taxes people can deduct on their federal returns with his announcement Friday of the formation of a multistate alliance to fight for tax fairness. Cuomo said Friday the following states that have agreed to join his effort to restore full deductibility of state and local taxes (known as SALT): Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington. Cuomo has blamed Trumps tax plan for a $2.3 billion drop in personal income tax receipts. Rich people who can no longer take a big deduction have either moved out of the state or taken steps to limit their tax payments, Cuomo said. The president gave an unseemly tax cut to corporations and the rich and he financed it by raising taxes on primarily democratic states through the elimination of SALT, Cuomo said in a news release. New York has been fighting this economic assault for over a year and together with these partner states who are also affected by the loss of the SALT deduction, we will not rest until Congress ends this punitive policy once and for all. All images, lyrics and music belong to their rightful owners. Nonetheless, if you own the rights to any of these images, lyrics or music and do not wish them to appear on the site please contact me and they will be promptly removed. 1. Yes. Its a serious public health issue; unvaccinated workers put others at risk. 2. Yes. Some colleges and school districts are mandating it. Its a necessary step. 3. No. Employees should have the option of getting vaccinated or not. Its up to them. 4. No. Some people have serious side-effects. Geting jabbed should be optional. 5. Unsure. Getting people vaccinated is important, but so is having a choice. Vote View Results This repugnant position is only acceptable in six other countries and is supported by fewer than 10 percent of Americans. Northam's assumption that to ensure women's rights, babies must die, is simply wrong. Our governor continues to cling on to his power and will probably not resign. Isn't it ironic that he wants to survive/serve his full term? If only these babies had that same choice. "I was scrolling through the page and that name looked familiar, so I messaged her," Williams said. "That was the first concert we went to and we still talk about that to this day." He ran York Box and Barrel, a plastic fabrication company, for a quarter century before proudly turning it over to his sons 17 years ago. A former chief and current life member of the Poquoson Volunteer Fire Company, he served on the Poquoson City Council for 29 years, including 15 as mayor, before winning election to the House in 2011. "We think it's on par with some of the best studios in New York and LA and we're trying to brand this as a destination spot if you want to get away from those markets," Haddad said. "It will be more affordable and you'll get the same stuff. We want to make it available to people and charge by the project." Therefore, it is vital diversity and inclusion practices be inculcated into the fabric and value system of every organization. Then, as these practices ripple through the business community they will hopefully become a practice of our social community, our interfaith community, our arts and culture, our education, and as a result, Hampton Roads and the commonwealth will not only embrace its diversity but also be a place where every individual feels respected and wholly included. Researchers burn live fuels. Credit: David Blunck, Oregon State University On the heels of Oregon's most expensive wildfire season ever in 2018, researchers at Oregon State University are ramping up efforts to better predict how the blazes behave, including how they generate fire-spreading embers. A team led by David Blunck of OSU's College of Engineering has been chosen by the U.S. Department of Defense to spearhead a new $2.1 million effort to study the burning of live fuels. OSU will partner with the U.S. Forest Service on a four-year grant awarded through the DOD's Strategic Environmental Research Development Program (SERDP). "The DOD is interested in this because they have a lot of land, and it burns," said Blunck, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering. "Live fuels are basically trees that are green and living. These trees are often what torches, but historically, dead fuels have primarily been studied." The work will be built around the theory that there are likely just a handful of factorssuch as pyrolysis, the decomposition that results from high temperatures, and the products of that decompositionthat cause differences in burning behavior when live fuels burn. "Most live fuel studies tend to be fuel specific, controlling for variation in burning behavior based on time of year and moisture content, but with those results, it's hard to know how new fuels will burn, or even how the same fuel will burn outside the conditions that have been studied," Blunck said. "So it's really better to understand what's driving the sensitivity when you have different fuels. Our theory is that it's just a few processes that cause the differences when you burn different live fuels, and if we can understand what they are, we can better predict how new species would burn." The research will provide Department of Defense managers with fire models that can predict ignition, burning rate and fuel consumption for mixtures of live and dead fuels, allowing them to more effectively plan prescribed burning as well as wildfire responses. It will involve a mix of lab work, modeling and field studies. In recent months, Blunck's group has examined the burning behavior of more than 100 trees representing four different speciesDouglas fir, grand fir, western juniper and ponderosa pinein the range of 10 to 15 feet tall. "That height is not very large for a forest perspective, but for testing for wildfire purposes this is typically not done, and never for the number of trees that we have burned," he said. Most wildfire research, Blunck explains, involves either prescribed burns, or work in a laboratory on samples up to a size of roughly 1 meter. "In the lab you can control all the parameters like temperature, size and moisture content, but how well do the results scale?" he said. "With a prescribed burn, you're researching under actual conditions, but with the data you get it's very hard to understand cause and effect. There's so much out of our control that it's hard to know what's driving the various phenomena. "With trees that are about 10 feet tall, we can bridge the scales between the laboratory and prescribed burns," Blunck said. "We can look at many species and start to vary the parameters we think are important. Our experiments are on an intermediate scale but have a replicate size that is not rivaled by any study I have ever found." In addition, last December Blunck and other researchers studied the effect of fire retardant on ember generation and found that under some conditions, trees coated in the retardant sent off fewer embers that contained enough energy to start a new fire. This effort was in partnership with an industry sponsor, P N Solutions. "Embers are wildfires' most unpredictable modes of causing spread," Blunck said. "By understanding how embers form and travel through the air, we can more accurately predict how fire will spread." Techniques for studying embers include infrared videography, collecting embers in trays of water and measuring scorch marks on squares of fire-resistant fabric placed on the ground at varying distances from the fire. "By using fire-resistant fabric to collect embers, in conjunction with trays filled with water, the fraction of 'hot' embers can be determined and used to help predict spotting," said Tyler Hudson, a graduate student in the College of Engineering. The char marks on the fabric are used to estimate how much energy an ember has when it lands. Trees coated in fire retardant tended to produce bigger embers, but generally with lower energy. In Oregon last year, the cost of fire suppression for the first time exceeded half a billion dollars, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center, which provides logistical support and intelligence for federal and state wildland fire suppression agencies. The state in 2018 saw 1,880 fires burn 1,322 square milesmore land area than the state of Rhode Island. Provided by Oregon State University Credit: NASA In the coming years, thousands of satellites, several next-generation space telescopes and even a few space habitats are expected to be launched into orbit. Beyond Earth, multiple missions are planned to be sent to the lunar surface, to Mars, and beyond. As humanity's presence in space increases, the volume of data that is regularly being back sent to Earth is reaching the limits of what radio communications can handle. For this reason, NASA and other space agencies are looking for new methods for sending information back and forth across space. Already, optical communications (which rely on lasers to encode and transmit information) are being developed, but other more radical concepts are also being investigating. These include X-ray communications, which NASA is gearing up to test in space using their XCOM technology demonstrator. Since its inception in 1958, NASA has relied solely on radio communications to stay in contact with all of its missions beyond Earth. Much of this has been handled by NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN), a worldwide network of giant radio antennas that has supported all of NASA's interplanetary missions and some missions to low-Earth orbit (LEO). But with renewed missions to the moon, crewed missions to Mars, and an expanding array of miniature satellites coming in the near-future, NASA will need a more efficient and robust communications system than ever before. So far, the use of lasers to encode and transmit data has shown promise, capable of operating 10 to 100 times more efficiently than radio systems. One of the massive radio antennas supporting NASAs Deep Space Network (DSN). Credit: NASA However, NASA is looking beyond these parts of the spectrum to accommodate the flow of information. This is where the concept of X-ray communications (XCOM) come into play, which offer even more in the way of advantages than lasers. For one, X-rays have much shorter wavelengths than both radio waves and lasers and can broadcast in tighter beams. This means that more information could be sent with the same amount of transmission power, and less energy would be needed over long distances at least in theory. In addition, X-rays also have the benefit of being able to penetrate the hot plasma that builds up as spacecraft re-enter Earth's atmosphere at hypersonic speeds. These plasma sheaths cause a communications blackout with spacecraft for several seconds, which prevents mission controllers from knowing if the crews are safe until they land. To test if such a system will work, technicians at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center have created the Modulated X-ray Source (MXS), which will be tested onboard the International Space Station (ISS) in the coming years. This image shows the Modulated X-ray Source, a key component in NASAs first-ever demonstration of X-ray communication in space. Credits: NASA/W. Hrybyk To conduct this test, the MXS will be controlled using the NavCube a computing and navigation technology aboard the ISS to send encoded data via X-ray pulses from one end of the station to the other. These pulses (which will be fired at a rate of several times a second) will be received by the Neutron-star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER). This first test will involve the transmission of GPS-signals, but the development team hopes to send something more complicated as well. As Jason Mitchell, an engineer at NASA's Goddard Spaceflight Center who helped develop the technology demonstration, explained in a NASA press release: "We've waited a long time to demonstrate this capability. For some missions, XCOM may be an enabling technology due to the extreme distances where they must operate Our goal for the immediate future is finding interested partners to help further develop this technology." The NavCube could play a vital role in helping to demonstrate X-ray communications in space. Credit: NASA/W. Hrybyk While primarily built to gather data on neutron stars and pulsars, NICER has also used its capabilities to demonstrate technologies that rely on X-rays. For example, in 2017 NICER demonstrated that pulsars could be used as timing sources for deep-space missions to determine their location effectively demonstrating the effectiveness of X-ray navigation in space. Since then, NICER's ability to demonstrate emerging technologies has captured the attention of NASA scientists looking to the plan for next era of human spaceflight. The ability to use X-rays and other light sources for the sake of navigation and communication is one such area of potential development. If successful, the MXS experiment could enable more efficient, gigabits-per-second data rates for deep space missions, which could accommodate all kinds of lucrative missions beyond Earth. Explore further NASA set to demonstrate X-ray communications in space Credit: CC0 Public Domain Once-endangered carnivorous mammals such as otters, polecats and pine martens have staged a remarkable comeback in Britain in recent decades, a new review shows. The study found that with the exception of wildcats the status of Britain's native mammalian carnivores (badger, fox, otter, pine marten, polecat, stoat and weasel) has "markedly improved" since the 1960s. The species have largely "done it for themselves" recovering once harmful human activities had been stopped or reduced, according to scientists from the University of Exeter, Vincent Wildlife Trust, the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and Scottish Natural Heritage. Hunting, trapping, control by gamekeepers, use of toxic chemicals and destruction of habitats contributed to the decline of most predatory mammals in the 19th and early 20th Centuries. "Unlike most carnivores across the world, which are declining rapidly, British carnivores declined to their low points decades ago and are now bouncing back," said lead author Katie Sainsbury, a Ph.D. researcher at the Environment and Sustainability Institute at the University of Exeter's Penryn Campus in Cornwall. "Carnivores have recovered in a way that would have seemed incredibly unlikely in the 1970s, when extinction of some species looked like a real possibility." The researchers collected survey reports from the last 40 years and compared changes in the species' distribution extent and population sizes. They also reviewed human activities that have helped or hindered Britain's native carnivores in recent decades. Otters have almost completely recolonised Great Britain. Badger populations have roughly doubled since the 1980s. Polecats have expanded across southern Britain from Wales, and pine martens have expanded from the Scottish Highlands. Fox numbers have risen since the 1960s, though an apparent decline in the last decade may be linked with dwindling rabbit numbers. "Most of these animals declined in the 19th Century, but they are coming back as a result of legal protection, conservation, removal of pollutants and restoration of habitats," said Professor Robbie McDonald, head of Exeter's Wildlife Science group (wildlifescience.org). "The recovery of predatory mammals in Britain shows what happens when you reduce the threats that animals face. For the most part these species have recovered by themselves." "Reintroductions have also played a part. Fifty one pine martens were recently translocated to Wales from Scotland and these martens are now breeding successfully in Wales. Otter reintroductions helped re-establish the species in the east of England." Thought must now be given to how growing numbers of these animals interact with humans, the researchers say. Some of the species can pose problems for gamekeepers, anglers and farmers, and work must be done to find ways to prevent conflict and allow long-term co-existence as the species expand their ranges and numbers. Wildcats are the exception to the pattern of recovery. The species is now restricted to small numbers in isolated parts of the Scottish Highlands. Some estimates suggest there are as few as 200 individuals left. Their decline has largely been caused by inter-breeding with domestic cats, leading to loss of wildcat genes. The status of stoats and weasels remains obscure. Professor McDonald said: "These small and fast-moving predators are hard to see and to survey. Ironically, the best means of monitoring them is from the records of gamekeepers who trap them. People are key to carnivore recovery. Explore further Why the pine marten is not every red squirrel's best friend More information: Katherine A. Sainsbury et al. Recent history, current status, conservation and management of native mammalian carnivore species in Great Britain, Mammal Review (2019). Katherine A. Sainsbury et al. Recent history, current status, conservation and management of native mammalian carnivore species in Great Britain,(2019). DOI: 10.1111/mam.12150 A geocolor image from NOAA's GOES-16 satellite of powerful East Coast storm on Jan. 4, 2018. Credit: NOAA What kinds of weather do people find remarkable, when does that change, and what does that say about the public's perception of climate change? A study led by the University of California, Davis, examined those questions through the lens of more than 2 billion U.S. Twitter posts. The study, published Feb. 25 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, indicates that people have short memories when it comes to what they consider "normal" weather. On average, people base their idea of normal weather on what has happened in just the past two to eight years. This disconnect with the historical climate record may obscure the public's perception of climate change. "There's a risk that we'll quickly normalize conditions we don't want to normalize," said lead author Frances C. Moore, an assistant professor in the UC Davis Department of Environmental Science and Policy. "We are experiencing conditions that are historically extreme, but they might not feel particularly unusual if we tend to forget what happened more than about five years ago." Trending on Twitter To reach their conclusions, the researchers quantified a timeless and universal pastime talking about the weather by analyzing posts on Twitter. They sampled 2.18 billion geolocated tweets created between March 2014 and November 2016 to determine what kind of temperatures generated the most posts about weather. They found that people often tweet when temperatures are unusual for a particular place and time of yeara particularly warm March or unexpectedly freezing winter, for example. However, if the same weather persisted year after year, it generated less comment on Twitter, indicating that people began to view it as normal in a relatively short amount of time. The boiling frog This phenomenon, note the authors, is a classic case of the boiling-frog metaphor: A frog jumps into a pot of boiling hot water and immediately hops out. If, instead, the frog in the pot is slowly warmed to a boiling temperature, it doesn't hop out and is eventually cooked. While scientifically inaccurate, this metaphor has long been used as a cautionary tale warning against normalizing the steadily changing conditions caused by climate change. Sentiment analysis tools, which measure the positive or negative association of words, provided evidence for this "boiling-frog effect." After repeat exposures to historically-extreme temperatures, people tweeted less about the weather specifically, but they still expressed negative sentiments overall. Particularly cold or hot conditions still seemed to make people unhappy and grumpy. "We saw that extreme temperatures still make people miserable, but they stop talking about it," Moore said. "This is a true boiling-frog effect. People seem to be getting used to changes they'd prefer to avoid. But just because they're not talking about it doesn't mean it's not making them worse off." The study's co-authors are Nick Obradovich of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Flavio Lehner from National Center for Atmospheric Research and Patrick Baylis from University of British Columbia. Explore further Weather associated with sentiments expressed on social media More information: Frances C. Moore el al., "Rapidly declining remarkability of temperature anomalies may obscure public perception of climate change," PNAS (2019). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Frances C. Moore el al., "Rapidly declining remarkability of temperature anomalies may obscure public perception of climate change,"(2019). www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1816541116 Wild elephants wreak havoc in Sarlahi district Residents of Ishworpur Municipality in Sarlahi have been living in constant fear of wild elephants in the area. In the past three months, the elephants destroyed more than five dozen houses in Ishworpur Municipality alone and a hundred houses in Sarlahi district. UC Davis doctoral students Cordielyn Goodrich, Andrew Friedrichs and Jasmin McInerney with EPFLs Sebastian Lavanchy and the glider Storm Petrel on the ice beside icebreaker R/V Araon at Jang Bogo Station in Antarcticain January 2019. Credit: Joe Haxel, OSU/NOAA A small group of scientists and doctoral students from the University of California, Davis, recently returned from Antarctica, where they became the first group to collect turbulence measurements from an underwater glider beneath an ice shelf. This multinational collaboration being led by the Korea Polar Research Institute, or KOPRI, was only the second time a glider has been successfully deployed underneath an ice shelf. With this data, scientists will be able to better understand how quickly ice shelves are melting and to make predictions of how these rates will change under future climate scenarios. The glider, named Storm Petrel, is a type of autonomous underwater vehicle equipped with wings. It was deployed under the Nansen ice shelf on Jan. 7 and resurfaced 20 hours later on Jan. 8. Its sensor package allowed scientists to quantify heat and energy flux using a system that, while relatively common in open water, had never been used this way under an ice shelf. "It took us three years of development to get to those 20 hours, and we did it," said principal investigator Alexander Forrest, an assistant professor in the UC Davis College of Engineering, who was unable to join this voyage himself but participated with his team remotely from Davis. "I'm quite happy with the success of the vehicle but particularly with the amazing achievement of our UC Davis students leading the operations." The frozen frontier Sending an underwater glider beneath the ice shelves of Antarctica is not so unlike sending a scientific instrument into space. After careful planning and calculations, off it goes, into the dark, with black-out communications until it resurfaces. In these environments, it either comes back on its own or it doesn't come back at all. While under the ice shelf, the glider did not send any signals back to the team for 20 hours. When it did resurface, the researchers aboard the ship were temporarily disconnected from the internet. This left Forrestalone in Davis and watching for it on his computer screento be the only one to see when it came up and shout "Yes!" Adding to the challenge of operating in this extreme environment, the glider had to be deployed very precisely into a plume of "supercool" watera tricky task Forrest likens to Luke Skywalker's flight through the narrow trenches of the Death Starso it could be piloted up, down, in and out without hitting the ocean's surface or bottom. Fun fact: When water is cooled very slowly it can remain a liquid beyond its freezing point. For this to happen, it has to be so pure that it has no surface on which ice crystals can grow. This is called supercooled water. The scientists were chasing this plume because it indicates the location of meltwater. "We're trying to understand the dynamics of this system and what this plume is doing," Forrest said. "That plume was much higher in the water column in 2019 compared to 2017, which indicates more meltwater may be happening, which is certainly a cause of concern and should be investigated further." Ice shelves, glaciers and sea level rise Sebastien Lavanchy from Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne and Cordielyn Goodrich of UC Davis look over the Cape Wheatstone Cliffs on the Hallett Peninsula from the icebreaker R/V Araon in January 2019. Credit: Jasmin McInerney/UC Davis Ice shelves have always melted, but in an era of warming polar environments, it's now happening faster. Most melting happens where the ice meets the ocean and largely goes unnoticeduntil an ice shelf collapses, an increasingly frequent occurrence over the past decade. Unlike ice shelves, glaciers are land-based. All across polar landscapes, glaciers are advancing, directly contributing to sea level rise. Ice shelves are already part of the ocean, constantly moving from a solid to a liquid state. Ice shelves do not directly make sea level rise, but they serve to buttress the glacial ice on land. When ice shelves fall away, from the Arctic to the Antarctic, this stabilizing effect is lost, freeing glacial ice to accelerate its journey from the land to the ocean. "Changes to the ice surface are sometimes easily identifiable, but it is often difficult to fully understand what changes are happening under the ice," said UC Davis doctoral candidate Jasmin McInerney. "This leads to a lot of speculation unless robotics teams like ours are able to physically reach these locations. With so many consequences of ice shelf disappearance, it's important to get rid of as many unknowns as possible to estimate when this may occur." The Nansen ice shelf is relatively small compared to larger systems such as the Ronne-Filchner, Ross or Thwaites ice shelves. The international team, being led by KOPRI, plans to apply the same techniques developed in this project on the Thwaites ice shelf. Forrest and his team plan to join to continue developing robotic observation tools and techniques. Explore further Underwater robots help predict how and when ice shelves collapse Credit: CC0 Public Domain New research finds that political corruption has a long-term scarring effect on trust in democratic institutions and on voters' behavior and that such an effect differs according to one's age cohort, with first-time voters at the time of corruption revelation still being affected 25 years later. In particular, Bocconi University's Arnstein Aassve, Gianmarco Daniele, and Marco Le Moglie focus on the Italian Clean Hands scandal that, between 1992 and 1994, revealed widespread corruption among Italian politicians. Twenty-three percent of national MPs and a staggering 75% of MPs from the then ruling Christian Democrat and Socialist parties were charged with corruption and the 1994 electoral campaign was centered on this topic. Political corruption, completely missing on Italian TV news up to then, became the most salient topic both in TV news and newspapers (with almost 90% of the front pages covering the scandal in 1993). Using data from Trustlab, an effort coordinated by the OECD to collect nationally representative data of trust and political beliefs in a comparative setting, the scholars find that Italian first-time voters in 1994 were 9% more likely to vote for populist parties in 2018 (according to their self-reported behavior) and recorded lower institutional trust (i.e. trust in parliament, government and civil servants). Their trust in bodies not immediately related to the Clean Hands scandal (police, media, and financial institutions) and their social trust (trust towards other individuals) were unaffected. The effect is stronger for less educated individuals and for people more exposed to TV news in the areas most affected by the corruption scandal. Furthermore, the effect is driven by the 2018 vote for the populist right-wing party Lega, while vote for the left-wing populist party Movimento 5 Stelle is substantially unaffected. "Our study highlights the relevance of an informational political shock when malleability of beliefs and attitudes is higher, both because of the age of the first-time voters and because eligibility to vote entails an unprecedented exposure to politics and political news", says first author Arnstein Aassve, a Full Professor of Demography at Bocconi University. First-time voters at the time of the scandal also report harsher attitudes towards immigrants and refugees in 2018, "suggesting", the scholars write, "a fascinating spill-over effect, whereby the detrimental effects of corruption might not be limited to trust and voting, but they might expend to policies supported by populist parties". Explore further Strong correlation between corruption and electoral success of populist parties More information: Arnstein Aassve et al, Never Forget the First Time: Youth Exposure to Corruption, Institutional Trust and Populist Voting, SSRN Electronic Journal (2018). Arnstein Aassve et al, Never Forget the First Time: Youth Exposure to Corruption, Institutional Trust and Populist Voting,(2018). DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.3280498 Provided by Bocconi University The body of a male Asian elephant was found in a wildlife sanctuary in northeastern Cambodia on Sunday An elephant has been found dead with its tusks and tail sliced off in a wildlife sanctuary in Cambodia, where wild elephant numbers have dwindled to just a few hundred due to poaching and deforestation. The Southeast Asian nation has emerged in recent years as a key transit hub for the multi-billion dollar illicit wildlife trade, with demand for products made from tusks, pangolin scales and rhino horns high in China and neighbouring Vietnam. According to the Mondulkiri Project, an animal rescue NGO, there are about 400 elephants in the wild in Cambodia, and about 50 held in captivity. The body of the male Asian elephant was found on Sunday in a wildlife sanctuary in northeastern Mondulkiri province, said Environment Ministry spokesman Neth Pheaktra. "The elephant's tusks were missing and its tail was also cut off," he told AFP on Monday, adding the animal was killed about 10 days ago. "There was a wound from a gunshot under its right eye," Neth Pheaktra said, adding authorities are still hunting for the poachers. A baby elephant was found dead last year in the same sanctuary when it was caught in a trap set by poachers, he said. The Asian elephant is hunted for its precious tusks, while its tail hair is considered lucky and embedded in rings and bracelets. The demand for the animal parts threatens Cambodia's dwindling elephant population found in the northeast and southwest forests, where illegal logging and deforestation is reducing their habitat. Cambodia's high levels of corruption and lax law enforcement make the country an easy transit point for traffickers facing a crackdown in neighbouring Thailand. In December, Cambodian authorities seized more than one thousand elephant tusks hidden in a storage container sent from Mozambique, the country's largest ever ivory bust. Another significant haul occurred in 2016 when authorities discovered nearly a tonne of ivory hidden in hollowed-out logs inside an abandoned containeralso owned by a company based in Mozambique. Explore further Cambodia seizes record 3-tonne haul of African ivory 2019 AFP A samurai wasp (Trissolcus japonicus) lays an egg inside a brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) egg. The samurai wasp's offspring will develop inside the pest's egg and emerge as an adult wasp. Credit: Warren Wong, Simon Fraser University Thought to be Canada's most promising potential defense against the brown marmorated stink buga globally spreading agricultural pest native to Asiathe samurai wasp (another species from Asia and natural parasitoid of the former) has been considered for future release in the country in recent years. However, prior to any formal decision and regulatory approval, the parasitoid, which is known to be specialized on stink bug eggs, was identified at a heavily infested site in Chilliwack, British Columbia, during a survey of the local enemies of the bug, conducted by a research team led by Dr. Paul Abram of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Their findings are published in the open-access Journal of Hymenoptera Research. Native to China, Japan, Taiwan and the Korean peninsula, the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) has already established in areas of the United States and Europe and continues to spread. It is highly damaging to a wide range of vegetable and fruit crops, including peaches, apples, pears, soybeans, cherries, raspberries and pears. Curiously, those infested areas in both the USA and Europe also saw the arrival of the samurai wasp (Trissolcus japonicus) amid assessments whether releasing samurai wasps in the wild should be warranted. "Classical (importation) biological control of invasive pests, where natural enemies are imported and intentionally introduced from a pest's area of origin, involves years of research to assess risks and benefits of proposed introductions, followed by regulatory approval," explain the researchers in their paper. "However, there is increasing recognition that unintentional introductions of natural enemies are probably common, introducing a high level of uncertainty to the regulatory process for biological control introductions." Female samurai wasp (Trissolcus japonicus) collected from Chilliwack, British Columbia. Credit: Elijah Talamas In two consecutive years (2017 and 2018), the team of Dr. Abram placed a total of 1,496 egg masses (41,351 eggs) of brown marmorated stink bugs at 16 field sites in coastal and interior British Columbiaalready known to host large and well-established breeding populations of the speciesin order to monitor and identify the local enemies of the pest. Later on, when the researchers retrieved the eggs and studied their parasitoids, they found three native wasp species, but their parasitism appeared largely unsuccessful. According to the scientists, as well as previous studies conducted in both the USA and Europe, native wasps would often lay their eggs in those of the brown marmorated stink bug, but their larvae would rarely complete development. Even when they emerged, they were unlikely to produce their own offspring. In one of the egg masses, however, the scientists noted that all eggs had been parasitized and, moreover, each produced a viable wasp. Later, the offspring would register a success of >90% in parasitizing brown marmorated stink bug eggs. Following these observations, the team identified these parasitoids as samurai wasps. While the species is currently being redistributed within some US states on purpose, samurai wasp populations advancing to other localities suggest that much like its host, the parasitoid is also becoming a "global invader". Therefore, it is quite possible that the samurai wasps in British Columbia have simply crossed a distance of >400 km from nearby Washington State, and the wasp is still at the early stages of its establishment in Canada. "Nonetheless, the detection of this exotic biological control agent in Canada concurrently with regulatory review of its intentional importation and release is emblematic of the current uncertainty around regulatory control on the movement of biological control agents across borders," comment the authors of the study. Field surveys and extensive analyses are currently underway to track the establishment and biological control impact of the samurai wasp in Canada and also reveal how the species ended up in British Columbia. Explore further Europe's first samurai wasps found in stink bug eggs More information: Paul K. Abram et al, First detection of the samurai wasp, Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae), in Canada, Journal of Hymenoptera Research (2019). Journal information: Journal of Hymenoptera Research Paul K. Abram et al, First detection of the samurai wasp, Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae), in Canada,(2019). DOI: 10.3897/jhr.68.32203 When Pennsylvania ground beetles are not defending themselves they are friends of agriculture, consuming up to their body weight daily, eating pests such as aphids, moth and beetle larvae, as well as slugs and snails. They can spray their defensive chemicals a distance multiple times their body length. Credit: Nick Sloff, Penn State Carabid beetles produce caustic chemicals they spray to defend themselves against predators, and the compound that protects their bodies from these toxic substances shows promise for use in bioengineering or biomedical applications, according to Penn State researchers. The family Carabidae represents an extremely diverse line of insects, with almost 40,000 species. One of the traits that allows them to thrive is a unique gland system. It manufactures, stores and propels toxic chemicalssuch as formic acid, phenolics and concentrated hydrogen peroxideto ward off insect, amphibian and even small mammalian predators that want to eat the beetles. Located in the abdomen, the pygidial glands consist of defensive-chemical-producing lobes, which are connected to a muscularized reservoir chamber via a long collecting duct. In most carabid beetles, this reservoir opens with a duct at the tip of the abdomen. The tissues that comprise the gland system and contain the defensive chemicals have long been a mystery to entomologists. "We had no idea what these tissues were made of," said Tanya Renner, assistant professor of entomology, whose research group in the College of Agricultural Sciences recently discovered that the elastomeric protein resilin allowed carabid beetles to be the chemists of the insect world. "They produce more than 250 different compounds to protect themselves." No previous studies suggested how the insects are able to avoid damage to gland components caused by potential stress generated from reservoir-pump contractions or the corrosive effects of the defensive chemicals they contain. However, using an investigative process pioneered in previous Penn State entomological researchautofluorescence-based laser scanning microscopyresearchers found the answer. Using this method, during which tissues emit different wavelengths of light depending upon their contents, the researchers closely examined Pennsylvania ground beetles. They found the tissues in the glandular system transporting the defensive chemicals to be rich in soft, rubbery resilin, a compound found in many insects and other arthropods. Resilin provides elasticity to mechanically active tissues such as flea leg joints or locust wing-hinges. But resilin was not previously known to be in beetle glandular systems. The beetles can spray their pygidial gland contents a distance many times their body length, noted lead researcher Adam Rork, doctoral student in entomology. When Pennsylvania ground beetles are not defending themselves they are friends of agriculture, consuming up to their body weight daily, eating pests such as aphids, moth and beetle larvae, as well as slugs and snails. The Pygidial gland secretory lobes of a Pennsylvania ground beetle, greatly enlarged through the confocal laser scanning microscopy. The glandular spheres (yellow) are where defensive chemicals are synthesized, which are subsequently transported to a reservoir chamber via a resilin-rich collecting duct (blue). Credit: Adam Rork / Penn State Rork collected ground beetles for the studythe findings of which were published today (Feb. 25) in Arthropod Structure & Developmentfrom agricultural fields a few miles from Penn State's University Park campus. He dissected the insects and prepared the abdominal tissues for scanning at the Penn State Microscopy and Cytometry Facility. He suggested that carabid beetle pygidial glandsrich in resilinare a key innovation and evolutionary adaptation that has allowed one of the animal kingdom's largest families to survive through the ages. "While much work has been done to describe the morphology of these glands in many subfamilies, there has been little work done on their tissue composition," he said. "Our findings are crucial to understanding not only how these structures evolved, but also how they withstand the stress of containing and ejecting cytotoxic chemicals." Beyond advancing the understanding of insect tissues' composition, Renner believes resilin is a compound that is likely to be used in future bioengineering and biomedical applications due to its unusual properties. She explained that there is currently interest among scientists in the compounds that insects and spiders produce because these structures have evolved and proven they are strong enough to hold up in the real world. "They persist and are often better than synthetics," she said. "Since it is impermeable, highly resistant to chemicals and flexible, resilin appears to be a strong candidate for a barrier material in applications where we need to keep two different chemicals away from each other but within the same environment." Another potential use is in tissue engineering, Rork added. Resilin has many similarities with elastin, a protein found in human bodies, and could be used to design new tissue for people with degenerative diseases or injuries. This research was made possible by the Penn State Microscopy and Cytometry Facility, Renner said, which offers easy access and training for students to sophisticated instruments. "It's not just the infrastructure but the staff there available to students that is so unusualthat's what makes Penn State entomology so special." Explore further Insect-inspired super rubber moves toward practical uses in medicine More information: Adam M. Rork et al, Pygidial glands of Harpalus pensylvanicus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) contain resilin-rich structures, Arthropod Structure & Development (2019). Adam M. Rork et al, Pygidial glands of Harpalus pensylvanicus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) contain resilin-rich structures,(2019). DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2018.12.004 Linguist and researcher Jeroen Willemsen is recording a story told by a Reta speaking man as part of his field work in Indonesia. Credit: Jeroen Willemsen In a recent article here at ScienceNordic & Forskerzonen, we argued that this year's U.N. initiative International Year of Indigenous Languages is urgently needed in light of the global decline of minority and indigenous languages. In this article, we will delve into how and why we study these languages. Besides the human rights aspect of language extinction explained in the previous article, linguists are generally also concerned with the very loss of languages themselves. This is because we study languages in a scientific fashion, just like animals, fungi, neutrons and tectonic plates are studied by other scientists. Language is an everyday miracle Language is in fact a remarkable phenomenon: by producing sequences of sounds with your mouth (or by using gestures in the case of sign languages), you can declare your love for someone, explain quantum theory or order a drone strike. Language is an everyday miracle, as the Danish linguist Hans Arndt called it, and this miracle is exclusive to humans: while some animals like whales, chimps and bees exhibit a fairly complex form of communication, no bee will ever be able to signal to another bee that a movie they saw yesterday didn't quite live up to their expectations. Only humans do this, and -barring physiological disorders- all humans do this. Linguists study why we have language, how language works, what the limits of linguistic variation are and how language develops. If linguists are to advance our collective knowledge of language as a uniquely human phenomenon, we need to learn about as many languages as possible. You can never get a good understanding of what language actually is if you only compare a handful of them. If we based everything we know about language on, say, English, Danish, and German, we would miss so many insights about the structural flexibility and diversity of language as a global phenomenon. Specific languages reveal the working of human language Languages differ immensely across countries and cultures, but they also show remarkable similarities and display traits that correlate with each other. If, for instance, in a particular language the direct object comes after the verb (such in English 'I ate the fish'), this language will most likely also have prepositions (after, in, to, on, with etc.) which are placed before a noun. But if in a language the direct object comes before the verb (such in Reta nang 'aab 'anga kede, literally 'I the fish ate'), the language will probably have "postpositions". These have the same function as prepositions, but are placed after the noun rather than before it. This is what is called a correlation in word order. In those same languages, where the direct object comes before the verb (like Latin, Turkish or Reta) the verb is the final part of the sentence. So-called verb-final languages not only often have postpositions, but they also tend to have case marking. Case marking is a grammatical system where you use elements like prefixes and suffixes on the noun to say something about its grammatical role. For example in Latin 'star' is stella if it is the subject (e.g. the star is bright), stellam if it is the object (e.g. I saw the star), and stellae if it is the genitive (e.g. the light of a star). Presumably, verb-final languages do this for reasons of efficiency: because the first two elements of the sentence are nouns, you provide more information about what is going on in the sentence much faster. Likewise, there are languages where the verb is the first element of the sentence, such as Berber, Mayan and Salish. In these so-called verb-initial languages, the verbs tend to be have many prefixes and suffixes, such un- and -ed in un-pack-ed in English. And in those languages the suffixes can even tell you something about who did what in the sentence, such as who is the subject and who is the object. They do this for similar reasons: if the verb is the first element you utter, you convey more information early in the sentence if this verb contains more information. This in itself may seem rather basic, but when you correlate many of those traits, this allows you to construct theories about the workings of human language. And to do this, we need information about as many languages as possible. Bird's-eye view of the world's languages at the click of a mouse Thanks to the documentation of indigenous languages, the 21 st century has witnessed a veritable boom in the development of massive databases holding this type of information about the world's languages. The World Atlas of Language Structures (WALS) is a large database of linguistic properties pertaining to sounds, grammar and words that were gathered from descriptive materials, such as reference grammars. It contains information on 192 linguistic features across some 2,680 languages, allowing us to take a world-wide view of language. There are still children growing up as Reta speaking - but different mechanisms in society can make the language gradually disappear. Credit: Jeroen Willemsen It also allows us to see whether the languages we speak or study are comparable to most other languages in the world based on a set of parameters. For instance, Danish word order is predominantly subject-verb-object (SVO). A quick search in WALS reveals that 35.5 percent of the languages in the database also have this. On the other hand, only in 8.7 percent of them do sentences start with a verb, so languages like Berber, Mayan and Salish are more unusual in that respect. That said, 41 percent of the languages surveyed in WALS have subject-object-verb order, like Latin and Turkish, so the Danish pattern is cross-linguistically not the most common pattern either. WALS is of course not perfect: it necessarily simplifies facts about many languages, and also contains occasional misinterpretations. But it allows us to take a bird's-eye view of the world's languages at the click of a mouse, and the development of these types of tools are of crucial importance to linguistics as a science. Languages tell us about human history It is clear that documentation of indigenous languages is important for linguistic theory, especially since modern-day advantages allow us to conduct comparative studies on such a large scale. However, it is not just linguistic theory for which the collection of cross-linguistic data is important. Another major goal for linguistics is to learn about human history in general. Learning about what language our ancestors spoke, what words they used and how their language developed, can tell us a lot about their culture, history and prehistoric migrations. We can compare word forms in related extant languages and reconstruct the word forms of the proto-language in terms of how it sounded and what words were part of the vocabulary. This can then tell us a lot about human history: we are often able to determine the urheimat or homeland of such a proto-language, from where people starting migrating and forming offshoot communities elsewhere, with decent accuracy. And if all direct daughter languages that descend from it have a similar-sounding word for, say, 'to milk', we know it is quite likely that they herded cattle, too. Linguists can do a lot today but data is lacking As much as languages can teach us about human history, ideally we combine linguistic research with research from other disciplines, like genetic studies and archaeology. For instance, mainstream historical linguistics has proposed the Pontic-Caspian steppes to the north of the Black Sea as the Indo-European urheimat, and this is also corroborated by genetic studies and archaeological studies. This kind of interdisciplinary research has made its way into Denmark as well: in Copenhagen, Eske Willerslev and colleagues have made waves by triangulating genetic, archeological, and linguistic data in order to shed light on prehistorical population movements in Europe. Exciting as this research is, and as much as we are currently advancing, the truth of the matter is that data is severely lacking for languages in most parts of the world. Of all 7,000 languages in the world, only some 2,000 have been described in any kind of detail. So while we can construct reasonable hypothesis about the history of Indo-European languages and their speakers, we simply lack the data for smaller and lesser-known language families. Loss of languages, loss of knowledge Yet another reason to document indigenous languages is what languages are actually used for by their speaker community. There is a wealth of knowledge to be found in oral history, traditional poetry, myths and sagas, not to mention indigenous knowledge about flora and fauna. For instance, one of us (Jeroen Willemsen) has recorded, transcribed and translated some 50,000 words worth of Reta stories, words and phrases, which includes a local genesis story, tales of tribal wars and migrations, highly symbolic ritual speech, and indigenous botanic knowledge. Had this not been done, there is a good chance this knowledge would have died with the eventual last Reta-speaker. An African proverb states that when an old man dies, a library burns to the ground. The same can be said about when a language dies: every language makes sense of the world in its own way, and we lose a wealth of knowledge whenever the last speaker of a language passes away. When a language is gone, it's gone While linguists are currently working hard to gather as much information as possible, languages are dying out at an unprecedented rate. Unesco's Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger lists some 3,000 languages as endangered, 576 languages critically so. And to make matters worse, if a language disappears, there are no remnants such as those that can be analysed by archaeologists and geneticists (e.g. human artefacts, carbon, DNA). When a language is gone, it's gone. And sadly, thousands of the world's languages have either been documented poorly or not at all. Language databases: The linguist's work tool Besides WALS, other databases are also constantly being built in order to cast new and exciting light on language as a phenomenon. PHOIBLE, for instance, is a database for the sound systems of the world's languages (this is an area where Danish is bit more exotic - depending on the linguist you ask, Danish has the highest number of vowels in the world). Glottolog catalogues languages and language families including sources and references. The Atlas of Pidgin and Creole Language Structures (APiCS) is a database for linguistic traits of pidgin and creole languages. D-PLACE contains a wealth of linguistic, cultural, and environmental data. Explore further Scientific assessment of endangered languages produces mixed results This story is republished courtesy of ScienceNordic, the trusted source for English-language science news from the Nordic countries. Read the original story here. An illustration of what happens to the ion crystal when it is EIT cooled. For simplicity, only the ions in the centre row of the crystal are shown, but one should imagine an ion at every intersection in the lattice. Initially, the crystal is bending up and down like a vibrating drumhead. This is one example of a drumhead mode. Then, the researchers apply the cooling lasers (red lines). Due to the alignment of the lasers, the direction of the cooling is perpendicular to the crystal plane, parallel to the direction of the drumhead motion. After the cooling the amplitude of the drumhead motion of the crystal is very small and in the figure it is depicted as nearly flat. Credit: Jordan et al. Researchers have been trying to cool macroscopic mechanical oscillators down to their ground state for several decades. Nonetheless, past studies have merely attained the cooling of a few selected vibrational modes of such oscillators. A team of researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Colorado Boulder has recently carried out a study investigating the near ground-state cooling of two-dimensional (2-D) trapped-ion crystals with over 100 ions. The success of their cooling experiment lays the groundwork for improved quantum simulations and sensing with 2-D arrays of hundreds of ions trapped inside a Penning trap. Penning traps are devices that can store charged particles by applying a strong magnetic field. These devices can control crystals of tens to hundreds of ions, a quality that makes them versatile quantum simulators. In their study, the researchers at NIST and UC Boulder succeeded in cooling all the 'drumhead' modes of a thin 2-D crystal with over 150 beryllium (Be+) ions, stored inside a Penning trap. "We used Doppler laser cooling to cool the ions close to the Doppler cooling limit. At these low temperatures, the ions naturally form a Coulomb crystal," Elena Jordan, one of the researchers who carried out the study, told Phys.org. "A crystal with N ions has 3N motional modes. The 2N modes are in the crystal plane and look like whirls or distortions, N modes are perpendicular to the crystal plane and look like drumhead modes. For quantum simulations, we couple these drumhead modes to the ions' spins." The researchers observed that dropping the temperature of drumhead modes below the Doppler limit could enhance quantum simulations of 2-D spin models. They hence set out to implement an efficient sub-Doppler cooling technique, which would allow them to cool the ions to the lowest possible temperature. "Recently, Regina Lechner et al. at the University of Innsbruck, Austria, cooled linear strings of 18 ions with electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) cooling," Jordan said. "This encouraged us to think about applying this technique to two dimensional systems with hundreds of ions." Inspired by past research carried out at the University of Innsbruck, Jordan and her colleagues Athreya Shankar, Arghavan Safavi-Naini and Murray Holland at JILA begun to theoretically study the possibility of EIT cooling all the drumhead modes of a 2-D ion crystal that is rotating inside a Penning trap. They soon found out that existing theory was insufficient to describe the cooling process of this system and thus begun developing new models. "Athreya developed new theory models and ran simulations that showed that cooling of all the drumhead modes should be possible without changing the experimental parameters for the cooling, that means that no frequency shifts or laser power variations should be required," Jordan explained. "Surprisingly, theory predicts that cooling of a multi-ions crystal should be faster than cooling of a single ion. Our results encouraged us to implement EIT cooling and the experiments later showed that the cooling not only works very well in the simulations, but also in our real Penning trap." The experiment outlined in the study was carried out by Jordan alongside her colleagues Kevin Gilmore, Justin Bohnet and John Bollinger, in their lab at NIST. Beryllium ions were confined along the axis of their Penning trap by a static electric field, as well as by a strong magnetic field (4.5 T), parallel to the trap axis. The ions' motion in the magnetic field leads to a Lorentz force, causing the ions to rotate in the trap, while remaining radially confined. "For EIT cooling, we used two lasers to couple the atomic states in Beryllium in a way that leads to quantum interference and creates a so called 'dark state' that does not couple to the lasers and can be used for EIT cooling," Jordan explained. "The two beams come in from the side at an angle of 10 degrees with respect to the crystal plane." A cut through the Penning trap used by the researchers, with laser beams for cooling and temperature measurement. Credit: Jordan et al. The rotation of ions in the Penning trap causes a time varying Doppler shift of the laser frequencies. To attain efficient cooling despite this Doppler shift, the researchers detuned the lasers from the atomic resonance larger than the maximal Doppler shift and adjusted the laser powers so that the EIT cooling condition could be fulfilled. They measured the temperature of the ions using an additional pair of laser beams, which coupled the spins of the ions to their drumhead motion. This coupling leads to a spin de-phasing signal that can be measured and used to extract the ions' temperature. "After 200 micro seconds of EIT cooling all the drumhead modes of the ion crystal are cooled close to the ground state, as we can see by comparing the experimental data to the theory model," Jordan said. "The cooling is as efficient as the theory predicted and cooling of all the drumhead modes is achieved without changing the experimental parameters." The experiment carried out by Jordan and her colleagues yielded remarkable results, confirming their theoretical predictions. The cooling rate measured by them was faster than that predicted by single particle theory, but was consistent with a quantum many-body calculation. "The results of our study are important from both a fundamental as well as practical viewpoint," Athreya Shankar, another researcher involved in the study, told Phys.org. "From a fundamental perspective, cooling mechanical oscillators close to their quantum ground state has been actively pursued for three decades now. While several experiments have succeeded in cooling one or a few motional modes close to the ground state, simultaneously cooling many modes of a medium or large sized oscillator has remained a challenge. By cooling all the drumhead modes of large ion crystals close to their quantum ground state, we have prepared a mesoscopic trapped ion oscillator whose motion has been nearly frozen to the extent fundamentally allowed by quantum mechanics." According to Athreya, the study carried out by him and his colleagues could also have important practical implications. EIT cooling turns their trapped ion crystal into an improved platform for quantum simulations and sensing, significantly reducing the background thermal motion that typically hinders the performance of science protocols. "The success of our experiment shows that EIT cooling is a robust technique that is not just limited to one or a few ions in a trap," Athreya explained. "The success of the technique with hundreds of ions in a challenging setting like the Penning trap is an encouraging indication that large ion crystals in other trapped ion experiments could also possibly be efficiently cooled and used for probing fundamental and many-body quantum physics." The researchers are currently working on using their ion crystal as a sensitive detector for electric fields. Very weak electric fields can be produced by some dark matter candidates, such as hidden photons and axions, hence their apparatus could aid in the search for dark matter. "We will also get back to engineering interactions between our ions to simulate complicated physics in the lab that is difficult or impossible to model on a classical (non-quantum) computerso-called 'quantum simulation'," Gilmore told Phys.org. "In both pursuits, EIT cooling will play an important role for us. For the electric field sensing experiment we use the motion of the ions caused by the electric forces exerted on them to make our measurement." Ions have thermal motion, which depends on their temperature, and this can be a source of noise in experiments. The researchers found that EIT cooling can reduce this background signal caused by thermal motion, enhancing and simplifying measurements. In a prior study, the researchers successfully detected weak electric fields using a method similar to that used for their temperature measurement. In the future, the same apparatus could be used to detect even weaker electric fields, as well as potentially to search for new physics. "Quantum simulation style experiments also benefit from this reduced thermal noise," Gilmore explained. "Such experiments rely on producing fragile quantum correlations, or links, between the ions. These links can be disrupted or destroyed by thermal motion, which degrades the quality of the simulation. So again, getting to lower temperatures is helpful." Explore further Physicists 'flash-freeze' crystal of 150 ions 2019 Science X Network Scientists are beginning to understand how discrepancies between genomes translate to individual differences within a species. Credit: Mike Weber via WikiCommons. CC BY-SA 2.0 Study reveals how genetic background influences trait inheritance laying the grounds for predicting personal risk of disease. Almost every family has a hard-drinking, bacon-loving, exercise-averse relative who despite all odds lived happily to a ripe old age while another perished before their time despite being mindful about their health. Looking at their genomes, it would be impossible to tell who's the lucky one. This is because of genetic backgroundcountless and mostly subtle differences in the genomes of any two people, which affect gene function in ways scientists don't yet understand. A new study led by investigators Brenda Andrews and Charles Boone, professors at the University of Toronto's Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research begins to unpick how genetic background shapes the differences between members of the same species. Andrews is also Director of the Centre and both are professors in the U of T's Department of Molecular Genetics and are Senior Fellows of the Genetic Networks program at the Canadian Institute for Advancement of Research. Boone is also a co-Director of the same CIFAR program. The team also included Gerry Fink, professor of genetics at MIT and member of the Whitehead Institute. Their findings are published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. "Genetic background confounds our ability to interpret the information stored in an individual genome," says Andrews. It also makes it hard for physicians to predict disease severity in relatively straightforward cases where a disease-causing gene is well known. Two people carrying a same mutation that causes cystic fibrosis, an inherited lung disorder, can develop a mild and a severe form of disease due to the differences between their genetic backgrounds. With 3 million differences in the DNA code between any two people, the study of genetic background effects in humans is still a daunting prospect. But scientists are beginning to make headway by looking at simpler organisms such as yeast. "Genetic background has the power to make the original phenotype (a physical outcome of gene function) less or more severe," says Jing Hou, a postdoctoral fellow in the lab who spearheaded the study. This is true for human diseases and it is also true in yeast which is a very good model to study this." This is because the yeast genome is smaller than human and therefore easier to study. To begin to unpick the genetic background effects, Hou compared how gene mutations manifest themselves in two closely related yeast strains, S288c and sigma1278b, SC and from here, respectively. The two strains are 0.2 per cent different at the DNA level, which is about the same amount of genetic diversity between any two people. In an earlier work, the Boone and Andrews labs, in collaboration with Fink's group, established that mutations in 57 genes, about one percent of all yeast genes, have different outcomes between SC and Sigma, causing cell death in either one or the other strain, but not both. These genes are called "conditional lethals" and whether or not a cell needs them depends on other, so-called modifier genes. But which ones? By mating the two strains, Hou was able to identify these modifier genes thanks to their ability to mask the damaging mutations and rescue survival of the hybrid progeny. Hou found that while most conditional lethal genes have multiple modifiers, whose effects are more complex and harder to establish, some have only one modifier and are easier to study. This is the case with CYS3 and CYS4 genes, which help make cysteine, an essential amino acid. Both CYS3 and CYS4 are conditionally lethal in Sigma, but not in the SC strain, which means that Sigma cells die when either gene is missing. Hou discovered that this is thanks to a single modifier gene called OPT1, which works downstream from the CYS genes and can compensate for their loss in the SC strain. Sigma cells happen to carry a mutation in the OPT1 gene and this makes them fully reliant on the CYS genes to produce cysteine. In another experiment, Hou looked across 20 different yeast strains, from about 1000 naturally found isolates whose genomes have been sequenced. She found a different modifier of the CYS genes in another strain used in the making of Japanese rice wine sake. With all this information, Hou was able to scan the genomes of all 1000 yeast isolates and accurately guessed which other strains will act like Sigma or the Sake yeast and be completely reliant on the CYS genes to survive. This is similar to being able to single out, from 1000 patients with the same genetic disorder, those individuals who have a higher chance of developing a more severe form of disease. Being able to predict a biological outcome from genome sequence alone is one of the goals of precision medicine and this early work in yeast raises hopes that similar studies will be possible for human cells. "Just based on sequence and the knowledge of this pathway we could predict gene essentiality across the whole species," says Hou. "I think we will be able to predict human risk of disease if we have good enough knowledge of how genes work together in pathways." The studies of human gene interactions are only just beginning, however. For Hou, the yeast work continues and on a much bigger scale. With Guihong Tan, a research associate in the lab, she is working to identify all the genes across 200 isolates whose effects are modified by the genetic background. Tan thinks this number will be 800 genes, but Hou is more conservative in her estimate. "I think we'll find about 200," she says. It's an uncharted territory and the bets are on, with a bottle of champage as prize that Hou hopes to pop once they collect all the data. Explore further Genetic mutations thwart scientific efforts to fully predict our future Credit: Heriot-Watt University A tent made from experimental eco-materials has been taken to one of the harshest climates in the world to test its endurance. The tent is made from space blanket materials, re-cycled yacht sails and plastic bottles and will be tested in the extreme temperatures including 200mph biting winds of Antarctica. And the research could also impact on the future design of buildings in Scotland. Heriot-Watt Emeritus Professor, Sue Roaf has been working with the Universities of Lisbon and Bahrain on the part of the Polar Lodge Project and is currently on-site in the South Pole with ProPolar expeditionary teams. Professor Sue Roaf said: "We have taken the best of the traditional wisdom of an Asian yurt, then optimised its form with racing-yacht hull design modelling and experimented with some amazing new materials to lighten the tent and significantly improve its performance. "This is exciting research that could impact even the design of buildings around us in Scotland." The traditional yurt style tent is lined with space blankets with an outer weather skin of Dyneema made from re-cycled racing yacht sails. The thermal flooring is of cork and plastic bottle carpets and underlays from WeaverGreen with solar lighting inside. Designed to be very light to carry, easy to erect and to keep occupants thermally safe in such extreme conditions, the tent is designed to be used for temporary research and expeditions. It can also be used as an emergency shelter in extremely cold regions of the world. Professor Guedes, who leads the project is clear that it builds on the urgent need to explore new ways of making shelters and buildings perform safely in the world's increasingly extreme weather. He said: "The lessons were are learning not only relate to light weight, portable, temporary shelters but to the design of truly resilient architecture as well." The academics hope their research will inform a new generation of resilient tents and buildings in extreme climates and they will next tackle the development of the Desert Lodge to be tested in the Empty Quarter of Saudi Arabia. The team are currently staying at Chilean Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva research base, using the same Collin's Harbour site to erect and test the tent on. Detailed measurements will be taken and the structure will be monitored for 12 months. The initial results of the expedition will be presented at the International Extreme Comfort Conference to be held at Heriot Watt University in Dubai between 10-14 April 2019. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Earthquake early warnings can come as false alarmsbut it's better to be safer than sorry, researchers concluded in a new study. Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Southern California and the California Institute of Technology worked on a research project to determine the limits of the accuracy of seismic warnings. They conducted a statistical simulation to determine what strategy would be the best to save lives and protect the economyis it better to get more warnings but also more false alarms? Or is it better not to receive an alert unless it's certain there will be shaking, even though that might cause you to miss a warning? People might have their own answers. But the scientists decided to take a different tack to address the dilemma: math. In research detailed in the journal Scientific Reports, the scientists simulated tens of millions of hypothetical earthquakes in California. They imagined how forecasts made by an earthquake early warning system would compare with how shaking might be felt. First, they found no way to have an earthquake early warning system that is 100 percent accurate. It's scientifically impossible. Earthquakes that produce the same amount of overall energythose that have the same magnitudecan produce much different shaking. Shaking may feel different depending on whether the energy is aimed toward or away from you. One earthquake could produce intense shaking for a short time; another of the same magnitude could shake slower, resulting in a less severe roll. And the earth's movement could feel less intense on solid bedrock but worse on soft soil. Second, the scientists calculated that any particular California location had the chance of feeling an earthquakea minimum of light shakingjust twice in a decade. Their key finding: An early warning system that gives you an excellent chance of being alerted to those twice-in-a-decade earthquakes will likely deliver four warnings that turn out to be false in that same time. "It's a small price to pay if you're talking about something where there's a lot of benefit to be had," said research geophysicist Sarah Minson. For example, a potentially deadly derailment could be avoided by slowing a train before the predicted shaking will arrive, said Minson, lead author of the study. On the other hand, if your priority is that any warnings you receive are almost certain to precede shaking, you're far more likely to get no warning at all. For some, the choice will be obvious. There are costs to inaction before a big earthquake: You don't drop, cover and hold on and an unstrapped bookcase tips over and flattens you. A dentist is unable to remove the drill from a patient's mouth before to the shaking. A butcher doesn't have the chance to move away from the deli slicer. Power company workers aren't warned in time to hang on to a utility pole. In those cases, it's an easy call to choose an early warning even if it means no shaking comes. When shaking is relatively light, seconds of warning still may provide a sense of comfort for some. There are situations in which it may not be prudent to act on a seismic warning, given the high cost of action during a false alarm. Starting an emergency shutdown at a nuclear power plant when an alarm sounds probably doesn't make economic sense "because an emergency shutdown costs more than $250 million, not including other costs such as the resulting decrease in the lifetime of the reactor," the study said. Seismic warnings can be difficult to calculate because earthquakes all start the sametiny. Although many stay small, a few do end up being monsters. Consider the hypothetical example of an earthquake that begins moving along the San Andreas fault near Eureka and heads toward San Francisco, about 200 miles south. Four seconds after the shaking begins, the earthquake is measured at magnitude 6. If the quake stopped there, San Francisco likely wouldn't feel a thing. But if the quake lasts at least 20 seconds or so, becoming a magnitude 7, San Francisco could feel at least light shaking and would have maybe 48 seconds to prepare for it, Minson said. But say someone wanted to get a warning for only very strong shaking in San Francisco. That kind of quake would have to last at least 67 seconds, meaning it has produced enough energy that it has become a magnitude 7.7 earthquake. Waiting for that level of certainty and severity before an alert is sent would give San Francisco only eight seconds to prepare. The USGS has been building an earthquake early warning system on the West Coast for years, and the system is most advanced in the urban areas of California, particularly in the Los Angeles region and San Francisco Bay Area. After an influx of federal and state funding, officials hope that by 2021 all 1,115 seismic sensor stations intended for California will be online. The study was co-authored by Annemarie Baltay, Elizabeth Cochran, Thomas Hanks, Morgan Page, and Sara McBride of the USGS, Kevin Milner of USC, and Men-Andrin Meier of Caltech. Explore further California gets funds for quake warning system 2019 Los Angeles Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Two women raped in Saptari district In the latest incidents of unchecked sexual violence in Saptari district, two women were raped in Rupani and Kanchanrup on Friday and Saturday. Dr James Hunt, agronomist, La Trobe University. Credit: La Trobe University New findings from research by La Trobe University and CSIRO made possible with GRDC investment could lead to a significant increase in the Australian wheat crop yieldadding potentially around $1.8 billion to the national economy and improving global food security. Published today in Nature Climate Change, the research has found that Australian wheat crop yields could be substantially increased by early sowing of winter wheatsdespite recent declines in autumn rainfall caused by climate change. The time at which grain crops flower is critical to yield and lead La Trobe researcher Dr. James Hunt said that a sharp decline in autumn rainfall in south eastern Australia since the 1990s has led to a significant reduction in wheat crop yields, in part because the crops are being established and flowering too late. "A combination of less reliable season opening rains and hot and dry springs has led to a stagnation in national wheat crop yields," Dr. Hunt said. "The approach Australian growers have used for more than a centuryof sowing spring wheats sometime in late May or June following autumn rains is no longer reliable. Growers have been able to increase yields by pushing sowing into a narrow window in early Maybut this is getting harder to achieve." For the past seven years, the research team has been investigating alternatives to the sowing of spring wheats in May and has discovered that sowing winter wheats from March increases the window of opportunity for sowing because it potentially uses stored soil water from summer rains, which haven't declined and have increased in some areas. "We needed to find a genotype of wheat in which development is slowed so that sowing could be moved earlier but flowering still occur during the optimal window," Dr. Hunt said. "This needed to be slowed either by slower flowering caused by short days (photoperiod) or through the need to experience cold winter weather (vernalisation)." The research team used almost genetically identical (near-isogenic) lines of wheat developed by Dr. Ben Trevaskis at CSIRO that varied in vernalisation and photoperiod sensitivity to evaluate the yield performance at sowing times much earlier than previously researched. They discovered that one of the wheat lines, never widely used or tested before in Australia, has a novel 'fast' winter development pattern. "Winter wheats are mostly grown in high latitude environments with very cold winters such as northern Europe and are too slow for Australian conditions," Dr. Hunt said. "However, we found that in the Mediterranean environments of the southern and western wheat belt, where most of the wheat in Australia is grown, the fast winter line sown early (up to 40 days earlier than traditional sowing times) could yield as well as or better than the fast spring sown at its optimal time. "And in the temperate regions of south eastern Australia, a mid-winter line (development slowed by both vernalisation and photoperiod) sown up to 40 days earlier yielded as well as the fast spring sown at its optimal time." The research team then used crop simulation to estimate what growers adopting one of these lines might mean for farm yields. "We found that national yields could increase by 0.54 tonnes per hectare, which is about 20 per cent of the current national yield," Dr. Hunt said. "This would produce an additional 7.1 million tonnes of wheat worth up to $1.8 billion to the national economy. "If appropriate winter cultivars can be bred for Australian growers, farm yields will be increased with little additional investment by growers required. CSIRO Chief Research Scientist Dr. John Kirkegaard said the research by Dr. Hunt and the CSIRO team is a remarkable example of multidisciplinary crop genetics and agronomy teams working together to drive productivity gains on-farm in the face of a changing climate. "Further gains are likely as ongoing research optimises the approach regionally, and it moves into other crops," Dr. Kirkegaard said. The next step is in breeding appropriate winter cultivars and making them available to growers. As a result of this research, a number of cultivars have been developed by commercial breeding companies and are under evaluation in trials across lower rainfall areas of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. Andrew Etherton, GRDC Manager, Farming Systems and AgronomySouthern Region can see the agronomic advantages of incorporating these optimised cultivars in to current systems. "The outcomes from this research conducted in the lower rainfall zones will deliver new wheat varieties to growers in these regions, providing different phenology options, allowing timely seeding and matching of plant flowering times to maximise yield potentials." Explore further Sowing mainstream wheat varieties too early can risk yield More information: Early sowing systems can boost Australian wheat yields despite recent climate change, Nature Climate Change (2019). www.nature.com/articles/s41558-019-0417-9 Journal information: Nature Climate Change Early sowing systems can boost Australian wheat yields despite recent climate change,(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41558-019-0417-9 The 32 agricultural system variables shared across research, policy, and practice in Europe. Variables were identified from an initial set of >800 indicators and condensed to 239 unique variables across perspectives, based on 69 peer-reviewed articles from research, 5 policies, and 7 agricultural sustainability assessment tools from practice. Each variable was then classified according to the environmental and social domains and categories of agricultural system components described by Winkler et al. 2018 (grey boxes on left) and their functional role in the system as a driver, management choice, or outcome (top). Credit: Murray Scown Agriculture is critical to achieving many Sustainable Development Goals. New research from Lund University shows that researchers, policymakers, and farmers in Europe currently have different, often conflicting, priorities for sustainable agriculture. The researchers propose a way forward built on shared priorities. "We identified precisely where the major gaps between research, policy, and practice are in terms of observable and measurable variables in sustainable agriculture. This built on previous findings that showed that gaps existed, but not where", says Murray Scown, researcher at Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies. In the study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), Scown and his colleagues Klara Winkler and Kimberly Nicholas analysed the priorities given to 239 social and environmental variables potentially important for sustainable agriculture. They were identified on the basis of 69 research papers, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals plus four EU policies, and seven agricultural sustainability assessment tools aimed at farmers. They also took a systems perspective and classified variables into their role as either drivers affecting land use, management choices made on the farm, or social or environmental outcomes. The analysis found shared consensus among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners for 32 key variables (Figure 1). There was a shared focus on drivers relating to polices on climate, environment and agriculture, as well as subsidies and land ownership; on farm management choices including tillage and use of fertilisers, irrigation, and pesticides; and on environmental outcomes including soil and biodiversity. The research team suggests these 32 variables be included in future studies and policies to make the best use of existing priorities, and that the method they developed can be used to quantitatively track progress towards the SDGs. However, the research showed that today, there is currently little alignment between research, policy, and practice for sustainable agriculture in the EU (Figure 2). Out of the 239 variables the team identified, only 13% were shared by all three groups; more than half were only prioritised by one group (researchers, policymakers, or farmers) (Figure 2). Researchers for example focused on topography, climate, landscape configuration, and cultural aspects. These drivers were absent from policies and farm assessment tools, suggesting that they may be difficult to influence; on the other hand, these drivers might be hard to adjust precisely because of the lack of conducive policies. Policymakers focused uniquely on outcomes like pollution, livestock, physical health, and technology, whereas famers focused on income diversification and community engagement, indicating the importance of managing social outcomes of agriculture as well as environmental impacts. These social outcomes were not prioritised by either researchers or policymakers. "The social dimension of the agricultural sector appears to be very under-researched in Europe. If we look at trade-offs between different outcomes from a research perspective only, we might miss many factors that farmers and policymakers see as absolutely essential to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. This is a clear example of the need to have input from all three groups", says Scown. Alignment between 239 variables identified from European research, policy, and farm tools for sustainable agricultural systems. Number of variables from each source (69 peer-reviewed articles from research, 5 policies, and 7 agricultural sustainability assessment tools from practice) and their overlap are shown. Only 32 variables (13% of the total) were shared among all three perspectives. More than half were only included by one perspective, potentially leading to differing or conflicting approaches. Including the shared variables (listed in Figure 1) can be a way forward to harmonize and measure progress towards sustainable agriculture in Europe. Credit: Murray Scown According to Murray Scown there are a number of explanations for the huge disparity between the three groups. Lack of communication between researchers, policymakers and farmers is one, habit is another. Researchers are trained to use and interpret data in a specific way during their academic career. "The gap we identified also has to do with the large scales at which land system research is often conducted. It's difficult to cover all variables and engage many stakeholders in research over large scales. Data availability also plays a part; variables that are easy to obtain will be used more frequently, and difficult variables will be omitted. We've tried to address this by putting together a list of social variables and potential data sources that could be used in land systems research. It's not only up to researchers to bridge the gaps. Government and statistical agencies can play a part by collecting and providing relevant data for researchers to use. A change in support by agencies that fund agricultural research and assessments is also called for. They could for example help facilitate collaborations and support workshops, discussion forums and other communication-focused activities. It can be hard to be both a researcher as well as initiating and maintaining collaborations with policymakers and farmers", says Scown. Aligning sustainability priorities between research, policymakers and farmers will be essential to achieve a more sustainable agricultural sector, according to the researchers. Yet, it is easier said than done. That is why all three groups need to give time and effort to listen to each other's views, evaluating and balancing trade-offs between priorities, and think more long-term for the future. "Our results have important take-home messages for all three groups: researchers can work more closely together with stakeholders from the start, not just at the end of a project, and policymakers and practitioners can help shape agricultural research to support achieving the Sustainable Development Goals", Scown concludes. Three recommendations for researchers, policymakers and farmers: Researchers, policymakers, and farmers should consider the 32 variables identified in this research (Figure 1) as a starting point for future research, policy, and farming decisions. Researchers should work together with policymakers and farmers from the beginning of a project, co-designing research and deliberately selecting variables to be included. Researchers should use concrete variables to quantitatively evaluate tradeoffs between priorities, to enable policymakers and farmers to balance these to achieve sustainable agriculture. Explore further Global study shows environmentally friendly farming can increase productivity More information: Murray W. Scown el al., "Aligning research with policy and practice for sustainable agricultural land systems in Europe," PNAS (2019). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Murray W. Scown el al., "Aligning research with policy and practice for sustainable agricultural land systems in Europe,"(2019). www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1812100116 The ancient city of Angkor, Cambodia. Credit: The University of Sydney New University of Sydney research has revealed the ancient Cambodian city of Angkor underwent a gradual decline in occupation rather than an abrupt collapse. Researchers have long debated the causes of Angkor's demise in the 15th century. Historical explanations have emphasised the role of aggressive neighbouring states, and the abandonment of Angkor in 1431 A.D. has been portrayed as a catastrophic demographic collapse. However, new scientific evidence shows that the intensity of land use within the economic and administrative centre of the city declined gradually more than 100 years before the supposed collapse, implying a very different end to the city. Associate Professor Dan Penny from the University of Sydney's School of Geosciences examined sediment drill-cores extracted from the moat surrounding Angkor Thom, the last and largest of Angkor's walled citadels. "Changes in land use leave tell-tale traces in sedimentary deposits that can be measured. Measuring these traces in drill-cores allows us to reconstruct what people were doing in the landscape over long periods of time," Associate Professor Penny said. In a new study published in the prestigious PNAS journal, Associate Professor Penny and co-authors show that evidence for forest disturbance, soil erosion and burning all declined in the first decades of the 14th century, suggesting a sustained decline in land-use in the commercial and administrative heart of the ancient city. By the end of the 14th century, the moat was covered in floating swamp vegetation, which indicates that it was no longer being maintained. The findings suggest Angkor's demise was not a catastrophic collapse caused by the Ayutthayan invasion or by infrastructural failure, but a gradual demographic shift by the urban elite. "Our study suggests the inhabitants didn't leave Angkor because the infrastructure failed, rather the infrastructure failed (or was not maintained or repaired) because the urban elite had already left," said Associate Professor Penny. Explore further City of Koh Ker was occupied for centuries longer than previously thought More information: Dan Penny el al., "Geoarchaeological evidence from Angkor, Cambodia, reveals a gradual decline rather than a catastrophic 15th-century collapse," PNAS (2019). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Dan Penny el al., "Geoarchaeological evidence from Angkor, Cambodia, reveals a gradual decline rather than a catastrophic 15th-century collapse,"(2019). www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1821460116 Cahokia region and Horseshoe Lake watershed, shown as the black dashed line. Dark brown colors indicate higher topography, principally the river bluffs, and the yellow indicates the Mississippi River floodplain. Coring sites are indicated by red stars. The Cahokia complex is approximated by the large circle around black rectangles showing the position of some of the mounds at the site. Black dots show the locations of other sites with mounds within the Horseshoe Lake watershed that were occupied contemporaneously with Cahokia [10001400 CE]. Base map elevation data are derived from the National Elevation Dataset. Credit: PNAS (2019). 10.1073/pnas.1809400116 A new study shows climate change may have contributed to the decline of Cahokia, a famed prehistoric city near present-day St. Louis. And it involves ancient human poop. Published today [Feb. 25, 2019] in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study provides a direct link between changes in Cahokia's population size as measured through a unique fecal record and environmental data showing evidence of drought and flood. "The way of building population reconstructions usually involves archaeological data, which is separate from the data studied by climate scientists," explains lead author AJ White, who completed the work as a graduate student at California State University, Long Beach. "One involves excavation and survey of archaeological remains and the other involves lake cores. We unite these two by looking at both kinds of data from the same lake cores." Last year, White and a team of collaboratorsincluding his former advisor Lora Stevens, professor of paleoclimatology and paleolimnology at California State University, Long Beach, and University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor of Anthropology Sissel Schroedershowed they could detect signatures of human poop in lake core sediments collected from Horseshoe Lake, not far from Cahokia's famous mounds. These signatures, called fecal stanols, are molecules produced in the human gut during digestion and eliminated in feces. As the people of Cahokia pooped on land, some of it would have run off into the lake. The more people who lived and defecated there, the more stanols evident in lake sediments. Because the sediments of a lake accumulate in layers, they allow scientists to capture snapshots of time throughout the history of a region through sediment cores. Deeper layers form earlier than layers found higher up, and all of the material within a layer is roughly the same age. White found that fecal stanol concentrations at Horseshoe Lake rise and fall similarly to estimates of Cahokia's population from better-established archaeological methods. Schroeder, a scholar of the Cahokia area, says that excavations of the houses in and near Cahokia show human occupation of the site intensified around A.D. 600, and by 1100, the six-square-mile city reached its peak population. At the time, tens of thousands of people called it home. Archaeological evidence also shows that by 1200, Cahokia's population was on the decline and the site was abandoned by its mound-building Mississippian inhabitants by 1400. Scientists have uncovered a number of explanations for its eventual abandonment, including social and political unrest and environmental changes. For instance, in 2015, co-author Samuel Munoz, a former UW-Madison graduate student and now a professor at Northeastern University, was actually the first to collect one of the Horseshoe Lake sediment cores White used in his study and he found evidence that the nearby Mississippi River flooded significantly around 1150. White's latest study ties the archaeological and environmental evidence together. "When we use this fecal stanol method, we can make these comparisons to environmental conditions that hither to now we haven't really been able to do," says White, now a Ph.D. student at UC Berkeley. Using Munoz's core and another White collected on Horseshoe Lake, the research team measured the relative amount of fecal stanols from humans present in sediment layers. They compared these to stanol levels known to come from bacteria in the soil in order to establish a baseline concentration for each layer. They examined the lake cores for evidence of flooding and also looked for climate indicators that would inform them whether climate conditions were relatively wet or dry. These indicators, the ratio of a heavy form of oxygen to a light one, can show changes in evaporation and precipitation. Stevens explains that as water evaporates, the light form of oxygen goes with it, concentrating the heavy form. The lake core showed that summer precipitation likely decreased around the onset of Cahokia's decline. This could have affected the ability of people to grow their staple crop maize. A number of different changes begin to happen in the archaeological record around 1150, Schroeder explains, including the number and density of houses and the nature of craft production. These are all indicators of "some kind of socio-political or economic stressors that stimulated a reorganization of some sort," she says. "When we see correlations with climate, some archaeologists don't think climate has anything to do with it, but it's difficult to sustain that argument when the evidence of significant changes in the climate shows people are facing new challenges." This has resonance today, she adds. "Cultures can be very resilient in face of climate change but resilience doesn't necessarily mean there is no change. There can be cultural reorganization or decisions to relocate or migrate," Schroeder says. "We may see similar pressures today but fewer options to move." For White, the study highlights the nuances and complications common to so many cultures and shows how environmental change can contribute to social changes already at play. Explore further Scientists can measure population change through chemicals found in feces More information: A.J. White el al., "Fecal stanols show simultaneous flooding and seasonal precipitation change correlate with Cahokia's population decline," PNAS (2019). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences A.J. White el al., "Fecal stanols show simultaneous flooding and seasonal precipitation change correlate with Cahokia's population decline,"(2019). www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1809400116 Products from obsidian found on Zhokhov site Credit: Vladimir V. Pitulko et al Russian scientists have studied the Zhokhov site of an ancient population, which is located in the high-latitude Arctic. They have described in detail the way of life of the ancient people who lived there. Despite the area's sparse population, the ancient people communicated with representatives of other territories and even exchanged goods with them through trade fairs. The Arctic is the coldest and least hospitable region on Earth. The Arctic is mostly unpopulated by humans, although in some countries, including Russia, the United States and Norway, there are now industrial zones. These zones increase the average population density to 0.35 people / km2 but basically it does not exceed 0.03-0.04 people / km2. Zhokhov Island, located at 76 N in the New Siberian Islands, 440 kilometers north of the modern coast of the East Siberian Sea, belongs to the High Arctic. Researchers discovered the remains of an ancient people here, the Zhokhov site, considered the earliest evidence for human habitation in the High Arctic. Researchers believe 25 to 50 people permanently resided in the area around 9300 to 8600 years ago. In the remote past, Zhokhov island was a part of the vast plain formed due to drastic sea level drop during the last glacial maximum. Because of the post-glacial sea-level rise, this plain was flooded and eroded. At present, the Zhokhov site is located in the southwestern part of the modern Zhokhov island, near the foot of a 120 meter hill, which shields it from the severe northwest wind. This place was very convenient for the ancient people. The hill served as an observation point, and because of the proximity to the coast, they always had a supply of driftwood carried in by the tide. The scientists conducted excavations in permafrost and have already investigated a significant part of the monumentabout 571 square meters. Many tools were found made of stone, bones, horns, tusks and wood. These are hunting weapons, parts of sleds and home utensils. Among the lithic artifacts, there are many microprismatic blades, which were used as side-blades for composite tools that served as spears, darts, arrow points and knives. Most of them were produced of silicious rocks of local origin, while some of them were made of exotic raw materials unusual for this part of the world, including obsidian and volcanic glass. The researchers found 79 such items. The ancient people appreciated this material for its splitting ability and valued its extremely thin and sharp cutting edges. This material has high research value because each deposit of obsidian carries its own unique geochemical signature, which can identify the source of the material. Thus, researchers can learn more about contacts with people from other regions. There is no obsidian source nearby Zhokhov Island. The closest area with such a source is located near Krasnoye lake in the lower reaches of the Anadyr River in Chukotka, which is some 1,500 km in a straight line, a travel distance of more than 2,000 km. It would seem that the ancient people could not travel such a distance physically. The authors studied the unearthed obsidian objects via X-ray fluorescence, a nondestructive method that reveals the geochemical properties of samples and thus provides a method to locate the source of the material. Skull of a dog found on Zhokhov site Credit: Vladimir V. Pitulko et al. "We found that this particular obsidian type was coming to Zhokhov Island from the area of the Krasnoye Lake. This is a super-long distance to travel, and it is hard to imagine that the ancient people could possibly make such trips some 9000 years ago. Most likely, they met other people at intermediate points and exchanged products made of obsidian, or enjoyed primitive trade," said one of the authors of the article, Vladimir Pitulko, RSF project's principal investigator, Ph.D. in history, senior researcher at the Paleolithic Department of the Institute for the History of Material Culture, Russian Science Foundation. The researchers also analyzed more than 54,000 faunal remains from hunting and reconstructed the yearly economic cycle of the inhabitants of the Zhokhov site. The occupants of the site were classic terrestrial hunters who practiced reindeer hunting. However, in the winter, they hunted polar bears sleeping in lairs. This provided a reliable and stable food supply, because there were quite a lot of the bear dens in this area. Previously, scientists investigated the bones of medium-sized canids; they indicate the presence of a well-formed dog that lived together with the people of Zhokhov site. In addition, these animals are similar in size and body weight to modern sled dogs. Findings of parts of sleds including runners prove that the inhabitants of these territories had a well-developed transport system. Thanks to that system, the inhabitants of Zhokhov site likely traveled to the nearby territories, which were still part of the mainland at that time, and maintained relations with distant people. Vladimir Pitulko also noted that sites in the mouths of Kolyma and Indigirka rivers could serve as the intermediate points in that trade. In this case, the distance between the exchange points was about 700 km, which is quite possible to travel in early spring using sled dogs. Such meetings turned into fairs later on as the inhabitants of the north of Eastern Siberia organized them in the 18th and 19th centuries, but not only for the exchange of goods. The exchange of information was considered to be of much more importance. In any case, the material evidence on Zhokhov island is presented with a minimum of findings. Probably an important result of such meetings was marriage contacts necessary to secure biological stability of small groups of people who lead an isolated life. "The results of our research indicate a high level of sociocultural relations that existed among the ancient population of the Arctic in Eastern Siberia 9000 years ago, and about the engagement of people from the Zhokhov site. These people who lived on the edge of the Earth were not isolated. On the contrary, contacts within these societies were much more developed than it used to be thought," concluded Vladimir Pitulko. Explore further Ancient DNA shows the Sami and Finns share identical Siberian genes More information: Vladimir V. Pitulko et al, 'They came from the ends of the earth': long-distance exchange of obsidian in the High Arctic during the Early Holocene, Antiquity (2019). Journal information: Antiquity Vladimir V. Pitulko et al, 'They came from the ends of the earth': long-distance exchange of obsidian in the High Arctic during the Early Holocene,(2019). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2019.2 Provided by AKSON Russian Science Communication Association Bangkok. 25 February 2019 Its time to plan year-round trips throughout 2019. With hotels and resorts across Asia, let ONYX Hospitality Group provide inspiration for your next trips. Whether you are into retreating within nature, a beach getaway or exploring the urban scene, ONYX has them all covered with special offers from Amari, OZO and Shama properties across Asia, available exclusively at the 50th Thai Tiew Thai, held on 28 February 3 March 2019 at booth P150P153, Plenary Hall, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. Craving for marvelous holidays with the vibrant sights and sounds of cities? Explore the hustle and bustle of Bangkok with Shama Lakeview Asoke Bangkok at a nightly rate starting from 2,600 THB*. Then, within a short drive from Bangkok, you can take a quick break by Khao Takiab Beach at Amari Hua Hin with nightly rate starting from 2,300 THB*. For those looking for an ideal base for an island escape, OZO Chaweng Samui invites guests to enjoy the sky and sea with a nightly rates starting from 2,500 THB*. Shopaholics can embark on retail therapy at Komtar JBCC and quench their thirst with the iconic Teh Tarik at Amari Johor Bahru, with nightly rates starting from 2,750 THB*. Nature enthusiasts can indulge in the scenic view of limestone karst peaks juxtaposed with the Nam Song River and discover the four key elements of nature at Amari Vang Vieng, offering nightly rates from 2,200 THB*. With Sri Lankas great recognition by Lonely Planet as the best country in the world to visit in 2019, Amari Galle, OZO Colombo and OZO Kandy invite guests to enjoy an adventurous trip to three different destinations. Kick it off at Colombo, the capital, by enjoying a city walk to the Gangaramaya Temple and the National Museum. Then, take a train ride to Kandy, a tranquil hill station surrounded by tea plantations and rainforests, and stay near the lake and lush landscapes with OZO Kandy. End the trip with a stunning sunset view from Amari Galle, a perfect base for local sights such as traditional stilt fishing and exploration of the Galle Fort and the Old Dutch Hospital. Nightly rates at OZO Colombo, OZO Kandy and Amari Galle start from 2,985 THB*, 3,315 THB* and 4,975 THB*, respectively. Exclusively for this event, sea lovers can be the first guests to experience the fully refurbished Amari Pattaya and experience deep relaxation in the newly refurbished Deluxe Ocean View Room. Nightly rates start from 3,800 THB*(valid for stays from 1 April 31 October 2019). Alternatively, guest can sleep, connect and explore like a local at the all-new OZO Phuket, located in the heart of the Kata beach action. Nightly rates start from 1,650 THB*(valid for stays from 1 June 31 October 2019). For more information and inspiration for your year-round vacations within Thailand and further across Asia, meet our friendly team at the ONYX Hospitality Group stand at P150P153, Plenary Hall, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. *Rates apply for Thai travellers and Thailand-based expatriates and are valid for stays from 1 March 31 October 2019 except Amari Pattaya and OZO Phuket. Net rates quoted vary from property to property and are on a per-room, per-night basis, including taxes, service charge and breakfast for two. Conditions apply, and all bookings are subject to availability. Additional charges will apply for stays on weekends, long weekends and local public holidays. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that it will close a road section on EDSA near the People Power Monument to give way to the 33rd anniversary of the People Power Revolution on February 25, Monday. The announcement from the MMDA said that it will close the EDSA lane right in front of the People Power Monument from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM that day. Number coding will be lifted for the entire day. The MMDA doesnt expect the road closure and number coding scheme suspension to affect traffic that much as the closure is limited to the morning hours and the day is a national holiday. On Saturday, February 23, the government agency closed the EDSA-bound direction of White Plains Avenue from 12:01 AM to 8:00 PM, also for the People Power celebration. officialgazette.gov.ph The post MMDA Announces Road Closure for People Power Celebration appeared first on Carmudi Philippines. The European Union opened the door Monday to Britain postponing its exit from the bloc beyond the March 29 deadline, as the main opposition Labour Party said it could eventually support a second referendum. European Council President Donald Tusk said he had discussed the "legal and procedural context of a potential extension" when he met Sunday with British Prime Minister Theresa May, on the sidelines of an EU-Arab summit in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh. "I believe in the situation we are in, an extension would be a rational solution but Prime Minister May still believes she's able to avoid this scenario," Tusk told a closing summit press conference. The EU has been watching with growing alarm the possibility that Britain will crash out of the bloc without a deal, risking chaos on both sides of the Channel. - Second referendum? - Britain remains as divided as ever over Brexit, which a narrow majority of voters called for in a June 2016 referendum. May sparked outrage at home when she suggested Sunday that parliament may not be able to vote on her Brexit deal until March 12, just 17 days before Britain leaves the EU. The decision increases the chances that lawmakers will in a series of votes this week move to delay Brexit beyond March 29, to avoid a no-deal Brexit. The opposition Labour Party on Monday raised the pressure, saying it would put forward its own plan for Brexit, which calls for Britain to stay in the EU customs union, as part of those votes. Labour then said if its plan was rejected, it would lend its support to an amendment on holding a second referendum on EU membership -- without specifying a date.. "We are committed to... putting forward or supporting an amendment in favour of a public vote to prevent a damaging Tory Brexit being forced on the country," Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said in a statement. Corbyn, a lifelong eurosceptic who supports Brexit, has been highly ambiguous throughout the negotiations even though many of his MPs support a second referendum. Meanwhile, May says she is still discussing with the EU possible amendments to the Brexit deal's arrangements for the Irish border. Taking a united stand, the EU and its remaining 27 countries have repeatedly rebuffed May's efforts to reopen the Brexit deal struck with her government in November. Since lawmakers overwhelmingly rejected her withdrawal deal last month, the Conservative prime minister has sought to address their concerns about the text's "backstop" arrangement. - 'Achieve that deal' - London wants the "backstop" -- the clause binding Northern Ireland into the EU customs union if a new deal to keep the Irish border open is not found -- to be time-limited or to be allowed to unilaterally end it. The EU opposes any changes to an arrangement designed to keep the border between British Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland flowing. It also sees the "backstop" as an insurance policy for the peace process in the British province of Northern Ireland. Brussels however is not budging, though it is offering political reassurances. Tusk said "we'll face an alternative chaotic Brexit or an extension" under the current circumstances where it is "absolutely clear" to him there is no majority in the British parliament for May's deal. Tusk said he told May that "no matter which scenario, all 27 (EU countries) will show maximum understanding and good will". During a press conference Monday in Sharm El-Sheikh, May said she believes she can still deliver Brexit on time. "I've had a real sense from the meetings I've had here and the conversations I've had in recent days that we can achieve that deal," May said. The European Commission, the EU's executive arm leading the Brexit negotiations, is still working on the assumption that Britain will leave the bloc on March 29, commission spokeswoman Mina Andreeva told reporters earlier in Brussels. She recalled that Britain would first have to request an extension and the remaining 27 EU countries would have to agree to it unanimously. May's negotiating team is due to return to Brussels on Tuesday for more talks. QUEZON CITY, Philippines The Department of Agriculture (DA) assures support to local farmers in view of the effects of the El Nino phenomenon in the country. Last week, the weather agency PAGASA announced that the country is likely to experience a full blown El Nino phenomenon this year. At present, several areas in the western Mindanao are experiencing weak El Nino while other areas of the country are forecasted to experience the same starting June this year. PAGASA also issued a map of areas possibly to be affected by the phenomenon. Kailangan pa ng ilang buwan pa para masabing full blown El Nino na siya. Iyon ang forecast pero ang condition nandiyan na, said Undersecretary Renato Solidum. According to the DA, each farmer will get 100 percent crop insurance once affected by the dry spell. This is apart from the P25,000 security survival loan that they can avail from DA at zero interest and no collateral payable within three years. The DA encourages farmers to coordinate with their regional office to know more about the crop insurance program of the government. Marje Pelayo (with reports from Sherwin Culubong) The post DA assures loan assistance to farmers in view of El Nino appeared first on UNTV News. THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has removed over 650,000 campaign materials all over Metro Manila.NCRPO Director Major General Guillermo Eleazar urged the candidates to also do their THE matter has been subject of discussion for at least a couple of years. But the proposed transfer did not really sink in until last Wednesday during the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) monthly board meeting. BPI's corporate communications staff photographed for posterity what was to be the last board meeting held at the bank's head office at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas. By the next board meeting in March, BPI's executive offices will have completely transferred to its temporary office at the Ayala North Exchange (ANE), which occupies the northern end of Ayala Avenue at the corners of Salcedo and Amorsolo Streets. The building is right next to the Makati Medical Center. Earlier, BPI initiated a phased relocation of other offices to the adjacent Insular Life Building, the Makati Stock Exchange building, and other BPI or Ayala-owned buildings such as the Buendia Center, Vertis North and South as well as Alabang in Muntinlupa City. Transfers completed, the way is now paved for the demolition of the iconic 20-storey building and the erection of a more modern headquarters more than twice the size. The new head office building is expected to be completed in four years. BPI Director Xavier P. Loinaz -- who served as BPI president for 22 years -- was nostalgic. The construction of the old 20-storey building coincided with the start of Loinaz's presidency in 1982. It was also the year the BPI obtained its universal banking license from the then Central Bank of the Philippines. Loinaz recalled that one of the BPI senior officers -- Vic Aquino -- oversaw the building's construction and the whole project was completed without any hitch. For a long time, the building was one of a handful standing along Ayala Avenue. When the construction started, current BPI President Cezar "Bong" Consing was a rising executive of the bank, working at Corporate Planning. Consing plans to give away figurines depicting the old BPI building as a fitting memento to the Philippine's first bank. Story continues Museo ng Muntinlupeno opening soon Muntinlupa City will have a soft opening of its Museo ng Muntinlupeno on March 1, coinciding with the 24th anniversary of its cityhood. Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi said he hopes that the Museo -- another in a series of flagship projects -- will serve as an effective vehicle for instilling among residents a proper appreciation of Muntinlupa's past. "Not very many people know how important a role Muntinlupa has played throughout history, starting from the fledgling First Republic, to the restoration of democracy," Fresnedi explained. "The once sleepy town was an early line of defense of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo from the pursuing Spanish forces, as well as the American invaders who followed afterwards. "It was a bulwark against the Japanese imperialists and a stepping stone towards the Liberation at war's end. "Muntinlupa reprised this role decades later, holding the line against armed forces loyal to a dictator desperately holding on to power." Located in Barangay Tunasan, the new 5-storey museum's exterior resembles a graphic representation of a "Salakab," an instrument made of bamboo for catching fish in shallow water. The building was designed by home-grown Architect Don Causapin. The Museohas an indoor cinema theater, and an inter-active floor with robotics. Note: You may email us at totingbunye2000@gmail.com. You may also "like" us on Facebook at "Speaking Out." Tribhuvan University is finally talking about its sexual harassment problem Former and current students from Tribhuvan University chastised the university administration for failing to adequately address concerns about sexual harassment at an interaction programme on Monday at the central campus in Kirtipur. Britain should give up control of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean "as rapidly as possible", the UN's top court said Monday in a decades-old row with Mauritius over an archipelago that is home to a huge US airbase. The International Court of Justice said in a legal opinion that Britain had illegally split the islands from Mauritius before independence in 1968, after which the entire population of islanders was evicted. Mauritius and the exiled Chagossians reacted with delight to the opinion delivered by judges in The Hague, which is non-binding but will carry heavy symbolic and political weight. Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth hailed a " historic moment for Mauritius and all its people". "Our territorial integrity will now be made complete, and when that occurs, the Chagossians and their descendants will finally be able to return home," he said in a statement. Britain however defended its hold on the islands, saying the Diego Garcia military base, which has been used to bomb Iraq and Afghanistan, protected people around the world. "The United Kingdom's continued administration of the Chagos Archipelago constitutes a wrongful act," chief judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf said. "The United Kingdom is under an obligation to bring an end to its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible, thereby allowing Mauritius to complete the decolonisation of its territory." The UN General Assembly in 2017 adopted a resolution presented by Mauritius and backed by African countries asking the ICJ to offer legal advice on the island chain's fate and the legality of the deportations. - 'So happy' - Colonial power Britain split off the islands from Mauritius -- which lies around 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometres) away -- three years before Port Louis gained independence in 1968. It also paid Mauritius three million pounds. Between 1968 and 1973 around 2,000 Chagos islanders were evicted, to Britain, Mauritius and the Seychelles, to make way for a military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the islands. The evictions were described in a British diplomatic cable at the time as the removal of "some few Tarzans and Man Fridays". Diego Garcia is now under lease to the United States and played a key strategic role in the Cold War before being used as a staging ground for US bombing campaigns against Afghanistan and Iraq in the 2000s. Olivier Bancoult, chairman of the Mauritius-based Chagos Refugees Group, told reporters outside court that he was "so happy". "It is a big victory against an injustice done by the British government for many years. We people have been suffering for many years -- I am so lucky today," he said. The ICJ opinion comes as a stunning blow to London in a case that goes to the heart of historic issues of decolonisation and current questions about Britain's place in the world as it prepares to leave the European Union. Mauritius' lawyer Philippe Sands said there was "no wiggle room" in the judges' view and that Britain would resist pressure to comply. "I suspect the United Kingdom will say to itself, what resistance can we put up to moving forward -- and particularly in the context of Brexit, as the United Kingdom finds itself a little bit isolated in the world," he told reporters outside court. Britain's foreign ministry rejected the court's opinion. "The defence facilities on the British Indian Ocean Territory help to protect people here in Britain and around the world from terrorist threats, organised crime and piracy," the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said in a statement. - 'Shameful' evictions - A US official said Washington saw the case as "purely a bilateral dispute" between Britain and Mauritius. But he questioned the authority of the court, saying that issues should be resolved through negotiations between governments. "It is inappropriate to seek to use the court's advisory function to settle disputes between states," the State Department official said in Washington. When judges heard the case in September, Mauritius argued that it was illegal for Britain to have broken up its territory while it was still the colonial power. Britain, while apologising for the "shameful" way it evicted thousands of islanders, insisted Mauritius was wrong to have brought the case to the ICJ. The Chagos Islanders have already taken their battle through the courts in Britain, where their supporters included the current Labour opposition leader, Jeremy Corbyn. The legal opinion is only the 28th since the ICJ was set up in 1946 in the wake of World War II to provide a tribunal to resolve disputes between UN member states. Previously such opinions include one on Israel's West Bank barrier in 2004, which judges said was illegal, and declaring legal Kosovo's declaration of independence in 2010. 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! 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... PREVIOUS POST Android Opera Mobile In the background the always you celara, so you have to evaluate very well if you're willing to accept their faults and tolerating them or directly are looking for another boyfriend. 7 When they have gone a few days without knowing each other, and you already feel good with yourself, full of optimism and positive energy, you must treat that you see in some place, if you are accompanied by friends, much better. Thus the notice that you are not waiting for sitting his return, but that you've decided to continue with your life. 8. A good idea may be going out with a friend, which will help you to give something of jealousy to your ex-boyfriend. When a man realizes that his ex-girlfriend is interested on the other hand, is impossible to not feel something of jealousy, and their reaction is almost always resume contact with his ex, calling it or by sending you a message. 9 It is here where you must take advantage and make it bite the bait. Tell him that you feel well, you go forward with your life, that maybe you miss it a little, but that look forward, with a high forehead, because do not have another choice. With regard to your love life, do not know what is going to happen, nothing is determined. 10 Applying these tactics to return with your boyfriend, you'll see as soon he alone calls for return to your side. Remember that you must have patience, give time to time. As the saying goes: persevere and triumph. There is a strategy that has been proven to win back your ex boyfriend without all the drama. Please Click here to make your ex boyfriend want to return with you. Jealousy and self-esteem Centro woman Ul.timate.info manages the time... The United Arab Emirates main export crude blend, Murban, has recorded a four-month stretch of selling at a discount to the official selling price of Emirati crude in Asia because of intensifying competition from cheap European and U.S. blends, Reuters reports, citing market data as well as sources from the industry. The discount ranged between US$0.05 and US$0.40 a barrel for cargoes bound for loading over the first four months of the year. Thats despite a series of cuts in the benchmark price for Emirati crude, Reuters noted, which also stretched over four months. Usually, this time of the year is a time of higher demand from Asian refiners as they churn out more fuels used in heating during peak demand season. However, there is more light crude coming from the United States as production booms unrestrained, and arbitrage from Europe has opened, Reuters Florence Tan notes. There seems to be an actual oversupply of light crude and this has combined with higher overall prices for Middle Eastern crude because of the cuts agreed in December. The resulting increase in the benchmark Dubai price has made Brent-based blends as well as U.S. ones a lot more attractive to traders and refiners in Asia. In the immediate term, the UAEs flagship blend as well as other Middle Eastern blends will likely continue to be pressured as refineries in Asia enter spring maintenance season and demand slumps. Demand for heavy crude, however, is bound to rise further on in the year after maintenance season as refiners prepare for the new lower-emission rules from the International Maritime Organization that come into effect next year. At the same time, U.S. light crude will continue challenging the market share of Middle Eastern light crude in the observable future, as production continues to grow and prices remain attractive. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Exxon is trying to block an investor initiative seeking to force the supermajor to commit to a reduction in harmful emissions, two of these investors told Reuters. The company, the Financial Times reported earlier, had written to the Securities and Exchange Commission calling the investor initiative misleading and saying it was trying to micro-manage the business. The investors whose spokespeople talked to Reuters about Exxons letter to SEC were the endowment fund of the Church of England and the New York State pension fund. Trying to strike out a shareholder proposal from institutional investors with a fiduciary responsibility to manage climate risk is an outdated reflex, an official for the Church of England fund said in a statement. Exxon is trying to deny shareholders right to vote on a significant climate risk concern, the New York State Comptroller and manager of the states pension fund, Thomas DiNapoli, said. DiNapoli is at the helm of the investor group insisting on Exxon pledging to reduce its carbon footprint. The Financial Times, which reported on Exxons letter earlier on Sunday, quoted another shareholder in the company, the state employee pension fund of California, as saying the issue should be discussed with shareholders rather than Exxon going to thevSEC for help. The SEC should not be in the role of muffler to important debate, Calpers said in a statement. The fund is also part of the shareholder group that is pressing Exxon for commitments in the emissions reduction area. Exxon is not the only supermajor that is being targeted by shareholders to do more about climate change. Shell and BP have already made pledges along the lines of more transparent emissions reporting and commitments to reduce these substantially in the coming years. Chances are Exxon will be forced to join the group as the investors pushing for a change manage a combined US$1.9 trillion. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: As the oil market continues to tighten significantly, Brent Crude oil prices could reach $70 to $75 a barrel in the near term, with an upside potential of exceeding the $67.50 a barrel forecast, according to Goldman Sachs. The outlook for the oil market through the end of June 2019 is modestly bullish, Reuters quoted the investment bank as saying in a research note on Monday. Yet, Goldman Sachs sees a possible Brent Crude jump into the $70s as fleeting, because U.S. oil exports and a possible easing of OPECs production cuts in the second half of the year could cap the bullish sentiment. The oil market will likely continue to tighten significantly this March and April, Bloomberg quoted Goldmans note as saying. OPECs cuts and possible acceleration of Venezuelas supply disruptions will support oil prices in the coming months, according to the bank. While prices could easily trade in a $70-$75 a barrel trading range, we believe such an environment would likely prove fleeting, said Goldmans analysts, who kept their end-of-the-year Brent Crude forecast at $60 a barrel. Last week, oil prices hit fresh 2019 highs, driven up by optimism that the U.S. and China will forge a trade deal and that OPECs resolve to rebalance the market will outweigh soaring U.S. oil production. At the beginning of this week, oil prices fell somewhat after U.S. President Donald Trump, once again, asked OPEC not to take too much crude off the markets. At 11:03 a.m. EST on Monday, WTI Crude was down 2.58 percent at $55.78, and Brent Crude was trading down 2.39 percent at $65.64. Related: The $32 Trillion Push To Disrupt The Entire Oil Industry Earlier this month, Goldman Sachs said that it expected Brent Crude prices to hit US$67.50 a barrel in the second quarter of the year as shock and awe production cuts by OPEC and increased supply disruptions couple with healthy demand and seasonal inventory declines to drive prices higher. Producers are adopting a shock and awe strategy and exceeding their cut commitment, the investment bank said in a research note from February 12. The production losses to start 2019 are already larger than we expected, Goldman said, noting that more disruptions could be coming due to the U.S. sanctions on Venezuelas oil industry. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The United States is set to significantly increase its capacity to produce alternative transportation fuel over the next two years. New plants designed to produce methanol out of natural gas are expected to come on stream this year and next, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) says. The higher methanol production capacity will not only boost the U.S. production of the fuel which can be used as an alternative transportation fuel or blended into gasoline to increase engine efficiency and cut air pollution; the higher capacity will also increase the industrial use of natural gas and ensure more, and diverse, use of the soaring natural gas production, especially in the key gas producing regionsthe Appalachia basin and the Permian. In 2019 and 2020, three new natural gas-to-methanol plants are expected to start up in the United Statestwo in the Gulf Coast and one in West Virginia. They will increase U.S. methanol capacity by 45 percent compared to current capacity, the EIA has estimated. Methanol-producing plants are one of the most natural gas-intensive industrial end users because they require natural gas both as a feedstock and for processing heat. The three new methanol plants are thus set to drive growth in industrial natural gas demand in the United States through 2020. Total U.S. industrial natural gas consumption is expected to average 23.1 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) this year and 23.4 Bcf/d in 2020, up from an average of 22.6 Bcf/d in 2018, according to EIAs analysis. In Q3 year, the Big Lake 1 methanol plant in Louisiana is expected to enter service and convert dry natural gas into about 3,800 mt/d of methanol, which may then be converted to motor gasoline. Yuhuangs St. James 1 methanol plant, with a capacity of 4,700 mt/d, is slated for start of operations in the middle of 2020, and would be the second-largest methanol facility in the United States. Developers are currently considering phase two of the plant and if approved, it could double the facilitys production capacity and become the largest methanol producing plant in the U.S. In addition to the two Gulf Coast facilities, the Liberty One methanol plant in West Virginia is expected to start up this year and produce about 550 mt/d of methanol. Although the plants capacity will be much smaller, the proximity to the Appalachia natural gas production basin would ensure a relatively low cost of the feedstock, the EIA says. Related: The $32 Trillion Push To Disrupt The Entire Oil Industry The methanol plants in the Gulf Coast, on the other hand, will ensure additional industrial use of the soaring natural gas production in the key shale oil producing region in the United States, the Permian. The current pipeline infrastructure will allow Permian natural gas production to reach methanol plants along the Gulf Coast and many of these plants could export methanol to China, whose methanol use in fuels has been soaring over the past decade, the EIA said. The new methanol plants will help raise the industrial use of natural gas in the U.S. at a time when natural gas production is surging to record levels and will continue to grow over the coming years. The EIA expects that U.S. natural gas production will have reached record levels last year. Between January and October 2018, U.S. dry natural gas production jumped by 11 percent compared with the same period in 2017, with growth driven by production increases in the Appalachian Basin, the Permian, and the Haynesville Shale. While China is the global leader in methanol use as an alternative land transportation fuel, companies in the shipping industry have started to look into the possible use of methanol as a maritime fuel. Earlier this month, major Dutch maritime companiesincluding ship owners, shipyards, manufacturers, and the ports of Amsterdam and Rotterdamjoin forces to study methanol as a marine fuel as part of the Green Maritime Methanol project. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Seven places prone to landslides along Narayangadh-Muglin road A recent study carried out by a technical team has showed that seven places along the Narayangadh-Muglin road section are prone to landslides. Global oil and gas companies are increasingly facing an uphill battle as global warming policies are taking their toll. Most analysts and market watchers are focusing on peak oil demand scenarios, but the reality could be much darker. International oil companies (IOCs) are likely to face a Black Swan scenario, which could end up being a boon for state-owned oil companies (NOCs). Increased shareholder activism, combined with global warming policies of institutional investors and NGOs, are pushing IOCs in a corner, constricting financing options for oil companies. The first signs of a green revolution in the shareholder-investors universe are there, as investors have forced Dutch oil and gas major Shell to officially change its strategy, investing in more renewable energy and energy storage. The Dutch IOC wasnt forced by to do so because of mismanagement or a lack of reserves but due to a well-orchestrated investor/stakeholder offensive. Several other peers, such as BP, ENI or Total, are expected to experience comparable situations. And it has become clear that not only oil and gas giants are being targeted, after one of the worlds largest mining and commodity trading companies, Glencore, decided to put a limit on its thermal coal investment. The group stated that this was done after it was confronted by a largely unknown shareholder network called Climate Action 100+, which claims to be backed by more than 300 investors, managing assets of around $32 trillion. The group was founded a little over a year ago but has already forced oil majors boardrooms to take radical decisions. Related: The Ultimate Tool To Prop Up Oil Prices The above shows that international hydrocarbon and mining sectors are facing a new obstacle, being confronted by large groups of socially and environmentally engaged shareholders, which are no longer looking at commercial value only. A combination of activist institutional investors, international pension funds and NGOs, is a new force to be dealt with. Stock-exchanged listed companies will need to address the will of their shareholders, especially with regards to climate change policies or decarbonization of the economy. After decades of having focused on creating maximum shareholder returns, things have changed dramatically, but maybe not for the better. For Climate Action 100+, which includes investors such as Calpers, Allianz SE, and HSBC Global Asset Management, making profitable investments remains a top priority, but they will no longer look accept a passive stance towards climate change. Without complying with the demands of NGOs and socially engaged investors, access to new capital for new oil and gas upstream projects will be reduced. Some even expect that the role of Western IOCs could decline in the next couple of years, due to political shareholder engagement policies. To force IOCs, such as Shell or BP, to comply with policies that would halve their net carbon footprint by 2050 could result in a death-wish for these companies in the long-run. The demise of IOCs, as we know them right now, could come sooner than many may expect. This will, of course, come at a cost for energy-hungry regions or consumers. With a net demand growth for oil and gas in the coming years, the world will need all hands on deck to support upstream investments to bring the hard-needed oil and gas reserves and volumes to the market. With less financing options for IOCs, and also oilfield services, the already existing investment gap in upstream investment worldwide will only grow wider. In contrast to what some media sources are suggesting, oil and gas demand will not diminish, on the contrary, oil and gas prices will rise due to a lack of supply. That this picture is not a future nightmare scenario but is already the reality, is shown by the fact that a growing amount of smaller oil and gas companies have become insolvent. The latter is partly caused by global warming constraints and lower oil prices in general. The first casualties are falling in Europe, mainly the UK, where 16 companies went bankrupt in 2018, in comparison to zero in 2012. British accountancy firm Moore Stephenson stated that lower prices were the main cause. At the same time, increased costs (North Sea decommissioning) and lower oil price expectations are doing the rest. If the international financial markets are going to take over the doomsday scenarios presented by pressure groups and NGOs, independent oil and gas companies are going to be hit extremely hard. No investor is willing to invest in a sector or company that looks to hit rock-bottom in the next decade. Stranded reserves reports, as presented by the Bank of England and others, are not helping at all to change perceptions. Western consumers and politicians, however, should not already start to cheer a green revolution and the end of the oil era. The future is different and could be even less positive than currently is assessed. Financial pressure on IOCs is opening up a Pandoras Box. By removing market-oriented oil and gas giants from global markets, the only way to gain access to oil and gas will be the national oil companies (NOCs). Not only are they the real owners of the overwhelming majority of hydrocarbon reserves in the world, but NOCs are also not constrained by shareholder activism or NGO pressure. The main driver for NOCs is to support the sustainable economic growth of their home country or government. In stark contrast to IOCs, which are fully focused on shareholder value and profits, NOCs have a long-term national approach, in which other factors are playing a role. Saudi Aramco and its peers are not only the sole owner of the reserves but also of most of the value chain. The ongoing downstream focus of NOCs can be seen as a push to gain control of the entire value chain, from exploration to sales. This position is still of value to institutional investors and national financial institutions, as the combination of long-term access, ownership and extensive value chain control, is very attractive. The Fitch AA+ rating of Abu Dhabis ADNOC shows that NOCs have become very attractive, even more than IOCs at present. Related: Permian Production To Break 4 Million Bpd In March Mainstream investors, hedge- and pension funds, are and will be interested in financing NOCs, as long as demand and profits are there. Western consumers and the industry should however also realize that a transformation of power to NOCs will also mean that market fundamentals will change, and possible unexpected hiccups in supply will occur at the will of governments, not due to market fundamentals. NOCs are still controlled and owned by national governments. Supply risks will increase if IOCs see their influence in the hydrocarbon sector diminish. Destruction of knowledge, technical capabilities and additional financing, could constrain the hard-needed push for new oil and gas production. (Click to enlarge) Political and environmental pressure groups should realize that pushing too hard for change could produce a boomerang effect of unwanted-order. To force IOCs to change their investment strategies, and abandon highly profitable upstream projects, while investing in renewables, could be more destabilizing than anticipated. Between 2014 and 2018, upstream oil and gas investments have been hit hard, leaving a $1 trillion investment gap. This development will impact the market within the next 24 months. Lower oil supply will push up prices if demand continues to grow. By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: As the U.S. battles with its OPEC+ rivals over the direction of global oil prices (Trump wants to keep oil prices subdued, while Saudi Arabia and Russia, reeling from years of prices too low to balance their budgets, are desperately hoping to push them higher with another round of production cuts), 12 supertankers sailing across the Atlantic can tell us a lot about the changing supply dynamics in the global oil market. The tankers have been traveling a route spanning thousands of miles with no cargo other than some seawater needed for ballast. Of course, in normal times, the ships would be filled with heavy, high sulfur Middle East oil for delivery to refineries in places like Houston or New Orleans. But these aren't "normal" times. Following the OPEC+ agreement to cut 1.5 mb/d, the ships are sailing cargo-less - forgoing profits on half of their journey - just so they can pick up the light crude that U.S. shale producers - which briefly turned the U.S. into a net-exporter of oil for the first time late last year - have been relentlessly pumping, according to Bloomberg. (Click to enlarge) That's quite a sacrifice for the owners of the ships, which are traveling 21,000 with nothing to show for it. The 12 vessels are making voyages of as much as 21,000 miles direct from Asia, all the way around South Africa, holding nothing but seawater for stability because Middle East producers are restricting supplies. Still, Americas booming volumes of light crude must still be exported, and there arent enough supertankers in the Atlantic Ocean for the job. So theyre coming empty. Related: Goldman: Brent Oil To Reach $70-$75 Soon Whats driving this is a U.S. oil market thats looking relatively bearish with domestic production estimates trending higher, and persistent crude oil builds we have seen for the last few weeks, said Warren Patterson, head of commodities strategy at ING Bank NV in Amsterdam. At the same time, OPEC cuts are supporting international grades like Brent, creating an export incentive. As OPEC+ supply declines, shippers are turning to the U.S. for profit growth, analysts said. Shippers are counting on the U.S. exports to help the tanker market withstand supply restrictions by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia. Industry analysts, who actually raised their estimates for what they think the ships will earn this year after the OPEC+ pact was announced in December, are citing rising American shipments as a contributing factor. There are usually three or four empty supertankers - very large crude carriers in industry jargon - that would sail empty to the U.S. at any one time, according to shipbrokers. The shift has produced knock-on effects around the shipping market. Daily earnings for the VLCCs, which can haul two million barrels of oil, on the benchmark Middle East-to-China route doubled since last week to $29,494, according to Baltic Exchange data. "Following a fixing frenzy from the U.S. Gulf Coast late last week, most available tonnage in the Atlantic basin has been soaked up," said Espen Fjermestad, an analyst at Fearnley Securities AS in Oslo. "With ships ballasting West, rates have shifted up also in the East." And with the spread between WTI and Brent crude widening back toward levels last reached during the October oil-price crash, OPEC+'s production cuts are increasingly looking like a Sophie's choice: Either cut production and cede more market share to the U.S. (shale crude also benefits because it's easier to process into gasoline), or stop the cuts and accept that prices will remain low for the foreseeable future. While it's unclear what OPEC+ will decide at its next meeting in Vienna (will OPEC+ members cave to Saudi and agree to a new alliance that includes Russia and its CIS allies as full partners?), one thing appears certain. Producers in the Permian are showing no signs of slowing down. (Click to enlarge) By Zerohedge More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Chinas renewable power generation capacityincluding hydroreached over 38 percent of total newly installed capacity at the end of last year. The country is clearly the world leader in wind and solar power additions as it seeks to move away from coal as quickly as possible. But it has yet to solve its problem with what the industry calls curtailment, or the waste of renewable power due to grid limitations. China is solving this problem with supergrids. China has 22 ultrahigh-voltage power transmission projects in operation: an emerging supergrid that could, among other things, reduce the waste of renewable energy by linking the regions that produce it to the regions with the highest rates of electricity consumption, writes Peter Fairley for Spectrum, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers magazine. The ultrahigh-voltage grid is unique in that it combines DC with AC lines, with the DC lines transporting the electricity over great distances at reduced rates of waste and the AC parts of the grid distributing the electricity to regional grids and individual consumers. The grid is unique, Fairley says, but its not without its problems. For one thing, there is worry among some engineers that the nature of the supergrid increases the risk of cascade blackouts. For example, Fairley explains, if the DC line of the 8-GW ultrahigh-voltage line that carries electricity produced by the wind and solar farms in northwestern Chinas Gansu region to the east failed, the blackout would spread across the regional AC grids causing a lot more problems than if the countrys grid continued to be fragmentary. Related: Oil To Rise As U.S., China Outline Trade Deal In a bid to reduce this risk, the State Grid Corp. of China is running a lot of these lines below capacity. The 8-GW Gansu-Hunan has been running at about a quarter of its capacity for this reason since launch, and thats accounted for a lot of the renewable power curtailment in the area. Whats more, there are many solar and wind projects that have yet to be approved for joining the grid and start generating electricity. Even with the challenges, however, the ultrahigh-voltage lines have been instrumental in advancing Chinas renewable energy plans, Fairley notes. In 2017, these lines alone moved 161.5 TWh of solar, wind, and hydropower. There are still power shortages in Chinas biggest electricity-consuming urban and industrial centers, but the central authorities seem to be set on the ultrahigh-voltage line course and rely on the further development of the supergrid to eliminate these. In this, they are encountering obstacles, however, and these are slowing down the progress on the ambitious world-first project. Local authorities are unhappy with the fact the ultrahigh-voltage line grid requires centralized management. Engineers, Fairley says, are criticizing what they see as a monopolization of the engineering and production of grid components and the construction of new lines. Besides opposition and misgivings, there are also practical challenges, such as the amount of reserve power that needs to be kept available in case of loss of the main source of power. With lower-voltage grids, this usually comes in at about 1-2 GW. With pines carrying 8-12 GW of electricity, the emergency reserve of power will need to be a lot higher. Last year, China generated 1.87 trillion kWh of electricity form renewable sources. Even with new project limits, the utilization rate of existing facilities are rising, and this amount will continue up. The course for transmitting and distributing this power seems set despite the obstacles and the challenges. At some point, the unacceptably high curtailment rates will no doubt start going down. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The global oil industry is expected to ratchet up spending on new oil and gas projects this year, with the number of new final investment decisions (FIDs) soaring compared to the past few years. The number of new FIDs could triple compared to 2018 totals, according to Rystad Energy, and that figure excludes the wave of investment in U.S. shale. Shockingly, the oil industry is also returning to large-scale, long-lived projects that seemed to be a thing of the past. We expect global FID volumes in 2019 to triple over last year, and 2019s megaproject awards could lead to billions of subcontracting dollars in coming years, Rystad Energy upstream research analyst Readul Islam said in a statement. After the 2014 oil market downturn, oil companies around the world slashed spending and cancelled projects, particularly the megaprojects that had shown a track record of cost blowouts and years of delays. Low oil prices the lower for longer mantra seemed to spell the end to megaprojects. Oil markets were volatile and nobody knew if prices would ever rebound, so expensive projects that took years to develop fell out of favor. Many companies, including the oil majors, sold off assets and turned to shale, where wells take a matter of weeks to drill and complete. More importantly, the longevity of oil demand is entirely up in the air. Most analysts see oil demand peaking within a decade or two. Some even say it could happen sooner. Against that backdrop, pouring billions of dollars into greenfield projects that will take years to come online and even longer before they pay off seems very risky. Nevertheless, oil companies are becoming aggressive again. According to Rystad estimates, the oil industry is set to approve projects targeting 46 billion barrels of oil equivalent this year, three times the amount from 2018. Related: How Sanctions Are Helping The U.S. Become A Net Oil Exporter The only supply segment likely to shrink this year is the oil sands, whereas deepwater, offshore shelf and other conventional onshore developments are all poised to show substantial growth, Rystads Readul Islam said. From a geographical perspective, all regions are headed for robust growth except Europe and North America, still bearing in mind that shale plays are not included in these numbers. Asia and the Middle East, unsurprisingly, account for a major portion of the new projects. But South America, unlike in recent years, sees a major uptick in investment. Guyana and Brazil stand out as intense areas of focus for oil majors. Its notable that even as the industry returns to megaprojects, Canadas oil sands still remains out of favor. In the short- and medium-term, oil sands face pipeline constraints and volatile pricing. But over the long-term, if any assets are going to be left stranded in a carbon-constrained world, oil sands have to be a top candidate. Rystad said the new wave of investment is driven by a few key trends. LNG is a main focus going forward for the industry, as gas takes on a larger role worldwide, particularly in China where coal is facing a gradual phase out. Of the 46 billion barrels of oil equivalent receiving the go-ahead this year, LNG will capture a third of that total. Another reason for the sudden uptick in new projects is that the industry is playing catchup after the 2014-2016 market bust, which saw massive project cancellation. These delayed projects account for nearly a quarter of new FID volumes in 2019, Rystad says. Finally, Saudi Arabia alone is spearheading three massive new projects offshore. Saudi Aramcos new projects account for a fifth of total FID volumes. While Rystads numbers suggest the oil industry is getting more aggressive, the forecast may not come to fruition if even a handful of projects are not given the greenlight. The huge wave of new projects, measured in volumes, is incredibly top-heavy, Rystads Readul Islam cautioned. [D]elays to a few megaprojects currently expected to be approved in the second half of 2019 could turn the volume down significantly. By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The electrification of most industrialized societies has taken off in a big way. In the EU and China government support such as regulations and subsidies are pushing automakers towards alternative technologies which dont utilize fossil fuels as a source of energy. Also, in North America, despite Trumps support for the fossil fuel industry, carmakers are embarking on the path of electrification with Elon Musks Tesla being one of the frontrunners. Virtually all big auto brands have several EV models planned for the coming years. Hydrogen, however, is not part of the hype. The smallest and most abundant particle in the Universe has been branded as an alternative environmentally friendly technology compared to EVs. Hydrogen has several pros and cons regarding its application for transportation and energy storage purposes. However, the technology behind fuel cells, the technology used to power hydrogen cars, has failed to convince the wider public and consumers due to a simple reason: high costs. Hydrogen, or H 2 as its called in the world of science, can be produced by an environmentally friendly method called hydrolysis or through the process of reforming natural gas, which is the approach to produce 95 percent of the hydrogen on the market. A reason for hydrolysis low applicability is the massive amount of water required for its production. A fuel cell vehicle, FCV, requires 13 gallons of water for each mile. In general, the reforming of natural gas by creating a reaction with carbon dioxide under high-temperature steam is the cheapest and most efficient method. A common mistake about hydrogen is that its an energy source instead of an energy carrier. The latter requires an external source of energy to split the H 2 O molecule, or water, into hydrogen and oxygen. Currently, the process is relatively inefficient leading to higher costs compared to alternatives such as EVs. At the moment, only Toyota, Hyundai and Honda offer an FCV which has a higher price tag than other vehicles of comparable size and capabilities. In the U.S., on average, a fuel cell vehicle costs $60,000 which is more than EV models. The necessity of expensive metals including platinum, titanium and carbon fibers to produce the fuel cell and the hydrogen storage systems means higher prices. Also, the FCV currently offered on the market are not mass-produced. It means that significant cost reductions are possible in time if the necessary resources are invested in further research. Related: Goldman: Brent Oil To Reach $70-$75 Soon Inefficiency and high costs of hydrogen production are downsides of FCV. Hydrogen costs 10 for each kilogram in the EU and $14 in the U.S. which is sufficient for 100 kilometers or 62 miles. In contrast, EVs are much more efficient with merely 31 percent loss of energy. In the case of FCV, the conversion, electrolysis and the converting of hydrogen into electricity requires a significant amount of energy which affects its efficiency. (Click to enlarge) Hydrogen-based technology has several methods of conversion and storage which affects the costs and efficiency of FCV. Hydrogen can power a vehicle using an adjusted internal combustion engine or through a fuel cell. Also, the storage of hydrogen in either liquefied or compressed form affects the fuels efficiency (see below). (Click to enlarge) Related: A Relatively Safe Bet On Renewable Energy Furthermore, FCVs require an additional infrastructure to transport hydrogen to consumers. The system would resemble the traditional oil industry such as pipelines, storages, and refueling stations. EVs, however, require a far lower investment in transportation infrastructure due to the already existing electricity grid. Although the expansion of capacity could be needed, EVs have the added value that they can be used as batteries for smart grid appliances. The technology behind EVs is ripe to be used on a massive scale which has led to an impressive increase in sales with practically all significant automakers entering the market. However, the mass production of batteries could be a risk due to resource scarcity. FCVs dont share the same issues, but instead, other challenges need to be overcome. In the first place, the costs for producing hydrogen-powered vehicles need to decrease through mass-production and the substitution of expensive metals. Also, improving the efficiency of hydrogen production through environmentally friendly methods would strengthen the position of FCVs as an alternative to fossil fuel-based cars. The growing use of renewables and a promise by Japanese automakers to reduce costs could be the catalysts to propel FCVs as a competitor of EVs. By Vanand Meliksetian for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: this just gets more confusing by the day. if jussie is innocent, i hope he is exonerated soon. i can't imagine what it must be like being innocent and having the world turn on you like this. Reply Thread Link Hes not innocent. The brothers bought the rope used in the attack. They were there that night. He spoke to them on the phone. Hes not going to write payment for fake attack on the check. Reply Parent Thread Link Originally, there was a leak from the CPD that text messages exchanged between Jussie and the brothers was enough to prove that the attack was a hoax. I agree that it's ridiculous to expect him to write "fake attack" on the memo line but is it enough to establish reasonable doubt? IDK. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link yeah, that looks terribly damning. Reply Parent Thread Link Slow down Reply Parent Thread Link He said he spoke to them about his training tho, and now the cheque would also back that up? I think what is damning is the camera recording from the previous day of them together and him pointing at it. Edited at 2019-02-25 12:46 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link The issue is the police have nothing to determine that this was a hoax. All evidence is circumstantial. The way they worded it was to make it seem the brothers had snitched on him, yet, from what I've seen the brother's have denied everything. They said they had texts and shit proving it was a staged attack, they don't have ANY of that, as the texts all corroborate that it was for training. Whether that's a cover or not, the police have absolutely no case. Jussie could turn around and say the brother's double crossed him and the attack was real. The information that made Jussie's story sketchy was all known before he was officially named a suspect. But, people waited until the police officially named him a suspect for a reason. Now that the police's story is being called into question, so that shouldn't be overlooked. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link this is confusing as hell this is confusing as hell Reply Thread Link yikes Reply Thread Link Abel and his brother Ola also told the grand jury that the payment was for training. then why did the police release that it was for the hoax? this is all confusing af Reply Thread Link lol yeah this is nagl for the police they kept leaking that the brothers said this that and the other but in court theyre saying the opposite???? something is rotten in the stare of denmark Reply Parent Thread Link yeah, they pretty much may have handed him a court victory if they fuck this up what they released is all circumstantial and some of it is now being negated as not even true...his lawyers will have a lot of stuff to work with Reply Parent Thread Link If he is innocent the CPD still won. They will have ruined his character in the public eye forever. This whole situation is disgusting. Reply Thread Link Disgusting Reply Parent Thread Link 100%, they would be guilty of destroying all of his credibility, ruining his career, destroyed a lot of relationships he had in Hollywood with people in the industry who flip-flopped on supporting him*, and not to mention making him a target for years of the MAGAts, etc. *I get that no one worth a damn in his life would flip-flop/mock him but he'll always have that in the back of his mind when encountering these people. Reply Parent Thread Link Yup looks like the cops have been trying to put doubt in peoples minds since the beginning so it will be easy to convict him. I guess this an example of creating confirmation bias? Reply Parent Thread Link basically. they were putting doubt in ppls mind from jump, before there were even done investigating. if jussie is proven innocent he should sue. Reply Parent Thread Link Yep. None of this should ever have been released. Literally NONE. The PR hit will ruin him even if he's proven innocent, and it's going to be harder to put together an impartial jury because this stuff is public. It's absolutely incredible, and not in any good way, just...disgusting. Reply Parent Thread Link wtf Reply Thread Link this is all fucked up Reply Thread Link I'm so confused. Reply Thread Link The FBI said that the Chicago Police were overstating things imagine that... Reply Thread Link lmao, no shit. I can't with people who are like "why did it take people so long to believe he staged the whole thing?" Have they met the fucking CPD? It's not anyone's fault but their own that the general public doesn't trust them Reply Parent Thread Link No shit Reply Parent Thread Link I'm not even surprised, which is why I have hard time believing anything the CPD says by word alone. Reply Parent Thread Link I mentioned this in another post - but the universe was giving him signs not to pursue his staged attack - his flight was delayed and there was the polar vortex. Youd imagine hed just stay home and cancel his stupid plan because its too late already and too cold outside... but nothing could really stop him lol. Reply Thread Link stupidity always wins lol Reply Parent Thread Link so true lol Reply Parent Thread Link Omg he's just like my mom lol. If a polar vortex, the plague, and Godzilla was outside but she decides she wants to go to the grocery store NOTHING is stopping her. Reply Parent Thread Link Is there anything new here? Of course you wouldn't write that the check was for something illegal in the memo line. Reply Thread Link CPD said that texts exchanged between Jussie and the brothers proved that the attack was staged. But if all they did was talk about fitness and drugs, then that's not the case. Reply Parent Thread Link there was also that text about needing to talk to them 'on the low' about something and to meet up, which definitely seems suspicious, but certainly not enough to prove it Reply Parent Thread Expand Link But, that's the thing: You can't DECIDE what a check is for. Could it be sketch? Yes. But, as law enforcement, your job is to figure it out, not just decide it. Like I've said, 3/4 of the people who turned on Jussie were under the impression that he was caught. They were sure that the brother's SAID he paid them to stage the attack. The brother's say it was a training fee. Jussie says it's a training fee. Could it be for something nefarious? Yes. But, you (not you, but the cops) don't get to DECIDE that. Jussie can easily turn around and say "The brother's attacked me, I'm an actual victim" and the Cops would need to prove he wasn't. People on here actually BELIEVED that could have been the case. The only thing that changed people's minds was that the police announced the attack was staged, and that he paid the brother's to do it. Which is now being denied by everyone involved. Reply Parent Thread Link So was the "on the low" text about scoring drugs? Reply Thread Link I fucking called it! where's that user with the ugly dog user pic. SIS!!! back at you. Reply Parent Thread Link So apparently this guy was his drug connect and also his nutritionist/trainer??????? Reply Thread Link LMAO need me a hustle like that Reply Parent Thread Link Like, what the FUCK Reply Parent Thread Link you'd be surprised. my sister had a coworker out in SF who was horrified that she wasn't drinking organic milk, then told stories about snorting coke the night before. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link This is how I imagine Goop tbh Reply Parent Thread Link A true Renaissance man. Reply Parent Thread Link You think 3/4 of the jacked up juice-monkeys aren't on drugs? lol That's how they keep going in the gym. Reply Parent Thread Link So...he supplied Jussie with healthy food and adderall? #goals tbh Reply Parent Thread Link a jack of all trades Reply Parent Thread Link LMAO! Talk about a walking contradiction. Reply Parent Thread Link sounds like every other person i met in california Reply Parent Thread Link I feel like this is more common than people expect. Especially if the trainer's clients are mostly wealthy/famous people. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Basically every gay gymrat I know does a shitton of drugs Must be some overlap with straight people Reply Parent Thread Link Is socialism a threat to America, to Democrats, or both? Rebuilding of quake-ravaged Gorkha Durbar at snails pace Reconstruction work of the earthquake-ravaged Gorkha Durbar, a historically important palace of the Shah kings, is going on at a snails pace. Reuters Videos So I am confirming today that the death toll is at nine. As the death toll rose to nine Sunday with more than 150 people still missing, rescue teams kept picking through the rubble of the Miami-area condo building that collapsed last week. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said the additional bodies, and human remains, were found as the rescue team dug a massive trench through rubble overnight. Weve identified four of the victims and notified the next of kin. My deepest condolences to the families, the friends, the communities to those whove lost their lives, and my prayers with the families and the whole community as they mourn this tragic loss. The four of the nine victims identified ranged in age from 54 to 83. They were a couple married for 58 years, a volunteer Little League baseball coach and the mother of a 15-year-old boy who was one of the few survivors of the collapse.Officials remained hopeful more survivors would be found in air pockets that may have formed in the pancaked debris. The searchers - including experts sent by Israel and Mexico - are using drones, sonar, dogs and infrared scanners.Meanwhile, questions swirl about the tower's structural integrity. Surfside officials have released documents including an engineer's report from 2018 that found major structural damage beneath the pool deck and "concrete deterioration" in the underground parking garage of the 12-story building.The report was produced for the Champlain Towers South condominium board in preparation for a major repair project set for this year.A lawyer who works with the condo association said the issues outlined in the report were typical for older buildings in the area and did not alarm board members, all of whom lived in the tower. Protest in front of Pakistani Embassy over Pulwama terror attack A group of Nepali civil society members staged a silent protest in front of Pakistani Embassy in Kathmandu on Monday protesting against the terror attack in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on February 14. The ongoing land audit breathes a new ray of hope to landless masses who hope to chance their first immovable property in a landmass collectively owned by all daughters and sons of the soil, Zimbabwe. The setting up and operationalization of the Commission of Inquiry into the management and exploitation of state land could not have come at a better time than now, two decades after the first and historic land reclamation process in Africa. Now it is time to self introspect and see the wrongs and rights of the process. It is inevitable that a process of the land reform program comes with some mistakes on its back. Also, some mistakes would be sponsored by opponents of the process, the former century old illegitimate occupiers and their sympathisers. Also, the land reform program came with scores worth celebrating. It is an undeniable fact that some lives have been transformed forever. The story of tobacco farming is a case in point especially in Mashonaland West and Central. Before the arrival of land into the hands of previously dispossessed natives, there was only one tobacco merchant in Zimbabwe, the Tobacco Sales Floor. Now that we have teems of indigenous tobacco merchants, it is a clear sign of native empowerment through agriculture, a feat that was not achievable prior to land reform. Now the native farmer controls the total tobacco value chain from the seedling until it reaches the final consumer at any corner of the earth. While it is true that the tobacco value chain is still being dominated by non native capital, the arrival of the few local merchants is a step in the right direction. Going back to the farm, it is an unavoidable reality that some land is still not being put to good use. It doesn't need a ten thousand dollar funded research to come to this conclusion. Just driving along the highways provides the driver with a reality of the on goings in the farming countryside. Large swathes of formerly productive land greet the driver on either side of the road, betraying the derailed original designs of the empowerment project. Nevertheless, the diminished productivity in the farmland should never the used as an excuse to return the land the former illegitimate occupiers, never. The land audit should create answers to this problem. It is a natural necessity for any citizen that land should be availed to him in order to earn him or her a livelihood, but equity should dictate that each individual should be afforded land that he can exploit sustainably. Those farmers whose capacity outgrows the available land should be upgraded accordingly. In the same vein, those farmers who underwhelmingly perform on their pieces of land should be downgraded to plots they can exploit profitably. Capacity utilisation on the farms must be kept at a sustainable high. There is no motivation bigger than the fear of being downsized for any farmer. Protecting non productive farmers will only promote laziness and speculation on the land. All land compulsorily acquired by the state after 2000 is owned by the state and as such, the state has an obligation to supervise productivity on its land. The rest of Zimbabwe is a giant national farm with lease holders being labourers of the estate. If any such labourer wants to earn a wage for no work, its time he is replaced. It is true that the land redistribution process in certain instances overlooked farmer capability considerations, a position that needs a relook. It doesn't profit anyone to award a farmer 300 hectares yet his potential is 47 hectares. Meanwhile, there would be capable would be and existing farmers with potential for better production. The ultimate goal should be the guarantee of food security and the growth of the economy through productivity on the land. Land must not be used as a trophy or family meet rendezvous. It must be used for its primary purpose, production. Any and every land holder who holds on to land for any other reason away from this must be dispossessed. The bigger problem within the land today remains multiple ownership of land. The media, across the divide, has reported this several times. While it is proper to wait for the official statistics from the land commission, it remains an uncontested fact that there is multiple ownership of farms. The accused have neither made an effort to deny the accusation nor challenging the accusers. The absence of voluntary surrender of extra farms or unutilised swathes of land by those who have this land is nothing but impunity dressed in greed. The continued siege on the land by people who have no use for it is lack of necessary empathy needed to cement the gains of the historic native empowerment initiative. In the absence of decisive action against multiple land ownership, we will become self retardants of the gains of agrarian reform while our real opponents watch from the terraces. While we design ways of dealing with the opposing inertia of the former land occupiers, failing to discipline ourselves will be an undeserved disservice. There is no other time requiring discipline more than during times of war. Without discipline an enemy can easily overrun us. Lack of discipline on the farmland has reportedly seen remnants of former settler farmers creeping back and exploiting the same land through proxies. The Land Commission must uproot this cancer. Zimbabwe has teems of farmers who learnt the trade in colleges while some learnt it through family practice. Farming is a natural occupation for Zimbabweans. Many excelled without college education in this industry. So did former settler farmers who learnt the trade from their fathers as they grew. All eyes are on the Land Commission and it has no option but to deliver well on its job. Anything short of this would be an assault on people's hopes and confidence in them. Home | World | Africa | War vets drop bid to remove Mugabe's name from Harare airport THE Zimbabwe National War Veterans association (ZNLWVA) has dropped its bid to have former president Robert Mugabe's name removed from the country's main airport in Harare. In an interview with NewZimbabwe.com, war veterans spokesman Douglas Mahiya said Mugabe had now acknowledged successor Emmerson Mnangagwa. " therefore, it's not a good idea to continue fighting him," said Mahiya. The former Harare International Airport was renamed after Mugabe in November 2017, days before he was toppled by a military coup. The decision was controversial at the time as some felt that too many places were already named after the veteran leader who is now 95 years old. Mugabe then angered his former allies by calling a press conference just before last July's crunch elections to announce that he would be voting for the opposition. War veterans immediately said his name should be removed from the airport. The airport, the ex-fighters argued at the time, "must evoke confidence to any would-be investor or tourist, rather to be greeted by a name notoriously associated with dictatorship and cruelty". Mahiya however said the petition to revert to Harare international airport had now been dropped. "Look, we are a revolutionary party and we looked at a lot of things soon after handing over the petition to our patron (President Mnangagwa)," said Mahiya. "We also listened to our leadership; they said there are try to build the nation from decades of Mugabe's rule." "As veterans of the liberation struggle, we are scholars of politics and a disciplined force and we listened to our leaderships as they try to preserve gains of independence and build a nation battered under Mugabe." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: Africa Loading... Home | World | Africa | Toiling for RTGS dollars: Tale of Zimbabwe farmers ZIMBABWE'S top major foreign currency earners - tobacco growers - toil and till the soils growing the crop that drives the economy, only for their sweat to be rewarded in real time gross settlement (RTGS) dollars, a currency that threatens the crop and livelihood of the farmers. Government has proposed to pay the farmers about 20% of their earnings in foreign currency, while the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe will retain 80%, as the nation struggles with foreign currency shortages, an economic meltdown and social unrest. Farmers can ill-afford this payment arrangement and say it could drive operations into the ground. The golden leaf production could decline significantly next year if farmers are not paid at least 80% of their earnings in hard currency, they charge. An unassuming former businessman, Denford Mutwiwa, who made a full transition from selling stationery to being a leader in growing the golden leaf, opened up on the investment and work put into farming the crop. Employing 473 full-time workers, Mutwiwa, who initially was reluctant to tell his story, is the second biggest tobacco farmer in Headlands, with 250 hectares of land under the golden leaf, 170ha of maize and 12ha under sugar beans. Having started farming in 2002 at the height of the land reform programme, Mutwiwa was initially allocated 30 hectares of land, where he cut his teeth in commercial farming, ditching his successful and growing stationery business. Today, he rents a total of six farms that surround Teryden Farm, all of them owned by people who were allocated land during the land reform programme, but have never bothered to take up the land. Over the past two years that he has taken leases on the farms, he has invested immensely, installing underground pipes, centre pivots and building homesteads for his workers. Massive investment has also gone into construction of modern barns to cure the leaf, store it and grading pans. It's a Saturday and owing to climate change, the sun is baking in the high altitudes of Manicaland, an area which normally is cool, making the growing of grains a difficult feat to undertake. The water levels at the dam, which irrigates the black soils of Mutwiwa's farms, are dangerously low and threaten any plans of a winter crop, but that does not stop the farmer from chasing his dreams. In a small and soft voice, as he drags his feet clad in brown safety shoes, Mutwiwa says the price distortions in the market will have a great effect on the crop he will decide to grow next season, and if he will be able to meet the costs of production and keep his workers on the pay sheet. Expecting to harvest an average of 3,5 tonnes (30 bales) of the golden leaf per hectare, Mutwiwa, a beneficiary of the land reform programme, is likely to earn $3,75 million at $500 per bale from his crop in bond notes, if nothing changes. This could result in a loss of more than $1 million, where costs of inputs at RTGS dollar value is $18 000 per hectare translating to $4,5 million for the 250ha under the crop. He was later allocated the 169ha Teryden Farm, which has only 90ha of arable land about 186km east of Harare. Mutwiwa has made a staggering investment on the land, buying 12 centre pivots at a cost of $426 000. "This investment in pipes, pumping generators and centre pivots was made in US dollars, I bought this equipment from South Africa, and am glad to say that it's all paid in full," he says. Apart from the irrigation equipment, Mutwiwa invested in labour, chemicals and power. "The cost before the price madness of last year was around $8 000 per hectare, but it has since jumped to around $18 000 before we include the cost of grading and transportation of the leaf to auction floors," he said. In his inventory, he has trucks, 15 tractors and motor bikes that work on the land, consuming an average of 600 litres of diesel daily and the sudden increase in fuel prices in January had a major impact on his operations. The golden leaf is labour intensive. Getting the best grade needs clinical precision; from the seed bed, planting, agronomy, grading and eventually selling, forcing Mutwiwa to abandon city life and now permanently resident at the farm. "You have to be at the farm 24/7 so that you get everything just right. The fertiliser has to be just OK, the chemical application also needs to be done correctly. It's different from grains like maize, you just plant, weed and harvest then sell, tobacco is a 12-month crop, from May 1, to the next May when you go to the auction floors," he says. Every plant has to be treated individually. After it grows an average of 18 leaves, its top is removed to prevent it from growing further. The farmers then apply suckeride and suckercide on every plant to ensure that any shoots are killed because they take away the feed from the leaves. He talks less about the maize crop, which he grows for national service, saying it is a loss-making business. The producer price of maize is pegged at $390 per tonne, while the cost per hectare, which has a yield capacity of an average of six tonnes, is now around $1 500. Farmers say any producer price below $700 per tonne would see them run into huge losses, threatening food security and pushing the nation towards exports. Meanwhile, Zambia's producer price has gone down to $110 per tonne, but farmers still enjoy profits because farming inputs costs remain low. During winter, Mutwiwa delivered 1 500 tonnes of wheat, and was paid through RTGS, leaving his books in the red to the point that next season, he could just stay away from the crop. Currently, the country is facing a serious shortage of cereals and has been forced to import wheat, where it is paying suppliers in hard currency. Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor John Mangudya says he is aware of the concerns by the farmers and the challenges they face. "We met with the tobacco industry representatives and had a good dialogue," Mangudya said, without giving further details. Just some 20km away from Teryden Farm is Zimbabwe's biggest tobacco farmer Graeme Chadwick, who has 1 000ha of land under tobacco, yet he owns no farm to his name. Mutwiwa is the second biggest tobacco farmer in Manicaland after Chadwick and aims to increase his hectarage to over 600, if he gets more land, and the RBZ starts paying in US$. A nostalgic farmer, he remembers the period between 2009 and 2012 as some of his best years in his farming career, where there was open market prices and farmers pocketed all their earnings in hard currency. Using his earnings from the golden leaf, he has managed to take his children through top schools and sent two to top universities in the United States. Grey hair sprouting in his head shows the wisdom of years as he found his feet in the industry, yet the quality of his simple clothing and skin tells a tale of a man favoured by fortune in his chosen trade. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: Africa Loading... Home | World | Africa | Tsvangirayi's son hit by sanctions Richard Tsvangirayi, the son of the late Trade Unionist and Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirayi has reported that he was sanctioned from opening a bank account with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China because he comes from Zimbabwe. "So today I tried to open a bank account with ICBC here in China, however, surprisingly, I couldn't do so because I originate from a sensitive country, some of the countries who were on the blacklist are South Sudan, Yemen." Tsvangirayi said. "Richard that's an international bank that's why. Now in case you were never told the truth, your late father, Biti, Coltart and Chamisa went around calling nations to punish Zimbabwe and its people your father was hoping to govern. Welcome to reality of sick politics buy MDC." One Kelvin responded to Richard. Richard Tsvangirayi however said Zimbabwe needs to fix the fundamental issues of human rights before sanctions are removed. "You are right sanctions are not good, but sanctions are a result of bad behaviour. Let's address the fundamental problem because you can't hate the tree and not hate the roots. The fundamental problem is the perpetuation of inhuman activities, by ending that, thus ending sanctions. "You enjoy building houses on flawed foundations, right? Introduced a new currency without addressing the fundamentals, sanctions should be lifted without addressing the fundamentals. To end sanctions, stop killing and raping people; restore the rule of law." Recently, the European Union renewed sanctions against Zimbabwe's former President Robert Mugabe and former First Lady Grace Mugabe. They also renewed sanctions against the Zimbabwe Defense Industries. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: Africa Loading... MDC Alliance secretary general, Mr Douglas Mwonzora, is understood to be seriously considering to challenge the party's president Advocate Nelson Chamisa for the top post during the opposition party's congress in May. Last Friday, the MDC Alliance announced that it will be holding its congress in May to elect new leaders. Sources within the party yesterday told Chronicle that Adv Chamisa is likely to be challenged for the presidency by the party's secretary general and his deputy, Mr Elias Mudzuri. MDC insiders said Adv Chamisa is aware that Mr Mwonzora could be a threat to his presidency which he grabbed following the death of the party's founding president Morgan Tsvangirai last year in February. "Remember Chamisa lost the secretary general post to Mwonzora in the last congress. If we consider the mafia style in which Chamisa rose to the presidency, his leadership qualities leave a lot to be desired. He might be popular among Zimbabweans but the reality is that those numbers mean nothing as some of his sympathisers are not party card carrying members," said an MDC insider. "Mwonzora might pull a shocker that is why during the internal squabbles that led to Thokozani Khupe and others being expelled from the party he (Mwonzora) was also censured for his association with Khupe and crew." Contacted for comment, Mr Mwonzora said he has full rights to seek election to any party position. "Let me answer this way, I am a full member of the MDC with full rights given by the MDC constitution. One of these rights is the right to contest any position. "However, I'm not yet aware of the position that I'm going to contest because the nomination process has not yet started," said Mr Mwonzora. "So I do not know what the members are going to nominate me for. The system is not whether you want or not. It's whether you are nominated. But the nomination has not yet started so I'm not aware, I don't know what position I will contest. But I'm eligible to contest any position." He said he will not speculate on any position at the moment but will make a special announcement soon after the nomination process has been opened. "The nomination process is going to be taking place in due course. I will also be announcing shortly after the nomination, if I get nominated for any position I will contest that position. But I have not been nominated yet," he said. Meanwhile, addressing a rally at Mkoba Stadium in Gweru yesterday Adv Chamisa threatened mass action and shut down Harare if President Mnangagwa doesn't agree to a power sharing arrangement. He said his party was prepared to use its "political muscle" through demonstrations in which all its supporters countrywide would descend on Harare. "Last month there was a stay away called by our mother, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions and we took heed to it as we are a child of ZCTU. "Now we are saying we want dialogue with (President) Mnangagwa. I know you are asking yourselves a question, if (President) Mnangagwa refuses dialogue what will we do? "We said we are giving him a short space of time to conclude dialogue and do away with the election mode. The country cannot be perpetually in an election mode. We want to close the election mode and go into economic transformation. We will call our membership from across the country and engage in a democratic mass action and shut down Harare," he said. The opposition leader, who snubbed an invitation last month by President Mnangagwa for dialogue involving all party leaders who contested for the presidency in last year's elections, said the dialogue should be restricted to Zanu-PF and MDC Alliance. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: Africa Loading... Home | News | General | Kenya's president Uhuru Kenyatta spotted driving in traffic as he takes a tour of the city (photo) - One elderly lady got the surprise of her life after stumbling upon the Kenyan president's car in Nairobi traffic - The president on Sunday, February 24, went incognito as he drove himself around the city in an armored vehicle - Many motorists would have easily mistaken him for an ordinary citizen since roads were not cleared to give way to the head of state President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday, February 24, experienced what it was like to be a typical Kenyan stuck in traffic as he took a drive around the city. Uhuru has consistently established himself as a president who is never afraid of taking a dip at the ordinary life, and he was at it again on Sunday. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Nigeria President Uhuru Kenyatta spotted casually driving in Nairobi. Photo: Dennis Itumbi/Twitter In a photo accessed by Legit.ng, Uhuru is casually waiting for traffic to open up in what looks like an armored vehicle, with many of the motorists around him oblivious of the man behind the wheel. The photo was initially shared by digital strategist Dennis Itumbi who confirmed that indeed Uhuru had decided to drive himself on the day. READ ALSO: Young politician causes online stir for putting up kidney, testicles for sale Quite notably, the photo also captured the unique moment when an elderly-looking lady snatched at the chance to engage the president whilst in traffic. The lady, presumably one of the many street dwellers in the city, is seen with one arm out in what looks like a waving gesture at Uhuru. READ ALSO:Personal letter from the Editor-in-Chief of Legit.ng (formerly NAIJ.com) A closer look at the scene would reveal that despite driving himself, Uhuru was not alone as there was a fleet of cars belonging to his security detail also caught in traffic. This is not the first time Uhuru has chosen to drive incognito within the city as there have been several interesting incidents of the same in the past. On January 19, Uhuru gave his security detail something to worry about once again after he decided to go on an impromptu 'escapade' with none other than ODM party leader Raila Odinga during a Kisumu tour. Uhuru has grown fond of pulling some delightful surprises on Kenyans The incident happened shortly after the duo had attended burial of former Youth Enterprise and Development Fund (YEDF) board Chairman Bruce Odhiambo in Koru. This is quite interesting. A leader should have no fear when it comes to mixing with the masses. Meanwhile Legit.ng previously reported that a photo of a Ugandan man who bears a striking resemblance to former Kenyan president, Mwai Kibaki, has set social media abuzz. The photo which Legit.ng has since assessed is of Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II - a King of Buganda which is a constitutional kingdom in modern-day Uganda. Cheeky Kenyans,however, tried to convince the online masses that the photo belonged to Mwai Kibakis long lost son who wanted a reunion which is of course false. HELLO! NAIJ.com (naija.ng) upgrades to Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better. Top 3 World Universities And Their African Students | Legit TV [embedded content] CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | Election 2019: Why social justice is critical to election process by Kevwe Oghide Editor's note: Communications officer for Connected Development, Kevwe Oghide writes on why it is important for the Nigerian government and Nigerians as a whole not to lose focus of social justice and fairness at all levels even as the country elects new sets of leaders in the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections. Read below: As Nigerians await results of the Presidential and national house of assembly elections, it is important that we do not lose focus of social justice and fairness at all level. The declaration of fairness at work by the International Labour Organisation addresses fair outcomes for all through employment, social protection, social dialogue and fundamental principles and rights at work. Fairness at work is about obtaining freedom, equity, security and human dignity in conditions of work. It stands against inequality and discrimination - allowing for a work environment that thrives on productivity, having a voice in the workplace and the community. Fairness and rights at work also rides on gender equality, resolving issues around balancing work and family life, enabling women to make choices and take control of their lives. In some extreme cases, fairness at work is about moving from subsistence to existence. Having a job, does not guarantee decent living. Not to address the disheartening rate of unemployment in Nigeria, there is a high percentage of employed persons who still cannot afford basic needs. Many people are taking up menial jobs that are characterized with low pay, poor working conditions, health and safety hazards and poor access to social protection system. This percentage of people are experiencing a lack of material well-being, economic security, equal opportunities and basic human security. In Nigeria today, there is a huge deficit expressed in the absence of employment opportunities, denial of fairness at work and inadequate social protection. Many Nigerians are appalled by the countrys position as a top leader in the number of people living in extreme poverty. Massive voters turnout is largely due to the desire to secure a better Nigeria. We are seeking change in the areas of social justice, economic opportunity, welfare upgrade, environmental protection, health benefits and an overall improved standard of living of the average Nigerian. Although, there have been recounts of violence in some polling units across the country, people are boldly pushing back, reasserting themselves, regardless of threats and intimidations. What we are witnessing now appears to be a powerful flash of resilience and patriotism. READ ALSO: Buhari floors Atiku in Kwara state Also, in the pursuit of social justice, older generation are working to securing the future of their children. Child labour, in its worst form, robs a child of their education, their health, their future and even their lives. Children in rural communities are often marginalized when it comes to getting basic education. Government officials charged with implementing schools and healthcare projects in these communities often embezzle funds, widening the gap between rural and urban children, and further depriving rural children of their right to education, as well as work with higher pay, in the future. In addressing social justice in this context, Connected Developments Follow The Money initiative is empowering rural communities with data and accessible technology to track government spending on education, health, water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, so rural dwellers can hold governments at national and sub-national levels accountable, ensuring improved service delivery. Good governance allows for the creation of quality jobs, better job opportunities, leading to better incomes and an improved standard of living of the average person. It also allows for a system where children have the opportunity to receive basic education. The ripple effect is evident in more unified and equitable societies that are important to preventing violence and conflicts. As votes are being collated across the nation, this is a moment of reflection, but also a renewed fire in our hearts, as we begin to assess the need to hold government accountable, demanding that they do better in ensuring social welfare of the average Nigerian. Young people, especially, must recognise that they are the key to future elections and the antidote to whatever fear, hatred and intolerance may lie ahead. The aspiration for social justice, through which every working man and woman can claim freely and on the basis of equality of opportunity, their fair share of the wealth which they have helped to generate, is quite strong in recent times. CODE is convinced that no lasting peace is assured without an egalitarian system and will keep working with partners to support and promote social justice, one community at a time. Your own opinion articles are welcome at info@corp.legit.ng - drop an email telling us what you want to write about and why. More details in Legit.ngs step-by-step guide for guest contributors. Were ready to trade your news for our money: submit news and photo reports from your area using our Citizen Journalism App. Contact us if you have any feedback, suggestions, complaints or compliments. We are also available on Twitter. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have upgraded to serve you better. #Election2019: International, local observers comment on poll's shift | Legit TV [embedded content] CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | Logistics, security challenges: This is not the elections Nigerians expected - Moshood Isah Editor's note: YIAGA Africa's communication officer, Moshood Isah, writes on the the various logistics and security challenges that characterized last Saturday's Presidential and National Assembly elections across the country. Read below: These were not the elections Nigerians wanted; they were not the elections Nigerians expected; and, most importantly, they were not the elections Nigerians deserved. Our election commission must improve its capacity to deliver credible elections and our political parties must play according to the rules. Failure to do so could fundamentally threaten our democracy. These are the words of the YIAGA Africas Watching The Vote board chairman at a press conference on the preliminary findings from the 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections. Nigerians continue to ask the questions on when an election can be conducted with a 100 percent early deployment of materials and zero percent violence as delays in logistics deployment along with the perennial electoral disruptions reportedly featured in Saturdays Presidential and National assembly elections. Having been postponed for one week due to logistic reasons, expectations from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies skyrocketed with the believe that everything must have been fixed before the new date. Delay in deployment of election materials and issues relating to ballot box snatching, attack on polling officials, disruption of election materials seem to remain in constant competition for prominence in virtually every major election in Nigeria. The hydra-headed issues bedeviling Nigerias elections always feature even after all stakeholders declare their readiness to ensure the elections are hitch-free. This leaves several questions regarding the competency of agencies responsible in ensuring peaceful and credible elections in the country. For instance, credible elections data released by arguably the largest movement committed to credible elections, YIAGA Africa, says as at 12pm on election day, at least 110 critical incidents across the country primarily concerning late arrival of election materials to polling units. While electoral officials are expected to be at polling units by 7.30am so that set-up can commence ahead of the 8am commencement of simultaneous accreditation and voting, statistical reports by YIAGA Africas #WatchingTheVote observers reported that INEC officials arrived at only 31% of polling units as at 7.30am. READ ALSO: PDP rejects presidential election results Furthermore, statistical reports says as at 10:00 am, only 41% of polling units had opened across the country while even as at close to 12pm in the afternoon, INEC has not achieved 100 percent logistics deployment as statistics says 74% of polling units had opened nationally. This is even trying to overlook the 7 percent polling units where YIAGA Africa reported that the card reader was not used for accreditation either due to lack of availability or deliberate violation of the electoral guidelines. In this vein, elections went into the nights in a handful of polling units with apparently no proper preparation for logistics for a conducive environment which leaves the credibility of the process in jeopardy. In addition to logistics challenges is the security issue which has marred Nigerias elections overtime. Report has it that at least 90% of polling units recorded presence of security personnel which in itself is not a complete standard when it comes to conducting credible elections as it is expected that security agents will be seen at all close to 120,000 polling units across the country. But despite the presence of security checkpoints across the country, reports of political thugs moving in motorcycles in Lagos disrupting the process at will leaves a lot to be desired. A lot of questions are being asked on how political thugs accessed polling units, collation centers and Registration Area Centers to either cart away ballot box, destroy election materials and assaulting voters and election materials. Verified reports from media and election observers show that, citizens, observers or election officials were harassed, beaten, intimidated or even killed in some states across Nigeria. More so, at the risk of propagating unverified reports, social media footages of injured citizens and burning of electoral materials remain a real cause of security concerns. It is difficult to understand if security officials deployed at polling units gave way for hoodlums to execute their heinous plans or this was done with the support of security officials as alleged at some quarters. While it remains surprising that the Police Inspector General, Adamu Muhammed confidently reiterated the force readiness to protect every live especially during this period, Nigerians are yet to see major arrests of these electoral offenders. Recommendations are not always far-fetched but its implementation to the later remains a major challenge the nation has faced overtime. Election and security analysts have called for comprehensive framework for the prosecution of electoral offenders in the country. Unfortunately, just as Nigerians have hardly see arrest of electoral offenders, it becomes impossible to prosecute them. Thus if heads do not role and people in the position of authority do not account for the happenings in their jurisdictions, then the vicious circle of logistics and security issues will continue to feature in every electoral process. Your own opinion articles are welcome at info@corp.legit.ng - drop an email telling us what you want to write about and why. More details in Legit.ngs step-by-step guide for guest contributors. Were ready to trade your news for our money: submit news and photo reports from your area using our Citizen Journalism App. Contact us if you have any feedback, suggestions, complaints or compliments. We are also available on Twitter. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have upgraded to serve you better. 2019 Election: Nigerians react to Saraki's loss as INEC releases more results| Legit TV [embedded content] CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | Breaking: PDP rejects presidential election results The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the results of last Saturdays presidential and National Assembly elections being announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Legit.ng gathered that the PDP national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, who is currently addressing a press conference in Abuja, described the figures being announced by INEC as incorrect and totally unacceptable. READ ALSO: Live updates: INEC begins official declaration of presidential election results Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that President Muhammadu Buhari overwhelmingly won 32 local government areas in Kano state, thereby putting him in a pole position to win the state. READ ALSO: Situation reports, results as collations begin across Nigeria NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! 2019 Election: Nigerians react to Saraki's loss as INEC releases more results| - on Legit TV [embedded content] CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Paragliding pilot injured in accident A paraglider was seriously injured in a flying accident in Pokhara on Saturday. Atit Mainali, 29, of Lalitpur, was injured when his aircraft crashed during a solo flight, DSP Govinda Puri said. Mainali was airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment. Home | News | General | President Buhari sweeps 32 LGAs in Kano President Muhammadu Buhari has overwhelmingly won 32 local government areas in Kano state, thereby putting him in a pole position to win the state. Based on the results from local government from the state so far, the president has won majority of the votes. READ ALSO: JUST IN: INEC officially declares Buhari as winner in Osun Kano has 44 local government and the president seems to have defeated his closest rival, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state. Below is the breakdown of result from 32 local government in Kano state so far Tudun Wada LGA APC: 38,865 PDP: 10,707 Reg Voters: 125,667 Accredited Voters: 54,555 Valid Votes: 49,991 Rejected Votes:1067 Votes Cast: 51,058 Tsanyawa LGA APC: 25,823 PDP: 5,399 Code: 040 Reg Voters: Accredited Voters: Valid Votes: 31,727 Rejected Votes:1,185 Votes Casted: 32,912 Sumaila LGA APC: 34,609 PDP: 4,9044 Reg Voters: 107,361 Accredited Voters: 42,624 Valid Votes: 40,163 Rejected Votes: 1,667 Votes Casted: 41,830 Gwarzo LGA APC: 33,581 PDP: 10,682 Code: 019 Reg Voters: 105,341 Accredited Voters: 47,041 Valid Votes: 44,855 Rejected Votes: 1,640 Votes Casted: 46,395 Kibiya LGA APC: 18,085 PDP: 11,028 Reg Voters: 72,715 Accredited Voters:30,692 Valid Votes: 29,408 Rejected Votes: 821 Votes Casted: 30,229 Rano LGA APC: 23,855 PDP: 7,055 Code: 032 Reg Voters: 76,966 Accredited Voters:33,118 Valid Votes: 31,444 Rejected Votes:1007 Votes Casted: 32,451 Ajingi LGA APC: 21,458 PDP: 5,267 Reg Voters: 72,182 Accredited Voters: 29,470 Valid Votes: 27,491 Rejected Votes:1,575 Votes Casted: 29,066 Gezawa LGA APC: 29,954 PDP: 8,246 Reg Voters: 103,527 Accredited Voters:41,804 Valid Votes: 39,735 Rejected Votes: 1861 Votes Casted: 41,596 Gwale LGA APC: 50,834 PDP: 12,283 Code:018 Reg Voters: 226,792 Accredited Voters:68,407 Valid Votes: 64,459 Rejected Votes: 2,922 Votes Casted:67,381 Bebeji LGA APC: 26,023 PDP: 8,190 Code: 004 Reg Voters: 76,740 Accredited Voters:35,839 Valid Votes: 34,635 Rejected Votes: 648 Votes Casted: 35,278 Gaya LGA APC: 25,864 PDP: 6,577 Code:016 Reg Voters: 93,834 Accredited Voters: 35,758 Valid Votes: 33,295 Rejected Votes: 1,127 Votes Casted: 34,422 Albasu LGA APC: 36,412 PDP: 10,285 Reg Voters: 89,684 Accredited Voters:38,657 Valid Votes: 37,083 Rejected Votes:1,019 Votes Casted: 38,102 Warawa LGA APC: 19,073 PDP: 6,101 Code: 043 Reg Voters: 68,951 Accredited Voters: 27,862 Valid Votes: 24,389 Rejected Votes: 1017 Votes Casted: 25,406 Garun Malam LGA APC: 23,810 PDP: 4,861 Registered Voters: 73,027 Accredited Voters 31,641 Valid Votes: 29,004 Votes Casted: 30,986 Tofa LGA APC: 19,984 PDP: 7,732 Registered Voters: 71,348 Accredited Voters 30,227 Valid Votes: 28,101 Rejected Votes:1,651 Votes Casted: 30,986 Kunchi LGA Code: 026 APC: 20,375 PDP: 4,983 Registered Voters: 58,334 Accredited Voters 27,281 Valid Votes: 25,753 Rejected Votes:1,142 Votes Casted: 26,895 Magwai LGA APC: 23,375 PDP: 10,584 Registered Voters: 89,134 Accredited Voters 36,929 Valid Votes: 34,601 Rejected Votes: 1,096 Votes Casted: 35,697 Garko LGA APC: 22,356 PDP: 2840 Reg Voters: 91,656 Accredited Voters:27,856 Valid Votes: 25,955 Rejected Votes: 1299 Votes Cast: 27,254 Doguwa LGA APC: 25454 PDP: 7013 Reg Voters: 71,663 Accredited Voters:34,610 Valid Votes: 32,735 Rejected Votes: 649 Votes Cast: 33,384 Kabo LGA APC: 29,482 PDP: 8,955 Reg Voters: 84,423 Accredited Voters:41510 Valid Votes: 39036 Rejected Votes: 1634 Votes Cast: 40,670 Kiru LGA APC: 36,739 PDP: 12,205 Reg Voters:123,058 Accredited Voters: 52,166 Valid Votes: 49,677 Rejected Votes: 1557 Votes Cast: 51,234 Shanono LGA APC: 24,173 PDP: 8,469 Reg Voters: 69,796 Accredited Voters: 35,135 Valid Votes: 33,386 Rejected Votes: 1054 Votes Cast: 34,440 Danbatta LGA APC: 31850 PDP: 6,947 Reg Voters: 112,501 Accredited Voters: 43,772 Valid Votes: 39,720 Rejected Votes:2,119 Votes Cast: 41,839 Wudil LGA APC: 28,755 PDP: 5,108 Reg Voters:107,507 Accredited Voters:36,899 Valid Votes: 34754 Rejected Votes:1250 Votes Cast: 36004 Bichi LGA APC: 42,714 PDP: 11,050 Reg Voters:131,059 Accredited Voters: 58,707 Valid Votes: 54931 Rejected Vote: 2596 Votes Cast: 57,527 Ungogo LGA APC: 51,842 PDP: 10,475 Minjibir LGA APC: 27,725 PDP: 2840 Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that President Buhari was leading Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 10 out of the 44 local government areas of Kano state. PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news update Kano is the strong base of the president, however, Atiku pulled a huge crowd during his campaign there some weeks ago as the Sani Abachi stadium venue was filled to the brim. But at the end of collation of results by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 10 local government areas, Buhari won them all. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! Vice President Yemi Osinbajo casts his vote, boasts of APC victory | Legit TV [embedded content] CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | 2019 Election: Corps member thanks the colleague that saved her during the violence in Bonny Legit.ng had earlier reported that a brave corps member had rescued his fellow corps member during election violence on Saturday, February 23, in Bonny, Rivers state. Nigerians had praised the young man for his bravery. The young man identified as Adaji Muhammed had also received monetary donations from Nigerians who were impressed by what he did. The young female corps member who had been saved by the hero took to social media to thank him. The lady identified as Fakorede Bukola had thanked the young man and prayed that God will reward him. According to the lady, she noted that she shared the post to also debunk rumours that she was dead after some media houses had tagged her as dead. READ ALSO: Female corps member allegedly caught destroying ballot papers in the bush as #NigeriaDecides She wrote: "I am using this medium to inform the general public on the trending pics of a Corp member that many blogs, TV channels etc tagged dead in their major headlines that I am alive and fine..please ignore anyone who says I am dead. Thanks.......And to my hero @adajimuhammed ,I can't thank u enough but I know God will reward you. THANK YOU." PAY ATTENTION: Read best news on Nigeria's #1 news app PAY ATTENTION: Get your daily relationship tips and advice on Africa Love Aid group READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda In another news, Legit.ng had earlier reported that a cute underage girl had written an adorable open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better #Elections2019: Abuja votes, displays massive turnout at Jabi Sharkil - on Legit TV [embedded content] CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | Just In: President Buhari wins in Osun state - President Muhammadu Buhari has the highest votes in Osun state - INEC announced that Buhari scored 347,634 votes in the state - PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, scored 337, 377 votes President Muhammadu Buhari, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturdays presidential elections has won in Osun. Professor Toyin Ogundipe, the State Collation Officer announced at the INEC headquarters in Osogbo at about 12:25am on Monday that Buhari scored 347,634 votes. Ogundipe, who is the Vice-Chancellor of University of Lagos (UNILAG) said Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 337, 377 votes. READ ALSO: Governor Dankwambo loses senatorial seat to APC He said the total number of registered voters was 1, 674, 729, while the total number of accredited voters was 732, 984, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Ogundipe added that the valid votes was 714,682, while rejected votes was 17,200. He said the number of votes cast was 731,882. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Legit.ng earlier reported that Atiku ABubakar led in the results of Saturday, February 23, 2019 presidential election in Plateau state. The election took place in all the 17 local government areas (LGAs) of the state. Abubakar, in the results of the eight LGAs so far announced by theINEC is currently winning in six. Follow Legit.ng's Live updates on situation reports and collation of results across the country (Day 2) here. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng upgrades to serve you better 2019 Election: We are retrogressing in Nigeria 83-year-old man says after voting - on Legit TV [embedded content] CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | Dino Melaye leads APC in race for Kogi west senatorial seat - Senator Dino Melaye is currently leading as collation for Kogi west senatorial district continues - The results of four out of the seven local government councils in the district has been announced - Coming closely behind Melaye is APC candidate, Smart Adeyemi The Returning Officer for Kogi West Senatorial district , Prof Emmanuel Bala has announced the results of four out of seven local government councils in the district, which gave the PDP candidate, Senator Dino Melaye, a clear lead over Senator Smart Adeyemi of the APC. Bala who announced the results in Lokoja Sunday evening said Adeyemi polled 18,800 votes in Lokoja local government while Melaye scored 24, 576 votes. READ ALSO: Atiku leads in Plateau, wins 6 out of 8 LGAs results declared In Yagba West local government, Adeyemi scored 6,799 votes, Melaye got 8, 942. In Mopa -Muro local government, Melaye polled 5,112 , while Adeyemi of APC trailed with 3, 658 votes. According to Bala, the PDP candidate also emerged winner in Yagba East local government by scoring 8, 638 while the APC candidate came second with 5, 077 votes. Results from the remaining three local governments, Ijumu, Kabba/Bunu and Kogi are still being awaited. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Senate President Bukola Saraki lost his bid for reelection into the Senate from Kwara Central on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Saraki lost to Yahaya Oloriegbe of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturdays February 23 senatorial election. Legit.ng gathered that Oloriegbe polled a total of 123, 808 votes to defeat the Senate president who scored 68, 994 votes in the four local governments of Kwara Central senatorial district. Follow Legit.ng's Live updates on situation reports and collation of results across the country (Day 2) here. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better Saraki is key to Atiku winning in 2019 - Primate Ayodele| Legit TV [embedded content] CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... Home | News | General | PDP rejects Kwara central result as Saraki loses to APC senatorial candidate - Peoples Democratic Party has rejected the result of the Kwara central senatorial district election - The party agent for the district refused to append his signature on the INEC result, alleging electoral fraud - Senate President Bukola Saraki lost to APC candidate, Yahaya Oloriegbe, according to INEC's result The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the result of the Kwara central senatorial district in the Saturday, February 23, election in Kwara state. The party's agent for the district, Isiaka Magaji, claimed that there was massive rigging, especially in Ilorin west area of the local government, Tribune reports. The party's agent refused to append his signature on the result presented by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). READ ALSO: Live updates: Situation reports and collation of results across the country - Day 2 Magaji, who spoke when representatives of political parties were called out to append their signatures on the final result, also presented a protest letter to the returning officer for the election, Prof. Olawale Olatubosun. Olatunbosun, however, refused to receive the letter, saying he lacked the jurisdicton to do so. Magaji, while airing his grievances, said: The report that I got from our agents in the four local government areas that made up Kwara central senatorial district said there was massive electoral fraud in some polling units, especially in Ilorin West local government area." PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Legit.ng earlier reported that Senate President, Bukola Saraki, lost his bid for reelection into the Senate from Kwara Central on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Saraki lost to Yahaya Oloriegbe of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturdays February 23 senatorial election. Oloriegbe polled a total of 123, 808 votes to defeat the Senate president who scored 68, 994 votes in the four local governments of Kwara central senatorial district. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better Saraki is key to Atiku winning in 2019 - Primate Ayodele| Legit TV [embedded content] CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Loading... By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis ended his conference on the sexual abuse of children by clergy on Sunday by calling for an "all-out battle" against a crime that should be "erased from the face of the earth". But victims and their advocates expressed deep disappointment, saying Francis had merely repeated old promises and offered few new concrete proposals. In his closing address to the almost 200 Church leaders he had summoned to Rome, Francis said national guidelines on preventing and punishing abuse would be strengthened and the Church's definition of minors in cases of possession by clergy of pornography would be raised from the current age of 14. At least two Vatican officials have been convicted in recent years of possessing child pornography. Shortly after the conference, the Vatican said it would enact a law to protect minors and vulnerable adults within the Vatican City - the tiny enclave surrounded by Rome which is one of the few countries without one. The Vatican will also issue a "guidebook" to "help bishops around the world clearly understand their duties" and set up teams of experts to be sent to countries to help inexperienced bishops handle cases of abuse. A list of 21 "reflection points" circulated at the conference included actions such as informing civil authorities of substantial accusations and making sure non-clerics are involved in Church investigations of abuse. Francis vowed the Roman Catholic Church would "spare no effort" to bring abusers to justice and would not cover up or underestimate abuse. But he dedicated much of the first part of a speech lasting more than half an hour to statistics from the United Nations and other organizations showing that most sexual abuse of children takes place in families. "We are thus facing a universal problem, tragically present almost everywhere and affecting everyone. Yet we need to be clear, that while gravely affecting our societies as a whole, this evil is in no way less monstrous when it takes place within the Church," he said. "RECYCLED RHETORIC" Anne Barrett-Doyle of the U.S.-based clergy abuse tracking group bishopaccountability.org, called it a "stunning letdown". "As the world's Catholics cry out for concrete change, the Pope instead provides tepid promises, all of which we've heard before," she said in a statement. "Especially distressing was the pope's familiar rationalization that abuse happens in all sectors of society ... We needed him to offer a bold and decisive plan. He gave us instead defensive, recycled rhetoric," Barrett-Doyle said. Italian abuse survivor Alessandro Battaglia cried in St. Peter's Square along with other victims. "I did not hear a 'sorry' ... I didn't hear anything, anything concrete, nothing that was fair," he said. "It is they who destroyed us. This isn't enough, we are not satisfied." The conference brought together bishops from countries such as the United States, where cases of abuse have fallen dramatically because of measures enacted nearly 20 years ago, and bishops from mostly poor countries that still have not come to terms with the problem. Several cardinals, archbishops and canon lawyers at the conference said the Church should stop applying the "pontifical secret" sex abuse trials, because, instead of guaranteeing confidentiality it was often used to hide problems. "OUR OWN WORST ENEMY" The meeting took place after events in 2018 made it the most problematic year for the pope since his election in 2013. In Ireland, which he visited in August, the sexual abuse scandal shattered the power of the Church had dominated society. In Chile, which he visited in January, all of the country's bishops offered their resignations last year over a widespread cover-up. Francis accepted seven of the resignations and dismissed two others from the priesthood. A report by a grand jury in Pennsylvania last year revealed that priests had sexually abused about 1,000 people over seven decades in that U.S. state alone. Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane, Australia, delivered a homily at the Mass that formally ended the conference, with words that were in many ways more pungent than the pope's. "We will not go unpunished," Coleridge said. "In abuse and its concealment, the powerful (of the Church) show themselves not men of heaven but men of earth ... "At times, however, we have seen victims and survivors as the enemy, but we have not loved them, we have not blessed them. In that sense, we have been our own worst enemy." (Additional reporting by Antonio Denti, Editing by Robin Pomeroy) A woman in Falmouth, Massachusetts, is facing charges of disorderly conduct, assault, and battery, after she allegedly attacked a man wearing a Make America Great Again (MAGA) hat on Friday, February 15. In footage of the incident, Rosiane Santos, 41, is seen knocking Mashpee resident Bryton Turners MAGA hat off his head in the Casa Vallarta Mexican Restaurant, in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Turner said that he was eating a meal in the restaurant when Santos began to yell at him because of his hat. Footage shared to Turners Facebook page shows the woman walking behind Turner and knocking the hat off his head. The woman then appears to put her arms around Turner and force the hat onto his head. A second clip, recorded by Turner, shows the woman being handcuffed by police officers. Speaking to local media, Santos said that while she regrets her actions, she was the victim in the whole incident and that she was provoked. Credit: Bryton Turner via Storyful The Liberals are embroiled in controversy, but the New Democrats appear to have the most to lose in three federal byelections taking place Monday. The NDP currently holds two of the three seats up for grabs Burnaby South in British Columbia and Montreals Outremont. These ridings were held by New Democrats Kennedy Stewart and former NDP leader Tom Mulcair, respectively. Theres also a byelection in York-Simcoe, a riding located north of Toronto that was most recently held by Peter Van Loan for the Conservatives. The former Tory government House leader first won the seat in 2004 and retained it in four subsequent elections, making it a Conservative stronghold. Heres a brief breakdown of each federal riding and what to expect. Burnaby South For many political commentators, all eyes will be on Burnaby South. Thats where NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is trying to win his first federal seat. Securing this riding will allow Singh to finally have a voice in the House, more than 500 days after winning leadership of the party. Theres been talk of the party finding a new leader if Singh is unable to take Burnaby South. NDP MPs reportedly warned Singh that he will be replaced as leader if he doesnt win his byelection, according to CBC News. Former NDP national director Karl Belanger had previously told Yahoo Canada that Singh remains relatively unknown for many Canadian voters, which is a challenge and an opportunity for the party. He needs to find a way to connect with [voters] and to tell a story that they can relate to, Belanger said. So far, he has been unable to establish that kind of narrative. One factor that may be at play is the fact that Singh is running as a parachuted candidate, vying for a riding hes not originally from. Singh was born in Ontario and before becoming the federal NDP leader, he was an MPP for the Ontario NDP. An online poll conducted by Yahoo Canada found that out of more than 7,000 respondents, 91 per cent did not think it was OK for politicians to run for office outside of their home riding. Story continues The other candidates running in Burnaby South are Richard Lee (Liberals), Jay Shin (Conservatives), Laura-Lynn Thompson (Peoples Party of Canada), Terry Grimwood (independent), and Valentine Wu (independent). NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is trying to secure a place in the House of Commons with his first run at being an MP in the Burnaby South byelection, one of three being held Monday across Canada. Photo from The Canadian Press. Outremont This riding will be a critical test for the NDP as it is the only one in Quebec, a province that has been kind to New Democrats in recent years. The seat had historically been a Liberal stronghold until Mulcair won it for New Democrats in 2007. This time around, with Mulcair out of the picture, some are saying theres no clear favourite while others call it a bellwether byelection. No one knows what the mostly French-speaking province has in store for the New Democrats under Singh. The party had success growing support in Quebec under Jack Layton and Mulcair, but Singhs presence is different because he wears a religious symbol. Last year, the Coalition Avenir Quebec stormed to a majority government victory in the provincial election while promising to introduce a ban on public sector workers wearing religious symbols on the job. Theres no question that wearing a religious symbol, the way he does, will have an impact on the share of the electorate, Belanger told Yahoo Canada. For a big share of the electorate, it is a non-starter. So New Democrats have to deal with that reality. Candidates for Outremont include William Barrett (independent), Rachel Bendayan (Liberals), Daniel Green (Greens), Michael Duchesne (Bloc Quebecois), Jasmine Louras (Conservatives), Julia Sanchez (NDP), James Seale (Peoples Party of Canada). York-Simcoe Ontario voters have more options than those in B.C. or Quebec. The Conservatives have managed to hold onto this riding through three different prime ministers since it was re-established 15 years ago. During the most recent election in 2015, Van Loan secured more than half of the votes (50.2 per cent), followed by the Liberals at 37.8 per cent, the NDP at 8.9 per cent and the Greens at 3.1 per cent, according to Elections Canada. Scot Davidson, the candidate running for the Tories in place of Van Loan, told CBC News this byelection is a referendum on the Liberal government. Hes been expressing confidence that the riding will stay blue after Monday. Meanwhile, Shaun Tanaka is hoping the second time is a charm for her after unsuccessfully running for the Liberals in the last general election. The other candidates running in York-Simcoe are Dorian Baxter (Progressive Canadian Party), Keith Dean Komar (Libertarians) Robert Geurts (Peoples Party of Canada), Mathew Lund (Greens), Jessa McLean (NDP), Adam Suhr (National Citizens Alliance), and John Turmel (independent). National Human Rights Commission concerned over Fridays blast and arson attacks The National Human Rights Commission has expressed its deep concerns over the recent incidents of bomb blast and arson attacks in various places across the country resulting in loss of human life and property. Berkshire Hathaway Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett speaks during an interview in Omaha, Neb., with Liz Claman on Fox Business Network's "Countdown to the Closing Bell." Berkshire Hathaway Inc. reports earnings Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)s Warren Buffett is unlike most CEOs in terms of sheer wealth and how he thinks about doing business for his fellow Berkshire Hathaway shareholders. For decades, the 88-year old billionaire has stressed the virtues of long-term investing and championed the pursuit of hidden value in an often ginned up stock market. Buffett has also made it no secret that he has a burning distaste for quarterly earnings reporting. By executives focusing on making a quarterly earnings number which is compiled by usually biased Wall Street analysts Buffett believes it comes at the expense of instituting the correct decisions for the long-term health of the business. Even after all these years of following the Oracle of Omaha, it may be striking to some to hear Buffett proclaim Berkshire has no company-wide budget and doesnt prepare monthly earnings reports. The behavior is remarkable, especially compared to the numerous quick buck artists that continue to man corporate C-suites. Berkshire, in fact, may be the only company in the Fortune 500 that does not prepare monthly earnings reports or balance sheets. I, of course, regularly view the monthly financial reports of most subsidiaries. But Charlie and I learn of Berkshire's overall earnings and financial position only on a quarterly basis, Buffett wrote in his most recent annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders on Feb, 25. Furthermore, Berkshire has no company-wide budget (though many of our subsidiaries find one useful). Our lack of such an instrument means that the parent company has never had a quarterly "number" to hit. Shunning the use of this bogey sends an important message to our many managers, reinforcing the culture we prize. Adds Buffett, Playing with the numbers just this once may well be the CEO's intent; it's seldom the end result. And if it's okay for the boss to cheat a little, it's easy for subordinates to rationalize similar behavior. At Berkshire, our audience is neither analysts nor commentators: Charlie and I are working for our shareholder-partners. The numbers that flow up to us will be the ones we send on to you. Story continues Talk about Buffett sending a clear message to the well-paid executives occupying the comfy C-suites at other public companies. Most CEOs, however, are simply unable to put Buffetts long-termism into practice. Pick your reason as to why. L-R: Peter, Warren and Susie Buffett attend the world premiere of "Becoming Warren Buffet" (HBO Documentary Films) at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, NY on January 19, 2017. (Photo by Stephen Smith) Linking compensation to performance For starters, countless big corporations link compensation plans of their top executives to earnings per share growth and stock price performance versus competitors. Hence, top executives are inclined to do everything they can from buying back stock to temporarily cutting back on marketing expenses to make an earnings number each quarter that pleases the Wall Street wolves. But, those actions could come at the expense of long-term value creation. No matter, said top executives will be retired and rich when that long-term arrives right? Berkshire Hathaways culture, set by Buffett and long-time partner Charlie Munger, precludes it from living in the today as most leading executives usually do. Meanwhile, many executives are obsessed with how their stock price performs each day. If the stock puts in a few bad weeks, the executive team could try and cook up ways to boost the stock temporarily (see possible actions above). Again, Buffett is not concerned with short-term movements in Berkshire Hathaways stock mostly given confidence in the businesses (and their managers) and investments he owns. And hey, Buffetts track record when it comes to value creation is virtually unmatched. A call to end quarterly reporting Buffett isnt the only prominent CEO to rail against quarterly earnings reporting. Blackrocks Larry Fink, a vocal opponent, and former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi are keen on releasing earnings every six months. In August 2018, President Donald Trump said he had asked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to study a six-month reporting system. No updates from the Trump administration or SEC have been forthcoming. But its likely the system of quarterly earnings reporting will be revised as it creates undue market volatility and fosters bad practices inside companies. Business news TV networks cringe at the prospect (say goodbye to that stream of quarterly CEO interviews), but shareholders of big and small companies should view it favorably. Yet again, the Oracle is dead on. Brian Sozzi is an editor-at-large at Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter @BrianSozzi Read more: By Paul Sandle BARCELONA (Reuters) - The United States needs to share any evidence it has about Huawei with European authorities so they can take a common view about whether to use the Chinese group's technology in their networks, the head of Vodafone said on Monday. Huawei is under intense scrutiny after the United States told allies not to use its technology because of fears it could be a vehicle for Chinese spy operations. The company is the world's largest mobile network gear supplier, ahead of Sweden's Ericsson and Finland's Nokia. Nick Read, chief executive of Vodafone, the world's second largest mobile operator, told reporters at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Monday that cutting the number of network suppliers to two from three would damage the industry and economic growth. "We need to have a fact-based risk-assessed review," Read said. "People are saying things at the moment that are not grounded, I'm not saying that is the case for the U.S. because I have not met them directly myself so I have not seen what evidence they have, but they clearly need to present that evidence to the right bodies throughout Europe." He added that everybody he was meeting at a national level in Europe was making it clear that they were going through a fact-based assessment. Vodafone said last month it would pause the deployment of Huawei's equipment in its core networks in Europe until it had clarity from governments on any risks. But Read said it was not a simple case of barring Huawei from future 5G networks as the company's equipment was already in use in 4G networks in Europe that would be the foundation of the new technology. He said a massive equipment swap would be hugely disruptive to national infrastructure and consumers as well as being "very, very expensive". "It will delay 5G in Europe by probably two years," he said. "It structurally disadvantages Europe." Story continues Huawei has only a minimal presence in U.S. networks, so a complete bar would not have the same impact there. Read said Vodafone was still rolling out Huawei's 5G radio equipment across Europe at pace, even though it had paused deployment in the core network where data is routed and processed. "We are engaged with all (European) governments at the moment and we'd like them to arrive at a common set of understandings," he said. Britain said on Wednesday it was able to manage the security risks of using Huawei telecoms equipment and had not seen any evidence of malicious activity by the company. Read said an assessment regime for equipment made by Huawei and its rivals could be established at a European level, along similar lines to a centre already operating in Britain. "We don't want multi-layers because then we'd be very slow and cumbersome, this should be for all vendors," he said. Aside from Huawei's security - an issue that is overshadowing the annual mobile fair, Read said Vodafone was open to more partnerships concerning its mobile tower infrastructure. Vodafone agreed a new infrastructure sharing partnership with Telecom Italia on Thursday to enable faster deployment of fifth-generation mobile phone services over a wider geographic area and at a lower cost. "You will see more of these going forward," Read said. (Reporting by Paul Sandle; writing by Kate Holton; editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Kirsten Donovan) A Kim Jong Un impersonator, who is in Vietnam in time for the Trump-Kim summit that will take place later this week, has been escorted by authorities to the airport to be deported. The man, using the name Howard X, was told by Vietnamese immigration officials that his visa was invalid, but that they did not elaborate further, according to AFP. He will be sent back to Hong Kong, his city of residence. I was born with a face looking like Kim Jong Un, thats the real crime, he told AFP as he got into a van headed for the airport. The Kim lookalike arrived in Hanoi with Trump impersonator Russell White, who is from Canada, last week. Channel News Asia reported that the pair staged a fake summit outside the capitals Opera House before a sea of reporters and security personnel. White will be allowed to stay in the capital but has been warned not to make public appearances in his costume. Satire is a powerful weapon against any dictatorship. They are scared of a couple of guys that look like the real thing, Howard X said to AFP. U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will meet for a summit in the Vietnam capital on Feb. 27 and Feb. 28, a follow-up to their first dialogue in Singapore last June. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The initial meeting yielded little result, with Pyongyang continuing to build its nuclear arsenal and the U.S. not relaxing its sanctions. Trump, however, stated that the two leaders have established a very good relationship. Hanoi has called itself the City of Peace ahead of the summit, with tight security deployed across the capital and several state buildings receiving hurried refurbishments, AFP reports. The 800-pound gorilla of the U.S. lingerie market is still Victoria's Secret, owned by L Brands (NYSE: LB), with a market share of around 24%. But that dominance is quickly eroding as the company faces challenges from all fronts. Upstarts like ThirdLove and Lively are winning at the high end; Amazon.com launched its own line of inexpensive lingerie in 2017, targeting the low end; and sales of American Eagle's Aerie lingerie brand have exploded, growing by a whopping 32% in the third quarter. All of this competition has been tough for Victoria's Secret, leading to substantial comparable-sales declines over the past two years. A Target storefront. Image source: Target. Target enters the fray Target (NYSE: TGT), which has enjoyed a bit of a renaissance of late thanks to its focus on exclusive brands and e-commerce, is already a player in the lingerie market. But the retailer is now beginning an all-out assault on Victoria's Secret. with plans to launch three new brands next month aimed at the market leader. The retailer expects the new brands to reach more than $1 billion of annual sales, much like some of Target's other successful apparel brands. Target will eliminate Gilligan & O'Malley, its existing underwear and sleepwear brand, in favor of its of its new brands. Auden will be its new lingerie brand targeting Victoria's Secret shoppers. Corsie will be focused on loungewear and younger women, looking to steal customers from Victoria Secret's PINK brand. And Stars Above will feature sleepwear. All of Target's new bras will cost less than $22 and include plus sizes. More than 40% of its new bras will be wire-free, a category growing by 10% annually, according to NPD. Target will also launch a tool on its website that will help women find the right size, and it plans to unveil a new marketing campaign that will focus on inclusiveness, featuring women of all sizes, ages, and ethnicities. Victoria's Secret should be terrified Story continues Victoria's Secret was already struggling with intense competition before Target made its move. The retailer's new brands won't make life any easier. Victoria's Secret, along with its PINK brand, need to win millennial customers in order to stay relevant. That will be much harder now that Target has set its sights on the lingerie market. A survey late last year from ad agency Moosylvania that ranked the top 100 millennial brands demonstrates Victoria's Secret's problem. Victoria's Secret came in at the no. 21 spot on that list, and PINK was ranked 31. Where was Target ranked? No. 4, behind only Amazon, Apple, and Nike. Target is popular with millennials, and it can use that popularity to steal away market share from tired brands like Victoria's Secret. Target's stores give it an advantage over Amazon and other purely online retailers when it comes to private-label clothing. Amazon is reportedly struggling with weak sales of some of its private-label clothing lines, despite its massive customer base. A whopping 82% of its women's clothing lines fail to sell more than 100 units per month per item, according to Amazon seller data platform Jungle Scout. While apparel sales will likely continue to shift online, having physical stores where customers can try on clothes gives Target an edge. Victoria's Secret's sales are up for grabs as the brand struggles to retain its market share. While online-only brands will win some of the pie, Target is well-positioned to greatly expand its presence in the lingerie and sleepwear market. Target's popularity with younger shoppers and its successful track record with private-label brands should absolutely terrify Victoria's Secret. More From The Motley Fool John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Timothy Green has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends AMZN and AAPL. The Motley Fool has the following options: long January 2020 $150 calls on AAPL and short January 2020 $155 calls on AAPL. The Motley Fool recommends NKE. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. By Nelson Bocanegra CUCUTA, Colombia (Reuters) - Sergeant Javier Gonzalez knew he would be killed if caught deserting Venezuela's military to flee to Colombia, but the thought of his nine-month-old son suffering the lack of milk and diapers in his economically devastated country steeled his resolve. Gonzalez's wife, Sergeant Kari Castro, escaped a day later on Sunday, crossing a riverbed near the Colombia city of Cucuta with their baby and two other family members. The couple are two of at least 167 members of the Venezuelan armed forces who have deserted and turned themselves into Colombia's migration agency over the last three days. The desertions began Saturday, during a failed attempt by Venezuela's opposition to drive a convoy of hundreds of tonnes of international humanitarian aid into the country, despite a refusal by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to accept the food and medicine. Two trucks caught fire on a border bridge, after being halted at Venezuelan National Guard barricades. Violent clashes between protesters and the armed forces left almost 300 wounded and at least three protesters dead near the Brazilian border. The support of the military is considered key for Maduro to retain his hold on the country, especially since last month, when opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido invoked the constitution to assume an interim presidency. "I deserted for the life of my son. We're working for a salary that doesn't stretch to anything. We can't live in misery. Enough, we're tired," said former national guardsman Gonzalez, 28, who earned about $13 a month in the ranks. Shortages of basic goods and political unrest finally pushed the family to leave, said Castro, 38, who has spent half her life serving in the armed forces. "It's so difficult to go to another country when you've given your life to an institution," she said. Gonzalez said that since his desertion he has been in contact with former colleagues who are also willing to defect. Many in the armed forces are afraid of Maduro's intelligence forces, he said, which has reportedly tortured and killed those who go against Maduro. "They're going to do it - I have lots of colleagues writing to me and they are motivated, they just need a little push," he said during an interview in Cucuta. The couple said they are willing to return to their home country to help Guaido wrest control from Maduro, who denies any crisis and says the aid convoys are a U.S.-backed ruse to oust him. "It's never too late to take the step - if our president Guaido is supporting us, we'll support him," said Gonzalez, who served in the national guard for eight years. "If we must form units here to plan the takeover of our country we'll do it." Guaido, recognized by most Western nations as Venezuela's legitimate leader, urged foreign powers to consider "all options" for ousting Maduro at a Monday meeting of the Lima Group regional bloc. Colombian President Ivan Duque told the body the desertions showed there are cracks inside the Venezuelan armed forces and called for a "domino effect" of more defections. (Reporting by Nelson Bocanegra; writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Helen Murphy and Lisa Shumaker) Marco Rubio posted two photographs of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on his Twitter account on Sunday, in an apparent threat to Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro. The US senator is an influential voice in Washington on Venezuela policy and is a staunch critic of Mr Maduro, who has overseen his country's descent into chaos. On Saturday the Florida politician said that the recent violence against civilians in Venezuela had "opened the door to various potential multilateral actions not on the table just 24 hours ago". In repeated tweets attacking Mr Maduro, the senator has claimed that many nations are "increasingly" willing to consider taking action against Venezuela. Mr Rubio has also attacked the country's government for refusing aid. "The whole world saw them set fire to 3 trucks carrying food & other humanitarian aid," Mr Rubio wrote on Saturday. "They will soon realise just how badly they overplayed their hand today." His tweet referencing Mr Gaddafi is the bluntest message yet to the Maduro administration. Mr Gaddafi was killed after he was captured and manhandled by rebel militiamen in October 2011. One of the photos posted by Mr Rubio shows the former Libyan leader bloodied and injured. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Mr Rubio had earlier tweeted a photograph of former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, who was captured by US forces in 1990 after an invasion. The former dictator died in 2017, having spent the remainder of his life in US, French and Panamanian prisons. Venezuela has been consumed with violence in recent days after Mr Maduro closed the country's borders with Colombia and Brazil. Opposition leader Juan Guaido called on desperate civilians to help him bring international aid through the closed borders. About 300 people, mostly thought to be civilians, were injured after troops fired tear gas at protesters, causing a stampede. The US reaction to the rising violence has been increasingly hostile, with Mike Pompeo, the secretary of state, declaring that Mr Maduro's "days are numbered". Story continues Mike Pence, the US vice president, is due to meet with Latin American leaders in Colombia at an emergency meeting about the crisis on Monday. He is expected to announce "concrete steps" to deal with the violence at the gathering in Bogota and will also meet with Mr Guaido. Additional reporting by agencies Washington (AFP) - The US Supreme Court will rule on Wednesday if a giant cross that serves as a war memorial is, as secularist critics contend, an unconstitutional state religious endorsement. The case of the cross has become a rallying cry for religious conservatives and secularist progressives alike, in an intensifying culture war that has been sharpened by President Donald Trump's appointment of two new justices giving the top court a conservative majority. Judges of the court will have to rule on whether the cross violates the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting free exercise thereof." While the clause leaves no doubt that the state cannot finance a religious institution, there are several gray areas surrounding it: not least the fact that every dollar bill has "In God We Trust" written on it. At the heart of the case is a 40-foot (12-meter) tall cross erected in 1925 in Bladensburg, Maryland -- near the nation's capital Washington -- to honor the memory of 49 local soldiers killed in World War I. Because it is built on public land, the Washington-based American Humanist Association (AHA), a plaintiff in the case, holds that the monument violates the First Amendment's forbidding the state from favoring one religion over another. "The fight for separation of church and state is far from over," the AHA said on its website, which adds that $100,000 of public funding has been used to maintain the cross. - 'Fighting for their country' - The group's director Roy Speckhardt said the "cross honors not all veterans but really only Christian veterans... We want to have a monument that honors all veterans." That reasoning is false, said Will Trotter -- a former soldier who lives near the monument and says he was inspired by the example of the men cited on it. "It has no religious connotation at all. The shape of the cross goes back many, many centuries as a symbol of service and sacrifice for warfare... That was just the way things were done a century ago," Trotter said. Story continues One of those honored on the monument is Thomas Fenwick, who died fighting in France at the age of 22. His niece Mary Ann LaQuay agrees the monument "does not represent a religion." She told AFP: "It's a very stressful and sad time to think that someone wants to take away a memorial to men who lost their lives fighting for their country. This really hurts." A lower court rejected the AHA's initial filing, but in December 2016 an appeals court ordered that the cross be either torn down, changed or moved. "The display aggrandizes the Latin cross in a manner that says to any reasonable observer that the Commission either places Christianity above other faiths, views being American and Christian as one in the same, or both," the judges ruled. The American Legion, which represents military veterans, and the parks department then appealed to the Supreme Court. Since then, the administration of President Donald Trump, several members of which openly profess their Christian beliefs, has expressed support for the monument. - 'War on Christmas' - A Department of Justice brief to the Supreme Court says that removal or destruction of the 93-year-old memorial "would be viewed by many as the action of a government that is not neutral but hostile on matters of religion". When the court renders its decision after several weeks, it will have consequences for many other monuments in the United States which carry religious symbols. The dominance of Christianity, and in particular the Protestant faith, in US life has long made the gray areas more or less moot. In recent years, however, the growing number of other religions, and of atheists, in the country has led to a rising chorus of protest about Christianity's unchallenged dominance in US cultural life. That protest has in turn prompted a backlash from the religious right, who have condemned what they term the "war on Christmas" and remain suspicious of a more multicultural approach. The culture clash has led to numerous appeals to the Supreme Court to demarcate the ever-shifting border between church and state. "I think the court will keep things unsettled," said Jeffrey Shulman, a law professor at Georgetown University. "I think it will remain a complex and confusing area of the law." "There is always a battle going on somewhere," he said. "This is just the latest battle in a long and continuing struggle to define religious liberty in America." Trump says he would be happy if rogue state continues with nuclear testing ban, handing diplomatic initiative to Kim Jong-un One analyst says North Korea has a game plan for the Hanoi summit while Trump obviously does not. Photograph: Evan Vucci/AP Donald Trump has said the US will be happy if North Korea simply agrees to continue its moratorium on nuclear and missile testing at this weeks summit in Hanoi. The US presidents remarks on Sunday night represented a lowering of already modest expectations for his second meeting with Kim Jong-un in Hanoi, due to begin on Wednesday. The North Koreans leaders moratorium on testing began even before the two leaders first summit in Singapore last June, and followed the successful test of a thermonuclear weapon and two launches of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in 2017. At the Singapore summit, Kim Jong-un agreed to the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula but it soon became clear that the US and North Korea had very different interpretations of what the phrase meant. Since then, the North Korean state has carried out demolition work at a nuclear test site and a missile test facility, but according to US intelligence estimates, has taken no substantial steps towards disarmament. Adding to the uncertainty surrounding the US negotiating position, the US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, suggested on Sunday that some sanctions on North Korea could be lifted before it dismantled its nuclear weapons programme, a relaxation of the Trump administrations previous stance. Pompeo also suggested the Hanoi summit could last for just one day, instead of the expected two. Workers put the finishing touches to decor at the Marriott hotel in Hanoi where Donald Trump will stay during his visit to Vietnam. Photograph: Linh Pham/Getty Images The public shifts in the US stance came as diplomats from both countries sought to make progress towards an agreement in preliminary talks in the Vietnamese capital, and Kim Jong-uns armoured train made slow progress through China on the way to the Vietnamese border, from where the North Korean dictator was expected to complete his trip by car. Vietnamese officials announced the road from the border would be closed on Monday morning. Trump is due to fly out of Washington on Monday afternoon on his way to meet Kim. Story continues Its a very interesting thing to say but Ive developed a very, very good relationship, he told US state governors at an evening event at the White House. He added: We have a special feeling and I think its going to lead to something very good and maybe now. And we see eye to eye, I believe, Trump said. Whats going to happen, I cant tell you ... I dont want to rush anybody, I just dont want testing. As long as theres no testing, were happy. Trump surprised US regional allies in Singapore by announcing a suspension of joint military exercises with South Korean without consulting US military leaders or the government in Seoul. Adding to the uncertainty this time, Trump will be meeting Kim when his former lawyer, Michael Cohen will be giving testimony to Congress and speculation that the special counsel investigating the Trump campaigns links with Moscow, Robert Mueller, may be close to delivering a report on his findings. Vietnamese police in Hanoi ahead of the summit. Photograph: STRINGER/Reuters The big question with the Cohen testimony on Wednesday is whether Trump will give away too much, Victor Cha, former director of Asian affairs at the US national security council. Trump has so much personally invested in this ... and he really doesnt care about the alliance [with South Korea]. He could put something on the table that really damaging the alliance. On Sunday night, Trump insisted: Im not pushing for speed, but were not removing the sanctions. However, that apparently firm position was called into a question by remarks by Pompeo in a television interview before he left Washington on Sunday night to join the negotiations in Hanoi. Remember these sanctions cover a broad array of activities, the secretary of state told CNN. The core economic sanctions, the sanctions that prevent countries from conducting trade, creating wealth for North Korea, those sanctions are definitely going to remain in place. But Pompeo added: There are other things we could do exchanges of people, lots of other ways that North Korea is sanctioned today that if we get a substantial step and move forward we could certainly provide an outlet which would demonstrate our commitment to the process as well. When he announced the second summit, Trump had said that it would take place over two days, 27-28 February. Pompeo however, raised the prospect it could be cut short. Might be one day, might be two days. Im confident that if it requires even more time, well commit to that, he said. According to a diplomat familiar with the talks, the North Korean starting position is that since Pyongyang had suspended nuclear and missile tests, and partially dismantled two test sites, it was the turn of the US to make the first concession in Hanoi and relax sanctions. Most US sanctions on North Korea are mandated by Congress and would be hard for the administration to lift. It would also be hard to convince US allies on the security council that the goal of UN sanctions had been met. However, Washington could attempt to persuade the UN to make humanitarian exceptions to the sanctions, perhaps loosening constraints on economic cooperation between South and North Korea. Pompeo declined to comment on speculation that Trump might offer a declaration about the end of hostilities from the Korean War, which were only suspended by agreement on an armistice in 1953. Such a declaration, leading to a peace agreement, is a longstanding demand of the Pyongyang regime. It is unclear what the US would consider a substantial step from North Korea that would warrant the loosening of sanctions and a peace declaration. In his talks with his counterpart, the US special envoy for North Korean negotiations, Stephen Biegun, is said by diplomats from the region to have pushed for a clear definition of what denuclearisation means, a declaration describing the extent of the North Korean nuclear and missile programmes, a roadmap for future negotiations, and a timetable for disarmament. However, Trump himself has undercut the demand for a timeline, and the US also appears to have backed away from the demand for an inventory of North Koreas weapons programmes. Among the more modest steps Kim Jong-un could offer in Hanoi would be admitting inspectors to North Korean nuclear sites. For the right incentives, the North Koreans have suggested that they would be ready to begin dismantling their main nuclear complex, at Yongbyon, possibly including its plutonium-producing reactor, and a uranium enrichment plant. The reactor however is nearing obsolescence and the regime is suspected of running up to three other covert enrichment plants elsewhere in the country. Duyeon Kim, adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, said a second summit that failed to achieve genuine progress towards disarmament will botch any chance of rolling back Pyongyangs nuclear weapons capability, which has advanced to unprecedented levels. That will force the world to live permanently with a regime that has yet to learn the basics of being a responsible nuclear state and continues to violate human rights, Kim wrote in Foreign Policy. The North Korean game plan is to ensnare us in long-winded negotiations, while enforcement of sanctions becomes lax or non-existent, Sung-Yoon Lee, professor of Korean studies at Tufts Universitys Fletcher School, said. The North Koreans have a game plan. Trump obviously does not. For North Korea this is a matter of life or death. For the US, it is more like a hobby. (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May is considering a plan to delay Brexit to ensure the UK does not leave the European Union without a deal, Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the situation. May will propose that her cabinet discuss extending the March 29 deadline at a meeting on Tuesday, Bloomberg reported. May would announce the conclusions of the meeting to parliament later in the day, it said. Sterling jumped to a four-week high against the dollar after the report. The Sun newspaper said, without citing sources, that May would open the door to a delay by proposing formally ruling out a "no-deal" Brexit scenario. Seeking to delay Brexit would be a change of stance for the prime minister, who said on Monday it was no way to solve the impasse in parliament over the exit deal she has negotiated with Brussels. The UK cannot extend the Brexit deadline unilaterally, however, and needs the European Union to sign on to the idea. The Guardian newspaper reported on Sunday that the EU was determined to avoid a short extension only to have to revisit the issue in the summer when the mood in parliament is unlikely to have changed. May put off a vote in parliament on her deal to March 12, just 17 days before Britain is due to leave the EU. (Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Bengaluru; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Sonya Hepinstall) Nepal International Trade Fair slated for March 28 Nepal International Trade Fair 2019 is scheduled to kick off on March 28 at Exhibition Hall, Bhrikutimandap. By Lawrence Hurley WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday threw out an appeals court ruling in favor of a woman's equal pay claim against a California county because the judge who authored the decision died before it was actually issued. In a unsigned opinion with no noted dissents from any of the nine justices, the high court directed the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider the case because of Judge Stephen Reinhardt's death. The judge, a prominent liberal voice in the federal judiciary for decades, died at age 87 on March 29, 2018. The unanimous 9th Circuit ruling in favor of math consultant Aileen Rizo, who accused Fresno County of paying her less than men who performed similar work, was issued 11 days later. The Supreme Court faulted the 9th Circuit's decision to allow Reinhardt to participate in the ruling. "That practice effectively allowed a deceased judge to exercise the judicial power of the United States after his death. But federal judges are appointed for life, not for eternity," the high court said. While the ruling by the 11-judge 9th Circuit panel was unanimous, the judges differed over the legal rationale. The appeals court ruled that salary history cannot be used, whether alone or with other factors, to justify gender-based pay gaps. The case could yet return to the Supreme Court once the appeals court issues a new ruling. Pay disparity remains a key issue in the quest for equal rights for women in the United States. Women made 82 cents for every dollar earned by men in 2017, according to U.S. Labor Department data released last year. The department said that in 1979, women's earnings were 62 percent of men's earnings and that most of the relative growth in women's earnings occurred in the 1980s and 1990s, stalling since 2004. Rizo worked for the Fresno County Office of Education. She sued after discovering in 2012 that her male co-workers were paid more than her, about three years after she started working for the county. Story continues The county said Rizo, who had 13 years of experience, was paid less than her male counterparts based on her prior salary history at the time she was hired, a policy it argued was allowed under a federal law called the 1963 Equal Pay Act. The law barred pay discrimination based on gender. Under that law, employers can consider certain factors such as seniority when setting pay as long the decision is "based on any other factor other than sex." Fresno County said prior salary is not a sex-based factor. Until 2015, it was the county's policy to set starting employees' pay based on their past salaries, in part to avoid favoritism and help attract high-quality candidates, according to court papers. The California legislature in 2016 changed state law so that prior salary cannot be used as a defense to justify gender pay disparities. (Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Will Dunham) SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's presidential office said on Monday the United States and North Korea could agree to declare the end of the 1950-1953 Korean War in a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the Yonhap news agency reported. "The possibility is there," presidential office spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom told a press briefing in Seoul when asked if an end-of-war declaration was on the summit agenda, according to Yonhap. The two leaders will meet in Hanoi on Wednesday and Thursday, eight months after their historic summit in Singapore, the first between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader, where they pledged to work toward the complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. (Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Robert Birsel) On Feb 24, President Trump said he has decided to delay additional tariffs on Chinese goods that were to come into effect from Mar 1. Trump said significant progress was made during last weeks negotiations. He also stated that a meeting between him and President Xi was likely before the end of March. U.S. markets have been on a tear this year and optimism over a trade deal has been a major factor responsible for these gains. Now, analysts feel that a trade agreement could boost stocks even higher. Technology, materials and industrial stocks are likely to benefit the most from such an agreement. Adding stocks from these sectors to your portfolio looks like a smart choice. Trump Delays Marchs Additional Tariffs On Sunday, President Trump tweeted that substantial progress was made during last weeks trade negotiations. The issues covered during these talks include key U.S. concerns such as technology transfer and intellectual property. Following such productive discussions, Trump has decided to defer the additional tariffs that were set to be levied on Chinese imports from Mar 1. The extension of the March deadline puts a freeze on the step up in tariffs from the existing rate of 10% to 25% on $200 billion of additional imports from China. Further, the U.S. President is set to meet his Chinese counterpart at Mar-a-Lago, Florida to seal a long-lasting trade deal. According to CNBC, sources revealed that the meeting was set to take place late next month. Trump followed up his tweets by stating at a White House event that very big news is likely over the next two weeks if trade talks are successful. Key Sticking Points Likely to be Resolved According to Reuters, negotiators had found significant common ground on several issues by Saturday. This includes market access, intellectual property rights and the massive trade deficit the United States has with China. Recently, China promised to increase its uptake of U.S. goods to $1.2 trillion. Story continues However, major differences of opinion on Chinas subsidies, cyber theft, public sector enterprises and so called forcible technology transfers continued to linger at that point. What remained particularly elusive was a common ground on a mutual enforcement mechanism. But Trumps comments on Sunday indicated that both sides were keen to press ahead, regardless of what differences remain. Various news agencies were quoting unnamed sources to indicate that both the United States and China have started formulating the broad contours of a long-lasting trade deal. Our Choices Fresh comments from President Trump indicate that the United States and China are closer than ever to a long-lasting trade agreement. A deal may be struck before the end of March, bringing to an end months of tension for investors across the world. Indexes are set to move higher after such an agreement, per analysts and market watchers. Technology, materials and industrials stocks will likely gain the most from this development. This is why it makes sense to pick up select stocks from these sectors at this time. However, picking winning stocks may be difficult. This is where our VGM Score comes in. Here V stands for Value, G for Growth and M for Momentum and the score is a weighted combination of these three scores. Such a score allows you to eliminate the negative aspects of stocks and select winners. However, it is important to keep in mind that each Style Score will carry a different weight while arriving at a VGM Score. We have narrowed down our search to the following stocks based on a good Zacks Rank and VGM Score. Synaptics Incorporated SYNA is a leader in designing and marketing human interface solutions for electronic devices. Synaptics has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and VGM Score of A. The company has expected earnings growth of 15.2% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 6.9% over the past 30 days. Unisys Corporation UIS is an IT firm, specializing in securing client operations, increasing efficiency of data centers, enhancing support to their end users and constituents and modernizing their enterprise applications. Unisys has VGM Score of B. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 3% over the past 30 days. The stock has a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Arch Coal, Inc. ARCH produces metallurgical and thermal coal, used to manufacture steel and generate electricity. Arch Coal has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and VGM Score of A. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 9.5% over the past 30 days. W. R. Grace & Co. GRA produces specialty chemicals. W. R. Grace has a Zacks Rank #2 and VGM Score of B. The company has expected earnings growth of 10.3% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 3.2% over the past 30 days. Dover Corporation DOV is an industrial conglomerate producing a wide range of specialized industrial products and manufacturing equipment. Dover Corp has a Zacks Rank #2 and VGM Score of B. The company has expected earnings growth of 15.7% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 1.8% over the past 30 days. DXP Enterprises, Inc. DXPE is a leading products and services distributor to energy and industrial companies in the United States. DXP Enterprises has a Zacks Rank #2 and VGM Score of B. The company has expected earnings growth of 33.5% for the current year. This Could Be the Fastest Way to Grow Wealth in 2019 Research indicates one sector is poised to deliver a crop of the best-performing stocks you'll find anywhere in the market. Breaking news in this space frequently creates quick double- and triple-digit profit opportunities. These companies are changing the world and owning their stocks could transform your portfolio in 2019 and beyond. Recent trades from this sector have generated +98%, +119% and +164% gains in as little as 1 month. Click here to see these breakthrough stocks now >> 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 Unisys Corporation (UIS) : Free Stock Analysis Report W.R. Grace & Co. (GRA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Arch Coal Inc. (ARCH) : Free Stock Analysis Report Synaptics Incorporated (SYNA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Dover Corporation (DOV) : Free Stock Analysis Report DXP Enterprises, Inc. (DXPE) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department formally asked a judge on Monday to approve its deal to allow CVS Health Corp to merge with insurer Aetna. Judge Richard Leon of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia scolded the government and parties late last year for closing the $69 billion dollar merger before the consent order was approved by the court. In response, CVS offered to halt some integration of the two companies. With the government's request for final approval of the merger, Leon may sign off on the deal with no further ado or may decide to hold a hearing to allow critics to raise their concerns, said Andre Barlow of the law firm Doyle, Barlow and Mazard PLLC, an antitrust expert who has been following the case. The Justice Department approved the merger of CVS, a U.S. pharmacy chain and benefits manager, and Aetna in October on condition that Aetna sell its Medicare prescription drug plan business to WellCare Health Plans Inc. Both deals have closed. CVS declined comment for this story. (Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Peter Cooney) Jason Momoa stole the show on the Oscars red carpet thanks to a pink scrunchie worn around his wrist. This years Oscars ceremony may have lacked the meme-worthy hilarity of the Golden Globes Fiji Water Girl, but instead it was the 39-year-old Games of Thrones stars tiny accessory that took social media by storm. Twitter users went crazy for the detail, with few missing the novelty of the larger-than-life 64 star breaking gender boundaries with the feminine hair tie. Some even suggested Momoa deserved an award for wearing the scrunchie. Jason Momoa rocked the Fendi pink scrunchie at the Oscars. [Photo: Getty] 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. 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. 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. 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. Headline-grabbing hair accessory aside, Momoa matched his wife, actress Lisa Bonet, in a dusky pink velvet tuxedo. Bonet, 51, meanwhile wore a pink high-necked gown with a netting design. Both outfits were by Fendi and designed by the late Karl Lagerfeld. We have the honour of wearing Karl Lagerfeld, he designed Jasons tux personally for him and this is from his last couture collection from Fendi, Bonet confirmed on ABCs red carpet pre-show. Momoa wasnt the only star to break gender boundaries last night at the Oscars, with Billy Porter shutting down the red carpet in a velvet tuxedo gown by Christian Siriano. 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: Oscars 2019 red carpet fashion: What the stars wore Selma Blair makes first red carpet appearance since MS diagnosis complete with a blinged-out cane Larger-than-life pink dresses dominated the Oscars 2019 red carpet US officials warn of a president who is a dangerous wild card, but Trump should be supported in his denuclearization plan Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Kim Jong-un in Hanoi this week to discuss North Koreas denuclearization. Photograph: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images When Donald Trump sits down with Kim Jong-un in Hanoi this week to further discuss eliminating North Koreas nuclear capability, there are lots of reasons to doubt that the American president can pull it off. Yet denuclearization is exactly the right goal and the president should be cheered on to succeed. And yet, ever since the president announced last year that he would pursue complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, jeering has been the near universal response. Its come from almost every imaginable American quarter: Republican and Democrat, liberal and conservative, expert and amateur. President Obamas CIA director John Brennan has been the most vociferous, saying that a president prone to flattery and oblivious to North Koreas agile feint has taken Kims bait, canceling exercises and contemplating reductions of forces. Meanwhile, the news media is filled with leaks and speculation that North Korea clandestinely continues to manufacture nuclear materials and work on long-range missiles. Ahead of the meeting, US officials promise that troop withdrawals from the Korean Peninsula wont happen, more of a hope as to the actual agenda, given the portrayal of Trump as a dangerous wild card. The picture painted is of an unmanageable patriarch who desires to give away the family fortune. That family fortune of course is in the possession of the national security establishment. On North Korea, but not only with regard to Korea look also at Syria and Afghanistan expert Washington is the master at adhering to their own preferred solutions. Their passive aggressive ways whether applied to Trump on Korea or Obama on issues like Guantanamo and general nuclear disarmament perpetuate stagnancy, any real change stymied through the imposition of conditions that are never quite achievable. Story continues Though it might seem like nothing has happened on North Korea since Donald Trump introduced denuclearization, and hence the near universal howl against Trumps folly, consider the factual picture: North Korea conducted one nuclear test during the Trump administration in September 2017 and has backed off even since then. Five underground tests were held in the two previous administrations. After a flurry of longer and longer range missile activity in the first months of Trumps rule, the North also hasnt conducted a long-range missile test since November 2017. Provocations and incidents of other types have also noticeably declined. No one quite knows why Pyongyang slowed its public and overt testing, nor why Donald Trumps bluntness and boasting that his nuclear button was bigger seems to have worked. But consider this: Trump largely inherited practices initiated in the Obama years, military moves that were meant to threaten and coerce North Korea in light of its diplomatic failures. And so, from the beginning of the Trump administration, American B-1 bombers based in Guam accelerated mock bombing runs over the Korean peninsula. US troop movements and readiness for war increased as well, with larger exercises and more live fire drills. Ballistic missile defenses of the United States, South Korea and Japan were all augmented and increasingly netted together. According to intelligence officials, cyber activity against North Korean military and nuclear targets increased. A very large armada of US ships congregated closer to the Korean Peninsula. More American missile-shooting submarines deployed within range of the North in 2017 than at any time since the Korean War, according to US Navy data and military officials. Into this near autonomous skid towards conflict blundered Mr. Trump. It did look grim for a few months, the two threatening strikes on each other, missiles flying, and speculation even emerging that the United States might move nuclear weapons back onto South Korean soil. But then a different course emerged, the denuclearization dream vetoing the national security establishments tried and true practices. Much of the American activity stopped or slowed at the end of 2017. The navy pulled back and submarines were sent home. B-1 bombers flew elsewhere. After the first summit meeting, some war games in South Korea were canceled. There was even a gap between rotating Army units coming from the United States. Meanwhile, a new leader in South Korea made significant overtures to the North and the two sides increased their talks and meetings, ratcheting down tensions and creating far better conditions for serious negotiations. And slowly, though this could change on the whims of the illustrators of doom, the ominous maps also pulled back. You know the ones Im talking about. First Guam and then Hawaii in range of the Norths missiles, then Alaska and California, all culminating with the mushroom cloud and the dotted line moving closer to Washington DC itself. With this second summit, the same cast of characters wants you to know that North Korea is refusing to provide an inventory of its nuclear program, that it is secretly building missiles and preparing this and that new base, that it is modernizing its military, that it is trying to break sanctions, that it is a cyber and even terrorist threat. And most important, that it is fooling the president. Most of the leaks come from active saboteurs but some also just believe they are protecting America. They want you to believe that doofus Trump will willy-nilly agree to withdraw the near 30,000 American troops from the peninsula, at the same time closing the nuclear umbrella over South Korea and Japan. And, if he is successful, they want you to know that he might divert attention from Robert Mueller and the border wall debacle and all of what else might be more important to Washington. Say what you will about Trump, but after some very bad years of active nuclear testing and missile shooting, disarmament on the Korean peninsula has already occurred. Things are quieter and two leaders who previously werent talking ever now are. Sure the United States should remain vigilant, but much of the penis-wagging and button-pushing is over. To say no success has occurred is factually incorrect. Just getting rid of the war cry is enough to cheer over. President and secretary of state lower expectations as they prepare for meeting amid no sign of concessions from Pyongyang Preparations in Hanoi, Vietnam, for the second summit between North Koreas leader Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump on Wednesday and Thursday. Photograph: Carl Court/Getty Images Donald Trump and his most senior diplomat moved on Sunday to lower expectations for this weeks summit with North Korea, having previously overstated their progress in blocking its pursuit of a nuclear weapon. The president and secretary of state Mike Pompeo struck a more realistic tone as Trump and North Korean premier Kim Jong-un prepared to meet for a second time amid no sign of concessions from Pyongyang. Trump said in a tweet he expected a continuation of the progress made at their first summit last year, adding simply: Denuclearization? He later said North Korea could become one of the great economic powers if it abandoned nuclear weapons. Trump later told governors at the White House on Sunday night that he was happy with the situation as long as North Korea continued its pause in weapons testing. He said he also saw eye to eye with Kim. Trump, Kim and senior officials from both countries are scheduled to meet in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Wednesday and Thursday. North Korean state media said on Sunday Kim left for Vietnam on Saturday aboard a special train, a journey that could take more than two days. They will resume talks held in Singapore in June last year the first between the two countries heads of state. The Singapore talks concluded with no substantive agreement on North Korea abandoning its nuclear weapons in return for relief from US sanctions. Addressing the points of contention between the countries, Pompeo conceded on Sunday that the US had seen progress on some, less so on others. The secretary of state also said further meetings could be needed. There may have to be another summit, Pompeo told Fox News Sunday. We may not get everything done this week. We hope well make a substantial step along the way. Trump, who previously boasted of a whirlwind diplomatic romance with Kim and made wildly overstated claims of success, has also appeared to accept reality. Story continues Im in no rush, he said at the White House this week. The presidents remarks followed downbeat testimony to Congress by Dan Coats, his director of national intelligence. Coats told senators US spies believed North Korea will seek to retain its WMD capabilities because Kim and his aides ultimately view nuclear weapons as critical to regime survival. Coatss testimony was reported to have angered Trump, and led to reports that the president may fire the intelligence chief. Trump points to North Koreas halting of nuclear missile testing and the dismantling of some facilities as signs of progress. Pompeo confirmed on Sunday that North Korea continued to pose a nuclear threat to the US, directly contradicting a claim by Trump following the Singapore summit that it did not. When asked on CNNs State of the Union if he thought North Korea remained a nuclear threat, Pompeo said yes. He then falsely said Trump had not claimed otherwise. On returning to the US from the summit, Trump said in a tweet on 13 June: There is no longer a nuclear threat from North Korea. Reminded on Sunday of Trumps remark, Pompeo said falsely: Thats not what he said. Trump allies privately express concern that the president may offer Kim generous concessions to secure a headline-grabbing deal and to distract from testimony to Congress his former legal fixer, Michael Cohen, is due to give while he is in Vietnam. US President Donald Trump said Sunday US trade talks with China have been "very productive" but offered no hint of the outcome as they entered their fourth day. The negotiations in Washington were extended on Friday until Sunday as officials race to reach a deal ahead of a deadline next week when US duty rates are due to rise sharply. "Very productive talks yesterday with China on Trade. Will continue today!" Trump tweeted. Trump has said he is considering pushing back the deadline for raising tariffs on more than $200 billion in Chinese exports. And on Friday he held out the possibility of a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping "in a not too distant future," possibly as early as next month. In Sunday's tweet, Trump praised Xi for his support on North Korea ahead of the president's summit this week in Hanoi with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. After meeting with China's vice premier Liu He on Friday, Trump expressed optimism about the negotiations. Xi also struck a positive tone in a letter Liu delivered to Trump, saying he hoped the negotiations would be held in a "win-win" spirit that would lead to a mutually beneficial agreement. Trump said Friday that an agreement on currency manipulation will be included in the trade pact, but otherwise few details have been made public. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he may soon sign a deal to end a trade war with Chinese President Xi Jinping if their countries can bridge remaining differences, saying negotiators were "very, very close" to a deal. Markets rallied after Trump said on Sunday he would delay an increase in U.S. tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods and extend his March 1 deadline for a deal. Trump's decision avoided another escalation in a trade war between the world's two largest economies that has cost both countries billions of dollars and roiled global financial markets. Washington is demanding Beijing change the way it does business with the United States, demanding more access for U.S. companies, enforcement of intellectual property protection and an end to industrial subsidies. "We're going to have another summit, we're going to have a signing summit," Trump told a gathering of U.S. governors on Monday. "So hopefully, we can get that completed. But were getting very, very close," said Trump, who left later for Vietnam and a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. U.S. and Chinese negotiators met in Washington through the weekend, working toward a deal that would end a tit-for-tat tariff battle that began in mid-2018. Trump cited progress in the talks as the reason for not raising tariffs further on Chinese goods. He also sounded a note of caution, when he said a deal "could happen fairly soon, or it might not happen at all." It remains unclear how long the tariff increase would be delayed. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Trade Representative's Office said the agency had no announcements at this time beyond the president's remarks. DIFFERENCES OVER ENFORCEMENT Negotiators were still struggling to overcome differences on a mechanism to ensure that China fulfills any pledges it makes as part of the deal. Washington wants an enforcement mechanism built into the deal. Story continues Assuming additional progress is made on both sides, Trump said he planned to meet with Xi at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Trump told the governors "it looks like" Chinese negotiators would be returning quickly to continue work toward a deal. Talks over the weekend with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He were handled by a small team of top-level negotiators, including U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, said a source who had been briefed on the talks. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said on Monday that a number of agricultural issues were on the table in trade talks, including poultry access, issues over beef exports, feed grains, ethanol and an animal feed known as distillers grains. "I thought it was a good sign that the Chinese extended their stay," Perdue told reporters on Monday. He said he understood discussions got into the "nitty-gritty" issues and that China's vice premier "was directly involved in line-by-line negotiations over these issues, including agriculture." But Perdue noted the United States would not be "bought off" and that purchases themselves were not enough. Later on Monday, Trump wrote in a tweet: "China Trade Deal (and more) in advanced stages. Relationship between our two Countries is very strong. I have therefore agreed to delay U.S. tariff hikes. Lets see what happens?" (Reporting by Steve Holland and Makini Brice; Additional reporting by David Lawder and Humeyra Pamuk; Writing by Susan Heavey in Washington and Chris Prentice in New York; Editing by Simon Webb, Tom Brown and Peter Cooney) More than 30 students taken ill More than 30 students at Janajagrit Basic School in Putha Uttarganga Rural Municipality-6, Rukum (East), were taken ill due to unconfirmed disease on Sunday. Television cameras captured an awkward argument between Donald Trump and his top trade negotiator Robert Lighthizer over the terminology in a proposed trade deal with China. To make matters worse, the testy exchange in the Oval Office took place in front the Chinese trade delegation, including Vice Premier Liu He who was heard laughing as the disagreement unfolded. The bickering was sparked by a discussion about how long a series of memorandums of understanding (MOU) between the two countries should last. Mr Trump said: I dont like MOUs because they dont mean anything. To me, they dont mean anything. In an apparent attempt to uphold the integrity of the MOUs, Mr Lighthizer responded: An MOU is a binding agreement between two people. Its detailed. It covers everything in great detail. Its a legal term. Its a contract. But the president was not convinced, directly contradicting the official. By the way I disagree, he said. Were doing a memorandum of understanding that will be put into a final contact, I assume. But to me, the final contract is really the thing Bob is really the thing that means something. A memorandum of understanding is exactly that, its a memorandum of what our understanding is. The real question is, Bob ... how long will it take to put that into a final binding contract? Keen to smooth over the matter, the trade chief said: From now on, were not using the word memorandum of understanding anymore. Were going to use the term trade agreement. Were never going to use MOU again. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Mr Lui was heard chuckling during the initial part of the exchange. Derek Scissors, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, said there was a fundamental, underlying problem in the debate over language. The Trump administration originally chose MOUs because no truly binding agreement can be made on the exchange rate or large future purchases of corn, much less technology coercion China denies has ever happened, he told Bloomberg News. If the administration switches to calling it a binding trade agreement, members of congress will want to vote on it. If they dont get to, this looks exactly like Obama not wanting congress to vote on the Iran nuclear deal. WASHINGTON Hours before flying to Vietnam for another face-to-face meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, President Donald Trump predicted the two will have a "tremendous summit" despite concerns about whether the nation will part with its nuclear weapons. "We want denuclearization," Trump told governors at the White House who are gathered in Washington for an annual meeting. "And I think hell have a country that will set a lot of records for speed in terms of an economy." Trump has lowered expectations for the summit's success in recent days, saying he's "in no rush" for North Korea denuclearize as long the country continues to hold off on testing of nuclear weapons and missiles. North Korea last tested a missile in November. Trump will fly Monday to Hanoi, Vietnam, for two days of meetings with Kim, a sequel to their historic first meeting last year in Singapore. President Trump waves goodbye as he enters Air Force One after participating in the East Asia Summit on Nov. 14, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump-Kim summit: Trump predicts 'tremendous' meeting with North Korean leader By Hyonhee Shin and David Brunnstrom HANOI/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump headed for Vietnam on Monday for a second summit with Kim Jong Un, having stressed the benefits to Pyongyang if the North Korean leader gives up his nuclear weapons, but saying there was no rush. Trump and Kim are due to meet in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, on Wednesday and Thursday, eight months after their historic summit in Singapore, the first between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader. While there is no real expectation that the second meeting will bring a final deal on ridding North Korea of nuclear weapons that threaten the United States, there are some hopes it could bring a declaration that the 1950-53 Korean War is at last formally over. In Singapore, Kim pledged to work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, but the vague agreement struck there has produced few concrete results. U.S. Democratic senators and security officials have warned Trump against cutting a deal that would do little to curb North Korea's nuclear ambitions. Trump left for Vietnam aboard Air Force One from Joint Base Andrews just outside Washington shortly after 12:30 p.m. EST (1730 GMT) on Monday. He is due to arrive in Hanoi on Tuesday evening, local time. Speaking in Washington on Sunday, Trump said he believed he saw eye-to-eye with Kim and that they had developed "a very, very good relationship." Tweeting on Monday, he stressed the benefits to North Korea if it gave up its nuclear weapons. "With complete Denuclearization, North Korea will rapidly become an Economic Powerhouse. Without it, just more of the same. Chairman Kim will make a wise decision!" Trump said. Trump told reporters he and Kim would have "a very tremendous summit." However, in a speech on Sunday night, Trump appeared to play down any hope of a major breakthrough at the Hanoi summit, saying he would be happy as long as North Korea maintained its pause on weapons testing. "I'm not in a rush. I don't want to rush anybody," he said. "I just don't want testing. As long as there's no testing, we're happy." North Korea conducted its last nuclear test in September 2017 and last tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in November 2017. DOMESTIC PRESSURE Trump's departure from Washington comes at a time of increased pressure at home. Anticipation has been rising about the impending release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections, although a senior U.S. Justice Department official said on Friday it would not come this week. Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen is due to testify in a public hearing before a U.S. congressional committee on Wednesday, and the panel's chairman said Trump's business practices would be a focus of the testimony. A South Korean presidential spokesman told reporters in Seoul the two sides might be able to agree to a formal end of the Korean War, which ended in an armistice not a peace treaty, a move North Korea has long sought. While a formal peace treaty may be a long way off, the two sides have discussed the possibility of a political declaration stating that the war over. "The possibility is there," the spokesman, Kim Eui-kyeom told a briefing in Seoul. Before its testing halt, the North conducted a series of tests that it says has given it the capability of reaching the U.S. mainland with nuclear weapons. The United States has for years demanded North Korea's complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization before any concessions will be granted. North Korea denounced that stance as unilateral and "gangster like." In recent days, Trump has signaled a possible softening, saying he would love to be able to remove tough sanctions if there was meaningful progress on denuclearization. Easing of punishing sanctions is a top priority for North Korea. It warned Trump on Sunday not to listen to U.S. critics who it said were disrupting efforts to improve ties. Trump has scoffed at those questioning his handling of North Korea, and added that Chinese President Xi Jinping has been supportive of U.S. efforts. SANCTIONS TO REMAIN IN PLACE In return for a declaration that the war is over, North Korea could allow international inspectors to observe the dismantlement of its nuclear reactor at Yongbyon, analysts say. The United States could also agree to opening U.S.-North Korea liaison offices and allow some inter-Korean projects, provided the North takes steps toward denuclearization. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CNN on Sunday that core economic sanctions "that prevent countries from conducting trade, creating wealth for North Korea ... are definitely going to remain in place" until complete denuclearization. However, he suggested there could be other concessions toward North Korea, such as "exchanges of people, lots of other ways ... if we get a substantial step and move forward." In Geneva, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he hoped the summit would produce "concrete steps for sustainable, peaceful and complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula." South Koreas President Moon Jae-in, who supports opening up North Korea, praised Trump and Kim, saying those opposed to better ties on the peninsula, and between North Korea and the United States, should "discard such biased perspectives". Vietnam has released few details about arrangements for the summit including its specific venue or timing. Kim is making his way to Vietnam by train through China and is expected to arrive in Vietnam early on Tuesday. (Additional reporting by Mai Nguyen and Josh Smith in HANOI and David Brunnstrom, Steve Holland and Matt Spetalnick in WASHINGTON and Tom Miles in Geneva; writing by Robert Birsel and David Brunnstrom; editing by Lincoln Feast and Bill Berkrot) Donald Trump has said the US will postpone an increase in its tariffs on goods from China as a result of substantial progress in trade talks. He said if additional progress was made he would plan a summit with Chinese president Xi Jinping at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. I am pleased to report that the US has made substantial progress in our trade talks with China on important structural issues including intellectual property protection, technology transfer, agriculture, services, currency, and many other issues, the US president tweeted. He added: As a result of these very productive talks, I will be delaying the US increase in tariffs now scheduled for March 1. Assuming both sides make additional progress, we will be planning a summit for President Xi and myself, at Mar-a-Lago, to conclude an agreement. A very good weekend for US & China! The delay in tariffs was the clearest sign yet of a breakthrough the two sides have sought since calling a 90-day truce in a trade war last year. It will likely be cheered by markets as a sign of an end to the dispute that has disrupted commerce worth hundreds of billions of dollars of goods and slowed global economic growth. US and Chinese negotiators met over the weekend as they sought to resolve a trade war that has rattled financial markets. Mr Trump had warned he would escalate the tariffs he has imposed on $200bn (153bn) in Chinese imports, from 10 to 25 per cent, if the two sides failed to reach a deal. However he had signalled greater flexibility in recent days. On Friday he suggested there was a good chance a deal would emerge. The worlds two biggest economies have been locked in a conflict over US allegations that China steals technology and forces foreign companies to hand over trade secrets in an aggressive push to challenge American technological dominance. However, Mr Trump was caught on camera disagreeing with his top trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, over terminology in a proposed trade deal with China. The dispute took place in front of Chinas vice premier, Liu He, who could be heard laughing as the bickering unfolded. President Trump on Monday announced the return of U.S. citizen Danny Burch, who was held hostage in Yemen for the last 18 months. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Burch, who is from Texas and has been an employee for years of the Yemeni Safer oil company, was taken captive by Houthi rebels in broad daylight near Sanaa, Yemens capital in September 2017, after dropping his children off at a school event. The Houthis are backed by Iran, and have been fighting U.S. and Saudi-backed forces in Yemen since civil war engulfed the country in 2015. Details of why Burch was kidnapped are still unclear, but it is known that in January, he was flown to Oman along with members of Houthi leadership. The State Department confirmed Burchs return, but said that, out of respect for the familys privacy and for their security, we will not comment on their current condition or location. Burch is safe and secure, and is reunited with his wife and children, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement. The family has asked for privacy as they recover from this ordeal. Trump also thanked the United Arab Emirates for its help in securing Burchs release. We work every day to bring Americans home, read a statement from the White House. It added that recovering American hostages is a priority of the administration. More from National Review The Trump administration is reportedly ready to set up a panel to reconsider and possibly change the US governments position on climate change. A committee working under the National Security Council (NSC) would include sceptics who have questioned the scientific consensus on manmade global warming, administration officials have revealed. The White House plan has been championed by William Happer, one of the NSCs senior directors and a physicist who has disputed the damaging impact CO2 emissions are having on the Earths atmosphere. Having the panel operate under the NSC would avoid the public scrutiny usually required of government advisory committees, senior officials told The Washington Post. The White House is thought to be keen to formally challenge recent federal reports, including the National Climate Assessment an interagency study released in November that outlined the threats posed to the US by global warming. The report linked climate change to an increase in natural disasters and warned of the dire effects in failing to contain a rise in global temperatures to 2C. Only days after its release, Donald Trump told reporters: I dont believe it. Climate scientists strongly condemned the latest Trump administration plan, reportedly discussed at the White House Situation Room on Friday. This is like assembling a panel of gravity sceptics who insist its safe to jump off tall buildings, except in this case they want to take us all with them, Nasa climate scientist Kate Marvel told Axios. This is a truly bad idea that just refuses to die. All bureaucracies have them they are just more dangerous when they originate and live in the White House, the US navy's retired oceanographer David Titley told the website. Donald Trump has characterised the National Climate Assessment as a study prepared by Obama administration officials, but scientists have insisted the federal study was subjected to a series of in-depth peer reviews. Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. There is also huge concern about the influence of Mr Happer, the senior NSC official set for a major role in the proposed committee, who has called the scientific consensus on climate change a cult. In 2010, he told a climate committee in the House of Representatives that global warming will be small compared the natural fluctuations in the earths temperature, and that the warming and increased CO2 will be good for mankind. Mr Happer previously ran a think tank of sceptics called CO2 Coalition, a group which has received funding from the right-wing Mercer Family Foundation, according to the Climate Investigations Centre. The president has his own history of denying the science on anthropogenic climate change. Mr Trump once claimed the phenomenon was a Chinese hoax intended to hurt American exports and has repeatedly confused seasonal weather with global warming. Last week he selected diplomat Kelly Craft to serve as the countrys next ambassador to the United Nations. Ms Craft has said she respects both sides of climate change science, framing the consensus as a debate in which deniers have equal credibility. CUCUTA, Colombia (Reuters) - At least two trucks carrying food and medicine for Venezuela returned to warehouses in Colombia on Saturday after being turned back from the border by troops loyal to President Nicolas Maduro who fired teargas. At least two trucks caught fire on the Simon Bolivar bridge linking the two countries after a convoy carrying aid was met by Venezuelan troops who repelled the attempt to cross. As well as the two trucks that returned to warehouses in Cucuta, a further two trucks left the area of the bridge but their destination was not immediately clear, a Reuters witness said. (Reporting by Helen Murphy; Editing by Daniel Wallis) Monitoring the monitors On February 13, the Nepali media was rocked by a Rs7.8-million bribery scandal involving Raj Narayan Pathak, a commissioner of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority. Johannesburg (AFP) - Comedian Trevor Noah brought a wry smile to his fellow South Africansduring the Oscars when he poked fun at white people in Xhosa, one of his country's official languages. Noah, host of the award-winning Daily Show and son of a Xhosa-speaking mother and a Swiss-German father, often uses South African languages in his stand-up routines. As he prepared Sunday to present the Academy Award for best picture, for which Black Panther was a contender, he referred to the 2018 blockbuster and said: "Growing up as a young boy in Wakanda, I would see our King T'Challa flying over our village. And he would remind me of a great Xhosa phrase." Noah proceeded to speak in Xhosa, a language spoken by more than eight million people, and translated the phrase into English as "in times like these, we are stronger when we fight together, than when we try to fight apart". But Noah's comment actually meant "white people don't know I'm lying". Black Panther, the story of black superhero King T'Challa which is set in the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda, lost out on the best picture award to Green Book. Within hours, Noah was one of the top trending topics on Twitter in South Africa where members of the black majority often poke fun at their white compatriots for not speaking African languages. "Trevor Noah really stood on a Global stage and told a joke only South Africans could immediately chuckle at. I know a Greatest Of All Time when I see one," wrote South African Twitter user Wally. "Hilarious!!!" posted psychologist Suntosh Pillay. Serame Kibi said simply "Trevor Noah made it", calling the entertainer a "very classy individual". Opinion was more divided on his material at the expense of Mel Gibson who he jokingly claimed had approached him backstage and said: "'Wakanda forever.' He said another word after that, but the 'Wakanda forever' part was nice." The Hague (AFP) - The UN's top court could help resolve a decades-long dispute over Britain's eviction of the Chagos islanders to make way for a secretive military base on Diego Garcia, in an opinion to be delivered Monday. Judges at the International Court of Justice in the Hague will give their view at 3:00 pm (1400 GMT) over the legal battle between Britain and its former colony Mauritius over the fate of the Indian Ocean islands. Experts say that while this is an "advisory opinion", which is legally not binding, it could nevertheless help resolve a political dispute that has lasted half a century. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the then colonial power Britain evicted around 2,000 Chagos islanders to Mauritius and the Seychelles to make way for a secretive base on Diego Garcia. It is now under lease to the United States. In a diplomatic blow to Britain, the UN General Assembly in 2017 adopted a resolution presented by Mauritius and backed by African countries asking the ICJ to offer legal advice on the island chain's fate. London split off the remote islands from Mauritius three years before Port Louis gained independence in 1968, at the height of the Cold War. Britain established its military base with the US on Diego Garcia, the largest of the islands. More recently it was a key staging ground for bombing campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. - 'Shameful' - When judges heard the case in September, Mauritius argued that it was illegal for Britain to have broken up its territory while it was still the colonial power. Its case was backed by India. Britain, while apologising for the "shameful" way it evicted thousands of islanders, insisted Mauritius was wrong to have brought the case to the ICJ. The US meanwhile said the court had a "duty" not to take a position on the row. Experts said that should the ICJ's judges give an opinion, it would most likely revolve around the legality of Britain's move to split Chagos from Mauritius -- which lies some 2,100 kilometres (1,300 miles) to the southwest. Story continues The view of the judges at the ICJ, also called the World Court, could also include whether the Chagossians have a right to go back, said Dimitri van den Meerssche, a researcher at the Hague-based Asser Institute. "The opinion by the ICJ... might bring an authoritative closure to the legal dispute involved in what is essential a long-lasting political conflict," Van den Meerssche told AFP. "This would give tremendous weight to the claims by Mauritius to grant it sovereignty over the islands and safeguard the return of the Chagossians." He added that the ICJ's opinion "is pivotal... in the context of remaining legal questions of the scope and the right to self-determination." While the ICJ's "advisory opinion" is not legally binding it could lay the foundation for an eventual formal claim before the ICJ, which was set up after World War II in 1946 to rule in disputes between United Nations member states. The Diego Garcia base has always played a key strategic role in US operations in the Indian Ocean. In the 1970s, it offered proximity to Asia during the fall of Saigon and the Khmer Rouge takeover in Cambodia, and as the Soviet navy extended its influence in the region. The Chagos Islanders have already taken their battle through the courts in Britain, where their supporters included the current leader of the opposition, Jeremy Corbyn. Omar Oil Field (Syria) (AFP) - US-backed Syrian forces prepared Monday for another round of evacuations from the Islamic State group's last shard of territory in Syria as conditions worsen in overcrowded camps for fleeing civilians. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have slowed down their offensive on the final IS pocket as they seek to evacuate civilians before a final push to crush jihadists, who seized swathes of Syria and Iraq in 2014 and declared a cross-border "caliphate". The Kurdish-led forces have evacuated nearly 5,000 men, women and children from the jihadist redoubt on Wednesday and Friday, but none over the weekend, bringing them closer to defeating IS. As spokesman said the SDF expected to evacuate a large and final batch of civilians from the jihadist group's crumbling proto-state on Monday. "We expect a large number of civilians to exit today and we hope it will be the last batch," the spokesman, Mustefa Bali, told AFP at the Al-Omar airbase, the main staging ground for the SDF's offensive. "According to what we heard from those who have left (the IS redoubt), there are nearly five thousand people still inside," Bali said. Holdout IS fighters and civilians, mostly relatives of jihadists, are trapped in less than half a square kilometre in the village of Baghouz near the Iraqi border. "In the next few days, our forces will announce the defeat of the Islamic State group," Kurdish foreign affairs official Abdel Karim Omar told AFP on Monday. "But this does not mean that we have eliminated terrorism, which must be eradicated at the roots." Beyond Baghouz, IS still has thousands of fighters and sleeper cells scattered across several countries. In Syria, it retains a presence in the vast Badia desert, and the jihadists have claimed deadly attacks in SDF-held territory. - Secret transfers - Thousands of suspected IS fighters have attempted to blend in with civilians fleeing the jihadist group's shrinking territory, including a large number of foreigners. Story continues According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, around 46,000 people, including thousands of jihadists, have streamed out of the Baghouz pocket since early December. The SDF screens those exiting at an outpost outside the village to weed out potential IS fighters. After being vetted, women, children, and men not suspected of belonging to the extremist group are transported north to the Kurdish-run camp of Al-Hol, while suspected jihadists are sent to SDF-held detention centres. The Observatory on Monday said that 1,400 people, mainly IS relatives, were secretly transported from orchards on the outskirts of Baghouz to neighbouring Iraq over the past 24 hours. The Kurdish foreign affairs official did not confirm the transfer but denied that the SDF was responsible. "In principle, we do not hand over any person passing through our territories to Iraqi authorities or any other party," Omar said. Such transfers can only happen if they were trucked from Baghouz "by another party," he explained, without specifying. - Humanitarian nightmare - The mast outpouring of men, women and children from the last dregs of the jihadist proto-state has overwhelmed Kurdish-run displacement camps, especially the Al-Hol shelter, six hours north of Baghouz. "The international community is not currently taking responsibility towards the large number of people leaving the last IS pocket, especially children," Omar said. "International (aid) organisations are supplying at most five percent" of the camp's needs. Some 5,000 evacuees have arrived in Al-Hol since Wednesday, compounding already dire conditions inside the crammed settlement. And 2,000 people arrived on Sunday, bringing Al-Hol's population to over 45,000, the International Rescue Committee said. At least 78 people, mostly children, have died on the way to the camp or shortly after arriving in recent weeks, the IRC said. A warehouse fire at Al-Hol on Friday caused by a gas cylinder explosion "destroyed 200 family tents" and five larger ones and injured 16 workers, it said. That came as the UN's humanitarian coordination office OCHA warned the camp was struggling to keep up with the flood of evacuees. "This sudden influx presents huge challenges to the response -- additional tents, non-food items, water and sanitation and health supplies are urgently needed," it tweeted Friday. The battle for Baghouz is now the only live front in Syria's war, which has killed more than 360,000 people and displaced millions since 2011. Near Baghouz (Syria) (AFP) - US-backed forces evacuated over 40 truckloads of people from the Islamic State group's last Syria redoubt on Monday, as they sought to clear out civilians before a final push to crush the jihadists. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have slowed down their offensive on the final pocket due to the presence of civilians, with just a scrap of the IS "caliphate" remaining from a territory that once spanned Syria and Iraq. An AFP correspondent saw more than 46 trucks crammed with men, women and children, approaching an SDF outpost, 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of the jihadist redoubt. One vehicle was packed with women clad in black and men who covered their faces. Wounded people were also among the latest evacuees. Holdout IS fighters and civilians, mostly relatives of jihadists, are trapped in less than half a square kilometre in the village of Baghouz near the Iraqi border. The Kurdish-led SDF evacuated nearly 5,000 men, women and children from the jihadist redoubt on Wednesday and Friday, but none over the weekend. Earlier on Monday, SDF spokesman Mustefa Bali, told AFP that thousands remained inside the IS pocket. "According to what we heard from those who have left, there are nearly 5,000 people still inside," Bali said. At the SDF screening point outside the village, SDF fighters expressed hopes that Monday's arrivals would be the last one. "We want it to be over," Mazloum, a 29 year-old SDF fighter told AFP. "Every day we say today is the day but we hope it will all end today and not tomorrow," he said. - 'Secret' transfers - Kurdish foreign affairs official Abdel Karim Omar told AFP on Monday that the SDF will announce the end of the IS proto-state "in the next few days". "But this does not mean that we have eliminated terrorism, which must be eradicated at the roots," he said. Beyond Baghouz, IS still has thousands of fighters and sleeper cells across several countries. Story continues In Syria, it retains a presence in the vast Badia desert, and the jihadists have claimed deadly attacks in SDF-held territory. Thousands of suspected IS fighters have attempted to blend in with civilians fleeing the crumbling "caliphate". According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, around 46,000 people, including thousands of jihadists, have streamed out of the Baghouz pocket since early December. The SDF screens those exiting at an outpost outside the village to weed out potential IS fighters. After being vetted, women, children, and men not suspected of belonging to the extremist group are transported north to the Kurdish-run camp of Al-Hol, while suspected jihadists are sent to SDF-held detention centres. The Observatory on Monday said that 1,400 people, mainly IS relatives, were secretly transported from orchards on the outskirts of Baghouz to neighbouring Iraq over the past 24 hours. Kurdish foreign affairs official did not confirm the transfer, but denied that the SDF was responsible. "In principle, we do not hand over any person passing through our territories to Iraqi authorities or any other party," Omar said. Such transfers can only happen if they were trucked from Baghouz "by another party", he explained, without specifying. Baghdad on Sunday said the SDF have transferred 280 Iraqi nationals accused of fighting alongside IS to Iraqi authorities. Fourteen suspected French jihadists were among those transferred, an Iraqi government source told AFP on Monday. Hisham al-Hashemi, an Iraqi expert with intimate knowledge of the issue, said the transfer had taken place in coordination with the US-led coalition fighting IS. - Criticism of international response - The mass outpouring of men, women and children from the IS foothold has overwhelmed the Kurdish-run Al-Hol camp, six hours north of Baghouz. "The international community is not currently taking responsibility towards the large number of people leaving the last IS pocket, especially children," Omar said. The International Rescue Committee said Friday that new arrivas had pushed the camp's population to over 45,000, exacerbating already dire conditions at the crammed facility. At least 78 people, mostly children, have died on the way to the camp or shortly after arriving in recent weeks, the IRC said. A warehouse fire on Friday caused by a gas cylinder explosion "destroyed 200 family tents" and five larger ones and injured 16 workers, it said. The UN's humanitarian coordination office OCHA on Friday warned the camp was struggling to keep up with the flood of evacuees. Al-Hol (Syria) (AFP) - Three children, not older than five years old, are languishing in cold and muddy camps for the displaced in Syria's northeast, far away from their family in France. They are the sons of Julie Maninchedda, a suspected French female jihadist who was killed in shelling on a former Islamic State group stronghold five months ago, and a captured German. Now, the grandparents they have never met are trying to get them to France, imploring President Emmanuel Macron to show "humanity" and accept the children immediately. Behind a fence, one-year-old Suleiman looks around the Kurdish-run Al-Hol camp, where tens of thousands of people displaced by the fight against IS live alongside relatives of suspected jihadists. The baby's face is marked with scars caused by shelling. The infant is being looked after by a South African woman who once lived in the jihadist proto-state. He is one of nearly 40 children living without their parents in informal settlements in Syria's northeast. According to Save the Children, more than 2,500 foreign children from over 30 nationalities are living in Kurdish-run camps. Nearly half of them fled ongoing battles against the jihadist group in eastern Syria. - 'It was too much' - Maninchedda was killed along with her second husband, a Moroccan IS fighter, in October when shelling hit the village of Al-Shaafa in eastern Syria, two women who were in the area during the attack told AFP. At the time of her death, she had been separated for several months from her first husband and the father of the three boys, Martin Lemke, a German jihadist who travelled with her to Syria in 2014. His departure led to the separation of their three sons Suleiman, Shahir, three, and Hassan, five. The eldest left with his German father, Lemke's two other wives, and their three children, while the other two stayed behind with their mother. In late January, Lemke, his wives, and their children, surrendered to Kurdish-led forces after fleeing the village of Baghouz, the last IS redoubt in Syria. Story continues Suspected of having worked with IS intelligence, Lemke, was sent to a Kurdish-run detention centre after handing himself over to US-backed forces. Meanwhile, his wives and children were trucked to displacement camps. AFP met Lemke's wives and children at an SDF screening point outside the village of Baghouz this month. Wearing a dusty red jacket and sandals that seemed too big, Hassan sat in a corner, silently staring off. As for Shahir and Suleiman, Lemke's two wives said they had entrusted them to a Syrian woman after the death of their mother. "It was too much, I already had my two little children with me," said Lemke's youngest wife, Leonora. The Syrian woman brought the two children with her to the Al-Hol camp. Suleiman and Shahir have since landed in the arms of two other women detained in the shelter, a South African and a German, who are suspected of joining the jihadists. - 'Terrible conditions' - Nadim Houry, of Human Rights Watch (HRW), met Suleiman and Shahir in Al-Hol early this month. He said they were physically abused by the Syrian woman. Suleiman does not walk and does not speak, and Shahir, who is extremely thin and frail, struggles with recurrent stomach aches, Houry told AFP. "The freezing cold, the rain, the wind, overcrowding and the lack of follow-up, makes living conditions in the camp especially atrocious for young children," says Houry. Hassan has landed in another camp in the northeast, the South African who takes care of his little brother told AFP. More than 4,000 kilometres away, in northern France, Lydie Maninchedda, 56, learned last month that her only daughter, Julie, had died in Syria. Along with her husband Patrice, she wrote to Macron to ask him to "show a little humanity" by sending the grandchildren to France. "God knows what they have lived," she told AFP. "But they are very small, they have not done anything, we have to give them a chance to rebuild themselves, to have a life." France has said that it is considering transporting children held in Syria, starting with those who lost parents, but the authorities have not given a timeline. Lydie Maninchedda is also campaigning for adults to come home. "It takes lawsuits in France to have answers," she says. "Why did 1,700 French people go there? I do not know why France does not want to answer this question." ZURICH (Reuters) - Swatch Group has filed a complaint against Samsung Electronics Co and Samsung Electronics America Inc, saying the two companies infringed its trademark on designs for downloadable smart watch faces. The Swiss watchmaker said the Korean companies' watch faces that "bear identical or virtually identical marks," to the trademarks it owns and uses on its brands which include Longines, Omega, Swatch, and Tissot. "This unabashed copying of the Trademarks can have only one purpose to trade off the fame, reputation, and goodwill of the Swatch Group Companies' products and marks built painstakingly over decades," Swatch Group said in a filing to the court in the Southern District of New York. Swatch, which has demanded a trial in the complaint which also alleges unfair competition and unfair business practices, was not immediately available for comment. Samsung was also not immediately available to comment. (Reporting by John Revill; editing by David Evans) The Supreme Court acted in a case involving pay equity between the sexes. WASHINGTON The Supreme Court vacated a federal appeals court decision Monday for a simple reason: It was filed after the judge who wrote it had died. "Federal judges are appointed for life, not for eternity," the justices wrote in an unsigned, five-page opinion. A California county had asked the Supreme Court to reconsider the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruling in part because it was written by Judge Stephen Reinhardt, who died March 29, 2018 at age 87. The ruling was filed 11 days later, on April 9. "Deceased judges cannot decide cases," Shay Dvoretsky, the lawyer for the school district, argued in court papers. The Supreme Court agreed, noting that Reinhardt's reasoning in the case was endorsed by just six of the 11 judges on the panel, which meant his vote was critical. Although the decision wasn't altered after his death, the high court said judges could have changed their votes, making it an active case until the decision was issued. "Because Judge Reinhardt was no longer a judge at the time when the en banc decision in this case was filed, the Ninth Circuit erred in counting him as a member of the majority," the justices said. "That practice effectively allowed a deceased judge to exercise the judicial power of the United States after his death." Reinhardt was a well-known liberal judge who served on the equally liberal appeals court for more than 37 years. He was the last appeals court judge in active service who was appointed by President Jimmy Carter. The justices' order does not settle the central issue in the case whether men and women can be paid differently for the same work because of their prior salaries. Fresno County hired a female math consultant at a lower salary than her male counterparts. School officials reasoned that salary history was a permissible, gender-neutral basis for determining pay rates under the federal Equal Pay Act of 1963. Story continues The appeals court disagreed last year in an opinion written by Reinhardt, ruling unanimously that "prior salary alone or in combination with other factors cannot justify a wage differential" because it would perpetuate a pay gap between men and women. Thirteen states, including California, and 10 local governments now prohibit employers from seeking job applicants' salary history. But federal appeals courts are split on whether prior pay can be considered along with other factors. The central issue in the case is whether salary history is a job-related factor, such as work experience, ability and performance. Because women historically have been paid less than men for the same job, the appeals court ruled that it was not. "If money talks, the message to women costs more than ... billions. Women are told they are not worth as much as men," Reinhardt wrote for six of the court's 11 judges, all of whom agreed with the result. "Allowing prior salary to justify a wage differential perpetuates this message, entrenching in salary systems an obvious means of discrimination." The appeals court now must consider the case anew, without Reinhardt's presence. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court vacates appeals court gender-neutral pay ruling written by a deceased judge Khartoum (AFP) - Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Monday banned unauthorised rallies as he announced a slew of new measures to end demonstrations that have rocked his rule for weeks. Bashir's latest orders come as part of a nationwide state of emergency he imposed on Friday after a sweeping crackdown failed to suppress protests against his administration. "As part of a state of emergency declared by the president, he issued an order banning any gathering or rally that has not been authorised," the presidency said in a statement. Bashir gave sweeping powers to the country's security forces to raid buildings where "suspicious activities were being carried out" and also search people, the presidency said. Blocking roads and stopping traffic was banned, after protesters obstructed streets with rocks and tree trunks to prevent security forces from entering their neighbourhoods. Publishing news "that hurts the citizens or the constitutional system" on any platform, including social media, was also outlawed. But the group that is spearheading the demonstrations rejected the new measures, which also banned strikes. "We are calling on our people in the capital, across all states, towns and villages to take to the streets now to express their rejection of the new emergency measures," said the Sudanese Professionals Association. The state of emergency prompted Washington's acting envoy to the United Nations, Jonathan Cohen, to urge Khartoum to "respect the rights of all individuals in Sudan". The US diplomat called on Bashir's government to "bring an immediate end to the violent repression of peaceful protests." - 'We are not scared' - A new court and a special prosecutor were created to investigate violations of the measures, with offenders facing up to 10 years in prison. Deadly protests began on December 19 after the government tripled the price of bread and quickly evolved into demonstrations against Bashir's rule. Story continues Officials say 31 people have died in protest-related violence so far. Human Rights Watch says at least 51 people have been killed, including medics and children. Hours before the latest measures were announced, hundreds of protesters rallied in some areas of Khartoum, chanting their rallying cry "freedom, peace, justice". Riot police confronted them with tear gas, witnesses said. "We are challenging the regime and we are not scared of the state of emergency," said protester Erij who gave only her first name for security reasons. "We have only one aim and that is to make the president step down." Riot police also fired tear gas into the compound of Ahfad University for Women after students staged a sit-in, witnesses said. In the face of public anger over Sudan's economic woes, Bashir on Monday announced measures to tackle the foreign currency shortage. The presidency said no more than $3,000 would be allowed to be carried by any individual travelling outside the country. Bashir also ordered that buying and selling of foreign currency be done only through official channels. Over the past two years, the foreign exchange market has seen high volatility, forcing the country's central bank to devalue the local pound twice last year. -- Party deputy sacked -- The financial measures came after Bashir made top-level changes in his administration, including sacking his long time ally and first vice president Bakri Hassan Saleh. He continued with more changes, by sacking his deputy in the ruling National Congress Party on Monday. Faisal Hassan Saleh was replaced by former governor of North Kordofan state, Ahmed Harun, the party said. "The NCP executive bureau approved Ahmed Harun, nominated by President Bashir as his deputy in the party replacing Faisal Hassan Saleh," party spokesman Ibrahim al-Siddiq told AFP. Harun is wanted by The Hague-based International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the conflict in Darfur. The Darfur conflict erupted in 2003 when ethnic minority rebels took up arms against Khartoum's Arab-dominated government, accusing it of socially and economically marginalising the region. About 300,000 people were killed and millions displaced, according to the United Nations. Harun was Sudan's minister of state for the interior during the peak of the conflict. Bashir himself is wanted by the ICC for alleged genocide and war crimes in Darfur. He denies the charges. On Sunday, he swore in a new prime minister and appointed 16 army officers and two others from the feared National Intelligence and Security Service as governors for Sudan's 18 provinces as part of a major shake-up of his adminstration. Man held for raping 81-year-old woman Police have arrested a 33-year-old man on charge of raping an 81-year-old woman in Raghuganga Rural Municipality, Myagdi. Druridge Bay - PA Sir David Attenborough has criticised plans to open a coal mine at a Northumberland beauty spot as shameful as he joined environmental scientists calling for the project to be blocked by the government. Proposals for the open cast mine in Druridge Bay were originally rejected by Sajid Javid when he was Communities Secretary, but last year the High Court ruled that decision was flawed and asked for a rethink. New Communities Secretary James Brokenshire is due to rule on plans before the summer, but now experts have written to the minister urging him to throw out the scheme, claiming it will exacerbate global warming. Sir David Attenborough, said: It would be shameful were the UK to open this new coal mine at precisely the moment the world at large is recognising the dreadful effect of burning coal on our planets climate. Banks wants to extract three million tonnes of coal, sandstone and fireclay at the Highthorn site, which lies directly behind the sand dunes at Druridge Bay. Plans for the open cast mine The company claims the scheme will bring in 87 million investment to the former mining community and create 100 jobs in the area. The project was originally approved by Northumberland County Council and government planning inspectors before being called in to be considered by the Department for Communities and Local Government. However environmental scientists say it will be detrimental to wildlife and the local tourism economy, as well as sending out a dangerous message about climate change. Professor Sir John Lawton, a former Chair of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, said: Those pushing the proposals are either profoundly ignorant...or so blinded by money as to be a menace to our children and grandchildren. Dr David Golding CBE, Associate of the Institute for Sustainability at Newcastle University, added Distinguished climate and energy specialists have reacted with a most unacademic fury to the application. Story continues Sir David Attenborough Credit: BBC Banks Group claim it is misleading to say preventing mining on the site would help prevent climate change. Mark Dowdall, Environment and Community Director at the Banks Group, said: The consequence would actually result in an increase in greenhouse gas emissions from the importation of coal needed to supply the UKs steel and cement manufacturers. It cannot be in our Nations or our planets best interest to import coal over vast distances when we still have high quality reserves close to our customers in the UK. But Anne Harris, of the Coal Action Network, argues that their analysis is flawed. It isnt simply a case that if we dont burn coal from the UK, we have to get it from somewhere else, she said. We barely burn any coal now in the UK. Banks is arguing its preventing the importation of foreign coal, but this is demonstrably untrue - it in fact exported a boatload of coal at one point during the Highthorn public inquiry. The project at Druridge Bay would be the third opencast scheme operated by Banks across the North East. The wild and empty sands at Druridge Bay, Northumberland, England Credit: Andy Stothert Photolibrary RM In 2008, the firm began extracting coal at another Northumberland site, situated some 15-20 miles south of Druridge Bay, on Viscount Matt Ridleys ancestral estate. According to Banks, that project is due to enter restoration this year with labour and equipment being transferred to its two other prospective sites in the region. The second of those locations is at Pont Valley in County Durham, where Banks began work last year following James Brokenshires controversial decision not to revoke decades-old planning permission at the site. However he recently announced he would call in that decision for reconsideration. Mrs Harris added: James Brokenshire now has two big decisions which will show whether the government has a backbone or not in terms of following through on its commitment to phase out coal. To date, all of the phase-outs on coal have been the result of EU air quality legislation rather than UK government action. This is an opportunity for the UK government to put its money where its mouth is, acting itself to reduce climate change and the local impacts of coal. Business owner Duncan Lawrence, a leading member of Save Druridge, whose cafe overlooks the beach at Druridge Bay, fears the mine will impact tourism. Mr Lawrence said: Save Druridge is confident that James Brokenshire will make the right decision and refuse permission for Highthorn. There is overwhelming evidence to support our case locally on the grounds of landscape and economic concerns, and worldwide on climate change concerns. Brokenshire has said he will publish his decision on the opencast scheme at Druridge Bay by later than 21st April. These last few months, conservative and populist thinkers have been grappling with one of the more serious questions of our time. Exactly why are increasing numbers of men seemingly lost in American society? Why do these men disproportionately die deaths of despair? Why does there seem to be a declining number of marriageable men in the ranks of Americas working class? To answer these questions, weve focused on culture (How is our society teaching men to behave? Is there a war on traditional masculinity?) and on economics, paying specific attention to the effects of trade and technology on the mostly male manufacturing sector. In so doing, however, weve paid short shrift to a cultural and economic change whose ripple effects may be even more profound than the loss of American manufacturing jobs. This change has created a cumulative, millions-strong decline in jobs that are proven not just to provide men with meaning and purpose while on the job but also to (typically) positively reshape the trajectory of their lives ever after. Im talking about the decades-long decline in the size of the American military a decline both in absolute numbers and as a percentage of the American population. As the U.S. population has grown, the American military has become smaller and more female. Over the decades, this adds up to millions of young men (especially working-class young men) who do not have that distinct military experience, who are not tested and shaped by military training, and who do not begin their professional lives with discipline and distinct purpose. Lets back up 33 years, to 1986 the year I took the ASVAB, the militarys aptitude test. The American population was roughly 240 million people, and more than 2 million Americans (overwhelmingly men) served in the active-duty armed forces. Now the population is roughly 330 million. The active-duty strength of the military is less than 1.3 million, and much larger percentage of that force is female. At a time when the American population grew by close to 40 percent, the military shrank by almost the same percentage. Story continues To be clear, that is not the same thing as saying the military declined. Given immense technological advances and the training benefits of actual combat experience, todays military is almost certainly more lethal than the military that guarded the Fulda Gap at the height of the Cold War. And unlike at the height of the Cold War, when it was an open question as to whether the U.S. was stronger than the Soviet Union, today there is no doubt that the American military is the mightiest on the planet. But while the military is stronger, American men have been deprived by the millions of a life-changing experience with multi-generational positive effects. Have you ever talked to an old Marine? No, Im not necessarily talking about a person who served 20 or more years and retired from service. Im talking about a person who perhaps just served through their initial enlistment maybe four years out of their 70. Almost without fail theyll look back at that time as formative. It provided them with an identity and proved to them that they could pass the most serious tests of endurance and perseverance. Yes, there are veterans who struggle, but there are millions more who used their service as a launching pad not just for their own careers, but also for their families, instilling discipline and a respect for sacrifice in the generations to come. Simply put, when it comes to weighing life-changing, purpose-creating professional opportunities, boot camp is far, far more influential than a factory assembly line. But to point to this problem is not necessarily to point to any obvious solution. Im not calling for a larger military simply to provide more young men with greater purpose. The reason is simple the positive transformation of young men is a side effect of achieving the militarys primary role, the defense of the American nation. Members of the military achieve such tight bonds and feel a sense of purpose because the mission they train for is very real. The purpose is outside themselves. If you alter or expand the fundamental mission of the military larding it up for a social and not military purpose you will lose the essence of the experience. Sending a person to boot camp to become a better man is an old American tradition, but he becomes a better man not simply because of the process but because of the mission. He understands the necessity of bonding with his brothers, the necessity of physical deprivation, and the necessity of personal risk. Remove that necessity, and you remove the purpose. Thats one reason why moral equivalent of war programs so rarely work to provide a mass-scale sense of shared purpose or a mass-scale commitment to selfless service. There is no equivalent to war, moral or otherwise, and its largely an exercise in futility if one tries to re-create the positive effects of military training without the re-creating the reason for that training. So, if we cant and shouldnt try to reverse the effects of a shrinking military by artificially growing the armed forces, why bring this up at all? For two reasons. First, while growing the military at-scale isnt the right solution, it is still an individual option for any given American young man. There is still a need for young men to step up. Last year the Army missed its growth goals, for example. Military service (especially outside military communities and military families) has become so rare that many young men dont even consider enlisting as they struggle to find their place in this world. They should open their minds. Second, the cultural effects of the decline in service (and the technological reality that we need fewer troops even as the military becomes more lethal) should remind us that its just wrong to look at the plight of all too many American men and point to this or that elite or to elevate any given policy as fundamental to our nations tectonic cultural change. For weeks, the American Right has argued about trade and its largely ignored military transformations that may well be even more important to shaping our national character. Why are American men losing their sense of purpose? For many reasons, and one of them is the relative loss of an experience that is as ancient as civilization itself the experience of a shared bond of sacrifice with men who train to risk their lives to defend the nations and communities they love. More from National Review By Sofia Christensen, Juliette Jabkhiro and Diadie Ba DAKAR/FATICK, Senegal (Reuters) - Senegal President Macky Sall's team claimed he won re-election in the first-round of voting on Sunday, but the opposition said preliminary election results showed a run-off was unavoidable. Sall, whom rights groups have criticized for squeezing out rivals, was favored to win after boosting economic growth in his first term, but he had to win a majority of votes to avoid a second round of voting on March 24. The West African nation has long been viewed as the region's most stable democracy, with peaceful transitions of power since independence in 1960. Prime Minister Mahammed Dionne, a Sall ally and appointee, said early results showed Sall had won 13 out of 14 regions, securing 57 percent of the vote. "We must congratulate the president for his re-election in the first round," Dionne told journalists. His comments were at odds with earlier statements from main opposition candidates Ousmane Sonko, a former tax inspector popular with youth, and Idrissa Seck, a third-time contender and former prime minister. They said a second round of voting was on the cards. "The results compiled so far allow us to say this," Seck said at a press conference with Sonko. "We will not allow the outgoing president to suppress the will of the people." The official results were due by Friday at the latest. Sall has won support by launching an ambitious reform and infrastructure program that helped Senegal's small fish-exporting economy expand more than 6 percent last year, one of the highest rates in Africa. The 57-year-old president has also promised to deliver universal healthcare and better access to education. After voting in Fatick, pensioner Adama Sakho, 81, said he believed Sall would win in the first round, praising his social spending policies. "I'm retired, and now in one month I receive the same amount of money I used to make in three months," he said. FIVE CANDIDATES Opinion polls were banned in the run-up to the vote, but a survey by a Senegalese data company in November gave Sall 45 percent support. Of his four rivals in the smallest field of candidates since 1988, none had more than 16 percent. Despite Sall's popularity, some Senegalese question whether a high-speed train, new motorways and a swanky conference center will benefit average citizens in the former French colony of 15 million people where the average income is less than $200 a month. Many people do not have reliable water or power supplies. University professor Bakary Manga, 43, said he would vote for Sonko as he was disappointed in Sall's first term. "It was a big nonsense with him. The cost of his projects is excessive; we can do much better with much less," he said as he queued at a polling station in Dakar. Rights groups have criticized the exclusion of two popular candidates. Former Dakar Mayor Khalifa Sall and Karim Wade, son of former President Abdoulaye Wade who was in power from 2000 to 2012, were barred from running due to corruption convictions. The former president said the vote was being rigged and told supporters of his son to boycott the poll. The government dismissed the criticism, promising a free and fair vote. Sonko told supporters at his final rally on Thursday he would congratulate Sall if the vote was fair. "But if he steals the victory, I ask the youth to walk to the presidential palace and chase him out," he said. (Writing by Sofia Christensen and Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Edward McAllister, Robin Pomeroy and Cynthia Osterman) The Russian diamond giant Alrosa, which mines more diamonds than any other company in the world, is starting a big sales push in America. The company reopened its US operations in 2018 after they lay dormant for two years and hired industry veteran Rebecca Foerster in January to lead the division. In an exclusive first interview since joining the company, Foerster said she doesnt believe the negative headlines surrounding the US-Russia relationship will have any bearing on Alrosas opportunities in the worlds largest diamond market. My belief is that the two things are extremely separate. When were talking about a diamond and the beauty of a diamond, its not political, Foerster, president of Alrosa North America, told Yahoo Finance UK. With Russia, if we talk about caviar or vodka or beautifully Russian-cut diamonds, I dont think that the political aspect inserts itself into the consumers perception of those goods. I dont see that to be a barrier to entry at all, she said. The US has imposed targeted sanctions on Russian individuals and businesses over the past few years to punish Russia for its aggression against Ukraine and involvement in the Syrian conflict. Russias Alrosa is the worlds biggest diamond miner based on its annual production. Photo: Alexander Ryumin/Getty Images The move slammed some Russian metal and energy companies, along with banks. But the diamond industry has avoided attention. Fortunately, there has been no discussion of putting restrictions on the diamond business, Alrosa said in a written statement to Yahoo Finance UK, but noted the threat of sanctions is quite unpredictable. We have developed several scenarios in advance, in case of the introduction of any restrictions on the companys activities, it said. Alrosa (ALRS.ME) produces close to 40 million carats of diamonds annually from its Russian mines, or about 27% of the global total. Thats 18% more than its closest competitor, De Beers, which is owned by mining giant Anglo American (AAL.L). But Alrosa doesnt have name-brand recognition like De Beers because it doesnt market directly to consumers. Its diamonds tend to be lower quality gems that sell for less per carat than De Beers. Story continues Alrosa also makes less money: $4.2bn (3.2bn) in 2017 versus about $6bn (4.6bn) at De Beers. Staying out of the public eye The new US sales strategy will see Alrosa remain out of the public eye. Its not opening any stores, planning splashy ad campaigns or crafting its own engagement rings. Its focused instead on growing its American client base of manufacturers and retailers that want to buy its polished diamonds, in addition to the rough diamonds it already sells. The expectation is these stones will end up in American jewellery. Foerster said American consumers will be motivated to buy Alrosa diamonds because the company has a reputation for conflict-free, sustainable Russian mines and a world-class system for tracking its gems. Rebecca Foerster joined Alrosas US division in January. Photo: Alrosa More than half of global diamond demand comes from the US, and its the fastest growing market in the world with 4% annual growth, according to De Beers. Americans buy more than $40bn ($31bn) in diamonds each year. Alrosa has a tiny stake, with sales of just $14m to US-based clients in 2018. Its also has separate diamond auctions which launched in New York last year, which brought in $19m from international buyers. Foerster said theyre starting from a low base but shes looking to double US activity annually over the next few years, with more high-profile auctions and clients. READ MORE: Russians hold more gold as sanctions bite Tiffany (TIF) and Signet Jewelers (SIG) are already customers of Alrosas rough diamonds, but havent signed up to buy polished diamonds yet. Natural diamonds on display at Alrosas cutting and polishing unit. Photo: Andrey Rudakov/Getty Images Looking for something unique Alrosa produces more than 7,000 carats of coloured diamonds per year, and demand for these kinds of diamonds has been growing in the US. We can capitalise on that trend, Foerster said. We have a nice variety of natural coloured diamonds and [we have the] ability to cut and polish fancy shaped diamonds. These are becoming more and more of interest to the US consumer. Especially bridal consumers wanting to express their individuality, she said. The synthetic risk The growth of synthetic diamond production, alongside increasing consumer acceptance, presents a real risk to Alrosas plans. Alrosa is known for less expensive, smaller diamonds and this is the first segment of natural diamonds that will be hit, warns Edahn Golan, an independent diamond industry analyst. Its production is really threatened by lab-grown diamonds, he told Yahoo Finance UK. READ MORE: Are lab-grown diamonds the future? Foerster admits that the challenge presented by synthetic diamonds is something that keeps her up at night. Its very important from an industry perspective that we become very strong and efficient in making sure that the consumer understands the difference between a lab-grown diamond and a mined diamond, she said. Foerster believes consumers ultimately value the story behind mined diamonds, with information readily available about their place of origin and the millions of jobs that these stones support. Alrosa, which employs about 37,000 workers, said it offers good wages, with Russian workers making three times the average national salary. The diamond mining industry plays a major role in lifting depressed regions out of poverty. Diamonds provide livelihoods for literally millions of people around the world, said Golan, noting that diamond miners are generally very good corporate citizens. When it comes to customers environmental considerations, its not clear-cut whether synthetic or natural diamonds are more eco-friendly, said Golan. Miners dont always have a perfect reputation in this area, but the lab-grown diamond industry uses a huge amount of energy and is known for poor working conditions, he said. Foerster said Alrosa, and the industry as a whole, are very conscious of environmental issues. It is a misconception that the diamond mining industry today does permanent damage to our earth and leaves the environment in bad condition A big part of mining is the sustainability factor, she said. San Francisco (AFP) - The weed killer Roundup was a "substantial factor" in the cancer of a US man who developed a lump in his throat after decades of spraying his garden, his lawyer said Monday at the start of the first ever federal trial targeting its manufacturer for negligence. Edwin Hardeman, 70, treated his property in Sonoma County, California, regularly with the Monsanto-made herbicide from 1980 to 2012 and was eventually diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the San Francisco court heard. "On Christmas Day 2014 he wakes up and feels this lump in his throat. He goes to the doctor the next day," his attorney Aimee Wagstaff said, telling the court that "the more you are exposed to Roundup, (the more) your risk increases." The weed killer contains glyphosate, the world's most widely used herbicide, which environmentalists and other critics have long maintained leads to cancer. The case is the first in a US District Court on the cancer risk of the weed killer but follows the groundbreaking state-level trial last year brought by school groundskeeper Dewayne "Lee" Johnson, who had the same condition as Hardeman. California Superior Court jurors last August unanimously found that Monsanto acted with "malice" and that its weed killers Roundup and Ranger Pro contributed "substantially" to Johnson's terminal illness. Brian Stekloff, for Monsanto, said there was no evidence to connect Roundup to Hardeman's disease, arguing that doctors don't know what causes non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The attorney said the cancer affects up to 75,000 people in the United States each year and that "most of them never used Roundup." Hardeman, looking every bit his 70 years with a sparse white beard and drawn, lined features, sat in court as a screen showed a picture of his throat, with the tumor visible. In another photo he was seen smiling with wife Mary in front of the ocean. Story continues - Hundreds of similar cases - The first phase of the four-to-five week trial will determine whether Roundup caused the plaintiff's cancer, Judge Vince Chhabria said. If the jury finds it did, the next step will be to decide whether Monsanto is liable for damages. Hardeman's lawyers argue that the company concealed the risks. Monsanto, which has sold Roundup worldwide for more than 40 years, contends that scores of studies show the products are not dangerous if properly used. Johnson won $78 million in punitive and compensatory damages and other costs, although Monsanto is appealing the award. The ruling sent shares for Monsanto's owner -- German pharmaceutical giant Bayer -- tumbling on fears that a wave of costly litigation could be about to break on the firm. In November, Bayer said it would slash 12,000 jobs in a restructuring after the takeover of Monsanto. Hardeman's is the leading case among hundreds that are legally linked, but will be heard separately. Although not a class action suit, its outcome will provide a guide for the other cases. Praised by farmers for its effectiveness and low cost, glyphosate is under scrutiny in Europe and especially France, where authorities in January banned a form of the herbicide, Roundup Pro 360. San Francisco (AFP) - The controversial weed killer Roundup was a "substantial factor" in the cancer of a US man who woke up one day with a lump in his throat and was soon diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, his lawyer said Monday, opening the first US federal trial of its kind. Edwin Hardeman, of Sonoma County north of San Francisco, filed a complaint against Roundup's manufacturer Monsanto in early 2016, a year after being diagnosed with the cancer. His is the first case to be heard in a US District Court but follows the groundbreaking case last year of Dewayne "Lee" Johnson. Jurors in a California State Court last August unanimously found that Monsanto acted with "malice" and that its weed killers Roundup and Ranger Pro contributed "substantially" to Johnson's terminal illness. Roundup, a brand owned by German chemical and pharmaceutical giant Bayer after its purchase of US-based Monsanto last year, contains glyphosate that environmentalists and other critics have long maintained leads to cancer. Glyphosate is used in weed killers made by several companies, and is currently the most used herbicide around the world. Hardeman used Roundup extensively to treat his property from the 1980s until 2012. One of his lawyers, Aimee Wagstaff, told the court he would put the concentrate into a two-gallon (7.5-liter) pump, dilute it with water and then spray. "On Christmas Day 2014 he wakes up and feels this lump in his throat," Wagstaff said. "He goes to the doctor the next day." He was diagnosed in February 2015 with the cancer, the same type as that of Johnson. Beside the lawyer sat Hardeman, 70, his features drawn and wrinkled, with brushed chestnut hair and a sparse white beard. A screen in the courtroom showed a picture of Hardeman's throat, with the tumor visible. In another photo he is smiling with his wife Mary in front of the ocean. Another image showed a Monsanto factory. Story continues The first phase of the four-to-five week trial is to determine "whether the Roundup caused the plaintiff's cancer," District Judge Vince Chhabria said. If the jury concludes that it did, the next step will be to decide whether or not Monsanto has a liability. The plaintiff's lawyers argue that the company concealed the risks. Monsanto, which has sold Roundup worldwide for more than 40 years, contends the products are not dangerous if the conditions of use are followed, as proven by hundreds of scientific studies. The earlier complainant Johnson was awarded $78 million but Monsanto asked an appeals court to toss the verdict. A federal judge in Texas ruled that requiring men but not women to register for the draft is unconstitutional. (Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS) A federal judge has ruled that requiring men but not women to register for selective service is unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Gray H. Miller, in a ruling issued in Houston on Friday, denied the governments motion to stay a lawsuit brought by the National Coalition for Men, a mens rights group. The group argued the Military Selective Service Act violated the 14th Amendments clause for equal protection under the law. The judge noted that a 1981 Supreme Court case, Rostker v. Goldberg, ruled that a male-only draft was justified because women werent allowed to serve in combat. But since then, womens opportunities in the military have expanded dramatically, the judge wrote. All gender-based restrictions on military service were lifted in 2015. While historical restrictions on women in the military may have justified past discrimination, men and women are now similarly situated for purposes of a draft or registration for a draft, Miller wrote. While the draft was technically discontinued in 1973 after the Vietnam War, men ages 18 to 26 are required to sign up for the Selective Service System, a register that can be used in case quick military conscription is deemed necessary. Men can be denied programs such as federal student loans if they fail to sign up. The judges ruling is declaratory, which means it doesnt force the government to immediately take action. But it comes as the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service is reviewing the need for a military draft, including whether women should be subject. It expects to issue a final report in March 2020. An interim report acknowledged various opinions on women and the draft, but didnt indicate which way the commission was leaning. Conservatives in Congress tanked a bipartisan effort to require women to sign up for the draft in November 2016. I cannot in good conscience vote to draft our daughters into the military, sending them off to war and forcing them into combat, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said earlier in the year. Story continues Related... GOP Quietly Tanks Effort To Include Women In The Draft Project Diane: Integrating Military Women in Combat Roles Also on HuffPost EGYPT AFGHANISTAN SYRIA SYRIA SOUTH SUDAN LEBANON UKRAINE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC CONGO KURDISTAN UKRAINE HUNGARY/SERBIA BORDER Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. A federal court ruling that it's unconstitutional to require only men to register for the draft will increase the pressure on Congress to either expand the draft or eliminate it. But as a practical matter, the decision by U.S. District Judge Gray Miller late Friday won't change draft registration overnight. As of Monday, the Selective Service System still registers only men, and an 11-member commission appointed by Congress to study the issue is due to report back next year. "The court ruling itself changes nothing as far as the commission is concerned," said Joe Heck, the Army general and former congressman who chairs the National Commission for Military, National and Public Service. That process could lead to any number of outcomes only one of which is that women would be required to register for the draft. Some questions and answers about women in the draft: Q: Will the decision be appealed? A: Justice Department spokeswoman Kelly Laco declined to comment Sunday. But lawyers involved in the issue say the government will probably have no choice but to appeal the ruling to defend an act of Congress. The next step would be the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. Miller denied a stay of his ruling, so the government would likely seek first to temporarily block the ruling while it's appealed. Q: Didn't the Supreme Court already decide this issue? A: Yes. In 1981, the Supreme Court ruled in Rostker v. Goldberg that Congress had a reasonable basis to exclude women from the draft because at the time, combat positions were off-limits to women. That law has not changed, Miller said. But the facts have. "In the nearly four decades since Rostker, however, women's opportunities in the military have expanded dramatically," Miller said. "In 2013, the Department of Defense officially lifted the ban on women in combat. In 2015, the Department of Defense lifted all gender-based restrictions Thus, women are now eligible for all military service roles, including combat positions." Story continues Q: Has the draft registration process changed as a result of the decision? A: In the short term, no. Miller made a declaratory judgment finding that the current system is unconstitutional. But, notably, he did not issue an injunction. There is no immediate court order requiring any particular change to the Selective Service requirement. The Selective Service System said Monday that it is continuing its operations as usual. "As an independent agency of the executive branch, the Selective Service System does not make policy and follows the law as written," legislative liaison Jacob Daniels said in a statement. "As such, until Congress modifies the Military Selective Service Act or a court orders Selective Service to change our standard operating procedure, the following remains in effect: (1) Men between ages 18 and 25 are required to register with Selective Service and (2) Women are not required to register with Selective Service. Q: Does the decision mean women will be required to register with the Selective Service? A: Not necessarily. If the district court's ruling is upheld, it could mean one of three things: Women would have to register for the draft at their 18th birthday, just like men; Selective Service would be eliminated entirely, and neither men nor women would have to register; or Selective Service would become voluntary and men and women could continue to register, but would not lose any benefits if they fail to do so. "There are several different potential outcomes that the commission is considering," Heck said. "That's why its so important that we talk not just to policy experts but the American public." The commission will hold a public hearing on the issue on April 24 and 25 at Gallaudet University in Washington, and is seeking public comment at inspire2serve.gov. More: Should women be required to register for the draft? Commission likely to recommend big changes Q: What is the Pentagon's position? A: The Department of Defense wants to keep the Selective Service System as a backstop to the all-volunteer military. And in a report to Congress in 2017, it went on record to support including women. "It would appear imprudent to exclude approximately 50 percent of the population the female half from availability for the draft in the case of a national emergency," officials said at the time. "And, if a draft becomes necessary, the public must see that it is fair and equitable. For that to happen, the maximum number of eligible persons must be registered." Even if there's never a draft, the Pentagon sees benefits to an all-volunteer force from including women in Selective Service. One such benefit: The number of recruiting leads that the Pentagon could target with direct mail would double. Q: What is President Trump's position? A: Shortly before President Barack Obama left office, Obama expressed support for universal draft registration regardless of sex as "a logical next step." President Donald Trump has been mostly silent on the issue. In a 2017 memorandum to the commission studying the draft, Trump asked the panel to "ensure close examination of the feasibility and advisability of modifying the Selective Service process to leverage individuals with critical skills for which the Nation has a need without regard to age or sex." Q: Why do we need Selective Service, and what happens to the draft if it goes away? A: President Richard Nixon ended the draft in 1973, as the United States was attempting to wind down its involvement in the Vietnam War. President Jimmy Carter created the Selective Service System in 1980, after Russia invaded Afghanistan. The intent was to identify a pool of young men available to be drafted in case of a national emergency. But the United States drafted men into war even before draft registration, and could do so again. The Constitution gives Congress the power to "raise and support Armies." The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that this gives Congress the power of conscription. Q: How are transgender people handled in the draft? A: President Donald Trump has moved to ban transgender people from the military. According to the Selective Service System, the registration requirement is based on the sex observed at birth and not on gender identity. However, if the draft were to resume, men who had transitioned to women could file for an exemption. While Friday's court ruling did not specifically address the transgender issue, it made clear that men and women should be treated equally in draft registration. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Q&A: A judge has ruled the male-only military draft unconstitutional. What happens now? Chisinau (AFP) - A pro-Russian party has taken the lead in parliamentary elections in Moldova, results showed Monday, but without the clear majority needed to avoid a hung parliament. With nearly all votes counted, the Socialist party close to President Igor Dodon was ahead with 31 percent, the election commission said. The pro-European ACUM bloc came second with 26 percent, while the ruling pro-Western Democratic Party was third with 24 percent. Political observers fear a new period of instability for the ex-Soviet country after Sunday's vote. Wedged between Ukraine and Romania, Moldova has struggled to find its place since gaining independence with the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. While many in the country of 3.5 million want to maintain close ties with Moscow, others seek to follow the example of Romania -- with which Moldova shares a language and long history -- and look west to the European Union. The vote was held under a new electoral system that divides the 101-seat parliament into seats elected by party lists and by individual constituencies. Linguist, litterateur Pokharel dies at 86 Linguist and senior litterateur Bal Krishna Pokharel died on Sunday. He was 86. He had been suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump announced Sunday on Twitter that he would be delaying an increase in tariffs against China and plans to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to settle on a final trade agreement. Trump said ongoing trade negotiations with China have been "very productive" and he would delay the tariffs, which were set to go into effect on March 1, ahead of a meeting with President Xi at the president's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. "I am pleased to report that the U.S. has made substantial progress in our trade talks with China on important structural issues including intellectual property protection, technology transfer, agriculture, services, currency, and many other issues," Trump wrote on Twitter. "As a result of these very productive talks, I will be delaying the U.S. increase in tariffs now scheduled for March 1." He continued: "Assuming both sides make additional progress, we will be planning a Summit for President Xi and myself, at Mar-a-Lago, to conclude an agreement. A very good weekend for U.S. & China!" President Trump walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping after attending a business event at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 9, 2017. Trump has said he was open to extending the March 1 deadline for reaching a new trade deal. He said last week that he expected to meet soon with Xi to work out the final points of an agreement. Currency manipulation is one of a number of issues that have been on the table as part of the ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries. A high-level delegation of Chinese trade officials, headed by Liu, arrived in Washington last week for the latest round of talks. More: Trump says U.S., China reach deal on currency manipulation as trade talks continue More: President Trump says he must meet with China's Xi Jinping before any trade deal is done The U.S. and China hit each other with tariffs last year, spawning fears of a trade war that could damage the global economy. Trump and his advisers have accused the Chinese of unfair trade practices, from government subsidies to intellectual property theft, claims the Chinese have consistently denied all issues that are the subject of ongoing negotiations. Story continues Late in the year, Trump and Xi agreed to stop further tariffs and hold negotiations for a new overall trade agreement. They set a deadline of March 1, after which new tariffs would go into effect if no agreement is reached. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: President Trump announces delay in tariff hikes against China, plans summit at Mar-a-Lago By James Oliphant PLYMOUTH, N.H. (Reuters) - Bernie Sanders' entry into the 2020 presidential race has complicated fellow liberal Elizabeth Warren's bid for the Democratic nomination, a path that runs straight through New Hampshire. Sanders, a U.S. senator from neighboring Vermont, retains a strong following in the state where he trounced Hillary Clinton by more than 20 percentage points in the 2016 presidential contest. An Emerson College opinion poll of New Hampshire voters released on Saturday showed Sanders to be the top choice of respondents with 27 percent of the vote. Warren, a senator from neighboring Massachusetts, was far behind at 9 percent - a worrisome number given many New Hampshire voters are familiar with her. But as Warren, 69, returned to the early voting state over the weekend for the second time this month, there were signs she could be chipping away at Sanders' support a year before the New Hampshire primary election. Some New Hampshire residents who voted for Sanders last time told Reuters they now were leaning toward Warren. Some said the 77-year-old Sanders political window had closed. Others said they wanted to see a female nominee. Bernie lost his shine, said Candace Moulton, 36, who attended Warren's campaign event in Manchester, New Hampshire. I think were really ready to have a woman president, to be frank. New Hampshire often has been where presidential aspirations are solidified. While the Iowa caucuses serve as the first test of a candidates strength, New Hampshire holds the first party primary, and has been a state where a contender can build momentum, salvage a campaign or reach the end of the road. Ten Democrats have already declared their candidacy for the party's nomination, and more are expected to join the contest. The winner will likely face Republican President Donald Trump in the general election in November 2020. [nL1N20E0EH] New Hampshires primary traditionally has favored candidates with ties to the region, making it important for Sanders and Warren to target. Both are progressives with similar policy platforms that include providing universal health care coverage and raising the minimum wage. Dante Scala, a professor of political science at the University of New Hampshire, said he expects the presidential field to narrow significantly by the time the primary comes. Theres a good likelihood that New Hampshire will be framed as a Sanders-Warren competition with one ticket out, he said. Should Warren fail to win Iowa, New Hampshire becomes a must-win, Scala said. Its hard to see her lasting if she cant win here. Former Vice President Joe Biden could muddy things further if he mounts a bid. Biden placed second in the Emerson poll, and his high name recognition with voters could give him a boost. FRIENDLY TERRITORY Warren campaigned in New Hampshire as if she were a local. "You guys know me," she told a gathering of 1,000 state party leaders and activists in Manchester on Friday. She followed up by speaking to a full hall in Plymouth on Saturday. On this swing, Warren played up her personal story over policy, talking about her family's struggles growing up in Oklahoma and the challenges she faced as a young mother. After the Plymouth event, Nancy Chandler, 84, said Warren won her support with a fiery speech where she talked about wanting big, systemic change and fighting for the middle class. I think the bus has passed, Chandler of Warren, New Hampshire, said of Sanders. Liz Alcauskas, 74, of Manchester, said many of Sanders' ideas were important, but she planned to vote for a different Democrat in next year's election. I would like to not have an old, white man be president," she said. Its someone elses turn now. Even some of Sanders' most loyal supporters are unsure of him this time. Andru Volinsky, a member of Sanders 2016 steering committee in the state, said my first inclination is towards Bernie, but I havent ruled out a handful of others. The home-field advantage enjoyed by Sanders and Warren has sparked speculation that other candidates may compete less intensely in New Hampshire, focusing instead on other early states. Senator Kamala Harris of California made her first campaign trip to the state earlier this month and insisted she would be an active presence there. But she had made a point of visiting South Carolina, with its large swath of African-American voters, before New Hampshire. Harris likely will also concentrate on gaining the majority of support from the millions of voters in her home state, which has its primary in early March but will allow early voting to begin around the time of the New Hampshire contest. Raymond Buckley, chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, said other candidates cannot afford to write the state off. "In 2020, we have such an immensely diverse group of candidates, in every sense of the word, that it's dangerous to make any assumptions about how the primary will turn out," Buckley said. There remains room in the state for Warrens support to grow. Her Plymouth event was filled with undecided voters. I feel very wide open right now. I feel like I could support anyone, said A.J. Coppola, 32, from Thornton, New Hampshire. Im inclined to the person who is really passionate, who feels like they have energy behind them. (Reporting by James Oliphant; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Grant McCool) Lady Gaga brought $30 million worth of bling to the Oscars. Other than her sizzling chemistry with Bradley Cooper during their Star is Born performance and the fact that she actually won an Oscar for best original song, the other Gaga talking point was the enormous diamond necklace she donned to accessorise her black, Alexander McQueen, satin frock. With its Audrey Hepburn-esque silhouette and matching elbow-length gloves it was only right that the outfit was complimented by a statement necklace last worn by Hepburn herself. Said to be worth a whopping $30 million (approx 23 million), according to a press release the 128-carat Tiffany canary-yellow diamond was originally found in South Africa in 1877 and brought to Paris where it was cut into a cushion shape. Lady Gaga in her $30 million Tiffany frosting [Photo: Getty] Lady Gaga just frosted herself with a Tiffany diamond necklace worth $30 million [Photo: Getty] And to put it mildly the stunning sparkler doesnt get to grace many celebrity necks. First worn by Mrs. Sheldon Whitehouse, at the 1957 Tiffany Ball, the diamond went on to be most-famously donned by Audrey Hepburn, for promotional photographs for Breakfast at Tiffanys in 1961. Since then, the rock has been stored on the main floor of the Tiffanys Fifth Avenue flagship store in New York City. According to a press release sent to E! News, this marks the first time in history that the priceless 141-year-old Tiffany Diamond has graced an awards show red carpet. So Lady Gaga is certainly the chosen one. While Gaga no doubt will cite iconic Hollywood actress, Hepburn as her muse for her red carpet inspo, Twitter couldnt help but point out that the Tiffany necklace was remarkably similar to one donned by Kate Hudson in How to lose a guy in 10 days. 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. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. 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: Oscars 2019: All the best after party celebrity fashion Selma Blair makes first red carpet appearance since MS diagnosis complete with a blinged-out cane Academy Awards: Best Oscars dresses of all time Park-Ohio (PKOH) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended December 2018. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price. The earnings report might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower. While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise. Zacks Consensus Estimate This industrial supply-chain logistics company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.88 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +2.3%. Revenues are expected to be $410.37 million, up 12.1% from the year-ago quarter. Estimate Revisions Trend The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period. Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts. Earnings Whisper Estimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core. The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. 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. Story continues Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only. A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP. Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell). How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Park-Ohio? For Park-Ohio, the Most Accurate Estimate is the same as the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that there are no recent analyst views which differ from what have been considered to derive the consensus estimate. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of 0%. On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3. So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Park-Ohio will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue? While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number. For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Park-Ohio would post earnings of $0.92 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.07, delivering a surprise of +16.30%. Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times. Bottom Line An earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss. That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported. Park-Ohio doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release. 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 Park-Ohio Holdings Corp. (PKOH) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Olivia Colman has said she will be taking her Oscar statuette to bed with her. The British star of The Favourite won Best Actress on Sunday night, ahead of Glenn Close for The Wife and Lady Gaga for A Star Is Born. Speaking backstage after her win, Colman was asked where she will be putting her prize. She told the Press Association: In bed with me, between me and my husband. Asked how much of her speech was prepared, she replied none of it, adding that winning is not an every day occurrence. In her amazing speech she said: Its genuinely quite stressful. This is hilarious. I got an Oscar! OK, I have to thank lots of people. If, by the way, I forget anybody Im going to find you later and Im going to give you all a massive snog and Im really sorry if I might forget now. 91st Academy Awards Oscars Photo Room Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 24, 2019. Best Actress Olivia Colman arrives backstage with her award. REUTERS/Mike Segar But Yorgos, my best director and the best film, and with Emma and Rachel, the two loveliest women in the world to fall in love with, and to go to work with every day, I mean, you can imagine, it wasnt a hardship. And to be in this category with these extraordinary women, and Glenn Close youve been my idol for so long and this is not how I wanted it to be and I think youre amazing and I love you very much. Colman thanked her agents Lindy King, Olivia Homan and Hildy Gottlieb and her publicist Bryna Rifkin. She said: I love you all. Thank you, Lindy King, my agent who took me on over 20 years ago, thank you so much. And Olive and Hildy and Bryna, who made me do things that I said no to, but she was right. My mum and my dad well, you know. And my kids who are at home and watching, look! Well, if youre not, then, well done, but I sort of hope you are. This is not going to happen again. And any little girl who is practising their speech on the telly, you never know. I used to work as a cleaner and I loved that job, I did spend quite a lot of my time imagining this. She then said that she was being asked to please wrap up, and blew a raspberry as the audience laughed. Story continues Olivia Colman reacts as she accepts the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for The Favourite at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Colman continued, thanking husband Ed Sinclair: Thank you, and my husband Ed, my best friend, I love you so much; 25 years, youve been my best supporter, hes going to cry! Im not. Thank you so much, Fox, everybody, the cast, the crew, Frances, Sam, thank you. Argh, thank you so much Lady Gaga! Colman said she has no idea how she is feeling following the win. She added: Next year Ill be able to put it into words but I dont know what to do with myself at the moment. 91st Academy Awards Oscars Backstage Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 24, 2019. Olivia Colman accepts her Best Actress award. Matt Petit/A.M.P.A.S./Handout via REUTERS. Colman confirmed her children aged 13, 11 and three were watching from her agents house. Prior to landing the best actress Academy Award for her role as Queen Anne in The Favourite, she had a successful career on the small screen in Green Wing, That Mitchell And Webb Look, and Twenty Twelve, and in British films including Hot Fuzz and Tyrannosaur before she played the role of Carol Thatcher opposite Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady. She also found early fame as Sophie, the girlfriend of David Mitchells neurotic Mark, in the British comedy Peep Show. It was her part as the hotel manager in 2015s The Lobster that paired her up with Greek film-maker Yorgos Lanthimos, who would go on to direct her to her Oscar win. The Lobster, which also starred Colin Farrell, and Colmans The Favourite co-star Rachel Weisz, was set in a surreal dystopian future, where single people are obliged to find a romantic partner within 45 days or are turned into animals. It was a critical hit and collected a best original screenplay nomination at the Oscars. Colman, 45, followed up the films success with a star turn in the BBC drama The Night Manager opposite Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie, for which she won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Emmy, and in Phoebe Waller-Bridges black comedy Fleabag. It was her role in the ITV crime series Broadchurch that made her a household name in the UK, playing DS Ellie Miller, but it is her turn in The Favourite that has made her a Hollywood star. Colmans portrayal of the petulant, greedy and grieving queen has won her rave reviews and scored her a Golden Globe and a BAFTA. Her most anticipated role is yet to come, when she steps into the shoes of Queen Elizabeth II in the third series of The Crown as the lavish Netflix drama moves into the 1970s. She will take over the part from Claire Foy and has said how difficult she has found it. Comparing the two Queens she plays, she told the Press Association: It could not be more different. I find the harder is Queen Elizabeth because everyone knows what she looks like, everyone knows what she sounds like, everyone has an opinion on whether the casting is right. And I am loving the job, I am loving trying to play her, but I find her harder. Reporting by PA. Read more Green Book win prompts more controversy Oscars 2019: All the winners Independent Spirit Awards winners Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK US president Donald Trump has criticised Spike Lee for his acceptance speech at the 2019 Oscars. The Republican leader called the address, which touched on the United States history of racism and slavery, a hit on his presidency. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Lee, who won his first Oscar on Sunday night for BlacKkKlansman, called for the American people to mobilise for the upcoming Presidential Election in 2020. President Trump will be seeking re-election for a second term in office, and although his opponent is yet to be chosen for the race, Lee says the vote will be a moral choice between love versus hate. Trump has accused the director of producing a racist diatribe against him, and claimed he has done more for African Americans than almost any other president in US history. Read his full speech below: Spike Lee provoked Donald Trumps ire with 2020 comments (Getty) The word today is irony. The date, the 24th. The month, February, which also happens to be the shortest month of the year, which also happens to be Black History month. The year, 2019. The year, 1619. History. Her story. 1619. 2019. 400 years. Four hundred years. Our ancestors were stolen from Mother Africa and bought to Jamestown, Virginia, enslaved. Our ancestors worked the land from cant see in the morning to cant see at night. My grandmother, [inaudible], who lived to be 100 years young, who was a Spelman College graduate even though her mother was a slave. My grandmother who saved 50 years of social security checks to put her first grandchild she called me Spikie-poo she put me through Morehouse College and N.Y.U. grad film. N.Y.U.! Before the world tonight, I give praise to our ancestors who have built this country into what it is today along with the genocide of its native people. We all connect with our ancestors. We will have love and wisdom regained, we will regain our humanity. It will be a powerful moment. The 2020 presidential election is around the corner. Lets all mobilise. Lets all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Lets do the right thing! You know I had to get that in there. Story continues Charlie Wachtel, left, and Spike Lee accept the award for best adapted screenplay for BlacKkKlansman at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Lee won Best Adapted Screenplay for his 2018 drama BlacKkKlansman which tells the true story of a black undercover policeman who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s. The film ends with a damning sequence that shows racism and hatred is alive and well in the 2010s. It shows footage from the 2017 Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville, Virginia and President Trumps comment afterwards that said there were fine people on both sides of the rally and counter-rally in Charlottesville. It also pays tribute to Heather Heyer, a 32-year-old counter protestor, who was mown down by a car driven by alt-right activist Alex Fields Jr., who is facing hate crime charges. Read more Oscars 2019 winners list What happened to these Oscar-nominated child stars? The most controversial Oscars ever? Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday that the controversial relocation of a US military base in Okinawa will not be delayed despite a referendum that saw voters reject the move. "It has been 20 years since Japan and the US agreed" to relocate the Futenma base, Abe said. "We cannot delay this any further." His comments came after voters in Okinawa rejected the relocation plan in a non-binding referendum over the weekend. Some 72 percent voted against the move, with 19 percent in favour in a vote that drew 52 percent of eligible voters, officials said. Abe said he accepted the outcome "sincerely" and would seek "understanding" from Okinawa residents on his decision to move forward with the relocation. "We have spent many years holding dialogue with people in the prefecture. We will continue our dialogue so that we can gain their understanding," Abe said. "Reducing the burden of Okinawa is a major responsibility for the central government... we will continue our utmost efforts towards a reduction of the burden related to hosting bases." Okinawa accounts for less than one percent of Japan's total land area, but it reluctantly hosts more than half of the approximately 47,000 American military personnel. The heavy US military presence has frustrated local residents with problems ranging from noise and military accidents to crime involving base residents. To ease tensions, the United States and Japan agreed in 1996 to move Futenma from its current heavily populated location to a remote coastal site being built partly through land reclamation. Opponents of the move want to see the base relocated outside of Okinawa, arguing responsibility for hosting US troops should be more evenly spread across Japan. Okinawa residents have elected governors opposed to the move, including incumbent Denny Tamaki, who came into office last year. But Abe's government has shown no sign of willingness to reconsider. Hundreds of Rajbiraj residents suffer from uterus and stone related problems Hundreds of people in Rajbiraj, the district headquarters of Saptari, were found to be suffering from uterus and stone related problems. By Laila Kearney NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil futures tumbled more than 3 percent on Monday in their largest daily percentage drop this year after U.S. President Donald Trump called on OPEC to ease its efforts to boost crude prices, which he said were "getting too high." Brent crude futures fell $2.36, or 3.5 percent, to settle at $64.76 a barrel. U.S. crude ended $1.78, or 3.1 percent, lower at $55.48. "Oil prices getting too high. OPEC, please relax and take it easy. World cannot take a price hike - fragile!" Trump wrote, in the latest in a series of tweets about oil prices since April 2018. The comments triggered a selloff that halted momentum from Friday's session, when both benchmarks hit more than three-month highs on expectations for tightening supply and rising hopes for a U.S.-China trade deal. "I think that tweet set a lot of downward momentum early in the day, and we haven't recovered," said Michael O'Donnell, senior market strategist at RJO Futures in Chicago. Crude prices have risen by about 20 percent since the start of the year when the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and non-member producers, such as Russia, cut production to reduce a global glut. "Trump appears to be attempting to micromanage the oil... to maintain strong enough production to keep global supplies in surplus," Jim Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch and Associates, said in a client note. "But as far as the Saudis are concerned, todays tweets could even embolden their efforts toward restraint." Saudi Arabia recently estimated its production will fall in March by more than anticipated under the supply-reduction agreement, to 9.8 million barrels per day. In addition, U.S. sanctions on exports from Iran and Venezuela have tightened the market even as production in the United States surges. "If you read into (Trump's comments), I think there's speculation there will, in fact, be another round of waivers granted to countries and companies to buy Iranian oil," said John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital Management, said about Trump's tweet. "That's also why you're seeing the negative reaction." Story continues Washington surprised the market after granting waivers to eight Iranian oil buyers when the sanctions on oil imports started in November. Brent futures fell 22 percent that month and the waivers influenced OPEC's December decision to cut supply starting in 2019. (GRAPHIC: Trump Tweets on oil - https://tmsnrt.rs/2Evscq7) Goldman Sachs analysts said "the near-term outlook for oil is modestly bullish over the next two to three months", but added that the outlook for later in 2019 was weaker due to surging U.S. exports and an "an increasingly uncertain economic, policy and geopolitical backdrop". (GRAPHIC: U.S. oil production & drilling levels - https://tmsnrt.rs/2Vj9SWv) (Reporting by Amanda Cooper and Noah Browning in London; additional reporting by Henning Gloystein and Ron Bousso; editing by Jason Neely and Marguerita Choy) London (AFP) - The price of oil sank Monday after US President Donald Trump urged the OPEC crude producers' cartel to help cut "high" prices and aid the "fragile" world economy. By 1300 GMT, Brent North Sea crude for delivery in April had sunk $1.58 to $65.54 per barrel compared with Friday's closing level. The US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for April dropped $1.29 to $55.97. "Oil prices getting too high. OPEC, please relax and take it easy," Trump tweeted. "World cannot take a price hike -- fragile!" Oil prices had traded relatively flat for the morning session but fell sharply following the remarks. The comments echo Trump's frequent call for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to keep production high to limit rising oil prices that hurt economic growth. Meanwhile, legislation targeting OPEC is advancing in the US Congress, potentially raising new financial and geopolitical challenges for the oil market. Earlier this month, a House committee approved the "No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act of 2019," or NOPEC, and a version of the bill also has been proposed in the Senate. The bill would seek to prevent OPEC and allies from adjusting their production levels to affect oil prices. Under the bill, sovereign immunity would no longer protect OPEC members from Justice Department antitrust enforcement. OPEC and its unofficial leader, Saudi Arabia, at the end of 2016 reached an agreement with Russia to limit output in order to lift crude prices. While the legislation enjoys bipartisan support, there is still no timetable for the proposal to be considered by the full Congress. burs-rfj/bcp/jh Could the United States and North Korea reach a historic accord -- or could it all fall to pieces? As President Donald Trump prepares for a historic second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, observers see a wide array of possible outcomes. Here are some scenarios that could emerge from the summit, which opens Wednesday in Hanoi: - Complete breakdown considered unlikely - The US pointman on North Korea, Stephen Biegun, and his counterpart Kim Hyok Chol are holding working-level talks in Hanoi to lay the groundwork for the leaders. A complete collapse of the summit seems "unlikely because Trump and Kim are so invested in the meeting," said Viping Narang, an associate professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. But what comes out of the talks is another story. The two leaders' first summit in Singapore ended in a statement that agreed on "complete denuclearization" -- which Pyongyang defines broadly as an end to nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula. The United States says it is seeking the "verifiable and irreversible" denuclearization of North Korea -- a formulation Pyongyang is sure to resist. - Repeat of Singapore is defeat for Trump - A simple repeat of the Singapore declaration would be widely seen in the United States as a defeat for Trump. "What would be a failure is another vague statement about intentions with very little concrete action that each side is committed to take," said Jung Pak, a former CIA analyst who is now a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Narang said that a repeat of Singapore would be the favored outcome for North Korea, which would face no fresh constraints. "There's a paradox: for the summit to be useful for the North Koreans, the working-level meetings need to be as vague and drawn-out as possible," Narang said. "But for the summit to be useful for the US, the working-level meetings have to deliver something concrete." Story continues A Western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that if nothing major emerges by the US summer, hawks around Trump such as his national security adviser, John Bolton, could increasingly press to be done with talks and focus on pressure. - Or Trump yields ground - No matter how much Trump's team prepares him, this most untraditional of US presidents could reject expert advice and, as is his wont, go with his gut. Such a scenario would be seen as a catastrophe by much of the Washington establishment, which has spent decades trying to figure out North Korea. "A failure would be that the US gives more than it receives," said Abraham Denmark, director of the Asia program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Denmark voiced fear that Trump could declare a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War -- which closed only with an armistice -- without significant action from Pyongyang. "Declaring an end to the war is a significant concession and should not be done lightly," he said, fearing an effect on the dynamics between the two Koreas. One major fear for South Korea and Japan is that Trump reaches a deal that only restricts intercontinental missiles that could hit the United States, while not taking up shorter-range weapons that threaten them. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has repeatedly spoken of the North Korea summit as a way to protect Americans, raising worries in the region. - US hopes for verifiable denuclearization - The best result for the United States would be a step-by-step, verifiable agreement in which the North Koreans commit to ending their nuclear program beyond verbal promises. North Korean concessions over which the United States could cry victory include the suspension of all the regime's missile and nuclear sites and the destruction of some of them, Denmark said. For Narang, the destruction of the Yongbyon complex -- North Korea's main nuclear center -- would mark an important step. But the key for Washington would be inspections by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency to verify North Korea is getting rid of its nuclear weapons. In return, Washington could open a liaison office in Pyongyang -- a step toward full diplomatic relations -- or declare an end to the war. Kim's most urgent goal is the lifting of international sanctions that have held back his hopes of economic development. The United States has so far insisted that it will not provide aid until denuclearization. But Biegun recently hinted at early steps, saying, "We didn't say we won't do anything until you do everything." Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and receive a $20 prize! Acando AB (publ.) (STO:ACAN B), which is in the it business, and is based in Sweden, saw significant share price movement during recent months on the OM, rising to highs of SEK30.65 and falling to the lows of SEK27.55. Some share price movements can give investors a better opportunity to enter into the stock, and potentially buy at a lower price. A question to answer is whether Acando AB (publ.)s current trading price of SEK28.55 reflective of the actual value of the small-cap? Or is it currently undervalued, providing us with the opportunity to buy? Lets take a look at Acando AB (publ.)s outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if there are any catalysts for a price change. Check out our latest analysis for Acando AB (publ.) Whats the opportunity in Acando AB (publ.)? According to my valuation model, the stock is currently overvalued by about 47.35%, trading at kr28.55 compared to my intrinsic value of SEK19.38. Not the best news for investors looking to buy! Another thing to keep in mind is that Acando AB (publ.)s share price is quite stable relative to the market, as indicated by its low beta. This means that if you believe the current share price should move towards its intrinsic value over time, a low beta could suggest it is not likely to reach that level anytime soon, and once its there, it may be hard to fall back down into an attractive buying range again. What kind of growth will Acando AB (publ.) generate? OM:ACAN B Past and Future Earnings, February 25th 2019 Future outlook is an important aspect when youre looking at buying a stock, especially if you are an investor looking for growth in your portfolio. Although value investors would argue that its the intrinsic value relative to the price that matter the most, a more compelling investment thesis would be high growth potential at a cheap price. With profit expected to grow by 27% over the next couple of years, the future seems bright for Acando AB (publ.). It looks like higher cash flow is on the cards for the stock, which should feed into a higher share valuation. Story continues What this means for you: Are you a shareholder? ACAN Bs optimistic future growth appears to have been factored into the current share price, with shares trading above its fair value. At this current price, shareholders may be asking a different question should I sell? If you believe ACAN B should trade below its current price, selling high and buying it back up again when its price falls towards its real value can be profitable. But before you make this decision, take a look at whether its fundamentals have changed. Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping tabs on ACAN B for some time, now may not be the best time to enter into the stock. The price has surpassed its true value, which means theres no upside from mispricing. However, the positive outlook is encouraging for ACAN B, which means its worth diving deeper into other factors in order to take advantage of the next price drop. Price is just the tip of the iceberg. Dig deeper into what truly matters the fundamentals before you make a decision on Acando AB (publ.). You can find everything you need to know about Acando AB (publ.) in the latest infographic research report. If you are no longer interested in Acando AB (publ.), you can use our free platform to see my list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. US president Donald Trump will meet Kim Jong-un for the second time this week (Picture: PA) An expert on North Korea has branded Donald Trump unread, narcissistic and racist ahead of the US presidents summit with Kim Jong-un. The two men are scheduled to meet on February 27 and 28 in Hanoi, Vietnam, their second meeting following their talks in Singapore last year. But Robert E Kelly, professor of political science at Pusan National University in South Korea, launched a Twitter attack on Mr Trump ahead of the talks. He wrote: At the risk of repeating the blindingly obvious, Trump has no idea what he is doing. He is an unread, narcissistic, racist reality TV who couldnt care less about US power in Asia or US allies there. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Prof Kelly criticised the upcoming summit, adding: This isnt about peace in Asia, S Korea, US national security, and so on. Its a vanity project for Trump. So yes, talking to NK is good, but Trumps motivations Nobel, a political win for domestic reasons, lots and lots of TV coverage are all wrong. Bc of that, who knows what he will agree to? MORE: Cabinet trio warn they will help delay Brexit rather than leave Europe with no deal MORE: Traveller duo who led 30 caravans on 300,000 brewery wrecking spree are jailed Meanwhile, Mr Trump said North Korea could become one of the worlds great economic powers if it gives up its nuclear weapons. He said North Korea has more potential for rapid growth than any other country. Kim Jong Un waves from a train before leaving Pyongyang Station, North Korea, for Vietnam (Picture: AP) We both expect a continuation of the progress made at first summit in Singapore, he tweeted. Vietnamese officials are scrambling to finish preparations for the summit. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Officials in Hanoi said they had about 10 days to prepare for the summit much less than the nearly two months they said Singapore was given for the first Trump-Kim meeting last year but still vowed to provide airtight security for the two leaders. Security will be at the maximum level, said Vietnamese deputy minister of foreign affairs Le Hoai Trung. Nguyen Manh Hung, leader of the information ministry, said the 3,000 journalists from 40 countries expected in Hanoi could rely on his agency as youd count on a family member. Story continues The world will be watching as Mr Trump and Mr Kim deal with one of Asias biggest security challenges: North Koreas pursuit of a nuclear programme that stands on the verge of viably threatening any target on the planet. Although many experts are sceptical that Mr Kim will give up the nuclear weapons he probably sees as his best guarantee of continued rule, there was a palpable, carnival-like excitement among many in Hanoi as the final preparations were put in place. T-shirts were being sold bearing Mr Kims face along with the phrase Rocket Man, a nod to the insulting nickname Mr Trump gave him in 2017, when North Korean weapons tests and back-and-forth threats by the leaders had many fearing war. Youngsters dressed in traditional Korean Hanbok were practising songs meant to welcome Mr Kim. Grinning tourists were posing in front of the hundreds of US and North Korean flags around the city. Vietnamese soldiers stand outside the entrance to Dong Dang train station where North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is expected to arrive later this week (Picture: AP) The ultra-tight security will be appreciated by North Korean authorities, who are extremely vigilant about the safety of Mr Kim, the third member of his family to rule the North with absolute power. Mr Kims decision to travel to Vietnam by train, not by plane, may have been influenced by better ability to control security. When Mr Kim flew to Singapore, North Korea borrowed a Chinese plane. Mr Kim may get off his train in Dong Dang and finish his journey to Hanoi by car. There are high expectations for the Hanoi summit after a vague declaration at the first meeting in June in Singapore that disappointed many. In a meeting with senior aides in Seoul, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said that the Trump-Kim talks would be a critical opportunity to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK Carol Palk was sick and bleeding from an ulcer in her stomach riding in the back of a cab for a five-hour trip through a dangerous Mexican state so she and her husband could catch a plane that would fly them back to the United States via Mexico City. Neither Carol nor her husband, Bertram "Buzz" Palk, can speak Spanish, so they could not communicate beyond showing their driver their airline tickets. Hours earlier, she and her husband were marooned on a foreign shore by the crew of their cruise ship because they could not treat her ulcer. Bertram "Buzz" and Carol Palk of Whipanny talk about their difficult experiences after they were removed from a cruise ship in Mexico due to a problem with Carol's health. They are at their kitchen table on January 25, 2019 with a photo that was taken on the cruise ship before they were let go in Mexico. Carol Palk, 79, of Whippany, N.J., was sailing on the Allure of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean Cruises ship registered in the Bahamas but sailing out of Miami, with her husband and friends from their Rotary Club. The seven-night cruise, which stopped in ports throughout the western Caribbean Sea, was the couple's 16th cruise vacation. More than 20 million people cruise each year, according to TripSavvy.com. But it is unclear how many people find themselves forced from their ship in a foreign country because of a medical emergency. The ship's crew was following a company policy. "Our actions depend entirely on the condition and needs of our patients," said Owen Torres, a Royal Caribbean Cruises spokesman. "In this case, our ships doctor and medical crew initially treated the guest in our medical facility but required additional and urgent medical attention that could only be provided in a hospital." CRUISE GONE WRONG: After Norovirus sickens 402 people, Royal Caribbean cruise ship returns to Port Canaveral TRAVEL: Flying soon? Here are five things you should know about airline changes VACATION DISASTERS: Norwegian cruise ship based at Port Canaveral crashes into dock in Puerto Rico TRAVEL PROBLEMS: 3 times vacation travel went wrong Carnival and Norwegian cruise lines, two other popular cruise ship companies, did not respond when asked if they have similar policies. Story continues Palk had sought treatment from the ship's doctor when she noticed blood in her stool, a sign of internal bleeding. That's when she got shocking news. The doctor told Palk that he was monitoring her red blood cell count and that if it dropped below a certain level, he would be forced to take her off the ship. "The doctor told me, 'I'm going to kick you off the ship' if the level dropped any further," Palk said. That's exactly what happened. After Palk's blood count dropped again the next day, the couple were told to pack their belongings because they were being removed from the ship at the next port of call. In a matter of hours, the Palks were left watching the ship sail off from Puerto Costa Maya in Mexico on Jan. 11, just two days before the ship was scheduled to arrive back in Miami. Bertram "Buzz" and Carol Palk of Whipanny talk about their difficult experiences after they were removed from a cruise ship in Mexico due to a problem with Carol's health. They are at their kitchen table on January 25, 2019 with papers and bills accrued on their trip. "I just had no idea what was going to happen to me or my wife," said Bertram Palk, 82. Such treatment of passengers by a cruise line does not surprise Jim Walker, a maritime lawyer based in Miami. Many cruise ships are registered in foreign countries, just like the Allure of the Seas, so passengers are in a legal no man's land when aboard some of these vessels. "Legally, there is not much people can do in these cases," Walker said. "If the couple were to sue, they'd have to prove injury or negligence to get anywhere." Instead of going to a hospital, the Palks opted to return to the United States. So the ship's staff arranged for a $600 taxi to Cancun and two flights: one from Cancun to Mexico City and one from Mexico City to Miami, totaling an additional $1,039. The couple also had to pay $74 for entering Mexico, a fee that was collected at the ship's dock. "I told them we didn't want a flight to Miami and that we wanted a flight to Newark, but they said it was too late," Bertram Palk said. "They didn't even ask us." The Palks' journey home took a grueling 24 hours. It was so strenuous that Carol Palk decided to write an impromptu will on one of her flights. Whippany Mayor Ron Francioli, who was part of the Rotary Club group with the Palks, was desperate to get in contact with his friends during their trek home. "The way Royal Caribbean handled this was a complete disaster," Francioli said. "I was up through the night trying to talk to them." The more than 200-mile taxi ride from Puerto Costa Maya to Cancun through the Yucatan Peninsula took the couple through the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, where a Level 2 travel warning has been issued by the State Department, on a scale that has four levels. Story continues below photo gallery The warning calls for increased caution because of crime in which bystanders have been injured and killed, the State Department website says. The first level calls for normal precautions, the third level advises citizens to "reconsider travel," and the fourth warns citizens not to travel to the area at all. Bertram Palk was relieved when the driver asked "bathroom?" a couple of hours into the ride, because his medication forces him to make frequent trips to restrooms. The bathroom was behind a gas station, where a group of men were standing. "I was using the urinal and looking over my shoulder," Palk said. The couple were unsure about what to do in the foreign country. They don't speak Spanish, and they didn't know where to turn. The United States has an embassy in Mexico City and nine consulates general and nine consular agencies that act as extensions of the consulates general. There is a consular agency about 9 miles from Mexico City International Airport and a consular agency in Cancun, but the couple did not think to call them. "When a U.S. citizen needs assistance overseas, the department works to provide all appropriate consular assistance," said Marlo Cross-Durrant, a State Department spokeswoman. Fatal crash: Driver charged in Wayne crash that killed three had prior DWI conviction East Hanover: Couple plead to stealing $152,820 in Sandy relief funds Parsipanny: Officials OK tax incentive deal for mixed-use, 441-apartment complex But she didn't comment on the Palks' situation. The Palks were exhausted once they arrived in Cancun for their flight to Mexico City. On the flight, Carol Palk said, she wrote a will on a piece of paper despite already having a formal one in place, just so she could explain what had happened if she died. The Palks were relieved to be back in New Jersey when their flight landed on the morning of Jan. 12 a day before the cruise was scheduled to return to Miami. "If we went to Miami, we would have to pay for a hotel while (Carol) was getting looked at, plus another flight to Newark," Bertram Palk said. Carol Palk's physician told her she would be fine, and the couple have returned to their normal daily lives. But there is one thing they are asking from Royal Caribbean: an apology. "We don't want money. All we want is a 'sorry' from them," Bertram Palk said. The closest thing to an apology the couple received was a voucher for 20 percent off from the customer service department after Carol Palk told a representative what happened over the phone. "What makes them think we want to go on another cruise after all that?" she said. The Palks said they are fortunate they could pay the $3,400 almost twice what the cruise cost to get back home. "What would have happened to someone who didn't have enough money to cover all of this?" Carol Palk said. Email: zuritaa@northjersey.com Support local journalism Investigations into local topics take time and resources. Readers help support these efforts with their subscriptions. Support our journalism and become a subscriber today. Click here for our special offers. This article originally appeared on North Jersey Record: NJ couple pay thousands to make it out of Mexico after being forced off cruise ship * Iran's talented Foreign Minister Zarif resigns * Zarif attacked by hardliners after U.S. dropping nuclear deal * Zarif played the lead role in ending nuclear standoff By Michael Georgy DUBAI, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who used his charm and knowledge of the West to help strike the landmark 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, announced his resignation unexpectedly on Monday on Instagram. "Many thanks for the generosity of the dear and brave people of Iran and its authorities over the past 67 months. I sincerely apologize for the inability to continue serving and for all the shortcomings during my service. Be happy and worthy," he wrote on his Instagram page jzarif_ir. Zarif's engaging personaconservative clerics at home, who accused Zarif of selling out the pact in 2018 and reimposed sanctions to cripple Iran's oil industry, Zarif faced a storm of criticism in parliament. d, was restrained in his approach to with a long record of handling Tehran's Western foes. SMILING DIPLOMAT "You should always smile in diplomacy," Zarif wrote in his 2013 memoir "Mr. Ambassador." "But you should never forget you are talk Zarif's familiarity with Western culture helped him forge close working relationships with American officials, who have long memories of the occupation of the U.S. embassy in Tehran, in which h in San Francisco and Denver, and subsequently as a diplomat at the United Nations in New York, where he was Iranian ambassador from 2002 to 2007. Zarif developed contacts with U.S. officials which served him well in the 1990s, when he was involved in The bespectacled diplomat was born in Tehran to a conservative merchant family. NEED FOR COMPROMISE Managing expectations was critical for Zarif as Western powers and Iran squared off during heated talks that ended with an agreement announced in Lausanne, Switzerland. showed his Zarif's seeming ease with Western ways made him a divisive figure in Iran, and conservatives lined up to criticize him for speaking so directly to While the U.S. decision to abandon the nuclear deal tarnishe, Iran still managed to gain deep influence through proxies in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen and Syria, to the dismay of its Middle East rival Saudi Arabia "He told me the Arab world is none of your business," Zarif told a U.S. interviewer. "I am t Some hardliners called Zarif a coward for studying in the United States, rather than defending his country in the 1980-88 war with Iraq which claimed a total of one million opposed the nuclear deal, tweeted at Zarif in 2015: "you hid in U.S. during Iran-Iraq war while peasants & kids were marched to die." Zarif responded by congratulating "Serious diplomacy, not macho personal smear, is what we need." (Editing by Giles Elgood and James Dalgleish) Go electric to cut oil bill In the fiscal year 2017-18, which ended mid-July last year, Nepal ran a trade deficit of Rs1,164 billion, up 27.5 percent year-on-year. Spending on imports totalled Rs1,245 billion, of which Rs173 billion went toward petroleum products. By Alexander Tanas CHISINAU (Reuters) - Early results pointed to a hung parliament in Moldova's election on Sunday, splitting the vote between pro-Western and pro-Russian forces at a time when the ex-Soviet republic's relations with the European Union have soured. The current government wants closer EU integration and warns of catastrophe if the country falls back into Russia's sphere of influence. But corruption scandals and worries over the health of its democracy have tarnished the country's image and weakened the appeal of the pro-Western political class. The opposition Socialist Party, which favours closer ties to Moscow, took a slight early lead at 29.5 percent, with 30 percent of votes counted. The ruling pro-Western Democratic Party trailed with 28.8 percent, while an opposition bloc called ACUM, campaigning to fight entrenched corruption, was third with 22 percent. A clearer picture of the final tally will emerge on Monday. An inconclusive election or one marred by allegations of fraud could tip the country back into instability just as it has recovered from a $1 billion banking scandal in 2014 and 2015. If the results are split, it could set the stage for weeks of coalition talks or another election. "If no one has a parliamentary majority, I think that there will be attempts to form it, but the risk is high that it could come to a snap election in the coming few months," President Igor Dodon told reporters. On Saturday, Dodon, the former Socialist Party chief, called the campaign "one of the dirtiest in our entire history". He and leading opposition figures have threatened to launch street protests and raised concerns about vote-buying. "If the elections are rigged even more than they have already been rigged to this day, we will come out to protect our vote," ACUM leader Maia Sandu said. POISONED POLITICS The campaign has already been dogged by controversy. In the past few days alone, ACUM's leaders said they were being poisoned on the orders of the authorities, which the Democratic Party swiftly dismissed as a "strange accusation". Story continues Russia's interior ministry announced an investigation into Democratic Party leader Vladimir Plahotniuc, accusing him of involvement in organised crime, prompting Plahotniuc's party to accuse Moscow of election meddling. The Democratic Party had already been accused of trying to bend the electoral system in its favour by introducing changes in 2017 on how votes are cast. Previously, Moldovans voted on party lists, but the Democratic Party introduced a mixed system of party lists and first-past-the-post constituency races, against the advice of European rights experts. The Democratic Party rejects suggestions it benefits most from the new voting system. It has in turn accused Dodon of colluding with Russia to put the Socialists in power, which the president denies. "Moldova has the potential for development, it's only necessary that the authorities not be corrupt, that they should think about the people, and not only about their own pockets," said Alexandra Ciorescu, a 72-year-old pensioner. BELIEVING IN THE FUTURE The EU forged a deal on closer trade and political ties with Moldova in 2014 but has become increasingly critical of Chisinau's track record on reforms. One of Europe's poorest countries, which is squeezed between Ukraine and EU member state Romania, Moldova plunged into crisis in 2014 and 2015 after $1 billion was pilfered from three banks. The EU froze aid after a court struck down the victory in the Chisinau mayoral race of one of ACUM's leaders, Andrei Nastase, on a technicality last year. The European Parliament declared it "a state captured by oligarchic interests". Plahotniuc's party has trumpeted the achievements of its government under Prime Minister Pavel Filip. The economy is growing, the banking system has stabilised and cooperation with the International Monetary Fund resumed. "I believe in the future of Moldova," Filip said after casting his vote. "We are ready to continue reforms and all social programmes, the implementation of which will change the lives of Moldovan citizens for the better." Dodon and the Democratic Party have clashed over issues ranging from relations with Russia to ministerial appointments. But some Moldovans suspect that the Socialists and Plahotniuc collaborate behind the scenes to carve up the state between themselves - a suggestion rejected by Dodon in a Reuters interview in January. (Reporting by Alexander Tanas; Additional reporting by Pavel Polityuk in Kiev; Writing by Matthias Williams; Editing by Jason Neely and Peter Cooney) Vice President Mike Pence on Monday called on world leaders to levy sanctions against the government of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro. To leaders around the world: Its time. There can be no bystanders in Venezuelas struggle for freedom, Pence said in Bogota, Colombia at a meeting of the Lima Group, a group of mostly Latin American leaders. The day is coming soon when Venezuelas long nightmare will end and Venezuela will once more be free. Nicolas Maduro is a usurper with no legitimate claim to power, and Nicolas Maduro must go, the vice president continued. Our message today very much was intended to say to Mexico, to Uruguay, to nations across the eastern Caribbean that they need to come off the sidelines. Pence also announced new U.S. sanctions on Venezuela intended to cripple Maduros regime, including cracking down on several governors who back him. The U.S. already enforces heavy sanctions on Venezuelas mammoth state-owned oil and natural-gas company, PDVSA, which is one of the governments keys to monetizing the countrys vast oil reserves, the largest in the world. In the days ahead, the United States will announce even stronger sanctions on the regimes corrupt financial networks, Pence promised. We will work with all of you to find every last dollar they have stolen and work to return it to the Venezuelan people. Pence pledged nearly $56 million in additional aid to our partners in the region as they come to the aid of the Venezuelan people, and urged them to support Juan Guaido, the opposition leader recognized by the U.S. and dozens of other countries as Venezuelas rightful leader, with whom he met before his speech. Over the weekend, Maduros troops skirmished with opposition forces and destroyed foreign food and medical aid at border points, killing at least four people and injuring hundreds. Story continues Todays events force me to make a decision: to formally propose to the international community that we must have all options open to secure the freedom of our country, Guaido wrote on Twitter after the violent clashes. These men worked to block aid for people in need and suppress peaceful protests. Their actions will not go unpunished, Pence said. We hope for a peaceful transition to democracy, but as President Trump has made clear, all options are on the table. More from National Review Meghan and Harrys royal visit to Morocco 2019 Take a look at Meghans outfits in Morocco in detail [Photos: Getty/PA] The Duke and Duchess of Sussex embarked on a three-day visit to Morocco, with a packed itinerary which focuses on youth, education, sport and gender equality. As with any royal tour, outfits are usually planned in advance and despite being seven months pregnant, Meghan has proved once again that you dont need to stockpile maternity wear to dress your baby bump. Like her sister-in-law Kate, Meghan has mastered the art of diplomatic dressing, paying tribute to the countrys flag with her red Valentino dress upon arrival. The duchess is renowned for her love of designer fashion and shes pulled out all the stops on her last overseas trip before she gives birth this spring. Shes debuted looks from Valentino and Dior in Morocco. As well as some stunning evening looks, Meghan has stuck to her signature daytime combo of a blazer, blouse, skinny jeans and of course, killer heels. An easy look to copy from the high street, if youre looking to emulate her enviable style. Lets not forget the accessories. Weve seen Meghan tote Valentinos v-ring crossbody bag and Diors D-Bee clutch in gold, which she also owns in the navy colour-way. No royal tour is complete without some sparkle and weve seen the duchess bring back her statement Birks Snowstorm earrings at the evening reception. Take a look at all of Meghans outfits from her royal visit of Morocco in detail. 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: Pregnant Meghan Markle looks elegant in a red Valentino dress as she arrives in Morocco The logistics behind Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys royal tour of Morocco Prince Harry was always going to go off and do his own thing An unvaccinated French boy is suspected of having reintroduced measles to Costa Rica after the Central American country had been free of the disease for five years. It is unclear why the five-year-old French tourist had never received a measles jab, but the arrival of the highly contagious, potentially deadly disease in a country that has been measles-free since 2014 is likely to increase anxiety about the effects of the worldwide anti-vaccine movement. The reintroduction of measles to Costa Rica comes a month after the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that vaccine hesitancy is in the top 10 of the worst health threats facing humanity in 2019. Costa Ricas health ministry said the French five-year-old had arrived in the country with his parents on 18 February. The Costa Rica Star reported that the boy and his mother had not been vaccinated. The parents were said to have consulted a private doctor in Costa Rica about their sons rash, and confirmed that other children who had attended the boys school in France had come down with measles. The health ministry said the boy was now being treated and kept in strict isolation at the Monsenor Sanabria Hospital in the port town of Puntarenas. The health ministry is seeking to establish who may have come into contact with the infected child, including during his flight, at a San Jose hotel where the family stayed for one night and at the beach village of Santa Teresa, near Puntarenas, where they were having their holiday. The French authorities have also been informed about the boys illness, so they can track whether anyone else has been infected in the European country. Costa Ricas health ministry said the last time one of its own citizens had measles was in 2006. Before the five-year-old French boy fell ill, the last case of measles being imported to Costa Rica had been in 2014. The health ministry issued a statement saying: Our country enjoys very good vaccination coverage in general. However, in order to avoid particular cases and their possible complications, it is important that those in charge of minors ensure that children have the complete vaccination scheme. Story continues The ministry of health requests that if you know of someone who has symptoms of measles (fever, nasal congestion, cough, conjunctivitis, skin rash that starts in the head and expands through the body to the feet, reaching the hips around the second day) it is vital that they notify the health authorities as soon as possible. The above symptoms are of particular importance for people who in the previous 20 days have been in countries with measles transmission or in contact with an eventual imported case. The WHO has said that despite the availability of a safe and cost-effective vaccine, there were 110,000 measles deaths globally in 2017, mostly among children under the age of five. The WHO has warned that the number of measles cases worldwide had risen by more than 30 per cent between 2016 and 2017, with increases recorded in rich European countries like Germany where vaccination coverage had previously been high. Martin Friede, the WHOs director of immunisation, vaccines and biologicals, said that supposed experts making accusations against the vaccine without any evidence had adversely affected parents decision-making. The WHO also warned that complacency was stopping some parents from getting their children vaccinated. Placing vaccine hesitancy the reluctance or refusal to get immunised among the worlds top 10 health threats, the WHO warned: Some countries that were close to eliminating measles have seen a resurgence. In the UK a wave of anxiety about the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine was triggered in 1998 when Dr Andrew Wakefield published a paper linking the jab to autism in children. In 2010, Mr Wakefield was struck off the UK medical register after the General Medical Council held him responsible for offences relating to dishonesty and failing to act in the best interests of vulnerable child patients. For Immediate Release Chicago, IL February 25, 2019 Zacks.com releases the list of companies likely to issue earnings surprises. This weeks list includes Macys M, Nordstrom JWN, Shake Shack SHAK, Potbelly PBPB and Red Robin Gourmet RRGB. Previewing Department Store Stock Earnings The earnings focus lately has been on the Retail sector and this weeks reporting docket keeps the spotlight firmly on the space. Wal-Marts strong earnings reports reconfirms that consumers are in good shape, but you wouldnt reach that conclusion if you just looked at the stock market performance of the major department stores. The department store stocks enjoyed plenty of sunshine in 2018, but the mood shifted in a major way in November. While the rest of the market, including several other Retail sector industries, rebounded strongly after Christmas, the department store stocks never got a break. The chart below shows the one-year stock market performance of the Zacks Department Store industry relative to the S&P 500 index. The groups earlier momentum in 2018 wasnt a reflection on improving underlying fundamentals, but rather a combination of over-sold conditions and easier comparisons. The fundamental back drop for the group - characterized by imbalance between falling foot traffic, excess capacity and secular shift towards digital sales - still remains challenging. Earnings estimates for department store operators have been steadily down, as you can see in the chart below (green line represents forward 12-month EPS estimate for the group). Given the groups recent stock market performance, coupled with the steadily lowered earnings estimates, it will likely not take much for Macys, Nordstrom and others to regain some affection from the market. Key Earnings Reports This Week We have more than 650 companies coming out with quarterly reports this week, including 39 S&P 500 members. The Retail and Utilities sectors are the only ones that have a sizable number of reports still to come and this week brings in plenty of reports from these sectors. Story continues We have a number of restaurant operators reporting results this week, including Shake Shack, Potbelly, Red Robin Gourmet and others. Importantly, the traditional department stores and home improvement operators are reporting results this week. 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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 Nordstrom, Inc. (JWN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Potbelly Corporation (PBPB) : Free Stock Analysis Report Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (RRGB) : Free Stock Analysis Report Shake Shack, Inc. (SHAK) : Free Stock Analysis Report Macy's, Inc. (M) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Brake Problems in Lime Electric Scooters Are Causing Accidents and Injuries Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. Electric scooter startup Lime urged riders to be extra cautious while using the companys scooters, after learning of a technical problem that can cause sudden excessive braking during rides. Lime, one of the largest e-scooter startups in the fledgling industry, announced over the weekend that it had recently detected a bug in the firmware of its scooter fleet, which under rare circumstances could cause sudden excessive braking during use. The issue prompted the company to issue a series of updates for the firmware, the statement said, which immediately results in a material reduction of occurrences. But riders should use scooters cautiously over the next few days, until a final update is released, the company says. A final update is now being dispatched to every Lime scooter in the market and will be complete shortly, the statement said. We are also proactively working with consumer protection agencies around the world to ensure we meet their rigorous safety expectations. Still, for now, the company is telling riders to first inspect their vehicle before riding to determine whether its in good condition, and once the ride begins, to give the brake a tight squeeze. If the brake does not engage properly and immediately stop the vehicle, dismount, end the trip, and notify Lime customer service, the statement says. The warning from Lime follows an investigation published earlier this month by Consumer Reports, which found that an estimated 1,500 people have been injured as a result of e-scooter crashes. CR spot-checked hospitals across the U.S., and also obtained internal crash data from Lime and its main rival, Bird. The battery-powered scooters have drawn attention from policymakers and regulators since arriving on public streets in late 2007. The vehicles are typically offered through a smartphone app at affordable rates. Bird, for example, usually charges about $1 plus 15 cents per minute of use, and its e-scooters can travel at speeds of up to 15 mph. Story continues No official e-scooter crash data exists to date, but CR tabulated an injury count by contacting 110 hospitals in 47 cities across the U.S., as well as public agencies currently tasked with tracking crashes. To date, at least four people have been killed while riding an e-scooter, according to our report. Lime isnt the only company to have been accused of renting out scooters with allegedly faulty brakes, as CR previously reported. A potential class-action suit filed by a Bird rider in January claims the companys scooters contain defective electronics, brakes, battery charge indicators, wheels and tires, internal power tubes, and accelerators, and do not contain adequate instructions and/or warnings regarding these hazards and dangers. Lime has faced scrutiny recently in New Zealand, where its scooters have been temporarily banned in two cities after reports of similar braking problems. In an op-ed published Monday in the New Zealand Herald, Limes director for Government Affairs and Strategy, Mitchell Price, wrote that the companys team has been working around the clock to rigorously assess our fleet and the excessive braking issue that was discovered a few weeks back. Price said every single scooter in New Zealand affected by the bug had been immediately removed. When asked why Lime wasnt also pulling its scooters in the U.S., the company told CR that it was confident that its firmware update had fixed the problem. Lime said in its statement on Saturday that the issue has affected less than 0.0045 percent of all Lime rides. But Catherine Lerer, an attorney based in California who represents several e-scooter riders in personal injury cases, told CR that number is probably far higher, noting that many of her clients have yet to report the injuries directly to Lime. Ive had many many people call me who were injured where their front tire locked up on Lime scooters, Lerer says. I dont know if its the same defect, but it sure could be. And thats very concerning to me. Limes statement also tells riders to comply with any scooter audible or visual warnings to slow or adjust your speed." It also suggests riding "defensively by wearing a helmet and reflective or bright clothing. Medical experts who spoke with CR earlier this month say most of the injured riders theyve treated were not wearing a helmet when they were injured. More from Consumer Reports: Top pick tires for 2016 Best used cars for $25,000 and less 7 best mattresses for couples Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright 2019, Consumer Reports, Inc. By Ulf Laessing and Ahmed Elumami TUNIS/TRIPOLI (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates is bringing together players in Libya's conflict and the state oil firm to try to reopen the El Sharara oilfield, the North African country's biggest, diplomats and other sources said on Monday. The UAE is the biggest backer of Khalifa Haftar, a key figure and commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) force, which this month took control of two oilfields in Libya's south, El Sharara and the nearby El Feel facility. The LNA has called on state oil firm NOC to reopen the 315,000 barrel-a-day El Sharara field which has been closed since state guards and tribesmen seized it in December to make financial demands. But NOC Chairman Mustafa Sanalla on Sunday rejected the LNA's demands, saying El Sharara was not secure because the gunmen who had seized it were still present. It was not clear whether Haftar would travel to the UAE as his office could not be reached for comment. Apart from Sanalla, the Tripoli-based Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj confirmed he would attend, his spokesman said on Twitter. U.N. Special Envoy Ghassan Salame and U.S. diplomats will also be attending, sources said. NOC said in a statement Sanalla would meet unidentified Libyan players to "discuss security measures necessary to find a solution to the Sharara crisis, that guarantee staff safety, and pave the way for the lifting of force majeure at the field." Force majeure is a contractual waiver declared by NOC in December when it shut down production at El Sharara, located deep in Libya's south hit by insecurity. Serraj heads the internationally recognised government based in Tripoli which opposes a parallel administration based in the east allied to Haftar, who is also based there. Sanalla is based in Tripoli like Serraj but has sought to keep NOC out of the conflict of the two governments. The U.N. has been mediating between the two camps to overcome divisions and prepare elections but has had little progress. Salame's plan to hold a national conference to decide on the format of elections has met resistance of Haftar's supporters who feel emboldened by recent military progress. Story continues The LNA started in January a campaign to secure oilfields and fight militants in the south, expanding his territory claim much beyond the east which it controls. The LNA already secures oil ports in eastern Libya, forcing NOC to work with Haftar, who has been supported by the UAE and Egypt. (Reporting by Ulf Laessing, Nayera Abdallah and Ahmed Elumami; editing by David Evans and Lisa Shumaker) By Ahmed Elumami TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Libya's El Sharara oilfield, the country's biggest, remains closed because an armed group is still there, the chairman of state oil firm NOC said on Sunday. Mustafa Sanalla rebuffed calls by eastern Libyan forces called Libyan National Army (LNA), which had taken control of the 315,000 barrels a day field and declared it secure. "The field is closed because of the presence of a group of civilians, this armed militia, and some military people with them," the NOC chairman said in the video posted online. The oilfield deep in Libya's south has been closed since December when state guards and tribesmen seized it to make financial demands, the latest in several such closures over the past few years. In January, the LNA, which is based in eastern Libya, started an offensive to secure El Sharara and nearby El Feel oilfields and fight militants in the south. In February it sent a force to the field and last week handed control of it to the same oil security force that had been responsible for the closure, after holding negotiations with them over their demands. The LNA later called on NOC to lift force majeure, a contractual waiver declared in December. But Sanalla said NOC's conditions for such a move, including safety for its workers and the departure of the armed group responsible for the field's closure, had not yet been met. "The field is not yet safe," he said. Sanalla said NOC was in contact with the LNA force, saying the state oil firm was neutral and dealt with all parties in Libya's conflict, explaining his contact with the LNA. He referred to the LNA as "army" as it is known in eastern Libya, the power base of its commander Khalia Haftar. Haftar's LNA control the east and have started an offensive in southern Libya. It is allied to a parallel government based in the east opposing the U.N.-backed administration in Tripoli where NOC is based. The LNA already secures oil ports in eastern Libya and last week also claimed control of the El Feel oilfield, which produces around 75,000 bpd. (Reporting by Ulf Laessing and Ahmed Elumami; Writing by Ulf Laessing; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Daniel Wallis) Five members of disbanded merger task force submit report to Oli Disgruntled by the decision of the Nepal Communist Partys Secretariat to dissolve the task force formed to complete the remainder work of the unification process, five of the nine members of the task force presented a separate report to NCP Co-chairman and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Sunday night. Hopes that Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un will formally declare an end to the 1950-53 Korean War at the Hanoi summit rose Monday, after South Korea said the two leaders could reach an agreement. The devastating conflict between communist North Korea, backed by China, and the capitalist South, aided by the United States, ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty, leaving Pyongyang and Washington still technically at war. "I believe that the possibility is there," the South's presidential Blue House spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom told reporters about a formal declaration. "There is no way of knowing what kind of declaration it might be, but I believe the US and North Korea may reach an agreement." President Moon Jae-in said in October "it was only a matter of time" before Washington and Pyongyang declared an end to the war. The US has also struck an upbeat tone. Stephen Biegun, the US special envoy for North Korea, said earlier this month that Trump was "ready to end this war", fuelling speculation that the formal end of the conflict may be near. Kim, the leader of North Korea, is due to meet the US president in the Vietnamese capital on Wednesday and Thursday, where it is hoped the pair will make progress in talks on denuclearisation, and a possible peace treaty. But Blue House spokesman Kim said even if the US and North Korean leaders declare the end of the Korean War, a formal peace treaty will likely be signed at the "last stage of the denuclearisation process" of the Korean peninsula -- and may take a long time to materialise. "A peace treaty and a declaration of end of war are different," he said, adding that the treaty must be a "multilateral effort" involving South Korea and China. North Korea, the US-led United Nations Command and China were all signatories to the armistice. The Hanoi summit comes after Trump and Kim met in June in Singapore, producing a vaguely worded agreement on denuclearisation, but progress has since stalled, with the two sides disagreeing over what the agreement meant. Story continues Observers say tangible progress is needed in Hanoi to avoid the talks being dismissed as a publicity stunt. Meanwhile the respected US-based website 38 North reported on Monday there is no indication Pyongyang is operating its nuclear reactors at the Yongbyon complex. The dismantling of the complex is expected to be among the key denuclearisation steps that the US and North Korean leaders will likely discuss in Hanoi. "There is no steam venting from the generator hall, nor is there any hot water effluent at the cooling water outfall pipe," the website said. Astana (Kazakhstan) (AFP) - Kazakhstan's long-ruling President Nursultan Nazarbayev appointed a new prime minister on Monday, his office said, after dismissing the government over a lack of economic development. "The head of state signed a decree appointing (Askar) Mamin prime minister of Kazakhstan," Nazarbayev's office said on its Twitter account. Mamin, 53, has previously served as first deputy prime minister and also worked as transport and communications minister and mayor of capital Astana. Mamin's predecessor Bakytzhan Sagintayev was sacked over what Nazarbayev described as poor economic performance, despite the Central Asian nation's vast energy resources. Sagintayev was viewed by some analysts as part of a potential leadership transition in the country, which 78-year-old Nazarbayev has ruled over for close to three decades. Observers point to rising discontent in Kazakhstan, a former Soviet republic whose commodity-dependent economy has struggled to recover from a 2014 plunge in oil prices. Western sanctions against Russia, a key trading partner, also hit the economy. Its not exactly a tale of two cities. More like a saga of two stragglers. Nearly 10 years after the Great Recession ended, just two metro areas former manufacturing strongholds Elmira, New York, and Danville, Illinois are mired in an economic downturn, according to Moodys Analytics recession tracker. Thats the fewest number in recession since the late 1990s, Moodys data show. Thats good news: It means the U.S. economy is so strong that it has lifted even the handful of the 400 metro areas that were floundering. In 2018, the economy grew a healthy 3 percent and generated an average of 223,000 jobs a month. The rising tide is lifting all boats, even places that have struggled, says Moodys economist Adam Kamins. The bad news: Despite the booming economy, Elmira and Danville remain outside the party looking in, stuck in a kind of economic purgatory. Theyre still moving backwards, Kamins says. When the next recession comes, these places are not going to be spared. The recession theyre experiencing now is only going to deepen. Officials hope Elmira?s Downtown Revitalization Initiative plan, which includes grant funding for property owners to renovate upper-story housing, will attract residents to the city?s core. FILE PHOTO Officials hope Elmira's Downtown Revitalization Initiative plan, which includes grant funding for property owners to renovate upper-story housing, will attract residents to the city's core. Risky beer? Weed killer in your wine and beer? That's what a new study found Buffett on taxes:Billionaire says wealthy people like himself aren't paying enough Not the greatest distinction to be known for," Kamala Keeley, CEO of the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce in Elmira said of the recession label as she chuckled. "But its also a distinction that doesnt define us as a community. Other metro areas on Moodys recession list emerged from the doldrums in recent months, at least to some extent. Michigan City, Pennsylvania, is benefiting from a mini-revival for steel makers due in part to Trump administration tariffs on steel imports. Erie, Pennsylvania, boasts a General Electric factory. And places like Shreveport, Louisiana, and Farmington, New Mexico, got a boost from a rise in energy prices for most of last year. The struggles of Elmira and Danville exemplify the plight of fading factory towns in rural areas that are losing population and cant rely on other economic pillars to cushion the blow. Story continues Not that the two metro areas have been trapped in the abyss since the Great Recession began in late 2007. Rather, theyve dipped into and out of slumps a few times over the past decade.The downturns in both regions have moderated recently and are expected to end this year, says Moodys, which crunches data such as employment, industrial production and home prices to determine metro area recessions. Yet both cities have struggled for decades, even when they havent officially been branded as in recession. Your financial habits: How do yours compare with others? Payrolls offer the most telling barometer. Over the past eight years, while the U.S. has added 20 million jobs, Elmiras employment has dipped by about 3,000 to 36,200. Danvilles has dropped by 600 to 28,300, Labor Department data show. Elmiras production of goods and services, or gross metro product, declined each year from 2012 through 2017 and Danvilles economic output fell in 2016 and 2017, according to Moodys. Figures for 2018 wont be available until later this year. Text before you call, please: The new rules of communicating Flying cars Forget road trips. These vehicles can soar Tax questions answered: When should you hire a pro to do your taxes ? Elmira was a boom town Decades ago, Elmira was a vibrant hub in a network of canals and railroads that ferried goods from western to eastern New York. But those transportation systems are no longer vital. And in 1972, Hurricane Agnes flooded the region, wiping out a chunk of Elmiras bustling downtown. City leaders made a fateful decision not to rebuild and area officials still view that moment as the beginning of the areas downward spiral. They didnt know how to handle it, Keeley says. Longer-term forces the automation of U.S. factories and the offshoring of manufacturing jobs had an even bigger impact across the state and country. Nationally, manufacturing has made a comeback, adding 1.4 million jobs since 2010 on a global economy that was improving until recently and the oil industrys rebound. But that comeback has been concentrated in autos, transportation equipment, metals and machinery, and in a corridor that stretches from Michigan to Alabama, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. New York state largely has been left out. The Elmira area also was battered by the closing of the Sikorsky Aircraft factory in 2012. And a sharp drop in natural gas prices in recent years has hobbled companies that serve the nearby Marcellus Shale basin, such as drilling contractor Schlumberger. Larger New York State metro areas also have suffered industrial misfortune such as Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse but all boast universities that create jobs and industrial startups, says Jaison Abel, an economist at the New York Fed. Elmira has Elmira College, a small liberal arts school. Manufacturing still makes up 14 percent of Elmiras employment, compared with 8.5 percent for the nation. Theres Hilliard, a maker of equipment for off-road vehicles; Hardinge, which makes factory equipment; and CAF USA, a rail car producer. But the area lacks a dominant manufacturer that can draw other suppliers, customers and workers, and help create a vibrant ecosystem, such as Albanys nanotechnology cluster. We dont have that gorilla in the room, Keeley says. Shrinking middle class: States where income inequality is causing the middle class to disappear Many young adults, have fled, leaving a base of largely older residents. Since 2012, the areas population has fallen at annual rate of nearly 1 percent to 85,000, Moodys and Census Bureau figures show. Without a large customer base, sectors such as professional services and health care havent picked up the slack from shuttered factories to drive job growth, as they have nationally. Manufacturers, meanwhile, struggle to find skilled workers. Unemployment is 4 percent, matching the national rate, but thats largely because the areas labor force which includes people working and looking for jobs has steadily dwindled. Adam Bunce, 35, who grew up in nearby Canisteo, moved to Elmira from Morristown, New Jersey, eight years ago. He took classes at a community college and planned to become a teacher. But he dropped out after watching his friends become bartenders because they couldnt find full-time jobs in their fields despite their college degrees. These are people with master's and bachelor's degrees, he says. Instead, he managed and then bought a restaurant, Turtle Leaf Cafe, moving the healthy-food themed eatery downtown. Bunce says sales have been flat, though profits have risen slightly each year. Armed with a $10 million state grant, the city, nestled near the Finger Lakes in wine country, has begun sprucing up the downtown. There are fewer vacant, boarded-up buildings than there were several years ago. And the city recently reopened an arena that hosts a hockey team, and motorcross and wrestling events. Elmira is poised to benefit from several hundred million dollars in state grants for the region that could launch industrial parks and attract manufacturers, Keeley says. A $20 million osteopathic medicine school is set to open in Elmira this fall. Wayfair, the online furniture retailer, recently opened a call center that's expected to employ about 500 workers. I think were at a tipping point, Keeley says. Danville struggles as a border town Like Elmira, the Danville area, population 77,000, was a thriving factory center that was clobbered by globalization and technology. Manufacturers such as forklift maker Hyster, candy producer Chuckles and the maker of Windbreaker jackets are gone. Yet manufacturing still makes up 17 percent of all jobs, led by companies such as Quaker foods, Danville Metal Stamping and ThyssenKrupp, which makes vehicle crankshafts. Unemployment was 6.4 percent in December, among the highest in the nation. Like Elmira, Danville lacks a university or large plant, such as Caterpillars facility in Decatur, Kamins says. If youre (a company) looking to employ people in a high-growth area, youre likely to skip over a place like Danville, says economist Thomas Walstrum of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Like the rest of Illinois, Danville is burdened by high taxes. It's worse off, though, because it straddles the border with Indiana, which has lower tax rates, according to the Illinois Policy Institute. Its much easier (for residents and businesses) to pick up and go right across the border to Indiana towns such as Terre Haute and Lafayette, accelerating Danville's population decline, says Orphe Divounguy, chief economist at the policy institute. Vicki Haugen, CEO of Vermilion Advantage, Danvilles chamber and economic development arm, disputes data showing stagnant employment and economic growth. She cited her groups recent survey of 32 area employers that revealed 81 percent adding jobs and 19 percent holding payrolls steady. Judd Peck, CEO of Danville Metal Stamping, which makes jet engine parts, says he has added about 35 employees the past two years, noting revenue was up about 20 percent in 2018. Pecks biggest problem: He cant find skilled workers for his two local plants, which employ 480. Since many area factories closed, he says, There are fewer opportunities for people to gain that kind of experience. As a result, it takes Peck about three months to fill a job opening, up from one or two months several years ago. The company typically hires workers with no experience and then trains them for six months. That limits revenue growth somewhat. To avoid Illinois high taxes, Peck says he has considered moving across the border to Indiana. But, he adds, Danville has been really good to us, and were happy to be a part of this community." Haugen says the area is diversifying, adding warehouse and distribution services. But for towns like Elmira and Danville, beset by a cycle of population and business losses, it can be very, very difficult to pull (a turnaround) off, Kamins says. Bunce, the Elmira restaurant owner, rejects the gloomy talk. I don't want my grandkids 50 years from now still hearing about the flood (of 1972), he says. "Its about finding a way to get something done. Contributing: Jeff Murray, Elmira Star-Gazette This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Just two cities are in recession. Who's unhappy? Elmira, New York and Danville, Illinois Shamima Begum said she didnt see herself as an IS poster girl (Picture: BBC) Isis bride Shamima Begum has said she is being punished because she is famous. The 19-year-old, who fled the UK when she was 15 to join IS in Syria, is at the centre of a controversial political storm. Last week, home secretary Sajid Javid made the decision to revoke her British citizenship. The teenager, who left London to join Isiss self-proclaimed caliphate in Syria, has said she wants to return to the UK with her newborn son. Shamima Begum has just given birth to a boy (Picture: PA) She had given a series of interviews in which she failed to express remorse for her actions. But in her latest interview, she took a more contrite tone. Speaking to the Daily Mail from a tent in a Syrian refugee camp, alongside her son, she said: I feel like Ive been discriminated against because everyone was saying I was a poster girl for Isis. Im being made an example of. Im being punished right now because Im famous. I am hoping to be given a second chance. She added: Id like to be an example of how someone can change. I want to help, encourage other young British people to think before they make life-changing decisions like this and not to make the same mistake as me. MORE: Cabinet trio warn they will help delay Brexit rather than leave Europe with no deal MORE: Traveller duo who led 30 caravans on 300,000 brewery wrecking spree are jailed I cant do that if I am sitting here in a camp. I cant do that for you. In another interview, with the Sunday Telegraph, she said she regretted ever speaking to the media. She was one of three schoolgirls to leave Bethnal Green to join the terror cult in 2015 and resurfaced heavily pregnant at a Syrian refugee camp last week. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph from the al-Hol camp, Ms Begum said: They are making an example of me. I regret speaking to the media. I wish I had stayed low and found a different way to contact my family. Thats why I spoke to the newspaper. Mr Javid revoked Ms Begums British citizenship in a move only permissible under international law if it does not leave the individual stateless. Story continues It was speculated that Ms Begum, who is of Bangladeshi heritage, may have citizenship there but Bangladeshs minister of state for foreign affairs Shahriar Alam denied this. Her family have written to the home secretary asking for his help to bring her newborn son to Britain. The letter said the baby boy was a true innocent who should not lose the privilege of being raised in the safety of this country. Her sister Remu Begum, writing on behalf of the family, asked how they could help the home secretary in bringing my nephew home to us. The family said they have had no contact with Ms Begum and had only learned she had given birth to a boy through media reports. They made clear that they were shocked and appalled at the vile comments Ms Begum had recently made to the media. Meanwhile her father, Ahmed Ali, 60, said he does not have a problem with the governments stance and suggested he did not have sympathy for his daughter due to her lack of remorse. Shamima Begum, right, fled the UK for Syria with fellow teenagers Amira Abase, left, and Kadiza Sultana, centre (Picture: PA) Ms Begum fled the UK to join IS in Syria (Picture: PA) Speaking to the Mail on Sunday at his home in the Sunamganj region of north-east Bangladesh, he said: I am on the side of the government. I cant say whether it is right or wrong, but if the law of the land says that it is correct to cancel her citizenship, then I agree. If she at least admitted she made a mistake then I would feel sorry for her and other people would feel sorry for her. But she does not accept her wrong. Mr Javids removal of Ms Begums citizenship came amid heated debate over whether the teenager should be able to return to the UK after she was found in a Syrian refugee camp with the terror groups reign nearly over. While many do not want to see Ms Begum return to the UK, others have argued she should face prosecution for her actions, and attempts at deradicalisation. The Begum familys lawyer Tasnime Akunjee said she was born in the UK, has never had a Bangladeshi passport and is not a dual citizen, which was confirmed by the Bangladeshi minister. JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli police on Sunday arrested and later released a senior Muslim cleric who helps administrate a sacred compound in the Old City, two days after he re-opened a mosque sealed by Israel during a Palestinian uprising in 2003. Sheikh Abdel-Azeem Salhab, who sits on the religious council appointed by Jordan to oversee the Islamic sites at the compound, personally reopened the gate leading into the Bab al-Rahmeh mosque on Friday, and hundreds of Muslims went inside to pray for the first time in years. It followed days of tension between Israeli police and the Muslim religious authorities over access to a corner of the 35-acre sacred compound known to Jews as Temple Mount and to Muslims as The Noble Sanctuary. In the build up to Friday prayers police arrested 60 people they suspected would incite violence, and boosted the security presence in the Old City. But the day passed without serious incident. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told Reuters Salhab and another person were arrested on Sunday morning, two days after the incident, for breaching an order, and that they were being held for questioning. Salhab's lawyer said that Israeli police had banned him from accessing the compound for a week, but there was no immediate comment from the police on whether they had issued such an order. The small Bab al-Rahmeh mosque that Salhab opened lies on the eastern side of the compound, which is revered by Jews as the site of the Jewish temples of antiquity. Muslims regard it as the third holiest site in Islam. Its present-day skyline is dominated by two Muslim shrines, the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Saeb Erekat, a senior aide to President Mahmoud Abbas, denounced the arrests "in the strongest terms" and demanded their immediate release. Jordan's minister in charge of the Waqf and Islamic affairs, Abdul Nasser Moussa Abu al-Basal, called it "an unacceptable and dangerous escalation that impacts Jordan's role as a caretaker of Jerusalem's holy sites." Because of the religious sensitivities over the site the king of Jordan retains a role in ensuring the upkeep of the Muslim holy places in the city and Jordan appoints the Waqf Council which oversees compound. Israel captured East Jerusalem from Jordan in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed it in a move not recognized internationally. The United Nations regards East Jerusalem as occupied, and the citys status as disputed until resolved by negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. (Reporting by Ali Sawafta, Rami Ayyub and Maayan Lubell; editing by Stephen Farrell and Raissa Kasolowsky) HANOI (Reuters) - An Irish chef in Hanoi is serving a cheeky menu specially tailored to mark this week's summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Two new burgers - the "Durty Donald" and "Kim Jong Yum" - will be on sale at the Durty Bird restaurant from Monday, as Vietnam's capital prepares to greet the two leaders and, hopefully, help them agree on peace. The restaurant's co-owner and head chef, Collin Kelly, said the two burgers were designed to capture the likeness of the leaders. Kelly said the "Durty Donald" was like Trump himself - "so extravagant" - with double beef, double bacon, topped with strands of yellow chicken floss. "To match some of the controversy that surrounds him, we've put Russian dressing on it. So a bit tongue and cheek, but I think he'd see the funny side," Kelly told Reuters on Sunday. The "Kim Jong Yum" burger is made of smoked pork belly, wild boar meat, kimchi mayonnaise and crispy fried kimchi. He's been trying out his creations on a few customers to get some feedback before they go on sale. Hanoi resident Truong Trang said the Kim burger, was "mysterious" like North Korea, and she was left wanting to eat more burger and learn more about North Korea. "This burger makes me curious about its ingredients and I want to eat more, just like North Korea," she said. Kelly said he had been surprised by the interest in the burgers. He was even visited by two North Korean journalists who wanted his "opinion on the burgers and the summit". (Writing by Joseph Campbell; Editing by Robert Birsel) Baghdad (AFP) - By pledging to try 13 French Islamic State group fighters, Iraq has assumed the role of judge and jailor for the suspected jihadists -- thereby saving Paris the controversy of repatriating them. France has been rocked by fierce public debate over whether to repatriate dozens of its nationals, including children, caught fleeing IS's collapsing "caliphate" in east Syria. Most are held by US-backed Syrian forces, but 13 French citizens were transferred across the border to be tried in Baghdad, Iraqi President Barham Saleh announced on Monday. The alleged fighters, who were turned over to Iraq after being seized by Syrian Kurdish forces, "will be judged according to Iraqi law," Saleh told a news conference after talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. "Those who have engaged in crimes against Iraq and Iraqi installations and personnel, we are definitely seeking them and seeking their trial in Iraqi courts," he said. The issue is extremely sensitive in France, where a deadly 2015 attack on the capital claimed by IS killed 130 people -- but this arrangement could be Paris's best option. "This deal suits Iraq, but it's also politically favourable for France, which will avoid having to deal with the difficult return issue. Baghdad will have done it a favour," said Hisham al-Hashemi, an Iraqi expert with intimate knowledge of the issue. "This way, France will no longer have to deal with organisations calling to repatriate, rehabilitate, and re-assimilate these people," he said. - Death penalty - Transferring foreign fighters to Iraq for trial appears to resolve a legal conundrum for Western powers. On the one hand, the Kurdish-run administration in northern Syria is not a legally recognised government, so trying them there would be dubious. On the other, repatriation is a politically-fraught issue, and governments fear they may not have enough evidence to convict IS members who claim they did not fight. Story continues But Iraq has already tried hundreds of foreign IS fighters, including some caught in Syria and transferred across the border. It has sentenced many, including 58-year-old French national Lahcen Ammar Gueboudj and two other French nationals, to life in prison. Baghdad has even handed down death sentences to around 100 foreigners, only one of which has been implemented. Iraq's 2005 counterterrorism law condemns any individual who provided material support for extremist groups to death, even if they did not pick up arms. "This means Iraq can put anyone on trial who just passed through their territory on their way to Syria," said Hashemi. He said the 13 French nationals now in Iraqi custody had battled government troops in Iraq, and were transferred in coordination with the US-led coalition fighting IS. France initially insisted its citizens should face trial wherever they were caught, then seemed to soften its stance last month by saying it was considering repatriations. But Macron appeared to double-back on Monday, saying it was "up to the authorities of these countries to decide, sovereignly, if they will be tried there." "These people are entitled to benefit from our consular protection, and our diplomatic service will be mobilised," he added. - 'Much tougher sentences' - An Iraqi judicial source told AFP that Western countries had a vested interest in making sure their nationals were tried in Iraq, not at home. "In their own countries, their lawyers could claim their clients were abducted in Syria," which could hurt the prosecution's case, the source said. "But trying them in Iraq guarantees these countries that this point won't matter." Handing them over to Iraqi courts would also ensure "much tougher sentences," the source added. The 13 French nationals were brought to Iraq in parallel with the repatriation of 280 Iraqi IS members from Syria. Fadel Abu Ragheef, a security advisor and strategic analyst, said there was more to come. "There's another wave of Iraqi and foreign jihadists that will arrive soon to Iraq," he told AFP. But Human Rights Watch said any transfers should be completed in full transparency. "When these transfers get done in the middle of the night with no one knowing, there's no way to track these people," said Nadim Houry, HRW's head of counter-terrorism. He told AFP on Monday that he was concerned about a lack of due process in Iraqi courts and the possibility of abuse in its detention centres. "Iraqi trials are rife with due process abuses and the trials are not providing justice to the victims or information about the crimes," said Houry. "It seems the West is still looking for someone to take that burden off of them without them engaging on the substance of the trials." Paris (AFP) - Iraqi courts will prosecute 13 French citizens captured while fighting for the Islamic State jihadist group in Syria, Iraq's President Barham Saleh said Monday. The fighters, who were turned over to Iraq after being seized by Syrian Kurdish forces, "will be judged according to Iraqi law," Saleh told a news conference after talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. "Those who have engaged in crimes against Iraq and Iraqi installations and personnel, we are definitely seeking them and seeking their trial in Iraqi courts," he said. An Iraqi government source in Baghdad had told AFP earlier Monday that 14 French fighters had been brought to Iraq by the US-backed forces trying to dislodge IS jihadists from their last bastion in Syria. France has long maintained that any of its nationals caught in Syria or Iraq should be tried locally, a stance which critics say could leave them facing the death penalty, which is outlawed in France. Macron reiterated this position Monday, saying that "it is up to the authorities of these countries to decide, sovereignly, if they will be tried there." "These people are entitled to benefit from our consular protection, and our diplomatic service will be mobilised," he added. Macron also said he would visit Iraq in the coming months, after France announced in January that it would provide one billion euros ($1.1 billion) in reconstruction funds for the war-ravaged country. Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, a relatively moderate politician who played a major role in negotiating the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, resigned on Monday, according to a post he made on his Instagram account. Zarif's resignation was subsequently confirmed by Iran's state-run news agency, IRNA. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani still needs to accept Zarif's resignation. While President Donald Trump has withdrawn the United States from the nuclear accord, Zarif, 59, had been working closely with European nations to keep the deal alive in some form. His departure throws that cooperation into question. Inside Iran, a USA TODAY special report: Americas contentious history in Iran leads to mix of anger, wonderment and weariness "I sincerely apologize for the incapacity to continue serving and all the shortcomings during the service," Zarif wrote on Instagram in a somewhat strangely worded resignation. "Be happy and upbeat," he added in the social media post. The post included a drawing of Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. No specific reason for Zarif's departure was announced, but if he goes, it will be a victory for Iran's hard-liners. Zarif has been the face of Irans diplomatic engagement with the world and he has long pushed for even deeper relations with the West. His departure could signal hawks within Iran's government are ready to push back against the Trump administration, which has sought to isolate Tehran. "We note @JZarifs resignation. Well see if it sticks. Either way, he and @HassanRouhani are just front men for a corrupt religious mafia. We know @khamenei_ir makes all final decisions. Our policy is unchanged the regime must behave like a normal country and respect its people," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote on Twitter late Monday while en route to Vietnam for a denuclearization summit. "While Zarif is not above criticism, over the past forty years, the U.S. and Iran have had few clear channels for negotiations, and Zarif has long been a major proponent of U.S.-Iran negotiations and deescalation. Trumps plan to collapse the nuclear deal may indeed be aimed at empowering radicals in Iran," said Jamal Abdi, president of the National Iranian American Council, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that advocates for diplomacy and greater understanding between the U.S. and Iran. Story continues "Hardliners in the U.S. have long cheered for Iran to be led by radical elements to make engagement difficult and validate calls for sanctions and military action. Should Zarif bow out of Iran's political theater, Trump and his team may be getting exactly what they wish for - and the world will be worse for it," he said. More: Trump-Kim summit: Trump hints at economic rewards for North Korea More: Everything you should know about the Trump-Kim summit in Vietnam Following the Trump administration's withdrawal from the accord, the White House re-imposed economic sanctions on Iran last year. As Iranians braced for the full restoration of those sanctions in November, Zarif told USA TODAY in an exclusive interview that his government would be open to talking to the U.S. about a new nuclear arms accord if Washington changed its approach to the deal it exited. "Mutual trust is not a requirement to start negotiations mutual respect is a requirement," Zarif said in the wide-ranging, 45-minute interview. Zarif hinted in the interview that Iran's government was waiting to see whether Trump would be a one-term president before deciding to completely abandon the nuclear agreement. European nations, led by France and Germany, are trying to launch a financial mechanism to enable Iran to keep trading with some nations despite the U.S. sanctions. During a summit in Poland this month focused on the Middle East, Vice President Mike Pence demanded European nations withdraw from the nuclear deal. More: Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani's side project: Bashing Iran, in Poland More: Pence: Europe must withdraw from Iran nuclear deal This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iran's top diplomat, Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, abruptly resigns Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and receive a $20 prize! NLC India Limited (NSE:NLCINDIA) is a small-cap stock with a market capitalization of 89b. While investors primarily focus on the growth potential and competitive landscape of the small-cap companies, they end up ignoring a key aspect, which could be the biggest threat to its existence: its financial health. Why is it important? Evaluating financial health as part of your investment thesis is essential, since poor capital management may bring about bankruptcies, which occur at a higher rate for small-caps. Here are a few basic checks that are good enough to have a broad overview of the companys financial strength. Nevertheless, since I only look at basic financial figures, I recommend you dig deeper yourself into NLCINDIA here. How does NLCINDIAs operating cash flow stack up against its debt? Over the past year, NLCINDIA has ramped up its debt from 115b to 132b , which accounts for long term debt. With this increase in debt, NLCINDIAs cash and short-term investments stands at 1.8b , ready to deploy into the business. On top of this, NLCINDIA has generated 45b in operating cash flow during the same period of time, leading to an operating cash to total debt ratio of 34%, signalling that NLCINDIAs operating cash is sufficient to cover its debt. This ratio can also be a sign of operational efficiency as an alternative to return on assets. In NLCINDIAs case, it is able to generate 0.34x cash from its debt capital. Can NLCINDIA meet its short-term obligations with the cash in hand? At the current liabilities level of 76b, it appears that the company has maintained a safe level of current assets to meet its obligations, with the current ratio last standing at 1.33x. Usually, for Renewable Energy companies, this is a suitable ratio since there is a bit of a cash buffer without leaving too much capital in a low-return environment. Story continues NSEI:NLCINDIA Historical Debt, February 25th 2019 Is NLCINDIAs debt level acceptable? With a debt-to-equity ratio of 94%, NLCINDIA can be considered as an above-average leveraged company. This is not uncommon for a small-cap company given that debt tends to be lower-cost and at times, more accessible. No matter how high the companys debt, if it can easily cover the interest payments, its considered to be efficient with its use of excess leverage. A company generating earnings after interest and tax at least three times its net interest payments is considered financially sound. In NLCINDIAs case, the ratio of 6.57x suggests that interest is appropriately covered, which means that debtors may be willing to loan the company more money, giving NLCINDIA ample headroom to grow its debt facilities. Next Steps: NLCINDIAs high cash coverage means that, although its debt levels are high, the company is able to utilise its borrowings efficiently in order to generate cash flow. This may mean this is an optimal capital structure for the business, given that it is also meeting its short-term commitment. Keep in mind I havent considered other factors such as how NLCINDIA has been performing in the past. You should continue to research NLC India to get a better picture of the small-cap by looking at: Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for NLCINDIAs future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for NLCINDIAs outlook. Historical Performance: What has NLCINDIAs returns been like over the past? Go into more detail in the past track record analysis and take a look at the free visual representations of our analysis for more clarity. Other High-Performing Stocks: Are there other stocks that provide better prospects with proven track records? Explore our free list of these great stocks here. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. Country of fear Friday nights explosion near the gate of Ncells office at Nakkhu, and a series of arson targeting at least a dozen telephone towers of the mobile company was brazenly claimed by the Communist Party of Nepal led by Netra Bikram Chand Biplav. By Jack Stubbs and Douglas Busvine BARCELONA (Reuters) - Europe risks falling behind other regions in rolling out 5G mobile services because of onerous regulation and weak investment rather than any security concerns about Chinese equipment, Ericsson CEO Borje Ekholm said on Monday. High spectrum fees, regulatory uncertainty and a lack of investment were more pressing concerns, Ekholm said, alluding to calls by the United States to ban Chinese network vendors on national security grounds. "The debate here often becomes: it's the lack of technology for operators, that's what slowed down Europe. And thats not the case," Ekholm said in an interview on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress, the telecoms industry's main annual gathering. "The reality is that less than half of the countries in Europe have actually given out spectrum for 5G. It's a big uncertainty how much it's going to cost." Ericsson has forecast that 5G subscriber numbers could reach 1.5 billion worldwide by 2024 as consumers and businesses move to next-generation networks slated to bring super-fast connections for everything from computer gaming through to medical surgery. North America and northeast Asia will adopt the new technology fastest, the company said in a report last year, but 5G is also expected to account for about 30 percent of mobile subscriptions in Western Europe. Ericsson has signed 10 contracts for 5G with operators in countries including the United States, Britain, Australia and Switzerland, Ekholm said, but still faces challenges in Europe around the large number of operators and high spectrum fees. He said Europe had more than 200 operators to contend with, against only a handful in China and the United States, and pointed to 5G spectrum auctions in Italy last year which raised 6.5 billion euros ($7.38 billion) in a ferocious bidding war The prices in Italy, he said, were equivalent to almost two years' capital expenditure for some operators. "It's a very heavily regulated sector, so overall the investment climate I think is the key reason why we have been slow," he said. SECURITY WARNINGS Ekholm took no position on calls by the United States for Western countries to bar China's Huawei from their networks over allegations the company and its equipment could be used by Beijing for spying. But debate is raging in Europe over whether to heed the U.S.-led warnings, even as big telecoms operators say that such a move could set back the deployment of 5G by years. Huawei has repeatedly denied the accusations of state-spying and no evidence has been publicly produced. Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri told Reuters on Sunday any future decision to bar Huawei would not delay the rollout of 5G in Europe, pointing instead to delays in issuing spectrum to operators and high auction costs as the main obstacles. Asked if he agreed with his competitor's assessment, Ekholm said he was not willing to speculate and it was for individual countries to decide how they managed their national security policy. Ekholm said Ericsson was preparing for any eventuality by investing in product development and having a supply chain which can ramp up 5G demand if needed. He highlighted his company's announcement on Monday that it was buying the antennas and filter operations of Germany's Kathrein. "Let's look at it when it comes down. We have to remember the operators ... have a lot of gear in the network, they are financially under a lot of pressure, in Europe especially," he said. "They're under a lot of pressure here, so how they are going to act if something happens or doesnt happen I think is very hard to speculate." ($1 = 0.8804 euros) (Reporting by Jack Stubbs and Douglas Busvine; Editing by David Goodman and Jane Merriman) Birmingham (United Kingdom) (AFP) - Inquests began Monday to re-examine the deaths of 21 people in the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings, one of Britain's worst terror attacks, amid claims that police failed to heed warnings. A coroner in 2016 ordered new probes into the twin attacks, which were widely blamed on the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) paramilitary group, although it never formally claimed responsibility. The move came after evidence emerged that police missed two warnings about the November 21, 1974 attack, which left 182 people injured -- one 11 days before, and another on the day of the bombings itself. The attack on two pubs in Britain's second biggest city came at the height of the IRA's bloody campaign to end British rule in the province of Northern Ireland. A new coroner, Peter Thornton, told jurors reconsidering the cases that they would not deal with the issue of who planted the bombs, saying that was a "task of police, prosecutors and the criminal courts". Instead they would hear evidence alleging British security forces might have had some forewarning about the attacks, including an "over-heard" conversation in a prison, he explained. "This is something that the city of Birmingham has suffered now for many years," Thornton added, after he commenced proceedings with a minute's silence. "While the inquests will inevitably focus on those who died we must also remember many other lives were and continue to be affected," he added. The original inquests -- judicial fact-finding investigations that do not apportion blame -- were halted by a police probe that led to six men being wrongly jailed for the bombings in 1975. The conviction of the so-called Birmingham Six was ruled unsafe by the Court of Appeal in 1991 and they were freed, after what is seen as one of Britain's greatest miscarriages of justice. No one has since been convicted, but the police investigation remains open. By Maayan Lubell JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has touched off rare criticism from AIPAC, the largest U.S. pro-Israel lobby, over an election alliance with a far-right party loyal to the policies of the late anti-Arab rabbi, Meir Kahane. Faced with a new merger of centrist parties that opinion polls show might defeat him, Netanyahu engineered the deal between Jewish Power and another ultranationalist faction, Jewish Home, on Wednesday. Polls suggest that without the alliance one or both of the far right parties might fail to reach the 3.25 percent threshold needed to win any seats in the 120-member parliament. With the merger they could win as many as five. Netanyahu has defended the merger as a way to improve his chances of forming a right-wing governing coalition led by his Likud Party, to serve for a fifth term after the April 9 vote. Such a bloc, he said, would best protect Israel's security. But criticism leveled by AIPAC and another major U.S. Jewish group, the American Jewish Committee (AJC), against Jewish Power dominated coverage in Israel on Sunday of the closely-contested race. "AIPAC has a longstanding policy not to meet with members of this racist and reprehensible party," the lobbying group said, echoing comments tweeted by the AJC. AIPAC has generally provided unflinching backing for Netanyahu's policies during his 13 years in power, even as some U.S. Jewish organizations have expressed reservations over Israel's lurch to the right. Netanyahu's leading opponent, former armed forces chief Benny Gantz, a leader of the new centrist Blue and White alliance, said the prime minister had crossed an ethical line and was damaging "our important relationship with U.S. Jews". On the heels of its criticism, AIPAC announced on Twitter on Sunday that Netanyahu has confirmed he will address its annual policy conference in Washington late next month. Jewish Power's leaders have described themselves as successors to Kahane, a U.S.-born rabbi who served one term in parliament in the 1980s before his Kach party was banned by Israel as racist. Kahane, assassinated in New York in 1990 by an Egyptian-born American gunman, advocated the "transfer" of Palestinians to neighboring Arab countries and a ban on intermarriage between Israeli Jews and Arabs. "We usually do not interfere in elections. However, in this case, our voice needs to be heard," Avital Leibovich, director of the Jerusalem office of the American Jewish Committee, told Reuters on Sunday. Asked on Army Radio on Sunday about AIPAC's criticism, Itamar Ben-Gvir, a Jewish Power leader, said: "They aren't based here, they don't see the terrorist attacks or experience firsthand the blood that is spilled here." Jewish Power's Baruch Marzel, who along with Ben-Gvir is a settler in the occupied West Bank, told Reuters the party gets "a lot of support from Jews and non-Jews" in the United States who believe God promised the biblical land of Israel to the Jewish people. Israel Hayom, a pro-Netanyahu newspaper, also condemned AIPAC, accusing it in a banner headline of "playing into the hands of media and politicians out to slam the right-wing". (This story corrects name of group in paragraphs 6, 13 to American Jewish Committee, not American Jewish Congress) (Reporting by Maayan Lubell, Rami Amichay and Dedi Hayun; editing by Jeffrey Heller and Peter Graff) Reuters Paul Behringer Security, Asia Donald Trump seems unbound by establishment thinking in Washington and could strike a deal that runs counter even to his hawkish national security advisor. What History Tells about the Trump-Kim Summit in Hanoi On February 27, 2019, President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will hold their second summit in Hanoi. Their meeting represents the best chance in over two decades to resolve outstanding issues between North Korea and the United States. Historically speaking, there are real differences from past negotiations, which could lead to a positive outcome. But even as Trump seems open to seizing the moment, his personal role also increases the likelihood that America will witness yet another failure. Past negotiations have been plagued by slow implementation, often caused by leadership turnover in Washington, Seoul, and Pyongyang, and by U.S. congressional opposition. If Trump can ensure a deal that gets enacted quickly, then there is hope: Kim Jong-un is young and not going anywhere, and South Korean president Moon Jae-in supports better relations and is early in his term. But Trumps openly antagonistic relationship with Congress, and his habit of pushing the ethical and legal envelope (of which the current border emergency is only the latest example), will probably torpedo any agreement he signs with Kim Jong-un. A quick historical overview of U.S.-North Korean talks helps illustrate that point. In 1994, North Korea prepared to remove fuel rods from plutonium reactor with five to six nuclear-bombs-worth of plutonium. On June 15, 1994, as President Bill Clinton was discussing options, including a surgical strike against North Korea, Jimmy Carter called from Pyongyang and said he had negotiated an outline of a deal with Kim Il-sung, if Clinton was willing to listen. Later that year, the United States and North Korea signed the Agreed Framework. But that framework fell apart for two reasons. First, Kim Il-sung, the founding father of North Korea, died in July 1994 before the deal was finalized. His death led to the widespread belief that North Korea was on the brink of collapse, increasing incentives to delay the terms of the agreement. Moreover, the Republican-controlled Congress refused to fund the deal, which led to further delays. The ailing framework was eventually salvaged, culminating in Secretary of State Madeleine Albrights visit to Pyongyang to meet with Kim Il-sungs successor, Kim Jong-il. However, only three months later, George W. Bush came into office saying that his administration wouldnt implement the deal. Story continues In the Bush administrations eyes, the Norths secret uranium enrichment program had nullified the Agreed Framework. Putting North Korea on the infamous Axis of Evil, Bush pulled the United States out of the deal. North Korea responded by pulling out of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The Bush team eventually implemented the Six-Party Talks, hoping that a multilateral format would isolate Pyongyang and force the North Koreans to denuclearize. In practice, however, it was the United States that found itself isolated: China and Russia had no intention of pressuring North Korea, and South Korea had just elected Roh Moo-hyun, who intended to continue developing cordial relations with Pyongyang under his predecessor Kim Dae-jungs Sunshine Policy. Progress in the Six-Party Talks foundered when North Korea again began testing ballistic missiles and, on October 9, 2006, detonated its first atomic bomb. Christopher Hill, the intrepid U.S. six-party envoy, was able to resurrect an agreement after tortuous negotiations. But again, Congress balked and only funded part of it. In September 2008, after North Korea kicked out IAEA inspectors, Hill made an emergency trip and got the deal back on track by taking North Korea off the state sponsors of terrorism list. But it was already too late: the Obama administration came in very skeptical of the agreement, and South Korea elected Lee Myung-bak, a hardliner who overturned the Sunshine policy. Complicating matters, North Korean leader Kim Jong-il had a stroke in August 2008, which (in a replay of the 1990s) led to further speculation that North Korea could collapse. Rumors of North Koreas demise persisted as Kim survived for three more years before his death in December 2011. But not before the Obama administration negotiated its own agreement on Leap Day 2012, which was signed by the successor to the throne, Kim Jong-un. Once again, however, succession put the deal on shaky ground: analysts again predicted regime failure. Kim Jong-uns need to consolidate power also increased his incentives for the types of showy displays certain to rile leaders in Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington. Barely a month after the Leap Day agreement, North Korea tried and failed to shoot a satellite into space, followed by a successful launch in December 2012. The United States said these violated a moratorium on ballistic missile testing and responded with more sanctions. North Koreas second nuclear test followed in February 2013. A fourth occurred in January 2016. The North Koreans tested a hydrogen bomb on September 3, 2017. The Trump administration had come into office with a completely different style of diplomacy, which soon devolved into saber-rattling and name calling. But, in part through the mediation of newly elected South Korean president Moon Jae-in, Trump and Kim eventually began a surprisingly cordial correspondence that bloomed into an outright bromance at their June 2018 summit in Singapore. What are the prospects that all this goodwill can lead to a breakthrough in Hanoi next week? The process over the past twenty-five years has been plagued by leadership changes at crucial moments in North Korea, the United States, and South Korea, which has led to delays and abrupt policy changes. This time, some aspects truly are different: Trump seems unbound by establishment thinking in Washington and could strike a deal that runs counter even to his hawkish national security advisor, John Bolton. He seems open to normalizing relations as a precondition to denuclearization rather than the other way around. He has expressed interest in promoting economic investment, which would require the United States to waive human-rights-triggered sanctions. Trumps envoy, Stephen Biegun, has also provided security assurances that the United States does not seek regime change. Seoul and Washington are on the same page again about seeking better relations with Pyongyang. Finally, and crucially, it is clear that Kim Jong-un is not going anywhere, providing little incentive to wait for North Korea to implode. Unfortunately, however, Trump will probably be his own undoing. As in the past, there is a very good chance Congress would not go along with any peace deal. Enough Republicans remain hawkish and Democrats dont want to hand the president a victory. Even more important, Trumps domestic troubles, including the Russia investigation, ethics scandals, and now the emergency declaration have made it increasingly likely that Trump will lose the 2020 presidential election, or even be removed from office, which would, as it has with the past four U.S. administrations, start the negotiating process all over again. At Hanoi, we can therefore expect at least some progress toward a deal that includes normalizing relations and steps toward denuclearization. It might even be radical, on paper. But the chances of implementation will be almost zero. Paul Behringer is an Ernest May Fellow in History and Policy at Harvard Kennedy Schools Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. Image: Reuters Read full article The 360 is a feature designed to show you diverse perspectives on the days top stories. Speed Read Who: Climate activists have been pushing for a Green New Deal-type plan for years, but Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., has become one of its most outspoken proponents. She was joined by Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and they officially Climate activists have been pushing for a Green New Deal-type plan for years, but Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., has become one of its most outspoken proponents. She was joined by Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and they officially unveiled their proposal on Feb. 7. What: The The Green New Deal is an ambitious proposal to overhaul and energize the American economy and to implement a road map for battling climate change. The plan calls for a huge cut in greenhouse gas emissions, upgrading existing buildings, shifting power generation to 100 percent renewables, creating millions of jobs and ensuring access to clean water. The resolution which is likely to be incorporated into a number of individual bills is supported by a dozen Democratic senators and over 60 House members. When: Considering that many of the top Democratic candidates for president (including Sens. Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand and Cory Booker) have come out in support of the deal, it will be discussed throughout the campaign. But the earliest it could plausibly be passed into law is January 2021 and that would be if Democrats recapture the Senate and White House in 2020. Why: The worlds leading experts on climate change projected last October that The worlds leading experts on climate change projected last October that world governments had until only 2030 to institute major changes that could stave off catastrophic warming while a study released last week projected that carbon dioxide levels in the Earths atmosphere might reach levels not seen in 56 million years. In addition to heading off a global environmental disaster, the Green New Deal might also be politically savvy. A recent poll found that 83 percent of likely Democratic voters in early primary states are more likely to support a candidate who backs the Green New Deal. A December survey found that 29 percent of Americans said they were alarmed about global warming, double the number in a 2013 poll. Story continues Whats next: Democrats will work to make the case that climate change is as serious a threat as scientists say and that the Green New Deal is the best plan to combat it. Its unclear whether Republicans will offer an alternative plan. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., says he plans to call a vote on the resolution in the coming weeks, although he, and most other Republicans, are not expected to support it. Political observers say McConnells intention is to force Democrats to take a potentially risky stand, either for or against the proposition. Perspectives Environmentalist policy is strong economic policy. The Green New Deal isnt the only approach, of course, but its broad ambitions mark out the ground where future climate fights will happen. Because reshaping our environmental impact means reworking our economy, there will inevitably be competing visions about who deserves to benefit and what kind of economy we should build. Centrist proposals will concentrate on promoting investment in new technologies, with profits going, pharma-style, to private researchers and manufacturers. Jedediah Britton-Purdy, New York Times The Green New Deal would be disastrous for jobs. Theres never been a more economically destructive, job-killing , environmentally harmful, costly and impractical proposal that has drawn so much support from members of Congress and White House hopefuls. Not only is the Green New Deal impossible to achieve. Just trying to accomplish its absurd and harmful goals could send our nation into another Great Depression, throw millions of Americans out of work, and turn the American Dream into a nightmare. Justin Haskins, Fox News Ignore the critics, the deal is both feasible and affordable. The key ideas of the Green New Deal decarbonization, lower-cost health care, and decent living standards for the working class have been studied for years. The Green New Deal Resolution is the opportunity, finally, to put that vast knowledge into effect. What is absolutely clear is that the Green New Deal is affordable. The claims about the unaffordability of these goals are pure hype. The detailed plans that will emerge in the coming months will expose the bluster. Jeffrey Sachs, CNN Critics will undoubtedly argue that we cannot afford the Green New Deal. This line of attack, however, ignores the costs of inaction. While the Green New Deal will not be cheap, its price pales in comparison to the damage that unchecked climate change will inflict on the economy. This argument also ignores the savings that will result from the push toward clean energy innovation under the Green New Deal. The development of cheaper clean technologies should more than offset the costs of the stimulus package. Quentin Karpilow and Zachary Liscow, The Hill The kickoff was bungled, but the Green New Deal is already changing the national conversation on climate for the good. Whatever becomes of the plan, it will have moved climate change a serious issue that has had serious trouble gaining traction to a commanding position in the national conversation. That alone is reason to applaud it. Editorial Board, New York Times The Green New deal is actually a bad idea, not just a botched rollout. But the trouble with the Green New Deal wasnt just an unvetted fact sheet. As Mike Pesca points out , very few environmental experts consider the targets laid out in the plan to be remotely attainable. Climate change experts have called for zeroing out emissions in the power sector by 2050, while the Green New Deal proposes doing so by 2030. On what basis does it maintain the time frame can be accelerated by two-thirds? It does not say. If my plan for retirement is to have a million dollars in the bank when Im 70, and then I decide the new plan is to have a million dollars when Im 50, is that progress? Or just empty sloganeering? Jonathan Chait, New York Magazine Most of whats in the Green New Deal is make-believe. Whats not well appreciated is that the Green New Deal also would require a host of nonenergy changes. As Howard Gleckman of the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center notes , it is an ambitious manifesto demanding among other things a massive infrastructure initiative, a guaranteed job with a family-sustaining wage, and universal access to high-quality health care, affordable housing, economic security, high-quality education, and healthy food. Granting the usual congressional penchant for exaggeration, this is still over-the-top. Most of it is make-believe. No one knows how much the program would cost. Gleckman says it would be staggering. The total would easily run to trillions of dollars. Robert J. Samuelson, Washington Post Republicans are hating on the Green New Deal, but they should be trying to compete with it. Conservatives and Republicans take for granted that the liberal Democrats Green New Deal is so obviously out of the mainstream that the general public must, must, must see it as a joke. Its that kind of thinking that cost Republicans the 2012 election, and the kind that rendered the Bush-Paul Ryan wing of the GOP obsolete in 2016. Its true that the Green New Deal proposal is unworkable and would cripple Americas productivity. Congressional Democratic leadership knows that . But, if theres no alternative to a proposal that at least on the surface sounds like an attempt to advance the country, why would anyone expect voters to accept the status quo? Eddie Scarry, Washington Examiner As proposed, the Green New Deal is weakened by muddling the mission on climate with jobs. But the goal is so fundamental that policymakers should focus above all else on quickly and efficiently decarbonizing. They should not muddle this aspiration with other social policy, such as creating a federal jobs guarantee , no matter how desirable that policy might be. And the goal is so monumental that the country cannot afford to waste dollars in its pursuit. If the market can redirect spending most efficiently, money should not be misallocated on vast new government spending or mandates. Editorial Board, Washington Post Democrats should welcome the Green New Deal vote to show they are the strong party on reform for climate change. So let McConnell stage his vote. Let Trump issue his best adolescent gibes. Catastrophic climate events will continue to shatter complacency. Costs will continue to rise in lives, in refugees, in property damage, in entire regions and countries destabilized. Across the world, citizen movements are rising to demand action. In this country, activists will challenge the deniers and demand that leaders get real about how they would address the threat. Just as Occupy Wall Street provided President Barack Obama the core of a new populist message, so the young organizers driving the GND may well help the next Democratic candidate create a message that will build a broad coalition for enduring change. Katrina vanden Heuvel, Washington Post The Green New Deal is the first step in a long battle. Rather, the GND is a set of sketched-out goals; a flag to rally support around for what its authors surely know will be a multi-year, and grinding, political battle. As ClearView Energy Partners put it in a report on the GND coming as it does from a master of social media in our increasingly clickable political culture this is about counting likes (not votes). By marrying environmental objectives with issues related to economic insecurity, Ocasio-Cortez and Markey are attempting to recast the doom-laden threat of climate change as an opportunity for economic and national renewal a stance that mixes FDR liberalism with dashes of America First populism. Liam Denning, Bloomberg The Green New Deal is flawed, but could force United States to finally take action. As a vision statement for the progressive left, the New Green Deal is admirable, but also largely unreachable. The difficult question is not Do you support social justice? or Do you oppose poverty? but How do you fix those in a cautious, money-dominated, politically polarized, uncertain nation like ours? More significantly, why laden a clarion call for revolutionary action on climate change which has wide popular support, according to polls with attenuated social justice measures that can be more fractious? Editorial board, Los Angeles Times What is and isnt in the Green New Deal. Its worth noting just what a high-wire act the authors of this resolution are attempting. It has to offer enough specifics to give it real shape and ambition, without overprescribing solutions or prejudging differences over secondary questions. It has to please a diverse range of interest groups, from environmental justice to labor to climate, without alienating any of them. It has to stand up to intense scrutiny (much of it sure to be bad faith), with lots of people gunning for it from both the right and center. David Roberts, Vox Videos SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (Reuters) - The rules-based global order is "clearly under threat", the chairman of European Union leaders Donald Tusk said on Monday. "We have agreed here, in Sharm el-Sheikh, that both sides will work together to defend it," he said at a summit of EU and Arab leaders. "Multilateral solutions remain the best way to address threats to international peace and security. This is true when we talk about the situation in Syria, Libya, Yemen or the Middle East peace process." (Reporting By Jan Strupczewski; editing by John Stonestreet) Geneva (AFP) - The international arms control system is facing collapse, the United Nations chief said Monday, as he urged Russia and the US to stop the imminent demise of a crucial nuclear treaty. Secretary General Antonio Guterres used an address to the UN's Conference on Disarmament to warn that one of the cornerstones of diplomatic achievement over the last half century -- arms control -- was in "grave danger". "I will be blunt. Key components of the international arms control architecture are collapsing," Guterres said. The United States has already begun the process of withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, in response to Moscow's deployment of the 9M729 missile, prompting Russia to announce its own withdrawal. "We simply cannot afford to return to the unrestrained nuclear competition of the darkest days of the Cold War," Guterres said. "I call on the parties to the INF Treaty to use the time remaining to engage in sincere dialogue on the various issues that have been raised," he added. "It is very important that this treaty be preserved." The collapse of the 1987 treaty, which banned ground-launched missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometres, has sparked fears of a new arms race in Europe. The US withdrawal is not set to take effect until August, giving a six-month window to save the treaty, but few expect this to happen and NATO has warned the world should ready itself for the pact's scrapping. Guterres recalled that despite a mutual lack of trust, the US, the former Soviet Union and later Russia agreed to a series of arms control agreements through a commitment to strict verification, which became "one of the hallmarks of international security". - New technology - He voiced hope that nations would recommit to the principles of verification and compliance to forge urgently needed deals covering nuclear weapons and new technologies like "hypersonic weapons that could be used to launch attacks at unprecedented speed". Story continues UN-backed negotiations are under way to govern the use of so-called killer robots, or weapons that can deploy lethal force without a human making the final decision to launch a strike. But those talks have moved at a glacial pace, with activists accusing major powers of dragging their feet. Guterres warned that new technologies are changing the arms control landscape "in ways we do not yet understand and cannot even imagine". "We need a new vision for arms control in the complex international security environment of today," he added. By Andrea Shalal BERLIN (Reuters) - The Social Democrats, junior partners in Germany's ruling coalition, want to extend a freeze on arms exports to Saudi Arabia beyond March 9, despite pressure by Britain and France not to do so and a risk of costly claims for compensation. Rolf Muetzenich, SPD deputy leader in parliament, said his party would fight to maintain the halt in shipments of already approved weapons deals with Riyadh that Berlin imposed in November over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. "We will push to continue the halt in arms exports to Saudi Arabia beyond the March 9 deadline, since the reasons for the imposition of the moratorium have not changed," Muetzenich wrote in an essay published on Monday in the SPD newspaper Vorwaerts. The SPD and Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives agreed in November to reject licenses for future arms exports to Saudi Arabia, a major buyer, and imposed a temporary moratorium on deliveries of previously approved equipment, which is due to expire on March 9. Last week, Merkel declined to say whether the freeze would be extended. Britain and France have urged Germany to exempt big defense projects from its moratorium on arms sales to Saudi Arabia or face damage to its commercial credibility. Germany produces components for various UK arms sales. Concerns about Saudi arms sales and a broader push to revamp arms export guidelines are dividing the coalition, with the left-leaning SPD keen to avoid further losses among German voters who are generally cautious on arms sales. "GERMANY FIRST" Norbert Roettgen, a senior foreign policy expert for the conservatives, said Germany would alienate its European partners if it continued to insist on maintaining the arms embargo. "Europe cannot be built on the principle of 'Germany First,'" he said. "If we want a European defense union, that also includes European weapons projects for political, economic and military reasons. Exports cannot be decided solely according to German ideas." Large European companies, including Airbus and Britain's BAE Systems have warned the issue could affect their financial performance. Another senior conservative lawmaker told Reuters he saw no easy way to resolve the dispute, barring progress in ending the Yemen war, which meant Germany could soon be facing millions of euros in compensatory claims from affected companies. As well as the killing of Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Riyadh's role in the Yemen war has also increased opposition in Germany to arms sales to Saudi Arabia. Riyadh leads a coalition battling the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen. The German Economy Ministry said it continued to work with German firms to halt any arms exports to Saudi Arabia, but declined to comment on whether it had already received claims for damages. German media estimate the halt has affected some 1.5 billion euros ($1.70 billion) worth of arms sales. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Gareth Jones) MEXICO CITY (AP) Voters in central Mexico have approved a stalled gas-fired power plant, one of seven projects that have been postponed, in many cases for years, by community opposition. Roughly 60 percent of those voting in the weekend referendum called by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador voted in favor of the project in Huexca, southeast of Mexico City. The project cost $1.3 billion to build, and it costs the government $200 million per year even if it's not running. Feelings ran high; a few days before the referendum, anti-plant activist Samir Flores Soberanes was killed in front of his home by armed assailants. Lopez Obrador said Monday he hopes the referendum will serve as a model for solving at least half a dozen other stalled natural gas projects. "This is part of the whole mess of gas pipelines and plants that they left hanging," Lopez Obrador said of previous administrations, which frequently contracted the projects out to private companies that get paid whether the plants are producing or not. Local communities have been fighting for years against the Huexca project in Morelos state, just south of the capital. The project includes two thermoelectric plants, a gas pipeline to supply the plant with natural gas from Tlaxcala state and an aqueduct. The mostly indigenous communities around the Popocatepetl volcano have concerns about health, safety and the water supply. In recent years Mexico tried to take advantage of lower gas prices to switch many plants that burned fuel oil to cleaner natural gas. But previous administrations often didn't consult local communities about the gas pipelines needed to supply the plants. Many communities opposed the projects and stalled them for years, costing the government at least $500 million per year, though even higher figures have been given. The Huexca project, for example, is almost completely finished except for about 150 meters (yards) of pipeline. While Lopez Obrador praised the referendum similar to earlier ones he held on a partly built Mexico City airport, and his "Maya Train" project in the Yucatan peninsula critics complain about a lack of consultation on his own pet projects. Story continues Lopez Obrador said Monday he plans to issue a call for bids within about a month for the Maya Train, which would connect pre-Hispanic ruin sites with resorts on the Yucatan Peninsula. But some of the communities along the proposed route have rejected the plan, others say they haven't been consulted and environmental impact statements haven't been submitted for much of the route. Lopez Obrador would presumably start with the part of the route where train tracks already exist. For much of the rest of the route, tracks would have to be laid, often through environmentally sensitive nature reserves. Moscow (AFP) - The investment fund founded by a US businessman detained in Moscow on suspicion of fraud appealed on Monday to Russian President Vladimir Putin to personally intervene in the case. Russia arrested Michael Calvey -- a prominent US investor and founder of the Baring Vostok private equity firm -- earlier this month. He was formally charged with fraud last week. In an open letter on its website, Baring Vostok asked Putin to take "personal control" of the case in order to "ensure a comprehensive, independent and objective investigation." Calvey's arrest sent shockwaves through Western business circles and sparked fears of cutbacks in foreign investment sorely needed for economic growth. "Russian courts and law enforcement authorities in recent years have reduced the use of imprisonment as a form of pre-trial detention for cases related to commercial activities," the open letter said. Baring Vostok said this "helped eliminate the possibility of putting undue pressure on a business partner as part of a business conflict." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that Putin will be informed about the letter. During his annual state of the nation address last week, Putin called for fewer criminal proceedings against businesses. "In order to achieve the great tasks our country faces, we need to get rid of everything that limits business freedom," the Russian leader said. Putin regularly says that businesses should not feel persecuted in Russia and that suspects in economic cases should not be put in pre-trial jail. On Monday, Russia's Investigative Committee said it had opened a telephone hotline for "responding urgently to reports of pressure on businesses". Calvey has been placed in pre-trial detention in a Moscow jail along with several other suspects. They are accused of defrauding Vostochny Bank of at least 2.5 billion rubles ($37.7 million). Calvey has denied wrongdoing and blames the case on a shareholder dispute. Agriculture Ministry seeks Rs100 billion in fresh investments Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has proposed a slew of projects and programmes worth nearly Rs100 billion to boost Nepals agricultural sector as the agriculture imports bill has started ballooning out of control. By Diane Bartz WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An appeals court on Monday upheld a judge's decision dismissing a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to fight the practice of brand-name drug companies using a government petition system to delay cheaper, generic drugs from coming to market. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a federal court in Delaware had been correct in dismissing the FTC's lawsuit against Shire. Shire was acquired by Takeda Pharmaceutical Co last month. The agency had objected to ViroPharma, which Shire acquired in 2014, filing 46 "citizen petitions" and other filings between 2006 and 2012 to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding generic equivalents to its antibiotic Vancocin HCl, on the grounds that it resulted in delayed sale of a generic version. But while the appeals court acknowledged that the delayed entry meant "hundreds of millions of dollars in profits," it said that the petitioning activity had ceased and thus the company was not in violation of the law. This ruling agreed with what the lower court had said in March 2018. The FTC said it "regrets the courts decision and is considering its options." Shire owner Takeda did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (Reporting by Diane Bartz) PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday he would visit Iraq, where France will take part in reconstruction efforts, in the coming months. "The old friendship (between France and Iraq) has served as a barrier against terrorism; we must now nourish it with concrete projects to build long-lasting peace together," Macron told a press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Barham Salih. "That will be my message when I visit Iraq in a few months," he added. (Reporting by Marine Pennetier, Michel Rose; editing by Sarah White) PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmmanuel Macron on Monday welcomed the United States' decision to leave American troops in Syria, a reversal by U.S. President Donald Trump that came after an outcry from coalition allies such as France. "On the U.S. decision, I can only but welcome this choice," Macron told a news conference with his Iraqi counterpart Barham Salih. "The U.S. decision is a good thing. We will continue to operate in the region within the coalition." In December, Trump ordered the withdrawal of all 2,000 troops in Syria after he said they had defeated Islamic State militants, an abrupt decision that sparked consternation among allies and was a factor in his defense secretary's resignation. Macron had personally sought to convince Trump to maintain troops in Syria, French diplomats said at the time, warning him about the risks of pulling out too early. The United States will leave about 400 U.S. troops split between two different regions of Syria, a senior administration official said last Friday. (Reporting by Michel Rose; Marine Pennetier and Jean-Baptiste Vey, Editing by Sarah White) A group of former Republican lawmakers urged Congressional Republicans to block President Trumps emergency declaration in an open letter released Monday. Five former Senators and 19 House members signed the letter, which was first published by Politico, calling on Congress to support a joint resolution ending the national emergency Trump declared earlier this month. We who have signed this letter are no longer Members of Congress but that oath still burns within us, the former lawmakers write. That is why we are coming together to urge those of you who are now charged with upholding the authority of the first branch of government to resist efforts to surrender those powers to a president. Trump resorted to a national emergency declaration after Republicans on a specially-designated conference committee failed to secure the $5.7 billion he had long demanded for the construction of a border wall as part of a broader spending package. The former lawmakers, all of whom served between 1967 and 2013, embraced a common critique of the national emergency declaration, pointing out that the expansion of executive authority would eventually be wielded against Republicans by a Democratic administration. What will you do when a president of another party uses the precedent you are establishing to impose policies to which you are unalterably opposed? they ask. There is no way around this difficulty: what powers are ceded to a president whose policies you support may also be used by presidents whose policies you abhor. The House will vote this week on a resolution to end the national emergency, which has thus far received the support of only one Republican, Representative Justin Amash of Michigan. More from National Review The Food and Drug Administration says it's getting better at predicting which foods from other countries are more vulnerable to problems. This is part of the FDA's new efforts to ensure the safety of imported food announced Monday, including the use of predictive risk modeling to identify whether these imported foods need to be tested or stopped at the border. Certain foods Americans eat are more likely than others to come from beyond the borders. For example, about 32 percent of fresh vegetables, 55 percent of fresh fruit and 94 percent of seafood are imported. Food safety: Why are chicken nuggets and other poultry products recalled? Weed killer in your wine and beer? That's what a new U.S. PIRG study found "Our modern strategy is designed to leverage our different authorities and tools to provide a multi-layered, data-driven, smarter approach to imported food safety," FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb and deputy commissioner Frank Yiannas said in a written statement. How the FDA checks imported foods This year, as many as 15 million shipments of imported food are expected to enter the United States, the FDA said. Among the ways the FDA works to ensure food imported to the U.S. is safe are on-site inspections overseas, requiring importers to verify that their suppliers are meeting U.S. food safety standards, allowing importers to get accredited to enable their goods to enter the country faster, educating foreign suppliers about U.S. food safety rules and testing food at the border. In addition, the FDA which has arrangements in place with the governments of Canada, Australia and New Zealand to rely on each other's food safety systems is working on a similar agreement with the European Union. The agency is active at more than 300 U.S. ports of entry. William Hallman, a human ecology professor at Rutgers University, welcomed the FDA's focus on imported food. Just two cities are in recession: Who's unhappy? Elmira, New York and Danville, Illinois Story continues Shoplifting, burglary, car theft: This is where property crime is highest in every state "The bottom line is because the FDA is using data more effectively and efficiently to predict which products and suppliers to use their resources on, overall the food supply should be safer," he said. Hallman pointed out that there will still be plenty of holes for stuff to slip through and into the U.S. "Using inspections to prevent contaminated foods from reaching the U.S. will never be completely effective. It is unlikely that the FDA will ever have the resources to inspect more than a fraction of the foods imported to the U.S. each year." The FDA screens all food electronically before it's allowed into the U.S., but of the more than 13.4 million of shipments of human food headed to the U.S.in 2018, 117,993 of them, or less than 1 percent, were examined, 16,363 were sampled and 6,910 were refused, according to FDA. Follow USA TODAY reporter Zlati Meyer on Twitter: @ZlatiMeyer This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Food safety: FDA unveils new plan to ensure safety of food imported to U.S. Holbeach (United Kingdom) (AFP) - For Sam Taylor, director of a family-run plant bulbs and fresh flowers business in eastern England, fears of post-Brexit delays to imports and exports are growing alongside his daffodils. "It's the same as every business... we're all concerned, we would like clarity," the 41-year-old told AFP Monday as uncertainty over Britain's departure from the European Union continues to roil the country. "They need to bash their heads together and... just get on with it," he added of British MPs, as they continue to disagree over a Brexit deal with less than five weeks until Britain is set to leave. Taylor's Bulbs -- a fourth generation family business founded in 1919 in Holbeach, Lincolnshire -- buys bulbs from the Netherlands and sends fresh daffodils in the opposite direction. The flowers, grown at the firm's farm, currently leave in the late afternoon and arrive for auction in the Netherlands the following morning. Taylor is concerned by warnings that shipments could be stuck at British and European ports for days if Britain leaves the EU on March 29 without a divorce deal. Although the fresh flowers only represent a small slice of his overall business, and most are shipped domestically, he says delays could wipe out exports. "The product will not be fit for sale by the time it gets there," he said. "It would be a market we've lost and that's not great." His next-day imports of bulbs from Europe could also become a thing of the past if ports are clogged. Taylor, who said he backed remaining in the EU in the 2016 referendum, fears customers used to receiving orders the next day might have to be more patient. "No one seems to carry any stock any more because it turns up the next day. "But things might well have to change." Dubai (AFP) - The United Arab Emirates announced Monday that the first astronaut from the Gulf country will blast off on a mission to the International Space Station on September 25. The oil-rich state has two astronauts in training, selected from more than 4,000 applicants, as it looks to get an ambitious space programme aimed at exploring Mars off the ground. The authorities said a decision on which of the two astronauts would take off on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft for the eight-day mission will be made in May. Both candidates -- Hazza al-Mansouri, 35, and Sultan al-Neyadi, 37 -- said they would be happy to see the UAE represented in space, no matter who makes the journey. "Our flag will go, our dreams, our passion [for] this country to be the lead in this sector," Mansouri said at a press conference. "Our objective is higher... it is for the beliefs of this country and its objectives to reach space." Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed al-Maktoum, the UAE's vice president and prime minister, vowed in 2017 to send four Emirati astronauts to the space station within five years. The astronaut programme would make the UAE one of only a handful of states in the Middle East to have sent a person into space, as it looks to make good on a pledge to become a global leader in space exploration. The first Arab in outer space was Saudi Arabia's Sultan bin Salman Al-Saud, who flew on a US shuttle mission in 1985. Two years later, Syrian air force pilot Muhammed Faris spent a week aboard the Soviet Union's Mir space station. As part of its space plans, the UAE has also announced its aim to become the first Arab country to send an unmanned probe to orbit Mars by 2021, naming it "Hope". In the long-term, it says it is planning to build a "Science City" to replicate life on Mars and aims to create the first human settlement on the red planet by 2117. The father of London teenager Shamima Begum, who married an Islamic State group militant in Syria, insisted in an interview with AFP on Monday that Britain must take her back before deciding any punishment. Begum, who gave birth this month in a refugee camp, has said she wants to come home -- but the British government has decided to revoke her citizenship, calling her a security threat. The 19-year-old's father Ahmed Ali said that while his daughter had made mistakes, Britain was duty-bound to let her return. "The British government should take her back because she is a British citizen," said Ali, who has been following Begum's plight from a remote village in northeastern Bangladesh. "If she has committed any crime, they should bring her back to London, to her country, and punish her there." Begum left the UK for Syria with two schoolfriends in 2015, when she was just 15, and her case has caused political divisions in Britain. It highlights a dilemma facing many European countries, divided over whether to allow jihadists and IS sympathisers home to face prosecution or bar them as the so-called "caliphate" crumbles. Public sentiment hardened against Begum after she showed little remorse about IS attacks in media interviews from the camp in eastern Syria, where she arrived after fleeing fighting between the terror group and US-backed forces. Ali, 60, said comments he had made to a London newspaper saying he backed UK interior minister Sajid Javid's decision to strip Begum of her nationality had been "misinterpreted". "I don't think that (to revoke Begum's citizenship) was a right thing to do," he said. "To err is human. You and I can both can make a mistake. It is OK to commit an error, all humans do that. One feels sad if a child commits a mistake," he told AFP. Ali, who lives with his second wife in the village of Daorai in Sunamganj district, said he felt sorry for his daughter and believed she may have been brainwashed into joining IS. Story continues "It was certainly a mistake to go to IS. Perhaps it was because she was a child. She may not have gone there (Syria) willingly. She may have been ill-advised by other people," he said. Ahmed last saw his daughter in Britain just two months before she fled to Syria with Kadiza Sultana and Amira Abase in March 2015. He says she did not show any sign of having been radicalised. "I did not see any such thing at all." He also highlighted how the Bangladesh government has declared that Begum would not be allowed into the country. The British government reportedly believes that Begum was entitled to claim Bangladesh citizenship, though this is disputed by the South Asian country. "She can't come to Bangladesh since she is not a citizen of this country," he said. Tasnime Akunjee, a lawyer for Begum's family, earlier said the teenager was born in Britain and had never had a Bangladeshi passport. VMware VMW is set to release fourth-quarter fiscal 2019 results on Feb 28. In the last reported quarter, VMwares non-GAAP earnings of $1.56 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6 cents and increased 26.8% from the year-ago quarter. Revenues of $2.20 billion also surpassed the consensus mark of $2.17 billion and improved 13.5% on a year-over-year basis. For fourth-quarter fiscal 2019, revenues are anticipated to be $2.5 billion, up 12.3% year over year. Non-GAAP earnings are anticipated to be $1.87 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues and earnings currently stand at $2.50 billion and $1.87, reflecting year-over-year growth of 8.3% and 11.3%, respectively. Lets see how things are shaping up for this announcement. Factors to Watch VMware is benefiting from continued enterprise deal wins that are expected to drive growth in the to-be-reported quarter. The company continues to witness robust growth in the virtualization market, driven by portfolio strength. Moreover, the companys dominance in software-defined data center (SDDC) along with expanding customer base in cloud, driven by partnerships with the likes of International Business Machines IBM, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Alibaba BABA, is a positive. Apart from the new Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) on VMware, the company announced two new offerings for AWS Outposts. It also announced VMware Cloud Foundation for EC2 that provides AWS native Outposts customers a software-defined data center experience, supported by NSX, vRealize Automation and Network Insights, and AppDefense. The IBM expansion includes a new IBM Service offering to help migrate and extend mission-critical VMware workloads to the IBM Cloud. It also encompasses new integrations to help enterprises modernize applications with Kubernetes and containers. VMwares NSX solution has also gained significant adoption. Further, strong End-User Computing (EUC) license bookings, driven by Workspace ONE, are a key catalyst. Notably, eight out of the top 10 enterprise agreements included EUC in the last reported quarter. Moreover, VMware exited third-quarter with $144 million of license backlog, which is $3 million higher on a sequential basis. Notably, VMware paid its previously announced special dividend worth $11 billion to shareholders late last quarter. What Our Model Says According to the Zacks model, a company with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) along with a positive Earnings ESP has a good chance of beating estimates. The Sell-rated stocks (Zacks Rank #4 or 5) are best avoided. VMware has a Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell, before theyre reported, with our Earnings ESP Filter. A Stock With Favorable Combination Here is a stock you may want to consider as our model shows that it has the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat. Momo Inc. MOMO has an Earnings ESP of +1.55% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Story continues This Could Be the Fastest Way to Grow Wealth in 2019 Research indicates one sector is poised to deliver a crop of the best-performing stocks you'll find anywhere in the market. Breaking news in this space frequently creates quick double- and triple-digit profit opportunities. These companies are changing the world and owning their stocks could transform your portfolio in 2019 and beyond. Recent trades from this sector have generated +98%, +119% and +164% gains in as little as 1 month. Click here to see these breakthrough stocks now >> 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 International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Momo Inc. (MOMO) : Free Stock Analysis Report VMware, Inc. (VMW) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research A love like theirs: Pakistani woman travels to Nepal to marry Baglung man Amna Safik, 22, of Rawalpindi in Pakistan came to Nepal last month to get married to Sudin Acharya, 23, whom she met on Facebook two years ago. Omar Oil Field (Syria) (AFP) - US-backed Syrian forces warned Sunday they were struggling to cope with an outpouring of foreigners from the Islamic State group's imploding "caliphate", urging governments to take responsibility for their citizens. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have evacuated nearly 5,000 men, women and children from the jihadist redoubt since Wednesday, moving closer to retaking the last sliver of territory under IS control. "The numbers of foreign fighters and their relatives that we are holding is increasing drastically," Kurdish foreign affairs official Abdel Karim Omar told AFP. "Our current infrastructure can't handle the mass influx", he said. Syria's Kurds have repeatedly called on foreign countries to repatriate their citizens, but most have been reluctant to allow battle-hardened jihadists and their relatives back home due to security concerns. At the height of its rule, IS imposed its brutal interpretation of Islamic law across territory straddling Syria and Iraq that was roughly the size of the United Kingdom. But more than four years after IS declared a cross-border "caliphate", the jihadists have lost all but a tiny patch of land in the village of Baghouz near the Iraqi border. After years of fighting IS, Syria's Kurds say they hold hundreds of suspected IS fighters and their relatives. "As thousands of foreigners flee Daesh's crumbling caliphate, the burden which is already too heavy for us to handle is getting even heavier," SDF spokesman Mustefa Bali said on Twitter late Saturday, using an Arabic acronym for IS. "This will remain as the biggest challenge awaiting us unless governments take action and fulfil their responsibilities for their citizens," he said. No evacuations were reported from the enclave on Saturday, but the two batches of people that left on Wednesday and Friday included Europeans, Iraqis and nationals of former Soviet countries, according to the SDF. Story continues - Crammed prisons - Around 46,000 people, including a large number of foreigners, have streamed out of IS's shrinking territory since early December, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor. While civilians are trucked north to Kurdish-run camps for the displaced, suspected jihadists are sent to SDF-controlled prisons. Omar said SDF "detention centres can't accommodate all the fighters" coming out of the last IS pocket. The evacuation of men, women and children has put a strain on Kurdish-run camps for the displaced, especially the Al-Hol camp, which now shelters more than 45,000 people. "There is a lot of pressure on us, especially in Al-Hol, where in addition to the relatives of IS fighters you have a large displaced population," Omar said. Some 5,000 evacuees have arrived to Al-Hol since Wednesday, the International Rescue Committee said Sunday, compounding already dire conditions inside the crammed settlement. "Two thousand people reached Al-Hol camp today, bringing the population to over 45,000," said IRC Middle East advocacy head Misty Buswell. At least 78 people, mostly children, have died on the way to the camp or shortly after arriving in recent weeks, according to the IRC. A warehouse fire at Al-Hol on Friday caused by a gas cylinder explosion "destroyed 200 family tents" and five larger ones, said Buswell, adding 16 workers had been injured. That came as the UN's humanitarian coordination office OCHA warned the camp was struggling to keep up with flood of evacuees. "This sudden influx presents huge challenges to the response -- additional tents, non-food items, water and sanitation and health supplies are urgently needed," it tweeted Friday. - Security concerns - The SDF say they are trying to evacuate remaining civilians through a corridor before pressing on with a battle to crush the jihadists unless holdout fighters surrender. Some 2,000 people are believed to remain inside Baghouz, including foreigners, according to the US-backed force. On Friday, the family of Shamima Begum, 19, said it would challenge the British government's decision to revoke her citizenship. Begum, who travelled to Syria in 2015 aged just 15, faced being left stateless after Britain revoked her citizenship, and Bangladesh, where her parents are from, said it did not want her. On Thursday, the father of Hoda Muthana, 24, sued to bring her home after President Donald Trump's administration declared she was not a US citizen. The battle for Baghouz is now the only live front in Syria's war, which has killed more than 360,000 people and displaced millions since 2011. Further north, more than 20 civilians were killed Sunday in central Syria when a landmine left behind by IS exploded under a van, the state news agency SANA said. (Yahoo Finance/David Foster) Whole Foods 365 stores will soon become a thing of the past. The grocery chain owned by Amazon plans to convert all of its existing 365 stores into regular Whole Foods stores by the end of this year, Yahoo Finance has learned. The move follows its decision to stop expanding the smaller format stores, revealed in an internal announcement in January. There will be changes in store signages, product assortments, and back-end distributions, according to people familiar with the plan. The transformation will not be too disruptive of current operations. A Whole Foods spokesperson said all 12 Whole Foods Market 365 stores remain open in an emailed statement to Yahoo Finance. At about 25,000 to 30,000 square feet, 365 stores are smaller than conventional Whole Foods supermarkets, which are around 40,000 square feet on average. Two 365 stores opened just three months ago in Atlanta. Given their size, the newly converted Whole Foods stores will be smaller in footprint and may lack features like a full-service meat counter. Both Whole Foods and 365 stores carry the popular private 365 Everyday Value brand. Its logical just to convert these few stores into Whole Foods, keep locations that have already got the leases on them, Phil Lempert, a grocery industry analyst at Supermarket Guru, told Yahoo Finance. I think that it's smart to just have a singular focus. Some small-format stores didnt perform well Whole Foods enthusiasm about 365 stores has shifted since Amazon bought the grocery chain in August 2017. One month prior to announcing the deal, CEO John Mackey told investors there were 22,365 stores under development. Only nine have opened since then. Some of the originally anticipated Whole Foods 365 stores have already been turned into full-fledged Whole Foods stores. The latest Whole Foods store, expected to open on March 6 in Evergreen Park, Illinois, was supposed to be a 365 store. I believe they had a contract before the acquisition. And things slowed down a little bit because of the acquisition. And when they regrouped, they came back out as a regular Whole Foods, James Sexton, mayor of Evergreen Park, told Yahoo Finance. The city government issued a license for a grocery store in 2017, leaving the renter and landlord to decide what to do with it. Story continues 365 brand organic peanut butter in the new Whole Foods' 365 Fort Greene in the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York on opening day Wednesday, January 31, 2018. (Photo by Richard B. Levine) Mackey said the main reason to move away from the smaller, value-based store concept is the price drop at regular Whole Foods stores. Whole Foods Markets leadership independently made this decision, said a Whole Foods spokesperson in January. Lempert attributed the shift to the disappointing performance of the small format stores and Amazons overall strategy. In 2017 October, Whole Foods closed a 365 store in Seattle citing weak performance, only one year after its opening. Amazon is focused on making Whole Foods for the general population not just an upscale more healthy minded population. Theyre focused on Amazon Go, those stores, and theyre focused on delivery, Lempert said, referring to Amazon's cashierless convenience stores. He added, referring to 365 stores, "So, it really didnt have a place to fit in what I think is the plan that Amazon has. Do you shop at Whole Foods? Share your thoughts with Krystal Hu via krystalh@yahoofinance.com Read more: What Tim Cook left out about China in Apple's revenue guidance Apple cuts iPhone XR price for partner sellers in China Amazon eyes closed Sears stores for Whole Foods expansion Former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt mocked Senator Bernie Sanderss (D., Vt.) past praise of the Soviet Union in a Monday morning tweet. Bildt, who was Swedens prime minister from 1991 to 1994 as the leader of the moderate party, cited a 1988 speech in which Sanders and his wife, having recently returned from the Soviet Union, celebrated the then-crumbling states public-transportation system and government-backed cultural programs. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Sanders often cites Sweden as an example of a mature, Western democracy that has successfully married a number of government-backed safety-net programs to a free-market economy. I think we should look to countries like Denmark, like Sweden, and Norway, and learn from what they have accomplished for their working people, Sanders said during a 2016 presidential debate against Hillary Clinton. While Sweden has embraced certain policies included in Sanderss 2016 platform, including tuition-free higher education and universal health care, it does not have a government-mandated minimum wage and utilizes a voucher program to provide parents total control over the kind of school their child attends. Sanderss commitment to progressive policy has helped shape the Democratic agenda: Nearly every 2020 presidential hopeful within the party has embraced some form of Medicare for All, a $15 minimum wage, and tuition-free higher education. While Sanders must now differentiate himself from fellow Democrats touting policies akin to his, his early fundraising numbers indicate he still enjoys widespread support on the grassroots left. He raised nearly $6 million from more than 225,000 donors in the first 24 hours after announcing his run last Tuesday. More from National Review By Alister Doyle, Environment Correspondent OSLO (Reuters) - Evidence for man-made global warming has reached a "gold standard" level of certainty, adding pressure for cuts in greenhouse gases to limit rising temperatures, scientists said on Monday. "Humanity cannot afford to ignore such clear signals," the U.S.-led team wrote in the journal Nature Climate Change of satellite measurements of rising temperatures over the past 40 years. They said confidence that human activities were raising the heat at the Earth's surface had reached a "five-sigma" level, a statistical gauge meaning there is only a one-in-a-million chance that the signal would appear if there was no warming. Such a "gold standard" was applied in 2012, for instance, to confirm the discovery of the Higgs boson subatomic particle, a basic building block of the universe. Benjamin Santer, lead author of Monday's study at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, said he hoped the findings would win over skeptics and spur action. "The narrative out there that scientists don't know the cause of climate change is wrong," he told Reuters. "We do." Mainstream scientists say the burning of fossil fuels is causing more floods, droughts, heat waves and rising sea levels. U.S. President Donald Trump has often cast doubt on global warming and plans to pull out of the 197-nation Paris climate agreement which seeks to end the fossil fuel era this century by shifting to cleaner energies such as wind and solar power. Sixty-two percent of Americans polled in 2018 believed that climate change has a human cause, up from 47 percent in 2013, according to the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. SATELLITE DATA Monday's findings, by researchers in the United States, Canada and Scotland, said evidence for global warming reached the five sigma level by 2005 in two of three sets of satellite data widely used by researchers, and in 2016 in the third. Professor John Christy, of the University of Alabama in Huntsville which runs the third set of data, said there were still many gaps in understanding climate change. His data show a slower pace of warming than the other two sets. "You may see a certain fingerprint that indicates human influence, but that the actual intensity of the influence is minor (as our satellite data indicate)," he told Reuters. Separately in 2013, the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that it is "extremely likely", or at least 95 percent probable, that human activities have been the main cause of climate change since the 1950s. Peter Stott of the British Met Office, who was among the scientists drawing that conclusion and was not involved in Monday's study, said he would favor raising the probability one notch to "virtually certain", or 99-100 percent. "The alternative explanation of natural factors dominating has got even less likely," he told Reuters. The last four years have been the hottest since records began in the 19th century. The IPCC will next publish a formal assessment of the probabilities in 2021. "I would be reluctant to raise to 99-100 percent, but there is no doubt there is more evidence of change in the global signals over a wider suite of ocean indices and atmospheric indices," said Professor Nathan Bindoff, a climate scientist at the University of Tasmania. (Reporting by Alister Doyle, editing by Ed Osmond and Angus MacSwan) These Everyday Products May Soon Vanish From the Marketplace Remember VCRs? Typewriters? Telephones with rotary dials instead of keypads? Landline phones? As technology marches on, everyday items that you couldn't imagine living without are replaced with new products that are more efficient and useful. As we gladly pull out our credit cards and embrace what's new, the old stuff disappears like the dinosaur and the dodo bird. Here are 10 items that could be headed for extinction next. Someday soon, you might be asking the "Remember?" question about these. 1. Desktop computers michaeljung / Shutterstock The family's desktop computer might be their last. As laptops have slimmed down, tablets have taken hold and phones have become equipped to do practically anything, the need for desktop computers has rapidly decreased. Workhorse computers used to require bulky hard drives to store memory. But now, computers that are too heavy to carry have become relatively obsolete, because of the advent of flash storage. Younger generations are deciding portable computing is their best option. One 2018 survey found that only about 3 in 10 Americans between ages 18 and 29 owned a desktop computer, versus more than half of those ages 50 to 64. 2. Keys Halfpoint / Shutterstock You may not have to worry about losing your keys much longer. Losing your keys may not be a thing much longer, as new technology is rapidly replacing standard metal locks and keys. Many of us are already familiar with the coded plastic cards used to gain entry into hotel rooms. But already, hotels are dumping those cards in favor of smartphone apps, and soon your phone might also help you unlock the doors to your home, car and office. Further into the future, we'll likely use our fingerprints and facial recognition in place of keys. 3. College textbooks Aaron Amat / Shutterstock Students are about to graduate from using old-fashioned college textbooks. To the joy of students everywhere, those bulky, super expensive college textbooks may soon become a thing of the past. Within a few years, many experts suspect e-readers and tablet computers will become the norm for accessing reading assignments at universities. And some experts forecast that K-12 classes will follow the same trend. Story continues Not only are e-readers more lightweight and convenient, but they also allow teachers to assign electronic textbooks with interactive features that can will help students master skills more thoroughly. 4. Televisions Corepics VOF / Shutterstock TVs may be on the way out before long. Though TVs today have slimmed down substantially, even the sleekest among them may soon become a tribute to the past. Leading technology companies such as Apple are sinking billions of dollars into the development of augmented reality and virtual reality platforms. Rather than watching a story play out on a flat screen, the future will offer you the chance to use eyeglasses or even contact lenses to immerse yourself in a story like never before. 5. Manual transmission vehicles Sergey Mastepanov / Shutterstock Automakers are shifting away from standard transmission. Though manual transmission cars once boasted better gas mileage, several car companies including Mazda and BMW now offer automatic transmission models that score better mileage ratings than their stick-shift counterparts. Edmunds estimated in 2016 that only about a quarter of new vehicle models in the U.S. were available with standard transmissions and that fewer than 3% of cars sold nationwide were manual vehicles. Audi has stopped offering manual transmission cars in the U.S. Other automakers have moved to "semi-automatic" or "automated manual" transmissions that are similar to stick, though a computer handles the work of the clutch. Saving for the down payment on your next car? Calculate how long it will take you to reach your savings goal. 6. Incandescent lightbulbs lenetstan / Shutterstock The outlook for old-fashioned incandescent lightbulbs looks dim. Old-school incandescent lightbulbs similar to the one Thomas Edison invented have been on the way out for years, thanks to government regulations meant to promote more energy-efficient lighting. The tradtional bulbs were expected to pretty much disappear from stores completely in 2020, though the Trump administration is trying to roll back the rules. So, some incandescents like three-way bulbs may be around a while longer. But many consumers have already gotten into the habit of choosing LEDs and other newer types of bulbs because they last longer. 7. Analog watches mlasaimages / Shutterstock Time is running out for analog watches. Though they may seem "timeless," analog watches seem destined to become time-telling relics, like sundials. The old-fashioned watches with hour, minute and (sometimes) second hands faced a stiff challenge from digital watches for decades, and then along came the real game changer: smartwatches. Those are bound to get even smarter as developers work on offering video calling, streaming and other features without tanking the battery life. Makers of analog watches have been holding on by promoting their products as fashion accessories. 8. Remote controls bbernard / Shutterstock Consumers may soon put down the remote -- for good. Within a decade or so you'll no longer fight with your family members for control of the remote, though you may find those skirmishes replaced with shouting matches. Literally. Appliances of the future will be controlled by voice, and maybe gestures, too. The transition is already underway just ask Alexa. Smart speakers and many streaming sticks and boxes have voice-detection capabilities right now, though the multi-button remote remains a fixture on many a coffee table. 9. DVDs Eric Broder Van Dyke / Shutterstock Poor DVDs. Though once a highly prized way to own a copy of your favorite movie, they've been no match for the streaming revolution. DVD rental stores have become scarce (an Oregon Blockbuster is the only one left), and the DVD and Blu-ray Disc departments in big-box stores have been shrinking. But Redbox still operates more than 40,000 DVD rental vending machines, and Netflix's DVDs-by-mail service has 2.7 million subscribers, though that number has been in a steady decline. 10. Car insurance Iam_Anupong / Shutterstock When we're all riding in driverless cars, will we need auto insurance? Don't get the wrong idea: Car insurance is still required today for most U.S. drivers, so don't stop paying your premiums! But there's speculation that auto policies could become extinct as more self-driving cars take to the road. The thinking goes that once robot vehicles take over and eliminate the human errors that cause accidents, roads will be so safe that insurance won't be needed. Insurers fully expect that they will continue to provide coverage in the future though maybe not for motorists. "The move to AV [autonomous vehicles] is set to drive the need for more commercial insurance as car manufacturers will assume much of the risk for this new tech," says a blog post from the trade group the Insurance Information Institute. Sharm el Sheikh (Egypt) (AFP) - Britain's main opposition Labour Party has said it could support a second Brexit referendum as the European Union opened the door to postponing the country's exit from the bloc beyond the March 29 deadline. Britain remains as divided as ever over Brexit, which a narrow majority of voters backed in a June 2016 referendum and speculation that London will ask for more time to negotiate its withdrawal has gathered steam in recent days. British Prime Minister Theresa May suggested Sunday that parliament may not be able to vote on her Brexit deal until March 12, just 17 days before Britain leaves the EU, provoking alarm at home. European Council President Donald Tusk said he had discussed the "legal and procedural context of a potential extension" when he met May on Sunday on the sidelines of an EU-Arab summit in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh. "I believe in the situation we are in, an extension would be a rational solution but Prime Minister May still believes she's able to avoid this scenario," Tusk told a closing summit press conference. The EU has been watching with growing concern the possibility that Britain will crash out of the bloc without a deal, risking chaos on both sides of the Channel. Speculation is mounting that lawmakers will in a series of votes this week move to delay Britain's withdrawal to avoid a no-deal Brexit. The opposition Labour Party on Monday raised the pressure, saying it would put forward its own plan for Brexit, which calls for Britain to stay in the EU customs union, as part of those votes. Labour then said if its plan was rejected, it would lend its support to an amendment on holding a second referendum on EU membership -- without specifying a date. "We are committed to... putting forward or supporting an amendment in favour of a public vote to prevent a damaging Tory Brexit being forced on the country," Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said in a statement. Story continues Corbyn, a lifelong eurosceptic who supports Brexit, has been highly ambiguous throughout the negotiations even though many of his MPs support a second referendum. The Times described Corbyn's decision "a significant moment" but added that much would depend on the details of the new policy. "A second referendum risks deepening the divisions in what is already a deeply divided country. It would prolong Brexit uncertainty for much of the rest of the year. And whatever the outcome, it would not settle the troubled question of Britainas relationship with the EU," it said in an editorial. On currency markets, sterling rose further on speculation that May could push back the March 29 deadline in a bid to avert a painful no-deal divorce. Adding to her woes, the Daily Mail reported that a group of 23 dissidents met secretly to discuss how to stop Britain leaving the EU without an agreement, with as many as 15 said to be ready to resign. - Second referendum? - Taking a united stand, the EU and its remaining 27 countries have repeatedly rebuffed May's efforts to reopen the Brexit deal struck with her government in November. Since British lawmakers overwhelmingly rejected her withdrawal deal last month, the Conservative prime minister has sought to address their concerns about the text's so-called "backstop" arrangement. London wants the "backstop" -- the clause binding Northern Ireland into the EU customs union if a new deal to keep the Irish border open is not found -- to be time-limited or to be allowed to unilaterally end it. The EU opposes any changes to an arrangement designed to keep the border between British Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland flowing. It also sees the "backstop" as an insurance policy for the peace process in the UK province of Northern Ireland. Brussels however is not budging, though it is offering political reassurances. Tusk said he told May that "no matter which scenario, all 27 (EU countries) will show maximum understanding and goodwill". During a press conference Monday in Sharm El-Sheikh, May said she believes she can still deliver Brexit on time. The European Commission, the EU's executive arm leading the Brexit negotiations, is still working on the assumption that Britain will leave the bloc on March 29, commission spokeswoman Mina Andreeva told reporters earlier in Brussels. She recalled that Britain would first have to request an extension and the remaining 27 EU countries would have to agree to it unanimously. May's negotiating team was expected to continue its talks in Brussels on Tuesday. BARCELONA (Reuters) - The European Commission will decide soon on admission criteria for telecoms network vendors, Digital Single Market Commissioner Mariya Gabriel said, adding she understood concerns that barring Chinese companies could delay the roll-out of 5G services. "When 5G networks become mission-critical, networks need to be secure," Gabriel said in a keynote address at the Mobile World Congress, the telecoms industry's main annual gathering. The U.S. administration has lobbied allies to bar Chinese vendors led by Huawei Technologies on national security grounds, saying Huawei's closeness to the Chinese government posed a national security risk and its equipment was open to cyber espionage. The company denies the accusations. Sources have told Reuters that the EU executive is considering proposals that would amount to a de-facto ban on Huawei. The GSMA lobby group, which represents operators and is hosting the Mobile World Congress, has proposed a Europe-wide testing regime to strengthen network security. Leading members oppose a ban that they say could delay 5G by years. "Let me reassure you that the Commission takes your concerns seriously," Gabriel told telecoms executives. "Nobody is helped by premature decisions based on partial analysis of the facts." She added, however, that the 28-member EU should take a decision soon to avoid the risk of individual countries going it alone, potentially leading to a fragmentation of the bloc's common market. "We all know that this fragmentation damages the digital single market," said Gabriel, adding that the Commission would "take steps soon" on the issue. (Reporting by Douglas Busvine; editing by Jason Neely) Shares of The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. EL touched a 52-week high of $159.07, before closing the session a tad lower at $158.98 on Feb 22. Notably, the company is gaining from a solid focus on buyouts, travel retail network, effective launches and strong online sales. Backed by all these factors, Estee Lauder delivered a sturdy second-quarter fiscal 2019 performance, wherein both the top and bottom line improved year over year and also surpassed the respective estimates. This propelled management to raise its sales and earnings view for fiscal 2019. Markedly, the stock has gained approximately 4.6% since the announcement of its quarterly results. (Read: Estee Lauder Ups View on Robust Q2 Earnings) In the past three months, shares of this New York-based company have rallied 12.8%, outperforming the industrys 12.2% growth. All said, lets take a closer look at the aspects driving this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks performance. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Factors Narrating Estee Lauders Growth Story Estee Lauder has been intensely focusing on enhancing its travel retail business, which is a major sales driver for the company. In the second quarter of fiscal 2019, travel retail sales remained sturdy with 13 brands depicting solid growth. Rise in traffic, effective launches, impressive marketing strategies and unique product range have been providing a boost to travel retail sales. Further, the company expects the travel retail business to benefit from rising passenger traffic, favorable fundamentals and higher conversions. Estee Lauder is committed toward undertaking more efforts to enhance conversions through strategic initiatives. These apart, the company has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its portfolio. In this regard, the acquisitions of BECCA and Too Faced (during first-quarter fiscal 2017) are noteworthy. These transactions have strengthened Estee Lauders fastest growing prestige portfolio. In the fiscal second quarter, sales of BECCA witnessed solid increase courtesy of the holiday season. The investment in DECIEM, a fast-growing multi-brand company, is also likely to aid beauty sales. Earlier, Estee Lauder had acquired the sophisticated Paris-based brand By Kilian, and the key prestige skin care brands RODIN olio lusso and GLAMGLOW. Such acquisitions not only aided the company to expand its portfolio but also helped it attain the respective loyal customer base. Estee Lauders strong online business is an added positive. In fact, the company expects it to act as a major growth driver in the upcoming years. Meanwhile, the company is implementing new technology and digital experiences including online booking for each store appointment, omni-channel loyalty programs and high-touch mobile services. These initiatives coupled with Estee Lauders digital-first mindset have been providing a boost to its online sales, in turn aiding top-line growth. During the second quarter of fiscal 2019, the companys e-commerce sales rose in double digits across all channels brand.com, retail.com and third-party websites. By adding new sites and expanding retailer distributions, Estee Lauder continues to focus on widening its global online presence. Thanks to these growth drivers, management now expects net sales growth of 5-6%, adjusted net sales growth of 8-9% and adjusted earnings per share of $4.92-$5.00 for fiscal 2019. We believe that such efforts will continue driving the companys performance. Other Key Picks Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. NUS has a long-term earnings growth rate of 10.9% and a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. LW delivered average positive earnings surprise of 10.1% in the trailing four quarters. It has a long-term earnings growth rate of 12% and a Zacks Rank #2. Nomad Foods Limited NOMD delivered average positive earnings surprise of 11.4% in the trailing four quarters. It has a long-term earnings growth rate of 11% and a Zacks Rank #2. This Could Be the Fastest Way to Grow Wealth in 2019 Research indicates one sector is poised to deliver a crop of the best-performing stocks you'll find anywhere in the market. Breaking news in this space frequently creates quick double- and triple-digit profit opportunities. These companies are changing the world and owning their stocks could transform your portfolio in 2019 and beyond. Recent trades from this sector have generated +98%, +119% and +164% gains in as little as 1 month. Click here to see these breakthrough stocks now >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (EL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NUS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Lamb Weston Holdings Inc. (LW) : Free Stock Analysis Report Nomad Foods Limited (NOMD) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia-based private equity group Baring Vostok appealed on Monday for President Vladimir Putin to intervene in a criminal investigation into its U.S. founder Michael Calvey and other executives. Prosecutors last week formally charged Calvey, the founder of Baring Vostok, and several other of its executives, with fraud after detaining them earlier this month. Calvey and the others deny wrongdoing and say the case is being used to exert pressure in a business dispute. In an open letter posted on its website, Baring Vostok said it was appealing to Putin to take the case under his personal control to ensure it was investigated objectively. "I don't know if the President has seen the letter and how it was sent, but we will report to him about the letter based on the media reports," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call. A Baring Vostok executive and another man held in the case are due to appeal their arrest later on Monday. Calvey is due to appeal on Thursday. (Reporting by Elena Fabrichnaya, Andrey Ostroukh, Maria Vasilyeva; writing by Tom Balmforth; editing by Louise Heavens) New legal trouble for Pathao A writ petition has been filed with the Supreme Court against Pathao, a ride-sharing service company, challenging the legality of its operations in Nepal and demanding that the company be shut down. In the nearly two years that the special counsel, Robert Mueller, has been investigating whether there was collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign, few figures seem to have offered more promising leads than Konstantin V Kilimnik. A diminutive, multilingual political operative who was born in Ukraine while it was still part of the Soviet Union, Kilimnik has continued to attract intense interest from prosecutors for his interactions with his long-time boss and mentor, Paul Manafort, and his suspected ties to Russian intelligence. Kilimnik pops up repeatedly as a possible connection between the Trump campaign and Russia, with ties to both sides that are as enigmatic as they are deep. His dealings with Manafort, who in 2016 served as Donald Trumps campaign chairman, encompass two of the most intriguing elements of the special counsels inquiry to surface publicly: the sharing of polling data with Kilimnik, and the work he and Manafort did on behalf of Kremlin-aligned Ukrainian interests. Dozens of interviews, court filings and other documents show Kilimnik to be an operator who moved easily between Russian, Ukrainian and American patrons, playing one off the other while leaving a jumble of conflicting suspicions in his wake. [[gallery-0]] To US diplomats in Washington and Kiev, he has been a well-known character for nearly a decade, developing a reputation as a broker of valuable information. He travelled freely to the US, and on a trip in May 2016 met senior State Department officials for drinks. Later that year, he visited the new US ambassador to Ukraine in Kiev. But in a federal court in Washington, Muellers prosecutors have repeatedly portrayed Kilimnik as something potentially more nefarious: a former Russian intelligence officer who has ties to a Russian intelligence service and had such ties in 2016. And around the same time he was passing through Washington nearly three years ago just as Trump was clinching the Republican presidential nomination he first received polling data about the 2016 election from two top Trump campaign officials, Manafort and Rick Gates, as Russia was beginning a social media operation intended to help Trumps campaign. Story continues Prosecutors have also scrutinised the effort by Manafort and Kilimnik to drum up political consulting business with Kremlin-aligned political figures in Ukraine and Russia who were pushing plans to end the simmering conflict between the countries. Those plans could have resulted in the easing of sanctions imposed on Russia by the US a policy shift to which Trump had signalled an openness during the campaign. In many ways, Kilimnik is an unlikely figure for such a pivotal role in an investigation that has shaped Trumps presidency. To some of those he encountered, he was an impish, 5-foot-tall cynic whose American associates nicknamed him Carry-on or KK. At the same time, he did little to defuse long-running suspicions that he was a Russian agent. And his involvement in discussions related to back-channel peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia attracted attention from Barack Obamas National Security Council. They saw him as a functionary for oligarchs working to sell out Ukraine to Moscows benefit, a former US official said. Kilimnik, 49, who has Russian citizenship, lives in Moscow. He is unlikely to ever face obstruction of justice charges that the special counsel brought against him and Manafort. There was talk of him being related to Russian intelligence agencies going as far back as the 1990s, said Michael R Caputo, who travelled in the same circles as Kilimnik when both worked in the Moscow offices of American pro-democracy groups in the years after the fall of the Soviet Union. In Kiev, Kilimnik became a valued source for the political staff of the US Embassy, said David A Merkel, a deputy assistant secretary of state under President George W Bush. The idea that he is some master spy seems hard to fathom, said Merkel, who was Kilimniks boss at one of the pro-democracy groups. I find it much more likely that these guys were pursuing business interests without regard to core patriotic beliefs. Kilimnik was born in the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, when the country was part of the Soviet Union. He studied at a Soviet military language academy considered a training ground for the countrys military intelligence service, known as the GRU. He joined the Russian army as a translator, and said he later worked for a time in Sweden for a Russian arms exporting company. In the chaotic years after the Soviet Union collapsed, Kilimnik made do with money from freelance translating gigs, before landing a job in 1995 in the Moscow office of the International Republican Institute, or IRI, which receives tens of millions of dollars annually from the US government to promote democracy. At the institute, Kilimnik came to know Americans who would eventually become key players in the Manafort milieu and the Russia investigations, including Caputo, Philip M. Griffin and Sam Patten. While his IRI colleagues said Kilimnik seemed to be no fan of the fallen communist government or Russias post-Soviet leadership, he appeared to embrace the perception that he had ties to Russian intelligence. He did nothing to disabuse that notion because it added to his back story and made him more attractive to visiting consultants and women, Caputo said. Two former IRI colleagues have said the group fired Kilimnik in April 2005 after suspicions arose that he had leaked information about an institute conference in Bratislava, Slovakia, to Russias Federal Security Service, the successor agency to the KGB. An institute spokeswoman declined to address the allegation, instead saying that Kilimnik was fired because the organisation came into possession of information that led us to believe that he was joining Paul Manaforts team on the Ukraine program. That was a violation of our code of ethics banning freelancing, the spokeswoman said. Kilimnik quickly made himself indispensable to Manafort, who spoke neither Ukrainian nor Russian. At the time, Manafort worked as a political and business consultant to Ukrainian steel and coal oligarch Rinat L Akhmetov, as well as Russian aluminium oligarch Oleg V Deripaska. Paul took Konstantin under his wing, not just as a protege but as his own surrogate son, Caputo said. Gates, who joined Manaforts Ukraine team the year after Kilimnik and has since pleaded guilty to charges brought by Mueller, later told an associate he knew that Kilimnik was a former officer with the GRU, according to a court filing by Muellers team. In a February 2017 interview with the New York Times in Kiev, Kilimnik denied ever serving in a Russian intelligence agency. What would I do if I were a real Russian spy? he said. I would not be here. I would be in Russia. But for the politicians and oligarchs who were Manaforts clients, Kilimniks suspected intelligence connections suggested a seal of approval from Russia. The perception in political circles in Kiev was that hiring Manaforts team would open doors in Washington and Moscow. Akhmetov persuaded Manafort to try to resuscitate the political career of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor F Yanukovych, a Russia-aligned figure who lost the 2004 presidential election amid allegations of vote-rigging. In Yanukovychs Party of Regions, Kilimnik was known as the representative of Russia, said Taras V Chernovyl, a former party member. With help from Manafort and Kilimnik, Yanukovych won the presidency in 2010. But things started going south for Yanukovych in late 2013, as mass protests erupted over the governments corruption and pivot toward Russia. Yanukovych stepped down and fled in February 2014, eventually arriving in Moscow. Russia began a military incursion into eastern Ukraine in 2014. And Kilimnik leveraged his access to US diplomats for a new endeavour. He turned up in Donetsk as the city was slipping into war, presenting himself as having the State Departments ear, the American ear in general, said Alexei Kovzhun, a member of a group of pro-Ukrainian political advisers working there. With their primary benefactor in exile, Manafort and Kilimnik sought business with Russia-aligned factions that arose from the ashes of Yanukovychs party. A common goal for these factions was to pursue initiatives to settle the Ukraine conflict on terms seen by many in the country as favourable to Russia, and as an opening for an effort to persuade the US and its allies to lift sanctions on Moscow. Among the Russia-aligned Ukrainians they advised was Oleksandr V Klymenko, a minister in Yanukovychs government. Manafort and Kilimnik discussed plans to conduct polling in connection with a possible bid by Klymenko for president of Ukraine in 2019, even though he was living in exile in Moscow and under European Union sanctions, according to three people briefed on their activities. Another client was a party backed by Serhiy Lyovochkin, a television company owner who served as Yanukovychs chief of staff. Around the time of Kilimniks trip to the US in spring 2016, Manafort directed Gates to transfer some polling data to Kilimnik, including public polling and some developed by a private polling company working for the campaign, according to a person with knowledge of the arrangement. Manafort asked Gates to tell Kilimnik to pass the data to Lyovochkin and Akhmetov, the person said. Representatives for both Lyovochkin and Akhmetov said they neither requested nor received the data and would have had no use for it. Muellers team has focused on what appears to have been another discussion about polling data in New York on 2 August 2016. A partly redacted court transcript suggests that Gates, who entered a plea agreement with the special counsel that requires his cooperation, may have told prosecutors that Manafort had walked Kilimnik through detailed polling data at a meeting that day. Prosecutors contend that Manafort lied to them about the meeting and other interactions with Kilimnik. Those lies, a federal judge ruled, violated Manaforts agreement to cooperate with prosecutors. Manaforts lies about his interactions with Kilimnik gave rise to legitimate questions about where his loyalties lie, Judge Amy Berman Jackson said. Just before Manafort was forced to resign from the Trump campaign in mid-August 2016 amid scrutiny of his work in Ukraine, the FBI opened an investigation into the campaigns possible ties to Russia. By the inauguration, investigators were focusing on Kilimnik and his connections to Manafort. Yet Kilimnik again travelled to the US for Trumps inauguration, meeting in the Washington area with Manafort, according to Muellers team. The month after the inauguration, Kilimnik and Manafort met again and discussed a poll being planned for Klymenkos prospective presidential campaign, according to court filings and interviews. The poll was not conducted, according to people familiar with the arrangement, and Klymenko ultimately did not run. Manaforts allies point out that Muellers team has not publicly presented any evidence that Kilimnik is a Russian agent. They argue that it is unlikely that he is an agent because he was able to travel freely to the US and deal regularly with its officials. If he was a Russian intelligence asset, then the State Department officials who met with him over the years should be under investigation, Caputo said. New York Times Must a large Christian cross commemorating soldiers who died in World War I, which has been in place on public land for 94 years, be taken down because three people are offended by it? On February 27, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the companion cases American Legion v. American Humanist Association and MarylandNational Capital Park and Planning Commission v. American Humanist Association. The constitutional issue concerns the allegation that the commemorative cross in Bladensburg, Md., which is located on a heavily traveled public highway and is known locally as the Peace Cross, violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment. The appeal to the Supreme Court is from a 21 ruling by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ordering that the Peace Cross be moved off public land or altered into some other shape. As the Fourth Circuit said, the case was initiated in federal district court by three plaintiffs who have faced multiple instances of unwelcome contact with and are offended by the prominent display of the Peace Cross. They regularly encounter the cross while driving in the area and wish to have no further contact with it. In its ruling, the Fourth Circuit held that the Peace Cross has the primary effect of endorsing religion and excessively entangles the government in religion. In overturning the federal district court which had concluded that the cross, which had been financed and constructed by the American Legion in 1925, did not establish religion, the appeals court went all the way back to Everson v. Board of Education (1947) in holding that the cross, representing the core symbol of Christianity, breaches the wall of separation between Church and State. The specific question for the Supreme Court is whether the continued maintenance of the Peace Cross is an act of government that endorses religion and coerces religious belief, or if, instead, the cross is a passive display that may continue to exist as a commemoration of war dead and as part of American public tradition. The briefs filed for and against the Peace Cross cite Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971), in addition to four recent cases, all decided by 54 votes: three recent Supreme Court cases about similar religious monuments and one case about public prayer. Story continues The decision of the Supreme Court in Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971) brought about the Lemon test of establishment-clause jurisprudence. According to that test, legislation involving religion must have a secular purpose, must have a primary effect that neither advances nor inhibits religion, and must not result in excessive government entanglement with religion. In Lemon, the Supreme Court struck down, by an 81 vote, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island state laws that provided state salary supplements to teachers of secular subjects in private religious schools. It might seem that the Lemon test, which in the field of education was undermined by the school-voucher case of Zelman v. Simmons-Harris (2002), ought to control the Peace Cross case, but both sides emphasized a number of post-Lemon cases in their briefs. One of these cases is Lynch v. Donnelly (1984), in which the Court upheld the city of Pawtucket, Rhode Islands 60-year-old tradition of displaying a Christmas nativity scene. Chief Justice Burger, writing for the majority, held that the display was passive, had the legitimate secular purpose of recognizing a holiday that is a national tradition, and that the Constitution affirmatively mandates accommodation, not merely tolerance of all religions, and forbids hostility towards any. He said that the wall of separation between church and state only forbids an established church or anything approaching it. Three Republican-appointed justices Brennan, Blackmun, and Stevens joined Justice Marshal in dissent. Writing for the dissenters, Brennan said that the creche was coercive and established the sectarian preferences of the majority at the expense of the minority. In Van Orden v. Perry (2005), the Court upheld the constitutionality of a 40-year-old display of the Ten Commandments on the grounds of the Texas state capitol in Austin. Chief Justice Rehnquist, writing for the majority, held that the display was passive, a monument to the role of both religion and government in Texass history. Similarly to Lynch, three Republican-appointed justices Stevens, Souter, and OConnor joined Justice Ginsburg in dissent. Justice Stevens said that the contribution of religion to the social and political formation of Texas had not been demonstrated and, therefore, the display was an unconstitutional example of preferring religion to irreligion. McCreary v. ACLU (2005) was handed down on the same day as Van Orden v. Perry. The vote was again 54, but Justice Breyer, who had voted to uphold the Ten Commandments in Van Orden, switched sides and joined the majority in finding that a 1999 display of the Ten Commandments in the courthouse of a Kentucky town was unconstitutional. Maintaining that each case must be decided on its own facts and that a basic purpose of the establishment clause was to avoid divisiveness, Breyer concluded that the Kentucky display was divisive whereas the Texas display was not. The town had responded to the filing of the establishment-clause case by adding a display of historical, religious, and secular documents. The justices in the majority were Souter, Stevens, and OConnor, together with Justices Ginsburg and Breyer. The majority opinion written by Souter focused on the purpose of the display and concluded that, even with the additions, it had always been intended to advance religion. In his dissent, Justice Scalia said that because the Ten Commandments are recognized by Christians, Jews, and Muslims, they do not advance any one faith. In Town of Greece v. Galloway (2014), the governing board of the town of Greece, N.Y., had a policy of inviting individual members of the local churches on a non-discriminatory basis to open its monthly meetings with a prayer. In practice, reflecting the religious makeup of its citizenry, most of the prayer leaders were Christians. For the five-member majority, Justice Kennedy wrote that the prayers comport[ed] with our tradition and does not coerce participation by nonadherents. In a dissent for herself and Justices Ginsburg, Breyer, and Sotomayor, Justice Kagan wrote that the citizens of this country should not be required to confront government-sponsored worship that divides them along religious lines. Such practices carry the ever-present potential to both exclude and divide. In the present case, the American Legion defends the Peace Cross by asserting that the proper question is whether the government is engaging in coercion. Citing Van Orden and Town of Greece, the Legion argues that when a government uses religious imagery in a way consistent with the rich American tradition of religious acknowledgments . . . the display will be presumptively valid unless it is shown that the government was exploiting this tradition to coerce or convert nonadherents. Likewise, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission maintains that the purpose and objective meaning of the Peace Cross are secular and that it is in keeping with an undisputed tradition of displaying crosses as symbols of sacrifice and military valor. The commission goes on to point out that a ruling against the cross would threaten hundreds of other monuments, referring to similarly free-standing crosses on public lands, not individual grave markers. In addition to numerous legal and religious organizations, 29 states have filed a joint brief in support of the cross. In addition, 23 Republican U.S. senators, together with Democratic senator Joe Manchin and 85 current and former U.S. representatives, all Republican, have filed a joint brief on behalf of the cross. In opposition, the American Humanist Association argues that since the Cross is without question, a Christian symbol, it callously discriminates against patriotic soldiers who are not Christian. The association holds that history and tradition has never conferred an independent basis to uphold a practice under the Establishment Clause. It denies that coercion is the only issue. Coercion is certainly a clear example of an Establishment Clause violation, but no more so than sectarian favoritism. Under the Lemon test, the cross endorses Christianity over all other religions . . . and religion over non-religion. Several organizations have filed briefs in support of the American Humanist Associations position. Among them, the Anti-Defamation League, the Hindu American Foundation, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the ACLU, and eight Jewish organizations jointly argue that the towering Latin Cross here conveys a strong message of exclusion and secondary status to members of minority faiths and that it announces that the site of the Peace Cross is a Christian polity. Liberally including references to President Trump and stating that governmental efforts to institute anti-Muslim policies into law have become more common, Muslim Advocates filed its own brief against the cross. The Freedom from Religion Foundation and American Atheists, pointing out that today, between one-fourth and one-third of Americans identify as religiously unaffiliated, argue that using the cross to memorialize all fallen soldiers stigmatizes, marginalizes, and diminishes citizens who exercise their constitutional right not to follow or practice a religion. Other organizations representing minority religions disagree. The Islam & Religious Freedom Action Team of the Religious Freedom Institute claims that a ruling against a religious symbol of the majority religion would make it harder for any possible public and social recognition of minority religions which are by definition . . . either unfamiliar or disagreeable to the majority of the population. The Jewish Coalition for Religious Liberty argues that the Court should rule that the cross is a passive religious display that does not involve government coercion of religious belief or practice. And the National Jewish Commission on Law and Public Affairs and other Orthodox Jewish organizations point out that a distinction is clearly drawn in Jewish law and tradition between the cross as a religious object and its use for secular commemorations and awards. The Peace Crosss age should also be considered. The establishment clause, as conceived, written, and put into effect at the Founding, had the dual purpose of prohibiting the establishment of a national religion (Congress shall make no law) and protecting the already-established religions of ten of the thirteen states. The Peace Cross was erected in 1925 on county land without controversy under local, state, and federal law and custom. The Supreme Court did not incorporate the establishment clause until its 54 decision in Everson v. Board of Education in 1947, that is, 22 years later. Routine criminal and civil cases are litigated in court based on the law that existed at the time of the event or violation under consideration. Article I of the Constitution prohibits both state and federal ex post facto laws. If there were a constitutional or judicial version of the ex post facto principle, the Peace Cross would be grandfathered in. Is this the only country in the world where three privately offended persons could bring a case in the nations highest court demanding the destruction of a public religious monument that has apparently been tolerated for almost 100 years, even by those who agree with the religious views of the plaintiffs in the Peace Cross case? In the modern age of judicial activism, three people, backed up by ideology-driven organizations like the American Humanist Association and the ACLU can manufacture a case or controversy that disturbs the public peace. To have standing to create a case of controversy in federal (or state) courts, a plaintiff must allege harm or injury in fact. What is the harm suffered by the plaintiffs here? They can freely drive past the monument. They have never been prohibited from using the public land and park for personal or religious purposes. They have not alleged that they have ever been denied a request to have their own religious event or ritual at the park. Despite its large size, the cross is passive in the everyday meaning of the word. It is a pre-eminent religious symbol, indeed, but it is not actively evangelical, much less coercive. It has no effect on the free exercise, expressed publicly or privately, of the religious or spiritual beliefs of the plaintiffs. More from National Review Firearms and ammunition found after law enforcement agents executed a federal search warrant at Christopher Paul Hasson's residence. (Photo: U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland) House Democrats are calling upon the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security to address renewed concern over the incidence of white supremacy and other extremist affiliations among members of the military, following the recent arrest of a Coast Guard lieutenant who, according to federal prosecutors, was actively plotting deadly acts of domestic terrorism. In a letter sent to Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan and DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen on Monday, Maryland Reps. Elijah Cummings, Anthony Brown and Jamie Raskin, as well as California Rep. Jackie Speier, praised the swift action taken by federal agencies to arrest Christopher Hasson before he could carry out his alleged plans, but expressed concern that an individual that espouses these views could repeatedly serve in the military across multiple services. According to court records, Hassons military career began in the Marine Corps, where he served from 1998 to approximately 1993, followed by two years of active duty with the Army National Guard. Since 2016, the 49-year-old lieutenant had been working as an acquisitions officer at the Coast Guards headquarters in Washington, D.C. It was from his work computer that federal prosecutors say Hasson, a self-described white nationalist who was arrested earlier this month on weapons and drug charges, studied the manifesto of the far-right Norwegian terrorist Anders Breivik and other extremist killers, and wrote of his desire to kill almost every last person on the earth. This latest incident is another in a series that tarnishes the proud legacy of the United States Armed Forces, the Democratic lawmakers wrote in their letter, asking Nielsen and Shanahan to provide more information on the kinds of policies and procedures that their respective departments have in place to screen recruits for supremacist or extremist ties, and how Hasson and other military service members with ties to extremist movements were able to circumvent such checks. Story continues In a phone interview with Yahoo News Monday, Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, one of the signatories of the letter, compared the very disturbing pattern that has begun to emerge of racist and white supremacist activity taking place in the armed forces, to the issue of sexual assault and sexual harassment within the military: It just doesn't have any place there. Raskin said that he definitely took note of what happened in Charlottesville, referring to the 2017 white nationalist rally in Virginia where, as he and his colleagues noted in their letter Monday, at least a handful of attendees have since been identified as active duty service members or veterans with ties to extremist groups. However, Raskin said, the Hasson event was a huge wake-up call, given that he lived in my district, about 10 minutes from my house, and he was on the hunt for liberal democratic Jewish politicians, which definitely caught my attention. Hasson, who reportedly lives with his wife in Silver Spring, Md., had allegedly listed Sen blumen jew (presumably a derogatory reference to Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.) on a high-profile hit list that prosecutors say he had compiled of Democratic politicians and cable news commentators. A makeshift memorial and a photo of Heather Heyer, who was killed when a rightist ran her over in a car, was on display at the site of the attack in Charlottesville, Va., on Aug. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) Concerns over right-wing extremists in the military goes back decades. Timothy McVeigh, who killed 168 people in the 1995 bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building, was a veteran of the Gulf War. Wade Michael Page, who murdered six people at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin in 2012, served in the Army. Frazier Glenn Miller, a Vietnam veteran, killed three people while targeting a Jewish center in Kansas in 2014. And James Alex Fields, who murdered Heather Heyer at the 2017 Charlottesville rally, served briefly in the Army in 2015 but was released after failing to meet training standards. A 2017 poll of service members from the Military Times found a quarter of respondents said they had seen white nationalism in the ranks. The number was even higher among nonwhite troops, with 42 percent of minorities reporting that they had seen evidence of white nationalism. According to Elizabeth Yates and Patrick James, researchers at the University of Marylands Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism program, Hassons profile is not unusual for a far-right extremist. Their data suggests that far-right extremists are, on average, older (38 years) than far-left (30) or Islamist (29) extremists at the time that they are exposed, typically through arrest. Right-wing extremists are also more likely to have served, with 23 percent having military experience as against 10 percent of left-wing extremists and nine percent of Islamists in their database. James told Yahoo News that it is not just active duty members and veterans who are being radicalized but that white supremacists are joining the military in order to receive combat training. A Washington Post report last week found that immigrants face more scrutiny than white supremacists when enlisting. Extremist organizations actively seek out active and veteran members of the military, said James. A lot of these groups really value the types of experience, tactical training, leadership ability that you get in the military so often, now, these groups are actively encouraging people to go and join the military to get that experience and then bring those skills back to their extremist groups. Thats another thing we need to look out for in terms of these groups actively seeking those types of experience. In 1996, after the Oklahoma City bombing (which was partially inspired by the far-right group National Alliance) and the racially motivated murder of a black couple by Army paratroopers, the Pentagon launched an investigation into extremists in the armed services. A 2009 study from the Department of Homeland Security stated that extremist groups would be likely to target disgruntled veterans returning from deployment. The willingness of a small percentage of military personnel to join extremist groups during the 1990s because they were disgruntled, disillusioned, or suffering from the psychological effects of war is being replicated today, the report said. Firearms and ammunition were found after law enforcement agents executed a federal search warrant at Lt. Christopher Paul Hasson's residence. (Photo: U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland) Last year, a report by ProPublica and Frontline PBS found that the hate group Atomwaffen Division, which has been connected to at least five murders, had ties to active-duty service members and veterans. They flagged one Marine, Vasillios Pistolis, as a participant in the violence at the deadly Charlottesville rally. The investigation found that Pistolis, who left Atomwaffen for another neo-Nazi group over a dispute in late 2017, espoused white nationalist beliefs before joining the military. Following the report, Pistolis was found guilty at a summary court-martial and subsequently expelled from the Marines last year. The report also found that Army veteran Joshua Beckett had trained the Atomwaffens members in firearms and hand-to-hand combat. In the groups chats, Beckett wrote that he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and explained how his time in the service had influenced his views. The army itself woke me up to race and the war woke me up to the Jews, wrote Beckett. The Trump administration has been criticized for not acting to counter the rise of far-right extremism. Last November, former Homeland Security staffers stated that the White House was not doing enough to combat white supremacists at home, and that the administration has failed to renew millions in funding for anti-extremism groups, despite raising the overall Homeland Security budget. Complicating matters is that some of the groups are starting to train their members on how to avoid looking like a white supremacist. We have also seen from reporting and scholarship outside our database that in this recruiting, theyre also encouraging members if they do join to avoid signals that might tell a recruiter that theyre extremist, said Yates, of the University of Maryland, saying, Dont get tattoos, grow your hair long. And we just dont know to what extent thats being implemented. The origins of Hassons alleged white nationalist and extremist beliefs are still unknown. At a hearing last week, prosecutors indicated that they were likely to file terrorism-related charges against Hasson within the next 14 days. The Secretary has always denounced violent extremism in all of its forms and is committed to preventing individuals who espouse such views from joining the DHS workforce, the DHS press secretary, Tyler Q. Houlton, said in a statement to Yahoo News Monday evening. We are thankful our Coast Guard Investigative Service, along with our partners at the FBI, [we] were able to root out this threat. Hate and bigotry have no place at DHS or in our country. A statement provided on background from the U.S. Coast Guard echoed similar sentiments, noting that the Coast Guard's insider threat program works closely with the Coast Guard Investigative Service to identify and respond to suspicious activity, as occurred in this case. CGIS began investigating Lieutenant Hasson in the fall of 2018 after the Coast Guard Insider Threat Program first identified concerns about him, read the Coast Guards statement to Yahoo News. The FBI and CGIS arrested him once they were confident in the strength of the evidence supporting the criminal complaint and warrant. The Defense Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Raskin told Yahoo News that the group of members of Congress who signed the letter would probably give both department heads a week or so to respond to their request, but that they were open to exploring other avenues for addressing the issue, such as potential hearings or meetings with military leadership. Its something that we want to pursue very aggressively, said Raskin. We can't sweep this problem under the rug. We have to get on top of it now. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and receive a $20 prize! One of the best investments we can make is in our own knowledge and skill set. With that in mind, this article will work through how we can use Return On Equity (ROE) to better understand a business. By way of learning-by-doing, well look at ROE to gain a better understanding of WABCO India Limited (NSE:WABCOINDIA). WABCO India has a ROE of 18%, based on the last twelve months. One way to conceptualize this, is that for each 1 of shareholders equity it has, the company made 0.18 in profit. View our latest analysis for WABCO India How Do You Calculate Return On Equity? The formula for return on equity is: Return on Equity = Net Profit Shareholders Equity Or for WABCO India: 18% = 3072.843 17b (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2018.) Most readers would understand what net profit is, but its worth explaining the concept of shareholders equity. It is the capital paid in by shareholders, plus any retained earnings. The easiest way to calculate shareholders equity is to subtract the companys total liabilities from the total assets. What Does Return On Equity Mean? ROE looks at the amount a company earns relative to the money it has kept within the business. The return is the amount earned after tax over the last twelve months. That means that the higher the ROE, the more profitable the company is. So, all else being equal, a high ROE is better than a low one. Clearly, then, one can use ROE to compare different companies. Does WABCO India Have A Good Return On Equity? By comparing a companys ROE with its industry average, we can get a quick measure of how good it is. Importantly, this is far from a perfect measure, because companies differ significantly within the same industry classification. As you can see in the graphic below, WABCO India has a higher ROE than the average (14%) in the Auto Components industry. Story continues NSEI:WABCOINDIA Past Revenue and Net Income, February 24th 2019 Thats what I like to see. I usually take a closer look when a company has a better ROE than industry peers. For example, I often check if insiders have been buying shares . How Does Debt Impact ROE? Companies usually need to invest money to grow their profits. That cash can come from issuing shares, retained earnings, or debt. In the first and second cases, the ROE will reflect this use of cash for investment in the business. In the latter case, the debt used for growth will improve returns, but wont affect the total equity. Thus the use of debt can improve ROE, albeit along with extra risk in the case of stormy weather, metaphorically speaking. WABCO Indias Debt And Its 18% ROE WABCO India is free of net debt, which is a positive for shareholders. Its ROE suggests it is a decent business; and the fact it is not leveraging returns indicates it is well worth watching. After all, with cash on the balance sheet, a company has a lot more optionality in good times and bad. The Bottom Line On ROE Return on equity is one way we can compare the business quality of different companies. A company that can achieve a high return on equity without debt could be considered a high quality business. All else being equal, a higher ROE is better. But when a business is high quality, the market often bids it up to a price that reflects this. The rate at which profits are likely to grow, relative to the expectations of profit growth reflected in the current price, must be considered, too. So you might want to check this FREE visualization of analyst forecasts for the company. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. By Marc Frank and Nelson Acosta HAVANA (Reuters) - Cubans flocked to the polls on Sunday in a vote expected to approve a new constitution that institutes modest economic and social changes while maintaining the one-party socialist system. Under a bright sun and the watchful gaze of uniformed grammar school children guarding ballot boxes, 81 percent of the 8.7 million electorate had cast votes by 5 p.m., an hour before polls closed, according to the national electoral commission. Results are due to be announced on Monday. No incidents were reported at polling stations, though there were unconfirmed social media accounts of police blocking small groups of dissidents from protesting in eastern Cuba and Havana. Debate over the constitution has dominated the country's politics for months, even as it struggles with economic stagnation and as the deepening crisis in Venezuela brings its ally into the crosshairs of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. White House national security adviser John Bolton ripped the referendum on Twitter as "another ploy of the Cuban regime to cover up its repression and tyranny." Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said the vote was taking place as events in Venezuela showed the "imperialist threat" facing the region. "Today we are going to win ... It will also be an important victory for Venezuela," he said after waiting in line in Havana to cast his ballot. "I think the Americans in their arrogance have been wrong. People are waking up when they see these nefarious practices and realize what is behind this show," he said. Former President Raul Castro, who remains head of the Communist Party, kept an unusually low profile in apparent deference to his successor Diaz-Canel. State media screened footage of Castro casting his vote and chatting with school children at a polling station, but he made no comments to reporters. ONE-SIDED CAMPAIGN Cuban evangelicals were expected to vote against the proposed constitution because they fear it opens the way for gay marriage while the Roman Catholic Church has also voiced criticism. A campaign to reject the constitution because it entrenches Communism was launched on social media by dissidents and exiles. "This 24th the Cuban people's rejection of the system imposed by the Communist party will be felt," Rosa Maria Paya, leader of the Cuba Decide organization of government opponents inside and outside Cuba, wrote on Twitter. The government orchestrated a grassroots debate on a draft of the new constitution last year, but since it approved a final version for Sunday's vote, it has used its monopoly of traditional media and public spaces to press for approval and censor other points of view. Foreign and local observers said they expect between 70 percent and 80 percent of voters to ratify the new constitution. They expect more no votes and abstentions than in 1976, when the current version of the constitution was approved by 97.8 percent of the electorate. "Cubans had the opportunity to debate the constitution in their neighborhoods and workplaces," Lazaro Rodriguez, 58, said as he shopped in a Havana produce market. "It updates our economic system, which is not very good, but we are trying to modernize and that is very positive," he said, adding that he would vote yes. The proposed changes reflect the gradual opening of Cuba since the fall of its former benefactor, the Soviet Union. There are references to markets and recognition of private property, foreign investment, small businesses, gender identity, the internet, the right to legal representation upon arrest and habeas corpus. The new constitution would also restructure government, adding a prime minister and setting term limits for the president, among other changes. (Reporting by Marc Frank; Additional reporting by Nelson Acosta; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Daniel Wallis) Investors looking for stocks in the Solar sector might want to consider either Canadian Solar (CSIQ) or Sunrun (RUN). But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now? We'll need to take a closer look. There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The Zacks Rank is a proven strategy that targets companies with positive earnings estimate revision trends, while our Style Scores work to grade companies based on specific traits. Canadian Solar has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy), while Sunrun has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now. Investors should feel comfortable knowing that CSIQ likely has seen a stronger improvement to its earnings outlook than RUN has recently. But this is just one factor that value investors are interested in. Value investors also tend to look at a number of traditional, tried-and-true figures to help them find stocks that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels. Our Value category highlights undervalued companies by looking at a variety of key metrics, including the popular P/E ratio, as well as the P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a variety of other fundamentals that have been used by value investors for years. CSIQ currently has a forward P/E ratio of 9.91, while RUN has a forward P/E of 15.82. We also note that CSIQ has a PEG ratio of 0.31. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. RUN currently has a PEG ratio of 0.91. Another notable valuation metric for CSIQ is its P/B ratio of 1.17. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. By comparison, RUN has a P/B of 1.37. Story continues Based on these metrics and many more, CSIQ holds a Value grade of A, while RUN has a Value grade of C. CSIQ sticks out from RUN in both our Zacks Rank and Style Scores models, so value investors will likely feel that CSIQ is the better option right now. 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 Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ) : Free Stock Analysis Report Sunrun Inc. (RUN) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research San Francisco (AFP) - The controversial Roundup weed killer goes on trial again Monday in the United States, six months after a groundskeeper won the first-ever lawsuit accusing the chemical of causing cancer. Roundup, a brand owned by German chemical and pharmaceutical giant Bayer after its purchase of US-based Monsanto last year, contains glyphosate that environmentalists and other critics have long maintained leads to cancer. Glyphosate is used in weed killers made by several companies, and is currently the most used herbicide around the world. Jurors in August unanimously found that Monsanto acted with "malice" and that its weed killers Roundup and Ranger Pro contributed "substantially" to Dewayne "Lee" Johnson's terminal illness. Now another Californian, Edwin Hardeman, accuses Roundup of contributing to his cancer, which is of the same type as Johnson's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Hardeman, of Sonoma County -- north of San Francisco -- says he used Roundup extensively to treat his property from the 1980s until 2012, according to his lawyers. He filed a complaint against Monsanto in early 2016, a year after being diagnosed with cancer. According to the complaint, the company "knew or had reason to know that Roundup was defective and unsafe" and that exposure to the product "could result in cancer and other severe illnesses and injuries." Information that Monsanto provided or communicated "failed to contain adequate warnings and precautions that would have enabled Mr Hardeman, and similarly situated individuals, to utilize the product safely and with adequate protection," Hardeman's lawyers added. Instead, the company "disseminated information that was inaccurate, false, and misleading," they alleged. Monsanto, which has sold Roundup worldwide for more than 40 years, is holding firm to its line of defense. The products are not dangerous if the conditions of use are followed, as proven by hundreds of scientific studies, it says. Story continues Like the Johnson trial, the new case will take place in San Francisco but it will be the first heard in a federal court, where some legal technicalities differ from the state level where Johnson won his case. Hardeman's is the leading case in a multi-district litigation of hundreds of similar cases which are legally linked, but will be heard separately. Although not a class action lawsuit, the outcome of the Hardeman case will provide a signal for the other jurisdictions. The Johnson precedent will also hang over the new trial which should last four or five weeks. Johnson was diagnosed in 2014 with NHL, a cancer that affects white blood cells. He said he repeatedly used Ranger Pro while working at a school in Benicia, California. - $78 million in damages - Jurors in his case last August ordered Monsanto to pay $250 million in punitive damages along with compensatory damages and other costs, bringing the total award to nearly $290 million. Judge Suzanne Bolanos, who presided over the case in California State Court, later denied Monsanto's request for a new trial -- but cut the damages to $78 million to comply with a law regarding how such awards must be calculated. The ruling sent Bayer shares tumbling on fears that a wave of costly litigation could be about to break on the firm. In November, Bayer said it would slash 12,000 jobs in a restructuring after the takeover of Monsanto, which asked a US appeals court to toss out the Johnson verdict. At Bayer's request, the Hardeman trial will be conducted in two stages. The first phase will seek to determine whether Roundup is responsible for the complainant's cancer. If the jury concludes that it is, the next step will be to decide whether or not Monsanto has a liability and, if so, what compensation should be paid. For the judge, the two-stage process aims to help the jury decide the possible liability of glyphosate without being influenced by the reputation of Monsanto, which has a controversial image all over the world, accused of having manipulated studies. Praised by farmers for its effectiveness and low cost, glyphosate is under particular scrutiny in Europe and especially in France, where authorities in January banned a form of the herbicide, Roundup Pro 360. But the chemical has been subject to contradictory decisions around the world. The European Union renewed its authorization of glyphosate for five years in November 2017, but President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to outlaw its use in France by 2021. A 2015 study by a World Health Organization agency concluded that glyphosate was "probably carcinogenic." Environmental groups including Greenpeace have called for an outright ban in Europe for glyphosate but Monsanto insisted the herbicide meets EU licensing standards. If you have been looking for Sector - Tech funds, it would not be wise to start your search with Columbia Global Technology Growth A (CTCAX). CTCAX has a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank of 4 (Sell), which is based on nine forecasting factors like size, cost, and past performance. Objective We note that CTCAX is a Sector - Tech option, and this area is loaded with many options. Found in a wide number of industries such as semiconductors, software, internet, and networking, tech companies are everywhere. Thus, Sector - Tech mutual funds that invest in technology let investors own a stake in a notoriously volatile sector, but with a much more diversifies approach. History of Fund/Manager Columbia is based in Boston, MA, and is the manager of CTCAX. Columbia Global Technology Growth A made its debut in November of 2002, and since then, CTCAX has accumulated about $303.66 million in assets, per the most up-to-date date available. The fund is currently managed by Rahul Narang who has been in charge of the fund since July of 2012. Performance Obviously, what investors are looking for in these funds is strong performance relative to their peers. This fund in particular has delivered a 5-year annualized total return of 17.58%, and is in the top 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 23.23%, which places it in the top 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 CTCAX over the past three years is 15.24% compared to the category average of 10.54%. Over the past 5 years, the standard deviation of the fund is 15.01% compared to the category average of 10.4%. This makes the fund more volatile than its peers over the past half-decade. Risk Factors Story continues Investors cannot discount the risks to this segment though, as it is always important to remember the downside for any potential investment. In CTCAX's case, the fund lost 56.92% in the most recent bear market and underperformed comparable funds by 3.61%. This makes the fund a possibly worse choice than its peers during a sliding market environment. Nevertheless, with a 5-year beta of 1.14, the fund 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 positive alpha of 5.07, managers in this portfolio are skilled in picking securities that generate better-than-benchmark returns. Holdings Exploring 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 mostly on equities that are traded in the United States. Right now, 97.19% of this mutual fund's holdings are stocks, with an average market capitalization of $314.43 billion. This fund's turnover is about 28%, so the fund managers are making fewer trades than the average comparable fund. Expenses As competition heats up in the mutual fund market, costs become increasingly important. Compared to its otherwise identical counterpart, a low-cost product will be an outperformer, all other things being equal. Thus, taking a closer look at cost-related metrics is vital for investors. In terms of fees, CTCAX is a load fund. It has an expense ratio of 1.25% compared to the category average of 1.31%. So, CTCAX is actually cheaper than its peers from a cost perspective. This fund requires a minimum initial investment of $2,000, while there is no minimum for each subsequent investment. Bottom Line Overall, Columbia Global Technology Growth A ( CTCAX ) has a low Zacks Mutual Fund rank, strong performance, average downside risk, and lower fees compared to its peers. For additional information on this product, or to compare it to other mutual funds in the Sector - Tech, make sure to go to www.zacks.com/funds/mutual-funds for additional information. If you want to check out our stock reports as well, make sure to go to Zacks.com to see all of the great tools we have to offer, including our time-tested Zacks Rank. 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 Get Your Free (CTCAX): Fund Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Moody's Investors Service, a rating arm of Moody's Corporation MCO, has upgraded the long-term ratings of Citigroup C and its subsidiaries, including the principal bank subsidiary, Citigroup, N.A., as a result of the review commenced on Nov 29, 2018. Further, the rating agency affirmed all short-term ratings. Also, the ratings outlook is stable. Rating for Citigroups senior debt has been raised to A3 from Baa1. Also, its subsidiarys deposits have been upgraded to Aa3 from A1 and the baseline credit assessment (BCA) of its bank subsidiary to baa1 from baa2. What Supports the Upgrade? The ratings agency feels that Citigroups efforts to simplify its operations and reduce global consumer footprint along with attempts to enhance safety and soundness called for BCA rating upgrade. Moreover, the companys strong economies of scale in global cards and institutional businesses is a key positive. Also, Moody's expects Citigroup to keep generating steady earnings that can be used toward investment in technology. Moodys finds Citigroups strategy of targeting affluent and emerging affluent consumers in different countries impressive. Alongside, the firm has refocused credit card lending business to a relatively lower risk appetite compared to the pre-crisis period along with adoption of digital platforms to serve customers, which gives it an edge over its peers. Citigroup is considered a leader in transaction and securities services since its institutional strategy centers deliver services through a vast global network of 98 countries and the world's major trade corridors. Combining these operating services with Citigroup's extensive market making capabilities leads to a robust stream of transaction and related trading revenues from global corporates, as well as a growing stock of core institutional LCR-friendly deposits. Per the ratings agency, Citigroup has significantly improved its risk management capabilities, risk appetite and corporate governance since the financial crisis. Therefore, Moody's finds it less likely that Citigroup will materially increase market, credit or operational risks or deviate from its client driven strategy. This strategy (when combined with capital returns) has the potential to further strengthen returns for the companys shareholders. Story continues What Could Lead to Ratings Change? BCA rating can be upgraded further if Citigroup is able to deepen relationships with existing retail customers and increase market share, while maintaining current risk level, resulting in a stronger and more diversified consumer banking franchise in the United States. On the flip side, Citigroup's ratings may be downgraded if it experiences a significant deterioration in its capital or liquidity levels. Also, if a marked increase in its risk appetite, or weakness in operations control is witnessed, the ratings agency might consider this to be a negative factor. Shares of Citigroup have lost 8.5% in the past six months. Currently, Citigroup carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Stocks to Consider M&T Bank Corporation MTB has witnessed nearly 3.6% upward estimate revisions for the current year over the past 60 days. Moreover, this Zacks #2 Ranked (Buy) stock has rallied more than 2% in the past three months. First Business Financial Services FBIZ has witnessed slight upward estimate revisions for the current year over the past 30 days. Further, the companys shares have gained more than 6% over the past three months. At present, it holds a Zacks Rank of 2. This Could Be the Fastest Way to Grow Wealth in 2019 Research indicates one sector is poised to deliver a crop of the best-performing stocks you'll find anywhere in the market. Breaking news in this space frequently creates quick double- and triple-digit profit opportunities. These companies are changing the world and owning their stocks could transform your portfolio in 2019 and beyond. Recent trades from this sector have generated +98%, +119% and +164% gains in as little as 1 month. Click here to see these breakthrough stocks now >> 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 Citigroup Inc. (C) : Free Stock Analysis Report M&T Bank Corporation (MTB) : Free Stock Analysis Report Moody's Corporation (MCO) : Free Stock Analysis Report First Business Financial Services, Inc. (FBIZ) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Long-winded route to the airport parking lot was opened in haste to 'show progress', officials say In 2015, a government fact-finding committee exposed the dire state of the Tribhuvan International Airport, rampant with a host of problems: rude staff, long queues, unhygienic restrooms, and chaos before entering the baggage terminal. Beijing (AFP) - Chinese censors raced to scrub online discussions about North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's whereabouts Monday as his armoured train trundled southward to Vietnam for his summit with US President Donald Trump. The secretive itinerary fuelled speculation on Twitter-like Weibo, as people posted about delayed trains, traffic congestion and road closures in Chinese cities through which Kim's iconic olive green train is expected to pass. Some seemed genuinely confused by the sudden shutdown of roads, while others referenced Kim's epic train ride through China -- many choosing to use nicknames for the North Korean leader, such as "Boss Kim" or "Little brother Kim", potentially to avoid censorship. The train, which has a top speed of 60 kilometres (38 miles) per hour, set off from Pyongyang on Saturday for a 4,000-kilometre (2,500-mile) journey that is expected to total 60 hours -- the great majority of it across China. "Those watching Leader Kim's Changsha road situation, has he made it to Changsha yet?" wrote one user, referring to the capital city of central Hunan province. "Changsha friends, are you ready?" "This train is so slow," commented another. "Yesterday it arrived in Zhengzhou -- it's only now made it to Wuhan." Already, censors have started to erase or limit the visibility of Weibo posts on road closures, as Kim's train route remains swathed in secrecy. Some posts hashtagged "Zhengzhou road closures", for instance, have been blocked by the social media site, according to FreeWeibo, which tracks censored and deleted Weibo posts. Other hashtags, such as "Changsha road closures", are not searchable, despite their use in Weibo posts. The sighting of Kim's armoured train, which has tinted black windows and a yellow stripe, has set off a flurry of train spotting. According to South Korea's Yonhap news agency, the train passed through the northern coast city of Tianjin on Sunday -- an indication that Kim bypassed Beijing, a destination he could visit on his way back home to debrief President Xi Jinping about the summit. Story continues A video posted via Chinese-language news portal Ifeng's Weibo account showed Kim's train passing through Wuhan in central Hubei province early on Monday. AFP could not verify the contents of the video. Meanwhile, railway stops south of Wuhan have started to show signs of tightening security. The train station on the Vietnam-China border where Kim is expected to arrive by rail was closed to the public and surrounded by armed guards on Monday, as the Southeast Asian country prepares for the North Korean leader's second summit on denuclearisation with Trump. But for people in Chinese, the most disruptive part of Kim's long journey south is delayed commutes, as local police clear roads ahead of the North Korean leader's arrival by train. "My heart aches for my Wuhan friends," wrote one user. "There was (traffic) control when Kim came during the morning rush hour -- that's truly miserable." Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and receive a $20 prize! This article is for investors who would like to improve their understanding of price to earnings ratios (P/E ratios). Well show how you can use China Saite Group Company Limiteds (HKG:153) P/E ratio to inform your assessment of the investment opportunity. China Saite Group has a P/E ratio of 3.43, based on the last twelve months. That is equivalent to an earnings yield of about 29%. Check out our latest analysis for China Saite Group 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 Saite Group: P/E of 3.43 = CN0.35 (Note: this is the share price in the reporting currency, namely, CNY ) CN0.10 (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2018.) Is A High Price-to-Earnings Ratio Good? A higher P/E ratio means that buyers have to pay a higher price for each HK$1 the company has earned over the last year. 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 When earnings fall, the E decreases, over time. Therefore, even if you pay a low multiple of earnings now, that multiple will become higher in the future. Then, a higher P/E might scare off shareholders, pushing the share price down. China Saite Group saw earnings per share decrease by 19% last year. And EPS is down 15% a year, over the last 5 years. This might lead to muted expectations. How Does China Saite Groups P/E Ratio Compare To Its Peers? The P/E ratio indicates whether the market has higher or lower expectations of a company. The image below shows that China Saite Group has a lower P/E than the average (11.7) P/E for companies in the construction industry. SEHK:153 Price Estimation Relative to Market, February 25th 2019 Its relatively low P/E ratio indicates that China Saite Group 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. You should delve deeper. I like to check if company insiders have been buying or selling. Story continues A Limitation: P/E Ratios Ignore Debt and Cash In The Bank The Price in P/E reflects the market capitalization of the company. Thus, the metric does not reflect cash or debt held by the company. Hypothetically, a company could reduce its future P/E ratio by spending its cash (or taking on debt) to achieve higher earnings. Such spending might be good or bad, overall, but the key point here is that you need to look at debt to understand the P/E ratio in context. Is Debt Impacting China Saite Groups P/E? China Saite Group has net cash of CN345m. That should lead to a higher P/E than if it did have debt, because its strong balance sheets gives it more options. The Bottom Line On China Saite Groups P/E Ratio China Saite Groups P/E is 3.4 which is below average (10.9) in the HK market. The recent drop in earnings per share would make investors cautious, the relatively strong balance sheet will allow the company time to invest in growth. If it achieves that, then theres real potential that the low P/E could eventually indicate undervaluation. Investors should be looking to buy stocks that the market is wrong about. If it is underestimating a company, investors can make money by buying and holding the shares until the market corrects itself. We dont have analyst forecasts, but you might want to assess this data-rich visualization of earnings, revenue and cash flow. You might be able to find a better buy than China Saite Group. If you want a selection of possible winners, check out this free list of interesting companies that trade on a P/E below 20 (but have proven they can grow earnings). We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and receive a $20 prize! Weve lost count of how many times insiders have accumulated shares in a company that goes on to improve markedly. On the other hand, wed be remiss not to mention that insider sales have been known to precede tough periods for a business. So well take a look at whether insiders have been buying or selling shares in China ITS (Holdings) Co., Ltd. (HKG:1900). What Is Insider Selling? It is perfectly legal for company insiders, including board members, to buy and sell stock in a company. However, such insiders must disclose their trading activities, and not trade on inside information. Insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing. But logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares. For example, a Columbia University study found that insiders are more likely to engage in open market purchases of their own companys stock when the firm is about to reveal new agreements with customers and suppliers. See our latest analysis for China ITS (Holdings) The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At China ITS (Holdings) Executive Chairman Jie Liao made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for HK$810k worth of shares at a price of HK$0.27 each. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at above the current price. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the companys future. Its not at all bad to see insiders buy shares at or above current prices. Over the last year, we can see that insiders have bought 15.85m shares worth HK$4.0m. Overall, China ITS (Holdings) insiders were net buyers last year. The average buy price was around HK$0.25. These transactions suggest that insiders have considered the current price of HK$0.20 attractive. 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! Story continues SEHK:1900 Recent Insider Trading, February 25th 2019 China ITS (Holdings) is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying. Insiders at China ITS (Holdings) Have Bought Stock Recently We saw some China ITS (Holdings) insider buying shares in the last three months. Jie Liao shelled out CN273k for shares in that time. Its great to see that insiders are only buying, not selling. But in this case the amount purchased means the recent transaction may not be very meaningful on its own. Insider Ownership For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. I reckon its a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Our data indicates that China ITS (Holdings) insiders own about HK$24m worth of shares (which is 7.2% of the company). But they may have an indirect interest through a corporate structure that we havent picked up on. Whilst better than nothing, were not overly impressed by these holdings. What Might The Insider Transactions At China ITS (Holdings) Tell Us? Its certainly positive to see the recent insider purchase. And an analysis of the transactions over the last year also gives us confidence. However, we note that the company didnt make a profit over the last twelve months, which makes us cautious. Insiders likely see value in China ITS (Holdings) shares, given these transactions (along with notable insider ownership of the company). Along with insider transactions, I recommend checking if China ITS (Holdings) is growing revenue. This free chart of historic revenue and earnings should make that easy. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. By Ben Blanchard BEIJING (Reuters) - A slowing economy is unlikely to crimp China's 2019 defense budget rise, as Beijing earmarks more spending for modernization and big-ticket items like stealth jets, and focuses on Taiwan after a stern new year's speech from President Xi Jinping. The defense spending figure is closely watched worldwide for clues to China's strategic intentions as it develops new military capabilities, including aircraft carriers and anti-satellite missiles. In 2018, China unveiled its largest defense spending increase in three years, setting an 8.1 percent growth target for the year, fuelling an ambitious military upgrade program and making its neighbors nervous. The 2019 number should be revealed at the March 5 opening of the annual session of the country's largely rubber-stamp parliament, though in 2017 it was initially not announced, prompting renewed concerns about transparency. China plans to set a lower economic growth target of 6-6.5 percent in 2019 compared with last year's target of around 6.5 percent, policy sources have told Reuters. The government will also announced the economic growth target on March 5. But the defense budget increase could well surpass that. Influential state-run tabloid the Global Times, which takes a strongly nationalistic line, this month cited an unnamed military expert as saying "a stable 8-9 percent increase from 2018 would be a reasonable prediction". China still has a long way to go to catch Western forces, as the number of advanced weapons now in its arsenal, like the J-20 stealth fighter, remain limited, the paper said. Xie Yue, a professor of political science at Tongji University in Shanghai and a security expert, said with a weakening economy there would naturally be an expectation for a slower increase in military spending. "It should go down, as the defense budget is connected to economic growth, but certainly factors will probably mean it will still go up, like the South China Sea and Taiwan issues." Xi's January speech threatening to attack Taiwan should it not accept Chinese rule has shot the issue back up the agenda for the country's military thinkers, especially as the island gears up for presidential elections next year. "The Taiwan question can't keep being put of, passed down through the generations," retired Chinese Major-General Luo Yuan, one of the country's most prominent and widely read military commentators, wrote on his blog last month. "Our generation must complete our historic mission." One source with ties to China's military said the armed forces were itching for a fight over self-ruled Taiwan, claimed by China as its sacred territory, especially after Xi's speech. "Every day, they're like 'fight, fight, fight,'" said the source, who meets regularly with senior officers. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has repeatedly warned of the threat from China, and vowed to defend the island and its democratic way of life. The United States has said it is closely watching Chinese intentions toward Taiwan. "Even with just a broom, I would fight against China," Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang told parliament last week. "You would pay a price if you want to annex Taiwan." 'CHINA GETTING STRONG' In 2018, China unveiled its largest defense spending increase in three years, setting an 8.1 percent growth target for the year. China's Defence Ministry did not respond to a request for comment on this year's military budget. China routinely says spending is for defensive purposes only, comparatively small and that critics just want to keep the country down. "What people are scared of is China getting strong," said Xu Guangyu, a senior consultant at the China Arm Control and Disarmament Association and another former senior Chinese officer, dismissing concerns about defense spending. U.S. President Donald Trump has backed plans to request $750 billion from Congress for defense spending in 2019. That compares with the 1.11 trillion yuan ($165.40 billion) China set for its military budget in 2018. China provides no breakdown of its defense budget, leading neighbors and other military powers to complain that Beijing's lack of transparency has added to regional tension. China says it is fully transparent and no threat. Diplomats and many foreign experts say China's defense numbers probably underestimate true military spending for the People's Liberation Army, the world's largest armed forces, which also runs the country's space program. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by Gao Liangping, and Yimou Lee in TAIPEI; Editing by Michael Perry) Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and receive a $20 prize! A large part of investment returns can be generated by dividend-paying stock given their role in compounding returns over time. Historically, China Aerospace International Holdings Limited (HKG:31) has paid dividends to shareholders, and these days it yields 4.9%. Lets dig deeper into whether China Aerospace International Holdings should have a place in your portfolio. View our latest analysis for China Aerospace International Holdings How I analyze a dividend stock When assessing a stock as a potential addition to my dividend Portfolio, I look at these five areas: Is it the top 25% annual dividend yield payer? Has it consistently paid a stable dividend without missing a payment or drastically cutting payout? Has dividend per share amount increased over the past? Is its earnings sufficient to payout dividend at the current rate? Based on future earnings growth, will it be able to continue to payout dividend at the current rate? SEHK:31 Historical Dividend Yield, February 25th 2019 Does China Aerospace International Holdings pass our checks? The company currently pays out 21% of its earnings as a dividend, according to its trailing twelve-month data, meaning the dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Furthermore, analysts have not forecasted a dividends per share for the future, which makes it hard to determine the yield shareholders should expect, and whether the current payout is sustainable, moving forward. When assessing the forecast sustainability of a dividend it is also worth considering the cash flow of the business. A company with strong cash flow, relative to earnings, can sometimes sustain a high pay out ratio. If theres one type of stock you want to be reliable, its dividend stocks and their stable income-generating ability. The reality is that it is too early to consider China Aerospace International Holdings as a dividend investment. It has only been consistently paying dividends for 9 years, however, standard practice for reliable payers is to look for a 10-year minimum track record. Story continues Compared to its peers, China Aerospace International Holdings generates a yield of 4.9%, which is high for Electronic stocks but still below the markets top dividend payers. Next Steps: Now you know to keep in mind the reason why investors should be careful investing in China Aerospace International Holdings for the dividend. But if you are not exclusively a dividend investor, the stock could still be an interesting investment opportunity. Given that this is purely a dividend analysis, you should always research extensively before deciding whether or not a stock is an appropriate investment for you. I always recommend analysing the companys fundamentals and underlying business before making an investment decision. Ive put together three key aspects you should further research: Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for 31s future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for 31s outlook. Historical Performance: What has 31s returns been like over the past? Go into more detail in the past track record analysis and take a look at the free visual representations of our analysis for more clarity. Dividend Rockstars: Are there better dividend payers with stronger fundamentals out there? Check out our free list of these great stocks here. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. Montreal (AFP) - A Canadian citizen has been arrested in Egypt, his family has told public news network CBC, asking that Ottawa secure his release. Yasser Ahmed Albaz, a 51-year-old engineer who was in Egypt on business, was stopped and questioned as he was about to board a plane back to Canada last Monday, according to CBC. His passport was confiscated and an agent told him he was the subject of an investigation, the family said, according to the report. Albaz was able to text a friend to let him know he had been arrested by the Egyptian security services, but he has not been heard from since, according to the report. The Canadian foreign ministry is aware that a Canadian citizen has been arrested in Egypt, spokesman Richard Walker said in an email to AFP. He said consular services have been provided and officials were in contact with the local authorities to obtain more information, adding that privacy laws prevented him saying more. A daughter of Albaz, Amal, told CBC she feared for her father's safety and asked Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland to intervene. Originally from Egypt, the Albaz family has lived in Canada for two decades, according to the CBC. Putnam Investments managed assets worth more than $169 billion as of October 2018, of which $79 billion is allocated to more than 100 mutual funds, including equity and fixed income funds. The company operates in North America, Europe and Asia through offices in Boston, London, Sydney, Frankfurt, Singapore and Tokyo. After the introduction of its fund in 1937, Putnam Investments gradually evolved as one of the most-renowned global financial investment companies. It provides a wide range of financial services, including 60 institutional strategies. At present, the Boston-based company has more than 180 investment professionals. Below we share with you four top-ranked Putnam mutual funds. Each has earned a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and is expected to outperform its peers in the future. Investors can click here to see the complete list of Putnam Investment funds. Putnam Dynamic Asset Allocation Conservative A PACAX aims for total returns consistent with capital preservation. PACAX mostly invests in fixed-income investments that include scrutinized debt instruments, corporate debts, U.S. and foreign government debts. The fund invests in both U.S. and non-U.S. companies. Putnam Dynamic Asset Allocation Conservative A has three and five-year annualized returns of 4.8% and 4.2% respectively. PACAX has an expense ratio of 0.99% as compared with the category average of 1.38%. Putnam Sustainable Leaders Y PNOYX seeks long-term capital growth by investing in common stocks of U.S. companies. When investing, the fund focuses on those companies that display a commitment toward sustainable business practices. The fund has three and five-year annualized returns of 17.3% and 11.6% respectively. As of December 2018, PNOYX held 91 issues, with 6.2% of its assets invested in Microsoft Corp. George Putnam Balanced R5 PGELX aims to offer a balanced investment that comprises of a diversified portfolio of bonds and stocks which provide both current income and capital appreciation. The fund mostly invests in a combination of common stocks of large American companies and bonds. PGELX has three and five-year annualized returns of 10% and 7.4%, respectively. Story continues Aaron M. Cooper is one of the fund managers of PGELX since 2014. Putnam Sustainable Future Y PMVYX seeks capital growth by mostly investing in common stocks of U.S. companies. The fund specifically focuses on companies whose products and services offer solutions that contribute toward environmental, social and economic development. PMVYX has three and five-year annualized returns of 10.8% and 7% respectively. PMVYX has an expense ratio of 0.82% as compared with the category average of 1.09%. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all Putnam Investment mutual funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of Putnam Investment funds. Want key mutual fund info delivered straight to your inbox? Zacks free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing mutual funds, 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 Get Your Free (PNOYX): Fund Analysis Report Get Your Free (PACAX): Fund Analysis Report Get Your Free (PGELX): Fund Analysis Report Get Your Free (PMVYX): Fund Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Capital spending is likely in for a prolonged slump, both because of the current global recession, and because the efforts to contain the coronavirus will take time. Spending is not expected to pick up again until progress is made against the virus, because much of it is tied to business expansion plans, which are now largely on hold. Also, trade volumes are likely to drop because of declining demand for many goods. Expect business spending to fall between 10% and 20% this year. Another drag on business spending is that it looks to be late in the year before Boeing will be able to get its grounded 737 Max aircraft certified as safe to return to service. Even when approval is given, the Federal Aviation Administration is requiring that each Max aircraft go through its own inspection process rather than Boeing's. That is likely to delay the full return of the fleet. Southwest Airlines has taken 737 Max's out of its schedule through October 30. Sources: EDITOR'S PICKS Copyright 2017-2020 The Kiplinger Washington Editors Abuja (AFP) - Nigeria's main opposition on Monday accused the ruling party of trying to rig presidential elections as the incumbent cemented a lead, but monitors voiced concern about polling day problems and violence that caused dozens of deaths. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of President Muhammadu Buhari of colluding with the electoral commission in an attempt to "manipulate the results". PDP chairman Uche Secondus told reporters the APC was using security agencies and ministers to put pressure on the authorities. "It's as if we are in the military era," he added. The accusation, rejected by the APC as a "childish" attempt to discredit the commission and the process, came as Buhari -- a former military ruler -- took an early lead when first results were announced. With 12 states declared and counting adjourned until 0900 GMT Tuesday, Buhari was ahead by seven states to five, with 2,976,721 votes to 2,690,616 for former vice-president Atiku Abubakar, of the PDP. To win, a candidate needs a majority of votes and at least 25 percent of support in two-thirds of Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja. A total of 72.7 million people were eligible to vote in the presidential poll as well as parliamentary elections held at the same time. The election -- the sixth in the 20 years since Nigeria returned to democracy after decades of military rule -- took place on Saturday, a week after a last-gasp postponement. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) blamed logistical difficulties, which were not entirely ironed out by the weekend, forcing voting to go into a second day. - 'Serious shortcomings' - The European Union said there were "serious operational shortcomings", which saw polling units open late, leaving voters waiting for hours with no idea when voting would start. The Situation Room umbrella group of over 70 civil society organisations observing the vote called for an inquiry into what it said was INEC's "poor management" of the process. Story continues It highlighted lapses in logistics, technology and security and said INEC had "not managed the election efficiently and significant shortcomings have been recorded". "The election has been a step back from the 2015 General Election and actions should be taken to identify what has gone wrong and what can be corrected," it added. The head of the African Union observer mission, Ethiopia's former prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn, also said they were concerned "by the pattern of consistent postponement". The last two elections suffered similar delays and Hailemariam said the latest postponement had "implications for citizens' participation and turnout". "Last-minute election postponements should not become the norm in Nigeria," added the National Democratic Institute and International Republican Institute. Monitors Yiaga Africa said early indications put voter turnout at 36-40 percent. In the southeast state of Abia, where pro-Biafran separatist leaders had urged supporters to boycott the vote, turnout was just 18 percent. - Security gaps - The election took place against a backdrop of fears about security across the country, as well as claims from both parties that the other was looking to rig the result. Neither produced evidence but INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu on Sunday said there were reports of ballot-snatching, vote-buying and violence. One election volunteer was killed by a stray bullet in the southern state of Rivers, where some INEC staff and even police were held hostage before being released unharmed. Other election staff were attacked in the southern state of Akwa Ibom and Kogi in the north central region. The Situation Room, which had some 8,000 monitors on the ground, said "at least 39 Nigerians" were killed in election-related violence in 11 states on Saturday and Sunday. Worst-affected was the oil-rich southern state of Rivers, where 16 people were killed. Previously, analysts SBM Intelligence said 233 people were killed in 67 incidents of election-related violence from last October to Friday -- an average of two people per day. The Situation Room said just over a quarter of the nearly 120,000 polling units were under-policed, and said there were "shortfalls and gaps" in security elsewhere. At least six states saw disruption in polling. In the Okoto area of the country's biggest city, Lagos, voters were chased away. Ballot boxes were destroyed in Okoto as well as in Osun state, where voting papers were also affected. There were also reports of some "partisan" security officials as well as "compromised" INEC staff and incidents involving the military, including blocking some voters. Police said 128 people had been arrested for electoral offences. By Jonathan Stempel and Jennifer Ablan (Reuters) - Warren Buffett said on Monday his Berkshire Hathaway Inc overpaid in the 2015 merger that created Kraft Heinz Co, but he had no plans to flee the struggling packaged foods company. Buffett spoke four days after Kraft Heinz took a $15.4 billion writedown for its Kraft and Oscar Mayer brands and other assets, slashed its dividend, and said the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission was probing its accounting. Kraft Heinz's share price sank 27.5 percent on Friday, wiping out more than $16 billion of market value, and causing Berkshire to lose $4.3 billion on its stake. Berkshire owns 26.7 percent of Kraft Heinz. "I was wrong in a couple of ways on Kraft Heinz," Buffett said on CNBC television. "We overpaid for Kraft." Buffett did not say by how much Berkshire overpaid, but said the market reacted "probably quite properly" to the news. He also said he has "absolutely no intention" of adding to or subtracting from Berkshire's stake in Kraft Heinz, saying the company had "very, very strong" brands and that he would be happy to own it a decade from now. The comments were a rare admission of error by the 88-year-old billionaire on a major investment at his Omaha, Nebraska-based conglomerate. Berkshire and Brazilian private equity firm 3G Capital combined the former Kraft Foods with H.J. Heinz, which they bought in 2013, and own about half of the merged company. Buffett said he may have learned about the SEC probe seven to 10 days before it was announced. Greg Abel, a Berkshire vice chairman widely considered a candidate to succeed Buffett as Berkshire's chief executive officer, is a Kraft Heinz director. Buffett also said he would continue to do business with 3G and its co-founder Jorge Paulo Lemann, calling him "an absolutely outstanding human being." 'TOE TO TOE' Kraft Heinz's disclosure raised questions about 3G's financial strategy for the company, whose brands include Jell-O, Kool-Aid and Philadelphia cream cheese, and whether it is out of step with consumers seeking healthier, fresher alternatives to processed food. Story continues Buffett acknowledged the changes, but said greater pressure is coming from retailers such as Amazon.com Inc, Walmart Inc and Costco Wholesale Corp, saying the latter's Kirkland brand outsells all Kraft Heinz products. Stronger brands can "go toe to toe with Walmart or Costco" but weaker brands "tend to lose out," Buffett said. "The ability to price has changed, and that's huge." Still, Buffett added: "If I had to bet one way or another, I think people will eat more of our products this year than last year." Berkshire's own $3 billion writedown related to Kraft Heinz contributed to a $25.39 billion fourth-quarter net loss for Berkshire. "He monumentally overpaid for Kraft," said Doug Kass, founder of the hedge fund Seabreeze Partners Management Inc. "Increasingly, the moats he initially saw in his investments have been damaged." The bad news also called into question 3G's signature business model of zero-based budgeting, which requires managers to justify their expenses annually from scratch, rather than use last year as a guide or pursue cost savings on an ongoing basis. Kraft Heinz's belt-tightening resulted in more than $1.7 billion in annual savings, including the loss of thousands of jobs, mirroring 3G's similar efforts at such companies as Anheuser-Busch InBev and Tim Hortons. The strategy has resulted in leaner companies, but could backfire if the companies lacked products that people wanted, or failed to spend enough to develop and market those products. Buffett said he did not believe 3G underinvested in Kraft Heinz, but it was hard for him to tell. Berkshire is not involved in day-to-day operations. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel and Jennifer Ablan in New York; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe and Tom Brown) Alisha Sijapati is an arts and culture reporter at The Kathmandu Post, primarily covering human interest stories. She is intrigued by history, culture and films. Before joining the Post in 2015, she worked as a journalist for The Himalayan Times and ECS Media. The Android Kannon, based on the traditional Buddhist deity of mercy, delivered its first teachings at Kodaiji temple on Saturday - Japan Times A 400-year-old temple in the deeply traditional Japanese city of Kyoto has unveiled a robotic deity to deliver Buddhas teachings in a bid to reach younger generations of Japanese. The Android Kannon, based on the traditional Buddhist deity of mercy, delivered its first teachings at Kodaiji temple on Saturday and is due to start preaching to the public in March. Developed at a cost of Y100 million (692,000), the robot is a joint project between the Zen temple and Hiroshi Ishiguro, a professor of intelligent robotics at Osaka University. The temple approached Professor Ishiguro and asked him to design a humanoid robot that can communicate the Buddhas teachings in a way that is easy to understand and in a manner that helps give peace of mind to trouble people, the Asahi newspaper reported. Buddhism spread phenomenally around the world with the emergence of Buddhist images, Tensho Goto, a priest at the temple, told the Asahi. We are hoping that the Android Kannon will help Buddhist teachings reach the hearts of people today. We want many people to come and see the robot and to think about the essence of Buddhism. According to the temple, the Buddhist deity of mercy is able to transform itself at will in order to help humans, and an android kannon is merely the latest incarnation. Standing 77 inches tall and weighing 132 lbs, the robot is able to move its torso, arms and head, but only its hands, face and shoulders are covered in silicone designed to look like human skin. The rest of the android is clearly mechanical - including the open top of its head. A video camera is installed in its left eye. The robot is programmed to deliver sermons from the Heart Sutras in Japanese, with versions translated into English and Chinese projected onto a screen for foreign visitors. It was a good night for Olivia Colman but a bad one for Glenn Close. There were five British wins at the Oscars, including one of the top prizes of the night as Olivia Colman won the award for best actress. It marks a drop of one from last years ceremony, where Britons won six of the accolades, but is still a step up from 2017 which was the worst year for British talent in a decade with just one win. Colman was the shock winner of the leading actress prize for her role as Queen Anne in The Favourite, fending off competition from frontrunner Glenn Close for The Wife. She is the only British winner of one of the main acting prizes, despite representatives in each of the categories with Christian Bale nominated for best actor in Vice, Richard E Grant up for best supporting actor in Can You Ever Forgive Me? and Rachel Weisz nominated for best supporting actress in The Favourite. MCX429. Los Angeles (United States), 25/02/2019.- Andrew Wyatt, Anthony Rossomando, Mark Ronson and Lady Gaga pose with the Oscar for Music (Original Song) for Shallow in the press room during the 91st annual Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, USA, 24 February 2019. (Estados Unidos) EFE/EPA/ETIENNE LAURENT DJ, songwriter and record producer Mark Ronson won the original song accolade for Shallow from A Star Is Born, alongside American co-writers Lady Gaga, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt. 91st Academy Awards Oscars Governors Ball Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 24, 2019. Brian May of Queen reacts with Paul Massey, winner of Achievement in sound mixing. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni Sound engineer Paul Massey took the sound mixing prize for Bohemian Rhapsody alongside John Casali and Tim Cavagin. Nina Hartstone, left, and John Warhurst kiss their awards for best sound editing for Bohemian Rhapsody (Jordan Strauss/AP) John Warhurst and Nina Hartstone won the sound editing gong, also for the Queen film. 91st Academy Awards Vanity Fair Beverly Hills, California, U.S., February 24, 2019 Paul Lambert and J. D. Schwalm (R). REUTERS/Danny Moloshok Special effects supervisor Paul Lambert won his second Oscar in a row for visual effects, this time for First Man. He won the award last year for his work on Blade Runner 2049. Prime Minister Theresa May congratulated all the British winners, calling them great ambassadors for British culture. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Read more Green Book win prompts more controversy Oscars 2019: All the winners Olivia Colman wins Best Actress The Hague (AFP) - Britain should give up control of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean "as rapidly as possible", the UN's top court said Monday in a decades-old row with Mauritius over an archipelago that is home to a huge US airbase. The International Court of Justice said in a legal opinion that Britain had illegally split the islands from Mauritius before independence in 1968, after which the entire population of islanders was evicted. Mauritius and the exiled Chagossians reacted with delight to the opinion delivered by judges in The Hague, which is non-binding but will carry heavy symbolic and political weight. Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth hailed a " historic moment for Mauritius and all its people". "Our territorial integrity will now be made complete, and when that occurs, the Chagossians and their descendants will finally be able to return home," he said in a statement. Britain however defended its hold on the islands, saying the Diego Garcia military base, which has been used to bomb Iraq and Afghanistan, protected people around the world. "The United Kingdom's continued administration of the Chagos Archipelago constitutes a wrongful act," chief judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf said. "The United Kingdom is under an obligation to bring an end to its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible, thereby allowing Mauritius to complete the decolonisation of its territory." The UN General Assembly in 2017 adopted a resolution presented by Mauritius and backed by African countries asking the ICJ to offer legal advice on the island chain's fate and the legality of the deportations. - 'So happy' - Colonial power Britain split off the islands from Mauritius -- which lies around 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometres) away -- three years before Port Louis gained independence in 1968. It also paid Mauritius three million pounds. Between 1968 and 1973 around 2,000 Chagos islanders were evicted, to Britain, Mauritius and the Seychelles, to make way for a military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the islands. The evictions were described in a British diplomatic cable at the time as the removal of "some few Tarzans and Man Fridays". Story continues Diego Garcia is now under lease to the United States and played a key strategic role in the Cold War before being used as a staging ground for US bombing campaigns against Afghanistan and Iraq in the 2000s. Olivier Bancoult, chairman of the Mauritius-based Chagos Refugees Group, told reporters outside court that he was "so happy". "It is a big victory against an injustice done by the British government for many years. We people have been suffering for many years -- I am so lucky today," he said. The ICJ opinion comes as a stunning blow to London in a case that goes to the heart of historic issues of decolonisation and current questions about Britain's place in the world as it prepares to leave the European Union. Mauritius' lawyer Philippe Sands said there was "no wiggle room" in the judges' view and that Britain would resist pressure to comply. "I suspect the United Kingdom will say to itself, what resistance can we put up to moving forward -- and particularly in the context of Brexit, as the United Kingdom finds itself a little bit isolated in the world," he told reporters outside court. Britain's foreign ministry rejected the court's opinion. "The defence facilities on the British Indian Ocean Territory help to protect people here in Britain and around the world from terrorist threats, organised crime and piracy," the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said in a statement. - 'Shameful' evictions - A US official said Washington saw the case as "purely a bilateral dispute" between Britain and Mauritius. But he questioned the authority of the court, saying that issues should be resolved through negotiations between governments. "It is inappropriate to seek to use the court's advisory function to settle disputes between states," the State Department official said in Washington. When judges heard the case in September, Mauritius argued that it was illegal for Britain to have broken up its territory while it was still the colonial power. Britain, while apologising for the "shameful" way it evicted thousands of islanders, insisted Mauritius was wrong to have brought the case to the ICJ. The Chagos Islanders have already taken their battle through the courts in Britain, where their supporters included the current Labour opposition leader, Jeremy Corbyn. The legal opinion is only the 28th since the ICJ was set up in 1946 in the wake of World War II to provide a tribunal to resolve disputes between UN member states. Previously such opinions include one on Israel's West Bank barrier in 2004, which judges said was illegal, and declaring legal Kosovo's declaration of independence in 2010. By Michael Holden LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said on Monday it plans to ban all wings of Hezbollah due to its destabilising influence in the Middle East, classing the Lebanese Islamist movement as a terrorist organisation. London had already proscribed Hezbollah's external security unit and its military wing in 2001 and 2008 respectively, but now wants to outlaw its political arm too. Hezbollah has a role in the Lebanese government so the move may raise questions for Britain's relationship with Lebanon, although Lebanon's Hezbollah-allied foreign minister said the UK had informed the country of its commitment to the bilateral relationship. "Hezbollah is continuing in its attempts to destabilise the fragile situation in the Middle East and we are no longer able to distinguish between their already banned military wing and the political party," British Home Secretary (interior minister) Sajid Javid said. "Because of this, I have taken the decision to proscribe the group in its entirety," he added in a statement. The Iran-backed Shi'ite group is already deemed a terrorist organisation by the United States, which last week expressed concern about its growing role in Lebanon's government. Hezbollah lawmakers termed that a "violation of sovereignty". The British ban, which will come into force on Friday subject to parliamentary approval, means anyone who is a member of Hezbollah or invites support will be committing a criminal offence with a potential sentence of up to 10 years in jail. ISRAEL: EU SHOULD FOLLOW SUIT Explaining its decision, the British government said the organisation continued to amass weapons in contravention of U.N. Security Council resolutions, while its support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had prolonged "the conflict and the regime's brutal and violent repression of the Syrian people". There was no immediate reaction from Hezbollah. Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, a political ally of the group, said the British move would not have a negative impact on Lebanon and that Britain had informed Lebanon of its commitment to bilateral ties. Story continues However, in comments reported by the National News Agency, he also defended the group, whose arsenal has been a focal point of political division for years in Lebanon. "If the whole world stood up and said the resistance is terrorism, this does not make it terrorism as far as the Lebanese are concerned," said Bassil, who is also a son-in-law of Lebanon's president and leads the political party he founded. Hezbollah now controls three of 30 ministries in Lebanon's government, the largest number it has ever held, and has seen its regional clout expand too with fighters in various Middle East conflicts including neighbouring Syria. It does not acknowledge the existence of separate wings. Hezbollah's lifelong enemy, Israel, thanked Javid. "All who truly wish to combat terror must reject the fake distinction between 'military' & 'political' wings," Israeli Security Minister Gilad Erdan said in a tweet. "Now is the time for the #EU to follow suit!" In Britain, Hezbollah has been a topic of internal political controversy, with opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn criticised by opponents for once calling the group friends. "What do we see from his Labour Party? Hamas and Hezbollah friends, Israel and the United States enemies," Prime Minister Theresa May said last week in parliament. (Reporting by Michael Holden in London, Tom Perry in Beirut; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge, Andrew Cawthorne and Frances Kerry) BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourao said on Monday that under no circumstances would his country allow the United States to intervene militarily in Venezuela from Brazilian territory. "Nobody is betting on a military solution," Mourao, a retired general, told reporters in Bogota during a meeting of the Lima Group, a bloc of nations from Argentina to Canada dedicated to peaceful resolution of the Venezuelan crisis. The Lima Group would not back an invasion by the United States, Mourao said, and will continue stepping up diplomatic, political and economic pressure on what he called the "regime" of Venezuelan leftist President Nicolas Maduro. Brazil, like many Western governments, has recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate leader. Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo said cracks already are appearing in Maduro's support among the Venezuelan armed forces, with some 100 desertions during the weekend when the military blocked the entry of humanitarian aid at the borders with Colombia and Brazil. At least three people were killed in shooting. The Venezuelan Army was not involved in the repression, a sign it was not prepared to shoot at its people, said Araujo, who was speaking alongside Mourao. According to Mourao, China is rethinking its support for Maduro because it has realized his government will never pay back Chinese loans. (Reporting by Anthony Boadle; Editing by Steve Orlofsky and Bill Trott) Axios Former Attorney General Bill Barr said the Justice Department always knew Trump's claims of election fraud were "bullsh*t," according to an excerpt from journalist Jonathan Karl's upcoming book published in the The Atlantic.Why it matters: Barr's new comments come as Trump continues to propagate the lie that the 2020 election was "rigged." Republicans in swing states now are conducting "audits" of election ballots based on false conspiracies about the election. Get market news worthy of your tim Rami Malek kisses his best actor Oscar for Bohemian Rhapsody, in which he played late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury (Credit: AFP Photo/FREDERIC J. BROWN) For Rami Malek, winning the Oscar for Best Actor will unfortunately always come hand-in-hand with the the time he fell off the stage at the Dolby Theater. According to People, the ceremony had only just concluded when the Bohemian Rhapsody star took a slightly embarrassing tumble into the audience. Though he managed to keep hold of his Oscar, holding it above his head, a surprised looking Malek was helped up and into a seat in the front row where he was treated by paramedics. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. They then took him to a more private area backstage. (Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images) Luckily, it seemed that he suffered no significant injury, other than perhaps taking the sheen off his pride. He was seen soon after in the press room appearing to have dodged a bullet, though he missed out on a picture with himself and fellow winner Olivia Colman (Best Actress), Mahershala Ali (Best Supporting Actor) and Regina King (Best Supporting Actress) because of the fall. (Credit: VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images) The one thing I can say about this, as an actor, there are so many of us who dream of one thing. Perhaps its not this, its just getting a job, he told attendant reporters once hed been checked out. The fact that I have this is beyond any expectation that myself or my family could have ever had. Ill just say that. This has been a tough battle and the fact that Im here is proof that anything is possible. Tonight Im celebrating with all of you and anyone who has had a dream. On picking up the gong earlier in the evening, Malek, who was born to Egyptian immigrant parents, told the audience: I think about what it would have been like to tell little bubba Rami that one day this might happen to him. And I think his curly-haired little mind would be blown. He was struggling with his identity, trying to figure himself out. And I think to anyone struggling with theirs, and trying to discover their voice, listen, we made a film about a gay man, an immigrant, who lived his life just unapologetically himself. He also paid tribute to his co-star Lucy Boynton, who plays Freddie Mercurys former fiancee Mary Austin the biopic, now his girlfriend. Story continues Lucy Boynton, youre the heart of this film, he added. You are beyond immensely talented you have captured my heart. Thank you so much. Malek beat big hitters Bradley Cooper, Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe and Viggo Mortensen to the coveted prize. Bohemian Rhapsody, which tells the story of Queens journey from obscurity playing student union venues to world prominence at Live Aid, also won the awards for film editing, sound editing, and sound mixing, making it the biggest winner of the night. Read more The 2019 Oscar winners in full Green Book winners forgot to thank real life inspiration Internet melts down over Gaga and Coopers performance Doha (AFP) - US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met with the Taliban's top political leader in Doha Monday, in what is believed to be the highest level engagement between the US and the Taliban since the months-long peace push began. Khalilzad tweeted that he and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a cofounder of the Islamist movement, had held a "working lunch" ahead of a fresh round of talks with the insurgent group as the US seeks a way out of its longest war. The arrival in Qatar late Sunday of Baradar, seen as close to Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada, has helped fuel speculation of a breakthrough. Marathon talks last month saw the two sides walk away with a "draft framework" that included a Taliban vow to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a haven for international terror groups. There was no accord on a US withdrawal or a ceasefire, however, issues which have derailed attempts at peace talks in the past, while the government in Kabul has voiced increasingly loud fears it was being sidelined from the talks. "Arrived in #Doha to meet with a more authoritative Taliban delegation. This could be a significant moment. Appreciate #Qatar for hosting & #Pakistan in facilitating travel. Now the work begins in earnest," Khalilzad had tweeted. He later posted: "Just finished a working lunch with Mullah Beradar and his team. First time we've met. Now moving on to talks." It remained unclear what role Baradar would have during the talks, but the presence of the influential leader widely believed to carry popular support across the Taliban's myriad factions set expectations high. "The fact that Taliban deputy leader Mullah Baradar is attending the talks, shows both sides are serious this time," Kabul-based analyst Ahmad Sayeedi told AFP. - 'We are ready' - Afghan special envoy for peace Mohammad Omar Daudzai also lauded Baradar's participation, saying the insurgent leader was known for being "independent" and making "tough decisions". Story continues "[I] hope he uses his independence to decide on peace as soon as possible," Daudzai told a press conference in the Afghan capital. Baradar was arrested in Pakistan in 2010, but was released in October and named as head of the Taliban's political office in Doha. He was long considered the number two to Taliban chief Mullah Omar, who died in 2013. Now he is one of several deputies to Akhundzada, along with Omar's son and the head of the Haqqani network, Sirajuddin Haqqani. Meanwhile the government in Kabul continued to voice concerns Monday over being sidelined in the negotiations. The Taliban have steadfastly refused to negotiate with the Kabul government, whom they dismiss as "puppets". "The Taliban are still not ready to talk to Afghan government, but we are ready. We think that Taliban's dishonesty is the only obstacle," said Abdullah Abdullah, the country's de-facto prime minister, in a televised address Monday. "We are flexible and ready to make a team that is acceptable to all." The latest negotiations come as violence soars in Afghanistan, with the UN reporting Sunday that more civilians were killed in 2018 than any other year since records began in 2009. US President Donald Trump has signalled his eagerness to end his country's involvement in Afghanistan, where 14,000 American troops are still deployed. Afghanistan has suffered nearly constant conflict since the Soviet invasion of 1979, which was followed by civil war, the Taliban regime, and the US invasion in late 2001. By Serajul Quadir DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladeshi commandoes shot a passenger on Sunday who had tried to enter the cockpit of a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight after waving a gun and threatening to blow up the plane, airline and aviation authority officials said. The passenger, who had said he had a personal issue with his wife and told the pilot he wanted to speak to Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, died later from the injuries suffered after the commandos stormed the plane at Chittagong's Shah Amanat International Airport, officials said. "We tried to arrest him or get him to surrender but he refused and then we shot him," said Major General S M Motiur Rahman of the Bangladesh Army. The man's threat to blow up the plane, which was on its way to Dubai from Dhaka via Chittagong, led its pilots to make an emergency landing. Before the commandos moved in, all 142 passengers and most of the crew had been let off the aircraft unharmed. One crew member had been held hostage, the officials said. Air Vice Marshal Nayeem Hasan, chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, told reporters at a news conference that as well as holding what appeared to be a pistol the passenger said he had explosives bound to his body. With the plane close to Chittagong after leaving Dhaka, the passenger stood up from his seat and tried to go to the cockpit, according to aviation officials. When a member of the crew blocked his way, he showed his pistol. He then said he had explosives and if they didn't open the door of the cockpit he would blow up the plane, officials said. Other members of the crew alerted the pilots to the problem and they asked air traffic control for an emergency landing. It was not immediately clear if he had explosives, though the pistol was real, according to a senior aviation official. It also wasn't immediately clear if the pistol was loaded or how it got through security at the airport in Dhaka. Story continues The security questions are a matter of concern and would be the subject of an investigation, said the aviation official. The man appeared to be in his 20s, and was probably Bangladeshi as he was speaking Bangla, but his identity was not yet clear, Hasan said. (Reporting by Serajul Quadir; Writing by Martin Howell; Editing by Keith Weir and David Holmes) (Reuters) - The Association of British Insurers (ABI) warned on Monday that if Britain leaves the European Union without a deal it could cause long-lasting damage to the UK insurance industry. A no-deal Brexit would leave Britain's trading relationship with the EU subject to World Trade Organisation rules, which do not guarantee market access for service industries like insurance. "This matters because the EU is - by a very long distance - the largest export market for the UK insurance and long-term savings industry," Huw Evans, Director General of the ABI, said in a statement ahead of the trade body's annual dinner in London. Britain's government is considering different options, including possibly delaying Brexit, if parliament fails to approve Prime Minister Theresa May's deal by March 12. "As a last resort, if the only alternative to no deal is some form of short delay to Brexit, then delay we should," Evans said. Evans also warned that Brexit could leave Britain's insurance industry subject to rules set by the EU without the UK having any say over them. That would raise the risk of insurers having to hold more capital than they need which could damage competitiveness, reduce investment in the economy and see people get less from their pension. "Any future arrangement with the EU that required the UK to comply with rules it had no say over could be weaponised by those in the EU that want to damage the UK," Evans warned. "... It would be naive to think that over the course of the next few decades, EU rules will do anything other than reflect the interests of its members, not its former members, seeking to draw capital, talent and market infrastructure into the EU27." GRAPHIC: UK Insurers Look For Brexit Clarity - https://tmsnrt.rs/2EuOJ69 Evans said Britain's insurers have transferred about 29 million insurance contracts and set up about 40 new hubs in the EU to minimise Brexit disruption to customers. Several insurers are transferring policies of EU based customers to new hubs in the bloc, though Lloyd's of London won't complete the transfer of business to its new Brussels subsidiary before March 29. Hiscox , part of the oldest insurance market in the world, 2018, said on Monday a legal process to transfer some policies and liabilities to its Luxembourg hub gave certainty to its customers that it could legally pay all valid claims, even in a hard Brexit scenario. (Reporting by Noor Zainab Hussain in Bengaluru; Editing by Rachel Armstrong) Mike Pence says all options are on the table in effort to oust Maduro while key allies warn they would oppose sending troops Pence with Juan Guaido at the summit in Bogota. Pence said: Nicolas Maduro is a usurper with no legitimate claim to power, and Nicolas Maduro must go. Photograph: Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters The US vice-president, Mike Pence, has repeated a veiled threat of military intervention in Venezuela, but Washington appeared increasingly isolated in its willingness to contemplate using force to oust President Nicolas Maduro. European powers and some of Donald Trumps key Latin American allies all of whom have recognised the opposition leader, Juan Guaido, as Venezuelas legitimate leader warned that they would oppose sending troops into the country. Guaido had for weeks insisted his movement was focused on peaceful, democratic change. But after the opposition failed in a weekend bid to defy Caracas and bring aid into the country, he called on the international community to keep all options open. That hint at the use of military force won an enthusiastic response from hawks like US senator Marco Rubio, but sparked alarm elsewhere, particularly as Trump has previously mooted ordering an invasion. Speaking at an emergency summit of regional leaders in the Colombian capital Bogota, Pence renewed the threat of intervention, describing Maduro as a usurper, and calling for a global push to oust him. To leaders around the world: its time. There can be no bystanders in Venezuelas struggle for freedom, he said. We hope for a peaceful transition to democracy, but as President Trump has made clear, all options are on the table. But beyond the US, few appear willing embrace the prospect of violence. In Latin America, there is a painful and bloody history of US interventions, and the terrible fallout from the 2003 invasion of Iraq is another deterrent to the use of military force. An invasion would be complicated and bloody, with a strong chance of sliding into protracted civil war. Venezuela has armed forces that are more than 300,000 strong, thousands more members of pro-government gangs or guerrilla groups, complex terrain and a government that still has some support from international partners including China and Russia. Story continues Brazils vice-president, retired general Hamilton Mourao, said on Monday that under no circumstances would his country allow the United States to intervene militarily from Brazilian territory, even though the countrys rightwing president Jair Bolsonaro has previously vowed to do everything for democracy to be re-established in Venezuela. Colombian president Ivan Duque has also now ruled out intervention, according to sources in his administration. Chile and Peru were among other regional powers opposing military action on Monday. There was similar concern across the Atlantic, where European nations including Spain and Germany made clear they considered the deployment of troops a line that should not be crossed. Not every option is on the table, the countrys foreign minister, Josep Borrell, told the Spanish news agency Efe on Sunday, in a blunt rebuke to both Guaido and US supporters of intervention. The European Unions foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, insisted there could be no military solution to a political crisis. The origins of the ongoing crisis in Venezuela are political and institutional, hence the solution can only be a political one, she said in a statement. We reiterate our firm rejection and condemnation of violence and of any initiatives that can further destabilise the region. Before the meeting of the Lima group of Latin American powers and Canada, Pence told Guaido, attending as Venezuelas interim president: We are 100% with you. The Lima group also said credible threats have been made against the life of Venezuelan opposition leader Guaido and his family, adding that President Nicolas Maduro was responsible for Guaidos safety. We want to hold the usurper Maduro responsible for any violent action against Guaido, against his wife and against their relatives, said Colombian foreign minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo, speaking on behalf of the group. Pence said he would urge regional powers to freeze Venezuelas oil assets and hand them over to Guaidos control. The opposition have reportedly already taken effective control of US-based refiner Citgo, one of the few remaining profitable assets of Venezuelas state owned oil firm PDVSA. Earlier that morning the US announced it had added four regional governors to an already long list of sanctioned Venezuelans, and Pence said that tougher measures were still to come. In the days ahead the United States will announce even stronger sanctions on the regimes corrupt financial networks. We will work with all of you to find every last dollar that they stole and work to return it to Venezuela. But much of Venezuelas government and industry are already sanctioned, making it harder for Guaidos allies to ramp up financial pressure on the regime. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) questioned the morality of bringing children into a world that is struggling to address man-made climate change in a video posted to social media over the weekend. Theres scientific consensus that the lives of children are going to be very difficult. And it does lead young people to have a legitimate question: is it okay to still have children? Ocasio-Cortez told her 2.5 million Instagram followers. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Since besting six-term incumbent, former Representative Joe Crowley (D., N.Y.) in November, Ocasio-Cortez has leveraged her outsized social media following to build public support for the Green New Deal, which calls for the elimination of Americas carbon footprint within ten years. She has vigorously defended the proposal since its rocky introduction earlier this month as the only solution commensurate with the scale of the problem, and has attacked skeptics and moderates within her own party as too timid and deferential to the status quo. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The majority of 2020 Democratic presidential contenders immediately endorsed the Green New Deal resolution as an aspirational concept, but have hesitated when asked to address its specific components. Following the proposals introduction, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell quickly announced that the Senate will vote on the non-binding measure, prompting criticism from Democratic leaders who argue the proposal was just a starting point and was not ready to be voted on. More from National Review Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump announced Monday that an American had been freed after being held hostage in Yemen for 18 months. Danny Burch has been "recovered and reunited with his wife and children," Trump said in a tweet. Trump did not say who had been holding Burch but he expressed appreciation for the "support of the United Arab Emirates in bringing Danny home." According to Burch's family, the Texas native, who has lived in Yemen for more than two decades, was kidnapped in the capital Sanaa in September 2017. A number of foreigners have been abducted in Yemen by the country's heavily armed tribes for use as bargaining chips in local disputes and there have also been some kidnappings by Al-Qaeda. In a telephone call with AFP at the time of his kidnapping, Burch's wife, Nadia Forsa al-Harazi, urged Huthi Shiite rebels to secure the release of her husband. She said her husband had lived in the capital for more than 20 years and the couple had three children. Trump said "recovering American hostages is a priority of my (administration)." "With Danny's release, we have now secured freedom for 20 American captives since my election victory," he said. "We will not rest as we continue our work to bring the remaining American hostages back home!" ALGIERS (Reuters) - Algerian police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of demonstrators on a third straight day of rare political protests against plans for rarely seen President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to extend his 20-year rule by seeking a fifth term. Thousands have taken to the streets of the capital and other cities since Friday calling on the authorities to abandon plans for Bouteflika, 81, to stand in a presidential election scheduled to be held on April 18. Bouteflika, in office since 1999, suffered a stroke in 2013. He has since been seen in public only a handful of times and has given no public speeches in years. His opponents say there is no evidence he is in fit health to lead the country, which they say is being ruled in his name by advisers. The authorities say he still has a firm grip on affairs despite the rarity of his appearances. "People do not want Bouteflika," the crowd chanted at a protest called by an opposition group, Mouwatana. A Reuters journalist saw tear gas being fired to disperse crowds. Journalists working for state media protested against what they said were orders from managers not to cover the marches. "The decision of our hierarchy to ignore the big protests of Friday, Feb. 21, shows the hell of our situation," said a statement released by journalists working for state radio. "I categorically refuse to endorse a behaviour that doesn't respect the most elementary rules of our job," a star reporter and editor for state radio, Meriem Abdou, said in a statement announcing that she had decided to quit. Since the ruling FLN party picked Bouteflika as its presidential candidate, several parties, trade unions and business organisations have already said they would back him. A weak and divided opposition faces high hurdles in mounting an electoral challenge. Bouteflika has not directly addressed the protests. The authorities announced earlier this week that he would be travelling to Geneva for unspecified medical checks, although there was no official confirmation he had left. Story continues State media quoted a letter in Bouteflika's name read out at a government oil and gas industry event in the southern town of Adrar as saying: "Continuity is the best option for Algeria." FLN leader Moad Bouchareb dismissed the protests. "To those who are dreaming of change I say 'Have nice dreams,'" he said in televised comments in the western city of Oran on Saturday. Supporters of Bouteflika have emphasised the risk of unrest. Algerians have bitter memories of a decade of civil war in the 1990s in which 200,000 people were killed. The war was triggered after the army cancelled an election that Islamists were poised to win in 1991. "Do you want Algeria to go back to years of tears and blood?" said the leader of the powerful UGTA labour union, Abdelmadjid Sidi Said in televised comments. A total of 41 protesters were detained on Friday, state news agency APS said. It gave no arrest for the last two days. Strikes and protests over social and economic grievances are frequent in Algeria, but have generally been localised, rather than touching on national politics. Algeria saw major street unrest during the 2011 "Arab Spring" that brought down the rulers of North African neighbours Egypt, Libya and Tunisia. But Algerian security forces managed to contain it without Bouteflika's grip on power loosening. Lower oil prices in recent years have hurt Algeria's economy, reigniting discontent. More than a quarter of Algerians under 30 are unemployed, according to official figures, and many feel disconnected from an elite made up of veteran fighters from Algeria's 1954-1962 independence war with France. (Reporting by Lamine Chikhi and Hamid Ould Ahmed; Writing by Ulf Laessing; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky and Peter Graff) Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez did not mince her words when she fired back at Fox News for criticising her decision to cap higher-level staff salaries in order to pay every staff member a $52,000 annual salary as socialism and communism on display. The progressive firebrand took to Twitter on Monday to say the GOP is disconnected from the simple concept that people should be paid a liveable wage. "The GOP is so disconnected from the basic idea that people should be paid enough to live that Fox actually thinks me paying a living wage in my office is 'communism,'" Ms Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. She added, so the next time GOP screams 'socialist,' know thats their go-to attack for any common-sense, humane policy." Pete Hegseth, a weekend co-host of Fox & Friends, said on Sunday that the Bronx-born lawmakers planned $52,000 salary for her staff as an example of communism and socialism. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Corbin Trent, Ms Ocasio-Cortezs communications director told Roll Call that the top salaries of the congressional office would cap at $80,000 under the policy. According to USA Today, its a sharp contrast to the median salary for top congressional staffers in the 2018 fiscal year: $154,634. Mr Trent also said that the progressive congresswomans staff would reach the congressional limit with 18 members. In December, Ms Ocasio-Cortez also said she would pay her interns at least $15 an hour. Mr Hegseth acknowledged that "every Capitol Hill office has a limited amount of money to pay their staff, before arguing that her chief of staff would be earning a salary below the actual market rate. He went on to challenge Ms Ocasio-Cortez by asking if she would share portions of her salary with her staff. "Will you share some of that money, Miss Congresswoman, with the rest of your staff who is not making as much as you? Mr Hegseth added. The New York lawmaker also took to Instagram to double-down on her response to Mr Hegseth and Fox News. She argued that the lack of socioeconomic diversity in Washington, DC has real consequences for government being disconnected with the people it is supposed to represent and serve. Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Low pay is also a big reason for lack of socioeconomic diversity in DC, aka why many spaces in government can feel like a silver spoon club: only people who work 80+hr weeks w/ multiple jobs without an outside life, or whose parents can supplement their pay can have the opportunity to work in the nations capital, Ms Ocasio-Cortez said. That has real consequences for government being out of touch w/ the people we serve on all levels. Theres a TON of work that needs to be done when it comes to the workplace (parental leave, hiring practices, living wage, healthcare as a right and not a perk, etc), but it starts with paying people enough to live as a minimum requirement, and not a luxury (and I guess that gets you called a communist these days). Long-term income investors know that yield isn't everything when it comes to dividend stocks. Steadily rising payouts pay off down the road, too. Not only do rising dividends lift the yield on an investor's original cost basis, they're indicative of a firm's ability to withstand the economy's--and the market's--inevitable ups and downs. SEE ALSO: 57 Dividend Stocks You Can Count On in 2019 The five companies below have increased their dividends annually for 60 years or more. That makes them elite members of the Dividend Aristocrats, which are companies in Standard & Poor's 500-stock index that have raised payouts for at least 25 consecutive years. (Data are as of February 8.) The Aristocrats, which now total 57 companies, include household names whose size, longevity and familiarity provide comfort amid market uncertainty. They have been among the best dividend stocks for income growth over the past few decades, and they're a great place to start if you're looking to add new dividend holdings to your portfolio. Industrial conglomerate 3M (symbol MMM; recent price, $200; dividend yield, 2.9%), which makes everything from adhesives to electric circuits, kicked off the new year on a down note. The Dow component lowered its 2019 profit outlook, in part because of sluggish demand from China. Whatever the short-term hiccups in 3M's share price, investors can bank on the conglomerate's steady payouts over the long haul. 3M's dividend has improved annually for 60 consecutive years, and the payout dates back a century. Dover (DOV, $87, 2.2%) has its hands in all sorts of industries, from Dover-branded pumps, lifts and even productivity tools for the energy business, to Anthony-branded commercial refrigerator and freezer doors. Dividend growth has been a priority for Dover, which at 63 consecutive years of annual distribution hikes boasts the third-longest such streak among publicly traded companies. Dover last raised its dividend in August 2018, when it upped the quarterly payout by 2% to 48 cents a share. Story continues Emerson Electric (EMR, $67, 2.9%) makes a wide variety of industrial products, ranging from control valves to electrical fittings. The downturn in oil prices weighed on Emerson for a couple years as energy companies continued to cut spending. Analysts now say it's well-positioned to take advantage of the recovery in the energy sector. Earnings are forecast to increase at an average annual rate of 9% for the next five years. Emerson has paid dividends since 1956 and has boosted its annual payout for 62 consecutive years, including its last increase in November 2018. Last year, the company returned $2.2 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. Automotive and industrial replacement parts maker Genuine Parts (GPC, $103, 2.8%) is best-known for the Napa brand, though it also operates under AutoTodo in Mexico and UAP in Canada. Since its founding in 1928, it has pursued a strategy of acquisitions to fuel growth. At the end of 2017, it bought Alliance Automotive Group, one of the largest distribution companies in Europe, for $2 billion. A longtime dividend machine, GPC has hiked its payout annually for 62 years. That includes a 7% improvement to its distribution in February 2018. With major brands such as Pampers diapers and Gillette razors, Procter & Gamble (PG, $98, 2.9%) is among the world's largest consumer products companies. Although the economy ebbs and flows, demand for products such as toothpaste and soap tends to remain stable. That hardly makes P&G completely recession-proof, but it has helped fuel reliable dividend payments for more than a century. The Dow component has paid shareholders a dividend since 1890, and it has raised its dividend annually for 62 years in a row. P&G last increased its payout in April 2018. SEE ALSO: 18 Dividend Aristocrats That Have Gone on Deep Discount EDITOR'S PICKS Copyright 2019 The Kiplinger Washington Editors Apps for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social networks on a smartphone in New Delhi. Photo: Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images Bogus get rich quick schemes advertised on Instagram have scammed people in the UK out of more than 3m since October, according to Action Fraud. 365 reports were made to Action Fraud, the UKs national fraud and cyber crime centre, between October 2018 and February 2019. 3,168,464 was lost by users across all the scams, which is an average loss of around 8,900 per person. Opportunistic fraudsters are taking advantage of unsuspecting victims who are going about their day-to-day lives on social media, inspector Paul Carroll, of Action Fraud, said on Monday. A spokesperson for Instagram told Yahoo Finance UK: Fake and fraudulent activity is not allowed on Instagram. We proactively fight against this type of content and are always improving our systems to quickly detect and remove anything that violates our community guidelines. Young people aged between 20 and 30 are particularly likely to be susceptible, according to Action Fraud. Fraudsters typically advertise investment schemes that promise a high return within 24 hours. Victims make payments via bank transfer to the fraudsters bank account. Fraudsters then send screenshots of profits, which they claim can be released for a fee. After victims request to withdraw their funds, the fraudsters stop contact with the victim and close the Instagram account. Action Fraud said that Instagram users should never send money to an account they have been contacted by over social media. Users should also be wary about agreeing to any scheme involving advanced payment or that asks you to sign a contract on the spot. Action Fraud also recommends checking with the UK regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, to confirm that the person or company youre dealing with is registered. If you think you have been a victim, contact Action Fraud, Carroll said. You can contact Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040. Steve Bannon, Donald Trump Donald Trumps former chief strategist and part-time racist provocateur Steve Bannon has said Trump will fight in the 2020 election and win bigger than in 2016. In an interview with CBS News, Bannon says Trump will face tough competition from moderate Republicans, but his victory will be bigger than ever. Bannon, who is also the former executive chairman of right-wing Breitbart News, says the president will become battle-hardened for the 2020 election by the coming vitriol in politics this year. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Read the full story on CCN.com. (Adds comment from Quebec Minister of Immigration) By Allison Lampert MONTREAL, Feb 25 (Reuters) - The Quebec government must continue processing suspended applications from skilled immigrants, a judge ordered on Monday, in a win for thousands of new arrivals who had been left in limbo by a program overhaul in the Canadian province. Quebec Superior Court Justice Frederic Bachand awarded a 10-day injunction that would oblige the province's center-right government to continue processing applications. Lawyers had asked Bachand last week to reverse the suspension of about 18,000 applications as the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) government works to overhaul the province's immigration system. Recent draft legislation by the CAQ led to the suspension of the immigrants' applications made under existing laws. "There is no doubt that these candidates would be subjected to" prejudice if the injunction were not granted, Bachand wrote in a decision. The CAQ, which won power in October, has said its immigration reforms would improve newcomers integration into the workforce of the predominately French-speaking province. Quebec Immigration Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette said in a statement that his government would respect the court's decision and continue to process applications. The Montreal-based Quebec Immigration Lawyers Association (AQAADI) had argued that the government should still process existing applications from newcomers as the CAQ's new bill is being debated. "We are very happy with this decision," said immigration lawyer Olga Redko, noting that the group would return to court to seek a longer-term injunction. The question of how many outsiders should be let into the province - the second most populous in Canada - has eclipsed arguments over separatism that have dominated politics in Quebec in recent decades. Quebec Premier and CAQ leader Francois Legault had campaigned on a controversial plan to take in 10,000 fewer immigrants a year and to expel new residents who fail tests on French and Quebec values within three years. (Reporting by Allison Lampert; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Alistair Bell) More than 325 students competed for scholarships, other prizes at SIU Carbondales Accounting Challenge by Christi Mathis CARBONDALE, Ill. More than 325 high school and community college students from across the region competed for college scholarships, trophies and other prizes at Southern Illinois University Carbondales 21st annual Accounting Challenge on Feb. 22. Individual contest winners could earn scholarships Sponsored by the School of Accountancy, the challenge tested participants accounting knowledge and skills as well as their problem-solving expertise. Chancellor John M. Dunn and Marc Morris, accountancy school director, welcomed the group and then the action kicked off with contestants completing in individual written accounting quizzes. Those earning the highest scores in each division won certificates and scholarships worth up to $500 if they attend SIU Carbondale and major in accounting. Top individual honors Winners of the individual contest in each category, along with their schools, grades and potential scholarship earnings, include: Accounting I High School First place Logan Altenberger, senior, Hillsboro High School, $500. Second place (tie) Brooks Harlan, sophomore, Centralia High School, and Alex Tillock, sophomore, OFallon Township High School, $300. Third place (tie) Brady Martinez, sophomore, OFallon Township High School, and Rayne Niederhofer, junior, Centralia High School , $200. Advanced Accounting II High School First place (tie) Tyson Stoecklin and Jesse Strang, both seniors, Marion High School, $500. Second place Matt Crabtree, senior, Marion High School, $300. Third place (tie) McKenzie Orange and Cathryn Dunn, both seniors, Marion High School, $200. Community College First place (tie) Wyatt Graves, freshman, Shawnee Community College, and Roy Worthen, sophomore, John A. Logan College, $500. Teams faced unique challenges During the team portion of the competition, students took on two unique challenges, conceived by Larry Busch, an emeritus SIU School of Art and Design faculty member. The first task was to create the tallest free-standing tower possible, using just a couple of manila folders, a paper plate, a four-foot strip of masking tape and scissors. Points were awarded based on the towers height: the tallest measured an amazing 99 inches. Next came a unique human version of the popular Hungry, Hungry Hippos childrens game. Five teams competed at a time. One person per team laid on a floor creeper while a team member grabbed his or her feet to push the creeper around, something akin to the old human wheelbarrow game. The goal was to capture as many balls as possible from the floor in two minutes using a gallon pitcher with a hole cut in the lid. The top team gathered 40 balls. There was plenty of laughter and intense rivalries throughout the team competition. The students scores for the two challenges comprised 75 percent of their team challenge score while the remaining 25 percent of their total came from their marks in the individual testing. Trophies went to the top teams, along with individual trophies for team members. Team winners The team competition winners, listed by division along with the names of team members, were: Accounting I High School Team First place Hillsboro High School: Jude Bertolino, Drew Willman, Cooper Holcomb, Logan Altenberger. Second place OFallon Township High School: Will Vastine, Alex Tillock, Brady Martinez. Accounting II High School Team First place -- Marion High School: Tyson Stoecklin, McKenzie Orange, Jesse Strang, Matt Crabtree. Second place -- Marion High School: Cathryn Dunn, Island Martin. Community College Team First place Shawnee Community College: Wyatt Graves, Rebecca Walker, Jake Wright, Bethany Bell. SIU students led the way More than 50 SIU accounting student volunteers assisted in making the 2019 Accounting Challenge a big success. Coordinators for the event, which drew students from more than 20 schools, including some as far as nearly 100 miles away, were: Joshua Hill, a senior accounting major from Du Quoin. Emily Hillis, a junior accounting major from Jacksonville. McKenzie Mohring, a senior accounting major from West Frankfort. Piquing interest in accounting The Accounting Challenge is a big event for the School of Accountancy. It shows that the SIU accounting program might be the right stuff for prospective students, Hill said. Its also a testament to the volunteers and faculty reach out across the region to welcome students to the challenge. With about 325 students from around the region, its the biggest Ive ever seen and really shows that people are interested. High school and community college participants also received T-shirts to commemorate the day. Jihadist News Articles Analysis Multimedia Social Network Jihad Western Jihadist Digest Free Articles Financial Jihad Full Translation Groups Afghan Taliban (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) Ahrar al-Sham Islamic Movement Al-Nusra Front Al-Qaeda Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) Ansar al-Islam Ansar al-Sunnah in Jerusalem Ansar Beit al-Maqdis Ansar Dine Ansar Jerusalem Hezbollah Islamic Jihad Union Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan Islamic State Islamic State in Iraq and Sham (ISIS) Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) Jabha East Africa Jabhat Fateh al-Sham Jaish al-Fath Lashkar-e Toiba Pakistani Taliban (Tehreek-e Taliban) Shabaab al-Mujahideen (The Young Mujahideen Movement) Taifetul Mansura The Levantine Front Turkestan Islamic Party Leaders Abu Musab Abd al-Wadud Abu Yahya al-Libi Adam Gadahn Anwar al-Awlaki Ayman al-Zawahiri Hakimullah Mehsud Mullah Omar Mustafa Abu al-Yazid Usama bin Laden Abu Baseer al-Wuhayshi Countries Afghanistan Algeria Australia Austria Bangladesh Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Burma Burundi Canada Chechnya China Denmark Egypt Eritrea Ethiopia Europe Finland France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Israel Italy Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kuwait Lebanon Libya Mali Mauritania Morocco Niger Nigeria Norway Pakistan Palestinian Territories Russia Saudi Arabia Somalia Spain Sweden Syria Tunisia Turkey Uganda United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uzbekistan Yemen Burkina Faso Philippines Ireland 22:32 British Prime Minister Theresa May made a dramatic shift in her Brexit strategy on Tuesday and offered MPs the chance vote for a delay to the March 29 exit deadline if her deal failed to clear the House of Commons next month. In a statement to British Parliament, May announced that her government would table a "meaningful vote" on the final withdrawal agreement reached with the European Union on March 12. If that vote fails to be passed by MPs, May said she would table an amendment the following day, March 13, for MPs to vote on whether they are prepared to leave the EU without any deal in place. In the event that MPs reject such an amendment, which is widely expected, a vote will be held on March 14 for MPs to have their say on an extension to the Article 50 process to delay the Brexit deadline. The government would then bring forward the necessary legislation to change the exit date by a "short limited" period. "Let me be clear, I do not want to see Article 50 extended. Our absolute focus should be on working to get a deal and leaving on March 29," May said in her Commons statement. "An extension cannot take no deal off the table. The only way to do that is to revoke Article 50, which I shall not do, or agree a deal," she said, effectively offering the UK Parliament a stark choice between her deal, no deal or a delayed Brexit. The move came as there was mounting rebellion within her own Conservative Party ranks, with ministers within her Cabinet calling for her to take a chaotic no-deal Brexit off the table. Her statement came soon after a Cabinet meeting during which Brexiteer ministers reportedly accused their anti-Brexit colleagues of undermining the Prime Minister and attempting to push her into ruling out no deal. May's latest set of amendment offerings for next month avoids a defeat for the government on Wednesday, which could see MPs voting to take control of the Brexit process when a series of votes will be held in the Commons. The British prime minister, who has remained stubbornly opposed to any delay to the Brexit deadline, warned on Tuesday that an extension to the Article 50 process beyond the end of June would mean the UK taking part in the European Parliament elections, which are scheduled for May 23. She said: "What kind of message would that send to the more than 17 million people who voted to leave the EU nearly three years ago now? And the House should be clear that a short extension not beyond the end of June would almost certainly have to be a one-off. "If we had not taken part in the European Parliament elections, it would be extremely difficult to extend again, so it would create a much sharper cliff edge in a few months' time." The government's strategic shift came as the Opposition Labour Party also made a significant change in its policy and announced that it would back a second referendum on Britain's membership of the EU. -- PTI Story Highlights 58% say U.S. rates very or somewhat favorably in world's eyes 45% satisfied with U.S. position in the world Most say Trump not respected by foreign leaders WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Fifty-eight percent of Americans believe the U.S. rates "very" or "somewhat favorably" in the world's eyes. Though the current figure is up just slightly from the 55% recorded last year, it represents the highest figure Gallup has found since 2003. The increase in the overall figure is the result of an increase in the percentage of political independents saying the U.S. is rated favorably abroad, up eight percentage points, from 50% to 58%. Meanwhile, the views of Americans identifying as Republican or Democratic haven't changed. A relatively high proportion of Republicans say the U.S. is viewed favorably (80%), matching their views in 2018. This is the highest level of Republicans' confidence in the country's global image since 2002 during the post-9/11 period of the George W. Bush administration. Far fewer Democrats during Donald Trump's presidency have said the country is viewed positively abroad, with their latest 36% matching last year's figure. Democrats current negativism on this measure is similar to what it was at certain points in President G.W. Bush's second term. Most Remain Dissatisfied With U.S. Standing in the World At the same time , Americans are fairly upbeat about the country's global image, the percentage satisfied with the position of the U.S. in the world today is also at a relatively high ebb. Though Americans remain more likely to say they are dissatisfied than satisfied, the percentage who are dissatisfied is at its lowest since 2005. The years of 2000 to 2003 were an exception to the dissatisfied pattern, as Americans were more satisfied than dissatisfied by double-digit margins amid a strong economy -- as well as the rallying effect that occurred after the attacks on 9/11. In February 2003 -- as the U.S. failed to win UN approval for the Iraq War -- Americans were about equally satisfied as dissatisfied. Republicans (74%) are about four times as likely as Democrats (19%) to say they are satisfied with the position of the U.S. in the world. For Republicans, this is the most satisfied they have been since the Bush presidency, whereas Democrats' ratings are about as low as they were during the same time. Most Americans Still Say Foreign Leaders Don't Respect Trump Though Americans as a whole feel relatively positive about how the U.S. is viewed abroad, most don't think foreign leaders respect the president. Just 31% currently say President Trump is respected, similar to the 29% saying this in polls taken during the first two years of his term. Americans' perceived that other nations widely respected Presidents G.W. Bush and Obama in the early years of their presidencies, but these views soured over time. Six years into his presidency, at the height of the Iraq War, only 21% felt this way about Bush. The perception of Obama as respected fell to 37% by 2015. As with many other measures, Americans' views of world leaders' opinions of the president differ by partisan identification. Most Democrats believe President Trump is not respected while most Republicans say he is. Democrats' belief that the president is respected by world leaders plummeted 70 percentage points in the transition from Obama to Trump in 2017, and their views of Trump being respected by leaders hasn't improved since. Meanwhile, about two in three Republicans (65%) say Trump is respected by leaders abroad, up slightly from Trump's first two years in office. Bottom Line Though the United States' relationship with a variety of countries across the globe has been tumultuous in recent years, Americans generally see their country itself as being viewed favorably. Trump's perceived negative global image, with only 31% saying he's respected by world leaders, may reflect the bumpy relationships that have characterized U.S. foreign policy with even some of its strongest allies, such as England, Canada and Germany. His lower perceived ratings may also reflect his generally low approval ratings at home, which was likely also a factor in Bush's and Obama's subpar ratings later in their terms. Trump has also received low ratings from the world's adult population, which Gallup will update in its annual world leadership ratings on Feb. 28. Currently, Americans may be separating how they believe their country is viewed from whether they think the president is respected. Americans have expressed record-low confidence in the federal government's ability to handle international problems, so the uptick in perceptions of favorable views of the U.S. is not an endorsement of Trump's policies and how they are received abroad. Rather, it may reflect on stronger economic times, which has led to greater satisfaction levels in the past. View complete question responses and trends (PDF download). Learn more about how the Gallup Poll Social Series works. [This African Correspondent used Google Translate] Earlier this month, former Commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission, Fitsum Arega went on his Twitter page to celebrate the judgment of the Dutch Court of Hague in Ancientgrain BV and Bakels Senior NV delivered on 21st November 2018 and what it means for Ethiopias long-fought battle to legally export its popular Teff flour. In that case, the Court of Hague held that there was no infringement of two Dutch patents that refer to (the processing of) Teff flour because those patents lack inventiveness. See the judgment in Dutch, here The facts Ancientgrain instituted an action against Bakels for patent infringement. It claimed that, by offering Teff bread flour mix covered by the scope of its (Ancientgrain) patent, Bakels infringed its patents (NL 977 and NL 978). It claimed inter alia, damages for patent infringement, compensation of 150,000 and its full litigation costs. See paragraph 3.3 of the judgment. Ancientgrain became the patent holder in 2014 as the successor-in-title of the previous patentee. The patents refer to flour mixtures of Teff, dough variants made from them and food products and related methods. See paragraph 2.5 of the judgment. In its defence, Bakels argued that it could not be liable for patent infringement as the patents were invalid due to lack of novelty, or at least inventiveness. Bakels further claimed that Ancientgrain acted unlawfully because it knew or ought to have known that its patents would not stand up in proceedings. It further counterclaimed for the cost of the litigation and attorneys fees for 145,250.24, damages in respect of the bank guarantee for the Teff and damages for illegal litigation. See paragraphs 3.5 to 3.7 and 4.26 to 4.27 of the judgment. The decision In its judgment, the Dutch Court of Hague held that the patents were invalid as none of the various features described in the claims [ripening characteristic, preferred range, mixing with flour from another crop] conferred inventiveness. See paragraph 4.24. It also held that the claims on the patents combined or considered separately were obvious and lacked inventiveness. Accordingly, the court rejected the patent claims and held that no infringement could be made on invalid patents. See paragraph 4.24 of the judgment. The Court granted the counterclaim for the cost of litigation but rejected the claim for damages based on illegal litigation on the grounds that it would not be unlawful per se for a patentee to sue to enforce its patent rights. For such enforcement action to be unlawful, the person entitled must know or realize that there is a serious, not insignificant chance that his right will not stand in a procedure. See paragraph 4.27. Comment The outcome of this case has been widely celebrated in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Government had been engaged in several legal and diplomatic battles to get the patent holder to relinquish the patent or have the patent cancelled in the Netherlands and in five other countries. The patent had prevented Ethiopia from exporting the Teff flour to Europe and other countries. While the patent will no longer be enforceable in the Netherlands, Ancientgrain still holds similar patents in the UK, Italy, Germany, Belgium and Austria. [These patents are said to be up for expiration in 2024 raising questions about the practicality of expending time and financial costs to invalidate the patent.] This decision and the events in Ethiopia prior to the decision raise some key points: (i) There is much (i) There is much talk regarding an access and benefit-sharing agreement executed in 2005 between the Ethiopian Government (through the Ethiopian Institute of Biodiversity Conservation (IBC) and the then Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization (EARO) and the predecessor of Ancient Grain, Health and Performance Food International (HPFI) [Discussed here .] The agreement provided HPFI with access to specified varieties of the Teff and with the right to use these varieties to produce a wide range of specified food and beverage products not traditional in Ethiopia. In return, HPFI was to share monetary and non-monetary benefits with Ethiopia, as well as research cooperation and the sharing of research results. The claim is that HPFIs directors had established other companies and transferred values to these companies, which continued to produce and sell Teff flour and Teff products, prior to filing for bankruptcy. This chain of bankruptcy and transfer of assets has made it difficult for the Ethiopian Government to claim its benefits under the asset sharing agreement. Company law provides for the application of the doctrine of lifting the veil of incorporation when the directors of a company have employed the engine of corporate personality for fraud or improper conduct. Just as the Ethiopian Governments end of the bargain remained valid regardless of any change of government, corporate succession should be applicable to HFPI and its successors-in-title and it should be possible to lift the corporate veil to hold such successors-in-title responsible for the obligations of HFPI under the access and benefit-sharing agreement. (ii) Given this access and benefit-sharing arrangement regarding the Teff flour, can the Courts holding regarding it not being unlawful per se for a patentee to sue to enforce patents, still hold water? In this case, Ancientgrain knew that its right was at best, shaky given the provisions and existence of the access and benefit-sharing arrangement. (iii) The circumstances of the case with the history of the Teff flour in Ethiopia bring to the fore the challenges of recognising new categories of property in traditional knowledge goods such as genetic resources. Given that the knowledge of the ripening process of Teff and its other natural qualities has been held to lack inventiveness, do all other forms of intellectual property rights fail the Ethiopian nation? Does the fact that the claims in the invalidated patent are public knowledge in Ethiopia place that knowledge in the public domain? It should be remembered that while genetic resources such as the teff grain, are products of nature, they are also products of years of ingenuity and skill that have produced their current genetic makeup. (iv) Ancientgrain through its predecessor-in-title has held the patent in the teff flour mix since 2007 and have prevented Ethiopians from validly exporting the Teff. However, while Baskels would receive compensation in terms of its costs of litigation, how would and should the Ethiopian people be compensated for loss of export earnings from the Teff? Can the access sharing agreement provide the basis for such compensation? Conclusion Given the fact that the exploitation of traditional knowledge and genetic resources outside their place of origin is widespread and prohibitions of patenting of genetic resources are easily circumvented, there may be need to mandate notification to an international body whenever access-sharing agreements are executed. This may further necessitate the requirement that patent applications relating to genetic resources show certification from the international body that the claims in the patent are not covered by any access-sharing agreement. Using the teff example, Ethiopia would have notified an international body, say WIPO, that an access-sharing agreement was executed regarding its Teff grain. Ancientgrain in filing its patent application would have needed to show a certificate from WIPO confirming that its claims in the patent application are not covered by the access-sharing agreement. US: 3 people were killed in a shootout with police Blinken discuss with Lapid need to improve Israeli-Palestinian relations China shares new video from Mars Swiss authorities are going to vaccinate 80% of population One of the most dangerous viruses discovered in India AFP journalist: Turkish police attempted on my life 10 soldiers injured in Lebanon riots Azerbaijan tries to interfere with agricultural work in Syunik province Explosion kills 3 people in Syria, including child Sudan agrees to transfer those accused in war crimes to International Criminal Court Secret documents from the UK defense department found at bus stop Blinken and Lapid meet in Rome amid reboot of U.S.-Israel relations IRGC: Iran has developed a drone with a range of 7000 km CEC rejects applications to invalidate results of last parliamentary elections CEC of Armenia distributes mandates among forces that made it to National Assembly following elections Amnesty International: Israeli police use disproportionate force against Palestinian protesters Saeed Khatibzadeh: Iran won't negotiate forever US citizen fined over $ 50 by Armenia police without stating reason Turkey and Lebanon discuss prospects for cooperation Armenia's CEC receives 3 applications for invalidating election results Defense Ministry: Armenia didn't open fire on Azerbaijani positions One case of COVID-19 confirmed in Artsakh CEC shares final results of snap elections: Pashinyan's party has 53.91%, Kocharyan's bloc has 21.09% Trump says Biden will lead US economy and country to collapse Syrian FM says West helps terrorists 69 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Armenia Tunisian PM: $ 6 billion government projects halted Over 5,000 prisoners amnestied in Iran CEC of Armenia completes recount of votes Five US-backed SDF fighters killed in Syria Ilham Aliyev says there is no territorial unit of Nagorno-Karabakh Canadian FM announces new mission to support democracy in Armenia Austrian MFA on Yerevan-Baku reconciliation: Our goal is to establish trust 15 of 23 patients being treated at Gyumri Infectious Diseases Hospital are discharged Armenia villagers who closed off road end their protest action Helicopter carrying Colombia president attacked Criminal case opened into foreign reporter being threatened by Azeri soldiers with weapon on Armenia border US lawmakers urge Biden to reverse Trump's pro-Israel policies Tokayev to Pashinyan: Kazakh-Armenian relations will continue to strengthen Karabakh army ex-spokesman: Azerbaijan doing everything towards final destruction of our statehood 18 killed in shootout between Mexico drug cartels Khatibzadeh: Not Iran but US has left JCPOA and has not fulfilled its obligations Artsakh Security Council chief convenes working consultation EurAsEC Institute director: I am 99% convinced there will be Turkish military base in Azerbaijan China threatens to cut off coronavirus vaccines to Ukraine Villagers block Yerevan-Armavir motorway Macron: Tensions with Turkey eased Head of Union of Communities of Armenia: Calls by authorities to fire community leaders are illegal IAEA demands answer from Iran regarding monitoring Pedestrian woman, 55, dies on the spot after being hit by car in Armenias Shirak Province Blinken: Current pace of Iran nuclear program could complicate talks on JCPOA 93 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Analyst: Armenia, Azerbaijan authorities views on Artsakh issue coincide US to continue providing assistance to Afghanistan army after withdrawal of American troops George Floyd murder case: Ex-cop sentenced to 22 years in prison Newspaper: Authorities want to make radical changes in Armenia diplomatic corps Newspaper: Armenia acting PM considering forming political council comprising extra-parliamentary forces? Armenia ombudsman: Azerbaijan soldiers threaten to kill international reporter near Gegharkunik Province village Panasonic sells its stake in Tesla Why has the Armenian dram sharply valued against the dollar? Indian strain of COVID-19 detected in Abkhazia Garibashvili: Mediation for return of Armenian POWs is victory of Georgia's policy 'I Have Honor' bloc on consultations for applying to Armenia Constitutional Court regarding electoral violations Armenia President hosts Diaspora Armenian actress Nora Armani Armenia Administrative Court abolishes Central Electoral Commission's warning against Nikol Pashinyan Armenia President receives Austrian, Lithuanian and Romanian FMs who are on visit to the region Armenian acting PM discusses Armenia-European Union agenda with FMs of EU countries Grassy area at park near Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan is burning Armenia acting MOD pays visits to arms industry companies Karabakh emergency situations service: Searches for remains of servicemen continue in Varanda (Fizuli) region Ilham Aliyev has no intention to continue negotiations over Artsakh issue Prince Harry receives millions from Prince Charles after final break Armenian doctor says Armen Charchyan is in bed with oxygen mask, blood pressure is fluctuating Armenia Administrative Court grants Armenian political party leader's claim Barcelona Metro removes Azerbaijani posters Magnitude 4.0 earthquake hits Turkey Robert Kocharyan holds meeting with heads of 'Armenia' bloc's supportive communities Digest: Armenia soldier goes missing for month; Macron, Putin congratulate Pashinyan on election win Armenia acting deputy PM: There was widespread increase in pensions in 2020 539 Armenian doctors hold protest in front of Armenia Prosecutor General's Office in support of Armen Charchyan Armenia economic activity index up by 10.9% in May compared to same period last year Ursula von der Leyen says it is necessary to be ready for decline in relations with Russia Ameriabanks Mashtots Branch Opened its Doors and Has a Special Offer on Privileged Terms for New Clients Ombudsman attends UN online discussion, condemns Artsakh isolation by international community US President Joe Biden declares emergency in State of Florida after building collapse One dollar drops below AMD 500 in Armenia Group leaves inscription on George Floyd's statue in New York Iran MFA says Canada not qualified to present reports on crash of Ukrainian airliner Armenia MP applies to government with proposal regarding servicemen Tert.am: Azerbaijanis complete engineering work, install serious equipment in Armenias Syunik Province village 14 Armenian POWs may face 14-20 years in prison or life imprisonment in Baku Armenian NGO president on results of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia Austrian Prime Minister condemns Turkey for human rights violations Armenia ruling party MP drops mandate after receiving it a week ago Armenia President receives acting high-tech industry minister Lockdown announced in Sydney US Congressman Schiff: We must not allow Azerbaijan to violate human rights with impunity Armenia conscript not yet found more than one month after going missing Leaders of 27 EU states instructed Borrell to prepare options for sanctions against Russia New program in Artsakh: Other countries citizens also can be appointed to police positions Recently, an illegal alien, who had previously been deported four times, tried to kill a Napa County sheriff's deputy and was killed himself by the officer at whom he fired. We now are told that ICE had, on four previous times, issued detainers to the Napa and Sonoma County jails, in an effort to apprehend him and deport him again. The detainers were not honored, presumably in accordance with so-called sanctuary policies of the counties. Fortunately, the Napa deputy he tried to murder was unharmed and the miscreant won't again be the beneficiary of sanctuary policy madness. The Newman, California police officer who was shot and killed by a similar illegal alien in December was not so fortunate. Law enforcement personnel, including ICE personnel, are sworn to enforce the laws of the land. Their job is usually arduous, often dangerous, and sometimes deadly. We are protected by such officers and they deserve much better from us than the misguided sanctuary policies whose sole purpose is to frustrate the enforcement of the laws of the land, for the benefit of those who violate our laws. Perhaps, if those responsible for the adoption of sanctuary policies, were to attend the funeral of a law officer killed by an illegal alien here because of sanctuary laws, they might re-consider to whom they owe their allegiance. Two young men drive up to a small corner grocery store in an inner-city neighborhood and the driver remains at the wheel while his masked partner runs into the store, gun in hand, to commit a robbery. The armed gunman shoots and kills the clerk before grabbing cash out of the register, then jumps back into the car and the two make their getaway. Days later, thanks to an informant, police locate the two robbers, but each points to the other as the gunman and theres no evidence to prove it either way. What happens? For decades, both could be prosecuted under the felony murder law. If someone participated in a felony that resulted in a death, he or she was as guilty of homicide as the person who actually stabbed, shot, strangled or beat the victim. California and most other states embraced the principle of equal guilt, lifted from English common law. But no more perhaps. A vehicle driven by a suspected drunk driver ran off Silverado Trail and hit a power pole early Monday morning, closing the roadway from Deer Park Road to Lodi Lane for the day, the California Highway Patrol reported. The collision occurred just before 3 a.m., approximately a half mile north of Deer Park Road. A Pacific Gas & Electric crew was having to replace a 50-foot pole and restring lines, which could take all afternoon, Deanna Contreras, a company spokesperson said. The road was still closed as of 4 p.m. The outage originally impacted 49 customers, but 16 of them had power back by 5 a.m., she said. The motorist, Isaac Galan, 24, of Calistoga lost control of his 2015 Ford Mustang due to his intoxicated state, the CHP said. Galan, who was not injured, was arrested at the scene for investigation of DUI, the CHP said. He was booked at the Napa County jail. 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 the Vietnamese child who became known as the napalm girl, the searing burns, the years of surgery and the heavy scarring were only the beginning of her torment. Long after her skin had slowly healed from a 1972 air attack that was captured in a world-famous photograph crystallizing the horrors of the Vietnam War, Kim Phuc Phan Thi found the aftermath scorching her soul as surely as napalm had once burned her body. I became a victim all over again; my life became as a bird in a cage, Kim Phuc, now 55, recalled Sunday at Napas Hopewell Baptist Church. I asked, why me? Why do I suffer so much? I felt so bitter and angry, I wanted those who had caused me suffering to suffer even more than me. From her despair began a journey that led her first to a religious faith she said finally allowed her to forgive those who had nearly ended her life and then, two decades after the napalm attack, to freedom in the west and a career advocating for children victimized by warfare. The story of her winding road to inner peace highlighted Hopewell Baptists annual Ladies Conference, where Kim Phuc, who has lived in Canada since 1992, was the keynote speaker for the four-day program. Bring your pot of water to a rolling boil and very slowly pour in the cornmeal. Whisk constantly for 3 to 5 minutes until the polenta thickens. Turn the flame to its lowest setting and allow the polenta to bubble gently. Ive heard it said in Italian kitchens that the polenta, with all its popping and sputtering, is talking to the cook, or even singing. While its important to keep the polenta from sticking, its also important not to over-stir. I stir about every 10 minutes. Here's a fun foodie trivia fact for you: the polenta we know today was actually brought from America to Italy when Columbus returned from his first exploration. Remember, Europeans had not experienced corn. Before this time the Italian polenta was created from roughly ground flours made from buckwheat, barley and spelt. The flavor of this new polenta was more neutral than the prior grains used, so the polenta became a substitute for bread, and this still holds true today. Northern Italy and its rich productive soil allowed the corn to flourish. Cultivation was easy and became one of the most popular crops for farming. To this day, one sees miles and miles of corn fields throughout Italy. Its often said that Montana is like a small town with long streets. Montanans may be separated by hundreds of miles but its amazing how many mutual friends you find you have after talking with someone for five minutes in this giant small town. A defining characteristic of small towns is that people care about one another and rally together in challenging times. Chances are youve attended at least a few community benefits to raise money for medical bills or to help a family that had some other misfortune strike. Today, our giant small town of Montana is facing a threat to the continued existence of many members of our small town, unless we rally together and begin to turn things around. Forty four of Montanas 56 counties are slowly losing their lifeblood the youth who go away to college or trade school and dont return. Many wish they could come back to the communities and way of life they love, but after getting established in Montanas booming counties, or out of state, the only time they may come home is for a class reunion, holiday, wedding or funeral. Gernant and MacDonald also say county governments all over Montana spend money sending out bills and notices to these properties and hiring Sheriffs departments to post auction notices. Gernant said Missoula County often spends $150 to collect on a $70 tax bill, which means the owners are on the hook for $220 in that case, making it even more likely their home will get sold at auction. MacDonald said the people in her district who would be affected by the bill all work full-time jobs and struggle to make ends meet due to Montanas low wages and unexpected healthcare bills. This bill provides strategic tax relief to keep families in their homes by focusing on the oldest, lowest-value and least revenue-producing mobile homes, she noted. Across our state many Montanans lose their homes every year at county auctions due to tax debts that are frequently below $200. This is because mobile homes are usually taxed as personal property. How state law allows taxing jurisdictions to pursue mobile home taxes is much different than when people fall behind on, for example, a property tax bill for a single-family home on land they own. And when it comes to delinquent personal property taxes, in this instance mostly mobile homes, statute provides limited options for the government to move forward. He then referenced the lawsuit in Missoula and its role in the bill before the Legislature. Most of the language derived in this bill really comes out of misunderstanding, misinformation and at worst fear-mongering. Theres a lot of hearsay out in the industry. Youve heard in a number of testimonies (saying) 'Weve heard this is going on.' There's no evidence of it, theres no fact, there's no logic in a lot of the testimony and actually in the language of the bill. There's not a lot of real sound logic for why we would make changes to the current law, which is a good piece of legislation. Douglas Felt, who owns Uncle Bucks Dispensary in Yellowstone County, questioned whether the state could lose federal funds if its laboratory was involved with marijuana. Erica Johnston, the operations services branch manager with the health department, said nothing in the bill would require the state lab to process or possess medical marijuana, so it shouldn't be at risk. *** Unlike some snow-making scenarios where Butte and surrounding areas get dumped on over a few or several hours, this one has been prolonged snowfall due to one moist system after another moving over cold arctic air. And more were on the way. Imagine it like a river with several waves moving through, Nester said. In Butte, county road crews had been plowing and clearing since Friday night and it became an all-hands-on-deck situation Saturday and remained that way Monday, said Public Works Director Mark Neary. The countys two giant dump trucks with 11-foot plows were both down at one point but a hydraulic hose was fixed on one and it was back out Monday, Neary said. The other was still down with computer issues. The county also has three large graders, seven one-ton trucks with plows and several pickup trucks with plows, among other equipment, and all were being utilized in an effort to keep up with the continuous snowfall. With this much snow in a short time, Neary said, efforts were concentrated first on primary and secondary routes. As time and conditions allow, crews will move to other roads and neighborhood streets, especially those used by school buses, and try to pick up plowed snow. Butte School District No. 1, Butte Central Schools and Anaconda School District No. 10 just made some students week the two public school districts and Catholic schools announced Monday afternoon that Tuesday will be a snow day. We dont take this sort of decision lightly, but we decided that with the forecast we are cancelling school Tuesday for the safety of our kids, said Butte School District No. 1 Superintendent Judy Jonart. It really is about safety. According to Jonart, some of the Butte public school buses got stuck in the snow around town this morning, and some students parents got stuck in school parking lots. Jonart said the district has had two snow plows out working since early Monday morning, but that they cant keep up with the new snowfall. Jonart also said East Middle School had a pipe break on Monday, causing a small area of the school to lose heat. As of Monday afternoon, the pipe was half fixed and Jonart noted that the snow day will give the district more time to fully fix the problem. This is the first time Butte School District No. 1 has canceled school in more than 20 years. Jonart said she thinks the last time school was called off was in 1980 after Mount St. Helens erupted. Jan. 15, 1948-Feb. 17, 2019 Stephen Michael Williams was born on January 15, 1948 in Butte, Montana to Maurice E. and Catherine OBrien Williams. He attended Butte Central High School and then the University of Montana for both undergraduate and law school. After college, he served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Conflict. After the Army, Steve returned to Butte where he began practicing law and met Linda Arnold. They were married on December 27, 1975 and have three sons; Eric, Aaron and Brian. Steves legal career took the family to Colorado, Alaska, California and finally Katy, Texas where they called home for the past 26 years. He enjoyed the challenges of international law while working for ARCO, Lyondell and during his "retirement" as a consultant. He kept working until his death because the mental challenges kept his mind sharp. In his home office, there are copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and a picture of Abraham Lincoln with the quote A lawyers time and advice are his stock in trade. A randomly comprehensive survey of extraordinary movie experiences from the art house to the grindhouse, featuring the good, the bad, the ugly, but not the boring or the banal. What would a person say to get out of jail? I learned the answer the hard way, after spending the better part of 14 years in prison because of a lie told by incentivized witnesses hoping for leniency in their own cases. At the age of 17, I spent five months in a Missoula juvenile detention facility on a misdemeanor marijuana charge. Four days after my release, I was shocked when law enforcement came to my home and told me I was being arrested for raping another inmate. Soon I figured out that other inmates made up a story about a rape that never occurred with the expectation of getting a deal for their cooperation. The first inmate to report this lie got his homicide charges reduced to a misdemeanor and was released. It turned out that he was in lockdown when he said the crime happened and could not have witnessed it. The state let out a person who was charged with a murder that actually happened in exchange for convicting me of a crime that never happened. At my trial there was nothing resembling justice. The prosecution told jurors to believe the inmates who testified against me, instead of believing the corrections officers who said that I didnt commit the crime, and I was convicted. Montanas Republican legislators have a long and horrific record of savaging Montanas consumers while doing everything possible to increase the profits of the states utility corporations. Despite the devastating mistakes of the past, theyre at it again. This time with a bill that will allow Montanas largest utility, NorthWestern Energy, to buy Colstrip for a buck and inherit the liabilities that come with the shutdown and remediation of the antiquated and massively polluting power complex, which will then be passed on to the utilitys customers. Those with good memories will recall the disastrous deregulation bill passed by the Republican-dominated legislature and signed into law by Republican Gov. Marc Racicot in 1997. The measure was sponsored by Sen. Fred Thomas, a Hamilton Republican widely known back then as the man of a thousand bad ideas. Thomas is back in the legislature and, not surprisingly, still lives up to that description. In the picture, the young mother, 23, wears a peach dress and poses sidesaddle on a porch rail. She stares beyond the camera to a point on the horizon known only to her. The baby in her lap is squirming, legs stiffening, arms outstretched. Diane Medicine Horse splays her fingers across the babys ribs, turns toward the camera and waits for the shutter click. Soon after this image is taken, she will go missing. The photo will be pinned to the wall to of every apartment and every home that daughter Natasha Rondeau lives in. The woman in the peach dress never turns away. She stares unflinchingly at Rondeaus struggles. They say Im just like her. Small, were both small, Rondeau says with a glint her eye as she makes the connection. They call me Tiny. When my father heard that, he got watery eyes. He said, Let me tell you something, girl. Did you know, your mothers name was Tiny? Tiny Rondeau is about to become a mother to a fifth child. Her unborn baby is seven pounds, five ounces and still three weeks from entering the world. When it moves, it shortens her breath. She will soon need a car. At 39, she is talking about getting a car for her trip to obstetrics, for the ride home from St. Vincent Healthcare on what is sure to be a cold March day. It seems like the perfect time for her phone to chirp a signature ringtone and light up with a three-letter caller ID, mom. But it doesnt. There are many like Tiny Rondeau living without mothers, because there are too many missing American Indian women. American Indians make up 6.7 percent of Montanas population, but 26 percent of Montanans reported missing. Because the count of missing and murdered American Indians is poorly kept, the assumption is the number is higher still. The children of the missing live with historical trauma, harmed not only by the unresolved absence of the most important people in their lives, but also the unresolved grief of a multigenerational wound that has not healed. Diane Medicine Horse was last seen alive Sept. 28, 1981. She was standing in the front yard of Rondeaus uncle Tim in Crow Agency. Thats where Rondeaus father, Henry, was staying at the time. Medicine Horse had driven there to drop Rondeau off. After doing so, the young mother pulled her white car back onto the street and drove away. It might have been the best thing she ever done for me, Rondeau said, noting that just minutes earlier she was riding in the back seat of that car. No one looked for Medicine Horse right away. A product of the federal governments Indian boarding school system and a childhood home that wasnt always sober and peaceful, she, too dealt with trauma, by drinking too much and never staying put long. She had a son, Nathan Shike, in Glendale, Washington, living with a grandmother who saw trouble in the lifestyle of Medicine Horse and Shikes father. Alcohol was the gasoline they reached for to douse their personal fires. Her sisters reported her missing after Medicine Horse didnt show up for their mothers funeral. The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated, but yellowed documents in Medicine Horses BIA case file are few in number. The file possessed by Nathan Shike indicates that agents checked a drug treatment center in Glendive and followed a tip that Medicine Horse might be in Fort Berthold, North Dakota, and then maybe buried in a Lodge Grass basement, which turned out to be a crawl space. To this day, the FBI considers Medicine Horse case to still be open. Although her children have asked to see the case for closure, the government has declined to share. These dead ends for years fueled Rondeaus hope that her mother could still be alive, that Medicine Horse might be more than just a photo on the wall. Theres hope in not knowing. What adults told Rondeau while she was growing up was that Medicine Horse had wandered far and hadnt found her way home, or that Medicine Horse was in an asylum and couldnt recall who she was. Rondeau thought she could feel her absent mothers gaze growing up. She took solace in it. There has never been a day Diane Lynn Medicine Horse's children didn't think of her, Rondeau said. She is in their hearts. I dont know, I just thought she might be watching me, Rondeau said. Maybe from a car parked on the street. Just watching. Maybe too, I dont know, embarrassed to approach to me. I thought that until my daughter was born. Then I realized, how could anyone do that? How could you miss their birthdays? Wouldnt you knock on their door and ask to see your grandchildren? Editor's note In Montana, Native Americans are just 6.7 percent of the total population, but make up 26 percent of missing persons cases. The problem has persisted for generations, and many of the cases remain unsolved. The causes are numerous and complex, and any lasting solutions have been elusive. The Gazette will explore the reasons the epidemic has persisted, and what can be done about it. Throughout the series, we will also profile many of missing and murdered women and girls. And, we need your help. We welcome your tips, suggestions and feedback at billingsgazette.com/mmiwtips. For previous Gazette reporting of the issue, visit billingsgazette.com/mmiw. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 He moved up to managing ranches and eventually owning one of his own in the Bitterroot Valley. But the challenge of turning livestock into meat has always been a struggle for him. You take a couple hundred calves, lavish care and attention on them, and then take them to the feed lot and do nothing but count the money, Andrews said. I couldnt achieve that numbness, that callousness. Thats not how we should do it. I still want to be capable, but not callous. He also saw firsthand the difficulty ranchers face when wild elk tear down fences and raid haystacks. He worked out the economics of defending domestic livestock from predators when a ranch can only afford one cowboy per 500 cows to turn a profit. He resolved the conundrum by going to work with People and Carnivores, combining his credibility as a cowboy with his passion for wilderness. The groups executive director, Lisa Upson, pointed him toward the Mission Valley. The grizzly bears of the Mission Mountains had learned to raid the increasing acres of corn local farmers were growing. One dairy farmer, Greg Schock, reported 16 grizzlies feeding in his 80-acre field. Work is expected to begin next week on a new bridge to city-owned conservation lands on the West Broadway Island, as part of the ongoing effort to reduce illegal drug use and homeless camps on the parcel. The overall plan calls for the creation of a new pedestrian bridge near Broadway and Hawthorne streets; upgrades to the existing utility bridge at the south end of Burton Street; extension of a trail between the two bridges; and improvements at the Clark Fork Rivers edge, which include a small paved parking area. This project has been out there forever; part of this is the issue the city has been having on the island, said Ellen Buchanan, director of the Missoula Redevelopment Agency, which has earmarked $500,000 in Tax Increment Financing for the project. We need to get people down there so some of the unacceptable behavior stops. Getting the bridge and trail there will do that. The city of Missoula purchased the eastern portion of the island in 2011; a small slice to the west is owned by the state of Montana. In recent years, conservation land crews and a firm hired by the MRA removed most of the non-native large shrubs and trees to restore the natural habitat. This project is expected to enhance the natural setting with its views of the river and mountains, and the use by small wildlife and birds. For all of their excursions, XSports4Vets provides gear rentals, lessons and guides for participants. Sundays ice fishing trip was part of a push by the group to have more winter events, as it has previously focused on warm weather activities like whitewater rafting, backpacking and mountain biking. *** Gorris went on his first trip with XSports4Vets about a year after leaving the service. He and Deering met through their jobs at the Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory and became friends due to their shared background in the military. Last week Deering called Gorris about coming to Sundays event. He said, You want to go fishing on Sunday? and I was like hell yeah, Gorris said. Deering said that feeling of being alone is real for veterans coming back from combat zones. You get out after being so close to people. You get out and you lose all of that. And when you come here, places like this, and you find it again, its like finding a family. Oh, right, this is where I belong, he said. Justin Stahl spent eight years in the Marine Corps and was deployed to Iraq twice. While he hadnt had any luck catching fish on Sunday, he was happy to be out on the ice. The assault charge against a former University of Montana Buddhism and yoga professor was dismissed last week after he made a restitution payment in the case. Bradley Stevens Clough, who is still under state probation, according to Department of Corrections records, was cleared of the charge on Feb. 20. Missoula County prosecutors filed to dismiss the case a day earlier. Missoula County Justice Court staff confirmed Clough had paid $295.99 in restitution on the case a week earlier. The former professor was charged with misdemeanor assault in September after he reportedly hit a bouncer in the stomach at the KettleHouse Amphitheater during a Jason Isbell concert. Clough became agitated when the bouncer tried removing him from the venue's private booths, according to charging records. It was just four months after Clough, 58 at the time, was sentenced to a 10-year probation term for pleading guilty to felony criminal endangerment related to a drunken driving incident. Missoula County Public Schools canceled this week's focus groups intended to help guide the district's search for a new superintendent and will reschedule them for a later date. Superintendent Mark Thane is retiring June 30. Sunday evening, MCPS Communications Director Hatton Littman sent an email noting that, "due to the current weather pattern, the consultants from Ray and Associates are unable to make it into Missoula for the scheduled focus groups on February 25th - 27th." The district is looking into rescheduling the focus groups for March 11-13. *** The following schools are closed for Monday, Feb. 25: Columbia Falls School District Corvallis School District Hamilton School District This list will be updated as more information becomes available. *** The West Central Montana Avalanche Center updated its avalanche advisory to note dangerous avalanche conditions in the Bitterroot Mountains. A Community Newsblog written by Community Members Middletown's a big place, with a lot going on. We need your help to keep your neighbors informed. Come write or just give us a tip on your news, sports, arts, politics or events at - middletowneye@gmail.com Help us to make the Middletown Eye the third eye people open every morning! The Florida Supreme Court in Tallahassee. [Scott Keeler Tampa Bay Times] The Florida Supreme Court justices unanimously agreed to impanel a statewide grand jury to broadly investigate school safety, in an order issued Monday . The decision came after Gov. Ron DeSantis filed a petition on Feb. 13 to ask for the grand jury, which he said should have sweeping powers to oversee both the government failures leading up to last years Parkland school shooting as well as any ongoing misdeeds committed by districts that are not following the school safety law passed after the tragedy. I am pleased with the Supreme Courts decision, DeSantis said in a statement. This grand jury will work to investigate practices, identify failures and recommend solutions to keep students, teachers and staff safe in our schools. Mirroring the language in DeSantis request, the courts order said the grand jury will investigate whether districts refusal or failure to follow school safety laws put students at risk, whether government officials committed fraud and deceit by using public money designated for school safety for other purposes or whether schools intentionally under-report criminal incidents to the state. The grand jury, which will have jurisdiction over the entire state, will have its presiding judge be in the 17th Circuit which is Broward County. It will meet for a year and will have the regular powers to issue subpoenas and indictments. Its a highly unusual use of a statewide grand jury, but DeSantis has said it will compliment the work of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, which investigated the shooting and made recommendations to the Legislature. Credit: CC0 Public Domain At work, it's healthier and more productive just to be yourself, according to a new study from Rice University, Texas A&M University, the University of Memphis, Xavier University, Portland State University and the University of California, Berkeley. The study, "Stigma Expression Outcomes and Boundary Conditions: A Meta-Analysis" will appear in an upcoming edition of the Journal of Business and Psychology. It examines 65 studies focusing on what happens after people in a workplace disclose a stigmatized identity, such as sexual orientation, mental illness, physical disability or pregnancy. Eden King, a co-author of the study and an associate professor of psychology at Rice, said the decision to express a stigmatized identity is highly complicated. "It has the potential for both positive and negative consequences," she said. However, the research overwhelmingly indicates that people with non-visible stigmas (such as sexual orientation or health problems) who live openly at work are happier with their overall lives and more productive in the workplace. King said self-disclosure is typically a positive experience because it allows people to improve connections, form relationships with others and free their minds of unwanted thoughts. Workers who expressed their non-visible stigmas experienced decreased job anxiety, decreased role ambiguity, improved job satisfaction and increased commitment to their position. Outside of work, these workers reported decreased psychological stress and increased satisfaction with their lives. But the study found that the same results did not apply to people with visible traits, such as race, gender and physical disability. "Identities that are immediately observable operate differently than those that are concealable," King said. "The same kinds of difficult decisions about whether or not to disclose the identitynot to mention the questions of to whom, how, when and where to disclose those identitiesare probably less central to their psychological experiences." King said that because most people appreciate gaining new information about others, the expression of visible stigmas is likely to be less impactful. "Also, people react negatively to those who express or call attention to stigmas that are clearly visible to others, such as race or gender, as this may be seen as a form of advocacy or heightened pride in one's identity," she said. The researchers said more work needs to be done to understand the motivations for expressing different stigmas. They hope this meta-analysis will be used to help workplaces and policymakers protect individuals with stigmas from discrimination. Explore further 'Trans-parency' in the workplace For almost 50 years, hemodialysis has extended lives of people with chronic kidney disease. But when a patient first learns that their kidneys have failed and dialysis is necessary to survive, it can be a jolting overture of mortality. These patients usually have lived for years with diabetes or hypertensiondiseases onerous for their medication regimens and lifestyle constraints. Adding dialysis, a four-hour, thrice-weekly therapy, can easily push patients into depression if they don't already have that diagnosis. With this backdrop, researchers report today that two treatments, cognitive behavioral therapy (counseling) and the drug sertraline, effectively reduce depression among people undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. The study was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. "Sertraline was slightly more effective but both treatments seemed to work for this population," said the study's lead author, Rajnish Mehrotra, professor of medicine (nephrology) at the University of Washington School of Medicine. "Physicians should select the treatment that is available and acceptable to the patient, recognizing that each comes with its own burdens: Cognitive behavioral therapy needs to be given once a week for 10 sessions, and sertraline is a daily pill that has a higher risk for adverse events such as nausea and dizziness." The multicenter, randomized controlled trial included 184 kidney-failure patients at 41 dialysis facilities in three U.S. metropolitan areas. All had been screened and identified to have depression. The trial was conducted in two phases: first, to determine the effect of an "engagement interview" on patients' acceptance of an offer of treatment, and second, to compare the efficacy of the two therapies. Half of the patients were randomly assigned to receive an engagement interview in which the patient's depressive signs were more fully explored and discussed; the other half received a simplified statement of their depression diagnosis and an offer of treatment. Approach, it turned out, made no difference to patients: 66 percent of the engagement group and 64 percent of the control group opted for treatment. "I was surprised by how many people accepted treatment," Mehrotra said, contrasting the finding with earlier research in which, by his calculation, only 17 percent of patients on dialysis and diagnosed with depression had opted for treatment. Those patients amenable to treatment were randomly assigned to 10 cognitive behavioral therapy sessions over 12 weeks (delivered during dialysis sessions) or prescribed daily sertraline for 12 weeks. The median age for people starting dialysis is 62, and a disproportionate number of dialysis patients represent racial and ethnic minorities, Mehrotra said. "Overall this is a socioeconomically deprived population in terms of educational attainment, family income and opportunity to advance." The number of people with end-stage renal disease also is increasing. Today upward of a half-million Americans today receive hemodialysis to cleanse their blood of impurities normally filtered out of the body by their kidneys. Existing literature indicates that, at any time, nearly one in three such patients meets clinical criteria for depression. Many, though, receive no care for the condition. Mehrotra attributes the shortfall to three things: a lack of recognition and diagnosis by healthcare providers; patients' reluctance to acknowledge feelings of depression because of the condition's persistent stigma; and the dearth of quality data, to date, that treatments for depression in the general population are effective among this patient population specifically. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services addressed this situation in 2016 when it started requiring Medicare patients who receive dialysis to be screened annually for depression. On whom that directive falls has been a source of uncertainty and tension, Mehrotra acknowledged. "Many dialysis patients have no primary care doctor, and we nephrologists have not been trained in how to treat people for depression and/or make those treatments available. I think we'll have to get out of our comfort zone in that way." Explore further Sertraline treatment no benefit for depressive symptoms in CKD Researchers Lelisa F. Gemta (left) and Timothy Bullock have determined why killer T cells can be so helpless against cancer. Their finding could allow doctors to make the cells more effective cancer killers. Credit: Dan Addison / University Communications Scientists at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have discovered a defect in immune cells known as "killer T cells" that explains their inability to destroy cancer tumors. The researchers believe that repairing this defect could make the cells much better cancer killers. Further, they predict their discovery could be used within three to five years to help identify patients who will best respond to cancer therapies. The finding could be a significant boost to the burgeoning field of immunotherapy, which aims to harness the body's immune defenses to defeat cancer. The discovery could also let doctors better predict and assess how well a patient responds to treatment. "For a long time, the presence of immune cells in cancer has been associated with a better outcome in patients, but it's not really been clear why the immune cells haven't been able to control the cancer. What is the cancer doing?" said researcher Timothy Bullock, Ph.D., of the UVA Cancer Center. "This [finding] gives us plenty of opportunity to come in with interventions to invigorate these T cells and level the playing field substantially so they're much more competitive." Building Better Cancer Killers Despite their fearsome moniker, "killer" T cells often become inactive in solid tumors. UVA's new research sheds light on why. Bullock and his team determined that these sluggish soldiers suffer from a dysfunctional enzyme, enolase 1. Without it, they cannot use a vital nutrient, glucose. "There is a functional defect in this enzyme that is preventing the cells from breaking down glucose and using it in such a way that they can proliferate and become functional," explained researcher Lelisa F. Gemta. "They don't process it well, and that's what we've been digging into: to find out why do these cells take up glucose but fail to break it down." By amping up the effectiveness of the enzyme, the researchers believe they can make the killer T cells much better at killing cancer. The sluggish soldiers would become much more formidable fighters. The researchers also believe that doctors will be able to examine the enzyme to predict how well a patient will respond to treatment. "I think that there is an opportunity to actually use this enzyme as a read-out for the quality of the T cells that are in the tumor, so that when a physician comes in with a clinical trial we can theoretically analyze how the T cells metabolically compare within the tumor," said Bullock, of UVA's Department of Pathology. "It's almost a biomarker of immune function and fitness within the tumors." The research is part of UVA's aggressive efforts to advance the field of immunotherapy. For example, it is conducting a leading-edge clinical trial of an experimental immunotherapy for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia that has resisted other forms of treatment. The approach, known as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, takes a child's own immune cells and genetically modifies them to make them better at killing cancer. By confronting the defect they have discovered and making these T cells fitter, Bullock hopes that his new discovery will complement such emerging treatments and make them more effective. The finding, he notes, also might be put to use one day to dampen excessive immune responses, such as are seen in autoimmune disorders. More information: Lelisa F. Gemta et al, Impaired enolase 1 glycolytic activity restrains effector functions of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells, Science Immunology (2019). Journal information: Science Immunology Lelisa F. Gemta et al, Impaired enolase 1 glycolytic activity restrains effector functions of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells,(2019). DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.aap9520 Human sperm stained for semen quality testing in the clinical laboratory. Credit: Bobjgalindo/Wikipedia Men with early stage testicular cancer can safely receive one course of chemotherapy or radiotherapy after surgery without it having a long-term effect on their sperm count, according to a study published in the leading cancer journal Annals of Oncology today. Although it is known already that several rounds of chemotherapy or high doses of radiotherapy given to men with more advanced testicular cancer can reduce sperm count and concentration, it has been unclear whether a single cycle of chemotherapy or radiotherapy would have a similar effect in men with stage I disease. Dr. Kristina Weibring, a cancer doctor at the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, who led the study, said: "We wanted to examine in more detail if postoperative treatment, given to decrease the risk of recurrence after the removal of the tumorous testicle, would affect the sperm count and sperm concentration long term in testicular cancer patients with no spread of the disease. To our knowledge, no such study has been done before. "This is important to find out, since treatment with one course of postoperative chemotherapy has been shown to decrease the risk of relapse substantially, thereby reducing the number of patients having to be treated with several courses of chemotherapy." Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men between the ages of 15 and 40. When it is diagnosed, all patients have the testicle containing the tumour removed, a surgical procedure called orchiectomy. In this study, 182 men aged between 18 and 50, diagnosed with stage I testicular cancer and who had had an orchiectomy within the past five years, took part in the study between 2001 and 2006. They were treated either in Stockholm or Lund. After surgery, they received radiotherapy (14 fractions of 1.8 Gy each, up to a total dose of 25 Gy) or one course of chemotherapy, or were managed by surveillance, meaning there was no postoperative treatment. They provided semen samples after orchiectomy but before further treatment, and then six months, one year, two years, three years and five years thereafter. From 2006 onwards, radiotherapy was no longer used as a standard treatment in Sweden because of the risk of causing secondary cancer. "We found no clinically significant detrimental long-term effect in either total sperm number or sperm concentration, irrespective of the type of postoperative treatment received," said Dr. Weibring. "Among men who received radiotherapy, there was a distinct decrease in average sperm number and concentration six months after treatment, though not in those who received chemotherapy. However, sperm number and concentration recovered in the radiotherapy group after six months, and continued to increase in all groups up to five years after treatment. "I am very excited to see these results as I wasn't expecting sperm to recover so well after postoperative treatment. I didn't expect as negative an effect as if the patient had received many courses of chemotherapy, since it is much more toxic, but I was not sure how much the sperm would be affected by one course. "With the results of this study we can give the patients more adequate information on potential side effects from postoperative treatment. Testicular cancer patients are often young men wanting to father children at some point, and we find, in many cases, that the patients are afraid of the potential risk of infertility caused by chemotherapeutic treatment. These findings should provide some reassurance to them." A well-known problem for men diagnosed with testicular cancer is an impaired ability to create sperm. A condition called testicular dysgenesis syndrome, characterised by poor semen quality among other things, may play a role in this and is also associated with a higher risk of developing testicular cancer. In addition, the orchiectomy and the cancer itself may also affect sperm quality. The removal of one testicle does not necessarily affect a man's sperm count and concentration as the remaining testicle can compensate. Dr. Weibring concluded: "Our results are promising but more studies are needed, and we still recommend sperm banking before orchiectomy as a number of patients may have low sperm counts at the time of diagnosis that persists after postoperative treatment. In addition, the type of testicular cancer and whether or not it will need further treatments are unknown factors before the orchiectomy. Assisted reproductive measures may be necessary for these patients regardless of any treatment given." Editor-in-chief of Annals of Oncology, Professor Fabrice Andre, Professor in the Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France, commented: "This study, together with other research efforts, explores the paths to recovering a normal life after cancer. The finding that one course of chemotherapy has minimal impact on sperm count offers hope for thousands of patients worldwide, but we all must keep in mind that these data are preliminary and will require validation before we can use them in clinics. The next step will be to establish how to predict the toxic effects on sperm count of different chemotherapy regimens." Explore further Study examines sperm production in men with testicular cancer More information: K Weibring et al, Sperm count in Swedish clinical stage I testicular cancer patients following adjuvant treatment, Annals of Oncology (2019). Journal information: Annals of Oncology K Weibring et al, Sperm count in Swedish clinical stage I testicular cancer patients following adjuvant treatment,(2019). DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdz017 The proportion of early-stage drug trials tackling the biggest cancer killers has declined sharply since the early 1990s as less common tumour types receive increasing attention, according to new research to be presented during the International Congress on Targeted Anticancer Therapies (TAT) 2019, taking place from today to 27 February in Paris, France. The analysis highlights the changing treatment landscape, with doctors and pharmaceutical companies evaluating an expanding range of molecularly-targeted anticancer drugs and immunotherapy. "Our study clearly shows the common cancer types are decreasing as a proportion of the patients in phase 1 studies and the uncommon types are increasing," said Dr. Jun Sato of the National Cancer Center Hospital, Japan, lead author of the latest research. "The development of new treatment options means there are now multiple approaches to address an increasingly broad spectrum of different types of cancer." Sato and his colleagues pooled results from 866 oncology phase 1 trials conducted worldwide for their analysis. These trials, published between 1991 and 2015, involved more than 29,000 patients enrolled to test novel medicines in the first stage of clinical testing. They found that the proportion of phase 1 trials in which patients with either colorectal or lung cancer accounted for at least half of the enrolled group declined markedly over time, from 46.3% in 1991-95 to just 16.7% in 2011-15. The trend was consistent across North America, Europe and Asia. Importantly, the absolute number of trials involving a majority of colorectal or lung cancer patients still rose over the period, from 31 to 41, but this was far less than the increase in trials focused on rarer cancer types. Lung and colorectal cancer are the most common causes of cancer death globally, accounting for 2.6 million of an estimated 9.6 million cancer deaths in 2018, according to the World Health Organization. The 1991-2015 timespan chosen for the analysis coincides with a revolution in cancer therapy, driven by the development of molecularly-targeted anticancer drugs and application of comprehensive molecular profiling techniques for patient selection in clinical trials. Initially, from 1990s to early 2000s, scientists used these advances to investigate large cancer populations with frequent genomic mutations, but over time, the focus of genomic-driven clinical trials has shifted to less common mutations and rarer tumour types. "There has been a natural evolution to infrequent tumour types, such as biliary tract cancers, due to a better understanding of the genomic drivers and altered pathways in these malignancies. Besides, common cancers like lung adenocarcinomas are now classified into multiple rarer subtypes based on genomic markers," said Dr. Rodrigo Dienstmann of the Oncology Data Science unit at the Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain. Still, the new study does not tell the full story, since it fails to fully reflect a second much more recent revolution in cancer medicinethe arrival of immunotherapy. Because the data analysed comes from trials published up to 2015, when immuno-oncology was in its infancy, it does not include the rapid growth in immunotherapy clinical trials over the last few years. "This study won't have really captured the explosion in immunotherapy trials that we have seen," Dienstmann said. Lung cancer is one notable field where new immunotherapy treatments like PD-(L)1 targeting checkpoint inhibitors have proven particularly promising. As a result, Dienstmann believes there has been a bounce back in the proportion of phase 1 trials addressing lung tumours since 2015. Overall, the clinical trial landscape is increasingly biased towards immunotherapy, with more than 2,200 trials now evaluating PD-(L)1 inhibitors, according to the U.S.-based Cancer Research Institute. Interestingly, both targeted therapies and immunotherapies have proven largely ineffective in colorectal cancer, except immune checkpoint inhibitors in microsatellite-unstable tumours. "We get a lot of colorectal patients who have run through standard treatments and it is very difficult to put them into phase 1 trials because there are not many new options," said Dr. Markus Joerger, responsible for the phase 1 unit at the St Gallen Cancer Centre, Switzerland. Despite such challenges, the latest analysis shows there is a vibrant field of clinical research into new approaches for tackling cancer, with the picture proving particularly positive for patients with rare tumour types that have typically received limited attention in the past. "Across all cancer types, what we are seeing is more and more phase 1 trials, reflecting the latest waves of innovation," Joerger concluded. Explore further Mapping oesophageal cancer genes leads to new drug targets More information: Abstract 30P "Dynamic change in the distribution of cancer types in oncology phase I trials" will be presented by Jun Sato during the Selected Posters session on Tuesday, 26 February 2019, 17:30-18:00. Annals of Oncology, Volume 30, 2019 Supplement 1. Journal information: Annals of Oncology Abstract 30P "Dynamic change in the distribution of cancer types in oncology phase I trials" will be presented by Jun Sato during the Selected Posters session on Tuesday, 26 February 2019, 17:30-18:00., Volume 30, 2019 Supplement 1. DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdz025 After exploring an open environment, neurons fire during sleep in places the rat has explored, but following random trajectories. Credit: Federico Stella Sleep is far from an inactive time for the brain: while rats (and humans) are asleep, neurons in the hippocampus fire rapidly. After a rat has repeatedly moved from one spot to another, the same neurons that fired while the rat moved "replay" this firing while the rat is asleep, i.e. they fire in the same, but much quicker, pattern. Previously, it was thought that replay patterns only correspond to trips rats had made repeatedly while awake. Writing in Neuron today, Postdoc Federico Stella and Professor Jozsef Csicsvari at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria), show also that when rats roam around freely, the hippocampus replays during sleep, but it does so in a random manner that resembles the famous Brownian motion known from randomly moving particles. Place cells are cells in the hippocampus that fire when we (or the rats performing the experiments) are in a certain location. In order to form a memory, to be able to recall it and make a decision, they need to replay the firing pattern during sleep. The replay is easy to see in the data and happens at a fast pace, Csicsvari explains: "When a rat is asleep, the hippocampus is silent. But suddenly, lots of place cells fire, then the hippocampus falls silent again. This firing is very time-compressed. One second of firing activity during wakefulness corresponds to about 10 milliseconds of firing when the animal is asleep." Open environment replaces maze Previous studies focused on replay after rats visited locations in a maze in a certain order. They found that the order in which place cells fire corresponds to the rat's movement, and this replay pattern was also observed during sleep. In the new study, Csicsvari and Stella instead investigated what happens when a rat moves through an open field environment, like a box. The researchers let the animals run around the environment while they dropped food rewards randomly, all the while recording how up to 400 place cells fire at the same time. They then recorded how the same place cells fired while the rat was asleep. What they found was unexpected, Csicsvari says. "Neurons fire in places the rat has explored, but the place sequence expressed by the firing follows random trajectories. Surprisingly, these random trajectories are similar to Brownian motion, the random movement seen when particles move, collide and change direction." A precise statistic defines whether a random process follows Brownian motion or not. "When we did the stats, we found that the replay patterns follow Brownian motion. But this didn't coincide with the actual movement of the animalthe rat hadn't run about randomly. Instead, the complex circuit of the hippocampus generates a pattern that is like a simple physical situation." Advances in measurement techniques This new finding was possible only because of the rapid advancement of recording techniques, says Stella. "Five years ago, it was thought that when a rat runs around randomly, only single places are replayed. Now that we can record from hundreds of place cells at the same time, we can distinguish firing between cells that are located close to each otherpreviously mistaken as the same area firing." Replay is an abstraction of experience The random replay gives researchers an insight into the circuit dynamics of the hippocampus, Csicsvari explains. "In an experimental environment like ours, in which the animals don't learn about the environment through, for example, hidden food rewards, the hippocampus generates firing trajectories on its own. Our work shows that the brain circuit itself has a complex dynamic, which influences how neurons fire. Experience probably acts as a constraint on what can possibly be replayed." Stella sees random replay as an abstraction of a rat's experience. "This abstraction could be used for cognitive purposes, such as planning new behavior in the same environment, or for generalizing across different experiences." In the future, Stella plans to investigate the role of replay in the post-processing of memories as well as how rats can use replay to plan behavior. "How is randomness affected when the rat has an intention? That's what I'd like to know now." Explore further Entorhinal cortex acts independently of the hippocampus in remembering movement, study finds Credit: CC0 Public Domain In multicultural areas like San Francisco, doctors are increasingly looking to Google Translate to provide written instructions their patients can take home, so they stand a better chance of following medical advice. But is Translate trustworthy? Researchers at UC San Francisco say the answer is yeswith some caveats. After analyzing 100 sets of emergency discharge instructions translated by Google's new machine learning algorithm, which was rolled out in 2017, the researchers concluded it was 92 percent accurate for Spanish and 81 percent accurate for Chinese. The researchers found that only a small minority of the inaccurate translations2 percent in Spanish and 8 percent in Chinesehad the potential to cause clinically significant harm. These were mostly due to grammar or typographical errors in the original written English instructions, which someone who could read English would have been able to understand correctly. "Google Translate is more accurate than a lot of clinicians believe, and I think it's definitely more useful than not providing anything at all," said Elaine Khoong, MD, MS, a UCSF primary care research fellow and first author of the study, published Feb. 25, 2019, in JAMA Internal Medicine. "We cautiously support its use." The algorithm got into trouble, however, when doctors used colloquial terms, like "skip a meal," a phrase that Google translated into Chinese as "jump over" a meal. A more troubling mistranslation occurred when the doctor told the patient to "hold the kidney medicine," meaning to stop taking it. The algorithm translated that into Spanish as, "keep the medication" and into Chinese as "keep taking" the medication, mistakes that the research team deemed "life threatening." Machine translation errors were also linked to the use of medical jargon, and long, complicated sentences, such as, "Please return to the emergency department for worsening abdominal pain, inability to eat or drink due to vomiting, bloody diarrhea, if you pass out or any other concerning symptom." Google's Chinese translation was, "If you pass, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, unable to eat or drink or any other symptoms; come back to the emergency department for treatment." The researchers deemed this a clinically significant error, although they said it was not life threatening. "It confused the machine because the sentence structure was so complicated," Khoong said. "It's certainly an argument for doctors to check themselves when they are writing instructions. We get used to communicating in these very complicated sentences." The researchers said Google Translate is best used in combination with human interpreters, even if they are not in the room, who can interpret the physician's verbal instructions for the patient, over the phone or via video, while the physician shows the patient the written translation on the computer screen or printout. That way, patients can flag errors or confusing passages as they are listening and reading. The team also recommended that clinicians give their patients the English version of the written instructions, so English-speaking family members or friends can compare them to the machine translation. Khoong said patients would be worse off with no written translation at all. She described a non-English speaking patient with a neck injury, who left the emergency department with a cervical collar but did not understand the need to put it on. The patient later showed up with the collar in one hand, and the English discharge instructions in the other, saying, "I know these are important. Can you tell me what they say?" Explore further Google moves to curb gender bias in translation While some Mexican immigrants give positive accounts about migrating to and living in the United States, their health status tells a different story. In a small study in Columbus, anthropology professors Jeffrey Cohen, Douglas Crews and their student Alexandra Tuggle, all from The Ohio State University, found that many migrants celebrated living in Columbus. However, they also experienced discrimination and exhibited physical signs of stress, such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar and obesity. "There was a real disconnect between the positive narratives they told and the discrimination they felt and the stress revealed by their health measures," Tuggle said. The researchers believe the positive narratives were a coping mechanism. "These migrants are creating their own mental constructs so they can be happy and survive in what can be a difficult, stressful environment," Crews said. The study was published online recently in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology. The study involved 34 Mexican migrants who had lived in Columbus between five and 30 years. Several were undocumented. Nearly all said they moved to the United States for economic reasons. The participants were interviewed about their experiences of migration and settlement in the United States, their life in Columbus and discrimination they faced. In addition, 28 of the participants underwent a variety of health tests and completed self-assessments of their health. The narratives and the health measures didn't match up, Cohen said. Most participants focused on the positives of living in Columbus. Some mentioned the ability to buy a house and to live near schools for their children among the reasons they were happy. "Although the narratives were overwhelmingly positive, discrimination showed up in a lot of them. Some people reported physical attacks, there were cases of participants and their children being harassed for speaking Spanish, and there were cases where doctors refused to treat them," Cohen said. In addition, the health measures for many migrants suggested they were under a lot of stress. Nearly 80 percent were overweight or obese, according to their body mass index scores. Findings showed 21 percent had hypertension and 25 percent were hyperglycemic. Nearly half of the sample (46 percent) rated their health as only fair or poor. "Many of the migrants attributed their poor health to economic changes in the U.S., living in the cold Midwest, job loss and limited access to health services," Tuggle said. With the challenges that migrants face in the United States, the positive outlook found in the narratives might be necessary to survive and thrive, according to Crews. "There's been plenty of research that suggests that our attitudes have an influence on physical health. Migrants may be constructing these positive narratives to deal with their elevated stress and help themselves cope," Crews said. The researchers noted that this was a small study done only with Mexican migrants in Columbus. The experiences of other migrant groups in other places may be different. To get a better understanding of the Mexican migrant experience in the United States, the Ohio State research team is going to Mexico to learn more about the context for future U.S. immigrants. They will interview people there who are planning to migrate, those who have no intention of migrating and those who left Mexico but then returned. "We hope to learn more about what led to the findings we had in this study, about where it all started," Crews said. Explore further Migrants need better access to health care in Europe: WHO More information: Alexandra C. Tuggle et al, Stress, migration, and allostatic load: a model based on Mexican migrants in Columbus, Ohio, Journal of Physiological Anthropology (2018). Alexandra C. Tuggle et al, Stress, migration, and allostatic load: a model based on Mexican migrants in Columbus, Ohio,(2018). DOI: 10.1186/s40101-018-0188-4 (HealthDay)Some schools offer breakfast in the classroom to ensure that hungry children start the day with a full stomach so they're ready to learn. But this may have an unintended consequenceit may raise the risk of childhood obesity. New research found that when kids in fourth through sixth grade were offered breakfast in the classroom at the start of the school day, the incidence of obesity more than doubled compared with kids who did not eat in the classroom (11.6 percent versus 4.4 percent, respectively). "We didn't find an effect on overall overweight and obesity, but we did find that the proportion of kids with obesity increased in schools with breakfast in the classroom," said the study's lead author, Katherine Bauer. "It's important to keep in mind, this isn't a study about whether to have breakfast in school or not," Bauer added. All of the children had access to a free breakfast if they wanted it. Instead, the researchers were trying to see if there was any effect on weight if breakfast was universally available in the classroom during regular school hours versus before school in the cafeteria, said Bauer. She's an assistant professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. The study was published online Feb. 25 in JAMA Pediatrics. Many people consider breakfast "the most important meal of the day," said the author of an accompanying editorial, Erika Cheng of Indiana University School of Medicine, in Indianapolis. It's also commonly believed that eating breakfast can boost metabolism and help prevent weight gain, she and her co-author noted. But studies on the subject have had mixed results. The most recent research on breakfast and weightfrom BMJactually found that people who ate breakfast tended to eat more calories in a day. It also showed that having breakfast didn't boost metabolism. So, if breakfast doesn't help prevent weight gain and might do just the opposite, should schools even provide free morning meals? "I don't think anybody wants to detract from the positive aspects of providing breakfast to kids in school. For some kids, it's the only food they get in a day. But we have both food insecurity and obesity, and we need to balance these two public health problems," Cheng said. Why are some kids gaining enough weight to cross the obesity threshold in classrooms that have breakfast available? Bauer said the study wasn't detailed enough to tease out the exact reason why, but suggested that the "increase in obesity was probably kids who had more difficulty with self-regulating food intake." She said it's possible that some kids eat breakfast at home and then eat again at school. Cheng also pointed out that certain foods included in breakfast, such as juice, may easily add extra calories. The study included nearly 1,400 kids, average age nearly 11 years, from 16 schools in low-income communities in Philadelphia. Over 2.5 years, kids were more than twice as likely to eat the free breakfasts offered in the classroom compared to the traditional before-school meal in the cafeteria. Kids ate in the classroom on 54 percent of days compared to 25 percent of days for the cafeteria, the researchers said. Classroom breakfasts were introduced to help reduce the stigma attached to having to get to school early and eat in the cafeteria before classes. And some kids can't get to school early enough to take advantage of the free breakfasts, the editorial authors said. "Offering breakfast in the classroom was a good idea to increase participation, and it does provide children with breakfast. But there are some untoward consequences. There's currently no clear solution, but we have to make sure that kids are getting calories that are nutritious," Cheng said. Bauer said the issue should be looked at in different populations, and in schools that offer different programs for free breakfast. For now, she suggested that if parents know breakfast is available at school but their child wakes up hungry, perhaps just provide a piece of fruit or something else small at home. "A healthy breakfast can be composed of different components from home and school," Bauer said. Explore further Students more likely to eat school breakfast when given extra time, new study finds More information: Katherine Bauer, Ph.D., assistant professor, nutritional sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor; Erika Cheng, Ph.D., assistant professor, pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Feb. 25, 2019, JAMA Pediatrics, online Katherine Bauer, Ph.D., assistant professor, nutritional sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor; Erika Cheng, Ph.D., assistant professor, pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Feb. 25, 2019,, online Learn more about school breakfast from NoKidHungry.org. Journal information: British Medical Journal (BMJ) , JAMA Pediatrics Copyright 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. He got extra attention when added: I dont think government should be in the education business. It is the most virulent form of socialism (and indoctrination thereto) in America today. The predictable result has been higher costs, lower performance, and a system that twists itself in knots to prove its educating kids when really its not. So some constituent questions to legislators suggest themselves. Do you agree with Hoffman that there should be no public schools in Idaho? Do you agree that they are not educating students, that any suggestion they do is phony and if they dont, should you be campaigning for parents to pull all their kids out of them? Should there be a legal requirement, as is now the case, that Idaho students must be educated until age 16? If you want public schools replaced, what would you replace them with? (Private schools have operated in Idaho for generations, but parents overwhelmingly have long taken the public option.) Should Idahos constitution, which since statehood has required a uniform and thorough system of public schools, be amended to drop that requirement? Should students be educated at all? It takes time, however, for people to better understand the concepts of this balanced approach and focus on the benefits it provides them. People need time to evaluate the important protections they can secure for themselves by granting security to others. Time we do not have in the current legislative session. Consequently, we do not plan to initiate legislation this year. We have made great progress and have developed a workable framework for future discussion. We now invite religious leaders and LGBT rights advocates in our communities to join together to develop a path forward that will benefit all stakeholders. We stand willing to help facilitate such dialogue among those seeking freedom for all. We recognize that some people do not wish to address this issue. But the risks of doing nothing are great on both sides. Unwillingness by the LGBT community to address religious concerns will result in continued inaction by the legislature. If religious freedom advocates ignore the problem, families and business owners will face growing threats to their rights to practice sincerely held religious beliefs in all aspects of their lives. Ultimately, we will all abdicate our rights to the whims of the courtsrulings of which are no longer predictable for either side.Through mutual respect and sincere compassion, by seeking fairness rather than unilateral advantage, it is both possible and necessary for us to protect against LGBT discrimination while safeguarding religious freedoms. A balanced solution can be found. Without it, both sides will lose. Opinion: There is a disturbing notion being promulgated in some corners of the far right, which is today ascendant in Idaho. The idea is that freedom of speech means freedom from criticism. The grief support group is open to anyone in the community who has experienced a loss. Information: John or Tonya, 208-735-0121. Rides for treatment The American Cancer Societys Road to Recovery program provides free transportation to and from treatments for people with cancer who do not have a ride or are unable to drive. There are several volunteer drivers in the Mini-Cassia area who donate their time and the use of their car so patients can go to their treatments. To schedule a ride to treatments, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 to be matched with a volunteer driver. Seniors wellness Idaho Home Health and Hospice will present a wellness presentation at 12:15 p.m. March 7 at the Twin Falls Senior Center, 530 Shoshone St. W., Twin Falls. Topic: Key to Growing Healthy. Free; 208-734-5084. Childbirth TWIN FALLS The Twin Falls City Council is taking the next steps toward getting a bond issue for new fire stations on the May ballot. In December, the Council accepted an advisory committees recommendations for addressing needed improvements for the Twin Falls Fire Department. The city seeks to get voter approval for it to issue $35.4 million in bonds to build new fire stations. On Monday, the Council will vote on a drafted ordinance and resolution that will get the ball rolling in time for the election. The committee projected that under a 20-year bond, individual taxpayers would pay about $75 per year for the project. As recommended, the city would use the bond money to build three new fire stations in order to address current deficiencies and future programming needs. The existing Station 1 downtown would then be used by the Twin Falls Police Department. The committee also recommended a phased construction of a training center for the Twin Falls Fire Department. The total project budget is $35,403,657 and would be financed by a 20-year general obligation bond if voters approve the bond issue on the May ballot. Radovich says she has expectations of her workers, as any boss would of any employee. They are all so excited, Radovich says. I receive text messages thanking me for the opportunity. Radovich has kept her business as a behavioral consultant but has cut her time to 20 hours a week so she can spend more time with her daughter and training her employees in the candy store. Training is second nature for Radovich, and though she says she runs a tight ship, making sure none of her employees are simply standing around, she ensures that her employees time spent working in the store is filled with laughter and encouragement. You just have to focus and tell yourself, Im doing this all by myself and Im independent, she tells Cody Lumley, one of her employees. I work with all developmental disabilities and most of my clients are dual-diagnosis, so we also have the mental health side of it, Radovich says. There are multiple employees I make sure Im here with them at all times just so that I can help them with on-the-job training. In a letter of support for the center that Searle sent U of I officials in December, he said, Projected to be the largest integrated research facility focused on dairy and allied industry in the United States, CAFE will enhance a national and international reputation that will reflect the size, quality and importance of the industry it represents and strengthen Idahos position on the map as a center for agricultural and food innovation and technology. Searle also said that IFBF recognizes the impact CAFE will have across our entire agricultural industry and the value that will provide to our members and all Idaho producers. According to a recent U of I study, agriculture directly and indirectly accounts for about 16 percent of Idahos total gross domestic product and one in eight jobs in the state. In a state where agriculture plays such a vital role in our states economy, what is good for Idaho agriculture is good for Idaho, Searle said. It is evident that CAFE is good for Idaho agriculture. Michael Parrella, dean of U of Is College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, who is leading the CAFE effort, said Farm Bureaus contribution means a great deal to the project, and he reiterated the universitys pledge that the center will benefit all of agriculture. Caucuses in Iowa are run and governed by the political parties, though their cultural and economic ramifications affect us all. For that reason, we hope all residents pay close attention to changes on the Democratic side. The national Democratic Party pushed state leaders to make some admittedly long overdue changes. The Democratic caucuses, the first in the nation, lead the presidential nominating calendar, but were discriminatory by design. Because they are held on a single night at precinct locations throughout the state, all participants had to be at certain locations for the duration of the portion of the meeting important to them. And, when dealing with presidential preference groupings, the duration could be lengthy. Circumstance often left those with health concerns, work or young children unable to participate. Iowa Democrats were told to make changes to address these issues, as well as to provide more accountability and verification measures. The new plan, years in development, was unveiled Feb. 11 for a 30-day comment period. Though political wonks will find a host of small changes, the public will likely be most interested in three significant changes for the 2020 caucus: Virtual caucuses. Securing our borders is a top priority of our nation, and Im proud of Wisconsins National Guard for playing a valued role, Johnson said in a statement. Its unfortunate Governor Evers doesnt agree, and has decided to withdraw them from their important mission. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said in a statement that Evers decision is yet another example of how our governor is catering to his Dane County liberal base and refusing to do whats best for our state and in this case, the entire nation. Vos said the operation is federally funded and doesnt save any state taxpayer dollars. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, said in a Monday tweet that the governor is playing politics instead of working to keep Wisconsin safe. A Republican congressman from Illinois who said he serves in the Wisconsin National Guard said that the border mission is honorable and asked Evers to reconsider the withdrawal. Wisconsin utilities reaped bigger benefits in 2018 thanks in part to a warmer-than-normal summer and colder winter. Alliant Energy reported profits of $124.4 million on revenues of $3.5 billion in 2018, translating into earnings per share of $2.17. The Madison-based company, which serves about 960,000 customers in Wisconsin and Iowa, said temperatures increased earnings by about $35 million over the previous year. About $25.4 million of that will be set aside and applied to Alliants next rate case in 2021 under profit-sharing terms in the companys current rate case. Much of the growth in earnings was attributed to warmer summer and colder winter temperatures as measured in heating-degree and cooling-degree days, the difference between the average daily temperature and 65 degrees. According to data from the Midwestern Regional Climate Center, statewide there were 2 percent more heating-degree days than average in 2018 and 26 percent more cooling-degree days, while 2017 was below average in both. Adjusting to account for temperature variability, the $2.11 earnings per share were up 6 percent from the previous year. However, the PSC declared that rulemaking is not necessary at this time." Isnt any other time too late? The commission chose to abdicate its power and claims a legislative mandate is needed for rulemaking. The commission said an update of environmental rules wasnt necessary, although solar doesnt require any environmental review. A solar project with a lifespan of 30-50 years, with a PSC staff-admitted dramatic impact of industrial infrastructure covering prime ag land, doesnt require environmental review! The commission claims theres flexibility in order to ensure that large-scale solar projects get an appropriate level of environmental review. That didnt occur for Badger Hollow. When I introduced the first Senate companion with Pocan in 2009 as chairman of the Senate Health Committee, we held a public hearing and people from across Wisconsin came to tell their heartbreaking stories. We heard from people with debilitating conditions who had found that opiates and other narcotics prescribed by physicians did little to alleviate their symptoms, and the side effects of those legal drugs were more than they could bear. Marijuana, however, had given them relief. Unfortunately, that is when they had to reluctantly break the law, becoming criminals for trying to obtain the one thing working to help them. Back then, and even today, there are legislators who are not ready to allow medical marijuana to go forward, giving in to the many myths surrounding marijuana. However, as usual, the public is way ahead of the politicians. Last fall, nearly a million voters in 16 counties and two cities answered yes on nonbinding referendums asking if marijuana should be legal for medical or recreational use; and in my office the folder of contacts from people who support medical marijuana has grown so large it needs its own drawer in the file cabinet. Nationwide polling from Quinnipiac in the spring of 2018 showed 93 percent of Americans support medical marijuana and no state that has passed a medical marijuana program has ever repealed it. Enough politics, writes Gov. Tony Evers in an op-ed for Milwaukee's Shepherd Express let's cut taxes for Wisconsin's families. He points out that his was one of the promises he made during the 2018 election, but he reiterates that it needs to be done in a responsible way not a one-time shot like the legislative GOP wants to do, but by structuring the cuts so they're paid for into the future. Blogging Blue's Ed Heinzelman, nevertheless, claims that Evers is pushing Wisconsin Republicans to the left. You can watch the Republicans in the Legislature attempting to co-opt some of Evers' popular plans middle-class income tax relief and help for the state's homeless as their own, ideas that they never touched during their eight years in complete control. If somebody shows up downtown right now, they know that if they make bad choices at one venue, chances are there are 50 other venues they can go to and still get in, Freedman said. The MPD has been in discussion with bar owners about scanners since 2017, Freedman said, and while some bars had scanners, it was apparent that bars didnt want to invest in what can be an expensive technology if everyone didnt have to. To be effective, scanners need to be widespread, Freedmen said. If theyre limited by geography or business type, you wont stop underage patrons from drinking, youll just move their activity to other businesses, he said. You cant do the five biggest bars when there are 25 bars that are 100 yards away," he said. Freedman noted no system will be 100 percent effective, and employees will always be needed to make sure the ID matches the person. And he did take issue with the universitys suggestion for downtown venues to use smart ID scanners randomly, as that makes it more difficult for my folks to make sure places are doing it. Evers plans to dedicate about $50 million toward funding the tuition freeze for in-state undergraduate students, which has been in place since 2013. UW System President Ray Cross praised Evers' proposal and his "commitment to funding higher education and the University of Wisconsin System." "He understands an investment in higher education is vital to growing Wisconsins talent pipeline, improving lives, and providing Wisconsinites opportunities to earn higher wages," Cross said in a statement. "By fully funding a tuition freeze in his budget, Governor Evers is committed to preserving the quality of education critical to student success. The UW System helps build vibrant communities throughout Wisconsin and provides a tremendous 23-to-1 return on investment. We look forward to working with the Governor and legislators to advance our shared priorities." Evers also plans to allow undocumented students who were brought to the United States illegally by their parents as young children known as Dreamers to pay in-state tuition to attend schools in the UW System and Wisconsin Technical College System. Authorities have estimated there are nearly 8,000 recipients of DACA the Obama-era policy halting deportation of Dreamers in Wisconsin. "As a member of the WI Guard, I saw firsthand the amazing work by my fellow guardsmen," he said in a series of tweets decrying Evers' decision. ".@GovEvers, your guardsmen saved many lives and protected our country on this mission. Did you go visit them on the border to see for yourself? Or did you make your decision based solely on politics?" Kinzinger tweeted. "Im grateful to my fellow Wisconsin Guard members, and Im deeply disappointed you wont let them do what they are trained to do for the good of the country. @GovEvers, I hope youll reconsider." U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, a Republican representing Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District, tweeted, "There is a crisis at our southern border but @GovEvers has chosen to ignore it. His decision to withdraw WI Nat. Guard from the border is wrong." President Donald Trump in April directed the U.S. Department of Defense to assist the Department of Homeland Security with border security efforts along the U.S.-Mexico border. Several border states, including Arizona, sent National Guard personnel to work with federal border patrol agents. One thing about dystopias is that theyre always so darn serious. Sure, we may face a future of environmental disaster, income equality, and technology controlling our lives. But do we have to be so glum about it? YouTube Premiums new anthology series Weird City seems like a corrective to Black Mirror, Electric Dreams, the new Twilight Zone and similarly dark sci-fi shows. Created by comedian Charlie Sanders and Jordan Peele (who is also behind the new Zone), Weird City is defiantly silly and broad, like a live-action comic strip. The Weird City of the title is a future metropolis where the middle class has utterly disappeared. The rich people live in the luxurious half of the city known as Above the Line, while the working-class live in the more dingy half, known as Below the Line. Dividing the two is a barrier, not surprisingly known as the Line. The current season has six episodes, two of which are available to view for free on YouTube. In The One, a rich young man (Dylan OBrien of the Maze Runner movies) turns to science to find his perfect mate. To his surprise, the algorithm sends him a grandfatherly old man (Ed ONeill). Corporal punishment in Britains schools has been dealt a blow by the European Court of Human Rights. It has ruled that beating schoolchildren against their parents wishes is a violation of the Human Rights Convention because parents should have their children taught in conformity with their own religious and philosophical convictions. It is a legally binding decision and ends a four-year court battle brought by two Scottish mothers, Grace Campbell and Jane Cosans. In 1979, Mrs Campbell brought her private case to court when Strathclyde regional education authority refused to guarantee her 11-year-old son would not be beaten with the tawse, a leather strap used to beat the palm of the hand. Strathclyde has since banned the tawse. Mrs Cosans son was suspended for refusing to report for the belt after breaking a rule and Fife regional education authority also refused to guarantee he would not be beaten. David Hart, general secretary for the National Association of Head Teachers said the judgement which does not ban caning will cause confusion in schools which will have to distinguish between children who are allowed to be beaten and those who are not. You cannot have one section of pupils who may be subject to punishment and another section who cannot be punished, he said. My advice to members is carry on caning. Tom Scott of Stopp, the Society of Teachers Opposed to Physical Punishment, welcomed the ruling. It is a tremendous day for children, parents, teachers and society as a whole because corporal punishment is not only nasty and humiliating, it is counter-productive, he said. Mrs Campbell said she was pleased by the judgement. The result of the case will benefit all British children, she said. Britain is the only country in western Europe that still allows corporal punishment in schools. It was outlawed in the Republic of Ireland last year and has been banned in France since World War I. A third of Britains 35,000 schools already ban beatings. The government says it will have to study the 40-page ruling before it can make any decision on changing the law. Courtesy BBC News In context In 1986, beatings in state schools were outlawed. The ban was not extended to fee-paying schools until March 1998. All physical punishment of children at home or at school is banned in eight European countries: Sweden, Cyprus, Latvia, Croatia, Austria, Norway, Denmark, Finland. From January 2005, a law came into force banning parents in England and Wales from smacking children hard enough to leave a mark on the skin. But childrens charities in Britain and the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child continue to put pressure on the government for an outright ban on smacking of children and give them the same legal rights as adults. Some domestic workers in the SAR are keen on the Oscar-nominated film, Roma, noting that it is rare for the community to have their experience be given the spotlight in the film industry. The Netflix movie depicts the life of a domestic worker in black and white. Recently shown at the third edition of the Macao International Film Festival, the Mexican movie has been nominated for 10 Academy Awards. These kinds of films raise awareness of the situation of domestic workers. At the same time, it also tackles racism and discrimination, so its very realistic, said Benedicta Palcon, chairperson of a local migrant group. It also shows [] the bravery of women that work in this position, so it is really something that we could connect to, she added. Another migrant worker remarked, it is good that there are films that give visibility to the hard work and everyday struggles of domestic workers. Im happy that it was nominated in the Oscars, as it could show our reality. The film is inspired by the childhood of film director Alfonso Cuaron, who dedicated the movie to his domestic helper. Cuaron himself has advocated for domestic workers rights and has spoken against racial discrimination in Mexico, where the success of lead actress Yalitza Aparicio a newcomer of indigenous origin and the daughter of a domestic worker has generated derogatory remarks. Cuaron has also made public service announcements calling on employers of these workers to pay fairly, set clear expectations, and provide paid time off. The directors urgings echo the calls of the citys domestic workers for basic rights. Just this month, several migrant groups had a meeting with the Labour Affairs Bureau calling for a review of policies on domestic workers, including an outdated housing allowance, and requesting a review of the minimum wage proposal. The movie has given domestic workers global visibility and started a conversation about the importance of their job after years of being poorly paid and marginalized. It stars Yalitza Aparicio as Cleo, a domestic worker for a Mexico City middle-class family in the turbulent early 1970s. Aparicio, a 25-year-old primary school teacher, is nominated alongside Glenn Close, Lady Gaga, Olivia Colman and Melissa McCarthy at todays Oscars. Meanwhile, the U.S. National Domestic Workers Alliance has organized a red carpet event where dozens of domestic workers will be honored today as the heroes of our homes. There are two million women who do this work and are not protected by our labor laws, said Ai-jen Poo, executive director at the alliance, an organization founded in 2007 that promotes the rights of domestic workers in the United States, The Associated Press reported. They are taking care of our families, but they cant take care of their own families doing this work. We think this is a huge opportunity to expand our support for making these jobs dignified and for valuing the workers, she said. Since its August debut at the Venice Film Festival, where it earned the Golden Lion, the film has received accolades and awards at the Golden Globes and the British film academys BAFTAs, among others. Meanwhile, two other films that also starred at the third IFFAM, Green Book and The Favourite, have been nominated in the same award category. The winners will be announced today. North Korea leader Kim Jong Un was on a train Sunday to Vietnam for his second summit with President Donald Trump, state media confirmed. Kim was accompanied by Kim Yong Chol, who has been a key negotiator in talks with the U.S., and Kim Yo Jong, the leaders sister, the Norths official Korean Central News Agency reported. TV footage and photos distributed by the Norths state- run news agency showed Kim inspecting a guard of honor at the Pyongyang station before waving from the train. Late Saturday, an Associated Press reporter saw a green-and-yellow train similar to one used in the past by Kim cross into the Chinese border city of Dandong via a bridge. The Trump-Kim meeting is slated for Wednesday and Thursday in Hanoi. Their first summit last June in Singapore ended without substantive agreements on the Norths nuclear disarmament and triggered a months-long stalemate in negotiations as Washington and Pyongyang struggled with the sequencing of North Koreas nuclear disarmament and the removal of U.S.-led sanctions against the North. Kims overseas travel plans are routinely kept secret. It could take more than two days for the train to travel thousands of kilometers through China to Vietnam. Vietnams Foreign Ministry announced Saturday that Kim would pay an official goodwill visit to the country in the coming days in response to an invitation by President Nguyen Phu Trong, who is also the general secretary of Vietnams ruling Communist Party. In his upcoming meeting with Trump, experts say Kim will seek a U.S. commitment for improved bilateral relations and partial sanctions relief while trying to minimize any concessions on his nuclear facilities and weapons. While Kim wants to leverage his nuclear and missile program for economic and security benefits, there continue to be doubts on whether hes ready to fully deal away an arsenal that he may see as his strongest guarantee of survival. Last year, North Korea suspended its nuclear and long-range missile tests and unilaterally dismantled its nuclear testing ground and parts of a rocket launch facility without the presence of outside experts, but none of those steps were seen as meaningful cutbacks to the Norths weapons capability. While North Korea has repeatedly demanded that the United States take corresponding measures, including sanctions relief, Washington has called for more concrete steps from Pyongyang toward denuclearization. Hanoi has been gearing up for the summit with beefed-up security. Officials say the colonial-era Government Guest House in central Hanoi is expected to be the venue for the Trump-Kim meeting, with the nearby Metropole Hotel as a backup. Streets around the two places have been beautified with flowers and the flags of North Korea, the U.S and Vietnam. Workers were also putting final touches on the International Media Center. Vietnams Foreign Ministry says some 2,600 members of the foreign press have registered for the event. Also expected to land in Vietnam on Sunday was Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Lavrov will pay an official visit ahead of a Russia-India-China ministerial conference in China, according to Interfax news agency. Meanwhile, Vietnam has announced a traffic ban along Kims possible arrival route. The Communist Partys mouthpiece Nhan Dan newspaper quoted the Department of Roads as saying the ban will first apply to trucks 10 tons or bigger, and vehicles with nine seats or more on the 170-kilometer stretch of Highway One from Dong Dang, the border town with China, to Hanoi from 7 p.m. Monday to 2 p.m. Tuesday, followed by a complete ban Tuesday on all vehicles from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Peoples Committee in Lang Son province, where the Dong Dang railway station is located, issued a statement Friday instructing the road operator to clean the highway stretch and suspend road works, among other things, from yesterday to Thursday as a political task. Dake Kang, Dandong, AP The nightmare scenario heading into the second summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un isnt so much fire and fury and millions dead. Rather, some experts fear the meeting could result in an ill-considered deal that allows North Korea to get everything it wants while giving up very little, even as the mercurial leaders trumpet a blockbuster nuclear success. Theres little argument that just sitting down together again in the same room this week in Hanoi is a positive sign for two men who seemed to be flirting with a second Korean War in 2017, and there is, as the White House trumpeted ahead of the summit, a tremendous opportunity here to address a monumental problem thats flummoxed generations of policymakers. But with the stakes so high, a growing chorus of experts highlight a particular risk: That Trump, burned by criticism that the results of his June meeting with Kim in Singapore were vague at best and an outright failure at worst, will ignore his more cautious aides and try to strike a deal thats cobbled together on the fly with little preparatory work. Why is this potentially dangerous? Because when it comes to North Korean nuclear diplomacy, all deals are not created equal. A look at some of the anxieties that are swirling ahead of the Hanoi summit: WORRY NO. 1: A PIECEMEAL DEAL South Korean papers have been filled with unidentified government sources suggesting that Trump and Kim might strike a deal that stops far short of the road map for the full denuclearization of the North that the United States has long insisted on. Instead, Kim could agree to give up only part of his arsenal his intercontinental missiles aimed at America, for instance, or his main nuclear reactor in return for an easing of harsh sanctions. Theres also fear that Trump will eventually orchestrate some sort of drawdown of U.S. troops from South Korea or an extended halt to U.S.-South Korean military drills. For Trump, such a deal could generate a much-needed rush of breakthrough headlines to help distract from swirling investigations in Washington while helping assure his supporters that hes protecting the American mainland. Kim, for his part, would be taking a huge step toward cementing the North as a nuclear weapons state and, as a bonus, driving a wedge in the U.S.-South Korea alliance that the North maintains is aimed at the overthrow of the Kim family all without addressing the Norths arsenal of short- and mid-range nuclear armed missiles aimed at Seoul, Tokyo and other parts of Asia. Those in favor of this kind of piecemeal deal say its simply a matter of accepting reality: North Korea wont give up nukes it sees as crucial to deterring what it calls U.S. hostility, so the wise move is to work to first limit or freeze the programs most worrisome aspects and then work toward total denuclearization. Skeptics say this would give the North too much in return for too little. They want instead something that first forces Pyongyang to list the particulars of its nuclear program, then allows outsiders to verify the list and see the program demolished. Ad hoc deals or piecemeal negotiations absent an agreed- on road map would allow Pyongyang to dictate the terms, pace and duration of the diplomatic process without making a dent in North Koreas nuclear arsenal, Duyeon Kim, a Koreas expert at the Center for a New American Security, recently wrote. There is a serious risk of Trump ad-libbing his way into a bad deal, as he did in Singapore in June 2018, by relinquishing vital bargaining chips that disadvantage U.S. interests and Asian allies security, she added. WORRY NO. 2: KIM AND TRUMP ARE TOO ALIGNED Theres a joke being shared by some North Korea experts: Did you hear that Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump both want the same thing from their Hanoi summit? The United States out of South Korea. Funny or not, the dark humor gets at serious doubts churned up by Trumps repeated public expressions of a deep wariness about the U.S.-South Korea alliance that many in Seoul and Washington see as a lynchpin of Northeast Asian security. The best example may be Trumps stunning announcement in Singapore of the suspension of annual military drills by Seoul and Washington that North Korea rails against as invasion preparation. Trump called the drills very provocative, mirroring North Korean language. Although his lieutenants say the removal of American troops isnt on the agenda in Hanoi, Trump has said that he wants to eventually bring home the 28,500 troops stationed in the South. Just this month Trump said: South Korea we defend them and lose a tremendous amount of money. Billions of dollars a year defending them. WORRY NO. 3: NORTH KOREA HASNT CHANGED Theres also alarm that Trump and South Koreas dovish president are misreading North Korea. Kim is not going to unilaterally surrender his nuclear weapons, Vipin Narang, a North Korea nuclear expert at MIT, said in an interview. It is now pretty clear that Trump doesnt care that Kim isnt going to unilaterally disarm, so long as he doesnt embarrass Trump by visibly flight testing missiles or openly testing nuclear weapons. Despite the positive spin on North Korean intentions by the liberal government in Seoul, critics say, Pyongyang, as it has since the Korean War, still claims to be the sole legitimate Korean government, and is therefore working to split South Korea from its U.S. protector and enshrine its nuclear program, even if partially, as a way to eventually coerce Seoul into doing its bidding. North Korea has famously called its nuclear arsenal a treasured sword. And a senior North Korean official said last year that dialogue wont continue if the U.S. is trying to drive us into a corner to force our unilateral nuclear abandonment. Asked at a recent press briefing if the North was negotiating in good faith, a senior U.S. official who refused to give his name under White House rules said: I dont know if North Korea has made the choice yet to denuclearize. But the reason why were engaged in this is because we believe theres a possibility that North Korea can make the choice to fully denuclearize. Still, there are big doubts about the Norths intentions. When the two leaders meet in Hanoi, Kim will further ensnare Trump on his march toward full nuclearization, compelling Trump to make more concessions like a peace agreement and drawdown of military support for South Korea, said Sung-Yoon Lee, a Koreas expert at Tufts University. Peace sounds very pleasant, even hypnotically alluring, but a peace agreement between the U.S. and North Korea and allowing Kim Jong Un to buy more time only increases the chance of war. Foster Klug, Hanoi, AP When a green-and- yellow train carrying North Korean leader Kim Jong Un rolled slowly over a bridge into the Chinese city of Dandong late Saturday, few locals took notice. I didnt really know much about it, a 79-year-old retired farmer who gave only his surname, Shi, said yesterday, pausing during a walk along the river Kim crossed on his way to Vietnam to meet President Donald Trump for their second summit. Over the past few decades, North Korea has receded into irrelevance as the contrast with China has grown starker and starker. Many Chinese now regard North Korea as a curious relic of the past, and Dandong does a roaring trade in tourism centered on Chinas neighbor across the water. Street vendors hawk binoculars, boat tours and booklets of North Korean currency during the day, while digital billboards light towering apartments at night. Sinuiju, less than a kilometer away across the Yalu River, lays silent, with few signs of activity among its motionless cranes, marooned ships and squat, unlit apartments. But some in this border city of over 2 million expect that if North Korea opens up, they will be among the first to benefit. Dandong is the biggest border city in China, said Liu Yujun, a former trader from Dandong who says real estate prices have been going up in anticipation of detente on the Korean Peninsula. Their economy could pull Dandong up along with it. If they open up, then we can invest a lot into their economy. Chinas economy is facing its worst slowdown since the global financial crisis amid a bruising trade war with the United States. Strict U.N. sanctions on North Korea have hit Dandongs traders and shippers hard in the past few years, with some cutting employees or pivoting toward other businesses, a former freight company executive told The Associated Press. But the sudden thaw in tensions on the Korean Peninsula over the past year has raised anticipation that the sanctions may soon be eased. Investors rushed in to snap up apartments, prompting Dandongs government to enact new regulations on real estate last May. On the North Korean side of the river, a tall, round concrete building is under construction a rare sign of development. Shi believes if North Korea follows Chinas lead by reforming its economy and opening up to trade, it could boom. He thinks the reason why North Korea struggled while China surged ahead was because of Pyongyangs overemphasis on military spending. They put so much effort into missiles and nuclear weapons research, Shi said. If they didnt focus on this research so much, they might not be so backward. Dake Kang, Dandong, AP Harrow International (China) has presented its new bilingual schools in China-Innovation Leadership Academies (ILA) with an admission plan for students from mainland China as well as those from Macau and Hong Kong. Yesterday, during an introduction session held in Zhuhai, Harrow presented ILAs three new campuses one in Hengqin, one in Tangjiawan (Zhuhai), and a third in Chongqing. On the sidelines of the session sharing Harrows new programs in mainland China, Michael Farley, Director of Group Operations for Asia International Schools Limited, told the Times that the school is confident it can attract students from Macau. One of the core reasons why we focused on the wonderful opportunities we have in Zhuhai and why we decided to establish two ILAs in Zhuhai is the access to not just Hengqin and Tangjiawan, but also Macau, said Farley, after being asked whether the organization has an admission plan for students from Macau. Hong Kong, which already has one Harrow School, is also on the list of admission targets of ILAs in Zhuhai. Hong Kong, I should mention as well. We think that we will attract students from those locations as well as other parts of the Southeast and, certainly, even central China, said Farley, adding that we are a boarding school. [] We very much believe in the house system, [] both day students and boarding students. According to Farley, he imagines that Hong Kong students would be all boarded, whereas Macau students would probably be split evenly between day and board students. We think our school will be really attractive to Macau residents, Farley said. Currently, Macau has both traditional Chinese schools and schools that provide a western education. When questioned about how ILA will compete with Macau schools, since local students will need to cross the border in Zhuhai to get to school, Farley said that we think that the Harrow ILA is not the best school in the world, but its the school for some people. Some families will choose to use other international schools and there are some very good private, international, national [schools] in the area and in Macau, said Farley, adding that we are very confident in the quality of what we are providing and the uniqueness of what we are providing, Our school develops wonderful young people, so we are very confident that some families will choose to use the Harrow ILA; some wont, said Farley. We are quietly confident, but we are not aggressive. In mainland China, international schools are currently categorized into different groups according to Chinese law. Accordingly, the schools curriculums are different. Discussing the curriculum at Harrow, Farley remarked that ILA seeks to blend the Chinese and the British curriculums. Providing bilingual K-12 education, ILAs offer day and boarding schooling to families in the Greater Bay Area. ILA Tangjiawan and ILA Hengqin are both planned to open in September 2020. Julie Zhu, Zhuhai Lawmaker Sulu Sou has presented a written enquiry to the Macau government calling for greater transparency in the judicial system now that the Legislative Assembly has approved a controversial bill barring non-Chinese judges from ruling on matters of national security. The written enquiry contains three questions posed to the government on the protection of the independence and integrity of the courts and the promotion of judicial transparency. Citing Article 83 of the Macau Basic Law which reads, the courts of the Macau Special Administrative Region shall conduct trials independently and obey only the law without any interference Sou remarked that judicial independence is the most important spirit and cornerstone of the rule of law in society. Judicial independence should be the universal value of human beings. There should be no distinction between national boundaries, regions, rich or poor, nor can judicial independence be defined as the exclusive Western or Eastern road, he wrote. The significance of judicial independence lies in making decisions based on law and facts. Therefore, the independence of the system and the [judges] are crucial. Noting the importance of winning the trust of society with integrity, Sou observed that in recent years, some members of the public have had doubts about whether the independence of Macaus judiciary has been shaken. The lawmaker has asked the government whether it plans to take measures to safeguard the core value of judicial independence. The written enquiry continues with a request for greater transparency in the judiciary system, including the justification for the appointment or substitution of judicial officers over cases that involve matters of national security. It also calls for transparency over the general administrative operations of the courts. For example, the lawmaker requests the full publication of all the contents of the SAR courts that do not violate the personal data of the parties or are legally required to remain confidential. Sou has requested a written reply from Chief Executive Chui Sai On within 30 days of receiving the enquiry. DB Skipped paying a fine in China? Then forget about buying an airline ticket. Would-be air travelers were blocked from buying tickets 17.5 million times last year for social credit offenses including unpaid taxes and fines under a controversial system the ruling Communist Party says will improve public behavior. Others were barred 5.5 million times from buying train tickets, according to the National Public Credit Information Center. In an annual report, it said 128 people were blocked from leaving China due to unpaid taxes. The ruling party says social credit penalties and rewards will improve order in a fast-changing society after three decades of economic reform have shaken up social structures. Markets are rife with counterfeit goods and fraud. The system is part of efforts by President Xi Jinpings government to use technology ranging from data processing to genetic sequencing and facial recognition to tighten control. Authorities have experimented with social credit since 2014 in areas across China. Points are deducted for breaking the law or, in some areas, offenses as minor as walking a dog without a leash. Human rights activists say social credit is too rigid and might unfairly label people as untrustworthy without telling them they have lost status or how to restore it. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence criticized it in October as an Orwellian system premised on controlling virtually every facet of human life. The ruling party wants a nationwide system by 2020 but has yet to say how it will operate. Possible penalties include restrictions on travel, business and access to education. A slogan repeated in state media says, Once you lose trust, you will face restrictions everywhere. Companies on the blacklist can lose government contracts or access to bank loans or be barred from issuing bonds or importing goods. Offenses penalized under social credit last year included false advertising or violating drug safety rules, the government information center said. Individuals were blocked 290,000 times from taking senior management jobs or acting as a companys legal representative. Since the launch of such joint punishment, the system has caused 3.5 million people to voluntarily fulfill their legal obligations, the Information Center said. It said that included 37 people who paid a total of 150 million yuan (USD22 million) in overdue fines or confiscations. The report gave no details of how many people live in areas with social credit systems. Social credit is one facet of efforts by the ruling party to take advantage of increased computing power, artificial intelligence and other technology to track and control the Chinese public. The police ministry launched an initiative dubbed Golden Shield in 2000 to build a nationwide digital network to track individuals. Human rights activists say people in Muslim and other ethnic minority areas have been compelled to give blood samples for a genetic database. Those systems rely on foreign technology. That has prompted criticism that U.S. and European suppliers might be enabling human rights abuses. This week, Waltham, Massachusetts-based Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. said it no longer would sell or service genetic sequencers in the Muslim-majority region of Xinjiang in the northwest following complaints they were used for surveillance. As many as 1 million Uighurs, Kazakhs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang are detained in political education camps, according to U.S. officials and United Nations experts. The government says those camps are vocational training centers designed to rid the region of extremism. Joe McDonald, Beijing, AP A mainland resident and a Macau resident have been caught carrying a total of 54 knives across the border from Zhuhai. Last week, the Gongbei customs authority spotted the Macau resident while she was crossing the border from Zhuhai to Macau. Three knives were seized from her belongings. She claimed that the knives were for her home use. The other 51 restricted knives, which belonged to a mainland resident, were seized from two luggage bags at the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. DSEJ pledges to continue anti-bullying training The Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ) has reiterated that the bureau will continue training teachers, consultants and students in order to prevent school bullying. Last week, nine local youths were transferred to the prosecution authority following cruel actions towards a 12-year-old girl. According to the bureau, the school attended by the victim of the bullying case will deliver a report to the DSEJ. The DSEJ will also arrange police officers to conduct bullying prevention educational campaigns at the concerned school. He drew comfort from sayings his parents used to utter over and over when he was growing up. My mother would always say, This too shall pass. I kept that in mind, no matter how bad it was. My father told me, You just do the best you can. If you fail, you did the best you could. Thats all you can do. Phillips spent 30 years as a merchant mariner and was captain of the Maersk Alabama, ferrying food, among other cargo, when it was hijacked. Remarkably, despite what he went through, Phillips returned to captain future cargo ships around the world, including some in the same waters around the Horn of Africa where the hijacking occurred. He only took about 14 months off, and he said he would have been back sooner had he not been sidetracked by things like starting on his book and visiting the White House to meet with President Barack Obama. Physically and emotionally, he bounced back quickly, saying he never dwelled on what happened and didnt even experience nightmares. Hes retired now, though he remains involved with his former work by, among other things, raising money for scholarships for students aspiring to a maritime career. He still lives in Underhill, a small town in northern Vermont. SPALDING Nearly two centuries after missionary Henry Spalding shipped an array of Nez Perce items thousands of miles away from the tribes homeland, the historic collection of artifacts has been appropriately renamed and placed on display at the same site where it was originally acquired, Most of the smartphones with flexible displays that have debuted so far take advantage of the new technology to transform from a phone into a tablet. The Nubia Alpha doesnt. Instead its basically a smartwatch with a display that wraps around your wrist. But since it can make phone calls, snap photos, and shoot video, Nubia is calling it a wearable phone. After introducing the Nubia concept last summer, Nubia has announced that the Nubia Alpha will be available in China this April before heading to Europe and North America later this year. Prices are expected to start at around 450 ($510) for a Bluetooth-only model that you can pair with a smartphone. If you want a version with an eSIM that lets you use it as a standalone phone, youll end up paying at least 550 ($625). But before you decide to replace your phone with this thing, you should probably know that this device has very watch-like hardware including: Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor 1GB of RAM 8GB of storage 500 mAh battery 5MP camera Fitness tracking features. It does support WiFi, Bluetooth, and 4G LTE (if you opt for the eSIM version). But it has a custom operating system thats likely to limit its functionality. That said, Nubia says the watch/phone can run for up to 2 days on a charge, which is a lot longer than most modern smartphones. It also supports maps, phone calls, video chat, text messaging, and you can interact with it by touch or using motion gestures (by waving your hand over the screen). The Nubia Alphas hallmark feature is definitely the display: a four inch, 960 x 192 pixel flexible OLED display that bends when you slap the device on your wrist. Whether thats worth paying $625 for remains to be seen and depends on how much you want to replace your phone with an underpowered watch with an unusual display. via Android Police and GSM Arena Share this article: Share this: Facebook Twitter Reddit Pocket Tumblr Pinterest LinkedIn Email Lenovo is updating its laptop lineup with a whole bunch of new IdeaPad and ThinkPad models. The smallest of the bunch are the Lenovo ThinkPad X390 and ThinkPad X390 Yoga. In past years, Lenovos smallest ThinkPads sported 12.5 inch displays, but this year Lenovo has increased the screen size to 13.3 inches and eliminated the X200 series. But the company did shrink the bezels around the display by 50 percent. So the new laptops are only a tiny bit bigger and heavier than their predecessors. Lenovo ThinkPad X390 This notebook measures 12.3 x 8.5 x 0.6 and weighs 2.7 pounds. It has a 48 Wh battery, a Thunderbolt 3 port, a USB Type-C port, two USB 3.1 Type-A ports, an HDMI 1.4 port, audio jack and microSD card reader. It supports Bluetooth 5 and NFC, and Lenovo says the notebook supports up to an 8th-gen Intel Core i7 processor, up to 32GB of DDR4-2400 RAM, and up to 1TB of PCIe solid state storage. The ThinkPad X390 has a backlit keyboard, a ThinkShutter that covers the webcam when its not in use, and a 65 watt USB Type-C power adapter that supports rapid charging (you should get an 80 percent charge in an hour). Theres also a fingerprint sensor, an IR camera for Windows Hello face recognition, and optional support for 4G LTE. Lenovo says the ThinkPad X390 should be available in May for $1099 and up. Lenovo ThinkPad X390 Yoga Lenovos new 13.3 inch convertible is a tad thicker and heavier, measuring 12.2 x 8.6 x 0.7 and weighing 2.9 pounds. It also tops out at 16GB of RAM instead of 32GB. But it also has a touchscreen display, a 360 degree hinge, and a larger battery Lenovo includes a 50 Whr battery with this model. Other features are pretty much the same as for the ThinkPad X390, except that the X390 Yoga ships standard with a 13.3 inch, full HD IPS display with 300 nits of brightness, while the non-convertible version is available with multiple display options (including a 250-nit HD TN display that you really dont want). The Lenovo ThinkPad X390 Yoga hits the streets in May for $1359 and up. Share this article: Share this: Facebook Twitter Reddit Pocket Tumblr Pinterest LinkedIn Email Phyllis J. Flynn, 87, of Lexington, died Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 at Plum Creek Healthcare Community. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019 from 5-7 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington. Additional services will take place in Robinson, Ill., on Friday March 1, 2019 at Pulliam Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 11-1 with services and then burial to follow. Burial will be at Richart Cemetery in Robinson, Ill. She was born Nov. 22, 1931 in Chicago, Ill., to Charles and Anna Mae (Wagner) Bernhardt. Phyllis attended Chicago Public Schools through the 10th grade and then received her GED. Phyllis was united in marriage to William E. Bud Flynn on Feb. 3, 1951 in Chicago, Ill. Four children were blessed to this union, William Michael, Christine Ann, Jeffrey Allen, and David Ellis. A snowstorm slammed into the mid-valley on Monday morning, closing most schools throughout the area and creating treacherous conditions during the morning commute. Schools districts such as Lebanon, Harrisburg, Scio and Monroe have already announced two-hour delays for Tuesday morning. Sweet Home and Santiam Canyon schools will be closed for Tuesday. And there's a possibility more winter weather could hit the area later this week. From the Coast Range to the Willamette Valley floor to the foothills of the Cascades, there's a chance of snow or wintry precipitation from Tuesday night through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. The snow also broke branches and toppled whole trees, downing power lines and causing outages for thousands of customers. On Monday afternoon, Pacific Power warned that those still experiencing outages should be prepared to go without electricity until at least Tuesday morning. While Albany and Corvallis received an inch or two of snow on Monday morning, communities to the south and east Linn County got six inches or more. Some areas at higher elevations had more than a foot of snow. Several cars were in ditches between Lebanon and Sweet Home on Highway 20. Hiding behind a wall of snow, two American Marines melt some snow to make drinking water. They are spending the night digging out a defensive position high up in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. The Marines keep their map of targets protected in clear plastic on the icy surface below the machine gun. Other Marines just a few kilometers away are preparing to attack. They are about 2,440 meters above sea level. The air is thin, the snow is high and the temperature is low and dropping further. The mountain weather is similar to that in parts of Russia, North Korea and China, countries where the U.S. believes troops could fight the next war. Major General William F. Mullen is head of the Marines Training and Education Command. He told the Associated Press, We havent had to deal with these things. Weve been very focused on Iraq and Afghanistan. Mullen added, What we really have to do is wake folks up, expose them to things that they havent had to think about for quite a while. The U.S. has been fighting for 17 years against the Taliban and al-Qaida-linked forces. Now the countrys military is preparing for possible conflicts in Russia, China, North Korea and Iran. U.S. forces are training to survive severely cold weather and fight a high-tech battle of drones, electronic and cyber weapons. Colonel Kevin Hutchison is the training center commander. He said What youre seeing here is Marines fighting Marines, so we are replicating a near-peer threat in the training exercise. As a snowstorm blows around them, Mullen and Hutchison move through the woods to check in with the group of 250 Marines on the mountain. Their training goal is to prevent 800 attackers from gaining control of nearby Wolf Creek Bridge. Marine Reese Nichols is from Pensacola, Florida. Another, Chase Soltis, calls Bozeman, Montana home. They had dug their defensive position a day earlier. The two have been watching all night for enemy movement while melting snow for drinking water. Nichols says the hardest part is boiling water 24/7. And the cold. Its cold. The Marines use snowshoes and cross-country skis to get around. They wrap their weapons in white to make it hard for the enemy to see. It is a struggle to keep ammunition dry and heavy machine guns from sinking into the snow. Marine Rian Lusk is one of the trainers. He says many of the troops have never dealt with snow before. And, the troops have to be digging or moving up the mountain all the time. Lusk says Its physically taxing, but more than anything, I think, its mentally taxing. Military changes its training A very different training exercise is happening about 640 kilometers to the south at Twentynine Palms Marine base. Trainers here provide the Marines with only the general purpose of the exercises. The trainees make their own battle plans as they would in a real conflict. Commanders say todays troops have to be more independent, providing their own protection and support. The training, Mullen said, is to prepare Marines to remain unseen and make quick changes to their battle plan when faced with unexpected threats. Back on the mountain, the attacking force saw a defensive position and opened fire. Real ammunition is not used so no one gets hurt. But the competition is real. Hutchinson told the leader of the defensive force, You took casualties today, and you didnt respond to it. Mullen asked the leader why he did not move his Marines to a safer place. The groups leader, Brendan Dixon, defended his decision. He said his forces were in the right place to defend the bridge. It turns out, he was right. Moving toward the bridge, the attacking forces became trapped, and open to enemy fire. They were unable to move through a narrow area filled with snow. After the battle, Marine trainers judged that the attackers suffered 30-40 percent casualties, while Dixons defensive troops had about 10 percent. The attacking force, said Hutchison, made some decisions that would have resulted in Marine deaths in a real battle. He added, it is better to learn now than in conflict. Im Caty Weaver. And Im Bryan Lynn. The Associated Press reported this story. Hai Do adapted it for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story focus - n. to direct attention or effort at something specific expose - v. to cause (someone) to experience something or to be influenced or affected by something replicate - v. to repeat or copy (something) exactly peer - n. a person who belongs to the same age group or social group as someone else folks - n. people in general (informal) casualty - n. a person who is hurt or killed during an accident, war, etc. respond - v. to do something as a reaction to something that has happened or been done Scientists on an island just north of Antarctica are studying the ice for clues about everything from climate change to cures for cancer. Chile operates a research base on King George Island in the Southern Ocean. The island lies about 120 kilometers from the coast of Antarctica. The Escudero base acts as a research center for an area that extends to the South Pole. More than 300 international scientists are based there. They take turns working on experiments and collecting information in the bitter cold. The Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH) has supported research into a biomolecule called Antartina, which comes from a plant native to the area. In early tests, the biomolecule has been shown to shrink several kinds of cancer in mice. Scientists working at Escudero also look at plants that could treat Alzheimers disease, enzymes to remove sugar from milk and others to improve lettuce crops. This month, a group of scientists left on a research trip to investigate what causes the break-up of ice shelves. Other studies have linked the break-up with climate change. In 2017, an iceberg the size of Trinidad and Tobago broke off a shelf in Antarctica. It led to widespread concern, fears of possible shipping accidents and a rise in sea levels. There are different theories related to changes in sea temperatures eating the platforms, said Shelley MacDonell, a glaciologist from New Zealand. MacDonell spoke to the Reuters news agency as she prepared to travel to one of the icebergs affected. She and her team want to be able to predict when and where in the future ice shelves might break off. The scientists hope their research will help the mapping of the shape of the worlds southernmost continent in the years to come. They also want to help island and coastal nations plan for rising sea levels. Wall of ice Ice shelves act as walls that hold back Antarctic ice, stopping it from spilling more quickly into the ocean. Icebergs have historically broken off for centuries, but the number of break-ups has risen in recent years. The loss of ice from Antarctica rose to 252,000 million tons a year between 2009 and 2017. That compares to the average of 40,000 million tons a year between 1979 and 1990. Those numbers come from a study released in January. Large platforms have collapsed in the past. What is not known is if the collapses were gradual, MacDonell said. She added that the collapses that are happening now appear to move very quickly. The Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of the continent. It is also one of the areas most affected by melting ice. Scientists believe that is because it had more contact with the ocean. We have a long-term trend that is pointing to this process of warming and collapse of these platforms, said Chilean glaciologist Francisco Fernandoy. He is a member of MacDonells team. The Netherlands and several island territories are waiting for the results of the study. If the ice caps of Greenland and Antarctic were to melt completely, there would be a 10-meter rise in sea levels. The water would cover those places, according to INACH research. Reading the ice MacDonell and her team are traveling to a camp on the Muller ice shelf. At the end of last year, the ice shelf lost a 1.6-kilometer long iceberg. The scientists will spend two weeks in very cold conditions to gather scientific samples. The team will use radar waves to take measurements of the icebergs and remove ice from the inside. This ice will enable the researchers to effectively look back in time. The ice will be moved to laboratories in central Chile for examination. They will be kept in rooms with a temperature of 20 degrees below zero Celsius. Im Susan Shand. The Reuters news agency reported this story. Susan Shand adapted the report for VOA Learning English. The editor was George Grow. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Quiz - Searching for Clues on Climate Change in Antarctica Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story shelf - n. a flat area of rock, sand, or ice iceberg - n. a very large piece of ice floating in the ocean platform - n. a flat surface that is raised higher than the floor or ground gradual - adj. moving or changing in small amounts trend - n. a way of behaving, proceeding, etc., that is developing and becoming more common according - v. as stated, reported, or recorded by sample - n. a small amount of something that gives you information about the thing it was taken from Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro is looking to make major changes to his countrys education system Brazilian officials recently announced plans to remove subjects related to feminism, homosexuality and violence against women from school textbooks. They say the military will take over some public schools. Bolsonaro and other officials also criticize the ideas of Paulo Freire, one of Brazils most famous educators. The announcement concerns many teachers and education officials. They say the government wants to fight an enemy that does not exist. Students may not find many differences as they return to school this month, but changes are on the way. For the government, the ideological battle begins with the removal of Freires legacy in schools. Bolsonaro and others say Freires way of thinking turns students into, in his words, political militants. They say Freires methods encourage students to go against traditional values such as family and the church. Bolsonaro and his education minster appear to be taking ideas on education from people like Olavo de Carvalho. De Carvalho is a Brazilian who lives in the United States and is known for his anti-globalism and anti-socialist views. Freire believed that the government has a responsibility to educate the Brazilian people, including poor farmers and those unable to read. But de Carvalho believes in reducing the governments part in education. Instead, private or religious schools should have that responsibility. During a talk about education on YouTube, de Carvalho said, The government does not have to educate anyone; it is the society that has to educate itself. Brazil has 13 military-run schools. They are aimed at educating children of soldiers, but also accept some students based on merit. The military is the most respected institution in the country. Its schools are thought to be better than many public schools. Last year, 39.5 million students attended a public school. Private schools served 9 million students. Opponents say the way military schools select students would end up being unfair to children living in poor areas. Claudia Costin is director of Brazils Center for Excellence and Innovation in Education Policies in Rio de Janeiro. She said government efforts should center on things like improved training and wages for teachers and making the entrance test for teachers more difficult. She also supports the idea of building a common program of study for schools across Brazil. The government complains about indoctrination at school, Costin said. But it is not with laws that you solve these things. Brazil was 63rd out of the 72 countries and areas in the 2015 Program for International Student Assessment. The study was done by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The group says Brazil has one of the largest numbers of adults without a high-school education. Schools are overcrowded, teacher wages are low and school buildings are often in need of repairs. Government reports say more than 5,800 schools had no water supply in 2017. Nearly 5,000 had no electricity and 8,400 had no waste removal systems. Im Jonathan Evans. Diane Jeantet reported this story for the Associated Press news service. Jonathan Evans adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story feminism n. the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities homosexuality n. showing a sexual attraction to people of the same sex indoctrination n. the teaching of someone to fully accept the ideas, opinions, and beliefs of a particular group and to not consider other ideas, opinions, and beliefs legacy n. something that happened in the past or that comes from someone in the past Migrants seeking to enter the United States continue to arrive in Tijuana and other Mexican cities along the U.S. border. Some migrants are traveling in large groups with thousands of people. Others come in groups of just 10 or 12 people. Many walk for days through Central America, then ride buses or trucks for the long trip through the Mexican countryside. In border cities like Tijuana, they find help in shelters operated by aid groups. Angela Escalante is an asylum seeker waiting in Tijuana. She is there with her husband and 7-year-old son. The situation is very bad, there are no jobs, she said of her country of Nicaragua, blaming its political violence on the countrys president, Daniel Ortega. Theres no security so you cant safely walk the streets, she added. Post-traumatic stress New arrivals along the border say they also face violence from organized crime and local drug gangs. Jorge Alejandro Valencia is a 19 year old from western Mexico. He told VOA that, around 14 years ago, criminals killed the brother and a son of his grandfather. Now, criminals are threatening his sister, Valencia said. He fears he and other family members are in danger. Many migrants have experienced violence from organized crime groups, notes Gordon Finkbeiner. He works for the medical aid group Doctors Without Borders. Finkbeiner says the group has witnessed and treated people with mental health problems linked to trauma. Many show high levels of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. A 23-year-old Honduran, newly arrived in a shelter, said a gang demanded that he sell drugs. The young man said he could see no escape except to leave his country. He asked not to be identified, saying that the gangs watch Facebook and if his name is made public, they would target his family. US citizens wait, too Other people are also waiting in Tijuanas shelters. They include Africans and Haitians who moved from their home countries to Venezuela, and migrants from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. A woman from Honduras, for example, has a 12-year-old son named Jimmy. He was born in the United States and has U.S. citizenship. Jimmy was sent to Honduras with his mother when the government ordered her to return to Honduras. A middle-aged man named Efren Galindo was born in Mexico but grew up in Texas. Two years ago, he was sent back to Mexico and nearly killed by drug dealers, he said as he showed injuries to his back and shoulder. Galindo has four sons and several grandchildren all of them U.S. citizens. Credible fear, big backlog To receive asylum in the U.S., asylum seekers must show a clear possibility of harm or torture. They must show they are not simply fleeing poverty. People who have been deported from the United States face added restrictions. Many cannot return for five, 10, 20 or more years. At the same time, the U.S. immigration system has a serious backlog of cases. The number of cases rose during the recent 35-day partial closing of the U.S. government. U.S. immigration officials said in a statement January 21 that the government faced a crisis-level backlog of 311,000 asylum requests. The backlog of all immigration court cases was more than 800,000 in November 2018, noted researchers at Syracuse University in New York State. In addition, many detention centers that house illegal immigrants are temporary, notes Tekae Michael, a border agent who works south of San Diego, California. She said there are not enough immigration judges to process people correctly and quickly. Mexico is permitting Central Americans to legally stay in the country temporarily. And volunteers from U.S. groups like San Diegos Border Angels bring supplies to the shelters. Mexican businesses are making donations. Carlos Yee of the Catholic shelter Casa del Migrante says aid workers like him are angry because they lack the power to speed up the process. We only can say to them, Be patient, he said. The city of San Diego can be seen through a border barrier, just 30 kilometers north of Tijuana. I'm Jonathan Evans. And Im Alice Bryant. Mike OSullivan wrote this story for VOA News. Alice Bryant adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story migrant n. a person who goes from one place to another, especially to find work or better living conditions gang n. a group of young people who do illegal things together and who often fight against other gangs trauma n. a very difficult or unpleasant experience that causes someone to have mental or emotional problems usually for a long time anxiety n. fear or nervousness about what might happen deport v. to force a person who is not a citizen to leave a country backlog n. a large number of jobs that are waiting to be finished Diversity is making uneven progress in leadership positions of American business. Women increasingly are getting positions on boards of companies. Members of racial and ethnic minorities, however, are still rarely appointed to boards. Twenty-seven percent of new company directors in the Russell 3000 Index were women during 2016-2018. That is up from 21 percent in the three-years before, says ISS Analytics. It provided these estimates in an examination for Reuters. In 2018 alone, the percentage was 32 for women. Though women still are underrepresented, their gains have been larger than those of African-Americans and Latinos. Blacks represent 5 percent, and Latinos 2 percent, of new directors in 2016-2018. This is very close to the percentages from the three-year period just before. White men have long controlled U.S. corporate boards. Some business leaders argue that it is hard to find qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds. They also say it is difficult at times to know the race or ethnicity of candidates. Now, directors and experts say, women are gaining entry partly because of pressure from major investment companies and lawmakers. But also, the experts say, realizing gender diversity is simpler than other diversity. Women are easier to count and make up a larger group to choose, they say. Supporters of greater gender diversity say it can bring better financial results and improve public relations. They also argue that gender diversity is the right move since women are more than half the American population. Joe Johnson is a Boston-based partner at the Goodwin law firm. He advises corporate boards. Theyll move to minorities next, he said, adding that now most big companies are looking for more women. Dominique Mielle is a white woman who was named a director of Anworth Mortgage Asset Corporation in November. She said things like the Me Too movement have forced boards to add women so that big investors will continue to support them. If they will say no to yourdirectors, thats a problem Mielle said. A new California law requires that at least three women sit on the boards of state-based publicly traded companies with six or more directors by the end of 2021. At least four other states have passed or are considering similar laws, says the National Conference of State Legislatures. While this is good for women, no laws are planned to help minorities. Lack of women 'a flag' Other countries are more explicit in their demands for diversity at least when it comes to gender. In Europe several countries have quotas, including France which requires 40 percent of board members at its largest listed companies to be women. In Germany there is a 30 percent quota. Britain has a government-backed target for women to make up a third of its 350 largest boards by the end of 2020. In the U.S., those who want diverse boards say they help companies deal better with modern issues. Some research shows that gender diversity is linked to better financial results. This may be because those companies are more likely to have engaged employees and lower turnover. But other studies suggest that companies with more women directors perform no differently. The advising company PwC surveyed 714 corporate directors last October. Eighty-four percent of those questioned said diversity improves board performance. But 52 percent agreed, at least partly, that board diversity efforts are driven by political correctness. Males represented 80 percent of the board directors surveyed. Keeping a list Some companies now provide diversity information in documents required by the government. Last year finance company Regional Management Corp documented four of its eight directors as White/Caucasian and four as Hispanic/Latino. Regional director Roel Campos said investors probably want these details because many of Regionals customers are Latino. He says, We believe that...investors are better informed and can judge whether his companys diversity leads to better performance. Luis Aguilar sits on several corporate boards. He says he does not believe arguments that it is hard to find qualified women and minorities to serve on boards. I no longer give much credibility to people saying they cant find who theyre looking for, because I can quickly find who theyre looking for through several organizations, Aguilar said. Im Susan Shand. And Im Caty Weaver. Susan Shand adapted this story for Learning English based on a Reuters News Agency original report. Caty Weaver was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story boardroom n. a room where the group of people who manage or direct a company or organization have meetings bias n. a tendency to believe that some people, ideas, etc., are better than others that usually results in treating some people unfairly gender n. whether one is a man or a woman quota n. a specific amount or number that is expected to be achieve Monday, February 25, 2019 Frank Vandall has posted to SSRN Tincher Unmasked. The abstract provides: Over 76 years ago, Justice Traynor of the California Supreme Court called for the adoption of strict liability for products liability cases and for the rejection of negligence in such cases. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania recently agreed in Tincher v. Omega Flex, Inc. Strict liability leads to corporate liability and this results in increased payments to victims and slightly lower profits. Corporations responded to strict liability with a firm embrace of the negligence cause of action, which puts both parties on an equal footing. This results in corporations winning more cases. The PLAC (an association of corporations that file amici briefs defending corporations) argued for negligence in Tincher. In this paper I argue in favor of strict liability and support the Pennsylvania Supreme Courts decision in Tincher. https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/tortsprof/2019/02/vandall-on-strict-products-liability-versus-negligence-in-pennsylvania.html Monday, February 25, 2019 A disposition summarized on the web page of the Colorado Presiding Disciplinary Judge The Presiding Disciplinary Judge approved the parties conditional admission of misconduct and suspended Lee Travis Balman (attorney registration number 41279) for one year and one day, all stayed upon successful completion of a one-year period of probation, effective February 12, 2019. The probationary requirements include completing an ethics course and complying with all terms of his criminal deferred judgment and sentence. In October 2018, Balman pleaded guilty to two drug charges in Denver District Court. The first count was felony possession with intent to manufacture or distribute marijuana or marijuana concentrate, C.R.S. section 18-18-406(2)(B)(I),(III)(B). The second count was misdemeanor possession with intent to manufacture or distribute marijuana or marijuana concentrate, C.R.S. section 18-18-406(2)(B)(i),(III)(E). He received a two-year deferred judgment and sentence, with payment of fines and costs, which took effect October 1, 2018. He was never confined or imprisoned. According to the parties stipulation, the evidence indicates that Balman was growing marijuana for his personal medical use and there is no evidence he sold, distributed, or attempted to distribute marijuana. The numerous mitigating factors present in this case include that Balman was immediately suspended from the practice of law in December 2018 based on his felony conviction. (Mike Frisch) https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2019/02/medical-marijuana-mitigation-despite-felony-conviction.html Monday, February 25, 2019 A Massachusetts attorney has been disbarred for misappropriation In the affidavit of resignation, the respondent admitted that bar counsel could prove by a preponderance of the evidence that she had misappropriated $164,454.57 for a client and that she has only repaid $20,000 to date. The Patriot Ledger reported on criminal charges A former Quincy school committee member and state Republican party official has been charged with stealing money from an elderly client at her now-closed law firm. Christine Cedrone, 48, is due to be arraigned next Monday on charges of fiduciary embezzlement and larceny of property worth more than $1,200 from a person over 60. Cedrone has not been arrested on the charges, which were the result of an indictment handed up by a Norfolk County grand jury earlier this month. Court documents say little about the charges against Cedrone, and a spokesman for the Norfolk County district attorney would only say that were related to the theft of money from an elderly client at Cedrones law firm. Cedrones attorney, Kevin Kirby, declined to comment on the charges except to say that they were related to a lawsuit filed against Cedrone. In that lawsuit, filed in November 2017, Cedrone was accused of repeatedly botching a clients case in a motor vehicle crash by filing documents at the last minute, in the wrong court or after a deadline. The client, Cecilia Costigan of Braintree, said Cedrone also never told her that her license had been suspended, or that Costigans lawsuit had been dismissed because of Cedrones mistakes, and led her to believe for months that she was still working on it. Costigan said she had more than $18,000 in medical bills after the 2010 crash involving a teenager driving his parents car, and believes she would have received $250,000 from the parents insurance policy if her case had been handled properly. She said she only learned about Cedrones suspension from a newspaper article and had to work for months to get her file from her. The lawsuit, which is still pending, came on top of a series of problems at Cedrones Quincy law firm, which she had run since 2003. Her license to practice law is currently suspended and she was facing disciplinary proceedings as of June, according to the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseer. In 2014, Cedrones license was suspended for a year after she admitted that she intentionally misused one clients money and negligently misused money belonging to three others. In the first case, she was hired to manage a friends money but instead deposited nearly $26,000 into her own account, which was overdrawn, and immediately used about $300 to pay back the money she owed. She then spent about $1,400 from the account on things unrelated to the friend, though she later repaid the money. Cedrone was also reprimanded by the Board of Bar Overseers in 2010 for mishandling a clients money. After her law license was suspended in 2014, Cedrone, a former Massachusetts Republican State Committee member, was hired by the states Department of Conservation as a community relations manager. She now serves as an assistant director of contracts for the agency. Cedrone also served as a member of Quincys school committee from 1995 to 2003 and was on the citys housing authority board for more than a decade starting in 1994. She now serves as vice president of the board of directors for Quincy After School Child Care. (Mike Frisch) https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2019/02/a-massachusetts-has-been-disbarred-for-misappropriation-of-over-the-quincy-ledger-reported-on-criminal-charges-a-former-qui.html Voice has been enjoying a roaring comeback. That probably kicked off with Alexa. Then, podcasting became so popular. And, yes, podcasting can be monetized. In your highly competitive legal market, a growing number of lawyers and marketers for law firms are embracing this medium. They might have been slow to take the leap into blogging but not podcasting. So, back to an overview of where voice is. Now you can use your voice, even on a laptop, to give commands to the Google search engine and you can get what you need. In the box on Google in which you key in your search term there is now a microphone. You can click it on and tell Google, "Give me the weather in Youngstown, Ohio" or "How many miles between Austin, Texas and Sierra Vista, Arizona." Your voice can be the most powerful one on the internet. It can facilitate your control over your universe. However, legal clients and ambitious law students wanting to get the edge ask me all the time: Do I have to do it all - text, like, share, comment, post original content on social media, and now podcast? The answer, as with most things, is: That depends. When what you are doing is yielding diminishing returns, it's imperative to review what is panning out, what isn't, and what should be tried. You can try out podcasting free on Zoom. Next, research what host to use. Many are free. Repurpose the podcasts on your own website and social media such as LinkedIn Update and Twitter. In addition, leverage podcasting as a networking tool. You can make friends and influence prospects and thought leaders by inviting them for an interview. Stay at it for a while You may or may not be a voice person. However, give yourself time to uncover any public speaking talent. Need affordable help strategically planning and putting together content? That ranges from blog posts and e-books to planning/scripting podcasts and creating traditional speeches. Complimentary consultation on how to generate influence and sell without paying high rates, janegenova374@gmail.com. The odds have gotten better that members of the JD Class of 2019 will be offered a job in Boston. The legal market there is booming. But before accepting, it's imperative to negotiate compensation that will cover the rent. Boston has become one of those cities in which even middle-class professionals can no longer afford to live. According to Nestpick, reports Boston Magazine, the minimum annual salary required for living alone in a one-bedroom apartment is $78,477. Along with that kind of big nut is what has to be subtracted from salary for repayment of student loans. Of course, that's doable through an entry-level job with BigLaw. But it might not be feasible with other kinds of legal jobs, be they working in a non-profit or for SmallLaw. What could become acceptable to ambitious law school graduates is starting a career in the low-cost regions of the Midwest. Sure, compensation may be lower than in Boston but not so low that there can't be an amazing quality of life. So far, the best priced area of the country for me has been Northeastern Ohio. Need affordable help strategically planning and putting together content? That ranges from blog posts and e-books to planning/scripting podcasts and creating traditional speeches. Complimentary consultation on how to generate influence and sell without paying high rates, janegenova374@gmail.com. The Tree of Life massacre seems so far away. The Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania seems back to normal. Yesterday when I was driving through, families were leaving Sabbath services at the temples. Shopping, dining, and people-watching were brisk on the main drag - Forbes. In this era of the crash of brick and mortar retail, Forbes seems just fine. But, I didn't decide to stop driving. There was no parking, except in pay-for-a-spot multi-level structures and pay-for-a-spot on-the-street. Those spots not tagged for payment frequently were categorized as only-for-an-hour. So, the merchants on Forbes lost my business. So did the restaurants. And, in terms of Pittsburgh per se, those who have left the area are voting with their pocketbooks. Yes, the city is losing the kinds of residents who are unwilling to put up with either a capitalist ploy and/or a green measure to encourage leaving the car at home (Pittsburgh has excellent public transportation). Regarding green, even lefty town of Cambridge, Massachusetts isn't having the expected success in reducing the number of cars owned and operated by residents. Other obstacles to the scaling of retail in the area include: High gas prices. When I left Austintown, Ohio, I filled up for $2.42 a gallon (that included 3-cents off for Giant Eagle rewards points.) Throughout the Pittsburgh metro area the price of a gallon ranged from $2.63 to $2.69. Rigid inspection of autos. A now OH neighbor who fled Pittsburgh complained about the need to replace his whole windshield. He had a nick stopped from spreading with one of those buttons. No go, ruled the inspection station. OH has no inspection. My day trip to Pittsburgh will likely be my last. The area does not seem to want me. Overall, OH is lots more welcoming to human beings. There is plenty of free parking around cool spots like Lake Erie, including resort town of Geneva on the Lake. Need affordable help strategically planning and putting together content? That ranges from blog posts and e-books to planning/scripting podcasts and creating traditional speeches. Complimentary consultation on how to generate influence and sell without paying high rates, janegenova374@gmail.com. The classic thriller MY NAME IS JULIA ROSS (1945) has just been released in a terrific Blu-ray edition by Arrow Academy I first saw this film in 2010 ; after the passage of nearly a decade, it was a pleasure to revisit the movie via this sparkling Blu-ray. The movie couldn't look any better, and it's presented with terrific extras.Given the bloated running times of so many movies today, modern filmmakers would do well to study this 65-minute mystery and learn that "less can be more."Director Joseph H. Lewis , cinematographer Burnett Guffey , and a fine cast headed by Nina Foch collaborated on a gripping, efficiently told gem which is over and done in not much more than an hour, yet leaves the viewer completely satisfied with an excellent cinematic experience. As the film begins, young Julia (21-year-old Foch) is facing a gloomy, rainy day in London. She's jobless, behind on her rent, and lovelorn, as her crush Dennis (Roland Varno) has mailed her an announcement that he's marrying someone else.Her luck seems to turn, though, when she answers a job agency ad and finds a job as live-in personal secretary to Mrs. Hughes (Dame May Whitty) and her son Ralph (George Macready). What's more, Dennis turns up, decidedlyon his honeymoon...it seems his bride-to-be got tired of listening to him talking about Julia all the time. That evening Julia moves into Mrs. Hughes' London home and goes to sleep...then wakes uplocked in a bedroom in a mansion on the coast of Cornwall. Her wardrobe is different, she's wearing a wedding ring, and everyone insists on calling her Marian.Try as she might, Julia can't find a way to escape, despite telling everyone she meets "My name is Julia Ross!" The villagers all think she's mentally disturbed and ignore her. An attempt to mail a letter to Dennis in London is thwarted when Ralph replaces the letter with blank paper, but perhaps he's not as clever as he thinks... Foch is onscreen for a majority of the film's running time, and she keeps viewers interested as we watch the progression of her emotions, from anxiety to joy, confusion to desperation to steely resolve and back to desperation. Julia may initially seem mild-mannered but she proves herself to be a gutsy woman dealing with a bizarre situation few could imagine. Foch, incidentally, would later be well-known here in Southern California teaching acting for decades at USC Whitty is particularly good, veering from being a sweet little old lady to a cold-hearted killer. She's especially chilling near the end of the film when she gives her son directions on how to deal with Julia.Macready is also effective as the character who is the one who's truly mentally disturbed, with a penchant for slashing things up with a knife. The cast also includes Doris Lloyd, Anita Sharpe-Bolster, Queenie Leonard, and Evan Thomas. The excellent extras include a commentary track by the Film Noir Foundation's Alan K. Rode, a 22-minute featurette with Nora Fiore (also known as The Nitrate Diva ), and the trailer. Rode is always a personable, interesting speaker, and his commentary includes a great deal of information on cast members and filmmakers, particularly the fascinating Foch, as well as thoughts on the film's style. Fiore is likewise an articulate speaker who discusses the evolution of Lewis's career along with analysis of the film and its connection with women's changing roles at the end of WWII.The first pressing from Arrow will also include reversible case cover art and a collector's booklet with an essay by Adrian Martin; these items were not included in the advance copy I reviewed.Arrow previously released another film directed by Lewis, TERROR IN A TEXAS TOWN (1958), which I reviewed in 2017 . Arrow has also just released a Blu-ray of another unusual mystery helmed by Lewis, SO DARK THE NIGHT (1946); like MY NAME IS JULIA ROSS, the new Blu-ray has several interesting extras, including a commentary track by Farran Smith Nehme (the Self-Styled Siren ) and Glenn Kenny. I reviewed a DVD release of the film SO DARK THE NIGHT in 2014 MY NAME IS JULIA ROSS is a recommended release. Wow! The most leftist of our nations liberals have outdone themselves. A resolution introduced earlier this month in the U.S. House of Representatives recognizes the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal a new national, social, industrial and economic mobilization on a scale not seen since World War II and the New Deal. As well-intended as this resolution may be, it would require the near-total transformation of multiple sectors of the American economy. This proposed transformation would require the elimination of the use of fossil fuels. It also would require an end to the oppression of indigenous communities, communities of color, migrant communities, deindustrialized communities, depopulated rural communities, the poor, low-income workers, women, the elderly, the unhoused, people with disabilities and youth. It further would require that all people of the United States be provided with high-quality health care, affordable, safe and adequate housing, economic security and access to clean water, clean air, healthy and affordable food, and nature. And it would guarantee a job with a family-sustaining wage, adequate family and medical leave, paid vacations, and retirement security to all people of the United States. Oh, did I mention it would overhaul our transportation systems, including creating high-speed rail to replace fossil fuel-powered airplanes? There is more but I am sure any reader can imagine the bounty promised. Such transformations over the history of the world required decades even centuries. The Industrial Revolution began in the mid-1700s and lasted into the early 1800s. Todays data and information economy took decades to develop. Population growth, coupled with scientific discoveries, innovation and invention have been embedded into these long and involved transitions. Creative private enterprise and free markets worked their magic over time. And, thankfully, the process of change and improvement in the quality of life of people around the world has never stopped. Startlingly, the Green New Deal promises to do its work in no more than 10 years. Impossible! Remember, we have been working on poverty since Lyndon B. Johnson famously declared a war on it in 1964. This resolution is as laughable as it is incomprehensible. Having been delivered without a price tag makes this nothing more than a socialist dream. Those who support the Green New Deal must have been deprived of classes in history, economics and even arithmetic. Government spending and control along with the destruction of much of our private economy are at the heart of this Green New Deal. Tens of trillions of tax dollars would be needed and millions of private-sector jobs would be lost. If anything has ever been dead on arrival in Washington, D.C., this is it. But it makes this much clear: Socialists have been hard at work in our nation for many years. Their approach has generally been incremental. Wilbur J. Cohen, who served as secretary of health, education and welfare under President Johnson, and was an architect of Medicare, believed that programs needed be introduced one slice at a time, like salami is piled on a sandwich. Otherwise, the program would be hard to swallow. A quote frequently attributed to the late socialist Norman Thomas states: The American People will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of liberalism, they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day, America will be a socialist nation without knowing how it happened. Theres no evidence Thomas ever said that. But whoever did made a good point. Today, liberals keep trying to push socialist ideas under the label of progressivism. But theres a big difference now: Theyre offering wholesale socialism in one bite. They want government to decide which industries will die and which will be created. If they get their way, government will micromanage whole industries and companies. The banking industry will be directed to provide financing without the involvement of free markets while our retirement investments are decimated by government-determined industry and business shutdowns. We are being asked to completely ignore everything we already know about the disasters created by socialism including our knowledge of the history of Soviet Union and now, Venezuela. In our own history, only world wars and the Civil War provided the basis for dramatic and rapid changes in our industrial, economic and financial systems. Our elected officials in Washington must repudiate the Green New Deal resolution. National suicide by socialist-imposed bankruptcy is not for America. Stuart Wesbury, a professor emeritus in Arizona State Universitys School of Health Administration and Policy, is a resident of Willow Street. He has a Ph.D. in economics and business administration. He is a former community member of the LNP Editorial Board. East Hempfield Township police ENDANGERING CHILDREN EAST HEMPFIELD TWP.: Jenine Federmack, 42, of Mountville, was charged after an incident in the 800 block of Estelle Drive on Feb. 19. SIMPLE ASSAULT EAST HEMPFIELD TWP.: Alberto Santos, 47, of Leola, was charged with simple assault and harassment after a domestic disturbance on Feb. 19 in the 2800 block of Michener Drive. THEFT BY DECEPTION EAST. HEMPFIELD TWP.: Taylor Henry, 25, of Columbia, was charged with two counts of theft by deception and for failure to make required disposition of funds stemming from multiple incidents between January 2017 and September 2018, at Founders Market & Co., where he was employed. Total funds involved was $1,651, police said. Ephrata police AUTO THEFT EPHRATA BOROUGH: Jeffrey E. Hover, 18, of Ephrata, and Micah Stormfeltz, 19, of Ephrata, were charged with multiple counts of theft in the theft of four vehicles and two pistols between Jan. 5-27. The thefts were: a Taurus 9mm pistol was taken from a vehicle parked in the 300 block of S. State St.; a Ruger .22-caliber pistol was taken from a Ford dump truck in the 300 block of E. Mohler Church Road, Ephrata Township; a Mazda sedan taken from the 1100 block of Steinmetz Road; a Chevrolet SUV was taken from the 200 block of Miller Road; and a Mitsubishi SUV was taken from the 200 block of Duke St. All vehicles and handguns have been recovered. Manheim Borough police BURGLARY RAPHO TWP.: Nicholas J. Root, 24, of Manheim, was chrged with burglary, criminial trespass and theft by unlawful taking after police said he stole a chainsaw and a television from a home on Jan. 17 in the 1200 block of Cider Press Road. HARASSMENT RAPHO TWP.: Robin Witkosky, 49, of Mount Joy, was cited after police said she hit and kicked a victim on Jan. 16 in the 1500 block of E. Main St. RESISTING ARREST RAPHO TWP.: Matthew Mumma. 46, of Engle Lane, was charged after police said he pushed a police officer when he was being arrested on outstanding warrants on Feb. 5 in the 100 block of Engle Lane. Millersville Borough police MEGANS LAW VIOLATION MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH: Robert Lee Enck Jr., 46, of Millersville, was charged for failing to register his new employment address with state police. New Holland Borough police DRUG CHARGE EARL TWP.: Colin Buzzard, 18, of Denver, was charged with posession of marijuana on Feb. 22, after police observed him in a parked car at 11:56 p.m. at the rear of a church in the 100 block of Summitville Road. Police said they located multiple baggies inside the vehicle. State police CRIMINAL MISCHIEF PARADISE TWP.: Construction equipment was vandalized the night of Jan. 20-Jan. 21 in the 3200 block of Lincoln Highway East. Damage as placed at $10,000. THEFT SALISBURY TWP.: A package was stolen from the front porch of a home in the 5700 block of Lincoln High East on Jan. 29. West Hempfield Township police Chief Mark Pugliese I feels the time is right to turn over the reins to someone new. After 35 years on the force nearly 17 of them as chief Pugliese plans to retire April 22. Ive seen other departments and other chiefs become stagnant, he said in a recent phone interview. I didnt want to fall into that trap, nor did I want the department to fall into it either. Township officials began searching for Pugliese's successor in November through the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, township manager Andrew Stern said. Pugliese Ive seen other departments and other chiefs become stagnant. I didn't want to fall into that trap." Finding someone to step into his shoes is definitely going to be a difficult task, he said. Pugliese retired with a salary of $103,572, according to Stern. Pugliese also entered the Deferred Retirement Option Plan in April 2016. The plan allows Pugliese to build up a lump sum for retirement in addition to his pension, which was frozen when he entered the plan. A little more than $4,000 a month has been placed in Puglieses DROP account since he started the program, according to a Right to Know request filed with the township. Hell be able to access the lump sum when he retires, and hell continue to receive a similar monthly amount as part of his pension, according to the township. Well miss him Pugliese began working for the department as an officer in 1984. He was promoted to sergeant in 1996, placed in charge of criminal investigations in 1999 and became chief in 2002 after former Chief Skip Hocker retired. Mountville Borough started contracting with the department in 2000. Borough Mayor Phil Kresge commended Pugliese for his efficiency, steady communication and regular attendance at borough meetings. Well miss him. I wish him luck. Hes been a good person to work with and well-known in our town, Kresge said. During Puglieses tenure as chief, the use of technology has increased. Cameras were installed in cruisers, automatic fingerprinting technology was introduced, and the department started an accident-reconstruction drone program. Weve come a long way in these 17 years. I thank my officers and elected officials of the township. Theyre the ones who supported the changes and embraced the changes as well, Pugliese said. Pugliese also helped design the townships new multiuse municipal building, which opened in 2018. I say this with pride and prejudice: Its the best police facility in the county, he said. Dumeyer "We wish him well as he embarks on other endeavors. Township supervisor Dave Dumeyer said Pugliese brought expertise and professionalism to the department as well as empathy to families in times of tragedy. He has certainly given a tremendous amount of service, said Dumeyer, whos been on the board since 1989. We wish him well as he embarks on other endeavors. Moving forward Pugliese said hes not done working, and he may not be done with law enforcement, either. He said hes interested in working with programs that assist veterans. He served in the U.S. Air Force 1978-83, working as a security police officer in Iceland and then Nebraska. Regardless of whats next, Pugliese said it would be difficult to leave the township where he and his wife have spent most of their lives. Pugliese Im proud of everything Ive done." Pugliese has even considered running for the townships board of supervisors if a spot opens up, or being the person in the audience that comes to every meeting, he said. Im proud of everything Ive done ... I have no regrets, Pugliese said. I look forward to seeing a new face as chief. Strong winds felled trees and brought down power lines in Lancaster County overnight Sunday into Monday. At its worst, the winds cut power to over 1,400 PPL Electric Utilities customers. Gusts over 50 mph were recorded in East Petersburg and at the Lancaster airport overnight Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. The strongest gust at Lancaster Airport was 52 mph at 1:37 a.m. A gust of 55 mph was recorded in East Petersburg at 2:42 a.m. Around 4 a.m., 1,194 PPL customers were without power, according to spokeswoman Jessica Baker. Peak gusts East Petersburg, 55 mph at 2:42 a.m. Lancaster Airport, 53 mph at 1:37 a.m. Source: National Weather Service Winds continued into the morning. As we restore power to customers, we continue to see new outages come in due to the continuing high winds, Baker said. By 9:30 a.m. power was cut to 1,221 customers, she said. The peak outage was around 3:30 p.m., with 1,412 customers without power. Nearly 600 of those customers were affected by an outage in Rapho Township, Baker said. Our crews will continue working around the clock to restore everyone affected, Baker said, adding that 400 workers from other companies were on their way to help with the restoration effort. A high wind warning was in effect in Lancaster County through the early afternoon. The warning from the National Weather Service said winds 25 to 35 mph were expected with gusts up to 60 mph. A wind advisory remains in effect through 10 p.m. Despite the outages, the Lancaster County Emergency Management Agency did not receive many reports of damage Monday morning, according to director Phil Colvin. I know there are some trees across roadways and fire departments went out, he said. It's not been too bad. Wind-related incidents were reported in parts of the county. HIGH WIND WARNING FOR CENTRAL PA Strong to damaging wind gusts 50-60 mph Through 1PM Monday Downed trees and limbs Power Outages Structural Damage Possible Difficult driving for high profile and commercial vehicles https://t.co/h0ChCilCCm #PAwx pic.twitter.com/fWTKBymlJm NWS State College (@NWSStateCollege) February 25, 2019 Tree branches fell on top of a home and a vehicle parked on Sutton Place in Manheim Township mid-morning. Northern Lancaster County Regional police reported a wind-related signal malfunction at Lititz Pike and Owl Hill Road. Conestoga Township employees cleared downed trees and debris on River Road south of Safe Harbor on Monday morning. The National Weather Service said to expect another chilly day Tuesday with a high in the upper 30s and sunny skies. Eric Horst, director of Millersville Universitys Weather Information Center, said a weak clipper system in northern Pennsylvania could bring a rain or snow shower Wednesday. Wet snow or wintry mix is possible Thursday night, and snow is also possible from a system Saturday. Stewart Dalzell, the Philadelphia federal court judge whose ruling temporarily freed convicted Lancaster County murderer Lisa Michelle Lambert in 1997, died Feb. 18 of Alzheimers disease. He was 75. Dalzell was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and served 25 years on the bench, retiring in 2016. His actions in the Lambert case drew national attention. Lambert had been convicted in Lancaster County of stalking and killing 16-year-old Laurie Show in December 1991. Lambert, who was 19 at the time of the crime, was serving a life sentence for first-degree murder when Dalzell was asked in 1997 to investigate her claims of prosecutorial misconduct. He called a hearing. Later, in a blistering opinion, the judge ordered Lambert set free and ruled that the state could not retry her. She was sent back to prison nearly 10 months later, and Dalzells ruling was overturned on appeal. All of the prosecutors were later cleared following a federal probe of the case. During his legal career, Dalzell was a significant force in the citys legal and political communities, beginning as a lawyer in private practice in 1970 and culminating with his 1991 appointment by President George H.W. Bush to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania bench. He retired in 2016. Chief Judge Juan R. Sanchez said that Dalzell was a collegial and engaging member of our court, who relished intellectually challenging cases during his 25 years of service on the federal bench. He will be greatly missed. Born in Hackensack, N.J., Dalzell grew up in nearby Bloomfield. He graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1961 and the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School in 1965. He took a year off to work as a financial consultant at NBC in New York before graduating from Penns law school in 1969. After teaching law at Wharton for a year, Dalzell joined the Philadelphia law firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath on June 22, 1970. Dalzell had become interested in politics after law school. He approached U.S. Rep. John Heinz in 1974, and when Heinz ran in the 1975 Republican primary for Hugh Scotts vacated U.S. Senate seat, Heinz hired the young man as general counsel and campaign treasurer. Heinz won the seat in the general election. In 1990, Heinz sponsored him when there was an opening on the federal court bench. After being vetted, Dalzell was appointed by Bush in September 1991. He served as president of the standing committee for the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. He was a member of St. Marks Church, where he served on the vestry and sang bass in the choir. A movie fan, he often mentioned films in his opinions. He and his wife, Kathleen Regan Dalzell, were annual subscribers to the Philadelphia Orchestra. He also enjoyed literature, history, and spending time with family. He was intelligent, curious, widely read, and a great conversationalist, his family said. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Rebecca; a son, Andrew; and a granddaughter. Seated in the living room of her duplex in southeast Lancaster, Louise Williams rubs her right knee. It doesnt hurt, she said. It just gets stiff. Williams, who turns 82 in May, is a former magisterial district judge and city councilwoman. For decades, she has been one of the most active and widely respected civic figures in Lancaster. Theres no living council person whos contributed as much to the city or contributed in as many different ways as Louise Williams has, city councilman Ismail Smith-Wade-El said. But Williams public role was interrupted abruptly in early 2017, when she slipped and fell coming out of the YWCA after a board meeting. It was clear the injury was serious. My knee was in the back of my leg, she said. Her ambulance trip began a lengthy odyssey. She underwent multiple operations, including a knee replacement that October, followed by extensive rehabilitation. She was away from her home for more than a year, either at a medical facility or staying with relatives. She only finished physical therapy a couple of months ago. She can walk without a cane and go up and down stairs. But shes being cautious. Its been a long haul, she said. Im just taking it day by day and trying to get myself back. A career of firsts A Democrat, Williams was on City Council for three terms, from 2006 to 2018, and was the first black woman to serve as council president. In 1973, she became Pennsylvanias first female black district judge and the first woman in that role in Lancaster, serving 26 years. She was appointed to the state Board of Pardons in 1998, becoming the boards first black woman and first victims advocate, and serving 18 years. She was involved in many community organizations, including terms as president of the Lancaster NAACP and of Girls Services Inc. of Lancaster, a counterpart to the Boys Club. The two later merged to form the Boys and Girls Club of Lancaster. Shes done so much, said Barbara Wilson, a former City Councilwoman who left to become executive director of the city housing authority. Williams was council president for Wilsons first two years, and led by example, Wilson said. Smith-Wade-El knew Williams growing up because of her friendship with his mother, Rita Smith-Wade-El, who died in December. He said Williams was a mentor to him and was the person who first suggested he run for City Council. In no hurry Former Mayor Rick Gray, an attorney, represented clients before Williams dozens of times in her district judge days. He won some and lost some, he said, but always felt hed gotten a fair shake. Once, when Gray and Williams were canvassing together during their first run for office, a man yelled to Williams that he was going to vote for her, even though she had sent him to jail. As mayor, it was a pleasure to work with Williams in city government, Gray said. Williams said she wouldnt rule out returning to civic involvement in some capacity eventually, but not until she feels shes ready. In the meantime, shes staying busy by, among other things, reading a copy of Michelle Obamas memoir Becoming sits on her coffee table. Obama sent Williams a letter in 2009 offering congratulations after Williams received the Jean Kohr award from the Lancaster County Womens Alliance. The award honors women whose spirit, purpose and actions are dedicated to improving the quality of life for all women in the community. Williams also spends time playing the piano, traveling and spending time with family and friends. Shes looking forward to a grandsons high school graduation. Im in no hurry, she said. I can dedicate time to myself and getting back on my feet. At graduate school at Hofstra University in New York, Aislinn Murphy and a group of friends often would hang out on a Saturday night. They didnt want to get dressed up and go out to a club, but they still wanted to do something special. So, about twice a month, theyd order dinner and have it delivered. The pizza, tacos and sushi, all from different restaurants, would arrive at the same time thanks to food delivery apps. The delivery companies, Grubhub and UberEats, charged a few dollars to deliver (and its nice to tip the driver), but the group didnt have to make multiple orders to each restaurant. It was totally worth it, says Murphy, who now lives in Ephrata. Food delivery from your phone or computer has been an option in the countrys biggest cities for a few years. Recently, companies like Seamless, DoorDash and UberEats have expanded their delivery into parts of Lancaster County. For a few dollars, you can order from places that dont deliver. The list of restaurants that can be ordered from is more than just national chains. There are single-location restaurants serving Italian, Asian and Latin American cuisine, plus pub food, breakfast and dessert. They join Carryout Courier, which has been offering online food delivery throughout Lancaster County for years. Zia Maria Italian Eatery & Pub near Denver added its new DoorDash delivery option to its sign on North Reading Road. The restaurant doesnt deliver and is considering partnering with other delivery companies. The business started with DoorDash after getting a sales call, Pete McElory, chef and manager, says. Its something thats coming down the pike, he says. Everybodys going to be doing this. For the past two months, the restaurant has gotten two or three orders a day through the service. The food needs to be ready for the delivery person in 15 to 20 minutes, which hasnt been a problem, he says. McElory wonders if the food, without insulated bags, arrives hot. He also wonders if drivers crush the containers. But he hasnt heard any complaints. While some orders are for groups of people like Murphys college friends, its not uncommon for an Uber driver to deliver a single McDonalds meal. Some companies or restaurants charge extra for small orders. A survey of a dozen food delivery companies found five with service in Lancaster County. Some deliver in 10 minutes. Others can take up to an hour. DoorDash How it works: Search area restaurants (chains and locals) on the app or at doordash.com and order food to be delivered or picked up. Availability: (Note: we searched each app for delivery in Lancaster County's boroughs as well as Lancaster city.) Delivery throughout Lancaster County, including Lancaster city, Adamstown, Akron, Christiana, Columbia, Denver, East Petersburg, Ephrata, Lititz, Manheim, Marietta, Millersville, Mount Joy, Mountville, New Holland, Strasburg and Terre Hill. Restaurants: More than 130 available in Lancaster. Top-rated are Isaacs Restaurant and Deli, Szechuan Gourmet, Eastern Palace, Issei Noodle, Sugar Bowl and Yangs Restaurant. Fees: Range from free to $4.99. Order tracking: Yes. Cool feature: Starting early this year, DoorDash and Cruise are testing food deliveries in autonomous vehicles in San Francisco. Grubhub How it works: Search area restaurants (chains and locals) on the app or at grubhub.com and order food to be delivered or picked up. Availability: Delivery throughout Lancaster County, including Lancaster city, Christiana, Columbia, East Petersburg, Manheim, Marietta, Millersville, Mount Joy, Mountville, New Holland and Strasburg. Restaurants: 70 available in Lancaster. Top-rated are Primo Hoagies, Silantra Asian Street Kitchen, Isaacs Restaurant and Deli, Five Guys and Ruby Tuesday. Fees: Range from none to $9.49. Some places have no minimum orders. Others charge a fee for small orders of $10 or less. Order tracking: Available for select restaurants. Cool feature: Last week, Grubhub announced it would partner with Seamless to deliver Taco Bell, and deliver for free for a limited time. Accepts Venmo so you can split the payment. Postmates How it works: Search area restaurants (chains and locals) on the app or at postmates.com and order food to be delivered or picked up. Availability: Throughout parts of Lancaster County, including Lancaster city, Christiana and Millersville. Restaurants: More than 60 available in Lancaster, including McDonalds, Citronnelle, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Spring House Brewings Taproom and Beilers Doughnuts. Fees: $1.99 to $9.99. During peak order times, delivery prices may surge or blitz. With Unlimited ($9.99/month), get free delivery with orders more than $15 and no extra fees for small orders or blitz pricing. Order tracking: Yes. Cool feature: The business also delivers items from retailers like CVS, Walgreens, Staples, PetSmart. Seamless How it works: Search area restaurants (chains and locals) on the app or at seamless.com and order food to be delivered or picked up. Availability: Delivery throughout Lancaster County, including Lancaster city, Christiana, Columbia, East Petersburg, Manheim, Marietta, Millersville, Mount Joy, Mountville, New Holland and Strasburg. Restaurants: Nearly 80 available in Lancaster. Top-rated are Primo Hoagies, Silantra Asian Street Kitchen, Isaacs Restaurant and Deli, Five Guys and Ruby Tuesday. Fees: Range from none to $9.49. Some places have no minimum orders. Others charge a fee for small orders of $10 or less. Order tracking: Available for select restaurants. Cool feature: Last week, Grubhub announced it would it would partner with Seamless to deliver Taco Bell, and deliver for free for a limited time. Accepts Venmo so you can split the payment. UberEats How it works: Search area restaurants (chains and locals) on the app or at ubereats.com and order food to be delivered. Availability: Delivery throughout central Lancaster County, including Lancaster city and the areas bound by southern Lititz, Tanger Outlets, northern Willow Street, east of Mountville and East Petersburg. Restaurants: Nearly 30 available in Lancaster. Top-rated are Prince Street Cafe, Souvlaki Boys, Lancaster Cupcake, Maxs Eatery and Tsunami Express. Fees: The booking fee for UberEats varies based on several factors and is often $4.99. A separate busy area fee will appear if delivery drivers are busy in that restaurants neighborhood. Order tracking: Yes. Cool feature: In late January, UberEats announced it would expand its Starbucks delivery pilot to six cities. Lancaster, however, is not one of them. Note: LevelUp has food available from more than 20 restaurants in Lancaster County, but is not included here because food ordered on the app must be picked-up. Here's a roundup of recent hirings and promotions of management-level employees who live or work in Lancaster County. Brubaker Connaughton Goss & Lucarelli has promoted Angela Sanders to partner. Sanders, of Lancaster, has been a part of the firms employment law group since being hired in 2013 as an associate attorney. She holds a bachelors degree from Penn State University and a law degree from University of Pittsburgh. Compliance Navigation Specialists has hired Jared Kline as regional business development manager and named Adam Galante a partner. Kline, of Conestoga, most recently was managing partner of Carabbas Italian Grill. Kline attended Millersville University. Galante, of Lancaster, was hired in 2012. He has been vice president of operations since 2017. Wohlsen Construction has promoted Mike Kreider to vice president of senior living and Dan Millard to preconstruction manager. Kreider, of Lancaster, was hired in 2017 as preconstruction manager. He attended Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. Millard, of Etters, was hired in 2015 as an estimator. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Anderson Group has hired Luke Bunting as digital resource director. Bunting, of Conestoga, previous founder and owner of marketing strategy firm Bunting Group, was digital marketing manager for Scheffey and was chief marketing strategist for EZMarketing. Bunting is a University of Richmond graduate. Blakinger Thomas has hired John P. Henry as an associate attorney, who will focus his practice on municipal, business and real estate law. Henry, of New Holland, previously was employed by the law firm of Siana, Bellwoar & McAndrew in Chester Springs. He holds a bachelors degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a law degree from Widener University. Mechanical contractor Frey Lutz Corp. has promoted Jeffrey Donnelly to executive vice president, in preparation for becoming its president in 2021. In his new role, he will be mentored by his father, Richard Donnelly Jr., the companys president and CEO. The elder Donnelly had stepped down in December but returned to Frey Lutz in August at the request of the companys board of directors. Jeffrey Donnelly, of Wrightsville, is a Penn State University graduate who joined the company in 2006. Most recently he was director of construction services. Founded in 1976, Frey Lutz has 160 full-time employees with annual revenue of more than $40 million. Deborah S. Rock has earned the certified cost segregation professional designation from the American Society of Cost Segregation Professionals. Rock is a consultant in RKLs Tax Services Group. "Who's News," featuring promotions, hirings and certifications of management-level employees, appears each Sunday. Send us your news with an optional JPG photo to businessnews@lnpnews.com. "Who's News" items also can be mailed to LNP Business News, P.O. Box 1328, Lancaster PA 17608-1328 or dropped off at our offices at 8 W. King St. in downtown Lancaster. For Valentines Day this year, some members of the Northern Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce got a visit from Dr. Wanda Ful, a doctor of love from Eberbach, Germany, Ephratas sister city. Speaking with a German accent, Ful quizzed the members on why they have such a huge heart for the community. The video encounters were posted on the Facebook page of the Northern Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce, whose new executive director, Liz Ackerman, played the role of the fictional German physician. Im a little bit out there, but Im a little bit out there for something I really believe in, said Ackerman, who had previously been member relations and events director of the 270-plus-member chamber. Ackerman, who was appointed to the executive position last month, said her holiday visits are part of her creative approach to publicizing chamber members while staying in touch with what they need. For me, its not typically business as usual, she said. I think that as a regional chamber, because were a little bit smaller and were so focused on making those connections for our membership, were able to be a little bit more nimble in addressing the different needs that they have, she said. Moving forward with a new name Formerly called the Ephrata Area Chamber of Commerce, the name was changed in October 2017 to the Northern Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce. Ackerman says the chamber has always focused on the region north of Route 30 and east of Route 72, an emphasis that isnt different now, but wasnt reflected in the old name. In rebranding to the Northern Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce, it really allowed us to, just in one name change, make everyone aware that this is the actual regional area that weve always covered, and we really want to embrace that she said. On the heels of the name change, the chamber moved its offices from the former train station in downtown Ephrata to the third floor of the Brossman Complex, the former home of D&E Communications, which was acquired in 2009 by Windstream. The 40-year-old Denver resident, who had previously spent 16 years with Junior Achievement of Central PA, joined the chamber in 2017 as member relations and events coordinator. Ackerman, who has a communications degree from Penn State Harrisburg, recalls that when she interviewed with Andrea Glass, who was then the executive director, she was emphatic about not wanting her job. But when Glass left the chamber at the end of 2017, Ackerman took on some of her duties, eventually discovering that it suited her. And when the job was offered to her, she accepted enthusiastically. For me, it was great, because I love to talk and this is one of the main things you do in the job, Ackerman said. This is a job I never knew I wanted, but I definitely want to continue in, she said. Value for members While Ackerman has a part-time administrative coordinator, she is the chambers only full-time employee. As executive director, Ackerman says she wants to provide good value for members. When (members) think about their involvement in the chamber of commerce, I want them to not have a second thought about how it benefits them, she said. The chamber has at least three events a month, including its Business After Hours mixer, where Ackerman likes to have some kind of activity, whether it is a quiz show or an escape room with clues that tell facts about the host business. Providing those opportunities for members to learn, connect and grow is the best way for members to see a return on their investment, she said. Ackerman says the chamber is also committed to addressing workforce readiness and other issues facing the groups members. Were not looking to be the organization thats going to solve these problems, she said. Were looking to be the organization thats going to provide the connections and connectivity to bring different groups together to partner to be able to solve those problems. Ackerman said a board that includes younger members has been supportive of her approach. Every single business is changing, and chambers need to do that as well, she said. 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11 (6) Apr 10 (1) Apr 09 (4) Apr 08 (3) Apr 07 (3) Apr 06 (4) Apr 05 (5) Apr 04 (1) Apr 03 (3) Apr 02 (4) Apr 01 (3) Mar 31 (1) Mar 30 (3) Mar 29 (4) Mar 28 (3) Mar 27 (4) Mar 26 (2) Mar 25 (4) Mar 24 (6) Mar 23 (5) Mar 22 (5) Mar 21 (4) Mar 20 (6) Mar 19 (5) Mar 18 (4) Mar 17 (4) Mar 16 (4) Mar 15 (4) Mar 14 (3) Mar 13 (4) Mar 12 (4) Mar 11 (5) Mar 10 (4) Mar 09 (5) Mar 08 (5) Mar 07 (5) Mar 06 (3) Mar 05 (4) Mar 04 (3) Mar 03 (3) Mar 02 (5) Mar 01 (4) Feb 28 (2) Feb 27 (3) Feb 26 (3) Feb 25 (3) Feb 24 (4) Feb 23 (4) Feb 22 (3) Feb 21 (4) Feb 20 (4) Feb 19 (3) Feb 18 (3) Feb 17 (3) Feb 16 (5) Feb 15 (4) Feb 14 (3) Feb 13 (4) Feb 12 (3) Feb 11 (3) Feb 10 (4) Feb 09 (4) Feb 08 (3) Feb 07 (4) Feb 06 (3) Feb 05 (3) Feb 04 (3) Feb 03 (5) Feb 02 (4) Feb 01 (3) Jan 31 (3) Jan 30 (3) Jan 29 (4) Jan 28 (3) Jan 27 (2) Jan 26 (4) Jan 25 (3) Jan 24 (5) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (4) Jan 21 (3) Jan 20 (3) Jan 19 (6) Jan 18 (4) Jan 17 (3) Jan 16 (4) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (4) Jan 13 (3) Jan 12 (6) Jan 11 (4) Jan 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11 (2) Oct 10 (2) Oct 09 (4) Oct 08 (4) Oct 07 (4) Oct 06 (3) Oct 05 (4) Oct 04 (5) Oct 03 (3) Oct 02 (6) Oct 01 (6) Sep 30 (5) Sep 29 (3) Sep 28 (3) Sep 27 (7) Sep 26 (4) Sep 25 (3) Sep 24 (5) Sep 23 (8) Sep 22 (3) Sep 21 (3) Sep 20 (6) Sep 19 (3) Sep 18 (3) Sep 17 (5) Sep 16 (7) Sep 15 (3) Sep 14 (4) Sep 13 (3) Sep 12 (5) Sep 11 (5) Sep 10 (5) Sep 09 (7) Sep 08 (5) Sep 07 (2) Sep 06 (7) Sep 05 (4) Sep 04 (4) Sep 03 (2) Sep 02 (2) Sep 01 (2) Aug 31 (3) Aug 30 (3) Aug 29 (3) Aug 28 (3) Aug 27 (3) Aug 26 (4) Aug 25 (3) Aug 24 (3) Aug 23 (3) Aug 22 (4) Aug 21 (4) Aug 20 (4) Aug 19 (4) Aug 18 (3) Aug 17 (2) Aug 16 (2) Aug 15 (5) Aug 14 (3) Aug 13 (5) Aug 12 (10) Aug 11 (5) Aug 10 (4) Aug 09 (5) Aug 08 (3) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (6) Aug 05 (5) Aug 04 (5) Aug 03 (3) Aug 02 (5) Aug 01 (7) Jul 31 (5) Jul 30 (5) Jul 29 (4) Jul 28 (3) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (5) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (5) Jul 23 (5) Jul 22 (7) Jul 21 (5) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (5) Jul 18 (6) Jul 17 (5) Jul 16 (5) Jul 15 (6) Jul 14 (4) Jul 13 (3) 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(3) Apr 13 (3) Apr 12 (3) Apr 11 (3) Apr 10 (4) Apr 09 (4) Apr 08 (3) Apr 07 (2) Apr 06 (3) Apr 05 (3) Apr 04 (1) Apr 03 (1) Apr 02 (1) Apr 01 (2) Mar 31 (2) Mar 30 (3) Mar 29 (2) Mar 28 (3) Mar 27 (3) Mar 26 (3) Mar 25 (3) Mar 24 (2) Mar 23 (3) Mar 22 (3) Mar 21 (4) Mar 20 (2) Mar 19 (3) Mar 18 (1) Mar 17 (2) Mar 16 (2) Mar 15 (1) Mar 14 (3) Mar 13 (1) Mar 12 (2) Mar 11 (1) Mar 10 (3) Mar 09 (2) Mar 08 (1) Mar 07 (1) Mar 04 (2) Mar 02 (2) Feb 28 (1) Feb 24 (1) Dec 31 (4) Dec 30 (4) Dec 29 (4) Dec 28 (5) Dec 27 (3) Dec 26 (3) Dec 25 (4) Dec 24 (3) Dec 23 (3) Dec 22 (4) Dec 21 (3) Dec 20 (3) Dec 19 (3) Dec 18 (3) Dec 17 (3) Dec 16 (3) Dec 15 (3) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (3) Dec 11 (3) Dec 10 (3) Dec 09 (3) Dec 08 (3) Dec 07 (3) Dec 06 (3) Dec 05 (3) Dec 04 (3) Dec 03 (4) Dec 02 (3) Dec 01 (3) Nov 30 (3) Nov 29 (3) Nov 28 (3) Nov 27 (3) Nov 26 (3) Nov 25 (3) Nov 24 (3) Nov 23 (3) Nov 22 (3) Nov 21 (3) Nov 20 (3) Nov 19 (3) Nov 18 (3) Nov 17 (3) Nov 16 (2) Nov 15 (3) Nov 14 (3) Nov 13 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(3) Aug 13 (3) Aug 12 (3) Aug 11 (4) Aug 10 (5) Aug 09 (3) Aug 08 (3) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (5) Aug 05 (4) Aug 04 (3) Aug 03 (3) Aug 02 (3) Aug 01 (3) Jul 31 (3) Jul 30 (4) Jul 29 (3) Jul 28 (5) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (3) Jul 25 (3) Jul 24 (4) Jul 23 (4) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (4) Jul 20 (3) Jul 19 (3) Jul 18 (4) Jul 17 (4) Jul 16 (4) Jul 15 (3) Jul 14 (3) Jul 13 (4) Jul 12 (5) Jul 11 (4) Jul 10 (4) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (3) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (5) Jul 05 (3) Jul 04 (3) Jul 03 (4) Jul 02 (3) Jul 01 (6) Jun 30 (4) Jun 29 (4) Jun 28 (3) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (4) Jun 25 (5) Jun 24 (4) Jun 23 (3) Jun 22 (5) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (4) Jun 19 (4) Jun 18 (5) Jun 17 (4) Jun 16 (5) Jun 15 (5) Jun 14 (3) Jun 13 (3) Jun 12 (3) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (5) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (4) Jun 07 (4) Jun 06 (5) Jun 05 (4) Jun 04 (3) Jun 03 (4) Jun 02 (5) Jun 01 (3) May 31 (4) May 30 (3) May 29 (3) May 28 (3) May 27 (3) May 26 (4) May 25 (4) May 24 (4) May 23 (4) May 22 (3) May 21 (3) May 20 (4) May 19 (3) May 18 (3) May 17 (4) May 16 (3) May 15 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(1) Aug 14 (1) Aug 12 (1) Aug 09 (1) Aug 08 (1) Aug 07 (1) Aug 05 (1) Aug 04 (1) Jul 31 (1) Jul 30 (3) Jul 29 (5) Jul 28 (2) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (3) Jul 25 (3) Jul 24 (3) Jul 23 (3) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (4) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (3) Jul 18 (4) Jul 17 (6) Jul 16 (5) Jul 15 (3) Jul 14 (4) Jul 13 (4) Jul 12 (4) Jul 11 (3) Jul 10 (4) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (4) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (5) Jul 05 (4) Jul 04 (4) Jul 03 (4) Jul 02 (5) Jul 01 (3) Jun 30 (4) Jun 29 (6) Jun 28 (4) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (4) Jun 25 (4) Jun 24 (4) Jun 23 (4) Jun 22 (6) Jun 21 (3) Jun 20 (3) Jun 19 (6) Jun 18 (5) Jun 17 (5) Jun 16 (5) Jun 15 (4) Jun 14 (4) Jun 13 (5) Jun 12 (4) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (4) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (3) Jun 07 (4) Jun 06 (3) Jun 05 (4) Jun 04 (5) Jun 03 (5) Jun 02 (4) Jun 01 (5) May 31 (4) May 30 (4) May 29 (4) May 28 (5) May 27 (5) May 26 (5) May 25 (4) May 24 (5) May 23 (4) May 22 (4) May 21 (3) May 20 (6) May 19 (4) May 18 (4) May 17 (4) May 16 (5) May 15 (3) May 14 (3) May 13 (4) May 12 (3) May 11 (3) May 10 (3) May 09 (3) May 08 (3) May 07 (3) May 06 (3) May 05 (3) May 04 (3) May 03 (3) May 02 (3) May 01 (4) Apr 30 (4) Apr 29 (6) Apr 28 (3) Apr 27 (3) Apr 26 (3) Apr 25 (4) Apr 24 (4) Apr 23 (3) Apr 22 (3) Apr 21 (4) Apr 20 (3) Apr 19 (3) Apr 18 (3) Apr 17 (6) Apr 16 (3) Apr 15 (4) Apr 14 (3) Apr 13 (6) Apr 12 (4) Apr 11 (4) Apr 10 (5) Apr 09 (7) Apr 08 (3) Apr 07 (4) Apr 06 (4) Apr 05 (4) Apr 04 (6) Apr 03 (4) Apr 02 (4) Apr 01 (3) Mar 31 (4) Mar 30 (5) Mar 29 (5) Mar 28 (6) Mar 27 (5) Mar 26 (5) Mar 25 (3) Mar 24 (4) Mar 23 (3) Mar 22 (3) Mar 21 (5) Mar 20 (3) Mar 19 (5) Mar 18 (4) Mar 17 (5) Mar 16 (5) Mar 15 (3) Mar 14 (6) Mar 13 (4) Mar 12 (4) Mar 11 (5) Mar 10 (4) Mar 09 (7) Mar 08 (5) Mar 07 (5) Mar 06 (6) Mar 05 (4) Mar 04 (4) Mar 03 (4) Mar 02 (6) Mar 01 (4) Feb 28 (4) Feb 27 (4) Feb 26 (5) Feb 25 (4) Feb 24 (5) Feb 23 (5) Feb 22 (6) Feb 21 (6) Feb 20 (3) Feb 19 (6) Feb 18 (7) Feb 17 (4) Feb 16 (5) Feb 15 (7) Feb 14 (5) Feb 13 (5) Feb 12 (6) Feb 11 (8) Feb 10 (4) Feb 09 (6) Feb 08 (4) Feb 07 (3) Feb 06 (6) Feb 05 (3) Feb 04 (6) Feb 03 (4) Feb 02 (3) Feb 01 (4) Jan 31 (5) Jan 30 (4) Jan 29 (6) Jan 28 (3) Jan 27 (6) Jan 26 (6) Jan 25 (4) Jan 24 (5) Jan 23 (5) Jan 22 (5) Jan 21 (5) Jan 20 (5) Jan 19 (5) Jan 18 (4) Jan 17 (6) Jan 16 (4) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (5) Jan 13 (3) Jan 12 (4) Jan 11 (5) Jan 10 (3) Jan 09 (6) Jan 08 (5) Jan 07 (4) Jan 06 (5) Jan 05 (6) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (3) Jan 02 (2) Jan 01 (4) Dec 31 (3) Dec 30 (3) Dec 29 (5) Dec 28 (3) Dec 27 (3) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (4) Dec 24 (3) Dec 23 (4) Dec 22 (5) Dec 21 (3) Dec 20 (4) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (7) Dec 17 (5) Dec 16 (5) Dec 15 (5) Dec 14 (5) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (3) Dec 11 (6) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (3) Dec 08 (5) Dec 07 (4) Dec 06 (3) Dec 05 (4) Dec 04 (5) Dec 03 (5) Dec 02 (3) Dec 01 (6) Nov 30 (5) Nov 29 (3) Nov 28 (4) Nov 27 (4) Nov 26 (3) Nov 25 (5) Nov 24 (3) Nov 23 (4) Nov 22 (4) Nov 21 (4) Nov 20 (5) Nov 19 (5) Nov 18 (4) Nov 17 (5) Nov 16 (3) Nov 15 (4) Nov 14 (4) Nov 13 (4) Nov 12 (4) Nov 11 (3) Nov 10 (4) Nov 09 (4) Nov 08 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Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe Until about a year ago, plans were moving forward to include a category in the 2020 census referred to as MENA, for "Middle Eastern or North African." It would have allowed a more accurate count of Americans of Arabic, Persian and other Middle Eastern or North African descent. In previous censuses, many identified as "white." But last year the Trump administration nixed that idea, announcing that the MENA category will not be included. Now, with a year to go before the decennial count, community advocates are gearing up to do outreach in the hope that people self-identify as Middle Eastern and North African on census forms so there's a more accurate count of a population that, in terms of data at least, is pretty much invisible. But not everyone agrees on which box they should check. Community activist Rashad Al-Dabbagh in Anaheim's Little Arabia.(Leslie Berestein Rojas/LAist) Among those seeking a better count are activists like Rashad Al-Dabbagh in Anaheim's Little Arabia neighborhood. One recent afternoon, he pointed out immigrant-owned businesses along Brookhurst Street: restaurants, mom and pop shops and clothing stores, some with Arabic signage. "This is where the highest concentration of Arab-Americans are in California," he said. This area has seen an influx in the last decade of immigrants from countries like Syria and Iraq, he said, most of them refugees. Their kids attend local schools. They pay taxes. But just how many are living here is anyone's guess. Al-Dabbagh says when local or federal officials ask him how many Arab-Americans live in Anaheim or Orange County, "there's no accurate answer that I have, because we don't know." Census data determines everything from political representation in Congress to translators at polling stations. It's used to determine federal dollars for public schools, housing and health care. It guides health research and business investment decisions, among other things. "When it comes to specific communities, like Arab-Americans, it is vital that we understand where our community are, and what our numbers are, too, to safely secure the resources the community needs," said Maya Berry, executive director of the Arab American Institute in Washington, D.C. and a longtime MENA advocate. A REVEALING TEST Plans to add a Middle Eastern-North African census category have been in the works for years. Berry's organization was among those that lobbied for it starting in the 1980s, and it worked with the Census Bureau over the years to develop the concept. During the Obama administration, the bureau agreed to float the MENA question in a sample test. In a Feb. 2017 report, Census Bureau researchers concluded that "the results of this research indicate that it is optimal to use a dedicated 'Middle Eastern or North African response category.'" According to the report, when no MENA category was available, people of Middle Eastern and North African descent predominantly identified themselves as white. But when given the choice, they identified as MENA. And this "significantly decreased the overall percentage of respondents reporting as White," according to the report. But when the bureau announced in a January 2018 memo that the MENA category would not be used, it did not give a reason. In a meeting that day, census officials said more research was needed, and there was a lack of consensus about the question in the community. Berry said her organization has been pressing the Census Bureau for a more detailed response - and for a change of heart. "It's hard for us to take no for an answer in this case, because the system itself tested it," she said. But she added that she's not optimistic. She said the push for a MENA category is less about changing racial identity than it is about a need for Middle Eastern Americans to be counted accurately. But in recent years, the racial identity of younger generations has been changing - especially compared with that of their elders. The Sbaita family in their Lake Forest kitchen: Aurora, left; Rania, center; Marwan, right. (Leslie Berestein Rojas/LAist) "I'VE NEVER FELT WHITE" About 20 miles southeast of Little Arabia in the Orange County suburb of Lake Forest lives the Sbaita family: Immigrant parents Marwan and Aurora, respectively Palestinian and Lebanese, and their U.S.-born college student daughter, Rania. On a recent weekday evening, they gathered in their kitchen after arriving home from work and school. Rania and Aurora rummaged in the fridge for leftovers as Marwan brewed tea. Afterward, they flipped on an Arabic-language TV channel to watch their favorite Lebanese soap opera. The Sbaitas identify as Americans of Palestinian and Lebanese descent. That's one thing they agree on. But how they identify racially is a different story. In the 2010 census, Marwan, who is in his early 50s, said he checked the "white" box. He said it's what he's always been advised to do, for school and work, since he arrived in the U.S. more than 30 years ago. Besides, he said, he kind of likes it. "It gave me some sense of pride to belong and be part of mainstream America," Marwan said. "It catered to my desire to blend in, to fit into this society, to be the law abiding citizen, the taxpayer, the patriotic American." Aurora generally agreed with this perspective. But not Rania. At 19, she considers herself a "post-9/11 baby." "I've never felt white ... My name is in a different language. I speak a different language. The food I eat is different," Rania said. Rania said she can't identify with a group from which she feels alienated. "I can't make myself blend in to something that has never really welcomed me, that has never made me feel like I'm a part of it," she said. Unlike her immigrant parents, Rania, who also speaks Spanish, sees herself distinctly as a person of color. "I call myself brown," she said, then added with a giggle, "sometimes I call myself "cafe con leche." "WHITENESS ... ALLOWED ACCESS TO ALL SORTS OF PRIVILEGES" It wasn't always this way. In the early 1900s, Arab immigrants from the region that now encompasses modern-day Syria and Lebanon struggled for inclusion into the white mainstream, said Sarah Gualtieri, a USC historian who has written about Arab-American identity. "Whiteness in particular was a category that allowed access to all sorts of privileges," she said. Arab-Americans "wanted to travel more easily. They wanted to buy land. They wanted to vote." Some Arab-Americans were denied U.S. citizenship after immigration officials classified them as Asian. At the time, Asian immigrants were not allowed to naturalize as citizens. These cases made it to the courts, Gualtieri said, and eventually officialdom stopped questioning Arab-Americans' "whiteness." The shift in racial identity started in the late 1960s, Gualtieri said. But it's become more pronounced among the younger generation in the last 20 years - in the era of no-fly lists, travel bans and other strict policies aimed at Middle Eastern immigrants. "I find this tension [within families] really fascinating," Gualtieri said, "where you have older members of the family saying, 'I'm fine being white ... And you have younger members of the family saying, 'This doesn't make sense to me at all ... I don't feel like I'm treated as white when the FBI starts gathering information on our communities." "MAYBE I'D DO IT FOR UNSELFISH REASONS" As the 2020 census nears, activists like Rashad Al-Dabbagh say that without a MENA category, they'll engage in outreach similar to what they did around the 2010 census, when he and others participated in a campaign called "Check it Right, You Ain't White." "We have the option of marking the "other" box and self-identifying [as] Arab or any nationality that we belong to," Al-Dabbagh said. But he said that in the current climate -- with the court battle over the Trump administration's proposal to add a question about U.S. citizenship to the census and with Middle Eastern immigrants already wary over immigration policies - it could be challenging just getting people to participate. Back in Lake Forest, that wariness also plays into how the elder Sbaitas regard the census. Aurora Sbaita said decades ago, the worst she might hear from people who encountered her was that she had "a cute accent." Now, things are different. And that makes her perfectly happy just to check the "white" box and move on. "It's better to be blending in with the rest of the population rather than being cornered, if you want, or subjected to specific climates that [are] going on," she said. But what if she and her husband did have their own MENA box to check one day? Both pondered the question as Rania egged them on. Marwan said he understood there could be benefits to being counted as a minority, including for his daughter. He turned to Rania. "I don't know," he said. "Maybe I'll do it for unselfish reasons, for the rest of the community to benefit, for your generation to gain the benefit. It could be." La Crosse Police Chief Ron Tischer didnt want to give other police departments the opportunity to snatch a distinguished recruit, so he drove to Eau Claire and had the new officer sworn in. Officer Sam Clason is a student at the Law Enforcement Academy at Chippewa Valley Technical College, in Eau Claires Emergency Services Education Center. Clason will finish his training in May, a necessary step to become a licensed officer in Wisconsin. Tischer said the hiring process started in September and Clason stood out. Tischer said there were a couple of other departments interested in Clason, so La Crosse moved to hire him and swear him in before he finished the Academy. Once Clason joins his colleagues at the La Crosse Police Department, he will enter the departments 12- to 14-week field training program, Tischer said. Love 6 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 The state Senate has been very busy interviewing and meeting with the secretary-designees that have been chosen by Gov. Tony Evers to lead the state agencies in Wisconsin. It is our job to confirm the governors appointments as a check and balance among branches. I do not take the confirmation process lightly. We are hiring these individuals to lead agencies that directly impact the day-to-day lives of the people, businesses and organizations I represent. While I may not agree with all of their priorities and strategies, these are the people whom the Governor has chosen to lead our state. These positions are important and influential. It is vital that I know who is leading the agencies and take time to connect with them personally. Overall, the confirmation process requires the state Senate to vote on each cabinet-level appointment. There must be a public hearing in a standing committee and a committee vote on the appointee before their nomination is considered before the full Senate. Once they have cleared these hurdles, the full Senate will consider their nomination and vote to approve or reject the appointment. Traditionally, we move confirmations along unless there are glaring issues. This is why the interview and meeting process is important. - Maja Salvador recently posted some photos with her ex-boyfriend - According to rumors, the two are in a relationship with each other again - A lot of celebrities also aired their reactions upon seeing the pictures PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Kapamilya actress Maja Salvador recently uploaded several photos of her with ex-boyfriend Rambo Nunez that stirred various reactions from famous celebrities. KAMI learned that the celebrity is rumored to have rekindled the romance with her former partner as evident in some photos where they were spotted together. In the viral post, Maja and Rambo were wearing formal attires while striking a pose in front of the camera. The photos also showed the arms of the two personalities wrapped around each other while they were both smiling. Because of this, several celebrities in the Philippines teased the multi-awarded actress upon seeing the post. Some of the artists who reacted were KZ Tandingan, Iza Calzado, Julia Barretto, and Roxanne Barcelo. Majas close friend Kakai Bautista also could not help but react regarding the rekindled sweetness of the two. "EEEEEEEEEH. Andyan ba yung puluk-pukyutaaaan beshieeeee, Kakai wrote through the comment section. 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! Here are the comments of some celebrities: Screenshot via PEP.ph Source: Instagram Screenshot via PEP.ph Source: Instagram Screenshot via PEP.ph Source: Instagram In a previous article by , Maja finally broke her silence about her previous meet up with John Lloyd Cruz. Maja Salvador, or Maja Ross Andres Salvador in real life, is an award-winning Filipina actress and dancer who was born on October 5, 1988. She is now one of the judges in the new talent competition of ABS-CBN entitled World of Dance Philippines. POPULAR: Read more news about Maja Salvador! Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! Celebrity Couples: Love Is In The Air. Let us take a look at the cutest expressions of love among the Pinoy celebrities who celebrated Saint Valentine's Day in the most beautiful way by telling the whole world how much they loved their second halves! on HumanMeter! Source: Kami.com.ph - Vic Sotto, Pauleen Luna, and baby Tali Sotto went to Thailand together - Their awesome vacation photos and videos went viral on social media - The posts show the baby girl having fun and enjoying her time with her parents PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Vic Sotto and Pauleen Luna had another memorable vacation with their baby girl Tali Sotto. KAMI learned that the celebrity family went to Thailand together. Photos and clips of their stay in that country have gone viral on social media. Some of the photos show Tali looking extremely happy and content as she toured and saw new sights and locations in another country. There was also a heartwarming video of Tali being affectionate with her daddy while they were in a hotel room. 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 previous report by KAMI, a video of Tali playing with the daughter of Vics ex-girlfriend Pia Guanio also went viral. Vic Sotto tied the knot with his co-host Pauleen Luna on January 30, 2016. She gave birth to her firstborn named Talitha on November 6, 2017. Vic and Pauleen are both hosts of the longest noontime variety program Eat Bulaga. POPULAR: Read more news about Vic Sotto! Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! Let us take a look at the cutest expressions of love among the Pinoy celebrities who celebrated Saint Valentine's Day in the most beautiful way by telling the whole world how much they loved their second halves! Check out our other videos on KAMI HumanMeter YouTube channel! Source: Kami.com.ph - Catriona Gray recently had her grand homecoming celebration that was held at the Araneta Coliseum - She also reunited with her fellow Filipina representatives in Miss Universe - Their photos together immediately went viral on social media and delighted the netizens PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Catriona Gray's 'Raise Your Flag' homecoming event was held on Sunday, February 24. KAMI learned that it was celebrated at the Araneta Coliseum which is located in Quezon City. The huge homecoming celebration for Miss Universe 2018 also made the reunion of the former Miss Universe Philippines titleholders possible. The beauty queens that were spotted in the said gathering were Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup, Ariella Arida, Mary Jean Lastimosa, Maxine Medina, Rachel Peters, and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach. However, Miss Universe 2012 1st Runner-up, who is Janine Tugunon, was not present as she is currently in New York City. Moreover, their enthralling photos together are now circulating on social media and the netizens can't help but gush over their beauties. Here are some of their reactions. "this is divine. The queens in one frame" "Philippines 9 years in a row Slay Queen "Calling for @tugononjanine 1st runner up MU 2012 to complete through the 9 years consecutive runner up" "Team Miss U Philippines! Oh yeah! Raise your flag! " "proud of all of your queens love yaaah alll" 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 previous report by KAMI, Catriona Gray reveals real reason behind breakup with Clint Bondad. Catriona Gray is a Filipino-Australian actress and model who was born on January 6, 1994. Catrionas father is Ian Gray, a Scottish-Australian. Her mother is Normita Magnayon, a Filipina from Albay. She already joined and became a finalist in Miss World 2016 before winning Miss Universe this year. Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! Let us take a look at the cutest expressions of love among the Pinoy celebrities who celebrated Saint Valentine's Day in the most beautiful way by telling the whole world how much they loved their second halves! Check out our other videos on KAMI HumanMeter YouTube channel! Source: Kami.com.ph During the last gubernatorial election, both candidates campaigned on a middle class tax cut. In addition several Assembly and Senate leaders echoed the same theme. So what happened earlier this week? Well about 75 legislators voted to use the current surplus as a tax cut and it was presented to Gov. Evers, who despite campaigning for it late last year, instead vetoed it. Go figure. The legislation would have offered Wisconsinites $340 million annually in tax relief. An average family would have received a $300 tax cut and the sad part is, this money is already in the treasury as part of the GOP economic surplus. So essentially its our money but we cant have it. Why? Because Evers wanted to eliminate a current manufacturing and agricultural tax credit. Yet both UWs and WI's Manufacturers Association research have shown this credit has stimulated more than 40,000 new jobs since its inception a few years ago. In conclusion, the Republican legislative majority fulfilled an Evers campaign promise without increasing taxes on anyone. Yet our new governor vetoed it because he wanted to raise taxes on businesses and farmers by eliminating this tax credit. Thats called redistribution. William H. Jaeck, First District Republican Party of Wisconsin treasurer, Yorkville Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 RACINE The executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Racine County recently announced her resignation, and NAMI is seeking a new director to fill the position. After 18 months on the job, Marina Pappas announced her departure in NAMIs February newsletter, citing personal and health reasons. Pappas said she will continue to work part time for the organization until a new full-time director can be found. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all whom Ive had to pleasure to work with, and an even bigger thank you to all who have supported mental health reform and awareness in Racine County and the State of Wisconsin, Pappas said. Papas said that she is proud of the organizations caring and dedicated staff and board, and NAMIs achievements over the past 18 months. I have greatly enjoyed my time with NAMI and working in Racine County to improve the quality of life through support, education and advocacy for all whose lives are affected by mental illness, Pappas statement read. Pat Bohon, president of NAMIs Executive Committee, said Pappas leadership and passion over the past 18 months will be missed. He was great, Williams said. He was a great person. Arrested after chase According to previous reports and the criminal complaint, Racine Police investigators learned from witnesses that the vehicle which carried the gunman in Martinezs death was a Toyota RAV4 SUV with Alabama license plates. One eyewitness reportedly told a Racine Police investigator that they believed the SUV may be involved in drug activity that was unwanted in the neighborhood, according to the complaint. Police later learned that a Toyota RAV4 with Alabama license plates was rented by Enterprise Rental Car in Mount Pleasant. On Nov. 7, at least six police officers successfully conducted a surveillance operation to locate the vehicle. At 2:30 p.m. that day, the RAV4 was found near Smiths home as he was driving it. After following the suspect vehicle in an unmarked police vehicle for more than 5 miles into Sturtevant, police attempted to initiate a traffic stop on 86th Street, but the RAV4 did not pull over. Smith, who was later identified as the only occupant of the vehicle, turned onto Buckingham Drive and sped up. Farritor said one of the benefits of the new headquarters is its proximity to Nebraska Innovation Studio, allowing staff to rush across the street to build "prototypes and quick-work things." Separate from the research group is the manufacturing facility, where engineers build each machine by hand before running the robots through a series of tests to calibrate the precise movements they must perform. While Virtual Incision prepares to apply to the FDA to sell its products -- Farritor said the company's target customers are rural hospitals, or as he calls them, "Nebraska hospitals" -- the team continues innovating and building. Already, there have been nearly 70 iterations of the colon-resection device. It's like Henry Ford, the pioneer of the automobile who is recognized among the inventors and explorers giving inspiration at Virtual Incision. Ford went through 22 different models before his Model T drew sales of 15 million. "Anytime you talk about innovation, you hear about 'fail quickly,'" Farritor said. "I think 'build and learn' is better." In addition to questioning the need for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Trump has attacked the EU as a threat to U.S. interests. Asked last year who he viewed as America's global adversaries, the first name on Trump's list -- before Russia, China, North Korea or Iran -- was the European Union. "I think the European Union is a foe, what they do to us in trade," he said. He has even charged that the EU was founded principally to harm the United States. "They formed in order to take advantage of us," he said at a political rally last year. European diplomats charge privately that Trump's stance is mostly a strategy to gain the upper hand in trade negotiations. "He'd rather negotiate one-on-one with small countries than with a large group that's a peer competitor," one explained. But the EU isn't only about trade. It wasn't founded to sabotage U.S. exports; it was founded to stop Germany and France from going to war again, as they did three times between 1871 and 1945. "The EU is the peacekeeping organization for Europe," a European official told me. I know why we do it, or, at least, why I feel the tremendous pressure to jump stories like Smollett's for page views. (I am so old school when it comes to verification that I still feel reluctant to be writing about the case without it being fully resolved. But with Chicago police now having charged Smollett with filing a false report, writing about it is demanded -- with a reminder that facts are still being contested.) We are all trying to establish a commercial beachhead on the digital landscape with our very survival at stake. If you are a journalist working at a legacy institution, you can count on one thing: Your employers have a metric or are trying to find one to measure your value in that life or death digital struggle. And if your production doesn't measure up, don't count on having a job. Page clicks matter. I have been chasing them since 2008 when this blog started. I wrote about Sarah Palin and Kate Gosselin back in the early days more than I should have to get a toehold on the web. But I never wrote anything about them or anyone else without first verifying it, which made me into a a turtle on a lot of days when the hares were gobbling up page views that could have been mine. In the midst of a snowstorm, a small group of aviation history buffs met earlier this month at a former chapel in Air Park to discuss the possibility of a Lincoln Air Force Base museum. Led by historian and Lincoln native Rob Branting, the group has begun the hard work of establishing themselves as a nonprofit organization, which will allow them to begin applying for grants to fund the museum. Branting said the Lincoln Airport Authority has recently expressed interest in leasing the former chapel, located at Northwest 48th and West Douglas streets, to the group. The Cold War-era chapel previously served as a religious site for Air Force servicemen working on the base. "We still have a lot of work to do, but we're seeing a lot of interest from the Lincoln area aviation fans," Branting said. "Now we just have to start the process of finding donors, getting grants and putting a board together." In the meantime, Branting said he's happy they finally have a potential home for the museum, which the group is calling the Lincoln Air Force Base Legacy Project. The idea for the museum came to Branting when he was 15 years old. In the summer of 2000, he registered a website to his name and began the project by collecting photos and videos and writing essays about the Lincoln Air Force Base's role in the 20th century. Windstream Holdings filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday. The bankruptcy filing comes in the wake of a federal court ruling earlier this month ordering the company to pay $310 million to Aurelius Capital Management. Aurelius had argued in a lawsuit that Windstream's decision in 2015 to spin off some of its assets into a separate company violated its financial covenants and put it in default on its bond debt. The ruling, by Judge Jesse Furman of the Southern District of New York, was unexpected by Windstream, especially considering that Aurelius was not the holder of the debt in question during the spinoff in 2015. Following a comprehensive review of our options, including an appeal, the board of directors and management team determined that filing for voluntary Chapter 11 protection is a necessary step to address the financial impact of Judge Furmans decision and the impact it would have on consumers and businesses across the states in which we operate, Tony Thomas, president and chief executive officer of Windstream, said in a news release. Thomas said the voluntary bankruptcy filing will ensure the company has access to capital to fund ongoing operations. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Sport Spains Euro rejuvenation put to the test by Modrics Croatia The good news for Spain came all at once, their five-goal rout of Slovakia on Wednesday steering them clear of an early exit and restoring hope they could even win Euro 2020. Luis Enrique said he would have taken any position in Group E as long Monday, February 25, 2019 MLG Goes National, Monahan And Munoz Debate PERA And Dreaded Food Tax Re-emerges But Going Nowhere It's been a long absence from the national Sunday morning news broadcasts for a New Mexico Governor but MLG broke the ice Sunday with For eight years her Republican predecessor, Susana Martinez, shied away from the Sunday gabfests which often go deep in the weeds on policy, an area where Martinez, to put it mildly, did not excel. Still her supporters pushed the first female Hispanic Governor as a national political prospect, even if she was unable to muster the courage to take on the national media. There are no rumblings about MLG seeking national office but as a former congresswoman and a policy wonk she is comfortable in the DC spotlight. If we are lucky and temptation doesn't overtake her, for the first time since the early 90's New Mexico will not have a Governor seeking national office. Martinez's national ambitions (mainly for VP) were preceded by those of Dem Bill Richardson who ran for President and those of GOP Guv Gary Johnson who sought national fame with his drug legalization efforts and later ran twice for President. While it's good to see a New Mexico Governor back on the Sunday morning circuit, it does not stimulate any interest for her camping out in Iowa or New Hampshire. The state has had its fill. MONAHAN AND MUNOZ Our Friday blog that urged Santa Fe to cool the head of steam it seems intent on building for cutting back state retiree benefits from the Public Employee Retirement Authority (PERA) fund brought differing thoughts. Gallup Area Dem State Senator George Munoz, who is deeply involved in the issue, joined the debate. He goes first: Joe, between PERA and the Educational Retirement Board (ERB) funds this state has almost $14 billion in unfunded pension liabilities with no prospect of ever paying them off. Those liabilities will grow this year. Bond rating downgrades have already started to happen. I agree with the Governor that reasonable changes need to be made and both the ERB and PERA boards have come up with reasonable proposals. Having worked on our pensions for more than a decade I can assure you this is not fake news and everyone needs to help, including the state and retirees. Sen. Munoz By the way, the S&P portfolio you want PERA to adopt was at -10% earlier this year. Ive seen the numbers and neither PERA nor ERB would survive a -10% return. We can make reasonable changes now or big changes later. It is the state and the pension fund we are trying to protect. We cannot protect what someone worked twenty-five years to save if we are not able to work together. Thanks for the thoughts, Senator. Here are ours: NM will be adding thousands of employees in the next few years, including educators, to make up for the extreme number of vacancies left from the Martinez administration. Their retirement contributions will help shore up both funds. Also, we do not believe it is necessary to achieve 100 percent funding for the "unfunded liabilities" that stretch into the decades ahead. Our generation alone can't solve the problem. PERA funding is currently over 70 percent of the 100 percent. We are really not in a perilous spot. As for the S&P 500 investment, we used a 15 year comparison because our funds are long-term investments. In that time span a passive S&P index fund handily beat over 90 percent of actively managed stock investments that cost us much more in management fees. Did PERAs actively managed stock portfolios beat the index over 15 years? It would be interesting to know. The 10 percent market downturn you mention is not unusual. Only if it happened on an annual basis for a number of years would it dramatically impact the retirement funds. We agree changes are needed, just made carefully and spread over the next 20 years--not a panic move that would harm the economic prospects of todays retirees and those nearing retirement. Thanks again, George. We appreciate the work you do on this important issue. HOW TO LOSE THE HOUSE Reinstate the dreaded food tax? What? Are the Dems trying to give the state House back to the R's? That's the take of a number of Alligators as they watch this one play out. Senate Finance Committee Chairman John Arthur Smith, a Dem, is the front man for the food tax and has introduced Reinstating the tax on food, says Fred Nathan of New Mexicos tax system is a mess and is undermined by more than 300 special interest loopholes, exemptions and deductions. So it is puzzling that these bills, rather than focusing on overall tax reform, instead focus on the food tax exemption, the one exemption which benefits hundreds of thousands of low and middle income New Mexico families and which enjoys wide public support. Well, so long as this stays below the radar. Otherwise, the new battle cry of Session '19 will be: "Keep your hands off our tortillas, Santa Fe!" 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 2019 Welcome back. Let's get right to the latest action.It's been a long absence from the national Sunday morning news broadcasts for a New Mexico Governor but MLG broke the ice Sunday with an eight minute appearance on CBS' Face the Nation to discuss immigration and border issues.For eight years her Republican predecessor, Susana Martinez, shied away from the Sunday gabfests which often go deep in the weeds on policy, an area where Martinez, to put it mildly, did not excel. Still her supporters pushed the first female Hispanic Governor as a national political prospect, even if she was unable to muster the courage to take on the national media.There are no rumblings about MLG seeking national office but as a former congresswoman and a policy wonk she is comfortable in the DC spotlight. If we are lucky and temptation doesn't overtake her, for the first time since the early 90's New Mexico will not have a Governor seeking national office. Martinez's national ambitions (mainly for VP) were preceded by those of Dem Bill Richardson who ran for President and those of GOP Guv Gary Johnson who sought national fame with his drug legalization efforts and later ran twice for President.While it's good to see a New Mexico Governor back on the Sunday morning circuit, it does not stimulate any interest for her camping out in Iowa or New Hampshire. The state has had its fill.Our Friday blog that urged Santa Fe to cool the head of steam it seems intent on building for cutting back state retiree benefits from the Public Employee Retirement Authority (PERA) fund brought differing thoughts. Gallup Area Dem State Senator George Munoz, who is deeply involved in the issue, joined the debate. He goes first:Thanks for the thoughts, Senator. Here are ours:NMwill be adding thousands of employees in the next few years, including educators, to make up for the extreme number of vacancies left from the Martinez administration. Their retirement contributions will help shore up both funds. Also, we do not believe it is necessary to achieve 100 percent funding for the "unfunded liabilities" that stretch into the decades ahead. Our generation alone can't solve the problem. PERA funding is currently over 70 percent of the 100 percent. We are really not in a perilous spot.As for the S&P 500 investment, we used a 15 year comparison because our funds are long-term investments. In that time span a passive S&P index fund handily beat over 90 percent of actively managed stock investments that cost us much more in management fees. Did PERAs actively managed stock portfolios beat the index over 15 years? It would be interesting to know.The 10 percent market downturn you mention is not unusual. Only if it happened on an annual basis for a number of years would it dramatically impact the retirement funds.We agree changes are needed, just made carefully and spread over the next 20 years--not a panic move that would harm the economic prospects of todays retirees and those nearing retirement.Thanks again, George. We appreciate the work you do on this important issue.Reinstate the dreaded food tax? What? Are the Dems trying to give the state House back to the R's? That's the take of a number of Alligators as they watch this one play out. Senate Finance Committee Chairman John Arthur Smith, a Dem, is the front man for the food tax and has introduced such a bill as did a Senate R.Reinstating the tax on food, says Fred Nathan of Think NM , would hit New Mexicans earning $15,000-$40,000 three times harder than people earning over $200,000. And he adds that even though these bills would never be signed by MLG, it's important to note this angle:Well, so long as this stays below the radar. Otherwise, the new battle cry of Session '19 will be: "Keep your hands off our tortillas, Santa Fe!"This is the home of New Mexico politics. E-mail your news and comments. (jmonahan@ix.netcom.com) 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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Comments must not be racist, misogynistic, homophobic, or otherwise bigoted. 2. Comments must not involve little more than name-calling and insulting remarks. 3. Comments must not be made by "anonymous" or "unknown". 4. Comments must not try to sneak in some free advertising for themselves (like spam). I invite anyone who wishes to comment on this blog to do so. I enjoy the comments, whether you agree with what I have said or not. But some people want to abuse the right to comment, and since this is my blog, I have decided to lay down the following rules. If your comment violates these rules, it will not be published. Illinois State Police rescinded more than 10,000 gun licenses last year and more than 75 percent of the revocation recipients ignored it, according to newly released data. The state agency provided the staggering figures as part of a trove of law-enforcement documents involving Gary Martin, the convicted felon who fatally shot five co-workers and wounded several police officers at an Aurora warehouse last week. Martin, 45, went on a rampage after learning he was being terminated opening fire with a gun he never should have been allowed to purchase. In the shooting's wake, authorities disclosed that Martin passed two background checks before buying the Smith & Wesson .40-caliber handgun used in the mass killing. Illinois law prohibited Martin as a convicted felon from holding a firearm owner's identification card or owning a gun. Illinois State Police, which approved Martin's FOID card in January 2014, released a detailed account of the shooter's background checks amid questions about how his aggravated assault conviction from Mississippi in 1995 could have been missed. "The only way we can honor those who died, the only way we will ever be safer, is to shine the brightest light on the good, bad, and ugly of this system and to lay bare for the public and policy makers the depth and breadth of our vulnerabilities," state police Acting Director Brendan F. Kelly said in a statement Thursday. According to the agency, Martin passed a background check when he applied for his FOID card and again when he purchased the handgun from a local dealer in March 2014. State police used at least five Illinois-centric and five federal databases to review Martin's criminal history before granting approval, according to the agency's report. None of them showed that Martin had been convicted of beating and stabbing his then-girlfriend in the mid-1990s, authorities said. In fact, federal databases omitted Martin's felony conviction as recently as Wednesday, state police said. It only appeared in the system Thursday, according to the release. It's an unsettling shortcoming that raises questions about the thoroughness of the federal crime databases. Martin's criminal court records are available to the public on the internet, and his conviction is referenced in public document databases used by the Chicago Tribune and news organizations around the country. In 2013, the National Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics found at least 25 percent of felony convictions are not available to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, according to state police. Congress passed a law last year aimed at addressing the problem. State police only discovered Martin's Mississippi conviction after he agreed to be fingerprinted in March 2014 to expedite the processing of his concealed-carry license. Illinois does not require fingerprinting to obtain either a FOID or concealed carry license. There are currently 2,285,990 active FOID cards and 325,187 active concealed-carry licensees statewide, according to state police. Of the concealed-carry holders, only 126,559 submitted fingerprints with their applications. After learning of the omission in Martin's background check, ISP said it notified Martin and the Aurora Police Department in April 2014 that he was no longer able to possess a gun. He was given 48 hours to find a qualified owner for his weapon or relinquish it to local authorities, as well as submit a document called the Firearm Disposition Record to Aurora police. Aurora officials say they have no record of receiving ISP's revocation notice and, even if they did, the department had no legal obligation to confiscate the gun. State law, however, does allow local law enforcement to obtain a search warrant to retrieve a revoked FOID holder's weapons. The Illinois State Police does not have copies of revocation notices sent to local police departments in 2014 because the agency only preserved those records for three years, according to the statement. State police said an "exhaustive search" failed to turn up Martin's returned FOID card or document detailing how he had relinquished his handgun. It's an unsurprising result, given the vast majority people ignore their revocation notices, state statistics show. In 2018, 10,818 FOID cards were revoked, according to state police. Only 2,616 Firearm Disposition Records were returned meaning more than 75 percent of those with revoked licenses ignored the order. There have been only 110 arrests since 2014 for failure to return a FOID card or not submitting the Firearm Disposition Record. There were only 10 arrests statewide for the offense in 2018. Just Thursday, Johns Hopkins University released an analysis of Illinois gun laws that found that failure of law enforcement to follow up on revocations was one blind spot the state should address by telling law enforcement to be more aggressive in their efforts to dispossess the barred owners. Previous attempts in Illinois to mandate the follow-up has been met, however, with concerns this would overtax departments. Report co-author Cassandra Crifasi said policymakers need to weigh this against the "public safety benefit" to getting guns out of the hands of people who are barred from having them. "There is more weight behind the revocation if there is some legislative action, but we also recognize that at times there are constrained resources and sometimes law enforcement has to prioritize," she said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHARLESTON -- Twelve-year Coles County Sheriff's Office veteran Tyler Heleine will begin duties as the office's chief deputy starting May 1. Monday's announcement by Sheriff Jimmy Rankin came one week after former Chief Deputy Tad Freezeland's move to chief of police for the city of Arcola. Rankin mentioned Heleine's time in command positions in law enforcement as well as in the military as contributing to his selection. "His command experience rose him to the top," Rankin said. "He's definitely someone the entire county can depend on." For the last three years, Heleine has been a lieutenant in charge of the sheriff's office patrol section. He was also recently promoted to first sergeant with the Illinois National Guard unit based in East St. Louis and has been a Guard member for 18 years. On Monday, he said his approach to the chief deputy's position will be to rely on others' experience as well as his own. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} "I think we have great leaders and I've learned from them," he said. "When you listen to people around you, you can't go wrong." Heleine is a Casey native who's been with the sheriff's office since 2007. He also spent time as a corrections officer, a patrol officer and a detective and served an assignment with the East Central Illinois Task Force drug investigation unit. Rankin said the chief deputy's duties will remain the same as they were when Freezeland was in the position. Heleine said he expects to oversee much of the office's day-to-day operations, with more training and personnel duties than with his current position. He said he also plans to act as a "liaison" for the office, something he said he spoke about with Freezeland while discussing chief deputy's position. Rankin said Heleine is scheduled to attend the FBI Academy of law enforcement training and research from July-Sept. Heleine said his new assignment won't start until May because of office and personal scheduling matters. Contact Dave Fopay at (217) 238-6858. Follow him on Twitter: @FopayDave Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHARLESTON A Charleston man is in custody at the Coles County jail after being arrested on Friday on a Coles warrant following a police pursuit through three counties. The pursuit of Timothy W. Stutts, 34, reportedly began because of his alleged involvement in a Cumberland County home invasion early Friday morning. The pursuit later started in Moultrie County, went through Douglas County, and ended in Champaign County. A press release from the Illinois State Police and participating county sheriff's offices reported that the incident started when Cumberland deputies received a report of an armed home invasion in their county at approximately 2:30 a.m. Friday. The home invasion reportedly involved a white male, later identified as Stutts, allegedly forcefully entering a residence where he displayed a handgun and took possession of the resident's car. Cumberland deputies requested that the State Police notify other law enforcement agencies in the area. Sullivan Police Department personnel later observed the stolen vehicle in their city and they attempted a traffic stop. The suspect vehicle did not yield to their emergency lights, and a pursuit then ensued. The pursuit involved multiple law enforcement agencies. A Douglas County squad car was reportedly damaged as a direct result of the suspect's flight. The vehicular pursuit ended when the stolen vehicle was mechanically disabled on Champaign County 1800E, just north of 300N, near Philo at approximately 4:50 a.m. Friday. Police reported that the driver, Stutts, immediately fled the vehicle. At that time, a perimeter was set up in the area where multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in searching for the suspect. At approximately 11:26 a.m, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call from a wireless caller advising they were in Champaign County and observed a suspicious person near 1800E County Road 300N. Officers from Champaign County, Douglas County, Newman Police Department, State Police, and Villa Grove Police Department responded to this call. This police response resulted in the arrest of Stutts on a Coles County warrant. Police reported that additional charges stemming from the home invasion and pursuits are expected for Stutts. Stutts was taken to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana for treatment of injuries received during the course of the pursuit. He was taken into custody at the Coles County jail at 4 p.m. Friday. He was still being held there Sunday afternoon on arrest warrants for charges of domestic battery and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Contact Rob Stroud at (217) 238-6861. Follow him on Twitter: @TheRobStroud Love 1 Funny 1 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. The Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mattoon Chamber of Commerce are thrilled to host the spring Community Update Breakfast on Thursday, March 7th. The Update Breakfast is sponsored by Consolidated Communications and will be held at the Unique Suites in Charleston from 7:30-9:15 a.m.. The Community Update Breakfast is open to everyone; tickets are $20 of Charleston and Mattoon Chamber Members and $30 for non-members. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Dr. Bullock, President of Lake Land College, and Dr. Glassman, President of Eastern Illinois University will be the guest speakers at the Breakfast. Dr. Bullock joined Lake Land College as its seventh President in 2013. Prior to joining Lake Land College Dr. Bullock served as the Vice President for Strategic Advancement at Moraine Park Technical College in Fond du Lac, WI. Under Dr. Bullocks leadership, Lake Land College has developed unique training models to assist local businesses in sustaining a skilled workforce, initiated the Presidential Scholarship program, enriched the Lake Land brand, and more. Dr. David Glassman joined Eastern Illinois University as the twelfth President in 2015. Prior to coming to Eastern, Dr. Glassman served as the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Bradley University in Peoria. Through Dr. Glassmans presidency, the University has fostered and strengthened its many partnerships with the community, alumni, and legislators. The Community Update Breakfast will allow time for both Dr. Bullock and Dr. Glassman to speak and a Q&A from the audience. To reserve your seat visit the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerces website at www.charlestonchamber.com or the Mattoon Chamber of Commerces website at www.mattoonchamber.com to complete your registration form. You will not want to miss this Community Update Breakfast! Jessica Killough is president and CEO for the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 MATTOON Amanda J. Mank has joined the law firm of Craig & Craig as an associate in its Mattoon office. According to a press release, Mank graduated from the University of Illinois, School of Law, in Champaign-Urbana in May. She passed the Illinois bar examination, and took her oath as a member of the Illinois Bar on Nov. 8 from Illinois Supreme Court Justice Rita Garman in a ceremony conducted at the Michael J. Howlett Building, Springfield. While in law school, Mank was awarded second place in the Illinois Local Government Lawyers Associations Law Student Writing Competition for her article, Pre-employment Screening, Negligent Hiring, and Policy Concerns for Illinois Municipalities. She also co-authored an article for the Illinois State Bar Association May 2018 publication titled The Public Servant: Weapons of War and the Second Amendment. Mank received a bachelor of arts degree in political science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in May 2013, where she was selected by faculty members for participation in the UIUC Spring 2013 Symposium on the National Debt at the Cline Center for Democracy. At the University of Illinois, she also co-founded the Liberal Arts and Sciences Transfer Student Advisory Registered Student Organization. Mank will be engaged in the general practice of law, with emphasis on commercial property transactions, employment law, municipal law, estates and trusts, drainage district law, and residential property transactions, at the Mattoon office of Craig & Craig. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A recent joint report by religious freedom advocate groups Open Doors, Middle East Concern, Article 18, and Christian Solidarity Worldwide assessed that the persecution of Christians in Iran rose to new heights during 2018, with an unprecedented wave of raids on private house gatherings and many prison sentences imposed on Christians. Yet the Regime claims that religious minorities, including Christians, are treated fairly in Iran, even as the mullahs step up their targeting of Christians who are merely practising their faith. This is backed up by the ever-growing records of arrests and punishments for non-Muslims in Iran, which includes the more than 100 Christians arrested across Iran in the week before Christmas in 2018. Rafizadeh explained that the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence conduct surveillance of Christian communities and pass this information onto the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who conduct the brutal raids and make sweeping arrests. He wrote: The abuse does not stop with surveillance and arrest; these innocent citizens are then denied fair and due process or access to their own counsel. To solicit a confession, the interrogators resort to violence and, according to Open Doors, solitary confinement and an assortment of physical and psychological torture techniques. The IRGC does not merely target individual Christians, but have actually raided and shut down churches and confiscated the buildings themselves. As a result, many Christians host church services in their own houses, but even this doesnt stop the Regime from invading and closing the service down. Christians are often charged with trumped-up national security violations to justify their inhumane treatment and the long prison sentences, such as Shamiram Issavi Khabizeh, the wife of Rev. Victor Bet Tamraz, who was given ten years imprisonment for being caught practising her religion. The Regimes crackdown is motivated by the desire to threaten and intimidate the entire Christian community in Iran into hiding their faith and encourage them to flee Iran, which will result in less Christian converts. But why is the international community not doing anything to stand up for the rights of Christians in Iran, when the Iranian government has an obligation to respect freedom of religion under international law? Rafizadeh wrote: If the Iranian government refuses to take steps to protect the rights and freedom of the Christians, these innocent people can only plead for humanitarian aid from the community outside their borders, in the hope that one day they might live in a land where their beliefs and prayers are not a reason for imprisonment and torture. The AmeriKat's view from an Airbus 380 landing in Heathrow from D.C. a) Concentration of costs and risks in the industry can be mitigated b) Technology convergence means it is sensible to share know-how c) There is a need to get ahead of disruptive technology this is easier through collaboration. i) Guaranteeing global operations at proper levels of safety; and ii) Facilitating a degree of competition i.e. by allowing different suppliers of parts to operate on the same market. Do decide why you want to make the acquisition and make sure that you acquire the value that accords with your reasoning Do make sure you know what you are going to do with the IP that you acquire Dont assume that a deal, once it has progressed from a primary stage, is necessarily good for your company act on the due diligence that is conducted. IP in the supply chain and Research and Technology These sessions both stressed how new technologies and new companies (particularly small start-ups) were both challenging traditional IP protection strategies. For example, 3D printing has IP associated with the powder used in the printing, the machine used to do the printing, and the instructions provided to the machine. The key strategic decision is how to protect all of these areas of IP in a cost-sensible manner. Speed in choosing and gaining protection for key IPR was also highlighted. Collaboration in the aerospace sector was also revisited. The benefits of external collaborations were considered including: gaining additional funding; leveraging skills; creating a healthy ecosystem for new technology; and building a talent pipeline to supply future employees. The Open Source licensing terms were discussed and thought favourable for positive use in collaborations. You dont have to own everything! one panellist sagely noted." The next event IP Seminar will be at Volvo at their headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden on 8-9 October 2019 (cue the AmeriKat saying that her favorite (practical car) is a Volvo). This event will tackle the IP challenges faced by the automotive industry, how the industry is dealing with new entrants who are not from the automotive sector (i.e. software, AI, IOT, etc) and the role such entrants will be playing in the future. Watch this space for more details. . Loves being in them, looking at them, watching them from the ground and from the sky. If she spies a captain located near her in an airport, she pounces on them to discuss what planes they fly (much to their delight, she imagines). So it was with a heavy heart that she could not attend the Airbus IP Seminar held in early December (see Kat post here ). Instead, she sent her Kat friend, Bristows ), who flew in an A320 down to Airbus university in Toulouse to see where A320s are made and, more importantly, listen to the panel sessions on IP issues in Aerospace. Over to Nicholas for his report:The day started with a session on brands and a consideration of whether principles that apply to the FMCG (Fast Moving Commercial Goods) sector were equally applicable to aerospace. It was clear from the debate that the big divide between the industries was the predominance of B2C (Business to Consumer) contracts in FMCG and B2B (Business to Business) contracts in aerospace. Where B2C predominates, and consumer experience is key, creating and sustaining brands is essential.Particularly desirable is the creation of iconic brands. When the panel discussed this it was observed that, to become iconic, it is necessary that the brand takes a point of view and because of this it is often not universally liked. This factor makes the brand stand out from others and helps it become iconic. By contrast, brand values sought in aerospace often relate to safety, reliability or confidence all areas which are universally admired.The next session considered IP protection strategies and it was noted that patent filings in China have increased markedly in recent years. The panel also discussed collaboration in the aerospace sector something which has been a feature of the industry for over 100 years. The reasons for collaboration are multiple. Examples included:It was agreed that collaboration required alignment of purpose. This could be more easily achieved, for example, with universities where the common goal was to advance knowledge. Obviously where competing commercial goals occur it is more difficult to agree the terms of the collaboration.It was commented that there have never been patent wars in the aerospace sector (unlike, for example, the telecoms sector) but the panel wondered if this would continue to be the case in view of the need to adapt to new issues such as the high levels of Chinese IPRs being generated or the multiple start-ups now in the market.A new tool that derives statistics on US patent filings was considered here. It was prompted by a feeling that there was a lack of consistency in the way patents were prosecuted in the US. This was borne out by the statistics which revealed such gems as 10% of examiners account for over 50% of the US patents granted. One of the panel suggested that the differences were such that it could be thought that the USPTO consisted of 8000 different patent offices. The points system used for examiners was considered this is where examiners must achieve a certain number of points per week but adopt different strategies for getting these points. Some grant patents more quickly, some create office actions etc. Given the disparity in approach the advice was that, by considering the statistics, there were clearly advantages (statistically speaking) of filing patents with certain art categories/types. This would ensure they were put before examiners where there was a higher chance of the prosecutions being dealt with more swiftly.In this session the panel explored the extent to which SEP and FRAND considerations were already within, and would in future be a factor, in the aerospace sector. This topic has particular prominence in view of 5G being on the horizon and the IoT (Internet of Things) becoming an almost daily object of conversation. Competition and IP law appear to come into conflict when considering this area and it was competition law that was first addressed. It was pointed out that, to some extent, the whole process of standardisation i.e. forcing companies to do the same thing was anti-competitive as it does not allow variation. However, the benefits, particularly where interconnectivity of devices is involved, are clear. Furthermore, standardisation in aerospace was explained as:In relation to point ii) it was noted that licensing of IP is also beneficial in creating a bigger market for a product. This can benefit the innovator as much as the licensee.The ECJs guidelines inwere discussed and the impact these should have both on non-practising entities (colloquially Patent Trolls) and patent-blind practitioners (termed Patent Gremlins for this discussion) was considered. It was noted that Huawei v ZTE featured two Chinese companies (thus cutting across the stereotype of western innovators and Chinese copiers). An open question considered in this session was the extent to which rights should be exhausted. This was both a territorial and supply chain issue.The session considered how virtual and augmented reality was being used in aerospace and issues of IP that related to this use. Interesting examples of such use were in construction, where it was suggested that augmented reality goggles could provide 30% time reduction and 60-70% defect reduction, and in training, where time duration of the training was said to be reduced by 60%. A commercial use of virtual reality is in the cabin configuration choice for aircraft: customers can now experience the finished airplane before it has been constructed. It was noted that other aspects of reality were being virtualised, for example touch, heat, and scent were in consideration.The IP issues of the discussion were open questions on how creators can best protect aspects of virtual reality (for example how might new virtual senses be best protected) and how creations produced with virtual reality assistance may be protected (for example creations made using artificial intelligence).The importance of IP in Technology centric M&A transactions was emphasised in this discussion. The need to consider IP in all its forms (including know-how/trade secrets) and at an early stage of due diligence was highlighted. Several Dos and Donts were provided by the panel, key of which appeared to be: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined Governor Andrew Cuomo at the signing of New York's "red flag" gun control bill at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan on Monday morning, a symbolic gesture seemingly intended to signal Democratic priorities. "This gun violence issue is a national health epidemic in our country," Pelosi told reporters. "And Mr. President, if you want to talk about emergencies, this is an emergency." The Red Flag Bill is now law. Thank you @SpeakerPelosi for joining me today to sign this life-saving legislation into law. The Red Flag Bill will save lives by empowering school teachers to do something when they believe something bad is going to happen. pic.twitter.com/s3aBKze3kK Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) February 25, 2019 Cuomo, meanwhile, touted the legislation as a life-saving measure that "doesn't infringe on anyone's rights," the first of its kind in the nation. It's one part of a package of gun safety bills the state legislature passed in late January. Starting in 180 days, family members, law enforcement officers, and school administrators can seek an Extreme Risk Protection Order from a judge, providing for the confiscation of firearms from gun owners for up to one year, if a hearing determines that they might pose a threat. The "red flag" bill is the first of the set that Cuomo has signed into law, although he has pledged support for all of them. At the signing ceremony, flanked by Pelosi and other gun control advocates, Cuomo also took a swipe at Donald Trump and his argument that allowing teachers to carry guns in the classroom might keep students safe during a shooting. "I mean, how ludicrous a concept: Arm the teacher so when the bad person comes into the classroom there can be a shootout," Cuomo said. "No, arm and empower the teacher with the law, so that when they see there's a problem ... or a family member sees there's a problem and believes that person can be a danger to themselves or others, they can go to a judge and say, 'Judge, please do an evaluation.' It is common sense." "If you believe that [a shooting] was going to happen, why would you sit back and do nothing?" he added. And indeed, the available evidence suggests that more guns mean more gun deaths, especially in an already chaotic situation. Predictably, the gun rights lobby is displeased with the new law. "I don't want mentally challenged individuals getting a firearm, but this red flag law lacks any sense of due process," New York State Rifle and Pistol Association executive director and NRA board member Tom King told Buffalo News, apparently overlooking the hearing that would precede a judge's confiscation ruling. In January, Pelosi backed a House bill that would expand background checks on firearms purchases, prompting the NRA to run an inflammatory article in the March issue of its magazine, American Rifleman. Headlined "Target Practice," it features a photo of Pelosi and former Representative Gabby Giffords, the Arizona congresswoman who survived a shot in the head in 2011. Undeterred, Pelosi said Monday that Congress would be discussing a series of gun violence-related measures this week. "It's not about taking guns away from people," she told reporters today. "It's just making sure that the law is effective and doing a background check in a timely way." There are hidden costs of quickly-made, low-priced clothing, but it can be tough to stop buying it. Clothing designer Alejandra Carrillo-Munoz has a solution to what is sometimes referred to as fast-fashion. It is basically apparel that is rapidly being manufactured, Carrillo-Munoz said. Obviously it has a very small cost, but someone is actually paying that cost and it often goes back to the environment and the people; artisan fashion is an alternative to that. Carrillo-Munoz, visiting speaker for IUs Mexico Remixed, will discuss how textiles produced by artisans in Latin America provide a sustainable alternative to fast fashion. Carrillo-Munoz, who is the head designer at Awamaki , an organization that connects women artisans from Peru to global markets and ensures fair wages, will deliver her presentation at 6pm on Thursday, February 28 at Woodburn Hall. The presentation is free and open to the public. Carrillo-Munozs role as head designer is to conceptualize textile collections and oversee the production of artisan-made pieces that will be exported to the United States. Awamaki works primarily with Quechua women who are known for their weavings made from spun alpaca fleece and natural dyes. Alejandra Carrillo-Munoz explains the primary colors to Quechua women during a design workshop in Peru. (Photo: Ali Campbell) I do research as to the history and the culture and find creative ways that we can interpret that within the products that we sell, Carrillo-Munoz said. The idea is to use traditional techniques and touch on ancestral knowledge and cultural symbolism, and reinterpret it in modern contemporary design. Carrillo-Munoz said her job with Awamaki involves understanding what is trending in the global fashion market and developing relationships with the artisans so that she can help them apply their knowledge to modern designs. Model poses with Awamaki purse and Scarf (Photo courtesy of Awamaki) I feel like Im evolving as a designer continually in this space because I am not just dealing with a product that is manufactured in a factory; I am working with people, Carrillo-Munoz said. The first artisan to inspire Carrillo-Munoz was her mother, Aida Munoz, who made her living from a craft called piteado, the art of embroidering plant fibers over leather. The Munoz family lived in Colotlan, a rural town located in the Mexican state of Jalisco. Though my family and I had to migrate to the U.S. at a young age out of need, my parents have ever since instilled a pride and love for our roots and this shows through in both the processes and designs that I execute, Carrillo-Munoz said. Carrillo-Munoz recently moved back to Mexico to settle in the state of Oaxaca. In addition to designing for Awamaki, she is developing Talleres Diseno Artesanal, a foundation that provides workshops in marketing and contemporary design for Oaxaca artisans. The indigenous culture is vital to the identity of this region, Carrillo-Munoz said. There are so many people that have shown interest in learning more about contemporary design and my role is to offer that information and then allow them to run with it. Carrillo-Munoz said one of the most important lessons she has learned is to question her role as a designer collaborating with artisans. She said she asks herself what her limitations should be and how she can remain aware of how her presence affects the communities in which she works. What I do is so multifaceted, Carrillo-Munoz said. It extends beyond the creative world. It deals most specifically with indigenous culture and indigenous people and thats a sensitive subject that requires a lot of responsibility. Carrillo-Munoz enjoys a moment with two women who weave textiles for the apparel company Awamaki. (Photo: Anna Watts) Companies like Awamaki strive to provide fair wages for artisans involved in their organization, but Carrillo-Munoz said that is not the case with every company in the artisan sector. As consumers we have to be very mindful of not just believing what a website says and really do our research and our homework to see what the impact is on the artisans and the communities, Carrillo-Munoz said. As consumers we have that responsibility. Its very easy for the artisans to become producers just like with fast fashion. Bo Choi, a visiting lecturer at IU whose work centers on sustainable fashion, said she looks forward to Carrillo-Munozs visit. Choi said the fashion industrys use of artificial dyes makes it one of the top polluting global industries. Now people are concerned about organic food and thinking more about non-GMO and healthy ways to eat, Choi said. Its the time to starting thinking more about a healthy way to dress. This will not be Carrillo-Munozs first visit to Indiana. She attended Purdue University for her masters in fine arts degree. Carrillo-Munoz said she loved her experience at Purdue because she was able to collaborate with scientists and others who thought differently than she did. The theme of collaboration with people from different backgrounds continues in her current work in Mexico and Peru. Im working with culture and history and theres so much knowledge in that, Carrillo-Munoz said. I think its my responsibility to respect that before anything else and then offer everything Ive learned from my education and experience, but definitely have it be a collaborative experience. Kathmandu [Nepal], Feb 23 (ANI): Hundreds of people on Saturday held protest in Nepal over the killing of 40 Indian security personnel by Pakistan based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama last week. The protests were held in Nepals Parsa (Birgunj), Majottari (Jaleshwor, Bhubaneshwor), Rupandehi and other adjoining districts. It is believed that the protest was held in order to express solidarity with the Indian Government and against the heinous crime. Not only that, the staff members working in the Indian Mission in Nepal has also contributed one day salary for the fallen soldiers of the Pulwama attack. We have decided to contribute our one day salary for the family members of the deceased soldiers who were deliberately targeted for doing their job well. Around a hundred people are currently working in the Indian Embassy. We all have contributed the amount because we thoroughly believe that terrorism cannot be justified in any way and we are with our Indian friends, said one of the staff members working at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu told ANI. In addition, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has also organised a candlelight vigil for the brave hearts on February 27. (ANI) Dutt, a 1986-batch IPS officer, passed away on February 19 and blamed CM Mamata Banerjee for his extreme step in a suicide note that went viral on social media. New Delhi: The alleged suicide of senior police officer Gaurav Dutt in Kolkata has kicked off another row in West Bengal with the officer's wife mulling to approach the Supreme Court along with BJP leader Mukul Roy. Dutt, a 1986-batch IPS officer, passed away on February 19 and blamed CM Mamata Banerjee for his extreme step in a suicide note that went viral on social media. He accused Banerjee of abetting his suicide by keeping him on "compulsory waiting" a punitive step when an officer is not given a posting and for withholding his dues after he retired on December 31, 2018. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Attacking the CM, BJP leader Mukul Roy demanded Banerjee's arrest for abetment to suicide and also said there should be a CBI probe into the case. "This is for the first time in the history of West Bengal that a senior IPS officer committed suicide and blamed the government or a party leader," he said. Dutt's wife returned home on Tuesday to find him in a pool of blood at his Salt Lake home. His wrists were slit. He was immediately taken to the hospital but did not survive. BJP state president Dilip Ghosh had also on Friday demanded an investigation by the CBI. "We have a copy of his suicide note and it clearly suggests that he took the extreme step under pressure after being harassed by the state chief minister and her administration," he said, addressing a press conference. He further claimed that the TMC government was depriving the IPS, IAS and the policemen from "their due respect". "I am in touch with a few of these officers. They are complaining of harassment by the state administration," Ghosh added. In 2010, the senior police officer was suspended for alleged sexual abuse of a male constable. He had been repeatedly pleading innocence and smelt conspiracy behind it. His retirement benefits were put on hold due to the pending investigation. Three weeks ago, high drama ensued in the stated capital after Banerjee protested against the arbitrary action by the CBI on the then Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar in connection with the chit fund scam. The alleged suicide is likely to further escalate the tension between the ruling and opposition parties. New Delhi: India could "finish" Pakistan with 20 bombs if Islamabad decides to launch even a single nuclear attack on the neighbouring country, former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf has said. Karachi-based newspaper Dawn quoted Musharraf as saying: "Indian and Pakistan relations have again reached a dangerous level. There will be no nuclear attack. If we would attack India with one atomic bomb, then the neighbouring country could finish us by attacking with 20 bombs. Then the only solution is that we should first attack them with 50 atom bombs so that they cannot hit us with 20 bombs. Are you ready to first launch an attack with 50 bombs?" Addressing a press conference in UAE, Pakistan's former president further said that if India launched any attack in Kashmir, Pakistan could respond in other areas in Sindh and Punjab and "could teach them a lesson". His comment comes over a week after the terror attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, claimed by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed. He also claimed that Israel wanted to establish relations with Pakistan. The chief of All-Pakistan Muslim League (APML), who is living in self-exile in the UAE, said he is ready to return to Pakistan as he sees the political environment in his country favourable. "In my opinion, the political environment is good and favourable. Half of the ministers are mine. Law minister and the attorney general were my lawyers," said Musharraf. Musharraf took power in 1999 following a military coup that ousted former President Nawaz Sharif. After being president for nine years, he was ousted from power in after another coup that rose Mr Sharif again to power. Valerie Joseph went to see the Lion King on Broadway a few years ago, but she couldnt tell you how the show began. I got there during intermission, said Joseph, who uses a wheelchair and relies heavily on Access-a-Ride to get around. I left two hours later than I was supposed to, so I was outside for two hours after the show! That night she relied on the typical Access-a-Ride multi-passenger vehicle which must be scheduled a day in advance and isnt the most reliable. Joseph recounted her Broadway experience from the back of a wheelchair-accessible taxi last week. She ordered it from her phone just minutes beforehand. It was roomy and clean; the driver courteously helped her with the ramp and locking mechanisms. This is much more comfortable, she said. And at the end of the trip, she paid the driver what he was owed: $2.75, the base MTA fare, in exact change. Joseph works as an advocate at a non-profit called the Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled. Shell tell you Access-a-Ride service has gotten slightly better over the years (and the latest Customer Satisfaction survey shows a similar trend in perception), but two major drawbacks remain: the scheduling and the payment system. Listen to Shumita Basu's report on WNYC: For traditional Access-a-Ride, riders must pre-schedule every trip, at the latest by 5pm the day before. That means no last-minute meetings, doctors appointments, or social calls. And despite this meticulous pre-planning, many users say their vans regularly show up later than expected, due to the drop-offs and pick-ups each driver has to accommodate along their route. Joseph is part of a small group of Access-a-Ride users in the first phase of an MTA pilot program that allows them to use a ride-sharing app to hail a wheelchair-accessible taxi anytime, on demandand still pay the same base fare theyd pay on a traditional Access-a-Ride trip. I go out more often. I'm out and about, and I take care of things I need to take care of instead of having somebody do it for me, said Joseph. I have more freedom. But the pilot is only available to 1,200 people right now, less than 1 percent of all Access-a-Ride users. The MTA said it intends to expand the pilot to a second phase, but hasnt provided more details. (Shumita Basu / Gothamist) As for the payment system, its as primitive as it gets: exact change, bills and coins, every time. Access-a-Ride isnt compatible with MetroCards, so commuters with disabilities miss out on the discounts others get with weekly or monthly cards. And now, all MTA riders face a likely fare increase. In their February 27th meeting, MTA board members are expected to vote on a proposed increase in the base fare from $2.75 to $3 per trip. An alternative proposal would keep the base fare at $2.75, but eliminate the 5% bonus on pay-per-ride cards. And for disability rights advocates this raises particular concerns. Increasing the single-ride price for people who dont have equal access to the full mass-transit system seems unfair. And New Yorkers with disabilities are more likely to be living on a fixed income, which means any fare increase poses a financial hardship. Some have proposed a different, lower base fare for paratransit users. This divides the community, many of whom have fought all their lives to be treated equally. Alex Elegudin, who was hired by the MTA last summer to serve as its first-ever Accessibility Chief, told Gothamist/WNYC hed prefer a solution that keeps the base fare the same for everyone. In terms of favorable treatment or other kinds of things of that nature, its not always what the community is looking for, he said. He is in a wheelchair and uses Access-a-Ride too. Valerie Joseph expressed a similar sentiment. Just because we travel by walkers, wheelchairs, canes...it doesnt mean that we need to be treated differently, Joseph explained, adding she thought the fare should stay at $2.75 for all riders. But Ruth Lowenkron, the director of the Disability Justice program at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI), said framing it as an equality argument left out an important consideration: Access-a-Ride users would experience a 9.1 percent fare increase per ride, while most MetroCard-using commuters would only see hikes of around 4 percent because of available discounts. This is a ridership that is already feeling the pinch by the horrible service, is already feeling the pinch by paying more for every single ride, and will feel a greater pinch than anybody else, she said of a fare hike. Lowenkron said she's sympathetic to the MTAs budgeting concerns but a major reason New York City has to provide costly paratransit options to so many people is because much of the transit system is inaccessible. The MTA is currently involved in multiple lawsuits involving subway accessibility. Elegudin declined to comment on them, but acknowledged that expanding accessibility was a big part of the MTAs Fast Forward plan. He also said its worth considering accessibility projects when weighing the pros and cons of a blanket fare hike. I have many, many personal friends with disabilities that say, We get it. We're okay to pay more as long as that money is helping the system become more accessible, he said. Heres the thing: raising the fares doesnt necessarily mean more money for big projects like station accessibility. Thats budgeted separately. So its not as simple as saying the extra quarter per fare will go toward more elevators. The MTA said its working on a new fare payment system that will level the playing field for all riders. The new contactless card system would allow users to tap a card every time they ride, which will draw from their own transit-related account. Elegudin said this would give Access-a-Ride users access to the same discounts as other riders. The new fare system is coming to certain 4/5/6 subway stations and some bus lines on Staten Island as early as May, but the full roll-out of contactless cards is expected to take a few more years. Shumita Basu is a host, producer and reporter in the newsroom. You can follow her on Twitter @shubasu. On Friday, the Union Budget 2019 will be presented by Nirmala Sitharaman, who is the first full-time woman finance minister to present the Union Budget in the Parliament. Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said the country would face a setback of 50 years if Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not voted back to power. Sitharaman, who was addressing an event in Bengaluru, said: "If we are laid back and lose a strong majority government, we will be facing a setback of 50 years at least. She added that India would be disfavouring first-time voters if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not recognised for its work. "And for those of us who were born in the 20th century, we will be doing a disservice to those who will be voting for the first time. Are we going to do disfavour for the youth of this country by bringing back forces that have absolutely no delectation to this country and dedication to clean politics and dedication to putting the nation before themselves?" she asked. The minister also praised Modi, saying: In the history of any nation, it's not very often that you get a leadership like what you have got now. 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 Ichabod explores the Age of Apostasy, predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, with an emphasis on UOJ, Church Growth, and Emergent Church heresies. The antidote to these poisons is trusting the efficacious Word in the Means of Grace. John 16:8. Most readers are WELS, LCMS, ELS, or ELCA. This blog also covers the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and the mainline denominations. IceViking strongly condemns physical attacks and harassment directed towards them. They are also often victims of the Islamic idea. This is true when it comes to the cruel and tragic treatment of Muslim women and children when it is in accord with the Koran, the example of Mohammed and Islamic law, Sharia, which may be applied regardless of where a Muslim male may find himself in the world, whether in a Muslim or non-Muslim country. However, in no way, shape or form should one judge all Muslim men because of what is in Islamic scripture and what constitutes the Islamic law, Sharia. "Race", ethnicity or basically anything that you are "merely" born with should never be a basis for bigotry and discrimination. Apostates from Islam have been executed for 1400 years in accord with the Koran and the words and actions of the Islamic prophet Mohammed and Islamic law, Sharia. They should be lovingly helped. Furthermore, approximately as many as 11,000,000 Muslims may have been killed by other Muslims since 1948. To quote the website The Religion of Peace (TROP), edited by Glen Roberts: While it may be safe to say that a true Muslim would not intentionally kill another true Muslim ( 4:92-93 ), the Quran places no such value on the life of a Muslim who is not true. Consider verse 9:73 : Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh against them, their abode is Hell. The Arabic for strive hard uses the same root as Jihad - and the context in this sura is holy war (see v. 86 and 91). Thus, there are two distinct classes of people that a true Muslim is to target with harshness: disbelievers and hypocrites. A disbeliever obviously refers to a non-Muslim, so a "hypocrite" must be a Muslim of some sort. In fact, hypocrites are those who say they believe, but do not act as they should. In other words, they are "Muslims", but not true Muslims. They will go to hell just as unbelievers do, and so, according to the verse, their lives matter for naught. The same sura says that a hypocrite can be recognized not just by lack of piety (reluctance to follow Sharia), but by fear of death ( 9:56 ), reluctance to fight ( 9:44-45 ) and even friendliness toward non-believers ( 9:67 ). A true Muslim would thus be a pious person who relishes martyrdom, is eager to fight, and shuns non-believers. Even the Quranic passage that warns against killing "believers" ( 4:88-94 ) is more complicated than it first appears. It never says that a true Muslim is incapable of killing another Muslim, just that it should not be done. In fact, it makes exceptions for the unintentional killing of "believers" in war and mandates the killing of "hypocrites." Verse 17:33 says, "Do not kill anyone which Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause" . The greatest cause of all is that Islam be superior ( 9:33 ), which is exactly what Islamic terrorists say is their goal. Thus believing Muslims are allowed to be collateral damage in the war on unbelievers. There is sadly a phenomena that I`ve noticed in Sweden and elsewhere of people using true facts about Islamic doctrine and history as a cover for all sorts of irrational targeting of Muslims, ranging from xenophobia and racism to verbal abuse and physical attacks. This is strongly condemned by this website and does not in any way serve serious criticism of orthodox Islam and other important work. It`s also important that one tries to express oneself in a civilized way. Words matter. In this bloggers humble opinion the root cause of the problem is the ancient doctrine of orthodox Islam. In simple terms a non-Muslim is a Kafir. " The Koran defines the kafir and kafir is not a neutral word. A kafir is not merely someone who does not agree with Islam, but a kafir is evil, disgusting, the lowest form of life." An exact quote, as stated in the writings of Dr. Bill Warner in the article "Kafir" at http://www.politicalislam.com/kafir . In the perfect Koran (Allah`s direct and literal word as revealed to Mohammed through the angel Jibril), Muslims are told 89 times to emulate Mohammed in all ways (see Koran 33:21 for instance). Mohammed`s example, the Sunna, is found in the Hadith (stories of what Mohammed said and did) and the Sira (biographies of Mohammed). Islamic law, Sharia , is directly derived from these unchanging scriptures. It is based on the Koran`s numerous commands to obey Allah and obey the Messenger, that is Mohammed (see Koran 4:59 for instance). Islam is Sharia. Sharia is Islam. It is a capital crime for Muslims to deny Sharia in any way. A Muslim is someone who submits to Islam and submitting to Islam means obeying the Sharia of Allah. Sharia law includes pronouncements for both Muslims and non-Muslims (Kafirs). Islam is a "complete way of life", a "complete code of life", a "complete system of life". Islam is not just a religion but also a comprehensive ideology. Islam is a supremacist ideology. Islam is a totalitarian and imperialistic ideology akin to Communism and Nazism. Islam is a civilization. Islamic law, Sharia, is a manual for a civilization. Islamic law, Sharia, governs every aspect of life. It has a say about every conceivable human act . Non-Muslims are morally and legally inferior in Islam. Women are morally and legally inferior in Islam. The History of Jihad: From Muhammad to ISIS by Robert Spencer is the first one-volume history of jihad in the English language and a great book on the topic. Allah guarantees Paradise to those who "kill and are killed" for him (Koran 9:111). A hadith depicts a Muslim asking Muhammad: "Instruct me as to such a deed as equals Jihad (in reward)." Muhammad replied, "I do not find such a deed." (Bukhari 4.52.44) Muhammad himself said: I have been commanded to fight against people so long as they do not declare that there is no god but Allah, and he who professed it was guaranteed the protection of his property and life on my behalf except for the right affairs rest with Allah. (Sahih Muslim 30) Freedom of speech, human rights, democracy, science and human lives are all at stake in the fight against the Islamic Jihad. Here are the novels that made the top 100 in both the US and UK as determined by their public broadcasters: the BBCs Big Read of 2003 and PBSs Great Amer... 23 hours ago PHOENIX, AZ, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- For The Earth Corporation (the Company or FTEG) (OTCMKTS: FTEG) issues the following Letter to Shareholders from the CEO: Dear Valued Shareholder, As we continue to manage our transition into the CBD space, we would like to start by thanking our committed shareholders for sticking with us as we navigate the final stages of this process. Our vision matches up with our financial reality and our market opportunity analysis in a very compelling manner, and we couldnt be more excited as we look ahead at coming quarters. Today, I would like to outline that vision, what we are doing about it, and how we plan to frame that message to the marketplace. The CBD market is expected to grow by enormous multiples over the next three years. According to our analysis, we can maximize our shareholders ability to benefit from that growth as it blossoms by establishing ourselves as an integrated vertical CBD organization now. As our recent press releases demonstrate, we have already begun to carve out our retail footprint by establishing a variety of transaction points with the end market consumer, including mall stores, mall kiosks, vending machines, and e-commerce storefronts, with physical locations in both Las Vegas and New York City, where our research suggests there is already a high ratio of knowledgeable consumers interested in CBD products. On the other side of the equation, we also plan to put in place our own production process, which is an essential piece of the puzzle for an integrated go-to-market CBD model. Expect many related details to be released over the coming period. We are also very focused on communicating our story to the market effectively. As such, we would like to announce our new expanded shareholder communications initiative. We believe this move will powerfully benefit both Company shareholders and Company management. As we prepare to significantly ramp up operations, we understand this implies a duty to our shareholders to ensure both transparency and visibility are elevated correspondingly. We have a great story in the making, and so we have a responsibility to communicate that story to our shareholders and the wider investment community. In part, this initiative comes in response to an increase in shareholder and public requests for more details about our operations and objectives following recent Company accomplishments. However, in addition to fulfilling these requests and our duty to support full transparency, this initiative will also consist of a proactive media and messaging outreach that will include a broad array of digital and non-digital communications strategies. To that end, the Company has engaged EHC Branding Agency (ehcbrandingagency.com) as a partner to assist in this process. Finally, we filed Form 1-A with the Securities and Exchange Commission to make a Securities offering under Regulation A earlier this year. As an update, this measure not been approved as of yet, and the Company is currently not doing any offerings of any kind. We will certainly notify shareholders of changes to the status of this filing as soon as we have more information. But, at present, our float remains at 1.021 billion shares, and our focus remains on maximizing shareholder value and not on diluting our shareholders. The bottom line is this: we recognize our responsibility to sufficiently ensure that current and prospective FTEG shareholders have access to any and all information necessary to make informed decisions as we navigate the final steps of what we believe will be a powerful and exciting transition toward greater value for our shareholders, our team, and our customers. Warmest Regards, Nelson Grist, CEO About For The Earth Corporation For The Earth Corporation is an emerging integrated CBD producer and retailer in the United States. The Company is in the process of establishing a vertical framework that will extend from cultivation to extraction and production to a strategic retail footprint that includes multiple locations in Las Vegas and New York featuring mall kiosks, vending machines, e-commerce, and full store locations serving both the human and pet CBD markets. Two mall leases have been signed recently in Las Vegas, with another vending machine location secured in New York City. The Company plans to expand its New York vending machine penetration by the end of 2019. In addition, the Company has begun early-stage work to establish a state-of-the-art CBD extraction and production facility in Eugene, OR. Forward-Looking Statements Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements and are subject to risks and uncertainties. See For The Earths filings with OTC Markets, which may identify specific factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Safe Harbor Statement This release includes forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and reflect management's current expectations. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Some of these factors include: general global economic conditions; general industry and market conditions, sector changes and growth rates; uncertainty as to whether our strategies and business plans will yield the expected benefits; increasing competition; availability and cost of capital; the ability to identify and develop and achieve commercial success; the level of expenditures necessary to maintain and improve the quality of services; changes in the economy; changes in laws and regulations, including codes and standards, intellectual property rights, and tax matters; or other matters not anticipated; our ability to secure and maintain strategic relationships and distribution agreements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In April 1937, the Philadelphia Mint minted a small quantity of legal tender United States silver half dollar coins. These coins, dated 1938, commemorated the 250th anniversary of Jacob Leisler's purchase from John Pell of the Manor of Pelham the lands that became New Rochelle and the subsequent settlement of those lands by Huguenot refugees, many fleeing persecution in La Rochelle, France. Although Congress authorized the minting of 25,000 of the half dollar coins, only 15,266 were struck by the Philadelphia mint. The obverse of the coin depicts John Pell of the Manor of Pelham holding a rope tethered to the neck of the famed "fatt calfe" with which he is standing. The image depicts Pell as he received the calf from Jacob Leisler in connection with the purchase of New Rochelle. The September 20, 1689 contract of sale for those lands required Jacob Leisler, his heirs and assigns to deliver to John Pell, his heirs and assigns, every June 24 "forever (if demanded)" such a "fatt calfe. Periodically, members of the Pell family make a ceremonial "demand" for delivery of such a fatt calfe from the City of New Rochelle in connection with family reunions and special celebrations. The reverse of the coin depicts a conventional "fleur-de-lis," flower of France, that also appears on the coat-of-arms of old La Rochelle, in France, from which many of the early refugee settlers who settled New Rochelle fled. It also appears on the seal of modern New Rochelle. The sculptor who designed the coin was Gertrude K. Lathrop of Albany, New York who also designed the Albany Charter Half Dollar minted the same year. I have written before about the 1938 commemorative silver half dollar that depicts John Pell of the Manor of Pelham receiving the famed "fatt calfe" from Jacob Leisler. See: Bell, Blake A., John Pell and the New Rochelle Commemorative Coin Dated 1938, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 7, Feb. 13, 2004, p. 10, col. 1. Today's Historic Pelham article reports on an interesting auction of a fine example of one of these 1938 commemorative silver half dollars. December 13-14, 2018, Heritage Auctions held its last coin auction of the year. On the first day of that auction, it offered one of the top known graded examples of the 1938 New Rochelle commemorative coin. The example was in a sealed case reflecting a grading of MS68 by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation. Minimal oxidation had created a lovely rainbow of colors on portions of the coin, an effect often referenced as "toning" -- an effect for which many collectors of such coins are willing to pay a premium when the light patina of rainbow colors is considered to add beauty to the item. Heritage Auctions described the coin as follows: "1938 New Rochelle Half Dollar, MS68 Lively Luster, Spectacular Color 1938 50C New Rochelle MS68 NGC. The New Rochelle half dollars of 1938 were actually struck in 1937, championed by the Westchester County Coin Club of New Rochelle to celebrate the town's 250th anniversary. The coins were handled with care, but few can match the quality of this spectacular MS68 representative. Lavender-toned centers merge with accents of blue, gold, and russet around the border areas. Lively luster percolates through the layers of color. Essentially pristine. Census: 20 in 68 (1 in 68+, 4 in 68 , 1 in 68+ ), 0 finer (10/18).(Registry values: N2998) (NGC ID# BYDX, PCGS# 9335) Weight: 12.50 grams Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper" Heritage Auctions Image of the MS68 1938 New Rochelle Commemorative Half Dollar. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge. The coin is one of only 20 graded by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation that has received the high grade of MS68 (although there is a small handful of such coins that NGC has graded slightly higher). On the first day of the two-day Heritage Auctions event (December 13, 2018), the coin sold for $3,600.00. According to an article later released by Coin World: " See Roach, Steve, "Coin World (Feb. 21, 2019) (online version visited Feb. 22, 2019). Most of the original mintage of 15,266 survivors remain in higher Mint State grades and even ones graded MS-66 or MS-67 are frequently seen. The population thins in MS-68, but Heritage Auctions offered one in this grade certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corp. one of twenty like-graded coins at NGC at a December auction."Roach, Steve, " 1938 New Rochelle Half Dollar is of Infrequently Seen Quality " in(Feb. 21, 2019) (online version visited Feb. 22, 2019). Uncirculated versions of this coin today graded as high as MS66 or MS67 can sell for up to $450. Obverse of the Half-Dollar Commemorative Coin Depicting John Pell Receiving the "Fatt Calfe" NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge. Reverse of the Half-Dollar Commemorative Coin Depicting Fleur De Lis Representing La Rochelle and New Rochelle NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge. John Pell Who Is Depicted Receiving the Fatt Calfe on the Obverse of the Commemorative Coin. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge. * * * * * I have written before about the United States half-dollar commemorative coin minted to commemorate the 250th anniversary of New Rochelle celebrated in 1938. I also have written extensively about the delivery of the "fatt calfe" to John Pell known as the "Fatt Calfe Ceremony." For examples, see , e.g. : Bell, Blake A., John Pell and the New Rochelle Commemorative Coin Dated 1938, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 7, Feb. 13, 2004, p. 10, col. 1. Fri., Mar. 23, 2018: United States Commemorative Half Dollar Minted in 1937 Honored Pelham History . Labels: 1689, 2018, Fatt Calfe, John Pell, New Rochelle, New Rochelle Commemorative Half Dollar WASHINGTON Over nearly two years, special counsel Robert S. Mueller III has operated like a prosecutorial submarine, abruptly surfacing without warning to release indictments or announce guilty pleas and then plunging back down to continue the Russia investigation. He is ubiquitous and yet invisible the last known photograph of Mueller was snapped in June 2017, a month after he was appointed. He has given no interviews, a reticence that has only stoked anticipation for his final report, which appears imminent. But Muellers unremitting silence and the little-used federal law under which he operates have left deep uncertainty about what lies ahead. Under regulations written in 1999, the special counsel is required to submit a confidential report to the U.S. attorney general when he completes his probe. Everything else about the process What will he say? How much will he write? When will it be filed? Will it become public? is a matter of speculation, leaving official Washington on edge. No one really knows or can predict with any uncertainty how this is going to play out, said Andrew Coan, a University of Arizona law professor who has written a book about presidential investigations. Not only do we not know what the attorney general is going to do with Robert Muellers report, we dont know what Robert Muellers report is going to look like. Mueller has given no indication of whether he thinks Trump obstructed justice, one of the focuses of the probe. Trump almost certainly will not face criminal charges because Justice Department guidelines bar a sitting president from being indicted, however. Still, Muellers report could include an incriminating description of Trumps actions, or even a road map that could be used for impeachment proceedings. Or neither, giving the president the legal and political vindication he has long claimed he is due. Trump, of course, has already made up his mind about what the Mueller report should say. There was no collusion. There was no obstruction. There was no anything, he told reporters in the Oval Office on Friday. If its an honest report, it will say that. If its not an honest report, it wont. Some in Trumps orbit say his angry tweets about the investigation hes condemned it as a hoax or worse hundreds of times are a signal that hes bracing for bad news. He tends to go back and forth, where one minute hes upset and tweeting about the witch hunt and the next hes telling you, Its going to be fine, which is basically him telling himself, said a White House aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the presidents mindset. The big question is how he responds once it hits, the aide added. No one can really plan for that because no one knows whats coming. Trumps legal team has prepared a rebuttal to Muellers report. But they dont know what they will release because they dont know what Mueller will say. One Trump confidant argues that anything less than an overt criminal conspiracy will exculpate Trump in the public eye. I think the nation is exhausted of the topic, said Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union and husband of Mercedes Schlapp, the White House director of strategic communications. And I think anyone who is a fair-minded voter will look at anything short of Russian collusion as a distraction. The special counsel regulations offer little guidance on what to expect. They state that the special counsel shall provide the attorney general with a confidential report explaining the prosecution or declination decisions, meaning the decisions not to press charges. The attorney general is required to notify Congress of any situations in which he overruled the special counsel for example, if he refused to approve a particular indictment or subpoena. He also can decide that public release of these reports would be in the public interest. That means the key figure in coming weeks may be William Barr, Trumps new attorney general not Mueller. During his Senate confirmation hearing, Barr pledged to provide as much transparency as (he) can consistent with the law regarding the Mueller report, but stopped short of promising to release it to the public. Democrats have demanded the entire report be published. Now that they control the House, they could issue subpoenas to try to pry it out of the Justice Department. To maintain that a sitting president cannot be indicted, and then to withhold evidence of wrongdoing from Congress because the President will not be charged, is to convert (Justice) Department policy into the means for a cover-up, the chairs of six House committees complained in a letter to Barr on Friday. The President is not above the law. David Bossie, a conservative activist who worked on Trumps 2016 campaign and now serves as an outside adviser to the president, said Democrats may face a backlash if they make too much out of a report that is not damning to the president. Because when you overreach, there is inevitably a boomerang, he said. You will embolden and empower the president, rather than weakening him. Its a far different scenario than when the independent counsel wrapped up his investigation into President Bill Clinton in 1998. Kenneth Starr operated under rules that made him answerable only to a panel of judges, not to the attorney general, and that required him to provide a report to Congress. He gave them a salacious, detailed account of Clintons affair with a White House intern and allegations that he obstructed justice and lied under oath. The report became the basis for Clintons impeachment in the House, although he was acquitted in the Senate and served out his term. Believing Starr had too much leeway, Congress allowed the independent counsel statute to expire and new rules were drawn up the ones under which Mueller now operates to provide greater supervision for future investigations. Mueller already has produced a thick pile of court documents outlining Moscows meddling in the 2016 campaign, including the hacking of Democratic Party emails and spreading of misinformation on social media. He has indicted 25 Russians, some of them military intelligence officers, on allegations of violating U.S. law. He also has exposed a tidal wave of lying by Trump aides, including his former national security adviser, campaign chairman, personal lawyer and others, frequently in connection with their communications with Russian officials or suspected operatives. In all, six former Trump aides or associates have pleaded guilty to various charges. Its a remarkable investigation, said former acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, who launched the obstruction investigation aimed at Trump and was later fired. And its one thats produced tangible, meaningful results. And I think that alone justifies and validates our initial fears, our initial concerns. Some questions remain unanswered, most recently involving Roger Stone, a former political adviser to Trump. The indictment said someone directed an unnamed Trump campaign official to reach out to Stone to discuss WikiLeaks plans for hacked Democratic Party emails. There are some really important parts of the puzzle that Mueller has engaged with but not come to ground with, said Harry Litman, a University of California law professor and former federal prosecutor. Mueller appears to have given up efforts to interview Trump, which he had sought for months. In the end, the president answered written questions submitted by Muellers team, and only about issues that took place before his inauguration, claiming executive privilege. There are plenty of signs that Mueller is winding down. Several investigations have been handed off to other offices, and some of his prosecutors have returned to their previous positions at the Justice Department. Media reports this week variously said Mueller would hand in his report as early as next week or in the coming days. Then a Justice Department official told news outlets Friday that nothing would be announced next week. But the exact timing remains as unclear as ever. It had to be before Labor Day. It had to be right after the (midterm) election, said David Wade, who works for two advocacy groups dedicated to the Russia probe. The one thing thats been a constant is there are limits to how much any of us can speculate. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 DECATUR Powerful wind gusts to more than 60 mph generated by a weather system called a bomb cyclone shook up Central Illinois all day Sunday and extending into Sunday night. Conditions for todays work commute promised to be a lot calmer, although a fresh breeze will knock wind chill values down to around zero after a night of air temperatures in the lower teens. Weather forecasters describe a bomb cyclone as a storm that drops air pressure at least 24 millibars in 24 hours, a process known as bombogenesis. The wind gusts flying out of this storm caused widespread but relatively minor damage. The National Weather Service in Lincoln logged reports of downed trees, some causing some structural damage, along with ripped off roof shingles, loosened siding and scattered small power outages. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} We ended up extending our wind advisory from 6:30 p.m. Sunday to 9 p.m. Sunday, meteorologist Chuck Schaffer said. Wind gusts were calming down Sunday night but they were still somewhere around 40 mph. One of the highest gusts in the area 60 mph had been clocked at Decatur Airport at 1:44 a.m. Sunday. The only gust more powerful was one of 61 mph recorded in Springfield at 1:17 a.m. The weather picture for the rest of week looks calm by comparison. There is a chance for snow Wednesday night into Thursday, but Schaffer said it promised to be half an inch, tops. A larger storm is brewing Friday night into Saturday, but prediction models right now show the bulk of its snow missing Central Illinois. But the snow picture could change, Schaffer said. And if its not snowing there could be some rain and a lot of wind. Reasons we can't wait for spring and summer in Decatur Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid 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. DECATUR After several years of sitting vacant, work has started on a project that will breathe new life into the building at the corner of E The 12-year-old seemed to burst out of the TV screen with grown-up swagger, his abundant Afro tucked under a derby, punctuating his stride with a smooth dance move. Jussie Smollett's bold appearance in the opening credits of the 1994 sitcom "On Our Own" was Hollywood's introduction to the future star of Fox's hip-hop drama "Empire," who now faces felony charges and feverish backlash for reportedly orchestrating a hate crime against himself. ABC's short-lived comedy also offered a first glimpse at the large and talented Smollett family, including Jurnee Smollett-Bell, who would grow up to score starring roles in WGN's "Underground" and HBO's "True Blood." The six Smollett siblings starred in the sitcom, which lasted 20 episodes. Key people involved with that project who have remained close to Smollett since the launch of his career said Smollett's performance in the innocuous "On Our Own" and his subsequent turns in "Empire" and other projects gave no hint he would ever be involved in a plot such as he's now accused of, which threatens to torpedo his promising career. "Jussie was smart, talented and caring, a great person," said Robert L. Boyett of Miller-Boyett Productions, one of the companies behind "On Our Own." The prominent production company churned out numerous landmark comedies from the 1970s through the 1990s, including "Mork & Mindy," "Full House," "Happy Days" and "Laverne & Shirley." During a phone interview Thursday, Boyett said, "The Smolletts are a great family. I know them all, and we have all stayed in touch since our show." Boyett said he is stunned by the current firestorm surrounding Smollett, who has been charged by Chicago police with filing a false police report in which he claimed to have been the victim of a racist, homophobic attack. Two brothers told the police they were acquaintances of Smollett and that he hired them for $3,500 to stage the attack as an attention-generating stunt. "I still can't imagine something like this is happening," Boyett said. "I feel that we still don't know everything, that there's another shoe that has yet to fall. I don't know if this may have started out as a stunt or prank." He added, "But I know Jussie, and I know he doesn't have a malicious bone in his body. He's always been a sweet and caring guy. I stand by him. I will always be there for him." Even though "On Our Own," developed as a vehicle for the Smolletts, had a short life, Boyett said he has fond memories of the series, which for part of its run was tied to ABC's family-oriented TGIF slate. In addition to the children, he was fond of their parents -- Janet, who is African American, and their late father Joel, who was Jewish. In the show, Jussie, Jurnee, JoJo. Jazz, Jake and Jacqui Smollett played the Jericho family, who were living on their own after their parents.were killed in a car crash. As in real life, the characters played by the siblings ranged from 14 months to 20 years old. Starring as the oldest Jericho sibling in charge of the family was comedian Ralph Louis Harris, who was cast more for his acting chops and experience than for his resemblance to the Smollett brood. Still, Harris said the Smolletts treated him as if he were a family member. "I remember when I first walked into the room to meet everybody, it was Jussie and Jurnee who immediately got up from the table to greet me," Harris said in a phone interview Thursday. "I will never forget that. They showed me a lot of love from day one. ABC and Miller-Boyett took real good care of us. And the family was so happy because this show was allowing them to live out their dream -- to work together. And they treated us all like royalty." Harmony appears to have always been a centerpiece of the Smollett chemistry. During the filming of "On Our Own," the siblings shared a large dressing room filled with toys. Jazz, the second oldest, said in an interview at that time, "We love each other. We're really close." Added JoJo, the oldest Smollett, "We've been brought up to reject conflict. We think it's a waste of time to fight and argue." Jussie was rarely at the center of the story in the show, "but he was always caring about what was happening with the other folks on the show," said Boyett. "He was always focused on the set." The young star also seemed to have his priorities in perspective, saying his family would not wind up like other troubled child stars. "We've been brought up to be real strong, so nothing can take us down," Jussie said. Growing up in New York, the siblings had watched other young people on TV and decided they could do just as well. Their mother became their manager. Jazz became a successful child model, JoJo and Jussie did small movie roles, and Jurnee won roles on sitcoms, including "Full House." In a 2016 appearance on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert," Smollett related how network executives initially didn't quite know what to do with the family. "The next thing we know, we're in a meeting with ABC. I mean, all these old-ass white men. So we went in, and I don't know why, but we went in and sang 'Shut 'Em Down' by Public Enemy," Smollett said. "But yo, they loved it. Apparently they wanted to shut it down too. But then I guess they didn't like it anymore because they canceled us. They shut us down." But the cancellation did not damage their connection. In an interview with People magazine, Jussie spoke of the importance of family meals, describing how the family would gather around a large wooden table built from scratch by their mother. "That was the vault," Jussie said. "The place where you could say what you wanted. Whether you were happy or frustrated, you could lay it out on the family table." Harris said he has remained connected to the family since the end of "On Our Own." Asked about Smollett's current troubles, he declared, "I'm standing by my brother. I will jump in and fight for him. I will protect him." He added, "If he needs any help of any kind, I hope he gets it. No matter how this turns out, there's no way for this to end without him coming out with scars." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 One of the oldest theoretical constructions in economics declares that in a perfect market, short-term profits and losses eventually even out so that, in the long-term, all profits are zero. Famed 20th century English economist John Maynard Keynes gets credit for restating this jargon-rich theory into clear, concise language when, in 1923, he wrote, In the long run we are all dead. Keynes, who evidently didnt believe in commas, wasnt trying to be clever, says Simon Taylor, himself, like Keynes, an economist and faculty member of University of Cambridge. In fact, as Taylor explains in a 2013 blog post, Keynes was just trying to encourage his bland, statistics-stuffed fellow economists to be bold in their bland, statistics-stuffed forecasts. The full Keynesian quote, offers Taylor, better explains the concept. The long run is a misleading guide to current affairs. In the long run we are all dead. Economists set themselves too easy, too useless a task if in tempestuous seasons they can only tell us that when the storm is past the ocean is flat again. No one can accurately predict the future; certainly no economist can. Still, Keynes is spot-on when he admonishes all, including you and me, that its too easy, too useless a task to "only tell us that when the storm is past the ocean is flat again. That picture came to mind when plowing through the trove of 10-year market and income forecasts the U.S. Department of Agriculture released Feb. 14. (All will be included in USDAs more detailed Agricultural Projections to 2028 report, to be released March 13.) For example, USDA forecasts 2019 net farm income at $77.6 billion and, in 2028, pegs it at $79.5 billion, which also is guessed to be the highest income year in the coming decade. As such, USDA sees just a $1.9 billion growth in net farm income over the coming 10 years with a few cork bobs along the way. Now thats a flat ocean. The breakout numbers that compose the net income projections do, however, imply some tempestuous seasons ahead. For example, under Direct Government Payments, USDA economists forecast annual taxpayer support dropping from 2018s, mitigation-boosted $13 billion to $9 billion in 2023 and rising again to $14.4 billion in 2028. That means $1 in every $5 in net farm income earned by farmers and ranchers 10 years from now will come from taxpayers. Just as worrisome is how USDA sees U.S. ag trade 10 years out. In the coming decade, USDA estimates that the international soybean market will grow 25 percent, yet U.S. soybean sales will capture only one-third of the global growth. And, too, while the global corn market will increase by 20 percent, U.S. corn exports will rise by just 11 percent. These are not good numbers if your domestic ag policy almost entirely depends on international exports to deliver year-in, year-out profits. The decade-long forecasts for other key commodities are equally disconcerting. For example, dairy shows slowly building stocks and slow-growing prices; hog and beef prices are seen as flat; cotton prices remain under 80-cents; and wheat prices never top $5.50 per bu. all decade. Perhaps the only good news here is that all 10-year economic forecasts especially ones like USDAs that predict specific commodity prices a decade out are rarely accurate. They are, however, benchmarks of what will happen short of an even harder-to-predict political or weather event that will drive global and domestic ag markets in directions no one can foresee. But thats where U.S. farmers and ranchers find themselves today: at the mercy of unpredictable short term, farm-altering events that will play an overly large role in their long term success or failure. Is there any other sector of the U.S. economy that all but requiresand indeed has designed and funded ag policy that institutionalizescataclysm to play the largest role in year-to-year profitability and long term success? Turns out that Keynes was on to something; weve got a flat-ocean ag policy that only really works during tempestuous seasons. The Farm and Food File is published weekly through the U.S. and Canada. Past columns, events and contact information are posted at www.farmandfoodfile.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Management of the reservoirs has remained a balancing act between species as FWP pushes angling opportunities for walleye, trout and perch. In recent years, walleye anglers have been concerned about an abundance of small walleye in Canyon Ferry and lobbied for changes. Were doing exactly the same things right now and what Im seeing is its not working, Dale Gilbert of Ulm testified last year. It can and has been better while at the same time having a quality trout fishery. Late last year biologists told anglers that having quality fishing for all species is the goal of the plan. I think its best to keep it in the perspective of multispecies anglers, and although maybe theres a species you prefer to see managed for, put yourself in a different anglers shoes or all anglers shoes, Strainer said. Thats the trick with managing state resources in general and getting buy-in from everybody, but Im not naive in thinking well make everybody happy. Strainer described using fishing regulations for management goals as a chess match in trying to encourage more harvest of smaller walleye to promote larger fish. About 70 percent of anglers primarily or exclusively practice catch and release, he said, which has reduced the effectiveness of higher limits. Please log in to keep reading. Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Kathy Collins doesnt go downtown when the snow is piled up like it has been this February. Collins lives with a disability, as did 13.7 percent of Lewis and Clark County between 2012 and 2016, according to the Census Bureaus American Community Survey. She was diagnosed at 6 weeks of age with osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic disorder characterized by brittle bones. But she still enjoys the outdoors through use of a power chair. A former teacher at CR Anderson Middle School, Collins said she has worked on disability rights, including accessibility, dating back to her high school days in Anaconda. On the issue of clear sidewalks, she believes Helena tries its best, and that its status as Montanas capital likely helps it be more responsive than other cities. But, she said, she would like to see the city take it more seriously. Unless you have somebody who is faced with the inaccessibility of snow removal, it really doesnt matter, Collins said. City ordinance requires snow and ice to be cleared from public rights-of-way outside commercial districts no more than 24 hours after snowfall ceases. After 24 hours is up, enforcement relies on citizen complaints. President Donald Trump listens during his meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) LOS ANGELES, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP (GPM) announces an investigation on behalf of Nordstrom Inc. (Nordstrom or the Company) (NYSE: JWN ) investors concerning the Company and its officers possible violations of federal securities laws. If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate. The investigation concerns whether the Company issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. On November 15, 2018, the Company announced poor same store sales results, weakening sales growth, and that credit card holders charged incorrect interest amounts. On this news, shares of Nordstrom fell sharply in value on November 16, 2018, thereby injuring investors. If you purchased Nordstrom stock, have information, or would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Lesley Portnoy, of GPM, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100, Los Angeles, CA 90067 at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9244, or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com . If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. 1. Fill in your name or an alias. Do not leave blank or use the name 'guest' or 'anonymous'. 2. No Nivul Peh. Profanity will be deleted. These features make conquering and consolidating control over Afghanistan particularly difficult. The U.S. is by no means the first power to get bogged down in military operations there, and likely will not be the last. Both sides of this conflict the U.S. and the Taliban have been drained of resources in a nearly two-decade war that has essentially reached a stalemate. The U.S. needs to prioritize its military commitments elsewhere (and its pivoting to address conflicts with economic means, rather than military intervention). Further, Russia and China not Islamic extremists are its key geopolitical foes, and it needs to allocate resources accordingly. On the other side of the table, the Talibans successful offensive, resulting in significant territorial gains, has earned it substantial leverage in the negotiations. Rather than let the war drag on any further, both parties have an interest in cutting their losses and ending the fighting thats what is driving the current peace talks, and its why they should be taken seriously. A Crowded Table The U.S. government and the Afghan Taliban will be the primary brokers of a peace agreement. The Afghan government, for all its rhetoric, derives its power from the U.S., and its not strong enough to stand on its own and dictate terms. Other regional players have expressed interest in the peace process, but theres little they can do to influence the outcome. The U.S. and the Taliban must now face the dilemma of how to broker a peace deal with honor. Having spent billions of dollars and sacrificed thousands of lives, they must reach an agreement without blatantly admitting to a draw. At a late-January meeting in Qatar, the parties agreed to a general framework for a deal. The Taliban reportedly agreed not to allow any groups to use Afghanistan as a base to launch attacks on any other countries and to keep al-Qaida and the Islamic State out of the country. In exchange, the U.S. would withdraw its troops, save for a minimal force. Once a withdrawal timetable is established, the Afghan government will be brought in to discuss issues like a cease-fire, the release of prisoners and the future of the government itself. Complicating matters, Afghanistans geopolitical position means that its neighbors will have to, at minimum, buy into the basic terms of the agreement if it is to have any chance at lasting. Its neighbors and others with an interest in the country want stability in Afghanistan, but they also want the chance to influence the peace process. Given Afghanistans propensity for chaos, Washington has engaged in a concerted effort to secure their buy-in, but they hold no real power in the negotiations. All of these parties including Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iran, China and Russia have their own set of threats to deal with; achieving some degree of stability in Afghanistan checks one major item off their lists. Russia, which has a complex history with Afghanistan, is primarily concerned with preventing the Afghan conflict from spilling over and with staunching the regional spread of Islamic extremism. Moscow is none too eager to strengthen the extremist parts of the Taliban, particularly as the organizations more radical branches threaten to spread its extremist brand of Islam in Central Asia . Its concern is not misplaced: Bomb threats in Moscow (and even across Russia) and arrests of extremists in Central Asia are becoming more frequent. With its military already engaged in Ukraine and Syria, opening a third front in Afghanistan is not a desirable option for Russia; instead, Moscow will look to less resource-intensive options. Still, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovs Central Asian tour to Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan shows that Russia wants to increase its military influence in the region. Negotiations for a second Russian military base in Kyrgyzstan are underway, and the combat capabilities of Russias 201st Military Base in Tajikistan have been significantly increased. Its also providing support to local security forces (including those of Tajikistan, the Taliban and Afghanistan) to go after extremist threats like the Islamic States branch in Khorasan province. Politically, Russia is working to cement its strong ties with Central Asian states; though Russia has little hope of influencing the U.S.-backed Afghan government, it can invite opposition members and Taliban representatives to talks in Moscow. (Its no coincidence the meetings coincided with Lavrovs regional tour.) Those talks wont produce a deal, but they will help Moscow build foundational relationships with Afghanistans future political forces. To the west, Iran wants influence over a post-deal Afghanistan, though it faces some major constraints. Afghanistan serves as an important buffer between Iran and Pakistan and a key source of water for eastern Iran. The southwestern Helmand River basin one of five in Afghanistan is an essential source of fresh water for Irans border region. Just beyond the Helmand basin lies desert terrain, making that water source even more valuable for Iran, which is experiencing a water shortage. But Tehrans engagement with the Taliban is limited, and its resources have been stretched thin since its involvement in Syria and Iraq. And amid U.S. efforts to combat Iranian influence, Afghan and Taliban officials find it more prudent to work with the U.S. and even Russia rather than with a sanctioned regime in the middle of an economic crisis. 1 Kudos The original sentence begins with a modifier ("Before its bankruptcy ") that clearly describes Crystal Technologies , though the subject of the main clause is Goldman Sachs. Moreover, the verb "financed" is in the simple past when it would be better in the past perfect (two past actions, one of which was earlier) or simple past. Finally, "they" has no grammatical antecedent and "would" is not a proper tense here (the simple past is required). 1) --> The original sentence clearly modifies goldman sachs and not crystal technologies Before its bankruptcy in 2008, Goldman Sachs Inc. financed Crystal Technologies, a tech company, as a venture capital investment and they would withdrew all their funding only after a long and comprehensive analysis of the bankrupt tech companys account books. 2) In the correct answer you state that the usage of past tense is correct - Past perfect is redundant with BEFORE, however, in the explanation why original sentence is wrong you state exactly the opposite. I think there is clearly something wrong with the explanations of both corecct and incorrect answer choices. Dear moderators, could you shed some light on this one, I think it would be interesting for all of us. Thanks in advance. Hi sarahf93,To answer your immediate question: YES - the Quant and Verbal sections are the only two sections to contribute to your overall Score (out of 800). That does NOT mean that you should avoid preparing for the IR and Essay sections though. For example, many Schools expect Applicants to be able to score at a minimal level on the Essay (that typically means a 4.0 or higher out of 6.0) - and Schools can actually ask GMAC for access to read your Essay response. As such, you wouldn't want to do anything lazy or careless with that part of the GMAT.Before I can offer you any additional advice, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:Studies:1) How long have you studied?2) What study materials have you used so far?3) Have you taken any practice CATs/mocks yet? How have you scored on EACH of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?Goals:4) What is your goal score?5) When are you planning to take the GMAT?6) When are you planning to apply to Business School?7) What Schools are you planning to apply to?GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,Rich_________________ OAKVILLE, Ontario, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saint Jean Carbon Inc. (Saint Jean or the Company) (TSX-V: SJL) (OTCQB: TORVF) is pleased to announce that Doug Windsor has joined the board and accepted the position of President effective immediately. Doug Windsor is a professional engineer; he graduated from McMaster University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Doug has been working with Saint Jean now for the last two years as a consultant and co-lead on most of the projects the Company has been working on. The wealth of experience and management skills will help the Company greatly as the project and products that are planned to launch will take a talented team. Paul Ogilvie, CEO, commented: We welcome Doug to our Board and now formally apart of the management team, it has been a pleasure for the Company to work with Doug, we look forward to his valuable input and strong design sense. Doug will continue to co-lead our team of consultants through the vast array of projects we have on the go, and the ones we plan on developing. The Company also announces the resignation of Bill Pfaffenberger and David Madill from their Board positions effective immediately. About Saint Jean Carbon Saint Jean is a publicly traded carbon science company, with specific interests in energy storage and green energy creation and green re-creation, with holdings in graphite mining and lithium claims in the province of Quebec in Canada. For the latest information on Saint Jeans properties and news please refer to the website: http://www.saintjeancarbon.com/ . On behalf of the Board of Directors Saint Jean Carbon Inc. Paul Ogilvie, CEO and Director Information Contact : Email: info@saintjeancarbon.com Tel: (905) 844-1200 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. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, concerning Saint Jeans business and affairs. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as plans, expects or does not expect, intends budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Such forward-looking statements include those with respect to the future payments required to be paid to the Vendor of the Lochaber mining property. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, and are naturally subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results to differ materially. The forward-looking statements in this news release assume, inter alia, that the Company will be able to fund the required cash payments. Although Saint Jean believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct. There are risks which could affect Saint Jeans future results and could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements including closing failure or delay, the impact of general economic conditions in Canada and globally and the risk that they will deteriorate, industry conditions, including fluctuations in the price of supplies and the risk that they will increase, that required consents and approvals from regulatory authorities will not be obtained and the liabilities and risks inherent in Saint Jeans operations. Statements of past performance should not be construed as an indication of future performance. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors, including those discussed above, could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information is provided as of the date of this press release, and Saint Jean assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Bankers Hall West Tower Suite 1000, 888 - 3rd St S.W Calgary, AB T2P 5C5 P: (403)-444-6888 F: (403)-295-9170 Email: info@saintjeancarbon.com Web: www.saintjeancarbon.com VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Viva Gold Corp. (TSX-Venture: VAU; OTCBB: VAUCF) (the Company or Viva) is pleased to announce the final four drill-hole results in its 2018-2019 winter reverse circulation (RC) drill program at its Tonopah Gold Project located near Tonopah, Nevada. All four of the final drill-holes intersected gold mineralization above resource cutoff grade with the best hole (TG 1903) intersecting 33.5 meters of 2.6 grams per tonne (g/t). Importantly, mineralization remains open to expansion to the northwest and southeast, and also at depth. Drill Result Highlights TG 1903: Drilled to infill the south end of the Dauntless zone and was pushed 20 meters deeper than planned, ending in mineralization. 3 meters at 8.0 g/t from 45.7 to 48.8 meters depth; at from 45.7 to 48.8 meters depth; 4.6 meters at 26.9 g/t from 70.1 to 74.4 meters depth; from 70.1 to 74.4 meters depth; 33.5 meters at 2.6 g/t from 82.3 meters to 115.8 meters depth, including: 1.5 meters at 14.1 g/t from 82.3 to 83.8 meters depth and 1.5 meters at 22.7 g/t from 94.5 to 96 meters depth. at from 82.3 meters to 115.8 meters depth, including: at from 82.3 to 83.8 meters depth and at from 94.5 to 96 meters depth. 7.6 meters at 0.8 g/t from 132.6 to 140.2 meters depth. TG 1904: Drilled as a test step-out hole approximately 800 meters to the SE of the main Discovery zone. The hole intersected two zones, the lower one is speculated to be part of a feeder system. 4.6 meters at 0.7 g/t from 36.6 to 41.1 meters depth, and from 36.6 to 41.1 meters depth, and 4.6 meters at 2.42 g/t from 126.5 to 131.1 meters depth including: 1.5 meters at 6.65 g/t from 128 to 129.5 meters depth. TG 1905: Drilled as a step-out hole on the far eastern extent of the principal mineral trend approximately 500 meters east of the main Discovery Zone that demonstrated continued mineralization associated with the argillite-volcanic contact zone. 21.3 meters at 0.60 g/t from 32 to 53.3 meters depth TG1906: Drilled to test the northern extent of the Dauntless zone. 18.3 meters at 0.44 g/t from 25.9 to 44.2 meters depth. TG1904 to TG1906 were drilled at the northern, eastern and southeastern extents of the mineral system demonstrating continued step-out potential in those dimensions. Drill density in the eastern and north-western extents of the system remains broadly spaced and in need of additional drilling. TG1903 was drilled to further infill the south end of the Dauntless zone and bottomed in ore grade mineralization. Our 2018-2019 winter drill program has been very successful. The program produced positive results in virtually every drill-hole, spread over a distance of more than 1.0 kilometer along the extent of the northwest to southeast trend of the system. These results confirm our model of blanket like mineralization associated with the argillite-volcanic contact zone and favorable rock types in the volcanics, and high-grade mineralization associated with high-angle structural controls in the volcanics and feeder systems at depth in the argillite. Some drill-holes demonstrate both types of mineralization, while other drill-holes reflect only the blanket type mineralization. The program also demonstrated the relatively shallow nature of the mineralization and the excellent potential for additional resource expansion towards our 1.0 million ounce goal, states James Hesketh, President & CEO. Tonopah Project Drill Results for 2018-2019 Winter RC Drill Program Hole Azimuth Dip From To Length Gold Grade Meter Meter Meter Gram/Tonne TG1906 200 -90 0 134.0 25.91 44.20 18.3 0.4 TG1905 210 -69 0 146.3 32.0 53.3 21.3 0.6 TG1904 270 -60 0 134.0 36.6 41.1 4.6 0.7 126.5 131.1 4.6 2.4 including 128.0 129.5 1.5 6.7 TG1903 275 -75 0 140.2 45.7 48.8 3.0 8.0 including 47.2 48.8 1.5 15.4 70.1 74.7 4.6 26.9 including 70.1 71.6 1.5 50.3 82.3 115.8 33.5 2.6 including 82.3 83.8 1.5 14.1 including 94.5 96.0 1.5 22.7 118.9 128.0 9.1 0.6 132.6 140.2 7.6 0.8 TG1902 to TG1820 Reported February 2019 TG1902 0 -70 0 146.3 10.7 111.3 100.6 1.3 including 41.15 47.24 6.10 3.3 including 60.96 64.01 3.05 4.8 including 83.82 91.44 7.62 4.1 TG1901 50 -70 0 65.5 38.1 53.3 15.2 0.4 TG1820 200 -60 0 119 35.1 41.1 6.1 0.3 TG 1816 to TG1819 Reported January 29,2019 TG 1819 200 -69 0 201 53.3 57.9 4.6 0.4 62.5 65.5 3.0 1.9 89.9 100.6 10.7 0.6 TG1818 100 -65 0 110 21.3 33.5 12.2 0.9 71.63 74.68 3.0 46.1 including 73.15 74.68 1.5 84.9 TG1817 58 -80 0 122 112.8 118.9 6.1 1.0 143.3 189.0 45.7 2.2 Including 163.1 176.8 13.7 5.1 Including 172.21 173.74 1.5 13.4 TG1816 105 -60 0 164 88.4 96.0 7.6 0.3 108.2 112.8 4.6 6.1 Including 108.2 109.7 1.5 16.4 0.25 g/t cutoff grade utilized in determining grade intercepts The Tonopah property contains a near-surface low-sulfidation epithermal gold system which includes near vertical structurally controlled quartz-adularia-gold veins and breccias in Tertiary volcanics within a low-angle zone of mineralization which includes and often parallels an erosion surface discontinuity at the top of the Palmetto argillite. Mineralization has been identified in a series of north-striking extensional structural zones within an overall mineralized trend along the regional north-northwest Walker Lane trend, covering an area over 2,000 meters long and 300 meters wide. Downhole lengths are believed to be representative of true thickness for the low-angle zones. All technical information which is included in this statement has been reviewed and approved by Thomas C. Matthews of Gustavson Associates LLC. Mr. Matthews is independent of the Company and a qualified person, pursuant to the meaning of such terms in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The basis for the 0.25 g/t cutoff grade utilized for this release are based on technical analysis documented in the March 27, 2018 NI43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resources, Tonopah Project, Nye County, Nevada. Viva Gold is a gold exploration and development company with a focus on Nevada. Viva holds 100% of the Tonopah Gold Project, a large land position with demonstrated high-grade measured, indicated and inferred gold resources, located on the prolific Walker Lane Trend in Nevada, 36 kilometers south-east of the Round Mountain mine of Kinross Gold and 30 kilometers from the Town of Tonopah. Vivas management team has extensive experience in mining exploration, development and production and are supported by a Board of Directors and advisors who are proven mine finders, deal makers and financiers. Viva trades on the TSX-V as VAU, on the OTCBB in the US as VAUCF and on the Frankfurt exchange under 7PB. For additional information on Viva Gold and the Tonopah Gold Project, please visit our website: www.vivagoldcorp.com. For further information please contact: James Hesketh, President & CEO (720) 291-1775 jhesketh@vivagoldcorp.com Valerie Kimball, Director Investor Relations (720) 933-1150 vkimball@vivagoldcorp.com Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains certain information that may constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, forward-looking information), including but not limited to drilling operations and gold resources at the Tonopah Gold Project. This forward-looking information entails various risks and uncertainties that are based on current expectations, and actual results may differ materially from those contained in such information. These uncertainties and risks include, but are not limited to, the strength of the global economy; the price of gold; operational, funding and liquidity risks; the potential for achieving targeted drill results, the degree to which mineral resource estimates are reflective of actual mineral resources; the degree to which factors which would make a mineral deposit commercially viable are present; the risks and hazards associated with drilling and mining operations; and the ability of Viva to fund its capital requirements. Risks and uncertainties about the Companys business are more fully discussed in the Companys disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada available at www.sedar.com . Readers are urged to read these materials. Viva assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from such information unless required by law. Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors --- The United States Securities and Exchange Commission permits U.S. mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. We use certain terms in this report, such as "measured," "indicated," "inferred," and "resources," that the SEC guidelines strictly prohibit U.S. registered companies from including in their filings with the SEC. 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. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c1136803-c2af-477c-b4e3-b56c28f9726c PHOENIX, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Uptick Newswire Stock Day Podcast welcomed US Nuclear Corp. (UCLE)(the Company), a company that designs, manufactures, and markets branded, full line radiation detection and specialized advanced tritium technology for the nuclear energy industry and for emerging technological processes such as Thorium and Molten Salt (MSR) reactor technologies both domestically and internationally. CEO, Bob Goldstein, joined Stock Day host Everett Jolly. To begin the interview Jolly complimented Goldstein on the Companys 25% increase in revenue over the past year and asked for an update on the Companys DroneRad systems. We are almost double what we were two years ago in revenue., shared Goldstein. He continued to explain that this is in part due to the Companys DroneRad sales. Recently, the Company sold a large fleet of drone-rads to the Saudi Arabia Civil Defense. Jolly then asked about the process of doing business with foreign agencies. Goldstein shared that the process is not to intensive and that about 60% of their sales take place overseas. Goldstein explained that the Company has also been expanding into the first responder industry with radiation detecting drones, which saves first responders a great deal of time and possible exposure to harmful radiation. Jolly asked how the Company develops and manufactures their products. Goldstein explained that the Company goes out into the market and purchases the highest quality drones available. Meanwhile, the Company manufacturers their own radiation sensors and chemical sensors and outsources bio-agent collection filters. Jolly then inquired about the Companys growth and their substantial boost in revenue over the past couple of years. Weve expanded our product line to include the chemical sensors and have expanded our sales staff to cover our new products for the drones, chemical sniffers, and radon detectors. Plus, our original air monitors and stack monitors are selling very well to nuclear powerplants around the world., explained Goldstein. Goldstein also stated that the products developed by the Company are long-lasting, as is required by the industry of their customers. Goldstein closed the interview by sharing that the stock is currently at an all-time low, making it the perfect opportunity for new shareholders to come onboard. To hear Bob Goldsteins entire interview, follow the link to the podcast here: https://upticknewswire.com/featured-interview-ceo-robert-goldstein-of-us-nuclear-corp-otcpink-ucle-6/ Investors Hangout is a proud sponsor of Stock Day, and Uptick Newswire encourages listeners to visit the companys message board at https://investorshangout.com/ About US Nuclear Corp. US Nuclear Corp is a fully-reporting, publicly traded company on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board, traded under the ticker symbol UCLE. The Company's operations are principally engaged through its subsidiaries, operating two leading nuclear radiation detection companies, Overhoff Technology Corp. and Optron Scientific Company Inc. The Company designs, manufactures and markets branded, full line radiation detection and specialized advanced tritium technology for the nuclear energy industry and for emerging technological processes such as Thorium and Molten Salt (MSR) reactor technologies both domestically and internationally to customers such as United States Government Agencies, the U.S. Military, Homeland Security, Scientific Laboratories, Universities, Hospitals, nuclear reactor facilities in the United States, China, Canada, South Korea, Argentina, Russia and others. Safe Harbor Act This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ from expectations, estimates and projections and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as "expect," "estimate," "project," "budget," "forecast," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "may," "will," "could," "should," "believes," "predicts," "potential," "continue," and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Investors may find additional information by visiting US Nuclear Corp . and the SEC website. CONTACT: US Nuclear Corp. (OTCBB: UCLE) Robert I. Goldstein, President, CEO, and Chairman Ph: (818) 883 7043 | Email: info@usnuclearcorp.com www.usnuclearcorp.com About Uptick Newswire and the Stock Day Podcast Founded in 2013, Uptick Newswire is the fastest growing media outlet for Nano-Cap and Micro-Cap companies. It educates investors while simultaneously working with penny stock and OTC companies, providing transparency and clarification of under-valued, under-sold Micro-Cap stocks of the market. Uptick provides companies with customized solutions to their news distribution in both national and international media outlets. Uptick is the sole producer of its Stock Day Podcast, which is the number one radio show of its kind in America. The Uptick Network Stock Day Podcast is an extension of Uptick Newswire, which recently launched its Video Interview Studio located in Phoenix, Arizona. SOURCE: Uptick Newswire 602-441-3474 https://upticknewswire.com/ Goldplat plc / Ticker: GDP / Index: AIM / Sector: Mining & Exploration 25 February 2019 Goldplat plc (Goldplat or the Company) Interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2018 Goldplat plc, the AIM listed gold producer, with international gold recovery operations located in South Africa and Ghana and a gold mine in Kenya, announces its interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2018. Overview The Group reports an operating loss for the six-month period of 653,000 (six months ended 31 December 2017: operating profit of 1,578,000). Production of gold and gold equivalents for the six months period under review of 15,786 ounces (six months ended 31 December 2017: 20,246 ounces) is well below the year forecast. All operations reported decreased production due primarily to the poor first quarter at both recovery operations and planned production decreases at Kilimapesa Gold (KPG). The poor first quarter at the recovery operations reflected difficulties at Gold Recovery Ghana (GRG) in sourcing sufficient material and challenges at Gold Recovery (Pty) Ltd (GPL) in sourcing the required quality material during the period and highlights why sourcing remains a key strategic focus area for the Group. GPL recovered well from a poor first quarter and has returned to normal levels during the second quarter with both the by-product section and the Carbon in Leach (CIL) section performing well. This performance is attributable to deliveries from clients returning to normal levels and Managements efforts to turn over gold inventory stocks that had accumulated over a period. GRG performed below plan despite production improvements during the second quarter and reported a loss for the six-month period. Production increased during the second quarter as established clients in Ghana made deliveries of material and additional material was sourced from South America. The plant continued to run below capacity during the second quarter and despite the improvement the losses from the first quarter could not be recovered. Substantial gold bearing material suitable for treatment at the Ghana plant has been identified at the operations of a major producer in West Africa. A trial batch of this material will be processed once export logistics and legalities has been finalised. A successful outcome of this trial will secure another stream of material for the Ghana operation. KPG continues to report losses despite a significant decrease in costs at the operation. This can be seen in the mining and exploration segment loss before tax of 836,000 (six months ending 31 December 2017: 81,000) of which 292,000 (six months ending 31 December 2017: 283,000) related to depreciation and amortisation. Plans to put Kilimapesa on care and maintenance have been put on hold whilst discussions regarding financing of the operation are in progress. Since October a strategy was followed to reduce production, improve grades and decrease the overall cost of running the operation. This strategy envisaged that losses can be kept below the cost of care and maintenance whilst we are progressing a possible transaction to secure funding. The net finance loss of 184,000 for the period (six months ended 31 December 2017: 746,000) relates mainly to the interest on the Scipion loans and the financing of debtors. The prior period included significant foreign exchange losses. The Group has maintained a cash reserve of 1,000,000 (31 December 2017: 1,183,000) with interest bearing borrowings increasing to 838,000 (31 December 2017: 667,000). Capital expenditure of 321,000 was spent during the period to maintain and optimise current plant infrastructure. Chairmans Statement Our portfolio of core assets consists of two gold recovery operations in South Africa and Ghana, which recover gold from by-products of the mining process providing mines with an environmentally friendly and cost-efficient way of removing waste material, and the Kilimapesa Gold Mine in Kenya. Having built a strong gold production profile over the past few years our focus is to greatly increase output and profitability, leveraging our established African operations to support clients globally. I am therefore disappointed to report a poor period across the Group including production and financial performance. During the first quarter all operations reported decreased production and financial results, mainly as a result of problems with sourcing sufficient material for processing at GRG and the quality of material processed at GPL. I am pleased to report that the South African operation was turned around during the second quarter, with production back to normal levels, producing very good results. Performance at the Ghanaian operation improved significantly during the second quarter, but not enough to recover losses sustained in the first quarter. We continue to produce at a loss at the Kilimapesa mine in Kenya whilst negotiating funding for the operation with third parties. Key issues and initiatives during the period under review have been: the sourcing of material for the recovery operations from existing clients and locations; realising value at both recovery operations from dormant inventory; progressing discussions with potential funders for Kilimapesa; and continued focus on sourcing of material from new locations, including the broader African continent and South America. The decrease in production and consequent poor financial performance at both the recovery operations in this period has highlighted the difficulties inherent in these businesses, including an unpredictability in the supply of material from existing clients (reflecting the mature nature of the gold mining industry in South Africa and Ghana), and the time required to secure new clients in new markets and then overcome country logistics and regulatory issues. The amount of working capital required to secure contracts in new markets as well as to manage the continued pressure on credit cycles, also grows. Focus on sourcing is key to mitigating the above-mentioned risks at the recovery operations. Senior management continues its comprehensive and planned strategy to identify potential sources of material, engage with the relevant producers and regulatory authorities and advance contract negotiations. Client and geographic diversification are key to improving visibility of supply of material and hence earnings from the recovery business. Significant progress is being made in this regard, notwithstanding the issues and risks mentioned above. Revenues of 12,843,000 for the period represent a 30% decrease on last year (6 months ended 31 December 2017: 18,270,000), in line with decreased gold production and sales for the period. As a result, an operating loss of 653,000 was reported (6 months ended 31 December 2017: operating profit of 1,578,000). This resulted in a loss before tax of 837,000 for the six months ended 31 December 2018 (6 months ended 31 December 2017: profit before tax of 832,000). The net finance expense of 184,000 includes interest paid on interest bearing borrowings of 66,000 (6 months ended 31 December 2017: 68,000) and 137,000 paid (6 months ended 31 December 2017: 143,000) on pre-financing of receivables. Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period stood at 1,000,000 (compared to 1,183,000 at the end of December 2017 and 1,915,000 at end of FY 2018). The decrease from year-end FY 2018 can be attributed the repayment of the interest bearing borrowings during the period. With regard to group production and sales, overall gold and gold equivalent production for the six-month period ended 31 December 2018 was 15,786 ounces (compared to 20,246 ounces produced in the period ended 31 December 2017). Total gold and gold equivalent sold and transferred for the period was 15,593 ounces (compared to 21,783 ounces in the period ended 31 December 2017). The following table summarises gold production, transfers and sales for the period per operation: Goldplat Plc Consolidated 6 months 6 months 6 months 6 months Year ending Year ending December 2018 December 2018 December 2017 December 2017 June 2018 June 2018 Equivalent Gold Equivalent Gold Equivalent Gold Equivalent Gold Equivalent Gold Equivalent Gold Kg oz kg Oz kg oz Gold Equivalent Production Goldplat Recovery 351 11,285 434 13,968 733 23,567 Gold Recovery Ghana 76 2,443 112 3,597 210 6,752 Kilimapesa Gold 64 2,058 83 2,681 159 5,112 Total 491 15,786 629 20,246 1,102 35,431 Gold Equivalent Sold Goldplat Recovery 279 8,970 355 11,420 655 21,059 Gold Recovery Ghana 60 1,929 146 4,693 249 8,010 Kilimapesa Gold 71 2,283 85 2,720 159 5,112 Total 410 13,182 586 18,833 1,063 34,181 Gold Equivalent Transferred Goldplat Recovery 75 2,411 92 2,950 162 5,219 Total 75 2,411 92 2,950 162 5,219 Gold Equivalent Sold and Transferred Goldplat Recovery 354 11,381 447 14,370 817 26,278 Gold Recovery Ghana 60 1,929 146 4693 249 8,010 Kilimapesa Gold 71 2,283 85 2,720 159 5,112 Total 485 15,593 678 21,783 1,225 39,400 Goldplat Recovery (Pty) Ltd (GPL), South Africa Key initiatives during the period at GPL: Extensive processing of existing on-site inventory Securing a contract with a major PGM producer to provide material containing PGMs Test work to improve the financial viability of processing the large strategic stockpile With gold production in South Africa in steady decline and ownership of existing operations continually changing, the market for material for GPL has become more unpredictable. Production of 11,285 ounces of gold and gold equivalents for the six-month period ended 31 December 2018 compared to the 13,968 ounces of gold and gold equivalents for the six months ended 31 December 2017. Production from both by-product circuits and CIL circuits was below plan during the first quarter, but production improved significantly during the second quarter due to the return to expected supply of material from clients, as well as a concerted effort to process inventory on site during the second quarter. Large volumes of inventory, not including strategic stockpiles, were processed during the second quarter, monetising inventory previously dormant due to the nature of the material or economics of final processing. This clean-up is continuing. The process to secure West Pit 3 for tailings deposition continues to be frustrated by various stakeholders which are out of GPLs control. We are still awaiting finalisation with the Department of Mineral Resources before GPL can move forward to finalise the design and other requirements. The alternative option for reprocessing and final deposition of the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) continues to be evaluated however deposition in the West Pit 3 still remains the most economical option. Supply of material containing PGMs including woodchips and other by-product material was enhanced with a contract being concluded with one of the major producers. We are still investigating the most economical ways the material can be processed to recover the PGMs. Goldplat Recovery Ghana (GRG), Ghana Key initiatives during the period at GRG: Concluding renewal of contracts with local clients Processing of all available on-site material Progress on large contracts in West Africa with a new client Securing a plant clean-up contract with an existing South American client Continued diversification of sourcing material from outside of Ghana Sourcing sufficient quantities of material for processing in Ghana was challenging in the period, and remains so. Challenges include: The unpredictable supply of material from existing local clients; Lower grade material supplied from existing clients; The time required to secure new clients in West Africa and South America due to various factors including country logistics and regulatory issues The additional working capital required to compete with other refiners in the business and manage the credit cycle; and mature nature of the gold mining industry in Ghana resulting in decreased production from existing clients and few new operations coming into production As a result, production for the six months to 31 December 2018 was 2,443 ounces of gold and gold equivalents compared to a total of 3,597 ounces produced for the six months to 31 December 2017. Two contracts in Ghana were re-initiated during the Quarter and supply of small batches of material from South America continued. A one-off small but very high-grade batch of material was also received from a South American client and processed during the Quarter at normal margins. Following prolonged negotiations with a major gold producer with operations in West Africa, the producer has agreed to deliver a trial batch of material to GRG once export logistics and legalities have been finalised. Kilimapesa Gold (KPG), Kenya Key initiatives during the period at KPG: Keep monthly operating losses to a minimum by focussing on improving grades and recovery and continuing to drive costs down until a funding solution has been finalised Progressing discussions with potential funding partners The Company took the decision not to put operations on care and maintenance at the end of November 2018 despite continuing losses due to progress on discussions regarding securing funding. Plant throughput has been decreased further and costs reduced in order to try to minimise losses during these financing discussions. Grades from the underground mine as well as from purchased tailings were lower than originally planned during the period. Production of 2,058 ounces of gold and gold equivalents for the six-month period ended 31 December 2018 was down when compared to the 2,681 ounces for the six months ended December 2017. Anumso Gold Project (Anumso) Having met the initial expenditure requirement of US$1.5 million, Ashanti has exercised the Initial Option to take up 51% of Goldplats interest in the project after 31 December 2018. Ashanti has notified Goldplat that they will not elect the Subsequent Option for an additional 24% of the project and the parties will, according to the agreement, form a Joint Venture to manage the project going forward. Post-Period End Progress can be reported subsequent to 31 December 2018 as follows: Operations at GPL continue to perform according to plan Sourcing of material for GRG remains difficult and unpredictable but good progress is being made in progressing contract negotiations and logistics in West Africa. A plant clean-up for an existing South American client has begun post the period with material being processed on-site as well as at GRG Discussions regarding securing funding for KPG remain ongoing Outlook Profits from operating activities continue to improve after a very poor first quarter. Sourcing of material for GRG and finalisation of funding for KPG are the immediate issues facing Goldplat. We continue to place great emphasis on improving longer term visibility for our gold recovery operations by stockpiling materials for future processing and expanding our sources for such materials. The initiatives in South America and across the wider African gold-producing areas, is taking longer than expected but remains encouraging. Matthew Robinson Chairman 25 February 2019 ** ENDS ** For further information visit www.goldplat.com, follow on Twitter @GoldPlatPlc or contact: Gerard Kisbey-Green Goldplat plc (CEO) Tel: +27 (71) 8915775 Colin Aaronson / Jen Clarke / Ben Roberts Grant Thornton UK LLP (Nominated Adviser) Tel: +44 (0) 20 7383 5100 James Joyce / Jessica Cave WH Ireland Limited (Broker) Tel: +44 (0) 207 220 1666 Susie Geliher / Priit Piip / Catherine Leftley St Brides Partners Ltd (Financial PR) Tel: +44 (0) 20 7236 1177 The information contained within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014. Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018 Notes 6 months 31-Dec-18 (unaudited) 000 6 months 31-Dec-17 (unaudited) 000 12 months 30-Jun-18 (audited) 000 Revenue 12,843 18,270 33,796 Cost of sales (12,464 ) (15,117 ) (28,725 ) Gross profit 379 3,153 5,071 Administrative expenses (1,032 ) (1,575 ) (2,562 ) Results from operating activities (653 ) 1,578 2,509 Finance income 30 174 20 Finance costs (214 ) (920 ) (742 ) Net finance expense (184 ) (746 ) (722 ) (Loss)/Profit before tax (837 ) 832 1,787 Taxation 6 (98 ) (359 ) (1,281 ) (Loss)/Profit for the period (935 ) 473 506 Other comprehensive (expense)/income Exchange translation (147 ) 37 (880 ) Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the period, net of tax (147 ) 37 (880 ) Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the period (1,082 ) 510 (374 ) (Loss)/Profit from operations attributable to: Owners of the Company (1,133 ) 189 (213 ) Non-controlling interests 198 284 719 (Loss)/Profit for the period (935 ) 473 506 Total comprehensive (expense)/income attributable to: Owners of the Company (1,280 ) 226 (1,093 ) Non-controlling interests 198 284 719 Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the period (1,082 ) 510 (374 ) Earnings per share Basic earnings per share (pence) (0,67 ) 0,11 (0,13 ) Diluted earnings per share (pence) n/a 0,11 n/a The notes below are an integral part of this condensed consolidated interim financial report. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2018 Notes 31-Dec-18 (unaudited) 000 31-Dec-17 (unaudited) 000 30-Jun-18 (audited) 000 Assets Property, plant and equipment 7 7,948 7,815 8,023 Intangible assets 8 8,413 8,512 8,462 Proceeds from sale of shares in subsidiary 980 1,306 1,137 Non-current assets 17,341 17,633 17,622 Inventories 9 7,718 8,918 7,791 Trade and other receivables 10 7,047 14,306 7,603 Cash and cash equivalents 11 1,000 1,183 1,915 Current assets 15,765 24,407 17,309 Total assets 33,106 42,040 34,931 Equity Share capital 12 1,675 1,675 1,675 Share premium 11,441 11,441 11,441 Exchange reserve (6,220 ) (5,156 ) (6,073 ) Retained earnings 9,959 11,494 11,092 Equity attributable to owners of the Company 16,855 19,454 18,135 Non-controlling interests 2,992 2,692 2,964 Total equity 19,847 22,146 21,099 Liabilities Obligations under finance leases 13 239 276 268 Provisions 15 413 453 417 Deferred tax liabilities 432 493 623 Non-current liabilities 1,084 1,222 1,308 Bank overdraft 11 1 265 376 Obligations under finance leases 13 257 157 192 Interest bearing borrowings 14 838 667 728 Taxation 201 94 300 Trade and other payables 16 10,878 17,489 10,928 Current liabilities 12,175 18,672 12,524 Total liabilities 13,259 19,894 13,832 Total equity and liabilities 33,106 42,040 34,931 The notes below are an integral part of this condensed consolidated interim financial report. The consolidated interim report of Goldplat plc, company number 05340664, were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 25 February 2018. They were signed on its behalf by: Werner Klingenberg, Director CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2017 Attributable to owners of the Company Share capital 000 Share premium 000 Exchange reserve 000 Retained earnings 000 Total 000 Non-controlling interests 000 Total equity 000 Balance at 1 July 2017, as previously reported 1,675 11,441 (5,193 ) 11,305 19,228 2,673 21,901 Total comprehensive income for the period Profit for the period - - - 189 189 284 473 Total other comprehensive income - - 37 - 37 - 37 Total comprehensive income for the period - - 37 189 226 284 510 Transactions with owners of the Company, recognised directly in equity Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries Non-controlling interests in subsidiary dividend - - - - - (265 ) (265 ) Total transactions with owners of the Company - - - - - (265 ) (265 ) Balance at 31 December 2017 (unaudited) 1,675 11,441 (5,156 ) 11,494 19,454 2,692 22,146 The notes below are an integral part of this condensed consolidated interim financial report. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018 Attributable to owners of the Company Share capital 000 Share premium 000 Exchange reserve 000 Retained earnings 000 Total 000 Non-controlling interests 000 Total equity 000 Balance at 1 July 2017, as previously reported 1,675 11,441 (5,193 ) 11,305 19,228 2,673 21,901 Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the period Profit/(loss) for the period - - - (213 ) (213 ) 719 506 Total other comprehensive expense - - (880 ) - (880 ) - (880 ) Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the period - - (880 ) (213 ) (1,093 ) 719 (374 ) Transactions with owners of the Company recognised directly in equity Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries Non-controlling interests in subsidiary dividend - - - - - (428 ) (428 ) Total transactions with owners of the Company - - - - - (428 ) (428 ) Balance at 30 June 2018 (audited) 1,675 11,441 (6,073 ) 11,092 18,135 2,964 21,099 The notes below are an integral part of this condensed consolidated interim financial report. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018 Attributable to owners of the Company Share capital 000 Share premium 000 Exchange reserve 000 Retained earnings 000 Total 000 Non-controlling interests 000 Total equity 000 Balance at 1 July 2018 1,675 11,441 (6,073 ) 11,092 18,135 2,964 21,099 Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the period (Loss)/Profit for the period - - - (1,133 ) (1,133 ) 198 (935 ) Total other comprehensive expense - - (147 ) - (147 ) - (147 ) Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the period - - (147 ) (1,133 ) (1,280 ) 198 (1,082 ) Transactions with owners of the Company recognised directly in equity Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries Non-controlling interests in subsidiary dividend - - - - - (170 ) (170 ) Total transactions with owners of the Company - - - - - (170 ) (170 ) Balance at 31 December 2018 (unaudited) 1,675 11,441 (6,220 ) 9,959 16,855 2,992 19,847 The notes below are an integral part of this condensed consolidated interim financial report. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018 Notes 6 months 31-Dec-18 (unaudited) 000 6 months 31-Dec-17 (unaudited) 000 12 months 30-Jun-18 (audited) 000 Cash flows from operating activities Result from operating activities (653 ) 1,578 2,509 Adjustments for: - Depreciation 484 437 856 - Amortisation 111 110 218 - Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment - 8 7 - Foreign translation differences (1 ) 7 (415 ) (59 ) 2,140 3,175 Changes in: - inventories 73 44 1,171 - trade and other receivables 556 (2,303 ) 4,400 - trade and other payables (50 ) 1,058 (5,503 ) Cash generated from operating activities 520 939 3,243 Finance income 30 174 20 Finance cost (380 ) (920 ) (647 ) Taxes paid (388 ) (476 ) (1,153 ) Net cash used in operating activities (218 ) (283 ) (1,463 ) Cash flows from investing activities Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment - 7 7 Enhancement of exploration and development asset - (17 ) (17 ) Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (321 ) (1,069 ) (1,738 ) Receipt of proceeds from sale of shares in subsidiary 72 - 181 Non-current cash deposit - 194 201 Net cash used in investing activities (249 ) (885 ) (1,366 ) Cash flows from financing activities Proceeds from drawdown of interest bearing borrowings 760 - 358 Payment of interest-bearing borrowings (650 ) (505 ) (802 ) Payment of dividend by subsidiary to non-controlling interest (170 ) - (428 ) Payment of finance lease liabilities (36 ) (93 ) (183 ) Net cash (used in)/from financing activities (96 ) (598 ) 1,055 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (563 ) (1,766 ) (958 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 1,539 2,650 2,650 Foreign exchange movement on opening balance 23 34 (153 ) Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 11 999 918 1,539 The notes below are an integral part of this condensed consolidated interim financial report. NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018 General information This condensed consolidated interim financial information does not comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. Statutory accounts for the year ended 30 June 2018 were approved by the Board of Directors and have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The audit report on those accounts: their report was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis and did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006. Basis of preparation Statement of compliance The annual financial statements of Goldplat plc (the Company) are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union. The condensed consolidated set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 Interim Financial Reporting, as adopted by the European Union. Going concern The directors are satisfied that the Company has sufficient resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future, a period of not less than 12 months from the date of this report. Accordingly, they continue to adopt a going concern basis in preparing the consolidated financial statements. Significant accounting policies The accounting policies applied in this condensed consolidated interim financial report are the same as those applied in the Groups consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 30 June 2018. Operating segments Information about reportable segments For the six months ended 31 December 2018 (unaudited) Recovery operations 000 Mining and exploration 000 Adminis-tration 000 Reconciliation to Group figures 000 Group 000 External revenues 10,684 2,159 - - 12,843 Inter-segment revenues - - - - - Total revenues 10,684 2,159 - - 12,843 Depreciation 256 181 - - 484 Amortisation - 111 - - 111 Reportable segment profit/(loss) before tax 389 (836 ) (429 ) 39 (837 ) Segment assets 21,793 1,339 31,074 (21,100 ) 33,106 Segment liabilities 11,598 4,195 5,485 (8,019 ) 13,259 For the six months ended 31 December 2017 (unaudited) Recovery operations 000 Mining and exploration 000 Adminis-tration 000 Reconciliation to Group figures 000 Group 000 External revenues 15,629 2,641 - - 18,270 Inter-segment revenues 1,692 - - (1,692 ) - Total revenues 17,321 2,641 - (1,692 ) 18,270 Depreciation 264 173 - - 437 Amortisation - 110 - - 110 Reportable segment profit/(loss) before tax 1,557 (81 ) (666 ) 22 832 Segment assets 29,769 2,137 30,674 (20,540 ) 42,040 Segment liabilities 19,137 3,217 5,005 (7,465 ) 19,894 For the twelve months ended 30 June 2018 (audited) Recovery operations 000 Mining and exploration 000 Adminis-tration 000 Reconciliation to Group figures 000 Group 000 External revenues 28,962 4,834 - - 33,796 Inter-segment revenues 1,948 - - (1,948 ) - Total revenues 30,910 4,834 - (1,948 ) 33,796 Depreciation 514 342 - - 856 Amortisation - 218 - - 218 Reportable segment profit/(loss) before tax of continuing operation 3,769 (897 ) (1,141 ) 56 1,787 Segment assets 22,778 1,792 31,119 (20,758 ) 34,931 Segment liabilities 12,230 3,764 5,524 (7,686 ) 13,832 Seasonality of operations The Group is not considered to be subject to seasonal fluctuations. Income tax expense Income tax expense is recognised based on managements best estimate of the weighted average annual income tax rate expected for the full financial year applied to the pre-tax income of the interim period. The Groups consolidated effective tax rate in respect of continuing operations for the six months ended 31 December 2018 was 16.68% (six months ended 31 December 2017: 19.00%; twelve months ended 30 June 2018: 26.00%). Property, plant and equipment Acquisitions and disposals During the six months ended 31 December 2018, the Group acquired assets with a cost, excluding capitalised borrowing costs of 321,000 (six months ended 31 December 2017: 1,212,000; twelve months ended 30 June 2018: 1,998,000). No assets were disposed of during the six months ended 31 December 2018 (six months ended 31 December 2017: 15,000; twelve months ended 30 June 2018: 15,000), resulting in a loss on disposal of Nil (six months ended 31 December 2017: 8,000; twelve months ended 30 June 2018: 8,000), which is included in administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Intangible assets and goodwill 6 months 31-Dec-18 (unaudited) 000 6 months 31-Dec-17 (unaudited) 000 12 months 30-Jun-18 (audited) 000 Cost Balance at beginning of period 11,507 11,570 11,570 Additions - 17 17 Foreign exchange translation 59 (110 ) (80 ) Balance at end of period 11,566 11,477 11,507 Amortisation and impairment losses Balance at beginning of period 3,045 2,863 2,863 Amortisation 111 110 218 Foreign exchange translation (3 ) (8 ) (36 ) Balance at end of period 3,153 2,965 3,045 Carrying amounts Balance at end of period 8,413 8,512 8,462 Balance at beginning of period 8,462 8,707 8,707 Inventories 6 months 31-Dec-18 (unaudited) 000 6 months 31-Dec-17 (unaudited) 000 12 months 30-Jun-18 (audited) 000 Consumable stores 1,349 1,564 1,345 Raw materials 2,075 1,934 2,605 Precious metal on hand and in process 4,259 5,256 3,797 Broken ore 35 164 44 7,718 8,918 7,791 Trade and other receivables 6 months 31-Dec-18 (unaudited) 000 6 months 31-Dec-17 (unaudited) 000 12 months 30-Jun-18 (audited) 000 Trade receivables 4,727 6,017 5,584 Other receivables 2,320 8,289 2,019 7,047 14,306 7,603 Cash and cash equivalents 6 months 31-Dec-18 (unaudited) 000 6 months 31-Dec-17 (unaudited) 000 12 months 30-Jun-18 (audited) 000 Bank balances 1,000 1,183 1,915 Bank overdrafts used for cash management purposes 1,000 (1) 1,183 (265) 1,915 (376) Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows 999 918 1,539 Capital and reserves Issue of ordinary shares 6 months 31-Dec-18 (unaudited) 6 months 31-Dec-17 (unaudited) 12 months 30-Jun-18 (audited) On issue at beginning of period 167,441,000 167,441,000 167,441,000 On issue at end of period 167,441,000 167,441,000 167,441,000 Authorised - par value 0.01 1,000,000,000 1,000,000,000 1,000,000,000 Issue of ordinary shares 6 months 31-Dec-18 (unaudited) 000 6 months 31-Dec-17 (unaudited) 000 12 months 30-Jun-18 (audited) 000 On issue at beginning of period 1,675 1,675 1,675 On issue at end of period 1,675 1,675 1,675 Dividends No dividends were declared or paid by the Company during the periods. Obligations under finance leases Six months ended 31 December 2018 (unaudited) Currency Interest rate nominal Year of maturity Face value 000 Carrying amount 000 Finance lease liabilities KES 10.5 % 2023 (410 ) (410 ) Finance lease liabilities ZAR 10.0 % 2021 (86 ) (86 ) Total finance lease liabilities (496 ) (496 ) Six months ended 31 December 2017 (unaudited) Currency Interest rate nominal Year of maturity Face value 000 Carrying amount 000 Finance lease liabilities KES 10.5 % 2023 (374 ) (374 ) Finance lease liabilities ZAR 10.5 % 2019 (59 ) (59 ) Total finance lease liabilities (433 ) (433 ) Twelve months ended 30 June 2018 (audited) Currency Interest rate nominal Year of maturity Face value 000 Carrying amount 000 Finance lease liabilities KES 10.5 % 2023 (348 ) (348 ) Finance lease liabilities ZAR 10.0 % 2021 (112 ) (112 ) Total finance lease liabilities (460 ) (460 ) Interest bearing borrowings Six months ended 31 December 2018 (unaudited) Currency Interest rate nominal Year of maturity Face value 000 Carrying amount 000 Interest bearing borrowings USD 9.5% plus 1 yr LIBOR 2019 838 838 Total Interest-bearing liabilities 838 838 Six months ended 31 December 2017 (unaudited) Currency Interest rate nominal Year of maturity Face value 000 Carrying amount 000 Interest bearing borrowings USD 9.5% plus 1 yr LIBOR 2018 667 667 Total Interest-bearing liabilities 667 667 Twelve months ended 30 June 2018 (audited) Currency Interest rate nominal Year of maturity Face value 000 Carrying amount 000 Interest bearing borrowings USD 9.5% plus 1 yr LIBOR 2019 728 728 Total Interest-bearing liabilities 728 728 Provisions 6 months 31-Dec-18 (unaudited) 000 6 months 31-Dec-17 (unaudited) 000 12 months 30-Jun-18 (audited) 000 Environmental obligation Balance at beginning of period 417 446 446 Foreign exchange translation (4 ) 7 (29 ) 413 453 417 The provision relates to a requirement to rehabilitate the land owned in South Africa upon cessation of the mining lease. Trade and other payables 6 months 31-Dec-18 (unaudited) 000 6 months 31-Dec-17 (unaudited) 000 12 months 30-Jun-18 (audited) 000 Trade payables 3,128 3,960 3,419 Amounts received in advance 1,262 6,985 2,407 Accrued expenses 6,488 6,544 5,102 10,878 17,489 10,928 Share options Reconciliation of outstanding share options 6 months ended 31-Dec-18 (unaudited) 6 months ended 31-Dec-17 (unaudited) 12 months ended 30-Jun-18 (audited) Number of options Number of options Number of options Outstanding at beginning of period 18,500,000 18,500,000 18,500,000 Lapsed during the period (7,500,000 ) - - Outstanding at end of period 11,000,000 18,500,000 18,500,000 The weighted average exercise price of the exercisable options is 0.03125 (31 December 2017: 0.0660; 30 June 2018: 0.0660). The weighted average remaining contractual life of the options outstanding as at 31 December 2018 is 2 years 171 days (31 December 2017: 3 years 112 days; 30 June 2018: 1 year 302 days). Fair values The fair values of financial instruments such as interest-bearing loans and borrowings, finance lease liabilities, trade and other receivables/payables are substantially identical to carrying amounts reflected in the condensed consolidated statement of financial position. Group Entities On 14 September 2016 Goldplat executed an earn-in option agreement (the "Agreement") with Ashanti Gold Corp. ("Ashanti") (formerly Gulf Shore Resources Ltd) which gives Ashanti the option for a US$3 million earn-in to Goldplats Anumso Gold Project in Ghana (the Project). On 30 March 2017 Ashanti exercised its initial option to earn into the Anumso Gold Project in Ghana ("Anumso" or the "Project") under the terms of the option agreement between Goldplat and Ashanti. Ashanti has the right to earn 75% of Goldplat's interest in the Project (giving Ashanti 67.5% of the overall Project interest) by expending US$3 million on exploration over a period of 2.5 years. An initial 51% share of Goldplat's interest will be earned through expending US$1.5 million in the first 18 months (the "Initial Option Period"), which includes a six-month review period. Ashanti was obliged to either expend US$1.5 million on the Project within the Initial Option Period, or pay the deficiency to Goldplat. Subsequent to the end of the period, 31 December 2018, Ashanti has exercised the Initial Option to take up 51% of Goldplats interest in the project. Ashanti has notified Goldplat that they will not elect the Subsequent Option for an additional 24% of the project and the parties will, according to the agreement, form a Joint Venture to manage the project going forward. English French Dutch Brussels, February 25th 20199 --- Solvay is investing in a new biomass boiler at its soda ash plant in Rheinberg, Germany, a decision that will cut the site's CO2 emissions by more than 30% while at the same time improving its competitiveness. The new biomass boiler technology - which burns recycled wood chips - will lower CO2 emissions by 190 kt/year as the Group is committed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 1 million tons over 2017-2025, regardless of its growth. "Solvay with this key project marks a critical step in achieving its new greenhouse gas target as part of our strategy to produce and serve our customers in a more sustainable and competitive way. This biomass project follows earlier energy transition initiatives we launched at our soda ash sites in Bernburg and Rosignano and shows how we shape our future and reinforce our global leadership in soda ash," said Christophe Clemente, President of Solvay Soda Ash & Derivatives Global Business Unit. The boiler, to come on stream in May 2021, will reduce fossil fuel consumption at Rheinberg by about a fourth. Supplies of waste wood to fuel the new boiler have been secured with a local company. Follow us on twitter @SolvayGroup (Im) not sure if well be able to give a pass through all the gravel roads today or not, Billings said. (Well) continue pushing back for a couple of days. Mason Citys street and park maintenance supervisor, Bob Berggren, expressed a similar outlook for the day(s) ahead. Berggren said that because of the blizzard-like conditions for much of the weekend, the city (with its 30 pieces of equipment) is playing catch up. The whole crew is out running. Due to the heavy snow and high winds, it took a lot to get anything done, Berggren said. Patience is the biggest thing at this time, Berggren said. We are working on it to get everything done. Road clearance will include removal of multiple feet of snow from many roads which were obliterated by a mix of heavy snowfall and 50-plus mph winds this weekend. Big drifts in Saint Ansgar Lori Valasek has a farm just north of Mitchell, south of Saint Ansgar, where snow drifts reached 20 feet tall. The drifts are almost as high her hog barn and cattle building. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} CHICAGO, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amlan International will feature three presentations highlighting USA and Brazilian implementations and strategies for antibiotic-free poultry production at the VIV Asia Conference in Bangkok, Thailand. The presentations will explore protecting livestock from enteric disease and improving production efficiency from the perspectives of a producer, a poultry processor and an in-field technical consultant of the company. Amlan is a global leader that develops innovative solutions that naturally defend animals, improve production efficiency and protect profits. The Amlan-sponsored presentations will be held on Wednesday, March 13, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Room 213 of the Bangkok International Trade & Exposition Center. The featured speakers and topics are: 10 a.m.: Dr. Phillip Smith, Senior Nutritionist, Tyson Foods, Lessons Learned from Transitioning to Antibiotic-Free Poultry Production 11 a.m.: Rovaldo Scariot, Sales Manager, BR Solutions, Results from the Brazilian Poultry Industry Using Varium, a Natural Performance Additive to Enhance Efficiency 11:45 a.m.: Dr. Maximillian Sim, South Asia Commercial and Technical Consultant, Amlan International, Anti-Virulence Strategies in Livestock Disease Management Poultry producers worldwide lose US $6 billion annually due to clinical and sub-clinical disease in their flocks, says Flemming Mahs, president of Amlan International, a Nevada corporation. Were pleased to host these leading animal health experts for an in-depth look at best production practices, natural feed additive programs and pioneering innovation that can target virulence factors to enhance intestinal health and improve efficiency. Varium is one of the natural feed additives in Amlans portfolio of products that reduces the level of pathogenic challenges in the gut, strengthens the functions of the intestinal barrier and supports a healthy immune function. Over the last four years, the product has gained traction internationally as it has been trialed and adopted on commercial farms across Latin America and Asia. VIV Asia is a biennial international feed-to-food trade event that covers all species and every part of the animal protein value chain. At the last conference in 2017, producers, processors and industry executives from more than 120 countries attended to discover the latest technological advancements in all aspects of animal protein production. Note to media: To schedule an interview with one of the speakers, please contact Reagan Culbertson, Amlan International, press@amlan.com . About Amlan International Oil-Dri Corporation of America (NYSE: ODC), a Delaware corporation doing business as Amlan International, has grown its product offering across the intestinal health and antibiotic growth promoter (AGP)-alternative market, driven largely by the research conducted at its laboratory campus in Vernon Hills, Illinois. In 2017, the company added the Richard M. Jaffee Laboratory for Applied Microbiology to the campus. In 2013, the companys global reach expanded with the establishment of its subsidiary in Shenzhen, China. Further information on Amlan International is available at Amlan.com . Amlan International sells animal health products outside of the United States. Product-associated claims may differ based on government requirements, and product availability may vary by country. Reagan B. Culbertson Media Contact press@amlan.com Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Beanzys, a coffee shop in Mason City, contacted Ginapp and said they would bring hot chili up to the volunteers. The drifts in the tree line on the side of the barn reached 15 to 20 feet and several feet of snow was still piled on top of the portions of the roof still standing. We have to be careful because its not structurally sound. In the past few days, Ginapp has lost his tractor and feed wagon in the barn collapse as well as a line break on his skid loader, leaving him unable to dig out without help. Ive been a Mason City Fireman for 22 years and my job is to help people, our job is to go out and help people in this stuff, Ginapp said. Its incredible that now I need help and all these people want to. He called the farming community and the Mason City Fire Department a family that has his back when he needs it. Some of them are people I dont know, he said. Volunteers and local farmers have lended him equipment and are offering to house the sheep in their barns. Once upon a time in the early 1970s, an aspiring artist whose father had cautioned him against a life of frivolous pursuits headed slightly west and found his true north. The moment I got over that hill from the Springs and entered Manitou, it was like, Hey, this is it. This is where I want to live, said Charles Rockey, the affectionate godfather of the Manitou Springs arts scene, who turned 87 last month. Manitou is kind of fairy tale land for me. Its just magical. I cant imagine a better place to be. In the decades since Rockey settled his family and workshop in a historic three-story building fronting Canon Avenue, the artist, writer and illustrator who prefers to loan or give away his work, rather than sell it estimates he has painted scenes of the town almost a thousand times. And none of them look the same, he said, gazing out the big front window of his workshop and storefront-level apartment on an early May morning last year. This is the best view of Manitou in town: Clock, mountains behind it, the birds, and the big tree right there thats just starting to look green. I love it, and to me, thats the bottom line. Thats where all the beauty comes from: Love. The handwritten sign taped to the window of Rockeys shop reads Artwork: intentional and unintentional. But just to be clear: Nothing here is exactly accidental. Its like everything he touches is a piece of art, something he made into a piece of art: The love seat, the windows that were broken that he turned into a beautiful design, said longtime friend and fellow Manitou Springs artist Tina Riesterer. Its like his every breath is about making art. If not for the high ceilings and sidelong sunlight, the space inside Rockeys workshop could be a dust-moted rummage shop in Middle Earth. The walls are stacked with paintings and every flat surface is choked with art, found and created. Much of the furniture has a face, somewhere. A 10-foot-tall statue of a dressed-down Zebulon Pike, the prototype for an erstwhile public installation that didnt pan out, looms large beneath a dangling dragon-kite whose talons clutch a doll-damsel that, as Rockey explains it, is not in distress but freshly rescued from an unwelcome suitor. Everything here, theyre all good guys, he said. And everybodys got a story. As for the artworks good-guy creator, his story begins in Baltimore, continues in the mountains of Evergreen and ultimately takes a pivotal twist in the Springs, where Rockey was living when he was drafted into the Army and wound up teaching pottery to troops at Fort Carson. I thought I was going to see the world, but they put me four miles away from home, said Rockey, who went on to teach art at schools in the Springs for almost 30 years. Even back then, he wasnt the type to leave his work at the office. His daughter Hannah said she has no complaints about growing up in her dads Tolkienesque habitat, though it was an upbringing that nonetheless led to occasional awkward moments. Id go to friends houses, and its, like, Wheres your naked man and your gargoyle? Wheres the naked ladies in your furniture? said Hannah, an artist, actor and teacher, who fondly recalls family jaunts in a camper her father built, from scratch, and decked out with beds and stoves and gargoyles. Back at their Canon Ave. home, the decor was that, and then some. Our house is artwork. There is not a plumbing piece, not an inkwell, a bird nest, a rock, an egg carton, that is not artwork, said Hannah, who now lives in the apartment upstairs. Dad lives art. Dad is art. Linda Morlan moved to Manitou in 1978, and by the time her official introduction to Rockey happened a few years later, over a game of Ms. Pac-Man at a downtown watering hole, she said part of her felt like she already knew him. Everywhere youd go, youd see him painting, all over town, in any kind of weather. And his door was always open, said Morlan, whose husband, Rob, began creating a life-sized sculpture of Rockey in 2006. The goal is to install the sculpture in a public location downtown once it's complete. Rockey liked the idea of a sculpture being raised to celebrate art, and him by association, but making money from his creations is a thing thats always rubbed him the wrong way. Hes always been very loving and giving and caring. Hed give you the shirt off his back, and hed rather give away his art than sell it, Linda Morlan said. Rockeys first, and only, public art show and sale, in 2001, left a lasting impression. There were hundreds and hundreds of people waiting in line in a blizzard, and everything sold out in maybe half an hour, said Hannah. Dad was really sad and said hed never do that again. He wanted people to choose a painting because that was the one they were in love with, not because they better grab one before they all go. Giving away or selling a painting feels like giving up a child. He loves them that much. Love Songs of Middle-Time was, in a way, his solution. The elaborately inked three-pound tome, published in 2015, contains more than 115 love songs and fables. Love, to me, is the most essential thing in a persons life, Rockey said. Youve got to love life, love what youre doing, love everything. Dave Ball joined Rockey to bring the book to life about 20 years ago, around the time Rockey put up his paintbrush (mostly) for good, to focus on writing and illustrating. It was great working with him. A lot of times, I would consider something finished and Rockey would add something to it I never would have considered, said Ball, who did the books layout. The thing about Rockey that inspires me is that he raised a family, was a teacher for 30 years and yet remained devoted to his creativity, which he shared with everybody. Everyone just loves him. Ball was in the basement when flood waters slammed down the mountain in 2013, temporarily trapping him and leaving four feet of smoke-smelling mud that threatened years of the artists stored paintings and drawings. Most of the pieces could be saved, but a collection of original detail illustrations Rockey created for the text of Love Songs were destroyed. We had maybe 200 people a day showing up down here to help clean up, all that week after, Hannah said. Thats Manitou for you. Surviving original illustrations created for Love Songs can be seen today at Miramont Castle, while Rockeys landscapes hang at The Cliff House and Adams Mountain Cafe. His daughter and friends set up a side room to sell prints out of the Canon Avenue space, but Rockey doesnt market his work and isnt represented by a gallery. He also never kept records of the pieces he loaned out. Hes like a Van Gogh, not out to make a dollar, more about the inspiration and devotion to the art, Ball said. That devotion remains, even though its been a few months since Rockey has felt up to doing the sketches and poems that used to flow through every free moment. He still has plans, though, including finishing a collection of wisdom he calls the Sixteen Manners of Being. If you were to have all these 16 with you, youd be living the best life in the world, he said. Youd be the richest person that could be. Rich as in fulfilled, not like money. The Colorado House approved changes last week to the states comprehensive sex-education curriculum for public schools. The bill now goes to the Senate, where it is expected to face a fight. Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Scattered thunderstorms this evening followed by a few showers overnight. Low near 50F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms this evening followed by a few showers overnight. Low near 50F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Colorado Springs is home to the bulk of the militarys space troops with Air Force Space Command and Army Space and Missile Defense Command at Peterson Air Force Base and other units at Schriever Air Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station and Fort Carson. But that didnt slow Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis from making a pitch to put the Space Force in a new home. Today, I am formally sending a request to @real DonaldTrump to place the headquarters for the Space Force Combatant Command here in Florida @NASA Kennedy in Cape Canaveral, DeSantis wrote on Twitter. Trump on Tuesday signed Space Policy Directive 4, which called for the creation of a Space Force and placing the new service, temporarily, under the Department of the Air Force. The approach is designed to woo lawmakers who fear pushing space troops into a new service branch will balloon bureaucracy and costs. The Space Force is still just a dream for Trump, who began crusading for the new service early in his presidency and continues to use the proposal as a crowd-pleaser at his rallies. Congress must create the service and set new policies that will outline its roles and missions. Lawmakers will also hold sway on where the new service is located and what real estate, if any, will be transferred to the branch. Colorado lawmakers have pushed for more than a year to house the new service, with Colorado Springs Republican U.S. Rep Doug Lamborn leading the charge. Lamborn this year took the post as ranking member of the powerful subcommittee overseeing military readiness and told The Gazette he will use that heft to push the service to Colorado. Lamborn was joined Wednesday by Colorado Republican U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, who issued a plea to house the Space Force here. Colorado is proud to support our nations military space operations today and into the future, Gardner said in a statement. I look forward to reviewing the Administrations proposal for expanded space operation and development. What the Space Force will look like is still up in the air, and the new service could be killed before it is launched by House Democrats. Washington Democratic Rep. Adam Smith, who heads the House Armed Services Committee, is already tangling with Trump over the presidents border wall deal. In declaring an emergency to build the border wall, Trump targeted more than $3.5 billion in military construction funds and also raided a Pentagon account for counter-narcotics operations. It is not our top national security priority to build a wall at our southern border., Smith said on Twitter. Taking money from the Department of Defense for this purpose makes us less safe. Contact Tom Roeder: 636-0240 Twitter: @xroederx U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has met with one of the Afghan Taliban's co-founders in Qatar as efforts intensify to find a negotiated solution to Afghanistan's 17-year war. Just finished a working lunch with Mullah [Abdul Ghani Beradar] and his team. First time weve met. Now moving on to talks, Khalilzad tweeted on February 25. Baradar was released in October after spending eight years in Pakistani custody, but until now has remained in Pakistan and has not made any public appearances. His appointment as the Talibans political chief was widely seen as marking a new push by the Taliban to achieve political and diplomatic legitimacy. Arrived in Doha to meet with a more authoritative Taliban delegation. This could be a significant moment, Khalilzad wrote on Twitter earlier in the day. Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told The Associated Press that there was "a possibility we will reach some results" during the planned four-day talks. The BBC quoted an unidentified senior Taliban figure as saying that Baradar's authority within the group to make decisions could help "speed up the peace process." The Taliban, which now reportedly controls nearly half of Afghanistan, has held a series of direct talks with Khalilzad in recent months. However, the militant group has so far refused to hold direct talks with Afghan officials, calling them "puppets." During their previous round of talks in Doha in January, U.S. and Taliban negotiators reached the basic framework of a possible peace deal. 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. U.S. troops have been in Afghanistan since an October 2001 invasion that brought down the Taliban government after it refused to hand over Al-Qaeda terrorists, including Osama bin Laden, blamed for launching the September 11 attacks in the United States. With reporting by AP TORONTO, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sprott Inc. (TSX:SII) will host a conference call on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss its 2018 annual results. Peter Grosskopf, CEO of Sprott will host the call with Whitney George, President of Sprott and Kevin Hibbert, CFO of Sprott. The Company plans to release its financial results at 7:00 a.m. ET the same day. Conference Call Details To participate in the call, please dial (855) 458-4215 ten minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call and provide conference ID5685692. A taped replay of the conference call will be available until Thursday, March 7, 2019 by calling (855) 859-2056, reference number 5685692. The conference call will be webcast live at www.sprott.com and https://edge.media-server.com/m6/p/n6u8cxcb About Sprott Inc. Sprott is an alternative asset manager and a global leader in precious metal and real asset investments. Through its subsidiaries in Canada, the US and Asia, the Corporation is dedicated to providing investors with best-in-class investment strategies that include Exchange Listed Products, Alternative Asset Management and Private Resource Investments. The Corporation also operates Merchant Banking and Brokerage businesses in both Canada and the US. Sprott is based in Toronto with offices in New York, Carlsbad and Vancouver and its common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol (TSX: SII). For more information, please visit www.sprott.com Revenge porn is an increasingly common problem that can cause severe and often irreversible harm to the victim, an Omaha senator told the Legislature's Judiciary Committee on Friday. Sen. Wendy DeBoer has chosen to address the problem with a bill that would create the opportunity for a civil lawsuit for someone who is harmed by a person disclosing sexually explicit images without her or his consent. DeBoer told the committee some people share the sexually explicit images for profit or as a way to control, extort, punish or harm a person's reputation or discourage reporting of domestic abuse or sexual assault. "The disclosures are happening with increasing frequency and, due to the reach of social media, these images can be rapidly available to anyone with internet access," DeBoer said. Sharing intimate photos with strangers, family, co-workers and friends can cause the victim economic damage, emotional distress or problems in their professional or personal lives, she said. Often, it's an interstate problem when images are shared electronically. So DeBoer chose to use a narrowly written uniform state law, the Uniform Civil Remedies for Unauthorized Disclosure of Intimate Images Act, to address the problem. To realize this future, Singapore is making farsighted investments in research and infrastructure and rewriting its transportation policies and regulations. It built a sprawling test track, complete with fake buildings, steep hills and a rain machine. It is working with 10 different companies on plans to roll out fleets of driverless cars. The municipal agency that keeps a tight regulatory grip on cars and roads in Singaporeit currently charges commuters nearly $15,000 a year for the privilege of owning a car and using the roads during rush hourrecently removed the requirement that cars have human drivers. All new residential developments must now abide by rules that both accommodate self-driving vehicles and discourage car ownership: narrow roads, special road markings, gentler curves, specific curb heights and fewer parking spaces. The first driverless buses and shuttles hit the citys streets in November. If all goes well, a large fleet will soon be cruising the roads, calculating their routes on the fly based on where they need to pick up passengers and drop them off. Then a fleet of AVs will be deployed to work nights, sweeping the streets and delivering packages. The goal here, says Niels de Boer, who heads autonomous vehicle research for the Energy Research Institute at Singapores Nanyang Technological University, is to make having your own car completely unnecessary by 2030. Newsweek Investing.com - The yuan gained while the U.S. dollar was little changed on Monday in Asia after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would delay an increase in tariffs on Chinese goods. Trump said in a tweet that progress had been made on areas including intellectual property protection, technology transfers, agriculture, services and currency. He then added that if more progress is made, he would plan a summit meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to conclude an agreement. The USD/CNY pair gained 0.3% to 6.6899 following his comments. China will produce figures on manufacturing and non-manufacturing data on Thursday and the Caixin PMI on Friday. On the other hand, the U.S. dollar index that tracks the greenback against a basket of other currencies inched down 0.02% to 96.345. The index ended last week down 0.4% after gaining more than 1% the previous week. It started to dip on Friday after Reuters reported that Washington and Beijing had begun drawing up memorandums of understanding over trade, raising hopes that a trade deal between the two sides is getting closer. The NZD/USD pair rose 0.3% to 0.6865 on upbeat retail sales data. The Statistics New Zealand reported on Monday that the countrys retail sales grew 1.7% during the final quarter of 2018 compared to the upwardly revised 0.3% growth for the third quarter. The currency pair gave up some of its early gains after the U.S.-China trade news broke, but then quickly recovered. New Zealand is set to publish trade figures on Wednesday and data on business confidence on Thursday. The AUD/USD pair also gained 0.3% to 0.7151. Related Articles Thai baht leads Asia's bullish prospects; yuan long bets on the mend: Reuters poll Forex - Yuan Little Changed Following Weak PMI Data; U.S. Dollar Also Flat Dollar off three-week low amid caution over Sino-U.S. trade talks Nick Read, Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone, gestures as he speaks during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain February 25, 2019. REUTERS/Sergio Perez By Paul Sandle BARCELONA (Reuters) - The United States needs to share any evidence it has about Huawei with European authorities so they can take a common view about whether to use the Chinese group's technology in their networks, the head of Vodafone said on Monday. Huawei is under intense scrutiny after the United States told allies not to use its technology because of fears it could be a vehicle for Chinese spy operations. The company is the world's largest mobile network gear supplier, ahead of Sweden's Ericsson and Finland's Nokia. Nick Read, chief executive of Vodafone, the world's second largest mobile operator, told reporters at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Monday that cutting the number of network suppliers to two from three would damage the industry and economic growth. "We need to have a fact-based risk-assessed review," Read said. "People are saying things at the moment that are not grounded, I'm not saying that is the case for the U.S. because I have not met them directly myself so I have not seen what evidence they have, but they clearly need to present that evidence to the right bodies throughout Europe." He added that everybody he was meeting at a national level in Europe was making it clear that they were going through a fact-based assessment. Vodafone said last month it would pause the deployment of Huawei's equipment in its core networks in Europe until it had clarity from governments on any risks. But Read said it was not a simple case of barring Huawei from future 5G networks as the company's equipment was already in use in 4G networks in Europe that would be the foundation of the new technology. He said a massive equipment swap would be hugely disruptive to national infrastructure and consumers as well as being "very, very expensive". "It will delay 5G in Europe by probably two years," he said. "It structurally disadvantages Europe." Story continues Huawei has only a minimal presence in U.S. networks, so a complete bar would not have the same impact there. Read said Vodafone was still rolling out Huawei's 5G radio equipment across Europe at pace, even though it had paused deployment in the core network where data is routed and processed. "We are engaged with all (European) governments at the moment and we'd like them to arrive at a common set of understandings," he said. Britain said on Wednesday it was able to manage the security risks of using Huawei telecoms equipment and had not seen any evidence of malicious activity by the company. Read said an assessment regime for equipment made by Huawei and its rivals could be established at a European level, along similar lines to a centre already operating in Britain. "We don't want multi-layers because then we'd be very slow and cumbersome, this should be for all vendors," he said. Aside from Huawei's security - an issue that is overshadowing the annual mobile fair, Read said Vodafone was open to more partnerships concerning its mobile tower infrastructure. Vodafone agreed a new infrastructure sharing partnership with Telecom Italia on Thursday to enable faster deployment of fifth-generation mobile phone services over a wider geographic area and at a lower cost. "You will see more of these going forward," Read said. (Reporting by Paul Sandle; writing by Kate Holton; editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Kirsten Donovan) (Bloomberg) -- Vivendi SA has stepped up its campaign to shake up the board of Telecom Italia SpA at the phone carriers annual meeting next month and signaled more openness to deals such as a merger of its landline network with a rival. In a 48-page document that outlines concerns with five directors backed by Elliott Management Corp., Telecom Italias largest shareholder reiterated calls to replace them with candidates proposed by the French media company. Vivendi believes that only such a board will have the credibility and trust of all shareholders to objectively analyze any industrial strategic options, including those for Telecom Italias fixed network, it said. Vivendi and the U.S. activist investor Elliott have been battling over the future of the former phone monopoly for almost a year. The two top shareholders disagree about what strategy to pursue to turn around the indebted carrier, which is contending with declining sales and profits in its home market amid rising competition. Vivendis influence was weakened when Elliotts slate won the majority of board seats last May. Elliott has proposed asset disposals -- including the spinoff of the carriers landline network -- and in November put in place Telecom Italia Chief Executive Officer Luigi Gubitosi, after ousting Vivendi-backed Amos Genish. On Sunday, Vivendi said it was open to a merger of Telecom Italias landline network with alternative provider Open Fiber SpA that Elliott has proposed. Vivendi believes that Telecom Italias fixed network is core to its value creation, it said in the presentation. Vivendi is ready to support a merger of Open Fiber with TIM if the conditions are right and fair from an operational, financial and regulatory standpoint and overseen by a board controlled by independent directors. Telecom Italias shares, which have lost around a quarter of their value in the past year, rose 1.1 percent as of 10:23 a.m. in Milan. Vivendi shares rose 0.1 percent in Paris. Story continues Vivendi said it may also support any possible sale of nonstrategic assets, restoring dividend payments on Telecom Italias common shares and a simplification of capital structure. One such measure proposed by Gubitosi is the conversion of saving shares into common stock. Vivendi proposes to replace Elliott representatives Fulvio Conti, Alfredo Altavilla, Massimo Ferrari, Paola Giannotti de Ponti and Dante Roscini with its candidates Franco Bernabe, Gabriele Galateri di Genola, Flavia Mazzarella, Rob van der Valk and Francesco Vatalaro at Telecom Italias next annual general meeting on March 29. The candidates will make the board more neutral, leaving no single party in control, Vivendi said. It said only two of the Vivendi-backed nominees will not be independent, and neither of them will be a candidate for chairman. A representative for Elliott in Italy declined to comment. (Adds share prices in eighth paragraph.) To contact the reporters on this story: Angeline Benoit in Paris at abenoit4@bloomberg.net;Daniele Lepido in Milan at dlepido1@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Rebecca Penty at rpenty@bloomberg.net, John J. Edwards III, Andrew Davis For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Delek US Holdings, Inc. (the Company) (NYSE: DK) today announced the appointment of Vicky Sutil to the Board of Directors effective February 19, 2019. We are pleased to welcome Vicky to our board. Her experience in the refining and midstream industries, with a background that includes marketing, operations, financial management and business development, will provide us with invaluable insights and further enhance our growth strategy, said Uzi Yemin, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Delek US Holdings. Ms. Sutil has over 30 years of experience in the petroleum and refining industry. She is currently working with SK E&P Company focusing on strategic planning. She worked with California Resources as vice president of commercial analysis for CRC Marketing, Inc. from 2014 to 2016. From 2000 to 2014 she worked with Occidental Petroleum Corporation in different capacities including roles in corporate development and financial planning. Ms. Sutil also served as Occidentals representative on the Board of Plains All American Pipeline from 2010 to 2015 and on the Board of Plains GP Holdings, L.P. from 2013 to 2015. She began her career with Mobil Oil Corporation and also worked with Arco Products Company About Delek US Holdings, Inc. Delek US Holdings, Inc. is a diversified downstream energy company with assets in petroleum refining, logistics, renewable fuels and convenience store retailing. The refining assets consist of refineries operated in Tyler and Big Spring, Texas, El Dorado, Arkansas and Krotz Springs, Louisiana with a combined nameplate crude throughput capacity of 302,000 barrels per day. The logistics operations primarily consist of Delek Logistics Partners, LP. Delek US Holdings, Inc. and its affiliates own approximately 63% (including the 2 percent general partner interest) of Delek Logistics Partners, LP. Delek Logistics Partners, LP (NYSE: DKL) is a growth-oriented master limited partnership focused on owning and operating midstream energy infrastructure assets. The convenience store retail business is the largest 7-Eleven licensee in the United States and operates approximately 280 convenience stores in central and west Texas and New Mexico. U.S. Investor Contact: Keith Johnson Vice President of Investor Relations Delek US Holdings, Inc. 615-435-1366 By Rajesh Kumar Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. and Chinese negotiators met for over seven hours on Saturday to resolve their trade dispute and avoid an escalation of the tit-for-tat tariffs that have already disrupted global commerce, slowed the world economy and roiled financial markets. The two sides will meet again on Sunday morning as they race to seal an agreement before a March 1 deadline imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened to dramatically hike tariffs on Chinese goods unless there is a deal. Saturday marked the fifth straight day of the negotiations between the world's two biggest economies. Talks were extended through the weekend after both sides reported progress in narrowing their differences. The Chinese delegation is scheduled to leave for Beijing on Monday, according to a person familiar with their itinerary. This is the fourth round of negotiations since Washington and Beijing agreed to a ceasefire in their trade war. Trump, who has embraced an "America First" policy aimed at rebalancing global trade in favor of the United States, said on Friday there was "a very good chance" a deal would be struck, and that he was inclined to extend his March 1 tariff deadline and meet soon with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Extending the deadline would mean putting on hold a scheduled increase in tariffs to 25 percent from 10 percent on $200 billion of Chinese imports into the United States. Trump and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said U.S. and Chinese officials had reached an agreement on currency issues, but did not give details. U.S. officials have long argued that China's yuan is undervalued, giving it a trade advantage and partly offsetting U.S. tariffs. China has also committed to buy an additional 10 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans. ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM Reuters reported exclusively on Wednesday that both sides were drafting memorandums of understanding (MOUs) on cyber theft, intellectual property rights, services, agriculture and non-tariff barriers to trade, including subsidies. On Friday, Trump said he did not like MOUs because they are short-term in nature, and he wanted a long-term deal. An industry source briefed on the talks said both sides have narrowed their differences on intellectual property rights, market access and narrowing a nearly $400 billion U.S. trade deficit with China. But bigger differences remain on changes to China's treatment of state-owned enterprises, subsidies, forced technology transfers and cyber theft. There is no agreement on the enforcement mechanism, either. The United States wants a strong mechanism to ensure the Chinese reform commitments are followed through, while Beijing insists upon what it calls a "fair and objective" process. "Enforcement is a difficult puzzle," said the source, who requested anonymity to speak candidly about the talks. "You need objective arbitrators to make a decision." It was not clear whether Saturday's talks managed to iron out those differences. Neither side shared the details of the day's discussions. Trump said the biggest decisions could be reached when he meets with Xi, probably in Florida next month, and that they may extend beyond trade to encompass Chinese telecommunications companies Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corp <0763.HK 000063.SZ>. (Reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Paul Simao) Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 25, 2019) - TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (XETR: TH8) ("TCAN" or the "Company"), 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, announced today that James Pakulis, President and Chief Executive Officer, will present at the upcoming Gravitas Growth Conference, which is being held on February 28th, 2019 at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver. "This represents a great opportunity to present our vision and opportunity to investors as we have recently announced our first financing since coming to trade in January 2019. The TransCanna story is merely beginning to unfold and the management team is eager to go to work and execute on a very specific and targeted business plan," stated Jim Pakulis Company CEO. Mr. Pakulis will discuss the Company's recently signed LOI to acquire Goodfellas Group LLC, and its acceptance of an assignment of a real estate option agreement which includes an existing 196,000 square foot facility on 6.5 acres of land in Northern California, as well as cannabis packaging and processing equipment. Mr. Pakulis will present an overview of Transcanna's business, M&A strategy, and its overarching objective to build a portfolio of 15 premium brands while creating a self contained ecosystem that ensures reliability, consistency, quality, and scale. Transcanna is scheduled to present on February 28th, 2019 at 9:45 AM PST and Mr. Pakulis will also be a member of the "Innovations in Cannabis" panel at 10:50 AM PST. Mr. Pakulis will be available for one on one meetings throughout the conference. Investors that would like to view the presentation can view it from the following link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jkW7azbBT92c_9nRJlZ8TA Story continues About Gravitas Growth Conference 2019 Gravitas Growth Conference 2019 is North America's leading growth investment conference, which is expected to bring together leading institutional, retail, family office, and high net worth investors with more than 20 of the fastest growing companies in North America. The conference will be held on Thursday, February 28th, 2019 at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, 1038 Canada Place, Vancouver, Canada. The Conference hours will be from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM PST. 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 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@transacanna.com On behalf of the Board of Directors James Pakulis President and Chief Executive Officer Telephone: (604) 609-6199 Suite 820, 1130 West Pender Street Vancouver, B.C. V6E 4A4 Forward-Looking Statements 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. SOURCE: TRANSCANNA HOLDINGS INC. Corporate Logo To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/43019 (Bloomberg) -- UTAC Holdings Ltd., the Singapore-based chip testing firm backed by TPG, has appointed Citigroup Inc. to advise on a planned sale of its business, people with knowledge of the matter said. The company, which also counts Affinity Equity Partners as an investor, has started gauging interest from potential buyers, according to one of the people. UTAC could fetch at least $1 billion, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. UTAC may attract interest from private equity funds and Chinese semiconductor firms, said the people. The company explored options for the business last year, including a sale and an initial public offering, after completing a bond restructuring, Bloomberg News reported at the time. Chief Executive Officer John Nelson said in August that customer orders were growing after it overcame its debt overhang, signaling a better outlook in the coming years. Representatives for UTAC, TPG and Citigroup declined to comment, while Affinity didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Affinity and TPG bought UTAC in a S$2.2 billion ($1.6 billion) leveraged buyout in 2007. The private equity owners have made several attempts to exit the investment. They pursued a Singapore IPO in 2011, people with knowledge of the matter said at the time. UTAC later filed for a U.S. share sale in 2015, before withdrawing its registration the next year, citing unfavorable market conditions. UTAC assembles and tests semiconductor chips used in industries from communications to health care, according to its website. It has manufacturing facilities in Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, China, Indonesia and Malaysia. To contact the reporters on this story: Joyce Koh in Singapore at jkoh38@bloomberg.net;Manuel Baigorri in Hong Kong at mbaigorri@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Ben Scent at bscent@bloomberg.net, Timothy Sifert For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Ilan Berman Global Terrorism, Middle East As the contemporary terrorist threat changes, it is being amplified by new technologies that give those actors greater reach and impact than ever before. Technology is Making Terrorists More EffectiveAnd Harder to Thwart In January, Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats appeared before Congress to deliver the U.S. intelligence communitys most recent assessment of worldwide threats facing the United States. Of these, Coats report made clear, terrorism continues to rank as among the most pressing. The collapse of the Islamic States self-declared caliphate in Syria and Iraq has ushered in a new stage in the war on terrorone defined by an ongoing threat from ISIS factions, a resurgence of the Al Qaeda global network, and a growth in the capabilities of assorted Sunni jihadist groups in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. What Coats didnt say directly, however, is that each of these dynamics is being empowered by technological advances that are making extremist groups more connected, more resilient and more capable than ever before. Today, this can be seen along four main axes. Exploitation of Cyberspace Currently, the most severe threats in the cyber domain still emanate from nation-states like China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, which possess the necessary resources and manpower to mount sustained digital campaigns. Increasingly, however, non-state threat actors are expanding their technological sophistication and cyber capabilities as well. A summer 2018 study by Israels prestigious International Institute for Counter-Terrorism warned that extremist Islamist groups have stepped up their efforts to carry out cyberattacks against infrastructure targets in Western countries. The study warns of the possibility of terrorist organizations acquiring offensive capabilities on the Internet, hiring hackers for this purpose, or receiving assistance from terror-sponsoring countries, and notes evidence that supporters of the Islamic State have a desire to develop these offensive capabilities. Story continues Thankfully, this danger is not around the corner, at least not yet. Informed experts concur that large-scale disruption of critical infrastructure will remain beyond the reach of terrorist groups for the foreseeable future. But smaller-scale attacks are now well within their power, and the impact can be both dramatic and disruptive. Through techniques such as ransomware, extremist actors are gaining the ability to significantly impact the operations of vital societal sectors, from health care to telecommunications to transportation, and do so with potentially catastrophic local effects. Weaponizing Digital Media Simultaneously, extremists are perfecting their exploitation of digital media in order to craft an enduring and resonant global message. Such a focus is not new. As long ago as 2002, Osama bin Laden had already identified the media war as one of the strongest methods for promoting his organizations objectives, and allocated significant resources to spreading the Al-Qaida vision of jihad to all Muslims. But true media manipulation was pioneered by Al Qaedas successor and ideological rival, the Islamic State; since its rise to prominence in 2014, ISIS has succeeded in creating a comprehensive media package that dramatically expanded its appeal, recruited disaffected Muslims to its cause, and undermined the legitimacy and authority of the West. The scope of the ISIS media effort is immenseand as yet not properly addressed by the West. At the peak of its media activity in 2014, some fifty thousand pro-ISIS accounts were estimated to be active on social media platform Twitter alone, while the U.S. government had at most two hundred Twitter accounts by which to counter their messaging. Today, not all that much has changed. Despite growing attention by the United States and its partners to the need to for a compelling strategy to defeat the Islamic State and other extremists in the realm of ideas, the informational response to ISIS and like-minded groups remains fragmented and underfunded. Meanwhile, the digital landscape continues to evolve in ways that advantage extremist actors. In his book Digital World War, media scholar Haroon Ullah notes that advances in digital technology and the proliferation of social media platforms have effectively flattened the intellectual battlefield, and given tech-savvy groups the ability to wage guerrilla warfare of sorts, and do so on their own terms and without the need for massive budgets. Increasingly Secure Communications Technology is likewise improving the operational effectiveness of terrorist groups, by helping them to better obscure contacts, plans and coordination. A new generation of chat appssuch as Telegram, Signal and WhatsAppnow employs end-to-end encryption which creates secure messages that are much more difficult for law enforcement authorities to crack. Full device encryption permits suspects to lock smartphones, computers and other sensitive technologies so as to render them almost entirely inaccessible. Simultaneously, anonymization of internet traffic via services like TOR allows individuals to access and/or download online content without leaving digital fingerprints. And other technologies, like burner phones or live flash drives, now provide suspects with greater freedom to communicate and retrieve data without leaving forensic fingerprints for authorities to follow. The sophistication of these capabilities is a growing challenge for law enforcement and intelligence services because they are helping to make terrorists more effective and defending against them more difficult. Harnessing Automation Finally, technological advances are expanding the versatility and the lethality of terrorist battlefield operations. This is most notable in the arena of unmanned systems. In recent years, as drone technology has proliferated globally, terrorists have become major consumers. During combat operations in Syria in 2017, the United States and its coalition partners discovered that the Islamic State had succeeded in amassing a tactical air force of comparatively cheap commercially-available UAVs which gave it the ability to carry out aerial operations and strikes, as well as reconnaissance and surveillance. Since then, others have followed suit; a variety of extremist groupsfrom assorted Islamist factions in Libya to Yemens Houthi rebelshave increasingly sought to acquire commercial drones for both intelligence and military applications. Drone technology, moreover, might be just the beginning. In the future, experts warn, terrorists could also adapt to exploit the growth of artificial intelligence (AI), using it to improve the operation of unmanned systems and more effectively discriminate targets via social media mapping. AI could also improve the efficacy of terrorist financing through automation. These innovations confront the United States and its international partners with a vexing problem. As the contemporary terrorist threat changes, it is being amplified by new technologies that give those actors greater reach and impact than ever before. Western counterterrorism policy, too, will need to adapt and innovate in order to properly keep pace with this new generation of technologically-enabled extremism. Ilan Berman is senior vice president of the American Foreign Policy Council in Washington, DC. Image: A U.S. Special Operations Forces member inspects a drone used by Islamic State militants to drop explosives on Iraqi forces, in Mosul, Iraq, January 25, 2017. Reuters. Read full article LOS ANGELES, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP (GPM) announces an investigation on behalf of Belden Inc. (Belden or the Company) (NYSE: BDC ) investors concerning the Company and its officers possible violations of federal securities laws. If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate. On December 3, 2018, the Company revealed that the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) is conducting an investigation concerning the material weakness reported in its form 10-k filing for the year ended December 31, 2017. On this news, shares of Belden fell $5.43 or nearly 10% to close at $50.45 on December 4, 2018, thereby injuring investors. Follow us for updates on Twitter: twitter.com/GPM_LLP . If you purchased Belden 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. Contacts Glancy Prongay and Murray LLP, Los Angeles Lesley Portnoy, 310-201-9150 or 888-773-9224 www.glancylaw.com shareholders@glancylaw.com No, They Don't Expect You to Spend $2,000 on a Phone (Bloomberg Opinion) -- When companies turn to gimmicks as the headline act in a product launch, you know theres not much really going on. We cant blame Samsung Electronics Co. and Huawei Technologies Co. for releasing $2,000 and $2,600 phones respectively. Foldable screens are kind of cool, I suppose. But so are those weird and wonderful concept cars the auto industry likes to bring out let me remind you about the Ford Nucleon, the BMW Gina and the Chevy Volt which sometimes turn into viable products. Unfortunately, the tech industry moves so quickly that developers dont often get a chance to roll out concept devices that are intended to showcase the future more than drive sales. The Galaxy Fold and Mate X, unveiled within a week of each other, fulfill that role. The difference is that both companies intend to make them available for sale which is why they have astronomical price tags. These bold moves to release pricey products has been ascribed to Apple Inc.s relative success in bringing out more expensive iPhones. In reality, industry prices were already trending up well before the world gasped at the idea of spending $1,449 on a consumer-oriented smartphone. (Lets try to forget Vertu for a minute). While Huawei has a reputation for cheap devices, the Chinese company led this charge in 2015 with the average price of its models climbing 17 percent that year while shipments rose 45 percent and the premium end was a significantly larger proportion of the companys total unit sales. The rest of the market followed, with prices jumping 10 percent in the subsequent two years. At a time when the smartphone market is in a funk, companies need to find something to excite their audience. 5G is a huge talking point at Mobile World Congress this week despite the fact that this technology barely advances the ball for smartphones its real advantage is for internet-of-things devices such as cars. Most people are happy with their 6.5-inch slate, but thankfully Samsung and Huawei are here to show us what the future might hold for those with more realistic budgets. And when Apple finally brings out a foldable phone in about two years fans will marvel at the innovation and queue around the corner to get their hands on one. Story continues To contact the author of this story: Tim Culpan at tculpan1@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Matthew Brooker at mbrooker1@bloomberg.net This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Tim Culpan is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering technology. He previously covered technology for Bloomberg News. For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Aaron Polak, Aaron Polak Law I typically start thinking about my last day representing entrepreneurial clients on the first day I am retained. Although this sounds a bit cynical, bear with me, as some of this is due to the nature of my practice. I am often retained to represent companies who are seeking investors to help fund their companys launch, growth or expansion. I also represent investors in the same type of activities (although not at the same time!). While some might think that the objective is to build a company that will last for decades, from both the founders or investors point of view, most simply want to achieve a faster return on their investment. This trend may be more applicable to technology or private equity backed companies, as opposed to service businesses or family-owned businesses, which may think longer term, but as I have learned, its better to be prepared. While keeping that ultimate goal in mind for the majority of my clients, I came up with a set of questions that every general corporate practitioner needs to know the answer to about their client to best assist them. Most of these are not first day questions (no client will want to pay to teach you these), but I have found it useful to keep them in mind during the first few months in order to be better prepared down the line. These questions arise out of the criteria that most investors look for when doing legal and business due diligence about a company and not coincidently, these are the very same questions asked by business buyers (often in even more excruciating detail). Where does the technology (or more specifically, the intellectual property) come from? Did the founders of the company come up with it over coffee? Was it developed in a university lab? Was it licensed from another company? You (or your client) will one day have to provide a legal paper trail showing how the client owns its IP. This often takes the form of an agreement among founders who contribute their intellectual property to the new company in exchange for equity, or other forms of IP assignments. If the technology came out of a university development program, the company will need to have an agreement with the university, many of which will require long-term royalty or equity payments, or a combination of both. If a company relies on outside developers or consultants, there will need to be agreements with those as well. Some nontransactional lawyers and some of my less experienced clients are often surprised at the level of due diligence involved in demonstrating the provenance of IP rights. Sometimes I ask them if they would buy a house without knowing that it has clear title. For those of my clients who have no idea what that means, I tell them to watch the movie The Social Network and mind the story line about how Mark Zuckerberg came to own Facebook. As a refresher, the Winklevoss brothers hired Zuckerberg to write code for a website, which eventually became Facebook. Too bad for them, Zuckerberg didnt sign a consulting agreement assigning the intellectual property rights to them as a work for hire. Oops. Company counsel does not want to be in the unenviable position of having to delay an investment or sale of a company while the company founders track down an ex-partner and ask him to sign an assignment of IP rights. Setting aside any need to revisit the circumstances of their departure, which may have been unpleasant, it can become expensive. This is particularly true if the person you need a signature from senses that they are the only thing standing between you and the great American payday (or the short-term investment needed to make payroll). Story continues Who owns the company? For well-established companies, this is an easy question. The founders have typically been represented by counsel from day one, there are only a few of them, they have signed a shareholders or operating agreement and their entity was professionally formed. I also have clients who have been running a company for years, with greater or lesser success, who took the DIY approach and self-filed a certificate of incorporation with their local secretary of states website, or used LegalZoom or other services. This approach is probably fine for many companies, but founders are famous for promising equity to employees, executives or advisers in exchange for their work or support. Sometimes these documents consist of oral promises or email (or text) exchanges. As years pass, employees and executives change or leave, and they can often be hard to find, leaving behind a cloudy cap table, a situation investors (and their counsel) love to hate. Again, new investors or purchasers (or their counsel) will want 100 percent clarity on who are the equity holders. Large transactions will request counsel to the company (you) to issue a legal opinion on various corporate formalities and more importantly the accuracy of the ownership table. Separate from the aforementioned employee and executive issues, the equity ownership question also comes up when founders havent adequately documented cash invested in the company. I have seen companies that have accepted continuing support from the founders themselves, or wealthy friends or family members, sometimes with promissory notes or subscription agreements, some of which are also DIY. I have others who have accepted funds for years and never accurately reflected whether those amounts are loans, equity purchases (or convertible notes, where a loan turns into equity) or a combination. Investors are not big fans of seeing their new cash investment going to repay an unwritten promissory note to a founderthey really want to see the capital going to work to grow the company. I have been involved in numerous transactions that incurred extra tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to clean up these messes, especially under the time pressure and tension of getting to a closing. Failing to properly document equity grants to employees, aside from the issues it raises at the time of transaction, can also often result in significant tax consequences. Finally, savvy purchasers or investors who sense some weakness in documentation or structure will often use that as an opportunity to adjust the purchase price or impose more onerous terms. Who has worked at the company? I am typically asked to answer this question before a client sells their company or raises money from a professional investor, such as a private equity fund. I try to ask this closer to the beginning of the engagement rather than just before closing for a few reasons: everything is more emotionally and economically expensive during that time, it takes more legal effort, and the company is in a weaker negotiating position. While payroll records and consultant payments are important from a tax compliance perspective and clients are likely already keeping track of those, its equally critical to have a record of nondisclosure, invention assignment and other employment records. Following state rules regarding termination and severance are key from a risk management perspective, as is having a paperwork trail. Nobody wants to hear from an ex-employee claiming severance or promised equity just after a company has announced that they raised a million dollars. Where are the contracts with the companys suppliers, customers or distributors? And are there even any? Many businesses operate on the basis of purchase orders, handshake agreements, email agreements or short form contracts, all of which are fine and fully enforceable. However, as counsel to a company, you should have some sense for what the most significant contracts look like, and you should start thinking about them on day one. These are not just contracts measured by dollar value, but those with key providers, executives or suppliers. If there is a single-source supplier for a $100 part, that can be even more important than a $100,000 a year equipment lease. I am no longer surprised when I find a client who has signed away exclusive distribution rights, agreed to some kind of expensive auto renewal provisions with an overpriced service provider or discovered that their biggest customer has inserted a non-assignment clause. These can always be dealt with at the time of investment or closing, but its much easier if counsel to the company knows about them and can manage how they are disclosed. And what about the lease? With the possible exception of real estate lawyers, everyone hates to read leases. Theyre written in a kind of language that closely resembles Olde English, a few are still printed on legal size paper (why is that even still a thing?) and they are filled with clause after clause of landlord-friendly terms. But a lease can be one of a companys biggest expenses, and if you are a business where location is everything (retail or restaurant), the ability to extend, assign or terminate a lease can be a make or break proposition. For example, if you are trying to sell a restaurant in New York City and you have a below market lease with another ten years to go, you can be sure that a landlord would like to prohibit the assignment and try to extract a market-rate rent. The Takeaway More often than not, a client may seek counsel to represent them immediately before a sale or investment transaction, and if experienced, that firm will figure out the answers to all of these questions, but it can be expensive and unnecessarily complex. If, however, you have been retained for smaller matters or a smaller client, and either the client grows into a bigger company or your representation grows into a more comprehensive role, you should always be trying to figure out the answers as you go along. That way, when your client is sold or the founders are diluted to a minority stake, you have the opportunity to remain as counsel, because you knew everything you needed to know about the last day starting on the first. Aaron Polak is the founder of Aaron Polak Law, a corporate and transaction firm that represents businesses, owners and investors in private equity, M&A, and general contract, executive employment and commercial matters. His clients include start-up ventures and more mature businesses, generally in the technology, life science, software, restaurant and entertainment industries. He is also a lecturer at University of Pennsylvania School of Law and previously served as an adjunct at New York Law School for over a decade. He can be reached at ajp@aaronpolaklaw.com or 646-789-4272. NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated (NYSE:HR) today announced corporate governance changes adopted on February 12, 2019 by its Board of Directors, as described below. Election to Opt Out of MUTA Provisions The Board of Directors approved a resolution prohibiting the Company from electing to be subject to Section 3-803 of Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the Maryland General Corporation Law (MGCL), commonly referred to as the Maryland Unsolicited Takeover Act or MUTA. MUTA contains statutory provisions that allow a board, without stockholder approval, to elect to classify into three classes with staggered three-year terms. By adopting this resolution, the Board of Directors is prohibited from electing to classify into three classes without first obtaining stockholder approval. In accordance with Sections 3-802(c) and 3-802(d) of the MGCL, on February 12, 2019, the Company filed Articles Supplementary to its charter describing the foregoing prohibition with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland. The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Companys charter, as amended, a copy of which was included as Exhibit 3.1 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference. Proxy Access Bylaw Amendment The Board of Directors adopted an amendment to the Companys bylaws to implement proxy access allowing eligible stockholders to include their own nominees for director in the Companys proxy materials along with the Board-nominated candidates. This amendment was immediately effective. The amendment is set forth in the Companys Amendment No. 3 to the Amended and Restated Bylaws. This amendment permits a shareholder, or a group of up to 20 shareholders, owning at least 3% of the Companys outstanding shares of capital stock for at least three continuous years to nominate and include in the Companys proxy materials director nominees comprising up to the greater of two individuals or 20% of the Board, provided that the shareholder(s) and the nominee(s) satisfy the procedural and eligibility requirements specified in the bylaws. The above description of the proxy access provisions of the bylaws is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the bylaws of the Company, as amended, a copy of which was included as Exhibit 3.2 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference. Anti-Hedging Policy The Board of Directors formalized and expanded the anti-hedging policy applicable to employees, officers, and directors of the Company. The policy prohibits the purchase of financial instruments, including prepaid variable forward contracts, instruments for the short sale or purchase or sale of call or put options, equity swaps, collars, or units of exchangeable funds, that are designed to or that may reasonably be expected to have the effect of hedging or offsetting a decrease in the market value of any securities of the Company. Healthcare Realty Trust is a real estate investment trust that integrates owning, managing, financing and developing income-producing real estate properties associated primarily with the delivery of outpatient healthcare services throughout the United States. As of December 31, 2018, the Company owned 199 real estate properties in 27 states totaling 14.8 million square feet and was valued at approximately $4.9 billion. The Company provided leasing and property management services to 11.2 million square feet nationwide. In addition to the historical information contained within, the matters discussed in this press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks are discussed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Healthcare Realty Trust, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 under the heading Risk Factors, and as updated in its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed thereafter. Forward-looking statements represent the Companys judgment as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements. Carla Baca Associate Vice President, Investor Relations P: 615.269.8175 Acquires Colombian Cannabis Operator Preparing for Expansion and First Harvest Las Vegas, Nevada--(Newsfile Corp. - February 25, 2019) - One World Pharma Inc. (OTC Pink: OWPC), is pleased to announce that it has acquired One World Pharma SAS, a fully licensed cannabis cultivator and manufacturer based in Popayan, Colombia, in a merger transaction that closed on February 21, 2019. Under the terms of the merger agreement, the stockholders of OWP Ventures, Inc., which is the parent company of One World Pharma SAS, will be issued an aggregate of 39,475,398 shares of common stock of One World Pharma, Inc. After giving effect to the merger, One World Pharma, Inc. has 39,922,898 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Colombia is considered by many to be an ideal growing location for cannabis, hemp and related products. The nation's equatorial climate, pro-cannabis government regulations, and talented local population provide the core ingredients to produce high crop yields and quality product for export at a low cost, allowing for significant margin regardless of changing market conditions. One World Pharma SAS has been developing relationships and infrastructure in Colombia for two years, working hand in hand with the indigenous population and government officials. The company holds all four key government issued licenses for the cultivation of psychoactive high THC, cultivation of non-psychoactive low THC, manufacture of cannabis derivatives, and seed use. "One World Pharma has exceeded our expectations as a thriving, rapidly expanding licensed Colombian medical cannabis producer," stated Craig Ellins, CEO, One World Pharma Inc. "The Company is ideally situated to capitalize on the Colombian opportunity with significant production capacity and registered strains. We will be utilizing the entire plant in a synergistic marriage of U.S. based cultivation and manufacturing technology and the hospitable cultivation environment that Colombia provides. We are committed to building One World Pharma into a key player in the international supply chain, as global branded consumer products, beverage and pharmaceutical companies call for a truly industrial level of supply." Story continues "We look forward to sharing the results of our first harvest," added Ellins. About One World Pharma One World Pharma Inc. is the U.S. parent company of One World Pharma SAS, a licensed cannabis and hemp producer with offices and operations in Bogota and Popayan, Colombia. One World Pharma planted its first crop of cannabis in 2018 at its cultivation site in Popayan, Colombia, which it expects to begin harvesting in the first quarter of 2019. The Company intends to supply the highest quality cannabis and hemp derivatives in crude oil, distillate and isolate forms for industrial scale production to serve global cannabis demand. Its products will be produced and tested to GMP and ISO standards. Investors are advised that from time to time the Company may provide information about its operations through its website at www.oneworldpharma.com. Information about Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that include information relating to future events. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which that performance or those results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time they are made and/or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in, or suggested by, the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to: the Company's need for additional funding, the demand for the Company's products, governmental regulation of the cannabis industry, the Company's ability to maintain customer and strategic business relationships, the impact of competitive products and pricing, risks related to operating in Colombia, growth in targeted markets, the adequacy of the Company's liquidity and financial strength to support its growth, and other risks that may be detailed from time-to-time in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. For a more detailed description of the risk factors and uncertainties affecting One World Pharma, please refer to the Company's Current Report on 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2019, which is available at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. One World Pharma Company Contact: Mimi Tekabe One World Pharma Inc. 1.800.605.3210 www.oneworldpharma.com One World Pharma Investor Relations & Financial Media: Integrity Media Inc. info@integrityir.com Toll Free: (888) 216-3595 www.IntegrityIR.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/43025 Investing.com - Oil futures pulled back on Monday, after U.S. President Donald Trump took to Twitter to slam OPEC about pushing prices higher. "Oil prices getting too high. OPEC, please relax and take it easy. World cannot take a price hike - fragile!" Trump tweeted in his latest attack on the cartel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures for March delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange slumped 52 cents, or around 0.9%, to $56.78 a barrel by 7:15AM ET (12:15 GMT). Elsewhere, Brent oil for April delivery on the ICE (NYSE:ICE) Futures Exchange in London shed 67 cents, or about 1%, to $66.58 a barrel. Both benchmarks reached their highest levels of the year on Friday. After ending 2018 in freefall, oil prices have rallied approximately 25% to start the year, boosted by efforts by global producers to cut supply. In December, OPEC and a group of 10 producers outside the cartel, led by Russia, agreed to collectively cut production by a total of 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) during the first six months of 2019. Top exporter and OPEC's de facto leader Saudi Arabia recently pledged to cut even more production than the deal called for. Trump's call comes after he announced U.S. sanctions against Iran and Venezuela that have caused output to fall in both countries. Output from Libya is also running below traditional levels because of the country's civil war. Crude futures were also generally supported by hopes that the U.S. and China would soon resolve their trade disputes, which have dragged on global economic growth. President Trump said on Sunday that he would delay an increase in tariffs on Chinese goods that had been scheduled for Friday, citing "substantial progress" in U.S.-China trade talks over the weekend. Crude prices had risen on the back of that news because of the reduced likelihood of a further economic slowdown in China, the world's biggest importer. Related Articles Gold Prices Press Higher as U.S.-North Korean Talks Break Down Darkening economic outlook threatens to cap oil price in 2019: Reuters poll Gold Prices Edge Down Despite Uncertainty on Sino-U.S. Trade Deal * President Buhari, opposition's Atiku leading contenders * Nigeria is Africa's biggest economy, top oil producer * Blasts heard in city of Maiduguri - Reuters witnesses * GRAPHIC-Nigeria presidential election: https://tmsnrt.rs/2E6qkDO (Adds INEC extends voting hours, presidential contender, Borno governor) By James Macharia and Ahmed Kingimi ABUJA/MAIDUGURI, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Nigeria began counting votes in Saturday's closely-fought presidential election although the electoral commission extended voting hours in some places where polling stations opened late or ballot machines malfunctioned. President Muhammadu Buhari and his main challenger, businessman Atiku Abubakar, both said they were confident of victory when casting their ballots in an election which has already been delayed by a week. Analysts say the vote in Africa's biggest economic power is too close to call, with the outcome set to hinge on which man voters trust the most to revamp an economy still struggling to recover from a 2016 recession. Buhari, a former military ruler who was later elected president, is seeking a second term in charge of Africa's most populous nation and top crude producer. Atiku, a former vice president, has pledged to expand the role of the private sector. The two men lead a field of more than 70 candidates in an election which the commission postponed last Saturday just hours before voting was due to begin, citing logistical issues. Voting had been completed in some areas across Nigeria and counting of ballots was taking place, Reuters witnesses said. Senior Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official Festus Okoye said the commission had extended hours in polling stations that had experienced delays. He also said problems encountered during the voting, including security issues, were being addressed. These included malfunctioning of voter card machines which would be replaced. "We are on top of the situation and we are confident that as we progress in this particular election, most of the issues that arisen relating to this particular election will be addressed," Okoye said. Story continues The country has 72.8 million eligible voters. Buhari, who voted in his hometown of Daura in the northern state of Katsina, said: "I will congratulate myself, I'm going to be the winner" when asked by reporters if he would congratulate his rival, should Atiku win the election. Atiku later cast his ballot in the eastern Adamawa state. "I am impressed by the turnout of the people," he told reporters shortly after voting. "I look forward to a successful transition," he said. VOTING DELAYS Voting officially began at 8:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) and was due to close at 2:00 p.m. but Kingsley Moghalu, a presidential candidate for the Young Progressives Party, said he had only managed to vote at noon in the southeastern state of Anambra. He said polls opened two hours late and machines to read voting cards were not working. "If as a presidential candidate my polling unit can be treated in this manner, I can imagine what a lot of Nigerians are going through in many parts of the country," he said. Other voters echoed his concerns. "Ive been to 10 polling units today. Ive been redirected many times," said Victor Kanoba a voter in Lagos. John Tomaszewski, an observer with the joint U.S. National Democratic Institute and International Republican Institute delegation, said delays had been somewhat expected given the logistical challenge of getting materials to the polling stations in time for opening. "Logistics weren't properly managed despite the postponement of the polls," said Idayat Hassan, director of Abuja-based think tank Centre for Democracy and Development, which is also observing the election. However, in Lagos' business district of Victoria Island, Reginald Anthony, 45, who runs a transport business, said: "We are seeing a transparent election, everything is open for everyone to see". MAIDUGURI BLASTS After voting in the northern Kano state, Hadisa Hayatu, a 38-year old housewife, said: "I voted for Buhari because he has assured us that he is going to build on what he has done on security and other issues." An Atiku supporter in Kano, stylist Laurie Isaac, 27, said: "We need change. I need more work. I need my salary to increase." In the country's northeast, where insurgent groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province have waged a decade-long war, blasts were heard in the city of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state. Boko Haram had warned people not to vote. Security sources said militants had struck at parts of Maiduguri and a Reuters witness said he had heard gun shots and Nigerian air force jets were flying overhead. Colonel Sagir Musa, acting director of army public relations, said there had not been an attack on any part of Maiduguri, where activity had been part of an exercise by the military. "Our people defied Boko Haram threats and came out," Kashim Shettima, Borno's governor, said after voting in Maiduguri. Shettima's motorcade was attacked by insurgents on Feb. 12 on route to an election rally. "The world should know we may not have a perfect exercise but the process is still OK." (Reporting by Paul Carsten, Seun Sanni, Aaron Ross, Abraham Achirga, Adewale Kolawole, Afolabi Sotunde, Ardo Hazzad, Didi Akinyelure, Garba Muhammed, Mike Oboh, Nneka Chile, Ola Lanre, Percy Dabang, Camillus Eboh, Christian Merenini and Tife Owolabi; Writing by James Macharia; Editing by Alexis Akwagyiram and Toby Chopra) LOS ANGELES, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP (GPM) announces an investigation on behalf of Mueller Water Products, Inc. (Mueller Water Products or the Company) (NYSE: MWA ) investors concerning the Company and its officers possible violations of federal securities laws. If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate. On April 27, 2017, Mueller Water Products issued a press release entitled Mueller Water Products Reports 2017 Second Quarter Results. Therein, the Company disclosed that certain of Mueller Technologies products had been failing prematurely, resulting in a $9.8 million warranty charge. On this news, the Companys share price fell $1.43 per share, more than 11%, to close at $11.25 per share on April 28, 2017, on unusually heavy trading volume. Follow us for updates on Twitter: twitter.com/GPM_LLP . If you purchased Mueller Water Products 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. News Highlights NXP announces certification from Arm Platform Security Architecture (PSA) certification scheme, PSA Certified and Security Evaluation Scheme for IoT Platforms (SESIP) across the industrys broadest range of edge processing solutions: from microcontrollers (MCUs), crossover processors to applications processors. PSA and SESIP certifications reinforce NXPs long-standing leadership in driving scalable, secure processing for industrial and Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications. PSA Certified is an Arm-led industry-wide initiative, including NXP, to provide a simple and comprehensive approach to security testing. NUREMBERG, Germany, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (Embedded World 2019) Building upon the commitment made by NXP to drive security for the IoT with The Charter of Trust at the Munich Security Conference, NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NXPI) today announced various processor families were awarded Level 1 certification in the Arm Platform Security Architecture (PSA) certification scheme, PSA Certified. NXP utilized its decades-long security expertise and leadership in working together with industry partners to harmonize PSA and SESIP security schemes for reduced fragmentation of IoT certifications. From power-efficient MCUs (LPC55S00) to crossover processors (i.MX RT1050, i.MX RT1060, i.MX RT600) and up to high-performance i.MX applications processors (i.MX 7ULP, i.MX 8M Nano, i.MX 8M Mini, i.MX 8QuadXPlus, i.MX 8QuadMax), are now PSA Certified Level 1. LPC55S00, i.MX RT1050, i.MX RT1060, and i.MX 7ULP are also SESIP certified Level 1 with other families completing soon. Independent verification of the security requirements to gain PSA and SESIP certifications were carried out by Brightsight, the worlds largest independent security evaluation lab. The market has been waiting for security standards that enhance consumer confidence, said Geoff Lees, senior vice president and general manager of microcontrollers. PSA and SESIP provide that assurance and will open the door for much faster deployment of secure industrial and IoT solutions. We are working with ecosystem partners to create uniform certification standards while adding our unique value to raise the bar on security and privacy. Story continues Brightsight is excited to work with NXP on these PSA Certified and SESIP projects. Both schemes will improve the security of IoT devices and build a higher level of trust in the value chain, said Dirk-Jan Out, CEO of Brightsight. This trust is critical for the IoT to succeed. As one of the leading partners of PSA Certified as well as SESIP, we are proud to be the security lab and advisory partner supporting NXP in their commitment to secure their products. All PSA and SESIP certified products implement isolated, secure execution environment thus protecting sensitive assets by separating them from the user application. A cornerstone to establishing the IoT trustworthiness, NXPs ROM-based secure boot process leverages securely stored device keys creating an immutable, hardware-based Root-of-Trust (RoT). The entire software stack, from the bootloader, operating system and up to the application software, is authenticated, starting from the hardware RoT to establish a chain of trust. Several recently introduced crossover processors and MCUs also integrate an SRAM-based Physically Unclonable Function (PUF) that uses natural variations intrinsic to the SRAM to generate on-demand keys. The security for Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) or asymmetric encryption is enhanced through the Device Identity Composition Engine (DICE) security standard as defined by the Trusted Computing Group (TCG). With NXPs comprehensive secure-by-design principles and capabilities, its embedded processors meet or exceed the Level 1 standards specified by PSA and SESIP with many of these families capable of Level 2 standards. As we drive towards a world of a trillion connected devices, its our industrys responsibility to enable trust in connected devices, the data they collect and the deployment of these devices at scale, said Paul Williamson, VP and GM, Emerging Business Group at Arm. PSA Certified enables IoT solution developers and device makers to verify their solutions have been designed with a secure foundation in line with PSA principles, and NXP is among the first of our partners to deliver a Level 1 PSA Certified product family. Driving Holistic Security for the IoT In addition to PSA Certified and SESIP, NXP is also connected to national and international governmental institutions around the world. With them, NXP helps coordinate the security expectations, certifications, requirements and legislation. For example, NXP has joined forces with fellow IoT key players in the Charter of Trust, is a member of the European Cyber Security Organization (ECSO) and has connections with the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA). NXP also actively participates in standardization bodies such as ISO, FIDO, GlobalPlatform, and NFC Forum, to promote future security interoperability. Additionally, NXP solutions for key applications are certified according to global security standards, including Common Criteria (ISO/IEC 15408-1...3) up to the level EAL 6+ certifications. For more information about NXPs security solutions for the IoT, visit our website. About NXP Semiconductors NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NXPI) enables secure connections and infrastructure for a smarter world, advancing solutions that make lives easier, better and safer. As the world leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, NXP is driving innovation in the secure connected vehicle, end-to-end security & privacy and smart connected solutions markets. Built on more than 60 years of combined experience and expertise, the company has over 30,000 employees in more than 30 countries and posted revenue of $9.41 billion in 2018. Find out more at www.nxp.com . NXP and the NXP logo are trademarks of NXP B.V. ARM is a trademark or registered trademarks of ARM Ltd or its subsidiaries in the EU and/or elsewhere. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved. 2018 NXP B.V. For more information, please contact: VANCOUVER, British Columbia and JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Platinum Group Metals Ltd. (PTM-TSX; PLG-NYSE American) (Platinum Group or the Company) is pleased to announce the positive results from its Annual General Meeting held on February 22, 2019 in Vancouver, BC. The meeting had a turnout of shareholders representing over 73% of its issued shares eligible to vote at the meeting. Shareholders strongly supported the appointment of the Board and the resolutions proposed. The number of directors is fixed at six and on a show of hands the Shareholders elected managements six nominees for directors. Details of the proxy voting are as follows: DIRECTOR NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENTAGE OF VOTES CAST FOR FOR WITHHELD R Michael Jones 16,777,624 99.52% 0.48% Frank R Hallam 16,722,176 99.19% 0.81% Iain D C Mclean 16,813,655 99.73% 0.27% Timothy D Marlow 16,813,081 99.73% 0.27% Diana J Walters 16,818,536 99.76% 0.24% John A Copelyn 16,420,584 97.40% 2.60% The re-appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors of the Company for the ensuing year at a remuneration to be fixed by the directors was voted in favour by 99.25% of the Shareholders. A poll was also conducted with respect to the ordinary resolution to approve ownership of more than 19.9% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company upon the exercise of up to 15,090,999 common share purchase warrants (exercisable into up to 1,509,999 common shares of the Company) by HCI Consolidated Investments Inc. or its associated or affiliates (collectively, HCI). According to the ballots cast, the ordinary resolution was approved by the Shareholders, other than HCI, with the following results: DISINTERESTED SHAREHOLDER VOTE SUMMARY NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENTAGE OF VOTES CAST FOR FOR AGAINST 12,677,591 98.59% 1.41% Following the shareholders meeting, the directors ratified the current officers of the Company for the ensuing year. For more information on these matters, please refer to Platinum Groups information circular, available on SEDAR ( www.sedar.com ) or visit our website at www.platinumgroupmetals.net . About Platinum Group Metals Ltd. Platinum Group is focused on, and is the operator of, the Waterberg Project, a bulk mineable underground palladium deposit in northern South Africa. Waterberg was discovered by the Company. Waterberg has potential to be a low cost dominantly palladium mine and Implats, a smelter and refiner of platinum group metals, recently made a strategic investment in the Waterberg Project. On behalf of the Board of Platinum Group Metals Ltd. R. Michael Jones President and CEO For further information contact: R. Michael Jones, President or Kris Begic, VP, Corporate Development Platinum Group Metals Ltd., Vancouver Tel: (604) 899-5450 / Toll Free: (866) 899-5450 www.platinumgroupmetals.net Disclosure The Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE American have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this news release, which has been prepared by management. This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. securities laws (collectively forward-looking statements). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, plans, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes any forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. The Company directs readers to the risk factors described in the Companys Form 20-F annual report, annual information form and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulators, which may be viewed at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com, respectively. This is a joint press release by KAS BANK and CACEIS, pursuant to the provisions of Section 4 Paragraphs 1 and 3, Section 5 Paragraph 1 and Section 7 Paragraph 4 of the Decree on Public Takeover Bids (Besluit Openbare Biedingen Wft) (the "Decree") in connection with the intended public offer by CACEIS S.A. ("CACEIS") for all listed issued depositary receipts of ordinary shares in the capital of KAS BANK N.V. ("KAS BANK") (the "Depositary Receipts") and all non-listed issued ordinary shares in the capital of KAS BANK which are not registered in the name of Stichting Administratiekantoor Aandelen KAS BANK (the "Ordinary Shares" and together with the Depositary Receipts, the "Securities"). This announcement does not constitute an offer, or any solicitation of any offer, to buy or subscribe for any securities. Any offer will be made only by means of an offer memorandum. This announcement is not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, in or into, directly or indirectly, the United States, Canada or Japan or in any other jurisdiction in which such release, publication or distribution would be unlawful. KAS BANK and CACEIS agree on a recommended public offer in cash for all securities in KAS BANK The combination makes CACEIS a leading asset service provider in the Netherlands and allows KAS BANK to export its expertise in servicing institutional investors such as pension funds and insurance companies to all the European markets CACEIS is currently servicing. CACEIS` pan-European ambition is therefore confirmed, with a reinforced position in the Netherlands, a major country in Europe for financial activities, that will serve its clients` international development strategy. The acquisition is expected to create value through substantial potential synergies. Transaction highlights KAS BANK and CACEIS have reached conditional agreement on a recommended all-cash public offer by CACEIS for KAS BANK of EUR 12.75 per Security (the Offer Price), valuing KAS BANK at EUR 188 million [1] . The Offer represents a premium of 110% over the closing price of KAS BANK on Friday, 22 February 2019 and 111% over the average volume weighted price for the 3 months prior to and including that date. The Managing Board and Supervisory Board of KAS BANK unanimously support and recommend the Offer. KAS BANK and CACEIS have agreed on an integration plan and non-financial covenants for the period after completion of the Offer. CACEIS will finance the transaction from its own funds. The Offer is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2019 and is subject to customary conditions, including approvals from the Dutch Central Bank and European Central Bank. Benefits of combining the businesses Story continues CACEIS, part of Credit Agricole S.A., is a European leader in asset servicing and one of the major players worldwide. As of 31 December 2018, CACEIS had EUR 2,633 billion in assets under custody and EUR 1,695 billion in assets under administration. KAS BANK is a leading specialist in the field of custody and administration services for institutional investors and financial institutions in the Netherlands, also with local presence in Germany and the United Kingdom. As of 31 December 2018, KAS BANK had EUR 197 billion in assets under custody and EUR 191 billion in assets related to investment accounting, including AIFMD assets. KAS BANK and CACEIS are complementary. Both institutions are involved in the same activities, but in different markets, targeting the institutional investors and financial institutions segments and focusing on the development of new technologies and digital processes. The combination of CACEIS and KAS BANK (the "Combination") will provide the operations of KAS BANK with access to critical size in terms of balance sheet, boost KAS BANK`s competitive strength and position KAS BANK as the combination`s global centre of excellence for pension fund services. Acquiring KAS BANK will make CACEIS one of the leading parties in the Dutch market, with a clear opportunity to further grow its client base. In addition, CACEIS will further strengthen its product range and competitiveness with pan European institutional investors. Paris, France and Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 25 February 2019 - KAS BANK, a leading specialist in the field of custody and administration services for institutional investors and financial institutions in the Netherlands, Germany and the UK, and CACEIS, a European leader in asset servicing and one of the major players worldwide, jointly announce that they have reached conditional agreement on a recommended public offer (the "Offer") to be made by CACEIS for all issued and outstanding ordinary securities in the capital of KAS BANK (the "Securities") for EUR 12.75 in cash per security (the "Offer Price"), representing a total consideration of EUR 188 million, subject to the terms and conditions to be set out in the offer memorandum. The offer memorandum is expected to be submitted to the AFM in the second quarter of 2019. In connection with the announcement of the Offer, KAS BANK today, in a separate press release, also published its annual results over 2018 (full year). Sikko van Katwijk, Chairman of the Managing Board of KAS BANK said: "Founded in 1806, KAS BANK has developed from a `kassiersbedrijf` to a leading Dutch administration bank. The agreement we reached today marks the start of a new era for all of us. Teaming up with CACEIS increases our competitive strength and enhances our investment and innovation power in a market where scale is an increasingly important factor. Our Dutch, German and UK clients will benefit from the critical size with more than EUR 2.8 trillion assets under custody, the solid capital position and the extended product range this combination will bring. Our staff will benefit from this improved positioning as well as from enhanced career opportunities within the combination. Our conversations with CACEIS have strengthened our belief that a combination of CACEIS and KAS BANK puts our organisation in trusted hands. The Supervisory Board and the Managing Board of KAS BANK believe that a combination of KAS BANK and CACEIS is beneficial for KAS BANK and all of its stakeholders." Jean Francois Abadie, CEO of CACEIS: "With the announcement today, we significantly upgrade our position in the Dutch market. In addition, CACEIS will further strengthen its expertise in servicing institutional investors such as pension funds and insurance companies, in order to distribute these services on a global basis. The combination is anticipated to create value for our shareholders and will broaden and deepen our offering in Europe. We are convinced that the Offer is in the interests of both companies` stakeholders. The Offer is in line with the investment criteria of the Credit Agricole S.A. group with, in particular, an attractive return on investment. The prudential impact is negligible at group level." Strategic rationale The Dutch market for asset servicing is attractive due to its asset volume, complexity and high pension savings to GDP ratio. The market is known for its pension funds, private equity and real estate funds among others, resulting in a significant size. KAS BANK is a local champion, with an expertise in servicing institutional investors. For KAS BANK`s business, being part of a large and well capitalised player, revenues are expected to grow while costs synergies will lead to increased profitability. Both parties believe that the Combination will lead to an enhanced positioning of CACEIS as service provider to European institutional investors. The extensive knowledge and expertise of CACEIS with respect to additional services will be available to Dutch investors such as private equity funds, real estate companies and other professional investors. The unparalleled strength of CACEIS` parent company, Credit Agricole, will offer a solid financial position, business continuity and support business development, evolving KAS BANK into CACEIS` Dutch branch. The parties believe that the Combination has several strategic benefits including: Excellent complementarity in clients, markets and knowledge; Centred around client empowerment and operational excellence; Data driven and innovative organisations; Digitally oriented European asset servicing company; Comparable corporate values. Support and recommendation from the Managing Board and the Supervisory Board This announcement follows constructive interactions between the companies including a period of due diligence. Consistent with their fiduciary responsibilities, the Supervisory Board and Managing Board of KAS BANK, with the support of their financial and legal advisors, have given careful consideration to all aspects of the Offer, including strategic, financial, operational and social points of view. KAS BANK formed a transaction committee consisting of Mr Peter Borgdorff, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Mr Sikko van Katwijk, chairman of the Managing Board, Mr Mark Stoffels, CFRO and Mr Jaap Witteveen, COO. Together with their financial and legal advisors, they have monitored the process and discussed the intended Offer as well as the considerations underlying the key decisions and resolutions in connection therewith. On basis of the deliberations and findings in the transaction committee the Management Board made its decisions, under the supervision by the Supervisory Board. The Supervisory Board has held various meetings with and without the members of the Managing Board present. After due and careful consideration, having taken the interests of all stakeholders into account, the Supervisory Board and the Managing Board of KAS BANK unanimously conclude that the Offer is in the long term interest of KAS BANK, the sustainable success of its business and clients, employees, holders of Securities and other stakeholders, and have decided to fully support and recommend the Offer to the holders of Securities and furthermore recommend the holders of Securities to vote in favour of the resolutions relating to the Offer at the upcoming Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (EGM). The support and recommendation is subject to the terms and conditions of the merger protocol entered into by KAS BANK and CACEIS and completion of the consultation process with the works council of KAS BANK. Fairness opinions On 24 February 2019, Rabobank issued a fairness opinion to the Managing Board and the Supervisory Board of KAS BANK and on 24 February 2019 ABN AMRO issued a fairness opinion to the Supervisory Board of KAS BANK stating that as of such date, based upon and subject to the factors and assumptions set forth in each of the opinions, that the Offer Price is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Securities. The full text of the fairness opinions will be included in KAS BANK`s position statement. Non-Financial Covenants CACEIS values the interests of all stakeholders of KAS BANK, including clients, employees, shareholders, governmental organisations, suppliers, partners and others, and recognises the corporate identity of KAS BANK based on a legacy built up over more than two centuries. KAS BANK and CACEIS have agreed to non-financial covenants with respect to the business, employees, governance of KAS BANK and the integration of KAS BANK within CACEIS, which will apply during the period starting on the settlement date and ending one year after the transformation into a branch of CACEIS. Business CACEIS supports the strategy of KAS BANK`s business. KAS BANK will act as CACEIS` global centre of excellence for pension fund business, defending, expanding and innovating CACEIS`s pension fund offering in the Netherlands and across other international markets. KAS BANK will operate as CACEIS` Dutch business base, keeping the client base materially intact and respecting and improving the client service levels. Employees The existing rights, benefits, pension rights, (collective) agreements and social plan applicable to the employees of KAS BANK will be respected or replaced with equivalent arrangements. Also, the existing arrangements with the works council, trade unions and employee consultation processes will be respected. CACEIS will aim to ensure that the employees of KAS BANK have increased career opportunities, personal development and training. Governance KAS BANK will evolve into the CACEIS` Dutch branch, who will maintain local Dutch management and expertise. CACEIS will maintain and respect the operating of the Managing Board and Supervisory Board until the Dutch branch has been launched successfully. Integration The integration is aimed at strengthening KAS BANK`s local product and service offering to all its clients while using CACEIS`s centres of excellence in the most efficient way. CACEIS will aim to avoid redundancies wherever it can and respect the agreed social plan of KAS BANK in case of redundancies. Composition of the boards Under the envisaged new ownership, Mr Sikko van Katwijk, Chairman of the Managing Board since 2015, and Mr Mark Stoffels, CFRO since 2016, and Mr Jaap Witteveen, COO since 2014 will continue in their current position in the Managing Board of KAS BANK. Following completion of the transaction, the Supervisory Board of KAS BANK, subject to the approval by the EGM and regulatory approval, will consist of seven members of which four new members will be nominated by CACEIS. Three members of the Supervisory Board will continue. Financing of the Offer CACEIS will finance the transaction from its own funds and will at the settlement of the Offer be able to pay the aggregate Offer Price and to comply with all its financial obligations. Next steps KAS BANK and CACEIS will seek to obtain all necessary regulatory approvals and competition clearances as soon as practicably possible. CACEIS intends to publish an offer memorandum and launch the Offer in the second quarter of 2019. KAS BANK will hold the EGM at least 6 business days before the closing of the offer period. Based on the required steps and subject to necessary approvals, the transaction is currently expected to close in the third quarter of 2019. Advisors KAS BANK is advised by Rabobank as financial advisor and Stibbe as legal advisor. CACEIS is advised by Credit Agricole CIB as financial advisor and Clifford Chance as legal advisor. ANNEX: Further details on the merger protocol Acquisition of 100% KAS BANK and CACEIS acknowledge that it is desirable that CACEIS acquires full ownership of KAS BANK and its business in order to transform KAS BANK from a subsidiary into a branch of CACEIS. If CACEIS acquires at least 95% of the Securities, CACEIS will initiate a statutory buy-out procedure to obtain 100% of the Securities. If CACEIS acquires less than 95% but at least 80% of the Securities and subject to KAS BANK and CACEIS reaching final agreement on the structure thereof, it is intended that CACEIS acquires full ownership of the business of KAS BANK pursuant to a legal demerger of the business of KAS BANK to a newly incorporated subsidiary of KAS BANK, after which the new subsidiary will be sold and transferred to CACEIS against payment by CACEIS of a purchase price sufficient to ensure that KAS BANK will be able to make and advanced liquidation distribution on each Security not tendered in the Offer equal to the Offer Price. Upon completion of the sale of the new subsidiary to CACEIS, KAS BANK will be dissolved and liquidated, following which the remaining holders of Securities will receive an advanced liquidation distribution (the intended demerger and subsequent liquidation, the "Demerger and Liquidation"). CACEIS and KAS BANK are currently conducting a feasibility analysis of the Demerger and Liquidation. Commencement conditions and Offer conditions The commencement of the Offer is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following commencement conditions customary for a transaction of this kind: the consultation procedures with respect to the advice of the works council of KAS BANK having been complied with; KAS BANK and CACEIS having complied with the applicable consultation procedures pursuant to the Dutch Merger Code ( SER-besluit Fusiegedragsregels 2015 ); no material breach of the merger protocol having occurred; no order, stay, judgment or decree having been issued, and no statute, rule, regulation, governmental order or injunction having been enacted or enforced, prohibiting the making of the Offer; Stichting Preferente Aandelen KAS BANK, subject to the Offer being declared unconditional, having waived its call option right under the call option agreement between Stichting Preferente Aandelen KAS BANK and KAS BANK and having agreed to (i) request KAS BANK to cancel the outstanding preference shares, and (ii) terminate the call option agreement; Stichting Administratiekantoor Aandelen KAS BANK having agreed that, subject to the Offer being declared unconditional, it will exchange all Depositary Receipts to be held by CACEIS for the corresponding Ordinary Shares; the AFM having approved the offer memorandum; no notification having been received from the AFM stating that investment firms are not allowed to cooperate with the settlement; no material adverse change having occurred; trading in the Securities not having been suspended as a result of a listing measure ( noteringsmaatregel ); the merger protocol not having been terminated; and the Managing Board and the Supervisory Board not having revoked their recommendation. If and when made, the consummation of the Offer will be subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following offer conditions customary for a transaction of this kind: minimum acceptance level of 95%, which acceptance level will automatically be lowered to 80% if and when the Demerger and Liquidation is agreed between KAS BANK and CACEIS, and subsequently (i) the EGM has adopted the relevant resolutions in relation to the Demerger and Liquidation, (ii) all regulatory approvals necessary for the implementation of the Demerger and Liquidation have been obtained, and (iii) no order, stay, judgment or decree has been issued that prohibits the implementation of the Demerger and Liquidation. It is provided however that CACEIS may waive the minimum acceptance condition without the consent of KAS BANK if the acceptance level is at least 75%; Stichting Preferente Aandelen KAS BANK, subject to the Offer being declared unconditional, having waived its call option right under the call option agreement between Stichting Preferente Aandelen KAS BANK and KAS BANK and having agreed to (i) request KAS BANK to cancel the outstanding preference shares, and (ii) terminate the call option agreement; Stichting Administratiekantoor Aandelen KAS BANK having agreed that, subject to the Offer being declared unconditional, it will exchange all Depositary Receipts to be held by CACEIS for the corresponding Ordinary Shares; competition clearance having been obtained; declarations of no-objection having been obtained from the European Central Bank and the Dutch Central Bank; no notification having been received from the AFM stating that investment firms are not allowed to cooperate with the settlement; no material breach of the merger protocol having occurred; the Managing Board and the Supervisory Board not having revoked their recommendation; the EGM having adopted certain resolutions; no material adverse change having occurred; no order, stay, judgment or decree having been issued, and no statute, rule, regulation, governmental order or injunction having been enacted or enforced, prohibiting the making of the Offer; and, trading in the Securities not having been suspended as a result of a listing measure (noteringsmaatregel). Competing offer KAS BANK and CACEIS may terminate the merger protocol in the event a bone fide third party makes a written binding offer which, in the reasonable opinion of the Managing Board and Supervisory Board of KAS BANK, is more beneficial to KAS BANK and the holders of Securities, employees and other stakeholders than the Offer, specifically taking into account the identity and track record of such third party, the consideration to be received by the holders of Securities, the likelihood of completion and the other terms and conditions of the Offer, and which exceeds the Offer Price by at least 10% (a "Competing Offer"). In the event of a Competing Offer, CACEIS will be given the opportunity to match such offer, in which case the merger protocol may not be terminated by KAS BANK. Any additional subsequent competing offer will have a 5% offer threshold and matching right for CACEIS. As part of the merger protocol, KAS BANK has entered into customary undertakings not to solicit any third party offers. Termination of the merger protocol If the merger protocol is terminated because a Competing Offer has been made which has not been matched by CACEIS, KAS BANK will pay CACEIS an amount equal to 1% of the aggregate Offer Price. If the merger protocol is terminated because the Competition Clearance or the Regulatory Approvals have not been obtained, CACEIS will pay to KAS BANK an amount equal to 1% of the aggregate Offer Price. If the merger protocol is terminated because all relevant conditions are satisfied or waived and CACEIS fails to launch the Offer or does not settle the Offer, CACEIS will pay to KAS BANK an amount equal to 1% of the aggregate Offer Price. Timetable KAS BANK and CACEIS will seek to obtain all necessary clearances and approvals as soon as possible and are confident that all approvals and clearances will be secured. The consultation process with the works council of KAS BANK will be commenced immediately, with the intention to complete the process prior to commencement of the Offer. CACEIS will file a request for approval of the offer memorandum with the AFM and will publish the offer memorandum shortly after approval from the AFM, in accordance with the applicable statutory timeline. KAS BANK will hold an EGM at least six business days prior to the closing of the acceptance period in accordance with Section 18 Paragraph 1 of the Decree to inform the holders of Securities about the Offer and to adopt certain resolutions that are conditions to the consummation of the Offer. Based on the required steps and subject to the necessary approvals, KAS BANK and CACEIS anticipate that the Offer will close in the third quarter 2019. Further information The information in this press release is not intended to be complete. For further information explicit reference is made to the offer memorandum, which is expected to be published in the second quarter of 2019. This offer memorandum will contain further details regarding the Offer. Press contact CACEIS Press contact KAS BANK Eric Derobert Remko Dieker Group Head of Communication and Public Affairs Secretary to the Managing Board Tel: +33 1 57 78 05 96 Tel: +31 20 557 51 80 Mobile: +33 6 83 78 65 59 Mobile: +31 6 51 68 54 79 About CACEIS CACEIS is the asset servicing banking group of Credit Agricole dedicated to institutional and corporate clients. Through offices across Europe, North America and Asia, CACEIS offers a broad range of services covering execution, clearing, depositary and custody, fund administration, middle office outsourcing, forex, securities lending, fund distribution support and issuer services. With assets under custody of 2,633 billion and assets under administration of 1,695 billion, CACEIS is a European leader in asset servicing and one of the major players worldwide. www.caceis.com About KAS BANK KAS BANK is a European specialist for safekeeping and administration of securities and high-quality risk- and reporting services. We focus on securities services for professional investors in the pensions and securities market. Our strategy and services are based on clear principles about the role custodians should perform in the financial markets. Integrity, transparency and independence are important values for our bank, as well as a low risk profile. KAS BANK is located in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Germany. We offer access to more than 90 markets worldwide. KAS BANK is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. www.kasbank.com DISCLAIMER The distribution of this press release may, in some countries, be restricted by law or regulation. Accordingly, persons who come into possession of this document should inform themselves of and observe these restrictions. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, CACEIS and KAS BANK disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of any such restrictions by any person. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of that jurisdiction. Neither CACEIS, nor KAS BANK, nor any of their advisors assumes any responsibility for any violation by any of these restrictions. Any KAS BANK shareholder who is in any doubt as to his or her position should consult an appropriate professional advisor without delay. This announcement is not to be published or distributed in or to the United States, Canada or Japan. The information in the press release is not intended to be complete. This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer or an invitation to acquire or dispose of any securities or investment advice or an inducement to enter into investment activity. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or acquire the securities of KAS BANK in any jurisdiction. Forward Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may be considered "forward-looking statements," such as statements relating to the impact of this transaction on CACEIS and KAS BANK. Forward-looking statements include those preceded by, followed by or that include the words "anticipated," "expected" or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. Although CACEIS and KAS BANK believe that the assumptions upon which their respective financial information and their respective forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, they can give no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience or from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, receipt of regulatory approvals without unexpected delays or conditions, CACEIS`s ability to successfully integrate KAS BANK, CACEIS`s ability to achieve the anticipated results from the acquisition and integration of KAS BANK, the effects of competition (in particular the response to the transaction in the marketplace), economic conditions in the global markets in which CACEIS and KAS BANK operate, and other factors that can be found in CACEIS`s and KAS BANK`s press releases and public filings. Neither CACEIS nor KAS BANK, nor any of their advisors, accepts any responsibility for any financial information contained in this press release relating to the business, results of operations or financial condition of the other or their respective groups. Each of CACEIS and KAS BANK expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. [1] Based on 15,699,017 securities issued, minus 921,934 treasury shares. CP CACEIS LONG ENG 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: CREDIT AGRICOLE SA via GlobeNewswire HUG#2236267 By Stephen Nellis (Reuters) - Intel Corp on Monday announced new chips and partnerships that it hopes will persuade its investors that the billions of dollars in research and development that it has poured into 5G networking technology will pay off. Intel, the world's second-largest chip maker by revenue, got into the wireless data business with its acquisition of German modem maker Infineon in 2011. Its sole major modem customer is Apple Inc, whose iPhones feature Intel modem chips to connect to mobile data networks. But the cutthroat modem business, where Intel competes against rivals such as Qualcomm Inc and MediaTek Inc, has lower margins than Intel is accustomed to making on its flagship processor chips that go into personal computers and data centers. But Bob Swan, Intel's chief executive, said Intel's future in 5G networks, which are expected to roll out this year and next and be much faster than current 4G networks, extends beyond selling modems to phone makers. Intel plans to also sell modems to automakers for use in connected vehicles, as well as to manufacturers for use in connecting industrial equipment. And Intel also plans to land its other chips - including processors and the so-called programmable chips it gained by acquiring Altera Inc in 2016 - in a variety of networking gear, he said. "Where investors have been most anxious is, we were catching up for a while. Catching up, in their minds, means not making any money," Swan said at a press event in Palo Alto, California last week ahead of the Mobile World Congress conference being held in Spain this week. "Now we're at a stage where we believe we have products that are as good as anybody in the industry's as we move into 5G." On Monday at the conference, Intel said it had reached a deal for network gear makers Fibocom Wireless Inc, Arcadyan Technology Corp and others to include Intel modem chips in so-called modules and gateways that will help industrial equipment connect with 5G networks. The company also introduced new programmable chips that will compete against Xilinx Inc, which in its most recent quarter saw a revenue boost from 5G deals. Intel is also aiming to sell versions of its flagship processors for use in 5G base stations, which help carry mobile phone signals back to core networks and said it reached deals with Ericsson and ZTE Corp to use Intel processors in their 5G networking gear. (Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) The Huawei logo is displayed ahead of the Mobile World Congress (MWC 19) in Barcelona, Spain, February 24, 2019. REUTERS/Sergio Perez PRAGUE (Reuters) - China's Huawei Technologies is prepared to defend itself in court in the Czech Republic if it is unable to resolve a security warning from the country's cyber watchdog in an open way, its country manager was quoted as saying on Monday. The Czech cyber watchdog (NUKIB) warned about potential dangers in using technology from Huawei and Chinese firm ZTE in December, leading state and private institutions to undertake risk analyses. Huawei faces growing scrutiny around the globe over its ties with the Chinese government and allegations that Beijing could use its technology for spying. It denies those allegations. Huawei's Czech and Slovak country director Radoslaw Kedzia told the Pravo newspaper that NUKIB's job description did not include disqualifying certain market participants for political reasons. He said NUKIB has not yet provided evidence for its claims. Huawei wanted to solve the situation in "a friendly and open way," Kedzia told the paper. "But if all other ways fail, we have no other choice and we have to defend ourselves," he said in the interview. NUKIB's warning has already led the Czech tax authority to exclude Huawei from a tender. However, the office canceled that tender this month. NUKIB director Dusan Navratil has said that he expects Huawei and ZTE to be left out of more tenders. Prime Minister Andrej Babis said in January that cyber security should be debated at the European Union level. Huawei has been publicly backed by President Milos Zeman, who has long promoted close cooperation with China. (Reporting by Jason Hovet, editing by Louise Heavens) Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch, United States Supreme Court at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Conference in San Francisco The Supreme Court has long extended the 1925 Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) nearly to the limits of congressional power to regulate interstate commerce. It has imposed the FAAs preemptive coverage on all private employees except for transportation workers who, it admits, are statutorily excluded. It has stricken state laws and court decisions that it says particularly burden arbitration. The Supreme Court treats click accept as a knowing waiver of rights. Compulsory arbitration and class action bars are prevalent in non-negotiable employment contracts. But a recent win for truck drivers in the U.S. Supreme Court suggests new possibilities for access to the courts. The recent New Prime v. Oliveira was a unanimous (8-0) decision that surprised many. Although the drivers class action was seemingly within the transport workers exclusion from the FAA, and therefore the FAAs requirement that arbitration clauses be enforced did not apply, the employer claimed that the driver was an independent contractor, so his work was not employment. Under the employers reading, the exclusion from FAA coverage would not apply and federal law would require the driver to arbitrate his claim regardless of state law. Justice Gorsuch dug into contemporary dictionaries in a Scalian search for original ordinary meaning. He concluded that when Congress enacted the FAA in 1925, the term contracts of employment referred to all agreements to perform work. No less than those who came before him, Mr. Oliveira is entitled to the benefit of the same understanding today. Consequently, the driver was not barred by the FAA and could litigate his putative class action Fair Labor Standards Act claim. It is possible that this recent decision may have even broader implications for employees with boiler-plate arbitration clauses in their contracts. The FAA excludes contracts of employment of seamen, railroad employees, or any other class of workers engaged in foreign or interstate commerce (the transport workers exclusion). But the high court in Circuit City Stores v. Adams (2001) ruled that only transportation workers were excluded from the FAAs mandate that arbitration clauses be enforced. Writing for a bare majority, Justice Kennedy narrowly construed the exclusionlimiting it to transportation workers. He relied on the dubious, judge-made canon or maxim of statutory interpretation ejusdem generis (roughly: a broad residual phrase should be limited by the specific characteristics of the words preceding it). Consequently he concluded that the statutes residual phrase or any other class of workers had to be limited to the specific characteristics of seamen and railroad employees. Further, he asserted that this was an immediate and ... insurmountable TEXTUAL obstacle to reading or any other class of workers according to its ordinary meaninga less dubious, albeit judge-made, approach. He therefore purported to transform a questionable judicial approach to reading statutes, which competes with the more accepted ordinary meaning canon, into what he characterized as a plain-meaning, textual approach. He also rejected clear legislative history. Lauding the advantages of the arbitration process the court enjoined a state employment discrimination action, compelling arbitration as required by the retailers contract of employment. Gorsuchs embrace of the 1925 original meaning of the FAA now casts doubt on Circuit Citys application of the FAA to all but transportation workers. The dissenters in that case understood the exclusion to extend to all contracts of employment in interstate commerce. Justices John Paul Stephens and David Souter, in separate opinions, relied on the FAAs legislative history. Congress, at the urging of the ABA, was eager to end judicial resistance to commercial arbitration agreements. Commerce Secretary Hebert Hoover suggested an amendment excluding contracts of employment to address labor union (primarily maritime unions) opposition. This became the transport workers exclusion. Justice Souter even suggested an alternative canon to interpret the residual clause any other class of workers ...: ex abundanti cautela (abundance of caution). We know that judges often choose between seeming opposite-pointing canons of statutory interpretation. Embrace of this original meaning of the FAA (together with a rejection of the artificial, canon-based approach) could raise doubt about the Circuit City holding and make it possible for courts and legislatures to lift from workers in all industries in interstate commerce the burden of "take it or leave it" arbitration clauses. TORONTO, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Clear Blue Technologies International Inc. (Clear Blue or the "Company") (TSXV:CBLU) is pleased to announce that it has completed an initial tranche ("Initial Tranche") of a non-brokered private placement of units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.25 per Unit, for gross proceeds of $1,008,000 (all amounts are in Canadian dollars). Additionally, the Company has closed on a $1,150,000 operating line and credit facility provided by a Canadian Schedule I bank with the support of Export Development Canada (EDC). Clear Blue is also working to secure additional research and development (R&D) grant funding in 2019. The Company has previously been successful in obtaining R&D grants between $250,000 and $500,000 annually, and it is aiming to achieve a similar level of grant funding this year. The capital and grants should meet Clear Blues financing needs through the next phase of our growth trajectory, says Miriam Tuerk, CEO and Co-Founder, Clear Blue. The bank operating line with EDCs support also helps provide working capital flexibility to deliver on larger orders which will add to the growth in revenue that we anticipate in 2019. In addition, a number of key existing customers are expecting to undertake significant growth this year. We believe this foundation will serve us well for 2019. Supporting the growth of promising clean technology companies like Clear Blue is a priority for EDC, says Carl Burlock, Senior Vice-President of Financing and International Growth Capital at EDC. We offer solutions to help these businesses achieve new levels of success in the international marketplace. With Clear Blue we are providing financial solutions, knowledge, and international connections to support their global growth goals. The Company expects to complete additional tranches under the private placement for gross proceeds, together with the Initial Tranche, of up to $2,500,000 (the "Offering") within the next few weeks. Under the terms of the Offering, each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant of the Company. Each warrant will be exercisable at a price of $0.50 per share for a period of 36 months following the closing. The warrants will be subject to accelerated expiration if the 10-day volume weighted average trading price of the Companys common shares is, at any time, greater than $0.80 per share. The Offering is subject to final approval from the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company will pay aggregate finder's fees of $51,485 in cash and will issue 261,940 common share compensation options (the "Compensation Options") to compensate finders who introduce purchasers in the Initial Tranche of the Offering. Each Compensation Option is exercisable to acquire one common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.50 per common share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance, and will be subject to accelerated expiration if the 10-day volume weighted average trading price of the Companys common shares is, at any time, greater than $0.80 per share. Lawrence Tjan, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, subscribed for 100,000 Units under the Initial Tranche of the Offering for aggregate cash consideration of $25,000. The participation of Mr. Tjan in the Offering constitutes a related party transaction under the Canadian Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101"), but is otherwise exempt from the formal valuation and minority approval requirements of MI 61-101. The securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period in accordance with applicable securities legislation. About Clear Blue Technologies International Clear Blue Technologies International, the Smart Off-Grid company, was founded on a vision of delivering clean, managed, wireless power to meet the global need for reliable, low-cost, solar and hybrid power for lighting, telecom, security, Internet of Things devices, and other mission-critical systems. Today, Clear Blue has thousands of systems under management across 35 countries, including the U.S. and Canada. About EDC Export Development Canada (EDC) is a financial Crown corporation dedicated to helping Canadian companies of all sizes succeed on the world stage. As international risk experts, we equip Canadian companies with the tools they need the trade knowledge, financing solutions, investments, insurance, and connections to take on the world with confidence. Underlying all our support is a commitment to sustainable and responsible business. For more information and to learn how we can help your company, call us at 1-888-434-8508 or visit www.edc.ca . Legal Disclaimers This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. 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. Forward-Looking Information and Statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only Clear Blue's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of Clear Blue's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information contained herein may include, but is not limited to, information concerning the Offering (including the completion of the Offering), the use of the proceeds raised under the Offering, the use of proceeds under the operating line of credit facility and the securing of future R&D funding. By identifying such information and statements in this manner, Clear Blue is alerting the reader that such information and statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Clear Blue to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such information and statements. Media Contact: Becky Nye Senior Associate Montieth & Company 12 E 49th St., New York, NY 10017 bnye@montiethco.com +1 646.864.3517 Investor Relations : Miriam Tuerk Co-Founder and CEO +1 (855) 733-0119 x200 Baltimore, Maryland--(Newsfile Corp. - February 25, 2019) - Dr. Henry Lowe Ph.D. announces - It is with pleasure that Flavocure Biotech, Inc. welcomes the creation of Advisory Board Chairman, reporting to the company's board of directors. In the creation of this new role, Dr. Jose Luis Calderon, M.D. has accepted the role as Chairman of the Advisory Board of Directors. Dr. Calderon, a graduate of Harvard Medical School, also serves as a member of the Division of General Internal Medicine & Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA. In addition to his work with UCLA Medical School, Dr. Calderon is an advisory board member serving on the board of the UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative and a Voting Member for ASTM International Committee on International Cannabis Standards. Dr. Henry Lowe, Flavocure's Chairman commented, "Flavocure has attracted some of the world's top thought leadership on the subject of cannabis related phytopharmaceuticals. Dr. Calderon is no exception - he has remarkable credentials and has become a valuable member of the Flavocure team". As the company continues their pursuit of FDA approval for their drugs FLB-03G and Cresorol, the advisory board will lend significant support to this process. Flavocure is also pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Thomas Lang, Ph.D. as Director of Regulatory Affairs. Dr. Lang is an experienced pharmaceutical and biotech industry veteran, graduating with degrees in Chemistry and Pharmacy. Dr. Lang previously served as the President and Vice Chairman of Serono, Inc., a biopharmaceutical business of Merck, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. At Serono, Dr. Lang was responsible for a wide range of therapeutic areas, including Immunology. Dr. Lang's responsibilities included successfully navigating high level strategic interactions with senior level FDA, State and Government officials, advocacy support groups and pharmaceutical affiliations. Dr. Lang has also served as President of Stallergenes, Inc., and Sr. Vice President of Stallergenes Greer, a global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in the UK. Story continues Mr. Clark Swanson, MBA, Executive Vice Chairman of Flavocure commented, "Dr. Lang is highly experienced in traditional and advanced biopharmaceutical products with such companies as Ciba-Geigy, Janssen, Warner-Lambert, Organon, and Serono. This experience led to the successful commercialization of 12 products, and it is with that expertise that we look to the future of Flavocure's drug pipeline with great optimism." Mr. Swanson continued, "Dr. Lang has already been a tremendous asset in our Investigational New Drug ("IND") studies and preparations furthering our FDA applications". For more information contact: Clark Swanson clark.swanson@flavocure.com About Flavocure: Flavocure Biotech, Inc. aims to be a leader in the transformation of medicinal properties from cannabis. The company, in collaboration with some of the most prestigious medical research institutions in the world, has discovered ground-breaking cannabis derived molecules and generated preliminary data indicating activity against therapeutically validated kinase mutation targets. Flavocure's patent filed technology has led to an FDA Orphan Drug designation, as well as allowed the company to begin IND enabling studies for Phase 1/2 human clinical trials. Flavocure is currently privately held. We seek safe harbor. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/43018 HANOI, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Vietnam hosts the second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this week, with denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and ending sanctions against Pyongyang the main items on the table. Here are the key things that each side will be looking for at the Feb 27-28 summit in Hanoi. WHAT THE U.S. WANTS Denuclearisation of North Korea is the over-riding goal that Washington is seeking to achieve. That means elimination of all weapons of mass destruction programmes in North Korea - the production of those weapons, as well as the intercontinental ballistic missiles that can deliver them. WHAT IT MAY SETTLE FOR The United States will seek to form a shared understanding with North Korea of what denuclearisation means at the summit, U.S. officials said on Thursday. Washington is also expected to seek to establish a roadmap that sets expectations and the process for negotiations on denuclearisation beyond this week's summit. A freeze on North Korea's weapons of mass destruction and missile programs is also likely to be on the agenda. North Korea appears to have produced enough bomb fuel in the past year to add as many as seven nuclear weapons to its arsenal, a report by Stanford University's Centre for International Security and Cooperation said earlier this month. WHAT NORTH KOREA WANTS North Korea has publicly called for an end to the crippling economic sanctions imposed by the United States and the United Nations, which will be its main aim at the summit. But its concept of denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula could include removal of the U.S. nuclear umbrella for South Korea and nuclear-capable forces. Some officials in South Korea, the U.S. Congress and elsewhere have expressed concern that North Korea is calling for changes to the level of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, but Trump said on Friday that drawing down U.S. troops in South Korea is not on the table. Story continues North Korea has also long called for a peace deal with the United States to normalise relations and end the technical state of war that has existed since the 1950-1953 Korean War concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty. WHAT IT MAY SETTLE FOR Washington has balked at signing a comprehensive peace treaty before North Korea completely denuclearises, but U.S. officials have signalled they may be willing to conclude a more limited agreement to reduce tensions, open liaison offices, and move toward normalising relations. Kim said in January that North Korea is "ready to re-open Kaesong industrial park and tours to Mount Kumgang without any preconditions or price,". The two inter-Korean projects require at least partial easing of sanctions to resume operations. Kim also said North Korea is seeking from the U.S. "corresponding practical actions" for the "various practical measures" it says it has taken for the complete denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula. "Corresponding actions" that North Korea is demanding of the U.S. include "the end of hostile policies" against North Korea and the lifting of sanctions, a commentary by state news agency KCNA said on December 20. What the 'end of hostile policies' entails is unclear. (Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) Former Trump campaign boss Paul Manafort "repeatedly and brazenly" broke the law, special counsel Robert Mueller said in a court filing unsealed Saturday. In the massive 800-page document, Mueller said that federal sentencing guidelines suggest Manafort get between 17 and nearly 22 years of incarceration when he is sentenced in the D.C. court on March 13. But Mueller did not recommend that Judge Amy Berman Jackson impose a particular prison sentence on the longtime Republican operative. Jackson can sentence Manafort to a maximum of 10 years in prison due to statutory maximum requirements. Former Trump campaign boss Paul Manafort "repeatedly and brazenly" broke the law, special counsel Robert Mueller said in a court filing unsealed Saturday. "The crimes he engaged in while on bail were not minor; they went to the heart of the criminal justice system," Mueller wrote in a sentencing memorandum in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. In the massive 800-page document, Mueller said that federal sentencing guidelines suggest Manafort get between 17 and nearly 22 years of incarceration when he is sentenced in the D.C. court on March 13. But Mueller did not recommend that Judge Amy Berman Jackson impose a particular prison sentence on the longtime Republican operative. Jackson can sentence Manafort to a maximum of 10 years in prison due to statutory requirements. However, the special counsel did call for a stiff sentence, highlighting Manafort's "bold" criminal actions and extensive pattern of deceit that "remarkably went unabated even after indictment." Manafort, 69, is also due to be sentenced in a separate case brought by special counsel prosecutors in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, on March 8. Mueller has already said in that case that under sentencing guidelines Manafort could face up to 24 years behind bars, and pay up to tens of millions of dollars in fines. Story continues If the judge in the D.C. case sentences Manafort to prison time, she can decide whether to add it to his sentence in the Virginia case or allow it to be served at the same time. Both cases involve crimes connected to the millions of dollars Manafort earned from consulting work he performed in Ukraine for a pro-Russia political party before joining the Trump campaign. The partially redacted sentencing memo appears to provide no details about Manafort's interactions with Russians during the 2016 presidential campaign an area Mueller's team has been investigating as part of the ongoing probe of Russian meddling in that election. Manafort was convicted in August on eight counts, including tax and bank fraud, in the Virginia case. On the eve of his D.C. trial in September, Manafort struck a deal with the special counsel and pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy, in which he acknowledged tampering with potential witnesses in his case. But the deal fell apart months later, after Manafort was accused of lying to investigators in breach of the agreement. Those alleged lies should weigh heavily on Manafort's sentencing, Mueller said in the memo to the D.C. judge. His conduct after pleading guilty "reflects a hardened adherence to committing crimes and lack of remorse," the special counsel said. Manafort's "deceit, which is a fundamental component of the crimes of conviction and relevant conduct, extended to tax preparers, bookkeepers, banks, the Treasury Department, the Department of Justice National Security Division, the FBI, the Special Counsel's Office, the grand jury, his own legal counsel, Members of Congress, and members of the executive branch of the United States government," Mueller said. "In sum, upon release from jail, Manafort presents a grave risk of recidivism," the special counsel stated. Meanwhile, authorities in New York are reportedly preparing to slap criminal charges on Manafort in anticipation of a possible pardon from Trump, who has railed against the special counsel for his treatment of his former campaign boss. In August, Trump lamented in a tweet: "Looking back on history, who was treated worse, Alfonse Capone, legendary mob boss, killer and "Public Enemy Number One," or Paul Manafort, political operative & Reagan/Dole darling, now serving solitary confinement - although convicted of nothing? Where is the Russian Collusion?" Lawyers for Manafort are scheduled to file their own sentencing memo in the D.C. case on Feb. 25. They then face a March 1 deadline to submit sentencing documents in the Virginia case, at which point Mueller will have up to five days to respond. More From CNBC By Aaron Saldanha Feb 25 (Reuters) - Stocks in Latin America rose on Monday and the region's currencies firmed against a soft dollar after U.S. President Donald Trump fueled appetite for risky assets globally by delaying an increase in tariffs on U.S. imports from China. The decision, though not unexpected, heightened hopes there will be a deal struck to end the bruising trade war between the world's top two economies, which has had a knock-on effect on emerging markets. "EM rallying strongly even though a postponement of the tariffs and an eventual trade deal is widely expected," Citi Research Head of Emerging Market strategy Dirk Willer and Emerging Markets FX Strategist Kenneth Lam wrote in a note. "We are still long EM, but would expect some profit taking when the deal is inked." MSCI's index of emerging market stocks was up 0.9 percent, set for a sixth straight day of gains, its longest winning streak since May last year. The benchmark is trading about 13 percent higher from a late December low. Stocks in index heavyweight China, a key destination for Latin American resources exports, posted their biggest single-day gains in more than three and a half years. Brazilian stocks edged up 0.2 percent, as gains across most sectors were tempered by losses incurred by energy shares. Iron ore mining giant Vale SA rose 1.3 percent, building on Friday's 3.6 percent gain. State-run oil firm Petroleo Brasileiro SA, which was weighed down by sliding oil prices, fell 1 percent. Brazil's oil regulator said it started investigating Petrobras, whose preferred shares were down 0.9 percent on Monday, over an oil leak from an offshore platform over the weekend. Planemaker Embraer SA slipped 0.6 percent after a judge issued an injunction on Friday to block a shareholder meeting regarding a tie-up with larger U.S. peer Boeing Co . The Brazilian firm on Monday said it would take "appropriate measures" to overturn the decision. Mexico's peso, considered by many to be a weather vane of trade sentiment, firmed about half a percent. The currency's trading volumes reached about 160 percent of their average volume over the last week, Refinitiv Eikon data showed. Story continues Chile's peso rose 0.5 percent, following rising prices of copper, the country's key export. Shares in Chile hit a five-month peak and were trading up 0.4 percent, aided by a strong showing among materials stocks. Argentine stocks were up 1.2 percent, taking them to what would be their highest closing level in a week if the gains hold. The local peso was about 0.9 percent firmer. Key Latin American stock indexes and currencies at 1430 GMT Stock indexes daily % Latest change MSCI Emerging Markets 1068.43 0.92 MSCI LatAm 2917.23 0.54 Brazil Bovespa 98055.33 0.17 Mexico IPC - - Chile IPSA 5505.80 0.4 Argentina MerVal 37089.51 1.21 Colombia IGBC - - Currencies daily % change Latest Brazil real 3.7240 0.45 Mexico peso 19.0661 0.37 Chile peso 648.5 0.42 Colombia peso 3094.51 0.39 Peru sol 3.306 0.00 Argentina peso (interbank) 38.9200 0.72 (Reporting by Aaron Saldanha in Bengaluru; Editing by Andrea Ricci) DENVER, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DCP Midstream, LP (NYSE: DCP) has filed its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A copy of the Form 10-K, which contains our audited financial statements, is available for viewing and downloading on the investor section of our website at www.dcpmidstream.com. Investors may request a hardcopy of the Form 10-K free of charge by emailing Irene Lofland at ilofland@dcpmidstream.com. About DCP Midstream, LP DCP Midstream, LP (NYSE: DCP) is a Fortune 500 midstream master limited partnership headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with a diversified portfolio of gathering, processing, logistics and marketing assets. DCP is one of the largest natural gas liquids producers and marketers and one of the largest natural gas processors in the U.S. The owner of DCPs general partner is a joint venture between Enbridge and Phillips 66. For more information, visit the DCP Midstream, LP website at www.dcpmidstream.com. Photo credit: Bureau of the Atomic Scientists From Popular Mechanics You can see the logic behind the idea. The U.S. Department of Defense envisions a kind of portable nuclear reactor that could move with units and provide all the power needs for a remote military base, eliminating the need to transport lots of fuel and maintain long supply lines to keep a base fueled up. But a prominent nuclear organization just weighed in, arguing that such a plan is a colossal mistake. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists-the people known for their "two minutes to midnight" Doomsday Clock-argues that while such a reactor probably is feasible from a technical standpoint, it would never be safe enough to deploy on the battlefield. The risk of meltdown and radiation release would be too great ever to justify deploying the reactor into the field, the scientists say. Nuclear on the Go The Pentagon announced Project Dilithium , its effort to develop a portable nuclear reactor, in January 2019. According to its plan, the reactor should be less than 40 tons total weight; small enough to be transported by truck, ship, and aircraft; able to run for at least three years without refueling; and capable of semi-autonomous operation. Why the sudden interest in nuclear power? The militarys return to big power warfare against the likes of Russia or China is driving a new emphasis on powerful radars, communications, and direct energy weapons, and that's probably what's behind this request, since all those systems are power-hungry. Portable nuclear reactors are also useful for conflicts such as Iraq or Afghanistan, where convoys laden with diesel fuel are at risk of ambush. The Pentagon wants a reactor capable of making 1 to 10 megawatts of electricity, and is clear that the reactor needs to be safe, incapable of melting down and contaminating nearby troops with harmful radioactivity. The military emphasizes safety and trouble-free operation, but also acknowledges that such a reactor is not expected to survive a direct kinetic attack. Story continues The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists says a hassle-free, low-maintenance reactor is unlikely at this point of technological development. In addition, war bring a variety of inescapable problems; a reactor on a battlefield could be buried by debris or damaged to the point that it can no longer cool itself. If the reactor is unable to prevent its temperature from spiking, its military outpost could have a big problem on its hands in the form of a meltdown. The Worst Case Given the unpredictability of the battlefield, it's impossible to say for certain that a reactor could be protected from such catastrophic damage. And if a reactor does suffer a containment failure, the Bulletin says, it is hard to see how dangerous radioactive material isnt unleashed into the nearby environment: An operating nuclear reactor is essentially a can filled with concentrated radioactive material, including some highly volatile radionuclides, under conditions of high pressure and/or temperature. Even a reactor as small as 1 megawatt-electric would contain a large quantity of highly radioactive, long-lived isotopes such as cesium-137-a potential dirty bomb far bigger than the medical radiation sources that have caused much concern among security experts. Another problem with Project Dilithium? The reactor could possibly run on highly enriched uranium (HEU), which can also serve as fuel for nuclear weapons. The U.S. and other major powers have acted to reduce the amount of HEU in the world. But if other countries follow the U.S. Armys lead it could result in more of the material worldwide, and the possibility that some of it could fall into the wrong hands. Read more at The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists . Update: an earlier version of this article misidentified Project Dilithium as a U.S. Army project. It is being developed by the Department of Defense. ('You Might Also Like',) VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 25, 2019 / Canarc Resource Corp. (TSX: CCM, OTCQB: CRCUF, Frankfurt: CAN) highlights the results of its 2018 activities and outlines its 2019 plans for continued growth by advancing its gold exploration projects in the USA and Canada. 2018 Highlights Developed a new vision, mission and strategy to create shareholder value by returning to our roots as an exploration company focused on discovering new gold deposits. Canarc has optioned or acquired three new gold projects with high impact district-scale gold discovery potential, with more possible acquisitions and initial drilling planned for this year. Added two new directors to the board to improve board oversight, including a more complete skill set to oversee geology/exploration/acquisitions, metallurgy/mining/mineral economics, financial management and capital markets. Appointed a new CEO, Scott Eldridge, with over 10 years of experience in the mining sector, spanning various executive roles with both private and public companies. He has a proven track record of raising capital for mining projects from exploration stage to construction financing. Signed an option agreement with Silver Range Resources Ltd. to acquire a 100% interest in their 2,090 hectare Hard Cash and 375 hectare Nigel properties located in southwestern Nunavut, Canada. Completed a 970 line-kilometer magnetic and radiometric geophysical survey on the property to identify drill targets for an initial drilling campaign during 2019. Signed an option agreement with Tasca Resources and Sidney Wilson to earn an 80% interest in the Princeton Gold property in southern British Columbia. Completed a 2,350 line-kilometer magnetic survey on the property to identify drill targets for a drill program in 2019. Acquired the Corral Canyon gold project in northwestern Nevada through the staking of 92 mining claims. The property contains significant, volcanic-hosted gold mineralization evidenced by previous drilling, along a regionally-productive gold trend. Low-sulfidation, volcanic-hosted epithermal gold mineralization has been defined for a strike length of 2.5 km by surface sampling and drilling. Completed successful bench-scale testing of New Polaris gold concentrate using the BIOX treatment process and achieved gold extractions of up to 96% following bio-oxidation. The results are being incorporated in an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") to be completed shortly. May seek a partner for this project in 2019 in order to advance the project to a feasibility study. Completed 3D modelling of the Fondaway Canyon deposit and identified drill targets for the next stage of diamond drilling to expand the resource. Continued surface mapping and sampling program on the property and trenching in the Reed Pit to better define possible high-grade gold mineralization. May seek a partner for this project in 2019 in order to expand the resource. Completed a Phase 3 exploration program at the Windfall Hills property including stream sediment sampling, soil sampling, machine trenching and airborne geophysics to detect new gold-silver anomalies, better delineate the known epithermal stock-work gold-silver mineralization and identify targets for the next drilling campaign on the property. Leased the Silver King property in Nevada to Brownstone Ventures. 2019 Plans Story continues New for 2019, Canarc will pursue three main strategies to create shareholder value: Engineering optimization of the existing +1 million oz gold resources at each of the New Polaris and Fondaway Canyon advanced exploration projects, to enhance their economic potential. High impact exploration of the Hard Cash, Princeton Gold and Corral Canyon early stage exploration projects, a high risk-high reward strategy focused on spending a "little" money to find a "lot" of gold. Opportunistic acquisition of strategic new projects where we can add significant value, including more advanced gold projects that are accretive on a per share basis. Canada New Polaris: Undertake a new Preliminary Economic Assessment of the New Polaris project during the first quarter of 2019 incorporating the economic benefits of making a flotation concentrate, oxidizing it using the BIOX process and then conventional leaching to produce dore bars at site. This would remove the historical need for either a new road or seasonal barging of concentrate and should significantly improve the economic potential of the project. Canarc can then seek a partner to advance the New Polaris property through feasibility, permitting and if positive, mine construction. Hard Cash: Complete data compilation and assessment and analysis of the 2018 geophysics survey to identify initial drill targets. Conduct a field program consisting of geological mapping, soil and rock chip sampling and diamond drilling on the most prospective targets. Princeton Gold: Complete data compilation and assessment and analysis of the 2018 geophysics survey to identify initial drill targets. Conduct a field exploration program consisting of geological mapping, soil and rock chip sampling and diamond drilling on the most prospective targets. Windfall Hills: Complete analysis of the results from the 2018 trenching, soil and rock sampling and geophysics survey to identify drilling targets for the next stage of drilling. USA Fondaway Canyon: Continue surface sampling and geological mapping to refine targets for the next phase of exploration drilling. Corral Canyon: Complete data compilations, geological mapping and soil and rock chip sampling to identify drill targets and conduct an exploration drilling program. Nevada Projects: Seek partners or buyers for the rest of the Company's projects in Nevada. Canarc has retained Nicosia Capital to assist in restarting and managing its investor relations program. The Company has also appointed Alan Wainwright, Ph.D., P.Geo. as a technical advisor to complement Canarc's technical team and assist in evaluating new acquisitions, designing exploration programs and interpreting exploration results. Canarc has granted stock options to acquire up to 700,000 common shares. The options have an exercise price of $0.07 per common share and expire on February 22, 2024 and are subject to certain vesting provisions. Qualified Person Garry Biles, P.Eng, President & COO for Canarc Resource Corp, is the Qualified Person who reviewed and approved the contents of this news release. "Scott Eldridge" ____________________ Scott Eldridge, Chief Executive Officer CANARC RESOURCE CORP. About Canarc - Canarc Resource Corp. is a growth-oriented gold exploration company focused on generating superior shareholder returns by discovering, exploring and developing strategic gold deposits in North America. The Company is currently advancing two core assets, each with substantial gold resources, and has initiated a high impact exploration strategy to acquire and explore new properties that have district-scale gold discovery potential. Canarc shares trade on the TSX: CCM and the OTCQB: CRCUF. For More Information - Please contact: Scott Eldridge, CEO Toll Free: 1-877-684-9700 Tel: (604) 685-9700 Cell: (604) 722-5381 Email: scott@canarc.net Website: www.canarc.net Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States private securities litigation reform act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking information that involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the future performance of Canarc, and the Company's plans and exploration programs for its mineral properties, including the timing of such plans and programs. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "has proven", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "potential", "appears", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "at least", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the Company's ongoing due diligence review in relation to the Acquisition, risks related to the uncertainties inherent in the estimation of mineral resources; commodity prices; changes in general economic conditions; market sentiment; currency exchange rates; the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the Company's ability to raise funds through equity financings; risks inherent in mineral exploration; risks related to operations in foreign countries; future prices of metals; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals; government regulation of mining operations; environmental risks; title disputes or claims; limitations on insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of litigation. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could affect the Company and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, do not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All statements are made as of the date of this news release and the Company is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws. SOURCE: Canarc Resource Corp. View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/536457/Canarc-Summarizes-2018-Results-and-Outlines-Plans-for-2019 * Northwest Nigeria has highest number of voters * Buhari secured 90 percent of vote in regional hub Kano in 2015 * Buhari's main opponent Atiku likely to eat into Kano stronghold By Aaron Ross KANO, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Sunday Nicholas voted for Muhammadu Buhari in Nigeria's 2015 presidential election, but the 32-year-old factory worker in the northern city of Kano was casting his ballot on Saturday for the president's challenger, Atiku Abubakar. "Most of the (workers) cannot feed their families," Nicholas said as he queued in a dusty schoolyard to vote. People are suffering, he said. "There is no improvement." If Buhari is turfed out of office when the results are tallied this week a major cause is likely to be defections by voters in the northwest, once Buhari's most important electoral stronghold, where anger over a feeble economy and disaffection from local bigwigs has loosened his grip. A quarter of Nigeria's nearly 73 million eligible voters are in the northwest, the country's most densely-populated region. Buhari received nearly 90 percent of Kano state's vote in 2015, running up a 1.7 million vote edge that accounted for more than half of his final margin of victory over then-president Goodluck Jonathan. But he faces stiffer headwinds this time around. Many voters are dissatisfied with an economy still sputtering after a 2016 recession. And his main opponent Atiku is also a northern Muslim rather than a southern Christian like Jonathan. Atiku stands to benefit from the support of influential local powerbrokers who have rallied behind the opposition candidate after falling out with Buhari and his allies. The most important among them, Rabiu Kwankwaso, is a senator, two-time governor of Kano State and so-called "godfather", a term for local Nigerian kingmakers who draw their influence from elaborate patronage networks. The 62-year-old Kwankwaso has a loyal core of supporters known as "Kwankwasiyya" who are readily identifiable by their woven red caps. He quit Buhari's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) last year amid a wave of defections to the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP). Story continues In a sign of Kano's newfound battleground status, Kwankwasiyya members on their way to a rally outside Kano city clashed with APC members on Thursday, leading to several injuries and torched vehicles. Each side blamed the other. PDP officials say Atiku could net as much as 40 or even 50 percent of the vote in Kano State. APC supporters dismiss that, although they concede that Atiku will make some inroads. "It will not be like what happened in 2015," said Baballe Hayatu, 40, an actor in the local film industry, who was waiting to vote for Buhari. "There was this security challenge so everyone was desperate in 2015," he said, referring to surging violence by militant group Boko Haram at the time that fed widespread rejection of Jonathan. But even if his four years in office have taken some of the lustre off Buhari, he remains popular in Kano, perceived by many as an incorruptible foe of the rampant graft that has plagued Nigerian politics for decades. "He's an honest man. He's a correct leader," said Zainab Habib Haruna, 32, a teacher. (Writing by Aaron Ross Editing by Alexis Akwagyiram and Peter Graff) NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S. TORONTO, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sandy Lake Gold Inc. (Sandy Lake or the Corporation) (TSX-V:SLAU) is pleased to announce that it has closed the first tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing, pursuant to which it has issued an aggregate of 11,850,000 units (the Units) at a price of $0.10 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,185,000 (the First Tranche Closing). Each Unit is comprised of one common share in the capital of the Corporation (a Share) and one-half of one (1/2) share purchase warrant. Each whole share purchase warrant is exercisable to purchase one additional Share at a price of $ 0.20 for a period of 24 months from the closing of the Offering, provided that if at any time after June 26, 2019, the closing price of the Shares on the principal market on which such Shares trade is at least $0.30 for more than 20 consecutive trading days, the expiry date will be accelerated to the date which is 30 days following the dissemination by the Corporation of a press release announcing such acceleration. All securities issued and issuable in connection with the First Tranche Closing are subject to a statutory hold period expiring on June 26, 2019. The Offering remains subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Sandy Lake Gold Inc. Sandy Lake Gold Inc. is a Toronto based mineral exploration company focused on the exploration and development of the Sandy Lake Gold project in Canada and proposed to acquire the Aremu Oko and Peters Mine properties in Guyana. For further information please contact: Patrick Sheridan Executive Chairman & CEO (416) 628-5904 Email: info@sandylakegold.com Forward Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking information and statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words expect, anticipate, continue, estimate, may, might, will, project, should, believe, plans, intends and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information and/or statements. Forward-looking statements and/or information are based on a number of material factors, expectations and/or assumptions of Sandy Lake which have been used to develop such statements and/or information but which may prove to be incorrect. Although Sandy Lake believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements as Sandy Lake can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. In addition to other factors and assumptions which may be identified herein, assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals; availability of financing; and the timely receipt of any required regulatory approvals. The forward-looking information and statements included in this news release are not guarantees of future performance and should not be unduly relied upon. Such information and/or statements, including the assumptions made in respect thereof, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and/or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information and/or statements including, without limitation: risks associated with the uncertainty of obtaining all applicable regulatory approvals, the availability of financing, and/or certain other risks detailed from time-to-time in Sandy Lakes public disclosure documents (including, without limitation, those risks identified in this news release and Sandy Lakes current managements discussion and analysis). Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Corporation does not undertake any obligations to publicly update and/or revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of additional information, future events and/or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy and / or accuracy of this release. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 25, 2019) - BeWhere Holdings Inc. (TSXV: BEW) (the "Corporation") announces that Nauby Jacob has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Corporation. Mr. Jacob, Vice President of Products and Services at Bell Mobility, has more than 20 years of global and Canadian telecom product development and management experience. Nauby has been instrumental in the development of Bell's most innovative wireless solutions over the past 10 years, including the company's leading Internet of Things and Smart City technologies. "Nauby brings mobile network operator experience to our Board which is very complementary to our current slate," said Paul Christie, Chair of BeWhere's Board of Directors. "We welcome Nauby to the company and look forward to his insights and perspective as we expand our presence both within Canada and globally." The appointment of Mr. Jacob to the Board of Directors of the Corporation is made pursuant to an investor rights agreement entered into between the Corporation and BCE Inc. About BeWhere BeWhere Holdings Inc. (TSXV: BEW) is a Mobile Internet of Things ("M-IoT") solutions company that designs and sells hardware with sensors and software application to track real-time information on non-powered fixed and movable assets, as well as to monitor environmental conditions. The Corporation develops mobile applications, middle-ware and cloud-based solutions that stand-alone or that can be readily integrated with existing software. The Corporation's solutions use available cellular technologies (LTE-M and NB-loT) and offer customers low-cost technology to implement a new level of visibility to their businesses. The Corporation sells its products through a worldwide network of distribution and technology companies. It secured distribution agreements and technology partnerships with a large roster of companies including major telecommunications providers, leading vehicle telematics providers and logistic and supply chain management solution providers. Story continues 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. For further information, please contact: Margaux Berry VP Strategy and Growth Tel: 1-(844) 229-4373 ext. 107 mberry@bewhere.com NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES Corporate Logo To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/43010 By Marianna Parraga (Reuters) - Asdrubal Chavez, chief executive of Houston-based Citgo Petroleum Corp, boarded the Venezuelan-owned firm's corporate jet in Caracas on Jan. 30, after meeting with top officials of the embattled administration of socialist President Nicolas Maduro about the latest U.S. oil sanctions. Upon landing in the Bahamas - where Chavez has worked for about a year after being denied a U.S. visa - he had received word from Houston that it would be his last trip on a company plane and that his Citgo email account had been shut off. Day-to-day control of the company had passed to Citgo's top U.S. executive, Rick Esser, who with the backing of Venezuela's rising political opposition and the U.S. government would begin clearing the way for a new, anti-Maduro board of directors at Citgo. Esser oversaw the moves to isolate Chavez - a cousin of the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez - and would soon start ousting other Citgo executives close to the Maduro administration. The house-cleaning at the prized U.S.-based subsidiary of Venezuela's state-owned oil firm, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), marked a crucial early victory for the country's rising opposition government - led by self-declared president Juan Guaido - as it struggles to remove Maduro from office and break his grip on the OPEC nation's oil assets. The account of the transition of power at Citgo is based on Reuters interviews with more than a dozen current and former Citgo and PDVSA executives, employees, and U.S. and Latin American advisors. Guaido, head of the Venezuelan congress, announced he would seize the presidency on Jan. 23 because Maduro's re-election last year was a sham, rendering the socialist leader illegitimate under Venezuela law. Guaido's claim to interim leadership, until fair elections can be held, was quickly backed by the United States and dozens of other nations. But Maduro remains in control of the military and PDVSA - making Citgo the obvious first target among national asset for Guaido's opposition movement to claim, with the help of the U.S. government. The battle for Citgo could prove pivotal in the effort to unseat Maduro because full control of a major U.S. refiner would provide a crucial source of revenue to a post-Maduro administration. Story continues Citgo, with more than $23 billion in annual sales and operations that supply about 4 percent of U.S. fuels, may be the last remaining asset owned by PDVSA with a healthy balance sheet. As PDVSA's oil production and revenue have plummeted amid crippling debt, mismanagement and international political pressure, Citgo's U.S. location and financial independence have shielded the firm from the worst of its parent company's meltdown. At the end of September, Citgo had net income of about $500 million, according to a creditor with access to financial statements that are not public. The company had almost $500 million in cash and an available credit line of $900 million. Inside Citgo's Houston headquarters, many employees weary of operating under the control of a failing socialist state eagerly awaited an expected official announcement of the appointments of new company directors, who were chosen by Venezuela's congress. "We are not expecting any resistance" to the new board inside the company, said one manager who spoke on condition of anonymity. "On the contrary, we are waiting for directions to lay out the red carpet." The new board met together for the first time in Houston on Thursday and named executives to replace those who were ousted. Board directors and a new executive team was confirmed by Citgo in a statement on Friday. Esser assumed responsibility for day-to-day strategic decisions and operations while a search for a new CEO has begun, it said, without mentioning former CEO Chavez. "These officers were chosen not only for their experience and knowledge, but also because of their demonstrated commitment to the company over the years," said Chairwoman Luisa Palacios in the statement. PDVSA and the White House did not respond to requests for comment. (GRAPHIC - An interactive look at Venezuela's crude exports to the United States, click here https://tmsnrt.rs/2S4YIXB) SHIFTING ALLEGIANCES As U.S. sanctions on Jan. 28 shifted the balance of power to Citgo's anti-Maduro faction of executives, Maduro loyalists scrambled to find their place in the emerging corporate structure. Two of four senior executives appointed by Chavez openly pledged support for the incoming board of directors in meetings with employees, said two sources who attended the meetings. But all four - Frank Gygax, Nepmar Escalona, Simon Suarez and Eladio Perez - were escorted out of the building on Monday, according to four people with knowledge of their departures. Gygax declined to comment and the others did not respond to requests. It is unclear whether Chavez has yet been formally terminated, an action that can only be taken by company directors, but he has been effectively shut out of the firm, Citgo employees said. Chavez did not respond to a request for comment. Esser has essentially run the company since Chavez' ouster, in close consultation with U.S. government officials, according to three Citgo employees and two people close to the incoming company board. A Jan. 30 meeting between White House National Security Advisor John Bolton and Citgo executives thrust the low-key Esser into the spotlight after Bolton tweeted a photo of the meeting, calling it "very productive." U.S. officials have voiced concern that Guaido and his supporters had been too slow in seizing control of Citgo and also have pushed for a say in choosing members of the refiner's new board - a request Guaido's team declined, according to two people familiar with the talks. Since clearing Citgo's upper ranks of Maduro allies, Esser has focused on securing alternatives to the Venezuelan oil that feeds its refineries. Recent U.S. sanctions prevent the firm from importing Venezuelan crude after April 28, which could cripple the company unless it can ensure it has the cash, credit and contracts for alternate supplies. Advisors to the incoming Citgo board have separately urged U.S. officials to exempt Citgo from sanctions and protect its assets from creditors once it is officially controlled by Guaido's team. Esser saw this crisis coming two years ago and put together a group to find new suppliers and test their oils in the event Venezuelan crudes were restricted by sanctions, according to a person familiar with the effort. The firm's efforts to sustain operations face a threat from creditors owed money by Venezuela and PDVSA, who could try to use that leverage to hamstring Citgo's finances, said Carlos Jorda, a former Citgo chairman and now a Houston business consultant. The U.S. government could help the company hold off that threat, he said. "The U.S. Treasury could say, 'Hold your horses, you'll get paid - but not paid by Citgo, but by Venezuela - when the Maduro regime exits,'" Jorda said. Esser and Citgo finance executive Curtis Rowe travelled to Washington this week to meet with U.S. government officials for at least the second time in three weeks, according to two Citgo employees. 'FROGS AND SNAKES' Opposition leaders had difficulty recruiting candidates willing to join the new Citgo board, according to three people familiar with the recruitments. "There are many risks," one of the people said, "and if these people have family members in Venezuela, they could be putting them at risk, too." In late 2017, six Citgo executives were called to Caracas and jailed amid a graft probe over a failed debt refinancing. Their detention led to Chavez's appointment as CEO and the arrival of several Maduro loyalists at Citgo's Houston headquarters. New Citgo Chairwoman Palacios has been huddling with newly appointed directors and legal advisers to guard against the threat of a potential U.S. court challenge by PDVSA to the new board's legitimacy, according to two sources close to her team. Palacios and other board members, which include former Citgo and PDVSA executives living in the United States, did not respond to requests for comment. One of their priorities will be to audit the finances of a refinery project in Aruba, said the two people close to Palacios. PDVSA and Citgo agreed to a $685 million overhaul of the idled facility in 2016, causing some Citgo executives to resign in protest, arguing the deal made no business sense. On Monday, Citgo Aruba Refining officially put the money-losing venture on hold and laid off workers, citing the impact of U.S. sanctions on PDVSA. The project has been clouded by corruption allegations, according to four former and current Citgo employees and two people close to the new Citgo board. "There is also worry about the audits to come. We are expecting 'frogs and snakes' to come from there," said a Citgo employee, using a Venezuelan figure of speech similar in meaning to the opening of a Pandora's box. REDECORATING Since Esser took over Citgo operations, the company has sent clear signals of a return to its century-old American roots. "We the people of Citgo have a story to tell you" read an advertisement in Tuesday's Washington Post, borrowing language from the U.S. constitution. The text emphasized the firm's 6,000 U.S. workers, fiscal strength and U.S. charity work. Workers at the company's Houston headquarters also have purged the company website and marketing materials of references to PDVSA and stripped the building of the symbols of Venezuela's socialist government. For years, the hallways have been decorated with renderings of a controversial painting of Latin American independence leader Simon Bolivar that had been commissioned by former president Hugo Chavez - and looked more like Chavez than any historical Bolivar painting. The portraits began to disappear, Citgo employees said, soon after Venezuela's congress appointed the company's new board of directors. (GRAPHIC - Citgo's Louisiana refinery was 2018's top U.S. consumer of Venezuela's crude, click here https://tmsnrt.rs/2t4ullS) (GRAPHIC - Venezuela was world's second-largest producer of heavy crude in 2017, click here https://tinyurl.com/y2dzohtq) (Reporting by Marianna Parraga; additional reporting by Gary McWilliams, Matt Spetalnick and Luc Cohen; writing by Gary McWilliams; editing by Brian Thevenot) Barrick Gold announces that it has made a proposal to the Newmont Mining to merge in an all-share transaction. Barrick CEO Mark Bristow says the proposed merger would unlock more than $7 billion net present value of real synergies. The merger, if approved, would come after years of stagnant gold prices, with futures trapped between $1,000 and $1,400 per ounce over the last several years. Barrick Gold ABX-CA announced on Monday a merger plan with Newmont Mining NEM in an all-share transaction. Barrick CEO Mark Bristow said the merger would unlock more than $7 billion net present value of real synergies , a major portion of which is generated by combining the two companies' assets in Nevada. "The combination of Barrick and Newmont will create what is clearly the world's best gold company, with the largest portfolio of Tier One gold assets and the highest level of free cash flow to drive future growth and support sustainable shareholder returns, run by a management team with an unparalleled record of delivering value," he said in a statement. "Most important, it will enable us to consider our Nevada assets as one complex, which will result in better mine planning and fully realize the state's enormous geological potential for all stakeholders." Barrick's announcement said the deal would be "long overdue," and "far superior to Newmont's proposed acquisition of Goldcorp Inc." Barrick shares fell 0.3 percent and Newmont shares rallied 1.4 percent in premarket trading following the merger proposal announcement. The merger would offer each Newmont shareholder 2.5694 Barrick shares. Barrick shareholders would own approximately 55.9 percent of the merged company and Newmont shareholders would own the rest. The combined company intends to match Newmont's annual dividend of 56 cents per share. The merger, if approved, would come after years of relatively stagnant gold prices, with futures trapped in a range between $1,000 and $1,400 per ounce since 2013. Gold closed above the key $1,300 per troy ounce last month after falling into a slump last summer, a trend some have attributed to a weaker dollar and buying by global central bankers. Story continues "Considered globally, the merger represents a radical and long-overdue restructuring of the gold industry, and a transformative shift from short-term survival tactics to the long-term creation of sustainable value," Bristow said. Barrick said the merger would result in an estimated 14 percent rise in Newmont's current net asset value per share and offer the company's shareholders a compelling investment in a company of much higher quality. Barrick, which spent $6.1 billion on buying rival Randgold Resources last month, has formed new management teams and doubled down on administrative cost cuts as part of Bristow's plan to best rivals. Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper reported last week that Barrick was considering a hostile bid for Newmont for about $19 billion in stock. More From CNBC (Adds details from interview) By Ernest Scheyder HOLLYWOOD, Fla, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Barrick Gold Corp's $18 billion hostile bid for rival Newmont Mining Corp is a "logical" tie-up that would generate value for shareholders of both companies and create an unrivaled global producer of the yellow metal, Chief Executive Officer Mark Bristow said in an interview on Monday. Barrick, already the world's largest gold producer, on Monday launched a takeover bid for its U.S.-based rival, encouraging it to ditch a previously announced $10 billion takeover of Goldcorp Inc. "This gold industry needs to become more relevant to investors," Bristow said on the sidelines of the BMO Global Metals & Mining Conference in Florida. "This deal drives a further rationalization in our industry." The deal comes less than two months after Barrick closed on its buyout of rival Randgold Resources, and represents an aggressive move by Bristow, considered one of the shrewdest minds in the gold industry, to consolidate as quickly as possible. While Bristow moved fast to reorganize Barrick since taking the helm last month, Newmont CEO Gary Goldberg has said he will retire at the end of 2019 after, he hopes, the Goldcorp deal closes. Goldberg's departure has not gone unnoticed by Bristow, who has fashioned it into his own pitch to shareholders. "By the way: Newmont's management's leaving and we're not," Bristow said. Investors across the industry are "definitely not pleased" with Newmont's Goldcorp bid and view it as a kind of "value destruction," Bristow said. "We're pointing out that this current (Newmont-Goldcorp) proposal takes away the opportunity for both sets of shareholders to participate in one of the few logical M&A transactions available to the industry," said Bristow. "The (Newmont) merger with Goldcorp adds no Tier One assets to their portfolio," he said. Bristow said he has talked to his shareholders and those at Newmont in "general" terms about his hostile bid, but not specifically. He said he has no concerns about ultimately receiving their approval. Story continues Newmont has suggested that instead of an outright sale, the two companies could combine Nevada operations in a joint venture. Newmont has 19 mines in the state, adjacent to Barrick's own operations. Bristow rejected the idea, saying it would not bring the same cost savings as combining the two companies. "You won't unlock the full value in a JV," he said. "We genuinely feel that we have the capacity to unlock this value once and for all." (Reporting by Ernest Scheyder; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe) Bank of America acquired Merrill Lynch a decade ago in the heat of the financial crisis. Its investment bank and trading operations will now be known as BofA Securities, while its private bank to the ultra wealthy will drop the U.S. Trust brand. Two of the most vaunted names in banking are fading into retirement. Bank of America BAC is expected to announce Monday that it will gradually retire the U.S. Trust brand to become the Bank of America Private Bank, according to people familiar with the change. The move is part of CEO Brian Moynihan's "one-company" strategy to more closely align the bank's various businesses and branding. The company will also no longer use the Merrill Lynch brand for its investment banking, global markets and capital markets group. Bank of America purchased U.S. Trust from Charles Schwab in 2006 for $3.3 billion, calling it "one of the largest and most respected" wealth management firms. U. S. Trust, founded in 1853 in New York, is the first and oldest trust company in the United States and became synonymous with America's moneyed elite. Its founders included Marshall Field, Erastus Corning and Joseph Lawrence, then Mayor of New York, while it's early clients included Gilded Age tycoons such as William Waldorf Astor and Oliver Harriman. In addition, Bank of America will dump the name Merrill Lynch from its investment bank and trading operations and keep just "Merrill" as the brand for its wealth management division.The rebranding was reported earlier by the WSJ. The Charlotte bank acquired Merrill Lynch a decade ago in the heat of the financial crisis. It used to be known by its brokers as "Mother Merrill." But the name stuck with the firm even after the Bank of America merger where other storied Wall Street names, including Smith Barney and Bear Stearns, faded away. The investment bank and trading business will now be called BofA Securities, while the units working with corporate clients will be called Bank of America. More From CNBC Today is another one-argument day at the Supreme Court. (Gray v. Wilkie was pulledfrom the docket because of a mootness issue.) But its a significant case in the era of Twitter and Facebook. Below, we give you a quick rundown. And we chatted with the winning lawyer in last weeks landmark decision on excessive fines and civil forfeiture. Tomorrow and Wednesday bring three more arguments before the court recesses until March 18. Thanks for reading, and contact us anytime at tmauro@alm.com and mcoyle@alm.com. 'Public Forums' and the First Amendment Last week, Justice Clarence Thomas kicked over a First Amendment hornets nestby suggesting the Supreme Court should reconsider New York Times v. Sullivan, the landmark 1964 decision that makes it difficult for public figures to win libel lawsuits against the media. Today, the court hears a lower-profile First Amendment case titled Manhattan Community Access Corporation v. Halleck that could also address another Thomas pet peeve: the courts public forum doctrine, which he says has been unfairly stretched to impose First Amendment rules on privately owned forumsin this case, private operators of public access channels. Cable systems are not public property, Thomas wrote in a 1996 partial dissent. The public forum doctrine has never been thought to extend beyond property generally understood to belong to the government. This may sound like a ho-hum quibble, but at a time when public figures are making major use of private social media platforms, its a big deal. Last years successful lawsuit challenging President Donald Trumps right to block individuals from his Twitter account turned on the public forum doctrine. In the Manhattan, the Second Circuit concluded that a private-owned public access television channel qualifies as a public forum under the First Amendment. The prospect that the ruling could have broad implications for the Internet attracted strong amicus attention: >> The Knight Institute, which sued Trump for his tweet block, filed a brief warning that a decision finding that private platforms cant be public forums would encourage government censorship at a time when government actors are increasingly harnessing the power of the Internet and social media to establish new expressive spaces. Knight senior attorney Katherine Fallow was on the brief. >> On the contrary, says the Chicago Access Corporation, which recruited veteran Erin Murphy of Kirkland & Ellis to write a brief stating that public access channels should not be subject to the same strict constitutional standards that apply on public streets and in public parks. >> The Internet Association, whose members include Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, filed a brief on behalf of neither party, but asks the court to rule very narrowly and not peg the Manhattan access channel as a state actor. Private property should be deemed a public forum only in extraordinary circumstances, wrote Chad Golder of Munger, Tolles & Olson. Arguing the case for the access channel will be Michael de Leeuw of Cozen OConnor, while those who want the channel to be viewed as a public forum will be represented by Mayer Brown partner Paul Hughes. Story continues Debut SCOTUS Argument Win for Wesley Hottot When Wesley Hottot (above) stood before the justices for his debut Supreme Court argument, he had in his pocket a sobriety token, a good luck gesture from his client Tyson Timbs. As the arguments got underway that November morning in the case Timbs v. Indiana, it became clear that token or no token, luck was running with Hottot, senior attorney at the Institute for Justice. "It's hard to predict any sort of court decision, but I knew in my heart that we had persuaded at least six of themone more than you need," he said. "It's nice to have your Supreme Court debut be in a case where not a single person can articulate how you're going to lose. A good first time out." The justices' unanimous ruling last weekthe biggest of the term so farsaid the Eighth Amendment's excessive fines clause applies to the states. The case focused on police forfeiture of a Land Rover vehicle, but the ruling could have broader consequences on state agencies and fines. The decision was a victory not just for first-timer Hottot and Timbs, but also for the Institute for Justice, which has labored long in the forfeiture fight. For much of the institute's history, Hottot said, "we've been looking for ways to invigorate property rights under the U.S. and state constitutions." The Institute for Justice considers asset forfeiture "one of the greatest threats to property rights today," Hottot said. Hottot, a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law, joined the Institute for Justice in 2008. "I work for a nonprofit so I dont have to worry about how much to bill the client for preparation," he said. "With our team, I was able to do about a dozen moots, some with outside organizations. Those were tremendously helpful in getting outside our heads." His most important advice for a new high court advocate is to keep in perspective that "this is just another case." Put all the pageantry aside and "do the same thing you would do for any other case." The Institute for Justice represents a party in a second case that's awaiting a decision at the high court: Tennessee Wine & Spirits Retailers Association v. Blair. Continuing the focus on forfeiture, Hottot is working now on a case involving the award of attorney fees under the Civil Forfeiture Act. "Getting to stand up in the Supreme Court and to talk to the people you spend your professional life learning about, it's just such a thrill. I feel like I've been bitten by a bug. My mission now is to get to do it again." >> More reading: Clarence Thomas Resumes a Quixotic Campaign, and Gets a Gorsuch Nod Supreme Court Headlines: What We're Reading >> Carmel Ebb (above, second from left), believed to be the first female to clerk for a federal appeals court judge, died in Maryland on Feb. 10 at age 94, leaving a legacy as a pioneering lawyer who overcame barriers that made a career in the law difficult for women. Ebb clerked for Judge Jerome Frank of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. NLJ >> "Those looking to reform the Supreme Court might want to look away from court packing and instead consider the seemingly mundane issue of judicial retirementand how it has reshaped the court throughout its history. A new SCOTUS retirement plan might just be the best way to protect the courts independence from the hyperpartisanship of our times." Politico >> Is Clarence Thomas heading out or just getting started? Thomas's call for revisiting Times v. Sullivan "reignited a whispering campaign among progressives that the 70-year-old justice is preparing to retire. But those close to Thomas saw something entirely different." CNN >> A federal appeals case in the 11th Circuit is the latest to test the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court pregnancy-bias ruling Young v. UPS, our colleague Erin Mulvaney reports. ACLU lawyers are pressing the court to revive claims brought by an emergency medical technician. NLJ >> "While the Establishment Clauses scope is a matter of dispute, most Supreme Court experts predict the challenge to the Peace Cross will fail, with the justices potentially setting a new precedent allowing greater government involvement in religious expression." Reuters >> A group of Texas attorneys teamed with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in a fight to block the execution of Bobby Moore, a 59-year-old man whose death-penalty case hinges on whether he is intellectually disabled and therefore cannot be executed. Lawyers from Norton Rose Fulbright provided pro bono representation, assisting Skadden litigation partner Cliff Sloan in clinching a major victory for Moore. Texas Lawyer (Bloomberg) -- A new Pentagon investigation into whether a former employees connections to Amazon.com Inc. corrupted a $10 billion cloud contract is likely to delay the agencys decision to choose a winner for the massive deal. The Defense Department review of alleged conflicts of interests, part of an ongoing court battle, has prompted the government to backtrack on parts of the extensive procurement process, after having spent 18 months on it. The Pentagon previously had said it was planning to announce a winner by April. Department of Defense spokeswoman Elissa Smith said Monday in a statement that the new probe and the underlying litigation "are expected to impact the award date." She said she had no additional information about the timeline or anticipated award date. The Pentagon said in a court filing made public Friday that its reviewing new information regarding Deap Ubhi, a former employee at a high-level Pentagon technology unit, and "possible personal conflicts of interests" related to the cloud procurement. Oracle Corp., which opposes the Pentagons plan to give the contract, known as the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure, or JEDI, to a single vendor, had sued in federal court to stop the award. Amazon is widely considered to have an edge over Oracle and several other large tech companies for the deal. Oracles lawsuit alleges that Ubhi helped design the contract to favor Amazon while negotiating to sell his company to the e-commerce giant. Inside the Nasty Battle to Stymie Amazons Pentagon Cloud Bid The government asked the U.S. Court of Federal Claims to pause proceedings in Oracles lawsuit so that the Pentagon could review the new information that it only became aware of this month. The judge in the case, Eric Bruggink, granted the request on Feb. 19 and directed the government to file a status report within five days of deciding whether conflicts of interest affected the procurements integrity. Story continues Ubhi, who had worked at Amazon before joining the government -- and rejoined the online retailer once he left the Pentagon -- did disclose some Amazon contacts to his Pentagon superiors. As a result, Ubhi had to recuse himself from working on the agencys cloud-computing procurement. A Pentagon contracting officer determined in July that Ubhis potential conflicts didnt compromise the integrity of the procurement, according to the governments filing. After completing the new Ubhi investigation, the contracting officer, Chanda Brooks, will make a "competitive range determination," in which the companies that are realistic contenders for the award, based on the projects requirements, are named. Then it will take at least three more months to pick a winner, the government said in its filing. Besides Oracle and Amazon, International Business Machines Corp. and Microsoft Corp. have also submitted bids for the project. If she hasnt issued the competitive range determination until now, you are largely past the April time frame, said Stan Soloway, who was a deputy undersecretary of defense under President Bill Clinton and is now president of a Washington-area consulting firm, Celero Strategies. You are not going to make April 1st. Oracle Loses Protest of Pentagon Cloud Bid Seen Favoring Amazon The latest Ubhi development may bolster Oracles argument that terms for the JEDI project violate federal procurement standards and are unfairly tailored for Amazon. If the judge finds the procurement process was corrupted, he could send the Pentagon back to the drawing board. Oral argument is scheduled for April 4. Alternatively, the Pentagon could argue, and the court could agree, that Ubhis discussions with Amazon -- and any new information about them -- didnt affect the cloud contract one way or the other. The Oracle suit, first filed in December, alleges that the Pentagon failed to properly investigate whether the procurement was unfairly compromised by conflicts, including by ties between at least two former Defense Department officials and Amazon. Ubhi, one of the officials, formerly worked at Amazon Web Services, the companys cloud unit. He left AWS in 2016 to join the Defense Digital Service, the Pentagons technology-focused division, as a product director. While there, he worked on the JEDI procurement and advocated robustly in favor of pursuing a single-award strategy for the procurement, according to Oracles lawsuit. IBM Protests Pentagons Cloud Contract Seen to Favor Amazon The lawsuit cites a Sept. 29, 2017 message to Ubhi from Defense Digital Service lawyer Sharon Woods that said I get nervous when I hear these arguments about multiple clouds. I really need to better understand from you [Ubhi] why one provider makes sense. In a message dated Oct. 9, 2017, Woods said Ubhi would be attending an internal Defense Department meeting on its cloud strategy because he has a specific way he wants to tackle this [one versus multiple providers]. Ubhi didnt immediately respond to a request for comment and Amazon declined to comment. The Department of Defense said its continuing to investigate the potential conflicts. Ubhi arrived at the Pentagon a decade after he co-founded burrp! Inc., an app for reviews of restaurants in India, according to his LinkedIn profile. In October 2017, Ubhi disclosed to the Defense Digital Service a potential partnership between Amazon and another startup he founded, Tablehero, a restaurant reservation and online ordering service. Ubhi then recused himself from working on the procurement and two weeks later resigned from the Defense Department, according to the lawsuit. In court documents, the government has argued that Ubhi was only involved in the JEDI procurement in its early stages. It also has claimed that, even after Ubhis recusal, there was a "robust debate" within the department about whether to make one or multiple contract awards. Even the deputy secretary of defense was open "to the first cloud contract being single source OR multiple source and tasked the JEDI cloud team to layout all options and recommendations, according to an internal email cited by the government and dated Nov. 10, 2018. Whats Standing Between Amazon and Top U.S. Secrets: QuickTake Evidence of bias or improper conduct could hurt Amazon Web Services chances of working on JEDI or lead to the Pentagon having to go back and rethink its entire strategy, Bloomberg Government analyst Christopher Cornillie said in an email. Either way, it could be a major setback for Pentagon officials who have been pushing for closer ties to Silicon Valley and a more commercial approach to buying information technology. Oracles lawsuit makes similar conflict-of-interest arguments against Anthony DeMartino, a former deputy chief of staff in the secretary of defenses office. Prior to joining the Pentagon, Amazon Web Services was a DeMartino client when he worked at a consulting firm, SBD Advisors, records show. While at the Pentagon, DeMartino "obtained briefings on the procurement for the Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretary of Defense, directed JEDI Cloud activities, and participated in JEDI Cloud strategy meetings," according to Oracles lawsuit. The government argues Oracle is "wildly" overstating DeMartinos involvement in the procurement, which was limited to administrative activities. Why Pentagon Cloud-Computing Contract Is a Huge Deal: QuickTake The new developments in the case emerge after Oracle suffered a string of losses in its push to force the Pentagon to re-think the cloud project. In January, Bruggink, the federal claims court judge, denied Oracles request to seek more documents and interviews related to potential conflicts of interests for the court to review before issuing a final ruling. "Although Oracle has highlighted the possibility that Mr. DeMartino and Mr. Ubhi could have been motivated to steer the solicitation in a direction that would benefit AWS, many of the facts that Oracle lists" dont require further discovery, Bruggink wrote in his order. "Additionally, some of the facts are unsupported by any evidence, casting only suspicion on Mr. DeMartino and Mr. Ubhi." In November, the U.S. Government Accountability Office rejected Oracles conflict-of-interest allegations in a separate protest. The watchdog agency said the evidence it reviewed indicated that neither DeMartino nor Ubhi had substantive input into the contracts terms or the procurement process. Tech companies including Oracle banded together in an informal coalition last year to urge the Defense Department to split the contract among several suppliers. They said the winner-take-all approach would lock the Pentagon into a single vendor and would heighten security risks. The department has said that making multiple awards under current acquisition law would be a slow process that could prevent it from quickly delivering new capabilities. The Pentagon released a draft of the contract requirements in March 2018 and a final version in July. To contact the reporter on this story: Naomi Nix in Washington at nnix1@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Sara Forden at sforden@bloomberg.net, Paula Dwyer, Peter Blumberg For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. WEST CHESTER, Pa., Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Key Financial President and CEO, Patti Brennan, has just been named by Forbes as #3 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors for 2019. Forbes partnered with Shook Research in reviewing more than 30,000 nominations nationally to determine this list of the nations top financial minds. Nominees are judged based on an algorithm of both qualitative and quantitative data. Advisors must have a minimum of seven years experience to qualify and are also weighed on additional considerations such as revenue trends, compliance records and assets under management. R.J. Shook, the President of Shook Research, explains, Heres what our research has found: the very best advisors are laser focused on having a positive impact on their clients lives. They want to add meaning and help them live better lives. Shook Research looks for advisors that are leading the way in offering best practices and providing high quality experiences for their clients. Patti Brennan is just that type of advisor. Recognized as a thought leader in the industry and consistently ranked by Forbes, Barrons and the Financial Times as one of the nations top advisors, Brennan sets the bar for other financial advisory firms looking to build their practice while also providing a premier client experience. As a member of my team recently said, Key Financial is where financial wisdom and caring meet, states Brennan. While Patti Brennan is known nationally for her comprehensive services, she is also recognized locally as a loving mother of four children and dedicated member of the community. Patti maintains a close connection by holding seats on the boards of various institutions and nonprofits, such as University of Pennsylvania/Chester County Hospital, the YMCA of Greater Brandywine and Cuddle My Kids. Patti is invited to speak at conferences throughout America, and as a former board member of the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC), has been the Keynote speaker for their Annual Economic Review in January each year for the past twelve years. Patti has guided standing room only audiences with her wisdom, perspective and practical advice through some of the most challenging times in our country. Brennan and her team have also recently launched The Patti Brennan Show, a podcast dedicated to helping improve the listeners net worth. It can be found on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. The show is biweekly and covers timely financial topics as well as economic forecasts and market discussions. With assets under management of over $1 Billion, Key Financial Inc. provides comprehensive financial planning and wealth management services and is located at 1045 Andrew Drive Suite A, West Chester, PA. For information about the firms planning services or to speak with Patti Brennan, call (610) 429-9050 or visit www.keyfinancialinc.com . Boilerplate : A graduate of Georgetown University, Patti is a Certified Financial Planner with almost 30 years of experience providing financial advice in West Chester, PA. In addition to being President and CEO of Key Financial, Inc. she also serves on the National Advisory Board, is a Board Member of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine and Cuddle My Kids. She formerly served on the Boards of the Chester County Economic Development Council, SEEDCO and Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital. Patti, her husband and their four children reside in West Chester, PA. Securities offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Insurance services offered through Patricia Brennan are independent of Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. Advisory services offered through Key Financial, Inc., a registered investment advisor not affiliated with Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. The Barrons Winners Circle Top 100 and the Barrons Winners Circle Top 1200 are select groups of individuals who are screened on a number of different criteria. Among factors the survey takes into consideration are the overall size and success of practices, the quality of service provided to clients, adherence to high standards of industry regulatory compliance, and leadership in best practices of wealth management. Portfolio performance is not a factor. Please see www.barrons.com for more information. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/004ca462-7bc8-443c-acde-b1715ff4e091 Lightmatter is betting that optical components could avoid the limits facing the current generation of chips. It's not clear when the start-up's first chips will become available. GV, a venture arm under Google parent Alphabet, has invested. A small start-up in Boston has an oddball idea for a fast and efficient processor for artificial intelligence that could just work: Let there be light. More specifically, Lightmatter 's chip includes an optical component called a Mach-Zehnder interferometer instead of a more common multiplier-accumulator, or MAC, unit . The swap is intended to circumvent limits facing today's chips. Lightmatter just picked up its first backing from a corporate investor: GV, a venture arm of Google parent company Alphabet GOOGL . It's a sign that there's room for another type of hardware that could speed up AI, which is being eyed in several fields beyond technology, like retail and health care. There was some skepticism when investors first heard the idea. "Prove to me this is actually more than a science project," Lightmatter's co-founder and chief operating officer, Thomas Graham, said, recalling the sentiment. But now the team is getting validation from one of the top technology companies in the world. A way around the end of Moore's Law? In 2014, Nick Harris and Darius Bunandar were trying to combine optical technology with quantum computing at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where they were doing Ph.D. work in the same research group. Unlike classical computing, which boils down to simple ones and zeros, quantum computing involves the creation of quantum bits, or qubits, which can be expressed as ones and zeros simultaneously. Quantum could potentially do certain kinds of computing jobs much faster than classical computers, and Google, IBM IBM , Intel INTC and Microsoft MSFT have all been exploring the area. But in 2015, Harris and Bunandar began looking at fields beyond quantum computing, including AI. "Our feeling is that there are a huge number of challenges that remain to be solved" for their quantum approach, Harris said. Story continues The pair were engineers. They didn't know much about business. So they decided to take a class on entrepreneurship at MIT's Sloan School of Management. That's where they met Graham, who had worked as an analyst at Morgan Stanley. Students had to come up with business ideas and make videos about them. Graham saw Harris' video on using light for computing and thought it sounded great. The three decided to enroll in the MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition. "It was kind of like a bonus thing for the class," Harris said. They took it seriously and put together a business plan. And they became friends. They ended up winning the 2017 contest, beating out dozens of other teams with their pitch . They got a $100,000 prize. One of the judges happened to be Erik Nordlander, a general partner at GV, and the team shook his hand after the victory. The team used their winnings to take trips to Silicon Valley so they could meet with more investors. Meanwhile, a paper on their unconventional approach was published in the journal Nature Photonics . In Silicon Valley the three bonded even more, eating together and staying in the same hotel rooms together. And they brought actual chips they had developed at MIT into their meetings with venture capitalists an audience that not much earlier had not been especially receptive to the idea of pouring money into semiconductor companies. "There was skepticism from some people about funding a chip start-up, because it's so capital-intensive," Harris said. Even so, Graham said investors they met with were aware of challenges facing Moore's Law the notion that engineers can double the number of transistors onto a single chip every two years. The pitch also pointed to the rise of companies that tap optical technology to deliver fast networking in data centers. In earlier years investors pumped money into these companies, such as Applied Optoelectronics AAOI . Investors signed on, and the Lightmatter team got to work. In one year it produced not one but two early chips. The most recent one contains more than a billion transistors. Now GV has signed on alongside Spark Capital and Matrix Partners, giving the start-up $22 million in new funding to work with. The founders are excited about working with GV when it comes to recruiting people who can work on software for its silicon. "There is a lot of effort that goes into making this kind of device plug and play and making it look a lot like the experience of an Nvidia NVDA GPU," Harris said. The team wants to ensure the chips work with popular AI software such as the Google-backed open-source project TensorFlow. Initially the focus is selling chips to organizations that run big cloud-computing data centers and high-performance computing clusters. Other start-ups, like Cerebras and Graphcore, are also working on chips that could be used for AI models in such places, and big companies, including Intel, also want a piece of the pie. But Harris and his group believe they'll have an edge. He said that in data centers, two things are critical: throughput, or how many operations can be performed per second, and efficiency, or how many operations can be performed per second per watt of power. "Our systems will be capable of greater than 10x existing solutions," he said. 'This is coming soon' The big question is how long it will take for Lightmatter which has 23 employees to release its first chips. "This is definitely not a longer-term, five- to-10-years thing. This is coming soon," Harris said. He would not provide a more specific timeline. GV has just one limited partner providing funds for investments Google's parent company, Alphabet. As a result, the company can make longer-term bets without worrying about returning funds to limited partners. "We do have more patient capital than do other typical VCs," said GV general partner Tyson Clark. Clark said there is some risk in working with silicon photonics, as it's not as staid as traditional semiconductor technology. But he said that the demand for this type of computing power will only increase in the future, and the world is starting to run into constraints with standard computing systems. He said he's happy to help out by introducing Lightmatter to the people who work on Google's public cloud. And he wouldn't have a problem talking about the start-up with people at larger clouds, such as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure. "I want this company to succeed and stand alone as the next Intel or Nvidia, and I will use whatever relationships I have anywhere to do that," Clark said. WATCH: Sean Parker says not to worry about Elon Musk's 'comic book' A.I. vision More From CNBC Through June 27, Through July 4, Through July 11, Through July 18, Through July 25, Through Aug. 1, Through Aug. 8, Through Aug. 15, Through Aug. 22 and Through Aug. 29 PetSmart 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy., Springfield West Side Bulletin Board Saturday 11am-4pm and Sunday 12-4pm. All animals will be spayed or neutered, microchipped and will have received all age-appropriate vaccinations by the time of their adoption. apl-shelter.org. 217-544-7387 8 February 2019, Wyss Center, Geneva - Maxime Baud, MD, PhD, Staff neurologist at the Wyss Center and epileptologist at the University of Bern and Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), was awarded the Pfizer Research Prize for his work in the field of neuroscience and nervous system disorders. The research, carried out in collaboration with colleagues from the University of California, San Francisco found that epilepsy seizures are linked to cycles of brain activity. The research suggests it may be possible for clinicians to predict and evaluate the risk of epileptic seizures in clinical practice. The Wyss Center is building on these research results by developing a minimally invasive device that will offer an alternative to current epilepsy monitoring methods. The device will use flexible electrodes that slip under the skin of the skull to allow chronic recordings of brain activity enabling people with epilepsy to continue with their daily lives during monitoring. The Pfizer Research Prize, first awarded in 1992, is one of the most prestigious awards in the field of medical research in Switzerland. It is awarded to young researchers who have carried out exceptional studies in the fields of basic or clinical research. The award ceremony was held in Zurich on Thursday 7 February 2019. Twenty-four researchers from Basel, Basel-Country, Bellinzona, Geneva, Lausanne, Lugano and Lucerne were awarded prizes to the total value of 180,000 Swiss francs. To date, 350 researchers have received this reward with the total prize money representing more than six million Swiss francs. This year's award highlights promising scientific approaches to the discovery of potential new therapeutics for diseases in areas ranging from cardiovascular, urology and nephrology; infectious diseases, rheumatology and immunology; neuroscience and nervous system disorders; oncology and paediatrics. ### About the Wyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering, Geneva, Switzerland The Wyss Center is an independent, non-profit, neurotechnology research and development organization. The Center provides the expertise, facilities and financial resources to transform creative neuroscience research into clinical solutions that will improve the lives of people with nervous system disorders. The Center's experienced multidisciplinary neurotechnology development team from industry and academia provides the integrated scientific, engineering, clinical, regulatory and business expertise required to guide high risk, high reward projects on their journey from research to product. Based at Campus Biotech in Geneva, Switzerland, the Center provides advanced neuroscience and engineering facilities for the development of technology that will prevent, diagnose or treat nervous system disorders, or has the potential to improve lives. The Center has ongoing projects in brain computer interfaces, neurorehabilitation, neural circuits and sensory function, and advanced technology. It is currently seeking new partners from anywhere in the world that can fill scientific or technical gaps in the development of novel neurotechnologies in current Wyss Center projects. A major goal of the Center is to ensure that innovative neurotechnologies advance until they are sufficiently mature to attract corporate partnerships, venture funding, or other mechanisms necessary to make them broadly available to society. Established by a generous donation from the Swiss entrepreneur and philanthropist Hansjorg Wyss, the Wyss (pronounced "Veese") Center, is a partner in a progressive new neuroscience hub at Campus Biotech. In what could serve as a model for tackling one of the nation's top public health crises, a University of Massachusetts Amherst epidemiology researcher is teaming up with two Western Massachusetts sheriff's offices to design, implement and study an opioid treatment program for jail detainees in Franklin and Hampshire counties. Funded with a $1.5 million grant from the federal Subtance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the three-year project aims to deliver medications to some 500 detainees who agree to treatment, and connect them to follow-up care through a comprehensive community reentry program after their release. Elizabeth Evans, assistant professor in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences and one of the grant recipients, will collect data from all the stakeholders to measure the project's outcomes. "The idea is to distill the lessons learned into a playbook or guide that can be used in jails in Massachusetts and across the nation," Evans says. The opioid crisis has grown so severe that Americans are now more likely to die from an unintentional opioid overdose than in a vehicle crash or any other accident, according to the National Safety Council. Opioid addiction "is probably the issue of the 21st century in terms of public health," Evans says, and the project reflects a shift in the approach to addressing the crisis. "Evidence supports the use of medications to treat opioid use disorder. This model signifies a willingness of the sheriffs to deliver care to reduce recidivism and to save people's lives," she says. Evans will help Franklin County Sheriff Christopher Donelan, Assistant Superintendent Ed Hayes and their staff expand and formalize the groundbreaking opioid treatment they began offering inmates in 2015 at the county jail in Greenfield. She also will work with Hampshire County Sheriff Patrick Cahillane, Assistant Superintendent Melinda Cady and their staff to implement the same program in the Northampton jail. The location of the rural counties along Interstate 91 leaves residents particularly exposed to the effects of opioid trafficking. For many of the jail detainees, it will be their first opportunity to receive evidence-based care for their disorder, Evans says. "This is a health condition," she says. "And this is a very vulnerable population." Each of the jails has a medical director who assesses the need for treatment, prescribes the medication and monitors the detainees who receive it. An estimated 40 percent of inmates at both jails report having an opioid problem, Evans says, and most are willing to receive treatment, which can begin in as few as four days after arrest. The treatment medications include Suboxone, which contains buprenorphine and naloxone to help ease cravings and the severe, flu-like symptoms associated with withdrawal; and Vivitrol, an opiate-blocker given as an injection that lasts about a month. Jail authorities also are seeking DEA approval to offer methadone, a synthetic opioid commonly used to treat opioid use disorder. "People who experience withdrawal develop a fear of ever experiencing that again," Evans says, which helps explain both the cycle of addiction and the high risk of overdose for detainees following their release from jail. According to a 2018 Massachusetts Department of Public Health report, the opioid overdose death rate is 120 times higher for recently released inmates than for other adults. And the first month after release is a critical time. "We recognize that the period after release from jail is a high-risk period for overdose and death from opioids," Evans says. "The inmates' tolerance changes and their bodies cannot withstand the same amount of substances as they could pre-incarceration. They often return to use at the same level, which becomes a lethal dose for them." That's why connecting people to medication providers and social services after their release from jail is a crucial part of the program, Evans says. Franklin and Hampshire counties are among seven in the Commonwealth in a pilot program mandated by the Massachusetts Legislature to start offering medication to inmates with opioid use disorder by September. Evans says the data gathered from the three-year project in Franklin and Hampshire counties may inform the Commonwealth's burgeoning plan for jail-based opioid addiction treatment. "Jails used to be all about public safety," Evans says. "Now they are taking on a public health role. This has potential benefits to both the incarcerated people and to us as a society." ### In two back-to-back symposia at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, Feb. 17 at 1:30 and 3:30 PM respectively, a cross-disciplinary cohort of scientists will present the first comprehensive investigations of how humans interacted with plant and animal species in different cultures worldwide through time. By compiling and comparing detailed data from pre-industrial and modern societies, the researchers are sketching a picture of humans' roles and impacts in sustainable and unsustainable socio-ecological systems. "Almost all food webs that have been compiled and studied have been put together without including humans," says Jennifer Dunne (Santa Fe Institute), an ecologist and complex systems scientist who is leading the project with archaeologist Stefani Crabtree (Santa Fe Institute and Center for Research and Interdisciplinarity). "It takes a lot of time and effort to put these kinds of detailed data together. So even though ecologists have been studying food webs for decades, we're only now in a position where we can start to rigorously compare human roles and impacts across different systems to understand sustainability in new kinds of ways," says Dunne. What do we learn when we do include humans? As part of her presentation during the second symposium, Dunne will reveal initial results from a comparison of food webs that explicitly include humans across several socioecological systems. Three are pre-industrial systems -- the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, the Pueblo U.S. Southwest, and the Western Desert of Australia, and one is modern -- the Tagus Estuary of Portugal. Given the diversity of cultures, ecologies, climates, and time periods represented in the data, Dunne suggests that we can start to learn "something more general about human roles in, and impacts on, ecosystems" by comparing these systems. For example, humans are often super-generalists compared to other predators -- they feed on a huge variety of different species. In some systems, humans as super-generalist predators can fit into ecosystems without causing extinctions or major environmental degradation. For example, according to Dunne's pioneering analysis published in Scientific Reports in 2016, the Sanak Island (Alaska) Aleut fed on a whopping 122 of 513 taxa in the nearshore marine ecosystem. However, like other predators, they switched from their favorite prey -- sea lions -- to shellfish, kelp, or whatever was readily available when the weather did not allow them to hunt in open water. "Prey-switching is very stabilizing for food webs," Dunne explains, "because it allows prey taxa populations to recover from exploitation, as the predator's focus shifts to other prey that are easier to forage or hunt given current conditions." That, plus limited use of hunting technology and other factors helped to minimize potential negative impacts of humans on the Sanak ecosystem -- during approximately 7,000 years of human habitation, there is no evidence for any long-term local extinctions. Humans also stabilized the desert ecosystem of Western Australia, where Crabtree and Rebecca Bliege Bird (Pennsylvania State University) are examining how the Martu Aboriginal foragers are embedded in their surrounding ecosystems. According to Crabtree, Martu Aboriginal foragers stabilized their ecosystem by providing several ecosystem services such as lighting small brush fires to expose the burrows of small prey. The scorched patches left on the landscape served as natural fire breaks against larger, more devastating wildfires. When the Martu were removed from their homeland in the mid-20th century, wildfires increased dramatically in size, and several small mammals, like the Rufous Hare-wallaby, went extinct. Bird will present a newly published network analysis for the Aboriginal foragers during the first symposium, following Andrew Dugmore (University of Edinburgh) and George Hambrecht's (University of Maryland) presentation of how Norse people in Iceland and Greenland used governance to mitigate anthropogenic degradation of the ecosystem. Just as humans can have a stabilizing effect on their ecosystems, they can also play a destructive role. In the first symposium, archaeologist Jennifer Kahn (College of William and Mary) will present her ongoing historical analysis of the French Polynesian islands, including two cases where human interactions with their surroundings led to markedly different outcomes -- both for the ecosystems and the societies embedded within them. Crabtree, in the second symposium, will present her analysis of the 700-year trajectory of the Ancestral Pueblo people in the Southwest U.S., and the extent to which human interactions with the ecosystem eventually led them to depopulate the region. Iain McKechnie (University of Victoria and Hakai Institute) will then present anthropological and archaeological data that illustrates the resilience of the indigenous peoples of the North American Northwest Coast as they interacted with both marine and terrestrial species. In the final talk, Dunne will cross-compare these and other systems and synthesize what we know, so far, about humanity's roles across ecosystems and time periods. In addition to presenting new results about human roles in food webs, she will also discuss new work that moves beyond feeding interactions to consider the myriad ways that humans interact with biodiversity in both simple and complex ways, for example by using species for medicine, shelter, tools, clothing, fuel, ritual purposes, and trade. "Understanding ecosystems with humans as part of them is essential," Crabtree says. "We're not going anywhere. We are here to stay. We are going to keep impacting ecosystems, and we need to understand the ways that our impacts can lead to more sustainable and resilient systems." ### AGENDA Sunday, February 17, 2019 Marriott Wardman Park, Delaware Suite 1:30-3:00 PM How Human Interactions with Biodiversity Shape Socio-ecological Dynamics in Deep Time, Part I -Norse Human Ecodynamics in the Atlantic Region with Andrew Dugmore (University of Edinburg) and George Hambrecht (University of Maryland) 1:30-2:00 PM -Anthropogenic Interactions in Polynesia: Modeling Sustainability with Human Use Webs with Jennifer Kahn (College of William and Mary) 2:00-2:30 PM -Species Interaction Networks and Complex Adaptive Systems in Australia with Rebecca Bliege Bird (Pennsylvania State University) 2:30-3: 00 PM 3:30-5:00 PM How Human Interactions with Biodiversity Shape Socio-ecological Dynamics in Deep Time, Part II -Pueblo Southwest: Resilience and Vulnerability with Stefani Crabtree (Santa Fe Institute, Center for Research and Interdisciplinarity) 3:30-4:00 PM -Human Use of Coastal Rainforests Enables Marine Economies in the Northeast Pacific with Iain McKechnie (University of Victoria and Hakai Institute) 4:00-4:30 PM -How Humans Interact with Species Across Space and Time with Jennifer Dunne (Santa Fe Institute) 4:30-5:00 PM CORVALLIS, Ore. - On the heels of Oregon's most expensive wildfire season ever in 2018, researchers at Oregon State University are ramping up efforts to better predict how the blazes behave, including how they generate fire-spreading embers. A team led by David Blunck of OSU's College of Engineering has been chosen by the U.S. Department of Defense to spearhead a new $2.1 million effort to study the burning of live fuels. OSU will partner with the U.S. Forest Service on a four-year grant awarded through the DOD's Strategic Environmental Research Development Program (SERDP). "The DOD is interested in this because they have a lot of land, and it burns," said Blunck, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering. "Live fuels are basically trees that are green and living. These trees are often what torches, but historically, dead fuels have primarily been studied." The work will be built around the theory that there are likely just a handful of factors - such as pyrolysis, the decomposition that results from high temperatures, and the products of that decomposition - that cause differences in burning behavior when live fuels burn. "Most live fuel studies tend to be fuel specific, controlling for variation in burning behavior based on time of year and moisture content, but with those results, it's hard to know how new fuels will burn, or even how the same fuel will burn outside the conditions that have been studied," Blunck said. "So it's really better to understand what's driving the sensitivity when you have different fuels. Our theory is that it's just a few processes that cause the differences when you burn different live fuels, and if we can understand what they are, we can better predict how new species would burn." The research will provide Department of Defense managers with fire models that can predict ignition, burning rate and fuel consumption for mixtures of live and dead fuels, allowing them to more effectively plan prescribed burning as well as wildfire responses. It will involve a mix of lab work, modeling and field studies. In recent months, Blunck's group has examined the burning behavior of more than 100 trees representing four different species - Douglas fir, grand fir, western juniper and ponderosa pine - in the range of 10 to 15 feet tall. "That height is not very large for a forest perspective, but for testing for wildfire purposes this is typically not done, and never for the number of trees that we have burned," he said. Most wildfire research, Blunck explains, involves either prescribed burns, or work in a laboratory on samples up to a size of roughly 1 meter. "In the lab you can control all the parameters like temperature, size and moisture content, but how well do the results scale?" he said. "With a prescribed burn, you're researching under actual conditions, but with the data you get it's very hard to understand cause and effect. There's so much out of our control that it's hard to know what's driving the various phenomena. "With trees that are about 10 feet tall, we can bridge the scales between the laboratory and prescribed burns," Blunck said. "We can look at many species and start to vary the parameters we think are important. Our experiments are on an intermediate scale but have a replicate size that is not rivaled by any study I have ever found." In addition, last December Blunck and other researchers studied the effect of fire retardant on ember generation and found that under some conditions, trees coated in the retardant sent off fewer embers that contained enough energy to start a new fire. This effort was in partnership with an industry sponsor, P N Solutions. "Embers are wildfires' most unpredictable modes of causing spread," Blunck said. "By understanding how embers form and travel through the air, we can more accurately predict how fire will spread." Techniques for studying embers include infrared videography, collecting embers in trays of water and measuring scorch marks on squares of fire-resistant fabric placed on the ground at varying distances from the fire. "By using fire-resistant fabric to collect embers, in conjunction with trays filled with water, the fraction of 'hot' embers can be determined and used to help predict spotting," said Tyler Hudson, a graduate student in the College of Engineering. The char marks on the fabric are used to estimate how much energy an ember has when it lands. Trees coated in fire retardant tended to produce bigger embers, but generally with lower energy. In Oregon last year, the cost of fire suppression for the first time exceeded half a billion dollars, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center, which provides logistical support and intelligence for federal and state wildland fire suppression agencies. The state in 2018 saw 1,880 fires burn 1,322 square miles -- more land area than the state of Rhode Island. ### PORTLAND, Oregon - Today the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced that OHSU Knight Cancer Institute Director Brian Druker, M.D., has been awarded the 2019 Sjoberg Prize for his "ground-breaking contributions to the clinical development of targeted therapy directed against genetic aberrations in cancer." His research proved it was possible to shut down cells that enable cancer to grow without harming healthy ones - a discovery that helped make once-fatal forms of the disease manageable. Druker shares the 2019 award with Dennis Slamon, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of California Los Angeles Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. Sjoberg Prize laureates for 2017 include 2018 Nobel Prize winner James P. Allison, Ph.D., and Tony Hunter, Ph.D.; and laureates for 2018 include Zhu Chen, Ph.D., Anne Dejean, Ph.D., and Hugues de The, Ph.D. The Sjoberg Prize is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and funded by the Sjoberg Foundation. The foundation was created in 2016 by the late entrepreneur Bengt Sjoberg to support research targeting cancer, health and the environment. Druker and Slamon will equally share the $1 million prize - $100,000 as a personal award and $900,000 for future research. The laureates will formally receive the award during the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting March 31, in Stockholm, Sweden, in the presence of His Majesty the King of Sweden. "I am deeply honored to receive this prize and to join the company of the previous Sjoberg Prize award recipients, whom I hold in the highest regard," said Druker, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator and JELD-WEN Chair of Leukemia Research at OHSU. "Cancer research has advanced tremendously since I began my career as a physician-scientist: we're seeing success in targeted therapies, and in immune therapies that activate a patient's immune system to destroy cancer cells. I am thankful to the patients who went on this journey with me, but we know there is more work to be done, and our team is dedicated to accelerating progress to free the world from the burden of cancer." "Dr. Druker's pioneering work shaped the field of targeted cancer therapies and has provided hope to countless patients and their families," said OHSU President Danny Jacobs, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S. "The OHSU community is delighted that his accomplishments are being honored with this important award, and we join him in his ongoing efforts to end cancer as we know it." Druker's research: pioneering the development of targeted cancer drugs Druker began his cancer research career in the 1980s, studying why some formerly normal cells shift into overdrive producing tumors. In 1993 Druker joined OHSU and began testing compounds that could target the abnormality that drives chronic myeloid leukemia, or CML. He identified the compound that ultimately became Gleevec and demonstrated that it killed leukemia cells without harming normal cells. He then planned and led the drug's clinical trials. During the trials, nearly all patients with CML saw their white blood counts return to normal in a matter of weeks with few or no side effects. Patients in the original trials, some with weeks to months to live, recovered and began leading normal lives. The trials were so successful that they resulted in the fastest approval by the FDA in its history. Since Gleevec was approved by the FDA in 2001 to treat CML, it has since been proved effective against multiple forms of cancer, including pediatric CML and gastrointestinal stromal tumor, also knowns as GIST. In 2017, the New England Journal of Medicine published long-term results of Gleevec for patients with CML. The study followed 1,106 patients with leukemia around the world for more than 10 years and found a survival rate of nearly 90 percent. According to the National Cancer Institute, prior to Gleevec's FDA approval, fewer than one in three CML patients survived five years past diagnosis. ### With his scientific and medical achievements, Druker has built the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute into an international leader in delivering personalized cancer medicine. Public support from the National Institutes of Health and the state of Oregon has been joined with generous private donations, including the successful completion of the $1 billion Knight Cancer Challenge campaign, which was launched after a $500 million pledge from Nike co-founder Phil Knight and his wife Penny. These investments have enabled Druker to recruit some of the world's top scientists to OHSU to further the areas of precision oncology and the early detection of cancer. In 2017, the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute earned the National Cancer Institute's highest designation, becoming a Comprehensive Cancer Center, and in 2018, the institute opened a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to cancer research. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have discovered a new and rare skeletal disease. In a study published in the journal Nature Medicine they describe the molecular mechanism of the disease, in which small RNA molecules play a role that has never before been observed in a congenital human disease. The results are important for affected patients but can also help scientists to understand other rare diagnoses. The newly identified skeletal disease was first observed in a parent and a child from a Swedish family. "They came to my clinic," says the study's lead author Giedre Grigelioniene, physician and associate professor at the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet. "They'd received a different diagnosis previously, but it didn't fit with what we were seeing in the X-rays. I was convinced that we were looking at a new diagnosis that had not been described before." A long, arduous process then began to examine the finding further. The results of these efforts are now published in a study in Nature Medicine, in which Giedre Grigelioniene and her colleagues describe the new skeletal disease - a type of skeletal dysplasia - and its mechanism. Together with Fulya Taylan, assistant professor at the same department at Karolinska Institutet, the disease causing mutation in a gene called MIR140 was identified. The gene does not give rise to a protein but to a so-called micro-RNA (miR-140), a small RNA molecule that regulates other genes. Working alongside with Tatsuya Kobayashi, associate professor at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA, the researchers produced a mouse model of the disease, using the CRISPR-Cas9 "molecular scissors" technique to create a strain carrying the identified mutation. They subsequently observed that the animals' skeletons displayed the same aberrations as the three patients in the study. The researchers also show that the identified mutation leads to an abnormal expression of several important genes in the cartilaginous growth plates and the ends of the long tubular bones. These studies were done in collaboration with Hiroshi Suzuki, researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the lab of Phillip Sharp, Nobel laureate in medicine. Some genes that are normally suppressed by miR-140 are expressed, while others are down-regulated. "This causes a change in skeletal growth, deformed joints and the delayed maturation of cartilage cells in the patients, who have short stature, small hands and feet and joint pain," says Dr Grigelioniene. The identified mutation knocks out a normal function of the micro-RNA, which is replaced by a different function. The mechanism is called neomorphic and has never before been described involving small RNAs in human congenital disease. A similar mechanism in cancer cells was described last year in a paper in Nature Genetics by researchers who were also involved in the present study. According to Dr Grigelioniene, the results now published are important both for patients with the disease and for scientists interested in how small regulatory RNA molecules are involved in the development of human congenital disease. "We plan to examine whether similar mechanisms with mutations in small RNA genes are involved in the development of other rare congenital disorders," she says. "As for patients who already have this disease, the results mean that they can choose to use prenatal fetal diagnostic, in order not to pass the disease on to their children". ### The study was financed by grants from Stockholm County Council, the National Institutes of Health, the Swedish Research Council, the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (a programme financed by pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly), the Fernstrom Foundation, Karolinska Institutet, the Swedish Society of Medicine, the Promobilia Foundation, Frimurare Barnhuset (Masonic children's home), the Samariten Foundation for Paediatric Research, the Uehara Memorial Foundation and the Osamu Hayaishi Memorial Scholarship. One of the co-authors works at Emedgene Technologies and one is a director of Syros Pharmaceuticals. Publication: "Gain-of-function mutation of microRNA-140 in human skeletal dysplasia". Giedre Grigelioniene, Hiroshi I. Suzuki, Fulya Taylan, Fatemeh Mirzamohammadi, Zvi U. Borochowitz, Ugur M. Ayturk, Shay Tzur, Eva Horemuzova, Anna Lindstrand, Mary Ann Weis, Gintautas Grigelionis, Anna Hammarsjo, Elin Marsk, Ann Nordgren, Magnus Nordenskjold, David R. Eyre, Matthew L. Warman, Gen Nishimura, Phillip A. Sharp, and Tatsuya Kobayashi. Nature Medicine, online 25 February 2019, doi: 10.1038/s41591-019-0353-2. RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AKF, a global leader in engineering, commissioning, technology, design and consulting, recently presented a $3,000 donation to the Childrens Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University (CHoR at VCU), underscoring AKFs commitment to healthcare in the region, as well as its support for the local communities it works in. As a sponsor of CHoRs 25th Annual Bowl-A-Thon, AKF helped raise much needed funds. CHoR at VCU, the regions only full-service childrens hospital, serves more than 60,000 children annually. AKF Principal, Brad Lownsbury, who leads the Richmond office, presented the check to Stephanie Allan, Vice President for Community Development for the Childrens Hospital Foundation, which works in support of CHoR at VCU. Lownsbury said, One of AKFs fundamental values is making a positive impact in the places where we live and work, and we support the organizations leading the effort to promote wellness in those communities. We applaud CHoR for making the health of Virginias children their top priority, and on behalf of AKF Richmond, we offer this donation with tremendous gratitude for their dedication to our kids. Allan said the foundation was grateful for the support it received from AKF, the Richmond community, and all involved in making the event a success. AKF Groups sponsorship and participation in the event helped us raise nearly $40,000 for the 60,000 children served at Childrens Hospital of Richmond at VCU, Allan said. This was our biggest and best bowling fundraiser to date thanks to our event sponsors, participants, volunteers and donors. AKF Managing Partner, Dino DeFeo, PE, praised CHoR for its commitment to the kids in the Tri-Cities region, and said that AKF is honored to support the hospital in its quest to provide world-class care. During our 30-year history, AKF has always endeavored to strengthen the organizations that are invaluable to our communities, and we are proud to make this donation to CHoR, stated DeFeo. AKF opened its Richmond office in 2018 to better serve clients in the region, such as VCU Health, James Madison University, Inova Health, and Riverside Health System. In addition to its robust healthcare design, consulting and commissioning practice, AKF delivers engineering leadership for multiple sectors, including higher education, workplace, hospitality, and science & technology, as well as transportation, government, and utilities. ABOUT AKF GROUP AKF delivers innovative solutions and leadership to enhance the built environment and redefine the edge of whats possible. With more than 500 dedicated team members and ten offices throughout North America, AKF provides a robust offering of integrated services, including: Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire and Life Safety Engineering, Architectural Code Consulting, BIM Management, Building Controls, Central Utilities, Cogeneration, Commissioning, Critical Systems, Energy & Sustainability, Fire & Life Safety, IT/AV/Security, Lighting Design, Special Inspections, and Vibration Analysis & Testing. AKF locations include Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; Hamilton, NJ; Minneapolis, MN; New Haven, CT; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA, and Richmond, VA, as well as two offices in Mexico: Mexico City and Puebla. For additional information about AKF, please visit www.akfgroup.com . ABOUT CHoR CHoR is part of VCU Health, and is dedicated to ensuring access to care for all children, training future pediatric caregivers, and making new discoveries that improve the understanding and treatment of childhood diseases. VCU Health System and Children's Hospital joined in June 2010 to form Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, the only full-service children's hospital in central Virginia. Together they have a rich history of providing comprehensive and compassionate care to children and their families, conducting innovative research and educating future generations of pediatric providers. For additional information about CHoR, please visit www.chrichmond.org . Tom Dalton, 480-529-5434, tom@chapterandversestrategies.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/93c359cf-c966-4b96-bdf7-cb0fab2ad4a7 Jacob Job spends a lot of time each year in the great outdoors, recording the sounds of national parks and other natural areas through his role as a research associate in the Listening Lab at Colorado State University. He records the sounds of all kinds of creatures, including birds, wolves, deer, moose and elk, to help preserve and better understand natural soundscapes. His recordings also help acquaint people from around the globe with these sounds, even if they aren't able to travel to these places. In April, Job will embark on a new adventure to track migratory songbirds, thanks to a grant from the National Geographic Society and support from the Warner College of Natural Resources and other groups on campus. He will start at the gulf coast of Louisiana and spend two months working his way north to the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota. Tyler McClure, a professional photographer and wildlife biologist, and Jacqueline Van Meter, field producer for National Public Radio's StoryCorps, will help document what they see and hear. Follow along through six ecosystems. The project isn't just for the birds. In each of the six ecosystems Job will visit, the team will also interview people who share the land with these birds, including farmers, loggers, fishermen and others who live off the land. The team will record in both protected and unprotected lands, to explore the effects of conservation efforts. And you can follow their progress and findings. In summer 2019, the team will unveil an eight-part podcast series and story map. They will also retrace their footsteps this fall by hosting talks in the same communities. Job said the general aim of the project is to reintroduce people to the natural world, while also revealing how animals and people are suffering due to climate change and other human activities. "We want to show people beautiful places and sounds and to show people how conservation helps, right in your backyard," Job explained. "But we also want to show people that the struggles these species are facing aren't unique. People are also stressed due to what's happening in the environment." Inspirations Job was inspired to pursue this research after reading Listening to a Continent Sing, by birdsong expert Donald Kroodsma and North on the Wing: Travels with the Songbird Migration of Spring, by ornithologist Bruce Beehler. He also read about the disappearing coastline in Louisiana, where a landmass equal to the size of the island of Manhattan sinks into the Gulf of Mexico every year due to rising sea level and the reduced capacity of the Mississippi River to flood and replenish soil on the delta. Oil and gas development is also wreaking havoc, he said. Birds that live and breed there are losing their habitat as a result, while the fishing and shrimping industries are also losing some of their most productive areas. Job has lofty goals for the project that go beyond conservation efforts and raising awareness about climate change. "I hope that what we uncover can help heal the divide in people," he said. "We're more divided than ever, but the vast majority of us want the same things: healthy places to raise our children, clean air and clean water. That's the narrative of this story that I'm weaving." ### Connect with the researchListen to the lab's work in national parks and other recordings, including waves crashing on the jetty in Oregon and bird songs and waves lapping the lakeshore in the Boundary Waters through Soundcloud. Follow the team's travels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook: @flywayvoices; look also for the hashtag #natureconnects. Job's website will include updates from the road. Researchers have radically simplified the method for cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS), a technique that could become fundamental to medical research. Synthesizing proteins is essential for multiple types of pharmaceutical and genetic research. For years, proteins could only be synthesized within live cells. CFPS provides the novel ability to biosynthesize proteins in a test tube in a matter of hours without the need for living cells. This process provides a new level of control over protein production, an incredible boon for researchers pursuing high-throughput testing, biosensor construction, metabolic engineering and more. "This biotechnology harnesses the genetic code in a test tube, providing direct access to biological machinery that is traditionally locked inside the cell," said Javin Oza, a biochemistry professor at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. "This allows scientists and engineers to make vaccines and therapeutic proteins, and perform diagnostic tests on-demand in the lab or out in the field. In the classroom, CFPS allows students to learn about the genetic code in an inquiry-based manner." While the acceptance of CFPS as a promising technology has grown substantially in the past two decades, it still suffers from some limitations due to the difficulty and expense of implementing the technique. As reported in the Journal of Visualized Experimentation, a group of researchers at Cal Poly led by Oza and collaborator Katharine Watts have developed a method to make CFPS widely accessible. The main advantages of the new technique are speed, cost-effectiveness and a much less complex reaction setup compared to other CFPS systems. To further reduce the barriers for scientists to adopt this method, the publication includes a video guide for implementing the new procedure. "This protocol simplifies and clarifies the methods for implementing cell-free protein synthesis by non-experts," Oza said. "Improved access to these methods will help democratize the platform and its broad set of applications." The new technique requires only basic laboratory training for new users to implement CFPS in their labs, from cell-growth and extract preparation to the in vitro protein synthesis reactions themselves. Researchers developed reagent premixes that greatly reduce the likelihood of error during setup and increase the probability of a successful reaction. These chemical and biological reagents are stable and can withstand multiple freeze-thaw cycles. In the paper, researchers also identify and report the variables that significantly impact the successful implementation of CFPS and the variables that new users should optimize for successful reactions. The simplified procedure is functionally comparable to the more technical methods used previously and can be used to screen protein products more rapidly, greatly increasing the number of tests that can be run in a given time period. This capacity supports sophisticated research efforts, such as functional genomics and metabolic engineering. "In our collaboration, we are employing the simplified CFPS method to synthesize and engineer complex mega-enzymes, which are traditionally difficult to express," said Watts, also a Cal Poly biochemistry professor. "The use of CFPS allows for much more rapid design-build-test cycles for engineering these mega-enzymes." In addition to primary research, the new CFPS method can be utilized as an educational tool in high school and undergraduate classrooms. When packaged for educational use, it provides students the opportunity to engage with genetics in a hands-on learning environment. ### This research was supported by the National Science Foundation. Reference: Levine, M.Z., Gregorio, N.E., Jewett, M.C., Watts, K.R., Oza, J.P. Escherichia Coli-Based Cell-Free Protein Synthesis: Protocols for a robust, flexible, and accessible platform technology. J. Vis. Exp. e58882, doi:10.3791/58882 (2019). Cal Poly's College of Science and Mathematics provides a lab-intensive education within a supportive atmosphere. Undergraduate research is central to the college's Learn by Doing approach, giving students the opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors on real-world research projects. The college houses the undergraduate and post-baccalaureate teacher education programs, providing the state's future teachers with a strong background in science, engineering, technology and math (STEM). It is one of six academic colleges at Cal Poly, a nationally ranked, four-year comprehensive polytechnic university located in San Luis Obispo, California. Mothers whose first child was taken into care were found to have inadequate or no prenatal care during subsequent pregnancies, according to a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) https:/ / bit. ly/ 2In4aS7 . The study was conducted in the province of Manitoba, which has one of the highest rates of children in out-of-home care in developed countries. About 3% of children live in homes without parental caregivers compared with a rate of 1% of children in most developed countries. A total of 52 438 mothers were included in the study, of whom 1284 (2.4%) had their first child placed in out-of-home care before conceiving a second child. These mothers were more likely to have a substance use disorder, live in low-income and urban neighbourhoods, receive income assistance and have diabetes. They were also 46% more likely to receive inadequate prenatal care than women whose children had not been taken into care. "Previous research has identified a fear of detection or involvement with child protection services as an important barrier for at-risk pregnant women, potentially leading to disengagement from, avoidance of or delayed presentation to prenatal care," writes Dr. Elizabeth Wall-Wieler, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, with coauthors. "We expect this fear to be intensified for pregnant women who had their first child taken into care by child protection services because they may fear this happening again." A harm reduction approach that provides easily accessible and nonjudgmental prenatal care could increase access to care for these women. "Pregnancy presents an important opportunity to increase positive outcomes for vulnerable women and to enable children to have the best possible start in life," write the authors. "This represents an obligation within the child rights principles and a crucial strategy for reducing population-level health disparities." In a related commentary http://www. cmaj. ca/ lookup/ doi/ 10. 1503/ cmaj. 190183 , Indigenous maternal-child health experts Dr. Janet Smylie and Wanda Phillips-Beck state that the exposed cohort in the linked study "was very likely to be largely Indigenous." They describe the barriers that First Nations, Inuit and Metis women face in accessing prenatal care, which Dr. Smylie saw while providing obstetric care in an urban clinic in the late 1990s. "These barriers included but went beyond the basic material needs such as transportation and the need to prioritize housing, food security and safe child care over scheduled medical appointments. Women feared being misunderstood and incorrectly judged by culturally biased maternity care providers who, without reflection on how social stereotyping was driving their clinical interactions and decision-making, would deem them inadequate mothers-to-be and contact child protection agencies." The authors state that this situation is a consequence of colonialism. "These processes are also acknowledged to be ongoing, contributing to a situation where there are now more Indigenous children in Canada's child welfare system than when residential schools were at their peak." To move past this, there must be support for Indigenous-led community solutions with First Nations, Inuit and Metis actively involved in the research and system transformation. ### Visual abstract: http://www. cmaj. ca/ lookup/ suppl/ doi:10. 1503/ cmaj. 181002/ -/ DC2 "Prenatal care and child protection services" is published February 25, 2019. San Antonio, TX, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Air Force Federal Credit Union (AFFCU) is proud to participate in America/Military Saves Week, which is scheduled for February 25 March 2, 2019. AFFCU is helping spread the savings message, urging members and the community to participate in America/Military Saves Week and take the Savings Pledge. People Helping People is a credit union motto that AFFCU embodies and more so during Saves week. There are several channels, such as the free financial education modules provided at www.GoAFFCU.com to help educate people on savings, budgeting and understanding their credit report. More importantly, AFFCU has created a special AFFCU America Saves Club account that will only be available from February 25th through March 2nd, 2019. This special savings account is a save at your own pace account that will help create a healthy savings habit. Benefits include: Available for all AFFCU members Rate of 3.05% APY * * Open with a zero balance 1 Deposit up to $1,000 per calendar month 2 Establishes a wealth-building habit One-year term AFFCU understands the trust our members have in us, said Bob Glenn, President/CEO. It is our responsibility to protect and develop that trust and what better way can we do that than educating and empowering our members and the community to save. Our American Saves Club account is intended to help do that with a phenomenal rate that accompanies it. AFFCU is hosting a number of free events as part of Saves Week to help people build wealth, not debt, including in-person classes. In addition to the classes, AFFCU will be participating in special Twitter Chats with credit agency Experian and Military Saves. Anyone can participate in the Twitter Chats by following @GoAFFCU. AFFCU was awarded the America Saves Designation of Savings Excellence for Credit Unions for the third consecutive year in 2018. The credit union was recognized for its effort to go above and beyond to encourage people to save money during America/Military Saves Week. It is the continued efforts of leadership and staff to maintain the level of excellence to support our membership and the community at large. *APY=Annual Percentage Yield. Rate and terms are accurate as of February 1, 2019 and subject to change. 1 No immediate deposits or transfers are allowed at the time of opening. All deposits made into the account must be done through an automatic deposit or transfer. 2Deposits into the account can only be made through ACH transfer from another financial institution, automatic transfer from another AFFCU share or account, or a payroll allotment directed into the account. Deposits that require an AFFCU representative or transfers done through CyberMAT Online Banking, MAT Phone Banking or the Go AFFCU mobile banking app will not be allowed. Membership eligibility required. Military Saves Week is coordinated by America Saves and the Consumer Federation of America in partnership with the Department of Defense. The Week is an annual opportunity for organizations to promote good savings behavior and a chance for individuals to assess their own saving status. About America Saves America Saves is a national campaign involving more than 1,000 non-profit, government, and corporate groups that encourages individuals and families to save money and build personal wealth. Overall management for the campaign is provided by the non-profit Consumer Federation of America (CFA). CFA is comprised of over 270 consumer education, advocacy, and cooperative organizations dedicated to advancing the consumer interest. About AFFCU AFFCU serves the diverse needs of over 48,000 members worldwide with a full array of financial services and the strength of more than $423 million in assets. For additional details about AFFCU, visit www.GoAFFCU.com. ### SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- One hundred and fifty years ago, the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in North America signaled the closing of the American frontier and the ability to travel from coast to coast quickly and with more ease than ever before. In recognition of this anniversary, the California Historical Society (CHS) presents two simultaneous exhibitions that examine the history of the railroad in California and beyond. The exhibitions, Mark Ruwedel: Westward the Course of Empire andOverland to California: Commemorating the Transcontinental Railroad, will be on view at the California Historical Society, located at 678 Mission Street in San Francisco from March 21, 2019 through September 8, 2019. The galleries are open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 am5 pm. Special events and programming will accompany the exhibitions, including a rarely seen gold spike, which was the last to be driven into the railroad connecting Los Angeles and San Francisco to the East Coast. In his series Westward the Course of Empire (19942008), photographer Mark Ruwedel documents the physical traces of abandoned or never completed railroads throughout the American and Canadian West. Built in the name of progress as early as one hundred and fifty years ago, these now defunct rail lines are marked by visible alterations to the landscape. Ruwedel catalogues eroding cuts, disconnected wooden trestles, decaying tunnels, and lonely water towers in quietly powerful images that point to the contest between technology and the natural world. Using a large-format view camera, Ruwedel treads the same territory as nineteenth century survey photographers, but his contemporary perspective brings a sense of loss to landscapes once viewed as exploitable resources. It is an honor to have my work shown as part of the California Historical Societys exhibition about the first transcontinental railroad and its lasting impact, said Ruwedel. This will be the largest exhibition of the Westward series which catalogs the remains of the hundreds of railroads built in the West following the completion of the first transcontinental line. Mark Ruwedel is an artist based in California, currently living in Long Beach. He is represented in museums throughout the world including the J. Paul Getty Museum; Los Angeles County Art Museum; Metropolitan Museum, New York; Yale Art Gallery; National Gallery of Art, Washington; National Gallery of Australia; and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Ruwedel recently had a solo show at the Tate Modern in London as well as published his seventh art book. In 2014 he was awarded both a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Scotiabank Photography Award and has been short listed for the Deutshe Borse Prize for 2019. Ruwedels photographs ask us to consider the imprint of history on the land, even as nature takes its course, gradually erasing human alterations, says Erin Garcia California Historical Societys Managing Curator. Where nineteenth century railroad photographers celebrated the triumph of civilization over what was perceived as hostile land, Ruwedels work suggests that the path forward for people and the land we live on is much less certain. Overland to California: Commemorating the Transcontinental Railroaddraws from the California Historical Societys vast archival and photographic collections to consider the railroads impact on the industry and culture of California. Featuring photographs, stereocards, historical objects, and ephemera, this exhibition explores how the major railroad companies used marketing images to bolster their reputations and promote their lines in a period of rapid growth and social unrest. Overland to Californiawill also examine the railroads complex labor history, taking into consideration the immigrant populations who built its infrastructure, as well as the scandals surrounding the monopolistic practices of the so-called Big Four railroad executives: Leland Stanford, Collis Huntington, Charles Crocker, and Mark Hopkins. We might assume that the expansion of the railroads into California was inevitable, or that it was an overwhelmingly popular decision, says Natalie Pellolio, Assistant Curator at the California Historical Society. But its construction was highly contentious at the time, and the major railroad companies relied on promotional materials and publicity stunts to help sway public opinion in their favor. The exhibition features important archival material from CHSs permanent collection including a mammoth plate photograph by Carleton Watkins of a helix-shaped stretch of track known as the Tehachapi Loop, as well as a first edition copy of Frank Norris 1901 novel, The Octopus. Also being exhibited on select viewing days is a 9.25 ounce gold spike, the last to be driven into the railroad that connected Los Angeles and San Francisco on September 5th, 1876, thereby joining Los Angeles to the East Coast. The spike was donated to CHS by an heir of railroad magnate Charles Crocker in 1956. It will be on view during special events throughout the exhibition. About the California Historical Society Founded in 1871, the California Historical Society (CHS) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire and empower people to make Californias richly diverse past a meaningful part of their contemporary lives. In 1979 Governor Jerry Brown designated CHS the official historical society of the State of California. Today, CHS enacts its mission with a wide range of library, exhibition, publication, education, and public outreach programs that explore the complex and continuing history of the state and represent the diversity of the California experience, past and present. Our treasured collectiondocumenting the history of the entire state from the Spanish Era to the present dayis brought to life through these innovative public history projects that expand and diversify our audience and broaden our public impact.Learn more at californiahistoricalsociety.org. Attachments Gene decoding technology enables cancer screening in Vietnam Genetics testing company Genetica Vietnam on February 24 clinched deals with American International Hospital (AIH) and suppliers in HCMC to launch healthcare services focusing on decoding human genes, which help people with cancer screening and detecting hereditary diseases in children. Dr. Cao Anh Tuan (2nd R), CEO of Genetica Vietnam, poses for a photo with representatives of American International Hospital Under the agreements, AIH and two suppliers, D-fit Vietnam Trading and Service Co., Ltd, and Thanh Chan Medical JSC, will introduce and give advice on these services to customers. As for human gene decoding services, Genetica uses a specialized saliva collection kit that preserves collected saliva samples, instead of taking blood tests. The collected samples are sent to the United States for gene decoding and analysis at the customers request, a process that takes six to eight weeks. Human gene decoding gives people more information on their genome, allowing them to map out appropriate plans for their childrens development, fitness and nutrition based on doctors advice. Further, they can receive advice on preventive measures against hidden diseases, including hereditary cancers, according to a Genetica Vietnam representative. Addressing the launch ceremony, Dr. Cao Anh Tuan, CEO of Genetica Vietnam, said that Genetica leverages advanced technology in artificial intelligence (AI) and a database featuring Asians to offer these services. In the coming period, Genetica aims to expand its business scale and establish cooperation with more hospitals and suppliers in the country to increase the use of human gene decoding services. In related news, experts said at a conference over the weekend in Hanoi that the application of AI in the local healthcare sector still remains modest. Advanced technologies in AI have been widely leveraged in the field of health checkups and treatments in many countries, but these applications have been little used in Vietnam, prompting the Ministry of Health to call for cooperation among local businesses to promote the application of AI in the field. Pham Xuan Viet, deputy head of the Information and Technology (IT) Department at the ministry, encouraged enterprises operating in the country, especially local firms, to cooperate in studying AI-deployed healthcare products, at the conference on applying AI in the healthcare sector, which was co-organized by the ministry and local technology corporation FPT on February 22 in Hanoi. The IT department will create favorable conditions for companies that participate in the project, Viet added. According to Ho Tu Bao, working at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, electronic medical records leveraging AI technologies are widely used in many countries around the world but remain little known in Vietnam. Meanwhile, e-medical records play a pivotal role in the digital age since they can help shorten the time needed for health checkups and treatments for both doctors and patients. They also support doctors in providing more accurate medical prescriptions. The health ministry reportedly plans to ask some hospitals and medical centers to launch e-medical records from next month. Further, all hospitals and medical centers across the country must launch e-medical records during the 2024-2028 period. Regarding the benefits of applying AI in the field, AI can help the healthcare sector cut medical costs by up to 50% and increase the effectiveness of health checkups and treatments by 40%, said Prof. Nguyen Tien Dung from Toulouse University in France. Over the next decade, AI technology is expected to help the United States save an annual amount of US$150 billion in medical costs, while global savings amount to some US$500 billion, Dung added. The healthcare sector is one of the fields that recorded the highest numbers of AI applications, and AI could help change the face of the sector in the years to come. Data from Marketsandmarkets show that the AI-related medical market saw robust growth of 50% per year, from US$2.1 billion last year to an estimated US$36 billion by 2025, making up some 20% of the global AI market. SGT DALLAS, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via OTC PR WIRE -- Alternet Systems, Inc. (USOTC: ALYI) (ALYI) today announced rapidly advancing progress with the development of new fleet sales of its ReVolt Electric Motorcycle. The company recently announced $1.5 million in fleet orders of their ReVolt Electric Motorcycle after the successful completion of a pilot test. Management has redoubled its fleet sales efforts targeting shared ride providers now that it has a successful pilot test completed. Management further indicates that the company is seeing promising sales traction in Africa for the ReVolt Electric Motorcycle. The company anticipates signing an additional order in Africa as early as by the end of this week. ALYI is focused on offering varied, environmentally sustainable, energy storage solutions for targeted markets, including consumer electric vehicles and military applications. The first product category is lithium battery-powered motorcycles, to be followed by motorbikes. ALYI also recently brought Clarkson University Professor David Mitlin on board to lead a hemp energy storage initiative. Mitlin has successfully used hemp bast - the fiber left over from processing hemp - to construct carbon nanosheets that compete with, and in some respects, outperform the supercapacitor performance derived from more typical graphene nanosheets. Mitlin holds a US patent for his proprietary hemp energy storage technology. Research Report Speculative Buy Rating And $0.09 Target PPS Last week, Goldman Small Cap Research issued a research report update on the Company. The report confirms a 'speculative-buy' rating with a target price-per-share of $0.09. The report provides an in-depth overview and analysis of Alternet's new strategy, new orders, and upcoming milestones. To view the report, along with disclosures and disclaimers, visit https://www.alternetsystemsinc.com/research-updateor http://www.GoldmanResearch.com. Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies' contracts, the companies' liquidity position, the companies' ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur. For more information, please visit: http://www.alternetsystemsinc.com Alternet Systems, Inc. Contact: Randell Torno info@lithiumip.com +1-800-713-0297 NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CGS, a global provider of business applications, enterprise learning and outsourcing services, was named the gold winner of the 2019 Stevie Award in the Contact Center or Customer Service Outsourcing Provider of the Year category. The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service are the worlds top honors for customer service, contact center, business development and sales professionals. The awards were presented to honorees during a gala banquet on Friday, February 22 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. More than 700 executives from the U.S. and several other nations attended. What a tremendous honor for CGS to receive the Gold Stevie Award in the category of Evolution of Global Customer Engagement Services with Innovative and Creative Solutions, said Michael D. Mills, Senior Vice President, Global BPO Solutions, Contact Center division, CGS. This Gold Stevie Award recognizes the commitment and dedication of our entire Global Contact Center Support Team, in delivering innovative and quality contact center support services to our global customers. The value in our partnership with our global clients is enabling and ensuring a successful customer experience through the implementation of creative and innovative technologies, resulting in best-in-class customer service. More than 2,700 nominations from organizations in 45 nations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were evaluated in this years competition. Winners were determined by the average scores of more than 150 professionals worldwide in seven specialized judging committees. Entries were considered in 93 categories for customer service and contact center achievements, including Contact Center of the Year, Award for Innovation in Customer Service, and Customer Service Department of the Year; 60 categories for sales and business development achievements, ranging from Senior Sales Executive of the Year to Sales Training or Business Development Executive of the Year to Sales Department of the Year; and categories to recognize new products and services and solution providers. All of the Stevie Award winners should be very proud of their achievements. Independent professionals around the world have agreed that their accomplishments are worthy of public recognition, said Stevie Awards President and founder, Michael Gallagher. With a foundation of thousands of multilingual, dedicated call center agents located in North America, South America, Europe and the Middle East, CGS currently supports many of the world's industry-leading brands, including global retailers, healthcare providers, technology and telecom providers and global hospitality brands. CGS's innovative, scalable and flexible outsourcing solutions include help desk solutions, technical support, customer care, sales and channel management, and finance and accounting. Details about the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service and the list of Stevie winners in all categories are available here . About the Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in seven programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at www.StevieAwards.com . Sponsors 13th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service include Sales Partnerships and ValueSelling Associates. About CGS For 35 years, CGS has enabled global enterprises, regional companies and government agencies to drive breakthrough performance through business applications, enterprise learning and outsourcing services. CGS is wholly focused on creating comprehensive solutions that meet clients complex, multi-dimensional needs and support clients most fundamental business activities. Headquartered in New York City, CGS has offices across North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. For more information, please visit www.cgsinc.com and follow us on Twitter at @CGSinc and @OutsourcingCGS and on Facebook . Media Contacts: Susan Sweeney, CGS newsroom@cgsinc.com TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ConnectWise today announced its pending acquisition by Thoma Bravo, LLC, a leading private equity investment firm. Thoma Bravos software expertise, extensive track record and deep capital will enable ConnectWise to pursue a strategy focused on organic growth and strategic acquisitions. The transaction is expected to close on Feb. 28. After the transaction is completed, ConnectWise founder and CEO Arnie Bellini will transition into an advisory role, and current president and COO, Jason Magee, will become CEO of the company. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Five years ago, we began exploring all of the financial options to accelerate the ConnectWise mission and our partners success. Thoma Bravo was the clear and obvious choice over an Initial Public Offering (IPO) and seven other private equity firms, Arnie Bellini said. Thoma Bravo is the premier investor in Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) technology. ConnectWise and Thoma Bravo have co-created a multi-year strategy that is aligned with our mission, vision, culture and partners. With this new relationship we plan to accelerate our partners success worldwide. Jason Magee, who has been with ConnectWise since 2011, was named COO in 2016. During his tenure as COO, ConnectWise grew at a 21 percent cumulative annual growth rate with more than 81 percent growth in EBITDA. Our success has been founded on deep interactions with our partners through our IT Nation events and peer groups. We will continue to invest in our partner community and provide the solutions they need to deliver technology as a service to the world. I believe the Thoma Bravo partnership will accelerate our ability to continually develop the platform our partners need to succeed through acquisitions and innovation," said Jason Magee. Bellini said Magee was the obvious choice as his successor. Jason has more than 20 years of deep industry experience with MSPs and VARs. Because Jasons been in their shoes, he is committed to ConnectWises partners. He will continue driving the passion, culture and innovation that our partners and colleagues expect from us. The partnership with Thoma Bravo will advance ConnectWises long-term vision and roadmap. Partners can expect innovative cybersecurity solutions, advanced education, go to market tools for the as a service world and a connected ecosystem to drive greater productivity and simplicity. Thoma Bravo has long recognized ConnectWises position as a leader and pioneer in the Managed Service Provider (MSP) and broader IT services space. For nearly 40 years, the company has been the market leader in providing the most comprehensive integrated software solutions to its community of partners, said Robert Sayle, Partner at Thoma Bravo. Under the strong leadership of Arnie and the management team, ConnectWise has innovated and created top tier products and services, and we are thrilled to partner with Jason to enable further success and opportunity for ConnectWise partners. Holland & Knight served as the legal advisor to ConnectWise while Raymond James & Associates, Inc. served as the exclusive investment banking advisor to the Special Committee of the Board of Directors, consisting of Steve Raymund and Stan Levy. Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as Thoma Bravos legal advisor. Owl Rock Capital provided financing for the transaction. About ConnectWise ConnectWise is a software company that connects teams with the platform and solutions that deliver technology as a service to the world. Our award-winning business management platform automates the full lifecycle of technology service delivery, from sales and service to project tracking and back-office functions, for more than 25,000 partners in more than 65 countries. We believe in an open ecosystem, the power of choice and providing a single pane of glass view. With more than 35 years of experience, ConnectWise delivers the software solutions and support companies want at each step of their business journey. For more information, visit ConnectWise.com. About Thoma Bravo, LLC Thoma Bravo is a leading private equity firm focused on the software and technology-enabled services sectors. With a series of funds representing more than $30 billion in capital commitments, Thoma Bravo partners with a companys management team to implement operating best practices, invest in growth initiatives and make accretive acquisitions intended to accelerate revenue and earnings, with the goal of increasing the value of the business. Representative past and present portfolio companies include industry leaders such as ABC Financial, Blue Coat Systems, Deltek, Digital Insight, Global Healthcare Exchange, Hyland Software, Imprivata, iPipeline, PowerPlan, Qlik, Quorum Software, Riverbed, SailPoint, SolarWinds, SonicWall, Sparta Systems, TravelClick and Veracode. The firm has offices in San Francisco and Chicago. For more information, visit thomabravo.com . Media Contacts: ConnectWise Elizabeth Bassler Ebassler@connectwise.com Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday asked his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to 'give peace a chance' and assured him that he 'stands by' his words and will 'immediately act' if New Delhi provides Islamabad with 'actionable intelligence' on the Pulwama attack. Khan's remarks came a day after Modi in a rally in Rajasthan said, "There is consensus in the entire world against terrorism. We are moving ahead with strength to punish the perpetrators of terrorism... The scores will be settled this time, settled for good... This is a changed India, this pain will not be tolerated... We know how to crush terrorism." Recalling his conversation with Khan during a congratulatory call after he became Pakistan's premier, Modi said he told him 'let us fight against poverty and illiteracy' and Khan gave his word - saying he is a Pathan's son - but went back on it. A statement released by the Pakistan Prime Minister's Office said, "PM Imran Khan stand by his words that if India gives us actionable intelligence, we will immediately act." PM Modi should 'give peace a chance', Khan said in the statement. Earlier on February 19 also, Khan assured India that he would act against the perpetrators of the deadly Pulwama terror attack, carried out by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group, if it shares 'actionable intelligence' with Islamabad, but warned New Delhi against launching any 'revenge' retaliatory action. India said Khan's offer to investigate the attack if provided proof is a 'lame excuse'. "It is a well-known fact that Jaish-e-Mohammad and its leader Masood Azhar are based in Pakistan. These should be sufficient proof for Pakistan to take action," the Ministry of External Affairs said. "The Prime Minister of Pakistan has offered to investigate the matter if India provides proof. This is a lame excuse. In the horrific attack in Mumbai on 26/11, proof was provided to Pakistan. Despite this, the case has not progressed for the last more than 10 years. Likewise, on the terror attack on Pathankot airbase, there has been no progress. Promises of 'guaranteed action' ring hollow given the track record of Pakistan," it said. Khan said during his meeting with Modi in December 2015, "we had agreed that since poverty alleviation is a priority for our region, we would not allow any terrorist incident to derail peace efforts, however, long before Pulwama, these efforts were derailed in September 2018". The Pakistani premier was referring to India calling off the foreign minister-level talks with Pakistan in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September last year after following the 'brutal' killing of three BSF jawans by Pakistani soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the release of postal stamps 'glorifying' Kashmiri militant Burhan Wani by the Pakistan government. Read more: Latest world news Itanagar: Two people were killed and three injured in police firing as protests over recommendations of granting permanent resident certificates (PRCs) to six communities escalated on Sunday in Arunachal Pradesh. Police opened fire when protesters tried to attack the private residence of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu at ESS sector here in the afternoon. Security personnel urged them to return, but the protesters marched towards his residence and started pelting stones. To control the situation, police had to resort to firing in which two men, aged between 20 and 24 years, were killed, the sources said. Three others were injured in the firing. The body of another person, who was killed in alleged police firing on Friday night, was kept by the protesters at the Indira Gandhi Park here and they said that it will not be buried until their demands were met. So far, two people have lost their lives and four injured as massive protests broke out over the PRC issue in the state. Pema Khandu had called an all-party meeting on Sunday to take stock of the situation and decide on future course of action, but none of the parties, including the opposition Congress, NPP and PPA turned up. The Chief Minister's Office sources said that the meeting has been rescheduled on Monday. "Considering the present situation pertaining to grant of PRCs to non-APST (Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes) of Namsai and Changlang districts, the state government has decided that no further action will be taken in grant of PRCs," Chief Secretary Satya Gopal said in a statement issued here. The agitators have been demanding permanent resolution to the PRC issue, immediate resignation of the chief minister, unconditional release of protesters (numbering around 40) and immediate transfer of the chief secretary, among others. The Nyishi Elite Society (NES), apex body of the largest community here, has appealed to the people to remain calm and use maximum restraint to evade further escalation of violence. It also condemned the state government for "late and inept" handling of the bandh call given on February 21 and 22, and "failing to read the pulse and demand of the people". Earlier in the day, the protesters allegedly set ablaze the private residence of Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and ransacked the office of the deputy commissioner here, police said. A large number of people marched through the streets vandalising public property and vehicles. They also set on fire a large number of vehicles parked in the compound of the DC's office. The agitators attacked the Itanagar Police station and several public properties in the state capital, police said, adding that they allegedly damaged the Sohum shopping mall here and looted the valuables, besides setting ablaze a market complex in Naharlagun. Indefinite curfew An indefinite curfew was clamped in Itanagar and Naharlagun on Saturday as protesters resorted to stone pelting in which 35 people, including 24 police personnel, were injured. The Army had also conducted flag marches in Itanagar and Naharlagun on Saturday. Internet services remained suspended, while markets, petrol pumps and shops were closed. Most ATMs in the state capital were out of cash, police said. Over 150 vehicles were damaged by the protesters since Friday, they said. On Saturday, the agitators damaged the stage of the Itanagar International Film Festival at the Indira Gandhi Park here. The organisers later called off the film festival. The Joint High Power Committee (JHPC), after holding parleys with the stakeholders, recommended granting PRCs to six communities, who are not natives of Arunachal Pradesh, but has been living in Namsai and Changlang districts for decades. The proposals evoked resentment among several community-based groups and students' organisations, who claimed that the rights and the interests of indigenous people would be compromised if the state government accepts them. The recommendation of the JHPC was supposed to be tabled in the Assembly on Saturday, but it did not happen as the speaker adjourned the House sine die. On Saturday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh appealed to the people of Arunachal Pradesh to remain calm and maintain peace. Read more: Latest India news Kanhangad: Peethambaran, the main accused in the Periya twin murder case, has refuted the charges levelled against him. Giving his statement before the court, Peethambaran alleged that the police had tortured him and that the confession was made under duress. The investigating officer threatened me while the other police officers subjected me to torture and made me confess, Peethambaran said before the Hosdurg First Class Judicial Magistrate Court in Kerala's Kasaragod district. According to Peethambaran, he had told some police personnel at Bekal police station, where he was kept in remand, that he had not committed the crime. His version is that the plan was to only thrash the two Youth Congress workers. However, some persons who accompanied him committed the murders on the spur of the moment. Meanwhile, the court remanded the two accused, Peethambaran and Saji George. Peethambarans earlier statement to the police mentioned that he killed the two persons under the influence of ganja. However, the former CPM local leaders family had pointed out that he was a teetotaller. It was hard to believe that he would kill after using narcotic substances, they felt. Saji was at the wheel of the vehicle that had knocked down the bike that the two victims, Sarathlal and Kripesh, were riding. He is a member of the CPMs Echiladukkam branch committee. Owner of a shop selling interlocking tiles, Saji is an accused in several other cases also. The Crime Branch Thursday took over the investigation into the killing of two Youth Congress workers, as the total number of arrests in the case climbed to seven with five more people being arrested, police said. In a setback to the ruling CPM, its local committee member Peethambaran was arrested on February 19, in connection with the killings of Youth Congress activists Kripesh and Sarath Lal. Kripesh and Sarath Lal, in their early twenties, were waylaid and attacked when they were returning home on February 17, after attending a function at Periya in Kasaragod district. The opposition Congress and the BJP have alleged that the killings were executed with the knowledge and support of the CPM leadership, which the Left party has denied. This was heartwarming symbolism. On February 22, while laying the foundation stone for the new district committee office at Kasaragod, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan used damning words to describe the Periya twin murders. He called the murders 'shameless', he called it 'senseless', and said it could not be justified by any means. What's more, Pinarayi even expressed a wish to visit the houses of the slain Youth Congress workers. This was absolutely out of character. Was the chief minister laying the foundation stone for a new brand of politics in Kannur? Former Naxal and noted social critic K Venu said the chief minister was only trying to soften as much as possible the damage the murders had done to the party on the eve of Lok Sabha polls. K K Rema, wife of slain RMP leader T P Chandrasekharan, too, said it was just a ruse to fool the people. Writer and former journalist Appukuttan Vallikkunnu, too, was indifferent. He said this was what the chief minister had said when another Youth Congress leader, Shuhaib, was killed exactly a year ago. Nonetheless, Ullekh N P who had written the bestseller 'Kannur: Inside India's Bloodiest Revenge Politics', said he was surprised at this 'departure'. After E M S Namboodiripad, not a single top CPM leader has spoken like this, he said. (In 1993, EMS had vehemently distanced the party from the workers who had set fire to the Pappinissery Snake Park managed by political rival M V Raghavan.) Pinarayi's butterfly stage Pinarayi's response to the Periya murders did give Ullekh a pleasant jolt. Still, he felt that Pinarayi had shown signs of change the moment he took over as chief minister. Here was a man who we thought could respond to issues only as a party secretary, Ullekh said. Kerala has still not forgotten the chillingly cold manner in which Pinarayi took on questions about the murder of T P Chandrasekharan. A class traitor will always remain a class traitor, Pinarayi had then said. TP's widow was more pained by another statement of Pinarayi. When told that the murder had shaken the state's psyche, Pinarayi had said: It depends on the mental state of a person. Then I knew this was a heartless man with not a drop of sympathy in his heart, Rema told Onmanorama. But Ullekh had sensed a transformation in 2016. When he became chief minister he was even willing to shed protocol to secretly meet top RSS leaders to sort out issues in Kannur, Ullekh said. His book speaks of how Pinarayi, usually a leader with abrasive tendencies, keeps on a smile all through and tries hard to engage RSS' Gopalankutty Master who had adopted a combative stance at the meeting. Such a meeting was considered unthinkable and was not disclosed to the media for a while, for there was a mutual understanding to keep these talks low profile; the intention was to gradually communicate the need to bring the rank and file on to the same page, Ullekh writes in the book. K K Rema, wife of slain RMP leader T P Chandrasekharan, said 'Pinarayi's change' was just a ruse to fool the people. A girl's mercy plea Appukuttan Vallikkunnu said that if at all Pinarayi was trying to transform himself, there was no proof yet of it. Ten days after the death of Shuhaib on February 12, 2018, his little sister Sumayya had written an open letter to the chief minister. She had asked for a promise from the chief minister and he had still not given it, Vallikkunnu said. This is what Sumayya told the chief minister in her letter. Let our 'ikka' be the last name in the ledger of political killings. Let no more lives be taken away in this manner. Can you give an assurance to us and to innumerable families that had suffered like ours that such cruelties will not be repeated. The letter did not elicit any response from the chief minister. Even then, during the party congress held in Thrissur last February, the only thing he said was that the CPM was a party that suffered like no other, Vallikkunnu said. This time, too, the chief minister has played the martyr card. The CPM is a party that is fully aware of the pain that comes from being the victim of violence. This is a party that has suffered a lot. This is a party that had stood looking at the death of many of its own with suppressed pain. This is not a party that will attempt to kill anyone, he told the media after the Periya murders. Rumblings within K Venu views this as mere survival technique, nothing more. It is sheer common sense that the murders will affect the party's electoral chances. So he is trying to soften the impact as much as possible, Venu said. There is also a huge groundswell of anger within the party against this politics of violence. The chief minister cannot ignore it either, he said. Ullekh, too, feels that the party is gradually realising that it cannot progress with such type of politics. There is a section within the party that still spreads the canard that the party will be considerably weakened if violence is jettisoned as a political tool. This is quackery, he said. When M V Govindan Master was the Kannur district secretary, he had booted out all violent elements from the party. Political violence dropped dramatically and the party gained, too, Ullekh said. M V Govindan was Kannur district secretary from 2002 to 2006. In the 2006 elections, the CPM had secured the largest number of seats in history. Stranglehold of Stalin But according to Venu, a change can happen only if the party comes out of its Stalinist framework. Their ideology or organisational structure has no space for democracy. There is not even an attempt at democratisation, Venu said. During the Vishakhapatnam Party Congress in 2015, a young CPM leader P Krishna Prasad, associated with the V S Achuthanandan group, had wanted to insert a clause in the party resolution that would end dictatorial tendencies in the party. He was shown his place. Ideological rigidity could be self-destructive in the long run. The dictatorship of the proletariat is the party's stated political agenda. This in practice means all forces inimical to the party has to be mandatorily wiped out. Annihilation is in the DNA of the party, Venu said. Many Marxist and socialist parties the world over have managed to bring about democratic changes after the failure of the Soviet Union. India's CPM is the only party that still holds on to the old Stalinist methods, Venu said. Pinarayi had shown signs of change the moment he took over as chief minister. Even its ally, the CPI, has dumped the 'dictatorship of the proletariat' policy in 2014, and has emphasised democratic means to achieve political ends. Read more: Latest Kerala news Kasaragod: A medical team headed by the District Medical Officer (DMO) is camping at the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) at Periya in Kasaragod, after H1N1 was confirmed in five students - four girls and one boy - of the residential school. The school, which has nearly 520 students from across the district, has put those students in a separate place. Currently 73 other students are also showing symptoms similar to that of H1N1, said DMO Dr Dinesh Kumar AP. This is the first outbreak in the district this year, though there were isolated cases in other parts nothing was at an extreme to be called as an outbreak. Yesterday (Sunday) also nearly eight suspected cases were recorded from the school. Two doctors and sufficient paramedical staff are camping in the school. The situation is under control, and the school has also decided not to send the children home, to avoid spreading it into other parts of the district, the DMO told Onmanorama. He added that the students, who had shown symptoms, are not in need of separate treatment and they are just prevented from mingling with the other students, and the situation can not be called 'quarantine'. For a minimum period of five days, they are prevented from attending regular classes with others and sharing the common dining hall or other facilities. Once the tests turn negative, they can join regular classes. Normally five to seven days are needed for confirming the presence of the virus, the DMO said. Nine cases of H1N1 was confirmed in the district this year alone, said the DMO. The samples collected from the school were sent to Manipal Virology Lab. One of the students was earlier admitted to the Government District Hospital, Kanhangad, and another to a private hospital. The other three are at one of the isolation wards arranged at the school itself. The residential school has students from even outside the state, as the JNV schools have a system of shifting students as part of the national integration goal. Sending the students back to their houses would only aggravate the issue, said the school authorities. The students with confirmed infection belonged to Class 8 and Class 9 while those with suspected symptoms were from Class 6 and above, school principal K M Vijaya Krishnan revealed. Before confirming the disease, some students were allowed to go home, but they were brought back when the lab results arrived. Three of them are totally cured and the other two are also recovering fast. There is no panicky situation on the campus, and I can assure the parents that their children are totally safe here, the principal said. H1N1 or swine flu, which is caused by a virus, has been on the rise in all south Indian states last year, according to reports. Pregnant women, children, elderly and those with respiratory issues, diseases such as diabetes, renal diseases, hypertension and cardiac issues, cancer or HIV should take special care as H1N1 has been known to cause high mortality among these groups. Physicians advise that people with flu should stay home away from crowded public places and follow the cough/cold etiquette to prevent the transmission of the virus. Frequent hand-washing with soap, intake of fluids and other supportive measures will help. Thiruvananthapuram: Satellites have found evidence of 567 fires, both small and large, across Kerala over the past 55 days. The numbers were made available after assessment of images captured by NASAs Lance Firms and European Unions Copernicus Sentinel satellites from January 1. The map was created for Manorama by Raj Bhagat, a senior project associate at World Resources Institute based in Washington. Idukki leads with 190 instances of fire. A minor fire broke out on January 23 in forest next to Kakki reservoir in Pathanamthitta. But neither the local people nor fire department knew about this. Even when such small episodes dont show up in official accounts, satellites catch them easily. Raj analysed four satellite images every day to map them. Satellite with multi-spectral devices can detect fire by analysing changes in temperature on any surface in the world. Burnt down patches in forests are also detected. 118 fires were reported in Palakkad. A fire at Brahmapuram waste treatment plant in Kochi was contianed on Sunday, after three days. Air quality was affected in Kadavanthra, Vyttila, Maradu and Ambalamugal with several residents complaining of eye and throat irritations. Four incidents of fire were reported from the same plant in the last couple of months. Outside state, Bandipur and Kanyakumari have seen large number of fires too. Images from Banasura Hills in Wayanad will be available in the next few days. Districts and fires caught on satellite images: Idukki 190, Palakkad 118, Thrissur 74, Wayanad 67, Kottayam 26, Malappuram 23 Satellite image of Bandipur fire Read more: Latest Kerala news - Discovers Germanium 497 g/t over 1.5m in core samples - Finds Gold at surface 48g/t over 2m at Boumadine MONTREAL, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Maya Gold & Silver Inc. (Maya or the Corporation) (TSX: MYA) is pleased to announce the compilation of results from its diamond drilling program, drilling on the tailings and surface sampling at Boumadine property. Highlights: 2017 successful validation of mineralization panels are still in place 28 m at 10.79 g/t Gold Equivalent and 8.35 g/t Gold in Hole B_17-04 from 153m to 181m; and in Hole B_17-04 from 153m to 181m; 11 m at 8.77 g/t Gold Equivalent and 3.83 g/t Gold in Hole B_17-02 from 170.1m to 181.1m; and in Hole B_17-02 from 170.1m to 181.1m; 5 m at 12.58 g/t Gold Equivalent and 3.87 g/t Gold in Hole B_17-05 from 94m to 99m; and in Hole B_17-05 from 94m to 99m; 5.5 m at 8.33 g/t Gold Equivalent and 1.93 g/t Gold in Hole B_17-05bis from 185m to 190.5m; and in Hole B_17-05bis from 185m to 190.5m; 5 m at 7.08 g/t Gold Equivalent and 2.77 g/t Gold in Hole B_17-05bis from 191.5m to 196.5m; and in Hole B_17-05bis from 191.5m to 196.5m; 6 m at 14.88 g/t Gold Equivalent and 1.8 g/t Gold in Hole B_17-06bis from 177m to 183m; and in Hole B_17-06bis from 177m to 183m; 4.5 m at 9.18 g/t Gold Equivalent and 1.36 g/t Gold in Hole B_17-06bis from 211.5m to 216m; 2018 successful extension at depth of the mineralized zones 2 m at 5.14 g/t Gold Equivalent and 3.1 g/t Gold in Hole B_18-03 from 502m to 504.8m; and in Hole B_18-03 from 502m to 504.8m; 4.5 m at 2.22 g/t Gold Equivalent and 1.78 g/t Gold in Hole B_18-03 from 558.2m to 562.7m; and in Hole B_18-03 from 558.2m to 562.7m; 2.5 m at 3.57 g/t Gold Equivalent and 1.8 g/t Gold in Hole B_18-01 from 359m to 361.5m; and in Hole B_18-01 from 359m to 361.5m; 1 m at 6.05 g/t Gold Equivalent and 1.7 g/t Gold in Hole B_18-01 from 224.2m to 225.2m; Germanium discovery The core samples were assayed for multi-element and important grades of Germanium were discovered during the analysis. It appears Germanium is not evenly distributed in all sectors and it may be related to zoning within mineralized zones associated to sphalerite (Zn) and other sulfides. Additional work is being done in order take the Germanium values into account in the mineral resources. Assays range from below detection limit 20 ppm with a maximum of 497ppm Ge in 1.5m sample. Surface samples gold findings 2 m at 48 g/t Gold in sample number TN19, Structure oriented NNE; in sample number TN19, Structure oriented NNE; 2.5m at 9 g/t Gold in sample number CS16, shear zone oriented NNE; in sample number CS16, shear zone oriented NNE; 1.5m at 6.82 g/t Gold in sample number IM39, structure filled by oxidized sulfides and quartz cement, oriented N-S; in sample number IM39, structure filled by oxidized sulfides and quartz cement, oriented N-S; 1.15m at 6.76 g/t Gold in sample number IM26, breccia oriented NW-SE; With these positive results, Maya took the decision to postpone the publication of the PEA on Boumadine. The Corporation started an additional diamond drilling program at the North and Imariren Zones. An additional 37 holes were drilled totalling 1840 meters. This additional drilling program aims to better understand the distribution of precious metals and to explore the vertical extensions of these exposed mineralized structures. Complete drill results of this campaign are pending and will be disclosed once received, compiled and verified. This will allow Maya to integrate all data collected and produce the first NI 43-101 mineral resources estimate on Boumadine including the Imariren and North zones. The 2017-2018 First Phase Diamond Drilling Program The 2017/2018 first phase drilling program consisted of 14 diamond drill holes totaling 3,158.2m. Five holes were drilled at the zone Centre totaling 1,490.4m. Four holes were drilled at Zone Tizi, totaling 530.2m. Five holes were drilled at zone South totaling 1,137.6m. This drilling program ended in April 2018 and the main objectives were: Validation of the historical panels at zone Centre and zone South; Explore the vertical extensions of the mineralization at zone Tizi, Centre and South; The holes were mainly drilled in Ignimbrite, Rhyodacite and Andesitic rocks with many massive pyrite zones. These rocks are affected by shear zones, veins and veinlets and intruded by hydrothermal breccia. Most holes intersected the mineralized zones with massive sulfides, mainly pyrite, sphalerite, galena and more or less chalcopyrite. Sulphide mineralization consisting in massive pyrite accompanied by pyrrhotite and more or less arsenopyrite. The mineralization was massive and reached 28 meters of drill core. Some holes showed principal vein-type mineralization with sharp layering cross-cut by several networks and stockworks of secondary sulfide mineralization. Quartz veins/veinlets were observed in many drill holes surrounding the principal zones with massive sulfides. We also observed the presence of voids within the Ingnimbrite filled by sulphides cements preferentially at the upper limit with the porphyry contact. In addition, the results from the diamond drilling program showed a spatial relationship between the mineralization and structural interpretation of the high grade intercepts from all the historical database dipping a roughly subvertical and NNW trending. The most important intervals of the 2017/2018 drilling program are listed below in Table 1. Table 1: The important intervals from the 2017/2018 drilling program. Hole Name From To Length Au g/t Ag g/t Zn % Pb % Au Eq g/t Zone B-17-04 153,0 181,0 28,00 8,35 112,79 1,48 0,36 10,79 Central Including 156,0 160,0 4,00 5,75 207,00 3,53 1,06 10,94 Central Including 163,0 173,0 10,00 3,02 77,70 1,70 0,27 5,14 Central Including 175,0 181,0 6,00 29,53 226,83 0,46 0,15 32,60 Central and 177,0 179,0 2,00 77,50 314,00 0,30 0,17 81,52 Central B-17-02 170,1 181,1 11,00 3,83 93,73 5,75 0,58 8,77 Central Including 175,1 178,1 3,00 7,85 170,67 9,87 1,06 16,48 Central B-17-05 94,0 99,0 5,00 3,87 310,10 7,23 1,11 12,58 South Including 94,5 98,0 3,50 5,03 373,71 7,41 0,19 14,12 South B-17-05bis 185,0 190,5 5,50 1,93 166,09 6,72 0,61 8,33 South Including 187,5 190,0 2,50 3,36 338,40 12,92 0,88 15,75 South B-17-05bis 191,5 196,5 5,00 2,77 73,40 4,89 0,83 7,08 South Including 192,5 195,5 3,00 3,36 47,33 4,18 0,11 6,54 South B-17-06C 108,5 111,0 2,50 1,95 76,40 6,24 1,69 7,58 South B-17-06bis 177,0 183,0 6,00 1,80 598,33 6,94 3,16 14,88 South Including 177,0 178,5 1,50 1,73 162,00 3,64 1,03 6,44 South including 181,0 182,5 1,50 4,07 1904,67 20,89 6,74 43,19 South B-17-06bis 211,5 216,0 4,50 1,36 202,22 5,68 3,60 9,18 South including 213,0 214,5 1,50 2,62 317,00 9,59 4,80 14,83 South B-17-10 90,0 92,5 2,50 6,27 51,40 0,63 0,60 7,59 Tizi B-17-07 58,0 63,0 5,00 2,72 303,80 5,54 4,26 12,02 Tizi including 58,5 59,0 0,50 14,32 834,00 6,62 4,15 30,55 Tizi B-17-06 91,0 95,0 4,00 1,07 80,50 2,95 0,66 4,18 South including 93,0 94,5 1,50 1,90 48,00 1,80 0,65 3,92 South B-17-01bis 156,5 159,0 2,50 2,41 43,20 2,13 0,69 4,59 Central including 157,0 158,0 1,00 5,33 45,00 2,39 0,89 7,80 Central B-17-01bis 228,5 230,5 2,00 1,41 4,25 0,03 0,04 1,49 Central B-17-01bis 234,5 236,5 2,00 1,84 16,25 0,05 0,12 2,13 Central B-17-01bis 254,0 255,0 1,00 2,87 52,50 0,11 0,68 3,93 Central B-17-01bis 255,5 257,5 2,00 4,02 270,75 1,27 0,32 8,20 Central B-17-01bis 264,0 265,5 1,50 0,94 24,00 1,46 0,57 2,43 Central B-17-01 53,0 60,0 7,00 0,76 22,29 2,62 1,01 3,17 Central B-17-01 224,0 227,0 3,00 2,30 81,67 1,10 0,19 4,05 Central B-17-03 193,5 195,5 2,00 0,60 26,25 2,06 0,42 2,39 Central B-17-03 235,0 236,0 1,00 1,73 55,50 1,34 0,71 3,59 Central B-17-05bis 175,6 180,0 4,40 0,27 23,52 1,71 1,17 2,22 South B-17-06bis 221,5 229,5 8,00 0,99 172,00 5,46 2,16 7,54 South B-17-06bis 235,5 236,5 1,00 0,48 21,00 2,86 0,75 2,87 South B-17-06C 122,5 125,0 2,50 0,15 71,20 2,20 1,64 3,23 South B-17-06C 155,0 159,0 4,00 0,88 196,50 8,18 1,84 9,21 South B-17-08 15,7 17,4 1,70 1,05 41,06 0,76 0,27 2,15 Tizi B-17-08 131,6 135,1 3,50 0,86 85,29 1,42 0,90 3,23 Tizi The assay results for a minimum interval of 1 meter. The core lengths reported are between 60% and 75% of true widths. The grades herein are reported as uncapped values. Gold equivalent in this release are calculated using Au Oz 1250 USD, Ag Oz at 15 USD, Zn 2450 USD per tonne and Pb 2168 USD per tonne. A total of 482.2m core samples (totaling 617 core samples) were submitted to the independent laboratory Analyse Development Minier S.A.R.L. (ADM) based in Marrakech (Morocco) for preparation and assaying. Based on the positive results cited above Maya Gold and Silver decided to add four diamond drill holes (totaling 2671.1m; 251 core samples) to intersect the extension at depth of the mineralized sections in the three zones (Center, South and Tizi). The table below (Table 2) show the highlights. Table 2: The important intervals from 2018 drilling program. Hole Name From To Length Au g/t Ag g/t Zn % Pb % Au Eq Zone B-18-03 502,80 504,80 2,00 3,10 76,67 1,72 1,40 5,14 South Including 502,80 503,80 1,00 4,57 85,00 0,12 0,15 5,15 South B-18-03 558,20 562,70 4,50 1,78 23,33 0,04 0,24 2,22 South B-18-01 224,20 225,20 1,00 1,70 42,00 4,52 2,04 6,05 Central B-18-01 335,00 338,00 3,00 0,83 49,33 0,27 0,42 1,81 Central B-18-01 359,00 361,50 2,50 1,80 38,20 1,83 0,37 3,57 Central Including 360,00 361,00 1,00 3,01 54,00 2,46 0,53 5,44 Central The assay results for a minimum interval of 1 meter. The core lengths reported are between 60% and 75% of true widths. The grades herein are reported as uncapped values. Gold equivalent in this release was calculated using Au Oz 1250 USD, Ag Oz at 15 USD, Zn 2450 USD per tonne and Pb 2168 USD per tonne. Table 3: Drill hole information Hole Name Easting Northing Elevation (m) Azimuth () Dip () Length (m) B-17-01 317226.80 3476877.30 1152.15 245 -45 315.2 B-17-01bis 317249.11 3476888.11 1148.20 245 -55 323.8 B-17-02 317283.00 3476655.09 1140.30 234 -45 236 B-17-03 317344.28 3476673.52 1140.14 234 -47 415.4 B-17-04 317119.46 3476965.56 1158.07 224 -47 200 B-17-05 317093.38 3474794.12 1215.36 91 -50 175.2 B-17-05bis 317025.99 3474794.60 1204.12 85 -46 268 B-17-06 317106.98 3474744.00 1220.62 83 -47 215 B-17-06bis 317055.09 3474737.44 1211.58 94 -45 278 B-17-06C 317100.65 3474696.84 1219.85 84 -46 201.4 B-17-07 315413.68 3476958.11 1205.49 286 -46 100 B-17-08 315461.95 3476944.67 1202.34 286 -55 180.2 B-17-09 315425.67 3476899.31 1200.36 225 -45 110 B-17-10 315450.79 3476924.10 1196.60 225 -54 140 B-18-04 315648.00 3476987.00 1207.93 264 -55 466.1 B-18-01 317413.83 3476954.62 1141.03 235 -55 686.0 B-18-02 317582.41 3476787.34 1140.11 241 -49 911 B-18-03 316889.00 3474515.00 1209.34 49 -45 608 B-18-11 315756.00 3477776.00 1142.34 128 -45 45.3 B-18-11bis 315756.22 3477776.07 1142.00* 128 -65 86 B-18-10bis 315756.22 3477776.07 1142.00 90 -75 62 B-18-10 315756.22 3477776.07 1142.00 90 -45 32 B-18-09 315756.22 3477776.07 1142.00 60 -45 35 B-18-09bis 315756.22 3477776.07 1142.00 60 -65 56 B-18-08 315776.70 3477825.09 1142.00 135 -45 30.4 B-18-08bis 315776.70 3477825.09 1142.00 135 -65 56 B-18-07 315776.70 3477825.09 1142.00 90 -45 30 B-18-07bis 315776.70 3477825.09 1142.00 90 -70 64.4 B-18-06 315776.70 3477825.09 1142.00 45 -45 35 B-18-06bis 315776.70 3477825.09 1142.00 45 -65 56 B-18-05bis 315782.65 3477862.46 1142.00 140 -70 56 B-18-05 315782.65 3477862.46 1142.00 140 -45 30.1 B-18-04bis 315782.65 3477862.46 1142.00 90 -75 56.3 B-18-44 315782.65 3477862.46 1200.00 90 -45 30.7 B-18-03bis 315782.65 3477862.46 1142.00 60 -70 56.5 B-18-33 315782.65 3477862.46 1200.00 60 -45 32 B-18-14bis 315951.38 3477862.50 1142.00 90 -65 80 B-18-13bis 315951.38 3477862.50 1142.00 50 -70 56.4 B-18-12bis 315951.38 3477862.50 1142.00 5 -70 65.5 B-18-17bis 315774.00 3477936.00 1142.00 145 -70 71 B-18-17 315774.00 3477936.00 1142.00 145 -45 46.7 B-18-16 315774.00 3477936.00 1142.00 90 -45 38 B-18-16bis 315774.00 3477936.00 1142.00 90 -75 56.5 B-18-15 315774.00 3477936.00 1142.00 48 -45 35 B-18-15bis 315774.00 3477936.00 1142.00 48 -75 56.5 B-18-20 316098.42 3477790.39 1142.00 45 -45 47 B-18-20bis 316098.42 3477790.39 1142.00 90 -65 65.5 B-18-19 316098.42 3477790.39 1142.00 45 -45 35 B-18-18 316098.42 3477790.39 1142.00 0 -45 35 B-18-18bis 316098.42 3477790.39 1142.00 0 -70 65.5 B-18-19bis 316098.42 3477790.39 1142.00 45 -70 56.5 B-18-21 316231.09 3477696.81 1142.00 5 -45 35 B-18-21bis 316231.09 3477696.81 1142.00 5 -70 56.5 B-18-22 316231.09 3477696.81 1142.00 65 -45 35 B-18-22bis 316231.09 3477696.81 1142.00 65 -70 56.5 *Note: The latest holes of the 2018 program are not surveyed with a DGPS yet, it is why they have the fixed 1142mZ elevation in the table, also note that several were drilled from the same set-up, the precise location will be disclosed once received and validated. Drilling on the tailings A total of 49 holes were drilled on the Boumaadine tailings using the AMS soil core sampler. A total of 34 holes were drilled on tailing TG1 totaling 70.53m and 15 holes were drilled on tailing TG2 totaling 116.10m. The main objective of the drilling program was the mineral resource estimation of the tailings. The table below shows the highlights. Hole Name From To Length Au ppm Hole Name From To Length Au TG1-18-03 1 1,34 0,34 4,03 TG2-18-03 6 7 1 2,67 TG1-18-06 0 1 1 4,6 TG2-18-04 6 7 1 2,54 TG1-18-12 0 1,1 1,1 3,02 TG2-18-04 7 7,4 0,4 3,04 TG1-18-13 2 3 1 3,32 TG2-18-05 5 6 1 2,63 TG1-18-13 3 3,6 0,6 3,12 TG2-18-05 6 7 1 2,87 TG1-18-14 1 2 1 3,24 TG2-18-05 7 8 1 2,72 TG1-18-14 2 2,7 0,7 3,18 TG2-18-06 6 7 1 2,46 TG1-18-15 0 1 1 3,26 TG2-18-12 4 5 1 2,51 TG1-18-15 1 1,7 0,7 3,54 TG2-18-12 5 6 1 2,44 TG1-18-16 0 1 1 3,26 TG2-18-12 6 7 1 2,68 TG1-18-16 1 1,7 0,7 3,7 TG2-18-12 7 7,56 0,56 2,62 TG1-18-17 1 2 1 4,04 TG2-18-15 2 3 1 2,82 TG1-18-17 2 2,27 0,27 3,6 TG2-18-15 3 4 1 2,94 TG1-18-18 0 1 1 3,4 TG2-18-15 4 5 1 2,72 TG1-18-19 1 1,6 0,6 3,08 TG2-18-15 5 6 1 3,54 TG2-18-01 4 5 1 2,45 TG2-18-15 6 6,76 0,76 2,92 TG2-18-01 5 6 1 2,35 TG2-18-15 6,76 7,19 0,43 2,64 Surface sampling Mayas geologists started the first surface sampling program at Boumadine in April 2018. The sampling program was discussed during the site visit from GoldMinds Geoservices and covered a portion of Imariren and zone Nord. The sampling program consisted of channel sampling (with saw) cross-cutting the exposed mineralized structures oriented E-W, NNE-SSW and NE-SW filled by quartz cements, barite and traces of lead and copper. Sample length represented the thickness of the mineralized veins and their location was determined using a hand held GPS. The main objectives of this sampling program were: Complete historical works to cover areas with less geochemical information; Prospecting new areas following the mineralized structures trend; Identified new target with high-grade potential for the diamond drill program in progress at Boumaadine. The table below (Table 4) shows the surface grab & Channel samples highlights and their localisation are shown in Figure 1. Table 4: The highlights from the surface sampling results. Hole Name Au ppm Ag ppm Zn ppm Pb ppm Cu ppm TN19 48 216 200 0,574 160 CS16 9 162 652 1,16 160 IM39 6,82 124 44 0,83 28 IM26 6,76 34 3264 0,37 109 ZS19 6,6 234 242 1,04 181 IM17 5,82 14 1063 0,14 213 IM18 5,8 80 3236 0,37 283 ZS18 5,72 144 749 0,2 314 ZC3 5,54 177 1700 2,47 40 TN14 5,02 66 100 1,31 40 IM23 4,64 80 3280 1,19 309 IM34 4,24 52 1087 5,29 1431 IM07 4,02 12 153 0,45 15 CS12 4,02 18 1174 1,23 178 IM38 2,98 136 200 1,63 115 IM27 2,8 64 3665 0,61 67 CS11 2,7 16 650 1,13 126 ZS12 2,6 90 155 2,57 46 ZC5 2,46 70 900 2,85 46 IM24 2,4 56 1196 1,49 489 ZS17 2,4 66 1669 2,5 410 ZS20 2,34 80 264 1,76 138 CS13 2,08 255 480 1,46 91 ZC6 1,82 145 1200 5,24 259 TN5 1,8 86 12000 1,92 37700 CS15 1,7 147 119 3,69 81 ZS6 1,58 148 565 3,09 83 TN26 1,54 69 600 2,21 50 The geochemical survey covered the main mineralized zone at the Northern part of the property. The geochemical survey appears to be a very effective method and gives us a better understanding of the polymetallic deposit (related structures, the geological control and target identification for drilling to explore vertical extension). The figure below shows the surface sample locations with Au value in g/t taken from the exposed structures. Figure 1: Surface samples location with Gold results (source M. Assalmi Chief Geologist) is available at the following address: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/74e8ba88-5acb-4841-a3db-8ceb01053114 Quality Control / Quality Assurance (QA/QC) The direction and inclination of the diamond drillholes were oriented in a way to intersect the mineralized zones and avoid the openings (ancient mine drifts). Only one drillhole (B_17_06) intersects an opening at a depth of 86.9m large of 2.5m in South zone. The core was logged and sampled by the geologists of Compagnie Miniere Maya-Maroc sarl (CMMM). The samples were analyzed by the independent laboratory Analyse Development Minier S.A.R.L. The half core samples are crushed to have d80 passing 2mm and afterwards riffle split to have 100 grams which is pulverized to have a pulp d80 of 75 microns Multi acid digestion and Atomic Absorption reading. Fire assay is used for gold grade determination. The majority of the standards and blanks are in line with expected results. Some blanks (three) and standards (four) were mislabelled and corrected later by the geologists. Qualified Persons The technical content of this news release has been prepared and reviewed by Merouane Rachidi, Ph.D., P. Geo., and Claude Duplessis Eng. from GoldMinds Geoservices Inc, independent Qualified Persons under NI 43-101 standards, based on the informations received from Maya Gold and Silver (CMMM subsidiary). PDAC Convention Maya Gold & Silver will be present at the 2019 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention, which will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Center from March 3 to March 6, 2019. Come by and see us on the Investors Exchange floor at Booth 2450. About Boumadine The Boumadine Agreement is a joint venture with LOffice National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM), whereby Maya owns 85% of the Boumadine polymetallic deposit, located in the Anti-Atlas Mountains of eastern Morocco. The Boumadine polymetallic deposit has historical estimates (1992) of 4,096,000t grading 3.8% Zn, 1.5% Pb, 200 g/t Ag (23.9M oz) and 3.50 g/t Au (418,000 oz) and has great potential for resource expansion within the 32 square kilometers property. The historical resources are not NI 43-101 compliant and should not be relied upon. ABOUT MAYA Maya Gold & Silver Inc. is a publicly-traded Canadian company focused on the operation, exploration and development of gold and silver deposits in Morocco. Maya is currently operating mining and milling operations at its Zgounder Mine, an 85%-15% split ownership between its subsidiary, ZMSM, and the ONHYM of the Kingdom of Morocco. Its portfolio also contains the Boumadine polymetallic deposit located in the Anti-Atlas Mountains of Eastern Morocco. The property is a joint venture with ONHYM whereby Maya retains an 85% ownership. Mayas portfolio also includes the Amizmiz and Azegour properties, both being 100% owned, with gold, tungsten, molybdenum and copper deposits covering over 100 square kilometres in a historical mining district. Forward-looking statements This news release contains statements about future events or future performance and reflects managements current expectations and assumptions. These are forward-looking because we have used what we know and expect today to make a statement about the future. Forward-looking statements usually include words such as may, intend, plan, expect, anticipate, and believe or other similar words. We believe the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable. However, actual events and results could be substantially different because of the risks and uncertainties associated with our business or events that happen after the date of this news release. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. As a general policy, we do not update forward-looking statements except as required by securities laws and regulations. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in the Corporations filings with SEDAR. On behalf of the Board: Noureddine Mokaddem Founder, President & CEO +1 514-978-6111/+212 661-196-111 nmokaddem@mayagoldsilver.com CONTACT INFORMATION Maya Gold & Silver Inc.: Sophy Cesar Investor Relations 1-514-866-2008 scesar@mayagoldsilver.com www.mayagoldsilver.com Alappuzha: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has questioned the process that led to the Adani group winning the right to manage five of the six airports which were put up for bidding. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and industrialist Gautam Adani may be close, but Adani has not managed any airport so far, pointed out Pinarayi. According to the chief minister, strange developments had taken place during the bidding. When an outsider notices that the bids for five of the six airports were won by one business group, it naturally raises suspicions about the process, he said. Was everything a drama to entrust all the work to Adani and stage a bidding to give it a cover of legality? Everything should come out in the open soon, added Pinarayi. He went on to say that facilities have to be arranged on the ground for aircraft to land and take-off which cannot be done by a monopolist like Adani alone. For the development of the Thiruvananthapuram airport, it is the state government that has to provide land. Adani knows better than anyone else that the present government in Kerala would not succumb to pressure tactics. However, considering the state government as an enemy would only hamper the developmental prospects of the airport, said the chief minister. The central government wants to privatize the Thiruvananthapuram international airport. The state government had asked the Centre to hand over the airport to us. We have every qualification to manage the airport. The state is already operating CIAL (Cochin International Airport Ltd.) profitably. In fact, major airlines have expressed their admiration for the management system in place at CIAL, said Pinarayi. The Thiruvananthpuram airport came up during the time of the monarchy on land acquired by the Maharaja. After Independence, more land was provided by the state government. The Airports Authority of India is supposed to manage the airport. But in case it has any reluctance in this regard, the full control of the Thiruvananthapuram airport should be handed over to the state. Though Kerala had placed its demand before the Centre, the bidding process was resorted to, pointed out the chief minister. Thiruvananthapuram: The Adani Group has edged ahead to gain the operational control of the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport after outbidding proposals from the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) and the GMR Group, the operator of Delhi and Hyderabad airports. A formal decision is awaited on February 28. The KSIDC and the GMR Group are at the second and third spot in the financial bid. The Adani Group is also likely to be presented with the management of the airports in Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow and Mangaluru, marking its entry into the countrys aviation sector, as the bidding process for private participation culminates. Though the Cochin International Airport Limited had bid for the Mangaluru airport, it finished second to the Adani Group there. The Airports Authority of India decided to privatise the operations of Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati airports. Adani and GMR groups had raised bids for all six airports. A court has stayed the bid for the Guwahati airport. The central governments decision to hand over the operation of six airports in the country to private companies had drawn severe flak. Though the Kerala government itself was against the idea, it later participated in the bid through the public sector entity KSIDC. The KSIDC was picked as the state governments bidding agency to comply with norms. The initial plan was to let the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) participate in the bid but a company was later floated by the name of Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Limited. The KSIDC was granted 10 per cent right of refusal as per the wishes of the state government, giving it an option to increase its bid in case of other companies outbidding it. The Airports Authority Employees Union has alleged that the part privatisation will make many employees jobless at the profit-making airport. The Adani Group will be in a vantage position in south India if the company is invited to operate the Thiruvananthapuram airport. The company is already in charge of the multi-crore Vizhinjam International Port. The agreement for the port project was signed with Adani during the previous UDF rule and the company started construction on December 5, 2015. As per the contract agreement, the port is scheduled to be completed by December 4, 2019. Read more: Latest Kerala news Kochi: Rejecting the petition moved by actor Dileep, the Kerala High Court has appointed a woman judge to try the actress assault case. Judge Honey Varghese of the CBI Court, Ernakulam will be in charge of the trial. The order in this regard was issued by the High Court along with the directive that efforts should be made to complete the procedures within nine months. With this order, the High Court has closed the hearing on the plea moved by the actress seeking a woman judge. Along with Dileep, another main accused Pulsar Suni also had moved a petition raising objections to changing the trial court. Dileep had on Monday submitted a petition before the High Court seeking to hear his version while considering the plea for a woman judge. The actor's lawyer, during his argument, stressed on the demand that the trial court should not be changed. According to Dileeps lawyer, if every rape victim seeks trial in a woman judge's court, it would be impractical. The government counsel took the stand that the accused had moved the plea to delay the trial, while the court was about to pronounce the judgment. Pointing out to Dileep that the victim had sought a woman judge and not shifting the trial court, the High Court asked the actor whether he did not want the procedures to be completed quickly. The lawyer representing Pulsar Suni also had earlier approached the High Court with the plea that the trial court should not be changed. According to him, any change in the trial court would cause loss of valuable time and money for the accused as well those connected with him. Dileep, who was arrested on July 10 2017, was granted bail on October 3, 2017. The actress, who has also worked in Tamil and Telugu films, was abducted and allegedly molested inside her car for two hours on February 17, 2017. Shillong: The International Mother Language Day was celebrated with great vigour and excitement at the Shillong campus of the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) on Thursday. The event, which was inaugurated by the institute director A.K Misra, saw students from various ethnic groups celebrating their diverse culture and regional languages. The highlights of the evening included a Khasi song followed by Diha Naam and Biya Naam, a traditional music of Assam. Photo: Raman Students came forward with their own compositions of an array of Urdu and Hindi poetry. A Telegu play portraying the Telangana Movement was also staged. The evening progressed with a multitude of song and dance ranging from the traditional Assamese Bihu song to a mesmerising Rajasthani dance and many more. Photo: Raman The International Mother Language Day which has been observed since February 2000 aims to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingual education according to the UNESCO. The theme for this year is indigenous languages as a factor in development, peace and reconciliation. The North East being one of Indias richest regions in terms of linguistics and culture is a home to more than 200 languages including various regional dialects. Noted author and former professor Lal Behadur Verma who visited the Maharajas College in Kochi urged the students to try to understand what much-lauded social reformers have taught. He criticised the tendency to merely laud social reformers without knowing the essence of their teaching. Verma, who taught history at the University of Allahabad for 40 years and has more than 30 books to his to his credit, observed that philosophers have said many things about the world but the problem lies in the fact that despite of knowing whatever Mahatma Gandhi, Sree Narayana Guru, Sankaracharya or Karl Marx said, our society has not changed. The author noted that Kerala has not yet been liberated when it comes to decision making. While raising some pertinent questions, he asked the students whether they were really liberated and whether they were really learning. Verma sounded disappointed with the protests against the Sabarimala verdict. "I was very hopeful when the Supreme Court had pronounced the judgement on Sabarimala as it was really progressive," he noted. On education system Flaying the education system of the country, he cited short-sighted teachers who prepared syllabus by aping the pattern of prestigious western universities and demanded the students to learn it. He advised the students that they should be able to demand an academic culture that suits their needs. Photo: Anjana Menon Prof.Verma is of the opinion that autonomy for educational institutions cannot bear fruits until it reaches the individuals. He warned that the autonomy should not stop with the colleges but each department of the college should be autonomous. Indian institutions never provides these kinds of freedom and work under strict restrictions and control which deny their students a free interaction with the real world and natural scope of discussions, he rued. The whole idea of holding a class inside the four walls of a room is an out-dated concept for the former teacher. Teaching the same thing to forty- or fifty-odd people coming from diverse backgrounds and possessing different levels of mind according to the stroke of the bell looked strange, he noted. The real class to him was where everybody is free to answer and everybody is equally free to raise questions and queries. The real seminars from his perspective are not events for which people register their names but where everybody asked only the questions they wanted to put forth. Lauds college Verma lauded Maharajas College for facilitating such open discussions between teachers and students inside the college premises and strongly believed it was much better than typical classroom discussions. Photo: Anjana Menon Such freedom, Prof.Verma obverses, has remained in Maharajas college and urged the students to cherish it and be proud of their institute. He was impressed to see teachers and students of the college sitting like friends and discussing issues and noted that cannot be found anywhere else. He also praised the students of the college for keeping alive the spirit by conducting numerous cultural activities Views on exams and class attendance Verma also pointed out that the system of attendance did not respect the feelings of a student nor his or her right to decide not to attend a particular lecture session. He recounted to the small group of students and teachers who had gathered around him that during his tenure as a faculty of History at the Allahabad varsity he did not adhere to the practice of marking attendance of the students as he believed that it was not the right practice to force a student to attend ones classes. He is also against the idea of examination that merely tests the memory of the students. Purpose of visit He visited the college as part of his brief trip to Kerala in connection with the preparations for his new book. His proposed book focuses broadly on Kerala with special focus on the Anglo-Indian Community living in the South Indian state. He observed that unlike the Anglo-Indian community in other parts of India, those in Kerala are much integrated to the socio-economic and political spheres of the land. After a long discussion he also joined the students in having a cup of tea at the college canteen. Los Angeles: Filmmaker Spike Lee paid tribute to late music artiste Prince at the Oscars with a gold Prince symbol necklace. The necklace was framed in diamonds with an opal, and his gold Jordans were commissioned by Michael Jordan. "I know in my hearts, my brother Prince is watching tonight, singing 'It's gonna be a beautiful night'", Lee had posted on Instagram. Lee also wore 'Love' and 'Hate' rings similar to the iconic ones worn by Radio Raheem in Lee's 'Do The Right Thing'. When his film 'BlacKkKlansman', which touches upon racism, was announced the winner of the Best Adapted Screenplay, Lee said: "The 2020 presidential election is around the corner. Let us all mobilise, let's all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love versus hate." Dubai/Tiruvalla: A Keralite woman died when her husband lost control of his vehicle and rammed a truck while going to a church here, according to a media report on Sunday. Her husband, who was critically injured in the accident, was admitted to Dubai's Rashid Hospital. The couple, Reeja Varghese and her husband Varghese Koshy, hailing from Tiruvalla town in Kerala, was going to attend service at St Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church's Dubai cathedral when the accident happened on Friday, the media report said. According to police, Varghese lost control of his vehicle and rammed a truck. Reeja, who died on the spot, and Varghese were extricated from the mangled remains of the vehicle after cutting it with the help of hydraulic cutters, they said. The body will be handed over to family after completion of legal and administrative procedures, the police said. Read more: Latest Pathanamthitta news Dhaka: The Bangladesh Army held a press conference and informed that the suspect who had hijacked the Biman Bangladesh flight is dead. He wanted to speak to the Prime Minister to discuss about his problems with his wife. The Army hold the conference at 9 in the night. The Army informed that the suspect Sagar was first injured in the incident. Later on, he died. The suspect was arrested. Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Mafidur Rahman, who participated in the operations, told reporters about the development at the airport around 7:45 pm on Sunday. The suspect had wanted to talk to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Bangladesh Air Force official said. All the passengers and crew members were unharmed, he added. Attempt to hijack a Bangladesh Biman International flight going from Dhaka to Dubai via Chittagong was foiled. There were 147 passengers including five crew members onboard. The plane was stranded at Chittagong international airport. According to media reports, all passengers managed to leave the aeroplane safely. Heavily armed security personnel guarded the plane. Bangladeshi media reported that gunshots were heard from inside the plane. The plane did an emergency landing at the airport around 5.40PM Bangladesh time. All passengers were then evacuated from the Boeing-737 plane, says PRO of airlines. RAB entered the plane and they tried to nab the hijackers. Biman Station Manager at Chattograms Shah Amanat Mahfuzul Alam said the plane was hijacked, but could not provide any additional details then. The flight has been hijacked, he said. I cannot say anything more at the moment. Update: The suspect has now been arrested. Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Mafidur Rahman, who participated in the operations, told reporters about the development at the airport around 7:45 pm on Sunday. The suspect had wanted to talk to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Bangladesh Air Force official said. All the passengers and crew members were unharmed, he added. Dhaka: Attempt to hijack a Bangladesh Biman International flight going from Dhaka to Dubai via Chittagong has been foiled. There were 147 passengers including five crew members onboard. The plane is currently stranded at Chittagong international airport. According to media reports, all passengers have managed to leave the aeroplane safely. However, hijackers who tried to enter the cockpit are still inside the plane. Heavily armed security personnel are guarding the plane. Bangladeshi media is reporting that gunshots have been heard from inside the plane. Two crew members are still inside the plane, according to unconfirmed reports. The plane did an emergency landing at the airport around 5.40PM Bangladesh time. All passengers were then evacuated from the Boeing-737 plane, says PRO of airlines. RAB has entered the plane and they are trying to nab the hijackers. Biman Station Manager at Chattograms Shah Amanat Mahfuzul Alam said the plane has been hijacked, but could not provide any additional details. The flight has been hijacked, he said. I cannot say anything more at the moment. A Boeing 767 cargo jet operating for Amazon crashed in a bay outside of Houston with three people on board Saturday afternoon, the airline and the Federal Aviation Administration said, Trend reports citing CNBC. Human remains have been found at the scene and there are no signs of survivors, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Atlas Air Flight 3591 was traveling from Miami to Houston when it crashed into Trinity Bay, near Anahuac, Texas. Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne said eyewitnesses reported the plane crashed nose-first into the bay. "I feel like it's probably a crash that nobody would be capable of surviving," said Hawthorne said. The plane was operating for Amazon, Atlas Air said Saturday. Atlas Air is one of the cargo airlines that Amazon contracted to operate the Amazon-branded fleet, called Amazon Air, along with Air Transport Services Group. Each operates 20 Amazon-branded planes for the air freight service, which was previously called Prime Air. Video taken at the crash site by local news outlets showed debris in the bay, including a piece of material that appeared to feature a part of Amazon's logo. Hawthrorne said the crash site is in a muddy and marshy area of the bay and that law enforcement spotted items including bed sheets, women's clothing and cardboard boxes in the bay. The flight lost radar and radio contact about 30 miles southeast of its destination, Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport, said the FAA. "FAA investigators are on their way to the accident site, and the National Transportation Safety Board has been notified," said FAA spokesman Lynn Lunsford in a statement. "The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation." The NTSB said it was sending a "go team" to the crash site on Saturday evening from Washington D.C. Atlas Air confirmed that three people were on board the aircraft. "Those people and their family members are our top priority at this time," the company said in a statement. "Atlas Air is cooperating fully with the FAA and NTSB. We will update as additional information becomes available." Boeing, which manufactured the plane, said it in a statement that it "is deeply saddened to learn of the accident. "We are concerned about the safety of the three people reported to be on board the airplane," said the statement. Boeing added that it would provide technical assistance to the NTSB's investigation. The Boeing 767 was powered by GE CF6-80C2 engines, one of General Electric's most popular aircraft engines. The company said in a statement that it was aware of the accident and it has a team in place to "provide all the necessary support required." "Our thoughts and prayers are with the flight crew, their families and friends along with the entire team at Atlas Air during this terrible tragedy," Dave Clark, Amazon's senior vice president of worldwide operations. "We appreciate the first responders who worked urgently to provide support." Winnipeg, MB, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Richardson International Limited (Richardson) is pleased to announce that the acquisition of Wesson, a leading U.S. premium retail brand of cooking oils, previously announced on December 18, 2018, has closed following satisfaction of all regulatory and other closing requirements. This is a very exciting time for Richardson as we add strategic assets to strengthen and grow our food and ingredients business. Not only are we effectively increasing our profile in North America, we are also enhancing our ability to meet the needs of a global marketplace with quality products, says Curt Vossen, Richardson President & CEO. This is another step in expanding Richardsons Food and Ingredients division which has grown significantly over the past 20 years. We are pleased to be taking on an established, well-regarded brand in Wesson, and we are committed to not just maintaining that brand in the market, but also to bringing innovation, focus and investment to build the business, adds Chuck Cohen, Executive Vice-President, Food, Ingredients and Ag Technology. As part of the transaction, Richardson acquires the Wesson production facility located in Memphis, Tennessee expanding the companys presence in the U.S. and building on the success of its oilseed processing operations. This 280,000 square-foot manufacturing plant is supported by a network of over 120 employees and will complement Richardsons existing Food and Ingredients division. Vossen concludes, Richardson is committed to the Memphis plant, the employees, the local community and a continued U.S. presence for marketing, manufacturing, and distribution of Wesson products. We are proud of our long legacy of investing in and supporting the communities in which our customers and employees live and work. For more information visit news.richardsonfoodandingredients.com. ABOUT RICHARDSON INTERNATIONAL Richardson International is a subsidiary of family-owned James Richardson & Sons, Limited which was established in 1857 from modest beginnings. Headquartered in Winnipeg, today, Richardson is Canadas largest agribusiness and is recognized as a global leader in agriculture and food processing. The company is a worldwide handler and merchandiser of grains and oilseeds and is a vertically integrated processor and manufacturer of oats and canola-based products. Over the past two decades, Richardson has become a significant player in the global food business, producing a wide variety of food products and ingredients for the retail, food service and industrial markets. One of Canadas Best Managed Companies, Richardson continues to grow thanks to the dedication and innovative spirit of over 2,700 employees worldwide. - 30 - Attachment US President Donald Trump has announced that "assuming both sides make additional progress", Washington will be planning a summit between him and Chinese president Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago to conclude a trade agreement between the two countries, Trend reports citing Sputnik. The US President announced on his Twitter page that he will delay plannged US increase in tariffs on Chinese goods, which was previously slated for March 1. "As a result of these very productive talks, I will be delaying the U.S. increase in tariffs now scheduled for March 1," the US head of state said in a tweet. He also stressed that Washington made a "substantial progress" in trade talks with China on issues such as intellectual property protection, technology transfer, agriculture, services and currency. The latest round of US-China trade negotiations are currently taking place in Washington. Earlier, media reported that US and Chinese officials were discussing a late March summit between Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. On Friday, Trump said that the leaders might meet "fairly soon". China and the United States have been engaged in a trade war since Trump announced last June that Washington would subject $50 billion worth of Chinese goods to 25 percent tariffs in a bid to fix the US-Chinese trade deficit. The two countries have subsequently exchanged several rounds of trade tariffs until in December, Trump and Xi agreed upon a 90-day truce to allow room for a new trade agreement. The city of Simi Valley, California, has reached a $21 million settlement with a man wrongly imprisoned for nearly 40 years in the killing of his girlfriend and her 4-year-old son, Trend reports with reference to The Associated Press. Craig Coley was released in 2017 after he was pardoned by then-Gov. Jerry Brown, who said DNA evidence and re-investigation proved his innocence. The Los Angeles Times reports Simi Valley officials said Saturday that the agreement would mitigate long, costly and unnecessary legal proceedings. The city will pay about $4.9 million and the rest is expected to be paid by insurance and other sources. The state last year approved a separate, nearly $2 million payment for Coley. He is 71. Coley's lawyer says the money offers closure, though no amount can compensate for the life he missed while imprisoned. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Khojaly tragedy is a black spot on the conscience of mankind, Trend reports referring to a statement of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Turkish Parliament. The statement notes that the international community, the OSCE and the OIC should give this bloody tragedy an appropriate assessment. The statement also notes that Turkey shares the pain of fraternal Azerbaijan and expresses condolences to the Azerbaijani people in connection with the Khojaly tragedy. "Turkey strongly condemns the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia," the statement 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. During the Karabakh war, on Feb. 25-26, 1992, the Armenian armed forces, together with the 366th infantry regiment of Soviet troops, stationed in Khankendi, committed an act of genocide against the population of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly. As many as 613 people, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old people were killed in the massacre. Eight families were totally exterminated, 130 children lost one parent and 25 children lost both. Some 1,275 innocent residents were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 people still remains unknown. 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 the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Armenia must renounce claims against Turkey regarding the 1915 events and answer for the acts of the ASALA terrorist group, as well as for the crime against humanity committed in Azerbaijans Khojaly town, said Yalcin Topcu, Turkish presidential adviser, in an exclusive interview with Trend Feb. 25. He noted that in 1992, the biggest crime of the century against humanity was committed in Khojaly. In 1915, Armenians, with the support of the Russian Empire, were exterminating civilians in Anatolia and, in particular, in such Turkish cities as Kars, Erzurum and Ardahan, said Topcu, adding that the archives contain a lot of evidence of numerous murders of the Turkic population by Armenian band formations. He noted that Armenia, on the one hand, refuses to recognize the crimes committed in Khojaly, and on the other hand, makes claims against Turkey regarding the events of 1915, which is unacceptable. Regarding the prospects for repairing relations between Armenia and Turkey, the presidential adviser noted that Ankara doesnt believe in the sincerity of Yerevan. It is possible that by virtue of necessity Armenia take certain steps, but believing in the sincerity of Armenia would be too great optimism, said Topcu. Unfortunately, our historical experience forces us to come to this conclusion. He noted that the position of Turkey regarding Armenia is very clear. Armenia must withdraw its forces from the occupied Azerbaijani territories and apologize for the crimes committed, and after that, Turkey, in consultation with Azerbaijan, will assess this step, he added. Topcu stressed that Armenia is an occupier state. 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. During the Karabakh war, on Feb. 25-26, 1992, the Armenian armed forces, together with the 366th infantry regiment of Soviet troops, stationed in Khankendi, committed an act of genocide against the population of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly. As many as 613 people, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old people were killed in the massacre. Eight families were totally exterminated, 130 children lost one parent and 25 children lost both. Some 1,275 innocent residents were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 people still remains unknown. 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 Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Turkeys fight is directed against terrorists in Syria, not against civilians, in particular, ethnic Kurds, Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said, Trend reports with reference to the Turkish media. Akar said that the Kurdish people are fraternal for the Turks, and these peoples have much in common. The minister noted that Turkey wont agree to any concessions in the fight against terrorists in Syria. At the same time, Turkey has always stood for the territorial integrity of Syria, and this is still a priority for Ankara, said Akar. On Dec. 12, 2018, 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. 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. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu The government of Japan works on the issue of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovs visit to Tokyo, but the exact date of his visit is still a subject for the final approval, the Japanese Foreign Ministry announced to TASS on Monday, Trend reports. "We have agreed that special envoys of the leaders of our countries will hold a meeting in the near future, and after their talks we will promptly approve the date of the visit of Russian Foreign Minister [Sergey] Lavrov to Japan to hold another round of [peace treaty] negotiations at the level of foreign ministers," the Japanese Foreign Ministry stated. "The exact agenda of the planned meeting will be drafted via diplomatic channels," the ministry added. Russias top diplomat Lavrov and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono met for talks the previous time on February 16 in Germany during the 55th Munich Security Conference. Following their meeting, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga announced at a press conference in Tokyo that there was a frank, though sometimes heated, exchange of views between the Japanese and Russian foreign ministers. At their February 16 meeting, Lavrov and Kono agreed that their deputies Igor Morgulov and Takeo Mori would hold consultations on the peace treaty issue in the coming weeks. The Japanese top diplomat later announced that Lavrovs visit to Tokyo was being considered. Nigerias election took place in a generally peaceful environment, the head of the African Union observer mission said on Monday, in his first public comments about the delayed presidential poll on Saturday, Trend reports referring to Reuters. Analysts say the presidential election pitting President Muhammadu Buhari against businessman and former vice president Atiku Abubakar will be Nigerias tightest since the end of military rule in 1999. At stake is the leadership of Africas top oil producer, a country with the continents biggest economy whose decade-long battle with Islamist militants concentrated in the northeast makes it central to regional stability. Early results were expected to trickle in on Monday, but it was unclear when a winner would be declared. A credible and relatively calm poll would open a new chapter in the chequered political history of Nigeria, where nearly six decades of independence have been tarnished by military coups, endemic corruption and secessionist movements. The 2019 elections took place in a generally peaceful environment, said AU observer mission head Hailemariam Desalegn, the former prime minister of Ethiopia. As many as 39 people have been killed in election violence, civil society groups said on Sunday. The Situation Room - which represents more than 70 civil society groups - reported 39 deaths after Saturdays vote. In previous elections, the death toll has been higher, but most unrest typically occurs after results are announced. Since beginning of campaigns in Oct 2018, more than 260 politically motivated deaths, Clement Nwankwo, convener of the Situation Room, which had 9,000 observers, told reporters. At least one person was killed and 13 others injured on Sunday evening in a bomb blast in Dera Murad Jamali city of Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, Trend reports citing Xinhua. According to the reports, some unknown miscreants planted a bomb inside a motorbike and parked it outside a shop in Mazdoor Chowk area in Dera Murad Jamali, headquarters of the Nasirabad district of Balochistan. Rescue teams, personnel police and security forces rushed to the site and shifted the body and the injured to the district hospital. The medics feared that the death toll might further rise as at least three of the injured were in critical condition. Police said around six to eight kg of explosives were used in the blast and it was detonated with a remote-controlled device. The explosion was heard miles away from the site as it damaged several vehicles, nearby shops and kiosks. The security forces have cordoned off the area and started a search operation in the adjacent vicinities to arrest the suspects involved in the explosion. No group claimed the blast yet. Winter isnt going out like a lamb in eastern Canada. Southern Ontario is being lashed by high winds while parts of Quebec and the Maritimes are bracing for stormy weather, Trend reports citing CTV News. Citing a fast-moving cold front, Environment Canada issued wind warnings for much of southern Ontario on Sunday, including Toronto, Kingston, Hamilton and Barrie. Some areas will also see blowing snow. As of Sunday afternoon, winds were already gusting at up to 95 km/h in Windsor. In Toronto, winds were gusting up to 77 km/h. Wind gusts of up to 120 km/h are expected along the shores of Lake Ontario, Lake Huron and Lake Erie, according to Environment Canada. Thats where we start to get really concerned, Weather Network Chief Meteorologist Chris Scott told CTV News Channel on Sunday afternoon. We get shingles ripped off roofs, we get some siding (lost) and of course trees come down, if not whole trees a lot of branches, he said. Scott said residents of affected areas should make sure they have emergency kits on hand and should charge up their cellphones in case of power outages. Ontarios provincial utility, Hydro One, was reporting near 26,000 customers without power across the Ontario as of Sunday afternoon. Prime Minister Theresa May stepped up her warnings on Monday that delaying Brexit was no way to solve the impasse in parliament over Britains departure from the European Union, saying a timely exit was within our grasp, Trend reports referring to Reuters. She said she wanted Brexit to happen as planned on March 29 and shrugged off expectations that she will be forced to delay to avoid leaving the EU in a disorderly way without an agreement. With Britains Brexit crisis going down to the wire, May is struggling to get the kind of changes from the EU she says she needs to get her divorce deal through a divided parliament and smooth the countrys biggest policy shift in more than 40 years. NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, reminds investors in Markel Corporation (Markel or the Company) (NYSE:MKL) of the March 12, 2019 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company. If you invested in Markel stock or options between July 26, 2017 and December 6, 2018 and would like to discuss your legal rights, click here : www.faruqilaw.com/MKL. There is no cost or obligation to you. You can also contact us by calling Richard Gonnello toll free at 877-247-4292 or at 212-983-9330 or by sending an e-mail to rgonnello@faruqilaw.com. CONTACT: FARUQI & FARUQI, LLP 685 Third Avenue, 26th Floor New York, NY 10017 Attn: Richard Gonnello, Esq. rgonnello@faruqilaw.com Telephone: (877) 247-4292 or (212) 983-9330 The lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of all those who purchased Markel securities between July 26, 2017 and December 6, 2018 (the Class Period). The case, Bergen v. Markel Corporation et al, No. 19-cv-00319 was filed on January 11, 2019, and has been assigned to Judge Ronnie Abrams. The lawsuit focuses on whether the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose: (1) that the Companys subsidiaries did not appropriately record loss reserves; (2) that, as a result, the loss reserves would need to be adjusted and/or restated; (3) that these misleading accounting practices would lead to regulatory scrutiny and financial loss to investors; and (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants positive statements about the Companys business, operations, and prospects, were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. Specifically, on December 6, 2018, the Company disclosed that it had been contacted by US and Bermuda authorities on November 30, 2018 regarding loss reserves recorded in late 2017 and early 2018 at Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd and its subsidiaries. On this news, the Company's stock price fell from $1,147.93 per share on December 6, 2018 to $1,048.23 per share on December 7, 2018a $99.70 or 8.87% drop. The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Markels conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others. Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner. Denmarks prime minister will not stand in the way of a possible postponement of the deadline for Britains departure from the European Union if that helped avoid a no-deal Brexit scenario, Trend reports referring to Reuters. I believe everyone will be flexible, no one wants the UK to leave the EU in a disorderly way, Lars Lokke Rasmussen told Danish broadcaster TV2 on Monday. The German government has introduced a bill to the Bundestag which would allow highly-qualified Georgians to search for jobs in the country, the Head of the Economy and Law Department of the German Embassy to Georgia Jan Bittner told IPN, Trend reports referring to Agenda.ge. Bittner says those planning to search for a job in Germany should provide documents to confirm their education and qualifications. Only IT specialists will be allowed to search for a job without a diploma, he said. Bittner stated he cannot give many more details as the bill has not been adopted yet, adding for example not all cooks will not be allowed to work but only masters of national dishes. They should also sign a specific job contract. They must get a visa from the embassy as only tourists enjoy visa-free travel, Jan Bittner added. The German official also stated that the Bundestag has also adopted regulations for combating Georgian organised crime. Germany deported 1085 people to Georgia in 2018. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: None of the European flights of Iran Air have been canceled and flights are being carried out, said Farzaneh Sharafbafi, CEO of Iran Air, Trend reports referring to the Young Journalists Club (YJC). According to Sharafbafi, Iran Air continues its flights, despite the conditions formed due to sanctions. She pointed out that necessary services for flights are not provided for some European destinations. Nevertheless, no room was given for the emergence of problems with the flights. Sharafbafi said that 20 ATRs, 80 Boeing and 100 Airbus aircrafts were supposed to be sold to Iran within a 10-year period, and added that 3 Airbuses and 8 ATRs had been purchased in 2016-2017 and late 2017 respectively, and the purchase of Boeing aircrafts in 2019 was decided upon as well. "However, with the withdrawal of the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on May 8, 2018, the US Department of the Treasury announced to all 3 companies that the license of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for the sale of aircraft to Iran had been revoked, and that they could obtain a license only for post-sale services," she said. Sharafbafi added that no advance payments were being made to the companies when the license was still valid, and the airplanes were being purchased by being paid for on the spot. "Today, 3 airplanes (Airbus 319) will depart from Mashhad Airport and will be handed over to Iran Air at the Mehrabad airport," she said. Iran Air Company has 29 aircrafts, and has purchased 3 Airbus 319 aircrafts. The OFAC, operating under the US Department of the Treasury, controls the sale of US-produced equipment to countries under sanctions. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: Turkmenistan does not allow non-Turkmen train wagons to enter the country, Mohammad Samadi, Chairman of North Khorasan Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, told ISNA, Trend reports. According to Samadi, the wagons carrying the goods to Turkmenistan should belong to this country. He added that orders for cement exports have been made from Irans North Khorasan Province to Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan over the past few months. "However, due to the said problem, the bulk of the products have not been exported yet," he said. Noting the issuing of visas to businessmen in the North Khorasan Province as one of the problems, Samadi said that it can take up to 1 month and 40 days for businessmen of the province to be able to get a visa for Turkmenistan. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Feb. 25 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Seoul has hosted the 7th meeting of the intergovernmental Turkmen-South Korean commission on trade, economic, scientific and technological cooperation, Trend reports with reference to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry Feb. 25. At the meeting, the sides discussed prospects for cooperation in the trade, economic, financial and industrial fields, in the fields of energy and mineral processing, construction and transport, agriculture and fisheries, as well as in the sphere of culture, tourism, healthcare, standardization, as well as scientific, information and communication technologies, education. On the same day, a joint business forum was also held, which brought together more than 100 representatives of state agencies and business circles. It was earlier reported that Seoul hopes for partnership with Turkmenistan in such areas as development of gas fields, creation of petrochemical and gas infrastructure. Meanwhile, Ashgabat and Seoul pay special attention to the transport sector in the context of development of transit and logistics infrastructure along the East-West and North-South routes, giving access to European and Middle Eastern markets. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 Trend: A leading Azerbaijani IT solutions provider, Cybernet continues to expand the geography of its activity. Thus, in January of this year the employee of the company Mr. Islam Ismayilov was on a business trip in Mongolia where he held meetings on behalf of Cybernet at a number of organizations of this country and presented solutions and services provided by Cybernet in the spheres of information technologies as well as electronization of public and private services. Having met with high-ranking representatives of the Mongolian government institutions, Mr. Ismayilov provided detailed information about the successful projects implemented by Cybernet in both Azerbaijan and other countries. The Mongolian partners were also demonstrated electronic information systems developed and implemented by Cybernet for various government organizations in those countries. During the visit, there was a ceremony of signing of a memorandum on mutual understanding and cooperation between Cybernet and Vertus Co. of Mongolia. According to this memorandum, the parties are expected to cooperate in the spheres of IT consultancy, development of a strategy of development of information technologies as well as modernization of IT administration systems, development of software aimed at improvement and efficient implementation of agricultural systems, automation of business with implementation of ERP, CRM and BI systems, and development and introduction of mobile technologies and solutions for efficient delivery of services in various, as well as public sectors. It is worth of mentioning that this was not the first visit of the representatives of Cybernet to Mongolia. Thus, the management of the company the director general Mr. Ilham Namazov and head of business development department Mr. Fuad Akhmadov were among the official delegation visiting Mongolia with an export mission in October, 2018. During the visit, the representatives of the company held meetings at a number of organizations in Mongolia including State Tax Department, Center for Information Technologies and Statistics, Administration of Medial Insurance, Department of Communication and Information Technologies etc. About Cybernet LLC: Founded in 2004, Cybernet LLC is one of the leading ICT solution providers in Azerbaijan. The main directions of companys activity are building of IT infrastructures for public and private enterprises, implementation of technological solutions and innovations and development of software of any complexity. Cybernet has played an important role in automation of public services and creation of e-services in Azerbaijan. In 2007 the company was awarded with the Intellect prize, in 2010 the anniversary medal and in 2013 it was selected The IT Company of the Year. #cybernet Baku, Azerbaijan, February 25 By Fakhri Vakilov - Trend: International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission held meeting with representatives of Uzbek government of Uzbekistan at the Ministry of Finance, Trend reports with reference to the press service of Uzbek Ministry of Finance. The discussion focused on funds recommendations for the country for 2019 in accordance with Article IV of the IMF Agreement. The Articles of Agreement (Charter) of the IMF are aimed at developing international cooperation and ensuring the stability of currencies. The Foundation holds annual consultations with member countries on these issues, known as Article IV Consultations. IMF seeks to assess the economic viability of each state and prevent further financial problems under this article. The meeting discussed the development of the economy in 2018-2019, macroeconomic indicators and structural changes in Uzbekistan. The parties discussed changes in wages in the public sector, tax reform, fiscal, pension and labor policies, attracting direct investment and additional costs for this year. The head of the mission, IMF senior financier Albert Eger, spoke positively about the results of Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Finance Jamshid Kuchkarovs recent visit to London and the release of the first Uzbek sovereign bonds there. He stated that the policy implemented by the state is correct and effective, including in terms of priorities for the future. He also cited investors' views on this topic. They positively assess reforms in the country, including the liberalization of the foreign exchange regime, the corresponding reforms related to the ministries of finance and economy, as well as in tax and other areas. The IMF mission will stay in Tashkent until March 5 and hold a series of meetings to discuss specific issues with government officials. --- Follow author on Twitter:@vakilovfaxri Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Azerbaijan and Bulgaria could make joint gas supplies for Southeast Europe, Bulgarian Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova said in an exclusive interview with Trend. She recalled that the state gas company Bulgargaz EAD has concluded a delivery contract of 1 bcm /year with the Consortium Shah Deniz from the second phase of Azerbaijan gas field. In practice after 2020, the Azerbaijan natural gas from Shah Deniz 2 will meet about 25-30 percent of the consumption of natural gas in Bulgaria, which is a serious share and will significantly increase Bulgarias energy security and promote competition on the Bulgarian gas market, added the minister. "In the future, in the presence of additional volumes of natural gas at competitive prices in Azerbaijan, Bulgaria would be interested in supplying additional volumes of Azerbaijan natural gas. Our countries could also make joint gas supplies for the countries of Southeast Europe using the well-developed Bulgarian gas network and the infrastructure of the future regional "Balkan" gas hub," said Petkova. The minister went on to add that taking into account the significant capacity of the Bulgarian gas transmission system, the country's multi-annual experience as a major gas transporter in the region and the strategic geographical location, Bulgaria, together with the European Commission, has developed a project for regional gas hub "Balkan", which would have a crucial importance for Southeast European countries. "The feasibility study, co-financed by the EC, has shown that this project is extremely important and economically advantageous for Bulgaria, SEE, the EU and the supplier countries. Taking into account the positive results of the feasibility study, we expect Azerbaijan to be one of the natural gas suppliers for the regional "Balkan" gas hub. The gas hub concept consists of two parts, the construction of an infrastructure and an operating gas exchange. In this connection, Bulgartransgaz registered at the beginning of the year a subsidiary "Balkan gas hub" EAD. The company will operate trading platforms for the needs of natural gas markets within "Balkan" gas hub," said Petkova. She noted that in synergy with the physical infrastructure of the hub, the necessary prerequisites for the construction of the first liquid physical and commercial gas hub in the region of Southeast Europe based in Bulgaria will be provided. "We estimate in the future, up to 49% of the shares of "Balkan gas hub" EAD to be provided to other legal entities and individuals, such as gas distribution and gas network operators, licensed gas exchange operators and trade platform operators, employers' organizations, natural gas consumers, companies engaged in extraction and/or trade of gas, etc," she said. This would contribute to the implementation of the Balkan gas hub concept and increase in the liquidity of the natural gas market in Bulgaria and Southeastern Europe, according to Petkova. "I believe that the implementation of these key gas projects will further increase the capacity of the Bulgarian gas transmission system, thereby helping Bulgaria to maintain and expand its position on Europe's gas map. Accordingly, our strategic energy partnership and our joint projects will turn Azerbaijan into one of the main and reliable suppliers of natural gas, not only for the SEE, but also for the EU," she added. Bulgaria expects to receive Azerbaijani gas through IGB, a gas pipeline that will be connected to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). IGB is a gas pipeline, which will allow Bulgaria to receive Azerbaijani gas, in particular, the gas produced from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz 2 gas and condensate field. IGB is expected to be connected to TAP via which gas from the Shah Deniz field will be delivered to the European markets. The initial capacity of IGB will be 3 billion cubic meters of gas. --- Follow the author on Twitter:@Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Matanat Nasibova - Trend: Azerbaijani confectionery manufacturer Orelay is preparing to export its products to neighboring Georgia, a source in the company told Trend. The source noted that the company plans to export chocolates, marmalades and caramel. "Presently, the company exports its products to the Russian market. We plan to increase exports by the end of the year," the source said. The source said the company also plans to diversify its product range by the end of 2019. The products manufactured by Orelay have a certificate of conformity issued by the State Committee for Standardization, Metrology and Patents of Azerbaijan. The company uses equipment made in Germany, Turkey and Austria. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @MatanatNasibova Baku, Azerbaijan, February 25 By Fakhri Vakilov - Trend: The volume of exports from Russian Nizhny Novgorod to Uzbekistan increased by more than 84 percent and amounted to $85 million in 2018, reports Trend with reference to the Uzbek media. The increase was due to the supply of non-energy products. Deliveries of ground transportation from Nizhny Novgorod to Uzbekistan increased by $42.2 million including in 2018. In addition, exports of ferrous metal products increased eight-fold. Our region is developing not only trade and economic relations with Uzbekistan. At the first coordinating council for industrial development with the participation of Russian trade representatives from all countries of the world, Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region Gleb Nikitin gave instructions on Nizhny Novgorod region progressively expanding the export of educational services to Uzbekistan, director of the department of external relations of the Nizhny Novgorod region government, Olga Guseva said. The director also added that, 182 citizens of Uzbekistan are already undergoing training in the universities of the region in 2018-2019 school years. --- Follow author on Twitter:@vakilovfaxri SMITHFIELD, Va., Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has successfully engaged 80 percent of its grain supply chain, which is used to feed the companys hogs, in farming practices that are both sustainable and reduce the cost of production for grain farmers. This exceeded the companys original goal of 75 percent. In 2018, Smithfield purchased grain from producers who use efficient fertilizer and soil health methods across approximately 560,000 acres of land. Grain production is the first step in the vertically integrated companys supply chain, making this accomplishment one of the key ways Smithfield is working toward its ambitious goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 25 percent by 2025 throughout its entire supply chain the first commitment of its kind from a protein company. This accomplishment is a significant milestone in our companys holistic approach to reducing carbon emissions across our entire supply chain, said Kenneth M. Sullivan, president and chief executive officer for Smithfield Foods. It is important to note that it would not have been possible without the unified efforts of grain farmers, our company, Environmental Defense Fund, and other collaborative partners. This is an important achievement for everyone involved and for our environment. While fertilizer is an essential tool for agriculture, it can be a driver of crop-related GHG emissions. A study conducted in 2017 by the University of Minnesotas NorthStar Initiative for Sustainable Enterprise , a Smithfield partner, estimated that grain accounted for 15-20 percent of the companys carbon footprint. To reduce the environmental impact of its grain supply, Smithfield teamed up with Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to help farmers find ways to optimize fertilizer use and improve soil health through the Smithfield Agronomics program, also known as SmithfieldGro. The program has helped hundreds of grain suppliers implement efficient fertilizer optimization and soil health initiatives by providing: On-staff agronomists who demonstrate strategies and provide free agronomic advice to enable farmers to incorporate more efficient fertilizer practices. Access to reduced-price tools and programs that assist farmers in improving fertilizer usage, crop production, water quality, and soil health. Economic incentives to diversify crop production and create a market for winter wheat cover crops. In conjunction with this announcement, EDF released a case study authored by Datu Research that describes Smithfields supply chain sustainability programs and the value they generate for the environment, farmers, and Smithfield itself. Within the case study, Datu provides detailed information about Smithfields efforts to improve grain farmers fertilizer management practices and soil health, as well as the companys other sustainability initiatives, that were developed in partnership with EDF. Smithfield exceeded its grain sustainability goal in only five years. This milestone adds to the growing evidence that improved farming practices can simultaneously benefit farm finances, water quality, and wildlife habitat, said David Festa , EDF senior vice president of Ecosystems. Smithfield is an industry leader in tackling supply chain GHG emissions and making the agricultural system more climate resilient. We encourage other food companies and retailers to pursue similarly ambitious, measurable targets. In addition to its efforts to help grain farmers grow a more productive and sustainable crop, Smithfield partnered with Anuvia Plant Nutrients in early 2018 to create sustainable fertilizer from renewable biological materials collected from manure treatment systems at the companys hog farms. Anuvias fertilizer provides the benefit of a more controlled release of nitrogen while reducing GHG emissions and producing a smaller environmental footprint. Later in 2018, Smithfield announced the expansion of its manure-to-energy projects to further reduce its GHG emissions. These efforts transform hog manure into renewable natural gas through a refinement process that captures and upgrades biogas to natural gas that is then injected into nearby pipelines. Smithfield announced the implementation of manure-to-energy projects across all its hog finishing spaces in Missouri and 90 percent of its hog finishing spaces in North Carolina, Utah, and Virginia via the nationwide expansion of Smithfield Renewables , the companys platform dedicated to unifying and accelerating its carbon reduction and renewable energy efforts. In Missouri, Smithfield is also reestablishing native grasslands, prairie, and milkweed to create habitat for monarch butterflies and provide biomass for methane generation in renewable natural gas projects. For more information about Smithfields industry-leading sustainability program, please visit smithfieldfoods.com/environment . About Smithfield Foods Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathans Famous, Farmland, Armour, Farmer John, Kretschmar, John Morrell, Cooks, Gwaltney, Carando, Margherita, Curlys, Healthy Ones, Morliny, Krakus, and Berlinki. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental, and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com , and connect with us on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , and Instagram . Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Azerbaijan will take part in the discussions on the Caspian Sea - Black Sea International Transport Corridor project. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov will take part in the ministerial meeting on the Caspian Sea - Black Sea International Transport Corridor project (ITC-CSBS), Leyla Abdullayeva, head of the press service of the Foreign Ministry, said at a press conference on Monday, Trend reports. According to her, the meeting will take place on March 4 in Bucharest, Romania. "Mammadyarov will participate in a meeting of Azerbaijani, Georgian, Turkmen and Romanian foreign ministers, during which this transport project will be discussed," she said. Abdullayeva further noted that Mammadyarov will also make an official visit to Tehran in March and hold talks with the Iranian foreign minister. The new transport route is being formed on the basis of the Trans-Caspian and Lapis Lazuli corridors. Romania and Turkmenistan were the initiators of the creation of the new transport route. Ashgabat has long been exploring the possibility of transporting goods, including liquefied gas to Constanta. The supply route involves the use of special containers and runs through the Caspian Sea to Baku in Azerbaijan, then by rail to Batumi or Poti on Georgias Black Sea coast, and from there via maritime roads to Romania. Baku, Azerbaijan, February 25 By Fakhri Vakilov - Trend: The first meeting of the Caucus on Uzbekistan in The US Congress, who again resumed its activities after the parliamentary elections in the United States, was held at Uzbek Embassy in Washington, Trend reports via Uzbek media. In his speech, Co-Chair of Caucus from The US Republican Party, Congressman Trent Kelly, said that it was a great honor for him to represent a group of American lawmakers in Congress who express interest in deepening Uzbek-US relations. The congressman believes that the reform course pursued in Uzbekistan is aimed at achieving progress in the interests of the people and the future of the country. In his turn, Co-Chair of Caucus from the Democratic Majority of the House of Representatives Vicente Gonzalez stressed that Uzbekistan is of strategic importance to the United States. In his opinion, the strengthening of friendship and partnership with Tashkent is in the interests of Washington. At the same time, Gonzalez, as being a representative in the Congress from the State of Texas, stressed that the establishment of close cooperation of his state with Uzbekistan in the field of investments is of paramount importance for him. The politician considers the energy sphere a priority for successful interaction. He expressed readiness to assist in establishing Uzbek-American partnerships in this area. As event continued, Uzbek Ambassador to the United States, Javlon Vakhabov, read out a message from the head of Inter-Parliamentary Group of Uzbek Parliament on cooperation with the Congress Sadik Safoev, who expressed his readiness to cooperate with the newly established Capitol Hill structure in strengthening trade and investment cooperation with the United States as on federal so as on regional levels. At the end of event, congressmen Kelly and Gonzalez signed the protocol of the first meeting of Caucus Uzbekistan. In the protocol, Caucus participants advocate the further intensification of inter-parliamentary dialogue, cooperation in the field of trade and investment; support the development of direct contacts between business communities, and cultural, humanitarian and educational ties. Through this document, US representatives call on other members of Congress to join Caucus. The meeting was attended by members of the House of Representatives and staff of the Congress, representatives of the National Security Council, The US State Department, The US Department of Commerce and Labor, the Pentagon, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), leading American think tanks, member companies of the US-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce, non-governmental organizations, international institutions, and the media. Caucus - a meeting of supporters or members of a political party or political movement. --- Follow author on Twitter:@vakilovfaxri Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Matanat Nasibova - Trend: Azerbaijan's Zagatala Hazelnut Processing Plant intends to increase exports to the European market, and in particular to Germany, the Director of the company Ramazan Garajaev told Trend. Currently, there is a demand in Germany for the hazelnut products of the plant. "Our company is engaged in the processing of hazelnuts, which is intended mainly for export to foreign markets. Currently, export volumes are stable, but we plan to increase them by the end of this year. Our capabilities allow us to export 1,500 tons of finished products annually, but we will increase these volumes, as there is a steady demand abroad," Garajaev said. The plant's products have a certificate of conformity issued by the State Committee for Standardization, Metrology and Patents of Azerbaijan. The company has a confirmation code, AZE 6231 120, for exporting products to the European Union. The company uses modern equipment made in Turkish. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @MatanatNasibova Baku, Azerbaijan, February 25 By Fakhri Vakilov - Trend: This year, 598 investment projects worth 30 trillion 612.1 billion soums will be implemented within the framework of the development of Uzbek Jizzakh region, Trend reports via Uzbek media. During the implementation of investment projects 31,915 jobs will be created. It is planned to attract foreign direct investment in the amount of $1.6 billion. Investment plans were announced at the on-site session of international press club, which was held in Mirzachul district of Jizzakh region. The main theme of the session was "Jizzakh: priorities for 2019, a new look, creativity and responsibility." As a result of joint efforts of responsible structures, the problems accumulated over many years will find a solution; decent living conditions will be created for people in accordance with modern requirements. Within the framework of Kishlok Rim and Rim of Mahalla programs, construction and landscaping works will be carried out in 36 villages and 4 blocks and 517 billion soums will be spent for these purposes. In the health sector, 4 new facilities will be built, 12 will be reconstructed, and 15 will be overhauled. Youth is our future program states that 102.9 billion soums were allocated for the implementation of 375 youth entrepreneurship projects and 3059 jobs are expected to open. There are 57 pre-school educational institutions are reconstructed in the region. It is also planned to open 366 non-state preschool educational institutions where, 116 will be based on public-private partnerships and 250 non-state family preschool educational institutions. ($1=8383.15 soums on Feb. 25) --- Follow author on Twitter:@vakilovfaxri Tehran, Iran, Feb.25 Trend: Afghanistan has sent its first exports cargo to India via Iran's Chabahar Port on Sunday during a ceremony in Kabul. "The first cargo of wheat from India arrived in Afghanistan through Chabahar last year and today we are gathered here to complete the cycle and celebrate global trading via Chabahar, " said Iran's Ambassador in Afghanistan Mohammad Reza Bahrami, Trend reports citing IRNA. This is expected to mark a new high in the India-Iran-Afghanistan trade relation as well as the regional dynamics in South Asia. The officials said that 23 trucks carrying 57 tons of dried fruits, textiles, carpets and mineral products were dispatched from western Afghan city of Zaranj to Irans Chabahar port. The consignment will be shipped to the Indian city of Mumbai. "The current success indicates common profit from the mutual efforts to join the regional cooperation as a logical approach and avoid destructive competition. Regional ties and development would bring wealth for all regional nations," Bahrami added. "The port can not only be used by these three countries but it can be a proper route for Central Asia in the future and Iran intends to use all the capacities in Chabahar Port," he added. The start of shipment was celebrated in a ceremony attended by Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani and ambassadors of Iran, India and Turkey. Afghanistan's first exports cargo is destined for India through Chabahar port, the cargo includes 200 tons of mung bean and 370 tons of talc. Iran, India and Afghanistan signed a trilateral agreement on the development of Chabahar Port in Tehran in May 2016 to establish a strategic transit and transport route connecting the three countries. The agreement aims at developing the southern Iran port into a regional trade hub. India began commercial activity at Chabahar on January 8th. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Matanat Nasibova - Trend: Farma Shah LLC, a producer of medicinal plants in Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (NAR), plans to export its products to Russia, a source at the company told Trend. The company is currently negotiating with potential buyers in the Russian market, the source said. "We produce over 70 varieties of medicinal plants. In the future, we plan to bring our products to new foreign markets, mainly to the countries of the former Soviet Union," the source added. The source noted that the NAR Ministry of Economy substantially supports the promotion of the company's products in foreign markets. The manufactured products have a certificate of conformity issued by the State Committee for Standardization, Metrology and Patents of the NAR. The company uses modern equipment manufactured in Iran and China. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @MatanatNasibova Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Rashid Shirinov Trend: Enterprises of the mining sector of Kazakhstans Kostanay region produced goods for 361.7 billion tenge in 2018, which is a year-on-year increase of 15.5 percent, Governor of the region Arkhimed Mukhambetov said, Trend reports via Kazakh media. He also noted positive trends in all major macroeconomic indicators. The head of the region said that industrial enterprises produced products for 871.7 billion tenge. Mukhambetov also touched on food products, noting that flour exports increased by 60,000 tons to 939,000 tons last year. Exports of cereals increased almost 7 times, vegetable oil 6.2 times, dairy products 4 times, and eggs 2.5 times. "New enterprises commissioned within the framework of the State program of Industrial-Innovative Development had a significant effect on the development of the manufacturing sector of the Kostanay region," Mukhambetov said. It should be noted that 77 facilities worth 115.8 billion tenge were put into operation and more than 4,000 new permanent jobs were created within the first five-year plan for the Industrialization Map implementation. The governor added that active work is being carried out on the implementation of investment projects of the second five-year plan for the Industrialization Map implementation, which includes 24 projects for 326.5 billion tenge with the creation of 5,000 jobs. (375.95 KZT = 1 USD on Feb. 22) --- Follow the author on Twitter: @ShirinovRashid Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 Trend: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the Republic of Azerbaijan Khairullah Spelenai paid a visit to Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) and met with Rector Elmar Gasimov. Welcoming the guest, the Rector briefed him about BHOS activities. He told that all disciplines at the Higher School are taught in English and the curriculum fully complies with international standards. Operating within SOCAR structure, BHOS provides best-quality education and equips the students with experience and practical skills, thus helping the alumni to find jobs at large international companies, the rector said. Ambassador of Afghanistan to Azerbaijan Khairullah Spelenai pointed out that Afghanistan is keen to boost the national economy for sustainable growth. In his words, being distinguished by its rich history intertwined with hydrocarbon production, Azerbaijan has great experience in nurturing specialists in petroleum and chemical engineering. Being a cradle of innovation and technological achievements, particularly in the oil and gas industry, Azerbaijan is of great interest for Afghanistan, with its diverse natural resources and energy reserves, the Ambassador said. At the meeting, prospects of training of Afghan specialists in Azerbaijan were discussed. Ambassador Khairullah Spelena expressed the hope that Azerbaijan would attract the best students and help them get an education in various universities, including BHOS. In his words, two students from Afghanistan could be admitted to BHOS in the new academic year. During the visit, the Ambassador Khairullah Spelenai and the accompanying persons were given a tour around the BHOS campus. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 Trend: Presentation of a report titled "Illegal Activities in the Territories of Azerbaijan under Armenias Occupation: Evidence from Satellite Imagery" was held in Baku on Feb. 25, Trend reports. The report was prepared by Azercosmos OJSC and the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. The satellite imagery used in the report was provided by Azercosmos, Azerbaijan's satellite communications operator. The full report can be found here. Details added (first version posted on 16:57) Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Leman Zeynalova - Trend: Azerbaijan will take part in the meeting of foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Abu Dhabi, spokesperson for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Leyla Abdullayeva said at a press conference Feb. 25, Trend reports. She stressed that Azerbaijan will be represented by Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov at the meeting to be held on March 1-2. Azerbaijan joined OIC in 1991. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC, before 2011 - the Organization of the Islamic Conference) was established in 1969. The headquarters of the OIC General Secretariat is located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn LOS ANGELES, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- City National Bank today announced that it has awarded 84 Reading is The way up literacy grants totaling close to $77,000 to support literacy-based projects as well as financial literacy to elementary, middle and high school teachers in California, Nevada, New York, Georgia and Tennessee. (For a list of all grant recipients, go to www.readingisthewayup.org/literacy.php .) Reading is The way up is the award-winning non-profit literacy program through which City National has donated nearly one million new books to elementary school libraries in California, Nevada, New York, Nashville, Tennessee, and Atlanta, Georgia, and awarded nearly 1,400 teacher grants to enhance literacy totaling $1.6 million since the programs inception in 2005. The grants range from $500 to $1,000 and will help augment or expand literacy projects that were judged to be creative and engaging, and that would have a tangible effect on student achievement. The winning programs are expected to directly improve literacy to more than 10,000 students in over 80 schools and non-profit organizations throughout California, Nevada, New York, Georgia and Tennessee. The educators receiving literacy grants were selected from among the many full-time teachers, librarians, administrators and school media specialists who submitted an online application. The one-page application was available to educators in every school district throughout the banks footprint across the country in the fall of each year. City National is very proud of the support it has provided to hundreds of teachers in five states through its literacy grant program for the past nineteen years, said Carolyn Rodriguez, vice president and manager of Reading is The way up for City National. This program is providing much needed support to teachers who are funding a lot of their extracurricular programs from their own pockets. The monetary support we provide to grant recipients helps augment the budget shortfalls teachers are experiencing every day in trying to educate our children. Some of this years grants funded various literacy programs such as Eco-Friendly Reading, Writing and Math at a school in California; Technology as a Tool to Develop Life Long Readers at a school in Nevada; Replenishing the Librarys Book Collection at a school in New York City; Refugee Girls Share Their Worlds at a school in Georgia; and, Fiction With a Side of Truth at a school in Tennessee. About Reading is The way up Originally established to help improve the education of Californias future leaders, City National in April 2002 launched the multi-faceted Reading is The way up initiative to restock the states school library system. The program has since been expanded to include all areas where the bank has a presence. Since its inception, the award-winning program has: Donated nearly one million books to California, Nevada, New York, Nashville, Tennessee, and Atlanta, Georgia school libraries. Awarded $1.6 million to teachers at elementary, middle and high schools for creative literacy projects. Received the 2005 Presidents Volunteer Service Award, the 2005 Corporate Philanthropy Award from the Los Angeles Public Library, the 2006 Corporate Award from the Getty House Foundation, the Hugh OBrien Youth Leadership Corporate Citizen Award, and honored as the 2007 Corporate Visionary Partner by the Wonder of Reading. Received the 2013 Innovations Reading Prize Award presented by the National Book Foundation. Received the 2013 Outstanding Corporation of the Year Award presented by the Clark County School District-Community Partnership Program in Las Vegas, NV. Received the 2013 Angel Light Foundation Award for excellence in community service and educational outreach presented by the Angel Light Academy in Orange County, CA. The Reading is the Way Up Fund is a 501(c)(3) administered by the California Community Foundation. For more information, visit www.readingisthewayup.org . About City National With $50.3 billion in assets, City National Bank provides banking, investment and trust services through 71 offices, including 19 full-service regional centers, in Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, Nevada, New York City, Nashville, Atlanta, Minneapolis and Washington, D.C. In addition, the company and its investment affiliates manage or administer $67.5 billion in client investment assets. City National is a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), one of North Americas leading diversified financial services companies. RBC serves more than 16 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the United States and 34 other countries. For more information about City National, visit the companys website at cnb.com . Media Contact: Paul Stowell, City National Bank, 213.673.7602 paul.stowell@cnb.com Details added (first version posted on 16:57) Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 Trend: Illegal actions in the occupied Azerbaijani territories create big problems for the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev said, Trend reports on Feb. 25. "The results of any action committed with the use of force can never gain legitimacy, he said. To carry out illegal activity by using the situation which has occurred as a result of the use of force is unacceptable." Hajiyev appealed to the international community and said that one must not turn a blind eye to Armenias such illegal actions. "Sometimes individuals and legal entities of foreign countries carry out illegal activity in the occupied Azerbaijani territories and they should put an end to such illegal activity, he added. When we provide irrefutable facts, send diplomatic notes to the countries from which these citizens are, the corresponding structures of those countries stress that there are no such norms in the legislation, Hajiyev said. Then it turns out that the laws of those countries must not be violated, while Azerbaijans laws may be violated. But one must not forget that along with the national legislation, there are international law and international norms, according to which each country is responsible." He stressed that such illegal actions should be prevented to achieve progress in the conflict's peaceful settlement. Otherwise, illegal actions create real and big problems to the conflict settlement, Hajiyev added. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Elchin Mehdiyev Trend: Azerbaijans position on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was once again brought to the attention of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs during their visit to the region, said Hikmet Hajiyev, Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration, Trend reports. Hajiyev noted that, if one is to take a closer look to the conflict resolution process, it can be clearly visible that there are at present certain complaints from the Armenian side: This is detrimental to the general spirit of the negotiation process. We believe that the international community and the co-chair countries, by making more active efforts, should ensure Armenias more constructive role in the negotiation process. Azerbaijan supports the negotiation process, and our constructive position is highly appreciated by the world community." 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, Feb. 25 By Leman Zeynalova - Trend: Azerbaijan will take part in the meeting of foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Abu Dhabi, spokesperson for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Leyla Abdullayeva said at a press conference Feb. 25, Trend reports. She stressed that Azerbaijan will be represented by Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov at the meeting to be held on March 1-2. Azerbaijan joined OIC in 1991. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC, before 2011 - the Organization of the Islamic Conference) was established in 1969. The headquarters of the OIC General Secretariat is located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Ilhama Isabalayeva - Trend: Azerbaijans goal is to achieve recognition of the Khojaly genocide throughout the world, deputy chairman-executive secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Ali Ahmadov said. He was speaking at an event entitled We didnt forget Khojaly genocide! on Feb. 25. The state is working in this direction, and some countries have already recognized the Khojaly genocide, he said. I believe that the number of countries that recognized this tragedy as genocide will increase, he noted. We must ensure that the whole world give political assessment of this tragedy. He added that 27 years ago one of the most terrible tragedies occurred in the history of Azerbaijan. As a result of this tragedy, 613 people were killed, 1,275 people became hostages, 150 people went missing and 25 children lost both parents. Peaceful, helpless people were killed, he said. In this sense, it is not only a tragedy that befell the Azerbaijani people - it became one of the worst tragedies of the world. The Khojaly tragedy will never be erased from the memory of our people. The Azerbaijani people never wanted revenge, we want the perpetrators of this crime to receive the punishment they deserve. As a people, we must achieve our goal. Ahmadov said that the state must be strong in order to ensure the safety of people. When a state is weak, it cannot protect its lands, he noted. If the state doesnt have strength, its lands are occupied. The lack of the necessary strength of the state to protect its lands was one of the reasons for these events in the 1990s. 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. During the Karabakh war, on Feb. 25-26, 1992, the Armenian armed forces, together with the 366th infantry regiment of Soviet troops, stationed in Khankendi, committed an act of genocide against the population of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly. As many as 613 people, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old people were killed in the massacre. Eight families were totally exterminated, 130 children lost one parent and 25 children lost both. Some 1,275 innocent residents were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 people still remains unknown. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Details added (first version posted on 15:57) Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend: The illegal activity of Armenians in the occupied Azerbaijani territories continues today as well, Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev told Trend on Feb. 25. Hajiyev stressed that after Armenia occupied Azerbaijani lands, it started illegal activity in these territories. The Armenian side has further expanded illegal activity in the occupied territories, it exploits the natural and mineral resources of Azerbaijan, supplying them to global markets, he said. He reminded that in accordance with international law, illegal activity in the occupied territories is prohibited. However, the Armenian side doesnt comply with international laws, he said. Based on the appeal of the Azerbaijani side, the OSCE fact-finding mission conducted monitoring in the occupied Azerbaijani territories and the illegal activity of Armenia was confirmed. Hajiyev added that this illegal activity of Armenia impedes the peaceful resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan appeals to international organizations and other states to ban their legal entities and individuals from carrying out activities in the occupied Azerbaijani territories, he said. As part of international and domestic laws, Azerbaijan will continue legal steps against illegal activities in its occupied territories. The issue of illegal activities in the occupied Azerbaijani territories will be constantly raised in front of international organizations. By using national resources, the national satellite, Azerbaijan collected facts confirming this illegal activity. 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, Feb. 25 By Leman Zeynalova - Trend: Azerbaijani citizens suffered financial damage of over $170 million as a result of the Khojaly Genocide, says a joint statement by the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan and the Military Prosecutors Office, read out Feb. 25 by spokesperson of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Leyla Abdullayeva at a press conference on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the Khojaly Genocide, Trend reports. "The international community has condemned these events by adopting UN resolutions and other documents," Abdullayeva said. She noted that some representatives of the former Armenian regime, as well as representatives of the illegal regime established in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan directly participated in the occupation of Azerbaijani lands, including the Khojaly Genocide. Head of the Special Investigations Department at the Military Prosecutors Office of Azerbaijan Emil Taghiyev, in turn, noted that work is underway to bring to justice 305 people, who participated in the crimes in Nagorno-Karabakh. Of these, 39 participated in the Khojaly Genocide, he said. "Relevant documents were sent to Interpol, but to date none of these persons has been extradited to Azerbaijan," Taghiyev said. He added that the investigation into the Khojaly Genocide is conducted in five directions: genocide, torture, terror, financial damage and serious crimes. During the Karabakh war, on Feb. 25-26, 1992, the Armenian armed forces, together with the 366th infantry regiment of Soviet troops, stationed in Khankendi, committed an act of genocide against the population of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly. As many as 613 people, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old people were killed in the massacre. Eight families were totally exterminated, 130 children lost one parent and 25 children lost both. Some 1,275 innocent residents were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 people still remains unknown. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Elchin Mehdiyev Trend: Azerbaijani MP Rasim Musabayov is in Moscow to participate in a ceremony to be held Feb. 25 in connection with the 27th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, Trend reports with reference to the Azerbaijani parliament. Musabayov will inform the audience about the Khojaly tragedy. The visit will last until Feb. 27. During the Karabakh war, on Feb. 25-26, 1992, the Armenian armed forces, together with the 366th infantry regiment of Soviet troops, stationed in Khankendi, committed an act of genocide against the population of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly. As many as 613 people, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old people were killed in the massacre. Eight families were totally exterminated, 130 children lost one parent and 25 children lost both. Some 1,275 innocent residents were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 people still remains unknown. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Leman Zeynalova - Trend: The invitation to "representatives" of the illegal regime, created in the occupied Azerbaijani territories, to the meeting of the Russian-Armenian Lazarev Club contradicts the goals of the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, spokesperson of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Leyla Abdullayeva said. Abdullayeva made the remarks at a press conference in Baku on Feb. 25 while answering Trend correspondents question. "The platform of the Russian-Armenian Lazarev Club, which began to operate in 2018, is used for provocative purposes, she said. This is quite obvious when considering the opinions voiced at the first meeting of this club in Yerevan on November 30-December 1, 2018. Abdullayeva stressed that Azerbaijan, through the embassy in Russia, expressed displeasure to the Russian Foreign Ministry in connection with this issue. "Our side stressed in December 2018 that one of the initiators and organizers of this club, which presents itself as a new format of public diplomacy, is Konstantin Zatulin, who holds the position of first deputy chairman of the committee of the Russian State Duma for CIS affairs, Eurasian integration and relations with compatriots, she added. The organizers' invitation to "representatives" of the illegal regime, created in the territories of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenia, to attend this meeting, as well as opinions expressed by Zatulin himself, which are attacking Azerbaijans sovereignty and territorial integrity, also similar positions of other participants during the meeting intend to harm high level relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, Abdullayeva said. "Moreover, it was stressed that the opinions voiced by Zatulin are contrary to the interests of development of cooperation within the CIS and do not correspond to his status as first deputy chairman of the corresponding committee of the State Duma," Abdullayeva said. Unfortunately, the organizers of this club do not demonstrate an intention to make any changes in its activity and openly declare about the invitation to "representatives" of the illegal regime to attend the second meeting of the club, which is planned to be held on March 5-6, 2019 in Moscow, she said. "Such activity of the Lazarev Club, which clearly contradicts the goals of the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through substantive negotiations, does not coincide with the efforts of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, including Russia," Abdullayeva 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 Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Denver, Colo., Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 14-year-old Lyme disease patient, advocate and technology pioneer Olivia Goodreau will be in Washington D.C. February 27 - March 1 to be honored for her groundbreaking TickTracker App, which works to gather data and alert the world to tick sightings in an effort to decrease the number of Lyme and tick-borne disease cases. Selected for The Opportunity Projects 14-week TOP Health Sprint (TOP), Olivia became the youngest inventor ever to participate in the program which is conducted by the Department of Commerce. Olivia will travel to Washington D.C. to participate in the Census Bureaus TOP Demo Day, Friday, March 1. The event will showcase 20+ new innovative tech tools to more than 15 governmental agencies searching for effective ways to solve some of the worlds most critical challenges. Olivias TickTracker App was also selected by the Department of Health and Human Services as one of the most impactful technological creations coming out of the TOP Health Sprint. This recognition has garnered Olivia an invitation to present at the TOP Health Showcase at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House grounds Thursday, February 28 at the request of the Presidential Innovation Fellows and Department of Health and Human Services. Olivia will also meet with a growing list of Congressional members and top scientists on Wednesday, February 27 as a part of her three-day visit. Olivias schedule for this unique media opportunity includes: February 27 Congressional Visits to Multiple Members of the U.S. Congress 2:30 4:30 p.m. ( Press Invited and Credentials Needed) February 28 White House Grounds Presentation (Not a Press Event) 9:00 a.m. Artificial Intelligence and Open Data Innovation for Health 3:00 p.m. Lafayette Building VA - TOP Health: Together, Futurecasting Next Steps ( Press Invited and Credentials Need) March 1 U.S. Census Bureau Noon3:3:30 pm The Opportunity Project (TOP) Demo Day at Suitland, Maryland 3:30 5:00 p.m. Office Location - (Press Invited and Credentials Needed) Olivias Story Stricken with Lyme disease after a tick bite while on a family vacation to Missouri in the second grade, doctors struggled to find out what was wrong with Olivia since she did not present the common bulls-eye rash. After being seen by 51 different physicians, she was finally diagnosed with Lyme disease. Currently, she takes over 80 medications daily and several IVIG treatments monthly causing her to not only miss out on school, but a normal life of a 14-year-old girl. This experience prompted her to start the LivLyme Foundation where she devotes countless hours to the cause through supporting research, organizing fundraising events, and developing a life-saving app called TickTracker. Olivia has been honored by prominent research universities for her work, presented before federal officials and agencies, helped pass critical state legislation, raised more than $1 million to fund Lyme disease research, and continues to offer grants to treat under-insured children and young adults affected by Lyme. Olivias Technological Solution -TickTracker App In an effort to help curb new cases of Lyme disease, Olivia launched the TickTracker app which went live on the Apple and Go ogle Play stores in February 2018. app which went in February 2018. Olivia recognized the need for technology to play a role in tick sightings and prevention, which she hopes will ultimately help to find a cure for the disease. TickTracker helps combat tick transmitted infections and disease by showing real time and historic tick activity data on an interactive map through reported sightings and bites. The app also educates users on tick prevention and safety. TickTracker uses a patent pending algorithm to coordinate multiple tick activity data sources into a simple and user-friendly map view. https://ticktracker.com/ Why Olivias Important Work Matters Olivia has raised more than $1 million in two years, has given medical assistance grants to 31 kids ages 5-21 in 28 different states who are stricken with the disease, and has given four research grants to top scientists at Stanford, John Hopkins, and the University of New Haven. She has received 260+ grant applications for medical assistance from kids in 48 different states and the numbers of grant applications continue to increase. According to the Tick-Borne Disease Working Groups 2018 report to Congress, over the past 25 years, reports of Lyme disease have increased steadily with estimated annual cases numbering approximating 300,000. The report goes on to say, the number of U.S. counties now considered to be of high incidence for Lyme disease has increased by more than 300% in the Northeastern states and by approximately 250% in the North-Central states. Most often transmitted by tick bites, Lyme disease has been found in all 50 US states and in more than 60 other countries, which is why public awareness of its symptoms and possible contraction is so critical. Not only are these numbers staggering, the U.S. is not fully prepared for the explosive increase in the tick population. With the discovery of the Asian Longhorn Tick in 2017, health officials are concerned about the case numbers increasing. This particular tick, which can also be found on pets, livestock, and wildlife, can reproduce without mating. Swarms of ticks can attack in numbers of 1,000 or more on one animal or person. For more information on ticks, prevention and the LivLyme Foundation, visit: https://livlymefoundation.org/ Attachment Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 Trend: Azerbaijans Embassy in Pakistan and the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) of Pakistan organized a seminar in Islamabad on the 27th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, Trend reports with reference to the embassy Feb. 25. The seminar was attended by Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Fehmida Mirza, NUST rector, Lieutenant-General (retired) Naweed Zaman, director of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, chairman of the Azerbaijan-Pakistan Friendship Association, former Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, ambassadors of several countries, other high-ranking diplomats, media representatives, students, researchers, etc.. Federal Minister Fehmida Mirza stressed that Pakistan always supports Azerbaijans position on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, doesnt recognize Armenia as a state, condemns Armenia for the genocide committed in Azerbaijans Khojaly town, shares with Azerbaijan and Turkey the same values and goals for restoring peace and stability in the region. Pakistan will continue to support the position of Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the minister stressed. Azerbaijani Ambassador to Pakistan Ali Alizade informed about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He said that after the mass migration of Armenians in the beginning of the 19th century to Azerbaijani territories, they began to put forward territorial claims. The ambassador stressed that a number of countries have already recognized the Khojaly genocide, and this process continues. A documentary about the Khojaly genocide, filmed with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, was shown at the event. The lobby of the hall where the seminar was held featured stands with photos reflecting atrocities of Armenians in Khojaly, as well as visual aids on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the realities of Azerbaijan. The seminar was widely covered by leading Pakistani TV channels and media. 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. During the Karabakh war, on Feb. 25-26, 1992, the Armenian armed forces, together with the 366th infantry regiment of Soviet troops, stationed in Khankendi, committed an act of genocide against the population of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly. As many as 613 people, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old people were killed in the massacre. Eight families were totally exterminated, 130 children lost one parent and 25 children lost both. Some 1,275 innocent residents were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 people still remains unknown. 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, Feb. 25 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 25 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Feb. 25, Trend reports. 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, Feb. 25 By Ilhama Isabalayeva Trend: The number of tourists who arrived in Azerbaijan from Egypt, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, India, China, Georgia and South Korea increased and the number of tourists from the Gulf countries decreased in January 2019, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee on Feb. 25. In January 2019, 191,600 foreigners and stateless people from 143 countries visited Azerbaijan (a 2.9 percent increase compared to January 2018). Thus, 29.4 percent accounted for the Russians, 29.1 percent Georgian citizens, 11.2 percent Turkish citizens, 5.4 percent Iranian citizens, 4.5 percent UAE citizens, 1.7 percent Ukrainian citizens, 1.3 percent Iraqi citizens, 17.3 percent - citizens of other countries, 0.1 percent - stateless people. Among those who arrived in Azerbaijan in January 2019 the number of tourists from Egypt increased by 4.5 times, tourists from Pakistan by twofold, tourists from Turkmenistan by 1.7 times, tourists from India by 1.4 times, tourists from China by 26.5 percent, tourists from Georgia by 21.9 percent, tourists from South Korea by 15.2 percent. The number of tourists from the Gulf countries decreased by 13.3 percent and reached 28,500 people in January 2019 compared to January 2018. In January 2019, the number of tourists from the EU countries increased by 0.9 percent and reached 5,800 people, the number of tourists from the CIS countries - decreased by 0.2 percent and reached 67,200 people. Meanwhile, 63.8 percent of tourists arrived by trains or vehicles, 35.4 percent - by planes, 0.8 percent - by ships. Saudi Arabia's King Salman has called for an international alliance against Iran's support of Houthi militia in Yemen and Tehran's interventions in the affairs of regional countries. King Salman who was speaking at the Arab-European summit in Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt on Sunday February 24, also called for a political solution to the conflict in Yemen while calling the Iranian-backed Houthis terrorists. "We affirm the importance of international efforts to support Yemeni legitimacy and bring the revolutionary terrorist Houthi militias supported by Iran to submit to the international community," he told the summit. In another development on Sunday, Israel's Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu has said at a cabinet meeting that Israel will do whatever is necessary to stop Iran from establishing a military presence in Syria. Responding to the claim made by Iran's security chief Ali Shamkhani who had said "Iran his reached 90% of its goals in Syria," Netanyahu said, "This is not true. They try, but we stop them." Shamkhani had also questioned Israel's intelligence capabilities, saying that Israeli forces have attacked a carpet warehouse, mistaking it for a missile depot. "That was an unforgiveable fiasco!," Said Shamkhani. Netanyahu, accused Iranian officials of Lying. The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has refuted a claim by a member of Iranian Parliament who has alleged that the IRGC has at its disposal a tape of President Hassan Rouhani's conversation with the British foreign intelligence agency MI6. A video of MP Javad Karimi Ghoddousi accusing Rouhani of being linked to MI6 has gone viral on Persian Twitter. IRGC's Public Relations Chief Ramazan Sharif has denied Ghoddousi's claim, adding that such claims are not unprecedented. Ghoddousi has been frequently levelling espionage charges against many Iranian politicians including Rouhani in recent years, but has never been pursued for libel. Even now that one of his claims and accusations has been officially announced to be baseless, there is no sign that the hardliner MP would be prosecuted for libel. Ramazan Sharif, however, has said that IRGC reserves the right to chase the matter. In the meantime, according to state-owned news agency ISNA, the IRGC Intelligence Organization has sent a letter to the Supreme National Security Council, asking the council to issue a warning to Ghoddousi. In a letter to political parties around the world, Irans Freedom Movement (Nehzate Azadi) has called for international condemnation of the United States withdrawal from the nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), adding that U.S. sanctions will give Iranian hardliners the upper hand in the countrys domestic politics. The Freedom Movement of Iran (FMI) is a pro-reform group with Shiite sympathies that briefly held the government immediately after the 1979 revolution but has been sidelined and not as active since then. Calling the JCPOA a model for the peaceful resolution of international conflicts, the FMI said in the letter, Rejection of this agreement weakens the value of endeavors in resolving international conflicts peacefully and the role of the United Nations in acting as a safeguarding mechanism for building international peace. The United States rejection of this international agreement also negates the significance of efforts in building pathways for peaceful co-existence of nations based on conflict resolution through negotiation and compromise. FMI acknowledged that the JCPOA did not address the United States concerns about Irans missile program and its ambitions in the Middle East, adding that JCPOA was not initially intended to include the Iranian governments regional political behavior or any other issues, but expressed the view that these issues could be legitimately addressed in other forums with the consideration of the national security of all nations involved. It is not clear why Freedom Movement believes the Islamic Republic has any intention to discuss these issues with Western governments, particularly the United States. Iranian officials categorically reject any such dialogue. FMI does not advocate the overthrow of the Islamic Republic, but believes in reforms and its members are tolerated to an extent in Iran and not treated as enemies of the regime. Members of the group even participated in the last local elections without any success. In more than a decade the group has not been very vocal, preferring not to condemn many of the regimes human rights abuses or its regional adventures. It has also not clearly supported the popular protests by ordinary people against economic hardship and lack of freedoms. In the letter, the FMI expressed concern over the impact of sanctions on Irans middle class, adding that in Iran, the middle class is exposed to the ravages of sanctions. The Iranian middle class predominately has been in the forefront of the battle for democracy and acted as the engine of change in the country. FMI charged that the United States, with the support of right-wing politicians in Israel and the ruling elites in Saudi Arabia, has imposed sanctions on Iran which ultimately benefit those who are for war and conflict with this country, adding that sanctions have also strengthened the political position and power of the Iranian ultraconservatives who continue to encourage and support discord and antagonism in Iranian foreign policy. FMI also warned that democratic changes cannot be achieved in Iran by Washington encouraging groups from outside of Iran who have aimed at toppling the Iranian government. With regards to Iran, democracy cannot be achieved through war, but rather obtained upon a period of sustained gradual reforms that are supported by the Iranian people and arise from within the country. Although the letter appears to support the Islamic Republic of Irans positions, the FMI stressed at the end of it that the Freedom Movement of Iran has been under pressure both from the old and the new regimes, and its leaders and members have been arrested, imprisoned and tortured. The letter by a political organization that has not been overtly active for decades is yet another indication that the Iranian opposition has become more vocal after the nationwide protests in late 2017 and early 2018, which has weakened the regime in Tehran. During the past year, the two main opposition groups outside Iran, the royalists and the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MeK) have been more active than ever and developments about and around them have been given more prominence in the media. The royalists have highlighted the symbolic significance of Prince Reza Pahlavi and established at least two networks of young Iranian activists (Farashgard) with the aim of toppling the Islamic Republic, and the newly established network of technocrats and academics named Qoqnous (Sphinx) with the objective of reconstructing Iran. Meanwhile, the MeK has been more politically active than ever, garnering support from among political groups and Western officials. In the latest developments, 10 political groups active in the Iranian provinces of Kurdistan, Azerbaijan and Sistan-Baluchistan formed an alliance in Hanover, Germany on Saturday 23 February. The alliance Solidarity for Freedom and Equality in Iran has announced its objective as toppling the Islamic Republic. The coalition includes five militant Kurdish parties as well as other militant groups from Khuzestan and Azarbaijan, and a few groups including democratic secular republicans and Marxists. The freedom movement of Iran may have noticed the changing situation and its letter to political parties around the world could be its way of making itself known as a player that once had a role in the government, hoping to secure a place in the countrys future in case dramatic changes take place. Irans parliament has passed legislation requiring charitable organizations under the control of the Supreme Leader and other state entities engaging in commercial activities to pay taxes. As the Iranian economy has deteriorated in recent years the issue of taxing religious-charitable organizations, the all-powerful Islamic Revolution Guard Corps and other tax-exempt organizations has been pushed to the forefront. While President Hassan Rouhani's government advocates taxation, the religious and military leadership backed by the Supreme Leader resist paying taxes. The organizations named in the law include Astan Qods Razavi (AQR), a massive charity based in the city of Mashhad, the commercial activities of the armed forces, and the Headquarters of the Imam's Decree (known as Setad for short), a charity started by the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, which a Reuters investigation saidbuilt its empire on the systematic seizure of thousands of properties belonging to ordinary Iranians. Before the law can take effect, it must be approved by the Guardians Council, which is unlikely as that body is loyal to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But even if the law never takes effect, it is an important development, as it marks the first time parliament has attempted to demand more financial transparency from the vast network of charities under the Supreme Leaders control. The AQR was exempted from paying taxes by official decree forty years ago by the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Khomeini. The custodian of the AQR, mid-ranking cleric Ebrahim Raeisi, has always argued that the AQR pays its share in Value Added Tax. Since the downfall of the monarchy in 1979, the AQR has expanded from a modest charity institution into a giant corporation with nearly 20,000 employees, running auto plants, agricultural businesses, cattle farms, and numerous other enterprises. The foundation owns most of the real estate in Mashhad and rents out shop space to merchants and hoteliers. The holy shrine administrations refusal to pay taxes on its hefty revenues has been in the news constantly since 2016 in the run-up to the 2017 presidential elections.. In December 2017, Raeisi said that instead of paying taxes, the shrine, extends financial assistance to the poor. in 2018, the shrine administration was told by Rouhani's government to pay taxes. In 2019, reformist MP Mahmoud Sadeqi disclosed that Khamenei has authorized the Ministry of Finance to refund any tax the shrine has paid. According to Didar News website, during the past 40 years, none of the superintendents of the shrine have agreed to pay taxes for the companies it controls. It is almost impossible to calculate AQRs revenues, but according to some estimates, money flowing into its accounts directly may reach $150 million annually, based on the official exchange rate. There maybe other accounts not directly linked with AQR but effectively controlled by it. Raeisi was President Rouhanis main challenger in the 2017 presidential race, during which Rouhani criticized his opponent for the fact that the foundation pays no tax. Retaliating to the criticism, Raise responded at the time AQR has allotted the poor and the orphans ten times more money than the amount of its imagined due taxes. Recently, hardline former President Mahmud Ahmadinejad (2005-2013) joined his successor to blast the commercial activities of the entities under Khamenei's direct supervision, including AQR. In an open letter to the supreme leader on March 13, 2018, Ahmadinejad noted that the revenues of Bonyad Mostazafan, 15 Khordad Foundation, the Executive Headquarters of Imams Decree, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Cooperatives Foundation, Army Cooperatives, Baseej Cooperatives, the Defense Ministry Cooperatives Foundation, and the economic subdivision of the Imams Relief Committee amount to more than 7 trillion rials (roughly $150 million based on official exchange rate), but they are not accountable to the public or the government and never publish balance sheets or activity reports. Tehran's outspoken MP and Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ali Motahari has also expressed his opposition to the commercial activities of tax-exempted entities under Khamenei's direct supervision, accusing them of disrupting the country's economy. Earlier, Tehran City Councilor and the Secretary General of the "Neday-e Iranian" party, Majid Farahani, alleged that more than 40 percent of Irans economy is dominated by foundations that pay no taxes and win all bids for national construction projects without having to compete with private industry. A member of the Iranian Parliament (Majles) has disclosed that the country's Supreme National Security Council has banned the publication of news reports about water-related problems including shortage and misuse of resources. The disclosure appears to have happened inadvertently when the official news agency IRNA quoted Ardeshir Nourial, a lawmaker on Saturday February 23 as having said that officials in Isfahan Province, ignore government directives including the ban on publication of news reports on water shortage. Isfahan and its surrounding towns and villages have been the scene of protest demonstrations during the past year against government measures, including allocating the province's water to other areas. The measures have dried up Isfahan's main river, Zayandeh Roud, and left tens of thousands of farmers in the province without water, putting their livelihood in danger. The disclosure by the MP, is the first indication of Tehran's attempt to create a news blackout about water shortage in Iran. Bans on publication on certain news The SNSC had previously banned publication of news about nuclear developments in the early 2010s hoping to hide nuclear activities from international watchdogs. On Tuesday, February 26, at 11.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host a press conference titled "Behind Backs of Women and Children" on Using Civilians by Russia as 'Human Shields' during Crimea's Occupation." Participants include Deputy Prosecutor of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Ihor Ponochovny, lawyer of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union Maksym Tymochko, lawyer of the Regional Center for Human Rights Vitaliy Nabukhotny, first rank captain, an eyewitness to the events Viktor Shmyhanovsky (8/5a Reitarska Street). Registration requires press accreditation by phone: (067) 177 6403, or at: rchr.press@gmail.com (communications manager of the Regional Center for Human Rights Olena Finayeva). Chairman of the board of UA:PBC (Ukraine's National Public Broadcasting Company) Zurab Alasania is filing a suit to overturn the decision of UA:PBC's supervisory board to dismiss him," lawyer Andriy Guck has said. "The case will be filed in court today," Guck said on Facebook on Monday. The lawyer released the full text (except certain parts) of Alasania's appeal to the court. "The goal of publishing this is openness to constructive steps and to give the supervisory board time to reconsider," the lawyer said. According to court filing, Alasania considers the decision by the supervisory board to cut short his employment contract and subsequent related decisions to be illegal, and appeals for the protection of his labor rights. Alasania also asks the court to declare illegal and to annul the February 12, 2019 decision of the advisory board on establishing the date of termination of the contract as May 6, 2019. As earlier reported, UA:PBC's supervisory board on January 31, 2019, with nine votes out of 12, supported the termination of the contract with Alasania. On February 12, UA:PBC's supervisory board postponed the decision on termination of Alasania's contract until May 6. St. Petersburg, Fla, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kyle Taylor, founder and CEO of The Penny Hoarder, issued a letter of support for the Dorothy L. Hukill Financial Literacy Act (SB 114). The proposed bill requires all Florida high school students entering ninth grade in 2019-20 and beyond to take a course focusing on finance and money management. A longtime Florida resident and financial literacy advocate, Taylor said his support of the bill speaks to his passion and The Penny Hoarders vision to help people stress less about their personal finances. I graduated high school excited and thinking I was fully ready to manage my financial future but after years of trial and error, I wound up in over $50,000 in student loan and credit card debt, said Taylor. In hindsight, I was not prepared for financial responsibility. This legislation will help ensure students today are better equipped with knowledge of personal finance. In 2010, Taylor began to write about his financial journey and started the ThePennyHoarder.com. He remains committed to financial literacy. Taylors company provides free educational resources, information and actionable advice to people looking to better manage their money. The Penny Hoarder sees over 12 million visitors a month. The site includes hundreds of articles and personal stories ranging from the basics of money management to retirement, taxes, banking and debt payoff. The late Sen. Dorothy Hukill (R-Port Orange) was a sponsor and advocate of SB 114 during her time in the Senate. She passed away in October 2018. Her co-sponsor, Sen. Travis Hutson (R-St. Augustine), is now seeking to pass the bill in her honor. If the bill passes, the Dorothy L. Hukill Financial Literacy Act will take effect July 1, 2019. For Kyle Taylors full letter of support, visit: https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/kyle-taylor-letter-of-support-for-financial-literacy-act/ American blogger and culinary specialist Uriel Shtern and the ex-editor-in-chief of the Kompanion (Companion), Utro.ua and Obozrevatel ezines Viktor Zubaniuk have launched the Lenta.ua ezine. Shtern said at a press conference hosted by the Kyiv-based Interfax-Ukraine news agency that he purchased the lenta.ua domain for internet support for the Kvitna charity foundation he heads. He said it helped him to accumulate funds for the treatment of breast cancer patients, although Kvitna used other Internet resources and the lenta.ua domain was not needed. Shtern said he had received offers from Russia to buy the domain, but he refused them, suspecting it would be used in hybrid warfare against Ukraine. "And when I was introduced to Viktor (Zubaniuk) I became convinced that I could transfer the domain to reliable hands for the creation of an interesting, useful and quality publication with a future and, I emphasize, a patriotic, pro-Ukraine position, and so I did this," Shtern said. Zubaniuk told Interfax-Ukraine he had received the rights to the domain lenta.ua as private entrepreneur Viktor Zubaniuk (not as a legal entity). In his words, the site has for the last two and a half months it has been functioning in test mode and is already ready to enter full-fledged work in two languages: Russian and Ukrainian. "There are 15 journalists in the project now," Zubaniuk said. He announced the publication of high-profile journalistic investigations about the "gray cardinals" in Kyiv and shadow schemes for financing political forces, but at the same time stressed that the project was not created for elections. According to him, the publication was conceived and created as an independent information and analytical project. He said its editorial board intends to comprehensively cover all significant events and phenomena in various spheres of life in Ukraine and the world: from politics and economics to important trends in the development of public relations, culture and sports. Shtern said under the contract with the editorial board he was deprived of the right to intervene in editorial policy. He stipulated only the possibility, as necessary, to publish in the publication information on Kvitna's activities, and in the appropriate section recipes from his book on cooking. Zubaniuk previously led a number of publications in the field of business, social and political press. In particular, he was a correspondent for the Moscow newspaper Kommersant, headed the Ukrainian bureau of the publishing house Kommersant, was first deputy editor-in-chief of Halytski Kontrakty, the editor-in-chief of Kompanion (Companion), Kyiv Weekly, the Internet project Utro.ua and Obozrevatel, General Director of MediaDom LLC (Gazeta 24 and 24.ua). Ukraine must apply for EU membership, get NATO MAP no later than 2023 Ukraine's strategic goal is to apply for EU membership and receive an Action Plan for NATO membership no later than 2023, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said. "I set a strategic goal for myself and the whole state: to apply for membership in the European Union and get an Action Plan for NATO membership no later than 2023," Poroshenko said at the youth forum titled "Youth opinion is important. Prospects for joining NATO and the EU" in Pereyaslav-Khmelnytsky of Kyiv region on Monday. He stressed that this is not about formal gestures, but about such a degree of partnership and interaction when Ukraine's ambitions get a chance to be realized. "It is not easy to achieve this, but it is necessary, and it means that it is possible. Ukraine has never been so close to the European Union as it is today," the president stressed. According to Poroshenko, Ukraine today is the freest country among all former Soviet republics, with the highest level of democracy and freedom, while "in neighboring Russia you can get a criminal sentence only for the "wrong" like in Facebook." The head of state noted that young people were lucky to be born and grow up in a free democratic country, "where you don't have to constantly act cautiously and carefully consider your own words and even thoughts." The Military Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine's southern district has said seven more Russian military officers have been notified on suspicion of engaging in an aggressive war or aggressive military actions against 24 captured prisoner of war (POW) Ukrainian Naval Forces sailors. Suspicion notices of committing crimes under the relevant Part 2 of Article 28, Part 2 of Article 437 of Ukraine's Criminal were served on February 16 by the investigators of Ukraine's SBU State Security Service in Odesa region to Colonel-General Alexander Dvornikov - Commander of the Southern Military District of the Russian Federation, Vice-Admiral Alexander Moiseev - commander of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation, as well as five servicemen-border guards of the Border Department of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Crimea. Prosecutors said two days after the incident, on November 27, 2018, eight Russian servicemen were informed of the suspicion of committing crimes. "The pretrial investigation established that all 15 soldiers of the Russian Federation who have already been informed of the suspicion were involved in waging an aggressive war. In particular, they organized, coordinated and participated in the attack by military ships of the Russian Federation and other military officials of the Black Sea Fleet and the Border Guard Service of the FSB of the Russian Federation on boats of the Ukrainian Navy, as a result of which Ukrainian sailors were captured along with military equipment," the report says. As earlier reported, on November 25, 2018 Russian border guards captured the Yany Kapu tugboat and small armored artillery boats of Ukraine's Naval Forces. The prisoners of war were transported to Moscow on November 29. Russian officials have charged the Ukrainian sailors with illegal crossing of Russia's border. Ukraine, European Union member states and the United States say the Ukrainian sailors are prisoners of war and should be immediately released. Entering the port of Odesa by the American missile destroyer Donald Cook indicates a close U.S.-Ukrainian partnership, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch has said. "We warmly welcome the USS Donald Cook to Odesa. This ship visit symbolizes the strength of the U.S.-Ukraine partnership," the U.S. Embassy to Ukraine quoted Yovanovitch as saying on Twitter on Monday. As reported, the U.S. Navy's guided-missile destroyer Donald Cook entered the Black Sea on February 19 and arrived in Odesa on Monday. The American ship, which carries 56 Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of 1,600 kilometers docked near the main Odesa port and will be moored there until February 27. According to Turkey's defense ministry, last week the Donald Cook entered the Black Sea with the Turkish rocket ship TCG Fatih. The Donald Cook, which is equipped with the anti-missile defense Aegis Combat System, together with other U.S. destroyers - Carney Ross and Porter - is permanently stationed in Rota, Spain. The ships along with land-based Aegis Combat Systems in Poland and Romania are the backbone of the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) missile defense system. The Cook, which is forward deployed to Rota, Spain, entered the Black Sea "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 said. The USS Donald Cook destroyer often participates in the international exercises Sea Breeze, which are held in Ukraine. Russia's hybrid military forces mounted 16 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas in the past 24 hours, with one Ukrainian soldier reported as killed in action (KIA) and another two as wounded in action (WIA), the press centre of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) has reported. "On February 24, the Russian occupation forces opened fire on our troops 16 times. At the same time, 122 mm caliber artillery and 120 and 82-mm caliber mortars were used 17 times and 285 shells and mines were launched.... As a result of the shelling, one JFO soldier was killed and two were wounded," the JFO headquarters said on Facebook on Monday morning. Militants used weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements. Russian occupation forces opened aimed fire from 122-mm artillery systems, 120-mm and 82mm mortars, weapons installed on infantry fighting vehicles, grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms to attack the defenders of Vodiane, Lebedynske, Pavlopil, Krasnohorivka, Pisky, Novozvanivka, Zolote-4, Katerynivka, Novo-Oleksandrivka, Zolote-1, and Lobacheve. "What is more, the invaders attacked residential buildings from the temporarily occupied town of Pervomaisk, using 122-mm artillery systems and 120-mm mortars. In total, 34 shells were launched. Four houses were destroyed as a result of the shelling," the staff said. "Since Monday midnight, Russian-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions near Lebedynske, using 120-mm mortars," the report says. According to intelligence reports, three enemy troops were killed and another four were wounded. The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) has completed the expanded pilot project to launch the e-hryvnia and continues studying the prospects of applying the tool, the director of the department of payment systems and innovative development of the central bank, Oleksandr Yablunivsky, has said. "At the end of last year, we launched a practical pilot, when this tool was issued for NBU employees using the existing methodology, in order to evaluate the practical aspect of its use, the strength of the central bank in implementing these tools, and get some feedback from users. The pilot project is now complete. We have prepared an analytical note and we will consider it at a meeting of the board of the National Bank," he said at a press conference in Kyiv last week. Over time, the NBU will publish an analytical note, which will include an analysis of both the practical pilot project and global trends in this area. Yablunivsky also said that today, there is no common understanding and a common strategy for the development of these currencies in the world. Moreover, a few central banks of other countries have moved to the practical phase of research, instead of theoretical reasoning of the impact of these tools on monetary policy and on the ecosystem of payments. "Therefore, we are in this issue, one might even say, ahead of global leaders, since we have made a step in practical research, albeit a small one," he said. The representative of the NBU also said that many central bank digital currencies (CDBC), like the e-hryvnia, are confused with cryptocurrencies and other tools. "We are not talking about cryptocurrency, we are talking about CDBC. It can be implemented using both the centralized register technology and the decentralized one. This is a completely single issue, which follows from the target model [for e-hryvnia] that will be chosen," Yablunivsky said. Dublin, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Canadian Legal Recreational Cannabis Market 2018-2022" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. In April 2017, the Canadian government announced its intention to legalize recreational cannabis. Sales may begin as early as the middle of 2018 - a moving target. The Canadian Recreational Cannabis Market is modeled over a four-year time horizon, focusing on cross-price elasticity of demand of individual consumer cohorts. Second order model drivers include Canadian population dynamics, producer efficiency gains, and spillover effects of recreational legalization. In summary, the research finds: Canadians will consume 473.7 metric tons of recreational cannabis in FY2018; consumption will increase to 860.8 metric tons by FY2022. At the inception of legalization pretax prices will average $8.33 CAD per gram, falling 28.3% to $5.97 CAD by FY2022. As in any black-to-white market, legal producers must underprice illegal ones to maintain a sustainable market, and thus, Canadian Licensed Producers should seek to price competitively and pass on associated costs and other efficiency gains to end consumers. Throughout the modeling period, heavy and regular users drive the lion's share of demand (see graph above), 95% in FY2018 to 94.5% in FY2022. Total revenues will increase over time, with higher sales volume offsetting downward pricing pressure. Revenues of $5 billion CAD are projected for FY2018, increasing to $7 billion CAD in FY2022. Importantly, increasing revenues should not be conflated with overall market growth; it is instead a function of existing consumers moving from the black to the white market. Contrary to the consensus view, it is predicted that total market demand will contract by an average of 0.98% annually over the four-year period in the absence of population growth. With expectations for overall market growth tempered, investors may wish to focus on Licensed Producers that emphasize cost efficiency. Key Topics Covered: Executive Summary Introduction Who Drives Recreational Sales? Consumer Profiles Puff, Puff, Pass: Sales to New Users Will Be a Flash in the Pan Legality Bump: Word of Mouth Effect Risks of Narcotic Abuse Will Edibles Take a Bite Out of Cannabis Flower Sales? Unpacking Cannabis Expenditure Link Between THC Yields and Prices Is Overwrought Bridging Perception and Reality: The Chemistry and Biology of Potency A Zero-Sum Game: Tug of War Between BMC and CRCM Segment Proclivity for Contraband Procurement Supply-Side Dynamics Death and Taxes The Dealer Next Door Cost Structures by Growing Operation End Game: Revenue Trajectory Dissecting Aggregate Demand End Game: Revenue Trajectory Licensed Producer Profiles Aphria Inc. Canopy Growth ABcann Aurora Cannabis CanniMed Therapeutics Cronos Group Firm Emblem Corp Firm Emerald Health Therapeutics Newstrike Resources Ltd Harvest One Cannabi Firm Invictus MD Strategies Corp Firm Medreleaf Corp. Firm OrganiGram Holdings Inc. Firm Supreme Cannabis Company Firm Hydropothecary Corporation Firm For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/fqs7g4/canadian_legal?w=12 Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Many times you might have found the multiple casinos available in the online market but when you are going to... HELSINKI (AP) Estonian construction workers got the shock of their lives when they found out the animal they saved from an icy river was not a dog but a wolf. Rando Kartsepp, Robin Sillamae and Erki Vali told the Postimees newspaper they were working at the Sindi dam on the frozen Parnu River in southwestern Estonia when they saw an animal frantically swimming in a maze of ice. They rescued the ice-coated animal and took it to a shelter. A hunter told them it was about a one-year old male wolf suffering from shock and hypothermia. The young wolf recovered after a day and was released back into the wild with a GPS collar. Estonia has an estimated 200 wolves. The grey wolf was voted Estonias national animal by nature organizations in 2018. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Feb. 23 Jennifer L. Brown, 25, of Elko was arrested at 1287 Stitzel Road on a felony warrant for grand larceny of an automobile. Bail: $10,000 ------ Dave F. Collins Jr., 25, of Harrisville, Utah was arrested at 910 W. Wendover Blvd. for driving under the influence. Bail: $1,050 ------ Hugo Espino-Castanon, 24, of Elko was arrested at Mountain City Highway and Aspen Way for driving under the influence and stop lamps required. Bail: $1,255 ------ Jasalee R. Gott, 31, of Spring Creek was arrested at 403 Pine St. on a warrant for failure to appear after bail on a misdemeanor crime. No bail ------ Jacob L. Rush, 24, of Rupert, Idaho was arrested on U.S. Highway 93 for domestic battery by strangulation, assault with a deadly weapon, and fugitive from another state. No bail ------ Nicholas D. Schubert, 24, of Spring Creek was arrested at Palace Parkway and Palace Court for second-offense driving under the influence, four counts of resisting a public officer, open container of alcohol in vehicle, two counts of battery on a protected person, failure to maintain lane or improper lane change, no proof of insurance, and failure to give appropriate signal when required. $7,995 The charges above do not imply guilt. Under the law, everyone is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Feb. 24 Matthew M. Bishop, 27, of Spring Creek was arrested on a bench warrant. No bail ------ Franklin L. Harrington Jr., 33, of Elko was arrested at Sixth and Walnut streets for felony possession of a controlled substance and two counts of use or possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail: $11,280 ------ Luis A. Higuera-Lopez, 43, of Elko was arrested at Fifth and Maple streets for removing or altering vehicle identification number or part ID mark, possession of a hypodermic device, resident operating vehicle without Nevada vehicle registration, and no proof of insurance. Bail: $8,020 ------ Erik M. Nunez-Flores, 31, of Elko was arrested at Copper Street and Valley Ridge Drive on a warrant for failure to appear after bail on a misdemeanor crime. Bail: $1,500 ------ Mary M. Serawop, 36, of Roosevelt, Utah was arrested at 101 W. Wendover Blvd. for unlawful act by prisoner related to human excrement or bodily fluid, trespassing and disturbing the peace. Bail: $5,605 ------ Today (2/22), the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) announced the hire of Jeff Danielson to lead state policy advocacy efforts across Midwestern and Plains states. In his new role as AWEA's Central Region Director, Danielson will advocate for pro-growth policies to help wind power expand and meet strong consumer demand for clean energy. Prior to joining AWEA, Danielson served for 15 years as an Iowa State Senator, representing Hudson, Cedar Falls and Waterloo in Black Hawk County, and worked as both a career professional firefighter with the City of Cedar Falls and an adjunct professor of public policy at the University of Northern Iowa. Before that, Danielson served in the U.S. Navy for six years. He will begin work for AWEA on February 25th. "I'm proud to announce an exciting new chapter in my career, even as two wonderful chapters of public service come to a close," said Jeff Danielson. "Above all, I'd like to thank the citizens of Cedar Valley for allowing me to serve them for so many years in the State Senate and the Cedar Falls Fire Department." "Though my work for the wind industry will not be public service in the traditional sense, it is very much in line with what I've strived for throughout my career," added Danielson. "I'll be working for a wonderful organization dedicated to growing a homegrown American energy source that strengthens the economy, improves the health of communities, and makes us safer as a nation." Danielson is a past President Pro Tempore of the Iowa Senate and chaired the State Government, Admin, and Regulation Budget committees. He served as past Vice Chair of Appropriations, Transportation & Veterans Affairs. His committee work included Education, Economic Growth and Ways & Means. Danielson holds a degree in Public Administration from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and a Master's of Public Policy from UNI as well. Jeff makes his home in Waterloo, Iowa with his wife Kim and two children, Brendan and Erin. "We're thrilled to have such a distinguished public servant join our team," said Susan Williams Sloan, Vice President, State Affairs, AWEA. "He brings a track record of working across the aisle to get things done. From his service in Iowa which leads the nation for wind as a share of electricity generation Jeff knows firsthand the strength of a wind-powered economy. Working for AWEA, he will advocate to grow that success story with state governments across the heartland." AWEA defines the "Central Region" generally as states West of Ohio and East of the Rocky Mountains. This area has been called the American "Wind Belt" because it is home to some of the best wind energy resources and the largest share of U.S. installed wind capacity. Danielson's home state of Iowa is a national leader for wind power. In 2017, wind farms generated 37 percent of the electricity produced in Iowa, a larger share than any other state. Wind power employs nearly 8,000 Iowa workers and the state's wind industry represents over $14.2 billion in private investment. For Iowa farmers, wind energy is a drought-proof cash crop generating land lease payments totaling $20-25 million each year. As wind power continues to grow in Iowa, the state will see these economic benefits expand. This blog may be a labor of love for me, but it takes a lot of effort, time and money. For over 14 years and 30,000 articles I have been providing accurate, original news that would have remained unnoticed. I've written hundreds of scoops and sometimes my reporting ends up making a real difference. I appreciate any donations you can give to keep this blog going. Over 2,800 cars with foreign registration legalized in Ukraine under new rules Fiscal Service In the grace period, UAH 13.5 billion (US$ 500 million) in customs payments were channeled into the national budget. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Ukraine to use additional customs revenue to compensate pensioners for previous years' indexation The compensation will be paid only to those pensioners whose retirement fees will be the lowest after a new phase of indexation scheduled for March 1. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Ukrainian farmers enter 85 new markets in 2018 Some 20 international certificates for exports of animal products were developed and approved last year. 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In the complex world we live in, our reputation is based on the quality of our services, as well as the commitment and integrity of our people. For more information, visit www.garda.com. For more information, visit www.alt5sigma.com What's on the table at the second Trump-Kim summit? Key rings depicting North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump are seen for sale ahead of their summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, February 24, 2019. Photo by Reuters/Jorge Silva Vietnam hosts the second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this week, with denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and ending sanctions against Pyongyang the main items on the table. What the U.S. wants Denuclearization of North Korea is the over-riding goal that Washington is seeking to achieve. That means elimination of all weapons of mass destruction programs in North Korea - the production of those weapons, as well as the intercontinental ballistic missiles that can deliver them. What it may settle for The United States will seek to form a shared understanding with North Korea of what denuclearization means at the summit, U.S. officials said on Thursday. Washington is also expected to seek to establish a roadmap that sets expectations and the process for negotiations on denuclearization beyond this weeks summit. A freeze on North Koreas weapons of mass destruction and missile programs is also likely to be on the agenda. North Korea appears to have produced enough bomb fuel in the past year to add as many as seven nuclear weapons to its arsenal, a report by Stanford Universitys Center for International Security and Cooperation said earlier this month. What North Korea wants North Korea has publicly called for an end to the crippling economic sanctions imposed by the United States and the United Nations, which will be its main aim at the summit. But its concept of denuclearization of the Korean peninsula could include removal of the U.S. nuclear umbrella for South Korea and nuclear-capable forces. Some officials in South Korea, the U.S. Congress and elsewhere have expressed concern that North Korea is calling for changes to the level of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, but Trump said on Friday that drawing down U.S. troops in South Korea is not on the table. North Korea has also long called for a peace deal with the United States to normalize relations and end the technical state of war that has existed since the 1950-1953 Korean War concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty. What it may settle for Washington has balked at signing a comprehensive peace treaty before North Korea completely denuclearizes, but U.S. officials have signalled they may be willing to conclude a more limited agreement to reduce tensions, open liaison offices, and move toward normalizing relations. Kim said in January that North Korea is "ready to re-open Kaesong industrial park and tours to Mount Kumgang without any preconditions or price." The two inter-Korean projects require at least partial easing of sanctions to resume operations. Kim also said North Korea is seeking from the U.S. "corresponding practical actions" for the "various practical measures" it says it has taken for the complete denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. "Corresponding actions" that North Korea is demanding of the U.S. include "the end of hostile policies" against North Korea and the lifting of sanctions, a commentary by state news agency KCNA said on December 20. What the end of hostile policies entails is unclear. Reuters Vietnam geared to handle extra infrastructural demands for Trump-Kim summit From L: Hanoi's Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung and Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung attend a press conference for the second Trump-Kim summit in Hanoi, February 25, 2019. Photo by VnExpress/Vo Thanh "Compared to the first summit, Vietnam can handle between 1.5 to 2 times the infrastructural and telecommunication demands in quantity and speed," Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung said at an international press conference Monday. Vietnam only had about 10 days to prepare for the second summit on February 27 and 28, with the country being announced as the venue on February 6 and preparatory work beginning from February 14, Trung said. About 3,000 international reporters from over 200 news agencies, along with about 550 domestic reporters, have registered to cover the event, said Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung. The Viet-Sov Cultural Palace is ready to support 4,000 reporters, including provision of free meals and bus transits, he added. The capital city has also secured its roads and key locations, said Nguyen Duc Chung, Chairman of the Hanoi Peoples Committee. Adequate medical support, food safety and other aspects have also been covered, he said. The second Trump-Kim summit will be held in Hanoi on February 27 and 28. The summits exact time, venue and cost, as well as the accommodation of U.S. and North Korean leaders and delegations are yet to be revealed, said Trung. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un boarded an armored train to Vietnam in Pyongyang Saturday and is expected to arrive in Vietnam on Tuesday morning, while U.S. President Donald Trump will arrive in Hanoi Tuesday night. Anh Ngoc, Khanh Lynh Vietnam closes border railway station ahead of Trump-Kim summit The government has said that the railway station in the northern border province of Lang Son is being closed in order to tighten security for the second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, set to take place February 27-28 in Hanoi, 170 kilometers (106 miles) to the southwest. The station will remain closed from February 24 to March 2. Two passenger trains that run from Hanoi to the Dong Dang Station will pick up and drop off passengers at Lang Son Station, around 14 kilometers away. Around 100 border guard stations have been deployed to enhance security at and around the station, which will likely be a destination for the train carrying North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to Vietnam for the Hanoi summit. Vietnam closes border railway station ahead of Trump-Kim summit Dong Dang railway station shuts down, prepares for upcoming Trump-Kim summit North Koreas Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) had confirmed Sunday that Kim Jong-un is taking a train from Pyongyang to Hanoi for his second summit with Trump and first official visit to Vietnam. The Hanoi-Dong Dang rail route runs 163km (101 miles) with the last station around four kilometers from the Chinese border, connecting with the Pingxiang Station on the Chinas railway Hengyang Bang Tuong route. Authorities in Lang Son have also ordered relevant agencies to step up security and ensure smooth traffic along the National Highway 1A connecting the northern province with Hanoi. Army officers and security forces were on guard from early Sunday morning at all junctions, intersections, residential areas and construction sites along National Highway 1A from Hanoi to Lang Son. Sidewalks and median strips on the 200km long road were swept by sapper forces with specialized mine detection equipment. Trump and Kim will meet in Hanoi on Wednesday and Thursday, eight months after their historic first summit in Singapore in June. At the first meeting between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader, both sides pledged to work towards denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Anh Duy US president to arrive in Hanoi tomorrow U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 3, 2019. Photo by Reuters/Carlos Barria The president will not pay a state visit to Vietnam on this occasion, but will meet with Vietnamese top officials to discuss bilateral trade and other "important matters," Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung told the press on Monday. A source from the U.S. General Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City said he is expected to arrive in Noi Bai at around 9 p.m. This will be Trump's second trip to Vietnam, after the first in November 2017 when he attended the APEC summit in Da Nang and paid a state visit to Hanoi. Before leaving the U.S., Trump had tweeted: "I will be leaving for Hanoi, Vietnam early tomorrow for a summit with Kim Jong-un of North Korea where we both expect a continuation of the progress made at first Summit in Singapore, Denuclearization?" North Koreas Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) had also said Sunday that Kim Jong-un has left Pyongyang by train Saturday. He is expected to arrive at Dong Dang railway station in Vietnam's Lang Son Province, which borders China, on Tuesday morning. Vietnam's foreign ministry announced the same day that Kim will pay an official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong, but details of the date have not been revealed yet. Trump and Kim will meet face-to-face in Hanoi on Wednesday and Thursday next week, eight months after their historic summit in Singapore in June, the first between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader, at which they pledged to work towards denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Trump and other senior officials in his administration have expressed hopes that the second summit will make further progress towards peace. Huyen Le Trump happy if North Korea doesn't test weapons; peace deal a possibility People stand next to a billboard promoting the upcoming DPRK-USA summit between North Korea and the U.S., along a street in Hanoi, Vietnam, February 23, 2019. Photo by Reuters/Athit Perawongmetha The two leaders will meet in Hanoi on Wednesday and Thursday, eight months after their historic summit in Singapore, the first between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader. The two leaders pledged to work toward the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, but their vague agreement has produced few results and U.S. Democratic senators and security officials have warned Trump against cutting a deal that would do little to curb North Koreas nuclear ambitions. As Kim made his way across China by train for the summit, North Korean state media warned Trump on Sunday not to listen to U.S. critics who it said were disrupting efforts to improve ties. Trump, speaking in Washington on the eve of his departure for Vietnam, said he believed he saw eye to eye with Kim and that they had developed "a very, very good relationship". "Im not in a rush. I dont want to rush anybody," Trump said. "I just dont want testing. As long as theres no testing, were happy." North Korea conducted its last nuclear test, its sixth, in September 2017. It last tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in November 2017. The Trump administration has pressed the North to give up the nuclear weapons program, which combined with its missile capabilities, pose a threat to the United States, before it can expect any concessions. But in recent days, Trump has signaled a possible softening, saying he would love to be able to remove sanctions if there is meaningful progress on denuclearization. Limited deal? South Koreas Yonhap news agency said the two sides might agree to declare a formal end to the 1950-1953 Korean War at the summit. The war ended in a truce, not a treaty, and the North has long called for a treaty to end it. It also wants security guarantees. The United States has for years demanded North Koreas complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization, before any concessions could be granted. North Korea denounced that stance as unilateral and "gangster like." Trumps latest comments would appear to support speculation his administration is open to seeking a limited deal at the summit. Officials in Washington and the South Korean capital, Seoul, have said discussions have included allowing inspectors to observe the dismantlement of North Koreas Yongbyon nuclear reactor and opening U.S.-North Korea liaison offices. Declaring an end to a technical state of hostilities that has existed since the 1950s, and allowing some inter-Korean projects like opening a tourism zone in North Korea were other possibilities. Few details of Kims trip to Vietnam had been announced until early on Sunday, when North Korean state media confirmed he had left Pyongyang by train, accompanied by senior officials as well as his influential sister, Kim Yo Jong. The Rodong Sinmun newspaper, the official mouthpiece of the ruling Workers Party, said on Monday the entire nation received news of the leaders long foreign trip with "countless excitement and thrill". "Our people wish the Dear Marshal will come back safely from a long foreign visit, following his trail in our minds day and night," the newspaper said Kims train passed through the central Chinese city of Wuhan at around 7 a.m. (2300 GMT on Sunday), Yonhap news agency reported on Monday. That would put it on track to arrive in Vietnam by early Tuesday. Reuters Trump dangles 'major power' carrot as Kim begins trek to summit Kim Jong-un set off on the long journey from Pyongyang on Saturday, with a military honor guard seeing him off. Photo handed out via AFP The statement was made on Sunday as his former rival chugged across China in an armoured train, heading to their highly-anticipated summit in Vietnam. After North Korea's leader began his 4,000-kilometer epic from Pyongyang to Hanoi on Saturday, the U.S. president flies out of Washington on Monday for their second meeting. Images from North Korean state media showed citizens cheering Kim as he waved from the train at the start of what could be a 60-hour journey to the Vietnamese capital. The train crossed the border city of Dandong later Saturday, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency and the specialist outlet NK News, although the last leg of his journey could be by road. The train's crossing into China follows days of speculation over Kim's travel plans ahead of the talks expected next Wednesday and Thursday. Accompanying the North Korean leader was right-hand man and top general Kim Yong Chol, who met Trump at the White House last month, his sister and close aide Kim Yo Jong, and other high-ranking officials, the official KCNA news agency said. The Vietnam summit is a follow-up to a meeting in Singapore last June which signalled a dramatic reset in relations between two leaders who had been spent previous months sabre-rattling and trading insults. Although that meeting led to little concrete progress in Trump's demands for North Korea to end its nuclear weapons program, the U.S. leader has changed his tune towards a rival he once ridiculed as "rocket man." While his top diplomat Mike Pompeo tempered expectations about what could be achieved in Hanoi, Trump said North Korea could become one of the world's "great economic powers" if it relinquished its nuclear arsenal. "Chairman Kim realizes, perhaps better than anyone else, that without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the world," Trump wrote on Twitter. But Pompeo said North Korea remained a nuclear threat and that while internationally-backed sanctions had helped build pressure on persuading North Korea to denuclearize, it was "a complicated process" and there may have to be another summit after Vietnam. "We may not get everything done this week. We hope we'll make a substantial step along the way," he told Fox News. "I hope we can make a real substantive step forward (on denuclearization) this week. It may not happen but I hope that it will." While Singapore produced a vaguely worded agreement on denuclearization, progress has since stalled, with the two sides disagreeing over what the agreement meant. Observers say tangible progress is needed in Hanoi to avoid the talks being dismissed as a publicity stunt. Bill Richardson, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and a veteran of negotiations with the North Koreans, feared the summit could be "a dud." "I don't believe it would be a successful summit unless you had some kind of commitment on North Korea's part on denuclearization, dismantling inspections, missiles, nuclear detonations," he told ABC television. "It seems the president is deflating expectations, and that's a concern ... I think the president deserves credit for lowering tensions in the region, but in terms of concrete accomplishments, I dont think this summit's going to produce." Skipping Beijing In his tweets, Trump praised Beijing for falling into line behind the U.S.-led sanctions on Pyongyang, saying Chinese President Xi Jinping had been "very helpful in his support of my meeting" with Kim. "The last thing China wants are large scale nuclear weapons right next door," he added. Kim has met Xi four times in the past year, briefing his country's sole major ally before and after his historic summits with Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. There were no signs of heightened security around Beijing railway station on Sunday, indicating Kim's train likely bypassed the Chinese capital on the nearly 4,000-kilometer (2,500-mile) journey to Vietnam. But Kim, who last met Xi in January, could be saving their next meeting for his return trip to debrief the Chinese leader. "Vietnam wants to contribute its part to world peace... at this upcoming summit," Vietnamese Prime Minister Xuan Phuc told reporters on Sunday. Grandfather's footsteps Rail travel is a family tradition that was started by Kim's grandfather, the North's founder Kim Il Sung, who travelled to Eastern Europe for his longest train ride in 1984. The journey from China's frozen northern border to subtropical Vietnam presents a logistical headache and complex security challenges. Justin Hastings, associate professor in international relations at the University of Sydney, said that would be "a pretty major operation." "They would have to clear the tracks, they would have to provide security for basically the entire length of the Chinese eastern seaboard," he told AFP. But China may view the hassle as a necessary cost to get Kim to the summit. "China wants North Korea to make some steps to denuclearise as much as anyone else," Hastings said. AFP Northern border railway station spruced up to welcome Kim Jong-un All efforts are being made to make the railway station on the northern border with China spotlessly clean and charming with bonsais and bright flowers to welcome North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to Vietnam. On Monday, preparations were almost complete to get the station ready to receive the armored train carrying the leader on his official first visit to Vietnam and the second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Hanoi. Kim Jong-un is scheduled to arrive at the Dong Dang station Tuesday morning after a long trip of 4,500 kilometers that began in Pyongyang Saturday. Soldiers patrol the area outside the railway station. Workers are close to completing the installation of stairs for the distinguished guests to disembark from the train. A red carpet welcome awaits the North Korean leader and his entourage. The stations roof has been repainted and the tracks and pavements are spick and span. Authorities have mobilized special vehicles at the border station in preparation for a grand welcoming ceremony for the North Korean leader. Hundreds of army and police forces have been deputized to patrol the road along National Highway 1A that leads to the station. Local and foreign reporters covering the Trump-Kim summit are already taking their places outside the station. North Koreas Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) had confirmed Sunday that Kim Jong-un boarded a train from Pyongyang a day earlier to Hanoi for his second summit with U.S. President Trump and to make his first official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong. Trump and Kim will meet in Hanoi on Wednesday and Thursday, eight months after their historic first summit in Singapore in June. At the first meeting between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader, both sides had pledged to work for denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Giang Huy Hanoi parades security might on streets ahead of Trump-Kim summit More than 1,000 traffic police officers will be on duty to maintain order for the summit that will take place on Wednesday and Thursday in Vietnams capital city. Among them, around 100 are female police officers. The parade winds its way along the Sword Lake in Hoan Kiem District. Photo by Tat Dinh 30 traffic police cars will be part of the security contingent patroling the streets. Two Hummer H2 SUVs of the mobile police department under the Ministry of Public Security will be put in use. This vehicle is equipped with bulletproof windows and its chassis and tires can withstand small grenades and mines. Two bulletproof modified vehicles will also be deployed. The security convoy passes through Ba Dinh District. Over 10 trucks carrying police officers were part of the convoy. As many as 1,000 police officers will be deployed to ensure summit security. The security convoy passed along side regular traffic on several streets. The second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un will take place in Hanoi on Wednesday and Thursday. Ba Do Hanoi businesses do brisk business with Trump-Kim summit specials A standing bar on Tran Vu Street has already gained a lot of attention with a craft beer named Kim Jong Ale, a kimchi flavored beverage concocted in Saigon. Huong Anh, who manages the bar, has waxed lyrical about the beer for the occasion. "Kim Jong Ale is a customers favorite here. The inspiration behind this beer is the pure streams of Mount Paektu, which is located between North Korea and China," she told reporters. A wine bar in the capital city has also helped itself to some publicity and increased business with a cocktail called "Peace Negroniations," a variation of the classic Negroni, made with pink-grapefruit soju, vermouth and bitters. We replaced gin with soju for this special cocktail," bartender Chau said. Yet another bar on Hang Than Street brought out a cocktail called "Make the world great again", mixing soju, bourbon and Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, pineapple juice, vanilla and grenadine. It took two days to complete this recipe, said Ngo Dinh Tien, a bartender. A pizzeria has been offering free pizzas to people with names similar to that of Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump, and to those sporting the distinctive haircuts of both leaders, from February 20-28. To get such haircuts, the place to go to is the one on De La Thanh Street that has been offering these for free. The salon is even organizing a contest for people getting such haircuts, with the grand prize being free haircuts for three years. A South Korean restaurant in the My Dinh area has hung a banner on their door, featuring Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump and welcoming the summit. The owner said the poster has attracted a lot of attention with many customers taking selfies with it. An Old Quarter restaurant has hogged some attention for itself with hamburgers named after the two leaders - "Durty Donald" and "Kim Jong Yum," served with U.S. and North Korean flags. Perhaps the hottest summit item has been souvenir T-shirts. Truong Thanh Ducs small shop on Hang Bong Street has been operating at full capacity, making 500 shirts a day with a design that says peace and carries pictures of both leaders. Each T-shirt costs less than $5. By Tuan Hoang, Anh Tu Bamboo Airways to sign deal for 10 Boeing planes during Trump-Kim summit Bamboo Airways plans to sign a deal to buy 10 Boeing aircrafts on the sidelines of the Trump-Kim summit. Photo courtesy of FLC The signing will take place on the sidelines of the second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Hanoi on Wednesday and Thursday, Reuters quoted an unnamed airline executive as saying. In July last year the airline had signed a provisional deal to buy 20 Boeing 787-9 wide-body jets worth $5.6 billion at list prices. "We will sign with Boeing a deal to buy 10 Boeing 787s," the executive said. "This is different from the deal signed earlier for 20 Boeing planes." The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently allowed Vietnam to operate direct flights to the U.S. Bamboo Airways and other Vietnamese airlines have expressed interest in operating direct flights to that country. Bamboo was set up by private conglomerate FLC in 2017 with a charter capital of VND700 billion ($30 million), which it recently increased to VND1.3 trillion ($55.68 million). Budget airline Vietjet also plans to sign on the sidelines of the summit a deal to buy 100 narrow-body Boeing aircraft. Vietnams aviation industry is booming demand. The country welcomed 12.5 million air passengers last year, up 14.4 percent from 2017, according to the General Statistics Office. Nguyen Quy NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC (KSF) and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until April 25, 2019 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc. (NYSE: DPLO), if they purchased the Companys securities between February 26, 2018 and February 21, 2019, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. What You May Do If you purchased securities of Diplomat and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-dplo/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by April 25, 2019. About the Lawsuit Diplomat and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On February 22, 2019, Diplomat disclosed the postponement of the release of its Q4 and full-year 2018 earnings as it worked to finalize the amount of an impairment charge, which was expected to be equal to a significant portion of the PBM's Goodwill and Definite-lived intangible assets, which total approximately $630 million as of December 31, 2018, prior to impairment charges. On this news, the price of Diplomats shares plummeted over 56%. The case is Riehm v. Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc. et al, 19-cv-1369. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is a law firm focused on securities, antitrust and consumer class actions, along with merger & acquisition and breach of fiduciary litigation against publicly traded companies on behalf of shareholders. The firm has offices in New York, California and Louisiana. To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com . Contact: 1994-2019: Vietnams development pointers for North Korea Tony Foster, lawyer In the 25 years that I have lived in Hanoi, Vietnam has accomplished a feat worthy of Houdini by extricating itself from a web of sanctions and limitations. It deserves an Oscar for becoming everyones best friend in the process. Most people arriving in an unmarked, plain white Vietnam Airlines plane in 1994, clearing immigration and driving into Hanoi in a leaking Volga (on the old road via Gia Lam and the Chuong Duong bridge) were hard pressed to picture the potential; most were on postings of a few years, time-servers who often did not even try. I had the good fortune to work for a law firm that was established in 1743 and whose attitudes to anywhere east of Suez in those days retained a residual colonial bent. So I was posted to Vietnam for life, which coincidentally was the term for which many criminals sent to penal colonies like Australia. In such circumstances, one did not focus just on the short-term horizon. We had to believe in the long-term potential of the country. There are but a handful of pre-1994 foreigners still living in Hanoi (more in HCMC); the uniting factor among us (we tend to know each other) is that we held, and indeed hold, that belief. Pyongyang today is in many senses more developed than Hanoi in 1994. The transport infrastructure includes a metro that delights the odd tourist, and multiple lane boulevards have unsmiling policewomen at less than bustling intersections. Its serried ranks of high-rise residential buildings certainly had no equivalent in the Hanoi of 1994. Indeed, the Hanoi housing stock (at least that which was shown to foreigners like me) was largely of pre-1954 vintage, and struggled on the health and safety front. But in a more fundamental political sense, Vietnam was more developed. The Vietnam of 1994 had already done three things that set solid foundations for the next decades. Basic agrarian reform came first, with deregulation of food markets and autonomy for farmers to make production decisions. In Sa Pa in late 1994, we did not exactly find food for a Christmas feast, but there was plenty of rice and potatoes. In 1986, the Party Congress had agreed on a policy of economic reform doi moi that has set the tone (with upgrades) ever since. At the same time, Vietnam adopted a policy of international integration. Existing friendships with socialist bloc countries where maintained; new friendships with former enemies led, in February 1994, to the lifting of the US embargo on Vietnam; and new friendships with all countries in between materialized out of the desert. All of these were remarkable feats, given that a collective political decision had to be made on change. The key to obtaining such a consensus was graduality. Change was to be a gradual, graded process that would be adjusted depending on its success or lack thereof. North Korea in 2019 is of course in a different position. Even if the summit between Trump and Kim achieves a monumental breakthrough, North Korea would still need to put into place the basic policy underpinnings for a Vietnam-style evolution. Given current opacity, it is not this writers intention to guess whether this is possible or how long it might take. Vietnam also provides an object lesson in the difficulties to be faced even after the top-level reform policy has been set. The history of Vietnams business relationship with the U.S. demonstrates the challenges. 1994 President Clinton lifted the U.S. trade embargo on Vietnam 1995 Agreement between Vietnam and the U.S. to settle governmental and private property claims left over from the war 1995 Vietnam and the U.S. normalized diplomatic relations and established liaison offices in each others country 1997 Pete Peterson arrived as the first U.S. Ambassador in Hanoi 1998 The Jackson-Vanik Amendment was waived, allowing U.S. Exim and OPIC to support U.S. businesses in Vietnam 2000 After years of negotiation, Vietnam and the U.S. signed a Bilateral Trade Agreement 2001 The Bilateral Trade Agreement was ratified and came into force. The deal lifted barriers to trade, including quotas, bans, and import restrictions; lowered tariffs from an average of 40 percent to 3 percent on a variety of goods; and granted Vietnam conditional most-favored-nation trade status 2001 Bill Clinton became the first U.S. president to visit Vietnam since the end of the Vietnam War 2002 U.S.-Vietnam trade doubled 2003 Bilateral textile agreement was signed, imposing quotas on Vietnams textile exports 2006 Vietnam achieved permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status as part of its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) 2007 U.S. and Vietnam signed a Trade and Investment Framework and Agreement, under which a ministerial level council was established to discuss implementation of Vietnams WTO commitments. In other words, it took Vietnam, working diligently (as the Vietnamese always do) a dozen years to get from the lifting of the trade embargo to a normal trading position in the world. In 1994, Vietnam had already spent 8 years honing its doi moi policy. If this is taken as a guide, and assuming Trump and Kim pop the (non-alcoholic) champagne this week, North Korea (working diligently and without shenanigans) may expect to be back in the normal trading world around 2040. The road to success and the road to failure often look the same. Looking back over 25 years in Vietnam, one senses the wisdom of the Party Congress looking at the road in 1986: the gradual but consistent nature of the reform process has been critical to its success, underpinned as it has been by political stability. I have often heard voices urging greater speed in one area or another; fortunately decisions have always been taken after deliberation, however dire the forecasts of trouble arising from delay. Yet the voices of urgency (or of doom) were not shut out. There has always been a willingness to listen, an openness to different views. I recall the Ministry of Justice receiving me in 1994 very graciously and moving on quickly and professionally to questions of commercial law. Somewhat apologetically (unnecessarily), the minister explained at the end of our meeting that I would find out over the course of time that Vietnamese are always ready to learn, but do not always like being taught. A useful lesson for me. The openness continues to this day. From 1998 (when the visionary Wolfgang Bertelsmeier of the IFC and his equally brilliant counterpart Tran Xuan Gia as MPI Minister set up the forerunner of the Vietnam Business Forum) until now, the Prime Minister and his cabinet have met twice a year in plenary session with members of the business community and foreign ambassadors to discuss problems faced by businesses. Working sessions are held with specific ministries beforehand on specific issues. The plenary session ensures a full airing of concerns. The business climate has improved because of such openness. Vietnam has been a world leader here numerous other countries have followed in its footsteps. Lets hope North Korea sees the advantages, too. The purely material benefits of Vietnams development over the last 25 years are obvious for all to see. One does not need to look at the numbers (example: U.S.-Vietnam bilateral trade has grown from $451 million in 1995 to nearly $60 billion in 2018) to know how far Vietnam has travelled. I used to say that a look out of the window in Hanoi is sufficient. But these days that assumes that you can see anything through the pollution. Pollution clean-up is surely the challenge for Vietnam over the next 20 years. Just as North Korea may look to Vietnam as a development role model, so Vietnam may wish to find a worthy role model for balancing growth with protecting the environment. *Tony Foster is managing partner of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP. The opinions expressed are his own. Tony Foster A South Korean generation gap on Trump-Kim summit Fleeing the Korean War in 1951, five-year-old Kang Young-ho, along with his parents, three sisters and a younger brother, quickly bundled up their clothes in a small bag and ran away from Seoul to the south of the country. "Its an unforgettable memory for me," the grandfather of two told VnExpress. Kangs family was among very few Korean people who lost nothing in the war apart from their property. The war devastated the lives of millions of Koreans who suffer to this day. Historians say that a staggering 3-4 million people were killed, of which as many as 70 percent may have been civilians. "I know that many families were separated by the war. Many of my friends have not seen their relatives for almost 70 years," Kang said. As current North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump are scheduled to meet again in Hanoi this week to discuss denuclearization and an anticipated peace treaty to end the Korean War, VnExpress asked two South Korean men, one in his 30s and the other in his 70s, about their feelings and hopes for the future. Peace talks better than threat of war, but... Kang Young-ho, a retired high school teacher, helps his wife at a restaurant for most of the day. He said he watched the 2018 North Korea U.S. summit in Singapore live on TV at home in the central district of the southern half of Seoul. "I wasnt particularly feeling anything," he said frankly. "But it is always better to have peace negotiation than a threat of war. I am happy that we are negotiating with North Korea." For many South Koreans, live footage of Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump exchanging handshakes and chatting casually at one of Singapore's priciest hotels was surreal and stunning at the same time. No North Korean leader before Kim Jong-un had ever had a one-on-one meeting with an American president. The moment humanized Kim Jong-un and brought North Koreans as a whole closer to many South Koreans, including 73-year-old Kang. Though Kang has no relatives and friends living on the other side of the border, he sometimes takes his family to the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas "so that we can see villages in the North from an observatory. I have read in the newspaper many stories of North Koreans escaping to the South. Once in a while I bump into them on the street and right way I can tell where they are originally from because their accent is a little different." In his 70s, Kang has seen enough to be skeptical about the meetings between the North Korean leader and their president Moon Jae-in and the U.S. President. Kang Youn-ho (right), 73, reaches for his granddaughter's hand while his wife holds the baby. Photo by Ngung Nguyen. While he agreed to give such diplomatic efforts a chance, "I think the South Korean government should ensure its military power to keep us safe all the time," he said. He was worried about the possibility of American troops being withdrawn from South Korea as part of a deal with North Korea. "They need to stay in South Korea longer," he said. Kang also said that he doesnt think it is a must that the Koreas should reunify. "By the way, I will pay more attention to the upcoming summit on Feb 27 and 28 simply because my daughter-in-law is Vietnamese and her hometown is Hanoi," Kang said, beaming. Lee Guy-hun harbors hopes for reunification of the divided Koreas. Photo on Facebook. Meanwhile, Lee Guy-hun, 32, is busy managing a consulting company in a suburb of Hanoi. Upon graduation from university in the U.K, Lee went to the Southeast Asian country on a scholarship funded by Daewoo chairman Kim Woo-choong. He was planning to stay for one year to learn the language, explore the cultures and finish his internship at a South Korean business. "Vietnam is a developing country with opportunities which are difficult to find in other places," Lee explained why he has been living here for the past 6 years. Lee grew up in a quite small town not far from Seoul. "All I knew about North Korea was what I learned from my parents and at schools," he recalled. Nearly 70 years after the end of the Korean War, every South Korean man between the age of 18 and 27 is still required to do two years military service as the main rationale is based on the fact that the conflict ended in 1953 with a ceasefire rather than a peace treaty, leaving the two Koreas technically at war. And the mandatory military service is the closest thing Lee has come in contact with the North. "You know, our generation has other things to be worried about," he said. Lee has spent most of the past 10 years living overseas. He only returns to South Korea twice a year to visit his family and friends there. When North Korea claimed to successfully test-fired its first intercontinental ballistic missiles in July 2017, Lee was in Hanoi watching the news on TV. Growing up with threats from the North, he said he just got used to them. "Like Japanese people have become inured to earthquakes, we South Koreans are not living under constant fear of missile tests," he said. Busy living his life in Hanoi, nonetheless, Lee said he would follow the summit on local newspapers. "It is a historic event." He said he was cautiously hopeful. "I am not sure how much Kim Jong-un would really listen this time." Lee strongly supports reunification of the Koreas despite worries about the economic gap and cultural differences after many years of division. He said benefits go with reunification would outnumber any damage to the South Korean economy and society. North and South unified as one would mean greater development potential and more national power. "I always harbor hope for reunification because in the past we were one," Lee said in a hurry getting back to his work. Hanh Pham A Chinese tourist receives a phone that was snatched from him in HCMC Sunday.. Photo by VnExpress/Quoc Thang HCMC cops chased and caught a crossdresser after he stole an iPhone from a Chinese tourist in District 1 Sunday. Nguyen Thanh Tay, 31, whod been under the police eye for sometime, caught their attention as he was riding his motorbike around the central District 1. They saw him get off and approach two inebriated Chinese tourists. Tay pretended to flirt with them, touching their genitals while he stole an iPhone from one mans pocket. The tourists were unaware that theyd been robbed. Tay fled on his motorbike after stealing the phone, and the policemen watching him gave chase. He was caught and taken to the police station for further questioning. "We have been following [Tay] for a long time," an unnamed police officer said. Nguyen Thanh Tay at a District 1 police station. Photo by VnExpress/Quoc Thang The iPhone was returned to the Chinese tourist. Last year, Saigon police also arrested two cross-dressing men who snatched a cell phone from a Canadian while celebrating Vietnams AFF Suzuki Cup win. Saigon, Vietnam's largest metro, is one of the most visited destinations in the country, but street crimes, especially those targeting foreign tourists, continue to be a problem. Hai Phong City has become the third locality in Vietnam to detect an incurable strain of African swine fever. The outbreak in Hai Phong was detected Friday after a farmer in Chinh My Commune, Thuy Nguyen District, reported that 35 of his pigs had died from the disease. Three out of the five serum and viscera samples collected from the dead pigs tested positive for the African swine fever with the same pathogens as the outbreaks previously detected in the northern provinces of Thai Binh and Hung Yen, according to the Animal Health Department under the agriculture ministry. Local authorities have disinfected the area and buried the dead pigs. According to Pawin Padungtod, Senior Technical Coordinator of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations' Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Disease in Vietnam, African swine fever cannot be transmitted from pigs to humans, so the public should not be too worried and boycott pork. Pig farmers should be able to prevent their livestock from getting infected with the disease simply by properly cleaning their animal pens, he said. Padungtod also highly appreciated Vietnam's epidemic prevention efforts and thanked the Vietnamese government for preparing, responding to the African swine fever outbreak and informing the public of the outbreak in a swift manner. "This is a very important condition for international organizations, including FAO, to mobilize resources and experts to help Vietnam control the disease soon," he said. Last week, the Animal Health Department announced that it had discovered two separate outbreaks of African swine fever that affected 130 pigs in Hung Yen Province and another affecting 123 pigs in Thai Binh Province. Local authorities have disposed of all the infected pigs, blocked all transportation and sales of live pigs and pig products, and sanitized farms and markets in the two provinces. The African swine fever is a viral disease that exclusively infects all pig species through bodily fluids such as blood or mucus. It causes hemorrhagic fever with a 100 percent mortality rate. There is currently no cure for it. 20 countries and territories have reported cases of the disease since 2017 and over one million pigs have been culled, according to the World Organization for Animal Health. Former North Korean leader Kim Il-sung and President Ho Chi Minh just walked into a house in 1964. North Korean leader Kim Il-sung (first row, left) and President Ho Chi Minh visit the Vietnam North Korea Friendship Cooperative in Xuan La, Tay Ho District, Hanoi in November 1964. Photo courtesy by dangcongsan.vn On November 23, 1964, when Nguyen Van Hai's family was having lunch, his father brought a group of guests home without warning - President Ho Chi Minh, North Korean leader Kim Il-sung and their entourage. The small, humble home was suddenly filled with the laughter of the national leaders and family members, Hai recalled, 55 years later. He was seven years old then, he told VnExpress. In the spacious living room inside a grand house that was once was a small property in Tay Ho District that welcomed Kim and Uncle Ho, a large picture made of stone has been adapted from the photograph shown above. Kim Il-sung and Uncle Ho visited the Vietnam North Korea Friendship Cooperative that day. Hais father, Nguyen Van Vuong, wore a dark suit borrowed from the army stationed in the commune. He can be seen standing next to Uncle Ho on the right. Vuong, party secretary of the cooperative, passed away in 2003. Pointing at his little grandchild running around the house during the interview, Hai said: "I also was running around like him in excitement when I found out that Uncle Ho and Kim Il-sung were in my house." During the brief visit, the family was given a bottle of North Korean wine by Kim Il-sung and a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh in silk as presents. The photo was preserved for many years, but succumbed to the wear and tear of time, and the wine bottle got lost when the family was building a new home. That year, Kim Il-sung was visiting Vietnam for the second time. The first time was in 1958 in Hanoi. It was eight years after North Korea became the third country to establish relations with Vietnam, following China and the Soviet Union. Nguyen Van Hai looks up at the stone picture copied from the original photograph of his father Nguyen Van Vuong welcoming Kim Il-sung and President Ho Chi Minh into his house. "That day, no one in the commune knew that President Ho Chi Minh and Kim Il-sung were visiting," said Nguyen Van Ngu, 77. Kim Il-sung visited the rice fields, kindergartens and preschools in the commune. People gathered in the common commune yard to listen to Kims speech, stating his commitment to support Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, North Korea sent hundreds of fighter pilots to train and fight in Vietnam. In addition to aid, North Korea also helped train hundreds of Vietnamese students. "In response to North Koreans camaraderie, the people of the commune gave a large bunch of bananas and a large bunch of coconuts to leader Kim Il-sung as a gift," said Ngu. Today, Kim Il-sungs grandson, Kim Jong-un is on his way to Hanoi to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump and to pay an official visit to Vietnam. Hai said he was delighted that Vietnam-North Korea relations have flourished, despite the ups and downs. "Personally, I hope to be able to build a statue of Ho Chi Minh and Kim Il-sung in the communal yard, where they once stood to talk to the people here 55 years ago," said Ngu. Six new routes set to give underused Can Tho Airport a fillip Can Tho International Airport is operating at 30 percent of its capacity. Photo by VnExpress/Cuu Long After years of operating at just one-third capacity, Can Tho International Airport has something to look forward to this year. Official figures show that after eight years of operation, the airport is now operating at just 30 percent capacity, with a few domestic routes to Hanoi, Da Nang City, and the Phu Quoc and Con Dao archipelagoes. It is also used for few charter flights to Thailand. The reason for the low number of passengers is the city has not come up with policies to attract international airlines, Dinh Viet Thang, head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, said at a recent conference. But Le Tien Dung, director of the Can Tho Department of Transport, said at a meeting last Friday that six new routes will be added to the city this year. Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia recently announced plans to begin the Kuala Lumpur Can Tho service in April and Bangkok Can Tho service in May. Between March and May, budget airline Vietjet will also open four new domestic routes from Can Tho to Hai Phong City, Vinh City (Nghe An Province), Da Lat Town (Lam Dong Province) and Tho Xuan in Thanh Hoa Province. Vietnam's newest carrier, Bamboo Airways, will launch a Can Tho-Hanoi route, adding to those being operated by Vietjet and state-owned Vietnam Airlines. Pham Thanh Tam, director of the airport, said that the number of passengers rose 20 percent from 2017 to 815,000 last year. Can Tho International Airport was built with a budget of VND3 trillion ($129.32 million). Its runway is 3 kilometers long and 45 meters wide, able to receive wide-body aircraft like the B777-300ER and B747-400. The airport started operations in 2011 with a maximum capacity of 3 million passengers a year. Thao insisted on a 50:50 split because of her contributions to Trung Nguyen. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Nguyen HCMC prosecutors proposed Monday that Vietnams coffee king and his estranged wife get divorced, sharing the spoils of shared properties. Dang Le Nguyen Vu, founder and chairman of Trung Nguyen Group, and his estranged wife Le Hoang Diep Thao, should divide their 13 shared properties equally, the procuracy said. The total value of the properties is estimated at VND725 billion ($31.30 million). The procuracy also said that the couples four children should be raised by Thao, with Vu responsible for providing VND10 billion ($431,450) towards their upkeep each year, starting from 2013 until they finish their tertiary education. 2013 is the year that conflicts broke out between the couple. Since Vu and Thao have not agreed on how to divide the VND2.1 trillion ($90.6 million) kept in banks, the procuracy proposed that this item be suspended until the next session. Vu (R) said the companys shares held jointly with his wife also divided 70:30 in his favor. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Nguyen For Trung Nguyen shares, if the couple cannot come to an agreement, the shares should be divided equally but "the contribution of the husband and the wife in creating, maintaining and developing the asset must be considered," the procuracy said. Vu had previously said he the companys shares held jointly with his wife also divided 70:30 in his favor, but Thao insisted on a 50:50 split because of her contributions to the company. Thao said shed given Vu the money to start the company in 1996, but she could produce no proof, hence the procuracy could not conclude that shed contributed financially to the company. However, it did say that Thao participated in managing the company. The court will announce its verdict on March 1. Last December, Thao had accused Trung Nguyen Group of forging signatures to remove her from the Trung Nguyen Instant Coffee Corporation (Trung Nguyen IC) and replace her with her husband. In 2006 she had been appointed Trung Nguyen's deputy general director, and she claims that under her management its charter capital had increased from VND150 billion ($6.5 million) to VND2.5 trillion ($108.7 million) and both its revenues and profits had grown tremendously. Then, she has alleged, in July 2014, Vu dismissed her without the board of directors' approval. He also instructed his employees to demolish her office and block her from entering the company's headquarters, she claimed. Last September, the court reinstated her as deputy general director, co-owner and co-founder of Trung Nguyen Group, but the very next day Vu dismissed her for a second time, accusing her of threatening his partners. Trung Nguyen Group is Vietnams leading coffee firm in Vietnam. It earned revenues of VND3.95 trillion ($170.5 million) and pretax profits of VND681 billion ($29.4 million) in 2017. The latest Nielsen sales figures show that the combined growth of Chile (+4.1%) and Argentina (+11.2%) have seen South America overtake Italy in value sales of still wine. South America, usually merchandised in retailers as one region, is now worth 709.4m in value, a 12.6% share of total market, versus Italy which has slipped back 2.5% to 702m. Individually, Chile ranks fifth in the origins table, and Argentina ninth. In terms of grape varieties, Malbec has moved up into third place, leap-frogging Tempranillo. Malbec is now worth 230m in UK value sales over the past 52 weeks. Concha y Toro UK general manager, Simon Doyle, said: Three years ago we highlighted South Americas rapid progress up the table of the most popular wine origins, when it first overtook South Africa and then Spain when treated as a single region. It is impressive to see this upward trend persist, as shoppers continue to discover and enjoy the diverse range of wines from South America. The onward march of Malbec in particular has been great to see. "President" Gas House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler was the ranking member of the committee but he didn't have a free shot at the chair when the Democrats won back the House. Pelosi ally Zoe Lofgren is the number 2 most senior Democrat on the committee and she decided to play "a woman should have this position" card. In a case like that, the House Steering and Policy decides with the guidance of the top Democrat in the House. In other words, Pelosi makes the decision. She knew it had to be Nadler. She just wanted one thing out of him: she'd call the shots, especially on impeachment. He agreed, became chair and she's not allowing impeachment to move forward. Everyone just spits out her idiotic, misleading talking point that they can't do anything until Mueller is finished with his investigation-- actually an outrageous, boldfaced lie, worthy of Trump himself. Yesterday, Nadler was on John Catsimatidis' radio show, where the takeaway was this Nadler quote: "I view this president and his conduct as the greatest threat to the democratic system and to the constitutional government since the Civil War, whether its threatening the newspapers or threatening the judiciary or calling people who criticize him treasonous." The "greatest threat," huh? "Since the Civil War?" And still no impeachment? And as horrifying as Trump's threat to democracy is-- which Nadler is supposed to protect us from-- there's an even more existential threat Trump has made himself to our families, our country, our world: his line in the sand stance that Climate Change doesn't exist. That's a big deal. The fake "president is going to kill us all. Author Daniel Levitin isn't a Climate Scientist; his field is cognitive psychologiy and he is best know as a neuroscientist. This morning he told me that "Science has become very specialized, and scientists tend to be expert only in the narrow domains theyre trained in. You wouldn't believe what a climate scientist has to say about building a particle collider; you shouldnt believe what biologists, engineers, and chemists have to say about climate science. And thats exactly whats going on here. If you look at the scientists who have come out against the idea of climate change-- I mean if you really look to see what field they were trained in, and what kinds of journals they publish in-- youll see that almost none of them are actually climate scientists. Nearly every climate expert agrees that (a) climate change is real, (b) it is caused by human activity, and (c) it is urgent to do something about it." Today, just a few hours ago, Audrey Denney officially launched her 2020 congressional campaign for California's first congressional district, where the current incumbent, Trump ally Doug LaMalfa, might as well be wearing an "I'm With Stupid" t-shirt. Just before her noon launch, Audrey told us that she was "mortified when I read that article. This administration seems to be intent on systematically undermining our countrys trust in science-- all to give more money and power to their political allies. Climate change is not a partisan issue-- it is a moral issue. If we want a planet for our children to live on, we need to elect leaders at all levels of government who are committed to climate action." Eva Putzova is running for Congress in Arizona for a seat held by an "ex"-Republican Blue Dog, Tom O'Halleran, who didn't get the message about what switching parties means. He's about as likely to embrace the Green New Deal as Trump is. "Trump's denial of climate change," Eva reminded us today, "is already costing our country lives and resources. Our President and Congress should do what we did in Flagstaff, Arizona-- adopt a climate action plan. We need urgently political courage at every level of government to take bold, meaningful climate actions, not more debates over the science of climate change." Progressive Chicagoland Democrat Marie Newman is in a similar situation-- running against a Blue Dog, Dan Lipinski, who doesn't back the Green New Deal and, in many ways, is more a Republican than a Democrat. "We need to support the Green New Deal initiative and support the development of this framework into actual programs and legislation-- we literally do not have a choice anymore. We must act," said Newman, in no uncertain terms. Kara Eastman, the progressive Democrat running for the swingy Omaha-based Nebraska seat, has been completely clear on where she stands on Climate Change. Today she asked, "Why would an administration do this? There is overwhelming evidence of climate change, its causes, and its solutions. This is the way for Republicans to counteract the tremendous support for plans like the Green New Deal. It is a political ploy to undermine the Democrats and dupe the American public. Ensuring a new, booming economy with great paying jobs and true community development is how America can become a leader in combating climate change. There is simply no sane or moral reason anyone would be against this." Mike Siegel, the Austin-based progressive Democrat taking on one of Trump's top allies in Texas, Michael McCaul, told us today that "Trump's announcement is one more example of the Republican Regime abusing government offices to push propaganda. Instead of developing rigorous, peer-reviewed scientific research, this will be a corporate front group designed to protect fossil fuel profits to the detriment of human life and our planet. I can only hope this panel will suffer the same fate as Kobach's election fraud commission. In the meantime, progressives will keep fighting for a Green New Deal, and winning the hearts and minds of the American people." Washington Post Juliet Eilperin, Josh Dawsey and Brady Dennis reported that Trump is putting together a committee of scientists as fake as he is a president to Nate McMurray, who came within a handful of votes of defeating Trump-enabler Chris Collins in an area of New York between Buffalo and Rochester last year-- and plans on finishing the job next year-- told me that Trump "is a little late. In Western New York we are beyond debating the obvious, as we deal with more intense storms, higher water levels eroding land on the Great Lakes, and changing farming patterns. This President tries to reshape reality. We live in it." I think there are few regions in the country where people would disagree with Nate. Yesterday, writing for theJuliet Eilperin, Josh Dawsey and Brady Dennis reported that Trump is putting together a committee of scientists as fake as he is a president to discredit the science behind Climate Chance . Eilperin, Dawsey and Dennis wrote that Trump "plans to create an ad hoc group of select federal scientists to reassess the governments analysis of climate science and counter its conclusions that the continued burning of fossil fuels is harming the planet, according to three administration officials." Looks like they already reached their conclusion before they've even been formed! It sounds like a joke., who came within a handful of votes of defeating Trump-enabler Chris Collins in an area of New York between Buffalo and Rochester last year-- and plans on finishing the job next year-- told me that Trump "is a little late. In Western New York we are beyond debating the obvious, as we deal with more intense storms, higher water levels eroding land on the Great Lakes, and changing farming patterns. This President tries to reshape reality. We live in it." I think there are few regions in the country where people would disagree with Nate. Last cycle, just as election fever started revving up, the DCCC's regional vice chair for Texas, quit. Ben Ray Lujan and his lame reactionary staffers were overjoyed that they weren't going to have a disrupter sticking his nose into "their business." He promised to fill the empty seat quickly. But never even tried. The regional vice chair for the West Coast, Ted Lieu, flipped 7 seats. The DCCC's incompetent staffers handling Texas unsupervised managed to do more harm than good. Two New Dems replaced a couple of walking dead Republicans in districts Hillary won. The DCCC managed to muck up chances to win in 10 other Texas districts that should have been in contention. This cycle, the DCCC is at least starting by suddenly noticing that there are seats in Texas they should be fighting for-- fight for real. Take a look at this list of 10 districts and their Republican incumbents. The percentage is the win number for each of these, most of whom faced no opposition last year from the DCCC: TX-02- Dan Crenshaw- 52.9% TX-03- Van Taylor- 54.3% TX-06- Ron Wright- 53.1% TX-10- Michael McCaul- 50.9% TX-21- Chip Roy- 50.3% TX-22- Pete Olson- 51.4% TX-23- Will Hurd- 49.2% TX-24- Kenny Marchant- 50.7% TX-25- Roger Williams- 53.6% TX-31- John Carter- 50.6% This is the press release about Texas the DCCC sent out on Friday: ICYMI: Political Climate Changing in Texas Districts Last week, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that vulnerable GOP Congressmen Mike McCaul, Chip Roy, Pete Olson, Will Hurd, Kenny Marchant, and John Carter are so nervous about their re-election campaigns that they are already begging the National Republican Congressional Committee for help. Now, a look at Texas shifting political landscape from Texas Tribune executive editor Ross Ramsey helps shed light on why. As Ramsey points out, In 2016, the Republican candidate beat the Democratic candidate by an average of 14.1 percentage points. In 2018, that dropped to 7.3 percentage points. There is no question that Washington Republicans are growing more and more out of touch with Texas voters-- just look at their support for raising taxes and the cost of health care for middle-class families, said DCCC Spokesperson Brooke Goren. With Democrats momentum coming out of 2018 and six vulnerable GOP incumbents up for reelection in 2020, things arent looking good for House Republicans in the Lone Star State. Texas Tribune: Political Climate Changes in Texas Congressional Districts By Ross Ramsey KEY POINTS: When political consultants were scouring the states 2016 election results two years ago, they found three Texas congressional districts where voters had kept Republican incumbents in office while also favoring Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump. Those districts became targets, and two of those three incumbents are no longer in Congress. Three Republican members of the delegation-- U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul of Austin, Will Hurd of Helotes and Kenny Marchant of Coppell-- won in districts where U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz lost to Beto ORourke (though Cruz won statewide). On the other side, Cruz didnt prevail in any of the districts won by Democratic congressional candidates. None of the congressional districts that were in the Democratic column in 2016 moved to the Republican side, but two moved in the other direction: CD-23, barely a red district in 2016, was barely a blue one in 2018, and CD-32 slightly favored Democrats in 2018 after showing Republicans a 10.7-percentage-point advantage in 2016. The first, represented by Hurd, was drawn as a swing district and was, until recently, the only one on the Texas map. The other is now represented by U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, who defeated Pete Sessions. The writing was on the wall there, too: Clinton narrowly defeated Trump in that district in 2016. Add CD-24, where Marchant is the incumbent, to that target list. He won re-election. Statewide Republicans won in that district by 4 percentage points, on average. Trump won by about 6, but ORourke won by 3.5 percentage points. One big difference between the 2016 and the 2018 elections in Texas was the overall strength of Democratic candidates. Republicans won every statewide race in both of those years, but the margins were very different: In 2016, the Republican candidate beat the Democratic candidate by an average of 14.1 percentage points. In 2018, that dropped to 7.3 percentage points. One of the most obvious candidates for a rematch is in TX-10, where Mike Siegel has already begun his 2020 race. "I quit my job on February 1, and began running full-time, so I can finish the job," he told us. We've got something special here: an alliance of progressives and old-time Texas Democrats, Our Revolution and Sierra Club, Indivisible and MoveOn, compatriots of Ann Richards and 18-year olds fighting for their future. I am making the case to the establishment and grassroots alike, that we've put together a winning formula, and that with a longer runway will build a machine to send McCaul into early retirement. So I'm counting on folks like Blue America but also Democrats in DC to support this effort and put us over the top." "I'm thrilled to see the focus on TX-10 in 2020, as it reflects on our work to recruit 1,000 volunteers during the 2018 campaign, to make 300,000 voter contacts, and to turn an R+19 race into an R+4 result. McCaul has failed to voters of this District in countless ways, and he is no longer safe behind a wall of gerrymandering and personal wealth. His refusal to meet with his constituents, his attacks on health care and immigrant families, his disdain for working people, his complicity with every Trump atrocity-- these factors and more have made him very vulnerable." Mike isn't waiting for anyone to do anything. He's already campaigning full speed ahead. Tomorrow, he's holding a training session for volunteers at the Maud Smith Marks Branch Library in Katy. A week later he has an event in Tomball. He's back in Katy 2 weeks later. He's going to work hard enough to make sure this is Michael McCaul's last term in Congress. Please consider tapping on the Take Back Texas thermometer above and contributing what you can to Mike's campaign. (Suggestion: $20.20 is a good number.) LOS ANGELES, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Easterseals Southern California (ESSC), a nonprofit organization that assists more than 13,000 people in the region with developmental disabilities and other special needs, launched a powerful new ad campaign, We Celebrate, in recognition of the 100th anniversary of Easterseals and to encourage the public to join its celebration of inclusivity. Over the last 100 years, Easterseals has helped people with disabilities live, learn, work and play in their communities, said Mark Whitley, president and CEO, Easterseals Southern California. Our We Celebrate campaign not only celebrates that legacy, but our hope is that it also inspires the public to join our mission in both big and small ways as we strive for everyone to be 100 percent included and 100 percent empowered. Easterseals champions all that makes us different, and yet, very much the same. That is why the new campaign features people of all abilities enjoying lifes moments that bring us all together. The powerful images are tied together by what Easterseals celebrates: We Celebrate: 100 Years of Disability Services; We Celebrate: Opportunity; We Celebrate: Love; We Celebrate: Growth; We Celebrate: Laughter; and We Celebrate: Family. The campaign, which includes an impactful PSA , along with print, radio, digital and outdoor advertising, will continue to roll out throughout the year. To further encourage public support, the campaign also includes a social media component asking the public to, Show Us How You Celebrate. A gallery of the publics photo submissions and information about the campaign is available at WeCelebrate.org . The campaign was conceptualized and developed under the direction of the Los Angeles office of global advertising agency E/LA. Over the last century, Easterseals has provided our communities with life-changing disability services, making everyday life moments a reality for people with disabilities. Its those moments that inspired the concept behind We Celebrate, said Andre Filip, CEO of E/LA and an Easterseals Southern California board member. To learn more about the We Celebrate campaign and the 100th anniversary of Easterseals, please visit WeCelebrate.org . About Easterseals Southern California For 100 years, Easterseals has been an indispensable resource for individuals with developmental disabilities or other special needs and their families. The services provided by Easterseals Southern California (ESSC) in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, San Bernardino, Riverside and Ventura counties make profound and positive differences in people's lives every day, helping them address lifes challenges and achieve personal goals so that they can live, learn, work and play in our communities. With 2,800+ employees, 60+ service sites and hundreds of community partnership locations, ESSC assists more than 13,000 people, providing adult/senior day services; autism therapy; child development/early education; employment services, veteran employment support; independent living options; and more. At Easterseals, 88% of our income is spent on services. Join us in changing the way the world defines and views disabilities at easterseals.com/southerncal. ESSC Media Contact: Adam Robles Finn Partners Adam.robles@finnpartners.com 310-882-4007 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2fb353ca-2c07-43f1-b301-cd5ee4590d73 A video accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f99e5e89-4a7e-4472-b5b6-c9ed28d5d93f 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. Recently a friend and fellow philosopher made a comment that all Republicans are very bad because of the Republicans who had voted to stop the Jan. 6 Commission. Hospice recognized for care of veterans Lumina Hospice & Palliative Care, based in Corvallis, recently achieved the We Honor Veterans Partner Level Three (out of four). We Honor Veterans is an awareness campaign developed by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Launched in 2010, We Honor Veterans was created to address the growing need for veteran-centered care, especially as the need for access to hospice and palliative care by the aging veterans population was growing. By achieving Level Three, Lumina has provided veteran-centered education for staff and volunteers, and identifies patients with military experience. Lumina has built organizational capacity to provide quality care for veterans, and has developed and strengthened relationships with state hospice organizations, VA medical centers and other veteran organizations. Lumina is working to achieve Level Four by developing and implementing a strategic work plan with the goal of increasing access to end-of-life care and improving the quality of that care for veterans in the community. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 India: Fishermens body rejects CRZ 2019, demands rollback February 25,2019 | Source: The Times of India The National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) rejects the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Rules 2019 and demands that it be rolled back with immediate effect, the forum said in a recent press statement. Further, they have appealed to the government to take immediate steps to restore the coast and also address development projects like the Sagarmala. Expressing dismay in the manner in which the CRZ was drafted, the forum has demanded a comprehensive CRZ Act, which is done in consultation with the coastal community. Stating that in 1991, the safety and livelihood of the coastal communities was given priority while drafting the notification, they stated, Over the last 27 years, the notification has been iterated twice and modified 34 times, making it the most amended law in the history of India. This also shows the lack of political will of each government to implement a community and environment-oriented policy. Lashing out at the government, they said that the livelihood of fishermen has not been prioritised in the drafting of this notification. Apart from ignoring basic tenets of policy-making, where the communities are also an important part, the BJP-led central government did away with the need for an approval from the ministry of law and justice on the draft version of a subordinate legislation. It deemed that a one-time review by the law ministry at the time of finalisation of a policy was enough. Accordingly, the draft CRZ law was not viewed by the law ministry and their inputs were not even asked for, they said. NFF strongly believes government has ignored maintaining a well demarcated hazard line and factoring in the effects of climate change on sea levels. Rather than having a policy which improves the lives of the coastal communities and protect the environment, the CRZ 2019 will pave route for a more disastrous effect, where the coastlines will be even more vulnerable. The CRZ 2019 is merely giving more access to the corporate led lop-sided development where the fish workers, their livelihoods and the environment is completely ignored, the forum said. Kerala: UK experts to enhance reach of Radio Monsoon for Indian fishers February 25,2019 | Source: Business Standard A team of UK experts are working on enhancing the reach of a radio service to help fishers in India's southern Malabar Coast make more accurate and accessible marine weather forecasts, which would help save many lives in the region. Radio Monsoon, an outcome of University of Sussex's Sustainability Research Programme, is hoping to graduate from a station operating on a shoestring budget to a fully-equipped studio this year. It is designed to ensure safer working conditions for the thousands of fishing families in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The university team, led by anthropologist professor Filippo Osella, involved geographer Dr Max Martin working with artisanal fishers in Thiruvananthapuram, to convert their small tech experiment into a weather knowledge co-production tool. Martin lived in the fishing villages, conducting interviews, holding focus groups, and tracking boats, and realised that the fishers are the best people to learn from in order to improve forecasting. "We found that there is often a gap between what marine weather forecasters provide and artisanal fishers accept as useful information to decide whether or not to go to fish. To fill this gap, the forecasters need to listen to the fishers," Martin said. He concluded that forecast dissemination needed to be easily accessible in local languages to the last mile through different media, as well as precise, clear, timely and locally relevant and actionable. "All this requires team work involving forecasters, media, local popular science groups and forecast users," he said. As a result, the team decided to set up a weather radio station using Sussex Innovation funding and hope to have Radio Monsoon's proper studio up and running by May, before the rains start this year. "Extreme weather events which have affected the south-west coast of India during the last months have made it apparent that accurate and timely weather forecasts are of crucial importance for ensuring the safety of the local population. "Our research has focused on fishing communities in south Kerala, and suggested ways to improve risk communication by promoting the coproduction of weather bulletins with fishers and forecasters. The persistence of weather-related accidents calls for urgent action to provide artisanal fishers with accurate, accessible, and actionable forecasts as a means to foster safety at sea," said professor Osella. The South Indian region is marked by high ocean waves, sudden variation and uncertainties of weather cause many accidents. Of late, there has been a trend of extreme events in the Arabian Sea, as marked by the 2017 Cyclone Ockhi that killed 162 fishermen from Kerala and 203 from Tamil Nadu. The shaken fishing communities blame the lack of timely forecasts for the casualties. University of Sussex said the fishers of the Arabian Sea were engaged in one of the world's most dangerous and precarious jobs, which makes detailed, timely and precise forecasts crucial for them. However, beyond the range of mobile phones, there is no way for them to receive weather warnings or communicate distress signals. They feel pressured into fishing in bad weather because during the Monsoon, fish are more abundant and competition is less as trawlers are banned. The radio station is a means of getting accurate information to them well in time. Radio Monsoon is run on the ground by a local society based in a fishers' village, and supported by a few individuals involved in weather-related research, media work, and cultural/social work on the coast of Thiruvananthapuram. The forecasts are given online, over social media, and over free phone calls supported by the Delhi Indian Institute of Technology spawned company Gramvaani. The sound editing comes as a sponsorship from Hindenburg Systems. The University of Sussex project, which also involves co-investigators Dr Pedram Rowhani, Dr Kate Howland and advisor Professor Roderick Stirrat, led to tech tests for the station being done in 2014 and work continuing for a year on a "test basis". Regular operation began properly in 2017 and the station has been giving daily marine weather forecasts ever since, except on fishing days off. Radio Monsoon, which has operated just as a laptop linked to a remote phone server in Delhi, is now set for a proper equipped studio base. Bangladesh: Sea level rise hits islanders hard February 25,2019 | Source: New Age BD It was a major setback for the elderly Mosharraf Hossaion when he lost his homestead and land to the erosion of the River Meghna a few years back. Like many others affected by the erosion, Mosharraf was forced to move to a new place. He was in despair and uncertain as he said, Once, I had a happy family at village Vendar in Sukh Char union parishad in Hatiya upazila of Noakhali. River erosion took our home and all our belongings as Hatiya is located at the mouth of the River Meghna in the Bay of Bengal. River erosion compelled Mosharraf to leave everything behind, including his homestead, his land, crops, cattle, as his family shifted to village Aladia in Burir Char union in the upazila and took shelter on an embankment near the sea. Not only village Vendar but two other villages went under water and displaced many people like us, Mosharraf said, adding that their sufferings had increased manifold due to extreme weather events like tidal surge and cyclone every year since they lived very close to the sea. Nizam Maji was also living in a precarious condition as he was displaced after losing his homestead to seawater. He said that displacement made their lives miserable as they not only lost their house and belongings, but also lost their roots after displacement. Internal displacement was a common phenomenon in Hatiya as a vast portion of the island was being devoured by the river erosion accelerated by sea level rise. According to officials at the Bangladesh Water Development Board, several hundred of acres of arable land, many houses, markets, mosques, educational institutions, roads, cyclone shelters, and 14 kilometres of embankments of the island had gone under water in the last couple of years. Erosion was also occurring in many points of the Hatiya Island, putting many islanders at the risk of displacement. Nizam Maji said that after losing his farmland and house to the erosion, many families of Karingchar, Boyarchar and Nolerchar of the island left their areas and took refuge in cyclone shelters. A 2016 Brac report said that about 27 million people were predicted to be at risk of sea level rise in Bangladesh by 2050 while two-thirds of the country was less than five metres above sea level. The affected were confronting perilous situations without adequate institutional and structural support and were devising their own strategies to cope with the conditions. They were out to make efforts both physically and socially to survive the conditions created by land erosion. The impacts of sea level rise on coastal regions were hazardous and indicated that global sea level rise would be a major challenge with severe implications on human livelihoods. Sea level was on the rise along the Bangladesh coast like other parts of the world. Official data showed sea level rise was observed at 5.73 millimetre per year at Char Changa station in Hatiya while Hiron point in the Sunderbans at 3.38mm per year. The coastal areas along Patuakhali and Bhola and Hatiya Island were very highly vulnerable due to sea level rise while the coastal areas along the Sunderbans and Barguna were highly vulnerable. The coastal communities and islanders in Bangladesh had been realising that sea level was increasing and affecting their lives and livelihoods as recurrent extreme climate events hit them every year. Dewan Hossain, a fisherman of Hatiya, said that the water would reach the embankments when any cautionary signal was hoisted ahead of cyclones in the past. But now the water reaches island embankment even during normal tides, indicating that the water level in sea had increased, he said. The sea was far away from our island in the past but now I feel that the sea is coming near us. One third of our island has gone under water in the last 20 to 25 years, observed Abdul Khaleque, 45, resident of Monpura island in Bhola. He said that water from the sea now flooded up to the middle of Manpura through canals and affect vast area of croplands. Due to the sea level rise, salinity intrusion is damaging our croplands, putting our lives and livelihood in trouble, Khaleque feared. According to a new study of the International Food Policy Research Institute, sea level rise will push nearly 140,000 coastal people to migrate to other locations within their district while about 60,000 will move to alternate districts. With the rise of climate migrants, the forest department was distributing its fallow land that had surfaced outside the embankments of the islands to the landless, poor and displaced people on lease for 10 years. The land was being distributed under the Integrating Community-based Adaptation into Afforestation and Reforestation Programme jointly initiated by the forest department and the United Nation Development Programme. Divisional forest officer Towhidul Islam said that there was the forest department owned a huge amount of fallow land on the islands which are at the jaw of encroachment by local influencers. If the land was leased to vulnerable families, he said, it could be protected from encroachment and the poor families would be able to cope with their situation. A total of nine hectares of fallow land had so far been distributed among 45 poor families in Hatiya upazila whereas 45 ponds were established on the land and each family got one pond to farm fish. Under the programme, fruit-bearing and timber tree saplings were distributed among the families to plant on their land. For creating livelihood options, they were also trained on how to rear ducks and cultivate vegetables on the banks of their ponds. I got a pond and a piece of land under the programme for 10 years. Now I am farming fish on the pond and cultivating vegetable on my land, said Ferdousi who lived in Tanbazar area of Hatiya. Ferdousi said that she had already sold fish worth Tk 10,000 from her pond and hoped that she would be able to sell fish worth Tk 1 lakh within the next three or four months. Towhidul said that the forest department allowed the islanders to utilise its land for 10 years on lease and it was expected that the lease would be renewed based on the success of the programme. The affected people were being denied safe water, sanitation and other basic needs that underscored the importance of taking up national level strategies to cope with the disasters being caused by the forces of nature. A blog about life under, and resisting, a dictatorship The St. Francois County prosecuting attorney has charged two individuals with endangering the welfare of a child. Robert Hillis, Jr., 29, of Fredericktown, and Michelle Lanza, 33, of Park Hills, have each been charged with four counts of felony endangering the welfare of a child. Both Hillis and Lanza were booked into the St. Francois County Jail on a $20,000 bond each. According to court documents, four children were removed from the couples custody at a Glendale Street home in Park Hills on April 24, 2018, and placed into the care of the Missouri Childrens Division. Records indicate that one of the children tested positive for meth at a hospital. In addition, both Hillis and Lanza tested positive for meth. The other three children in the home were tested by way of sampling of a hair follicle when removed from the home. The three children also tested positive for meth. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} It can take several months to get such test results back from the crime lab. According to Maddie Engler, of O.D.A.C.S., Inc., children typically test positive for meth when parents are smoking or cooking meth in the home. A teenager who went missing in Washington County in early February has been located. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Draven Hicks, 16, of Cadet, had been missing since Feb. 6 and deputies in multiple counties had followed up on various leads to no avail. According to Sheriff Zach Jacobsen, Hicks was found in Farmington. The matter has now been turned over to the Washington County juvenile office, said Jacobsen. Matt McFarland is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at 573-518-3616, or at mmcfarland@dailyjournalonline.com. Love 2 Funny 1 Wow 5 Sad 1 Angry 4 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. English Lithuanian Vilnius, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On 20 March 2019, 10 a.m., ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of Medicinos Bankas UAB (office address: Pamenkalnio 40, Vilnius, registration number 112027077, VAT number LT120270716) is to take place in the Central Office premises, Pamenkalnio 40, Vilnius. The meeting is initiated by and the body of the bank passing the decision to convene the General Meeting of Shareholders is the Board of Medicinos Bankas UAB. The agenda of the ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders is as follows: Regarding the annual statement of Medicinos Bankas UAB for 2018. Regarding the auditors report of Medicinos Bankas UAB. Regarding the approval of the Set of Financial Statements of Medicinos Bankas UAB for 2018. Regarding the distribution of profit of Medicinos Bankas UAB for 2018. Draft decisions on each matter covered by the agenda of the General Meeting of Shareholders as well as other documents that must be presented to the General Meeting of Shareholders and information related to the exercise of the rights of shareholders are available in the offices of the bank at Pamenkalnio 40, Vilnius. At least 10 days before the date of the General Meeting of Shareholders, the shareholders of the bank will be granted access to the documents held by the bank concerning the agenda of the meeting., including the draft decisions. The documents will be made available in the offices of the bank at Pamenkalnio 40, Vilnius. Documents and other information related to the agenda of the meeting will be presented to the shareholders only if the relevant shareholder presents his/her identity document. If the shareholder is represented by another person, the latter is required to present his/her identity document and a document confirming the right to represent the shareholder of Medicinos Bankas UAB as set out in the applicable legislation of the Republic of Lithuania. The meeting starts at: 10 a.m. Registration of the attendees starts at: 9 a.m. The former administrator of the Washington County Ambulance District, William Mal Gum, 58, appeared in U.S. Eastern District Court Monday for sentencing. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Gum was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In addition, Gum was ordered to pay $154,984.30 in restitution and forfeit $95,000 to the United States. He will be issued a report date in the near future to serve his sentence. Gums wife, Charlena Charli Gum, 43, had previously received a sentence of three months in federal prison for her involvement in the couple's crimes. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The former administrator of the Washington County Ambulance District and his wife stole tens of thousands of dollars from the district in multiple ways, the U.S. Attorney's office said. Both were indicted in U.S. District Court in St. Louis for access device fraud, conspiracy to commit access device fraud and federal program theft. Mal Gum was also indicted on four more counts of federal program theft. Prosecutors say that Gum paid himself more in salary from 2012-2016 than was authorized by the district's board. The Ste. Genevieve R-II School district recently received a perfect score on its 2018 Annual Performance review for the second year in a row. The Annual Performance Review (APR) provides an overview of how Missouri public school districts and charter schools are performing. It uses five categories of dataacademic achievement, subgroup achievement, college and career readiness, and attendance and graduation rates. There are 120 possible points to be earned in order to receive a perfect score of 100 percent. The Ste. Genevieve School District received all 120 points possible across all categories. Saying that we are proud simply does not do justice to how we feel about our community, our schools, our faculty and staff, and our students, Superintendent Dr. Julie Flieg said. Enter any one of our schools, and youll see staff members striving to do what is best for every one of our kids. "And our students respond to that care by aspiring to be their best selves and exceeding our expectations. Our teams commitment to our students, and their eagerness to continue learning, growing and improving their craft is evident through these momentous results. Vietnam is scrambling to wrap up preparations for Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump's summit in capital Hanoi, their second meeting since last year's historic summit in Singapore.US President Trump left Washington DC about 12.30pm local time on Monday and is scheduled to arrive in Vietnam on Tuesday evening, Vietnam's foreign ministry says.Officials said they had about 10 days to prepare for the summit much less than the nearly two months they said Singapore was given for the first Trump-Kim meeting last year but still vowed to provide airtight security for the two leaders.'Security will be at the maximum level,' Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung said.Another official, Nguyen Manh Hung, the leader of the information ministry, said the 3000 journalists from 40 countries expected in Hanoi could rely on his agency as 'you'd count on a family member.'The two leaders are due to meet in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi on Wednesday and Thursday, eight months after their historic summit in Singapore, the first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader.On Wednesday morning, Mr Trump is set to meet Vietnam President Nguyen Phu Trong, the ministry said.Vietnam has released few details about arrangements for the summit including its specific venue or timing.The world will be watching as the US president and North Korean leader deal with one of Asia's biggest security challenges: North Korea's pursuit of a nuclear program that stands on the verge of viably threatening any target on the planet.Although many experts are sceptical that Kim will give up the nukes he likely sees as his best guarantee of continued rule, there was a palpable, carnival-like excitement among many in Hanoi as the final preparations were put in place.T-shirts were being sold bearing Kim's face along with the phrase 'Rocket Man,' a nod to the insulting nickname Mr Trump gave Kim in 2017, when North Korean weapons tests and back-and-forth threats by the leaders had many fearing war.Kindergarteners dressed in traditional Korean Hanbok were practicing songs meant to welcome Kim. Grinning tourists were posing in front of the hundreds of US and North Korean flags around the city.The ultra-tight security will be appreciated by North Korean authorities, who are extremely vigilant about the safety of Kim, the third member of his family to rule the North with absolute power.Kim's decision to take a train, not a plane, may have been influenced by better ability to control security. When Kim flew to Singapore, North Korea borrowed a Chinese plane.Vietnam is eager to show off its huge economic and development improvements since the destruction of the Vietnam War, but the country also tolerates no dissent and can provide the kind of firm hand not allowed by more democratic potential hosts.Take the reaction to two men impersonating Kim and Mr Trump who'd been posing for pictures with curious onlookers ahead of the summit.Last week, the Kim lookalike, whose name is Lee Howard Ho-wun, posted on Facebook that about 15 police or immigration officers demanded a mandatory 'interview' and threatened him with deportation. He said officials later told him that his visa was invalid and he had to leave the country.'I feel a little bit annoyed,' the Hong Kong-based impersonator, who uses the name Howard X, said as he checked out of his hotel. 'But what is to be expected of a one-party state with no sense of humour?'Vietnam has also announced an unprecedented traffic ban along a possible arrival route for Kim. The Communist Party's Nhan Dan newspaper quoted the Roads Department as saying the ban will affect the 169-kilometre stretch of Highway One from Dong Dang, on the border with China, to Hanoi.Hundreds of soldiers guarded the area near the Dong Dang railway station on Monday ahead of Kim's expected arrival. Kim may get off his train in Dong Dang and finish his journey to Hanoi by car.'Dong Dang station will receive leader Kim Jong-un's train, after it passes the Vietnam-China border, starting his official visit to Vietnam and attend USA-DPRK summit,' Vietnam's Government Office said in a statement. DPRK is an abbreviation of North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.There are high expectations for the Hanoi summit after a vague declaration at the first meeting in June in Singapore that disappointed many.South Korean media have reported that the two leaders might strike a deal that stops short of a hoped-for roadmap for full North Korean denuclearisation.US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Fox News Sunday that he was hoping for a 'substantive step forward.' He cautioned, 'it may not happen, but I hope that it will.' Englandwill train alongside Georgia this week ahead of their clash with ItalyThe RFU announced the details on Monday morning, with the players being split up between backs and forwards on Wednesday before a more team-orientated session on Thursday during the camp in Oxford.The two sides also trained alongside each other during the Six Nationslast year, when the Eastern European side joined up with Eddie Jones's men at Latymer Upper School.Georgia will participate in only two of the four days at the camp, where Maro Itoje will be assessed on his fitness.England are hopeful to have the Saracens back row available for the Twickenham clash this weekend.One player that will definitely miss out is Courtney Lawes.The lock was forced off at the Principality Stadium on Saturday with a calf injury. Bath's Charlie Ewels has taken his place in the 25-man squad. Afghanistan has launched a new export route to India through the through the Chabahar Port of Iran. 23 trucks carrying 57 tonnes of dried fruits, textiles, carpets and mineral products were dispatched from western Afghan city of Zaranj to Irans Chabahar port. The consignment would be then shipped to Mumbai. Chabahar port is seen as a testimony of healthy cooperation between India, Iran and Afghanistan this will ensure economic growth. The Chabahar Port of Iran provides easy access to the sea for Afghanistan. India has invested in the development of this route as well as Chabahar port. This route allows both India and Afghanistan to engage in trade bypassing Pakistan. India-Afghanistan Trade Afghan exports to India stood at $740 million in 2018 and India is the largest export destination for Afghanistan. The new route is one of the many initiatives undertaken by the governments of India and Afghanistan to enhance trade relations. To boost the trade relations, both India and Afghanistan had established an air corridor in the year 2017. The opening of new avenues for Afghanistan to trade with India will aid Afghanistan in to reduce its trade deficit. After the withdrawal from JCPOA and reimposing of sanctions on Iran, US had granted an exception for the development of Chabahar port since the new transportation corridor could contribute significantly for Afghanistans economy and meet their needs of non-sanctionable goods such as food and medicines. Sentinel reporter Joseph Cress offers a daily digital glimpse back in Cumberland County history with help from our Newspapers.com archives. 25 Years Ago Four local property owners recently hired Robert Swift of Philadelphia to represent them as they sue Cumberland County, several municipalities and several school districts. The Sentinel reported that the property owners are seeking damages for what they claim are disproportionate assessments because Cumberland hasnt done a countywide reassessment since 1974. Swift had recently won $1.2 billion in damages for victims of Ferdinand Marcos, the former Philippines dictator. In other news: The South Middleton Township board of supervisors turned down a proposed Sheetz convenience store at the corner of York and Forge roads but approved a conditional-use request to develop a 34-acre shopping center on Walnut Bottom Road that would include a Kmart, a food store and other shops. Hampden Township supervisors were not swayed by the pleas of two volunteers to have the Hampden Township Ambulance Association join the recently formed West Shore Basic Life Support organization. Email Joseph Cress at jcress@cumberlink.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 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. It is a relationship that is best described in the context of a crisis that is not always an emergency. The teacher is like the fire alarm going off, said Johanna Jones, a counselor at Carlisle High School. They are not putting out the fire. They are just pulling the alarm. School districts across Pennsylvania have structures and protocols in place where most every staff member has a role in seeing to the mental health and well-being of students. Day-to-day contact and hours of interaction make teachers the best equipped employees to notice the warning signs of a troubled youth, Jones said. Their role is to forward observations and concerns to a school administrator or counselor. The counselor is equivalent to a professional who conducts triage screening cases as they come in to decide on an order of priority and the best way to make a referral, according to her. Sometimes the flow of information works in reverse.I may put out an email making teachers aware of what may be going on for a student while keeping it confidential, Jones said. I dont need to go into details on the background. So-and-so is going through a rough patch right now ... Be aware of any changes that may be happening. Sometimes all the teacher needs is a heads-up. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Kiev, February 25, 2019The Committee to Protect Journalists today expressed concern for the safety of journalists working at Ukraines Schemes and Bihus.Info investigative journalism outlets after both reported being followed and surveilled last week, and called on authorities to swiftly investigate the matter. On February 22, Schemes, an investigative journalism TV program within the U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertys Ukrainian service, published a report detailing how reporter Mykhailo Tkach and his cameraman were followed in Ukraines capital, Kiev. Using a state vehicle registration database, the report identified the vehicles used in the surveillance as belonging to a security company owned by Rinat Akhmetov, a Ukrainian billionaire and former member of parliament. Schemes said that the surveillance likely stemmed from their reporting on the close ties between Akhmetov and the national leadership. Also on February 22, Denis Bihus, editor-in-chief of the Kiev-based independent investigative news outlet Bihus.Info, wrote on Facebook that he and members of his reporting team noticed several unidentified people monitoring their activity from outside their Kiev office starting on February 20. Bihus wrote that the monitoring began after Bihus.Info sent requests for comment to law enforcement bodies in relation to an investigative article alleging corruption within Ukraines defense industry. Following and monitoring the work of journalists is clearly designed to intimidate the press and is unacceptable, said CPJs Europe and Central Asia program coordinator, Gulnoza Said, in New York. Those behind the surveillance of journalists from Schemes and Bihus.Info must stop, and Ukrainian authorities must conduct an investigation to find out who is responsible for it and hold them accountable. In its report published on February 22, Schemes interviewed Ukrainian media lawyers who reviewed video evidence of the surveillance and said it appeared to constitute interference in the groups journalistic activities, a criminal offense under Ukrainian law. Schemes Editor-in-Chief Natalie Sedletska told CPJ that she and her team were making the surveillance public in the hope that it would reduce the pressure on the journalists. In a statement broadcast on February 24 on the Ukraina television channel, which Akhmetov owns, the security company said it denies any allegations of tracking made by Schemes, Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertys Ukrainian service reported. The statement accused the Schemes journalists of interfering with the private life of a private person and collecting information illegally. CPJs attempts to reach an Akhmetov spokesperson by phone and email were unsuccessful. Schemes was previously targeted by the Ukrainian prosecutor generals office, which obtained a court order in September 2018 to access Sedletskas phone records in an attempt to discover source information, as CPJ reported at the time. Bihus suggested in his Facebook post that the people surveilling the Bihus.Info office could be from the Ukrainian security services, the prosecutor generals office, or the National Anti-Corruption Bureau; however, CPJ could not independently verify these claims. Those offices did not respond to CPJs emailed requests for comment. In July 2018, Bihus reported on his website that he was being followed by members of the security services and published a video in which he chased down a man found to have been spying on him. Bihus did not respond to emailed requests from CPJ for further information. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Miami, February 25, 2019 Cuban authorities should immediately ensure citizens have access to news websites, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Several critical news sites were blocked in the country yesterday, as Cuba held a national referendum on proposed changes to its constitution, news sites reported. Access was blocked to several sites that operate from Cuba, including 14ymedio and Tremenda Nota, as well as news sites operating abroad, including Cibercuba, Diario de Cuba and Cubanet, according to media reports. Several of the sites reported on the blocks via Twitter. Yoani Sanchez, the director of 14ymedio and a Cuban blogger, tweeted that her site had been blocked since February 23. CPJs calls to ETECSA, the Cuban telecommunications regulator, at the listed phone number for its Havana headquarters went unanswered. If the Cuban government wants the international community to view the constitutional referendum as legitimate, blocking access to critical news sites on voting day is not the way to go, said CPJ Central and South America Coordinator Natalie Southwick in New York. Cubans have the right to access information from a broad range of sources. ETECSA often blocks independent news outlets, according to Freedom Houses latest Freedom on the Net report. Yesterday, ETECSA called for a yes vote on the referendum via its official Twitter account. Cubas electoral commission announced today that citizens voted in favor of the changed constitution. The proposed changes introduce the notion of private property and make references to business, foreign investment, and the right to legal representation if detained, Reuters reported. However, the ban on private ownership of news outlets remains, thus maintaining total state control of the media. Cuban leaders had been calling for a yes vote on the proposed constitution, including via Granma, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Cuba. Meanwhile, opponents have complained that state-run media did not cover the no campaign and that they were forced to limit their campaign to social media, according to journalists. Despite some improvements to internet access in recent years, Cuba remains highly disconnected and is one of the most hostile environments for the press, with the most restrictive laws on free speech and press freedom in the Americas, CPJ found in its 2017 report Connecting Cuba. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Deli Nestor, publisher of the privately owned semi-weekly investigative newspaper Eclairage in Chad, was handed a six-month suspended prison sentence by a criminal court in NDjamena on February 13, 2019, after he was convicted of defaming the brother of President Idriss Deby, according to Nestor, who spoke to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Nestor told CPJ that judicial proceedings were launched against him following a May 31, 2017, article he wrote and published alleging that the presidents brother, Daoussa Deby, had benefited financially from the illegal importation of sugar into Chad from Sudan. Nestors lawyers filed to appeal the judgment on February 14, and are waiting for an appeal hearing to be scheduled, according to Adolphe Bekoutou, one of the attorneys. We are appealing on the grounds that several media have written about the matter and implicated Daoussa Deby, Bekoutou told CPJ. Nestor told CPJ that the claims in his article had already been published in several other media outlets as early as 2012, and subsequent articles were printed in local papers Le Potentiel, Le Progres, and Le Pays, which are not available online, but which CPJ has reviewed. CPJ called Daoussa Debys office for comment but was repeatedly told to call back and never reached Deby. Bekoutou told CPJ that, despite being ordered to pay 500,000 Central African francs ($865) in damages and a fine of 50,000 francs ($86), Nestor has refused to pay until he finishes the appeals process. French English TORONTO, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Good news for Quebec City residents looking to get a head start on planning their summer vacation, as Sunwing has announced that they will be operating seasonal summer flights from Quebec City once more. In addition to returning destination favourites including Cancun , Varadero , Cayo Coco and Puerto Plata , travellers from the Quebec City region can also choose to Vacation Better on the white-sand shores of Punta Cana with Sunwings new weekly flight service on Tuesdays from April 30, 2019 to October 29, 2019 inclusive. Sam Char, Executive Director for Sunwing Travel Group in Quebec, commented on the news, We are excited to be returning to Quebec Citys Jean Lesage International Airport for the 12th summer in a row. As the first leisure carrier to offer summer flights from Quebec City in 2006, we are constantly striving to offer Quebecers even more ways to explore the sunny south and we believe the addition of Punta Cana to our extensive summer flight roster will be well-received. "The increase in Sunwings summer offerings from YQB is wonderful news for our 1.75 million passengers, as well as for all travellers residing in the Great Quebec City Area. The tour operator has renewed and improved its offer in anticipation for the 2019 season, confirming its commitment to better serving Quebec City residents, who are increasingly choosing to travel to sun destinations in the summer." says Bernard Thiboutot, Vice-President of Development and Marketing for YQB. Travellers who choose to vacation in the newly-offered destination of Punta Cana can stay at one of the areas newest resorts. Set to open in the summer of 2019, Lopesan Costa Bavaro Resort Spa and Casino is nestled on the white-sand shores of Bavaro Beach with amenities and activities for guests of all ages. Families will appreciate the wide-range of kid-friendly amenities including the Panchi World Kids Club, plus a range of accommodation options. Those seeking an adults only getaway may choose to stay at Lopesan Bavaro Beach Adults Only , also opening in the summer of 2019, an exclusive section with a private pool area featuring lavish Bali beds and unlimited access to the wider resort facilities. Other popular resort choices that families can book from Quebec City include Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort and Spa in Cancun which benefits from its own on-site splash park and Grand Memories Varadero in sunny Cuba with the Memories Kids Club featuring appearances from popular characters Toopy and Binoo. All Sunwing vacation packages include return flights on Sunwing Airlines where passengers can sit back and relax while on board, with award-winning inflight service, complimentary non-alcoholic beverage service and buy on board selection of snacks and light meals including the brand new Tex Mex Grilled Chicken Wrap inspired by Food Network Canada Celebrity Chef, Lynn Crawford. Passengers also benefit from a generous complimentary 23kg checked luggage allowance. For more information or to book, visit www.sunwing.ca or contact your travel agent. About Sunwing The largest integrated travel company in North America, Sunwing has more flights to the south than any other leisure carrier with convenient direct service from over 33 airports across Canada to over 45 popular sun destinations. This scale enables Sunwing to negotiate the best deals and exclusive offers at all of the top-rated resorts across the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. Renowned for its award-winning service, Sunwing is consistently voted the top leisure airline by travel agents and is the perennial winner of the Consumer Choice Award. Customers can look forward to starting their vacation off in style with award-winning inflight service, which features a complimentary glass of sparkling wine*, tea and coffee and non-alcoholic beverage service; together with a buy on board menu of light meals and snacks (including kids choices) inspired by Food Network Canada Celebrity Chef, Lynn Crawford. Sunwing customers also benefit from the assistance of the companys own knowledgeable destination representatives, who greet them upon arrival and support them throughout their vacation journey. *Service may be unavailable on select flights For all media enquiries, please contact: Rachel Goldrick Senior Corporate Communications Manager Sunwing Vacations 1-800-387-5602 | media@sunwing.ca https://www.facebook.com/SunwingVacations https://twitter.com/SunwingVacay https://www.instagram.com/sunwingvacations https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzjZ-lcuaqBQH7Sq0u3ru7A A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6a9c9140-040d-42c6-beef-d09fde82ffe7 MONDAY, Feb. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Some schools offer breakfast in the classroom to ensure that hungry children start the day with a full stomach so they're ready to learn. But this may have an unintended consequence -- it may raise the risk of childhood obesity. New research found that when kids in fourth through sixth grade were offered breakfast in the classroom at the start of the school day, the incidence of obesity more than doubled compared with kids who did not eat in the classroom (11.6 percent versus 4.4 percent, respectively). "We didn't find an effect on overall overweight and obesity, but we did find that the proportion of kids with obesity increased in schools with breakfast in the classroom," said the study's lead author, Katherine Bauer. "It's important to keep in mind, this isn't a study about whether to have breakfast in school or not," Bauer added. All of the children had access to a free breakfast if they wanted it. Instead, the researchers were trying to see if there was any effect on weight if breakfast was universally available in the classroom during regular school hours versus before school in the cafeteria, said Bauer. She's an assistant professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. The study was published online Feb. 25 in JAMA Pediatrics. Many people consider breakfast "the most important meal of the day," said the author of an accompanying editorial, Erika Cheng of Indiana University School of Medicine, in Indianapolis. It's also commonly believed that eating breakfast can boost metabolism and help prevent weight gain, she and her co-author noted. But studies on the subject have had mixed results. The most recent research on breakfast and weight -- from BMJ -- actually found that people who ate breakfast tended to eat more calories in a day. It also showed that having breakfast didn't boost metabolism. So, if breakfast doesn't help prevent weight gain and might do just the opposite, should schools even provide free morning meals? "I don't think anybody wants to detract from the positive aspects of providing breakfast to kids in school. For some kids, it's the only food they get in a day. But we have both food insecurity and obesity, and we need to balance these two public health problems," Cheng said. Why are some kids gaining enough weight to cross the obesity threshold in classrooms that have breakfast available? Bauer said the study wasn't detailed enough to tease out the exact reason why, but suggested that the "increase in obesity was probably kids who had more difficulty with self-regulating food intake." She said it's possible that some kids eat breakfast at home and then eat again at school. Cheng also pointed out that certain foods included in breakfast, such as juice, may easily add extra calories. The study included nearly 1,400 kids, average age nearly 11 years, from 16 schools in low-income communities in Philadelphia. Over 2.5 years, kids were more than twice as likely to eat the free breakfasts offered in the classroom compared to the traditional before-school meal in the cafeteria. Kids ate in the classroom on 54 percent of days compared to 25 percent of days for the cafeteria, the researchers said. Classroom breakfasts were introduced to help reduce the stigma attached to having to get to school early and eat in the cafeteria before classes. And some kids can't get to school early enough to take advantage of the free breakfasts, the editorial authors said. "Offering breakfast in the classroom was a good idea to increase participation, and it does provide children with breakfast. But there are some untoward consequences. There's currently no clear solution, but we have to make sure that kids are getting calories that are nutritious," Cheng said. Bauer said the issue should be looked at in different populations, and in schools that offer different programs for free breakfast. For now, she suggested that if parents know breakfast is available at school but their child wakes up hungry, perhaps just provide a piece of fruit or something else small at home. "A healthy breakfast can be composed of different components from home and school," Bauer said. More information Learn more about school breakfast from NoKidHungry.org. The revenue forecasting board will meet Feb. 28 to project the revenue used for this years budget. Currently, Gov. Ricketts is proposing a 3-percent increase to next years budget. However, a recent report by the Department of Revenue stated that tax revenue has been below estimates in the last four months. Due to the shortfall in tax revenue there will likely need to be a slight reduction in the 3-percent budget increase. This would not be a cut from current levels, but it would reduce the 3 percent somewhat. This shortfall in tax revenue in the last four months is evidence that the Agriculture economy is still suffering which emphasizes the need for property tax relief for our farmers. On Feb. 27, I had the pleasure of meeting with fourth graders from Bellwood Elementary and David City. These students spent the day touring our States Capitol and learning about the history of Nebraska, the three branches of state government and the legislative process. Civics education is an integral component of our democracy. It equips our youth with the tools and knowledge to stay active in government affairs and allows them to make influential changes to our society. On air with funtastic episode of Night Trax and its my second last live show before I depart for Abu Dhabi to compete at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games. Your good luck wishes this week and next are most appreciated and very welcome and next week's broadcast will be extra special but as always this morning's broadcast has the most fun allowed by law and a few laughs as well. Hope you enjoy and most importantly have a fun and safe week ahead, Take care everyone. A Passion Play - Part One Jethro Tull - A Passion Play (1973) - Chrysalis Take Me To The Kaptain Prism - All The Best From Prism (1979) - Capitol - All The Best From Prism (1979) - Dream Of The Archer Heart - Little Queen (1977) - Portrait Send Her To Me Autograph - 12" (1984) - RCA - 12" (1984) - Temptation Thee Image - Thee Image (1975) - Manticore Two Hearts On The Loose Randy Bishop - Up The Creek - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1984) - Pasha - Up The Creek - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1984) - This Could Be The Right One April Wine - Animal Grace (1984) - Aquarius - Animal Grace (1984) - While My Guitar Gently Weeps The Beatles - 1967-1970 2LP (1973) - Capitol You Can't Always Get What You Want The Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks 1964-1971 2LP (1971) - London One More River/You Can't Take It With You The Alan Parsons Project - Pyramid (1978) - Arista Buccaneer Bunny Bugs Bunny & Yosemite Sam - Youtube (1948) Big House Bunny Bugs Bunny & Yosemite Sam - Youtube (1950) Follow That Feather/Barber/Empty Hangar/What's New Old Bean/Operation Anvil Dastardly & Muttley In Their Flying Machines - Youtube (1969) Get It While You Can Gary O' - 7" (1984) - RCA - 7" (1984) - I Got You Split Enz - 7" (1979) - A&M Parle-Moi De Notre Pays Emanuelle - 7" (1974) - Sol 7/Trans Canada - 7" (1974) - Je T'aime Estelle Ste-Croix - 7" (1973) - Solo Inc./Trans Canada - 7" (1973) - Love In Your Eyes J. Wood - 7" (1982) - Rosedale - 7" (1982) - Love Is All Around The Troggs - 7" (1967) - Fontana Holiday In Hollywood Richard Stepp - 7" (1979) - Infinity - 7" (1979) - Happy Aniversary Little River Band - 7" (1977) - Capitol Angel Eyes (Edited New Version) The Jeff Healey Band - 7" (1989) - Arista - 7" (1989) - Heart Of The City The Arrows - The Lines Are Open (1985) - A&M - The Lines Are Open (1985) - The Runner Ian Thomas - The Runner (1981) - Anthem - The Runner (1981) - Somebody's Baby Jackson Browne - Fast Times At Ridgemont High - Orginal Motion Picture Soundtrack 2LP (1982) - Full Moon/Asylum Dancin' In The Streets Grateful Dead - Terrapin Station (1978) - Arista Last Train To London Electric Light Orchestra - Discovery (1979) - Jet Pump Up The Volume (12" U.K. Re-Mix M.A.R.R.S - 12" (1987) - Vertigo Say No Go (Say No Dope Remix) De La Soul - 12" (1989) - Tommy Boy Love Sick Carol Douglas - Come Into My Life (1979) - Midsong International If My Friends Could See Me Now Linda Clifford - If My Friends Could See Me Now (1978) - Curtom On The Radio Donna Summer - Foxes - Original Motion Picture Spoundtrack - Casablanca Dancing In The Streets Shalamar - Footloose - Original Motionm Picture Soundtrack (1984) - Columbia Flashdance... What A Feeling Irene Cara - Flashdance - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1983) - Casablanca Me And Mrs. Jones Billy Paul - 360 Degrees Of Billy Paul (1972) - Phildelphia International Hello Again Neil Diamond - The Jazz Singer - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1980) - Capitol Maneater Daryl Hall & John Oates - H2O (1982) - RCA All She Wants To Do Is Dance Don Henley - 7" (1984) - Geffen The Never Ending Story Limahl - 7" (1984) - EMI-America Medley: Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In The 5th Dimension - The Age Of Aquarius (1969) - Soul City Big Girls Don'r Cry Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - More Dirty Dancing - Various Artists (1988) - RCA Sweet Talkn' Woman Electric Light Orchestra - ELO's Greatest Hits (1979) - Jet When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman Dr. Hook - 7" (1978) - Capitol We Got Tonight Kenny Rogers & Sheena Easton - 7" (1983) - Liberty My Love Julio Iglesias Feat. Stevie Wonder - 7" (1988) - Columbia Saving All My Love For You Whitney Houston - 7" (1985) - Arista If Ever You're In My Arms Again Peabo Bryson - 7" (1984) - Elektra One More Love Imagination - In The Heat Of The Night (1982) - Black Sun Derek Hankerson Centuries before a secret network was formed to help slaves escape to Northern states and Canada, The Underground Railroad ran South. As early as 1587, Spains La Florida was recorded to be a safe haven for freedom seekers resisting enslavement. The documentary Floridas Underground Railroad follows those Southern Routes to Freedom and the unique group of African descendants called Gullah Geechee who are still fighting to preserve their identity in America today. The community is invited to attend a free showing of Floridas Underground Railroad: Southern Route to Freedom followed by a question and answer session with historian, author, and director, Derek Hankerson. Derek's family is native to St. Johns County, and his ancestry here can be traced as far back as the 18th century. Members of his family have proudly served in every American conflict dating back to and including the American Revolution. Several family members fought on both sides of the civil war, including the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment and Stallings Battalion. The event starts at 7 pm on Saturday, March 2 at The Barnacle, 3485 Main Highway. Use the FreeBee app for a complimentary shuttle or stroll over to the park from one of the nearby lots or garages. Visitors with disabilities may contact the Ranger Station 305-442-6866 for accessibility information. The gate opens an hour before the movie begins. Lawn chairs and picnics are welcome, but no pets, please. Admission is free and donations are appreciated. Photo - Delma Tronson attends Auslan class in Tweed Heads One of my "Dad jokes" is that I have trouble talking (due to a longstanding stutter) and my wife, Delma, has trouble hearing (due to a congenital problem), hence 42 years of marriage bliss, I can't talk and Delma can't hear!! My own father started to become deaf as a ten-year old, when a firecracker went off rather too close to him; it is something the whole family had to learn to cope with when his hearing deteriorated more and more with age. Other members of my extended family have told me of experiences growing up with relatives who were deaf, often after childhood diseases such as measles or mumps. I have written articles on this theme previously; now there is new research to report. http://www.christiantoday.com.au/article/hearing.loss.is.a.serious.issue/9304.htm http://www.christiantoday.com.au/article/auslan.class.a.huge.help/7635.htm In recent years, Delma has learnt AUSLAN (Australian sign language), and her personal Mission involves ministering to the deaf. For example she is a member of a signing choir, who give performances of Christmas carols each year. I know of several churches who cater for the deaf community, where members of the congregation have learnt AUSLAN and translate the services every week (one of these is ImagineNations Church in Penrith, near Sydney). How our ears work The normal, healthy human ear works by converting the changing pressure caused by sound waves in the air, to electrical signals in the auditory nerve, which then register in the brain as particular sounds (coming from a particular direction). The longer version is this: the three bones in the middle ear are the smallest bones in the human body. They are called the malleus (hammer), the incus (anvil) and the stapes (stirrup). They tap against each other when the air pressure changes as sound waves enter from the outer ear, causing vibrations in the timpanic membrane (ear drum). These vibrations travel down structures in the inner ear, which include the fluid-filled cochlear (a spiral cavity), and activate biochemical cascades, which then cause the nerves to generate electrical signals which are eventually detected and decoded in the brain. There are also tiny hairs (cilia) that line the structures and tubes, and they wave back and forth and make sure the air pressure waves get to the right place, at the right time. If any one of the parts of this co-ordinated process is faulty, then the person will have some type of hearing defect. Not everyone affected has the same problem. Photo - Shoe shopping no problem for the deaf Different ways of hearing I once went to a concert by the Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie (now Dame Evelyn) who has gradually become deaf since the age of 8 due to a congenital disorder. She plays the drums in bare feet, so that she can detect the vibrations of the orchestra as well as her own playing. You could say she "hears" with her feet. She has written a description of how she has taught herself to hear with other parts of her body, in response to inaccurate reporting of her condition. This is her blog site: https://www.evelyn.co.uk/?s=hearing+essay This is similar to what happens when we hear our own voice a part of the sound we hear is due to the vibrations of various bones in our head and face, and that is why the sound of our RECORDED voice sounds so different from what we think we sound like. Interestingly enough, some animals that live in the sea and on land (such as salamanders and lungfish) have been shown to be able to hear quite well in air, even though they do not have an outer ear, or an inner ear. They somehow use their sense of vibration. What's new in cochlear implants and other technologies? The newer versions of the cochlear implant are extremely successful at allowing the outside air waves to communicate with the brain, and therefore allowing deaf people to hear. But they do not do such a good a job as the natural nerve signals. Researchers at the University of New South Wales have used the impulses generated by the implant to actually deliver gene therapy to the auditory nerves. This means that the nerves themselves can generate the "missing" pieces and grow in a more natural way, so that they can conduct the electrical signals more accurately to the brain, thus being more effective in helping the person to hear. Not only that, but this technique may be able, in the future, to be used for other disorders where signals to the brain become muddled a such as Parkinson's disease or depression. But for some people, a cochlear implant will never work. For example, some babies are born without a cochlear or auditory nerve at all. There is nothing to be stimulated by an implant! A new and more intricate technique of stimulating the brain directly, totally bypassing the inner ear, has been tested for safety by a team at the University of Southern California. It has been shown to be safe for children over 12, and now may be used for babies a who will benefit much more if they can hear sound at an earlier age. In Germany, medical researchers have recently identified some problems that were not easy to detect, prior to modern technology. By knowing what is wrong, they can now find ways to help the affected person to hear better. They are teasing out, at a molecular level, exactly how the nerves convey the signals that allow the brain to detect sound, and also how we know the direction of the sound. Photo - Honey purchasing no problem for the deaf Australia Day Honours for cochlear implant researcher One of those involved in the research at UNSW, Professor Jim Patrick, won an AO on Australia Day. He is a shy, unassuming researcher who is one of the pioneers of the cochlear implant, responsible for the systems engineering (the software) and the digital aspects of connecting the implant to the nervous system that connects with the brain. He worked with Professor Graeme Clarke in the mid-1970s and then moved to Sydney as part of the Cochlear Tiger Team, where he has helped develop the commercial 10-channel versions of this important medical device. Since 1981 he has played a key senior management role in the technology areas of the ongoing Cochlear projects, including the marriage of biology and electronics to improve performance of future implants. The Gospel can be "heard" by all Fortunately, we don't need to physically "hear" to be able to hear the Word of the Lord, as explained in Hebrews 4:12ESV: "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Photo - Street signs no problem for the deaf Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand. Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html The life-changing magic of tidying up 'Does it spark joy (Marie Kondo)? Marie Kondo entered my home earlier this year through her Netflix show, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. In a series of inspiring home makeovers, Marie addresses her clients clutter by producing perfectly organised sanctuaries. Using her Konmari Method she categorically organises individual items and invites the client to determine whether or not they spark joy. Items deemed joyless are decluttered from the clients home in large rubbish bags or copious amounts of charity donations. Decluttering greed For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either (1 Timothy chapter 6, verse 7). Our materialistic Western culture has resulted in us living in excess, yet we continue to be seduced into lusting after more. Marie enthusiastically encourages the decluttering of our homes and forces us to confront our overwhelming compilation of stuff cue the Marie Kondo revolution and her army of Konverts. Items which we are prone to hoarding are logically categorised and each item is individually assessed. The items which sparked joy are to reside in their perfectly organised home. While the joyless items prompt immediate disposal. Although the KonMari Method effectively results in a clutter-free home it does little to address the source or impact of our stuffocation. Tidying up with Marie Kondo has quickly become a universally popular Netflix show. In addition, a quick google search reveals the sheer volume of Konverts readily sharing their experience of the life-changing magic of tidying up. Counteracting the magic experienced by the Konverts is the dark underbelly to the KonMari Method. Universally charity shops are begging us to stop giving them our junk. Overwhelmed by the expediential volume of our carelessly donated items, charity shops are burdened by our rubbish. Our greed employs us to conveniently discard our joyless items with little thought regarding the impact on others. Materialism is the root of our stuffocation and the kryptonite for our greed. Even while purging in a clutter detox our motives may still be of greed. As we continue to discard joyless items our pursuit for items of joy is perpetuated. This is pursuit is futile. In conjunction with undergoing a clutter overhaul it is important to take stock of the greed present in our lives. Practicing gratitude Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name (Psalm chapter 100, verse 4). Perhaps it is Maries appeal for gratitude which resonates so deeply with our society today. She calls for our callous attitude towards our belongings to be replaced by intentional thankfulness. Maries Shinto worldview promotes dutifully thanking inanimate objects by verbally acknowledging their believed worth. Although this significantly contradicts Christian theology there is a lot to be said for thanking God for His provision and acknowledging our role of stewardship. In Psalm chapter 100 verse 4, the Psalmist writes that we are to come before God with thanksgiving and praise. This is a call for us to intentionally demonstrate gratitude for Gods love and provision in our lives. The life-changing and joy sparking truth Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on Earth (Colossians chapter 3, verse 2). Unfortunately, the KonMari philosophy is fundamentally flawed. Although it is lovely to have a clutter-free and well-organised home it is not ultimately life-changing. Neither are inanimate objects truly capable of sparking joy. The world may define joy as a feeling of immense happiness resulting from a satisfied desire. However, Christs joy is an everlasting promise of contentment possible through all seasons of our lives. In John chapter 10, verse 10, it is written that Jesus came to give us life to the full. Furthermore, as Christians, we have the Holy Spirit whereby we have the fruit of joy. Our world desperately seeks for the life-changing and joy sparking truth. We have the Good News. Christ alone is our sole source of joy and our salvation through Him is eternally life-changing. It is our job to share the life-changing, joy sparking, Good News. Jessica is a Registered Nurse who is passionate about caring for children. She enjoys spending time in nature and reading a good book. Writing is her way of communicating with God, expressing creativity and processing ideas. You can connect with her at: jessak7@gmail.com Do you have a very special friend or relative who is over 60 years old? He or she could be one of Pierce Countys most admired senior citizens Environment Canada has issued a wind warning in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Howe Sound and the Southern Gulf Islands. "A cold air mass surging through the Fraser Valley this morning will generate strong outflow winds with gusts to 90 km/h starting later this morning," the weather agency said. "The plume of wind will extend from the Chilliwack and Abbotsford area, through southern Langley and across the Strait of Georgia to affect the southernmost Gulf Islands and Greater Victoria. It expects the winds will remain "brisk" until Tuesday morning. The weather agency is asking people in the affected areas to exercise caution as damage from loose objects and fallen trees is highly possible. A wildfire engulfed some 1,600 hectares of land in Corsica, France, on February 23, Le Figaro reported. These images were said to have been taken in Calenzana, on the northwest side of the island. Local firefighters said they had responded to 33 wildfires in Corsica between February 23 and 24. A firefighter was injured and a home damaged by fire, they said. Credit: Aurelie Pecheur via Storyful CANTON, Ohio, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Celebrating 14 years in business, Jim and Cindy Hilliard are the proud long-time owners of their Minuteman Press design, marketing and printing franchise in Canton, Ohio. More importantly, what Jim and Cindy offer their clients and their community is a trusted business services provider that puts their customers first. Jim explains, For 14 years, we have shown that our business is a little different. We offer expert customer service with a smile. We are for our customers, and nothing less will do. We enable our clients to have the best-looking products with a fast turnaround time at competitive pricing. Jim adds, I have my two sons, my daughter and my wife all working in the business. When we took over in 2005, the center was underperforming. Since 2005, we have grown and here we are 14 years later! Changing Careers and Industries to Own a Minuteman Press Franchise Before franchising with Minuteman Press, Jim Hilliard had various jobs across different industries. He says, My background prior to Minuteman Press included 10 years as an auto mechanic, 11 years in a small machine shop, and 11 years in retirement services. At one point in time, I had 15 direct reports at my job. Minuteman Press appealed to Jim and Cindy because they saw some of the key benefits of franchising when going through the research phase. Jim states, I had a fantastic meeting with Minuteman Press International Regional Vice President Gary Nowak and determined from that meeting that owning our own Minuteman Press franchise was the way to go. The reasonable franchise fees and the details of the transaction made it an easy decision. The support has been outstanding right from the get-go. Anything I need or have a question about I can pick up the phone and call. I would not be where I am today without their support. I would not trade the Minuteman Press franchise team for anything! Rewards of Owning a Family Business For every entrepreneur, there are different reasons that owning a business is such a rewarding experience. For Jim Hilliard, its all about the customer experience. He elaborates, I would say the most rewarding is when we are able to help people meet their goals. When we are able to help our clients with products and deadlines, it feels great to do our best to accommodate them. I enjoy speaking with the customers and finding out what they do in their spare time. Building relationships is huge. From local schools and wineries to companies in the medical field, Minuteman Press in Canton has a wide variety of clients that helps them grow and thrive. Jim says, To grow my business was to simply follow the franchise system and the marketing campaigns of Minuteman Press International. I pounded the pavement and continue to market through direct face-to-face contacts. If I am making a delivery to a business but we do not print for their neighbor, we drop off a few pens and pads and ask if we can quote anything. We pick up a lot of business this way. Minuteman Press in Canton is also a member of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and has remained active in the community. We are here if you need us. We have volunteered for several events and offered our services for others. It is great to stay involved and give back. Advice for Others With 14 years in business under his belt, Jim Hilliard is the perfect person to ask for entrepreneur tips and advice. Jim says, The main regret I have is that I didnt do it sooner! I would look at the big picture prior to purchasing a franchise and review the royalties that will be due. Also, look into the advertising fees as a lot of franchises bill their franchisors for this (Minuteman Press does not). Jim concludes, If anyone is considering a franchise, please review all of the fees. You will find Minuteman Press International is among the most reasonable and their ongoing corporate and local support is out of this world! Jim and Cindy Hilliards Minuteman Press franchise is located at 4619 Whipple Ave NW, Canton, OH 44718. For more information, call 330-497-5275 or visit their website: https://www.canton.minutemanpress.com About Minuteman Press International Minuteman Press International is the number one rated business marketing and printing franchise that offers world class training and unparalleled ongoing local support. Started in 1973 by Roy Titus and his son Bob, Minuteman Press began franchising in 1975 and has grown to nearly 1,000 business service franchise locations worldwide including the U.S., Australia, Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Minuteman Press is ranked #1 in category by Entrepreneur 27 times and 16 years in a row, including 2019. Independent franchisee satisfaction firm Franchise Business Review has also named Minuteman Press International to its 2019 Top Franchises, 2018 Top Franchise Leaders, Top Franchises for Women, and Top Franchises for Veterans lists thanks to positive reviews from our owners . At Minuteman Press, We Are The Modern Printing Industry providing high quality products and services that meet the needs of today's business professionals and go way beyond ink on paper. Today, our centers offer innovative branding solutions and produce custom designs, promotional products, branded apparel, direct mail marketing, large format printing (banners and posters), signs and graphics, and much more. Prior experience is not necessary to own and operate a successful Minuteman Press franchise. To learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and speak with one of our experienced franchise representatives at no obligation, call 1-800-645-3006. Continue your franchise research, watch exclusive owner videos and access Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Contact: Minuteman Press International Franchise Opportunities, 1-800-645-3006 https://minutemanpressfranchise.com or Media Inquiries: Chris Biscuiti, 631-249-1370, ext. 249 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ff6b7a2a-5219-4146-9d35-08d01907e3d0 By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN (Reuters) - Syrian President Bashar al Assad made his first public visit to his closest regional ally Iran since the start of Syria's war in 2011, meeting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Monday and championing their alliance, state media reported. Syrian and Iranian state television showed Assad and Khamenei smiling and embracing. Syrian television said the two leaders agreed "to continue cooperation at all levels for the interests of the two friendly nations". Khamenei was quoted as saying the two countries' military victories in Syria had dealt "a harsh blow" to U.S plans in the region. Assad regained the upper hand in Syria's war with the help of Russian air power and Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah forces, retaking all main cities from rebels and militants backed variously by Western powers and Gulf Arabs. Sitting next to Assad was Major General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force - an overseas arm of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He has appeared on frontlines across Syria, where his presence has infuriated Sunni-led insurgents who oppose what they view as Shi'ite Iran's expansion in the region. It was Assad's first known foreign visit other than to Russia since the war began and his first to Tehran since 2010 Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias have expanded their control over mainly Sunni areas around Damascus, southern and eastern Syria that bore the brunt of the heaviest bombardment and led to mass displacement or emigration to neighboring countries. Iran's growing influence in Syria, where it has struck economic and trade deals, has also raised the prospect of a military confrontation with its arch-enemy Israel. Israel, regarding Iran as its biggest threat, has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets in Syria and those of allied militia, including Lebanon's Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to escalate its fight against Iranian aligned forces in Syria after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country. Assad was quoted by Syrian state television as saying that any escalation by Western powers would not stop Iran and Syria from defending their own interests. Iranian state media said Khamenei praised Assad as a hero who had strengthened the alliance between Iran, Syria and Hezbollah. "The Islamic Republic of Iran sees helping Syria's government and nation as support for the resistance movement (against Israel) and is deeply proud of doing it," Khamenei said. Assad was also briefed by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani about efforts by Russia, Iran and Turkey - supporters of the main sides in the Syrian civil war - to end the conflict. Syria wants Turkey, which has backed Sunni rebels and carved a sphere of influence in the northwest of the country, to remove its troops from Syrian territory and end its support for rebels. Efforts have so far failed to make progress toward a political settlement to end a war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced about half of Syrias pre-war population of 22 million. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi, Additional reporting by Parisa Hafezi.; Editing by Mark Heinrich) Wind chill forecast of 45 prompts extreme cold warnings for all of Alberta Just when it seemed we were in the clear, Environment Canada has issued another extreme cold warning for over half of Alberta. The weather alert applies to High Level and Fort Chipewyan in the north down to Medicine Hat and Brooks in the south. Areas surrounding Edmonton are also under alert: Leduc, Camrose, Wetaskiwin and Tofield to the southeast, Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville to the east and Westlock and Barrhead to the north. The coldest wind chill values will be near 40 C, Environment Canada says on its website. The weather agency attributes the extreme cold snap to an Arctic air mass moving into Alberta. The wind chill is expected to rise Monday afternoon to 20 C. Relief from the extreme cold is expected by Wednesday afternoon. Environment Canada reminds people that frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill. "If it's too cold for you to stay outside, it's too cold for your pet to stay outside." Edmonton was under an extreme cold warning for 14 straight days at the beginning of February. By Jack Stubbs and Douglas Busvine BARCELONA (Reuters) - Nokia does not expect the possible exclusion of Chinese companies on security grounds to delay the rollout of next-generation 5G services in European markets, CEO Rajeev Suri told Reuters. Debate is raging in Europe over whether to heed calls from Washington to bar China's Huawei Technologies, even as big telecoms operators warn that such a move could set back the deployment of 5G by years. Suri, however, downplayed concerns that a reduced field of vendors could slow network upgrades. The real reasons for Europe's growing 5G lag behind the United States are hold-ups in issuing spectrum to operators, as well as high auction costs in countries such as Italy, he said. "I think you cannot say that you know the situation caused by some of this will delay 5G rollout or that others are not capable or ready to provide equipment. That would not be accurate," Suri said on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress , the industry's main annual gathering, in Barcelona. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has lobbied European allies aggressively to shut out Huawei, saying the company is too closely tied to the Chinese government and its equipment could be vulnerable to cyber espionage. Huawei strongly rejects those allegations and Chairman Guo Ping, speaking in Barcelona, reiterated that it would never allow any country to insert so-called back doors in its equipment. Nokia, the second-biggest networks player behind Huawei, has warned of a weak start to 2019 but expects sales to recover and show growth in 2020 as 5G deployment accelerates. AUSTRALIA WIN The Finnish company announced a key win in Australia, which has banned Huawei, saying it would provide a 5G fixed-wireless access network to operator Optus, with 50 sites to go live by March. In a first, Nokia will provide to a limited number of Optus customers super-fast wireless internet that can support several devices and at the same time deliver ultra-high-definition video to the home, the two companies said. Nokia also said it had agreed with Korea Telecom to conduct 5G trials for service automation, network virtualisation and slicing, which allows multiple networks to run on top of shared infrastructure. There are also plans for Nokia to cooperate with Britain's Vodafone on active antennas to boost 5G capacity and cut costs, plus an agreement with India's Bharti Airtel to conduct a trial of a so-called front-haul solution that will help to speed 5G operations. The rapid rollout of 5G depends on whether antitrust regulators allow telecoms markets to consolidate, said Suri, adding that this would create stronger players capable of shouldering the vast investment needed to overhaul and upgrade networks. This applied both to Europe and to the United States, where the $26 billion takeover by T-Mobile of Sprint Corp is being reviewed by regulators. Waving that deal through would be positive for 5G, Suri told a later news conference. "If you want to accelerate 5G, that merger does allow the possibility to do so, simply with the spectrum and the economics," he told reporters and analysts. (Reporting by Douglas Busvine; Editing by David Goodman) By Camillus Eboh and Felix Onuah ABUJA (Reuters) - President Muhammadu Buhari took an early lead on Monday in initial official results from Nigeria's presidential election but the party of his main challenger quickly rejected the tallies as "incorrect and unacceptable". Saturday's election, which U.S. observers said had lost some credibility after being abruptly delayed by a week by officials citing organizational glitches, was expected to be Nigeria's tightest since the end of military rule two decades ago. At stake is control of Africa's top oil producer and biggest economy. Northeast Nigeria has also been wracked a decade-long battle with Islamist militants has spilled into neighboring countries and led to the deployment of a regional task force. Buhari, 76, is a former military ruler seeking a second term on an anti-corruption platform, while Atiku, 72, a businessman and ex-vice president, has pledged above all to expand the role of the private sector. Initial results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday put Buhari in the lead, having won in seven of Nigeria's 36 states, the commission said. Atiku prevailed in two states and the capital Abuja, which is not a state but treated as a separate district in elections. In provisional results announced in state capitals but not yet confirmed by the commission, Buhari and Atiku each won in two states. Asked about the early results, Buhari told reporters: "I don't want to depend on rumors...We will rather wait for INEC to announce the (full) results." But the chairman of Atiku's People's Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, said the election tallies announced so far were "incorrect and unacceptable". "The results are being manipulated and canceled for APC to retain power," he told reporters, referring to Buhari's party. Buhari's All Progressives Congress (APC) said in a statement that the PDP had "embarked on a cynical plan to discredit INEC as a backup plan in the likely event of them losing the election". The outcome, not expected until later in the week, appears to hinge on which man voters trust most to revamp an economy still struggling from a 2016 recession. A credible and relatively calm vote would open a new chapter in the checkered political history of Nigeria, where nearly six decades of independence have been tarnished by military coups, endemic corruption and secessionist movements. But doubts rose when the election was postponed on Feb. 16, just hours before it was due to begin, with authorities citing problems in delivering ballot papers and results sheets. "NEGATIVE EFFECTS" The week-long delay in holding Nigeria's presidential election damaged public trust in the process and probably reduced Saturday's voter turnout, U.S. observers said. The civil society group YIAGA AFRICA, which monitored the election, projected turnout at 36-40 percent. Situation Room, a monitoring mission comprising over 70 civic groups, said on Sunday that as many as 39 people had been killed in election-related violence, and more than 260 in all since the start of the campaign in October. Voting, however, took place "in a generally peaceful environment", said Hailemariam Desalegn, head of the African Union observer mission and a former premier of Ethiopia. "There were scattered incidents of violence but it was not seen as pervasive on Election Day," said Derek Mitchell, president of the U.S. observer mission. Previous Nigerian elections have been marred by violence among supporters of different political parties that at times sparked conflict between Christians and Muslims. Security forces are currently stretched by the Islamist insurgency as well as by communal violence and banditry in other areas. Hours before polls opened, explosions rocked Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, epicenter of the insurgency. In neighboring Yobe, residents of the town of Geidam fled a militant attack around the same time. Scattered violence and problems with smart card readers that authenticate voters' fingerprints meant voting in a small number of precincts was put off to Sunday, Mitchell said. "Serious operational shortcomings put an undue burden on voters," Maria Arena, the EU's chief observer and member of the European parliament, told reporters. (Additional reporting by Alexis Akwagyiram and Paul Carsten; Writing by James Macharia; Editing by Mark Heinrich) A Mississauga man, 28, is recovering in hospital after he was wounded late Saturday when his vehicle was shot at in Brampton. Peel Regional Police said they were called to the area of Torbram Road and Steeles Avenue East for a report of a shooting at about 11:30 p.m. A man had been driving his vehicle in the area when another vehicle approached and an unknown person in that vehicle shot at him, according to Const. Sarah Patten, spokesperson for Peel Regional Police. The man was injured in the shooting. He then pulled over and went to a nearby Tim Hortons coffee shop, where he called police. When officers arrived, they found the man suffering from a single gunshot wound. David Ritchie/CBC Peel paramedics took the man to a Toronto trauma centre in life-threatening condition, but he was listed in non-life-threatening condition as of Sunday morning, she said. "We do believe this is an isolated incident," Patten said on Sunday. "There is no risk to public safety." Police said they are appealing for any witnesses to the shooting. No suspect information has been released. Roads in the area were closed as officers investigated but they have since been reopened. A group of students and faculty members at the University of Alberta is demanding administration reform how it treats sexual assault cases, saying the university has dragged its feet on key parts of a 2016 policy review. About 40 demonstrators gathered Friday afternoon in Lister Centre, where university administrators were holding a summit. Sam Pearson, director of the University of Alberta Sexual Assault Centre, presented a list of demands, calling on administration to reform the University Appeal Board. "Any continued inaction on this issue would throw away all of the work so many of us have put into managing the institution's response to sexual violence and makes us non-compliant with our own sexual violence policy," Pearson said. If an investigation by the university discipline officer finds a student has violated the code of conduct, including in cases of sexual assault and harassment, the student can appeal the decision or sanctions to the three-person board. The board is chaired by a faculty member; the other two members are two students. Pearson said there is a lack of training for those members, an issue noted in the university's January 2016 sexual-assault policy review. 'Hearings treated like criminal proceedings' While the appeals process is important, the hearings are treated like criminal proceedings and unnecessarily retry sexual assault cases, she said. Survivors often face intense questioning from criminal defence lawyers while their attacker looks on, Pearson said. Pearson's voice trembled as she read from a statement given by a student who was sexually assaulted and went through the appeals process. "Aside from the assault itself, the hearing was the most humiliating and degrading experience of my life," she read. "I chose this process because I felt the criminal justice system would do nothing to support me and would only victimized me further. I felt I had a better chance of being supported and believed by my own university. This was not the case." Story continues READ: University of Alberta Sexual Assault Centre criticizes the university's appeal process in sexual assault cases. Pearson said the hearings amount to untrained community members rehashing graphic details of sexual assault in front of survivors, who don't have access to proper emotional support. The appeals board, she said, should only review whether certain evidence was absent or not adequately considered, or whether bias played a part in the sanctions. Demands include training The list of demands calls on university administration to immediately suspend appeal hearings related to sexual assault cases until a public review of its procedures and past decisions is complete. It also calls on administration to institute pass/fail training for board members and ensure an advocate is present for the filing of all complaints. "I, for one, can't support one more survivor in reporting their experience to the university until I'm certain that there's no chance they're going to have to interact with a process that, unquestionably, degrades and dehumanizes them at the end of it," Pearson said. READ: The list of demands presented to university administration Thursday to reform how the appeals board reviews sexual assault cases. The university's deputy provost, Wendy Rogers, addressed demonstrators Friday pledging that administration would review the demands and immediately put in place sexual violence training. "We would like to stay a little bit ahead of some of these issues. We didn't in this case and we're going to fix that," Rogers said. John Shypitka/CBC In an interview with CBC News, Rogers said the university would also speed up a full review of the student code of behaviour and appeals board policy, which she said had been underway for the past year. "Our community is telling us that we need to respond more quickly, so I'm receiving that message and we are prepared to move ahead on it," she said. Rogers said administration would meet in the next two weeks to come up with a plan to address the demands and develop a consultation process with the community. NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CEOs and Chairmen who are answering the call for a long-term focus from leading investors such as BlackRock, State Street, and Vanguard will share their forward-looking plans at CECPs sixth CEO Investor Forum. Organized by CECPs Strategic Investor Initiative (SII) , the presentations are part of a global platform that levers CECPs CEO network to fundamentally change the conversation between CEOs, boards of directors, and investors from short-term profits to sustained long-term corporate performance. CEO Investor Forums have brought together to date 30 companies representing more than $2 trillion in market cap and investors representing $25 trillion in assets under management, shifting the market mindset to put greater value in conversations about growth, strategy, and risk over the long term. Presentations will be live-streamed beginning at 1:20 pm ET via this link: http://www.wsw.com/webcast/cecp6 . "For too long, companies have sacrificed long-term value creation to generate short-term results, which erodes the sustainability strategic investors seek, said Bill McNabb, Former Chairman, SII Advisory Board Co-Chair. Its through the groundbreaking efforts of the Strategic Investor Initiative that companies and investors can change how businesses plan and act. CECP, with the 200 global CEOs in their coalition, is the right organization to lead this transformation." The February 25th event will begin with a panel of four current and former CEOs who will discuss long-term megatrends facing global businesses. Following the panel, five CEOs will present their respective companys long-term plans to the audience of institutional investors. The event will conclude with a conversation with the Honorable Leo E. Strine, Jr., Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Delaware. We regularly hear from the CEOs in CECPs coalition that they face too many short-term pressures from Wall Street traders, stated Nandika Madgavkar, Senior Director, Strategic Investor Initiative. Yet, strategic investors also want to hear how companies will create value over several years, not just the next quarter. Our CEO Investor Forums and partnership with the 200 plus companies in our coalition creates tremendous momentum for 2019. The keynote luncheon panel on megatrends in global business will feature: Alex Gorsky , Chairman & CEO, Johnson & Johnson and co-chair, Strategic Investor Initiative ; , Chairman & CEO, and co-chair, ; Mark T. Bertolini , Former Chairman & CEO, Aetna Inc.; , Former Chairman & CEO, Omar Ishrak , CEO, Medtronic ; , CEO, ; Barbara Humpton, CEO, Siemens USA Immediately following the panel, the audience of institutional investors will hear long-term plan presentations from: Kevin P. Clark, President & CEO, Aptiv President & CEO, Steve Collis , Chairman, President, & CEO, AmerisourceBergen , Chairman, President, & CEO, Robin Hayes, CEO, JetBlue Airways CEO, Mark Schneider , CEO, Nestle S.A. , CEO, Peter Van Camp, Executive Chairman & Former CEO, Equinix The CEO Investor Forum follows the recent publication of two research papers from the Strategic Investor Initiative. The most recent study, Methods of Production of Long-term Plans co-authored by SII Research Director Brian Tomlinson and BrownFlynn Senior Advisor Mike Krzus, offers a behind-the-scenes look at why the CEOs of some of the worlds largest companies delivered long-term plan presentations to investors at the CEO Investor Forums. The paper also outlines which inputs the CEOs considered in creating the presentations, who was involved, and how the internal teams aligned and prioritized data. In addition, Tomlinson also co-authored the report The Economic Significance of Long-Term Plans with George Serafeim of Harvard Business School Professor and KKS Advisors. The report found early evidence that the presentations at CEO Investor Forums triggered abnormal market returns of 1.83% and share turnover of 7.6%. Companies that communicated plans with higher-quality information also saw higher market reactions. CECPs Strategic Investor Initiative is co-chaired by Bill McNabb, former Chairman of Vanguard, and Johnson & Johnsons CEO Alex Gorsky. SII has an advisory board of leading investors that represent more than $15 trillion in assets under management. The CEO Investor Forum took place following CECPs annual Board of Boards event, which this year also serves as the kickoff celebration of CECPs 20th anniversary. The event is supported by KPMG, Ford Foundation, Bloomberg LP, and Heron Foundation. ABOUT CECP: THE CEO FORCE FOR GOOD CECP is a CEO-led coalition that believes that a companys social strategy how it engages with key stakeholders including employees, communities, investors, and customers determines company success. Founded in 1999 by actor and philanthropist Paul Newman and other business leaders to create a better world through business, CECP has grown to a movement of more than 200 of the worlds largest companies that represent $11.3 trillion in revenues, $23.8 billion in societal investment, 17.4 million employees, and $15 trillion in assets under management. CECP helps companies transform their social strategy by providing customized connections and networking, counsel and support, benchmarking and trends, and awareness building and recognition. ABOUT THE STRATEGIC INVESTOR INITIATIVE The Strategic Investor Initiative is a coalition of thought leaders committed to the long-term movement. Collectively, SII is developing a new platform for leading companies to create, convey, and deliver long-term plans to long-term investors. SIIs vision is to spark the movement of trillions of dollars of capital to companies demonstrating performance excellence over the long-term. SII provides tools and resources designed to introduce and support market behaviors that ultimately deliver sustained long-term value for all stakeholders. Media Contact: Jackie Albano 646.863.1926 jalbano@cecp.co Washingtons campaign to restrict the integration of Chinese telecommunications equipment maker Huawei in 5G networks shifts to Barcelona this week as global industry leaders gather for an emergency meeting on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) to discuss the possibility of excluding the Shenzhen-based vendor from European markets. While the U.S. has successfully lobbied close allies Australia, New Zealand, and Japan to block the use of Huawei equipment in its 5G infrastructure on national security grounds, it has faced increasing pushback in Europe amid cost concerns and skepticism over Washingtons claims that the company poses a risk. The Huawei issue has now completely taken over Earlier this month, GSMA, an industry group and host of MWC in Barcelona, cautioned against restrictions on Chinese equipment. GSMA stated that European telecom operators and citizens would end up paying the cost while 5G deployment would delayed years across Europe. Barcelona is normally the place where deals are made, with big announcements about carriers choosing equipment suppliers and discussions about 5G use cases, Paul Triolo, Head of Global Technology Policy Analyst at Eurasia Group, told Yahoo Finance. The Huawei issue has now completely taken over the normal course of events. All of this sets the stage for a U.S.-China showdown of sorts at the annual event better known for unveiling tech gadgets than foreign policy. (Graphic: Yahoo Finance/David Foster) No way U.S. can crush us Huawei and Washington have been engaged in a public battle in the lead-up to the conference. On a recent trip to Hungary, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo suggested that relations with allies would suffer if they refused to restrict Huawei equipment, saying if that equipment is co-located where we have important American systems, it makes it more difficult for us to partner alongside them. Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei dismissed U.S. accusations that Beijing could use the companys vast network as a tool for surveillance, telling the BBC that his company would never undertake any spying activities. He added that theres no way [the] U.S. can crush us. Story continues A slide from a Huawei presentation shows the company's development of 5G technology. (Photo: Huawei) Washington has repeatedly pointed to Chinese legislation passed in 2017 allowing the intelligence agency to compel individual organizations to provide necessary support, assistance, and cooperation as proof that Huawei cannot be trusted. But while the U.S. Department of Justice has filed criminal charges against the company alleging theft of trade secrets, bank and wire fraud, violations of Iran sanctions, and conspiracy to commit money laundering it has not provided public evidence proving Huawei created back doors to spy or disrupt communications. You have different countries taking different sides The issue is particularly complicated for some European countries, where Huawei accounts for 50-to-80% of existing mobile infrastructure and telecom providers have already begun integrating its equipment as part of a broader 5G rollout. Recent reports suggest the UK and Germany are unlikely to push for an outright ban but may find ways to limit the risks while integrating Huawei equipment in 5G networks. Others like Poland are considering shutting out the Chinese company altogether after a Huawei employee and a Polish employee of the telco operator Orange were arrested on spying allegations. A slide from a Huawei presentation shows where various operations are located. (Graphic: Huawei) The preference is to have an EU wide decision on this because of the way it looks right now. You have different countries taking different sides with mishmash approaches to this, Triolo said. That makes it complicated for carriers that operate across jurisdictions like Vodafone. Vodafone (VOD), a global 5G partner of Huawei, recently paused installing Huawei into its core European networks. Some experts believe there is still time to turn away from Huawei. James Lewis, Director of the Technology and Public Policy Program at the Center for Strategic International Studies, recently argued that Huaweis importance in the 5G buildout has been overstated. Right now Huawei is not indispensable, Lewis, a former Foreign Service Officer at the Department of State, told Yahoo Finances On The Move (video above). Some studies suggest they can be 20% cheaper because of the subsidies they get from the Chinese government but you dont have to buy Huawei if you want to buy 5G. Mr. President. I cannot agree with you more Triolo noted that Washingtons shifting narrative has also muddled the picture. After repeatedly suggesting Huawei posed a national security risk, Trump backed off the harsh rhetoric last week when he tweeted that the U.S. should win through competition, not by blocking out currently more advanced technologies. His message came amid reports the U.S. was inching closer towards a broader trade deal with China after months of friction. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Huaweis rotating Chairman Ken Hu responded to Trump on Twitter, saying: Mr President, I cannot agree with you more. Our company is always ready to help build the real 5G network in the US, through competition. (Huawei confirmed the authenticity of the tweet to Yahoo Finance.) This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The GSMA board meeting in Barcelona wont be limited to European carriers and will include Chinese operators like China Mobile. That will be followed by ministerial meetings later in the week. A large U.S. delegation including FCC Chairman Ajit Pai will be looking to find some middle ground with government and business leaders to limit Huaweis growth. But that could be a tough sell given that Huawei equipment currently accounts for 28% of global market share, according to DellOro Group, with Ericsson (ERIC) and Nokia (NOK) trailing behind. Samsung is ramping up investments in 5G telecom network equipment business to fill the potential Huawei void, according to Reuters. But with the company accounting for just 3% of the global infrastructure on 4G, it may not have the capacity to meet demand. The U.S. government came up with the ban idea but they didnt appreciate what the cost of that would be from a carrier point of view for equipment, and they didnt really think out how you replace capacity in the network, Triolo said. Those are issues beyond the ability of the government. READ MORE: What is Huawei? China crown jewel now in US crosshairs Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit. - 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." Opinion / Columnist It is important to consider the relations between numbers and democratic government. Past election experience has demonstrated that the relation between numbers and politics is mutually constitutive: the exercise of politics depends upon numbers; acts of social quantification are politicized; our images of political life are shaped by the realities that numbers appear to disclose. If you fail to explore the specific links between democracy, as a mentality of government and a technology of rule, and quantification, majority numeracy and statistics. It should be accepted that democratic power is majority power, and requiring citizens who calculate about power.The thank you rallies by both political parties showed the links between the promulgation of numeracy in Zimbabwean politics and programmes to produce a certain type of disciplined subjectivity in citizens. But they are serving nothing. The situation Zimbabwe is now in does not need any show of force. It does not need dancing to the gallery. Getting used to the Numbers are examined to demonstrate the ways in which the exercise of democratic government in Zimbabwe came to be seen as dependent upon the people you have in making up" the polity of a democratic nation. But Zimbabwe is just few months from elections it does not need thank you rallies. The two parties ZANU PF and MDC T are behaving like immature-children. Trying to out do each other in these rallies and boast of numbers.The country needs production we still have five years to go why getting into campaign mood now. It shows the case of National Supremacy in the context of an argument that there is an intrinsic relation between political problematizations and attempts to make them calculate through numerical technologies. And it considers the ways in which neo-liberal mentalities of government depend upon the existence of a public habitat Democracy, in its modern mass liberal forms, requires people to make it happen and to make it to the state house. But we are already at state house. We need to thank our people by delivering. The unending rallies are counter productive.The nation needs leaders who are focused. ZANU PF plans rallies throughout the country the costs of such rallies are not necessary. Chamisa does not want to be outdone. He calls for his thank you rallies. Again as like last time Chamisa busses people to Gweru. What thank you is this. He should be campaigning for the coming congress but he is busy playing the president.ZANU PF shows the relations between quantification and democratic government. Experience has demonstrated that the relation between numbers and politics is mutually constitutive: the exercise of politics depends upon numbers; acts of social quantification are politicized; our images of political life are shaped by the realities that statistics appear to disclose. The thank you rallies shows the specific links between democracy, as a mentality of government and a technology of rule, of law. and rule by majority It argues that democratic power is calculated power, calculating power and requiring citizens who calculate about power. The multitude showed the links between the promulgation of numeracy in our democratic system and programmes to produce a certain type of disciplined subjectivity in citizens and their allegiance to the party they love. The fruits of numbers was seen in 2018 as it demonstrated the ways in which the serious democratic government in the country came to be seen as dependent upon people.Lets face it cdes. ZANU PF still has support and democracy is numerical. We as ZANU PF still have more years to Rule. Judging by today's support. We are in the driving seat. But we do not need to burden the people by dragging them to rallies everyday.This is the time to sit down and organise the people. We need to hatch a way forward. We need progress not regress. These rallies should be stopped and we should use that money towards our development.We should not view any descending voice as a a voice of a rebel. We must digest all views and analyse them.We are in the driving seat. Please do not drive in the wrong direction.Let Chamisa be enveloped in his rallies. ZANU PF has a country to run.Vazet2000@yahoo.co.uk Opinion / Columnist We live in this modern world that the United States purports to lead with God-ordained civility; yet in it the rule of law has been reduced to a matter of opinion, as has become the concept of democracy. What the world has seen so far for countries like Afghanistan, Lebanon, Palestine, Guatemala, Syria, Grenada, Libya, Vietnam and many others can only be described as a tragedy all visited upon these people in the name human rights law and democratisation.The weaker and lesser peoples of this world have nowhere to appeal when our self-proclaimed world leaders flout international law with impunity, and when they openly finance and promote vandalism, criminality and thuggery in weaker countries; all in the name of the exercise of human rights freedoms and respect for international law.There is no way the unilateral toppling of a leader of another sovereign country can be legal, let alone the murdering of the same leader.Regime change politics are criminal by definition, and those sponsoring such are aware of it. That is why they deny responsibility and try to create pretexts.We had a meaningless protest over election results turning violent and deadly on 1 August 2018; and between 14 and 16 January this year, another deadly violent protest by MDC Alliance thugs and vandals occurred manly in Harare and Bulawayo. In both cases the marauding thugs destroyed property, endangered lives of others, looted shops, and burnt down cars and buses.We lost six people in the first protest and at least 3 other people in the second one, including a female police officer. These deaths now assume a political dimension benefiting the opposition propaganda agenda, while attempting to taint the ruling Zanu-PF.Those motivated by the desire to push the regime change agenda of the opposition have raised alarming concerns over the disproportionate use of force by the State, while they have not raised any concerns at all over the violent behaviour of opposition protestors, whose behaviour primarily caused the clashes that resulted in the regrettable deaths.Others have raised concerns about the sponsoring of violence by foreign powers, while others have condemned both the violence of the protesters and the amount of force used by the state to thwart the protesters.Let us take analysis of the romance between the US and the MDC Alliance. It dates back to the year 2000 when the then newly formed MDC won 57 out of the contested 120 seats, riding impressively on the urban protest vote.Its now 19 years later, and Zanu-PF is still facing urban protest politics, and this has been the basis and cause of the two deadly protests in August last year and January this year. Support for the MDC Alliance in urban areas like Harare and Bulawayo is not exactly based on rationality or merit, but on protest against anything and everything Zanu-PF, including its majority vote at the national level.There is just no recognition, respect or acceptance of any number of votes in favour of Zanu-PF, and the opposition activists simply want to make Zimbabwe under Zanu-PF ungovernable. It is a declared unarmed civil war of economic sabotage and urban-based obnoxiousness and rebellion. The opposition leader has christened this protest crusade by excitable youths, "pouring sand in the national food plate."From its formation, the MDC has largely misread the impact of protest politics, hoping this in and of itself will one day bring regime change. There was hope that urban mass action would propel Morgan Tsvangirai to State House in 2002, and nothing close to that ever happened.Our opposition has always invited and welcomed Western diplomatic aggression on our country, celebrating it with the loyalty of tail wagging lapdogs. Our opposition celebrated when the EU, the US and other Western outposts like Australia imposed illegal sanctions on our country at the beginning of the millennium. They were jubilant when our country was suspended from the Commonwealth, and they helped draft the US sanctions law (ZDERA) in 2001.To our opposition all this aggression on our country is the dawn of "salvation" from the West. As it has been since 2001, the MDC led by Nelson Chamisa today still hopes to bring down Zanu-PF by the power of sanctions and economic strangulation.Tsvangirai had red cards, and his Tongai Tione slogan then, and Chamisa has his hooligans and the Jecha slogan today. But it all remains futile. We hear the overthrowing or ousting of Zanu-PF will unlock billions of dollars into our economy, and Nelson Chamisa believes he holds the keys to these Western moneybags.The naivete in such hopes would be funny if only the country did not have gullible people many enough to make Chamisa the second most voted politician in the country. The MDC's external support from the Western alliance has not been attractive to the African eye, not least to the Caribbean and the rest of the world outside Western Europe and the US. The democratic credentials of the United States are not impressive at all when measured against Washington's foreign policy.The same Western alliance emotionally crying for democracy in Zimbabwe stands solidly behind Israel in the dispossession and massacring of Palestinians while their media went into overdrive over the dispossession of a few white farmers in Zimbabwe's land reclamation programme. It appears like it is only Israel's historical land rights that matter, not those of former colonies of the West.The repossession of land by indigenous Zimbabweans, whose land was stolen from them for 110 years was condemned as brainless barbarism, while Israel is always given the nod for taking away Palestinian land on the basis of interpretations of pronouncements made by Biblical prophets some 5 000 years ago. Ariel Sharon never got punished for the Sabra and Shatila massacres; and Belgium got the threat of withdrawal of Nato headquarters from Donald Rumsfeld for offering extra-territorial judicial powers for the trial of Sharon.Israel attacked South Lebanon with brutal precision in mid-2006 and the Western alliance shamelessly cited the self-defence rhetoric. The world watched in dismay; and our own MDC goes right into the armpits of the Western alliance and poses as crusaders for democracy in Zimbabwe.Africa cannot accept this, and this has always been the challenge. While the MDC will organise thugs and hooligans to do their mischief and provoke the State into the use of force, so they can turn around and throw dramatic tantrums as victims of police or state brutality, the problem remains in that not many people in the world are convinced the West genuinely hates dictators.Everyone knows how much of a dictator Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan was, and its common knowledge that he came to power through a military coup, much as he stood as the West's best and strongest ally in the Far East during his rule. And the MDC's Western friends have no qualms over the state of democracy in Saudi Arabia, while they had the commitment and temerity to deploy over 175 000 troops in Iraq in order to topple Saddam Hussein and democratise his country.Hugo Chavez of Venezuela was elected democratically winning 80 percent of the vote and the 'most democratic' USA expressed shameless support for a short lived 11 April, 2002 coup against Chavez by one Pedro Carmona, in the process becoming the only government in the world to recognise the three-day government of Carmona, probably the shortest to have existed in history.Today the United States and its Western allies have unilaterally recognised the self-declared unelected "president" Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the legitimate leader of the country. Our opposition here is super-excited about it all, hoping Nelson Chamisa can simply wake up and declare himself the new president of our country with tacit support from Western backers.Just that here we handle nonsense the Zimbabwean way, and things cannot be the same. This is not how democracy works, it is not how it was ever meant to work, and it is a shame that the world has to put up with this kind of bullying.When the people of Venezuela took to the streets in millions to bring back Chavez, they succeeded and Condoleezza Rice publicly showed her chagrin and warned Chavez to "take note and change his ways." Today the US war on the Maduro-led socialist government of Venezuela continues unabated.Equally Hamas was democratically elected in Palestine in 2007, and the Western alliance congratulated them by listing them on the international terrorist list, and declaring non-recognition of the Hamas government. They slapped them with sanctions as a direct response for winning an election against the expectations of Israel and the US.Today our own opposition backs the United States and urges them to slap our government and our country with more sanctions as a direct response for Zanu-PF winning the 2018 elections. If only Donald Trump could send a mass destruction bomb to Harare and bring down Zanu-PF; so are the wishes of some of our children within the opposition ranks, including leader Nelson Chamisa. Africa and the rest of the world simply cannot comprehend what the MDC is made of and they rightly begin to express their concerns; with Sadc and the AU speaking the loudest.When Tsvangirai declared on television that he was prepared to violently take power from Zanu-PF, his Western backers nodded in appreciation of his bravery, and they vigorously opposed the charges that were laid against him for his undemocratic utterances. There is no way any sane African government could be expected to support a party such as the MDC, lest one such party would pop out in their own backyard.The US cannot deny statistics that it kills more of its black population through the death row than it does the white population. They cannot deny that their prisons have a disturbing over representation of blacks as well as that the so-called black on black violence is a result of their racist legacy. The world is aware of all this. We hear there is something the matter with the appointment of Justice Luke Malaba as our Chief Justice here.We are told Zanu-PF has captured our judiciary through Malaba's appointment. So how does the United States run its judiciary? Didn't John F. Kennedy appoint Robert Kennedy, his own brother as the Attorney General because, in his own words he, "was the best man around." Now the West is convinced that they are the best qualified to observe and judge elections across the world and the MDC chants Amen!The AU, Sadc, African Caribbean and Pacific countries are all deemed unqualified when it comes to Zimbabwe's elections, and the United States expects all these people to accept this view with the humility of natives.If the West believed in international monitoring of elections the world could have easily been spared the George W. Bush election madness in 2000 because no international observer would ever bless the Florida follies that brought Bush to power at the expense of Al Gore.The US is the only country ever to detonate an atomic bomb on other people but they have the audacity to tell the world how best not to have that happen, in the process persecuting and torturing weaker countries for covert causes and interests totally unrelated to the development of nuclear bombs; of course in the name of stopping them from developing nuclear weapons.Ironically it is the same nuclear weapons that give the US the arrogance to think they can lord it over anyone in the world. The US has openly disregarded UN resolutions on Palestine, Iraq and on many other occasions, and yet it tells the world to observe international law. Israel is 70 years old now since its creation, and the country is largely self-exempting when it comes to international law. Who defends it the most?International law must be the law when it comes to Vietnam, Iraq, Iran, Soweto massacres, Congo and the mercenaries in the sixties as well as Palestine, Syria, or Libya. Put simply, international law must legally protect the weak from the strong and not blatantly empower the strong to plunder the weak with impunity.Now the West stands shamelessly expressing uncharacteristic concern for Africa through this opposition inspired passion for the so-called plight of ordinary Zimbabweans. It must be put on record that not a square centimetre of Africa was won back with an iota of help from the West.When Africa was fighting for political independence the West was known for its active support for anti-liberation movements like Mozambique's Renamo, Angola's Unita, Zimbabwe's UANC, South Africa's Inkhata Freedom Party, Congo's Moise Tshombe and his mercenaries, Joseph Mobutu of the same Congo, Idi Amin of Uganda; just to mention but a few.The West holds the answers to the assassinations of Patrice Lumumba, Samora Machel, Thomas Sankara, Dedan Kimathi, Muammar Gaddafi and many other Africans killed for fighting for the emancipation of their people. One would easily understand if Russia or China expressed concern for Africa today, because they showed a lot of concern during Africa's hour of need, albeit for their own motivations, if indeed that was the argument. Now this is the context of the global political order when our own opposition hankers for the isolation of our own country, for our own economic strangulation.If the Western elites expect Africa to take them seriously then they are best advised to abandon the strategy of pliant stooge regimes, and start acting on principles of honest leadership and consistency in behaviour. As it is, international law and democracy have become a matter of opinion and the blame for that lies squarely on the hypocrisy and double standards of the US-led Western alliance.We are in the process of re-engaging with the West right now, and that engagement must be based on mutual respect between our governments and our peoples. All Africa needs is an honest and fair relationship with the West, and this is a time when all manipulation games must be rested for fair play, especially when it comes to Africa's natural resources. The time for African resources to build glamorous cities in other parts of the world is over. The time for our children to die of malnutrition while our resources are causing obesity on the children of our exploiters is gone.We want African posterity to be proud of its ancestry, not to forever mourn over the plundering of our wealth and resources by people proclaiming superiority over us. We are reviving the Zimbabwean economy right now, and let it be known that our openness for business and investment is not a capitulation cry to open up doors for notorious global economic pirates. We are in the process of rebuilding the jewel of Africa, and those who wish to partner us must do so on a win-win basis as we make Zimbabwe great again. Zimbabwe we are one and together we will overcome. It is homeland or death!------Reason Wafawarova is a political writer based in Sydney, Australia. News / National by Staff reporter FINANCE minister Mthuli Ncube says he will embark on a roadshow to global capital powerhouses in Europe and the United States to explain to would-be investors the progress the country has taken so far on its reform agenda.Authorities in the southern African country are desperate to attract much-needed new foreign capital, which has stayed at bay because of policy inconsistencies, currencyproblems and bad governance."We are going to go to what we call a global money deal roadshow in June this year, I as Finance minister and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor (John Mangudya), permanentsecretary of finance George Guvamatanga and other captains of industry," he said."We will visit global capital and go for a roadshow. We will start with Frankfurt and go to Japan, London and New York and maybe the West Coast also, so that we explain thereform agenda the progress we are making. (We will) also explain the economic policies and the opportunities that are available in this country. We are not trying to raise themoney or do a deal."Ncube noted that the introduction of the market-based exchange rate system will pave way for investors to flood the country."By introducing this market-based exchange rate system, we are providing certainty on the exchange regime. Before, they were asking us, in fact, do you know the fact that investors could not remit the dividends because we don't have an exchange rate regime. Capital can only come in if it knows it can get out. By doing what we have done, we are dealing with it," he said.When presenting the Transitional Stabilisation Programme last October, Ncube said, to court the best suitors for parastatals and stimulate foreign direct investment, governmenthad resolved to publish international tenders in the world's biggest economies and other strategic jurisdictions.Ncube and his team face an insurmountable task to market a country dogged by rampant corruption and over-arching State interference in business.Zimbabwe is ranked 155 out of 190 countries on the global ease of doing business, according to the latest ranking, and needs to do more to attract global capital.The country also ranks poorly on Transparency International's corruption index, dropping three places from last year to 160 out of 180 countries in the 2019 report. News / National by Staff reporter ZANU-PF activist and losing candidate in the ruling party primary elections for Gweru Urban, Tinomudaishe Chinyoka has filed a $2,7 million defamation lawsuit against Gweru-based lawyer Brian Dube.Chinyoka, who is based in Harare, claimed Dube falsely accused him of assaulting him at the Gweru Magistrates' Court on Monday.When the alleged assault happened, Dube, who is also Gweru Urban MP, was representing Chiwundura legislator Livingstone Chimina (MDC Alliance), who is facing charges of inciting violence.Chinyoka has since been charged with assault and threats of future violence and is yet to appear in court to answer to the charges.In a counter-claim filed on Wednesday under case number HC 1353/19, Chinyoka is demandingUS$308 083 as defamation damages and US$2 460 010 for "injurious falsehood"."The plaintiff's claim is for payment in the sum of US$308 083 and US$2 460 010 being damages for defamation and injurious falsehood, plus interest thereon at the prescribed rate from the date of summons to the date of payment and costs of suit, as more fully appears in the attached declaration which is incorporated herewith," the lawsuit read.Dube has 10 days to respond to the defamation lawsuit. News / National by Staff reporter Traditional leaders in Matebeleland have written to the South African parliament requesting permission to be allowed to present "facts" about the 1980's mass killings in Matebeleland and Midlands as they push for an independent investigation into the atrocities known as Gukurahundi.Chief Vezi Mafu (Maduna) of Filabusi in November 2018 petitioned the United Nations (UN) seeking the setting-up of an independent inquiry into the Gukurahundi massacres.The government reacted angrily to Maduna's UN petition amid reports that he has faced persecution since then, but that has not deterred the traditional leader.In a letter dated January 12, 2019 and addressed to the speaker of the South African parliament, Matabeleland chiefs requested to be "afforded an opportunity to be allowed to formally present the facts about the genocide that occurred in their region of Zimbabwe.""Of concern, the genocide was perpetrated upon the Ndebele people by the government of the day."The government of the day is still in office and evidently does not take this matter seriously."It is blatantly obvious that this government does not wish to address this matter, hence our wish as traditional leaders to directly engage you," reads in part the letter signed on behalf of the Matabeleland traditional leaders by outspoken Ntabazinduna chief, Felix Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni.President Emmerson Mnangagwa's role during Gukurahundi continues to be questioned, and has faced protests in Pretoria, South Africa, and at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo over the emotive issue.Mnangagwa's predecessor, Robert Mugabe, dispatched the Fifth Brigade an army unit trained by the North Koreans in the early 80's to to supposedly quash what he claimed were insurgents bent on overthrowing him, resulting in the killing of over 20 000 civilians.Mnangagwa has said he is prepared to apologise if recommended by the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission, but traditional leaders doubted the president's sincerity in soberly addressing the issue."As traditional leaders, we live within these affected areas, within the Ndebele nation and we are mindful that this matter of the unresolved genocide has the potential to seriously destabilise the country and indeed the Southern African Development Community region," the letter added."The warning signs are already written on the wall, just as they were in Kenya and Rwanda."From our perspective, it is only the international arena that can do justice to this issue for it is unrealistic for a perpetrator of genocide to then investigate and prosecute themselves," the letter adds. News / National by Staff reporter Only five banks used the interbank foreign currency market on the first day of trade on Friday where at least US$5 million exchanged hands, it has been revealed.The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) last Wednesday re-established the interbank foreign currency exchange system after a decade of using a multicurrency system.The new interbank foreign currency system allows electronic transfer of the hard currency among banks and helps traders as well as exporters to settle their US$ obligations through the formal banking system.A senior RBZ official said at least US$5 million was traded on Friday and more was expected this week as more banks were set to join after making improvements on their systems."So far only five banks were by Friday trading on the interbank market as most of them are yet to upgrade their systems to accommodate US$ trade," the official said."From the figures available, more than $5 million was traded at the opening of the interbank platform and with some big firms buying the USD$ and some selling it to banks."On Saturday, government gazetted a Statutory Instrument (SI) making the establishment of the local bond notes, real-time gross settlement (RTGS) balances and bond coins a separate legal tender that would compete on the money market together with other currencies in the multi-currency basket.The central bank said all the RTGS dollar balances before the promulgation of the SI, remained of the same value as the USD$ at 1:1.RBZ governor John Mangudya (pictured below) told The Standard that the RTGS dollar value changes when a person wants to get the hard currency and its value would be determined by market forces."People should not get confused. In the bank, the RTGS balances have the same value with the USD but when one wants forex at the bank, then it changes and its value is determined by the rate prevailing at that particular bank," he said."We have not devalued the RTGS balances, but allowed people to access the forex at a rate which is competitive and allows the economy to grow."Your $1 000 in the bank is still $1 000. However, when you want to get the USD$, the rate and value will be determined by the market." News / National by Staff reporter FIRST Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has pledged to assist children living and working on the streets acquire formal and vocational education, which will help them realise their full potential.During an interface with scores of children living on the streets at Town House in Harare yesterday, the First Lady said the vulnerable group could be ably assisted through equipping them with necessary skills and providing them with food and decent housing. Those without national identity documents which are crucial when enrolling at various learning facilities will also get a helping hand, she added."I am very concerned about the welfare of children living and working on the streets. Together with the Harare City Council and Department of Social Welfare, we sat down and discussed on how we can help so that you are taken off the streets," said Amai Mnangagwa."There are many children who have been previously helped by the department and their lives changed for the good. You all have bright futures. I believe in you and your intelligence. I have realised that you have come a long way and some of you have painful backgrounds. However, you have not lost hope.Some of you have intentions to continue with your education, while some of you want training in vocational skills. That is what I have come to help you achieve. I am going to help those who want to go back to school, those who want skills training and those who want proper housing facilities," she said.The First Lady said she already had secured places for those that were willing to get life-skills."I want to help you reach your full potential in life and become respectable people in the society. I am going to be your mother and I will be your supervisor. All you have to do is to grab this opportunity and be focused on turning your life around. I heard that most of you are being abused by older people, you do not have adequate food and blankets. I am here to tell you that we are now starting a new chapter. All that you have been going through is now over."Those who want to pursue sports, she added, will be assisted through the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation.Speaking at the same occasion, provincial development officer in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Mr Ernest Chimboza said Government also offered training services that could be life-changing to children living and working on the streets.The skills include financial literacy, business planning, pricing and costing, skills training, food processing and detergent making. Mr Chimboza also indicated that the training would help the trainees secure funding from institutions such as Women's Bank; Small to Medium Enterprises Development Cooperation (SMEDCO) and get training from institutions such as the recently opened India-Africa Incubation Centre. Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation acting provincial head Mr Paul Mashaba said they would be working closely with the First Lady to help improve the children's lives. TORONTO, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canadas (PDAC) 2019 Conventionthe worlds premier mineral exploration and mining eventwill commence this weekend in Toronto, marking its 87th year. Toronto is a major beneficiary of the PDAC Convention, injecting upwards of $70 million into its economy annually. PDAC President Glenn Mullan looks forward to welcoming the sector back to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC), where more than 25,000 attendees from 135 countries attended in 2018. The PDAC Convention is the industrys largest and most identifiable annual event says Mullan. It provides mineral and mining professionals, investors, analysts, geologists, executives, government officials and students access to cutting-edge programming, short courses, presentations and networking opportunities. The four-day convention will feature more than 550 speakers, allowing attendees access to the latest trends, investment opportunities and technologies that are emerging and influencing the sector, adds Mullan. PDAC 2019 Convention highlights and attractions include: The PDAC 2019 Convention takes place March 3-6 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Watch the video or visit www.pdac.ca/convention for more information. About the PDAC The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) is the leading voice of the mineral exploration and development community. With over 8,000 members around the world, PDACs mission is to promote a globally-responsible, vibrant and sustainable mineral sector that encourages best practices in technical, operational, environmental, safety and social performance. Please visit www.pdac.ca . News / National by Staff reporter Former Cabinet Minister Walter Mzembi has put his palatial Harare mansion on the market for a princely $2 million amid speculation the 55-year-old politician is finalising moves to flee the country to avoid possible imprisonment on corruption charges.One of the four real estate companies engaged to sell the house, Kennan Properties, last week confirmed that the imposing residence in the high-income suburb of Vainona is valued at US$800 000, which translates to around $2 million at the official RTGS exchange rate prevailing last Friday.Renowned estate agents Pam Golding Properties, Bard Real Estate and Sky Ryan Properties have also listed the house for sale.Described by property dealers as the quintessence of luxury, the double-storey house features six air-conditioned bedrooms (all en suite), two lounges, a bar, separate cigar and whisky lounge, gymnasium, sauna, office, five lock-up garages and a swimming pool on the facade.The master bedroom is a mini-house as it has its own television lounge and a walk-in closet."A majestic and breathtaking Mediterranean double-storey home. This perfect home is nothing but pure luxury with columns, staircases, special ceiling treatments and built-ins," said Kennan Properties on its website.So grand is the mansion that a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) news crew member could not help but marvel at it during a televised poolside interview with Mzembi in the aftermath of former President Robert Mugabe's resignation in 2017.Mzembi is facing prosecution for corruption and criminal abuse of office during his tenure as Minister of Tourism and Hospitality industry.He is alleged to have stolen or illegally disposed of Government property worth $1,6 million, some of which was donated to Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries church leader Walter Magaya.Mzembi failed appear in court on January 28 to answer to the charges, with his lawyer Mr Job Sikhala telling the court that his client could not stand trial as he was receiving treatment for colon cancer in South Africa.On February 3, Mzembi was widely rumoured to have died but his associates immediately dispelled the report by circulating a video on social media showing an apparently healthy Mzembi working from an office.The location of the office was, however, not disclosed.On the same day, Mzembi gave an interview to South African online publication eTurbonews rubbishing claims that he had died."I am talking to you from heaven but this wasn't funny. My daughter in Europe was woken by this news and called me in panic," said Mzembi.State prosecutor Mr Brian Vito sought Mzembi's arrest contending that the suave but litigation-weary politician was feigning illness.Sources said efforts by Mzembi to sell some of immovable assets could be part of a scheme to skip bail as he fears incarceration."He might want to claim political persecution but he has a clear case of corruption which might lead to his imprisonment. This may be the reason why he is selling his assets and spending most of his time in Johannesburg where he has set up base," said one source.The source said Mzembi was working flat out to acquire South African citizenship for which he might qualify through his maternal grandmother who is of Sotho origin.His adult children with his first wife are living in Europe and he is known to go by the name John Maleti in some Johannesburg circles.Mzembi could not be reached on his local mobile phone number to comment on the issue, and Mr Sikhala yesterday professed ignorance on his whereabouts."I last spoke to him a couple of weeks ago and I am not sure where he is. I will check for you but he should be at his house here in Harare," said Mr Sikhala.He said as the legal counsel he was also not aware that his client was disposing of some assets."I am hearing this for the first time. Let me do some investigations," said Mr Sikhala.Mzembi served for eight years as Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry before he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in October 2017, a position he held for less than a month before Mr Mugabe stepped down.He was credited for successfully organising the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) assembly, which Zimbabwe co-hosted with Zambia in 2013, but it later emerged that he might have abused some of the resources meant for the event.This resulted in his arrest in January last year. News / National by Staff reporter Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga on Friday failed to leave India, where he has been receiving treatment because of "security reasons" amid growing speculation about his health.According to an Indian publication, Chiwenga's plane failed to take off at an airport in New Delhi after it developed a technical fault.This was confirmed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa's spokesperson George Charamba in an interview with The Standard yesterday."The ambassador to India informed us that the VP would not travel due to security reasons, I am not sure if he left today," he said."But we expect him anytime soon. We expect a chubby VP, not the one [whose pictures] people have been circulating on social media. We expect a healthy-looking VP Chiwenga."Chiwenga travelled to India with his wife Marry and Health deputy minister John Mangwiro two weeks ago.Charamba said Chiwenga and his delegation travelling in a Boeing 737 with registration mark A6-RJX were expected to take off at 7pm at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Friday.However, the trip was abandoned after the plane "developed a snag and then returned to the terminal at 7:45pm"."It had lightning problems and it was decided that for security reasons, the VP should abort the trip," he said.Chiwenga's health problems have been a subject of speculation, but sources said he went to New Delhi to consult an oesophageal surgeon after complaining that his throat was dry.He is believed to have had difficulties eating and this was blamed for his dramatic weight loss.Three weeks ago, Chiwenga was taken to South Africa for emergency medical attention after his health deteriorated.In October last year, the VP also sought emergency treatment in South Africa and at the time the government said he was suffering from exhaustion and 1980s injuries from the war of liberation.After the recent South Africa sojourn, Chiwenga appeared on national television saying he was fit.Senior government officials have been criticised for seeking treatment abroad while failing to resuscitate local health facilities.Former president Robert Mugabe made frequent medical visits to Singapore before he was toppled in a coup led by Chiwenga in 2017. Entertainment / Music by Staff reporter Jah Prayzah seems to be re-inventing himself and one of the major changes he has made about his image is dumping the military gear, it has emerged.Jah Prayzah's camp has since roped in prominent designer Thembani Mubochwa, who has been making outfits for him and his band.They also now refer to his fans as "Team JP" instead of "masoja".The Kune Rima hit maker, who is a Zimbabwe National Army cultural ambassador, had become so attached to the military that his fans are now referred to as masoja (soldiers).However, the image of the army has become a source of polarisation, especially after a brutal crackdown last month where human rights groups say as many as 17 people were killed by soldiers deployed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to quell protests.Some Zimbabweans on social media are now in the habit of taking potshots at Jah Prayzah, whom they describe as a symbol of oppression, while heaping praises on his rival Winky D.The changes in Jah Prayzah's wardrobe has led to a lot of speculation, but his manager Keen Mushapaidze tried to downplay the transformation, saying it was "just seasonal"."I don't think we can say he has dumped military attire," Mushapaidze said."The official position is that he has been wearing different uniforms over the years and it depends on what inspires him at that particular time."On whether we will see the band dressing in army uniforms in the future, only time will tell."Interestingly, the army recently ordered soldiers to stop appearing in public in uniforms, fearing retribution from civilians in the aftermath of the crackdown.According to a memorandum that circulated early this month, servicemen were barred from wearing comflouge outside barracks."The Zimbabwe National Army has directed that with immediate effect no military uniform will be worn outside cantonment areas. This applies to members commuting to and from places of work, intra- and intercity commuting," read the notice."Take note that after working hours, members are to put on civilian clothes and leave their uniforms in cantonment areas. Some members have been attacked by hostile civilians whilst in uniform."Meanwhile, Mushapaidze dismissed reports of a rift between Jah Prayzah and Winky D, saying the two superstars are not competing in any way."There is no competition. If you followed Jah Prayzah's interviews from long back, he has always said that he is a fan of Winky D, but unfortunately there are people with their own agendas who want to create a rift between the two artistes," he said.Mushapaidze also defended his repost of Jah Prayzah's 2017 Coke Studio production and a celebratory message on his verification on Instagram."The fact that people are saying there is a competition does not mean either of the camps stops pushing their works the way they always do," he said, adding that collaboration between the two artistes could not be ruled out."The prospects [of collaborating] are there, but sometimes time is a problem because both artistes are busy but when the right time comes, it will happen," he said. Living Gospel Equality Now: Loving in the Heart of God: Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests Ahead of a summit between Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, authorities in Vietnam have kicked out Kim impersonator Howard X. Howard is on his way back to Hong Kong, reports the Beeb. Howard X says officials have since told him his visa is "invalid", but says he has received no further explanation. "Satire is a powerful weapon against any dictatorship. They are scared of a couple of guys that look like the real thing," Howard X, who was wearing a black suit and thick black glasses in the style of Kim Jong-un, told reporters. No Costa Rican has contracted the measles since 2006. An unvaccinated tourist unknowingly traveled while contagious and is now in quarantine. The CDC lists 10 US states as reporting active measles infections and suggests children be vaccinated. Newser: Former Trump campaign staffer Alva Johnson alleges in a lawsuit that Donald Trump her forcibly kissed her without her consent before a Florida presidential campaign rally in 2016, the Washington Post reports. The White House denies the charges. Johnson us an event planner who lives in Madison County, Alabama. The federal lawsuit filed Monday in Florida (where the alleged sexual assault happened) asks for unspecified damages for emotional pain and suffering. In addition to the forced kiss, she also alleges Trump's campaign discriminated against her in pay. She is black, and earned less than her white male counterparts. Kayleigh McEnany, campaign spokesjerk and frequent cable news pundit, rejected that claim as "off-base and unfounded." From Beth Reinhard and Alice Crites at the Washington Post: In interviews with The Washington Post, and in the lawsuit, Alva Johnson said Trump grabbed her hand and leaned in to kiss her on the lips as he exited an RV outside the rally in Tampa on Aug. 24, 2016. Johnson said she turned her head and the unwanted kiss landed on the side of her mouth, which she called "super-creepy and inappropriate." "I immediately felt violated because I wasn't expecting it or wanting it," she said. "I can still see his lips coming straight for my face." Johnson said she told her boyfriend, mother and stepfather about the incident later that day, an account all three confirmed to The Post. Two months later, Johnson consulted a Florida attorney about the unwanted kiss; he gave The Post text messages showing that he considered her "credible" but did not take her case for business reasons. The attorney gave Johnson the name of a therapist, whose notes, which The Post reviewed, reference an unspecified event during the campaign that had left her distraught. In a statement, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders dismissed Johnson's allegation as "absurd on its face." "This never happened and is directly contradicted by multiple highly credible eye witness accounts," she wrote. Two Trump supporters identified as witnesses by Ms. Johnson, one of whom was a campaign official, the other Pam Bondi, at the time Florida's attorney general deny witnessing the alleged Trump sexual assault, in interviews with The Post. Former campaign staffer alleges in lawsuit that Trump kissed her without her consent. The White House denies the charge. [Washington Post] Yahoo! JAPAN Yahoo! JAPAN Youve got a loyal following of delighted customers. Now its time to grow. But to do that, you need leads. The question is, how do you go about getting them? What techniques and approaches will help you generate a consistent stream of leads this year and beyond? In this blog, Ill share five simple lead generation methods and the techniques that will help you generate new customers over time. From content creation to face-to-face events, youll learn the most effective and affordable ways to expand your audience and generate qualified customers for your small business. 1. Start Using Video Did you know that YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world? With over 1.9 billion users and one billion hours watched daily, its almost certain that your customers are active there. Video marketing has other benefits beyond distribution and traffic generation. By telling stories, sharing value, and getting in front of the camera, youre creating a personal one-to-one connection with your customers. So, how should you use video in your marketing? There are several frameworks you can use, including: Show what you do: Create detailed videos about your products or services. How do the features help customers overcome their challenges? What desires are you helping them to fulfill with what you offer? Create detailed videos about your products or services. How do the features help customers overcome their challenges? What desires are you helping them to fulfill with what you offer? Introduce yourself: You can also use video to introduce your brand. These sit well on your home page and can help people build a more personal connection with who you are and what you believe in. You can also use video to introduce your brand. These sit well on your home page and can help people build a more personal connection with who you are and what you believe in. Education: Are you an expert or thought leader in your field? Use video to educate your audience on key and trending topics. Show them how to execute as well as actionable steps Are you an expert or thought leader in your field? Use video to educate your audience on key and trending topics. Show them how to execute as well as actionable steps Celebrate your customers: Video testimonials can be huge social proof points. But you can also go one step further and make your customers the star of your video marketing. Use video to tell their story. Video testimonials can be huge social proof points. But you can also go one step further and make your customers the star of your video marketing. Use video to tell their story. Share your culture: Is your company a great place to work? Does what you believe attract similar customers? Share what happens behind-the-scenes to attract talented new hires and customers who share your vision. Lets look at some examples of these principles in action, starting with Dollar Shave Club: With over 25 million views to date, these guys did something right. How? Simple: they put their founder in the spotlight and let their humorous side come out. It was an introduction to their brand and story, sure. But it was also a highly entertaining piece of content that took the internet by storm. Everyone was talking about it because it was raw, honest and genuinely funny. This entertaining form of video content works gangbusters. But video can also be useful and educational. Take Seattle Coffee Gear, for example: Here, they dont talk about their products. Instead, they show their audience the easiest way to make a delicious mocha. What challenges are your audience trying to overcome? What are their goals? Help them alleviate pains and achieve those goals with value-driven video content. You might be thinking this sounds expensive. But it doesnt have to be, especially in the beginning. You can shoot simple videos for social media platforms right from your smartphone. Even higher quality productions need not be expensive. You can find talented and affordable freelance filmmakers, editors, and animators on websites like Upwork that sit within your budget. Ultimately, its not about the equipment you use, but the story you share. 2. Create a Content Marketing Funnel Many small businesses rely on paid media to attract new customers. Social media and Google Ads make this easier than ever, with business owners and marketers alike looking to make a positive ROI from their digital advertising. But you dont need to rely purely on outbound methods. Using inbound marketing principles, you can attract a wider audience and nurture them into new customers over time. It all starts with creating good content. For example, pet insurance company Petplan use their blog as a hub to provide practical advice for pet owners. They rank for various pet-related keywords, such as lionhead rabbit and why do cats have 9 lives? that generate between 600 and 20,000 searches a month. People searching for these keywords may not be looking to buy from them right away. But they can capture their attention, deliver continuous value and drive them down the sales funnel. When they are ready to invest in pet insurance, its likely theyll consider Petplan. Heres a simple content marketing process for you to follow when youre just getting started: Uncover customer challenges: Send out email surveys asking your customers about why they buy from you and what their pet-related challenges and needs are. Look for product-related and non-product related topics. Speaking to customers face-to-face allows you to dig deeper into their motivations. Select your topics: Find topics for content that resonate with your brand. For example, Petplan writes about rare dog breeds, information on specific animals and provide pet care tips. These are the topics that interest their existing customers, which is why it attracts new ones too. Create a lead magnet: Once people read your content, youll need to capture their details to nurture them into customers. You can do this with discounts, prize draws, ebooks, and webinars. Anything that delivers something of value up front. Nurture with email: Now you have their details, its time to build the relationship. Use email marketing principles to drip more content and add more value over time. Do this with the content they care about most. Convert leads into customers: Once in a while, its okay to send an offer to convert these leads into customers. For example, an ecommerce brand may hold a limited sale or entice first-time customers with discounts. Figure out the offer and call-to-action that works best with your brand. 3. Dont Neglect Traditional Media Yes, digital marketing must be a part of every small businesss growth plan. But traditional media still works wonders, especially local businesses. However, these mediums only work if your customers are consuming them. Yes, its great investing in an ad for a local magazine, but only if your customers are reading it. Earlier, I mentioned that email surveys are a great way of uncovering the right topics for your content efforts. Theyre also effective for discovering where your customers hang out online and what publications they read. Use these surveys to see if they consume traditional media. Print ads can be incredibly creative and inspiring. For example, this ad from Kentucky for Kentucky that was printed in Oxford American magazine used a creative way to get readers attention: with a great big typo in the headline: Luckily, the editors of the magazine found it funny, as did their readers. Heres what Kentucky for Kentucky did well here: They targeted a magazine who had a reader base which included their ideal customer They used humor to get their attention, not just another boring print ad Direct mail is another medium that still works wonders (as long as you consider your local and state laws). Take this example from Neville Medhora, where he dissects a direct mail piece from a real estate agent: In his guide, he shows exactly why this works so well as this ad: Includes a list of events in the area, providing practical utility for the recipient Provides all contact info the recipient needs to get in touch Asks a relevant, persona-driven question question Showcases some example properties, along with their prices If youre targeting specific geographic regions, then consider testing direct mail. Make sure you include one offer, make it super clear on what action they should take and provide some kind of value. This should be the philosophy you use in all of your traditional media. 4. Create In-Person Events Event marketing is another initiative that can seem expensive. But it doesnt have to be! Indeed, if you select the right format and execute properly, it can be an affordable way of getting in front of your customers face-to-face. Take pop-ups for example. By setting up a pop-up in the street (or within another businesses physical location), you can affordably get in front of your customers without having to pay expensive venue costs. For example, BarkBox took to the streets for a week with their pop-up shop Barkshop Live. Here, they fitted visitors dogs with an RFID chipped vest and let them play with their dog toys. The vest then displayed to owners which toys their dogs played with most. They could then buy these toys on the spot if they wanted to. As well as the real-life exposure and press attention, they repurposed content for the event into a video (as seen above). Not only that, but I would hazard a guess that they used the data collected from the RFID chips to inform their product strategy. The lesson here? Squeeze as much value from every event as possible. Then there are networking evenings. Again, instead of hiring out pricey venues, simply get together with other organizations in your market/region and put on a networking event together. Hold speaker sessions, workshops, or panels that allow each business to put their expertise forward. This way, everyone brings their audiences into one place, working together to expand their audience. For example, Lean Startup Circles bring startup founders together to discuss existing challenges, share ideas, and network with their peers: Can you bring your industry together to share challenges and new ideas? Use networking events to facilitate new partnerships and business opportunities. 5. Build Your Personal Brand Often overlooked by small business owners, theres much power in a strong personal brand. Take the likes of Richard Branson and Gary Vaynerchuk, for example. Theyre constantly in the limelight, which in turn brings a huge amount of attention to their companies. Not to mention extending the longevity of their careers, bringing new opportunities outside of their businesses. Heres a quick four-step framework to building and maintaining your own personal brand: Build your platform: Create a website to act as the hub for your content. For example, Gary Vaynerchuk uses his website to blog about relevant content he believes in, lists the events hes attending, and direct visitors to his social accounts: Define yourself: How do you want to be perceived? Are there any topics you want to be known for by your audience? Define the goals for your personal brand, as well as your values and the role you want to be known for. Create content: Ultimately, your content should share your story and focus on the topics that matter most to you. Seth Godin is an excellent example of creating value-driven content: Dont forget about social media content. Focus on where your audience is and create content that works on those platforms (e.g., short-form video and photos on Instagram, long-form video on YouTube). Schedule: Your personal brand isnt something you can show up to when you feel like it. Just like a business, you need to consistently show up and create great content. Will you create content once a week or daily? Pick a cadence that works for you. How are you currently growing your small business? Have you found any surprising results from your marketing activities? Join the conversation in the comments below. We celebrate the news that Iceland has announced there will be no whale hunts this summer, but we will remain vigilant and continue to fight to end whaling in Iceland once and for all. Photo courtesy NOAA Fisheries/Brenda Rone 938 shares Iceland has announced it may kill more than 2,000 whales over the next five years, despite a declining market for whale meat and a growing sentiment against whaling among the Nordic countrys own citizens. Earlier this week, the Icelandic fisheries minister issued new commercial whaling quotas, authorizing whalers to take up to 209 fin whales and 217 minke whales every year through 2023. This announcement is not just shocking to those of us concerned with animal protection but it is also counterproductive to the countrys own interests. Icelands economy benefits tremendously from tourism and particularly from whale watchers who trek to the country each year to see these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. Ive been on a whale watching boat in Iceland myself and felt the thrill of seeing these majestic animals rise to the surface. There really is no feeling like it. Iceland is taking this step despite the disapproval of many of its own citizens, and despite the fact that the market for whale meat, both in Iceland and in Japan, to which Iceland exports most of its whale meat, is declining. In fact, there is a rising sentiment against whaling in Iceland. Most Icelanders see whales as being inextricably linked with their culture and heritage. It is widely known that most Icelanders do not eat whale meat and it is primarily served in restaurants frequented by tourists. The animals themselves cannot withstand such a brutal attack. Worldwide, fin whales, the second-largest mammals in the world after blue whales, are still recovering from historical whaling and last year alone Iceland killed 145 of them, further endangering their survival. Icelands Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Kristjan or Juliusson, who announced the new hunt quotas, indicated that his decision on killing whales was informed by a recent economics report and a special memo from Icelands Marine Research Institute. But the report, which recycled the usual tired old pro-whaling rhetoric about improving the productivity of local fisheries by killing whales, was strongly criticized within the country. In reality, Icelands decision to kill more whales appears more like an attempt to retain an export market and signal continued solidarity with Japan as a sister whaling nation. Like Iceland, Japan has continued commercial whaling in defiance of an International Whaling Commission moratorium on such whaling (with Norway being the third country to do so). But Japans own market for whale meat is declining and it recently announced the end of its hunt in Antarctica. It seems highly unlikely then that the country would want a glut of extra imported whale meat from Iceland. Iceland has already been the cause of too many whale deaths, taking more than 800 fin whales since 2006. Last years take included two rare blue whale /fin whale hybrids. In his announcement this week, Juliusson also ominously noted that populations of other whale species, including humpback and sei whales, are expanding. These species are not currently hunted in the northern North Atlantic and the ministers words give us additional cause for concern. Last year, the European Union called on the then new government in Iceland not to renew the expired five-year whaling quota and Left-Green party Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir, who leads the governments ruling coalition, agreed that Iceland needed to reassess its position on whaling. But with these new plans to slaughter more whales, the country appears to have retrogressed once again. We urge Iceland to end the killing once and for all. Visitors to Iceland are far more likely to appreciate being able to enjoy watching these animals in the wild rather than having their carcasses served up to them in a plate. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CSE: AGN) (FRANKFURT: AGW) (OTCQB: BTHCF) (the Company or Algernon) a clinical stage pharmaceutical development company is pleased to announce that based on positive preliminary data from its first idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) study, the Company has decided to conduct further research on compound NP-251. Because fibrosis is a major underlying condition for many serious diseases, and as a result of the success of several Algernon compounds previously demonstrating anti-fibrotic activity in CKD and NASH, the Company screened a number of its lead compounds for IPF. Out of the 8 compounds screened by the Company during the early research phase, NP - 251 showed the most promise. The research plan is to advance testing of NP-251 in a new in vivo animal study, directly against clinically relevant doses of both Pirfenidone and Nintedanib, the currently approved treatments for IPF. A successful IPF in vivo study for NP-251 would mean that Algernon could begin planning an additional phase II study for its fourth major global disease, said Christopher J. Moreau, CEO of Algernon Pharmaceuticals. A potential new treatment for IPF could also mean an orphan drug designation, which could help expedite its availability to patients. We look forward to updating the market on our progress shortly. About IPF Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a type of chronic lung disease characterized by a progressive and irreversible decline in lung function and scarring (fibrosis) of the lungs. There is no cure for IPF and there are currently no procedures or medications that can remove the scarring from the lungs. The idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) market will rise substantially from just over $900 million in 2015 to $3.2 billion by 2025, representing an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.6%. According to research and consulting firm GlobalDatas latest report, such growth, which will occur across the seven major markets (7MM) of the USA, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and Japan, will primarily be driven by the increased use of expensive therapies, the anticipated launches of two novel therapies, FibroGens FG-3019 and Promediors PRM-151, and a rise in diagnosed prevalent cases of the disease. About Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. Algernon Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage pharmaceutical development company focused on advancing its lead compounds for of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), chronic kidney disease (CKD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). CONTACT INFORMATION Christopher J. Moreau CEO Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. 604.398.4175 ext 701 info@algernonpharmaceuticals.com investors@algernonpharmaceuticals.com www.algernonpharmaceuticals.com. The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 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. 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 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 Companys 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 regulations. 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. When I open up Pinterest, Im in trouble. Thats because I know I could potentially sit there for hours on end browsing pictures and videos beautiful decor for my apartment, fun new workouts to try, outfits I want to buy, and much more. In the past, Ive purchased items directly from Pinterest. Ive also pinned content to my boards so I can refer to them in the future, use them as inspiration, or share them with my friends. Marketers target Pinterest users by sharing content thats too irresistible for us to pass up. And with over 250 million people on Pinterest, why wouldnt marketers want to be on the platform? Not to mention 90% of users say they look to content on the network to make purchase decisions. So, how can your business use Pinterest as a marketing tactic to help improve your brand awareness and conversions? In this guide, well cover the answer to that question as well as which Pinterest marketing strategies you should implement, how small businesses can benefit from the platform, and which tools you can use to ensure your Pinterest marketing strategy works for your business. But first, well review what the platform is and how it works lets get started. What is Pinterest? Pinterest is a social media platform in which users explore, share, and store visual content they find inspiring, helpful, or entertaining. Users add, or Pin, their chosen content to boards with a common theme to keep it organized and so other users can discover new content related to their interests. If you haven't yet opened a Pinterest account, learn more about that process here. Once you sign up, you can begin sharing content and, therefore, social media marketing on the platform. To make the most of the platform, upload your businesss content from your computer or mobile device, Pin content you find on the platform, and add content you find on the web using the Pinterest browser button. Engagement is key. Follow the boards of your friends and competitors, Like, and comment on others Pins, re-Pin (or repost) content, and share links to your website and blog in your Pins. Its important to note there are personal and business accounts on Pinterest. Choosing a business account will allow you to gain access to Pinterest Analytics and other features including a visual search tool, a native video player, and the ability to run Pinterest ads if you choose making the platform ideal for marketers. Now, lets review some Pinterest marketing strategies to help you improve your influence with and impact on your audience. How to Use Pinterest for Marketing Distribute your content. Build a community. Educate customers. Drive website traffic and boost online sales. These strategies represent ways to add Pinterest to your greater marketing efforts. Here are a few benefits to using Pinterest for marketing. 1. Distribute your content. 85% of Pinners search for and prefer visual content. This makes Pinterest a uniquely strong place to distribute all types of content, including written blog content. Unlike Instagram, users can click-through live links. On Pinterest, you share content on Pinterest boards. Boards save all of your Pins and distribute your content for your followers to explore. You can have as many boards as you want, and they can be organized into themes, ideas, plans, or types of inspiration to make it easy for your audience to find the content theyre looking for. You can also invite people to join your boards which would make your board a group board if you want other contributors to add content they believe works with your boards theme. This is a great way to increase engagement and interaction on your profile. 2. Build a community. Online communities bring together like-minded people and serve as helpful hubs for businesses. With a Pinterest community, you can count on your followers and fans to interact with your boards, consume your content, and make their way to your website driving traffic in the process. There are over 335 million people who use Pinterest every month. By treating your Pinterest board as a two-way street through which you can interact with and engage users (not like a one-way billboard), you can build a loyal community of Pinterest users who may become customers, too. How to Build Your Pinterest Following Although you can search for and add specific friends via their name, Facebook account, and other identifiers, this is time-consuming and would make it nearly impossible to substantially grow your following. Instead, consider the following methods to build out your base of fans and followers on Pinterest. Promote your Pinterest account via your other social networks. Follow accounts you believe would want to follow you back. Watch what your competitors are doing to increase their base of followers and learn from their techniques. Use keywords and hashtags in your posts (well discuss these tactics in more detail later). Ask influencers to re-post some of your content to gain the attention of their followers. Pay for a Pinterest ads account to run ads on the platform. 3. Educate customers. Pinterest is rife with tutorials, infographics, how-tos, and links to additional educational content. Given its propensity for visual content, its a powerful channel to educate and engage customers. While creating and sharing content for your Pinterest profile and marketing to users, be sure to keep your target audience in mind. Similar to the way you would when creating new products, developing your branding, or posting to other social networks, you want to ensure youre pushing out content that appeals to your target audience, current customers, and buyer personas on Pinterest. You can do this in a few different ways: Research your buyer personas to determine what type of content would be most helpful and appealing to them. Survey and ask your current followers and customers for feedback on what they want from your company on Pinterest. Look at what your competitors are doing well (or not) to help you think about new ways to push out your content and make it unique. View the boards of your current followers and customers to aid in your understanding of who your audience is and what they're most interested in. 4. Drive website traffic and boost online sales. Pinterest, unlike Instagram, allows you to link your visual content to another website namely, your website. This feature allows you to share both written and visual content and direct users back to your website in the process. This is a powerful addition to your marketing as it can boost online sales, too. Many brands use Pinterest to showcase product images while sharing content. For example, this board, created by the clothing company Madewell, serves as a source of travel inspiration and is paired with real products they sell to get their audience excited about their brand, the lifestyle they promote, and the idea of purchasing some clothing. Source By integrating Pinterest on your website, youll be able to easily drive traffic from one of your web pages directly to your Pinterest profile so your leads and customers can begin viewing your content in seconds (and hopefully follow you!). These Pinterest widgets and buttons allow your website visitors to interact with your Pinterest page via your website and give them the ability to view and follow your profile or go directly to a specific Pin or board. The networks widget builder helps you quickly customize, create, and add this feature to your site. Source Pinterest Marketing Strategies Sign up for a business account. Choose the right categories for your content. Use unique images and videos. Leverage keywords. Add hashtags to your content. Share your content on other social networks. Follow, engage, and interact with other accounts. Use social media best practices. Analyze your results. These 9 Pinterest marketing strategies hold value for businesses of any size, in any industry. This universal approach to marketing is one reason Pinterest is such a valuable social media tool. 1. Sign up for a business account. To market to your target audience, you should create a Pinterest business account. As mentioned, this free account provides you with access to Pinterest Analytics (which well review in more detail shortly) and other handy marketing features such as a profile that clearly states youre a business, Pinterest widgets, and Pinterest tag. If you already have a Pinterest account and want to convert it into a Pinterest business account, you can also do that without losing any of your content or work. Note: If youre looking to enhance your business account and run ads on Pinterest, you can do so by upgrading your account and setting up your method of payment because this part of Pinterest is not free to target your audience more aggressively with the help of the platforms Ads Manager. 2. Choose the right categories for your content. By choosing the right category for your content to be shared in, your Pins and boards will become more searchable for users looking to discover content similar to that of your business. Users can search for specific categories on Pinterest or simply go to the Categories section of any profile on the platform to view all content related to the topic theyre searching. Source Some of the most popular Pinterest categories include travel, health and wellness, and beauty. 3. Use unique images and videos. Similar to other social networks, Pinterest contains a plethora of images and videos. Not only do you want to ensure youre posting images and videos that will help you promote your brand and market your products/ services, but youll also want to ensure they stand out against all of the others on the platform. Otherwise, why would a user choose to follow you over your competition? Here are some ways to ensure youre sharing great and unique visual content on Pinterest: Use branded images without faces these receive 23% more Pins on the platform than those with faces. Create and share branded videos to promote your products and company. 75% of Pinterest users say theyre likely to watch branded videos about topics that interest them. Pay to use Pinterests Promoted Video feature if you have the budget. Share images and videos that show your products in action so viewers can more easily envision themselves using them. Avoid excessive blank (or white) space in your images images with 30% less blank space in the background are pinned most. Create videos between 30-90 seconds long because theyre proven to have the highest performance. Create specific boards to share images of your companys most helpful data visualizations and infographics if you have them for your audience to use as resources for their businesses. 4. Leverage keywords. By using keywords throughout your profile, posts, Pins, and boards, youll be more likely to organically appear in users feeds and searches. Keywords and phrases on Pinterest are related to specific niches being searched by users. For example, if you sell suitcases, you might use keywords and phrases like vacation or going on a trip throughout your profile and Pins. This way, when a user searches one of those terms, your profile and images of your suitcases will appear on their feeds. Here are some locations in which you can insert keywords on Pinterest to improve your chances of organically ranking through search: Bio and profile Pin descriptions Board titles Board descriptions Image-Alt-Text For those of you who choose to pay for Pinterest ads, theres also an option to use the platforms keyword targeting tool to help you reach your audience through your ads. 5. Add hashtags to your content. Hashtags which are keywords and phrases preceded by the # symbol are another great way for you to organically market to and reach your target audience. Hashtags on Pinterest work the same way they do on most other social media sites (like Instagram, for example) and when leveraged, make your content more search-friendly. Hashtags on Pinterest are used to help users identify Pins and boards about a specific topic theyre searching. When users click on a hashtag you include on a Pins, theyre brought to a page in which they can view all content ever posted on the platform tagged with that specific hashtag. You should add hashtags to your Pins, boards, and promoted content (if you have any) to ensure the greatest amount of visibility. 6. Share your content on other social networks. To promote your Pinterest account and content, you should share your Pins, images, and videos in other areas to improve your chances of being seen and followed. For example, you can claim your business Pinterest account on Instagram, Etsy, and YouTube so your followers can easily learn about the other platforms youre on and how they can view more of your content. Additionally, claiming your account will provide access to analytics and data on all of these Pins so you can see the other networks your audience is most interested in. You can also link your Pinterest profile to your Facebook and Google accounts so you can easily add and find friends, share content across networks, speed up your login on all accounts, and backup your profile in case you lose or forget your password details. 7. Follow, engage, and interact with other accounts. When you follow and interact with other Pinterest users and their accounts, youre able to initiate and maintain personal relationships between them and your business. This type of engagement has the potential to make your followers feel a level of loyalty towards your brand that keeps them coming back to your profile for inspiration, ideas, and to buy products. Here are four ways you can build strong and lasting relationships with your target audience through your marketing tactics on Pinterest: Follow new accounts of users who state or show they have interests related to the work your business does and the content you post (you can do this by searching keywords and hashtags or reviewing the people who follow your current audience members). Re-Pin, Like, and comment on the content your followers and fans share. Respond to the messages your followers write on your content to personalize their experience on your profile and make them feel heard. Create engaging posts that showcase your expertise in your industry, teach your followers how to do something, or get them involved (in a giveaway or contest for example). 8. Use social media best practices. When using Pinterest, be sure to follow the same social media practices you would on other social networks. Examples of this include remembering to interact and engage with your followers, regularly post to (and update) your account, and avoid blatant self-promotion that feels pushy and forced to your audience. Additionally, you can focus on the following five best practices to boost engagement on Pinterest. Encourage your followers to feature your brand in their content (and maybe offer to repost them or re-Pin their content if they do). Provide your audience with an incentive such as a prize for choosing to follow and interact with you as well as create posts featuring your products and branding. Offer your audience discount codes, coupons, as well as details about your latest products and updates to existing products to keep them coming back to your profile. Ensure your content is helpful and useful for your audience members all content should have a purpose and/ or meaning. 9. Analyze your results. If youre putting all of this effort into marketing on Pinterest, its probably safe to assume youre going to want to ensure the work youre doing improves your business conversions and brand awareness. So, youll need to analyze the results of your Pinterest marketing efforts to keep track of your referral traffic, number of engagements, leads generated, and anything else youre interested in learning more about. The easiest way to do this is through Pinterest Analytics. Pinterest Analytics provides you with four major types of information including: Metrics about your profile as a whole. Insights about the number of people who save and re-Pin your content. Platform metrics to understand how people interact with your content via both desktop or mobile. Data about your most popular Pins. Pinterest for Small Businesses If you have a small business, you may be wondering whether or not putting all of this effort and time into implementing Pinterest marketing strategies is actually worth it. Short answer? Yes, it is. Pinterest is one of the more versatile, affordable, and impactful marketing tools for businesses that are looking to convert more leads, drive traffic to their websites, and increase brand awareness to use. Plus, Pinterest users have the highest purchase intent of any other social media users. Lets discuss some more ways small businesses, like yours, can benefit from creating a presence on Pinterest. Tell a visual story. Pinterest helps you tell a visual story about your brand. Through pictures and videos, youre able to show rather than tell your audience what youre about as a company, the things you value, what and who you support, and the types of products and services you sell. Pinterest provides you with a unique and engaging way to introduce your small business to platform users. Humanize your brand. Social media of any kind can help you humanize your brand and give it some personality Pinterest is no exception. On the platform, youre able to reach out directly to your audience members, chat with them one-on-one or as a group, and assist them through any difficulties or roadblocks they encounter while doing business with you. Youre also able to show your audience and followers how much their support and business mean to you through giveaways, videos of your behind the scenes work, latest company news, product information, promotions, and discount codes. Creating and maintaining these business-to-customer routines early on humanizes your brand, sets the tone for what your company will be known for, and shows customers how you intend to grow with them in mind. Feature your blog posts. You can use Pinterest to feature your inbound marketing efforts such as your blog posts or content offers. For example, you can Pin a photo or video to a board and include a link to blog post about that visual content. This not only promotes your blog posts but it also drives traffic directly to your website. Source Display your work and showcase your expertise. Pinterest is a great way for your small business to display your work and showcase your expertise in your industry. Examples include Pins with images and videos of your work, infographics, data visualizations, and blog posts. Due to the fact you might not be a recognized brand yet, doing this is important. Thats because as your business grows and you become more well-known, youll be more likely to be recognized as an industry leader and a business with helpful and applicable content for audience members. Drive traffic to your website. Pinterest is a great way to drive traffic to your business website this will help your small business generate leads and conversions. You can share URLs in your profile as well as on your Pins and boards. For example, you may choose to post content with a link to your email sign up page, About Us page, or blog. Conduct market research. Pinterest is a great resource for conducting market research. Its especially helpful for small businesses that may not have a large following quite yet or the experience to know exactly what their audience members expect and want in terms of content. With Pinterest, you can easily review what your competitors and the companies in your industry that are more established than yours are doing. This will allow you to discover which tactics theyre using on the platform and see whats working for their audience members. You can also look at the content your audience Pins as well as who theyre following and interacting with. Pinterest Marketing Tools There are a number of tools you can use to help you reach your target audience and engage users on Pinterest. There are three major types of resources to help you accomplish this account management tools, image design and creation tools, and follower count and community growth tools. 1. Social Media Management Tools Social media management tools help you schedule posts and organize your content on any social network, including Pinterest, prior to actually posting it. This way, you can ensure everything is shared and pushed out as planned. Social media management tools often have analytics capabilities as well, which you can use in tandem with Pinterest Analytics. Some popular social media and Pinterest management tools include: Hootsuite gives you the ability to schedule your Pins in advance, gain insights into your data and analytics, and measure your results on Pinterest. Tailwind provides you with analytics about your Pinterest profile, a data reporting system to help you determine whats doing well with your audience members, and advice about the best days and times to share your Pins. Sprout Social allows you to take advantage of a range of features to help you reach your target audience and buyer personas through Pinterest. These include platform analytics, engagement tools, post scheduling capabilities, and details about the type of content your audience wants. 2. Pinterest Image Design and Creation Tools Pinterest image design and creation tools allow you to design, edit, create, and publish professional-looking photos and images for the platform (along with any other social media site and your website). Considering Pinterest is a visual social network where users discover eye-catching, beautiful, and creative images and videos, its important your content looks perfect so you can attract more followers and engagement on your profile. The following three tools are great for anyone who doesnt necessarily have a background in fields like graphic design or art but still wants to share unique and polished content on their profile. Canva allows you to create professional images for Pinterest with their over 1 million images, graphics, templates, and icons available to choose from. Pablo provides you with a way to create beautiful images for Pinterest in under 30 seconds with easy-to-use effects and templates. PicMonkey gives you the ability to create and edit images and has advanced image editing tools such as masking, mirroring, and double exposure. 3. Follower Count and Community Growth Tools Follower count and community growth tools on Pinterest are available to help you promote your profile and content as well as increase your number of followers and engagements. The following three tools were created to help you accomplish this specifically on Pinterest. PINGROUPIE provides you with the number of Pins, users, and followers on different group boards on the platform so you can determine whether or not you want to join and Pin your content on it. Loop88 helps you to create shareable content theyve determined is ideal for Pinterest to help you attract your target audience and grow your following. PinFollow gives you a detailed look at whos following your Pinterest account, who youre following back, who you follow that isnt following you back, and how your follower count is growing over time. Start Marketing On Pinterest Pinterest is a powerful marketing tool with the ability to help you organically increase brand awareness, boost conversions, increase sales, and create long-lasting relationships with your target audience and buyer personas. You can achieve all of these things for your business by following the Pinterest marketing strategies we reviewed and incorporating the available tools and resources to help you succeed as a business on the platform. So, sign up for a business account and begin creating unique and engaging content to market to your customers and followers on Pinterest. Editor's note: This post was originally published in January 2012 and has been updated for comprehensiveness. In 1981 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that women could be exempt from the military draft since they were excluded from combat duty. But in 2015 Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced he would lift the militarys ban on women serving in combat, a move that allowed hundreds of thousands of women to serve in front-line positions during wartime. The next year the top officers in the Army and Marine Corps followed that policy to its logical conclusion and told Congress that it was time for women to register for future military drafts. On Friday, U.S. District Judge Gray Miller applied the inevitable legal reasoning in saying that a law requiring men but not women to register for it the military draft is unconstitutional. If there ever was a time to discuss the place of women in the Armed Services, that time has passed, wrote Judge Miller in his ruling. The judge is partially right. If we are going to have a military draft and women are eligible for combat (an idea I vehemently oppose), then its only fair that women be forced to serve alongside men. But rather than follow this bizarre standard of equality to its natural conclusion, we should instead recognize its time we abolish the idea of military conscription altogether. The U.S. Constitution requires Congress to raise and support Armies in order to provide for the common defense. What it doesnt specify, however, is how the military should be raised. There are, in fact, only three options available: all-volunteer, forced conscription, or some combination of the two. Currently, our military is an all-volunteer force, a model that has proven not only to be the most effective but which is also the most moral. We have an all-volunteer military largely because of free market economist Milton Friedman. At the height of the Vietnam War, U.S. commander Gen. William Westmoreland testified before the Presidents Commission on an All-Volunteer Force, a commission that was exploring the feasibility of ending the military draft. As Newsday reported, Staunchly opposed to an all-volunteer military, which must pay its soldiers market wages, Gen. Westmoreland proclaimed that he did not want to command an army of mercenaries. One of the commission members immediately shot back with a question: General, would you rather command an army of slaves? Friedman based his arguments primarily on the need for freedom in human flourishing. But he also noted its effects on the lower classes: A by-product of freedom to serve would be avoidance of the present arbitrary discrimination among different groups. A large faction of the poor are rejected on physical or mental grounds. The relatively well-to-do used to be in an especially good position to take advantage of the possibilities of deferment offered by continuing their schooling. Hence the draft bears disproportionately on the upper lower classes and the lower middle classes. The fraction of high-school graduates who serve is vastly higher than of either those who have gone to college or those who dropped out before finishing high school. Some people, however, agree with Friedman and yet still believe an all-volunteer force is less moral than conscriptionand for much the same reason he opposed it. They would argue that people on the lower rungs of the socio-economic ladder are more likely to be attracted to military service, while the upper classes have more options available to them and would therefore have less incentive to join. We can call this the burden model since it implies that the burden of military service is disproportionately shared by the lower economic groups. There are two problems I have with this burden model of military service. The first is the way it reduces service to ones country to a matter of economics: those with fewer choices for jobs or education are more likely to enlist, while those who have money have more options to choose from will avoid military service. Under this view, the military is attractive to those with limited opportunities while those with a broader range of selections will find it significantly less alluring. A primary flaw in this claim is that it is not true. Most members of the military come from middle-class neighborhoods. But even if it were true that the poor made up the bulk of the military, the unequal representation of the socio-economic classes would not be inherently immoral. I myself was on the borderline between poor and lower middle class when I joined the Marines in 1988. But economic advancement was not the reason I joined, or why I stayed in for 15 years. Nor was it the reason most people I knew joined the military. But even if it were true that most people joined for economic reasons I would still reject the burden model since it implies that the system is immoral when it is the people making the choice who are morally flawed. Which brings me to the second problem with the model. It concludes that since military service is a burden, moral considerations require that the load be shared as equally as possible. Again, I must point out that this view is not inherently wrong. But where I think the flaw in reasoning lies is that it puts the focus on the ethical choice rather the ethical chooser. The burden of military service is akin to that of a person who chooses to adopt a child. While choosing to become a mother or father has obvious economic consequences, few people see that as the sole reason for adopting an unwanted or abandoned child. Before they are adopted, orphans are cared for by the state and are, therefore, the collective responsibility of all citizens. But when someone steps forward and agrees to take the child into their home, the burden of responsibility shifts mainly onto the shoulders of the new parent. Although the state may still have some obligations, the parent assumes the primary childcare duties. We do not, however, consider the system to be immoral because the state does not force people to take in orphans. Instead, we allow people with the requisite virtues (love, compassion, self-sacrifice) to freely and willingly choose to take this burden upon themselves. The same holds true for those who serve in the military. Currently, our nation does not and should not force the obligation of national defense on those who do not willing choose to take it upon themselves. Instead, we allow those who possess certain moral virtues (courage, honor, commitment) to heed the call of duty. Not all who serve, of course, do so for the purest of motives. There is no shortage of scholarship mercenaries who joined only to gain money for college or as a means of improving their post-military vocational options. But these people, no matter how large their number, are not the heart and soul of our military. The core is comprised of men and women who truly love their country. They love the people and the ideals for which our nation stands so much they are willing to sacrifice and bear any burden in order to ensure its survival. As a Christian I believe that since no one meets the standards of goodness set by God, no one should be excessively proud of their virtue. Compared to the ultimate standard, even the greatest of saints falls short. But this view should not be mistaken as an endorsement of moral egalitarianism. All men are created equal and should be afforded the same human rights, but not all men are equally virtuous. The cost of liberty is not paid by everyone equally; it is a debt assumed by a select few. If Americans truly value freedom as much as they claim, then the military should be more difficult to get into than any Ivy-league school. The elite would be lined up around the block, letters of recommendation in hand, hoping to enlist and serve in the greatest military in the history of the world. But in our nation, our standards for what is considered elite is based not on virtues such as courage, duty, and self-sacrifice, but rather on money, power, and education. That is why the draft is neither necessary nor desirable. Conscription may be necessary to force the wealthy and privileged to share the burden of duty. But conscription has never been needed to attract the virtuous. If the United States ever reaches the point where conscription is truly necessary, if we get to a stage when we no longer produce enough men and women to heed the call to defend our country, then we will no longer have a country worth defending. Up Montana-Dakota Utilities plan to retire the Heskett Station near Mandan and replace it with a natural gas facility will benefit North Dakota. Hesketts operations will end in 2021. MDU also will retire the Lewis & Clark Station at Sidney, Mont., around the end of 2020. The plants, built in the 1950s and 1960s, have become too expensive to operate. The company plans to build an 88-megawatt natural gas peaking unit at the Heskett Station and expects it to come online as early as 2023. The cost of building and operating the new facility is expected to be about half the cost of continuing to run the two coal-fired units. MDU plans to offer retraining to its employees. While the two plants have served the area longer than expected, the new facility will be more cost-effective. Now almost halfway through the 66th legislative session, Democratic-NPL lawmakers continue to fight for policies that support your values. From creating opportunities for North Dakotans, strengthening communities and families, ensuring strong public services, and building a vibrant and diverse economy, we have had many successes. Dem-NPL lawmakers are taking the lead in enacting state laws that mirror the federal Savannas Act. We successfully advanced legislation to give those with a criminal history a second chance when applying for jobs in the public sector. We are pushing to invest more of the Legacy Fund in North Dakotas infrastructure priorities rather than in other states. We are fighting for state employees who havent seen a pay increase in three years and we are working to increase long-term care and K-12 funding. We also are fighting to uphold the will of the people with respect to the new ethics requirements in the Constitution. North Dakota has an open government, but we should give the people the accountability and transparency they expect. At that distance, the center beam of the Minot Doppler radar is detecting storms forming about 12,000 feet above Watford City, Martin said. The radar currently operates at a minimum scan angle of 0.5 degrees above the horizon. The National Weather Service recommends adjusting the software for the Minot radar to scan 0.3 degrees above the horizon. An engineering report shows that lowering the minimum scan angle would reduce the altitude of the radar coverage over Watford City by about 1,000 feet. Martin said the report is theoretical, and the real-world impact of adjusting the angle wont be known until the change is made. Absolutely, its an improvement. The question is how significant of an improvement is it? Martin said. Were not going to know for sure until the change is made and we see what it is. The change wont just benefit western North Dakota, but the entire northern part of the state, Martin said. Adjusting the radar likely would not have made a difference in warnings for the tornado that occurred July 10, which injured two dozen people and killed a newborn baby. In that storm, the tornado developed quickly and was low to the ground. A University of Alberta study, also published late last year, showed that humic acid could be used to degrade CWD prions in the soil. Its believed prions shed by an animal infected with CWD can survive in the environment for lengthy periods, possibly years. Theres also concern that plants can ingest the infected prions and transfer them to wildlife. Skepticism An animal can take months to show symptoms of CWD, which include disorientation, lethargy and excessive salivation. So far, no study has shown that eating an animal infected with CWD can cause the disease, but officials from state and federal agencies nonetheless advise that hunters get their animals tested and not eat them if the test comes back positive. Montana hunters are also being advised in CWD surveillance areas to bone out deer and not transport bones or brains outside of the hunting district where the animal has been killed in an attempt to slow the spread of CWD. Its not yet been shown that CWD can be transferred from wildlife to livestock. The American Cervid Alliance is skeptical of much of the information being circulated by state wildlife agencies as well as studies that have been conducted into CWD. In its publication, co-authored by veterinarians, the group stated, A review of the literature based on actual data (not predictive models) clearly shows that that any past combination of quarantines, containment zones, surveillance zones, depopulation, elective harvest, increased harvest limits, supplemental feeding bans, baiting bans, bans on the importation of live cervid species, bans on the importation, of carcasses, bans on the importation of trophies, and bans on urine based lures, HAVE NOT been effective in preventing, controlling, or eradicating CWD in any state. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 3 Negotiations over getting the animals to the reservation seemed stalled until December, when officials said the two sides had reached a deal to move them. The five-week government shutdown interrupted that, but once the government reopened the two sides worked out the details. Final word on the transfer came through last week. Magnan and his employees started clearing corrals and nearby roads of snow once they heard. Marty Zaluski, Montanas state veterinarian, told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle last week that a Department of Livestock official would seal the trailer once the bulls were loaded. He also said the trailer would be locked during the drive and reopened by a government official on the other end. Every time these animals complete this arduous process were happy to see them transferred to folks that want them, Zaluski said. The animals will be tested for brucellosis six months after arrival. A final test comes after another six months. If those tests come back negative, state and federal officials will consider the animals brucellosis-free. Many more of the animals are at some stage of the quarantine process. Zaluski said APHIS is holding another group, but he didnt know how soon any of them would be ready. TORONTO, Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gran Colombia Gold Corp. (TSX: GCM, OTCQX: TPRFF) announced today the final assay results from 83 additional diamond drill holes (8,043 meters) included in its 2018 underground drilling program at its high-grade Segovia Operations. In 2018, the Company completed a total of 209 holes at Segovia representing approximately 26,800 meters. Serafino Iacono, Executive Co-Chairman of Gran Colombia, commented, We got off to a good start in 2019 with almost 18,000 ounces of gold production in January, in line with our expectations. Our drilling programs at Segovia continue to yield encouraging results, with the identification of two new zones at Providencia and the down-plunge extension of the main ore-shoots at Sandra K, both of which have the potential for additional resource growth. Our 2019 drilling campaign at Segovia will focus more on step-out drilling at Providencia and Sandra K, deep zone drilling to extend El Silencio another 200 meters below its currently delineated mineral resource, and brownfield drilling on the Cogote vein system as we increasingly shift our attention toward the blue-sky potential within our Segovia mining title to add production and mine life." Segovia Drilling Update The key highlights and intercepts at Segovia since our October 3, 2018 press release are as follows: In-fill drilling at Providencia continued to test the Providencia vein system to the west of the current mine development. Multiple high gold grades were intersected from 30 drill holes (3,100 meters) drilled from underground on the main vein system with maximum grades of 84.10 g/t Au and 97.7 g/t Ag over 0.71 meters on the Providencia Vein (PV-IU-164), and 105.93 g/t Au and 65.2 g/t Ag over 0.38 meters on a new, narrow and steeply dipping structure in the hanging-wall of the Providencia Vein (PV-IU-151). Drilling was successful in delineating a new high-grade zone to the west of and near the high-grade orebody that is currently in production, with maximum grades of 15.49 g/t Au and 22.7 g/t Ag over 2.65 meters (PV-IU-145-A) on the Providencia Vein. In addition, another potential high-grade zone was outlined further to west, with maximum grades of 65.83 g/t Au and 36.7 g/t Ag over 0.30 meters (PV-IU-055) still on the Providencia Vein. Both zones offer the potential for another phase of resource growth and the high-grade gold mineralized intercepts associated with these new zones confirm the higher-grade mineralization at depth, which could have a positive impact, increasing both production and mine life. Gran Colombias 2019 drilling program includes another approximately 4,000 meters to test these new zones. continued to test the Providencia vein system to the west of the current mine development. Multiple high gold grades were intersected from 30 drill holes (3,100 meters) drilled from underground on the main vein system with maximum grades of 84.10 g/t Au and 97.7 g/t Ag over 0.71 meters on the Providencia Vein (PV-IU-164), and 105.93 g/t Au and 65.2 g/t Ag over 0.38 meters on a new, narrow and steeply dipping structure in the hanging-wall of the Providencia Vein (PV-IU-151). Drilling was successful in delineating a new high-grade zone to the west of and near the high-grade orebody that is currently in production, with maximum grades of 15.49 g/t Au and 22.7 g/t Ag over 2.65 meters (PV-IU-145-A) on the Providencia Vein. In addition, another potential high-grade zone was outlined further to west, with maximum grades of 65.83 g/t Au and 36.7 g/t Ag over 0.30 meters (PV-IU-055) still on the Providencia Vein. Both zones offer the potential for another phase of resource growth and the high-grade gold mineralized intercepts associated with these new zones confirm the higher-grade mineralization at depth, which could have a positive impact, increasing both production and mine life. Gran Colombias 2019 drilling program includes another approximately 4,000 meters to test these new zones. In-fill drilling at Sandra K continued to delineate and further extend down-plunge the main ore-shoots outlined by mining within the upper levels of the existing operation. These orebodies remain open at depth and offer the potential for additional resource growth. Multiple high gold grades were intersected from 35 drill holes (3,182 meters) drilled from underground on the main vein system with maximum grades of 84.14 g/t Au with 94.1 g/t Ag over 1.60 meters on the Sandra K Techo Vein (SK-IU-037), and 44.46 g/t Au with 141.5 g/t Ag over 1.68 meters on a new structure intercepted in the footwall of the Sandra K Techo Vein (SK-IU-042). Gran Colombias 2019 drilling program includes another approximately 4,200 meters of infill drilling at Sandra K. continued to delineate and further extend down-plunge the main ore-shoots outlined by mining within the upper levels of the existing operation. These orebodies remain open at depth and offer the potential for additional resource growth. Multiple high gold grades were intersected from 35 drill holes (3,182 meters) drilled from underground on the main vein system with maximum grades of 84.14 g/t Au with 94.1 g/t Ag over 1.60 meters on the Sandra K Techo Vein (SK-IU-037), and 44.46 g/t Au with 141.5 g/t Ag over 1.68 meters on a new structure intercepted in the footwall of the Sandra K Techo Vein (SK-IU-042). Gran Colombias 2019 drilling program includes another approximately 4,200 meters of infill drilling at Sandra K. Infill drilling at El Silencio completed testing of the down-plunge extension of the main ore-shoot located at the northern end of the mine and the drill rig has moved to begin testing the 1040 Vein, which is a splay off the Manto Vein. Some high gold grades were intersected from 18 drill holes (1,761 meters) drilled from underground on the main vein system with maximum grades of 14.09 g/t Au and 37.9 g/t Ag over 2.42 meters on the Manto Vein (ES-IU-044), and 15.78 g/t Au and 14.2 g/t Ag over 0.59 meters on the 1385 Vein (ES-IU-043), interpreted as a hanging-wall vein of the Manto Vein. As announced on August 7, 2018, Gran Colombia is following up on the high-grade results from last years channel sampling program at El Silencio with approximately 10,000 meters of directional drilling included its 2019 drilling program. This drilling, which commenced in early February, is intended to extend the north, middle and south ore-shoots another 200 meters down-plunge, below the currently delineated mineral resource. The table below lists the key intercepts from the 2018 drilling program since the last press release issued on October 3, 2018: Hole From (m) To (m) Width (m) Vein Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Providencia Mine PV-IU-144* 64.77 66.90 2.13 Providencia 8.64 26.2 PV-IU-145-A* 86.60 89.25 2.65 Providencia 15.49 22.7 Including 88.57 89.25 0.68 47.00 56.4 PV-IU-150* 98.37 99.95 1.58 Providencia 8.06 3.8 PV-IU-151* 38.27 38.65 0.38 HW1 Providencia 105.93 65.2 PV-IU-152* 32.85 33.15 0.30 HW1 Providencia 62.00 49.4 PV-IU-154* 84.50 85.10 0.60 Providencia 7.06 5.9 PV-IU-155* 24.87 25.20 0.33 HW1 Providencia 43.05 29.9 and 57.60 57.90 0.30 Providencia 65.83 36.7 PV-IU-156* 87.90 90.00 2.10 Providencia 13.25 5.2 PV-IU-164* 95.08 95.79 0.71 Providencia 84.10 97.7 Sandra K Mine SK-IU-032* 67.80 68.17 0.37 Sandra K Techo 9.10 626.0 SK-IU-033* 51.60 52.70 1.10 Sandra K Techo 13.33 235.9 SK-IU-036* 83.37 84.90 1.03 Sandra K Techo 61.71 428.0 SK-IU-037* 77.80 79.40 1.60 Sandra K Techo 84.14 94.10 SK-IU-039* 113.60 117.33 3.73 Sandra K Techo 3.96 73.2 including 113.60 114.55 0.95 Sandra K Techo 13.60 138.6 SK-IU-042* 93.55 95.73 2.18 Sandra K Techo 36.20 249.4 and 103.62 105.30 1.68 FW1 Sandra K Techo 44.46 141.5 SK-IU-043* 64.92 67.10 2.18 Sandra K Techo 8.53 432.0 SK-IU-047* 35.94 37.85 1.91 Sandra K Techo 8.92 85.07 SK-IU-050* 68.00 71.80 3.80 Sandra K Techo 27.79 170.7 SK-IU-051* 53.55 54.41 0.86 HW1 Sandra K Techo 8.80 31.4 SK-IU-054* 47.90 48.80 0.90 Sandra K Techo 18.73 43.6 SK-IU-055* 56.80 58.10 1.30 6640 12.52 26.2 El Silencio Mine ES-IU-043* 4.22 4.81 0.59 1385 Vein 15.78 14.2 ES-IU-044* 3.75 4.10 0.35 1385 Vein 13.46 29.7 and 58.24 60.66 2.42 Manto Vein 14.09 37.9 including 58.24 58.87 0.63 53.27 116.0 ES-IU-054* 4.74 5.08 0.34 1385 Vein 7.98 11.3 ES-IU-056* 4.27 5.90 1.63 Piso Vein 11.30 23.5 ES-IU-58* 4.82 9.18 4.36 Piso Vein 12.81 18.8 including 6.18 8.06 1.88 27.99 37.7 ES-IU-059* 79.16 79.82 0.66 1040 Vein 22.45 49.3 * Denotes underground drill holes. The underground holes were drilled at -11 to -79 degrees from the horizontal. Sample grades over 7.0 g/t Au reported. Grades are for quartz vein intersections and are length-weighted composites. The width is the sample length and is not necessarily the true width of the vein. All gold and silver grades are uncut and are not diluted to a minimum mining width. Abbreviations: HW: hanging wall vein, FW: footwall vein. Results are reported for 83 holes (8,043 m) including 30 holes (3,100 m) at Providencia (PV-IU-143 to PV-IU-171), 35 holes (3,182 m) at Sandra K (SK-IU-023 to SK-IU-055) and 18 holes (1,761 m) at El Silencio (ES-IU-043 to ES-IU-060). No results above cut-off grade shown for 21 holes at Providencia, 23 holes at Sandra K and 12 holes at El Silencio. Please refer also to the attached illustrative maps showing the Providencia, Sandra K and El Silencio drilling programs. Gran Colombia currently has four diamond drill rigs in operation at Segovia, with three rigs carrying out resource definition within the underground developments of the Providencia, Sandra K and El Silencio mines and one drill rig operating from surface at Campo Alegre targeting the down-plunge extension of the north ore-shoot of the El Silencio mine. Qualified Person Dr. Stewart D. Redwood, PhD, FIMMM, FGS, Senior Consulting Geologist to the Company, is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure or Mineral Projects and prepared or reviewed the preparation of the scientific and technical information in this press release. Verification included a review of the quality assurance and quality control samples, and review of the applicable assay databases and assay certificates. Quality Assurance and Quality Control The Segovia samples were prepared and assayed by SGS Laboratories Ltd (ISO 9001:2008) at their laboratory in Medellin, Colombia. Gold was assayed by 30 g fire assay with atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) finish. Samples above the upper detection limit of 10.0 g/t gold were re-assayed by 30 g fire assay with gravimetric finish. Silver was assayed by aqua regia digestion and AAS finish. Silver samples above 500 g/t were re-assayed by aqua regia digestion with AAS finish for ore grades. Blank, standard and duplicate samples were routinely inserted and monitored for quality assurance and quality control. January 2019 Production Update Gran Colombia also announced today that it produced a total of 17,941 ounces of gold in January 2019, maintaining its monthly run rate from 2018 and in line with expectations for the month. This brings the trailing 12 months total gold production at the end of January 2019 to 219,242 ounces. The Segovia Operations continued to perform well with 16,256 ounces of gold produced in January 2019, up slightly from 2018s monthly average production level. Gran Colombia processed an average of 1,098 tonnes per day (tpd) in January with an average head grade of 16.5 g/t. At the Marmato Operations, Gran Colombia processed an average of 979 tpd in January at an average head grade of 2.01 g/t resulting in gold production for the month of 1,685 ounces. About Gran Colombia Gold Corp. Gran Colombia is a Canadian-based mid-tier gold producer with its primary focus in Colombia where it is currently the largest underground gold and silver producer with several mines in operation at its Segovia and Marmato Operations. Gran Colombia is continuing to focus on exploration, expansion and modernization activities at its high-grade Segovia Operations. Additional information on Gran Colombia can be found on its website at www.grancolombiagold.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information", which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to production guidance and anticipated business plans or strategies, including exploration programs and mineral resources and reserves. 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", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Gran Colombia to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated as of March 27, 2018 and Managements Discussion and Analysis dated as of November 13, 2018, both of which are available for view on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release and Gran Colombia disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For Further Information, Contact: Mike Davies Chief Financial Officer (416) 360-4653 investorrelations@grancolombiagold.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1a76614b-546f-49d4-b314-6e8e658f5509 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d4470e01-50c9-4414-9e62-5b354c999852 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/45a4f6fc-862a-4df2-8f7e-94a3e32890c7 Win McNamee/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- As President Donald Trump prepares to continue negotiations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this week, he does so with added pressure to deliver results, while Kim has already won a victory in that diplomatic talks are happening at all, several North Korea analysts told ABC News. Eight months after their first meeting in Singapore in 2018, there is little sign that North Korea has moved to denuclearize. And by dragging out talks with the U.S., Kim gains more time to advance his countrys nuclear capabilities and demand economic concessions from the U.S., analysts said. The two leaders plan to meet later this week in Hanoi, Vietnam, to pick up their face-to-face talks on North Koreas nuclear weapons program, and its relations with the U.S. and neighboring countries. Kim Jong Un is now even better positioned to milk his adversary, the United States -- that is, to further ensnare the Trump administration into this protracted process of negotiation without really reaching any meaningful resolution, Sung-Yoon Lee, a professor of Korean studies at The Fletcher School at Tufts University, told ABC News. Over the past few months, Trump has pointed to North Korea holding off on missile and nuclear tests as a win for the U.S., but analysts said North Korea did not necessarily need to carry out tests to make progress, and that those tests could always resume. Trump, more than Kim, has defended the diplomatic process, and has more staked on its success, especially as he faces political pressure at home, according to Victor Cha, who served as director for Asian affairs at the National Security Council from 2004 to 2007, and now serves as senior adviser and Korea chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. The timing, given whats happening domestically, makes him a lot more vulnerable, said Cha. Vulnerable to taking bad deal. Priorities for North Korea include relief from economic sanctions and a Korean War peace agreement -- and by extension, the pullout of U.S. troops from South Korea -- helping to ensure the Kim regimes long-term survival, analysts said. Kim has also used diplomacy to legitimize himself on the world stage, potentially leading to meetings with more leaders. While Kim looks more comfortable now -- stretching out the process to reap economic sanctions relief -- like Trump, he faces the prospect that elections in the U.S. next year may result in a new president who might not carry on diplomacy, according to Jean Lee, former chief of the Associated Press bureau in North Koreas capital, Pyongyang. They want to take advantage of this golden opportunity with Trump in office, said Jean Lee, who now directs the Hyundai Motor-Foundation Center for Korean History and Public Policy at the Wilson Center in Washington. Theyve been doing this for a quarter century -- they know policy could turn on a dime. However, if Kim cannot obtain meaningful sanctions relief from the Trump administration, it could hurt him domestically, according to Jung Pak, a senior fellow and the SK-Korea foundation chair in Korea Studies at the Brookings Institutions Center for East Asia Policy Studies in Washington. The risk to him is that the sanctions will remain and theyll get stronger, Pak said. Because he has so personally taken ownership of economic development, he has to deliver. It remains in Kims interest for Trump to keep seeing diplomacy as the answer, according to Cha. The last thing he wants is for Trump to walk away and say, I cant do business with this guy, he said. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. A special buck mule deer hunting permit that has been in place for many years for the Pryor Mountains in eastern Carbon County has been dropped for the 2019 season. The application packet for buck deer and bull elk permits, which arrived at license dealers last week, erroneously lists the permit as available for the coming year. During past years, hunters could apply for an unlimited number of buck mule deer permits in Hunting District 510. The permit number 510-50 allowed hunters to harvest a mule deer buck in that hunting district but precluded them from harvesting a mule deer buck elsewhere in the state. The permit was developed to maintain buck numbers by limiting mule deer buck harvest from the western flank of the Pryor Mountains. After chronic wasting disease was discovered in eastern Carbon County in 2017, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists and the state Fish and Wildlife Commission agreed to discontinue the permits in an attempt to maximize harvest in the area and potentially slow the spread of the disease. CWD spreads primarily from animal-to-animal and management strategies include managing for fewer bucks on the landscape. I have found most of the Voice of the Reader letters to be very interesting. In the Feb. 11, edition, I read an opinion that caused me to respond. The writer states how Trump has restored honor to the presidency and has described him as a man of integrity, dignity and the spirit of the American people. I then came to the conclusion that these original thoughts were the work of the devil. I then read Jerry Calverts letter stating facts as they really are. In the Feb. 18 letter by Bob Sandler, he also stated facts as they truly are. Trump has now spoken up and not given his true feelings concerning abortion. He has gotten the vote of a lot of good Christians by pretending that he is so much against abortion. Months ago, Denise Boggs wrote that she could not understand how any person of faith could uphold Trump. Trump is gung-ho about a wall being built which would keep a lot of immigrants out. These immigrants are mainly seeking freedom from oppression and possible death in their homeland. America was built to welcome immigrants. Robert Bud Flanagan Billings Love 13 Funny 14 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 6 In these politically divisive times, knowing where to find factual and nonpartisan information can be challenging. Being accurately informed about the issues facing children and youth can greatly help parents, professionals, and policy makers to prepare young people for the challenges and opportunities that Montana has in store for them. Where we excel Its no surprise why Montana is ranked 10th in the nation for family and community well-being as nearly three-quarters of children belong to families with married parents, and both single and teenage motherhood rates have declined. An overwhelming majority of Montanas children and teenagers feel close to their parents or a trusted adult, and feel safe at school and in their neighborhood. These findings are remarkable given the preponderance of school shootings and research indicating that safety is one of the greatest predictors of school success. Andrew Rossi, a public relations specialist and educator at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis, will present a free talk at the Draper Natural History Museum in Cody, Wyoming, on March 7 at 12:15 p.m. His discussion, titled "It's Not Child's Play: Dinosaurs, Citizen Science, and the Experience Economy," is part of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West's Lunchtime Expedition series held in the Coe Auditorium. At this talk, Rossi explores the methods and programs that have consistently ranked the Wyoming Dinosaur Center as one of the best dinosaur museums in the world through the strength of its visitor experience. At the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, visitors are encouraged to participate in the preparation of specimens collected from various sites outside Thermopolis through every stage of the scientific process. By doing this, paleontology gains greater exposure and is exposed to new audiences. The public engages in rare and memorable activities with a personal investment that translates to long-term support by providing a unique experience. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The 62 ranchers with grazing leases on Bureau of Land Management property in north-central Montana have some security following the agencys decision to renew grazing permits on 103 allotments. The area covered under the BLM decision stretches from the Bears Paw Mountains in the west to the Missouri River Breaks in the east. The planning area contains 103,741 acres of public land mainly located in the southern portion of Phillips, Blaine and Chouteau counties. The agencys announcement on Monday comes in the wake of an environmental assessment focusing on rangeland health in the region that began in 2012. The review was finalized in 2017, and now grazing permittees can see the changes some will have to make to meet the BLMs standards. Modifications include maintaining fences along the Missouri River to changes to when livestock can graze certain areas. Under the BLMs decision, changes in livestock management are proposed on three grazing allotments to meet land health standards. In addition, management changes are proposed on 41 grazing allotments based on recommendations by BLM staff and requests by grazing permittees and lessees. In addition to studying range health, the review also identified isolated BLM parcels available for sale or trade. With the temperature at about minus 5 degrees, between 4 and 6 inches of snow could be on the ground by the time some Monday morning commuters are hitting the road between 7 and 8 a.m. in Billings. Though wind will be light, wind chill values Monday morning could be colder than minus 20. A winter storm warning for a broad area of central and southern Montana, including Billings, went into effect Sunday. The storm could bring 10 inches of snow through Tuesday, but as of Sunday afternoon some uncertainty remained in the forecast, according to the National Weather Service in Billings. "It should be right over us, at least part of it should be right over us," said meteorologist Aaron Gilstad. "We're kind of on either edge, depending on what the models look like." Billings could see more than 10 inches by the time the storm subsides. It could also see less, Gilstad said. Snowfall is expected to be more or less constant until Tuesday night. "And then we may lighten up a little bit again, and it may or may not completely stop," Gilstad said. Meteorologists Sunday were eyeing conditions that show a chance for more snow later in the week. The good news is that as of Wednesday, there hadnt been any confirmed measles cases in Montana and no mumps cases in Yellowstone County. The Unified Health Command, made up of the two Billings hospitals and RiverStone Health, want to keep it that way. With the level of mobility of todays society, we have to be on guard when something happens in other parts of the country, said John Felton, Yellowstone County health officer and president and CEO of RiverStone Health. There could be risks to our community. To guard against those risks, a letter from Felton went out Thursday to the parents and guardians of Yellowstone County students who appear to not yet be vaccinated. In light of the serious measles outbreak in Washington state and an outbreak of mumps in the Bozeman area, we want to make sure all students are well-protected and that you are aware of the consequences an outbreak might have on your childs attendance at school and at school events, Felton wrote. Beverly Stowe McClure, Author of stories for children and teens The most logical starting point would be education. And if there were one part of the educational system that would produce this transformation most broadly, effectively, and efficiently, it would most likely be at our schools of education that train teachers for the K-12 classroom. That's where ideas from the rest of academia are inserted into the curriculum for elementary and high school students, and where politically unsophisticated young people are turned into classroom teachers. Control the schools of education, and the education system will eventually be yours to forward your political agenda.Remarkably, that is just what has happened in this country. Over 100 years ago, when our education schools were just starting up or growing from two-year normal schools to university status, Progressive educators set out to transform the nation into one that was based on social science theories, collectivism, and central planning.How successful were they? Several years ago, I started an investigation into how politicized education schools have become. Today, the Martin Center is releasing the results of that investigation in a new report , titledThe report's main conclusion? That schools of education may very well be radicalized beyond anything imagined by the early Progressives.The way I came to that conclusion was through two methods. One was an empirical examination of the syllabi of three major education schools, the schools of education,. I looked at 290 total syllabi from the three education schools and tabulated the most frequently assigned authors. Rather than basing popularity on the number of times an author's works were assigned, I used the number of classes in which their works were assigned; counting every time a book or article is assigned can skew the results if a professor assigns multiple works by the same author. I also counted every author for each article.In the other method, I identified the major strains of radical K-12 education-Progressive, critical pedagogy, and multicultural education-and followed their increasing influence in academia.The overall results of the main empirical investigation are in Table 1 below.So, who are these authors and what ideas are they promoting?First of all, they are not fringe players, but key members of the education establishment. Most of them have held prestigious positions in the world of education. The most frequently assigned writer is Gloria Ladson-Billings. She is the associate vice chancellor of academic affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and she formerly served as the chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the UW School of Education. She is currently the president of the National Academy of Education and, for 2005-2006, was president of the American Educational Research Association.The next most assigned author is Stanford professor Linda Darling Hammond. She was an advisor on education to President Obama before he took office and was just chosen by California governor Gavin Newsom to head the state Board of Education. She was chair of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, past president of the American Educational Research Association, served as director of the RAND Corporation's education program, andAccording to the biography on the website of her own think tank, the Learning Policy Institute,Paolo Freire and John Dewey are household names-perhaps two of the most influential education theorists who ever lived.Secondly, every person on my Top Ten list is highly political and holds beliefs far to the left of ordinary liberals. Dewey was the leading Progressive educator and an open socialist. He visited the Soviet Union and came back filled with praise for what, at the time, was a genocidal totalitarian state. The Brazilian Freire was openly a Marxist.According to her National Academy of Education biography, Ladson-Billings isLadson-Billings once wrote thatOne of her works assigned at UNC is a book chapter titled "From the Achievement Gap to the Education Debt: Understanding Achievement in U.S. Schools," in which she seems to argue for reparations for historical differences in education between the races.Former Rutgers and CUNY education professor Jean Anyon is the fourth most-assigned author. She is an unabashed radical activist who participated in the Occupy Wall Street protests. A couple of her best-known works, both assigned at Wisconsin, are Radical Possibilities: Public Policy, Urban Education and a New Social Movement and Social Class, School Knowledge, and the Hidden Curriculum. Another book, though not assigned at Wisconsin, is Marx and Education, Theory and Educational Research: Toward Critical Social Explanation.And so it goes for the rest of my list, plus a high percentage of the education writers whose works were less frequently assigned than the top ten.My findings were strongly corroborated by the two other studies I found that explore the same topic. Both were conducted by political moderates: Frederick Hess , who is the lead educational expert at the American Enterprise Institute, and David Steiner , the director of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy (hardly a hotbed of conservatism). Steiner summarized his findings:Woolfolk is an educational psychologist, but everybody else mentioned by Steiner as influential are (or were) proponents of one radical theory or another. While Freire and Dewey were the only ones to make my top ten list, Kozol, Gardner, Giroux, and Spring were also frequently assigned at the three schools I examined.Besides exploring the education school syllabi and the philosophical underpinnings of education schools' radicalization, I took a look at the UNC-Chapel Hill education school faculty from a couple of different angles. First, I found on the UNC website the voter registrations of tenure and tenure track faculty. Of the 52 such education school faculty members, 30 are registered as Democrats, 10 as unaffiliated, two as Republicans, and 10 were not registered. The two Republicans are both in their sixties, so they will likely retire in a few years, whereas younger professors are solidly in the Democratic camp.The UNC education school website also listed professors' research interests. Just over half-27 of 52-of professors expressed a research interest in at least one topic that indicated some degree of politicization. And just like with voting registrations, the assistant professors whose current characteristics predict the future were more frequently radical than their older counterparts: 8 of 12 expressed an interest in politicized topics.Here are a couple of examples of who is teaching in the education school at Chapel Hill:Eileen Parsons, a full professor, has research and teaching interests that include: Socio-cultural dimensions of science learning, Broadening participation in STEM, STEM Education policy, African American education, Cultural relevance and cultural responsiveness in science education, Racial equity, and Critical Race Theory.Take special note of Parsons's connection of culture to science education-she is teaching that science is dependent upon the background of the learner rather than universal. The idea is absurd, undermining scientific methodologies with proven accuracy and utility. New technology allowing 3D printing is being used to create everything from food to body parts, and is also being used at Beatrice Middle School. Makerspace is a collaborative work space in schools and libraries across the country that focuses on making, learning, exploring and sharing using high tech to no tech tools. This includes using paper, scissors and glue, as well as computers, iPads, 3D pens and, of course, 3D printers. Makerspace is a push to get kids making, said Karen Dittbrenner, media specialist at BMS. Kids just dont make with their hands like they used to. You see it in school. Teachers ask for projects, the projects are a lot of times kind of pitiful, because kids just dont do things with their hands that dont involve remotes as much or hardly at all. Makerspace is getting them to make something. Makerspace is held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday during study hall. Every day a different grade is chosen, and four students per study hall are picked to go to Makerspace. The grades are rotated through, which means each week one grade will have a chance to go twice in a week. Dittbrenner said that Makerspace has been an educational buzzword for the last few years. Dutch English Regulated Information Press Release Transparency Notifications from Shareholders Ghent, BELGIUM 25 February 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 in accordance with article 14 of the Belgian Act of 2 May 2007 on disclosure of major shareholdings in issuers shares of which are admitted to trading on a regulated market and laying down miscellaneous provisions (the "Belgian Transparency Act") that it received transparency notifications from several shareholders listed below as a result of the completion of the initial public offering of new shares, with the admission of all of its shares to trading on the regulated market of Euronext Brussels under the symbol "SEQUA" (the "Offering"). The reason for each transparency notification was "holding of voting securities upon first admission to trading". NeoMed IV Extension L.P. / NeoMed Innovation V L.P. (2)..... 4,196,641 33.28 LSP Health Economics Fund Management B.V.(3)................... 1,539,407 12.21 Participatiemaatschappij Vlaanderen NV (4)........................... 1,223,906 9.70 Federale Participatie- en Investeringsmaatschappij NV (5)..... 1,105,246 8.76 Newton Biocapital I Pricav Privee SA (6).................................. 1,102,529 8.74 Venture Incubator AG / VI Partners AG (7)............................. 525,501 4.17 Capricorn Health-tech Fund NV / Quest for Growth NV (8)..... 598,978 4.75 _____________ Notes: (1) The total number of outstanding shares of the Company on 12 February 2019 amounts to 12,611,900, each share giving right to one (1) vote (being 12,611,900 voting rights in total). The trading of the Company's shares on the regulated market of Euronext Brussels started on an "if-and-when-issued-and/or-delivered" basis on 11 February 2019. (2) A parent undertaking or a controlling person of NeoMed IV Extension L.P. ("NeoMed IV") and NeoMed Innovation V L.P. ("NeoMed V"), informed the Company, by means of a notification dated 20 February 2019, that, as a result of the completion of the Offering, on 11 February 2019, their joint shareholding crossed the threshold of 30% of the outstanding voting rights of the Company. The joint notification specifies furthermore that both NeoMed IV and NeoMed V are a private limited company incorporated in Jersey and are controlled by their investment manager NeoMed Management (Jersey) Limited (a private limited company incorporated in Jersey). NeoMed Management (Jersey) Limited is controlled by Erik Amble, Claudio Nessi, Dina Chaya and Pal Jensen within the meaning of the articles 5 and 7 of the Belgian Companies Code. The notification also states that (a) NeoMed IV and NeoMed V do not own the securities of the Company but manage the funds that own the voting rights attached to the securities of the Company, and (b) as management companies, NeoMed IV and NeoMed V exercise the voting rights attached to the securities of the Company at their discretion in the absence of specific instructions. (3) A parent undertaking or a controlling person of LSP Health Economics Fund Management B.V. ("LSP"), informed the Company, by means of a notification dated 19 February 2019 that, as a result of the completion of the Offering, on 11 February 2019, LSP's shareholding crossed the threshold of 10% of the outstanding voting rights of the Company. The notification specifies furthermore that LSP is controlled by LSP Management Group BV within the meaning of the articles 5 and 7 of the Belgian Companies Code and that LSP Management Group BV is no controlled undertaking. The notification also states that (a) LSP is not an owner of the shares of the Company, but manages the funds that own the shares of the Company, (b) LSP exercises the voting rights of the funds as management company, and (c) LSP can exercise the voting rights of the funds at its own discretion at the general meeting of shareholders of the Company. (4) A parent undertaking or a controlling person of Participatiemaatschappij Vlaanderen NV ("PMV"), informed the Company, by means of a notification dated 18 February 2019 that, as a result of the completion of the Offering, on 11 February 2019, PMV's shareholding crossed the threshold of 5% of the outstanding voting rights of the Company. The notification specifies furthermore that PMV is controlled by Het Vlaams Gewest within the meaning of the articles 5 and 7 of the Belgian Companies Code and that Het Vlaams Gewest is not controlled. (5) A parent undertaking or a controlling person of Federale Participatie- en Investeringsmaatschappij NV ("SFPI-FPIM"), informed the Company, by means of a notification dated 18 February 2019 that, as a result of the completion of the Offering, on 11 February 2019, SFPI-FPIM's shareholding crossed the threshold of 5% of the outstanding voting rights of the Company. The notification specifies furthermore that SFPI-FPIM is controlled by the Belgian State within the meaning of the articles 5 and 7 of the Belgian Companies Code and that SFPI-FPIM acts in its own name, but on behalf of the Belgian State. (6) Newton Biocapital I Pricav Privee SA ("NBC"), a person that notifies alone, informed the Company, by means of a notification dated 21 February 2019 that, as a result of the completion of the Offering, on 11 February 2019, NBC's shareholding crossed the threshold of 5% of the outstanding voting rights of the Company. The notification specifies furthermore that NBC is not controlled within the meaning of the articles 5 and 7 of the Belgian Companies Code. The notification also states that (a) NBC acts as discretionary investment manager and holds voting rights attached to shares on behalf of its clients, and (b) NBC can exercise the voting rights at its own discretion without instructions of its clients. (7) VI Partners AG, a person that notifies alone, informed the Company, by means of a notification dated 21 February 2019 that, as a result of the completion of the Offering, on 11 February 2019, the joint shareholding of VI Partners AG and Venture Incubator AG crossed the threshold of 3% of the outstanding voting rights of the Company. The joint notification specifies furthermore that VI Partners AG is not a controlled entity within the meaning of article 5 and 7 of the Belgian Companies Code. The notification also states that (a) VI Partners AG is a shareholder and the management company of Venture Incubator AG, a multi-investor investment company, and (b) it is authorised to exercise the voting rights in the shares held by Venture Incubator AG at its free discretion, in the absence of specific instructions. (8) Capricorn Venture Partners ("CVP"), a person that notifies alone, informed the Company, by means of a notification dated 18 February 2019 that, as a result of the completion of the Offering, on 11 February 2019, the joint shareholding of its funds Capricorn Health-tech Fund NV and Quest for Growth NV crossed the threshold of 3% of the outstanding voting rights of the Company. The joint notification specifies furthermore that (a) CVP is in itself no owner of shares in the Company but manages two funds (Capricorn Health-tech Fund NV and Quest for Growth NV) which are owner of shares of the Company, (b) CVP exercises the voting rights of both funds as management company, and (c) CVP is not controlled within the meaning of the articles 5 and 7 of the Belgian Companies Code. The notification also states that (a) the securities giving voting rights are owned by two funds managed by CVP, and (b) CVP can exercise the voting rights of the funds at its own discretion at the general meeting of shareholders of the Company. To access copies of the aforementioned transparency notifications, reference is made to Sequana Medical's website ( www.sequanamedical.com ). Pursuant to the Belgian Transparency Act and the articles of association of the Company, a notification to the Company and the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) is required by all natural and legal persons in each case where the percentage of voting rights attached to the securities held by such persons in the Company reaches, exceeds or falls below the threshold of 3%, 5%, 10%, and every subsequent multiple of 5%, of the total number of voting rights in the Company. For more information, please contact: Sequana Medical Lies Vanneste Director IR Tel: +32 (0) 498 05 35 79 Email: IR@sequanamedical.com Consilium Strategic Communications Alexandra Harrison, Marieke Vermeersch, Sukaina Virji Tel: +44 (0) 203 709 5000 Email: sequanamedical@consilium-comms.com 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. In January 2019, the FDA has granted Breakthrough Device designation for the alfapump for the treatment of liver recurrent or refractory ascites. 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 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. For further information, please visit www.sequanamedical.com . 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. A drunk driver is accused of crashing into a motor grader that was cleaning the streets of Beatrice early Sunday during a snow storm. Just after 1 a.m. Sunday, Beatrice police were dispatched to the 700 block of South Fourth Street where a city employee reported that a car hit the grader he was operating. Upon arrival, police found a blue Toyota stuck in the snow as a driver was trying to get it out. Police contacted the driver, identified as 48 year old Terry A. Collins, who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Arrest documents state Collins had slurred speech, a hazy look and that the car smelled like alcohol. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} A bottle of Crown Royal was on the passenger side floorboard, and Collins allegedly told police he had been drinking that evening. A breath test revealed an alcohol level of .158, while a later test showed a level of .169, more than double the legal driving limit of .08. Marijuana and a pipe were also found inside the vehicle. Beatrice street superintendent Jason Moore said the car hit the motor grader's tire and that no damage was done to it. As the State Patrol investigated that case, it confirmed the identity of the girl through information from Bridgmon's pre-employment screening for the Seward County Sheriff's Office, the affidavit said. That polygraph exam was conducted by the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office sometime prior to him starting work in Seward County in November 2015, according to court records. Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner said he wasn't made aware of any criminal violations disclosed in that interview, but he will review the examination to ensure polygraph practices were followed. Wagner's agency conducts the pre-employment polygraph examinations for outside agencies. Bridgmon, who has been released from the Johnson County jail on bond, was arrested on a warrant for the Lancaster County charge. His attorney didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on the charges Monday. Bridgmon, who has addresses listed in Pleasant Dale and Denton, resigned from the Seward County Sheriff's Office on Friday as Sheriff Mike Vance was conducting an internal investigation. In both the Lancaster County and Johnson County sexual assault cases, he faces up to 50 years in prison if convicted. The labs world-class instrumentation is used to study the bulk property of the carbon black, which is turned into high-density pellets that are easier to ship and for customers to handle, said Ned Hardman, a chemist and Monoliths vice president of product development. The lab also analyzes the chemical makeup of carbon black to tailor it to customers needs, and it tests how the different forms of carbon black work in rubber. The three main uses of carbon black are to reinforce rubber, as a conductor and as a pigment, Hardman said. About 85 percent of carbon black is used in rubber products and 65 percent specifically in tires. Tires use several different grades of carbon black for different purposes, Hardman said, and the makeup of the carbon black differs for all of them. The companys expansion plans follow what Hanson said is a resurgence of tire and auto manufacturing in the United States. This is a growing market that we hope to be a big part of, he said. But Monolith is also focused on hydrogen production and its uses beyond powering electrical plants. People ask me are you a carbon black company or a hydrogen company? Hanson said. The answer is were both. Carbon black is our focus now, but over the long term, they are both very, very important to us as a business. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Windstream Holdings filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday. The bankruptcy filing comes in the wake of a federal court ruling earlier this month ordering the company to pay $310 million to Aurelius Capital Management. Aurelius had argued in a lawsuit that Windstream's decision in 2015 to spin off some of its assets into a separate company violated its financial covenants and put it in default on its bond debt. The ruling, by Judge Jesse Furman of the Southern District of New York, was unexpected by Windstream, especially considering that Aurelius was not the holder of the debt in question during the spinoff in 2015. Following a comprehensive review of our options, including an appeal, the board of directors and management team determined that filing for voluntary Chapter 11 protection is a necessary step to address the financial impact of Judge Furmans decision and the impact it would have on consumers and businesses across the states in which we operate, Tony Thomas, president and chief executive officer of Windstream, said in a news release. Thomas said the voluntary bankruptcy filing will ensure the company has access to capital to fund ongoing operations. Excerpt 7: First Day As A Surgeon In Malaysia Tan Sri Majid had earlier reminded me in very clear terms that as head of the new Third Surgical Unit at GHKL my duties were purely and exclusively clinical. Even though that was a university unit I would have no formal teaching responsibilities. I was under the ministry, not the university; a civil servant, not a professor. My job was to relieve those academics so they would now have, in the DGs own words, no more excuses of their clinical load interfering with their academic duties. Like most young doctors trained at university centers I had always aspired to be an academic and had planned my training accordingly, as with taking a year off for formal research, as well as publishing papers. So I was more than happy to be associated with UKM, to be with medical students and young surgical trainees despite not having a formal academic appointment. That Monday morning as I drove to the hospital for the first time, the thing that struck me as I was driving over Cheras Hill was the thick grimy smog hovering over the city so early in the morning. I would be spending all day breathing that dirty air! The only saving grace was that it helped block the otherwise penetrating tropical sun. GHKL was a huge grey five-story cement building, with a striking exterior of honeycomb cement louvers and wide overhangs to shade against the blistering Malaysian sun and torrential downpours. The complex was H-shaped (for hospital?) with the bridge-bar connecting the two wings being functioning wards. Adjacent and just before you reach the hospital was the contrasting and equally new Maternity Hospital with a completely different and equally striking exterior of a net-appearing cement facade. Inside I later discovered that the louvers and the deep fenestrations did their work for the wards were cool with only the fans on, and breezy. The ingenious exterior design also spared the building from the blight of many tropical structures discolorations from molds. I was told that right after independence, Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman had an international competition to build both GHKL and the proposed University of Malaya Medical Center. GHKLs design by Wells and Joyce, Architects, put a premium on form and function, as well as low maintenance, reflecting the Brutalist architectural movement of the era. I was also told that the corridors were wide so they could be converted into makeshift wards during times of mass casualties, as during the race riots of 1969. I went straight to the Department of Surgery to see its head, only to be told that he was in the ICU with an acute asthmatic attack. The earlier sight of the dirty cloud reminded me that the poor soul would have it tough. I did not feel right to bother him. His secretary did not know who was in charge now that he was incapacitated. I headed to the wards and on arriving saw the nurses and doctors busy on their rounds. The bareness of the ward, with its about fifty patients, reminded me of the Veterans Hospital in Edmonton where I had done some rotations. A senior nurse in her crisp white cotton uniform and wide flat headgear broke from the group to greet me. She introduced herself as Sister Fong, the title meaning, Charge Nurse. After I introduced myself as the Units new head she replied, Oh, good! Now we have somebody in charge! She introduced me to the group. I told them to ignore me and pretend that it was the previous day. That was easier said than executed. My presence was distracting if not disruptive even though I remained silent in the back. They were forever looking to me for approval or reassurance, a pack of puppies unsure whether to be eager or wary of their new trainer. After a few minutes, I excused myself on the pretext of attending to some administrative details. The relief on both sides was palpable, and welcomed. A medical officer, Dr. Zulkiflee Laidin, showed me around. Zul knew his civil service protocol well. Before I knew it, I was in the ICU meeting Datuk Menon. He apologized for not being able to show me around and that yes, the DG had phoned him earlier about me. Seeing that he had difficulty breathing even through his oxygen mask let alone engage in a conversation, I soon excused myself and assured him that I would find my way around with Zuls help. Poor Menon, he looked like a mudfish caught in a receding tide. Next stop was administration. The Director was away and his deputy was in charge. He was surprised to see me but quickly recovered, adding that my unit, being the universitys, was not under his jurisdiction. Amidst the pleasantries, more to hide his embarrassment at not knowing of my arrival, he asked where I was from. After I replied Sri Menanti, Negri Sembilan, he added more as a statement, You, member of royal family? He must have thought that I was a rebel prince (what with my disheveled hair and nondescript casual attire) who had dispensed with his fancy feudal royal part to his name. There was a famous Raja Musa from my neck of the woods in Sri Menanti. The morning went by fast, yet I had not achieved anything. Nearing lunch time, I asked Zul where to go. Most of the consultants went home, he told me. I was not about to make the long trek back to Cheras in my fathers un-air-conditioned Ford Escort. Instead I tagged along with him to the hospital cafeteria to join the junior house and medical officers. It was obvious that my presence was a damper on their gathering. I tried to start a conversation, but to every query came monosyllable answers. Then an old classmate from my Kuala Pilah and Kuala Kangsar days, Ramli Ujang, came over to join us. Even though we were classmates and thus graduated from medical school at about the same time, Ramlis career took a detour for a few years in the army. Ramli was thus still a medical officer, in dermatology. His familiarity and informality with me broke the ice. Soon we were in animated discussions on Canadian medical education and specialty training, as well as life in Canada generally. Lunch time was (still is) a long affair in Malaysian officialdom, from 12 to 2 PM. Many went home for lunch or had it at the hospital cafeteria and then sneaked in a short siesta. Towards the end of our discussion the cafeteria was empty but for us. Ramli and I retreated to my new office, two old friends making up for lost time. Next: Excerpt #8: A Much Needed Reorganization Bread volumes at Allied Bakeries are to be hit in the coming year following price discussions with customers. Parent company Associated British Foods (ABF) said work was continuing to reduce operating losses at the Kingsmill and Allinsons owner, which were last year described as unacceptable. In a trading update ahead of a close period, ABF stated: Some bread sales volume will be lost next year as a result of recent customer discussions on pricing. We remain focused on reducing these losses and will take further measures to this end as needed. The company told British Baker it could not comment further on the issue because of commercial confidentiality. ABF also reported that revenue from its ingredients division was expected to be ahead of last year, with progress in operating profit. It said trading performance in AB Mauri bakery ingredients in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) benefited from the integration of Holgran and Fleming Howden following their acquisition from Rank Hovis last year. The company added that protein crisps had continued to drive revenue growth at ABF Ingredients. ABF said it expected sugar revenue from continuing operations to be lower than last year in the first half, with lower EU contracted sugar prices affecting its UK and Spanish businesses. The company is scheduled to announce its interim results for the 24 weeks to 2 March on 24 April 2019. You correct most of the errors youre likely to make with a pencil and eraser rather than expensive wood, then you start making the parts off of that drawing -- exactly to the pencil line, Dimock said. Nothing is left to chance as the assembling commences. The outside is covered in fiberglass, then the boat-to-be is turned right-side up so all the decking can be laid. Then come the gunnels, the wooden edges along the top. Doing that is like framing a picture, Dimock said. All of the sudden it makes the boat a hundred times prettier. Then its done and we build another. I grew up with hammer and saw in my hands, I never understood people who didnt or couldnt build stuff, Dimock said. His mothers side of the family is historically comprised of carpenters both professional and not -- women and men, he said. As to Dimocks own dory? It was constructed around the same time he first started navigating the Colorado. He has been sailing the boat -- built by famous wooden-boat maker Jerry Briggs -- for 40 years. Briggs is a name well known among boaters and wooden boat-builders. He died recently at the age of 86. LOS ANGELES Paper Street Media (PSM), the parent company of award-winning adult studios Team Skeet, MYLF, and a host of other premium adult sites, is celebrating March, and the recent launch of the MYLF.com network, with MYLF Madness, a new contest for its MYLF Money affiliates. As part of the promotion, webmasters can earn a $1,000 bonus for 10 sales each Friday during March for up to $5,000 in total bonuses. The bonus payout is only available on March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. The $1,000 bonus can only be collected on sales sent to MYLF.com and does not include pre-paid cards and PayPal sales. Affiliates participating must opt-in for this bonus promo and claim all bonus sales on or before April 15. Affiliates may contact [email protected] for more information. We just launched the MYLF network and are already receiving a great response, so we wanted to celebrate and give our amazing MYLF Money affiliates a chance to reap some of the rewards, said Salima, COO of Paper Street Media, the parent company of Paper Street Cash and MYLF Money. With great content from our flagship MYLF.com site, as well as a variety of exciting content from our sister sites, the MYLF Network is making an impact, experiencing great member traction, and experiencing lots of buzz from webmasters and fans alike! The MYLF network features a wide range of high-quality content from the industrys top content producers. Among the sites are Milfty, GotMylf, MomDrips, Mylfed, MilfBody, LoneMilf and FullOfJoi. Fan memberships for the MYLF Network are available for $14.87 per month, a six-month rate of $9.87 per month, or an annual membership for $7.87 per month. For more information, contact a MYLF Money representative or visitMYLFMoney.com. Paper Street Media owns award-winning, teen-themed adult studio Team Skeet, which earned seven nominations at the 2019 AVN Awards. Mormon Girlz and Crave Media, new brands from Paper Street Media also received eight AVN Nominations. LOS ANGELESTransgender adult superstar Morgan Bailey is bringing her Red Light Nites, a popular party she holds weekly in Chicago, to Los Angeles during The TEA Show weekend as the "Legends of Industry Cocktail Party," to be held on Saturday, March 16. Im over the moon with excitement and honored to be able to put on this event with the help and support of Grooby and all of my sponsors and close friends, said Morgan. Red Light Nites is coming to LA, baby! Sponsors for the event include Kink, Dallas Novelty, Many Vids, a lingerie show brought by IS by Nyomi Banks, and Premium Pride Wellness sponsored by transgender icon Buck Angel. We at Pride Wellness are so happy to be sponsoring the Red Light Nites' Cannabis Lounge. We are two transmen who created our cannabis company to help educate our community on the positive medical aspects of CBD and cannabis, said Buck. Our trans community suffers from drug addiction and no access to wellness medication. We at Pride Wellness work closely with our community and give back a portion of our proceeds to the L.A. LGBTQ Center Senior Services. Thank you for being a part of the community and supporting this important event! The stars expected to attend the Legends of the Industry Cocktail party include Natassia Dreams, Jane Marie, Gia Darling, Domino Presley, Sofia Ferreira, Nadia Love, Foxxy, Kimber James and author and mistress of media Siouxsie Q. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and open bar is from 7-11 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at RedLightNites.com. Those interested may follow Red Light Nites on Twitter and on Instagram. Fans may follow Morgan Bailey on her website Morgan-Bailey.com, on Twitter and on Instagram. English French Press Release Results to be announced on Friday 1 March 2019, 7am Gosselies, Belgium, 25 February, 7am CET BONE THERAPEUTICS (Euronext Brussels and Paris: BOTHE), the bone cell therapy company addressing high unmet medical needs in orthopaedics and bone diseases, will announce its full year results for the year ended 31 December 2018 on Friday 1 March 2019 at 7am CET. Thomas Lienard, Chief Executive Officer, and Jean-Luc Vandebroek, Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call and Q&A at 13:00 CEST / 12:00 BST. The call will be conducted in English and a replay will be available for 30 days via the Companys website. To access the conference call, please dial one of the appropriate numbers below quoting the conference ID: Belgium: +32 (0)800 48 740 or +32 (0)2 400 98 74 France: +33 (0)805 103 028 or +33 (0)1 76 70 07 94 United Kingdom: +44 (0)800 376 7922 or +44 (0)844 571 8892 United States: +1 (866) 966 1396 or +1 (631) 510 7495 Conference ID: 1789228 The presentation will be made available on the Investors section of the Bone Therapeutics website shortly before the call. To ensure a timely connection, it is recommended that users register at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start timing. About Bone Therapeutics Bone Therapeutics is a leading cell therapy company addressing high unmet needs in orthopaedics and bone diseases. Based in Gosselies, Belgium, the Company has a broad, diversified portfolio of bone cell therapy products in clinical development across a number of disease areas targeting markets with large unmet medical needs and limited innovation. Bone Therapeutics technology is based on a unique, proprietary approach to bone regeneration, which turns undifferentiated stem cells into bone-forming cells. These cells can be administered via a minimally invasive procedure, avoiding the need for invasive surgery. The Companys primary clinical focus is ALLOB, an allogeneic off-the-shelf cell therapy platform derived from stem cells of healthy donors, which is in Phase II studies for the treatment of delayed-union fractures and spinal fusion. In addition, the Company also has JTA-004, a viscosupplement in development for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Bone Therapeutics cell therapy products are manufactured to the highest GMP standards and are protected by a rich IP estate covering nine patent families. Further information is available at: www.bonetherapeutics.com. Contacts Bone Therapeutics SA Thomas Lienard, Chief Executive Officer Jean-Luc Vandebroek, Chief Financial Officer Gunther De Backer, Head of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations Tel: +32 (0) 71 12 10 00 investorrelations@bonetherapeutics.com International Media Enquiries: Consilium Strategic Communications Marieke Vermeersch Tel: +44 (0) 20 3709 5701 bonetherapeutics@consilium-comms.com For French Media and Investor Enquiries: NewCap Investor Relations & Financial Communications Pierre Laurent, Louis-Victor Delouvrier and Nicolas Merigeau Tel: + 33 (0)1 44 71 94 94 bone@newcap.eu Certain statements, beliefs and opinions in this press release are forward-looking, which reflect the Company or, as appropriate, the Company directors` current expectations and projections about future events. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. A multitude of factors including, but not limited to, changes in demand, competition and technology, can cause actual events, performance or results to differ significantly from any anticipated development. Forward looking statements contained in this press release regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. As a result, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any update or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this press release as a result of any change in expectations or any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which these forward-looking statements are based. Neither the Company nor its advisers or representatives nor any of its subsidiary undertakings or any such person`s officers or employees guarantees that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements are free from errors nor does either accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or the actual occurrence of the forecasted developments. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. ATLANTAIndia-based online brand Besharam (IMBesharam.com), announced it has secured more than $250,000 seed capital from two Atlanta-based investors and founders contributions to launch its #GlobalAdultStore. The Global Adult Store will cater to the Indians and South Asians outside of India, and will ship orders to U.S., Canada, U.K., Europe, West and South Africa, Middle East, South East Asia and Australia and New Zealand. We are grateful, honored and humbled to have the support and backing of very respected individuals and professionals who not only shared our vision but great understanding of the affluent audience that we will target to, said Raj Armani, COO and co-founder. Our business model has always been a unique proposition, with the initial focus on Indians in India, we had setup custom logistics, processes and marketing in place to ship and deliver American and European brands to India in 2013 when the idea of cross-border commerce was just taking birth amongst the e-commerce industry. Now, after six years of successful operation and half a million orders delivered, we are leveraging the brand reputation and goodwill to reach out to 75M Indians outside of India, a $400 million unexplored opportunity. Last October, co-founders Raj Armani and Salim Rajan introduced their funding campaign with an entertaining elevator pitch video and website. The website features the founders story, the team and their vision, as well as their growth plan and testimonials from industry veterans. The pitch video went viral on LinkedIn with more than 2 million impressions and more than 151 comments from business veterans and professionals in a three-day time period. The new webstore will be the first adult store for non-resident Indians (NRIs) that will educate, communicate and deliver world-class products at competitive prices and with free shipping. The main office will be located in Atlanta, with sales and support team in Kiev, Ukraine; Lisbon, Portugal; and Mumbai, India. The new seed capital funding will be used to launch the brand and fuel operations for the first phase, establish its sales and support teams, inventory, online and offline marketing in the U.S. and Canada and for website redesign/development. In the last few years, the adult products industry has witnessed phenomenal growth and entry into FMCG category, most innovations in product design and packaging, and influx of investor funding of over $100 million dollars, including the recent majority stake investment in LoveHoney, said Salim Rajan, CEO and co-founder. This makes it optimum timing for a territory expansion and targeted marketing of a niche audience, thus a ripe opportunity for the business to scale up and expand its geographical reach. The Global Adult Store will apply the knowledge gained from analyzing the data of over 60 months of buying habits of Indians, and the expertise in managing the various challenges that come in catering to the laws and customs of various countries and culture and values of the Indian community. Peter Chang, who is a co-investor in the brand, is a respectable and reputable real estate professional responsible for bringing Chinese and East Asian Investments in Atlanta since the 80s. As a veteran in the Atlanta real estate community, Peter has been involved in more than $1 billion of assets in multifamily, retail, office and industrial sectors. He is also managing partner of Atlanta Chinatown Investments, LLC. Peter obtained his masters degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton and a bachelors degree from Hong Kong Baptist University. Apart from being an investor, he will also be an on the advisory board of the company. Many NRIs have access to the adult products in the West and have been purchasing it from online stores like Amazon.com, Adam & Eve, LoveHoney, AnnSummers and others, but the undisputed fact of sales is based on human psychology, which says, considering all other factors being standard (like pricing, packaging and service), if a buyer likes you and trusts you, they will buy from you, Chang said. Besharam has earned the trust of Indians in India, and now with the Global Store, it aims to communicate, educate and deliver world-class adult products at compelling prices to Indians worldwide. Besharam was founded by Indians for Indians, So the NRI audience will be able to browse and shop from a brand they can relate to and connect with. We are very excited to support Besharams vision and expansion goals and we hope to bring valuable network and resources in their early stages. The second investor is a South Asian community figure and a senior director in a multi million-dollar software company with presence in the U.S. and India who has chosen to stay anonymous. He will also be an advisor to the company, and said this: We strongly believe that there is a large potential with NRIs worldwide, who are excited to buy from a brand, Besharam, that has been able to build trust, value and reputation across the Indian subcontinent and now ready to expand their wings to spread happiness across the world, further advancing its founding mottoby Indians, for Indians! The Global Store will showcase world-class brands such as Womanizer, Satisfyer, We-Vibe, Lelo, Fleshlight, Kiiroo, OhMIBod, Bijoux Indiscrets, Rocks Off, Screaming O, Fifty Shades of Grey, Sex & Mischief, Liberator, Amorelie, KamaSutra, Rhythm Toys, System Jo, pjur, Sliquid, Bathmate, Bodywand, Fun Factory, Tenga, Penthouse, Aneros, Baci, ReneRofe, BSwish, AutoBlow and many more. Free discreet shipping is offered for orders more than $25 in the USA, more than $75 in Canada and more than $100 on other worldwide destinations. For more, visit IMBesharam.com. Both Kingston finally winning the big one and Lynch getting her shot at Rousey are the two things WWE fans are most passionate about seeing at WrestleMania 35. It's not a coincidence. That's because both matches also exemplify the clever approach WWE takes to booking characters like Kingston and Lynch. Ironically enough, it's an approach that crystallized during Bryan's road to WrestleMania 30. It's simple, really: It's about toying with the expectations of fans. When it comes to underdogs like Bryan, Lynch and Kingston, WWE doesn't just come right out and give the fans what they want to see. Because then they wouldn't be underdogs. So, instead, WWE feints toward denying them, and in turn, denying the fans. And that not only intensifies the fans' passion for seeing the things they want to see, it also makes them part of the story. When those things inevitably do happen, the fans become the reason they did. So it's an approach that thinks a few moves ahead. It's 12th-dimensional booking. Cuomo, a Democrat, described the new law as a "first-in-the-nation" action. However, New York isn't the first state to adopt red flag laws. At least 13 states and the District of Columbia have some variation of a red flag law. Cuomo's office later clarified that the "first-in-the-nation" declaration was due to the inclusion of school officials as a party that could seek an extreme risk protection order. Many of the states adopted red flag laws after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman High School in Parkland, Florida last year. Seventeen people were killed and 17 more were injured in the Parkland shooting in February 2018. The shooter, a former student at the school, was known to police and teachers were concerned about his behavior. "The red flag law will save lives," Cuomo said. "It is common sense. It is logical. It is factual." The red flag law is the latest gun safety bill signed by Cuomo. In 2013, he successfully advocated for passage of the SAFE Act, which includes an assault weapons ban and expands background check provisions. One of the closest things to an example of American culture in Pyongyang is the Green Leaf Coffee Shop -- the top burger joint in the North Korean capital. Across the road from the April 25 Culture House -- named for the day the North's founder Kim Il Sung set up anti-Japanese guerrilla forces -- it overlooks the showpiece Ryomyong Street development his grandson and current leader Kim Jong Un opened in 2017. The 1970s-style decor is predominantly brown, pictures of the Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia flowers named for the North's rulers are on show, and footage of the State Merited Chorus plays on a television. A basic beefburger costs slightly less than $2, while a cheeseburger with minced beef and bacon is around $4. In a nod to local tastes, it also offers burgers with kimchi, and some with the bun replaced by two layers of rice, among other dishes. The burgers come wrapped in paper on plastic trays, the chips in red cartons echoing McDonald's, albeit served by uniformed waitresses. But the isolated North has long seen the United States as its implacable enemy, blaming it for the division of the Korean peninsula, countless atrocities during the Korean War, and its economic struggles. In the run-up to Kim Jong Un's summit in Hanoi with US President Donald Trump, the nuclear-armed North's official media barely mentioned the meeting. The burger restaurant's founders -- it was set up by a Singaporean businessman, Patrick Soh, who operated a franchise of the US chain Waffletown in the Lion City -- avoided American connotations. They called it Samtaesong, which Soh translates as "three big stars", and it has since been renamed again, with the menus now describing it as owned by the Sogwang High-Tech Corporation. The clientele is mostly small family groups and young couples, and manager Kim Yong Ae says the 300 to 500 customers a week do not think of burgers as American. "We brought it from Singapore's Waffletown, so people know it just as hamburgers, a form of layered bread, rather than McDonald's," she told AFP. "Some think of it as Singaporean food." - Rictus of hate - North Korean authorities teach their citizens from birth to despise the US, with war museums depicting white soldiers slaughtering innocent civilians, their gnarled faces twisted into rictuses of hate. One memorial site in Sinchon -- where US forces are said to have massacred more than 35,000 people, although foreign researchers say the toll is unclear and there is no evidence of American culpability -- features a "revenge-pledging place" where busloads of visitors can hurl abuse at the US. "People are influenced in multiple ways by those narratives, even if not everyone buys it wholesale," said Sokeel Park of Liberty In North Korea, which helps defectors travel from China to third countries. "There are some alternative sources of narrative about the US," he added. Pyongyang closely controls all media in the country, but illicit content circulates on USB sticks, watched in secret by citizens who face criminal punishment for doing so. Most of it is Korean-language rather than foreign, according to observers, but Park said some US films had entered the country -- American music less so -- and some people listened to Radio Free Asia and Voice of America broadcasts. After the vitriol of 2017, when the two countries' leaders traded personal insults and threats of war, the official KCNA news agency's tone has adapted alongside the diplomatic drive, offering few overt criticisms of the US or Trump and instead reserving its bile for former colonial overlord Japan. Pyongyang did nothing to shy away from covering the first summit in Singapore, portraying Kim and Trump meeting as equals. And an about-turn in the relationship would not "cause the cognitive dissonance that many people expect it would", according to Simon Cockerell, general manager of specialist travel agency Koryo Tours, who has been to the North 176 times over 17 years. The North Koreans he has spoken to, Cockerell says, are "all pretty uniformly against the US government as you might expect", but "have the nuance to not identify the entire US population as their enemy". And they were "mentally flexible and intelligent enough to understand and adapt to the message changing while still internalising the core belief: that the US is the enemy of the DPRK and will be until the most basic agreements are reached, then things may change!" The Green Leaf Coffee Shop's 1970s-style decor is predominantly brown, and pictures of the Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia flowers named for North Korea's rulers are on show The founders of the burger joint avoided American connotations A basic beefburger costs slightly less than $2,while a cheeseburger with minced beef and bacon is around $4 The burger joint is the closest thing to an example of American culture in the North Korean capital North Korean authorities teach their citizens from birth to despise the United States The US Supreme Court will rule on Wednesday if a giant cross that serves as a war memorial is, as secularist critics contend, an unconstitutional state religious endorsement. The case of the cross has become a rallying cry for religious conservatives and secularist progressives alike, in an intensifying culture war that has been sharpened by President Donald Trump's appointment of two new justices giving the top court a conservative majority. Judges of the court will have to rule on whether the cross violates the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting free exercise thereof." While the clause leaves no doubt that the state cannot finance a religious institution, there are several gray areas surrounding it: not least the fact that every dollar bill has "In God We Trust" written on it. At the heart of the case is a 40-foot (12-meter) tall cross erected in 1925 in Bladensburg, Maryland -- near the nation's capital Washington -- to honor the memory of 49 local soldiers killed in World War I. Because it is built on public land, the Washington-based American Humanist Association (AHA), a plaintiff in the case, holds that the monument violates the First Amendment's forbidding the state from favoring one religion over another. "The fight for separation of church and state is far from over," the AHA said on its website, which adds that $100,000 of public funding has been used to maintain the cross. - 'Fighting for their country' - The group's director Roy Speckhardt said the "cross honors not all veterans but really only Christian veterans... We want to have a monument that honors all veterans." That reasoning is false, said Will Trotter -- a former soldier who lives near the monument and says he was inspired by the example of the men cited on it. "It has no religious connotation at all. The shape of the cross goes back many, many centuries as a symbol of service and sacrifice for warfare... That was just the way things were done a century ago," Trotter said. One of those honored on the monument is Thomas Fenwick, who died fighting in France at the age of 22. His niece Mary Ann LaQuay agrees the monument "does not represent a religion." She told AFP: "It's a very stressful and sad time to think that someone wants to take away a memorial to men who lost their lives fighting for their country. This really hurts." A lower court rejected the AHA's initial filing, but in December 2016 an appeals court ordered that the cross be either torn down, changed or moved. "The display aggrandizes the Latin cross in a manner that says to any reasonable observer that the Commission either places Christianity above other faiths, views being American and Christian as one in the same, or both," the judges ruled. The American Legion, which represents military veterans, and the parks department then appealed to the Supreme Court. Since then, the administration of President Donald Trump, several members of which openly profess their Christian beliefs, has expressed support for the monument. - 'War on Christmas' - A Department of Justice brief to the Supreme Court says that removal or destruction of the 93-year-old memorial "would be viewed by many as the action of a government that is not neutral but hostile on matters of religion". When the court renders its decision after several weeks, it will have consequences for many other monuments in the United States which carry religious symbols. The dominance of Christianity, and in particular the Protestant faith, in US life has long made the gray areas more or less moot. In recent years, however, the growing number of other religions, and of atheists, in the country has led to a rising chorus of protest about Christianity's unchallenged dominance in US cultural life. That protest has in turn prompted a backlash from the religious right, who have condemned what they term the "war on Christmas" and remain suspicious of a more multicultural approach. The culture clash has led to numerous appeals to the Supreme Court to demarcate the ever-shifting border between church and state. "I think the court will keep things unsettled," said Jeffrey Shulman, a law professor at Georgetown University. "I think it will remain a complex and confusing area of the law." "There is always a battle going on somewhere," he said. "This is just the latest battle in a long and continuing struggle to define religious liberty in America." The Bladensburg Cross, a war monument in the form of a giant cross standing on public land just six miles from the Supreme Court, which will debate the question of whether it violates the Constitution's separation of church and state Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association, walks next to the World War I memorial cross which his group says honors only Christian veterans Comedian Trevor Noah brought a wry smile to his fellow South Africans during the Oscars when he poked fun at white people in Xhosa, one of his country's official languages. Noah, host of the award-winning Daily Show and son of a Xhosa-speaking mother and a Swiss-German father, often uses South African languages in his stand-up routines. As he prepared Sunday to present the Academy Award for best picture, for which Black Panther was a contender, he referred to the 2018 blockbuster and said: "Growing up as a young boy in Wakanda, I would see our King T'Challa flying over our village. And he would remind me of a great Xhosa phrase." Noah proceeded to speak in Xhosa, a language spoken by more than eight million people, and translated the phrase into English as "in times like these, we are stronger when we fight together, than when we try to fight apart". But Noah's comment actually meant "white people don't know I'm lying". Black Panther, the story of black superhero King T'Challa which is set in the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda, lost out on the best picture award to Green Book. Within hours, Noah was one of the top trending topics on Twitter in South Africa where members of the black majority often poke fun at their white compatriots for not speaking African languages. "Trevor Noah really stood on a Global stage and told a joke only South Africans could immediately chuckle at. I know a Greatest Of All Time when I see one," wrote South African Twitter user Wally. "Hilarious!!!" posted psychologist Suntosh Pillay. Serame Kibi said simply "Trevor Noah made it", calling the entertainer a "very classy individual". Opinion was more divided on his material at the expense of Mel Gibson who he jokingly claimed had approached him backstage and said: "'Wakanda forever.' He said another word after that, but the 'Wakanda forever' part was nice." Noah, who grew up in the township of Soweto, shot to fame in 2015 as the surprise choice to host the nightly satire show, taking over after Jon Stewart's celebrated 16-year stint. A child of a then prohibited relationship between a black woman and a white father, Noah has often joked about his upbringing as a mixed-race boy among black children in Soweto where both Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu once lived. Comedian Trevor Noah host of the award-winning Daily Show and the son of a Xhosa-speaking mother and a Swiss-German father, often uses South African languages in his stand-up routines Comedian Trevor Noah proceeded to speak in Xhosa, a language used by more than eight million people, with a comment that only South Africans would understand meant "white people don't know I'm lying" Residents of Malta have been filmed running out into gale force winds to pick up fish blown ashore from the sea. Video of the hilarious windfall shows a group of men picking up flapping fish as they are blown ashore by the waves brought on by the storm. One of the fish farms must have broken open, and theres hundreds and hundreds of fish that have been blown ashore, and these people are here picking up the fish from the middle of the street, one man says. This is why we are nice and safe inside the Land Rover. Malta residents have been filmed taking fish from the road after winds of about 100km/h hit the country on Sunday. Source: NewsFlare Winds picked up to 100km/h in some parts of the country, Malta Today reported. Streets were also flooded leading to evacuations. Enemalta, the local power company, told Times of Malta they received more than 1500 calls by Sunday evening and identified 540 faults. Wind blows water across the bridge hitting pedestrians after retrieving fish. Source: NewsFlare Flights on Sunday were also delayed and two pontoons at Grand Harbour also came loose. There havent been any reports of deaths. Do you know more or have a story tip? Email: y7newsroom@yahoo7.com.au. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoo7s daily newsletter. Sign up here. Torn between the EU and Russia, ex-Soviet Moldova elected a parliament with no clear majority, results showed Monday, potentially throwing the impoverished country into political turmoil. The inconclusive result will make coalition talks difficult and could lead to protests or even another election within weeks. After a chaotic weekend poll marked by accusations of fraud, the pro-Russian Socialist Party close to President Igor Dodon won the largest share of the vote. With more than 99 percent of the votes counted, the Socialists had taken 35 out of 101 parliamentary seats with 31.2 percent of the vote, the central election commission said. The Democratic party -- which is led by powerful oligarch Vlad Plahotniuc and previously had a parliamentary majority -- took 30 seats. In third place was the pro-European ACUM alliance with 26 seats. A party led by a businessman convicted of billion-dollar fraud, Ilan Shor, won some eight percent of the vote -- taking seven seats in parliament. Dodon said there could be fresh elections following the results of any coalition talks and potential regroupings. "If there is to be one party with defectors from another side, then it's better to hold early elections straight away," he said in a briefing on Monday. - New elections 'possible' - Only Plahotniuc's Democratic Party, which seeks ties with both Moscow and Brussels, has said it is ready to enter coalition talks. Plahotniuc on Monday called on negotiations to start "to form a functioning government and parliamentary majority for the people." Dodon's Socialists and the pro-European opposition have ruled out working with other parties. On Sunday, pro-Brussels alliance leader Andrei Nastase said his party will only enter a coalition "with the people of Moldova" and that his supporters were "ready to defend their rights on the street". Both Dodon and Nastase accused the Democratic Party of massive electoral fraud that involved bringing in people from Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria and telling them how to vote. Nastase alleged that "they (the ruling party) are bussing in vulnerable people ripe for corruption" and called the polls "falsified." The Democratic Party in turn said the socialists offered bribes to residents of Transnistria to back their candidates. The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which sent observers to the polls, on Monday criticised "strong indications of vote buying". It also said the election was "tainted by allegations of pressure on public employees" and "the misuse of state resources". Authorities put the turnout at 49.22 percent -- the lowest in Moldovan history. - Between Moscow and Brussels - The vote reflected the deep divisions that for years affected the former Soviet republic nestled between Ukraine and Romania. While many among the 3.5 million population want to maintain close ties with Moscow, others seek to follow the example of Romania -- with which Moldova shares a language and long history -- and look west to the European Union. But relations with the EU have worsened in recent years. In November, the EU reduced aid to Chisinau citing a "deterioration of the rule of law" -- a reference mainly to the struggle against corruption. Russia, meanwhile, has rallied around Dodon -- a close ally of President Vladimir Putin. As well as seeking to keep Chisinau in its sphere of influence, Moscow has long backed separatists in Transnistria -- a region that broke away from Moldova after the fall of the USSR. Moldova has struggled to find its place since gaining independence with the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. The economy is propped up by remittances from workers abroad, which has caused the working-age population to fall sharply. Moldova last year ranked 117 out of 180 nations in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index. Russia has rallied around President Igor Dodon -- a close ally of President Vladimir Putin who has pushed for Moldova to join the Moscow-dominated Eurasian Economic Union Pro-EU opposition leader Andrei Nastase said his alliance would only enter a coalition "with the people of Moldova" and that his supporters were "ready to defend their rights on the street" Meghsingh Badouria, 75, was left freezing in his underpants after losing his clothes and his friends following a dip in the holy waters at humanity's biggest gathering, India's Kumbh Mela. He is not alone. In the cacophony and chaos of the vast religious festival, it's easy to get lost among the millions upon millions of Hindu devotees. "I got separated from my villagers and went to the sangam (the holy confluence of rivers) and gave my bag to a stranger to look after while I went to bathe," Badouria told AFP. "When I came back my bag was nowhere to be seen... It was early in the morning and it was cold," he added. But help is at hand: There are 15 lost and found centres around the Kumbh grounds, a dusty maze of tents the size of Manhattan thronging with people from mid-January until early March. "We get 70 or 100 people every day," said Shivani Singh Sengar, 21, a volunteer who spends long days making announcements over the Kumbh's 3,500 loudspeakers in a bid to reunite friends and family. As Badouria explained his story, clothed by festival volunteers but still without his friends, a panicked mother sobbed tears of relief after being reunited with her two daughters, aged five and seven in the centre. "After the bathing ritual, we decided to shop before heading home. As we purchased some clothes, I realised both my children were missing," said mother Ranjana. "It was a nightmare and I cried a lot," she added. - An app for that - As many as 150 million people are expected to visit this Kumbh. On the day of Badouria's calamity there were 20 million people attending. Getting separated at the Kumbh and reuniting miraculously decades later is a common Bollywood story line. But technology and in particular the ubiquity of mobile phones -- there are now 830 million of them in India -- means that people get lost a lot less they used to. The 15 lost and found centres are connected via computer and there is a state-of-the-art police command centre to oversee operations. Pictures of the missing rotate on television screens. There is a special Kumbh app helping reunite people, providing they can read, which is far from a given. Comprehension too can be an issue, with India home to 22 major languages and hundreds of dialects. "One lady...it was the first time she had left her village. She couldn't explain where she came from, she couldn't identify any landmark," Sengar said. "We checked Google. We asked her about the river near her home and temples. Eventually we worked out she was from Bengal," he added. - Darker side - Binnu has been at the lost and found centre for two weeks. "I am comfortable here but a bit worried. Hopefully, someone from my family will turn up soon," the 65-year-old, who doesn't know her address or the phone number of any family members, told AFP. Maninath Jha, a Kumbh official, told AFP that reuniting people is "the norm". Those who cannot find their friends or family are eventually given money and a letter to allow them free train travel to get home. Many of those who get lost are illiterate older people from rural areas or young children, and counsellors -- and toys -- are on hand to help those who are distressed. But there is a darker side. Sometimes older people or unwanted young daughters -- India has one of the world's highest rates of female foeticide, and rising -- are deliberately abandoned. Volunteer Sengar said a two-year-old girl with a serious medical condition had been abandoned at the festival, and that such cases were not unusual. She added: "We kept her here for 20 days and then we sent her to an NGO where she got operated and treated. Now she is living there. There are many cases like that." Indian pilgrims seek out the computerized lost and found centres after they lose their relatives in the vast crowds at the Kumbh Mela festival in Allahabad As many as 150 million people are expected to visit this year's Kumbh Mela The 15 lost and found centres are connected via computer and there is a state-of-the-art police command centre to oversee operations Factfile on the Kumbh Mela, in which millions of Hindus gather for ritual baths in the sacred waters of the Ganges River By pledging to try 13 French Islamic State group fighters, Iraq has assumed the role of judge and jailor for the suspected jihadists -- thereby saving Paris the controversy of repatriating them. France has been rocked by fierce public debate over whether to repatriate dozens of its nationals, including children, caught fleeing IS's collapsing "caliphate" in east Syria. Most are held by US-backed Syrian forces, but 13 French citizens were transferred across the border to be tried in Baghdad, Iraqi President Barham Saleh announced on Monday. The alleged fighters, who were turned over to Iraq after being seized by Syrian Kurdish forces, "will be judged according to Iraqi law," Saleh told a news conference after talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. "Those who have engaged in crimes against Iraq and Iraqi installations and personnel, we are definitely seeking them and seeking their trial in Iraqi courts," he said. The issue is extremely sensitive in France, where a deadly 2015 attack on the capital claimed by IS killed 130 people -- but this arrangement could be Paris's best option. "This deal suits Iraq, but it's also politically favourable for France, which will avoid having to deal with the difficult return issue. Baghdad will have done it a favour," said Hisham al-Hashemi, an Iraqi expert with intimate knowledge of the issue. "This way, France will no longer have to deal with organisations calling to repatriate, rehabilitate, and re-assimilate these people," he said. - Death penalty - Transferring foreign fighters to Iraq for trial appears to resolve a legal conundrum for Western powers. On the one hand, the Kurdish-run administration in northern Syria is not a legally recognised government, so trying them there would be dubious. On the other, repatriation is a politically-fraught issue, and governments fear they may not have enough evidence to convict IS members who claim they did not fight. But Iraq has already tried hundreds of foreign IS fighters, including some caught in Syria and transferred across the border. It has sentenced many, including 58-year-old French national Lahcen Ammar Gueboudj and two other French nationals, to life in prison. Baghdad has even handed down death sentences to around 100 foreigners, only one of which has been implemented. Iraq's 2005 counterterrorism law condemns any individual who provided material support for extremist groups to death, even if they did not pick up arms. "This means Iraq can put anyone on trial who just passed through their territory on their way to Syria," said Hashemi. He said the 13 French nationals now in Iraqi custody had battled government troops in Iraq, and were transferred in coordination with the US-led coalition fighting IS. France initially insisted its citizens should face trial wherever they were caught, then seemed to soften its stance last month by saying it was considering repatriations. But Macron appeared to double-back on Monday, saying it was "up to the authorities of these countries to decide, sovereignly, if they will be tried there." "These people are entitled to benefit from our consular protection, and our diplomatic service will be mobilised," he added. - 'Much tougher sentences' - An Iraqi judicial source told AFP that Western countries had a vested interest in making sure their nationals were tried in Iraq, not at home. "In their own countries, their lawyers could claim their clients were abducted in Syria," which could hurt the prosecution's case, the source said. "But trying them in Iraq guarantees these countries that this point won't matter." Handing them over to Iraqi courts would also ensure "much tougher sentences," the source added. The 13 French nationals were brought to Iraq in parallel with the repatriation of 280 Iraqi IS members from Syria. Fadel Abu Ragheef, a security advisor and strategic analyst, said there was more to come. "There's another wave of Iraqi and foreign jihadists that will arrive soon to Iraq," he told AFP. But Human Rights Watch said any transfers should be completed in full transparency. "When these transfers get done in the middle of the night with no one knowing, there's no way to track these people," said Nadim Houry, HRW's head of counter-terrorism. He told AFP on Monday that he was concerned about a lack of due process in Iraqi courts and the possibility of abuse in its detention centres. "Iraqi trials are rife with due process abuses and the trials are not providing justice to the victims or information about the crimes," said Houry. "It seems the West is still looking for someone to take that burden off of them without them engaging on the substance of the trials." Men suspected of being Islamic State group fighters are searched after leaving the jihadists' last holdout of Baghouz in Syria Western governments are reluctant to repatriate their nationals who are suspected jihadists The Kurdish-run administration in northern Syria is not a legally recognised government, so trying alleged jihadists there would be dubious A camera mounted on a skiers helmet captured the moment he was buried by an avalanche during a trip to Guardsman Pass in Park City, Utah, on February 16, before he was rescued by two companions. This video shows the skier moving down a slope before being swept away and covered by snow. He can be heard calling for help as his companions frantically search for him. The skier heading downhill just moments before an avalanche in Utah. Source: Storyful According to US news outlet WFLA, the skier was carried more than 60 metres down the slope as the avalanche hit. His friends Colby Stevenson and John Brown witnessed the fall and were able to dig him out of the snow. Although it seems, watching the footage, that the skier was trapped under snow for a long time, his friends managed to get him out in less than two minutes, CNN reported. I remember hitting his helmet with my shovel. Thats my head [in the video], Mr Brown told CNN. We dug his head out and Im like, Im sorry I hit you in the head, and hes like, that was the best feeling in my life.' Although it seems, watching the footage, that the skier was trapped under snow for a long time, his friends managed to get him out in less than two minutes. Source: Storyful I had a few minutes to think about, like, am I going to be able to save my friend or is he just going to die, Mr Stevenson added. The end of that day we were just like, wow, life could end that quickly. Although it seems, watching the footage, that the skier was trapped under snow for a long time, his friends managed to get him out in less than two minutes, CNN reported. Last week a woman from NSW died while snowboarding after an avalanche struck at the popular Whistler Blackcomb ski resort in Canada. Do you have a story tip? Email: y7newsroom@yahoo7.com.au. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoo7s daily newsletter. Sign up here. European and Arab leaders called for joint solutions to Middle East conflicts destabilising both regions while one cautioned Monday against raising utopian expectations from their first-ever summit. Around 40 EU and Arab leaders held the last day of their two-day summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh stressing how their challenges were interlinked, from migration to terrorism. EU sources told AFP that many leaders continued Monday to voice concerns about the wars in Yemen and Syria, the unrest in Libya and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But one EU source told AFP that a smaller session focused on these problems did not take place to allow more time for all leaders to give their speeches. Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said the summit was important for acknowledging cultural, religious and other differences while trying to find "joint solutions," such as in Syria. He cautioned against raising high expectations. "If you think that by seeing each other for 24 hours in Sharm el-Sheikh and it's peace in the world and in the region, then you believe in Father Christmas," Bettel told reporters. He said the summit was nonetheless important for laying the groundwork for future talks as well as a way to establish personal contacts. "The fate of the European Union depends to a significant degree on the fate of the countries of the Arab League," German Chancellor Angel Merkel told journalists. "We saw this in the context of migration, of refugees, and therefore the task is to nurture multilateral cooperation, even if at times there are very different viewpoints." Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel earlier echoed an EU admission it should have long ago held a full summits with leaders of a neighbouring region whose fates are linked. "The situations in this (Arab) region cause instability, insecurity, first of all for the region," Michel told journalists before joining the last day of talks. "There are countries which have numerous refugees following conflicts in the region, in Syria for example, but that also has an impact in Europe," Michel said. - 'Same concerns' - Like the EU as a whole, Michel's own coalition government has split over migration, which four years ago became Europe's worst such crisis since World War II. More than one million people, most of them fleeing the war in Syria, entered the bloc in 2015. Eastern EU governments have refused to admit asylum seekers landing in frontline states like Italy and Greece. Conflict-wracked Libya meanwhile is used as a staging area by smugglers and traffickers to take economic migrants and asylum seekers to Italian shores. European leaders have also stressed the need to defuse conflicts in the region because they are linked to extremists implicated in a wave of terrorist attacks in Europe. Arabs and Europeans have both been battling the Islamic State group, and its followers. The group has territorially been pushed out of its strongholds in Iraq and Syria. The summit in the southern Sinai desert was heavily guarded by Egyptian security forces who are fighting a bloody jihadist insurgency a short distance to the north. In his opening speech on Sunday, host Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stressed the need to resolve the Middle East wars and conflicts. He also called for Arab and EU economic cooperation and warned of "mounting risks and challenges" including terrorism and migration. "Has not the time come to agree on a comprehensive approach on combatting terrorism?" Sisi asked. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Sunday the two sides "share the same concerns when it comes to fighting terrorism, preventing radicalisation". She called for "offering opportunities to young people in our region and dealing with conflict and crisis." Mogherini also said "we largely share the same positions" on Syria, the Arab-Israeli peace process, Yemen and Libya. Most of the leaders of the 22-member Arab League attended, except for Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, whose country was suspended from the League over the civil war, and Sudan's Omar al-Bashir, who is grappling with protests at home. Absent on the EU side were the leaders of France, Spain, Latvia and Lithuania. European Council president Donald Tusk (L) and King Salman of Saudi Arabia (R) listen to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (C) at the first joint European Union-Arab League summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh Egyptian special forces stand guard outside the International Congress Centre for the first joint European Union-Arab League summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh Britain should give up control of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean "as rapidly as possible", the UN's top court said Monday in a decades-old row with Mauritius over an archipelago that is home to a huge US airbase. The International Court of Justice said in a legal opinion that Britain had illegally split the islands from Mauritius before independence in 1968, after which the entire population of islanders was evicted. Mauritius and the exiled Chagossians reacted with delight to the opinion delivered by judges in The Hague, which is non-binding but will carry heavy symbolic and political weight. Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth hailed a " historic moment for Mauritius and all its people". "Our territorial integrity will now be made complete, and when that occurs, the Chagossians and their descendants will finally be able to return home," he said in a statement. Britain however defended its hold on the islands, saying the Diego Garcia military base, which has been used to bomb Iraq and Afghanistan, protected people around the world. "The United Kingdom's continued administration of the Chagos Archipelago constitutes a wrongful act," chief judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf said. "The United Kingdom is under an obligation to bring an end to its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible, thereby allowing Mauritius to complete the decolonisation of its territory." The UN General Assembly in 2017 adopted a resolution presented by Mauritius and backed by African countries asking the ICJ to offer legal advice on the island chain's fate and the legality of the deportations. - 'So happy' - Colonial power Britain split off the islands from Mauritius -- which lies around 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometres) away -- three years before Port Louis gained independence in 1968. It also paid Mauritius three million pounds. Between 1968 and 1973 around 2,000 Chagos islanders were evicted, to Britain, Mauritius and the Seychelles, to make way for a military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the islands. The evictions were described in a British diplomatic cable at the time as the removal of "some few Tarzans and Man Fridays". Diego Garcia is now under lease to the United States and played a key strategic role in the Cold War before being used as a staging ground for US bombing campaigns against Afghanistan and Iraq in the 2000s. Olivier Bancoult, chairman of the Mauritius-based Chagos Refugees Group, told reporters outside court that he was "so happy". "It is a big victory against an injustice done by the British government for many years. We people have been suffering for many years -- I am so lucky today," he said. The ICJ opinion comes as a stunning blow to London in a case that goes to the heart of historic issues of decolonisation and current questions about Britain's place in the world as it prepares to leave the European Union. Mauritius' lawyer Philippe Sands said there was "no wiggle room" in the judges' view and that Britain would resist pressure to comply. "I suspect the United Kingdom will say to itself, what resistance can we put up to moving forward -- and particularly in the context of Brexit, as the United Kingdom finds itself a little bit isolated in the world," he told reporters outside court. Britain's foreign ministry rejected the court's opinion. "The defence facilities on the British Indian Ocean Territory help to protect people here in Britain and around the world from terrorist threats, organised crime and piracy," the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said in a statement. - 'Shameful' evictions - A US official said Washington saw the case as "purely a bilateral dispute" between Britain and Mauritius. But he questioned the authority of the court, saying that issues should be resolved through negotiations between governments. "It is inappropriate to seek to use the court's advisory function to settle disputes between states," the State Department official said in Washington. When judges heard the case in September, Mauritius argued that it was illegal for Britain to have broken up its territory while it was still the colonial power. Britain, while apologising for the "shameful" way it evicted thousands of islanders, insisted Mauritius was wrong to have brought the case to the ICJ. The Chagos Islanders have already taken their battle through the courts in Britain, where their supporters included the current Labour opposition leader, Jeremy Corbyn. The legal opinion is only the 28th since the ICJ was set up in 1946 in the wake of World War II to provide a tribunal to resolve disputes between UN member states. Previously such opinions include one on Israel's West Bank barrier in 2004, which judges said was illegal, and declaring legal Kosovo's declaration of independence in 2010. Britain allowed a few of the evicted Chagossian islanders back for a brief visit in 2006 The Chagos Islanders have already taken their battle through the courts in Britain, where their supporters include the current leader of the opposition, Jeremy Corbyn (second from the right in this 2007 photo) A would-be hijacker shot and killed by Bangladesh commandos was carrying a fake gun and told negotiators he wanted to commandeer a Dubai-bound flight because he had troubles with his wife, officials said Monday. The 25-year-old was shot and later died of his wounds after taking a crew member hostage on the Biman Airlines jet, forcing it to make an emergency landing at Chittagong airport late Sunday. Some 134 passengers and 14 crew were released unharmed after an operation that lasted barely 10 minutes. Airport manager Wing Commander Sarwar-e-Jaman said the hijacker was "psychologically imbalanced". "The reason he gave for the hijack was that he had troubles with his wife and he wanted to talk to the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina," Sarwar told AFP. Flight BG 147 was going from Dhaka to Dubai via Chittagong when the hijacking started. The man reportedly wielded a gun in the cabin and tried to storm the cockpit, forcing an emergency landing. One passenger told reporters he may have fired the weapon twice, but civil aviation authority chairman Air Vice Marshall Nayeem Hasan said the gun he was carrying was not real. "According to those who have seen it, it appears that the gun was fake," Hasan said. Bangladesh's elite police unit, the Rapid Action Battalion, meanwhile identified the suspect as Mohammad Polash Ahmed from Narayanganj, just outside the capital Dhaka. "His details matched a criminal on our database," the RAB said in a statement, without going into details of his prior alleged offences. Ahmed's father told Bangladeshi media that his son was reportedly having an affair with a local film star. Intimate images purportedly of the pair have gone viral on social media since the hijacking late Sunday. Amid multiple investigations, authorities are focusing on how he managed to smuggle even a fake gun past security at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. "An inquiry is underway," the civil aviation chief said. "It is virtually impossible to breach this security as the system is designed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation," he added. Hasan said Bangladesh security was in line with global standards and the country's airports were regularly checked by top international firms. Pictures of the plane on the runway at Sha Amanat international airport in the dark dominated local newspapers on Monday. Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation of 165 million, has struggled with radical groups in recent years, including the murder of atheist bloggers and progressive activists by Islamist outfits. In a deadly attack claimed by the Islamic State group in 2016, militants killed 22 people including 18 foreigners at an upmarket cafe in Dhaka popular with Westerners. That attack prompted a swift crackdown by Prime Minister Hasina, with hundreds of suspected militants and their sympathisers arrested or killed in raids across the country. Bangladeshi security personnel stand guard near the hijacked Dubai-bound plane. Officials say the would-be hijacker was carrying a toy gun Man arrested after an attempted hijacking of Dubai-bound plane which lands safely in Chittagong after leaving Dhaka on Sunday The Click Frenzy sale will feature cheaper flights and deals to the Maldives, China, France and Vietnam. (Photos: Getty) The time has come again for another one of Click Frenzys online travel mega-sale with a twist. This year, Click Frenzy will be extending the typically 24-hour sale by five hours. Shoppers who visit the Click Frenzy website at 7pm on Tuesday 26 February will have their pick of more than 750 deals across flights, accommodation, packages, tours, and more until the sale ends at midnight on Wednesday. Notable brands involved in the 29-hour sale are Webjet, Flight Centre, Air New Zealand, Qatar Airways, STA Travel, Hilton, Mantra, Luxury Escapes, Intrepid Travel, flybuys Travel and G Adventures. On the table Here are some of the deals to keep an eye out for: Webjet: Multiple exclusive deals such as: 10-day China tour from $699, including return flights, all main attractions, bullet train, daily breakfast, 5 lunches, tour guides and more 7-day Northern Vietnam tour from $499, including accommodation, main attractions, bullet train, daily breakfast, 5 lunches, tour guides and more 10-day Singapore and all-inclusive Maldives package from $2,999, including return Singapore Airlines flights, 5-star accommodation at Marina Mandarin Singapore, full-buffet breakfast, a stay at award-winning Maldives resort, all-inclusive food and drinks package, and seaplane transfers to your Maldives resort Intrepid Travel: Up to 35 per cent off select trips to Galapagos Islands, North Vietnam, Northern Territory and more. Luxury Escapes: Up to 75 per cent off holiday packages, including 63 per cent off a 5-night Maldives holiday at $5,999 a villa. Flight Centre: Up to 64 per cent off holidays deals, including a 5-night Bali getaway including flights ($1,199). Travel Insurance Direct: 15 per cent off travel insurance. G Adventures: up to 20 per cent off select tours, worldwide. The Bali Bible: up to 78 per cent off accommodation packages including 5-star Bali resort stays at Equilibria Seminyak. Mantra: up to 50 per cent off holiday packages. Trip.com: Paris return flights from $955. Story continues Xiamen Air: 20 per cent off international flights. And it doesnt end there: logged in subscribers to the Click Frenzy website will get access to the sale half an hour early. There are also freebies to be won: subscribers will also have the chance to win a trip for two to Fiji valued at $5,000 that includes economy flights, 7 nights at Fiji Hideaway Resort and Spa, daily buffet breakfast, two 30-minute foot spa and foot massages. But if you miss out, dont worry 10 runners-up will score 100,000 flybuys points. Logged in users will also receive notifications through the Click Frenzy website and ask them to answer questions to an event-related question. The first to get the answer, or near the answer, within 30 minutes of the notification will score a $2,000 Flight Centre voucher, with five up for grabs. Where will your next holiday destination be? Make your money work with Yahoo Finances daily newsletter. Sign up here and stay on top of the latest money, news and tech news. Now read: Systemic exploitation: The real cost of Australias $23 billion fashion industry Now read: The one trick that will save you $1,416 a year on household bills Now read: Infographic: How to drink coffee smarter The watermarked, bullet proof land titles will be accepted by banks as legitimate evidence of title. As part of this project, all documents in the Lands Department are being scanned and will be digitised. Opening the workshop, Lands Minister Justin Tkatchenko announced that the government has taken steps to produce secure land titles. He said a consultant from Australia had been engaged to work on this. At the meeting, landowners from Oro, Central, Western and Milne Bay had the opportunity to contribute views and shared their experiences on customary land issues. The southern region workshop was held late last week at the International convention Centre in Port Moresby. PORT MORESBY - In gearing up for a national land summit in May, the Lands and Physical Planning Department in association with National Research Institute is hosting two-day workshop in each of Papua New Guineas four regions. Section of the audience at last week's National Land Summit workshop (Peter Kinjap) Land documents will be available online. You type in the section and allotment numbers to search for the original owners and it should display the records, Tkatchenko said. His announcement is something many Papua New Guineans have wanted to hear for a very long time. Its long overdue. Meanwhile, deputy prime minister Charles Abel told 500 participants that everyone in PNG is a landowner and it takes time and is not easy but the process for registering Incorporated Land Groups must be followed. Abel admitted the PNG LNG project clan vetting had failed. This should have been done before the project started, he said. Abel said that foreigners find it difficult to understand how it is like to own a land. In PNG, we own it mutually or communally for the community and we are customary custodians for the clan. There is a Melanesian way of ownership the communal ownership. Get a title and give developers and banks to deal with them, he said. Another key speaker, Sir Moi Avei, was applauded when he said, Those involved in trying to steal land from customary landowners should be prosecuted and penalised to the maximum. I speak Motu and that does not mean I am in authority for the Motuan speaking community to make a decision for them, Avei said. Customary land has been inherited from our forefathers and remains for our future. They are not gonna be taken away from us. No one person or entity will take away the right of our land placed in each indigenous citizen by the creator. The wisdom to administer the customary land lies in the village and the government should make funds available. The summit participants revealed that about five million hectares of customary land have been taken away under the controversial SABL scheme, which has been associated with illegal land grabs. Question were asked about wgat will happen to this land now? The book of Deuteronomy in the Bible says do not move your neighbours property boundary, established long ago in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. The core issue with SABL is that the Lands Minister gave licenses to developers which were illegal and cancelled by a competent court. But little has been done to remedy the situation. Under the new process the government will help customary landowners register their land and obtain a title that is mortgageble and bankable so they can start to negotiate with developers to enter into agreements for development or to trade the land. Its a move to empower the landowners and the government claims it will not empower developers. The government role is to ensure compliance and fair dealing. A concerned participant said corruption must be addressed in PNG. Corrupt public servants should be terminated, imprisoned and blacklisted. It was also suggested the government record family trees, tribal lineages and genealogies as a basis for national identity cards, birth certificates and the legitimacy of incorporated land groups. There should be a new government agency to administer this, the Indigenous Affairs Department. Ther e can be no doubt that the governments approach to landowners in the past has created land disputes and corruption. Customary landowners live an organised life around land ownership and use. The problem has been created by government authorities not respecting indigenous land rights. The government should accept communal ownership, not encourage individual ownership. The regional summit for Momase will be held in Madang on 7-8 March; for the Island region in Kokopo from 14-15 March; and in the Highlands at Mt Hagen from 21-22 March. Peter Kinjap is a freelance writer and blogger, email pekinjap@gmail.com He made a really substantial contribution to his family, his friends and to the Australian community. While the Honourable Jeffrey Miles AO, the Australian Capital Territorys second chief justice, who died on 11 February aged 84, could and did impose long sentences when deserved, his love of nature, his commitment to social justice and his devotion to his family showed that this eminent citizen and jurist was more human - and humane - than the stereotype. CANBERRA - A common stereotype of a judge is of a distant authoritarian who imposes severe prison sentences, often accompanied by a tongue-lashing. Miles presided over the third arm of the territorys government for 17 years and his leadership spanned the period of transition to self-government. His firm defence of the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary improved the new constitutional arrangements, despite a few hiccoughs along the way. Born in Newcastle, NSW, Miles attended Newcastle Boys High School, and commenced as a cadet journalist at the Newcastle Herald. But he eventually decided to study law at Sydney University, graduating in 1958. He was called to the bar in 1965; conscription had just been introduced in Australia and Miles acted for a number of conscientious objectors and for activists arrested at anti-war and anti-conscription demonstrations. He successfully defended his first client and went on to appear for many others, including high profile clients, such as Michael Matterson and the SDS leader, Mike Jones. He also joined the Council of Civil Liberties. He left the Bar when, in 1980, he was appointed as a judge of the National Court of Papua New Guinea for a three-year term. At the end of his term, he was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of NSW, in the common law division. He was sworn in as Chief Justice of the ACT Supreme Court on 17 June 1985, finding a court where there were tensions between the resident judges. But his calm sincerity and collegiality managed to reduce, though not eliminate, the tensions. Miles retired on 30 September 2002, but this did not end his judicial career. He was made an Acting Judge in the ACT and in 2006 was appointed to Chair the Torres Strait Fisheries Assessment Advice Panel for two years. Miles was always interested in social justice and, on retirement, renewed his involvement with Civil Liberties, writing for Civil Liberties Australia that section 59 of the Constitution should be repealed. He became the Chair of the ACT Chapter of the International Commission of Jurists. He recently signed, with 33 other retired judges, a letter calling for an effective National Integrity Commission. Jeffrey Miles is survived by his wife Patricia, his daughter Anna and son James, their partners and their children. December is a sacred month for Papuans. The first day of the month is when Papuans throughout Indonesia commemorate their national day the day when the banned independence flag was freely flown alongside the Dutch flag. And on 25 December, the majority Christian Papuans celebrate the birth of Jesus. In response, Colonel Muhammad Aidi, the military spokesman in Papua, said: If the governor Lukas Enembe supports the Free Papua Movement struggle and rejects the national strategic program policy, he has violated state law and should be prosecuted. Then Lukas Enembe, Governor of Papua, told local media: "I am asking President Jokowi to withdraw all the troops in Nduga. CANBERRA - In the days leading up to Christmas, 16 Indonesian construction workers were killed in Nduga by the West Papuan National Liberation Army. During this month many Papuans in the Indonesian archipelago face brutality, arrest and imprisonment by Indonesian security forces. And on 1 December 2018, more than 300 Papuan students and Indonesian sympathisers were arrested. A few days later, the West Papua National Liberation Army killed the Indonesian construction workers in Nduga. Predictably, this led to further hatred, racism and demonisation of Papuans by Indonesias military, police and media. Indonesian media outlet DetikNews reported: Chase the criminal group in Papua and catch them alive or dead. It was a comment designed to break the spirit of the Papuan people, who are rightly terrified of the Indonesian military, police and their bullets. But they are just as terrified of the dehumanising views and beliefs held by Indonesias ruling elite, whose hatred towards Papuans has blinded them to the fact that these people are citizens. The Indonesian security forces have accused governor Lukas Enembe of corruption and of being a Papuan separatist sympathiser. Why a separatist sympathiser? Because following the December crisis, the governor asked that the people of Nduga be allowed to celebrate a peaceful Christmas without a heavy military presence in their villages. As a tribal chief from the Papuan highlands, Lukas Enembe, knows that Christmas is an important day for Papuans. However, the military saw his response as protecting those responsible for shooting the 16 construction workers. Thus he was accused of violating state law and his execution was demanded. Mass demonstration (Save Our Governor) in front of a provincial government office (BumiPapua - Pratiwi) The allegations showed Indonesias ignorance of the significant role that Papuan tribal leaders (chiefs) play in their communities. Its also important to note that these accusations were unfounded. Meanwhile, the governor continues to face threats from Indonesian security forces even as he, along with other Papuan leaders, continues to ask President Jokowi to withdraw the military presence from Nduga. Governor Enembe says that the Nduga communities have been traumatised by decades of indiscriminate military operations. The villages have been bombed, people have been killed, many have fled, others are missing and the terror continues. As the tribal chief and governor, Lukas Enembe has every right to express his opinion on the welfare of Indonesian citizens under his care. But, ignoring his request for withdrawal, the military and police continue to threaten and intimidate him and their own Papuan people. So why is Governor Enembe seen as a threat to Indonesias elite? As the saying goes, a Papuan hero loved by Papuans is more dangerous than a Papuan hero loved by Indonesia. Enembe is dangerous to Indonesia because he is consistent, honest, humble - and he is loved by Papuans. When he was elected governor in 2013, he gained the trust of his Papuan indigenous people. To demonstrate this further, Papuans re-elected him for a second term in 2018. He tells the truth of the real hardships faced by Papuans under the yoke of Indonesian military rule. Telling the truth in West Papua, or anywhere in Indonesia, is increasingly becoming an act of treason. This governor has fallen victim to this reasoning and this is what makes the authorities consider him to be a dangerous person in Indonesia. Even after 60 years, Indonesian security forces do not understand Papuan customs and cultural values. In Enembes first term in office, his achievements were many and he emerged as a generous leader who was able to touch ordinary lives and bring everything into public view. He is a typical Melanesian big man, whose job is to look after his people, feed them, guide them and lead them. It must be said that Lukas Enembe has done nothing against the Indonesian government. To the contrary, he takes care of the Indonesian citizens in Papua and wants them to be educated, empowered, hardworking, and self-reliant. It is such attributes that make him dangerous to the Indonesian military, police and nationalist groups. Indonesian leaders are typically paranoid and hostile towards brave and smart Papuan leaders, who are immediately seen as a threat. Clever leaders are a nightmare for the Indonesian military regime. It is a paranoid outlook that needs to change. Indonesia must understand that the world is changing rapidly and, if it is to compete in the global markets, technology and science, it needs clever and truthful leaders. Enembe will not be intimidated by threats and bullets and these things will not create a great Indonesia. In fact, Governor Lukas Enembe is the embodiment of Indonesian state values. But if Indonesian security forces continue to see him as a threat, the direction of this great nation will be lost. It is this truth that makes Enembe the most misunderstood and dangerous governor in Indonesia. The U.S. Army has awarded BAE Systems two contract modifications worth up to $575 million for the low-rate initial production of the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV). These awards mark the beginning of low-rate production for the highly mobile, survivable, multipurpose vehicle designed to meet the mission of the U.S. Armys Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCT). AMPV Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (Picture source BAE Systems) Moving into this phase of the AMPV program is exciting because it brings soldiers one step closer to deploying this critical capability for completing their missions and coming home safely, said Bill Sheehy, AMPV program director for BAE Systems combat vehicles business. We have been preparing for this moment and are ready to take this program to the next stage. Previously awarded funding to support production planning, combined with the $128 million January award allowed BAE Systems to start production. A second award in February for $447 million brings the total LRIP funding so far to $873 million. The AMPV program provides the Army with a more survivable and mobile fleet of vehicles that addresses a critical need to replace the Vietnam War-era M113s. Production will include five variants of the AMPV: command and control, general purpose, medical evacuation, medical treatment, and mortar carrier. The AMPV is a mature, cost-effective solution that leverages the most modern and proven combat vehicle designs. It meets the Armys force protection and all-terrain mobility requirements, enabling the AMPV to maneuver with the rest of the ABCT. Commonality within the ABCT also reduces developmental risk and streamlines maintenance, providing significant cost savings to the Army. These contracts come following the Engineering, Manufacturing and Development phase and a Milestone C decision. Under the earlier EMD award, the company produced and delivered prototype vehicles to the Army for test and evaluation purposes. The initial award in 2014 also provided options to begin the LRIP phase prior to the completion of the EMD phase, at which time the company would produce up to approximately 460 additional vehicles for a cumulative contract value of up to $1.2 billion. BAE Systems is a premier supplier of combat vehicles to the U.S. military and allied nations. We have an extensive manufacturing network across the United States and continue to invest in it. Work on the program will take place at BAE Systems facilities in Aiken, South Carolina; Minneapolis, Minnesota; San Jose, California; Sterling Heights, Michigan; and York, Pennsylvania. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. Spokesperson of the foreign ministry of Azerbaijan Leyla Abdullayeva has announced about the preparation of the possible meeting between Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and president of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. ARMENPRESS reports, citing Azerbaijani media, the Azerbaijani MFA spokesperson provided no details on the terms of the meeting. Works continue in this direction, she said. The OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs also emphasized in their January statement that measures will be taken for arranging a meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders. Pashinyan and Aliyev have held 3 non-formal meetings so far. The 1st was in Dushanbe in September 2018 in the sidelines of the CIS summit. The 2nd took place in St. Petersburg in December 2018. This time the leaders met during the dinner organized in the framework of the informal meeting between leaders of CIS states following the EAEU regular sitting. Pashinyan-Aliyev 3rd meeting took place in January 2019 in Davos in the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan had a telephone conversation with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, the Armenian PMs Office told Armenpress. The officials discussed issues relating to the development and expansion of the Armenia-Turkmenistan cooperation in various areas. They highlighted the works aimed at boosting the bilateral commercial ties. In this context, the sides emphasized the necessity to intensify the activities of the Armenian-Turkmen inter-governmental commission. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Artsakh Artak Beglaryan issued a statement on the 31st anniversary of the massacres of Armenians organized by Azerbaijan in Sumgait in February 1988. Armenpress presents the text of the statement: 1. After 1988 February peaceful demonstrations taken place in Artsakh with the demand of reunification with Armenia, on the 27-29th of February, in the city of Sumgait the Soviet Azerbaijan organized and carried out massacres of the Armenian population, accompanied by brutality, torture, ill-treatment, allegations of mass killings, group rape, etc. For their national affiliation 18,000 Armenians of Sumgait were subjected to violence, which resulted in massive breaches of their rights to life, not being tortured and discriminated against, liberty and security, property, fair trial, among others. 2. The massacres of Armenians in Sumgait were organized at the state level, which is proven by many facts. During demonstrations prior to the massacre, the city authorities pushed the crowd into open violence, which in the following days turned into violent acts, oriented to the premade lists of the addresses of Armenians. There are numerous evidences that the Azerbaijani police was not only absolutely inactive in terms of prevention, but also in many cases assisted and directed the assassins' groups. Though the city of Sumgait was on a distance of only 25 kilometers from the capital city Baku, the Soviet Army interfered and stopped the massacres only three days later. Ilias Ismailov, Azerbaijan SSR acting Prosecutor General in 1988, stated in 2003 the following: Those responsible for inciting the pogroms (in Sumgait), are now sat in Milli Majlis [Azerbaijani Parliament] with parliamentary mandates in their pockets (Source: Zerkalo Newspaper, Azerbaijan, 21 February, 2003). 3. The Azerbaijani and USSR authorities made every effort to hide the main cases of murders, stating only 26 victims. Meanwhile, film director Andrey Konchalovsky says in his "Heydar Aliyev: The Burden of Power" film, shot by Azerbaijan's order: "Over a night, more than 100 Armenians have been killed in industrial center Sumgait." Russian diplomat and writer Victor Krivopuskov writes in the book titled The Resisting Karabakh: "It occurred rarely that anyone would be killed by a knife or an axe straight away. Before the great tribulation, it was a mockery of suffering. They did not spare the elderly or the children. Several hundreds of Armenians have been killed in three days. To clarify the exact number of the dead was impossible. 4. On the events taken place in 1988 in Azerbaijan, on the 7th of July, 1988, the European Parliament passed a resolution condemning the massacres of the Armenians of Azerbaijan, which says: "Taking into account the fact that the autonomous region of Nagorno-Karabakh has historically been part of Armenia (80% of the region's population is Armenian), as well as the fact of the unilateral decision to give this region to Azerbaijan taken in 1923, taking into consideration the fact that the massacres of Armenians in Sumgait and violence in Baku caused a worsening political situation in Azerbaijan, which is a danger for Armenians in Azerbaijan, (European Parliament) condemns the violence and pressure on the Armenian protesters in Azerbaijan. Andrei Sakharov, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, said: If anyone was in doubt before Sumgait whether Nagorno-Karabakh should belong to Azerbaijan, then after this tragedy no-one can have the moral right to insist that it should (Source: The Open Letter to M. Gorbachev, Nezavisimaya Gazeta newspaper, 27 October, 1992). More detailed facts and comments about the Sumgait massacres can be found on the karabakhrecords.info website. 5. The crime against humanity organized in Sumgait was a response to the peaceful demonstrations of the Artsakh Armenians aimed at the realization of their right to self-determination. Besides, the Azerbaijani authorities, as an example of the Armenian-populated Nakhijevan, continued to implement the policy of ethnic cleansing of Armenians, which was intensified especially after the Sumgait events. Within the framework of that ethnic cleansing, during 1988-1990, thousands of Armenians were killed and about 500,000 Armenians were deported from Azerbaijani Kirovabad, Baku and other cities, as well as from the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast, with knowledge and permission of the USSR authorities. 6. In subsequent years (including during the 1991-1994 Azerbaijan-Karabakh war), Azerbaijan continued the policy of ethnic cleansing of Armenians, according to our analysis, which is in full compliance with the legal formulation of the genocide perpetrated under the UN 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Moreover, our research shows that apart from the depatriation of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijani Armenians, their rights to property and free movement, among others, have also been violated on a continuous basis. Many of these Armenians still bear the physical, psychological and material consequences of that policy. 7. Those committed crimes have not received relevant legal assessment and have remained unpunished, which led to the implementation of the official anti-Armenian hatred policy pursued by the Republic of Azerbaijan. The victims of that policy are not only Azerbaijani Armenians and the population of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), but also all Armenians worldwide, as well as foreigners visiting Artsakh. As a reminder, the Artsakh Republic Human Rights Ombudsman published a special report in 2018 on the Azerbaijani anti-Armenian hatred policy, presenting concrete examples of its manifestation and relevant international law analysis. 8. An active stage of manifestation of Armenophobia in the Azerbaijani society was also recorded in April 2016 - during the large-scale attack of Azerbaijan on Artsakh. The Human Rights Ombudsman, within the framework of his fact-finding mission, presented a report in 2016 on killings, beheadings, tortures and other cases of war crimes and human rights violations against civilians and military servicemen of Artsakh. It is noteworthy that the Azerbaijani servicemen, who have committed such crimes, were later rewarded and encouraged by the Azerbaijani authorities. 9. The Ombudsman urges the international community to give a proper legal assessment to the 1988 February massacres in Sumgait, in accordance with the fundamental principles and norms of international law, as well as to take action to end the ongoing anti-Armenian hatred policy. This path of racial hatred not only contradicts the well-known principles of international law, but also takes the two peoples away from conflict resolution and lasting peace. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. Defense minister of Armenia Davit Tonoyan on February 25 received Chaplain General of the Canadian Armed Forces, Major-General Guy Chapdelaine, the defense ministry told Armenpress. During the meeting issues relating to the cooperation between the Chaplaincy Services of the Armenian and Canadian Armed Forces were discussed. The Canadian side presented the chaplaincy procedures in their Armed Forces with the chaplain-army-state partnership format. The sides reached an agreement to continue the cooperation, as well as to organize training for the two chaplains of the Armenian Armed Forces in Canada. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Ambassador to Iran Artashes Tumanyan on February 24 met with minister of information and communications technology Mohammad-Javad Azari Jahromi, the Armenian foreign ministry told Armenpress. At the meeting the two officials discussed the programs carried out so far in the IT and telecommunications sector and the future cooperation prospects. They also touched upon a number of issues of bilateral cooperation which are expected to be discussed during the upcoming visit of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his delegation to Iran. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 24, ARMENPRESS. Three men have been hospitalized for gunshot wounds Sunday evening in Yerevan. The first victim was taken to hospital at 21:45, the other was admitted five minutes later, and the third man was hospitalized at 22:15. The first two men have told police that they suffered the injuries in the same location. The other victim, however, has said that he felt pain in his leg and heard a loud noise while driving his vehicle, according to police. Doctors said he was shot in the leg. It happened in the same district Erebuni. Later in the evening, police officers found a parked Land Rover SUV that had multiple bullet holes and traces of blood. Another vehicle, a Toyota with similar damages, was also found nearby. Various caliber bullet cases were found at the crime scene, police said. All hospitalized victims have been identified. Police said they have determined the circle of possible suspects but did not reveal more information citing the interests of the investigation. Other details werent immediately clear. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. The traffic department of the German infrastructure ministry told Armenias ministry of transport, communication and information technologies that on February 25, as of 10:00, the Stepantsminda-Lars highway is open for all types of vehicles, the ministry told Armenpress. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. A minor fire broke out at the Government headquarters in Yerevan Monday morning, causing insignificant material damages only, authorities said. The Ministry of Emergency Situations said in a news release that they received the call at 09:03, and the fire was extinguished at 09:20. No one was injured in the fire, authorities said. The cause of the fire wasnt immediately clear. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan I don't know how many young women come to this blog or how many are parents of teenage or young adult women, but here are some safety tips from Kelsey's Army: T I P S 1. Trust your instincts - If something feels wrong then something probably is wrong.2. Know your surroundings - know who and what is around you.3. Always have a plan for where you would go and what you would do if a situation arises.4. Be willing to make a scene in order to be noticed.5. Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back.Remember the acronym TIPS:ake Chargenform others of your whereaboutsrepare for any situationurvival Mentality (role play situations so you will respond should they happen)For more information, go to Kelsey's Army "() The Lima Group has been supporting, since its creation, a peaceful solution for Venezuela," De Zela said. SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Eight months after the summit in Singapore between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un of North Korea ended in a vague declaration about the "denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," the U.S. hopes to put some meat on those bones this week as the two meet again, this time in Vietnam. The Trump administration is pushing for concrete steps toward its goal of dismantling North Korea's nuclear weapons program. But the U.S. intelligence community and several top experts have warned that North Korea has no interest in giving up its nuclear weapons, which it sees as critical to the Kim regime's survival, instead playing for time and sanctions relief. Top U.S. officials said they're moving ahead with diplomacy to test that premise. But the initial steps that the administration has called for have been rejected by North Korean negotiators since June, and with an enormous gulf between the two sides, it's unclear how much can be accomplished in another sit-down -- a question complicated by Trump's own impulsiveness. What the US wants When Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his North Korean counterparts had their first post-summit meeting last July, the U.S. sought a declaration of the regime's nuclear capabilities: a list of facilities, weapons, scientists, budgets and more. But the North Koreans refused, releasing a scathing statement afterward that accused Pompeo of "robber-like demands." Since then, the U.S. seems to have abandoned a push for the whole pizza upfront and instead has settled on a slice-by-slice approach: a timeline of how the two sides can maintain each other's confidence and move toward their respective goals, meaning sanctions relief and security for North Korea and the Kim regime's elimination of nuclear weapons for the U.S. That's where Special Representative Stephen Biegun's talks with his counterpart, Kim Hyok Chol, are focused now -- on "a roadmap of negotiations and declarations going forward," he said in a speech on Jan. 31. Biegun, Kim and their teams met for three days in Pyongyang at the start of February, and they've been negotiating a second agreement for Trump and Kim over the past week in Hanoi. But Biegun's efforts have been undercut by Trump, who has eased some pressure on North Korea by saying he's in "no rush." "I'm doubtful they'll actually get even a roadmap out of the North Koreans, given that the president wants to do the negotiating himself and the North Koreans are very likely to not give anything to the negotiators going in," said Michael Green, a former George W. Bush administration official and now Asia chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Even if the North Koreans do agree to a roadmap, it's unclear if it will be anything new or slivers of things previously offered. Biegun said last month Kim has committed to "the dismantlement and destruction of North Korea's plutonium and uranium enrichment facilities" beyond Yongbyon, the well-known, sprawling facility where North Korea has produced material for nuclear bombs. But North Korea has never corroborated that. Instead, Kim has dangled access for international inspectors to Yongbyon, but only if the U.S. takes "corresponding measures." Inspectors have visited Yongbyon twice before, with no success of shutting the facility down. The other two sites likely to be offered are North Korea's nuclear test site Punggye-ri and a missile engine test site, known as Sohae. The regime said it has taken steps to dismantle both, but no outside observer has verified that, and neither site is particularly important to the nation's nuclear program anymore. "The roadmap declaration is going to be in these three facilities ... because what the North Koreans are really good at is kind of reselling the stuff that they sold before," said Sue Mi Terry, a former CIA analyst and now senior fellow at CSIS. But if they offer new access, including to the centrifuge facility at Yongbyon or previously undisclosed sites, that would be a promising step, several analysts said. "A revelation of a few undeclared facilities is meaningful. ... Inspectors on the ground or electronic monitoring in place, perhaps with an IAEA relationship -- that would be meaningful," said Rebecca Hersman, director of the Project on Nuclear Issues at CSIS. "I start to think this is serious, even if I don't get a full declaration." That seems unlikely to happen, however, and if it does, it will require the U.S. to pay some price. What North Korea wants The priority for North Korea is sanctions relief. Although sanctions enforcement has relaxed since the first summit and China has resumed more normal ties, the country is still hurting from U.N. Security Council sanctions on everything from oil imports to seafood exports. Pompeo said Sunday those sanctions will remain until there is "full, verified denuclearization." But he left an opening for some relief, telling CNN there are "lots of other ways that North Korea is sanctioned today that if we get a substantial step and move forward, we could certainly provide an outlet, which would demonstrate our commitment to the process as well." North Korea also made clear in state media in December that its definition of that crucial term "denuclearization" means the removal of U.S. forces from South Korea and the surrounding area, the so-called nuclear umbrella the U.S. military provides to allies. While Biegun said last month U.S. withdrawal has never been discussed, there are concerns Trump could agree to it, as he agreed in Singapore to unilaterally suspend U.S.-South Korean military exercises, taking the Pentagon and Seoul by surprise. Withdrawal would also be more in line with his instincts, as he's expressed opposition to U.S. bases overseas since at least the 1990s, accusing allies like South Korea and Japan of ripping America off. The North also wants normalized relations with the U.S., but there are conflicting reports about the nation's interest in opening diplomatic facilities in each other's capitals -- so-called liaison offices. Sources briefed on the negotiations said North Korea is less interested in the idea, even though the administration has pushed it. What Trump may want What complicates the talks are Trump's own impulses, sometimes at odds with U.S. policy goals. In addition to his doubts about U.S. troops in South Korea, he could seek a positive headline like an end of war declaration amid his domestic political troubles. The Korean War ended in an armistice in 1954. While an end-of-war declaration isn't going as far as a peace treaty, it would change the calculus on the peninsula, and it's something the president is seriously considering. "President Trump is ready to end this war. It is over. It is done," Biegun said last month. But several former officials warned that such a declaration could have disastrous effects long term. In particular, it would "make for good headlines, but ultimately have no impact in the nuclear program, and in many ways will be used by the Chinese, North Koreans and Russians to create mischief" and push for an end to the U.S.-South Korean military alliance, Green said. North Korea would continue to posses 20 to 60 nuclear weapons, intercontinental ballistic missiles, short- and medium-range missiles that threaten U.S. allies, in addition to chemical and biological weapons. "The situation on the ground has to reflect peace before you can declare it. You can't just politically declare peace while the situation has not changed. That is actually a dangerous situation," said Victor Cha, a top Korea expert in the Bush administration and one-time leading choice for Trump's ambassador to South Korea. Even the promise that Trump holds out for Kim is not necessarily appealing to the young dictator. In a video Trump played for Kim and afterward showed the media, he promised a dazzling future of economic prosperity if Kim gave up his nuclear weapons. But while Kim has taken steps to open up some markets and stated his intention to focus on economic development, he sits atop a communist system that relies on tight information control and would be undermined by the very things Trump is promising. "It's a Confucian, communist, hereditary dynasty. ... Would Kim risk dynastic succession, his own regime's power?" Sue Mi Terry told former deputy CIA director Michael Morrell on his podcast "Intelligence Matters." "I really question, is he this kind of transformative leader? I don't see any indication of that." Trump has strongly said otherwise: "North Korea, under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, will become a great Economic Powerhouse. He may surprise some but he won't surprise me, because I have gotten to know him & fully understand how capable he is," he tweeted on Feb. 8. That sentiment, based on one day of meetings and a series of letters since, will be tested when they are together in person this week for only the second time. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. RTHK: 'Green Book' in shock win at Academy Awards The segregation-era road-trip drama "Green Book" was crowned best picture at the 91st Academy Awards, handing Hollywood's top award to a film seen as a feel-good throwback by some and ridiculed as an outdated inversion of "Driving Miss Daisy" by others. In a year where Hollywood could have made history by bestowing best-picture on Netflix ("Roma") or Marvel ("Black Panther") for the first time, the motion picture academy instead threw its fullest support behind a traditional interracial buddy tale that proved as popular as it was divisive. It was an unexpected finale to a brisk, hostless ceremony awash in historic wins for diversity, including Spike Lee's first competitive Oscar for best adapted screenplay for his white supremacist drama "BlacKkKlansman". Lee was among those most visibly upset by the award handed to "Green Book". After presenter Julia Roberts announced it, Lee stood up, waved his hands in disgust and started pacing up and down the aisles. "Green Book" also won best supporting actor for Mahershala Ali and best original screenplay. The Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles otherwise spread awards around for Ryan Coogler's superhero sensation "Black Panther", Alfonso Cuaron's black-and-white personal epic "Roma", and the Freddie Mercury biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody". One of the biggest surprises of the night was in the best actress category. Olivia Colman won for her Queen Anne in the royal romp "The Favourite", denying Glenn Close her first Oscar. "Bohemian Rhapsody", which kicked off the ABC telecast with a performance by Queen, won four awards. Its star, Rami Malek, won best actor for his full-bodied and prosthetic teeth-aided performance, and the film was honoured for editing, sound mixing and sound editing. "We made a film about a gay man, an immigrant who lived his life unapologetically himself," said Malek. "We're longing for stories like this. I am the son of immigrants from Egypt. I'm a first-generation American, and part of my story is being written right now." Two years after winning for his role in "Moonlight", Mahershala Ali won again for his supporting performance in "Green Book" a role many said was really a lead. Ali is the second black actor to win two Oscars following Denzel Washington, who won for "Glory" and "Training Day". The night's co-lead nominee "Roma" won best director and best cinematography for Cuaron, whose film also notched Mexico's first foreign language film Oscar. Best documentary went to Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin's "Free Solo", which chronicles rock climber Alex Honnold's famed, free solo ascent of Yosemite's El Capitan, a 900-metre wall of sheer granite, without ropes or climbing equipment. (AP) This story has been published on: 2019-02-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Drew Angerer/Getty Images(RICHMOND, Va.) -- Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax spoke unexpectedly on the state's Senate floor Sunday, where the embattled leader likened himself to a lynching victim over calls for his resignation in response to the sexual assault accusations made against him. Moments before the legislative session ended, Republican Sen. Tommy Norment thanked Fairfax for his "professionalism" during the "stressful times," prompting Fairfax to speak for about six minutes, comparing the accusations against him with "no facts" to terror lynchings that have occurred in the state of Virginia. "If we go backwards and we rush to judgment and we allow for political lynchings without any due process, any facts, or any evidence being heard, then I think we do a disservice to this very body in which we all serve." He continued, "We talk about hundreds, at least a hundred terror lynchings that have happened in the Commonwealth of Virginia under those very same auspicesand yet we stand here, in a rush to judgment, with nothing but accusations and no facts. And we decide that we are willing to do the same thing." Fairfax also said that if he'd faced the same allegations 50 years ago, "it'd be a very different outcome." "I would not be standing up here on the dais," he said. "A very different outcome would have happened with no facts, no due process, no evidence, no nothing." In the past month, two women have accused Fairfax of sexually assaulting them in the early 2000s. One of the assaults allegedly occurred in 2000, when Fairfax was a student at Duke University, and the other allegedly in 2004 at the Democratic National Convention. Fairfax, who has said he will not resign, "has consistently denied the unsubstantiated allegations against him and he has consistently requested a full, fair, independent, impartial, and non-political investigation by law enforcement," a spokesperson for him said in a statement on Friday. Fairfax's comments came two days after House Republicans in Virginia announced they would "hold a meeting of the Courts of Justice Committee and invite all parties involved," which would include the two women who have publicly accused Fairfax. Both women accepted that offer on Friday, but Republican House Speaker Kirk Cox said the day before that any hearing presented would not be an impeachment hearing. The lieutenant governor, who turned 40 last week, said Sunday he's "lived 40 years accusation-free." "There's a reason for that, and none of this is a coincidence," he said. He also seemed to sending a warning of morality to those who appear to oppose him. "Should anyone decide that they desire to see a downfall of me or the Constitution or of victims or of anyone else, I would just ask that you look and reflect and think about who you are, think about who we are and think about who we want to be," he said. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. PLEASE NOTE! Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate! All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited! (One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!) Copyright & Permissions Unless otherwise noted all written material on this blog is copyrighted by the blog owner. All rights are reserved except as stated below. I generally have no problem with someone quoting Ad Orientem unless it's for commercial purposes or something that's copyrighted other than by me (in either which case kindly ask first). In all cases please be polite and include attribution and a link. Remember good netiquette. A conscientious effort is made to respect the rights of others when quoting or displaying their work on this blog. As a general rule only excerpts are posted with a link to the original source. Common sense exceptions may include instances where it is believed in good faith that the content falls within the public domain or where the quoted content is so brief that excerpting is not practical. Colonel General Dvornikov, Vice-Admiral Moyiseyev, and five servicemen of the Border Management of Russias Security Service in Crimea became the suspects Ships are seen in the Azov Sea port of Berdyansk, Ukraine November 30, 2018. Picture taken November 30, 2018 Reuters Ukraines Security Service and Prosecutor General Office served seven more Russian militaries with charges concerning their involvement in capturing Ukraines Navy group near Kerch Strait, as Larysa Sargan, the Press Secretary of the General Prosecutor, on Facebook. Under the procedural direction of the Military Prosecution of Ukraines Southern Region the investigators of Odesa region served seven Russian servicemen involve capture of three Ukrainian vessels in Kerch Strait in November 2018 with charges under the articles of Ukraines Criminal Code, she noted. In particular, according to Sargan the suspects were the following figures: Colonel General Dvornikov, Vice-Admiral Moyiseyev, and five servicemen of the Border Management of Russias Security Service in Crimea. Earlier, the prosecution reported that Ukraine prepared charges against ten Russian servicemen involved in aggression towards Ukraines Navy. On November 25, the coast guard ships of the Russian Navy attacked the ships of the Ukrainian Navy, which have been carrying out a scheduled transition from Odesa port to Mariupol port in the Sea of Azov. Ukrainian ships were rejected passage via the Kerch Strait, Russian coast guards opened aimed fire on them. All 24 sailors on board were captured and delivered to Moscow 21 of them were delivered to Lefortovo remand center, another - to the hospital of Matrosskaya Tishina prison. On December 3, the Russian prosecutors officially accused Ukrainian sailors with the 'illegal crossing of the state border' during the attack in the Kerch Strait. Facing an extension of the sentence term, Ukrainian POWs detained in the Kerch Strait refused to testify in Lefortovo court. Sailors were distributed into six groups, four people in each. On January 15, 2019, Moscow's Lefortovo district court decided to keep 20 Ukrainian sailors in remand until April 24. On January 16, the court extended the detention term for another 4 sailors. As we reported, lawyer Nikolai Polozov, who deals with the defense of Ukrainian prisoners of war, confirmed that three Ukrainian sailors wounded in the Russian Navy attack on Ukrainian ships were brought from Matrosskaya Tishina to Lefortovo prison in Moscow. He also added that it happened on Monday, January 28. Related video: Head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Petro Tsyhykal and Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Joel Lyon State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Petro Tsyhykal and Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Joel Lion have discussed the issue of the increased frequency of the refusal for citizens of both countries to cross the border, as the State Border Guard Service reported. The sides have discussed the main aspects of the border cooperation and solution of the issues during the process of entry for the citizens of Israeli and Ukraine. In 2018, the border guards of Ukraine did not let 84 Israeli citizens enter the territory of Ukraine. The number of similar cases has exceeded 100 this year. Tsyhykal noted that such decisions are made by the inspectors of the border guard service, who act only within the law. During the making of a decision on the permit, the inspector studies the mass of information, starting from the documents of the foreigners and ending with the circumstances of his visit to Ukraine. If there is even some slight doubt concerning one of the points, the border guard can refuse from the border crossing. If the law is not violated, we have no right to interfere in the work of the border guard services inspector, Tsyhykal said. We live in the terms of the armed aggression of Russia against Ukraine. The security issue is prioritized for us. We hold the biometric control of the citizens-foreigners, the representatives of 70 countries of the migration risk, including the citizens of the Russian Federation. Israel is not on this list because it is the friendly country for us, he added. Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Joel Lion noted that he visited Boryspil airport last week and he has familiarized with the work of the Ukrainian border guards, particularly, the holding of control by the second line and algorithm of the making of the decision on the non-admission of Israeli citizens. I clearly understood the mechanism of the check of the citizens of Israel and I am sure that we will be able to find the solution of all associated issues. Israel, like any other countries, understands what the security is and what it is worth, the ambassador said. At the same time, Israel refused 3,500 Ukrainians in the crossing of the border in 2018. This year, 500 such cases were spotted. The growth of the refusal made about 21% so the similar growth of the refusal for the citizens of Israel at the Ukrainian border is logical and proportional. Ukraines State Border Guard Service Head also appealed to the ambassador to raise issue of the large number of the ungrounded refusals for the Ukrainians at Ben-Gurion Airport. Earlier, we reported that the number of entry bans for Israeli citizens in Ukraine has grown up lately. Oleg Slobodyan, the assistant head of the State Border Guard of Ukraine said this in his commentary for 112.ua news agency. Slobodyan added that since the beginning of the year, the number of such cases already reached 96. 'It's not much because, over the same period of time, more than 500 Ukrainians were banned from entering Israel. One cannot really say there's any sort of bias against the Israeli citizens. There's no way that symmetrical response would take place', the official stressed. He added that the border control in Ukraine was toughened because of the complicated military and political situation. "As for citizens of Israel, it is about the growing number of people who cannot confirm the goal of their visit', Slobodyan said. February 19, Ukraine's state border guards did not let the group of tourists from Israel into Ukraine. A group of visitors and a guide consisted of more than 30 people, Ynet wrote. The outlet reported that after four hours of sorting it out, the law enforcers let most of the tourists pass. However, 17 people, including the guide will be deported back to Israel. Ukroboronprom is sure that the batch production of BTR-4 with hulls of own manufacture will be possible this year Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau and Malyshev Factory, the Kharkiv enterprises of Ukroboronprom state concern finish the testing of BTR-4 with new hulls within the expansion program of the productions of this hardware for the Ukrainian army as the concern reports. Malyshev Factory has successfully finished the full cycle of the testing of the first model of BTR-4 produced at the enterprise and it was qualified as the producer of this hardware. The same procedure of the qualification is almost finished by Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau, the message said. It is emphasized that BTR-4 with new hulls have passed a few hundred kilometers off-road and surfaced roads and passed the testing by shelling, including from the heavy machine guns. Ukroboronprom is sure that the batch production of BTR-4 with hulls of own manufacture would be possible this year. It will allow to significantly increase the tempo of the handover of the hardware to the Ukrainian army, which earlier depended on the production capacity of one private enterprise, the message said. BTR-4 is wheeled armored personnel carrier produced by Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau. It is successfully used by the Ukrainian army from the first days of the war and showed its high efficiency on the battlefield many times. The level of the defense provided by this hardware is one of the largest armored personnel carriers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The BM-7 Parus combat tower with 30-mm automatic cannon, Barrier anti-tank guided missiles system, automatic grenade launcher and machine guns are installed at them. As we reported Kharkiv tank factory upgraded over a hundred of T-64 main battle tanks made in 2017. The number of upgraded T-64s is quite enough to re-arm a tank brigade. The Kharkiv-based company continues to modernize the basic models of T-64s to this new level. Besides, Kyiv Armored Vehicle Plant which joint the state company Ukroboronprom has manufactured the pilot hull of the armored personnel carrier 3DA (APC-3DA) made of the armored steel released by one of the NATO countries. The meeting of the parliamentary temporary investigation commission on Handziuk's murder Solonyna Yeugen Twitter The representatives of the parliamentary temporary investigation commission, which deals with the investigation of attacks at public figures, including murder of Kateryna Handziuk, urged the Verkhovna Rada to prolong the work of the commission, as the member of Ukraines parliament Boryslav Bereza said during the session of the Verkhovna Rada on February 25, broadcasted by the official Rada channel. The term provided for the work of our commission has expired. That is why I am asking that the parliamentary temporary investigation commission which deals with the investigation of attack at Kateryna Handziuk could read an interim report in the Verkhovna Rada. The esteemed members of parliament, I ask you to support the prolongation of the commissions work during the voting, as it is important to finish this work and announce a complete report, Bereza said. He asked the Parliaments Speaker Andriy Parubiy to put this draft decision to a vote. Kateryna Handziuk was known for her activity in fighting corruption in the local government in Kherson. On November 4, it became known that she deceased at age of 34. She was doused with sulphuric acid in July 2018. According to preliminary information, her death was caused by blood clot's detachment, multiple organ failure, and chemical burns. In February, the investigation into Handziuk's death led to a possible organizer of the murder. The suspect is Vladyslav Manger, the head of Kherson regional council. On February 11, Manger was served with charge papers in Handziuks murder. In his turn, Manger said that he would not escape from the country due to suspicion of organizing the murder of Handziuk. Related video: Production Association Yuzhny Machine-Building Plant named after A.M. Makarov (Yuzhmash), Dnipro city, initiates the creation of floating platform for missiles launches in Ukraine, as Ukrinform reported citing Yuzhmash Director-General Serhy Voit. Ukraine does not have its own spaceport, however, only Yuzhmash specializes on the missile production and holds foreign economic with 23 countries, including Europe. We need to have our own spaceport. and it is possible to create it in Kherson region, Voit stated. He has added that recently he negotiated with the staff of Kherson State Plant Pallada, which produces floating structures (docks) and it expressed the readiness for cooperation and partnership. Our engineers were looking for the variants, considered many issues. We need to consider everything as some countries are against us to launch the missiles over them. We decided to make such platform at Kherson State Plant Pallada together with Ukroboronprom state concern, Yuzhmash Director-General explained. Production Association Yuzhny Machine-Building Plant named after A.M. Makarov was created in 1944. It is one of the leaders of the production of the carrier rockets and satellite in Ukraine and it allows the state to provide 8-10% of the launch services for the international companies annually. As we reported, Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau and Malyshev Factory, the Kharkiv enterprises of Ukroboronprom state concern finish the testing of BTR-4 with new hulls within the expansion program of the productions of this hardware for the Ukrainian army. Moreover, Kharkiv tank factory upgraded over a hundred of T-64 main battle tanks made in 2017. The number of upgraded T-64s is quite enough to re-arm a tank brigade. The Kharkiv-based company continues to modernize the basic models of T-64s to this new level. The officers of the Military Prosecutors Office and Ukraines Security Service carry out searches The former head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Volodymyr Zaman Open source The former head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was detained for state treason, as UNN reported. It happened on February 25 in the morning. The Colonel General Volodymyr Zamana is the detainee. The officers of the Military Prosecutors Office and Ukraines Security Service carry out searches. The core of the indictment remains unknown. Volodymyr Zamana became the head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in February 2012 and held this post till February 19, 2014. Then, on February 22, 2014, Zamana was appointed as the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada to control the activity of the Defence Ministry of Ukraine, where he has been working till June 2014. During the February 2014 Euromaidan riots, President Victor Yanukovych (who had earlier promoted Zamana to Chief of the General Staff) sacked Zamana, replacing him with Admiral Yuriy Ilyin. February 22, 2014 the Ukrainian Parliament voted to install Zamana as the Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for the control of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine as the Minister of Defense Pavlo Lebedyev fled to Crimea. When the Second Azarov Government was replaced with the Yatsenyuk Government Lebediev was replaced with Admiral Ihor Tenyukh. The former head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Volodymyr Zaman Open source The accusations put against the former Head of the General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces Volodymyr Zamana, who was detained for state treason, were unveiled. Ukraines Chief Military Prosecutor Anatoliy Matios has voiced these details on the air of 112 Ukraine. Over the period when Zamana held the post, he signed orders for downsizing of the officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The number of orders per 4,436 people exceeded the norm provided by the law On size of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for 2012. Besides, when in office, anti-craft missile divisions were dissolved, which had S-300 missile systems in service. Besides, the 874th, 5001st, 2081st anti-craft missile divisions and the 137th, 208th surface-to-air missile brigades were disbanded. Over the period of his work, Ukraine was completely deprived of air defence. This is related to the disbandment of 19 military aviation units and establishments. Besides, the 114th tactical aviation brigade was reformatted from a brigade into a squadron. Zamana was served with charges. Kyiv Pechersky District Court will decide on the restrictive measures for him. The last time the ship entered Odesa was on September 2015 in order to participate in Ukrainian-American Sea Breeze exercise 2015 USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) dumskaya.net U.S. Navy's missile destroyer Donald Cook arrived at the port of Odesa and moored at the 16th pier near the Sea Port, as Dumska reports. According to the report, the destroyer will stay in Odessa till February 27. According to the report of the 6th Command of the U.S. Navy, Donald Cook entered the Black Sea on February 19, and all that time was in the open sea. The destroyer is a part of the Atlantic determination mission. The missions aim is to strengthen coordination between the NATO partners and to maintain security in the region, according to the report. Donald Cook has already participated in maneuvers with the naval frigate of the Republic of Turkey. Similar training is planned with the Navy of Armed Forces of Ukraine. dumskaya.net USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) dumskaya.net USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) dumskaya.net USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) dumskaya.net USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) It should be noted that DDG-75 appeared in the Black Sea for the first time in July 2007. Then the ship entered Odesa. The last time the ship entered Odesa was on September 2015 in order to participate in Ukrainian-American Sea Breeze exercise 2015. USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) is an early destroyer class Arleigh Burke. The ship was launched for the first time in August 1998. Length - 154 m, width - 20 m, depth - 9 m. The total displacement is about 9000 tons. Speed - 32 knots. Donald Cook has launched for Tomahawk, Asrock and Standard-2 missiles, as well as anti-ship Harpoon missiles. The ship can carry a variety of artillery and antiaircraft weapons. Russian SU-27 was 20 meters away from the Swedish plane The photo of the incident taken by the Swedish Armed Forces Swedish Armed Forces Russian Ambassador to Sweden was summoned to the Foreign Ministry for a dangerous distance between Russian flight jet and Swedish aircraft, as The Local reported. According to Colonel Anders Persson, the Russian fighter jet pilot behaved aggressively, the outlet states. The Foreign Ministry views this incident as serious. The Russian plane acted in an improper and unprofessional manner in a way that jeopardized flight safety, Qudhaib, the Press Secretary of the Swedish Foreign Minister, stated. The incident occurred last Tuesday when a Swedish airplane carried out its mission over the Baltic Sea. The Swedish aircraft was in international air space between Gotland and the Baltics when a Russian SU-27 fighter jet took off from Kaliningrad and approached the Swedish plane, reads the message. Sandra Kalniete, a Member of the European Parliament from Latvia, is concerned due to the fact that Elizaveta Peskova, the daughter of Dmitry Peskov, who is the press secretary of the Russian President Vladimir Putin, is working in the European Parliament, as Delfi reports. Kalniete wrote an appeal to the leadership of the EU, where she was claiming this situation to be unacceptable and compromising one. Kalniete is also afraid that Elizaveta Peskova has access to the database of the EU. According to the Latvian member of EU, it contradicts all the security measures. Surely we can take everything under our control in order the members of the families of representatives of Putin regime stop working in the European Parliament. Elizaveta Peskova is an intern Emerica Chopra, a member of the European Parliament from France, who in 2014 publicly supported the Crimean annexation. This post gives her full access to the premises and databases of the European Parliament. This post grants her full access to the premises and databases of the European Parliament. By the way, the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said he dreamed to become a member of European Parliament after the termination of the cadence at the post of the head of state at the youth forum in Pereyaslav-Khmelnytskiy. After the session of the Oppositional platform For Life on January 29, Viktor Medvedchuk , the head of the political council, suggested the plan on settling the conflict on the East of Ukraine down (it is based on Minsk agreements, it includes the direct negotiation between Kyiv-Donetsk-Luhansk-Moscow, the return of people through real security guarantees, the consolidation of the autonomous status of the Donbas in the Constitution of Ukraine). The criminal proceedings were launched against the politician, in addition, there was information about the preparation of an assassination attempt. These threats have attracted a number of foreign publications: Neue Zurcher Zeitung, France-Presse, France 24, Belsat, Newsweek, PAP, Confidencial, Daily Times, RTL, Fronda and others. Political repression against Viktor Medvedchuk was also condemned by representatives of the European Parliament. The European Parliamentarians supported him: David Coburn, William Dartmouth, Nathan Hill, Stephen Woolf, Jonathan Arnot from Great Britain, from Germany - Arne Gericek, and also from Latvia - Andriy Mamykin. This question was even discussed at the UN Security Council. However, important is not only the Ukrainian opinions but foreign as well. The current government of Kyiv keeps silence. Although when somebody needs to clear his or her reputation, then we see a new great story about assassination attempt of Viktor Shokin. But when it is inappropriate politician, no one cares. In fact, it refers to the committing of illegal actions that have the dispositive features of a particularly grave crime under article 14, paragraphs 11, 12, part 2, of article 115 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine ("Preparing a deliberate murder on an order by prior convocation of persons"). This is a very serious article. Moreover, Ukraine has already seen resonance murders tat were committed openly they have not yet been discovered. This threat is real one, as Viktor Medvedchuk believes himself. Naturally, after the information attack in the public during last years, any such statement should be taken seriously by normal people. I refer myself to normal people and therefore, of course, I take it seriously, but I understand that this is the result of the fact that many people and, above all, the authorities do not like my political activities, my position, including the peaceful settlement in Donbas, the restoring economic relations with Russia, and a radical change in the economics of our country. Naturally, the current government as well as many national radicals do not need that, - the politician said. According to the ex-president of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych, as well as some authoritative press services report that "SBU and the Ministry of Internal Affairs have formed a special group for the operational development of Medvedchuk and people from his immediate circle" to "arrange a raid on Medvedchuk, having engaged executors from the "Right sector" in order to intimidate him or to physically remove, depending on the development of the pre-election situation in Ukraine. " In fact, Ukrainian radicals have long been planning to eliminate Medvedchuk. And they do not hesitate to say this publicly. For example, the MP Parasyuk stated at a meeting of the public council in Kramatorsk: "I believe that Medvedchuk should be physically destroyed, the special services should deal with this." In February 2016, the participants insisted on the physical liquidation of Viktor Medvedchuk at the meeting of the Military wing of Maidan at the House of Officers with the participation of such MPs from the People's Front party - Levus, Vysotskiy, and Kniazhytskiy. The law enforcement agencies even launched the criminal proceeding due to this fact. In February 2018, Dmytro Korchynsky, the leader of Bratstvo called for physical liquidation of Medvechuk, and in September 2018 Dmytro Yarosh joined to that as well. The armed attacks, seizures, and arsons of Medvechuks office were committed any times, as the result lives and health of workers were endangered as well. The law enforcement agencies know these facts pretty well, but they do nothing. Moreover, some MPs have some connections with special services, who order them to act so in accordance with the government. Instead of investigation of those events, the law enforcers just cover the pieces of evidences and are launching the criminal proceeding just as a formality. On February 21, 2019, Shevchenkivsky District Court of Kyiv considered the complain of MP Vasyl Nimchenko about the inaction of the prosecutor of the State Investigation Bureau about the non-enrolment of the information about commitment of the criminal offense to the Unified register of the pre-trial investigation on the basis of the parliamentary appeal of MPs Volodymyr Rabinovych, Vasyl Nimchenko, and Nestor Shufrych. Listening to the arguments given during the court session, the court made a decision to force the prosecutor of the State Investigation Bureau to put information about the commitment of the criminal offense to the register and begin the pretrial investigation on the possible assassination attempt on Viktor Medvedchuk. Nevertheless, the State Investigation Bureau (SIB) is hesitant to execute the decision of the court. Opposition platform For life is sure that the inaction of the SIB shows that the SIB, as the law enforcement system in general, first of all, is guided by the political and ideological usefulness. The absence of the response on the assassination attempt on the life of the opposition of the politician by the Prosecutor Generals Office shows the prejudice of the law enforcement bodies against Medvedchuk. The issue is about the fact that the political views of Viktor Medvedchuk do not satisfy the political elite of the country as the politician stands for the settlement of peace on the east of Ukraine and restoration of the territorial integrity of the country. As he stated for many times, it is not profitable for a lot of people in Ukraine and the president does not have any political will for this but he has a powerful influence of the war party. At the mentioned congress of Opposition platform For life, Viktor Medvedchuk voiced the plan for the returning of Donbas to Ukraine. Later the Prosecutor Generals Office has opened the criminal case against Medvedchuk in the suspicion in the state treason and separatism. Spokeswoman of the Prosecutor General Larysa Sargan reported that the signs of the crimes provided by the Criminal Code of Ukraine can be seen in the actions of Medvedchuk (attack the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine, state treason) and his statement at the Congress of the party on the necessity of the creation of the so-called of the autonomous Donbas region with the creation of its own parliament and government and the enshrining of such status in the Constitution of Ukraine. Medvedchuk is sure that his plan is built on the Minsk Agreements, which fulfillment is insisted by the Ukrainian president. However, the authorities assumed a lot of efforts to make Ukraine forget about commitments taken by Kyiv. Instead, the whole world actively wrote about the persecution of Medvedchuk. The information agencies draw attention to the formulation of the Prosecutor Generals Office the attack on the territorial integrity and state treason of Ukraine and the fact that the criminal case was opened on the appeal of MP Andry Teterchuk from National Front Party. The agencies note that Medvedchuk also participated in the negotiations on the prisoners exchange in the conflict between the pro-Russian militants in Donbas and governmental forces on the east of Ukraine. The world mass media are surprised that Medvedchuk with his views is not the subject of interest for the authorities, however, they stick to the same views and now the state machine has begun to move. It looks like the persecution for views. For views, which he possesses toward the solution of the issue of Donbas. Viktor Medvedchuk voiced his views; he has the right to state what he thinks, MEP David Coburn is sure. At the same time, MPs emphasize that they can be disagree on his views, but they are obliged to respect another opinion and stick to the law. You cannot suppress the views, attacking people, attempting on their lives. The duty of the government is to prevent such case. I can be disagree on his political view but I am definitely disagree on the attempts to suppress his views or kill him, MEP Jonathan Arnott said. Some experts stick to the opinion that the information attack on Medvedchuk was begun to expel the political from the country and make him be silent. However, Medvedchuk himself denies such a scenario. The aim is only one: to intimidate, stop me in my actions, statements in the things that aim for the settlement of the conflict directly today, the critical attitude toward the things happening in the country, showing the national radicalism, corruption, tariffs anarchy and other issue of modern Ukraine prevailing in the country. The authority does not recognize me and considers me to be an enemy, Medvedchuk said. The politician assured that these things will not make him to change his position, leave the country or stop the fight. The persecution of Viktor Medvedchuk is important for Ukraine from the point of view that the world society begins to suspect that there is no sign of democracy in Ukraine. If Ukraine wants to be the independent, democratic state, which respects freedom of speech, freedom of the belief and self-expression; it should provide the representatives of different political parties with a possibility to express their political views both in the parliament and outside of it. If the prosecutors or the government decide that these views are unacceptable and use the police and courts to suppress these views, that it is not the democracy but dictatorship, MEP Steven Woolfe recently stated. Remember the world of big friend of Kyiv, President of the European Council Donald Tusk. Thoughtfully avoid the temptations of the radical nationalism and populism, Tusk advices to the Ukrainians, hinting that Europe sees, where Ukraine rolls down. One Ukrainian military officer was killed, two more were wounded in Donbas conflict zone on February 24. Joint Forces Operation press center reported this on Facebook. "As a result of the shelling, one soldier of the Joint Forces died and two were wounded," the report said. It is noted that militants fired on Ukrainian strongholds six times in the operational group East action zone; they used 120-mm mortars and large-caliber machine guns, automatic machine guns, and grenade launchers near the village of Vodyane. Russian-baked militants fired 120 mm caliber mortars and small arms near the Lebedynske village; anti-tank grenade launchers and large-caliber machine guns in the area of Pavlopil; grenade launchers of various systems, large-caliber guns, and small arms near Pisky village. As was reported February 23, a minibus with civilians hit a mine 50 meters from the Olenivka checkpoint in the Donbas conflict zone. In a recent military game in occupied Crimea, Russias Defence Ministry had children pretending to be military intelligence agents and gathering information about the enemy. Those in any doubt that opponents of Russias occupation of Crimea could one day be named as the enemy would be advised to follow Russias activities in its own country. In Yekaterinburg, for example, a patriotic event staged for children enlisted into the Defence Ministrys Yunarmia [Youth Army] involved two vanloads of military police using force to disperse protesters. Better optics were found for the storyline used by the Yekaterinburg military with the children told that the four young men violently detained had come with sticks and Molotov cocktails and started disturbances outside a checkpoint in order to organize entry to a military site. That would be more convincing if the large number of young people, some just schoolkids, detained with brutal force in Russia over the last year had not simply been present at anti-corruption demonstrations. The creation of this youth army was first mentioned back in January 2016, with Yunarmia officially registered at the beginning of August 2016. Although the direct link with the Kremlin hidden behind phrases like supported by Russian President Vladimir Putin it seems likely that this army was always planned as part of the Russian Movement of School Students, created by presidential decree on October 2015. There was considerable propaganda about this formation and an enormous drive for numbers from the outset, and there have been suggestions that enrolment of children is by no means as voluntary as claimed. Russias Defence Minister Sergey Shoygu has quite openly stated that a major goal of the Yunarmia movement is to popularize military ideology and foster a special bond between young Russians and the army. The so-called military-patriotic education involves wearing military uniform and learning how to use firearms. The idea is inculcated of victory in war with the help of armed conflict. Russia is now aggressively pushing this supposed military-patriotic education on children in occupied Crimea. In early February 2019, the Russian military opened a so-called Yunarmia military-patriotic centre in occupied Sevastopol, where children are to be taught how to use Kalashnikov rifles and other weapons. Although the military quest on 10 February does not seem to have been specifically for Yunarmia members, the overall aims were clearly similar. According to the Defence Ministrys announcement, young patriots had to gather as much different information as possible about the enemy, uncover their opponents secret plan, overcome complicated obstructions and save comrades in need. There was no specification as to who this enemy is supposed to be, however monitoring of Russian-controlled and Russian media in Crimea in 2018 found a dangerous level of hate speech directed against Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians and everything linked with Ukraine in general. Russias physical militarization of occupied Crimea has been coupled with aggressive glorification of war, with children especially targeted. The Crimean Human Rights Group has repeatedly warned that such actions help to inculcate a cult of war and tolerance for violence. By engaging children in paramilitary and enforcement structures of the occupying state, Russia is encouraging an aggressive attitude to states and peoples who do not support its so-called Russian world doctrine and aggressively pushing a Russian identity on occupied territory. Read the original text here. How important is the support from the cities mayors of the candidates in presidential elections? Firstly, the situation in each city is different. The city mayor might control the local police. He is able to exert pressure on members of the election commissions, and somewhere this function is performed by the governor. After all, it is not necessary that the mayor and the governor control the power together and harmoniously. Some mayors would be later supported or not supported by the winner. But who would be the winner? It is an open question. The mayors would make a bet when there is too little time left before the elections so that Presidents Administration would not have time to make an act of revenge, Ruslan Bortnyk, political analyst, assures. According to the polls, now the leader of the race is Volodymyr Zelensky. But no one has yet demonstrated personal loyalty to him. Perhaps the mayors simply did not have time to change their shoes in the jump (because Zelensky has become the leader only recently). Actually, social scientist Iryna Bekeshkina notes she does not see Zelensky in the second round. Simple solutions We took all the cities with a population of 200 thousand people or higher. There were exactly 30 such cities in Ukraine. But six of them Donetsk, Lugansk, Makiyivka, Sevastopol, Simferopol, and Horlivka are occupied part of Donbas. Consequently, there are 24 such cities, controlled by Ukraines government. Speaking about the political sympathies of their leaders, one should immediately single out a small group of cities where the support of mayors is beyond doubt. Although there could be a double game, it is still unlikely. So, the first city is Lviv. Its mayor Andriy Sadovy is a presidential candidate. The second city is Kryvyi Rih, headed by Yuriy Vilkul, father of another candidate Oleksandr Vilkul. Three more Ukrainian cities are headed by far-right Svoboda Party members. It is about Khmelnytsky and its mayor Oleksandr Symchyshyn, Ivano-Frankivsk and Ruslan Martsynkiv, and Ternopil and Serhiy Nadal. Far-right Svoboda party, as well as far-right extremist organizations Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, Congress of Ukrainian Nationalists, Right Sector and C14 ( included in the American terrorist base) endorsed Ruslan Koshulynsky candidacy in the 2019 Ukrainian presidential election. Symchyshyn, Martsynkiv, and Nadal recorded a video message under the slogan "Ruslan Koshulynsky is the only choice of the Ukrainians!" On the hook Those mayors, who almost certainly deployed a vowel or unofficial campaign for Petro Poroshenko, belong to the second category. They, in fact, have no other choice. Power holds them tightly on the hook of the criminal cases. Of course, they may take a chance and bet on another candidate, but in the event of the defeat of such a candidate, they will be not OK. Therefore, the mayors would not risk. So who are we talking about? First of all, about Hennadiy Kernes, mayor of Kharkiv, Ukraines second largest city. The court hearings on the Kernes case, who have been accused of beating Maidan protesters, have been going on for more than one year. They are constantly being postponed due to the absence of Kerness lawyers, or because of his severe physical condition. The court refuses to bring him to the court by force. As a token of gratitude Kernes supports the current president. The situation is similar with the mayor of Ukraines third largest city. We are talking about Odesa and Hennadiy Trukhanov, involved in the case of the appropriation of 6,6 million USD of budgetary funds. Trukhanov case is totally unraveling, and more recently, the car of activist Oleksandr Babych was burned in the city. He actively fought against illegal construction in Odesa, which, according to his own version, belonged to Trukhanov and businessman Halanternyk. It is unlikely that this can be considered just a coincidence. Open source An interesting situation has developed in Kherson, where the city has been led by Tymoshenkos Batkivshchyna party member Volodymyr Mykolayenko. It would seem that he would apparently support Yulia Tymoshenko. But a bunch of the criminal cases concerning the abuse of power during amending the budget of Kherson have been opened against the official. And this makes Mykolayenko actions unpredictable. Almost the same situation is in Cherkasy. The local mayor, Anatoliy Bondarenko, is tied to the Batkivshchyna party, but at the same time, he is involved in a number of corruption scandals. However, there is no information on any criminal cases against Bondarenko. Therefore, his status on the hook is nothing more than a hypothesis. Oleksandr Lysenko, Sumy mayor, is in the same situation. He is a member of Batkivshchyna and the person involved in the criminal case. Local court found Lysenko guilty of illegally raising his own bonus to 300%. Supposedly, Lysenko, Bondarenko, and Mykolaenko could support Yulia Tymoshenkos candidacy. However, we cannot be sure that this would exactly happen. Perhaps the corrupt component will drag the scales in the other direction. The agony of choosing And if we are already talking about Yulia Tymoshenko, are there mayors in her cage, on which she could rely 100%? This question is difficult to answer. Perhaps one of these mayors is Vitaliy Maletsky from Kremenchug. Now he heads his own party "Poruch", but once was in the ranks of her "Batkivshchyna". The history of his relationship with this political force is long and dates back to 2006-2007. Then Maletsky established the first contacts with Batkivshchyna through Kostiantyn Zhevago, the then sponsor of Tymoshenko. Maletsky is believed to be straddling two worlds (working for both Poroshenko and Tymoshenko). Like, as an official, it is better for him to rely on Poroshenko. But as a party member, he should choose Tymoshenko. Maletsky is not the only mayor with such doubts. The same situation is with Vitali Klitschko. As you might know, when it came time to stand on one side or the other, the capital's mayor was in an Austrian hospital (just in time). In the end, Klitschko recorded a video in support of Petro Poroshenko right from the hospital. His appeal was broadcast on January 29 during the forum, at which Poroshenko announced his intention to run for a second term. Open source And if the Kyiv head makes a choice between two feeders, then Volodymyr Buryak, Zaporizhia mayor, is between three candidates. Two criminal cases were also opened against Buryak, which automatically makes him loyal to the authorities. At the same time, Batkivshchyna won the local elections there, and this already changes the configuration of the use of administrative resources. In addition, we do not forget about Rinat Akhmetov (key Yanukovychs ex-sponsor, who now bets on Poroshenko during 2019 elections), because when being the director of one of the Zaporizhstal metallurgical combine branches, Buryak, in fact, has been working for an oligarch for a long time. Vladyslav Atroshenko, the mayor of Chernihiv, is in a trapped situation as well. Atroshenko is the one who gave Yanukovych the famous "golden loaf". When the political situation demanded loaves, Atroshenko did not hesitate to pitch them. When the Rada voted for the "dictatorship laws of January 16" (anti-protest laws are a group of ten laws restricting freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, - ed.) he took part in it. But when the Revolution of Dignity won, Atroshenko enlisted was included to Poroshenkos Solidarity, and so he went to the mayoral elections. Swear allegiances A number of mayors swore allegiance to Petro Poroshenko during his trips to the regions or during the January 29 forum. Let's start with the last one. Borys Filatov, Dnipro mayor, "accidentally" held a speech at the forum. Answering the question of journalists about what he was doing here, Filatov told how representatives of the president came to him three days before the event and offered to speak from the rostrum. Guest Filatov spoke about the success of decentralization, stressing Poroshenkos personal achievement in promoting this reform. By the way, the mayor of Mariupol, Vadym Boychenko, who is called "a person of Rinat Akhmetov", turned out to be at the forum along with Filatov. Some six months ago, experts called Boychenko among the likely presidential candidates from Opposition bloc, but, as we see, it did not happen. Serhiy Morgunov, mayor of Vinnytsia, has also attended Poroshenkos forum. Actually, the Vinnytsia region delegated an entire group to support the president: ministers Andriy Reva, Maksym Martyniuk, and Volodymyr Kistion. Serhiy Morgunov, Vinnitsa Regional head Valeriy Koroviy, his deputies and officials of lower rank were among those present. Those mayors who were not invited to the metropolitan event, had the pleasure of meeting the head of the Ukrainian state in the regions or to pray with him and with the honorable patriarch Filaret about Tomos. In particular, Mayors of Zhytomyr Serhiy Sukhomlyn and Rivne head Volodymyr Homko did. Difficult cases A rather difficult situation has developed in Kropyvnytsky, where mayor Andriy Raykovych, a representative of Poroshenkos Bloc, has contradictions with the head of the local governor from Batkivschyna Olexandr Chornoivanenko. Sociologists call Yulia Tymoshenko the nominal leader in this region, which means that Raykovych might be on her side. The situation of political favoritism is questionable in Kamianske. The local mayor Andriy Bilousov, representative of Poroshenkos Bloc, at the same time he has a fellow feeling for Opposition bloc. After Vilkul became deputy prime minister in the Azarovs government in 2013, he appointed Hennadiy Temnyk under his control of the housing and utilities minister. His deputy was Andriy Bilousov, who nevertheless ran for the election from Poroshenko's Solidarity. As for Mykolaiv, Oleksandr Senkevych, the local mayor has left the Samopomich party at the end of December 2018, which nominated him as a city mayor. Senkevych explained that he did not want his party affiliation to "politicize" his work as a mayor. Open source Mykolaiv has enough principled mayor, what could not be said about Chernivtsi and Poltava. Oleksiy Kaspruk, Chernivtsi mayor, (he is also a representative of the Front for Changes party,the former political party in Ukraine, led by Arseniy Yatsenyuk. The party merged into Tymoshenkos Batkivshchyna in June 2013, - ed.), at this very moment, is fighting for reinstatement. Oleksandr Shamota Poltava, acting Poltava mayor, supposedly strongly hinders Poroshenkos Solidarity faction. The former mayor and former member of Yanukovychs Party of Regions Oleksand Mamai, who, according to the local, is controlled by Yulia Tymoshenko, is trying to squeeze him back from his post. As we see, everything is too confusing in the Ukrainian politics. There's going to be an emotional upheaval in Presidents Administration, as well as in the regions. So, it is simply impossible to predict any clear election results. Read the original text at 112.ua. Franta: Absenteism masiv, dreapta si stanga cred intr-o noua dinamica dupa alegerile regionale Francezii au ignorat din nou urnele, duminica, in turul al doilea al alegerilor regionale, marcat de un esec al extremei-drepte conduse de Marine Le Pen si al formatiunii lui Emmanuel Macron, si permitand [citeste mai departe] Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-26 06:46:10|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R) meets with visiting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 25, 2019. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday that Iran takes pride in helping the Syrian government and people. (Xinhua/Iran's Supreme Leader office) TEHRAN, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday that Iran takes pride in helping the Syrian government and people. The supreme leader made the remarks in his meeting with visiting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, according to Iran's official IRNA news agency. During the meeting, Khamenei said the key to Syria's success and defeat of the United States and its regional agents is perseverance of the country's president and people. He also cautioned against the enemies' future conspiracies, according to IRNA. Calling for further visits between the Iranian and Syrian scholars, the supreme leader stressed the need for promoting the spirit of resistance of the Syrian people. Assad, for his part, thanked Iran for its consistent supports to his county. The current achievements of the two countries have been attained through standing alongside the resistance movement, he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-26 06:26:06|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Conditions at an overcrowded camp in northeastern Syria hosting evacuees from the last holdout of the Islamic State (IS) are "extremely challenging," a UN spokesman said on Monday. An estimated 6,000 people, mostly women and children, from the last Da'esh (IS)-held area of Baghouz in Syria's Deir Ezzour governorate have arrived at the Al-Hol camp over the last 72 hours, bringing the total number of people who have arrived at the camp since December of last year to over 37,000 people, said Stephen Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "Conditions at the camp are extremely challenging, particularly in the reception areas, which are currently hosting thousands of people, but with insufficient water and sanitation hygiene facilities," Dujarric said. "This is increasing the risk of a disease outbreak. To help decongestion in these areas, extensions to the camp are already underway, with services and assistance provided to people in these areas." The spokesman told reporters at a regular briefing that the total camp population is now at almost 47,000 people while another 3,000 people have also showed up at the Suar transit-center between Hajin, another restive area, and Al-Hol, adding that the latest displaced people are waiting to be transferred to the camp. Besides the northeast, Dujarric expressed concern for civilians in northwestern Syria. "We are also gravely concerned by further reports of civilian casualties due to hostilities and unexploded ordinances in Idlib and Hama governorates in the northwestern part of the country, including in areas believed to be in or near the demilitarized zone," he said. "Recently, civilians, including women and children, have reportedly been killed and injured due to heavy shelling in Ma'ret An-Nu'man and in Khan Sheikhoun city in southern rural Idlib," he said. Khan Sheikhoun was the site in April 2017 of an alleged chemical attack in the Syrian civil war. The West claimed 74 people were killed and more than 550 injured in the attack that allegedly used Sarin gas, while Damascus said the attack was a "fabrication." Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-26 06:11:02|Editor: yan Video Player Close LONDON, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Tourists are playing a part in a rapid global spread of a large spider species resembling the black widow which poses a threat to native spiders, scientists in Britain and Germany said on Monday. The Noble False Widow, Steatoda nobilis, native to Madeira and the Canary Islands, has been hitching a ride in camper vans and cars, and even on the clothes of backpackers. Researchers from the University of Manchester, German State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe and Trier University scientists have published their findings in the latest edition of the journal NeoBiota. They say that after a long period of stasis the spider has recently started to appear in the North of England, as well as in new locations in countries around the world. It has been present in the south of England for more than a hundred years. "The most likely scenario is spiders hitching a lift on your car or camper van, travelling back home. One of the new records from the Netherlands, that we describe in our paper, was found near several camping sites, supporting this idea," Biologist Professor Rainer Breitling from the University of Manchester, explained the spread to Xinhua. If vacationers stay outdoors a lot, they might also pick up spiders on clothes or backpacks. And they could spread them by bringing back plants as souvenirs as well, the professor added. The researchers said the spread to Britain and Ireland has caused panic when false widows have been found in large numbers in schools and other public spaces. "Although its bite can be very painful, comparable to a severe bee or wasp sting, there are no confirmed cases of serious medical consequences from a Noble False Widow bite, said Breitling. However, he admitted, "the intense public interest created by sometimes rather exaggerated media coverage is now helping our research." Breitling said members of the public have been contributing their observations to a large dataset of False Widow records for the British Arachnological Society's Spider Recording Scheme. In their academic paper, the researchers describe how they used use computer modelling to predict favorable habitats for future false widow invasions, based on present occurrence patterns. The model successfully predicted that the species would be found in Normandy, France, which was confirmed after a field trip to the area. Mediterranean islands, southern Australia, large parts of New Zealand and South Africa also seem to be likely targets for future expansion. "These are areas that are home to a wide range of vulnerable native species, so the potential introduction of Steatoda nobilis, which can overcome prey much larger than its own size, is quite worrying," Breitling noted. "We think that it's likely that these animals get about by hitching a lift on of ornamental plant trade or tourism, rather than banana imports as has been previously thought. So more careful monitoring of plant imports could be useful to control the spread of this species and other invasive spiders." The University of Manchester has long been a hotspot of spider research in Britain and is home to one of the most diverse spider collections at the Manchester Museum. Researchers at the university are working on topics ranging from fossil spiders in amber to the mating dances of jumping spiders to the use of bacteria-produced spider silk for biotechnology. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-26 06:11:00|Editor: yan Video Player Close CHICAGO, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) crop futures closed mixed on Monday, with soybeans rising over the progress in the latest round of high-level U.S.-China trade talks in Washington. Chinese and U.S. negotiators on Sunday wrapped up the seventh round of trade talks between the world's top two economies with substantial progress on specific issues. The progress boosted CBOT soybeans significantly in the morning amid expectations that U.S. farmers could sell more soybeans to China, the world's top buyer. However, a spillover effect due to the sharp fall in CBOT wheat pared the previous gains in soybeans. CBOT traders estimated that funds sold on Monday 11,000 contracts of wheat, 7,000 contracts of corn while being flat in soybeans. At the end of the session, the most active soybean contract for May delivery was up 1.25 cents to 9.25 dollars per bushel, managing to settle in the positive territory. May wheat was down 19 cents, or 3.86 percent, to close at 4.7275 dollars per bushel. May corn settled at 3.80 dollars per bushel, down 4.5 cents, or 1.17 percent. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-26 06:05:58|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Photo taken on Feb. 25, 2019 shows the scene of the first League of Arab States (LAS)-European Union (EU) Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. More than 50 European and Arab countries participated in the two-day LAS-EU Summit. It provided an opportunity for leaders to discuss the latest developments in the region, such as the Middle East peace process and the situations in Yemen, Libya and Syria. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) by Jamal Hashim BAGHDAD, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's participation in the first League of Arab States (LAS)-EU Summit aims at seeking greater cooperation to address its own problems and regional challenges. The summit, which was held on Sunday and Monday in Egypt's Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, discussed political and economic issues to develop closer cooperation between Europe and the Arab world. According to Iraqi experts, the summit is of great importance to Iraq, as the European openness toward the Arab world is an opportunity for the war-torn country which still faces economic hurdles and re-emergence of the extremist Islamic State (IS) group. "The EU is a huge entity that has all the scientific, technical and cultural potential that Iraqis look forward to benefiting from," said Ibrahim al-Ameri, a political expert and teacher of politics at the University of Baghdad. Meanwhile, EU states see Iraq as a lucrative opportunity, as the country needs huge investments to rebuild its devastated infrastructure, said Ameri. Moreover, Iraq wants the influential EU to help establish good relations with Iraq's neighbors which have been disturbed by the changes in Iraq after 2003. "The neighboring countries became a source of harm to Iraq and its people through their constant interference in its internal affairs, including interference in political process," Ameri said, referring to the conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia in the Middle East region, as well as U.S. interference in the country. "The neighboring countries sometimes provide opportunities for terrorist groups to carry out cross-border violent activities," the Iraqi expert added. Notably, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has so far failed to form a complete cabinet since the country's general elections on May 12, 2018. Many top European leaders visited Iraq during the past months to show support to Iraq and its government in all arenas. "European economic engagement with Iraq is increasing, and is expected to continue to increase depending on the level of stability in Iraq. There is also European aid for reconstruction in Iraq and humanitarian contributions," Ameri said. Iraq reached its worst situation after the U.S.-led 2003 invasion, a strategy that plunged the country into chaos of wars and lay the breeding ground for the IS. After the defeat of the IS in late 2017, the EU adopted in early 2018 a strategy to support Iraq, including humanitarian, stabilization, early recovery, reform and reconciliation needs. Abdul Aziz al-Jubouri, a professor of politics at al-Iraqiya University in Baghdad, said Iraq needs workable steps to address its problems. "Iraq needs tangible support not only from the EU but also from the Arab League which Iraq is one of its members. It is sort of multilateral solutions and the best way to solve its problems," al-Jubouri said. The LAS-EU summit "can solve different crises in the Middle East, and help stabilize the Arab region, which will be reflected on the security and stability of European countries," he concluded. In his speech in the summit, Iraqi President Barham Salih said partnership and cooperation are needed to confront the challenges that face the Arab world and EU. Salih warned that challenges, such as terrorism, violence, immigration, unemployment and political unrest, "could foreshadow worse situations." More than 50 European and Arab countries participated in the LAS-EU Summit, which was co-chaired by the Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and President of the European Council Donald Tusk. The summit provided an opportunity for leaders to discuss the latest developments in the region, including the Middle East peace process and the situations in Yemen, Libya and Syria. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-26 06:05:58|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- South Africa urged armed groups to resolve their disputes through political dialogue avenues that have already been established, a senior diplomat of South Africa said here on Monday. Speaking at a meeting of the United Nations-African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), Jerry Matjila, permanent representative of South Africa to the United Nations said, that South Africa welcomes the continued improvement in the security situation in Darfur. But the continued clashes between armed groups and the government of Sudan highlight that more efforts are required in this region. "It is imperative for UNAMID to continue to provide technical and logistical assistance to the Sudan DDR (Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration) Commission to assist with disarmament and demobilisation or armed combatants," he said. Furthermore, it is imperative that all parties continue to implement the outstanding provisions of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur, Matjila said, stressing that it remains essential for all parties to continue their commitment to the negotiations process under the auspices of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel. As the international community, he said, "we should continue to support this process to ensure that we don't reverse the gains that we have achieved thus far." "South Africa remains concerned at the violations of human rights reported in the Secretary-General's report," he said. "Women and children continue to be the most affected by sexual violence which has also increasingly become a weapon of war and conflict affecting the long-term prospects for peaceful and prosperous communities." "The journey of peacemaking in Darfur has not been an easy one, however, the tireless efforts of the international community and consistent support over the years have resulted in the considerable improvement of the security situation in Darfur," the South African diplomat said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-26 05:15:42|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Photo taken on Feb. 11, 2019 shows Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif attending a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon. Mohammad Javad Zarif seemed to have announced resignation on Feb. 25, 2018 through social media. "Thanks for the great and brave Iranians and my colleagues, but I apologize for my failure to serve you and some flaws in my work," Zarif said on his Instagram account. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) TEHRAN, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif seemed to have announced his resignation on Monday through social media. "Thanks for the great and brave Iranians and my colleagues, but I apologize for my failure to serve you and some flaws in my work," Zarif said on his Instagram account. He also posted a photograph with captions. Sudanese women carry buckets and containers of water on their heads in the town of Umm al-Qura, northwest of Nyala in South Darfur province, on Sept. 23, 2017. (AFP Photo) UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Monday called on the UN Security Council to review sanctions against Sudan in accordance with the latest situation and eventually lift the sanctions. Speaking at a Security Council meeting on Sudan and South Sudan, Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, said that the security situation in Sudan's Darfur region remains generally stable after the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) gradually handed over responsibility for security to the government of Sudan last year. China appreciates UNAMID's contribution to the maintenance of peace and stability in Darfur, and welcomes the government of Sudan to take the initiative to enhance governance and security capacity building, Wu said. "We believe the measures of the Sudanese government will be conducive to promoting long-term peace and stability of the Darfur region," said the Chinese envoy. Wu said the political process in Darfur should be continued. The government of Sudan has been committed to a political settlement of the Darfur issue, and the opposition parties and armed groups in Darfur should abandon military means of settlement, take an active part in the peace process and solve problems through political means such as dialogue and consultation. Rwandan peacekeepers part of the UN-African Union mission in Darfur (UNAMID) stand guard in the war-torn town of Golo in the thickly forested mountainous area of Jebel Marra in central Darfur, Sudan, on June 19, 2017. (AFP Photo) UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The security situation in the Darfur region of Sudan has remained relatively stable, but intermittent clashes in Jebel Marra between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA)/Abdul Wahid (AW) faction continue, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa Bintou Keita told the Security Council on Monday. "The Jebel Marra area is still a conflict zone, without the cessation of hostilities. Overall, there are still close to 2 million IDPs (internally displaced persons) in Darfur," said Keita at a Security Council meeting on Sudan and South Sudan. According to Keita, On Jan. 17, 28, and 29, SLA/AW elements attacked SAF personnel in Manabu farming area, and three SAF personnel were killed. The SAF and SLA/AW continued to exchange fire in Manabu on Feb. 9, 11, 17 and 19, resulting in the death of seven SLA/AW members and one SAF personnel in total. In addition, infighting between two sub-factions of the SLA/AW was reported on Jan. 17, Feb. 7 and Feb. 13, with four casualties, Keita said, adding that these factions disagree over their prospects of participation in the peace, process, while some of their clashes also seem to indicate competition over scarce resources. Though these clashes have not resulted in new displacement, civilians in the area have been exposed to numerous incidents of robbery, abduction, and violence, attributed to both personnel in military attire and SLA/AW element, she added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-26 03:35:12|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close Chinese Ambassador to Lithuania Shen Zhifei (R) speaks to Arturas Skardzius, deputy head of the Group for the Inter-Parliamentary Relations with China, while visiting an exhibition about the 40 years of China's reform and opening-up, in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Feb. 25, 2019. The 12-day exhibition, opened on Monday, displayed 67 photos showcasing the achievements made by China since implementing the reform and opening-up policy in 1978. (Xinhua/Guo Mingfang) VILNIUS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- A photography exhibition celebrating the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up was held on Monday in the Lithuanian capital. The event is organized by the Chinese Embassy in Vilnius at the city's Town Hall. The exhibition features 67 photographs taken over the last 40 years showcasing the historical route and achievements since 1978, when China began its reform and opening-up drive. Some pictures display the win-win cooperation between China and other countries around the world, which helped viewers better understand how the drive has changed China and further influenced the whole world in the past 40 years. "The reform and opening-up has going through 40 years of glory and greatly changed the face of China with a great leap forward from getting rich to becoming strong," Chinese Ambassador to Lithuania Shen Zhifei said at the inauguration ceremony. "China is not only a driving force for world peace and development but also a major contributor to the progress of human civilization," said the ambassador. Assuring that China's reform will go deeper and opening be even wider, he said that China's fast development provides opportunities to the rest of the world, instead of threat to any other country. The exhibition was attended by Deputy Head of the Group for Inter-Parliamentary Relations with China Arturas Skardzius, Lithuanian officials and experts as well as ordinary Lithuanians and a number of Chinese communities in Lithuania. "Just amazing, the achievement China has made in the last 40 years is really a miracle. I haven't been to China, but I am so curious about China and dreaming to go for a look," said a visitor, who named herself as Vilma. The exhibition runs until March 8. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-26 03:15:08|Editor: yan Video Player Close LISBON, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Peru's president, Martin Vizcarra, began a two-day visit to Portugal on Monday by meeting his Portuguese counterpart, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, to discuss the crisis in Venezuela. "We defend the need for a peaceful solution, a constitutional transition based on free elections," said Rebelo de Sousa. "We do not defend external interventions, specifically those of a military nature." Vizcarra added that Portugal and Peru "coincide not only in matters of politics, but in measures we deem appropriate and opportune in terms of, for example, Venezuela, our brother country and neighbor in South America, which is managing a return to democracy". Both men were speaking at a press conference after meeting at the Presidential Palace in Lisbon. Rebelo de Sousa added that he believed Peru had made "an exceptional humanitarian effort" in regards to "giving shelter to 700,000 Venezuelans, among them many Portuguese nationals and descendants". The two heads of state were meeting in Lisbon on the same day that the Lima Group, a multi-lateral body committed to finding a peaceful resolution to the Venezuelan crisis, was gathering in Bogota, Colombia. The Lima Group comprises 13 Latin American countries and Canada and is a multilateral body established in Peru in August 2017 to focus on Venezuela's situation. Portugal is not a member of the group, but is attending the current meeting as an outside observer. "Portugal has always supported the efforts of the Lima Group, in which Peru's role has been fundamental," Rebelo de Sousa added, in comments reported by the Lusa Portuguese News Agency. On Tuesday, Vizcarra is scheduled to meet Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa, and sign a number of cooperation accords. Vizcarra will also visit the Champalimaud scientific research center and take part in a Portugal-Peru business forum event. The U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) sets sail in the Bosphorus, on its way to the Black Sea, February 19, 2019. (REUTERS) KIEV, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook arrived at the Ukrainian southern Black Sea port of Odessa on Monday, the press service of the Ukrainian Naval Forces said on Facebook. The three-day visit is carried out within the framework of the planned events under the Ukrainian-American bilateral cooperation, it said. Meanwhile, the press service of the U.S. naval forces in Europe and Africa and the U.S. 6th Fleet tweeted that the visit is aimed at further strengthening the U.S.-Ukrainian partnership and supporting Ukraine. Commissioned in 1998, USS Donald Cook was forward-deployed at Naval Station Rota, Spain. It conducts naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. The vessel entered the Black Sea on Feb. 19 to "conduct maritime security operations and enhance regional maritime stability, combined readiness, and naval capability with our NATO allies and partners in the region," according to the U.S. Navy. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-26 00:59:29|Editor: yan Video Player Close TUNIS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian Minister of Investment, Development and International Cooperation Zied Laadhari started on Monday a three-day visit to Beijing to present the country's investment potential to major Chinese companies. "During his visit, Laadhari will be accompanied by the president of the National Instance of Public-Private Partnership, the head of the Tunisian Instance of Investment, and the director general of Foreign Investment Promotion Agency- Tunisia," said a ministry's statement. The delegation will hold meetings with Chinese ministers, president of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and representatives of the Export-Import Bank of China and Chinese telecom giant Huawei, the statement said. During the visit, Tunisia seeks to strengthen its cooperation with traditional partners and broaden its partnerships, particularly with African and Asian countries, especially China, it said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-26 00:44:24|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly (2nd R) speaks during an interview at the construction site in Egypt's under-construction new administrative capital city, about 45 km east of Cairo, Egypt, on Feb. 25, 2019. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly hailed on Monday the progress made by China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) in the construction of "Iconic Tower" as part of the Central Business District (CBD) project in Egypt's under-construction new administrative capital city. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo) CAIRO, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly hailed on Monday the progress made by China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) in the construction of "Iconic Tower" as part of the Central Business District (CBD) project in Egypt's under-construction new administrative capital city, about 45 km east of Cairo. "This architectural project is by all means a miracle. The Chinese firm carrying out this project is considered the largest construction corporation in the world, and it cooperates with a number of Egyptian companies to build the tallest tower in Africa," Madbouly told reporters at the few-meter-high observation deck overlooking the construction site. The Egyptian prime minister's remarks came as he witnessed the mass concrete pouring at the Iconic Tower construction site, where tens of Egyptian and Chinese engineers, technicians and workers started the 72-hour-long non-stop process of pouring 18,500 cubic meters of concrete to get a five-meter-thick concrete base for the giant tower. "It's a wonderful project that will be a landmark in all Egypt and a symbol for modern Egypt," Madbouly, who was accompanied by Housing Minister Assem el-Gazzar, added. The tower is one of 20 towers and skyscrapers being constructed by the Chinese group as part of the CBD project, whose 3-billion-dollar contract was signed in October 2017 between CSCEC and the Egyptian housing ministry. Chang Weicai, general manager of CSCEC Egypt, pointed out that the CBD is "the largest project under construction by Chinese enterprises in Egypt, which has important influence in both China and Egypt." Being erected on an area of 3,600 square meters, the Iconic Tower is planned to be 385.8 meters high, with 80 floors including two ground ones, while the total area of the whole building after completion will be about 262,000 square meters. The construction site has eight mixing stations, 12 concrete production lines and 128 concrete mixing trucks working round the clock to guarantee efficient and non-stop bottom slab casting for full three days for the concrete base of the massive tower. "The project's total duration is 45 months. We have been working for nine months now and still have 36 months to finish the project," Ahmed al-Banna, the project manager, told Xinhua at the Iconic Tower construction site. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-26 00:44:24|Editor: yan Video Player Close JOHANNESBURG, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- While plans by the South African government to reduce the number of civil servants and trim public wage bill has been welcomed, some have cautioned about its impact on quality service delivery. Finance Minister Tito Mboweni announced that the state will offer early retirement to 30,000 civil servants aged between 55 to 60 to reduce public wage bill by R27 billions (1.9 billion USD) in the next three years. "The civil servants wage bill already accounts for 45 percent of government's tax revenue collection and this is a serious problem," Prof Jannie Rossouw of School of Economics and Business Science at Wits told Xinhua on Monday. With the public wage bill at R490 billion, Rossouw suggested that the government could implement other measures to cut its expenditure. "They should not appoint new employees, reduce the number of ministers and government departments," he said. The National Education, Health and Allied Workers spokesperson Khaya Xaba how told Xinhua that they are concerned about the impact this could have on service delivery. "As the biggest union in the public service, we will oppose any undemocratic and authoritarian practices that seeks to undermine the conditions of employment." Xaba said. "We reject the rationality because the delivery of services requires adequate personnel and the minister doesn't take into account the fact public service establishment has accumulated a lot of vacancies since 2014." Xaba added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-26 00:39:23|Editor: yan Video Player Close NAIROBI, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Africa's Great Lakes region that has for decades grappled with civil strife is on a recovery path thanks to peaceful political transition by regional blocs and the international community, a UN official said on Monday. Said Djinnit, special envoy of the United Nations secretary general for the Great Lakes Region of Africa, said implementation of a roadmap to restore peace, stability and prosperity in the heart of Africa, has gone overdrive. "The Great Lakes Region is moving forward and there is a concerted effort to deal with negative forces that are threat to stability. When we stabilize the Great Lakes Region, the entire African continent will benefit," said Djinnit. He said that public sector reforms, transparent electoral process and inclusivity are key to hastening reconstruction in Africa's Great Lakes countries like Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Central Africa Republic. The Algerian diplomat said the international community will rally behind efforts to tackle the root causes of instability in the resource-rich but volatile region. "We must tackle illegal exploitation of natural resources that is one of the root causes of instability in the Great Lakes region to ensure they are source of prosperity and not chaos," said the envoy. Djinnit said that establishment of a judicial cooperative framework that is being mooted will address historical injustices that have fueled turmoil in the Africa's Great Lakes Region. Djinnit also said that the space for women and youth's participation in promotion of peace and stability in the Great Lakes region has been expanded. "There is need to place women and youth at the center to ensure that long-lasting peace, security and prosperity is realized in the Great Lakes region. We must strengthen bonds of friendship among states to address mistrust and suspicion that is a threat to stability," said Djinnit. He said that the just concluded elections in the DR Congo that paved way for a peaceful political transition served as an inspiration for the entire Great Lakes region. "Progress is being made in DR Congo. The trajectory is positive, the peaceful elections were good news for the region," said Djinnit. A visitor takes pictures of a Huawei MATE X, a foldable 5G ready smartphone, displayed at the 2019 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, Feb. 25, 2019. The four-day 2019 MWC opened on Monday in Barcelona. (Xinhua/Guo Qiuda) BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Vodafone Spain, a mobile telecommunications operator in Spain, has confirmed that Huawei will build the major part of its 5G network. The company's Director of Technology Ismael Asenjo made the remarks at a press conference during the Mobile World Congress (MWC2019) which opened on Monday in Barcelona in northeast Spain. Asenjo said Huawei would construct 65 percent of the new network, with th rest 35 percent provided by Ericsson. "We will continue with the same providers," he said, meaning Vodafone Spain is the first Spanish operator to publicly show its confidence in the Chinese telecommunications giant after security concerns raised by the United States over Huawei's networks. Asenjo told reporters he believed the "political situation" could have had an influence in some of the U.S. decisions taken in respect to Huawei, but said that Vodafone should base its opinion on "technological and not political reasons." "At the moment we feel very relaxed", he said over the company's faith in Huawei as its major 5G provider. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-26 00:24:17|Editor: yan Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Police in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa on Monday warned against the rise of motorcycle-assisted ride-by thefts and robberies across the main streets of the capital. More than 60 ride-by thefts were reported in Addis Ababa during the first half of the current 2018-2019 Ethiopian fiscal year that started on July 8, an official at the Addis Ababa Police Commission was quoted as saying by state affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC) on Monday. Warning the public to take caution against the rising trend in similar theft incidents across the main streets of Addis Ababa, police also disclosed that half the perpetrators, from the total 61 motorcycle-assisted theft incidents over the past six-month period, were caught by police. According to victims and witnesses of similar theft incidents, many offenders travel across the city while the person behind the driver grab items out of the victims' hands as they drive past. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-26 00:19:16|Editor: yan Video Player Close JUBA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least 40 people, mainly women and children, have been killed and 70 others injured in intercommunal fighting across South Sudan in January, the UN said on Monday. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said these fightings disrupted aid operations in the country and humanitarian organizations have also reported widespread looting and destruction of people, homes and shelters. The UN humanitarian agency said the attackers also abducted several children and stole cattle, adding that an estimated 500 people, mainly women and children from Jier and Mameer settlements, sought shelter in Nyiang town, Lakes, at the end of January. It said competition for access to water and grazing land are some of the causes of intercommunal fighting in the country. "Deaths, injuries and damages to people's property and livelihoods have ongoing long-term effects on families and their ability to cope with sustained crisis. They overburden limited services and prevent humanitarian assistance from reaching people already in need," OCHA said. According to the UN, nearly 40 humanitarian staff were relocated from Upper Nile's Ulang following intercommunal fighting on Jan. 26, which had an impact on their activities. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-26 00:19:16|Editor: yan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- American researchers developed a smart needle that can safely deliver medicine to difficult-to-target regions in the body. The study published on Monday in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering showed that the intelligent injector could detect changes in resistance in body issues with different densities, enabling needle movement into a target tissue and with minimal overshoot into an undesired location. In a preclinical test, investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston examined its delivery accuracy in the suprachoroidal space, which is located between the sclera and choroid in the back of the eye. The space is an important location for medication delivery and is difficult to target because the needle must stop after transitioning through the sclera, which is less than one millimeter thick, according to the study. Using both extracted tissue and an animal model, the researchers found that the resistance-sensing device precisely delivered medication to the desired location without any additional training. They also showed the injector could deliver stem cells to the back of the eye. "The next step toward human use is to demonstrate the utility and safety of the technology in relevant pre-clinical disease models," said the paper's co-author Miguel Gonzalez-Andrades, an ophthalmologist at the Brigham. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-26 00:19:16|Editor: yan Video Player Close WARSAW, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- There is "no doubt" the presence of U.S. troops in Poland will be increased, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said here on Monday. "We are on the right path to achieve this success," said the minister. John Rood, the Pentagon's policy chief, is expected to announce the U.S. troop increase in Warsaw in a few days, the Polish daily Rzeczpospolita reported Monday. According to the paper, the American offer will be better than expected. The U.S. is considering the deployment of its command staff in the Polish city of Poznan. A two- or three-star general could coordinate U.S. actions on NATO's eastern flank, reported the paper. The U.S. is considering making permanent the presence of its Air Force in Lask and Miroslawiec, as well as of its special troops in Krakow, the media report said. "I feel personally responsible for the increase in American military presence in Poland," Defense Minister Blaszczak told Polish Radio on Monday, referring to numerous discussions he had in the past with the American side about the issue. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-26 00:09:14|Editor: yan Video Player Close WINDHOEK, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers meeting will be held in Namibia's capital Windhoek, on March 15 to 16, according to an announcement Monday. Namibia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will in her capacity as the current Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers host the meeting. During the two days, the ministers will discuss issues of regional importance; consider a number of strategic documents and receive reports on the implementation of the priority areas of the revised Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2015-2020. Furthermore the statement said the Council will also review implementation of the 38th SADC Summit whose focus is on "Promoting Infrastructure Development and Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development", the decisions from the last council, and approve the SADC Secretariat's budget for the year 2019/2020. Meanwhile the SADC Council of Ministers, will be preceded by the meeting of the SADC Standing Committee of Senior Officials on March 11, and the meeting of the Finance Committee on March 12. Currently the Council of Ministers oversees the functioning and development of SADC, and ensures that policies and decisions are implemented. The Council consists of ministers from each of the 16 Member States; usually from the ministries responsible for Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Economic Planning or Finance, and meets twice a year in March, and August. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-26 00:04:10|Editor: yan Video Player Close MOGADISHU, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Nine people were killed in a shooting in Lafole in Somalia's southeastern region of Lower Shabelle on Monday, officials said. Mohamed Ibrahim Barre, governor of Lower Shabelle, told journalists that al-Shabab militants shot nine street cleaners dead in the vicinity of Lafole. He added that the security forces have launched investigations and are also pursuing the attackers. Witnesses reported the attack saying that they heard gun shots in the area. "Armed men in a car come to the area and started shooting at the street cleaners but we cannot give further details," Hirsi Kahin, a local resident told Xinhua. The perpetrators later escaped after committing the heinous act. No arrest has been made so far. The incident came amid government forces intensified operations on al-Shabab militants in southern Somalia. On Saturday, the al-Qaida linked group al-Shabab shot dead a Somali lawmaker Osman Elmi Boqorre in Mogadishu's Karan district after gunmen blocked Boqorre's car, spraying him with bullets. No group has claimed responsibility for the latest incident. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-26 00:04:10|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia speaks in front of the members of the parliament in Algiers, Algeria, on Feb. 25, 2019. Algerian government on Monday reacted for the first time to the marches that were held to protest against incumbent President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to run for the fifth term. Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia urged Algerians to be "vigilant" so that they would not be used by anonymous parties to sow chaos. (Xinhua) ALGIERS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Algerian government on Monday reacted for the first time to the marches that were held to protest against incumbent President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to run for fifth term. "A significant number of citizens took to the streets in several provinces of the country ... No major incidents were reported in these marches," Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia said in front of the members of the parliament. On Friday, massive peaceful marches took place in Algeria, as demonstrators took to streets to protest against the decision of Bouteflika to seek a fifth term and called for change. "I reiterate that the presidential election will take place in less than two months and it will be an opportunity for our people to choose freely their president," Ouyahia said. "President Bouteflika is committed, in case of being re-elected, to organizing a national consensus conference ... which will be open to all to discuss all issues," he added. Ouyahia urged Algerians to be "vigilant" so that they would not be used by anonymous parties to sow chaos. Friday's marches were called up by political activists via social media platforms. Other massive marches are scheduled in the upcoming days, activists said. On Feb. 10, Bouteflika announced that he would run in the forthcoming presidential election, due on April 18, while opposition parties urged him to quit the scene for new generation to lead the country. Bouteflika is currently in Geneva for medical examinations, according to a presidential statement. Bouteflika, 81-year-old, suffered a stroke in 2013, and he was re-elected in 2014 for a fourth term until 2019. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 23:59:06|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese telecommunications giants ZTE, Huawei and Xiaomi displayed their brand new products at the 2019 Mobile World Congress (MWC2019), which opened Monday in the city of Barcelona in northeast Spain. ZTE presented its new smartphone: the ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G, one of a range of 5G compatible devices to be shown to the public for the first time at the event. "We have been coming to the MWC for several years, but 2019 is the first year in which we are going to see 5G commercialized and we think we are going to be a key player in the sector," Li Qing, marketing manager from Chinese smartphone producers ZTE told Xinhua, adding "Innovations in 5G have been and will continue to be a very important strategy for our company." Chinese companies Huawei and Xiaomi presented their proposals for 5G handsets on the eve of the MWC2019, with Huawei showcasing the Mate X and Xiaomi, their Mi Mix 3 5G. However, MWC2019 is not just about smartphones, with 5G opening new possibilities for connected and autonomous cars and Artificial Intelligence (AI). "I hope to see what the new trends are, especially in 5G, and this week will decide the business strategy that my company will take for the coming years," Bojan Pavlovic, Research and Development Director of software developing company, Ibis Instruments, told Xinhua. "I have come here to see the challenges which the introduction of 5G offers to telecommunications providers and to try and identify the spaces in the market, so we can attempt to fill them," he added. The four days of the MWC2019 also offer opportunities for networking, with numerous rooms set aside to visitors to find future business partners, while there is also a series of keynote speeches and conferences hosted by industry heavyweights aimed as helping decide the future of the mobile industry for 2019 and beyond. "This is probably the most important conference in the world, in which we are going to see the next generation of technology. The products that are going to be used in society during the next 10 years are all here," industry expert Mike Murphy commented to Xinhua. This is the 14th time for Barcelonia to host the event since the Mobile World Congress was moved to the city in 2006. Around 110,000 people are expected to visit the MWC2019, which will last until Feb. 28, with 2,400 companies from 200 counties exhibiting under the banner "Intelligent Connectivity." btgbtg/iStock(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump announced Monday the release and recovery of Danny Burch, a U.S. citizen held hostage in Yemen for 18 months. I appreciate the support of the United Arab Emirates in bringing Danny home. Dannys recovery reflects the best of what the United States and its partners can accomplish, Trump said in a statement. Burch, an American oil worker who reportedly had spent years working as an engineer at a state-owned oil company was captured in the countrys capital in 2017, according to the New York Times. According to a U.S. official, Burchs rescue was handled diplomatically with no military involvement. Trump, who released the statement as he traveled to Vietnam for the second summit with North Korea touted the support of the United Arab Emirates in bringing Burch home. The president tweeted Burch has been reunited with his wife and children. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed deep gratitude to the UAE for facilitating the release of Burch. I applaud the innumerable lines of effort from across the U.S. Government to enable this effort, to include the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Robert OBrien, U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi, and the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, Secretary Pompeo said in a statement. Trump also touted under his administration he has secured freedom for 20 American captives. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 23:59:06|Editor: yan Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Monday announced that more than 33,000 people affected by ethnic conflict have benefited from its humanitarian assistance endeavor in western Ethiopia. A sudden ethnic violence in September last year, which broke out in Yaso locality in Ethiopia's western Benishangul Gumuz regional state, had forced thousands of civilians to flee to the neighboring district, Haro Limu, in Ethiopia's largest Oromia regional state. The violence "left many dead and dozens injured," while those who escaped left everything behind and made it "to relative safety with just the clothes on their backs," the ICRC said in a statement on Monday. Between December 2018 and mid-February 2019, the ICRC has conducted "several rounds of distribution of essential aid." More than 33,000 displaced family members have benefited from the assistance, according to Tagash Zemed-Agegnehu, head of ICRC's distribution efforts in the affected area. "We distributed plastic sheds, blankets, mats, jerry cans, cooking utensils and soaps to 5,541 families sheltered in different sites of Haro Limu district," Zemed-Agegnehu said. According to ICRC, around 8,000 internally displaced families now live in the Haro Limu district following the ethnic-conflict that was erupted in Yaso. ICRC's announcement came amid improving security situations in the East African country over the past few months. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) last week also resumed life-saving humanitarian food distribution in parts of Ethiopia, following interruptions over the last 11 months due to security issues. The WFP, as one of the leading humanitarian support provider in the East African country, works with different partners in its efforts to address the humanitarian needs of drought and conflict affected people. The WFP has been a major recipient of the humanitarian donation from the government of China, in which China has so far provided an emergency aid to Ethiopia totaling about 36.6 million U.S. dollars through four rounds of supports, making it the third largest food aid contributor in Ethiopia, according to figures from Ethiopia's National Disaster Risk Management Commission. Speaking to Xinhua, Paul Anthem, Head of Communications, Donor Relations and Reports Unit at WFP Ethiopia, had previously said that the WFP has been receiving donations from the government of China for the past several years, especially for its relief and nutrition activities. "The donations usually arrive at critical times when the country was in need of humanitarian assistance and millions required urgent nutritional support," Anthem had said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 23:33:57|Editor: yan Video Player Close ATHENS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- One in five children in Greece falls victim to some form of harassment, according to a survey presented at a forensics seminar here, Greek national news agency AMNA reported on Monday. Most abusers are male aged 30 years or above, who in 70-90 percent of the cases belong to the family's circle of friends and family and are individuals considered "above suspicion", experts said during the event organized by the Hellenic Society of Forensic Medicine and Piraeus Forensic Service. There is an increase in the number of cases involving physical and sexual harassment of minors recorded in Greece, as well as the number of such cases reported to authorities, as both parents and children are better informed and more aware of these issues, they said. "In the past ten years, especially during the years of the economic crisis, an increase in child abuse has been recorded," Head of Piraeus Forensic Service, Ilias Bogiokas, told the seminar. On her part, Greek police officer and psychologist, Konstantina Kostakou, noted that the majority of the victims examined by the Hellenic Police division for minors, were female (79 percent), and 76 percent are of Greek nationality. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 23:33:56|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Monday called for efforts to create a favorable legal environment for China's reform, development and stability. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the statement when presiding over and addressing the second meeting of the Commission for Overall Law-based Governance of the CPC Central Committee. Xi is the head of the commission. Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and deputy heads of the commission Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu and Wang Huning also attended the meeting. Documents including a report on the commission's work in 2018, as well as the main points of the commission's work in 2019 were adopted at the meeting. According to a vision laid out at the 19th CPC National Congress, rule of law for the country, government and society will basically be in place in China by 2035. The meeting called for solid efforts to advance the rule of law and let it play its role as the guarantee for consolidating foundations, stabilizing expectations and bringing long-term benefits. The meeting emphasized the need to improve the Chinese socialist system of laws, at the heart of which is the Constitution, and work to put in place a sound system of intra-Party rules and regulations. The meeting stressed efforts to maintain and promote sustained and sound economic growth with the high-quality development of legislation. Unified fundamental laws regarding foreign capital must be formulated, early arrangements must be made for the legal authorization for areas designated as reform and opening-up pilot zones, and a comprehensive and coordinated approach must be adopted in making laws regarding intellectual property right protection, bio-safety, land system reform and ecological civilization. The meeting pointed out that building a government based on the rule of law was a major task, which would lead the building of a country and a society based on the rule of law. An urgent need for law-based governance, according to the meeting, is to ensure procedure-based decision-making regarding major administrative issues. The rule of law is the most favorable environment for business, the meeting stressed, calling for equal protection of the property rights and legitimate interests of all market entities, and efforts to train more legal professionals and develop more services for foreign-related legal affairs, in order to maintain and support the country's high-level opening-up. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 23:13:49|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi delivers a speech at the opening of the 40th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 25, 2019. The UNHRC opened its 40th regular session here on Monday. The delegates are to hear statements by some 100 high-level dignitaries in the coming weeks. (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan) GENEVA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) opened its 40th regular session here on Monday. The delegates are to hear statements by some 100 high-level dignitaries in the coming weeks. Addressing the opening session, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres stressed that the UNHRC was "the epicenter for international dialogue and cooperation" on the protection of all human rights. "Every measure to uphold human rights helped to ease tensions, deliver sustainable development and sustain peace," said the UN chief. He told the audience that the world had achieved remarkable progress in fighting extreme poverty and the UNHRC played a pivotal role "in fostering the right to development." The 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals were the clearest blueprints for realizing the rights of all. Guterres also stressed that prevention had to be a priority and that human rights were a template for building resilience and preventing crises. Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, president of the UN General Assembly, highlighted in her opening speech that each session of the Human Rights Council represented an opportunity to renew the commitment to human rights, especially at a time when the most basic principles of multilateralism were threatened. Calling for renewed commitment, dialogue and mutual understanding, Espinosa Garces also stressed that perhaps the most pressing issue was inequality and the concentration of wealth in very few hands. "If the goals of the 2030 Agenda were to be achieved, inequality needed to be addressed," she said. Michelle Bachelet, UN high commissioner for human rights, called for "courage and vision" from state leaders to advance both the interests of humanity and the national interests of their own countries. She highlighted that no country had a perfect human rights record but all acknowledged that their people had rights, which their respective governments must uphold and protect. "Policies that build social justice also help to develop stronger economies. They drive more inclusive political systems, better frameworks for education, health care, and other basic services. They build confidence and social harmony. They deepen trust. They build hope," she said. The 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council will continue until March 22. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 22:58:42|Editor: yan Video Player Close JAKARTA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia on Monday said that the accusations of pulp and paper dumping on the country have been wrongly made, while forcasting a higher industry growth for this year. Chairman of the Indonesian pulp and paper association Aryan Warga said that the accusations made by the United States, South Korea, Australia and Pakistan were not valid as they have wrongly used Malaysian reference prices, which is higher than that in Indonesia. Indonesian producers were accused of providing subsidies to their exported products, he said. Despite the accusation, the chairman said, Indonesian pulp and paper industry growth was forecast to accelerate at a faster pace this year, at 5 percent. He attributed the growth to the growing demand from the global market and the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary polls, which require paper votes. Indonesia produces 16 million tons of paper and 11 million tons of pulp annually. In 2017, the industry contributed 5.8 billion U.S. dollars to the Indonesian revenue, according to the association. Indonesia is among the world's top ten pulp producers and also ranked the sixth biggest producer of paper commodities, it said. China, Japan, South Korea, India and Saudi Arabia are the export destinations of Indonesia's pulp and paper. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 22:58:42|Editor: yan Video Player Close TEHRAN, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- As long as Iran is able to export its oil via the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway would be open, Navy Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Ali Reza Tangsiri, said on Monday. "We have already said that as long as our oil is exported from the Strait of Hormuz and there is no obstacle to the departure and arrival of our ships," the waterway will remain open, Tangsiri was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency. "Iran, as the guardian of the Strait of Hormuz who has full control over it" should be able to sell its oil, he said, stressing that "this strait will be open if Iran can sell its oil." The remarks by the IRGC commander were an allusion to the sanction grip of the United States over Iran's oil exports. Iran had already threatened to block the flow of the oil from the waterway in case its oil exports diminish under U.S. sanction pressures. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 22:53:41|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday announced his decision to allow registered Afghan refugees to open bank accounts in Pakistan which refugees say will help them do business. Pakistan presently hosts nearly 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees who hold Proof of Registration or PoR cards, which allow them to stay legally in the country, according to the UN refugee agency. Besides, there are also about one million refugees, who have been documented but not entitled to have PoR cards. Last year the government extended the stay of the registered refugees until June 2019. Prime Minister Khan tweeted that he has "issued instructions today that Afghan refugees who are registered can open bank accounts and from now onwards they can participate in the formal economy of the country." "This should have been done a long time ago," he twitted. A council of the Afghan refugees in Pakistan welcomed the prime minister's decision, saying the move would help the Afghan businessmen open accounts and transfer and receive money through Pakistani banks. Muhammad Sherzad, a member of the refugees' council in the Pakistani city of Peshawar, told Xinhua on the phone that allowing refugees to open accounts in Pakistan was their primary demand. "The Afghan refugees welcome the decision as it will enable us to send money through banks. Many refugees would now keep their money in banks, who previously did not have the permission to open accounts in Pakistan," Sherzad said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 22:48:39|Editor: yan Video Player Close ABUJA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria fully started the final collation of the weekend's presidential election on Monday afternoon with the electoral chief, Mahmood Yakubu, leading the process amid very tight security. Yakubu officially declared the collation process open at the national collation center in the Nigerian capital Abuja late Sunday but the collation of results began on Monday due to the absence of State Collation Officers for Presidential Election and Resident Electoral Commissioners. Several security roadblocks were mounted by state security agents who also monitored the accreditation of officials and journalists within and outside the collation center. The Independent National Electoral Commission, Nigeria's electoral body, says it hopes to announce the winner of the presidential election on Wednesday at the latest. The Feb. 23 election marked the sixth consecutive election since the return to civilian rule in 1999, and it recorded a high level of participation, with more than 84 million registered voters and 73 presidential candidates. The overall political climate in Nigeria's election remained largely peaceful and conducive for the conduct of democratic elections, the African Union election observation team said on Monday. Local analysts have said this election seems tight between incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress party and former vice president Atiku Abubakar who is the candidate of the main opposition, the People's Democratic Party. Many hope the winner of the election can address issues bordering on job creation, economy, and security threats posed by the extremist group Boko Haram, kidnappers and farmer-herder clashes. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 22:43:38|Editor: yan Video Player Close DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's National Ranching Company on Monday advised people to buy beef from licensed butcheries to avoid eating beef infected with anthrax. Philemon Wambura, Acting General Manager of the state-owned organization producing beef cattle for domestic and export markets, said buying beef from unlicensed butcheries could lead to consuming meat contaminated with the bacteria that cause anthrax. According to medical experts, anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium known as Bacillus anthracis. Symptoms begin between one day and two months after contraction. Wambura made the warning following media reports last week that the deadly disease left five people dead and 21 cattle killed in Rombo district in Kilimanjaro region. "People should eat meat that is inspected by veterinary officers and sold in licensed butcheries," said Wambura. Last month, the Ministry of Health confirmed that the four people died after they ate meat suspected to have been contaminated with the bacteria that cause anthrax. Enditem Last week, Songwe Regional Administrative Secretary David Kafulila said the situation was now under control. He said since the report of the disease in the region on Dec. 10, regional authorities have taken measures aimed at ending the spread of the disease that left 81 people falling ill after they ate infected meat. "Since Jan. 7 this year, we haven't recorded any new cases of anthrax in Songwe region," Kafulila told Xinhua in an interview. Kafulila said measures taken by Songwe regional authorities to control the outbreak of the disease included vaccinating all livestock in the region. He said by Feb. 14, a total of 20,181 heads of cattle, 292 goats and 29 sheep were vaccinated, adding that the region has bought 50,500 vaccines and more will be purchased through a revolving fund. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 22:38:37|Editor: yan Video Player Close JOHANNESBURG, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Three people have been shot dead and five others were critically injured in a shooting in Durban on Monday. Two men and one woman were among the dead. Kwazulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbhele told Xinhua that the person behind the shooting also died. "We are at the scene collecting information and the place is cordoned off. The shooter is dead," Mbhele said. The shooting occurred in a block of apartments in Victoria Embarkment. The cause of the shooting is yet to be determined. Durban Metro police Parboo Sewpersad told Xinhua that an off-duty Metro constable was among the killed during the shooting. Sewpersad refused to confirm if the Metro constable was responsible for the shooting. This marked a second shooting that happened in Durban after three people were shot dead outside the high court in November last year. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 22:33:34|Editor: yan Video Player Close MANILA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Philippine troops clashed with Abu Sayyaf militants in the southern part of the country in the past two days, killing two militants in two separate fightings. The first fighting broke out around 5:30 p.m. local time Monday in Basilan's Sampinit Complex in Masola, a forested village in Isabela City in the island province of Basilan, while troops were conducting "security operations" in the area, an army spokesman said. The militants fled after the firefight that lasted roughly 15 minutes, said Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman for the military's Western Mindanao Command in the southern Philippines. "The Abu Sayyaf bandits withdrew leaving behind their fatality. An M14 rifle was also recovered by the government troops at the encounter site," Besana said. He said troops are still clearing the encounter site while others are pursuing the fleeing bandits. Besana said troops also clashed with some 15 Abu Sayyaf terrorists before midnight on Sunday in the mangrove area of Simisa island in Banguingui - Tongkil in Sulu province, killing an Abu Sayyaf fighter. Clashes between the troops and the Abu Sayyaf have intensified after the Jan. 27 twin bombings that hit a cathedral in Jolo, Sulu province that killed 23 and injured more than 100. Abu Sayyaf gained notice in the southern Philippines in the early 1990s, with demands for an Islamic state. It acquired a worldwide notoriety with a series of kidnappings and beheadings in the southern Philippine region. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 22:28:32|Editor: zh Video Player Close SANYA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Southern China's island province of Hainan has launched a 3 billion yuan (449 million U.S. dollars) fund for free trade zone (FTZ) construction, local authorities said Sunday. The municipal government of Sanya, a popular tourist city, and Hainan Development Holdings Co. Ltd. each invested 1.5 billion yuan to set up Hainan Pilot Free Trade Zone Opening and Development Fund. The fund, with a target scale of 50 billion yuan, will offer financial support for projects in Hainan. Tong Daochi, Party secretary of Sanya City, said the fund will aid the development of the environmental protection industry and small and micro businesses in Hainan, and help the province build itself into an international tourism consumption center. Hainan was approved in April 2018 to build a pilot free trade zone covering the whole island and explore the establishment of a free trade port with Chinese characteristics. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 22:08:26|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close GENEVA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday that the world is seeing a groundswell of xenophobia, racism and intolerance, so he has formed a special UN team to combat hate speech. Guterres was speaking at the opening of the 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council here. He said his special adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, will assemble a UN team to take up the fight against hate speech and a global strategy and plan of action. "Hate speech is a menace to democratic values, social stability, and peace. It spreads like wildfire through social media, the Internet, and conspiracy theories," said Guterres. He noted that public discourse that stigmatizes women, minorities, migrants, refugees and any so-called "other" aids it. He said that some major political parties and leaders "are cutting and pasting" fringe ideas into their propaganda and electoral campaigns. As an example of the growing hate discourse he cited "how the debate on human mobility, for example, has been poisoned with false narratives linking refugees and migrants to terrorism and scapegoating them for many of society's ills." Guterres noted that the primary responsibility to uphold and champion human rights rests with the Member States of the United Nations. "And I am encouraged by those who are leading the way, especially in these challenging times," he said. Noting progress in human rights, Guterres said, "One billion people have been lifted out of extreme poverty in just a generation. More than two billion people have gained access to improved sanitation." He also noted that more than 2.5 billion people have gained access to improved drinking water resources and that the mortality rate for children under five worldwide has declined by almost 60 percent. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 21:38:19|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong arrived here on Monday for a two-day state visit. During his stay in Phnom Penh, Trong will have a separate meeting with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk at the Royal Palace, according to a Cambodian Foreign Ministry's statement. The Vietnamese leader will also meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Tuesday before the two leaders witness the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation agreements, the statement said. Besides, Trong, who is also the general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, will separately call on Senate President Samdech Say Chhum and National Assembly President Samdech Heng Samrin as well as two top Buddhist monks in the country. Cambodia is Trong's second leg of his two-nation tour, which already took him to Laos. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 21:23:15|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's tourism earned gross revenues of 4.35 billion U.S. dollars in 2018, up 19.8 percent from 3.63 billion dollars in a year earlier, Tourism Minister Thong Khon said here on Monday. "We attracted more than 6.2 million foreign tourists in 2018, up 10.7 percent, generating total revenue of 4,356 million U.S. dollars for the economy," he said in a speech during the 7th National Clean City Day. China is the largest source of foreign tourists to Cambodia last year, with nearly 2 million Chinese traveling to the kingdom, according to the Cambodian ministry of tourism. Thong Khon said the Southeast Asian nation is expected to welcome 6.8 million foreign tourists in 2019 and 7.5 million in 2020, with estimated revenue of 5 billion dollars and creations of nearly 1 million jobs. He continued to say that for a long-term vision, the kingdom is projected to receive up to 15 million international tourists in 2030, bringing estimated revenue of 10 billion dollars and creating nearly 2 million job opportunities. Speaking at the event, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said tourism has importantly contributed to economic growth, job creations and poverty reduction. He said last year, the economy grew by 7.5 percent and poverty rate had declined to 10 percent. "Now, Cambodia has become a popular tourism destination for the world and the government sees tourism as green gold," the prime minister said, urging the people to keep cities clean so as to attract more international tourists. Tourism is one of the four sectors supporting the economy. Cambodia is famous for three world heritage sites, namely the Angkor archeological park in northwestern Siem Reap province, the Preah Vihear temple in northwestern Preah Vihear province, and the Sambor Prei Kuk archeological site in central Kampong Thom province. Besides, the kingdom has a beautiful coastline stretching 440 km over four southwestern provinces of Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 21:03:08|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Visitors take pictures of a ZTE drum robot at the 2019 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, Feb. 25, 2019. The four-day 2019 MWC opened on Monday in Barcelona. (Xinhua/Guo Qiuda) BARCELONA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The 2019 edition of MWC Barcelona, formerly known as Mobile World Congress, opened here on Monday, promising to provide an economic boost to this city in the northeast of Spain. The event's organizers, GSMA, expect the event to generate 473 million euros (537.5 million U.S. dollars) in revenues for Barcelona from a combination of hotel and apartment reservations, restaurants, bars and taxis. The Barcelona hotel owners' guild reported in the Spanish newspaper Expansion that during the four-day event from Feb. 25 to 28, the occupancy rate in the city's hotels will be almost 100 percent. An estimated 110,000 people are expected to visit the exhibition, which the mobile telecommunications industry considers the most important event of the year. According to Expansion, billings for hotel reservations related to the event totalled 117.7 million euros, with 27,000 rooms block-booked by GSMA -- the same number as during the previous year's MWC. The Barcelona Association of Tourist Apartments (Apartur) predicts that 95 percent of the city's tourist apartments will also be rented out during the week, at an average rate of 359 euros per night. The organization said that the majority of those renting apartments come from China, the UK and the United States. Airbnb rentals have increased by 350 percent in the past six years. The combination of over 100,000 visitors and the warm weather forecast in Barcelona for the week will also have a positive effect on bar and restaurant performance. The Catalan Nightlife Association expects revenues to (FECASARM) reach 56 million euros, twice the 2018 figure. A year ago, Barcelona suffered four days of unseasonably cold and wet weather that kept people away from the city's numerous bars and terraces. According to the report, around 25 percent of the money spent by visitors during the MWC will go to bars, nightclubs and restaurants. The MWC has been held in Barcelona since 2006 and is guaranteed to remain in the city until at least 2023. This year's event is bigger that ever, covering 120,000 square meters at the Fira de Barcelona exhibition center, 5,000 square meters more than last year. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 21:03:36|Editor: zh Video Player Close Zhang Zi (R) and Wang Lei eat noodles during a lunch break, in Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, on Feb. 23, 2019. During this year's Spring Festival travel rush, Zhang Zi, a 32-year-old railway police officer, has been working together with her apprentice Wang Lei, a 24-year-old officer. They have been busy helping passengers, handling emergencies and maintaining order at the Shijiazhuang Railway Station. This is the pair's second time to work together during the Spring Festival travel rush. (Xinhua/Mu Yu) Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 20:58:06|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SANAA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi rebels refused to withdraw from two Hodeidah's ports on Monday, hindering a peace deal brokered by the United Nations in Stockholm in December last year. Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea told Xinhua that the Houthi forces will not withdraw until specifying a date for the withdrawal of their foe Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces from around the port city. "The first phase of the UN plan sets a date of our withdrawal only, while it didn't specify any date for the withdrawal of the other side (government troops)," Sarea said, stipulating that the other side should also start to withdraw in the same time. Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television cited a Yemeni government official as saying that the Houthi rebels halt the implementation of Stockholm peace deal. The UN Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths said this week that the mutual withdrawal of warring forces should start immediately from Hodeidah. On Sunday, the rebels said that they will begin to pull back their forces 5 km from the ports of Saleef, which is used for importing grains, and Ras Isa, an oil terminal for exporting Marib crude oil. For the second phase of withdrawal, Houthi forces will withdraw 1 km from Hodeidah's main port, while the coalition-backed government forces will retreat 1 km from Kilo 7 area in the eastern suburbs of the port city, according to the peace plan. The government forces have advanced into the southern and eastern outskirts of Hodeidah, after battles against the Houthi rebels over the past five months. The withdrawal plan came under the supervision of a UN-led cease-fire monitoring team headed by Michael Lollesgaard, who is in Hodeidah. Hodeidah is the main lifeline entry of commercial imports and humanitarian aid to two-thirds of the Yemeni population. Stockholm peace deal aims to avoid the lifeline port city an all-out assault by the Saudi-led coalition forces and place it under the UN supervision. The deal seeks to save more than 20 million Yemenis from sliding into major starvation. The civil war has killed more than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, displaced 3 million others, and pushed the country to the brink of famine. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 20:43:02|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- India has recognized acupuncture as a system of healthcare therapy, after deliberations for more than two years, officials said Monday. "Acupuncture system which is already recognised to be practiced as a mode of therapy can be accepted as an independent system of healthcare for the indications for which there is evidence and expertise exists for teaching, training and certification," said an order issued by the Department of Health Research under the country's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. A nine-member "Apex Committee on Acupuncture" has been constituted for the purpose of promotion and regulation of acupuncture as a system of healthcare therapy. Besides, expert committees would be constituted including experts who are academically active in acupuncture. Experts from allopathy and other systems also need to be members of such committees for drawing the boundaries for evidence-based practices and best interests of patients, said the official order by the ministry of health and family welfare. Welcoming the Indian government's move, Dr Inderjit Singh Dhingra, a renowned acupuncturist in the country, described it as the "biggest milestone achieved in the history of acupuncture in India." "A big move and biggest milestone achieved in the history of acupuncture in India," he tweeted. Dr Dhingra, who visited China last year leading a team of ten acupuncturists to learn Chinese techniques therapy, also stated "Wish to have more friendship between India and China for development of acupuncture." Speaking to Xinhua, Dr Dhingra said that acupuncture can permanently cure as many as 330 diseases and physical ailments, and it is so popular in China. "It has been a traditional way of treatment and we want to make it popular in India too. The Indian government's decision to recognise it as a healthcare therapy is a welcome step in this direction," he added. He further stated that now, after formal recognition by the Indian government, colleges and institutes would be set up in the country to train acupuncturists through proper degree and diploma courses. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 20:33:01|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close CANBERRA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The opposition Australian Labor Party (ALP) has announced it will create a "banking fairness fund" to support victims of financial misconduct. Bill Shorten, leader of the ALP, on Monday announced that his party will impose a levy on financial institutions listed in the top 100 companies on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) if victorious in May's general election. Under the plan, 640 million Australian dollars (456.9 million U.S. dollars) would be raised over four years, with half to be spent on doubling the number of taxpayer-funded financial counsellors from 500 to 1,000. It is another key piece in Labor's response to the landmark Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry, having already announced a significant compensation package for victims. "These 500 new financial counsellors will be able to assist Australians to pursue fair compensation through the Australian Financial Complaints Authority under significantly increased compensation caps announced by Labor last week," Shorten told reporters on Monday. "Financial counsellors provide invaluable assistance, free of charge, to Australians who find themselves in disputes with their banks and other financial service providers." Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull previously introduced a 0.06 percent levy on the big four banks in 2017, a measure which is expected to raise more than 6 billion AUD (4.2 billion U.S. dollars) over four years. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 20:27:59|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close PARIS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Huge wildfires broke out at the weekend in the French island of Corsica where about 1,500 hectares of forests had been destroyed, local media reported on Monday. The biggest fire was reported in Calenzana where the blaze, intensified by strong winds, consumed some 1,200 hectares of forest, BFMTV news channel reported. Most of the blazes were apparently caused by burn-beating operations which according to Josiane Chevalier, Corsica prefect, were "imprudent" and "inappropriate," due to unfavorable conditions including dry soil and strong wind. A total of 336 firefighters have been deployed to battle the flames, in addition to five water bombers. The fire was under control on early Monday morning but vigilance remains high due to expected strong winds in the region on Monday afternoon, according to regional authorities. Three investigations have been started to determine the causes of the fires. File photo shows local medical staff receive training from Chinese doctors on Ebola treatment in Monrovia, Liberia, Dec. 3, 2014. (Xinhua/Yang Guoyu) ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- African healthcare experts and policymakers, who gathered in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa as part of a high-level continental meeting, called for collective efforts to effectively eradicate major healthcare perils in Africa. The experts and policymakers made the joint call during a two-day high-level meeting that brought together the African Union (AU), the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO). The event was aimed to share information on the Ebola virus disease preparedness, vaccines and therapeutics, as well as the spread of major public-health perils. Deputy Chairperson of the AU, Thomas Kwesi Quartey, told African healthcare experts and policymakers that the disproportionate burden of disease faced by Africa, coupled with inadequate health systems and the shortage of health personnel across the continent, "remained a major challenge." "Overcoming these challenges requires collective efforts both for Africa as a continent and our partners to build the Africa we want as articulated in the Agenda 2063," the AU deputy chairperson said. According to Quartey, Africa must adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to the health problems it is facing, with particular emphasis on the diseases cross-border nature. Quartey further assured "the strong commitment of the African Union Commission to creating the synergy needed to maximize the impact of our interventions for disease control and prevention in Africa." Deputy Executive Director of the UN Economic Commission for Africa's (ECA), Giovani Biha, also stressed that a committed political leadership, institutional strengthening, investments in health systems, community health and awareness are all crucial to the eradication of the disease from the continent. The ECA deputy chief said "Africa cannot build strong and resilient health systems without adequately investing in hard and soft health infrastructure, including the provision of right numbers of health personnel both in urban and rural areas." Biha, who noted that Africa needs to mobilize adequate resources for strong and resilient health systems, also indicated that strategic partnerships, including the role of the private sector, are also critical for a coordinated multi-sectoral response to health challenges in Africa. She also reiterated the ECA's commitment to healthcare in Africa within the broad framework of economic and social development. "As a premier knowledge institution, we are building on our unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to Africa's challenges, including Ebola and taking local solutions to the continent," the deputy executive director said. The call made by the AU and ECA deputy heads is also shared by the Chairperson of the Governing Board of Africa CDC, Amir Aman, who urged AU member states as well as its partners to share important and latest information on Ebola and other major healthcare perils. Aman, who is also Ethiopia's Minister of Health, said that if Africa is to save lives by preventing disease outbreaks "we have to share crucial information because without a healthy population we cannot move the continent forward." The meeting, which concluded on Saturday, created common understanding about the current state of the Ebola virus disease vaccines and drugs, including evidence and practical considerations for application, it was noted. CHINA'S CONTRIBUTION Africa's fight against the life-threatening impacts of the Ebola virus, which was widely considered as Africa's major cross-border public-health threat in recent years in particular, was "significantly" backed by the support from China, Director of the Africa CDC, John Nkengasong, told Xinhua on the sidelines of the high-level meeting. The latest 10th Ebola Virus Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is said to be the second largest outbreak of the deadly virus, after the outbreak that hit West Africa in 2015. Speaking of China's contribution to Africa's efforts in taming such problems, Nkengasong said that China has deployed experts in neighboring countries of the DRC, which the director said is "important support to detect and stop the spread of the Ebola virus." "The Chinese government has deployed experts in neighboring countries in Uganda and other countries," he said. "It is very important that we are focusing not only in DRC but we are also focusing in the neighboring countries, just in case the virus escapes." he said. He also noted that China has been supporting the Africa CDC which has been taking various activities as part of the response efforts to the latest Ebola outbreak in the DRC. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 20:17:55|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Vodafone Spain, a mobile telecommunications operator in Spain, has confirmed that Huawei will build the major part of its 5G network. The company's Director of Technology Ismael Asenjo made the remarks at a press conference during the Mobile World Congress (MWC2019) which opened on Monday in Barcelona in northeast Spain. Asenjo said Huawei would construct 65 percent of the new network, with th rest 35 percent provided by Ericsson. "We will continue with the same providers," he said, meaning Vodafone Spain is the first Spanish operator to publicly show its confidence in the Chinese telecommunications giant after security concerns raised by the United States over Huawei's networks. Asenjo told reporters he believed the "political situation" could have had an influence in some of the U.S. decisions taken in respect to Huawei, but said that Vodafone should base its opinion on "technological and not political reasons." "At the moment we feel very relaxed", he said over the company's faith in Huawei as its major 5G provider. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 20:07:52|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close CANBERRA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has announced 2 billion Australian dollars (1.42 billion U.S. dollars) in funding for projects to reduce the nation's carbon emissions. Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday announced the Climate Solutions Fund, a 10-year program to fund projects such as revegetating land, reducing bushfire risk and replacing lighting and refrigeration system. "We acknowledge and accept the challenge of addressing climate change, but we do so with cool heads, not just impassioned hearts," he said in a speech in Melbourne on Monday. "Our approach is to take care of our environment but also take responsibility to ensure we acknowledge, understand and manage the consequences of our decisions," Morrison said. "Our Climate Solutions Package will ensure Australia meets our 2030 emissions reduction target, a responsible and achievable target, building on our success in comprehensively beating our Kyoto commitments," Morrison said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 20:07:52|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ALGIERS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika left for Switzerland late on Sunday for regular medical checkups, a statement issued by the Algerian presidency said. "President Abdelaziz Bouteflika leaves on Sunday ... for a short stay in Geneva as part of medical checkups," the statement said. On Feb. 10, Bouteflika announced that he will run for the forthcoming presidential election due on April 18 in a message addressed to the nation. Bouteflika, 81-year-old, was re-elected in 2014 for the fourth term until 2019. He suffered a stroke in 2013 and has made since then rare public appearances. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 20:07:51|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close DHAKA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- A five-member committee was formed on Monday to probe into a gunman's foiled attempt to hijack a Dubai-bound Biman Bangladesh Airlines at the country's southeastern Chattogram airport. According to the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, a senior official is leading the five-member probe committee. Bangladeshi commandos stormed the passenger plane of the national flag carrier and shot dead an armed man who tried to hijack the Dubai-bound flight on Sunday. Major General Motiur Rahman of the Bangladesh Army told reporters that the man with a pistol died from injuries sustained during the commando operation. All passengers were evacuated safely from the flight BG147. According to officials, the Boeing 737-800 aircraft made an emergency landing at the Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram, some 242 km southeast of the capital Dhaka at about 5:40 p.m. local time (1140 GMT), hours after it took off from Dhaka. Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Naim Hassan said the suspect, who seemed mentally imbalanced, told the pilot that he had an issue with his wife that he wanted to tell the country's prime minister. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 20:02:47|Editor: zh Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- China has maintained a high vaccination rate of vaccines under the country's immunization program above 90 percent, a health official said Monday. Gao Fu, director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, made the remarks at a press conference. China's immunization program requires vaccinations against diseases such as hepatitis B, poliomyelitis and measles for children and those against diseases such as anthrax for targeted groups. The country's vaccines are safe and effective overall, according to Gao. Gao said a work team has been set up to analyze vaccine-related problems exposed over recent years to ensure effective solutions. He also called for more proactive prevention and control measures, including higher inoculation rates, against influenza. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 20:02:47|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close RAMALLAH, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Palestinians are seeking to gain political support for their cause from the first League of Arab States (LAS)-European Union (EU) Summit, which kicked off Sunday in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh city. The summit, scheduled on Feb. 24-25, will address many political and economic issues, including the Palestinian cause and ways to achieve a comprehensive and just peace. An EU statement said that the summit seeks to strengthen Arab-European relations, as leaders will address a wide range of current challenges and common opportunities, such as trade, investment, migration, climate change and security. The summit will also provide an opportunity for leaders to discuss the latest developments in the region, such as the Middle East peace process and the situation in Yemen, Libya and Syria. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said that the summit came "in a very difficult period for all in general, and for the Palestinian issue in particular." Al-Maliki told Palestine's official television that the summit must emphasize an integrated vision stemming from the Palestinian position on the need to hold an international peace conference to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. He added that the summit "will strengthen the Palestinian position and send a clear and strong message to the U.S. and Israeli sides that the European and Arab countries meet to emphasize that the Palestinian cause is a central issue." Communication Officer at EU in Jerusalem, Shadi Othman, said that the Palestinian cause will be among the top issues to be discussed during the summit. "The summit aims at greater European and Arab consultations and coordination and the Palestinian issue is the central issue in enhancing the level of coordination," Othman told Xinhua. He stressed that Europe "plays an important role in building the institutions of the Palestinian state and aspires to play a greater role in pushing forward the efforts to resolve the Palestinian issue, in addition to activating the Arab role and finding solutions to achieve peace." The EU seeks a more active role in the peace process in light of the current stalemate and the absence of the political process as well as closing the horizon of the two-state solution and the facts imposed by Israel on the ground. The Palestinians have been boycotting the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump since it recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moved its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem in May 2018. "The summit is very important for the Palestinians in light of the pressure practiced on the Palestinian leadership by the U.S. and Israel," said Ghassan Khatib, professor of political science at Birzeit University in Ramallah. Khatib added that the Palestinian tools in the face of the U.S. and Israeli positions depend on the activation of the European and Arab roles, "especially since Europe has difficulties in the relationship with the U.S. under Trump." He pointed out that the Palestinians aspire to strengthen Arab-European relations as an input to bring some balance with the extraordinary U.S. support for Israel. "The participation of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the summit signals the interest in the summit and the aspiration to gain more political support for the Palestinian position," Khatib told Xinhua. The LAS-EU Summit is being held while the Palestinians demand a multilateral international mechanism for the peace process away from the U.S. monopoly and the failure of the political process. The Palestinians want the summit to be an occasion to reaffirm the resolutions of international legitimacy to resolve the Palestinian issue in accordance with the vision of a two-state solution. The summit, held after the Warsaw Conference which was held recently under the U.S. sponsorship with the participation of Arab countries and Israel, is an opportunity for the Palestinians to emphasize adherence to the Arab Peace Initiative. The Palestinians, who boycotted the Warsaw Conference, warned of the U.S. administration's attempt to bypass the Arab Peace Initiative at the expense of liquidating their cause and normalizing relations between Arabs and Israel. According to the initiative, which was launched in 2002, Arab and Islamic normalization with Israel should happen after Israel ends its occupation of the Palestinian territories which has been going on since 1967 and after the establishment of the independent Palestinian state. Israel rejected the initiative and has sought to establish relations with Arab countries without providing a solution to the Palestinian cause. Writer and political analyst from Ramallah, Muhannad Abdul Hamid, said that the LAS-EU Summit is taking place at a sensitive stage in light of a clear change in the priorities of the Arab and Gulf regimes, especially by focusing on the Iranian file, which means a slight retreat of the Palestinian issue. "There is a notable change in the priorities of many Arab countries because of the imminent Iranian threat which turned Israel into a partner in the confrontation," he told Xinhua. "This means turning the Arab Peace Initiative upside down," the expert said. He added that Trump's peace plan, which is called "Deal of the Century," seemed from the first moment as a counter strike to the Arab Peace Initiative. "It is important for the Palestinians to strengthen the European role in the face of the U.S. monopoly on the peace process..." the analyst said. "Hopefully the Sharm el-Sheikh summit will be an opportunity to strengthen the Arab role and international resolutions that recognize Palestinian rights," he added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 20:02:47|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close NAIROBI, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Monday launched 250 million Kenyan shillings (about 2.5 million U.S. dollars) mobile government bond. Paul Muthaura, chief executive of Capital Markets Authority, told journalists in Nairobi that M-Akiba, the retail infrastructure bond issued by the Government of Kenya through the mobile phone, will offer investors a 10 percent tax-free annual return and will mature in 18 months. "The mobile government bond is part of Kenya's efforts to promote financial inclusion through encouraging savings," Muthaura said. He noted that investors will be able to purchase the bond for as little as 30 dollars, noting that the government hopes to raise a total of 50 million dollars through the mobile bond. In 2017, the National Treasury raised a total of 2.97 million dollars from the first tranche of the mobile bond which is currently trading at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). Muthaura noted that sale of the bond will end on March 3 and will be sold exclusively through mobile phones. He added that the bond is expected to commence trading at the NSE on March 12. Geoffrey Odundo, chief executive officer of the NSE, said that the reopening of the bond provides an opportunity for the investors who did not participate in the previous issues in 2017. Odundo said that due to prevailing positive economic environment, the bond is expected to be fully subscribed. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 19:52:43|Editor: zh Video Player Close URUMQI, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Senior diplomats from permanent missions of eight countries to the United Nations Office at Geneva visited Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from Feb. 16 to 19 at the invitation of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The diplomats from Pakistan, Venezuela, Cuba, Egypt, Cambodia, Russia, Senegal and Belarus, spoke with trainees at vocational education and training centers, teaching clerics and other members of the public during their visit. They agreed that the Chinese government has made achievement in cracking down on and preventing terrorism according to law, safeguarding the religious freedom of its citizens and conserving ethnic tradition and culture. Since the 1990s, the "three forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism both at home and abroad plotted and organized thousands of violent terrorist activities and gravely damaged the stability, solidarity and progress of Xinjiang, trampling the basic human rights to life, health, property and development for the people in Xinjiang. At the Xinjiang International Convention & Exhibition Center, the diplomats watched an exhibition on major terrorist cases in the region. Nikita Zhukov, the deputy permanent representative of the Russia Federation to the UN Office at Geneva, said he could not bear to look at the video clips and pictures at the exhibition. "Terrorism should not have been present in modern society like this. It is an absolute demon and must be destroyed," Zhukov said. "It is important to fight terrorism according to law, and the Chinese government has done so." Pedro Luis Pedroso Cuesta, permanent representative of the Republic of Cuba to the UN Office at Geneva, said the exhibition showed that anyone could become a victim of terrorism. In recent years, Xinjiang has focused on the prevention of terrorism by striking at the root and source of the problems. It aims to forestall terrorist attacks by providing a platform to the people who have been influenced by extremist thoughts and committed minor crimes so that they can transform their thoughts, learn the Mandarin language, boost legal awareness and master vocational skills. So far, no violent terrorist activities have been reported in the last 25 months in Xinjiang, authorities said. Terrorism and extremism sabotaged peace and caused great casualties in Xinjiang. Terrorism, in whatever form, shall not be forgiven, said Sam Ol Ney, permanent representative of Cambodia to the UN Office at Geneva. PEOPLE-ORIENTED TRAINING At the vocational education and training centers in Kashgar and Moyu counties of Hotan Prefecture, the diplomats inquired in great detail about the life and education of the trainees. Trainees study the Mandarin language, knowledge on law, and take practical courses on auto repair, hairdressing, baby care and health, planting and farming. It is foolish to make accusations against these centers where students are learning the necessary skills to improve lives, said Vadim Pisarevich, the deputy permanent representative of Belarus to the UN Office at Geneva. Jorge Hidalgo Valero Briceno, permanent representative of Venezuela to the UN Office at Geneva, said the accusations were politically charged and made by those who do not believe in the Chinese people. Zhukov said the centers resemble colleges with modern buildings and comfortable lodging. The purpose of the centers is to boost the capabilities of the people, said Pedro Luis Pedroso Cuesta. People should be educated, otherwise they easily fall victims to those who exploit them for illegal ends, he said. After observing a class on law, Pisarevich said that it was right for the Chinese government to establish the centers. It is also in line with the principle and spirit of law, he said. CULTURE, TRADITIONS PRESERVED The delegates visited the Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar, the old city of Kashgar and local families. Serigne Dieye, the minister counselor of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Senegal to the UN Office at Geneva, said as a Muslim himself, he felt glad to see that the Chinese government has protected religious freedom well. Facilities for drinking water, heating and bathing at the mosque are all provided by the government, which is a great effort on its part, Dieye added. Thanks to a large-scale renovation project launched in 2010, residents in Kashgar now enjoy a modern and convenient life in their houses with unique traditional designs. The renovation project have fully respected the wishes of residents to conserve their culture, setting a good example for other cities, said local representatives. "In the old city, we see a good combination of traditional culture and modern development," said Zhukov, after talking with a craftsman who makes traditional musical instruments as the fifth-generation inheritor of the craft in his family. His son will continue to carry on the family tradition. The effort of local government and residents to maintain traditions amid development deserves appreciation, Zhukov said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 19:27:35|Editor: zh Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government announced Monday that it will step up the campaign against malpractice in after-school institutions as schools across the country are beginning enrolling students for autumn semester. Some after-school institutions may try to lure more students by illegal means such as exaggerated advertisements, said a statement from a State Council committee that supervises education services. Another priority of the crackdown will be after-school institutions that set their curriculum too much ahead of the normal school curriculum or promise enrollment of good schools, the statement said. It praised the education departments in Hebei and Hubei provinces for their quick and effective punishment on two after-school institutions. Local governments were instructed to set up joint law enforcement task forces made up of police, market regulation, emergency management and education departments and conduct regular and unannounced inspections. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 19:17:31|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 60 passengers and crew of a ferry operating the route between Malaysia's northern resort island of Langkawi island and mainland Kedah state were rescued by the Malaysian coast guard on Tuesday after the ferry caught fire. In a statement, the Malaysian coast guard said the Dragon Star 1, carrying 52 passengers and six crew, was heading to the mainland from Langkawi, caught fire on Tuesday afternoon. "The Langkawi maritime operations center received a distress call and coordinated the rescue effort along with the marine police, marine department, navy and civil defense force," the statement said. All passengers and crew were rescued and placed on two other passenger boats, which were near the scene of the incident, before being sent to the Langkawi island. The statement added that the fire had been extinguished and the cause was still being investigated. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 19:12:29|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities on Monday demanded increased financial support for private firms, requiring major state-owned banks to target faster growth in loans to small and micro businesses. Large state-owned lenders should see their loans to small and micro firms borrowing 10 million yuan (about 1.5 million U.S. dollars) or less grow by at least 30 percent this year, according to a policy document released by the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC). Such loans posted an annual increase of over 21 percent last year, already outpacing the overall bank loan growth, according to Wang Zhaoxing, vice chairman of the commission, at a press conference Monday. The CBIRC document ordered commercial banks to lay out their annual targets on financing private firms by the end of March, noting that lending to these companies will be monitored quarterly. "Stricter supervision and evaluations will be adopted to ensure that loans to private firms take up a larger share of all new lending to businesses and keep the financing cost at a reasonable level," the document said. In the process of examining and approving loans, the banks cannot set discriminative requirements for private firms, which should enjoy the same rates and terms of credit as state-owned enterprises do, according to the document. China has stepped up efforts to create a better business environment for underserved private companies since last year to solve their financing difficulties and shore up the economic growth. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 19:02:26|Editor: zh Video Player Close Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, speaks at a meeting on advancing the integrated development of media, in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2019. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has called for redoubling the efforts to advance the integrated development of media. Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the call at a meeting on the topic in Beijing on Monday. Describing media integration as an inevitable revolution, Huang urged media to seize the opportunity and rise up to the challenge. He stressed the supply-side structural reform concerning information production, the roles of technology and innovation in driving the change and the training of all-media journalists and administrators to develop a new type of mainstream media that would be very influential and competitive. Huang also called for efforts to build a communications network composed of all-media from the central level all the way to the county level. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 18:57:25|Editor: ZX Video Player Close SHANGHAI, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Automobile imports via Shanghai port fell 9.8 percent year on year to 373,000 last year, according to Shanghai Customs. The value of total auto imports went down by a narrower 4.7 percent to 110.4 billion yuan (about 16.5 billion U. S. dollars). The average import price for each automobile, however, rose 5.7 percent year on year to 296,000 yuan. The European Union was the largest source of imports with 60.9 percent, followed with 18 percent from the United States and 16.4 from Japan. Imports of traditional gasoline-fueled vehicles fell but imports of hybrid electric vehicles grew sharply by 57.4 percent to 4,542 units last year. Entering into 2019, Shanghai has seen growth momentum of motor vehicle imports in January, with local firms importing via the port 9.6 billion yuan worth of vehicles, up 55.2 percent year on year. U.S. electric automaker Tesla has started delivering its Model 3 cars in China, after over 1,600 of them arrived at a port in Shanghai on Friday. China sold 28.08 million autos last year, down 2.76 percent year on year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 18:52:24|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close PARIS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron's approval rating continued rising in February for the third consecutive month as his offensive to defend policy at a series of debates in rural regions helped him ride out the "Yellow Vest" movement, a survey showed. A total of 32 percent of those surveyed in an Odoxa poll, which was conducted on Feb. 20-21 among 1,000 people and published on Monday, thought Macron was a good president, up by 2 percentage points from January's score. "Emmanuel Macron continues his recovery. He gained another 2 points in February, which represents a gain of 5 points since December. And now, he erases a fall which had been triggered by the 'Yellow Vest' movement," the pollster said. The online poll also showed that the share of people who consider that the social action should stop rose to 55 percent versus 45 percent of respondents in January. The "Yellow Vest" movement started as a campaign against a surge in fuel prices in November 2018. It then evolved into a social rebellion demanding the president to step down. With no leader and internal rifts, the weekly demonstrations showed signs of fatigue with time. The latest round of gathering attracted only 46,600 participants nationwide last Saturday. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 18:37:19|Editor: ZX Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- China opposes outside forces interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs and using so-called "humanitarian aid" to achieve political purposes, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday. Spokesperson Lu Kang said China hopes for peace and stability in Venezuela and calls for compliance with international laws and basic principles in international relations. "Stirring up instability or even unrest in Venezuela and the region is not in the interests of any of the parties," he said. Lu's comments came after the United States and other countries in the region, in coordination with the Venezuelan opposition, declared a plan to deliver "humanitarian aid" to Venezuela, which was rejected by the Venezuelan government. "We once again urge the Venezuelan government and the opposition to seek a political solution through dialogue and consultations within the constitutional and legal framework," Lu said. He also called on the international community to do things truly conducive to the national stability and economic development of Venezuela and improvement of people's livelihood. "We hope that international community would provide constructive help to Venezuela on the premise of respecting the country's sovereignty," Lu said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 18:22:07|Editor: zh Video Player Close GUANGZHOU, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The American Chamber of Commerce in South China on Monday said its members, mostly foreign-funded multinational companies, have increased their reinvestment budgets in China this year. According to the chamber's annual white paper on China's business environment and a special report on the state of business in southern China, 240 surveyed companies have increased their 2019 China reinvestment budgets from profits by a whopping average of 37.9 percent over 2018. Half of the respondents see the Chinese mainland as their top investment destination with Guangzhou being voted the most preferred city for investment for the second straight year among 35 cities across the country, it said. Return on investment in China in 2018 is considered to be high with 80 percent reporting very positive or positive return on their investment. Confidence in southern China's economic development remains high with 72 percent rating the business environment in South China as "good" to "very good." Meanwhile, 80 percent remain optimistic toward the future development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Continued government backing, infrastructure support and regional economic development are generally considered the top three factors to success, it said. With more than 2,300 members, AmCham South China provides dynamic, on-the-ground support for American and international companies doing business in southern China. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 17:41:53|Editor: zh Video Player Close NAIROBI, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Draped in a white piece of cloth at the corner of Josephine Mwasia's living room in her house in Buru Buru in the east of Kenyan capital Nairobi is a huge water pot. The brown clay pot sits at a spot where in most urban homes in Kenya, one finds a water dispenser from which members of the family draw their drinking water. For Mwasia, however, she has stuck with the good, old and traditional pot, despite living in the city and being exposed to a myriad of water cooling technologies. "This earthen pot has served me for close to a decade now," Mwasia, who runs a boutique in the middle-income estate, said on Monday. "I sourced it from a women's group in western Kenya and it has never disappointed me. I think they make the best pots ever," she said. Her family is among many in the East African nation in both urban and rural areas that have clung onto the clay pot for cooling water and cooking, offering potters mainly in western and central Kenya steady market amid modern technologies. Mwasia has placed the pot inside a container with sand, explaining that it offers the water inside the pot a natural environment, just as it would be in the river. "I have used a water pot all my life after learning the art of cooling water from my mother. There is a time I switched to a water dispenser but abandoned it after my two children and I got a cold from the water because it was too cold," she explained. The earthen pot, according to her, keeps water at room temperature, making it neither hot nor cold, therefore, it can be drunk without either cooling or warming it. "With water dispenser, one has to fetch cold or hot and cool or warm it depending on their preference. This comes with costs since the machine uses electricity and one has to buy bottled water at 400 shillings for 20 liters," said Mwasia, noting she fetches water from the tap and puts in a purifier before cooling it. To make the pots appeal to more people, and not just diehards like Mwasia, potters in Kenya are giving them a modern look, with the latest ones having a tap to make fetching water easier, just as it with the dispenser. With the old pots, one had to draw water from an opening at the top by dipping a cup inside, which was unhygienic. "I cured this menace by introducing a tap on my water pots," Victoria Njeri, a potter based in Murang'a, central Kenya, said. She has dubbed the pot "African water fridge" and sells a 15-liter capacity pot for 6 dollars. "At the top, however, the opening remains, which is used to refill the pot and clean it preferably once a week." Meanwhile, earthen cooking pots are also still popular with families and eateries, which use them to cook foods that need lengthy boiling like a mixture of bean, maize and tripe "The good thing with the earthen pot is that it conserves energy, therefore, the food boils faster unlike the aluminum cooking pot (sufuria)," said Mathews Omune, who runs an eatery in Komarock in eastern Nairobi. Omune noted that he uses about an-hour-and-a-half to boil a mixture of beans and maize in a clay pot, which is about half the time one would spend when using sufuria, therefore, saving on charcoal that he buys at 30 dollars presently. To make the pots, potters like Njeri source for clay from rivers, and mold them with the aid of metal shapes and later place them in a kiln where they burn in a temperature of over 500 degrees for up to 10 hours. Clay water pots cut the use of electricity, while cooking pots save energy and are, therefore, environment friendly, according to Global Village Energy Partnership. Clay pots in Kenya were first used by communities some 8,000 years ago, according to the National Museums of Kenya. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 17:36:51|Editor: zh Video Player Close LOS ANGELES, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- China-originated filmmakers made a splash at the 91st Academy Awards ceremony held in Los Angeles on Sunday, as they emerged from strong competition to take home two honors. Three China-originated American directors were nominated for their movies for Best Documentary Feature. The award went to husband-and-wife filmmaking duo Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi for "Free Solo." "Free Solo" is a movie filled with human emotions, death-defying stakes and nail-biting tension. It follows elite rock climber Alex Honnold as he attempts an unassisted ascent up the El Capitan vertical rock formation at Yosemite National Park without ropes. Chin and Vasarhelyi are the first married couple of Asian descent ever nominated for Oscars together. "Minding the Gap," which lost to "Free Solo" in this category, was also directed by a Chinese American director, Liu Bing. The other Oscar award claimed by a China-originated filmmaker was Best Animated Short, which went to Chinese-born Canadian writer and director Domee Shi for her Pixar short "Bao." "Bao" explores the life of a Chinese immigrant mom who lives in Toronto with her inattentive husband and struggles to cope with loneliness after her beloved son flies the nest. Shi is the first woman and first China-originated writer and director of a Pixar short. One competitor for the award Shi won was "One Small Step," a Chinese-American animated short film. Directed by China-born Disney animator Shaofu Zhang, it tells the story of a young Chinese-American protagonist who dreams of being an astronaut. Meanwhile, three Chinese-financed movies won this year's Oscars. Chinese film, TV and gaming company Perfect World Pictures cofinanced "First Man," which claimed Best Visual Effects, and "BlacKkKlansman," which won Best Adapted Screenplay. China's Alibaba Pictures is a co-financier of "Green Book," which took home three awards of Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Screenplay. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 17:31:49|Editor: zh Video Player Close BUCHAREST, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Party of Socialists garnered over 31 percent of the vote in Sunday's parliamentary elections in Moldova, followed by the center-right ACUM (NOW) bloc and the current ruling Democratic Party, showed the live data of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) on Monday after processing over 98 percent of the ballots. With 98.32 percent of the vote counted, the Socialists obtained 31.28 percent of the votes, while the ACUM won 26.32 percent, the Democrats 23.95 percent, and the Sor Party 8.43 percent. The other electoral contenders did not pass the minimum threshold of 6 percent of the total votes. Preliminary results also showed that the Democrats obtained the most mandates in single-member constituencies, imposing itself on 19 of the 50 constituencies in which the vote count ended. The Socialists managed to win 15 constituencies and the ACUM block got 11 constituencies. The Sor Party got 2 seats and the other three constituencies were won by independents. One constituency has not yet announced the results. Under the Electoral Code, the candidate who gets the largest number of votes is regarded as elected in a uninominal district. The turnout of the parliamentary elections on Sunday was 49.22 percent, the lowest in the history of parliamentary elections in Moldova. For the first time in the history of the country, the 101 lawmakers of the parliament are being elected on the basis of a mixed electoral system, in which 50 deputies are elected based on party lists in the nationwide constituency, while the other 51 are elected in 51 single-member constituencies. As many as 14 political parties and an electoral bloc competed in the national constituency, while 325 electoral contestants fought for the seats of deputies in the 51 uninominal constituencies. Partial results indicated that the Socialists would secure the most votes, but no party was likely to gain the majority needed to form a government. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 17:21:46|Editor: zh Video Player Close SEOUL, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Republic of Korea (ROK) President Moon Jae-in on Monday voiced his wish for a successful second summit between top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump. "We wish for the success of the summit as an expression of our support for the two leaders," Moon said during a meeting with his senior secretaries, according to the presidential Blue House. Moon praised Trump's "novel and audacious diplomatic endeavors aimed at peace on the Korean Peninsula," while applauding Kim's resolve to move toward the future. Moon's comment came two days ahead of the planned second Kim-Trump summit, to be held in Hanoi, Vietnam. The first Kim-Trump summit took place in Singapore in June 2018. Moon said a successful Kim-Trump summit will serve as "a decisive opportunity to resolve the threat of war and other security concerns on the Korean Peninsula as well as to enable us to move toward the age of a peace-driven economy." He vowed to do whatever his government can do to take a path toward denuclearization, permanent peace and mutual prosperity. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 17:11:44|Editor: zh Video Player Close by Xinhua writer Xiong Maoling WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Craig Allen, president of United States-China Business Council (USCBC), said he believes "good progress" has been made in U.S.-China trade talks and an agreement between the two countries is "within reach." Allen, who came into office in July last year, urged the two teams to overcome difficulties and reach an agreement "as soon as possible," so as to rebuild confidence in the business community. During the just-concluded latest round of high-level economic and trade talks, China and the United States have achieved substantial progress on such specific issues as technology transfer, protection of intellectual property rights, non-tariff barriers, service industry, agriculture and exchange rates, the Chinese delegation said Sunday. Allen said he was happy to learn that the two sides are "putting a pen to a piece of paper and trying to come out with a single understanding." Despite "real difficulties" in certain areas, he remained "very positive" about the two sides reaching a deal. Allen said he hopes that leaders of the two countries are able to reach an agreement "that is beneficial for both the Chinese people and the American people," and that "better reflect" norms of multilateral organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO). "I think that the Chinese leadership is very wise, and that they realize that market-oriented competition will lead to greater growth," said Allen, who served as Commercial Attache at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing in the 1990s and later as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for China at the U.S. Commerce Department's International Trade Administration. Allen said that one way to spur that growth is to allow foreign companies to "play a stronger role" in China, adding this is an opportunity for China to embrace a new round of reform and opening-up. "Over the short term, there are costs for individual interest groups, but the disruption long-term will be very positive," he said. The USCBC president reaffirmed his opposition to the tariffs added in the trade dispute over the past months. "I would say that really the entire business community would be nervous and not supportive of the use of tariffs," he said. In the midst of the U.S.-China trade tension, "every unhappy company is unhappy in their own way," Allen said. For U.S. companies who manufacture in China but do not have to trade, the impact is smaller. For companies that do a lot of trading between the two countries, the losses are larger, and they are trying to adjust supply chains. "Big companies can adjust their supply chains. For smaller companies, sometimes it's really impossible, especially if there's only one supplier of a particular product in the world," he added. U.S. businesses paid an additional 2.7 billion U.S. dollars in tariffs in November 2018, according to the latest government data released following the partial shutdown, anti-tariff campaign Tariffs Hurt the Heartland said earlier this month. The data also showed a 37-percent decline in exports of U.S. products facing retaliatory tariffs in the same month. "What we want to do is to remove tariffs, which cause real harm to real people, a lot of real people, and resolve the issues that have been outstanding for a long time," Allen said. "I think good progress has been made. So let's get to yes, as soon as possible." Refuting the argument of absolute "decoupling" of U.S. and Chinese economies, Allen said he has to "laugh very loudly because it's quite impossible," adding that the two economies are interdependent. Allen said it is important to talk about the "reasonable space" when discussing decoupling. "I think that both China and America have legitimate national security concerns of course. But the challenge in both countries is to bring that to a manageable size," he said. Noting that the Chinese economy is generally doing "pretty well," and the prospects for good growth in the next five or 10 years are still strong, Allen said the U.S. business community "remains very interested in being fully engaged" with China and expanding exports and investments to China, as well as welcoming Chinese investments to the United States. As the world's largest economy and the world's second largest economy, the United States and China have a special responsibility to "cooperate wherever possible" and "compete smartly" when necessary, respectfully "within international norms," Allen said. On common problems such as global warming, pandemic disease, terrorism and pollution, the two countries should maximize their opportunities to collaborate, he said. "When we compete, to compete with rules and with buffers and with guidelines so that we don't come into conflict," Allen said. "If the international rules are not good enough, then we should talk about that and adjust them so that they are good enough." "Right now we are at an inflection point and it could go in any direction," said Allen, referring to U.S.-China economic relations. "If we are wise, we will both grow stronger and wealthier and more prosperous and more stable together. If we are unwise, we will both grow poorer and less secure over time. I hope we are wise," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 17:11:44|Editor: yan Video Player Close Citizens ride in Rongcheng County of Xiongan New Area, north China's Hebei Province, March 29, 2018. (Xinhua/Mu Yu) BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- What will Beijing be like as China is developing rapidly to become a modernized country? And how will the capital city spearhead regional development and blaze a new trail of balanced, high-quality growth? These questions, among others, were on the minds of China's decision-makers when the country initiated a key strategy in 2014 to coordinate the development of Beijing, its neighboring port city Tianjin, and Hebei Province -- a regional city cluster called "Jing-jin-ji." "The core of integrated development of 'Jing-jin-ji' lies in the concepts of optimization, adjustment and streamlining, all for the sake of pursuing healthier development," said Li Xiaojiang, a member of the expert committee advising the coordinated development of the "Jing-jin-ji" region and former head of the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design. Today, with a better economic structure, a cleaner environment and improved public services, the "Jing-jin-ji" region is exploring a new growth mode in densely-populated areas and becoming a model for urban-rural coordinated development for the rest of the country. "With the same objective and coordinated measures, the three places have complemented each other's advantages in a mutually beneficial manner and made steady progress toward achieving a new mode of coordinated growth," said a senior official with the National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic planner. NEW WINGS TO BEIJING A prominent task of the "Jing-jin-ji" strategy is to move the non-capital functions out of Beijing to treat "urban ills" in the Chinese capital, such as traffic jams and pollution. According to a guideline released in April 2015, the key functions of politics, culture, international communication and technical innovation will be prioritized, while other sectors will be moved out of Beijing. Measures to clear space in Beijing include the closing of manufacturing businesses and the relocation of hospitals and schools. In 2018, a total of 656 manufacturing companies in the city were shut down, and more than 200 markets and logistics centers were relocated, according to Beijing Mayor Chen Jining. In 2019, more than 300 manufacturing firms and 66 markets and logistics centers, usually high-polluting or low-end industries, will be phased out or moved to nearby regions. Another major move was shifting administrative departments of the Beijing municipal government to Tongzhou District in the city's eastern suburbs. In January this year, four key municipal organs of Beijing moved their offices from the downtown area to Tongzhou. The sub-center aims to accommodate 1.3 million permanent residents by 2035, according to a detailed plan for the sub-center's development approved by the central authorities. Wang Kai, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Urban Planning and Design, hailed the development of the sub-center as an important step for regional development, stating that many metropolises around the world have planned and built sub-centers to realize sustainable development. While Tongzhou has accommodated the administrative departments of the Beijing municipal government, Xiongan in Hebei Province will be the location for many of Beijing's non-capital functions and relocated population. In April 2017, China announced the establishment of the Xiongan New Area, which, about 100 km southwest of Beijing, spans three counties in Hebei. According to a master plan published in April 2018, Xiongan is another new area of "national significance" following the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone and Shanghai Pudong New Area. It will be a new home for Beijing's colleges, hospitals, business headquarters, and financial and public institutions. Often billed as China's "city of the future," Xiongan has been designed to become a zone for innovation, a digital city synchronized with a brick-and-mortar one, and a livable and business-friendly area. Chinese planners envisioned that by the middle of the century, Xiongan would become a significant part of the world-class "Jing-jin-ji" city cluster, effectively performing Beijing's non-capital functions. "Xiongan and Tongzhou are adding two new 'wings' to Beijing, and providing a Chinese solution to big city malaise," said Wu Hequan, deputy head of the expert committee advising the coordinated development of the "Jing-jin-ji" region and academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering. TRANSPORT NETWORKS More convenient transportation is connecting Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei closer, laying the foundation for integrated regional development. More than 800 roads and expressways have been upgraded in the three places. Several new rail projects were completed, such as the extension of the intercity railway between Beijing and Tianjin, the rail between Tianjin and Baoding in Hebei, and the one linking the cities of Zhangjiakou and Tangshan in Hebei. By 2018, more than 40 inter-province bus lines, totaling 2,800 km in length, had been in operation between Beijing and 17 neighboring districts or cities in Hebei. The high-speed railway line connecting Beijing and Zhangjiakou, Hebei, will be in operation this year, while the expressway between Beijing's Yanqing District and Zhangjiakou's Chongli, two major venues for the 2022 Winter Olympics, will also begin service, according to the government of Hebei. Construction on a high-speed railway connecting Tianjin and Beijing's new airport in Daxing District will start in 2019, according to the municipal government of Tianjin. More connectivity is also expected in the air. The Beijing Daxing International Airport, sitting at the junction of Beijing's Daxing District and Langfang in Hebei, has recently completed several flight checks. The Tangshan airport in Hebei has been expanded, and the Cangzhou airport in Hebei has been put into use. A strong and coordinated air transport system is to be established in the area. GREENER GROWTH During the past five years, Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei have taken concerted efforts to tackle air and water pollution, achieving tangible results. In 2018, 13 major cities in the region had seen their PM2.5 density drop by nearly 50 percent from that of 2013. The share of days with good air quality in the region stood at 50.5 percent last year, a year-on-year increase of 1.2 percentage points, while the PM2.5 density of the region dropped by 11.8 percent year on year to 60 micrograms per cubic meter. More than 32 million mu (2.13 million hectares) of trees have been added to the region since 2014. Major projects have also been launched to promote industrial transfer and upgrading in the region. A new auto plant of Beijing Hyundai has been put into use in Cangzhou, Hebei. Han Guisheng, head of the Cangzhou factory, said the plant has created over 6,000 jobs and brought about 20 supporting companies to Cangzhou, creating an auto industry cluster in the city. Wu Xiushan, deputy director of the development and reform commission of Tianjin Binhai New Area, said the new area has brought in 1,699 projects from Beijing, with a contracted investment of over 392.06 billion yuan (about 57 billion U.S. dollars), since 2015. During the past five years, Hebei has brought in 1.8 trillion yuan (about 264 billion U.S. dollars) of capital from Beijing and Tianjin, accounting for more than a half of the total capital from outside the province. Tianjin has received over 640 billion yuan (about 94 billion U.S. dollars) of investment from enterprises in Beijing, accounting for 40 percent of the total domestic investment the city received. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 17:11:44|Editor: zh Video Player Close SHENZHEN, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- A direct air route was launched Monday between south China's technological powerhouse Shenzhen and Ireland's capital Dublin. Shenzhen International Airport said that flight HU755, operated by a Boeing 787, departed Shenzhen at 1:30 a.m. Beijing time Monday and is scheduled to arrive in Dublin at 7:00 a.m. local time. A one-way trip takes around 13 hours. The return flight will leave Dublin at 9:00 a.m. local time and is expected to arrive in Shenzhen at 5:30 a.m. Beijing time. The flights run twice a week on Monday and Friday, respectively, according to Shenzhen International Airport. This is the third international passenger air route opened by the Shenzhen airport this year. Air routes linking Johannesburg and Tel Aviv, Israel's second-largest city, were launched in January. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 16:11:35|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Ken Silvestri (1st R), a staff worker of Choo Choo Shoes, shows the company's products to visitors at their booth during the 116th Annual North American International Toy Fair at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, the United States, on Feb. 18, 2019. Imposing more tariffs on China would cripple the business of small U.S. toy companies that have made many success stories with their Chinese partners during the past decades, an industry insider has warned. "I think it would put us out of business. It would put most of the companies in our industry out of business," said Bob Grubba, founder & CEO of Choo Choo Shoes, in an interview with Xinhua at the New York Toy Fair last week. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) NEW YORK, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Imposing more tariffs on China would cripple the business of small U.S. toy companies that have made many success stories with their Chinese partners during the past decades, an industry insider has warned. "I think it would put us out of business. It would put most of the companies in our industry out of business," said Bob Grubba, founder & CEO of Choo Choo Shoes, in an interview with Xinhua at the New York Toy Fair last week. Choo Choo Shoes, based in Ormond Beach, Florida, specializes in producing fun kids shoes that make train sounds. Grubba said he is closely following the ongoing U.S.-China trade talks and hopes the two sides would make a final deal on stopping the trade frictions that already hurt the U.S. toy industry. "The model train industry in the United States is a fairly small business ... but a lot of the companies and people (are) involved, and they are all having similar structure," he said. "Most of these companies have a profit margin in the range of 30 percent. We call it gross profit. If we were to pay a 25-percent tariff, it would only leave approximately 5 percent left to pay rent, insurance and other bills. It's not enough," he lamented. The White House has threatened to increase the tariffs to 25 percent from 10 percent on the 200 billion U.S. dollars of Chinese imports into the country if the two sides fail to reach an agreement on the solution of trade frictions before March 1. Ahead of the deadline, Chinese and U.S. negotiators on Sunday wrapped up the latest round of trade talks with substantial progress on specific issues. U.S. President Donald Trump later tweeted that he "will be delaying" the increase of tariffs on Chinese imports scheduled for March 1, citing "very productive" trade talks between the two countries. Grubba also downplayed the option of a price hike. "Because our products are already fairly expensive, if we were to increase the price, try to pass that cost onto our customers, I don't think they would pay it. I think we would sell less," Grubba said. "So I think it would put us out of business. I think it would put most of the companies in our industry out of business. So the model train industry in the U.S. would just go away," said Grubba while making a throat-slitting gesture. The idea to relocate production out of China is also unrealistic, he added, noting that it is hard for toy industry businesses to find another country with comparable infrastructure, skilled workers, as well as the research and development capabilities. "It's difficult to move a factory (out of China) because our product is very specialized. It took us a long time to train the workers at the factories and train the engineers and get the quality the way it's supposed to be," he said. "And if we try to move to another country, then you have to develop that expertise all over again. And that takes a long time, a lot of money to do that." "The Chinese factories need to sell stuff, we need to buy stuff. It's a good relationship. And I just hope that (the relationship) won't get wrecked," he said. According to The Toy Association, a trade association for U.S. toy companies, the industry has over a thousand members, 95 percent of whom are small businesses. The industry supports about 700,000 U.S. jobs, with annual sales of about 22 billion U.S. dollars. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 16:11:35|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- A local municipality official was killed and another injured after unidentified armed men opened fire in Afghanistan's eastern province of Nangarhar overnight, provincial government said Monday. "The incident occurred in Torkham bordering town, Muhmand Dara district, roughly at 7:00 p.m. (local time) Sunday. The victims were on their way home after having diner in a local restaurant," the government said in a statement. The assailants used silenced weapons in the latest targeted killing, according to the statement. The injured, who also works in Torkham municipality, is receiving treatment in a local hospital, the statement said. Provincial Governor Shah Mohmoud Miyakhil has condemned the attack and ordered the security forces to arrest and bring to justice the perpetrators, the statement added. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident so far. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 15:46:31|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Photo taken on Feb. 25, 2019 shows national flags of Vietnam, the DPRK and the United States in Hanoi, Vietnam. The second summit between top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump will be held in Hanoi on Feb. 27-28. (Xinhua/Wang Shen) HANOI, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Over the weekend, Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, was gearing up for the second summit between top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump slated to be held here on Feb. 27-28. A main street in downtown Hanoi was lined with the national flags of the DPRK, Vietnam and the United States attached to lamp posts. On a bulletin erected near a hotel which will accommodate participants of the summit reads the theme of the historic meeting, "Partnership for Sustainable Peace." Some sharp-minded businesses, including restaurants, bars and even barber shops, have launched promotional campaigns using the theme of the upcoming summit. The streets of Hanoi seemed to remain calm as city dwellers continued to enjoy their weekend and tourists buzzed around well-known attractions. But there were also increasing signs that the host was beefing up security. Gun-wielding soldiers could be seen on top of some tall buildings. Security barriers were installed outside several hotels where the leaders may stay. On Sunday afternoon, traffic control was imposed on one of the major roads in Hanoi. Nearly 3,000 reporters registered for the summit have arrived, looking around for clues of information. Hanoi was granted the title of the "City for Peace" by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999 for its contributions to the struggle for peace as well as its development that meet the organization's standards of equality in the community, urban construction, living environment protection, culture, and education promotion and care for young generations. The Vietnamese government and its people see the summit as a way to elevate the country on the international stage. "I think this is a good opportunity. First, it demonstrates the important role of Vietnam and our strong willingness in contributing to the sustainable peace in the region and in the world," Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang told Xinhua on Saturday. "This is also a good opportunity for Vietnam and the city of Hanoi to promote their images, cooperation potentials, development, investment and tourism to the world," she said. The Vietnamese are confident that they can facilitate a smooth summit following the successful holding of the 2017 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Da Nang, a coastal resort of Vietnam. "Vietnam has successfully hosted the APEC summit when the world leaders gathered here. The international community has spoken highly of Vietnam's security," said Hoang Nam Son, a 72-year-old resident of Hanoi. "Based on that, the Vietnamese people are confident that the upcoming DPRK-U.S. summit will be a success," he said. Some analysts see technical reasons behind the decision of the DPRK and the United States in choosing Vietnam for the second summit. Both countries keep embassies in Hanoi, facilitating the preparations for the summit. Meanwhile, Vietnam maintains good relations with both sides. The temperature in Hanoi remained cool over the weekend. But the weather forecast said it will get warmer in the run-up to the summit, just as the summit itself. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 15:41:26|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SARI PUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least two militants were confirmed dead and nine others including two senior commanders sustained injuries as government forces launched operations in Sangcharak district of the northern Sari Pul province, an army statement said here on Monday. Since launching the crackdowns on Sunday, the security forces, besides gaining grounds and recapturing several villages, have also killed two insurgents and injured nine more including Mawlawi Abdul Haw, the shadow governor for Sangcharak district, and Mullah Noor Mohammad, the chief of military commission of the Taliban in the area, the statement said. Without revealing the casualties of security personnel, the statement said that the operations would last for several more days. Taliban militants haven't commented on the report. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 15:16:17|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close TOKYO, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The majority of voters in a referendum on Sunday in Japan's Okinawa rejected the central government's plans to relocate a controversial U.S. airbase within Japan's southernmost prefecture, local media reported Monday after final tallies were counted. More than 70 percent of the voters rejected the government's plans to move the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from the Ginowan region to the coastal Henoko area also on the island, giving the Okinawa government a stronger foothold in its campaign to block the controversial move. In the referendum where voters were given the choice to vote "yes," "no," or "neither," as to whether they wanted to see the U.S. base relocated on their island, the number of "no" votes came in at 72.2 percent of the total. Those supporting the move stood at some 19.1 percent, and those who voted "neither" stood at 8.8 percent as to whether they agreed with the central government's land reclamation work in the coastal region, according to the prefectural authorities' figures. Exit polls also showed that not only do Okinawans not want to see any more military bases on the island, they also want the central government to respect the outcome of the prefecture-wide referendum and abandon its plans to relocate the base. Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki who denounces the central government's plans to relocate the base, said he hoped the referendum, although not legally binding, provided local citizens with the opportunity to voice their opposition to the move. "This is the first time that opposition specifically to the plan was clearly shown, so it bears significant meaning. I fully take the people's resolution, and strongly call on the central government to stop the relocation work," Tamaki was quoted by local media as saying, after the result of the referendum was announced. An ordinance on the referendum maintains that Tamaki must notify Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. President Donald Trump following the outcome of the referendum. Abe, despite the outcome, said Monday the central government will forge ahead with its decades-old plan to relocate the Futenma base, which will likely trigger a vociferous backlash from the people of Okinawa who have stated they want the Abe-led government to respect their collective stance, as decided by the referendum. Okinawa hosts the bulk of U.S. military facilities in Japan, yet the tiny sub-tropical island accounts for just a small fraction of Japan's total landmass. There have been numerous cases of the local citizens being victims of U.S. base-linked workers' criminal activities. These have spanned brutal rape and murder cases, instances of military personnel driving under the influence of alcohol, and cases of assault and disorderly behavior. Okinawans have also suffered from a steady flow of accidents and mishaps involving U.S. military aircraft, as well as environmental and noise pollution. In addition, the new location for the base has a pristine and extremely delicate coastal ecosystem unique to Okinawa, which includes highly endangered species of marine life, and the locals and international environmentalists desperately want to protect the region. Tamaki has said that the central government's persistent push to continue with the landfill work for the base's relocation is completely unacceptable and against the will of Okinawans who wish to see the base moved outside of Okinawa and Japan altogether, as anti-U.S. sentiment continues to rise on the island. Japan's central government began pouring soil into the sea for the replacement facility in December last year, much to the anger of local Okinawan residents, who feel, to a large extent, they are still under post-World War II occupation by U.S. forces. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 15:11:16|Editor: zh Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- China's state-owned assets regulator has stepped up efforts to clear the overdue debts of centrally administered state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to private companies, an official said Monday. Following requirements of the State Council, China's cabinet, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) screened for such debts late last year and found 111.6 billion yuan (16.6 billion U.S. dollars) of unpaid debt to private firms, Wu Hongbing, head of the SASAC bureau of financial supervision and management, said at a press conference. By the end of January, central SOEs had paid off all overdue wages of 820 million yuan to rural workers, and repaid 83.9 billion yuan of overdue debts to private companies, accounting for over 75 percent of the total, Wu said. The SASAC will press central SOEs to repay all the overdue debts before June 2019, and at the same time push forward the creation of a long-term mechanism for clearing overdue debts, he added. In November 2018, the State Council ordered to clear the debts of government departments and large SOEs to private firms, as the country moved to help solve problems of private companies to create a sound environment for their development. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 14:46:12|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- About 11 percent to 15 percent of Chinese people have mild to moderate mental health problems while 2 percent to 3 percent have moderate to severe problems, according to China Youth Daily Monday, citing a recently released report. While the majority of China's national mental health is in good condition, the urban population is, overall, in better shape than the rural population, according to a blue book released by the Institute of Psychology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The blue book, titled "Report on National Mental Health Development in China (2017-2018)," is China's first of its kind on mental health, said the newspaper. The blue book suggests the strong need for psychological consultation, noting that 74 percent of surveyed people said they do not have access to such services. Chen Zhiyan, a professor at the institute and deputy editor-in-chief of the blue book, said psychological consultation would "better meet the needs of the people concerning mental health, and improve their mental health conditions." Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 13:26:00|Editor: WX Video Player Close by Luis Brito MEXICO CITY, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- As the American Dream grows ever more elusive for Central American migrants fleeing poverty, many of them are settling for the Mexican dream. Thousands of migrants from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador entered Mexico late last year and earlier this year in a bid to reach the U.S. border. Those who made it were met by stepped up security and stricter U.S. immigration policy designed to discourage northward migration. In contrast, Mexico's new government promised humanitarian treatment and an opportunity to work for those willing and able to fulfill the requisite paperwork. According to Mexico's National Immigration Institute (INM), the latest wave of migrants to cross into Mexico in mid-January, most as part of a caravan that set out from northern Honduras, saw some 16,400 Central Americans apply to legalize their status in the country. A month later, the INM had issued 14,900 visitor cards on humanitarian grounds, which permit the holder to work in Mexico for a year, with the option to renew his immigration status when the card expires. Juan, 38, is a Honduran citizen who applied for his visitor card upon arriving in Ciudad Hidalgo, a border crossing bridge between Guatemala and Mexico. "I am waiting for a job right now, whatever it turns out to be. If it's throwing out the trash, then I'll throw out the trash," said Juan, a workman in his hometown. Juan made the 1,100-km journey from Honduras on foot with the goal of working in the United States, because the 8 U.S. dollars a day he made back home was not enough to support his wife and five children. But once the INM granted him legal status, he decided to stay in light of the U.S. crackdown on undocumented migrants. "They have told us there is work in construction, and also at a plastics factory," Juan told Xinhua outside a migrant shelter in Mexico's capital. A survey by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), carried out in late January at the Ciudad Hidalgo border crossing, found 46 percent of Central American preferred to settle in Mexico. They also expressed a preference for settling in Mexico City or the northern states of Baja California and Nuevo Leon, both of which border on the U.S., according to the report. The UNHCR's protection officer in Mexico, Josep Herreros, has noted the spike in Central American migrants looking to Mexico as a potential refuge. "In January 2019, twice as many people (from Central America) applied for asylum than in all of 2014," said Herreros. While most observers cite U.S. President Donald Trump's anti-immigrant measures, the trend has not been well documented, he noted. Trump's ultimate goal is to build a wall along his country's border with Mexico to keep out undocumented migrants, and he declared a national emergency on Feb. 15 to release the 5 billion U.S. dollars he needs to fund the project. The move is being contested by Congress. Mexico's response to the phenomenon of rising migration from Central America has been exemplary, said the UN official. However, for migrants to gain real protections rather than just job opportunities, they should apply for asylum, and to do that, Mexico should simplify the process, said Herreros. "A refugee is a productive, hard-working person who wants to have stability in his life, to not have economic worries and to be self-sufficient," he said. The Mexico City shelter also houses Honduran migrant Jose, 27, who left his wife and two daughters aged 7 and 3 behind to find work. If he doesn't find it in Mexico, he's likely to return rather than attempt crossing into the United States, he said. "You don't need to earn millions, but a peso at a time," said Jose, whose wages from picking coffee in Honduras barely paid the electric bill. "You have no choice but to emigrate," he said. A job bank at the shelter announces vacancies with some paying about 5,000 pesos (261 U.S. dollars) a month, and he's hopeful of landing work. "Several of the guys are already working. Some have been working a week, in welding, construction, and all of that," he added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 12:18:03|Editor: mmm Video Player Close SEOUL, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in's approval rating rose last week ahead of the planned second summit between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States, which was forecast to intensify a peace mood on the Korean Peninsula, a weekly survey showed on Monday. According to the Realmeter poll, support for Moon gained 1.2 percentage points over the week to 51 percent last week. It was based on a poll of 2,514 voters conducted from Monday to Friday. It had plus and minus 2 percentage points in margin of error with a 95 percent confidence level. Moon's support scores rebounded above 50 percent in two weeks on positive expectations for the second DPRK-U.S. summit, scheduled for Wednesday to Thursday in Hanoi, Vietnam. Moon's meetings with businessmen and the owners of mom-and-pop stores also positively influenced his approval rating, but data showing the widened income disparity between the high-and-low-income brackets had a negative impact on his support scores. Negative assessment on Moon's management of state affairs inched up 0.1 percentage point over the week to 44.1 percent last week. Support for Moon's ruling Democratic Party edged up 0.1 percentage point to 40.4 percent, followed by the main conservative opposition Liberty Korea Party, which won 26.8 percent of support last week, up 1.6 percentage points from the previous week. The minor progressive Justice Party gained 7.1 percent of support, while the minor conservative Bareun Future Party and the center-left Party for Democracy and Peace garnered 6.6 percent and 3.2 percent each. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 12:13:02|Editor: mmm Video Player Close YANGON, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese cultural troupe held performances in Myanmar's former capital city of Yangon on Sunday night in celebration of Chinese Spring Festival. Shown at the National Theater, the performances, titled "Culture of China, Festival of Spring," featured songs and dances including Chinese ethnic traditional ones, classical music and Peking opera. Present at the concert were Union Minister of Religious Affairs and Culture U Aung Ko, Chinese Ambassador Hong Liang and Chairman of the Yangon Chinatown Spring Festival Organizing Committee U Chit Sein. "This festival could strengthen the friendship between Myanmar-born overseas Chinese and local Myanmar people through culture," Thant Zin Aung, a member of the organizing committee, told Xinhua. This was the third time that the Chinatown Spring Festival celebrations were held in Myanmar. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 11:42:52|Editor: mmm Video Player Close MUMBAI, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Fire has spread across Bandipur Tiger Reserve in India's Karnataka state destroying several acres of forest land along with flora and fauna, media reports said late Sunday night. Strong winds and dry grass have propelled the fire to an area of over eight km within the reserve that has spread towards National Highway 67, which connects the hill station town Ooty to the palace town Mysuru. According to reports, the fire initially started in Barekatte and Guddakare region of the reserve, five days back. As a precautionary measure, the forest department has banned tourist movement into the area. "We are closely monitoring the forest fire in Bandipur. The forest minister is overseeing the situation, while officials and fire service personnel are trying to contain the blaze. I have instructed officials to also take preventive measures," the report said quoting Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy. The Bandipur Tiger Reserve covers an area of 87,400 hectares and along with the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and the Nagarahole National Park form one of India's ecologically diverse regions. It is home to vulnerable species like elephants, gaurs, tigers and Indian rock pythons, the report said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 11:37:51|Editor: mmm Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- China and the United States are inching ever closer to reaching a mutually beneficial and win-win agreement with substantial progress achieved on specific issues in their latest round of high-level economic and trade talks ending on Sunday in Washington. While the Chinese delegation said the two countries have made substantial progress on specific issues in such areas as technology transfer, protection of intellectual property rights and non-tariff barriers, U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted he "will be delaying" the increase of tariffs on Chinese imports scheduled on March 1. The past rounds of negotiations were powered by the implementation of the consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump, who met in December last year after the closing of the G20 summit in Argentina. During the three rounds of high-level talks in nearly one month, both Chinese and U.S. presidents met the two negotiating teams to offer guidelines and impetus for future engagements. Bona fides and practical efforts, which have always been key to settling the disputes between China and the United States in economy and trade, have been fostering growing consensus, patching up differences and been well-received by both countries and the international community. Frank exchanges have been a catalyst in settling the disputes. It is the best choice for both China and the United States to keep consultations on an equal footing and in the light of the consensus reached by the two presidents before a mutually beneficial and win-win agreement could be reached. The extension of the latest round of negotiations and the delaying tariff increase on Chinese imports testify to the sincerity, high attention and sense of urgency of both the Chinese and U.S. sides. Yet they also indicate that there are still some differences that need more time to be ironed out. For all its worth, the past week has been key for the world's two largest economies, as are their future actions. After nearly one year of painstaking negotiations, every step in the last-shot period counts, and any mutually beneficial breakthrough lies in the ability of both sides to keep engagement on an equal footing. Even with tough nuts to crack in the future, the two sides have no better alternative but to work with each other for their own good and the interest of the whole world. In their efforts to hash out an agreement, China and the United States are better advised to work for the best results while preparing for the worst scenario. China sees the trade frictions as both challenges and opportunities. To realize its long-term development goal, China needs to secure its core interests and push forward deeper reforms at the same time. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 11:32:49|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close Laslo Djere of Serbia holds up the trophy during the awarding ceremony after the men's singles final against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada at the Rio open 2019 tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Feb. 24, 2019. Laslo Djere won 2-0 to claim the champion. (Xinhua/Li Ming) RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Unseeded Serb Laslo Djere secured his first ATP title by defeating Canadian teenager Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 7-5 in the Rio Open final on Sunday. The 23-year-old broke Auger-Aliassime six times to wrap up the match in just over two hours on the outdoor clay of the Jockey Club Brasileiro. "It's been the week of my dreams," Djere, who rocketed from 90th in the rankings to 37th after the win, said in an emotion-charged speech after the match. "So many things have been achieved here. I'm really happy, excited and emotional now. "I lost my mom seven years ago so I want to dedicate this one to her. And also to my dad, I lost him two months ago. My parents had the biggest impact on me and, because of them, I am who I am today. I hope they are watching me now." Auger-Aliassime, who became the youngest ATP 500 finalist since the level was created in 2009, said the result left him hungrier for future success. The world No. 104 had just seven tour wins going into South America's premier men's tournament. He won each of his first three matches here in straight sets, including a 6-2, 6-3 first-round whitewash of second seed Fabio Fognini. "At the end I want to have a successful career, every year. I don't want to be remembered for just a final or just a title when I was 18," Auger-Aliassime said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 11:34:59|Editor: WX Video Player Close People visit the antique market along the Naviglio Grande in Milan, Italy, Feb. 24, 2019. The antique market, organized by the Association of Naviglio Grande, takes place along the banks of Naviglio Grande, a canal in Milan, on the last Sunday of every month. More than 380 exhibitors brought their vintage furniture, jewelry, books, prints and accessories to the February's market. The market attracted antique enthusiasts and tourists from all over the world. (Xinhua/Cheng Tingting) Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 08:26:59|Editor: WX Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least one person was killed and 13 others injured on Sunday evening in a bomb blast in Dera Murad Jamali city of Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, local media reported. According to the reports, some unknown miscreants planted a bomb inside a motorbike and parked it outside a shop in Mazdoor Chowk area in Dera Murad Jamali, headquarters of the Nasirabad district of Balochistan. Rescue teams, personnel police and security forces rushed to the site and shifted the body and the injured to the district hospital. The medics feared that the death toll might further rise as at least three of the injured were in critical condition. Police said around six to eight kg of explosives were used in the blast and it was detonated with a remote-controlled device. The explosion was heard miles away from the site as it damaged several vehicles, nearby shops and kiosks. The security forces have cordoned off the area and started a search operation in the adjacent vicinities to arrest the suspects involved in the explosion. No group claimed the blast yet. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 04:26:24|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close A staff member works at a polling station in Dakar, Sanegal, on Feb. 24, 2019. Ballot-counting started immediately after the voting process of the Senegalese presidential election ended peacefully around 6:00 p.m. Sunday (1800 GMT). (Xinhua/Xing Jianqiao) DAKAR, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Ballot-counting started immediately after the voting process of the Senegalese presidential election ended peacefully around 6:00 p.m. Sunday (1800 GMT). In a polling center in the city of Dakar, an official of the Autonomous National Electoral Commission (ANEC) told Xinhua the center closed at 6:00 p.m. sharp as scheduled. All the eight polling stations in the center started the ballot-counting afterwards. The polling center in the neighborhood Mermoz in Dakar has a hight voter turnout which, according to the superviser sent by the ANEC, should be over 65 percent. The official preliminary result should be known in 24 to 48 hours. Senegalese presidential election started at 8:00 a.m. Sunday local time (08:00 GMT) and 6.68 million registered voters were expected to cast their ballots throughout the country and abroad. Contesting for the presidential seat are incumbent president Macky Sall, former Prime Minister Idrissa Seck, former Foreign Minister Madicke Niang, academician Issa Fall, and former tax inspector Ousmane Sonko. Seck is seen by local media as the main challenger to Sall. A total of 15,397 polling stations were opened to the Senegalese voters at home, and 746 for those overseas. Across the country, 10,000 police officers were deployed to ensure security, with about 5,000 observers from the European Union, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, and local civil society organizations. In 2012, Sall won the second round of the presidential election over then president Abdoulaye Wade, becoming the fourth Senegalese president since independence. If no candidate can obtain over 50 percent of the vote during the first round, a second round will be held with the top two candidates. According to officials, polling stations were scheduled to close at 6:00 p.m. local time (18:00 GMT), but voters would be allowed to vote if waiting time exceeded the closing time. This year's presidential winner will start a reduced term of five years, after a 2016 referendum that cut the presidential term from seven years. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 04:16:19|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Richard Yu, CEO of Consumer Business Group of Chinese tech company Huawei, presents the new Mate X, a foldable 5G ready smartphone, ahead of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, Feb. 24, 2019. (Xinhua) BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese tech company Huawei on Sunday its their Mate X, a foldable 5G ready smartphone, at an event attended by around 3,000 people held on the eve of the 2019 Mobile World Congress (MWC2019) which opens here on Monday. The Mate X has a 6.6-inch screen, which can be opened out into an eight-inch OLED screen to allow the user to read or view videos. "The Huawei Mate X is a step into unknown territory," confirmed Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei's Consumer Business Group. He said the phone was a "masterwork of engineering" and that it folded in an "almost perfect" manner, while its 5G capacity would help "change the world that we currently know". The Mate X has a Balong 5000 processor, 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB internal memory, which Yu commented would make it the "reference point for the 5G smartphones still to come". Other points in favor of Huawei's new smartphone are its lightness and the fact that even when folded it is only 11 millimeters thick. Meanwhile Yu highlighted that the Mate X's two batteries give it 4,500 milliamps per hour (mAh) which is "well above that of its competitors", and these batteries can be recharged in just over half an hour. It will retail for 2,299 euros (2,607 U.S. dollars) and is expected to be available to the public "by the summer". Huawei presented several other products at the same event, including a new range of laptops: such as the MateBook X Pro, which has a 13.9, 3K screen, as well as MateBooks with 13 and 14 inch screens. Finally, Huawei showcased its 5G CPE Pro mobile router, which is aimed at taking 5G connectivity into the home allowing for the transmission of 8K video in real time. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 04:06:15|Editor: mmm Video Player Close Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid (2nd L) attends a wreath laying ceremony at the Memorial to the War of Independence in Tallinn, Estonia, Feb. 24, 2019. Celebrations were held here on Sunday to mark the 101st anniversary of the Estonian independence. Estonia officially declared its independence on Feb. 24, 1918. (Xinhua/Guo Chunju) TALLINN, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Estonian celebrated its 101st independence day on Sunday with events including national flag hoisting, wreath laying, the parade of the Estonian Defense Forces and concerts. At the national flag hoisting ceremony, Eiki Nestor, speaker of the Estonian parliament, said, "Estonia is a strong country if we believe in it." At the wreath-laying ceremony at the Memorial to the War of Independence, Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas said, "The national defense of today depends on the willingness of Estonian citizens to contribute to maintaining our freedom and sovereignty." "National defense begins from each individual citizen, because every Estonian has a part in maintaining and defending our country," he noted. Delivering a speech at the parade ceremony at the Freedom Square, Martin Herem, the Commander of the Estonian Defense Forces, commended the contribution to the national defense by armed forces, conscripts, reservists, Estonian defense League and their families. Escorted by Herem, Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid inspected the different element groups of the parade including Estonian Defense Forces, Internal Security Service, police and border guards, defense league members and military service from allied countries, among others. Proclaimed as an independent and democratic republic on Feb. 24, 1918, Estonia was part of the Soviet Union and declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The Baltic country joined the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 2004. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 03:41:11|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- European Council President Donald Tusk said Sunday that Arab and European leaders must cooperate to face the common challenges and seize the real opportunities that geography, common history and similar interests have created. "These are objective reasons why we have to be closer. Our neighbourhood is something real, which means that being closer is in fact not a choice but a must," Tusk addressed the first League of Arab States (LAS)-EU Summit held in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh. In a time of growing tension and unpredictability, Tusk said, Arab and European leaders need to work together to create long-term stability, and to guarantee our citizens the peace and prosperity they deserve. Tusk added that leaders from the two sides can cooperate in funding education, reducing employment, encouraging investment and boosting trade. Fostering intercultural dialogue, empowering a vibrant civil society and prioritizing education and opportunity can help create peaceful and stable societies, less susceptible to the messages of violent extremism, and counter balance the negative impact that populist narratives can have on the resilience of our societies, he added. Speaking about migration, Tusk urged collaboration between countries of origin, transit and destination to break the business model of smugglers and traffickers. He stressed that joint work is required to address the root causes of migration and displacement, stop irregular migration, and facilitate returns, readmission and reintegration. More than 50 European and Arab countries participated in the LAS-EU Summit, which was co-chaired by Tusk and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. Leaders from both sides will seek to strengthen ties and address a wide range of issues and common challenges, such as multilateralism, trade, investment, migration, security and regional situation. The summit will also provide an opportunity for leaders to discuss the latest developments in the region, such as the Middle East peace process and the situations in Yemen, Libya and Syria. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-25 02:36:02|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close TEHRAN, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Iran will build 200,000 housing units in Syria, a construction association official was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency on Sunday. Iran and Syria have recently signed a number of agreements on the civil construction, tourism and agriculture industry projects, deputy chief of the mass construction association of Tehran province, Iraj Rahbar, said. According to the plans, Iran will build 200,000 residential houses in Syria in the form of multifamily residential complexes, mainly in capital Damascus, he said. Rahbar said that Syrian authorities have perceived Iran as a reliable partner. Last month, Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri traveled to Syria heading a political and business delegation, during which the two sides inked 11 agreements. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-24 23:50:36|Editor: mmm Video Player Close Representatives attend the first League of Arab States (LAS)-EU Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Feb. 24, 2019. The first League of LAS-EU Summit started on Sunday in Egypt's Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, with the participation of more than 50 European and Arab countries. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The first League of Arab States (LAS)-EU Summit started on Sunday in Egypt's Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, with the participation of more than 50 European and Arab countries. The summit, scheduled on Feb. 24-25, was inaugurated by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, who jointly chairs the meeting with President of the European Council Donald Tusk. Arab and European leaders will seek to strengthen ties and address a wide range of issues and common challenges, such as multilateralism, trade, investment, migration, security and regional situation. The summit will also provide an opportunity for leaders to discuss the latest developments in the region, such as the Middle East peace process and the situation in Yemen, in Libya and in Syria. EU Ambassador to Egypt Ivan Surkos announced earlier this week that 24 heads of state of the EU will come to Sharm el-Sheikh, saying "European leaders are strongly interested in enhancing cooperation with our Arab neighbors." Assistant Secretary General of the LAS Hossam Zaki described the Arab participation in the summit as "very high," stressing that there is a common interest in this Arab-European dialogue on the leadership level. Zaki explained that the summit will have two sessions of statements and an interactive session without written statements where leaders can exchange views, according to Egyptian official MENA news agency. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-24 23:50:36|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close XINING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Herdswoman Jomo always takes a spindle with her before heading out into the morning chill to herd her sheep. She feels the spindle makes her daily routine of herding less boring, as she can knit wool scarfs and bags while tending the animals. Once every month, the 46-year-old herdswoman from a small village in northwest China's plateau province of Qinghai gathers with 14 fellow villagers to sell handicrafts to a Dutch couple, owners of a handicraft company based in Xining, the provincial capital. The couple, Klaas Steendam and Pia de Vries from Amersfoort of Netherlands, have been training the village's herders to make handicrafts since 2007 to help them out of poverty. "We first came to Qinghai in 1998 to study Chinese for two years. After that we started to teach English in a rural school in Qinghai at the invitation of a local friend," Steendam said. He recalled that many local herders made yak hair tents and wool slings, a tool used for herding sheep and yaks, in their free time but couldn't earn much from raising animals. "I started to think what I can do to help them make more money with their handmade articles," he said. The couple set up a small handicraft company in 2007 and started to provide dozens of herder families in Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture with knitting tools and training so that they could weave wool and yak hair into colorful and marketable handicrafts. The prefecture has an average altitude of around 3,000 meters, and is a major pasturing region and among the most impoverished areas in Qinghai. The handicrafts, ranging from wool laptop bags, cellphone pouches to yak hair scarfs, are sold across the country and overseas by over 40 retailers. "The products combine traditional Tibetan weaving and braiding skills with modern designs," Steendam said. "They have won the hearts of many domestic and overseas customers." Jomo, a matriarch of a family of five, said her family can make up to 15 wool bags each month, worth 1,000 yuan (about 148 U.S. dollars). "That almost doubles our annual income," she said. "I can make the bags while herding my sheep, and I can also do that at home with my mother, sister and two daughters," she added. "It's like a family workshop and has become an enjoyable experience for us." Steendam said the sales of handicrafts have been growing thanks to the development of local tourism in the prefecture. "More and more tourists are buying the handmade bags and scarves as souvenirs," he said. "This may further increase the local herders' income." He added that he would maintain the small scale of his business instead of building a large factory that employs the herders. "I hope they can spend more time with their families while making money rather than stay in a factory," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-24 23:15:28|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Railway trips in China hit a record high as travelers returned to work after the Spring Festival break, data from the national railway operator showed. On Saturday, some 13.17 million passenger trips were made by rail, a daily record for the travel rush, up 38.8 percent year on year, according to the China Railway Corporation (CRC). On Sunday, 12.2 million railway trips are expected to be made as the travel rush continues, the CRC said. Hundreds of millions of Chinese went back to their hometowns to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year with their families. The annual travel rush around the festival (chunyun) often puts the transport system to the test. As more trains have been put into operation, railway transport capacity improved by 5.3 percent this year during the travel rush, according to the CRC. The Spring Festival travel rush started from Jan. 21 and will last till March 1, with railway trips expected to hit 413 million in total, up 8.3 percent. Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-23 02:16:24|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Libyan Coast Guards on Friday rescued 113 illegal migrants, including women and children, off the country's western coast. The immigrants were rescued off the coast of the city of Khoms, some 120 km east of the capital Tripoli, said a report by al-Wasat news site. The rescued migrants are of different African nationalities, and include 19 women and six children. They were provided with humanitarian assistance and handed over to the anti-illegal immigration department in Tripoli. Due to the state of insecurity and chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled the late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime, Libya became a preferred point of departure for thousands of illegal immigrants wanting to cross the Mediterranean toward European shores. Migrant shelters in Libya are crowded with thousands of migrants who were rescued at sea or arrested by Libyan security services. LOWNDES COUNTY, Ga. (WTXL) Three men have been arrested after deputies discovered they were distributing multiple kilograms of cocaine through Valdosta. Kendrick Bradley, Hector Gonzalez Becerra, and Isaac Gonzalez Becerra have been arrested by the Lowndes County Sheriff's office. Deputies say the three arrests are part of an ongoing investigation targeting local drug distributors that started in 2017. "The investigation has since lead to the arrest of numerous associates of the local organization, and interviews with witnesses have aided in focusing the investigation into Bradley and others," deputies said. In December 2018, officials say Bradley was identified as a major supplier of cocaine to people in the Valdosta area. Through investigation, authorities learned that Bradley was getting the drugs from Texas. In early February of 2019, Bradley was arrested for cocaine charges by the Division. Continued surveillance, and the use of cooperating sources revealed that Bradley was continuing his operation of drug distribution. On Thursday, Feb. 21, LCSO's Special Operations Division received information from a cooperating source about Bradley which lead them to search a home on Greenlee Street in Valdosta. During that search, investigators recovered three kilograms of cocaine, along with a quantity of cocaine that had been turned into crack cocaine. Investigators also identified Hector Becerra as the supplier of the cocaine and issued warrants for his arrest. On Saturday, Feb. 23, Hector Becerra and Isaac Becerra were found and taken into custody, thanks to tips from citizens. The two were then taken to the Sheriffs Office for questioning. A vehicle believed to be associated with the suspects was impounded and a search of the car was conducted, revealing three more kilograms of cocaine and a loaded gun. Deputies say multiple interviews were conducted with the suspects as well as witnesses, and citizens. As a result of the investigation, authorities have identified Bradley's associates and his suppliers, as well as those that have provided financial support and those who were supposed to receive the cocaine. Deputies say they are continuing to investigate the group of suspected drug traffickers. Local MPs call for investment in North Wales during meeting with Chancellor This article is old - Published: Monday, Feb 25th, 2019 Shaping a better future for North Wales was top of the agenda when MPs from the region met the Chancellor at 11 Downing Street. The meeting was secured by Wrexham MP Ian Lucas when he challenged Philip Hammond during Treasury Questions in the Commons in January. Speaking about the suspension of the multi-billion-pound Wylfa Newydd nuclear power station project on Anglesey, Mr Lucas asked what the wider implications were for North Wales and requested face-to-face talks with the Chancellor. Mr Hammond agreed and met a cross-party group of North Wales MPs on Wednesday, February 20. The MPs were keen to discuss what impact the Wylfa decision would have on the North Wales Growth Deal, a major economic regeneration scheme for the region. The Deal is being funded to the tune of 120m from the UK Government and the same amount from Welsh Government. Many of the planned projects for it are tied in with the Wlyfa development, but last month Hitachi announced that it was putting plans for the power station on hold due to fears over rising construction costs. The Japanese tech company had been in talks with the UK Government since June last year over how the project would be paid for. Mr Lucas said Mr Hammond remains hopeful Hitachi may still proceed with their plans to develop a nuclear centre on Anglesey, though the Wrexham MP said both he and his North Wales colleagues were more sceptical. We had detailed discussions concerning the North Wales Growth Deal, which were very helpful, said Mr Lucas. We talked about the impact of Hitachis decision and the projects importance in relation to the Deal. More widely, we were able to make a case for long-overdue infrastructure investment in North Wales and it was good to get this opportunity to speak to the Chancellor. It was a useful meeting and I think we made a strong case for the region. Other items on the agenda included the Airbus wing-making plant in Broughton and the decision to close the HM Revenue & Customs office in Wrexham, which Mr Lucas is campaigning to have reversed. The Chancellor has promised to report back to Mr Lucas and his North Wales colleagues regarding everything which was raised during the meeting. Pia de Vries promotes products at a trade fair. [cri.cn] Herdswoman Jomo always takes a spindle with her before heading out into the morning chill to herd her sheep. She feels the spindle makes her daily routine of herding less boring, as she can knit wool scarfs and bags while tending the animals. Once every month, the 46-year-old herdswoman from a small village in northwest China's plateau province of Qinghai gathers with 14 fellow villagers to sell handicrafts to a Dutch couple, owners of a handicraft company based in Xining, the provincial capital. The couple, Klaas Steendam and Pia de Vries from Amersfoort of Netherlands, have been training the village's herders to make handicrafts since 2007 to help them out of poverty. "We first came to Qinghai in 1998 to study Chinese for two years. After that we started to teach English in a rural school in Qinghai at the invitation of a local friend," Steendam said. He recalled that many local herders made yak hair tents and wool slings, a tool used for herding sheep and yaks, in their free time but couldn't earn much from raising animals. "I started to think what I can do to help them make more money with their handmade articles," he said. The couple set up a small handicraft company in 2007 and started to provide dozens of herder families in Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture with knitting tools and training so that they could weave wool and yak hair into colorful and marketable handicrafts. The prefecture has an average altitude of around 3,000 meters, and is a major pasturing region and among the most impoverished areas in Qinghai. The handicrafts, ranging from wool laptop bags, cellphone pouches to yak hair scarfs, are sold across the country and overseas by over 40 retailers. "The products combine traditional Tibetan weaving and braiding skills with modern designs," Steendam said. "They have won the hearts of many domestic and overseas customers." Jomo, a matriarch of a family of five, said her family can make up to 15 wool bags each month, worth 1,000 yuan (about 148 U.S. dollars). "That almost doubles our annual income," she said. "I can make the bags while herding my sheep, and I can also do that at home with my mother, sister and two daughters," she added. "It's like a family workshop and has become an enjoyable experience for us." Steendam said the sales of handicrafts have been growing thanks to the development of local tourism in the prefecture. "More and more tourists are buying the handmade bags and scarves as souvenirs," he said. "This may further increase the local herders' income." He added that he would maintain the small scale of his business instead of building a large factory that employs the herders. "I hope they can spend more time with their families while making money rather than stay in a factory," he said. The handicrafts shop run by Klaas Steendam and Pia de Vries in Xining [Xinhua] Handmade bags sold at the shop [Xinhua] (Source: Xinhua) Children play at Sun Village in Shunyi. [China Daily / Zou Hong] When she heard China's civil affairs authorities had been ordered to help children whose parents are serving prison sentences, Zhang Shuqin, who has helped to provide aid to such children for more than two decades, smiled despite her mixed feelings. "I'm happy to see government departments playing a role in helping prisoners' children, which is what I have been looking for in the past," said Zhang, the 70-year-old founder of Sun Village, an NGO that offers free aid to the children of inmates. "But I'm also a little bit upset, as I'm not sure where the Village will go or how it can further help the children." Welfare institutions must take care of children whose parents are incapable of serving as guardians, according to a regulation promoted by the Ministry of Civil Affairs that came into effect last month. "Better care for the children of inmates is essential, as it will not only reduce the possibility that they will go wrong, but can also encourage their jailed parents to rehabilitate," said Zhang, who worked as a prison official in Shaanxi province in the early 1990s. Zhang started the NGO in 1996 after discovering that no law or government department was focusing on such children. Sun Village has nine branches across the country, and has provided aid to about 16,000 children whose parents are in prison. She said she felt a great sense of achievement, especially when she saw children growing up properly as a result of the aid provided by the NGO, but she also recognizes that it needs to find a new role as more inmates' children are sent to welfare institutions. "But no matter what I do, I won't stop trying to help others," she said. Lower Self-esteem It was while working as a prison official that Zhang decided to try her best to aid the children of inmates. It began when an imprisoned couple asked her to help look for their five children in Shaanxi. When she arrived at the couple's cave dwelling in a rural village, she was shocked to discover that one of the children had died. "The other four were helping their grandmother with the wheat harvest," she said. "I burst into tears." When she went to the local government to find out which department could look after them, she was surprised to learn their care was not covered by any law. In 1996, Zhang, then 46, left the prison administration and set up the first Sun Village in Xianyang, Shaanxi. She rented a group of buildings to establish a campus-like area where the NGO could care for children whose mothers or fathers were in prison and who had no one to look after them at home. "Inmates' children demand our attention and aid," Zhang said. "They are more sensitive and have lower self-esteem than others of the same age. If we don't guide and care for them in a timely manner, they may easily go wrong." A Ministry of Justice report released in 2016 said about 70 percent of prisoners' children committed offenses and 82 percent dropped out of school after their parents were imprisoned. "It's still a big problem at present, let alone how serious it was 20 years ago," Zhang said. "I cannot say children aided by the organization won't make mistakes when they grow up, but I'm trying to reduce the possibility of them going wrong by offering them more care." Public Donations Children can live at a Sun Village branch until their parents are released, or be cared for until they turn 18 if their parents are serving long sentences. Zhang contacts primary or middle schools near the Villages so that school-age children can receive compulsory education, and also arranges medical treatment for them when they fall sick. At Sun Village's Beijing branch, which opened in Shunyi district, about 30 kilometers from the city center, in 2000, more than 60 children share eight dormitories, a dining hall and play facilities such as slides and swings. About 20 child care workers look after them. Zhang said most of the fittings are secondhand or donated by visitors and enterprises. In addition to donations from the public, Zhang has rented a farm 3 km from the branch which she runs to help fund the NGO's operations. "We plant agricultural products, such as grapes and strawberries, at the farm and sell them to earn money," she said. "The earnings are used to run the organization, pay workers, as well as pay for the tuition and medical fees of the children." After finishing their compulsory education, most children learn technical skills in vocational schools to ensure they can live independently after they turn 18, "but if someone enter high school or is enrolled by a college, we will also pay his or her major tuition fees", Zhang said. Looking Ahead Shao Pengchao was sent to the Beijing branch by a prison in Henan province at the age of 9 after his mother was given a suspended death sentence. "For me, Sun Village is neither an institution nor a shelter it is home," said the 24-year-old, who is now a staff member at the branch. When he was younger, he learned welding skills and helped to repair the facilities. Last year, with encouragement from Zhang, he began receiving guests and running the branch's website. His New Year's resolution is to learn more about the internet and improve the operation of the website. He said he has often called his mother, who works at a clothing factory in Zhejiang province, since her release from prison in 2014, but refuses to talk about the past with her. "I don't hate my mom, who has been punished," he said. "Let the past go. We need to look ahead." Sun Yue, 26, who works at the NGO's farm after being aided as a child, said he has trouble communicating with his father. "I don't know what to say or how to talk to him," said Sun, who was sent to the branch at the age of 12 after his mother killed herself and his father was imprisoned. He said he had no idea why his father was imprisoned, as his relatives did not tell him, and he rarely returns home. "Even though my father was released several years ago, I like staying at the farm because I have a sense of security," he said. Zhang said volunteers play a key role in Sun Village's operations. One 43-year-old volunteer, who said he wanted to be known as Xiao Feng, has helped children at the Beijing branch with their math and English homework for 15 years. At the beginning, he spent weekends there, but he later quit his job at a software company and became a full-time volunteer. "I like being with the children," he said. "Answering their questions is my happiest time." Xiao Feng said his father did not approve of his life as a volunteer, but he hoped he would understand one day. Zhao Changxu, 30, who works for Air China, carried 10 boxes of spicy sauce to the children in Beijing from his hometown in Henan after the Spring Festival holiday. After visiting the branch with his colleagues last year, he often comes to play with the children on weekends. His mother, a psychologist, provides voluntary psychological aid to children at the NGO's Henan branch. Financial Transparency Some people have accused Zhang of using Sun Village to make money. "At first, I was angry with the doubters," she said. "But now I don't care too much. What I need to do is to prove myself and my aid through actions." Sun Village has also been accused of a lack of financial transparency, but Zhang said she has disclosed audit reports on donations for the past five years online and welcomes public supervision and suggestions. Although the civil affairs authorities should now be the first choice when it comes to caring for inmates' children, Zhang said she plans to develop the NGO and transform the form of aid it provides. In recent years, she has put more effort into working with prisons to offer indirect financial aid instead of looking after children at the branches. "Prisons collect information about children in need, and we offer them tuition or stationery," she said. But Zhang said the branches' buildings and facilities will not be abandoned. "Maybe I can provide job opportunities for ex-inmates or retired people to continue my aid to others," she said. (Source: China Daily) Livingston County Sheriff's Office Closed Today By West Kentucky Star Staff LIVINGSTON COUNTY - The Livingston County Sheriff's Office is closed today.The office said in a Facebook post that deputies will still be available to answer calls for service. Anyone who needs to speak with a deputy in a non-emergency situation may call a dispatcher at 270-928-2196. Residents should call 911 in case of an emergency.Deputies also warned drivers not to drive through any standing water or remove any road barricades that have been set up in flooded areas. Teen Charged in Late-Night Pursuit on I-24 By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - A Missouri teen faces drug, weapons and other charges after a pursuit early Saturday on Interstate 24.The McCracken County Sheriff's Office says deputies responded shortly after 12 a.m. to assist Illinois authorities with a pursuit in progress on I-24 as it entered McCracken County. A deputy deployed spike strips around exit 4 and the suspect's vehicle began losing its front passenger tire. Sheriff Matt Carter used spike strips a second time around the 16 mile marker, causing the vehicle to lose its front drivers side tire. A short time later the driver ran off the interstate and struck a cable barrier.The 16-year-old driver and 17-year-old passenger, both of Missouri, were taken into custody without further incident.The driver was arrested and taken into custody, and is charged with first-degree fleeing or evading police, first-degree criminal mischief, trafficking in marijuana, possession of a handgun by a minor, two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, failure to produce insurance card, speeding and driving without a license.The passenger in the vehicle was not charged. Sandbags Available for McCracken, Massac Residents By West Kentucky Star Staff City and county workers and volunteers are available to fill the sandbags. Residents may also take empty sandbags to their residence and fill them with their own sand. The sandbag filling station will be open until 10:00 pm Sunday night, February 24th, and from 7:00 am until 10:00 pm on both Monday, February 25th and Tuesday, February 26th. Residents with questions about the filling operation may call the Paducah-McCracken County Office of Emergency Management at 270-448-1530. Paducah-McCracken County Emergency Management Director Jerome Mansfield said, Our local governments want to ensure everyone in the city and county who has a need for sandbags can get them and protect their property to the maximum extent possible from the increasing floodwater. The Massac County Sheriff's Office says sandbags are also available to Massac County residents if needed. Anyone needing sandbags in this area is advised to contact Emergency Management at 618-524-2002. PADUCAH - The City of Paducah and McCracken County are now operating a sandbag filling station at the Emergency Management Complex, 3700 Coleman Road, to assist the residents of Paducah and McCracken County in protecting their homes from the rising floodwaters along the Ohio and Clarks rivers. The WCO conducted a Risk Management Workshop for the benefit of the Thai Customs Department in Bangkok, Thailand from 21 to 25 January 2019. The Workshop was made possible through funding provided by the Customs Cooperation Fund of Japan (CCF/Japan). Mr. Boonthiem Chokevivat, Deputy Director General, Thai Customs Department, and Ms. Eva Suen, Programme Manager, Asia/Pacific Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB), graced the opening ceremony. In his remarks, Mr. Chokevivat thanked the WCO Secretariat for organizing the Workshop and for making this event possible through the facilitators. He also thanked the Government of Japan for its sponsorship. In his speech, he stressed the importance of intelligence-led risk management as well as holistic risk-based compliance management in the current unpredictable, dynamic business environment and global supply chain. The Workshop was attended by some 16 participants who are the core officers managing risk profiles in the Thai Customs Departments headquarters and local offices. During the five-day Workshop, participants were exposed to Customs risk management from both a theoretical and practical perspective, with the main focus on risk profiling for cargo selectivity, intelligence support and compliance management. The participants showed a high level of commitment to the subject and were fully engaged in the discussions. This motivated them to successfully formulate their final report and recommendations for the way forward, aimed at further enhancing Thai Customs overall national risk management system. The participants were highly appreciative of the extremely productive deliberations and exchanges of views with the facilitators and between themselves over the whole week. Thai Customs Management and the participants expressed their sincere gratitude to the WCO for its continued support in risk management and other programmes, and for holding the Workshop at the appropriate juncture. The WCO conducted an IT diagnostic mission and WCO Data Model Workshop from 3 7 February 2019 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Mr. Abdulaziz Almuammar, the Deputy Governor for Technology of the Saudi Customs welcomed the WCO experts. In his welcome remarks, Mr. Almuammar said that there were a number of modernization initiatives underway in Saudi Customs. To name a view, the administration had launched Single Window, which was known as Fasah, was revamping its core automated Customs clearance systems, which was known as Nebras, and was integrating its NII equipment to enable centralized NII analysis. Taking into account these ongoing initiatives, it was timely for the administration to consider adopting the WCO Data Model to ensure the capability of the administrations ICT systems to interoperate with any external systems. The WCO experts met several staff members of the administration responsible for some of the subjects of the diagnostic to understand the current situation of the implementation of ICT in the administration. The WCO for example, discussed the ongoing project on the development and implementation of the IT and Digital Strategy, the project to upgrade Nebras systems, business process re-engineering in the context of trade facilitation and Single Window, the national targeting centre facility and the initiative to integrate all of NII equipment electronically. The WCO experts had the opportunity to visit one of the dry ports in Riyadh to examine how automated clearance procedures took place on the ground. With regard to the adoption of the WCO Data Model, the diagnostic team dedicated one day of the mission to discuss the strategy for the adoption of the WCO Data Model at the national and regional level. Concluding the activity, the WCO experts shared the preliminary recommendations based on their in-field observation and analysis. At the invitation of Mr. Joseph Chetcuti, Director General of Malta Customs, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya visited Valletta, Malta on 21 and 22 February 2019 for a series of high-level bilateral meetings and to observe Customs operations. Maltas Minister for Finance, Professor Edward Scicluna, welcomed Dr. Mikuriya and described the transformation of Maltas island economy landscape into a more diversified one, starting with the introduction of online gaming and moving towards a more digitized and service-oriented economy, encompassing education and medical tourism. He added that Customs played a fundamental role in this transformation process. They also discussed the economic opportunities open to small island economies, including Blockchain and FinTech, as well as Maltas collaboration programmes with European and North African countries. In a separate meeting, Maltas Prime Minister, Dr. Joseph Muscat, also greeted Dr. Mikuriya and suggested enhanced collaboration with other organizations as a way of further involving small island economies in the WCOs work. He also shared his vision of a Blockchain Island with an established legal framework, while describing the challenges ahead. He went on to explain his countrys natural role as an honest broker in the Mediterranean region, linking Europe to North Africa. Secretary General Mikuriya visited the Container Monitoring Unit Facilities at Malta Freeport, where he observed the use of risk management and technology to counter illicit trade without hindering the smooth flow of legitimate trade. Dr. Mikuriyas visit drew to a close with a meeting with the Customs management team at the historic Custom House in Valletta, built between 1774 and 1776. Together, they discussed practical ways of developing further cooperation among Mediterranean countries. GHA Matron to Focus on, Support and Improve Mental Health Services The Gibraltar Health Authority has announced that Vikki Ward has been appointment to the post of mental health services matron and started in her new role on the 1st February 2019. Mrs Ward qualified as a registered mental health nurse in 2004 and took up employment in the United Kingdom working at a medium secure unit. She received a promotion to Deputy Ward Manager during her time working in secure services. Following her return to Gibraltar, Mrs Ward commenced her employment at the GHA in 2009, where she worked within acute mental health services. In 2011,she was promoted to Ward Sister, in which time she has gained valuable clinical and managerial experience. The matrons role, in drawing on her previous experience, is to work collaboratively, ensuring and enhancing the multi-agency team approach to care that is provided day-to-day. The matron also plays an important role in the observance of high standards of hygiene, infection control procedures and in the setting of standards and clinical governance across the GHAs Mental Health Services. Mrs Wards appointment follows the re-introduction of the modernised matron role in the GHA in October of 2017, when charge nurses Natasha Cerisola and Jolyn Gonzalez were appointed to the new posts. The new matrons commencement further supports the GHAs Mental Health Services, which have experienced some major reforms in the last 18 months, including the creation of a dedicated Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), the appointment of an additional Consultant Clinical Psychologist, increasing the complement of Consultant Psychiatrists from 2.5 to 4.5, adding the services of a new Counsellor and increased counselling sessions at the Primary Care Centre. General Manager for Mental Health Services, Mr Christopher Chipolina said: I am very excited at how this new addition to mental health services will help to further develop and enhance the standards, quality and effectiveness of the service we offer the community. Clinical Nurse Manager for Mental Health Services, Kay Rajkumar commented: I see the addition of a 3rd Matron, who will concentrate their time predominately within the mental health settings, as an acknowledgement of a number of service developments over the last 18 months and future developments we wish to implement during 2019/2020. These developments are in line with patient, family and advocacy groups, which have met regularly with the Minister for Health, in order to improve on the extremely high standards we all expect of our health care system. Minister for Health, Care and Justice, the Honourable Neil F. Costa MP added: I would like to sincerely congratulate Vikki Ward on her appointment. Vikki has been part of the GHA family for 10 years. I am convinced that her vast experience and knowledge of our health services will stand her in very good stead as she embarks on a new chapter in her career. Although her duties will have changed with the added responsibilities that come with her new role, Vikki will continue to work in line with values and principles that our nurses follow so passionately, providing our patients with highly competent,safe and compassionate care and their utmost professional commitment. I look forward to closely working with Vikki, in order to deepen, widen and improve Gibraltars Mental Health Services. . 7 , 67 . , . 139, 120 . 174, . 19 ... BECKY FLETCHER is a Editor in Chief for The Vidette. Contact her at rlflet1@ilstu.edu Followe on Twitter at @becky__fletcher IF YOU SUPPORT THE VIDETTE MISSION of providing a training laboratory for Illinois State University student journalists to learn and sharpen viable, valuable and marketable skills in all phases of print and digital media, please consider contributing to this most important cause. Thank you. MIKE SMITH is a News Reporter for The Vidette. He can be reached at msmit13@ilstu.edu. Follow him on Twitter @Agora_180 IF YOU SUPPORT THE VIDETTE MISSION of providing a training laboratory for Illinois State University student journalists to learn and sharpen viable, valuable and marketable skills in all phases of print and digital media, please consider contributing to this most important cause. Thank you. GRACE BARBIC is the Features Editor for The Vidette. She can be contacted at mgbarbi@ilstu.edu. Follow her on Twitter at @gracebarbic IF YOU SUPPORT THE VIDETTE MISSION of providing a training laboratory for Illinois State University student journalists to learn and sharpen viable, valuable and marketable skills in all phases of print and digital media, please consider contributing to this most important cause. Thank you. UW Range Team Tops 26 Universities to Win Trail Boss Award The University of Wyoming undergraduate chapter for the Society for Range Management (SRM) bested 26 other universities to win the coveted Trail Boss Award at the SRMs 72nd annual meeting in Minneapolis earlier this month. Fourteen students attended under the advising of Derek Scasta, assistant professor and UW Extension rangeland specialist, and Jessica Windh, graduate student in agricultural and applied economics, from Reedley, Calif. Universities represented were from Canada, Mexico and the United States. The Trail Boss is the highest award an undergraduate team can obtain, says club President Jaycie Arndt, of Buffalo. This award is presented to the college that generates the highest aggregate score for accomplishment and participation in the collegiate student activities during the SRMs annual conference. Attendees besides Arndt included Morgan Elsom and Jordan Skovgard, from Buffalo; Caleb Gray, Averi Reynolds and Elijah True, from Casper; Nathaniel Nixon, from Crawford, Neb.; Michael Edwards, from Laramie; Evan Trotter, from Littleton, Colo.; Abby Gettinger, from Newcastle; Ryan Benjamin, from Nyssa, Ore.; Tyler Jones, from Rozet; Jake Disney, from Sundance; and Karen Lambert, from Upton. This award is presented with a traveling trophy. The UW Range Club in 2012 also brought home the trophy, making UW one of only two universities in North America to have done so, Scasta says. Students competed in a variety of contests, including the Undergraduate Range Management Exam (URME); extemporaneous speaking; plant identification; and the rangeland cup, a team problem-solving contest. Arndt placed 10th on the URME, and Benjamin placed seventh. The team, including Arndt, Benjamin, Lambert and Trotter, placed sixth overall on the URME. Arndt placed first in the extemporaneous speaking contest. The plant identification team of Skovgard, Gettinger, Jones and Disney placed eighth. Disney, Skovgard, Jones and Arndt placed second in the rangeland cup poster. Students also can participate in a number of noncompetitive activities, including an oral scientific presentation and the student conclave, Scasta says. Reynolds, Gettinger, Edwards, Skovgard and Arndt participated in the undergraduate research presentations at the conference. The UW Range Club also had four members elected into leadership positions for 2019-2020. Benjamin and Jones will serve on the Student Conclave. Reynolds and Arndt were elected as officers for the Young Professionals Conclave. It takes a lot of dedication and cumulative hard work from an entire program to reach this level of success, Arndt says. I am very thankful to the University of Wyoming, the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, and all of our club members for helping the range club achieve this. UW Doctoral Student Receives Future Leader in Science Honor Elizabeth Traver's research focuses on soil microbial communities in deglaciated lands in the western United States, including in the Dinwoody Cirque in the Wind River Mountains. (Tobias Osborne Photo) A University of Wyoming doctoral student is one of 18 across the nation being recognized for her science advocacy. Elizabeth Traver, in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, will receive the Future Leaders in Science Award March 4 in Washington, D.C. Traver is a third-year Ph.D. candidate in the Program in Ecology and Department of Ecosystem Science and Management. Her research focus is soil microbial communities in deglaciated lands in the western United States, working with Assistant Professor Linda van Diepen in the department. Traver received her bachelors degree from Yale University and a masters degree in botany from UW. Award recipients receive a trip to Washington, D.C., to participate in the annual congressional visit day sponsored by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America. They will meet with their members of Congress and advocate for food, agriculture and natural resources research. The day exposes them to the federal budget and appropriations process and fosters relationships with members of their congressional delegations. Three UW Students Study Abroad Under U.S. State Department Program Three University of Wyoming students have been selected to receive the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study or work as interns abroad during this spring semester. Covey Brown, a marketing major from Cheyenne, is participating in a bilateral exchange program at Asia Pacific University in Beppu, Japan. Jaclyn Davison, a communications major from Pine Bluffs, is participating in a bilateral exchange at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Javaun Garcia, a management major from Cheyenne, is participating in a bilateral exchange program at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. The three UW students are among 844 American undergraduate students from 335 colleges and universities across the United States selected to receive Gilman scholarships this term. The congressionally funded Gilman Program broadens the U.S. student population studying and interning abroad by providing scholarships to outstanding undergraduate Pell Grant recipients who, due to financial constraints, might not otherwise study abroad. Since the programs establishment in 2001, over 1,300 U.S. institutions have sent more than 28,000 Gilman scholars who represent the rich diversity of the United States to 145 countries around the globe. The Gilman Program aims to make study abroad, and its career advantages, more accessible and inclusive for American students. These diverse American students gain critical skills overseas that expand their career options and ability to make an impact in their home communities, says Heidi Manley, the chief of USA Study Abroad at the U.S. Department of States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The Gilman Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education. Open Forum on Grand Challenges Research Planning March 6 at UW The floor will be open for University of Wyoming faculty, staff and students to learn about and discuss UWs research strategic planning effort during an open forum Wednesday, March 6, at 3:10 p.m. in Room 129 of the Classroom Building. Vice President for Research and Economic Development Ed Synakowski will start off by discussing the universitys planning activity toward transdisciplinary grand challenges -- difficult problems with societal impact whose resolution requires focused efforts from many disciplines -- and how UW faculty members will be broadly engaged to generate the most compelling research themes. Faculty feedback is sought. Additionally, he will provide an update on the membership of the activitys Research Planning Council and will introduce its four faculty leaders. He also will discuss the proposed timeline for the process. The purpose of this planning activity is to deeply engage the campus communities in identifying and planning for UWs pursuit of grand research challenges that span disciplines. Investing in and pursuing such transdisciplinary challenges will enable UW to assert leadership and be among leaders in select areas as it serves the state, region, nation and globe. A high-level aim is for new research activities surrounding these challenges to serve as a powerful platform for student education and for educational outreach to citizens of Wyoming and the Mountain West. For more information, including documentation that describes the overarching goals and planning approach, go to www.uwyo.edu/research/advancing-research-and-scholarship/index.html. The 2021 USA Cycling Professional Road National Championships came to Knoxville on Father's Day weekend. This is the fourth year for Knoxville to host the U.S. Pro Road and Individual Time Trial Championships and the third year to host the U.S. Pro Criterium Championships. 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 At least six killed in Dhaka blast 27 Jun 2021 | 11:01 PM Dhaka, Jun 27 (UNI) At least six people were killed and around 50 others injured in an explosion at Moghbazar in the capital city of Dhaka on Sunday evening. see more.. Taliban capture five districts in 24 hrs 27 Jun 2021 | 9:46 PM Kabul, Jun 27 (UNI) Islamist militants of Taliban succeeded in capturing five districts across four provinces of Afghanistan during the past 24 hours. see more.. Imran calling Osama martyr, slip of tongue: Pak Info Min 27 Jun 2021 | 8:10 PM Islamabad, Jun 27(UNI) Pakistan Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has said that Prime Minister Imran Khan calling slain Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden a "martyr" last year was a "slip of the tongue". see more.. Trump calls on Republicans to defeat radical Democrats in 2022 election 27 Jun 2021 | 10:32 AM Washington, June 27 (Sputnik) Former US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the Republican Party is going to take Congress back under control in the 2022 mid-term elections and defeat the "radical Democrats." see more.. Delhi Metro gets Japan Society of Civil Engineers' award 27 Jun 2021 | 10:00 PM New Delhi, Jun 27 (UNI) The Delhi Metro's Phase I, II and III projects have been awarded with the prestigious Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE)'s 'Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award' for the year 2020. see more.. NIA likely to take over Jammu IAF station blast case soon 27 Jun 2021 | 8:23 PM New Delhi, Jun 27 (UNI) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is soon likely to take over the Jammu Indian Air Force station blast case in the intervening night of June 26-27, the officials in the security set up said here on Sunday. see more.. PM greets newly sworn-in ministers in Puducherry 27 Jun 2021 | 8:18 PM New Delhi, Jun 27 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended his best wishes to the newly sworn-in ministers in N Rangaswamy Cabinet in the Union Territory of Puducherry. see more.. UNI NEWS DIGEST AT 2000 HRS FOR JUNE 27, 2021 27 Jun 2021 | 7:59 PM New Delhi/Jammu:Drones attack on Jammu Air Force Station, IAF confirms 2 blasts (DI19) Jammu:NIA reportedly detains two suspects in Jammu Air Force Stn blasts case (DR40) :Lashkar operative received IED to carry terror attack in Jammu, says J&K DGP (DR19) Aurangabad:Congress to fight polls solo, resolve Maratha quota issue: Moghe (BY13) Thiruvananthapuram:Terrorists choose Kerala as their recruitment base : DGP (MS18) Islamabad:Imran calling Osama martyr, slip of tongue: Pak Info Min (DF17) Chaibasa:Encounter between Security Forces, PLFI ultras in Gudri of West Singhbhum (CA11) New Delhi:Fuel prices rise for second day-in-row (DC2) Ayodhya:United opposition can defeat BJP in UP polls: Shivpal (DR31) Ranchi:Hemant congratulates daughters of Jharkhand for winning gold in Archery World Cup in Paris (SPD2) UNI JAL PS2000. see more.. Rs 40.50 lakh worth Gold and foreign currencies seized at Chennai Airport Chennai, Feb 24 (UNI) Customs officials seized Rs 40.50 lakh worth of Gold and foreign currencies along with arresting five persons hailing from Chennai and Kerala on Sunday at International Airport Chennai. Airport sources said customs official got over a doubt with a passenger from Dubai, who has got battery used toy car. When they checked the toy car they found 750 grams gold worth Rs 26 lakhs and seized it immediately. Two persons from Kerala were arrested. By Nirendra Dev New Delhi, Feb 25 (UNI) Decades after communism has been eradicated from Poland, a journalist from the European nation Marchin Jamkowski has said that the end of Marxism-Leninism influence from the political landscape was the "best thing" to happen to his country. "The end of communism was the best thing to happen to us in Poland. In 1989-90 when revolutions swept across, I was just 18 years. But I saw things. My country changed for all the time to come as the Soviet Union's diktats were discarded," Mr Jamkowski, on a visit to India, told UNI here. Once Mikhail Gorbachev turned weak, the Brezhnev Doctrine, under which Moscow had asserted the right to use force to prevent a Warsaw Pact member from leaving the Communist fold, was diluted, he said adding "Finally, Poland became the first Warsaw Pact country to break free of Soviet domination". "People's lives changed. There was freedom," said Mr Jamkowski in an emotionally choked voice. A working journalist, Jamkowski further went on to add: "Earlier, we have seen earlier generation suffering and humiliated. You must have heard about the turbulent time in Communist Poland when there was widespread economic crisis and food shortages, thousands of people mainly women and their children, took part in several hunger demonstrations". Mr Jamkowski was part of the massive delegation from as many as 186 countries to visit Kumbh in a rare event organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Answering a question, he said, "The experience to be part of all-religion delegation and see a massive congregation of Hindu devotees was unique. The Kumbh festival I thought was all about Hindu Sadhus and renunciation. But it was truly a platform of amalgamation. It was universal in its appeal". Moreover, he said, "There is modernity attached. It seems there was a big emphasis on cleanliness". "So, as a practicing Christian, I came to know, religion is not that bad.....My historical notion due to influence of communism was quite different one about religion. Here it was a different experience and we are going back educated with a very positive message about India, Hinduism and Oriental philosophies," he said. To another question, he said the lecture series and seminars organised by the ICCR and the Indian Ministry of External Affairs during their visit were also "exemplary". "I am convinced on what Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, the President of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has said that perhaps over the decades Kumbh remained a puzzle or riddle. But this time, I agree it was an attempt to demystify it.....I must congratulate them for projecting Indian culture effectively," the visiting Polish journalist said. Among others, a Somalian citizen Sadak Omar Mohammad, who was also part of the delegation, said "I had wonderful experience of richness of Hindu religion and the spirit of amalgamation in it. I wanted to see the world's largest human gathering and now I do not want to go back. Let me stay in India". Myanmar-based journalist Soe Myint from Mizzima media group said - "As a Buddhist, my experience about Kumbh too was exciting and enriching". "The Indo-Myanmar relations have come a long way now especially with Aung San Suu Kyi in the political reckoning," Soe said adding many devoted Buddhists including women recently crossed over to Manipur part of India and travelled to the Bodh Gaya in Bihar for pilgrimage. "Even a few years back these things were unbelievable," he remarked. Among the delegates to visit the Kumbh 2019 at Prayagraj city also included 26-year-old Reen Ibrahim Al-Arfaj, identifying herself as one of the first certified yoga trainers in Saudi Arabia. "I was trained by an expert in Indian embassy and now I am glad I have visited the country and the people who gave such a wonderful thing called Yoga to the world," she said. UNI DEVN RSA 1145 Kathmandu, February 25 Joseph H Felter, United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for South and Southeast Asia, is in Nepal on a formal visit. Felter called on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Ishwar Pokharel in Kathmandu on Monday morning. During the meeting, the US official assured that the American government would continue supporting Nepal in areas of defence also. He said the US want to a contributor to Nepals improved security status, according to Pokharel. Appreciating the US support for the government of Nepal, Pokharel also maintained that Nepal would not be a part of any international military mechanism. The official is also scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Felters visit happens at a time when it has been said that the US government is not happy with Nepal over its position on recent political crisis in Venezuela. Oregon, WI (53575) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. FTT: This Time It's Different. Or Is It? As the field of 2020 Presidential candidates unfolds, it is becoming evident that a financial transaction tax (FTT) will be presented as a progressive means of raising funds for government programs. This will not be the first time our industry has faced this issue, and while details have yet to unfold, a proposed FTT will most likely espouse the perceived attributes of past versions. Mainly, that its low rate and broad based design raises reliable revenue while curbing behavior deemed threatening to our markets perpetuated primarily by proprietary trading firms. In the end, an FTT is a tax on capital and the savings of individual investors that causes rippling effects detrimental to our nations GDP. While the arguments for opposing FTTs still exist, the conditions and environment under which they will be presented this election cycle are different enough to cause concern. Infrastructure Builds vs. Social Programs In previous versions of FTTs, the expected revenues were to be used towards social programs. For many congressional members and voters, the idea of a new tax that would be used towards free college and healthcare were admirable but non-starters. As such, debate on the practicality of an FTT was limited. This time however, an FTT will be discussed as Congress begins debate on President Trumps February 2019 infrastructure build report, Legislative Outline for Rebuilding Infrastructure in America. Infrastructure spending is an issue where both parties can find agreement. While the funding mechanism in Trump's plan is a combination of federal, state and private funds, it begins with an incentive program of federal grants. How these federal grants are funded is not mentioned in the report. It is also worth highlighting that infrastructure builds have clear winners. Beneficiaries of past FTTs were to be industries such as universities and healthcare providers who were already receiving income from the private sector for their services. These entities did not view the government getting in the middle as resulting in incremental revenues and thus did not support the tax. An infrastructure bill would result in incremental revenues to contracting and manufacturing firms that would view an FTT as a means to an end. Usual Suspects For congressional members with no new taxes platforms, justifying a new tax to their constituents is difficult. Unless, the entity or group being taxed is unpopular. FTTs have always been presented under the misguidance as a tax on Wall Street. Since its inception, Wall Street has gone through periods of unpopularity. However, recently theres been a series of events that have contributed to our market structure being viewed as more unpopular than usual. Whether its a government official blaming today's market structure for the extreme volatility we experienced at year end, or a whitepaper sponsored by the Department of Defense claiming investors receive inferior executions, our industry is going through a fresh assault. Meaningful Figures & Behavior 1 2 next For more information on related topics, visit the following channels: Piper Jaffray Agrees to Acquire Weeden & Co Piper Jaffray Companies (NYSE: PJC), a leading investment bank and asset management firm, today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Weeden & Co., L.P. (Weeden & Co.), a broker-dealer focused on providing institutional clients with premier execution services. Upon closing, Weeden & Co. will convert to and operate as Piper Jaffray & Co. Founded in 1922, Weeden & Co. provides premier global trading solutions, specializing in best execution through the use of high-touch and program trading, proprietary algorithmic strategies and derivatives. Headquartered in Greenwich, Conn., the firm also has offices in New York, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco. Weeden & Co. is a longstanding leader across multiple equity trading categories, with recognition for 15 consecutive years from Greenwich Associates survey of the largest sell-side portfolio trading desks. The acquisition will significantly strengthen Piper Jaffrays position as a top institutional equities trading platform, diversifying and expanding its client base while adding best in class execution capabilities and proprietary technology. The transaction will complement Weeden & Co.s existing business, through Piper Jaffrays added research and equity capital markets capabilities. Together, both firms will be more competitively positioned to add long-term value for clients. Todays announcement represents an exciting and important step forward, said Deb Schoneman, president of Piper Jaffray. As our investing clients unbundle how they access and evaluate research and best execution, we continue to strengthen our equities offerings. Weeden & Co. brings an immediate leadership position in equity trading that makes Piper Jaffrays platform far more robust and relevant, while adding resilience across market cycles. The combined trading platform will be led by Weeden & Co.s current CEO, Lance Lonergan, who will join Piper Jaffray as the firms head of global equity execution. Lonergan commented, This transformative combination of two market-leading equity franchises broadens distribution for capital markets and investment advice, while deepening our liquidity pool. Piper Jaffray is an ideal partner to expand our offerings with its highly regarded research and capital markets platform. Weeden & Co. is a firm we have long respected and admired for its talented team and best-in-class trade execution, added Tom OKane, co-head of global equities at Piper Jaffray. We look forward to combining our broader product suite with Weeden & Co.s trading expertise and technologies, and more importantly, bringing together two firms that share a similar vision and culture. Transaction Overview Piper Jaffray will acquire 100% of Weeden & Co., L.P. Prior to closing, Weeden & Co. will distribute 100% of excess capital to its shareholders. The total upfront consideration is $42 million, consisting of $24.5 million in cash and $17.5 million in restricted cash and retention stock. There is an earn-out opportunity of up to $31.5 million based on combined non-deal equity sales and trading revenue. The retention consideration includes non-compete and non-solicitation agreements. Key Weeden & Co. professionals have entered into employment agreements with Piper Jaffray that become effective concurrent with the transactions close. For a copy of the investor deck, please visit piperjaffray.com/weeden2019. In this transaction, Piper Jaffray Companies will acquire Weeden & Co., L.P., an execution broker-dealer for institutional clients. The sale does not include the holding company Weeden Investors, L.P., Weeden Prime or any of its other affiliates. Finn Dixon & Herling LLP is serving as legal advisor to Weeden & Co. and Faegre Baker Daniels LLP is serving as legal advisor to Piper Jaffray in connection to the transaction. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and expected to close in June 2019. For more information on related topics, visit the following channels: Passengers travelling to Manila from Dubai can avail an additional 25kg baggage allowance when flying with Cebu Pacific, the national carrier of Philippines. All passengers flying from Dubai to Manila with a pre-purchased baggage allowance of 40 kilograms will get an additional 25 kilograms baggage allowance on a complimentary basis. The extra baggage allowance can be availed upon check-in at the Dubai Airport, the airline said in a statement. Running until June 30, this promotion comes at an opportune time for UAE residents to maximise their trip to the Philippines, especially for vacations to world-famous islands during the countrys summer months. Cebu Pacifics free baggage allowance offer also coincides with the upcoming Eid Al Fitr holidays, expected to start on June 4, allowing additional savings in order for the holiday travellers to experience more of the many vibrant sights, sounds and flavours of the Philippines. The promotion is valid for passengers travelling from Dubai to Manila, including the onward flights operated by Cebu Pacific to other Philippine destinations, as long as all the flights are booked under one itinerary. The offer, however, is not applicable for return flights from the Philippines back to the UAE, as well as for bookings made for connecting flights via Cebgo. Travellers are entitled up to four pieces of baggage with a total weight of 65 kilograms. - TradeArabia News Service Over the past few years, the Middle East and Africa region has managed to successfully transform into a global hub for tourism and leisure. Offering a wide variety of attractions such as varied retail offerings, hotels, beaches, and unique experiences, the region continues to draw scores of visitors. Travel is booming, but also ever-changing, which means the region's travel and tourism industry will need to further transform to continue to attract travellers. Megatrends can help make sense of shifts in consumer behaviour and attitudes. Through extensive research and input by over 1,000 expert analysts, Euromonitor International has selected the top megatrends with the furthest-reaching impact on industries and consumers in the future. A megatrend is not a short-term fad, but rather a trend with longevity, one representing a fundamental shift in behaviour that is defining consumer markets. For the Middle East and Africa region, Euromonitor International has identified two such megatrends - Seamless experiences and Trading down. Seamless experiences The Middle East and Africa region - the UAE in particular - has been at the centre of innovation in an effort to make the travel journey completely frictionless. Biometrics and facial recognition are becoming increasingly common in airports, arguably one of the travel spaces with the most friction. Technology is being used to reduce it. Dubai Airport, for example, has installed a face-scanning Virtual Aquarium, a tunnel equipped with over 80 facial recognition and retina cameras, replacing traditional border gates. Seamlessness in the destination is also of utmost importance, whether it is facial recognition cameras in hotels, online check-in and keyless entry, holistic mobility solutions and other smart city initiatives, or frictionless payment facilities. Near-ubiquitous mobile connectivity has contributed to expectations of seamlessness through technology. Travellers will increasingly expect to find such solutions in the destinations they visit. Case Study: Emirates seamless luggage processing Emirates Airlines has developed an in-house Baggage Management System called Wasla to provide full control of its global baggage operations. This has already resulted in a considerable fall in levels of lost and delayed luggage, but Emirates has much grander plans for the future. Tim Clarke, the companys CEO, said that building works on the new Al Maktoum International Airport, which will become one of the largest airports in the world and Emirates main hub, have been halted, as a redesign is needed to introduce more cutting-edge technology, including robotics and IoT, all to make the customer experience increasingly seamless. The company sees a future in which robots take care of all luggage handling, from check-in to plane, and plane to belt. Travellers can walk through security without the need to take off items of clothing or empty bags. All phases, from check-in to immigration to boarding, should become easier. Case Study: SnapScan offers new-world digital payments Near-field communication (NFC) technology is becoming common around the world, and SnapScan has paved the way in South Africa for proximity payments. SnapScans development in Africa allows travellers to benefit from a mobile, cashless and cardless payment product. The technology was launched through a partnership between tech start-up FireID and Standard Bank. Using QR codes, the initiative is available to a wide range of businesses, including market and street vendors and charities. In August 2018, Samsung SA also entered the country with Samsung Pay. According to the company, acceptance and take-up has been higher in South Africa than it was during the US launch in 2015. These payment technologies, and the concept of a cashless society, have great potential to make travelling to foreign countries far more seamless. Travel players will need to ensure they cater to tourists looking to use this technology. Trading down While the middle class is in retreat in many developed countries, struggling to maintain the economic position they enjoyed for the last half a century, the middle class is booming in developing regions such as Asia and Africa. This translates into a greater desire to travel for leisure purposes, and the stronger economy boosts business travel. The tourism industry, particularly in Africa, has historically catered to the wealthy international traveller, resulting in a strong focus on inter-regional flight networks and high-end lodging. Today, a shift in demand and improving infrastructure means a strong increase in low-cost carrier flights and a drive to increase hotel segmentation. With long-term sustainability of the region in mind, however, it is important that this does not become a race to the bottom, as illustrated by the struggles of some European countries today. Case Study: Radisson Hotel Group sees mid-scale opportunities Early in 2018, Radisson Hotel Group announced plans to grow its portfolio in sub-Saharan Africa to 120 hotels by 2023, an increase of 60 per cent on current stock. While its past focus has been on its Radisson Blu brand, moving forward, 65 per cent of the new hotels will be upscale and mid-market hotels. The company has recently introduced the upscale Radisson brand in Africa, with the first opened in Dakar, Senegal, in January 2018. Andrew McLachlan, senior vice president, Development, Sub-Saharan Africa at Radisson, told Euromonitor International that Africa is now ready for midmarket hotels, as infrastructure to support hotel operations has improved and the market has matured and is ready for segmentation. McLachlan suggests that South Africa, in particular, is ready for trendy economy brands such as Radissons Prizeotel, which he believes will be introduced in the country in the near future. Case Study: Etihad wants to cater to the masses The Emirates have some of the most high-end airlines catering to wealthy travellers from the region. However, in an effort to cater to a bigger audience, Etihad Airwaysoften seen as the most luxurious airline in the worldintroduced payment instalment plans. Residents of the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt can book flights and pay back in monthly instalments ranging from three to 60 months. In September 2018, the company also introduced hand-baggage only fares. Called the Deal Fare, the new policy offers more choice and a cheaper alternative for Etihad customers. Meanwhile, Dubai-based Emirates Airlines announced a code-sharing partnership with its sister brand, low-cost carrier flydubai. There is talk of a potential merger between Emirates and Etihad. The steps taken by these players indicate how trading down can help luxury brands carve out opportunities in the affordable luxury space. - TradeArabia News Service The finishing touches are being added to the newly revamped Amari Pattaya Hotel in Thailand as it gets ready to welcome guests from mid-April this year. The hotel, which was previously named Amari Ocean Pattaya, is positioned along the coastline on the idyllic north end of Pattaya Bay and is just a few minutes from the Bali Hai Pier, Pattayas best malls and street-side stalls. The property will feature modern guest rooms and luxurious suites showcasing traditional Thai texture complimented by light tones, simple touches and understated elegant beach house-inspired style. It also boasts a new ballroom - The Lawn - and pool as well as meeting facilities equipped with state-of-the-art technology and tailor-made packages. The hotel has long captivated meeting and conference guests as well as travellers with the serenity of a tropical retreat amidst the vibrant beach city of Pattaya. To mark its opening, Amari Pattaya Hotel has announced a special package for meetings and events. Travellers looking to host a gathering can avail a 20 per cent discount when booked and paid before March 31. A special Green Meeting offer will also be available for business meetings. - TradeArabia News Service Kanoo Shipping, a division of The Kanoo Group, said it was recently honoured with the Electronics Services Award to Shipping Agent for General Cargo Service at the 11th E-Services Excellence Award by Dubai Trade. Dubai Trade is the premier trade facilitation entity that offers integrated electronic services from various trade and logistics service providers in Dubai. The 11th cycle of E-Services Excellence Award (ESEA) ceremony was held at the Intercontinental Festival City Hotel, Dubai, UAE, on February 18, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai. Abdulla Bin Damithan, chief commercial officer, DP World, UAE Region, delivered his keynote speech and Hussain Alblooshi, acting chief operating officer, Dubai Trade, gave his welcome remarks in the presence of over 500 trade and logistics industry clients. The annual event is part of Dubai Trades strategy to encourage the e-transformation & adoption toward the smart services available on its portal which in turn will help establish Dubai as the leading trade and logistics hub in the world. It also aims to honour its clients who have been the most active online performers throughout the year, thus building customer loyalty by awarding the best-performing companies. Mishal Kanoo, chairman of The Kanoo Group UAE & Oman, together with Jonathan Bygrave, chief executive officer, Kanoo Shipping; John Drinkwater, vice president, Kanoo Shipping UAE & Oman; Muhammad Farooq, operations manager Northern Emirates; and Shihabdin Gulabdin, service manager, received the special award on behalf of Kanoo Shipping. Bygrave said: We are delighted to be one of the role models in supporting the governments initiative in innovation and use of technology to transform trade processes. This award will surely add value and moral support to Kanoo Shipping as well as the trade and logistics community in the UAE, he added. Kanoo Shipping and other winners for different categories in the latest edition of ESEA were rewarded according to their mobile and online transactions across key services provided by DP World, Dubai Customs, and Jebel Ali Free Zone throughout 2018. The prestigious event was attended by high profile leaders from Dubai's business community such as top executives, senior management and key decision makers from partners, banks, government, and private sectors. The ESEA is in line with the Year of Innovation, and the Smart Government initiative to make all services available through smart platforms and the completion of its deadline announced by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. TradeArabia News Service Kathmandu, February 24 It has been almost eight months since the national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation, purchased two wide body aircraft. The Corporation had planned to send the aircraft to new destinations including Japan, South Korea and China. However, the aircraft are carrying flights to regular destinations until now as the NAC is struggling to get permits from the new destination. NAC officials say economic implications of the inability are serious. The aircraft have been unable to earn as much as expected; and it has widened the loss of the Corporation in overall, according to them. Thanks to the failure to get approvals, the NAC is now confused on whether to appoint a global sales agent in Japan. It, however, has already appointed agents for China and Korea, according to co-spokesperson Nawa Raj Koirala. It has been months since the NAC began procedures to acquire the permits, but no results have been achieved, the officials inform. Few days ago, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari had met Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi to discuss Beijings delay in cooperating with the NAC. Koirala hopes that the permits from China and Japan will be acquired soon, adding the Japan flights will begin around one month after that. The Saudi National Housing Company (NHC) has signed an agreement with China State Construction Engineering Company for the construction of more than 5,000 housing units of various designs at an investment of SR2.5 billion ($655 million). This announcement came during the visit of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, to China. One of the largest residential developments in capital Riyadh, The Murcia Project will come up on a sprawling 2.7-million-sq-m area of land belonging to the Ministry of Housing in the northern part of the city. Under this project, a total of 5,590 residential units - ranging from apartments to townhouses - will be built, said Engineer Mohammed Bin Saleh Albuty, the chief executive of NHC after signing the deal with Liu Xinq, the general executive manager of China State Construction Engineering Company. Of this, 5,018 townhouses will boast an area of 230 sq m, with prices starting from SR499,900 and a monthly premium of SR1,666, while the rest of the 572 units (all apartments) will be competitively priced at SR299,250 onwards and a monthly fee starting from SR899, he stated. The project is a fully integrated residential complex that has been designed in a unique way. It includes a national valley as part of the project, as well as green spaces and public parks to ensure a modern residential environment that meets all the needs of the citizens, he added. The two parties agreed to work together and harness their potential to complete The Murcia project, in accordance with the scope of work and agreed timetables. Albuty said through this project, NHC aims to provide high-quality housing units featuring a variety of designs in a modern environment with integrated facilities and services at suitable prices north of Riyadh. The infrastructure development work on the project has already started, he stated, adding that the use of modern construction technology would greatly help in the speed of delivery of the project, and ensure high quality.-TradeArabia News Service Just before 12:50 p.m. on Sunday, high winds in Titusville toppled a tree across North Perry Street. Sundays winds reached up to 55 or 60 miles per hour, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski. I wouldn't be me if I styled the photos. If you were reading my blog a couple of years ago, you know I have tried to make clotted cr... Interim UT President Randy Boyd, shown here visiting with students, said he does not want to stay on as president after his two-year stint is over. EKUFIKENI Six children have been deprived of their right to education, registration and health due to their parents extreme religious beliefs that have resulted in them not going to school. This happens at a time when the Government of Eswatini has introduced free primary education (FPE) to make sure that all children enjoy their right to education. Parents According to the parents, Nhlanhla Vilakati and Nonhlanhla Dlamini, who ascribe to a Zion church known as Zion Libandla laNkulunkulu, their religion was against taking children to school, hospital and registration of birth certificates or any other documentation. The family also refused to be counted during census. The church is made up of only Vilakati family members, and they use one of their houses to worship. In an interview at their homestead, the couple claimed that they were connected to a spiritual world where there was no need to take children to school. The eldest of the children is aged seven. According to the duo, God was the best teacher who taught undiluted teachings. The danger of taking our children to school is that they would be taught imaginations of men, which is against Gods will. God wants people to know His ways which are written in the Bible. The only education we provide to our children is the Bible because we want them to know Gods ways, said Vilakati boastfully. He added that there was no need for his children to learn how to read and write if they knew the contents of the Bible. The couple teaches this ideology to their children at home. The beliefs include fasting and praying, which is conducted at the homestead or mountains. Vilakati said the Bible was clear that Jesus led educated people yet He never went to any school. He quoted the incident where Jesus disappeared from His parents and was later found in the temple where He was busy with Gods work at the age of 12. Spiritual Our religion is clear that we do not have to do things as this world does because we are now connected to the spiritual world, where everything is under Gods control, he said. According to Vilakati, the world follows the things that emanated from Dragon. When asked why they avoided hospitals, Vilakati said there was no need to go to hospital in the spiritual world as God was the healer of all illnesses. MBABANE Illusionary civil servants will not get their remuneration at the end of the month. This follows that the Ministry of Public Service has ordered all principal secretaries to verify personnel in their charge in the quest to account for the 3 194 civil servants who cannot be accounted for. The revelation that there were public servants unaccounted for, among the offices of the prime minister, the deputy prime minister, 19 ministries and other departments came to the fore in the submissions made by the Ministry of Public Service, in its annual performance report for the financial year 2018/19. There are 18 ministries in the country headed by ministers and the Ministry of Defence has the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Thuli Dladla, as its acting political head. The unaccounted for civil servants are referred to as ghost employees which is a term that means someone recorded on the payroll system; but cant be located at the organisation he/she is drawing the salary from. ghost The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) defines ghost employees as someone recorded on the payroll system, but who does not work for the business. This can either refer to a real person, placed knowingly or unknowingly on the companys payroll, or it could be a fictitious employee. Christian Ntshangase, the Minister of Public Service, said he had already issued letters to the 21 principal secretaries to enumerate the personnel in their various ministries, failing which; government shall freeze remunerating the unaccounted for employees. Ntshangase said this decision came after the failure by ministries to account for all personnel being salaried by government. He said while his ministry was in the process of implementing the recommendations of the Public Service Payroll and Skills Audit Report, there were 4 510 none enumerated public servants. The minister said the list of the employees was sent to the various ministries to account and verify their reasons for absence during the audit. Following this, only 1 316 civil servants had their status accounted for by their ministries. In essence, this means that government needs to clean its payroll in order to be certain that all those who were in the wage bill deserved to be paid. LAVUMISA A teenage girl allegedly hacked her husband on the neck with a bush knife because he didnt want her to sleep very close to him in bed. The 16-year-old girl was arguing with his 25-year-old husband over their sleeping position on the night in question when the enraged girl allegedly launched the brutal attack at her marital homestead, which is situated around Bulawayo in Lavumisa. The husband, who was identified as Ndumiso Nkonyane, reportedly came back home drunk on the fateful day, and apparently wanted to sleep a considerable space apart from his wife because of his condition. According to the police, the couple had an argument over the arrangement. pushing This was allegedly after the man kept pushing his 16-year-old wife away from him in bed until she exploded into a fit of rage and told the man she would not take it any longer because she had reached the edge of the bed. It was at the height of that heated argument when the husband first beat up the teenage girl with an open hand. The girl reportedly retaliated by slapping the man across the face as well, before she eventually picked up a bush knife and allegedly hacked her husband on both sides of the neck. The teenager told detectives that she was holding the bush knife with both hands and used all her might to hack her husband, who instantly fell to the ground and started twitching while blood oozed from the neck. Thereafter, she recalled that she went back to sleep, leaving her injured husband lying on the floor. Then later at some point, she said she woke up and looked down on her man and saw him still lying in the same position she had left her. The body was still sprawled on the ground with his clothes saturated in blood, which had also formed a pool under the body. Cleaning When the reality of her actions struck, the girl nervously picked herself up, took a bucketful of water, and began cleaning the mess in the middle of the night. As soon as she finished cleaning, and fearing that she could be easily linked to her husbands death, she wrapped up his corpse and dragged it to a pit latrine and went back to sleep. However, after realising that the body could be easily spotted in the pit latrine she hurried back to retrieve it. Then she further dragged the lifeless body away before she threw it into a rubbish pit situated a few metres away. She later told the police she did all this quietly, only getting to rest halfway through next to the family poultry shed. Then she went back to sleep until the following day where she washed all the bedding and clothes which had contact with the blood. The girl told detectives that she hacked her husband with the bush knife because she could not take the physical abuse from him on the particular night any longer. slapped This was apparently after the man had slapped the girl across the face when she complained she could not shift away from him any longer because by then, she had already reached the edge of the bed, as the man kept insisting that he wanted the two of them to sleep wide apart from each other on that night. The gruesome murder took place on the Tuesday of February 12, 2019. MANY moons ago, in this column, I ventilated on the logic and rationale of national/government budgeting within the context of the Tinkhundla political system in the face of the rule of law crisis, not to mention the nature and form of the obtaining polity. And as hours tick into minutes and minutes into seconds in the countdown to Finance Minister Neal Rejkenbergs maiden budget speech this week, in a Parliament fixated with appearances and dress sense of lawmakers in the face of daunting national challenges, the subject matter is back in the publics cross-hairs. Ah yes, Members of Parliament (MPs) have been inordinately focusing on each others appearances and dress sense as if this mattered to their principals, the electorate, when this country is faced with monumental challenges they should be focusing on with intensity. Miraculously, in-between these infantile nit-picking MPs somehow still found time to turn their attention to serious national matters and were able to pass, albeit with muted protestations from some of them, the E76 million supplementary budget tabled by Minister Rejkenberg. Not surprisingly, some of the funds were already being utilized thus emboldening the long-held belief that Parliament was nothing but a facade to project a modern democratic State while it was a mere rubber stamp for Executive decisions. Try as they might to explain that the money in question had been appropriated by Parliament but never used for their intended purposes, the loyalists were not convincing especially on the backdrop of a historically wasteful government with a penchant for suicidal political decisions to stem criticism from the taxpayer. As it were, my questioning the waste of time in preparing and debating the national budget on this column some years ago was pre-empted by extra-Legislative diversion of funds to projects other than those for which they had been appropriated by Parliament. Some MPs somewhat alluded to that fact when debating the supplementary budget. But they wrongly blamed this on principal secretaries who, under the political status quo, cannot pass the buck elsewhere if they want to keep their meal tickets even when they do this not out of their own volition but under duress. That blame, and every other woe facing this kingdom, should be expressly reserved for and targeted at the Byzantine Tinkhundla political system that appears to be exonerated from blameworthiness when it is this countrys primary Achilles heel. A cursory glance at the annual reports of government departments tells a sad story of reckless misuse of resources, especially financial, over which the elected representatives of the people are powerless to do anything. There are departments that perennially overspend on their budgets such that this has now become a new normal and acceptable. Given the deficit in transparency and accountability occasioned by the nature of the Tinkhundla political system, I would not be surprised if a lot of dirt is hidden from public scrutiny. Unfortunately, the only time a forensic investigation into the operations of government can happen is once a pluralistic body politic replaces the current system that protects and shields the leadership from accountability, an institutional weakness that is responsible for the sorry state of the economy and government cash-flow challenges. The offshoot of this inherent weakness of the political system is, of course, the rule of law crisis. Put differently, the political hegemony is not compatible with the rule of law. What happened on November 28, 2002 when then PM, the late Sibusiso Dlamini issued his infamous statement to the effect that government no longer recognised and respected some judgments of the courts, was merely a manifestation of this incompatibility. In the face of this established fact it is conclusive that nothing is inviolable under the hegemony of the obtaining polity. Of course this also includes the budget. It can and is often diverted at the whims of those controlling the levers of power and no one, including Parliament, can do anything about it. The net effect of this is the precarious position this country finds itself in. That the economy has been constricting partly due to a glut of foreign direct investments (FDIs) is somewhat directly related to some of these factors lack of transparency and accountability on the part of the leadership coupled with a politically comatose population that is powerless to do anything. That, essentially, is an abridged content of the countrys negative profile that potential investors access from organisations such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) before venturing to these shores. And as can be expected, after perusing it potential investors turn to other more attractive and politically transparent, accountable and predictable destinations than risk their investments in this country. Thus while democratic countries in the region and beyond are attracting the cream of FDIs that are growing their economies the Kingdom of Eswatinis economy is convulsing. Consequently, the only FDIs this country can attract are normally driven by shady characters who in turn make this country complicit to their criminal activities. Essentially that is also how this country operates ostensibly because nothing, including the law and institutions, is sacrosanct under the Tinkhundla political system. Hence even the budget is a smokescreen to project a veneer of civility of a system rooted in a class structured society of the dark ages of all powerful landowners and serfs in which a powerful minority has arrogated to itself the authority to think and decide what is good for the people in perpetuity - that can never be compatible with the rule of law. In the end budgeting is an exercise in futility because in the end what the budget prescribes is all too often subordinated to the whims of those controlling the levers of power. Kathmandu, February 25 Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali interacted with the members of the Non-Resident Nepali Association and Overseas Nepalese Forum as well as Nepali community residing in Switzerland. Minister Gyawali is currently in Geneva to participate in the 40th meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Present on the occasions were the eminent scholars, professionals, researchers working for the United Nations and various international organisations based in Geneva and those working in different walks of life, Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations Office and Other International Organisations in Geneva stated in a press release today. The Foreign Minister briefly discussed the long-term development vision of Nepal in physical infrastructure development, economic development and social development with the inclusive agenda. Underscoring the importance of the second Nepal Investment Summit to be held in Kathmandu on March 29-30, the Foreign Minister highlighted a number of measures taken by the government for creating investment friendly environment in Nepal, including legislative reforms, one-stop service, projects bank and special economic zones, and called upon the Nepali professionals to contribute to Nepals development with their knowledge, technological knowhow, and managerial skills. The Foreign Minister will attend the inaugural session of the Council today morning. He is scheduled to address the Council on Tuesday. RSS 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. Posted Monday, February 25, 2019 2:48 am Americas drift away from our market-based economic system is perplexing. Equally mystifying is the new push to replace entrepreneurs with government bureaucrats in planning and controlling services and products offered to us the consumers. Scrapping capitalism is a very bad idea. History shows that socialist and communist regimes dominated by strong-armed dictators, such as in Venezuela, and Soviet-style politburos are ripe for economic collapse and suppression of free speech and human rights. Consider what existence was like in Poland when it was part of the oppressive Soviet communist bloc. A visit to the Solidarity Museum in Gdansk is a stark reminder of life in a police state under a system of rigid supervision, restricted freedoms and mediocrity. One of the museums displays is a series of empty grocery shelves, a haunting reminder of the time when poor working Poles had only a meager selection of rationed food, clothing and household supplies. When Poland broke the communist shackles in 1989 economic and human freedom flourished. Free for the first time since World War II, Poland cast off its yoke of government domination in favor of an American-style free enterprise system. Today, Polands gross domestic product is expanding. According to European Union statistics, its GDP growth reached 5.1 percent in 2018, the fastest growth rate since 2007. Among the leading growth factors was domestic demand, especially strong private consumption. In fact, today it is hard to distinguish between bustling American and Polish shopping districts. U.S. economic growth was 3 percent last year and unemployment logged in at 3.7 percent. In December employers added 312,000 jobs and 2.64 million in 2018, the best year since 2015. Average hourly earnings rose 3.2 percent in 2018, their biggest full-year gain of the expansion. Last years tax cuts combined with President Trumps regulatory relief and reshoring of American companies are priming our economic pump. The problem is skilled worker shortages with nearly 7 million positions unfilled 278,000 in construction and 493,000 in manufacturing. This isnt a problem with our capitalist system. Our prosperity is the result of our creativity, innovation and competitive DNA. Hard work and ingenuity are rewarded in America. Government intrusion doesnt work, and as Poles and Venezuelans know all too well, it leads to stagnation, shortages, higher prices, and lost opportunities. When Ford leaders recruited Alan Mulally from Boeing in 2006, the legacy automaker was heading for a $12.7-billion loss. Poor management and an uninspired model line had Ford on the verge of losing its No. 2 sales spot in the U.S. to Toyota. Mulally immediately took a risk and led the effort to borrow $23.6 billion by mortgaging all of Fords assets. At the time, the loan was interpreted as a sign of desperation but is now widely credited with stabilizing Fords financial position. Mulallys leadership resulted in one of the greatest turnarounds in history and it happened without a federal government bailout. Four years after Mulally arrived, Ford reported a $6.6-billion profit the biggest in the sector that year. It is puzzling to consider the path our nation may take in the next few years. Our elected leaders need to carefully study what is happening in Venezuela and what has taken place in Poland. As imperfect as Americas system is, it is still far better than other alternatives. The Poles are proving that. Hopefully, Poland and America wont be two trains passing each other heading in opposite directions. Government constraint of markets, government picking winners and losers, and government edicts to consumers is a recipe for disaster. {{tncms-inline content="

Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He retired as president of the Association of Washington Business, the states oldest and largest business organization, and now lives in Vancouver. He can be contacted at theBrunells@msn.com.

" id="895cc482-140f-492d-ad46-2eeddef7883e" style-type="bio" title="About the author " type="relcontent"}} Wanda Cole Please join the family of Wanda Cole for a Celebration of Life on Sunday, July 11, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Louis Rasmussen Day Park in Kalama, WA. Louise Alma Homola Louise Alma Homola, age 97, entered her heavenly home on June 3, 2021, surrounded by her children. She was born on March 17, 1924, the youngest child of John and Anna Ek, in Mist, Ore. She Lawrence Fox Lawrence "Larry" Joseph Fox was born in 42 to parents, Frances J. Court and Alphonse P. Fox, of Vancouver, Wash. He lived in Clark County all his life. He passed away Cecil Felix Kopman Cecil Felix Kopman was born in Brookings, S.D. on May 6, 2019 to Chance and Natasha (Reddig) Kopman. He was baptized into the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church of Lake Norden, S.D.; He spent most of his Posted Monday, February 25, 2019 3:00 am Differences in water usage best practices during a drought and homeowners association landscaping requirements are the target of new legislation. The goal of House Bill 1165, introduced by District 34 Rep. Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines, is to require HOAs (homeowner association) landscaping guidelines to align with water conservation guidelines during a drought. Many HOA or condominium associations have requirements on the type of landscaping allowed which often excludes fire resistant or low-water plants. The bill would prohibit HOAs from fining residents for employing low-water landscaping but does not require them to meet conservation standards. Section 4 of the bill addresses the public sector by encouraging state-funded large building projects to use drought-resistant landscaping and wildfire-ignition-resistant landscaping. Carrie Sessions from the Department of Ecology mentioned that her department received complaints during Washingtons last drought emergency in 2015 from individuals who were still required to water their lawns to avoid HOA fines. Kristen Bryant spoke in support of the bill on behalf of the Sierra Club. Bryant noted that often in new developments that have HOAs the landscaping requirements are based on the grass that was planted to sell the house. Yet, over time keeping that grass green takes a lot of water. Orwall voiced her hopes that this year the bill would pass, as it is something she has been working on for three years. The bill is currently working its way through committees. Saudi Aramco signs refining, petrochemical deal for Liaoning From:ChinaDaily | 2019-02-24 17:49 Saudi Aramco signed an agreement Friday to form a joint venture with NORINCO Group and PanjinSincenon to develop a fully integrated refining and petrochemical complex in the city of Panjin in Northeast China's Liaoning province. The partners will create a new company, Huajin Aramco Petrochemical Co Ltd, as part of a project that will include a 300,000 barrel per day refinery with a 1.5 million metric tons per annum ethylene cracker and a 1.3 metric tons per annum PX unit. Saudi Aramco will supply up to 70 percent of the crude feedstock for the complex, which is expected to start operations in 2024. According to Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser, the agreement with NORINCO and Liaoning province is a clear demonstration of Saudi Aramco's strategy to move from beyond a buyer-seller relationship to one where it can make significant investments to contribute to China's economic growth and development. "Our participation in the integrated refining and petrochemical project in Panjin will strengthen our collaborative efforts to enhance energy security, revitalize key growth sectors and industries in Liaoning, and also meet rising demand for products and goods in China's Northeast region,"he said. There are additional plans to establish a fuels retail business, which will further integrate into the value chain. By the end of 2019, a three-party Marketing JV Company is expected to be formed between Saudi Aramco, North Huajin and Liaoning Transportation Construction Investment Group Co Ltd to develop a retail fuel stations network in target markets. The Perspective Atlanta, Georgia February 24, 2019 Over the past year, I had the opportunity to speak to many Turkish scholars and former government officials, the majority of whom left your country because they feared for their lives and their loved ones. The one question that kept on surfacing is why a leader like youwho has achieved the pinnacle of power by undertaking the most significant social, political, and judiciary reforms, pursued economic development, and came close to establishing a model of Islamic democracyreversed gears and abandoned your most impressive achievements? From every angle I examined your behavior, I could not escape the conclusion that your reforms were nothing more than a vehicle by which you could solidify power to allow you to promote your political Islamic agenda. As far back as December 1997, you publicly equated Islam to a military crusade, citing a poem that states in part: The mosques are our barracks, the domes our helmets, the minarets our bayonets, and the believers our soldiers. Your unruly ambition to become the leader of the Sunni Muslim world is the driving force behind your ceaseless efforts to implant a Turkish-oriented religious dogma in many countries in Europe and the Middle East. You have invested hundreds of millions of dollars, building mosques and religious educational institutions and appointing Turkish Imams to promote your brand of Islam. MP Alparslan Kavakloglu, a member of your AKP and head of the parliaments Security and Intelligence Commission, echoed your skewed sentiment, stating last year that Europe will be Muslim. We will be effective there, Allah willing. I am sure of that. In May 2018, you said that Jerusalem is not just a city. [It] is a symbol, a test, a qiblah. If we cant protect our first qiblah, we cant be confident about the future of [our] last qiblah. On a separate occasion, you told the crowd that the Muslim reconquest of Jerusalem would be Soon, God willing. The EU countries have caught on to your alarming scheme; Chancellor Sebastian Kurz of Austria in June 2018 ordered the closing of seven mosques and scrutinized the right of dozens of Turkish imams to remain in the country, citing suspected violations of an Austrian law that bans political Islam or foreign financing of Muslim institutions. You have shattered the dreams and aspirations of your fellow countrymen by denying them their inherent human rights, and dismantled every pillar of genuine democracy. You have sought and were granted constitutional amendments providing you near-absolute power, which you grossly abuse to realize your pipedream of becoming the new Ataturk of Turkeys modern era. You have subordinated the judiciary and the rule of law to your whims, ensuring that courts pass judgments consistent with your own position on any alleged offenses, all in the name of social piety, national security, and solidarity. You have orchestrated a military coup that was planned to fail, calling it a gift from God that permits you to chase your enemies with vengeance. You accuse your arch enemy Fetullah Gulen of being behind it, but have produced no credible evidence to support your charges. You used the coup to enact emergency laws, seizing ever more power. Tens of thousands of suspected Gulen followers were incarcerated, including teachers, judges, law enforcement officers, human rights defenders, doctors, lawyers, political activists, and students, leaving behind their despondent and despairing families. You have imprisoned over 17,000 women with their children, wreaking havoc on a multitude of innocent civilians. You have hunted Turkish nationals whom you accuse of being affiliated with the Gulen movement and pressure many countries to expel such nationals. Fearing public accountability, you have targeted the press and labeled it as the enemy of the people. You have closed scores of media outlets, and imprisoned and tortured more than 200 journalists. In todays Turkey, freedom of the press is a thing from the past, as just about all existing licensed media outlets must dance to your tune and strongly support your political agenda to stay in business. In the same vein, you are prohibiting the right to assembly while stifling the academic community and think tanks, who are the forces of social, political, and economic advancement. Your Kurdishphobia seems to blind you. You have been fighting the PKK and accusing them of being terrorists, when in fact they represent the cause of their fellow Turkish Kurds. At least 40,000 have been killed on both sides over the past 50 years, and there is no end in sight as you vow to kill every last one standing, which is completely delusional. The PKK are freedom fighters fighting on behalf of their Kurdish community, who simply want to maintain their cultural heritage, keep their language alive, enjoy their folk music and dance, and have their basic human rights respected. Instead, you abruptly ended the peace negotiations in July 2017 and continue to persecute them indiscriminately, inflicting unbearable pain and suffering on your own fellow citizens yet demanding absolute loyalty. You have and continue to sternly object to the establishment of Kurdish autonomous rule in Syria, fearing that your own Kurdish community would follow suit. Under the pretext of fighting ISIS, you invaded Syria in order to actually wage merciless war against the Syrian Kurdish militiathe YPGwhom you falsely accused of being a terrorist organization allied with the PKK. On the top of your agenda in Syria, however, is the eventual establishment of a permanent presence there. You betrayed your alliance with the US-led coalition to fight ISIS by providing ISIS with logistical support, allowing volunteers to cross the border to join their ranks in Syria and Iraq, and trading oil for weapons, all while turning a blind eye to their reign of terror and unspeakable atrocities. You pretend to be a Western ally, but you cozy up to Russias Putinthe Wests staunchest enemy. You remain determined to purchase Russias S-400 air defense system, in defiance of the US and NATO. As a NATO member, you have violated every clause of the charter by committing horrifying human rights abuses at home and destroying every tenet of democracy. You are creating alliances with Islamic states and organizations, and drawing to your orbit countries with predominantly Muslim populations, including the Balkan countries, by investing in their infrastructure and providing them with military equipment and training. Your policy of zero problems with neighbors has failed; instead Turkey has problems with just about every neighboring state, including Syria, Iraq, Greece, Cyprus, and Armenia. Many world leaders know you are a conniving, power-thirsty dictator, but deal with you out of necessity only because of Turkeys geostrategic importance as a bridge between East and West and a hub of oil and gas. You have no shame about dispatching your thugs to foreign countries to do your bidding. Among many other egregious incidents, 15 members of your security detail physically attacked protestors outside the Turkish Embassy in Washington, DC in 2017. In 2016, your security team fought with Kurdish protestors in Ecuador. In 2015, your bodyguards scuffled repeatedly with Belgian police, and in 2011 they fought UN security personnel. You are antisemitic to the core. Among many of your antisemitic statements, at a recent meeting of the Turkey Youth Foundation in Istanbul, you stated that the Jews in Israel kick men, but also women and children, when theyre on the ground. You also told the audience, Dont be like the Jews. More than 100 years have passed since the genocide of over one million Armenians by Ottoman soldiers in the wake of World War I. Even though history books have fully documented, and the international community recognizes, this horrifying event, you still havent mustered the courage to admit it. In fact, you vehemently criticize any country and condemn any individual that attributes the genocide to the Ottomans. Although it was the Ottomans and not the present Republic of Turkey that committed these atrocities, you do not want to malign the Ottomans as you have made no secret of your ambition to revive the power and influence of the Ottoman Empire under your leadership. The sad thing, Mr. Erdogan, is that we are living now in the 21st century; the days of conquest and undue influence over the fate of other countries are over. You had a historic opportunity to become a respected, benevolent leader, loved by your countrymen and admired by world leaders. But you have squandered it all because of your desire to become the new Sultan of a would-be empire that exists only in your wretched imagination. You, like any other mortal, will be gone. Perhaps it is a good time for you to reflect and ask yourself, what am I leaving behind? In your wake, Mr. Erdogan, you leave a shattered Turkish people, yearning to be free, free to think and believe, free to assemble, free to criticize, free to use their ingenuity and resourcefulness to create a free society. But you have sacrificed the welfare for the Turkish people for blind personal ambition, for which you will be remembered. About the Author: Dr. Alon Ben-Meir is a professor of international relations at the Center for Global Affairs at NYU. He teaches courses on international negotiation and Middle Eastern studies. [email protected] Web: www.alonben-meir.com The Perspective Atlanta, Georgia February 24 2019 Article 17 of the Liberia's Constitution of 1986 states categorically clear; "All persons, at all times, in orderly and peaceable manner shall have the right to assemble and consult upon the common good, to instruct their representatives, to petition the government and other functionaries for the redress of grievances and to associate fully with others or may refused to associate with political parties, trade unions or organizations" Anyone who have read this with echt comprehension will understand how ludicrous it sounds when national government feels threatened by the peaceful and orderly assembly of ordinary and harmless people who only concern is to restore sanity in public service. When the people anticipate an assembly, their only quest is to inform national Government and the world about their disenchantment. Peaceful assembly doesn't in any way contravene the norms of democracy. Therefore, to view a protest action with a skeptic eye, only shows how weak and trembling the regime has become and suggests that the regime has recognized her role in the increasing hardship the people are faced with. Such is the case when looting has become prevalent like human survivability on water, that it has reached to the apogee and the masses are tired for which they have united to bring an end to the stealing shindig. It's obvious that the pronouncement of a pending protest will trigger the animation of the Pro-Poor band of bandits who in their right state of mind know that the masses rise is a precipitate to the cause the crooks to leave office. In the wake of mistrust and the willful scourging of the ordinary masses, especially, when all efforts exerted to quash these manhandling of public office cannot yield fruit the people will be left with no option but to take to the streets and to demand a paradigm shift to the extent where public officials must be asked to resign or shrug off with the mandate of the people. Such is why we will be very plaintive in our clamor to change the status quo. Before this government got inaugurated it was the fundamental instruments of the Constitution that guarded the process. There were strict rules and regulations that layout inauguration proceedings and those were followed, and a democratic inauguration was held. Therefore, having been a product of Democratic proceedings and after few days, due to your shady deeds, you want to thwart the very tenets on which you were given state power is utterly unfair and only unmasks the contradiction from within the regime. Nonviolent protest has been and continues to be the only insurmountable weapon used worldwide to revise social order, eliminate and eradicate the indignation of the popular society. Upon this backdrop, for anyone to question the legitimacy of a protest one must first question the rationality with which he/she comes; whether he/she has the power to question the will of the people under a democratic rule. The statement then goes on "one who comes with equity must come with clean hands." The constitution has spoken, and we are not going to bother ourselves with any petty clearance from the regime that has no constitutional substance. Once there is a call for popular protest we will infinitely protest. The level to which the peoples lives have been dragged is becoming unbearable on a daily basis, the economy is worsening by the tick of the clock, hopes have been ditched on beaches sides, dreams left on sidewalks and almost all aspects of our society is trekking toward the minimum decimal point and the people are beginning to consider the only option left - Protest. Protest is never a contrasting component of democracy but rather a supplement in any free nation. The people will violate no law because they call for a popular protest and they would hold no account to anyone whatsoever neither will they apologize for their actions. When those stooges of this regime were in the opposition, they organized many protests, some of which that even turned violent. Despite those measures at the time they still enjoyed the vouchsafe to freedom of assembly. Therefore, to think you can keep us in the dungeon with cunning measures and through the propagation of ruthlessness from the so call Sabu Unit you are just joking and lavishing your mediocrity like a naked drug addict believing he's wearing a coat suit. When the time comes and the people can no longer condone the extent to which our impoverishment has reached, we will evoke articles 1 and 17. The Perspective Atlanta, Georgia February 24 2019 Introduction These days in Liberia, everybody is a constitutional lawyer. No longer can any public or private discussion be held wherein one or two persons do not claim constitutional violation. Presidential appointments to tenured positions, the ongoing legal wrangling over the impeachment trial of a sitting supreme court justice, and the recent suspension of student campus politics at the University of Liberia have all yielded shouts of constitutional violation. It is now as if Liberians have awakened from years of political slumber and found a new niche in freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. And in the name of constitutionally-protected freedom of expression, no topics are any longer off-limits in Liberian society, as every topic is now fair game for public discussion, whether personal or otherwise. Hence, news of the suspension on January 11, 2019, of political activities at the countrys oldest public university was greeted by heated debates on radio talk shows and social media; in newspapers; and among college professors, street vendors, politicians, and student groups. Many social media enthusiasts, newspaper article respondents, and talk show participants even indulged in the speculations that the University administration imposed the suspension not on its own merit but by the directives of higher-ups in the ruling national party. But does a University administration need outside intervention in order to discipline students, faculty, and staff of the university for cause? The answer to this question is the main crux of the matter at hand. Two competing student political groups clashed on the Universitys Capitol Hill Campus prior to the suspension. The University Administration, citing Rules 9,10, 11 of the Students Handbook, suspended all campus-based student political activities (including political/solidarity marches, political gatherings, the wearing of symbols and emblems depicting and promoting campus-based political groups, and student protests) for time indefinite, and warned that violators shall be expelled (Kwanue). These speculations raised additional questions such as 1) What does the Universitys Students Handbook say about student politics and clashes by rival student political groups on campus? and 2) What aspect of the suspension of student politics on a university campus constitutes constitutional violation? I shall address these concerns in these narratives, with emphasis on the rights and responsibilities of University students and administrators, and the general requirements for campus politics at higher education institutions. Free Speech and Free Assembly The 1986 Liberian constitution upholds freedom of speech and freedom of peaceful and orderly assembly for all citizens and residents of Liberia, but not without limitations. Article 15(a) imposes individual responsibility for whatever claims made in the exercise of free expression, while Article 15(b) provides an academic freedom doctrine that protects the very act of giving and receiving knowledge. Article 17 provides not only the right of individuals to peaceful and orderly assemble, but also the right to accept or refuse to associate with political parties, trade unions, and other organizations. Article 15(b) also provides for individual rights to educational pursuits, but it doesnt state how and to what extent knowledge can be given and acquired, by whom, and at what level. It doesnt state if knowledge can be impacted through a structured or unstructured system, and if a structured system, who may be qualified and accepted as students, faculty, staff, or administrators? It doesnt state what processes, procedures, and requirements are needed for the acceptance and retention of students, faculty, staff, or administrators in a particular higher education institution. These omissions are often best settled by relevant state and federal statutes and related administrative laws, which are usually relied upon by University administrations in formulating policies for the general governance of the University. In essence, the Liberian constitution and the administrative governance structures and purposes of universities do not give carte blanche permit to any student, faculty, staff, or administrator of a university to engage in political activities on a university campus outside of a disciplinary focus or practicum. For the exchange of knowledge requires more than an individuals right to education: it requires a set of administrative structures that bind students, faculty, and administrators together in a social contract that spells out the policies for student registration, academic programs and associated curricula, academic probation, system of grading and awarding of grades, use of campus facilities, and the establishment, role , and leadership requirements of student clubs and sororities on campus. Writing in The Perspective on 29 January 2019 in reaction to the suspension, fellow educator and a former University of Liberia assistant professor and department chair, Abdoulaye W. Dukule, PhD raised the stakes in the discussion by the declarations that 1) Students are not accountable to the university authorities about their political views; 2) University students are not children who need to be taught how to and when to speak; 3) Politics on a university campus is national politics; and 4) It is an illusion to stop students from engaging in politics on campus. He also described the suspension as counterproductive to the students developing the requisite leadership skills for future leadership roles in Liberian society, and as against the freedom of speech and freedom of association enshrined in the Constitution (Dukule). The readers can decipher the truth from the fancy in Dukules claims. After all, the Liberian constitution gives each of us The right to hold opinions without interference and the right to knowledge (Article 15(b)). However, I do not see the suspension as violation of the free expression and free assembly rights of the students. I do not remotely believe that only children can be taught how and when to speak, nor do I believe that any groups of students, faculty, or staff can lawfully engage in any activity on a university campus outside specific university guidelines, policies, and approval processes. I do know that public speaking and oral presentation skills are as essential to the growth and development of the capacities of university students as the academic programs and curricula that undergird their academic pursuits. I also know that it is not against the norms of university governance for a University administration to abolish, suspend, or cancel particular university programs and campus activities. For instance, in The Aims of Education and Other Essays, educator Alfred North Whitehead tells us that The justification for a university is that it preserves the connection between knowledge and the zest of life, by uniting the young and the old in the imaginative consideration of learning (93). The key point here is that if a university must maintain the connection between individual zest of life and knowledge, then it stands to reason that both the old and the young people participating in learning at the university level must proceed with caution, care, and unity of purpose and not antagonism. For knowledge, it appears, must be impacted and acquired within a quiet and peaceful atmosphere and not within a noisy and chaotic atmosphere. this is why, regardless of what the political, religious, or philosophical persuasions of a student, faculty, or administrator might be, administrators of universities and other higher education institutions always have primary responsibility for creating a conducive learning environment that gives equal access, opportunity, and protection to all categories of students. To this end, many universities will not allow any visitor, student, faculty, staff, or administrator on campus without proper identification and security check. All educators should know that University administrations generally recognize the educational benefits to be accrued to the university, the community, and the country when students are exposed to political debate and information, including partisan political activities on campus. However, in handling student partisan political activities on campus University administrations are mostly concerned with maintaining an orderly and peaceful learning environment at all times, in strict compliance with university rules, regulations, and procedures, and avoidance of any activities that will bring into disrepute the mission, vision, and core values of the university. Hence, the issues of individual free speech and peaceful assembly in no way abrogate the functions of college and university administrators and the expectations that persons designated as students must meet. There should, therefore, not be any need to reinvent the wheels on university governance in the face of the recent University suspension order by resorting to the kind of provocative language that led us as a nation and people to the abyss of self-destruction in our recent past. For while it may make political sense to try to move the discussion away from what actually transpired on the University campus to warrant the suspension to purposeful yearnings for individual bravado, political intrigues, and public relations stunts, the focus should instead be on restructuring university education in Liberia to prepare students not for active roles as opposition politicians, but to prepare for future leadership roles students who are highly motivated people and have the knack for scholarship, discovery, development, and progress. Example of University Policy on Use of Campus Facilities for political purposes Every University administration has a duty to safeguard the image of the university by making sure that all campus activities are in line with the mission, vision, and core values of the university. As a result, University administrations are directly and indirectly responsible for any and all activities and programs on campus, including public statements of a political nature. Hence, student partisan politics on a university campus is not a matter of constitutional right but a privilege that can be revoked at any time based on the administrative prerogatives of University administrations. For instance, in a research study and publication on student politics and activism in Africa, it is found that the impetus for student governments and related student political activities on university campuses is to provide a platform for student representation in university governance. The study, however, found that In Kenya, Nigeria and in private universities in Uganda, candidates for student representatives [on university councils and boards of trustees] are vetted by university officials [and] In Ethiopia, student representatives are appointed by university officials rather than being subject to the democratic election process from the student body (Klemencic et al. 20). Indeed, it goes without saying that while an individual student, faculty, or staff of a university may have the right to make a political speech, that political speech, once made on the campus of the university, is subject to the administrative purview of the University administration. In other words, University administrations dont want to be wrongly and unfairly associated with the unapproved acts of students and faculty on campus, in the same way none of us as individuals persons would want in our private lives to be aligned with or held accountable for the hate speech or treasonable actions of guests in our homes. Consequently, the key concern of almost every University administration around the world has always been how to avoid a negative or wrongful public perception about the Universitys mission, vision, and core values. This is why many colleges and universities not only impose a term of use policy on-campus facilities but also make sure that requests for permission to use campus facilities are guided by the principle of viewpoint neutrality and evenhandedness. The following excerpts from the standing policy of the State University of New York System in the U.S. provide a broader context as to whether or not students attending a particular university are not accountable to authorities of that university about their political views: 1. Every campus has a responsibility to develop its students as fully participating citizens; this includes the development of political literacy. The University has a definite responsibility for sponsoring some kind of non-partisan forum for the exchange of political ideas and for encouraging the formation of students own partisan organizations; 2. Student partisan political organizations are not different from any other student organization as to regulations governing recognition, membership, sponsorship, and use of facilities. The campus, in permitting such groups to use its facilities, is responsible to see that there is equal opportunity for meeting of the various student groups either for those groups own membership or for students generally; 3. When students sponsor activities which include the general public, they should bear in mind that in each case the institution is being represented to the public and that the institution must, therefore, be assured that the activity is in conformity with its purposes. These purposes will largely determine the type and extent of faculty or administrative control over the scheduling of such events. 4. Partisan political organizations may be permitted the use of University facilities under the conditions already noted and additionally subject to the conditions that the proposed meeting give promise of contributing to the educational purposes of the University; 5. University facilities will not be made available for advocacy directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and which is likely to incite or produce such action. These excerpts (Policy on the use of University-controlled facilities) are self-explanatory, but Bullet #2 makes it very clear that student partisan political organizations are recognized and treated like any other student organization on campus, with respect to University regulations governing the recognition, membership, sponsorship, and use of University facilities. Bullet 4 requires for any proposed meeting by a campus-based student partisan political organization to spell out the educational purposes of such a meeting to the University, while Bullet 5 makes it very clear that University Administrations do reserve the right not to permit any advocacy on the University campus that may potentially lead to lawless action. These policy guidelines also invalidate the claim that The university cannot arrogate itself the power to stop its customers the students - to assemble and discuss issues relative to their wellbeing (Dukule). Given the administrative governance structures of universities, it would be improbable for a university not to have the power and authority to regulate and suspend a particular student activity. But, for the sake of political expediency, it might be possible for a service provider not to want to evict an unruly customer or group of customers. Hence, if one removes the politics from the analogy, the logic of everyday social contract will show that no customer has the right to abuse a social contract or the social space of others without consequence. If, for example, a customer in a nightclub is intoxicated or drunk and begins to shout and use profanity at other customers, the club owner has every right to ask that disruptive customer out or to call in the police to remove that customer from the club. A university campus is a closed public space intended for use by only authorized users. It is not an isolated island or the proverbial paradise where individual bliss and freedom reign without restraint. A university, like any educational institution, is one of few institutions in the world where payment by students of the required tuition and fees is not a guarantee for promotion to the next grade or degree level. This is why success at any higher institution of learning depends usually on students being required to attend all scheduled classes, complete all class assignments and exams on time, and show respect for fellow classmates, the instructors, and the school, college, or university administrators. These requirements are what they are without malice to anyone, let alone the arrogation of power and violation of the constitutional rights of students. Todays university student leaders must learn that NOT all students at a university are interested in student campus politics but their studies. This is why University administrations must take steps at all times to preserve and protect the rights of both groups through effective campus policies. Student campus politics should not serve as a hub for creating and training opposition political blocs in society, or as launchpads for active national politics where students as public actors can issue statements of threat and ultimatum on national policy issues. Rather, campus politics should be used to expose students, especially political science majors, to the essential knowledge and negotiation skills required for success at future politicking at the local, regional, and national levels. Conclusion Political activism by students on university campuses was the main catalyst for fundamental changes in national governance across Africa and much of the Third World in times past. In Liberia, the waves of student protests on Liberian high school and college campuses in the 1960s and 1970s against national government policies and practices culminated into democratic changes in national governance in the latter part of the 1980s and currently. And it is this nostalgia of grandeur political activism to effect changes in national governance that remains the dreamchild of many student political parties on Liberian college and university campuses today. In reality, though, the tides have changed. With the advent of the internet, the social media, and citizen journalism globally, and multiple political parties, democratic elections, tuition-free college education, and an open society dominated by vocal radio talk shows locally, student campus politics can no longer be based on activism but intellectualism. University students must now maximize their potentials for future leadership roles by cultivating a sense of responsibility in respecting both the policies and administrators of the university and in learning to operate within the social space provided to them as students and nothing more. Speculations about constitutional violations and governmental higher-ups dictating to the University administration to suspend campus politics are not merely satirical, but serious attempts to create public awe about the suspension and undervalue what are legally the administrative prerogatives of the University Administration. Moreover, equating student campus politics to national politics; invoking the proverbial writing on the wall (Dukule); and imploring students to sidestep University regulations and mimic the tactics of REACT (the clandestine anti-government leaflet produced in Monrovia in the 1980s) might not only be advocacies for radical public protests by students against the University Administration, but also what American Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. aptly calls the morass of propaganda. Writing on the purpose of education back in 1947, Dr. King hinted that one of the chief aims of education is To save man from the morass of propaganda (King) and not to help motivate man into endorsing and enduring propaganda. To Dr. King, Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real from the unreal, and the facts from the fiction (King) and not the other way around. Given the scenarios at play ever since the suspension of student politics at the University of Liberia, I am afraid that we are not allowing ourselves as educated persons in Liberia to sift and weigh evidence and discern the true from the false by the very careless nature of our public discourses on national issues, which are often laden with profanities, unfounded declarations, character assassination, and outright disdain for public officials. I just do not think our individual grandstanding on governance issues in Liberia, and the acrimonious nature of our intellectual discourses and political advocacies will do us any good in our common drive towards fostering peace, national development, and cohesion. We need to deal with our governance issues with care and not conflict. And I do believe that the suspension on student campus politics can be lifted, but the best way to lifting the suspension would have to be through direct negotiation with the University Administration and not through direct or indirect confrontation and speculations. After all, students do have a duty to prepare themselves for future leadership roles, but that preparation will be incomplete without the guidance of University Administrations and the faculty they hire. As Whitehead suggests, The present contains all that there is. It is holy ground: for it is the past, and it is the future (3). Basically, our students must learn to respect the present even as they prepare for the future because the future might not be any different from the present. If, however, students in the present continued to yield to political manipulations of the kind obtaining at the University of Liberia and across Liberian society by challenging and disobeying existing rules and disrespecting authority, then students in the future will do exactly as their compatriots in the present when national leadership would have been thrust upon the current class of students. Therefore, students in the present must develop the moral compass and fortitude to guide themselves against the kind of incessant political manipulations that have engulfed Liberian society. Otherwise, if we fail as educators to teach our students to think intensively and to think critically (King), then If we are not careful, our colleges [and universities] will produce a group of close-minded, unscientific, illogical propagandists, consumed with immoral acts (King). I hope that our students will not descend to this level and will muster the courage to negotiate suspension of student campus political activities with the University Administration. Works Cited Dukule, Abdoulaye W. The Ban on Student Politics Cannot Stand. The Perspective, 29 January 2019. https://www.theperspective.org/2019/0129201902.php. Accessed 12 February 2019. King, Martin Luther, Jr. The Purpose of Education. DrMartinLutherKingJr.com. n.d. https://www.drmartinlutherkingjr.com/thepurposeofeducation.htm. Accessed 15 February 2019. Klemencic, Manja et al.Organising in African Higher Education: Polity, Politics and Policies. Student Politics in Africa: Representation and Activism, edited by Thierry M. Luescher, Manja Klemencic and James Otieno Jowi. Vol. 2., African Minds, 2016. Kwanue, Cewhy. UL Suspends Student Political Activities. The Daily Observer. 14 February 2019, https://www.liberianobserver.com/news/ul-suspends-student-political-activities/. Accessed 15 February 2019 U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that he will not talk about the reduction of American troops at his upcoming summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Trump made the remarks at the White House on Friday to China's Vice Premier Liu He, who asked whether any U.S. troop draw-down in South Korea is on the agenda. "No, it's not. No. That was not a consideration," Trump said. "That's not... one of the things on the table." But when pressed, Trump threw one of his hissy fits and added, "Oh, you really want me to discuss that now? Everything is on the table. Everything." Asked by NBC last Thursday about U.S. troop cuts in South Korea, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo refused to give a direct answer. He just said that he "didn't want to get into the details about what either side was willing to offer to make progress in the talks." Elizabethtown, KY (42701) Today Mainly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. 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 Image courtesy of Selfish Things via Little Press chucks Berlin-based inflections chorus With the Brit Awards, news of a widening gender gap in the charts and allegations against Ryan Adams making up the headlines, its been far from quiet on the music front this week. To shake you out of the slump of sloth caused by temperatures in the mid-teens weve carefully selected the coolest tunes to sharpen your focus through the academic years final stretch.Coco Bans hails from Iowa and her new single is about putting things back into perspective in which she convinces herself that this isnt a bad day. Her emphatic, yelping delivery introduces doubt into this otherwise straightforward track that borrows from the world of gospel music for its inspiration with its quasi-spiritual themes.This track straddles the boundary between pretty, acoustic folk and emo at its most sensitive, combining the harmonic sensibility of the former with the gritty edge of the latter. Beginning with some subtle strumming, the vocal is allowed to shine through in the sparse mix. The lyrics contain such galling imagery as I hold my tongue, you cut it out, preparing us for the full chorus, where electric guitar kicks in.Durand Jones & The Indications new single epitomises what weve come to expect from the group in its classic soul sound and enters the ears as a long-loved family recipe slides down the gullet. Its a song about making your way back to a place of belonging after you've been led astray and the familiar Motown tropes such as the gentle guitarand muted bass tones take you back, along with the tracks protagonist, to a place of safety and comfort in vintage style.duo, Gurr received significant airplay from 6music with the release of their 2016 debut In My Head and were recently interviewed by Huw Stephens as part of the stations celebration of the German capitals music scene. She Says seems to indicate a change in direction for the pair compared with previous punkier material with its steady pace and quasi folkish guitar vibe demonstrating a more mature mode of expression.Electronica producer Jye is now based in Melbourne, Australia, but spent a significant portion of his youth in Indonesia. His beats have a woozy, slightly off-kilter vibe that really engages the listener with its push-pull momentum carrying the track forward. The subtle synth textures and use of space in the song complement the equally ear-catching lyrics, such as the mundane, yet inventive, My early morning coffee/extra frothy.Combining the synth-driven power pop perfected by The Killers with Foals early math-rock, Kita Menari delivers an anthemic track about seizing the moment. Beginning with a busy, delay-laden guitar line, the song adds synth arpeggios as it progresses. After a couple of choruses, we get an interesting panning arpeggiator bridge before we round things up with another Take the pleasure/And bring it home.Miro Shot claims to have over 450 members, counting coders and graphic designers as equal contributors against the musicians. Alongside putting on traditional gigs the group also organises VR shows with an interactive element. Despite whats easy to dismiss as gimmicky, their music is not that bad with a kind of Disclosure fed through the shredder and painstakingly glued back together vibe.Olympia crafts a nifty indie number on her second single following on from 2016s album Self Talk. The track is comprised of chunky guitars and cutesy vocal additions that set off the quirky lyrical themes of using photography to get over a bad memory, despite pictures usually being taken to preserve a moment for posterity.Shimmering, wholesome indie pop duo, Pure Bathing culture is comprised of couple Sarah Versprille and Daniel Hindman and their latest single Devotion is coloured by vibrant, jangly guitar work backed by gently fuzzy bass. The delicate yet confident track is further set off by subtly integrated slide guitar and the lyrics reflect the understated beauty of the production as Versprille proclaims, I sparkle and shine in silence.This track is more full-on emo than Cory Wells genre-mixing, although it too plays with dynamic contrast to achieve its effects. In thewe are blasted with all-out overdriven guitars in a song whose central metaphor seems to derive from a washing machine We seem to live inside a cycle. Kudos for that. Born to immigrant parents from Cairo, Egyptian actor Rami Malek sent out an important message after accepting his Best Actor award at the Oscars last night. Daniel Benavides from Austin, TX, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons Malek made history as the first Arab to receive the Best Actor Oscar, for his performance as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. During the backstage interviews, Malek expressed how he struggled with his identity as an Arab, despite being a first generation American: I will begin my saying Ahlan w sahlan . Forsa saeeda w manawar , he said. [Translation: "welcome, this is a happy opportunity and the room is enlightened."] Mnawar beekon kolokon . [Translation: "The room is enlightened by all of you"] The Egyptian actor said this as a response to MTV Lebanon asking him to speak in Arabic. He continued to share his experience as a kid and how he struggled with his Middle Eastern background. I think when I grew up as a kid, part of me felt like I needed to shed some of that," he said. "I didn't feel like I fit in. It was only when he got older that he realised how beautiful his culture and its traditions are, and could show his appreciation for the wealth of culture and magic and music and film and just pure art that comes out of the Middle East. It's something that he says he is now "so privileged to represent. Malek also spoke about growing up in a world where playing the lead Mr. Robot seemed impossible. I never saw anyone in a lead role that looked like me," he said. "I never thought that I could possibly play Freddie Mercury - until I realised his name was Farrokh Bulsara. Malek explained that this was the most powerful message that was sent to me from the beginning. That was the motivation that allowed me to say oh I can do this. Freddie Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara, also came from Indian heritage with immigrant parents. Malek shared how Mercury was also struggling to identify himself, but used his passion, virtue, and burning desire to look everyone in the eye and say hey I see you I see all of you, and together we will transcend. The Oscars have been faced with ongoing controversy for their effort to celebrate diversity and inclusivity, so it was great to see Rami Malek accepting his award last night. In his final words during the backstage interviews, Malek made it clear that it is not about being from one place or looking like one thing, (or) one race. And thats why it is so important to remember that Malek is the son of immigrants from Egypt, and that his story is just beginning now. Officials in northeastern India say the death toll for people who drank tainted bootleg liquor has climbed to at least 140. Authorities say another 200 people who drank the moonshine are hospitalized, some of them in critical condition. "The people came to the hospital with severe vomiting, extreme chest pain and breathlessness," Dr. Ratul Bordoloi told AFP, the French news agency. The situation has overwhelmed local hospitals. "Doctors from nearby districts and other medical colleges have been rushed in to deal with the crisis," Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told Reuters news agency. Salida, CO (81201) Today Showers and thundershowers this evening followed by a few lingering showers overnight. Low 48F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Showers and thundershowers this evening followed by a few lingering showers overnight. Low 48F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. 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 Vietnam has announced an unprecedented traffic ban along a possible arrival route of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ahead of his second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Hanoi next week, state media reported. The Communist Party's mouthpiece Nhan Dan newspaper late Friday quoted Vietnam's Department of Roads as saying the ban will first apply to trucks 10 tons or bigger, and vehicles with nine seats or more on the 170-km (105-mile) stretch of Highway One from Dong Dang, the border town with China, to Hanoi from 7 p.m. Monday to 2 p.m. Tuesday, followed by a ban Tuesday on all vehicles from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. The summit is slated for Wednesday and Thursday. It gave no other details. The move implies that Kim may take a train and disembark at the Dong Dang railway station and proceed by car to Hanoi. It is not known if he will travel by train from Pyongyang via China or fly to a nearby Chinese city. Kim's overseas travel plans are routinely kept secret. Want to share some news? Have a hot news tip? Let us know what's going on! Submit News Meet Rascal, a 12 year old shitzu. Even though hes an older dog, and has a few age related problems (dementia, arthritis, cataracts), he stil 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. Source: South China Morning Post Indian and Chinese soldiers take part in a joint military exercise in Chengdu, Sichuan province in December. Photo: Reuters The PLA took part in fewer joint exercises in 2018 as it focused on training at home, though it has been ramping up military diplomacy activities in recent years as it tries to expand its influence abroad. Analysts said while Beijing was still keen to use defence diplomacy to gain intelligence insights, the Peoples Liberation Army was focusing on boosting combat readiness amid heightened rivalry with the United States. Military diplomacy refers to joint exercises, port calls, high-level dialogue involving senior officials and activities such as peacekeeping missions. The PLA joined a bilateral exercise for the first time in 2002 and took part in 130 joint drills from 2003 to 2014, according to data from the National Defence Universitys Centre for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs in the US. The number grew significantly in 2015 and 2016, when Chinas military took part in 102 and 124 joint exercises, respectively. The number of port calls went from four in 2003 to 22 in 2016. But in 2017, China appeared to pull back from drills with other countries, joining only 24 and last year the number was 17, according to calculations by the South China Morning Post based on Chinese state media reports. Analysts said although it appeared Beijing was less focused on military diplomacy, it still used activities like joint drills to send the message to the US that it had allies. In October, China staged its first maritime drill with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province signalling that this was still possible even amid territorial disputes over the South China Sea. The previous month, the PLA sent 3,200 troops to Russias biggest war games Vostok 2018 held in the countrys east and the Pacific Ocean and involving 300,000 Russian soldiers, 36,000 military vehicles, 80 ships and 1,000 aircraft. That came after China held its first ever joint drills with Nepal in 2017, as well as its first naval drill in the Baltic Sea that year. Also in 2017, three Chinese navy vessels visited more than 20 countries linked with Beijings Belt and Road Initiative on a tour that included its first maritime exercises with Myanmar, Italy and Tanzania. It also joined Pakistans biannual Aman drill involving 37 countries. President Xi Jinping has been calling for a stronger military since he took power in 2012, launching a sweeping reform of the PLAs command structure and seeking to modernise the air force and navy. Chinese troops have taken part in more joint drills, and Xi has said military diplomacy was crucial to protecting the countrys interests. Back in 2017, a PLA researcher wrote in the military newspaper PLA Daily that the more frequent joint exercises reflected a more confident Chinese navy. In the future, the Chinese navy is expected to cooperate more with foreign navies joint drills between China and other countries will become normalised and institutionalised, wrote Zhang Junshe, from the PLA Naval Military Academic Research Institute. But that ambition suffered a setback last year, when the US disinvited China from the biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise off Hawaii. It was followed by Beijing recalling its naval chief, Vice-Admiral Shen Jinlong, from the US, where he was to speak at a symposium, and postponing a three-day bilateral military dialogue. The two militaries later agreed they should continue improving the relationship and make defence ties a stabiliser of China-US relations. Collin Koh, a military security expert at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, said Beijing would still seek to use defence diplomacy to glean valuable intelligence insights, especially on potential adversaries such as the US. The best troops, best commanders and best assets to foreign interactions can also help promoting deterrence, Koh said. The drop-off in joint drills in 2017 and 2018 indicated that Beijing was focused on boosting training at home, he said. According to state-run news agency Xinhua, some 2 million military personnel took part in more than 18,000 exercises within China in 2018. Usually youll send the best units to showcase the country in those foreign exercises [this means you] may have to make sacrifices to operational readiness, Koh said. Theres also a possibility that the PLA wants to raise the overall level of proficiency of the units through such self-training and exercises to bring them to an acceptable standard for future defence diplomacy engagements. Hong Kong-based military expert Song Zhongping echoed that view, saying Beijing would be able to assess how effective its reforms of the PLA had been by focusing more on training at home and that it was in line with its stated goal of becoming a world-class fighting force. That goal was set out in a document released by the PLA in January last year that puts the focus on combat readiness and highlights military and joint training under combat conditions. Chambers County Sheriff's Office(HOUSTON) -- The three people aboard a cargo jet contracted by Amazon that crashed in a bay near Houston, Texas, "did not survive," the company announced Sunday. The Boeing 767 jetliner, which was flying from Miami to Houston, plunged into the Trinity Bay near Anahuac Saturday just before 1 p.m., officials said. The plane was operating "on behalf of Amazon," according to Atlas Air Worldwide. One of the bodies was discovered Saturday evening, officials said. The other two people remained missing through the night. They have not yet been positively identified by the medical examiner, said Chambers County Sheriff Ryan Hawthorne in a press conference Sunday afternoon. The prospects of anyone surviving the crash appeared thin, local officials said Saturday "I dont believe that there is any way anyone could have survived," said Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne at an evening press conference. The U.S. Coast Guard, the Houston Police Department, Texas Park and Wildlife, and the Harris County Sheriff's Department, among other agencies, assisted with the search. On Sunday, the company confirmed that all three people aboard died in the crash. "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been affected," said Bill Flynn, Atlas Air Chief Executive Officer. "This is a sad time for all of us." Flight 3591, operated Atlas Air Inc., went off radar and lost radio contact about 30 miles from Houston's George Bush International Airport, according to an alert from the Federal Aviation Administration. At 12:30 p.m., the pilots contacted Houston's approach control at 18,000 feet, Robert Sumwalt, chairman of the NTSB, told reporters in a news conference Sunday afternoon. Air traffic control then advised the pilots about rain and provided radar factors about the weather, Sumwalt said. At 12:36 p.m., the aircraft was cleared to described to 3,000 feet, and three minutes later, when the aircraft was about 6,000 feet at a speed of 240 knots, air traffic control lost communication and radar with the plane, Sumwalt said. A distress call was not made, he added. Video taken from the Chambers County jail, which is about 1.4 miles from the impact area, shows the plane in a steep "nose-down" descent for about five seconds, Sumwalt said. Recovering the black boxes, the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder are "critical to this investigation," Sumwalt said. There were no hazardous materials on board, he said. Flight 3591, operated Atlas Air Inc., went off radar and lost radio contact about 30 miles from Houston's George Bush International Airport, according to an alert from the Federal Aviation Administration. #FBI Houston is responding to a 767 cargo plane crash in Trinity Bay near Anahuac, TX. We are working closely with our partners from @ChambersSheriff @NTSB @USCG @FAANews. Please be patient while this investigation continues. Updates will be shared through this Twitter account. pic.twitter.com/5YHdPsR9Af FBI Houston (@FBIHouston) February 23, 2019 Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi... Source: inkstonenews.com The Pentagons intelligence agency has published its first public report assessing the military power of China, a country that the United States increasingly views as a threat to its interests. The report by the Defense Intelligence Agency, or DIA, provides a window into top American concerns over Chinas armed forces that will help define the countrys own military strategy as the two countries rivalry has intensified in trade, technology and overseas influence. Here are the five takeaways from the Tuesday report. The US and Chinese armies take part in a joint disaster relief exercise in Chinas eastern Jiangsu province in November. Photo: Reuters/Aly Song 1. The goal of reunifying Taiwan is driving Chinas military modernization. The DIA says that Beijings goal to eventually take over the self-ruled island of Taiwan has served as a primary driver for Chinas military modernization. China is also worried that the US, a key military ally of Taiwan, will step in once conflict breaks out. The concern has prompted China to develop advanced equipment to deter foreign intervention. 2. Chinas military spending lags behind the US, but it has latecomer advantages. Chinas official defense budget was $175 billion in 2018, but the DIA estimated its actual spending at in excess of $200 billion. Although the amount was far behind Americas $700 billion budget for the 2018 fiscal year, the DIA says that as a latecomer, China is able to develop its army at a much lower cost. For example, China can acquire advanced technology through direct purchase, retrofits or intellectual property theft, without pouring money into research and development itself, the report says. The Chinese air force performs at Airshow China 2018 in the southern city of Zhuhai in November. Photo: AP/Kin Cheung 3. China already leads the world in some weapons, and its developing new ones. The DIA says Beijing has successfully secured military technology and expertise, sometimes through forced technology transfer, despite arms embargoes imposed by the US and the European Union. For instance, the country is likely developing new mobile missiles and a bomber that could deploy nuclear bombs. The Chinese military is on the verge of fielding some of the most modern weapon systems in the world, writes DIA Director Lieutenant General Robert Ashley in the report. In some areas, it already leads the world. China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning. The DIA says China already leads the world in some weaponry. Photo: Dickson Lee 4. The Chinese military is going global. China has been developing equipment, including long-range bombers and aircraft carriers, to facilitate the global reach of its military. Chinese soldiers have also taken up more overseas missions through Beijings military base in Djibouti and the flagship economic program known as the Belt and Road Initiative. Despite the advances, The DIA says China is far from being able to deploy conventional forces globally. Beijing is still trying to avoid provoking the US and its allies into war, it says. Chinas growing presence overseas could also see its military play a larger role in delivering global public goods, such as humanitarian operations. A doctor on China's military Peace Ark hospital ship gives an American doctor from the Mercy hospital ship a Chinese traditional medical treatment in Hawaii in 2014. Photo: Xinhua 5. China is focused on the sea, and looking into space. The Chinese navy has achieved rapid growth in the past years, as the Communist Party shifts its focus from the land to the sea. Defending its sovereignty claims in the disputed East China Sea and South China Sea is high on Beijings military agenda. The leadership also sees a need to protect its maritime trade, which is key to Chinas export-driven economy. China has also been strengthening its military power in cyber and outer space through new satellites, rockets and, possibly, anti-satellite missiles. Madisonville, KY (42431) Today A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Televisual is curating a number of sessions at BVE over the coming days including panels and workshops on using the Sony Venice, the Panasonic EVA1, shooting full frame and using pre viz in film and drama. Broadcast Video Expo, the biggest broadcast, production and media and tech exhibition in the UK, takes place at ExCel London from Tuesday 26th to Thursday 28th February. On Tuesday 26th comes a session on working with the Sony VENICE and the New VENICE Extension Unit The Sony VENICE launched last February and is already being widely used for commercials, feature films and particularly for Netflix drama. This session explores DoP Balazs Bolygos (Collateral) approach to cinematography and why he enjoys working with the Sony VENICE from the dual ISO (and the cameras low light image quality) to working with the VENICEs new Extension Unit and the creative possibilities and flexibility it offers. The session is supported by three short 4K HDR films and were joined by Alex Harrison from Motion Impossible to explain how their remote stabilised dolly, the Agito, enables fast set-ups and creates new ways of working. On Wednesday, theres a session Building the Perfect Shooting Pack and Workflow. This panel session looks at what else you need when you buy a compact, entry level Super35 camera and specifically covers those moving up to a Sony FS5, Mach II or Panasonic EVA 1. Products covered include Atomos monitor-recorders, Fujinon MK cine-zooms (to act as variable prime lenses), lightweight and inexpensive LED lighting to lift the look of your set pieces, to media and the best workflow options for the best results (from DIT to ingest and from editing to delivery). The session will be supported by two short films in 4K HDR. The panel is made up of Richard Warburton, Technical Director, Global Distribution; Ossie Jung, Gaffer and Director, ProLight Direct; Mark Horner, Market Development Manager, Fujinon. The chair is Televisuals James Bennett. Also on Wednesday is a session on Working with the Panasonic EVA 1 for 4K television. Rupert Cobb shares his experiences of shooting television car shows and live bands on the Panasonic AU-EVA 1. The EVA 1 is a small form factor Super 35mm camera thats perfect for indie film-making, music videos, documentaries and digital advertising. The session will include clips from recent Gunhill Studios productions demonstrating the EVA 1s low light capabilities and how the cameras images shot on Panasonics internal AVC Intra media deliver stunning results. Theres also a session on Wednesday on Shooting Full Frame an exploration of shooting full frame: the why, when and what does it look like? The session will cover what cameras can shoot full frame through how much data and what is the final look from changed focal lengths to shallower depth of focus. The session will also look at what Zeiss glass is on offer for Full Frame from the Zeiss Supremes to cine-zooms. The session will be supported by two short films shot Full Frame for 4K HDR masters (including an aerial view of London at night aerial has rarely looked as good!) On Thursday theres a session on Cinematography and VFX: Pre visualisation in Film & Drama. This session will explore how previz and real-time in camera CG enhances VFX workflows in drama/film production & post, and how this captures a combined creative vision. Drawing on Outlander (Series 2 and 3), Solo: A Star Wars Story, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Gindelwald and Disneys Nutcracker and the Four Realms NCam will show examples of different applications and techniques. Nic Hatch, CEO, NCam and Hugh Macdonald, CTO, NCam are on the panel. Head to https://www.bvexpo.com/ for the full details The majority of voters in Japan's Okinawa in a referendum on Sunday rejected the central government's plans to relocate a controversial U.S. airbase within Japan's southernmost prefecture, local media reported Monday after final tallies were counted. More than 70 percent of the voters rejected the government's plans to move the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from the Ginowan region to the coastal Henoko area also located on the island, giving the Okinawa government a stronger foothold in its campaign to block the controversial move. In the referendum where voters where given the choice to vote "yes," "no," or "neither," as to whether they wanted to see the U.S. base relocated on their island, the number of "no" votes came in at 72.2 percent of the total. Those supporting the move stood at some 19.1 percent, and those who voted "neither" stood at 8.8 percent in the referendum as to whether they agreed with the central government's land reclamation work in the coastal region, according to the prefectural authorities' figures. Exit polls also showed that not only do Okinawans not want to see any more bases on the island, they also want the central government to respect the outcome of the prefecture-wide referendum. Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki who denounces the central government's plans to relocate the base, said he hoped the referendum, although not legally binding, provided local citizens with the opportunity to voice their opposition to the move. Many Okinawans wish to see the base moved outside of Okinawa and Japan altogether, as anti-U.S. sentiment continues to rise on the island. * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! Candidate for Student Body Treasurer Ryan Dunn, a third-year studying political science, resigned from his role as Executive Chief of Staff of Student Government on Thursday, Feb. 21. Letter to the Editor Critical Race Theory Now those that remain in the Republican Party are all upset that the Critical Race Theory might be revealed through the ... Will Germany permit joint European security? By Joschka Fischer, exclusive to the Sunday Times in Sri Lanka View(s): View(s): BERLIN US President Donald Trump has proved truly disruptive to the transatlantic relationship. His questioning of Americas mutual-defence commitments presents NATO with an ominous and potentially existential crisis. The US security guarantee, after all, is one of the two pillars upon which European peace and prosperity have rested since the end of World War II. And nor has Trump spared the second pillar: the rules-based global trade system and economic order. Just two years after Trumps election, Europeans find themselves shivering alone in the icy winds of international politics, rightly wondering what is to be done. It stands to reason that Europe must deepen its internal bonds, close ranks, and strengthen its military capacity. Some might question whether this is what Europeans truly want, given that we are living in the age of Brexit, which will deprive the European Union of its second-strongest military and economic power. But just because the British dont seem to know what they want doesnt mean the rest of Europe is in the same boat. In fact, most Europeans favour a stronger, more powerful EU with a joint security policy. The big exception is Germany. As the EUs economic engine and most populous member state, there can be no joint security policy without the country that sits at the very heart of Europe. But it is an open question whether achieving joint European security with Germanys participation is even possible. Europeans must not allow wishful thinking to obscure important facts, as happened when the European Monetary Union was being formed in the 1990s. From the start, there were pronounced differences between individual member states not only with respect to economic and fiscal policy, but also in terms of political culture and mentality. Nonetheless, willful ignorance prevailed, and the monetary union was launched without the integrated political institutions that such a project requires. The EU must not make this mistake again. Today, the main fact that cannot be ignored is that a joint security policy will require a compromise between Germany and France, the two largest and most powerful member states. Such a compromise will not come easily. The two countries political mentalities, historical narratives, and geopolitical interests are simply too far apart, and in many cases diametrically opposed. Still, owing to its particular history, Germany poses the bigger obstacle, even if its official rhetoric suggests otherwise. For its part, Frances traditional self-image reflects its long history as a great European power, even if that era and Europes global dominance generally has passed. As a nuclear power and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, France views its military actions and arms exports not as moral failures but as the prerogatives of a world power conducting foreign policy. The genius of Charles de Gaulle was to claim the status of a victorious power for his country after World War II. Doing so invited French citizens to forget the Vichy regime, the defeat by the Nazis in 1940, and the internal political rifts of the 1930s. It was thanks to de Gaulle that France maintained its historical course. The same cannot be said for Germany. During the twentieth century, Germany made two bids for European hegemony and world domination, and the price it paid was its own destruction, to say nothing of Europes. Its sense of historical continuity was demolished in 1945, at which point its culture and traditions were devalued and its territorial integrity destroyed. Germany became synonymous with aggression, terror, and genocide. Postwar Germany abandoned military-based power politics and foreign adventurism, and concerned itself primarily with economic development. Germans simply saw no other way to gain reentry to the democratic West, let alone reclaim political sovereignty. This strategy culminated in the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990. With the shift away from power politics in 1945, Germans on both the left and the right became pacifists. And to this day, many Germans remain deeply and emotionally committed to neutrality, despite many decades of European integration and NATO membership. This has been particularly true in the post-reunification period, owing in no small measure to Americas security guarantee and willingness to manage the dirty business of power politics on Germanys behalf. But this cozy division of labour, like the American-led postwar order, came to an end with the election of Trump. A German return to traditional power politics certainly has its risks. But the alternative is to maintain the status quo and forego a joint EU security policy. A policy consisting of more than lofty words necessarily implies a deepening of political integration in the name of European sovereignty. Without common export rules, for example, there can be no meaningful cooperation on European armaments development, let alone more far-reaching and ambitious projects. Germans are currently engaged in an intense debate over defence spending, which must rise to 2% of GDP by 2024 to meet the countrys NATO commitments. Given the foreseeable geopolitical risks on the horizon, in the absence of a joint EU security policy, German defence spending would have to rise even higher to make up for the USs withdrawal from Europe. Needless to say, Germanys rearmament on its own would raise many questions and historical concerns. Rearmament with and for Europe and NATO, however, would be a completely different matter. One way or another, Europe must grow stronger. It is in everyones interest that Germany be productively engaged in that process. (Joschka Fischer, Germanys foreign minister and vice chancellor from 1998 to 2005, was a leader of the German Green Party for almost 20 years.) Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2019. www.project-syndicate.org This is a seminal moment in the history of our democracy and full transparency is required and needed to ensure that the faith of the population is restored in all the institutions that make this country great. This is not normal and the future of this democratic republic is at stake. These cuts would be in addition to other recent changes HCA-affiliated hospitals already have made that decrease the interest employees can earn on their retirement plans and significantly increase out-of-pocket costs for certain prescription drugs. Workers who need insulin, for example, now will see their monthly co-pays increase from $30 to $200 per prescription, even if a generic drug is not available. That is substantial money for any working family. Defenders of public schools are not paranoid to see a larger and unhealthy design in play. Public education is under attack from right-wing elements all over the nation. If more and more children are diverted to schools that arent required to properly educate them on the U.S. Constitution or on the principles of sound science, theyll become easier prey for politicians who disrespect the Constitution and have no use for sound science. One already sits in the White House. In the Florida Legislature, there are bills to allow alternative theories read Creationism and supply-side economics in the public curriculum. After the last summit, Trump unilaterally suspended some military drills with South Korea, alarming some in Seoul and at the Pentagon. But he was insistent this week that he would not draw down U.S. troops from South Korea. And American officials, even as they hint at a relaxed timetable for Pyongyang to account for its full arsenal, have continued to publicly insist they would not favor easing sanctions on North Korea until denuclearization is complete. -- The number of Promise-eligible offenses have been reduced from 13 to 10, with students no longer being eligible if they make false allegations against staff or bully or harass students and staff. Students would still be referred to the program for a disruption on campus, trespassing, alcohol use or possession, alcohol sales, marijuana use or possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, mutual combat fighting, assault or threat with no harm or injury, thefts of less than $300 and vandalism of less than $1,000. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is highly regarded in the military community, and is an honorable way to recognize service members and veterans who served during a wartime theater deployment regardless of service branch or era served, according to a news release. The ceremony consists of honoring each veteran by wrapping them with a comforting, handmade quilt that they can cherish in memory of coming home from war. There is a post-crash potential of fire if a battery cell is punctured, just like there would be post-crash with a gas tank, industry analyst Karl Brauer told the South Florida Sun Sentinel last year. Fire is possible in any vehicle accident, which causes sparks and heat, he added. Extra tidbit: Grace Della, founder and director of operations says in an email, An element of surprise for out-of-town folks is trying ceviche for the first time. Many also never had empanadas. And for local folks, they love to hear the differences on spices used in Latin cuisine. In fact, I would say that for out-of-town folks, they are always surprised to hear that Cuban food is not spicy. Lots of guests think all Latin food is as spicy as Mexican, and our hearts melt when we hear that. For local folks, they are always amazed to learn the history of the area. We always get things such as Oh, my gosh, I have been in Miami for years and I never knew the founder of Miami was a woman or Oh, this is where they practice Santeria in Little Havana. " From IT help to coding and artificial intelligence, there are a wide range of technology jobs in South Florida. On Thursday, those interested in a tech-related job have the opportunity to talk with some of the top technology companies and recruiters in the tri-county region. 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. MADISON [emdash] Patricia A. Scheibelhoffer (Novak) passed peacefully from this life into God's arms on Thursday, June 24, 2021. She was a graduate of Rock Creek High School and worked for many years in banking. She was preceded in death by her parents, Adam and Ann Novak and her husband Tho Milton, PA (17847) Today Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. by John Pilger There are times when one tragedy tells us how a whole system works behind its democratic facade and helps us understand how much of the world is run for the benefit of the powerful and how governments often justify their actions with lies. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the British government of Harold Wilson expelled the population of the Chagos Islands, a British colony in the Indian Ocean, to make way for an American military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island. In high secrecy, the Americans offered the British payment for the islands in the form of a discount on the Polaris nuclear submarine system. The truth of this conspiracy did not emerge for another 20 years when secret official files were unearthed at the Public Record Office in London by lawyers acting for the former inhabitants of the coral archipelago. Historian Mark Curtis described the enforced depopulation in Web of Deceit, his 2003 book about Britain's post-war foreign policy. The British media all but ignored it; the Washington Post called it a "mass kidnapping". I first heard of the plight of the Chagossians in 1982, during the Falklands War. Britain had sent a fleet to the aid of 2,000 Falkland Islanders at the other end of the world while another 2,000 British citizens from islands in the Indian Ocean had been expelled by British governments and hardly anyone knew. The difference was that the Falkland Islanders were white and the Chagossians were black and, crucially, the United States wanted the Chagos Islands - especially Diego Garcia - as a major military base from which to command the Indian Ocean. The Chagos was a natural paradise. The 1,500 islanders were self-sufficient with an abundance of natural produce, and there was no extreme weather. There were thriving villages, a school, a hospital, a church, a railway and an undisturbed way of life - until a secret 1961 Anglo-American survey of Diego Garcia led to the expulsion of the entire population. The expulsions began in 1965. People were herded into the hold of a rusting ship, the women and children forced to sleep on a cargo of bird fertiliser. They were dumped in the Seychelles, where they were held in prison cells, and then shipped onto Mauritius, where they were taken to a derelict housing estate with no water or electricity. Twenty-six families died there in brutal poverty, nine individuals committed suicide, and girls were forced into prostitution to survive. I interviewed many of them. One woman recalled how she and her husband took their baby to Mauritius for medical treatment and were told they could not return to their island. The shock was so great that her husband suffered a stroke and died. Others described how the British and Americans gassed their dogs - beloved pets to the islanders - as an inducement to pack up and leave. Lizette Talate told me how her children had "died of sadness". She herself has since died. The depopulation of the archipelago was completed within 10 years and Diego Garcia became home to one of the biggest US bases, with more than 2,000 troops, two bomber runways, 30 warships, facilities for nuclear-armed submarines and a satellite spy station. Iraq and Afghanistan were bombed from the former paradise. Following 9/11, people were "rendered" there and tortured. After demonstrating on the streets of Mauritius in 1982, the exiles were given the derisory compensation of less than 3,000 British pounds each by the British government. When declassified British Foreign Office files were discovered, the full sordid story was laid bare. One file was titled Maintaining the Fiction and instructed British officials to lie that the islanders were itinerant workers, not a stable indigenous population. Secretly, revealed the files, British officials recognised they were open to "charges of dishonesty" because they were planning to "cook the books" - lie. In 2000, the High Court in London ruled the expulsions illegal. In response, the Labour government of Tony Blair invoked the Royal Prerogative, an archaic power invested in the Queen's "Privy Council" that allows the government to bypass parliament and the courts. In this way, the government hoped, the islanders could be prevented from ever returning home. The High Court finally ruled that the Chagossians were entitled to return. In 2008, the Foreign Office appealed to the Supreme Court. Although based on no new evidence, the appeal was successful. I was in the House of Lords - where the court then sat on the day of the judgement. I have never seen such shame-faced judges in what was clearly a political decision. In 2010, the British government sought to reinforce this by establishing a marine nature reserve around the Chagos Islands. The ruse was exposed by WikiLeaks, which published a US embassy diplomatic cable from 2009 that read, "Establishing a marine reserve might indeed, as the FCO's [Colin] Roberts stated, be the most effective long-term way to prevent any of the Chagos Islands' former inhabitants or descendants from resettling." Whether or not the ICC delivers justice that is long overdue, an indefatigable campaign of islanders and their supporters shows no sign of giving up. John Pilger is an award-winning Australian journalist and broadcaster/documentary maker primarily based in Britain. Germany's Conundrum What to Do with Islamic State Returnees? Dozens of Germans who fought for Islamic State are in prison in northern Syria. Among them are alleged murderers and torturers, but also women and children. The German government lacks a coherent plan for dealing with them. By DER SPIEGEL Staff 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. Iraq to prosecute 13 French IS fighters seized in Syria Paris, Feb 25 (AFP) Feb 25, 2019 Iraqi courts will prosecute 13 French citizens captured while fighting for the Islamic State jihadist group in Syria, Iraq's President Barham Saleh said Monday. The fighters, who were turned over to Iraq after being seized by Syrian Kurdish forces, "will be judged according to Iraqi law," Saleh told a news conference after talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. "Those who have engaged in crimes against Iraq and Iraqi installations and personnel, we are definitely seeking them and seeking their trial in Iraqi courts," he said. An Iraqi government source in Baghdad had told AFP earlier Monday that 14 French fighters had been brought to Iraq by the US-backed forces trying to dislodge IS jihadists from their last bastion in Syria. Western countries are facing growing pressure to take back citizens captured as the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces close in on the last pocket of IS fighters in Syria. With the US decision to withdraw its troops from the country, they fear the fighters could escape Kurdish jails and resume fighting -- or return home with plans to stage attacks. France has long maintained that any of its nationals caught in Syria or Iraq should be tried locally, a stance which critics say could leave them facing the death penalty, which is outlawed in France. Iraqi courts have already meted out hefty sentences to hundreds of foreigners detained on its soil, often after lightning-quick trials. But Macron reiterated France's position Monday, saying that "it is up to the authorities of these countries to decide, sovereignly, if they will be tried there." "These people are entitled to benefit from our consular protection, and our diplomatic service will be mobilised," he added. - 'Good news' - Macron also said he would visit Iraq in the coming months, after France announced in January that it would provide one billion euros ($1.1 billion) in reconstruction funds for the war-ravaged country. "Iraq needs to recover its leading role in the region," Macron said, while urging its government to ensure an inclusive political system to avoid the sectarian violence that has beset the country for years. The French president also welcomed last week's announcement by US President Donald Trump that around 200 American soldiers will remain in northwest Syria, after previously saying all US forces would be pulled from the country. "The American decision is good news... It corresponds with the need to remain alongside the Syrian Democratic Forces," Macron said. "We will back up this decision politically... and we will continue to work in the region as part of the coalition" that has retaken nearly all the territory once held by IS as its so-called "caliphate", Macron said, without elaborating. France has appeared to soften its stance on its foreign fighters in Syria after Trump's decision to withdraw 2,000 troops from Syria, in particular with regard to women and children. Government sources in recent weeks have said around 50 adults and 80 children could be brought back to France, although authorities have not confirmed any planned transfer. Trump himself has called on European nations to repatriate the more than 800 fighters from France, Britain, Germany and elsewhere captured in the fight against IS, as have Kurdish leaders. But the decision is a delicate one for French officials wary of seeing former fighters staging attacks at home once they have purged any prison terms, following a wave of deadly jihadist terror attacks since 2015. - 'Mission not accomplished' - Saleh warned later Monday that jihadist terrorism threats remained high despite the gains against IS over the past year. "We've seen in the past that the mission is yet to be accomplished," Saleh said in a speech at the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI) think-tank -- evoking the infamous 2003 Iraq claim by former US president George W. Bush. "You have many, many extremists in many pockets in Syria, causing a potent threat to Syria, Iraq and the Western world," he said. Saleh said more efforts were needed to tackle the "root causes" of the Islamic State's emergence, including economic development and more democratic participation by minorities in Iraqi politics. "We need to embark on major political initiatives to make sure communities are included in the system," he said. Global arms control architecture 'collapsing': UN Geneva, Feb 25 (AFP) Feb 25, 2019 The international arms control system is facing collapse, the United Nations chief said Monday, as he urged Russia and the US to stop the imminent demise of a crucial nuclear treaty. Secretary General Antonio Guterres used an address to the UN's Conference on Disarmament to warn that one of the cornerstones of diplomatic achievement over the last half century -- arms control -- was in "grave danger". "I will be blunt. Key components of the international arms control architecture are collapsing," Guterres said. The United States has already begun the process of withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, in response to Moscow's deployment of the 9M729 missile, prompting Russia to announce its own withdrawal. "We simply cannot afford to return to the unrestrained nuclear competition of the darkest days of the Cold War," Guterres said. "I call on the parties to the INF Treaty to use the time remaining to engage in sincere dialogue on the various issues that have been raised," he added. "It is very important that this treaty be preserved." The collapse of the 1987 treaty, which banned ground-launched missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometres, has sparked fears of a new arms race in Europe. The US withdrawal is not set to take effect until August, giving a six-month window to save the treaty, but few expect this to happen and NATO has warned the world should ready itself for the pact's scrapping. French forces strike jihadists in central Mali Paris, Feb 25 (AFP) Feb 25, 2019 French warplanes struck a group of jihadists in central Mali over the weekend, killing or wounding 15 of them, the defence ministry in Paris said Monday. The raid -- the second in 48 hours -- took place north of Mopti on Saturday evening, as French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and Defence Minister Florence Parly were visiting Mali. Two Mirage 2000 jets, aided by a Reaper drone, took off from Niamey in neighbouring Niger to carry out the strike, which targeted forces from the Macina rebel group in the Dialoube region. The defence ministry did not specify how many jihadists were killed and how many wounded, saying only they were "put out of action". France has around 2,700 troops stationed in Mali as part of its Barkhane anti-insurgency campaign in the region, which comprises a total of some 4,500 soldiers. In addition to French troops, around 15,000 peacekeepers have been deployed in the country as part of the United Nations' stabilisation mission, known as MINUSMA. But the Malian authorities have struggled to improve security since France intervened in 2013 to drive back Islamic insurgents in the north, and large swathes of the country remain out of the government's control. In January, UN chief Antonio Guterres said more than half of the attacks by armed groups targeted Malian security forces in the central Mopti region, and around Timbuktu and Gao in the north. The strike Saturday came a day after France announced that it had killed a top jihadist leader and 10 of his men in Mali. Djamel Okacha, an Algerian commander with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), was killed Thursday after French commandos, helicopters and a drone hit a column of vehicles he was travelling in north of Timbuktu, French officials said. Okacha, a jihadist veteran known also as Yahya Abou El Hamame, was "the mastermind and financier of several attacks," the defence ministry said. US officials had accused him of kidnapping a number of Westerners in North and West Africa. Philippe and Parly were in Mali at the weekend to beef up support for the country in its fight against jihadism and officialise around 85 million euros ($97 million) of development aid. Iraq received 14 French IS fighters from Syria Kurds: government source Baghdad, Feb 25 (AFP) Feb 25, 2019 Fourteen French nationals accused of fighting for the Islamic State group were transferred to Iraq by US-backed forces squeezing the jihadists' final Syrian bastion, an Iraqi government source said Monday. The Syrian Democratic Forces have taken hundreds of foreign IS fighters into custody as they bear down on the jihadists' shrinking pocket of territory in eastern Syria. Since Thursday, they have transferred 280 Iraqi nationals accused of fighting alongside IS to Iraqi authorities. An Iraqi government source told AFP on Monday that Iraq had also received 14 French nationals from the SDF. The source could not specify when the transfer took place or whether the suspects would be tried in Iraq or extradited to France, and the French embassy in Baghdad was not immediately available for comment. Hisham al-Hashemi, an Iraqi expert with intimate knowledge of the issue, said the transfer had taken place in coordination with the US-led coalition fighting IS. "Those transferred do not include top IS commanders, but they have a trove of information on Daesh's (IS's) structure in Europe, French jihadist networks, and recruitment cells," Hashemi told AFP using an Arabic acronym for IS. He said the fighters had also battled government troops in Iraq, which could pave the way for their trial in Baghdad instead of their extradition to France. Iraq has tried hundreds of foreign IS fighters, including some caught in Syria and transferred across the border. In August, it sentenced a French man and German woman to life in prison and has also handed down death sentences to around 100 foreigners convicted of IS membership. French sources have told AFP that an estimated 50 adults and 80 children could be brought back to France from Syria, but authorities have not confirmed any planned transfer. Earlier this month, Human Rights Watch warned against any secret repatriations. "There's been a total lack of transparency, and bad things happen in the dark," HRW's head of counter-terrorism Nadim Houry told AFP. Nuclear breakthrough or vague promises? Outcomes abound for Trump and Kim Washington, Feb 25 (AFP) Feb 25, 2019 Could the United States and North Korea reach a historic accord -- or could it all fall to pieces? As President Donald Trump prepares for a historic second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, observers see a wide array of possible outcomes. Here are some scenarios that could emerge from the summit, which opens Wednesday in Hanoi: - Complete breakdown considered unlikely - The US pointman on North Korea, Stephen Biegun, and his counterpart Kim Hyok Chol are holding working-level talks in Hanoi to lay the groundwork for the leaders. A complete collapse of the summit seems "unlikely because Trump and Kim are so invested in the meeting," said Viping Narang, an associate professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. But what comes out of the talks is another story. The two leaders' first summit in Singapore ended in a statement that agreed on "complete denuclearization" -- which Pyongyang defines broadly as an end to nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula. The United States says it is seeking the "verifiable and irreversible" denuclearization of North Korea -- a formulation Pyongyang is sure to resist. - Repeat of Singapore is defeat for Trump - A simple repeat of the Singapore declaration would be widely seen in the United States as a defeat for Trump. "What would be a failure is another vague statement about intentions with very little concrete action that each side is committed to take," said Jung Pak, a former CIA analyst who is now a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Narang said that a repeat of Singapore would be the favored outcome for North Korea, which would face no fresh constraints. "There's a paradox: for the summit to be useful for the North Koreans, the working-level meetings need to be as vague and drawn-out as possible," Narang said. "But for the summit to be useful for the US, the working-level meetings have to deliver something concrete." A Western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that if nothing major emerges by the US summer, hawks around Trump such as his national security adviser, John Bolton, could increasingly press to be done with talks and focus on pressure. - Or Trump yields ground - No matter how much Trump's team prepares him, this most untraditional of US presidents could reject expert advice and, as is his wont, go with his gut. Such a scenario would be seen as a catastrophe by much of the Washington establishment, which has spent decades trying to figure out North Korea. "A failure would be that the US gives more than it receives," said Abraham Denmark, director of the Asia program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Denmark voiced fear that Trump could declare a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War -- which closed only with an armistice -- without significant action from Pyongyang. "Declaring an end to the war is a significant concession and should not be done lightly," he said, fearing an effect on the dynamics between the two Koreas. One major fear for South Korea and Japan is that Trump reaches a deal that only restricts intercontinental missiles that could hit the United States, while not taking up shorter-range weapons that threaten them. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has repeatedly spoken of the North Korea summit as a way to protect Americans, raising worries in the region. - US hopes for verifiable denuclearization - The best result for the United States would be a step-by-step, verifiable agreement in which the North Koreans commit to ending their nuclear program beyond verbal promises. North Korean concessions over which the United States could cry victory include the suspension of all the regime's missile and nuclear sites and the destruction of some of them, Denmark said. For Narang, the destruction of the Yongbyon complex -- North Korea's main nuclear center -- would mark an important step. But the key for Washington would be inspections by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency to verify North Korea is getting rid of its nuclear weapons. In return, Washington could open a liaison office in Pyongyang -- a step toward full diplomatic relations -- or declare an end to the war. Kim's most urgent goal is the lifting of international sanctions that have held back his hopes of economic development. The United States has so far insisted that it will not provide aid until denuclearization. But Biegun recently hinted at early steps, saying, "We didn't say we won't do anything until you do everything." Medford, NJ (08055) Today Some clouds. Low 72F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. Low 72F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. You are the owner of this article. 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. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff973bb60)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff9d9d448)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff973bb60)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff9d9d448)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff97360f8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff9d9d448)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff9d9d448)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff91ef618)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbff9c75500)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbff9c75500)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 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. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff9b255e0)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff9b05268)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff9b255e0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff9b05268)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff9b28cd8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff9b05268)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff9b05268)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff91f11e8)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbff9b97900)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbff9b97900)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 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. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff9a17210)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff9b78720)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff9a17210)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff9b78720)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff9be20b0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff9b78720)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff9b78720)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff91ef618)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbff9ae8510)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbff9ae8510)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 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. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff9b6a018)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff99d7828)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff9b6a018)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff99d7828)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff9b0f900)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff99d7828)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff99d7828)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff91f1200)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbff9b845a8)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbff9b845a8)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 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. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff974e8c8)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fc004f8cc20)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff974e8c8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fc004f8cc20)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff9749360)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fc004f8cc20)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fc004f8cc20)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff91f11e8)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fc0056825f0)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fc0056825f0)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 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. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff96c2b70)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff95e0b70)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff96c2b70)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff95e0b70)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff96d2350)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff95e0b70)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff95e0b70)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff91f1218)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbff91efa08)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbff91efa08)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- The Trump Organization announced Monday that it has sent a check for more than $191,000 to the United States Treasury, a figure that it said reflects its profits from doing business with foreign governments in the 2018 fiscal year. Before his inauguration, then President-elect Donald Trump pledged to donate all profits from foreign government patrons at his hotels and other properties to the U.S. Treasury. This voluntary donation fulfills our pledge to donate profits from foreign government patronage at our hotels and similar businesses during our fathers term in office, Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, said in a statement on Monday. Government ethics watchdogs and congressional Democrats have questioned the presidents pledge in the past, saying the methodology used does not require the Trump Organization to account for revenues earned from foreign-government patrons at unprofitable Trump properties. The Trump Organization claims not to market or solicit foreign government business as part of its efforts to comply with so-called emolument concerns. That refers to a clause in the Constitution that prohibits any federal officeholder including the president from accepting any payment or benefit from a state or foreign government without permission from Congress. In fact, we go to great lengths to discourage foreign government patronage at our properties, Eric Trump said in his statement. But a significant amount of foreign business has been reported at the Trump Organizations Washington, D.C., hotel, located in the Old Post Office building on Pennsylvania Avenue between the U.S. Capitol and the White House. The hotel, which has hosted several high-spending foreign clients since Trump took office, is currently the subject of two lawsuits over the Constitutions emoluments clause. Last month, a government watchdog reported that the General Services Administration (GSA) the federal agency that oversees the government-owned Old Post Office building ignored the Constitution by allowing the Trump Organization to retain a lease of the Old Post Office when Trump was elected president. Trump did not fully divest from his financial holdings upon taking office, breaking with precedent set by previous presidents to avoid potential conflicts of interest. Last year, the Trump Organization cut a check for $151,470 to the Treasury for what it said was its 2017 profit from foreign governments. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. This past November, I met an extraordinary little boy named Fawaz in a hospital in Aden, Yemen. At 18 months old, Fawaz weighed a little more than 4 kg (9 lbs). Severely malnourished, Fawaz had been in the hospital for more than a month, barely able to hold the therapeutic milk he was being given. Yet, he persevered, determined to live. Fawazs mother, Rokaya, was at his bedside day and night as if in a silent pact with her son to ensure that he prevailed. Unlike most severely malnourished children, Fawaz did not respond well to the two types of therapeutic milk normally used to treat such children. After weeks of unsuccessful treatment and several blood transfusions, doctors switched to hypoallergenic milk, which is more expensive and had to be paid for by Fawazs family. Without this milk, Fawaz would not have recuperated. But his recovery came at a tremendous price for his family. Each milk tin costs about $30. For families who survive on a few dollars a day, this has devastating consequences. Medicine for one child means less food for the family, and one less meal a day means a heightened risk of malnutrition for the other children in the household. This story does have a happy ending. Fawaz won. He left the hospital on 20 December and has continued to recover. But millions more Yemenis are facing similarly dire conditions. One aid agency estimates that 85,000 children in Yemen may have lost their fight against starvation since 2015. Out of a total of 20 million people who need help securing food, nearly 10 million are just a step away from famine. This includes almost 240,000 people who are facing catastrophic levels of hunger and barely surviving. Only half of the health facilities in the country are fully functioning. Hundreds of thousands of people got sick this past year because of poor sanitation and waterborne diseases. Needs have intensified across all sectors. Millions of Yemenis are hungrier, sicker and more vulnerable today than they were a year ago. The United Nations and humanitarian partners are doing our best to provide children such as Fawaz with a fighting chance. Throughout 2018, despite one of the most dangerous and complex operational environments, some 254 international and national partners actively coordinated to provide even more people in Yemen with life-saving support. Together, we assist about 8 million people every month across the country the largest aid operation in the world. In December alone, we reached a record number of more than 10 million people with food assistance. But much more needs to be done. We know we can save millions of more lives this year. But we are running out of time. And we are running out of money. Thats why on 26 February, the United Nations will convene a high-level pledging conference in Geneva, co-hosted by the Governments of Sweden and Switzerland. Just over $4 billion is needed for the humanitarian response in Yemen this year, representing a 33 per cent increase since last year to provide not only food, but treatment for malnourished children such as Fawaz, health care, clean water and so much more. The amount of money needed may sound large, but it will help reach 15 million Yemenis about half of the population by rolling back cholera, protecting children against deadly diseases, tackling malnutrition and improving living conditions for the most vulnerable people. Without additional funding, this simply cannot happen. Donor countries have continued to give generously to the Yemen Humanitarian Response and we urge them to do so again this year. It is in all of our interests to prevent the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Yemen from deteriorating further. I have every hope that our collective action in Geneva will save more lives and bolster the political process towards a peaceful solution. We owe it to Yemens children and their families. Mark Lowcock is the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. He last visited Yemen in late November 2018. Short link: The governments upcoming well-being budget could not only follow a new policy track - but could look different too, says Finance Minister Grant Robertson. Speaking at a Massey University/Auckland Chamber of Commerce breakfast this morning, Robertson said the government might take a lead from business as it prepares the next budget for release on May 30. Its going to be a different budget, and it will look a bit different as well. Its going to be not a lot different in many ways to how you do your annual report, he told the audience. Certainly the traditional budget would be much improved with a bit of colour and a few glossy pictures, although Robertson wasnt shallow enough to focus on them. What he did suggest was that there would be more emphasis on the state of play in the country taking into account wider measures than just fiscals - anything from environmental performance to mental health perhaps. The front two-thirds of your annual reports are about the why and the what of your organisation and the back third is the accounts. New Zealand has traditionally done its budget by just giving you the accounts. We want to say much more about why we are doing what we are doing and what it will mean in terms of long term change for New Zealand. I believe it will represent a major step forward in terms of New Zealanders being able to see and understand the impact of what government does in terms of their well-being. Otherwise, there wasnt much new in what Robertson told a mainly business audience at the breakfast. He highlighted good progress on the governments 20 percent net debt target, and said forecast 3 percent growth put us in a strong position relative to other countries. Robertson reiterated that the Tax Working Group report findings werent set in stone, although he stressed not having a capital gains tax was an anomaly internationally. There was also a strong focus on the economic situation around the world in Robertsons speech and how that affected New Zealand. He stressed ongoing friendship with China, and highlighted progress on a trade deal with the European Union - up to the third round of negotiations. Robertson said New Zealand was ready to talk to the UK as soon as that country was ready. We are operating in a world where there is some volatility, is some slowdown, and we cant be ignorant of the impacts for us, a trading nation. "But in New Zealand we are in solid position. (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: 28th June 2021 Morning Report 25th June 2021 Morning Report Westpac Banking Corporation (NZX: WBC) Confirms It Is Retaining Westpac New Zealand Ltd 24th June 2021 Morning Report 23rd June 2021 Morning Report 22nd June 2021 Morning Report 21st June 2021 Morning Report Infratil Limited (NZX: IFT) TPW Announces Conditional Sale of Its Retail Business Trustpower Limited (NZX: TPW) Announces Conditional Sale of Its Retail Business Mercury NZ Limited (NZX: MCY) Agrees to Acquire Trustpower's Retail Business The European Union has given inter-European diplomatic relations some of the highest degrees of maturity and coordination yet achieved, though this was not done overnight. It followed nearly two millennia of struggles from the time of the Roman Empire through the kingdoms of mediaeval Europe to the Second World War followed by four decades of Cold War between the Western and Soviet camps. Throughout these years, Europe did not find political stability or lasting peace. However, these feuds started to come to an end after the Second World War and finished with the establishment of the European Union in 2000, which despite its shortcomings represents a relief from millennia of wars and conflicts. It is against this background of lasting peace in Europe that the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has withdrawn its ambassador from Italy over the latter governments contact with the leaders of the gilets jaunes movement in France in an event not seen over the past five decades. Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio, leader of the Italian Five Stars Movement (MS5) and son of neo-fascist Antonio Di Maio, met representatives of the gilets jaunes movement and made a series of controversial statements about French President Emmanuel Macron describing him as a terrible president and so on. It was the worst verbal feud between these European countries since the Second World War and since Italy led by fascist leader Benito Mussolini declared war on France in 1940. Di Maios criticisms extended to Frances policies on immigration and its economic and political policies in Africa, particularly on the Libyan Civil War which Di Maio accused France of fostering. He rubbed salt into the wound when he met leaders of the growing gilets jaunes movement, describing it as beautiful. The wind of change has crossed the Alps from Italy into France, he said. The Italian government move was a diplomatic blunder that the French government perceived as a stab in the back from an allied country. For two of Europes biggest economic and military powers to reach such a level of disagreement is alarming. Di Maios recklessness in handling a delicate situation did not take into account the French reaction, even if his aim was to garner support for his MS5 Movement in Italy, which according to some analysts has been losing steam. It has been opposing several ties to France including a proposed project for the construction of a high-speed railway connecting Turin and Lyon. Such ties might fall victim to the escalating feud between the two countries that shared $84.4 billion of trade in 2017. The Italian side is more likely to be affected negatively as France is Italys second-largest trading partner after Germany. There are also some 1,900 French-owned companies in Italy employing nearly 250,000 people, while there are only some 1,000 Italian companies in France. French investments in Italy are much larger than Italian investments in France. If the Italians pursue their current aggressive behaviour, they risk losing investment or even a French boycott of their products. The Italian economy, already at a point of near stagnation, could do without further ripples resulting from political gaffes and aggression. With over two trillion Euros in debt and annual government borrowing of nearly 275 billion, Italy may be heading towards a major debt crisis that could make the Greek debt crisis pale in comparison. Even the Greek economy is now starting to show some signs of progress after five years of austerity, something Italy cannot brag about. Equally importantly, the Italian government is risking the anger of other European countries, whose citizens may be wary of visiting a country known for its majestic sight-seeing and history if its aggressive stance towards others continues to grow Italian politics have been on a rollercoaster ride since former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi stepped down in 2011 after a series of political, financial and sexual scandals that rocked the Italian establishment. Di Maio and other far-right politicians in Italy are in favour of exiting the European Union, and as a result are less keen on retaining cordial relations with other European leaders than on garnering the domestic support that may come from attacking them. These far-right leaders have found an opportunity in the French gilets jaunes movement despite the fact that a majority of the French movements members do not share their ideology as their demands are mostly about domestic matters such as lowering taxes that have nothing to do with the European Union. Di Maio and others in Italy believe that exploiting the movement may expedite their separatist ambitions just as Brexit did in the United Kingdom. There are darker skies ahead for the European Union, and signs of its possible disintegration are becoming more and more apparent. The biggest sign of that possible disintegration is the British decision to leave the European Union, an instance of a major European economy deciding that it no longer wants to be part of the Union. If Italy, the third-largest economy in Europe with the eighth-largest nominal GDP in the world, were also set to leave the EU, this would deal another major blow to the European Union. With Angela Merkel stepping down as Germanys chancellor by 2021, the future of Europe looks bleak, especially in the wake of reports about slowing economic growth across the continent. The last thing Europe wants now is for such signs of worry to extend to diplomatic feuds between major countries that could even escalate into economic wars. The Italian governments act of provocation against France is unprecedented since the Second World War. For an Italian official publicly to express his support for a movement seeking to topple an allied government is a violation of diplomatic norms or even an act of provocation warranting, as here, the French response of withdrawing an ambassador from Rome. It is not unusual for Western powers to interfere in third-world countries and demand the resignation or stepping down of leaders. The most recent case of this came in Frances actions supporting the rebellion in Syria and former French president Francois Hollandes demand that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad step down. Now it seems that French politicians may be getting a taste of their own medicine, calling for a different approach from French diplomacy. *The writer is a political analyst and author of Egypts Arab Spring and the Winding Road to Democracy. *A version of this article appears in print in the 21 February, 2019 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: Scores of biosecurity staff are fanning out over Auckland's North Shore checking hundreds of surveillance traps and inspecting fruit in search of the Queensland fruit fly. A third male has been detected but the Ministry for Primary Industries says there is still no evidence of a breeding population in the area. The first fly was detected in Devonport on Feb. 14, followed by a second in Northcote. This most recent discovery was also in Northcote, 113 metres from the earlier discovery. "This latest detection is further evidence that our surveillance programme is working and it is pleasing we still have no indication of an established breeding population," Biosecurity New Zealand spokesperson Catherine Duthie said. "Our trapping and surveillance has been enhanced and this programme will find any further flies in the area." There are currently 154 surveillance traps for the Queensland fruit fly in Northcote and 173 in Devonport. Duthie said biosecurity staff are also collecting fruit from properties near where the flies were found and are checking this for larvae. More than 300 kilograms of fruit have been inspected in a mobile laboratory with no detections to date. The movement of fruit and vegetables from nearby areas is restricted, staff and contractors are continuing to collect disposal bins for processing. Almost three tonnes of fruit and vegetable waste have been collected from the North Shore and in Otara, where another variety of fruit fly has been detected. New Zealand is currently free of the fly, but if it gained a foothold it could have a devastating impact on the horticulture export industry, forecast to reach $6 billion of sales in the year to June. The flies spoil many crops, often rendering them inedible and New Zealand could also face trade restrictions. At risk are all citrus fruits, all stone fruit, apples, pears, passionfruit, feijoa, grapes, guava, blackberry, boysenberry, cape gooseberry, custard apple, quince, persimmon, crab-apple, loquat, kumquat, pumpkin, olives, avocado, tomato, eggplant, and capsicum. The insect can be difficult to catch at the border because it can arrive as eggs or tiny larvae concealed inside fruit. Separately, two Facialis fruit flies - a native of Tonga - have also been found in Otara, both within the same zone. A total of 221 traps are in place and additional traps will be deployed, MPI 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. 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: 28th June 2021 Morning Report 25th June 2021 Morning Report Westpac Banking Corporation (NZX: WBC) Confirms It Is Retaining Westpac New Zealand Ltd 24th June 2021 Morning Report 23rd June 2021 Morning Report 22nd June 2021 Morning Report 21st June 2021 Morning Report Infratil Limited (NZX: IFT) TPW Announces Conditional Sale of Its Retail Business Trustpower Limited (NZX: TPW) Announces Conditional Sale of Its Retail Business Mercury NZ Limited (NZX: MCY) Agrees to Acquire Trustpower's Retail Business Comvita shares fell 13 percent after the honey products maker swung to a first-half loss and its planned shift to more formal sales channels into China is taking longer than expected. Comvita said its net loss was $2.7 million in the six months to Dec. 31 versus a net profit of $3.7 million in the same period a year ago. Revenue was $77.7 million versus $83.6 million a year earlier. While recent trading had improved, chair Neil Craig said issues in the first-half mean the company is unlikely to match last year's $8.2 million net profit. The stock fell to $4.51 and has shed about 40 percent during the past 12 months. It has been a challenging first half to the FY19 year, which has resulted in a shortfall in revenue and profit to that achieved in the comparable period," Craig said. "It has also been a period where we have implemented some important fundamental changes to the business that will result in long term, sustainable competitive advantage for Comvita." Last October the company announced a new strategy that - among other things - sought to harmonise prices across various sales channels targeting China and to reduce its dependence on the Daigou market into China - essentially an army of informal travelling shopping agents who buy products in Australasia for sale in China. "Implementing some of these changes has taken longer to complete than we originally anticipated. Consequently, improved financial performance from implemented changes has been slower to materialise than forecast," said Craig. In particular, it has taken longer than earlier anticipated to conclude sales agreements with all major cross-border e-commerce sellers into China, Comvita said. Looking ahead, "we believe that between our China joint venture, the formal CBEC channels and the Daigou sellers from New Zealand and Australia into China, we now have all bases covered in order to optimise profit on sales to Chinese consumers in the long term," it said. Comvita said it is seeing "good progress" with its joint venture company in China. "Sales expectations are on target and we are seeing an improved gross profit margin, because of our strategic pricing model approach to our entire business. We have increased our marketing investment inside China, in line with our strategy and we expect to see continued growth in this market," it said. Comvita said a lack of orders from one major existing customer in the US, after it overstocked another brand, and another poor pre-Christmas honey harvest had also contributed to the poor result. Post-Christmas, however, the results have been better, it said. Early estimates are that it will obtain about 20 kilograms per hive, better than the 16 kg it obtained last year, but still below its target of 24 kg. "Our Manuka honey harvest for this season will be below expectations but better than the last two years," it said. Comvita also said that it sees new revenue opportunities in North America and Europe that will "materialise either late in FY19 or early FY20." (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: 28th June 2021 Morning Report 25th June 2021 Morning Report Westpac Banking Corporation (NZX: WBC) Confirms It Is Retaining Westpac New Zealand Ltd 24th June 2021 Morning Report 23rd June 2021 Morning Report 22nd June 2021 Morning Report 21st June 2021 Morning Report Infratil Limited (NZX: IFT) TPW Announces Conditional Sale of Its Retail Business Trustpower Limited (NZX: TPW) Announces Conditional Sale of Its Retail Business Mercury NZ Limited (NZX: MCY) Agrees to Acquire Trustpower's Retail Business BlueScope Steels New Zealand business reported a 75 percent improvement in half-year operating earnings on the back of increased domestic sales, strong construction demand and a recovery in global steel prices. Sales revenue for the business, which includes BlueScopes Pacific Island operations, increased to A$463.5 million in the six months through December, 20 percent more than a year earlier. Earnings before interest and tax climbed 75 percent to A$71.9 million. BlueScope said the company, which operates the Glenbrook mill, benefited from strong local demand, higher prices for steel and vanadium and foreign exchange gains. Those benefits were partly offset by higher coal and electricity costs in the latest period. It cited good momentum in the commercial sector and on-going growth in new dwelling consents, and noted that export volume was reduced in favour of strong domestic demand. Construction sector activity remains solid, and the planned additional government investment will continue to support growth as the population continues to expand, albeit at a slower rate. Glenbrook is the countrys only producer of steel which it makes by smelting local iron sands with local and imported coal. It also operates the North Head iron sands mine, having sold the more southerly export-focused Taharoa mine in 2016 as part of a string of initiatives to keep the New Zealand business profitable. BlueScope also operates the Pacific Steel reinforcing business it acquired from Fletcher Building in 2015. Last October it also acquired a 16 percent stake in listed distribution firm Steel & Tube to prevent a take-over by Fletcher. Glenbrook is among the countrys biggest users of power, gas and coal and suffered last year as repair work at the Pohokura gas field reduced gas supplies and pushed up electricity prices particularly in October and November. An investor presentation today shows raw material costs at the New Zealand and Pacific business were about A$5.8 million higher than a year earlier and A$8.2 million more than the firm spent in the six months through June. It was able to recover about A$5.3 million of that through lower conversion and other costs. Higher export prices added A$9.8 million to earnings, while higher domestic prices delivered A$19.7 million more. Total volumes were unchanged from a year earlier at 307,500 tonnes. Domestic sales were 4 percent higher at 238,800 tonnes with increased flat steel volumes more than offsetting a 5 percent decline in long products which include reinforcing bar, wire and beams. Export volumes fell 12 percent to 68,700 tonnes. The divisional performance was a slight lift from the A$70.7 million it reported in the June half. BlueScope said it is expecting a weaker performance in the second-half, mostly due to lower benchmark selling prices, but also due to the timing of planned maintenance shuts. Vanadium returns are likely to be lower and it is expecting no material relief from high power prices. The Melbourne-headquartered steelmaker has steel plants at Port Kembla in New South Wales, at Glenbrook south of Auckland and in Ohio. It operates more than 80 coating, roll-forming and painting plants in Australia, the US, Asia and the Pacific and includes Tata Steel, Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Corp as joint venture partners in some geographies. Australias biggest steel maker reported stronger than forecast first-half ebit of A$840 million, up 65 percent from the year before. Sales from continuing operations were 17 percent higher at A$6.398 billion and net profit was A$624.3 million, up 42 percent from a year earlier. BlueScope noted the weaker Australian dollar boosted earnings by about A$26.1 million. Price gains would have provided almost A$613 million of earnings but were offset by about A$279 million of increased raw material costs. The company is expecting full-year underlying ebit about 10 percent higher than the A$1.269 billion reported last year. Second-half earnings are likely to be softer than those reported today, due to lower spreads and volumes in Australia, lower spreads at its North Star mill in the US, the weaker result expected in New Zealand and a similar result from its building products operations in Asia and North America. (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: 28th June 2021 Morning Report 25th June 2021 Morning Report Westpac Banking Corporation (NZX: WBC) Confirms It Is Retaining Westpac New Zealand Ltd 24th June 2021 Morning Report 23rd June 2021 Morning Report 22nd June 2021 Morning Report 21st June 2021 Morning Report Infratil Limited (NZX: IFT) TPW Announces Conditional Sale of Its Retail Business Trustpower Limited (NZX: TPW) Announces Conditional Sale of Its Retail Business Mercury NZ Limited (NZX: MCY) Agrees to Acquire Trustpower's Retail Business Freightways lifted first-half profit 6 percent through strong revenue and volume growth coupled with greater productivity in the express package division. Organic expansion and acquisitions bolstered information management revenue. Net profit for the six months ended December rose to $33.4 million from $31.4 million in the same six months a year earlier. The latest result includes a $1.4 million profit because its insurance proceeds exceeded the written down value of racking damaged at its Porirua document storage facility during the Kaikoura earthquake in November 2016. The express package and business mail division lifted revenue 7.8 percent to $233.5 million, accounting for about 74 percent of total group revenue. Earnings before interest, tax and amortisation (ebita) rose 6.1 percent to $38.6 million. Freightways operates under the New Zealand Couriers, Post Haste, Castle Parcels and other brands. Arch competitor New Zealand Post, which reported its first-half results last week, didnt provide individual results for its parcel operations but for the first time since 2015, increasing revenue from parcels delivery was more than enough to offset continuing falls in mail volumes. NZ Posts parcel volumes rose to 40.7 million in the six months ended December from 39 million in the year-earlier six months. Chief executive David Walsh said parcel delivery targets are met between 95-98 percent of the time and he says thats 3-5 percent better than the next best competitor. Freightways chief executive Mark Troughear, who took the helm in January last year after joining the company in 1996, refuted that. If we were only at 96 percent, we would have customers kicking our arse from breakfast to dinnertime, Troughear told analysts on a conference call. Ours would average 98 percent .. theres a whole lot of 98s and 97s theres not many below 96. Troughear said about a third each of the revenue increase for the parcels business came from organic growth, price rises and surcharges. Freightways' information management division, whose Shred-X document destruction business branched out into medical waste disposal with the September 2017 acquisition of Med-X, lifted operating revenue 7.6 percent to $82.2 million while ebita rose just 0.5 percent to $14.7 million. Partly that reflected the costs of three bolt-on acquisitions that are still being integrated. The company is upbeat about the outlook for the second half, although it isnt putting numbers on it, just saying that it is once again targeting year-on-year earnings growth for the full year." Freightways will pay a fully tax paid first-half dividend of 15 cents per share, up from 14.5 cents last year. The shares are trading at $7.85, up 4 cents from Friday. They have gained about 5 percent in the past 12 months. (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: 28th June 2021 Morning Report 25th June 2021 Morning Report Westpac Banking Corporation (NZX: WBC) Confirms It Is Retaining Westpac New Zealand Ltd 24th June 2021 Morning Report 23rd June 2021 Morning Report 22nd June 2021 Morning Report 21st June 2021 Morning Report Infratil Limited (NZX: IFT) TPW Announces Conditional Sale of Its Retail Business Trustpower Limited (NZX: TPW) Announces Conditional Sale of Its Retail Business Mercury NZ Limited (NZX: MCY) Agrees to Acquire Trustpower's Retail Business Another international ratings agency, Standard & Poors, has weighed in to call the Reserve Banks proposed new bank capital requirements a burden on the Australian parents of New Zealands four major banks. The higher capital requirements for the Australian-owned banks, which include almost doubling tier 1 capital from 8.5 percent of risk-weighted assets currently to 16 percent, could create significant imposts for their Australian parents, S&P says. We estimate that the higher Tier 1 capital requirement would be an increase of about 43 percent of the existing capital base for the system and 47 percent for the four major New Zealand banks and the potential implications for their Australia-based parents are material and complex, given cross-border regulatory issues, the ratings agency says. It estimates the banks in New Zealand will need to raise tier 1 capital by about $13.7 billion, or about one-third more from current levels, just to meet the new minimum if that is the Reserve Banks final decision. We estimate the capital requirement for the increase in risk-weighted assets for internal ratings based banks at the proposed capital standards to be about $6.6 billion for the four New Zealand major banks, S&P says. It also estimates the big four and Kiwibank will need to replace about $6.3 billion of additional tier 1 capital because the Reserve Bank wants to exclude quasi-equity instruments, usually fixed interest securities that can be converted to equity if a bank gets into difficulties, from qualifying as tier 1 capital. Thats still a lot less than the Reserve Banks own calculations on Friday, it said the big four banks would need to increase their capital by about $20 billion. Indeed, ANZ Bank said in December that by its calculations it alone would need to raise between $6-8 billion to satisfy the new rules if theyre imposed. But while S&Ps calculations are on the light side, it says the additional capital wont improve the big four banks credit ratings. We equalise our ratings on the New Zealand major banks with the credit profiles of their respective parent groups because we consider each of the New Zealand major banks to be an integral part of their respective group, S&P says. Consequently, we expect that the parents are highly likely to provide timely financial support for the New Zealand major banks, if needed, it says. Furthermore, we consider that the RBNZ proposal, if implemented, is also unlikely to cause a change in our rating on the parents of the four major New Zealand banks; although the parents are likely to need to strengthen their consolidated group capital to meet RBNZ requirements. The Reserve Bank has argued that because of the additional capital, New Zealand banks will be safer and so will likely get cheaper credit. If the banks receive no uplift to their credit ratings, that appears unlikely. The central bank is currently consulting on its proposals, a process set to close on May 3. In December, Fitch Ratings said the proposals were radical and highly conservative relative to international peers but that the result will ultimately be significantly stronger buffers against financial system shocks. While that is a widely-held view, the Reserve Bank kicked back on this on Friday, with deputy governor Geoff Bascand insisting that the proposed requirements are no outliers. The new minimums will take New Zealand to the high end of international norms, but its not extreme, he says. The Reserve Bank cited Basel Committee estimates that will put New Zealand in the third quartile. It also cites S&Ps risk-adjusted calculations showing that New Zealands current capital requirements are well below average compared with other countries and that the new requirements will put them below those of Finland, Norway and the Czech Republic. (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: 28th June 2021 Morning Report 25th June 2021 Morning Report Westpac Banking Corporation (NZX: WBC) Confirms It Is Retaining Westpac New Zealand Ltd 24th June 2021 Morning Report 23rd June 2021 Morning Report 22nd June 2021 Morning Report 21st June 2021 Morning Report Infratil Limited (NZX: IFT) TPW Announces Conditional Sale of Its Retail Business Trustpower Limited (NZX: TPW) Announces Conditional Sale of Its Retail Business Mercury NZ Limited (NZX: MCY) Agrees to Acquire Trustpower's Retail Business The New Zealand dollar continues to benefit from strong retail sales data yesterday and positive headlines on the US-China trade tensions. The kiwi was trading at 68.81 US cents at 8am in Wellington from 68.63 at 5pm yesterday. The trade-weighted index was at 74.27 points from 74.15. Global sentiment got a lift when US President Donald Trump said that a trade pact could happen soon and that both sides were very close to a deal. He also said that tariffs that are due to come into effect on March 1 would be delayed. "Pro-growth comments from Chinas Xi Jinping also added to optimism, after he said that management of risks should be done from a backdrop of stable growth, suggesting Chinas tolerance for softening growth may be reaching its limits," said ANZ Bank FX/Rates strategist Sandeep Parekh, Domestically the focus will be on a speech by RBNZ deputy governor Geoff Bascand about proposed changes to bank capital requirements. Last Friday, the kiwi took a tumble when Bascand said New Zealands top four banks may have to raise $20 billion in new capital during the next five years to meet the central banks proposed new requirement and reiterated a rate cut might be possible. Another international ratings agency, Standard & Poors, has weighed in to call the Reserve Banks proposed new bank capital requirements a burden on the Australian parents of New Zealands four major banks. It said the additional capital won't improve the big four banks credit ratings. The New Zealand dollar was trading at 95.92 Australian cents from 96.07, at 76.46 yen from 75.93, at 52.60 British pence from 52.51, at 60.61 euro cents from 60.51 and at 4.5889 Chinese yuan from 4.5890. (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: 28th June 2021 Morning Report 25th June 2021 Morning Report Westpac Banking Corporation (NZX: WBC) Confirms It Is Retaining Westpac New Zealand Ltd 24th June 2021 Morning Report 23rd June 2021 Morning Report 22nd June 2021 Morning Report 21st June 2021 Morning Report Infratil Limited (NZX: IFT) TPW Announces Conditional Sale of Its Retail Business Trustpower Limited (NZX: TPW) Announces Conditional Sale of Its Retail Business Mercury NZ Limited (NZX: MCY) Agrees to Acquire Trustpower's Retail Business Press Release February 24, 2019 De Lima warns vs 'Trojan horses' among Senate bets for 2019 polls Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has warned against some popular senatorial candidates who might undermine the country's democracy and freedom should they get elected in public office come the May 2019 elections. De Lima made this appeal as she shared her reflection with her guests during a Holy Mass held this morning at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City to mark her two years in unjust detention for false drug charges. "Trojan horses could make their way into the Senate, unless we do something about it. They will destroy the remaining shred of independence of that institution," she said, without naming names among the long list of senatorial candidates. "We cannot fight this battle alone," she added, mindful that nation-building entails reaching out to others no matter how approaching them might seem unlikely. A staunch defender of human rights and social justice, De Lima is politically persecuted for being a fierce critic of the Duterte administration's crooked policies. With the senatorial elections in May 2019 on her mind, De Lima said the country's democracy is under siege as she underscored the need to elect national leaders who can truly protect our rights and liberties against attacks by some quarters. "Give them a chance. They might surprise you. For as long as there is a chance they might be persuaded to uphold the independence of the Senate--and by that, I mean vote for Otso Diretso--reach out to them." Two out of the eight senatorial bets belonging to Otso Diretso--Sen. Bam Aquino and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno--were in attendance. Addressing her guests earlier, De Lima endorsed the opposition candidates as "diretso sa paninidigan, diretso sa katalinuhan, at diretso sa pagmamahal sa bayan." Also present were De Lima's fellow senators, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Liberal Party President Sen. Francis Pangilinan, as well as some of her former colleagues in the Aquino administration where she served as Justice Secretary. Recalling her arrest on 24 February 2017, the lady Senator from Bicol shared how she bid farewell to her staff in the Senate who were "fighting back tears" when she said to them that she is not sure how long her ordeal will last. "Sana, a few years lang," is what she revealed to have been her thought at that time but did not say out loud because she didn't want her staff to think that she was afraid of long detention. "I did not want to leave them with fear in their hearts. I wanted to be strong for them," she added. She hoped for relief through a favorable decision on her case by the Supreme Court but it did not come. "How many more years shall I endure? Nobody knows," she said, saying the last two years has shown that the judiciary is not immune to political pressures and that the "state of our justice system hardly inspires confidence." But De Lima said there had been minor victories along the way, citing last Friday's hearing in Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 205 when the Prosecution presented its first witness, former police director Benjamin Magalong, who, she said, "did not lie, could not lie and would not want to lie." De Lima shared that when the former chief of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) was cross-examined, he was asked by her defense laywer: "In all your years of gathering information, whether in your professional or personal capacity, did you ever hear anything at all on the alleged involvement if the accused Senator de Lima in illegal drugs." "To which, Magalong replied, 'None. Negative.' He also said that I had no integrity issues," De Lima said to the applause of her guests. However, the Senator is not as confident that the other witnesses, including the convicts detained at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) who were illegally admitted as state witnesses in violation of the expressed provisions under the Witness Protection Program (WPP), could be capable of such truth-telling. Referring to judges who have been assigned to her cases but later inhibited or opted for early retirement, De Lima said: "Nobody wanted to touch the cases at first, and I don't blame them. They know that they will be damned if they do justice, and damned if they don't. They know what is at stake...If they do justice to me, they would offend the powers that be. If they do right, they would incur the Duterte wrath." "Today's Gospel strikes hard at me," she said, adding that loving your enemies is easier said than done. "Could I love my enemies? I don't know if I could get there. I would need to meditate further," she told her visitors. De Lima then asked herself a "simpler" question instead, whether she could forgive those who have wronged her. "Even though they do not ask for my forgiveness, the truth is, I have long forgiven them those who were just used as pawns against me. But they're not the real enemies," she said. De Lima said that Duterte may be "the most blatantly and vocally vicious" against her, but he is just one of her "powerful enemies". "In time, I can find it in my heart to forgive but I will never forget, because to forget is to surrender my humanity," she added. De Lima said that all throughout history there have been days of infamy that should not be forgotten for the sake of the victims of injustice, and in order to remember lessons from the past. "Do not forget that there is one Leila de Lima who became a victim of persecution and injustice. And that is what I ask of you. Never forget. Remember the 24th day of February. That is the day when the truth, justice, rule of law and democracy were put to test. We still have not lost. The battle continues," the Senator said, stressing that Filipinos have the chance to uphold justice and democracy in the elections two months from now. Sembmarine will design and construct a LNG bunker tanker with GTT Mark III Flex membrane tank system with 12,000 cu m capacity, making the vessel the largest of its kind to be built in Singapore. The LNG bunker tanker will be delivered in 2021 and chartered to Pavilion Gas for deployment in Singapore. Pavilion Gas is a subsidiary of Pavilion Energy, a Singapore government-backed LNG company. Read more: Sinanju expands into LNG bunkering, to operate large LNG bunker tanker Compared to IMO Type C LNG tanks, the Mark III Flex membrane tanks have lower internal pressure, temperature and boil-off rate, which translates into greater tank durability, safer fuel transfer operations and reduced cargo loss through evaporation. The Mark III Flex membrane tanks also weigh less and occupy less ship space, allowing the vessel to carry more cargo and consume less fuel. For cleaner propulsion, the LNG bunker tanker will have dual-fuel engines running on LNG or marine diesel oil. This project marries Sembmarines ship design and construction expertise with GTTs industry-leading membrane tank system. We are confident the outcome will be a sophisticated newbuilding that not only delivers optimal technical performance, but also helps MOL and Pavilion Energy contribute to the expected standard of LNG bunkering operations in Singapore, said Wong Weng Sun, president and ceo of Sembmarine. Read more: Sembmarine to close its Tanjong Kling yard four years ahead of schedule Separately, Sembmarine clinched contracts to repair and modernise 13 cruise ships. Sembmarine said the cruise ships jobs and the LNG bunker tanker deal are worth a combined SGD175m ($130m). As Sembmarine expands into new innovations, products and energy value chain solutions, we are also proud to retain our traditional excellence in ship repairs and upgrades, Wong said. Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said that the states main Sandakan port, which has long been the focus of trade, needs to get ready to cope with the growing needs of the area, following the recent opening of the ports new jetty. In future we need a port with larger capacity. For Sandakan port our initiative is, among others, to cater to the needs and enable our trade to increase, he was reported saying. Seaborne trade between East Malaysias Sabah state and neighbouring countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, China and Japan is expected to grow. In future, when ships from outside come not only are there products from outside but also products from Sabah to be exported, this is important, he said, adding that this includes opportunities from the tourism market. Development should also happen for Kudat port in the northern tip of Sabah, where there are plans to create a railway route from Kudat to the state capital Kota Kinabula to facilitate the passage of freight forwarding. Sabah Ports chairman Tan Sri Ibrahim Menudin was quoted saying: Sandakan port is an important gateway for the state economic development because of its role in accelerating the economic activity in the east coast of Sabah. In view of this, he said the need to expand the anchorage area for big trading vessels at Sandakan port has been identified. Sandakan port handles almost all types of cargoes including containers, general cargoes, bulk oils, passenger ships to ferry services and transhipment activities. The port operates roughly 44m tonnes of cargo a year. Ibrahim said developments at Sandakan port is under the Port Masterplan which includes development of other ports such as Sepanggar, Lahad Datu and Tawau. Ports in Sabah were built over the last 30 to 40 years. Therefore, there is a need to upgrade and enhance port efficiency, as well as support Green Port initiatives to promote the use of state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure to meet the growing demands of port users and shipping ships, he said. During discussions with Egyptian young people, both men and women living inside or outside of Egypt, I have been surprised to find that the vast majority do not know that the choice of 21 February as World Student Day has its roots in the modern history of Egypt and the Egyptian student movement that served the struggle of the Egyptian people for national liberation and independence. This goes back to the post-World War II period, but one should also recall that Egyptian students played an influential and effective role in Egypts struggle to achieve national independence throughout the earlier 20th century. There were important milestones on this march, particularly the 1919 Revolution aiming to achieve independence from the British occupation as well as constitutional democracy. This revolution led to Egypts formal independence after the February 1922 British Declaration and the adoption of the 1923 constitution before multi-party elections were held resulting in an overwhelming victory for Saad Zaghlouls Wafd Party. Egyptian students played a no less important role in 1935 when they were instrumental in pushing the leaders of the countrys political parties to agree to establish a national unity government in order to negotiate with the British over full independence for Egypt and the total withdrawal of British troops from Egyptian territory. These negotiations led to the signature of the 1936 Egyptian-British Treaty, which was an improvement over the 1922 Declaration but still fell short of expectations in Egypt for full independence and the complete withdrawal of British troops. In the aftermath of World War II, there were new realities in Egypt, the region and the world as a whole. These led to a new momentum and new ideological, political and social orientations in the Egyptian national movement and the Egyptian student movement. The struggle was renewed after the end of the war to push for national liberation and independence and the complete withdrawal of British troops from Egypt. However, the student movement also demanded economic independence and the rejection of Egypts joining any of the pro-Western alliances being discussed at the global and regional levels. It also echoed the need for social justice, including through land reform, and went as far as to call for an end to the monarchy in Egypt and the establishment of a republic. February 1946 was a special month in the struggle, since it was then that independent National Student and Worker Committees were established and a new generation of leaders came to the fore of the national struggle through them. The National Student Committee was particularly active on 9 February when a national conference was held that led to street demonstrations in front of Abdine Palace in Cairo, the official residence of king Farouk, in order to reiterate the demands of the students. These included ending the negotiations with the British occupiers, abrogating the 1936 Egyptian-British Treaty, and the immediate withdrawal of British troops from Egypt. The government, led by minority political parties, instructed the security forces to stop the student demonstrations from reaching Abdine Palace. The Abbas Bridge across the Nile was raised, and several students were killed, becoming martyrs of the national movement. This incident then escalated the protest movement and the demonstrations. On 17 February, a National Committee of Students and Workers demanded the complete withdrawal of British troops from Egypt, the internationalising of the Egyptian Question, meaning referring it to the newly established United Nations, and the ending of Egypts dependence on the Western powers. The meeting also called for 21 February every year to be commemorated as Withdrawal of the British Troops Day. On that day in 1946 there was a general strike when many shops closed. The National Committee for Students and Workers held a meeting at the Opera Square in Downtown Cairo reiterating demands for the complete withdrawal of British troops from Egypt and the abrogation of the Egyptian-British Treaty. Demonstrations then spread across the country. In Cairos Ismailia Square, later renamed Tahrir Square, British tanks attacked the demonstrators, opening fire on them and leading both to further martyrs and to more protests and demonstrations. The government ordered army troops to encircle students demonstrating inside Cairo University. However, army officers affiliated to new political currents in Egypt as well as to the nucleus of the Free Officers organisation that later led the 1952 Revolution rejected orders to open fire on student activists fighting for the countrys independence. In that same year, a preparatory meeting took place in Prague in the Czech Republic to declare the establishment of the World Student Union with the participation of representatives of male and female Egyptian students. The meeting decided to consider 21 February as World Student Day in honour of the martyrs of the Egyptian Student Committee fighting for national liberation. At the national level, the Egyptian student movement succeeded in forcing the British to withdraw their troops from the countrys main cities and withdraw to their base in the Suez Canal Zone. It also succeeded in aborting the conclusion of a deal between the minority government in Egypt and the British known as the Sedki-Bevin Agreement in reference to the then Egyptian prime minister Ismail Sedki and the then British foreign secretary Ernest Bevin. *A version of this article appears in print in the 21 February, 2019 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Short link: China and Saudi Arabia should strengthen the synergy of the Belt and Road Initiative, enhance cooperation on energy, infrastructure construction, finance, and high tech, said Han Zheng. As well as shipping agreements were signed covering politics, energy and finance. Saudi Arabia is willing to safeguard common interests of the two countries and work with China to deepen cooperation in developing the Belt and Road, Crown Prince Mohammed said. In terms of shipping sector, the maritime departments of each nation will be engaged in strengthening bilateral maritime cooperation, to jointly promote the merchant shipping between China and Saudi Arabia for better cargo and passenger transportation. The agreement will actively promote the establishment of a stable mechanism and law framework to enhance shipping business and economic links of the two countries. The China-Saudi Arabia High-level Joint Committee was launched in 2016, it is the third meeting this year. The Saudi Crown Prince made a two-day visit to China following visits to India and Pakistan last week. This years Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children will take place in three cities: Alexandria (4-5 March), Cairo (7-15 March) and Minya (16 March). Over the years, the Hakawy festival, put on by the company AFCA for Arts and Culture, has brought 55 companies and over 200 artists specialised in theatre for children from 15 countries and four continents to Egyptian audiences. This year, the ninth edition of the festival is even bigger in its programming and stronger in its mission to become one of the major cultural events taking place on the Egyptian arts scene. Mohamed El Ghawy, the festival's founder and artistic director, says this strategy aims at bringing the event to a larger audience, while creating opportunities for local artists as well as building up for the tenth edition to take place next year. Given this, Hakawy's ninth edition will offer eight international and nine Egyptian performances, the highest number to take place since the festival's founding, and significantly more than the usual figures of four to five international and one or two Egyptian shows. This year will see performances from the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, France and USA, in addition to the Egyptian shows, in different theatrical formats: object theatre, puppet theatre, black theatre, physical theatre, musical theatre and modern dance. El Ghawy is also expecting over 10 international delegates -- festival and theatre directors -- to attend Hakawy with an aim of developing a possible future cooperation between Egyptian artists and their international colleagues. Among the programme highlights are three shows from Holland: HiHaHuttenBouwers by De Stilte, EGG-tion Hero by Maas theater en dans and Jabber by Kwatta company. A significant performance, and a new practice for Hakawy, will be the performance by the UKs Bamboozle Theatre. Their show Storm targets children who are on the autistic spectrum. According to the festival's promotional material, Storm "uses elements of Shakespeares Tempest and weaves them into a dramatic sequence embracing the sea and ships, islands and magic, as well as using Shakespeares language. The company aims to deliver memorable, multi-sensory experiences for children and young people with moderate to profound learning difficulties as well as those with emotional and behavioural difficulties." The opening event will include one of the greatest works from Egypts 1960s theatre scene, El-Leila El-Kebira, (The Grand Night), a puppet operetta with poetry by Salah Jahin, music by Sayed Mekawy, scenography by Mostafa Kamel and mise-en-scene by Salah El Sakka. The event commemorates renowned puppeteer Nagy Shaker, who passed away last year. El-Leila El-Kebira has been adapted many times, including in a version for the Cairo Opera Ballet Company created by Abdel Moneim Kamel in 2001, in which the puppets turn into live dancers. During this years Hakawy festival, the original performance with captivating puppets will remind audiences of the iconic original show and show the young generation the best values of their country's theatrical history. The shows will take place across nine venues, including the Hanager Arts Center, the Tahrir Culture Center, venues in Historic Cairo, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Jesuit Cultural Center, and the AUEED centre in Minya. There will be other performances by renowned local artists such as Hend El Shimi, Samia Jaheen, Israa El Ghazaly, Kayan Marionette Theatre, and Noon Creative Enterprise, among others. The increased number of Egyptian performances gives us an opportunity to present the local productions to the international art practitioners, theatre and festivals managers, the delegates who will attend the Hakawy festival, El Ghawy told Ahram Online. We want to provide a platform for the Egyptian theatre practitioners to present their work. Among our core mission elements is not to be limited to importing the art but also to serve as a creative exporter of the Egyptian theatre talents, performances and many values that they carry, he said. A few months ago El Ghawy released a call for international theatre managers to attend the festival. The initiative received a very positive response and the delegates are expected to form one of the essential components of the festival. El Ghawy believes that this will be the beginning of a large-scale cooperation with the international scene which will have many benefits for the local artists. One of the festivals highlights is the Family Section, which aims at bringing children and their families to the shows. "Hakawy is a family festival, even if we call it a 'festival for children,' for the sake of categorisation and reaching out to the specific audience in Egypt, said El Ghawy. Naturally, children come with their families (or schools). The Family Section is held during the weekends, to stress the need for families coming together. This is very important and carries a lot of values, many of which can impact lives of whole families and their communities. He explains that the Family Section provides art that is different to films such as Spider Man or Harry Potter, which lead children to imitate the heroes skills, raising parental concerns about their safety. "The Family Section allows the whole family to enjoy the show and feel secure about their children," El Ghawy continues. "Having returned home, they will have many topics to talk about and bond together while developing bigger appreciation for, and interest in, the arts." As per the festivals regular practice, AFCA organises school trips for the students to attend the morning shows during weekdays, while families will be able to attend the performances during the weekends. A number of workshops and additional activities will take place in parallel to the shows on stage. For the third consecutive year, the mobile library Stories on 4 Wheels will provide story-telling to the young audience. With this ambitious programming, El Ghawy hopes to reposition the festival as well as AFCA for Arts and Culture, which he founded and manages, and which puts on many educational arts activities. "I would not like to limit all Hakawy values to the days of the festival, an event which takes place once a year, he said. AFCA has the capacity to create ongoing cooperation with the international artists, invite them to hold workshops throughout the year. On the other hand, the local artists will have continuous benefits and opportunities to exchange ideas and develop. AFCA helps in the production of some shows, an activity which will be strengthened in the coming year," El Ghawy said, pointing to a few of the many factors that testify to the Hakawy's and AFCA's expansion, all for the benefit of the local artists and the young audience. Ahram Online is an official media partner of the 9th Hakawy festival. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: Egyptian-American Rami Malek has won the Best Actor Oscars Award for his role as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. I am the son of immigrants from Egypt. Im a first-generation American, and part of my story is being written right now, he said to applause. We made a film about a gay man, an immigrant, who lived his life just unapologetically himself, and the fact that Im celebrating him and this story with you tonight is proof that were longing for stories like this, Malek said. Malek was nominated alongside tough competitors: Bradley Cooper for A Star is Born, Christian Bale for Vice, Viggo Mortensen for Green Book and Willem Dafoe for At Eternity's Gate. The critically and commercially successful Bohemian Rhapsody, that won the Best Motion Picture Drama Award at the Golden Globes, has enabled Malek clinch a series of trophies for this lead role, including a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award (SAG) and a British Academy of Film and Television Award (BAFTA). Malek, widely praised for his portrayal of the rock icon Mercury, was born in 1981 in California to Egyptian parents. Malek is a film and television actor whose previous roles include the family action film Night at the Museum and the independent film Short Term 12. His breakthrough role was as vigilante hacker Elliot Anderson in the television series Mr Robot, which earned him a Critics Choice Award and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, as well as a Golden Globe nomination. He has also appeared in television shows The War at Home, The Pacific, 24, and voice acted in animated series BoJack Horseman. Malek has spoken fondly of his Egyptian roots in numerous interviews, saying that his father brought him up connected to Egyptian culture and their extended family in the town of Samalut. He also noted how he fought against being typecast in Hollywood because of his Arab roots, and hopes his success can pave the way for more diversity in the film industry. In 2017, he accepted an invitation to become a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in an effort to push for diversity among its members, after widespread criticism in the wake of the 88th Academy Awards. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Short link: Egypts Beltone Financial Holding has paid a settlement of 16 million Egyptian pounds ($914,800) to end the suspension of its underwriting unit, a regulatory source told Reuters on Monday. Egypts financial regulator in November suspended the unit from carrying out any activity for six months over its role in the initial public offering of Sarwa Capital, whose share price dropped by around 15 percent soon after it began trading on Oct. 15. Short link: Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have observed the massive, luminous globular cluster NGC 2419, also known as the Intergalactic Wanderer. Globular clusters are densely packed, spherical collections of hundreds of thousands or even millions of stars. They are among the oldest known objects in the Universe and are relics of the first epochs of galaxy formation. About 150-180 such clusters are known to exist around our Milky Way Galaxy. NGC 2419 was discovered on December 31, 1788 by the British astronomer William Herschel and is located in the constellation Lynx. Also known as GCl 12 and C 0734+390, the cluster is at a distance of about 300,000 light-years from the Solar System and at the same distance from the Milky Ways center. It is sometimes called the Intergalactic Wanderer, an appropriate title considering that the distance to the Milky Ways satellite galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud, is only about 160,000 light-years. The stars populating globular clusters are very similar to one another, with similar properties such as metallicity. The similarity of these stellar doppelgangers is due to their formation early in the history of the galaxy. As the stars in a globular cluster all formed at around the same time, they tend to display reasonably homogeneous properties. It was believed that this similarity also extended to the stellar helium content; that is, it was thought that all stars in a globular cluster would contain comparable amounts of helium. However, Hubbles observations of NGC 2419 show that this is not always the case. This surprising globular cluster turns out to be made up of two separate populations of red giant stars, one of which is unusually helium-rich. Other elements within the different stars in NGC 2419 vary too nitrogen in particular. According to a study led by Radboud University astronomer Sren Larsen, these helium-rich stars reside predominantly in the center of the globular cluster. The researchers also found evidence of rotation for this stellar population. The new Hubble observations raise questions about the formation of globular clusters, Dr. Larsen and colleagues said. Did these two drastically different groups of stars form together? Or did this globular cluster come into being by a different route entirely? The study will appear in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. _____ S.S. Larsen et al. 2019. Hubble Space Telescope photometry of multiple stellar populations in the inner parts of NGC 2419. A&A, in press; arXiv: 1902.01416 Milan, Italy -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/25/2019 -- October Publishing is a Milan based Italian publishing house and design studio, which was founded by an Italian illustrator and entrepreneur, Federico Gastaldi. The publishing house has recently announced that it is now raising funds and support on Kickstarter in a recently launched crowdfunding campaign for an inspiring book like no other. The book is titled 'The Metamorphosis', and it is authored by the legendary Czech writer Franz Kafka, and October Publishing is releasing its new edition. "Our goal is to publish the great classics of literature with a modern look and for our first project, we chose "The Metamorphosis" by the Czech writer Franz Kafka." Said Federico Gastaldi, while introducing this project to the Kickstarter community. The goal of this fundraising campaign is to raise a sum of only EUR 2000, and the publishing house is offering this inspiring book as a reward for the backers from around the world. The Kickstarter Campaign is located on the web at: www.kickstarter.com/projects/1826408735/the-metamorphosis-0 and backers from around the world can contribute in this project by making generous pledges. Moreover, the publishing house is offering this book as a reward with worldwide shipping for the backing community on Kickstarter. Furthermore, the project is already creating a major buzz worldwide and more details are available on the Kickstarter campaign page of the project. About October Publishing October Publishing is a Milan based Italian publishing house that aims to revive the classic literature for the modern age. The publisher is now raising funds on Kickstarter for its latest project, which is an amazing book by the legendary Czech literary figure, Franz Kafka, and it is welcoming everyone for generous support and backing. Contact: Contact Person: Federico Gastaldi Company: October Studio City: Milan State: Lombardy Country: Italy Email: info@federicogastaldi.com Website: www.kickstarter.com/projects/1826408735/the-metamorphosis-0 U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the United States and Russia on Monday to preserve the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and to extend the New START Treaty before it expires in 2021. To lose the INF would make the world a more insecure and unstable place, he told the Conference on Disarmament at the United Nations in Geneva. Washington announced on Feb. 1 that it will withdraw from the treaty in six months unless Moscow ends its alleged violations. "We simply cannot afford to return to the unrestrained nuclear competition of the darkest days of the Cold War. I call on the parties to the INF Treaty to use the time remaining to engage in sincere dialogue on the various issues that have been raised. It is very important that this treaty is preserved." He said New START was the only international legal instrument limiting the size of the worlds two largest nuclear arsenals, and its inspection provisions benefited the entire world, noting that global stockpiles of nuclear weapons were one-sixth of what they had been in 1985. "I urge Russia and the United States to use the time provided by an extension to the treaty to consider further reductions in their strategic nuclear arsenals. I dream of the day when these bilateral arrangements become multilateral." He also said he hoped a U.S.-North Korean nuclear summit this week would produce real progress. "At their summit in Hanoi later this week, I hope that the leaders of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the United States agree to concrete steps for sustainable, peaceful and complete and verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula". Short link: Willow Grove, PA -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/25/2019 -- Greenhill Fencing, Inc. is encouraging homeowners to seek out fence companies in Delaware County and the surrounding areas to install a new fence this spring. With this season well on its way, many homeowners are considering home improvement projects to spruce up both the interior and exterior of their homes. One of these projects that many people are looking to get done this spring is a fence installation. People install fences for many different reasons, but one reason people install fences in the spring is because of the warm weather and because of the benefits that they will experience just after installation. It's a popular time of the year just because of the weather the sun is out, the days are longer, and people just want to be outside. For many big barbequers, installing a fence is a must. It gives them the privacy they want during their backyard parties and eliminates disturbances when trying to enjoy the day individually. For homeowners with children or dogs, installing a fence is a great way to give them free rein of the backyard without having to worry about them wandering off, interacting with strangers, and getting hit by a car. Moreover, fences deliver homeowners the privacy outside that they experience in their house. This new privacy is a huge asset to many homeowners, as it makes their backyard a more viable part of their property to use as opposed to a space that should be avoided. Greenhill Fencing, Inc. is one of the best fencing companies in Delaware County and the surrounding areas. They offer many different fence styles and material options. Their goal is to provide their customers with a quality, affordable fence and unmatched customer service. To contact one of their fencing specialists, call 267-329-3005. To learn more about their products, visit https://www.greenhillfencing.com/. About Greenhill Fencing Inc. For over 25 years and 3 generations of family ownership, Greenhill Fencing Inc. has consistently met its goal of providing fast, affordable fence installations to their community. Located in Willow Grove, PA, the company hires the most experienced technicians and offers high-quality materials at competitive prices. Greenhill Fencing serves homes in Philadelphia as well as customers throughout Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, and Delaware Counties. To learn more visit http://www.greenhillfencing.com/ The possibility of extending Article 50 was raised at a meeting of British Prime Minister Theresa May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Egypt, but there was no "substantive" discussion of it, a government official said on Monday. "It wasn't something the PM raised," the official told reporters when asked whether a possible Brexit delay was discussed, adding that if asked, May would always say an extension is not something she wants to do. He said it was not the focus of their conversation on the sidelines of an EU/Arab League summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. "It was a good conversation, a chance for the PM to give the chancellor an update, to talk about the week ahead, (including) the statement she is going to be making to parliament tomorrow." Short link: 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. Weve all had a life-changing meal, but for Melissa Jollands, a simple cheeseboard she had at her hotel in Dublin, Ireland, truly was life altering. Her Dublin Cheeseboard-Stuffed Appetizer Bread, inspired by her trip abroad, beat out thousands of entries and three other finalists to be dubbed the winner of the Pillsbury Bake-Off 2019. The Michigan native told The Daily Meal about how a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Dublin helped to inspire her appetizer. After flying across the ocean and exploring the sights of the city, she and her husband were exhausted and sought respite in the restaurant attached to their hotel. We just wanted a small bite and we ordered the cheeseboard, which came with different Irish meats, cheeses, nuts and jams. It may sound silly, but it was the best meal we had all trip. To translate those flavors into her winning dish, the mother of three replaced some of the Irish meats and cheeses with American favorites like salami and cheddar, along with goat cheese for a bit of a tang. I took all of the ingredients that I would use in a bread and put them in Pillsburys refrigerated French bread so I could focus on the flavor. The result is salty, creamy, cheesy, crunchy and just a bit sweet thanks to a garnish of dried apricots and fig preserves. Basically, it is what is says it is: all of the deliciousness of a cheeseboard rolled into one portable slice of bread. Advertisement Dublin Cheeseboard-Stuffed Appetizer Bread (Pillsbury) It only took one time for Jollands to test out this recipe before she nailed it, though she admitted that keeping the number of ingredients to eight was her biggest struggle. But tying the recipe to a personal story really helped her to develop her entry. While she had entered the Pillsbury Bake-Off before, this one was finally the winner for her. As a part of her prize, Jollands will receive a kitchen makeover from GE appliances, $50,000 in cash and a feature in an upcoming issue of Food Network Magazine. And along with other home renovations, she and her husband are planning to go back to Dublin. Will they revisit the hotel restaurant that inspired it all? Of course, she laughed. The iconic Pillsbury Bake-Off, which has been running on and off since 1949, returned for a second straight year in 2019. The Dublin Cheeseboard-Stuffed Appetizer Bread now joins last years winner, the Bejeweled Cranberry-Orange Rolls, baked by Amy Nelson of Zionville, North Carolina, as one of the latest additions to every winning recipe ever from the Pillsbury Bake-Off. Mom Ummmm, Im in trouble. The skinny teenagers body is nearly doubled over with stress, his mothers voice rising with increasing anxiety from the speaker of his cell phone laid out in front of him in a federal interrogation room. Criminal drug organizations are turning San Diego teenagers into mules, using them to smuggle hard narcotics, even deadly fentanyl, across the border in a trend that is alarming law enforcement authorities. Hold on ... What did you do? his mother squawks into the phone. Advertisement Tell her, an agent prompts the unidentified youth in a video recording of a real interrogation now played for South Bay students as a warning of the potential consequences. So, I went to Mexico and I brought back drugs because I was gonna get paid for it. The phone call ends with the mother sobbing How could this happen? How could this happen? The teenager keeps repeating Sorry mom. In recent months, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations arrested four juveniles for smuggling hard narcotics into the country from Mexico. Weve seen meth, heroin and fentanyl, said David Shaw, HSI special agent in charge in San Diego. Theyre strapping it right onto their body without properly packaging it. And with fentanyl, a small amount can kill you. Last year, border agents arrested seven minors crossing at ports of entry in San Diego County smuggling fentanyl, a drug so potent that an amount as small as a few grains of salt can be lethal. Minors were arrested 71 times trying to smuggle meth and seven times trying to smuggle in heroin in fiscal year 2018, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection numbers. Advertisement Theyre targeting teens because you can lure them a little easier with electronics or money, Shaw said. They tell them You get across three times, and you get an iPhone. He said federal authorities are getting some resistance from some local schools theyve approached about doing education and outreach because of concerns about immigration enforcement. HSI operates under Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) but it is a different branch concerned only with serious criminal investigations, Shaw said. ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations, an entirely different division, carries out immigration arrests and deportations. In June 2018, a majority of the special agents in charge of ICEs Homeland Security Investigations division, including Shaw, signed a letter to the Department of Homeland Security saying they want to split off from ICE because of its perceived role in the politics of civil immigration. Advertisement Under the Trump administration, the ERO division of ICE has expanded its reach beyond immigration enforcement on serious criminals and national security threats. People have been arrested while at hospitals, dropping their kids off at school and paying traffic fines, leaving Latino and immigrant communities even more distrustful of the agency. Manny Rubio, spokesman for Sweetwater Union High School District, said district officials were initially cautious about a program that educates youth on heavy topics like drug cartels and smuggling. He said there was concern about having immigration officers on campus. We were a little bit tentative because we wanted to make sure we were protecting students and their parents, Rubio said. Rubio said the school district worked with HSI, the U.S. Attorneys office, the Drug Enforcement Administration and CBP and started letting the agencies give the presentation in Sweetwater schools last semester. He said its a powerful program that has an impact on the kids. Advertisement At first we were a little bit unsure, but once we got into it, and saw who all the partners are, its been a good thing, said Rubio. Shastity Urias, the community outreach and prevention coordinator in the U.S. Attorneys office, said one of the purposes is to counteract lies smugglers tell teenagers, including that transporting the drugs is easy and the students wont be taken into custody if theyre caught. Urias said the information is helpful for parents and teachers too because a smuggler trying to recruit a teen is more likely to look like their lab partner than a tattooed cartel member. Because the goal of the juvenile justice system is rehabilitation and not punishment, sentences for minors convicted of narcotics smuggling can range between 90 days to 480 days, San Diego County Deputy District Attorney Mary Loeb said . Advertisement She added the group tries to get the teens to think about the longer term consequences such as having to disclose the information on certain types of job applications in the future, and the decision affecting their college choices. A conviction could even mean the minors entire family loses their SENTRI eligibility. Sometimes the teenagers dont know what they are smuggling or realize that fentanyl is so deadly, federal officials said. It can be absorbed through the skin and even hurt people standing around them in line if it becomes airborne, said Shaw. Advertisement Linda Dere, HSIs deputy special agent in charge in San Diego who worked at the border early in her career, said San Diego juveniles engaging in smuggling isnt a new phenomenon. Back in the day, they use to smuggle marijuana. But the part that is so concerning is what they are bringing is now becoming more hazardous, Dere said. The presentation has been given in a few schools in the Sweetwater Union School District where federal authorities note students have been targeted or arrested for smuggling. It offers students tips, such as hotlines to call and a mobile app where they can anonymously report recruitment attempts, on how to get help if someone approaches them to smuggle drugs. Advertisement Shaw would like to expand the program to 61 schools around the county and in other districts. Why not just pull plug on the bullet train? Re Newsoms bullet-train honesty a welcome change from Brown (Feb. 12): Gov. Gavin Newsom characterized the California bullet-train project as costing too much, taking too long, subject to too little oversight and not having enough transparency. Most Californians I talk to agree. However, the governor supports finishing the high-speed rail line between Bakersfield and Merced. Has there been an analysis of the economic viability of a high-speed line between these two cities? The billions that have been spent on construction are sunk costs gone and irretrievable. Does it make sense to spend billions more on a section of rail that (I suspect) will not be sustainable without government funding, which the voters who are taxpayers oppose? Unless there is a credible analysis of the fiscal soundness of a high-speed rail line between Bakersfield and Merced, why throw good money after bad? Jonathan Scheff Advertisement La Jolla Re Why the feds are right to question Californias bullet train (Feb. 22): Gov. Gavin Newsoms reasons for continuing the bullet train project are a classic example of the sunk cost fallacy. Per the WiseGeek website: The sunk cost fallacy is a logical fallacy or flawed argument for decision-making. In the sunk cost fallacy, prior investment is cited as a reason for pursuing a course of action. The term is usually used to describe persisting in a bad investment, on the grounds that otherwise, the time, money or effort invested in the project will be wasted anyway. What happens is good money follows bad, unnecessarily. We should not allow Newsoms flawed logic to add to the tax burden of the citizens of California. Jon A. Hartz, Sr. Escondido Boy, the Union-Tribune hates the bullet train. It took a political stretch to get it started and the U-T has done all it can to fault the process, every step of the way. Of course no line is needed just in the Central Valley. But I remember that starting the line there was the only way to gain legislative approval. Fault the Central Valley representatives for insisting their constituents host the first leg. Advertisement Nothing illegal has occurred, yet the U-T has found nothing but fault with this difficult process, repeatedly accusing the governor of deceit and mismanagement. Im tired of the U-T doing nothing but throwing stones. The voters voted for a bullet train. Lets hear the U-Ts better idea. Doug Evenson San Diego Advertisement Bashing the high-speed-rail (HSR) system is almost a hobby for some. They cannot accept that we need to gain experience in building this type of transportation system. Almost every other advanced country has several, but we cant even do one? Although ambitious and complex, its still a good idea for our state, and we can succeed if we want to. This editorial also misrepresents the blended plan. It would NOT use low-speed commuter trains, but rather run the HSR trains at lower speeds in heavily populated metro areas. (Added benefit: upgrading tracks speeds up commuter trains.) This is common practice in Europes HSR systems. The delays in the Central Valley are mostly due to unanticipated property acquisition problems. Who knew getting rural property would be almost as difficult as suburban? Advertisement As for the Feds? We all know Trump is spiteful. Theres nothing right there. Robert Benson Mission Valley Advertisement 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. On behalf of the San Diego Association of Black Journalists (SDABJ), the local chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, I would like to express my concerns regarding the editorial cartoon that appeared in your publication on Friday. The cartoon was a representation of James Baldwin, Toni Morrison and Jussie Smollett. The caption said Famous African-American Storytellers. While we have seen and accept the apology from the publisher regarding this cartoon, we would like to go on record with why we take exception to this as well as offer suggestions on ways to avoid this type of inflammatory imagery. James Baldwin and Toni Morrison are two of the most iconic literary as well as social justice leaders in the African-American community. To equate - them to?- the circumstances around the Jussie Smollett case is to demean the work and stature of these two legends. One of the mission statements of SDABJ is to make sure the African-American community is fairly represented in the news as well as in newsrooms. The reason for the latter is to ensure that our voices and perspectives are heard, particularly in situations affecting us. This is an example where it may have behooved Mr. Breen to seek out the perspective of one of his African-American colleagues. Advertisement SDABJ would be happy to be a resource for the Union-Tribune in any way possible to help you understand some of the historical pain points as well as some of the points of pride in our history. February is Black History Month. It is a time for the country to celebrate the accomplishments of the African-American community, a time when we celebrate people like Baldwin and Morrison. It is my hope that if you cannot discern the difference in the future, that you will have the wisdom to reach to someone who can help you. Donna M. Stewart President, San Diego Association of Black Journalists 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. With his states economy roaring and Democrats having just retaken seven governorships nationally in no small part because of his efforts, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has a lot on his resume around which to build a traditional presidential candidacy. Yet he is taking a leap of faith. He will run not on economic fairness or bolstering access to healthcare or equal rights. His campaign will instead be focused on the single issue that Inslee argues preempts all others the climate crisis. Inslee, who is expected to officially enter the race in the coming days, would be the first candidate of a major party to focus a presidential run on an issue that is increasingly capturing the attention of voters, even as the politics of it remains full of peril. If I get into this race, it will be on this reason, for this reason, by this reason, said Inslee, who speaks with the caveats of an undeclared candidate, even as members of his team acknowledge a launch is imminent. Advertisement It is going to be for defeating climate change. It will be the first thing I say. It will be the launch vehicle for the rocket, he said in an interview. I will be the first candidate in history to say this has to be the No. 1 priority in the United States. This has to be the paramount duty of the United States. Washington state is a sturdy platform from which to build that case. The state has aggressively pursued climate action during Inslees tenure, advancing renewable energy goals, electric-car innovations, and efficiency requirements. The states economy continues to boom even as the transition to clean energy proceeds rapidly, making it a compelling counterpoint to arguments from President Trump and other Republicans that climate action is too costly, burdensome and destabilizing. Yet Inslees experience as governor over the last six years also reflects the pitfalls of climate politics. He helped lead two failed crusades for far-reaching clean-energy ballot initiatives in 2016 and again in 2018. The measures aimed to restructure Washingtons economy around measures to combat climate change through either a tax on carbon or a market-based cap and trade system. Thats the kind of action climate activists say will be crucial to keep warming below the threshold that climate scientists warn would be catastrophic. Voters balked. A parallel legislative effort championed by Inslee has also fallen short, although he argues that there is now renewed energy behind the measures after climate-conscious Democrats flipped several legislative seats in November. Social change takes time, Inslee said during the interview in Washington, D.C., where he had just participated in a news conference touting the plans of the seven new Democratic governors he helped elect while chair of the Democratic Governors Assn. And during that period of time you lose, and you lose and you lose, and then you win. The governor, who is the author of a book about climate change and worked with former California Gov. Jerry Brown to establish an alliance of 21 states committed to reaching the goals in the Paris agreement on climate change, said the urgency of the problem requires it have the full attention of the White House now. It is the place to call America to a higher horizon of achievement, Inslee said of the presidency. We have never had a president to call America to this mission statement. We have got to have that. The strategy stands out to some as eccentric at a time Democratic voters are more focused on finding a candidate who can demonstrate a clear path to extracting Trump from the Oval Office rather than taking a bold political risk that could go sideways in the general election. But it gives the governor, who built his political career on climate action, a signature issue with which to stand out from a crowded field. Advertisement As Democratic presidential candidates glad-hand and speechify their way through Iowa, New Hampshire and other states early on the primary calendar, climate is already emerging as a bigger concern than in any prior election. A new poll commissioned by the liberal Center for American Progress found the warming climate to be virtually tied with healthcare as the top issue Democratic voters are concerned about in five early primary states, including California. That is a notable shift in public opinion compared with previous years, when climate ranked substantially lower among voter priorities. It has taken on a much more important role, said Geoff Garin, one of the pollsters who conducted the survey. Democratic voters see climate not only as an existential threat, but also see President Trump as doing real damage to the countrys climate policies. They are motivated on this. That could create an opening for Inslee. The moment may be ripe for a climate first candidate, Garin said. Especially in a large and crowded field, somebody who sees climate as the kind of existential crisis that deserves this kind of focus may really stand out. Voters notice when candidates single out an issue and attach greater importance to it than any other issue. Advertisement Inslee, though, doesnt have a lock on climate voters. Whether his agenda will be bold enough to satisfy them also remains to be seen. He will be running against several candidates who embrace a Green New Deal that demands full decarbonization on a schedule that the Washington governor has suggested may not be realistic. Like other dark-horse presidential candidates before him particularly those who occupy a governors office Inslee compares himself to former President Carter, who was the relatively unknown governor of Georgia when he jumped into the 1976 race. But he says he has something Carter didnt: more experience than arguably any of his competitors in confronting an emergency that voters increasingly see as not just urgent, but existential. When I walked through Paradise, Calif., it looked like an apocalypse from a Hollywood movie, said Inslee, who traveled to the California town destroyed by wildfire that global warming has exacerbated. But it was a real town of 25,000 people. Donald Trump cant pronounce the name of that town, but we can demonstrate how devastating his climate denial has been. You cant just wipe that away from the nightly news. This is real. People are seeing it with their own eyes. Advertisement The latest look at the Trump administration and the rest of Washington More stories from Evan Halper Iraqi President Barham Saleh said on Monday that 13 Islamic State detainees who were transferred to Iraq last week from the Syrian Democratic Forces will be tried in Iraq. "They are accused of having commanded operations against Iraqis and Iraqi installations in Iraq, and they will be tried according to Iraqi law," Salih told a press conference in Paris with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. "We are acting within the confines of international law on this matter." Salih was responding to a question by a French reporter, about the fate of French detainees who were transferred to Iraq last week. He did not explicitly say whether the detainees were French. Macron declined to confirm whether those 13 included French citizens, saying it was not up to him to comment on the issue. Two Iraqi military sources told Reuters on Sunday that the U.S.-backed SDF handed over French Islamic detainees last week. As many as 14 French citizens and six Arabs of unspecific nationality were handed to Iraq last Thursday, according to one military source close to the handover process who commands troops near the Syrian border. The Iraqi military has said only Iraqi nationals were handed over by the SDF. "The exchanges between the Iraqi security forces are part of bilateral relations that they maintain with Iraq in the fight against the jihadist enemy," Macron said of the SDF. "In this context, the decisions that were made are not to be commented on, and it is not up to me to confirm the identity of such or such person." Macron said regarding any French detainees who were to be transferred, that it would be up to the local government to decide whether to prosecute them there, but that French citizens would be entitled to consular access. Salih said that Iraq would seek to prosecute in Iraq those Islamic State fighters who have committed crimes against Iraqis and Iraqi installations in Iraq. "All those accused of having committed crimes in Iraq, against the Iraqi people or against Iraqi installations in Iraq, we will seek to prosecute them." Short link: A new spin in nano-electronics In recent years, electronic data processing has been evolving in one direction only: The industry has downsized its components to the nanometer range. But this process is now reaching its physical limits. Researchers at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) are therefore exploring spin waves or so-called magnons - a promising alternative for transporting information in more compact microchips. Cooperating with international partners, they have successfully generated and controlled extremely short-wavelength spin waves. The physicists achieved this feat by harnessing a natural magnetic phenomenon, as they explain in the journal Nature Nanotechnology (DOI: 10.1038/s41565-019-0383-4). For a long time, there has been one reliable rule of thumb in the world of information technology: The number of transistors on a microprocessor doubles approximately every two years. The resulting performance boost brought us the digital opportunities we now take for granted, from high speed internet to the smartphone. But as the conductors on the chip get ever more minute, we are starting to face problems, as Dr. Sebastian Wintz from HZDR's Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research explains: "The electrons that flow through our modern microprocessors heat up the chip due to electrical resistance. Beyond a certain point, the chips simply fail because the heat can no longer escape." This also prevents a further increase in the speed of the components. This is why the physicist, who is also currently working at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland, envisions a different future for information carriers. Instead of electrical currents, Wintz and his colleagues are capitalizing on a specific property of electrons called 'spin'. The tiny particles behave as if they were constantly rotating around their own axis, thus creating a magnetic moment. In certain magnetic materials, like iron or nickel, the spins are typically parallel to each other. If the orientation of these spins is changed in one place, that disruption travels to the neighboring particles, triggering a spin wave which can be used to encode and distribute information. "In this scenario, the electrons remain where they are," says Wintz, describing their advantage. "They hardly generate any heat, which means that spin-based components might require far less energy." How can we control the wave? So far, however, there have been two fundamental challenges complicating the use of spin waves: The wavelengths that can be generated are not short enough for the nanometer-sized structures on the chips, and there is no way of controlling the waves. Sebastian Wintz and his co-workers have now been able to find solutions to both problems. "Unlike the artificially made antennas that are commonly employed to excite the waves, we now use one that is naturally formed inside the material," the first author of the study Dr. Volker Sluka explains. "To this end, we fabricated micro-elements comprising two ferromagnetic disks that are coupled antiferromagnetically via a Ruthenium spacer. Furthermore, we chose the material of the disks so that the spins prefer to align along a particular axis in space, which results in the desired magnetic pattern." Within the two layers, this creates areas of different magnetization, separated by what is called a domain wall. The scientists then exposed the layers to magnetic fields alternating with a frequency of one gigahertz or higher. Using an X-ray microscope from the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems Stuttgart, which is operated at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, they were able to observe that spin waves with parallel wave fronts travel along the direction perpendicular to the domain wall. "In previous experiments, the ripples of the wave looked like the ones you get when a pebble hits a water surface," Sluka reports. "This is not optimal, because the oscillation decays quickly as the wave spreads in all directions. To stay in the same analogy, the waves now look as if they were produced by a long rod moving back and forth in the water." As the X-ray images have shown, these spin waves can travel several micrometers at wavelengths of only about 100 nanometers, without any significant loss of signal - a necessary prerequisite for using them in modern information technology. Moreover, the physicists have discovered a possible way to control this new information carrier when they set the stimulation frequency below half a gigahertz. The spin waves thus remained trapped in the domain wall: "In this scenario, the waves were even able to run in a curve," says Volker Sluka, adding: "Nevertheless we were still able to detect the signals." With their results, the researchers have laid important foundations for the further development of spin wave-based circuits. In the long run, this might facilitate a completely novel design of microprocessors, Sebastian Wintz predicts: "Using magnetic fields, we can move domain walls relatively easily. That means that chips that work with spin waves don't necessarily need a predefined architecture, but they can later be changed and adapted to fulfill new tasks." ### Publication: V. Sluka, T. Schneider, R.A. Gallardo, A. Kakay, M. Weigand, T. Warnatz, R. Mattheis, A.Roldan-Molina, P. Landeros, V. Tiberkevich, A. Slavin, G. Schutz, A. Erbe, A. Deac, J. Lindner, J. Raabe, J. Fassbender, S. Wintz: Emission and propagation of 1D and 2D spin-waves with nanoscale wavelengths in anisotropic spin textures, in Nature Nanotechnology, 2019 (DOI: 10.1038/s41565-019-0383-4) For more information contact: Dr. Sebastian Wintz Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research at the HZDR / Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland Phone: + 49 351 260-3221. Email: s.wintz@hzdr.de Dr. Volker Sluka Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research at the HZDR Email: v.sluka@hzdr.de Media contact: Simon Schmitt | Science editor Phone: +49 351 260-3400 | Mobile: +49 175 874 2865 | Mail: s.schmitt@hzdr.de Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf | Bautzner Landstr. 400 | 01328 Dresden / Germany | http://www. hzdr. de The Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) performs - as an independent German research center - research in the fields of energy, health, and matter. We focus on answering the following questions: How can energy and resources be utilized in an efficient, safe, and sustainable way? How can malignant tumors be more precisely visualized, characterized, and more effectively treated? How do matter and materials behave under the influence of strong fields and in smallest dimensions? To help answer these research questions, HZDR operates large-scale facilities, which are also used by visiting researchers: the Ion Beam Center, the High-Magnetic Field Laboratory Dresden, and the ELBE Center for High-Power Radiation Sources. HZDR is a member of the Helmholtz Association and has five sites (Dresden, Freiberg, Grenoble, Leipzig, Schenefeld near Hamburg) with almost 1,200 members of staff, of whom about 500 are scientists, including 150 Ph.D. candidates. This story has been published on: 2019-02-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. By jove, they did it! There was so much hand-wringing and back-pedaling on the way to Sunday nights Academy Awards broadcast, its a wonder anyone in Hollywood had the strength to walk the red carpet, much less hand out any of those 8-pound Oscar statuettes. But after months of announcing controversial changes meant to save time and attract eyeballs Well create a popular film Oscar! Well give out awards during commercials! Well only do two best-song performances! Please watch! only to sheepishly rescind them later, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences pulled itself together and put on a show. In fact, against many odds and in the face of much pressure (not all of it self-inflicted), the Academy under lead producer Donna Gigliotti and co-producer and director Glenn Weiss put on a fast-moving, diversely populated and warmhearted show worthy of the films and people who were in its sparkly spotlight. Advertisement After comedian Kevin Hart was relieved of his hosting duties over some old homophobic tweets, the Oscars decided to go host-free for the first time in 30 years. Disaster, right? Nope. With Hart on ice, the show opened with fire. Instead of a monologue, we got power chords. We got Queen with Mt. Carmel High School graduate and American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert on vocals performing We Will Rock You and We Are the Champions. It was rockin and glitter-packed. Even better, it was fun. And it gave the broadcast a fan-friendly energy that powered the whole show through its surprisingly swift 3 hours and 17 (or so) minutes. It was an evening of mom and dad references, as winner after winner thanked the supportive parents who believed in them and taught them how to believe in themselves. It was an evening where lead-off presenters Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph and Amy Poehler lampooned the broadcasts many snafus, threw in a snappy jab at the Fyre Festival and were still presenting the Best Supporting Actress award to a tearful Regina King by 5:09 p.m. (If we have to have an Oscar host next year, I nominated this terrific trio. Start working on your opening monologue now, ladies. Make it quippy!) It was also an evening when the Oscars got creative. In a great move, Gigliotti and company brought in unexpected performers to introduce the best picture clips. That meant smartly pairing Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello with Vice; Trevor Noah of The Daily Show with Black Panther (giving him the chance to make some sharp commentary about the mixed-bag power of Wakanda forever!); and a regal Queen Latifah with The Favourite. Advertisement We also got to see a passionate Serena Williams connect with A Star is Born; a ferociously committed Barbra Streisand give a shout-out to BlacKkKlansman; and The Hate U Give star Amandla Stenberg and civil-rights giant Rep. John Lewis doing right by Green Book. If you opted out of this Oscar night, you actually missed some golden moments. So get thee to your computer and look for the extravagantly costumed Melissa McCarthy having too much fun with rabbit puppets (and co-presenter Bryan Tyree Henry) while presenting the costume-design Oscar. Check out Rayka Zehtabchi and San Diegan Melissa Berton jubilantly accepting their documentary short film award for Period. End of Sentence by crowing, I cant believe a film about menstruation just won an Oscar! Look for best actor winner Rami Malek (of Bohemian Rhapsody) wondering at the miracle of a first generation American kid, the son of immigrants from Egypt, winning an Oscar for playing Freddie Mercury, a gay man and an immigrant. Advertisement And leave some time for the gobsmacked best actress winner Olivia Colman, taking home the Oscar for The Favourite when everyone thought it would go to Glenn Close. And look for Glenn Close being the most gracious non-winner ever. As bumpy as the road to this years Oscar broadcast was, we all arrived in a pretty nice place. A place where disaster can be averted with talent, heart, a cast of many colors and a killer Lady Gaga ballad. You made it, Oscars. It was a pleasure watching you pull it off. Advertisement Twitter: @karla_peterson karla.peterson@sduniontribune.com A suspected drunken driver was arrested Monday morning after a five-vehicle crash on Interstate 15 in the Rancho Penasquitos area that left one person hospitalized with major injuries, authorities said. A second patient was also taken to the hospital to be treated for what were described as minor injuries following the crash, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department spokesman Alec Phillipp said. The collision involving a Hyundai sedan, Volkswagen sedan, Ford sedan,Cadillac SUV and another vehicle was reported shortly before midnight Sunday on northbound I-15 south of Carmel Mountain Road, California Highway Patrol Officer Tommy Doerr said. The Hyundai driver, whose name was not immediately available, was arrested on suspicion of DUI, Doerr said. Advertisement Twitter: @karenkucher (619) 293-1350 karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com UPDATES: 10:10 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details. Advertisement This article was originally published at 7:30 a.m. San Diego police are investigating the death of a man found on a sidewalk in Lincoln Park late Sunday. Police and firefighters were called shortly after 11:10 p.m. to 47th Street near Castana Street where the victim was found suffering from apparent trauma to his upper body, said San Diego homicide Lt. Matt Dobbs. Paramedics performed emergency measures but the man died before he could be taken to the hospital. He was believed to be in his 20s or 30s, police said. Dobbs told San Diego News Video the man died about a half hour after officers arrived. Advertisement We do know there were people in the area at the time. We are asking them to come forward with whatever information they could provide, he said. He said police had no reports of any fights in the area. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call homicide detectives at (619) 531-2293 or to call Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Twitter: @karenkucher (619) 293-1350 Advertisement karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com Firefighters knocked down a fire at a small apartment building in Oceanside on Sunday. More than two dozen fire personnel including five engines from the Oceanside Fire Department responded to a 9:46 a.m. call on South Ditmar Street near Michigan Avenue. The first engine to arrive found smoke coming from the four-apartment building. Firefighters made their way inside and located the blaze in a bedroom while subsequent crews hurried to evacuate the rest of the building. Their efforts likely prevented the buildings other residents from being displaced, Battalion Chief Scott G. Stein said. Advertisement It was a very good, coordinated, aggressive attack, he said. One of the apartments residents suffered minor injuries but declined transport to the hospital. Authorities have not determined the exact cause of the fire. Twitter: @LAWinkley (619) 293-1546 Advertisement lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com San Diego is planning a firefighter hiring spree to shrink ballooning overtime costs that are creating budget problems at City Hall. The citys goal is to increase the number of firefighters from about 900 to more than 1,100 over the next five years. That may be a challenge, with retirements on the rise and more firefighters leaving for other agencies with higher pay, a union leader said. About half of the 220 additional firefighters will be needed to staff five new fire stations scheduled to begin operations within the next five years and to staff six new roving fire engines that will be deployed in areas with poor emergency response times, according to city finance documents. The rest of the new firefighters will help create a relief pool to cover shifts when firefighters take vacation or call in sick, shifts that are covered now by full-time firefighters forced to work overtime hours. Advertisement The lack of adequate staff, combined with stricter rules on the use of vacation time and other policy changes, has increased the citys cost for firefighter overtime by about 50 percent during each of the last two fiscal years, the documents show. In each of the fiscal years 2014 through 2017, San Diego spent between $29.7 million and $32.5 million on firefighter overtime. That jumped to $45.4 million in fiscal 2018 and is projected to climb to $45.9 million in the current fiscal year. The primary cause of the spike is firefighters taking significantly more vacation time in recent years to comply with a city mandate that they reduce their accrued vacation time to the citys 330-hour maximum by June 30 of this year. Since the mid-1990s, city firefighters have been allowed to exceed that maximum because staffing challenges made it difficult for them to take vacation time. San Diego operates under a constant staffing model, where each engine company must be fully staffed at all times, making vacations hard to schedule. In addition, because a typical firefighter works 10 shifts a month of 24 hours each and then has 20 days off, they have an easier time than other city employees taking vacations without using any of their accrued vacation time, city officials said. But a new labor agreement that took effect in July 2016 requires firefighters, some of whom had accumulated nearly 2,000 hours of vacation time, to take enough vacation to lower their total accrued time to 330 hours or less by June 30. City officials were concerned about carrying so many vacation hours, valued at many millions of dollars, on the citys books as a long-term financial liability. Advertisement The new policy has forced many firefighters to take significantly more vacation time than normal during the last three years, requiring many more overtime shifts by other firefighters who had to cover for them. That overtime can be lucrative. For example, two fire captains received nearly $200,000 each in overtime pay during 2017, according to the open-government website Transparent California. Also, two fire engineers received about $150,000 each in overtime that year, the most recent for which data is available. Most didnt take home that much. Overtime payouts to San Diego firefighters averaged more than $30,000 in 2017. Advertisement Those payouts were in addition to the annual salaries received by firefighters. A firefighter with four years experience, for instance, receives a base salary of more than $65,000. Another factor in the overtime upsurge is a new city policy that calculates firefighter overtime pay more generously. Starting in July 2017, city officials agreed to begin counting paid vacation shifts toward the total number of hours a firefighter must work to be eligible for overtime pay. Under federal law, firefighters are not entitled to overtime pay for exceeding eight hours of work in a day, or 40 hours of work in a week, like most hourly workers. Instead they get overtime for any hours worked beyond 216 in a 28-day period. Advertisement Most fire agencies have counted paid vacation shifts toward that 216-hour total. But San Diego had not until the recent change, said Jesse Conner, president of the labor union representing city firefighters. The city had said you have to be physically at work for at least 216 hours to get overtime, Conner said last week. They werent breaking the rules; they were interpreting them liberally. Another factor in the overtime spike is a new policy aimed at preventing devastating wildfires, like those San Diego experienced in 2003 and 2007. Policies changed where we now staff rigs under certain weather conditions if theres a fear that there is a high probability of wildfire, Conner said. The faster we can put resources on a smaller fire, the less chance we have of battling a career fire. Advertisement The 111-firefighter relief pool San Diego plans to create would help reduce the amount of overtime these new policies have prompted, Chief Colin Stowell told the City Council. To begin creating that relief pool, Stowell added an extra firefighter academy this spring and has scheduled three academies each in fiscal years 2020, 2021 and 2022. Each academy has space for 36 recruits, and the city typically hosts one or two academy classes a year. City officials say that, going forward, they will need two academies each year to keep up with retirements and attrition, and that the third academy each year will help build the relief pool. Councilman Scott Sherman praised the citys plan. Advertisement I cant emphasize enough how we need to get to full staffing with firefighters, he said during a budget hearing earlier this month. Its more than just were paying for all this overtime every year. I dont want tired firefighters climbing a ladder to go rescue somebody out of a burning building. I want people who are rested up. Conner said the firefighters union supports the hiring plan. The more relief personnel you have available, the fewer vacancies you would have to fill on overtime, he said. Advertisement But he predicted the overtime savings may be smaller than some expect. The city must provide new firefighters with fringe benefits, like health care, that eat into the savings, he said. The city avoids those costs when it pays existing employees overtime. Conner said the city will have no problem filling each of the additional academies, but he is concerned that the number of firefighters might not increase by more than 200. More firefighters have begun leaving for other agencies, primarily because of low pay, he said, and because San Diego is the only fire agency in the state that does not provide pensions to new firefighters. Advertisement The city stopped providing pensions to new hires, except police officers, after city voters approved Proposition B in 2012. San Diego replaced its pensions with 401(k)-style retirement plans that some workers, especially those not planning to spend their entire career with the city, prefer to pensions because they are portable. But firefighters tend to prefer pensions because they usually make firefighting a career. Proposition B also mandated a five-year freeze on pay hikes that makes firefighter compensation relatively low in San Diego. Conner said a union survey of other agencies shows that city firefighter pay is last among the 18 fire agencies in San Diego County and last among 24 comparable firefighting agencies elsewhere in the state. Advertisement Well absolutely be able to add the people, but the problem is keeping them, Conner said. Some start looking around and wondering why we arent like those other departments. We have a continued stream of people that we train up, spend a lot of money on and then they leave. The five-year pay freeze may also affect the citys ability to hire another 108 firefighters to new stations slated to open during the next five years and to six new roving engines. The new stations, which require 12 full-time firefighters each, are slated for University City, Black Mountain Ranch, Fairmont Avenue, Paradise Hills and the UC-San Diego campus. Advertisement The roving engines, which require eight full-time firefighters each, will begin operating during the fiscal year that begins this July. City officials plan to deploy three roving engines the first year, and three more during fiscal 2021. Staff writer Lauryn Schroeder contributed to this story. Advertisement david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrick San Diego County has resettled 85 percent more refugees so far in fiscal 2019 than it had at the same point last year, according to data from the State Department. The county received 74 refugees between October 2018 and January 2019, up from 40 during the same time range last year. Newcomers from the Democratic Republic of Congo 44 so far in fiscal 2019 make up the biggest part of the increase. Refugees are people who have been forced to flee their countries because of persecution, war or violence, according to the U.N. agency that tracks them. The agency estimates that there are 24.5 million refugees worldwide. Those who come to the U.S. first wait abroad during a long processing period which includes interviews, background screenings and medical checks. Advertisement Sacramento County, which surpassed San Diego County last year as the California county that resettles the most refugees, has also received more newcomers. The northern California county resettled 264 refugees between October 2018 and January 2019, up from 200 during the same part of the previous year. The vast majority of its newcomers, 212 of its new arrivals, are originally from Ukraine. Los Angeles County, on the other hand, has taken in fewer refugees, 24 this fiscal year compared with 75 last year. Its largest group of resettled refugees, at 14, are from El Salvador. Across California, the number of new arrivals is up about 10 percent, and about 7 percent more refugees have resettled across the U.S. in fiscal 2019 than had through the end of January in fiscal 2018. Nationwide, the refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo make up the largest group of arrivals, followed by those from Ukraine, Myanmar and Eritrea. Despite the increase, the overall number of arrivals in San Diego is still a fraction of what it was before President Donald Trump greatly reduced the number of refugees allowed to enter the country each year. In the waning years of the Obama administration, the county often received several hundred in a single month. In January, 32 refugees arrived in San Diego, almost half of all the refugees who have come so far this fiscal year. They are originally from five countries Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Russia and Sudan. Another 28 refugees are expected to arrive in the county through the end of February. Advertisement Immigration Videos On Now New developments in family separation case 9:53 On Now A San Diego woman volunteered as a medic in Texas helping migrant families 2:35 On Now Immigration policy protests in Carlsbad nearly cancelled after permit issue 1:38 On Now When children are separated from their parents at the border, here is where they go next On Now Prospects of a deal for 'Dreamers' may hinge on separating Trump from hard-liners on his staff On Now What is DACA? On Now Border wall prototype contractors selected On Now Video: Ukrainian boxer wins asylum in U.S. On Now 30 apprehended after Border Patrol agents discover tunnel On Now Video: Kurdish diaspora prepare to vote on independence Follow me on Facebook for live updates about immigration news Advertisement kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com, @bgirledukate on Twitter A San Diego federal prosecutor who was originally nominated for a seat on the influential 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has been removed from consideration and put up for district judge instead the result of an ongoing power struggle between the Trump administration and Californias Democratic senators. The political maneuvering comes as President Donald Trump works to overhaul the federal judiciary and pack courts with young, conservative judges. He has eyed the liberal-leaning 9th Circuit the nations largest appellate court as his biggest challenge. Patrick Bumatay, 41, has been a controversial pick since being selected for the 9th Circuit in October. Even though he is based out of the U.S. Attorneys Office in San Diego, he is currently detailed to Washington, D.C., as a counselor to the attorney general on issues including the national opioid strategy and transnational organized crime. He has also worked on nominations to the U.S. Supreme Court. Advertisement He is Ivy League educated undergrad at Yale and law degree from Harvard and a member of the conservative Federalist Society. The legal association promotes philosophies of originalism and textualism, meaning the Constitution should be interpreted plainly as it is written rather than for its intent or purpose. The society, formed in 1982 on college campuses, has become an influential force guiding the Trump administrations judicial nominations. As a candidate, Trump foreshadowed his reliance on the group in an interview with Breitbart in June 2016: Were going to have great judges, conservative, all picked by Federalist Society. Bumatay clerked for Judge Timothy M. Tymkovich of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and later for U.S. District Judge Sandra L. Townes in the Eastern District of New York both appointees of President George W. Bush. Bumatay is also active in the National Filipino American Lawyers Association, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Federal Bar Association and Tom Homann LGBT Law Association. If confirmed, he would have been the 9th Circuits first openly gay judge. His San Diego-based cases over the past five years have primarily focused on illegal immigration, drug smuggling at the border and maritime cocaine trafficking. Defense attorney Anthony Colombo has tried several cases against Bumatay in recent years, some of them complex and with significant penalties on the line. I thought he acted with integrity, with honesty, with compassion and was always prepared, Colombo said. In my experience he has the right legal mind whether it be in the 9th Circuit or as a district court judge. Advertisement Colombo told the same thing to the American Bar Association when its judicial committee called for an opinion on the nominations. When Bumatay was nominated last fall, Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris, both on the Senate Judiciary Committee, were incensed that Bumatays name came out of nowhere, undermining a longstanding practice of negotiations between home state senators and the White House on judicial selections. Feinsteins bipartisan search committee had previously interviewed five candidates on the White Houses list including two others who were then nominated but not Bumatay. I repeatedly told the White House I wanted to reach an agreement on a package of 9th Circuit nominees, but last night the White House moved forward without consulting me, picking controversial candidates from its initial list and another individual with no judicial experience who had not previously been suggested, Feinstein, the committees ranking Democratic member, said in a statement in October. Advertisement In a letter obtained by The Hill, then-White House counsel Don McGahn told another version to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa: We have spent nearly two years attempting to engage constructively with the Senators regarding the growing number of judicial vacancies tied to California. In fact, we have made more attempts to consult and devoted more time to that state than any other in the country. As the 115th Congress wound to a close in early January, the Senate was deadlocked on a long list of judicial nominees, Bumatay included. So Trump was forced to renominate his candidates. On the evening of Jan. 29, the Wall Street Journal published an editorial that urged the White House to not concede to the California senators on the nominees. Doing so now would rightly be seen as political weakness, the newspapers editorial board wrote. The White House answered with its California renominations the next day. Absent from the 9th Circuit picks was Bumatay. He was instead being appointed to fill a district judge seat in San Diego vacated by U.S. District Judge Marilyn Huff, who went on senior status in 2016. Advertisement In a joint statement, Feinstein and Harris referenced productive conversations with the White House and called a group of new district court nominations that included Bumatay a balanced compromise. Carl Tobias, a professor at University of Richmond School of Law in Virginia who closely follows judicial nominations, said it wasnt clear why Bumatay was downgraded, although he noted the unusual trajectory of an assistant U.S. attorney to the 9th Circuit. I dont know if well ever know the story why he was switched out as opposed to anybody else, Tobias said. George Seymour, co-president of the Tom Homman LGBT Law Association chapter in San Diego, said Bumatay has the right temperament for a judge and a reputation for being a good lawyer. Advertisement He has the ability to sit there, think things through, be fair and administer justice, Seymour said. Its unfortunate some people really focus on a particular ideology, he added. For me personally, I try to take a lot of that out of the picture and look at the individual person. Seymour said the nomination highlights the need for a more diverse bench. Right now it is not representative of the people they serve, he said, especially when it comes to minority and LGBT judges. It helps people in the state of California and the 9th Circuit feel like they are being represented at this level and have a fair shot when they see someone who looks like them in that position of authority. Replacing Bumatay in the 9th Circuit spot is Daniel Bress, a litigator experienced in complex trials and appeals who is a partner at Kirkland & Ellis the same law firm from where the new attorney general and deputy attorney general hail. He is a native of Gilroy but lives in Washington, D.C. Advertisement Two other Los Angeles-area attorneys nominated in October alongside Bumatay for the 9th Circuit have been renominated: Daniel P. Collins, a partner at Munger, Tolles & Olson and former associate deputy attorney general at the Department of Justice; and Kenneth Kiyul Lee, a partner at Jenner & Block. Feinstein and Harris have already made their opposition known. And while in the past that opposition might have prevented a candidate from getting a hearing in front of the of judiciary committee, it hasnt seemed to make much of a difference lately. Confirmation hearings have not yet been scheduled by the committee. All candidates must be confirmed by the full Senate, as well. I expect them to be controversial, hotly contested, and go through on a party line vote, Tobias said of the three California 9th Circuit picks. Advertisement Even if Trump fills all six 9th Circuit vacancies, and nothing else changes on the court, the make-up would still not flip Republican. There would be 16 active Democrat-appointed judges and 13 Republican appointees. There are an additional 18 judges on senior status a role that keeps them on the bench but at a reduced caseload who are split evenly by political party. kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @kristinadavis Daniel Jusufov cannot remember swinging the ax down on his helpless mom. He does not recall wrapping a hand around its handle, or slamming its sharp blade into her head, or lopping off a part of her arm. There is only emerging from a trance, seeing her blood everywhere, and wondering what just happened in their Coney Island apartment. Marina Josefov with her son Daniel Jusufov approximately age 9 months. Daniel Jusufov as an adult attacked his mother with an axe causing critical injuries on January 7, 2019. (Obtained by News) (Obtained by News) Advertisement Some external power must have gotten inside of me and took control of my actions, Jusufov, 32, explained to the Daily News in an exclusive Rikers Island interview. It wasnt me. When I looked, I saw the blood. I saw the ax. I saw her lying down on the floor, in the hallway. I panicked. When I saw the blood, its like I came back into myself. Police say Daniel Jusufov attacked his mom, Marina Josefov, in their apartment in this W. 33rd St, Brooklyn building. (Gardiner Anderson for New York Daily News) Jusufov grabbed his suitcase, packed his clothes and headed for the door. His baffled younger brother was just entering, and Jusufov told him to call the cops, saying, Mom got hurt. Then he walked to the 60th Precinct stationhouse and surrendered. Nearly seven weeks after the gruesome Jan. 7 attack, the deeply fractured familys dynamic remains a mess. Daniel is receiving psychiatric treatment at Bellevue Hospital after two weeks on Rikers Island. Hes facing attempted murder charges. His 53-year-old mom Marina Josefov (she spells her last name differently from her son) remains in critical condition at NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn. Her badly damaged arm had to be amputated. Prosecutors say she was stabbed more than 10 times, leaving her brain dead and highly likely to die. Advertisement Her ex-husband Joseph has moved into the home where she was attacked to take care of their two younger sons while weeping and wondering where everything went wrong. Danny is a good guy, the 60-year-old father says through tears. I dont know why he did that. My heart is crying for mother, and crying for him, too. For both of them. Legal Aid lawyer Michael Rooney believes the answer to the fathers question is simple: His client is mentally unfit for trial. He asked Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge Martin Murphy to order a mental evaluation for Jusufov in hopes of proving just that, with both sides due back in court March 11. There were no hints of the heartache ahead when Joseph and Marina were wed as 17-year-olds in Netanya, Israel, a western shore resort city. Joseph, after serving as a jet pilot in the Israeli Army, decided to relocate the family to Brooklyn. Advertisement She told me, Whatever you want to do, Im with you, he recalled. She was a beautiful woman. But the good times didnt last. The coupled divorced 27 years ago, drifting apart to the point where Joseph only spoke with Marina about twice a year. Inevitably, they spoke about their kids. Days after the attack, Marinas bloodstains remained on the hallway floor of the NYCHA apartment where the single mom lived with her three sons. Joseph soon moved in to offer some parental support to his two youngest sons. Advertisement I need to be here, said the father. If Im not gonna be here, theyre gonna die. His eldest son, in the space of a few sentences, can swing madly from intelligent and articulate to incoherent and bizarre. Daniel casually describes his habitual state of mind as confusion, and little he says contradicts his assessment. I want to talk to the most powerful person, the person who controls the military, who controls the court system. I couldnt talk to him, he randomly declared at one point during his jailhouse interview. And that person is? Advertisement They call him the holy father. Its a nickname, explained Jusufov. He also goes by the name of Saturn. The mysterious leader, he adds, is a man in a wheelchair dressed all in black. Yet Jusufov describes his mother as a good woman, a caring woman who grew up poor and always took care of her sons. I worry for her, he said. I hope shes OK. Nobody tells me anything here. Advertisement Jail life is hard, he said, and he hopes to go home soon. Other inmates have attacked him and tried to steal his possessions. I hope I get out of here. Im not gonna survive a year in here, he said. Meanwhile, when his father finally found the strength to visit Marina in the hospital he quickly became so heartbroken that he had to leave. My heart cant take it, Joseph said. Advertisement The brothers, struggling with issues of their own, hardly appear concerned about Daniels plight. Hes f---ing crazy, said Jonathan Josufov, 30. Hes f---ed up. Nobody does it like that. The youngest of the three, 24-year-old Benjamin, recalls the day he walked into the apartment to find Daniel frantically fleeing their home. Hes like, Im moving out. Someone tried to kill ma, he said. I ran into the apartment and I saw my mom laying over there. Advertisement Family members say Jusufov began suffering from seizures as a small child and his behavior is often erratic. Hes intelligent, but he has problems, said Jusufovs aunt Wira Josefov, 65. I remember when they were little, all three of them. It was a long time ago.They all have problems in that family. When you have problems, you have to address them, and then you have to follow through. If you dont follow through, thats when bad things happen. The father suggested his ex-wifes demeanor possibly triggered their mentally ill sons violent attack. Marina typically spent long hours talking with friends on the phone and often picked fights with her children in particular, Daniel. Advertisement They never got along, he said. I told him, Dont talk to your mother. Dont make it be a problem to yourself. Just be calm, go to your room, sleep, relax. Dont mess with her. The father fears he wont ever see his son again. Danny is gone, forever, said Joseph. Hes in Rikers. Hes gonna be there forever. Daniel thinks otherwise. Hes pleading innocent in the attack and claims his psychotic reaction was caused by washing down his anticonvulsant medication Levetiracetam with a grape soda. Thirty minutes later, he was grabbing the ax, which had been left in the apartment by maintenance workers. Advertisement I remember my mom was in the kitchen, he recalls. She was cooking. She was talking on the phone with her friend. I was over here minding my business. And then? Nothing. How am I to be held responsible? he asks. Clearly, an accident happened in there When you turn on the TV, and it blows up on you, do you say you wanted the TV to blow up? Iraqi courts will prosecute 13 French citizens captured while fighting for the Islamic State jihadist group in Syria, Iraq's President Barham Saleh said Monday. The fighters, who were turned over to Iraq by Syrian Kurdish forces, "will be judged according to Iraqi law," Saleh told a news conference after talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. Short link: San Jose State officials on Monday banned motorized scooters, skateboards and bicycles from the university. The downtown San Jose campus is now considered a dismount zone for the personal vehicles. People riding Lime scooters on campus will get a warning on their phones that they are in violation of the ban. A similar feature is in the works for riders on Bird scooters, according to a Facebook post from the San Jose State Police Department. Campus police said the new regulations stem from the increasing number of collisions, trips and falls involving the electric vehicles, which also have blocked fire exits on campus when they are parked improperly. Advertisement Self-propelled scooters, skateboards and bicycles will still be allowed on the campus, officials said. How can you help? You can get your steps in by walking, the police department wrote on Facebook. Please ride, walk, skip, jog or Pogo stick safely while on campus. Police said they will start off with warnings before issuing citations for people who still use the devices on campus, the department said. javier.panzar@latimes.com @jpanzar San Francisco prosecutors announced Monday they would move to expunge 9,300 marijuana-related convictions dating back decades, part of a sweeping effort to rethink the war on drugs now that pot is legal in California. The announcement culminated a year-long review of marijuana convictions in San Francisco, which critics say disproportionately punished minority communities and made it more difficult for those with criminal records to get jobs and other essentials. Other California counties, including Los Angeles, are considering similar efforts, though none have gone as far as San Francisco. The Los Angeles County district attorneys office estimates there have been 40,000 felony convictions involving pot-related offenses since 1993, but prosecutors have not said how many of those could be eligible for being expunged. It was the morally right thing to do, said San Francisco Dist. Atty. George Gascon. If you have a felony conviction, you are automatically excluded in so many ways from participating in your community. Advertisement California has become a leader in criminal justice reform, including reducing sentences for lower-level crimes and pushing for rehab instead of incarceration for some drug offenses. Advocates say clearing pot convictions is an essential next step. But some law enforcement groups are wary. To simply embark on an across-the-board expungement of 9,300 without looking at any of the surrounding factors on any of those cases strikes us as cavalier irresponsibility, said John Lovell, legislative counsel to the California Narcotic Officers Assn. Gascon said his office would review every marijuana-related conviction to find ones eligible for expungement under Prop 64, which was passed by voters in 2016. Though individuals can request expungements themselves, the process is known to be difficult to navigate and relatively few attempted it. Gascons office initially began the expungement process by hand and found about 1,000 cases to clear, but then teamed up with Code for America, a national nonprofit that uses technology to make government more efficient. Coders there created an algorithm that combed through San Franciscos digitized criminal records going back to 1975 in just minutes. The program automatically fills out the required forms that can be turned in to the court for processing. After about a year of work, Gascon announced on Monday theyd found 9,362 cases that were eligible to be expunged. All thats left to be done is for the courts to process the requests, he said. Advertisement Employment isnt the only limitation that some people encounter after theyve served their sentences, Gascon said. They can also face barriers to education, housing and employment, and may even be barred from a childs school field trip because of a conviction. Proposition 64 legalized, among other things, the possession and purchase of up to an ounce of marijuana and allowed individuals to grow up to six plants for personal use. The measure also allowed people convicted of marijuana possession to petition the courts to have those convictions expunged as long as the person does not pose a risk to public safety. People also can petition to have some crimes reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor, including possession of more than an ounce of marijuana by a person who is 18 or older. This isnt a political thing. This is about dignity. People pay their debt to society. People pay the consequences for something we no longer consider a crime, he said. They should not be jumping through hoops for this. They should just get it. Everyones marijuana conviction is eligible to be expunged, regardless of whether its tied to other criminal offenses, Gascons office said Monday. Officials had initially stated it was for standalone marijuana convictions but have since corrected their statement. Advertisement In the end, the project removed what had been a disproportionate number of convictions hanging over the heads of the citys blacks and Latinos. Though San Francisco is about 5% black, that community saw a third of all marijuana-related convictions. Latinos make up about 15% of the city, but 27% of marijuana convictions, Gascons office said. Gascon, who is not seeking a third term in office, said his ambition is to show what Code for Americas algorithm did in San Francisco and take that approach statewide. Were beginning to separate those that cant from those that wont, because no longer can you say I cant do it, he said. As the medicinal and recreational use of marijuana has gained wider acceptance across the nation, lawmakers in a number of states have been wrestling with the issue of how to remove marijuana convictions from peoples records. Advertisement Missouri lawmakers are considering a bill that would expunge convictions for medical marijuana patients, as it is now legal there for medicinal use. New Jersey residents can have their convictions expunged, but the process has reportedly proved challenging. In New York, where the governor has proposed legalizing recreational pot use, officials are exploring the means of possibly expunging or sealing conviction records. Until something has been shown, it is hard for people to believe it will work, said Jennifer Pahlka, founder and executive director of Code for America. Our theory of change is if you show whats possible you can reset the expectation bar. It could go a long way to helping California with Assembly Bill 1793, signed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown last year. The bill mandated the state build a list of all Californians eligible to have crimes expunged under Prop 64 by July 1, with the goal of having all past marijuana-related crimes reduced or cleared in the state by 2020. Its like the stars aligned for our automatic record clearance tool! Code for America tweeted upon the laws passage in November. Advertisement San Franciscos expungements only date back to 1975, the earliest digitized records that the countys prosecutors maintain, Gascon said. In Los Angeles County, officials said Dist. Atty. Jackie Laceys office is exploring the use of different technologies to assist in the evaluation of Prop. 64 cases. Code for America plans to expand the pilot program to other California counties with the target of clearing 250,000 convictions by the end of this year. The organization has previously delved into the realm of criminal justice. In 2016, it created Clear My Record, an online application that connects people with lawyers to clear criminal records across California. Staff writer Sarah Parvini contributed to this report. Advertisement joseph.serna@latimes.com For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna on Twitter. Since its 2015 debut, each iteration of the bi-annual CRSSD electronic music festival has improved upon that which came before. Through the refinement process, CRSSDs two-day event has quietly cemented itself as a premier destination for fans of dance music, as well as a cornerstone of the San Diego music scene. Cutting edge and top-shelf DJs, producers, production teams, and electro-forward bands have long populated the festivals artist rosters. Flume, Kygo, Rufus Du Sol, Tycho, Maya Jane Coles, James Murphy, Anna Lunoe, Richie Hawtin, Claptone, and many, many more have all graced the stages of CRSSDs idyllic Waterfront Park setting. For this weekends ninth edition, organizers are again offering a heavy dose of quality solo performers (Maetrik, Lane 8, Armand Van Helden) counterbalanced by a handful of noteable beat makers who come in bunches (Odesza, Ladytron, Phantogram). London-based groove collective Jungle fits firmly into the latter, although band founders and principal songwriters Tom McFarland and Josh Lloyd-Watson could have easily opted to make their project a duo. Advertisement We enjoy the group aspect of it, said McFarland before the recent kick-off of the bands UK tour. Being able to play with our friends on stage is something we always wanted. These are guys we played with in other bands and friends of friends. Its one big family. Youre part of each others lives. McFarland and Lloyd-Watson have been a part of each others lives since they became nextdoor neighbors at age 10. And the seven-piece band theyll bring to CRSSDs Ocean View stage on Sunday has been together since the groups very first performance in 2013. While the pair exclusively write Jungles music together, they are of the same mind when it comes to sharing the stage during live shows. Not only do they feel the band helps to give even more life to their compositions, it ensures that they never fall prey to complacency. London-based Jungle. (Courtesy photo) McFarlands thoughts on the topic rarely waiver, even when the fest-savvy outfit plays DJ-centric events like CRSSD. The grass is always greener, he said. But Josh and I go out and DJ a lot, and we really enjoy that. Its always a bit more nerve-racking having just the two of us up there. And its nice to share the fear with everyone (laughs). But I also think having live musicians on stage makes it different and interesting every night. Keeps it varied. To that point, Jungle is continuing to up the ante with a brand new (bigger and better) stage production that theyre unveiling for the first time on their current U.S. tour (which kicks off on Friday in L.A.). Additionally, their latest album, For Ever, isnt yet six months old, but new music might already be on the horizon. Or, at the very least McFarland is promising that it wont be nearly as long as the four years between their self-titled debut and For Ever. Tentatively, the band is looking to keep their momentum rolling with a couple of new singles in the coming months. Advertisement But whatever the future might hold, the musical partners understand that where they are right now is already exceeding expectations. In a weird way, said McFarland, a lot of this is unexpected. There was never any pressure put on what we were doing or why we were doing it. Making music together was just our way of hanging out together as best mates. And were just really f**king blessed that its turned out this way. CRSSD Festival When: Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Where: Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Coast Highway, Embarcadero Advertisement Tickets: Sold out More info: crssdfest.com At the Academy Awards, the acceptance speeches are just the beginning. The Times has reporters backstage covering what the winners have to say in the press room. Keep this page open throughout Oscar night as our Times team gets the latest reactions and quips from those taking Oscar home. Green Book, best picture The makers of Green Book, the controversial best picture winner at the Oscars this year, have a message for haters: They stand firmly behind the film they made. It was discouraging, producer Jim Burke said of the fierce criticism the film faced for perpetuating a white-savior-type story line about the relationship between a black man and his white driver in the deep south. But we always went back to the film, and when we had a bad day, we popped in the movie and we were reminded that we were all really proud of this film. Advertisement They didnt necessarily expect to win, but they didnt put the possibility completely out of their heads. If I watch a football game and I need my team to win, I walk out of the room, said director Peter Farrelly of his approach to Oscar Sunday. I thought about everything but winning this thing, and it worked. Writer Nick Vallelonga called the movie an Odd Couple story. All of us, from writing to production, to cast and crew, everybody knew we were telling an important story, he said. There are a lot of ways to tell this story this is our little story and its as valuable as any story. The story was not supposed to be a big story, agreed Farrelly. It was a story about two people who thought they had nothing in common but discovered they were more alike than they thought. The message is talk to each other, he said. I know that sounds corny and Pollyannaish, but the only way to solve problems is to talk. Jessica Gelt Rami Malek, lead actor Before Rami Malek spoke to reporters backstage at the Oscars, he wanted to share a bit of gratitude for the press. Advertisement I just wanted to say thank you guys for being here, said the Bohemian Rhapsody star who won the award for lead actor. I will say this: I dont think critically the decision on this film was unanimous but I do appreciate everything you guys had to write. As a kid, I read criticism of film and learned so much from it. So no matter what, I still do very much appreciate you. Malek, who is of Egyptian descent, expanded on the topic of immigration that he mentioned in his acceptance speech. Growing up, I didnt feel like I fit in, I definitely felt like an outsider, he said. As I got older, I realized just how beautiful my heritage and my tradition is, and the wealth of culture and magic and music and film and just pure art that comes out of the Middle East. And now Im so privileged to represent it. Ashley Lee Oscars 2019: Olivia Colman on her big night: Its a very weird situation Advertisement Kevin Willmott, adapted screenplay Kevin Willmott came to the press room with fellow BlacKkKlansman writers Charlie Watchel and David Rabinowitz in time to meet a torrent of questions about Spike Lees reaction to Green Book winning best picture. I dont think any of us have had a chance to talk to Spike and I cant speak for Spike, but I dont think his reaction is about Green Book, so much as , he trailed off, not wanting to go any further. Were just glad to be here, were glad we won, and its a real breakthrough that any film about race gets to win anything, he continued. When I first started in the industry, it was really bad, and weve come a long way since then. And tonight is a huge step forward in many ways. Its still frustrating at times, but its great to see progress being made. Jessica Gelt Advertisement Oscars 2019: Spike Lee vents over Green Book best picture win Mahershala Ali, supporting actor Mahershala Ali, now a two-time Oscar winner after winning the supporting actor category for his performance in Green Book, spoke to the press backstage of feeling fortunate to have landed this role and to have won the award. It was constantly sort of negotiating and finding my way to locking in to a truth and finding his essence, Ali said of playing jazz musician Don Shirley. It was difficult and beautiful and Im very grateful to have gone on the journey. Ali added that any of this years nominees could have won the category, so to be the one that was chosen to get to hold this trophy again is not something that I take lightly, its not something that I take for granted. Advertisement A lot has changed for the actor since his Moonlight win in 2017. My life has changed tremendously in two years, he said. My daughter just had her second birthday two days ago. And I was busy in that time working but ... as long as you walk away having been improved, then its all an education. I will continue to make my best efforts and do the best work that I can possibly do and be the best person I can be. Sonaiya Kelley Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, animated feature Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse producers Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller clarified who were trying to thank onstage before they were cut short. Advertisement We were just going to thank Stan Lee and Steve Ditko for literally inspiring this whole thing, Persichetti said. And for believing that all of us human beings have the potential and capacity to be heroes. The filmmakers also gave a shout out to Mahershala Ali, who plays the Prowler in the film and who took home his second supporting actor Oscar for Green Book earlier in the night. If we had any advice for filmmakers out there, put Mahershala Ali in your movie, said Rothman. It seems to work out OK. FULL COVERAGE: Oscars 2019 Advertisement He recalled a moment during filming when Ali, after being asked to perform a second take of his characters death scene, politely declined. He basically in a very calm, well-articulated way said that for him to do that kind of scene takes a lot of effort and takes a lot out of him, Rothman said. He essentially said to us, Next time, if you still need me to do it again, Ill do it. So we went and we looked at the scene and we did not ask him to do it again. Hes very committed. Hes a method actor, and he did a beautiful, beautiful performance as did the rest of our cast and theyre a big part of why were standing onstage right now. Sonaiya Kelley John Ottman, editing He called it the Death Star Sequence. Advertisement After John Ottman won the Oscar for film editing for Bohemian Rhapsody, he talked about the epic Wembley Stadium performance in the film. If it didnt work, the whole movie would collapse, Ottman said, describing the stress he felt for more than a year and a half while working on the biopic about Queen and its charismatic, troubled frontman, Freddie Mercury. The scene, which conjures the feeling a band might experience while in front of a crowd of mind-boggling proportions, was largely CGI, Ottman said. Only about 1,000 extras were filmed and then scanned and duplicated in new clothes to create the sea of humanity onscreen. Love permeated the whole production, Ottman said of the grueling undertaking. We all believed in the film and in each other. Advertisement Jessica Gelt Regina King, best supporting actress Regina King was all about love backstage after winning for Barry Jenkins If Beale Street Could Talk, based on the book by the same name by James Baldwin. Love is the thing that pushes us through trauma, King said, beaming. Having portrayed a fierce mother intent on protecting her child, King was speaking to the love she depicted onscreen but also to the love she received from her own mother, whom she thanked so passionately onstage at the Dolby Theatre. Advertisement Its kind of one of those full-circle moments, King said of having her mother beside her at the Oscars. My mom was the lighthouse. King called If Beale Street Could Talk an urban tragedy and paid homage to the #MeToo movement for allowing women to speak freely about their experiences of sexual assault and harassment. We held each other up through a secret that shouldnt be a secret, King said of the stories that once remained untold among women. Even if we have not experienced a violation on that level firsthand, we have lifted a sister up through that. What would James Baldwin say if he were around to see the movie, and Kings win? Advertisement A word he would say so often, King answered. Amen. Jessica Gelt Regina King in the press room with her supporting actress Oscar for If Beale Street Could Talk. (Jordan Strauss / Invision / AP) Advertisement Domee Shi, animated short After winning, Bao director Domee Shi had an emotional phone call with her mother, who inspired the Pixar short. I just FaceTimed her, and she said, Oh my God, Im so happy, Im crying, but I couldnt see because of classic parent technology thing happening where I couldnt see her camera, she told reporters backstage. I have to take her word on it for crying. Ive never seen her cry before, so its a big deal. Bao tells the story of an aging Chinese mother who, while suffering from empty nest syndrome, draws on her maternal instinct when one of her dumplings comes to life. Shi said the short has given her a newfound appreciation for her mother. Advertisement I took my mom making dumplings for granted when I was growing up; she would just pop them out so quickly, she said. But after having to film her and study her technique, its like, so much effort and love, sweat and tears go into making them. She also got a glimpse of her childhood from her mothers point of view. I was always that super overprotected little dumpling, and I was so frustrated and wondering, Why is she smothering me? Stop it! she said. Through making this short, I understand her a little bit better. Shi is thankful for this newfound understanding, as her mother is still quite protective of her: Even now, she says, I wish I could put you back in my stomach so I could keep you forever. Shi is the first woman to direct a Pixar short film. As for other women in the field of animation, producer Becky Neiman-Cobb told reporters, The future is bright. Advertisement Ashley Lee Period. End of Sentence, documentary short Women and womens issues have been big at the Oscars this year, and few moments illustrated the urgency of empowering women better than director Rayka Zehtabchis comments in the press room after winning for documentary short subject alongside producer Melissa Berton. Their film Period. End of Sentence takes viewers to a small village in India where women are working to destigmatize menstruation. Zehtabchi said the responses they would hear about menstruation while making the film took them aback. Women in that area had no understanding of what a period was. They thought it was an illness. Advertisement If you went your whole life fearing this thing that happens to your body, I cant imagine what else youd be afraid to do, Zehtabchi said.Domee Jessica Gelt Luckily, Kate Quinn didnt feel too much pressure writing her latest novel, The Huntress. Fortunately, I was deep into this novel by the time The Alice Network was released, so the pressure was lessened, said the bestselling San Diego-based author. The core idea for The Huntress had already come to me and been hammered out with my editor at Morrow. I had a good start the characters were talking to me, and the words were rolling. If Id had to start from scratch right on the heels of The Alice Networks unexpected success after being picked for Reese Witherspoons book club, Id have been a lot more intimidated! Quinns eighth novel is a World War II drama about a journalist, a Russian female bomber pilot, and a teenage photographer in their pursuit of a Nazi murderess who changed her identity and started over in postwar Boston. A native of Southern California, Quinn graduated from Boston University with a masters degree in classical voice. Her three previous novels have been translated into multiple languages. She and her husband live with their dogs Caesar and Calpurnia in Poway, and her interests include opera, action movies, cooking and the Boston Red Sox. In two events presented by Warwicks, Quinn has two local appearances Tuesday, Feb. 26: a lunch and an evening signing. Advertisement Q: What drew you to tell this story? A: I came across the fascinating real story of the first Nazi war criminal to be extradited from the United States for war crimes a housewife living in New York City who had a secret past as a brutal Third Reich camp guard. Her American husband and neighbors were apparently stunned by the news, and I wondered what would it be like to find out you had been living with someone with such a terrible dark side. And who could track someone like that down, across the years and around half the globe, from war-torn Europe to postwar white-picket-fence suburban America? But that was only half the story I ended up telling because even as I was researching war criminals and Nazi hunters, I came across the stunning real-life tale of the Night Witches, an all-female regiment of bomber pilots who flew against Hitlers eastern front. A more badass collection of heroines I have yet to find, and they positively begged to be part of the book, too. Q: Please explain who the Night Witches were. Was there an American equivalent? A: During World War II, many nations employed women in support roles such as nursing and transportation not to mention in unofficial combat like espionage or resistance fighting. But the U.S.S.R. was the only nation to put women in the field as combatants. Russian women filled artillery positions, drove tanks, flew bombers and fighter planes in the Red Air Force. The 46th Taman Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment became the most famous an all-female regiment of night bombers who went to war in outdated open-cockpit cloth-and-plywood biplanes. The regiment flew winter and summer, anywhere from five to 18 runs per night for three continuous years, surviving on catnaps and camaraderie as they amassed a far more efficient record than any all-male night bomber regiment. The womens relentless rate of flying waged ruthless psychological warfare on the Germans below, who thought their silent glide-down sounded like witches on broomsticks, and awarded them the nickname die Nachthexen the Night Witches. There was no comparable American regiment during World War II female fliers in the U.S. were recruited as Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASP, to take over transportation and test flight duties. The WASP program was canceled before ever becoming part of the military. Q: What connotations are there with the term Nazi hunter? Whats the pursuit like for your two characters, Ian and Tony? A: The term Nazi hunter carries an inevitable Hollywood gleam: it makes you think of high speed chases, flying bullets and pulse-pounding standoffs. The reality was very different war crime investigation teams were usually underfunded and overextended, tracking suspects by cross-checking old records, following their friends and acquaintances, and interviewing their family members who had no legal obligation to cooperate. Most chases lasted literally years untold hours of paperwork and tedium with no guarantee of an arrest at the end. In Europe, many former Nazis still held positions of power, so war crimes trials were stymied by everything from passive resistance to outright death threats. If a suspect fled overseas, an arrest and trial became even more unlikely because of complicated extradition laws. Ian and Tony, my two fictional Nazi hunters in The Huntress, frequently reflect that their job is not glamorous. Q: Is the huntress character based on a true person? A: Shes a fictional composite of two very real women. The first, Erna Petri, was a SchutzStaffel, or SS officers wife who discovered six Jewish children who had escaped from a transport train. She took them home, fed them a meal, and then shot all six. The second woman upon whom I based my fictional Huntress was Hermine Braunsteiner, a camp guard nicknamed the Stomping Mare for her brutal treatment of prisoners. After the war, she married an American construction worker, became a U.S. citizen, and was unmasked and extradited years later. I had no wish for the fictional Nazi hunters in my novel to take credit from the very real journalists and investigators who brought Petri and Braunsteiner to justice, so I made the decision to create a fictional female war criminal from both womens records. What moved these women to do such terrible things? The question is unanswerable. Advertisement Q: What went into getting your characters foreign dialogue so accurately, particularly Ninas when she spoke English? A: I listened to quite a few interviews with Russian subjects, trying to learn the syntax and speech rhythms that result from a Russian speaker learning English as an adult. I also took notes from a high school teacher friend with a number of students who speak English as a second language. She was able to tell me, for example, that non-native speakers often stick to present tense in their learned language since its simpler than struggling with past tense conjugations. This was all information that went into shaping Ninas dialogue. Q: Whats the benefits of a triple narrative character-based novel? How did you keep it all straight? A: Weaving a triple narrative was definitely tricky, mostly because trying to do justice to all three narrators and their individual stories made for a very long first draft! I went back and forth between the three narratives rather than write each one from A to Z and then interweave. Cutting back and forth as I went made it easier to tease out the parallels and themes the three story lines had in common. But even if it was hard to keep straight at times, I really enjoyed having three different narratives with the turn of a page, I could take the reader from a 50s-era suburban Boston street to the wilds of Siberia. I loved the contrast. Advertisement Q: What does a typical day of writing look like for you? A: Generally, Im up by 7:30 a.m. to tackle my email inbox, then out the door shortly afterward to walk my dogs, hit the gym, and get any essential errands out of the way. After that its a 10-minute lunch of reheated leftovers as I read the latest Advance Readers Copy sent to me to consider for a cover quote a wonderful perk of my job and then its on to my word count. I write all afternoon, or try to. Music in the background is essential, often movie soundtracks or period appropriate playlists. Lots of Edith Piaf while I was writing The Alice Network, lots of Mussorgsky and Tchaikovsky for The Huntress. Q: Do you miss living in Boston? What fun things do you do around San Diego? A: I love Boston, and I do miss it. I had seven years there while completing my bachelor and masters degrees at Boston University, and I love the twisty streets, the historic buildings and the Red Sox. The Huntress is my first novel with an American setting, and I knew right away it had to be Boston. I had great fun incorporating classic landmarks like Fenway Park, Newbury Street and Mikes Pastries into the novel. Now I live in San Diego, and it does have some things Boston doesnt like year-round warm weather, beautiful beaches teeming with sea lions and the gorgeous Spanish-influenced architecture of Balboa Park, to name a few. Advertisement Q: Whats on your to be read list? A: Katherine Ardens Winter of the Witch, last in her fabulous historical fantasy trilogy of medieval Russia. I love a good sci-fi and am looking forward to the next installment in Pierce Browns Red Rising series. Nancy Bilyeaus The Blue is sitting on my nightstand with its tale of industrial espionage across the 18th century porcelain trade. And Lauren Willigs The Summer Country is a terrific dual narrative historical mystery I had a chance to read for a cover quote I was very happy to give one. The Huntress by Kate Quinn, William Morrow, 560 pages. Booked for Lunch with Kate Quinn When: 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26 Advertisement Where: Will be disclosed on purchase of ticket Tickets: $70 (includes lunch and a copy of the book) Conversation with Kate Quinn When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26 Where: Warwicks, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Advertisement Phone: (858) 454-0347 Online: warwicks.com Davidson is a freelance writer. The tinted glass doors on the cozy electric shuttle slid open quietly. Welcome aboard, said Aaron Foster, a solutions engineer for Navya, the French maker of the 15-passenger, battery-powered vehicle that attracted a curious crowd eager for a quarter-mile ride on the ballyhooed bus expected to be running this spring in southeast Orlando, Fla. The emission-less vehicle had no driver, no steering wheel, no gas pedal, no brake pedal. No kidding. Advertisement If theres ever a situation thats unsafe, the vehicle will actually come to a stop on its own, Foster said Thursday, describing himself as the autonomous vehicles attendant, who is required by federal law to be in control of the bus. Aaron Foster, a solutions engineer for Navya, stands in the doorway of the autonomous shuttle that will be used in the Orlando, Fla., community of Lake Nona this spring. (Stephen Hudak/Orlando Sentinel) Just in case, he said, standing finger-ready at the helm of a side-mounted tablet. Then, as if on cue and it wasnt the Beep jerked to a sudden stop to avoid bumping into a TV reporter who stood in its programmed path to demonstrate how the multi-sensor technology allows the vehicle to interact with its environment. Alerted by sensors, its horn also honked until the reporter got out of the way. The vehicle, marked with decals that read go-beep.com and MOVE NONA, is one of two that are slated to become the first-ever autonomous public transit vehicles in Central Florida, moving passengers in Orlandos Lake Nona neighborhood, a mixed-use planned community developed by investment firm Tavistock Group. The service is expected to be free. Other Navya autonomous shuttles already operate in downtown Las Vegas and at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, as well as internationally on public roads and private sites in Britain, Australia, Japan and Hong Kong. Advertisement I would 100% use it, said Omar Hickman, founder of digital media company Lake Nona Social, unconcerned his five-minute ride had been driverless. Im very comfortable in the technology. I think sometimes its safer than actual humans. The autonomous bus is expected to be free. (Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel) He said the vehicle could help sell tech clients on what the future in Lake Nona holds. It was amazing. Nice and smooth, real estate broker Ernie Plaza said of his ride. Advertisement He noted the vehicle made a complete stop at a stop sign something vehicles with drivers often dont do. The short demo ride also impressed Scott Workman, owner of the Villages Transportation, which operates in a retirement community about 60 miles northwest of Orlando. Im in the bus business, he said of a shuttle service he operates in the community with a population of 125,000. Theyve thought of every safety feature that I can think of on the vehicle. He praised the panoramic view from inside the bus, a nice feature for riders. Advertisement Workman said he could envision similar vehicles operating fixed routes in the Villages community, with an important tweak. With Florida, the air-conditioning unit probably has to be beefed up, Workman pointed out. The bay doors are very large so when they open, they release the cool air and the warm air comes in. You know how Florida is. Beep co-Founder Mark Reid, left, and Tavistock President James Zboril step off the driverless shuttle, expected to be Central Floridas first autonomous public transportation service. (Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel) Sanaa Raza described her ride as smooth and very soothing, relaxing, very easy. Advertisement It would be cool if it went a little faster, she said. The top speed is 16 mph one mile per hour faster than the electric pedal-assist Lime bicycles available in Orlando. Mark Reid, an executive at Lake Nona-based Beep, Navyas partner, said he hopes to ride the driverless shuttle from home to work when the vehicle progresses from a fixed-route schedule to an on-demand service such as Uber or Lyft. As for the plodding pace of the vehicle, Reid said it was made to travel up to 28 mph. He said as the vehicle proves safe and the controlling technology proves reliable, he expects laws to change allowing it to go a little faster. Advertisement During demos, the vehicle repeated an undulating route, varying no more than a few centimeters. The autonomous bus is expected to begin service later this year. (Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel) Foster, the on-board monitor, boasted about its safety record. Weve moved well over 300,000 passengers safely in over 20 different countries, he said. The only incident we ever had was when our shuttle came to a complete stop because it sensed an oncoming vehicle and it backed into us. Advertisement The fender bender took place in November 2017, the day the company debuted its driverless shuttle in Las Vegas. Its a sentence no one likes to say or hear: Youre fired. But amid a growing focus on preventing violence in the workplace in the wake of events like the shooting at Auroras Henry Pratt Co. last week, some companies are considering whether theres a better way to handle potentially volatile terminations. The goal: balance respect for the employee being let go with the safety of co-workers. And no one is taking tips from Donald Trump in The Apprentice. In Aurora, police said that 45-year-old Gary Martin was being fired when he turned a gun on his colleagues, killing five and wounding five police officers. Advertisement Workplace shootings like the one at Henry Pratt are extremely rare. According to the FBI, three out of 50 active shooter incidents in 2016 and 2017 involved former employees at a workplace. Two had been fired in the prior two months. However uncommon, theres a growing focus on finding ways to reduce risk in cases where an employer believes theres reason for concern, said Johnny Taylor, president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management. Some organizations are moving the place where they conduct terminations closer to exits or security or moving the entire human resources office, Taylor said. That avoids parading a just-fired worker through the office and makes it easier to control the situation if the worker doesnt take the news well. It just adds salt in the wound. What weve learned is to try to do this in a way that is filled with dignity and respect, he said. But even traditional notions of dignity and respect like delivering the news in person can take a back seat to safety. Some companies will weigh whether its better to fire a particular worker by phone or email. As inhumane as its perceived to beif theres any indication in the persons workplace behavior or background or things that give pause, by all means dont put more people in danger, Taylor said. Workers are escorted out of a manufacturing facility next door to Henry Pratt Co. after a terminated gunman fatally shot five co-workers and injured five police officers Feb. 15, 2019, in Aurora. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) Not all remote firings mean the company considers the employee a potential threat, said Jodi Coplan, president of the Northern Illinois Society for Human Resource Management and a global human resources leader for Cognizant, an information technology services firm. Advertisement She works virtually and said she had conducted several terminations over the phone. Cognizant does make sure the employees access to company facilities and technology is shut down before they get the news, she said. Ken Boudreau, CEO of Chicago-based Embassy Security Group, recommends delivering the news in a small interview room away from other employees rather than bringing the person up to executive offices, and involving as few people as possible. I dont care how nice youre trying to be. Its not going to be received well, he said. For that reason, companies increasingly are planning for the worst. That means establishing crisis action teams that can be called in when someone raises concerns about an employee, experts say. Advertisement Those teams often include representatives from the legal, human resources and security departments, along with a manager and potentially a member of local law enforcement, who can intervene early to prevent potential violence, said Matthew Doherty, senior vice president of threat and violence risk management at Hillard Heintze, a Chicago-based security risk management firm. Police are not going to be in human resources in uniform, but if theres a concerning termination or a bad day with layoffs, they want to know so they can be in close proximity, he said. In certain cases, companies also want to monitor employees who are a concern after they have been dismissed. That can include keeping an eye on what Doherty calls open source intelligence, such as social media activity, for signs that the person is acquiring weapons or stalking someone at their former workplace. In one case, a recently terminated employee posted a selfie taken in front of an executives home, Doherty said. The days of firing someone on a Friday and hoping the problem goes away on Monday, its not a good approach if youre concerned about their behavior, he said. Advertisement Not all approaches are punitive. Companies may consider offering outplacement services to encourage workers to look forward or providing mental health services to make sure the person can continue getting treatment. Extending benefits to a fired worker who has prompted concerns may sound counterintuitive, but the goal is to ensure a soft landing, said Michael Crane, a Northbrook-based security consultant. Exit packages can also come with strings attached, like requiring the employee not to contact former colleagues or cutting off insurance coverage if they miss appointments, Crane said. But efforts to beef up security and minimize risks wont help if employers arent aware of any red flags. Advertisement A spokeswoman for Henry Pratt Co.s parent, Mueller Water Products, declined to comment on whether the company was aware of Martins history of violence, including an aggravated assault conviction that disqualified him from legally owning a gun. Authorities said that conviction did not show up on two background checks conducted by Illinois State Police, which allowed Martin to purchase a handgun, the Tribune reported. Thats why experts recommend companies worried about workplace violence start by reviewing policies meant to encourage employees to come forward when they have concerns about a co-worker and train workers to identify potentially worrisome employees or situations that might increase the risk of violence. Many larger companies are already getting better at being proactive with those policies and training, but some smaller and midsize firms might still have a feeling its not going to happen here, Crane said. Once somebody has a problem, that mindset changes. Advertisement lzumbach@chicagotribune.com Twitter @laurenzumbach SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (AP) After nearly two years of bitter talks on the departure of Britain from the European Union, there's now even disagreement between the two on when Brexit should actually take place. While EU Council President Donald Tusk said Monday that it would be "rational" for the March 29 Brexit date to be extended, British Prime Minister Theresa May reiterated her opposition to any delay. Tusk warned that the chances of a withdrawal agreement being concluded in time are receding, and with businesses fearing a chaotic and costly cliff-edge departure, sticking by the planned Brexit date would be too risky. "I believe that in the situation we are in, an extension would be a rational solution," Tusk told reporters at an EU-Arab League summit in Egypt, acknowledging that he and British Prime Minister Theresa May had discussed prolonging the negotiations. He said "all the 27 (member states) will show maximum understanding and goodwill" to make possible such a postponement a decision that would require a unanimous vote from them. May insisted she could deliver on the set date, however massive the challenge. "It is within our grasp to leave with a deal on 29th of March and I think that that is where all of our energies should be focused," May said. She said that "any delay is a delay. It doesn't address the issue. It doesn't resolve the issue." May met several EU leaders separately over two days at the summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh. She held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker as she sought elusive changes to the U.K.-EU divorce agreement. And Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte warned her against "sleepwalking" into a chaotic Brexit next month and that it was time for Britain to step up and clinch a deal. "It's absolutely unacceptable. And I think your best friends have to warn you for that," Rutte told the BBC. "Wake up. This is real." Britain's Parliament has rejected the deal once, and May has over a month to get it approved by lawmakers before the U.K.'s scheduled departure day. May says a new vote won't be held this week and could come as late as March 12. U.K. lawmakers' objections to the Brexit deal center on a provision for the border between the U.K.'s Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland. The mechanism, known as the backstop, is a safeguard that would keep the U.K. in a customs union with the EU in order to remove the need for checks along the Irish border until a permanent new trading relationship is in place. May wants to change the deal to reassure British lawmakers that the backstop would only apply temporarily. But EU leaders insist that the legally binding Brexit withdrawal agreement, which took a year and a half to negotiate, can't be reopened. A group of British lawmakers will try this week to force the government to delay Brexit rather than see the country crash out of the bloc without a deal. They want Parliament to vote Wednesday to extend the negotiating process. Labour lawmaker Yvette Cooper, one of those behind the move, said it was irresponsible of the government that just a few weeks before Brexit "we still don't know what kind of Brexit we are going to have and we're not even going to have a vote on it until two weeks before that final deadline." "I don't see how businesses can plan, I don't see how public services can plan and I think it's just deeply damaging," Cooper told the BBC. Severe weather conditions yesterday on Upolu forced a number of schools to send students home early and closed for the day. A Manumalo Baptist School staff member who didnt want to be identified told the Samoa Observer that most parents went to school to pick up their children, fearing the weather conditions could worsen. Same thing happened at the Ah Mu Academy primary school with a teacher confirming that the school closed at 12.00pm with some parents arriving earlier to ask for their children to be released. At first our management said we should finish at 12.00pm, because we were looking at the weather then and it showed no signs of stopping. But there were parents that showed up to excuse their children to be released early, in case anything happened and the roads get too busy for them, to take their kids home. But the majority of the students were left so we just continued school for the remaining children while waiting for the rest of them to be picked up. A teaching staff at Maagiagi primary school told this newspaper that they originally planned to finish early due to bad weather, as their water supply usually gets polluted by dirty water. But on second thought, the school decided against it, as finishing early could see children dangerously crossing the river on their own. We were supposed to finish early but our management decided not to later on, because they said in case the children get swept away by the river. Most students go through or across Maagiagi river in order to get home and some of them have a habit of swimming while on the way home. And we dont want anything to happen to them with this sort of weather the river is unpredictable in case it overflows, she said. Schools should be back to normal operating hours today, if the weather conditions improve. The Salvation Army Church yesterday celebrated 12 months of mission in Samoa with a thanksgiving service. The church established itself in the country just after Cyclone Gita early last year and can be found today on the Salenesa Road at Motootua. Salvation Army regional officer, Lt Colonel Rod Carey, told the Samoa Observer in an interview that every week between 50-60 people go the church. We have people ranging from the National University of Samoa lecturers to the unemployed from families to people who have been on drugs and alcohol program coming in for recovery so we get a wide range of ages and people from all walks of life joining the Salvation Army Church, he said. The church has established a drug and alcohol treatment program in Samoa, which the Lt Colonel Rod says has seen over 100 people since its establishment. The drug and alcohol treatment program has now had 134 clients since August last year. The majority of our clients are from the Courts, we have had some people self-referring, realizing they got a problem, so they come and ask for help. Although we prefer that they come and ask for help, rather than getting into trouble with the Courts and then have them come to us, because then theyre already in strife, arent they? he added Lt Colonel Rod said they are happy to be in Samoa permanently and are grateful for the support of the Samoan people and the Government and its various agencies. We are really grateful for the support of the Samoan people and the Government and other agencies and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, who are funding the drug and alcohol program (not the church) but the alcohol program and we are just pleased to be on the island, he said. While the church currently has a branch at Motootua, Lt Colonel Rod said they are looking forward to setting up more branches and other welfare work programs, in other parts of the country. Salvation Army church and social services will be here forever now and eventually well buy a building and set up ourselves in another place. In a year or two we might want to set up a service place in Savaii and maybe amongst the villages, he added. So we also plan to do other welfare works, so we [have] got a youth group going, childrens ministries, hoping to do craft groups, hoping to start an adults learning centre so adults who maybe need to write a curriculum vitae and go through job interview to help them get employment so were going to run those courses soon. The Salvation Army is an international movement and an evangelical part of the universal Christian church which operates in 128 countries around the world, including Fiji and Tonga. Their arrival here last year makes Samoa the 129th country to have host the church. Electricity Minister Mohamed Shaker said on Monday Egypt is interested in benefiting from Japan's expertise in the field of improving energy efficiency. During a meeting with Japanese Ambassador in Cairo Masaki Noke, Shaker hailed the performance of Japanese companies which have a great role in the Egyptian electricity projects. By the end of this year, the electricity sector will add more than 25,000 megawatts to the national energy grid of Egypt. Noke, for his part, lauded achievements made by the Egyptian electricity sector in a short time, expressing his country's interest in promoting cooperation between Egypt and the Japanese firms in the renewable energy domain. Short link: Prison escapee Pati Chong Nee is still on the run after his partner in crime Aniseko Vaelei was captured last Friday. The Samoa Police Service in a statement released last Friday night said they concluded based on their preliminary investigation that the assault of the One-on-One supermarkets operators and the theft of $60,000 cash was done by two unidentified boys of Samoan descent. They said they were not able to connect the two prison escapees to the crime at the Vailoa shop. However, they confirmed the capture of Aniseko and the recovering of $10,000 cash. The Police also appealed to the public not to approach Pati Chong Nee if sighted. Members of the public are also advised not to approach Pati Chong Nee as he is considered armed and dangerous. Pati Chong Nee, 25, is from the villages of Aleisa and Vaitele Fou and was serving time for theft and burglary. Members of the public have been urged to contact any nearby Police stations or the prisons main headquarters and the Ola Toe Fuataina at Tafaigata on telephone numbers 23516, 22208 and 21008. The recent attack and robbery of an Apia supermarket has struck fear amongst the Chinese business community in Samoa. The Chinese operators of the One-on-One supermarket in Vailoa were attacked in the early hours of the morning last Thursday and $60,000 cash stolen. Savalalo Coin Save manager, Zhans Honge condemned the attack and described it as heartless, saying Chinese firms always offer employment opportunities to locals and it is sad seeing them being targeted. We provide most of the job seeking Samoans with job opportunities and its sad to know that theyre mostly after the Chinese people and its becoming scary especially with their machetes and weapons, she said. Mrs. Honge said Samoans who are getting into crime should look for a job instead. Why dont they just go and look for jobs instead of stealing and attacking money especially that of the Chinese? She also expressed concern at the failure of local authorities to find the perpetrators behind recent attacks targeting Chinese-owned businesses. CCTV footage of the attack and robbery at the One-on-One supermarket in Vailoa last Thursday morning was uploaded on social media and went viral. It triggered comments from locals, most of them condemning the criminal acts, while a few questioned increasing Chinese ownership of local businesses. Cao Xiuxia, a Chinese woman who owns the Kaxia Fast Food Restaurant in Apia, saw the CCTV footage and expressed fear according to husband Karl Formanele. My wife was so scared when she it last night (last Thursday night) and I feel so sorry for her, because despite the attacks that scares her to death, she still wants to stay here in Samoa and run our business, he said. The couple recently opened a new restaurant at Savalalo. Last year the operator of the Kavana Avealalo store at Falelauniu, Ming, was attacked by a Samoan male who then stole cash from the store and fled. Following the events of last Thursday, the family opted to relocate to their family residence in Faleata in fear of their lives. Zammey Ah-Ching, a Samoan woman who is married to a Chinese man, told this newspaper that their family made the abrupt move when they heard about the attack. Our shops at Faleasiu and Sinamoga were locked immediately as soon as our family heard of the attacks on another Chinese couple, she said. Balatonfured, Hungary will host the 2019 World Sailing Development Symposium from 1-3 April at the Anna Grand Hotel, the first in Europe following the events launch in 2012. Dublin, Ireland hosted the inaugural Development Symposium in 2012 and since then, the event has been hosted at global destinations, touching many of World Sailing's Member National Authorities (MNAs) and assisting them in developing the sport.The three day program is orientated around learning, sharing, networking and planning and allows attendees to discuss development of performance and participation sailing programs as well as funding opportunities. The symposium is an interactive event with lots of opportunities for discussions and workshops, bringing together ideas and experiences from a wide variety of MNAs.World Sailing Vice President, Nadine Stegenwalner, will be in attendance and will be joined by the Hungarian National Olympic Committee President, Krisztian Kulcsar, and Secretary General, Balint Vekassy, World Sailing Nominated Experts, National Training Program Managers and many more.The Development Symposium directly compliments the work of the Development and Regions Committee, with the report from each event helping World Sailing to gather valuable information on how its work can continue to develop, giving those delegates present from New or Emerging Nations, a much needed chance to have their voices heard.Registration is open with a fee of 60 EUR (plus VAT where application) applying.The first Development Symposium was held in Ireland in 2012. The event was presented as a forum where all Member National Authorities (MNAs) could present and discuss areas of Training and Development and have an input into the overall strategy of World Sailing. Over the years, the Development Symposium has become much, much more. The last four events in the USA, Singapore, Argentina and New Zealand saw the structure of the event broaden into an interactive workshop, oriented around Learning, Sharing Networking and Planning, where by invited speakers and delegates themselves had far more opportunity to shape the program to suit their individual needs.International delegates at this important event receive presentations from a number of Experts in a variety of sport specific disciplines as well as taking part in break-away sessions where they are encouraged to interact with other delegates, often from other Nations. The Development Symposium directly compliments the work of the Development and Regions Committee, with the report from each event helping World Sailing to gather valuable information on how its work can continue to develop, giving those delegates present from New or Emerging Nations, a much needed chance to have their voices heard. Robert Vadra (file photo) A Delhi court on Monday directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to provide Robert Vadra within five days hard copies of documents recovered in raids at his properties in connection with a money laundering case. The case relates to ownership of overseas assets worth 1.9 million pounds by Vadra. On December 7 last year, the ED had searched several of Vadra's properties in Delhi-NCR and Bengaluru. Vadra, who was slated to appear before the ED at its Jamnagar office here on Monday for his sixth round of questioning, has moved a separate plea before the court seeking a stay on his interrogation. Special Judge Arvind Kumar will hear the plea post lunch. Vadra, husband of Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi, is on interim bail till March 2. House of Representatives continues to hold its sessions [25/February/2019] SANAA, Feb. 25 (Saba) - The House of Representatives on Monday has continued to hold its meetings for the first period of first half-year for the fourteenth annual session under the chairmanship of the President of the Council, Yahya al-R'ai. At the meeting, which was attended by the Minister of State for Parliamentary and Shura Council Affairs, Dr. Ali Abdullah Abu Hleika, the members of the Council discussed the humanitarian relief, food and medicine provided by relief organizations to Yemen. The house of representatives agreed to contact the National Salvation Government to provide the house of representatives with a detailed report on the size of the aid, the number of beneficiaries and the mechanism for distributing it to the needy in different province, where some of them arrive expired and that matter poses a danger to the lives of citizens. The members of the House of Representatives have indicated in their discussions the importance of the arrival of relief aid to its beneficiaries, some of which are distributed and expired. They called for the government to play its role by activating its regulatory bodies and through appropriate mechanisms so that such assistance reaches its beneficiaries. They approved the attendance of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research next Wednesday to clarify the issue of students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Hodeidah. The House had started its session by reviewing its previous minutes and approved it and will continue to hold its meetings on Tuesday, God willing. AA Saba Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi met with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Monday and discussed the latest developments in the investigation into the murder of Italian student Giulio Regeni, as well as boosting cooperation between both countries in fighting terror and illegal migration, the presidential spokesman said. The pair met on the sidelines of the first-ever EU-Arab League summit, which was held in Sharm El-Sheikh. Regeni, a PhD student at Cambridge University who was researching Egyptian trade unions, was killed in Cairo in January 2016. The two leaders discussed the joint cooperation between Egypt and Italy to uncover the circumstances of the case, said El-Sisis spokesman Bassam Rady. They also discussed coordinating efforts with Egypt as a leading European Union partner in the fight against terrorism and illegal migration. El-Sisi and Conte also talked about the development of economic, trade and investment relations between the two countries, especially in view of the development of the Suez Canal axis and energy trading projects, as well as cooperation in the fields of higher education and scientific research. The Italian prime minister stressed his country's keenness to strengthen bilateral relations with Egypt, particularly in light of the positive developments witnessed by the two countries during the recent period, praising the tangible progress in Egypt in terms of economic and social development. The two leaders also discussed the latest developments in the Libyan crisis. El-Sisi affirmed the Egyptian position on the necessity of reaching a comprehensive political settlement in Libya with the support of the United Nations, which is based on the implementation of the Libyan political agreement which will guarantee the countrys territorial integrity. The meeting also witnessed an exchange of views on developments in a number of African conflict zones. They also discussed the prospects for tripartite cooperation in Africa, particularly in the light of Egypt's assumption of the presidency of the African Union in 2019, focusing this cooperation on development areas through investing, and combating illegal migration and human trafficking. Search Keywords: Short link: North Hollywood, CA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/25/2019 --Pennsylvania's jobs record over the last five years leaves a lot to be desired. The state's growth in the private jobs sector has fallen far behind the national average. But Pennsylvania's solar jobs sector has been a noticeable exception to this downward trend, experiencing impressive growth in recent years with the promise of even greater expansion in 2019 and beyond. The reasons for this are twofolda growing desire by Pennsylvania's residents to benefit from clean energy and state-sponsored initiatives to encourage growth in renewable energy use. Green Solar Technologies Marketing Director, Jorge Ricalday affirms, "At Green Solar Technologies, we're excited to see solar jobs growth in Pennsylvania. We see it as part of a nationwide trend where, as people take advantage of solar energy opportunities it's not just creating cleaner environments but also lucrative, family-sustaining careers." Pennsylvania's official commitment to renewable energy began with its 2004 Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) Act, which was designed to foster economic development and encourage the use of more diverse and environmentally friendly sources of energy. Under AEPS, Pennsylvania is on track to produce one-half percent of its electricity from solar by 2021. Considering this goal too ineffectual, last year Gov. Tom Wolf's administration issued a report called Finding Pennsylvania's Solar Future, which lists 15 recommendations and introduces a significantly more ambitious goal of 10 percent solar energy use by 2030. Last summer Pennsylvania lawmakers also passed a new law to enable a Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program. It will help commercial property owners finance the costs of clean energy upgrades, like adding rooftop solar. According to the National Solar Jobs Census 2018, published by the Solar Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes solar energy, Pennsylvania solar employment jumped 10 percent last year, with 4,219 workers. Due to this increase, the foundation now ranks Pennsylvania 17th among states for solar jobs. Green Solar Technologies commends Pennsylvania's aggressive commitments to migrating to clean energy alternatives. We would also like to encourage Pennsylvania's residents to consider the benefits of rooftop solar panels as an alternative to reliance on fossil fuels. Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry will travel to Geneva on Tuesday to deliver Egypt's statement to the 40th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. The session began on Monday and will conclude on 22 March, according to a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry. The participation of the minister in the meetings of the Human Rights Council comes within the framework of Egypt's current membership in the council, ministry spokesman Ahmed Hafez said in the statement. Shoukry will review Egypt's vision on the importance of human rights from a comprehensive perspective, including economic, social and political dimensions, as well as Egypt's efforts to establish human rights principles with a view to building up the Egyptian human being and participating in ongoing development efforts. Hafez said that Shoukry will also deliver a speech at the Conference on Disarmament. The minister will discuss Egypt's positions on disarmament and non-proliferation issues and the important role played by Egypt in supporting the disarmament agenda of the United Nations, as well as Egypt's position on the need to establish a zone free of nuclear weapons and other types of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. Shoukry is scheduled to hold meetings with heads of international organisations on the sidelines of his visit to Geneva, including the heads of the International Telecommunication Union, the World Health Organization and the United Nations refugee agency, to review Egyptian positions on various issues and to take part in consultations. Search Keywords: Short link: Greenville, NC (27833) Today Clear to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Starkville, MS (39762) Today A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Partly cloudy. Low near 70F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Partly cloudy. Low near 70F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. If you are not redirected automatically, please follow this link Join Us In Celebrating Our 39th Anniversary! We are celebrating the Queens Gazettes 39th anniversary but unlike Jack Benny who was eternally 39, we look forward to hitting 40, and many,... We Are So Excited To Begin Summertime! We are looking forward to that bohemian, sensual existence, being out in the sunshine, at the parks and beaches, and also dining outside because we... Investing in Stability 1. We the Leaders of League of Arab States (LAS) and European Union (EU) member states held the first Summit on 24-25 February 2019 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, under the co-chairmanship of H.E Abdelfattah Al Sissi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and H.E Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, to discuss and address common and current challenges across the two regions comprising 12% of the worlds population and to embark on a new era of cooperation and coordination; confident that strengthened interaction between the member states of LAS and EU has great potential to enhance the stability, prosperity, and well-being of the two regions and the world at large, working in tandem within the multilateral, rules-based global order. 2. We acknowledged our rich history of cultural exchanges and strong partnership, and reaffirmed that stronger regional cooperation is key to finding solutions to the current common challenges which both the EU countries and the Arab States are confronted with. We expressed our determination to move forward with deepening the existing strategic partnership among our countries at the Summit level as well as other existing mechanisms of cooperation. We also expressed our commitment to share experiences and further deepen the Euro-Arab partnership in order to realise our shared aspirations, to promote peace, stability and prosperity, guarantee security, foster economic, social and technological development and to create mutual opportunities through a collaborative and cooperative approach, placing the people of our regions, and in particular women and young people, at the centre of our endeavours. We recognise the important role of civil society in this regard. 3. We renewed our commitment to effective multilateralism and to an international system based on international law in orderto tackle global challenges, including through increased cooperation between the LAS, EU, the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU). We reiterated our full commitment to the universal 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This commitment will guide us in our efforts to achieve shared objectives, including in tackling common challenges such as the phenomenon of migration, where we will be inspired by the Valletta principles; the protection of and support to refugees in accordance with the international law; the upholding of all aspects of international human rights law, condemnation of all forms of incitement to hatred, xenophobia and intolerance; the strengthening of the fight against irregular migration and scaling up our joint efforts in preventing and fighting migrants' smuggling, eradicating trafficking in human beings and combating those who exploit vulnerable people; and to global efforts to tackle climate change, notably the Paris Agreement. 4. We agreed to further strengthen our cooperation towards security, conflict resolution and socio-economic development throughout the region. 5. We reaffirmed the importance to strengthen economic cooperation between the two sides, establishing a strong partnership based on investment and sustainable development. We are committed to developing a positive cooperation agenda especially in the fields of trade, energy, including energy security, science, research, technology, tourism, fisheries, agriculture and other mutually beneficial areas; all with the aim to create wealth, increase growth rates and reduce unemployment to better respond to our peoples needs. 6. We reiterated that reaching political solutions to the regional crises, in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law, is key to achieving the peace and prosperity that the peoples of the region need and deserve. 7. We reaffirmed our common positions on the Middle East Peace Process, including on the status of Jerusalem, and on the illegality under international law of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. We reiterated our commitment to reaching a two-state solution on the basis of all relevant UN resolutions, as the only realistic way to end the occupation that began in 1967, including of East Jerusalem, and to achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace between Israelis and Palestinians through direct negotiations between the parties that addresses all final status issues. We recalled the importance of upholding the historic status quo for the holy sites in Jerusalem, including with regard to the Custodianship of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. We reaffirmed the indispensable role of UNRWA and the need to support it politically and financially in order to allow it to continue fulfilling its UN mandate. We expressed our concern about the humanitarian, political, security and economic situation in the Gaza Strip, and called for all parties to take immediate steps to produce a fundamental change to the better in full respect of international law, including human rights and humanitarian law, especially with respect to the protection of civilians. 8. We had constructive, serious and thorough discussions on recent developments in Syria, Libya and Yemen, and on ways to make progress towards reconciliation and sustainable and peaceful political solutions, in line with relevant UN resolutions. We affirmed the need to preserve the unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of these countries. We reaffirmed our commitment to the UN-led processes and our full support to the UN Special Envoys for Syria and Yemen and to the UN Special Representative for Libya. 9. On Syria, we believe that any sustainable solution requires a genuine political transition in line with the 2012 Geneva communique and the relevant UNSC resolutions, in particular resolution 2254. We condemned all acts of terrorism and human rights violations committed against the Syrian people by any perpetrators and underlined the need for all those responsible to be held accountable. Our respective policy towards Syria shall be conducted in step with tangible progress towards the achievement of a peaceful political settlement to the Syrian conflict. 10. On Libya, we expressed our support for UN efforts and the implementation of the Libyan Political Agreement of 2015. We called on all Libyans to engage in good faith in UN-led efforts aimed at bringing Libyas democratic transition to a successful end and to refrain from any action that might escalate tensions, further jeopardise security and undermine the stabilisation process. In this regard we support the UN Special Representative's action plan. 11. On Yemen, we welcomed the Stockholm agreement in particular the ceasefire on Hodeidah, and the adoption of the UNSC Resolutions 2216, 2451 and 2452. We recalled our concern for the dire humanitarian situation where millions are gravely affected, and called for the safe, rapid and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid and personnel, and of commercial supplies, to those in need, and called upon all concerned parties to work constructively towards a lasting and inclusive political settlement for the benefit of the people of Yemen. 12. We exchanged concerns on threats to international and regional peace and security, including terrorism, radicalisation, destabilising actions, proliferation, illegal arms trafficking and organised crime. These are serious challenges that require concerted efforts, in accordance with international law, including international human rights law. We acknowledged that peace and security, human rights and economic and social development are mutually reinforcing. We agreed in particular to further enhance cooperation and coordination aimed at addressing the root causes of terrorism, and stressed our continued efforts to combat the movement of foreign terrorist fighters across our borders, and affirmed that successfully combating these challenges requires a comprehensive approach including, inter alia, cutting-off all methods of support to those terrorists including financial, political, logistical and military support; 13. We discussed the importance of preserving the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture, based on the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and the objective of a Middle East region free of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. 14. We further reaffirmed our resolve to combat cultural and religious intolerance, extremism, negative stereotyping, stigmatisation and discrimination leading to incitement to violence against persons based on religion or belief and condemn any advocacy of religious hatred against individuals that constitutes incitement, hostility or violence, including on the internet and social media. 15. We directed our respective institutions in coordination with our relevant national authorities to identify modalities and mechanisms to operationalise mutual cooperation in all the aforementioned areas, taking into account existing mechanisms for cooperation and partnership including those within the Association Agreements. 16. We expressed our deep gratitude to the Arab Republic of Egypt for its gracious hosting of this historic Summit. 17. We agreed to hold LAS-EU Summits regularly, alternating between Arab and European states, the next one taking place in Brussels in 2022. Short link: Queens College President Felix Matos Rodriguez has been named as the next chancellor of CUNY. He will be the first-ever Latino to hold the position, which he will take over on May 1. The educator has led Queens College, the boroughs largest school in the city university system, since August 2014. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Aaron McDonald was forced to close his family owned business McDonald Signs and Print in September last year when his daughter Madison was involved in a horrific motor accident on the day of her seventh birthday. Madison sustained a severe head injury in the accident and was immediately airlifted to the Childrens Hospital at Westmead where she suffered a stroke in the days following the accident, fell into a coma for three weeks and spent a month in intensive care. The accident and the near loss of Madisons life put enormous pressure on the McDonald family and also meant Aaron had to temporarily close the business down so he and his partner Sarah could be with Maddie when she needed them most. In the days and months after the accident the McDonald family faced financial pressure, which is common when a child becomes seriously ill or seriously injured. After nearly eight months of recovery Aaron is planning to reopen his business in April 2019. Industry body Visual Connections is asking the industry to get behind the McDonald family to get their business back up and running with any support that can be provided. McDonald Signs and Print is a long running business based in Young, NSW and is a member of the Australian Signs and Graphics Associations (ASGA) and a previous winner of the vehicle wrap award in the ASGA Awards. If you would like to get involved please contact Peter Harper at Visual Connections on [email protected] or Sarah Moore at [email protected] or call 02 9868 1577. 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 "It is essential as a scientist that you evolve your opinion and your recommendations based on the data as it evolves. ... And that's the reason why I say people who then criticize me about that are actually criticizing science. That's the way science works. You work with the data you have at the time." Dr. Anthony Fauci KAMPALA The Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) Expo that is organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and the Investment Review Publications (IRP) will take place on March 7 to 9 at Kololo Airstrip. The annual 3-day event aims at promoting BUBU by promoting local content, encouraging and building patriotism in the general public, enhancing networking and coordination around the BUBU policy. According to Mr. Julius Agaba: BUBU is meant to bring domestic investors to the front and centre of the economy. The event will encourage foreign and local investors to produce locally made goods, enhance the quality and competitiveness on the local and international market, create jobs and drive the country to achieve the middle-income status. Mr. Paul Nyakana Businge, the IRC managing director 1invites all traders to the event. In a YouTube video promoting the event, Mr. Businge said that the event is meant to promote goods made locally in Uganda. Comments The second day of a high-level EU-Arab League summit on Monday in Sharm El-Sheikh will see bilateral meetings between heads of state and government, followed by a dialogue session titled ''Addressing Regional Challenges Together. The closing session is titled Boosting European-Arab Partnership and Addressing Regional Challenges Together and will be followed by a press conference to present the results of the summit. Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi opened the first EU-Arab League summit on Sunday in the attendance of representatives from 50 states, including 24 Arab and EU leaders. Search Keywords: Short link: KAMPALA The United Nations Capital Development Funds (UNCDF) Clean start programme together with the Embassy of Sweden has announced the eight winners of the Renewable Energy Challenge Fund (RECF) solar window and promised to give them financial support. This investment will see 200,000 people benefit from the energy solutions with more than 7,000 farmers, shop vendors and schools take part. UNCDF has been getting involved in marketing through sharing the call with more than 400 solar companies and stakeholders that have interest in promoting solar power solutions. It has also been speaking with more than 25 companies. Among the winners of the RECF include the Grow fast Uganda by Azuri Technologies Ltd, PAY-N-PUMP by Aptech Africa Ltd, Solar Milling Machine by Power Trust Uganda Limited and Solar-powered, PAYGO refrigerators for Uganda homes and MSMES by M-KOPA solar Uganda Limited. Other companies include Lending to high-quality PAYGO solar product distributor portfolio in Uganda by Venture South Uganda Limited, Accessible and Affordable PAYGO solar services in Uganda by Greenlight Planet Uganda Limited. The also include PAYGO Custom Solar Installations for Rural Businesses, Institutions and Agriculture by Village Energy LLC, Extending Off-grid Solar Energy to Ssese Islands Fishing Industrys Cold Chain by GRS Commodities Limited. The Swedish Ambassador to Uganda, H.E Per Lindgarde, said Sweden is ready to provide support to these energy companies in Uganda. Sweden has committed to support energy development globally and regionally through several programs. Swedens development cooperation strategy for 2018-2023 highlights increased renewable energy and energy efficiency as one of our priority areas for support in Uganda, he said. Mr. Lindgarde added that the logic behind Swedens partnership with UNCDF through the CleanStart project is that their cooperation can be catalytic in the renewable energy sector by de-risking and enabling scaling-up business models that benefit communities. However, Mr. Vincent Wierda, the UNCDF Cleanstart programme manager, said that UNCDF will help to fund various sectors in order to bring about development and improved standards of living. Comments February 4, 2019: My great-grandmother Schneider was reportedly fond of saying that a birth, a death, and a marriage always happen close together. After years of planning, all the components on the Mars 2020 rover were now nearing completion, and soon the rover would be born and ready to stretch its legs in a clean room on Earth. But in Endeavour Crater on Mars, 5000 km away from Jezero Crater where the Mars 2020 rover would touch down in two years, we had not heard from our old robotic colleague Opportunity since June when a thick dust storm blocked the sun and stole life-giving power from its solar panels. The storms retreat left a thick coating of dust that not even the trusty, gusty winds on Mars could remove in time to save the rover. After a 15-year mission that was supposed to last 90 days, it was looking more likely that its service had finally come to an end. But we had a new rover to make ready. And as part of the planning leading to launch in July 2020, the mission operations staff had begun the long process of marrying the science team into a cohesive unit, capable of operating the rover efficiently and with an eye toward capturing as many samples as possible from the red planet for eventual return to the earth. A birth. A death. A marriage. I wager that Grandma Schneider never thought her bit of old wisdom would ever apply to Mars. Months of preparations by the Mars 2020 mission operations staff would culminate in todays first practice sol (martian day) as part of an exercise named the Rover Operations Activities for Science Team Training (ROASTT). In this test, a team of scientists and engineers had secreted themselves away to an undisclosed location in the desert southwest, and began taking pictures and other data from a mobile platform that simulated the view provided by a rover. Simultaneously, a team of scientists stationed around the world would meet remotely by telephone and computer video links to simulate nearly two weeks of rover activities, exercising all the software and communication tools needed to remotely operate the spacecraft. Many of us had experience with operating the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover, currently exploring the base on Mt. Sharp in Gale Crater. Some also had experience with the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) missionsOpportunity and its twin Spirit, which had lost its battle to the martian elements back in 2011. Still others began their careers with Mars Pathfinder back in 1997 and its plucky little rover Sojourner. A few stalwart gray-beards went as far back as the Viking missions of the late 1970s. Others of us had experienced these types of tests in preparation for the MER and MSL missions. In 1999, NASA sponsored a Mars rover simulation in Silver Lake, California with a robotic prototype rover called Marsokhod. In 2001, a similar field experiment was done with a rover called FIDO to practice for what would become the MER rover missions. I had been on both sides of the experiment: Sometimes I was in the field acting like a rover and taking data requested by a remote team hundreds of miles away. Sometimes I sat comfortably in air-conditioned rooms, analyzing data that came in on a daily basis, interpreting what it meant and helping figure out what the rover should do the next day. The goal was always to test the abilities of both the on-site and off-site teams to maximize the scientific return from a remotely-operated rover. Like any good field trip, however, the ancillary goal was to get to know your colleaguesyour teamand how best to combine sets of expertise while navigating the terrain and the rover. So what did we know about the area in which the ROASTT would be conducted? We had been shown the location of the rover in orbital images and the intended path toward different points of interest in the rugged desert terrain. We had been shown the downlink of data from Sol 99 which revealed a narrow channel with rubble and small cobbles at the rovers wheels, flanked by jumbled conglomerates of rock and dirt comprising the banks of an apparent channel eroded into the terrain. In the distance, layered and tilted outcrops of rock were known to be the target of a 30-meter long drive that would happen on Sol 100. A portion of the team was dedicated to the Campaign Implementation (CI) aspectfiguring out what strategies and priorities should dictate how and where the rover should conduct its business of exploration and discovery. They had formulated a plan for Sol 101, the first real day of the test. I was filling the role of the Tactical Science Lead (TSL), tasked with organizing members of the team responsible for crafting a rover activity plan for the sol that met the overall goals handed to us by the CI team. At 07:07 AM at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, where the main mission operations hub was housed, engineers released the contents of the Sol 100 downlink to the team. I had the luxury of living in Maryland where the corresponding 10:07 AM release time was a bit more manageable. From the first look at the images, it was apparent that the drive on Sol 100 had been a success and we were less than 10 m away from Waypoint 2, a region identified from orbit that would provide access to the highest position in the area where exposed, layered outcrops of rock were thought to contain clay and carbonate minerals of interest to the science teamand prime targets for sampling! There were a pair of Saxony Lutheran baseball players whos numbers were off the charts this season. Both of them received one of the states highest awards.Crusader seniors Eli Brown and Even though the St. Vincent girls soccer program moved up to Class 3 this last spring, the individual success has continued. Mary Schwartz earned a spot on the Missouri Soccer Coaches Association Perryville High School girls soccer team had one of its best seasons in program history, so it only makes sense that the team should receive state recognition. Three players were named to the Roth ready to take charge of Perryville football The excitement for Brent Roth is off the charts as he acclimates himself to his new position. Roth will enter into his dream job next fall when he takes over as the new head coach of Indians basketball continues improvement If a person were to ask St. Vincent boys basketball coach Bruce Valleroy how exactly his teams summer has been going, he couldnt have asked for a better start. St. Vincent participated Adams grateful to play soccer at Illinois College Saxony Lutheran senior Paul Adams has been playing soccer for quite a while, for much of his entire life. He developed a passion for the sport and will continue to grow and hopefully prosper at the Click Here For Our Local Sports Page Ukrainian ambassador to Canada Andriy Shevchenko appears at a House of Commons defence committee on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. Ukraine is asking the federal government to send a message to Russia by extending and expanding the Canadian Forces' training mission sooner rather than later. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Becky Neiman-Cobb, left, and Domee Shi accept the award for best animated short for "Bao" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi asked European states to not impose their views" on the country, in a response to criticism of recent executions in the country, saying Arab states priorities were to preserve themselves from collapse. In a press conference following the closing session of an EU-Arab League summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, El-Sisi urged European countries to respect the country's morals and humanity. "You speak about death sentenceswe appreciate this, but we urge you to not impose anything on us. When a person is killed due to a terrorist act, their families ask us to get their children's rights, and this is the culture of our region. This is a right which is achieved through lawYou want to teach us? You won't teach us our humanity," El-Sisi said. The president's statements followed a question from a German journalist on how Egypt responded to the EUs dissatisfaction over its human rights record. Several human rights groups, as well as the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), have slammed Egypt for the execution of a total of 15 people this month after they were convicted of the 2015 killing of the country's top prosecutor. They were also convicted of the murder of a judges son in 2014 and of a police officer in the aftermath of the dispersal of the Rabaa El-Adawiya sit-in in 2013. Egypt has denounced the criticism of the trials of those executed as unfair, rejecting any infringement upon the Egyptian judiciary. "Let me tell the reporter, that the priority for you as European states is to achieve welfare; our priority is to preserve our countries and protect them from fall, destruction, and collapse," El-Sisi said. "Please, when you respond to events in our region, look at them comprehensively. This does not mean an override of human rights," he said, citing the big challenges facing Egypt. The president's comments came after the Arab Leagues Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit asked to respond on behalf of El-Sisi to the reporter; the Arab League head said that no European state had expressed its discontent regarding human rights in Egypt during the meetings at the summit. "What took place represents the philosophy and concepts of human rightswhile being spread on both the European and Arab sides. No one has touched on any country's human rights practices," Aboul Gheit said. In a January visit to Egypt French President Emmanuel Macron also brought up the topic. "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," El-Sisi said during a press conference with Macron in January. Search Keywords: Short link: The World Bank has approved a US$40 million grant to support the countrys tourism and creative arts sector. Delivering the State of the Nation Address to Parliament last Thursday, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said the grant was to help improve Ghanas tourism to make it attractive to patrons across the globe. The grant is to be used, among other things, to upgrade tourist facilities in the country. Already, the President said, tourist sites, including the Elmina Heritage Bay, Axim Fort St Antonio, Assin Manso Slave River, Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm, Bunso Arboretum, and the Kintampo Water Falls, were being upgraded to meet world class standards. A draft policy to ensure that world-class standards were set and maintained at all tourist sites and attractions was in the pipeline, he added. He expressed concern about how Ghana was always in the news for the good reasons yet had not taken advantage of that to attract visitors. The President recalled that the tourism ministry had rolled out a campaign called "See Ghana, Eat Ghana, Wear Ghana and Feel Ghana" to promote made-in-Ghana products. Under the programme, he said the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) had recorded a 20 per cent growth in visits to various tourist sites. Creative Arts sector Touching on the Creative Arts sector, the President said a bill to regulate the sector had been passed, leading to the setting up of the Creative Arts Fund, while the Hospitality Training Institute had been renovated, and re-opened in July 2018 to provide needed training in the hospitality and tourism sectors. He said the Eastern Regional Arts Theatre had been completed and work on the construction of the Kumasi Arts Theatre was ongoing. He touched on the proclamation of the 2019 "Year of Return commemorating the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first 20 West African slaves in the Commonwealth of Virginia, in what was to become the United States of America, saying in response to this proclamation, 70 African-American Hollywood celebrities visited Ghana in December 2018. President AkufoAddo pointed out that while the country had many tourists sites, the greatest attraction was its people. Yes, we have castles and forts, we have waterfalls and dramatic mountain ranges, we have breath-taking beaches and historical sites that reduce visitors to strong emotions, but it is the people of Ghana and our welcoming attitude that are the strongest attraction to visitors, he stated. Sanitation He was, however, quick to add that bad sanitation habits would continue to put tourists off from visiting the country. He reiterated his pledge to improve sanitation in the country and make Accra the cleanest city in Africa by the end of his term. As a result, he said the ministries of Justice and Sanitation were working together to try sanitation offences. He also touched on open defecation and emphasised that the practice could not be a characteristic of a country that was working to be transformed economically. 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 Former President J.J. Rawlings has sent a congratulatory message to former President John Mahama on his election as flagbearer and now leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). A statement signed by Head of Communications Directorate at the Office of the former president, Kobina Andoh Amoakwa, expressed delight at the "dignified manner" all the other aspirants conducted themselves and also for "accepting the results in a matured and good-natured manner". He has asked the party's "grassroots to work together to re-embrace the NDCs core principles in a bid to carve a positive message and image for the party". Below is a copy of the statement. My congratulations to former President J. D. Mahama on his election as the presidential candidate of the NDC. My congratulations also go to all the other candidates for the dignified manner they conducted themselves throughout the process and for accepting the results in a mature and good-natured manner. While congratulating ourselves as a party for a relatively smooth process, we have to remember that this is only the first step of the task to convince the larger Ghanaian electorate. I urge the candidate, the party leadership and all the grassroots to work together to re-embrace the NDCs core principles in a bid to carve a positive message and image for the party. Issued by: Kobina Andoh Amoakwa (Communications Directorate) Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has condemned the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for wallowing in acts of violence related to elections. His caution comes in the back of electoral disputes which erupted at the Ningo Prampram constituency during the NDCs presidential primaries today. Mr. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, singled out Sam George, who is the Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, describing him as a black thirsty beast who needs to be tamed immediately. According to the NPP scribe, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, todays clashes at Ningo Prampram goes deeper to inform the general public that the violence which occurred during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-elections was perpetuated by Sam George. On this note, he called on the Emil Short commission to extend an invitation to Sam George to explain why recent events have proven to show that he acts abnormal during elections. That bloody thirsty Ningo Prampram MP must tone down. His love for bloody clashes will lead him nowhere. I have followed him for some time and I can state on authority that, that guy has no respect for human life. He must act like an MP and not a thug chairman Wontumi said. Former President John Dramani Mahama has been confirmed winner of the just ended primaries of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). Confirmed results from Ghana's Electoral Commission stated that John he polled 213,487 votes representing 95.23%. He was followed by Prof. Joshua Alabi who managed only 3,404 votes representing 1.52% while Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin placed third with 2,301 (1.033%). Goosie Tanoh, the founder of the breakaway Reformed Party, came fourth with 2091 votes respectively representing 0.93%. The former Trades and Industry Minister in the Mahama government, Ekwow Spio Garbrah received 1447 votes which represent 0.65% of the total votes. Mr. Sylvester Mensah and Nurudeen Iddrisu secured a paltry 934 of valid votes cast representing 0.42% and 520 votes representing 0.23% respectively. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Convention Peoples Party (CPP) has urged Ghanaians not to allow their sovereign will to self-determination be taken away from them. It said never again must Ghanaians fall for the bait of some adventurism as a consolation to their defeat at elections. After all, time has proven that no matter how long it takes, we can recover and also win elections. Ghana must learn to say never again to the endorsement of foul tactics that may benefit us today. For, tomorrow, we may suffer from the very seeds of foul tactics we sowed it said in a statement to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of the overthrow of Ghanas First President on February 24, 1966. Lessons learnt Political hooliganism The statement, signed by the leader and National Chairman of the party, Prof. Edmund Delle, said many lessons were there to be learnt from the dark experience of February 24, 1966. The statement said today, the country was worried about the threat posed by indiscipline and political hooliganism explained away with the euphemistic tag of vigilantism. It said the basic assumption for the emergence of vigilantism, properly organised, was the failure or breakdown of the state security architecture. That calls for an interrogation of our security system and those who have been responsible for its creation, it said. The statement said Ghanaians could not ever underestimate the impact of the first dastardly act of a coup detat on the country. It said the coup detat was followed by other acts of treachery and disloyalty, while deaths, loss of property, change and manipulation of direction had all been recorded. Seeds of mistrust, needless/baseless suspicion and bitterness in the competitive political sphere have dominated our discourse emanating from that dark day, it said. Drawback The statement said the overthrow of Dr Nkrumah marked the first setback to the path of self-determination and reliance, social justice and the dream of spearheading a continental government. It said the forces of darkness and calumny with their collaborators internally and externally struck at a time we least expected. They overthrew the first Constitution of the Republic, closed Parliament, replaced the constitutionally elected Executive with a police/military junta and usurped the sovereign will of the people to choose how to be governed, its said. Rise together The statement urged Ghanaians to rise together to build the country for the good of all. It again asked the government to stop paying lip service to the One district One factory policy, which it said was borrowed from the industrialization efforts of Dr Nkrumah. We can start by resuscitating at least 16 of the many state built industries under a One Region One Factory realism, it said. Source: Graphic.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video National Chairman of the opposition People's National Convention [PNC], Bernard Mornah, says NDCs flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama will be a threat to the New Patriotic Party [NPP] in the 2020 election. According to him, claims that John Mahama will be a walk over for the NPP is laughable after insisting that Mahama has learnt his lessons and will correct his mistakes. Speaking on NEAT FMs morning show, Ghana Montie, Bernard Mornah noted that, despite the urge of the NPP and NDC to win the 2020 election, the PNC will give them a fierce competition. We in the PNC are certain of organizing and putting up a spirited performance in meeting the expectations of the masses of Ghana. 2020 will be a crunch election and we the PNC will engage in a vigorous campaign, he said. Bernard Mornah also hinted of plans to within the shortest possible time for the PNC to elect its flagbearer for the 2020 general election. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/ Twitter: @Washman5/ Instagram: Ambrose_wash 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 Professor Joshua Alabi has conceded defeat after losing to former President John Mahama in the NDC's primary on Saturday. Prof Joshua Alabi, in a telephone conversation, told Mahama the "gap was too wide". "I called him more than two and a half hours ago and we spoke and I congratulated him. We just cracked jokes and I only told him that the gap was too much and he shouldn't have done that..." he said in an interview on Citi FM. At the end of the day, John Dramani Mahama grabbed 213,487 votes representing 95.24% out of the total valid vote cast of 225,521. He was followed by Prof. Joshua Alabi who managed only 3,404 votes representing 1.52% while Alban Sumani Kingsford Bagbin placed third with 2,301 representing 1.033%. Goosie Tanoh, the founder of the defunct National Reformed Party, came fourth with 2,091 votes respectively representing 0.93%. The former Trade and Industry Minister in the Mahama government, Ekwow Spio Garbrah received 1,447 votes which represent 0.65% of the total votes. Mr. Sylvester Mensah and Nurudeen Iddrisu secured a paltry 934 of valid votes cast representing 0.42% and 520 votes representing 0.23% respectively. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video As you may know already, the bottled water industry in Ghana is huge with brands springing up all over the place. Amid the competition in this type of industry, there is only one brand that will surely stand out by its remarkable public reputation, treatment, Purity and portability. Verna Natural Mineral Water, Ghanas premium, safest and best drinking water is the most recommended for you and your family. Verna Natural Mineral Water produced by beverage magnates Twellium Industrial Company Ltd At Medie Kotoku (Eastern Region) has proven to be the leading bottling water brand in Ghana after existing for only 5 years. Verna Natural Mineral Water is sourced from protected undergrounds and exceptionally treated with patented Italian High Tech Purification System. Indeed the process right from extraction to packaging to distribution is outstanding. It aims and meets the highest international quality standards giving every drop of Verna water its natural taste, mineral composition and appeal. With strict adherence to quality control and safety method, Verna Natural Mineral Water is regulated under standards set by both the Food and Drugs Authority (FAD) and Ghana Standards Authority (GSA). Verna Natural Mineral Water is Purified using series world class filtration to meet the global standard. It is purified using iron exchangers filters of different sizes and activated carbon, reverse osmosis, UV sterilization and Ozonation to meet high standard of quality and safety. Another pressing factor that makes Verna Water exceptional from the mass is the companys humanitarian activities in the lives of Ghanaians. Their flagship Corporate Social Responsibility Verna Changing Lives under the Twellium foundation has helped transformed the lives of many underprivileged disabled persons on the street. Verna Changing Lives today is one of the most watched CSR program on television today, endorsed by the Ashanti King, H.E Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. The Twellium foundation is with the mission to mobilize the necessary human and financial resource to inspire, empower and support disadvantaged communities. After few years on the Ghanaian market, the company was able to master scalability based on the massive quantity of product they sell, and as a result was able to beat the market price. For instance during the 2014, 2015s the cost of 0.5L bottle of water ranged between 1.50 - 1.20 Today you can find Bottled water in Ghanaian malls as low as 60p kind courtesy of the pricing evolution that was introduced by Verna Natural Mineral Water. All these research, stats, analysis, proves beyond reasonable doubt that Verna Natural Mineral Water is the purest, safest mineral water for you, the family and everyone. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Middle and low-income earners can now breathe a sigh of relief as President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has given them an assurance that the government is rolling out pragmatic housing interventions for them to acquire decent and affordable houses. In his 2019 State of the Nations Address ( SONA) to Parliament last Thursday, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, said there were many well-intentioned projects that ended up pricing out the low-income earners who were supposed to be their beneficiaries. We are determined to learn the lessons from past projects. The Ministry of Finance is working to launch a one-billion Ghana cedi housing fund that would target low-income earners, he said. Ghanas housing deficit is currently estimated to be in excess of 1.7 million housing units. Experts have projected that a minimum of 190,000 units would be required annually for a 10-year period. President Akufo-Addo said the government was committed to laying a good foundation to give a lasting solution to housing challenges. Priority The President said the government would prioritise the bridging of the housing deficit in its 2019 development agenda. He acknowledged that there was an acute shortage of user-friendly and decent housing for people in the middle and low-income brackets in the country. Interventions President Akufo-Addo said the interventions would begin with the completion of the many abandoned projects dotted around the country. A consortium of local banks has raised 51 million dollars to fund the completion of the social housing units started by the Kufuor administration in 2006 at Koforidua, Tamale and Ho, he said. He said the Saglemi Housing Project, started under the last National Democratic Congress (NDCs) government was also high on the governments list of priorities this year. The Saglemi project is a 5,000 housing unit project being undertaken by Construtora OAS Ghana Limited, a Brazilian construction firm, and funded by Emerging Markets Fixed Income Division of the Credit Suisse, London. The President said the 5,000-unit project, when completed, would boost the affordable housing numbers. We are, therefore, establishing the value for money issues surrounding the project in order to reconcile the number of houses built with the schedule of payments made, and accelerate delivery, he said. 2019 Budget President Nana Akufo-Addo said the 2019 budget had made provision for the construction of 200,000 housing units, and a database of local and foreign developers had been created to help make the policy a reality. He said land banks had also been secured in several towns across Ghana, where factories producing pre-fabricated building materials could be sited to facilitate the governments housing delivery agenda. He said the government would continue with the other housing projects for the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Armed Forces and government workers through agencies such as the State Housing Corporation. Source: Graphic.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Consulate General of Ghana in New York, USA, on Friday, February 22, 2019, had a formal meeting with local Travel Agents in the New York Area to inform them of reforms and restructuring they intend to implement to ensure efficiency and excellent customer service. The Consul General, Professor Emeritus Samuel Amoako, expressed his profound appreciation for their work and efforts in helping the Ghanaian community, who are the larger applicants and travelers to Ghana. The Consul General, then took the opportunity to explain and detail to the Agents, the reforms the Consulate General intends to execute. Every Agent will be required to register their business with the Consulate before March 31, 2019. Any Travel Agent that fails to do so will not be recognized and accorded with the privileges as an agent of the Consulate for visa and passport acquisition. He said. The Consulate with the new system, will have database of all agent which will assist in monitoring their activities, help the agents receive real time information on new changes to visa and passport processing, inspection and review of their activities and protect their businesses from other agents not registered with the Consulate. The changes when implemented will provide seamless ways to acquiring visas and or passports, increase output and provide customer satisfaction for their customers, Professor Amoako intimated. Professor Amoako was positive that with this new approach, the exorbitant prices charged by some agents will be a thing of the past. Travel Agents cannot charge more than Fifty percent of consular application fees. The Travel Agents were afforded the opportunity to ask questions and comment on the proposed reforms. Other Officers of the Consulate General, Mr. Bernard Quantson, Frederick Bongne, Frederick Ameyaw and Frederick Frimpong were present to assist with concerns of the Agents. Aaron B. Duah, a Senior Travel Consultant, of One Travel Club, after the meeting said I'm excited about these changes since it will make my work easier and convenient. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Residents of Gbawe near Ablekuma are complaining about a fuel station project that is ongoing at their vicinity and therefore appealing to the appropriate authorities to halt the progress of the project. The residents have expressed their worry and fears over the construction of the fuel station which is established directly between two residential properties. According to them, all efforts and discussions with the owner of the facility to relocate the establishment have proven futile; hence their call on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to give a directive compelling the owner to immediately discontinue with construction. Speaking in an interview with Peacefmonline.com, a resident (name withheld), was worried the siting of the fuel station would threaten the lives of the residents and commuters in the vicinity. He noted that the fuel station is just right beside my house and another property. We have complained about it but nothing has been done. Im afraid something might happen or it could pose a threat to us since it is just near my house and also in a private residence. We want the authorities to come to our aid and stop the workers from continuing the construction because we wont wait for something bad to happen before we call for the attention of the authorities. Nii Mensah Akwanor, a resident also said this is not a commercial area, but a residential area and also there was no stakeholder consultation before the construction began. We do not need a fuel station here. The residents have therefore petitioned the appropriate authorities hoping their plea will be heard. With reference to our letter dated 20th February, 2019 on the aforementioned subject, we wish to re-emphasize that the owner of the fuel station has revisited the activity to push ahead the project. Foreseeing the danger that can occur in future if the project is not stopped, we wish to draw your attention, once again, to use your office to find a lasting solution to the matter, the petition read. They want the NPA and EPA together with all authorities of interest to as a matter of urgency, come and inspect where the fuel station is being constructed so that you will appreciate our concern. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana with additional information from Maxwell Okamfo Addo(freelancer) 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 European Council President Donald Tusk has described the first-ever EU-Arab League summit, which concluded in Sharm El-Sheikh on Monday evening, as a "new chapter of cooperation" between the Arab world and Europe. Speaking at the conclusion of the two-day event on Monday, Tusk said the gathering is only the beginning of a "frank and substantive conversation" between the two regional blocs. EU and Arab leaders "have no alternative but to work together" on shared challenges, including terrorism, climate change and ensuring sustainable growth, he said. Tusk also said that the rules-based global order is "clearly under threat." "We have agreed here, in Sharm El-Sheikh, that both sides will work together to defend it," he told a press conference at the summit. "Multilateral solutions remain the best way to address threats to international peace and security. This is true when we talk about the situation in Syria, Libya, Yemen or the Middle East peace process." Leaders from Europe and Arab League countries are looking to further boost cooperation beyond resolving crises and conflicts. "We want to develop common projects from energy, security to technology to tourism and trade, that will encourage the investment and sustainable growth that our peoples need," said Tusk. Leaders have also vowed to scale up joint efforts in the fight against terrorism as well as other security and border problems including illegal migration and human trafficking. Short link: The Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari II, has called for the equitable distribution of oil revenues in the country. According to him, such a decision would not only help to accelerate development in communities where oil was found but would also benefit the entire country. Yaa Naa Abukari made the call when the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Dr. K.K. Sarpong, paid a courtesy call on him at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi last Friday. Dr. Sarpong congratulated him on his ascension to the Yani Skin and also briefed him on the progress the corporation was making in the exploration of crude oil in the Northern, Savannah and North East regions. Yaa Naa Abukari expressed appreciation to Dr. Sarpong for the visit and entreated him to ensure that the corporation engaged chiefs in their activities in the area to keep them abreast of issues about the oil find. Optimism Dr. Sarpong said exploration of oil in the area was being pursued with high hopes of discovery in commercial quantities for national development. The three regions, which form about 52 percent of the onshore Voltaian Basin that stretches across 104,000 square kilometres (km2) of land, is believed to be a potential hub of commercial quantities of oil. He said the first part of the process towards exploration had been completed. The first stage that we set out during the two-day seismic survey is completed. We are interpreting the results in China after that we will decide on what to do next by covering the areas of prospects with a three-day survey this year, the chief executive indicated. Commitment Dr. Sarpong said the government was committed to ensuring that oil resources were properly harnessed to facilitate development in host communities and the country at large, stressing that The NPP-led government is very committed to ensuring that the oil funds are properly used for the benefit of every Ghanaian. While commending the Yaa Naa for providing the necessary support to the corporation for the commencement of the exploration exercise last year during his tenure as the Yoo Naa (Chief of Savelugu), he appealed to chiefs in the area to cooperate with the government in its oil exploration efforts. Source: Graphic.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Iran's Supreme Leader receives Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Tehran 02/25/19 Source: Mehr News Agency TEHRAN, Feb. 25 - Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei received the visiting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Tehran on Monday morning. During the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei hailed the Syrian people and government's resistance against the terrorist and their supporters in the region, saying the resistance by Syrian president and nation was the key to defeating the US and its regional hacks in the Arab country. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with Iran's Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei Monday March 25, 2019 in Tehran The Leader said that the Islamic Republic of Iran considers helping the government and people of Syria as helping the resistance movement, and asserted that Iran will always stand by the Syrian nation. Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that the triumph of the resistance front in Syria has made Americans angry and prompted them to hatch new plots, adding, "The issue of the buffer zone, which Americans seek to establish in Syria is among those dangerous plots, which must be categorically rejected and stood against." The Leader further said that the Americans' plan to keep presence along the Iraq-Syria border is another plot by the United States, saying, Iran and Syria are each other's strategic depth and the identity and power of the resistance front depends on this continued and strategic relationship. This will prevent enemies from making their plans operational." Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to Iran's support for the Syrian nation and government since the beginning of the country's crisis, saying that "Syria has managed to stand firm against a big coalition consisting of America, Europe and their allies in the region through the resistance and cooperation of its people." He also pointed to enemies' mistakes in the case of Syria, saying, "their error was that they mistook Syria with some other Arab countries. While in those countries, people's movement was in line with resistance and was, in fact, uprising against America and its stooges." Iran says has released French citizen detained for unauthorized entry 02/25/19 Source: Press TV The Iranian foreign ministry says the country has released a French citizen who had been detained in Iran's Kish Island in October over unauthorized entry. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi told IRNA on Sunday that the French citizen has been released during the past few days "after legal proceedings were completed and other charges were dropped." L'agence officielle iranienne Irna et le porte-parole du ministere des Affaires etrangere de l'#Iran ont annonce la liberation d'une ressortissante francaise, vraisemblablement la Martiniquaise Nelly Erin Cambervelle, detenue dans le pays depuis octobre 2018 pic.twitter.com/B4EV0RKNXi Outremers360 (@outremers360) February 24, 2019 Qassemi did not provide further details about the French citizen's case, but French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian had announced on Wednesday that the detainee was a businesswoman named Nelly Erin-Cambervelle. Le Drian told lawmakers on February 20 that the 59-year-old woman from the French Caribbean island of Martinique was arrested on Kish Island in southern Iran back on October 21, 2018, for allegedly "signing an illegal mining contract" and "carrying out an unauthorized trip." Details over the arrest first appeared in local Martinique media last week after a friend and colleague of Erin-Cambervelle was quoted as saying that she had been arrested for illegally buying gold after originally going to Kish to negotiate a minerals contract. Le Drian said that French consular services had met Erin-Cambervelle several times and were "very concerned about her situation." However, the minister said that she "did not complain about the custodial conditions and appeared to be in good physical and moral health." "We are in touch with the family and with the Iranian authorities to ensure that Mrs. Erin's situation improves, while respecting Iranian procedures," he said. Iran fires anti-ship cruise missile from submarine during naval drills in Persian Gulf 02/25/19 Report by Tehran Times; photos by Mehr News Agency For the first time during naval drills in southern waters, the Iranian Navy fired an anti-ship cruise missile at mock enemy targets. Cruise missile was fired from a Qadir-class submarine. It took place on the third day of military exercises which started on Friday. Hossein Khanzadi, commander of the Iranian Navy, had announced last Monday that Qadir-class submarines had several times fired anti-ship cruise missiles. Khanzadi said the newly home-made submarine, called Fateh, also enjoys this capability. "Our Qadir-class submarines have so far fired cruise missiles and Fateh has this capability too and we will display it in future drills," Rear Admiral Khanzadi told FNA. He also added that the missile mounted on Fateh submarine is the new generation of home-made Nasr missile which was developed within the framework of Jask 2 project and has differences in range with the past models of Nasr cruise missile. On the first day of the war games, the naval forces for the first time used Fateh submarine and Sahand destroyer. Also, during the third day of exercises in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, the helicopter units of the Navy carried out heliborne operations and launched attacks and destroyed mock enemy targets. The helicopters, including Bell-212, used rocket-launching systems and machine guns to successfully smash the targets. Other helicopters of the Navy, equipped with demining equipment, destroyed enemy mines in the sea. Also, one of the Air Force's Phantom fighters fired a air-based Nasr cruise missile at a target in the sea to provide support for the Navy vessels during the war games. The Naval forces fired several domestically-made cruise missiles and torpedoes from vessels and submarines on the second day of war games. The massive three-day drills, codenamed "Velayat 97", started in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman on Friday. The drills were held in an area of two million square kilometers, from the Strait of Hormuz to the southeastern coasts of Makran, the Sea of Oman and the northern parts of the Indian Ocean, down to the 10-degrees latitude. On the second day of war games, Naqdi destroyer and Tabarzin missile-launching frigate fired two Qader and Qadir cruise missiles at the targets. In addition to the vessels, the coast-to-sea missile-launching systems of the Navy fired Qader cruise missiles at hypothetical enemy targets, destroying them. Qader and Qadir missiles have a range of 250km and 300km respectively and can be fired from vessels and coast-to-sea launchers and aircraft. Also, the Tareq submarine fired an electric torpedo and the Qadir submarine fired Valfajr torpedo at targets. Meantime, an SH helicopter of the Army destroyed hypothetical enemy's target with a Mark 46 torpedo. Also, during the drills, the Navy's drones which are equipped with different types of bombs attacked the hypothetical enemy and the air defense units of the Navy intercepted and downed a hypothetical enemy drone. In another development on Saturday, the Navy's hovercrafts successfully fired surface-to-surface cruise missiles in the drills, smashing targets in long distances successfully. Cyberattacks on Iranian Online Businesses Expose State's Failed Digital Security Promises 02/25/19 Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran Government Touted "National Information Network" by Promising Improved Digital Protections At least 20 digital media and financial companies in Iran were targeted with DDoS attacks in February 2019, highlighting the government's inability to deliver promised protections to citizens or stop the current round of attacks, the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) has learned. Distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks aim to make a website unavailable and are typically used when the attacker is trying to prevent dissemination of information released on a website. In this round of attacks, the anonymous assailants also aimed to carry out financial extortion against company owners, including by demanding Bitcoins, a form of electronic currency. At present, only one of the companies has been able to bring their website back online. CHRI has also learned that after the Iran-based tech news website Fanavaran published a report about the attacks, an individual using the pseudonym "Master" contacted the reporter and the editor and threatened to launch a DDoS attack against the site if the report was not deleted. When Fanavaran refused to comply, its website became inaccessible under a new round of DDoS attacks, and remains down at the time of this writing. To date, the only response from the Iranian government has been a text message from the FATA cyber police force warning some company owners that they could come under attack: "Warning: There are varied and widespread DDoS attacks against Iranian businesses with the use of millions of [botnets]. We advise you to update and upgrade your tools." Attacks Highlight Inability of NIN to Protect Iranian Users Since 2016, officials of the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (Telecommunications Ministry) have been trying to assure the Iranian public that the state-controlled National Information Network (NIN), launched that year, provides increased protection against DDoS attacks. NIN, which gives the Iranian government newly expanded abilities to control users' access to the internet and monitor their online communications, also separates domestic internet traffic from international internet traffic, allowing the state to cut Iranians off from the global internet while maintaining access to state-approved domestic sites and services. In August 2016, Esmail Radkani, the assistant in charge of network management at the state-run Telecommunications Infrastructure Company (TIC) stated that NIN's DDoS protection and anti-phishing modules would "guarantee" security. But Sajad Bonabi, a TIC board member, told Fanavaran on February 17, 2019, that, "These services are not available on NIN, and therefore the private sector cannot get active in this field." Speaking about the DDoS attack his company suffered, Adventure CEO Alireza Aghasi told CHRI that part of the protection promised by the Iranian government would require hosting data centers inside Iran, which is expensive and cumbersome. "Infrastructure data centers in Iran are very expensive and their quality is not satisfactory and therefore in order to ensure our protection we have to do everything ourselves," he said. Aghasi added that his company's current situation in Iran is "painful" because he is unable to get the digital security he needs inside or outside Iran. "If we transfer to a foreign host server it will cause two major problems," he said. "First, our server might be shut off at any moment because of the sanctions on Iran." "Second, the quality of access to the international internet is very poor in Iran," he added. "Communications is very slow on it and as a result, our services will suffer." Companies that have opted to host their data outside Iran have seen their services suddenly cut. For example, in January 2019, Digital Ocean, a major American cloud infrastructure provider, informed its Iranian clients that it was cutting off service due to US sanctions. Masoud Tabatabaie, CEO of Ali Baba travel site, said in an interview with the tech website Webmasterfa that the Iranian government has not done anything to prevent more attacks. "We have contacted the Maher center but so far nothing major has been done to deal with these attacks," he said. "Perhaps if all the businesses that have been victims of such attacks unite, maybe then something could be done to stop them." "Maher" is the Persian acronym for the Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center(CERTCC), which operates under the Telecommunications Ministry. Are Telegram Client Apps Facilitating Cyber Attacks in Iran? Farhad Fatemi, the technology vice-president at Arvan, an Iran-based web hosting company used by many of the businesses targeted in the latest round of attacks, told the Islamic Republic News Agency that during the week of February 18, at least 20 major Iranian companies had been attacked. They include Zarinpal, a financial services company; Ali Baba, which sells airline, train and bus tickets; and the Fanavaran tech daily. To date, only Zarinpal has succeeded in warding off the attacks. The head of the state-run Information Technology Organization (ITO), Amir Nazemi, indirectly suggested that Hotgram and Telegram Talaeii, Iranian-made client apps based on the Telegram messaging app, could be facilitating the attacks. He told Fanavaran on February 17, 2019: "A lot of IPs were used to carry out these DDoS attacks and we strongly suspect that the cause is an infected app, which has turned mobiles and computers into zombies that attack businesses." Asked if he was referring to the Iranian-made Telegram client apps, Nazemi responded, "Yes, this is one possibility but we are carrying out more investigations to prepare a more complete report." CHRI's research has revealed that Telegram Talaeii and Hotgram could be used to facilitate DDoS attacks. Related Article: Guards at the Gate: The Expanding State Control Over the Internet in Iran provides an in-depth review of Iran's internet policies and initiatives, in particular, the development of its state-controlled National Internet Network (NIN), which gives the government newly expanded abilities to control Iranians' access to the internet and monitor their online communication. Afghanistan Sends First Exports To India Via Iran's Chabahar Port 02/24/19 Source: RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan Afghanistan has sent its first exports shipment to India through Iran's strategic Chabahar Port. The port on the Indian Ocean, inaugurated in 2017, has been built largely by India and will provide a key supply route for Afghanistan while allowing India to bypass rival Pakistan to trade with Central Asia. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who attended a special ceremony on February 24 in the western city of Zaranj to mark the event, said the exports through Chabahar Port would connect "hundreds of villages and millions of" Afghans to the outside world. The shipment contained 570 tons of export goods carried by 23 vehicles. Most of Afghanistan's imports and exports go through Pakistan, which Kabul accuses of harboring the Afghan Taliban. The U.S. State Department in November exempted the Chabahar Port project from its sanctions on Iran in recognition of its importance to landlocked Afghanistan. The effort to build up Afghanistan's economy is also aimed at reducing Kabul's dependence on foreign aid and putting a major dent in the illicit opium trade that has been a major source of revenue for the Taliban insurgency. New Delhi has poured $2 billion into development in Afghanistan since the 2001 U.S.-led overthrow of the Taliban's government. IAEA: Iran living up to nuclear deal terms despite US sanctions 02/24/19 Source: Press TV Iran continues to comply with the restrictions on its nuclear activities under a 2015 deal it signed with major global powers, a report by the UN nuclear agency says, even as the United States re-imposed sanctions against Tehran. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a quarterly report on Friday that Iran remained within caps on the level to which it can enrich uranium and its stock of enriched uranium in accordance with the nuclear accord, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The UN nuclear agency's latest report showed that over the past three months, Iran's stock of heavy water had risen from 122.8 to 124.8 metric tonnes and that it held 163.8 kilograms of enriched uranium, up from 149.4 in November. Both levels are within the limits laid down in the JCPOA. The IAEA once again reiterated that the agency's complementary access to Iran's nuclear sites, which mainly consists of short-notice inspections under the Additional Protocol, continues at all locations that it needed to visit. US President Donald Trump withdrew Washington in May 2018 from the landmark Iran nuclear agreement, reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries, and decided to re-impose unilateral sanctions against Tehran. Under the 2015 deal, Iran undertook to put limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions. Trump's administration announced re-imposition of the "toughest" sanctions ever against Iran's banking and energy sectors with the aim of cutting off the country's oil sales and crucial exports. US Vice President Mike Pence urged Washington's European allies on February 14 to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and accused them of trying to break US sanctions against Tehran. Speaking during an anti-Iran summit organized by the United States in Warsaw, Poland, Pence said a scheme set up by the EU to facilitate trade with Iran was an effort to weaken US sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic. However, Germany and the European Union rejected Pence's call to follow in the footsteps of Washington and leave the nuclear deal in a bid to "isolate" Iran. "Together with the Brits, French and the entire EU we have found ways to keep Iran in the nuclear agreement until today," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told the 2019 Munich Security Conference. Constructive cooperation between Iran, IAEA Iran's Ambassador and permanent representative to the IAEA Kazem Gharibabadi said the agency confirmed Tehran's fulfillment of its commitments in its 14th consecutive report since the implementation of the JCPOA. He added that despite massive efforts by some ill-wishers and enemies of the Islamic Republic to distract attention of the IAEA and the international community from Iran's compliance with the JCPOA terms, Tehran and the agency continue to cooperate in a constructive way. The Iranian ambassador urged the IAEA to observe the principles of impartiality and professionalism and strongly criticized certain sides for exerting pressure on the international body with political intentions. Iran's Intelligence Ministry Threatens Families of Labor Activists Bakhsi, Qoliyan With Prosecution 02/24/19 Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran The Intelligence Ministry in the city of Shush, southwestern Iran, summoned the families of detained labor activist Esmail Bakhshi and freelance reporter Sepideh Qoliyan and warned them not to speak to the media, the worker's union of the nearby Haft Tappeh sugar mill reported on February 21, 2019. Freelance reporter Sepideh Qoliyan (L) and Esmail Bakhshi "The intelligence officials told the families that the two prisoners had lied about being tortured and asked them to calm the media," said the report on the union's Telegram messaging app channel. "The families have also been threatened with prosecution. Subjecting friends, family members and lawyers of defendants held in politically sensitive cases to various forms of harassment and intimidation is common in Iran to prevent them from speaking to media outlets. Bakhshi and Qoliyan, both peaceful advocates of workers' rights in Iran, were initially arrested on November 18, 2018, and detained for roughly a month in an Intelligence Ministry-run detention center in Ahvaz. After they were released on bail, they both stated that they had been tortured and posted statements online that were later confirmed by eyewitnesses. On January 20, two weeks after the publication of their social media statements, Bakhshi and Qoliyan were rearrested by agents of the Intelligence Ministry. Members of Bakhshi's family had recently joined protests by a group of Haft Tappeh workers outside the judiciary's office in Shush, demanding Bakhshi and Qoliyan's release. On February 17, Bakhshi's mother (name unknown), was briefly hospitalized after agents of the judiciary's security wing tried to violently arrest her. Bakhshi, a Haft Tappeh union representative, is facing three charges of "disturbing public opinion," "propaganda against the state" and "insulting officials" for protesting for unpaid wages and for publicly stating that he had been tortured while in the custody of the Intelligence Ministry. Throughout the past two years, workers of the Haft Tappeh sugar mill have launched several strikes demanding months of unpaid wages. Labor activism in Iran is treated as a national security offense, strikers are often fired and risk arrest, and labor leaders are prosecuted under catchall national security charges and sentenced to long prison terms. On January 22, the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) called on the Iranian authorities to release Bakhshi and Qoliyan, ensure their protection, and re-open an independent and impartial investigation into their alleged torture. CHRI has also called on all relevant UN human rights bodies as well as EU countries with which Iran maintains relations to take coordinated action to call for the activists' immediate release and demand a full and impartial investigation into their alleged torture. Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi called on Arab and European nations to overcome what could divide us at the closing session of the first-ever EU-Arab League summit, which has been taking place in Sharm El-Sheikh. "We have successfully convened; yet our successful cooperation is pending your work, because you will be the ones who will reap the benefits of this mutual cooperation," El-Sisi said in his speech to the summit on Sunday, as he praised the Arab-European partnership. He said that the two-day summit, the first of its kind, had seen fruitful and constructive discussions, and affirmed his confidence that this high-level coordination would contribute in clarifying visions and shaping a common strategy and approach to a number of issues of common interest. El-Sisi described the results of the summit as exceeding all expectations, despite varying opinions about the identification of the causes or ways of dealing with a number of topics. He announced that a second EU-Arab League summit will be held in Brussels in 2022. Earlier on Monday, the final day of the summit kicked off with a session on Boosting European-Arab Partnership and Addressing Regional Challenges Together. The Egyptian president opened the summit on Sunday in the attendance of representatives from 50 states, including 24 Arab and EU leaders. Attendees included EU Council President Donald Tusk, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, Saudi Arabias King Salman, the UKs Prime Minister Theresa May, and Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel. Short link: Paris, TN (38242) Today A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - Nigeria's major opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday rejected the Presidential and parliamentary election results being announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging widespread rigging of the elections by President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) The Nigerian government on Monday accused the main opposition party, the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), of plans to truncate the electoral process Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - The ECOWAS Observation Mission has appealed to leaders of Nigeria's political parties, candidates, their supporters and the press "to show tolerance and restraint" leading up to, and after, the announcement of the results 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. Paducah, KY (42003) Today A few passing clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said Sunday the EU is keen on boosting partnerships with the Arab world and defending its rights. Addressing the first Arab League-European Union summit, which kicked off earlier on Sunday, Juncker said that the two sides are partners in bringing about peace and caring for victims of conflict. The EU has allocated $17 billion in humanitarian assistance to the Syrians, the top official said. The union is working closely with the Arab League in this regard, he added. Juncker urged further efforts to promote trade and investment between Arab and European countries, to provide more job opportunities, stressing the need to work together to meet common challenges. Short link: A disconnect between migrants' stories and their health COLUMBUS, Ohio - While some Mexican immigrants give positive accounts about migrating to and living in the United States, their health status tells a different story. In a small study in Columbus, anthropology professors Jeffrey Cohen, Douglas Crews and their student Alexandra Tuggle, all from The Ohio State University, found that many migrants celebrated living in Columbus. However, they also experienced discrimination and exhibited physical signs of stress, such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar and obesity. "There was a real disconnect between the positive narratives they told and the discrimination they felt and the stress revealed by their health measures," Tuggle said. The researchers believe the positive narratives were a coping mechanism. "These migrants are creating their own mental constructs so they can be happy and survive in what can be a difficult, stressful environment," Crews said. The study was published online recently in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology. The study involved 34 Mexican migrants who had lived in Columbus between five and 30 years. Several were undocumented. Nearly all said they moved to the United States for economic reasons. The participants were interviewed about their experiences of migration and settlement in the United States, their life in Columbus and discrimination they faced. In addition, 28 of the participants underwent a variety of health tests and completed self-assessments of their health. The narratives and the health measures didn't match up, Cohen said. Most participants focused on the positives of living in Columbus. Some mentioned the ability to buy a house and to live near schools for their children among the reasons they were happy. "Although the narratives were overwhelmingly positive, discrimination showed up in a lot of them. Some people reported physical attacks, there were cases of participants and their children being harassed for speaking Spanish, and there were cases where doctors refused to treat them," Cohen said. In addition, the health measures for many migrants suggested they were under a lot of stress. Nearly 80 percent were overweight or obese, according to their body mass index scores. Findings showed 21 percent had hypertension and 25 percent were hyperglycemic. Nearly half of the sample (46 percent) rated their health as only fair or poor. "Many of the migrants attributed their poor health to economic changes in the U.S., living in the cold Midwest, job loss and limited access to health services," Tuggle said. With the challenges that migrants face in the United States, the positive outlook found in the narratives might be necessary to survive and thrive, according to Crews. "There's been plenty of research that suggests that our attitudes have an influence on physical health. Migrants may be constructing these positive narratives to deal with their elevated stress and help themselves cope," Crews said. The researchers noted that this was a small study done only with Mexican migrants in Columbus. The experiences of other migrant groups in other places may be different. To get a better understanding of the Mexican migrant experience in the United States, the Ohio State research team is going to Mexico to learn more about the context for future U.S. immigrants. They will interview people there who are planning to migrate, those who have no intention of migrating and those who left Mexico but then returned. "We hope to learn more about what led to the findings we had in this study, about where it all started," Crews said. ### Contact: Alexandra Tuggle, Tuggle.26@osu.edu Douglas Crews, Crews.8@osu.edu Jeffrey Cohen, Cohen.319@osu.edu Written by Jeff Grabmeier, 614-292-8457; Grabmeier.1@osu.edu This story has been published on: 2019-02-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Humble ISD changes calendar to include one-week breaks in October and February Area students will have one full extra week of vacation in both Feburary and October, thanks to the Humble ISD school board. On Tuesday, Feb. 12, after months of planning, surveys and cost analysis, the Humble ISD Board of Trustees approved a school calendar for the 2019-20 school year that includes major changes from previous years. Classes will start one week earlier this August than in 2018. There will be a week of time off for students and teachers in October and February. Classes for the school year will end the last school day in May as it did in 2018. Christmas, Thanksgiving and Spring Break will remain essentially the same as in 2018. There was intense discussion before the final vote was taken and the vote ended up split, 4-2 with one not present. The board voted to adopt the choice of options that was by far the most popular as indicated by Humble ISD teachers, staff and the community. In response to questions from several board members during the discussion, Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Fagen reviewed the process used to develop the three final options, all of which meet Texas Educations Agency (TEA) regulatory standards and requirements. She explained that the district received recommendations from many within the community as long as three years ago to start looking at more innovative and improved scheduling opportunities. At the time it was not possible because of TEA regulations, but that all changed when the TEA created district innovation waivers. When approved by the TEA, the waiver could allow for more scheduling flexibility. As a result, the district was able to start its current 2018/19 school year four days earlier last August. The community was very supportive of using the district innovation waiver to start sooner in August, so we went ahead and built the calendar that is this years, which is similar to Option A. However, we received quite a bit of input and feedback that folks wanted us to explore a completely different calendar with a bit of a year-roundish feel that had three extended breaks, including in both October and February, saying that basically the students do better when they have a little time to recharge, said Fagen. She then went on to explain the process of developing alternatives and recommendations through extensive surveys of staff, parents and students, along with a thorough analysis of the budgetary implications. Those efforts resulted in three options: A, which is nearly the same as todays calendar; B, which adds a full week off in October and February; and C, which adds four days off in both October and February. The district then conducted more surveys to determine which was the most preferred in the community. The results showed that staying with the current Option A was preferred by only 20 percent of those surveyed and was the same percentage within both staff and community groups. Option B was preferred by 50 percent of both community and staff groups, and Option C was preferred by approximately 30 percent of both groups. Fagen noted that those statistics indicated a consistent majority of 70 to 80 percent wanted to add more time off in October. She said, We felt, based on the feedback of the community and the staff, that we should recommend the calendar that had the strongest interest by both groups. Thats why we put forth the recommendation we did. She re-emphasized that the recommendation was completely viable from a budget and operational standpoint. The two trustees who voted against making the change to Option B, Dr. Charles Cunningham and Colin Carney, said they had concerns for potentially adding daycare financial burdens to families with both parents working as a result of the added time off. However, they both expressed their thanks for the thorough and objective analysis that went into the recommendation and committed their support to make it work. In other business, Dr. Warren Roane, director of accountability for the district, presented an in-depth review of the Humble ISD Annual Performance Report for the 2017-18 School Year. The report included analysis of the demographics of the district, trends in growth within the district, and student- and school campus-performance levels in the district in terms of state-testing performance. Overall the district performed extremely well. Under the state accountability system, 40 campuses Met Standard, the highest rank allowed. The district was not rated due to the Hurricane Harvey provision. There were 20 distinctions earned by 14 campuses. These were based on STAAR performance in the areas of reading, mathematics, science, social studies, progress measures, closing the gap, and post-secondary readiness, Roane said. He noted that for those who want to review specific details of the comprehensive report, it will posted on the internet at humbleisd.net/Page/109297 within two weeks of the presentation to the board of trustees as required by the TEA. School board meetings are normally held at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Humble ISD Administration Building, 20200 Eastway Village Drive, and are open to the public. Agendas are posted on the district website: humbleisd.net. 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. Oswego, NY (13126) Today Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 72F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 72F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. Like all zealots, the people backing this proposal require total obedience to their faith. Anyone who speaks up in opposition, even in measured tones, is branded an apostate and an opponent of the environment and progress itself. Starbucks founder Howard Schultz, who is exploring an independent run for president, notes that the Green New Deal is unrealistic and the debt it would cause is immoral. In response to this criticism, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez simply attacked Schultz for being wealthy. Thus, the outrage of our legislators about UCF is understandable because these legislators are the masters of this shell game. They may have wanted the excess funds for their own redistribution. Instead, the people weve trusted to lead UCF decided to build new classrooms and meet academic needs that were underfunded by legislators who are crying Foul. Good for our UCF trustees! Trevor Colbourn Hall replaces one of the oldest buildings on the UCF campus with a 21st century learning space. Thus, the money was not diverted for personal gain, but was used to benefit UCF students and faculty. You can Google A sneak peek at Trevor Colbourn Hall to read about it for yourself. Then youll see that UCF trustees did a magnificent job with the excess funds that they did not return to the state. The sooner the UCF trustees get back to work, the better. When the Sentinel made its recommendation in the governors race last fall, we had serious reservations about DeSantis. He was an unremarkable congressman who seemed far too fringy and too devoted to President Donald Trumps way of thinking and behaving. DeSantis had done virtually nothing in Congress to back up his campaign promise to deal forcefully with Floridas environmental problems. The focus of the grand jurys work is broad, but its intent is clear: the aftermath of the Stoneman Douglas massacre, in which 17 people were killed and 17 injured. Family members of people killed in the shooting have pushed for more accountability than they say has been showed by the Broward School Board and Superintendent Robert Runcie. "When it comes down to climate change, we are talking about thousands of independent papers, from everywhere, finding exactly the same thing: that the climate is changing, that we are doing it and that most often than not, the impacts are pretty bad," Mora said. Among key initiates of the St. Johns board under Scott was to sharply speed up the time it takes to issue water and wetlands permits, to provide municipal utilities with water permits lasting far longer than previously, and to ease the burden on the agricultural industry in seeking permits. Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said that the danger of terrorism is spreading like a cursed plague, urging leaders attending the EU-Arab League summit to stand together against it. This plague, with its reasons, can never be justified. Terrorism is different from opposing something, which we all accept as a healthy phenomenon and a fundamental pillar of any sound political life, El-Sisi said on Sunday during the opening session of a two-day EU-Arab League summit. El-Sisi said that terrorism was used by some states to spread chaos in neighbouring countries." "Egypt has put forward a comprehensive vision to eliminate the threat of terrorism and its negative effects, in particular the right to life and other entrenched rights, and has enabled dialogue and cooperation to link this vision with the European position based on the importance of respect for human rights in the fight against terrorism," he said. El-Sisi said that these shared challenges have also been embodied in the hotbeds of conflict in the region, foremost among them the Palestinian cause, which is the central and primary cause of the Arabs, and one of the main roots of these conflicts, as it continues to deprive the Palestinian people of their legitimate rights. "I cannot but warn of the repercussions of the continuation of this conflict on all our countries, he said. Speaking about conflicts in Libya, Syria, Yemen, and other areas where there is armed conflict without a political settlement El-Sisi said that such conflict will only lead to more humanitarian catastrophes. In his recommendations, El-Sisi suggested that "the cooperation between our countries must be strengthened in order to strengthen the institutions of the state to meet the difficult challenges, while respecting the principle of citizenship in the face of calls for sectarianism and extremism." He also suggested " a comprehensive approach to combating terrorism." "Thirdly, it is absolutely necessary that the Middle East be transformed from a conflict area to a success area, which requires genuine cooperation between our two regions most affected by these conflicts," El-Sisi said. He also stressed the importance of economic cooperation which will lead to prosperity on both sides of the Mediterranean. He also spoke about migration and the migration crisis in several countries in the region. He noted that the high level of attendance at the summit was proof that what brings the two regions, Arab and European, together. He added that it reflects the mutual interest and concern of the Arab and European parties to enhance dialogue and coordination. Other speakers Speaking after El-Sisi, President of the Council of the European Union Donald Tusk spoke about boosting cooperation between EU and Arab states. There are many areas where we can do this: from funding education to reducing unemployment; encouraging investments, and helping to boost trade, he said. He called for real political will to achieve the Paris Agreement on climate change, and said that fostering intercultural dialogue, empowering a vibrant civil society and prioritising education and opportunity can help neutralise violent extremism. Speaking about migration, he called for cooperation to foil people smugglers who lure people into dangerous journeys and to address the root causes of migration and displacement, to stop irregular migration, to facilitate returns, readmission and reintegration, and to protect the rights of refugees. Saudi Arabias King Salman was third to speak during the opening session of the summit. He praised the relations between the two sides in the political, economic, and cultural fields. He asserted the importance of the Palestinian cause, praising EU countries stances on the issue. The Palestinian cause is a priority for Arab states, and efforts should be made to retrieve the rights of the Palestinian people, he said. He also affirmed the importance of a political solution for the Yemen crisis, and international efforts to support legitimacy in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia is fighting Houthi militias supported by Iran. With the participation of more than 50 European Union and Arab League member states, the summit in Sharm El-Sheikh is the first-ever between the two bodies. The summit is being convened under the title "Investing in Stability." Arab and European leaders will seek to strengthen Arab-European ties and address a wide range of issues and common challenges, including migration, border security and the situation in the region. The Arab League's secretary-general, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, warned against dependence on the use of force in conflicts currently taking place in the Middle East region. Addressing the summit, he called for "political settlements that involve state unity." Short link: We will review the ruling carefully, including the courts observation that the ruling does not preclude the possibility that the State could continue to pursue this matter in a criminal court, and take a fresh look at the evidence and applicable law in this tragic and troubling case to determine the best course forward, he said. A black woman is the new editor and publisher of an Alabama newspaper after her predecessor stepped down Thursday following widespread condemnation of his Feb. 14 editorial that called for mass lynchings, and him saying that the Ku Klux Klan needed to "clean out" Washington. "Time for the Ku Klux Klan to night ride again," the editorial in the weekly Democrat-Reporter read. The text asserted Democrats, along with some Republicans, were planning to raise taxes in Alabama. "Seems like the Klan would be welcome to raid the gated communities up there," it continued. When confronted, the paper's publisher and editor Goodloe Sutton stood by his words, telling the Montgomery Advertiser that people who were upset could call him, write a letter or boycott the paper if they wanted. He inherited the publication, which is based in Linden, Ala. and has a circulation of about 3,000, from his father in the 1980s. On Thursday, however, Sutton had an apparent change of heart. He turned control of the paper over to Elecia Dexter - an African-American woman from Chicago who served as the paper's front office clerk. "Everything has been a little surreal, and there's a lot going on," Dexter said in an interview Saturday. "I'm grateful for this opportunity." Dexter is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University where she received a bachelor's degree in speech communication, according to a news release announcing her appointment. She also received a master's degree in human services from the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership, and a master's degree in counseling from Argosy University. Dexter, 46, said she's only worked at the paper for six weeks and was disappointed when she saw the editorial. She's fielded phone calls, questions and emails from supporters of the newspaper who were dismayed over the editorial and negative publicity. Dexter told The Post she'd planned to leave if no change took place. She said that she and Sutton had an "open and honest" dialogue about his comments, in which he explained his decision to invoke lynchings and the KKK in the editorial. "[He] took a group that has a lot of negativity associated to it, especially for people like me, of color," Dexter said. "There are different ways to communicate you wanted Washington to be cleaned up without using that particular reference," she added. Dexter said Sutton approached her Thursday to say he was resigning as editor and publisher. He told Dexter she could carry on the legacy of his family, who has operated the Democrat-Reporter for decades, by taking the paper in a "new direction." Sutton, who did not immediately return a phone call requesting comment, will maintain ownership of the Democrat-Reporter but will no longer oversee its day-to-day operations. Two decades ago, Sutton was praised by his peers and discussed as a potential contender for the Pulitzer Prize, News of the editorial disturbed many Democrat-Reporter's readers, who "don't want to be identified or defined by what he put in that paper," Dexter said. However, longtime readers pointed out that it wasn't the first time that the paper's editorial page had endorsed extreme or openly racist views. In May 2015, an editorial stated that the mayor of a city "up north" had "displayed her African heritage by not enforcing civilized law." Another, published in June of that year, called for drug dealers, kidnappers, rapists, thieves and murderers to be hanged "on the courthouse lawn where the public can watch." Archives reveal many more examples. The contentious editorials ran without a byline, so it's unclear which, if any, were written by Sutton. Dexter said she did not know about the editorials before joining the paper, but "started to hear little things" as she became familiar with the community. She moved to her father's hometown of nearby Sweet Water, Ala. in December and joined the Democrat-Reporter shortly afterward. "When that article came out, I saw what other people had seen years and years ago," she said. But the Feb. 14 editorial went viral and drew strong rebukes from Sutton's peers, lawmakers and the head of the Alabama NAACP, who called for an FBI investigation. Sutton didn't back away from his editorial, telling the Advertiser, "If we could get the Klan to go up there and clean out D.C., we'd all been better off . . . We'll get the hemp ropes out, loop them over a tall limb and hang all of them." Dexter described Linden as a small, diverse town with traditional values. Moving forward, she said she wants to broaden the paper's scope and begin putting its stories online to highlight the "great things happening" in the community. She knows it will take time to repair the paper's image and restore faith in it for those who read it. An announcement on the leadership change was sent to subscribers of the paper. "One thing that sticks out to me as we move forward is making sure the people of this community feel this paper represents them and their views," she said. "Family, community looking out for each other - I would like to take a personal component moving forward, so people feel like it's their paper, which it is." The Washington Post's Antonia Noori-Farzan contributed to this report. This story was first published in The Washington Post. Major efforts to alleviate Trout Lakes woes are on the horizon, though. A capital fundraising campaign has been underway for two years, and an ambitious three-phased environmentally responsible, construction project soon soon will begin. The first phase will involve building a new exit road, extending water lines, hooking up to Eustis sewer system and removing above-ground septic tanks. Next, a new parking lot, with spaces for at least 80 cars will be built. This is too much like Keystone cops. One government, using your tax money, creates a fatal scenario for wildlife, then another uses your tax money again to save the little critters. Except that chances of animals actually using this part of the corridor are pretty slim once they figure out they can be squashed at nearly every turn by loaded sand trucks. "Orlando Sentinel Now" is a midday news show features the top news and quirky stories of the day. The show airs weekdays at noon on Facebook and OrlandoSentinel.com. You can join the conversation by commenting and taking polls. Brien Colby heard his two neighbors arguing Saturday and tried to interfere, according to the station. When Colby was unsuccessful he called 911. One neighbor, Joshua Ellis, told Colby he would kill him and allegedly walked onto Colbys property. Torres decided to have them look at the nearly 2-mile stretch on Pershing between Semoran Boulevard and Goldenrod Road. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there have been 42 crashes along that stretch and nearly 10 at the intersection with Redditt since 2017. Yes, there are people who will not want to apply because of what is going on right now, but there are also people who sort of thrive in this situation, and see themselves, and are seen by others, as really good problem-solvers, said Judith Wilde, chief operating officer of the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason. That kind of person will probably still apply for this position. The Foundation for Excellence in Educations poll was done in January and found nearly 80 percent of voters surveyed broadly support school choice, or options outside an assigned neighborhood school. The foundation was started by Bush, who served two terms as governor and ushered in Floridas first voucher programs, which have since grown into the largest school-choice efforts in the nation. We believe that the team has yet to arrive at a clear definition of the risk posture or mitigation strategies related to operations with the redesigned COPV, the panel wrote. ...It is imperative that the Program understands the potential hazards, the controls of those hazards, and the margins involved, and also ensures that the operating environment stays within those margins if the redesigned COPV tanks are to be implemented for crewed flights. Recently at the SIHH 2019 exhibition, Ulysse Nardin unveiled some pretty significant new timepieces. While the Classico Erotic watches with a mermaid theme designed by Italian erotic comic-book designer Milo Manara were naturally the talk of the show, other Ulysse Nardin watches also enjoyed heightened attention. Among the other standouts: the new Freak X self-winding watch, the Executive Skeleton X (a stunner for sure), the new 42mm dive collection. You joined Ulysse Nardin in late 2017, so not too long ago. Are you where you want to be at this point in time? We have a lot going on and it is all very positive. From the brand platform, the message and the product. We have continued in what Patrick (Hoffmann), my predecessor, started, so a refreshing and revamping of lines and core collections. We worked first on the Marine watches and now we are refreshing the Diver. I think the new Diver watches at 42mm are very wearable and I am very excited about them, especially the special pieces. So essentially, we are in Phase 2 of the design and we are also refreshing and extending in a limited number of references other parts of the brand, including the Freak and the Executive with the X theme for this year. Freak X, titanium and blue PVD Ulysse Nardin You released the Freak X and the Skeleton X this year at a very special price, how has the reaction been? The Freak X is very exciting because it is a mix of Freak and modernism but it is still true to what the brand stands for. It is very different from the Freak Vision but you can still see immediately that it is the Freak, and we are getting great feedback on the look and especially the price. The Skeleton X is a continuation of one of our best sellers, the Skeleton Executive Tourbillon. But it is so much cooler now. It is slightly smaller by about two millimeters and it is offered in titanium and carbonium, which is used in the aerospace field for jet fighters and is very lightweight. It is highly wearable and easy to read and yet still captures the Ulysse Nardin spirit. Also, it is priced between 15,000 and 30,000 Swiss francs, so this is great. I would love to be modest about this Executive Skeleton X, but I cant; it is just that cool. So, between these two X products, we have introduced this year two new manufacture movements. Skeleton X, gold Carbonium and rose gold versions Ulysse Nardin Is there anything else on the horizon for 2019 in terms of product or news? Yes, we have some new animations of the Torpilleur and some stories coming in the realm of high horology where we are pushing a few references. But this is all still secret and I cant talk about it. > Watches & Wonders The restaurant on U.S. 17-92 at the Lakeside Crossing development has posted a sign on its door and reportedly sent messages to customers notifying them that the eatery is no longer operating. Ever since last years mass exodus from Baselworld and the announcement that Baselworld would immediately succeed the SIHH next year I have wondered how brands would adapt their product cycles and communications strategies. These are, after all, what define our own editorial calendar and how we bring you news of the latest developments in the industry. With this years SIHH out of the way and Baselworld rapidly approaching, I am gradually starting to get some answers. While some brands who left Baselworld chose to exhibit in Geneva during the SIHH week, others will be in Basel but not at Baselworld and still others will be entirely absent from both. The luxury brands of the Swatch Group, for example, will present all their 2019 collections to their customers in March, while the press and the general public will not hear about them until May. Eberhard & Co. was one of the first brands to announce that it was leaving Baselworld. The brands Managing Director, Mario Peserico, took the difficult decision after exhibiting at the show for 70 years. We can consider him as a trend-setter, even though the trend was an unfortunate one. The brand has since organised its own roadshows that have been hugely successful, and reorganised its planning around four separate periods of the year. But Mario Peserico does not exclude returning to Baselworld if the conditions are right and will still be attending Baselworld this year as a visitor. Having a product pipeline that is independent of Baselworld has given brands like Eberhard & Co. much greater flexibility. Previously, we had to focus everything on the exhibition, explains Mr Peserico. And sometimes we had to postpone deliveries, meaning that the watches were not available until six months after they were first presented. This is not what customers want. Once you present something it needs to be ready as soon as possible. Now the period is much shorter. The same flexibility also extends to communications, which is why, out of the blue in mid-February, Eberhard & Co. has been able to tease us with the launch of a new movement. Along the same lines as Omega, who announced the reproduction of the legendary calibre 321 at the start of the year without presenting a watch to go with it, Eberhard & Co. have announced a brand-new in-house movement that harks back to the era of pocket watches. The new calibre EB 140 is a hand-would movement that will have a unique architecture. Its a significant milestone for Eberhard & Co., since the brand has just moved back to its historic premises in La Chaux-de-Fonds and is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its first chronograph. We wanted to do something 100 years later, explains Mr. Peserico, but we are also communicating that we are investing in a development. This is not a vanity project and our price positioning will, as usual, be very fair. The watch itself is less important in the discourse, at least at this stage. Eberhard & Co. is targeting April or May without the pressure of Baselworld the brand can allow itself the luxury of vagueness. Calibre EB 140 Eberhard & Co. With these announcements, both Omega and Eberhard & Co. might well be showing us the shape of things to come as far as brand communications are concerned. Freed from the constraints of Baselworld, and knowing in advance when they will be shipping watches to stores, they can maximise the impact of their communications. They dont need to clamour for attention over the same ten days as their competitors. Instead, they can tease their fans early in the year, then come back later for a second round when the watch is ready. For me personally, and professionally, this is a welcome development, since it spreads the news in more regular intervals throughout the year and helps to foster a lively interest in the industry throughout the year. Although brands wont be launching movements like this every year, of course. What does this mean for the future of exhibitions like the SIHH and Baselworld, especially when they will be held back-to-back next year? I leave the last word to Mario Peserico: I hope the best for Baselworld. I hope they will find a way to represent the industry as a whole. We need something now. When the SIHH comes closer to Baselworld next year, and Swatch Group organises its own event in the same period, things will become even more complicated for the customer. There should be just one fair. I have been saying this for 20 years, but I am just an ant walking among giants. 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. Stillwater, OK (74078) Today Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Low 68F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.. Tonight Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Low 68F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Locally heavy rainfall possible. So I guess she would read this column, too, as a form of violence. And she wouldnt be alone. According to a 2017 survey of 800 undergraduates around the country, 81% think that words can be violent. And 30% that is, almost one out of three think that physical violence can be justified to prevent someone from using offensive words. Being a person with a disability, a daughter of immigrants and a South Asian woman, this issue hits close to home. Its why I work with DemocracyNYC and travel across the five boroughs to bring groups together to fight divisiveness and to empower others. At a recent event in Harlem, people with disabilities and people who spoke a variety of different language came together to talk about democracy. Not only did these community members learn about voting and help empower one another, but they enjoyed meeting each other. One immigration advocate told me that he had much more in common with people with disabilities than he ever realized. If the BOE truly wants to divide these groups, theyre going to have to try harder. Photo taken in May 2012 shows a Chinese aircraft carrier cruising for a test on the sea. China's first aircraft carrier was delivered and commissioned to the Navy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army on Sept. 25, 2012. The carrier, with the name "Liaoning" and hull number 16, was officially handed over to the Navy at a ceremony held in a naval base of northeast China's Dalian Port. (Xinhua/Li Tang) China's first aircraft carrier Liaoning appears to have left the maintenance bay of the Dalian Shipyard on Sunday, as the country's second carrier, the Type 001A, is also expected to soon begin a new sea trial, reports said. Accompanied by a fireworks display, the Liaoning left the shipyard in Northeast China's Liaoning Province with the help of tug boats Sunday morning, according to a report from Hong Kong-based Wen Wei Po and photos and video posted on Sina Weibo on Sunday. The Liaoning reportedly conducted a sea trial in January after more than half a year's maintenance and modification in the shipyard. If the maintenance work is done, the ship could be on its way back to its home base in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province and return to normal service in the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Otherwise, the voyage might be yet another sea trial to check the results of the maintenance, military observers said. "Farewell to the Liaoning and wish it all the best on its new journey," read a banner in the shipyard, indicating that the Liaoning could be resuming PLA service and will not return to the Dalian Shipyard anytime soon, according to the Wen Wei Po report. No official information has been given as of press time on the Sunday voyage of the Liaoning. Meanwhile, the Type 001A, China's second aircraft carrier being tested at the same facility, might follow the Liaoning. The domestically made warship started its engine and cleaned its deck on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, indicating it will soon set out for its fifth sea trial, Wen Wei Po reported in two separate reports on Saturday and Sunday. Coincidentally, a military exercise is scheduled from Sunday to March 5 in the northern Huanghai Sea near Dalian, and other ships are prohibited from entering a designated area, according to a notice the Maritime Safety Administration of China released on Friday. This usually happens when an aircraft carrier conducts a sea trial. The notice did not mention which ships might be involved in the exercise. It is currently unknown if the exercise area is designated for the Liaoning, the Type 001A, or both. Many Chinese military observers hope to see both carriers at a naval parade to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the PLA Navy. Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military analyst, told the Global Times that it is possible for the two aircraft carriers to conduct easy formation and communication training if they conduct an exercise together in the same area. If the parade will be held, the Liaoning will surely participate, Wei predicted, noting that the Type 001A's participation still depends on the vessel's test results and whether it can join the PLA Navy before the parade. LGBTQ youth, who often run away from home seeking acceptance, trade sex at seven to eight times the rate of other youth in New York City. Young people trading sex for housing and resources is a crisis no one wants them to be doing so. But entangling them in the criminal justice system does not stop them. We need more youth services, healthcare and housing that affirm their LGBTQ identities not policing so young people dont have to trade sex for survival. Flushing: In his Op-Ed (The root cause of the Catholic crisis, Feb. 20), John Gehring claims that Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganos allegations were debunked. He is wrong because if Vigano had not published his letter, Theodore McCarrick would still be a cardinal enjoying power and fame in the American Catholic world. Yes, Pope Francis did defrock him, but only after Viganos report was out there and the scandal was too great to sweep under the rug. As for the root cause, one cannot say that a culture of unchaste homosexuality is not to blame, considering that the overwhelming majority of those who were sexually abused were young men. Yes, legally they may be considered children, but one who goes after teenagers is not a pedophile, but one who is attracted to young men. Valeria Kondratiev Gardner, along with his Republican colleague Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, recognizes that support for the suffering is not a parochial issue for New Yorkers, as people from every state were and are impacted by the poisoned air. They know that it is not a partisan issue, since cancer doesnt care about party labels. They know that the United States was attacked that day and the responsibility is a national one. While calving is common and actually part of the normal life cycle of ice shelves, its the first time such changes have become apparent in this area, NASA said. In addition, such calving has become more and more frequent, with Antarctica losing even bigger hunks of ice than this one in the recent past, LiveScience reported. During the course of this relationship, Kramer Levin has represented the Trump Organization with respect to virtually every aspect of its business, Futerfas said. For many years, Kramer Levin even served as the Companys primary outside counsel. Racial tensions have been running especially high in Virginia since a 1984 college yearbook was unearthed earlier this month that appeared to show Gov. Ralph Northam in a photo of a man with shoe polish on his face standing next to a man in a Ku Klux Klan robe. Northam at first apologized for the photo, but later said he didnt believe he was in that picture. He admitted to once darkening his face for a Michael Jackson costume. Weve said as a city we want to be better than this. Weve said we will stand up for women and demand full transparency from all, no matter who is involved or where their allegiances lay because if we remain silent, if we give some people a pass, what message are we sending to the young women of our city? Mark-Viverito asked. Cuomo presented a path toward legal pot for adults over 21 years of age in his annual budget, which needs to be approved by April 1. The plan would create a licensing program for growers, distributors and retailers and impose a 20% state tax and a 2% local tax. It would also allow counties and large cities to ban marijuana sales locally and bars enthusiasts from growing their own stash, points that have raised concerns among advocates. "Be nice if Spike Lee could read his notes, or better yet not have to use notes at all, when doing his racist hit on your President, who has done more for African Americans (Criminal Justice Reform, Lowest Unemployment numbers in History, Tax Cuts,etc.) than almost any other Pres!" Trump tweeted Monday morning. She alleged she was paid $4,000 per month between September 2016 until she left the campaign. Austin Browning, who was hired when he was a high school senior, was paid $7,817.78 in September 2016, $8,592.30 in October 2016 and $6,421.07 in November 2016, according to the lawsuit. Four other men were identified in the lawsuit because of their salary. The Institute of Psychology (IP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) issued its first blue paper on mental health on Feb. 23, revealing that most Chinese citizens have good mental health. The blue paper, titled The Report on National Mental Health Development, will be published every two years. According to Fu Xiaolan, head of the Institute of Psychology, the report was based on major mental health surveys conducted over the last three years, discussing mental health issues, development trends and influencing factors across different groups in China. The report indicated that most Chinese people in urban areas have good mental health. A survey conducted in 2008 suggested that 11 to 15 percent of urban citizens aged between 10 and 100 had relatively poor mental health, and may face mild-medium psychological problems. The report warned that 2 to 3 percent might face medium-serious mental health issues. Another survey from 2012 showed similar findings. However, this particular survey detailed that rural citizens were not as healthy as their urban counterparts. The report showed the enormous demand for mental health services in China. However, mental health resources throughout the country are currently limited. Chen Zhiyan, associate editor-in-chief of the report, suggested that China set up relevant standards, monitor mental health, and include mental health education at school and university level. Howard X posted video of Facebook last week of what appears to be Vietnamese officials and soldiers detaining him and White after their first appearance together. According to Howard, he was told then by a low-ranking officer that his information would be sent to the people higher up the chain to make a decision whether I would be deported later on. "There are many people on Staten Island who believe as I do, that support that the pride center is able to march and march with a banner, Assemblyman Michael Cusicktold NY1. Again, it goes back to what you believe the parade is about. Whether it involves religious tenets in the parade or if it is truly a parade, a civic parade of culture and heritage." According to CBS DFW, police say Askew confessed to killing his mother, Judy Askew, as well as Randall Lynn saying he killed them because he was mad at them. In the face of high winds that threaten to disrupt traffic signals and cause power outages, the Amherst Central School District has decided to close schools on Monday, Cuomo said in a statement quoted by WIVB. There is no higher priority than the safety of our students, and I commend New Yorkers for their vigilance during this severe weather. On the downside of that, as K-9 officer he arrived at the scene with Koda, the police dog, in his cruiser, so he could not transport Charlotte, though the two were exchanging animal pleasantries the whole time, he told the Dayton Daily News. While historical restrictions on women in the military may have justified past discrimination, men and women are now similarly situated for purposes of a draft or registration for a draft, Judge Miller wrote. If there ever was a time to discuss the place of women in the Armed Services, that time has passed. We are incredibly grateful for the swift response by the officers on duty and their ability to prevent further injury, the statement said. Our staff has been instructed not to comment to media regarding this incident, in order not to impede or interfere with the criminal investigation. One employee said he saw so many conspiracy videos on the job that he was convinced 9/11 was not a terrorist attack and that there were multiple shooters involved with the Las Vegas massacre. He sleeps with a gun beside his bed, does mental escape drills and sweeps the house looking for intruders when he wakes up in the morning. He has been diagnosed with PTSD and generalized anxiety order. The man was grazed on the arm with a bullet and treated at the scene, Mobile Fire-Rescue told Fox 10. The young girl was wounded in the leg and treated at University Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Several suspects are in custody following the incident that took place at around 5 p.m. at the Oakland Library. Reporter Joe Vazquez and photographer John Anglin of KPIX were working when a car pulled up and the driver pulled a gun, according to the TV station. A EMS driverless truck is ready to hit the road in Zhejiang. Photo courtesy of FABU Technology Chinas first unmanned freight trucks have entered routine operation in east Chinas Zhejiang province, meaning driverless vehicles will be able to run on tested routes for delivery. Under the joint cooperation project by the China Postal Express & Logistics EMS, FABU Technology, and Deppon Express, several Level-4 (L4) unmanned driving routes have been established and have entered a new stage of regular operation after three months of trials. The routes vary in distances and road conditions. For example, one route taken by EMS is 23.6 km in total, with more than 50 complicated road sections. The route includes grocery markets, commercial centers, railway stations, residential quarters, and plazas, and has over 50 crossings and 26 traffic lights. In order to ensure that the unmanned truck arrive safely and smoothly, engineers must not only overcome the technical challenges associated with complicated road conditions, but also deal with extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain, snow, or fog, He Xiaofei, CEO of FABU Technology noted. During last years Singles Day shopping spree season, the first L4 unmanned truck designed by FABU was launched in Zhejiang. Since then, the companys unmanned cargo transportation vehicles have covered 3,600 km of road, delivering 60,000 packages. He said the company aims to launch 100 commercial unmanned logistic routes in the future. FABU Technology has become the first domestic AI enterprise to operate driverless logistic routes. Their technology will help domestic logistics giants enter the driverless era and may help transform Chinas economy, commented Chen Junfeng, chief investment officer of Sinovation Ventures, which is also an early investor of FABU Technology. Keith Caneiro believed that his brother was responsible for money missing from two companies they owned at the New Jersey shore, according to court documents. Investigators say he emailed associates he was going to cut off payments to his brother one day before the bodies were found. Officer Galinger, who was 38, was checking a manhole cover on a road in the Chattanooga area when he was killed. He was with his field training officer, who was not injured. "We deserve closure, we deserve peace," Kaylyn's mother Leslie Roberts told MyWabashValley.com in December. "This is a homicide case, it has been since 2015 and nothings being done about it and I am angry, very angry." Authorities said the three may be linked. On Friday in Denver a man was fatally shot by people who stole his black 2015 Cadillac sedan, according to the Associated Press. A few hours later and 100 miles away, a convenience store was robbed in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and shots were fired, though there were no injuries. He was driving in the middle lane, the wrong way. Then he pulled over, Bolat said. So I just walked through and pulled on the window and I opened the door from the inside and took out the key. The police came and arrested him. NYCHA, we all know, is in need of help now, Schumer said during a stop at the Alfred E. Smith Houses on the Lower East Side. This is a now or never moment. We are here to say to HUD: put your money where your mouth is. We have people who come from 150 different countries and we need to better understand each others culture, he said. A lot more needs to be done. This is about teaching kids to respect each other. Jerry has no liability in this matter, but he wants to do the right thing, and is therefore bringing this action to hold European Collectibles accountable for its own certification of authenticity, and to allow the court to determine the just outcome, Snyder said in a statement. How am I to be held responsible? he asks. Clearly, an accident happened in there When you turn on the TV, and it blows up on you, do you say you wanted the TV to blow up? After the trial ended for the day, the alleged crime boss joked about his attorneys characterization of him. He said that when he was young all the guys combed their hair back and his just stayed that way. And, he said, I got the map of Italy on my face. Photo courtesy to The Verge No one misses the tailwind in consumer electronics, especially in the era of aesthetics of smartphone technology. Chinese phone maker Huawei is no different, and the company has spared no effort in its effort to transform the stultifying smartphone appearance. On Feb. 23, Huawei launched the Mate X, a foldable-screen smartphone at the 2019 World Mobile Congress with a staggering price tag of $2,600, heating up the battle of foldable technology. The surge in foldable technology is recognized as the latest battle among smartphone manufacturers. Last October, Royale Flexpai debuted its foldable smartphone for 8,999 yuan, while Samsung also plans to launch the Galaxy Fold in April, which is priced at $1,980. Other companies like Xiaomi and Apple have also expressed interest in foldable technology. Practically, the foldable screen is a gauge of manufacturers technological strength for improving brand image and developing a sustainable competitive advantage. Seeking various application scenarios out has always been one of the most important goals in the smartphone industry, Zhang Jinyang, a senior analyst at mobile phone industry chain, told 36kr, a Chinese tech media. However, a foldable screen is neither an attractive design nor preferable for daily use due to it being thick and heavy and because the hinge-design makes it is easy to scratch the screen. Who knows who will have the last laugh on the white-hot rivalry of foldable technology, but its certain that the competition is a boon for OLED suppliers in the smartphone industry. Marketization and large-scale production will determine the future of the technology, Sun Yanbiao, head of Shenzhen-based Mobile No.1 Research Institute, was quoted as saying by 36kr. Most people don't know that WINS and WCBS radio are owned by the same company. Over the years we've maintained our independence because we all felt New York deserves two separate unique voices in radio news, said Pilato. However, Entercom now wants something that would allow them to cut the staffs of both stations and water down the news New Yorkers get by having the same people work at both stations in essence making it one newsroom. I have my family, plus I have my brothers family that I was helping out because he was about to get evicted. So I helped him out and, in helping him out, I fell into arrears, Hernandez said. My mother had passed away, so there was some expenses there... I showed them that (information) too, but obviously that wasnt enough. Bradley, there is not a single person on the planet that could have sang this song with me but you. Thank you for believing in us. Thank you so much, she said in her acceptance speech. In November, while doing press for the film, star and Best Actor nominee Viggo Mortensen (Tony Lip Vallelonga) uttered the N-word. Mortensen later said he was trying to make a point about how casually the word was used during the time in which the film takes place. The actor later apologized for using the word and his co-star, Mahershala Ali, issued a statement in which he stipulated that though he accepted Mortensens apology, The use of the word by those who arent black is not up for debate. The history of discrimination, slavery, pain, oppression and violence that the word has come to symbolize only causes harm to members of the black community and therefore needs to be left in the past. Rome, GA (30161) Today Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low around 70F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low around 70F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. From peasant to cultural inheritor: the story of a peasant painter in Qinghai province Huangzhong peasant painting (Photo/Chinanews.com) Master Dang Minghan shows the charm of peasant life and rural scenery to the world through peasant painting, a national intangible cultural heritage. 58-year-old artist Dang Minghan was born into a peasants family in northwest Chinas Huangzhong county, Qinghai province. He started his career in art 35 years ago. Im an inheritor of peasant painting; it doesnt belong to me alone. It belongs to all peasants. My mission is to pass on the cultural legacy of our ancestors love for their hometown, Dang said. Huangzhong peasant painting is a modern folk art featuring Han and Tibetan cultures, traced back to the 1970s. Themes are based on life in rural areas. The techniques stem from traditional art forms like paper cutting, shadow puppet art and embroidery, he explained. Dang Minghan and a peasant painter are exchanging views on peasant painting. (Photo/Chinanews.com) In 2010, Dang and his son Dang Wanxiao visited a village near Shanghai, where they communicated with and learned from folk artists from nine communities that are famous for peasant painting throughout China. After three years of learning, Dang was determined to carry forward Huangzhong peasant painting, as it is very different from other types of peasant painting. Most areas of Qinghai province are pastoral. We live in the mountains or on grasslands. Therefore, we have many ethnic-minority themes, he added. Dang's son has shown peasant painting to the world. Thanks to the internet, Huangzhong peasant painting is now going global, with tourists from countries such as Japan, Bolivia and Germany visiting Huangzhong county to see this folk art. Dang Minghan is teaching her son painting skills. (Photo/Chinanews.com) Although popular, the development of Huangzhong peasant painting is facing certain obstacles. Very few young people are willing to learn the skill as it is still a small-scale industry, and is not particularly lucrative. To carry forward peasant painting, Dang Minghan and his son are now teaching young people this folk art for free. They also plan to print the paintings on souvenirs such as fans and cups, so more people can learn about the art form as well as bring in more profits for the artists. We need to protect this traditional art form, and inject vitality into it through innovation, Dang Wanxiao noted. Cedartown, GA (30125) Today Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low 69F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low 69F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Stuart Symington, US ambassador to Nigeria, has warned against the release of results which are not from the Independent National Elect... Stuart Symington, US ambassador to Nigeria, has warned against the release of results which are not from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Symington also asked key candidates not to claim victory before the final announcement by INEC. He also appealed to politicians to honour the peace accord signed to ensure successful polls. The US envoy said the elections were predominantly peaceful except for violence recorded in a few places. I congratulate the tens of millions of Nigerians who stood patiently in long lines to vote this week and the hundreds of thousands who worked together with INEC to conduct the elections, Symington said in a statement. As noted by many observer groups in their preliminary reports, this election was predominantly peaceful, and it was proof of the Nigerian peoples resolute commitment to choose their leaders. The peaceful achievement of millions was shadowed by the violence of a few. We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives, and we urge all candidates to honor the Peace Accord they signed. No one should break the law by announcing results before INEC does, or break the peace by claiming victory before the results are final. Everyone has a common interest in showing patience as INEC collates and announces the election results. Ibrahim Dankwambo, two-term governor of Gombe, lost out in his bid to represent Gombe north senatorial district in the national assembl... Ibrahim Dankwambo, two-term governor of Gombe, lost out in his bid to represent Gombe north senatorial district in the national assembly. The governor, who contested under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Partys (PDP), was defeated by Saidu Alkali of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Alkali won in four of the five local government areas of Gombe north senatorial district. The APC candidate scored 152,546 votes ahead of Dankwambo who had 88,016 votes. Dankwambo had earlier lost in the bid to secure the presidential ticket of the PDP. In Ogun, its victory for Ibikunle Amosun, a two-term governor like Dankwambo. He once occupied the senatorial seat of Ogun central. Despite the crisis in the APC in Ogun, Amosun polled 88,110 votes to defeat Titi Oseni-Gomez, his Action Democratic Congress (ADC) rival who had 65,101 votes. Oseni was former speaker of the Ogun house of assembly. But in Oyo, Abiola Ajimobi, the governor, is struggling to hold unto the senatorial seat in Oyo south. Kola Balogun, the PDP candidate, has won in all of the four local government areas announced so far. Oyo south has nine local government areas. Ajimobi is seeking to return to the senate to occupy a seat he was elected governor in 2011. He goes into history as the first Oyo governor to break the second term jinx. Godswill Akpabio will not be returning to the senate to represent Akwa Ibom north-west senatorial district. The senator, who contes... Godswill Akpabio will not be returning to the senate to represent Akwa Ibom north-west senatorial district. The senator, who contested under the All Progressives Congress (APC), lost to Chris Ekpenyong of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with a wide margin. He secured only 67,487 votes as against 136,373 votes for Ekpenyong. We had reported the former governors likely defeat after he lost in nine of 10 local government areas announced earlier. UNCOMMON DEFEAT Akpabios defeat was shocking to many being that the senator was believed to have a massive influence in the state. As a former governor, he prides himself as the uncommon senator whose uncommon defection from the PDP took many by surprise. He had also resigned his position as the senate minority leader and joined the APC with a large number of supporters from the PDP. The senator is widely respected as one of the most influential politicians in Akwa Ibom and in the south-south region. Senate President Bukola Saraki did not congratulate Yahaya Oloriegbe of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who defeated him in the Kwa... Senate President Bukola Saraki did not congratulate Yahaya Oloriegbe of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who defeated him in the Kwara Central Senatorial contest, spokesman to the Senate President, Yusuf Olaniyonu has said. Olaniyonu has dissociated the Saraki camp from messages being shared on WhatsApp which states that the PDP and Saraki have congratulated the APC and its candidates. In a statement on Monday, Olaniyonu said that the position of the Saraki camp will be communicated to the public later today. The public should disregard any fictitious statements being issued and shared on WhatsApp by the PDP in Kwara. Our position on the election will be communicated later today. In the interim, the APC should stop issuing statements congratulating itself and ascribing it to our camp, Olaniyonu said. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday in Okitipupa, Ondo State, declared Ondo South Senatorial election incon... The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday in Okitipupa, Ondo State, declared Ondo South Senatorial election inconclusive. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Otunba Nicholas Tofowomo of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 79,029 votes, while his closest rival, the current Senator, Mr Yele Omogunwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scored 51,993 votes at the Saturdays National Assembly elections. Prof. Kayode Onifade, the INEC Returning Officer for Ondo South, also of Department of Micro-Biology, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), who declared the election inconclusive sighted various irregularities. He pointed out that the number of cancelled votes of 28,047 was higher than 27,036 which the margin between the two leading parties, PDP and APC. He said registered voters were 576,733, while accredited voters for the election were 196,282 in the six Local Government Areas (LGAs): Okitipupa, Irele, Odigbo, Ilaje, Ese-Odo and Ile Oluji/Oke-Igbo. He added that elections were cancelled in 56 Polling Units in five LGAs: Ilaje: 42, Irele: 4, Okitipupa: 6, Odigbo:1 and Ese-Odo: 3. He also pointed out various irregularities ranging from voters refusal to use card readers, over voting of accredited voters, snatching of ballot boxes and violence among others which marred the credibility of the polls. About 56 polling units were cancelled in five LGAs and several electoral irregularities marred the conduct of the polls. As the numbers of cancelled votes of 28,047 was more than the margin of the leading votes of 27,036, I hereby declare the election inconclusive, Onifade said. NAN also reports that Odigbo and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo LGAs turned in their results very late in the night, which delayed collation of results at the Stellamaris College Collation Centre in Okitipupa. (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is in early lead as INEC collated preside... President Muhammadu Buhari, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is in early lead as INEC collated presidential election results of 15 local government areas of Lagos state. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that APC won in most of the local government results declared so far in the much awaited collation. The exercise commenced at the INEC Office, Yaba and it has been nonstop since Sunday night. NAN reports that the President defeated his closest rival of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the Apapa, Ikorodu, Ibeju-Lekki, Ikeja, Epe, Badagry and Lagos Island local government areas election results announced and submitted. Other local governments where the APC led are Agege, Ifako Ijaiye, Lagos Mainland, Mushin, Oshodi-Isolo. However, PDP defeated APC in Surulere, Eti-Osa and Ojo in the results declared as at few minutes to 8.0 a.m on Monday. The election results were presented and accepted by the state collation officer, Prof. Felix Salako, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun. The collation officer for Apapa LGA, Abiodun Babalola, who read the results, said that APC polled 18,170 votes while PDP scored 11, 295 votes in the council. Apart from the People Coalition Party (PCP) that scored 238 votes and African Democratic Congress (ADC) that polled 108 votes, all other 69 political parties scored less than 100 votes each in the council. Babalola said out of the total registered voters of 186, 649, only 33, 095 were accredited for the poll. He said that the total valid votes were 30, 680, the rejected votes were 1914 while the total votes cast were 32, 594. The collation officer for Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Prof. Abduhamid Suleiman, said that APC polled 12,179 votes while the closest rival party, PDP scored 9, 222 votes. Apart from the Accord Party that also polled 2,168 votes, PCP that polled 170 votes, African Action Congress (AAC) that scored 111, all other parties got below 100 votes each. According to Suleiman, out of the total registered voters of 109, 731, only 26,568 were accredited for the poll. He said that the total valid votes were 24, 668, the rejected voted were 1327 while the total votes cast were 25, 995. He added that the total valid votes were 36, 021, the rejected voted were 1967 while the total votes cast were 37, 988. For Epe LGA, the collation officer, Dr Babatunde Adeoye, said that APC polled 17, 710 votes while the PDP scored 13, 306 votes. Apart from PCP that scored 185 and AAC that got 53 votes, every other party got below 50 votes in the local government. Also, the collation officer for Ikorodu LGA, the Collation Officer, Ilupeju Akanbi, said that APC polled 40, 719 votes while the PDP got 21,252 votes. Apart from AAC that polled 410 votes, ADC that scored 184 votes, ANN that got 196 votes, DPP that polled 109 votes, PCP that had 375 votes and YPP that polled 215 votes, other parties got belowe 100 votes. The Collation Officer for Badagry LGA, Prof.Adetokunbo Demiloye, said that APC polled 21, 417 votes while PDP polled 17, 939. The Collation Officer for Lagos Island LGA, Dr Adepoju Tejumade while presenting the council results said that the APC polled 27, 452 votes while the PDP got 7396 votes. While AAC scored 192, PCP scored 191 votes while all other political parties scored less than 100 votes each in the council. According to Tejumade, out of the total registered voters of 194, 738, only 38, 285 were accredited for the the elections. Apart from AAC which got 212 votes, ADC that polled 109, PCP which got 384 and SNC that polled 155, all other parties score less than 100 votes. Prof. Carol Opara, the Ikeja LGA Collation Officer said that APC polled 23, 638 votes while the PDP 21, 518 votes in the council. Apart from AAC that also polled 566 votes, ANN which scored 492, PCP that polled 413 votes, YPP that got 503 votes, ADC that got 108 votes and FRESH Party that got 123 votes, all parties got less than 100 votes. In Ifako Ijaiye LGA, APC polled 33, 419 votes while the PDP scored 18,100 votes while in Mushin LGA, APC polled 43, 543 and the PDP had 20, 277. In Oshodi/Isolo LGA, the APC polled 29, 860 and PDP polled 28, 806, whereas in Lagos Mainland, APC polled 22,684 and PDP 15, 137. In Agege LGA, APC scored 36, 443 and PDP got 16, 497 whereas in Surulere LGA, APC polled 30, 621 while the PDP garnered 31,603. Meanwhile, in Ojo and Eti-Osa LGAs, PDP polled 29, 019 votes and 25, 216 votes respectively to defeat APC candidate who polled 24, 333 and 20, 962 respectively. As at the time of filing this report, the centre was still awaiting results from Alimosho, Kosofe, Somolu and Amuwo-Odofin LGAs but that of Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA had been brought and getting set for presentation as at 7:45am. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 73 presidential candidates participated in the Saturdays Presidential and National Assembly elections held across the 36 states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. In the results declared so far by various returning officers, Buhari led his closest rival, Abubakar in the state with a wide margin Earlier in his address of welcome before the collation commenced, Mr Sam Olumekun, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), commended the security agencies for the good job and called for sustenance of adequate security throughout the exercise. Olumekun, who noted that nothing could be achieved without peace, however,frowned at the pockets of violence that greeted Saturday election in some areas of the state. The INEC boss, who noted that violence, was not acceptable, urged stakeholders to channel their grievances to appropriate quarters. The collation had in attendance heads and representatives of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) members headed by the Lagos State Police Commissioner CP Zubairu Muazu. (NAN) With a complete food safety management system, specific instructions for each dish, and 14 quality control points in the production process, the railway catering center in the Chengdu Passenger Section of China Railway Chengdu Group Co., Ltd. endeavors to ensure strict control over every link of the catering service on board the nation's high-speed trains. On Feb. 19, 2019, reporters visited the railway catering center in the Chengdu Passenger Section of China Railway Chengdu Group Co., Ltd., the largest railway catering center of southwest China, and witnessed the production process of railway boxed meals. During the raw ingredient inspection and acceptance period, the catering center checks relevant papers and receipts. Only the vegetables that pass pesticide residue tests are allowed to enter the center. All members of staff in the center wear a special uniform, follow a series of sterilization and cleaning procedures, and only enter the workshop after passing a final clothing examination. On-site quality inspectors check the center's conditions throughout production. The boxed meals can only be placed into storage after passing their inspection. There is also a dedicated laboratory in the catering center. Besides testing for pesticide residue, the laboratory is also used to test the finished product. To monitor and have a better knowledge of the product quality, the quality inspectors check every batch and save samples. So far, the catering center of the Chengdu Passenger Section has established four distribution stations in Chengdudong Railway Station, Chongqingbei Railway Station, Chongqingxi Railway Station, and Guiyangbei Railway Station, where the boxed meals can be stored, transferred, and heated via dedicated equipment. (Photo/People's Daily Online) The Nigerian Army says there is no truth to the allegation that it made an attempt on the life of Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers. ... The Nigerian Army says there is no truth to the allegation that it made an attempt on the life of Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers. Wike had alleged that Jamil Sarham, general officer commanding of 6 Division, sent troops to assassinate him in his residence on February 15. But the army, in a statement by Sagir Musa, its spokesman, described the allegation as unsubstantiated. The army said its officials are not trained as assassins and could not have attempted to kill the governor. It accused Wike of making attempts to compromise the integrity of the GOC 6 Division. It further gave Wike a 7-day ultimatum to substantiate his allegations with evidence or desist from smearing its name. The Nigerian Army (NA) wishes to respond to the bogus and unsubstantiated allegations being peddled by the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Nyesom Wike. Some of his rancorous claims were that the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Maj Gen Jamil Sarham purportedly sent troops to cordon off his residence prior to the rescheduled General Elections on the 15th of February 2019.The Governor further went on to allege an assassination attempt on his life which he claimed was orchestrated by the GOC 6 Division, the statement read. The NA is appalled that a Governor who should epitomize leadership and good example in all senses could descend so low to employ smear campaign against the person of a GOC whose only responsibility amongst other things, is about the safety and security of lives and properties in his Area of Responsibility. The NA does not train assassins as such the institution or her personnel cannot be involved in sending assassins to murder a state Governor as alleged by Gov Nyesom Wike. It is indeed no secret to the military authorities that Governor Wike has on various occasions made attempts to compromise the integrity of the GOC 6 Division. Having failed, despites series of overtures and monetary pledges of millions of dollars, both in person and from cronies, it is no surprise that the frustrated Governor has resorted to this appalling campaign of calumny. One would have thought that the resolute and uncompromising stance of Maj Gen Jamil Sarham in the face of several kinds of mouth-watering inducements would have earned him a commendation from any conscientious leader. Alas, this was not the case from the embittered governor of Rivers State but rather, these slanderous allegations. Despite these unsubstantiated ramblings however, the NA has deemed it fit to clear the air by letting Governor Wike and the general public at large, know that it would not be dragged into any form of political gerrymandering concocted for the furtherance of any persons interest or notoriety. As a noble institution, the NA is apolitical, neutral and would not compromise its constitutional roles under any guise. Additionally, the NA would like to give Governor Wike the benefit of doubt, to within 7 days, bring forth evidence that can substantiate the bogus claims, or he could as well, save face and keep his peace. The All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council says it is safe to conclude that the Independent National Electoral Commission (IN... The All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council says it is safe to conclude that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did a good job in the elections. The APC campaign council said this on Monday not long after the PDP rejected results of the election over what it described as irregularities. Festus Keyamo, the campaign spokesman, accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of trying to have its way in the presidential election by hook or by crook. Against this backdrop, the plethora of unconstitutional acts by the main opposition (PDP) and its sympathizers like urging a premature declaration of its candidate as winner and filling the social media space with fake results transcend all boundaries of descent conduct, he said. However, we urge our international friends, observers and patriotic Nigerians not to be deceived. Very early in the build up to the Elections, the PDP and its Presidential candidate embarked on a cynical plan to discredit INEC as a backup plan in the likely event of them losing the election. Overall and from reports received in the Situation Room of the Election Planning and Monitoring Directorate of the All Progressives Congress from across our country, at this point it is safe to conclude that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has done a good job despite the challenges and the delays experienced in some cases. With over 84 million Permanent Voters Cards (71 m collected), mobilising the citizenry to exercise their democratic right to vote has been a massive undertaking but, thankfully, it was conducted largely peacefully and on schedule. The APC campaign council said despite the unjustifiable stance of the PDP, it is confident the results by INEC are free and fair. Our elections have progressed over the years and we ask that the PDP do not derail us to the dark past with its childish antics, he added. The announcements by INEC which has gotten underway will be concluded in due course. Let us all be patient and let this credible process take its course. Senate President Bukola Saraki is a prominent but polarising figure in Nigerias politics. He stepped into the shoes of his late father... Senate President Bukola Saraki is a prominent but polarising figure in Nigerias politics. He stepped into the shoes of his late father as the generalissimo of Kwara politics in the early 2000s but the result of the 2019 national assembly elections shook him. Since 2003, when he became governor of Kwara, he has dictated the pace and play of politics in the state. Until the revolution of Ibrahim Oloriegbe of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who will take Sarakis seat, starting from June. In 2014, Saraki joined the APC, alongside seven other senators from the PDP, and played a crucial role in ousting the PDP from power. But it was not all rosy for him in the new party. Not long after the APC came to power, Saraki began a struggle for his political survival. In 2018, he returned to the PDP, leading the campaign for the ouster of the APC in the 2019 election. In the past three and a half years, Saraki has been a subject of controversy. And the national assembly he leads has come under intense scrutiny and criticism. Here are five political battles he fought at the senate The Gemade group was Ahmed Lawans bulwark while the Melaye group was Sarakis. Both groups schemed in a political gladiatorial combat to outwit each other. Things became combustible when the APC endorsed Lawan as its preferred candidate for the position and directed all its members in the senate to support his candidature. But Saraki would not back down; he defied his party. He then courted PDP members of the senate who now joined his chariot. The APC in the senate became polarised, and the party had a first taste of bitter leadership crisis. The crisis affected the smooth functioning of the senate in its early days owing to frequent adjournments and brawls. OPPOSED BUHARI ON MAGU On March 15, 2017, the Saraki-led senate yet again rejected the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Magu was rejected after the senate voted against the confirmation of his appointment. In December 2016, the upper legislative chamber had rejected his appointment, citing a DSS report indicting him of corruption. The anti-graft czar was accused of corruption and gross violation of human rights. He was also alleged to be in possession of undeclared pieces of property. However, President Muhammadu Buhari snubbed the senate on its resolution and re-nominated Magu, setting the stage for a political showdown. In a media chat, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said the EFCC acting chairman did not need the confirmation of the senate to function. FORGERY OF SENATE RULE BOOK After Saraki breasted easy victory, the senate was thrown into a whirlpool of confusion. Lawan, the APC preferred candidate, and his allies formed a band of opposition against him at the upper legislative chamber. The federal government later filed charges of forgery against Saraki and Ekweremadu, his deputy, alleging that they altered the senate rule book to legitimise their election. The senate president was later slammed with charges of false asset declaration at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). But he was discharged and acquitted by the tribunal of which judgement was upheld by the Supreme Court. HAMEED ALI FACE-OFF In June 2017, Hameed Ali, comptroller-general of customs, and the senate were locked in a tug of wills. The face-off between the Saraki-led senate and Ali stoked much controversy. The controversy rippled when the upper legislative chamber summoned the customs chief and asked him to appear in uniform. The customs had planned to enforce a retroactive collection of duty on vehicles, but the senate blocked it, summoning Ali. Ali had appeared before the senate in civilian attire. He was ordered out of the chamber and was asked to re-appear in customs uniform. This subsequently led to a contest of powers. However, the face-off spawned an allegation that the senate was exacting vengeance on Ali because the customs had seized Sarakis SUV. But Saraki denied the allegation. ELECTORAL ACT CONTROVERSY President Muhammadu Buhari declined assent to the electoral act amendment bill, 2018 twice. The national assembly had passed the bill on July 24, 2018, and transmitted to the president on August 3. Buhari withheld assent to the bill in March, saying the proposed law would usurp the constitutional powers of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to decide on election matters, including fixing dates and the order they would go. In addition, the president explained that he was complying with section 58 of the 1999 constitution, particularly sub-section 4, by refusing to sign the bill. The passing of the bill generated controversy, with some lawmakers alleging that it was targeted at Buhari in the 2019 elections. The road to Sarakis emergence as senate president was treacherous. Intrigues and subterranean plots coalesced in the weeks before his becoming. Ahead of the inauguration of the eighth assembly on June 9, two divergent groups emerged in the senate Senate Unity Forum, led by Barnabas Gemade; a senator from Benue state, and Likeminded Senators, led by Dino Melaye, a senator from Kogi state. _______________________________________________________________________________ 9:42 PM - EASY WIN FOR BUHARI IN BORNO STATE (WINNER) (WINNER) (WINNER) ATIKU WINS TARABA STATE (WINNER) BUHARI WINS HOME STATE, KATSINA Katsina presidential election result (WINNER) MASSIVE WIN FOR BUHARI IN KANO Kano presidential election result (WINNER) ATIKU BEATS BUHARI IN PLATEAU Plateau presidential election result (WINNER) Imo presidential election result (WINNER) ATIKU WINS BENUE STATE Benue presidential election result (WINNER) ATIKU WINS EDO STATE Edo presidential election result (WINNER) BUHARI WINS OGUN STATE Ogun presidential election result (WINNER) BUHARI WINS LAGOS STATE Lagos presidential election result ATIKU WINS HOME-STATE, ADAMAWA FINAL RESULT (WINNER) ATIKU WINS OYO STATE Oyo presidential election result (WINNER) ATIKU WINS ANAMBRA STATE Anambra presidential election result (WINNER) BUHARI WINS KADUNA STATE Kaduna presidential election result (WINNER) BUHARI WINS JIGAWA STATE Jigawa presidential election result (WINNER) BUHARI WINS NIGER STATE Niger presidential election result (WINNER) The 2019 Presidential Election was an act of aggression against Nigerian voters Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) February 24, 2019 Good morning Nigeria! Elections are over, but it is de javu! This election wasnt free and fair. As you can see, even the winners cant celebrate! #TakeItBack February 26, 2019 6: 30 AM - Presidential Results at a glance (WINNER IN RED) STATES APC PDP Ekiti 219,231 154,032 Osun 347,634 337,377 FCT 152,224 259,997 Kwara 308,984 138,184 Nasarawa 289,903 283,847 Kogi 285,894 218,207 Gombe 402,961 138,481 Yobe 497,914 50,763 Ondo 241,769 275,901 Abia 85,058 219,698 Enugu 54,423 355,553 Ebonyi 90,726 258,573 1: 20 AM - 2019 Presidential Election Results - TOP THREE (AFTER 11 STATES + FCT) INEC adjourns till 10 AM (BUHARI) (ATIKU) Atiku wins Ebonyi state (WINNER) ATIKU wins Enugu state (Winner) BUHARI WINS YOBE STATE Yobe Presidential Election Result RESULT (Winner) ATIKU WINS ABIA STATE Abia Presidential Election Result RESULT (WINNER) ATIKU WINS ONDO Ondo Presidential Election Result RESULT (WINNER) (Buhari leads) As Ondo c ontinues to delay, INEC chairman shifts collation till 8pm Buhari wins in Gombe Gombe presidential election result (WINNER) Buhari wins in Kogi Kogi presidential election result (WINNER) RESULT (Winner) Buhari wins Kwara state Kwara Presidential Election Result RESULT (Winner) Atiku wins F.C.T F.C.T Presidential Election Result (WINNER) 2-0 Buhari wins Osun state Osun presidential election result (WINNER) Buhari wins Ekiti state (WINNER) You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close The 2019 Regional High School Art Exhibit took place Sunday at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. The event gives high school students in Northwest Missouri and Northeastern Kansas a chance to submit their artwork and have it on display at the museum. Over 75 schools were asked to participate in this years event. The schools select up to five students to submit work. Marketing and Communications Manager Christy George thinks the event is useful to everyone involved. Its good for the students because they get to see work from their other peers and what everyone else is doing, George said. Its good for the community just to know that art is a viable source. And the teachers, it shows off how good the teachers are in our community too. The artwork was divided into nine categories based on media and technique. The judging panel then looked over the work and voted on the art based off of the categories. After the panel looked over the work, first, second, third and honorable mentions were awarded in each category. The artwork that won Best of the Show belonged to Ajok Akoi from Park Hill South High School. Central High School Senior Jessica Wegenka had her work submitted when she was a sophomore and thinks the opportunity to have her art in the public eye is very helpful. I think its very good for students, Wegenka said. I think its good for the community so the community can see that young artists are out there and they would like to get recognized. The reception to open the exhibit took place Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. It was free and open to the public. Although the art made its debut Sunday, the work will stay in the museum until April 7. Executive Director Dr. Brett Knappe said the event has been going on for so long, that the event seems to plan itself and every year people seem to enjoy it. Its just a great opportunity for young artists to get a chance to show their work to the public, Knappe said. They get to see each others work and really get a chance to see whats happening in the arts in Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas. The event has been taking place for many decades and museum workers plan to keep it that way. This was the first year that the event was sponsored and Knappe wanted to thank the sponsor for their help. This is the first time that we have started to do sponsors, Knappe said. Were very excited that this is the inaugural sponsorship of one of these exhibitions. So thank you to the (St. Joseph) News-Press for helping us out and for helping out the arts in the greater St. Joseph area. A 30-year-old man was sent to prosecutors last week over the alleged smuggling of liquid cannabis from the U.S., reports Kyodo News Three times in June and July of last year, Hiroki Ishii, a senior partner at a limited company, allegedly smuggled a total 230 cartridges of liquid cannabis into Japan in shipments sent through the international postal mail. The amount of liquid cannabis in the cartridges totaled 211 grams, according to the indictment. A staff member at the Kawasaki branch of Yokohama Customs discovered the contraband concealed in a box of headphones contained in one of the shipments. The Kanto Narcotics Control Department arrested Ishii two times this year on suspicion of violating the Cannabis Control Law. He was sent to the Yokohama District Public Prosecutor's Office last week. A 30-year-old man has been accused of smuggling cartridges of liquid cannabis into Japan through the international mail (Twitter) The cartridges are the same as those used for e-cigarettes. A seizure of this kind is very rare, according to the customs house. - tokyoreporter.com Hiroshima Prefectural Police said Sunday they have placed a 34-year-old man on the nationwide wanted list in connection with the murder of an 86-year-old man at his house in Hiroshima last week. Kazuhiro Uematsu was found stabbed to death by his wife in front of the toilet on the first floor of their house in Kanayamacho at around 6:30 a.m. last Wednesday. Police said an intruder had apparently broken into the house through a window. Uematsu was stabbed in the neck and chest several times sometime late last Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning. His wife, who had gone to bed, said she heard nothing. Police said money was stolen from the house. On Sunday, police said DNA placed a suspect at the scene of the crime, Fuji TV reported. An arrest warrant was issued Friday for the suspect, Yukinobu Tomita, of no fixed address or employment. Footprints and blood were found in a park near the house. Tomita went to a hospital to be treated for a cut to the thumb on his left hand. He received nine stitches. Police said his blood matched the blood in the park and bloodstains in Uematsu's house. - Japan Today WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington D.C. held a housewarming event inside the giant panda house on Saturday to celebrate the completion of a new visitor exhibit. The celebration featured frozen treats for giant pandas and red pandas, as well as interactive games and activities for visitors. The new exhibit, according to the zoo, teaches visitors about the ecology, history, reproduction, conservation and care of giant pandas and enables them to learn about these unique bears and their natural habitat. It also chronicles "the advances that panda scientists in China and at the Smithsonian have made during the past four decades." "So much has changed for giant pandas, for the better, in the past decade," Steven Monfort, the John and Adrienne Mars Director of the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, said in a statement. "This updated exhibit is really inspiring because it shows how much of a difference we can make with science and cooperation," he said, noting that "Smithsonian and Chinese scientists have been collaborating for decades, and visitors can see the results of our work as they walk through the panda house." "Giant pandas are China's national treasures," said Minister Xu Xueyuan, the Chinese embassy in the United States. "Although they are large in size, they are also charming, tolerant, and peace-loving, representing many values of China itself, and are loved by people all over the world." "Giant pandas are also symbolic of the China-U.S. friendship," she told a ceremony at the giant panda house. The housewarming was jointly hosted by the zoo and the Chinese embassy. Giant pandas live mainly in southwest China's Sichuan Province as well as neighboring Shaanxi and Gansu. The latest census in 2014 found there were 1,864 giant pandas alive in the wild. The number of pandas bred in captivity reached 548 globally as of November, 2018, according to China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration. At the zoo's David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat currently live three giant pandas, Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and their three-year-old son, Bei Bei. The Smithsonian's National Zoo is one of Washington D.C.'s most popular tourist destinations and is part of the Smithsonian Institution, a world-renowned museum and research complex. American College of Cardiology announces JACC: CardioOncology WASHINGTON (Feb. 25, 2019) -- The American College of Cardiology will expand the JACC family of journals with the launch of JACC: CardioOncology in September 2019. Bonnie Ky, MD, MSCE, FACC, will serve as Editor-in-Chief. JACC: CardioOncology will aim to publish the most impactful original research and state-of-the-art review articles pertaining to this rapidly emerging field. The journal will consist of original articles related to basic, translational, and clinical investigations in cardio-oncology. Topics of interest will include basic and translational mechanisms of cardiotoxicity; early diagnosis, risk stratification, prevention, and treatment of cardiotoxicity; and the multi-disciplinary care of cancer patients and survivors with cardiovascular risk factors and disease. Ky will begin her five-year term as Editor-in-Chief in March 2019. She is an associate professor of medicine and epidemiology and a physician scientist at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She leads a highly active National Institutes of Health-funded translational research program in cardio-oncology and is the Principal Investigator of multiple cohort studies and clinical trials focused on the cardiotoxic effects of various cancer therapies. Her programmatic objectives are to understand how to improve cardiovascular outcomes in cancer patients by determining individual patient risk through detailed phenotyping of clinical characteristics, biologic markers and echocardiography-derived measures of myocardial mechanics and function. Ky is also the founding director of the Penn Cardio-Oncology Center of Excellence, National Cancer Institute-funded ECOG ACRIN Cardiotoxicity Subcommittee Chair, and director of the Penn Center for Quantitative Echocardiography. She is an inducted member of the American Society of Clinical Investigation. She is also a section editor for cardio-oncology for JACC. "It is a great honor to serve as the inaugural Editor-in-Chief of JACC: CardioOncology," Ky said. "My vision is for the journal to play a vital and transformative role in advancing the cardiovascular care of a growing cancer population through the dissemination of knowledge and the education of providers who care for cancer patients." The American College of Cardiology envisions a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes. As the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team, the mission of the College and its more than 52,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC bestows credentials upon cardiovascular professionals who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College also provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research through its world-renowned JACC Journals, operates national registries to measure and improve care, and offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions. For more, visit acc.org. The Journal of the American College of Cardiology ranks among the top cardiovascular journals in the world for its scientific impact. JACC is the flagship for a family of journals--JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, JACC: Heart Failure, JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology and JACC: Basic to Translational Science--that prides themselves in publishing the top peer-reviewed research on all aspects of cardiovascular disease. Learn more at JACC.org. ### This story has been published on: 2019-02-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Prime Minister Theresa May sparked outrage yesterday by suggesting parliament may not be able to vote on her Brexit deal until March 12, just days before Britain leaves the EU. The decision increases the chances that MPs will move next week to delay Brexit beyond March 29, to avoid a potentially disastrous situation where Britain exits with no agreement at all. May had held out the possibility of a vote this week, but said Sunday she was still discussing with the EU possible amendments to the deals arrangements for the Irish border. As were continuing with those talks, we wont bring a meaningful vote to parliament this week, she told reporters as she arrived at a summit of European and Arab leaders in Egypt. But that will happen by March 12. And we still have it within our grasp to leave the European Union with a deal on March 29. Since MPs rejected her withdrawal deal last month, May has sought to address their concerns about the texts backstop arrangement, which is designed to keep the border with Ireland free flowing. She is meeting with European Council chief Donald Tusk and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the two-day summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, and her team will also return to Brussels on Tuesday. But opposition politicians and pro-European MPs in London reacted with fury at what they believe is a deliberate strategy of delay. Labours Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said her move not to hold a vote this week was the height of irresponsibility and an admission of failure. Theresa May is recklessly running down the clock in a desperate attempt to force MPs to choose between her deal and no deal, he said. Parliament cannot stand by and allow this to happen. Run out of road May has refused to rule out leaving the EU with no deal, despite the risk of huge economic disruption on both sides of the Channel. She says the only way to avoid this scenario is to support her deal -- but growing numbers of MPs believe that Brexit should instead be delayed. Three of her cabinet ministers on Saturday warned in a newspaper article that if there was no breakthrough this week then the House of Commons would vote for a delay. Beyond the next few days, there simply will not be time to agree a deal and complete all the necessary legislation before March 29, they wrote. May has promised to make a statement in the Commons on Tuesday and allow MPs on Wednesday to debate their own ideas for the way forward. Labour MP Yvette Cooper urged lawmakers to support her cross-party proposal to delay Brexit, saying: How are businesses, public services and families supposed to plan in this chaos? Sam Gyimah, who quit as a junior minister in Mays government over her approach to Brexit, said her latest decision was shocking. Weve run out of road. The meaningful vote can is now being kicked against the wall, he tweeted. Addition to the treaty After rejecting the EU withdrawal deal that May spent almost two years negotiating, MPs demanded she return seek changes to the Irish backstop. This plan would keep Britain in a customs union with the EU after Brexit if and until another way -- for example, a free trade deal -- were found to keep open the border with Ireland. The EU has said it will not reopen the text, but is looking at what guarantees could be given to reassure MPs that the backstop would be temporary. Earlier, Environment Secretary Michael Gove said the government was still discussing various options. It could be a time limit, it could be a unilateral exit mechanism, he told the BBC -- citing two options Brussels has publicly rejected. He added: And it could be another legally powerful protocol or addition to the treaty that makes it clear that we would not be bound in the backstop indefinitely against our will. North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns armoured train chugged across China yesterday as he headed to his highly anticipated second summit with US President Donald Trump in Vietnam. Emulating his late father and grandfather, who took epic train trips when they were leaders, Kim set off on the long journey from Pyongyang railway station on Saturday, with a military honour guard seeing him off. His departure was confirmed by the Norths official KCNA news agency, with images showing citizens cheering him as he waved from the train before what could be a 60-hour journey to Vietnam. The train crossed the border city of Dandong later that day, according to South Koreas Yonhap news agency and the specialist outlet NK News, but its route remained a tightly-held secret. The trains crossing into China follows days of speculation over Kims travel plans, as his team gathered in Hanoi ahead of the talks expected next Wednesday and Thursday. Accompanying the North Korean leader was right-hand man and top general Kim Yong Chol, who met with Trump at the White House last month, his sister and close aide Kim Yo Jong, and other high-ranking officials, KCNA said. Security was tight before the trains arrival in Dandong, with police cordoning off the border bridge area with tape and metal barriers, and leading an AFP journalist out of the area. A hotel facing the bridge was closed for imprompture novations on Saturday. The train is long and crossed the bridge slower than the tourist train, but its definitely him, theres a lot of police presence, an unidentified source told NK News. Windows on the train were blacked out, the source said, with only headlights turned on as it crossed. Skipping Beijing The train usually takes 13 hours to reach Beijing, but there were no signs of heightened security around the railway station on Sunday, indicating the train likely bypassed the Chinese capital on the nearly 4,000-kilometre (2,500-mile) journey to Vietnam. Several sources said Kim was expected to arrive in Vietnam by train, stopping at the Dong Dang station near the China border, then driving to Hanoi. Soldiers were deployed to Dong Dang station and along the road to the capital, according to AFP reporters at the scene. Vietnam previously announced the unprecedented move of closing that 170-kilometre stretch of road on Tuesday between 6:00 am and 2:00 pm -- suggesting Kim could travel along it between those hours. An AFP reporter on Sunday saw Vietnamese military personnel sweeping for mines along the road. As Kim travelled, delegations prepared for the summit, with Pyongyangs special representative for the US, Kim Hyok Chol, appearing at a Hanoi hotel on Sunday afternoon for talks with his US counterpart Stephen Biegun, Yonhap reported. A North Korean cargo plane landed in Hanoi earlier yesterday, carrying members of the Pyongyang delegation, photographs in the Vietnamese press showed. A passenger suspected of attempting to hijack a flight from Bangladesh to Dubai has been shot dead by Bangladeshi special forces, local media report. The suspect, who reportedly warned he had a pistol, was killed when security forces stormed the plane after it made an emergency landing in Chittagong. All 148 passengers and crew on board the Biman Bangladesh Airlines Flight BG147 disembarked safely. It is not yet clear why the suspect may have attempted to hijack the plane. Army officials said the man, believed to be aged 25, was initially wounded when shots were fired on Sunday but died shortly afterwards, AFP news agency reports. We tried to arrest him or get him to surrender but he refused and then we shot him, Maj Gen Motiur Rahman told reporters. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi made a strong appeal for a joint strategy against terrorism as he opened a landmark Arab-European summit yesterday. Mr El Sisi also called for a framework allowing organised and safe migration to Europe, for the benefit of both regions. We need a joint vision to deal with the dangers since it is clear that its difficult to do so unilaterally, he told the leaders of Arab League and EU states gathered at the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh for the two-day meeting. Mr El Sisi, who has invested significant time and effort since taking office in 2014 to cultivate close economic and security ties with Europe, said the summit was proof that what brings the two regions together outweighs what separates them. The unprecedented, 50-nation meeting is the fruition of more than a decade of talks between representatives of the Cairo-based League and the EU, with the first round taking place in 2008. His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa is attending the summit along with the delegation from the Kingdom. The Saudi delegation is led by King Salman, while the UAEs representatives are led by Shaikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah. Representatives from the EU side include European Council President Donald Tusk, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and heads of government from Germany, Britain and Italy, among others. Mr El Sisi said the two regions must agree on a joint strategy to counter terrorism, warning that anything short of that was destined to fail. Regrettably, terrorism has become a tool used by some nations to create chaos in their neighbours to gain a stature that comes at their expense, he said, in a thinly veiled reference to Qatar and Turkey, which have long been accused of supporting extremists. Mr El Sisi said failure to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict would also have bad ramifications for both regions. He said settling that conflict would deny the forces of extremism and terrorism the chance to recruit youths raised amid strife and violence. The Moroccan inmate who was claimed to have passed away in prison due to alleged mistreatment died at the hospital due to kidney disease and other health complications, it was officially confirmed yesterday. The inmates death has been making the rounds online during the past few days, as a video of a televised interview with his mother posted on social media networks, claimed that her son died as a result of mistreatment and abuse he received from other inmates and some guards at the Reformation and Rehabilitation Centre in Jau. Interior Ministry issued a statement yesterday denying the claims posted online and clarifying that the inmate died at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) because of pain in the kidney and severe anaemia. Reformation and Rehabilitation Director-General offered on Sunday condolences to the family of deceased Moroccan inmate, Najeeb Mahfouz Ibn Al Sharqi. He was serving a 15-year sentence for raping a female, forced robbery and physical assault with another convict on November 10, 2013, the statement read. The official confirmed in the statement that the deceased was brought to the Reformation and Rehabilitation Centre on June 2, 2014, and that he was asked back then, in the presence of the representative of the Moroccan Embassy, if he wanted to be transferred to Morocco to serve his sentence there, but he refused. The Director-General further explained: His mother filed a complaint at the centre about maltreatment her son received from some inmates. The department reacted by shifting him to another building. The inmate was referred to SMC on February 17, 2019, because of pain in the kidneys and severe anaemia. The department was informed about his death on February 21, 2019, the official added, while calling upon the press and the social media to follow professionalism in publishing news and seek information from reliable sources. A suspect, who claimed to be a wealth manager, and allegedly took money from many to invest in various schemes, faces trial for unlawfully receiving money. Judges will hear the case on March 10, 2019. Muharraq Chief Prosecutor Aamer Al Aamer yesterday confirmed that the suspect was interrogated by the Public Prosecution. He is accused of receiving amounts of money from victims with the intention of investing, managing and utilising it without obtaining the necessary permission from the Central Bank of Bahrain to do so. Mr Al Aamer explained in a statement issued yesterday that the case was initiated when the Anti-corruption, Economic and Electronic Crimes Directorate in the Criminal Investigation Department, received a tip-off about the suspects activities. The Chief Prosecutor said that the accused deluded people by promising that he would invest their money with foreign stocks and return them profits from time to time, but never fulfilled his promises. According to Mr Al Aamer, the investigations of the directorate found that the suspect deployed illegal fraudulent methods for collecting money from people as he was not having a licence from the CBB. He also issued them cheques without having enough balance in the bank account. During the interrogation, it is learnt that the suspect confessed to committing the crime. He stated that he took money from others with the intention of investing it without obtaining the necessary licence from the authorities concerned. The Public Prosecution has ordered to detain the suspect and refer him to trial before the First High Criminal Court. The Shura Council expressed tremendous pride on the occasion of the participation of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in the first Arab-European Summit held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. The summit aims to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs), and boost the progress and prosperity of all countries, hence Bahrains keenness on opening cooperation and setting Arab and European strategies to surmount all the challenges, said the council. The Shura Council affirmed that the first Arab-European Summit is held at a time all countries are collectively partnering to combat the terrorism threat working to dry up its resources, and find solutions to the issue of illegal migration. The council praised the participating countries keenness to boost the cooperation and create more Arab and European partnerships regarding all the issues of shared concern. The council hoped that the outcomes and recommendations of the summit will further consolidate the security, stability and peace in the countries and will serve as the catalyst for progress and growth to achieve more prosperity in the various fields. 2019-02-25 19:31:54 Explanation: What are those red filaments in the sky? It is a rarely seen form of lightning confirmed only about 30 years ago: red sprites. Recent research has shown that following a powerful positive cloud-to-ground lightning strike, red sprites may start as 100-meter balls of ionized air that shoot down from about 80-km high at 10 percent the speed of light and are quickly followed by a group of upward streaking ionized balls. The featured image, taken just over a week ago in Kununurra, Western Australia, captured some red sprites while shooting a time-lapse sequence of a distant lightning storm. Pictured, green trees cover the foreground, dark mountains are seen on the horizon, ominous storm clouds hover over the distant land, while red sprites appear in front of stars far in the distance. Red sprites take only a fraction of a second to occur and are best seen when powerful thunderstorms are visible from the side. via olalathos 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. PYONGYANG, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), left here Saturday afternoon by train for Vietnamese capital Hanoi for the second DPRK-U.S. summit, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Sunday. Kim will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump there on Feb. 27-28. Their first meeting was held in June 2018 in Singapore, which resulted in improved bilateral relations. Kim will pay an official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong before his meeting with Trump. Kim was accompanied by Kim Yong Chol, Ri Su Yong, Kim Phyong Hae and O Su Yong, members of the Political Bureau and vice-chairmen of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), Ri Yong Ho, member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and foreign minister, No Kwang Chol, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and minister of the People's Armed Forces, among others, said the KCNA. Kim was seen off at Pyongyang Railway Station by Kim Yong Nam, Choe Ryong Hae and Pak Pong Ju, members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK, and other senior officials of the party, government and armed forces, said the KCNA. Let us know what you're seeing and hearing around the community. Submit here (Newser) President Trump announced Monday that American citizen Danny Burch has been freed after 18 months of captivity in Yemen in what the State Department suggested was a rescue operation. In a statement, Trump thanked the United Arab Emirates for its role in reuniting Burch with his family, the AP reports. "Danny's recovery reflects the best of what the United States and its partners can accomplish," Trump said. He said freeing Americans held overseas "is a priority of my administration" and added that 20 American captives have been released since his victory in the 2016 presidential election. "We maintain constant and intensive diplomatic, intelligence, and law enforcement cooperation within the United States government and with our foreign partners," Trump said, in a statement that was echoed by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. story continues below Pompeo thanked the Emiratis, Robert O'Brien, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the FBI's Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell for working to free Burch. "Today, he is safe and secure, and is reunited with his wife and children," Pompeo said. The White House did not provide additional details on Burch's case, citing privacy concerns. However Pompeo's statement was titled "On the Rescue of Danny Burch from Captivity." Yemen has been riven by a deadly civil war since 2015 and Burch's abduction had been blamed on Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. Burch, who is from eastern Texas and is married to a Yemeni national, had lived in the country for years working for an oil company. He was reportedly kidnapped by the rebels in Sept. 2017. (More on the kidnapping here.) (Newser) Investigators have revealed details equally sad and chilling in the Feb. 18 murder of three young girls by their mother near Grand Rapids, Michigan. Aubrianne Moore picked up the girls from school on the pretext of a doctor's appointment, took them out to lunch, and then shot them, police tell Fox 17. Authorities say Moore led the girls to a wooded area one at a time and killed them with a rifle. The girls were identified as Kyrie Rodery, 8, Cassidy Rodery, 6, and Alaina Rau, 2. Moore, who had a history of mental illness, then drove the girls' bodies to her boyfriend's home, where she fatally shot herself outside the vehicle. Last year, she had been diagnosed with "unspecified schizophrenia." story continues below I believe the individual has mental illness and as a result of that mental illness the individual can reasonably be expected within the near future to intentionally or unintentionally seriously physically injure self or others, a social worker wrote in September in a bid to have Moore committed, per WLNS. Moore did spend some time in a hospital last year, but it's unclear whether she received proper follow-up care upon her release. Her recent social media posts suggested she thought the girls were in danger, and investigators think that's why she might have killed them. Im guessing from what happened that she probably wasnt taking her medication," says the father of the older two girls. (A Coast Guard officer killed his wife and two young children in December.) (Newser) Will residents of the UK get a do-over on Brexit? The answer is still not crystal clear, but the possibility is more real than ever thanks to a concession made Monday by Britain's opposition Labour Party. Its leader said the party would back a second referendum related to leaving the European Union, reports the Guardian. Without Labour's backing, no such referendum would be possible, and the clock is ticking toward the March 29 deadline when Brexit is supposed to take place. The one caveat: Labour isn't saying precisely what the second referendum would stipulate, notes the BBC. Still, this development is "highly significant," says the BBC's Vicky Young. story continues below Prime Minister Theresa May has been trying unsuccessfully to negotiate the terms of Brexit, following the rejection of her first proposal. That is raising the possibility that the UK might leave the EU with no plan at all in place, and Labour says that would be too chaotic. One way or another, we will do everything in our power to prevent no deal and oppose a damaging Tory Brexit based on Theresa Mays overwhelmingly rejected deal, says Labour's Jeremy Corbyn. The first step? Labour will propose its own conditions for an exit this week. If they are rejected, the second referendum would be proposed. Asked to clarify Corbyn's statement on what the second referendum would say, a spokesman essentially repeated his words: "We've just said we'd back a public vote to prevent a damaging Tory Brexit." (Read more Brexit stories.) (Newser) President Trump departed on Air Force One Monday for Vietnam and his second face-to-face summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un. The meetings take place in Hanoi Wednesday and Thursday, and expectations are low in terms of major breakthroughs on the big issue of denuclearization. However, most of the advance coverage emphasizes that both leaders are known for their unpredictability. Details: End to war? South Korea is floating the possibility that Trump and Kim will agree to a formal end to the Korean War, reports the New York Times. We still dont know exactly what format the end-of-war declaration will take," says a spokesperson for South Korean President Moon Jae-in, "but there is an ample possibility of North Korea and the United States agreeing to such a declaration. South Korea is floating the possibility that Trump and Kim will agree to a formal end to the Korean War, reports the New York Times. We still dont know exactly what format the end-of-war declaration will take," says a spokesperson for South Korean President Moon Jae-in, "but there is an ample possibility of North Korea and the United States agreeing to such a declaration. No fun: Vietnam has deported a Kim lookalike, reports AFP. The Hong Kong man known as Howard X has been making the rounds of Hanoi this week with a Trump lookalike from Canada named Russell White. White can stay, but he has to stop making public appearances as Trump. story continues below Personal touch: A Washington Post analysis notes that Trump has made much of his personal rapport with Kim, and that's a big reason for the face-to-face summit. From the story: "Since their historic first meeting in Singapore last June, the two leaders have each adopted a strategy of playing to the others ego with gushing and gratuitous adoration in pursuit of their aims: For Trump, North Koreas denuclearization; for Kim, its economic revival and respect on the world stage." A Washington Post analysis notes that Trump has made much of his personal rapport with Kim, and that's a big reason for the face-to-face summit. From the story: "Since their historic first meeting in Singapore last June, the two leaders have each adopted a strategy of playing to the others ego with gushing and gratuitous adoration in pursuit of their aims: For Trump, North Koreas denuclearization; for Kim, its economic revival and respect on the world stage." Diplomats' fear: NBC News runs through some of the incentives Trump could offer Kim: low-level diplomatic relations, the aforementioned end to the war, or even the withdrawal of US troops, though the latter is seen as unlikely. One of the worst possible outcomes is (Trump) makes some crazy deal pledging to withdraw US troops for a vague promise of denuclearization, says a former senior US official. More likely are incremental agreements toward denuclearization. NBC News runs through some of the incentives Trump could offer Kim: low-level diplomatic relations, the aforementioned end to the war, or even the withdrawal of US troops, though the latter is seen as unlikely. One of the worst possible outcomes is (Trump) makes some crazy deal pledging to withdraw US troops for a vague promise of denuclearization, says a former senior US official. More likely are incremental agreements toward denuclearization. A big question: Satellite photos suggest North Korea's main nuclear reactor at Yongbyon is operating as usual, reports NPR. That might seem to fly in the face of the North's stated commitment after the first summit to move toward "complete denuclearization," though Kim has kept any promises on the subject vague. The Yongbyon reactor can make weapons-grade plutonium, and only ground inspections would be able verify what's happening there. That's another area of possible compromise in the talks. Satellite photos suggest North Korea's main nuclear reactor at Yongbyon is operating as usual, reports NPR. That might seem to fly in the face of the North's stated commitment after the first summit to move toward "complete denuclearization," though Kim has kept any promises on the subject vague. The Yongbyon reactor can make weapons-grade plutonium, and only ground inspections would be able verify what's happening there. That's another area of possible compromise in the talks. Upstaged? CNN reports that Michael Cohen's testimony on Wednesday before the House Oversight Committee threatens to overshadow the president's trip. Cohen is expected to testify about the tactics of the Trump campaign and the Trump Foundation, and Democrats are eager to make the most of the Cohen's turn in the spotlight. (Read more Kim Jong Un stories.) (Newser) General Electric is selling its biopharma business to Danaher Corp. for $21.4 billion as it continues to sell off chunks of a once sprawling conglomerate, per the AP. The biopharma unit, part of GE Life Sciences, generated revenue of about $3 billion last year. In fact, the Wall Street Journal reports it has been one of GE's fastest-growing businesses. GE has shrunk considerably since becoming entangled in the financial crisis a decade ago and is seeking to divest even more of its businesses. Last fall, GE sold part of its Healthcare Equipment Finance business to TIAA Bank and agreed to sell its Current lighting division to American Industrial Partners, a private equity firm. story continues below In October, the company slashed its quarterly dividend and announced it was restructuring its power business shortly after ousting CEO John Flannery, who lasted only about a year in the job. New CEO Larry Culp says GE needed to simplify its business structure even more. GE said this month that it would downsize its world headquarters in Boston and return $87 million in incentives it received from Massachusetts for moving from Connecticut three years ago. Danaher, a medical technology company based in DC, said GE's biopharma segment will operate as a separate company within Danaher's $6.5 billion Life Sciences division. (Read more General Electric stories.) (Newser) It wasn't your typical ride to jail. A Florida police officer has been suspended without pay for 20 days over the sexual activity that happened in the back seat of his patrol car on July 14, among other violations. Officer Doug McNeal with the Fort Pierce Police Department responded to a shoplifting call at Walmart and took Zachery Moellendick, 23, and Krista Leigh, 24, into custody. An internal affairs report released Friday found McNeal didn't adhere to procedure from the get-go: Moellendick, who the Washington Post notes was on crutches, wasn't handcuffed, and neither he nor Leigh were wearing seat belts. While en route to the St. Lucie County Jail, "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars and "Can't Get Enough Of Your Love" by Barry White played on the car stereo, reports TCPalm, and the latter song's words apparently rang true. story continues below Per the report, video footage shows the couple "holding each other, cuddling, and kissing." When the car arrives at the jail, McNeal parks the car and finishes paperwork with the two still in the backseat. He allows Leigh to smoke a cigarette Moellendick had behind his ear in the car in violation of policy. The report then states that "due to Leigh and Moellendick's body posture and arm movements, it is apparent Moellendick and Leigh [are] sexually pleasuring each other with their hands. This continues for approximately six minutes." The report quotes McNeal as saying he was "fine" with the kissing but didn't see the sexual activity progress beyond that. (Read more strange stuff stories.) (Newser) A scary scene unfolded for a KPIX 5 news crew on Sunday, ending in a robbery and the shooting of their security guard. Per CBS News and CBS San Francisco, reporter Joe Vazquez and cameraman John Anglin were in Oakland to cover the teachers strike there, and as they geared up for an interview at a local library around 5pm, a car suddenly pulled up. Two people emerged; one pulled a gun and insisted the men hand their camera over. They did, but then gunfire erupted between one of the suspects and the news crew's guard. The guard was shot in the upper leg, and he can be seen on the ground right after the shooting via a video Vazquez posted on Twitter. The guard, identified by the AP as retired Berkeley cop Matt Meredith, apparently didn't suffer life-threatening injuries and is listed in stable condition at a local hospital. story continues below The AP adds that guards are often hired to protect news crews, as these types of assaults are fairly common in the Bay Area. In his tweets, Vazquez laid out the incident, noting that as he and Anglin took cover in their van after giving up their camera, they heard "a flurry of loud gunshots" and saw that Meredith had been hit. Cops pursued a Lexus nearly two hours later, with alleged video of the chase circulating online. The driver ended up crashing and in police custody. Meanwhile, a 21-year-old male showed up at Highland Hospital about 15 minutes after the shooting to seek treatment for gunshot wounds. Cops detained him in connection with the security guard shooting. An Oakland PD rep says "several other individuals" have also been detained, per CBS San Francisco. Anglin's camera was also recovered. (Read more San Francisco stories.) BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will create unprecedented opportunities for a wide range of sectors that companies should not miss, according to global consultancy KPMG. The size, economic potential and interconnectivity of the area will create opportunities for sectors including infrastructure, financial services, capital markets and technology, KPMG said in a newsletter. To fully take advantage of these opportunities, enterprises should carefully assess the potential impacts of the Greater Bay Area integration and develop comprehensive business policies based on the connectivity of the area and flows of goods, talent and resources within it. "The Greater Bay Area is an opportunity not to be missed by enterprises seeking penetration into the Chinese market or to having establishments here," the firm said. China has unveiled the outline development plan for the Greater Bay Area, aiming to build it into a role model of high-quality development, an international first-class bay area and a world-class city cluster. The bay area consists of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region and nine cities in Guangdong Province, with a combined population of about 70 million at the end of 2017 and a gross domestic product of about 10 trillion yuan (1.48 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2017. The influence of the Greater Bay Area may extend beyond the Pearl River Delta to cover its neighboring provincial-level areas including Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangxi, Hainan, Guizhou and Yunnan, KPMG said, adding that the area will act as a catalyst to further drive opening-up of China's economy and development of the Belt and Road Initiative. (Newser) The city of Simi Valley, Calif., has reached a $21 million settlement with a man wrongly imprisoned for nearly 40 years in the killing of his girlfriend and her 4-year-old son, the AP reports. Craig Coley, now 71, was released in 2017 after he was pardoned by then-Gov. Jerry Brown, who said DNA evidence and re-investigation proved Coley's innocence. Simi Valley officials said Saturday that the agreement would mitigate long, costly, and unnecessary legal proceedings, the Los Angeles Times reported. "While no amount of money can make up for what happened to Mr. Coley, settling this case is the right thing to do for Mr. Coley and our community," City Manager Eric Levitt said in a statement. The city will pay about $4.9 million and the rest is expected to be paid by insurance and other sources. story continues below Coley spent 39 years behind bars after he was wrongly convicted of killing 24-year-old Rhonda Wicht of Simi Valley and her son in 1978. The city's police chief and Ventura County's district attorney asked Brown to pardon him because forensic tests showed Coley's DNA was not on the victim's bedsheet, which contained DNA from an unknown man. Coley had an alibi for the time of the slayings and investigators later disproved testimony from an eyewitness who placed him at the scene. His parents died while he was in prison after mortgaging their home to pay his legal bills. Soon after Coley was pardoned, a judge declared him factually innocent. Simi Valley police have not arrested anyone else in the killings. The state last year approved a separate, nearly $2 million payment for Coley. (They said he killed his lover in 1998. They got it wrong.) (Newser) Marco Rubio is known for his biblically themed tweets, but a different sort of post made waves over the weekend. On Sunday, the Florida senator sent out side-by-side photos of Moammar Gadhafione showing the late Libyan dictator in his prime, the second showing him bloodied and roughed up, right before he was murdered by rebels in October 2011. Although Rubio's tweet came with no accompanying caption, the Daily Beast reports it was widely interpreted as a warning shot fired at Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, based on Rubio's publicly known stance on Venezuela and his recent tweets on the subject. Rubio is vocally anti-Maduro and in support of opposition leader Juan Guaido, and though he hasn't come out and said so directly, his tweet seems to hint at US military intervention in beleaguered Venezuela, much as the West poked its way into Libya before Gadhafi's death. story continues below The Independent notes that the day before Sunday's cryptic tweet, Rubio voiced a similarly ominous warning, tweeting that "it is now clear that the grave crimes committed today by the Maduro regime have opened the door to various potential multilateral actions not on the table just 24 hours ago." At least four people have died along Venezuela's border with Brazil after confrontations with pro-government militias, while hundreds have been injured along the country's border with Colombia, per the Washington Post. Slate rounds up posts calling Rubio's tweet "remarkably stupid" and "not the way to defeat Maduro," noting that Rubio handed Maduro a "propaganda victory" and a "gift" with his post, as now Maduro "has something else he can point to as evidence of his claim that he is the victim of a US-sponsored coup." (Rubio went after celebrity chef Salt Bae for hosting Maduro.) (Newser) A French family arrived in Costa Rica last Monday and put an end to Costa Rica's measles-free status: No citizen there has contracted the disease since 2006, and the last time a foreigner brought it to the country was in 2014. The Independent reports that a 5-year-old boy was taken to a doctor due to a rash; it turns out children at his school have been diagnosed with measles and that he hadn't been vaccinated against it. The Costa Rica Star reports he tested positive for measles and is currently being quarantined at a hospital in Puntarenas. Officials are working to determine who may have been in contact with the child during his flight and as the family traveled in San Jose and Santa Teresa; an infected person is generally contagious for about eight days. story continues below The World Health Organization named "vaccine hesitancy" as among the top 10 global health threats this year, and its measles stats aren't encouraging: Cases were up 30% between 2016 and 2017; in that latter year, there were 110,000 measles deaths. The WHO is currently tracking an outbreak in Madagascar that has caused an estimated 900 deaths among the 68,000 cases that have occurred since September, reports the AP. The vaccination rate there is thought to be around 60%. In the Philippines, 136 people have died in a measles outbreak, reports the AP. USA Today notes that the CDC says the vaccine is 97% effective. (See the WHO's nine other top threats.) (Newser) A drone being used in the search for a missing dog ran into trouble Saturday in the form of a bullet. Police say Gerard Chasteen, 26, of Long Island, fired three shots from his yard to bring down the device as it was flying over his house. Missing Angels-Long Island had been using it to look for a dog that had jumped a fence at her new home soon after being adopted; members of the group tracked it down after it stopped working. Chasteen was arrested and charged with third-degree criminal mischief and prohibited use of a weapon, NBC New York reports. As for the pup, she was found Sunday, CBS New York reports. Missing Angels says Chasteen's family apologized and said Chasteen didn't realize the drone was looking for a dog. "I think he felt threatened," says the dog's former foster dad. (Read more weird crimes stories.) (Newser) The headline reads "Target Practice," and the photo shows Nancy Pelosi, Gabrielle Giffords, and others. They appeared as part of an article in the March issue of the NRA's monthly magazine, American Rifleman, and the backlash has been fierce, the New York Times reports. The article is about proposed background check legislation; its subtitle reads, in part, "Congressional Democrats target gun owners for persecution." Giffords, of course, was catastrophically injured in a 2011 shooting that left six dead. Multiple critics have accused the article of being an incitement to violence, though those on the other side accused their critics of cultivating a divisive "outrage culture." story continues below Pelosi herself has not commented, but her daughter tweeted that the article amounted to "hate speech," Huffington Post reports. The Hill notes Pelosi was one of the alleged targets of a Coast Guard officer arrested this month and accused of plotting an attack. The executive director of Giffords, a gun violence prevention group named for Gabrielle Giffords, also spoke out: "Evoking threats of violence should never be tolerated. Words matter. This headline should tell us all we need to know about how wildly out of touch the NRA is with its own members and how low they will stoop to advance their damaging agenda at the expense of our safety." (Trump confidant Roger Stone was accused of putting a picture of a judge near crosshairs of a gun.) (Newser) Politics wasn't a high priority at the Oscars Sunday night, but one particular topic appeared to be broached more than once: the proposed border wall with Mexico. Comedian Maya Rudolph first touched on it in the opening monologue she did with Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, informing the audience, "Just a quick update, in case you're confused, there is no host tonight, no popular Oscar category and Mexico is not paying for the wall," per the The Hollywood Reporter. Actor Javier Bardem then cited the wallor, rather, walls in generalas he presented the award for best foreign language film with Angela Bassett. story continues below "Tonight we celebrate the excellence and importance of the cultures and languages of different countries," he said, per the Hill. "There are no borders or walls that can restrain ingenuity and talent." Meanwhile, in an intro for Roma, one of the nominees for best picture, chef Jose Andres didn't reference the wall directly, but instead simply said, per THR: "This beautiful, intimate film, one that gives a voice to the voiceless, reminds us of the understanding and compassion that we all owe to the invisible people in our lives: immigrants and women, who move humanity forward." (Read more Oscars stories.) 'Now It's All Over,' Said Her Mom. But the Teen Survived 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. BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese tech giant Xiaomi on Sunday unveiled its smartphone with a 5G modem at a press conference here on the eve of the Mobile World Congress (MWC2019). With a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 system and Qualcomm's X50 5G modem, the new model Mi Mix 3 will be sold at 449 euros (around 510 U.S. dollars) and will be available from May in two colors "Onyx Black and Sapphire Blue", Xiaomi announced at the press conference. It also has a sliding front facing camera, as well as two cameras on the back, which allow users to shoot slow motion video at 960 frames per second. During the presentation, Xiaomi's Director of Product Management Donovan Sung used the device for a video call with one of the company's Spanish partners, Orange Spain, in what was the first ever video call made publically using a Xiaomi 5G device. Qualcomm President Cristiano Amon delivered a speech at the event, in which he insisted that 5G networks, were no longer the future but the present of mobile communications. "5G is here. Not in 2020, not in late 2020, it's here right now in 2019. 2019 is the year of 5G," he claimed, hinting that the launch of 5G devices will be quickly followed by the rollout of commercial 5G services by the second half of 2019. "5G will improve substantially how we think about our phones. Everything will get better," said Amon, adding that the power of the cloud for every app and service will thus be unleashed. Sunday's event also saw the launch of another Xiaomi product, the Mi LED Smart Bulb, which is a connected light bulb that allows users to control light color and brightness from their phones. Xiaomi now has around 2,000 branded products and 224 million clients with its products available in many Asian markets and some European markets, such as Spain, Britain, France and Italy, according to Xiaomi. The Mobile World Congress (MWC2019) will open in Barcelona on Monday, with around 110,000 visitors being expected. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 69F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 69F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Support local journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. V. R. The West might learn from the East to recapture a sense of tradition, and stop getting tripped up in its own cliches. Liturgy should avoid repetition? Repetition is of the essence of ritual behavior. Liturgy should offer variety? Too much variety is the enemy of popular participation. Liturgy should be creative? But whose creativity? It is presumptuous of those who have never manifested the least creativity in any other aspect of their lives to think they are Beethoven and Shakespeare when it comes to liturgy. [2] Visit www.peterkwasniewski.com for information, articles, sacred music, and Os Justi Press. On Thursday, February 14, I gave a lecture at St Marys parish, Norwalk, Connecticut, on Poets, Lovers, Children, Madmenand Worshipers: Why We Repeat Ourselves in the Liturgy. (The full text of the lecture may be found here .)Ever since I first read the words of34 about how useless repetitions () needed to be removed from the traditional Roman liturgy, I have been on the lookout for instances of repetition as I pray the old Divine Office or to be more precise, the monastic office as it stood in the 1940s and as I attend Mass in theand receive or observe other sacraments in the older use. After over twenty years of observation and reflection, I have still not been able to find a single example of aYes, yes, I know the examples that people like to toss out, and in my foolish youth, I would do the same thing. It sounds sophisticated to be able to criticize liturgical practices that have endured for centuries: You know, those poor Catholics werethat they just kept these irrational customs in place, even though we now see clearly that they make no sense. Far better to streamline the rite, make it more logical.That juvenile point of view was replaced by a growing appreciation for the subtlety of the elements of the liturgy, small and large even those that seem to have come about by accident. As Padre Pio once said: With God, theres no such thing as chance. Such appreciation requires both the patience to await meaning and the imagination to see it, neither of which seem to be widespread in our times.After the hour of Prime [1] the Martyrology is read, and then prayers before the days work. These prayers commence with a triple Deus, in adjutorium meum intende.Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina, followed by a Gloria Patri, a Kyrie/Christe/Kyrie, a Pater Noster, versicles, another Gloria Patri, and an oration.There is a lot of repetition here. I have no elaborate rationale to offer, but my experience, having prayed it for a long time, is that this arrangement has a steadying effect and is well suited to begging Gods help at the start of the day's work. The one whoasks for what he needs more than once, indeed insistently. This is the origin of the Jesus Prayer and of every litany that has ever existed. Praying the Lords Prayer a second time, only a few moments after having said it at the end of Prime, typically alerts me to the fact that I hadprayed it the first time with due attention, which prompts me to make my second go at it more earnest. The same is true of the doxology: resisting the temptation to rush through it, one enters more deeply into the origin and goal of all of our actions, the supreme actuality of the Blessed Trinity.A second example, and one of the most familiar: the Benedicite . Talk about a repetitious prayer! But once one is familiar with it and realizes that we are standing in for the whole of creation, transforming its mute necessities into voluntary praise, there is a special privilege in uttering the verses and a comfort in their lilting succession, like the rolling of waves: Benedicite omnia opera Domini, Domino: laudate et superexaltate eum in saecula. Benedicite, Angeli Domini, Domino: benedicite caeli, Domino.The interruptions of the pattern prompt a reawakening of attention. After saying Benedicite 17 times, we say: Benedicat terra Dominum. After 8 more iterations of Benedicite, we say: Benedicat Israel Dominum. Then Benedicite is said 5 more times, until we reach Benedicamus Patrem et Filium cum Sancto Spiritu and Benedictus es, Domine. 30 times we say Bless as an imperative; 3 times we say Let this or that bless in the subjunctive; and 1 time we say Blessed art Thou in the indicative. A pronounced Trinitarian and Christological numerology undergirds this hymn, which is placed on our lips as a kind of litany of blessing admirably suited to Sundays and Holy Days.A third example, also from Lauds, is the daily repetition of Psalms 148 to 150, which was done by everyone in the West for at least 15 centuries but now remains alive only among the monks and nuns who retain their ancientThis trio of psalms puts on our lips some form ofor23 times, giving Lauds its very name, and emphatically stamping it the principal office of pure praise in the Church. There is something captivatingly beautiful in a prayer that has no obvious use value, one that is not directed to obtaining a benefit or ridding oneself of an evil. The gratuitous repetition, as one might call it, both symbolizes that for-itselfness and serves as a vehicle for inculcating it in us impatient beings who are too often preoccupied with ulterior motives.A fourth example is the refrainrepeated 27 times in the recitation or chanting of Psalm 135. A psalm praising the eternity of Gods mercy distantly echoes eternity in its unchanging refrain, like an anchor holding a ship in place, despite the churning waves. It may be hard at times to keep our minds from wandering as we repeat the phrase, but obviously the divine Teacher designed this psalm, as He did all the others down to their last letter, with the spiritual needs of each and every disciple in view.A final example, and of a rather different character, is the indirect repetitiousness found in Psalm 118, recited daily in the Roman Breviary and once a week in the monastic (namely, divided over the little hours of Sunday and Monday). It takes no great intimacy with Psalm 118 to see that it is conceptually highly repetitive, weaving as many variations with law, testimonies, commandments, statutes, precepts, judgments, justifications, and sayings as the psalmist can devise. The Church puts this psalm consistently before us in order to fix our meandering minds and rebellious hearts on the unchanging law of the Lord, which is ultimately His eternal law, His very self, His mercy expressed to us as a rule of life in which we will find life. The layout of the psalm implies that in all the variety we see, in all the vicissitudes we suffer, and even in the seeming pointlessness of the neverending cycle to which Ecclesiastes bears witness, there is a single order of wisdom, a single manifestation of the mystery of Gods love.So far I have spoken only ofrepetition, but a thorough treatment of our subject would have to include repetitions and seeming redundancies in personnel, ceremonial, gestures, and chant.Some of these elements of repetition in the Divine Office were retained in St. Pius Xs breviary and later on in Paul VIs Liturgy of the Hours, but sadly, many of them were lessened or abandoned. As the Mass was simplified by the reformers to make it briefer and self-explanatory, transparent and accessible, so too was the Office simplified and abbreviated for busy clergy and this, in spite of the fact that a majority of the Council Fathers, judging from their speeches in the aula, supported neither major changes in the Mass nor a major reduction of the breviary.Nevertheless, after decades of the new liturgy running alongside the somewhat unexpected survival of the old, it has been possible not only to conceptualize but tohow the trend toward simplification, the abandonment of formalities, and the rude dismissal of aesthetic principles has brought about a damping of spiritual impact and a lessening of spiritual discipline Even the late Fr. Robert Taft, outspokenly anti-Tridentine though he was, admitted this point:What he failed to note, however, is that the liturgy as it came down to us isthe equivalent, albeit on a far greater scale, of a symphony by Beethoven or a romance by Shakespeare. Like the cycles of medieval mystery plays, traditional Catholic worship has a depth, variety, color, and subtlety that defies simple explanation and resists simplification. Patterns of intelligent repetition are one of its most common and effective means for achieving a formal expression of earnestness and a mounting intensification of desire.Whether, in practice, repetition always retains this value is a subject for the examination of conscience , but it is surely not difficult to see why it is a feature of every historic Christian liturgy, indeed of every religion known to man. From this perspective, the rather ruthless purge of repetitions from the Divine Office, the Mass, and many other rites is yet another angle from which to demonstrate the essentially unhistorical, unliturgical, and irreligious drive behind the liturgical reforms of the last century.NOTES[1] It may be noted in passing that the suppression of the very ancient office of Prime, in and of itself, is sufficient to prompt serious doubts about the entire campaign of revision announced inand allows us to bury once and for all the lie that the liturgical reform was about restoring ancient worship. See Wolfram Schrems, The Councils Constitution on the Liturgy: Reform or revolution? , published online at Rorate Caeli on May 3, 2018.[2] Return to Our Roots: Recovering Western Liturgical Traditions, published online atMay 26, 2008. LONDON, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The vote by British lawmakers on the Brexit deal will be postponed again by March 12, Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed on Sunday. Speaking to reporters on the plane to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt for the European Union (EU)-Arab League (AL) summit on Sunday, May ruled out bringing the Brexit deal to Commons this week, local media said. May was quoted by the Guardian as saying: "My team will be back in Brussels on Tuesday. As a result of that, we won't bring a meaningful vote to parliament this week, but we will ensure that that happens by 12 March. But it's still within our grasp to leave the EU by March 29 and that is what we are planning to do." Her decision will come as a blow to opponents who planned to use this week's vote in the House of Commons to push for a delay to Britain's departure from the EU, or for a so-called People's Vote on her deal with Brussels. Although the EU-AL summit is not scheduled to discuss Brexit, May said she would take the opportunity to meet with leaders of EU member states in her quest to get changes to her deal. The new date for a meaningful date in the House of Commons will be just 17 days before Britain is scheduled to end its EU membership on March 29. The Guardian reported that May is expected to hold meetings with the European council president, Donald Tusk later on Sunday and Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday in Egypt. In what has been a stormy week for British politics, 11 MPs, three Conservatives and seven from the main opposition Labour Party, have left their parties and formed an Independent Group of MPs in the House of Commons. Meanwhile in the latest development, three of her senior front bench ministers Amber Rudd, Greg Clark and David Gauke told the Daily Mail newspaper, they would support moves to extend Article 50, the mechanism that laid down Britain's departure date as March 29. They said their move was to avoid a "disastrous" no deal Brexit, unless a deal with Brussels is agreed within the next few days. Keir Starmer, Brexit spokesman for the main opposition Labour Party, attacked May's decision to delay the vote. He said in London: "This decision to further delay the meaningful vote is the height of irresponsibility and an admission of failure. "Theresa May is recklessly running down the clock in a desperate attempt to force MPs to choose between her deal and no deal. Parliament cannot stand by and allow this to happen." By Associated Press SHARM EL-SHEIKH: After nearly two years of bitter talks on the departure of Britain from the European Union, there's now even disagreement between the two on when Brexit should actually take place. While EU Council President Donald Tusk said Monday that it would be "rational" for the March 29 Brexit date to be extended, British Prime Minister Theresa May reiterated her opposition to any delay. Tusk warned that the chances of a withdrawal agreement being concluded in time are receding, and with businesses fearing a chaotic and costly cliff-edge departure, sticking by the planned Brexit date would be too risky. ALSO READ | Anger as Theresa May asks for yet more time to amend Brexit deal "I believe that in the situation we are in, an extension would be a rational solution," Tusk told reporters at an EU-Arab League summit in Egypt, acknowledging that he and British Prime Minister Theresa May had discussed prolonging the negotiations. He said "all the 27 (member states) will show maximum understanding and goodwill" to make possible such a postponement a decision that would require a unanimous vote from them. May insisted she could deliver on the set date, however massive the challenge. "It is within our grasp to leave with a deal on 29th of March and I think that that is where all of our energies should be focused," May said. She said that "any delay is a delay. It doesn't address the issue. It doesn't resolve the issue." May met several EU leaders separately over two days at the summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh. She held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker as she sought elusive changes to the U.K.-EU divorce agreement. And Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte warned her against "sleepwalking" into a chaotic Brexit next month and that it was time for Britain to step up and clinch a deal. "It's absolutely unacceptable. And I think your best friends have to warn you for that," Rutte told the BBC. "Wake up. This is real." Britain's Parliament has rejected the deal once, and May has over a month to get it approved by lawmakers before the U.K.'s scheduled departure day. May says a new vote won't be held this week and could come as late as March 12. U.K. lawmakers' objections to the Brexit deal center on a provision for the border between the U.K.'s Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland. The mechanism, known as the backstop, is a safeguard that would keep the U.K. in a customs union with the EU in order to remove the need for checks along the Irish border until a permanent new trading relationship is in place. May wants to change the deal to reassure British lawmakers that the backstop would only apply temporarily. But EU leaders insist that the legally binding Brexit withdrawal agreement, which took a year and a half to negotiate, can't be reopened. As the impasse drags on and the clock ticks down, Parliament is trying to wrest control of the Brexit process from May's hands in order to delay Brexit or hand the decision back to the British people. Lawmakers are due to hold a series of votes Wednesday on next steps in the Brexit process. In a significant shift, the main opposition Labour Party threw its weight Monday behind efforts to hold a new referendum on the country's EU membership. The party has previously said it would support a referendum as a last resort if it could not secure a new election or make changes to May's divorce deal. The party said leader Jeremy Corbyn planned to tell Labour lawmakers on Monday that the party is committed to "putting forward or supporting an amendment in favor of a public vote to prevent a damaging Tory Brexit being forced on the country." Another amendment this week will try to force the government to delay Brexit rather than see the country crash out of the bloc without a deal. Labour lawmaker Yvette Cooper, one of those behind the move, said it was irresponsible of the government that just a few weeks before Brexit "we still don't know what kind of Brexit we are going to have and we're not even going to have a vote on it until two weeks before that final deadline." "I don't see how businesses can plan, I don't see how public services can plan and I think it's just deeply damaging," Cooper told the BBC. By PTI DOHA: Senior Taliban leaders, including one of the group's founders, were to hold another round of talks Monday in Qatar with Washington's special peace envoy as U.S.efforts intensify to find a negotiated solution to Afghanistan's 17-year war, America's longest. The Taliban, some of whom arrived in Doha, Qatar's capital, from Pakistan the previous night, raised expectations ahead of talks with U.S.envoy Zalmay Khalilzad. "Yes, there is a possibility we will reach some results," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told The Associated Press. Leading the Taliban delegation in Doha was Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a co-founder of the movement who was released last year from a Pakistani jail where he had languished since his arrest in a joint Pakistani-CIA operation in 2010. ALSO READ | Afghan Taliban announce talks with US in Pakistan Past rounds have focused on U.S.withdrawal of troops, which has been a standing Taliban demand, and guarantees that Afghanistan will not be used again as a staging area for terror attacks on the United States. Khalilzad is expected to pressure the Taliban to hold direct talks with the government in Kabul, something the insurgents have so far refused to do. The Taliban, who had harbored al-Qaida and its leader Osama bin Laden, ruled Afghanistan before U.S.forces invaded in October 2001 following the 9/11 terrorist attack. The Taliban today have resurged, carrying out deadly near-daily attacks on Afghan army and police forces and holding sway over almost half the country. They view the US-backed government in Kabul as a dysfunctional Western puppet and have refused repeated offers to negotiate with it. However, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai recently told the AP that the Taliban would talk with Afghan government officials on condition they are part of a larger group of prominent Afghan figures meeting with the Taliban similar to the gathering held earlier this month in Moscow. Karzai attended the meeting in Russia, as did Afghan opposition figures, but no one from the Kabul government was there. Baradar's presence in Doha and his lead role in the talks with Khalilzad is considered significant because of his stature within the Taliban movement. The Taliban maintain a political office in Doha. ALSO READ | Taliban movement controls at least 50 per cent of Afghan territory: Russian ambassador Following his release, Baradar had circulated a Pashtu-language audio tape promising Taliban fighters he would have a greater presence within the movement. Since his appointment as Washington's peace envoy, Khalilzad has crisscrossed the region, meeting the Taliban on several occasions, as well as differing powerbrokers in Kabul, including Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. He has also been to Pakistan, India, Russia and China and held meetings with NATO and EU officials. Last week, he was in Turkey for talks with government officials as well as Zamir Kabulov, Russia's envoy to Afghanistan. Ghani has also called a Loya Jirga, a traditional gathering of political and tribal leaders, for next month to draw up the government's negotiating position for talks with the Taliban, though he has yet to put together a negotiating team that would have wide support of Afghan political and tribal leaders. By PTI ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Senate or upper house of the parliament on Monday unanimously passed a resolution condemning "threats" by India in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack. The move comes amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan after the February 14 suicide attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group that killed 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. ALSO READ: 'Fully prepared' for befitting response to 'any India aggression': Pakistan Army The resolution - moved by Raja Zafar-ul-Haq of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz - appreciated the Imran Khan-led government's stance of offering assistance to India in investigations of the attack and to take action on actionable intelligence or evidence, Radio Pakistan reported. The resolution reiterated that no one should underestimate Pakistan's ability and commitment to defend its borders against any external aggression. By PTI ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has postponed his scheduled visit to Japan, amid tensions with India following the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers. Qureshi telephoned his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono and apprised him about the reason behind the postponement of his official visit to Tokyo. He said the situation in South Asian region, including Kashmir, is tense following the Pulwama attack. He said in such a sensitive situation, it was important and inevitable for him to stay in the country, Radio Pakistan reported. "I have written to the UN secretary general to play his role in easing tensions and also request Japan to play an active role to do the same," he said. Both the foreign ministers agreed to reschedule the visit at the earliest. Last week, the Foreign Office announced that Qureshi will visit Japan from February 24-27 and meet his counterpart as well as the prime minister. Forty Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed on February 14 when a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into their bus in Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir. By PTI ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday telephoned his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and briefed him about the regional situation in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers. In a statement, Pakistan's Foreign Office said that State Councilor Wang thanked the foreign minister for the call and appreciated Pakistan's efforts. "He agreed that the unfolding regional situation was serious with implications for peace and security of the entire region," it said. The two leaders spoke over phone amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan after a suicide attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad killed 40 CRPF soldiers in Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir. ALSO READ | Pakistan FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi postpones Japan visit amid tensions with India Wang "acknowledged Pakistan's invaluable contributions in the fight against terrorism for which Pakistan has paid a heavy price," the FO said. Qureshi thanked China for its steadfast support and underscored Pakistan's desire for peace and stability in the region and resolution of all issues through negotiations and dialogue with India, it said. He also highlighted the steps taken by Pakistan to de-escalate the situation, it added. The two leaders agreed to stay in touch with each other over the regional developments. By PTI WASHINGTON: North Korea could become one of the world's "great economic powers" if it relinquishes its nuclear weapons, US President Donald Trump has said on the eve of his departure for Vietnam for a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Trump's comments came hours after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Pyongyang remains a nuclear threat. Trump will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for the second time on the 27-28 February in Hanoi, Vietnam. "We both expect a continuation of the progress made at first summit in Singapore," Trump tweeted, referencing the meeting between the two leaders in Singapore last June. Trump and Kim had their historic first meeting in Singapore last June, wherein they agreed on denuclearisation of North Korea. North Korea has long insisted it will not give up its nuclear arsenal unless the US removes its troops from South Korea. ALSO READ | US to delay China tariff increase: Donald Trump "I tell Chairman Kim, he has a chance to have a country that is so vibrant, economically. Maybe one of the most in the world. He's got a location that's unbelievable. As a real-estate person, I've always done very well with location. But he's right between China, Russia, and then on the other side, South Korea. So they can't touch each other unless they go through North Korea," Trump told a meeting of Governor's at the White House. "And I think it can be, really, one of the great -- one of the great financial and economic countries anywhere in the world. So I tell him that. I said, 'But you can't do that if you're going to keep nuclear. If you do nuclear, that can't ever happen'," Trump said. Trump reiterated that he is having a great relationship with Kim. Trump said he was "not in a rush" to denuclearise North Korea. "We see eye to eye, I believe. But you'll be seeing it more and more over the next couple of days, one way or the other. What's going to happen? I can't tell you. I think eventually it would, but I can't tell you. And I'm not in a rush. I don't want to rush anybody. I just don't want testing. As long as there's no testing, we're happy," he said. Trump said he has 'done really something, very special' with respect to North Korea. By PTI ISLAMABAD: A court in Pakistan rejected the bail application of deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday, refusing to grant him relief on medical grounds in a corruption case. The reasons will be given in a detailed judgment to be issued later. Sharif, 69, has been serving a seven-year jail term in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case. The Islamabad High Court's two-member bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani announced that the bail application was "dismissed". Several leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) including former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and former foreign minister Khawaja Asif were present inside the court when the verdict was announced. ALSO READ | Pakistan HC reserves verdict on Nawaz Sharif 's plea for suspension of sentence on medical grounds "We are disappointed by the decision because different panels diagnosed the disease (of Sharif) and recommended treatment. But we accept the verdict and will explore more forums to get a remedy," Abbasi told reporters after the verdict. Asif said "we will go for appeal against the verdict" which will be filed in the Supreme Court. Dozens of PML-N supporters were also present outside the court premises and raised slogans against the verdict. Sharif was sentenced to seven years in jail on December 24 by an Islamabad-based Accountability Court and he was sent to Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore to serve the sentence. Last month, he filed the bail application through his counsel Khawaja Haris for bail on medical reasons as he developed heart-related medical complications in jail. Last week, the court heard the counsel and lawyers of the anti-corruption body National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and reserved the verdict for Fenruary 25. Additional police and paramilitary personnel were deployed around the court to maintain law and order. Meanwhile, Sharif is being treated at the Jinnah Hospital in Lahore, where he was shifted a few weeks ago. ALSO READ | Pakistan government refuses to remove names of Nawaz Sharif, daughter, son-in-law from Exit Control List The Al-Azizia Steel Mill case was about setting up steel mills in Saudi Arabia with ill-gotten gains. Three corruption cases - Avenfield properties, Flagship investment and Al-Azizia steel mills - were registered against the Sharif family by the National Accountability Bureau in 2017 following a judgment by the Supreme Court that disqualified Sharif in the Panama Papers case in 2017. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in the Avenfiled case in July 2018 which was related to his properties in London. Later he was given bail in September. The accountability court on December 24 convicted him in the Al-Azizia case but acquitted him in the Flagship reference. Sharif's daughter Maryam and son-in-law Muhammad Safdar were also convicted and sent to jail in the Avenfield case but granted bail along with Sharif. His two sons 'Hasan and Hussain' were named in all the three cases but never appeared before the court after which they were declared fugitives. By PTI DHAKA: Bangladesh's top civil aviation officials on Monday said that they are probing how a "hijacker" was able to bypass airport security with a "toy pistol" and board a Dubai-bound plane. "We are still trying to understand the situation," State Minister for Civil Aviation Mahbub Ali told reporters. The minister also said that authorities are yet to ascertain whether the suspected hijacker was carrying a "toy gun". "We have checked all our airport security scanning system. We didn't find any flaw in the security system there," he said. The flight, en route Dubai from Dhaka via Chattogram, with 148 passengers and crews on board was hijacked soon after it left Dhaka Sunday. ALSO READ | 25-year-old armed hijacker shot dead by Bangladesh Army onboard Dubai-bound flight The pilot contacted Chattogram's Shah Amanat International Airport and made an emergency landing. Passengers were then evacuated safely from the plane. After two tense hours, a commando operation put an end to the hijacking in about eight minutes. Army and air force officials said a suspect holding a pistol had been killed. Asked how the weapon had gotten on board the plane, Civil Aviation Secretary Mohibul Haque said: "We do not know whether it was a weapon. We do not know if it was a toy pistol. The full details will be available in the investigation report." Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice Marshal Naim Hassan said sounds of gunshots were heard in the midair while its crew reported they saw the pistol emitting smokes. "But it doesn't prove that it was a real pistol because, we are yet to find out bullet mark or shell inside the airplane. There are some toy guns which look like a real one that can make sound and even create smoke," he said. He said that they cannot make any sweeping comment about the incident before getting the investigation committee report. Officials said a five-member committee has started investigating the incident as it was asked to submit a report to the ministry within five days. The officials confirmed that the "hijacker" was a domestic passenger. In a separate press briefing, the Rapid Action Battalion identified the 25-year-old suspected hijacker as Polash Ahmed, who had married a film actress. Earlier, the officials said the "hijacker" appeared to have been "mentally imbalanced" and that he wanted to speak to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: Chandrayangutta resident Sayeda Fatima Begum appealed to Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj to help her arrange a meeting with her Kuwait-based daughter, whom she has not met in the last 40 years. Dilal Mohammed, known as Saleha Begum, a resident of Hashimabad in Chandrayangutta, was married to a Kuwaiti national Mohammed Hijab Alajmi. Following her marriage, Saleha had gone along with her husband to Kuwait, where she had been living for almost six months before returning to India as she was pregnant and ill. Her husband left her at home after promising that he would come back for her later. However, when her husband didnt return, she approached the Embassy, upon whose direction Aaljmis son from his first marriage came to the country. He reportedly had informed Sayed Fatima Begum that her husband had died in an accident and he took her and her child back with him to Kuwait. Trump to depart on Feb. 25 for Hanoi summit with Kim WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he would depart for Hanoi on Feb. 25 for his second meeting with Kim Jong Un, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). "I will be leaving for Hanoi, Vietnam, early tomorrow for a Summit with Kim Jong Un of North Korea, where we both expect a continuation of the progress made at first Summit in Singapore," Trump tweeted. Trump hailed his "great relationship" with Kim, adding that the DPRK could "fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the World" in the absence of nuclear weapons. According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim left Pyongyang on Saturday afternoon by train for Hanoi for the second U.S.-DPRK summit. Trump told the press on Wednesday that his trip to Vietnam would be "very successful," anticipating his two-day meeting with Kim would "accomplish a lot." Trump announced on Feb. 8 that his second meeting with Kim would take place in Hanoi on Feb. 27-28. His first meeting with Kim in Singapore in June resulted in improved U.S.-DPRK relations. However, differences on such key issues as a roadmap for denuclearization, the lifting of sanctions and whether to issue a war-ending declaration still hinder negotiations. R Rajashekar Rao By Express News Service HYDERABAD: Appellate courts can acquit convicts in murder cases if the prosecution fails to establish a clear chain of circumstances that led to the crime, particularly when the evidence is circumstantial. A prosecutions failure to conduct Test Identification Parade can become fatal to its case in spite of recovery of material/objects allegedly used in the crime. The evidence is not sacrosanct unless a proper test identification parade is conducted, as prescribed by the Criminal Rules of Practice. In one such a case before the High Court, the division bench allowed the appeal of a convict by setting aside the life imprisonment imposed against him by a lower court. The bench pointed out that vital links in the chain of circumstances are missing in the case. The case of the prosecution is that the police had registered a case based on a report by a person who had come to know about a murder in his neighbourhood. The person then visited the place where he found an unknown female lying dead in a pool of blood and with injury marks on her neck and abdomen. He contended the woman was killed the previous night by unknown persons. After postmortem, the cause of death was established as cut-throat wound of neck. Based on the facts and circumstances, police apprehended the appellant-accused and brought him to the police station where he voluntarily confessed to the said crime. He led the police to the place of offence where they recovered the knife which was used in the crime, and also recovered the silver anklets of the deceased which were pledged in a pawn shop. On consideration of oral evidence, the lower court convicted him for the offence and sentenced him to suffer life imprisonment. After hearing the case and perusing the material on record, the HC bench found that the case was based on circumstantial evidence as no eye-witnessed has witnessed the crime. They also noted that the appellant was apprehended by the police a year after the date of the alleged offence. As for alleged recovery of silver anklets, no panchanama was conducted in the presence of any witnesses. In the absence of the mediators report and the failure of the prosecution to produce the receipt of the pawn shop before the lower court, no credibility can be attached to the claim of the prosecution that the silver anklets were recovered from the possession of a pawnbroker. Referring to the alleged recovery of knife from a collapsed room under asbestos sheets, the scene of offence, and based on a confessional statement by the appellant, the bench pointed out that the police visited the scene of the offence more than once. Therefore, it is highly improbable that police did not find the weapon during their previous visits. From these facts, it is reasonable to presume that the prosecution has planted the knife in order to falsely implicate the appellant. If we eschew silver anklets and knife from consideration, the vital links in the chain of circumstances are totally missing in this case. Therefore, we have absolutely no doubt in our mind that the prosecution has falsely implicated the appellant and secured false conviction, the bench opined and allowed the appeal by setting aside the conviction and sentences recorded against the appellant, and directed the authorities to set the appellant at liberty forthwith, if he is not required in any other case or crime. S Kumaresan By Express News Service CHENNAI: Though Congress swept the polls in most parts of the country in the early years following Independence, it had a tough time in the then Madras Presidency. In the very first elections in the independent India, held in 1951-52 to both Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, the grand old partys performance in Tamil Nadu was average. It won just 35 of the 75 parliamentary seats in the State and failed to secure a majority in the Assembly. Its vote share in the Lok Sabha polls was just 36.9 per cent. In the Assembly elections, it had won just 152 of the 375 seats. The party, however, formed the government by merging a few independent candidates and small parties like the Commonweal Party and taking its tally up to 167. Thats how C Rajagopalachari became the first Chief Minister. The Madras Presidency which comprised parts of present day Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala had 62 Lok Sabha seats. Also, as the State had 13 reserved segments, total seats was 75. The Congress played up its role in the Independence movement ahead of the elections, which is why the results in Tamil Nadu shocked the party to a certain extent. Interestingly, the Communist Party of India had emerged as the second-largest party, winning 8 seats in Tamil Nadu in the parliamentary polls. The Kissan Mazdoor Praja Party won 6 seats, Tamil Nadu Toilers Party won 4 seats and the Commonweal Party won 3 seats. Independent candidates won as much as 15 seats. The DMK, back then, did not contest the elections, but claimed that eight of the MPs who had won in the elections had their support. Congress became a dominant force in Tamil Nadu a bit later, after the entry of K Kamaraj as the Chief Minister in 1957. It then remained comfortably in power for a decade, till it was dethroned by the DMK in 1967. By Online Desk Fancy some delicious mutton biryani for free? Welcome to Tamil Nadu's Madurai district which hosts an unusual temple festival where mutton biryani is served as prasadam! The village of Vadakkampatti in Thirumangalam taluk hosts a three-day festival at the Muniyandi Swami temple. Over 2,000 kg of rice and mutton are cooked in huge cauldrons overnight by tireless men. Locals believe that even their deity Lord Muniyandi is a fan of their biryani. According to a report in The Hindu, over 200 goats and 250 roosters were sacrificed last year to make over 1,800 kg of biryani. The village's biryani got so popular it formed the roots of the Madurai Sri Muniyandi Vilas restaurant chain. Madurai Sri Muniyandi Vilas. (Photo | Google) The first Muniyandi Vilas was started in Karaikudi by SVS Subba Naidu from the village and his inspiration came from the festival, the report added. The old restaurant has been a favourite since the '70s. At one point the restaurant had over 1000 branches across South India and was known for its variety of juicy mutton dishes. All the restaurants contribute to the feast by keeping aside the money they receive from their first customer. The festival was held from January 24 to 26 at Vadakkampatti, which is about 45 kilometres from Madurai city and 20 kilometres from Virudhunagar. By Express News Service PHULBANI: The famous adage Love knows no religion, region or boundaries was proven when a Swedish girl tied the nuptial knot with her lover, a local resident, here on Saturday. The couple, Mohammad Riaz and Ima Lore Bhoit, met in Goa in 2011. Riaz was working in a hotel then and Bhoit had visited the place with her family. After frequent meetings during Bhoits stay in India, the duo kept in touch through social media. Riaz later moved to Sweden to work and their bond grew stronger until they decided to marry. With the consent of both the families, the marriage took place according to Muslim rituals in Phulbani town, where Riaz is based, and the brides name was changed to Amria Begum. More than 20 relatives of the bride flew from Sweden to attend the ceremony. By Express News Service ELURU: In a shocking incident, a 20-year-old student, T Dharani, was murdered and her male companion, T Naveen Kumar, 21, was found with severe injuries at Guntupalli Buddhist caves in Kamavarapu Kota mandal of West Godavari district on Sunday. Keeping in view the murder of a woman, Jyothi, by her boyfriend in similar circumstances at Mangalagiri in Guntur district a few days ago, police are trying to ascertain whether Dharani was done to death after sexual assault by some miscreants or the injured man was responsible for her killing. The deceased, a second-year B Sc student, was a resident of Pulla village in MM Puram in the district, while Naveen hails from Ajjaravugudem in Bhimadole mandal and is studying second-year B Com. According to police, the duo visited the Guntupalli Buddhist monuments located at Jilakarragudem between 10.30 am and 11 am. Around 5 pm, when the security personnel went to the upper portion of the caves, they found Dharani lying dead in a pool of blood. Naveen was found a few feet away from the girls body with severe injuries. The security staff immediately alerted Tadikalapudi police who rushed to the caves and shifted Naveen to Chintalapudi government hospital and from there to the Eluru government hospital. Among the 11 admitted to the KGH, the condition of V Chinna Rao and V Ramanamma was said to be critical and they were put on ventilator in the ICU ward. The other patients were undergoing treatment at the KGH emergency ward. The condition of Chinna Rao and Ramanamma is very critical, Dr G Arjuna, Superintendent of KGH told TNIE. District Collector K Bhaskar along with other officials visited the victims at KGH and assured them of proper treatment. Gajuwaka police registered a case and investigation is on. The samples of the liquid were collected by the police and excise department officials. They were sent for chemical analysis. Gajuwaka ACP Pravinkumar and CI K Rama Rao are investigating the case. Swarna Rajagopalan By The decision to leave is never easy. One builds a home with more than money and time, and this space holds more than objectsthe corner your child was born; the first room around which two generations added others; the cot that you brought with you from your maternal home; the cow whose mother also was a member of the family. But you decide to survive, so you leave. Forced displacement, whether it takes you elsewhere within your country as an internally displaced person or across borders as a refugee, begins with the trauma of departure. It is true whether you leave because your village is about to be flooded; because you are evicted from ancestral land acquired for an industrial project; or because the sound of gunfire is coming closer. And it appears as if every time you leave, it becomes more likely you will again lose your home. Look at us, any of us. We hold within us the history of someones flightit may be a few generations removed, but we remember, My family once lived there. We had to leave. The trauma of flight is our legacy but we efface it, embracing a false sense of permanence. Last week, the Supreme Court asked states to begin the eviction of those whose claims to a traditional forest home have been rejected. Over a million people, mostly adivasis from Central India, could be displaced soon. At the end of 2018, UNHCR estimated there were 68.5 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, of whom 25.4 million were refugees and 3.1 million awaited asylum; 40 million were internally displaced persons (IDPs). The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centres mid-2018 estimates that in the first half of 2018 alone 5.2 million people were displaced afresh because of conflict and an additional 3.3 million due to disasters. Since the end of World War II, we have codified human rights in many contexts, including displacement. The 1951 Refugees Convention and its protocols say asylum-seekers are not to be penalised for illegal entry or stay. Moreover, refugees cannot be forced to return to a place that they felt unsafe enough to leave. They must be provided with travel and identification papers (like the Nansen Passport). The 1998 Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement recognised that while cross-border refugees are identifiable, the internally displaced are usually invisible. It defined their status and charged states with protecting them and their rights, arranging for them to get the paperwork they need and providing for their welfare. In December 2018, the Global Compact on Refugees was approved by the UN General Assembly. The idea is that the global community should share in the cost and responsibility of taking care of those who have to flee, whether it is providing for them or arranging for their safe transit to a third country. These well-intentioned conventions are largely gender-blind. This means that the welfare of displaced women and sexual minorities depends on the sensitivity of individual agents. Neither fares well in this lottery. Women who have lived in seclusion may now have to share living space with strangers, including men. They may lack access to toilets and doctors. Families flee without paperwork, and for women who find themselves heading households, the process of getting replacement papers or even simple things like a ration card can be impossible. Without those papers, they cannot access any benefits. Think of women and families in shanties across our cities; this is their life. We have seen their faces but do not always know their stories. Crisis tests mettle, and of course, displaced women cope. They rebuild home and community, find jobs and learn skills. In several instances across the region, they are in the forefront of resistance campaigns that challenge development projects which will displace them. Resilience does not absolve local and national governments of responsibility. Refugees are often isolated from the mainstream and live in camps where there may be special provision for them. But IDPs blend in with the margins of local society, invisible and voiceless. They lose the benefits they had at home and have no way of claiming the samefrom food assistance to healthcare to voter registration. Refugees and IDPs remain outsiders for generations, sometimes carrying that tag as an ethnic identity. In an age when citizenship, birth and residence delimit ones ability to enjoy political and civil rights and to access welfare services, this means they are almost permanently disenfranchised. This is the price of survival. In the Northeast, notably Assam, migration has defined politics. Ecological and economic factors facilitate economic migration and flood displacement, which changes the local demographic, with political consequences. Since the 1980s, the Assamese have sought claritywhat is the cut-off that defines belonging? Recently, the move to grant citizenship to refugees from some religious groups has reopened this question. Who belongs, who should belong and who decides this? Whatever the answer, the reality is that no one speaks for those on the outside of this answer: refugees and IDPs. More hospitable earlier, we now guard our entitlements and access jealously, given our failure to build social security and welfare systems. But life in the age of runaway consumption and climate change disasters is precarious. Helping that IDP or refugee woman rebuild her life and take care of her family reinforces our own rights and builds a system of benefits. The empathy and concern we show the forcibly displaced today could be the safety net we invoke tomorrow. Swarna Rajagopalan Political scientist and a member of the Womens Regional Network Email: swarnar@gmail.com Fayaz Wani By Express News Service SRINAGAR: After the February 14 suicide bombing on a CRPF bus killed 40 paramilitary personnel, security forces have gone after the Jaish-e-Mohammad militants in militancy-hit Kashmir and killed nine militants of the outfit in three encounters in 10 days. On Sunday, three Jaish-e-Mohammad militants - a local Raqib Ahmad Sheikh R/o Kulgam and two Pakistani nationals Waleed and Numan - were killed in an encounter with security forces at Turigiam area of south Kashmir's Kulgam district. A young police officer (Deputy Superintendent) Aman Thakur and an army man Naib Subedar Sombir Singh were also killed and four army men including a Major injured in the day-long gunfight. It was the third encounter in Valley after February 14 suicide attack carried out on CRPF bus by a local Jaish militant Aadil Ahmad Dar. In the three encounters (one each in Pulwama and Kulgam in south Kashmir and another in Sopore area of north Kashmir) in 10 days after the suicide attack, nine Jaish militants have been killed. Of the nine militants killed, two were locals and seven other Pakistani nationals. The men behind the February 14 attack including Kamran and Gazi Rashid, who were both Pakistani nationals, were killed in February 18 encounter in Pinglana, Pulwama. Kamran was operation chief of Jaish in Valley while Gazi was also top commander of the outfit. The security forces have also lost seven men including DySP and Major in these encounters. A DIG of police, Army Brigadier, Colonel and about 10 army men have also been injured and undergoing treatment. The DIG of police Amit Kumar has been evacuated to Delhi for specialised treatment. A security official said after February 14 suicide bombing left 40 CRPF men dead in one of deadliest militant attacks in three decades of militancy in the State, security agencies decided to target the militants and modules of Jaish. "We are focussing on the overground workers (OGW) network of Jaish. Our efforts are yielding results as we have killed 9 Jaish militants in last 10 days in Valley," he said. The official said they are targeting both the local and foreign militants of Jaish. "The intelligence grid on the ground has been strengthened to prevent Jaish militants from staging any attack especially the fidayeen attacks on security forces".Jaish militants had come on front stage in late 2017 after the militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba and Hizbul Mujahideen were on receiving end of security forces "Operation All Out" and suffered heavy casualties. DIG of police south Kashmir Atul Goel that this newspaper that since Jaish is one of the militant organisations active in Valley, security forces are going after it. He, however, said security forces are going after militants of all outfits. "We are going after all militants. We will not be sparing any militant outfit," he said. The DIG said intelligence-based operations are launched and whenever security forces receive specific information about militants' presence in a particular area, operations are launched to track down the militants. Abhijit Mulye By Express News Service MUMBAI: Opposition parties boycotted Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao's address to the joint seating of both the houses of Maharashtra legislature on Monday while blaming him for flaunting his RSS links. During a program at Nagpur earlier this month, Rao had described the RSS as one of the most secular and inclusive organisations and said it had always respected the right of individuals to practice their own faith. The opposition expressed displeasure over the remarks and stayed away from the governor's customary address to mark the beginning of the budget session of state legislature. They also staged demonstrations at the entrance of legislative assembly and shouted slogans condemning the RSS. "Gandhi Hum Sharminda Hain, Tere Katil Jinda Hain," they said. While explaining the opposition's stand, leader of opposition in legislative council Dhananjay Munde said, "The government makes pompous claims in the Governor's speech. This has been going on for past four years. The same things happen in case of a budget. There populist schemes are announced and implementation is ignored. Both these things coupled with the Governor's sudden love for the RSS left us with no chance but to boycott his address." "We are doubtful if it will be the governor's address or that of a RSS person," he added. On Sunday, opposition parties boycotted the customary tea party hosted by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the eve of the interim budget session. They said the state government should not announce any "populist" or policy decisions during the six-day session. Abhijit Mulye By Express News Service MUMBAI: Social and transgender rights activist and noted poet Disha Pinky Shaikh has been appointed as the state spokesperson of Adv Prakash Ambedkars Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi (VBA). Lauding the feat, writer, poet Disha Pinky Shaikh said that the first of its kind of appointment in Maharashtra would create awareness about the community amongst the people and would also highlight the alliances resolve to accord equal status to all sections of the society. Shaikh, who hails from Ahmednagar, said that this kind of representation was needed to highlight the issues of sexual minorities. I was suspicious about how this appointment would be received in different social groups, including ours. However, with the warmth Im receiving from all sections has strengthened my resolve and I feel that the dawn of political change is not too far away, Shaikh said. I want her to work for basic issues such as education, job and security. Like women, transgender must also get equal rights in society, said Pinky Shaikh, Dishas guru. Talking about her partys agenda, Shaikh said, It will be a comprehensive agenda. From my side, I want to include a few points for my community. Implementation of NALSA judgment and providing education and jobs to our community members are the few issues that are on my mind right now. Being a transgender woman, I will also talk about womens issues. By PTI NEW DELHI: A Delhi court Monday allowed Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, accused in a case related to death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar, to travel to Saudi Arabia from February 28 to March 4 for attending a seminar. Special CBI Judge Arun Bhardwaj permitted Tharoor noting that he was given permission to travel abroad earlier and had abided by the terms and conditions of the court. It also noted that another court had already given him permission to travel to UAE, Qatar and Bahrain. "Considering the fact that earlier the applicant/ accused was given permission to travel abroad and he has abided by the terms and conditions of the court, now the applicant/accused is further permitted to visit Saudi Arabia from February 28 to March 4 in addition to permission already granted to him to travel to UAE, Qatar and Bahrain," the court said. Tharoor had sought the court nod to travel abroad saying that he has been invited by Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre, Saudi National Committee for a UDF National Seminar to be conducted from March 1-3, and to attend conference on the invitation from Zahrani Group, Saudi Arabia on 'Indo-Arab trade in ancient India'. He told the court that he has always abided by the terms and conditions and has never violated them in any manner. Delhi Police opposed his plea saying that invites are to be cross-checked for their veracity by communicating with the organisers. It said the trial in Pushkar's death case is in the initial stage and Tharoor has property and other interests abroad and may settle there to evade the trial. "Granting travel permission for abroad at this early stage of proceedings may hamper course of trial and consequently delay delivery of justice in this matter," it said. The court had earlier adjourned to March 7 the hearing in the case against Tharoor. The court had on February 4 sent the case to Sessions Court for further proceedings since the offence under Section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was triable by a sessions judge. Tharoor, former Union minister and Pushkar's husband, has been charged under sections 498-A (husband or his relative subjecting a woman to cruelty) and 306 of the IPC, but has not been arrested in the case. Pushkar was found dead in a suite of a luxury hotel in the city on the night of January 17, 2014. The couple were staying in the hotel as the official bungalow of Tharoor was being renovated at that time. Baidu's Apollo self-driving bus attracts attention at a park in Beijing's Haidian district. [Photo by Pang Zhengzheng/For China Daily] Though China's carmakers and government have long committed to developing the autonomous driving industry, analysts said the country still has a long way to go if it intends to dominate the sector. The latest Autonomous Vehicles Readiness Index released by global audit and consultancy firm KPMG with the aim of assessing countries' preparedness for autonomous vehicles showed that China ranks the 20th, and still has areas where continued improvement is needed. The main reasons for the less-than-satisfactory result are the lack of availability in China of the latest technologies and consumer adoption of the technology. China also ranked last in the report on a new measure assessing the data-sharing environment. China still has the potential to become the world's largest market for autonomous vehicles, according to consulting firm McKinsey. It estimates that such vehicles will make up more than 40 percent of new vehicle sales in the largest auto market by 2040. One of the biggest factors that could help China move up the grid in the race of autonomous driving development: government support to protect and encourage the industry. "The environment in China for testing new innovation is much easier than in most other markets in the world," said Huu-Hoi Tran, partner and head of Automotive China at KPMG China. Last year, China first approved the testing of autonomous vehicles on public roads in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou and gradually in other cities. By the end of 2018, a total of 15 regions have released automatic driving test management standards, and 11 cities in those areas issued 95 test licenses for 27 companies. Tran said of the report: "Autonomous driving will come gradually on certain routes, streets and highways. That gives more confidence for developers to develop autonomous driving functions from easier routes to more complex situations." The KPMG report noted that China showed relative improvement in the technology, innovation and infrastructure pillars, and gains the highest score on online ride-hailing, with 21 percent of people having used the system. China also benefits from the number of companies focused on autonomous vehicle technology. Their efforts are also reflected in another reportthe Autonomous Vehicle Disengagement Reports 2018released earlier this month by California's Department of Motor Vehicles in the United States. Chinese autonomous-driving startups Pony. Ai and the country's internet giant Baidu ranked the fifth and seventh, respectively, on the list. Baidu's self-driving vehicle project called Apollo was launched in April 2017, collaborating with major global carmakers including Volkswagen, BMW and Ford. Chinese carmakers are also stepping up efforts to develop the technology. Chongqing Changan Automobile, as the only Chinese carmaker to obtain the test licenses in the US and China, has run more than 12 million kilometers of autonomous road tests, including 1 million km of conditional automation Level 3 technology. The carmaker says it will invest 20 billion yuan ($2.98 billion) on research and development in the next 10 years and mass produce high automation Level 4 autos by 2025. By Online Desk NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Monday agreed to examine a petition seeking protection of human rights of security force personnel, filed by daughters of two army officers. The plea by 19-year-old Preeti Kedar Gokhale and 20-year-old Kajal Mishra sought formulation of a policy to curb human rights violations of security force personnel, who are being attacked by mobs while performing duties. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna who agreed to hear the plea also issued notices to the Union of India, Ministry of Defence, Jammu and Kashmir and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on the plea. Preeti and Kajal have sought direction to the Centre for formulation of a comprehensive policy to safeguard the rights of armed forces personnel against human rights violations by unruly mob or individuals attacking them during the discharge of their military duty. The petitioners said that they have approached the apex court being aggrieved and dissatisfied with the substantial inaction of the respondents in addressing various acts of human right violations of the army personnel, from the perpetrators of violence within the state, resulting in obstruction in the discharge of their duty as well as danger to their safety and security at the place of their deployment. They are "greatly disturbed by the incidents of unruly and disruptive mobs" pelting stones at soldiers and army convoys in counter-insurgency area like Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir. "The petitioners are further disturbed by the troops in the Indian Army, having to suffer the ire of stone pelters, while they are discharging their duty of maintaining peace and security in the area of their deployment," the plea said. (With inputs from PTI) By PTI NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the three service chiefs Monday interacted with India's defence attaches in 42 countries during which the Pulwama terror attack and the overall security challenges facing the country figured, official sources said. The two-day conclave of the defence attaches is taking place in the backdrop of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the dastardly terror attack carried out by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed. Days after the attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the armed forces have been given free hand to respond to the strike. Islamabad said it will adequately respond to any action by New Delhi. The sources said a range of issues, including the situation along the border with Pakistan, were discussed at the meeting. India's defence attache to Pakistan and Afghanistan were among those who attended the conclave. The sources said the situation along India's border with China as well as geo-strategic issues relating to India's neighbourhood as well as the situation in West Asia will be discussed on Tuesday. By Online Desk The Wikipedia page of Pakistani news daily "Dawn" was targeted by hackers from Kerala who edited the page to add a tribute in Malayalam to the CRPF personnel who were killed in a suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama on February 14. READ | Pulwama fallout: MP traders, farmers ban Pakistan imports, exports The hackers, who identified themselves as "malluapps", also changed the name of the Karachi-based newspaper's founder to Mahatma Gandhi instead of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and posted a picture of Malayala Manorama's (a leading Malayalam daily) front page instead of the original image. The Wiki article on "Dawn' that was hacked The intro line of the Wiki article was edited to "Bharat Mada jai jai jai." It was followed by three bullet points, which read: "Unite against global terrorism. All Indians are thankful to our brave jawans who protect us from enemies even at the cost of their lives. Condolences to the brave martyrs." The actual Wiki content about the newspaper was still on display below the tribute and remained untouched. READ | If Pakistan attacks with one nuke, India will finish us with 20: Pervez Musharraf Malluapps is a popular fun platform with games and apps that lets users post the results on Facebook. Kerala cyber hackers are infamous for their deeds in the cyber world, which include having hacked the official websites of the Pakistan Election Commission and the Hindu Mahasabha. The article's info box was edited The pages of Dawn News and Dawn Media Group, the centrist daily's sister organisations, were not attacked. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday had assured his Indian counterpart that he will "immediately act" against the perpetrators of the attack, if New Delhi provides "actionable intelligence." However, on the same day, Imran's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi accused India of creating a "war frenzy" against his country's efforts for peace. Forty Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed in a suicide attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14, sparking global outrage. Adil, a youth from Pulwama district, rammed his explosive-ridden SUV into a 59-seater CRPF vehicle, which was part of a 70-vehicle CRPF convoy coming from Jammu to Srinagar, at Lehpora, some 20 km south of Srinagar. By PTI AHMEDABAD: Days after her foray in active politics as Congress general secretary in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may address a poll rally in Gujarat on February 28, a party leader said Monday. February 28 is also when a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) will be held here. The last CWC meet in Gujarat was held 58 years ago, the leader said. Priyanka's brother and party president Rahul Gandhi and mother Sonia Gandhi will be present at the rally in BJP stronghold and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state. The "Sankalp Rally", to be held at Adalaj, ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, is being perceived by Congress leaders as a major morale booster to the party in the state where it has been out of power for almost three decades. The February 28 meeting of the CWC, the highest decision-making body of the Congress, will be followed by the rally the same day. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh will also attend the rally, Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda told reporters here. ALSO READ: Not in hurry to join politics: Robert Vadra after posters welcome him to contest elections "I am glad that Rahul Gandhi accepted our proposal to hold the CWC meet here to mark the 150thbirth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi," he said. The last CWC in Gujarat was held in 1961, he added. Senior Congress leaders will attend a prayer meeting at the Gandhi Ashram here before attending the CWC meeting, to be held at Sardar Patel memorial building Thursday morning. They will pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and the 40 CRPF personnel who were killed in the Pulwama terror attack. This will be Rahul Gandhi's second Gujarat visit this month. On February 14, he had addressed a rally at Dharampur in Valsad district. In the 1961 CWC meeting held in Bhavnagar, the party had passed a resolution to strengthen the Panchayati Raj system and to take up balanced development through the third Five-Year Plan. The resolution also talked about strengthening unity in the country, Chavda said. By PTI JAMMU: Asserting that there was "no signs of decline" in Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbagh Singh Monday said the security forces were determined to restore peace in the state. The statement comes days after 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel died in an attack orchestrated by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in south Kashmir. "Pakistan-sponsored terrorism is going on for the last many years and showing no signs of decline but we are determined to eliminate terrorism from the state and restore peace in the region," Singh told reporters after the wreath-laying ceremony of Deputy Superintendent of Police, Aman Kumar Thakur here. Thakur and a soldier were killed in a fierce gunfight with JeM terrorists in Kulgam district of south Kashmir on Sunday. Three JeM terrorists including two Pakistani nationals were also killed in the encounter. J-K Governor Satya Pal Malik, Union minister Jitendra Singh, advisors to the Governor and senior officers of the police, Army, CRPF and civil administration attended the ceremony at police lines here and paid floral tributes to Thakur whose body was flown from Srinagar to Jammu in the morning. "JeM, Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and some other groups are continuing with their activities in Kashmir," the DGP said. "Police and other security forces are conducting their operations to counter them and wipe them out and I am hopeful that in the coming months, the situation will improve further," he added. Singh further said the security forces were "proud of the sacrifices" made by the jawans and were "determined" to eliminate all the active terrorist groups in the state "in the coming months". The security situation in the state is "well under control" and there is "no need to panic", he stressed. "Police and other security forces are doing their job satisfactorily and there is peace in Kashmir and Jammu," he said further. The police chief lauded Thakur for his courage saying, "We have lost a brave colleague and we are proud of his martyrdom". "On specific information that a group of JeM terrorists were hiding in a village in Kulgam, an operation was jointly launched by police, Army and the CRPF on Sunday." "The officer killed two terrorists who are believed to be Pakistanis and came to the help of his colleague who received a bullet injury," Singh said. In the process, he received a bullet injury and succumbed to injuries while being shifted to hospital, he said. "This brave officer was working in the counter-insurgency operations group in Kulgam for the last two years. Some months ago, he received DG commendation medal," Singh said. "Last year, he has also received Sher-e-Kashmir police medal for gallantry and his name was recommended for a bigger award but before that he sacrificed his life for the nation," he added. The sacrifice of the officers and the jawans will motivate the forces in their fight against terrorism to restore peace in the state, he said further. "We bow before the sacrifice of our martyrs and salute them. The fight against terrorism will continue with more vigour," he said. "We also stand by the families of our martyrs and want to tell them that we are with them in this hour of grief," he added. By PTI KATHMANDU: The European Union is ready to strengthen its collaboration with the Nepal Army, the 28-member bloc's Ambassador to Nepal Veronica Cody has said. Ambassador Cody met with Nepal's Army chief Gen Purnachandra Thapa at the Army Headquarters on Monday and they discussed matters of mutual interest, including promotion of bilateral cooperation in different sectors, a statement said. During the meeting, Cody appreciated the Nepal Army's "valuable contributions" in natural disaster relief, it said. She said the EU was ready to strengthen its collaboration with the Nepal Army and help in capacity building of the armed forces, the army said in the statement. Aishik Chanda By Express News Service KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Monday alleged that despite knowing about the impending Pulwama attack, Centre did nothing to prevent it so that it can reap political dividends out of the national sentiments evoked by the martyrs' body count. Speaking at the last TMC core committee meeting before Lok Sabha elections, at Nazrul Mancha here on Monday, the TMC supremo said: "Despite having intelligence inputs about the attack, why did the Centre not airlift the soldiers or secure the roads or pass on the intelligence input to the state government? This is a ploy to play politics with the jawans' blood. A war hysteria is deliberately being created before the elections." READ| Mamata Banerjee blames BJP for spreading rumours about 'burqa-wearing' child-lifters She also warned that Electronic Voting Machine (EVMs) could be tampered in the Lok Sabha elections and asked TMC cadres and leaders to remain on alert and prevent EVM tampering. The TMC supremo also alleged that NRIs with RSS membership were to be blamed for the upsurge in political violence in the state and accused BJP of bringing in 'cash in trains' to buy TMC leaders in the state. "From where is so much money coming into Bengal? BJP is bringing the money in trains to buy TMC leaders. But fear no one. When we could defeat the 34-year rule of Left Front, what is five years of BJP rule for us? We have to uproot the five years of misrule brought in the country by the two brothers (Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah). We have to remove this oppressive, dictatorial regime. We will fight them in inches." Reiterating her target to win all the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state, the West Bengal Chief Minister warned that RSS and VHP were bringing Hindutva fundamentalists from outside the state to create communal tensions in West Bengal in the poll season and asked people to be alert and inform the police about suspicious persons. Hitting out at the state Opposition, she warned that Congress, CPM and BJP might have an 'under-the-table' understanding against TMC in the Lok Sabha elections. On the other hand, CPM is facing a tough time in persuading the Left Front constituent parties CPI, Forward Bloc and RSP for the pre-poll alliance with Congress. Sources revealed that the CPM allies are ready for an alliance with Congress but have put one demand: There should not be any public sighting of CPM and Congress leaders together either in rallies or meetings. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: After clinching alliance in politically most crucial state of Uttar Pradesh to take on the ruling BJP, the Bahujan Samaj Party of Mayawati and the Samajwadi Party of Akhilesh Yadav took their mutual understanding to the next level here on Monday by announcing the poll pact to for Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand where the two parties decided to fight upcoming Lok Sabha elections together. However, Mayawati yet again winning an edge over Akhilesh while sharing the seats in the two states. While the Samajwadis will field candidates on three of the 29 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh, the BSP will contest on the remaining 26. Akhilesh's party will contest Balaghat, Tikamgarh, and Khajuraho seats in Madhya Pradesh. Similarly, in the hill state of Uttarakhand which has just 5 Lok Sabha seats, the BSP has left Garhwal (Pauri) seat for Akhilesh's party, rest four will be fought by the BSP candidates, said the joint statement issued here on Monday. READ| Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav reject PM Modi's farmer's scheme, calls it an insult The statements have been undersigned by the chiefs of both the parties. In fact, both the UP-based parties have little presence in MP and Uttarakhand. In Madhya Pradesh, both SP and BSP had failed to even open their account in 2014, while in 2018 Assembly elections, BSP had gone it alone and has won two seats and SP had tied up with some regional fringe outfits winning just a single seat. In Uttarakhand, both SP and BSP had scored a duck in 2014 Lok Sabha elections and all five seats were won by the BJP. IN 2017 Assembly elections also, none of the two parties could open their account. The two regional satraps worked out the arithmetic of Lok Sabha seats in MP and Uttarakhand after defined their seat sharing for Uttar Pradesh a week ago. In UP, the BSP would contest on 38 seats, SP on 37 and RLD on three seats. Two seats of Gandhi bastions have been left untouched by the two parties. While the Congress was kept cautiously out of the alliance in UP, Akhilesh recently had claimed that the grand old party was very much a part of the alliance as they had left Amethi and Rae Bareli seats for it. After Monday's announcement, the SP-BSP alliance has officially spread its wings to three states. It may be recalled that the two parties had announced their pact for UP with much fanfare in Lucknow on January 12. The political observers view it as the unconditional compromise by the Samajwadis of their political interests in MP and Uttarakhand where Mayawati has apparently succeeded in prevailing over Akhilesh. It may not be forgotten that Akhilesh doesn't have the support of his father and Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav over the alliance issue as he had accused his son of compromising party's political future. By PTI MUMBAI: Opposition parties on Monday boycotted Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao's address to the joint sitting of the Maharashtra legislature to voice their protest against his recent remarks on the RSS. Earlier this month, Rao said in Nagpur that the RSS is one of the most secular and inclusive organisations as it has always respected the right of individuals to practice their own faith. Expressing displeasure over the remarks, opposition members stayed away from the Central Hall where the governor arrived to deliver his address to the joint sitting of both the Houses on the first day of the budget session. Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde said they decided to boycott the address because they "were doubtful if it will be the governor's address or that of a RSS person". By PTI COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's Tamil-dominated northern province observed a complete shut down on Monday with protestors demanding justice for thousands of disappeared persons of the brutal three-decade-long civil war against the LTTE that ended in 2009. The families of the disappeared persons joined the protest and public transport, schools and government institutions remained shut with the civil society's support, a Tamil party official said. At a well-attended gathering in Kilinochchi, the former LTTE stronghold, the protestors said they had no faith in any local probe and wanted the internationally-supervised process of accountability for crimes committed in the final phase of the conflict. "Ten years passed since the bloody war came to an end but nothing has changed significantly in our daily lives, we are still searching for our loved ones, our lands are still occupied by military and our homeland militarised," placards at the rally read. The protesters urged that the Sri Lankan government not be given any more time to implement the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolutions. The protest came as the UN rights body began its 40th sessions in Geneva where Sri Lanka's rights progress record will be scrutinized. Since the 2015 resolution co-sponsored by Sri Lanka, the government has taken some steps to ensure accountability over the alleged war crimes blamed both on the government troops and the LTTE. The office on missing persons has been set up to redress the greviences of the relatives of the victims of enforced disappearances. A reparations Act has been adopted which would lead to the setting up of the reparations body. Since 2013, the three UNHRC resolutions have called for accountability for war crimes with an international probe. Sri Lanka has resisted calls to opt for an international probe, citing the country's Constitution does not permit foreign judges to operate in the island nation. It faced UNHRC resolutions for alleged human rights abuses during the last phase of the brutal three-decade-long civil war against the LTTE that ended in 2009. Sri Lanka's human rights record, particularly over the impunity enjoyed by law enforcement officers, has been the subject of international condemnation. The UNHRC has demanded accountability mechanisms to probe rights abuses blamed on both the LTTE and the government. According to the government figures, around 20,000 people are missing due to various conflicts including the civil war with Lankan Tamils in the north and east which claimed at least 100,000 lives. Guo Ping, rotating chairman of Huawei Photo: Chen Qingqing/GT Huawei's sign is seen at an exhibition hall of MWC19 in Barcelona, Spain on Sunday. Photo: Chen Qingqing/GT In spite of political pressure from the US government, Huawei will cooperate with partners around the world to succeed in the 5G era, the company's rotating chairman told the Global Times ahead of the Mobile World Conference in Barcelona, Spain. "Huawei is ahead in 5G technologies by a year thanks to our continuous investment in research and development," said Guo, rotating chairman of the Chinese company, which is also the largest telecoms equipment provider worldwide. "Over the past few months, we have faced cyber security challenges by a certain country," Guo said, referring to the US government, which has been lobbying its major allies to block Huawei equipment for building the next generation of mobile wireless technologies, citing security concerns. "Who is secure or not should not be decided by politics," Guo told the Global Times at a press conference on Sunday in Barcelona. In terms of cyber security evaluation and assessment, out of 12 indicators, Huawei leads in nine of them. In the other three, it has had above-average performances, he said "and we'll continue working with partners to improve cyber security." US President Donald Trump urged in a recent tweet that wireless technology companies step up their efforts to build 5G networks, and he cautioned against blocking any companies in pursuing this target. "Due to complex reasons, Huawei does not merely exist in the US market," Guo said, noting that the US does not represent the whole world. Even without the US, the Chinese company has achieved business growth, driven by robust demand in the technology and communications industry. "Our future will not be decided by that [US influence]," Guo told the Global Times. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: Two alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) operatives, who were arrested during a raid by UP ATS at a hostel in Deoband town of Saharanpur on Friday, believed to have confessed before the interrogators that they were hiding in Uttar Pradesh to escape the mounting pressure by the India Army in Kashmir. They also revealed to the ATS team that they were using virtual numbers to get in touch with their Jaish-e-Mohammad handlers in Kashmir and across the border and were directed to use only voice messages to contact them. As per the ATS officials, the two accused used a special application to have text and voice chats with their bosses. This application was similar to popular messaging apps. As per IG ATS, Asim Arun, the special application was used to dodge Intelligence agencies as the conversation through such application was difficult to intercept. ALSO READ | 'It's Jaish's Sajjad Bhat': NIA identifies owner of Maruti Eeco used in Pulwama attack Sharing personal information, Shahnawaz Ahmad Teli told the agencies that his actual name was Nawaz Ahmad Teli and that his father was a carpenter on Kulgam, Kashmir. Shahnawaz claimed he had three siblings a brother who was a teacher in a government school in Kashmir and two younger sisters. A graduation first year drop out and proficient in Arabi language, Shahnawaz revealed that he was taken away by the terrorists and was made to join the jehad two years ago. Both Shahnawaz and his aide Aquib admitted before the probe agencies that they were on the radar of Indian Army and were quizzed a number of times by the army authorities so they left Kashmir and came to Deoband. On the other, Aquib Ahmad Malik is the son of an apple grower in Pulwama, Kashmir. A class XII pass out, Aquib came in touch with Jaish just six months back and he was radicalised. Meanwhile, UP DGP OP Singh was also the part of the interrogation of the two terror suspects. The DGP grilled the two in his office for around four hours on Sunday. As per the ATS sources, the duo divulged to the interrogators that they had organised a party for a special guest in their hostel but he left before the ATS crackdown. They had cooked chicken for the special guest. We could establish that by the mobile intercept of the two suspects. But before we could reach there, he had already fled, said a senior ATS official. According to IG Asim Arun, ATS had some inputs about unknown people visiting the rented room of the two accused. He said the duo was quizzed about people who visited their room in a Deoband hostel, but they did not divulge. Another official assisting the investigation said the mobile intercepts of Shahnawaz, a resident of Pulwama (J&K), also revealed his conversation with some unknown caller in Kashmir after the attack; on CRPF troops in Pulwama on February 14. The two operatives might be taken to their native places with the possibility of recoveries of explosives and firearms hidden there. The two operatives claimed that a number of illegal students were living in Deoband area. Meanwhile, the BJP MLAs of the adjoining constituencies have demanded the government to get a probe done by an independent agency to rule out the links of Darul-Uloom with terror outfits of Kashmir. Harpreeet Bajwa By Express News Service CHANDIGARH: With eye on forthcoming Lok Sabha and the assembly elections later this year, the BJP government in Haryana has proposed new schemes to provide financial and social security cover to families of farmers and those of workers in the unorganized sector. Presenting the budget in the state assembly, in his two-hour long speech the state finance minister Capt Abhimanyu announced to introduced new scheme to provide financial and social security cover to families of farmers holding land up to five acres. Families of workers in unorganised sectors with family income of less than Rs 15,000 per month are also beneficiaries of the same scheme. The state governments farmer scheme with an allotment of Rs 1500 crores will apply in addition to the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. Proposing no new tax in the budget, Abhimanyu said that the state government has not only tried to give impetus to economic growth but also tried to stabilize and strengthen financial structure of the state. He said the state government planned to transform the agriculture sector completely by diversifying the focus from crop husbandry to horticulture crops, animal husbandry and fisheries in the coming years and making these sectors holistic, integrated, progressive and futuristic. Abhimanyu presented the budget with a total outlay of Rs 1,32,165.99 crore (2019-20), an increase of 14.73 per cent over Rs 1,15,198.28 crore outlay for 2019-19, with thrust on sectors including education, health, rural development, skill development and industrial training, agriculture and allied activities. The proposed budget does not include any new taxes for 2019-20. In collaboration with the Union Government of India, the state government has proposed to set up a science city in the Aravali Biodiversity Park, Nathupur village in Gurugram. The city of Ambala will also see a sub-regional science centre. Committed to completing the SYL canal at any cost, the finance minister has allocated Rs.100 crore for the completion of the project. The government has also allocated 3500 acres for an aviation hub in Hisar. The hub will include a maintenance facility, training and simulation center, aerospace university and a defence manufacturing park. By PTI NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched an all-out attack on the Congress accusing it of adopting a "family first" approach and said national security suffered due to "criminal negligence" of the previous dispensation, in remarks which came shortly before he inaugurated the National War Memorial here. In his hard-hitting speech at a gathering of ex-servicemen, the Prime Minister referred to the Bofors scam, AgustaWestland chopper scam, Rafale issue and inordinate delays in procurement of critical military platforms and ammunition by the previous government. Modi also listed steps taken by his government in enhancing India's military might, ensuring the welfare of security personnel and ex-servicemen as well as in honouring the fallen heroes. "Why injustice was meted out to our martyrs? What was the reason why attention was not drawn to build a memorial for the martyrs? Was it India first or family first. The answer to this lies in the difference between family first and India first," Modi said, in a clear reference to the Gandhi family. He also trained his guns on the Congress on the Bofors and AgustaWestland helicopter scam. "From Bofors to helicopter, all investigations point at the same family and it says a lot. These people are putting all their might to ensure that Rafale jets do not come to India. When India's first Rafale will fly over the country, then it will demolish their conspiracies," said the PM. Paying his respects to the CRPF soldiers killed in the Pulwama attack, he said due to the sacrifice of many soldiers India is among the strongest armies in the world. Speaking on the occasion, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the ex-servicemen, "What we need today is your trust, and trust in the Prime Minister," seen as seeking their support for BJP's return to power. Saying that for him it was India first, Modi asserted that "this pradhan sewak", a term he uses often for himself, will take every decision keeping the national interest supreme. "The decisions which were pending compromising national interests were being cleared one by one on priority basis," he said. Noting that the proposal for the memorial was mooted almost 25 years back, he said it saw some progress during the previous BJP-led NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee but got stuck when the Congress-led UPA came to power in 2004. "In 2014 we started the process of building it and it has been completed before time. Friends, this memorial also signifies how a resolution can be fulfilled," he said. He asserted that his government cleared long-pending crucial defence projects and demands of security forces on a priority basis as he sought to put the Congress in a dock on the issue of national security. The armed forces had sought 1.83 lakh bulletproof jackets in 2009 but it was only after his government came to power that over 2.30 lakh of them were bought. "Who is to blame for this sin and blot" he asked, calling it criminal negligence with armed forces and national security. His government has also bought 72,000 modern rifles and spent Rs 25,000 crore on purchasing ammunition, he added. The reason for the delay in the previous government and the decision taken by his dispensation is due to the difference between "family first" and "India first" mindset, he asserted. Addressing the ex-servicemen, he said the government will set up three super-speciality hospitals for them. The prime minister said "Modi is not important" and what is paramount are the nation's history, culture and civilisation. His government has implemented one-rank-one-pension (OROP) scheme for ex-servicemen and disbursed Rs 35,000 crore under it, he said, adding that their pension budget is now over Rs 1,12,000 crore and salaries of soldiers are up by 55 per cent. "A new India is marching forward with new vigour and energy," said Modi. The PM later inaugurated the country's National War Memorial (NWM) adjoining the iconic India Gate complex in the heart of the capital. By PTI KOLKATA: Amid the ongoing impasse with the Congress over seat-sharing deal for the Lok Sabha polls, the West Bengal CPI(M) Monday manged to bring along two of its allies - the RSP and the CPI - on board on the issue. It has been decided at a Left Front meeting that the Congress needs to leave it's claim over Raiganj and Murshidabad Lok Sabha seats presently held by the CPI(M), in order to take forward the seat-sharing discussions. At the meeting here, the CPI(M) convinced the RSP and the CPI that seat-adjustment with the Congress was a necessity, a senior CPI(M) leader said. The meeting was convened to decide on the number of seats its allies such as the RSP, the Forward Bloc and the CPI will contest. Till date, the CPI(M) used to contest 32 seats, the RSP four and the CPI and the Forward Bloc three seats each. "With two Left allies on board, only the Foward Bloc is left. The party is not keen on an alliance with Congress. Maybe they are afraid that they might have to share with their seats. Now the ball is in a court of the Congress to move things forward. But it has to leave its claim of Raiganj and Murshidabad," the senior CPI(M) leader said. It has also been decided that the Congress has to clearly spell out whether it wants a seat-sharing adjustment with the Left Front. Two seats - Raiganj and Murshidabad- cannot be a bone of contention in an alliance, he said. It has been decided that Left allies RSP, CPI and Forward Bloc will contest in three seats each. The number of seats CPI(M) would contest depends on the terms and conditions of seat adjustment with Congress. Meanwhile, the Left Front is keeping a close watch on the opposition meet scheduled to be held in New Delhi on February 27. Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to attend the meet. "A lot will depend on what will happen at that meet. If Congress is seen cozying up with TMC nationally, it might have an adverse impact on seat adjustment in the state," a CPI(M) central committee member said. When contacted a senior Congress, who is privy to the developments, said, "Nothing has been officially communicated to us by the Left or CPI(M). But let me make it very clear that we are prepared for any eventuality including fighting alone." The Raiganj and Murshidabad are the only two Lok Sabha seats that the Left has in West Bengal, its erstwhile stronghold. These two places, however, are known as pockets of the Congress in the state. Congress leader Pardip Bhattacharya and Abdul Mannan last week held a few round of talks with CPI(M) leaders Sujan Chakraborty and Rabin Deb for seat sharing. According to Congress sources, state unit president Somen Mitra and CPI(M) state secretary Surya Kanta Mishra will meet on this matter soon. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury is also likely to discuss the matter with senior AICC leaders to end the impasse. The Congress, sources said, wants to contest around 20 of the state's 42 Lok Sabha seats, and the Left Front, which has to distribute seats among its constituents, is keen on fielding candidates in at least 31-32 seats. The Congress had won four seats in 2014. Mausam Benazir Noor, the Congress MP from Malda, defected to the TMC in January. By Express News Service Ambareesh's son Abhisheks silver screen debut with Amar, and its first theatrical trailer will be out along with Darshan-starrer Yajamana, which is slated to release on March 1. Interestingly, the latter has played a pivotal role in the film, directed by Nagashekar. With Tanya Hope as the female lead, the Amar team has completed the shooting and is now working on the dubbing with the artistes. The film that was shot in a record number of destinations in Karnataka and neighbouring states, has also been shot in Switzerland. The team recently went on a seven-day cruise to Malaysia, where they shot a song sequence. Produced by Sandesh Nagaraj and music scored by Arjun Janya, the makers are now looking at an April release. An official announcement with regard to the same will be made once the film gets a go-ahead from the Censor Board. READ HERE | From Tanya Hope to Abhishek Gowda: Kannada cinema will have fresh faces in 2019 By Express News Service Scientists at IIT Madras have developed an algorithm that can help manage dense crowds using minimal manpower, and prevent deadly stampedes in huge public gatherings like the Kumbh Mela and the Hajj. Using a computer simulation, researchers can intelligently plan where to place police personnel to quickly quell disturbances in a crowd that could otherwise lead to panic and chaos. The research, published in the journal Physical Review Letters, can also help design safe evacuation procedures for events and locations that witness high footfall. "Couple of years ago the Elphinstone bridge tragedy took place in Mumbai. It was a very unfortunate event that we thought could have been prevented by understanding the physics of stampede. If we know how these events start and how they propagate through a crowd, there are ways of mitigating it," said Mahesh Panchagnula, a professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. "These kinds of stampedes have clear patterns in how they start. We wanted to understand those early signs and figure out how you place the police people, or what we call 'gamechangers', who then direct the crowd in a way that would prevent a stampede," Panchagnula said. The ongoing Kumbh Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage at Allahabad, is one of the world's largest religious gatherings. Up to two crore people taking a dip in the river on some days, making the event a hot spot for mishaps that could put thousands at risk. In 2013, at least 42 people died after a stampede broke out at the train station in Allahabad during the festival. Similarly, Mecca in Saudi Arabia, Islam's holiest city, is visited by millions of pilgrims every year. In 2015, a stampede caused deaths of over 2,000 pilgrims during the annual pilgrimage -- the deadliest Hajj disaster in history. Such events call for better methods of crowd control. The physics community has been looking at this problem for a while now, researchers said. "For example, they have investigated the idea of placing barriers at certain places that would make the flow of crowd easier. It may sound counter intuitive, but it works. It is all about streamlining the crowd. It looks like you have placed barricades at certain places, but it helps easing the crowd flow," he said. The research team, which includes Sumesh P Thampi and Ajinkya Kulkarni, analysed what happens when a dense crowd -- about 3-4 people per square metres -- fills into a confined space. They said that in such gatherings the movement of the crowd resembles that of any fluid, and hence laws of fluid dynamics can be applied to predict where disturbances can arise. "If we look at the areal videos of people circumnavigating the Kaaba in Mecca, it looks exactly like water swirling in a bucket," Panchagnula said. The researchers tried to capture the simple rules that a person follows to navigate in a crowd in to a mathematical model. The predictions of the model adhered well to experimental observations, they said. "Let's say a gathering is set to take place in Marina beach. The police will set up baricades to control the crowd. All we need is a drawing of where the barricades are being placed, and what is the size of the expected crowd. The simulation can predict at which points a stampede is likely to start, and the optimal points where police personnel should be deployed to quickly prevent a stampede," Panchagnula said. This would allow the police to design the best strategy for crowd control, with the minimum personnel. The model can also help design a better barricade system, researchers said. Apart from helping the police personnel place themselves at strategic locations even before an event begins, the algorithm can be incorporated in future drones that can monitor crowds in real time. "We are getting into an age where we will see more use of drones to monitor crowd motions in these large gatherings. With our model, real time feedback from such drones would be very useful," Panchagnula said. The researchers are keen to partner with government agencies to develop intelligent crowd management strategies for future religious, political or sporting events. The cost of implementing the predictive model in a real life scenario is very minimal, say scientists, as it simply informs authorities on how to best use their existing resources. (The story was originally published in EdexLive) Deena Theresa By Express News Service KOCHI: This, is for the third-world kids. The ones that waltz into the world with suitcases The ones with more stamps on their passports than fingers or toes The ones whose heart will always be in a three-way tie between places The ones who learnt early to pack all your memories, clothes, and goodbyes into 23 kgs and cabin baggage..., recited Fathima Zahra in her poem for the Asia House Poetry Slam 2018. One of the finalists, Zahra, herself a third-culture kid, having shuttled between her native place, Kerala, Saudi Arabia, where she spent most of her life, and London, her home now, had written the poem months before Spread the Word had put out calls for submissions with the theme on diaspora. I think the feeling of not belonging as much as belonging to one city or many is an identity, one that I strongly identify with and it felt like the poetry slam poster had my name written on it. I sent my entry and with the grace of god, I made it to the final eight, says the soft, yet fierce spoken 21-year-old. Zahra, a spoken-word poet, is part of the Roundhouse Poetry Collective 2018-19, a collective of young writers and performers who meet weekly to create, experiment and develop their craft, under guidance from established and celebrated poets. A second-year student of biomedical sciences at the Queen Mary University of London, Zahras fascination in science and writing fuelled her and made her what she is, today. Despite writing ever since she was a child, it wasnt until the age of 13, that spoken-word poetry decided to pirouette into her life through poet, Amal Ahmed Albaz in a YouTube video. I remember watching it and being excited to see someone like me onscreen. Poetry suddenly felt real, like it was at my fingertips. It was accessible, something I could do someday, Zahra recollects. Albeit, it wasnt until she moved to Bengaluru that she got to watch other poets live, participate in slams, or perform in workshops. Poetry has been my passport. I can be put in a room full of strangers about to listen or perform my own work and I still feel the same awe I did as the 13-year-old behind the laptop screen. When I look back, Im so grateful for having found this different lens to look at poetry. And its been something Ive held onto, ever since, she says. How does she find inspiration? I used to write only when I was overcome by emotion or when this idea haunted me. As Ive grown, I found it impractical to sit and wait around for inspiration so now I try to build this routine of constantly consuming and making art so it takes a lot of reading and writing to churn out very few poems that Im happy to share with an audience, she says. Watching Zahra perform, one can see that shes born to dazzle the audience. I enjoy performing on stage as much as it terrifies me. It just felt like finding another narrative to get to tell my stories and it was something that I felt more comfortable with, in terms of my writing and my creative freedom, Zahra says. Zahra had noticed a contrast in the themes poetry was centred around when she moved to the UK. In terms of content, in India, poetry was more centred around mental health issues, gender and sexuality, and domestic violence. In London, the focus was pulled away from those and the intensity was balanced. This has to do with the cultural difference and the support you get with those issues. Here, conversations are much more open, she explains. And is there anything that Fathima Zahra is uncomfortable writing or performing about? It helps to remember that there are things Id write for myself, and things Id dont mind sharing with an audience, and it is knowing the difference that helps. Its an act of self-preservation, she adds. By Express News Service KOCHI: Shastrayan - Darpanam 2019, hosted by the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit in Kalady, has become a medium for the general public to be educated about the universitys ongoing research and knowledge. Included among others, the exhibition by the Department of History has put on display a copy of the rare copper plate inscription dating back to the 18th century on Sabarimala, which was discovered and deciphered by one of the research scholars here. In addition, coins dating back to the 18th century, stone tools picked up from the banks of river Periyar at Kalady , a burial urn discovered in Kalady, palm leaf manuscripts on healing, a copy of the Ramayana, alphabets for basic learning of Malayalam, horoscopes - all on palm leaves along with the stylus the inscribing instrument have been exhibited. Artefacts which ancient people used in their daily life, have been put on display. The tools, weights and measures, and implements used by goldsmiths are on display as well. Regional histories of Malabar, Kochi, Kollam, and Palakkad have been put up along with rare photographs. Information and items collected as part of ongoing research field work by scholars and theses produced in the Department are available for the visitors to look at. Documentaries were also screened. History through photographs was an additional attraction of this exhibition. This includes photos from family life, of tea plantations and the history of the 1924 and 2018 floods in Kerala. Photos of artefacts excavated from Aranmula after the 2018 floods have also been exhibited. Photographs on the four River Valley civilisations along with models from the sites were available for viewing. The public also had a space for dialogue with the professors and research scholars to help them get an overview of the department and its research. Students from schools and colleges received an excellent opportunity to interact and discuss history as well as future plans for study. Express Features By Some women completely believe in challenging the self and setting new, ever higher benchmarks for others to follow and mountaineer Kamal Kaur is one such inspiring individual. Affectionately known as the Kam Lady, her love for the mountains started with the modest Three Peaks 24 hour challenge which she undertook to raise funds for charity. The Three Peaks challenge involves summiting the three highest peaks in the UK within 24 hours; this including Mount Snowdon in Wales, Ben Nevis in Scotland and Scafell Pike in England. Soon after this adventure Kam undertook her first successful major summit, ascending to the top of Kilimanjaro with a group of fire-fighters. She has never looked back since! A firm believer in multi-tasking and making the most of the time available to her, mountain spirit Kamal Kaur is now gearing up for her biggest and most challenging expedition to date, this being to summit Mount Everest this year. Her current ambition is to complete all fourteen 8,000 metre peaks and her life for many years now has constantly been working in this direction. I started this journey of adventure and solace some eight years back. Dedication is what will get you to your destination. You can achieve whatever you want in your life through dedication, sincerity and sacrifices. I totally understand not everyones ultimate goal is to climb a mountain or to push oneself to the brink with extreme physical activities but there are lots of ways to attain what you desire, says Kam, and this just happens to be one of hers. She is full of praise for her guide and friend Rolfe Oostra and his expedition company 360 Expeditions for making each of her mountaineering journeys so memorable. Kam has already conquered five out of the Seven Summits - these being the highest continental points in the world and including Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Aconcagua in South America, Mount Meru in Africa, Elbrus in Russia and Denali in North America. She has successfully tackled 10 high altitude mountains across the globe; Machu Pichu and Mount Misti in South America, Cho Oyo in Tibet and Ama Dablan in Nepal to name a few. So does this mean she spends all of her time mountaineering? Of course not! When at leisure Kam has attended the Shivananda Yoga Teacher Training course at the Tamil Nadu Ashram in India to gain experience as a yoga teacher and to cultivate her inner peace during the brief periods in-between her hectic schedule of expeditions. She has been practicing yoga for almost a decade now and it is fundamental to her positive approach to life. Kam is active in giving her time and energy to others and has worked with children and troubled teenagers as well as being an active volunteer in mental health awareness campaigns. A firm believer in equality for the sexes, Kam hopes in the future to do more work with programmes for female empowerment and self-determination. She hopes maintain her inspirational mountaineering life. By PTI NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the country's National War Memorial (NWM) adjoining the iconic India Gate complex in the heart of the capital, nearly 60 years after it was mooted to honour the fallen soldiers after Independence. A wall with the names of the martyred soldiers displayed at the National War Memorial in New Delhi on Sunday Feb 24 2019. (Photo | EPS/Parveen Negi) Here are eight facts about the National War Memorial (NWM): Spread over an area of approximately 40 acres, the memorial comprises four concentric circles, namely-- the 'Amar Chakra, the Veerta Chakra, the 'Tyag Chakra' and the 'Rakshak Chakra' with names of 25,942 soldiers inscribed in golden letters on granite tablets. It also includes a central obelisk, an eternal flame and six bronze murals depicting famous battles fought by Indian Army, Air Force and Navy in a covered gallery (Veerta Chakra). The memorial has been built at a cost of Rs 176 crore, by lighting the flame positioned at the bottom of the stone-made obelisk. The NWM pays tribute to soldiers who laid down their lives defending the nation during India-China war in 1962, Indo-Pak wars in 1947, 1965 and 1971, Indian Peace Keeping Force Operations in Srilanka and in the Kargil conflict of 1999. The sanction for the project was issued on December 18, 2015 and actual work on it started in February 2018. In the complex, 16 walls have been constructed in the Tyag Chakra for paying homage to the 25,942 battle casualties and their names have been inscribed on granite tablets arranged in a circular pattern, symbolizing the ancient Indian war formation 'Chakravyuh'. Busts of the 21 awardees of Param Veer Chakra have been installed at Param Yoddha Sthal which includes three living awardees Sub Maj (Hony Capt) Bana Singh (Retd), Sub Major Yogendra Singh Yadav and Sub Sanjay Kumar. Six murals, made by noted sculptor Ram Sutar, depicting famous battles fought by the Army, Air Force and Navy have been put up in a gallery in the Veerta Chakra zone, he added. Rose petals were showered by IAF helicopters and a fly-past in 'Missing Man' formation was also part of the event. There was no national memorial to commemorate the sacrifice of fallen soldiers after independence. The outermost circle -- the Rakshak Chakra comprises of rows of more than 600 trees with each tree representing many soldiers who guard the territorial integrity of the nation round the clock. The memorial complex also comprises graphic panels and stone murals. A statue of Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey, Param Vir Chakra Posthumous, displayed at Param Yodha Sthal near the National War Memorial in New Delhi. (Photo | EPS/Parveen Negi) Officials said the Amar Jawan Jyoti, built in 1972 underneath the India Gate arch in memory of the fallen soldiers of the 1971 war, will remain there but the NWM will be the place to pay tributes to soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country. The India Gate itself is a war memorial built during the British Raj as the All India War Memorial Arch to honour the soldiers who died in the First World War (1914-1918) and the Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919). The landmark has the names of soldiers inscribed on its surface. By Express News Service BENGALURU: Even as the Chief Secretary of Karnataka TM Vijay Bhaskar urged authorities to make Bengaluru an aerospace hub a permanent venue for the biennial Aero India, organisers are yet to decide on the venue. Though venue of the next edition of Aero India used to be announced before the conclusion of the event in the past, the practice was discontinued in the previous edition. Speaking on the sidelines of the valedictory of Aero India, Commandar PK Bhattacharya, Officer on Special Duty, Department of Defence Production, said the venue for the next Aero India will be announced shortly. Replying to a question, he said the announcement is expected before or during the next edition of Defence Expo, scheduled for 2020. Officials of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, who managed the 12th edition of show, did not comment on the issue. Sources said though the government has decided on the venue for the next Aero India, they were yet to declare it. Apart from Bengaluru, the Centre is considering Hyderabad, Pune and Chennai as alternative locations. The push to change the venue from Bengaluru has been on since the run-up to the 10th edition of Aero India in 2015. As the then Defence Minister was Manohar Parrikar, there was a major push for Aero India to be shifted to Goa. However, the initiative fizzled out, with the idea facing stiff opposition from locals there opposing taking over their land for setting up the infrastructure required. Lately, there has been an unconfirmed push for the event to be moved to Lucknows Bakshi Ka Talab Air Force base. Moving the event away from Bengaluru is being justified by the massive infrastructure growth in the city. Conducting aerobatics near areas that once were open land, but is now occupied by residential buildings, is considered dangerous. On the eve of the show, two Surya Kiran Hawks crashed metres away from residences, with one house sustaining partial damage. Raghottam Koppar By Express News Service GADAG: With patriotic fervour running high following the recent Pulwama terror attack, a noted doctor from here decided to do his own bit for the benefit of security personnel who constantly put their lives at risk.In a rare human gesture, paediatrician M B Nimbannavar has decided to treat children of soldiers free of cost. The doctor was influenced by several initiatives taken up by people to help out the families of slain soldiers of the Pulwama terror attack. The treatment of the children of soldiers will not only be free at Nimbannavar Hospital, but priority will be given to them for consultation. Children up to 16 years old can avail this benefit at his hospital. I also have the zeal to help these families in distress. As most of my time is dedicated to the hospital, I am not in a position to give time to such families. So I decided to help the families of soldiers in my own way, he said. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: If you are an existing investor or planning to invest in the governments flagship social security programme National Pension System (NPS) there is great news for you in the offing. The pension fund regulator is working on a scheme that may soon give the subscribers the discretion to choose the fund option that comes with a minimum assured return. According to latest documents, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has invited an Expression of Interest (EoI) from actuarial firms to design, develop and recommend a minimum assured return scheme (MARS) under NPS that can be implemented under NPS architecture. The proposed structure of the scheme would include exit loads or exit penalty recommendation with respect to MARS (if required), clawback provisions, and guarantee reset period, among others, for subscribers. On implementation, subscribers will be assured of a minimum return over a specific period. And any lag in the return will be compensated by the sponsor of the scheme. Also there is can be a guarantee reset period that can be set quarterly/half-yearly/annually or any other time period that is decided keeping account of subscriber interest as well as pension funds who comes to offer such a products. Some aspects, including what kind of guarantee absolute return guarantees or relative rate of return guarantees (sector and benchmark-based) can be reasonably provided by the pension funds with recommendation of suitable proposals, need to be examined, said the expression of interest floated by PFRDA. The applicant, the EoI said, can be a government organisation, public sector unit, partnership firm, limited liability partnership or private limited firm in existence for at least five years.One of the major challenges for this might be that under the schemes all citizens model, all citizens are not entitled to contribute 14 per cent of their salary, unlike government employees and corporates. These peculiarities will decide the lock-in period and other things concerning MARS. Presently, in NPS, there are five pension fund managers, two investment options (auto or active) and four asset classes. Upon entry into the NPS, the subscriber normally remains invested till the age of superannuation or 60 years, while upon exit from the system, the subscriber is entitled to withdraw up to 60 per cent of the accumulations and the remaining 40 per cent is mandatorily required to purchase annuity from an annuity service provider who will provide monthly pension to the subscriber. Subscriber base The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority has reached a subscriber base of 2.65 crore in its flagship National Pension System (NPS) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) schemes and hopes to cover nearly 2.72 crore subscribers by the end of the current financial year. In a break-up, PFRDA said there are nearly 1.45 crore subscribers under APY and the remaining 1.20 crore have NPS accounts. By PTI MUMBAI: After remaining in captivity for almost three months, four employees of IL&FS Transportation Network (ITNL) have been rescued from Ethiopia and returned to India, the company said. On November 25, local Ethiopian workers of ITNL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of cash-strapped IL&FS Group, took hostage seven Indian employees for not having received salaries for the previous two months. Of the seven, three were released from captivity and had returned to India between December 2018 and January 2019, the company said in a statement. "We have been able to secure safe return of our four employees, working in projects in Ethiopia, to India. These four employees have returned to India on 24 February," ITNL said in a statement. IL&FS arm ITNL through its wholly owned subsidiary, Elsamex SA, has been executing road projects across three sites in Ethiopia. The company had defaulted on paying both taxes and local employee pensions for past few months. ITNL's subsidiary has employed close to 800 Ethiopian workers for its three construction sites. The company said since mid-2018, under its instructions, several of the Indian employees employed by its project companies had returned to India. IL&FS Group and its various subsidiaries, including ITNL, are facing a liquidity crisis and have defaulted on various debt payments. By Megan Cleveland | Vol . 27, No. 5 | February 2019 Did You Know? Renewable energy accounts for approximately 17 percent of U.S. electricity generation. More than half the states have established state renewable portfolio standards (RPS), which require that a percentage of electricity sold by utilities is generated by renewable resources. At least five states have increased their RPS requirements in the past two years, and seven states and Washington, D.C., have targets of 50 percent or greater. Renewable energy sourcessuch as wind, solar and hydropoweraccount for approximately 17 percent of U.S. electricity generation. Wind and solar have grown rapidly: Since 2006, their annual electricity generation has increased by a factor of 11. State energy policies, such as renewable portfolio standards (RPS), are a major driver of this growth. Renewable portfolio standards require utilities to meet a growing portion of their electricity needs with renewable sources. Utilities that are subject to these mandates must obtain renewable energy credits or certificates (RECs)which represent the environmental benefits of one megawatt-hour (MWh) of renewable energy generation. RECS are created when renewable energy is sent out to the grid and are used to verify that utilities are meeting their targets. States have created renewable standards to diversify their energy mix, promote economic development and reduce emissions. These standards partially drive the nations $64 billion renewable energy market. Twenty-nine states, Washington, D.C., and three territories have established an RPS, while eight states and one territory have set voluntary renewable energy goals. RPS targets, the entities they include and the resources eligible to meet requirements vary widely among states. Most states renewable energy targets are between 10 and 45 percent, although seven states and Washington, D.C., have requirements of 50 percent or greater. Some states only require investor-owned utilities (IOUs) to adhere to the RPS while others include electric cooperatives and municipal utilities, although requirements are typically equivalent to or lower than those for IOUs. Eligible resources for RPS compliance include wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and some hydroelectric facilitiesdepending on the size and vintage. Several states also include additional resources such as landfill gas, tidal energy, combined heat and power, and even energy efficiency. To promote a diversified resource mix and encourage deployment of certain technologies, states have established carve-outs and renewable energy credit multipliers within their RPSs for specific energy technologies, such as offshore wind or rooftop solar. Carve-outs require a certain percentage of overall renewable energy to be met with a specific technology, while credit multipliers award additional renewable energy credits for electricity produced by certain technologies. At least 21 states and Washington, D.C., have credit multipliers, carve-outs, or both for certain energy technologies in their RPS policies. Since 2000, roughly half of all renewable energy growth can be attributed to RPS policies. However, their role has diminished in recent years, accounting for only 34 percent of renewable energy capacity additions in 2017. Although RPS policies still play a vital role, other factors, including declining renewable energy costs and other state energy policies, such as net metering, are also driving renewable energy growth. As renewable energy becomes more economically viable, some states are considering whether RPS policies are still needed to encourage greater deployment of resources. In 2017, Maryland, Montana and New Hampshire enacted legislation to study the costs and benefits of their RPS policies. State Action Hawaii instituted the most aggressive RPS in 2015, with a requirement that 100 percent of its energy come from renewable sources by 2045. Many other states have followed with large increases in their targets, including Washington, D.C., which, in 2018, established a 100 percent renewable energy mandate by 2032, replacing Hawaiis RPS as the most aggressive. Falling prices for renewable energy, along with the fact that many states have been able to easily attain interim RPS goals, have led many to consider or enact legislation to increase their renewable energy commitments. Significant legislative RPS increases in recent years include: Hawaii House Bill 623 (2015) established the countrys first 100 percent RPS by 2045. House Bill 623 (2015) established the countrys first 100 percent RPS by 2045. Vermont House Bill 40 (2015) created an RPS of 75 percent by 2032, replacing the states voluntary renewable energy goal. House Bill 40 (2015) created an RPS of 75 percent by 2032, replacing the states voluntary renewable energy goal. Oregon Senate Bill 1547 (2016) increased the states RPS to 50 percent by 2040. Senate Bill 1547 (2016) increased the states RPS to 50 percent by 2040. Maryland legislators overrode Governor Larry Hogans veto, enacting House Bill 1106 in 2017 to increase the states RPS to 25 percent by 2020. legislators overrode Governor Larry Hogans veto, enacting House Bill 1106 in 2017 to increase the states RPS to 25 percent by 2020. Washington, D.C., Bill 904 (2018) established a 100 percent RPS by 2032. In 2018, states introduced more than 100 RPS-related bills and enacted at least 12, including notable legislation in California, Massachusetts and New Jersey. California Senate Bill 100 established a 100 percent clean energy mandate, requiring utilities to procure all their electricity from clean energy sources by 2045, and increased the states RPS to 60 percent by 2030. An emerging trend is states creation of energy storage targets or clean peak standards in conjunction with RPS policies. Massachusetts enacted House Bill 4857 in 2018, increasing the RPSs required growth rate between 2020 and 2029 from 1 to 2 percent of sales annually. It also established the countrys first clean peak standard, which requires utilities to procure a certain amount of electricity during peak demand hours from clean energy resources. These include renewable energy, energy storage and demand response, where consumers are offered financial incentives for allowing the utility to adjust their heating, cooling and other energy services. The bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources to set the initial standard, which will increase by 0.25 percent annually. States have also revised existing and created new carve-outs for certain energy technologies. In addition to increasing and extending the states RPS to 50 percent by 2030, New Jersey Assembly Bill 3723, enacted in 2018, phases out the solar carve-out and increases the carve-out for offshore wind to 3.5 gigawatts (GW). Other RPS-related legislation includes bills to refine resource eligibility rules for hydroelectric and biomass facilities, and to require long-term renewable energy procurement contracts for utilities. As states continue to close in on their RPS targets and states deadlines for meeting their renewable energy commitments approach, more state activity on RPS policies is expected. Madison v. Alabama provides clarity rather than makes new law. In this case the Supreme Court held 5-3 that the Eighth Amendment prohibits a person who lacks a rational understanding due to mental illness for why the death penalty has been imposed to be put to death regardless of what mental illness the person is suffering from. Continue > 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. Regional Assam Government imposes blanket ban on laligur used in country liquor Golaghat, Feb 24 (Agencies): | Publish Date: 2/25/2019 12:00:00 AM IST After the hooch tragedy the Assam Government has launched a crackdown on Laligur, a form molasses, across the State as it is the major ingredient in the making of sulai, the country liquor. According to Northeast Now, the State Government has completely banned the sale of laligur as it is being used in making spurious liquor which is causing a serious threat to public health. Anyone who wants to use it as fodder for cattle needs to take prior permission from district magistrate or the veterinary department, said excise minister Parimal Suklabaidya after he held a high level review meeting at the circuit house in Golaghat with the officers of excise department of both Golaghat and Jorhat districts. The move is in contrast with the governments previous instruction to all the superintendents of police of the state to ensure free movement of truck carrying molasses because the joint secretary of food, civil supplies and consumer affairs department had sent a WT message on June 15 last year (a copy of which is available with Northeast Now) where it was said that it has come to the notice of the government that unscrupulous elements are unauthorizedly stopping, restricting movement of gur and jaggery at various places in the State creating resentment among the farmers and traders. The message further read, It is clarified that the item molasses or gur has not been specified as essential commodity in the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2006. The gur control order has also been rescinded by Government of India. Presently there is no licensing requirement, stock limit and movement restrictions on gur and molasses. In view of thee above, you are requested to ensure free movement, transportation of Gur, molasses and take strong actions against the unscrupulous persons who are illegally obstructing the movement of above mentioned items, the message further stated. There is no license required to store molasses therefore we have no idea regarding the stock of molasses in the district. Moreover, imposing a restriction or banning the Laligur is not an option to control the flourishing market of spurious liquor. If Laligur is not available then the illicit liquor makers will use methanol which is very much toxic and we have seen the result in the recent hooch tragedy of Halmira tea garden, an official from the food and civil supplies department said on the condition of anonymity. Spring migration is now earlier in European and North American birds The greatest advances were found among short-distance migrants that winter in Europe or North America: about 1.5-2 days per decade. Long-distance migrants that winter in the tropics have also advanced the start of their migration, but only by approximately 0.6-1.2 days per decade. "Based on changes in median migration dates, birds have on average advanced their spring migration by a little over a week since the late 1950s", says Aleksi Lehikoinen from the Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki. Some species show much greater advances. For instance, Whooper Swans now arrive in Finland about two weeks earlier than in the 1980s. The advances in spring migration dates are not equal across the migration season. Early migrants of a given species have advanced their migration dates more than late migrants within the species' migration season. First migrants have the highest pressure to arrive at their breeding grounds as early as possible, whereas late migrants are typically non-breeders, which have no rush to move north. This asymmetry has led to an overall increase in the duration of migration. Annual arrival dates of bird species were explained by local temperatures: the earlier the spring, the earlier the timing of migration and the longer the migration season. Geographical differences in climate change also explained regional differences in the advancement of spring migration. "Birds advanced their migration dates more in Europe than in Canada, because spring temperatures have risen more quickly in Europe", says Andreas Linden from Yrkeshogskolan Novia, Finland. The study is based on long-term monitoring data from 21 North European and Canadian bird observatories and included almost 200 study species. The longest time series started in 1959 and the early 1960s and a large part of the data was collected by volunteer birdwatchers. The results were published in the international journal Ecological Indicators. ### This story has been published on: 2019-02-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. 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. Today's Headlines Would you like to receive our daily news? Sign up today! Breaking news Sign up for breaking news alerts from morning-times.com!!! Week in Sports Get a weekly local sports round-up from www.morning-times.com every Saturday morning!!! Lansdale, PA (19446) Today A few clouds. Low 71F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 71F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. [February 25, 2019] ZTE, Wind Tre and Open Fiber Conduct the First 5G Video Call across the Mediterranean Sea SHENZHEN, China, Feb. 25, 2019 /CNW/ -- ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a major international provider of telecommunications, enterprise and consumer technology solutions for the Mobile Internet, today announced that it has completed a video call on a 5G smartphone in collaboration with Wind Tre and Open Fiber. The demonstration, which complies with the 3GPP R15 standard, fully showcases ZTE's leadership as an international provider of technology solutions in telecommunications for businesses and mobile Internet consumers. Based on the 5G pilot network in L'Aquila, the video call adopts ZTE's end-to-end 5G solutions, including RAN, core network, carrier and device. By means of two ZTE 5G smartphones, the video call was successfully made from Barcelona where Mobile World Congress is underway to L'Aquila, the city home of the Center for Research and Innovation on the 5G of ZTE. Consequently, ZTE's MWC booth in Barcelona presents the live streaming of the video content. As strategic partners, ZTE, Wind Tre and Open Fiber have been conducting the 5G experiment of MISE in partnership with the University of L'Aquila, scheduled from 2018 to 2020. During this time frame, ZTE, Wind Tre and Open Fiber have jointly developed the first pre-commercial 5G network in Europe. In addition at ZTE Wireless User Congress and 5G Summit, held in L'Aquila on November 15, 2018, ZTE and its partners carried out a 5G demonstration of HD UAVs and live streaming Panorama VR. By virtue of its end-to-end technological performance, ZTE is committed to creating intelligent premium networks for operators in the 5G era. To date, ZTE has collaborated on 5G with 30 operators worldwide and has launched end-to-end 5G commercial products, fully satisfying the needs of the first wave of 5G network deployments. In the future, ZTE will continue to work with its partners to fully promote 5G technology and accelerate its worldwide commercialization, providing global users with advanced 5G experiences. About ZTE ZTE is a provider of advanced telecommunications systems, mobile devices, and enterprise technology solutions to consumers, carriers, companies and public sector customers. As part of ZTE's strategy, the company is committed to providing customers with integrated end-to-end innovations to deliver excellence and value as the telecommunications and information technology sectors converge. Listed in the stock exchanges of Hong Kong and Shenzhen (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), ZTE's products and services are sold to over 500 operators in more than 160 countries. ZTE commits 10 per cent of its annual revenue to research and development and has leadership roles in international standard-setting organizations. ZTE is committed to corporate social responsibility and is a member of the UN Global Compact. For more information, please visit www.zte.com.cn. Media Contacts: Alessio De Sio ZTE Italia Tel: +39 3666824010 Email: alessio.desio@zte.com.cn View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zte-wind-tre-and-open-fiber-conduct-the-first-5g-video-call-across-the-mediterranean-sea-300801208.html SOURCE ZTE Corporation [ Back To www.mobilitytechzone.com\LTE's Homepage ] By Tom Philpott Like many military physician colleagues, Dr. Richard W. Thomas, a retired Army major general, ear-nose-throat surgeon, and current president of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), is worried about tentative Defense Department plans to eliminate more than 17,000 uniformed medical billets across the military health system starting in October 2020. Thomas is sufficiently uneasy to discuss the proposed cuts publicly, in part because medical students at USUHS, aware that uniformed health care staffs could shrink as much as 13 percent over several years, are asking Thomas and university faculty how the cuts will impact their careers and desired medical specialties. We get those questions and it's a fair question. 'I'm interested in being a pediatrician. Am I going to have a job?' Thomas said. [RELATED: What Would Major Cuts to Military Medical Personnel Mean to Your Care?] Experienced physicians in specialties that don't deploy with combat troops are anxious, too. In a lengthy interview in his office on the Bethesda, Md., university campus, Thomas shared his concerns but also his confidence that Army, Navy, and Air Force medical leaders are carefully analyzing those initial meat cleaver targets and almost certainly will be pressing for more scalpel-like staff reductions. Top-down driven, bottom-up refined, Thomas said of the billet-reduction process he expects as the services reconsider the numbers and types of physicians, nurses, dentists, medics, technicians, and support staff they need, following years of combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The medical [community's] responsibility is to give them the best analysis they can, to say this is what 'right' looks like from our perspective, he said. If that occurs - if informed advice is heeded as Thomas anticipates - then the medical force review will become a great opportunity to reset requirements. After the end of every major combat window, you tend to downsize the force somewhat. There's a certain amount of health in that, Thomas said. [RELATED: Restructuring of Health System Slows to Curb Readiness Risk] We reported here six weeks ago on a yearlong collaboration on medical staff cuts between the Joint Chiefs, service medical departments, the Defense Health Agency (DHA), and analysts in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Cuts of roughly 7,300 from Army medical staff and 5,300 apiece from Navy and Air Force surfaced in draft reports. The intent is to repurpose billets as warfighters and to deepen individual workloads across military medicine so clinical skills stay sharp. Those goals make sense, Thomas said. It's the size of cuts that concerns him, particularly given the likely impact on graduate medical education pipelines, which he calls the lifeblood of military medicine. Graduate education produces specialists, from heart surgeons to primary care physicians to pediatricians. The right mix ensures deployment readiness and proper staffing of base hospitals. Thomas also noted that just as Congress directed DHA to assume central control of all military health facilities, it also has asked for a study of whether USUHS should oversee all graduate medical education now residing with the services. Thomas believes that shift will happen, calling it logical given how other medical functions are being consolidated under a single combat support agency. Thomas cautioned against staff cuts so deep they force closure of certain graduate medical education pipelines that one day would need to be restored. The military is really good about a couple of things, he said. If you give them a target, they will work towards that number. That's the issue. If you look at those overall numbers - I looked at them the other day, for example, 7,000 for the Army. Over 1,000 of those billets are medical corps. Doctors. Analyzing the effect of such cuts on the ability to meet mission is really what the services' medical departments are for. They need to take that and do the analysis, Thomas said. They may come back and say, 'Hey that number's too large. I can't do it.' But I also think they are going to have to snap link this to a timeline. 'If you want me to attrite certain specialties or personnel numbers, how many of those then become civilians?' [RELATED: Four Military Health Care Trends to Track] I'll give you an example: a pediatric endocrinologist, Thomas continued. 'Maybe I don't need one in uniform, but I'll convert that to a civilian billet if I still have that requirement.' That's the analysis that has to be done. USUHS becomes an occasional target for budget hawks, Thomas said, even as its importance grows as the foundation of education and training for the military health system. That periodic political threat is one reason Thomas wants to tout the value proposition USUHS brings to military medicine. We don't want to be the best university no one ever heard of, he said. USUHS is a fully accredited medical school. While universities typically begin as colleges, evolve, and then establish medical schools, Congress reversed that order to create a West Point for doctors after conscription ended in 1973. The intent was to ensure a strong cadre of military-trained physicians. Over the years USUHS added a graduate school of nursing, a dental school, and a college of allied health sciences. Today, it has about 1,000 faculty on staff. The medical school gets 20 applicants for each first-year student billet, a ratio that matches and exceeds most Ivy League medical schools, Thomas said. This year it will graduate 171 new physicians, each obligated to serve seven years on active duty in Army, Air Force, or Navy. Its graduates are only 15 to 18 percent of new physicians the military needs. Civilian medical schools produce the majority of military doctors, enticed to serve by military-paid scholarships or loan forgiveness. Statistically, USUHS graduates are more career-minded; 80 percent serve 20 years or more years to earn military retirement. I tell people our graduates stay longer, not because of a longer service obligation [but] because they are more obligated to serve, said Thomas. Major-General Jean-Robert Bernier (left), chair of NATO's Committee of Chiefs of NATO Medical Services, presents the 2018 Dominique-Jean Larrey Award to Dr. Richard Thomas, president of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. The award is NATO's highest honor for medical support. (NATO photo) Most students enter USUHS because the military pays for their medical degrees. They serve beyond initial obligations for the training opportunities or because of the desire to deploy, said Thomas, who once commanded the Army's Medical Corps. These guys [and gals] would tell me, 'If you deploy me, I'll stay,' Thomas said. Because to many of them, that was the 'it.' That was the real deal for them. They understood why we existed and it all made sense. A higher percentage of USUHS graduates train in specialties deemed combat necessary such as general surgeons, anesthesiologists and emergency medicine, but many also become primary care physicians or family care specialists. By the time year groups of doctors reach O-6 rank - colonels in the Army and Air Force, captains in the Navy - more than a third are USUHS graduates, Thomas said. Because Congress and the Defense Department prize USUHS graduates, the medical school is set to expand over the next several years. Thomas became university president in 2016, bringing deep experience in combat medicine and senior health management. After earning a doctorate in dental surgery, he went to medical school to become a surgeon specializing in otolaryngology/head and neck surgery. He served five combat tours including as division surgeon for the 101st Airborne in Afghanistan and Iraq, and surgeon general of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan. His last military job was first director of healthcare operations and chief medical officer at the Defense Health Agency. Thomas noted that the military has been the source of some of the greatest advances in medicine, whether it's trauma care, infectious disease care, traumatic brain injury care, psychological health. Combat is the greatest catalyst. That's always been true and was so again through 18 years of continuous combat operations since 9/11, he said. We've seen a transformation of medicine, military medicine certainly. And the value of military medicine is those advances translate into civilian medicine. To comment, write Military Update, P.O. Box 231111, Centreville, VA, 20120 or email milupdate@aol.com. 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. Chesterhill Village Council makes decisions on gym addition, plans for repair of Union Building Chesterhill Council held a special meeting as they had a few decisions to make because of deadlines that would hit before the next meeting. Council discussed its plans for the addition at the gym. Council will be coming up with more ideas of how to best utilize the gym. Councilman... Morgan County Sheriffs Office Daily Call Reports Editors Note: The following are initial incident reports from callers to a Morgan County Sheriff s Office Dispatcher. Any details, charges or situations may have been distorted by the caller, or perhaps may have been found to be different after the officer further investigated the incident. Thursday, January 28, 2021... HINDSIGHT 10 Years Ago (2011) Sgt. Stephanie DeNune was named Non- Commissioned Officer of the quarter following a competition of her peers. She is serving with the U.S. Armys 218th Medical Detachment in Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn 2010-11. She has served nine years and recently committed to... McConnelsville Village Administrator reminds council of upcoming photo op on Main Street Village Administrator Jennifer Ponchak reminded everyone that Thursday evening, June 3, the council would be walking down Main Street, starting at the Inns at 8th and Main and continuing to the old bridge, viewing the preparation of the various businesses. A group will be coming in to take photographs on... Schaffer announces operating budget amendments to restore property tax losses in Morgan, Muskingum, and Noble Counties State Senator Tim Schaffer (RLancaster) joined his colleagues in the Ohio Senate Wednesday, June 9, for the passage of Substitute House Bill 110, which is the Senates proposal for Ohios FY 2022-2023 operating budget. Schaffer secured language in the Senate version of the bill that will restore property tax losses... Morgan County Sheriffs Office Daily Call Reports Editors Note: The following are initial incident reports from callers to a Morgan County Sheriffs Office Dispatcher. Any details, charges or situations may have been distorted by the caller, or perhaps may have been found to be different after the officer further investigated the incident. Sunday, January 24, 2021 ... The real problem is more complicated. In the 1990s, publishing online became easy, which led to a surge of independent digital publications that produced original content while also re-reporting news from other outlets with a little bit of analysis added. Self-publishing and the Internet's ubiquity disrupted a news business model based on scarcity and lack of choice. Much of what midsize and large newspapers were producing was regional, state and national coverage that was being duplicated all over the country; that made sense when consumers' choices were limited, but it was unworkable when readers could use the Internet to find that same news from anywhere. All it took was one newspaper that made its national coverage free, or an aggregator that summed up the news without doing original reporting, and they could steal the lion's share of ad revenue by cornering the market. In the name of the whole church, I thank the vast majority of priests who are not only faithful to their celibacy, but spend themselves in a ministry today made even more difficult by the scandals of few (but always too many) of their confreres, Francis said. I also thank the faithful who are well aware of the goodness of their pastors and who continue to pray for them and to support them. Maher also engaged in misrepresentation and showed a lack of candor to the court, had a conflict of interests in his representation of a client, failed to meet a deadline to file an appeal of a contempt order for his client and failed to respond to the disciplinary boards request for information, according to the decision. Pennsylvania law requires prosecutors to bring defendants to trial within 365 days, or risk the charges being thrown out of court. But that clock excludes delays caused by the defense, which often requests its own continuances in order to prepare legal motions or investigate its side of the case. The idea grew from a twice-annual event where faculty and staff are encouraged to bring their pets to work to mingle with the student body. Philly.com reports schools locally and nationally including La Salle already allow dogs and other pets if they are required for therapeutic reasons or if they are service animals. The lawsuits accuse the administration of trying to use it to scare immigrants from responding and therefore reduce federal spending. The administration argues the question is legitimate and appropriate because it was used until 1950, and is used on periodic sample surveys in years between the decennial count. The group's polling found Democrats had the biggest advantages when messaging on those issues, and intends to link them to the Trump administrations policies. Health care in particular was an issue Democrats were able to use to their advantage in Pennsylvania and elsewhere in last years elections, Borick said. The fake officer on the phone will advise you about a warrant for your arrest and give you a case number, DiLuzio said. You will get a phone number to contact (in this case, phone number 844-242-0008) to confirm what the fake officer is telling you and get a confirmation number that allows you to pay with a credit card. The fake officer will tell you to call him or her back to pay the fine with a credit card or gift cards. I am running for Council because I believe we must build on our strong foundation with a vision that puts our community needs and values front and center, he said in a statement. I look forward to bringing my experience to help Bethlehem find the right balance in continued growth and sustainability with responsible government oversight. Carmello Santiago, of the 100 block of South Ninth Street in Allentown, was arraigned Friday on one count of indecent assault of a person under 13. He was arraigned by District Judge Jacob Hammond and sent to Lehigh County Jail under $75,000 bail. Authorities released few details of what happened to DeLeon. The initial dispatch came in as a cardiac arrest at 11:03 p.m., but a second dispatch was reported as an unknown age male found on the ground outside by the employee entrance on the side of the building. The male is blue with a large amount of blood coming from his head. Several women gasped and covered their mouths with a hand as Weintraub said that Sullivan raped Grace while Packer watched, then the pair drugged the teen and left her to die in a hot attic. Finding Grace still alive the next day, Weintraub recounted, Sullivan strangled her from behind. The pair later dismembered Graces body and tossed the pieces along a country road. In 2011, Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli said he would seek severe sanctions for parents charged with leaving their children alone while gambling. He also added that those parents would not be allowed to participate in a program for first-time offenders. Salerni has enjoyed a long collaboration with Gioia that has included setting some of the poets best-known poems, such as his For Love or Money of 2015. I had been working with a collection of Danas poems, and came to Haunted, which I thought was dramatic enough to be set as an opera, Salerni says. But Dana thought it was too wordy for that, and suggested something that included music, voice and dancing. I had already written a ballet for the Rioult Dance Company, so I was comfortable with the dance parts. So I started going through the text, deciding what was to be danced, what would be sung, and so on. A New England-style clam bar, Silvershell will take over a prominent spot in the market thats been vacant for the last year since 3rd & Ferry Fresh Fish Stand closed. It is to the left of the entrance and visible through the large glass windows of the front of the market. Sheffield FlyPast in Unique VR 360 - "Mi Amigo" US B17 Flying Fotress Crash Memorial Unique footage of the 10 plane "Mi Amigo" Sheffield Memorial FlyPast in VR 360 that literally puts you right at the heart of the 10,000 strong crowd, allowing you to follow the planes just as if you were there as they fly overhead. https://youtu.be/rZABJTMDBbI The fly past was the culmination of 3 hours of commemorations for the 10 brave air men who died when their B17 Flying Fortress bomber crashed on 22nd Feb 1944, the crew of the "Mi Amigo". In commemoration of which the fly past was arranged by BBC presenter Dan Walker after talking to Tony Foulds who has looked after the memorial site for decades. The fly past which took place at 8.45am includes an 4 F15 Strike Eagle fighter jets from RAF Lakenheath, other aircraft included a KC-135 Stratotanker, a MC-130J Commando II, a CV-22 Osprey from RAF Mildenhall, and a Typhoon and a Dakota from RAF Coningsby. By Anika Walayat http://www.walayatfamily.com Copyright 2005-2019 Marketoracle.co.uk (Market Oracle Ltd). All rights reserved. 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. An Economic Postcard from Malaysia Not so long ago, Malaysia was set to lose years of economic progress. Today, following the re-imposition of economic discipline, the country is almost back on track. A new era dawned in Malaysia in May 2018, when the opposition coalition led by Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim secured a simple majority in a historical election. When Mahathir will return to retirement, opposition leader Anwar is expected to replace him in about two years. In the 2018 election, their coalition - Pakatan Harapan (PH) - won 113 seats against the ruling coalition (United Malays National Organization, UMNO and its allies) that had not lost an election since 1957. Last year, Malaysias economy grew 4.7% year-on-year. Despite fiscal consolidation and challenging international conditions, the country is set to sustain its growth path in 2019. It is an extraordinary achievement after years of political turmoil. The Najib regression As the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak ruled the country from 2009 to 2018. His early tenure was marked by economic liberalization measures, including cuts to government subsidies, loosening of foreign investment restrictions, and reductions in preferential measures for ethnic Malays in business. After the 2013 election, the neoliberal economic policies gave way to greater efforts at political consolidation, including the pursuit of critics on sedition charges, the imprisonment of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, the implementation of a consumption tax (GST), and the embarrassing scandal involving state investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). That's when Malaysia lost its economic discipline. The changing fortunes can be illustrated by the fluctuations of Malaysian ringgit. Between 2009 and 2013, US dollar was still about 3-3.60 MYR. As economic prospects weakened, so did the ringgit. Between 2013 and 2018, US dollar amounted to 4.40 MYR (Figure). Figure Malaysian Ringgit, 2009-2019 Eventually, the massive 1MDB corruption debacle led to rallies calling for Najib's resignation, spearheaded by the grassroots movement Bersih. Following his release in 2004, Anwar Ibrahim became the leading figure in the opposition and helped coalesce the opposition parties into the Pakatan Rakyat, which contested the 2008 and 2013 general elections. These protests culminated in the Malaysian Citizens' Declaration by Mahathir, the rise of Pakatan Harapan and NGOs to oust Najib. The 2018 election triumph paved the way to Mahathir to become the world's oldest elected leader at 93. He said his coalition would not seek revenge but would "restore the rule of law". Recently, Anwar Ibrahim seconded those views. He said Malaysia will not compromise in its talks with Goldman Sachs over the 1MDB corruption scandal, and the bank must bear responsibility. The nation has a responsibility to uncover any crimes the investment bank may have committed. Fiscal consolidation Between 1974 and 2004, Mahathirs Malaysia experienced a period of rapid modernization and economic growth, as his government initiated a series of bold infrastructure projects. During his reign, Malaysia was transformed into an ASEAN tiger. Politically, Mahathir was dominant, winning five consecutive general elections and fending off a series of rivals for the leadership of UMNO. The final test came with the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis in 1998. While much of Asia succumbed to IMF-imposed austerity, Malaysia did not. Instead, Mahathir pursued a heterodox model of economic policies, including currency and capital controls, while deterring George Soros's speculative efforts to derail the economy. In the West, Mahathir was demonized as an authoritarian dictator who was intent on undermining his own economy. In reality, his mix of policies ultimately helped Malaysia endure a shallower GDP loss than crisis-afflicted Indonesia, South Korea, and Thailand. Now Mahathirs objective is fiscal consolidation to surpass the policy mistakes of the Najib years, while stabilizing a more robust growth path. It is a challenging task that must be implemented amid Americas new protectionism and U.S. tariff wars. Moreover, Mahathir has had to suspend several multibillion-dollar projects, including China-backed initiatives, in a bid to target Malaysia's estimated $250 billion national debt and other liabilities. Early signs are promising. In 2019, economic growth is likely to be around 4.5%; in 2020, 4.2%. Private consumption is the key contributor as consumers have loosened their purse strings amid an improving labor market and lower consumption tax. However, investment growth is lingering as several high-profile projects have been put on the back-burner following the new government's fiscal rationalization. Preparing for 2020 contingencies As the new government's first budget suggests, the focus is on institutional reforms, improving the standards of living, particularly for the lower income groups, as well as encouraging entrepreneurship. The fiscal deficit is projected to narrow to 3.0% of GDP by 2020; and to 2.0% in the medium-term. It is a typical Mahathir mix: people first, good governance, self-sufficiency, but openness to international trade and investment. Yet, there are two key risks to the fiscal target forecast. On the one hand, growth could be less than anticipated, thanks to the challenging external environment. On the other hand, revenue flows could prove more volatile than expected, given the higher dependence on oil-related revenues, which account for almost a third of total. While the government's expansionary efforts are limited by the ongoing fiscal consolidation, Malaysia can still rely on more accommodative monetary policy. In 2019, monetary policy is expected to be stable. As international headwinds are likely to escalate in 2020, the central bank could opt for a more dovish stance. Until recently, neoliberal policies have often been portrayed as "natural" for post-industrializing Asia. In reality, such policies tend to boost oligarchs and shun the rule of law. Led by Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's political reset shows that neoliberal trajectory and corruption are not an inevitable destiny. Malaysians deserve a better, sovereign future. Dr Steinbock is the founder of the Difference Group and has served as the research director at the India, China, and America Institute (USA) and a visiting fellow at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (China) and the EU Center (Singapore). For more information, see http://www.differencegroup.net/ 2019 Copyright Dan Steinbock - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors. Dan Steinbock Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. Stock Traders Must Stay Optimistic Part 4 Welcome to Part IV of our multi-part research post delving into the global markets, global opportunities and the current revaluation even that is taking place. We started this quest from a simple question, are the Doomsayers correct in their analysis that the US and global markets would collapse in a spectacular form in the near future?. We wanted to dig into this in more detail to prove they were right or to prove our analysis was correct and the markets are simply re-balancing in the process of developing greater opportunity. So far, weve covered topics related to globalization, central banks, global GDP and capital asset deployment forms. Weve highlighted how the transition from regional economies into global inter-connected economies is now nearly complete and weve highlighted how we believe a collapse event could only take place if the largest global economies were to experience some type of massive crisis event. Unless these types of massive crisis events unfold, the most likely outcome is what we have been proposing all along a re-balancing/revaluation event cycle that is preparing current market valuations for a momentum breakout rally in the future. Lets continue our research. The chart, below, highlights just how critical global capital flow is in todays world. Imagine, back in the 1950s and 1960s the process of money flowing around the planet in an instant for investment purposes and global central bankers being able to capitalize on various global economies was very difficult to achieve. Now, with the speed of fiber-optics, these transactions can be completed in seconds and traders/investors can move capital across the planet multiple times throughout a single 24-hour span of time. In our opinion, the reason the September 11, 2001 market crisis and the 2009~2014 market crisis events were so catastrophic and REAL was because they targeted the US economy (the biggest economy on the planet and the leader of growth throughout the planet) as well as the extended credit, debt and derivatives markets that were formed as the total globalization process expanded. When this froth began to implode, the underlying value of the assets supporting this frothy fringe investment imploded at dramatic rates. (Source : http://ngkf.com/globalcities/2017/over-there.html) The current issues that should concern investors are China and Europe. We believe a re-balancing of capital and expectations are currently taking place within these regions that could result in a de-frothing process in the near future. We would like it to be orderly and structured, but we dont always get what we want right? This process of revaluing the future expectations and opportunities within these global markets could create some issues for fringe elements as well (Russia, SE Asia, South America and Africa). Remember, many of these nations are operating on a capital high right now after seeing many decades of easy money and extreme growth. This is the reason for being cautiously optimistic. We have not completely transitioned into the total global growth mode yet. The one thing that we believe is taking place at the moment is the positioning of capital in preparation for the final revaluation event. Capital is currently shifting towards safer and more secure global markets in preparation for this last revaluation event cycle. Our interpretation of this event is that a shakeup of banking/finance institutions as well as larger scale infrastructure projects (Belt Road) and economic coalitions (EU) will result in a more solid and rooted opportunity to build upon success for our future. A de-frothing economic event will likely continue throughout the next 2~5+ years where localized markets will attempt to eliminate the at risk top and bottom end players. Think of this as a process of re-establishing core values and core opportunities. In an ecosystem, living organisms operate in two separate modes: survival and expansion. When the environment is hostile and difficult, the organism falls into survival mode. This is where froth and at-risk elements are terminated because the important aspect for the organism is to survive the environment. If the environment improves and becomes more friendly and supportive, then the organism will transition into expansion mode where it will try to grow, expand and flower. This is where the organism becomes very healthy and is able to begin taking on new risk/froth elements. Currently, we believe the global economy is nearing the end of the de-frothing/revaluation phase and will begin to establish new growth footing over the next 2~5+ years. Our hypothesis is that the 2009~2014 Global Credit Market crisis started a massive global de-frothing process that is currently working through the global markets. Intentional or unintentional, we dont know. But we do understand that the process of survival or expansion is key to the long term economic events that continue to work through the global markets. Lets look over some charts. One element typically happens near the early/middle stage of economic expansion is a Commodities price increase. Looking at the larger picture of the global price of all commodities, we can see that an expansion channel existed between 2004 and the peak near 2008 and, since then, global commodities have been within a Major Downward sloping price channel. It is our opinion that global commodities will stay near the lower range of this price channel as the revaluation/re-balancing phase continues. Eventually, global commodities will likely attempt to setup a Flag/Pennant formation before attempting a true price advance after the froth/risk has been sufficiently eliminated from the global markets. Additionally, this chart showing total international debt securities of all countries clearly shows WHEN the global markets entered the revaluation/re-balancing phase. It all started with the 2009~2014 global credit market crisis not with the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. This information supports the process that the global economy was much healthier in 2001 as a result of the expanded opportunities supported by the new Internet/technology boom. The crisis event in 2001 was dangerous as it could have resulted in a global economic contraction, yet it appears the expansion in commodities prices and the continuous expansion of debt was unabated. The 2009~2014 global credit crisis event was a completely different story for the markets. This event consisted of a core element implosion that touched nearly every corner of the planet and started a de-risking event that is still taking place. True economic expansion will not begin until this event is completed. The process of revaluing the markets is currently taking place and a true capital shift is still underway where capital is being deployed in the safest and most secure markets on the planet in order to secure proper ROI as well as seeking speculative ROI from undervalued international markets. We continue to expect debt consolidation to continue throughout most of the established world. The single purpose of this Revaluation event is to find and secure proper valuation levels for the entire global market before true expansion can begin. Weve already experienced a massive revaluation process across most of the planet and the only thing left to complete are the proper valuation levels of the most frothy and unhinged global markets on the planet. This process may not be pretty at times, but it certainly will provide skilled traders and investors with incredible opportunities for profits. You wont want to miss these moves over the next 3~5+ years. Dont miss Part V of this incredible research post as well show you exactly what to expect over the next 24~30+ months in the US markets and who you why skilled and professional research, like this, is key to understanding where opportunity really exists in these markets. If you want to learn how our proprietary price modeling systems, a dedicated research team, daily videos, and more resources will help you find and execute better trades, then please visit www.TheTechnicalTraders.com to learn how we can assist you. If you want to know how and when we are trading these markets to help our members, then consider becoming a member and enjoying all the benefits we offer our subscribers. This is going to be an incredible year for skilled traders. Isnt it time you invested in something that can really help you develop greater success? 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. Muriel Eugenia Dunckel, age 71, of Mankato passed away on Sunday, June 20, 2021 at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester. Services will be held at a later date. Mankato Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements. Muriel is survived by her husband, Nelson Dunckel; children, Dan (Carla) Ewert 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. Magnolia, AR (71754) Today A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Partly cloudy skies. Low 72F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Partly cloudy skies. Low 72F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Today Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 73F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 73F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Tomorrow Thunderstorms. High around 85F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Vice President Mike Pence promised Monday that the United States would continue to to apply economic and diplomatic pressure to induce Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to leave his country, but did not rule out the eventual use of military force. Pence spoke in Bogota at a meeting of the Lima Group, a forum of 14 Latin American and Caribbean countries formed in 2017 to deal with the impacts of the Venezuelan crisis, including millions of displaced migrants. A majority of members have joined the United States in demanding that Maduro resign and make way for self-declared interim President Juan Guaido and new elections. We hope for a peaceful resolution but as President Trump has said, all options are on the table, Pence said. The vice president was seated next to Guaido, the Venezuelan National Assembly president who declared himself interim president on Jan. 23. We gather here to confirm our commitment to the freedom-loving people of Venezuela. Know that you are not alone. Stand firm, Pence said. The day will arrive soon when the long nightmare of Venezuela will end. Advertisement Recognizing that Maduros tenure in power depends on support from the Venezuelan military, Pence urged officers and soldiers to accept Guaidos offer of amnesty and defect to the opposition. Although 167 members of the Venezuelan armed forces were reported to have left their posts and crossed over into Colombia over the weekend to accept Guaido as their commander in chief, the mass defection hoped for by U.S. officials so far has not occurred. Pence arrived Monday morning in Colombia to meet with Guaido and other Latin American leaders to discuss a path forward in efforts to unseat Maduro. The meeting comes after a weekend in which Guaido and his supporters, which include Colombia, the United States and the European Union, failed to significantly breach the Venezuelan border with tons of humanitarian aid that had been stockpiled in the Colombian border city of Cucuta. The aid was given principally by the U.S., with other countries including Canada and members of the EU pitching in. But aid-laden trucks were stopped and burned at the border on Saturday. Clashes with Venezuelan national guard troops firing tear gas and rubber bullets claimed five lives and injured more than 300 at Colombian and Brazilian border crossings where protesters tried to enter with aid. Members of the Venezuelan national guard stand next to a burned truck on the Simon Bolivar international bridge in San Antonio del Tachira, Venezuela, on the border with Colombia, on Feb. 24. (Federico Parra / AFP/Getty Images) After arriving in Bogota, the capital, Pence met with Colombian President Ivan Duque and Guaido before proceeding to the Lima Group meeting. Besides Duque, those present included Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales and Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, both of whom support Guaidos plan to replace Maduro. In his speech, Pence announced that new economic sanctions would be imposed soon against the Maduro government. The U.S. has already frozen Venezuelan assets, prohibited the purchase of Venezuelan oil and given Guaido exclusive access to certain government accounts. The vice president said the United States was also providing $56 million in additional aid to Venezuelan migrants, bringing this fiscal years aid total to $195 million. Advertisement Further intensifying economic pressure on the Caracas government, the Trump administration on Monday added four Venezuelan governors to a growing list of sanctioned officials loyal to Maduro, a socialist who has followed the path of his predecessor, Hugo Chavez. The governors, from the states of Zulia, Apure, Vargas and Carabobo, will be blacklisted, banned from doing business with U.S. individuals or companies and subject to the forfeit of any assets in U.S. banks. Gov. Omar Jose Prieto Fernandez of oil-rich Zulia state is believed to have overseen drug trafficking and organized crime, the U.S. Treasury Department said. Gov. Ramon Alonso Carrizalez Rengifo of Apure, which borders Colombia, stands accused of massive repression of opposition activists. All stood in the way of U.S. efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Venezuelans from Colombia over the weekend, Treasury officials said. Advertisement In his speech to the Lima Group gathering, Guaido said Maduros acts of barbarity were seen by the world during Saturdays border disturbances. We saw the cruelty of this dictatorship shooting at its own citizens and blocking humanitarian aid. It was a sign of a moral disaster that must be condemned by us today, Guaido said. Prior to Pences arrival, Colombias foreign minister, Carlos Holmes Trujillo, opened the meeting by saying that Colombia and its Latin American neighbors must tighten the political and diplomatic fence around Venezuela to support the efforts of Venezuelans to reach the reestablishment of democracy and constitutional order. Many of the Lima Group member nations have been overwhelmed with Venezuelan immigrants; of the more than 4 million Venezuelans who have departed their native country since 1999, about 1.2 million are thought to be living in Colombia. Advertisement A nation with two presidents: How a political crisis has unfolded in Venezuela Morales, the Guatemalan president, told the gathering that his government believes in liberty for Venezuela and the necessity to recover democracy. Maduro has led his country into a unsustainable situation. Panamas Varela said, International pressure should be stronger and more effective against Nicolas Maduros regime. Guaido has been recognized as interim president by 50 nations that consider Maduros reelection in May to a six-year term fraudulent, mainly because several potential opposition candidates were disqualified from running. Of the 14 members of the Lima Group, only Mexico and Uruguay have not recognized Guaido, and both have called for further negotiation with Maduro. Critics contend that Maduro and his loyalist supreme court have steadily chipped away at the powers of the democratically elected and opposition-controlled National Assembly and replaced it with a new loyalist constitutional assembly. Advertisement Late Sunday, former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, who is now the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, issued a statement in which she condemned the violent acts at various points along Venezuelas border with Colombia and Brazil over the weekend. But Morales took the opportunity before the Lima Group to criticize Bachelet and the U.N. for not providing more help to Venezuelas neighbors groaning under the financial and social cost of hosting thousands of migrants. Venezuelans use the Tachira River as a crossing between Colombia and Venezuela, near the Simon Bolivar International Bridge in La Parada, Colombia, on Feb. 25. (Fernando Vergara / AP) Questions remain about the future of Guaido, who crossed into Colombia last week and has remained in the neighboring country. The self-declared government of the acting president, who heads the opposition-dominated Venezuelan congress, controls no Venezuelan territory or ministries. Advertisement Guaido could face arrest if he returns to Venezuela, where he is under criminal investigation and was barred from leaving the country. However, any prospective effort by Maduros government to detain Guaido would likely be seen in Washington as a major provocation. The Trump administration has warned publicly that any action by Maduros government against Guaido could prompt unspecified retaliation from Washington. Special correspondent Kraul reported from Bogota and Times staff writer McDonnell from Cucuta, Colombia. Special correspondent Mery Mogollon in Caracas, Venezuela, and Times staff writer Tracy Wilkinson in Washington contributed to this report. The signing took all of 10 minutes. Neither man uttered a word as they inked nine documents agreeing to halt more than three years of brutal fighting. When it was done, the American and North Korean generals exchanged one long, cold stare before leaving the room. It was July 1953. U.S. 8th Army commander Gen. Maxwell D. Taylor reminded reporters the war wasnt yet over. The cease-fire agreement was just a suspension of hostilities, which may or may not be preparatory to permanent peace, he said at the time. Taylor died in 1987, the same year as Lt. Gen. William K. Harrison, who signed the agreement on behalf of the Americans. North Koreas signatory, Gen. Nam Il, died in 1976. Commander Mark W. Clark, who later signed it for the United Nations, died in 1984. Advertisement The Korean War is still not over. As President Trump gets ready to once again sit down with North Koreas leader this week, current and former administration officials and Korea analysts are increasingly saying Trump will probably agree to declare a formal end to the Korean War, giving in to a long-standing North Korean demand. For decades, U.S. presidents have refused to do so, insisting North Korea first needs to fully denuclearize. The declaration would not be the same as a legally binding peace treaty, so technically either side could go back on their word. But it would mean the U.S. and North Korea would officially no longer be enemy nations at war and acknowledge the reality that combat has long since ended. President Trump is ready to end this war. It is over. It is done, Stephen Biegun, the United States top negotiator with North Korea, said in a speech at Stanford this month. We are not going to invade North Korea. We are not seeking to topple the North Korean regime. Front page of the Los Angeles Times on July 27, 1953. (Los Angeles Times) But more than 65 years since the fighting stopped, does it even matter? An end-of-war declaration, unlike a peace treaty, would be a nonbinding agreement and largely a political statement. Analysts said it would be an easy, ready-made result from the Hanoi summit that Trump could tout achieving peace on the Korean peninsula, however symbolic even if there arent substantive concessions from North Korea on its nuclear capabilities. On one end of the spectrum, those willing to give North Korea the benefit of the doubt say the peace declaration would give Kim Jong Un the internal justification he needs to take steps to denuclearize, after having spent many billions of dollars and endured international sanctions to obtain the nuclear weapons. Advertisement The sooner a declaration ends the Korean War, the faster North Koreas denuclearization, South Koreas liberal Hankyoreh newspaper said in an editorial last year. Its the only way to assuage the Norths fears. Some observers have also said the declaration might be a low-cost way to test out North Koreas true intentions and see if the promise of better relations with the U.S. would translate into giving up parts of its nuclear program. If, after an end of war declaration, North Korea doesnt take further denuclearization measures, we will know that Kim is not serious about denuclearization under any circumstance, former Defense Department advisor Frank Aum and attorney S. Nathan Park wrote in a CNN opinion piece. Many other analysts in the U.S. and South Korea, however, warn the declaration would inevitably lead to discussion of removing about 28,000 U.S. troops who serve under U.N. auspices in South Korea, a possibility that alarms those skeptical of North Koreas willingness to ever give up its nuclear weapons. Advertisement You have to question why North Korea is pushing so hard for that end-of-war declaration, said Canadian Lt. Gen. Wayne Eyre, deputy commander of the U.N. command tasked with keeping peace between the Koreas, speaking at a talk in Washington in October. Even if there is no legal basis for it, emotionally, people would start to question the presence and continued existence of the United Nations command. And its a slippery slope to then question the presence of U.S. forces on the peninsula. To declare the Korean War over with North Korea still in possession of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles would be putting the cart before the horse, said Victor Cha, who led the talks with North Korea under President George W. Bush. Thats not peace. That is a fake peace, Cha said by phone in a news briefing from Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. You cant just politically declare peace while the situation on the ground has not changed. That is actually dangerous. U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo announces former senior executive of Ford Motor Co. Stephen Biegun, left, is to be special envoy for North Korea in August 2018. (Michael Reynolds / EPA/Shutterstock) Advertisement U.S. officials have repeatedly insisted that an end-of-war declaration and the drawdown of U.S. troops are separate matters. Withdrawal of American forces is not the subject of discussions and has never been on the table with North Korean negotiators at any stage, senior U.S. officials said last week in a briefing to reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity. Not everyone is buying it. Theyre just saying that to put South Korea at ease. It might start that way, but itll inevitably lead to talk of withdrawing troops, said Nam Sung-wook, professor at Korea Universitys department of diplomacy and unification. Its main function, deterrence against North Korea, will be undermined. Nam also doubted a peace declaration would get any meaningful concessions out of North Korea. Advertisement It doesnt bring money into their coffers. What they need is immediate cash flow, he said. It was South Korea that refused to sign the 1953 armistice. At the time, it was reluctant to recognize North Korea as a legitimate entity and wanted to keep fighting until Korea was unified. South Koreas current president, Moon Jae-in, though, has repeatedly urged the U.S. to declare the Korean War over, saying he believed a peace declaration was a necessary step to denuclearizing North Korea. For people living on the Korean peninsula, the declaration, practically speaking, wouldnt be any different from the armistice agreement. Moon, who has been championing Trumps engagement with North Korea, has said the symbolic gesture would go a long way in giving North Korea the assurance it needs to eventually give up its nuclear weapons. Moon has emphasized that the declaration would always be reversible and that Kim understood it was unrelated to the presence of U.S. troops. Advertisement North Korea, for its part, said in an editorial in the state-run Korean Central News Agency last year that ending the Korean War was a matter that should have been resolved half a century ago. The editorial, which made a point of not directing any criticism at the Trump administration but at Korean issue experts of the United States, bristled at the idea that a declaration would be a U.S. concession to be traded for parts of its nuclear program. The end of war is not just a gift from a man to another at all. Furthermore, it can never be a bargaining chip for getting the DPRK denuclearized, the editorial said, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. But, if the U.S. does not want to end the war, the DPRK will also not particularly hope for it. When President Trump visited South Korea in November 2017 amid heightened tensions over North Koreas nuclear tests, two raucous groups of rival protesters crowded downtown Seoul, separated by a swarm of police in riot gear. On one side, conservatives held up signs that said Welcome Trump! Save our country and We love you & the U.S. For the record: An earlier version of this story said President Trump would attend a summit with Kim Jong Un in Hanoi next week. The summit is scheduled for this week. On the other side, liberal and progressive groups posters read: No Trump, No War, Trump out. One young leftist protester set fire to a picture of Trump. How times have changed. Advertisement History is littered with paradoxes and ironies. Moon Chung-in, special advisor to South Korean President Moon Jae-in Now, with Trump exchanging what hes called beautiful letters with North Koreas authoritarian leader and pushing for engagement with the isolated country, the president has become something of a hero to South Korean liberals who have long advocated rapprochement with the North. Liberals here are praising Trump for diplomatic prowess and bold decision-making, with one prominent academic calling his presidency a blessing for the Korean peninsula. History is littered with paradoxes and ironies, said Moon Chung-in, a special advisor to South Korean President Moon Jae-in and professor emeritus at Yonsei University. What progressives in South Korea consider in our national interest happens to perfectly line up with what Trump considers to be in the U.S. national interest. President Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in speak at a news conference at the presidential Blue House in Seoul in November 2017. (Jung Yeon-Je / AFP/Getty Images) After spending his first year in office trading increasingly hostile barbs with Kim Jong Un and threatening to annihilate North Korea, Trump in June became the first American president to meet with a North Korean leader when he sat down with Kim in Singapore. This week, hes set to do it once again in Hanoi. The unorthodox, whiplash-inducing diplomatic course charted by Trump on North Korea has created a twilight zone of political alignments on both sides of the Pacific. Conservatives in South Korea, who were big fans of Trumps fire and fury approach circa 2017, are now alarmed by his love affair via Twitter with Kim. The right-leaning South Koreans are on the same page as many Democrats in the U.S., traditionally a stronger champion of engagement in foreign policy than Republicans, who also are skeptical of Trumps starry-eyed detente with North Korea that began at the first tete-a-tete. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Trump shake hands at the conclusion of their meetings at the Capella resort on Sentosa Island in Singapore in June. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) Advertisement House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), in a meeting this month with a delegation of South Korean lawmakers, expressed strong doubts about the talks, saying she does not trust North Korea, according to the South Korean politicians. Since before last years summit in Singapore, Democrats in both the House and the Senate have raised alarm that Trump may bargain away too much too soon to the North Koreans for a signature foreign policy achievement or maybe a Nobel peace prize. In full agreement with her was the leader of South Koreas conservative Liberty Korea party, Na Kyung-won, who told South Korean reporters that she had told Pelosi she was concerned about the suspension of military exercises and the possibility of U.S. troops being removed from the Korean peninsula. Meanwhile, Pelosis counterpart, National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang, sang Trumps praises in a New York speech. President Trump is renowned for his bold decision-making and negotiation skills, the South Korean speaker, who heads the liberal Minjoo party, said two days after the meeting with Pelosi at the Korea Society. It would be no exaggeration to say it was President Trumps decisiveness and leadership that brought about this remarkable change. Advertisement When it comes to other matters like the minimum wage, taxation or welfare, the left-right spectrum of South Korean politics looks pretty much like that of the U.S. But in South Korea, the question of how to deal with its heavily armed neighbor to the north dwarfs all other policy concerns, said James Kim, a political scientist at the Seoul-based think tank Asan Institute of Policy Studies. The turning point was the June summit. After the June summit the conservatives were fairly critical of the way the U.S. was approaching this issue, the progressives were very, very supportive of Donald Trumps approach to North Korea, he said. James Kim said the South Korean liberals trust and support of Trump may be shortsighted. They dont understand how quickly the president can change his mind, he said. Whatever he wants to do in any given moment on North Korea can change very abruptly. Advertisement Kim Hyun-wook, a professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, said there are plenty of complaints from South Koreas perspective on Trumps stance toward military cost-sharing, free trade and tariffs, but many politicians appeared willing to overlook them. It almost seems like all of that is buried because of what hes doing with North Korea, he said. Moon Chung-in, the South Korean presidential advisor, said he was concerned Democrats in the U.S. may be predisposed to write off whatever comes out of the summit in Hanoi as a failure because of their opposition to Trump on almost all issues. It might be less about the second summit itself, and more, Anything but Trump, he said. Their political offensive is intertwined with the second North Korea-U.S. summit. Advertisement For his part, Moon Chung-in, who has served in all three elected liberal administrations in South Koreas seven-decade history, was pinning his hopes on Trump long before anyone else in South Korea. In June 2016, months before Trump became president, Moon Chung-in said in an interview with a South Korean news website that Trumps election might be an opportunity for a breakthrough on the long-stalled nuclear and peace talks with North Korea. It might be a bold argument, he said at the time, but Trump might not be a disaster, but for us, actually a blessing. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, a pivotal player in negotiating the landmark nuclear pact that President Trump scrapped, announced his resignation Monday. The popular figure in Iran made the announcement on his Instagram page, a highly unusual public move in the Islamic Republic. President Hassan Rouhani has yet to accept Zarifs resignation, according to Rouhanis chief of staff, Mahmoud Vaezi. For the record: An earlier version referred to a member of Irans parliament as Ali Reza Rahim. His name is Alireza Rahimi. Zarif wrote on Instagram that he was thankful to have served the Iranian people. I apologize for the shortcomings during my sincere services. I wish you happiness. He did not give a reason for the resignation. The foreign ministers departure came as Syrian President Bashar Assad was in Tehran to meet with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Zarif did not attend the meeting, according to multiple local media reports. Advertisement The moderate Entekhab News website reported that Zarif told a reporter by text that he felt he no longer had credibility because he was left out of the meeting with Assad, whom Iran has supported since Syrias civil war began in 2011. The Assad visit could well have exacerbated Zarifs frustrations with the internal political struggles between conservative hard-liners and Rouhanis more reform-minded government, said Abdul Ghasem Golbaf, an Iran analyst based in Tehran. Irans politicians are generally divided between hard-liners who resist change and support Islamic theocracy and reformists who favor greater democracy and social freedoms. In Irans hybrid political system, theocrats have the final say. Zarif, who was educated in San Francisco and Denver, played a key role in the short-lived rapprochement between the U.S. and Iran during the Obama administration. The foreign minister, who had held various diplomatic postings since the 1990s, was welcomed by cheering crowds when he returned to Iran after breakthroughs in nuclear talks in 2013. Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal last year and reinstated sanctions. Russia, China, Germany, France and Britain remain in the pact with Iran. U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo responded on Twitter to Zarifs resignation, calling Irans foreign minister and president just front men for a corrupt religious mafia. We note @JZarifs resignation. Well see if it sticks. Either way, he and @HassanRouhani are just front men for a corrupt religious mafia. We know @khamenei_ir makes all final decisions. Our policy is unchangedthe regime must behave like a normal country and respect its people. Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) February 26, 2019 Advertisement In reaction to the news of Zarifs resignation, Jamal Abdi, president of the Washington-based National Iranian American Council, issued a statement: Zarifs resignation is a boon for the radical hard-line forces in Tehran who oppose the [nuclear pact] and further engagement with the West. Abdi suggested that Trumps aim in withdrawing from the nuclear pact may be to empower radicals in Iran. Hard-liners in the U.S. have long cheered for Iran to be led by radical elements to make engagement difficult and validate calls for sanctions and military action, he said. Should Zarif bow out of Irans political theater, Trump and his team may be getting exactly what they wish for and the world will be worse for it. Zarif still has wide support in Iran, despite the countrys deteriorating economy. A January 2018 survey from the University of Maryland showed that 68% of Iranians surveyed viewed him favorably. Advertisement Mostafa Boroumandi, an owner of a printing house in Tehran, said he was saddened by Zarifs resignation and worried his business would be negatively impacted. He said Zarifs resignation is a sign of strife between hard-liners and reformists. Zarif was a paralyzed figure, he could not do anything, Boroumandi said. His hands were tied. Alireza Rahimi, a reformist member of Irans parliament, wrote in a tweet that whoever replaces Zarif will destroy all his achievements. If his resignation is true, then it proves that his opponents have stabbed him in the back, Rahimi wrote. Advertisement Tensions between hard-liners and Rouhanis government have been increasing since the U.S. withdrew from the nuclear accord. Some clerics have called for Rouhani to resign, blaming his government for Irans skyrocketing inflation and crumbling economy. Hassan Abbasi, a retired hard-line general, said in a speech this month that he believed Iranians would spit on Zarif and others in the government who backed the nuclear deal. Zarif has also come under pressure from hard-liners who have criticized his attempt to get anti-money laundering bills passed in parliament and his calls for more financial transparency in the country. In December, hard-liners in parliament sought to impeach Zarif but canceled their motion because they didnt have enough lawmakers behind it. Advertisement Last year, after Trump threatened Rouhani and Iran, using his trademark all-capital letters for emphasis, Zarif responded on the same social media platform: COLOR US UNIMPRESSED. Weve been around for millennia & seen fall of empires, incl our own, which lasted more than the life of some countries. BE CAUTIOUS! Zarif has close ties to California. He attended Drew College preparatory school in San Francisco and went on to study at San Francisco State University, where he earned bachelors and masters degrees. He then went on to the University of Denver for a second masters degree in international relations and a doctorate in international law and policy in 1988. Times staff writer Tracy Wilkinson contributed to this report from Washington. Staff writer Etehad reported from Los Angeles and special correspondent Mostaghim from Tehran. Legislation that would grant amnesty to anyone convicted or accused of human rights violations during Guatemalas long-running civil war has raised fears that dozens of perpetrators of forced disappearance, torture and sexual violence could soon walk free. Backed by military elites and their allies, including members of the party of President Jimmy Morales, the proposed law passed the first of three congressional readings in January. A second discussion was scheduled for Wednesday. If enacted, the bill would mandate the release within 24 hours of dozens of officials and military officers convicted of crimes related to the 36-year armed conflict and a halt to ongoing or new investigations of internationally recognized rights violations connected to the civil war. During the fighting that lasted from 1960 to 1996 between leftists and the government, about 200,000 people were killed. Among the bloody actions was a military campaign against indigenous communities considered allies of Marxist guerrillas fighting the government. Advertisement A United Nations-backed truth commission in 1999 found security forces guilty of multiple acts of savagery and genocide against Maya communities, and held the government accountable for more than 90% of the killings, disappearances and other human rights violations. Hundreds of protesters marched from the Supreme Court to the Congress in Guatemala City on Monday. (Johan Ordonez / AFP/Getty Images) For more than a decade, the United Nations-backed International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala has helped strengthen the capacity and autonomy of the attorney generals office and the judiciary in Guatemala, which was critical to the progress made in war crimes prosecutions in recent years, wrote Jo-Marie Burt, a Latin American Studies expert at George Mason University, in an email. Verdicts between 2008 and 2018 resulted in more than 30 convictions of military officials and state actors, as well as one of a guerrilla fighter, according to Burt. That included the 2013 sentencing of former dictator Gen. Efrain Rios Montt for genocide and crimes against humanity. (His conviction was later overturned and he died while he was being retried last year.) But those backing this bill have found support in the party of Morales, who was elected in 2015. They have recently stood by Morales in his clashes with institutions tasked with investigating crime and corruption. Its an attempt to undermine that, Eric Olson, an expert on Central America at the Seattle International Foundation, said of the bills supporters. Theyre under threat by the justice system in Guatemala. In January, the government said it was expelling the U.N.-backed commission, known by its Spanish acronym as CICIG, despite rulings from the countrys highest court to allow commission members to enter the country. The CICIG had brought fraud charges against Morales brother and his son, and had also opened an investigation into Morales related to illegal campaign donations. The sectors that have been hurt by the justice system are pushing back, said Viviana Krsticevic, the executive director of the Center for Justice and International Law, a Latin American human rights organization. The government has been willing to protect its social and economic base even at the cost of challenging international agreements and principles. Advertisement Claudia Paz y Paz, a former attorney general of Guatemala during the prosecution of Rios Montt, said that previous attempts to gain amnesty have never advanced this far. The president, however, she said, has many supporters who have been implicated in human rights crimes who favor the legislation. They are committed to returning to the past and guaranteeing impunity, whether its for crimes from the war or cases of corruption, she said. Olson, who works at the Washington office of Seattle International, said that legislators may be empowered by what they see as support from the Trump administration. Although the U.S. released a statement expressing concern about the law, it did not strongly defend the CICIG against attacks from Morales government, which last May moved its embassy to Jerusalem shortly following the U.S. After Morales announced his plan to shut down the commission, U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo sent a tweet praising Guatemalas relationship with Washington and thanking it for its efforts in counter-narcotics and security. Advertisement I think theres this perception among these circles in Guatemala that they wont have a heavy price to pay if they move in this direction, said Olson. Theres a perception that they have succeeded in weakening the CICIG, and theres a perception that the U.S. has been less than vigorous and hard on them. Relatives hold a banner with images of victims of the Guatemalan civil war. A U.N. report in 1999 confirmed that more than 200,000 people died or disappeared during the 36-year civil war and held Guatemalas army responsible of 90% of the crimes. (Johan Ordonez / AFP/Getty Images) Juan Francisco Soto, the executive director of the Center for Human Rights Legal Action in Guatemala, said that reconciliation after the war means understanding that justice guarantees that these things wont happen again in Guatemala. These are processes that have taken years, and victims have pushed them forward, he said. It mocks victims after so much fight. Advertisement Ana Lucrecia Molina Theissen spent decades trying to obtain justice for her sisters torture and her 14-year-old brothers forced disappearance in 1981. Marco Antonio was abducted after his sister, an activist, escaped from a military base where she had been sexually assaulted and tortured. In 2004, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that Guatemala was responsible for the forced disappearance, and last May, Guatemala convicted four military officers involved in either or both cases. In many ways, this was a situation that we expected because the people and sectors that support [the bill] arent passive they have a lot of power, she said. This is a return to the fight, as well as the realization that justice in Guatemala is still very fragile. Weve spent 36 years suffering, and seeing it [justice] fall in an illegitimate way turns us into victims again. The bill, introduced in November 2017, needs 80 votes from Congress 158 legislators to pass. On Feb. 20, those in opposition walked out of the session so that its supporters fell short of the quorum needed to discuss the bill. The proposal would reform Guatemalas 1996 National Reconciliation Law, which permits amnesty for crimes that could be considered political but excludes amnesty for international abuses like genocide, torture and other crimes against humanity. The proposal claims that the greater number of charges against military officials and state agents compared with guerrillas points toward judicial harassment of only one side of the conflict, the military, and says there was no genocide during the war. Advertisement Fernando Linares Beltranena, the congressman who introduced the bill, holds that people cannot be convicted for crimes that were not stipulated in Guatemalas penal code at the time. All this law is doing is giving life to what was approved but not implemented 23 years ago, said Beltranena. It was better to have an amnesty than to have bloodshed. But we got an unequal, one-sided prosecution by judges and prosecuting attorneys who sided with one faction of the conflict and mostly those who are being prosecuted are military. The bill has received pushback from the U.N., the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and other human rights groups that say it violates Guatemalas international obligations to investigate human rights violations. Family members of those killed march in Guatemala City. (Johan Ordonez / AFP/Getty Images) Advertisement The Inter-American Court has previously considered amnesty laws passed by Latin American countries invalid, and if the law passes, Krsticevic said, she expects the court to declare it void. Its decisions are considered legally binding by countries that have accepted its jurisdiction, such as Guatemala. In 2001, for example, it determined that the amnesty legislation Peru adopted in 1995 to shield those implicated in human rights violations did not have legal effect. Congresswoman Sandra Moran, who opposes the bill, has expressed concern that its only a matter of time until it passes. Many worry those convicted would seek retaliation if released. There is a lot of fear about the risk to the victims, the prosecutors, and the people that gave testimony or declarations to help shine light on the truth during the trials, she said. The mounting tension coincided with Mondays Day of Dignity for the victims of the internal armed conflict the anniversary of the 1999 U.N.-commissioned report on the war. This year, the amnesty bill was at the forefront of protests by human rights and victims groups. Advertisement Edwin Canil, the leader of a victims group, joined hundreds of people who marched from the Supreme Court to the Congress. Many, he said, came from communities that bore the brunt of the violence during the war, and held handmade signs with photos of the disappeared. Canil was 6 years old when he survived a massacre in Guatemalas Ixcan region that killed members of his family. Theres been an enormous setback to democracy in the country, he said. Its outrageous. Once again, we feel completely unprotected as we felt during the armed conflict. A man killed while trying to hijack a commercial flight in Bangladesh was a 24-year-old passenger from a village near the capital who had been previously arrested in a kidnapping case, officials said Monday. Confusion remained over whether the man had been armed. The plane operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines made an emergency landing in Chittagong on Sunday after the attempted hijacking, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Dhaka. The plane was headed to Dubai via Chittagong. Mufti Mahmud Khan, director of the law and media wing of Bangladeshs Rapid Action Battalion security agency, said the man was listed in its database as Md. Polash Ahmed, and had been arrested in 2012. Khan declined to provide details about the kidnapping case. Officials said Sunday that Ahmed was injured in an exchange of gunfire with special forces, that he had shot at them first and was armed with a pistol. Advertisement But civil aviation authorities cast doubt on that account Monday. When asked about reports that Ahmed had a toy gun, ministry secretary Mohibul Haque said they didnt know whether the pistol was a toy. We dont know if there was any exchange of gunfire, Haque said. Bangladesh civil aviation minister Mahbub Ali told reporters that Ahmed had booked a seat on the flight from Dhaka to Chittagong, and that airport surveillance video showed him going through security with other passengers. There was no signal that he had something when he boarded Sundays flight, Ali said. Khan said when the agencys bomb-disposal unit reached the scene, they found that Ahmed had fake bomb-like material. Officials said Ahmed asked to speak to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheik Hasina before dying on his way to a hospital. A police chief in Narayanganj outside Dhaka, Mohammed Moniruzzaman, first identified the man as 24-year-old Mohammed Polash Ahmed. Advertisement Moniruzzaman said Ahmeds parents confirmed his identity, and that residents of the village where he lived said he had a bad reputation. Bangladesh, a majority Muslim nation of 162 million people, has had periodic terrorist attacks in recent years, including an assault on an upscale cafe in Dhakas diplomatic enclave in 2016 that resulted in the deaths of 22 people, including 17 foreigners. The attack prompted a swift crackdown by Hasina, with hundreds of suspected militants arrested or killed in raids across the country. The Rapid Action Battalion has been credited with reducing militant attacks, but international human rights groups blame the elite anti-crime force for the disappearances and extrajudicial killings of dozens of people allegedly involved with radical groups. Besides death and taxes, add late flights to the truisms of life. The first two platitudes usually are attributed to Benjamin Franklin. You can attribute the last one to me. Having worked more than 30 years as a flight attendant, Ive endured thousands of hours of flight delays. Ive waited for hydraulic leaks to be repaired and for snow to be plowed off the runway. Ive waited for lightning strikes to cease so baggage handlers could resume loading the aircraft without fearing for their lives. Ive waited for a captain who showed up late because of traffic on Interstate 95. Ive waited for police to board the aircraft and remove a disruptive passenger. Like many veteran flight attendants, Ive experienced virtually every type of flight delay. All that waiting has taught me an important lesson: Getting flights out on time isnt easy; in fact, it takes something akin to a miracle. Many moving parts In 2018, North Americas largest carriers Delta, Southwest, United and American posted on-time performance numbers of 83.08%, 78.20%, 78.06% and 77.65%, respectively, according to the OAG Punctuality League report. The numbers arent as bad as they seem, considering all the moving parts necessary to get flights in and out on schedule. Advertisement First and perhaps most important, the aircraft needs to be positioned at the departure gate on time. Many flight departures are predicated on the arrival of an inbound aircraft that will then become your outbound aircraft. If youre booked on a 3 p.m. flight from LAX to Chicago, for example, your aircraft will most likely be arriving from elsewhere. That inbound plane may be scheduled to land at 1:30 p.m., just 90 minutes before your outbound flight is to depart. If your inbound flight is late, theres a good chance your departure to Chicago will be delayed accordingly. Even when an inbound aircraft lands as scheduled, it takes a herculean effort from a variety of airline personnel to get your flight out on time. Think about cargo and checked baggage. Each flight has tons of it. As soon as the inbound pulls up to the arrival gate, a team of baggage handlers descends on the aircraft like bees on a honeycomb. The speed at which the team moves is directly correlated to the weather. Extreme cold or heat, rain, snow, ice, high winds and lightning strikes (which force the ramp area to temporarily shut down) can lengthen loading times and create flight delays. As cargo and passenger bags are offloaded, cabin service personnel swarm the aircraft to clean, often starting in the business-class cabin before main-cabin passengers have disembarked. Cabin service employees vacuum, remove trash stuffed in the seat-back pockets and tossed on the floor, and clean and restock the lavatories. At some point, a catering truck pulls up to the aircraft. At least, the catering truck tries to pull up to the aircraft. Often, baggage carts and other equipment block access. The catering truck, packed with meals, snacks and beverages to be consumed aboard the aircraft, must wait until baggage handlers finish unloading. The clock keeps ticking. Advertisement The aircraft must be fueled. Human waste is removed from the lavatories using a long hose attached to the aircraft disposal port and connected to a waste disposal truck. The baggage handlers haul away the inbound cargo and baggage and return minutes later with outbound cargo and baggage. While this is happening, the pilots and flight attendants arrive. If one of my flight attendant colleagues fails to show up, the crew scheduling department will summon a reserve from a pool of standbys waiting in the airport operations area. If one of the pilots fails to make the flight, you can kiss an on-time departure goodbye. Most airlines do not require reserve pilots to serve on standby at the airport because the costs would be too great. If a pilot gets sick an hour or so before your 3 p.m. flight to Chicago, crew scheduling will call a replacement pilot who is allowed a couple of hours or more (depending on the airline) to report. Meanwhile, the boarding process begins. It can take 30 to 40 minutes for the 300 or so passengers to board a Boeing 777-300. If there are seat assignment issues or a flight attendant gets bitten by a passengers dog (yes, it has happened), the flight may be delayed. Advertisement One of the most aggravating delays: a passenger who checks his or her bag at the ticket counter and fails to board the aircraft. Federal Aviation Administration security protocols require airlines to remove checked baggage, a time-consuming process. When the captain announces the reason for the delay, passengers often glare at the flight attendants, who rarely, if ever, are the culprits. Once boarding is complete, the crew is present and accounted for and any unaccompanied bags have been removed, the plane pushes back from the gate. End of story? No. Murphys Law is always in play. While taxiing to the runway, other things can go south. Weather may turn ugly, wreaking havoc on airline operations. An aircraft maintenance issue can force the plane to return to the gate. Air traffic control can issue a departure hold because of traffic congestion. If dispatch fails to forward weight and balance numbers (the gross weight of cargo and the relative positions at which that cargo is distributed throughout the aircraft), the plane will have to wait on the taxiway until pilots receive and confirm that data. Advertisement Considering all the things that can and do happen to a commercial flight, its no small feat that any carrier, never mind North Americas four largest, takes off or lands on schedule at least three-quarters of the time. And, frustrated fliers, I feel your pain. After all, Im the one you yell at when your flight gets delayed. travel@latimes.com @latimestravel I have always been a coward. When my husbands Israeli cousin asked when I was going to visit his country, I told him I was afraid to go. But when our rabbi announced he was planning a trip to Israel in 2013, the emotional pull of visiting the Holy Land outweighed my fears. Speaking at a travel show, guidebook author, TV personality and tour leader Rick Steves once said he didnt want grouches on his trips. I decided I wouldnt be the Israel trip complainer. Anything my fellow travelers did, I would do. I would not be a wuss. We flew El Al, on which the pre-boarding security was reassuringly thorough. Each of us was carrying several prayer books to donate to a synagogue. When the boarding agent asked whether anyone had given us anything to carry, I said, No. Advertisement Your rabbi didnt give you books? I was asked. Seoul for beginners Yes, but hes not a stranger, I replied. I was allowed to board. Once in Israel, I faced my first test of bravery when we rafted the Jordan River. Ordinarily, I would have been afraid. Could I get in and out of the raft? Realizing I wouldnt be left in that raft forever, that someone would help me get in and out, I climbed in. I am not a wuss, I repeated out loud. Then I enjoyed the ride. Before this trip, I would never have ridden a camel. At Genesis Land, whose website describes it as a place where visitors can experience life as it was in biblical times, everyone rode camels to Abrahams Tent, where we would have dinner. A friend had once posted on Facebook a picture of himself riding a camel. He lived to tell about it, so I decided I would do it too. (Postscript on that: That friend later posted a Facebook memory about the runaway camel he had ridden. Had I known runaway camels were a thing well, Im glad I didnt know.) The most adventurous part of the trip occurred in the caves of Bet Guvrin National Park. First, we participated in a dig uncovering pottery from the Hellenistic period about 2,300 years ago. After that, we could go spelunking in a cave or sit under a pop-up tent waiting for the others to finish. Newly courageous, I chose spelunking. Advertisement A baseball trip through Japan is just what a jaded MLB fan needed The cave where the dig took place was well-lighted. You went only into the first room. The spelunking cave was more treacherous. We had to light candles that sat in holes in the walls as we made our way. Once I had begun, there was no turning back. I was the slowest one of our group, but I eventually arrived at a hole, about 2 feet in diameter, through which I was somehow supposed to lower myself. It was completely dark beneath the hole. I couldnt tell how far I would drop. I wasnt even sure I would fit through the hole. I yelled for the guide, who had gone ahead. She returned with her flashlight, and I could see below. No longer a wuss, I lowered my feet into the hole and wiggled to the ground, feeling as though I had been born again. I navigated the rest of the cave by crawling, walking and scooting on my tush. Advertisement Waiting near the exit, our group cheered for me. At the pop-up tent, those who heard the story of my bravery gave me a standing ovation. Phu Quoc is now a global destination. Is that a good thing? We saw and did amazing things on that trip. We met 30 relatives and U.N. peacekeepers, floated on the Dead Sea, heard our voices echo from the valley below Masada and much more. The trip was life-changing. Not only did I find my repository of bravery, but so did my friends. Last winter, when a California friend visited her grandchildren in New York, she had to drive one of them to preschool in the snow. Advertisement As she drove, she repeated, I am not a wuss. You should try it sometime. Departure Points explores the ways traveling changes us, whether its a lesson learned or a truth uncovered. You may submit a first-person essay of 700 or fewer words to travel@latimes.com using Departure Points in the subject line. Please include your first and last names and your contact information for editorial consideration. travel@latimes.com Advertisement @latimestravel Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as the CHRB and Santa Anita do first attempts at damage control. The recent spate of horse fatalities at Santa Anita is certainly cause for concern. In a stories we ran online and in print, it was pointed out that, based on stewards minutes, 16 horses had died at Santa Anita up until Feb. 10. That means it doesnt include the three horses that died between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. But it does include horses that died of non-exercise maladies. You can read the story here. CHRB chairman Chuck Winner , vice-chair Madeline Auerbach , commissioner Alex Solis , and executive director Rick Baedeker participated in the conference call with Tim Ritvo , chief operating officer for The Stronach Group (TSG), and P.J. Campo , executive vice president of racing for TSG. Both of the racetrack executives expressed commitment to dealing with the current situation. All agreed that inclement weather creates additional challenges for track maintenance. CHRB will continue to monitor all aspects of Santa Anitas racing program, as we do at all tracks, and work with Santa Anita management and horsemen to promote safer racing. In conjunction with the CHRB, Santa Anita Park has announced its main track will be closed for training beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday and all day Tuesday in order to fully evaluate sub-surface conditions such as moisture content and soil consistency. If the results of these efforts indicate the track is in prime condition, regularly scheduled training will resume Wednesday morning and live racing will proceed on Thursday. In order to accommodate horsemen [Monday], the main track will open for training beginning at 5 a.m., with two regular renovations scheduled at 6 a.m. and 7:15 a.m. Santa Anitas training track will be open each morning as planned, at 4:45 a.m. and will stay open until 10:30 a.m. Track superintendent Andy LaRocco , in addition to performing all regularly scheduled maintenance on the dirt oval, will examine the entire track surface and if any issues are found, he will address those areas. Although Santa Anita has experienced 11 inches of rain and near-record cold temperatures this month, dry weather and more moderate temperatures are forecast for the next several days, which will enable LaRoccos crew to peel back the tracks cushion to a depth of approximately five inches, where a thorough examination of the base can be undertaken. Mick Peterson , who serves as director of the University of Kentuckys Agricultural Equine programs, and who evaluates soil samples from Santa Anita on a monthly basis, will be on-site in the coming days to review Santa Anitas sub-surface and surface data. Peterson will also be working with a newly formed committee consisting of Hall of Fame retired jockey Alex Solis, one well-established Southern California trainer, one active jockey and one member of Santa Anitas management team to fully evaluate all data and monitor feedback from horsemen, including trainers, jockeys and exercise riders. The track was originally supposed to be closed all day on Monday, but as Jeremy Balan from the Bloodhorse wrote, (you can read here) Ritvo gave in to trainers such as Bob Baffert, Jerry Hollendorfer and others who said they had important workouts and were comfortable racing over the surface. This is a real test of leadership. If you are Santa Anita (and Ritvo), how will you reconcile opening the track on Monday, and, heaven forbid, there is a breakdown and through a soil analysis find out there was an irregularity that has been a contributing factor to the break downs? One of the alarming things was that no one was able to provide us with accurate, up-to-the-minute stats on fatalities on Saturday. Every time a horse goes down, Dr. Rick Arthur , the states top equine vet, the stewards and others get notified, but yet no one has the numbers? Would it be so hard to get a white board, some markers and an eraser that breaks down dirt vs. turf, racing vs. training and other? Or use one of those fancy computer programs like Excel, which is celebrating its 40 th anniversary? I was warned by a few people, including CHRB reps, that the only figures I had access to on Saturday--the stewards minutes, usually two weeks late--also include illness and other things such as barn accidents listed under fatalities. Lets think about this, the CHRB is, in essence, saying that the stats their own stewards provide in their minutes are not a true representation of what is happening. Soooooooooo, maybe the CHRB could just ask the stewards to amend how they report fatalities and add those categories that are eventually part of the CHRB annual report. I know what they are going to say. These resultsand the only real squishy category is otherare preliminary pending necropsies. OK, then just say preliminary and amend as needed. Its not that difficult. It could be done today. How about it, chairman Winner or Executive Director Baedeker? Im guessing chief steward Darrell McHargue could even authorize this. Any of you, or all of you, can say its your idea and has been discussed for a long time. Im good with that. Arthur, and Ritvo were quick to point out that last year was the safest in about a quarter-of-a-century and that it would be difficult to run against such numbers. So, again there were 16 deaths (including non-exercise) through the first seven weeks of the meeting. Here are some other years, through seven weeks: And, even though they contain non-racing deaths, its still an apples to apples comparison (up to Feb. 10.) Now, the numbers we presented up front were not apples but oranges because they didnt include the other category. So, maybe one reporting system would help, too. The feature was the $100,000 Spring Fever Stakes, a six-furlong race for Cal-bred older fillies and mares. And, it was a stirring stretch drive. Show It N Moe It took the early as S Y Sky was content to sit off the pace. By the stretch S Y Sky had moved even and took the lead in mid-stretch. But, Show It N Moe It showed some real courage as she battled back to win by length. Ive been doing this for 40 years and I never like being on the rail, winning trainer Gary Sherlock told Mike Willman of Santa Anita. I dont like the one-hole under any conditions. I think the reason she was getting out there going to the far turn was that shes never not had a horse inside of her to run with. She overcame it and with her, the results are incredible. Were hoping to have a big year with her. She ran against older horses last year and now shes doing so well. She always tries really hard and she always wants to be on the lead, Bejarano said. This was the first time shes ever had to be on the inside though, and she freaked out a little being on the lead down inside. In the beginning, I had to use her a bit and I think six and a half or seven furlongs are better distances for her, but she still got it done. Always looking to add more subscribers to this newsletter. Cant beat the price. If you like it, tell someone. If you dont like it, then youre probably not reading this. Either way, send to a friend and just have them click here and sign up . Remember, its free, and all we need is your email, nothing more. Any thoughts, you can reach me at johnacherwa@gmail.com . You can also feed my ego by following me on Twitter @jcherwa Santa Anita Charts Results for Sunday, February 24. Copyright 2019 by Equibase Company. Reproduction prohibited. Santa Anita, Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California. 37th day of a 61-day meet. Clear & Fast FIRST RACE. 1 Mile. Purse: $55,000. Maiden Special Weight. 4 year olds and up. Time 24.07 47.99 1:12.29 1:24.44 1:36.97 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 3 Paladar 124 3 2 11 1 1hd 12 15 Rosario 3.90 2 Midcourt 124 2 5 4hd 4hd 3hd 32 22 Pereira 23.10 5 Victory Element 124 5 1 2 21 21 21 32 Van Dyke 1.70 1 Caribbean 124 1 3 3hd 3hd 42 47 427 Roman 10.50 4 Justin's Quest 124 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 Prat 1.00 3 PALADAR 9.80 4.80 5.00 2 MIDCOURT 13.40 8.40 5 VICTORY ELEMENT 2.40 $1 EXACTA (3-2) $62.50 50-CENT TRIFECTA (3-2-5) $124.80 WinnerPaladar Dbb.g.4 by Street Cry (IRE) out of Blowing Kisses, by Vindication. Bred by Betz, CoCo Equine, Blackburn, J. Betz,Ramsby, CNHHNK & Darley (KY). Trainer: Richard Baltas. Owner: Hesz, Aaron, Los Pollos Hermanos Racing, McClanahan, Jerry and Hendrickson, Dennis. Mutuel Pool $197,970 Exacta Pool $77,947 Trifecta Pool $73,809. Scratchednone. PALADAR had speed between horses then angled in and set the pace inside, responded when challenged on the backstretch and second turn, came a bit off the rail in the stretch, inched away while pushed along with hand urging nearing midstretch and won clear under a moderate hand ride and a long hold late. MIDCOURT pulled along the inside and was in a bit tight nearing the first turn, saved ground stalking the pace, was in a bit tight again into the second turn, came out in upper stretch and gained the place. VICTORY ELEMENT stalked off the rail, bid outside the winner on the backstretch and second turn and into the stretch, angled to the inside in midstretch and held third. CARIBBEAN (AUS) stalked inside then between horses, continued outside a rival on the second turn and into the stretch and weakened. JUSTIN'S QUEST in a good position stalking the pace outside a rival then three deep, dropped back leaving the second turn, came out into the stretch, gave way and was eased in the lane. SECOND RACE. 1 Mile. Purse: $23,000. Maiden Claiming. 3 year olds. Claiming Price $30,000. Time 24.14 48.64 1:14.23 1:27.61 1:41.44 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 1 Nations Hope 124 1 4 42 3 33 1 1nk T Baze 1.40 2 Jonathantoquick 124 2 5 52 53 41 43 23 Franco 9.10 6 Midnight Roamer 124 6 2 3 22 2hd 2hd 3nk Quinonez 2.40 3 Mulzoff 124 3 3 11 1 1hd 31 4nk Talamo 3.60 7 New Salute 124 7 6 68 61 51 56 511 Payeras 75.00 5 Spectator's Dream 117 5 1 2hd 45 61 63 65 Leon 32.70 4 Sooner Better 124 4 7 7 7 7 7 7 Arias 7.00 1 NATIONS HOPE 4.80 3.40 2.40 2 JONATHANTOQUICK 7.20 3.20 6 MIDNIGHT ROAMER 3.00 $2 ROULETTE (RED) $4.00 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (3-1) $26.60 $1 EXACTA (1-2) $11.70 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (1-2-6-3) $11.84 $1 SUPER HIGH FIVE (1-2-6-3-7) $862.40 50-CENT TRIFECTA (1-2-6) $21.90 WinnerNations Hope B.g.3 by Alternation out of Allison's Hope, by Langfuhr. Bred by Richard Barton Enterprise (CA). Trainer: Jack Carava. Owner: Paymaster Racing LLC and Sinister Racing Stable. Mutuel Pool $226,429 Roulette Pool $462 Daily Double Pool $41,021 Exacta Pool $115,469 Superfecta Pool $61,877 Super High Five Pool $62,830 Trifecta Pool $92,217. Scratchednone. NATIONS HOPE stalked inside then a bit off the rail leaving the backstretch, bid three wide leaving the second turn, took a short lead in the stretch, inched away under urging in deep stretch and held gamely. JONATHANTOQUICK saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch and finished well to just miss. MIDNIGHT ROAMER stalked three deep then outside a rival, bid outside the pacesetter leaving the backstretch and between foes leaving the second turn, put a head in front into the stretch, fought back between rivals in midstretch and just held third. MULZOFF sped to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside, fought back leaving the backstretch and on the second turn and into the stretch, battled along the rail past midstretch and was edged for the show. NEW SALUTE settled off the rail then outside a rival into the second turn, angled to the inside past midway on that turn, came out past midstretch and was edged for a minor award three deep on the line. SPECTATOR'S DREAM stalked between horses then outside a rival or off the rail on the backstretch, dropped back on the second turn and weakened. SOONER BETTER stumbled badly at the start and had the rider lose the right iron, regained the iron nearing the first turn, chased inside, moved up along the rail into the second turn, steadied off heels leaving that turn to drop back again and had little left for the stretch. THIRD RACE. About 6 Furlongs Turf. Purse: $33,000. Starter Allowance. Fillies and Mares. 4 year olds and up. Claiming Price $50,000. Time 21.32 43.22 1:06.17 1:12.09 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 4 Gypsy Blu 124 4 1 46 45 1 11 Rosario 2.90 6 Tiny Tina 122 6 3 51 53 32 22 Prat 5.10 3 Sheza Chattykat 124 3 2 11 13 21 3hd Van Dyke 1.70 5 Take a Leap 124 5 4 6 6 5 42 T Baze 15.40 1 Madaket Sunset 124 1 6 3 2 42 54 Bejarano 2.80 2 Operandi 119 2 5 21 31 6 6 Espinoza 10.20 4 GYPSY BLU 7.80 4.00 2.60 6 TINY TINA 6.40 3.40 3 SHEZA CHATTYKAT 2.60 $2 ROULETTE (RED) $4.20 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (1-4) $29.80 $1 EXACTA (4-6) $19.30 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (4-6-3-5) $26.64 50-CENT TRIFECTA (4-6-3) $30.90 WinnerGypsy Blu B.m.5 by Papa Clem out of Salty Fries, by In Excess (IRE). Bred by Legacy Ranch Inc (CA). Trainer: Mark Glatt. Owner: Wood, Philip J. and Hailey, Jim. Mutuel Pool $299,941 Roulette Pool $343 Daily Double Pool $27,111 Exacta Pool $141,984 Superfecta Pool $55,977 Trifecta Pool $95,762. Scratchednone. 50-Cent Pick Three (3-1-4) paid $43.60. Pick Three Pool $61,212. GYPSY BLU stalked outside a rival then off the rail, came three wide into the stretch, took the lead outside a rival nearing midstretch, kicked clear under urging and held. TINY TINA settled off the rail, angled to the inside on the hill, came out crossing the dirt and three deep into the stretch and gained the place. SHEZA CHATTYKAT had speed three deep then inched away, set the pace a bit off the rail, drifted in and fought back in midstretch and just held third. TAKE A LEAP bobbled slightly at the start, settled off the inside then angled in and saved ground off the pace, came out in midstretch and was edged for the show. MADAKET SUNSET broke in a bit, was sent along inside then stalked outside a rival, was between horses into the stretch and weakened. OPERANDI stalked a bit off the rail then inside to the stretch and also weakened. Rail on hill at zero. FOURTH RACE. 6 Furlongs. Purse: $30,000. Starter Allowance. Fillies and Mares. 4 year olds and up. Claiming Price $20,000. Time 21.98 44.86 57.10 1:10.26 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 6 Uno Trouble Maker 122 6 3 1hd 13 17 15 Pereira 4.30 5 Baby Ice 117 5 1 3hd 31 22 2 Espinoza 8.00 3 Mistressofthenight 124 3 6 41 42 31 32 Prat 2.40 2 Be a Lady 124 2 5 6 6 51 45 Rosario 6.90 4 Red Shelby 122 4 4 51 51 6 51 Van Dyke 16.60 1 No Wine Untasted 124 1 2 24 22 41 6 Franco 1.40 6 UNO TROUBLE MAKER 10.60 5.20 3.00 5 BABY ICE 8.20 4.20 3 MISTRESSOFTHENIGHT 2.60 $2 ROULETTE (RED) $4.00 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (4-6) $48.80 $1 EXACTA (6-5) $32.70 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (6-5-3-2) $38.01 50-CENT TRIFECTA (6-5-3) $73.15 WinnerUno Trouble Maker B.f.4 by Successful Appeal out of Hope and Vow, by Broken Vow. Bred by Todd Hansen & Shawn Hansen (WA). Trainer: William Spawr. Owner: Acker, Tom, Brown, Jr., Edward J., Sanford, Thomas C. and Smith, Corey. Mutuel Pool $285,794 Roulette Pool $567 Daily Double Pool $28,602 Exacta Pool $140,056 Superfecta Pool $60,935 Trifecta Pool $100,108. Scratchednone. 50-Cent Pick Three (1-4-6) paid $39.20. Pick Three Pool $36,366. UNO TROUBLE MAKER angled in and dueled outside a rival, edged clear and angled in on the turn and drew off under a steady hand ride. BABY ICE bobbled slightly at the start, chased between horses then outside a rival, continued off the rail on the turn and three wide into the stretch and held second. MISTRESSOFTHENIGHT squeezed some at the start, angled in and saved ground chasing the pace throughout and was outfinished for the place. BE A LADY also squeezed a bit at the start, settled inside, came out on the turn and three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. RED SHELBY three deep early, chased off the rail, went outside a rival on the turn, continued just off the fence into the stretch and weakened. NO WINE UNTASTED broke out a bit, went up inside to duel for the lead, stalked on the turn, came out into the stretch and also weakened. FIFTH RACE. 1 Mile Turf. Purse: $55,000. Maiden Special Weight. Fillies. 3 year olds. Time 23.00 47.41 1:11.56 1:23.63 1:35.78 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 6 Kitty Boom Boom 124 6 6 41 41 3 32 1 Smith 3.00 4 Lucky Lately 124 4 1 11 11 12 12 21 Franco 8.00 7 Goodtingscominpink 124 7 7 7 6hd 5hd 42 31 Prat 4.80 5 Stylin Ocean 119 5 5 21 21 21 21 44 Espinoza 2.30 3 Ruby Bradley 124 3 4 61 7 62 63 51 Talamo 3.30 2 Spanish Channel 124 2 3 5 5 41 52 65 Desormeaux 9.90 1 Shanghai Barbie 124 1 2 3 3hd 7 7 7 Quinonez 28.40 6 KITTY BOOM BOOM 8.00 4.40 3.40 4 LUCKY LATELY 7.60 4.40 7 GOODTINGSCOMINPINK 4.40 $2 ROULETTE (BLACK) $2.40 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (6-6) $54.60 $1 EXACTA (6-4) $28.90 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (6-4-7-5) $26.95 $1 SUPER HIGH FIVE (6-4-7-5-3) $1,106.10 50-CENT TRIFECTA (6-4-7) $63.30 WinnerKitty Boom Boom B.f.3 by Tizbud out of Kathwen, by Forest Wildcat. Bred by Pamela C. Ziebarth (CA). Trainer: Richard Baltas. Owner: Pamela C. Ziebarth. Mutuel Pool $355,717 Roulette Pool $1,197 Daily Double Pool $33,310 Exacta Pool $172,033 Superfecta Pool $73,300 Super High Five Pool $6,899 Trifecta Pool $118,514. Scratchednone. 50-Cent Pick Three (4-6-6) paid $50.85. Pick Three Pool $63,887. 50-Cent Pick Four (1-4-6-6) 851 tickets with 4 correct paid $188.05. Pick Four Pool $209,780. 50-Cent Pick Five (3-1-4-6-6) 333 tickets with 5 correct paid $1,419.25. Pick Five Pool $549,497. KITTY BOOM BOOM stalked three deep then outside a rival, went three wide into the second turn, continued alongside a foe leaving that turn, came out in the stretch and rallied under left handed urging to collar the runner-up in deep stretch and proved best. LUCKY LATELY sped to the early lead, set the pace along the inside, held on well to deep stretch, fought back late but could not quite match the winner. GOODTINGSCOMINPINK angled in and chased inside, split horses on the second turn and again into the stretch, came out in midstretch and gained the show. STYLIN OCEAN pulled a bit and stalked just off the rail to the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. RUBY BRADLEY three deep into the first turn, chased outside a rival then three wide into and on the second turn and into the stretch and did not rally. SPANISH CHANNEL stalked a bit off the rail then between foes, angled to the inside into the stretch and weakened. SHANGHAI BARBIE saved ground stalking the pace, dropped back on the second turn and had little left for the stretch. SIXTH RACE. 1 Mile. Purse: $38,000. Claiming. 4 year olds and up. Claiming Price $40,000. Time 23.60 47.35 1:12.26 1:25.39 1:38.70 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 2 Sheer Flattery 117 2 5 64 61 5 2 1 Espinoza 4.10 3 Secret Touch 122 3 1 1 1hd 1 1hd 2 Maldonado 8.60 1 He Will 122 1 6 4 4hd 4hd 51 3 Rosario 2.10 4 Very Very Stella 122 4 4 7 7 7 7 4 Roman 4.80 5 Avanti Bello 122 5 3 31 31 31 3hd 54 Prat 3.10 6 Cabin John 122 6 2 2hd 2hd 2hd 4 62 Franco 16.80 7 Bistraya 122 7 7 5hd 5 62 6 7 Van Dyke 9.60 2 SHEER FLATTERY 10.20 5.80 3.40 3 SECRET TOUCH 9.40 4.20 1 HE WILL 2.80 $2 ROULETTE (RED) $2.80 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (6-2) $45.20 $1 EXACTA (2-3) $39.00 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (2-3-1-4) $46.88 $1 SUPER HIGH FIVE (2-3-1-4-5) $1,098.80 50-CENT TRIFECTA (2-3-1) $67.55 WinnerSheer Flattery Ch.h.5 by Flatter out of Venus Rosewater, by Grand Slam. Bred by Amy Boulton (KY). Trainer: Steve Knapp. Owner: Robert John Vanderdussen. Mutuel Pool $317,619 Roulette Pool $452 Daily Double Pool $32,559 Exacta Pool $155,699 Superfecta Pool $74,197 Super High Five Pool $8,293 Trifecta Pool $111,716. Scratchednone. 50-Cent Pick Three (6-6-2) paid $80.10. Pick Three Pool $52,949. SHEER FLATTERY stalked a bit off the rail then between horses, came out five wide into the stretch, bid outside foes in midstretch, gained the lead under urging in deep stretch and gamely prevailed. SECRET TOUCH sent to the early lead, angled in and dueled inside, came out into the stretch, fought back between foes through the final furlong and went willingly to the wire. HE WILL saved ground stalking the pace, bid inside in a bit tight through the final furlong and continued gamely. VERY VERY STELLA settled off the rail, swung five wide into the stretch and finished with interest. AVANTI BELLO stalked between horses then dueled between foes, was fanned out a bit into the stretch, drifted in late and was outfinished. CABIN JOHN stalked four wide then dueled three deep, came four wide into the stretch and weakened. BISTRAYA reluctant to load and off a step slowly, went four wide on the first turn then stalked three deep, came out six wide into the stretch and also weakened. SEVENTH RACE. 1 Mile Turf. Purse: $38,000. Claiming. 4 year olds and up. Claiming Price $40,000. Time 23.80 47.47 1:11.33 1:22.99 1:34.81 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 6 Kazan 122 6 7 61 62 51 31 1hd Prat 2.00 1 Start a Runnin 122 1 1 11 11 11 12 2 Flores 8.00 5 Magic Musketier 124 5 6 7 7 7 51 3 Rosario 5.70 2 Incredible Luck 122 2 4 3 31 2hd 2hd 41 Payeras 14.20 4 Tequila Joe 122 4 5 5hd 5 6 7 5 Talamo 5.00 7 Cimpl Man 122 7 3 41 41 4 4hd 61 Desormeaux 2.10 3 Invasion Looming 124 3 2 21 2 3hd 6hd 7 Blanc 18.30 6 KAZAN (IRE) 6.00 3.60 2.80 1 START A RUNNIN 9.80 5.80 5 MAGIC MUSKETIER 4.20 $2 ROULETTE (RED) $3.40 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (2-6) $35.20 $1 EXACTA (6-1) $25.20 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (6-1-5-2) $35.22 $1 SUPER HIGH FIVE (6-1-5-2-4) $2,063.40 50-CENT TRIFECTA (6-1-5) $52.60 WinnerKazan (IRE) Dbb.g.4 by Shanghai Bobby out of Thousandfold, by Giant's Causeway. Bred by Rathbarry Stud (IRE). Trainer: Simon Callaghan. Owner: Kaleem Shah, Inc.. Mutuel Pool $287,398 Roulette Pool $610 Daily Double Pool $28,335 Exacta Pool $131,533 Superfecta Pool $66,299 Super High Five Pool $10,169 Trifecta Pool $98,324. ClaimedKazan (IRE) by KM Racing Enterprise, Inc. Trainer: William Morey. Scratchednone. 50-Cent Pick Three (6-2-6) paid $34.50. Pick Three Pool $54,916. KAZAN (IRE) chased three deep then outside a rival, went up four wide on the second turn and into the stretch, rallied under left handed urging and got up in the final stride. START A RUNNIN sped to the early lead, set the pace inside, came a bit off the rail into the stretch, drifted out some from the whip in the final furlong and held on well but was caught on the line. MAGIC MUSKETIER angled in and settled off the pace inside, came a bit off the rail leaving the backstretch, swung four wide into the stretch and finished well. INCREDIBLE LUCK saved ground stalking the pace throughout, bid along the rail in the drive and was edged for third. TEQUILA JOE pulled some and stalked a bit off the rail then inside, came out leaving the second turn and three deep into the stretch and was outfinished. CIMPL MAN three deep early, stalked outside a rival, split horses three wide on the second turn and into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. INVASION LOOMING hopped slightly at the start, stalked a bit off the rail then outside a rival, was between foes leaving the second turn and into the stretch and weakened some in the final furlong. EIGHTH RACE. 6 Furlongs. Purse: $100,000. 'Spring Fever Stakes'. Fillies and Mares. 4 year olds and up. Time 22.25 45.63 57.58 1:10.18 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 1 Show It N Moe It 122 1 2 1hd 21 24 1 Bejarano 1.00 3 S Y Sky 122 3 3 32 1hd 1hd 24 Talamo 1.00 2 Coco Kisses 120 2 1 22 32 32 31 Rosario 7.10 4 Barbara Beatrice 122 4 5 5 5 4hd 42 Pereira 12.50 5 Into Rissa 120 5 4 4hd 4hd 5 5 Franco 35.70 1 SHOW IT N MOE IT 4.00 2.20 2.10 3 S Y SKY 2.40 2.10 2 COCO KISSES 2.20 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (6-1) $15.00 $1 EXACTA (1-3) $3.00 50-CENT TRIFECTA (1-3-2) $3.05 WinnerShow It N Moe It Dbb.f.4 by Grace Upon Grace out of Robotica, by Ide. Bred by Terry C. Lovingier (CA). Trainer: Gary Sherlock. Owner: London, Tom, Lovingier, Terry C. and Zondlo, Eugene. Mutuel Pool $402,939 Daily Double Pool $26,081 Exacta Pool $120,268 Trifecta Pool $130,066. Scratchednone. 50-Cent Pick Three (2-6-1) paid $18.30. Pick Three Pool $39,693. SHOW IT N MOE IT drifted out early and dueled off the rail, lugged out wide into the turn, angled back in between foes then dueled outside the runner-up leaving the turn, fought back under urging in the stretch, regained the advantage in deep stretch and gamely prevailed. S Y SKY stalked off the rail, angled in and bid inside on the turn to gain the lead, battled along the rail, fought back inside in the final furlong and continued willingly to the end. COCO KISSES dueled outside the winner, was fanned five wide into the turn, angled in and battled three deep then stalked off the rail leaving the turn and three deep into the stretch and held third. BARBARA BEATRICE bobbled some at the start, angled in and saved ground chasing the pace throughout and lacked a rally. INTO RISSA angled in and chased outside a rival on the backstretch and turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. NINTH RACE. 1 Mile Turf. Purse: $32,000. Maiden Claiming. 4 year olds and up. Claiming Price $50,000. Time 23.16 46.99 1:10.98 1:22.96 1:34.99 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 1 Combat Zone 124 1 2 2 21 1hd 13 12 Pedroza 3.20 9 Single Me Out 124 9 4 31 31 3hd 3hd 2hd Talamo 29.00 5 Holy Ghost 124 5 6 92 91 91 7 3 Franco 5.20 6 Honor Guard 124 6 8 5 41 42 42 4 Pereira 5.70 10 Tastemaker 124 10 7 82 83 7hd 6hd 5 Roman 28.40 8 Armed Wall 124 8 5 13 11 21 2hd 6 Maldonado 33.60 2 Aussie Fox 124 2 10 10 10 10 10 7 Rosario 1.30 7 Super Terrific 124 7 9 62 5hd 61 5hd 8nk Van Dyke 12.20 3 Super Classic 124 3 3 7hd 7 81 9hd 92 Quinonez 105.00 4 Why Not Us 119 4 1 4hd 62 5hd 8hd 10 Espinoza 22.50 1 COMBAT ZONE 8.40 4.60 3.20 9 SINGLE ME OUT 19.60 9.00 5 HOLY GHOST 4.40 $2 ROULETTE (RED) $4.20 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (1-1) $15.80 $1 EXACTA (1-9) $106.10 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (1-9-5-6) $228.98 $1 SUPER HIGH FIVE (1-9-5-6-10) $9,312.60 50-CENT TRIFECTA (1-9-5) $297.35 WinnerCombat Zone B.h.5 by War Front out of True Gritz, by Yes It's True. Bred by Pontchartrain Stud (KY). Trainer: John W. Sadler. Owner: Hronis Racing LLC. Mutuel Pool $393,593 Roulette Pool $358 Daily Double Pool $133,913 Exacta Pool $211,663 Superfecta Pool $136,321 Super High Five Pool $30,751 Trifecta Pool $182,090. Scratchednone. 50-Cent Pick Three (6-1-1) paid $15.85. Pick Three Pool $142,793. 50-Cent Pick Four (2-6-1-1) 6941 tickets with 4 correct paid $68.15. Pick Four Pool $620,224. 50-Cent Pick Five (6-2-6-1-1) 1505 tickets with 5 correct paid $257.10. Pick Five Pool $507,128. 20-Cent Pick Six Jackpot (6-6-2-6-1-1) 276 tickets with 6 correct paid $479.90. Pick Six Jackpot Pool $247,559. Pick Six Jackpot Carryover $438,680. COMBAT ZONE stalked inside then a bit off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter on the second turn, took the lead leaving that turn, kicked clear under urging in the drive, drifted in late and proved best. SINGLE ME OUT stalked three deep then outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and edged foes for the place. HOLY GHOST angled in and settled off the pace inside, came out leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch and got up late for third. HONOR GUARD stalked a bit off the rail then inside, came out into the stretch, split horses in midstretch and was edged for the show. TASTEMAKER angled in and settled outside a rival chasing the pace, came out on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and put in a late bid at a minor award. ARMED WALL sped to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside, fought back along the rail leaving the second turn and weakened in the final furlong. AUSSIE FOX dwelt to be away behind the field, settled inside then a bit off the rail, came out into the stretch, steadied off heels in midstretch, came out again and lacked the needed rally. SUPER TERRIFIC chased three deep then outside a rival, came out into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. SUPER CLASSIC saved ground stalking the pace, cut the corner into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. WHY NOT US stalked between horses then a bit off the rail, found the inside on the second turn, came out some in the drive and weakened. The Orchids of Asia Day Spa may be closed for business, but people were reportedly flocking there anyway this past weekend after New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was charged with two counts of soliciting sex from a prostitute at the Jupiter, Fla., site on Friday. Deadspin said traffic was backed up at the strip mall where the massage parlor is located that afternoon, with cars slowing or stopping to take photos or videos. The New York Post said dozens of people were lined up Sunday afternoon to take selfies in front of the now-shuttered business. I cant believe how many morons like me are here taking a picture, a Jupiter resident told the Post on Sunday. Now this place is a historical site, its a tourist attraction everyone wants a picture. More than two dozen men have been arrested as part of a crackdown on human trafficking and prostitution at nearly a dozen spas in the region. A warrant for Krafts arrest is expected as early as Monday. The charges against him are misdemeanors. Advertisement Sign up for our daily sports newsletter Naturally, many of the folks on hand at the Orchids of Asia facility were non-Patriots fans who were there to bask in anything that can be seen as a blemish on a team that won the most recent of its six Super Bowls earlier this month although Deadspin also reported that a Patriots fan was circling the parking lot in his pickup truck, blasting the teams unofficial theme song, Bad Boy for Life. Mark McGuire, a New York Giants fan, stands near the front door of the Orchids of Asia Day Spa on Feb. 22. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) New York Jets fans Matthew Gizze, left, and Kevin Brown were among the many who stopped by the Orchids of Asia Day Spa on Feb. 22. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) But amid the festive atmosphere, some people did note of the seriousness of the crimes that allegedly took place inside the building. A vacationer from Long Island, N.Y., told the Post, I am a Jets fan, so Im here to take a picture, but added, Its so sad youre reading all this stuff, and Kraft was contributing to all of this. Another selfie-seeker from Florida told the Post that its amusing [Kraft] was caught this way, but its also highlighting the issue of sexual exploitation. charles.schilken@latimes.com Twitter: @chewkiii Amid an escalating war of words with President Trump over border security and high-speed rail, Gov. Gavin Newsom arrived in Washington this weekend seeking ways to shield California from the administrations policies while at the same time searching for common ground on issues including disaster relief. Newsoms two-day visit to the nations capital, his first political trip outside of California since taking office, started on Sunday at a National Governors Assn. conference when he met with fellow Democrats to share strategies on expanding access to healthcare and strengthening environmental protections at a time when he says both have been under attack by the Republican president. Given the gridlock in Washington, the California governor and his politically aligned counterparts discussed ways states can move to expand Medicaid eligibility for the uninsured and provide other essential services for those in need. I dont desire . to wake up every day and go back and forth with the administration, Newsom said Sunday. However, we will defend ourselves and we will defend the people when we feel we are being harmed or treated unfairly or targeted. Advertisement Newsom said that during his visit to Washington he hopes to focus more on areas of agreement, and in that vein decided to attend a black-tie dinner at the White House Trump hosted Sunday for the visiting governors, though some Democrats had planned to boycott. Im not going to let that get in the way of the thing that matters to me most and thats protecting the American people, regardless of where they live, in California or in Kansas, Newsom said. I feel a deep obligation to rise above that. Still, just two days prior, Trump mocked Newsom over the future of Californias $77-billion high-speed rail system during a meeting with Republican governors, according to news reports. Newsom earlier this month called for scaling back the project, prompting Trump to demand that California return $3.5 billion in federal funding for the project. In January, Trump criticized Californias forest management policies and said he had ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency not to send more wildfire disaster funding to state officials unless they get their act together. Theres no indication that Trump followed through with the threat. Newsom, in turn, has ripped into the president for declaring a national emergency in hopes of securing funding for his proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. He has also criticized Trump as a climate change denier and for his administrations attempts to weaken Californias tough auto emission standards. But Newsom praised also Trump on Sunday for saying he would consider changes to the limit on the federal deduction for state and local taxes, part of the 2017 Republican tax plan that hits residents in states such as California and New York especially hard. The governor has also urged the president to fulfill his commitment to help victims of last years deadly wildfires in Northern and Southern California. On Sunday, Newsom met with Peter Gaynor, acting director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to discuss recovery efforts for the fires. Newsom is urging FEMA to absorb the entire cost of cleaning up the cities devastated by the fires, including the town of Paradise, where thousands of homes and businesses burned. Advertisement He couldnt have been more gracious, Newsom said of Gaynor. I think he shared that same sentiment. Those are the pros within the agency ... the reason they got into emergency response is that they want to take care of folks. Newsom spent most of Sunday in meetings at Washingtons Marriott Marquis hotel, where the conference is taking place. He shunned seminars and other events and instead took one-on-one appointments with Govs. Jared Polis of Colorado, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island and others. On Monday, the governor is scheduled to meet with the ambassador of Mexico, U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry, acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and members of Californias congressional delegation, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield. Lujan Grisham said New Mexico and California align on many critical issues, including the need to expand access to healthcare. As border states, both have much at stake with Trumps emergency declaration to divert defense funding to build a border wall, she said. Advertisement Defense facilities in New Mexico could lose $150 million in funding, which is huge for a state like mine, Lujan Grisham said. Newsom fears similar losses to military installations in California. As governor of the nations most populous state, Newsom has a unique role: He is the de facto leader of his partys resistance to the presidents policies but also must take action to implement Californias political agenda, Cal State Sacramento political scientist Kimberly Nalder said. Newsom, aided by a Democratic supermajority in the state Legislature, has proposed a massive expansion of early childhood education programs, expanding healthcare coverage for young adult immigrants who entered the country illegally and spending $1.3 billion to build more homes and apartment units. Advertisement Hes the leader of the largest section of the country that has a government that opposes much of what the Trump administration is doing, Nalder said. Hes got a bully pulpit that really no one else can match. On Sunday, Newsom spent time soliciting support for his proposal to create a state bulk purchasing system for prescription drugs, aimed at reducing their cost by leveraging the states significant purchasing power through Medi-Cal, Covered California and other state healthcare programs. Newsom would like to see other states join to help further drive down the price of medicine. Even if were not able to do that collaboratively, were encouraging other states to follow Californias example, Newsom said. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) said he welcomed Newsoms vocal opposition to Trumps policies, particularly his criticism of the administrations work toward attempting to repeal the Affordable Care Act and efforts at the U.S.-Mexico border. Advertisement Gov. Newsom and the House Democrats think the same on many issues, Lieu said. I actually welcome Gov. Newsoms more aggressive push back to Trump. Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank), who leads the powerful House Intelligence Committee, said Newsom and Californias congressional delegation need to work together to keep Trump in check. He said the real test will be for Californias congressional Republicans, especially McCarthy, if Trump fails to provide federal relief for the deadly wildfires that hit some of the most conservative parts of California. The president has really made everything political and has sought to punish California, Schiff said Sunday. Will they go to bat for their own constituents? Link goes here Advertisement phil.willon@latimes.com Twitter: @philwillon Updates on California politics Imagine how many California laws you could craft in a single day. No, not how many you should craft thats a different conversation. Now consider the fact that a staggering 742 bills were introduced in a single day, the final day state lawmakers could put a bill across the desk in the state Senate and Assembly last week. In all, 2,576 proposed laws will now need to be vetted in Sacramento in just a matter of weeks. Based on recent totals, it could be a record number of bills introduced in a single year. Sign up for the Essential Politics newsletter Advertisement IMMIGRATION DATA, DRUG PRICING & MORE Our Times team in Sacramento continues to review the bills introduced in the final hours. But what weve seen so far suggests some fascinating and important policy debates are on the horizon. One of the late bills seeks to give California yet another role in the debate over illegal immigration: a proposal to ban local governments from hiring companies that share data with federal immigration authorities. Elsewhere, lawmakers will consider a nationally watched ban on pharmaceutical companies offering payments to competitors to delay the release of competing drugs. Well see increased discussion of Californias housing crisis including an effort to block some of the local ordinances that have limited housing construction. With the states wildfire dangers still front and center and look for efforts to ensure adequate early warning systems and new rules on fire prevention were going to find lawmakers debating how much power they should have over a private utility company: A Democratic state senator wants the Legislature to have final approval of any rate hikes resulting from the bankruptcy of Pacific Gas & Electric. And thats just a sampling of whats in store. One Republican wants to build new highway lanes with no speed limits yes, a California autobahn while others are going after Big Gulps and non-recyclable plastics. There will also be an effort to require members of the clergy to report child abuse. One other thing to keep an eye on: Democrats have reintroduced dozens of bills vetoed last year by former Gov. Jerry Brown. Will Gov. Gavin Newsom see things differently? Advertisement CALIFORNIA GOP: MADAM CHAIRWOMAN There was change in the air inside a Sacramento hotel ballroom on Sunday, as the California Republican Party elected a new leader. And to call these tough times for the state GOP is an understatement. The person who will seek to solve the partys California quandary is 38-year old Jessica Patterson, chosen by a majority of delegates at the weekend convention. Among Pattersons many challenges: finding the donors who are willing to help finance the partys efforts after a dismal showing last November. Advertisement CALIFORNIA ESSENTIALS -- Newsom is in Washington as the week begins, where on Sunday he talked healthcare and attended a dinner at the White House. -- As the city of Sacramento braces for the release of reports into the 2018 fatal shooting by police of Stephon Clark, activists believe the only real impact will be sweeping police accountability legislation at the state Capitol. -- Newsom and lawmakers must tackle what a new report calls fragmented and uncoordinated enforcement of legal marijuana since voters passed Proposition 64 two years ago. Advertisement -- The governor told mayors of several California cities last week that the crackdown on one city over housing Huntington Beach is only the beginning. -- For Californias struggling bullet train project, Newsom is giving the Legislature the opportunity to have a real say in its fate. -- California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra says police records from older incidents of misconduct should be made public, but hes not following his own legal opinion. -- In a state where Latino elected officials helped launch a Trump resistance, the new governor could be a powerful ally for those looking to revitalize California-Mexico relations. Advertisement -- Are Californias teachers strikes part of a coordinated wave? Not exactly. MUELLERS REPORT WILL BE PUBLIC, VOWS DEMOCRAT We are going to get to the bottom of this. That was the promise of Burbank Rep. Adam Schiff on Sunday, who said congressional Democrats will if needed subpoena the final report of special counsel Robert Mueller III, call him to testify or take President Trumps administration to court in the investigation over Russian election meddling. Advertisement Schiffs comments reflected the fear of some Democrats that new U.S. Atty. Gen. William Barr could keep Muellers findings mostly private. Of course, some observers have also noted that the special counsels findings are already quite apparent in filings made in court. Muellers team does not, though, tend to recommend punishment for the crimes it uncovers. Last week, prosecutors left it up to a judge to decide the fate of Paul Manafort even after saying the former Trump campaign chairman repeatedly and brazenly violated the law and shows a hardened adherence to committing crimes. NATIONAL LIGHTNING ROUND Advertisement -- House Democrats filed a bill Friday aimed at overturning Trumps emergency declaration to shuffle military funding to pay for his wall at the southern border. -- A video of Sen. Dianne Feinsteins frank discussion with children pressing her for a Green New Deal sparked a fire on social media and shows the pitfalls for Democrats on the issue. -- The average tax refund so far has shrunk 8.7%, according to the IRS. News of the lower refunds is another hit to a tax law that has been much less popular than Republicans had expected. -- The Democratic presidential campaign is already the most crowded in decades, and more candidates are likely to jump in. Hows a poor voter to tell all them apart? Easy. Advertisement LOGISTICS Essential Politics is published on Monday and Friday. You can keep up with breaking news on our politics page throughout the day. And are you following us on Twitter at @latimespolitics? Miss Fridays newsletter? Here you go. Advertisement Please send thoughts, concerns and news tips to politics@latimes.com. Did someone forward you this? Sign up here to get Essential Politics in your inbox. San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer thinks his city has said no to housing for too long. Where it once grew by sprawling with political leaders in the middle of the last century annexing hundreds of square miles from the San Pasqual Valley near Cleveland National Forest to the border with Mexico today San Diego is planning for an urban development boom so people dont have to drive to work. For the record: An earlier version of this article said residents living near San Diegos Balboa Park protested a proposed 20-story condominium complex by wearing all black and holding up black umbrellas. The residents were protesting a 20-story apartment complex. But that growth hasnt happened yet, and the citys housing costs are escalating. So in his State of the City address in January, Faulconer proposed some of the most aggressive strategies of any California city to promote apartment and condominium construction. For San Diego residents to live affordably, the mayor said, the city must stop obliging long-held community demands to keep buildings short and stop requiring new parking spots so people have more places to live. Advertisement We must change from a city that shouts Not in My Backyard to one that proclaims Yes in My Backyard! Faulconer said in the speech. The mayors plans are part of a broader shift taking place in larger cities across California to promote growth, especially near transit stops. They also align with a push by Gov. Gavin Newsom and some state lawmakers to crack down on local development restrictions, which they believe are a major driver of Californias rising housing costs amid continued calls by neighborhood groups to shrink or deny building projects. Theres no question that larger cities in California are taking aggressive steps, said Bill Fulton, publisher of the California Planning and Development Report. Thats really accelerated in recent years as housing has become more of an issue. After Huntington Beach lawsuit, Newsom warns cities hell continue housing law crackdown In December, San Francisco got rid of requirements for developers to install parking spots alongside new homes across the city. In the same month, Sacramento passed a plan to phase out car-centered developments, such as fast food drive-through restaurants, in the citys downtown and other areas near transit part of a bid to make it easier to build apartments and condominiums. And nearly three years ago, Los Angeles voters passed a plan that allows developers to build taller and more densely and receive permits more quickly for projects near Metro stations that set aside some units for low-income residents. Like the rest of the state, San Diego has seen dramatic increases in housing costs. In just the last six years, median home values in the city have gone up more than 70% to $633,500, according to the real estate website Zillow. Rental prices have also steadily increased over a similar period with the median cost now $1,642, according to U.S. Census data. Home prices in San Diego and California have steadily risen during the last six years. (Jon Schleuss / Los Angeles Times) The median rent in San Diego is higher than the state median. (Jon Schleuss / Los Angeles Times) Advertisement The price surge prompted Faulconer to change his mind about some of the citys rules. Years ago, the mayor was such a staunch supporter of height limits which control what type of developments are built that he laughed at the idea they could make housing less available for people who want to live in San Diego. Now, he wants to get rid of height limits for apartment and condominium projects within a half-mile of transit stops. (The mayors plan wouldnt apply along the coastline, where voters have enshrined a 30-foot height limit in the city charter.) Faulconer has also proposed doing away with requirements that developers include parking with projects in areas near transit, rules city officials now estimate drive up costs by as much as $90,000 per spot. And Faulconer wants to relax limits on the number of homes that can be built on sites near transportation hubs. By getting rid of these restrictions, Faulconer said, developers will build more homes for people of all incomes. Advertisement You either have a housing crisis or you dont, he said. We know that we need to increase our ability to produce housing that San Diegans can afford. So lets act like it. San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer wants to strip away many local restrictions on development. We know that we need to increase our ability to produce housing that San Diegans can afford, he said. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) San Diego, Californias second-largest city, is one of the few urban areas where Republicans like Faulconer retain considerable political power. But the mayor and City Council President Georgette Gomez, a Democrat, agree on the need for more growth, a perspective shared by council members from both parties. During a City Council meeting last month, Gomez chided a developer for proposing a project she believed was too small. The proposals in San Diego coincide with the governors recent efforts to reward cities that make it easy to build and punish those that dont. Last month, Newsom authorized a lawsuit against the Orange County city of Huntington Beach over state requirements to zone land for housing and on Tuesday the governor warned elected officials from nearly two dozen cities that they could be next. Advertisement Newsom also recently named Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg to lead a new commission on homelessness in a sign of support for the citys approach to housing. Steinberg, a former leader of the state Senate, said many local officials fiercely protect their control over development from state incursions. But he said that approach is the wrong one if city and county officials dont use their power to tackle housing affordability. Cities should be doing more of these things on their own, Steinberg said. Thats the way it should be. In San Diego, resistance to Faulconers plans which are in various stages of approval is bubbling. Three trolley stops are under construction in neighborhoods surrounding Mission Bay and residents have fought for years against relaxing nearby height restrictions. Advertisement On one side of the trolley is Interstate 5 and the bay. On the other, car dealerships and one- and two-story businesses line a commercial corridor. An abandoned department store sits next to one of the new trolley stations, and a developer has discussed using the site to build 1,700 new homes in buildings up to 90 feet tall. A few blocks inland, single-family homes rise along a broad hillside. In front of some of those homes are lawn signs that read Raise the Balloon, referring to a slow-growth group founded in 2014 by Bay Park resident and Realtor James LaMattery. LaMattery said he was astounded that the city was considering allowing taller buildings in his neighborhood and convened protesters to lift a 10-foot-in-diameter red helium balloon over five stories high to show how residents views would be affected. It was like raising the American flag, said LaMattery, 66. In making his pitch for growth, Faulconer has branded himself a YIMBY, which stands for Yes in My Backyard, a national movement agitating for more development that is led primarily by young professionals. Advertisement LaMattery takes issue with those who would label him the opposite: a NIMBY, or Not in My Backyard, for being against some forms of development. In an email to supporters last year, LaMattery wrote that NIMBY sounds hauntingly familiar to other classes of people that suffer institutionalized discrimination. This N word should be added to the protected classes in anti-discrimination bills and removed from governmental documents. Asked about the email, LaMattery said it was probably inappropriate to compare the term to a racial slur. But he maintained that NIMBY was a derogatory term for those who are simply attempting to shape their communities. Faulconers plan would do away with the height limits that LaMatterys group has worked to protect. LaMattery said the resulting development would be out of scale with the rest of the neighborhood and would unalterably change the city for the worse. Advertisement Theres going to be a huge battle, he said. A lot of San Diegans believe this is just a lot of L.A. development coming in. James LaMattery, shown in 2016, opposes San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconers plans to allow for taller developments in his neighborhood. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) While community groups reacted immediately when Faulconer introduced his plan at the State of the City, political leaders did not. The lack of response stunned Cory Briggs, a prominent local environmental attorney, who then decided to run for mayor in 2020 on a platform against aggressive growth. Briggs said Faulconers proposal would run roughshod over neighborhood planning and lead to the construction of expensive developments unavailable to those who arent wealthy. Advertisement Theres no housing crisis, Briggs said. Theres a workforce housing crisis, an affordable housing crisis. Academic research indicates that new supply makes housing more affordable across a region, but that might not happen in individual neighborhoods when zoning rules are relaxed. Gomez and Faulconer dont have exactly the same beliefs on housing and seem headed for a clash over what percentage of development must be reserved for low-income residents if height limits go away. The mayors initial plan calls for no change to the citys current rules that can require 10% of a project to be for low-income residents. Gomez thinks that percentage should be higher. If we are amending the regulations, what are the benefits? she said. I dont want to support a project that is market-rate and have it just be market-rate. Because were not addressing the need for people living in the streets. Advertisement Despite this divergence, city leaders remain in favor of new building even in the face of inventive protests. Dozens of residents living near a proposed 20-story apartment complex next to the citys Balboa Park dressed in all black and held up black umbrellas on a playing field that they believed would be covered in shadows if the towering development were approved. The idea came from a successful protest spearheaded by former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in the late 1980s in New York City against a development that would have shaded an area of Central Park. The council met for nearly two hours to debate the development three weeks ago. It was approved unanimously. liam.dillon@latimes.com Advertisement Twitter: @dillonliam The Supreme Court on Monday overturned a U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision on equal pay because Judge Stephen Reinhardt from Los Angeles died 11 days before the ruling was announced. Federal judges are appointed for life, not for eternity, the high court said in a brief, unsigned opinion. During his long career, Reinhardt was a liberal leader of the 9th Circuit and voiced a certain pride in being reversed often by the more conservative Supreme Court. On April 9, the 9th Circuit, based in San Francisco, issued an opinion in a Fresno school case that was written by Reinhardt and spoke for a 6-5 majority. Advertisement The opinion upheld an Equal Pay Act claim brought by Aileen Rizo, who alleged she was paid less than male colleagues because her starting salary was based unfairly on her pay level in a previous job. Reinhardt said the 1963 law was intended to eliminate pay discrimination against women. It would be inconceivable, he wrote, that the law would permit disparities that Congress declared are not only related to sex but caused by sex. But Reinhardt died March 29 when the case was still pending. In a footnote issued with the ruling, the 9th Circuit said: Prior to his death, Judge Reinhardt fully participated in this case and authored this opinion. The majority opinion and all concurrences were final, and voting was completed by the en banc prior to his death. But lawyers for Jim Yovino, Fresno school superintendent, appealed. They questioned whether the 9th Circuit was right to bar employers from considering a job applicants prior earnings when setting their salary. They also questioned whether a deceased judge can cast the deciding vote in an appellate decision. On Monday, the justices set aside the 9th Circuits ruling based on Reinhardts role. In Yovino vs. Rizo, the court said, the 9th Circuit had not explained how the April 9 decision could be a majority opinion since it was not endorsed by a majority of the living judges at the time of issuance. The justices had a similar recent experience. In mid-February 2016, Justice Antonin Scalia died unexpectedly. He had cast votes in a series of cases in which the opinion was still pending at the time of death. In several cases, the high court announced it was split 4-4 and could not issue a ruling. Mondays ruling makes clear that the votes of deceased judges cannot be used to decide cases. Advertisement Other than in this case, the high courts opinion said, we are aware of no cases in which a court of appeals panel has purported to issue a binding decision that was joined at the time of release by less than a quorum of the judges who were alive at the time. Issuing a ruling written by Judge Reinhardt after his death effectively allowed a deceased judge to exercise the judicial power of the United States after this death. But federal judges are appointed for life, not for eternity. The outcome leaves unresolved the question of whether the Equal Pay Act forbids employers from paying new employees based on his or her previous salary. Rizos case will return to the 9th Circuit, which could convene a new en banc court to decide the issue, with another appellate judge taking Reinhardts place. The latest from Washington More stories from David G. Savage This week, a 45-year-old immigrant in the U.S. illegally died in Border Patrol custody. His death follows the December deaths of 7-year-old Jakelin Caal and 8-year-old Felipe Alonzo-Gomez in United States immigration custody, both of which prompted demands for improving healthcare for immigrants in detention. As a physician who has evaluated dozens of individuals in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention for legal groups and human rights organizations, I know that high-profile deaths are only one small piece of the story of severely substandard healthcare in Americas immigration detention system. For example, in one detention center I met and reviewed the medical records of a man who had been thriving and holding steady employment for years while on schizophrenia medications. Then he was picked up and detained by ICE. In detention, he told me, ICE personnel abruptly stopped his medications. After a nearly two-week delay, an alternative medication was prescribed, but it was not as effective. His mental health deteriorated, and he experienced worsening auditory hallucinations and suicidal thoughts. He attempted suicide four times. Media reports of high-profile deaths capture only a sliver of the human rights violations occurring in detention. Advertisement Another individual I met with and whose medical records I reviewed had longstanding hypothyroidism, but ICE failed to provide her with thyroid medication in detention. When she was first hospitalized for worsening mental health, her thyroid hormone level was 60 times higher than normal. Despite the hospital medical teams explicit instructions, ICE still failed to provide her thyroid medication when she returned to detention. It was not until a second hospitalization, again with a critically abnormal thyroid hormone level, that she finally received her medication. I also met with a man who had developed a stomach ulcer and vomited blood after ICE medical personnel gave him ibuprofen repeatedly for back pain even though he had reported symptoms of severe heartburn. Any physician applying the proper standard of care would know to minimize prescribing ibuprofen to an individual with severe heartburn. The kinds of problems I saw are in keeping with the type repeatedly documented by immigrant advocates, filed in litigation and contained in the governments own reports. According to Freedom for Immigrants, a national advocacy group seeking to end immigration detention, the top complaint they hear from detained immigrants is medical neglect. In addition, multiple Department of Homeland Security inspector general reports have concluded that detention facilities repeatedly fail to comply with federal standards, including those requiring adequate healthcare. In 2017, a report noted delays in the provision of healthcare and a lack of adequate documentation. And the problems extend beyond healthcare. A report in January 2019 cited more than 14,000 deficiencies found during inspections of 106 immigrant detention facilities nationwide between October 2015 and June 30, 2018. Substandard conditions can significantly harm an individuals health. Many of the individuals I met with said they experienced sleep deprivation from lights being kept on 24 hours a day. Some said they had to wear dirty prison uniforms that caused urinary and vaginal infections. Others complained of being served rotten or inadequate food, a violation of standards that has been repeatedly documented in inspection reports. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute Some detainees also reported verbal and physical abuse by guards, which can significantly worsen the mental health of immigrant detainees. For example, during one of his acute mental health crises, the schizophrenic man I interviewed recalled banging his body against a wall as he wrestled with voices telling him to kill himself. He said a guard referred to his distress as a tantrum and told him to get over it. Other detainees told me that staff used frequent racial epithets and also referred to them as crazies, or Loony Tunes, or trash. As one detainee put it: They see us not like human but as animals here. Advertisement Media reports of high-profile deaths capture only a sliver of the human rights violations occurring in detention. None of the patients I interviewed died from the dangerous neglect they experienced, and so their experiences didnt garner headlines. But their experiences were dangerous and not uncommon. We need to hold the U.S. government accountable not just for the deaths that occur of immigrants in their custody, but also for the neglect and abuse that can lead to or exacerbate serious health problems. Altaf Saadi is a neurologist, clinical instructor of medicine, and fellow at the National Clinician Scholars Program at UCLA. She has performed numerous evaluations for the Physicians for Human Rights Asylum Network. When PG&E filed for bankruptcy protection in January, several observers declared the electric utility the first casualty of climate change. But as much as global warming is to blame for PG&Es financial woes, state policy is equally responsible. California has a legal regime, practically unique in the country, that holds utilities strictly liable for all property damage associated with wildfires if their infrastructure is found to be a cause of ignition whether the utility was negligent or not. This strict liability approach wasnt so problematic historically, when wildfires and the damage they cause were more manageable. But as climate change produces ever larger and more frequent mega-fires, Californias policy is concentrating risk in a way that could threaten the financial stability of utilities, burden consumers and undermine the states climate and energy goals. As much as global warming is to blame for PG&Es financial woes, state policy is equally responsible. Advertisement To preserve the health of its utilities, California will need to reform its strict liability laws and support better wildfire risk management. Electric utilities are state-granted monopolies that provide a public service, the cost of which they can theoretically spread across all beneficiaries. California courts have treated such utilities as public entities, requiring them to compensate property owners for any damage caused by their infrastructure. The courts have interpreted a wildfire started by utility equipment as just such a taking, allowing property owners to seek compensation for damage through a doctrine known as inverse condemnation. Unlike in a tort case, in an inverse condemnation lawsuit, utilities have to pay even if they are not at fault. Utilities may invest in cost-effective risk reduction and even be diligent managers, but they cannot control the climate. When a drought combines with a heat wave and extreme wind to blow debris into a power line, creating a spark, a small fire can quickly become a conflagration and a bill that reaches into the tens of billions. This catastrophic level of risk is making it difficult for utilities to transfer risk to commercial insurance markets or even to the financial market. In other states that face high risks of natural hazards wildfires, floods, storms, hurricanes electric utilities are responsible only for the damage done to their own systems. Hurricanes have caused massive disruptions to electric infrastructure in states like Florida and Louisiana. But for the most part, electric utilities in those states did not have to pay for damages caused to peoples homes. Not so in California. While the costs to repair a system damaged by a hurricane can be large, the costs to repair damage to everyone elses property from that same disaster is many orders of magnitude higher. Of course, our first response to climate change should be the aggressive pursuit of a carbon-free economy. But just as business-as-usual emissions are no longer tenable, neither is business-as-usual disaster policy. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute Advertisement Paying for property damage caused by growing wildfires will continue to be a monumental task for California and the West. But by aligning incentives, prioritizing cost-effective risk reduction, diversifying risk and creating state regulations that promote healthy risk transfer markets, California would be much better poised to manage the challenge. Reform would not let utilities off the hook for negligent behavior or eliminate incentives for risk reduction, which are both addressed by American tort law. It could simply change the law to recognize that while there are steps that utilities can and should take to lower wildfire risk insulating wires, hardening poles and de-energizing lines in high wind conditions utilities cannot refuse to hang wires in high-risk areas. Nor do utilities have authority over land use patterns or development practices that increase such risks. Reducing wildfire risks is a shared responsibility. The cost of such risks needs to be a shared responsibility, too. We cant prevent the uptick in disasters we now face as a result of global warming. But we can dramatically reduce the economic pain they cause. Carolyn Kousky is executive director of the Wharton Risk Management and Decision Processes Center at the University of Pennsylvania. The center has received donations from more than a dozen corporations, including from Edison International. This piece represents the views of the author alone. Advertisement Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook President Trump on Monday cautioned fellow Republicans against falling into a Democratic trap as lawmakers prepare to vote this week on legislation rejecting his declaration of a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border. A measure is expected to pass easily in the Democratic-controlled House on Tuesday, forcing a difficult vote for GOP senators, who will have to weigh whether to support Trump on a move that even some in his party have criticized as circumventing the will of Congress. I hope our great Republican Senators dont get led down the path of weak and ineffective Border Security, Trump said in a tweet Monday. Without strong Borders, we dont have a Country - and the voters are on board with us. Be strong and smart, dont fall into the Democrats trap of Open Borders and Crime! I hope our great Republican Senators dont get led down the path of weak and ineffective Border Security. Without strong Borders, we dont have a Country - and the voters are on board with us. Be strong and smart, dont fall into the Democrats trap of Open Borders and Crime! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2019 Advertisement Trump is attempting to use the emergency declaration to justify spending significantly more on barriers at the border than what Congress authorized in a compromise intended to avert another partial government shutdown. If Senate Democrats are united, they will need only four Republican defections to pass the rejection of Trumps emergency declaration and send it to his desk. On Friday, Trump said he would veto the measure 100 percent if that happened. And he predicted that Congress would be unable to muster the votes to override his veto. RELATED: California joins states suing Trump over emergency declaration As the House vote approaches, Trump is facing fresh backlash from fellow Republicans. A group of 23 former Republican members of Congress have written a letter urging a termination of the emergency declaration. The letter argues that Trump is encroaching on Congresss power of the purse and urges current lawmakers to stand up for its constitutional powers. We who have served where you serve now call on you to honor your oath of office and to protect the Constitution and the responsibilities it vested in Congress, says the letter. Advertisement RELATED: No factual basis for a wall emergency, former national security ofcials declare Its signatories include former Sens. John Danforth of Missouri, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, Gordon Humphrey of New Hampshire, Richard Lugar of Indiana, Olympia Snowe of Maine and 18 former House members. A bipartisan group of 58 former senior national security officials also plans to issue a statement Monday saying that there is no factual basis for Trumps proclamation of a national emergency on the U.S.-Mexico border. The former officials statement, which will be entered into the Congressional Record, is intended to support lawsuits and other actions challenging the national emergency proclamation and to force the administration to set forth the legal and factual basis for it. Advertisement John Wagner writes for the Washington Post. Mike DeBonis and Ellen Nakashima of the Washington Post contributed to this report. An 8-foot-tall chain-link fence went up around the Sacramento County district attorneys office, weeks after police shot and killed Stephon Clark an unarmed black man whose cellphone they mistook for a gun. Demonstrators previously had blocked the front doors, chanting Shut it down! as protests erupted across the capital city. Almost a year later, the fence has become a psychological barrier as well, a reminder of the frustration, distrust and racial tensions that are threatening to boil over once again in the state capital. In the coming days, Sacramento County Dist. Atty. Anne Marie Schubert and California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra are expected to release reports on the criminal liability of the two officers who fired 20 rounds at Clark, striking him at least seven times. To many here, the question isnt whether the officers will be charged, but what will happen when they arent. Advertisement The shared belief among community activists, politicians and police is that the shooting probably will be deemed justifiable. There also is a growing determination that if no criminal action is taken, calls for statewide legislation curbing police use of deadly force should become the focus of protests. The outcome was wrong. He should not have died, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said of Clark in his recent state of the city address. The best chance we have for peace is for people to know and see that we mean to change what must change. Case law provides strong protections for law enforcement involved in lethal incidents, and Schubert has never prosecuted an officer-involved shooting. For 49 weeks in a row, protesters have shown up outside her office. Adrianne Pennington, a member of Black Lives Matter, recently brought a lawn chair and a grill. Her daughter, Jaelynn, 8, used plastic clips to hang a sign on the cyclone wire that read, [Expletive] this fence. Activists counting on Becerra to conduct an independent review of the Clark shooting soured on the prospect when the attorney general delayed the release of law enforcement records under a new state transparency law that went into effect last month though he recently put out a review of the Sacramento Police Department that suggested more than 50 improvements in use-of-force policies, officer training and how investigations are conducted. Local leaders including Steinberg are supporting the push for action at the state level as proof of a commitment to addressing racism and associated ills, including generational poverty. Every Friday for more than a month, City Hall officials have held closed-door meetings with black community leaders. Steinberg and Daniel Hahn, the citys first black police chief, have attended, trying to forge the connections needed to prevent protests should Schubert not charge the officers, according to attendees interviewed by The Times. The buy-in from the community has been mixed, but the purpose is clear: Give the anger a focus beyond the decision not to prosecute. Advertisement Protests over Clarks shooting helped spur last years landmark police transparency law, SB 1421, which requires the release of investigative and personnel records in officer-involved shootings and some instances of substantiated misconduct. Becerra has said he is waiting to comply with the law until the courts decide whether it should be applied retroactively. He recently filed a brief in favor of retroactive document releases in a pending state Supreme Court case brought by the Assn. for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs. This year, legislators introduced two competing bills to address when officers in California can be charged. One revived an American Civil Liberties Union-backed effort that would make it easier to prosecute police in instances of deadly force. The other, supported by police unions, focuses on internal training and policies. The second measure, Senate Bill 230, has gained traction, with 17 Democrats signing on as co-authors. But in an indication that the more far-reaching measure, Assembly Bill 392, could encounter a tough fight, law enforcement decided to put forward its own legislation which could make hard for voters to discern the difference between the two proposals. In the weeks after Clark was shot last year, legislative hearings and City Council meetings were packed with community members demanding action. Advertisement At one of those meetings, Stevante Clark, Stephon Clarks older brother, jumped on the dais at City Hall and cursed at Steinberg. He says he regrets that outburst and now has reservations about new protests with no clear purpose. Instead, he is planning three days of events around the March 18 anniversary of his brothers death. He supports AB 392. My grandmother really believes the officers are going to be held accountable, said Clark as he sat in her living room, just feet from where his brother died in the backyard. The night of the shooting, police responded to a call about a man in a hoodie breaking car windows. It remains unclear if Stephon Clark, 22, was the person the 911 caller was reporting. But he was spotted by a Sheriffs Department helicopter in a neighbors backyard, where he allegedly had broken a sliding glass door before jumping a fence into the Clark property. Two officers chased him down. One of them yelled that Clark had a gun. Both officers fired in an encounter caught on video by their body cameras and the helicopter, footage that was released by the department within days. Advertisement Though local philanthropists landscaped the backyard after the shooting, placing a memorial stone in the ground where Stephon Clark fell, neither Stevante Clark nor his grandmother step foot there anymore. Prosecuting the officers, that is what we want, Clark said. Steinberg, who recently pledged to seek $200 million over five years for economic equity in the citys disadvantaged neighborhoods, stops short of endorsing AB 392. But in an interview, he said use-of-force standards need to be stricter and that he would probably participate in protests supporting AB 392 if charges against the officers are not filed. Advertisement The alliance between leaders such as Steinberg and activists is a delicate one. Sonia Lewis of Black Lives Matter Sacramento, which has spearheaded the protests against Schubert, said her group is concerned about caving in to a big compromise. And Clark is skeptical that the public response can be directed or contained once the reports on his brothers death are released. You cant contain raw emotion. Pressure bursts pipes, he said. Advertisement Transparency without accountability is nothing. More coverage of California poitics anita.chabria@latimes.com Follow @chabriaa on Twitter and sign up for our Essential Politics newsletter. Mom Ummm, Im in trouble. The skinny teenagers body is nearly doubled over with stress, his mothers voice rising with increasing anxiety from the speaker of his cellphone laid out in front of him in a federal interrogation room. Criminal drug organizations are turning San Diego teenagers into mules, using them to smuggle hard narcotics, even deadly fentanyl, across the border in a trend that is alarming law enforcement authorities. Hold on ... What did you do? his mother squawks into the phone. Advertisement Tell her, an agent prompts the unidentified youth in a video recording of a real interrogation now played for San Diego students as a warning of the potential consequences. So, I went to Mexico and I brought back drugs because I was gonna get paid for it. The phone call ends with the mother sobbing: How could this happen? How could this happen? The teenager keeps repeating, Sorry, mom. In recent months, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations arrested four juveniles for allegedly smuggling hard narcotics into the country from Mexico. Weve seen meth, heroin and fentanyl, said David Shaw, HSI special agent in charge in San Diego. Theyre strapping it right onto their body without properly packaging it. And with fentanyl, a small amount can kill you. Last year, border agents arrested seven minors crossing at ports of entry in San Diego County allegedly smuggling fentanyl, a drug so potent that an amount as small as a few grains of salt can be lethal. Minors were arrested 71 times apparently trying to smuggle meth and seven times in alleged attempts to smuggle in heroin in fiscal year 2018, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection numbers. Advertisement Theyre targeting teens because you can lure them a little easier with electronics or money, Shaw said. They tell them You get across three times, and you get an iPhone. He said federal authorities are getting some resistance from some local schools theyve approached about doing education and outreach because of concerns about immigration enforcement. HSI operates under Immigration and Customs Enforcement but it is a different branch concerned only with serious criminal investigations, Shaw said. ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations, an entirely different division, carries out immigration arrests and deportations. In June, a majority of the special agents in charge of ICEs Homeland Security Investigations division, including Shaw, signed a letter to the Department of Homeland Security saying they want to split off from ICE because of its perceived role in the politics of civil immigration. Advertisement Under the Trump administration, the ERO division of ICE has expanded its reach beyond immigration enforcement on serious criminals and national security threats. People have been arrested while at hospitals, dropping their kids off at school and paying traffic fines, leaving Latino and immigrant communities even more distrustful of the agency. Manny Rubio, spokesman for Sweetwater Union High School District, said district officials were initially cautious about a program that educates youth on heavy topics such as drug cartels and smuggling. He said there was concern about having immigration officers on campus. We were a little bit tentative because we wanted to make sure we were protecting students and their parents, Rubio said. Rubio said the school district worked with HSI, the U.S. attorneys office, the Drug Enforcement Administration and CBP and started letting the agencies give the presentation in Sweetwater schools last semester. He said its a powerful program that has an impact on the kids. Advertisement At first we were a little bit unsure, but once we got into it, and saw who all the partners are, its been a good thing, said Rubio. Shastity Urias, the community outreach and prevention coordinator in the U.S. attorneys office, said one of the purposes is to counteract lies smugglers tell teenagers, including that transporting the drugs is easy and the students wont be taken into custody if theyre caught. Urias said the information is helpful for parents and teachers, too, because a smuggler trying to recruit a teen is more likely to look like their lab partner than a tattooed cartel member. Because the goal of the juvenile justice system is rehabilitation and not punishment, sentences for minors convicted of narcotics smuggling can range between 90 days to 480 days, San Diego County Deputy Dist. Atty. Mary Loeb said. Advertisement She added the group tries to get the teens to think about the long-term consequences, such as having to disclose the information on certain types of job applications in the future, and the decision affecting their college choices. A conviction could even mean the minors entire family loses their eligibility for the SENTRI program, which allows for expedited processing at the U.S.-Mexico border. Sometimes the teenagers dont know what they are smuggling or realize that fentanyl is so deadly, federal officials said. It can be absorbed through the skin and even hurt people standing around them in line if it becomes airborne, said Shaw. Advertisement Linda Dere, HSIs deputy special agent in charge in San Diego who worked at the border early in her career, said San Diego juveniles engaging in smuggling isnt a new phenomenon. Back in the day, they use to smuggle marijuana. But the part that is so concerning is what they are bringing is now becoming more hazardous, Dere said. The presentation has been given in a few schools in the Sweetwater Union School District where federal authorities note students have been targeted for smuggling or arrested in smuggling cases. It offers students tips, such as hotlines to call and a mobile app where they can anonymously report recruitment attempts, on how to get help if someone approaches them to smuggle drugs. Advertisement Shaw would like to expand the program to 61 schools around the county and in other districts. Wendy Fry writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. A Cupertino, Calif., woman who was hiking in Yosemite National Park died Sunday after being struck by falling rock and ice, park officials said. Xuan Wang, 56, was hiking on Mist Trail, a popular path to the top of Vernal Fall that is closed this time of year because of icy conditions, when she was struck about 12:30 p.m., park officials said in a news release Monday. Wang ignored the signs, went around the gate and the incident happened on the trail leading to Vernal Fall, the news release said. She succumbed to her injuries soon thereafter, officials said. Advertisement Park officials are investigating. The fatal rockfall is not the first at the park. In September 2017, a British tourist was killed and his wife was seriously injured in a large rockfall from El Capitan. The next day, a second slide estimated to be 10 times the size of the previous days fall struck, injuring one person. alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com Twitter: @r_valejandra Aerial photo taken on Feb. 12, 2019 shows emergency worker Dong Jinbing (L) inspecting the high voltage wire with his workmate Wang Wensheng on the power transmission tower in the mountain area of Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province. A team of electricians was dispatched to repair a high voltage wire that was broken due to thick layer of ice accumulation. After one day's work on the over 40-meter-high power transmission tower in bad weather condition, the team succeeded in fixing the failed power system that lowered the trains' speed causing delay during the post-holiday travel peak. This year's Spring Festival travel rush started on Jan. 21 and will last till March 1, with railway trips expected to hit 413 million in total, up 8.3 percent. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu) 5 1 [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] A team from North Hollywood High School took first place in a science-based academic tournament in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday. By now, North Hollywood High students are used to winning the regional Science Bowl sponsored by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The school has clinched the regional title 20 times over the last 22 years, according to the utility. The team showcased an outstanding grasp of advanced science, math and technology concepts, quick reflexes and grace under pressure, LADWP said in a statement. Each team member will receive the $1,000 Hitachi Scholarship and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, where they will represent L.A. in the U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl from April 25 to 29. Advertisement The team will compete in a field of 65 high school champions from 40 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Nine teams from California will participate. A team from Bravo Medical Magnet High School placed second in the regional competition. Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies took third, while Venice High School took fourth. Since 1991, the LADWP Science Bowl has tested students teamwork skills and knowledge using a television game show format that involves toss-up and bonus questions, buzzers and timed responses. laura.newberry@latimes.com | Twitter: @LauraMNewberry An armed robber held up a news crew covering the Oakland teachers strike on Sunday evening, and shot the crews security guard before fleeing, according to police. Reporter Joe Vazquez and photographer John Anglin with San Francisco CBS affiliate KPIX 5 were gathering interviews around 5 p.m. on 81st Avenue in East Oakland when at least two people approached the crew members and demanded they hand over their camera and other equipment, according to the Oakland Police Department. The crews security guard, whose name was not released, was shot during the robbery and returned fire, police said. The guard was taken to the hospital in stable condition. The suspects fled the scene in a car, which crashed at 55th and Bancroft avenues, police said. Advertisement Thank you, friends, for your well wishes. Our guard was shot today in Oakland while we were on assignment covering the Oakland teachers strike. We believe his wounds are not life threatening, thank God. Photographer John Anglin was robbed at gunpoint. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/TP225CUJNQ Joe Vazquez (@joenewsman) February 25, 2019 A young man suffering from gunshot wounds walked into Highland Hospital shortly after the robbery, police said. That man and at least three other people, including the driver of the crashed car, have been detained in connection with the incident, said Oakland Police Officer Johnna Watson. No arrests in connection with the crime were announced Sunday, Watson said. laura.newberry@latimes.com | Twitter: @LauraMNewberry Oakland police on Monday announced that two people had been arrested in connection with the armed robbery of a Bay Area television news crew the previous night. Two men held up a news team covering the Oakland teachers strike on Sunday evening and shot the crews security guard before fleeing, according to the Oakland Police Department. The guard was treated at a hospital and released, police said. The crews camera was recovered. Reporter Joe Vazquez and photographer John Anglin with San Francisco CBS affiliate KPIX-5 were gathering interviews about 5 p.m. on 81st Avenue in east Oakland when at least two men approached and demanded they hand over their camera and other equipment, according to the department. The crews security guard, who KPIX reported was a retired Berkeley police officer, was shot during the robbery and returned fire, police said. The suspects fled in a car, which crashed at 55th and Bancroft avenues, police said. Advertisement A young man with gunshot wounds walked into Highland Hospital shortly after the robbery, police said. That man and at least three other people, including the driver of the crashed car, have been detained in connection with the incident, Oakland Police Officer Johnna Watson said. SAG-AFTRA, the union that represents Vazquez, released a statement calling the attack disturbing. With journalists increasingly becoming the targets of violence and harassment, SAG-AFTRA has made safety its top priority, the union said. The union has been working with journalists, management and police departments in Oakland, the Bay Area and at other affected areas nationwide to provide additional protections for news crews, including adding enforceable contract provisions concerning safety. News crews in Oakland and their cameras are sometimes the target of criminals, said Sgt. Ray Kelly, a spokesman for the Alameda County Sheriffs Office. A lot of news crews when they go into certain neighborhoods predominantly in Oakland bring armed guards, he said. Most are retried law enforcement. It has been going on for the last several years. Their equipment may be worth quite a bit of money overseas and in other markets, he said. In an armed robbery in 2015, a KNTV camera operator was pistol-whipped while reporting from San Franciscos Pier 14. The incident was captured as local station KTVU was broadcasting live, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. In 2012, a KPIX cameraman was punched in the mouth and had his camera stolen while reporting in Oakland. Advertisement javier.panzar@latimes.com @jpanzar Former Fullerton police Chief David Hendricks and one of the captains on the police force will not serve time behind bars after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges stemming from a conflict with emergency medical technicians at a concert in Irvine last year. Hendricks and Capt. Thomas Oliveras both pleaded guilty Monday to disturbing the peace during a hearing in Orange County Superior Court as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. They each agreed to pay $500 to an emergency fund for crime victims but will not serve jail time or be placed on probation, according to court records. In exchange for Hendricks guilty plea, two counts of battery on emergency workers and a count of resisting arrest were dismissed. The former chief, who resigned from the police department two months after the concert incident, had faced up to three years in jail if found guilty of all charges. A single count of battery on an emergency worker and a count of resisting arrest were dismissed for Oliveras as part of the plea deal. Oliveras originally faced a maximum of two years in jail, if convicted as charged. Advertisement Both men can go through a legal process to get the convictions expunged at some point, defense attorney John Barnett said. The men were off-duty and attending a Lady Antebellum concert in Irvine with their spouses on Aug. 24, 2018, when the chiefs wife needed medical attention. When EMTs responded to assess her condition, authorities alleged at the time that Hendricks pushed two EMTs as they tried to provide treatment. Prosecutors said at the time that Oliveras put one victim in a headlock. Irvine police officers were called to the scene, and Hendricks and Oliveras were both accused of obstructing and delaying the investigation, prosecutors said. Authorities have not said what sparked the altercation. Fullerton officials placed Hendricks on leave after the incident and he resigned in November. Charges were filed the following month. City News Service contributed to this report. Get your umbrellas back out because Californias wet winter isnt over yet. A moisture-rich atmospheric river that is bearing down on Northern California is expected to dump up to 8 inches of rain on portions of the Bay Area, unleash gusty winds and bring the potential for widespread flooding through at least Thursday. The storm, bringing warm air from the tropics into the region, is expected to raise snow levels to 6,000 feet across much of the Sierra Nevada, said Hannah Chandler-Cooley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sacramento. Above those elevations, were expecting some really significant snowfall, Chandler-Cooley said, adding that most areas will see from 5 to 8 feet of fresh powder. Mammoth Mountain had a surfeit of snow earlier this month. Some ski resorts had to close. Advertisement Chandler-Cooley said the warm air that was expected to accompany this latest storm could melt snow that had fallen recently at lower elevations and cause small creeks, streams and rivers to flood. Strong winds of 20 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph in some areas will accompany the rain, forecasters say. Tracking the #AtmosphericRiver - here is the satellite derived imagery showing the moisture plume heading to California. This #AtmosphericRiver will bring flooding concerns to the region. Monitor the weather and NWS alerts over the next 2 days. #cawx pic.twitter.com/InJ2Fjo25a NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) February 25, 2019 The same storm is expected to clip Southern California on Wednesday, bringing some precipitation that could linger through Thursday. Forecasters late last week predicted that the Southland would be heating up this week, but that doesnt look like it will happen. They say, however, that Los Angeles will likely avoid the significant drenching that has become synonymous with the warmer, wetter winter storm. L.A. is expected to receive less than a quarter of an inch of rain. Another storm is expected to move into the region late Friday and linger through the weekend, though it is not clear how much rain that weather pattern may bring. A series of winter storms this season has brought record-breaking rainfall and dropped snow levels dramatically across the state, bringing snow to L.A. and other areas that rarely see any. Last week, snow fell in Malibu, Pasadena, West Hollywood, Northridge, San Bernardino and Thousand Oaks and dusted Saddleback Mountain in Orange County. The consistent rainfall has provided an 18-trillion-gallon soaking for the state this month and has reached nearly half the volume of Lake Tahoe. The Sierra will see multiple feet of snow this week and a Winter Storm Warning is in effect above 5000 feet Monday morning to Thursday morning. Mountain travel will be highly discouraged and will be difficult Monday through Thursday morning. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/RNkiuvNPql NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) February 25, 2019 Advertisement hannah.fry@latimes.com Twitter: @Hannahnfry A motorcyclist was shot and wounded Saturday on the 10 Freeway in El Monte by a suspected member of an outlaw motorcycle gang, authorities said. Two motorcyclists were riding just east of the 605 Freeway at around 1 p.m. when they were surrounded by four to six riders who likely belong to the Mongols Motorcycle Club, according to the California Highway Patrol. An alleged Mongols member then shot one of the motorcyclists, who was riding a red Honda CBR 1000, in his right thigh, the CHP said. The wounded motorcyclist exited the freeway at Garvey Avenue and called the police. He was taken to the hospital. Authorities were still searching for the suspected shooter Sunday night. Witnesses said the man has an unknown tattoo on his forehead and a long ponytail. Advertisement All westbound lanes of the 10 Freeway at Interstate 605 were closed for an hour while officers attempted to locate evidence, the CHP said. They found two .380 caliber shell casings and shards of a bullet. The Mongols were formed in the 1970s in Montebello by a group of mostly Latino men who reportedly had been rejected for membership by the Hells Angels motorcycle gang, now the Mongols archrival. It has expanded over the decades to include several hundred members in chapters across Southern California and elsewhere. In 2008, nearly 80 Mongols members were charged in a sweeping racketeering case that included an array of alleged murders, assaults and drug deals. laura.newberry@latimes.com | Twitter: @LauraMNewberry There has been much debate about the historical accuracy of the Oscar-winning movie Green Book. For generations of African Americans, the books were a lifeline for travel in a segregated society that regularly discriminated against them. Here is the story of the Green Book from the pages of the Los Angeles Times. The Green Book listed 224 Los Angeles sites welcoming to black travelers. (New York Public Library) Advertisement What was the Green Book? The Green Book was created by Victor H. Green, a postal service worker from Harlem, N.Y., who began publishing the guide in 1936 to help African Americans avoid, as he put it, embarrassing moments after motorists started exploring long-distance roadways, including Route 66, the nations first transcontinental highway. The books helped black travelers navigate cities where many merchants refused to serve them. Stretching 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles, Route 66 passed through three time zones, eight states, 89 counties and dozens of sundown towns that enforced segregation with local laws, intimidation and violence. The cover of a Green Book. (New York Public Library) Were they used in Los Angeles? Yes. Most of the 224 Los Angeles sites have been razed or put to other uses. But 56 places that have survived include landmarks such as the Biltmore Hotel, Cliftons and the Dunbar Hotel, where famous figures such as Lena Horne, Joe Louis, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong would stay when they visited the city because white hotels would not house them. There were also dozens of lesser-known welcoming locales, including the Hayes, the Aster Motel and a modest wood-framed house in the 1200 block of South New Hampshire Street listed in the guide as the residence of Mrs. J.O. Banks. For much of its history, Los Angeles was a highly segregated city, enforced by laws later ruled unconstitutional. Advertisement African Americans couldnt buy a home in so-called red-lined neighborhoods. Some street corners had signs on 6-foot poles that said, No Negroes or Orientals Desired. In movie theaters, African Americans sat on one side of a velvet rope and whites on the other. Some department stores handed African American women pieces of tissue paper before they tried on hats. RELATED: This guidebook helped African Americans find a hotel along segregation-era Route 66 (L.A. Times) Mapping Green Book locations in L.A. (Curbed L.A.) Advertisement Photos of Green Book sites in L.A. (Tailor Made Culture) Green Book Library (New York Public Library) Each year, thousands more qualified students apply to Cal State L.A. than the campus has the funding or space to accommodate. Now campus officials want to raise admissions standards and shrink the fall 2020 class. If officials decide to do so and the Cal State chancellors office approves, Cal State L.A. will join six other Cal State campuses Fresno, Fullerton, Long Beach, San Diego, San Jose and San Luis Obispo that declared themselves fully impacted, meaning they have too many qualified applicants for all levels and programs, and made similar changes. The Cal State L.A. proposal would reduce the incoming class by 600 students and raise requirements for GPA and standardized test scores including the SAT and ACT for fall 2020. Departments also would be allowed to set more admissions criteria evaluating high school coursework in a particular subject, for example, or assessing an art portfolio. Students and faculty who oppose the proposal say it would change the culture of the campus and push admission further out of the reach of the disadvantaged students the Cal State system is meant to serve. Advertisement Students walk on the campus of Cal State Los Angeles. (Nick Agro / For The Times) Impaction is like a plague spreading through the CSU, Alejandra Marchevsky, director of Cal State L.A.s womens and gender studies department, said at a public hearing about the proposal Thursday night. Were going to stop that cascade. But Cal State L.A. Provost Lynn Mahoney said the universitys hands are tied. Campus enrollment has increased by 25% since 2012 while funding for expanding enrollment has gone up only about 2%. The campus already serves about 5,400 more full-time students than it receives state funding for, she said. Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed an increase in state funding that would help the Cal State system enroll 8,100 more students in 2019-20. Cal State L.A. spokesman Robert Lopez said that 2% enrollment increase wont be nearly enough to meet demand. Cal State campuses are required to accept all eligible freshmen in their local service areas, which meant Cal State L.A. had to cut community college transfers by about 25%, Mahoney said. The hope, she said, is that the proposed changes would help the campus balance out the numbers and bring in more transfer students. We have a deeply committed community in which faculty have spent decades devoted to helping students succeed and whenever youre faced with having to make a change in admissions criteria, its extremely painful, Mahoney said. Advertisement Local eligible students who fail to win admission to Cal State L.A. or other Cal State campuses that are full will be automatically offered admission to another campus beginning this fall for the first time, after Cal State trustees approved the policy last year in response to a directive from the state Legislature. A crowd of students and faculty members attended last weeks event, one of three planned public hearings. The comments stretched over about four hours, until the building closed at 10 p.m. Many students and alumni emphasized the same point: If the university had closed its doors to them when they applied, they wouldnt have been able to pull themselves out of poverty. Roxana Preciado teared up as she told campus officials about her time at Cal State L.A., when she would wake up at 5:30 a.m. for her first job, scrubbing toilets, and sneak food from her second job at a restaurant, all while juggling classes she attended after taking two buses and a train to get to school. Advertisement She graduated with a degree in psychology and is now finishing her masters in family counseling and marriage and family therapy, she said. Her three siblings still struggle financially, but her degree has been her ticket to a stable life. Antoinette Saddler, a member of the Black Student Union, pointed out the declining number of black students over the years. The proportion of black students fell from 5% in fall 2012 to 3.5% in fall 2018, according to campus data. You want to raise your requirements such as SAT scores, but black and brown communities we dont get the resources to obtain the scores you all want from us, she said, turning to Mahoney and university President William Covino. The growing number of eligible local freshmen is the reason for a sharp decline in black student enrollment, Mahoney said. Neighborhoods with large populations of black students live outside the local service area mapped out decades ago by the state Legislature. Advertisement Although the proportions of black, white and Asian students have declined, Latinos made up 53.8% of the population in fall 2012 and grew to 60.9% in fall 2017, according to campus data. The proposal also would reduce the number of feeder community colleges whose students are given preferential treatment when they apply to Cal State L.A., said Enrique Ochoa, a Cal State L.A. history and Latin American studies professor. Students from campuses including Pierce, Los Angeles Valley, Los Angeles Mission and Los Angeles Harbor colleges would no longer get preference, he said. Students walk on the campus of Cal State Los Angeles. (Nick Agro / For The Times) Systemwide, Cal State is trying to shorten the time students take to graduate. Many of the proposed changes share this goal, said Danielle Mayen, a Cal State L.A. student who works in the office of admissions and recruitment. But this push, she said, comes at the expense of students facing the biggest socioeconomic hurdles. Advertisement Its unrealistic to ask someone who works three jobs and has family to support to graduate in four years, Mayen said. Walter Rodriguez, a veteran, said he enrolled at Cal State L.A. after the failure of the business he started when he came back from Iraq. His son, who suffered because of Rodriguezs post-traumatic stress disorder, did not get in, he said at the hearing. Im proud to say Im going to graduate this year, but the sad part is my sons not going to be able to get in here even though what he had to deal with was not his fault. Rodriguez said students like his son who are affected by circumstances beyond their control will be left with few options to change their circumstances if the school proposal is approved. Advertisement College was a way out, Rodriguez said. Its one of the only doors they have to get out. Cal State L.A. plans to take public comment until Wednesday and make a decision on the proposal before publishing admissions criteria June 1. Mayen and other opponents say theyre asking for a one-year delay so the campus can get more feedback and look for solutions to ease the overwhelming demand without increasing admissions requirements. suhauna.hussain@latimes.com Advertisement Twitter: @suhaunah Rogelio Perez has long struggled with math. Had he entered California State University last year, his C grades and low standardized test scores would have steered him into a non-credit remedial math class. He would still have had to pay for the class and fallen behind at least a semester in his path toward graduation. But under a sweeping reform in the nations largest four-year public university system, Perez is doing college-level work in statistics and algebra, aided by 150 minutes of extra instruction every week. And hell get college credit if he passes which looks likely, since hes earning an A so far. I feel this is a really good system because the extra review helps us understand more and in depth, said Perez, a Cal State Dominguez Hills freshman who is the first in his family to attend college. Without it, Id probably have the same trouble I had in high school. The first results are in for the Cal State systems controversial move last year to eliminate non-credit remedial classes and replace them with regular courses, buttressed with extra support, that count toward an undergraduate degree. Last fall, nearly 7,800 students like Perez were able to pass those higher-level math classes, according to CSU data released Monday. Advertisement In both 2017 and 2018, about the same number of first-year students 17,400 were unprepared for college-level math courses. About two-thirds of those who enrolled in one anyway succeeded under both the old and new systems. But the number of students who did so under the new reforms increased dramatically 7,787 students last fall, compared to just 950 the previous year. Whats exciting to me about this data is that it refutes a theory that all of these students who are unprepared for college math [will] fail, said James T. Minor, a CSU assistant vice chancellor. The data simply do not support that. Disproportionately, low-income, black and brown students are now earning college credit. The reforms, announced by Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White in an August 2017 executive order, are expected to aid a systemwide push to boost four-year graduation rates from 19% in 2015 to 40% by 2025. White also ordered that all students be assessed for college readiness not merely through one placement test a measure criticized for inaccurately evaluating students who are low-income or underrepresented minorities but through multiple criteria, including high school courses, grades and standardized tests. Whites orders upset many faculty members, who said the chancellor failed to adequately consult them. Critics were unhappy with his decree to make the switch across the system all at once in just a year rather than phase it in. And some doubted that unprepared students could succeed in college-level classes. At Cal State Northridge, some faculty critics note that four out of 10 students still failed to pass the reformed classes last fall, an outcome essentially unchanged from the remedial offerings the previous year. But campus Provost Stella Theodoulou said those students now save money and time by bypassing noncredit classes. CSUN math professor Michael Neubauer, however, still has questions. He said the new math classes are virtually the same as the old remedial ones. My concern is that students are getting college credit for what? he said. At other campuses, the results have won over skeptics. Sacramento State University has been among the most successful of the systems 23 campuses, especially among students not planning to major in science, technology, engineering or math. About 93% of them passed the fundamental algebra course last fall, compared to less than 60% in the comparable remedial math course the year before. I was nervous we would push students into coursework they were unprepared for, and Im delightfully embarrassed to admit Im wrong, said David Zeigler, chairman of Sac States mathematics and statistics department. Advertisement Key to the success, Zeigler said, was a redesign of the curriculum to make it more relevant to students showing how polynomials can be used to model blood pressure or the stock market, for instance. The math faculty experimented with math boot camps and online tools. They also offered extra support in class and by hiring more student instructors to help their peers. Cal State Los Angeles has made similar changes. Faculty redesigned its math program to cater to those majoring in the sciences and math and those who arent. They developed a program offering teaching tips. And the academic support unit, called Smart Start, follows up with students who are floundering three times each term to offer extra help. Michelle Hawley, Cal State LA associate vice president, said shes learned to see student potential in a new way. I was very skeptical and thought it was just a shortcut, she said of the reforms. But I learned that just because you cant pass a test doesnt mean youre not capable of learning the subject. At Cal State Dominguez Hills, math instructor Gia Nguyen aims to engage students with real-life examples teaching probability by having them throw dice, for instance and puzzle out problems together. The campus requires first-year students who are least prepared for college-level work to take math in both the summer and one term in the regular school year along with supplemental instruction. Their pass rate is about 68%, compared to 75% for students who dont need extra support, said Matt Jones, the math department chairman. Advertisement Thats reasonably close, and we feel were bringing students up without the long path to get there, he said, adding that both groups use the same textbook and are held to the same standard. For many students, the reforms seem to be a hit. In their weekly review class last week, freshmen Abril Petlacalco and Bryanna Lievanos worked together on practice problems for an upcoming midterm exam, figuring out standard deviations, means and medians. The math instructor, Susan Huniu, went from group to group, fielding questions. Lievanos, the daughter of immigrants and the first in her family to attend college, said the engaging teachers and review sessions are helping her grasp a subject she never particularly liked. In high school, she said, she often got Cs in math. I always struggled with math, she said. But Ive had really good teachers here and I get what theyre teaching. Advertisement Her goal this semester: a B in math and college credit. teresa.watanabe@latimes.com Twitter: @TeresaWatanabe Four years ago, Anahi Olide would drop off her young son at day care and then head straight back home for several hours before driving 10 minutes to Cal State Los Angeles for class. Those days are over. In order to snag a parking space before the tsunami of cars shows up, the 22-year-old child development major goes straight to the school after dropping off her now 5-year-old boy just before 8 a.m. She hews to this ritual even though her first class doesnt start until 1 p.m. It was not that bad when I first started here, Olide said. I mean it was full, yeah, but if you drove around a few times you would eventually find a parking space. Now, its really ugly. Advertisement At Cal State L.A., the busy lots, often chock-full by midday, are now a daily reality for students, who have taken to social media to vent about the parking gantlet they often must go through just to get to class. The university has partly closed two large parking lots because of construction projects, resulting in the temporary loss of about 1,200 spaces over the last year, said Cal State L.A. spokesman Robert Lopez. The challenge is far from unique to the L.A. campus. Several California State University campuses, like some University of California campuses, have large commuter populations. Thats especially true of universities in large urban areas, including Long Beach, where relatively few students live in campus housing. Drivers look for parking spots at Cal State L.A. The university has partly closed two large parking lots because of construction projects, resulting in the temporary loss of about 1,200 spaces over the last year. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) A driver and passenger look from their car in a parking lot at Cal State L.A. The university sold 9,184 parking passes this semester to students and employees for its total of 6,460 on-campus spaces. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) The first eight weeks of the fall semester at Cal State Long Beach are particularly busy, said Robyn Ames-Woodyard, campus director of operations. This past fall the university rented an overflow parking lot off-site just for those eight weeks and ran shuttles to and from campus. Cal State Long Beach spokesman Andrew Edwards said parking is pretty much a constant issue for us. Cal State Northridge has roughly 13,000 parking spaces but hosts 40,000 students and more than 4,000 faculty and staff, so we have to be creative, said Carmen Chandler, a university spokeswoman. To help deal with congestion, Cal State Northridge launched an app that provides information about how many spaces are available in lots so students waste less time driving around looking for parking, Chandler said. Advertisement Like other universities, Northridge and Long Beach employ strategies in line with the systems sustainability goals, including ways to get students out of their cars through public transportation incentives and carpools. But its a balancing act for campuses to provide enough parking while encouraging behavior that is good for the environment. Campuses are between a rock and a hard place. We want students to be able to come to campus and to not feel frustrated when they get here, said Gerard Wellman, an associate professor of public administration at Cal State Stanislaus who studies transportation policy. The mental toll parking takes on students can play a role in their decision to stay committed to education, Wellman said. But, he added, its hard to get people to give up their cars, even if it mitigates some of the hassles of commuting. Advertisement As Americans, we like to park within sight of the building were going to. But that is not only expensive and impractical, its also incredibly unsustainable, Wellman said. We do this, even though it has a detrimental impact on the natural environment, because we are so ingrained and acculturated in the custom of being able to park wherever we want. On social media, many students complain that universities sell more parking permits than they have spaces. But Lopez, the Cal State L.A. spokesman, said its typical to sell more passes than parking spaces because not everyone is on campus at the same time. Cal State L.A. sold 9,184 parking passes this semester to students and employees for its total of 6,460 on-campus spaces. Each year, Cal State Long Beach sells about 22,000 passes for 14,000 parking spots. Lopez emphasized that the parking situation is temporary. This fall, the university plans to reopen one of the parking structures, closed in March 2018 and expanded to about 2,200 spaces, giving the campus a net gain of 1,020 spaces, he said. The other lot, which was closed in December, will be built into an eight-story student housing complex to accommodate the universitys enrollment, which has increased by roughly 25% since 2012, Lopez said. The housing project, scheduled to open in spring 2021, would provide an additional 1,500 beds for freshmen and sophomores. Advertisement A pedestrian walks down the stairs of a garage as construction continues to add more parking spots at Cal State L.A. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) In the meantime, some Cal State L.A. students and staff say they avoid campus parking altogether. Zia Polanco, 22, refuses to buy the $200-a-semester student parking permit and instead parks for free in the residential neighborhood next to campus. On-campus parking is a mess, she said. On a recent Monday morning, Polanco parked on a street at the base of a hill before undertaking the steep hike to the upper campus for a yoga class she was already late for. Advertisement Its not worth it to deal with this, she said as she surveyed the packed parking structure. But this adaptation to congested parking has resulted in pushback from residents, who in August successfully petitioned the city for restrictions on some streets. Unlike Cal State L.A. and Northridge, which are both building new parking structures, the Long Beach campus has no plans to add any. Ames-Woodyard said accommodating more vehicles goes against campus carbon neutrality goals. She added that construction is costly and would further raise the price of student parking permits, which are already set to increase to $165 from $140 next year. Advertisement As construction continues at Cal State L.A., the university has opened an off-site parking lot that holds 500 cars connected to campus by a continuous shuttle. The university also provides free valet services in parking lots in order to pack in more vehicles. Meanwhile, the school keeps stressing public transportation, advertising student discounts on Metro and Metrolink passes. Were taking all of these measures, Lopez said, because we really want to make sure people can park. A driver looks for a parking spot at Cal State L.A. Some students and staff say they avoid campus parking altogether. (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) According to local media agency Antara News, such an invitation was made during the Indonesia-San Francisco Business Forum 2019 in San Francisco on February 20th, which was expected to bring Indonesia closer to businesses and society in Northern California. President Joko Widodo delivers a speech in the commemoration of the National Press Day (HPN) in Surabaya, East Java, on February 9th, 2019. The 2019 HPN is themed The Press Boosts Digital-based People's Economy. (Source: Antara) Acting Consul General of Indonesia in San Francisco Hanggiro Setiabudi said that under the theme of "Invest in A Reformed Indonesia: Utilizing Digital Technology in Developing Regional and Tourism Investment Opportunities", the forum aimed to present the latest development of the Indonesian economy, especially the potential sectors where foreign investors could invest in the digital economy and the development of tourism destinations. The Indonesia Investment Promotion Center (IIPC) in New York stated that in 2018, Indonesias digital economy reached USD27 billion, making it the largest and fastest growing in Southeast Asia. Google and Temasek estimated the value would grow to USD100 billion within the next 10 years. New York IIPC Investment Promotion Officer Rahardjo Siswohartono said that this growth is also supported by the government through the 14th economic policy package which is to facilitate and expand access to tech funding for startups, tax incentives, consumer protection, and HR education. To further strengthen cooperation, IIPC New York invited investors to attend the Regional Investment Forum (RIF) next March in the Indonesian province of Banten to meet directly with policy makers in the digital economy sector, exploring cooperation with dozens of tech developers, startups and tourism projects. In addition to the development of the digital economy, including financial technology, participants were very enthusiastic and further discussed the potential for developing Indonesian tourism destinations, including the development of supporting infrastructure and the air transportation sector./. If youve spent time contemplating the cases and shelves at Bread Lounge in downtown Los Angeles or the bread-laden carts outside the gates of Jerusalems Old City youll recognize a Jerusalem bagel even if youre not quite sure what it is. Scattered with sesame seeds and oblong in shape, it looks like a traditional bagel after a game of tug-of-war. The bread is bouncy in a way that American bagels are definitely not, and fragrant and crusty with seeds, and it is most definitely not a bagel. At Jerusalem carts, youll get one wrapped in paper with a packet of the spice blend zaatar for dipping. At Bread Lounge, you can order a plate of labneh studded with tomatoes, olives, olive oil and zaatar with your Jerusalem bagels. Or you can just ask for some of the house-made zaatar when you pick out your bagels and theyll give it to you on the side. Ran Zimon remembers getting the snacks in Jerusalem when he was a kid he grew up outside Tel Aviv but he didnt think to put them on the menu at Bread Lounge when it opened in May of 2012. Hed never even made them before, even when he was baking in Israel. It took an early visitor to the bakery who got to talking to Zimon about the Turkish bread simit, a popular street food thats very similar to the Israeli version, for Zimon to remember the bagels of his childhood. Shortly after, he put Jerusalem bagels on his menu. Advertisement Zimon makes the classic sesame-topped version, as well as plain, onion and seeded. He also makes round ones because people like them, theyre easy to make sandwiches with and, well, why not especially as Bread Lounge does not make actual bagels. Jerusalem bagels arent boiled, nor do they have much in common with actual bagels other than the name. Rather, theyre a simple yeasted bread thats shaped, topped with seeds and baked. Ta-da. Zimon remembers childhood trips to the desert and crushing fresh hyssop in his hands though zaatar is usually made with oregano in this country the heady stuff perfuming the dry air. Hes in the process of bottling his zaatar and selling it, so if you get your bagels to go, you can take it all home for your own dipping party. 700 S. Santa Fe Ave., Los Angeles; (213) 327-0782; breadlounge.com amy.scattergood@latimes.com Instagram: @AScattergood Flavorful Origins, a documentary series spotlighting a regional cuisine in Southeast China, arrived on Netflix this month. Translated into English from Mandarin, the show is an ode to the traditions of Chaoshan, a coastal region in the eastern part of the Guangdong province. Diners in the San Gabriel Valley have long had their pick of restaurants specializing in the cuisines of Sichuan, Yunnan and Dongbei, but options are growing elsewhere. Sichuanese fine dining and soup dumplings can now be found at the Westfield Century City mall, and outposts of Northern Cafe, a chain of restaurants slinging Northern Chinese hand-pulled noodles, are popping up from Beverly Hills to San Pedro. As if on cue, theres now a new Netflix show highlighting the food and history of a region that has received comparably little attention in American media. The 20 episodes of Flavorful Origins are directed by Chen Xiaoqing, acclaimed for his previous documentary food series A Bite of China. Fans of the Netflix show A Chefs Table will notice a similar playbook here, one that includes sensual close-ups of pristine seafood and produce paired with scenic landscapes. Advertisement Each episode features a dish or ingredient prized in the Chaoshan region, such as white olives, rice noodles, or mandarin oranges. Taken together, they reveal an immensely sophisticated food culture, born of centuries-old traditions. The local dialect of Chaoshan is called Teochew (also Chiu Chow or Chaozhou), which is also the name that refers to the people from there. Teochew cooking is marked by restraint and subtlety, forgoing heavy seasonings in order to highlight the freshness of ingredients. A simple food shines in their hands, says the narrator. These ingredients often come from the sea in Chaoshan, a couple hundred miles up the coast from Hong Kong. One episode features a local tradition of eating marinated raw seafood, such as colorful flower crabs steeped in a bath of vinegar, salt, chiles, and cilantro. There are other oceanic surprises for example, Chaoshans rich history of farming and drying seaweed, which Westerners might instinctively associate with Korean and Japanese cooking. Another episode looks at the ancient Teochew tradition of preparing thinly sliced raw fish (we learn that the practice was later exported to Japan, becoming what we now know as sashimi). Flavorful Origins portrays the Teochew people as master preservers, skilled in the art of harnessing time and elemental forces to engineer desired flavors and textures. Plump, freshly harvested oysters are left to ferment in the sun, concentrating their briny essence and lending complexity to stir fries and stews. There are surprising techniques such as steaming pressed mandarin oranges before theyre slow-cooked in sugar a process that yields luminous, silky Teochew orange cakes. White radishes are stored in earthenware vessels for up to two decades, acquiring a jet-black hue and a unique soft-crunchy texture treasured by locals. At times, Flavorful Origins reveals itself as an awkward work of translation. The narration can be wooden and oddly scientific (words like oligopeptides and myosin get tossed around with annoying regularity). But theres also an earnestness thats endearing. Bouncy beef meatballs tumble across the screen as a soaring instrumental plays in the background. Squishy sound effects accompany extreme close-ups of foods being handled and sliced. The reverential tone of the show may remind you more of a nature show than food TV. Chaoshans lush beauty is in sharp focus here, including images of mountains, rivers, rich soil and pristine waters. Its a pastoral vision of China rarely seen in American food media, typically preoccupied with soaring skyscrapers, bustling dim sum parlors, and street food (though its worth noting that Chens previous series A Bite of China was broadcast on state television and has drawn criticism for overly idealizing Chinese culture). Teochew food is nothing new in L.A., of course. If youve had the famous stir-fried lobster at any location of Newport Seafood or slurped rice noodles at Kim Ky in San Gabriel or Trieu Chau in Santa Ana, youve eaten Teochew food. Over at Chinatowns Far East Plaza, hot chicken obsessives beating a path to Howlin Rays inevitably pass by Kim Chuy, a sleepy Teochew restaurant thats been chugging along for decades. And one of Jonathan Golds most beloved restaurants was Seafood Palace, a Teochew fried crab specialist with locations in Monterey Park and Temple City. So why isnt Teochew cuisine as visible as other regional Chinese cuisines? Part of the reason is the diaspora of its people motivated by crushing poverty in the region says Diana Zheng, the author of Jia: The Food of Swatow and the Teochew Diaspora, a recent book about Teochew cuisine. Advertisement Most Americans with Teochew roots can trace their families journeys to the U.S. through Southeast Asia, Zheng says. Because their families often lived in Vietnam or Cambodia or Indonesia for a generation or two before arriving here, their Teochew identities are sometimes hyphenated, as are the restaurants that they opened to support their families. Because of that cultural exchange, many diners visit Teochew restaurants in L.A. and Orange County while perhaps mistaking the food for Vietnamese, Cantonese or Cambodian. Not to mention the confusing nomenclature: Teochew food is alternatively called Chiu Chow, Chaozhou, Teoswa, or Chaoshan, depending on the language spoken. The cuisine has a bit of a branding problem, Zheng laments. While the restaurants here are authentically Teochew, many of the dishes depicted in Flavorful Origins can be difficult to track down. Restaurants serving the food eaten in the current-day [Chaoshan] region of China are pretty rare across the U.S, Zheng acknowledges. Whether Flavorful Origins leads to Teochew food gaining a greater following in the States remains to be seen, but it offers an enchanting glimpse into a serious culinary heritage and one that extends to our own backyard. During the nearly three-month red carpet season, which ends tonight with the Oscars, Lady Gaga has dispelled any doubts that shes a genuine movie star. Working with stylists Sandra Amador and Tom Eerebout, Gaga has toned down the theatrics that she brazenly displayed in the past. In lieu of a meat dress and a galactic gown accessorized with a sharp-pointed star and gravity-defying platform shoes, Gaga often opted for classic yet youthful silhouettes for her appearances at awards shows and soirees to support her Oscar-nominated leading role in A Star Is Born and her original song nomination for Shallow from the same film. Check out our Oscars coverage including the arrivals photo gallery Advertisement Gagas dare-to-wear attitude has won over red-carpet veterans. I think were all having fun watching Gaga this awards season, said Elizabeth Stewart, the stylist whos dressed Oscar winners Julia Roberts, Cate Blanchett and Viola Davis. I love seeing people who have such fun with fashion. Gagas awards-season style has been more in line with her elevated 2016 Oscars red-carpet look from designer Brandon Maxwell, which was a variation on a jumpsuit from his fall/winter 2016 collection. Lady Gaga at the 88th Academy Awards on Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) A rundown of her style Lady Gaga arriving at the 76th Golden Globes at the Beverly Hilton on Jan. 6. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) Gaga wore a custom periwinkle-colored strapless ballgown by Valentino to the Golden Globes in January that echoed, even if not intentionally, a gown worn by Judy Garland in the 1954 version of A Star is Born. Immediately after the Globes, the fashion chameleon changed her hair color from blue to platinum blonde, wearing the shoulder-length locks in ways that evoked screen sirens Marilyn Monroe and Veronica Lake. With her clothing palette, however, she has been steadfast with certain shades, choosing between silver and pastels, white and black. For co-star and fellow nominee Sam Elliotts ceremony memorializing his hand and footprints in Hollywood, Gaga paired a light blue leather trench coat by Italian label Fay with black patent leather pumps from Christian Louboutin. Advertisement Bradley Cooper, left, Sam Elliott and Lady Gaga during Elliotts hand and footprints ceremony in Hollywood on Jan. 7. (Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Getty Images) The following day, at the National Board of Review Gala in New York, she braved the winter chill in a custom halter-neck tuxedo gown and feather shrug by Ralph Lauren. (So elegant, commented one fan on Instagram. Class, wrote another.) Lady Gaga at the National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Jan. 8 in New York. (Dia Dipasupil / Getty Images for National Board of Review) For the Critics Choice Awards, Gaga glided onto the stage to accept her award for best actress in a strapless silk pale pink crepe dress with a softly gathered train by Calvin Klein By Appointment. Advertisement Glenn Close and Lady Gaga tied for the best actress award at the 24th Critics Choice Awards at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Jan. 13. (Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images) Two weeks later, at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Gaga wore an ivory gown from Diors spring/summer 2019 couture collection, which the French brand had presented on the runway only six days earlier. The one-of-a-kind look was Gaga-worthy with raw edges, a plunging neckline that stopped inches above her navel and a hip-high slit that was blocked by hot pants. Lady Gaga at the 25th Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium on Jan. 27. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) Days later at the Oscars Nominees Luncheon, she covered up completely for the class photo. Her white dress, designed especially for her by Louis Vuittons womens artistic director, Nicolas Ghesquiere, featured tiers of ruffles on the long sleeves and a line of buttons extending from the rounded collar to her waist. Advertisement Lady Gaga at the 91st Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon on Feb. 4 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. (Jordan Strauss / Invision/AP) Then, at the Grammy Awards, she redefined glam rock thanks to Hedi Slimane from Celine. Her silver strapless column gown was crafted from silk taffeta, embroidered all over with sequins and beads, and trimmed with a dramatic ruffle that at times obscured part of her left arm. Lady Gaga at the 61st Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 10. (Jordan Strauss / nvision/AP) Also, the constant in Gagas parade of finery over the past two months has been her diamond jewelry by Tiffany & Co. At the Grammys, her platinum earrings were made with more than 10 carats of princess-cut diamonds, valued at $580,000. Advertisement For Gagas appearance at the Golden Globes, Tiffany created a custom necklace named the Aurora (an homage to A Star Is Born). The 80-carat creation comprised 300 pear-shaped and round brilliant diamonds flanking a diamond drop that alone accounted for a quarter of the necklaces total weight. image@latimes.com For fashion news, follow us at @latimesimage on Twitter. Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson appeared on Good Morning America on Monday so that the record gets set straight in the Jussie Smollett investigation. The sitdown comes just days after Johnson and Chicago law enforcement officials said that Smollett orchestrated the Jan. 29 attack with two brothers because he was dissatisfied with his pay on his Fox series, which he has since been written off of for this seasons final two episodes. Smollett has denied staging the incident. The city of Chicago has its issues, the Chicago Police Department has its issues with racism and excessive force and all of that, and Im acutely aware of that, Johnson told ABCs Robin Roberts on Monday. But we didnt earn this particular incident, and I just refuse to let us have to take that shot if I have evidence to the contrary. So I just want people to understand that its a damaging thing to do to a city and to a police department, so its my responsibility to ensure that the record gets set straight, he said. Advertisement FULL @ABC NEWS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Chicago police Superintendent speaks with @RobinRoberts about the Jussie Smollett investigation. https://t.co/G4P92ohuFL pic.twitter.com/QnpgfJ4FQh Good Morning America (@GMA) February 25, 2019 A timeline of how the Jussie Smollett case unfolded Roberts also gave Smollett a platform on GMA to recount his alleged attack earlier this month, before the trajectory of the investigation shifted against him. On Monday, Johnson was adamant that Smollett is presumed to be innocent despite additional evidence that hasnt been publicized yet that indicates otherwise. He still has the presumption of innocence, and hell get his opportunity in court if he goes that route, Johnson said, adding, theres a lot more evidence that hasnt been presented yet, and does not support the version he gave. Theres still a lot of physical evidence, video evidence and testimony that just simply does not support his version of what happened. Johnson defended his departments investigation as skepticism mounted around Smolletts story, saying that the CPD investigated the actors allegations as a hate crime and treated him like a victim from the get-go. I refused to let CPD characterize him as a suspect unless we had concrete evidence, Johnson said. FULL COVERAGE: Jussie Smollett Smollett was arrested on Thursday and then released on bond. Hes due in court in March. Advertisement Johnson told Roberts that the case went from being a hate crime to a hoax after police questioned two brothers who told investigators they were paid $3,500 to carry out the attack and presented as evidence a check Smollett allegedly wrote. (The memo line of the payment said that it was for a five-week workout regimen, and Smolletts camp has said one of the brothers was hired by the actor to get him into shape for a music video.) Its important for people to recognize that its not the Chicago Police saying that he did something, Johnson said. Its the evidence, the facts and the witnesses that are saying it. Twitter: @NardineSaad It was like a case of Freaky Friday, but on Sunday, when it appeared that the Grammy Awards had returned for a second time this month to honor the best of 2018. Queen opened the nationally televised awards ceremony with a medley of We Will Rock You and We Are the Champions. Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings performed in Western sequined Nudie suits. Tom Morello, Queen Latifah and Pharrell presented. And Lady Gaga delivered her perennial acceptance speech about the power of tenacity, believing in yourself and all that other stuff about how hard shes worked. Twitter lit up. Lady Gaga giving her acceptance speech after winning the Oscar for original song. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) FULL COVERAGE: 2019 Oscars Advertisement This, however, was the Oscars. And on films big night, it wasnt the magic of Hollywood that saved this years show. It was the power of music. The 91st Academy Awards aired Sunday without a host for the first time in 30 years, and there were big questions about how the ceremony would fare, especially given that its ratings have consistently declined, even with competent hosts like Jimmy Kimmel at the helm. Last year the Oscars hit an all-time low in audience ratings, so when 2019s scheduled host Kevin Hart dropped out less than two months before the big day, the academy was clearly scrambling to find someone, or something, to buoy the sinking ship. The organizations impossible task of attracting a wider audience while keeping the notoriously fussy industry happy had them announcing then shelving ideas at an alarming pace. Those short-lived ideas included floating a popular picture category and shortening the show by cutting out most of the music performances and giving away non-sexy Oscars at commercial breaks. The three-hour-plus telecast, however, showed that the Oscars found its inspiration in an unlikely place: the redheaded stepchild of awards season, the Grammys. Sundays Oscars relied on music performances and pop culture personalities to keep the wheels greased and attract a younger demographic that might otherwise stream bits and pieces after the fact. Queen guitarist Brian May, right, with Adam Lambert, performing on stage during the telecast of the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) MORE: At this years Grammys, Alicia Keys showed the value of a strong host Adam Lambert fronted Brian May and the rest of Queen in the opening number as celebrities and awards contenders, including Emma Stone and Jordan Peele, sang along from their seats in Hollywoods Dolby Theatre. Jennifer Hudson performed Ill Fight from the documentary RBG about Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Lady Gaga sang Shallow, her Grammy- and now Oscar-wining song from A Star Is Born, with Bradley Cooper. Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga performing at the 91st Academy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) Advertisement MORE: Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper are so good at the Oscars that they need to go on tour Several of the best picture contenders revolved around musicians Bohemian Rhapsody, A Star Is Born and Green Book demonstrating that the crossover of film stars from the big screen to TV is not the freshest story in the migration between mediums. The academy must have also sighed a breath of relief when it realized that relegating smaller categories to the commercial breaks would have been an idea worse than the Rob Lowe/Snow White skit debacle of yore. The folks running the show should have already known that its the acceptance speeches from non-celebrities that often yield the nights most moving and poignant moments. When Ruth E. Carter made history as the first African American woman to win for costume design for her work on Black Panther, she said: Marvel may have created the first black superhero, but through costume design, we turned him into an African king. Thank you to the academy, and thank you for honoring African royalty and the empowered way women can look and lead on screen. Advertisement Melissa McCarthy and Brian Tyree Henry present the Oscar for custom design to Ruth E. Carter for Black Panther during the telecast of the 91st Academy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) MORE: Why do the Oscars run long? We analyzed 10 shows and this is what we learned Hannah Beachler, who became the first African American ever to win for production design, read her thank yous off her smartphone: I stand here stronger than I was yesterday. I stand here with agency and self-worth because of [Black Panther director] Ryan Coogler. I stand here because of this man who offered me a different perspective of life. Who offered me a safe space. And when a film set in rural India about menstruation, no less won for documentary short, Period. End of Sentence creator Rayka Zehtabchi said, Im not crying because Im on my period or anything. I cant believe a film on menstruation won an Oscar. Advertisement Whats more, keeping those underling categories in the telecast contributed some of the shows better gags. Melissa McCarthy came out with Brian Tyree Henry dressed in wildly absurd costumes hers covered in stuffed bunnies spoofing The Favourite. Melissa McCarthy, left, and Brian Tyree Henry onstage in spoof costumes during the 91st Academy Awards. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images) Backstage at the Oscars: Gagas tears, Spikes posse and Melissas crazy bunny dress The lack of a master of ceremonies inspired better gags too ones that didnt involve selfies, snacks or pizzas. Keegan-Michael Key dropped from the ceiling holding an umbrella like Mary Poppins to introduce Bette Midlers musical performance. And the Oscars poked fun early in the show at its hostless conundrum with an appearance from Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph and Amy Poehler. Advertisement Good evening and welcome to the one-millionth Academy Awards, Fey said. We are not your hosts, but were going to stand here a little too long so the people who get USA Today tomorrow will think that we hosted. No-host opening presenters, from left, Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler at the 91st Academy Awards. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) MORE: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph shake up Oscars with first award And just a quick update in case youre confused, Rudolph said. There is no host tonight, there wont be a popular movie category and Mexico is not paying for the wall. Advertisement Overall, the political speeches and anti-Trump sentiments of recent ceremonies were significantly toned down this year and replaced with a more celebratory tone but not of Hollywood itself. The cheers and standing ovations happened in response to comments and examples of the progress made in Hollywood. Rami Malek accepting the Oscar for lead actor at the 91st Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Egyptian American Rami Malek, who won the lead actor Oscar for his role as Queens Freddie Mercury, received rousing applause when he spoke about what an honor it was to play the son of immigrants, an artist seeking his identity. Progress, yes and an opening rock-and-roll anthem that got Hollywood out of its seats and back on the radar. 2019 Oscars: See the full list of winners and nominees Advertisement lorraine.ali@latimes.com @lorraineali Its Oscar Sunday. While millions are watching the show from their couches, The Times has snagged several golden tickets to Hollywoods biggest night. Keep this page bookmarked throughout the night to get live updates from inside the Dolby Theatre and find out what you didnt see on TV Bar vibe Unlike other award shows, theres no food or drink inside the Oscars. That means if stars get hungry and Ellen isnt on hand to order pizza the only refreshments are available in the lobby. But to get your hands on some trail mix or Champagne, you have to head out to the bar, where the show is barely audible on overhead monitors. That didnt seem to be a problem for Rachel Weisz and Daniel Craig, who ducked out of the ceremony at a commercial break to chat with the Coen brothers by the bar. But Allison Janney was more concerned about leaving the room. When she glanced up at a monitor and realized she was missing Bette Midler singing, she cried out: Bette? Im missing this? Oh, damn it. Then she downed her drink and hightailed it back into the auditorium. Advertisement 6:16 p.m. | Amy Kaufman Rachel Weisz arrives for the 91st Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Feb. 24. (Etienne Laurent / Shutterstock) 2019 Oscars: See the full list of winners and nominees FULL COVERAGE: 2019 Oscars They said the Vanity Fair party had lost its luster, that it was no longer the hottest Oscar night bash. But I dont know, guys. It seemed pretty cool to me. Sure, yes, Im just a lowly reporter who is granted access to the Hollywood bash for a precious 60 minutes. And no, youre right: I did not receive a coveted invitation to Madonna or Jay-Zs Oscar after-parties, which are infamously press-free. So I get why you think Id be awed by a fancy party attended by the likes of Lady Gaga, Serena Williams, Elton John and Ashley Olsen. (Because whens the last time you saw an Olsen twin in the wild? Kind of a major sighting.) Advertisement But no, my friends. This year was the fourth time I was asked to cover the Vanity Fair party, and I am jaded. I do not enjoy driving from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood to the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, which Ill admit feels like a kind of random and soulless place for this event. Jason Momoa with wife Lisa Bonet. (Nina Prommer / EPA-EFE/REX) FULL COVERAGE: 2019 Oscars I am not impressed by classy junk food like In-N-Out burgers and beignets and fried chicken. A free tube of LOreal lipstick from the bathroom? Please. This year, I wanted to be wowed particularly in the wake of the New York Times damning article last week about the VF party, which decried the Oscar bash is no longer a hot ticket. The magazine was so upset about the story that it disinvited a New York Times reporter from attending the party, which generated only more negative headlines. One of the main arguments in the NYT piece was that Vanity Fairs party is no longer cool because it has so many brand partners. The paper argued that a slew of corporate executives from companies such as Johnnie Walker and Verizon would be attending this years bash, leaving less room for major stars. Further, the paper said, Hollywood royalty like Angelina Jolie and Leonardo DiCaprio no longer bother attending the VF party. Which is true. I definitely did not see Angie tossin back a glass of champs. But I also didnt see her at the Oscars. Because she wasnt nominated. Or presenting. But you know whom I did see at the Vanity Fair party? All of these people, doing these things: Advertisement Glenn Close was the life of the dance floor later in the evening. (Nina Prommer / EPA-EFE/REX) 2019 Oscars: See the full list of winners and nominees Glenn Close at the center of a dance circle, surrounded by the likes of Judd Apatow, Sam Rockwell and Marisa Tomei, boogieing so hard that she actually laid down on the ground as part of her routine. Taylor Swift and boyfriend Joe Alwyn fully chowing down on burgers, sans any security. T. Swift always has bodyguards with her at parties! I did not see them! (But maybe they were spying on me from afar.) Advertisement Jason Momoa showing off his second scrunchie of the evening. This one was tan, and made to match the blazer he was wearing to the party. He had it on his wrist, because the much-talked about pink scrunchie hed worn to the Oscars was still holding up his man bun. He said the late Karl Lagerfeld had designed the velvet suit he wore to the ceremony entirely around that pink scrunchie. Terry Crews gushing over how much he loved Roma to supporting-actress nominee Marina de Tavira. Very few movies can take you to another place and another time, he told her. When those kids were in that water? It was the most nerve-racking thing for me! Chris Evans and Bill Maher, deep in conversation on the smoking patio, discussing something having to do with stem cells. Newly anointed Young Hollywood heartthrob Noah Centineo chatting it up with fellow youngs Shailene Woodley and Lily Collins. Advertisement Awkwafina approaching Natalie Portman to tell her: Youre amazing! To which Portman replied: No, youre amazing! A shoeless Amy Adams and Richard E. Grant on the dance floor, jumping up-and-down in unison to Madonnas Into the Groove. And then there was Ava DuVernay, holding court at the party after tweeting out her support for the bash earlier in the week. She had told her followers that she was a fan of new editor Radhika Jones, who put Lena Waithe on the cover of the magazine and invited a beautiful array of black and brown people to the 2018 event. Advertisement Funny how now its suddenly lost its luster, the filmmaker tweeted. Luster for some. Closed doors now open for others. Can Vanity Fairs Radhika Jones keep the party going? Throughout the night, DuVernay continued to share photos of the event on her feed writing under a snap of Diana Ross and her daughter, Tracee Ellis Ross: Thats luster to me. Was the crowd younger? Yes. There was Amandla Stenberg and Cole Sprouse and Lana Condor and Rowan Blanchard. But all the big winners were there too: Gaga, Regina King, Alfonso Cuaron. Advertisement And then the kind of famous people who have no specific reason to be at an Oscars party but just are because theyre famous: Monica Lewinsky, Alex Rodriguez, Jack Dorsey and a ton of famous models such as Naomi Campbell, Kendall Jenner and Adriana Lima. Actress Awkwafina was among the party guests. (Dia Dipasupil / Getty Images) So, yeah. Celebrities are still into the Vanity Fair party. Its still cool. In fact, you know how cool it is? Its so cool that attendees are willing to subject themselves to a mortifying school pickup-esque car line outside of the party. Imagine Elizabeth Banks, Rachel Zoe, Tika Sumpter and Lupita Nyongo all without jackets, teetering in heels on Santa Monica Boulevard. Theyre waiting for their chauffeured vehicles to arrive, huddled under heat lamps. Advertisement There are a lot of cars, so the traffic cop is trying to move things along. If a numbered vehicle shows up and its guest does not get into it within 30 seconds, that car is forced to move along. In the hopes of matching cars with guests, the traffic cop has obtained a megaphone: Trevor Noah, your car is here! he shouts. Mark Hamill! Mark Hamill, for the third time, your car is here! That part wasnt cool, per se. But it was democratizing. Me and Mark Hamill, just sitting on a bus bench, scrolling through Twitter while waiting for our rides. Does it get more lustrous? ER actress Vanessa Marquez was notably missing from the Academy Awards annual In Memoriam segment honoring Hollywood talent who died over the last year. Marquez was best known for her recurring role as nurse Wendy Goldman on the TV medical drama and also starred in the 1988 film Stand and Deliver. Marquez was shot and killed by South Pasadena police during a wellness check at her home in August. She was 49. Those who knew Marquez had been pushing awards-show producers to include the actress in the Oscars In Memoriam. She was omitted from the SAG Awards segment in January. Sunday nights Oscars segment also made no mention of Stanley Donen, co-director of Singin in the Rain, who died on Thursday, and Carol Channing, the Broadway star best known for her work in the musical Hello, Dolly!, who died Jan. 15. Advertisement FULL COVERAGE: 2019 Oscars 2019 Oscars: See the full list of winners and nominees Spike Lee won his first competitive Oscar at the 91st Academy Awards. The filmmaker was recognized for co-writing BlacKkKlansman, his film based on the story of Ron Stallworth, a black detective who infiltrated a local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s. The film was nominated for six Oscars this year, including directing for Lee and best picture, but took home only the award for adapted screenplay. Lee made it count. Upon taking the stage, and jumping into the arms of presenter Samuel L. Jackson, Lee delivered a jubilant acceptance speech that touched on slavery in America and Black History Month and paid tribute to his 100-year-old grandmother the daughter of a slave who saved 50 years of Social Security checks to send him to college. Advertisement Before the world tonight, I give praise to our ancestors who helped build this country and what it is today, along with the genocide of its native people, Lee said. If we all connect to our ancestors, it will have love, wisdom and well regain our humanity. It will be a powerful moment. The 2020 presidential election is around the corner, he added. Lets all mobilize. Lets all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Lets do the right thing! (You know I had to get that in there, he added as a joking aside, a reference to his 1989 film.) Director Spike Lee, left, and actors Topher Grace and Adam Driver on the set of BlacKkKlansman. (David Lee / Focus Features) FULL COVERAGE: Oscars 2019 Despite directing a number of acclaimed films throughout his career, the 61-year-old Lee received his first nomination for directing this year, but the win went to Romas Alfonso Cuaron. Lee was previously nominated in 1990 for the screenplay of Do the Right Thing and in 1998 for his documentary 4 Little Girls. He received an honorary Oscar in 2015. The filmmaker has remained outspoken about his criticism of the academy, as well as its snubs of his movies throughout his career. He was notably absent at the Oscars amid the #OscarsSoWhite controversy in 2016, when the ceremony lauded only white nominees in the acting categories. Then, backstage Sunday, he expressed his distaste for Green Book winning best picture over BlacKkKlansman. Im snake-bit every time somebody is driving somebody, I lose! he said, in reference to Do the Right Thing getting overshadowed by Driving Miss Daisy in 1990. But they changed the seating arrangement? Advertisement Times staff writers Ashley Lee and Nardine Saad contributed to this report. 2019 Oscars: See the full list of winners and nominees tracy.brown@latimes.com Twitter: @tracycbrown Black Panther costume designer Ruth E. Carter made history on Sunday as the first African American to win the costume design Oscar for her work on the Marvel blockbuster. Carter was chosen for the Academy Award ahead of Mary Poppins Returns and The Favourite designer Sandy Powell, who was nominated twice this year and already has three Oscars. Also competing were The Ballad of Buster Scruggs designer Mary Zophres and Mary Queen of Scots designer Alexandra Byrne. Wow, I got it. This has been a long time coming, she said, with a laugh. Spike Lee, thank you for my start. I hope this makes you proud. Carter, an expert in period detail, became the first black person to be nominated for the costume design Oscar in 1993 for her work on Spike Lees Malcolm X. She was again nominated for her costume work on Steven Spielbergs 1997 slave-ship drama Amistad. Ryan Cooglers Black Panther, which is up for best picture, marked her third invitation to the high-profile ceremony. Advertisement Marvel may have created the first black superhero, but through costume design we turned him into an African king, she said Sunday. Its been my lifes honor to create costumes. She thanked the film academy for honoring African royalty and the empowered way women can look and lead on screen and also gave shout-outs to her crew and Black Panthers genius director Ryan Coogler. You are a guiding force. Thank you for your trust and understanding my role in telling the African American story, she said. FULL COVERAGE: 2019 Oscars The sought-after designer, who worked closely with director Coogler on the superhero flick, was commissioned to create Afrofuturistic garments for the denizens and tribes of Wakanda that felt authentic to continental Africa while also expressing the technological superiority of the fictional, uncolonized nation. My career is built with passion to tell stories that allow us to know ourselves better. This is for my 97-year-old mother watching in Massachusetts. Mom, thank you for teaching me about people and their stories. You are the original superhero. Ruth E. Carter in the press room. (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images) Backstage in the press room, Carter said she hopes her historic win helps other creators like her. Advertisement I dreamed of this night and I prayed for this night, honestly, not only just for being a hardworking costume designer, but what it would mean for young women coming behind me, she told reporters. I dreamed of this night and now we wont necessarily have to wait for another first. We have the first. Ive been struggling and digging deep and mentoring and doing whatever I could do to raise others up, she continued. I hope through my example, this means theres hope and other people can come on in and win an Oscar just like I did. Carter acknowledged that technology definitely helped her secure the win. All of the nominees had brilliant costumes, but I had 3D printing that might have done it, she said, laughing. Advertisement And if she were to give advice to her younger self, shed say, Through the hard work, through whatever you might have felt or been afraid of, you are doing the right thing. Fear not, because tomorrow is yours. Upon receiving the Costume Designers Guilds Career Achievement Award earlier this week, Carter said shed been designing heroes and sheroes throughout her career, highlighting her work on Lees Malcolm X and Do the Right Thing, Spielbergs Amistad, Ava DuVernays Selma and Reginald Hudlins Marshall. Times staff writer Ashley Lee contributed to this report. 2019 Oscars: See the full list of winners and nominees Advertisement Follow me: @NardineSaad Accordingly, the train carrying the DPRK leader left Pyongyang on February 23rd afternoon. DPRK Chairman Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump at the first DPRK-USA summit in Singapore in June 2018 (Source: EPA/VNA) The Chairman is accompanied by senior DPRK officials, including his younger sister Kim Yo-jong and Vice Chairman of the WKP Central Committee Kim Yong-chol. The KCNA did not mention whether or not First Lady of the DPRK Ri Sol-ju is included in the entourage. The news agency also reported that the DPRK leader will pay an official friendship visit to Vietnam at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President Nguyen Phu Trong. This is the first time the DPRK media has reported about the second DPRK-USA summit, which is due to take place in the Vietnamese capital city of Hanoi on February 27th and 28th./. Hong Kong: Belt-Road sharing session held The Commerce & Economic Development Bureau and the State-owned Assets Supervision & Administration Commission of the State Council jointly held the Belt & Road: Hong Kong - IN Sharing Session on Risk Management today. About 220 participants discussed the risks associated with investing in and operating Belt & Road projects as well as the role of Hong Kong's financing and professional services platforms in managing such risks. Opening the event, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau said Hong Kong enjoys a multitude of advantages, especially in the professional services sectors. Mr Yau said Hong Kong has a rich pool of internationally recognised talents with abundant experience in project financing and fundraising, legal services, dispute resolution, accounting, insurance, business consultancy, risk assessment and management, construction, architecture, transport and more. These professionals stand ready to offer world-class risk assessment, consultancy and management services to enterprises in mitigating risks associated in Belt & Road development, he added. Representatives from 10 state-owned enterprises, local enterprises and professionals, including those in insurance, account and consulting services, surveying, valuation and relevant consulting services had in-depth exchanges at the session. A business matching session was also held. This story has been published on: 2019-02-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. RTHK: Hijacker shot dead on Bangladeshi airliner A hijacker has been shot dead by Bangladeshi commandos who stormed the passenger jet in the country's southeast, according to an army official. The suspect, described by officials as a Bangladeshi man in his mid 20s, was shot as special forces rushed the Boeing 737-800 after it landed safely in Chittagong. The hijacker - identified by the name "Mahadi" and described as being 25 or 26 years old - was shot and died shortly after being arrested, said army spokesman Major General Motiur Rahman. The airport was sealed off by Army, Navy and elite police after landing to collect more passengers from Dhaka on its journey to Dubai. Air Vice Marshall Mofid, who goes by one name, said he kept the accused man busy talking on the phone while special forces units prepared for the raid. He said the man demanded to speak to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. "He claimed he had a pistol, but we are not sure yet whether it is an actual gun or a fake." An unnamed member of the crew said the man was carrying a bomb-like object. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2019-02-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.